《PokeSync (May Need To Stop Writing)》 B1 — 1. Setting The Stage Air puffed out of Rhea¡¯s cheeks as she lay in bed, holding her phone in front of her while tuning into Kanto¡¯s Channel 3 News. The rectangular device projected the image, blowing it up to four times the object¡¯s size; her mother always sent her the latest prototype technology since she worked alongside many of the top silicon-based companies such as Rocket, Silph Co., and Devon Corporation. She frowned as a few big stories that had been released throughout the week appeared on the left side of the main feed, showing the mass recall of the Rotom-based technology that recently took off worldwide, starting in the Galar region. From glancing through it, she discovered that the machines were brought into question after discovering an infamous terrorist, Commander Charon, had a hand in developing the process for the notorious criminal syndicate Galactic. Upon further investigation by the United Indigo League, Rotom Corp was found to be housing many Galactic sleeper agents that had infected most of the devices with spyware to gather public information. The scandal crushed the company¡¯s stocks as investors jumped ship, but many were already under investigation by the International Police Force, and a few upcoming tech-kids purchased the failing business at a dirt-cheap price to try and salvage the company. Many experts were joking that if they managed to revive the outfit, then it would be the biggest business-related miracle since Rocket came back. Expectedly, the news flipped from the Rotom Corp scandal to Giovanni Rocket and his rise from the ashes of his burning empire to leave the world in shock at the conglomerate¡¯s recovery twenty-five years ago. He¡¯d been convicted of a list of crimes a mile long, but through the efforts of countless lawyers and backroom deals with the newly formed United Indigo League¡ªwhile still evading reporters¡¯ relentless assault for answers¡ªhe walked away clean. Yet there he was on the news feed, appearing to be in his thirties, despite his stated age of sixty-seven, once again one of the world¡¯s largest corporate authorities. Rhea¡¯s coral blue eyes moved away from the story, swiping the hologram to the left to minimize the other feeds. Even with that massive expos¨¦, the biggest news taking place around the world was the launch of this year¡¯s Bronze League¡ªnow turned International¡ªand since she¡¯d turned seventeen two months ago, this was her year. Tomorrow she would be flown to Pallet City since she qualified for the Oak Starter Award, which would be televised. Honestly, she didn¡¯t want to go through it all since she hadn¡¯t decided to take training seriously like her older brother or father, but it was a regional law to at least attempt one Gym. She wasn¡¯t sure which path to take for her future, and even if being a Master-tier trainer came with many perks, it was mostly a pipe dream since less than .05% of trainers ever reached those heights. A text pulled her mind away from her conflicted heart, bringing a smile to her lips. Swiping off the news, she brought up her text messages to activate the most recent, connecting with her cousin, Bianca, in the Unova region. ¡°Hey, Rhea! Are you free to chat? Tomorrow¡¯s the big day!¡± In response, Rhea held down the left edge of her device, activating the voice feature. ¡°Call Bianca.¡± The ring only lasted a few seconds before her cousin¡¯s smiling face entered the expanded holographic frame; since she was a Master-tier Trainer, she didn¡¯t look much older than her late-teens with the strength of her Fortitude, specifically her physical and spiritual Allocations, when she¡¯d reached Master-tier as a Trainer. ¡°Rhea!¡± she squealed, shoulder-length blonde hair and red-rim glasses bouncing as she resituated herself on a couch. ¡°So, how are you feeling?¡± Rhea¡¯s blue irises shifted to the side as she gave Bianca a half-smile. ¡°Like I want to skip the whole thing.¡± ¡°No, c¡¯mon,¡± Bianca giggled. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad, you know, when I first went out, there was a pretty big upset with a lot of the trainers that weren¡¯t used to the fourteen age restriction ¡­ seventeen now; kids were goin¡¯ crazy!¡± ¡°Yeah, I heard,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°A lot tried to fake their age and stuff, but that was forever ago¡­¡± Bianca¡¯s left eye creased suspiciously. ¡°Aye, are you callin¡¯ me old? I¡¯m only twenty-six, I¡¯ll have you know!¡± Rhea giggled, brushing her long, creamy blonde bangs back. ¡°Like I wouldn¡¯t? How¡¯s Auntie Cynthia?¡± ¡°Heh, how else would a woman about to reach fifty be when she¡¯s a Legendary-tier Master?¡± Bianca scoffed. ¡°Last I heard, my mom was meeting up with Steven Stone ¡­ gah, he¡¯s so dreamy looking, too¡­¡± Rhea smirked. ¡°And like double your age!¡± ¡°Bah,¡± Bianca waved her hand, ¡°he¡¯s not THAT old, but yeah ¡­ Master-tier Trainers can fool the best of us, not even getting into Champion-tier.¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Rhea asked with an impish grin. ¡°Didn¡¯t you text me last week about an eighteen-year-old that looked pretty handsome?¡± ¡°No, no!¡± Rhea giggled as she blustered. ¡°That was for you! Geez, you know I¡¯m very happily married to a very charming young man. Humph ¡­ so, umm, yeah! So ¡­ what¡¯s goin¡¯ on over in nowhere land?¡± Rhea spat out a long sigh while turning her head against her black pillow to stare at her room. She wasn¡¯t sure if it was big or small by average standards because she¡¯d lived in a remote forest village between Pallet, Viridian, and the ocean, three miles to the west. The floors were polished wood that she kept clean, and a large Pok¨¦ball mat was in the room¡¯s center. Above her bed a new crystal holographic display was mounted, which would give her a high-resolution image of whatever she chose to beam to it through her phone. She was lying on a reasonably comfortable full-mattress in the back-left corner, and across from her bed sat a plant collection; she¡¯d harvested it from the local forest with her father to liven up her room when she was eight and had taken care of it ever since. On the right-corner were her desk and thin laptop that handled all her school work, connected to the village¡¯s central databank that housed every one of the residents¡¯ twelve kids¡¯ records. Once Jason and her left, there¡¯d be ten left. Rhea glared at the bright sun, beaming through the window between her desk and bed before settling on her door in the opposite corner; the walk-in closet was beside it. ¡°Yeah ¡­ nothin¡¯ much happening here but Master Trainers zipping in and out, doing whatever it is they do.¡± ¡°Aww ¡­ I guess it is pretty busy right now,¡± Bianca mumbled while sucking on her lower lip. Rhea¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Oh? I heard Sabin¡¯s coming back to see me off, but who knows when that¡¯ll be ¡­ are you hinting that that might not happen? I hate that all you Masters know everything that¡¯s happening while I¡¯m left here, shocked when my brother just so happens to show up the night before, with no one telling me he¡¯s back,¡± she pouted. ¡°You know that¡¯s happened!¡± Bianca¡¯s cheeks puffed to the side as Rhea swiped up to move the image to the overhead display, setting her phone to the side while glaring up at her cousin. ¡°Hey, I know it¡¯s rough ¡­ oh, that¡¯s a cute blue dress you¡¯re wearing!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject¡­¡± ¡°Okay, okay,¡± Bianca sighed, repositioning herself on the couch and taking a sip of some liquid to buy herself time to think. ¡°Yes, you live in a small government-affiliated base of operations that has a lot of Trainers ¡­ Master ones at a minimum, and that means you don¡¯t get to have all the cool stuff and friends of a great big City-State like Viridian, but you see things no one gets to see!¡± Rhea released a low growl, puffing out her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m supposed to just go into this lab and randomly get selected to join a team of two girls I don¡¯t even know ¡­ I¡¯ll be the weird girl that¡¯s never been to a big city ¡­ no, not even a small city like Pallet, which is massive compared to this nameless place.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Bianca trailed off, looking for the right words while her Stoutland roamed in the background behind the couch, over four and a half-foot-tall at the shoulders. ¡°Eh ¡­ wait, you won¡¯t be the weird girl, Rhea!¡± ¡°Why not?¡± she mumbled, crossed legs tightening as she played with her feet. ¡°Every one of them comes from renowned families, right? It¡¯s always like that, and we both know who¡¯s probably gonna be chosen¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, but there¡¯s a reason for that,¡± Bianca replied, resting her cheek against her hand. ¡°I know, I know ¡­ the whole aspect of growing up around strong Pok¨¦mon strengthens your Fortitude over time.¡± ¡°Which is a blessing where you¡¯re from!¡± Bianca chimed. ¡°Feels more like a curse¡­¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah, I can see where you¡¯re coming from ¡­ what? I can!¡± Bianca huffed, seeing her expression. ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± ¡°Hey, you know I¡¯m more of a researcher like your mom and not a big Battle-Trainer like mine.¡± ¡°Still a Master-tier Battle-Trainer,¡± Rhea countered. ¡°Yeah, well ¡­ I kind of blame Hilbert for that,¡± Bianca giggled with a reminiscent smile. ¡°Right?¡± Rhea¡¯s mood lifted with the topic shift. ¡°How is your clumsy Champion-tier husband?¡± ¡°He¡¯s not clumsy!¡± Bianca growled defensively, lips falling and eyes narrowing into a searing glare. Rhea¡¯s hands came up to protest, but she couldn¡¯t help the laughter in her voice. ¡°Hey, hey, I¡¯m just saying ¡­ There¡¯s nothing wrong with being clumsy! He¡¯s a former Champion, but, hehe, still couldn¡¯t conquer that third step in front of all those press cameras ¡­ and the third time just made me go oof!¡± Bianca¡¯s cheeks darkened, likely feeling embarrassed on her husband¡¯s behalf. ¡°Okay, well ¡­ it was a bad day for him, okay? He had a rough battle; Iris wasn¡¯t faring much better after she took the Championship Title.¡± Her cousin forced a smile while switching the topic. ¡°You know, he and Ethan are planning a little training session soon! He¡¯s so excited to train with a Legendary-tier Trainer; he can¡¯t stop talking about it in his sleep,¡± she blushed with a light giggle. ¡°He¡¯s so cute.¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Rhea couldn¡¯t say anything in response to that, so she conceded. ¡°He kind of is, isn¡¯t he?¡± ¡°You eyeing my man, hmm?¡± Bianca grinned before giving her a wink. ¡°I don¡¯t blame you, but he¡¯s taken! Now, what about your mom? Has she talked to you yet about your big¡­¡± Her cousin gave a start as a beep sounded in the background. ¡°Cooking something?¡± Rhea mused, knowing how hard she¡¯d been trying to learn better recipes. ¡°Umm, yeah ¡­ shoot, eh ¡­ give me two seconds!¡± ¡°No problem¡­¡± Bianca was already running off-screen, leaving her phone on the table; she could faintly hear her cousin talking to herself. ¡°Oh, Arceus ¡­ it didn¡¯t smell like it was burning ¡­ wait, no, the edges are supposed to be darker. Why ¡­ no ¡­ I used Moomoo Milk¡­¡± She groaned. ¡°It said it could be a substitute, though, right? The measurements were¡­¡± Rhea got up, arching her back with a low groan as she moved to the bathroom to relieve herself. Once finished, she washed her hands and stared at herself in the mirror, doing a quick inspection of her face, not wanting to have any blemishes when meeting the two girls she¡¯d be spending a decent chunk of the coming year with. She had sharp features, thick, straight, waist-length hair, and a decent figure like her Aunt Cynthia; although, Rhea took more after her father¡¯s side of the family with her facial structure. Standing at five-foot-eight, she was at an average height for most of the women in town, and she knew she was above average when it came to her looks, but the issue with being surrounded by Master-tier Trainers was that all of them had ideal physiques. She had to remind herself that the men and women here were not the standards she saw online. Her fair skin was less common in Kanto, where most residents she saw on the news were more yellow-skinned, but she couldn¡¯t do anything about something she was born with, and she didn¡¯t tan well. All of those traits were quite normal to natives of the Sinnoh region, though. Sighing, she walked back to her bed, noticing a text in the top left corner of the screen; Bianca was still struggling with her cooking fiasco, trying to figure out where she¡¯d gone wrong. Bringing up her phone, Rhea activated the message, reading the overlay as it popped up. From Mom? Oh ¡­ she¡¯ll call in a little bit. Well, at least there¡¯s that news. She stared at the message, mind retreating to ponder on the notice. How long has it been since I last spoke to her ¡­ a few weeks? Yeah, ever since she had that big project, she¡¯s been so secretive about it ¡­ typical. Rhea¡¯s focus returned to the projection as movement happened; Bianca was lifting the device up. ¡°Gah ¡­ I seriously messed this one up,¡± she sighed. ¡°I¡¯m just glad Hilbert isn¡¯t here¡­¡± ¡°Hmm, planning on hiding the evidence?¡± ¡°Already taken care of!¡± Bianca grinned. ¡°Looks like takeout again ¡­ ugh, there¡¯s only like two places I can go to here. I suck¡­¡± ¡°The casserole agrees,¡± Rhea chuckled as her cousin plopped back into her seat with a grunt, ¡°and still not as bad as where I¡¯m at.¡± ¡°Hey, a little support here! C¡¯mon, and it was a ¡­ you know what, nevermind. How¡¯s Aunt Christie? Talk to your mom?¡± ¡°Yeah, actually ¡­ she just messaged me.¡± ¡°Oh? What¡¯d she say?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ somethin¡¯ about catching up. She¡¯s been pretty busy with her latest project.¡± Bianca rolled her eyes. ¡°She¡¯s always busy with a project ¡­ always going undercover.¡± ¡°Well, not anymore,¡± Rhea pointed out with a bright expression. ¡°Right, right ¡­ Malva¡¯s betrayal. You hear how Diantha¡¯s taking it?¡± Rhea sucked in a breath through her teeth. ¡°Eh¡­¡± ¡°Oof ¡­ yeah, kind of slipped my mind. Your dad¡¯s not on good terms with her right now.¡± ¡°I mean, she was a bit rude last time she was here, from what I heard anyway,¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there, but apparently things got a little heated between them about some kind of mission ¡­ probably with my mother involved.¡± ¡°I can understand why,¡± Bianca said with a pained face. ¡°I mean, Malva did expose your mother¡¯s identity to Flare, and we have to assume all her other covers are blown, too, now.¡± ¡°Yeah ... Yet she¡¯s not here,¡± Rhea pointed out with a loud sigh. ¡°Your mom is one of the most premier breeders and scientists in the world ¡­ I¡¯m sure she has a lot of work still in progress. Just give it a little time.¡± ¡°Time ¡­ I¡¯m going on my Bronze-tier journey tomorrow,¡± Rhea huffed, glancing over at the drawer that held the damaged, handmade letter her mother crafted for her eighth birthday. ¡°True¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed as she heard a knock at the downstairs door, turning to stare at the floor. Bianca tilted her head. ¡°Expecting company?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, one of the Granite twins asked for some help on his recent tests ¡­ Janice¡¯s Pok¨¦mon nature quizzes.¡± ¡°Oof ¡­ I¡¯ve heard horror stories. Alright,¡± Bianca beamed, fiddling with her hair for a moment, ¡°I¡¯ll catch you later, Rhea! Oh, and don¡¯t sweat it! Everything will become a lot clearer when you have a Pok¨¦mon of your own.¡± ¡°Everyone always says that¡­¡± Rhea chuckled ruefully, picking up her phone to end the call. ¡°Alright, later, Bi.¡± She cut the connection and went downstairs to welcome in the nervous thirteen-year-old boy. ¡°Hey, Kristen. Ready to study up?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ I just¡­¡± he paused, glancing back at the houses surrounding the forest they lived in. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Rhea chuckled, swinging the door wide open, and her father¡¯s Gengar appeared out of thin air beside her with a wicked grin on his face. Kristen¡¯s eyes widened upon seeing him. ¡°Franky!¡± he cheered, running in to see the ghost-Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Man ¡­ I really want a Ghastly for my first Pok¨¦mon,¡± he said with shining eyes. ¡°Ghost-types are so cool.¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow at the hovering ball of dark energy as he puffed up his chest, and she tapped his forehead lightly with her knuckles, making him frown as she caught him in a corporeal form. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I don¡¯t know about that. This dude has made my life a living nightmare! The first time I tried sneaking out ¡­ eh, I was a bit younger than you, and he put me in a dream! I thought Viridian City was filled with Ponyta and candy for weeks ¡­ no one even tried to correct me.¡± She rolled her eyes as Franky snickered from behind her. ¡°So, uh ¡­ you need help with Pok¨¦mon natures, right?¡± ¡°Well ¡­ Mmmh¡­¡± Kristen swallowed, glancing back at the door. ¡°You see ¡­ my sister¡¯s been making fun of me because I keep scoring lower than her, and ¡­ I just want to throw the paper in her face for once!¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°You know she¡¯s been getting help from Jason, right?¡± Kristen¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°She ¡­ no! She said she was going off to study in the woods, and Dad said it was okay!¡± ¡°Yup ¡­ studying with Jason in the woods. Between you and me,¡± Rhea winked, ¡°I think she¡¯s got a crush on him.¡± Somehow, his eyes opened further. ¡°Yeah ¡­ now that you mention it ¡­ yeah. She won¡¯t stop talking about him at home!¡± ¡°So,¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Do you want to get a better score?¡± He nodded with a determined look. ¡°Good, ¡®cause I know all Janice¡¯s tricks!¡± Rhea spent the next forty minutes tutoring him, and by the flush on his cheeks, she could guess that it took a lot of courage for him to work up the nerve to ask for her help since this was the last day she¡¯d be in the village for a while. She finished the lesson when her mother called, waving him off at the door. Once it shut, she answered the call. ¡°Hey, Mom ¡­ Mom?¡± Her mother was close to the screen, dark bags under her bright green eyes, and her long golden hair, ordinarily well-groomed, was a mess. She scratched the back of her head with an almost manic smile. ¡°I did it!¡± ¡°Woah ¡­ Mom, are you okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, why wouldn¡¯t I be?¡± her mother asked, eyes wide as she scratched her arm, voice unusually fast. ¡°So, I was dreaming¡ªrunning experiments, and there was things¡ªthing that popped up¡ªI got the egg, and boom!¡± ¡°Mom ¡­ Mom! Slow down, you¡¯re not making any sense,¡± she mumbled, glancing toward her parents¡¯ room to the top left of the stairs. ¡°Uh ¡­ Dad isn¡¯t here right now¡­¡± ¡°Huh, why do I need your father? No, no, no, I¡¯m talking about you! I was going through all my notes and all the investigations, analyses, and trials I¡¯ve been doing¡ªoh, well, uh¡ªwhat was I talking about¡­¡± ¡°When was the last time you slept, Mom?¡± Rhea asked, gut tightening as she sat on the front room couch, leaning forward with rising panic. ¡°Uh ¡­ sleep? No, no, no, I don¡¯t¡ªcan¡¯t sleep!¡± she laughed unsteadily, twirling her index finger around a lock of her messy hair. ¡°I spend¡ªno, no, that¡¯s not right ¡­ no, I sent you your Starter Pok¨¦mon!¡± ¡°Wha¡­¡± Rhea was thoroughly baffled. She¡¯d seen her mother go a few days without sleep for her research before, but this was a whole new level of insomnia and delirium. ¡°What egg ¡­ Starter?¡± ¡°Eggs ¡­ eggs! I sent you your first two Pok¨¦mon!¡± she cheered. ¡°I ¡­ wait, but I¡¯ve already picked out¡­¡± ¡°Oak¡¯s little thing that you did online? No, no, that¡¯s no issue,¡± she growled, scratching the back of her head again. ¡°No, there¡¯s a¡ªI made sure it¡¯s all good¡ªit¡¯s clearly in the rules that you can have a Pok¨¦mon beforehand! You just can¡¯t choose one of the Starters ¡­ anyways, right¡ªyeah! I did it!¡± Rhea opened her mouth but no thought formed in her brain; there were just so many questions colliding together, resulting in her mind going blank. Catching her slack-jawed response, her mother nodded with a bright grin. ¡°Ah-hah! Yeah, I know! I¡¯ve been thinking¡ªdoing and running¡ªa fire was in the lake ¡­ wait, no, no ¡­ I got the package all done up and sent out! To the thing¡ªt-the thing ¡­ what thing? Oh, it should be¡­¡± Rhea shot to her feet as her mother¡¯s eyes rolled back, and she slumped against the table. ¡°Mom? Mom! Mom, get up!¡± Head darting to the door, she tried to think of anything she could do, but who would know where her mother was in the first place? The only person that came to mind was her father, but he¡¯d gone off that morning to speak to a few other Grandmaster Trainers. Deciding there wasn¡¯t any other option, she bridged the call with her father, hoping he¡¯d answer. To her relief, it only took several rings before it connected; her dad¡¯s handsome young face and thick blonde hair came into focus, blowing back in the wind. ¡°Rhea, Christie? What¡¯s¡­¡± She could barely hear him past the rushing wind, and Rhea figured he was flying on the back of Jeffery, his Fearow. ¡°Mom! She just collapsed¡­¡± ¡°Huh? I can¡¯t hear you! One second¡­¡± The angle shifted on the phone to show the Kanto Indigo Mountain Range as Jeffery fell into a nosedive, rushing to the ground, there was a package strapped to the back of the saddle, only used when transporting goods. Once on ground, her father addressed her again, staying mounted. ¡°Now, what¡¯s going on?¡± he chuckled while studying his wife. ¡°Did she fall asleep on¡­¡± ¡°No, Dad, listen!¡± Rhea yelled, face turning red. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen her act so crazy! She was talking gibberish, and cutting her sentences, then just collapsed, but she was super, super hyper ¡­ crazy hyper like she was on drugs!¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Her father¡¯s smile swiftly fell at her explanation, but he nodded calmly. ¡°Ah ¡­ okay, okay, yeah, I get it. No, it¡¯s fine¡ªit¡¯s really fine, Rhea, okay? Take a deep breath ¡­ feeling better?¡± Rhea followed his instructions, but her heart was racing, she tried taking another breath, but couldn¡¯t get all the way through before continuing. ¡°... No! You didn¡¯t see her¡­¡± ¡°No, I¡¯ve seen her when she gets like this,¡± her dad sighed, running his hand through his swept-back hair and adjusting his riding goggles. ¡°She probably was experimenting with Mega and Synco-Burst evolutions or something ¡­ she can take it to the extreme. I¡¯ll send Grandpa over to check up on her. She¡¯s in Sootopolis City at the moment.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll really be okay?¡± Rhea whispered, staring at the slumped figure of her mother, the spine of an ancient book was creating an imprint on her cheek as a bit of drool fell out of her mouth. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯ll be fine! Her Fortitude as a Trainer isn¡¯t powerful enough to handle such things, but you know she can get impatient when I¡¯m not there to help. ¡°I actually just picked up a package she had teleported over. It must be pretty important if she used an expensive method like that, and it¡¯s addressed to you!¡± he laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll be back soon ¡­ oh, and I just heard Sabin¡¯s flying in soon, too.¡± Feeling a little better but still taking a few breaths to calm her racing heart, Rhea nodded. ¡°I¡¯m just happy ¡­ she really scared me!¡± Rhea growled, glaring at her mother; most of her face was hidden behind her ratty-looking hair. ¡°Yeah ¡­ she may be a borderline Master, but doing any kind of advanced synchronization is still pretty hard on Trainers of that level,¡± her dad stated with a forced smile. ¡°Umm, alright ¡­ so, when¡¯s Sabin getting in?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± her father scratched his head, glancing to the left, ¡°like ¡­ fifteen minutes or something? He¡¯s flying in on his Aerodactyl, so it should be pretty quick.¡± ¡°F-Fifteen minutes!¡± Rhea yelped, glancing around the house. There really wasn¡¯t a reason to be panicking, but she hadn¡¯t seen her brother in person for over a month, and with limited people to talk to in her life, this was a big deal. ¡°I¡¯m not ready!¡± Her father was more than accustomed to her flustered nature when Sabin came home; he chuckled silently as Jeffery prepared to jump into the air. ¡°Anyways, I¡¯ll see you soon, Honey! Love you, Christie; have a good rest¡­¡± The feed cut, and Rhea ran upstairs, leaving the call with her mother on. Studying herself in the mirror and doing a few more brushes through her hair, she checked the house to see if it was presentable. Why am I always the last one to know anything?! Her back stiffened as a knock sounded at the door. What ¡­ no, it¡¯s too soon? Doing one last glance over of herself, Rhea frowned at her sky blue, knee-length, flared dress. Puffing out a breath, she combed back her bangs and added a smile. She took two steps before slowing to a stop in the hallway, brow furrowing. Wait ¡­ Sabin wouldn¡¯t knock? Who¡¯s at the door, then? Another knock sounded; it was a bit stronger this time but not rushed. Her lips became a line as she walked forward, pausing before the door. ¡°Who¡¯s there?¡± ¡°Who else?¡± replied a lush feminine voice. The hair on the back of Rhea¡¯s neck stood up with surprised glee as she swiftly opened the door, flooding the hallway with the midday sunlight. B1 — 2. A Mothers Love Knows No Bounds Rhea happily flung the door open to reveal her Aunt Cynthia¡¯s smiling face; however, her joy noticeably fell upon seeing the handsome orange-haired man next to her. ¡°Aunt Cynthia ¡­ Blue¡­¡± The heat in her heart rose to the surface as the traumatic incident returned, bringing her mind back to the events of her eighth birthday. Blue Oak had a strained smile on his face as he folded his expensive sunglasses, securing them on the front of his black button-up T-shirt. ¡°Aye, what¡¯s happenin¡¯, Rhea. Uh ¡­ can I start by saying I¡¯m sorry?¡± Her aunt gave Blue a knowing smile as Rhea moved out of her way to let her in, standing in front of the Legendary-tier Trainer at her door. ¡°Hey, Sweetie,¡± Cynthia giggled, moving in to give her an appraising look. ¡°My ¡­ you¡¯ve grown! I like your dress, too; it suits your pretty eyes.¡± ¡°Thanks, Auntie ¡­ so, umm ¡­ what¡¯s he doing here?¡± she asked, letting her displeasure be known. Blue glanced away, scratching his neck. ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, Rhea ¡­ are you still mad at me? It¡¯s been like nine years, and I said I¡¯m sorry.¡± Cynthia shrugged with a light giggle. ¡°You ruined the girl¡¯s eighth birthday party, Blue. What would you expect?¡± ¡°It was a bad time for me,¡± Blue pleaded with a forced smile. ¡°I got help!¡± ¡°Humph,¡± Rhea backed up against the wall to allow him inside. ¡°Well, at least you don¡¯t look or smell like a pathetic drunk; I¡¯ll give you that.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± her aunt winced. ¡°Yeah, you kind of deserved that one. It has been four years since she¡¯s last seen you.¡± Blue stepped through, closing the door and following Cynthia to the front room with Rhea tailing. Her aunt¡¯s silver eyes narrowed slightly when she saw her sister slumped over, Rhea¡¯s call with her mother still projecting from her phone. Rushing over, Rhea quickly cut off the call. ¡°Have a little sympathy,¡± he mumbled, only partially taking notice of the call while running his left hand through his trademark ruffled hair. ¡°I took the end of the last war pretty hard and went through some ups and downs. When we sealed that last Ultra Wormhole, I lost a lot of my Pokemon¡­ My best friends.¡± Cynthia puffed out a depressed sigh, turning away from her phone to address the man. ¡°Why do you think we¡¯ve all tolerated your sorry butt this entire time?¡± she asked, giving him an encouraging smile. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re all happy for you getting back on your feet and doing the whole Battle Tree thing with Red. Still, no one¡¯s been able to beat you two, huh?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not like Ethan¡¯s gonna jump Red halfway across the world,¡± Blue chuckled, ¡°and you¡¯re too busy to stop by for a serious battle.¡± Rhea folded her arms, leaning against the wall while glaring at him. ¡°What does any of that have to do with destroying the cake and letter my mother made for me?¡± ¡°Aye, I get it,¡± Blue replied with a down expression. ¡°I know it was important to you.¡± The heat in her chest tempered a little, and she glanced to the side while playing with her hair. ¡°Fine ¡­ that doesn¡¯t mean I like you, though.¡± She couldn¡¯t help but remember all the articles following after one of the world¡¯s biggest legendary public stars. After the war had ended, it seemed to be the final straw that broke the Numel¡¯s back, and from those ruthless reports, she knew that a large part of it had been the loss of his parents as a kid mixed with the the continual cost of peace he and his Pok¨¦mon took on, shouldering the burdens of many conflicts around the world. He¡¯d fallen into a drunken mess, causing all sorts of public incidents that put his remaining family in the heat of ruthless journalists looking for fame and credits. It wasn¡¯t like she didn¡¯t know about the rehab, and efforts he went through to get clean after the last incident almost caused a regional uproar with the Alolan Guardian deities. Now, he¡¯d retaken the position at the Battle Tree with Red, and from what she heard, his relationship with Leaf, his wife, was doing better, or at least that¡¯s what the Gossip App indicated. ¡°So, Aunt Cynthia,¡± Rhea muttered, glancing between the two, ¡°since Blue¡¯s here, then I¡¯m guessing this isn¡¯t just a fun visit. Oh, and I was talking with Bianca, and she said you were going to see Steven Stone, but Hoenn is super far away.¡± Her aunt crossed her legs, adjusting her long hair and red dress. ¡°I was, but I flew here as fast as I could once your father released some of the final data your mother revealed.¡± ¡°Cynthia,¡± Blue whispered, brow creasing, ¡°do you really think you should be talking about that?¡± Cynthia shrugged with a light chuckle. ¡°Honestly, most of you treat Rhea like a child. When you were her age ¡­ well, you know what you were doing.¡± Rhea¡¯s excitement rose dramatically; her aunt always stuck up for her, often bringing her in on things when she was around. Heart thumping, Rhea moved around to sit next to her. Just as she was taking her spot and adjusting her dress, Franky appeared between them, giving Cynthia a wide, expectant smile. A light giggle shook Cynthia¡¯s frame as she studied the floating ghost. ¡°Franky ¡­ so, you¡¯re on guard-duty, huh?¡± Franky snickered before his eyes widened, smile faltering a bit as the Active Champion studied him. ¡°Yes, yes, I know,¡± Cynthia replied, reaching into her purse by her side to extract a unique pok¨¦ball. Activating it, she tossed it to the side. A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat as Lila, her aunt¡¯s Spiritomb emerged. A cavity of darkness gushed up from the small stone, and as if crawling from an abyssal realm, the ghastly outline of a luminous green face emanated from its depths. The eerie purple fog expanded, flowing emerald flames materializing around it. Rhea winced, tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth as Lila¡¯s dense spiritual weight pressed against Rhea¡¯s entire frame, trapping the air in her lungs, and the ghost hadn¡¯t even begun releasing her true power. The two top-tier Pok¨¦mon radiated spectral glee as the lights in the room immediately dimmed, shadows intensifying once the two faced each other, and Franky¡¯s grin turned sinister. The constrictive atmosphere popped like a bubble as her aunt returned the pok¨¦ball to her red purse, promptly chastising both Pok¨¦mon as if they were children. ¡°Aye, you both know the rules.¡± She snapped her fingers, pointing to the door. ¡°Get outta here!¡± Both ghosts gave her a bow before fading with spooky snickers. Rhea coughed a little, pressing her hand against her chest while trying to collect herself, coral blue irises following the glowing keystone as it lifted off the ground, quickly moving toward the exit. The front door opened, then shut, and they were gone. ¡°Tch¡­¡± Cynthia frowned, shaking her head. ¡°Those two ¡­ my apologies, Rhea. How are you feeling?¡± she asked, reaching over to rub her back with concern. Trying not to show any weakness, Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m fine!¡± She swallowed, licking her dry lips. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve seen Lila ¡­ She seems a lot stronger.¡± Blue chuckled, easing back into his seat now that Rhea¡¯s tension wasn¡¯t directed at him. ¡°Those two have a history?¡± ¡°You could say that,¡± Cynthia sighed, still checking over Rhea¡¯s condition. ¡°Lila¡¯s not as good at restraining her spiritual pressure as the other members of my main team.¡± Rhea had to take a few minutes to calm her pumping heart, trying to keep herself presentable while not showing any signs that Lila had shaken her. ¡°Mmh, but can Franky really compete with Lila?¡± Blue asked with a doubtful glance at the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Franky¡¯s Grandmaster material, for sure, but that¡¯s just it, Lila is far above Grandmaster. From my own experience, your Spiritomb¡¯s a worthy threat, and I mean, it makes sense, she¡¯s on your main lineup.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Cynthia leaned back, folding her arms with a gleam in her silver eyes. ¡°Oh, absolutely not, but Franky has a few tricks up his sleeve to keep Lila on-guard. Keith and Franky can be sneaky.¡± ¡°So, you got a message from Keith, too? Seems pretty important if¡­¡± he trailed off, confident smirk lighting his lips as he turned his head, looking at the kitchen. ¡°Haven¡¯t lost your senses, I see,¡± Cynthia chuckled. ¡°Wow ¡­ Franky¡¯s goin¡¯ all out.¡± He licked his lips, leaning forward as his eyes sparkled. ¡°That¡¯s gonna draw a lot of attention.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened as her aunt cocked her head to the left; she¡¯d seen the action many times when Cynthia wanted something. ¡°Feeling up to a real stretch? Esfforia¡¯s been itching to train against anyone near her level.¡± Blue¡¯s clumsy demeanor vanished as a half-smile lifted his lips, and his lime-green eyes appeared to glow. ¡°Your Garchomp, huh?¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t lost your edge, right?¡± Cynthia pushed. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Not a second later, the door opened, and Sabin walked in, eyeing both legendary Trainers; unlike most of their family, he had light brown hair, cut in a casual style, and a very carefree attitude that drew attention the moment he stepped into a room. He had a bright smile as he entered, sharp dark sunglasses secured on the collar of his slightly unbuttoned plaid shirt, tight enough to give the faint impression of his chiseled figure. He wore thin, light blue pants and white soft sole shoes, completing his outfit with a black Trainer¡¯s watch. ¡°Yo, Auntie Cynthia, Blue, what¡¯s up? I felt Lila and Franky gettin¡¯ it on! Oh, Rhea, hay, lookin¡¯ cute in that dress, Sis¡­¡± ¡°Th-Thanks!¡± Rhea stammered, getting up with a bright smile as her brother closed the distance. ¡°Aye, come here; give me a hug!¡± Rhea gladly stepped forward, and her brother¡¯s strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her into a bear hug as he lifted her off the ground. ¡°The big day tomorrow, huh?¡± Rhea buried her head in her brother¡¯s chest, breathing in the natural pine scent he usually wore. ¡°Yeah! What about you? Someone in your fan club said you were in Johto for something?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he chuckled, setting her down and pulling away. ¡°Been keepin¡¯ an eye on some suspicious activity from a few Rocket goons, but turned out to be a false flag. Oh, so, uh ¡­ Blue, Aunt Cynthia, what¡¯s the occasion?¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ your dad didn¡¯t fill you in?¡± Blue asked, eyebrow lifting. Cynthia popped her tongue, spreading her arms across the back of the couch while eyeing Sabin. ¡°Must be above Platinum-tier.¡± ¡°Shoot! Guess I should hurry up and get stronger,¡± Sabin replied with a sheepish grin. ¡°Oh, yo, Aunt Cynthia, did you bring Polic?¡± Their aunt shook her head with a sad expression. ¡°Afraid your father asked me to come with the heat.¡± ¡°Gah,¡± Sabin snapped his fingers. ¡°Makes sense if you have Lila here. Wait, were you two goin¡¯ to have a match?¡± he asked with an enthusiastic sparkle to his tone. ¡°Muk, I want a seat!¡± Blue¡¯s chest shook slightly as the hard edge in his eyes returned, staring at their aunt. ¡°Cynthia did challenge me to a one on one, but we¡¯ll have to see what your father says.¡± Cynthia giggled. ¡°My brother-in-law will be fine. Are you just trying to sneak out of it?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m always game for a challenge, and if it¡¯s you, then maybe I can actually feel it in my chest.¡± ¡°Hoh, there¡¯s the little brat I remember,¡± Cynthia smirked. ¡°I saw you ride in on your Pidgeot, but I don¡¯t think Thifo will put up the kind of fight Esfforia wants.¡± Blue sucked in a breath through his teeth while repositioning himself, lime-green eyes still alight with the challenge. ¡°No, Thifo would put up a decent brawl, but no, I¡¯d go with Riyo or Ray if we¡¯re going to make it a real match.¡± Sabin whistles. ¡°Your Aerodactyl or Alakazam?¡± ¡°You would need the speed,¡± Cynthia snickered. Rhea felt like the odd one out in the room as the two Legendary-tier Trainers appraised each other. ¡°Umm ¡­ so, uh, my mom¡¯s sending me some Pok¨¦mon eggs for my Starter ¡­ I don¡¯t know, it just feels a little late to have eggs when my journey starts tomorrow, ya know?¡± The silence that followed drew in on Rhea as everyone turned to give her an astonished look. ¡°What?¡± she mumbled, right arm tightening against her abdomen as she gripped her arm. ¡°For real?¡± Sabin whispered. ¡°Yo, Mom¡¯s giving you eggs she personally bred? That ¡­ uh, hmm¡­¡± Blue popped his tongue. ¡°Huh ¡­ She did handle Lila¡¯s minimum pressure fairly well. Whatever Christie sends her should be in-line with her current spiritual growth, right? I mean, it¡¯s smart.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± her aunt¡¯s expression looked conflicted as she studied her, sucking on her lower lip. ¡°It¡¯ll be rough at the start if it¡¯s the project she¡¯s been having me help with ¡­ how is your mother, by the way? I saw that sorry state she was in.¡± Feeling a little nervous now that the conversation had moved to her, Rhea fidgeted with her dress front. ¡°Umm ¡­ well, she was pretty crazy sounding when she called, to be honest. Dad said it was alright, but¡­¡± She trailed off as Cynthia and Blue¡¯s gaze moved from her to the wall leading to the kitchen, and Sabin quickly followed their gaze. ¡°Is it my dad?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Blue mumbled. ¡°Looks like he¡¯ll be here soon ¡­ heh, is he over watching Franky and ¡­ ooh.¡± A shiver ran down Rhea¡¯s spine as an ominous pressure passed over the area. ¡°Che¡­¡± Cynthia gave the wall a somewhat annoyed glare, and Rhea¡¯s pearl blue eyes widened with surprise as a light glow surrounded her aunt¡¯s frame, her irises illuminating with a sharp silver hue; her long blonde hair resting against her front started to rise slightly with the power linking both Trainer and Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Your dad decided to help Franky out with Mega Evolution¡­¡± Blue leaned forward, tongue pressing against his bottom lip as he smirked, seemingly following the distant fight. ¡°Countering with Syncro-Burst, huh? I¡¯m impressed by Franky seeing you feel the need to jump in, even with the Mega Evolution.¡± An overwhelmingly powerful aura passed through Rhea, but this was more of an eerie chill than the crazed heat of the Mega Gengar. ¡°Just enough to give Lila a minor boost¡­¡± Even from this distance, Rhea felt the pressure colliding with her chest; the pair were likely over the ocean, three miles away, but the added stress was totally worth it as Sabin stepped closer to wrap her comfortingly in his warm arms. ¡°You okay?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Rhea replied, leaning into her brother¡¯s chest with a content smile. It was rare that she was spoiled like this, and she was even guilty of bribing Franky with sweets to scare her, giving her an excuse to snuggle into her brother or father¡¯s reassuring arms, and ever since Katelin and Sabin started dating, it had only increased her possessive traits. The exchange only lasted another few minutes before Franky¡¯s aura quickly faded, soon followed by Lila¡¯s, and her aunt¡¯s Syncro-Burst glow receded. Rhea¡¯s stomach twisted, eyes lifting as a heavy gust blew over the house, causing the windows to shudder. ¡°The punk,¡± Cynthia chuckled with a slight shake of her head. ¡°He tried to take Lila by surprise.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Your reaction speed was impressive, and that last attack was beautiful,¡± Blue replied with an amused nod. ¡°Heh,¡± Sabin squeezed her arm before stepping away, making her hide a pout. ¡°I couldn¡¯t sense much past those crazy bursts of power, but that sharp spike caught me a bit off-guard.¡± ¡°Hmh,¡± Cynthia brushed her hair out with a slight frown. ¡°Your dad¡¯s specialty is burst evolutions to quickly overpower an opponent; he¡¯s practiced for years to cut milliseconds off Mega, Synchro-Burst, and Gigantamax Evolutions ¡­ he¡¯s pretty fast with Z-Moves, too.¡± ¡°Yeah, the cheapshot brand he developed isn¡¯t really my style,¡± Blue shrugged, ¡°but I can respect it. I like to go full out from the start and just tear it up.¡± Cynthia sighed. ¡°It served him well during the war when conserving energy turned out to be the best tactic, and his surgical style opened up a lot of opportunities.¡± ¡°It definitely has its place,¡± Blue concurred. ¡°Saved my butt once or twice; even if he¡¯s not the strongest Grandmaster, his efficiency makes him a threat. In fact,¡± he grinned at Sabin, ¡°I heard you took after that style yourself.¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Sabin waved his hand dismissively. ¡°I can¡¯t hold a candle to my old man.¡± ¡°Give it time,¡± Cynthia urged before turning to Rhea with a small smile. ¡°So, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± she gave a start, only partially listening while trying to think up another way to hug her brother. ¡°You were talking about your mom sending you some new eggs, and how¡¯s my sister doing?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ like I said, she was pretty crazy earlier. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s had any sleep for ¡­ who knows with her, but anyway, she passed out when talking to me. Dad¡¯s sending Grandpa to go check on her.¡± Cynthia winced. ¡°Oof ¡­ yeah, Christie isn¡¯t going to be happy about that, but I guess it can¡¯t be helped. She does need someone there to take care of her when she doesn¡¯t look after her health.¡± ¡°Dad should be bringing the package; Mom teleported it over from Hoenn.¡± Sabin leaned against the wall beside the stairs with a weak chuckle. ¡°Yeah, figured she was there after you mentioned Grandpa. Wait, does that mean she¡¯s back at her first lab in Sootopolis?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± their aunt hummed. ¡°No ¡­ I believe she had a secret base built there. It¡¯s a pretty high-traffic area; not many would even think she¡¯s in Hoenn given its distance from Sinnoh, Kanto, and Johto.¡± The conversation died down as the door opened, and Rhea saw her dad walk through. To her displeasure, Katelin was by his side; she¡¯d returned to town two days ago to spend time with her brother, Rhea¡¯s best friend, Jason, before the Bronze League started. Katelin had cheery features and a decent figure with wide hips and shapely, long legs. Her waist-length dark blue hair was tied into a ponytail, passing through her black pok¨¦cap, and her amber irises instantly locked on Sabin as she entered. With a light squeal, she dashed past Rhea¡¯s father to jump into his open arms. ¡°Sabin,¡± she called out before kissing him on the lips, making Rhea blush and turn away. ¡°It¡¯s been over three weeks!¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± he laughed, pulling back to examine her with an appraising eye. ¡°What do you think, cute, huh?¡± she asked, twirling in a circle. ¡°Oh, Champion Cynthia, Champion Blue!¡± Katelin exclaimed with mild shock, doing a swift bow. Rhea did her best to hide the light blush darkening her cheeks while eyeing her brother¡¯s girlfriend. Katelin was wearing black training tights with a dark blue line running down the outer edge of her sides and matching themed rompers with a yellow and cream themed blazer, the front cut out, showing the jumpsuit¡¯s chest pattern underneath. A white belt with a yellow-white pok¨¦ball themed buckle held her pok¨¦balls around her waist. To finish the outfit, she wore black fingerless gloves, black and yellow shoes, and a black choker with a small Ampharosite Mega Stone attached to it. ¡°Hello, Dear.¡± Cynthia gave her a welcoming wave, and Blue lifted two fingers in a salute. ¡°Yo!¡± ¡°Was it one of your Pok¨¦mon fighting Franky?¡± Blue silently jabbed his finger toward Cynthia. ¡°Ah¡­¡± Keith stayed in the hallway with a soft smile on his lips, arms folded across his broad chest, watching silently while everyone got situated. He¡¯d carried in a big box she assumed was from her mother into the kitchen a bit earlier. Sabin¡¯s smile turned reminiscent, eyeing Katelin¡¯s neck. ¡°The choker I got you.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Katelin giggled, touching the stone with her thin fingers. ¡°The Ampharosite really helped with my last Gym Battle.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Blue piped up. ¡°Which one?¡± Turning to face him, Katelin grinned, showing her gleaming teeth. ¡°Fuchsia City Gym¡¯s Encrusted Platinum Badge; Janine¡¯s a tough High Master! Of course, she was going easy on me.¡± Blue smirked, glancing at Keith. ¡°Eh, you¡¯d be surprised. Even if they¡¯re a lot more experienced, Gyms are required to use weaker Pok¨¦mon, approved by the League for that purpose, allowing trainers to properly prepare for the challenge while the Gym Leader has no knowledge about the type of Pok¨¦mon you¡¯ll be using.¡± Cynthia nodded. ¡°It¡¯s actually pretty good training.¡± They turned toward Keith as he laughed. ¡°And you get to battle different Trainers all the time; the Gym Leader life is awesome ¡­ the pay, too!¡± Cynthia hummed with amusement as the door opened again; Lila and Franky floating in. Rhea¡¯s eyebrow shot up upon seeing Franky slumped over in the air with a drained, depressed expression. Lila didn¡¯t look any different, but the energy she released was a tad less, if the lessened tightness in Rhea¡¯s chest was any indication. It was a bit amusing to see the resident poltergeist down in the dumps as Lila snickered in her eerie manner, appearing to try and comfort the sad ghost. ¡°Tryin¡¯ to steal a victory for Franky?¡± Cynthia asked with a smirk at her brother-in-law. He gave a weak shrug, running his hand through his blonde hair. ¡°It was worth a try! Franky¡¯s been biting at the bit, training to take the V, but there¡¯s always next time. ¡°Although, I was a bit shocked when Lila suddenly Syncro-Burst ¡­ had me sweating there for a second! I saw all the wild Pok¨¦mon for miles, normally accustomed to our strong Pok¨¦mon pressure, running for their lives.¡± Blue sucked on his lower lip as he talked, eyeing Franky as Cynthia returned Lila to her ball with a few words of praise. ¡°I felt the power of that Dark Pulse from here, the torrent of wind it whipped up shook the house ¡­ how¡¯d Franky get out of that one?¡± ¡°We didn¡¯t,¡± Keith forced a chuckle, giving Cynthia a light glare. ¡°We were forced to use Protect, and then Lila hit Franky with a solid Disable ¡­ better than Imprison, but still, we had to call it after that. Why didn¡¯t you use Imprison?¡± Cynthia just smiled at his question, playing with her hair, and Blue filled the following silence. ¡°Oof ¡­ yeah, running against a Pok¨¦mon at Lila¡¯s level without Protect is a good way to die. Pokemon that can use Imprison are top-tier for a reason ¡­ why I love double and triple battles more,¡± Blue stated, crossing his legs. ¡°If one Pok¨¦mon¡¯s Moves get locked down, the other can cover until the seal fades.¡± Everyone settled on couches and armchairs. Katelin took Sabin¡¯s right, and so Rhea took his left. ¡°Anyways,¡± Cynthia turned her focus on her brother-in-law. ¡°What¡¯s the urgent message for? I flew over here as fast as I could when I got your text.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± her dad sighed. ¡°Not gonna answer, huh? Well, knowing you, the Disable was a sufficient move to conclude the battle without the extra energy. Bah, we can wait a bit,¡± Keith waved his hand, motioning to Rhea. ¡°It¡¯s my daughter¡¯s big day; her first Pok¨¦mon! Why don¡¯t you go grab the box and open it so we can see the eggs?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips became a line, fiddling with her dress front as everyone turned their eyes on her. ¡°Well ¡­ okay, but I¡¯m just really confused. I¡¯m supposed to start my journey tomorrow, but they¡¯re still eggs ¡­ shouldn¡¯t Mom have sent them a while ago?¡± Her aunt snickered, brushing back her bangs. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that, Sweetie. I know my sister, and if she says they¡¯ll be ready by the time you start, then they¡¯ll hatch.¡± ¡°My guess,¡± her dad cut in, ¡°they¡¯ll hatch tonight!¡± ¡°Oh, this is exciting!¡± Blue rubbed his hands together. ¡°Anyone up for bets?¡± ¡°Bets?¡± Rhea questioned, glancing around, but the atmosphere took on a clearly competitive tone. ¡°It¡¯s a Starter,¡± Sabin mused. ¡°I mean, the first one usually is pretty standard, and even Mom should follow that rule, but then again ¡­ there are exceptions.¡± Cynthia promptly spoke up. ¡°Eevee, one hundred thousand in the pot.¡± Both Katline and Sabin winced. ¡°One hundred thousand,¡± Katelin squeaked in horror. ¡°That¡¯s umm ¡­ that¡¯s a lot of food, TMs, and challenges at our level ¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve made that much in the past six months.¡± ¡°I agree,¡± Keith forced a smile. ¡°C¡¯mon, Cindy, let¡¯s be fair to the kids; they¡¯re not rich.¡± ¡°Using my nickname to get to me, hmm?¡± Cynthia chortled. ¡°Fine, fine, one-thousand starting off, but I know my sister.¡± ¡°Wait, wait, wait,¡± Blue¡¯s eyes narrowed, fingers coming together suspiciously. ¡°You were talking about knowing a few of Christie¡¯s projects just a bit ago ¡­ I¡¯m sensing some foul play here.¡± A gleam appeared in her aunt¡¯s eyes. ¡°The question about our foreknowledge never came up; I don¡¯t have to disclose it unless it¡¯s explicitly stated.¡± Rhea laughed with the others. Her father shook his head. ¡°There it is! Okay, let¡¯s focus on the second Pok¨¦mon.¡± ¡°Fine ¡­ I¡¯ll keep the grand in the pot, though,¡± Cynthia smirked. ¡°Hmm ¡­ instead of Pok¨¦mon, why don¡¯t we go with typing?¡± Rhea was fine with the whole thing since she¡¯d get at least an idea of what was coming, and an Eevee would be a dream come true. In fact, it was originally what she¡¯d wanted to select from Oak¡¯s email, but a girl from Hoenn got it before her; her mom might have got one for her because of that. She¡¯d always wanted the adorable little Pok¨¦mon, but the problem was their rarity; since Eevee had such an unstable anatomy, it was extremely rare to find one in the wild, meaning one of the only places to get them was from top breeders, making it very expensive. ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Sabin grinned. ¡°How are you guys with breeding info?¡± ¡°To be honest, Trubbish,¡± Blue laughed, ¡°but it sounds fun!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got to know my way around Pok¨¦mon eggs from Christie, hehe,¡± her father stated while staring at her aunt. ¡°Hmm? We¡¯ll see how good of a study you are in a minute, Keith!¡± Katelin leaned over to Sabin, whispering, ¡°We¡¯re totally going to get creamed!¡± ¡°No, no, we got this; if it¡¯s a dual-type, then we still have a pretty good shot!¡± Her brother¡¯s girlfriend promptly raised her hand with an impish smile. ¡°To be clear, egg apps are against the rules, right?¡± ¡°Yes, Dear,¡± Cynthia giggled, ¡°but I like your train of thought.¡± ¡°Shoot¡­¡± Feeling a little amused and happy that the whole gathering''s attention was centering around her new Pok¨¦mon, Rhea went to the kitchen and grabbed the package; it was a bit heavier than she expected. Bringing it into the front room, she set it down on the table with a light grunt, moving back through the doorway to get a knife. Cutting the box open, everyone sat on the edge of their seats as she pulled out the interior container, discarding the cushioning to the side. The thin metallic capsules inside were warm to the touch. Finding the release mechanisms, she peeled back the container, revealing two incubation devices with some kind of black tinted glass and a cardboard box separating both machines. She took out the box first, dumping its contents on the table and causing everyone to focus on the items as they scattered across the wooden surface. A small velvet pouch the size of her fist, a letter, two bags of pok¨¦food, and two minimized pok¨¦balls. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea happily took out the letter first. Her father, aunt, and Blue¡¯s focus all shot to the pok¨¦balls with narrowed eyes before staring at each other; when they didn¡¯t elaborate, Rhea shrugged it off, smiling down at the piece of paper in her hands. Yes, another letter to add to the collection! Opening it, she turned away secretively. ¡°Don¡¯t want to ruin your game!¡± she snickered. ¡°What if she names them in it?¡± Everyone shook with silent laughter as she browsed through the text. Her expression furrowed the further she got, and eventually, she started from the top, reading aloud. Rhea! I¡¯ve been on quite a journey over my whole career, studying legends and myths, traveling to magical places in the name of science and breeding, while also having to blur the ethical line too many times to count. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m proud of everything I¡¯ve been a part of, but because of what I¡¯ve managed to experience and learn, I want to give you the best experience I can for your journey, and if you don¡¯t want to be a Battle-Trainer, then that¡¯s fine, too. In short, over the past year, I¡¯ve been doing everything within my power to prepare for this day, and against all my predictions, I made it happen! I combined all the research I¡¯ve done through the years to breed and genetically modify these Pok¨¦mon that I hope can match your phenomenal potential. I remember a chat we had on your eighth birthday when I asked you what kind of Trainer you¡¯d want to be, and I¡¯ll never forget what you told me. You said you didn¡¯t want to be a collector, but you wanted real Pok¨¦mon friends because you wanted someone to have fun with, and that¡¯s been my primary goal. Pok¨¦mon are the best friends you can have, and so I wanted to give you the very best I could as your mother! Oh, and as your mother, I want them to be as powerful as they can be to protect my little girl! So, I¡¯m planning on sending you each of your six core team Pok¨¦mon throughout your journey as I complete the projects. Now ¡­ I know that I might have been too obsessed with this goal ¡­ I¡¯ve been gathering everything I needed since you were eight, after all ¡­ yeah, maybe we need to come up with a stronger word than obsessive to describe me (>w<), but you love me for all my flaws! The first two eggs are prepared (you¡¯ve probably seen them at this point) and don¡¯t worry, they¡¯ll hatch by the morning! It is CRITICAL that you follow the instructions inside the velvet bag once they hatch. Please, don¡¯t take them outside until you¡¯ve completed those steps! I¡¯ve spent most of my life on these projects, and if I¡¯m right (and I usually am!), then this will shake the entire Pok¨¦mon world as you travel. Of course, I won¡¯t reveal the secret, fufufu ¡­ it¡¯s just very powerful stuff that I know what would happen if it got into the wrong hands ¡­ I¡¯ve worked with those terrible people! Anyway, I love you so much, and I want this to be the best time of your life! I know you¡¯ve been longing to experience the world out of that oppressive forest, and with strong Pok¨¦mon to protect you, I know that all the enemies your family has made over the years won¡¯t hurt you! This was for my heart as much as it was for you! I just can¡¯t even dream of anything happening to you, and once you¡¯re out in the world, it won¡¯t take long for people to start connecting the dots. Your dad and brother have a pretty big reputation; it affected your brother¡¯s journey, and it will affect yours. All it takes is one reporter finding out who your brother, mother, father, aunt, cousins, grandparents ¡­ one leak, and all the work we¡¯ve done to keep you from the public eye will crumble to dust. I want people to love you for you, not who you¡¯re related to. And if you want to return these Pok¨¦mon, then that¡¯s totally fine, too! I know this is a lot to drop on you out of the blue, and I¡¯d be lying if I didn¡¯t say this also was partly for myself, seeing how far I could push breeding and science. Gah, this is getting long ¡­ umm, I just love you so much, and I hope I can say all this before you get the letter, but who knows when it comes to me? I know my limitations, haha! Oh, just open the containers and sleep with them tonight. In the morning, boom, your first Pok¨¦mon! I¡¯ll talk to you when I can after you¡¯ve read this or ¡­ before. Hehe, I suppose whichever comes first; I know I can be dramatic! Loves you so much, my lil¡¯ Swablu! Kisses! And I¡¯ll crawl over dunes, glaciers, and Arceus himself to see you off in Pallet tomorrow! Umm ¡­ secretly, of course, your father and I don¡¯t want to draw too much attention to you, hehe! Rhea¡¯s heart warmed upon finishing the letter, allowing her mother¡¯s loving words to flow through her. It was hard to restrain the tears as her nose burned. ¡°Christie¡¯s never changed,¡± Cynthia laughed. Blue wore a half-smile. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve always seen her as a bit of an eccentric ¡­ workaholic would be an understatement.¡± Her father¡¯s chest shook. ¡°Coming from you? That¡¯s rich, Blue!¡± ¡°Eh, yeah, I mean, I was pretty single-minded when I was a teen, but I¡¯ve mellowed out a lot.¡± Katelin giggled. ¡°Your mother¡¯s so cute!¡± ¡°Think so?¡± Sabin grinned. ¡°Definitely!¡± ¡°So, got any questions, Sweetie, or can we get this egg reveal going?¡± Cynthia asked with an encouraging smile. Taking a deep breath, Rhea brushed back her bangs while carefully setting the letter beside the box. ¡°I¡¯m a little overwhelmed ¡­ since I was eight ¡­ all for my birthday wish? Mom certainly is dramatic.¡± Puffing out a few more calming breaths, she took out the first egg, opening it up. Everyone held their breaths before releasing confused notes; the egg was white and black with a conjoined diamond pattern through the middle. Katelin was the first to voice her thoughts. ¡°Isn¡¯t that an Eevee egg? I mean, every little girl would notice that pattern, but¡­¡± ¡°White and black?¡± Cynthia whispered. ¡°Hmm ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s new. Who knows what Christie did to give it that color.¡± Her smirk appeared again. ¡°I was right, though!¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Blue mumbled. ¡°Do you think it¡¯ll have breeding moves?¡± Cynthia lifted an eye. ¡°Without a doubt. Knowing my sister, I wouldn¡¯t be surprised if she managed to get most breeding moves into that little Eevee¡¯s genetics.¡± ¡°I¡¯m so jealous!¡± Katelin squealed, leaning forward a bit to study it. ¡°I always wanted one when I was little, and this guy will be a complete monster in battles with your mother¡¯s reputation.¡± Sabin leaned to the side, giving his girlfriend a cat-like smile. ¡°Oh? Remember when you were thirteen, and that Eevee was in the forest turned out to be¡­¡± Rhea was a little surprised to see Katelin¡¯s face turn bright red. ¡°No, no, we¡¯re not going there, Sabin!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just¡­¡± ¡°You promised, Sabin!¡± Her cheeks puffed out, giving him a cute, pleading glare. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± Sabin laughed to Rhea¡¯s disappointment. ¡°So, the last egg, Sis?¡± Rhea sighed, but a smile touched her lips, seeing Katelin¡¯s flushed face, and she tossed a throw pillow at his face. Taking the second lid off, everyone¡¯s heads tilted again. ¡°White and black again?¡± Her father mused. ¡°It must be a part of the breeding and genetic process.¡± The egg had a thick white halo around the top and bottom while the body was a smooth, reflective black. ¡°I suppose, but that Pok¨¦mon choice ¡­ interesting,¡± Blue mumbled with a thoughtful expression. ¡°Well, you guys have your guesses on the type?¡± ¡°What?¡± Katelin cried out. ¡°No, you know what it is already?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pretty telling pattern,¡± Cynthia whispered. ¡°Yes, to be short.¡± Sabin¡¯s eyes were narrowed as he stared at the Legends. ¡°Is it a bluff?¡± Keith chuckled before releasing a low groan, getting to his feet. ¡°Well, I suppose we¡¯ll take a walk and discuss why I called you here. Be back later, guys!¡± ¡°See ya,¡± Katelin waved. Cynthia stopped in the hallway, smiling back at the group. ¡°Put your bets in before we get back!¡± Blue and Keith laughed as they exited the house. Once they left, Katelin¡¯s smile fell into a depressed sigh. ¡°Ugh ¡­ why do I feel this whole thing is a set up to make me budget again? What do you think, Sabin?¡± Rhea quickly piped up. ¡°Umm, I¡¯ll go with Fairy-type!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Katelin¡¯s eyes widened, thighs pressing together. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re competing, too, Rhea?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± she asked with an innocent grin. ¡°Won¡¯t I have the Oak Starter Award money?¡± Sabin smiled. ¡°You know none of us would take that!¡± ¡°Hehe, yup!¡± ¡°Hmh, smart, smart,¡± Katelin nodded. ¡°Fine ¡­ I have a feeling they won¡¯t actually hold us to it anyways. So, umm ¡­ Flying ¡­ no, Water!¡± Rhea and Sabin gave her a pitying smile. Yeah, she doesn¡¯t know our aunt. ¡°Good guess, Kate,¡± Sabin hummed, staring at the egg. ¡°Water is the most common typing ¡­ hmm, guess I¡¯ll go with Normal.¡± Katelin gave her a victorious smile. ¡°You know, Fairy is one of the rarest types.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ okay, but we¡¯ll see,¡± Rhea replied. Her mother knew one of her favorite types was Fairy, and she hoped her instincts wouldn¡¯t let her down; the extra money could be considered an official bet since her aunt was involved, and that could help a lot on the journey. Gathering up the items, she transported everything upstairs, Katelin whispering to Sabin about the strange look of the pok¨¦balls. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a purple-colored pok¨¦ball, and it doesn¡¯t even have a letter on it. Huh, a new prototype your mom¡¯s been working with ¡­ is it from Silph Co?¡± ¡°Ah, I couldn¡¯t tell you ¡­ hmm, want to have a battle, Kate?¡± ¡°You mean it?¡± she asked with another squeal. ¡°Tona made a bet that I couldn¡¯t beat you last week, and I¡¯ll hold her to it!¡± ¡°Oh? Henry made a similar bet ¡­ think they¡¯re conspiring?¡± ¡°Those lovebirds? Absolutely!¡± Rhea felt a little left out whenever the two got together. They often talked about people she barely knew from Sabin¡¯s texts or calls. Tona was the only companion Katelin had left from her Bronze League group, and Henry went with her brother on his Silver League journey; the two Trainers met each other through Sabin and Katelin, causing what Katelin called love at first sight. Sitting on her bed, she stroked the edge of one of the egg containers, mumbling, ¡°Soon we¡¯ll have our own stories and friends ¡­ let¡¯s just hope we¡¯re not the weird ones, huh?¡± B1 — 3. Pokémon Battles Rhea carefully placed the egg containers on her desk, setting the items that came with it beside the metallic cylinders. Returning downstairs, she smiled while catching sight of a grumpy Gengar on the armchair her dad had used, ears back with his typically wide smile a small downturned pout. Sabin and Katelin were still sitting next to each other, debating on what kind of battle. ¡°Mmh... you want to make it a Blind Battle, huh?¡± Katelin asked with a small smile. ¡°Those are the best kind,¡± Sabin snickered. ¡°What do you say, Singles or Doubles?¡± Katelin sucked on her lower lip for a moment, folding her arms under her chest and leaning back to study the six pok¨¦balls on her belt. Rhea stopped at the foot of the stairs, holding her left arm across her front while smiling at Katelin. ¡°Oh? I remember the last fight; didn¡¯t Sabin¡¯s Kangaskhan beat your Roserade?¡± Her brother¡¯s girlfriend hummed, eyes narrowing while lifting to her. ¡°Yeah, well, it was a bad day for Noral... and I don¡¯t have him with me.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± Sabin breathed in sharply as Rhea giggled. Katelin¡¯s brow furrowed, glancing between them. ¡°What... oh, you sneaky girl!¡± She smiled and glared at her. ¡°Now Sabin knows I don¡¯t have him with me.¡± Rhea shrugged weakly, looking away. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about. Oh, were you two going to have a Blind Battle?¡± ¡°Nice, Sis!¡± Sabin winked, getting to his feet with a light grunt. ¡°What do you say, Kate? You were all up for it a moment ago. Not backin¡¯ down now, right?¡± Katelin¡¯s cheeks puffed out, standing with a sigh. ¡°Fine, fine, but... oh, why don¡¯t we tell my mom!¡± Oh, she¡¯s fighting back! Sabin¡¯s smile instantly fell. ¡°Eh... do we have to?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Rhea jumped in, liking the direction. ¡°I¡¯m up for an hour-long photo session. I dressed up and everything!¡± A toothy grin lifted Katelin¡¯s lips as she nudged Sabin. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s the day before your sister¡¯s journey! We should take some good pictures for her to have on her journey.¡± Sabin put his hands on his hips, glancing between them, both on the same wavelength. ¡°... You two... you know you can just call and talk to me anytime. Photos are so out of date.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Katelin¡¯s left eye narrowed challengingly. ¡°When you don¡¯t pick up for three days, how else am I supposed to stare into those pretty blue eyes?¡± ¡°Three days,¡± Sabin chuckled, ¡°when did¡­¡± ¡°Try a week!¡± Rhea huffed, folding her arms. Sabin took a step back, his smile twitching. ¡°C¡¯mon, Rhea, I was on Mt. Silver! You know there¡¯s no reception up there.¡± ¡°Proving our point!¡± Katelin grinned triumphantly. ¡°Now, let¡¯s get everything set up for me to stomp you into the ground! I¡¯ll see you out on the second battlefield in ten.¡± Before Sabin could respond, she stepped forward and kissed him, pulling away with a wink before heading out. Rhea averted her eyes for a moment, trying not to blush over feeling jealous at the attention Katelin got from her brother. She knew it wasn¡¯t the same, but still; Kate could shut down her brother with ease. However, she couldn¡¯t help but smile as Kate gave her a thumbs up and a giggle while passing by. Right, this is a double victory! ¡°Aww, Kate, that¡¯s not fair,¡± Sabin mumbled, watching her blue ponytail disappear behind the closing front door. ¡°Gah... guess I¡¯ll need to change into something else.¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t,¡± Rhea countered, walking forward to eye her brother. ¡°That outfit suits you!¡± ¡°Hehe, while you girls need a new outfit for every photo?¡± Sabin asked with a lifted eyebrow. Rhea¡¯s cheeks puffed out. ¡°It¡¯s more complicated than that.¡± ¡°Oh, right, right... didn¡¯t want to offend the presentation ceremony of picture taking,¡± he said with a grin. ¡°Better not!¡± she teased, looping her hand around his arm. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go.¡± Sabin let her pull him along with a forced smile. ¡°Let¡¯s hope this one doesn¡¯t last an hour... how many pictures is that to sort through? How does a Master Trainer have that much time?¡± he asked, ruefully shaking his head. They both waved at Franky before leaving the front room, but he didn¡¯t seem to be in the mood to return the gesture or even notice they were there. ¡°Oof,¡± Rhea winced as they shut the front door, walking through the forest village to one of the cleared out training areas. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Franky like that in a while.¡± ¡°Yeah, Pok¨¦mon near the top tend to take losses a lot harder than most,¡± Sabin commented. ¡°Dad said he¡¯s been training pretty intently on his own, right? I have seen him a lot less... oh, how long has it been... five months? He¡¯s been going off with Kyle¡¯s Gliscor, Jasmine¡¯s Scizor... she¡¯s been stopping by lately,¡± she noticed with his questioning gaze, ¡°and I think Tod¡¯s Shuckle.¡± ¡°Even Tod¡¯s Shuckle? Huh... must just be to watch,¡± Sabin muttered, glancing around at the forest. Rhea noticed the damage, too. Leaves, sticks, and medium-sized branches had been blown off trees as if a heavy windstorm recently passed. ¡°I hope he doesn¡¯t expect us to clean up all this mess,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Naw,¡± Sabin said with a light laugh. ¡°Dad¡¯ll make sure he cleans things up, but you saw how Aunt Cynthia reacted to Dad¡¯s question?¡± ¡°Ignoring it?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°She¡¯s such a troll.¡± ¡°Well, yes, she is,¡± Sabin smiled, ¡°but not that part. Personally, I think Auntie was trying to show Franky how hard he¡¯s worked.¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Eh... how so? From the sounds of it, she just showed how strong Lila is.¡± ¡°True... but how many people do you think have ever seen Aunt Cynthia¡¯s Syncro-Burst?¡± ¡°Not many.¡± ¡°Yeah, not many. For Aunt Cynthia and her Pok¨¦mon, that¡¯s the kind of burst evolution you use when dealing with someone like Red or Blue-level opponents. Lila can handle most any Grandmaster¡¯s Mega Evolution without our aunt¡¯s help; in fact, it¡¯d be fun for her. The fact she used it against Dad and Franky shows how much they¡¯ve grown.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ then why did Dad ask her that question about not using that other Move?¡± ¡°What, Imprison?¡± Sabin asked with a dark chuckle. ¡°Yo, Rhea, you¡¯ll learn a lot about different Moves and how they¡¯re used on your journey¡­ with everything else they teach you in school, Moves are barely touched on. ¡°Personally, I think it¡¯s kind of backward... Why do you focus more on learning Pok¨¦mon Natures, IVs, and EVs than Moves is beyond me. It¡¯s not like you can change the raw talents a Pok¨¦mon is born with, so why go so deep into IVs, ya know?¡± ¡°To better understand your Pok¨¦mon,¡± Rhea defended with a frown. ¡°Not everyone battles with Pok¨¦mon. Battle tactics and stuff are only lightly touched on because not everyone will be a Trainer, but everyone will have Pok¨¦mon at some point.¡± ¡°Still,¡± Sabin shook his head, ¡°understanding what a Pok¨¦mon can do and how Moves combine to... nevermind, maybe I¡¯m just thinking too much like a Trainer. The Battle Contest and Battle League have often tried pushing for more Move instruction in schools; it¡¯s an old argument.¡± ¡°Politics,¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Eh... it doesn¡¯t seem political to me, but I guess everyone has their own views,¡± Sabin sighed. ¡°I just wish I knew more before starting my journey.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Rhea smirked. ¡°Yeah, but how far would you have gotten if you didn¡¯t learn all that wilderness survival stuff in school? Pok¨¦mon training is important, but you gotta be alive to train. Plus, how many people actually have hundreds of Pok¨¦mon besides Master Trainers? Most people only need to learn a tiny pool of Moves for the few partners they have.¡± ¡°I guess... but still, you¡¯ve never heard of Imprison?¡± Rhea shook her head but paused after a moment. ¡°No... eh, maybe? I mean, we had a light course on important Moves back when I was like eleven, but you can¡¯t expect me to remember something that far back! I doubt other schools even go that far, right?¡± ¡°Right... well, just remember, if a Pok¨¦mon uses Imprison on your Pok¨¦mon, then just call it.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Sabin ran his free hand through his light brown hair. ¡°Imprison is only learned by a small percentage of Pok¨¦mon... a Psychic-type Status Move that places a seal on a Pok¨¦mon that locks them out of any Move the sealing Pok¨¦mon knows. ¡°It¡¯s not like Pok¨¦mon only learn four Moves, some can use hundreds, and you must train them to know how they¡¯re to be used. A Trainer shouting out Moves is extremely inefficient, and televising your Pok¨¦mon¡¯s actions is a good way to lose; even the personal connection you share can be too slow. Pok¨¦mon battles are mostly won outside of battles; you know the human boxing competitions? ¡°Eh... no, what¡¯s boxing?¡± Rhea asked with a lifted eyebrow. Sabin waved his hand dismissively. ¡°It¡¯s a niche thing... humans fighting humans with their hands.¡± Rhea found it hard to imagine her brother and Jason on a battlefield, throwing punches or kicks like a Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee. ¡°Weird... I get people punching or fighting each other when mad, but in a ring?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not the most popular thing... more of a Fighting-type Trainer¡¯s hobby sport. It¡¯s bigger in rural areas. Anyways¡­¡± ¡°Imprison?¡± Rhea giggled, bringing the exciting topic back. ¡°So, basically, it¡¯s a super-powerful Move that can shut down a ton of strategies you planned with your teams?¡± ¡°For the most part, yes,¡± Sabin replied, rubbing his left arm. ¡°I mean, if you¡¯re smart, then you¡¯ll train for that possibility, but in a Single¡¯s Match, it¡¯s nearly impossible to win, and if they outclass you to start, then it¡¯s just not worth the possible damage. Best to call it, pay the bet, and train with your extra time not visiting a Pok¨¦mon Center... you better expect to make a trip if you¡¯re fighting an Imprison match. ¡°That leads us to Protect; if you know a Pok¨¦mon possibly has Imprison, you have to save your Protect at all costs for that play. Imprison is a close-range attack and must land on your Pok¨¦mon, giving you a good chance at a counter play if you can swing it. ¡°Protect is just such an essential Move that you should expect almost any Trainer you meet to have it. If that¡¯s sealed, plus many staple TM defensive Moves, then it¡¯s just grim.¡± He glanced down at her with an impish grin. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t know what Protect is?¡± ¡°Of course I do,¡± Rhea huffed, ¡°it¡¯s for defending against attacks.¡± She glanced around the area, looking for any new type of Pok¨¦mon that might be hovering close to the town. Since the small hidden village held such powerful Pok¨¦mon, their radiant energy scared away most of the evolved wild Pok¨¦mon, making many of the pre-evolved Pok¨¦mon gather around the area since it was safe. Rhea saw sleeping Hoothoot, Pineco, Wurmple, Spinarak, and Ledyba sprinkled throughout the trees; there were plenty of berries and other food. Scattered along the ground ran Bidoof, Buizel, Zigzagoon, Rattata, and both genders of Nidoran. Sabin sighed. ¡°Protect can be used for a lot more than just defending against attacks.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Rhea mumbled, ¡°you know I¡¯ve seen a bunch of battles. All the Masters recommend getting Protect for your first TM. Dad said he and Franky had to use it to stop that stupid powerful Dark Pulse.¡± ¡°...Right,¡± Sabin sighed, eyes scanning the forest. ¡°Do you think any of these Pok¨¦mon could use Protect and survive that attack?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips tightened. I didn¡¯t think this would turn into a quiz. ¡°Uh... Protect defends against most attacks.¡± ¡°Not damage-dealing Z-Moves, Max Moves, and more than two dozen other Moves. There¡¯s also a power difference that must be taken into account. A Pok¨¦mon and Trainer can synchronize their spiritual, physical, and mental Allocations of Fortitude, but that combined number needs to be at a certain level to defend against an attack.¡± Rhea slowed as they made it to the field; they were the first to arrive. ¡°Wait... so Protect can fail?¡± ¡°It often does if a Pok¨¦mon doesn¡¯t know how to control their Moves. Moves that are learned by TMs must be practiced to master, and Protect is usually a TM-based skill. It will get weaker the more you use it consecutively, too, and if the Pok¨¦mon fires an extremely powerful Move, like Lila¡¯s Dark Pulse... if Franky was at the level he was a year ago, that could have killed both Dad and Franky.¡± A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat. ¡°Wait... you¡¯re not joking?¡± ¡°No, why do you think Blue acted the way he did? He may have gone through a rough patch a few years ago, but he¡¯s still one of the few Trainers in the world that can match up to Aunt Cynthia.¡± He brushed back his button-up shirt to select one of his Pok¨¦mon; he activated the Great-type pok¨¦ball before tossing it up and down in his right hand with a soft frown. ¡°Mom said it in her letter; the moment the world finds out who you¡¯re related to, then things will change a lot for you. Why do you think I get so much news coverage? It¡¯s not because I¡¯m just that good... well,¡± he smirked, ¡°I am good, but not as good as they make me out to be.¡± ¡°News coverage,¡± Rhea huffed, ¡°I rarely see you actually on the news.¡± ¡°They go over my fights that are televised, though, and compare other Trainers to me, right?¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah, okay, but it¡¯s not like they¡¯re that far off; you¡¯re a Platinum-tier Trainer for a reason... also, it¡¯s nice to see you on the web when I can,¡± she mumbled, glancing away. ¡°I rarely get to see you anymore.¡± ¡°Heh, I guess you¡¯re right,¡± he said with a light shove, making Rhea¡¯s eyes widen while hopping to the left on one foot. ¡°Hey!¡± She smiled, throwing her weight back to only make him take a single step to the side. ¡°Really, though! For how often they talk about you, it¡¯s shocking how little footage there is. I¡¯d like to see more battles, but you always ask Gyms to keep them private!¡± ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon,¡± Sabin looked away with a frown, holding his hands behind his neck while pressing the pok¨¦ball against his skin. ¡°You know the reason for that. Giving people the chance to look at your tactics and battle-style is a big disadvantage.¡± ¡°The Gym Leaders do it!¡± Rhea shot back. ¡°Gym Leaders are High Masters, minimum... those guys aren¡¯t normal,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Anyways,¡± his smile flashed as he stepped away to smile at her, pulling out an Ultra-type pok¨¦ball. ¡°You choose, which Pok¨¦mon should I fight Kate with?¡± ¡°You¡¯re asking me?¡± Rhea huffed, glancing between them with narrowed eyes. ¡°No, wait, are you testing me?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± He tossed the bonding devices in the air, alternating them up and down. Rhea glared at him for a moment before saying, ¡°Well... normally, your Great-type pok¨¦balls have more training and experience, but I think you¡¯ve been swapping them to Ultra Balls recently since you¡¯ve gotten more money... give them here.¡± She sighed as Sabin gladly handed the two active pok¨¦balls to her, and she frowned while closing her eyes. ¡°Mmh... I can tell the left is stronger... but only by a little if we¡¯re talking raw power.¡± The world opened up again as she double-checked, which was in her hands. ¡°Huh... the Ultra Ball has a stronger Pok¨¦mon, but the Great-type would probably be more experienced, unless... this is a trick question!¡± She could feel the tingling pressure both Pok¨¦mon released, pressing against her hands. This had been a game she¡¯d played with her father and brother for a while, and she¡¯d gradually gotten sharper and sharper, but two problems started tripping her up. If the Pok¨¦mon was too weak, then it was hard for her to accurately tell the difference since she was so accustomed to her family¡¯s powerful Pok¨¦mon, and the other issue came from the balance that she had to calculate when her brother or father¡¯s own energy was added to their Pok¨¦mon. The amount of energy a Trainer could give their Pok¨¦mon varied depending on the bond they shared. A wild Pok¨¦mon could be extremely strong and even outclass a Trainer¡¯s Pok¨¦mon¡¯s base strength, but a Trainer¡¯s added boost could tip the scales. One of the many reasons becoming a successful Trainer was so difficult was because of this phenomenon. Only those Trainers that could sync with their Pok¨¦mon made it, and the pinnacle of those max synchronizations came with the powerful temporary evolutions. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Sabin asked with a cracking smile. ¡°...¡± Rhea brought the containers closer to examine each, and a smirk brightened her glossed lips as she followed the aura each released. ¡°So, uh, which one?¡± Sabin pushed. ¡°Shh... I wanna take my time... I might have changed my mind... the left might have more raw power on its own, but you¡¯re better synchronized with the Pok¨¦mon in the Great-type pok¨¦ball! Humph, trying to trick me,¡± she grinned triumphantly while tossing both back and brushing her bangs out of the way. Sabin popped his tongue. ¡°Took you a bit longer than normal. Hmm, losing your touch, Sis?¡± ¡°Tch, geez, you just toss some Pok¨¦mon at me and expect me to know how strong they are at a glance?¡± He shrugged with a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯ll help you a lot on your journey. It¡¯s harder to tell how strong a Pok¨¦mon is inside of a pok¨¦ball than when they¡¯re standing in front of you. I¡¯ve met my fair share of Pok¨¦mon I had to run from.¡± ¡°Liar,¡± Rhea replied with a confident smirk. ¡°You¡­¡± she trailed off as a gust blew across the field, catching her dress; she reflexively pressed down on it before it could gain traction, but Sabin cut in with her short break. ¡°There are some super-powerful Pok¨¦mon out there, and sometimes, there¡¯s nothing you can do but retreat. You know the mortality rate of Trainers?¡± ¡°Only like .2%,¡± Rhea replied with a dismissive shrug. ¡°Other professions are more dangerous.¡± ¡°Eh... the Bronze-tier Trainers?¡± ¡°Well, yeah,¡± Rhea replied, taming her hair with the increasing Gusts while watching a few Pidgey and Spearow chase each other, deciding who would claim a specific tree as a nesting spot. ¡°Right,¡± Sabin muttered with a sad shake of his head. ¡°It only increases the higher you go. What¡¯s Mt. Silver¡¯s difficulty level?¡± ¡°Master. That¡¯s easy,¡± Rhea scoffed. ¡°The Rangers make sure specific listed areas are kept restricted to anyone that doesn¡¯t have the proper credentials.¡± ¡°What if I told you Mt. Silver¡¯s yearly mortality rate is 20%?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°One out of every five Trainers that went to Mt. Silver died last year, and most of the time, if a Trainer dies, their Pok¨¦mon do, as well. That doesn¡¯t even mean they made it into the mountain¡¯s caves either. ¡°I got permission to trek the outer edges of Mt. Silver, where the weakest Pok¨¦mon are, and they were terrifying. I went there and was forced to run away from lots of Pok¨¦mon, and I was with a Rank Seven Ranger. To put that in perspective, there are only 2,434 Rank Seven Rangers in the world, and they¡¯re normally assigned to dangerous areas, but even he was having a difficult time calming those Pok¨¦mon.¡± ¡°I mean, I know there¡¯s a Top Operator and Top Ranger that manage Mt. Silver, but I didn¡¯t think it was that dangerous... 20%?¡± ¡°Yup, and that¡¯s Master-tier Trainers and Level Eight Rangers, not counting any other deaths. After the Pok¨¦virus and Gigavirus swept the world,¡± he whispered with a shake of his head, ¡°every wild Pok¨¦mon that reaches its max evolution grows... and they grow so fast, now, that it¡¯s hard to manage, plus the increased strength from the Gigavirus.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Rhea¡¯s head dropped. ¡°One of the things that came through the Ultra Wormholes during the Ultra War eight years ago... it made a lot of Pok¨¦mon hurt their own Trainers, too, right? I saw it on some old news feeds.¡± He motioned her to the shade at the foot of a nearby tree, and they sat down. ¡°Yup... it¡¯s why Franky¡¯s a bit bigger now than some of the old photos Dad has of him. The Gigavirus somehow gave Pok¨¦mon a lot more energy, increasing their size, while the Pok¨¦virus increased their growth rate, and none of the Regions could prevent it from spreading. ¡°Wild Pok¨¦mon grew more aggressive, attacking towns that lived peacefully with Pok¨¦mon, and they were forced to take more drastic means to survive.¡± Rhea smoothed out her dress, playing with her shoes. ¡°Yeah, which is why we didn¡¯t see much of a change around here when we were kids... other than more people being gone than usual, but... that was during the Ultra War when almost everyone was gone. Franky, Koral, and Benny were way stronger than any of the Pok¨¦mon in the forest, so none of the wild Pok¨¦mon wanted to start something.¡± ¡°Yup,¡± he nudged her a little, causing her to look at him. ¡°That wasn¡¯t always the case, you know? Has Dad told you about when they were first starting the village?¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°There were quite a few wild Pok¨¦mon that felt like they ruled this area... one of those was Jeffery.¡± ¡°Jeffery? No, really... Dad¡¯s Fearow was the big shot here, and Dad battled him and caught him?¡± ¡°No, not at first,¡± Sabin chuckled. ¡°Actually, there were three bigshots in the area when they first came. Jeffery was the weakest one, an upcoming contender for the established bosses. The other two were a pretty smart and wild Primeape and a Gray-flamed Rapidash.¡± ¡°Ooh, pretty,¡± Rhea smiled, nestling next to her brother as he told the story. ¡°Gray... Shiny are really rare... wait, you mean Persephanii, Janice¡¯s Rapidash?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± ¡°Wow... she never told us that.¡± ¡°Well, they were Master-tier Trainers back then. Persephanii wasn¡¯t that aggressive at first, but once she realized Dad, Janice, and Ben weren¡¯t going to just pass through, she tried to basically burn down the whole forest!¡± Rhea smirked, glancing to the left as she caught Katelin and Jason walking toward them with bright expressions. ¡°Yeah, sounds like her. She burned my hand once because I got a question wrong¡­¡± ¡°She did the same to me,¡± Sabin chuckled, waving at his girlfriend, fist held tightly around one of the two balls in his hand. ¡°Oh, by the way, you didn¡¯t choose which Pok¨¦mon gets to fight.¡± He said with a sharp grin. ¡°Oh, easy, the weaker of the two.¡± ¡°Huh... I see how it is,¡± Sabin muttered, trying hard not to wince. ¡°Okay, well, we¡¯ll see how this battle goes. I¡¯m pretty sure I know what Kate¡¯ll choose.¡± With Jason and Katelin still out of earshot, if whispering, she leaned in, shoulder pressing against his arm. ¡°Bet! Which one?¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± Sabin¡¯s lips drew in, ¡°bet what?¡± ¡°Dinner goes to your Pok¨¦mon, whoever wins!¡± ¡°Mmh, okay, okay... I mean, it is you who¡¯s cooking, right?¡± he asked with a counter grin. ¡°Eh?! Hey, what does¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯ll definitely go with Fabio. Kate¡¯s feeling some pressure to win with her brother and mom watching.¡± ¡°Aye, what was that about my cooking?¡± Rhea huffed, completely thrown-off from the original topic. ¡°I¡¯ll have you know, Bianca, and I have been doing a lot of chats during her cooking crucible!¡± Sabin sucked in his lips. ¡°Oof... RIP, Hilbert, you were a legend!¡± ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°What¡¯s up with Champion Hilbert?¡± Katelin asked, bright, innocent eyes glancing questioningly between them as Rhea glared at her older brother¡¯s forced chuckle. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. ¡°Nothing, nothing,¡± he waved. ¡°Bianca¡¯s been trying really hard!¡± ¡°Ah, cooking?¡± Jason asked. ¡°Yeah, last time I was over, wasn¡¯t she trying that Frosted Ribbon Loaf... was that the name? Anyways, how¡¯d it turn out?¡± Rhea¡¯s jaw snapped shut, remembering the expression on her cousin¡¯s face after trying it and crying into a throw-pillow. Katelin and Sabin lifted a questioning eyebrow at her silence. ¡°¡­Look, it¡¯s just hard finding certain substitutes for ingredients in such a remote part of Unova when trying overseas recipes.¡± ¡°Ouch... that bad?¡± Katelin asked with a pained look. ¡°Yeah, but she¡¯s getting better, right, Rhea?¡± Jason asked. ¡°I mean, I loved that one... what was it called, Jellied Tomato Refresher¡­¡± he mumbled, trying to connect the words. ¡°Uh, yeah, that was a pretty decent one that you made with her through the call... a little strange, but it worked. Your cousin made it, too, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, Rhea,¡± Sabin smiled, ¡°how was it over in Unova?¡± ¡°Hilbert said it was good,¡± Rhea defended. ¡°Mhm, yup, I¡¯m sure he did!¡± Sabin nodded with a chuckle. ¡°Wait, wasn¡¯t that around the time he got a little sick? Hmm... he ate a strange, super thick, tomato... if you call it a drink, a drink, with some strange jelly... then gets sick¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know that,¡± Rhea huffed. ¡°Bianca¡¯s in a remote area, too, so they don¡¯t have everything you need to make unique dishes.¡± ¡°But she keeps trying!¡± Katelin cheered. ¡°Good on her; she¡¯ll find something that¡¯ll work, and who knows, maybe she¡¯ll create a new recipe all her own.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea nodded, feeling oddly in sync with the girl fighting for her brother¡¯s attention. Katelin gets it, but all Sabin sees is Bianca as a horrible cook! She¡¯s made some good stuff, too¡­ ¡°Remember her Alolan cha siu bao when she came over a while ago?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± Sabin nodded, ¡°okay, yeah, that was pretty good once she had proper ingredients. Umm,¡± his eyes darted to his girlfriend, ¡°has Ben stocked everyone up this week?¡± ¡°Uh... yup, I had him bring back a few things yesterday when he went on the weekly Viridian run.¡± Sabin chuckled. ¡°Hmm?¡± All three of them had a questioning look. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m just thinking about my cousin... how Bianca became a Master Trainer without a single flying Pok¨¦mon is beyond me. If she had one, then she could fly out to get food, no, she could go out and catch one, but nope... maybe I should bring that up to Hilbert,¡± he mused. Rhea¡¯s cheeks bunched as she slapped his arm. ¡°Geez, stop picking on Bianca!¡± ¡°No, no, I¡¯m serious,¡± Sabin laughed, backing up defensively. ¡°It¡¯d really help her out, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Yeah, but... you don¡¯t have to say it like that,¡± Rhea grumbled, thinking about all the times she¡¯d cooked with Bianca through a call and all the times she¡¯d feel like an utter failure when Rhea¡¯s food would come out perfect with the proper ingredients. The Gigavirus increasing Pok¨¦mon aggression only aggravated the issue of getting certain ingredients by gathering or killing most of the wild animal population. Since Viridian had risen up over the decades to compete with a massive trade city like Saffron and Celadon with Rocket¡¯s HQ being established there, Rhea never lacked something. Ben made weekly runs to get whatever anyone asked, and Rhea even had the option of creating an online list that he¡¯d pick up. On the other hand, Bianca was in a small village high in the Twist Mountain Range with strong Pok¨¦mon surrounding it. It was required that a Master-tier Trainer live there, or else it would be overrun, and thus, Bianca and Hilbert volunteered to make the sacrifice. Since they¡¯d arrived two local fast food places opened up, reassured of the area''s survivability with Bianca and Hilbert present, but you could only stomach so much of the same type of food. The most prominent sacrifice being supplies, but occasional trade agencies operated in that area for a certain time. So, she stocked up heavily when available, but it didn¡¯t last long with the culinary arts becoming a hobby of hers besides research. ¡°So, you two goin¡¯ to battle?¡± Jason asked with a bright smile. ¡°By the way, I got fifty credits on my sister!¡± ¡°Tch,¡± Rhea glared at him, ¡°where¡¯d you get the credits, and who are you betting against?¡± Katelin giggled. ¡°Our uncle Jeb in Sable City. He was on call with our mom.¡± ¡°He¡¯s betting against his niece?¡± Rhea asked with a frown. ¡°That¡¯s what I said,¡± Jason shook his head with a shrug. Rhea tilted her head as Katelin danced over to whisper in her ear. ¡°It¡¯s just a legal way to give him a few extra funds for tomorrow; Mom¡¯s got money on Sabin. Just so they feel like they¡¯re helpin¡¯ Jason out,'''' she giggled. ¡°They did the same thing for me.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea nodded, remembering her aunt¡¯s bet. Jason let out a low groan. ¡°Aww, yo, Sis, don¡¯t leave me out!¡± ¡°Girl talk,¡± Katelin winked. ¡°Eh, right, right, eh... okay,¡± Jason replied, expression telling Rhea he half wanted to know and half didn¡¯t. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll stay out of that one,¡± Sabin smiled, slowly walking away while holding his Great-type pok¨¦ball in the air, returning the other one to his belt. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Katelin! By the way, Rhea and I got a bet on dinner, and if we got ingredients... aye, I ain¡¯t losing a good homemade meal!¡± Rhea smiled. ¡°You do like my cooking!¡± ¡°Aye, as long as it¡¯s not that random stuff Bianca throws together, then I¡¯m game!¡± Sabin laughed. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t look down, of course, I like your cooking... it¡¯s better than Mom¡¯s,¡± he mumbled, but Rhea caught it, making her heart warm. Katelin wasn¡¯t having it. ¡°Sorry to break it to you, love, but there¡¯s a lot of bets riding on this match. I ain¡¯t goin¡¯ easy on you, even if you beg with those pretty blue eyes!¡± ¡°Oh? You¡¯ve said that before and broke, Kate,¡± Sabin snickered, causing a light blush to touch her cheeks. She grinned and pulled off an Ultra Ball from her belt. ¡°Yeah, okay, Mr. Rising Star, time to work for that title, and if I win, you¡¯ve gotta dance with me tonight. Five songs!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Kate, are you tryin¡¯ to make me lose with that bet? Six songs if I win!¡± Katelin giggled with anticipation, and Jason walked beside her as a young woman came running through the jungle with a flushed face. Her white summer¡¯s dress fluttered around her feet as her bound thick blue hair bounced behind her, tied into a braid. ¡°Wait, wait, wait!¡± she cried out, gripping a camera in her hands. ¡°I¡¯m coming, I¡¯m coming!¡± ¡°Mom,¡± Jason chuckled while scratching the back of his head. ¡°Last time I saw her, she was wearing a big T-shirt and sweats... her hair wasn¡¯t even done.¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Impressive. She had motivation, though.¡± ¡°Pictures? I don¡¯t know why you three are so big into it,¡± Jason commented, eyes following his mother darting around the field to get different angles, snapping photos like a madwoman. ¡°That one-time Viola stopped by; Mom was so nervous, asking so many questions about photography.¡± ¡°I recall,¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°You know, I think my dad gets a little jealous whenever Viola comes around.¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow. ¡°It¡¯s only like twice a year.¡± ¡°Still true.¡± Rhea nodded her head to the side. ¡°I guess. Your mom does follow all of her stuff on PikaBook.¡± ¡°Alright, Mom,¡± Katelin cheered. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re goin¡¯ to start; get as many as you can!¡± ¡°Count on me, Honey!¡± Annila replied with a toothy grin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the field; I¡¯ll calm things down if a fire breaks out and clean-up. You two just dance for me!¡± she said, tossing out a pok¨¦ball attached to her camera strap to reveal Reon, her Poliwrath, standing at 6'' 8". With a vigorous yell, Reon punched his fist in the air like a referee. ¡°Single, Sudden Death, and choose at the same time?¡± Sabin asked. ¡°You know it, Baby!¡± The intense stare they gave one another made Rhea¡¯s stomach tighten, and after several seconds of silence, they both threw their chosen Pok¨¦mon. They both struck the ground, releasing a 6'' 10" Ampharos and a 4'' 11" Mismagius; the Light Pok¨¦mon vs. the Magical Pok¨¦mon. Katelin frowned as the two stared at each other from across the grassy field, releasing low sounds while communicating with one another. ¡°A Mismagius... I don¡¯t remember you having... wait, your recent trip to Mt. Silver! I mean, how did you get that little girl in the low-level area at Mt. Silver?¡± ¡°A hidden cave in the forest,¡± Sabin laughed, ¡°was almost crushed by a Steelix just trying to get out... man, it was a rush! ¡°For real? You didn¡¯t even mention it, but still, you seriously caught that little girl only two months ago, and you want her to go up against Fabio?¡± ¡°You know she¡¯s pretty tough, livin¡¯ in those caves, even if it is the outer edges of Mt. Silver!¡± Sabin replied with a confident grin. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right, Luna?¡± The Mismagius lowered her head, hiding her deep red eyes under the brim of her big black cap, chuckling softly. The tip of her hat, flared ears, gems on her chest, and hem of her robes began glowing a light purple. Rhea felt her stomach swim with butterflies as Luna¡¯s energy was released; she certainly was powerful. ¡°Hmm, not bad,¡± Jason whispered. ¡°Although, if your brother caught it so recently, do you really think it¡¯ll stand a chance against Fabio?¡± ¡°We will see,¡± Katelin¡¯s eyes narrowed, smile widening as her choker began to glow. ¡°I told you, I¡¯m not playing around. Even if that Mismagius is strong, she¡¯s not that synchronized with you yet. You ready to go, Fabio?¡± The Ampharos let out a loud cry, orbs radiating light as it Mega Evolved. Rhea was a little surprised that even though Katelin¡¯s Ampharos was her main, it was outclassed in raw power with its standard power released, which tingled Rhea¡¯s skin with the electrically charged air, yet the ominous aura emitted from Luna clearly outclassed the bright yellow Pok¨¦mon. A rush of electricity sparked through the air and across the ground as Katelin exercised her Fortitude, her spiritual pool feeding into her Pok¨¦mon; a thin golden aura radiated from her skin as her bound hair flowed back. It was very rare for a Platinum-tier Trainer to Mega Evolve, which put Katelin in a high class when talked about on the news, and just as Rhea expected, the raw power of Fabio exploded, overshadowing Luna¡¯s aura, but Sabin looked ready to go. Jason and her backed up further to not get involved with the rush of power the two Platinum-tier Pokemon released. The grass turned black with every spark that danced across its surface, and Fabio bent his head down as a mane of white fur exploded from his body, his skin radiating white light with his changing figure. The three obsidian claws on his toes and fingers extended, horns following as bright crimson orbs burst into existence across his flowing hair. The fur on his belly thickened with his limbs, and he grew to 7'' 10". Fabio released a mighty cry, striking a pose as if it were in a Contest. Luna¡¯s eyes were tilted in a manner that said she didn¡¯t get the reason for the show but soon released a giggle, ghostly sleeve-like arm rising to her lips. The Mega Ampharos held his head high, releasing a mild huff as if her remark wasn¡¯t even worth responding to. Sabin licked his lips. ¡°Alright, Annila, start the match whenever. You know Kate can¡¯t keep that up for long.¡± ¡°Ready, set, start!¡± Annila called out with Reon mirroring her actions. Snapping electricity exploded across Fabio¡¯s fur, extending into a string of electrical charges that shot in a sweeping wave toward Luna, high in the air, but the ghost easily evaded the shot with shocking speed. Her eyes and body glowed purple as she chanted. Rhea and Jason jumped as an amused male voice spoke behind them. ¡°Mmh, not a bad first gamble, but that Pain Split will cause some trouble, equaling out the Ampharos¡¯ bulk.¡± They glanced back to see Blue leaning up against the tree behind them, sunglasses on while watching the battle with a soft, reminiscent smile. Rhea wanted to know why he was there and not with her dad and aunt but didn¡¯t want to miss out on the battle, focusing on the fight while Blue occasionally commented. ¡°Fabio is so slow!¡± Sabin jabbed. ¡°You thought you could stop Luna¡¯s speed with that Thunder Wave? It would have basically ended the match, but she¡¯s no stranger to broad attacks.¡± ¡°Figures,¡± Katelin chuckled, ¡°but you don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be that easy, do you? You know we¡¯ve fought plenty of speed teams!¡± In the time it took Fabio to cast the Thunder Wave, Luna had equalized their total energy and shot out a black ball of energy at her opponent, but just before the long-ranged attack hit; his speed increased, jumping back. The explosion sent a flurry of dirt and wind exploding outward, forcing Rhea to hold down her dress, realizing why Katelin was rarely seen with one; of course, a lot of female Trainers still used skirts and dresses, so maybe it was just her personality. A few more balls of energy were sent flying below, causing more gusts and three-foot deep craters in the earth, making her gulp. Rhea¡¯s eyes widened as several copies of the Ampharos appeared beside Fabio; she couldn¡¯t tell which was which. Double Team? ¡°Why¡¯s my sister on the defensive?¡± Jason asked with a bit of frustration as every Fabio radiated a light blue shield that encircled each as a pinkish-purple aura surrounded Luna, and she fired a beam of energy, splitting the damage by sweeping through the illusions. Fabio was glowing white; his speed increased again, jumping out of the beam¡¯s path. Blue chuckled. ¡°Is that what you think? Katelin¡¯s playing this right, well... sort of. Sabin¡¯s clearly given his Mismagius several pointers, but it¡¯s playing far too skittish. Of course, it has a Timid Nature, and I can understand why it would be like that on Mt. Silver, but that hurts it in battles.¡± ¡°Timid? I guess she is keeping its distance, but she¡¯s launching off attacks like crazy,¡± Jason moaned as Luna vanished, appearing before Fabio; a burst of ghostly energy released from Luna before she faded out, rematerializing further away while dancing back. Fabio didn¡¯t even flinch from the surprise attack. ¡°Ugh, you¡¯ve done pretty well on Fabio, Kate¡­¡± Sabin muttered. ¡°Watch out, Luna. He¡¯s nearly caught up to your speed, and that blue shell means Confuse Ray won¡¯t work. Focus on putting pressure on him while making yourself a threat!¡± He can just give those orders through his connection to her, right? Oh... he¡¯s trying to help me understand the match. ¡°Mmh, those Shadow Balls should be used at closer range, even if it¡¯s risky, it¡¯s only wasting energy from that distance,¡± Blue mused. ¡°Even if Ampharos is extremely slow at gathering its energy, a well-trained one can maximize its opportunity, and Luna is used to Wild Pok¨¦mon combat, not experienced professional arena tactics.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Rhea mumbled, following Fabio perform graceful leaps while dodging Luna¡¯s much faster attacks like it was dancing. ¡°Fabio is much slower, but can predict the direction of the attack... not the Move Detect, but just from his experience. Luna still has the Wild Pok¨¦mon mentality; if she¡¯s losing, she can just run away, but that¡¯s not an option in a battle. ¡°Oof, another Astonish? Fabio isn¡¯t even flinching, too; it may cause a bit of damage, but negligible with Luna¡¯s low Physical-Attack Stat. Although it¡¯s an easy Move to land, it doesn¡¯t actually close the distance like Sucker Punch for a follow-up, but is he... hehe, it¡¯s risky with a relatively unsynchronized Pok¨¦mon, but if Luna can time it on her own... no, it might be her only option.¡± Rhea had no idea what Blue was talking about as Fabio continued to buff himself wherever given a slight opportunity while dodging Luna¡¯s Shadow Balls, riddling the field with holes. A few snarky shouts by the Mega Ampharos created a twinkling light around the ghost, making the Mismagius wince, and Rhea frowned as Luna¡¯s strength diminished. ¡°Confide,¡± Blue mumbled with a shake of his head. Did I screw Sabin over by¡­ Her thought trailed off as she noticed Katelin, breathing heavily but still managing to smile. ¡°Not lookin¡¯ good, Kate,¡± Sabin called out. ¡°You normally save Fabio for a powerful sweep, but the bulk play? Mega Evolution is a heavy drain on the spiritual Allocation of your Fortitude.¡± ¡°Keep sayin¡¯ that,¡±'' Kate chuckled, sounding a bit breathless. ¡°We¡¯ll win in the end; you know it¡¯s almost over! Luna¡¯s locked out of Status Moves, lowered Special Attack, Fabio¡¯s quickly closing the speed gap, and she just doesn¡¯t have the... wait¡­¡± ¡°Here we go,¡± Blue said with anticipation. Luna had stopped midair, allowing Fabio to create a layer of screens in front of him and release a massive discharge of electricity that sparked around him in a sparking shield. ¡°Magnetic Flux, good choice when unsure,¡± Blue whispered, ¡°but this is only the setup, and not many Ghosts know that Move at the level they¡¯re at.¡± What¡¯s she doing? ¡°She¡¯s just sitting there?¡± Jason mumbled. Fabio sent a bolt of electricity out at the stationary Luna, causing Rhea¡¯s stomach to tighten, but her eyebrows rose as the bolt struck and popped like a balloon. ¡°Substitute?¡± Katelin mumbled in shock. Fabio¡¯s shadow rippled as Luna jumped out, small fist aiming for his back; a transparent shell appeared around his body. ¡°Protect¡­¡± Jason¡¯s cheer died as Luna¡¯s shadowy form passed right through the bubble, landing a clean hit that made Fabio wince, stumbling forward. However, unlike before, Luna didn¡¯t fall back, and Rhea felt a heavy burst of energy radiate from the ghost; the shadowy whisps solidified into the Mismagius, a purple aura surrounding her as she held up her sheet-like hands, creating a waxy seal in the air. Rhea¡¯s conversation with her brother earlier popped into focus. ¡°Imprison!¡± she cried with anticipation. ¡°Mismagius can use Imprison!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Jason asked, eyes going wide as he watched. Thrown off-balance, there was no way Fabio could dodge it; the hovering ghost darted the short distance between them to place the seal, planting the mark on his back. However, just like Luna, Fabio popped like a balloon, reappearing a few feet away, repositioning himself. Jason pumped his arms. ¡°Yes! Counter Substitute!¡± Blue, on the other hand, popped his tongue with disappointment. ¡°Oof... massive mistake; that could be it.¡± Rhea saw Fabio breathe out a few heavy pants; he¡¯d obviously taken a lot of damage from that exchange, and she noticed the seal on his shoulder. He breathed in deeply before releasing a roar that made Rhea wince, and Luna teetered in the air as the white waves struck her. A stream of electricity erupted around Fabio, making Rhea¡¯s eyes snap to him as crackling energy coursed through his fur, striking a pose while releasing a vicious cheer. Rhea tensed, stomach churning; Fabio and Katelin channeled a ton of focused energy into this attack. ¡°Shoot,¡± Sabin muttered. ¡°Protect! Protect, Luna!¡± Luna blinked a few times, and out of nowhere did a flip in the air, making Rhea wince. A flash in the sky made Rhea¡¯s eyes snap shut as a colossal bolt of lightning appeared above, streaking across the heavens to strike Luna; the ghost was still spinning around in the air as if in a daze. Heat rushed past Rhea¡¯s skin as hot wind gushed past her, whipping her dress against her body; a roaring rumble rippled through her frame as the thunder struck, dropping to her knees in astonishment. Arcs of electricity sparked around Luna, lying motionless on the ground. Fabio¡¯s glorious locks were gone, breathing heavily as he sat on his butt; Katelin looked pretty worn out, too. ¡°Kate¡¯s the winner!¡± Annila called out with a proud smile. Sabin didn¡¯t seem drained at all, pulling out Luna¡¯s pok¨¦ball and returning her to it with a fond smile. ¡°You did better than you think, Luna... get some rest, and we¡¯ll get you fixed up soon.¡± Rhea breathed out a long sigh as the power released from the climax ended, Jason sitting on his butt beside her. Her skin prickled from Fabio¡¯s Thunder. He whistled, giving a small huff. ¡°Man, Kate went all out!¡± Blue laughed softly. ¡°Substitute doesn¡¯t work against Imprison. Your sister¡¯s Ampharos basically attacked himself; the Substitute may be a proxy to take your damage, but it¡¯s still linked to your Pok¨¦mon, which means the seal just transferred over. ¡°Although, it¡¯s understandable why Fabio used it; he didn¡¯t have many options, and it¡¯s such a scarce Move outside Master-tier to prepare for, but they are getting to that point. It¡¯s a game-changing move; still, it didn¡¯t have as big of an effect as it could have since Luna is so new to Sabin¡¯s team and doesn¡¯t have many TM Moves. ¡°Kate was running out of time on her Mega Evolution, too, making her go for the big Move to end it in one shot since Luna only took Substitute damage that entire match.¡± Rhea watched Sabin walk across the blasted field, being careful to avoid the pits and fires Reon was putting out as Blue explained. ¡°Great battle, Kate,¡± he grinned. Katelin¡¯s brow was a bit sticky with sweat as she chuckled, allowing her boyfriend to help her up before throwing her arms around his neck and pulling him down to kiss his lips. Annila was cooing, still snapping pictures. A lump dropped down Katelin¡¯s throat as she composed herself. ¡°Oof... Babe, you made me work for those pictures! Ew... now I¡¯m all gross,¡± she groaned. Sabin''s arms tightened around her waist and neck, pulling her back in as she pulled away. ¡°What, you think I¡¯m put off by a sweaty woman?¡± he asked, leaning in to kiss her again. Rhea tried to distract herself by listening to Blue but couldn¡¯t help but blush after hearing Katelin¡¯s girly giggle as she tackled him to the ground. ¡°You better not be!¡± Blue was studying the battlefield; Fabio was on his back, sprawled out while calming down. ¡°Honestly, the Mega Evolution was the first mistake, but I understand the desire to show off,¡± he chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s somethin¡¯ I¡¯d do. ¡°Fabio had a larger Move pool and experience with it, if he¡¯d played to his bulky characteristics, and if he¡¯d managed to get max-speed with one more Agility, then it would have been as good as over, but it¡¯s hard gathering the necessary energy for a max-stat increase.¡± The Legendary-tier Trainer folded his arms across his muscular chest. ¡°Luna was a bit too passive but executed that combo beautifully, especially for being wild not too long ago. No, I can see her becoming a staple for Sabin, which is why he¡¯s running around with her; she requires a lot of special attention.¡± Jason¡¯s lips pulled in while eyeing Fabio. ¡°Were there really that many mistakes in that battle? I mean, they¡¯re Platinum-tier Trainers.¡± Blue shook his head with a rueful smile. ¡°You¡¯d be shocked how often battles are decided by simple mistakes. What¡¯s the difference between a Master-tier and Champion-tier Trainer? Want to know my opinion on the matter?¡± he asked with a bright expression, dark glasses reflecting their furrowed faces. ¡°Uh, yeah!¡± Jason urged. Rhea just wanted a distraction from Katelin and Sabin¡¯s soft postbattle love chat while Annila snapped away, Reon checking up on Fabio as they bro-ed out. ¡°A low-end Champion-tier Trainer will have taught his Pok¨¦mon where to be and when to use which Moves at all times, understand Type match-ups to every known Pok¨¦mon and what to do in case they are unaware. ¡°The Pok¨¦mon will be able to tell their own strength compared to another; it¡¯s vital to know where you¡¯re outclassed and how to handle it under pressure. You must take into account environmental factors that affect Pok¨¦mon, reassure your Pok¨¦mon through your connection to them, and convey how to break the opponent¡¯s composure. ¡°Multi and Full-Team Battles are where it¡¯s at, though, if you really want to feel your body shake and get the full scope of your capabilities. Team management and a designated support or coordination Pok¨¦mon to help direct things while you manage how much energy each Pok¨¦mon gets and where it¡¯s placed in attacks within microseconds. ¡°Micro knowledge, macro knowledge of Moves, possible Moves learned, and how they can be combined... there¡¯s a reason why Champion-tier Trainers are considered an army of Trainers unto themselves. It¡¯s more than just a boat-load of Fortitude, but few Trainers will put in that kind of effort. ¡°Many Gold to Master-tier Trainers get trapped there because they focus too heavily on a ton of Pok¨¦mon, spreading out their time and synchronization to many they¡¯ll rarely ever use in combat, and for the most part, cannot be used in the areas they find themselves. I get that not every Master wants to reach higher, though.¡± Jason was nodding while likely logging every piece of information, but Rhea had a question. ¡°Uh... don¡¯t you, my aunt, and other Legendary-tier Trainers have a ton of Pok¨¦mon?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± Blue scratched the back of his neck with a smile. ¡°Yes, and no. We have a primary team that far outstrips any Pok¨¦mon we have, but occasionally swap out one, giving the stronger ones a rest while providing the opportunity for another to reach their potential. ¡°You¡¯d be shocked, but there are many wild Pok¨¦mon that long to have a strong Trainer to reach up as strong as they can get. Pok¨¦mon have an innate urge to get stronger, and a Trainer adds such a huge advantage, and they can sense it. Why do you think they willingly fuse with Trainers through pok¨¦balls? ¡°All a pok¨¦ball does is allow a Pok¨¦mon the opportunity to bond with a Trainer, but that doesn¡¯t mean the Pok¨¦mon will want you as a Trainer.¡± He chuckled sheepishly. ¡°It¡¯s kind of a brutal way to think about it, but if a Pok¨¦mon doesn¡¯t get into a pok¨¦ball, then they¡¯re rejecting you for some reason. Of course, it¡¯s the same in the reverse; a Trainer isn¡¯t going to go out trying to catch every Pok¨¦mon they see... Pok¨¦mon are expensive to keep, dozens of mouths to feed and spread out your time with. ¡°Pok¨¦mon want you to battle them to prove that you can bring them to new heights; Trainers want a Pok¨¦mon that¡¯s not afraid of combat. Out there, the world for wild Pok¨¦mon is not pretty, and there¡¯s a hierarchy within each area, then those areas battling other areas for wider territory; the Wild is very competitive for Pok¨¦mon. ¡°You could also say a Trainer expands that small territorial dispute to a much larger field, and that excites Pok¨¦mon; they can prove themselves on a grander stage. ¡°Some people think Pok¨¦mon are stupid,¡± he rolled his eyes, ¡°joining organizations because they think they know better than Pok¨¦mon, like Plasma... narcissistic, isn¡¯t it? They¡¯d rather take away a Pok¨¦mon¡¯s right to choose and harm the Pok¨¦mon by trying to break that bond. ¡°Of course, they also have the animals over the Pok¨¦mon activist branch... yeah, there are so many inconsistencies with Plasma. I just feel bad for those Pok¨¦mon and Trainers that get sucked in by their lies.¡± Feeling a little bored about the topic, Plasma, Galactic, and other terrorist organizations had been all over the news with several other unethical groups over the years that Rhea had been more or less desensitized to the discussion, especially since terrorism was such a big talking point in the village. ¡°Okay,¡± Rhea absently replied, brushing back her hair, ¡°but what about people that don¡¯t want to be Battle-trainers? Will those Pok¨¦mon feel mad if the Trainer doesn¡¯t battle to make them stronger?¡± ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Blue shrugged, glancing over at the couple with a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯s true, Pok¨¦mon generally enjoy the competition and challenge of battling, but they also might enjoy the leisurely life a human can provide. Just as there are many types of humans, there are many types of Pok¨¦mon that want different things when you come down to it, but a Pok¨¦mon will choose its Trainer, and a Trainer will choose its Pok¨¦mon, period. ¡°You know Pokemon can jump out of their pokeballs whenever they want; it¡¯s not like they¡¯re slaves. Pokemon literally bond with their Trainers, which is very attractive to many of them; as has been proven, who would want to be bonded with a wimp? Do you want a weak Pokemon?¡± Jason chuckled. ¡°I get your point, but I mean, my sister¡¯s caught Pok¨¦mon because she thinks they¡¯re cute, and a Trainer can only have six Pok¨¦mon out at a time because of the spiritual link.¡± ¡°Yet, Pok¨¦mon that aren¡¯t bound to their balls stay in them,¡± Blue commented with a smile. ¡°If Pok¨¦mon wanted to punish their Trainers, then they could force their capsule open and spiritually harm the Trainer, but they don¡¯t. ¡°Well, there was the occasional incident like that in the past,¡± he muttered, scratching his cheek, ¡°but that basically stopped once Silph Co¡¯s first groundbreaking product, the Pok¨¦Simulator. It¡¯s the reason why Pok¨¦mon are placed in your own private PC Box. A Pok¨¦mon hooked up to the system is given its own personal space to chill and hang out with other Pok¨¦mon that are linked with you, all without harming the Trainer. ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as Galactic or Plasma tries to paint it; Pok¨¦mon mostly live in a harsh world that will more likely than not kill them in the wild, or they can be in a chill place without any predators, food, giving them a break between Training in regulated matches that allows them to grow without so many risks. It¡¯s just a no-brainer for Pok¨¦mon! ¡°Plus, if they don¡¯t want to battle, but like you said, your sister catches them, she and her Pok¨¦mon are still fronting the bill for their happy and safe life.¡± They turned around as her Aunt Cynthia and Dad appeared from further inside the forest. ¡°Giving my niece a lecture on Pok¨¦mon Ethics 101, Blue?¡± Cynthia asked with a slight shake of her head. ¡°A lot more than that,¡± Rhea responded before Blue. ¡°We¡¯ve been bouncing between topics like crazy.¡± ¡°Only a few,¡± Blue chuckled with a light grin. ¡°You guys catch the fight?¡± ¡°Most of it,¡± her dad replied, glancing over at the pair as Katelin¡¯s mom guided them to different areas to make the best use of the light. ¡°A Ghost-type... I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve sensed my son with that particular Pok¨¦mon¡¯s energy¡­¡± ¡°Mismagius,¡± Blue responded. Her aunt nodded with a sly grin. ¡°Figured. A strong little thing by the feel of it; probably from his Mt. Silver trip. Boy or girl?¡± ¡°Girl,¡± Rhea promptly replied. ¡°Luna. Eh, Blue told me,¡± she mumbled upon their questioning eyebrows. ¡°Oh, sorry,¡± her father chuckled, ¡°I was just a little shocked you¡¯d learned how to tell so quickly!¡± The rest of the time was spent with light banter between the three adults until they turned their attention to the photoshoot, eventually getting roped in. Fabio had recovered enough to insert himself into the pictures with Katelin, striking different poses for every one as if it was born for the camera. Rhea managed to get many photos with just her family, Katelin¡¯s mom swapping options on her camera to easily and instantly send them to each person. Returning home, Rhea HoloTimed Bianca as she began her cooking session, and her cousin gave a squeal upon seeing her mother¡¯s smiling face. To everyone¡¯s surprise, Cynthia bustled everyone but Rhea out of the kitchen, putting on her sister¡¯s rarely used apron with a confident grin. ¡°Alright, girls, let¡¯s get down to it. Honey, tell me everything you¡¯ve got in the pantry, and we¡¯ll whip up something Hilbert will faint over!¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Bianca cried. ¡°Teach me!¡± After going through Bianca¡¯s kitchen, Cynthia¡¯s confident aura made Rhea stare in awe. ¡°Alright... Alolan pineapple chili, Kanto sweet bread, and lemon drizzle cake for dessert; let¡¯s get cookin¡¯, girls!¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t had more fun since the last holiday, laughing with her cousin and aunt while Blue, her father, Katelin, Jason, Annila, and Kent, her husband, joined them for dinner. Sabin wore a sad smile while watching Luna take his place at the table, but to everyone¡¯s amusement, the Ghost had pity for her Trainer, bringing him half the bowl and cake but keeping the sweet bread all to herself with a low snicker. The rest of the night was spent mingling, everyone sharing new stories about their journey, and the entire experience made Rhea more excited to have her own tales to tell; her mind returned to the near-endless experiences her grandparents shared whenever they were over. Her mind swiftly returned to earth with Katelin¡¯s urges to show off her eggs to her family, which Rhea was more than happy to oblige. Katelin made a show out of it, adding her own family to the betting odds, which only increased her possible reward, but Kent knew what type it was, disqualifying Jason¡¯s father. Rhea felt a little nervous when her dad and aunt asked if she really wanted to make that bet, but she hesitantly doubled down on her decision to not look weak. She was swiftly losing her edge for her brother¡¯s girlfriend; Katelin had been really sweet today and helped her win over Sabin a couple of times. However, the heat spiked a little when her brother snuck off to the forest to find a quiet place to dance with the blue-haired girl. The night soon came to an end with the boys cleaning up the kitchen, making a bigger mess with a soap fight. Her aunt clearly won when they took it to the yard, getting her involved by using a hose. Melina, her 50'' 11" Milotic was the response, soaking everyone involved while looking absolutely imperial; it was merely a Splash but could have been a Rain Storm due to how powerful she was. Keith jokingly begged the massive Pok¨¦mon not to flood the whole mountain, which she was more than capable of. Everyone went over their bets on her eggs before breaking off, and her aunt logged it as an official challenge before helping everyone get ready to go. Rhea giggled, just thinking about the water fight while waving off her aunt, riding away on Esfforia, her 14'' 7" Garchomp. Just watching the terrifying spiky Pok¨¦mon made her wince just seeing her aunt climb atop Esfforia¡¯s back, but Cynthia knew precisely where to situate herself. It was difficult since Esfforia was so controlled and among the strongest Pok¨¦mon in existence, but Rhea could faintly sense the legendary strength tightly compressed within her aunt¡¯s most trusted Pok¨¦mon companion that made Lila look like a child. She¡¯d thought it many times before; anyone who faced her aunt¡¯s Garchomp was either insane or beyond insane. Yet, when Blue released his 12'' 9" Pidgeot, Thifo, a lump dropped down her throat. The energy in Thifo was the same as Esfforia, which didn¡¯t mean they were equal; it just told Rhea they were far outside her ability to read. Waving off Jason and his family, Sabin and her dad got ready for bed. Exiting the bathroom after her preparations, she threw her dirty clothes in the laundry basket, sighing while glancing at her backpack, already stuffed full with everything she¡¯d need at the beginning of the week. Tomorrow¡¯s the big day... I¡¯ll be off in the world on my own... well, with my Pok¨¦mon and teammates. I just hope I get along with them... what kind of girls will they be? Her gut tightened just thinking about it; Rhea knew they¡¯d likely have a family member she¡¯d heard of and possibly met. It was usually like that, but there had been upsets that happened in the past. Professor Oak never released the list of those accepted, which drew the media every year. Going to her desk, she carefully removed the eggs from their containers with a smile, laying them next to her on the bed; when she was little, she was always upset watching movies with Trainers sleeping with eggs. She thought they¡¯d break so easily but later discovered how resilient Pok¨¦mon eggs were. Turning off the light, she set her phone on the wireless charger by her bed, even though they had a battery life of a week and could even be recharged by electric Pok¨¦mon and solar energy. Snuggling into bed, she worried about being too restless to fall asleep, tucking the eggs near her chest and stomach. Situating herself on her side, she brushed her bound hair back, and despite her fears, drifted into oblivion. B1 — 4. First Pokémon! A hot puff of air passed through Rhea¡¯s lips as she moaned, relishing the light burn passing through her muscles while stretching under her sheets. Mind still rousing, she noticed a cold and fluffy pressure against her abdomen that shifted with her movements. Swallowing the small pool of saliva in her mouth, she cleared her throat while twisting her hips a little. Opening her pearl-blue eyes, her dully lit room came into focus; the sun was creeping past the large forest trees, and she could hear flying Pok¨¦mon communicating with one another outside. A small smile brightened her cheeks as a sharp edge pressed lightly against her belly; the eggs had hatched. She scooted back, pulling the blanket aside to get her first look at the newly hatched Pok¨¦mon. Her lips tilted with curiosity upon seeing them; the mystery egg had finally revealed its contents. Rhea studied the sleeping baby Pok¨¦mon. It wouldn¡¯t take long for them to start growing once they ate; it was rare for most people to see infant Pok¨¦mon in person, especially if you didn¡¯t live close to a breeder. She recognized both upon sight, but her mother¡¯s gene manipulations and the exhaustive breeding program had caused quite a few noticeable changes that made Rhea want to coo with a spiking sugar rush; they were so cute. From her classroom experience, she could tell the Eevee was a female not only by the tell-tale sign of a heart on her tail, but also by the more narrow-angle of her skull, giving her a more elegant facial-shape. Her primary fur color was a soft snow-white that almost glowed, unlike any Eevee she¡¯d seen online. Her tiny paws, tail tip, mane, and the inner section of her long ears were a sleek night black, contrasting the alabaster hue of her fur. Several other features caught Rhea¡¯s attention as she worked her eyes over the girl. Her tail was a bit longer than expected, and her fur was smoother than the puffy mess she¡¯d seen on other Eevee. Instead, the mane was less billowy, acting as seven thick, neatly groomed locks of hair gave her a more mature appeal than other Eevee. Rhea smiled, reaching down to scratch the base of her ears where three flaring patches of fur branched out. The silky locks were softer than her own hair, and she was warm, releasing a precious moan in her throat as she cuddled closer to the Fairy-type Pok¨¦mon beside her. She¡¯d been right about her mother¡¯s direction; the mystery Pok¨¦mon nestled beside her Eevee made Rhea insides shout for joy. She won the bet, which meant extra funds! Rhea shifted her ponytail to the side while staring at her baby Mawile, and just like Eevee, there were a few oddities about the Steel/Fairy-Type Pok¨¦mon, but Rhea wasn¡¯t too familiar with Mawile in general to catch everything. She wasn¡¯t versed enough on the famous Hoenn Pok¨¦mon to tell if it was a boy or girl, but the cool color-scheme caught her attention. Mawile¡¯s normally mustard-colored body had taken on a shiny black tone while its black was replaced by a gleaming, metallic white. Its large, second mouth was a bit longer than its entire body, and the extension also changed its standard chromatic design. The white outer shell was somewhat malleable, based on the tension the Mawile desired it to have, and the ordinarily yellow-colored dot was a shiny black. The Pok¨¦mon¡¯s massive mouth was lulled open, showing a white tongue and black gums. Its razor-sharp pearly whites were huge compared to its size, half of them protruding when it closed its mouth to blend into the glossy ivory outer shell. Mawile¡¯s long, bang-like strips could be tensed to provide defense but were currently draped loosely across its arms and the sheets, making its cuteness factor skyrocket as it slept. The Pok¨¦mon¡¯s white metallic hair covered more of its forehead than normal Mawile, branching down into a W-shape with a small reverse V between its closed eyes. Rhea wracked her brain, searching for everything she knew about the Pok¨¦mon while smiling at its cute white feet, poking out of its jet-black dress-like pants. From what little she recalled about Mawile in school, her focus naturally slid to the deadly yet cute open jaw, showing its knife-like teeth. Mawile may have a massive second mouth-like appendage, but it wasn¡¯t meant for eating large chunks of food; the powerful jaws did have a link to some kind of saliva gland within its head, but at most, it could only swallow liquids. It was primarily a weapon. It was also a very slow Pok¨¦mon, meaning that in the wild, it would hide in bushes, releasing a sweet smell to attract animals and possible nearby threats, attacking while their foe¡¯s guard was down, which gave it the name The Deceiver Pok¨¦mon. Still, in terms of early Type advantage, the Steel-type was considered one of the best from the bits of commentary she¡¯d followed during past Bronze Leagues; although she rarely finished them since most of the time those kinds of weak battles bored her; growing up watching so many high-tier matches between Masters made her desire more from the competitions. Knowing newly hatched Pok¨¦mon needed their rest, Rhea conscientiously slid out of bed, carefully gathering all the eggshells to set aside for Janice to make medical concoctions; she was glad her bed didn¡¯t squeak like her parents¡¯. Setting the pieces on her desk, she snatched the velvety black bag from her desk and her phone from the wireless charger, remembering her mother¡¯s plea in yesterday¡¯s letter. She paused, debating on taking her wireless headphones for a few seconds before pocketing them. She snuck one last fond look at her adorable little creatures, quietly opening the door, and left it a crack just in case they woke up and went exploring. Rhea passed the upstairs bathroom on the way to the stairs; the shower was on, meaning Sabin was getting ready. Her father¡¯s door was still shut, which was a bit odd for him; she was used to him getting up around the same time as her, being downstairs cooking breakfast by the time she was done freshening up. Proceeding to the living room armchair that faced the stairs, she rubbed her shoulder as a shiver passed through her body; it was a little chilly for the morning, and her dad always turned off the HVAC at night to lessen the strain on the remote village¡¯s electrical grid. Dumping the contents out on the table, she frowned, eyes sliding between the five objects; there were four glowing stones and a shielded data cube inside. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea leaned forward, pressing her phone against her left thigh while studying the luminous gems. One radiated between dozens of hues, showing every color she could imagine, ping-ponging inside the crystal shell as if trying to escape. Two were almost identical, emitting a faint white light, and the last one could have shared an abyssal link with her aunt¡¯s Spiritomb, pulling in the surrounding light into a fathomless singularity. Being careful not to touch any of them, she slid the data cube away from the rest, popping the small protective case open. Shaking out the complicated piece of technology, she set her phone on the table and placed it on her device before inserting her headphones. Her blonde eyebrow rose as a program seemed to auto-unpack, running through a swift list of commands before the screen released a small three-dimensional image of her mother. Rhea twisted the rectangular machine to the side, so her mother faced her. Sitting back with a little surprise, her mom had obviously decided to send the message in one of the breakthrough technologies she¡¯d been working on with Silph. Her mother¡¯s shining, healthy face told Rhea that this was probably recorded well before Christie had gone on her sleep strike for research. ¡°Rhea, Honey!¡± she said in a peppy voice. ¡°Isn¡¯t this interesting? It shouldn¡¯t be long until projection-type technology becomes standard practice... uh, three years, maybe?¡± she giggled, scratching her neck. ¡°Anyways, umm, this is a bit of a serious message, so I¡¯ll be quick; there¡¯s a lot of sensitive information I¡¯ll be explaining that I don¡¯t really want to get out, which is why it was shielded, and I sent it through teleportation... you might have thought that was weird, hehe. ¡°Eh... so, pause this when you need to... just tap anywhere on the hologram because once this message ends, it¡¯ll self-terminate.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, vision sliding to the gems before returning to her mother. Yeah, okay... this sounds a bit on the legally gray side of her research. Sure enough, Christie continued while shifting a bit. ¡°Your Pok¨¦mon technically aren¡¯t legally able to be bred in Kanto or Johto... quite a few places, actually. Politics within the Kanto and Johto League... Breeders United lobbyists, to be specific,¡± she sighed, rolling her eyes. Before the question even fully formed in Rhea¡¯s mind, her mother added, ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean they¡¯re illegal to have! You know, they wouldn¡¯t discriminate against a Pok¨¦mon after it was born,¡± she mumbled with a sly sidewards smile. ¡°No, you¡¯re perfectly fine using them, and here is where we get into the troubling part of this whole situation... Okay, it¡¯s going to be a rough transition for you, but I¡¯ve had your father do his best to prepare you! ¡°I want to talk about how cute and unique your two new lovely babies are... I bet they¡¯re sleeping soundly in your bed, but I¡¯ll be able to do that when I see you at the ceremony. ¡°First, those two adorable little monsters... they¡¯ll die soon if they¡¯re not able to transition properly by feeding off of a Trainer¡¯s Fortitude.¡± Rhea¡¯s blood went cold, and her concern grew as her mother continued. ¡°They have so much natural power after everything I¡¯ve done that it requires an anchor for it to fully stabilize within their bodies, and that¡¯s going to be demanding on your own Fortitude, each of your mental, physical, and spiritual Allocations. ¡°Now, hold up!¡± Christie warned, holding up her hands with a forced smile; Rhea had scooted to the edge of her seat. ¡°They¡¯ll more than likely survive several hours after hatching, and before they¡¯re awake, I need to warn you about a few things. ¡°The Eevee... hehe, adorable; I¡¯ve bred her to temperamentally be an absolute angel! She¡¯s Docile natured, which means she¡¯s an excellent Starter. ¡°You see that multi-colored gemstone? Yeah, that''s... let¡¯s just say this research has made me a target of many evil people, and not for this particular end product I¡¯m giving you... lots of terrible things you can do with this stuff. Once it¡¯s used, those types of people won¡¯t bother with the results, though, but other small-time criminals might be interested,¡± she noted with a slight frown. ¡°It¡¯s the result of having something unique.¡± ¡°In short, that stone will stabilize your Eevee¡¯s natural instability, making it so... you guessed it, transform into every Eeveelution!¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth dropped open, heart palpitating with the mic her mother was dropping. ¡°That¡¯s right; no more gut-wrenching decisions to make! It will be a bit rough on your first journey for her to transform multiple times in a day... I suggest choosing one evolution a day to be safe as you build up your Fortitude. ¡°You naturally have a very high Fortitude, extremely high like your aunt¡¯s... well, in potential, but it will take time to reach it; that¡¯s why I can give you these types of Pok¨¦mon, and you¡¯ve had Franky around you almost all your life to help with your resilience to internal high-pressure energies.¡± Rhea pressed her tongue against the side of her teeth, muscles tense as she listened to her mother unravel her plan. Sabin came out of the bathroom, and he must have noticed her door open a crack because he checked it before heading downstairs with a towel around his neck, hair still damp as he grinned. ¡°Yo, Rhea,¡± he said with a soft voice. ¡°You won the... woah, wait... is that live... Mom?¡± She held up her hand, still watching her mother as she went on, feeling her worry rising. Sabin worked his jaw around, glancing toward the kitchen. ¡°Huh... alright, uh... I¡¯ll snatch you a water real fast.¡± Rhea barely heard him, trying to focus on her mother. ¡°The Mawile, on the other hand, will be a challenge... oh, not really with her personality, well... not entirely. I can see her being a bit rebellious... eh, but not really in a bad way... kind of like a teenage way. Oof,¡± she winced. ¡°Yeah, you were kind of a handful when you were thirteen. ¡°Anyways, with the modifications and breeding I¡¯ve done... the Mawile will not be like normal Mawile... no, she¡¯s... kind of a savage, Adamant natured, and very competitive. ¡°The Eevee is your versatile supporter while Mawile is your bruiser; she¡¯s basically your shield and heavy club. You¡¯ll have to watch her, or she might take battles too far... just a quick warning.¡± Rhea caught the information quickly; both her Pok¨¦mon were female, which was essential to breeders if she had so many genetic moves, many of which couldn¡¯t be learned any other way than selective breeding. ¡°Pok¨¦mon see you as their human,¡± she giggled, ¡°yup, you¡¯re their human, and if a Trainer has many Pok¨¦mon, then they¡¯ll also want to establish a pecking order within that group... that¡¯s just how competitive linked Pok¨¦mon can be. ¡°Esfforia, your aunt¡¯s Garchomp, is without a doubt, the big sister of her Pok¨¦mon, with your aunt seen as somewhat of a mother figure. Pok¨¦mon are eager to form relationships within their internal community, and they can communicate with one another through a Trainer¡¯s own connection, acting as a nexus hub... your aunt says hers can communicate with those in her box, but... I¡¯m skeptical.¡± Her eyes turned suspicious. ¡°Sometimes my sister plays with me on those types of topics. Of course... the connections or synchronization must be strong with both the other Pok¨¦mon and you, but that won¡¯t be much of a problem with what I have in mind!¡± Her mother giggled. ¡°You¡¯ll find an exciting dynamic unfolding as you get new Pok¨¦mon, and they start taking on different roles within your personal little community. They can be funny and even help a lot with training... in fact, they¡¯ll be huge supports with training new additions. Oh, I need to be quick!¡± Rhea glanced at the open doorway to the kitchen as her brother walked out, sitting across from her and setting a bottle of water across from her, waiting for her to be finished. He watched their mother¡¯s silent motions and extravagant gestures with a soft smile. ¡°Now that some of that¡¯s been said, let¡¯s get to those stones! ¡°The two shining ones will eliminate the need for your Pok¨¦mon to have any type of Sync-Stone or crystal. Don¡¯t worry; they¡¯re attuned to each, so you can¡¯t mess up. ¡°The black, honestly scary looking one might make you think it will pull you into the Distortion World or Shadow World, but no,¡± she said with a tinkling laugh, ¡°no, it¡¯s an evolution stone for you!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but react to the statement, glancing down at the gem, and Sabin followed her gaze with a slight frown. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing, uh... just don¡¯t touch those,¡± she mumbled, leaning forward again to listen. ¡°Okay, mysterious,¡± Sabin chuckled, sipping a cup of hot berry cider. ¡°This one is a bit of a new creation of mine! It will take the place of a Z-Power Ring, Mega Device, and Sync-Tech; your father and aunt have been my guinea pigs on the matter. I had to start off with separate stones, hehe, but I perfected it! ¡°Oof, your father got pretty sick one time when I messed up the strength, but we got over it! Your aunt¡¯s usually the final test run before I decide it¡¯s safe, and then a few other Masters volunteered for a few more extra bits of data. It¡¯s completely safe, though!¡± Rhea recalled her Aunt Cynthia¡¯s aura when using Syncro-Burst; she hadn¡¯t seen it often but just chalked it up to it being her aunt, and now that it was mentioned, she didn¡¯t recall her wearing any type of advanced evolutionary device. ¡°I¡¯ve been working with Silph on this one, and I gave them the formula for the Mega Evolutions... hey, when you have expensive experiments that might not pan out, you tend to waste a lot of money, and you gotta get it from somewhere! ¡°Basically, it eliminates a Trainer¡¯s need for a harmonizing keystone and stabilizing devices... eh, it¡¯ll put some products out of business, which means there was obviously opposition from a few industries, but with Silph¡¯s support, I had everything I needed to advance my ideas in this area.¡± Rhea was still a bit leery of any object that would be absorbed into her body, but a smile brightened her cheeks at her mother¡¯s lengthy explanations; Christie¡¯s mind would often jump between points, trying to explain things because she thought others would get excited by the details. Her rambling gave Rhea some confidence in her mother¡¯s plan; it showed her that Christie had gone through fairly exhaustive testing. ¡°Finally, we¡¯ll wrap everything up with those pok¨¦balls I gave you... eh, they aren¡¯t very legal, but not exactly illegal¡­¡± Sabin¡¯s stomach shook as he laughed. ¡°That expression on her face... she¡¯s done something shady, hasn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Yeah, somethin¡¯ like that¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, watching her mother explain herself. ¡°Those pok¨¦balls have a 100% catch rate for a reason... the deal is just too good for any sane Pok¨¦mon to pass up. It came as a result of Silph trying to enhance synchronization rates. ¡°Umm... I mean, I know you understand the basics of pok¨¦balls, but it¡¯s kind of necessary in this explanation. ¡°Pok¨¦balls are the advanced form of... from what we¡ªmeaning scientists¡ªsee as, well, a very long-standing practice of fashioning devices that can link Pok¨¦mon and Trainer. There are many types of devices, but they all... most... there was one incident about a human being able to be trapped inside one in historical accounts from Pok¨¦lantis, but that¡¯s still a heavily debated topic... no, no, I¡¯m getting off track. ¡°Uh... Ultra-type pok¨¦balls have the highest possible sync-rate of allowing Pok¨¦mon and Trainer to share their energy, and yes, a Pok¨¦mon could share their Fortitude with a human, but it¡¯s really not all that effective in most cases... those Martial Artists like to give it a try, though... it¡¯s just way more efficient to provide it to a Pok¨¦mon. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°The pok¨¦balls I gave you are called Master-type pok¨¦balls, and... well, that¡¯s for a reason. They aren¡¯t on the market because they allow a Pok¨¦mon to forcefully take energy from a Trainer, allowing the Pok¨¦mon a lot of split decision reactions that could drastically change a match¡¯s outcome, but at the expected price of the Trainer naturally feeling much more drained. ¡°Normal Trainers just can¡¯t handle their Pok¨¦mon constantly demanding more power when in the heat of battle, and it can negatively affect the Trainers. Now, it¡¯s not like the Pok¨¦mon can kill you with it, but it can put you in bed for a few days if the Pok¨¦mon is reckless. ¡°However, this is the only method that will allow you to give those baby Pok¨¦mon the energy they need to survive as a Bronze-tier Trainer. I hope that makes sense,¡± she sighed, running her left hand through her blonde hair. ¡°I tried to think of an alternative, but there just wasn¡¯t any. ¡°What will this mean? It means you¡¯ll feel sore and tired for a few days as you acclimatize, and your Pok¨¦mon stabilize; not very different from all the new Trainers in Pallet you¡¯ll meet, but it shouldn¡¯t be near as bad for you. So, like I said, you might not want to have Eevee evolve too often until your Fortitude expands. I mean, one of the reasons the age restriction has been pushed up so far is the health concerns discovered when children bond with Pok¨¦mon through pok¨¦balls. ¡°Sure, in the extremely rare minority... less than .05% of those children will age slower, gain extraordinary health benefits, and in general become superhuman... we¡¯re talking about Master-tier and above here. ¡°The unlucky ones... not so good. While 67% of Trainers do fine... the other 32.95% have an underdeveloped Fortitude, causing damage, which results in health concerns for the Pok¨¦mon and Trainers. It¡¯s a gamble that many are willing to take, but with that alarming discovery, plus the resulting knowledge, our population is low because of it... rules change when science finds answers. ¡°So, in conclusion¡­ ¡°First, touch the black stone to evolve! Hehe, yes, your mother created the first human evolution stone! Oh, it¡¯ll go down in the history books in the next few weeks as companies start rolling out the low-tier stuff I gave them. ¡°Second, use those pok¨¦balls to wake your Pok¨¦mon up and keep them alive. ¡°Third, use those three stones... uh, the colorful one first on Eevee! It will drain you a bit with the sudden spike in stabilization, but the other two, you shouldn¡¯t feel a thing. ¡°Fourth, name and love them! ¡°Finally, make sure they eat every single one of those little treats I gave before eating anything else! It shouldn¡¯t be hard for them to finish it in one sitting. EVs are crucial to maximizing their potential before random battles and food mess everything up... more than 80% of trainers fail at EV training. ¡°Now, if you have any more questions, then just ask me when you see me next. In five seconds, this message will self-terminate. I love you!¡± Easily remembering everything said, Rhea let the hologram fade, and the message went through the zeroing process. Mom, Mom, Mom... I haven¡¯t even been registered as a Bronze-tier Trainer, and you¡¯re sending me illegal Pok¨¦mon and all this other crazy stuff... a stone of strange energy that¡¯ll literally make me a walking sync-stone! Her vision fell to the gems again, glinting on the table. Still... she spent so much time preparing to help me... no... hold-up. You did craft some of this stuff for other people, but it was intended for me. So, I¡¯m a part of some big experiment... Mom said she¡¯s been combining everything she knows, meaning there¡¯s a big stake in my journey, and what path I choose after the Bronze League since this part is mandatory. Mom... what are you up to? Well, at least I have an adorable Eevee that can be any Eeveelution! Man, that¡¯s awesome¡­ Her smile fell a bit, watching her phone restarted after the data cube was wiped. Sure enough, once checking it, it was blank. Sighing, she tossed it on the table, staring at the stones beside it while her brother quietly watched her internal debate. I can¡¯t really say no, and it would really help me out on my journey. I mean, I can say no, but... I can¡¯t. Mom¡¯s tried so hard. All the time she¡¯s been away, working tirelessly, and it was all for this, which is the final test run while molding her dream around my journey. Plus, I can¡¯t let those Pok¨¦mon die... I¡¯m locked in. She smiled a little, leaning forward to stare at the black crystal. Nothing ventured, nothing gained... who even said that... Ethan? Probably Ethan. Tapping the object with her index finger, she was a little surprised as it stuck to her finger like glue, melding into a black smoke-like substance that weaved into her skin. Well, that¡¯s not¡­ ¡°Rhea?¡± Sabin asked, sitting forward a little. Her throat constricted, saliva drying up in her mouth as a tightness gripped her chest; it was like a feather was moving through her body, touching every cell. It only lasted a few seconds, but the sensation left her speechless. Afterward, she didn¡¯t feel any different. Is this what it feels like for a Pok¨¦mon when it evolves... I just evolved¡­ ¡°Uh... yo, Rhea, you¡¯re kind of glowing? Should I go grab Dad?¡± he tentatively asked, glancing down at the other stones. ¡°No, no,¡± Rhea chuckled, glancing down at her hand as it faded. ¡°I just evolved!¡± ¡°Ah... come again?¡± ¡°Mom made a stone that makes it so I don¡¯t have to use any sync-devices.¡± Sabin¡¯s eyes widened with wonder as he pieced it together. ¡°Woah, wait... you mean... Huh... She made one for humans? That¡¯s awesome!¡± He gave her a light glare. ¡°Yo, where¡¯s mine?¡± ¡°Hey, hey,¡± Rhea giggled, holding up her hands. ¡°I¡¯m just the recipient here! Take it up with Mom.¡± ¡°I¡¯m gonna have to,¡± Sabin muttered with an impressed smile, ¡°¡®cause that¡¯s OP! Those things are so expensive, and if they get damaged... oof. What other awesome things did Mom send you? Wait, does that mean those are like... combined sync stones?¡± ¡°Hehe, mhm!¡± Rhea grinned, showing a peace-sign. ¡°Mom decked me out, didn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°What¡¯s this about your mother?¡± their dad asked, yawning while walking down the stairs. In one of the rarest of circumstances, she saw both Franky and him trudging down the steps like they¡¯d gone through a life and death battle. ¡°What happened to you?¡± both children asked with stunned expressions. ¡°Clean-up,¡± he mumbled, heading to the kitchen to grab some coffee. ¡°Ugh... clean-up¡­¡± Franky made similar guttural sounds while following him. ¡°Oh, uh... so, how¡¯re the Pok¨¦mon?¡± he asked from inside the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinet to get a cup as he started the automatic machine. ¡°I won!¡± Rhea cheered, aiming a toothy grin at her brother. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Sabin sighed, ¡°I¡¯ve got enough cash saved up, but I bet Kate will give me those big eyes, and I¡¯ll get her food for the next few weeks. Oh, Dad! Did you know about Mom¡¯s evolution stone?¡± Keith popped his messy blonde hair back around the corner, showing a tired smile. ¡°Ah, Rhea broke the big news? Man, felt like food poisoning times five when your mother gave me that supercharged one!¡± ¡°Wha... yo, Dad, hook a son up!¡± Sabin moaned. ¡°Oof,¡± he disappeared again, going after his coffee. ¡°Aye, you¡¯ll need to talk to yer mother about that one! I¡¯m just the test dummy... dummy being the keyword in that statement... ugh, the things I let your mother do to me¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, okay,¡± Sabin sighed with a weak laugh, ¡°just change the subject on me.¡± ¡°Hey, no, for real, kids! She¡¯s got this trick she does... gah, I just can¡¯t say no to that woman.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips fell a little as she glanced at the wall. ¡°Yeah, I get what you mean, Dad... Mom¡¯s got a way of getting what she wants.¡± ¡°Oh, so we goin¡¯ up to meet your new Pok¨¦mon, Rhea? How¡¯s do your Eevee and Mawile look; pretty wild with the gene modification?¡± ¡°So, you did know,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°What, you thought I wouldn¡¯t?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Sabin gave her a look, ¡°sometimes... yeah, you kind of skirt the truth a bit.¡± ¡°Ouch! Okay, okay, I do a bit of embellishment sometimes, but only to tell a good story. I can say with confidence that I have never lied to Rhea before.¡± Sabin¡¯s brow furrowed, head darting to the kitchen door. ¡°Hmm... Never lied to Rhea? Hold up¡­¡± ¡°So,¡± Keith chuckled, coming back in with a beanie and a big mug in hand; Franky was beside him sporting the same attire, ¡°we goin¡¯ to check out these princesses?¡± Her brother¡¯s tone was still suspicious. ¡°How do you know they¡¯re female?¡± Their dad just wore a smug grin, shrugging his shoulders. ¡°Eh, whi-dunno... are they?¡± His blue irises slide innocently to Rhea while sipping at his cup. She glared at him for a moment before admitting it. ¡°Uh, yes¡­¡± ¡°Cool.¡± Rhea and Sabin gave him a watchful stare, Franky loudly slurping his cup of joe, big eyes darting between them. After a moment, Rhea and Sabin turned their gaze to the ghost. ¡°¡°Franky¡­¡±¡± ¡°Geng?¡± ¡°Hmm? We¡¯re just sippin¡¯ our coffee,¡± Keith replied, hiding his lips again and purposefully taking a very long, slow drink. Franky gave a similar shrug, mirroring his Trainer. Rhea released a long sigh. ¡°Always keeping your sources hidden, huh, Dad? You know... maybe it was Frisky... where is that shy Medicham, hanging out in the attic listening? Hmm?¡± she asked, directing her sly glare at the Gengar, far easier to crack than her father. The ghost broke under her stare, swallowing the rest of his coffee too quickly. He sheepishly chuckled, pointing at the cup before retreating back into the kitchen. Her dad shifted his shoulder against the kitchen door frame, glancing back at his Starter. ¡°Franky... you gotta get better, my man. I swear, she¡¯s breaking you quicker and quicker every year!¡± Franky¡¯s depressed tone returned while refilling his pot. ¡°Knew it!¡± Rhea snickered, glancing up at the high ceiling overhead. ¡°Feeling too shy to meet my new Pok¨¦mon, Frisky?¡± She heard the soft moan from the above floorboards, making Sabin chuckle. ¡°You know Dad¡¯s Pok¨¦mon better than I do!¡± ¡°Well, they¡¯ve been all up in my business most of my life... right, Franky?¡± The ghost popped in for almost two seconds before her words sent him retreating back into the kitchen. Her dad just silently laughed, still somehow sipping his first cup of coffee. ¡°Gah, alright,¡± Rhea mumbled, brushing her bound hair back over her shoulder while gathering up the remaining three stones. ¡°Let¡¯s get this over with.¡± They made their way upstairs, Franky doing his best to hide behind his Trainer. ¡°Man, Kate would be freaking out... no, wait¡­¡± Sabin snickered, taking out his phone to snap a picture of the two Pok¨¦mon. ¡°And... send; expect her over in like five minutes, top!¡± ¡°Heh... which means Jason will be with her,¡± Rhea sighed, glancing over at her wall mirror to see her morning look. ¡°Fine, whatever.¡± Walking over to the pok¨¦balls on her desk, she pulled back her braid and activated the ball. Leaned forward, she pressed one against the Eevee¡¯s head. The Eevee entered with a red flash of light, transforming into energy. Rhea paused; it felt like everything was tingling as something warm nestled next to her heart, but she knew it was only in her head since there wasn¡¯t a specific spot the bond was attached to. ¡°Wow¡­¡± She could sense the Eevee¡¯s consciousness stir inside the pok¨¦ball as her heart palpitated. It really felt like the phantom of another mind in her head, a body held in her hands, and an unseen personage closeby. Sabin walked up to comfortingly rub between her shoulder blades. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a bit overwhelming at first. I¡¯ve seen a few Bronze-tier Trainers get theirs in the wild, and some break down crying.¡± She smiled softly, pressing her hand against her chest, back tingling with her brother¡¯s touch. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that, but... yeah, it¡¯s certainly something... I think I¡¯ll need to get used to it.¡± Activating the next pok¨¦ball, she added the Mawile; she could instantly sense the difference in her two Pok¨¦mon. If the Eevee was a calm, running brook, willing to twist and turn, Mawile was a ball of molten steel, ready to slam into someone¡¯s face. Rhea hadn¡¯t even realized Franky rapidly changing positions, snapping photos; she doubted any of them would be good, but he was trying, and at least the ghost was a lot less depressed. Releasing the two Pok¨¦mon, a force constricted her chest, causing her to wince. ¡°Mmh... what¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Oof, Honey,¡± Keith muttered with a forced smile, ¡°two Pok¨¦mon at once... eh, you¡¯re taking it better than I thought, but there¡¯s a reason Trainer¡¯s start with one and work their way up over at least the next few days... even for Master¡¯s kids.¡± Rhea did her best to smile. ¡°No, it¡¯s just... just a little tight around my chest, but I think it¡¯s getting better. Mom wanted me to train a little.¡± She laughed internally at the thought of her Pok¨¦mon training her by just being out. The Mawile and Eevee blinked, glancing between them before settling on her with happy chirps. ¡°Hey,¡± Rhea giggled, stepping forward to rub their heads. The Mawile was smooth as metal, but since she wasn¡¯t prepared for a fight, her super fine hair melded between her fingers like butter. It made Rhea ponder what would happen if the fiery Pok¨¦mon was suddenly spooked, deciding not to test the theory. She knew what her brother and father were going to ask next and beat them to the punch. ¡°I think I¡¯ll call you Maya, nickname... Mya,¡± she said, stroking the top of Mawile¡¯s closed second mouth, ¡°and you... how about Novie, mmh, no, Nova!¡± They both made soft sounds, rubbing against her head, but they soon caught sight of the floating ghost above, both eyeing him suspiciously. Franky snickered, likely communicating with them. ¡°Aww, they¡¯re adorable,¡± Sabin cooed, bending in closer to study them. ¡°Nice names, too!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea smiled, walking back to grab the stones. ¡°Okay, Mom said to do this as soon as possible... colorful one on Nova first.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Sabin stood back to observe while their father silently watched from the door, arms folded with a smile on his lips. ¡°Okay, just hold still, Nova,¡± Rhea prompted. ¡°These will make you really strong... wha?¡± She jumped back with everyone else as Nova began to glow, swapping over a dozen forms, many of which Rhea hadn¡¯t seen before, but she could only catch the illuminated shape before it quickly became something else. Rhea¡¯s chest burned as a weight passed through her muscles; it was as if she¡¯d been doing a light workout, and by the time the Eevee returned to its original form, she was left breathing a bit harder than usual with sticky saliva in her mouth. Maya tilted her head to both sides, mumbling something as Nova stood in a stunned state, blinking after a moment before responding. Franky made a few comments, which the two Pok¨¦mon paid close attention to, but Rhea cut into the conversation. ¡°Hey, are you feeling okay, Nova?¡± She chirped, cutely tilting her head. ¡°Aww,¡± Rhea laughed, still feeling the stress on her body. ¡°Well, we¡¯re not finished, one more time¡­¡± She used the next two stones on Maya and Nova, but it didn¡¯t seem to have any adverse effects like her mother had mentioned. ¡°Well, Nova... you¡¯re a special Eevee!¡± Her brother cleared his throat. ¡°... I was going to say, uh... can she change between all her evolution forms?¡± Rhea gave him a quick peace-symbol. ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s what Mom said; yes, praise Nova for her amazing talents!¡± she cooed, presenting the girl. Nova blinked with confusion but soon puffed up her chest, looking proud of herself, and Mya giggled softly. ¡°Okay,¡± Sabin chuckled, slowly clapping his hands, ¡°consider me impressed. What¡¯s next on the trick list? I¡¯m guessing they have a ton of breeding Moves if Mom bred them.¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± Her father came to the rescue. ¡°C¡¯mon, Sabin, remember the first battle you ever had? Did you have two clearly top-tier Pok¨¦mon out?¡± ¡°Ah, haha, no, I guess I didn¡¯t,¡± he chuckled sheepishly. ¡°I¡¯m just a bit excited. So, did Mom say anything else?¡± Rhea glanced over at the small bags of food, smiling while opening them. ¡°The last thing was that I can¡¯t feed them anything but these until they¡¯re gone... EV food and all, I guess. Hmm, I¡¯m guessing the one with the Eevee looking symbol on it is simple enough... wow, I can¡¯t believe I didn¡¯t notice that for the bet¡­¡± She tugged open the bag and made sure both ate the proper one. ¡°Well, you guessed right,¡± Keith winked. Her brother¡¯s face drained of color. ¡°Shoot... I¡¯m gonna have to tell Kate when she gets here... she¡¯s gonna break down crying,¡± he mumbled with a forced laugh. ¡°Yeah... any minute now... Franky? Ah, she¡¯s coming... oof, okay¡­¡± Rhea gave her brother an encouraging smile while passing through the door, trudging off as if marching for a war he knew was already lost. ¡°Hehe, my first official bet, and I¡¯m one and zero!¡± ¡°Yeah, mmh,¡± Sabin smacked his lips, heading down the stairs, ¡°you¡¯re off to a good start, and you¡¯ll need it!¡± ¡°Alright,¡± her dad clapped his hands as her two new Pok¨¦mon hastily feasted on the food Rhea presented. ¡°Let¡¯s get you ready to head out. What do you gotta do?¡± Rhea glanced down at her fashionable lightweight black tote backpack with a white bottom and straps to tighten if needed. The front straps were designed to offer the best support if needed while also giving the option for a more casual city-style use. It had a few compartments inside that were intended for Trainer¡¯s basic needs. ¡°Umm, shower, get ready, double-check my supplies, and that¡¯s about it.¡± Her dad stretched out. ¡°Sounds good! I¡¯ll get one more cup of joe and ready up myself.¡± He gave her a wink. ¡°You know I gotta be lookin¡¯ fresh for your mom!¡± ¡°Dad!¡± Rhea sighed while shaking her head. ¡°Just get out... I¡¯ll be ready soon.¡± They both chuckled when the downstairs door opened, and Sabin broke the news to a thrilled Katelin; the silence that followed could be felt before her panicked voice carried upstairs. ¡°What do you mean we lost? No... I¡¯m thin enough! Look at me, Sabin... I¡¯ll starve!¡± Jason¡¯s laughter could be heard from Rhea¡¯s room. ¡°C¡¯mon, Sis, don¡¯t be dramatic!¡± ¡°You have no idea how many calories I burn a day,¡± Katelin moaned. ¡°My Pok¨¦mon are savages when it comes to training!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got ya, Kate, I¡¯ve got ya¡­¡± Sabin assured. ¡°Hey, look on the bright side, you¡¯ll be spending a few weeks with me!¡± Rhea rolled her eyes as that instantly shut the girl up. Not wanting to hear anymore, she closed the door, turning to her two curious Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Okay, you two can chill. Hang out with everyone until I finish getting¡­¡± She paused as they both hopped off her bed, running up to her. ¡°Oh... you both want to shower with me?¡± At their bright chirps, Rhea giggled. ¡°Okay, well, I guess you¡¯ll get a taste of your first bath!¡± Her brow lifted with question as she glanced up to find both Pok¨¦mon bags were empty. ¡°Holy Miltank! You two can scarf it down,¡± she chuckled, thinking back on Katelin¡¯s cry and started to get a glimpse of what she meant. Rhea rolled her left shoulder, groaning a little as she felt a bit of the soreness her mother warned her about hit, and knew it would get worse as the day went on. She grabbed her Bandeau bikini, giving it a rueful study to distract herself; it would be her underwear of choice for a long time. It had long been common knowledge that swimsuits were far more practical on a Pok¨¦mon journey than underwear, and the Bandeau-style was the most comfortable for her. Besides that, she wasn¡¯t into the whole romper-themed outfits that Katelin was into. Instead, Rhea opted for short black yoga shorts, black tank-top, a long-sleeve navy blue shirt, and a white and dark blue striped skirt. For rougher terrain, she had Trainer-style¡¯s Elite 4 TX2 black and white shoes that provided comfort and fashion for the slopes while everyday activities were left to her white and black Trainer-style Cloud 12 hiking sandals. She¡¯d tie the shoes to the straps of her backpack. Franky seemed to be teaching the newborn pair something important by his expression, while both Pok¨¦mon looked at him like he were Arceus. She prompted them to join her in the shower, and they swiftly followed; before entering, she called out. ¡°Hey, Kate, Jason, I¡¯ll be down once I finish getting ready!¡± ¡°Take your time, Girl!¡± Katelin called back. ¡°Your brother¡¯s telling me about all the nice places he¡¯s gonna take me, hehe.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Sabin asked with a bit of panic. ¡°Hey, yo, Kate, I haven¡¯t saved up that much!¡± ¡°Ooh,¡± Jason breathed with awe, ¡°aye, I can¡¯t wait to check out some of those big-city restaurants!¡± ¡°Yeah, Sabin,¡± Katelin goadingly chuckled, ¡°all those big-city restaurants!¡± ¡°You know we gotta feed all our Pok¨¦mon if we go to one of those... we can¡¯t just leave them out, Kate,¡± Sabin said, forcefully returning the laugh. ¡°You know how expensive it gets... how much Pok¨¦mon eat after training.¡± Rhea ducked into the bathroom, mouth filling with saliva upon the mention of big-city restaurants; she¡¯d seen some in video and couldn¡¯t wait to try it. The last bit from Katelin made Rhea a bit jealous. ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon! Just once? Pretty please, Sabin? I know you¡¯ve got some solid wins recently!¡± ¡°Okay, okay... once!¡± ¡°Hehe! Knew you¡¯d break!¡± she cheered. Rhea ruefully shook her head, but her mind was lingering on the online footage Katelin¡¯s plea had brought back. All of the kids that grew up in the village dreamed of the big-city and its glories, but like a carrot at the end of a stick, the adults refused to take them so they could experience it for the first time on their journey. The adventure lit a fire in Rhea¡¯s chest, and she quickly got ready, giggling while teaching Nova and Mya to wash themselves with the products. Dressing up, she took care of the morning maintenance, preparing her hair for a ponytail. Getting out, she put her hiking sandals on, already broke in a week earlier, and checked her pack. Every available item inside was held in waterproof, airtight ventable dry sacks to help her organize and reduce weight. Not one object was any heavier than it needed to be, all sporting light to ultralight labels. Taking out each item, she checked them off the list.
  1. Ultra Lightweight, 4-Seasons, 2-man tent (it¡¯s less breathable but with better insulation; sadly, there¡¯s no perfect tent)
  2. Lightweight mummy-bag, labeled for sub-zero conditions
  3. Lightweight, well-insulated sleeping pad
  4. Lightweight inflatable pillow
  5. Collapsible cooking, eating, and washing gear
  6. Clothes/Accessories
    1. A dry set of clothes (for changing into)
    2. Second pair of Bandeau-style swimwear (to wear if washing the previous pair)
    3. Ultra Lightweight rain jacket that provides protection and breathability
    4. Insulated Pok¨¦hat
    5. Hiking shoes (fashionable and practical!)
    6. 2x Pair of Gloves (fingerless and full; both comfortably fitted)
    7. Aviator sunglasses (let¡¯s be honest, mainly for the fashion!)
    8. Flying goggles (that wind can hurt!)
  7. Basic first aid
  8. Attachable headlight (solar/electric charged)
  9. Phone (solar/electric charged)
  10. A filter water bottle (fill on the go or with a water-type Pok¨¦mon)
  11. Biodegradable toiletries and hygiene (soap/toothbrush/lip balm/deodorant/small mirror/etc)
  12. An acceptable amount of preparable food for a week (seasoning can be found in the wild)
  13. A standard fishing pole with a lure line (Dad made me take it since it saved his life once when stranded on an island)
  14. A lightweight wind-up power charger in case of emergencies
  15. A lightweight rope with belt attachment
Once she finished going over her stuff, Rhea went downstairs to introduce her new Pok¨¦mon and get ready to leave for the Oak Starter Award Ceremony. B1 — 5. A Friendly Start To Independence The conversation moved to her new Pok¨¦mon the moment Rhea descended the stairs; Katelin was starstruck by Nova and vowed to pester her mother until her dying day to get an Eeveelution stabilized Eevee of her own. Rhea grew quieter as the time passed; with both Nova and Mya out, her body felt like it was being slowly squeezed, and over the next forty minutes, she¡¯d grown increasingly sore. She also noticed significant growth in her two new Pok¨¦mon at that time. Sabin stood before the group, hands weaving as he told his Mt. Silver tale. ¡°... So, Trever and I were allowed to skirt the edge of Route 28, and it was pretty intense! I mean, I expected there to be some Hoenn Pok¨¦mon, but there were Pok¨¦mon normally found in other regions as well, and they were crazy strong. There was an Ursaring that was eight feet tall, and¡­¡± To Rhea¡¯s surprise, it was her brother¡¯s girlfriend that first noticed the stress. ¡°Rhea... you aren¡¯t looking so good,¡± Katelin whispered, hands folded across her knees as she leaned forward to give her a concerned stare. Nova and Mya stirred next to Rhea, shifting to look up at her with big eyes; they¡¯d been listening intently to Sabin before this point. Rhea¡¯s tight hands pressed against her thighs as she forced a laugh, doing her best not to look worn out. ¡°It¡¯s just a little hot in here.¡± Sabin and Jason frowned, turning their attention to her at Katelin¡¯s prompt. ¡°I mean, you did just get those Pok¨¦mon, right?¡± Jason asked, folding his arms. ¡°Hey, Sabin, isn¡¯t it pretty rough to have more than one Pok¨¦mon out for a while?¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Rhea protested. ¡°My brother had his first Pok¨¦mon out for days when he first started.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Sabin moved around the table to sit on the sturdy wooden surface, studying her. ¡°I didn¡¯t have genetically modified Pok¨¦mon with whatever else Mom gave you... now that Kate mentioned it... yeah, you look pretty drained.¡± Katelin nodded. ¡°I thought so, too. Rhea, you don¡¯t have to try and tough it out,¡± she soothed with an encouraging smile. Both Nova and Mya talked softly, and Franky floated out of the ceiling to butt into their conversation. Rhea¡¯s lips tightened, glancing at Nova as her ears pulled back, responding to the ghost. ¡°Nova and Mya were just born... I want to give them a chance to experience the world a little,¡± she mumbled, stroking both her Pok¨¦mon¡¯s heads. Sabin gave her an understanding smile. ¡°Yo, Sis, you know Pok¨¦mon get to experience things around them through you while in their pok¨¦balls.¡± ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯s not exactly the same,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Maybe not,¡± Katelin promptly responded, ¡°but time in their pok¨¦balls is also significant since it helps the bonding process. They¡¯ll better understand you by focusing on the world through you, and you can start to feel their emotions better. When Pok¨¦mon are outside, there are so many distracting things that can get in the way of that bond.¡± Yeah, but the Master Ball forces a link... oh, well, I suppose that is a lot different than actually emotionally bonding. Mom said it allowed them to pull energy from me, and I guess it is a lot more demanding while outside. ¡°Umm,¡± Rhea paused, shifting a little to try and stretch her muscles without it looking obvious she was trying to relieve tension. ¡°I... guess you might be right. I, eh... what do you think, Mya, Nova?¡± They both chirped with concern, nodding their heads. Taking a big breath, Rhea hoisted herself up, feeling a little unsteady as blood rushed to her head, but she managed to play it off by scooting around Sabin¡¯s legs. ¡°Oh, well, I need to go get them from upstairs real fast,¡± she chuckled, legs feeling like she¡¯d gone out on a jog with her dad. Sabin, Katelin, and Jason all watched her slowly walk upstairs; she hoped they thought her slow rise was just her being casual. Nova and Mya were by her side, concerned chirps to one another, giving her away. Halfway up, she called back. ¡°Hehe, hey, uh... you don¡¯t suppose Dad teleported out with Vilora, his Butterfree, in secret to do something?¡± ¡°Uh... yeah, that would be like him,¡± Sabin muttered, walking to the foot of the stairs. ¡°You sure you¡¯re alright?¡± ¡°Yeah, no problem!¡± she assured, making it to the upstairs hallway. ¡°Eh, have you seen Mya and Nova? They¡¯re getting pretty big already, aren¡¯t you two! Whatever Mom put in those treats must really work.¡± ¡°Mmh... not entirely, Rhea,¡± Katelin hesitantly replied as Rhea snatched Nova and Mya¡¯s pok¨¦balls from her bed, taking a moment to stretch out her sore back. ¡°No?¡± Bending down, she gave her two Pok¨¦mon a bright smile. ¡°Why don¡¯t you try out your new homes? I heard pok¨¦balls are supposed to be like luxury houses. Maybe these ones are even better than normal pok¨¦balls!¡± She was a little surprised when Nova hopped up on her bent knee to press her head against the ball, going inside; not soon after, Mya lifted her second mouth to tap her own, disappearing inside. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea swallowed, feeling a significant portion of the weight compressing her body release as the Pok¨¦mon settled within, and she instantly felt a lot better. Shrinking the two pok¨¦balls, she walked into her closet to loop a lace-up crochet-paneled belt around her waist; most belts these days had the proper polarization metal woven in to provide a fashionable appearance, and she attached the two balls to her side. Her final debate was whether to add a phone attachment to the belt or not and after a moment, she decided it would help. She smiled down at her two Pok¨¦mon, feeling a burning next to her heart that made her think Mya and Nova were happy with the pok¨¦balls. Returning downstairs, Sabin, Jason, and Katelin were standing by the stairs, waiting for her. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Sabin asked, noticing her new accessory. Rhea nodded, laughing apologetically. ¡°Yeah, sorry to make you worry.¡± ¡°Cute white crochet belt!¡± Katelin grinned. ¡°It really goes with your clothes, don¡¯t you think, Jason?¡± ¡°Aye, why are you askin¡¯ me?¡± he asked, eyes widening while stepping back. ¡°I mean, yeah, uh... Rhea usually wears pretty nice clothes.¡± ¡°Noticed, huh?¡± Katelin teased, nudging her brother with an impish smile. ¡°You know, you and Rhea are going to be rivals today! There¡¯s an individual and team score.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Rhea asked, glancing between them. ¡°Oh... umm, and what did you mean, not entirely, Katelin?¡± ¡°Ho¡¯ boy,¡± Katelin chuckled softly, giving Sabin a look. ¡°You wanna take this one?¡± ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Sabin brushed his hair back, glancing at the front door, down the hall. ¡°Umm... hey, why don¡¯t we sit back down.¡± The four returned to their seats; Rhea still felt slightly sore, but it was slowly getting better. Sabin sat back, sucking on his lower lip while gathering his thoughts. ¡°Uh... so, you both know how¡­¡± he trailed off as Franky reappeared in-between the tables, pointing toward the door. ¡°Ah... Shoot,¡± Sabin muttered, taking out his phone to check the time. ¡°Yeah, if we¡¯re going to make it to the meeting on time, then... oh, uh... so, Dad sent me a message¡­¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Rhea mumbled, glancing at his projected screen, but she couldn¡¯t catch the words from her angle. ¡°Yeah... He¡¯s gone off to grab Mom... yo, Grandpa¡¯s with her... they just got off the Magnet Train.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart started pounding. Mom¡¯s actually back in the country? To get here from Hoenn overnight... Did Grandpa fly her out? I mean, if he¡¯s here, then... but he¡¯s usually super busy. ¡°Why would Grandpa be here?¡± Rhea asked, trying to find a more comfortable position on the couch. ¡°He¡¯s usually too busy with League stuff. Is Grandma handling it?¡± Sabin shook his head, left eyebrow lifting. ¡°No... Grandma Glacia is with him.¡± Jason whistled, glancing between Sabin and his sister. ¡°Wait, two active Elite Four members, leaving their region... isn¡¯t that like super rare?¡± Katelin hummed. ¡°Yeah... I¡¯ve never heard of it happening before... well, except for¡­¡± ¡°For war,¡± Sabin muttered, ¡°but Grandpa Drake and Grandma Glacia... together?¡± Rhea knew it was kind of shocking news, but the simplest answer popped out of her mouth. ¡°Well... hasn¡¯t Mom been trying to get Grandpa to retire for years? I know Grandma¡¯s a bit younger than him, but she¡¯s still older than most active Elite Four members; she¡¯s only stayed in because Grandpa refused to hand off the torch until someone could beat him.¡± She gave a weak shrug. ¡°Maybe that happened?¡± ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Sabin muttered, glaring down at the table. ¡°I can count the number of Trainers that beat Grandpa on two hands.¡± Rhea smirked. ¡°Counting Grams?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Sabin chuckled, adopting their grandfather¡¯s gruff voice, ¡°the only woman that¡¯s ever frozen my blood before lighting a fire in it!¡± ¡°Did he actually say that?¡± Katelin mused as the surprise tension eased. Rhea giggled. ¡°It sounds like something he¡¯d say.¡± Sabin cleared his throat, giving her a toothy grin. ¡°Okay, Sis, you ready to go? Dad¡¯s with Mom, so I¡¯ll be your taxi.¡± The news made Rhea¡¯s frame lock-up. ¡°On Rovane?¡± She asked, reflexively shivering upon remembering the sharp gusts the back passenger felt from her brother¡¯s Aerodactyl¡¯s enormous wings. Jason winced, recalling a few conversations she¡¯d had with him about the previous experience. ¡°Sis, we¡¯ll be using Jace, right... your Noctowl?¡± ¡°Uh... no, Mom wanted to take you on her Yanmega. You know she¡¯ll take a million pictures!¡± ¡°Oh, thank Arceus,¡± Jason whispered, just loud enough for Rhea to hear nearby. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Nothing! Uh... just, I haven¡¯t seen Jace in a while.¡± Katelin grinned. ¡°Oh? Maybe I can convince Mom to let me take you!¡± ¡°N-No, no, it¡¯s cool!¡± Jason stammered, and Rhea envied the smooth ride he¡¯d experience. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to make her feel bad. I¡¯m leaving home, after all!¡± ¡°Yeah... okay,¡± Katelin sighed. ¡°Maybe another time.¡± ¡°Eh... what¡¯s up with that look, Rhea?¡± Sabin asked, smile turning forced once Katelin finished. ¡°Mmh,¡± Rhea scratched the back of her neck, feeling the soreness in her muscles return upon imagining the ride, ¡°don¡¯t get the wrong idea, Sabin, but... Rovane isn¡¯t, uh... not the most gentle flier¡­¡± Sabin waved his hand with a dismissive huff. ¡°Naaw! You haven¡¯t ridden on Rovane for like eight months... he¡¯s improved a lot in that time.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Rhea sighed, getting up while releasing a low groan. ¡°We¡¯ll see... I¡¯ll go get my pack and meet you out front.¡± Jason grinned, getting up before holding out a fist. ¡°Well, see you there, Rhea! My team¡¯s gonna win the Bronze League Cup!¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow, a smirk lighting her lips as she bumped it with her own. ¡°Okay, but you¡¯ll be going up against every Bronze-tier 17-year-old and Bronze repeater in the region. You sure you can even beat me?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see! What do you say? You and me, the first battle once I pick my Starter?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Rhea gave him a teasing stare. ¡°Who are ya gonna pick?¡± ¡°Hehe, you¡¯ll see!¡± Katelin and Sabin smiled while watching them. The two guests soon left, heading home to prepare to depart themselves. Rhea shut the door as Sabin went out to prepare their ride. She stopped at the foot of the stairs, staring down at her two Pok¨¦mon on her belt; it felt like they were still right beside her. Jason can¡¯t counter Nova, which means... Well, he can¡¯t change his pick, and he has talked about Water-types more, but ever since he¡¯s gotten into those Galar League matches it¡¯s been Fire-types all the way... yeah, it¡¯s gotta be a Fire-type! Oof... it¡¯ll counter Mya. Rhea grinned as she walked up the stairs; there was a fierce heat coming from her connection to Mya, itching for any kind of challenge. Who knows how hard battling will be, but if there is going to be a battle, I need to take it easy until then to give it my all. She found it a little funny how excited she was getting at the prospect of starting her journey and knew that a part of that had to be from Mya¡¯s urge to test herself. Nova was far more relaxed but also radiated the desire to explore and learn. Grabbing her pack straps, she slung it over her shoulders, wincing a little at the weight. She was a hundred and twelve pounds, and usually, lugging around forty pounds wouldn¡¯t be that big of a deal; Sabin¡¯s starting pack was eighty pounds. The average female Trainer recommended starting with twenty pounds, but she found that pack much too light when doing the tests with her dad, and most Oak Starter Award girls took thirty to forty pounds since their physical Allocation was greater than the typical girl¡¯s. Taking it downstairs, she left the house to greet Rovane; her brother was strapping a long-distance flight saddle on him from the shed beside the house. Most of the time, Trainers would rent one while away from home if it was needed. He took the load from her, noticing her wince with a worried frown. ¡°Sis?... You know, your Pok¨¦mon shouldn¡¯t be drawing so much energy from you. Are you sure you¡¯re alright? Wait, are you trying to force your Fortitude through the connection to expand it quicker, cause¡­¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s nothing like that,¡± Rhea mumbled, opening the back while her brother held it to extract her daylight/night filter flight goggles; it swapped between modes automatically. In the beginning, the technology was touchy and unreliable, but after thirty years of advancements, it was seamless. ¡°Mom said this would happen. She told me not to have Nova swap between forms until I get used to it.¡± ¡°Hmm... Okay... just don¡¯t push yourself too hard.¡± ¡°You worried ¡®bout me?¡± Rhea asked, chest flaring at the sentiment. Sabin gave her a soft smile. ¡°Of course, I am. What kind of big brother would I be otherwise? I know before everyone heads off on the route there¡¯s a battle, and it¡¯s there that rivals are usually born, but... just try not to draw the fight out. You can¡¯t handle a battle of attrition... woah, hey¡­¡± Rhea jumped forward, chest pressing against her pack as she hugged him. ¡°Thanks, Sabin... umm, I... is it scary being out there... alone?¡± she asked, burying her head in his shirt front. ¡°Heh... Umm,¡± he shifted the bag around so he could lower it to the ground, allowing her to step closer as he wrapped his arms around her. ¡°Hey, you won¡¯t be alone,¡± he soothed. ¡°You¡¯ll have two other girls with you.¡± ¡°Random girls,¡± Rhea mumbled, and all of the excitement turned to dread in an instant. ¡°What if they don¡¯t like me? What if they think I¡¯m weird?¡± A lump dropped down her throat. ¡°I... don¡¯t want to be alone.¡± ¡°Mmh. Rhea,¡± Sabin¡¯s muscular chest rumbled, vibrating against her ear. ¡°You¡¯ve got Pok¨¦mon now. You¡¯ll never be alone... they¡¯re so close to your heart.¡± Rovane gave a low rumble to their right, and Rhea couldn¡¯t help but giggle as he carefully moved closer to wrap his wings around them, blocking out the sunlight, trying to get in on the hug. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Really, and as far as I know, there¡¯s never been a group put together in the Oak Starter Award that broke up before completing the Bronze League.¡± ¡°I... So, what you¡¯re saying is I¡¯ll be the first.¡± ¡°Wha... how did you get that from¡­¡± ¡°Hehe, I¡¯m joking,¡± Rhea laughed, tightening her grip around her brother¡¯s chest while ignoring her sore muscle¡¯s weak cries. ¡°Thanks, Sabin... I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too... and you know you can always call me, right?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got your pictures too!¡± ¡°Eh... yeah, yeah, those too,¡± he mumbled with another forced laugh. ¡°Seriously, though. Call if you¡¯re feeling down, okay?¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± ¡°Ready to go?¡± ¡°Uh, yeah, just... give me a second,¡± she whispered, relishing her brother¡¯s warm arms wrapped around her back. Her smile grew as Sabin¡¯s grip tightened around her body. ¡°¡­Okay, okay, uncle! You win!¡± she squealed as he picked her off the ground. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Hehe, just a little more!¡± Separating, Rhea¡¯s flushed, smiling face studied her brother as he secured her bag to Rovane¡¯s saddle. How long will it be until I can hug him again after today? A few months... a year, maybe? Wow... that¡¯s so long, but¡­ She glanced down at the two pok¨¦balls on her belt. At least I have you two. She could feel the two presences near her heart close in, encircling her with a warm embrace as a response. Putting on her goggles, Rhea mounted Rovane with Sabin¡¯s help. The Aerodactyl bent down and jumped into the air, massive wings pumping to lift them into the sky. The rush of air sent her bound blonde hair streaming back as the Pok¨¦mon soared above the large trees of Indigo Province Forest, and they soon passed the steep ocean cliffs, flying over the expansive gap of Pallet Bay to reach the peninsula. Sabin hadn¡¯t been lying; Rovane¡¯s skills had undoubtedly improved, but it was far from the comfort of their father¡¯s Fearow, and Rovane was still two feet shorter than her dad¡¯s huge Pok¨¦mon. The trip only lasted thirty minutes over the ocean before they reached the opposite shore, and Rhea spotted several dozens of various Pok¨¦mon along the way, doing her best to catch every different type; her brother often played the game to see how many they could each spot. It only counted for a single Pok¨¦mon, not the number they¡¯d actually seen since that¡¯d be too many to keep track of. Along the way, she caught sight of Butterfree, Pidgey, Pidgeotto, Spearow, two Gyarados fighting over territory, a Natu, Hoppip, Skiploom, Mantine, Beautifly, Taillow, Wingull, and to her surprise, three Wailmer making thirteen Pokemon over the ocean. She frowned, noticing dark clouds on the horizon as the wind picked up; the forecast hadn¡¯t shown a storm, but meteorology was seen as a pretty dubious science, to begin with, since Pok¨¦mon could cause unexpected and extensive weather changes that could drastically change the global environment. Once they reached land, she began to notice signs of life; she caught a glimpse of at least two boats with a few men and women near a beach with two other groups before losing sight over the southern Pallet Forest. Her brother touched them down on the city¡¯s outskirts, landing in a clearing beside the broad road leading north to Viridian City; it was mostly used for truckers to bring supplies between locations since few people required cars other than industries shipping goods from Viridian manufacturing facilities. ¡°Alright, I don¡¯t want you to be seen with me going in,¡± Sabin said with a sad smile as he dismounted to remove her gear. Rhea knew what he meant; her family was still trying to keep her identity a secret. ¡°Hehe, embarrassed of your little sister?¡± ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon,¡± Sabin groaned, giving her an impish grin. ¡°By the way, might want to go to the nearby Center to fix your hair.¡± ¡°Huh... man¡­¡± she moaned, reaching up to find her hair a bit of a mess, even with her preparations. ¡°Just sayin¡¯,¡± Sabin chuckled, taking off her pack with one hand before gently plopping it in front of her. ¡°Kate usually has a flying cap.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­¡± Rhea grumbled, messing with her windswept locks that stood up in several places. ¡°I¡¯ll fix my hair and meet you there.¡± ¡°Know where it is?¡± ¡°Heh, really?¡± she asked with a smirk. ¡°Everyone knows the main road leads to Oak¡¯s lab; it was practically the first building here, or that¡¯s what the internet says when you Pok¨¦Search Pallet.¡± ¡°Got it all worked out, eh?¡± Sabin said, reaching out to ruffle her hair. ¡°H-Hey! Cut it out... geez,¡± Rhea fumed, swatting his hand away. ¡°Mmph... You messed it up more!¡± ¡°Success!¡± he cackled, jumping back on Rovane¡¯s shoulders in the blink of an eye. ¡°I¡¯ll be in the crowd with Kate; you know Daisy, Blue¡¯s sister?¡± ¡°Why would I? Has she come by the village?¡± ¡°Eh, no... right, umm, just ask Professor Oak where it is! Mom, Dad, everyone will be there to see you off before you head out. Mom wanted to meet the girls you¡¯ll be traveling with! See ya at the party,¡± Sabin yelled as Rovane took to the air. Rhea sighed, watching him go, and once he left her line of sight, she removed her goggles, storing them in her bag before hoisting it over her shoulders. She took out her phone from the belt attachment on her side, finding multiple texts from her parents, sending pictures of them at the Indigo Magnet Train station, and her smile grew as she zoomed in on her mother¡¯s parents in the background. Her grandfather was wearing the same ripped black coat with gold trim that she¡¯d seen him wear most of her life, showing the teal inner color on the folded over collars. His black pants and gold themed belt were something Glacia had given them on their seventieth wedding anniversary, the year before, and his combat boots were brand new. His trademark Captain¡¯s hat was in place, something Rhea thought was basically attached to his head at this point. His sharp blue eyes and bushy white mustache brought back many memories of when she was a little girl. Her two grandparents had been at or near Legendary-tier decades ago, but time eventually caught up to even those powerful Trainers. Currently both at Grandmaster-tier, Drake and Glacia had retained her lovely appearance over the century, despite the degradation to their Fortitude. Proving their strength, both her grandparents didn¡¯t show a wrinkle at over a hundred years old. Of course, they weren¡¯t as old as Grandmasters Agatha, Hala, or Bertha, and Oak was said to still edge into the Champion-tier, but from what she¡¯d seen on their histories, her grandparents were only a few decades younger, and all of those former legends had already stepped down from their active roles within the government, the last being eight years ago for Bertha, allowing the newer generation of Grandmasters fill their seats. Her grandfather was among the last of the old guard. Once her grandparents retired, it would leave Drasna, Koga, Bruno, Lucian, and Olivia as the most senior active members of the Combined Pok¨¦mon League, in the order of eldest to youngest. The message was basically telling her the same thing Sabin did about the meet-up location, but unlike her brother¡¯s suggestion, her father had attached a GPS tag on where to go. She was about to put her phone away when she noticed the 5,000 credit deposit notification in her account, putting a grin on her cheeks; the Starter Award money had come in, and she had her prize money from the bet too. 5,000 was the maximum amount Bronze-tier Trainers were allowed to begin their journey with. Before she forgot, she messaged Sabin the number of Pok¨¦mon she saw over the bay, expecting another victory, but the response damped her cheer. Where did he see an Octillery? Maybe there was one near the shore... next time, I¡¯ll win. Rhea made her way to the paved road with a light hum, looking up and down the elevated pathway; it was rarely used by Trainers since only the weaker Pok¨¦mon in an area remained near the heavily traveled area, and they were intelligent to know truckers didn¡¯t stop to catch Pok¨¦mon. She glanced around, taking in the sights while walking down the street; her body had actually recovered a decent amount since Mya and Nova were in their pok¨¦balls, and she wanted to let them out, but Sabin¡¯s warning about the upcoming battle made her side with biding her time. The feeling she got from Mya was that the Mawile was more than willing to remain comfortably in her pok¨¦ball until a fight, and Nova was peacefully resting, seemingly more tired than Rhea first thought after the stabilization process. Excited to be out of her tiny village and finally in civilization, Rhea thought on what she knew of the current state of Kanto cities, most of her research just done on Pok¨¦Search. Most regions ran off clean nuclear power after Rocket developed a safe method; although, several cities around Kanto and Johto refused the cheap source of energy, continuing with solar and kinetic due to their distrust of the infamous conglomerate. The innovations Rocket brought were more than visible throughout the region. Their influence had risen to contend with all the major players, standing near the peak of most industries. Giovanni had gone a long way over the years to improve his privately owned conglomerate¡¯s reputation within the populace¡¯s eyes, donating a great deal of Rocket¡¯s annual earnings into philanthropy efforts and employee benefits. One of the closer projects he¡¯d personally had a hand in was dumping resources into the nearest cities, bringing work and security to the areas while allowing them the opportunity to become a political power in the region. The small village-like Pallet had developed into its own medium-sized urban city from the few hundred of fifty years ago, and boomed with Rocket¡¯s substantial contributions, starting fifteen years ago. Now, their population was in the thousands, and the city showed it. Rocket invested heavily in Viridian, Pewter, Pallet, and Dark City. The project created accessible travel routes for vehicles to bring supplies to Gardenia City, Neon City, and Grampa Canyon, recently renamed Fossil Canyon due to the high volume of ancient artifacts that could be used to revive deceased Pok¨¦mon through Rocket cloning technology. Kanto¡¯s economy was booming. Still, Giovanni had a vicious business reputation, regardless of the good he did for the region, and it showed when the news talked about him. He was known to not have any chill when crossed, which showed when Trainers challenged his Gym. The Viridian Gym was typically saved for the final badge challenge for a reason. No Trainer had ever managed to get an Encrusted Earth Badge, showing you defeated the Gym Leader for your challenge instead of one of the Gym¡¯s dozens of stand-in Master-tier Aides, baring Legendary-tier Trainers like Red and Ethan. In fact, the Gym had gone through several League audits for its difficulty levels, but even when more restrictions were placed on Rocket¡¯s notorious leader, not one Trainer had managed to earn the Encrusted Earth Badge in any Tier upon its re-establishment, including her brother. Rhea could see the Rocket machinery hard at work performing construction tasks with automated programming, several supervisors making sure the equipment didn¡¯t have any errors in their designated jobs, wearing the standard company uniform. Dozens of individuals were going about their daily tasks, most with Pok¨¦mon by their sides. The southern half of Pallet¡¯s peninsula had become a major center of agriculture for the region¡¯s growing economy, rivaling parts of Johto, and eco-friendly waterway infrastructure programs were in development. Simultaneously, the city built a decent tourist community and Pok¨¦mon study hub with Professor Oak at the head of the Pallet Research Institute. The further she went inside the modern city, the more she saw tourists from different regions, likely to follow the new yearly League from city to city, watching the matches live while placing their own bets on which Trainers showed the most promise to make it to the end. Completing the Bronze League almost guaranteed you the ability to find a position in the area you most wanted to enter with all the benefits granted by the League Commission, which put a lot of pressure on kids to succeed. Rhea, however, never really felt that urgency; by far, the biggest piece of any region¡¯s market was the Training Industrial Complex. Companies started up and failed all the time, trying to market their Trainer branded goods while pulling in any rising star Trainer to help promote their product. Her brother had even been in a few, and according to him, it was all for the credits to get the gear or TMs he wanted since they were so expensive. She was a little surprised to see so many teens her age, and after seeing one incredibly cute boy, hurried to the Pok¨¦mon Center two streets down according to her phone. The massive nine-story building was more than a little packed with crowds of teens getting ready for their journey, family, and friends circling them or talking over the toll-free PCs in a separate room with booths. The first three levels of the front were designed to allow big Pokemon room in case of an emergency. However, despite the relatively new construction of everything in Pallet, she was a little surprised at how far behind their public technology was; they were using old touch display monitors that had been outdated for several years. Three big holographic displays that were two-generations old hung in the center of the large gathering area, showing local Battle Fields with current or old matches. Rhea¡¯s pearly-blue irises didn¡¯t even linger on the fights once noticing how low-tier the contests were, heading for the nearest bathroom. Entering the lady¡¯s room, she found more than one sick looking girl, holding their stomachs or in the stalls throwing up. She paused, eyeing the scene with a lifted eyebrow. Well... okay, then... I guess there are girls more nervous than I am. Finding an open place by a mirror, she took out some of her supplies to touch up her looks before heading to Oak¡¯s lab. She shied away as a blue-haired girl stumbled out of a stall with a low groan, slumping against the sink¡¯s counter next to her. ¡°Ugh... I didn¡¯t think having a Pok¨¦mon would feel this bad at first¡­¡± She started the sink, splashing water on her face while dampening her messy bangs, but she¡¯d managed to keep any vomit out of her hair at least. She turned her light brown eyes on her, noticing her two minimized pok¨¦balls on her belt. ¡°Wait... two Pok¨¦mon? Wow, that¡¯s pretty impressive for your first day,¡± she said with a weak chuckle. A few other girls heard the comment, glancing around to stare at her. ¡°Huh... Wait,¡± a red-headed girl mumbled, squinting her baggy eyes. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen those types of pok¨¦balls before? I like the purple. Is it a new brand?¡± Rhea brushed back her blonde hair, now unbound to straighten it out, giving the curious girls a forced laugh; she wasn¡¯t expecting to draw too much notice with so many people around. ¡°Umm... I don¡¯t really know. My Mom got them for me when she sent me my Pok¨¦mon.¡± ¡°Sent you some?¡± a small brown-haired girl asked, popping out of another stall. ¡°Is your mom a breeder?¡± ¡°Really?¡± the blue-haired girl asked, sickly eyes widening with a forced smile. Rhea began to realize why the age restriction had been raised if these girls were having a hard time adapting on the first day; most of them would have likely fallen into the 32.95% of new Trainers that had medical complications if bonded with Pok¨¦mon at a young age, and that was the fourteen-year-old statistic, not the ten-year-old. ¡°Yeah, she kind of is,¡± Rhea replied, feeling a little awkward. She¡¯d never been around so many girls her age. ¡°Wow, and doesn¡¯t she look pretty?¡± the red-head mumbled. Several other girls gave her a critical eye before nodding, causing Rhea¡¯s cheeks to burn. ¡°T-Thanks, umm... you¡¯re all pretty, too.¡± ¡°Me?¡± The blue-haired girl released a long sigh while glaring at the mirror. ¡°Have you seen me? I¡¯m a mess, but... it does feel good to have my own Pidgey, and he¡¯s been pretty supportive. I really want him out, but I just needed a bit of a break... aww, I feel horrible just saying it.¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Rhea quickly replied, holding up her hands. ¡°I felt the same way an hour or two ago. I¡¯m resting for when I have to battle.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, that¡¯s a good plan,¡± the brown-haired girl mumbled, grinning while extending her hand. ¡°I¡¯m Sam.¡± Her fingers twitched all of a sudden, quickly withdrawing it before hurriedly moving to the sink. ¡°Oh, sorry, sorry... I¡¯m just a little nervous,¡± she giggled, washing them, the other girls mirroring her. The red-haired girl stepped around to stare at her pok¨¦balls again. ¡°Umm... so, what¡¯s your name? I¡¯m Hannah.¡± ¡°Rhea,¡± she replied, brushing back her bangs with a smile. ¡°Wow,¡± Hannah mumbled, giving her a sad smile while folding her arms under her small chest, ¡°you¡¯ve got a nice body, pretty smile, fashionable clothes, and no problem bonding with two Pok¨¦mon on your first day. Your parents wouldn¡¯t happen to be Masters, would they?¡± she asked with a laugh. ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon,¡± the blue-haired girl scoffed. ¡°The probability of that is just insane, .05%!¡± Several girls followed her dubious chuckle, but it slowly died when Rhea only gave a weak laugh. ¡°Wait, are your parents Masters-tier Trainers?¡± Sam asked with wide eyes, glancing at Rhea¡¯s phone that hadn¡¯t reached public circulation yet. ¡°Uh......well, it would be pretty unlikely, wouldn¡¯t it?¡± Rhea tried to dodge. ¡°That¡¯s not a no,¡± Hannah mused, cupping her chin while eyeing a few of the other girls who hadn¡¯t entered the conversation that had gathered. Sam¡¯s smile widened, showing slightly crooked teeth, but they were well-maintained. ¡°Oh, oh, what are your Pok¨¦mon? Can we see?¡± Rhea held her hands behind her back, grip tightening around her fingers as her nerves spiked. ¡°I, uh... I¡¯m trying to conserve my strength, but umm, I guess I can show you one,¡± she tentatively responded, feeling Nova stir, and the feeling she gave made it clear she wanted to repeat her earlier performance with her brother. The girls all crowded around, but Hannah quickly got everyone to give her some room to release her Pok¨¦mon. She knew that the reveal would instantly mark her inside these girls¡¯ memories and didn¡¯t know how it would turn out since Eevee hit the popularity polls with young female Trainers extremely high. ¡°Um... So, this is Nova, and she¡¯s, umm... yeah¡­¡± Activating the pok¨¦ball, Rhea hesitantly tossed it on the ground, releasing her Eevee before the ball shot back into her hand. The chatter in the outside hallway came into clear focus as all the girls¡¯ eyes widened, breath held as Nova gave an almost smug smile while puffing up her chest. Her expression screamed, I¡¯m gorgeous; praise me! Rhea was a little surprised that Nova didn¡¯t require anywhere near the energy Mya did, but the pressure returned, reminding her sore muscles they hadn¡¯t fully recovered. ¡°White¡­¡± ¡°Black¡­¡± ¡°A white and black Eevee?¡± The breathless atmosphere surrounding the crowd of tense girls broke as Rhea called Nova to jump into her arms. ¡°Arceus, she¡¯s perfect!¡± Hannah squealed. ¡°Can I pet her? Please?¡± More than one request followed as the weak and tired girls found enough energy to shower Nova in love. Mya didn¡¯t seem to feel too left out; Rhea could feel that she was saving everything for the battle to come and wanted to be the one to face the challenger. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the girl¡¯s own Pok¨¦mon felt jealous at the attention they were giving Nova as she flicked her tail, prancing on top of the counter. If Rhea didn¡¯t know any better, she¡¯d say Nova would be the perfect Contest starter by how easily she ate up the attention, learning what actions made the girls coo and squeal. While Nova distracted the throng, Rhea managed to finish cleaning up and putting away her supplies. ¡°Alright, I need to go,¡± she chuckled, causing a wave of disappointed groans. ¡°Please,¡± Sam pleaded, ¡°just a little longer? Where did your... no, how did your mother breed her? I¡¯ve never seen an Eevee like Nova!¡± ¡°Yeah, spill the secret!¡± Hannah said with pleading eyes. Rhea shrugged her shoulders helplessly. ¡°I couldn¡¯t tell you if I wanted to. My mom does all of her breeding in private; she told me she¡¯d send me all my Pok¨¦mon on my journey.¡± ¡°Aww... so lucky,¡± the blue-haired girl mumbled while scratching Nova¡¯s left ear. ¡°I¡¯m Jade, by the way. Umm, do you already have a group?¡± she asked with a hopeful smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but¡­¡± ¡°Oh, okay,¡± she said with a short puff of air. ¡°Uh... what about you, Sam, Hannah?¡± Both girls shook their heads, staring at the floor thoughtfully. ¡°Want to join up?¡± Jade asked. ¡°Registration should be starting soon!¡± ¡°Uh... sure, why not?¡± Sam said after a moment. ¡°My older sister was trying to set me up with our neighbor, but uh... I don¡¯t really think we¡¯d get along that well,¡± she said with a forced smile. ¡°Yeah, what a story, right?¡± Hannah laughed, lips suddenly becoming a line as she hurried back into the nearby stall, shutting the door. ¡°Oof... yeah, maybe we¡¯ll need to head out in the morning,¡± Jade laughed. The group of girls slowly started to break away as Rhea returned an imperial Nova into her pok¨¦ball. She waved her two conversation partners goodbye while putting on her pack, making sure her simple braid wasn¡¯t undone in the process. ¡°See ya, Rhea,¡± Jade called out. Just before exiting, she heard Sam mumble. ¡°Oof... Man, did you see how pretty her hair was, too? So thick and that glowing blonde color... she¡¯s probably some Master¡¯s daughter and thinks we¡¯re weird and weak¡­¡± Pausing at the door, Rhea¡¯s lips bunched to the side, allowing two other girls to move around her before backtracking. ¡°No, I don¡¯t think you guys are weird or weak,¡± she said with a concerned frown. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Sam started. ¡°You heard me?¡± she mumbled, cheeks darkening as she fiddled with her hands in front of her blue dress. ¡°Umm... sorry, I¡¯m just a little... uh, yeah, sorry, I¡¯m not trying to judge you!¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine! Actually... heh, I thought I¡¯d be the weird girl, ya know?¡± Jade¡¯s brow creased as she played with her bangs. ¡°Really? Umm... you¡¯re so pretty, and you¡¯ve got a unique Eevee¡­¡± ¡°Well, this is the first time I¡¯ve been to a city... what, no, really!¡± Rhea doubled down at their expressions. Hannah left the stall, looking like she¡¯d gone two rounds with a Hitmonchan. ¡°Ugh... I feel so sick¡­¡± Remembering some of her mother¡¯s lectures, she hesitantly said, ¡°Umm... you know, when a human experiences severe Fortitude distress, their immune system response goes down. You might actually have the stomach flu.¡± ¡°No... don¡¯t tell me that,¡± she cried. ¡°Oof,¡± Sam winced, glancing around the bathroom. ¡°This place is a petri dish of bacteria, then¡­¡± The few remaining girls in the room all rushed to the sink to thoroughly wash their hands. ¡°Maybe you three should take it easy today,¡± Rhea suggested with a concerned smile. ¡°Good plan... yeah, let¡¯s go get some medicine... ugh, the price, though¡­¡± Hannah moaned, staring at herself in the mirror. ¡°Yeah, but it¡¯ll be worth it,¡± Sam reassured, rubbing her back. ¡°Wanna go together?¡± ¡°We¡¯re a team, right?¡± Hannah grinned. Rhea walked them out, heading to the Center¡¯s small human medical treatment area for further advice. They probably didn¡¯t have to go through the hospital, but a nurse recommended they stay for a quick check-up. The three gave her a warm smile as she prepared to leave. ¡°Thanks for sticking with us to make sure we¡¯re okay,¡± Jade weakly chuckled. Sam nodded, looking the best out of the group. ¡°I hope we meet up later! Oh, can we have your number?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Rhea smiled, feeling good about finally making her first friends outside of the village or her family. Exchanging contact information, Rhea returned to the street, making her way to Oak¡¯s lab at the city¡¯s center. B1 — 6. The Contenders A small smile lit Rhea¡¯s lips as she exited the small clinic in the Center, passing dozens of sick boys and girls; each bi-seasonal start was usually filled with elation and sickness across the regions. Nova was positively glowing with positivity after receiving so much attention while Mya was still as a gentle brook, conserving her strength. Shifting the pack on her back, Rhea glanced around, soaking in the commotion of the most crowded place she¡¯d ever been. She thought it would be more terrifying than it turned out to be once she¡¯d entered, and there were clusters of Trainers from other regions spotted between groups. Rhea left the Pok¨¦mon Center, moving further into the heart of Pallet; the entire city was growing more congested by the minute with tourists, new Trainers, and every news station imaginable, but she expected as much. Her focus shifted between the large bands of teens with their parents, knowing many of these new Trainers would become her competition, and the rivalry between the regions was palpable this year with the new initiative. The concept of battling didn¡¯t really frighten her since she¡¯d grown up around high-tier matches, but it did make her a little hesitant when adding one¡¯s public image into the equation, especially with taking part in the new event that marked this year¡¯s tournament. Her vision followed the flat displays in the air, held and powered by several Magnemite, their Trainers contracted by the organizations. Dozens of news companies had converged on the city once Kanto was announced as the first region to host the International Bronze Division with the International Bronze Cup as its prize. Even Kanto¡¯s Indigo Summer League was being overshadowed by the event; of course, it would probably take center stage once the preliminaries were over. Rhea slowed on the side of the road, staring up at The Pok¨¦ Dudes¡¯ Show, hosted on KPN, one of Kanto¡¯s major networks. The butterflies in her stomach swarmed; in just a few minutes, the league would begin, and she¡¯d have an hour to make it to the lab for Oak¡¯s orientation before the opening ceremony. She still had some time to kill, though, and she suspected Sabin brought her early to give her time to calm down after experiencing the city. A lump dropped down her throat while watching the popular show, hands gripping her backpack straps as other people slowed to a stop around the sidewalk to learn the newly released information. ¡°And we¡¯re back,¡± said Jof Sullivan, a twenty-year-old green-haired news commentator with his older brother, Luis, sitting beside him. A screen behind them displayed ¡®International Bronze Division¡¯ in bright gold letters. ¡°Yo, Luis, what do you expect to happen when the list is revealed?¡± His handsome older brother gave the camera a smirk. ¡°Aye, we all know what¡¯s gonna happen here! How many regions were confirmed to participate at the United Indigo Summit, Bro?¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t know, you¡¯ve been living under an Onix!¡± Jof counted off his fingers with a grin. ¡°We¡¯ve got three-hundred rockin¡¯ seventeen-year-old competitors arriving from each of their home regions; we¡¯ve got Hoenn, Sinnoh, our hound dogs across the sea in Unova, shout it out! Our Alola thugs, trippin¡¯ Galar, the royal losers from Kalos, and even those country fools out west in Johto, Bro!¡± Luis held up his hands in a sign. ¡°Kanto, east side represent!¡± ¡°Yo, we¡¯re talkin¡¯ twenty-one hundred foreign Trainers jumpin¡¯ in this Muk, my east side Dudes! The next league could be in any one of those regions, but this year, we got the home turf advantage with over forty-five thousand young Bronze registered dudes ready to ride on these fools! Aye, yo, Bro, put me in! Know what I¡¯m sayin¡¯?! ¡°Aye, aye,¡± Luis chuckled, ¡°I¡¯m with ya, but we gotta wait for the International Silver Division to hit, Bro, but know we¡¯ll be there; what you thinkin¡¯, Bro, ride on them Kalos fools!¡± ¡°For real!¡± ¡°Yo, yo, but check it; I know what all dem Trainers reppin¡¯ south side Galar be spittin¡¯, though, Dude, sayin¡¯, ¡®yo, yeah, three-hundred of our finest!¡¯ ¡± Jof chuckled, stomach shaking. ¡°Naw, naw, Bro, dem Kalos preps be holdin¡¯ their pinkies up at us, Dude! I ain¡¯t got time for that Galar Muk!¡± ¡°Weak!¡± Luis snickered. ¡°Aye... yo, Bro, it¡¯s almost time for the list!¡± Rhea¡¯s lips tightened; everyone was now glancing up at the displays, showing different feeds from the various regional news outlets; she had between now and fifty-five minutes to reach the Pallet Research Institute, but it was only a ten-minute walk according to her phone. Jof cleared his throat, looking to the right at another screen off-camera. ¡°Three dudes from each region were selected by a regional Master¡¯s poll to be the front-runners of the competition!¡± ¡°And yo, this Muk was tight-lipped, my dudes! We only got one leak, and that¡¯s from dem preps in Kalos¡­¡± ¡°Mukin¡¯, Kalos,¡± Jof grunted with a derisive shake of his head. Luis waved his stiff hand at his throat. ¡°Aye, but it¡¯s big news, Bro! We got ourselves a Kalos star tryin¡¯ to make his name in our backyard! Aww, can I get a Fairy no, my dude!¡± ¡°If you haven¡¯t heard, then I don¡¯t know where you¡¯ve been! I¡¯m talkin¡¯ the son of the Fairy of the Film Industry, Queen of Fashion, acting Champion of the Kalos League, and Grand Mukin¡¯ Duchess, Diantha Allard herself, and her husband, the Smooth Fangirl Slayer, Cool Blue Player, Duke of the Kitchen, Siebold Allard, 3rd Ranking Kalos Elite Four washout¡¯s son, Lucian Allard!¡± An image of a light-brown haired, bright blue-eyed young man plastered across the screen; he wore a white suit with a black bowtie, making him look like the kind of stuck-up noble that much of the Kanto news liked to criticize. He was more than handsome with his sharp looks, but the image had a negative view in Kanto. ¡°Kalos,¡± Luis rolled his eyes. ¡°It had to be¡­¡± Jof¡¯s brow suddenly shot up. ¡°Aye, aye, Dude! VCN just dropped a bomb! Giovanni Rocket just left Viridian on a new type of Rocket H-Series Jet! You don¡¯t think¡­¡± Luis¡¯s lips parted in a wry grin. ¡°Oooh! Bro, you think Amira Rocket made the list? No... I mean, with Rocket¡¯s reputation among the Master-tier Trainers?¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Jof interrupted with a grin, ¡°VCN called it a month ago... wait, yo! VCN is killin¡¯ it; Former Champion Lyra was just spotted leaving Viridian airspace with Amira!¡± ¡°For Pallet?¡± ¡°Man... The list just... there she is! What¡¯d I tell ya, Dudes?¡± Jof snapped his fingers. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, this is gonna be one crazy League! Wait... yo, the two Kanto slots are no last-namers, Bro! Check it¡­¡± ¡°Rhea and Jason... yo, who?¡± ¡°Uh... nah, look at the other stations; yo, everyone¡¯s confused, my dudes?¡± ¡°Dude... there goes my Kalayna bet... still, High Master Erika¡¯s daughter will be in the crowd, I guess,¡± Luis mumbled. ¡°Muk, not even a picture for them; that¡¯s pretty rare. Wait, all the regions had to cooperate to have equal gender representation, right?¡± ¡°Yeah... for the teams. Let¡¯s just hope we don¡¯t get a Kalos kid with one of our Kanto dudes!¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in; a lot of the news coverage would depend significantly on who she was randomly paired with. Luis hummed with a suspicious eye. ¡°Still, Amira Rocket? Yo, Tory¡¯s gonna be pissed! Two girls and a boy? Huh.¡± Rhea glanced down at her phone; she probably should be heading out soon to be sure, but she wanted at least a bit of information about the twenty-three other Trainers and the eleven potential girls she could be paired up with. ¡°Heh... Alright,¡± Jof chuckled, cracking his fingers. ¡°You can say the Rockets are up to foul-play, but Former Champion Lyra? Naw, that woman¡¯s as clean as it gets!¡± ¡°Well... Silver,¡± Luis said with a strained smile, ¡°Ehh, ya know? I mean, we can¡¯t assume anything, right, but, uh... yeah, Bro.¡± ¡°Yeah... okay, but, Bro, let¡¯s get down to the list, and to start it off, we¡¯re already on fire with the controversy in our own backyard, Kanto! For the dudes on the home team, we got Rhea, Jason, and you know her, Amira Rocket!¡± Luis still seemed to be stuck on the Rocket bit. ¡°My guys, if our region gets shafted because someone calls Rocket B.S., then... anyways, to our northern dudes in Sinnoh, holdin¡¯ it down! We got... woah, an all girl¡¯s selection?¡± Jof forced a chuckle. ¡°Eh... I mean, Active Champion Cynthia, and her pupil, already Champion-tier, Dawn; talk about role models representing the female Trainer-base.¡± ¡°Dude, no joke! Let¡¯s get back to us, though! We got some awesome reps comin¡¯ in from our east side brothers, though! Let¡¯s kick it off; Karen Brooks¡ªJohto¡¯s rank one E4 member¡ªour party superstar¡¯s own daughter is throwin¡¯ it up,¡± Luis laughed. A video of a gorgeous teenage girl with silvery-blue eyes and hair, her locks even thicker than Rhea¡¯s, popped up on the screen. She was recording herself on social media while dancing in a club, clearly intoxicated with her laughter and rosy cheeks, singing to the punk-rock song. ¡°Aww yeah... Girl¡¯s got style!¡± Jof laughed. ¡°If you followed that Livestream three weeks ago, Casey Brooks avoided the Goldenrod authorities for three hours before finally being caught after passing out behind a couch.¡± Luis picked up where his brother left off. ¡°Some stiff media personalities¡ªyou know who I¡¯m talkin¡¯ about, GCN¡ªmight call Casey Brooks a wreck, but who doesn¡¯t love hearin¡¯ every story that hits, and when she pops up in the news, you know it¡¯s gonna make you laugh! ¡°Then, we have Former Champion Lance¡¯s nephew and Gym Leader Clair¡¯s son entering the stage with Gym Leader Morty¡¯s son, finishing off our east side reps! We¡¯ve got Angel Villarreal and Mark Krahl. Eh¡­¡± Jof gave his brother a forced smile as the two pictures popped up. ¡°Yeah, sometimes I question if Angel is a guy or a girl with those looks... I mean, Former Champion Lance registered him as a dude, but uh... ya know?¡± ¡°Aye, Bro, no homo, but that dude sends some mixed signals to my brain, yo! Both boys haven¡¯t made many waves, so we can¡¯t tell you much other than their parents are High Masters, and the Dragon-type specialist is bordering on Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Some speculate High Master Clair will challenge the Kanto and Johto E4 soon for a position!¡± Rhea frowned upon watching Johto and Kanto¡¯s reveals; she¡¯d met Karen frequently with her visits to the village but only met her daughter a handful of times. The Gossip App was filled with events regarding the wild girl¡¯s activities. Describing her as a wreck was about half right. Her mother was like most Dark-type specialist Grandmasters she¡¯d met, more than a little shady and carefree to a fault while being sharper than a tack. It didn¡¯t surprise Rhea that Casey was selected, though. Rhea just didn¡¯t know if she could keep up with the party girl if they were placed in the same group. Angel Villarreal was a pretty shy boy for being the son of a fierce Dragon-type legendary family with a long history, including his mother, Clair, and uncle, Lance, but he seemed nice during the few times she¡¯d met him. On the other hand, Mark Krahl was a complete mystery to her. Morty never actually talked to her when he came by the village, which was strange for most visitors, and considering he seemed so charismatic whenever on the news. Rhea glanced to the left as cheers sounded around town; chants of Casey¡¯s name could be heard a few streets over, taking the spotlight of the reveal. However, she assumed Amira was a much more recognized name than Casey, especially with the older generation¡¯s obsession with Rocket. The organization was in just about every region, and smear campaigns were run against them on repeat. Rhea had personally never met any Rocket except Former Champion Lyra, and she was only attached to the Rocket name by marriage. A few years ago, an ad mentioned the granddaughter of Giovanni, but it was enough to go viral; although, the company that ran the ad had been bought out by a corporate hostile takeover of the shares and dismantled the following day. The event sparked much stricter ad legislation that was pushed through the United Code of Business Conduct that same month, restricting the use of minors in media or smears. If the video was to be believed, Giovanni¡¯s influence had rubbed off on his grandchild. The clips showed several pieced together video footage from teens at a public school; Amira shoved a girl, cursing at others, and started a fistfight with a boy, which was more than one-sided by the beautiful girl that had obviously taken martial arts classes since a young age. The information about it was mostly scrubbed from the web, but she¡¯d seen it when it aired, and even Rocket¡¯s resources couldn¡¯t keep it restrained for a time. Jof waved his hand dismissively after the pictures passed the screen. ¡°Dude, and hasn¡¯t Pallet been poppin¡¯ off the last few years? Hotels, resorts, inns, you name it, and they¡¯re booked! If there¡¯s one good thing Rocket¡¯s done, it¡¯s the work they¡¯ve done improving city infrastructure and travel, but Muk, that girl¡¯s gonna be a target by foreign media and Trainers alike.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Luis shrugged his shoulders. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m sure Giovanni¡¯s granddaughter can take care of herself, right? Everyone in Kanto¡¯s seen the video, and she¡¯s legal now... don¡¯t take us down, Grandmaster Giovanni,¡± he said with a forced smile, ¡°I¡¯m just sayin¡¯ what everyone¡¯s thinkin¡¯!¡± ¡°Yeah, Dude! We¡¯ll be covering every moment of your girl¡¯s run¡­¡± ¡°Ah......Ahem,¡± Luis continued. ¡°Uh... Kalos, we have Lucian Allard, Jean Trouv¨¦, and Ludovic Malet... how do you even pronounce some of these names, man? Gah, ya know it, Active Champion Diantha, yeah... and, Jean¡¯s High Master Korrina¡¯s nephew... yo, I¡¯m sensing some Kalos nepotism here, bro¡­¡± ¡°For real, Dude,¡± Jof growled, glaring at the screen while it popped up to reveal the well-dressed Trainers. ¡°Grandmaster Siebold¡¯s son and nephew... let¡¯s just skip by the clear Mukin¡¯ corruption, and move on to our western dudes across the sea, Unova represent!¡± Luis¡¯s eyes lit with excitement. ¡°Yo, yo! Talkin¡¯ about Casey, we got the wild party pair of the north, Mallory Medina and Len Hart jumpin¡¯ into Kanto to tear it up! Mallory, younger sister of the famous author and Unova E4 4rd Rank, Shauntal! ¡°Then we got the supermodel, renowned electro-genre hoppin¡¯ artist, and High Master... the accolades are just too long, Bro! You already know who I¡¯m talkin¡¯ about, Gym Leader Elesa Hart is sending in her son, Len Hart, droppin¡¯ the region into the Shadow Realm for a legendary rave!¡± Both men started performing moves in their chairs while singing, lights dimming while lights flashed across the room. ¡°...I just wanna say I¡¯m sorry; some days I know I get out of hand. Wish I was anyone else; I¡¯m a wreck, but you understand. I can¡¯t help myself; I¡¯m just not well, my own worst enemy. Can¡¯t help myself, think I¡¯m going to the Distortion Realm; I¡¯ll probably never leave! You know I hate it when I¡¯m left alone, but you always find the best part, best part of me!¡± The commentators broke into laughter as the lights returned to normal, and Jof continued, ¡°Elesa Hart¡¯s hot new single, Best Part, toppin¡¯ charts in Kantos, Johto, Unova, and Sinnoh after it dropped last week, and it¡¯s still there, boys! Unova¡¯s sendin¡¯ us their own versions of Casey Brooks to rock the clubs and keep authorities on their toes! ¡°Oh, and we¡¯ve also got Barry Ford, grandson of High Master, Gym Leader Clay joining them, but we gotta get back to these bars, my dudes!¡± Rhea chuckled as they burst back into song, throwing out moves, but it didn¡¯t last long before they moved onto the next region; she still had more than enough time to get there, so she decided to only listen to one more reveal, and it happened to be from her aunt¡¯s region. ¡°Our northern sister be sendin¡¯ some of their finest ladies!¡± Luis replied, still busting moves from the soft music playing in the background. ¡°Which flower of Sinnoh we talkin¡¯ about first, bro?¡± ¡°Aye, we got a triple whammy flyin¡¯ in; all High Masters and Gym Leaders, Gardenia, Maylene, and Candice are representing from the north! High Master Gardenia is¡­¡± Knowing each of the girls, Rhea left for the research center, pondering on the information. Her aunt was known to have the most influence out of any Champion in shaping the Trainers in her region, followed by Leon of Galar. Almost every notable Trainer in Sinnoh was mentored in some way or fashion by Cynthia, which means Rhea had heard enough about them and many had been to her birthdays. The brothers seemed to have skipped several details about Casey¡¯s family tree, but it was probably for a reason. Unova¡¯s Dark-type Grandmaster, Grimsley Brooks, was Casey¡¯s father. From everything she¡¯d heard from the whispered conversation between Masters, Karen and Grimsley had a bizarre relationship, to say the least. They loved each other, and their flirting was heavy when around one another, but they just couldn¡¯t live together. So, they kept their distance, and Casey often moved between regions to spend time with her parents. There were several things the news wouldn¡¯t know about Mallory¡¯s private life either that Rhea was privy to, growing up in a secret gathering point for Masters. For one, she preferred to be called Lori by friends, not that Rhea was incredibly close to her, and that both Mallory and her sister were Grimsley¡¯s step-daughters since their parents died when the two were very young; with no relatives, it caused the Grandmaster to take them under his wing. As such, Casey and Mallory had grown up as step-sisters; although, Mallory was a very different type of rebel than Casey, taking more after Grimsley¡¯s mannerisms. Rhea¡¯s thoughts moved to the Sinnoh results; the 4th E4 position was currently held by Dawn, but she was only a placeholder when Grandmaster Bertha retired. Dawn was more than qualified for the position; in fact, she was qualified to become a Champion, but her aunt had held the Active title for decades for a reason; she far surpassed Champion-tier, standing in Legendary-tier. Still, Dawn filled the position while Cynthia was away from the region. Her aunt was actually quite displeased about the current E4 positions, not that Dawn was bad, but the problem in Cynthia¡¯s eyes was that she overqualified for the position, which meant she couldn¡¯t go all out and had to hold back on challengers, not that many ever reached her. Some speculations were being tossed around online that some of the High Masters were training to take the position, but Rhea wasn¡¯t so sure. Giovanni was one of the first examples of a Grandmaster refusing to take an E4 position upon qualifying, choosing to return to his Gym Leader status, which had its issues; however, there were other speculations as to why he wasn¡¯t in the post. Similarly, the Sinnoh Gym Leaders all loved their gyms, representing their home cities. Auntie would have been involved in the voting, and Wake¡¯s son should be around seventeen, so he¡¯ll be coming to Kanto, too; kind of odd that Amy was picked instead of Tanner, though. Still... if those girls are coming, then yeah, I don¡¯t have to worry about standing out too much¡­ She paused after passing another news station from Johto that had the list of all twenty-four candidates by region with their most famous relative; this was probably the information the Sullivan brothers had been reading from. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. The Unova station down the street played popular beats created by Elesa, showing their relative¡¯s highlights and pictures of each contender. Rhea found it a little sad when Jason and her own pictures came up, displaying a question mark before throwing on past regional Starter Award winners that had hidden their information. Kanto Johto Hoenn Sinnoh Unova Kalos Alola Galar It was an intimidating line-up with a few of the regions instituting the age-lock later than others; it only made sense to Rhea that when the countries finally came together on the restriction, the first International Bronze League would add even more pressure. These were the beginning Trainers that the Masters of each region most recommended to look out for, and Rhea knew her own pedigree would spark a lot of chatter, much like Lucian was getting. The one thing that drew her lips together upon reading all the names was that a little more than half of those boys and girls knew about her, at least by name, and it didn¡¯t take a genius to put two and two together by her region. Masters were a part of a tight community, and word got around. Her eyes settled on Lucian and Ludovic¡¯s names; her dad wasn¡¯t on good terms with Diantha, but hopefully, that hadn¡¯t made it home. From everything she heard, the Active Champion was far too busy to spend much time with her son, much like her own mother. However, word down the grapevine said he was very adamant and active about proving his worth to his mother. Rhea doubted his mother thought he wasn¡¯t worthy of being her son but could understand why he¡¯d feel inadequate with his parents¡¯ accomplishments at such a young age, and him not being able to start as early. Rhea took one last breath before walking the rest of the way to the research center, passing packed restaurants; however, she slowed to stare at a few large buildings designated for fish farms. Over the past two decades, animal wildlife conservationists, such as Flare, had begun making waves again after their previous leadership¡¯s glorious debacle. Since the Pok¨¦virus and Gigavirus rapidly spread through the world from the Ultra War, Pok¨¦mon had become far more aggressive and resource hungry, which meant the already in danger animal kingdom had diminished substantially. Pok¨¦mon were now feeding on each other¡¯s energies in the wild, where before they¡¯d gain much of their nutrients from the almost defenseless wildlife. Tens of dozens of fish species had vanished from the oceans, and many more were nearing extinction. Therefore, wildlife activists and Pok¨¦mon activists clashed on the proper way to handle such a crisis. Humans were mostly concerned because their precious meat and ingredient supply was diminishing swiftly, causing several large companies to band together to respond to providing predator-free zones for farming wildlife, which Rhea guessed was better than letting Pok¨¦mon ravage the world of animal life. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She watched several large breeds of fish in the building display front play with one another before moving on; Flare had made great strides in humane wildlife conditions within the community, which most people saw in a positive light. On the other hand, the companies hated the organization with a passion since they usually had crazy, unreasonable demands while, on occasion, providing manipulated framing to get the public up in arms to force them to settle in court. It was a complicated mess that Rhea didn¡¯t want any part in, but she did love the products the saved animal species provided them. She turned her attention to the closed-off street ahead, roadblocks put in place to stop vehicle traffic, but the crowds were pushing slightly behind even those with the volume of people from every region. Rhea glanced up at a nearby news board while finding a path through the throng; packs of people were taking photos and looking for the twenty-four Trainers scheduled to enter within the next thirty-five minutes. The closer she got, the harder it was to push forward until she saw a path that had been opened for vehicles carrying the trainers from the city¡¯s airfield to get through; Pallet Officers were keeping the line. Making her way to the break, Rhea managed to get to an officer; she gave a charming smile to the impatient man with a 6-foot-tall Machoke by his side. ¡°Excuse me!¡± she said, trying to be heard with the loud chatter surrounding them. ¡°Excuse me!¡± He frowned, glancing down at her with a furrowed brow as she held up her phone, showing the email message from the Oak Research Foundation that she was a recipient. The projected holographic display caught not only his attention but the others around her; the phone was only a rumor among tech junkies. ¡°Rhea... the mystery Trainer on the list?¡± the officer asked with a furrowed brow, glancing down at his own phone to be sure. She chuckled at the whispers branching out around her. ¡°Not a mystery anymore, I suppose.¡± As could be expected, the crowd was pushed back as individuals tried to make room to take her photo, launching so many questions at her that she wasn¡¯t sure who asked what. ¡°Is there a reason for the secrecy?¡± ¡°Which Masters are you related to?¡± ¡°Do you have any comments about Amira Rocket making the line-up?¡± ¡°What¡¯s your last name?¡± The officer quickly ushered her through with the throng closing in to continue their barrage, but the Machoke¡¯s large frame moved to block them from breaking the barrier with a low grunt, and several officers nearby moved to help support him with warnings by law enforcement to stay within the designated area. Rhea did her best to ignore the excited rush of noise that followed her as she walked the final block to the Oak Research Center¡¯s main entrance, but she couldn¡¯t help but blush upon hearing the loud overhead news commentary as they followed her lone march in the middle of the paved road. ¡°Yes... We¡¯ve just got confirmation that one of Kanto¡¯s mystery participants has just made an appearance on Pallet¡¯s Main and 200th street! We¡¯re getting live footage now... as you can see, she already has two... quite unique pok¨¦balls, and by the close-up... yes, the activation indicator shows they are in use; Rhea already has two Pok¨¦mon bonded to her.¡± A male voice followed the female. ¡°Rhea must have a prominent lineage from that fact alone, Brenda! Bonding to two Pok¨¦mon on the first day of the League without visible side effects, and... does that mean she won¡¯t be receiving a partner from the Oak Starter Award? Has that ever happened before?¡± Brenda hesitated for a moment. ¡°One moment¡­ Our research team is going through the data entries now... not often, Michael. We¡¯re talking about Pok¨¦mon that are among the top of their breeding tiers, and there seems to be a clause in the Award that the participant can bring their own Starter, but they may not choose from the cast selection online.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that insane?¡± Michael mused with interest. ¡°Rhea forewent the traditional, very thoroughly bred Starters for a third party, and two of them? What could they be; do you think it¡¯s a strategy she¡¯s using to gain the upper hand against the others since she knows the possible Types the other competitors have to choose from?¡± ¡°Mmh, yeah, that''s my bet,¡± Brenda replied with a questioning tone. ¡°Although... oh, we¡¯re getting reports that bets are already flying in on various aspects of our mystery girl! Tens of thousands of credits are being put forward on Rhea¡¯s Pok¨¦mon Type-selection alone that might be able to counter Water, Fire, and Grass-types. ¡°However, there¡¯s a lot of confusion sweeping the betting field as experts are trying to determine what Pok¨¦mon Type combination would offer the best offensive and defensive line-up. It¡¯s already being posed that she¡¯ll ask for a double battle, fighting two of the young Trainers herself, using two specially selected Pok¨¦mon.¡± Rhea was more than a little floored at the speculations. Seriously... people are going crazy over the smallest things... Wait, what was that? Michael hummed thoughtfully through the display speakers. ¡°Do you think it could be a Numel, Fire and Ground, with some prepped TM Moves? No, I¡¯m seeing someone say it has to be a Wooper with maybe a Rotom? Lists are already flying in with projected team line-ups!¡± TMs... no, we can¡¯t have any of that on the first Starter Battle; it¡¯s against the rules. Well... great, I¡¯m going to make a ton of people lose their money, and I¡¯ve only been seen for what... a minute or two? Yup... people are gonna hate me. She made it halfway up the stairs to the center when the crowd went silent. Turning around, Rhea watched an expensive-looking limo with pitch-black windows rolling through the street. A large, elegant R was painted on the hood and doors, waving the Viridian City symbolic crest of a fierce Nidoking and Nidoqueen with the chocolate diamond-encrusted Gym Badge between them on the material¡¯s dark green background. It pulled to the front entrance for a large bodyguard, complete with the entire black suit and glasses getup, to get out and open the back door while saying something while pressing the device in his ear. Amira exited the vehicle, looking somewhat annoyed while muttering a few things to someone inside before shutting the door a bit harder than was necessary. Still, she kept a reasonably restrained demeanor as the guard moved to the back, opening the trunk to get a rather cute red and black tote backpack with pink trim, just as packed as Rhea¡¯s. Unlike Rhea, though, the Rocket girl was wearing a three-floor, tiered rogue dress that ended just above her knees, completing the outfit with short matching heels, a red heart crochet beaded bracelet, a velvet choker, and gold-framed, rose-tinted teashades. She was a lot prettier than what Rhea remembered. Her thick crimson hair was silky and straight, pulled back into a feather braid with a waterfall twist to keep her hair out of the way. Amira was slightly more curved than the images she¡¯d seen of her mother and appeared to be taller, taking after her father and grandmother¡¯s line, but still an inch shorter than Rhea. From the few images of Amira online, she knew that it wasn¡¯t her rose-tinted glasses that gave Amira her big red irises either, and the girl was definitely a bit more fit than Rhea. Rhea was a little taken aback by how quiet the throng had gotten, and Amira didn¡¯t pay them the time of day, walking over to take her pack from the bodyguard before he could take it up himself. Both Rhea and Amira¡¯s attention moved back to the car as her door opened again, revealing her mother. Former Champion Lyra was noticeably smaller than her daughter by at least three inches and had a much more casual outfit with a brown long sleeve shirt on with matching shorts as she rushed over to hug Amira, whispering something to her. Amira¡¯s features softened, hugging her mother back. Not wanting to gawk, Rhea went inside the building. She seems close to her mother... that¡¯s nice. Lyra was well within her rights to claim the title of Active Champion, but like many of the Kanto past contenders, she wasn¡¯t interested in the job¡¯s duties and instead acted as a back-up. Active Champion Chase was the current chief of the Johto and Kanto Pok¨¦mon League. It was well-known that he was among the weakest of any regional Active Champion; however, the number of Kanto Legendary Champions lying in the shadows was more than intimidating by the normal regional standard. Kanto was basically universally known to have the greatest military power out of the major regions because of the Legendary-tier figures it was home to, making it an excellent start to an International Tournament. Rhea wasn¡¯t personally that fond of all her region¡¯s legends, though. Rhea glanced around the front office area where dozens of scientists moved between floors, apparently far more interested in their research than the multi-regional collaboration happening around them. A rather famous individual instantly caught her attention as he spotted her; Professor Elm hurriedly walked over to greet her. ¡°Ah, Rhea!¡± he exclaimed, glancing down at a sheet of paper to tick her name off. ¡°That¡¯s me,¡± she greeted with a forced chuckle, rubbing her left ear as it itched, still feeling the stress from the noise outside; Elm had met her a few times. ¡°Umm... Professor Elm? Isn¡¯t your lab on the Johto side?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, yes, but I make stops to see Professor Oak from time to time; there¡¯s so much happening recently with new Pok¨¦mon breakthroughs coming through that it¡¯s often hard to keep up!¡± ¡°Yeah, my mom seems to think the same way, hehe.¡± Rhea nervously rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°So, uh... where should I go?¡± ¡°Ah, ah, right! You can follow me... wait, is there another arrival outside?¡± he questioned, glancing at the expensive vehicle below. Rhea followed his gaze, readjusting her backpack. ¡°Umm, yeah. Amira Rocket just arrived; she¡¯s just saying goodbye to her mom.¡± ¡°Rocket, huh? Well, I suppose we¡¯ll wait for her, then! Most of the other participants arrived quite early to skip the crowd, and several chose to sleep here to avoid the clamor entirely,¡± he laughed. She nodded, eyeing the throng surrounding the building through the glass. ¡°Yeah... Probably something I should have thought of¡­¡± He hummed with interest. ¡°Yes, the mystery approach was taken by your brother two years back. It¡¯s more of a sure-fire way to get more attention on you than less, I¡¯m afraid, but you do have a rather large number of well-known family members,¡± he noted with a strained chuckle. ¡°I suppose it might be seen as more fair to the others. Oh, wait!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Rhea¡¯s focus shot back to him as he ruffled through a few papers in his big lab coat pockets. ¡°Gah... Where was it... ah, here it is! I read your mother¡¯s recent work on the fusion of evolutionary stones with Pok¨¦mon anatomy and was floored by the immaculate work! Uh... let¡¯s see... yes, the instability of temporary Pok¨¦Evolutionary synthesis in Mega, Syncro-Burst, and Z-Moves causes a junction between Trainer and Pok¨¦mon through a unification of genosyncrisis energies that creates a combustion of focused elements to break past the evolutionary wall for a limited time. ¡°By studying the elemental stones, there was evidence that a more stable means of similar delivery systems could be artificially created to replace the synchro-fusion devices Masters commonly use, integrating the energy found within into a Pok¨¦mon, and potentially, even the Trainer.¡± He gave her an expectant stare, but all she returned was vacant eyes. ¡°Uh... Professor... I don¡¯t know what all of that means, but umm... wait, maybe I do, but... you¡¯ll have to talk to her about that.¡± ¡°Ah, right, right, but for someone as renowned and brilliant as your mother... is she inferring human evolution here? It¡¯s just so wild of a theory, but she¡¯s already found a means to accomplish the former process with what I heard from a few Silph colleges I know. It¡¯s just... it¡¯s so exciting!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m sure it is, Professor.¡± His grey irises shot to her crochet belt. ¡°Ah... I saw that you weren¡¯t going to be selecting one of the Pok¨¦mon each of the Professors gathered for the Award! Did your mother breed them? Oh, I¡¯m sure there are so many other things she¡¯s done,¡± he mumbled, sparkling eyes glowing as he ogled her pok¨¦balls. ¡°Master Balls, too?! Interesting... how are you feeling?¡± Rhea did her best to not look uncomfortable; she¡¯d often been told Professor Elm was kind of an eccentric guy, but she heard the same thing about every major regional professor, and to a degree, it was true with every one she¡¯d met. ¡°Umm... a little sore, to be honest, but I¡¯m told that¡¯ll be normal for a bit,¡± Rhea mumbled, watching Amira climb the stairs with her mother¡¯s teary-eyed wave in the background. ¡°Is that right?¡± he whispered. ¡°You know, considering your pedigree... I mean, most of the other selected Trainers for the Award shouldn¡¯t feel a thing from even the specially bred Pok¨¦mon. It makes me really wonder what your mother did to your Pokemon that caused such a strain on you... considering they¡¯re Master Balls, though. Hmm¡­¡± They both turned to welcome Amira as she entered the building; she adjusted her backpack, placid expression settling on them before folding her rose-tinted glasses, securing them on the front of her dress. The three of them stared at each other in silence for a few seconds before Amira asked, ¡°So... is there a place I¡¯m supposed to be?¡± Her voice was pretty, and Rhea could see her being a good singer just by her tone. Elm jumped. ¡°Ah, yes, yes, follow me!¡± he motioned, leading them toward the left-branching hallway. Rhea did her best not to stare at Amira, but the girl didn¡¯t seem to have the same reservation, eyeing her with an appraising expression, which wasn¡¯t that unnatural; they might be spending several months with each other. ¡°Hmm... You¡¯re Rhea, right; the girl that didn¡¯t reveal her parents?¡± Amira asked, heels tapping lightly against the tile floor; it was a bit distracting to Rhea, making her mind wander. How are you going to go hiking in the forest with those? Did she even bring hiking shoes or sandals... her bag seems about as full as mine¡­ ¡°Umm... yeah, that¡¯s me... the girl that no one knows¡­¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± She winced, glancing up to see Ariel, Amy, and Olivia waving at her. ¡°Heh... The girl no one knows?¡± Amira mumbled with a lifted red eyebrow. Great timing, guys¡­ Ariel had the same orange hair and slim build as her mother, but unlike her, she refrained from using her trademark headband, instead crafting her long locks into a flower bun. Amy didn¡¯t resemble her aunt at all, towering over the other women at 6¡¯1 with a very fit physique that showed her daily martial arts training with Maylene. Her shoulder-length white hair and striking pink eyes were filled with glee upon seeing her. Olivia, on the other hand, took after her mother in many ways, including her curves and bubbly attitude. However, unlike her mother, Olivia was very much a dress-girl and hated the way she looked with Candice¡¯s style of braids from a young age. Rhea did her best not to glare at the girls as they ran over to greet them. Ariel was in the lead. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen you for like two years, girl; you¡¯re so cute with that skirt!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Olivia winked, eyeing her legs. ¡°I thought you¡¯d be too embarrassed to show that much skin.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks burned as Elm stepped to the side with Amira, giving them space to chat. ¡°I have yoga shorts underneath!¡± she huffed. ¡°I¡¯m sure you do,¡± Olivia snickered. ¡°Booty shorts, hmm? Oh, what do you think about my new blue dress? Like the pink ribbon? A boy back home gave it to me as a parting gift,¡± she giggled. Amy gave her friend a testing grin. ¡°Yeah, she won¡¯t shut up about it. It¡¯s like a boy¡¯s never given her a thing in her life.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Olivia growled, giving Amy a scowl. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten plenty of gifts from¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s the point!¡± Ariel giggled. ¡°Oh, so, Rhea, your aunt said you already got your Pok¨¦mon! Can we see?¡± Amira¡¯s eyes fell to her belt, lips pressing to the side. ¡°Oh, purple pok¨¦balls... with pink dots?¡± Olivia squealed. ¡°You always get the nice stuff; wait... I swear I¡¯ve seen some of those before! Huh... I want to be fashionable, too¡­¡± Professor Elm cleared his throat, drawing their attention. ¡°I¡¯m afraid we¡¯re running out of time, girls,¡± he said with an apologetic smile. ¡°It¡¯s almost time for Professor Oak to give his opening speech before handing out each of your Pok¨¦mon that you selected through the email link, and then there¡¯s the ceremonial battles.¡± ¡°Ah, okay, okay,¡± Ariel replied, giving Rhea a grin. ¡°I¡¯m gonna win, Rhea, so make sure to get on my team!¡± ¡°You know it¡¯s random,¡± Amy mumbled while rolling her eyes. ¡°Amy,¡± Olivia sighed, ¡°it¡¯s an expression!¡± Rhea giggled, following after the three as they entered the hall. Sure enough, almost every seat was filled, all watching them. Several boys and girls called their names with a friendly wave, and Olivia leaned in with an amused grin. ¡°Smile and wave, girls. Smile and wave.¡± Unsurprisingly, Rhea saw the Johto and Unova group on the same row, Casey, Lori, and Len together, while Barry, Angel, and Mark took the other side. Casey was wearing a sports bra and tight-fitting blue jeans that showed off her body far more than Rhea was comfortable with. Lori wore black tights, gloves, and a purple dress that was similar to the one she¡¯d seen her sister wear once, and figured it was probably a gift; the theme matched her purple irises and long silky hair that fell to her lower back. Angel was very noticeable with his fair, feminine features, slim build, and thick, long, blue hair tied back into a ponytail. He wore a few accessories that highlighted his feminine appeal even more, but they were probably gifts from his mother. The Hoenn gang knew of her because of her grandparents, but she¡¯d personally only met their relatives while she had almost no information on the Alolan gang, but their colorful attire and darker skin attracted her attention; it was rare to see that kind of tan in the far south of the Orange Archipelago or Sevii Islands, much less Kanto. Rhea frowned, realizing the Kalos boys and Jason were the only people missing. The Galar girls¡¯ strange accent stole her focus as they spoke to the boy with them, and strangely, he didn¡¯t seem to have the same odd words or phrases they used, but she had to remind herself that the accent changed from north to south Galar. Casey leaned forward to whisper, ¡°Hey, girl! How¡¯s it been in nowhere land?¡± She took a seat with the Sinnoh girls beside her, catching Amira sitting in the furthest chair back upon glancing around. ¡°Good,¡± Rhea forced a chuckle while setting her bag in front of her with the others. ¡°That party seemed pretty crazy a few weeks ago.¡± ¡°Oh, wait ¡®till ya see what I have planned next!¡± she snickered while adjusting her bangs. Len leaned forward with a wry smile. ¡°Cass hasn¡¯t even told us what it is.¡± ¡°You expected her to spill this soon?¡± Lori smirked. ¡°Heh......Viridian, it¡¯s the place!¡± Casey whispered excitedly. ¡°I¡¯ll send y¡¯all the info when we all get there; it¡¯s gonna set the news on fire!¡± Before Rhea could say she was trying to avoid that kind of attention, everyone went silent as Professor Oak walked through a side door, taking the small platform that had been set up in the room, and just as her phone buzzed at her side, indicating the time had arrived, three boys entered the hall. Oak smiled as everyone¡¯s focus moved to the group. ¡°Ah, the Kalos group, punctual to the minute.¡± ¡°Professor,¡± the three handsome and well-dressed boys responded, moving to sit together in the middle row. Casey glanced back at the boys with a snicker. ¡°Think the self-image posse are really wild under those suits?¡± she whispered. ¡°Mmh,¡± Len followed her gaze with an appraising smile. ¡°I dunno; that Lucian guy seems as tight-laced as it gets, ya know? Think they¡¯ve even had a girlfriend?¡± Lori¡¯s smirk was still in place. ¡°If they pulled in a Jinx, I¡¯d be impressed.¡± Ariel, Amy, and Olivia winced at her comment, and not a few seconds later, Jason came jogging through the door with heavy breaths, completing the twenty-four attendees. ¡°S-Sorry, Professor, umm... I got, phew, got held up at the strip.¡± Rhea guessed his mother had been on a picture frenzy to the very minute he had to leave. Oak chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m sure you did, Jason. Please, take a seat.¡± The Professor took a deep breath, staring around at the seventeen-year-old boys and girls, showing a proud smile. ¡°Each of your region¡¯s professors will be in shortly, but I just wanted to say, it¡¯s such a treat seeing so many Trainers from various regions coming together for a friendly competition. Your journey marks a new beginning for your countries¡¯ relations, but don¡¯t let that get in the way of having the time of your lives. You¡¯ll never get these years back; make the most of it.¡± Rhea¡¯s smile fell a little as Casey leaned to her right to whisper to Lori and Len. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talkin¡¯ about! Let¡¯s get this party goin¡¯.¡± The Professor eyed the pair, making them give a small chuckle before falling silent. ¡°There will be plenty of time for fun, and I know you¡¯re all antsy to receive your first Pok¨¦mon, bond with them, and feel the thrill of battling, but first, there are a few things that must be addressed¡­¡± B1 — 7. The First Challenge Rhea glanced to her left as Jason hurried to sit down in the empty seat beside her; the Sinnoh girls on her right. He gave her a forced smile while taming his hair, windswept after his mad dash for the building. The other regions¡¯ professors filled in at the back, Rowan wheeling a cart with Ultra-type pok¨¦balls, and a Magnemite held a camera, floating along the cleared aisle between the chairs to record the professor once the broadcast started. Everyone listened as Oak spoke, glancing between them with a serious expression. ¡°The live broadcast to start the International Bronze League will begin shortly, so now would be a good chance to make sure you¡¯re presentable.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t the only one to smooth out her skirt and adjust her position, and even the professors were taking a moment to straighten their jackets. However, one particularly pretty peach-haired woman caught Rhea¡¯s gaze. She was aware of all the other significant professors since most of them had worked with her mother on more than one major project over the years, but this woman was new. She recognized Birch from Hoenn, and Elm. Of course, Rowan was a regular mention of her mother and aunt since he was close to the family. Rhea¡¯s pearly blue irises settled on the handsome, shirtless figure of Professor Kukui of Alola, and despite knowing he was married, her cheeks darkened. Her vision swiftly moved to the next person, which happened to be the lovely Professor Aurea Juniper, leaving Professor Augustine Sycamore from Kalos. That only left two major academics missing from Rhea¡¯s knowledge, Professor Magnolia of Galar, which likely meant this very young aqua-eyed woman, not even wearing a lab coat, was taking her place, and Professor Philena Ivy from the Orange Archipelago. Although Ivy''s absence was expected since the Orange Archipelago¡¯s Champion hadn¡¯t signed off on everything needed within the United Indigo Summit like many other regions; it was expected that they¡¯d participate in the International League initiative if this was a success. While Rhea¡¯s brain tried to find a place for the new professor, Oak just powered through his speech. ¡°With the aid of each of my esteemed colleagues,¡± he gestured at the small group in the back, ¡°we pooled our resources and breeding contacts to give each of you the best Starter available, providing the most extensive list of options any singular region could offer. ¡°You each selected one of the many Starters that were listed upon the linked email, which was quite the sight,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Within the first fifteen minutes, almost all of you had already claimed one.¡± Rhea managed to get Eevee, but her mother said she¡¯d already taken care of any issues, and sure enough, she had Nova; so, she assumed the Starter Eevee had opened up for someone else to snatch. It didn¡¯t show who claimed what, only what was available, so she couldn¡¯t be sure who had what. ¡°There will be many trials during this League, and some shocking additions,¡± he mumbled with a strained smile. ¡°Some I don¡¯t agree with, but it is outside my control,¡± he sighed. ¡°In any case, your Professor has spent what time was available with your selected Pok¨¦mon to give it a basic degree of training that is normally acceptable for Starters, which will give you an advantageous edge to try and combat some of the new functions of this League.¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach swarmed with butterflies at the news; she heard there was going to be changes to the format, it was to be expected with an entirely new International League, but the way Oak framed it made her feel like this Award was more of a detriment than a benefit. She didn¡¯t seem to be the only one that noticed the Professor¡¯s tone. Her aunt was a part of the United Indigo Summit, which meant she had a hand in everything related to this League, but she would be a troll, and not tell her. Rhea glanced back at Lucian; his mother was directly involved, too. ¡°This League will be more challenging than any past Bronze Division you¡¯ve seen. Now... the Professors will each hand you your Pok¨¦mon. They¡¯ve already been prepared for the Trading Process, which means the next person to touch them will be bonded. Once everyone has bonded, please return the protective casing to the cart.¡± Each of the professors moved between the isles, handing each person a square metallic box, likely constructed out of an Everstone alloy to shield any energy from transferring, and every eye sparkled with excitement as they received their Pok¨¦mon. Rhea smiled as Nova somehow seemed to snuggle closer to her while sleeping inside her pok¨¦ball. Mya was in an almost trance-like state; the Mawile appeared to be doing some kind of mental training within her sphere that baffled her. Mom said Mya would be hyper-aggressive, and yeah, I felt some hot emotions from her at first, but ever since she learned there¡¯d be a coming fight, she¡¯s been like this. I mean, I guess both Nova and her are at a disadvantage since the other Starters have received basic training, but... all we can do is try. Mya certainly gives me a confident vibe. Jason accepted his Pok¨¦mon with excitement, and every teen stiffened, vision turning vacant as the bonding took place. ¡°How is it?¡± Rhea teased, nudging him. Ariel was the one to respond, though, ¡°It¡¯s......Wow, Rhea... it¡¯s like he¡¯s right next to my heart. How is... you know, having two?¡± ¡°Yeah, what¡¯s it like?¡± Olivia pressed, leaning forward to give her a conflicted smile. ¡°For me, he¡¯s... it¡¯s like I have a piece of the ocean with me!¡± She squealed with joy. ¡°Aww, he¡¯s so cute¡­¡± she whispered, glancing down at the pok¨¦ball in her hand. ¡°A Water-type, then?¡± Mallory asked with a quiet snicker. ¡°Shh, don¡¯t wanna be giving away too much!¡± Olivia¡¯s lips snapped shut, cheeks darkening. ¡°Mmh?¡± Casey scooted forward, pulling a few silvery-blue locks behind her left ear. ¡°Are you a Totodile-girl?¡± ¡°N-No... maybe,¡± Olivia stammered, trying to constrain her blush while looking away. Casey and Mallory giggled. ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, girl,¡± Casey whispered. ¡°Why don¡¯t we make a little packet? We¡¯ll challenge one of the boy groups! How¡¯s that? We¡¯ll make it girls vs. boys! The media will love it.¡± ¡°Can we do that?¡± Amy returned with a thoughtful grin. Mallory shrugged, eyeing Angel and Barry suspiciously as they whispered to one another. ¡°I don¡¯t see why not; I mean, aren¡¯t the challenges made by the group? Psst, Barry, what are you two talkin¡¯ about?¡± Both boys¡¯ lips sealed, giving her blank looks that only made Lori¡¯s vision narrow with curiosity. ¡°C¡¯mon! Spill it out, Barry¡­¡± She was cut off as Oak cleared his throat, saving the pair from Mallory¡¯s hounding purple irises. ¡°Ahem... we¡¯ll now move to the selection process, and once the teams are selected, the professors will leave to discuss how to proceed. ¡°We want to make sure everyone feels comfortable with their group; if you have any questions, then please follow us to discuss it in private. Afterward, we will set the results and reveal them through the broadcast with my opening speech.¡± Everyone held their breath as Oak stood in front of them, eyeing each boy and girl with a soft smile. ¡°Gah, I hate being so serious, but... this is no ordinary journey. Each of you comes from regions with historical conflicts, some regional grudges spanning only a few generations, and this is the first attempt at trying to unify those that were willing to enter the United Indigo Summit. ¡°I urge each of you to please treat one another as humans, bonding with their Pok¨¦mon; the same as you, scared about traveling with girls and boys they¡¯ve never likely ever met. You may not understand each other¡¯s cultures, and there may be an adjustment period. Please... I just ask that you be patient with one another.¡± A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat, but she didn¡¯t dare glance around to see how everyone else was taking Oak¡¯s pleas. ¡°Hmm¡­ Okay.¡± Oak walked to the wall behind him; it turned into a visual display before their eyes, somehow creating a screensaver that mirrored the material around it perfectly. Even Rhea was a bit impressed by the camouflaged tech. ¡°The algorithm has been weighted to pair you with different regions, but it¡¯s still possible to be banded with... oh, let¡¯s just see what happens,¡± he chuckled sheepishly, pressing an app that appeared to be pre-programmed with their information. Rhea¡¯s tight fists pressed against her skirt as she debated if she should close her eyes or not, wondering what the others around her might think if they saw her like that. It happened before she could decide, and the world seemed to vanish as she found her name, body going numb. Really... really, those are the teams... that¡¯s my team? Female Team 1: Female Team 2: Female Team 3: Female Team 4: Male Team 1: Male Team 2: Male Team 3: Male Team 4: Lori leaned forward with a light snicker. ¡°Aye, look at that, you and me with the Rocket chick? This¡¯ll be fun!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Len hissed, glancing back at Lucian. ¡°Yo, thanks for jinxing me, Casey, Muk¡­¡± Casey chuckled softly, waving over at the Alolan and Galaran girls she was paired with. ¡°Hey, I was just sayin¡¯ your chances suck, dude.¡± ¡°Hey, maybe he won¡¯t be so bad?¡± Jason whispered with a forced laugh, trying not to look too unhappy as he watched Diantha¡¯s son glare at the information. ¡°Heh¡­ Yeah, we¡¯ll see,¡± Len replied, attempting to smile. ¡°Yo, at least we get to catch-up, huh? How long has it been, two years?¡± ¡°Something like that,¡± Jason replied, giving him a fist bump. ¡°I heard some of those beats you made; fire, Dude!¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I still have a long way to go,¡± Len replied, brushing back his black, white-highlighted hair. Amy and Olivia nudged one another with big grins. ¡°Yes! On the same team!¡± Professor Oak cleared his throat again. ¡°We will be moving to a room across the hall to discuss the groups. If anyone wishes to speak to your regional professor in private, then please, don¡¯t hesitate.¡± The professors waved at each of them before retreating across the hall. Rhea was slightly surprised no one rose to complain, but every regional group leaned in to whisper to each other while throwing their eyes around, and the noise picked up once the professors left. Ariel had taken a quick look at the Galar and Hoenn girls she¡¯d been paired with but soon turned her focus to Amira in the back, following Mallory and Rhea¡¯s gaze. ¡°Are you gonna ask to be put in another team, Rhea, Lori?¡± she asked. Lori yawned with a light shrug. ¡°I mean, she can¡¯t be that bad; look at what the news says about Cass.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Casey huffed, tossing back her hair with an indignant huff. ¡°Aye, Lori, you think that Alolan girl knows how to cook?¡± ¡°Eh...¡­ ya better hope,¡± Mallory giggled. ¡° ¡®Cause you suck at it.¡± ¡°Yo, Sis, chill; I know my way around some Mac and Cheese¡­¡± Casey glared. ¡°If it¡¯s not from a box, then I ain¡¯t eatin¡¯ your cooking,¡± Lori doubled down with a teasing grin. Rhea was a little surprised to see Casey fuming at her step-sister¡¯s response. ¡°Man, you¡¯re always so mean when it comes to my cooking, Lori!¡± ¡°Aye, you asked, girl! I¡¯m just sayin¡¯, and you know Alolan girls are supposed to be good at makin¡¯ food with their trial stuff.¡± Casey just glared in response. ¡°Yeah, that is kind of a weird system they got over there,¡± Jason commented, probably trying to pull the discussion away from the Kalos boys. Rhea was only partially paying attention to the conversation; Amira was now looking at them with a deep frown. She guessed the Rocket girl was thinking the same thing she was. What are the chances? Amy and Olivia got on the same team, but... in a weighted randomizer, two pairs get people from the same region. I mean, Mallory isn¡¯t a bad choice, but¡­ She peeked over at the snickering purple-haired girl as she teased Casey. Mallory may not be as wild as Casey, but I feel like she hides her emotions and is pretty sneaky... just like Grimsley. Then, there¡¯s Amira... no, the media¡¯s going to harp on our team so hard, well... at least it¡¯s not as bad as Jason. Jason and Len were both wearing frowns, staring at Lucian, and as far as Rhea was aware, the Kalos star had only given them a single glance, but it hadn¡¯t been to examine his teammates. ¡°Psst, yo, Rhea,¡± Ariel whispered, drawing the other girls¡¯ attention. ¡°Hey, that Lucian guy¡¯s been eyeing you and Amira when you¡¯re not looking. Does he know who you are?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, releasing a low moan while fiddling with the tail end of her braid. ¡°Ugh... Probably... our parents aren¡¯t on the best terms right now.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± Casey leaned back to glare at the Kalos boys, each talking lowly to one another while staring at the board. ¡°You think he¡¯s checkin¡¯ ya out? I mean, it¡¯s a fact; we¡¯re all pretty hot,¡± she said with a wink at the boys. They were obviously keeping tabs on them out of the corners of their eyes since Jean blushed, trying not to look their way. ¡°Hmm?¡± Mallory mused, continuing to study the three as they mumbled between each other. Jean didn¡¯t seem too fond of what they were talking about, shaking his head and trying to say something to Lucian, but the Active Champion¡¯s son wasn¡¯t having it. Casey plucked the hem of Mallory¡¯s high-thigh purple dress, drawing the girls¡¯ attention. ¡°Hey, wassup?¡± Lori asked with a slight glare at her step-sister. The party girl was returning the glare. ¡°What¡¯s up with that hum? You don¡¯t think some of us are hot, or are you scheming something?¡± ¡°Heh... No, no, of course, we¡¯re hot,¡± Lori rolled her eyes. ¡°No, I think they¡¯re the ones scheming something,¡± she explained with a smile returning to her lips. ¡°Like?¡± Len asked. ¡°I mean, Jason and I are teamed with the guy¡­¡± ¡°Oh, not gonna get reassigned?¡± Casey asked with a smirk. ¡°Naa, that makes me look weak to everyone,¡± he shrugged. ¡°I can deal with guys like him; besides, I can¡¯t leave Jason to fend for himself!¡± he grinned. ¡°Aww, thanks, Bro!¡± Jason laughed. ¡°Na, but once we get to know him¡­¡± Everyone went quiet as Lucian rose to his feet, focus moving to Rhea. ¡°Why did you hide your name from the public... it was calculated, wasn¡¯t it? I heard your brother did the same thing.¡± Jason winced. ¡°Oof... Maybe I¡¯m wrong, though.¡± ¡°Why¡¯s it matter to you?¡± Casey asked with a dry tone. Lori shifted her chair back to straddle it, giving Lucian a testing smirk. ¡°Simple, Cass, he¡¯s mad he can¡¯t use Rhea¡¯s family reputation to boost his own.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Rhea sighed, scratching her neck. Stolen novel; please report. So, that¡¯s the reason he¡¯s a bit pissed; he wanted to challenge me to get his parents¡¯ attention? I mean, he still can, but it won¡¯t draw the public eye as much as it might; no Diantha¡¯s son vs. Cynthia¡¯s niece headline. ¡°Lame,¡± Casey said while arching her back to stretch, her sizable chest pressing against her sports bra. ¡°If you wanna battle, then just challenge me?¡± She grinned. ¡°I¡¯m up for a team match. What do you say, girls?¡± she asked, glancing at her two teammates. Inoa looked a bit hesitant, but Ellie grinned, tossing her pok¨¦ball in the air before catching it. ¡°Always up for a scrapper!¡± she replied in her Southern Galaran accent. Lucian gave Casey a dirty look. ¡°And boost your ratings? No, thanks. I try not to mingle with club trash.¡± ¡°Say what... club trash?¡± Casey asked, vision narrowing. Jason¡¯s positive tone was falling by the sentence. ¡°Yeah... definitely could be wrong.¡± ¡°Ya think?¡± Len mumbled with a deep frown. Lucian ignored the frowns and glares, all but forgetting Casey was there. ¡°No, if Rhea is going to play it this way... this is perfect. I just need to beat the ugly red-head.¡± Each girls¡¯ eyebrows shot up with shock, sparking several scowling comments. ¡°Who¡¯re you callin¡¯ an ugly red-head?¡± Kale asked, ruffling his orange hair. ¡°Say that to my face!¡± Isabella growled, rising to her feet with the other Hoenn posse. Victor¡¯s sharp eyebrows were drawn, darting between the Hoenn and Kalos group. ¡°Aye, Lucian. Don¡¯t be steppin¡¯ on toes, Man, and if you¡¯re talkin¡¯ about me, my hair¡¯s clearly peach, ya color blind pikey.¡± ¡°Aye, what I¡¯m sayin¡¯,¡± Catherine growled. ¡°The tosser be settin¡¯ ablaze with them words.¡± Everyone¡¯s focus moved to Amira as she released a loud sigh, fiddling with the end of her glasses between her breasts. ¡°You¡¯re talking about me. Right?¡± The heat in everyone¡¯s eyes seemed to disperse as Amira smirked. ¡°I was told Kalos boys were supposed to be smooth with their words; consider me disappointed.¡± ¡°Hey, Lucian, you shouldn¡¯t have called her ugly when she¡¯s clearly not,¡± Jean mumbled. Lucian¡¯s crystal-blue irises moved to Jean with a disenchanted expression. ¡°How else should I describe a low-tier mob boss¡¯s brat? Her mother is the only semi-worthy thing about her, yet she failed to get a single feature; that must reflect with her abilities, too.¡± ¡°Livin¡¯ up to the stereotype; go you!¡± Mallory giggled, moving around a fuming Casey to stand a few feet away from Lucian. ¡°Basically, since Amira is essentially trash in your eyes, and she¡¯s the only one even worth challenging... what you¡¯re really saying is that everyone here, and their Pok¨¦mon, are garbage, right?¡± The dagger-like glares directed at Lucian were palpable. Ludovic tried to laugh off the tension. ¡°Only about half; not everyone.¡± Lori slowly clapped her hands. ¡°Wow... Kalos¡¯ finest, everyone. I¡¯m up for the challenge; what do you say about a double, Amira? The rabble versus the nobles?¡± Jason and Len hissed a low groan. ¡°Don¡¯t pull me into this, Lori!¡± Len growled. Amira giggled, pulling out her glasses to put them on before rising to her feet. ¡°Thanks for the support, but I¡¯m more of a loner. If you want a battle, then I¡¯m ready.¡± ¡°Are you sure, Amira?¡± Rhea asked, her heart burning with Mya and Nova¡¯s flaring emotions at Mallory¡¯s breakdown of Lucian¡¯s declaration. The red-haired girl didn¡¯t look away from Lucian as the others mumbled to one another. ¡°No offense, Rhea, Mallory, but I can fight my own battles.¡± Lori eyed her for a moment with a calculating smile before shrugging. ¡°Okay! So, you gonna back out, Noble Boy; scared of lil¡¯ miss Rocket?¡± ¡°That¡¯s hilarious,¡± Lucian smirked. ¡°No, why don¡¯t we bet half our starting funds on the victor?¡± ¡°I¡¯m game,¡± Amira replied while stretching out a little, causing her tiered dress to flutter. ¡°And if I win, you have to apologize for making fun of my family; in front of the entire world. Got it?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Mallory¡¯s grin widened. ¡°Now it¡¯s getting interesting!¡± Casey popped her tongue. ¡°Still wanna deck the guy; that¡¯d be my condition.¡± ¡°Naw,¡± Catherine spat, ¡°punt ¡®em in da goolies fer ¡®ol measure!¡± ¡°Lucian¡­¡± Jean groaned. ¡°Quit messing it up for us.¡± ¡°Humph,¡± Lucian walked out, keeping his focus on Amira¡¯s mocking grin. ¡°Fine, and if I win, you must tell the world you¡¯re thug trash.¡± Amira¡¯s brow furrowed, her smile falling. ¡°Oh? Let¡¯s just make this official.¡± Rhea bit her lower lip while following everyone to the room across the hall. The professors frowned upon seeing all twenty-four participants. ¡°Is... something the matter?¡± the peach-haired Professor asked, glancing between them; her southern Galaran accent told Rhea where she was from. Catherine spoke up from the back. ¡°Aye, Professor Sonia, dis pikey¡¯s got a mouth on ¡®em!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Professor Sycamore ran his hand down his face. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Lucian?¡± Lucian didn¡¯t bat an eyelash. ¡°Amira Rocket and I have agreed to a battle.¡± Oak glanced between the scowling teens with a soft sigh. ¡°I haven¡¯t even given my opening speech. Please return to your seats. Once I finish, then we can begin the challenges, starting with the two of you... does that mean both teams have accepted the respective challenge and placement?¡± Rhea caught both Jason and Len eyeing each other with uncertainty. ¡°Well... I guess someone has to be teamed with him,¡± Jason reasoned with a forced chuckle. ¡°But does there really?¡± Len mumbled. ¡°I mean, really? I bet he¡¯d say he¡¯s fine soldiering it alone¡­¡± ¡°Of course, I would,¡± Lucian stated without hesitation. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Professor Sycamore ushered him to the side. ¡°Lucian, come with me for a moment.¡± Lucian followed him out of the room and into the hall without a fight. Sonia gave the group a strained smile. ¡°Is there anyone that¡¯s having second thoughts about their group?¡± Rhea saw Barry, Mark, Kale, and Hi''ilei raise their hands. Ludovic seemed somewhat baffled, but Jean sighed with a low moan, clearing his throat. ¡°Umm, Barry, Hi''ilei, could I have a word, guys?¡± Barry grunted. ¡°Ya better got somethin¡¯ all git-out good ta say. I ain¡¯t dealin¡¯ with the hissy fits.¡± Hi''ilei looked at the other two Alolan Trainers before giving them a quick shrug, following Barry and Jean back into the other room. Professor Elm left with Mark while Professor Kukui took Kale to talk about their concerns with Ludovic, leaving the boy staring after them in disbelief. Oak motioned for the teens that remained. ¡°If you could each return to your seats, but... Rhea, Amira, Mallory, could you stay, please.¡± The crowd left, each in their own little groups. The Hoenn and Sinnoh girls gave them thoughtful looks while following the instruction. Casey lingered back to whisper, ¡°Aye, beat the Muk out of ¡®em!¡± Amira smirked. ¡°I plan to.¡± Rhea was a little confused why Amira put on her glasses and still wore them in-doors, but it was only a passing thought as the remaining Professors studied them. Both her Pok¨¦mon were still fuming, which pulled at her focus. ¡°Let me guess,¡± Oak sighed, scratching his shoulder, ¡°Lucian said something that made everyone angry?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter; I expected something like this to happen. It¡¯s nothing I haven¡¯t handled before.¡± ¡°Rough, Girl,¡± Lori hummed. Rhea rubbed her chest a little, feeling a bit uncomfortable with Nova and Mya¡¯s indignation. When they heard that Lucian was calling all the other Pok¨¦mon and Trainers trash, including them, they were biting at the bit to prove him wrong. Mya was a flowing brook before, but now she was a barely contained volcano, ready to smash his face into the ground. ¡°Hmm... is something wrong, Rhea?¡± Professor Rowan asked, studying her fidgeting movements before his focus darted to her pok¨¦balls. Amira and Lori gave her a questioning look; most of the professors seemed troubled after Rowan¡¯s concerned comment. Rhea tried to laugh it off, holding up her hands. ¡°No, no... umm, my Pok¨¦mon are just really... they want to show Lucian how powerful they are.¡± Amira folded her arms, head cocking a little to the right. ¡°Sure... but I¡¯ve got first dibs.¡± Oak¡¯s crossed arms tightened a bit, nibbling on the inside of his cheek while listening. ¡°Ah... A little competition is good, girls, but... just make sure it¡¯s all in good fun.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Amira and Lori replied with the same innocent tone that told Rhea they had no intentions of following the advice. ¡°...Thanks,¡± Rhea replied after a short moment, doing her best to calm her Pok¨¦mon. It¡¯s okay, Nova, Mya. We¡¯ll get our chance; just wait. I know he was really rude, but we¡¯ll probably meet a lot of people like him. Nova restrained herself much quicker than Mya; the Steel and Fairy-type Pok¨¦mon had just compressed it into a tight molten ball of emotion to release later. ¡°Ahem,¡± Oak glanced between them. ¡°Does this mean you three are fine with being travel companions for the League?¡± Mallory nodded with a bright smile. ¡°Yup! I like Amira more and more by the minute.¡± ¡°I... Thanks,¡± Amira mumbled in a slightly awkward manner. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine.¡± They turned to stare at her, making the hair stand up on the back of Rhea¡¯s neck. ¡°Umm... yeah, I mean, I¡¯m cool with it.¡± Amira smiled. ¡°Great. Okay, Professors, could we get this opening ceremony done so we can get to the fight?¡± The Rocket girl calling it a fight instead of a match told Rhea how she really felt, and the professors could clearly tell that things weren¡¯t going the way they¡¯d hoped but knew there wasn¡¯t much else they could do. Lori and Amira placed their trading cases on the cart where the others had dropped them off, and everyone returned after a few minutes, Lucian being the last to take his seat with a sad-looking Professor Sycamore. Most tempers had settled, but the girls gave Lucian a dirty glare before Oak began his speech, and Rhea joined the searing eyes. He¡¯d called a girl ugly for no reason and told everyone he was better than them, which probably spiked the emotions of their newly bonded Pokemon, as well. ¡°Alright, cameras will be rolling in three, two, one¡­ ¡°Hello, I am Professor Oak, and with my associate Professors, we have developed a new Starter Award for this League. The teams have been solidified after some discussion. The list should be showing on the screen now, and will be distributed to each region¡¯s major news networks. ¡°First, allow me to welcome all the excellent future star Trainers of our world to the Kanto region! We are so thankful and humbled by the efforts made by each of your region¡¯s representatives to make this amazing event possible. ¡°That being said, there will be some drastic changes made to the format of the Bronze League that you are accustomed to in your individual regions. ¡°Each team is given a combined record, identifying their total losses, refused challenges, wins, and many other statistics within Triple Battles, but you may only challenge Trainers within the same bracket as yourself. Teams will not be able to advance until all respective Trainers have achieved the same badge or dropped out, the incomplete members finding a suitable replacement. ¡°If you have a single Gym Badge, then you will not be able to be challenged by someone with a greater number of badges; however, a person with a single badge may issue a match with a Trainer that has more, and this will all be made available through your route challenge function on the Kanto and Johto Battle App that is downloadable from the official League website. It is no different than your own regional versions and is secured by active network administrators. ¡°Now, the biggest change... at the United Indigo Summit, it was proposed and accepted by every associating region to add... a bounty system to each League. Trainers and civilians can place a credit bounty on any participating members. It isn¡¯t as if you can be tracked by this system, but it will add more stakes for Trainers to issue challenges if you are nearby.¡± The beginning of his speech had started out just as Rhea expected, but this news turned her blood cold; the Award winners received a lot of press focus, as individuals recommended by Masters and would undoubtedly top the bounty list. ¡°This will provide incentives for other Trainers to challenge themselves by going after those that have a positive win record. There are limitations on how much can be placed on an individual based on their bracket and their win to loss ratio, but the added credits will also push those at the top to stay on-guard and to manage their resources wisely.¡± Rhea¡¯s legs tightened, fists pressed into her thighs while listening; she had no doubt he was saying this to them specifically. ¡°The International Bronze League will be the most challenging League that¡¯s been attempted. Only a certain number of challenges can be issued to an individual Trainer per day, and if your relative location is further than a set distance, it is masked unless both parties accept; the standard rules apply in this regard, a refusal is calculated against your win to loss ratio, but the two metrics will be counted separately for Trainer data clarification. ¡°With that said, we will christen the first International Bronze League by demonstrating the capabilities of each region¡¯s rising stars, selected by the Masters in each of your motherlands. We already have our first match scheduled; Lucian Allard has challenged Amira Rocket, and she has accepted. ¡°We will now move to the Pallet Main Stadium, generously developed and donated by Amira¡¯s grandfather, Grandmaster Giovanni Rocket, with the latest in audience protective technologies. The seventh-generation Battlefield is equipped with force dampeners that are rated up to Master-tier matches, marking it as one of the best in Kanto. ¡°We will see you there.¡± Oak released a long sigh as the camera¡¯s red light cut; the last bit was definitely an Ad for Rocket, and the Magnamite left to return to his Trainer with his job finished. Rhea was still stunned by the bounty reveal, and even Lucian seemed speechless. She jumped as her phone vibrated; taking it out of the holster, she saw the notification that the Battle Trainer app had been activated. She was now an official Bronze-tier Grade 1 Trainer. Tapping on the battle app, her eyes widened, watching the numbers rise. There was more to the system than Oak had explained; their team was also given a bounty that would be distributed if a Trainer or team managed to beat all three of them in a Triple Battle. That reward had already spiked to 7,340 credits. Amira and Mallory were listed inside her party, and each of their public bounties was rising rapidly; in just the first few seconds of studying the interface, Amira¡¯s was capped at 5,000 credits, plus the 500 for being a part of the Starter Award. Mallory¡¯s was rising, but very slowly at a current public bounty of 1,745 credits with the 500 Starter Award. Her own bounty hadn¡¯t even broken 10 credits, excluding the award, but if someone wanted to get the recently maxed 10,000 Credit reward for the triple victory against each of them, then she was a target. So, let me get this straight... people can put out targeted hits on us, which increases a ton after we get our first badge. Then, they can also bet on our victories or losses, keeping track of our daily win to loss since it¡¯s broadcast live 24/7, and we can bet on matches ourselves... well, it¡¯s illegal to vote for your own loss or throw a challenge, but that¡¯s to be expected. Wow... the money flowing through Kanto will be... is that the point? I just can¡¯t imagine... no, yeah, I could see Auntie loving an idea like this. She¡¯d love more people driving themselves to battle her; a system like this will push more people to reach higher. And... it kind of makes us work more as a team, I guess. Rhea gave a start when Jason nudged her. ¡°Hey, you ready to go see the match? Amira and Lucian left the moment it was over.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea glanced back. Sure enough, Amira was gone, and Mallory was already at the door, waving for her to hurry up. ¡°Hey... c¡¯mon, quit staring at your fancy phone, Rhea!¡± Mallory laughed. Casey snickered as they ran to catch up, leaving their bags behind. ¡°How¡¯re the bounties?¡± ¡°Crazy!¡± Rhea moaned, falling in-line with them to take the underground access point to the stadium from the lab. ¡°Amira¡¯s already got the max, and so is our team bounty... probably because of Amira, too.¡± ¡°Shoot,¡± Casey mumbled, glaring at her own phone. ¡°I¡¯m only 3,469 Credits?¡± Lori smiled, pointing at the number above it. ¡°Including the Starter Award, so you¡¯re only 2, 969.¡± ¡°Bah... higher than yours,¡± Casey mumbled with a grunt. ¡°Whatever, umm, I¡¯ma go chill with my new gang. Later, Lori!¡± ¡°Catch¡¯ya at Viridian, Cass.¡± ¡°See ya,¡± Rhea waved as she ran ahead to join Inoa and Ellie. Len seemed to be in a bit of a foul mood, trailing behind with Jason by his side. Mallory caught her gaze, leaned in to whisper, ¡°Ah, he¡¯s just pouting,¡± she winked. ¡°Len really didn¡¯t want to be paired with the Kalos posse; he paid for a psychic reading in Goldenrod when we passed by on the way to Kanto that said he wouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± Rhea winced. ¡°How much?¡± ¡°Hehe... Don¡¯t ask,¡± Mallory giggled, brushing her hair back. ¡°Oh, which Pok¨¦mon did you choose?¡± Mallory¡¯s purple eyes darted left and right suspiciously, hot breath pressing against Rhea¡¯s ear as she leaned in further. ¡°Froakie! Can you believe I got him!? He¡¯s Shiny too; it said so on the selection page! He¡¯s so cute and evolves into a Dark-type. I¡¯m in love¡­¡± She cooed, bringing up her pok¨¦ball with an adorable smile. The party soon caught up with a few of the other groups and filed along the front-row seats beside the field; a few of the other teams were already discussing who to challenge with friendly but competitive phrases thrown around. Rhea had never been to an actual stadium with dampeners, much less a place that could hold 8,000 spectators. It wasn¡¯t nearly as big as the major Gym arenas, but had the same technology with Giovanni¡¯s donation. All the battles she¡¯d witnessed were held over large open areas where Trainer and Pok¨¦mon were in the crossfire of each other¡¯s attacks, outside elements, and the possibility of wild Pok¨¦mon getting involved from Mt. Silver that could wander close by. The competitive controlled environment was something she¡¯d only seen online, and it wasn¡¯t usually all that exciting to her. So, when Rhea saw every seat filled with more standing at the railings, it blew her away. This was the lowest of the low type of matches, Bronze-tier, and it had this kind of turn out; even if it was an International League, it just didn¡¯t add up in her mind. Of course, the Johto and Kanto Summer Indigo League was nearing its Opening Ceremony with the preliminaries for those that obtained the necessary badges already underway, but those would be more interesting than their battles. Between last season''s Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum Conference competition, and the opening ceremony of the new season¡¯s Bronze League, she expected the big matches to take priority to people. It seemed this was a pretty big deal, though. The field was flat and grassy, and areas were marked where each Pok¨¦mon could be thrown into the arena; it was supposed to be a form of strategy where you sent your Pok¨¦mon out to start the match. She looked up as a host of Magneton and Magnemite lifted dozens of displays around the higher areas, while people handled massive cameras around the stadium, projecting live video around the world, and the control center swapped between feeds. Rhea watched the platform on either side of the massive field go through a few changes, and if Oak¡¯s statement was to be believed, the stadium was certified for even Master-tier competitions, which was insane for a city without a Gym. Sure enough, the field lined with a rectangular box of blue honeycomb shapes as the defensive array was initiated before becoming transparent; enormous crystal-like structures jutted out of the stadium¡¯s sides into the open ceiling illuminated with faint light, powering the barrier. The grandeur of the whole event started to make Rhea squeamish; it was one thing to have a battle, but another entirely while having thousands of screaming people and Pok¨¦mon surrounding you. Her focus moved to the opposite side of the arena, where people were coming out of the massive underground openings in the wall to take field-side seats. She couldn¡¯t identify them from this distance, but they appeared to be quite wealthy, and one massive Persian caught her eye. The fact she could hardly detect its energy, despite its obvious power, gave her the impression of Franky; even Master Trainers would have trouble handling a Pokemon of that size, which put the expected image of who was over there in her mind. Music started to play around the speakers, showing footage of excited people and Pok¨¦mon making signs or throwing up their hands in the air when noticed, as the hired Magnemite operated cameras outside the stadium, catching the reaction of thousands more visitors to Pallet, who lined the streets to watch from restaurant or bar displays. City and region flags were held up, representing different images of their representatives, and Rhea caught sight of signs with her own face on it, taken from the live footage not an hour ago, but most were for or against Amira and of Casey. However, there were dozens of other messages such as Never Give Up! or Fake Out! among many more. The pre-recorded deep voice of the opening ceremony came on over the speakers, adjusted for the noise of the crowds; this was the first time she¡¯d been around so much energy. ¡°You¡¯ve come from all around the world... all walks of life. All in search of that feeling... that emotion... that one thing that takes your breath away and leaves an impression that lasts forever.¡± Clips of previous Bronze, Silver, and Gold-tier highlights from around the world flashed across the screen with crazed fans screaming or jumping up and down. ¡°The time has come once again... to gather for that palpitating rush, now better than ever. Buckle up, and let yourself go. Give yourself up, and let every move take you to somewhere you least expect, in a worldwide convergence on the ultimate thrill ride.¡± An announcer¡¯s voice spoke up as past match high points continued to flash across the screen. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, we all are part of history in the making; you¡¯re a part of a new story. Welcome to the emotion! Welcome to the first International Bronze League kick-off!¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth dropped open when she saw Sabin¡¯s smug camera-face pop up with the trademark opening heavy metal song that usually accompanied him. ¡°Sabin Mukin¡¯ Everhart,¡± exploded on all the displays as it zoomed in on him with Atreyu, his Houndoom, Mega Evolved, looking menacing. He¡¯d had Atreyu since the start of his journey; a Houndour he¡¯d caught with their father¡¯s help near Mt. Silver two years ago. The large, fully evolved Dark-type hound making Mallory squeal beside her as the music played. After a short clip of her brother¡¯s highlights as a new Platinum-tier Trainer and a few from his Gold-tier journey last year, it zoomed in on him with the echoing words International Bronze League Kick-off as Sabin said, ¡°Brace yourself, this is gonna be one distorted ride.¡± The camera panned out to show several other clips of Gold and Platinum-tier Trainers shouting for victory or yelling encouraging phrases to their Pok¨¦mon, leaving off with Katelin at the start of her recent Encrusted Platinum-tier Gym Badge challenge in Fushia against Janine. ¡°Here we go!¡± Several recordings of the twenty-four Award winners popped up, commentating or shouting during matches involving their relatives as the announcer spoke their names. Scenes of Casey in clubs were followed by Mallory on the dance floor at a big rave in Unova, with Len jumping on the DJ station to turn it up as songs pounded the powerful speakers around the stadium. Rhea never thought something like this could get her blood pumping, but it was on overdrive, with Nova and Mya experiencing it with her in stunned awe. Out of the corner of her eyes, she saw Mallory beside her, and the professors sitting only a few seats away from her, realizing how distracted she was by everything. The music died down a little as the ominous voice of another announcer jumped in. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen. The challenger... blue star of Kalos... a man that¡¯s on the warpath to claim the International Bronze Cup... Lucian Allard! ¡°And his opponent. The princess to an empire... flaming star of Viridian... the woman that blasts past all forecasts... Amira Rocket!¡± A puff of smoke exploded around the two entrances, and Rhea had to take a double-look to find Amira and Lucian on opposite sides as a song pumped the speakers. The loud eruption from the crowd was deafening, but it was mingled with many boos. ¡°The match-type is Singles, Sudden Death, and the reveal will take place at the same time, beginning the battle immediately upon release! And, of course, New Challenger rules apply; so, keep on your toes with those bets. ¡°We must recognize Pallet Stadium¡¯s sponsor, philanthropist, and Gym Leader, Grandmaster Giovanni Rocket, who just so happens to be on the field to watch his granddaughter¡¯s first match this very moment!¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t surprised to hear not a single boo that followed as the cheers roared even louder than before; everyone walked carefully when Giovanni was present, but for no other reason than he frightened people. Every Kanto citizen dreaded his infamous Gym challenge. There weren¡¯t any real incidents one could point to in recent years other than his intimidating match history, but the stigma he carried was more than enough to silence negative voices. She saw the tall, medium built, well-dressed man that managed to keep his sharp, handsome looks despite his age. He was wearing a costly black suit with a red dress shirt and fancy black fedora to block out the overhead sunlight. He kept a perfect pok¨¦r face, not paying the camera any mind while focused on his granddaughter. His trademark 6'' 7" Persian sat beside him in the pathway leading to the underground entrance. ¡°And around him was the whole Rocket family to support Amira; High Master Ariana Rocket, High Master Silver Rocket, and Former Champion Lyra Rocket are in the stadium!¡± On another feed, she caught Lucian¡¯s scowl as the crowd exploded with cheers upon Lyra¡¯s name, and even though Amira looked perfectly calm, Rhea had no doubt her teammate was screaming on the inside with her family watching. Although, after a second¡¯s thought, she must have expected it since they were so close to Pallet, but that made her bet with Lucian even more gut-wrenching for Rhea. No... Amira can¡¯t lose this match... she can¡¯t! Her stomach was in knots, and she couldn¡¯t remember feeling so stressed about the outcome of a match in her entire life, and this was Bronze-tier, but putting herself in Amira¡¯s place was maddening. ¡°Now, Trainers, get ready... start on one... three, two, one!¡± B1 — 8. Amira Vs. Lucian Sam winced as Hannah¡¯s weight pressed down on her shoulders; she was forced to help the girl out of the taxi with a sick Jade on the other side. They¡¯d taken the car back to her parent¡¯s apartment building to stay the night. ¡°Just a little more,¡± Sam grunted with a forced smile. Her male Pineco, Hector, named after her first crush, helplessly offered her moral support from within his pok¨¦ball. Hannah¡¯s light red hair was a tangled mess, draped around her neck, gray eyes closed as she groaned, holding her stomach. ¡°I hate car rides¡­¡± A weak chuckle moved Jade¡¯s lips. ¡°Hey, at least your stomach¡¯s empty now, right?¡± ¡°Why doesn¡¯t it feel like it, then?¡± Hannah complained. Making it up the first flight of stairs, Sam led the girls to the first apartment to the right; she tried opening the door but found it locked with a bit of frustration. Her keys were in her bag, currently making her back feel like it needed a three-week vacation. She kicked the bottom of the door a few times. ¡°Dai, open up!¡± she growled. ¡°Dai!¡± ¡°Hey...¡­ I¡¯m coming! Geez¡­¡± Her older sister opened the door. She was wearing a dark blue jacket with a light blue dress underneath, brown, shoulder-length hair straightened and swept to the side to frame her oval face. She offered her a grunt, brown irises glancing between her two new teammates. ¡°Don¡¯t bring home the sickies,¡± Dai moaned. ¡°You know I hate getting¡­¡± ¡°Just move over,¡± Sam huffed, pushing the door open the rest of the way while motioning for Jade to follow. ¡°Where¡¯s Mom and Dad?¡± ¡°Out... ya know, they have seats to the stadium,¡± she responded, closing the door with a frustrated sigh. ¡°What¡¯s up with the strays?¡± Sam caught her sister¡¯s Metapod, Charlie, and Kakuna, Popo, out on the porch, hanging from some thread while glaring at one another, engaged in another staring contest. ¡°They¡¯re not strays; they¡¯re my new teammates!¡± she shot back. ¡°Over here... yeah, that¡¯s my room to the right.¡± ¡°Eh... Whatever, I¡¯m gonna go hang out with Livo if you¡¯ve got people over.¡± She grabbed her purse. ¡°Watch Charlie and Popo for me. Bye¡­¡± ¡°Hey, wait... I¡¯m sick... Muk¡­¡± Sam growled as her sister shut the door before she could finish. Hannah and Jade didn¡¯t say anything, but Sam could tell by their expressions that her sister had made an impression. ¡°There... let¡¯s get your packs off and get some clothes. Who wants to take a shower first?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll go,¡± Hannah said with a sickly smile. ¡°I got some vomit in my hair a bit ago... so gross.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sam mumbled, helping to remove the straps. They each took turns, spending the minimum time in the shower to clean up before dressing down to snuggle into her bed. She turned on the local network while Hannah tried to pass out next to her on her full-sized mattress. Sam¡¯s brown eyes widened, and she whispered, ¡°Hey, hey, Hannah, Jade!¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Hannah groaned, blindly reaching over to hydrate more, unscrewing the water bottle cap while scooting up to follow Sam¡¯s prompts. ¡°Wha¡ªRhea?¡± Jade asked. ¡°Uh... Woah, you¡¯re right,¡± Hannah mumbled, sipping a bit of water before coughing a little. Sam studied the image before turning up the volume a little. ¡°Wait... is she going into the... Rhea¡¯s an Oak Starter Award winner?¡± The three tired and sick girls watched the news cycle talk about Kanto¡¯s three winners, and sure enough, Rhea happened to be one of them with someone named Jason and Amira Rocket. Even more shocking, it was soon revealed that Rhea and Amira would be on the same team with a big-shot from Unova. ¡°Huh... no wonder she didn¡¯t want to join me,¡± Jade mumbled. ¡°Yeah, she couldn¡¯t,¡± Sam finished. ¡°Hehe... She¡¯s totally is a Master¡¯s daughter.¡± Hannah pulled the blanket up further, cold bare feet pressing against Sam¡¯s leg. ¡°I dunno... you think she¡¯s a Grandmaster¡¯s daughter? I mean, Nova was pretty,¡± she coughed a few times, ¡°ugh... special, wasn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, she was... wait, won¡¯t she battle, then? You know, the other Award winners; we could see Nova again,¡± she smiled, flipping to the PrimeTime Battle Network her parents paid for. A match between Kalos¡¯s star, Lucian Allard, and Amira Rocket was currently playing. Jade cleared her throat, phone in hand, as she pulled up the current betting roster. ¡°Umm... you guys think we should bet on Rhea? I mean, it could help cover a bit of our medicine if she wins.¡± ¡°You think she will?¡± Sam asked with a bit of worry. ¡°We¡¯re only down to what... about nine to eight-hundred each?¡± Hannah hummed softly, fiddling with her own phone. ¡°I¡¯ma put six-hundred on Rhea.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Both girls gave her a lifted eyebrow. ¡°Are you dehydrated?¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s almost all of your money.¡± ¡°I have faith,¡± Hannah grinned. ¡°She seems pretty strong... she had two Pok¨¦mon, and they were really strong, too, right? I felt worse just petting that gorgeous Eevee.¡± ¡°True¡­¡± Jade mumbled. ¡°Hey... Know what, you¡¯re right! I¡¯ma do six-hundred, too.¡± ¡°Mmh... okay, fine,¡± Sam sighed, making her own bet. ¡°Geez... let¡¯s hope this doesn¡¯t come back to bite us. Woah... if we win, we¡¯ll get like... 4,300 Credits? That¡¯s crazy.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Amira took a deep breath as she waited below the Trainer observation stand, pushing her rose-tinted glasses up a little while staring at the Ultra Ball in her hand. She¡¯d taken a moment to release Amber in the locker room to have a proper introduction to her new partner. Amber really was a beautiful little girl; she was still fairly young, only being a few weeks old with some rookie training given to her to understand battling basics. However, the best feeling she had came when first touching the pok¨¦ball and experiencing the bonding process. She finally had someone who really understood her, someone who didn¡¯t care about who anyone in her family was, which was important to her. The warm fuzzy sensation that brushed against her heart made her smile. Her cheer fell a little once she heard the opening ceremony beginning, and the butterflies in her stomach began to press against her sides, causing her to swallow the tiny bit of saliva that entered her dry mouth. Why¡¯d I make that stupid bet? she chided herself, closing her eyes while squeezing her left hand against her thigh. The words had just fallen out on impulse, but this was different than just a typical verbal school match; if she lost, then she was obligated to keep her word, and there were more than enough witnesses to make it reasonably binding. If she refused, it would impune her whole family, but so would embarrassing herself after suffering a shameful loss. Amira¡¯s fingers eased a little, sliding away from her chest as Amber tried to comfort her. She turned to the side, releasing her gorgeous shiny Fennekin. Her light gray coat was almost a white color as live reddish-orange flames flowed from her large ears and licked off the tip of her puffy tail. The fire swiftly converted to tufts of hair as she bent down to pick up the fox, staring into her bright orange eyes. Amber nuzzled her cheek with the tip of her black nose, releasing a soft chirp while Amira stroked her smooth fur. ¡°Thanks for being with me,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°This might be a rough match... let¡¯s win and show him that we¡¯re more than just the Rocket name.¡± Her smile returned, feeling the determination in her Fennekin¡¯s emotions. ¡°Just try to keep your distance and whittle him down, okay? You should be able to outlast most of the Starter roster. If you¡¯re in a pinch, remember what I told you.¡± Amber gave her a serious nod, and Amira set her down, returning her to her pok¨¦ball in preparation for the match. Her mind went over what she knew about her Pok¨¦mon. Her breeder had given a Move list to Professor Sycamore, which he¡¯d passed on to her after locking in her choice, and she was confident Amber could handle Lucian¡¯s Starter. Her Pok¨¦mon did know a fairly advanced Move called Psychic Terrain, but she wasn¡¯t quite sure how it functioned and knew terrain-based Moves were rarely used outside of high Silver or Gold-tier matches. It would be good to learn more about it, but she¡¯d told Amber not to use it, and that left six moves her Starter knew. Four breeding Moves far outclassed most Pok¨¦mon¡¯s genetics, making her Fennekin exceptional; however, so were the other Starters that were given to the other Award winners, which meant she had to be careful. Amber was Timid-natured, which meant she shied away from close-combat, preferring mid to long-range attacks, and her stats reflected that. Her IVs were on a higher scale when compared to most, too, which gave her an excellent power-cap. All-in-all, she couldn¡¯t have been happier with her selection, which was ironic since Fennekin was normally a Kalos region Starter, being its homeland, while they faced the Kalos region star. It did make her wonder what type of Pok¨¦mon the front-runner had chosen. Her grip tightened around Amber¡¯s pok¨¦ball as the light next to her turned yellow, showing a count down before the platform would rise. Amira locked her legs, straightened her dress, and managed her braided hair before preparing herself for the rise. She winced; the hidden panel above opened, revealing the shining sun, and smoke exploded around the stand as she was lifted onto the stadium to roars of cheers. While the clouds still obscured her, she took another deep breath and set a fake, confident smile. Her glasses helped adjust to the glaring sunlight as a soft wind blew through the stadium, pulling her hair to the left where Amira caught the other Award winners, gaze falling upon Rhea and Mallory. The chances that she¡¯d been placed with another Kanto girl still made her stomach uneasy, but Rhea had been surprisingly different than what she¡¯d expected. She¡¯d never heard of her, which wasn¡¯t all that surprising; Amira only kept track of Viridian¡¯s Master-tier families. Mallory seemed to know Rhea pretty well, which put her on a team as the third-wheel. Amira¡¯s troubling thoughts vanished upon turning her eyes to the right, and it took everything within her to keep from biting her lip and tensing up; her grandparents, mother, and father were there, all staring at her, and she could see her mother¡¯s parents moving from another underground area to join them. Why is everyone here?! No one said Grandpa Devry and Grandma Fearn were coming... they probably want to see my new Pok¨¦mon to see how she was bred, and why is Grandma Ariana here? Shouldn¡¯t she be running the company if Grandpa is here... wait, is Matori here, too? Why?! Her stress levels were hitting new peaks as she watched her mother¡¯s teary-eyed wave, smiling at her with a look that made Amira want to hide below the machine. She only barely managed to suppress a jump when a voice spok¨¦ through the panel speaker in front of her. ¡°Ms. Rocket, if you could place your Pok¨¦mon in the analyzer for a moment.¡± Amira complied, movements feeling robotic. ¡°Everything checks out; be ready for the announcer¡¯s signal.¡± Removing Amber¡¯s pok¨¦ball from the device in front of her, Amira looked up as the crowd went wild at her family being named in attendance; to say butterflies were in her stomach would be an understatement. Lucian¡¯s eyes were centered on her mother with a glare as the crowd exploded with adoration upon her reveal, and the announcer soon began the countdown. ¡°Start on one¡­¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. Every word felt like an eternity in Amira¡¯s mind as her red irises scanned the field for a proper place to place Amber; her heart was beating out of her chest, dreading even the idea of losing this match, but knowing she¡¯d come too far to turn back while berating herself for not already planning a release point as she threw back her arm. ¡°...Two, one!¡± She selected the left side of the field. Amber popped out of the pok¨¦ball, eyes scanning the grassy terrain for her opponent before locking eyes with Lucian¡¯s Starter. Amira could have cried upon seeing the practically glowing, light-blue Penguin Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Amira releases a Shiny Fennekin while Lucian chooses his Shiny Piplup; a battle between the shinies, ladies, and gentlemen!¡± The hope in Amira¡¯s chest continued to plummet as the smug blue bird began to glow, immediately being surrounded by three sparkling rings of water droplets. ¡°And... what¡¯s this? Piplup instantly goes for an Aqua Ring! It looks like Lucian¡¯s trying to turn this into a battle of attrition. Fennekin isn¡¯t wasting any time, either, sending an Ember across the field for a swift punish.¡± Amira felt a little guilty, trying to bolster her confidence as Amber jumped into action, flaming ears and tail leaving a trail of light while darting toward the center of the field. Her little Fennekin¡¯s heart was blazing with a fire to prove herself, opening her mouth to form a ball of fire. The globe shot out, striking the stationary Piplup as he tanked the hit, unable to budge while forming the healing over time Move; if there was any hope, Amira knew Fennekin had a higher Speed-stat than Piplup. She just hoped he didn¡¯t have a Water-move yet. ¡°As a Water-type, the Ember isn¡¯t very effective and didn¡¯t manage to break Piplup¡¯s concentration; his Aqua Ring is up, and he¡¯ll be healing for at least the next several minutes, folks. What¡¯s this... Piplup still isn¡¯t moving! What¡¯s his strategy?¡± Amira¡¯s hands pressed against the control platform in front of her, jaw locked while feeding as much energy as she could into Amber; this was the perfect opportunity. What¡¯s Lucian¡¯s plan? Even if he¡¯d frozen up, his Piplup should be able to at least put up some kind of defense¡­ The Kalos star seemed anything but panicked, though; in fact, he wasn¡¯t even watching his Pok¨¦mon as Amber fired another Ember before understanding the instructions Amira was feeding through their connection. Lucian gave her a pompous smile, and she returned it, feeling her chances of victory increasing by the second. Yet, there was still a sinking dread that pulled at her stomach; he was planning something, but his Piplup took the second Ember to the face without resistance, body beginning to glow white as he charged some kind of long-processing Move. ¡­ Okay, maybe he¡¯s just that stupidly confident? He¡¯s trying to get off something big, but two can play at that game. If his Pok¨¦mon¡¯s not going to move¡­ Amber came to a stop, four meters away from the Penguin Pok¨¦mon; the flames in her ears and tail started to increase as she took a deep breath, Amira funneling as much energy as she could through her bond with her Fennekin, feeling the transferal link flowing through her heart and the presence next to it. The orange glow building in Amber¡¯s mouth radiated out into a cone of hot red air that rushed toward the Piplup, leaving a black path of flames behind it as the heat lit the grass ablaze. ¡°...Here we go... Piplup takes another Ember to the face! Even if they¡¯re not effective, he can¡¯t keep taking hits like this; another few blasts, and... both Pok¨¦mon are charging up for something. Is that... Heat Wave! Fennekin sends out a... a big hitter, people!¡± Amira¡¯s lips parted in disbelief as the bright light surrounding the Piplup faded; it opened its mouth and released a stream of chilled air in swift succession. How... so fast? The blast of chilled air was swiftly pushed back by the heatwave, sending Piplup tumbling into the honeycomb barrier, but the counter Move had lessened much of the initial damage. Cheers erupted on all sides as the announcer continued to commentate. ¡°Agility! I can¡¯t believe it! Agility! Lucian managed to send enough energy to his Piplup to use an advanced status upper; Piplup is now plus two Speed. I have never seen a Rookie Pok¨¦mon and its Trainer be able to accomplish that, but will it be enough? ¡°The Icy Wind lightened the blow of Heat Wave, but he¡¯s already taken substantial damage from this Fennekin. She¡¯s proven her own brute strength with that Heat Wave, but it¡¯s not the type of Move you can just pop-off one after another. She¡¯s following up, preparing more Embers, but... what is this?¡± Piplup opened his mouth again, releasing a stream of frigid air on the ground while waddling forward; dropping down on his belly, the penguin slid across the ice, using his fins to steer it around the Embers Amber shot at it. Amira couldn¡¯t believe how fast the typically very slow and clumsy Pok¨¦mon was able to maneuver on the ice. Amber was trying to retreat, to keep him at a safe distance, but the Piplup swiftly closed the gap, slamming against the fox¡¯s side and sending her tumbling across the grass. No¡­ She could sense the damage Amber took, causing her closed fingers to press against the steel console in desperation. Things were looking so good before, and Amira¡¯s teeth snapped together as Lucian¡¯s voice spoke over her private speaker. ¡°Did you think you won?¡± he chuckled, glaring at her from across the field as Amber did her best to dodge the skating penguin. Her flaming fox managed to cut off a few of his paths with some well-aimed predictions, but the battered Piplup seemed just as confident as Lucian while jumping over the predicted Embers to skid to a stop on the grass, repeating the process. Worse, the penguin¡¯s damage was slowly healing with the Aqua Ring continuing to recover his stamina. ¡°Heh... Are you so desperate that you can¡¯t even answer me?¡± Lucian mocked, glancing over at the stands. ¡°Your mother seems worried... of course, she¡¯d know how this would end the moment this whole thing started, wouldn¡¯t she?¡± Amira couldn¡¯t help but follow his gaze, and sure enough, her mother¡¯s hands were held in tight balls in her lap as she followed the battle. Unsurprisingly, the Rocket side of her family didn¡¯t show much emotion as they coolly observed the match with her grandfather sitting cross-legged, hands folded together, but his attention was on her, and not Amber. ¡°Cobalt¡¯s recovering quickly,¡± Lucian commented with a smug tone. ¡°How¡¯s your little Fennekin doing, and did you honestly think I wouldn¡¯t know how to handle a Starter from my own region? The moment I saw her, I knew I¡¯d won.¡± Ugh¡­ No, I need to get control of myself. Take a note from Grandpa¡­ Amira took a deep breath, feeling Amber take another Tackle; she was beginning to panic a little with the Piplup¡¯s swifter movements, but they were somewhat televised by how he spread the ice; although, it was swiftly transforming parts of the field to make it easier to move. Amber, remember the plan we made before. When he gets close to you, try to land it; he shouldn¡¯t be able to dodge, and it¡¯ll give us time to recover. The confusion in Amber¡¯s heart lifted with the direction, and she jumped out of the way as Cobalt made a sideswipe, attempting a Pound while overshooting. Amira couldn¡¯t even hear the screams of the crowd or the announcer as she focused on her Pok¨¦mon; Amber would need a lot of energy, and she was beginning to feel a bit of the fatigue. ¡°Just a little more,¡± Lucian lilted. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see the look on your parents¡¯ faces when you tell the world your thug trash. How disappointed will¡­¡± The crowd fell silent as Rhea¡¯s voice came over the loudspeakers. ¡°I want to join, under the New Challenger ruleset.¡± Mallory soon followed. ¡°Oh, me, too; we¡¯ll make it a Team Challenge!¡± The announcer cheered with the rest of the throng. ¡°Huh...¡­ what is this? A New Challenger appears! Will Lucian and his team accept the challenge before it¡¯s too late?¡± Amira didn¡¯t have time to try and protest as she launched her plan. Cobalt barreled right for Amber, now dangerously close to passing out after being tackled across the field four times. Amber stood her ground as the blue penguin rushed right at her, and then her orange eyes shone purple, rippling waves of energy flying toward the rushing Piplup; he desperately tried to slide to the left, but with his speed, it was too late, and he was too close. ¡°...Hypnosis! Piplup is flying... smashes right into the barrier in a crumpled heap, still fast asleep from a last-ditch effort from Fennekin to buy herself... is this what I think it is?¡± The announcer yelled, returning his focus to the battle. ¡°What?¡± Lucian¡¯s stunned tone was like honey to Amira¡¯s ears. ¡°How did... wait, no, wake up, Cobalt!¡± Shimmering lights flashed all around Amber; it looked like stars dancing around the fox as Amira fed her as much energy as she could through their bond. ¡°Wish! Wish!¡± the announcer screamed. ¡°If Piplup doesn¡¯t snap out of Hypnosis soon, our little fox will be back in this fight! Do both teams accept the terms of New Challenger?¡± Amira felt her confidence returning; it looked like Wish would take effect, restoring a large amount of Amber¡¯s stamina. Still, sending the needed supply to her concentrating Pok¨¦mon, Amira glanced over at her new teammates; they were both standing beside one of the field-side referees, holding his microphone with Professor Oak beside them. She wants to help me win? We¡¯ve barely even spoken... no, how do I know adding Lucian¡¯s team won¡¯t make it even more one-sided? How can I trust her, to¡­ Lucian¡¯s slightly annoyed tone came through the speakers. ¡°Heh... Okay, Rhea. We¡¯ll accept the Team Challenge.¡± Amira caught Jason and Len¡¯s strained expressions as he responded. ¡°On one condition; you reveal your family name to everyone here.¡± That¡¯s exactly what he wanted in the first place; there¡¯s no way¡­ The stadium grew deathly silent, all eyes on the screen as it turned to Rhea¡¯s determined face. ¡°Fine. If you win, then I¡¯ll lay out my entire family line.¡± Roars of excitement exploded around the stadium as Amber finished Wish; in just a few more seconds, the Pok¨¦mon standing in the shining lights of the Move would be healed. Amira was now completely distracted, though. ¡°You... Why?¡± she mumbled. It didn¡¯t make any sense to her; obviously, concealing her identity was for a pretty significant reason, given how some of the others were reacting to her. She couldn¡¯t even take a guess at who Rhea was related to, but if Lucian was willing to give up a clear advantage against her to have a shot at it, then it must have been in his favor. Still, the questions remained in Amira¡¯s mind as the announcer revealed the changing format. ¡°The battle is suspended; each Pok¨¦mon will move back to their respective sides; all current effects may remain in play as we prepare our four new additions! ¡°Reconsider your bets, folks, ¡®cause now would be a good time to grab a snack; when we get back to this match, we¡¯re going to see a wild battle, I¡¯m sure!¡± Amber recovered much of her stamina from Wish, returning to their side of the field with a few haughty calls to the Piplup, shaking his head while snapping out of the Hypnosis. Amira was still studying Rhea; her teammate talked to Mallory, and the other girl looked troubled by what she was saying. What does she have to gain? It doesn¡¯t make any logical sense. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea watched the match with a cramped stomach, vision darting between Amira, her Fennekin, and the worried look in her mother¡¯s eyes. Amira¡¯s doing good, but... no, if it keeps up like this, she¡¯ll lose! Her mom looks so worried, too... gah, and there¡¯s Lucian with that smug look on his face. ¡°No, look out!¡± she yelled as the Piplup slammed into Amira¡¯s Pok¨¦mon, sending her tumbling across the grass. The Fennekin was swift to recover, dodging the next by only a hair. Her mind returned to the announcer¡¯s statement, and her stomach cramped again. She felt so invested in the match but didn¡¯t know precisely why; every time she saw her mother¡¯s tight lips and agitated hands, moving Silver¡¯s up and down as he held it, gave her anxiety. ¡°Wow... she¡¯s not doing bad for the type disadvantage,¡± Mallory commented. ¡°Although, it¡¯s not looking good with that constant stamina recovery and speed... Rhea?¡± Rhea got up, making up her mind with Mya clawing to get her hands on the Piplup; Lori hesitated for a moment before following her. ¡°Uh... Professor Oak,¡± Rhea said, stopping in front of the academic party; every eye moved to her, the questioning stares giving her some pause. ¡°Umm... can I do the New Challenger thing? I don¡¯t know exactly how it works, but I¡¯ve heard about it. I just need to challenge Lucian, right?¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Lori¡¯s frown turned upside-down. ¡°I like that. Umm, yeah, I know how it works. Come with me!¡± ¡°Rhea,¡± Oak quickly interjected. ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯ll basically be going into a handicap match.¡± Professor Sycamore spoke up. ¡°And Lucian¡¯s teammates would have to agree. Usually, New Challengers must offer a decent incentive to get the opposing side to reconsider a reset to the current match.¡± A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat; if that was the case, then she knew what Lucian¡¯s condition would be. ¡°Mmh,¡± Lori gave her an uncertain look. ¡°You sure, Rhea? Now that I think about it¡­¡± ¡°I... No, it¡¯s fine. I know, Mallory,¡± Rhea said, setting her brow. ¡°I just really want to help Amira... and show Lucian that he¡¯s not that hot.¡± ¡°...¡± The professors glanced at one another with tight expressions, but Professor Rowan was the one to speak. ¡°If that¡¯s what you¡¯ve decided, Rhea, then I have no doubt you¡¯ll follow through. You know your family is watching right now, correct?¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened, glancing around. ¡°Where?¡± ¡°Oh, they¡¯re around,¡± Rowan chuckled. ¡°Your Aunt should be in Sinnoh, but she got Dawn to handle things in secret. I think you¡¯ll make them proud by this.¡± Oak gave Rowan a conflicted stare but nodded after a moment. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s make it official, then.¡± He guided them to one of the many refs, studying the match from different angles of the field, and after a few words, made her declaration. It was a bit tough on her gut, but she accepted the condition she¡¯d expected before turning to Lori and whispering, ¡°Lori... could you not get involved... not unless it¡¯s looking really bad.¡± Mallory¡¯s excited smile drained in an instant. ¡°W-Wait... huh? You... want to do a two vs. three?¡± ¡°Just... my Pok¨¦mon really, really wants to show Lucian that he made a bad mistake.¡± ¡°Oh... Uh, sure, but... you¡¯ll be going against, you know¡­¡± She pointed at Jason and Len, giving her exasperated expressions, clearly not wishing to get involved as they rose to figure out what was going on. Oak didn¡¯t seem to notice their conversation as he spoke to the ref, providing a few details the judges might need, and Mallory¡¯s lips puckered at her request. ¡°Mmh... okay... to borrow one of Casey¡¯s phrases,¡± she grinned, glancing over at the cocky Champion¡¯s son. ¡°When you beat the lot of ¡®em, tell Lucian to sit the Muk down. Kay?¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Hehe, ya got it!¡± ¡°Oh, and you gotta stick your tongue out and give him a V-sign!¡± Her smile turned forced. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°That¡¯s my condition,¡± Mallory giggled, giving her a toothy grin. ¡°Well, I guess there are less embarrassing things,¡± Rhea chuckled. Mallory gave Lucian a vicious, sharp-eyed smirk. ¡°Oh, this¡¯ll be epic!¡± Jason and Len jogged up to them. ¡°Okay, what the Muk!¡± Len growled. ¡°Epic?¡± Jason questioned. ¡°Totally epic,¡± Lori responded, shooing them off. ¡°Now, go get ready to face us! C¡¯mon, c¡¯mon, and don¡¯t hold back, or you might look bad! Hehe¡­¡± Jason turned his gaze to her. ¡°Rhea, are you really going to tell everyone about your family?¡± Rhea held up her knuckles. ¡°Let¡¯s just make this a good first match. Okay?¡± He stared at her fist before giving a weak shrug. ¡°Okay... I won¡¯t hold back.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s get this!¡± Lori cheered, nudging Len. ¡°Think your mom¡¯s watchin¡¯?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Len moaned. ¡°Ugh... how am I stuck with that loser?¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Probably karma... you know, eight months ago¡­¡± Len gave her a hard glare. ¡°You know...we don¡¯t talk about eight months ago.¡± ¡°Right? Let¡¯s go hard, man!¡± she said, jabbing his shoulder playfully. ¡°Fine, fine,¡± he relented, giving her a soft chuckle. ¡°Man, I¡¯ve been off... I need to get back into the game.¡± ¡°Ah, Cass and I can¡¯t blame you,¡± Lori shrugged, following Oak as he motioned for them, and a ref guided the boys in the opposite direction. ¡°See ya on the field!¡± Rhea and Lori followed Oak and the ref to the locker area, showing them how the staging process would continue. The two smiled at each other, mentally preparing themselves, and not soon after, two announcers introduced them, a new one joining the fray. B1 — 9. Violence, Speed, Momentum! The heat burning in Maya¡¯s chest flared while following the condescending voices through the connection with her Trainer; it was nearing the time she could prove without a shadow of a doubt Rhea and she were by far the superior pair, and the world would know it. Rhea was a powerful partner; she could sense it the moment she entered her pok¨¦ball. There was a large pool of energy and so much potential for expansion. She could tap into Rhea¡¯s reserves to fuel the dozens of Moves that naturally flowed through her veins. It was as instinctive as lifting her second mouth, and her jaws itched to close around Lucian¡¯s presumptuous Pok¨¦mon. She¡¯d shared in Rhea¡¯s experiences, watching the fight between the Fennekin and Piplup while sensing the drive in her Trainer grow; the small penguin¡¯s taunts only made Maya¡¯s claws twitch with anticipation to smash into its smug little face. He would fear her when this match was called. She¡¯d make sure of it. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea took a deep breath, watching Mallory disappear from sight into the third platform area, and she stepped into the first. The fears surrounding the uncertainty of this battle were beginning to make her hands clammy. Okay, Amira will be to my right, and Lori will be further over... she still looked pretty anxious about staying back during the match. The flames practically oozing out of the Fairy-Steel Pok¨¦mon next to her heart helped calm her racing pulse, and she pressed the button that showed the visual identifier for Amira¡¯s podium. ¡°Umm... hey, Amira.¡± ¡°Yeah... Hey,¡± she mumbled. Does she sound reserved... scared? I mean, I am, but¡­ ¡°So... don¡¯t freak out, but... I told Mallory to sit back and let us handle the match.¡± ¡°Umm... heh, what?¡± Amira¡¯s voice showed a bit of the panic Rhea knew would be there. ¡°I... do you know how much... Are you trying to humiliate me? Is this just... what is this?¡± Amira¡¯s voice was flickering between confusion, anger, and distress. Fair question¡­ ¡°Okay, listen,¡± Rhea mumbled, left hand pressed against her churning stomach, ¡°I know this sounds a bit crazy, but... we¡¯ll win, okay? I promise.¡± The cute cheers bubbling up from Nova and Mya rolled around her mind. Mallory¡¯s voice popped in. ¡°Yeah, I trust ya, Rhea! Still, if things are looking pretty bad, I¡¯ll jump in. Hehe, I know just having two random girls tell you it¡¯s chill isn¡¯t very chilling, though.¡± ¡°I just... mmhgh... what... do you want me to do?¡± Amira moaned. ¡°I¡¯ve already used a decent amount of my stamina that I can give Amber, and she¡¯s running out of her own strength. We¡¯d only be useful for support.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Rhea replied, taking out Mya¡¯s pok¨¦ball while activating it. ¡°Heh... Mya says all eyes will be on her.¡± ¡°What Moves¡­¡± She paused as the new announcers roared with life, pumping up the crowd while introducing them. ¡°And we¡¯re back, folks! Jimmy, I just gotta say, lookin¡¯ at those two Shiny Pok¨¦mon takes me back to Fredrik vs. Kane.¡± ¡°What a match, Bishop! Kanto¡¯s Silver Cup Sixth Season was a phenomenal line-up, but something tells me this year¡¯s gonna have some high-octane participants. Speaking of which, we already have our two contestants waiting in the ring. Amira Rocket and Lucian Allard!¡± The people¡¯s cheers rose a level, likely zooming in on the pair, glaring at one another as music blared to life. ¡°Honey, these arms that once held you are ready to fight! Mmh, yeeeahh¡­¡± Once the electric-rock song clip faded, Bishop roared, ¡°Right you are, Jimmy! We got ourselves a New Challenger match-up right out of the gate!¡± ¡°Only on PrimeTime,¡± Jimmy responded with a soft chuckle, tone deepening. ¡°New Challenger rules are the same as always, ladies and gentlemen; if the challenger comes in at a disadvantage, then the opposing side must reveal their starting line-up first. Who¡¯s stepping in to join the rising Kalos star?¡± Noise filled the stadium as they recited Sinnoh¡¯s electric Gym Leader¡¯s new single. ¡°Listen to that crowd, Bishop! Listen to them... they already know it; you can hear Best Part filling the air! Have we stepped into High Master Elesa Hart¡¯s concert, Bishop?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Jimmy, but it¡¯s destroying those speakers, and I can¡¯t help it! Here we go; let¡¯s get him out here!¡± Elesa¡¯s lovely voice mixed with the electro-rock beat picked up with the crowd. ¡°I can be a liar, I can be a cheat, I can be neurotic, I can be a freak, I can be everything in-between, but you always find the best part, the best part of me!¡± ¡°We got the son of the Empress of Fashion, rave queen, and vocal superstar, Elesa Hart¡¯s flesh and blood, Len Hart!¡± The music increased with the singing as he was brought out. ¡°...I just wanna say, I¡¯m sorry; some days I know I get out of hand. Wish I was anyone else; I¡¯m a wreck, but you understand...¡± All of the noise fell a little when he released his Pok¨¦mon. Bishop shouted, ¡°A shiny Chimchar, folks! A shiny Chimchar; the Professors really outdid themselves this season!¡± ¡°And next to him is the mysterious Kanto addition... Jason! What might he have... it¡¯s a Scorbunny!¡± ¡°Non-Shiny,¡± Bishop said with a forced chuckle. ¡°Hey, Shinies aren¡¯t everything, after all!¡± Jimmy countered. ¡°Lookin¡¯ at these stats, he doesn¡¯t lag behind his other two teammates; I wouldn¡¯t count him out, folks!¡± ¡°Now, for our New Challengers! What are we expecting here, Jimmy?¡± ¡°Competition! Who doesn¡¯t know about the Sinnoh duo? Mallory and Len are regular party crashers, now jumpin¡¯ into the battle scene! Is it any surprise their popularity with families like Grand Master Shauntal and High Master Elesa?¡± Rhea¡¯s hands tightened around Mya¡¯s pok¨¦ball as the platform started to rise, smoke expelling around her to hide her entrance. The bright sun overhead made her wince, wishing she¡¯d brought her sunglasses. ¡°What about that declaration?¡± Bishop probed. Rhea heard her voice play over the speakers. ¡°Is it just me, or do you think Lucian knows something we don¡¯t?¡± ¡°Oh, without a doubt!¡± Jimmy laughed. ¡°I¡¯m sure many are hoping for our girls¡¯ loss to find out this juicy gossip.¡± ¡°Not the news companies!¡± Bishop followed. ¡°They¡¯re scouring the web, lookin¡¯ for anything to give their network the edge.¡± Rhea swallowed, doing her best not to look nervous while gazing to her right. Amira was giving her a slight frown, but Lori was all waves and smiles, soaking in the thousands of encouraging fans. The speaker in front of her asked to analyze her Pok¨¦mon. A puff of air pushed out of Rhea¡¯s cheeks. Nova and Mya were both brimming with emotion, and she placed her Mawile¡¯s pok¨¦ball into the slot. Her gut tightened as silence followed, and a few seconds later, the announcers¡¯ tone shifted. ¡°Rhea is already registered as having two Pok¨¦mon, and she¡¯s refused the Starter Award specially bred selection. I mean, can you imagine that, Jimmy?¡± ¡°No. How often has it happened? Well... according to our records, only five times! Her Pok¨¦mon must really be something special, then. The current speculations are throwing out... hey, Bishop, do you see this?¡± Bishop paused. ¡°Hey, hey, ref... is this legal?¡± The throng¡¯s singing and shouts slowly died with the announcers¡¯ confusion. Jimmy cleared his throat. ¡°Excuse me, folks, but... we¡¯ve got an SS energy reading on Rhea¡¯s selected Pok¨¦mon. SS, meaning this Pok¨¦mon now holds the new League Record for Bronze-tier energy levels! What is this, Bishop?¡± Mom said they were legal¡­ Rhea felt like a few years were being shaved off her life by the second with the thousands of people staring at her from around the stadium, and she caught Giovanni¡¯s brow furrow, leaning forward to stare at her from under his dark brimmed hat. Bishop quickly cut in. ¡°It¡¯s legal! It¡¯s legal! This is gonna be a match to remember, folks; I can guarantee it!¡± The ref¡¯s hesitant voice returned through her personal speaker. ¡°Everything... checks out; be ready for the announcer¡¯s signal.¡± She could tell Lucian¡¯s teeth were grinding against each other even from this distance. Amira looked semi-stunned by the news, and the crowd had grown quiet, breath held as Jimmy yelled, ¡°The battle will start on release! On one... three, two, one! Here we go, folks!¡± Rhea pulled back her arm and threw the pok¨¦ball near Amira¡¯s Fennekin. The moment Mya was released, she restrained a wince as her Fortitude was sucked into the Mawile; just as her mother had warned, the hyper-aggressive nature of Mya¡¯s breeding and genetic modification exploded within her. It felt like the sun was scorching her very core as silence fell across the entire stadium before erupting with chants. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Cobalt smirked while staring across the field at Amber; the fox was sitting in front of the stage her Trainer was on. He found the male and female shapes of humans a bit odd, but what could you really say, they provided a lot of additional strength. The confidence he felt from his connection to Lucian, mixed with the large amount of energy he offered, was more than a little intoxicating, as well. The Professors he¡¯d been connected to used a limited Poke Ball to limit their energy interaction during their initial teachings. The loudspeakers overhead wouldn¡¯t stop their commentary, and the swift change of the flow in their fight only increased the thrill of the match. It was inevitable, he would win. He chirped across the field, making Amber¡¯s flaming ears twitch while sending a slightly annoyed glare his way. ¡°Still think you have any chance at victory?¡± Amber¡¯s soft, regal tone could barely be heard beyond the calamity of sounds surrounding him. ¡°Keep talking. I¡¯ll keep remembering that moment you tripped and fell against the edge of the ring.¡± ¡°Heh, right, like when you were panicking while tumbling across the field? How many times did I send you flying?¡± ¡°Humph¡­¡± Amber¡¯s red eyes turned away, flames flowing from her ears increasing with her embarrassment. In fact, Cobalt would have found it a bit cute if she wasn¡¯t so stubborn; even though it was clear who the victor would be, she refused to see how much better he was. His focus turned to his two new supports, eyeing each with a thoughtful hum; the announcers identified each of them shortly after being released from their pok¨¦balls. ¡°What¡¯re your names?¡± The Scorbunny stretched left and right before hopping a few times. He swapped to aerial cartwheels, voice energetic and cheerful. ¡°Oh, hey! You¡¯re Cobalt, right? I¡¯m Sunny!¡± ¡°Sprightly, aren¡¯t you?¡± The penguin¡¯s left eye narrowed. ¡°What about¡­¡± he trailed off with an exasperated chirp, staring at the shiny Chimchar to his left. The monkey was slack-jawed, two pointed fangs showing while ogling the light gray furred fox across the field. ¡°She¡¯s so pretty,¡± he mumbled. An annoyed groan rubbled in Cobalt¡¯s throat, seeing Amber¡¯s small smirk while her deep red irises appraised the Chimchar. ¡°At least someone can recognize beauty, unlike the dull bird. Don¡¯t go too hard on me?¡± she winked. Cobalt waved his small fin at his teammate. ¡°Hey! Get your head in the match... don¡¯t let her sweet voice fool you; she¡¯s not all that tough.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Sunny stopped on one foot, balancing while eyeing the Fennekin as she puffed up her chest. ¡°She seemed pretty strong from Jason¡¯s eyes.¡± ¡°Bah... maybe to you, she is,¡± Cobalt huffed. Sunny shrugged with a small snicker. ¡°If you say so!¡± The Chimchar shook his head, brushing himself off before checking his burning tail, likely trying to make it a bit bigger to impress Amber. ¡°Umm... hey, Cobalt, Sunny! My name¡¯s Chary.¡± They turned their attention back to Amber as her ears fell a little, shooting an unsure expression up at one of the new humans that appeared above. This was an important battle for his Trainer; a lot rode on him winning this match, and he wouldn¡¯t let him down. They were both royalty, coming from a long line of nobles. His gaze shifted between the two other Pok¨¦mon. They were of good stock, but of course, they could never match his own power while mixed with the strength Lucian could grant him. ¡°Huh?¡± Sunny¡¯s sudden exclamation caught Cobalt¡¯s attention. ¡°What?¡± The Scorbunny¡¯s ears were held stiffly in the air. ¡°Uh... the purple-haired human... she¡¯s not going to join the fight.¡± Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Wait... What do you mean?¡± He saw the smiling purple-haired girl waving to the crowd as they cheered for her, and the news just didn¡¯t connect, but apparently, the bunny Pok¨¦mon had fairly good hearing. Chary¡¯s brow creased, giving Amber an uncertain stare; he was definitely Timid, Cobalt concluded. ¡°Umm... Amber, is that true? Maybe I should¡­¡± The Fennekin¡¯s focus darted to the monkey. ¡°Don¡¯t look down on me! Don¡¯t think you¡¯ll win just because it will be two vs. three.¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Sunny forced a laugh. ¡°It still doesn¡¯t look good, but the other will join if it gets bad.¡± Cobalt smirked as he heard Lucian advise him on how they should proceed. ¡°Bad, huh? Guess I just have to keep throwing you around the¡­¡± He trailed off as the announcer counted down, and the two new Pok¨¦mon were released from their pok¨¦balls before the devices shot back to their owner¡¯s hands; it was time for battle. His focus first shot to the shiny blue frog, but all thoughts vanished from the penguin¡¯s mind as a cold rush burst through his entire body, almost generating a shiver. A sharp wave of ominous pressure shot across the field, weighing down on his shoulders, and out of the corner of his eye, he saw a massive mouth open, releasing a feminine yet bone-chilling roar as she screamed at the top of her lungs. ¡°Can you hear me now? Hi, I¡¯m Mya! Now, which boy¡¯s prepared to catch these fangs?¡± Whatever just happened, the beautiful white and black Pok¨¦mon dashed the confidence in his core. This alluring, smiling monster swept the cheerful tone of the field away within moments of her release; his physical strength was instantly reduced, and the answer soon came from the commentating humans. ¡°Mawile? Jimmy, Jimmy! I¡¯ve never seen a¡­¡± ¡°Intimidate! Intimidate!¡± ¡°Watch out, folks,¡± Bishop shouted, ¡°this Mawile is unlike anything you¡¯ve ever seen! All the opposing Pok¨¦mon¡¯s Attack-Stat has been dropped, and look at that stance; I¡¯ve never seen a Mawile face her opponent head-on like that.¡± ¡°The aggression in that Growl!¡± Jimmy yelled. ¡°The opposition is stunned; no one expected there to be such a powerful Ability right out of the ball, followed so quickly by an attack, too! What¡¯s she building up for now?¡± Cobalt¡¯s focus returned as Lucian told him to prepare for another Aqua Ring since the last one ran out. Chastising himself, he built his internal energy for the Move while Sunny rushed forward to engage their opponents, Amber intercepting. Chary was charging something up himself. ¡°Just give me a bit of time,¡± he mumbled, and Cobalt could sense the large energy building with the monkey, but just then, Mya appeared right in front of Chary, catching both Cobalt and the ape off balance. How in the¡­ Her jaws opened wide, ready to swallow Chary whole as he panicked, jumping back before she slammed into him; the monkey was sent tumbling, and Mya vanished as if never there. Cobalt glanced back and found the Mawile in the exact same place. ¡°The quick interrupt, Astonish!¡± Jimmy called out. ¡°Jimmy, are we sure this Mawile just recently hatched?¡± ¡°I know, Bishop; this is insane!¡± It was an attack... Chary took some damage, but he¡¯s recovering. Right, there¡¯s no need to panic... she shouldn¡¯t be able to launch another one soon. This Mawile may have a lot of energy, but that doesn¡¯t mean she has that many Moves, and she¡¯s already shown two. I feel like she¡¯s at a lower level than us, too. She must be a newborn. Plus, no one here can compete with me in speed right now! He blew a burst of frigid wind from his mouth as Aqua Ring completed, jumping forward to skid across the surface; his small wings pushed him forward at an accelerated pace. Sunny was surprisingly fast, maybe as quick as Amber, but with Cobalt¡¯s +2 Speed, he swiftly overtook the rabbit, daring right to attack the haughty little fox as she popped off more Embers, but he knew how to dodge the projectiles at this distance. Amber¡¯s eyes glowed purple, but Lucian and Cobalt expected the same tactic; it was an effective close-range defensive play to keep them at a distance, but it also made it all too predictable. Bearing right, Cobalt shot straight for the new contender; Mya¡¯s intense pink eyes were centered on him, glowing with anticipation, and Amber¡¯s focus broke upon his changed trajectory. It would be too late for her to try to interfere, though. Cobalt¡¯s eyes narrowed into a smirk as he gained ground. The Mawile was facing him with an infuriating leer that made his beak itch to peck her. Does she really think she¡¯s all that? Still, the dreadful waves Mya emitted didn¡¯t sit well with him. What has she done? How can she possibly look down on me? Her closed colossal second mouth followed his trajectory, but she was far too slow for him. Even if she tried to snap those scary fangs around him, he¡¯d be long gone before she had the chance, but the amount of energy rapidly building inside the Mawile alarmed him; it far exceeded his own. The unsettling manner she stared at him soon evolved; her pink irises were overshadowed by an inner white glow, and waves of light frothed off her form as he neared. ¡°Wait, don¡¯t go¡­¡± Sunny yelled from behind him, zoned by Amber¡¯s Embers, but Cobalt ignored him; Lucian wasn¡¯t concerned about it. Cobalt¡¯s right hand began glowing white as he swiftly drew in the required energy, cutting the power from Icy Wind to deliver a Pound. How will this feel, huh? Try to dodge... His blue eyes widened as the aura faded around Mya, and her sluggish movements turned fluid, sidestepping his attack with a soft chuckle. ¡°What kind of pathetic Move is that?¡± she asked with a lilting voice. Recovering swiftly, he turned, aiming an Icy Wind to counter, but the air caught in his throat; a slick, white tongue lurched forward, welcoming him into its sticky void, sharp fangs glistening wetly against her black gums. Wha¡ª...how¡¯s she so fast now? Lucian¡¯s emotions swiftly changed as Jimmy screamed, ¡°Psych Up! Psych Up! I can¡¯t believe this, Bishop; Mawile copied Piplup¡¯s Agility! They¡¯ve got a speedy Steely-gurl on their hands now!¡± The powerful jaws closed around Cobalt¡¯s body, and a weighty force collected around his frame; her jaws opened, sending him flying back across the field. He watched in stunned silence as the ground left him, but a massive wave was forcing him out of the sky at an accelerated pace, dragging the air out of his throat in a puff of frosty flakes. ¡°Seismic Toss!¡± He didn¡¯t take that much damage, but the news stunned him; he couldn¡¯t even gather the energy required in that short of a time for that Move, yet the Mawile was executing Move after Move without blinking an eye. How... She copied my Agility? No, I just need to get rid of Amber! We can handle Mya; I can wear her down with Aqua Ring. Just stay calm. * ¡ª * ¡ª * The flames burning in Mya¡¯s chest exploded with pleasure upon unleashing some of her first few attacks; this was what she was born for, but she needed more power. Rhea¡¯s strained voice entered her mind. Mya¡­ However, the voice was soon drowned out as her mind hyper-focused on the bunny Pok¨¦mon, changing directions to dodge an Ember shot by Amber; she was doing an excellent job at zoning him. The cocky Piplup that had charged her was still soaring through the air with a stupidly astonished expression. Time to really dominate! Amber was running after Sunny, showing they were around the same speed as she tried to distract him with Embers while keeping her distance. He caught up to her, a small wave of white energy directed into her. She cried out, tumbling to the side as Sunny corrected his position, trying to follow, but the fiery fox managed to right herself and dash away. The Chimchar, on the other hand, had recovered from her last attack, producing a red glowing aura that roared to life around him, another skill she could copy, to Mya¡¯s delight. ¡°Fennekin is zoning for Mawile... oof, that Tackle hit hard! Froakie continues to lean idly by, watching the match while blowing small bubbles out of his mouth. It doesn¡¯t seem like he even feels the need to join the battle!¡± Bishop laughed. ¡°Wait, Bishop, is that Focus Energy? Chimchar is trying to set up for a sweep, and if he can get a critical hit Fire-Move against that Mawile, then it could really spell the end for her, but she¡¯s not just sitting there for no reason! What¡¯s she doing next?¡± Using the time Amber bought her, Mya pulled in her energy, liberally drawing more from Rhea¡¯s pool as her chest burned with anticipation. Shimmering orange swords flowed around Mya¡¯s form as yellow light swirled viciously around her, chest swelling with the growing power that birthed from within. ¡°I¡¯ll show all of you what power is!¡± she roared, finally ready to attack. Bishop gasped. ¡°How does she know these Moves, Jimmy? Jimmy, what kind of monster is this Mawile? Swords Dance! Swords Dance! We¡¯re lookin¡¯ at a full sweep, ladies and gentlemen! Hold on to your seats!¡± ¡°Is this legal, ref? Is this legal?¡± Jimmy screamed with the throng¡¯s gasps. The Cimchar was on the move to cut off Amber, but Sunny vanished from sight, alarming the fox from the shadows. ¡°Gotcha!¡± he cheered, and the black energy surrounding his fist slammed into her side. Amber whimpered, her small frame tumbling across the grass towards Chary. ¡°Sucker Punch! All three combatants are now focusing on the poor little fox! She¡¯s defenseless!¡± Is that how we¡¯re playing it? Cobalt had recovered, sliding along his ice to pincer Amber. ¡°Chary, let¡¯s finish her so we can¡­¡± Mya giggled; shadows surrounded her. The bird¡¯s beak fell open as she appeared beside him with a nefarious grin. ¡°Did I say we were done?¡± Cobalt¡¯s eyes bulged as the dark energy around her fist flared, twisting the Piplup¡¯s body with the strike as she sent him three meters into the air, smashing against the barrier to fall into a heap. He groaned, coughing a bit while struggling to his feet, clearly in pain while his Aqua Ring continued to try and heal the chunks of damage to his stamina. ¡°A vicious +2 Sucker Punch, ladies, and gentlemen!¡± Bishop screamed. Jimmy soon followed, ¡°How many Moves does this Mawile know? How many?! How is this even possible on a Starter?!¡± Mya¡¯s body began to glow with a faint brown light that separated into four balls of white energy housing green cores, swiftly converting into jagged stones before flying at the two advancing Pok¨¦mon. Sunny hopped around them with aerial cartwheels, still advancing toward the fallen Amber. Mya laughed, rushing forward with the rocks, jaws open wide while copying Chary¡¯s Focus Energy; she was practically steaming with power. ¡°Fight me!¡± The Chimchar ducked one, feet birthing with fire to smash through the second, but Mya was already on top of him, gaping maw reaching to snap around the monkey¡¯s frame, tossing him into the air. ¡°Ancient Power! Scorbunny manages to dodge both with beautiful footwork, but Chimchar¡¯s in trouble; Seismic Toss followed by another Sucker Punch!¡± ¡°Incredible! I can¡¯t believe Rhea has this much energy to give this Mawile¡­ how can she even do this after being bonded for less than a day? Is this it for our boy team?¡± Mya smirked at the monkey, emerging from the shadows to his right as they flew through the air; he winced with the heavy energy surrounding him, forcing the monkey to the ground. However, he managed to clap his hands before her fist smashed into his face, sending him rocketing to the field. She frowned, unable to gather energy for a Slam. What did he do? Landing next to him, she punted Chary away with a backward smash of the steel outer shell of her maw. Glancing back at Amber as she tried to keep the Scorbunny busy. It was growing increasingly difficult, and it looked like she might be in trouble. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± It was a bit odd, but she couldn¡¯t really feel Rhea giving her any advice throughout the fight; she¡¯d just been acting on instinct. The fleeting thought was soon washed out with the heat in her chest, frown vanishing when spotting Cobalt. The penguin was recovering with his Aqua Ring in the corner, and she stalked toward him, trusting Amber to keep on the defensive with her Hypnosis. ¡°Hey, how are you doing?¡± Mya snickered. Cobalt¡¯s pained eyes widened upon drawing her focus again. ¡°W-What kind of... energy do you have?¡± he asked with horror, gathering more to send a rush of biting wind at her. She skipped forward, jumping into the air with several twirls, but again, she couldn¡¯t draw her energy to the Move she wanted, and Jimmy answered her question. ¡°Chimchar is having to recover after that nasty Sucker Punch, but he managed to get an Encore, preventing Mawile from using any of her other Moves. An effective counter to the onslaught of Moves this Mawile has been dominating with, now restricted for a time by Chimchar and Len!¡± Is that how it is? Any other Moves, which means¡­ Shadows surrounded her as she used Sucker Punch again, appearing beside the stunned Piplup, but to her surprise, Sunny mirrored her action, small shadowy fist driving into her side. The strike threw her a little off-balance but ultimately didn¡¯t feel all that strong. ¡°Humph... you can do better than that?¡± Mya laughed, sending the back of her maw to bat him away; the action ultimately helped her since it left Amber to her own devices, and the rabbit was too slow to try to counter her enhanced speed. The crowd roared with every action she performed, and the mirth she felt increased while she caught Amber sending a wave of hot air at the recovering monkey. ¡°Sorry,¡± the fox chimed in a forced snicker. ¡°Chimchar and Len are out of this match!¡± Bishop yelled with the crowd. ¡°That brutal Seismic Toss, +2 Sucker Punch combo left Chimchar in a rough state, and with Mawile drawing away Scorbunny and Piplup¡¯s attention, it provided the perfect opportunity for Fennekin to drive home the win with a Heat Wave!¡± Mya¡¯s smile brightened as she felt whatever Chimchar did to her fade; her Moves opened up again, and she brought around her sticky jaws as feathers exploded around her, causing Mya to lift an eye at the strange attack. Both of the announcers screamed. ¡°¡°Feather Dance!¡±¡± Jimmy continued. ¡°If Piplup can weaken this speedy bruiser, then maybe¡­¡± She didn¡¯t understand the enthusiasm, feeling the feathers trying to lower her Attack-Stat. Her Ability activated on its own, and every feather was instantly cut into pieces as she opened her jaws wider, wearing a sinister grin as the Piplup whimpered, sending a useless wave of chilled air that caused ice to gather around her maw. The announcers¡¯ voices cracked with emotion. ¡°Hyper Cutter! Hyper Cutter!¡± Jimmy yelled. Bishop¡¯s clamor wasn¡¯t far behind. ¡°Impossible! Impossible! Two Abilities! Two Abilities without the Dream World!¡± Mya pushed through the desperate struggle of air, sparks dancing across her jaws as four electric fangs grew with her gaping mouth. Piplup was screaming as she converged on him, ice falling off her maw upon the penguin. Energy coursed through his small frame, and the ensuing explosion sent chunks of dirt cascading around them. ¡°Oh, Arceus! That was incredible! Did you see that?¡± Jimmy screeched. ¡°Thunder Fang! +2 Thunder Fang! Super Effective, Critical Hit! It¡¯s over! It¡¯s over! Jason forfeits as Fennekin scores a Hypnosis! Two vs. Three, Jimmy. Two vs. Three and these girls dominated!¡± ¡°We need more info on that Mawile, Bishop! We need that info like... now; because she is stupid powerful! Legend! Legend! Her name is listed as Maya, folks, and hehe, she even has a shorter nickname attached, Mya.¡± Mya threw her arms in the air, jaws gaping, screaming at the top of her lungs; pride filled her chest as her name was chanted. ¡°Who¡¯s weak now?¡± she yelled as Lucian recalled the battered and fainted penguin. Amber walked over to her, showing signs of a pretty hard fight, but there was a pained smile on her mouth. ¡°Wow, Mya, you¡¯re¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t hear what her teammate said because a red beam called her back to her pok¨¦ball. Huh? Rhea? ¡°Mya!¡± Nova screamed at her. What? * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea¡¯s legs trembled to support her, muscles burning with fatigue as she tried not to give a fake smile at her victory, waving at the throng. Mya demanded more and more energy, so wrapped up in the battle that she couldn¡¯t even hear her desperate pleas to slow down. Nova was currently chastising the Mawile as Rhea pressed the button to enter the locker room below with the deafening chants of Mya and her name above. Only partially remembering her promise to Lori, she pressed the button to the opposing team, working up as much strength as she could muster. ¡°What¡­¡± Lucian snapped on the other end, clearly upset. ¡°Ugh... Sit the Muk down,¡± she replied. ¡°Woah, your Mawile is insane!¡± Jason managed to mumble with a disappointed tone before she cut the connection, stumbling into the locker room. She could feel Mya¡¯s growing guilt while realizing what she¡¯d done, but Rhea¡¯s head was already spinning. It was hard to think, hard to move, and her body felt like it was going to fracture into pieces. ¡°Rhea, that was... Rhea?¡± Amira¡¯s confused voice floated to her from a distant place as the world went white, then black. B1 — 10. Making My Own Decision Rhea moaned, mind rousing; her muscles were on fire as she tried swallowing to ease her parched throat. It was cold, and soft beeps sounded from time to time. Nova and Mya were sending her their concern, her Mawile radiating waves of guilt. She forced a peek, vision slowly clearing, but the room flared to life as she moved, light assaulting her eyes. She appeared to be in a hospital room; fingers flexing reflexively, she adjusted her position with a groan. Licking her dry lips, Rhea saw the door open past the blinding lights, but everything was still a bit too blurry to identify the man. ¡°Rhea... how are you feeling? Horrible, I assume.¡± The voice was deep and somewhat familiar, but she couldn¡¯t place his face. Pushing herself up, she puffed air through her cheeks, clearing her throat before rubbing her eyes. Blinking a few times, she glanced left at the muscular man. He held a tablet, possibly going over her chart. ¡°W-Where am I?¡± she asked, glancing down at the medical gown she wore; a thin blanket had fallen off her chest with her shifted position. ¡°Just take it easy, Rhea,¡± the man replied, tone troubled. ¡°Do you remember me?¡± Focusing on him, Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Mmh... Brock... Doctor Brock Harrison?¡± ¡°Good,¡± he mumbled, glancing between the chart and a clear display beside her bed, showing medical data. ¡°Just relax and settle in; try to collect your thoughts. Can you tell me what you remember?¡± Rhea¡¯s muscles loosened, falling flat on the bed. Her head shifted to study the room. It certainly looked like the hospital rooms she¡¯d seen online and in movies. Mya and Nova¡¯s pok¨¦balls were inside an analyzing device beside the bed. Other than medical equipment, there wasn¡¯t much else in the open room beside a stool for someone to sit beside the bed. Her attention moved to the well-built man in a lab coat, gloves, and mask. Brock used to be a famous Gym Leader in Pewter City before his younger brother barely managed to take over the position. There were a lot of rumors that popped up on the Gossip App about how close the Indigo League was to shutting the Gym down, potentially crippling the Pewter economy, but things had stabilized over the years, and Rocket had been a major contributor in that. Brock was a famous human and Pok¨¦mon doctor, breeder, and a decent researcher, from what she¡¯d been told. He¡¯d come to meet with her mom once or twice three years back; he knew the location of their village due to being a Gym Leader at the time and a High Master Trainer. The man looked to be in his mid to late twenties, cleanly shaven, and handsome, as most Master Trainers were. His dark tanned golden undertone skin was a deeper shade than most of Kanto¡¯s residence, and his chiseled figures showed a workout ethic to stay in shape. Pondering his question, Rhea¡¯s mind drifted. ¡°I... umm... What do I remember? I... was I in an accident?¡± she asked, brow furrowing while trying to check herself for damage, but her toes wiggled under the blanket; other than a foggy mind, severe fatigue, and sore muscles, she felt fine. The emotional discharge released by Nova and especially Mya confused her, too. Why do you feel so bad? What happened? Rhea¡¯s confusion only grew with the sensations her Pok¨¦mon fed her. ¡°Ahem,¡± her attention moved back to Brock as he smiled at her, settling down on the stool while pressing the tablet against his right thigh. ¡°Rhea, how do you feel?¡± ¡°Confused? And... sore?¡± she mumbled, licking her lips again. ¡°Umm... could I have some water?¡± Her pearly blue irises moved to an IV beside her bed, noticing the tube feeding into her arm. ¡°Of course,¡± Brock replied, fiddling with his tablet for a moment. ¡°I¡¯ll have a nurse bring some in shortly. In the meantime, let¡¯s continue to review how you feel. How sore?¡± Shifting her shoulders a bit while adjusting her gown, she stared down at the metal rail guard. ¡°It just... feels like I¡¯ve worked out way longer than I should... my mind¡¯s a little fuzzy, and my Pok¨¦mon... they¡¯re really worried.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Brock whispered, taking a deep breath while staring over at her pok¨¦balls. ¡°Do you remember the match?¡± ¡°The match¡­¡± Her eyes widened. ¡°Wait, the match... I won, right? Well, I mean, we won... it was... who was with me? Why... can¡¯t I remember?¡± she asked with sudden panic, looking up at Brock. ¡°Take a breath,¡± Brock urged. ¡°That¡¯s it... just breathe in... and out. Once we get through these questions, then I can help you understand. Can you go on?¡± They both turned to the door as a nurse entered with a plastic cup of water, giving her an apprehensive smile. Her expression turned forced a moment later. ¡°Umm... Dr. Harrison¡­¡± Brock¡¯s lips creased with displeasure. ¡°Tell them I¡¯ll be out to give them an update when I am ready.¡± ¡°But... understood, Doctor,¡± the nurse mumbled as his gaze moved to her, and after delivering the cup to him, she left in a hurry. ¡°Hmm... Your family is very worried... and can be quite intimidating... to say the least,¡± Brock grumbled, handing Rhea the cup. She accepted it, sipping at the contents while trying not to show the discomfort she felt from moving. Rhea could imagine her mother hounding the doctors for every shred of medical data while her father, aunt, and grandparents¡¯ chilling atmospheres sent the hospital staff into a frenzy. There was probably a reason Brock was handling her case personally. However, the following question popped out of her mouth upon the news, ¡°If they¡¯re outside... does everyone know about my family now?¡± Brock shook his head, rubbing the back of his neck with a weak sigh. ¡°It hasn¡¯t been leaked yet,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Please, Rhea, what do you recall... the last thing you remember?¡± Rhea¡¯s heart fell while doing her best to fight past the fog in her brain. ¡°Umm... I think I won the match... that¡¯s it. I¡¯m sorry,¡± she whispered. ¡°There¡¯s no reason to apologize.¡± Brock ruffled his thick, dark brown hair. ¡°Rhea, you are in Oak Foundation Hospital¡¯s VIP ICU, suffering one of the most severe cases of ROFD that I¡¯ve ever seen, and I volunteer every year to support new Bronze-tier Trainers through the translation.¡± Her mind blanked. ¡°ROFD?¡± ¡°Rapid Onset Fortitude Distress. Rhea, you¡¯re suffering memory gaps, high muscular irritation, rapid immune decline, and spiritual fatigue. ¡°It is the job of the spiritual Allocation of your Fortitude to help accelerate your mental and physical faculties, which is also the main force used in helping Pok¨¦mon Mega Evolve; however, you¡¯ve stressed it to the limit, which shouldn¡¯t be possible at your tier... causing your body to respond in kind with hypoxia... forcing you to pass out to attempt to mitigate further damage.¡± All of the words he was throwing at her made Rhea¡¯s hands start to shake, the half-full cup of water sloshing with her trembling fingers. ¡°W-Why?¡± Brock¡¯s hard gaze shifted to her Pok¨¦mon, taking a moment as he thought of his words. ¡°...Rhea, do you know what those pok¨¦balls are?¡± A lump dropped down her throat, her mind continuing to clear as she interacted with the doctor. ¡°Those... yeah, Master Balls, right? My mom told me¡­¡± Her mouth snapped shut, remembering her mother didn¡¯t want certain info to get out. His stern glare softened, focus returning to her. ¡°Yes. Master Balls were never meant for the consumer market... they¡¯re Military-Grade items used for war, designated as such by most regions.¡± ¡°Then¡­¡± Rhea didn¡¯t have to complete the question; her mother told her the reason, Nova and Mya required it. Seeing her hesitance, Brock got up, studying the screen to her left. ¡°Ah... Let me tell you what I know, Rhea. Your mother is a great and brilliant scientist that has contributed heavily to the scientific field. However, she¡¯s also an agent that has infiltrated many unethical... sometimes pure evil organizations and had a hand in what they did. ¡°I¡¯m not saying your mother is evil,¡± he quickly added as Rhea¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°But you cannot deny that she¡¯s done a great many ethically gray things... things that in the medical field that would be outright barred.¡± Rhea¡¯s brain was doing its best to piece together everything her mother told her, but it was hard to focus with this clouded wall standing in front of her thoughts, disrupting so many connections she knew she should have easily grasped. Nova and Mya¡¯s concern only heightened her frustration; her sore muscles, murky mind, and fatigue collected into a horrible concoction of agitation. ¡°W-What are you saying?¡± she forced out, tone angry as a migraine formed between her eyes, drawing on the little patience she had. Brock didn¡¯t respond for a moment. ¡°I¡¯m a very accomplished breeder and doctor, Rhea. With the data I¡¯m looking at... okay, look at this graph¡­¡± She followed his finger as he wheeled the screen around. ¡°Your two Pok¨¦mon are currently drawing energy from you... even as you lay here, physically, mentally, and spiritually fatigued¡ª...extremely fatigued¡ªand it¡¯s not a small amount they¡¯re pulling from you. ¡°I have only seen this type of phenomenon involved in weak Pok¨¦mon... born with so little energy that it requires a Trainer bonding with it to save them, which is a pretty noble thing, in my book. However... that isn¡¯t the case here,¡± he growled, pointing at another graph. ¡°Based on the level of growth I¡¯m seeing right now... with this chart here indicating the projected age of your Pok¨¦mon... without a doubt, your mother genetically altered these Pok¨¦mon to... ugh, they¡¯re the highest readings I¡¯ve ever seen when comparing age. ¡°I can¡¯t even begin to understand the science behind this level of gene manipulation, to be honest; it¡¯s a field I shy away from, but I have general knowledge in it... this isn¡¯t that. From the bits of your match... let¡¯s take this in another direction. Were you sending advice to Mya?¡± Rhea shook her head, knowing this answer after some thought. ¡°No... she was too focused to listen... she feels awful right now, though,¡± she finished with a hard swallow. Brock¡¯s jaw tightened before he worked around his jaw, glancing between the information on the screen, clearly upset. ¡°Rhea... I¡¯m not trying to be mean; I¡¯m worried about your health. Your mother is brilliant, that¡¯s for certain, but she¡¯s well-known for pushing the boundaries of acceptable science. I recommend that you leave your two Pok¨¦mon in Professor Oak¡¯s care.¡± Before she had the chance to protest, he pushed forward, answering every excuse her slow brain tried to produce. ¡°You¡¯re worried about their health? There are plenty of Master-tier Trainers that could much more effectively take care of their energy requirements. Your father, aunt... nearly anyone in your family could adopt your Pok¨¦mon and provide for their needs. ¡°You¡¯re uneasy about unbinding? The Master Ball helps promote bonding, but even your grandfather has been slowly transferring the spiritual connection of his Pok¨¦mon since he¡¯s reaching the age where he must think about their future. ¡°Forced separation is exceptionally harmful to a Pok¨¦mon, and to Pok¨¦mon as long-lived as Dragon-types, even more so; however, mutual separation can be beautiful. Your grandfather doesn¡¯t want them to suffer the backlash his death would inevitably cause. ¡°You need Pok¨¦mon for your journey? There¡¯s still the Starters the Professors have and options available. ¡°It would take days of keeping your Pok¨¦mon in their balls, minimum, before your Fortitude would be at a normal level, and there¡¯s nothing preventing this from happening again, which would further exacerbate the problem. ¡°Even though you could battle within a few days, I suspect the underlying damage would remain for months; this is new territory, but... it¡¯s like recovering from an internal injury. If you strain yourself, the wound will open again and be worse than before. ¡°You might feel uneasy parting from them or they from you. I understand that.¡± He turned to the pok¨¦balls, continuing to plead his case. ¡°Although, wouldn¡¯t you feel better if Rhea was healthier? Both of you are draining her... look at what you¡¯ve already done; she¡¯s in the ICU because you couldn¡¯t control yourself, Mya. Is that the kind of Pok¨¦mon you wish to be?¡± The guilt flooding her two Pok¨¦mon was unbearable. ¡°P-Please,¡± Rhea whispered, closed left fist trembling against her chest, ¡°it was our first time.¡± Brock sighed, slowly sitting down while giving her a compassionate smile. ¡°I know, Rhea, but that¡¯s the point. The Pok¨¦mon world isn¡¯t what it used to be; the Gigavirus and Pok¨¦virus have made it necessary to have Pok¨¦mon that are capable of protecting you in the wild. If you collapse after one battle in the woods... is it really fair to continue to put that burden on your teammates?¡± The thought never occurred to her; she bit her lip, skin cold as ice as she shivered, staring down at her lap. Nova and Mya were going through similar emotions. If there is a hard battle when we¡¯re in the wild, then... even if it¡¯s a long battle, I can¡¯t last forever, and my stamina seems to drain really fast. It¡¯s not like Amira and Lori could carry me... we¡¯d have to call the Rangers for help... then I¡¯ll be right back at a hospital. Watching her conflicted expression, Brock stood up. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to look out for your health as a doctor... but it¡¯s ultimately your decision. Maybe you should talk it over with your teammates; you¡¯re of age now, Rhea. This isn¡¯t your parents¡¯ choice; not your mothers; it¡¯s yours, and how you want to live.¡± He took her phone out of his pocket, placing it by her side while she tried to come to terms with the news. ¡°There has never been a death due to a Master Ball¡¯s use, but there¡¯s never been a Bronze-tier Trainer that¡¯s used one, nor been attached to Pok¨¦mon that demanded such energy from their Trainer just to survive. ¡°Think about it... there is a real possibility that the next time this happens... you could die, and not just you, but Nova and Mya would follow. I¡¯m going to tell your family the same thing. When you¡¯re ready to see someone, press the button to your left. Do you have any last questions?¡± Rhea shook her head, stomach feeling worse after his recommendation, and Brock nodded, lingering for a second before leaving through the door, shutting it behind him. Mom said it would be hard... she wasn¡¯t kidding. I really don¡¯t want to leave you two... I don¡¯t. Was Mom wrong about me? Am I not strong enough? Nova and Mya were just as conflicted as her; they didn¡¯t want to hurt her. She finished the water, dropping it beside the bed with a dull sound on the tile floor. Her hand hovered over her phone before turning it on; notifications flared across the projected screen, one catching her interest. Activating the story, she watched the breaking news that showed Lucian and her faces on the front. It was titled Leaked Transmission. The audio recording of her response played through the silent room. ¡°Sit the Muk down.¡± The article was more about the vicious communication than her tired tone, but the comments on the video were alight with either emotes, laughing or talking about her voice''s weak tone with the last few seconds of recorded images on the field. Speculations were flying around about her whereabouts, with journalists scrambling to figure out where she¡¯d gone; apparently, she¡¯d somehow made it to the hospital without anyone being the wiser. Her bounty had maxed out with Lori¡¯s, but an earlier notification caught her attention. Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed while staring at her screen. Bianca had called, of course, leaving three voice mails that were likely filled with distress after witnessing the match and knowing the strain she probably went through. However, she called the newest number. Trying to add a smile, the call answered after five rings, showing Sam, Jade, and Hannah¡ªor at least half of Hannah¡¯s face; the light red-headed teen seemed to have passed out next to Sam with a small dribble of drool falling out of the corner of her lips. Even while sleeping, she looked exhausted and sick. ¡°Hey,¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. ¡°Seems we¡¯re all sick buddies now, huh?¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± Sam¡¯s brown eyes shot open while leaning forward a bit. ¡°Woah... are you okay? Is that¡ª¡± ¡°Is that the hospital?¡± Jade finished, blue hair bunching against the long pillow the three girls shared while snuggling closer to Sam. ¡°Yeah... I overdid it a bit,¡± she replied sheepishly. ¡°Crazy¡­¡± Sam mumbled. Her brow creased, focus darting to the right as a few dull bumps sounded in the distance. ¡°Ugh... hold up,¡± she groaned, crawling over Jade while handing her the phone. ¡°My sister¡¯s Metapod wants to come in¡­¡± The shaky video stabilized with Jade¡¯s worried hazel irises; all three girls looked like they were ready for bed with bound hair, washed faces, and comfy clothes. ¡°Umm... yeah, so, Sam and I watched your match; it was pretty crazy. Mya¡¯s beautiful, and super strong, by the way, but,¡± she giggled, looking a bit better than the last time she¡¯d seen the girl, ¡°hehe, I still like Nova more. Sorry, Mya; Eevee Gang, all the way!¡± Her two Pok¨¦mon were too concerned about her to really follow the conversation; they seemed to be discussing something between each other. She coughed a few times, making Rhea wince just watching her. ¡°Still not feeling good?¡± ¡°Ah... Yeah, but... I¡¯m better than I was,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°You¡¯re not looking so hot, though... which is insane because you totally are!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea laughed, feeling a bit better after talking to her new friends. ¡°Oh, hey, so Hannah convinced us to put money on your fight; we made a killing!¡± she cheered. ¡°We¡¯re in a way better spot thanks to you; Hannah said she didn¡¯t doubt you for a second... before passing out halfway through,¡± she mused. ¡°She totally tried to watch, though; it¡¯s not like it wasn¡¯t exciting, right?¡± ¡°Right,¡± Rhea smiled. ¡°I¡¯m glad you three are doing well. Maybe if you¡¯re still in the city when we leave, we can all go out together.¡± Sam quickly climbed over Jade with a soft squeal. ¡°I¡¯d love that!¡± ¡°Me, too,¡± Jade added, and Sam shot an inquisitive stare at Hannah as she moaned, lips smacking a few times while turning her back to the pair, pulling a bit of the blanket off Jade. ¡°Hey... c¡¯mon, Hannah¡­¡± Jade grumbled, pushing Sam a bit into her as she wrapped the blanket around herself. ¡°Hehe,¡± Sam adjusted her position. ¡°Okay, yeah, I think Hannah would like that, too. Just focus on getting better!¡± ¡°You, too,¡± Rhea replied, and she ended the call, dropping the phone against her belly. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Her stomach felt better, and she pressed the button for the nurse, asking to see her new teammates. Lori rushed in not long after, with Amira nervously trailing behind. ¡°Hey, you okay?¡± Lori asked with a deep frown, purple eyes sweeping the room. ¡°Dr. Harrison said some things to your family that seemed to cause a bit of a commotion... your grandparents aren¡¯t happy.¡± ¡°I bet they aren¡¯t,¡± Rhea chuckled, wincing as she adjusted her position again. ¡°Umm... you okay, Amira?¡± Amira¡¯s red eyes were fixated on the ground, holding her right arm behind her back. ¡°Uh... yeah, it¡¯s just... your aunt is Cynthia and your grandparents¡­¡± Lori snickered, leaning forward with a twinkle in her eyes. ¡°Blue came by with Oak; he was pretty pissed when he saw Amira, but your aunt chased him out before sending your dad to pick up her mom.¡± Mallory scooted over to playfully nudge Amira¡¯s side. ¡°We were both pretty shocked when your dad teleported in with his Butterfree; he brought all of us here in the blink of an eye, and wow... I¡¯ve never seen a Butterfree so big and pretty.¡± ¡°Vilora... yeah, she¡¯s been in my dad¡¯s main party since the start. Umm,¡± Rhea took a deep breath before explaining her situation to them. Lori took the seat while Amira folded her arms, choosing to stand while listening with a slight frown. Once she finished, Lori hummed thoughtfully, ¡°So... in short, you¡¯ve got ultra-powerful Pok¨¦mon that your mother, super scientist and breeder extraordinaire, spent years developing just for you? Huh, well, I¡¯d tell Brock to shove it up his Onix.¡± ¡°Mallory,¡± Amira mumbled, cheeks darkening at the simile. ¡°It¡¯s more complicated than that. What are you going to do?¡± Rhea was a little surprised at the Rocket girl¡¯s response. ¡°I... don¡¯t know... Nova and Mya are talking about it... they don¡¯t want to hurt me. I don¡¯t want to slow you two down, either¡­¡± she mumbled, vision falling to her lap as her fingers tightened. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t worry about us!¡± Lori chided with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m in it through whatever, Girl. If you end up fainting in the woods, or whatever, then we¡¯ll just set up camp. Easy, done, we¡¯re good!¡± she clapped. Amira nodded. ¡°Look... Rhea... I don¡¯t know everything that¡¯s going on or... what pressure you¡¯re feeling from your mother, but whatever you choose... ¡± She glanced away, face softening into a weak smile, ¡°You stepped up to support me when I was in trouble. I haven¡¯t had anyone outside of my family do that for me, so... thanks. Whatever you want to do, I¡¯ll do what I can to help.¡± ¡° ¡®Atta girl!¡± Mallory cheered, grinning at Amira, but she refused to make eye contact. ¡°So, I don¡¯t see much of a problem; breaking it down, the big issue is that you¡¯re super drained after that fight, right?¡± Rhea slowly nodded. ¡°Uh-huh.¡± ¡°Right! So, that means you just gotta leave the battling to us for the next few days. Let yourself rest, Amira and I will handle any wild Pok¨¦mon that feel jumpy, and once you¡¯re good and recharged, Mya¡¯s learned her lesson! Consider her pok¨¦ball time as a timeout,¡± she giggled. Nova¡¯s frustration quickly flared. No, I know you didn¡¯t do anything wrong, Nova. It¡¯ll be your turn out next. Her little Eevee was surprisingly angry at the depressed Mawile next to her, and Rhea tried to mediate. Okay, we¡¯ve learned a big lesson from this. Right, Mya? Rhea¡¯s smile softened on her remorseful response. Right. We can let loose and have a good time, but we both need to work up to it. You need to build up your own personal energy pool while I develop my own! Sound good? Their silent chirps brightened her mood. Good, cause I really, really want to live the rest of my life with you two, and we¡¯ll get really strong and show everyone we¡¯re capable of beating the odds. The warmth her Pok¨¦mon sent was like her mother¡¯s warm arms hugging her close to her chest. ¡°Everything good?¡± Lori asked. ¡°Yup, everything¡¯s fine.¡± Rhea took a deep breath, and the swirl of uncertainty lifted while staring at Amira; the red-headed girl still seemed somewhat conflicted about something. ¡°Umm... what¡¯s going on, Amira?¡± ¡°Huh? What do you mean?¡± she asked, brushing her hair back with a forced smile. Lori lifted an eyebrow, giving her a side-long look. ¡°Mmh? C¡¯mon, spit it out.¡± They watched Amira nibble her bottom lip, feet twisting away as her cheeks flushed. ¡°It¡¯s just... are you two sure you¡¯re willing to have me as a teammate? I mean, not a lot of people like me.¡± ¡°Bah,¡± Mallory scoffed. ¡°They can go Pinsir themselves. Don¡¯t sweat the hype; it all blows over in a day or two.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just that,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°I¡¯ve... never really had friends... not that we are, it¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean, not that we are?¡± Rhea asked with a frown. ¡°We¡¯re teammates, right? I don¡¯t really care about what your dad or grandpa did... Muk, have you seen some of the things my grandpa did in the past?¡± she giggled. ¡°He¡¯s banned from two regions.¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Well, but that happened forever ago.¡± Rhea shrugged with a light giggle. ¡°He brags about it all the time. The point being,¡± she gave Amira¡¯s uncertain gaze a confident smile, ¡°I won¡¯t call you Rocket, Amira, so don¡¯t call me Everhart. You aren¡¯t your family; you¡¯re you, and all I see is my teammate with a gorgeous little Fennekin.¡± Amira giggled, probably feeling her Pok¨¦mon¡¯s proud chirp at Rhea¡¯s statement. ¡°I... Thanks... umm, yeah... I¡¯m looking forward to starting our journey.¡± ¡°After you sleep for the night!¡± Lori added, giving her an appraising look. ¡°Oh, and we¡¯ll head to the local spa before we go; my treat.¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Amira asked, focus darting to the purple-haired girl. ¡°Hehe,¡± she winked while holding up her phone, showing 15,000 Credits. ¡°First thing Grimsley taught me, scout-out the biggest pockets and hedge your bets!¡± Rhea and Amira¡¯s mouths dropped open. ¡°Whoa...¡­ Did you win every match betting pool?¡± Mallory held up a victory sign. ¡°Most! So, get some good rest, girls, because tomorrow, we¡¯re hitting the spa before headin¡¯ out!¡± Her lips curled to the left. ¡°Well, I wanted us to crash a party I caught wind of, but we can¡¯t really be doin¡¯ that with Rhea¡¯s health.¡± ¡°Aww, thanks,¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°I don¡¯t know about the crashing part, though.¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± Lori urged. ¡°You¡¯re totally up for it. Right, Amira? Oh... oh¡­¡± Amira reflexively stepped back, heels tapping against the tile as her nervous eyes darted between them. ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°Both party virgins? Oh, no... we gotta fix this¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened, and from Amira¡¯s expression, butterflies swarmed her own stomach with Lori¡¯s moans. ¡°Oof, yeah, we¡¯ll need to crash at least one in Viridian before Cass calls... yikes,¡± she grunted, running her left hand through her hair. ¡°Uh, Lori... Go easy on us, please,¡± Rhea replied with a forced smile. ¡°Umm... can we not in my home city?¡± Amira whimpered. ¡°I try my best to not draw too much attention... it always just finds me.¡± ¡°Perfect!¡± Lori nodded, expression brightening, and she snapped her fingers. ¡°That¡¯s right; Viridian¡¯s your home turf, so you¡¯ll know all the best joints... Rocket contacts, too... oh, I¡¯m liking this!¡± ¡°Woah, hey,¡± Amira held up her hands, now looking scared, ¡°what do you mean, Rocket contacts?¡± ¡°Oh, and... yeah, yeah,¡± she nodded, perfect teeth gleaming as a plan unfolded in her mind. ¡°No, I need to go call Cass! Hey, I¡¯ll be back later to see how you¡¯re doing.¡± She was halfway to the door before Rhea managed to stop her. ¡°Woah, hey, Lori! Umm... yeah, there¡¯s this other girl team that I met; can I invite them to the spa?¡± ¡°Huh? Yeah, sure, why not?¡± Lori replied with a lifted eyebrow as if she were strange for even asking. ¡°Okay, well, I gotta set some things up! Oh, what if... yeah, yeah!¡± she giggled while exiting the room, long purple hair weaving behind her. ¡°I... mmh¡­¡± Amira moaned, lips a tight line while staring after her. Rhea felt a little bad for her. ¡°Ahem... umm, I mean, Lori¡¯s a lot more crafty than Cass when it comes to her... crashing. Uh, it¡¯s usually not such a big deal... at least when she was in Sinnoh.¡± ¡°Mmghmm... you sure it¡¯s not just because she knows all the right people in Sinnoh? There are so many people in Viridian that would love to see me in jail overnight... it would be a scandal that could... I just can¡¯t¡­¡± Amira rushed after Mallory, heels tapping with her exit. Well... that went a lot better than I thought. Rhea watched the door close with a soft smile, more at peace. Even if it was dangerous, she felt like continuing with Nova and Mya was what would make her happy. She recited a phrase from one of the songs she enjoyed. ¡°Breathe, be happy.¡± It doesn¡¯t matter where we go, as long as I can have friends to enjoy it with while sharing the experience with Nova and Mya... yeah, I think I can handle it. Pressing the button, she called her family in; Brock entered with them. Sabin, her dad, mom, Aunt Cynthia, and grandparents were present, warming her heart. Her grandfather rushed forward, and Rhea¡¯s winced, stomach rolling with soft laughter upon seeing Drake; her grandfather didn¡¯t even wear a shirt to his wedding, sporting his trademark jacket. ¡°How is my little Swablu?¡± He asked, concern in his deep voice while rushing to her side. His age may have been in the triple digits, but you wouldn¡¯t expect it with his tight muscles and chiseled face. The well-groomed beast of a mustache may have been gray, but it was a symbol to many in Hoenn. ¡°I¡¯m doing better,¡± Rhea replied. Her grandmother walked forward with her aunt, both wearing fashionable light blue dresses and heels. Of course, the first thing her mother did was give her a worried look, studying her appearance before walking to the board with Brock by her side; her dad took the opposite side of the bed with Sabin, both giving her a forced smile. Christie¡¯s long blonde hair was brushed, and she seemed a lot healthier than the day before, but there were still bags under her eyes; although, the first thing out of her mother¡¯s mouth was somewhat typical. ¡°This medical equipment is inaccurate... she¡¯s worse than it shows.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Brock replied with a short sigh. ¡°I¡¯ve taken into consideration the known inaccuracies with the data; most of Pallet¡¯s medical equipment is passed down from Viridian. There¡¯s nothing that we can do, in any case; there¡¯s no treatment for ROFD except for rest, as you know.¡± ¡°A prescription of antibiotics will help with her lowered immune system, though,¡± her mother countered, flipping through the data and her chart. ¡°...Hmm. There¡¯s no permanent damage at this point. A few days rest will restore her lost Fortitude¡­¡± Her grandma sat down on the stool by her bed, smoothing out her dress while giving her a warm smile; her shoulder-length blonde locks were unbound, and her porcelain skin was slightly rosy with what Rhea figured must have been the internal stress she felt. ¡°How are you feeling, Rhea?¡± Even if she was distressed, her grandmother¡¯s perfectly calm, reassuring voice helped to hear. ¡°I¡¯ve been better. Umm... Mom, everyone¡­¡± The group turned their attention to her, and she winced with a light giggle, taking her father¡¯s hand as he knelt down beside her. ¡°Geez... I¡¯m not dying,¡± and before anyone could interject, she cleared her throat again. ¡°Ahem, I hurt, yes... I feel pretty weak, to say the least, hehe. Mya feels really, really bad about what she did, and Nova¡¯s given her an earful, but Mom did warn me that Mya was hyper-aggressive.¡± Her mother bit her lower lip as Brock gave her a hard glare, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice while moving around to join her husband. ¡°Not enough. I didn¡¯t predict that Mya would be so hyper-focused that she¡¯d block out even the emotional link she shares with you. It was an oversight on my part.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No... I didn¡¯t sit down and talk to them about anything you warned me about. I kind of was a little overwhelmed with everything and forgot... hehe, did you see me jump in to help Amira?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Cynthia giggled, giving her a fond smile. ¡°We were all cheering from out of sight. It was really brave to go into your first match at a disadvantage; I¡¯m sure it really shocked Amira.¡± ¡°Ya can say that again,¡± Drake grinned. ¡°You certainly got your grandmother¡¯s blood in ya! Haha! Remember that time she froze the whole¡­¡± Glacia shook her head with soft laughter. ¡°I think we can skip by the details, Dear.¡± ¡°Ah, right, right!¡± He sheepishly grinned. Brock stood at the end of her bed with a deep frown. ¡°Have you been able to decide, Rhea?¡± ¡°On?¡± Her mother asked, giving him a questioning glance. The doctor returned the look. ¡°...Christie, you plan on sending more modified Pok¨¦mon to her, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°I have been spending years preparing them, yes.¡± Her grandparents looked a bit troubled at the news, but her father was the voice that filled the ensuing silence, squeezing her hand. ¡°I assume Brock explained the same thing to you; there can be lasting damage if your Pok¨¦mon continue to drain your fortitude to such dangerous levels.¡± Rhea nodded, taking a deep breath; needles pricked her chest as her breasts pressed against her bikini, showing the strain her body was still experiencing. ¡°That¡¯s why I asked all of you to come in. So¡­¡± Her focus moved between each of her supportive family members before settling on Brock¡¯s troubled expression. ¡°I¡¯ve talked it over with Amira and Mallory, and... I think I want to keep going with Mya and Nova... let me explain,¡± she replied as Brock opened his mouth to protest, making it fall into a concerned frown. ¡°Okay, so, after talking with you, I thought maybe I was pretty weak,¡± she pushed forward with the worry that swept her family¡¯s faces, ¡°but after my emotions settled down, I realized I¡¯m actually pretty strong, right?¡± She asked with a grin. ¡°Look at all those attacks Mya was able to do!¡± ¡°It was awe-inspiring,¡± her aunt encouraged. Brock didn¡¯t seem too convinced, though. ¡°...I don¡¯t want to harm your confidence, Rhea; yes, your Fortitude is very strong compared to the average Trainer, but the reason you were able to dominate that match was solely the Master Balls.¡± ¡°That is something I noticed, Christie; why does Rhea have Master Balls?¡± Her grandmother asked, cool blue eyes glaring at her daughter. Rhea came to her mother¡¯s defense. ¡°Mya and Nova need them, Grams.¡± Brock continued the explanation, giving her mother a look that asked her to clarify anything he got wrong. ¡°I watched the footage. Mya has two Abilities. Intimidate is a powerful one but requires quite a bit of internal energy. Hyper Cutter is a solid one, too, but the amount of Pok¨¦mon naturally born with two Abilities is thousands of times rarer than even a Shiny, and they rarely survive in the wild due to the required energy to sustain them. ¡°Add that into the mix of perfect genetic IVs, maxed EVs... I don¡¯t know how you pulled that one off after they first hatched, and from what I can tell, nearly every breeding Move the Pok¨¦mon can functionally know... yes, a Master Ball would be required.¡± Brock¡¯s brow furrowed further upon seeing the thoughtful looks that swept her family, but Rhea knew what was on their minds, and Sabin looked blown away at the news; all of them were top-tier Battle Trainers, within the sliver of the strongest Masters in the world, and all of them realized how much of a treasure her Pok¨¦mon were. Rhea broke back into the conversation. ¡°So... after talking with Amira and Mallory, they¡¯re going to be providing all the support. Mya and Nova will stay within their pok¨¦balls until we reach Viridian City, which should give me more than enough time to recover, and we¡¯ll train on not going so hard,¡± she giggled. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Sabin asked with an unsure frown. ¡°I¡¯m sure one of us could temporarily bond to Mya and Nova until you can fully recover.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Brock sighed with relief, likely happy someone was finally grasping the danger. ¡°At the very least, Rhea, allow yourself time to be out of any danger. A normal Ultra Ball with a Starter Pok¨¦mon to use in¡­¡± Rhea shook her head, feeling Nova and Mya¡¯s subconscious unease at being separated from her; she knew they¡¯d do it but wouldn¡¯t enjoy the process. ¡°Thanks, Doctor Harrison. Really, thank you so much for caring about me¡­¡± ¡°Rhea,¡± her eyebrow lifted upon hearing her mother¡¯s apprehensive voice. ¡°Please... don¡¯t make that decision for my sake. I care about you more than any research, and I would have tried to do so much more if I knew this would happen. I wanted to push your Fortitude, not lead you to the hospital.¡± Her head fell back to her pillow, eyes closing while pondering her mother¡¯s words. ¡°¡­I¡¯m not, Mom... maybe at the start. I mean, I was a little worried about it, but now... I love my two little Pok¨¦mon, and they love me. They¡¯d do what they had to to keep me safe, but it¡¯s not necessary, and if I take the easy road here... I feel like I¡¯d be losing out on an important training opportunity.¡± ¡°Training opportunity?¡± Her aunt giggled, brushing back her bangs as it obscured her face with her shaking frame. ¡°¡­Wow, it seems you really do have the mind of a Champion.¡± ¡°Being unreasonable?¡± Brock mumbled. ¡°No, beating the impossible!¡± Her grandfather laughed, fists tightening with passion as he reflected on her words. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Her grandmother gave her a fierce stare. ¡°I cannot say that I would make a different decision, Rhea. I am still concerned about the possible effects the Master Ball could have, but your mother would understand their functions better than I. What can you tell me, Christie?¡± A lump dropped down her mother¡¯s throat as her own mother¡¯s glacial irises fixed on her, and Rhea felt saliva enter her own stomach at the gaze. ¡°¡­No public records have documented long-term effects of Master Balls on Bronze-tier Trainers, but... Galactic had an extensive data bank on unethical trials conducted with them.¡± ¡°¡­Of course, they did,¡± Cynthia growled, fingernails pressing into her palm as she mumbled, ¡°Cyrus...¡° ¡°It was Charon that oversaw them, I did manage to see the results, and it gave me enough information to conclude that normally... yes, Master Balls would likely result in the death of a n¨¦e Trainer and leave the Pok¨¦mon with permanent harm.¡± ¡°For what reason?¡± Brock asked, muscles flexing with frustration. ¡°Primarily... Pok¨¦mon inexperience. Continual Fortitude depletion doesn¡¯t seem that harmful on the surface,¡± her mother explained with a sad expression, ¡°but as you can guess, the liberty of using a Trainer¡¯s energy instead of their own leads to a dependence.¡± ¡°They become addicts?¡± Her father asked with a small shake of his head. ¡°In a manner of speaking, yes. Newly caught Pok¨¦mon tend to be the most susceptible to it, while the more a Pok¨¦mon and Trainer bond, the more that helps to keep them stable. However, with such a massive dose from the initial hit of energy that accompanies a Master Ball... few of the test subjects lasted the week.¡± Cynthia folded her arms, gaze shifting to her sister. ¡°You¡¯ve obviously come up with a solution, though.¡± ¡°Yes... but I messed up in another area,¡± her mother hesitantly replied, rubbing her left arm, and they waited for her to explain. ¡°¡­Through genetic manipulation, I managed to curb the addictive nature of Rhea¡¯s Pok¨¦mon¡­¡± Brock¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°Then... that¡¯s a massive genetic discovery. You¡¯ve isolated the genetic markers for energy dependence? Breeders could tell how... no, go on,¡± he mumbled, shaking his head with a conflicted frown. ¡°Right, well... specifically, Mya. I took great care in developing her genetic make-up to make her... well, you¡¯ve said it, hyper-aggressive, unlike the vast majority of Mawile. The blend of characteristics and temperaments mixed into a phenomenal combatant, as we saw, but... also made her extremely independent of Rhea¡¯s own input in battles... it¡¯s instinctual, and I doubt she even noticed.¡± Rhea nodded slowly; Mya was a bit confused by the information, unable to fully grasp the implications, which meant she had some work ahead of her. ¡°It¡¯s not a flaw, Mom!¡± Rhea assured, drawing everyone¡¯s focus. ¡°You told me that you bred Mya to be a bruiser because you wanted the best Pok¨¦mon out there to protect me, right?¡± ¡°Well, yes,¡± her mother mumbled. ¡°I still would have eased up a bit in certain areas had I known it would come to this.¡± Reading the mood, her aunt stretched to the left with a low moan. ¡°Well, Christie, I think Rhea¡¯s perfectly happy with her Pok¨¦mon. In short, mistakes were made and are now being corrected. Right, Rhea?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she smiled. ¡°Is there anything else we should be worried about, Mom? I mean, I know we need to take it easy in battles for a long while, but anything else?¡± Everyone turned to Christie, and Brock seemed conflicted with her direction, still concerned about her health. ¡°Um... well, I think you¡¯ve come up with a fairly solid solution so far. Your Pok¨¦mon may not have addictive qualities, but they are incredibly energy-dependent at this early stage of their development. ¡°I would suggest using your Pok¨¦mon¡¯s stronger Moves sparingly until reaching the Pewter City Gym. You can have them out once you reach Viridian, but be restrictive on the number of high-tier Moves.¡± Her grandfather cleared his throat. ¡°Rhea, I got somethin¡¯ ta add.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± She turned to face her grandfather¡¯s twinkling eyes. ¡°So ya know, ¡®cause I don¡¯t think your mother would have the field experience, but Intimidate is a useful Ability for training.¡± Her aunt¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯re right, Dad! Hehe, oof¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea and her mother asked in unison, but Sabin, her father, Brock, and her grandmother seemed to understand the statement. Her grandfather folded his muscular arms across his chest with a wry smirk. ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say your little team¡¯s gonna have its hands full. Intimidate scares off all the little guys but draws in the big fellas, lookin¡¯ for a fight.¡± Glacia breathed a low sigh. ¡°Indeed, and with how powerful Mya¡¯s aura is, it might be troublesome while restricted on Moves. You may need to rely on your friends more than you initially thought.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s vision fell to her lap. ¡°Um... doesn¡¯t that only apply when she¡¯s out?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± her dad replied with a forced smile, ¡°but they¡¯re talking about your entire journey. If you have Mya out, then things will likely get difficult over the next few hours while in the wild.¡± Instead of frowning, a smile brightened her cheeks; Mya was burning with passion at the news while Nova poked at her, telling the Mawile to cool it and hold back more. ¡°I think... that won¡¯t be so bad. I mean, the Rangers scout out the areas, keeping tabs, constantly updating the map on dangerous locations. It should still be within our ability to handle if we follow the recommendations, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, sounds like fun!¡± Her grandpa chuckled. Sabin followed his laughter. ¡°You¡¯d totally ignore all of that! Right, Gramps?¡± ¡°Ya know it!¡± ¡°But Rhea won¡¯t, will she?¡± Her grandmother probed, and she felt the heat of those icy eyes. ¡°Um, nope! I mean, I need to take it easy, right?¡± She chuckled, but she couldn¡¯t say how Lori or Amira would take the news. Her father took a relieved breath. ¡°Well, I¡¯m glad everything¡¯s working out!¡± He gave her hand a squeeze with a wink. ¡°I think we should give her some time to rest now. Besides, don¡¯t you need to head back to Sinnoh, Cindy?¡± Cynthia gave him a light glare. ¡°Dawn¡¯s doing a good job... from what I hear.¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Keith snickered. ¡°I¡¯m just sayin¡¯, I know how antsy you get with Aaron and Flint having free reign when you¡¯re gone.¡± Her aunt¡¯s lips dropped into a grimace. ¡°You¡¯re just trying to make me worry.¡± ¡°Is it working?¡± ¡°Oof, yeah, it is,¡± Drake winced, watching his daughter¡¯s lips tighten. ¡°I¡¯m sure Dawn can handle their antics.¡± Rhea watched her mother¡¯s face crease with mock concern. ¡°Remember that time Aaron covered Veilstone City in silk because he thought it would impress Maylene?¡± He¡¯s all about showing the power of Bug Pok¨¦mon! Cynthia¡¯s jaw tightened again. ¡°Dawn can¡­¡± ¡°Oof,¡± her dad shook his head, ¡°or that time Flint went on SHTV?¡± ¡°Yikes... he ruffled some feathers, for sure,¡± her mother replied with a weak smile. ¡°He can be a bit careless with his words.¡± ¡°Fine, I¡¯m going,¡± Cynthia growled, storming out of the room in dazzling fashion. Glacia gave the snickering pair a slow shake of her head. ¡°You two always knew how to press her buttons.¡± Her family laughed and joked for a bit before bidding her goodbye. Brock tried to get her to consider allowing her family to care for her Pok¨¦mon for just a few weeks, but she didn¡¯t budge; however, her mother agreed with him that she should receive a follow-up at his Pewter clinic. Finally, once everyone left, she called her cousin. Bianca¡¯s worried face popped up on the screen; it seemed to be getting late in her time zone since she was wearing her PJs. ¡°Hey! Rhea, how are you feeling? Mom text saying you were alright, but... you¡¯re in the hospital. Your Mawile, Mya, right? She knew so many Moves, and¡­¡± ¡°I know, I know, hehe,¡± Rhea replied. ¡°I¡¯m sore, my head hurts, and I¡¯m tired... my eyes are drooping a bit, see?¡± She asked, closing them with a weak snicker. ¡°Ha, ha,¡± Bianca huffed. ¡°Really, Rhea! What¡¯s happening?¡± She spent the next fifteen minutes assuring her cousin she was alright, promising to call her in the morning when she got up. Hanging up with all of her weight now falling off her shoulders, she talked to Mya and Nova for a bit, telling them a bit about her life before heading off to bed. B1 — 11. I Dont Know... Amira¡¯s legs felt weak as Bishop announced Jason¡¯s surrender; they¡¯d won two versus three. Her red irises shifted to the cheering white and black Mawile, screaming her victory, jaws wide open, and fists in the air. We actually won? Against all odds, their team pulled through, and the sheer overwhelming force Mya exhibited was beyond astonishing, it was impossible. Amira couldn¡¯t believe how swiftly and powerfully the Mawile was able to perform her Moves, nor the speed at which she could gather so much energy. The announcers were blaring what was on everyone¡¯s mind. It took most of the match for her to transfer the needed amount to Amber for just two Heat Waves, and Hypnosis wasn¡¯t cheap, either. She expected to lose, yet she was the victor. The numbers were running through her head out of pure confusion while studying the Deceiver Pok¨¦mon, and she¡¯d certainly deceived everyone¡¯s expectations in the stadium. How many Moves was that? Three Sucker Punches, two Psych Ups, Astonish, Growl, Ancient Power, two Seismic Tosses, Swords Dance, and a Thunder Fang, not to mention having two Abilities... some of those are super energy costly Moves for our Pok¨¦mon and us, but she just threw them out without¡­ Amira blinked, mind snapping back to reality as Rhea recalled Mya while still proclaiming her victory, swiftly retreating below. Returning a smug and primping Amber to her pok¨¦ball, Amira pressed her own button to return to the locker room, glancing across the field at Lucian as he completed his end of the bet, and of course, it was in the least degree possible with a cold and calm tone. ¡°I made fun of the Rockets... it turns out they aren¡¯t so weak.¡± With that short statement, he disappeared from view. The shock of the match began to dissipate, lips lifting with the realization that touched her chest. Yes! Eat that, you snobby¡­ Her thoughts were disrupted by the control console; the contestants¡¯ personal communication connection opened, elation doubling upon hearing Lucian¡¯s much different tone, and she removed her sunglasses, securing them at her shirt front with a growing smile. ¡°What?¡± He snapped, clearly upset, and Rhea¡¯s response only made Amira¡¯s fingers tighten into fists with excitement, suppressing the urge to jump in. ¡°Sit the Muk down.¡± Yes! Doing her best to compose herself before the platform stopped. Jason managed to get a few words before Rhea terminated the connection. Wow... who is Rhea? I don¡¯t know how she did it, but she definitely asserted her dominance in the line-up! If Mya and her were that strong from the start, no wonder they were so confident in helping me. How, though? That Jason boy seems familiar with her... well, a lot of people, actually, which makes sense since the Oak Starter Award is kind of a Master-tier popularity contest. Stepping out of the middle contestant staging area, Amira found Rhea to her right. She was about to ask the questions swirling around her brain but paused as she stumbled forward, teetering back and forth. What¡¯s she doing? ¡°Rhea, what was... Rhea?¡± Alarm surged in Amira¡¯s chest as the blonde-haired girl fell to the floor in a heap, long locks fanning out to hide her face, knee-length white and dark blue striped skirt blowing up slightly with her jagged movements, showing her black boogie shorts. Mallory stepped into the locker room as she was falling. ¡°Woah, Rhea?¡± They both made it two steps before a handsome blonde-haired young man appeared out of thin-air several feet away, emerging from a bright multicolored light, surrounded by soft blue vertical lines that soon cleared up. A beautiful 5'' 11" Butterfree hovered in the air beside him, showing off its massive wings with a unique wave design. Amira¡¯s gut tightened; he was obviously a very powerful Trainer with a Pok¨¦mon like that, and instantly had the impression that he might even rival her grandfather. Mallory didn¡¯t hesitate in the least, rushing to Rhea¡¯s side with the man. ¡°She just collapsed!¡± The man didn¡¯t look happy, lips tight as he examined her. ¡°Okay, girls, we¡¯ll be heading to the hospital.¡± She didn¡¯t have time to protest or gather her thoughts; her body tingled as the Butterfree began to glow, the four humans following within a second. Teleport was very well known to be an extremely long charging Move, yet it didn¡¯t take more than two seconds for the Pok¨¦mon to identify where the Hospital was and extend that range to everyone present. This man was definitely a Grandmaster. It felt as if she were falling, but her feet never actually left the ground; the energy itself that infused her body caused the usual unsettling feeling of teleportation. Amira blinked and they were suddenly in a doctor¡¯s office. ¡°Wait¡­¡± She trailed off, stunned mumble drowned out by the man¡¯s questions to Mallory. ¡°How long?¡± ¡°Only like... uh, it was just before you teleported in.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He reached down, easily lifting Rhea into a princess carry. ¡°There should¡­¡± He was cut off as the door flung open, adding to Amira¡¯s shock; Brock Harrison entered the room, his deep brown eyes sweeping the scene. ¡°I thought I felt... Keith?¡± The doctor¡¯s gaze swiftly fell to Rhea, nudging his head for them to follow. ¡°Tell me what happened.¡± Amira hesitantly followed as Mallory and Keith lead the way, and her red eyebrows rose as the Butterfree¡¯s eyes glowed bright purple, creating some kind of visual light wave that made people glance right over them, and anyone in their path was gently pushed aside in a manner that made them believe they¡¯d just lost their balance. Keith... Keith... is he Rhea¡¯s brother... father? No, isn¡¯t there a Grandmaster named Keith? The name was familiar, but he probably hadn¡¯t made many big waves in a few years because she couldn¡¯t remember anything about him. All thoughts vanished with Amira¡¯s dismay as a large group of people teleported around them, and she discovered which family Rhea was connected to. Active Champion Cynthia materialized from shimmering multicolored light that formed ahead of her with other famous individuals. A beautiful 8'' 11" Togekiss hovered overhead, taking up a large portion of the wide and high hospital hallway ceiling, and all of them were instantly brought into Butterfree¡¯s light manipulation. The Togekiss was the one that had mass teleported everyone to their exact location, and was undoubtedly Cynthia¡¯s. Ahead of Amira walked Hoenn¡¯s legendary Elite 4 members, standing in their position for generations. Drake moved from Champion to Rank 1 Elite 4 after Steven Stone had managed to beat him. Wallace occasionally filled in when Steven was away, but no one doubted Drake was far stronger than the fashionable Trainer. Glacia, his wife, had taken the Rank 2 position after one of the previous members retired, filling the seat upon his request; they¡¯d both lived more than a century and were known all around the world. Beside Keith was another superstar; Christie, Cynthia¡¯s sister, had been at the forefront of groundbreaking research over the past two decades. Matori mentioned the scientist several times throughout the years, and all the pieces were connecting in Amira¡¯s mind. The last bit of information came with the rising Platinum-tier challenger, Sabin Everhart, who had hidden his information prior to his own Bronze-tier adventure. Rhea Everhart was her teammate, and the sheer prestige of having such a stacked family lineage would have certainly given Lucian a run for his money. Her cousin would be Bianca, daughter of Cynthia. A Master-tier Trainer and well-known researcher under Professor Aurea Juniper. She was also married to the former Unova Champion, Hilbert Arrowood. Rhea¡¯s aunt was the standing Champion of Sinnoh, and not a single person doubted Cynthia¡¯s strength as surpassing Champion-tier; she¡¯d reached Legendary-tier long ago. Her pupil, Dawn, was already Champion-tier after only five years under her. Between legendary Battle Trainers and researchers, Rhea stood inside a circle that even outshone her own infamous family tree. Sabin made sure his sister was alright before glancing back at her, trailing behind with the rest of his family. ¡°Hey, Amira, right?¡± He asked with a strained smile. ¡°Hmm? Oh, yeah.¡± She replied, doing her best not to look nervous. She didn¡¯t know why, but her being here just felt out of place. ¡°Great job backing up my sister! That was an awesome show.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± she mumbled, fingers fumbling with her glasses with her discomfort. She managed to catch herself before removing them from her dress front, trying to suppress her urge to hide behind the lenses. I just need to be quiet... I mean, they basically kidnapped me! What do I say? Can I just leave? No, but... if I¡¯m suddenly spotted here, and right after just winning a match at the stadium... the News will be all over it, and they clearly want to keep this on the low. The thought instantly popped into her head, trained by all the years of reporters hounding her family, and a lump dropped down Amira¡¯s throat, glancing up at the fabled Togekiss. He suddenly returned to his pok¨¦ball without Cynthia even activating the device or giving any indication as she talked lowly with her sister. All of Cynthia¡¯s strongest Pok¨¦mon were very well known to the public because of her popularity, but seeing such powerful Pok¨¦mon in person was something else entirely, and some of the few in the world that might even be able to sweep much of her mother¡¯s team on their own. Amira named each one in her head, trying to keep her mind busy. Garchomp, Lucario, Milotic, Spiritomb, Togekiss, Glaceon, Roserade, Braviary, Eelektross, and Gastrodon. She snapped back to the evolving situation as they entered a private area beyond locked doors with a keypad, and Butterfree returned to its pok¨¦ball when the doors closed behind them. Brock had been receiving information from Rhea¡¯s family, and she lagged behind as the doctor told them to wait inside the waiting section. Her father took Rhea to the room before returning shortly after, each standing around in a circle while mumbling to one another. Amira stood back with Mallory, but unlike her, the purple-haired girl seemed far less uncomfortable in the evolving situation. ¡°Umm... should we be here?¡± She finally whispered. ¡°Mmh?¡± Mallory gave her a questioning glance. ¡°Why not? We¡¯re a part of a team now.¡± ¡°Yeah, but... did you know... no, of course, you knew¡­¡± Amira mumbled low enough for Mallory to give her a confused look. ¡°No, it¡¯s just... I¡¯m surprised.¡± ¡°Ah!¡± Mallory giggled, folding her arms under her breasts while facing her. ¡°Yeah, Rhea¡¯s family is pretty loaded, huh? Anyways, what did you think about that match? Crazy, right? Apparently, Rhea¡¯s Pok¨¦mon are way stronger than they should be.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I could tell you that,¡± Amira replied, rubbing the back of her left hand while following the man¡¯s exit. He swiftly got into a discussion with the other family members, voices too low for her to hear, but Drake and Glacia didn¡¯t seem happy about whatever Christie was saying. ¡°Still, pretty epic, though, right?¡± Mallory mused. ¡°Oh, didn¡¯t you hear? Apparently, it¡¯s not like she¡¯s going to die.¡± ¡°No?¡± Amira asked, feeling a little relieved at the news. She wasn¡¯t all that attached to Rhea; still, she didn¡¯t want the girl to die. ¡°I... wasn¡¯t really listening, to be honest.¡± ¡°Hehe, well, with that crazy thing the Butterfree did, I don¡¯t blame you! That¡¯s such an awesome way to use that Move; do you think it was Psychic?¡± ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Amira paused as the doors swung open, revealing Professor Oak and his grandson, the Legendary-tier Trainer, Blue. Amira¡¯s lungs dropped into her stomach; Blue was one of the very vocal and influential Trainers that had no love for her grandfather. ¡°Yo, Keith, how¡¯s your daughter¡­¡± He paused, lime-green irises fixating on her. ¡°What¡¯s the Rocket girl doing here?¡± He snarled, nose twisting with rage. Amira winced at this tone, gut tightening as a dreadful wave shook her frame, left hand fixing around her right; it felt like she was being constricted. However, the oppressive sensation lifted in an instant with the responding voice. ¡°She was¡­¡± ¡°Take a walk, Blue,¡± Cynthia sharply returned, silver irises gleaming with displeasure. Amira¡¯s saliva was caught in her throat as the chilling atmosphere deepened; Blue¡¯s wide eyes were still fixed on her, but the frigid gaze of Drake, Glacia, and Cynthia¡¯s shimmering eyes soon drew his attention. Her muscles trembled with sudden danger as Blue¡¯s anger flared; the three opposing legends¡¯ eyes narrowing in response. ¡°I¡¯m just asking¡­¡± ¡°I said, take a walk, Blue,¡± Cynthia repeated. ¡°Amira is on Rhea¡¯s team and has every right to be here. I know your mindstate; you have beef with her grandfather... keep it there.¡± She felt trapped between gods as Blue¡¯s fingers began to quiver with growing rage; the silence hung, his intense green eyes moved to her, but Oak was quick to intervene, guiding Blue away with a hand on his back. ¡°Heh, we¡¯ll be back later to see how she¡¯s doing; sorry to intrude.¡± Amira could practically hear Blue¡¯s grinding teeth, but he soon relented, shoving open the doors to storm out with Oak giving an apologetic smile. Keith blew out a long breath. ¡°Aww, Blue¡­¡± ¡°The boy¡¯s got a lot ta learn,¡± Drake grunted. Cynthia sighed, lips pursed to the side. ¡°It¡¯s not like I can blame him; still¡­¡± Her gaze moved to Amira, still holding her breath while feeling the cold heat pressing against her spine. ¡°Keith, go snatch Lyra... she¡¯s probably on her way here anyway. ¡°Honestly, you should have sent her a message before kidnapping her daughter,¡± she groaned with exasperation, brushing back her bangs. ¡°Giovanni¡¯s likely seconds away from deploying every operative he¡¯s got.¡± ¡°Yeah, my bad,¡± Keith forced a chuckle. ¡°I just kind of reacted. Sorry, girls!¡± He said, giving them an apologetic smile while scratching the back of his neck. ¡°Give me a second.¡± This is insane¡­ His Butterfree exited its ball without warning, teleporting the man away. Amira felt cold sweat at her armpits; she wasn¡¯t sure if Blue was literally releasing any kind of energy, but she¡¯d only felt a sinister, intimidating aura similar to that when she was eight; it was from her mother when their house in Viridian was attacked. Mallory seemed just as petrified as she was, taking a shuddering breath before glaring at the closed doors. ¡°What... was his problem... Muk¡­¡± Her purple irises shifted to her with concern. ¡°You good?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah,¡± Amira mumbled, hiding her trembling fingers behind her back. Cynthia¡¯s heels tapped against the tile floor while moving between Rhea¡¯s parents to join her, sitting on a nearby cushioned bench, crossing her legs; the rest of the family soon followed, giving them pleasant smiles. ¡°Hello, Amira, Mallory, or would you prefer Lori?¡± She asked politely. ¡°Lori¡¯s fine!¡± She replied, taking a nearby seat with enthusiasm. ¡°Wonderful. I¡¯ve met your older sister a few times while staying at Caitlin¡¯s villa. Hehe, I hear she can be somewhat of a shut-in when writing.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Lori rolled her eyes. ¡°You have no idea! She¡¯s so busy with either writing, training, or working around the League. Grimsley always found time to play with me as a girl, though, and he¡¯s always taking me around the region!¡± Cynthia¡¯s smile grew forced. ¡°Right, Grimsley did take you girls in. He usually tends to shy away from me, so I don¡¯t see him that often.¡± The stunning Champion¡¯s attention moved to her. ¡°So, Amira, what would you like to know?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The question utterly caught her off-guard. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t... you want to know more about me?¡± She slowly asked. ¡°Of course,¡± Glacia chuckled, taking the seat beside her daughter. ¡°However, it¡¯s rude to put a girl on the spot.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Drake chuckled, patting a nervous Sabin on the back while taking a neighboring seat. ¡°We¡¯ll have plenty of time to get ta know ya, but it¡¯s only fair we answer any questions ye ¡®ave!¡± Everyone else gathered around her as a nurse came in, stopping in her tracks upon seeing them. Christie swapped directions to speak to her, walking her back to probably sneak a peek at whatever Brock was doing. However, before Amira could gather her thoughts, Keith returned with her small, thin mother, and upon seeing her, Lyra rushed forward. ¡°Amira! I was so worried¡­¡± She cried out. She let her mother latch around her chest, returning the hug. ¡°Hey, Mom... yeah, I¡¯m fine.¡± Lyra didn¡¯t seem to even hear her while twisting to the side to glare at Keith¡¯s sheepish grin and the rest of Rhea¡¯s family. ¡°You had Silver and me worried sick; all we knew was someone teleported into the locker rooms and snatched our daughter! He¡¯s off searching the surrounding forest, and then when we felt Blue¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± Keith replied with a soft sigh. ¡°Blue¡¯s taking a walk. Rhea collapsed, and I needed to get her here as soon as possible.¡± ¡°Humph¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s indignant glare moved between them. ¡°Okay... I¡¯ll call and tell everyone it¡¯s alright.¡± Her mother released her, but not before sneaking in a worried peck to her cheek, causing Amira to blush as the situation calmed. Lyra guided her to the small couch across the room, taking out her phone to bridge a call with her father and grandfather. As she relayed the information, Amira¡¯s mind retreated. Mom could sense Blue¡¯s anger... whatever he was doing, and Cynthia¡¯s response... what did grandpa do to Blue to make him act so crazy? She snapped out of her reverie as her grandfather¡¯s collected voice spoke her name, and his ordinarily serious expression held a soft smile. ¡°Amira, would you like me to bring your bag over? I can gather Rhea and Mallory¡¯s, as well.¡± ¡°Eh,¡± her mother¡¯s left eye narrowed with a low moan, ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s a good idea for you to be here at the moment. You shouldn¡¯t really even be in Pallet, you know¡­¡± ¡°I can do it, Dad,¡± Silver responded. ¡°You should probably head back to Viridian; you have a full schedule.¡± ¡°Hmm... that doesn¡¯t concern me, but... if that¡¯s what you want, then I¡¯ll be on my way. Amira, if you could call your grandmother, she was ready to tear the city apart, looking for you.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± ¡°I look forward to seeing you when you reach Viridian, my little Mew. Ariana and I will have a wonderful feast prepared to get to know your new¡­¡± He paused as Matori leaned in to whisper to him. ¡°Bill just sent word; Lusamine is showing signs of waking.¡± Giovanni¡¯s brow tightened. ¡°Any response from Mohn?¡± Matori shook her head. ¡°No memories returned as of yet, but Guzma was visiting when it happened; he claims someone tried to assassinate her. Due to the suspicious activity, he¡¯s currently being questioned.¡± ¡°Forward the information to Burnet and Kukui. They¡¯ll get in contact with Gladion and Lillie if it¡¯s good news. The security feed?¡± ¡°Already sent.¡± The conversation was low, but loud enough to make it out with his device¡¯s high sensitivity for the nearest voices. Her mother seemed to understand the significance of the news, showing tight lips. Amira knew Lusamine and Guzma had a major hand in the Ultra War, but most of the war was classified; there had been periodic attempts against Lusamine¡¯s life in the past, but she¡¯d been unconscious since the war, and her grandfather had fronted the entire medical costs of discovering what happened to her. His smile returned when turning to address them again. The software had to quickly adjust to his increased volume. ¡°It seems some pressing things require my attention. I¡¯m overjoyed to see you safe, Amira, and I can¡¯t wait to see you in Viridian.¡± ¡°Thanks, Grandpa,¡± Amira mumbled, hoping Mallory didn¡¯t hear her grandfather¡¯s nickname for her, but her teammate seemed preoccupied with Rhea¡¯s family across the room. Her mother smiled at her father as Giovanni hung up, and it seemed both her parents wanted to discuss the news in private since her mother had a horrible poker face. ¡°Thanks, Dear.¡± Silver sighed, shaking his head. ¡°I¡¯m just glad it was someone like Keith... I¡¯m sure you told them how worried we were.¡± His gaze turned to her, red eyes softening. ¡°Always know we love you, Amira, and if you want to talk, your mother and I are always free for you.¡± ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± she mumbled, eyeing Rhea¡¯s family as her mother said her goodbyes. Is Rhea¡¯s family as constrictive as mine? I can¡¯t go an hour without someone checking up on me. They seem to really care about her, too. What about Mallory¡¯s parents? Cynthia said Grimsley took them in... are they dead? Her sister¡¯s pretty famous, but I haven¡¯t heard anything about their family. Amber was settling down after Blue¡¯s outburst, but she was still a bit agitated; to be truthful, Amira was still queasy herself from those chilling waves. Amira¡¯s gaze shifted to her mother¡¯s smiling face. Her three-strand pigtail braids were pulled over her shoulders, fingers fiddling with the ends of her light brown locks. ¡°You¡¯re playing with your hair again.¡± She noted with a faint smile. ¡°Oh! I am,¡± she giggled, forcing her hands to her lap. ¡°So, what do you think about your new teammates? I¡¯ve heard really good things about Rhea.¡± She hummed while looking at the laughing family; Rhea¡¯s mother returned with an annoyed expression, and there were noticeable bags under her eyes, showing the woman didn¡¯t have a good sleep schedule. ¡°I mean... wait, you¡¯ve heard of Rhea? Why didn¡¯t you say anything?¡± Amira growled. ¡°Hehe,¡± Lyra winked, ¡°well, I had to investigate all the potential girls you could be paired with, and I felt like you¡¯d get along better with Rhea than Kalayna. Erika¡¯s daughter can be a bit... uh, a bit too shy to be paired with you.¡± ¡°Why¡¯s that bad?¡± Amira challenged. ¡°Well, you¡¯re kind of a bit shy, too.¡± Wow... savage, Mom¡­ Reading her poker face with ease, Lyra rubbed her daughter¡¯s knee with a forced smile. ¡°Not that being shy is bad, but I just wanted to give you a bit of a better chance at getting to be around some girls that¡¯ll let you live a little! I couldn¡¯t be happier with the match-up, personally,¡± she noted, light brown irises moving to Mallory. ¡°Wait¡­¡± Amira¡¯s eye creased suspiciously. ¡°You want me to be the party-girl, going out and making a fool of myself? The News would be going crazy¡­¡± ¡°Oh, nonsense,¡± Lyra scoffed. ¡°Please, when your dad and I became an item, and it came out that he was Giovanni¡¯s son, we were the hot topic for a week, then the next story was out! Things like that don¡¯t last long in the News; they need more clickbait to keep relevant, and there¡¯s no clicks on old stories.¡± Having heard a decent amount of her mother¡¯s romantic advances toward her father, she had no doubt. Her dad was the shy one, with her mother going so far as to basically stalk him until she¡¯d discovered his connections to Rocket when it was a criminal organization. Lyra vehemently denied the fact she was a stalker while going so far as to infiltrate the organization. Sure, she had the side quest of dismantling the group, but it didn¡¯t take a genius to figure out her real objective. Her mother saw herself as a hyper-active go-getter, yet the truth was that she really had trouble with boundaries; there wasn¡¯t a shy bone in her mom¡¯s body. How her father told it, in private, of course, her mother just so happened to show up everywhere, and eventually, he grew to love her antics. Plus, he could never beat her in an actual Pok¨¦mon Battle. A bet they had soon became a recurring theme instead of money; if he won, she¡¯d disappear from his life; if not, she would stick around. With her as proof, well, he¡¯d never won. Yet, at the same time, her mother had battled Legendary Pok¨¦mon, made friends with them in the past, and even stood her ground against Red when they were young. Although her mother could have been her sister if anyone looked at them side by side. ¡°You didn¡¯t say no about the party-girl¡­¡± ¡°Nope, I didn¡¯t, hehe. I want you to have fun!¡± She grinned, leaning against her side while resting her head against her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve been cooped up, walking on eggshells for so long... I want you to live a little. Don¡¯t go crazy Casey Brooks on me, haha, but open up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying... it¡¯s just hard to trust anyone.¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± her mother mumbled, now playing with her red hair. ¡°Still, I saw the way that battle was going... Rhea really stepped in to help. How is she, by the way? Her family seems really worried.¡± Amira¡¯s brow creased, studying the laughing group as Drake broke into some story about an isolationist region he decided to check out as a teenager, basically making an enemy of several of the kingdoms that controlled the isolated landmass. ¡°Maybe at first, but now... you could fool me; they seem pretty carefree.¡± ¡°Mmh... I¡¯m not so sure,¡± Lyra whispered, back to playing with her own pigtails. ¡°That Master Ball is concerning.¡± ¡°Master what?¡± ¡°It¡¯s the reason Mya was able to pull so much energy from Rhea,¡± her mother explained, lips tilted into a frown. ¡°I got mine from Professor Elm when I became a Master-tier Trainer... only Masters are supposed to have them.¡± ¡°Was that the reason Rhea collapsed?¡± ¡°Most likely,¡± Lyra mumbled. Her smile returned, rising while dragging her along. ¡°I know Cynthia the best; let¡¯s go join them!¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Cynthia! Hey, so, how¡¯s Rhea doing?¡± The group¡¯s focus moved back to them with a smile, but Amira was still stuck with the overwhelming first impression of power that passed between Blue and the group. ¡°Christie?¡± Cynthia asked, turning to the scientist beside her. Rhea¡¯s mom scratched the back of her neck with irritation. ¡°Brock¡¯s still setting everything up and running the tests. I don¡¯t have a lot of faith in the equipment here, but it is the best place nearby. I believe she¡¯ll recover just fine... there are other calculations I¡¯m puzzling through, though.¡± Cynthia gave Lyra a forced smile. ¡°There you have it. We¡¯re just waiting for the preliminary examination.¡± Keith chuckled. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re just lucky Brock was volunteering today. Not many doctors would understand our daughter¡¯s circumstance better than him.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good!¡± Lyra returned, pulling over a couch to enter the circle while nudging Amira to sit with her. ¡°So, how¡¯s Dawn, Cynthia?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Cynthia¡¯s lips curved into a playful smirk. ¡°Want me to set up a match between you two? She could use the experience.¡± ¡°Oh, no!¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°We haven¡¯t been training for years; we¡¯re really rusty.¡± ¡°All the better,¡± Drake grinned. ¡°Dawn¡¯s a pretty good Trainer, but don¡¯t count yer team out, Lyra. It¡¯s been several years, but I can tell they¡¯ve still got their edge.¡± Her mother seemed to be really enjoying herself, which was pretty rare when conversing about training with other Trainers, but they were in legendary company that could understand her. ¡°Thanks, Drake. Maybe we can set up a fun match sometime. Oh, how about when we all set up a time to meet our girls!¡± There it is... she¡¯s making plans for a gathering in the future. Amira internally mused. The conversation flipped between topics, including seeing their Pok¨¦mon, and Cynthia recovered Amber¡¯s stamina with her Togekiss. Lori¡¯s shiny Froakie and Amber looked at the massive floating Pok¨¦mon like a god, asking questions and receiving advice. Her mother even sent out Zelri, her 4'' 11" Porygon-Z, to join in the fun. Cynthia and her mother moved off at some point to discuss something privately, and Amira caught a few phrases that puzzled her. She caught three people mentioned throughout the broken conversation, Lusamine, Mars, Cyrus, and something about being roped into a situation. Cynthia¡¯s expression reminded her of Blue¡¯s not too long ago, but she was well in control, which was actually a bit more frightening. Amira didn¡¯t know why her aunt was mentioned in the conversation. She hadn''t seen her Aunt Mars for a long time, and it just seemed like something her father and grandfather never brought up. She¡¯d only met her when she was really young. However, Cyrus was one of the most infamous terrorists in the world and strong enough to require Champion-tier Trainers to get involved. There was even a rumor that he¡¯d beaten Lance and Trace at one point and basically confirmed to have battled Leon to a standstill in Galar a year ago, forcing both to retreat. Cynthia had some kind of personal connection to him, and what that was depended on who you asked. Amira tried not to feed into rumors since she¡¯d been the subject of many in the past that were just wrong. After a time, Rhea woke up, and as her family waited for Brock to return, their agitation grew, especially her mother¡¯s, but eventually she called for people to enter, and to Amira¡¯s shock, the first invites were Mallory and her. Her mother waved them off with Rhea¡¯s family. She was more than a little nervous when seeing Rhea in the hospital bed with all the beeping and dozens of graphs spread across the massive tech board. The conversation was even more confusing; they were actually treating her as a teammate. Amira¡¯s gaze shifted between the two girls, Lori already making plans for when they reached Viridian, yet her mind was still fixated on all the conflicting thoughts smashing against her frazzled brain. Rhea¡¯s basically working backward... all of her energy is available for use, but her Pok¨¦mon aren¡¯t bonded or experienced enough to understand how much to use it. Plus, this is a massive investment on her mother¡¯s part... there¡¯s a lot of pressure on her, yet she doesn¡¯t seem all that concerned about it. How can she be so fine with it? What if her mother¡¯s just using her? Cass... Casey Brooks? Who is she talking... it has to be Casey Brooks, but if... they¡¯re planning on... no, but grandpa wants us to stop by the building! Should I tell them, though? Lori kept talking about parties, spas, and future plans for Viridian. Her mind was already a whirlwind of thoughts between Rhea¡¯s situation, mixed with theirs, her family, and the plans for the coming day. Would they want to have dinner with Grandpa and Grandma? I mean, they don¡¯t seem to really have a problem with... wait¡­ ¡°Woah, hey,¡± Amira¡¯s mind snapped out as Lori mentioned Rocket contacts. ¡°What do you mean, Rocket contacts?¡± ¡°Oh, and... yeah, yeah,¡± Mallory nodded, perfect teeth gleaming as her purple eyes sparked to life. ¡°No, I need to go call Cass! Hey, I¡¯ll be back later to see how you¡¯re doing.¡± She doesn¡¯t actually think I can just snap my fingers and get Rocket employees to do whatever I want, does she? Lori was halfway to the door before Rhea managed to stop her, making Amira breathe a sigh of relief. Yeah, this is too crazy! We can¡¯t get caught up in¡­ ¡°Woah, hey, Lori! Umm... yeah, there¡¯s this other girl team that I met; can I invite them to the spa?¡± What? No, what about her talking about... ¡°Huh? Yeah, sure, why not?¡± Lori replied with a lifted eyebrow as if she were strange for even asking. ¡°Okay, well, I gotta set some things up! Oh, what if... yeah, yeah!¡± She giggled while exiting the room, long purple hair weaving behind her. Amira stood in place, feeling utterly overshadowed. Why didn¡¯t I fight more?! She just steamrolled right through! No, I can¡¯t go to jail for breaking the law; Viridian Police don¡¯t mess around! They¡¯re super strict¡­ ¡°I... mmh¡­¡± Amira moaned, lips a tight line while staring after her. Rhea gave her an apologetic smile. ¡°Ahem... umm, I mean, Lori¡¯s a lot more crafty than Cass when it comes to her... crashing. Uh, it¡¯s usually not such a big deal... at least when she was in Sinnoh.¡± That¡¯s not the issue! Police Commissioner Jenny isn¡¯t like the Commissioners in other cities! The panic rising in Amira¡¯s chest soon exploded. ¡°Mmghmm... you sure it¡¯s not just because she knows all the right people in Sinnoh? There are so many people in Viridian that would love to see me in jail overnight... it would be a scandal that could... I just can¡¯t¡­¡± She rushed after Mallory, heels tapping with her exit, but the purple-haired girl wasn¡¯t anywhere in sight when she made it to the waiting room. ¡°Where¡¯s Mallory?¡± Amira mumbled aloud; it couldn¡¯t have been more than a minute since she left. ¡°Hmm?¡± Sabin pointed toward a side door. ¡°She went into the bathroom down the hall.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Her mother gave her a questioning look as the nurse moved past her toward Rhea¡¯s room. Amira made it to the location, noticing it was a single-use, meaning she¡¯d have to wait until Mallory was out. Growling with frustration, she glared at the door before her gaze shifted up and down the hall; this side of the hospital seemed practically not in use compared to the previous areas they¡¯d passed through, which made sense if this was a VIP section. We can go to a party, whatever, but... just not in Viridian! Gah... just tell them that, stupid! Running her hands through her thick red hair, fingers tickling her scalp, she moaned, returning to the previous room to wait for Lori. All of Rhea¡¯s family were gone, likely talking with her as her mother sat by the window, humming an old song to herself. She was doing her best to not look stressed; keeping a confident posture and expression had been an important defense mechanism she¡¯d learned from her Rocket side. Amira finally gave up, pulling her glasses off her dress front to put them on, tinting the brightly lit room red. Her stress instantly dropped a tad with the comforting action, acting like the tint put a barrier between her and the things that distressed her. Lyra gave her a dubious smile as Amira promptly walked over to sit beside her, crossing her legs while resting her hands on her lap, smoothing out her red dress. Her mother nudged her with a short snicker. ¡°I play with my hair and you put on your glasses. We¡¯re both helpless, huh? What¡¯s bugging you, Sweetie?¡± ¡°Mmgh... Mallory¡¯s planning some crash party or something... in Viridian, and Grandpa wants us to come over¡­¡± ¡°Aww, you haven¡¯t told them yet?¡± Lyra asked with a soft sigh, resting her head on her shoulder. ¡°What did I tell you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m shy, I know,¡± Amira mumbled, suppressing a blush. ¡°Still, you know Commissioner Jenny will totally lock us up for the night if we¡¯re caught doing anything even remotely illegal.¡± ¡°Hehe, that¡¯s not so bad,¡± she giggled. ¡°I was locked up a ton when I was still journeying around with your dad and Ethan, back when I was seventeen... those were the days.¡± ¡°Yeah, well... you trespassed everywhere... and Ethan, or should we call him Gold,¡± Amira groaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s in a class of his own. Ethan makes Casey Brooks¡¯ act look like a nun.¡± ¡°Oh, Ethan¡¯s funny, but yeah... he can get a bit wild,¡± she mumbled with a fond reminiscent smile. ¡°You should have seen him and Red go at it... month after month, back and forth... I¡¯m shocked Mt. Silver and the Tohjo Mountains survived.¡± Amira glanced away, her mother easily pulling her mind away from the stress clouding her heart. ¡°Humph, Ethan¡¯s legendary ego is the thing that shocks me... at least Red isn¡¯t a narcissist.¡± ¡°Oh, people are too harsh on Ethan,¡± her mother mumbled, still resting her head against Amira¡¯s shoulder, and again, she was playing with the ends of her pigtails. ¡°Hey¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You should go along with Mallory and Rhea.¡± ¡°Even if we break the law?¡± Amira replied with an incredulous tone, gazing down at her smiling mother. ¡°Casey can push the line pretty hard, but I¡¯ve looked into Mallory, and she knows how to play the political game. Knows her rights, too,¡± she giggled. ¡°I¡¯ve talked with Grimsley about her, and you¡¯ve also got Karen on you girls¡¯ side, too. No matter how much dirt¡¯s thrown on that woman, it never sticks! It¡¯s impressive, really.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± Lyra groaned, ¡°stop worrying about everything you do. If people want to look for things to pin on your grandfather, then they¡¯ll do it. I don¡¯t want you to be a lonely star; you¡¯re such an amazing girl, and I want to see you Bellossom.¡± ¡°Really, Mom... Bellossom?¡± Her mother¡¯s tongue stuck out, giving her a cute wink. ¡°Hehe, I couldn¡¯t resist! Seriously, though,¡± her arm wrapped around her waist, hugging her tight, ¡°let it go, and just have fun! You¡¯ve got my permission, Dad¡¯s, Grandpa¡¯s, Grandma¡¯s, everyone!¡± ¡°You¡¯re just saying that,¡± Amira mumbled, rubbing her mom¡¯s smooth, thin arm around her stomach. ¡°I¡¯m just scared.¡± ¡°There we go,¡± Lyra mumbled, rocking their bodies side to side while squeezing her harder. ¡°I¡¯m scared to let you go, too! Petrified!¡± She whispered, voice cracking a bit, and a swift sniff told her all she needed to know with her mother¡¯s face buried against her breast. ¡°I¡¯ve had you for so long to myself... you have no idea how grounded you¡¯ve kept me... but I need to let you go, and I¡¯m so terrified of what¡¯s waiting out there for you, but I gotta trust you, too. I know you¡¯re responsible... too responsible. Give it time, and I know Rhea and Mallory will prove that they¡¯re worthy of your trust, but... you need to at least open the door a crack to let them try.¡± Amira let go of a long puff of air, reaching up and around to hug her mother back. ¡°I love you, Mom.¡± ¡°I love you, too. Just give them a chance, okay?¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± She was still nervous about Viridian, but her mother helped to calm the swirl of emotions in her chest. Amira had enough time to clear up the distress before Lori came back in, walking toward them with her hands behind her back and a hop in her step. ¡°Hey, Amira! Champion Lyra!¡± ¡°Oh, Lyra, Dear, please!¡± Amira was a little surprised at how much Lori knew about her mother, talking about several old matches she had that were still cycling the web in Unova. Lyra added more context to a lot of the posts, captivating Mallory¡¯s attention, and after a bit, Cynthia walked out, bidding them goodbye and saying that Rhea would be fine, approving of their journey. Silver stopped in for a bit to drop off their bags, teleported in by Keith, and before he headed off, dropped them off at a local hotel he apparently booked year-round. Mallory was talkative, opening up about some of the music she liked, asking to trade playlists. She did her best to comply with her mother¡¯s wishes, and with Lori¡¯s personality, it was much easier to share a few of her likes with the purple-haired girl. Amber and Mallory¡¯s Froakie, Gables, got better acquainted, and she seemed to enjoy the little shiny frog¡¯s company. They turned in early for the night, Amber and Gables sleeping in each of their beds; Amira felt a lot better about her journey. Still, she was dubious about Lori¡¯s love for hot sauces after dinner. B1 — 12. PikaSpring June 10, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) A sharp inhale filled Rhea¡¯s lungs with air, followed by a soft moan; stretching out, she twisted her shoulders and hips, mind rousing from its sleeping state. Releasing a quiet yawn, she opened her eyes, blinking to adjust to the brightening hospital room as it flipped, noticing her movements. She was alone with the light beeps of the tech board beside her bed, and she watched her heartbeat increase a bit with her activity. Loosening up, she grunted, blue irises sliding over to Mya and Nova¡¯s pok¨¦balls as they wished her good morning through her link to them. Good morning to you two, too. A bit of saliva passed through her throat, but it was too little to abate her thirst, she then noticed the small table with a sealed water bottle beside the bed. Reaching over, she snatched it, reflecting on yesterday¡¯s events. Her body felt more rested; in fact, she didn¡¯t remember even falling asleep. She knew she must have, but there were a lot of holes in her memory about what she did the day before. My body feels better... still a bit sore. Overall, though, I think I¡¯m¡­ The door opening caught her attention, and the nurse she¡¯d seen before still appeared to be on duty. She seemed to be in her mid-twenties, shoulder-length glossy black hair tied back, and minimal makeup added. ¡°Hello, Rhea, I¡¯m Calista, but you can call me Cali if it¡¯s easier.¡± The woman¡¯s brown eyes moved from the board to her, noticing the bottle in her hand. ¡°How are you feeling? Oh, let me get that for you!¡± Rhea handed over the bottle at her request; she¡¯d tried to unscrew it, but it was a lot more difficult than it should have been. ¡°Umm... yeah, hi, Cali,¡± Rhea mumbled, accepting the water as the woman easily opened the item. She wet her throat before continuing. ¡°Uh, so... have you gotten any sleep?¡± ¡°Mhm! Thank you for worrying about me, but I managed to get a good six hours. Another aide came to look after you during the night.¡± Rhea¡¯s vision fell to her belly, covered by the hospital¡¯s thin white blanket, fingers tightening on the plastic bottle. ¡°So... what now?¡± Cali snatched a small tablet attached to the medical board before sitting on the stool beside her bed. ¡°Now, I ask you some questions that Doctor Harrison wants answered, and then he¡¯ll be in when he¡¯s able to follow-up. Oh, and,¡± a light blush touched her cheeks, ¡°could you, umm... is there a way I can get in contact with your grandparents?¡± Her eyebrows furrowed. ¡°For?¡± ¡°Well,¡± she forced a giggle, ¡°Drake... I don¡¯t know if I should call him Champion or Grandmaster,¡± she mumbled, ¡°but he tried to slip me a five credit bill, asking me to keep the info on the low.¡± ¡°Five credits... Drake¡¯s fine, too,¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°The whole title bit is exhausting. Yeah, it sounds like something he¡¯d do. He probably then told you a story about how much five credits could buy you when he was a kid.¡± ¡°That, he did,¡± she replied with a smile. ¡°Then... I got a notice that fifty-thousand credits were sent to my account. I suspect it was to keep my mouth shut about your family... I heard your identity was withheld on the news. I wasn¡¯t going to try to say anything anyways... Umm, I was wondering if I could return it. I asked the bank, but... they said it wasn¡¯t possible.¡± Rhea¡¯s head fell limp on her pillow, hair tickling her neck as she slowly shook her head. ¡°No, probably not, and that was likely from my grandmother. She¡¯s more subtle about those kinds of things.¡± ¡°Glacia?¡± Cali asked with widening eyes. ¡°Yeah... honestly, it could have been my mom or aunt, but I¡¯d bet money it was from my grandmother if it¡¯s non-returnable.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Cali whispered, eyes falling to her side. ¡°Umm... well, it really would help to save a little for my son¡¯s journey. It¡¯s just... that¡¯s as much as I make in a year.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Rhea yawned, ¡°my grandma¡¯s an old school noble... not like Kalos nobles, though.¡± ¡°Yeah, she does kind of have that noble feel about her,¡± Cali chuckled before clearing her throat. ¡°So... you don¡¯t have to worry about me or the other nurse leaking your identity. Now, how are you feeling?¡± Returning the woman¡¯s smile, Rhea resituated herself on the bed. ¡°Umm... a bit sore, but nothing like yesterday. Heh, I think I kind of passed out, to be honest; I don¡¯t remember falling asleep. My mind¡¯s clear... I think,¡± she mumbled, ¡°and I¡¯m not feeling as tired... even if I¡¯m yawning.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good. What about Mya and Nova?¡± Her two Pok¨¦mon gave internal chirps as the question. ¡°They¡¯re fine.¡± ¡°Okay... how much can you remember of yesterday?¡± Cali asked, concerned vision lifting to study her. Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, eyes darting to the right wall while pondering the question. ¡°How much do I remember?¡± She quietly repeated. ¡°I... don¡¯t know how to answer that. I mean, I know what I know, but I couldn¡¯t tell you what I forgot. Mya and Nova hatched, I came to Pallet, met a few friends¡­¡± Her eyes widened, recalling her conversation with Lori and Amira. ¡°Oh, no... I forgot to tell them about the spa trip. I need to text them,¡± she mumbled, searching under her blanket for her phone. ¡°Spa?¡± Cali questioned, her smile lifting a bit. ¡°That sounds nice.¡± ¡°Yeah... where is it... there it is... umm,¡± she swiftly unlocked it, noticing a ton of notifications, but dismissed them for later to form the message. ¡°Lori... Mallory,¡± she corrected, seeing the woman¡¯s querying look, ¡°said she¡¯d make plans for it after I leave.¡± ¡°How sweet... well, you appear fairly cognisant,¡± she whispered, glancing at the questions on the tablet. ¡°Hmm... I¡¯ll leave some notes for the doctor and let you have some privacy. Is there anything more you¡¯d like before I go?¡± Rhea wrote out her message twice in that time, deleting parts while trying to figure out how to frame the invitation. ¡°Umm, yeah... uh,¡± her stomach growled, reminding her of its existence. ¡°Food?¡± She questioned. ¡°Yeah, food would be nice,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Anything in particular? I can bring a menu.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine... whatever is good.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± she chuckled, getting up and moving to the door. ¡°I¡¯ll go grab some and be back in a bit. Doctor Harrison is fairly busy, but he should be in when he¡¯s able.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± The woman left through the door, shutting it behind her; Rhea was too focused on her message, though, sucking on her lower lip nervously. I¡¯ve got some tickets to the spa... no, that¡¯s stupid, they aren¡¯t tickets. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Mallory said she¡¯d treat me... that doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯ll pay for them, but didn¡¯t she say it¡¯s fine to bring them along? I don¡¯t know¡­ No, how about... I¡¯m probably gonna get out of the hospital soon, and my team is gonna hit up the local spa. Just wanted to know if ya wanted to join? I got the price. It¡¯d just be nice to meet up. Too desperate? Maybe... am I being desperate? I mean, they¡¯re kind of my first friends outside of the village, but am I trying too hard? No, that¡¯s stupid. Don¡¯t overthink it! She growled. ¡­ Okay... When I get out of the hospital today, we¡¯re gonna stop by the local spa. Wanna join? My treat! We all deserve some relaxation time after being sick, right? How are y¡¯all feeling, too? Up to it? And send! Rhea stared at the message to Sam, regretting the phrasing as her mind presented several alternatives, but the response was a lot quicker than she expected. She sat up a little while reading it in her head. Hey, Rhea! Yeah, we¡¯re doing good. Hannah¡¯s feeling a lot better; turned out to be the twenty-four-hour bug. A spa trip sounds really nice! But are you sure about paying? Some of the spas around Pallet can be expensive. Which one are you going to? A swift follow-up message came up shortly after. Oh, and we¡¯re so happy you¡¯re feeling better, too! Jade says to say hi to Nova, and she wants to pet her again! Nova¡¯s passionate burn next to Rhea¡¯s heart caused her to release a sad sigh. In time, Nova. Remember, Viridian. She could almost visually picture the white and black Eevee releasing a depressed sigh before shooting a light glare at Mya, returning an apologetic signal. Sam had a good question, though. Swapping messages to Lori, she noticed several missed texts and calls from Jason. Oops... he probably heard from his sister, who heard from Sabin... yikes, yeah, he¡¯s gonna be mad. Rhea text Lori first. Hey, which spa are we going to? Oh, morning, by the way! How did you guys sleep? Did you sleep in the hospital? Flipping over to read Jason¡¯s texts, her smile started to rise. 7:23 P.M. Rhea, what the Muk! You¡¯re in the hospital and you didn¡¯t even tell me? Call me! 7:24 P.M. Yo, what¡¯s going on? My sister won¡¯t tell me anything! 7:24 P.M. Okay, apparently, Sabin won¡¯t tell her, either. What¡¯s happening? 8:01 P.M. Pok¨¦... you¡¯re not dead, right? 8:11 P.M. Oh, so, apparently you passed out... so it¡¯s your brother¡¯s fault no one told me sooner? Geez, and I probably shouldn¡¯t let Lucian know... Mallory¡¯s talking to Len right now. 9:14 P.M. I guess Sabin said you¡¯re sleeping. Mallory told Len that you were okay... I¡¯m just worried. Dude, give me a call when you wake up! No one will even tell me where you¡¯re at, but I guess... yeah, Lucian and ell, I get it... give me a call. 9:14 P.M. allll* 9:15 P.M. gah... all* I can¡¯t even type! Chuckling a bit, Rhea messaged him. Yo, I¡¯m dying here! If I don¡¯t kick it now, your messages will do me in. Geez, actin¡¯ like my boyfriend or somethin! =P I¡¯m playing. =3 No, I¡¯m good. Lori¡¯s gonna take me out to the spa when I get out, maybe get somethin good to eat. Oh, and I¡¯m going with some new friends. Maybe you can split off from your little crew and hang in Viridian; I hear Lori¡¯s planning somethin. Let me know if Len and you plan on ditching Lucian for a bit! Her eyebrows drew together, recognizing the time. Yo... it¡¯s Mukin 2? I slept forever! Yeah, I just got up! Uh, yeah, what¡¯s goin on with you guys? 2:06 P.M. Your alive! 2:06 P.M. You¡¯re* alive! Geez, I¡¯ve been biting my nails over here. Literally! I haven¡¯t done that in like... forever! So, yeah, Lucian¡¯s all on about going to Viridian to get a head start on the free Protect TMs before the government stock dries up or somethin. We¡¯re already hiking through the forest, and it¡¯s not like we could give him an excuse without letting the Skitty out of the bag. 2:07 P.M. Anyways, sounds good. We¡¯ll have to meet up in Viridian. Maybe we can get him to slow down a bit for a rematch... he¡¯s taken out like three Trainers that found us and challenged him. Think he¡¯s still a little pissed, and Cobalt¡¯s been acting a bit differently, too. At least, I think he is. 2:07 P.M. Get well!! <3 Rhea smirked. A heart, really? He must be pretty worried. Her focus moved to Lori¡¯s return message. 2:08 P.M. Yo, girl! Good to see you textin. Uh, yeah, no, we didn¡¯t sleep in the hospital. Your dad hooked us up with a place... btw, Amira¡¯s got a crazy long nighttime maintenance routine! Girl goes for the mask and everything; think she¡¯ll run out pretty quick on the road, though, hehe. Guess she¡¯s planning on buying replacements in each city. Can¡¯t handle the heat, either; I don¡¯t know if she can even take pepper!? Crazy, huh? That flaming hair doesn¡¯t translate to her mouth... well, for food anyways, she can have a tongue, hehe. Uh, which spa? It¡¯s called PikaSpring; think it¡¯s named after Red¡¯s Pikachu... no, maybe Yellow¡¯s. Yo, just give us a text when you want us to meet up somewhere! We¡¯ll hold off on Lunch. A bit of excitement entered Rhea¡¯s belly, returning the text. Funny! I¡¯ll hold-off, too. I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be that long before I get out. TTYL! 2:09 P.M. (^¡£^)y Pressing the button to call the nurse, she was a little surprised when her voice fed through a speaker embedded inside. ¡°Yes? I¡¯m currently in line to get your food. Did you want something specific?¡± ¡°Umm, actually, I just talked with my team, and I think I¡¯ll hold off on some food for now.¡± ¡°Okay. Just let me know if you change your mind.¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± Ending the call, she rested her phone on her belly with a soft hum. Lucian¡¯s worried about the free Protect TMs the government has in each city? I suppose it would help mitigate some of the losses he took after paying up the 500 credits for losing the battle to us; Protect is one of the cheapest TMs because it¡¯s subsidized, though. If that¡¯s the case, then it¡¯s already sold out in Pallet, which makes sense with so many of the other region¡¯s Bronze Trainers starting here. Still, it¡¯s not like our group¡¯s hurting for the credits. I can pay the 1,000 credits on the partial subsidized TM¡ªno need to rush. Settling in, she picked up her phone to read the top stories, opening up her News App that showed most networks¡¯ headlines. The battles after had all been team matches, and just as was planned, boys versus girls. Each of their Starter Pok¨¦mon was shown, too; most were shiny. Casey (Mother: Karen; Mudkip), Inoa (Mother: Olivia; Cyndaquil), Ellie (Grandfather: Kabu; Charmander), won against Kale (Brother: Sophocles; Pikachu), Ludovic (Uncle: Siebold; Sobble), and Mark (Father: Morty; Grookey). Amy (Aunt: Maylene; Treecko), Olivia (Mother: Candice; Totodile), and Isabella (Sister: Flannery; Oshawott) lost to Angel (Mother: Clair; Bulbasaur), Victor (Brother: Milo; Chikorita), and Allen (Brother: Brawly; Squirtle). Catherine (Father: Gordie; Tepig), Ariel (Mother: Gardenia; Rowlet), and Iva (Grandfather: Wattson; Eevee) won against Hi¡¯ilei (Uncle: Nanu; Chespin), Barry (Grandfather: Clay; Snivy), and Jean (Aunt: Korrina; Poppilo). The three to one victory in favor of the female teams caused a stir among News anchors, as was the fact Kalos became the only region not to win a single match-up. Spirits were low for the Kalos fans and outlets. Stories were beginning to pop-up about where she might be, and a few debunked articles claiming she¡¯d already left the city; it wasn¡¯t hard to confirm since her battle option still showed within Pallet City. Questions were being thrown around about the Rocket family¡¯s sudden flurry of activity after the match. However, with the conglomerate boss back in Viridian, along with his son and daughter-in-law, it was all left to speculation. A few recent articles were beginning to surface, showing pictures of Amira and Mallory in public, producing even more questions about her location or speculations about her Pok¨¦mon. Her team had already refused to comment, and it appeared the response Amira gave kept journalists at a distance. Rhea¡¯s eyes lifted from her device as Brock entered the room. ¡°Rhea, I hear you¡¯re doing better,¡± he commented, moving to study her charts. ¡°Yeah, a lot better. So, uh, when can I go?¡± ¡°Hmm... well, that depends on how you feel. I¡¯d recommend one more day, but if you plan to spend today resting with your team, then that works, too. So long as Mya and Nova remain in their balls, you¡¯ve already begun the Fortitude recovery process, but it will take much longer than most Trainers since they¡¯re still draining you to some degree to survive.¡± ¡°Ookay,¡± Rhea slowly replied, ¡°basically, as long as we¡¯re careful, then I¡¯m good to go?¡± He tapped a few things on the board, signing his name, and pressed his fingers against the screen; a small piece of paper exited the side of the device, and Brock ripped it off, handing it to her. ¡°You¡¯ve got enough antibiotics in your system for the next several hours, but I suggest you stop by and pick up this prescription as soon as possible.¡± Rhea nodded, setting it on the bedside table. ¡°Got it... umm, so¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle the checkout forms,¡± Brock replied, setting the tablet back on the screen before folding his arms. ¡°Rhea... please, be careful, and think more about what I told you. Look... I had a chat with your grandfather, and he told me something I was unaware of.¡± ¡°Which is?¡± Rhea asked, eyebrows coming together. ¡°It is possible for a Trainer to create a barrier or cut-off point for their Pok¨¦mon with Master Balls. It takes some concentration and practice, but... he assured me that it is possible. I called your aunt to get her own opinion, and she said it hasn¡¯t been something she¡¯s had to investigate, but she¡¯d look into it.¡± ¡°My Mom?¡± ¡°Your mother hasn¡¯t used any Master Balls, only researched their effects on others,¡± Brock explained, lips pulling in slightly. ¡°It¡¯s something extremely experienced Trainers would understand, and I do have a great deal of respect for your grandfather. If he says it¡¯s possible, then it must be, but then I have to wonder if it¡¯s because of his sheer force of will. It may be possible, but that doesn¡¯t mean anyone can do it.¡± Rhea¡¯s vision fell to the floor. ¡°I get it... so, it¡¯s possible to have a safety measure?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just something for you and your Pok¨¦mon to explore, but a lot of what you¡¯re going through is unknown territory. Please, just be careful, Rhea. Your grandmother seemed to have some reservations about the news, but she didn¡¯t elaborate.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Rhea sighed, brushing her bound hair to the side to lie back down. ¡°It¡¯s something to test out; my own form of training, I suppose.¡± Nova and Mya sent encouraging feelings, wishing to help any way they could. ¡°Alright.¡± Brock released a long puff of air. ¡°I¡¯ll tell the nurse to bring in your clothes with your pack; they¡¯ve been cleaned.¡± ¡°How much will the visit cost?¡± Rhea asked, glancing down at her phone. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t worry about any of that. Your father is a big donor to the hospital; he¡¯s made a lot of contributions to the city over the years, and I¡¯m volunteering free of charge.¡± ¡°Nice! Thanks for caring so much,¡± Rhea smiled at him as he waved goodbye. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in Pewter; just make sure you get some good rest.¡± Texting her team, they made plans to meet, and she sent the location to Sam. Cali returned several minutes later to deliver her attire, and Rhea dressed, handing the woman her hospital gown. Removing Nova and Mya¡¯s pok¨¦balls from the monitoring device, she added them to her belt before going to the bathroom down the hall to touch-up her appearance. Her backpack felt heavier, but it was manageable, and she used the items inside to freshen up, brushing out her hair. She eyed her outfit, frowning with a bit of dissatisfaction. Amira and Lori have dresses while I have a skirt... I guess it works. Maybe I should braid my hair after the spa. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Releasing a long puff of air, she put on her rainbow aviator with gold frames to draw less attention, repacked her bag, and left the hospital, following the exit signs. Her focus moved to her phone on the way out as Sam called. Adding a smile, she answered, adjusting her hair and pack. ¡°Hey, guys! I¡¯m on the way out of the hospital.¡± Hannah, Sam, and Jade came into view on her holo-screen; they appeared to be wearing the same clothes she saw them in before, clearly cleaned through the night. ¡°Yo, Rhea!¡± Sam grinned. ¡°Hey, you look so much better than yesterday,¡± Jade commented. Hannah rubbed her neck with a sheepish smile, adjusting her red hair. ¡°You kiddin¡¯ me, Rhea; you¡¯re stunning! I still look horrible¡­¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhea defended. ¡°You three are cute, and you should see the rings under my eyes if I take off these glasses,¡± she returned, walking out of the hospital while searching for the way out of the parking lot. ¡°Umm, yeah, so you gonna meet us over at PikaSpring... wherever that is?¡± ¡°Uh... about that,¡± Sam chuckled, smile turning forced. ¡°You know PikaSprings is like¡­¡± ¡°Super ritzy,¡± Hannah finished, mirroring Sam¡¯s expression. ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea asked, lips falling a little. She spotted the main street to her left and made her way to it; the sun was out, casting its warm rays on Pallet and the faint breeze barely moved her hair. ¡°How much?¡± ¡°Eh... I don¡¯t know exactly,¡± Sam mumbled, glancing to Hannah. The redhead was quick on the response, brown eyes creased with concern. ¡°Like... 200 credits for the cheapest pass and 500 for the deluxe... 50 credits per Pok¨¦mon, well, and some are banned for obvious reasons.¡± ¡°Which comes with?¡± Rhea pressed, sliding the call to the side to check her account. ¡°Uh... I¡¯ve never been,¡± Sam admitted, vision shifting to her companions. Jade silently shook her head, blue ponytail swinging with the motion. ¡°Yeah, uh,¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes squinted to the left, ¡°let¡¯s see... I¡¯ve only done the standard, but the deluxe has... I think an hour treatment with each; a personalized facial, Alolan full body massage, manicure, pedicure, a spa lunch or dinner, and full access to the lounge and jacuzzi.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Rhea grinned, turning to study the hospital. ¡°What do the Pok¨¦mon get?¡± The building was five stories tall and branched out on either side to take up a massive area; it was the largest structure she¡¯d ever seen in person, making her a bit dizzy. The reflectant glass and concrete building was a spectacular sight. If there¡¯s something like this here... what¡¯s Viridian like? ¡°Uh, similar stuff... I¡¯m not a hundred percent since I didn¡¯t have any Pok¨¦mon at the time. They¡¯ll get personal attention.¡± ¡°What about the standard pass?¡± ¡°Just access to the lounge and jacuzzi.¡± ¡°Heh, okay,¡± Rhea mused, examining her personal account. ¡°One sec¡­¡± The Oak Starter Award gave 5,000 credits, and the boys appeared to bet 500 credits each for their match. Jason, Sabin, Katelin, Annila, Kent, and her aunt were a part of her egg bet, giving her the 6,000 credit pot, which totaled her 11,500 credits on hand. Wow, I¡¯ve got a ton, and all of that sounds really good after being sick... oh, yeah, the massage will feel wonderful! ¡°Well, I bet Lori¡¯s gonna choose the Deluxe Pass. You¡¯ve each got one Pok¨¦mon, right?¡± The three nodded with a soft frown. ¡°Yeah,¡± Sam mumbled, ¡°but that¡¯s a lot of money... uh, 550 times 3... 1,650 credits is like half our individual funds. That¡¯s so many products¡­¡± ¡°No, no, don¡¯t worry about it!¡± Rhea waved their protests away. ¡°I¡¯m inviting you, and offering... no, demanding! Besides, I won a bet, and Lori¡¯s loaded right now.¡± She replied, giving them a peace sign. ¡°So, meet us there!¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Jade asked, playing with her ponytail. ¡°You dislike me that much, huh?¡± Rhea asked with a playful grin. ¡°No, no!¡± Sam protested. ¡°Yeah, okay, we¡¯ll meet you there!¡± Hannah cheered. ¡°Thank you so much, Rhea!¡± The other two mirrored the thanks. Ending the call, she met up with Amira and Mallory two streets down. ¡°Hey, girl!¡± Lori called, waving with a toothy grin. ¡°Yo, where¡¯s these friends of yours?¡± The purple-haired girl had ditched her gloves in the heat but kept her black tights. Rhea noticed Lori revealed a bit more cleavage than she would have. Amira¡¯s red dress was form-fitting but had a high neck and shoulderless design. She seemed somewhat annoyed while glancing back at a few people leaning against the side of the street. ¡°They¡¯ll meet us there... uh, somethin¡¯ up, Amira?¡± Lori leaned in with a wink, following the bright redhead¡¯s gaze, eyes hidden behind her rosy shades. ¡°Paparazzi; Amira¡¯s like a Growlithe at sniffing them out.¡± Amira let out a light sigh, hands on her hips. ¡°I¡¯ve spotted five so far. Three are tailing us to get a headline while two are staying back, taking pictures.¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Rhea asked, scanning the crowds of people walking around them. ¡°With their phones?¡± ¡°Easier to use,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°So,¡± her head dropped to the side for a moment, eyeing her. ¡°You really feeling better?¡± She asked, lowering her voice. ¡°Mhm!¡± They fell into step beside Lori, the purple-haired girl leading the pack. Glancing around at all the people going into stores and moving around in packs, Rhea asked, ¡°Did you see Casey won her match?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Mallory giggled. ¡°Before her private conversation with the other Kalos boy could be jacked by the news, she released it on her own Pok¨¦Tube account. She really got that guy fuming, and then the humiliation after.¡± Amira¡¯s full lips lifted a bit. ¡°It¡¯s not looking good for the Kalos boys.¡± ¡°How was Jean, Korrina¡¯s nephew? I don¡¯t think he¡¯s as bad as the other two.¡± Mallory shrugged. ¡°Didn¡¯t pay any attention to him.¡± ¡°From what I could see, he¡¯s keeping a low profile,¡± Amira added, glaring across the street at a guy with his phone pointed their way. ¡°Were you followed around in Sinnoh, Lori?¡± Lori hummed thoughtfully, leaning forward to catch sight of the guy. ¡°Uh... kind of, but not like this. Hmm... wanna ditch them?¡± ¡°How?¡± Amira asked, brushing her waterfall braids back while turning to stare at her. ¡°Okay,¡± her voice lowered, ¡°we could go with a few dirty methods to get the stalkers to back off, but we can also do the distraction play. Pretty easy now that we have Pok¨¦mon,¡± she mused, releasing her Froakie. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about a thing; they¡¯ll leave on their own,¡± Lori winked. ¡°Just leave it all to Gables.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Rhea lost track of the shiny water Pok¨¦mon as it seemed to blend into its environment. ¡°Where¡¯d he go?¡± ¡°Camouflage,¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°Like I said, don¡¯t worry about it!¡± As they went on, the men and women tailing them slowly disappeared. Amira lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Impressive... there¡¯s only two left that I can see.¡± ¡°Where?¡± Lori asked, sounding excited to meet her next opponents in the silent war happening among the bustle of tourists. ¡°See the man and woman... three groups behind us¡­¡± ¡°Got it! Hmm... we¡¯re getting close to the spa, though.¡± A short gasp caused everyone to slow, turning to see the man and woman grimacing down at a splatter of what appeared mud; the woman had a long streak on her back while the guy showed a big brown spot all over his butt. Lori snickered beside them, but her expression was sympathetic. ¡°Oof, guess they couldn¡¯t hold it, huh?¡± ¡°Lori!¡± Amira gasped, full lips trying not to grin. ¡°Did you¡­¡± She motioned them to pick up their pace as the crowd hovered around the pair, seemingly wanting to help or not knowing what to do about the embarrassed partners. ¡°Camouflage plus Mud Sport; no real damage... well, maybe a bit of psychological damage,¡± she giggled. Gables appeared beside them, sticking to the side of a building with a V-sign on his three fingers while blowing a small bubble as if saying, Got ¡®em! ¡°Nice!¡± Lori grinned, holding up her hand; Gables jumped off, slapping it before returning to his pok¨¦ball. ¡°Although, you know that¡¯s illegal,¡± Amira mumbled with a low hum. ¡°Attacking a person with your Pok¨¦mon¡­¡± ¡°Only if ya get caught!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°So, let¡¯s get outta here.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Amira returned, but she seemed a bit happy to be rid of the spying eyes. They quickly made it to the spa, meeting Sam, Hannah, and Jade out front; all of them had their hair done in simple ponytails. Hannah was the most dressed of the three, sporting a close-fitting red and black Trainer-style plaid summer dress that fell to her lower thighs, last spring¡¯s Trainer-style Cerulean 5 blue and white hiking sandals, a matching Cerulean 5 watch, and a charm bracelet for her left wrist. Jade¡¯s blue hair was pulled through a plain cap that matched her locks, and she wore a black tank-top with simple brown shorts. She had the Vermilion 3 Kicks from a few years ago, rocking a yellow and green design with a lightning bolt across them, and a simple beaded anklet with some shells. Sam was the picture of practicality, a gray t-shirt with Adventure written in black letters across the front, blue, fashionably ripped denim shorts, and brown hiking boots. The three girls were a lot more reserved once they caught sight of Rhea¡¯s party, Mallory in the lead, and Rhea was the first to link parties. ¡°Hey, guys!¡± Amira and Lori followed her gaze. ¡°Oh, are they the girls you were talkin¡¯ about?¡± Lori asked with a bright smile. ¡°Yup!¡± She pushed herself to skip forward to introduce them, hiding how sore she felt, and the girls gave a weak hello in response. Amira seemed somewhat bored by the whole exchange, folding her arms under her chest while glancing off to the side. ¡°This is Sam, Jade, and Hannah. I¡¯ll handle their price, Lori.¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Mallory asked. ¡°I¡¯m cool with payin¡¯ the bill. You can grab our dinner at Viridian; I want to try out one of those fancy places over there! Hehe¡­¡± She trailed-off as Amira cleared her throat. ¡°Ahem, actually... my grandparents wanted us to come by for dinner. It¡¯s cool if you want to go somewhere else, though.¡± The firey-haired girl said it in such a nonchalant way that Rhea didn¡¯t know if she wanted them to go or not. ¡°Umm... yeah, yeah,¡± she replied, glancing at Lori, ¡°that¡¯d be nice.¡± ¡°Dinner with the Rockets?¡± Mallory mused. ¡°¡­Sure, sounds interesting,¡± she grinned. ¡°We should be able to try one of those restaurants before we leave, though!¡± ¡°They¡¯re not all that,¡± Amira grunted with a weak shrug. ¡°So... we gonna go in?¡± Mallory¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right, Amira! We don¡¯t want to give the paparazzi time to catch up!¡± ¡°Or the police¡­¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°Paparazzi?¡± Sam and Hannah asked, Jade focusing on the latter part. ¡°Police are chasing you?¡± ¡°Oh, no, no,¡± Rhea waved her hand, ushering them inside with a quiet laugh. ¡°We just have some nosey press looking for a story on our tail.¡± Guiding them inside, she pushed open the glass door, walking into the brick and wood themed front entrance. A second glass wall was inside with a greeter, leading to the front lounge with soft couches and hundreds of candles that the employees had to maintain and replace each day. ¡°Welcome to PikaSpring,¡± the young man greeted, giving them a warm smile while opening the door. ¡°I hope you enjoy your stay.¡± The girls gave quiet thank-yous before entering; there were a few residents already inside, but it seemed relatively empty for the size of the place. I guess it is a pretty expensive spa. Lori swiftly took the lead, pausing their advance for a moment to ask their Pok¨¦mon number. Confirming it, they stopped at the front desk, where a woman waited. ¡°Welcome. My name is Kora. What can I do for you?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the best package?¡± Lori asked without hesitation. ¡°Would that be a Year Pass, month, week, or just for the day?¡± ¡°Just today!¡± She chimed. Sam, Jade, and Hannah hovered around Rhea to Lori¡¯s right as Amira stood off to the left, glancing around the interior with a disinterested fashion. ¡°The Day Deluxe Pass would cost 600 credits, plus 50 per Pok¨¦mon; a list of barred Pok¨¦mon are in this packet,¡± she smoothly replied, sliding over an expensive-looking booklet. Rhea¡¯s three friends winced at the price, Hannah whispering, ¡°Sorry¡­¡± ¡°For?¡± Lori asked. ¡°N-Nevermind¡­¡± She mumbled, and Rhea gave her an encouraging smile to let her know it was fine. ¡°Okay,¡± Mallory replied with a shrug, turning back to Kora. ¡°Six girls, five Pok¨¦mon, Rhea¡¯s two won¡¯t be coming out this time,¡± she noted, drawing the woman¡¯s gaze to her. ¡°Of course. That comes to 3,850, total; 3,600 credits for the six of you, and 250 for your Pok¨¦mon.¡± Lori handed over her phone, already unlocked and on the payment app, ready to be charged. Kora accepted it, running it over the screen in front of her as Sam, Jade, and Hannah quietly thanked her in the background. Handing the device back, Kora turned to Rhea. ¡°I apologize, but if your Pok¨¦mon will not be going inside the spa with you, then we request to hold onto them for security reasons; some people try to sneak in barred Pok¨¦mon.¡± Rhea was a bit hesitant but knew it was a common practice, and she¡¯d know where her Pok¨¦mon were at all times due to their spiritual link. There were ways of weakening Trainers¡¯ directional sense to their Pok¨¦mon, but those types of objects were heavily regulated, and businesses had gone bankrupt more than once after failing to properly secure a Trainer¡¯s Pok¨¦mon. Still feeling a bit uncomfortable, she asked, ¡°What protocols do you have in place for security?¡± Kora secured her brown locks behind her ear as a few fell out of place, smile not faltering. ¡°In accordance with Pallet City Law, all businesses that require the handling of Pok¨¦mon must hire a Pallet City certified guard or League equivalent. We currently employ a Gold-tier Trainer that keeps an eye on the patrons Pok¨¦mon at all times throughout operating hours, and two more are in rotation as needed.¡± ¡°Okay, thanks for the information,¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve just... well, this is the first time I¡¯d be so far away from them.¡± ¡°Completely understandable!¡± She assured. Sorry, guys... I promise we¡¯ll have a fun time in Viridian, Nova. Nova seemed to be getting irritated with Mya again but held her peace as Rhea handed over her Pok¨¦mon. Mya sent a depressed sorry to Nova, the Eevee not responding, but both told her to relax and regain her strength. Kora took the offered pok¨¦balls, giving Rhea a bright smile. ¡°I watched your match on break. Mya was amazing.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Rhea let the conversation die, Nova growing even more frustrated at the praise Mya was getting for hurting her, and Kora¡¯s comment prompted more guilt from the Mawile. Guys... please get along. I know you didn¡¯t mean to hurt me, Mya. We¡¯re all learning. Me, too, Nova. You guys can enjoy a bit of it with me through the link, though. I hope¡­ Nova gave a chirp, wishing for her to feel better, and the simmering heat in her chest cooled as the Eevee regarded Mya. The two began talking again; Nova had all but refused to speak to the Mawile for a bit. Kora handed Rhea a small tablet. ¡°If you could list your name, Pok¨¦mon, and their nicknames with your contact information and a second contact.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, reluctantly taking the device. ¡°I can put just my first name, right?¡± ¡°This is just protocol when handling your Pok¨¦mon,¡± Kora responded. ¡°When you initial at the bottom, you¡¯re taking part in the city¡¯s standard Pok¨¦mon Business Protection laws. You can read what those are on the city¡¯s website if you are unaware, but by signing, you are choosing to participate in them, which includes some business protection acts for possible damages we receive from your Pok¨¦mon, among other things.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Rhea replied, signing her initials, leaving out her last name, and using Professor Oak and his lab¡¯s address as the second contact. The other girls signed their own agreement before letting out their Pok¨¦mon for inspection. The spa hired a few Pok¨¦mon Type specialists in massage therapy and Pok¨¦mon relaxation, and Kora added each Pok¨¦mon to the database. Hannah had a female Ledyba named Limru that her father got for her, Jade had a male Pidgey named Orin that her sister recently caught for her, and Sam caught her own male Pineco with the help of her parents, calling him Hector. The three Pok¨¦mon gathered around Amira¡¯s Fennekin and Lori¡¯s Froakie, apparently enamored by the two shiny Pok¨¦mon. Amber was eating up the attention while Gables was more aloof, acting pretty laid back with the whole exchange. When the woman returned from securing Mya and Nova, Amira asked, ¡°Is the spring charged with elemental energy?¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t even considered it, but Fire-Types or any Type of Pok¨¦mon with a weakness to an element could be harmed if entering an area that was charged with the natural elemental energy they were vulnerable to. Kora promptly shook her head, handing out specific keys to each of them. ¡°We are not that type of spring, Ms. Rocket; warning labels are required if a business uses such elements, and Pallet is not near an energy-rich source to utilize. No harm will come to your Fennekin within the pools.¡± Amira hadn¡¯t offered her last name on any of the reports, meaning Kora knew who she was based on the news. ¡°I see,¡± Amira replied, turning away to study the architecture. The woman nodded, turning to each of them while guiding the six back to the locker area, their Pok¨¦mon trailing behind. ¡°We don¡¯t allow any devices beyond this area; this is supposed to be a relaxing experience. ¡°The keys I gave you have a number on them; once they are secured, you may keep them with you, using the strap to wear around your wrist, or hand them back to me for safekeeping until you are ready to leave. There will always be an attendant close by if you have any questions, but we keep the patron count low to provide a more relaxing atmosphere; you¡¯re lucky we had a few cancelations.¡± ¡°So, it¡¯s pretty private?¡± Lori asked, giving Amira a wink. ¡°No stressful reporters or journalists hounding you in here.¡± ¡°I¡¯d hope not,¡± Kora replied with a soft chuckle. ¡°If you have any issues, then please don¡¯t hesitate to let us know.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Amira replied, eyes still scanning the polished brown wood themed design of the relaxing environment the spa boasted. ¡°Reminds me a bit more of Johto than Kanto design.¡± ¡°Oh, you have a sharp eye,¡± Kora noted, following her gaze. ¡°Yes, much of PikaSpring takes heavy inspiration from Ecruteak City in Johto.¡± Mallory¡¯s violet eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, and your name from Yellow¡¯s Pikachu, Pika, right?¡± ¡°Correct! Well, kind of,¡± she chuckled. ¡°The builders of the spa sold it to the current owners quite some time ago, and Yellow was the first patron; at that time, PikaSpring was the lowest-ranked spa in Pallet, and she had Red¡¯s Pikachu with her, so... there was a bit of a mix-up.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Lori mused, pointing at a picture on the wall. ¡°That¡¯s her, right?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Kora replied, following her gaze. ¡°Fifteen years ago.¡± Rhea walked closer to the wooden framed photo, lips pulled to the side. ¡°She doesn¡¯t look too much older,¡± she giggled. The others gave her a questioning look. ¡°You¡¯ve met Yellow?¡± Jade asked with wide eyes. ¡°Well, yeah,¡± Rhea shrugged, ¡°Red and her stopped by... well, uh, yeah, I have.¡± She chuckled sheepishly. ¡°Wow¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori nudged her with a sly grin. ¡°How much older? Yellow¡¯s been in Alola for a while now.¡± ¡°Uh, I saw her about... a year ago,¡± Rhea admitted. ¡°She looks about fifteen, to be honest, even though she¡¯s thirty-seven.¡± ¡°Young Champions-tier Trainers. Am I right?¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°She¡¯s thirty-seven and looks younger than us. Just like your mom, huh, Amira?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± She grunted with a small grimace. The others seemed stunned at their casual talk about living legends. ¡°Umm, in any case,¡± Kora swallowed, clearing her throat. ¡°I assume you have bathing suits?¡± They all nodded, following her instructions while undressing and putting their items in their designated lockers, each handing her their keys for safekeeping except Amira, keeping it around her wrist. Rhea stretched to either side with a low moan, trying to loosen up her tight and sore muscles, listening to their guide explain the process. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s focus slid between her, Amira, and Mallory as they removed their clothes before studying each other with dissatisfied expressions. The Pok¨¦mon were still getting to know each other, chirping lightly in their small group. There was no natural light in the spa, making it like an oasis in the city. Kora explained the routine and left shortly after, leaving them to relax. Not a single person was inside the large space, most of the city¡¯s occupants likely getting ready to travel to Viridian or backpack through the forest to catch any challenges. Rhea entered the very warm large saltwater pool with the others, lying on their backs to soak while floating in the dim space. Their Pok¨¦mon joined them, and the faint sound of running water relaxed her mind, and even Jade¡¯s Pidgey was laid out on his back, wings spread out as they floated. Amber¡¯s flaming ears were currently cute tufts while lying across Amira¡¯s thin and toned stomach while Gables swam under them, unaffected by the salt. After a while, they each slowly moved to the Jacuzzi hot tub; the bubbles were a lot more aggressive than Janice¡¯s private hot tub back in the village, helping to exfoliate their skin. Some of the Pok¨¦mon refrained from the Jacuzzi, and some of the employees each came to collect their Pok¨¦mon for their personal treatment. Rhea¡¯s body was beginning to feel a lot better with the various treatment methods the pools provided, moving from the hot tub to the warm 102-degree pool after getting rid of all her dead skin, slowly moving down the temperatures to the 97 before steeling her nerves to enter the 50-degree waters to help circulate her blood. She screamed softly while getting into the ice path, the other girls following. ¡°Eek... it feels like 30 below, not fifty,¡± she giggled, body quivering as she sunk lower into the pool. ¡°W-Why are we doing this again?¡± Jade asked. ¡°T-The blood circulation,¡± Hannah responded through chattering teeth. Amira didn¡¯t seem bothered by the experience at all, not even shivering with Lori and the rest of them. ¡°It¡¯s not that bad. I take cold showers.¡± ¡°G-Good for you,¡± Mallory mumbled, hugging herself under the water. ¡°I¡¯m... not that kind of girl... hot showers... I like hot showers!¡± They all giggled before talking about how relaxed and good their Pok¨¦mon were feeling, making Nova a bit salty again. Finally, they went to the wine path; non-alcoholic so it wouldn¡¯t dry their skin, it was an immersion into the antioxidant world of unique red grapes that were imported in from Sinnoh¡¯s harsh northern environment, soaking in the liquid for half an hour as employees brought them their dinner since it just passed 5 P.M. The food was incredible, and surprisingly all meat-free by the taste. Hannah seemed to be in heaven, finishing her meal while sinking to her neck in the large font of wine. ¡°Amira, is this the kind of thing you do often?¡± Amira rested her head against the padded edge of her seat, breathing slowly while settling in. ¡°This place is okay, but my family... I guess you could say I do this kind of often,¡± she whispered. ¡°Must be nice¡­¡± Jade commented with a relishing sigh. ¡°My skin¡¯s never felt so soft¡­¡± ¡°I never thought I could feel so relaxed,¡± Sam mumbled, eyes closed as she breathed slowly. ¡°I think they¡¯re rubbing some kind of lotion on Hector... he¡¯s in heaven.¡± ¡°What about Amber?¡± Rhea asked, letting her body stay limp in the red liquid. Amira was silent for a time, and they listened to the wine¡¯s gentle movements with their light motions below. ¡°They¡¯re brushing her out and using some kind of product on her ears she enjoys. This was a good idea, Lori... I needed this.¡± ¡°Hehe... yeah, it¡¯s been a good bit since I¡¯ve been to a spa,¡± Lori commented. ¡°I¡¯ll show you guys our private one in Viridian when we go.¡± ¡°Sounds nice,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°All of us?¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± ¡°Aww, you¡¯re spoiling us too much,¡± Sam whispered. Jade grunted a bit while shifting her weight underwater. ¡°Yeah... I feel kind of bad.¡± ¡°Aye, if your friends with Rhea, not like we can exclude ya,¡± Mallory chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re traveling with us, too, right? We¡¯ll be leaving early tomorrow.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be nice,¡± Hannah cooed. ¡°This is really nice... thanks, Rhea, Mallory, Amira.¡± ¡°Just call me Lori.¡± The other two repeated Hannah¡¯s thanks, and after spending some time in the herbal-infused steam room, moved on to the next stage. Entering their own private rooms, a woman came into Rhea¡¯s to start the PikaSpring¡¯s custom facial with a holistic approach, combining Johto techniques with modern technology that went into the facial massage. They cleansed her face two times; once to remove makeup and once to really clean the skin, using a product produced from a Vileplume¡¯s leaf gland that helped balance the skin; it exfoliates, rehydrates, and prepared their skin to receive treatment before the massage. The woman administering her treatment noted Rhea¡¯s skin was so dehydrated, it literally drank up the renewing pack, so she had to add a little extra. Between the products and modalities, Rhea¡¯s face never felt better. One of the creams they used smelled like pie, making her mouth water for something sweet, and the treatment helped tone and lift before using a jelly mask to calm the skin, followed by a vitamin and enzyme cocktail for an intense glow. Ending in micro-currents and LED lightshow with oxygen. The full body massage was magical, and Rhea had never had a manicure or pedicure, which left her hands and feet feeling renewed with life. Once finished, they dressed and gathered their Pok¨¦mon, each expressing their satisfaction with the experience. Nova was moving from anger to depression, and Mya was right there with her. Saying their goodbyes and picking a spot to meet outside of the city in the morning, Rhea followed Amira and Lori to the hotel space her father rented. It had three beds; most hotels had single, double, or triple models since Trainer teams were commonplace. She didn¡¯t get to see Amira¡¯s routine since they¡¯d just gone through a full care treatment, and they prepared for bed, sleeping in their bikinis as would be Rhea¡¯s norm for quite a while. Nova and Mya had been a lot more chatty with one another since they left the spa, but Rhea¡¯s mind and body felt like butter after the relaxing experience, swiftly drifting off to sleep. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Nova released a low moan, watching the other Trainer¡¯s Pok¨¦mon chirp their pleasure at the phenomenal care they¡¯d received, and the sleek glow that enhanced Amber¡¯s already shiny fur made her jealous. It wasn¡¯t like resting in her pok¨¦ball was terrible; it was exceptionally comfortable, and she didn¡¯t even have to walk, Rhea doing all that work, but it bugged her. When she first connected with Rhea, she was strong, and the energy within her deep, but much of that had changed since Mya¡¯s battle. Rhea¡¯s body hurt, her mind was dulled, and the strength Nova felt from her had diminished significantly. She could sense her Trainer¡¯s experience when Mya sapped the majority of her Fortitude, and the strain she was under, which made her even angrier and confused as to how the Mawile didn¡¯t know what she was doing. She glared at the ethereal figure that was also linked with her Trainer; there wasn¡¯t exactly a direction, but the emotions were transmitted nonetheless. ¡°You really didn¡¯t know what you were doing?¡± Mya released a very long sigh, remorseful voice reaching her through Rhea. ¡°No... all I felt was excitement. I wanted to prove that Rhea and I were stronger than any of those Pok¨¦mon. We are... I just... I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°If you don¡¯t know, then you can¡¯t fix it,¡± Nova snapped. ¡°I know... Rhea said; we¡¯re figuring it out. Her mom said it was because I was too focused... how do I unfocus?¡± ¡°You need to figure it out. Rhea¡¯s hurt, we¡¯re useless to her right now, and all you can say is I don¡¯t know? I can tell exactly how much energy Rhea has and when it might get too much for her. Why can¡¯t you?¡± ¡°No, I can... I just can¡¯t when fighting.¡± ¡°That makes no sense.¡± ¡°I know. I¡¯m sorry... I didn¡¯t want to make us lose so much time with her. I just wanted to fight.¡± ¡°Now we can¡¯t for days... if you really want to fight, then learn how much you can use, and start using your own energy instead of Rhea¡¯s.¡± ¡°It¡¯s so small, though,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°Of course it is, which is why we gotta use it to make it grow,¡± Nova grumbled, rolling her eyes while watching the world through Rhea¡¯s eyes. They were getting ready to leave for a hotel so Rhea could rest. ¡°Jade wants to pet me, and I can¡¯t even feel anyone stroke my fur because you had to go too far... whatever. Just don¡¯t do it again.¡± ¡°What do you think about that energy block that doctor guy talked about?¡± Nova released a low growl. ¡°She wouldn¡¯t need to use something like that if you knew how much energy Rhea had left. If you do something like that again... we might have to leave Rhea. I don¡¯t want that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t either!¡± ¡°Good. Don¡¯t do it, then,¡± Nova huffed. ¡°Do you think Amber and Gables will be able to protect Rhea?¡± ¡°We should be¡­¡± Mya whispered in a sad tone. ¡°That¡¯s not what I asked¡­¡± ¡°I mean, Amber¡¯s not that weak, but... I don¡¯t know how strong wild Pok¨¦mon are.¡± ¡°At least Rhea¡¯s feeling better.¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± Mya¡¯s low mumbles barely reached her. ¡°Nova¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I¡¯m really sorry. I didn¡¯t want to punish you.¡± ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter now. We just need to do better. We were born to help Rhea... not kill her. To be honest... I¡¯m a little scared, Mya.¡± ¡°Of me?¡± ¡°No... me.¡± ¡°...¡± Mya¡¯s confusion transferred through their shared connection. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°What if I¡¯m like that, too? What if I can¡¯t tell Rhea¡¯s energy levels when I¡¯m battling... what if I kill her?¡± She whimpered. ¡°I don¡¯t think you will.¡± ¡°What if I do?¡± ¡°You won¡¯t.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t be sure.¡± They fell silent, pondering the possibilities ahead of them. Nova watched Rhea laugh with Lori, Amira being somewhat quiet on their way to the hotel. ¡°It takes a lot of energy for me to change forms... should I even try? I don¡¯t know how hard it¡¯ll be on Rhea. I¡¯m not good at it either... I need to practice, but that could hurt her.¡± ¡°Rhea¡¯s not worried about you, though,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m the one she¡¯s worried about.¡± ¡°Maybe she should be more worried about me,¡± Nova returned. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m the one that could really harm her.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s try not to¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± They tried to distract themselves from the troubles clouding their thoughts by living through Rhea¡¯s joy. Rhea still loves us... even when we hurt her. I need to do more, but... I can¡¯t right now. I could try to increase my energy from within the pok¨¦ball, but no... that might hurt Rhea still. We¡¯re just so useless¡­ Rhea soon fell asleep, and after a bit, Nova did, too, mind still worrying about the future. B1 — 13. Innocent Wooloo Hannah pulled her left arm across her chest, stretching it out with a soft yawn. Jade and Sam walked beside her, glancing back at Amira, Rhea, and Mallory as they parted ways. The Pallet streets were noticeably less busy than the day before but much more active than usual, with the International Bronze League in full swing. Naturally, many of the city''s tourists were already either on taxis to Viridian or backpacking themselves to the big city. Her stress had evened out since yesterday; the prospect of finding decent girls to travel with, managing her low funds, and the pressure of having her first bonded Pok¨¦mon had been a lot to handle. Discovering she was one of the girls with weak Fortitude didn¡¯t help her confidence either. However, meeting Jade, Sam, and Rhea, the girl that brought them all together, had helped ease the anxiety, plus the leisurely pace they were going at. Hannah shifted her gaze to Sam and Jade¡¯s tote backpacks; they¡¯d become pretty popular lately, noticing all of them had chosen colors that matched their hair. A low giggle passed through her throat as they rounded the corner, shoulders slumping slightly. ¡°Your guys¡¯ backpacks killing your shoulders?¡± ¡°Gah!¡± Jade groaned, rubbing her neck while adjusting her pack. ¡°How do they carry theirs like it¡¯s no big deal?!¡± Sam rubbed her nose, sniffing softly from a stuffy nose. ¡°Well, the spa helped a lot, but yeah... heh, the moment I put it back on, my shoulders were crying.¡± Hannah looked up at the black sky, stars hidden from the bright city street lights; men and women were walking across the sidewalk, cars zooming by at 35 miles an hour, and tourists everywhere you turned. ¡°So, uh... wanna come over to my place tonight? My dad works nights, so he won¡¯t be back until the morning.¡± ¡°Your mom?¡± Jade asked. Hannah forced a chuckle while adjusting her hat and ponytail. ¡°I never actually met her... but, umm, yeah, my dad won¡¯t have a problem with you coming over.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Sam mumbled. The conversation turned a bit awkward, tightening Hannah¡¯s gut. ¡°Umm... so, what did you guys think of Amira?¡± Sam jumped on the topic. ¡°She¡¯s pretty!¡± Hannah smirked, fiddling with one of her red locks while examining it. ¡°Her hair¡¯s way prettier and darker than mine¡­¡± Jade rolled her eyes. ¡°C¡¯mon, we can¡¯t compare our looks to them; it¡¯s just not fair. Rhea says she looks horrible, and if that¡¯s what she looks like when having a bad day, then we come from very different universes.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Sam giggled. ¡°Must be nice coming from a family of Master-tier Trainers.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Hannah nudged her head toward the next intersection, ¡°we take a left up here.¡± Sam and Hannah lifted an eyebrow, catching the street signs. ¡°Northside?¡± Sam asked. ¡°Just on the edge,¡± Hannah shrugged, stopping at the light with a few groups beside them as they waited for the lights to change. ¡°My dad works nighttime security at the Oak Foundation Lab, and they pay pretty well.¡± ¡°Is he Gold-tier?¡± Jade asked with surprise. Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, no, just like... medium-high Silver¡­¡± She whispered, rubbing her left arm. ¡°His Sandshrew is supposed to be pretty strong, I guess. My dad thinks he¡¯ll turn into a Sandslash soon.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be cool!¡± Sam commented. ¡°Yeah, my dad¡¯s Nidoran recently evolved into a Nidorino. It was hype.¡± ¡°Were you there?¡± ¡°Umm, no, but I saw the footage,¡± she mumbled. ¡°So... your dad got eight Bronze Badges and a few Silver?¡± Thinking back on some of her dad¡¯s stories and the footage she saw from his DVD collection that he¡¯d saved, Hannah scratched her neck. ¡°Umm, he... kind of hit a brick wall at the Celadon Gym. He tried to get the Encrusted Silver Rainbow Badge, but... that didn¡¯t turn out so well. High Master Erika didn¡¯t go easy on him, and he couldn¡¯t beat the other Gym aides after for the normal Silver Rainbow Badge.¡± ¡°That¡¯s still pretty far, though!¡± Sam encouraged. Jade nodded as the lights changed, and they moved along the crosswalk, heading toward Pallet¡¯s northside. ¡°What Pok¨¦mon did he use? Oh, maybe we could watch some of his old footage. He has it saved, right?¡± ¡°Yeah... I guess we could,¡± Hannah said with a forced smile. ¡°Umm, he has three Pok¨¦mon; he hasn¡¯t caught anymore since. His Sandshrew is his main, and then he¡¯s got a Rattata and Spearow.¡± Silence followed, broken by Jade several seconds later. ¡°Orin¡¯s pretty inspired by Amber and Gables... not to mention the crazy fight we saw with Mya. Do you really think... well, that it¡¯s a good idea to... I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Sam hummed softly, pulling up on her backpack to shift it around her shoulders with a grunt. ¡°I think Hector asked Gables a lot of questions, too... Amber kind of intimidated him. I guess she¡¯s beautiful, hehe. Umm, yeah, I mean, think about how we look at Amira, Rhea, and Lori... their Fortitudes must be leagues ahead of ours... literally, and they¡¯re Mukin¡¯ supermodels, but... they didn¡¯t look down on us.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Hannah mumbled, fiddling with her hair before swallowing. ¡°I had some friends, and... we were gonna go together; just the three of us, ya know? Then... one of their other friends asked if they wanted to join... her dad was a Gold-tier Trainer, and well... yeah¡­¡± ¡°So you were the odd girl out?¡± Sam asked with a worried frown. ¡°I mean, I get it,¡± Hannah mumbled, ¡°they want the best team they can get for the triple battles.¡± ¡°Well, Muk¡¯em,¡± Jade huffed. ¡°You got us, and maybe you wouldn¡¯t have met Rhea either.¡± Hannah gave them a forced smile. ¡°Yeah... thanks for asking me to join, Jade.¡± ¡°No problem!¡± Jade looked down at the ground. ¡°Umm... why do you think Rhea didn¡¯t bring out Nova or Mya at the spa? I really wanted to pet Nova.¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Sam shrugged. ¡°Hmm... oh, so, what did you guys think about Amira? I mean, not her looks,¡± Jade mumbled with a slight shake of her head, ¡°no, but just her, ya know, in general.¡± ¡°Her family certainly comes from money,¡± Sam replied with a soft chuckle. ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised the Rockets would have their own personal spa that makes the PikaSpring look poor, but yeah... umm, she didn¡¯t talk that much. I don¡¯t know?¡± ¡°I thought she was actually kind of nice... maybe a bit annoyed at first, but she seemed pretty relaxed,¡± Hannah replied, scratching her nose. ¡°She offered to take all of us, but just... I just thought she was really cool. Amira was really quiet, but she was really smart, too... whenever we did talk.¡± ¡°I mean, her mom¡¯s Champion Lyra,¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine she wouldn¡¯t be smart. I guess... I don¡¯t know, I was expecting a lot... well, I expected her to be a lot different from what I saw online. She does seem like the cool-girl type, though.¡± ¡°What about Lori?¡± Jade asked with a grin. ¡°She¡¯s so friendly!¡± ¡°Loud!¡± Sam returned, small frame shaking with laughter. ¡°No, Lori did not like that ice bath, but she kept asking all about my family and the kind of bands I liked... no, she was super fun. Kind of crazy with what I¡¯ve seen about her sister.¡± ¡°Have you read some of Shauntal¡¯s books?¡± Hannah asked. Sam¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯ve read her adventure novels?¡± ¡°Which series do you like most?¡± Jade followed. ¡°Umm... probably Sky Rise Challenger. It¡¯s supposed to be based on someone that challenged the Elite 4, right? That part at the end of volume four, you know, where Noman has to battle his own father... sent chills down my spine!¡± ¡°Right?¡± Sam grinned. ¡°Although,¡± her lips pressed to the side. ¡°I kind of wanted him to get with Anthea or Concordia, to be honest... the chemistry, but... I just couldn¡¯t decide which one.¡± ¡°Definitely Concordia!¡± Jade replied. ¡°I was never that interested in Anthea... I don¡¯t know, I just didn¡¯t like how fussy she was; maybe I¡¯m biased, but I liked Concordia a whole lot more.¡± Hannah blushed a little. ¡°I just liked putting myself in White¡¯s place... you think she¡¯s based on a real person like Noman?¡± Sam nudged her side a little. ¡°Hmm? Put yourself in her place, huh? Well, I¡¯ve heard people call Hilda White, you know, one of the former Champions of Unova, that girl Champion Hilbert had a rivalry with. You think there¡¯s something deeper there?¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Jade waved her hand. ¡°Hilbert¡¯s married to Cynthia¡¯s daughter, Bianca. There¡¯s no way there¡¯s something between Hilda and Hilbert! Cynthia would destroy her... then him.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Sam pressed with a sly smirk. ¡°Maybe it happened before they were married; you never know! It¡¯d be quite the steamy story.¡± Hannah couldn¡¯t help but picture the two former Champions following the scenes, and it did make her face redden a bit more, but a few things didn¡¯t add up if that was the case. ¡°That would be... uh, don¡¯t you think Hilbert would function better as Herlan¡­¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re right!¡± Jade mused. ¡°Quite the head canon we¡¯re making,¡± she snickered. ¡°I love it!¡± Sam returned. ¡°Umm... you know, my mind just kind of thought back to that time when we were in the lobby¡­¡± A frown touched Hannah¡¯s lips as she searched her memories. ¡°That... wait, when Rhea was talking about Yellow and Red?¡± ¡°Yeah... Muk, isn¡¯t that crazy? She¡¯s met both Red and Yellow.¡± Jade crossed her arms under her chest. ¡°Mmh... it didn¡¯t seem like she felt comfortable talking about it, though.¡± ¡°I think it just shows how many Master-tier Trainers she knows,¡± Sam piped up. ¡°Master-tier?¡± Hannah sucked in a breath. ¡°Yeah... Red and Yellow are far beyond that point, and Lori seemed to know a bit, too. Uh... I know I said it before, but do you really think we should go with them tomorrow... won¡¯t we just, ya know... slow them down?¡± ¡°Physically?¡± Sam mumbled, vision dropping to the pavement. ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought about that.¡± ¡°Yeah, I guess we would,¡± Jade whispered, lips falling. ¡°Orin feels kind of the same, too.¡± Hannah could feel a similar sensation coming from Limru; Jade and Sam¡¯s Pok¨¦mon might have gotten closer to Gables, but the opposite was the case for her Ledyba, intimidated by the chill frog Pok¨¦mon¡¯s smooth charms that prompted her to stick closer to Amber. Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°How far do you think they can travel in a day?¡± ¡°¡­I don¡¯t know, a lot longer than us; that¡¯s for sure,¡± Sam sighed. ¡°Rhea was so insistent, though.¡± ¡°Umm, hey, let¡¯s just give it a shot!¡± Jade encouraged. ¡°If we do suck, then we can just tell them to go on without us.¡± ¡°Mmh, I don¡¯t see Rhea being okay with that,¡± Hannah replied, ¡°but... I guess traveling with us will make it super casual for them. I... suppose I¡¯m down for trying one day to see how it goes. You, Sam?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll give it a go,¡± she smiled. ¡°I just want to hang out with Rhea a bit more, and Lori¡¯s really fun.¡± Hannah was a bit more interested in Amira than Mallory. There was just something so powerful she could see in her; Amira had red hair like her, and she just seemed to not give a Muk about how anyone saw her. Hannah was always pretty conscious about how people viewed her, which was why she tried to act like her father had more money than he really did and was really conscious about what she wore. ¡°Yeah, okay¡­¡± ¡°Excuse me¡­¡± Their attention shifted to a woman in a black dress; she¡¯d been walking beside them for a while, appearing to mind her own business. ¡°Yes?¡± Sam asked, and they slowed, separating a bit while eyeing the woman. Hannah swept her appearance, judging her to work in an office by her formal attire, but the black purse was a bit more expensive than she¡¯d expect for work use. Of course, she couldn¡¯t talk, saving up every credit her father gave her and even skipping out on meals to afford just a bit more fashionable clothes and products. The woman brushed back her straightened brown hair, giving them a soft smile; with her makeup on, she could pass for her late twenties, but Hannah figured she was closer to her mid-thirties. ¡°I couldn¡¯t help but overhear you talking about a spa earlier. Did you two... oh, no, you three come from PikaSpring?¡± She asked with an embarrassed chuckle. ¡°Umm, yeah¡­¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°Oh, good! I was considering going there with a few friends later. Mind if I ask you a few questions? I¡¯ve just heard so many good things about it and wanted to get someone¡¯s experience who¡¯s actually been.¡± Hannah¡¯s lips pulled in, glancing at Sam and Jade; the two returned the gaze. ¡°Umm,¡± Hannah scratched her temple, ¡°I mean, sure, I guess.¡± ¡°Oh, wonderful! My name¡¯s Coral, by the way,¡± she mumbled, vision moving left and right as the crowd shifted around them. ¡°Mind if we find a less congested area? Mmh... I see a caf¨¦ up ahead. Let me buy you a drink as thanks!¡± Not having to spend money on a drink was more than tempting to Hannah, and it seemed the others agreed. ¡°Sure!¡± Jade grinned. ¡°Thanks.¡± They followed Coral to the building, ordering ginger tea, and Coral added a side of steamed buns to their delight. She could always use a bit of food that could be saved for later; the woman just spent 120 credits on them. Sitting down as they waited, Coral began the conversation. ¡°To be honest,¡± she giggled, ¡°I saw you come out of PikaSpring on my way back from work. I have a group of five other women I work with that really could use a break after the day we¡¯ve had, and a nice relaxing time at a good spa seems in order. You know what I mean?¡± ¡°We totally get it!¡± Jade replied with a long sigh. ¡°We just got our first Pok¨¦mon, and I mean, the bonding can be rough... oh, not that we don¡¯t love our Pok¨¦mon!¡± ¡°No, no, I totally get it, girls!¡± Coral smiled. ¡°When I went on my journey, the age restriction was twelve... oof, now I sound old, haha.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t look that old,¡± Sam encouraged. ¡°What do you do now?¡± ¡°Me? Oh, I do all sorts of things. I have two jobs, actually! Sometimes you just need some extra credits to get all the things you want, right?¡± ¡°Sounds like my sister,¡± Jade chuckled. ¡°Oh, how far did you get?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± the woman¡¯s smile turned forced, ¡°only to my fourth Bronze-tier Badge. I never actually completed the League Challenge, but it¡¯s not like that¡¯s all there is, right?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Jade returned. ¡°My dad only got to the seventh Bronze-tier Badge. Blue was running the Viridian Gym at that time... I mean, how¡¯s that fair, he¡¯s Mukin¡¯ Legendary-tier,¡± she sighed with a slight shake of her head. Hannah didn¡¯t want to point out that her dad didn¡¯t have to face Blue, and he wasn¡¯t Legendary-tier at that time; her dad could just as easily have battled one of the Gym aides. ¡°Umm, yeah, so what did you want to know about PikaSpring?¡± Coral¡¯s focus moved to her. ¡°Like I was saying, I have five other women that want to join me, so I was wondering about your little group! You had three other friends that went in with you, right? You know, that six on six comparison? Hehe. I thought they looked familiar, too... wait, now that I think about it, were they battling on PrimeTime? I saw all the matches, but that first one... it was just... just incredible!¡± She finished, seemingly lost for words. Sam scratched her forehead before massaging her left shoulder. ¡°Yeah, they were the team that won against that Kalos guy¡¯s group.¡± ¡°Oh, right, right,¡± she mumbled, pulling out her phone from inside her purse to bring up their profile. ¡°Rhea, Mallory Medina, and... oh, that must be why I noticed you six... Amira Rocket was in your party. I was so shocked when I heard the News call her name for the award!¡± ¡°Yeah... she¡¯s pretty cool,¡± Hannah shrugged. ¡°Wow... oh, you must tell me how she liked the place!¡± Coral pushed, eyes lightning up. ¡°If Amira Rocket found the spa acceptable, then it must be high-quality, right? I¡¯m sure she would have very high standards for such establishments. Was she the one that picked it out?¡± ¡°Umm, no, I don¡¯t think so?¡± Jade asked, focus shifting to her. Hannah shook her head. ¡°No, Mallory picked it out, from what Rhea text Sam, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Sam mumbled, pulling out her phone to check. ¡°Wait, no, not in her text... umm, I don¡¯t think she said specifically, but... no, I¡¯m sure Rhea said Lori was the one picking out the Pass, and she paid for all of ours.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± The woman crossed her hands atop the table as a waiter brought them their tea and steamed buns. The man was in his early twenties, brown hair and markless face giving him a cute appeal. ¡°Thanks,¡± Jade grinned. ¡°Yeah. My name¡¯s Rick, by the way, and the tea has free refills tonight.¡± ¡°Oh, I like that,¡± Sam chimed. ¡°We¡¯ll let you know if we need ya again!¡± ¡°I look forward to it,¡± he replied with a friendly tone before moving to another table. Coral leaned forward with a sly smile. ¡°He¡¯s pretty cute, huh?¡± A lump dropped down Jade¡¯s throat while following his back. ¡°Y-Yeah, he kind of is¡­¡± ¡°Oh, to be young,¡± Coral giggled, sitting back. ¡°So, you¡¯re friends with Rhea?¡± Hannah cleared her throat, sipping at her tea. ¡°We only met yesterday, but yeah, I guess.¡± ¡°Right... Rhea,¡± the woman mumbled, looking at her phone. ¡°Her last name was... what was it¡­¡± Sam gave her a quizzical look. ¡°Uh, wha... I don¡¯t know. What about you, Hannah?¡± ¡°Nope. She had it hidden from the public, remember?¡± ¡°Oh, right,¡± Coral replied before Jade or Sam could answer. ¡°I completely forgot, hehe, umm, yeah, she¡¯s kind of a mystery, huh? I had a co-worker of mine talking about it, now that we¡¯re on the subject. Both Rhea and Jason chose to have their information sealed; that¡¯s pretty rare if I remember right.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Jade mumbled, chewing a bite of her steamed bun. Coral¡¯s brown eyes turned curious. ¡°How would you describe her? I¡¯ve just never met a real mysterious celebrity; you girls are so lucky to be friends!¡± Hannah sipped her tea, pondering on Coral¡¯s question. ¡°How would I describe Rhea?... She¡¯s super strong; I mean, you saw what her Mawile can do, right?¡± ¡°Oh, how could I not? It¡¯s the talk of the city,¡± Coral chuckled. ¡°Didn¡¯t she have another Pok¨¦mon, too? I thought I saw a second pok¨¦ball on her belt. Was that empty?¡± Jade¡¯s light green eyes lit up. ¡°No, that¡¯s her Eevee, Nova; she¡¯s so Mukin¡¯ cute! I just want to snuggle next to her and pet her forever!¡± ¡°Wow, she has a Mawile and an Eevee... that¡¯s just amazing, and does it have a unique color, too?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Sam grinned, excited to talk about the beautiful Eevee. ¡°She¡¯s black and white, like... just gorgeous!¡± ¡°That¡¯s so... brilliant! How¡¯d they get that color? I mean, I¡¯d like to get one like that myself!¡± ¡°Get in line,¡± Jade groaned longingly. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve got no clue, but Rhea sure is amazing. Oh, yeah, so, umm... Rhea¡¯s nice, and she doesn¡¯t talk down to people¡­¡± Coral¡¯s brow creased. ¡°No?¡± ¡°What... do you mean no?¡± Sam asked, eyebrows coming together. ¡°Didn¡¯t you girls hear her statement to the Kalos frontrunner; isn¡¯t that talking down to someone? I don¡¯t know, I just thought it was a bit of a... well, ya know¡­¡± Hannah slowly shook her head. ¡°What statement?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She leaned forward, pulling out an audio clip from a News station on her new-looking phone, replaying Rhea¡¯s statement to Lucian. ¡°You three didn¡¯t know about that?¡± Jade slowly shook her head. ¡°No, but... I mean, we don¡¯t know why she said it either.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Sam jumped in, ¡°and that Lucian boy sounded kind of stuck up to me. He even made Rhea bet to reveal her family name to help Amira.¡± Hannah huffed, lips pressing to the side while thinking about the whole match. ¡°Actually, Rhea¡¯s awesome! I bet she didn¡¯t want to make that bet but still did it to help Amira; that¡¯s a really good friend to have.¡± ¡°Huh... I suppose you¡¯re right,¡± Coral smiled, putting away her phone. ¡°Are Rhea and Amira good friends? I guess they must know each other pretty well if Rhea would do something so risky for her. It must be nice.¡± Hannah¡¯s focus fell to the table with her team; Coral was asking some pretty good questions that made them think. It was a bit of a strange turn to the conversation, but Coral seemed on the cusp of becoming Rhea¡¯s fan, and she wanted to help her new friend as best she could. ¡°Eh... I don¡¯t know,¡± Jade finally answered. ¡°They don¡¯t seem like total strangers, but who can really say; Rhea¡¯s super friendly.¡± ¡°Umm, but... weren¡¯t we talking about PikaSpring, though?¡± Sam asked. ¡°Right, right,¡± Coral chortled. ¡°Oh, well... hehe, you see, when I was working up the courage to talk to you three, I heard something really interesting, though, and I¡¯m just dying to know!¡± She chimed, looking pretty excited. Hannah¡¯s vision moved to Sam before returning to the woman. ¡°From us?¡± ¡°Yeah! Of course, since I¡¯ve been looking at a spa to stay at, I discovered PikaSpring had some relationship with Red¡¯s wife, Yellow, and you said Rhea knew both Red and Yellow. That¡¯s so cool, right? Where¡¯d she meet them, at a fair?¡± ¡°A fair?¡± Jade chuckled. ¡°No, no, I think they came to her house or something.¡± ¡°I mean, she didn¡¯t really say that, though,¡± Hannah returned, thinking back on the scene. ¡°Ah,¡± Coral nodded. ¡°It was just kind of implied from what she was saying. Okay, so, her parents must be on pretty good terms with Red and Yellow, then. Maybe they stayed at her house overnight?¡± ¡°Woah, woah,¡± Sam protested. ¡°I don¡¯t know about any of that! Rhea was just talking about how Yellow hasn¡¯t aged that much in the picture, which, I mean, she did become a Master by like twelve years old, so, makes sense.¡± ¡°Yeah, she looked as old as us,¡± Jade added. Hannah ruefully shook her head. ¡°Heh, well, maybe not like us; no, she¡¯s more like Rhea with that mane of golden hair.¡± ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t know,¡± Sam mused, lips twisting into a thoughtful smile. ¡°If we¡¯re throwing around speculations, the only place I¡¯ve seen blonde hair like Rhea¡¯s would be on someone like Active Champion Cynthia.¡± They all laughed, and Coral leaned in, voice becoming hushed. ¡°Oh, I like that train of thought. Could you imagine? We¡¯re just speculating, too, hehe; oh, this is so much fun! Wouldn¡¯t that be a story? Rhea¡¯s the hidden illegitimate daughter of Cynthia? I mean, no one really knows who Bianca¡¯s father is, either! Isn¡¯t that pretty juicy?¡± ¡°It would be crazy,¡± Sam admitted. ¡°I don¡¯t know, though. I mean, Rhea lives in Kanto, and Cynthia is in Sinnoh. Hmm... how would we make it work?¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Coral¡¯s eyes narrowed suspiciously. ¡°I mean, didn¡¯t Bianca live in Unova for an extended time?¡± ¡°Did she?¡± Hannah asked, glancing over at Sam as if she had answers. Of course, she just shook her hand with a growing smile. ¡°I don¡¯t really know.¡± ¡°Well... she started her Bronze-tier journey there,¡± Coral mumbled, lips pushed to the side. ¡°Oh, and it¡¯s speculated that Cynthia has a villa around Unova, but it¡¯s mostly hearsay,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Wow,¡± Jade muttered, ¡°you know a lot of gossip.¡± Sam shrugged. ¡°I mean, I guess she did stop us to figure out more about PikaSpring.¡± Hannah nodded slowly. ¡°Yeah... umm, so are you a journalist or something?¡± ¡°Me?¡± Coral¡¯s arm pressed against her stomach. ¡°Do I look like a journalist?¡± ¡°I... don¡¯t know what a journalist would look like,¡± Hannah replied with a short chuckle, feeling a little sheepish. ¡°Eh... what did you want to know about the spa?¡± ¡°Oh, right, let¡¯s get back on topic, shall we?¡± She asked with tinkling laughter. ¡°Ah... and let¡¯s get your cups filled up! Uh... Rick, Rick!¡± Snapping her fingers, the handsome man¡¯s head darted their way. ¡°Yea, can we get... oh, you¡¯re a darling!¡± When he came back over with a pot, she cleared her throat, winking at Hannah. ¡°So, Rick, you wouldn¡¯t happen to be seeing anyone, are you? You¡¯ve got some cute young Trainers here.¡± Hannah¡¯s face turned bright red with Sam and Jade¡¯s following, but before they could bluster anything to embarrass themselves, Rick gave a weak chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I have a girlfriend.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, yeah, no... no problem,¡± Sam stammered, waving her hands in front of her. Jade¡¯s eyes were focusing on anything but his face. ¡°Yeah, umm... w-what¡¯s her name?¡± Seriously, Jade?! Hannah just wanted to crawl under a rock and die, doing her best to use her red hair to hide her flushed cheeks. ¡°Uh... Stacey?¡± He replied with a confused smile, filling up their cups. ¡°Umm, sorry, but I should get over to the... other tables.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, go ahead!¡± Sam grinned, seemingly so flustered she forgot to hide her bright red cheeks. ¡°Oh, sorry, girls,¡± Coral whispered with a pleading look, ¡°I gotta go, too! Some of my friends are calling.¡± Hannah¡¯s brain was already cooked; she didn¡¯t even respond as Coral swiftly bid them goodbye and left, leaving a sizable tip of 40 credits. Unable to handle the heat in her face and the pitying glances by the couples surrounding them, Hannah gulped down her tea, ¡°Umm... you guys wanna go?¡± ¡°Please¡­¡± Jade whispered with almost a cry. Tossing on their backpacks with heavy grunts, they trudged out of the caf¨¦, head spinning. ¡°W-What was that... what... just... happened?¡± Sam finally gasped, apparently holding her breath since they left. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Hannah groaned. ¡°I¡¯ve never been so embarrassed in my life.¡± ¡°She just went in... deep, like... in, in¡­¡± Jade moaned. ¡°I¡¯ve... my sister hasn¡¯t even done that to me!¡± ¡°I... we can¡¯t go back to that caf¨¦... ever,¡± Hannah cried. ¡°What was she thinking?¡± Jade¡¯s depressed shoulders fell further. ¡°The way everyone was looking at us, too... no-hoo-hoo¡­¡± Hannah rubbed her flaming forehead, body on fire. ¡°Who does that?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just go get ready for bed,¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m gonna cry... he was so uncomfortable, too. The way he looked at us... everyone¡¯s eyes just targeting us with pity¡­¡± They closed in to hug her, stumbling off-balance as they bumped into the brick building beside them. ¡°Let¡¯s just go to my place and get some ice cream,¡± Hannah whispered, feeling more depressed than anything now. ¡°Geez, she didn¡¯t even ask if we had boyfriends... do we really look that lonely¡­¡± ¡°Not you,¡± Jade returned with a forced smile. ¡°You¡¯re dressed nice, and... I don¡¯t know... maybe it was just me¡­¡± ¡°Gah... just stop thinking about it!¡± Sam groaned, scratching her arm. ¡°Ice cream sounds nice... is it really 9:39 P.M.?¡± ¡°Yeah, ice cream and bed,¡± Hannah sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll throw on some of my dad¡¯s old matches we can fall asleep to.¡± ¡°That sounds so nice right now... I just wanna die¡­¡± Jade murmured. ¡°Muk¡­¡± B1 — 14. Journey, Start! 5:37 A.M. June 11, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 3rd day of the First Preliminary Match Week for the Kanto & Johto Summer Indigo Cup. Many tourists are traveling through Pallet and Viridian to arrive at Silver City for the big tournament while also supporting the Summer Bronze League kick-off. Rhea stretched out as she awoke, hearing movement close by. Cracking open an eye, she blinked to adjust her vision. It was still dark outside from what she could see from the cracks of the pulled blinds; twisting to her back under her warm blankets, she saw the bathroom light on. Fuzzy mind working through a yawn, Rhea saw Amira¡¯s bed was made and empty; the alarm clock beside her bed showed 5:37 A.M., a full 23 minutes before she¡¯d normally get up. Releasing a soft moan, she sat up, smacking her dry mouth before taking a drink from the cup she¡¯d prepared the night before. Lori was still fast asleep, her blankets thrown half-off the bed to show most of her skin, the left strap of her white and dark blue striped scoop bikini pulled to the side with her nighttime movements, and cheeky high waist bottoms on display. Gables was hanging over her right foot, almost falling off the bed. Nova was stirring in her pok¨¦ball as Mya wished her good morning, already awake, and with Nova¡¯s rise, Mya appeared to get ready for bed. Good morning... are you two okay? Returning the internal greeting, Rhea grunted softly, scooting to the bed¡¯s side to twist around and get a few good pops in. They both responded in the positive, confusing her a little. Okay... uh, are you taking shifts? Another positive response gave her an answer; they were preparing their schedules to stand guard at night while the other was out during the day. Mya appeared to have drawn the nighttime stick. Unbinding her high bun, she shook out her hair, rolling around her neck; she¡¯d slept like a babe after the spa¡¯s wonderful massage and felt well-rested for a day of hiking. Picking up her phone from the built-in dresser charger, she brushed her long blonde locks to the side to fall back on her pillow with a sigh. A message from her mother was the only text that wasn¡¯t just wishing her well. 10:13 P.M. Hey, lil¡¯ Swablu, umm... so, I was thinking about your little girlfriends, and... I really liked them, so... I might have called a few connections to get some fun stuff to thank them for protecting you... because of my miscalculation! I¡¯ll leave the package at Oak¡¯s office for safekeeping. Loves you, and hope you feel better soon! Rhea¡¯s lips tightened into a line. Called a few connections... she always leaves everything to be a surprise. It is kind of fun that way, though. She giggled softly, swapping to the news. Few stories hit the daily release this early; typically, the big morning articles and gossip would come in around 6:30 A.M. to 7:30 A.M. Sure enough, most of the news was just speculations on the current top Bronze-tier contenders. One of the niche sports that had become a bit more popular as of late was the speedrunning community; young upstart Trainers competing to see who could complete the Bronze-tier Badge Challenge the fastest, and it appeared to have a decent betting pool this year. Kevin MacLerie from the Galar region appeared to have traveled all night with Finnik Buchanan and Nealson Vass, his speedrunning team; for some reason, Kevin was getting most of the attention. Their parents were all within the Platinum-tier range, and they were getting some recognition after making it to the Xanadu Nursery at 5 A.M., seven minutes before the next team, and over a day before most teams were projected to have made it to the halfway point to Viridian. However, the next article that came in at 5:07 A.M. would undoubtedly cause a bigger uproar. Amy and Olivia¡¯s team appeared to join the speedrunning community because the two Sinnoh girls with their partner, Isabella, had arrived next. Amy was probably the one pushing the girls to do it, and Rhea couldn¡¯t see the first-place team holding their lead long with those types of girls on their butts. With relatives like Maylene, Candice, and Flannery, all very physically active High Master Gym Leaders, their physical Allocation gave them a pretty decent advantage in the speedrunning competition. The thing that impressed Rhea was the speed at which they would have had to travel after the Starter Award matches; the Galar group had more than a five-hour head start on the gang. Of course, there were many more speculations being tossed around about her getting upvoted on the Gossip App, which made her sigh. She¡¯d gotten a bit of satisfaction over the years from keeping up with the latest celebrity news or viral events but didn¡¯t really expect to be on there herself. The current big topics related to her were the background of Mya, her second Pok¨¦mon, and questions regarding her pok¨¦ball. Evidently, more than one girl wanted information on the pink and purple-themed devices and a shocking number of guys. No one had an answer, though, and most just theorized it was a prototype brand or custom-built Ultra Ball. There was one mention of her having a Master Ball, with the guy freaking out about it, but most were just calling him a troll. She¡¯d never heard of a Master Ball before her mother explained it, and any Master-tier Trainers would likely speak to other masters, not talk about it online. A few tags were linked to the post, trying to debunk his claim; it looked like Master Balls had been an internet conspiracy theory for some time with pok¨¦ball enthusiasts. Obviously, not false, but a well-guarded secret within the individual region¡¯s Indigo League and the big companies, probably constrained by the League itself. Rhea smiled while tuning in to Jason¡¯s private Pikabook profile; she hadn¡¯t been too into the social media platform, but since his mother was really big into it, it made sense why both her kids would be. Some of his posts made her giggle, watching a short video of Len¡¯s Chimchar sitting on a pile of logs and leaves they¡¯d gathered to start the fire using his small burning tail. Sunny could be seen in the backdrop, high in a tree branch while looking out for danger; Jason edited the picture with a few filters to make him seem more imposing with the text underneath You steppin¡¯ up to me? Huh, Punk? Flipping through the bits of humor Jason added in his first pose, she followed their journey back, studying the Pok¨¦mon he saw, posting to an album every new one he caught sight of, as seemed to be a Pikabook tradition that was catching on. Pondering if she should start posting on her somewhat barren account, she decided it might be fun to keep connected. Making a peace symbol while taking a selfie with her two pok¨¦balls on the desk, Rhea posted her first update in forever. ¡°Just got up! Feelin¡¯ good for a day of hiking!¡± Honestly, she was still sore, but it was manageable, unlike how she felt after the match with Mya. Yet, after more than forty hours of rest with her Pok¨¦mon in their pok¨¦balls, she was handling it much better; it wouldn¡¯t be the case if she had them come out, though. A weak smile lifted her lips as the hearts and comments flew in. Bianca: (??0?)?~ Morning looks good on ya, Cutie! You getting on Pikabook now?! Dad: £¨¡ã0¡ã£©Rhea + Pikabook?! @Christie Grandpa Drake: Swwwaabbbluuu!!! :¡¯¡¯)) Annila: Oh, goodness, Rhea?! I can¡¯t wait to see your photos! Katelin (>_<): Woah! Sweet, we get to keep up to date on your progress first hand! Now, if only we could get your brother in on this! ??? Mom: Hold up! Sweetie! I should get on Pikabook more >_> Grandpa Drake: YES, CHRISTIE!!! YES!!! Great Grandma Carolina: (???)¥Î Family?! Lil¡¯ Cindy¡¯s been getting me up to date on this Pikabook business. Rhea¡¯s on here, too? Rhea: Hey, Granny! Grandpa Drake: MOM?!?!?! Grandma Glacia: Hello, Carolina, and good morning, Rhea. I hope you are feeling healthier. Rhea: Yup, doing much better! Great Grandma Carolina:... Why would she not be? Was my great-granddaughter sick and no one filled me in. ?¨q¨r? Great Grandma Carolina:... Drake?!? Christie?!?! Auntie Cynthia: I¡¯ll fill you in, Grandma. Looking lovely, Sweetie! Great Grandma Carolina: Christie¡¯s calling me... how do I answer on Pikabook? Great Grandma Carolina: Uh, blast it! Just call my phone. Rhea: Well, gotta get up and get ready. Amira¡¯s gonna be done with the bathroom soon. She smiled as the thread went on, her grandfather apparently in trouble for not letting her great grandmother know, and even her grandfather didn¡¯t want to get on her great grandfather¡¯s bad side. Rhea actually didn¡¯t know how old her great-grandparents were, at least in their 130s, probably even older. Her entire life, she¡¯d heard comments about how they could die anytime, yet they stood firm against such predictions. The real shock was seeing them on Pikabook. Grandpa Drake was a Pikabook fanatic, posting images and updates on his ship and crew all the time. Grandma Glacia, on the other hand, was much more sparse with her posts but kept up with everyone through it. Going to her settings for Katelin, she removed the nickname to get rid of the >_< text she¡¯d placed there years before; she was actually starting to like Katelin more as of recent. Mallory¡¯s movement drew her eyes; her purple hair was wrapped in a bun, facing Rhea as she turned away with a groan, showing her bare back. In the dim light, Rhea was able to the soft remains of burn scars that had gone through extensive healing methods, showing only a slight discoloration from her normal skin tone. Rhea noticed the mark at the spa, but no one brought it up, and she certainly wasn¡¯t going to be the one to ask why she got the scar. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira exited the bathroom, and by the lack of steam, figured it was a cold shower. Her hair was pulled up in a microfiber towel that the hotel provided, her skin was shiny with whatever products she used, and a towel covered her body. Rhea smiled, setting her phone back on the wireless charger while keeping her voice low to not wake Mallory. ¡°Morning.¡± ¡°Morning,¡± Amira replied, giving her a soft smile before moving to her bag to extract some sunscreen. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± She asked, moving to the mirror and sink outside the bathroom to finish up. Taking out her morning kit from one of her bag''s inner compartments, Rhea decided to use the hotel towels to skip a clean-up step. ¡°Better. I¡¯m good to get going. Umm... my mind¡¯s been a bit fuzzy after the match; did you say your grandpa wanted us to eat with him?¡± Amira¡¯s hands paused, applying her sunscreen to her neck, deep red irises moving to her in the mirror. ¡°Is that a problem?¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Rhea held up her hands. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to get everything in my head set right!¡± ¡°Hmm... yeah,¡± she returned to her task, removing her body towel to reveal her plain burgundy Bandeau top, accented with modern hand-woven back detail, and cheeky bottom swimwear. ¡°It¡¯s not that big of a deal if you don¡¯t want to go.¡± Rhea took her items to the bathroom, catching Amber prancing out, fur looking shiny as if just cleaned. ¡°No, I¡¯d love to meet your grandparents. I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Amira absently replied, working the sunscreen in as Amber watched her morning process. ¡°Better hurry, Lori wakes up at 6:15... 6, but she¡¯ll hit the snooze.¡± Oh, got it!¡± She giggled, moving into the shower to start getting ready. Rhea naturally woke up at 6 A.M. from years of routine, but it seemed Amira had an even earlier system. It did give a good indication of their schedules, though, and would probably set what time they¡¯d start preparing for sleep each night. Doing her light maintenance after, she brushed her teeth, applied lip balm, deodorant, and a mixture of sunscreen with lotion. Amira¡¯s fingers were expertly crafting her hair into a similar waterfall braid that she¡¯d first seen her with. Mallory stretched out with a low moan across her bed, causing her startled Froakie to drop to the floor. Gables recovered instantly as he fell, landing on his feet before yawning; glancing at Amber as she stared at him from atop Amira¡¯s bed, he appeared to say good morning, and the two Pok¨¦mon exchanged a few chirps. Nova felt a bit left out, Mya already asleep. Just a few more days. Once we get to Viridian, we¡¯ll be free to start hanging out! Her Eevee gave a longing sigh but responded that she was alright. Lori grunted, glancing over at them as Rhea started combing out her hair. ¡°Y¡¯all get up too early, geez! Mmh... what¡¯s goin¡¯ on in the world?¡± Reaching over to nab her phone off the charger, she began swiping through messages. ¡°Mhm... figured... oh, what¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Rhea caught Mallory scratching her bare belly out of the corner of her eyes; she really did have both Amira and her beat in the chest department. ¡°So, last night I set up an App Grimsley developed to gather intel to see what people were saying about us¡­¡± Amira was working on her last braid, brow furrowing while eyeing Lori. ¡°You can do that?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah... uh... yo, nothing I didn¡¯t really expect, but this... hey, Rhea, check it out... hmm¡­¡± Rhea picked up her phone as Lori requested a quick link; accepting it, she frowned as the holographic display radiated out, showing a news article. ¡°Man... I need to get me one of those,¡± Lori huffed, glaring at her phone. ¡°Oh, that reminds me,¡± Rhea mumbled, picking up her phone to read the article, ¡°my Mom sent a text saying she¡¯s got you two some gifts.¡± ¡°For me?¡± Amira asked, checking the stability of her braids. Mallory¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Ooh, what is it?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°No clue. She likes to keep things mysterious.¡± ¡°Sweet!¡± Lori cheered, rolling around her neck. ¡°Man... that spa, and I don¡¯t know if I like the manicure or pedicure more¡­¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Rhea mumbled, ¡°yeah, I¡¯ve never had someone do my hands or feet before... where did they... hmm¡­¡± Amira brought up her own phone to glance through it. ¡°By Coral Kaylera... I can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised she ambushed those girls.¡± Rhea¡¯s teeth clapped around her pulled in lips, applying light pressure while following the piece Lori sent her. The Enigma, Rhea... Connected to Red, Yellow, Cynthia? By Coral Kaylera 6:13 A.M. June 11, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) If anyone was going to put their bets on who would be the most talked-about frontrunner within the first International Bronze League, few would have placed their money on the mysterious Kanto Master¡¯s pick, Trainer Rhea... until her impossible reveal battle. Rhea went against her opposing counterpart, Jason, who also did not reveal his family¡¯s identity, and the fact no one seems to know anything about them means the Master¡¯s Community is choosing to let this vexing puzzle continue. However, Jason did not leave the mark that our cryptic blonde has, and her supposed randomly selected team strikes quite the image. With someone like Amira Rocket, granddaughter of infamous Giovanni Rocket, Mafia Head of the allegedly disbanded Rocket Syndicate, and the daughter of Kanto¡¯s regional jewel and Champion-tier Trainer, Lyra Rocket, as her teammate. It brings some questions about Rhea¡¯s obviously modified Pok¨¦mon, which is only one of many past crimes charged to the girl¡¯s mob boss of a family. We can only speculate how Rhea, this indomitable force among Bronze-tier rookies, and Amira Rocket were placed together. Each group member has already reached the bounty cap of 5,500 credits with their team bounty at 10,000, meaning if any aspiring Bronze-tier Trainer did manage to win a Triple Battle, they¡¯d split 26,500 credits, marking this group as the Rank 1 International League target. Yet, as many of yesterday¡¯s online commentators pointed out, after that chilling debut, would anyone really even consider taking on a Bronze-tier Trainer that clearly belongs in the Silver Division? The final member of Rhea¡¯s team is an interesting pick and irking conundrum when trying to investigate. Mallory Medina, not much was known about her past since the records are sealed behind League Subpoena, directed to Cynthia herself, which can only be issued by high position elected officials and can be rejected on the narrowest grounds. What we do know is that Grimsley Medina became the legal guardian of two girls twelve years ago, Mallory at age five, and Shauntal at age fifteen. The fifteen-year-old promptly eclipsed all Bronze-tier competitors, shooting to Platinum-tier within her first year in brutal fashion. Two years later, she became one of the youngest Grandmasters recorded, only overshadowed by the standard Legends, and currently holds the lowest-tier position in the Unova Elite 4 at the age of 24, filling the place for the last three years. That¡¯s not even discussing her literary achievements. All of that only tickles the fancy of any journalist, but I wanted even more juicy details. With the group themselves bluntly refusing interviews, I went to the next best source and sat down with three of Rhea¡¯s close friends to get a better understanding of these esoteric stars. These young Bronze-tier girls were infatuated by Rhea, which is to be expected; most children of Master-tier Trainers are the idol and envy of the world since it almost guarantees strong Fortitude. However, unlike the unreachable pillars most of these privileged Trainers appear to be, these girls saw Rhea as a rather humble person, showering these stars with praise about their stunning looks. What I discovered from them truly surprised me. Rhea invited them to the PikaSpring, one, if not the, most expensive and upper-class spas in Pallet, with Mallory paying their way. The connection PikaSpring shares with the rural Viridian Legendary-tier superstar is well known, but when the girls said Rhea personally knew Yellow and Red, the Legendary power couple, I was shocked. Apparently, she even hinted that the pair stayed at her house, which begs the question... who are Rhea¡¯s parents!? If these two legends are on bunking terms with Rhea¡¯s parents... who would live up to that standard? And that brings us to the next tantalizing detail these girls brought up when discussing Rhea¡¯s dazzling looks, comparing the blonde bombshell to Sinnoh Active Champion and Legendary-tier Trainer, Cynthia, and not without good cause. After looking at our enigmatic rising star, it¡¯s not hard to see the resemblance, and the raw, unbridled dominance she demanded once entering the battle stage is unquestionably a striking correlation. Alas, we can only speculate, but just the fantasy of Rhea being the spirited away child of such a legend makes you ponder the possibility with all the obvious evidence and similarities. Equally deserving of notice is her thoroughly bred and modified Pok¨¦mon, which were approved by the Pallet Stadium Commission for legal use. One has to wonder what pressure they might have been under? If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. Maya, nicknamed Mya, Rhea¡¯s unique white and black Mawile, boasts the most enormous Starter Move Pool to date, displaying many top-tier Moves such as Psych Up, Swords Dance, Sucker Punch, and with some analysis of the footage, word of more Moves are spreading. After Len¡¯s Chimchar got an Encore on her, she appeared to have attempted what would have been a deciding Slam and a Stab Fairy Wind to blow Lucian¡¯s Piplup¡¯s Icy Wind back in his face! If all the speculation is correct, we¡¯re looking at a Mawile with at least 11 Moves; I¡¯ve identified the following so far, and I¡¯m sure more are to come: Ancient Power, Astonish, Stab Fairy Wind, Growl, Psych Up, Seismic Toss, Slam, Sucker Punch, Swords Dance, and Thunder Fang. Combined with two Abilities, perhaps an even larger upset than the incredible energy Rhea and Mya were able to produce at their level. Intimidate, an already top-tier Ability to possess with the added coverage that Hyper Cutter provides, utterly shutting down Lucan¡¯s Piplup¡¯s pitiful Feather Dance attempt, desperately trying to lower the +2 Attack Fairy-Steel Pok¨¦mon¡¯s rampage. If that wasn¡¯t enough, I¡¯m happy to announce that Rhea¡¯s second Pok¨¦mon in no way lags behind Mya; Rhea¡¯s friends revealed that her second Pok¨¦mon was a white and black Eevee named Nova, and providing some good evidence that she must have gone through the same breeding and genetic program as her Mawile! Is Rhea Professor Bianca¡¯s hidden away sister? Was their team truly selected at random? How did Rhea get such overwhelmingly powerful Pok¨¦mon? What is her connection to Yellow and Red? Who is Rhea related to, and why is the Master Community so tightlipped on the topic? So many questions, but only time and transparency will give us answers! I can tell you one thing for certain, though; keep an eye out for Nova, Rhea¡¯s unique Eevee. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll see something phenomenal when she does appear; Rhea is definitely the Starter to keep track of, and I can tell you her first Gym Battle will be one to behold! Rhea¡¯s lips fell into a slight grimace. She assumes a lot of things... I mean, some of it isn¡¯t far from the truth, but she¡¯s stating it as almost a fact. Cynthia¡¯s my aunt, not my mother... and I never said Red and Yellow stayed at my house... did I? No... they never have, so that would be a lie, and she¡¯s acting like Red and Yellow are stuck-up snobs that wouldn¡¯t stay at anyone¡¯s house that weren¡¯t famous. Her thoughts returned to the kind golden-haired woman that stopped by every other year with Red to talk with her father, and the journalist¡¯s portrayal made her a bit angry. They stayed at one of the three guest houses the Masters had pitched in to build; a lot of Masters used them as a low-key resting spot when traveling between regions. Nova mirrored her light frustration but was feeling a bit happy that she was mentioned. ¡°What do ya think?¡± Lori asked, getting up to do some light stretches on the ground with Gables. Rhea hummed softly. ¡°What evidence is she citing?¡± Amira shrugged, tossing her phone beside her before packing up her items. ¡°It¡¯s standard journalist manipulation. A few people will blow it off, but most will buy into it because she says it and is check-mark certified from Gossip. Other than Nova, the Cynthia speculation, and the Red and Yellow bits, there¡¯s not much substance to it that wasn¡¯t public knowledge. ¡°Nova was the linking piece that¡¯ll throw weight behind her speculations to be carried by other outlets. It¡¯s a practice I¡¯ve seen Coral use before, and she¡¯ll go after the people close to you, ambushing them with paid off individuals. You¡¯d be shocked what normal people are willing to do for fame or 20 credits.¡± ¡°True, that!¡± Lori chuckled. Rhea sighed, scanning the article again. ¡°Is this bad? Did Sam, Jade, and Hannah sell her the information?¡± ¡°Doubtful,¡± Amira promptly replied in a disinterested tone. ¡°They were just used by Coral, which is why you should keep friends at a distance.¡± ¡°Oof, harsh,¡± Mallory said with a small smile. ¡°I can¡¯t blame them, though; we never warned them.¡± ¡°Did we really need to?¡± Amira asked with a lifted eyebrow. ¡°They were smart enough not to spill the information about Rhea being hospitalized but couldn¡¯t handle the other probing questions. They knew what was sensitive information, but were more likely careless about what they talked about in public.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t argue there,¡± Lori replied, swapping positions to stretch out her chest. ¡°They don¡¯t have the experience.¡± ¡°Hmm... I don¡¯t have the experience,¡± Rhea sighed, dressing in her navy-themed shirt and skirt before pulling back her hair into a ponytail to feed through the back of her cap. ¡°Should we bring it up to them?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°I¡¯d wait to see if they bring it up.¡± Mallory moved to the bathroom, giving the redhead a smirk. ¡°Test them?¡± ¡°For what?¡± Rhea asked. Lori entered the bathroom to take a warm shower. ¡°I didn¡¯t think about them even letting slip about me being in the hospital... and are you going to wear that dress hiking?¡± Amira glanced down at her lavish red dress with a small frown. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with it? It¡¯s a hiking dress that¡¯s no different than the average Trainer-style outfits, designed with protective coating for the elements to resist stains and water.¡± ¡°Hmm... what about wind?¡± ¡°I have a belt and leggings; the tiers are designed to be removed... there¡¯s a pok¨¦ball magnet ring layered on the hip, too,¡± She mumbled, showing the hidden thin zipper underneath. ¡°Wow... fancy,¡± Rhea mumbled, smiling at her defensive tone. ¡°Maybe I should get one.¡± ¡°Umm, yeah... I can show you a place in Viridian,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I just feel like if they are your friends, then they¡¯ll own up to their mistake.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t like the idea of testing their loyalty, but a part of her questioned how the entire exchange went; Coral didn¡¯t have a lot of time to interrogate them, and she wondered if the journalist had more if she could have gotten her hospitalization out of them. ¡°Uh... Amira, how did you know I told them about being in the hospital.¡± Finished dressing, Amira¡¯s lips bunched to the side while staring at her. ¡°Because you talked about it at the spa. Are you sure your brain¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°Oh, hehe... umm, yeah, I guess I¡¯m still not a hundred percent. I usually have a really good memory¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s because you have a good mental Allocation,¡± Amira commented, crossing her legs after moving to an armchair by the door; Amber jumped on her lap. ¡°It just means you¡¯re not fully recovered. Right?¡± ¡°I guess so... thanks.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t mention it.¡± Attaching her pok¨¦balls to her white belt, Rhea¡¯s mind returned to her conversation with Brock. ¡°Hey, Amira¡­¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± She was fiddling with her glasses, attached to her dress front. ¡°What¡¯s it like for you... with your Pok¨¦mon? How does it feel when feeding them energy?¡± ¡°Right... you don¡¯t have a limiter.¡± Amira glanced to the side, vision narrowing slightly while petting Amber. ¡°I can tell how much personal energy Amber has... not as clearly as I¡¯d like, but I¡¯m working on enhancing that monitoring sense. ¡°There¡¯s like a... filter in place between us, and I can throw as much energy as I want to her, but only so much slips through that filter. It¡¯s like I¡¯m pushing against an immovable wall that¡¯s slowly chipping away the longer Amber and I are bonded.¡± Amber chirped happily, rubbing her head against Amira¡¯s hand; her fiery tail and ears had turned into dark red tufts to not burn her Trainer. So... Amira¡¯s working at decreasing that wall while I need to put it up. How, though? Just being bonded with a Pok¨¦mon and increasing that link helps reduce the barrier, but how do I put one up... I don¡¯t think it¡¯ll happen naturally. They fell into silence, Rhea using the time to analyze the link between her and her Pok¨¦mon, but whatever she was looking for wasn¡¯t so obvious. Lori spent 8 minutes in the shower with only 5 more getting herself ready. She wore her clothes that went through the automatic Trainer washing and drying machines each room had for overnight cleaning. Most Trainer outfits were high-quality non-iron treated fabrics for long-term use. She appeared to have breathable leggings for warm climates and an insulated pair for colder. After finishing their preparations, they put on their sunglasses, leaving the keycard in the automatic return slot by the front entrance, and moved through the brightening city toward the Oak Foundation Lab. Rhea frowned upon getting a text from her mother on the way there. 6:47 A.M. Hey, my lil¡¯ Swablu, so... there¡¯s a bunch that¡¯s happening in Viridian right now. Your father and I will probably be here for a few days; I¡¯ll have my hands full, but I want to make time for your father and I to take you out to lunch, though! There¡¯s a place we can go discreetly. Loves you! She let her team know as they walked through the busy street, drawing gazes as they went. It was a partially cloudy morning with a cool breeze that would be nice when hiking. ¡°We have a lot planned for Viridian, don¡¯t we?¡± Rhea chuckled. Lori nodded. ¡°I¡¯m so excited!¡± Amira¡¯s fell a bit, red irises watching for people instead of enjoying the bustle Rhea was enthralled by; just being around, so many people were new to her, and seeing how everyone dressed and acted fascinated her curiosity. Amber kept a few feet in front of them with Gables camouflaged from sight, apparently practicing his stealth while on the lookout for journalists. ¡°Lunch with your parents and dinner with mine... how long are we planning to stay in Viridian?¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Mallory clasped her hands behind her back as they stopped at an interception, waiting for the light to change, ¡°probably at most two days. We gotta get to Pewter to participate in some of the local betting odds to get back what we spent here, what we¡¯ll spend in Viridian, and Dark City. Maybe we can participate in the Yas or Kaz Bronze Challenge. I¡¯ve heard they both have some fun prizes.¡± For the first time all morning, Amira giggled, causing the two other girls to lift an eyebrow. ¡°Yas and Kaz? You do realize those two establishments have been trying to compete with the Pewter Gym for official Gym Status for over two decades and failing miserably? I heard their children are even involved in the effort.¡± Rhea and Lori shook their heads with a wry smile. ¡°Nope,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Never heard of them until now.¡± ¡°I just heard they had decent prizes,¡± Mallory shrugged. Amira smirked. ¡°The highest challenge they have is in the Gold-tier. They can¡¯t even qualify for a Platinum-tier Challenge Ranking, yet they¡¯ve been hounding my grandfather for support forever; it¡¯s only because of him that Dark City hasn¡¯t collapsed and has basically become a subsidiary of Viridian. They come to the city to seek sponsorship just about every year.¡± Mallory chuckled, pulling up a large map of Kanto. ¡°Well, isn¡¯t all of Viridian Forest... Muk that¡¯s massive, Viridian Bay... the surrounding areas around Neon City, Gardenia City, the Shadow Woods to the east of Dark City, Gardenia City, Fennel Valley, Stone City, Terracotta Town, Scissor Town, Mulberry City¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it,¡± Amira mumbled with a wave of her hand. ¡°Viridian has a lot of governing land as an official City State.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, do you think we can stop by Gardenia City to try out the Contest? It¡¯s only like a few hours hike uphill from Dark City, right? There¡¯s an official PAC Office there so we can get our Contest Passes; we can do some of the Contests around the region, too! Oh, what about Hollywood in Viridian? That¡¯d be fun!¡± Amira¡¯s brow furrowed, glancing to the side with a sour expression. ¡°Ugh, you want to go everywhere. Contests... aren¡¯t really my thing, and the Hollywood district in Viridian isn¡¯t all that... a bunch of bloodsuckers.¡± ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, Amira! You¡¯re the one that seems to enjoy dressing up, and Amber would be a smash; I¡¯m down to give it a go!¡± Lori cheered. The redhead popped her tongue a few times, ushering them into a small store to buy a pack of spearmint gum for 3 credits. Waiting in the checkout line, she brushed back her hair with a soft sigh. ¡°Yeah, but wanting to look nice and dressing up to make a fool of myself are two different things.¡± ¡°Hehe, okay. You can watch us from the stands,¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°We could use someone on our side; I don¡¯t think we¡¯ll win since that¡¯s a higher class Contest Hall, but it¡¯ll be a fun bonding experience.¡± ¡°Yeah, knock yourselves out,¡± Amira grunted with a small smile, paying for the item. ¡°It will probably force us to stay in one of the cities overnight, though.¡± ¡°Unless we camp out!¡± Lori returned with a smirk. ¡°Why camp when you can have a bed to sleep in... even if it¡¯s not that decent?¡± Amira asked, popping the gum in her mouth. Rhea thought the bubblegum girl suited the redhead¡¯s look well, causing her to smile as she casually offered them both a piece. Accepting it, Mallory challenged them to a bubble size contest. Gables obviously won once joining the competition, hanging off Lori¡¯s pack with a smug smirk, sucking in the sphere he created that was the size of his head. ¡°Muk, nice!¡± Lori giggled, giving him a high-five. ¡°Creamed Amira¡¯s record.¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks bunched to the side, glaring at the frog through her round rosy glasses. She¡¯d been winning before that point, with Rhea being crushed. ¡°Okay, that¡¯s not fair.¡± Amber was still trying to make a bubble, doing even worse than Rhea. Rhea got her first text from Jade¡¯s group when walking up the lab steps. 7:08 A.M. Hey, sorry, we¡¯re running a bit behind! There was this strange lady that wanted to talk to us about PikaSpring... she totally crushed us... I¡¯ll tell you about it when we meet up. We were soooo embarrassed! Anyways, we kind of couldn¡¯t sleep that well; we¡¯ll be at the spot in like 40 minutes, top! Showing the message to the others, Amira huffed, still chewing her gum. ¡°Not surprised. Coral¡¯s got a whole community hate thread on PikaEdit... mostly Viridian residents, I think.¡± ¡°Crazy,¡± Mallory mumbled. ¡°Think she¡¯ll follow us?¡± Walking inside the building, they made it to the front desk, Rhea asking for a package in her name. The woman retreated to the back to check with her supervisor. ¡°She¡¯ll go wherever the biggest clickbait is, which was us yesterday, but it could be something else today,¡± Amira absently replied, studying the scientists walking through the doors to start their workday. ¡°They¡¯ve got informants all over the place that might send them something that¡¯ll distract the mob for a bit. Believe she¡¯ll be there when we get to Pewter, though.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Mallory hummed, fiddling with an app that was more complicated than Rhea wanted to learn or discover its use. ¡°I¡¯ll widen the net to see what¡¯s goin¡¯ on... umm... by the way, the underground bounty for us went up.¡± Rhea and Amira¡¯s gaze darted to her. ¡°Our what?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°So... you know how our legal max bounty is capped at 26,500 right now, right?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± Amira replied, folding her arms under her chest with a deep frown. ¡°Yeah, well, there¡¯s a few underground betting rings I keep an eye on, and three of the biggest ones are focusing on us pretty hard. Seems a lot of people on the low wanna see us eat dirt¡­¡± Rhea adjusted her cap. ¡°What¡¯s the bet?¡± ¡°Combined or individual?¡± Amira nibbled on her lip, gum tucked against her cheek. ¡°The total works.¡± ¡°Okay, excluding the official bet, for me... 18,870 credits, which is kind of low, to be honest,¡± she huffed with a slight frown. ¡°I guess it makes sense, though... Grimsley has a lot of weight in these circles.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Amira asked with a rushed chuckle. ¡°Uh... one sec... oh... 78,472 credits.¡± ¡°Great,¡± Amira grumbled. ¡°Oh, what about me?¡± Rhea asked, feeling more excited than worried. ¡°Uh... two bounties, actually... although I¡¯m not surprised.¡± ¡°Wait... only two pools?¡± ¡°No, no... there¡¯s a bounty on beating you for... 87,450 credits, and one for your family identity for 55,540 credits.¡± ¡°You¡¯re joking¡­¡± Rhea sighed, twisting to lean up against the desk, texting Jade back. 7:12 A.M. Yeah, no problem. BTW, go to PikaEdit and lookup Coral Kaylera. xD That the woman you met? ¡°Nope, and I think it¡¯ll probably go up,¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s a healthy chunk of credits, though; it could cover a small family for a year. Bah, not much we can do about it¡­¡± She paused, putting away her phone as the woman returned with Rhea¡¯s box. Opening it with some scissors the woman lent her, she extracted exactly what she thought they¡¯d be, two prototype phones from Silph. ¡°Oh, sweet!¡± Lori cheered, swiftly selecting the black one as Amira hesitantly accepted the red. ¡°Are you sure?¡± She whispered, fingers rubbing the smooth red crystal device. Rhea shrugged, motioning for them to follow her out. ¡°Why not? My mom wanted to give them to you. If you want, I can just give it back to her. It¡¯ll probably hit the market in like... six or eight months.¡± ¡°Nice!¡± Lori snickered, fiddling with her phone to extract the small SIM bar that held her information. ¡°I wonder what kind of processing power and network coverage this thing has¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never had issues,¡± Rhea replied, walking back out into the sunlight. Amira and Mallory went silent, each fiddling with their phone as they transferred the data over with the simple TouchTether method, applying all the enhanced encryption and password requirements. Rhea snuck a few more pictures of them while walking to post on her PikaBook profile, tagging her mom to let her know they loved the gifts. On their way to the meet-up spot, Jade texted her back. 7:32 A.M. Woah! That is her, and... she is a journalist. Did we say anything bad? 7:32 A.M. No, you¡¯re fine. Just watch out; she might show back up again, using other people to get info about us. Thanks for keeping the hospital bit a secret! 7:33 A.M. Yeah! We¡¯ll be more careful... Hannah¡¯s so mad... me, too... she really, really embarrassed us and didn¡¯t tell us the truth... Hannah¡¯s writing a post on PikaEdit right now. 7:33 A.M. You¡¯ll have to tell us about it. Yeah, Amira¡¯s not a fan of her. See ya in a bit! 7:33 A.M. Okai! We¡¯re on our way right now... we¡¯ll maybe be there at 7:45. 7:33 A.M. NP, we had somewhere to go, too. You¡¯ll probably beat us. We should get there at like 7:55. Rhea did what she¡¯d seen other Pallet citizens do, stop beside a yellow taxi and just open the back door, motioning for her team to follow; the two girls were still fussing over their phones, going through settings for Mallory and the startup tutorial for Amira. They got to the location at 7:51 with their driver going a bit faster than her travel App suggested and less traffic than expected. Getting out where she¡¯d entered Pallet, Rhea guided Lori and Amira to the clearing, meeting up with the three girls as they seemed to be going over the map, their Pok¨¦mon out. ¡°Umm... where does the map show we should travel, Hannah?¡± Jade asked with a bright tone. ¡°Not near Mt. Hideaway or Mt. Evolution,¡± Hannah mumbled. Sam shook her head. ¡°No, no, that¡¯s way too far west... it¡¯d be out of the... oh, hey, Rhea, Lori, Amira!¡± ¡°Hey, guys!¡± Rhea called back. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Just trying to figure out what¡¯s the best route,¡± Hannah replied with a nervous giggle. ¡°Umm... hey.¡± Amira had the holographic display fully extended with the map application active. ¡°... I¡¯ve already come up with a trail. If we cut through the mid-range Bronze-tier areas, then we can bypass most traffic and minimize the probability we¡¯ll get challenged.¡± ¡°Yeah, but umm... that¡¯s a bit rougher terrain,¡± Sam mumbled softly. ¡°Uh... yeah, okay, umm, sure; we¡¯ll give it a shot!¡± She grinned, grunting while hoisting up her backpack. ¡°Mmh,¡± Amira swiped through the 3D map, glancing at the shown terrain, ¡°it¡¯s not that big of a curve... we¡¯ll be hiking up a few hills, but nothing like Viridian Forest will be.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Jade replied with a forced smile. ¡°We, uh... better get used to it, then, haha.¡± Rhea glanced down at her own phone; Amira had sent her a link to her chosen path, and she marked forward. ¡°Okay! We¡¯re heading to Xanadu Nursery!¡± ¡°We probably won¡¯t get there today,¡± Amira commented, following as the others trudged behind. ¡°If we travel at a constant rate, then we¡¯ll probably get most of the way by nightfall, though. Make camp at 7 or 8 P.M., and wake up, restock at the Nursery, and see how far we can get to Viridian.¡± Glancing back, she caught the three girls¡¯ giving each other strained expressions. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Umm,¡± Sam mumbled, ¡°I don¡¯t know if, uh... we can travel the whole time... you know, until 7 or 8 P.M.¡± ¡°Not the entire way,¡± Amira evenly replied. ¡°We¡¯ll probably take one or two five minute breaks.¡± ¡°One or two¡­¡± Jade chuckled. ¡°Uh, yeah! We¡¯ll do our best, right?¡± Hannah returned. The other two swallowed. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Feeling a little bad for them, Rhea hummed. ¡°If you do feel tired, just let us know. Okay?¡± They gave similar responses in the affirmative. It turned out to be a lot worse than Rhea thought; she wasn¡¯t even feeling tired after each break the girls needed to take, and she began to realize how much more physical Allocation her team must have had compared to ordinary people. Sam, Hannah, and Jade weren¡¯t all that fit, but they weren¡¯t overweight; still, they required a rest every hour or two with the casual pace Rhea set. She knew Amira was a little exasperated with the constant stops, but she hid it well, and Lori didn¡¯t seem all that bothered. It gave Rhea time to enjoy nature, though, watching out for new Pok¨¦mon and taking pictures that were receiving constant feedback from her family. She caught sight of all the normal Pok¨¦mon within the area; Pidgey, Rattata, Sentret, sleeping Hoothoot, Wurmple, Pineco, Ledyba, and Spinarak. There were one or two Poochyena groups, and a Plusle and Minun group. The Poochyena party paused as if debating starting something, but after a sharp bark from Amber, flames flicking out of her mouth, they scampered off. A Spinarak crawled down from its web around 11 A.M. to see what they were about, but again, the firefox sent it scampering back up its tree. Gables kept popping up every so often, resting after extended Camouflage usage. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s Pok¨¦mon weren¡¯t able to see a lot of action with Amber¡¯s leading prance, acting as if she owned the forest. A swarm of Sentret followed them for a bit, eyeing Jade¡¯s Pidgey on her shoulder. It almost seemed like they had a bit of beef with the bird, but Gables and Amber were a powerful deterrent for the weak Pok¨¦mon along their route. The one upset came from a pair of Pikachu that stood in their way, seemingly challenging Amber. After a short exchange that consisted of three Ember and a Scratch, the two yellow mice were battered and defeated, running with sharp cries. Gables was able to practice Bubble and Mud Sport to put out any chance of a fire starting from the Stab Embers. Unplanned forest wildfires rarely happened with the network of Rangers that patrolled the forest, but handling the issues you create from battles were also a part of a Trainer¡¯s duty. Once it hit 5 P.M., Rhea decided it would be best to call it; the three girls were huffing and puffing, and they¡¯d just found a downhill stream they could use with a decent clearing to set up in. Nova had been a great cheerleader throughout the trip, and Mya was starting to wake up. Along the way, they recounted their encounter with Coral, and Rhea told them that she had to rest after her previous fight with Lucian, which was why Nova and Mya weren¡¯t out of their balls. They appeared content without the details, so Rhea kept them to herself. After setting up their tents, they started a fire with the gathered sticks they found around the area and talked. She discovered a lot about each of the girls as Mallory guided the conversation between them. Preparing for bed at 9 P.M, Rhea talked a bit to Bianca about her first day on the journey, lying on her sleeping bag with the warm night sending in a lovely breeze. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s Pok¨¦mon had gotten a lot of rest with Amber and Gables handling everything, so they offered to take up the night watch, allowing the two to sleep. Amira was a bit leery about the offer, Amber protectively sleeping beside her. Nova and Mya felt the same, longing to be out to be on watch duty, but contented themselves to their pok¨¦balls. Rhea was a little surprised they didn¡¯t run into a single Trainer, but Amira had picked out their route for that very purpose. They could start taking battles more seriously once they hit Viridian; Amira thought that they¡¯d get a few challenges tomorrow once they hit the Nursery, though, but the big hitters looking to make a name for themselves would be at the Viridian gates. At 9:35 P.M., she said goodnight to Bianca, already up longer than she should be, but her husband wasn¡¯t home and drifted off into oblivion. B1 — 15. Team Bonding 5:58 A.M. June 12, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The second to last day of battles for the First Preliminary Match Week in preparation for the Kanto & Johto Summer Indigo Cup. Many tourists are traveling through Pallet and Viridian to arrive at Silver City for the big tournament while also supporting the Summer Bronze League kick-off. Rhea yawned, hearing the soft sounds of Flying-type Pokemon chirping around her. Releasing a low moan with a stretch, she rubbed her eyes, forcing herself up. She¡¯d spent the night on top of her sleeping pad and bag; the warm late spring night was more than comfortable enough with the light breeze that flowed through Pallet Forest. They¡¯d moved off the easily traversable Route 1 shortly after leaving the city to escape the high traffic of Trainers hiking with the early League rush to Viridian. There were many options for Pokemon flying taxis, and the tour-guide agencies were overloaded with customers with the influx of tourists to Kanto. It was a customary expectation that Bronze-tier Trainers would trek their way across the region to each city and Gym, experiencing how difficult life can be while learning to handle those challenges, but it wasn¡¯t a rule anyone enforced. Still, others would think less of your journey if you didn¡¯t. The right of passage was a marker in your life that would decide a lot about your future, tracing back as far as anyone could remember. Of course, the age had been much younger in generations past, yet the concept was the same. Adjusting her bound blonde hair, Rhea breathed out a soft grunt, greeting Mya as she wished her good morning. Nova was still asleep inside her pokeball; it seemed her two Pokemon were sleeping much longer than Gables and Amber, and she just chalked it up to them attempting to conserve as much energy as possible to draw as little from her as tolerable. Snatching her phone, she activated the dully lit hologram, dimmed by the automatic sensor that recognized she was in a dark environment for an extended period without use. Rhea still squinted, slowly adapting to the brightness; it would increase, using the settings she¡¯d set on her previous device that transferred over. The news was as to be expected; since she¡¯d been out of the public eye for a bit, others were taking the front stage. Amy, Olivia, and Isabella¡¯s group were competing with Kevin¡¯s team of speedrunners. They¡¯d only spent a few hours in Viridian for supplies before rushing to Dark City along route 2, split by the Viridian Forest on the left and the Shadow Woods to the right. A frown touched her lips while swapping to the Trainer App, glancing at the current rankings. Her team was nowhere near the first page. Two types of rating systems were commonly used across the Trainer Leagues throughout the world, the Tier System and the Battle Ranking System. Neither one contradicted the other as both were built for different purposes. The Tier System identified where a Trainer and their Pokemon landed in a bracket or league, acting as a more general distinguisher of where you lined up and was commonly shared across the world. There were degrees within the Tier System, such as Bronze 1, where Rhea stood, and that would likely change once she entered her first Gym Challenge; the levels of a Tier went up to 8, symbolizing the League appropriate challenge rating the Gym was able to utilize against you with their approved Pokemon. The Tier System was an official League issued classification that the public easily recognized; however, the Battle Ranking System was a regional prestige marker for Match Rating. It was not transferable beyond a region and acted as a regional indicator for the most powerful active competitive Trainers. The Tier System was League issued; the Battle Ranking System was a regional community committee-driven classification that the League occasionally referenced if further clarification or categorization was needed. A Silver-tier Trainer could be ranked higher than a Gold, depending on their match history, yet that didn¡¯t make the Silver-tier Gold-tier. Naturally, Gym Leaders and notable Master-tier Gym Aides usually stood at the top of the yearly listing since Trainers sought them out, and it had gotten so bad that most regional Battle Commissions moved Gym Leaders to their own bracket, allowing non-Gym reps to make it to the top of a category. Rhea giggled internally upon seeing the current top ranks this year. Amira¡¯s grandfather was sitting in 1st place, having just overtaken Sabrina with over a staggering fifty-two wins, zero losses against Bronze-tier non-Kanto challengers that arrived the previous day. It was questionable how some of those Trainers might have gotten to Viridian so quickly by Kanto standards, and one team was disqualified from the speedrunning boards by illegally using Gold-tier Trainers¡¯ Pokemon as mounts, but it didn¡¯t matter in the end since everyone in Kanto was laughing at their attempts. Everyone in Kanto knew the one cardinal rule of beginning the Bronze-tier journey, avoid Viridian and Saffron Gyms as long as possible, and that included the time Blue ran the outfit. Dozens of years of trial and error from past generations had proven that the longer you waited, the more battle experience a Trainer and their Pokemon obtained, the easier those rookie crushing Gyms would be. Only the current Champion, Chase, had been able to earn the Encrusted Earth Badge from Giovanni before the International Police stormed the Gym for a second time, the first being during Red¡¯s legendary journey. However, this time, Giovanni didn¡¯t go on the run but took the battle to court, and the prosecution was incapable of convicting the Mob Boss. Other methods had been in the process of catching the infamous man, seeking appropriate witnesses and information, but then the long years of the Ultra War started. She¡¯d been a child when all of that was happening and only remembered having Jason and her brother to really depend on to spend time with her. It had been rough as a kid, but she understood after a while, and seeing the exhausted, despairing, and injured Master Trainers and Pokemon at the worst parts of the war really stuck in her mind. The details of the Ultra War was mostly shrouded in government secrecy, under top security clearance with only updates on which areas Ultra Wormholes had opened and news on the current status of the fight in those areas with refugee movements and support efforts. Kanto and Sinnoh had been in a tense position when a massive wormhole attack happened in the Sinjoh region, now restricted under Master-tier danger levels. The whole area had been decimated by whatever happened there with the Ultra Beasts and the resistance; now, it was known as the Sinjoh Desolation, restricted to even Master-tier. The New Badlands surrounding the distortion area, accessible to Master-tier, not that anyone could even get close with the power of the Pokemon nearby that even outclassed Mt. Silver. Giovanni had been conscripted into the war, but little was known about most of the details or enemies; the scary part was that another universe was attacking theirs. Rhea tapped on Giovanni¡¯s profile to look at the official matches¡¯ public information, and the time between battles was insane. The Viridian Gym was known to specialize in Ground-type Pokemon, which meant all of his usable Pokemon had to meet the first or secondary typing for Master-tier and below opponents. Logically, a Trainer would think this gym should be easy, considering Ground-types were known to have many common weaknesses. However, Giovanni had dispatched all fifty-two international upstart Trainers within two hours. It was as if he¡¯d lined up the bunch with a demand that they immediately start the next match after each victory, and even more shocking was that the first 11 knockouts were with the same Pokemon before being forced to swap out because the referee said the Diglett had out leveled its current usability by the Gym Leader. The second was another Diglett that had to be swapped out after the 19th match for much the same reason; although, he¡¯d been poisoned because he¡¯d been running out of personal energy to keep up the battle. It said something when a Pokemon had to be recalled because it ran out of its own power. Every encounter had been televised, the international Trainers probably looking for the prestige of being the first to beat a Kanto Gym. Rhea clicked on the 6th; she couldn¡¯t help a small grin upon seeing the legendary Viridian Underground Stadium that could fit eighty-thousand people. Viridian¡¯s Platinum and Master-tier challengers brought massive turnouts, but little could be seen of the outer seating with the focus on the colossal earth-themed field, and sure enough, all 52 Trainers were lined up around the challenger¡¯s side of the arena, waiting their turn. Giovanni seemed to have his own hidden personal booth extended from the back wall that could be retracted. He sat in an elegant, sumptuous black and gold armchair, encrusted with various shades of emeralds to give it that Viridian flair. Stunningly large Viridian flags could be seen around the lavish Gym architecture, and from the cheers of the crowd off-screen, it was clearly packed. The infamous, well-groomed Gym Leader sat comfortably in his chair, displaying the class he was known for in a slim-fit fancy white jacket with black trim, showing his muscular frame. A slim white tie bound in an intrinity-knot brought the eye to the Encrusted Grandmaster-tier Earth Badge he wore on his suit collar, above his heart. The white was contrasted by a black dress shirt and black tangent-style pocket square with white trim. He occasionally leered down at the Trainers with a bored expression, but for the most part, didn¡¯t pay the throng of energetic teens more than a glance; the sixth match was Giovanni¡¯s insane Diglett that lasted 11 rounds. It popped up and down around the field from multiple holes it had carved throughout the battles with the Gym Leader¡¯s private instruction. The tiny Ground Pokemon made use of its Sand Attacks to swiftly knock its Pidgey opponent out of the air when it flew too close before utilizing Scratches to finish it off, rubbing its rough, white glowing body against his fallen foe. Rhea flipped through a few battles, noticing the Diglett used Growls against Pokemon that were fast, lowering their attacks while keeping its distance on the off-chance they landed a Move. His challengers were confused and overwhelmed by the hit and run tactics the Diglett performed; however, as the matches continued, it became more apparent that the Diglett was becoming tired. The 19th match was a rough one for the weary Ground Pokemon and against his most formidable opponent yet, an Alolan Sandshrew that could follow it underground. Diglett took a Scratch and Poison Sting, poisoning the little guy, likely because of its combined damage throughout the battles and lost internal strength, but managed to edge out a narrow victory by outmaneuvering the inexperienced Pokemon in the complicated tunnel system underneath the ring. Motion sensors and miniature cameras that were nowhere on the market with their insanely small size followed the action underground, projecting it to the holographic screens. It was the hardest battle yet, but a win in the end. The Sandshrew fainted underground to the Alolan girl¡¯s distress, but Giovanni¡¯s Diglett carefully brought him to the surface to be recalled and taken to the Gym¡¯s personal care center. Almost as if to mock the last Trainer, Giovanni¡¯s next powerhouse that would eat through seven of the next challengers before growing too strong for his competition was a Sandshrew, utilizing the tunnels his Diglett and the Alolan Sandshrew had crafted. She pursed her lips; Mya was watching the matches intently through their link, and Rhea started to wonder how they¡¯d handle such a strategy. Giovanni could only use one Pokemon since all the Trainers he faced only chose one, but that didn¡¯t mean he couldn¡¯t use the previous matches to his advantage, as could the incoming Trainers, yet the Gym Leader¡¯s experience was dominating. Again, Rhea had to remind herself that Amira¡¯s grandfather wasn¡¯t even paying the battle much attention, seemingly handling other business on the tablet while talking to his assistant close by. The blatant disregard for his challengers had more than a few parts of the stadium, filled with foreigners, booing at the showmanship, but Giovanni didn¡¯t seem to care. She backed out of the match, studying the full Regional Rank List. Seven months into the year and Giovanni¡¯s win to loss ratio was a staggering undefeated, 867 to 0; most of the regional Silver, Gold, and Platinum Gym challenges naturally went to the Master-tier Gym Aides. You could go back and attempt an Encrusted Badge if you managed to register for the Indigo League in time, but if you got stuck, pounding your head against the wall that was Giovanni, then you¡¯d miss the deadline and be forced to sign-up for the next one. Most Trainers simply wish to make it to the Indigo League qualification matches, not get embarrassed by the Gym Leaders. However, after they¡¯d earned an Earth Badge, many did spend the rest of the time challenging Giovanni or one of the other Gym Leaders, hoping for the perks of getting the Encrusted Badges. The first goal was qualifying for the Indigo League, though. Gym Leaders had a reputation to protect, but the Viridian Gym held the same infamous status as its Leader. If a Gym wanted to stay official, it needed to show it had the merit of remaining in good standing with the region¡¯s Indigo League. Pewter and Cerulean had been in threat of losing that status in the past but had returned with a vengeance, yet if there was any Gym that took its fame too far, it was Viridian. All of a region¡¯s Encrusted Badges held a high level of prestige; having four automatically allowed you to skip the preliminary rounds. Rhea was nervous about The Winter Indigo League, beginning in late fall. Kanto¡¯s Indigo League happened twice a year; December 7th was the first preliminary rounds¡¯ official start, leading up to the conference. Anyone that wished to participate had to have the 8 needed badges before the 5th, at least two participating Pokemon inspected for legality, and be registered by that date or be forced to wait for the next season. Each Tier required a set number of Pokemon per battle; Bronze required two, Silver needed four, Gold, five, and Platinum-tier League matches consisted of a full party. Master-tier took place in a special arena where it would be an entire team vs. team showdown and was the whole tournament¡¯s main attraction. Some years went without a Master-tier battle altogether, which was why this Winter was so special; five Masters were competing to be ranked as High Masters for an amazing prize. This was the year the famed Lieutenant General, Lt. Surge, would be retiring from his position. The Electric-type Gym Leader had been through a few wars in his lifetime, but the last had taken a lot out of him. He was a world hero, a huge part of some critical operations in the Ultra War that killed three of his Pokemon and took his right arm. However, that didn¡¯t stop him from completing his duties to Vermilion City. Eight years after the end of the conflict, he was finally ready to step down with five young Masters springing to take Vermilion Gym¡¯s High Master¡¯s position. Lt. Surge¡¯s youngest daughter, Saria Surge, and her rival, Visquez, Lt. Surge¡¯s Vice-Captain, would be in competition for the right to take the war hero¡¯s seat as Vermilion Gym¡¯s Leader. Both were favored to win out of the five participants, and the News only spoke about the two because of their deep resentment toward each other. Saria wanted to rebrand the Vermilion Gym as a Fairy-type Gym, which infuriated Visquez, who looked up to the Lieutenant-General as an idol, and taking away the long history of being an Electric Specialist Gym was disgraceful in her eyes. Rhea had met both, and it wasn¡¯t like Saria wanted to disrespect her father; in fact, she had the utmost respect for his legacy but wanted to cement her own, and she was most comfortable with Fairy Pokemon, growing an attachment to the Type as a young girl, which Rhea totally agreed with. Visquez was adamant about honoring her mentor and idol, wanting nothing to do with Saria¡¯s own dream. She would continue Lt. Surge¡¯s traditions and style to the end. From what she understood, the Lieutenant General was happy either way. It could stay in the family or continue the legacy. There wasn¡¯t much loss, either way; he¡¯d laughed about it when talking to her father. In any case, this year¡¯s Winter Cup was something Rhea was looking forward to and dreading at the same time. The two preliminary tournaments would group Trainer Teams in their combined elo tiers within the various Match Ranking brackets to narrow down the competition in 3 on 3 matches, both taking place a week apart from each other, and highlighted the need to learn how to function as a unit. The 7th, Monday, and the 8th, Tuesday, were listed as days of rest, including minor celebration events while the tourists gathered for the big matches. The 9th to the 13th would be filled with battles that teams had to be prepared for and take particular care with how they utilized their Pokemon. The 14th and 15th would be for rest with more celebration, and the 16th to 20th would be the final preliminary matches for the prior winners with a double-elimination tournament; the Loser¡¯s Bracket allowed a team to redeem themselves. December 21st was the big day, the start of Winter and the Winter Grand Introduction Ceremony that lasted an entire week, celebrating the winning teams while hyping up the next week¡¯s showdown. The 28th to the 31st would mark the year¡¯s end showdown in a Round-Robin style contest to discover the single most outstanding Trainer of the year for each Tier. After the preliminaries, it was every Trainer for themselves; they¡¯d all passed into the next Tier, whether it be Silver, Gold, or any of the other categories. The losers would need to apply to the Summer League; badges were still valid for more attempts. Summer League was coming to a close with the preliminary matches, leading to the big celebration that would mark the 20th of June, the beginning of the Summer Grand Introduction Ceremony at the Indigo Plateau. She hadn¡¯t been too interested in the matches since there were so many people each year that just didn¡¯t live up to the hype of seeing Franky battling or any of the dozens of Master to Grandmaster matches she could see at home from time to time, but that was beginning to change after seeing Amira¡¯s match. Rhea swapped to the Kanto and Johto Indigo Plateau App, tapping on this week¡¯s matches; the 12th was the final day of the 548 Bronze-tier teams that had entered. With each team battling twice in that week, it would drop the number to 137 trios. Next week would begin the Loser¡¯s Bracket and the Second Cup Qualifiers, and the number of contestants would be reduced again by two victories, and if there was an uneven number of teams, then one group would be randomly selected to only participate in one match. That would leave 138 contestants with the Loser¡¯s Bracket concluding on the 17th so the winner could participate in the two necessary matches on the 18th and 19th. It was the underdog favorites match that many flocked to see, and at the end would leave 105 Trainers that advanced to the next Tier and compete in the Summer League Round Robin Cup. They would be divided into 7 Round Robin group match-ups, leading to the best of each to contend in the final Round Robin bracket for the Cup. The battles began on the 27th, ending with the Grand Finals on the 30th. The big kickoff started in eight days, which was another reason Viridian was packed at the moment since both the start and end of the two Leagues slightly overlapped. The path from Viridian to the Indigo Plateau was comfortable and safe with the Magnet Train network; traveling at 340 MPH, it was the fastest train in the world. The multi-railed system was the easiest form of travel between the major cities of Kanto and Johto, operating from Lavender City, through Gringey City, Saffron City, Sable National Park, Sable City, Celadon City, Neon City, Viridian City, Victory Road, and Indigo Plateau as the bridge between the two regions. It then dropped down to Cremini Town, running through the Tohjo Mountains to reach New Bark City, Catallia City, Cherrygrove City, across Cherry Bay to Florando, Greenfield, Goldenrod City, over Olivine Bay to Ogi Island and its City before ending at Olivine City. The expansion to Ogi was an expensive one, but the islanders hoped it would help their economy, which seemed to have picked up with the ease of access, but the ferry industry took a minor hit. There had been plans to branch out even further, going north and south of Johto and Kanto, but Magnet Company stocks were currently being fought over by Rocket and Silph. It was a big deal on the Gossip App to see which conglomerate would take the company; both had very different plans for where it should expand. It would be somewhat simple to get to the league with the available transport methods, but Rhea intended to save that first experience after her Bronze-tier journey. Sabin had won the last Gold-tier Winter Indigo League, which sent him to the Platinum-tier Badge race, but he¡¯d missed the Summer League because of training and his Mt. Silver expedition; she partially wondered if he¡¯d postponed it on purpose with Katlin so they could take place in the Winter Cup to be with Jason and her. In any case, she¡¯d be able to go see her brother live for the first time if they managed to get there in time. Gold to Masters Divisions were the highlights of the Indigo League, and her brother would draw a huge crowd, but the first International Semiannual Bronze Division was getting a lot of love this year because of the international collaboration, and depending on how it turned out, the other regions would open up for the rest of the tiers. The issue for Bronze-tier was definitely distance and time; trekking across an entire region took a lot of effort, and she had 147 days to get it done. She¡¯d need to plan it out with Amira and Lori, but it roughly translated to about 18 days per badge, which was doable, but hard in some areas. Distance between Gym locations became a much smaller issue once a Trainer had a flying Pokemon, and even if they didn¡¯t, many transportation options could be purchased. Bronze-tiers using such methods might have been frowned upon, but that didn¡¯t mean many didn¡¯t do it, and many of the low physical fortitude Trainers tended to do what they could while keeping track of the dreaded December 5th deadline. Rhea hummed, mind working between the complicated mess they had to discuss on the hike today, but her thoughts turned back to Amira¡¯s grandfather. It was hard not to after watching him dominate the competition. Her brother and Katelin were currently trying their hardest to get four Encrusted Badges for the Winter League and seemed to be making progress. The Kanto and Johto League was somewhat unique because of its massive landmass, having sixteen possible Gym Leaders to pick from, and only needing four to skip the preliminaries. The Trainer might be forced to participate in the battles if their team members hadn¡¯t gotten the required badges, but that was only to help their friends; the four Encrusted Badges guaranteed them a place in the second match-up. Rhea studied the badge shown on Giovanni¡¯s jacket, shifting to her side. The Encrusted Earth Badge was seen as the highest honor, and Giovanni boasted that if anyone beat him, he¡¯d sponsor the victor with five purchasable Moves of any price, including one that was not on the market that Rocket developed, granting them a huge advantage in the primary Indigo Round-Robin. He would also triple the two preliminary prize pools of 10,000 Credits to a staggering 60,000 Credits. The prize was huge with the addition of three weeks of free time to prepare for the big matches, practicing the top-tier Moves their Pokemon learned. TMs were expensive, especially the powerful ones, breaking into the tens of millions of credits, and with the promise of a unique TM that could be sold off as an added cherry. Although, you could argue that it was a fantastic promotion gimmick since he made money on every Trainer that failed to achieve the victory. Releasing a soft hum after watching the 35th match with Giovanni¡¯s Sandshrew standing over a poisoned and battered Kricketot. What do you think? He¡¯s pretty strong ¡­ that¡¯s why we¡¯ll save him for last. Mya seemed impressed by the Pokemon¡¯¡¯s movements but thought she could handle it without much difficulty. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± ¡­ I don¡¯t know ¡­ yeah, we¡¯re strong, but the machine will measure that strength when we go in, and it¡¯ll give him a list of Pokemon that would be a match for us. The prospect only excited Mya more; she wanted a challenge, but Rhea knew that could spell disaster for them. Her Mawile severely outclassed Jason, Len, and Lucian¡¯s Pokemon, but if the chips were stacked even a decent degree lower with a Gym Leader¡¯s experience attached, she worried they¡¯d get creamed. Mya couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d lose, though, which added to Rhea¡¯s anxiety, but she didn¡¯t pursue the topic with her Pokemon. All they could do was attempt it, and if her fears were right, they¡¯d go from there. Releasing a soft groan, Rhea turned her head to the side, hearing Amira returning from the river where she¡¯d probably just finished wiping down her body with cold water. Rhea wasn¡¯t that bothered by the chill; she¡¯d gone out on hikes and journey preparedness training with Julia as a part of her schooling, and her dad spent one-on-one time with her hiking with his Pokemon. It didn¡¯t seem like that was the norm everywhere with Lori¡¯s reaction, though. Stretching one more time, Rhea tossed her phone to the side of her two-person tent, unzipped the fly, and went outside. The sun was beginning to brighten the sky, but the forest was shadowed in darkness; she¡¯d spent more time than usual in bed, watching Giovanni¡¯s fights and worrying about scheduling, yet the others weren¡¯t up. She could see the flames rising off Amber¡¯s tail and flowing out of her ears by the stream, acting as Amira¡¯s light. The redhead had her hair tied back into a ponytail to keep dry while whipping off the sweat and dead skin with a towel. Glancing around, she didn¡¯t see Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s Pokemon, but it wasn¡¯t like she could see much, to begin with. Ducking back inside to snatch her phone, she kept it active to give some visibility while grabbing her own items; sunscreen, lotion, both towels, body wash, and deodorant. Rhea went to the brook, smiling at Amira as she neared. ¡°Morning!¡± ¡°Morning,¡± Amira returned the smile. ¡°Sleep well?¡± ¡°Pretty well,¡± Rhea mumbled, bending down to test the water. ¡°Brr ¡­ hehe, Lori¡¯s gonna hate this.¡± Amira was drying off with a second towel, using a self-made hanger out of branches she¡¯d prepared the night before using three sticks. Rhea was a bit impressed, watching Amber go underneath to blow a soft stream of hot air at it to help speed up the drying process. ¡°I figured she¡¯d just use the fire to warm up some water to use,¡± she shrugged. ¡°Umm ¡­ do you think we should start it? I wasn¡¯t sure since the light might wake everyone up.¡± Rhea did her best not to shiver while scrubbing her skin down with the body wash and cold water; Amira made it look easy, but even if she¡¯d practiced for years, she still preferred it be warm. ¡°... Hmm ¡­ I mean, it¡¯s like 6:10, at the moment. We probably should start getting our food going and stuff. Oh, by the way, what do you think about bringing group food that we can all eat?¡± She asked, smile brightening. ¡°Not the freeze-dried stuff?¡± Amira questioned, applying her daily products like sunscreen, lotion, and deodorant. ¡°No, like real food that we can cut up and put in bags. We can split them up between our bags, too. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯ll be nice having good meals?¡± Amira¡¯s tone lightened considerably. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I¡¯d really like that. I¡¯m not the greatest cook, though¡­¡± She jumped on the offer. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ll do it! I¡¯ve been learning how to cook a lot of dishes with my cousin for a while now.¡± Vision darting to Amber, still happily acting as Amira¡¯s blow dryer, Rhea hummed. ¡°Uh ¡­ did you sleep well? I mean, you normally get up at 5:30, right?¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Packing up her supplies, Amira sighed, twisting her hips to stretch a little more after finishing applying her creams. ¡°No, I slept fine ¡­ I was just watching some matches and lost track of time.¡± ¡°Oh, your grandpa?¡± Rhea asked, pulling down her top to clean her chest before drying off and resituating it. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I was, umm, watching some of those matches, too. Hehe, that burrow with the hit and run tactic was pretty toxic. I¡¯d be frustrated, too, but that¡¯s the kind of thing Gyms are known for ¡­ they make you work for the badge.¡± Amira swallowed. ¡°My grandpa ¡­ yeah, yeah, I¡¯m sure his matches were great. It was something like fifty-two challenges in two hours.¡± Rhea paused, scrubbing her sides and giving the redhead a quizzical look. ¡°Wait ¡­ did you watch your grandpa¡¯s battles or someone else?¡± ¡°... No, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Amira mumbled, cheeks darkening for some reason. ¡°Umm, I watched two matches of my grandfather¡¯s. The burrow strategy isn¡¯t all that rare for him,¡± she mumbled, playing with her hair. ¡°He was probably just testing to see how much the out of region Trainers had prepared for him ¡­ not much from the little I saw.¡± A little curious why she was acting a bit more flustered than usual, but not wanting to press her new friend, Rhea let her curiosity die with a shrug. ¡°To be honest ¡­ I¡¯m a little worried.¡± ¡°About?¡± Amira asked, checking her towels. She seemed satisfied with the condition because Amber pranced off toward the fire pit they¡¯d prepared the previous night. ¡°... Umm, there should be enough room for your towel, too,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Thanks! Uh ¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Rhea grumbled, thinking back on the matches, ¡°the Gym rules are there to push Trainers, but also to be beatable at a certain point from what I¡¯ve heard¡­¡± Instead of moving to the fire, Amira folded her arms, lips pulling to the side while eyeing her. ¡°Well, yeah. My mom told me that Gyms are mainly there to act as an information hub if the region needs to conscript people for war. It also provides a training method for strengthening a region¡¯s potential military force competitively and profitably. From a business perspective, it¡¯s pretty ingenious since the region and city-states get to take a small percentage of each bet.¡± The pieces slid into place so fast that Rhea couldn¡¯t believe she was just learning about it now, but it made perfect sense. ¡°I mean, isn¡¯t the tax used for like ¡­ Centers and mitigating some of the medical prices and stuff, too?¡± Amira chuckled, walking over to the fire to start adding the leaves and sticks; Amber had been so adamant about being useful that she¡¯d started moving some in herself. ¡°How much of the Indigo League and City-States¡¯ budgets do you think goes to social programs?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Rhea hummed, hanging her towel and drying off her damp skin. ¡°Not a lot about the government was covered in my school ¡­ well, not a whole lot. I lived in the Indigo Provence forest, so we didn¡¯t really cover much of the City-States of Johto or Kanto.¡± ¡°Humph,¡± Amira shook her head, situating a side area of branches to set a pot for cooking before Amber lit the fire with a puff of flames. ¡°Viridian¡¯s Tax System only makes up about 10% for social programs. Then you¡¯ve got many other programs like Science, Transportation, Food and Agriculture, Energy and Environment, International Affairs, Housing and Community, Veterans¡¯ Benefits, Education, and of course, the Military, which is like ¡­ 42% of the budget. Of course, there¡¯s a lot in the Military budget, including paying the Ranger Union for support, but it¡¯s big.¡± ¡°I had no idea,¡± Rhea mumbled, applying her own creams and deodorant. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really into all of that ¡­ umm, anyway, I was worried about my Pokemon scoring really high on the energy reading device thing ¡­ and we¡¯d be super outclassed because you know ¡­ all my energy is available, but I can¡¯t use it.¡± Mya was assuring her again that it would be fine, but Rhea still wasn¡¯t so sure. Nova woke up for a moment but tried going back to sleep with Mya¡¯s prompts. Amira got her bag out from her tent, taking out a collapsible pot, and going down to the stream to get some water to boil. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I wouldn¡¯t be too worried about that. I¡¯m sure the Gyms are smart enough to know something¡¯s up. Your family might have even talked to them about it.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure, the Gym Leaders,¡± Rhea replied, rubbing her left arm. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve met most of them, and even some overseas, but it¡¯s just ¡­ we¡¯ll probably be facing their Gym Aides.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Amira gave her a lifted eyebrow, ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but I want to get four Encrusted Badges to skip the preliminaries. It will mitigate a lot of stress in the long run if we can get them as a team.¡± ¡°Yeah, but ¡­ we only have like eighteen days to get to each Gym,¡± Rhea returned, walking over to grab her own bag for cooking supplies. Amira nodded, sitting on the grass while watching the water, Amber curling up beside her. ¡°Right ¡­ which is more than manageable, and weren¡¯t you the one that wanted to make detours for Contests?¡± ¡°Well, I do ¡­ it¡¯d be fun, I think, but ¡­ I¡¯m just a bit concerned about how much time we have, after thinking about it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯ll take eighteen days to get to each city,¡± Amira replied, poking the leaves and logs with a stick to stoke the fire. ¡°Some might only take us five or six days. Saffron and Celadon aren¡¯t that far from each other, and if we go down Cycling Road, then Fuchsia will be a breeze. Pallet, Pewter, Cerulean, and Vermilion are the biggest travel times, Cerulean to Vermilion being the longest.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Rhea scratched the back of her head. ¡°So ¡­ you¡¯ve already thought about the whole travel time issue?¡± ¡°... Here, you finish getting ready, and I¡¯ll show you on the map.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rhea quickly packed up what she could and got her food out before sitting beside Amira; the redhead was moving around the hologram of Kanto¡¯s map, zooming out. ¡°We¡¯re about half the way to Xanadu Nursery, right?¡± ¡°... Mhm¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll reach the nursery by ¡­ I¡¯d say 6 P.M. with our current pace, and there we¡¯ll probably be challenged. That is what I¡¯m worried about.¡± Rhea was a little taken aback by the sudden shift in direction. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because ¡­ I suspect there will be a group hoping to triple battle us, and you can¡¯t have your Pokemon out yet, correct?¡± ¡°Right ¡­ that¡¯ll only reduce my elo rating, though; if I refuse.¡± ¡°Our whole team will be reduced,¡± Amira sighed. ¡°That rating will come into play later ¡­ I don¡¯t know, maybe I¡¯m just being an elite,¡± she mumbled, playing with her red hair slung over her shoulder, glare fixated on the Xanadu Nursery from her phone in front of her. ¡°... I don¡¯t like people ¡­ especially the News talking bad about me or my family.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Rhea studied Amira as she shifted with agitation. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amira¡­¡± ¡°For?¡± ¡°You¡¯re in this whole mess ¡­ traveling off Route 1, avoiding Trainers, and hiding from the press ¡­ it¡¯s all because of me.¡± ¡°... Well ¡­ it¡¯s not that bad,¡± Amira mumbled, tossing her hair back to add her food pack that seemed to consist of a noodle dish. ¡°I¡¯m actually ¡­ no, it¡¯s fine. Umm ¡­ anyway, if that happens, maybe I can just challenge them to a two on one or something ¡­ make them think they¡¯ll get an easy win.¡± Sitting cross-legged beside her, Rhea giggled. ¡°Thanks, Amira ¡­ you¡¯re so dependable.¡± ¡°... I have to be,¡± she whispered. ¡°So¡­¡± They paused as she heard rustling in Lori¡¯s tent as she groaned, stretching out with a short yawn. It was 6:22 A.M. Sam, Hannah, and Jade was still passed out. Rhea felt a little bad for them; she didn¡¯t expect the hike to be so demanding on the three. The Route 1 path was much more comfortable than hiking up the ridges; they were trying to hide how sore and tired they were last night. ¡°Looks like Lori¡¯s up,¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Seems so ¡­ anyway, I thought we¡¯d save my grandfather¡¯s Gym for the last badge ¡­ I mean, you agree, right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea smirked, recalling the match, ¡°umm ¡­ you aren¡¯t planning on getting an Encrusted Badge from him, right?¡± Amira¡¯s somber attitude shifted with a delayed laugh. ¡°You¡¯re funny. No, he more or less told me that it would be a waste of time. No, not now, but ¡­ I do want to be the first to beat him ¡­ someday.¡± ¡°Ooh, got a plan?¡± Lori asked, getting out of her tent while stretching to the left and right. ¡°Not really,¡± Amira mumbled. Lori and Gables plopped down by the fire, staring at the embers, but shortly after, Gables danced around and blended into the surroundings with Camouflage. ¡°Huh ¡­ the other still not up?¡± Lori frowned, checking her bun. ¡°Guess it was pretty rough for them yesterday. Did you check their packs? Yeah, a bit heavier than mine, but not by that much.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s probably the difference in our physical fortitude.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Lori glanced between them before reaching over and poking Amira¡¯s tone belly playfully. ¡°Hehe, Amira certainly has us both beat in that department.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Amira blushed, brushing her hand away. ¡°I had a daily workout routine ¡­ my mom was really into hanging out with morning self-defense lessons.¡± ¡°Sounds nice,¡± Rhea whispered, feeling a little envious. ¡°Umm, so what about the Badges?¡± ¡°Ah, to business!¡± Lori snickered, but her lips fell dramatically when studying their appearance and the drying towels by the river; the light around the forest was steadily increasing. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Amira stirred her food around; it didn¡¯t take long, and Rhea knew the meals weren¡¯t terrible, but nothing to write home about. The redhead nudged her head toward the fire. ¡°Are you going to warm some water to wash off?¡± ¡°Oh, good idea!¡± Lori¡¯s lips lifted. Rhea motioned to her. ¡°I can wait to eat; go ahead.¡± Amira took her meal off soon after, allowing it to cool a bit. ¡°Where did Gables go?¡± ¡°Oh, he¡¯s checkin¡¯ around for what happened to the other girls¡¯ Pokemon. He didn¡¯t like that they weren¡¯t chillin¡¯ nearby. Ya know what¡¯s up?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°No, but Sam, Hannah, and Jade are still in their tents, according to Amber.¡± Mya expressed some concern, too, but mostly because she was mad they didn¡¯t stay by her tent to protect her overnight. ¡°Hmm ¡­ think there was trouble?¡± ¡°Meh, can¡¯t be anything serious, right?¡± Lori asked. ¡°If Sam and the others didn¡¯t wake up from their Pokemon sending a distress call, then it shouldn¡¯t be anything that bad. So, you were talkin¡¯ about ¡­ wait ¡­ huh¡­¡± Rhea frowned as Lori got to her feet. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Gables says there¡¯s somethin¡¯ up. C¡¯mon¡­¡± Amber ran to the left, seemingly knowing which direction the frog Pokemon had gone. Following them a few dozen meters into the foliage, Rhea was a little concerned upon seeing the three girls¡¯ Pokemon pretty beat up. In fact, it seemed they were having a bit of trouble getting back to the camp. Hector, Sam¡¯s Pineco, had gotten Orin, Jade¡¯s Pidgey, on his back, probably with Limru¡¯s help. The whole scene was utterly puzzling; why they hadn¡¯t woken up their Trainers was beyond her if they¡¯d gone through a rough battle, but the more bizarre result was why they¡¯d traveled so far away from the camp. Amber and Gables were talking to Hector, Hannah¡¯s Ledyba limping along beside him. ¡°What happened?¡± Rhea asked, bending down to lift up the Pineco and Pidgey. ¡°Here, let¡¯s get back to camp.¡± Lori carried Limru. ¡°Gables seems a bit conflicted about it ¡­ something probably happened that made them feel compelled to leave.¡± ¡°Humph ¡­ Amber feels like they should have woken us up for it ¡­ still, she doesn¡¯t feel that mad at them,¡± Amira commented, following them back. ¡°Here ¡­ I have a potion bottle we can use.¡± ¡°For real?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°When did you get that?¡± ¡°Since the start ¡­ it¡¯s really something you should have no matter what.¡± Rhea felt a bit foolish for not having one; she could have ordered it when Ben went to pick up groceries or bought one at Pallet. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mallory sighed, lifting up Limru to check her out, ¡°I tried to buy one in Pallet when I got there, and they were totally sold out.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Well, there goes that. I guess it wouldn¡¯t have helped if I did look for one. ¡°Let¡¯s wake up the others,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°We need to get ready anyway.¡± Rousing the three, they instantly realized something was wrong once waking. A mixture of confusion and worry filled the air as they fired off questions, but they didn¡¯t get much. After a bit of interpreting done by their Pokemon, they discovered a swarm of Plusle and Minun had shown up during the night to pick a fight. They didn¡¯t want to wake their Trainers after how hard the day had been for them, and so they chose to accept the challenge on their own, taking it deeper into the woods. The three managed to work as a team to beat them off, but in the process, Orin and Limru were paralyzed, and they¡¯d all taken a lot of damage. It was a pretty brave story, but Rhea agreed that the three put everyone in danger by not waking them up when something showed up that they had a hard time contending with. Amira pulled out a bottle, unsealing it to spray on the Pokemon. ¡°You three know what this is?¡± She asked. ¡°Oh, I do, and thanks, Amira!¡± Jade piped up. ¡°My older sister actually works by commission for the Rocket Item Division Branch in Pallet. She works in the berry fields.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Amira smiled a little, continuing to heal their Pokemon. ¡°It¡¯s possible using special equipment to extract more out of a berry and turn it into a more potent serum, depending on the process. Potions are the most diluted of the mix, and you don¡¯t need to use all of it ¡­ just enough to get them to the point they feel better. How¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Orin¡¯s feeling a lot better. Thanks so much, Amira!¡± ¡°No problem ¡­ now for the rest of you.¡± Rhea was a little shocked at how careful Amira was, fussing over their Pokemon. It was the most she¡¯d opened up to her three friends throughout the whole trip, and she even used most of her Potion and Paralysis Heal bottles on them. Once finished, Hannah went down to the river with Sam to wash in the cold brook, but Jade preferred to go with Lori¡¯s method of warming the water up. They sat around the fire; Amber and Gables talked with the other three Pokemon to get more details on the fight. Amira started up the conversation, picking up where they¡¯d left off. ¡°As I was saying, we¡¯ll need to pick which Badges we should aim for so we can select our travel route. Personally, I¡¯d want to get the most distant Badges first.¡± Mallory hummed, using her slightly steaming water to wash off nearby, just taken off the fire. ¡°... I¡¯m like ¡­ an idiot when it comes to Kanto Badges. Lay it on me, Professor Rocket! What should we look out for? You said you want to go to your grandpa¡¯s Gym last?¡± Jade giggled, watching her water to make sure it didn¡¯t get too hot. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I¡¯d rather not get blasted by the News articles and social media memes about going up against that monster.¡± Rhea¡¯s shaking stomach followed shortly after. ¡°A bunch of memes are probably already hitting MemeStar; fifty-two foreign Trainers challenged Giovanni yesterday in his scheduled eight-hour battle bracket. Hehe, it was over in two.¡± ¡°Haha! I¡¯ve gotta look up some of those,¡± Lori said, moving her bikini to clean her chest, and causing Rhea, Amira, and Jade to release an internal sigh at the clear advantage she had over them. ¡°It¡¯s probably like trying to take on High Master Drayden first in Unova.¡± ¡°... Something like that,¡± Amira mumbled, probably doing the same thing as Rhea, trying not to compare their bust sizes. Rhea wasn¡¯t all that far behind, but the purple-haired girl definitely had her beat; Mallory rode the edge of what was perhaps too big for her height and proportions. Shaking her head, Amira continued, Lori seemingly not even noticing the slightly depressed expressions on each of their faces as she resituated the garment to move to her sizable and toned legs. ¡°No, High Master Forrest has proven to be the most friendly beginner Gym Leader to attempt and should be our first Encrusted Badge.¡± ¡°Oh, so we¡¯re gonna go for the four Encrusted Badge challenge, huh?¡± Lori mused, now drying off and applying her creams. ¡°That¡¯s good news for me since it¡¯s a Rock-type Specialist Gym, but what about you? Rhea should be fine with either of her Pokemon, but uh ¡­ Fire isn¡¯t great against Rock.¡± ¡°It won¡¯t be easy, I¡¯m sure, but with the low Move Pool, it¡¯s my best bet currently since Cerulean Gym will be my real challenge. I see Forrest being beatable ¡­ High Master Misty ¡­ not an option. It¡¯d be better for me to go against a Gym Aide.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ so, we¡¯ll be going against different Gym Leaders for our Encrusted Badges?¡± Rhea asked. Amira shrugged. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter in the end, as long as we get four. The order we should take is fairly clear, though. Pewter, then Cerulean because of the Boulder Badge¡¯s easier reputation, and the Cascade Badge because the city is so far out of the way from everywhere else important in the entire region. The next steps are a bit more tricky, though¡­¡± ¡°High Master Sabrina?¡± Rhea asked with a forced chuckle. ¡°High Master ¡­ she might as well be Grandmaster,¡± Amira mumbled, staring down at her cooling seasoned noodles. ¡°The Saffron Gym has almost as bad of a reputation as my grandfather¡¯s. No, the Marsh Badge will be a difficult one, even against the weaker Aides. There¡¯s a reason people keep an eye on the Gym¡¯s weekly battle schedule in hopes to catch one of the Aides with the lowest Battle Rating.¡± ¡°So, we save it for later?¡± Mallory asked, getting her own breakfast in the form of two protein bars and pulling out some Pokemon food. The others did the same, allowing their Pokemon to eat their fill. Sam, Hannah, and Jade were silently listening, trying to hurry up with their morning preparations. Amira nodded. ¡°As long as we can while keeping an eye out for the Gym schedule. They post it on their website each week.¡± ¡°Oh, sweet,¡± Lori mumbled, playing with the complex App she had. ¡°So ¡­ I can just program a notification to let us know when it¡¯s posted ¡­ and which Aide has the lowest current elo ¡­ there we go! Once it goes off, then we just have to apply for the slot, right?¡± ¡°Handy,¡± Amira¡¯s full lips lifted a little. ¡°Yeah, that would make it a lot easier.¡± ¡°So ¡­ where do we go if no one with a low enough elo shows up when we¡¯re goin¡¯ by Saffron?¡± Rhea asked, scanning her own map. Sam and Hannah were eyeing it closeby. ¡°Hmm ¡­ that¡¯s the question,¡± Amira growled. ¡°Personally ¡­ I say we actually loop around. From Cerulean, we can go down Route 5, transfer to 29, and HopHopHop City. We cut south from Greylan Village, through Fennel Valley, and it¡¯s a pretty easy journey from Sable City to Celadon City.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that pretty rough trekking through the mountainous areas, though?¡± Mallory asked, following her explanation. ¡°We could go to Saffron City through Amity Meadows and the Farmsteads, then take Route 7 to Sable City.¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ because Fennel Valley has rare Pokemon near the ruins that are moderately low level ¡­ we can catch our second Pokemon there, and it¡¯ll probably be a good one. A lot of foreign Pokemon can wander out of the Sable National Park, too ¡­ you know, that one incident with the Utripis Group several years ago?¡± Sam sucked in a sharp breath. ¡°No way! I¡¯ve never even heard of the place.¡± ¡°Utripis Group ¡­ yeah, I think I remember something about that,¡± Hannah mumbled. Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed while looking at the areas. ¡°Wait ¡­ that part of the valley you¡¯re pointing to says it¡¯s Gold-tier restricted.¡± Amira pushed her lips to the side, getting up to snatch her dress out of her tent. ¡°Well ¡­ there is a path my dad showed me that is safe for Bronze-tier ¡­ where the weaker Pokemon gather. The Ranger Union just is very heavy-handed with their recommendation and restrictions since they¡¯re somewhat liable if something goes wrong.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Mallory nodded with a soft hum. ¡°Oh, hey, you¡¯re goin¡¯ a bit bad girl on me, Amira; tryin¡¯ ta sneak past the Rangers! What kind of Pokemon?¡± ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ not completely sure,¡± Amira replied with a light blush, putting on her red dress. ¡°Uh ¡­ Rhea, could you¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I got ya,¡± Rhea chuckled, getting up to help zip up the back. ¡°In fact, I should get my own clothes on. So ¡­ yeah, I¡¯m cool with that, and then we take Celadon to Sunny City? Oh, and we can see the Gaiva Dam, along the way, too! It¡¯d be fun to see Mossgreen Lake.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ the Cycling Road to Fuchsia next? That¡¯d make four Badges with our second Pokemon ¡­ yeah, I think that¡¯ll be fun, and depending on how much time we have, we can check out the Kanto Safari Zone. Wait, what¡¯s Laramie Land?¡± ¡°A big breeding center connected to the Safari Zone,¡± Rhea replied, getting dressed. ¡°It¡¯s one of the biggest in Kanto. Uh ¡­ maybe you two could catch your second Pokemon while going through Mt. Moon, though, and that could help you with Misty, Amira. I mean, it has all types of Pokemon that were pushed south after the war. I heard an Articuno guards the peak, too! That¡¯d be awesome to see.¡± Sam chuckled at that. ¡°Eh ¡­ yeah, you guys are way out of our league ¡­ off to see a Legendary like no problem, and where did you hear that?¡± ¡°Uh,¡± Rhea forced a giggle while putting on her skirt, ¡°well, my brother told me about it a month ago. Maybe she moved on to another location, but who knows.¡± ¡°Coo¡­¡± Mallory hummed thoughtfully. ¡°We¡¯ll see ¡­ huh, so, then we flip around to Vermilion, Amira?¡± ¡°We can,¡± Amira commented, starting to pack up her tent. ¡°We could also save Vermilion for after Saffron so we can use the boat there to get to Cinnabar. If we haven¡¯t booked our Saffron match, then we could head up to Lavender for a Ghost-type if any of you want one.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Lory mumbled. ¡°Ghosts are ¡­ kind of my sister¡¯s thing; I¡¯m cool with goin¡¯, though.¡± ¡°Wow ¡­ this really is a big trip,¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°I can¡¯t wait!¡± ¡°Yeah, but we¡¯ll have to book it to Saffron if we¡¯ve only got a few days to make it there in time. Is it even possible with that distance if we had five days from Fuchsia?¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Honestly, I really doubt it. No, I¡¯m just saying it¡¯s an option we can try, but it¡¯s better to be on the move and getting Badges while we can instead of waiting forever for a low elo Aide to pop into the rotation.¡± ¡°Fair point,¡± Mallory nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m game. You, Rhea?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Hannah smiled at them, already dressed, and taking down her own tent. ¡°We¡¯ll be lucky to make it to each city by the Winter Cup if we travel by foot ¡­ I hate to say it, but ¡­ maybe once we get to the Xanadu Nursery, we should keep in contact through text, or PikaBook or something.¡± Sam scratched her shoulder with a sad smile, unable to meet eye contact with Rhea. ¡°Sorry, Rhea ¡­ we really want to join you guys, but ¡­ we just don¡¯t have the energy, and I feel super guilty, and I know you don¡¯t want that,¡± she mumbled, holding up her hands as Rhea¡¯s brow creased with concern. ¡°No, it¡¯s not you guys ¡­ really¡­¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Jade snickered, nudging Sam. ¡°What kind of sad break-up line was that?¡± ¡°Jade¡­¡± ¡°No, no,¡± the blue-haired girl laughed, hugging her. ¡°She¡¯s totally right, though, Rhea. We¡¯re not gonna wimp out and take taxis, but we¡¯re seriously holding you three back. Like ¡­ we all know it, and it¡¯s not bad, right, Hannah?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Hannah smiled. ¡°I think last night showed that ¡­ well, at least Limru and I aren¡¯t ready for this route¡¯s difficulty level, hehe, much less where you¡¯ll be at Mount Moon.¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ are you sure?¡± Rhea asked, feeling a bit conflicted. She¡¯d invited them, but it was true that they were having a challenging time even keeping up with them at a casual pace. Sam nodded. ¡°Definitely! Maybe we¡¯ll call if we see you¡¯re near us.¡± ¡°Okay, give me your PikaBook info ¡­ oh, and let¡¯s take a picture! I¡¯m sure all my family would love to see it.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Hannah mumbled. Sam and Jade gave her a questioning look. ¡°No PikaBook?¡± Sam asked. ¡°No, it¡¯s just ¡­ uh, wouldn¡¯t that mean that we could ¡­ you know, see your family members?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Oh, right, well ¡­ I think you three are pretty trustworthy! Plus, it¡¯ll get out eventually, but ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s fine. Come here, and let¡¯s get a picture!¡± The sun was shining through the trees as it hit 7:25 A.M. They connected with each other, Rhea sending them friend requests since her profile was under max security settings, unable to be seen by the public. Each of the girls increased their own security to help keep her secret. All three girls¡¯ faces drained of color when spotting who Rhea had on her friend¡¯s list; Rhea just showed a sheepish smile as they linked the dots. ¡°Uh ¡­ this isn¡¯t a joke, right?¡± Hannah asked, voice hoarse. ¡°How many Masters,¡± Jade paused, ¡°no ¡­ Champions do you know? Wait ¡­ your mother is Christie ¡­ Christie Bliss?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°Uh, yeah ¡­ that¡¯s my mom¡¯s maiden name. My dad¡¯s is Everhart, and umm, I¡¯ve met ¡­ every Champion, I believe. I mean, Ethan and Blue aren¡¯t my favorite people in the world ¡­ I¡¯d try to avoid them when they came around. Ethan¡¯s just so ¡­ cocky it¡¯s infuriating, but ¡­ I mean, he is on the same level as my aunt, so ¡­ not much I can say other than he¡¯s a Legendary-tier Trainer with an ego bigger than his 10-foot-tall Donphan. Trace is ¡­ forgettable, and my family doesn¡¯t get along too well with Diantha lately.¡± ¡°Sad,¡± Mallory softly snickered with a wince, ¡°but I mean ¡­ eh.¡± The girls¡¯ eyes grew the longer she ranted. ¡°Wallace can be a bit ¡­ overwhelming, but I suppose he¡¯s not technically the Hoenn Champion, but occasionally stands in for Steven Stone when he¡¯s off ¡­ wherever he goes, but I guess my aunt does the same thing with Dawn ¡­ she¡¯s super cool, by the way; I like Dawn. Alola is in the process of deciding a Champion, and their Trainers are pretty cool. Professor Kukui is fun to be around, but he¡¯s only a placeholder Champion until someone beats him ¡­ kind of like Alder was for Hilbert. ¡°Uh ¡­ Iris is awesome ¡­ Gramps raves about her on PikaBook all the time ¡­ I think he¡¯s her biggest fan. She¡¯s a super prodigy Dragon-type Trainer ¡­ Gramps says she¡¯s almost as strong as he was at his peak, which means she¡¯s nearing Legendary-tier ¡­ probably why Hilbert¡¯s trying to get in some training time with Ethan ¡­ of course, some newcomers named Nate and Rosa are climbing fast.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, I like them,¡± Mallory grinned. ¡°They keep on trying to beat my sister; get better every Biannual Cup, too. They enter Master-tier, win, challenge the Elite 4, hit my sister off the bat, fail, repeat. Three ¡­ times, now? One more,¡± she giggled, ¡°then they don¡¯t have to enter the Cup and can just go straight to the E4. Of course, they haven¡¯t actually won a match yet, but they¡¯re determined.¡± ¡°L-Legendary-tier?¡± Hannah asked, glancing at Amira. The redhead was playing with her phone, studying the map and routes with the Ranger recommendations. Mallory giggled. ¡°Basically slaps Champion-tier strong; it¡¯s something talked about in the Master-tier circles. You¡¯ve got Champion-tier, and then there are the Trainers that are basically a region themselves ¡­ Cynthia, Red, Blue, Ethan ¡­ I think Leon¡¯s getting up there, too¡­¡± ¡° Leon,¡± Rhea released a long sigh, rubbing her temple with a slow shake of her head. ¡°Leon is just ¡­ uncomfortable?¡± She mumbled in an unsure tone. ¡°I¡¯ve only met him six times, but he has a way of being a complete idiot and somehow somewhat cool too ¡­ seriously, though, he can be ¡­ painful to be around sometimes, and every time he tries to challenge my aunt,¡± she groaned. ¡°He¡¯s strong, but not Legendary-tier ¡­ yet. Undefeated in Galar, and even beat Lance when he decided to test him ¡­ gotta give him props for that.¡± Hannah cleared her throat, tapping on her aunt¡¯s profile. ¡°Insane ¡­ so ¡­ wait, your aunt ¡­ as in Cynthia Bliss ¡­ Active Champion Cynthia Bliss ¡­ daughter of ¡­ your grandparents are Drake Bliss and Glacia Bliss ¡­ granddaughter of Professor Carolina Bliss?¡± ¡°My family ¡­ yup,¡± Rhea replied, holding her arm across her stomach with embarrassment. Sam¡¯s phone stopped over Bianca¡¯s smiling face. ¡°And your cousin¡­¡± ¡°Married to one of Unova¡¯s Former Champions, Hilbert.¡± ¡°You know Former Champion Hilda, too?¡± Sam whispered. ¡°She¡¯s so cool ¡­Arceus ¡­ I can see some of their posts with you as a friend. Oh! Not that I¡¯ll actually try to say anything to them!¡± Rhea winced. ¡°I mean, yeah, that¡¯s fine, but Hilda is ¡­ uh, a little too ¡­ intense when it comes to gatherings, but ¡­ maybe I met her at the wrong time. I was thirteen ¡­ Hilbert and her have a, eh ¡­ very heated rivalry. Otherwise, yeah, she¡¯s chill to hang around ¡­ I guess.¡± ¡°Muk¡­¡± The three girls mirrored each other while sliding through all the renowned Trainers linked to her profile. Once everything settled down, they had a cold breakfast of protein bars, and Rhea decided to do the same. Packing everything up, the two groups brushed their teeth, using the brook water to wash their mouths. The remaining wet towels were dried out by Amber and doing a final clean-up of the campsite, they followed Amira down her selected path. The journey that followed wasn¡¯t as bad as the previous day, and Rhea felt almost entirely normal, but she¡¯d made a promise to wait until Viridian to keep her Pokemon in their pokeballs. Pallet River rushed through part of their path, and Rhea was a little surprised they hadn¡¯t crossed it before. After checking her map, she found that it looped back, but Amira guided them to a sturdy wooden bridge constructed over the 50-meter wide waterway. Rhea took pictures of a few Pokemon she hadn¡¯t seen in the wild near her small part of the world, casually responding to posts on other profiles when the path grew easier. Bianca took a picture next to her latest dessert creation, an Alolan Coconut Angel Cake; she looked so cute and proud of her accomplishment. A dubious smile brightened her lips when seeing Sabin and Katelin together at a fancy restaurant; her brother was all dressed up and looked surprisingly comfortable. The next photo showed the Pokemon booth nearby with their main teams. According to the post, they were getting ready to take on Forrest for the Encrusted Platinum Boulder Badge. Posting that they¡¯d be doing the same in several days, Katelin responded within a minute. Katelin: Yo! Hey, we¡¯ll stick around there for a while; Sabin owes me a date hiking up Mt. Moon! Hehe, what¡¯s it say when your girlfriend can out-eat you? Jason: O_o what Sis? Are you calling yourself fat or a glutton? Katelin: Wait ¡­ that didn¡¯t come out right. Jason! Bro ¡­ don¡¯t do your Sis like that! Jason: Aye, I¡¯m just asking what you¡¯re saying? Rhea: Yeah ¡­ what are you saying, Kate? Katelin: Uh¡­ yeah, your brother has a small appetite¡­ Rhea: Hmm ¡­ maybe the problem is low credits? Katelin: ¡­ He didn¡¯t say anything about that. Jason: ¡®Cause he¡¯s the man! Yo, but seriously, you guys should wait to do your matches! I totally wanna see you go at it live! Rhea, you with me? Let¡¯s double team this! Rhea: Yeah! No match unless we¡¯re there or we riot! Katelin: Hehe, how are y¡¯all gonna catch me on those slow legs when I take to the skies? Jason: Savage! Rhea: Oof ¡­ hey, we got our ways! Jason: Yeah! (What ways, Rhea? O_o) Rhea: She¡¯ll see ( #£à¦ä¡ä# )¦· oh, she¡¯ll see! Katelin: Okay ¡­ I¡¯m a little curious, but all jokes aside ¡­ yeah, I got y¡¯all! We¡¯ll see ya in Pewter! Great Grandma Carolina: (???)¥Î My lil¡¯ Rhea! Rhea: Hey, Granny! How¡¯s Sinnoh? Great Grandma Carolina: Same ol¡¯, same ol¡¯. So, your mother told me what¡¯s happening. (©`?©`£») Uh ¡­ so, how are you feeling? Rhea: So much better! Nova, Mya, and I are being good girls, though, and we¡¯re waiting for Viridian. Great Grandma Carolina: Oh, that makes me feel a lot better. Rhea: Alright, well, I should probably get back to talking with my friends. Great Grandma Carolina: Oki! (???)¥Î Bye, bye! Katelin: I LOVE your Granny, Rhea! She¡¯s SOOOO CUTE! TTYL!! Jason: YOO, Rhea, we¡¯re in Viridian right now ¡­ if you saw my posts. >.> Comment more ¡­ make me feel bad, girl! Uh, yeah, so hurry your butt up and catch up! Rhea: I¡¯m coming! I¡¯ll be there tomorrow. Jason: Aww ¡­ we¡¯re bouncing to Dark City. Took like an HOUR to explain to Lucian why we don¡¯t face Giovanni first >.> an HOUR for something SOO basic ¡­ sigh¡­ Mallory: Yo, how¡¯s my home boi doin¡¯? Jason: YOOO, Mallory, sup! Yeah, he¡¯s chill ¡­ uh, yeah, we¡¯re havin¡¯ a bit of trouble connecting with each other¡¯s profiles ¡­ we¡¯ll get it ironed out soon. Mallory: I know =P he¡¯s keepin¡¯ me up to date. TROLL DOUT! Jason: Ehhhh?!?! Great Grandma Carolina: Troll ¡­ what¡¯s a dout? Typo? What is dis? Dis is correct, right? Katelin: SO CUTE! <3 Oh, saw your new friends, too, Rhea! I¡¯m dying of a sugar overdose here! Great Grandma Carolina: Oh my goodness!! Is that a heart?! Great Grandma Carolina: <3 <3 <3 <3 I LOVE IT! Super sugar overdose! Grandpa Drake: SWWAABLLUUU!!! Great Grandma Carolina: Too late, dear. Grandpa Drake: NOOOO!!!! Rhea giggled, turning off her phone. Amira was on the money; they made it to Xanadu Nursery, and sure enough, there was a crowd gathered with many more on Route 1, traveling to and from Pallet. Amira¡¯s fists tightened, glaring at the waiting throng past her rose-tinted teashade glasses. Here we go ¡­ who¡¯s gonna challenge us? B1 — 16. The Froakie Dance 5:58 P.M. June 12, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The second to last day of battles for the First Preliminary Match Week in preparation for the Kanto & Johto Summer Indigo Cup. Many tourists are traveling through Pallet and Viridian to arrive at Silver City for the big tournament while also supporting the Summer Bronze League kick-off. They returned to Route 1¡¯s well-traveled grassy fields after passing across the bridge, the new area occasionally dotted with trees. People were mostly progressing in small groups across the path, but Rhea sometimes caught sight of a solo Trainer. The popular Routes were heavily utilized by the population, and after centuries of use, the wild Pok¨¦mon adapted to the areas. Weaker Pok¨¦mon tended to gather around them in hopes new Trainers would bond with them; it also provided a safer environment to relax in, and with the mandatory Bronze Journey for young Trainers in each region, it wasn¡¯t all that uncommon for these types of Pok¨¦mon to find a binding partner. Pallet¡¯s Route 1 grasslands wound through the hilly city-state¡¯s territory in a serpentine pattern, rising in a gradual slope to Viridian before falling back down to sea-level. Just off the hardened dirt path grew the tall grass, where shy Pok¨¦mon would gather. Human activity frequently spread quickly across Pallet Forest through Flying Pok¨¦mon, making high-traffic hours filled with groups of low-level amiable Pok¨¦mon, waiting to show their stuff with the hopes of finding a good Trainer to travel the world with and get stronger. Rhea, Amira, and Mallory talked to the three other girls about wanting to catch Pok¨¦mon that were more aggressive and off the beaten path since it was an easy indicator that a Pok¨¦mon was somewhat competent on their own. Amira even complimented their Pok¨¦mon for having the guts to take on a swarm, saying they had potential; however, she cautioned them to also be practical and not jump into something that could get their Trainers hurt, and the nighttime incursion rode that line. Rhea took pictures of the other girls and the wild Pok¨¦mon along their trip back to the lowlands. She commented on a few of Jason¡¯s posts, many of which were just random shops, popular attractions, and the massive skyscrapers of Viridian. Amira promised to show them around Viridian when they arrived; Rhea was bouncing with anticipation, hoping she¡¯d bring them to the best spots since it was her hometown. As they drew nearer to the checkpoint, Rhea¡¯s gaze turned to the village¡¯s scenery, mirroring the overgrown ivy facility¡¯s aesthetic the place was inspired by; the roads were well-maintained since the Xanadu Nursery Foundation and its partner stores capitalized on the popular route¡¯s tourist traffic. According to Amira, a lot of the area around the Pallet public road and route was owned by the Xanadu Nursery Foundation, and the buildings around them were actually leased by businesses during different times of the year; most were transient stores from start-up businesses. A few of the establishments were open year-round. The plant nursery had contracts with Pallet and the Indigo League for various things, one of which was a Center License, which allowed them to tap into the League and city-state tax budget to offer their herbal treatments on the public dime. According to Amira, the establishment¡¯s profit on that front came from tax cuts, but that wasn¡¯t an issue since it provided a way station between cities, attracting Trainers that would buy their private healing products at a bit of a price hike compared to Pallet and Viridian. One of the staple facilities was the Xanadu Inn, a large group of buildings to the left side of the trail, situated by the small Pallet Police Branch that patrolled the city¡¯s route. Rhea found it a bit funny when Amira mentioned city-hired Gold-tier Trainers were rarely assigned to route duty, and the lower-wage task was typically given to Silver-tier with a Gold-tier Supervising Officer that had stepped on someone¡¯s toes. Pallet¡¯s road system was restricted for walking use since it was the city¡¯s heart-blood, only allowing vehicles and mountable Pok¨¦mon; even a small block in traffic carried with it a hefty fine. Rhea didn¡¯t know all the laws regarding it but figured it was left to common sense for the most part. The road and trail grew closer to each other near Xanadu, pavement running along the right side of the village with Xanadu¡¯s charging station for the electric vehicles; Silph still had the majority of the market share in the Car Industry. The village had two main roads, one for hikers on the left and one with noise barriers for cars on the right; businesses ran down the center and on either side of the traversable areas with walkways for tourists. A bridge was constructed to allow traffic to continue unimpeded. To the right of the road was an offramp, leading to a parking lot, a pathway to the Xanadu Nursery, and the Xanadu Family Mansion. The path from the inn went straight by the center and under the highway to the nursery. Rhea¡¯s gut tightened when arriving at the center of the village; just as Amira feared, there were clusters of foreign Trainers that seemed intent on staying for the night, eyeing potential battle candidates to increase their elo and experience. Mallory sang and taught Gables different dance moves on the way, which Rhea took note of with amusement. Gables and Amber had returned to their pok¨¦balls once they¡¯d made it to the public path to not draw more notice. Most of the people they passed hadn¡¯t paid much attention to them since they had their sunglasses and caps on, giving them a passable mask that hid their features at first glance. It seemed several boys¡¯ eyes were pulled by their looks. However, they couldn¡¯t hide from the Trainers ahead of them, phones open, app open, and scanning for match candidates in range. Who¡¯s gonna jump on us first? They tried to ignore the groups of Trainers as they continued through the village, Amira talking in low tones on their way. ¡°I want to grab another potion here; they should have a decent stock since they sell the excess product to Rocket facilities in Pallet and Viridian.¡± Mallory leaned in with a small grin. ¡°What we thinkin¡¯; two vs. three, you and me, Amira? Gables wants to show off a bit. Amber¡¯s been gettin¡¯ all the hype lately.¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s fine; we just need to make them rescind a Triple Battle request by baiting them into a handicap match.¡± ¡°I got ya.¡± Rhea smiled at Sam, Hannah, and Jade, drawing attention from them by their nervous fidgets; their Pok¨¦mon might have been in a battle last night, but they hadn¡¯t experienced it themselves. ¡°How are ya feeling?¡± ¡°Hehe, nervous,¡± Sam chuckled, arms folded under her chest. ¡°Hector¡¯s saying we¡¯ll be fine, but ¡­ yeah, what if I mess him up?¡± Hannah nodded, vision darting to Amira from time to time before swiftly averting her gaze to focus on anything else. ¡°... I¡¯m nervous ¡­ how do you guys do it ¡­ you know, the big stadium and everything?¡± ¡°Honestly?¡± Rhea hummed, glaring at the dirt. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really focused on any of that ¡­ I just wanted to help Amira. I guess I just tuned them all out after it started ¡­ I couldn¡¯t really concentrate on anything else but my Pok¨¦mon once it started.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ I didn¡¯t really think about that,¡± Jade mumbled. ¡°That doesn¡¯t seem so bad. You just get caught up in the match.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ something like that,¡± Rhea chuckled; they still didn¡¯t know why her Pok¨¦mon weren¡¯t out or why Amira and Lori were concerned about a Triple Battle challenge. They stopped as a few phones gave a sharp musical note, unique to their own personal settings that indicated they¡¯d been challenged. Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed while glancing to her left at Sam, Hannah, and Jade; their faces drained of color. ¡°Huh,¡± Lori¡¯s lips shifted to the right with the small packs of people moved around them along the wide trail, most heading to Viridian. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect y¡¯all to get the first request.¡± Amira breathed a long sigh, vision darting to three tan-skinned boys with confident smiles as they walked their way. ¡°Honestly, I should have expected it ¡­ they¡¯re unranked while we are, and then they need to work up the nerve to challenge us.¡± A lump dropped down Hannah¡¯s throat. ¡°So ¡­ they think we¡¯re easy targets?¡± ¡°Yeah, something ¡­ great¡­¡± Amira trailed off, holding up her chiming phone, playing a cute electric remix song. Rhea studied her own phone. Battle Requests: 2 Pending ¡­ 3 Pending ¡­ 4 Pending. At least we have options. The first to challenge them had priority, and they could order the next pending requests, which would be significant; there was a three daily request cap that allowed Trainers to decline without penalty, but it also had some exceptions and a grace period of an hour given after the end of each battle. After three daily matches, a Trainer could put on a decline status, and now that Rhea thought about it, she could have her friends challenge her, but on second thought, that wouldn¡¯t be fair to them. Many city districts were also Battle Issue Restricted Zones, and when a Trainer¡¯s Pok¨¦mon was at a certain stamina level, monitored by the Battle App through the pok¨¦ball¡¯s integrated technology, they would be exempt from challenges. She tapped on the request, identifying their first opponents. Triple Battle Challenge: Lisette Vigouroux - 3W:0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 547 Kanto Battle Rank: 22,184,223 Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 2 Distance: 15 Meters Bet: 200 Credits Aude Auger - 2W - 0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 532 Kanto Battle Rank: 22,393,223 Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 1 Distance: 15 Meters Bet: 200 Credits Clotilde Dupuy - 3W - 0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 546 Kanto Battle Rank: 22,193,223 Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 2 Distance: 16 Meters Bet: 200 Credits Rhea¡¯s own team¡¯s Battle Rating was 516 since they¡¯d all won one match against someone near their own elo. Elo started at 500 with a 32 maximum change rate, and a Trainer couldn¡¯t drop below 100. It was weighted, so the increase would get smaller per victory and lose more points when defeated. The current elo only counted the year¡¯s battle data unless set to view the previous years¡¯ ratings, and your rank was determined based on Trainers that participated in at least one official battle this year inside Kanto. If you didn¡¯t battle throughout a year, your elo would remain the same but not be counted for the new season. A record was kept of each rank at the end of each year. Based on the data, Lisette and Aude battled someone that already won a match, coming out victorious, while Clotilde only went against unranked Trainers. Rhea glanced around after checking her phone for the distance; the group of girls to their right seemed to be the ones standing beside the Xanadu Treatment Center. They were all shades of blonde, wearing knee-length skirts and shirts of various colors. Amira and Mallory moved toward them to work out a 2 vs. 3; Rhea lingered with Nova trying not to release longing emotions to participate. Mya was sound asleep. ¡°Hey, you¡¯ll do fine!¡± Rhea encouraged, holding her hands behind her back as the boys approached. ¡°Just do your best, and once you¡¯re done, we¡¯ll meet you at one of the inns.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Jade mumbled, trying not to look nervous. Rhea¡¯s smile brightened. ¡°Oh, actually, no, we¡¯ll meet you at the treatment center! I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll all need to go there anyway, right? Maybe Amira and Lori will do some unofficial sparing after.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Hannah rubbed her left arm, ¡°I bet Lori and Amira ¡­ hey, uh ¡­ so, you want to battle?¡± She asked with a light laugh, greeting the boys. A black-haired boy in the center engaged. ¡°Aloha! We just saw that ya three haven¡¯t battled yet, and wondered if ya wanted to give it a shot? Oh, my name¡¯s Akanahe, by the way.¡± ¡°From Alola, I assume?¡± Sam asked, hiding her hands and phone behind her back. ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± The brown-haired boy beside him jumped in. ¡°Kanto¡¯s so much bigger than I thought.¡± Rhea waved them off. ¡°Okay, well, good luck, guys! Catch ya after.¡± ¡°Yeah, thanks ¡­ see you guys when we¡¯re done,¡± Jade replied. She got four steps before Akanahe stopped her. ¡°Wait ¡­ aren¡¯t you Rhea, one of the Kanto Master picks?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah. Nice to meet you, but I should probably get over to my team.¡± The boys each gave each other an unsure glance before eyeing Sam, Hannah, and Jade; Rhea realized that they might be thinking they put their feet in their mouths, thinking the girls were an easy target, but if they¡¯re friends with her, then there could be more to them. It put a smile on her lips while jogging to the street side, dodging around the busy crowds. After hearing her exchange with the Alolan boy, several people were pausing, curious to see if she¡¯d be in a match. ¡°... You seriously think we¡¯re that weak?¡± The shortest of the girls growled. ¡°We¡¯re undefeated.¡± ¡°Oh, scared we¡¯ll make you look bad?¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°Fine, yeah, whatever,¡± the tallest mumbled, not looking thrilled about the outcome. ¡°So, which of you are ducking out?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯d be me!¡± Rhea replied with a forced chuckle, ducking around the last group to join them. ¡°Wait ¡­ you¡¯re the one with the Mawile and Eevee?¡± The shortest asked. ¡°Mhm ¡­ oh, which are you ¡­ ah ¡­ there¡¯s your pictures¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, eyeing each of the photos on the challenge app. ¡°Umm, yeah, so where are you guys going to take it?¡± Clotilde was the smallest of the bunch, barely 5¡¯ tall, and had the shortest cut hair, ending just above her shoulders. Lisette had shoulder-length hair and was the tallest, while Aude had the longest, reaching halfway down her back. ¡°Why are you not joining?¡± Clotilde asked suspiciously. ¡°We wanted to go for the Triple Battle prize pool¡­¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s fine, Clotilde,¡± Lisette chucked, pulling back her hair before giving Rhea a fake smile. ¡°Maybe she¡¯ll decide to join later ¡­ you know, the new challenger rules.¡± Rhea¡¯s left eyebrow lifted, and she adjusted her cap. Was that supposed to be some kind of off-handed insult? Maybe it was a joke, and I just don¡¯t get it because it¡¯s Kalos humor? Amira¡¯s red irises slid to the left, barely visible beyond her rosy glasses, and a small smirk lifted her lips. ¡°I highly doubt she¡¯ll need to.¡± The girls glared at her. ¡°Fine, Rocket girl,¡± Clotilde huffed. ¡°We can use one of the battlefields down the road.¡± ¡°Oh, they have battlefields here?¡± Rhea asked with a bright smile. ¡°That¡¯ll make things easy.¡± They moved to follow the girls, and a small crowd was already tailing them. Aude hummed thoughtfully, glancing back at her while fingering her studded earring. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you know ¡­ since you¡¯re from this region?¡± Rhea just shrugged. ¡° Uh ¡­ I¡¯ve never been here before.¡± ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Lisette rolled her eyes. Aude¡¯s lips curved into a smirk while eyeing Rhea. ¡°Maybe you should get a new belt in Viridian; the white just doesn¡¯t go with the sailor look.¡± ¡°Mmh, I¡¯d just go without a belt, honestly,¡± Clotilde commented. ¡°Well, maybe just get a smaller belt; that giant thing just looks weird. Why don¡¯t you want to battle us? Too good?¡± Rhea¡¯s back stiffened at the dreaded word; if there was one thing she didn¡¯t want, it was to be the weird girl, but Amira swiftly butted into the tag-team, eyeing the three with pursed lips. ¡°Hmm, did you get those skirts in Kanto?¡± ¡°This?¡± Clotilde asked with confusion, slowing a bit while plucking at the yellow hem. ¡°No. Why?¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ figured,¡± Amira replied dismissively, brushing past her to take the lead. Clotilde¡¯s cheeks reddened, but she didn¡¯t respond, increasing her pace to keep up. The other two were also glaring at Amira¡¯s bouncing, thick red ponytail that fell to her lower back. Okay, there¡¯s a lot of passive-aggressive tensions flying around¡­ Her focus darted right as Mallory giggled, nudging her with a small smile before whispering just loud enough for the girls ahead of them to hear. ¡°Look at the yellow skirt ¡­ the back hem.¡± Vision falling to the weaving fabric, she saw what the other two had noticed; there was a small tear in the material, barely noticeable, but it would probably increase. ¡°My guess,¡± Lori went on, making Rhea¡¯s gut churn as the three foreigners began to catch on, ¡°they¡¯re aiming for the prize money to get new clothes ¡­ see why? Maybe we should just donate a bit to them a little later. Shh ¡­ don¡¯t you feel a bit bad for them?¡± Rhea winced as the girls¡¯ faces burned, especially Clotilde, hands flying behind her butt to try and pull attention away from her skirt with her bright blue phone. C¡¯mon, Lori! You don¡¯t need to keep rubbing it in ¡­ or is it just a dirty pre-battle tactic to throw them off their game ¡­ Grimsley was her step-dad ¡­ worse, they can¡¯t really say anything back, or it¡¯ll look like they¡¯re just trying to save face. Amira spotted it and drew attention to the spot, but Mallory zeroed in like a Sharpedo! Oh, no ¡­ people are looking at them now¡­ The rest of the walk there was held in silence, but the mumbles from the groups surrounding them only drew Rhea¡¯s mind into a spiral of paranoia, fearing the criticism of the girl¡¯s skirt was spreading and expected they were having the same thoughts. It wouldn¡¯t be bad enough to make her cry, but her mind would be anything but clear for a battle. Nova actually seemed to be taking notes from the encounter. Hey ¡­ don¡¯t be too mean to other Pok¨¦mon. We want to be nice girls ¡­ unless they¡¯re not nice, which ¡­ I don¡¯t know, maybe Amira and Mallory started it to get them angry to do a two versus three battle ¡­ gah ¡­ it¡¯s just so uncomfortable! Her little Eevee actually tried comforting her, following her previous line of thought that this was all a part of the plan. She stopped on the sidelines of the field Amira guided them to, and a crowd of onlookers gathered around her, making her feel a little boxed in when the arena was massive. Amira and Mallory released their Pok¨¦mon first; it didn¡¯t matter since they all had one Pok¨¦mon. Rhea tried to ignore the whispers about why she wasn¡¯t participating and people nudging each other, hyping up their buddies to ask her about her Pok¨¦mon. Surprisingly, Nova was focused on the fight, watching through her. Clotilde glared at the shiny Froakie and Fennekin, possibly angry they were using Pok¨¦mon most commonly found in her region. The fox was sitting on her butt, tail fire licking off its tip, waiting for the opposing Pok¨¦mon to make an appearance while the frog stretched out, much like his Trainer was always doing. ¡°Don¡¯t think this will be so easy,¡± Clotilde growled. ¡°I guess it¡¯s easy credits.¡± ¡°Keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better, sweetie,¡± Amira smirked behind her tinted glasses, left hand on her hip. ¡°Did you watch our match?¡± The three didn¡¯t respond, lips tight while glancing around at the crowd they were attracting as word spread; someone was going after the Starter bounty. ¡°Yeah, okay,¡± Aude huffed, tossing her pok¨¦ball up and down three times before releasing her Pok¨¦mon with the others. Without an official referee, it would go on until the Battle App signified a knockout or one side gave up. Rhea was a little surprised upon seeing Clotilde¡¯s Spritzee. Next came Lisette¡¯s Roggenrola, and finally, a Sentret for Aude. The Pok¨¦mon greeted each other with chirps, and Gables started doing some kind of strange dance, shuffling left and right as if low-key jamming to a song, and if Rhea didn¡¯t know any better, he was singing. Mallory giggled, clapping her hands, singing the song he must have been copying; it seemed to be one of the dozens of tracks they¡¯d practiced in their tent or on the trail. The girls gave each other strange looks, and Amira just gave her a questioning glance, but Mallory didn¡¯t seem bothered in the least as the frog continued to bust moves to the laughter of the crowd; a few even started jumping in. After several seconds, the Kalos girls hesitantly marked that they were ready to start, and her teammates did the same. Gables did a backflip while pointing at the Roggenrola before blending into his environment. The battle had begun. * * * Gables popped out of his pok¨¦ball, releasing a low yawn. Amber was nearby, giving him a charming smile. ¡°Finally, ready to get involved?¡± ¡°Oh, girl, I was born ready! Oof ¡­ just gotta stretch out a bit ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s the burn!¡± The flaming fox giggled. ¡°By the way, what was all that stuff you were doing with your Trainer?¡± ¡°To the left ¡­ to the right ¡­ eh, you¡¯ll have to be a bit more specific than that.¡± ¡°The whole singing bit? I¡¯ve seen humans do it, but not any Pok¨¦mon,¡± she hummed with interest. Their attention momentarily shifted to their opponents, and Gables zeroed in on the stubby Rock Pok¨¦mon as Mallory sent excited instructions through his link with her. ¡°Oh! He¡¯s weak to your Bubbles. Watch out for that bird-looking one, though; I¡¯m pretty sure Spritzee has some decent Moves. It¡¯s probably a long-range attacker. Rock-dude is slow as dirt. Sentret ¡­ eh, probably not much of a threat. Amber will probably focus on the Spritzee. You can take out that Roggenrola easy-peasy. We got it in the bag! You two probably stomp their speed, too.¡± The female Spritzee chortled as Lori privately broke down his opponents; its allies surrounded her. ¡°You two ready to get creamed?¡± ¡°You¡¯re right, Klisi! Their Trainers are so stupid!¡± The female Sentret snickered. ¡°They are, too, apparently.¡± The Roggenrola shifted a little bashfully while looking at Amber. Gables couldn¡¯t disagree with the shy behavior; she was quite the looker, but more friend material for him, personally. With a bit more exposure, he thought she¡¯d be fun to hang around. The pink bird smirked at them. ¡°We¡¯ve got so much more experience than both of you.¡± ¡°Look, Gables,¡± Amber mused with a small smile, ¡°the poor things are delusional.¡± Gables smiled; their comments reminded him of a song Lori showed him on her new phone while getting ready for bed. ¡°Yo, Amber.¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Her head tilted, shifting a little to focus on him. ¡°Check it, Lori showed me this song¡­¡± Trying to mimic the moves he¡¯d seen the human do in the video, Gables sang it while Amber chuckled at the lyrics; he pointed at their opponents and Amber during key parts. ¡°Somebody once told me the world is gonna roll me; ¡°I ain''t the sharpest tool in the shed¡­¡± The three Pok¨¦mon seemed baffled by his sudden performance, but the two girls were soon glaring at him as he continued. ¡°She was looking kind of dumb with her finger and her thumb ¡°In the shape of an "L" on her forehead. ¡°Well, the years start comin¡¯, and they don''t stop comin¡¯, ¡°Fed to the rules, and I hit the ground runnin¡¯. ¡°Didn''t make sense not to live for fun, ¡°Your brain gets smart, but your head gets dumb.¡± Klisi puffed up as he continued to sing, and the humans began chanting with him. ¡°Are ¡­ are you calling us dumb?¡± ¡°What¡¯s he saying, Klisi?¡± The Sentret mumbled. ¡°He¡¯s making fun of us ¡­ get ready, Nuca, Lukimi! We¡¯re gonna own these fools.¡± Gables giggled with Amber as their Trainers told them the battle started, and he did a quick backflip, sucking in the energy Lori sent him to swiftly use Camouflage. Their opponents paused, expressions turning from confusion to panic, heads darting right and left to try and spot him, and even going so far as to flip around to check if he¡¯d gotten behind them. Amber giggled at the Pok¨¦mon, seemingly taking the opportunity to build up energy for a large attack, but the other three weren¡¯t far behind, recovering to face her. Gables figured the Fennekin was preparing a Heat Wave, looking to end the battle quickly. He hoped they¡¯d provide more entertainment than that; he hadn¡¯t been able to show off his skills, but Amber had a lot of power behind her. He swiftly judged what his best course of action was, big eyes darting between Amber and the other group, keeping close while charging their own Moves after the momentary hesitation. They¡¯d be too slow to stop her at this point. Not wanting to get caught in the heat, Gables moved closer to Amber for the intercept when they inevitably charged. He was actually a bit bored, continuing to utilize his internal force to stay camouflaged; it was second-nature since the Move was a part of his genetics. He glanced over at the pretty fox beside him; she had a lot to prove after the fight with Cobalt, and he figured prolonging a battle for fun wasn¡¯t much in her nature, but there was a bit of a playful side to the Fennekin he¡¯d seen over the last few days. She¡¯d tried to flirt with him at first to get him flustered, but when that didn¡¯t work, they¡¯d just kind of become more friends. The Fennekin had a particular taste of teasing, and she was very aware of her looks, which prompted her to play with other Pok¨¦mon that were smitten by her, which Nuca certainly was. The Roggenrolla had been trying to come to terms with the attraction for a bit now, which caused what should have probably been a pretty short charge-up Move to be much longer. However, Lukimi, the Sentret, surprised him. The furry Pok¨¦mon¡¯s serious expression turned to horror. ¡°... Nuca, Klisi, scatter; she¡¯s using that big Move!¡± Oh? Some kind of detection Move? No, probably just her Trainer watching the Starter match ¡­ if she¡¯s going to dodge that way ¡­ perfect. He began charging his own attack, swiftly crawling across the ground toward the scattering Pok¨¦mon; his target had been acquired. The Spritzee darted right as the Sentret took to the left, leaving Nuca in a bit of a stupor since he was too slow for such movements. Amber opened her glowing mouth, clearly a bit frustrated that they¡¯d predicted her most powerful Move. A gust of blazing heat sprayed out of her jaws, spreading out in a cone to engulf the space in front of the Fennekin, widening to a two-meter area just behind where the three had been standing. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Roggentolla surprised Gables by sending out a Sand Attack to dampen the effects, but it only slightly mitigated the Stab Heat Wave¡¯s initial blast, sending the sand back into his face with the sheer pressure. The stone battlefield was left with a blackened imprint from the heat as Nuca¡¯s body steamed after the fire infused wind passed, forcing the girls and some of the crowd to cover their faces and step back a bit; these arenas didn¡¯t appear designed for that powerful of a Move, even if from a low-level Pok¨¦mon. Klisi appeared to be releasing some kind of faint pink mist from her glowing body, keeping her distance as Amber shot an Ember at her. The Fairy Pok¨¦mon had plenty of space to dodge the attack, even if it was faster, and stronger Pok¨¦mon from other Trainers were coming out to block any attack that tried to exit the arena. Nuca was still recovering after being blown back a few feet. He took a decent amount of damage but didn¡¯t seem burned. The Sentret was shockingly fast while running from the attack, gaining a short burst of speed; she¡¯d run right into Gables¡¯ trap, and Lori¡¯s instruction and energy continued to feed through his connection to her. Pop-out of camo before attacking for Type advantage! Lukimi¡¯s mouth dropped open with shock, eyes widening as the frog appeared in front of her with a bright smile, the energy returning to Fighting-type after releasing Camouflage. Power rushed through Gables¡¯ body, infusing it like a drug while condensing orange and yellow light gathered around his hand. ¡°Tag!¡± His fist smashed into Lukimi¡¯s stunned face, generating a concussive burst of force that instantly changed her course as her body tried following its previous momentum. Lukimi was sent flying into the sky with a sharp wheeze. The orange-tint of Power-Up Punch continued accelerating her ascent before dissipating to allow the kinetic energy to take over. The human¡¯s gasps could be heard around the field with the blazing ball flames that shot out of the corner of Gables¡¯ vision, exploding against the defenseless Sentret and forcing Lukimi to soar over her Trainer¡¯s head, out of the field; the girl followed her Pok¨¦mon¡¯s descent with a horrified expression, and Mallory¡¯s confirmation came soon after. She¡¯s super done! Double-time, double-time! Gables was a little disappointed at how easy it was, but his attention swiftly shifted to Amber as the pink haze Klisi released earlier was catching up to her. She¡¯d been easily keeping the slow Rock Pok¨¦mon at a distance while trading Embers with the Spritzee¡¯s Fairy Winds; both were dodging fairly proficiently or having their Moves cancel each other out, but Amber was far more elegant in her movements. Klisi and Nuca both cried out their fallen companion¡¯s name after witnessing the powerful combo. The Roggenrola appeared to have gotten over his flustered feelings as he shined, causing Mallory to send a giggle through their connection; apparently, that was a lousy Move to use. He sent a Bubble at Klisi to try and distract her before preparing Camouflage again. Nuca was so easy to kite; in fact, he didn¡¯t seem to have any long distance attacks. His slow Tackles were somewhat laughable, and once figuring out Amber was too nimble for him, he decided to change targets. Gables knew he could end the Rock-type¡¯s advance with a Bubble or two but debated if he really wanted to end it that quickly. However, he grew distracted by Amber suddenly tripping and falling on her face to tumble across the field, landing in a heap. Huh? The pink mist must have been the cause because the proud Fennekin appeared somewhat loopy while trying to make it back to her feet. Gables¡¯ eyes sparked with light, canceling his building Camouflage to utilize the Move to read Klisi¡¯s mind. He simply danced around the Roggenrola, making him look like a fool while doing aerial acrobatics over him. Nuca tried to use Sand Attack to catch him, but he was far too slow to offer any kind of real threat. The rock attempted to jump and time his attacks, but Gables was just too nimble and fast. ¡°Amber, jump as high as you can to the right!¡± Gables yelled, ¡°She¡¯s trying to confuse you; dodge the pink!¡± A few heart shapes were sent from the Spritzee while Amber recovered, but she managed to follow either his or Amira¡¯s instructions. The haze clouding Amber¡¯s mind from the mist vanished shortly with it, and the back and forth continued, lobbing insults at each other. Gables figured she had it and more than likely didn¡¯t want his help with how personal the two seemed to be attacking one another with words and attacks; he turned his attention to Nuca with a small smile. ¡°So ¡­ how are you doin¡¯?¡± ¡°Grrr ¡­ why won¡¯t you just stay still and attack!¡± ¡°Like this?¡± Gables asked, landing behind him to slam his glowing fists against the Roggenrola¡¯s back. ¡°Oof, yeah, you¡¯re pretty tough, my little dude.¡± Numa hopped around to face him, body glowing as he jumped to tackle him. ¡°Just ¡­ stay still!¡± Gables just started singing, absently flipping around Numa to watch Amber and Klisi do their ranged battle; Mallory giggled with the crowd as he casually led the frustrated Rock Pok¨¦mon around the edge of the field. The Fennekin was much more restrictive on her Ember shots, taunting Klisi while prancing at the edge of her light mist and dodging her Fairy Wind cyclones with elegant grace. ¡°Was that aimed at me?¡± Amber giggled before sending an Ember at her, floating high above the field; the flames brushed past the Spritzee¡¯s wing, dangerously close to its detonation radius. Klisi was so focused on Amber that she hadn¡¯t even seemed to notice the Roggenrola''s troubles. ¡°Like you can talk!¡± She spat, but her voice quivered a little. She¡¯d been trying to drape the Fennekin with the sparkling pink dust, but the veil dispersed far too quickly to close in the vexing vixen below. ¡°You can¡¯t even hit me from up here.¡± Gables noticed the failing tactic pretty soon after Amber dodged the first attempt; sadly, with all the energy the Spritzee was spending on her confusion strategy, she appeared to be slowing down and hovering lower than she probably anticipated. It wouldn¡¯t be that much longer, and other Trainers and Pok¨¦mon around the field had noticed it, too. He didn¡¯t think the pink mist and multiple heart attacks were that bad of a play, but Amber wasn¡¯t going to get caught in the same trap twice; it would have probably beaten most opponents. The plan was straightforward; disorient them to land a confusion attack, then stomp them with a few Fairy Winds, but if you avoided the first two attacks, the strategy fell apart, and Amber was far quicker on her feet than the Spritzee was in the air. Figuring he should probably wrap up the match soon, Gables turned his attention back to the frustrated Roggenrola with a bright smile, concluding the song. ¡°You know, your Trainer really should help you learn some distance Moves, my man!¡± ¡°... C-C¡¯mon ¡­ you¡¯re making me look bad,¡± Nuca moaned, sounding a bit breathless; he¡¯d wasted a lot of his energy on Sand Attacks and Tackles that never hit their mark. ¡°How ¡­ are you so fast?¡± ¡°Genetics, my dude,¡± Gables shrugged, landing a few feet away from him. ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll get some stronger Moves later.¡± Nuca stood still, releasing a low groan from deep within his rocky body. ¡°... Was there anything I could have done?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ keep attacking me at least.¡± ¡°... I can¡¯t even get close,¡± he groaned, rushing forward with his glowing body as he went for another Tackle. ¡°Eh, honestly,¡± he jabbed a finger at Klisi before hoping to his right; the bird was growing more tired by the Move. ¡°Ya can really blame your guys¡¯ loss on her. If she used that mist to get me in a corner, you could have maybe landed a team hit on us while we were disoriented for a moment; it might even knock me out of camo. She¡¯s just too triggered by Amber. Your girl over there has the Moves, but not the brains.¡± Nuca sighed as Gables darted around him with two quick hops, did a quick summersault to wedge himself between the Roggenrola¡¯s back and the ground before launching him a few feet into the air. Flipping back, he let loose a few Bubbles, knocking the poor guy out of the match. He felt a little bad for the guy, performing a small bow toward him as his depressed Trainer returned the knocked out Pok¨¦mon. Doing a backflip with a half twist, he took the center field with Amber, performing another dance and song Mallory had taught him, moving around a chuckling Amber; they both darted around the few attacks Klisi sent their way with the Froakie¡¯s concert. Mallory recognized a few of the actions, clapping while singing with him, and he matched up to her own tempo; several entertained Trainers followed the chant with his movements around Amber. ¡°Back to the street where we began, ¡°Feeling as good as lovers can, you know! ¡°Yeah, we''re feeling so good¡­ ¡°And we know that it could be, ¡°And we know that it should, ¡°And you know that you feel it too. ¡°Cause it''s nine in the afternoon, ¡°And your eyes are the size of the moon. ¡°You could cause you can, so you do. ¡°We''re feeling so good. ¡°Just the way that we do... ¡°We''re feeling so good... ¡°Do you know what I mean? ¡°Back to the place ¡°Where we used to say, ¡°Man, it feels good to feel this way! ¡°Now I know what I mean!¡± Predicting where the frustrated Spritzee would dodge with Mind Reader, Gables¡¯ eyes glowed white, landing on the ground beside Amber. He pointed a finger at the spot, holding a bubble in his mouth while lifting up his other three-fingered hand into a victory-sign. Amber caught on without a word, sending a second Ember to the spot; the fireball hit the stunned bird in the face, sending her flying to the edge of the field. Her Trainer¡¯s body was rigid with dread as Amber pounced on top of her, staring down at her with a wicked grin. ¡°Hey!¡± Klisi¡¯s feet struggled to kick her off, but she didn¡¯t seem to have the strength, and before she could gather the energy to blow her off, Amber¡¯s eyes glowed purple. Pulses of psychic force rippled through the Spritzee¡¯s frame, hypnotizing her. Gables hopped over to her with a forced smile. ¡°Oof, you aren¡¯t thinking of ¡­ yup.¡± Amber got off, sitting down with a smug smirk. ¡°She was calling me names and insulting our Trainers. Get up, Klisi.¡± She complied, eyes showing a light inner glow that indicated she could be influenced by the opponent. ¡°Good,¡± Amber cooed, ¡°now go dance with Gables.¡± ¡°Savage!¡± Gables chuckled, watching the stunned and red-faced expression of her Trainer. ¡°But ¡­ I won¡¯t deny a dance. Shake those tail feathers!¡± He continued the song for about twenty more seconds before she began to snap out of the hypnosis, blinking in confusion about where she was, and Gables drew energy to his fist. ¡°Sorry, dear¡­¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Klisi¡¯s eyes opened wider once noticing him in front of her, but his gathering energy cut off as Mallory communicated that they surrendered. ¡°W-What happened¡­¡± The Spritzee asked, tears welling up in her eyes as Amber huffed with disappointment. Gables just gave her a short shrug. ¡°I¡¯d rethink how you¡¯ve been using that sparkly stuff. Good luck in the next match!¡± He added, patting her on the shoulder. ¡°W-Why did ¡­ why did I dance with you?¡± She asked, sniffling a little out of the embarrassment. ¡°Why d-did that happen?¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re weak-minded, sweetie,¡± Amber snickered. ¡°Probably shouldn¡¯t have tried punching up your weight class.¡± They noticed the three foreign Trainers mumbling with one another as people started to disperse, and Rhea moved to talk to them with Lori and Amira. ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t know,¡± Gables hummed, figuring Klisi felt humiliated with the flashback her Trainer gave her. ¡°I thought they did pretty good, all things considered. The confusion strategy actually had me worried there for a second.¡± ¡°I ¡­ I tried,¡± the Spritzee whispered, really trying to hold back her tears. ¡°I guess,¡± Amber mumbled, glancing away. ¡°You weren¡¯t ¡­ terrible. Just learn how to corner your opponent better.¡± She released a low grunt before saying, ¡°I¡¯m going to sit by Amira.¡± After a short distance, she paused, glancing back with a small smile, ¡°Gables ¡­ maybe you could teach me some of those dance moves ¡­ they look a bit fun.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure!¡± Gables grinned. ¡°There¡¯s a few songs that would fit you pretty well! Oh, maybe we can do some Contest stuff together; that¡¯d be fun.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ Amira¡¯s not really ¡­ nevermind¡­¡± Amber mumbled, jogging to her Trainer¡¯s side. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Gables glanced to his left at the depressed bird. Klisi was slumped over, mumbling to herself. ¡°I was supposed to win ¡­ we needed to win ¡­ what are we gonna do now?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Gables asked, dropping to his butt with a pleasant smile. ¡°Oh ¡­ uh, no, it¡¯s nothing,¡± Klisi whispered, trying to give him a forced smile. ¡°You two really are really strong ¡­ I guess Amber was right.¡± ¡°Aww, you didn¡¯t catch it?¡± He asked. Her eyes lifted to him. ¡°Catch what?¡± ¡°She complimented you!¡± ¡°... Only to make me feel better¡­¡± ¡°Hehe ¡­ you don¡¯t know Amber that well!¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± She blinked, swallowing, and sniffing back her wet eyes. ¡°Amber doesn¡¯t just compliment people because she feels bad. She has a bit of a hard time expressing feelings.¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t!¡± Amber yelled back at them, clearly able to hear them with her big ears. ¡°My mistake! My mistake!¡± Gables chuckled back, waving at her red-eyed glare from Amira¡¯s side while giving Klisi a wink. ¡°Anyway, don¡¯t feel too bad. We just had a lot of Moves that your Trainers and you hadn¡¯t seen before.¡± ¡°We knew about the Heat Wave,¡± Klisi sighed, ¡°but the whole invisible thing was ¡­ that was pretty cool,¡± she said with a small smile. Gables grinned, seeing Amber roll her eyes with a mumble too low for him to catch. ¡°Well, okay, Klisi. Thanks for the battle!¡± He held out his hand, and the bird hopped forward, touching it with her small wings; he gently shook them. ¡°Yeah ¡­ it was really helpful. We haven¡¯t fought anyone as strong as you two.¡± ¡°Be glad Mya wasn¡¯t in the match!¡± Amber shot across the field with a small snicker. Klisi shifted to eye Amber for a moment. ¡°Right ¡­ Mya ¡­ is she really that strong?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ let¡¯s just say I¡¯d be pretty intimidated,¡± Gables forced a chuckle. ¡°She¡¯s a powerhouse and doesn¡¯t pull her punches.¡± ¡°Wow ¡­ umm, I¡¯m glad I didn¡¯t end up facing her, then,¡± Klisi giggled. ¡°Umm ¡­ thanks, Gables ¡­ for uh, cheering me up a bit.¡± ¡°I think she wants to kiss you!¡± Amber shouted with a sly smile, causing Klisi to blush and shift uncomfortably. ¡°N-No ¡­ I just, umm ¡­ geez, you¡¯re so rude!¡± ¡°Am I, though?¡± Amber mused. ¡°Yes!¡± Amber turned her head away from them with a small smirk. ¡°Geez, can¡¯t even take a joke.¡± Klisi huffed, nervously turning back to him. ¡°Umm ¡­ thanks. I¡¯m gonna¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, no problem,¡± Gables replied with a thumbs up. ¡°See ya around!¡± ¡°... I hope so,¡± she whispered, flapping over to land on her Trainer¡¯s shoulder. Gables hopped over to Amber, giving her a wry smile. ¡°You really are a savage, girl,¡± he whispered. ¡°I don¡¯t know, I thought Mallory was pretty savage,¡± she giggled. He slowly nodded. ¡°Eh ¡­ mmh, can¡¯t argue there, hehe.¡± * * * Rhea winced at how bad Gables and Amber were making the three Kalos Trainers and their Pok¨¦mon look. A swift knockout, followed by other Trainers jumping in to meme on them, recording and already posting the battle to MemeStar. It said something when a Pok¨¦mon used Hypnosis as a meme against an opponent, then had them start dancing. Unsurprisingly, all of the battle requests that they¡¯d gotten had been retracted after the other Trainers witnessed the match. Rhea really felt terrible for the girls and their Pok¨¦mon, but Nova was just laughing at Gables¡¯ antics. She glanced down at the update that hit her device; she had the current match up on her phone, and once Lisette forfeited, seeing the end coming with a +1 Power-Up Punch Stab Ember combo, their Battle Rating was updated. Handicap Triple Battle Challenge: Lisette Vigouroux - 3W:1L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 532 (-15) Kanto Battle Rank: 22,393,340 (+209,117) Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 3 Bet: 200 Credits Aude Auger - 2W - 1L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 517 (-15) Kanto Battle Rank: 24,333,543 (+1,940,320) Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 2 Bet: 200 Credits Clotilde Dupuy - 3W - 1L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 531 (-15) Kanto Battle Rank: 22,426,134 (+232,911) Region: Kalos Daily Battles: 3 Bet: 200 Credits Combined Pre-Battle Rating: 541.66667 Combined Bet: 600 Credits Result: Loser Vs. Amira Rocket - 2W - 0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 533 Kanto Battle Rank: 22,353,194 (-3,292,774) Region: Kanto Daily Battles: 1 Bet: 200 Credits Malory Medina - 2W - 0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 533 Kanto Battle Rank: 22,353,224 (-3,292,774) Region: Unova Daily Battles: 1 Bet: 200 Credits Combined Pre-Battle Rating: 516 Combined Bet: 400 Result: Winner Rhea was a little surprised to see Amira was ahead of Malory but figured it was probably because they had entered into a match under the New Challenger rule, which weighed in the negative since they hadn¡¯t been in the event as long as Amira. The redhead had more battle time than them. Once the battle concluded, she walked over to the three depressed girls, whispering to one another in a worried tone; the bet funds were already transferred to Amira and Malory. ¡°Hey! Your Pok¨¦mon did pretty well.¡± They turned to give her a scowl. ¡°You don¡¯t need to rub it in,¡± Clotilde mumbled. ¡°No, no, I¡¯m serious,¡± Rhea said with a forced chuckle. ¡°Your Pok¨¦mon really gave it their all.¡± The three girls released sad sighs, vision falling to the grass. Aude rubbed her shoulder. ¡°What do you mean ¡­ Lukimi and I were taken out in like ... under a minute. We got destroyed ¡­ she doesn¡¯t even really know how she got taken out; it was so fast.¡± ¡°Gables thinks they did a pretty good job!¡± Mallory cut in with a short chuckle once reaching them. Amira shrugged, glancing back at the three Pok¨¦mon; Amber seemed to be teasing the little pink bird. ¡°You should have tried trapping us in a corner with the Sweet Scent.¡± ¡°We tried ¡­ once,¡± Lisette uncomfortably mumbled. ¡°She was just too fast.¡± Mallory winked. ¡°Well, it was the hesitation in the beginning that really set you guys back. Next time you see a Pok¨¦mon vanish like that, you¡¯ll know it might still be in that area with Camouflage.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ I guess. Umm ¡­ thanks for the battle ¡­ your Pok¨¦mon really are strong,¡± Aude mumbled, glancing between them at Klisi and Gables talking to one another. She seemed to be a bit happier, but Amber¡¯s chirp caused the bird to return a heated tone. ¡°They were bred for battle,¡± Amber noted. ¡°The Roggenrola¡¯s big problem was his lack of mid-range and decent Status Moves. If you¡¯re against weaker Pok¨¦mon, he¡¯d steamroll, but any kind of speed or mid to long-range¡­¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± Clotilde groaned, sweeping back her blonde bangs. ¡°It¡¯s hard, though ¡­ I mean ¡­ TMs are expensive, and Pallet¡¯s were all sold out when we got here.¡± ¡°Not that we could afford one,¡± Lisette grumbled, looking away with pink cheeks; her Spritzee fluttered to her shoulder. ¡°Umm ¡­ anyway, we¡¯re gonna head over to the Center ¡­ thanks for the battle.¡± Rhea watched the group walk off, talking lowly to one another; Pok¨¦mon naturally healed on their own if they¡¯d only been in knockout range, which was a natural defense reaction that told them they were getting to the point of real harm. Centers provided a way for Pok¨¦mon to receive fast-acting treatment through various methods that could top them off within a few minutes if only knocked out. However, if they continued to take damage, then they¡¯d be forced out of their safe recovery phase, and after that point, real damage could occur, putting their lives in danger. Pok¨¦mon Center treatments would be severely diminished, requiring anywhere from a few hours to a week of emergency support. Once a Pok¨¦mon¡¯s natural defensive energy shield was utterly exhausted, they fought with their life on the line; super effective elemental types would deplete that protection faster than non-effective energies. It was a League felony to attack a Pok¨¦mon after it fainted; there were some exceptions if a Trainer or their Pok¨¦mon were in danger within the wild, but they were strict, and an investigation would follow. ¡°Mmh,¡± Rhea moved closer to her team with a worried expression. ¡°Do you really think they¡¯re short on cash?¡± ¡°With how they acted?¡± Amira¡¯s full lips pulled to the side. ¡°Probably.¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ what if we donate a bit to them?¡± ¡°Eh, hehe, Rhea,¡± Mallory gave her a soft sigh. ¡°We can¡¯t just give money away to every team. We need to be worried about ourselves ¡­ credits go fast as Trainers.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°I just feel ¡­ I don¡¯t know, a bit bad for them; they know they¡¯ll get roasted on MemeStar after that match.¡± Amira held up her phone, looking at the Battle App. ¡°It shook off the Sharpedos that were out for blood.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ okay, okay,¡± Mallory adjusted her cap and sunglasses with a small frown. ¡°Maybe one time, okay, Rhea? Uh ¡­ 370 to 400 credits to each girl ¡­ returning a bit more cash to make it a bit more inconspicuous, uh ¡­ later tonight through an anonymous donation?¡± Amira didn¡¯t seem too thrilled, folding her arms under her chest. ¡°Why? They¡¯re the ones that challenged us.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Rhea nodded, holding her hands behind her back with a forced smile, ¡°but ¡­ they didn¡¯t know they¡¯d get memed on. Once the others discovered Gables¡¯ personality, they dropped the challenge. They didn¡¯t have the chance ¡­ I don¡¯t know, maybe I¡¯m just being too soft-hearted,¡± she mumbled, playing with her ponytail. ¡°Umm ¡­ just this once, Amira, please? I¡¯ll do it; you don¡¯t need to use your own money, but ¡­ I mean, we¡¯re a team and we kind of share funds. I won¡¯t do it if you are really against it.¡± A low groan passed through the redhead''s throat before she bent down to pet a happy Amber, puffing her chest out triumphantly. ¡°... No ¡­ I¡¯ll help. Just this once, though ¡­ people need to work for their own money, or they won¡¯t value it.¡± ¡°Speaking from experience?¡± Mallory asked with a curious hum. ¡°Yes,¡± Amira replied, getting up to play with her phone. ¡°I worked for all of my credits ¡­ I didn¡¯t take any money from my parents or grandparents.¡± Both Rhea and Mallory¡¯s eyebrows rose with surprise. ¡°No joke?¡± Lori asked. ¡°Yeah ¡­ there was this old couple that ¡­ I worked at a pok¨¦ball sleeve store.¡± ¡°A what?¡± Rhea asked; she¡¯d never heard of a pok¨¦ball sleeve. Mallory folded her arms, pushing up slightly on her breasts while glancing over at Gables, seemingly trying to teach Amber how to dance. ¡°Uh ¡­ wait, are those the ¡­ I think I heard something about that.¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°No, it¡¯s pretty cool ¡­ I¡¯ll probably grab one when we get to Viridian,¡± she mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s not that popular, sure ¡­ I mean, most people love the generic look to show off.¡± Releasing an agitated sigh, she adjusted her glasses. ¡°Whatever ¡­ umm, yeah, I worked for two years there to save up 4,343 credits.¡± Rhea was floored; she had way more money than Amira. ¡°Oh ¡­ umm¡­¡± It suddenly hit Rhea why Amira was so hesitant about giving up her money to random people, and a new layer of guilt clouded her heart. ¡°Umm ¡­ you don¡¯t have to¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Amira huffed, folding her arms again, ¡°if you¡¯re going to give them money, then I will, too, but ¡­ just make sure this is the only time.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ okay, umm ¡­ thanks, Amira.¡± Rhea cleared her throat, tentatively asking,¡°Uh ¡­ you¡¯re not a hugger, are you?¡± ¡°I am!¡± Mallory giggled, jumping forward to wrap her arms around her; she squeezed tightly, pulling Rhea forward a bit to be pressed against her body. ¡°I¡¯m so glad you are too!¡± Rhea chuckled, returning the embrace. ¡°Yeah!¡± Amira tried not to stammer, arms tightening around herself. ¡°Umm ¡­ I haven¡¯t really ¡­ you know, had friends to hug ¡­ but, umm ¡­ I¡¯m not really against it¡­¡± ¡°Come here then!¡± Mallory cheered, opening her arms to give her a space to enter. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks started to flush a little, ¡°Isn¡¯t this a ¡­ just a bit embarrassing?¡± She mumbled, glancing around to see several people still glancing their way every so often, their battle probably the current conversation. ¡°Nope!¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Rhea hopped on one foot, trying to keep balanced with her pack as Mallory pulled her toward the hesitant redhead, forcing her into the middle of their embrace. ¡°Trapped!¡± ¡°H-Hey ¡­ you¡¯ll smash some of my ¡­ the stuff in my bag!¡± Amira protested, but there was a smile on her lips. They giggled while separating, fixing their glasses, clothes, and caps. ¡°Geez,¡± Amira mumbled, cheeks still burning. ¡°Umm ¡­ so are we going to go see how your friends did, Rhea?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah! Let me text them¡­¡± Her two teammates moved their attention to their Pok¨¦mon as Amber tried the two-step-like dance Gables was teaching her, and Mallory began clapping to a rhythm while singing some hip-hop song that Amira actually hummed along to. 6:28 P.M. Rhea: Hey, did you guys win? Where are you? 6:29 P.M. Sam: Uh ¡­ no, but we put up a fight! A lot better than we thought we¡¯d be. It actually came down to Hector versus one of their Rockruff. We lost, but ¡­ they said we were pretty good. 6:29 P.M. Sam: Oh! We¡¯re at the Center! 6:29 P.M. Rhea: Cool! 6:29 P.M. Rhea: Wait, well, not cool that you lost! 6:29 P.M. Rhea: Umm ¡­ yeah, we¡¯ll meet you there. 6:30 P.M. Sam: Wait, did you win? 6:30 P.M. Sam: Nvm ¡­ just heard you did from some guys talking about it nearby. 6:31 P.M. Sam: Oh, they¡¯ve got the video ¡­ see you here! Rhea felt a little embarrassed what they might think about it but motioned for Mallory and Amira to follow her there. Amber seemed to pick up the simple side to side movement pretty quickly. They talked about all the different music genres they liked on the way there and swapped to discussing both of their battles when they met up with Hannah, Sam, and Jade. The three girls were a bit shy about some of the details; apparently, Hannah¡¯s Ledyba got bodied by an Alolan Vulpix pretty early, but she was pretty low level and got taken out pretty soon after by Jade¡¯s Pidey and Sam¡¯s Pineco, blowing her into Hector¡¯s Tackle with a Gust, before a second Gust could finish her off. Hector naturally learned Protect and knew Counter, which helped him act as a wall while Orin attacked from the air with Gusts. Eventually, the opponent¡¯s Pancham landed an Arm Thrust that caught Orin during a lower dive attack, knocking him to the ground where the Rockruff could finish him off. Hector was too slow to save the Pidgey but got a Tackle on the already battered Pancham, knocking him out. With the Rockruff and Pineco left, they duked it out with Hector, but the Sand Attacks blinded him to the point it was difficult to see, and in the end, he fell. Rhea decided to take everyone for a cheap dinner of 10 credits each at one of the three restaurant options in the village, spending an extra 20 for some flavored Pok¨¦mon food they divided. Since she was paying, they made her decide which one and Rhea selected the more Kanto-style meal. It took over 50 minutes to get their meal with how many people were traveling through, but they sat in the outside dining area, talking about their matches and Pok¨¦mon. Amira wasn¡¯t sure Pineco learned Counter naturally, and after checking on MovePlus, an App that showed a list of Moves Pok¨¦mon commonly were known to learn, discovered it was a Breeding Move, which meant Hector¡¯s father had most likely been a Heracross. According to Sam, Hector was floored at the news, and she found a new level of pride for her Pok¨¦mon, hugging him to her chest. Realizing she didn¡¯t have any information about her own Pok¨¦mon¡¯s Moves, Rhea shot a quick text to her mother, somewhat frustrated with herself that she hadn¡¯t done it sooner. Most of them had ordered the simple Vegetable Ramen dish since meat cost 10 more credits each. It wasn¡¯t the worst Rhea had, but it was far from what she made in the kitchen, much to her disappointment. Amira assured her the food in Viridian was much better; however, more expensive. As they were getting ready to leave the restaurant to find a room at the inn, her mother sent an email list of Moves her Pok¨¦mon knew. All of them were floored when she opened it up. From: Mom Hey! I¡¯m so sorry! I can¡¯t believe I forgot to send you this ¡­ I guess I wasn¡¯t in my right mind ¡­ hehe. Oof ¡­ way to go, Mom! Yeah, uhh ¡­ here you go! Nova: Your adorable little Eevee! Bite Captivate Charm Covet Curse Detect Double Kick Endure Fake Tears Flail Growl Growth Mud-Slap Natural Gift Stored Power Synchronoise Tackle Tail Whip Tickle Wish Yawn Veevee Volley Now, depending on which evolution she becomes, more Moves will open up, but she can only use those Moves in that form. Those in her base Eevee-form, not learned in her other forms, will not be able to be used unless she reverts to Eevee, which shouldn¡¯t require any energy. Only going from base to a higher evolution demands energy. Hope you enjoy it; here¡¯s a list of just the base Moves she¡¯ll learn once she gets into one of these evolutions. Yes, it will take time and effort to stay in that form for an extended period ¡­ this is unknown territory! Even if Nova is a higher level, she¡¯ll need to practice her Moves to get used to them. Water Gun - Vaporeon Thunder Shock - Jolteon Ember - Flareon Confusion - Espeon Pursuit - Umbreon Snarl - Umbreon Razor Leaf - Leafeon Icy Wind - Glaceon Disarming Voice - Sylveon I¡¯ll let the other ones (yes, other forms) be a mystery unless you manage to unlock them! Hehe ¡­ a lot of stuff I¡¯ve discovered that the Eevee Evolution Laboratory has been biting at the bit to get. In time, in time ¡­ I bet they¡¯ll be running to you once it¡¯s discovered your Eevee can transform into every eeveelution. They can be persistent¡­ Oh, and your Eevee¡¯s abilities also change on its form; its base stage abilities will transfer over, though, and when they go to the Dream World and Mega Evolution ¡­ oh, they¡¯ll be precious! Adaptability - Always Active Run Away - Always Active Water Absorb - Vaporeon Volt Absorb - Jolteon Flash Fire - Flareon Synchronize - Umbreon and Espeon Leaf Guard - Leafeon Snow Cloak - Glaceon Cute Charm - Sylveon Maya (Mya): Our hyper-aggressive Mawile! Ancient Power Astonish Captivate Fairy Wind False Swipe Fire Fang Growl Guard Swap Ice Fang Metal Burst Misty Terrain Poison Fang Power-Up Punch Psych Up Punishment Seismic Toss Slam Sucker Punch Swords Dance Thunder Fang Tickle It¡¯s the same as Nova; Mya¡¯s Abilities can always be active, and when she Mega Evolves and goes on her Dream World journey ¡­ she¡¯ll be an absolute MONSTER! Intimidate - apparently frightens away weaker Pok¨¦mon and draws stronger >.> watch out for that. Hyper Cutter There you have it! Loves you, my little Swablu! Her two little Pok¨¦mon were hyped by the information but already naturally knew each of their Moves since it was bred into them, making it second nature. However, her teammates and friends were freaking out. ¡°W-What¡¯s up with that list?¡± Hannah whispered in shock, leaning in on their table as a waiter moved around them. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mallory mumbled, ¡°like ¡­ I knew they were all that, but ¡­ not ALL that ¡­ Muk. No wonder ¡­ eh, yeah ¡­ wow¡­¡± Sam¡¯s eyes grew to the size of saucers as she read a bit of the text she could see. ¡°All ¡­ eeveelutions ¡­ you¡¯re joking?!¡± She hissed. After the excitement died down, she ushered them to the inn to grab a room; sadly, they had to all cram into a three-bedroom rental when the clerk found out they were friends since so many people were coming and going. They each decided to double up; Amira and Mallory shared a bed, Rhea took one with Hannah, and Sam took one with Jade. Room acquired, they went to the local stores to stock up on supplies before heading back to their rental; much of the stock was depleted, but they managed to get everything they wanted. The three of them sent the funds to the Kalos girls when returning, Rhea donating the most at 400 credits. The topic of the night was Rhea¡¯s Pok¨¦mon, to their great delight. The six of them shared the bathroom, which had cold water, to Mallory¡¯s extreme displeasure, but Amber agreed to heat up some water for her with a bit of bribing, promising a treat in Viridian just for her. With everyone washed and ready for bed, they called it a night; tomorrow, Rhea would finally see the massive city-state Viridian had become. B1 — 17. Freedom! Rhea¡¯s muscles stiffened as something warm rubbed up against her back; eyes cracking open blurrily, she stifled a yawn, recognizing it was Hannah¡¯s back snuggling closer to her while pulling at the sheets. Hannah¡¯s nighttime rustling had exposed a quarter of her body. The thermostat wasn¡¯t set low enough where it¡¯d cause Rhea discomfort, and the city wasn¡¯t as cold as the village that was a decent distance above sea-level on the high abrasion Pallet Bay coast. The hills surrounding Route 1 helped to shield the inland from the cold winds carried down from the western expansive Tohjo sierra that was largely uninhabited by humans. Glancing beside the bed, Rhea squinted as she felt Mya telling her to go back to sleep; it was 2:14 A.M. She wasn¡¯t used to sharing a mattress with anyone. Yawning, she smacked her lips and took a sip of the water she¡¯d prepared by the bed. She thanked Mya, scooted away from Hannah a bit to resituate on her side, and drifted back into her dreams. When she woke again, it was from Amira opening the door to exit the bathroom. Wiping at her sleep encrusted eyes, Rhea stretched carefully, scooting to the edge of the bed. Glancing back, she noticed Hannah had taken all the sheets, unconsciously wrapping herself in them like a cocoon throughout the night. Her light red hair ponytail sticking out of the top. Peeking around a bit, Rhea giggled softly; it wrapped around her face, under her chin, and around her back. Glancing around at the other girls, she saw Mallory stretched out across the bed, making Rhea wonder how Amira¡¯s sleep had gone. Each of the girls¡¯ Pokemon had taken the armchairs by the window; Amber was the only one up, spending time with her Trainer with a swaying tail, flames leaving a slight trail with the movements. Sam and Jade were on opposite sides of the bed, near the edge. Rhea got up, doing a few quick stretches to loosen up. ¡°Morning, Amira,¡± she whispered. ¡°Morning,¡± she mumbled, without pausing her regular routine. Adjusting her bikini and bottoms, Rhea moved to get her replacement pair from her bag with her morning kit, figuring she had enough time to throw the previous ones in the washer and dryer before they headed out. ¡°How¡¯d you sleep with Lori like that?¡± She asked with a soft giggle, eyeing the purple-haired girl¡¯s half-covered figure. ¡°Hmm?¡± Amira glanced back after making sure her hair towel was adequately secured. ¡°Oh ¡­ she wasn¡¯t like that when I got up.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Rhea smiled while moving to take the bathroom; she figured Hannah, Sam, and Jade got up much later than they usually did. Showering and getting ready, she noticed Amira playing with her phone on the only free armchair; Gables was draped over the table between. Once she¡¯d just about finished, Mallory got up with a low moan and started her morning stretches. Amira said there wasn¡¯t anything exciting in the News, but their match hit MemeStar¡¯s Top 10 ranking for a few hours last night and that it would mitigate a fair amount of Trainers challenging them. Mallory chuckled while reading through the comments, and Rhea posted a PikaBook update, sifting through a few of her relatives¡¯ updates. Jason seemed to have convinced his party to stay in Dark City for the Yas Gym Bronze-tier Challenge, and he was taking a lot more pictures than her because of his sister and mother¡¯s demands. She smiled at all the funny poses and personality photos Jason and Len took together, while Lucian seemed utterly focused and serious in the background. A few battles they¡¯d recorded of each other, posting them, and apparently, Lucian wasn¡¯t happy about Gables and Lori¡¯s Memeing that drew even more attention to her team. Amira left to get some morning OJ after she was satisfied with her phone; Lori and Rhea sent her some credits to bring them back some. Sam, Hannah, and Jade got up in order, greeting them. They were still getting ready when Amira returned. Handing them their recyclable containers, Amira asked, ¡°You two ready to head out?¡± ¡°Oh, you guys are going already?¡± Sam asked, drying her hair while Jade just exited the shower. Amira pointed at the clock. ¡°If we leave before 7, then I¡¯m pretty sure we can make it to Viridian by 5 or 6 P.M. It¡¯s pretty simple on the route.¡± ¡°All the way there in just twelve hours,¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°Yeah, sounds like you guys, umm ¡­ yeah, we¡¯ll keep up on your posts, Rhea.¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ leaving?¡± Jade asked, a pink towel on her wet hair. ¡°It¡¯d be nice to get to Viridian,¡± Mallory commented. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll get some challenges on the way; that¡¯d be fun, wouldn¡¯t it, Gables!¡± He held up a hand, and Lori slapped it. ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°Make sure you guys post a bunch, too,¡± Rhea smiled at the three girls. ¡°Don¡¯t be shy about commenting, too.¡± ¡°Nope, we won¡¯t,¡± Sam assured. ¡°Uh ¡­ so, I just wanted to say thank you!¡± The other three mirrored her. ¡°I was a bit scared about all this stuff,¡± Hannah chuckled, ¡°especially after my other team kind of ¡­ yeah, fell apart, a bit; uh, since I didn¡¯t have anyone to really join up with, and then we all met because of you!¡± Jade hummed thoughtfully. ¡°Yeah, and everything worked out! Oh, next time, can we see Nova? I just want to pet her so bad!¡± ¡°Oh, yes! Please?¡± Sam mirrored with a smile. ¡°Umm, yeah, it shouldn¡¯t be a problem once we get to Viridian,¡± Rhea mumbled, grinning at Nova¡¯s own pleas. ¡°She¡¯d like that.¡± With a few more words, hugs, and promises to keep up with each other¡¯s progress, they put on their backpacks and left for Viridian, keeping their glasses on their shirt fronts for when it rose. Rhea glanced around at the dark forest village as they started their journey; the soft breeze that did cut through the hills tickled her neck. The heavens were brightening swiftly, the first rays beginning to cut across the sky at 6 A.M. At 7, they had decent visibility to travel, but it would still take another thirty minutes before they¡¯d have to put on their sunglasses. She was a little surprised to see young Trainers at the battlefield, probably training with their teammates to increase their Pokemon battle awareness. It was a good idea that Rhea thought would help once her Pokemon were able to come out. Mya was settling in for sleep as Nova took over; they were both excited to be free to roam around by the end of the day. Mallory was using the travel time to sing songs with Gables; Rhea jumped in on a few she knew, and even Amira reluctantly joined every so often. The Rocket girl definitely had the best voice out of them, which got Lori interested in pulling her into the marching anthems. Rhea was a bit surprised at how much easier the progress was on a smooth dirt trail, but she saw a lot less Pokemon, and those she did spot were very shy, hiding in the brush or high in the trees. She couldn¡¯t be sure, but it seemed like a few asked Gables and Amber things, which they either ignored or gave a short response that silenced the others. She¡¯d been told Pokemon would be quick to jump challenge Trainers and their Pokemon, hoping for a chance to be caught, and while there had been a few attempts when they were in the hills, not one tried while they were on the trail. The most obvious answer was the exchange between Gables and Amber to the wild Pokemon chirps, relaying the news that they weren¡¯t in the market for new additions, and they should conserve their energy for someone that would be. It was a little shocking how fast they overtook people, too; many Trainers that had likely started an hour before them were left in the dust as they traveled at a consistent pace. Rhea began feeling the stress in her body after several hours, Amira and Mallory setting the pace, which started to annoy her a bit as they drew closer to the city. Are they getting tired, or am I still not 100%? Maybe they¡¯re just more fit than I am ¡­ I mean, Amira seems to be pretty fit, but Lori¡¯s just as tone as I am. Could she have more physical fortitude? Well, no, a few weeks ago, I could hike through the mountains at home further than we''ve traveled so far ¡­ I must not be 100%. How long will it take? Nova was a welcomed cheerleader, urging her on, and her dad always said once you break past the body¡¯s natural response, telling you to stop, then it would get a lot easier. She hadn¡¯t reached that point for many years, but something was definitely lacking at the moment because the soreness was returning by 4 P.M when they passed into Victory Forest, Viridian territory. They were making much better progress than Amira predicted because of their swift movements, and several groups gave them wide-eyed looks, watching their rapid progress with full packs. The 40-mile route from Xanadu Nursery to Viridian took them a little over 10 hours to complete with two small breaks to get out a snack, meaning they¡¯d kept a consistent pace of about 4-miles an hour. At 5:06 P.M., they rounded a small hill, spotting Viridian in the distance as they exited the Victory Forest; the sight caused Rhea to slow to a stop. Mallory and Amira were busy with their phones, signals becoming stronger since they were entering the city area. It took them a moment to realize she¡¯d lagged behind. Lori noticed first, glancing back with a small frown. ¡°Rhea? Are you feeling okay?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Amira asked, coming to a stop a bit further ahead. A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat; she¡¯d seen some of the images before, but looking at it in a photo was nothing like the scope of the city in person. Massive skyscrapers blocked out any chance of catching what lay beyond Viridian, and there were relatively few big buildings like she¡¯d seen in Pallet because everything was more than ten times larger. A few hundred meters from the buildings outside the city was a path that cars or joggers could take around the city, and a concrete wall rose around it with Viridian Police on top, probably keeping wild Pokemon from wandering inside and people from skipping the checkpoint. Several paths lead to different entry points that a Trainer could take at least a mile apart, but the sheer vastness of looking left and right took Rhea¡¯s breath away. Several Trainers with their Pokemon walked past her; they¡¯d only recently overtaken the group, and judging by their backward glances, they were talking about them. Rhea was too taken by the sweet scent of fruit trees peppering the valley below. ¡°How ¡­ many people live in Viridian?¡± Rhea mumbled. Amira scratched her temple, full lips drawing in to take in her home city. ¡°Eh ¡­ something like five million. About two million less than Saffron City, but we overtook Celadon about ¡­ ten years ago? It¡¯s the second biggest city in Kanto, now. My grandfather brought a lot of business with the competitive lower corporate tax reforms that he proposed. The expansion to Viridian Bay was the biggest boom. The Viridian Docks are always busy with ships and goods.¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, head slowly moving to the right to see the ocean far to the right. It seemed that Giovanni had planned for the entire thing since the hill they stood on had been partially dug out to level the whole city¡¯s ground, which must have taken a lot of Ground Pokemon and equipment. ¡°How long did ¡­ all this take?¡± Amira waved to her, pointing at a spot further down the trail. ¡°There¡¯s a better view over there ¡­ it was designed to view the valley.¡± Rhea followed her suggestion to a lifted ramp in the wide trail constructed to drop into the valley. Many more lookouts appeared to have been created to the right and the left, showing uniform and well-maintained multi-level shelves that had brick holding back the earth around the city¡¯s hilly environment. Amira pointed at different things with a soft smile, probably happy to explain everything to them as they got to the lookout point, climbing up the green-themed Viridian brick stairs. ¡°Actually, my grandpa did most of this with his own Pokemon, and much of it is still owned and maintained by him. See those carts all over there ¡­ yeah, those ones way down there ¡­ they¡¯re Rocket employees that are hired to maintain the fields, flowers, and gardens. ¡°Those pink groves with gray trunks that have the yellow fruit, they¡¯re Shuca Trees,¡± she giggled with a smile that Rhea hadn¡¯t seen yet. ¡°My grandpa had them planted to see how many Trainers would actually use them, not many, it turns out. Most just use them as snacks before heading into the city.¡± ¡°Are they good against Ground-types?¡± Mallory asked, watching the tiny figures below them move about their business. ¡°Mhm!¡± Amira replied, pulling back her braided hair and adjusting her cap as the wind picked up. ¡°Certain berries have internal energies that Pokemon can digest to give them certain effects for a very limited time. The Shuca berry gives a Pokemon some Ground-type defensive energy; my grandpa put them there for Trainers to figure out. It¡¯s not illegal to use a berry just before starting a Gym Battle.¡± ¡°Good to know¡­¡± Mallory mumbled. ¡°I mean, it is against the rules in Unova, but it¡¯s nice to know that¡¯s different in Kanto.¡± ¡°Oh, not everywhere,¡± Amira giggled. ¡°You have to look up the rules of each Gym; they are allowed to be used in Viridian, though.¡± ¡°What about those other trees?¡± Lori asked, pointing at the grove on the opposite side of the path. ¡°Ah, the green trees with the football-shaped yellow fruit are Charti berries.¡± She smirked, ¡°Most just use them as free pickles, but they make Pokemon resist Rock-type Moves for a small time. My grandpa said he put those there as a nod to the Pewter Gym.¡± ¡°Should we grab some?¡± Lori asked. ¡°I mean, will they last until we get to Pewter?¡± ¡°Probably not,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Berries don¡¯t last that long once they¡¯re plucked.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Amira gave her a charming smile; it seemed she was becoming a lot more confident with her home city in sight. ¡°Berries are actually very expensive in their base form since every part of it can be used for so many things. A single Charti berry could cost you 500 credits, and its effects only last a few minutes.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Mallory¡¯s eyes twinkled. ¡°Can we get some and try to sell them on the way to Pallet, maybe in Dark City?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ no,¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Berry selling is illegal without a business license, and Pewter is pretty picky about where they can be imported. Dark City Charti berries would cost you 200 credits since it¡¯s more popular in the Viridian province.¡± ¡°Aww¡­¡± Lori pouted. Rhea was a little surprised at how pretty the city was, and Pokemon could be seen flying between buildings, seemingly patrolling the area. ¡°There¡¯s so much¡­¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s way bigger than that,¡± Amira scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re only seeing the front view ¡­ see that big one that¡¯s poking up way back there?¡± ¡°Let me guess,¡± Lori¡¯s smile returned, following her direction, ¡°that¡¯s where you live?¡± ¡°The big ¡®R¡¯ on the building is a giveaway,¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°... No,¡± Amira mumbled, lips falling a little, ¡°that¡¯s where my grandparents live. My parents live in another building ¡­ yeah, it¡¯s nice, but my grandpa didn¡¯t give it to them.¡± Rhea and Mallory held up their hands in defense. ¡°No, no,¡± Rhea protested, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to say anything bad!¡± ¡°Yeah! No,¡± Mallory jumped in. ¡°It¡¯s just a bit funny to see that.¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened while glancing down at the pretty valley preceding the futuristic city, gripping the rails as their Pokemon studied the area from a small sitting area. ¡°Well ¡­ my grandpa developed the entire area himself ¡­ without help. He designed the valley and carved it out with his own Pokemon.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened; she knew it was possible since her own father was a Grandmaster, but it would still be an undertaking. ¡°No way¡­¡± ¡°Everyone thought Viridian would die ¡­ you know, after all the old Rocket stuff,¡± she mumbled, fingered tightening around the railing. ¡°The Gym was the big thing that even brought people to Viridian ¡­ or the League, but Viridian didn¡¯t have the housing or means to handle something like that. The city leadership was terrible ¡­ my grandpa sank all of Rocket¡¯s resources into it and built it up from scratch ¡­ all of this ¡­ Pallet, Pewter, all the other cities. He almost went bankrupt.¡± ¡°No way,¡± Lori hummed. ¡°Isn¡¯t the Rocket company super-rich, though?¡± ¡°Yeah, well ¡­ when I was a little girl, he almost lost everything. We were about to move into my mom¡¯s parents¡¯ house in Johto because my dad had to put a loan against our own house to help my grandpa.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Rhea whispered, and Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened further. ¡°N-No, nevermind ¡­ umm, yeah, so my grandpa built everything here. Now a lot of businesses enjoy Viridian¡¯s economy ¡­ the second biggest car company in Kanto is based here.¡± ¡°Cool,¡± Mallory giggled. ¡°Okay, but maybe you should actually show us around!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Amira brushed by them, climbing down the stairs to continue down the road, clearly embarrassed about sharing something a bit personal. Rhea followed after her, lips lifting a bit. ¡°Was ¡­ that hard time when Hollywood wasn¡¯t doing so good?¡± ¡°They¡¯ve gone up and down a few times,¡± Amira mumbled, ¡°but ¡­ no, the bad part was just before my grandpa started throwing all his fortune into Viridian.¡± Amira guided them toward the front gate; the wide, Route 1 road came to a gate check-in system, and there was another path that led around the city walls for those that didn¡¯t need to go into Viridian, but another customs point was further down that path to make sure no one was carrying contraband. The Rocket girl¡¯s mood was much brighter than what Rhea had come to expect from Amira; she really seemed to enjoy talking about her city and knew so many things that Rhea¡¯s head was beginning to spin at all the details she¡¯d point to and explain. It was undoubtedly the most talkative she¡¯d been, and that alone made Rhea happy. However, when they came up to the gate at 5:47 P.M., they were greeted by several groups of Trainers, and more battle requests proceeded. This time, Rhea smiled at the challenges; walking up to meet the throng, she spoke up. Amira had mentioned something that piqued her interest along the way. ¡°Okay, whoever wants to challenge me or my team; I hope you know that battling outside Viridian walls is actually illegal!¡± A few girls and boys apparently didn¡¯t, glancing toward the gate behind them with the policemen logging people entering the city by passport or Trainer ID. Pallet didn¡¯t have near the security Viridian boasted, but you couldn¡¯t even hope to compare the size of each. ¡°However,¡± Rhea pointed at the city, ¡°there are Self-Service Battlefields in Viridian for anyone to battle; there is a service fee per match, but whoever wants to battle us, follow us!¡± Mallory giggled at how forward and gung-ho she was, but Rhea was feeling the pent-up emotions of her Pokemon, too. Nova was basically prodding Mya to wake up with squeals of excitement; they could finally shine. Rhea was feeling a lot better after resting a bit, listening to Amira fangirl about her city, and they¡¯d taken a more casual descent than when they¡¯d trekked through the winding route. The fact she was recovering quickly meant she was getting better, and the big reason why Mya had utterly drained her in the first place was due to the swift back-to-back Moves she used by funneling Rhea¡¯s own energy into them. If Nova battled normally, without using any high-energy type Moves like Mya¡¯s Psych Up, Sucker Punch, Swords Dance, or Thunder Fang, and avoided brute-forcing her Moves with more energy, then it shouldn¡¯t be that much of a problem for Rhea. The big thing right now was getting her Pokemon out now to build their own internal energy production to help mitigate the draw from her own. She might feel a little fatigued, depending on how many people challenged her, but after three, she¡¯d be able to decline the rest without penalty. ¡°Where¡¯s the nearest one, Amira?¡± Rhea asked as the groups mumbled to one another. ¡°Umm ¡­ 135th and Main ¡­ oh, uh ¡­ just a few streets down after we get in.¡± ¡°Sweet! Okay, let¡¯s go, and I¡¯ll battle everyone in order!¡± She replied, accepting the first challenge without looking at who it was. ¡°Better hurry!¡± They went into the crowded front gate¡¯s entrance building, getting into line. An advanced scanner would identify anything a person was trying to hide on or inside their body. Rhea showed her Trainer ID with her phone and logged her Pokemon that she had on her person; according to Amira, the big rotating device they passed through could detect anyone trying to hide Pokemon, and Gold-tier Viridian Officers were stationed nearby with a Raichu and Ninetales to assure everything transitioned smoothly. Unlike the officers she saw on the way out of Pallet that looked pretty chill and laid-back, with the exception of the first day, the Viridian Officers¡¯ eyes were very sharp and intimidating; Rhea recalled Amira¡¯s statement about the Viridian Police being very strict with Police Commissioner Jenny running the outfit. The second Amira was noticed by the gate attendants, they pushed them through by having another person come in from the back to process their entry; the two male Officers¡¯ eyed Amira for a moment before pulling up what she assumed was a police communicator, but it was much more sleek and slim than the bulky radios Pallet¡¯s Officers had. She couldn¡¯t make out what they said past the mumbles of the throng behind them and the soft whirring of the machine, but Rhea could guess what the subject was; Amira Rocket was back in the metropolis. Passing to the other side much sooner than Rhea expected with the special treatment that caught a few people¡¯s eyes, she walked out of the building, vision adjusting to the light reflecting off the skyscrapers¡¯ smooth glass. She waited with her team for her challengers to exit the building, studying the very nice and clean streets. To say it was packed would be an understatement, and Rhea figured many would actually use the Magnet Train to go to Silver City for the Summer Indigo League matches and return to Viridian to sleep in their luxury hotels. The skyscrapers all had unique twists and shapes, only similar in height with a few housing gravity elevators, allowing travel between buildings and reducing ground traffic. Stylish car models she¡¯d never seen before zipped by on the road; gravity technology programming hadn¡¯t been developed to the point of for general vehicles yet, but she¡¯d heard Rocket was the leading company in the technology, so it made sense there would be many products in the city that incorporated the devices. The metallic green, red, and black Viridian-flair color-scheme the Capital incorporated made it clear that Rocket had a lot of influence. Giovanni was globally one of the most successful businessmen in the world, a Grandmaster Trainer, and the standing leader of the city¡¯s Gym for decades; he¡¯d clearly dedicated much of his life to the metropolis and tied its progress with his own. Despite the modern theme, it didn¡¯t skimp on its natural roots as home to the Earth Badge, dedicating plenty of room between buildings to host well-maintained gardens that Rhea saw city workmen pruning. She guessed littering had a pretty hefty fine because not a scrap of paper could be seen on the wide roads and sidewalks. ¡°Umm, Amira ¡­ how far is 135th ¡­ a few streets as in ¡­ these are big streets¡­¡± Amira smiled. ¡°135th is short for 13,500th, which means it is near the edge of the city. It¡¯s only like an 8-minute walk from here.¡± ¡°Only 8 minutes,¡± Mallory chuckled. ¡°I gotta say it is impressive. I still think Castelia is bigger, but ¡­ yeah, maybe not quite as advanced ¡­ or well laid out,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I bet we¡¯ve definitely got a bigger dock, though!¡± ¡°Well,¡± Amira hummed thoughtfully, ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve only seen videos of Castelia City, but we don¡¯t have the sketchy back alleys that city has. My grandpa helped design it to have the towering buildings while keeping enough room to still enjoy the space ¡­ mainly to have room for traffic, though ¡­ since we import a lot of goods.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Mallory mused. Rhea glanced back as a few of the Trainer teams started to exit with the crowds of tourists, and one boy came up with a bright smile. ¡°Umm ¡­ I was the first one that challenged you¡­¡± He was clearly from northern Galar by his accent. ¡°What about us?¡± Mallory asked, pulling up her phone. ¡°Anyone on your team ¡­ no, they¡¯re still in the line by the distance,¡± she sighed. ¡°Uh, no, no, just me, and my name¡¯s Dylan Aiken! I saw your match from the Starter Award, and your Mawile was insane!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea chuckled while adjusting her glasses. ¡°So ¡­ do you have one Pokemon?¡± ¡°Aye! Uh, so, will ya use your Mawile?¡± Rhea shook her head with a small smile. ¡°Nope, my other Pokemon wants to get some action. She¡¯s been really excited to jump into the ring.¡± ¡°Oh, sweet! I can¡¯t wait to see her; the surprise will be fun.¡± Once everyone made it out of the building and met up, they walked into the crowd with Amira leading the way; more than one of the followers were starstruck by the metropolis¡¯ grandeur. Most of the residents commuting didn¡¯t even pay them a second look, talking in their little groups, but the tourists were easily recognizable by their open mouths, leaning back to stare up at each unique building¡¯s architecture. One particular structure snatched her attention a block down; it looked like a vertical three-dimensional wave pattern with a spire coming out of the top, and when they moved, certain shades changed color to display abstract color patterns. They arrived at the Self-Service Battlefield sooner than she expected, walking in with Amira as the rest lingered a moment to stare up at the colossal twisting structure they were entering. While they waited, Amira took out a piece of gum and popped it into her mouth before casually walking to the elevator to press the button, explaining the process. ¡°There¡¯s an information attendant that will tell you the rules; this one is only rated for Silver-tier and below. Depending on the damage to the field, more credits can be taken out for repairs, but it caps out at 500 credits a match, and it¡¯s only designed for Single Matches; there¡¯s also a 5% tax added to the damage bill. ¡°There are other rules, like 5-minute time-limits per match with a device that will generally rule a winner; there¡¯s some people that complain about it since it¡¯s not super accurate if both Pokemon are near the same stamina, but it is what it is when you use this kind of establishment. Better ones will take more of a cut, and I figured this is the lowest one nearby. It¡¯s probably not the cheapest, but it¡¯ll do. B3, by the way; only 10 people per lift,¡± she told the nervous crowd. ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Mallory nudged her as they filed into the gravity elevator, ¡°we gotta save money where we can! Where¡¯s the cheapest place nearby?¡± Amira shrugged, popping a bubble. ¡°I really never checked, to be honest, I never had a reason to, but I¡¯ve heard this is a cheaper one. The one down 129th and 400th apparently has glitches.¡± Rhea gave her an impressed grin; Nova was hyping herself up with Mya cheering her on. ¡°Wow ¡­ how do you keep track of everything in this place?¡± Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°I¡¯ve lived here all my life; I hope I¡¯d know my way around,¡± she mumbled. ¡°We just don¡¯t go to Rally Square ¡­ too much political garbage, and there¡¯s usually problems with different protest groups that the Police handle.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea hummed. ¡°I thought you weren¡¯t into the whole political scene?¡± Amira released a short chuckle, sticking the gum against the inside of her cheek. ¡°Growing up in it and knowing the ins and outs of it are something else entirely from enjoying it. There¡¯s been a whole Plasma organization protest going on recently, demanding some guy named Zinzolin be released since he was apprehended in Viridian, awaiting extradition to Unova. Apparently, Ethan is overseeing his confinement right now.¡± ¡°Well ¡­ he¡¯s not going anywhere,¡± Rhea mumbled, mind flashing back to the cocky Legendary-tier firestarter. ¡°I bet he¡¯s doing it in hopes something will happen ¡­ that¡¯d be like him ¡­ wait, if he¡¯s here, does that mean ¡­ is Hilbert here?¡± She vaguely recalled Bianca mentioning he¡¯d be training with Ethan a few days ago. The other teams listened in to the conversation with interest as the elevator stopped and they walked out to the extensive underground area; they were far further below ground than Rhea thought they¡¯d be but figured it had to be with all the wiring, pipes, and other objects that were under the city roads. Six decently sized Battlefields were around the area, with five currently in use by different Trainer groups, young and old, chilling while watching or getting ready to participate in daily coaching. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Amira replied. They shifted directions away from the attendant¡¯s desk; she was eyeing them with pursed lips, likely wondering if they knew the rules. ¡°My mom just texted me that Ethan was guarding him, so there¡¯s no reason to worry ¡­ not that I was, but she¡¯s like that,¡± she whispered. The news was pretty big, or at least Rhea thought it was. The city currently had two Champion-tier Trainer, Hilbert and Lyra, possibly a few Grandmasters with her dad here, and whoever else was here because of her mother being present, then you had Ethan, a Legendary-tier Trainer that rivaled her aunt. If anyone did try anything, then they were actually insane; having Ethan guard him was already basically a death sentence for whoever attempted it. When everyone arrived, Rhea snatched Nova¡¯s pokeball off her belt, tossing it to the floor with a smile. She was a little surprised the pressure wasn¡¯t as bad as it was before; everyone¡¯s gaze shot to her unique Eevee, and even Rhea was stunned by the display. Between the time she¡¯d come out at Pallet¡¯s Pokemon Center and now, she¡¯d grown to 11 inches tall. Nova stretched out before looking up at the crowd and chipping cutely, but internally, she could feel her not so little Eevee demanding attention. Her paws, tail tip, mane, and the inner section of her long ears were a sleek night black, contrasting the alabaster hue of her fur, and the shimmering pink irises only highlighted her cuteness. * * * Nova came out of her pokeball with a surge of glee; it had been days since she¡¯d been able to stretch her physical body, and the sensation was as enjoyable as she remembered. Equally invigorating, she opened her eyes and puffed out her chest with an expectant smile. Just as expected, the stunned crowd marveled at her beauty for a moment and then fought over her attention. ¡°She¡¯s precious!¡± ¡°Can I hold her?¡± ¡°Where did you get her?¡± Her ears twitched as they began stroking her fur with Rhea¡¯s permission; Amber¡¯s voice pulled her attention to the right. ¡°Oh, so you must be Nova.¡± She could see the sleek furred Fennekin beside her Trainer, giving her a small smile. ¡°I am!¡± She eagerly replied. ¡°I¡¯ve been watching you guys for a bit; I really liked the battles, and the dancing looks fun.¡± Gables popped out from behind a few humans blocking her vision of him, giving Nova a wink and a grin. ¡°Yo! Nice ta meet ya, Nova. You like to dance? I¡¯ve been workin¡¯ on my moves.¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯d like to learn!¡± Nova replied, head tilting to the left a bit with the fingers scratching her. ¡°Coo, coo ¡­ oh,¡± he gave her an apologetic look, ¡°I¡¯ll have to catch ya later; seems we got a match to get to.¡± ¡°Me, too,¡± Amber hummed, glancing between the humans. ¡°We can talk after I win.¡± Gables chuckled. ¡°Alright, catch you two later!¡± Rhea¡¯s voice entered her mind. ¡°Alright, we got our first match ¡­ we got a lot. Let¡¯s see how far we can go! Just remember, don¡¯t use any big Moves like Synchronoise.¡± Yeah! Nova cheered. Are you watching Mya? ¡°Mhm! Throw them out of the arena!¡± I¡¯ll give it a shot! She said, pumping herself up; Rhea was a lot calmer than when she¡¯d first stepped up to battle Lucian, which made her happy. The humans stepped back with dissatisfied looks as Rhea told them they needed to get to their match. Nova jogged to Rhea¡¯s side, but a hush swiftly fell across the crowd as the doors opened in the back. Everyone slowed to a stop, and she saw a nervous edge fall upon the humans¡¯ shoulders. Nova¡¯s ears twitched as she glanced between faces; it was difficult to see beyond the tall humans from the floor, but the woman at the desk snapped to attention before picking up her phone to call someone. Nova sniffed the air as a very distinct scent carried to her nose; an electric musky-ambery sensation filled her senses as the man¡¯s odor moved toward her on the room¡¯s circulating air current. Hushed murmurs hastily flew through the room. ¡°Giovanni ¡­ here?¡± ¡°What¡¯s the Gym Leader doing at a dump like ¡­ wait¡­¡± ¡°Dude, that¡¯s Amira Rocket.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no way¡­¡± ¡°Yo, Dude, it¡¯s Giovanni!¡± ¡°A Grandmaster ¡­ here?¡± Giovanni appeared from out of the crowd; a very business-like dark purple-haired woman was at his side. Rhea had spotted this woman everywhere she¡¯d seen Amira¡¯s grandfather; she had been at the Pallet stadium, by his side during his matches the other day, and here with him now. The shorter hair-cut barely touching the woman¡¯s shoulders was odd to Nova since she was used to most human females having long hair. Her purple eyes were duller than Mallory¡¯s, passively sweeping the crowd behind the see-through glasses perched between her nose before turning her attention to the advanced-looking tablet in her left hand. Giovanni was wearing a form-fitted, slim bluish-gray suit with a black undershirt and blue tie; his pocket square and tie were fashioned into some complex design that confused Nova. He was much bigger than she¡¯d initially thought at around two meters tall, and his muscular frame filled out his suit well. With a strong, well-tempered face and thick, neatly groomed jet-black hair, he was an imposing figure, but it was the Pokemon to his left that swiftly stole Nova¡¯s attention. The Persian beside him was massive, and Nova could tell that this Pokemon probably matched up to Franky. He didn¡¯t say anything, but his sweeping feline eyes settled on her for a moment, moving on to Amira. Amira had her arms folded while glaring at the infamous man. ¡°Grandpa,¡± she said with a bit of exasperation. ¡°I told you I¡¯d text when we were ready to stop by.¡± A small smile lifted Giovanni¡¯s lips as he moved to join her by one of the arenas. ¡°I heard you were nearby, and I was in the area.¡± The redhead¡¯s glare slid to the woman beside her grandfather. ¡°Don¡¯t give me that; I know Matori¡¯s had eyes out on me. I saw the drones before coming in.¡± Matori¡¯s cool features lifted into a soft smile to look at her. ¡°Sweetie, we were really in the area.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean it was by accident,¡± Amira replied with a low sigh. ¡°We¡¯ve got some matches to do, and then we¡¯ll be free.¡± Mallory and Gables waved at them from the side of another arena. ¡°Hey, Mr. Rocket!¡± Rhea spoke up after, which prompted Nova to do the same. The Persian nodded toward her, voice creamy to Nova¡¯s ears. ¡°Greetings.¡± Giovanni chuckled, voice deep and smooth as his vision moved to the girls. ¡°Hello, Mallory, Rhea, and you can call me Giovanni if you please. I look forward to getting to know your new friends,¡± he said, focusing on his granddaughter again. Matori slid her glasses up a little on her nose with an impish smile. ¡°I forwarded the news that you were back in the city to your parents.¡± Amira¡¯s full lips tightened, giving the woman a dirty look. ¡°I was going to let my mom and dad know after we¡¯d settled in ¡­ thanks, Matori.¡± ¡°Oh, absolutely!¡± She chortled. ¡°... They¡¯re on their way here, then, right?¡± ¡°Naturally.¡± She seemed to suppress a sigh, and Nova continued to glance between the parties; she¡¯d never seen a performance like this. Not one of the Trainers made a sound to interrupt as they witnessed the event; it almost felt wrong to. ¡°Don¡¯t you two have a lot of business to handle?¡± Amira asked, shifting her weight to her right foot. ¡°A lot, actually,¡± Giovanni muttered, glancing down at his assistant. ¡°However, much of it has been cleared since some unexpected events have cropped up. It has left me an unanticipated amount of time to work on other projects, and ¡­ the liberty to spend it with you before you depart Viridian.¡± He finished with a charming smile. Nova wasn¡¯t sure if this was normal or not for human behavior; Amira seemed somewhat annoyed by their sudden visit but wasn¡¯t outright telling them to get lost, and her grandfather appeared to enjoy the little back and forth they were having. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll find a seat for your matches,¡± he prompted, glancing around at the crowd in an expectant manner that had them scurrying to pretend they were about their own business. ¡°I¡¯ll save a seat for your parents.¡± ¡°Great,¡± Amira sighed, turning to the nervous boy on the opposite side of the field from her. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with.¡± Nova was a little confused as a nervous man exited the elevator, rushing to Giovanni¡¯s side with a young woman by his side. ¡°Grandmaster Giovanni ¡­ how¡ªhow unexpected! Umm, is there anything you need, Sir?¡± Matori was the one to respond, giving the man a polite smile. ¡°Not at this time; you are Benjamine Lockwrite, owner of this establishment?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, mam.¡± ¡°Wonderful. I believe I have your information if anything is required.¡± ¡°... Of course. I¡¯ll be at the desk if there¡¯s anything ¡­ at all, that you need!¡± He fervently insisted, bowing again with the woman before retreating. Humans are weird. Rhea¡¯s nerves had increased a bit as she directed her to their own field beside Ambers. The fox gave her a smile as they passed by one another. ¡°We¡¯ll probably get some tasty food after this.¡± ¡°Ooh, I can¡¯t wait!¡± Nova replied, salivating at the prospect. The different food she¡¯d seen them eat had her mouth watering in her pokeball for the past few days, and Mya was eager to have her own taste of the new flavors that would grace their tongues. ¡°Mya said she heard someone say food tastes better after a victory. Is that true, Amber?¡± Amber paused before jumping onto the field, turning back with a secretive grin and a wink. ¡°You¡¯ll have to see.¡± ¡°Hehe, okay!¡± She hummed with interest as the blue honeycomb energy shields came into place around her; the opposite Trainer¡¯s hadn¡¯t activated yet, possibly because he didn¡¯t have a Pokemon on the field. Nova watched with interest as the blue shells became somewhat transparent, allowing easy sight unless an attack struck it. I¡¯m gonna win! ¡°Kick him in the face!¡± Mya cheered from inside her pokeball. I can do that! They both went silent as Rhea seemed to be debating something to herself; she didn¡¯t know what it was since she wasn¡¯t really sharing it with her, but it was a somewhat worrisome topic by her emotions. The opponent threw out his pokeball as Rhea thought, piquing her interest with what her Trainer was thinking. Rhea¡¯s voice entered her mind as the Pokemon was revealed. ¡°¡­ Oh, a ¡­ Sizzlipede, I think? Fire/Bug-type, huh ¡­ umm, Nova, if you feel like you¡¯re ready to try and transform into any of your other stages, then go ahead and give it a shot. I want to see how much one change will cost, but don¡¯t rush into it.¡± Nova didn¡¯t feel threatened by the long, flat red insect Pokemon; in fact, its two flickering flame-like whiskers were kind of cute, but she could do without the stubby legs. She glanced back at her Trainer with a worried expression; if there was one thing she didn¡¯t want, it was putting Rhea into the hospital as Mya had done, and it made her hesitate a bit. She could feel the itch of some hidden power within her grasp if she tried hard to focus on the internal sensation, but Rhea wasn¡¯t 100% yet. It would be saved for a last resort. Only if I need to ¡­ I don¡¯t want to hurt you. Rhea seemed to be interpreting her message because it took her a second to respond, giving her opponent time to speak. His high-pitched voice was a bit unusual compared to other Pokemon she¡¯d conversed with. ¡°Hello, my fluffy opponent; alas,¡± he swayed to the side, turning his head away in a sad expression, ¡°I am doomed to the void of depression upon seeing your beauty! It pains me to battle such a lovely foe, but for my home country, we shall clash! Yes, my glamorous little Eevee; I come from a land far distant from this mountainous plane!¡± Nova¡¯s neck shifted a little with confusion as he just continued to speak. He lifted up high into the air, twisting his body the opposite way while moving his legs in a reaching manner. ¡°I come from a wondrous land of rolling hills and grasslands, much like your own ¡­ excluding the trees and mountains and strange new Pokemon ¡­ oh, but we have rivers!¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ ahem, hello? You ¡­ have an interesting way of speaking.¡± She mumbled with a forced chuckle. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Ah, yes, yes! I am the brave, the noble, although, I am not a noble, but noble, I am!¡± He stated dramatically, turning his body and arms right and left with each statement. ¡°... Ah ¡­ eh ¡­ Noble ¡­ is your name?¡± Nova asked, utterly baffled at this point. ¡°Indeed, my lovely foe! Are you ready for the dance of flames?¡± Nova shifted a little to give Rhea a questioning look; she assured her that transforming once shouldn¡¯t be a problem, but the guy in front of her was pretty distracting. ¡°Uh ¡­ Sure, I guess?¡± ¡°Excellent!¡± He laughed in a high-pitched manner before lowering himself to the ground. ¡°We duel!¡± A bright red light appeared on both sides of their field below where their Trainers stood, and Rhea confirmed the battle would start on green. ¡°He¡¯s probably a physical attacker, but be careful; he might have Embers like Amber.¡± Nova¡¯s tongue slid across her sharp teeth, internally hyping herself up. Okay, I can do this! Red ¡­ yellow ¡­ go! She darted forward but instantly changed directions as Noble sucked in a quick breath and lobbed some kind of ball out of his mouth at the ground in front of him. Black smoke exploded around him, blocking Nova¡¯s vision of the insect. Mya was mumbling through their link, watching through Rhea¡¯s eyes. ¡°Yeah, get in ¡­ no, don¡¯t stop! Charge!¡± Their Trainer¡¯s instructions were more noticeable, though. ¡°Hold-up, Smokescreen, be prepared to dodge; he¡¯s buying time for something.¡± The commentary continued in Nova¡¯s mind, but she mostly tuned out her fellow Pokemon¡¯s shouts and cheers. Taking a deep breath, Nova gathered her energy for the first time to make a Move; it came so naturally to her. The power took form, and she sprayed a jet of mud from her mouth into the smoke. The smoke shifted slightly, and a rolling mass shot out of it, aiming right for her at a decent speed, plowing right through the jet to flatten her. ¡°Here I come!¡± He shouted within his tight ball. Cutting off her attack, Nova¡¯s speed sharpened considerably as she disengaged from Noble, dodging to the left to miss the shot. He just maneuvered in a sweeping crescent to pursue, but she was far too fast if running away with the extra energy that flooded her legs. The boost faded as she flipped around, gathering energy in her legs; his rollout was easily televised, which made it effortless to leap to the side at the last second, grounding herself with her two front paws. A faint red aura surrounded her back feet as she kicked back, forcing Noble out of his tight coil and into the air with a grunt. Swiftly regaining her balance, Nova darted after the airborne foe, legs still glowing with fighting energy. Leaping into the air, she twisted her tail to position herself, shouting, ¡°And another one!¡± Her left foot slapped Noble to the right with her sharp twist. Noble¡¯s flat body tumbled across the field, but he released a high-pitched laugh while recovering; his small arms moved quickly as he stabilized, moving to an upright position. Nova dashed after the strange insect as the circles on his stomach began to glow, and one after another, Embers were sent out with his twisting frame. Fireballs exploded behind her as she darted left and right around the projectiles, four vivid black fangs growing in front of her mouth as she opened her jaws to pounce on the insect. He tried to disengage, but she was slightly quicker, black energy closing around the side of his face. The potential energy exploded, flinging the insect back, but before she could pursue, he lobbed another smokescreen down at the ground. His tone was noticeably tired, but his laugh remained the same. ¡°Very good!¡± He shouted from inside the field. ¡°Let us dance!¡± ¡°Well ¡­ this isn¡¯t really dancing,¡± Nova mused, thinking back on Amber and Gables¡¯ activities. ¡°Ho, ho; I disagree, my lovely!¡± Nova figured he was charging for another rolling attack, so she shot forward to intercept, black fangs growing again. Sure enough, she caught him coiling into a circle, about to perform his Move. He noticed her too late. ¡°... Oh, no!¡± He shouted, and she pounced on him with a loud roar. ¡°Got you!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± He tried scurrying away, her bite interrupting his gathered energy. ¡°A quick retreat is¡­¡± Her front right paw was already beginning to glow with a white force, and an instinctual knowledge flooded her brain as she focused on his retreating back, keeping pace with the insect. He didn¡¯t have anything to steal, but the attack¡¯s destructive force would net her the victory. Nova¡¯s rapid pace swiftly caught up to his retreating form, and she jumped over his back, right paw sending a rippling blow through his frame. Noble coughed as air left his lungs, defensive energy broken as he smashed into the glowing blue barrier with Mya¡¯s savage screams of victory. ¡°That¡¯s the way to do it!¡± Rhea congratulated her as the Pokemon laid limp on the ground; after a second, a red beam returned him to his pokeball, and Nova puffed out her chest and roared at Mya¡¯s prompts, but most of the humans in the stands just cooed at her fierce victory cry. Her first win and it was actually pretty fun; although, her opponent had certainly been unique. She watched Rhea and the Trainer talk for a moment; he seemed somewhat sheepish at the loss, but not like the Kalos girls had been, and her second opponent soon took his place. The next human was female and looked pretty excited to battle; she wore a blue dress and had her brown hair tied up in a bun. After a short greeting, she released her own Pokemon. ¡°Oh ¡­ a Shellos. Auntie has the next stage of this Pokemon. Be careful; even though they look cute and small, they can be a powerhouse. It¡¯s Water-type. So, Jolteon or Leafeon would be the play here.¡± ¡­ I don¡¯t know what those are. She moaned. All I know is there¡¯s this power I can reach for to evolve ¡­ I can only sense one right now. I think it changes, though. Rhea seemed a little confused about her internal groans, so she let it drop; she¡¯d have to show her after the battle. If she felt better at the end of their three daily matches, it didn¡¯t matter much; she could practice since they¡¯d be free from today¡¯s daily challenges. ¡°Hello!¡± The blue female slug-like Pokemon greeted, rearing up a little to wave a stubby front foot. ¡°I heard you¡¯re super strong!¡± ¡°I guess,¡± Nova said with a pleasant smile. ¡°I¡¯m Nova.¡± ¡°Oh, that''s a pretty name,¡± she returned, leaning left and right. ¡°My Trainer calls me Kreemi.¡± Nova¡¯s eyes widened a little. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of that ¡­ I think it¡¯s a food humans eat ¡­ donuts with cream in it?¡± ¡°Uh-huh! I¡¯m sweet,¡± she giggled, ¡°or that¡¯s what my Trainer tells me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice,¡± Nova replied, tail wagging back and forth, noticing the lights beginning to change colors. ¡°Good luck.¡± ¡°You, too!¡± Dropping back to the ground, Kreemi¡¯s face set with determination, and the match started. Nova leaped forward, racing toward the slow blue slug, back feet aglow with building red light after Rhea¡¯s direction; just before reaching her opponent, Kreemi jumped into the air, spraying a jet of water to propel her back and distance herself. Darting around the blast, Nova frowned as the slug stuck to the glowing blue shell protecting the onlookers from their attacks, inching up the bright wall while spraying bursts of water at her. ¡°Hey,¡± Nova growled, dodging the streams as Kreemi climbed out of reach, ¡°wait, you can do that?¡± Kreemi chuckled. ¡°Gotta think outside the box!¡± The Shellos sent a spray of mud down at her in a wide arc, lowering its potential damage but increasing the chance it would hit. ¡°Hey!¡± Nova growled, speed increasing as she retreated across the field. ¡°Don¡¯t get me dirty; I¡¯ll look less cute!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about?¡± Kreemi asked with an incredulous tone, sliding up to the roof to pursue her; Mya was also releasing an exasperated sigh from within her pokeball, but she really didn¡¯t want to get dirty. She grimaced at the wet and muddy side of the battlefield with distaste. Rhea gave her an option, but Nova wanted to end it in one blow to not soil her lovely fur. Taking a deep breath, Nova gathered the energy in her lungs and released a soft yawn while hopping to the side to avoid another jet of water. The targeted attack of mist that exited her mouth slowly floated toward the confused Shellos, but the visible puff of air followed the blue slug¡¯s movements. It would fade if she managed to dodge for a certain amount of time, but she was too slow on the ceiling. ¡°W-What is it?¡± Kreemi asked, crawling away. Nova smugly charged her next Move, releasing a growl that sent a wide shockwave toward the Pokemon. ¡°You¡¯ll see; shouldn¡¯t have tried to get me dirty!¡± She huffed, rushing at her opponent as the mist absorbed into her body with the wide pulse. Kreemi made it to the edge of the field before it struck, causing her eyes to droop a little. ¡°H-Hey ¡­ w-why do I feel ¡­ why do I feel so sleepy?¡± She yawned, trying to fire another jet of water at her. Running to the side, Nova outpaced the attack, tail starting to glow with white light. Kreemi slowly unstuck from the ceiling, falling to the ground as she drifted off to sleep with another low yawn. ¡°N-No ¡­ stay ¡­ stay awake ¡­ s-stupid mind¡­¡± Nova reached the falling blue slug before she touched the ground, flipping around to whip the girl across the field, back toward her side, and away from the mud. The small Shellos limply tumbled across the ground, now minus-two Defense. A triumphant smile brightened Nova¡¯s lips as she charged her big attack with Mya, Rhea, and the whole crowd cheering her on; white energy gathered around her front right paw as she zeroed in on the blue slug. She caught a sad smile on her Trainer¡¯s face, probably hoping she¡¯d wake up before the strike came; she didn¡¯t. Dashing forward, Nova focused on the little Pokemon, finding no hidden item she could snatch on her body; her paw smacked the Shellos across the field, back into her own mud, her defensive energy shell broken, and strength flooded her body. Turning back to the shouting thong with the burning sensation of powering up, she released another ferocious roar that put smiles and brought giggles to the humans, and Nova caught a small smile on Giovanni¡¯s Persian beside the arena next to theirs. He was watching, too! Yes, I am cute and unbeatable! Her chest filled with pride as the Trainer returned Kreemi to her pokeball, asking Rhea how she thought she did. Rhea was encouraging, talking about the wall-sticking strategy, but Nova was now focused on Amber¡¯s battles. The Fennekin was chuckling as the opponent did backflips, in some kind of trance, and shortly after, sent him packing with an Ember. She was a little surprised when the field deactivated; Amber and Amira seemed to have already beaten their three challengers while she still had one left. Nova¡¯s cheeks bunched to the side at the news. I¡¯m the slow one? What about Gables? Running to the opposite side of the ring, she found a spot between the crowd to see Gables pop out of thin air to finish his third opponent with a charged punch. I am the last one! No ¡­ I gotta look good in this next one, then¡­ Her gaze shifted back to the opposite side of the field, brow creasing as all the barriers dropped and a cleaning crew of Pokemon she didn¡¯t know dashed in to swiftly remove the mud, replacing it with dry dirt before packing it down with some kind of ability that made the ground shake in small controlled areas. She watched the rocky Pokemon curiously while Rhea talked to a boy, probably their next challenger. Nova¡¯s head darted to her Trainer as an embarrassed flash passed through their link, and Rhea forced a chuckle. What¡¯s up, Mya? ¡°Oh, he said he¡¯s a fan of us. He¡¯s glad Rhea chose him as the last match of the day. Apparently, he¡¯s got a pretty good battle record.¡± Oh ¡­ so, his Pokemon¡¯s strong? ¡°I mean, probably not all that much,¡± Mya snickered. ¡°You¡¯re doing really good. You¡¯ll just steamroll this one, too ¡­ really, though¡­¡± What? Nova asked defensively. ¡°... You actually ran away because you didn¡¯t want to get dirty?¡± I don¡¯t! I have white fur, and I¡¯ve seen what mud does to Amber¡¯s! ¡°Yeah, yeah, I get it,¡± Mya mused with unmistakable sarcasm. ¡°What¡¯s up with the cute thing, though? You want to be fierce! You want to make them scared of you; yell and make them run away!¡± Nu-uh! Nova countered with a frown, following the clean-up crew¡¯s exit with her eyes and the excited crowd pointing at her. See, they love me! I¡¯m cute, and they give me attention, and one said he wants to give me treats! ¡°Boring¡­¡± No, tasty! ¡°Whatever ¡­ uh, guess they¡¯re getting ready for the next match ¡­ mud.¡± It¡¯s nice they cleaned up the field. Nova smiled; there were a few notable wet spots still, but at least it wasn¡¯t nearly as bad. Wait ¡­ do we need to pay for that? ¡°Duh¡­¡± Mmh ¡­ it¡¯s worth it. Nova grinned, noticing Giovanni¡¯s Persian, Amber, and Gables moving areas to watch her. Oh, I¡¯m the center of attention, Mya! Look! Everyone wants to see me win. ¡°...¡± Nova cheerfully turned her attention to the male Trainer as he threw out her final opponent, causing her forehead to crease a little at Rhea¡¯s reaction to their new foe. ¡°Glameow ¡­ they¡¯re really fast. This might be hard, Nova. Watch him carefully.¡± She didn¡¯t know what the big deal was; he was a little smaller than her with an absurdly long tail that coiled around in a loop. Honestly, she had to admit he wasn¡¯t bad looking, and his voice was charmingly smooth. ¡°Ah, Nova, I assume?¡± His cat-like smile and eyes flicked left and right to observe the growing crowd. ¡°Mmh, seems we¡¯ll have to put on quite the show, my dear, and might I say, you look absolutely ravishing in that coat.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Nova returned the smile, puffing up her chest; she had yet to receive a single hit. There were a few close calls, but she was just as glamorous as when she first stepped foot in the ring. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± ¡°Alaric, my dear. It¡¯s a pleasure.¡± Nova was a little taken by his polite and smooth introduction; Amber and Gables were smiling while glancing between them, and both of them didn¡¯t seem to take much damage from their matches. ¡°You ready to fight, Alaric?¡± Nova asked, licking her lips and getting ready to dash at him. ¡°Oh, by all means.¡± Red, yellow, green, and the battle started. Nova dashed forward; if he was supposed to be fast, she¡¯d show she was faster! He was different from the other two Pokemon she¡¯d faced. Nova could tell that, but it didn¡¯t matter; she was built for battle. A small smile moved Alaric¡¯s mouth with her swift approach for an enhanced Tackle, but Nova was a little confused as he looked at Amber and gave her a wink, almost as if she wasn¡¯t even worth his attention. Dismay and anger filled her chest. The nerve; I¡¯m attacking him! His smirk lifted as his gaze returned to her, lifting up on his hind legs to clap his hands. ¡°What a shame.¡± What¡¯s a¡­ Nova¡¯s mind blanked, energy collapsing with the white force she was generating in front of her, and she tripped, rolling across the dirt. The next thing she knew, something smashed into the side of her face, sending her tumbling across the field. ¡­ What ¡­ did he do to me? Two massive chunks of her defensive shell were carved out of her, and Nova¡¯s jaw tightened as she flipped back to her feet, Mya screaming in her mind with Rhea¡¯s worried voice. ¡°Dodge left!¡± She tried, vision refocusing to search for the sly cat, but all she saw was a glowing ball of white that slammed into her side, forcing the air out of Nova¡¯s lungs while throwing her into the shield by Amber. The concerned Fennekin¡¯s voice mirrored Rhea and Mya¡¯s. ¡°Get some distance.¡± I¡¯m ¡­ losing? I¡¯m not supposed to lose! That¡¯s not cute! ¡°He¡¯ll use Quick Attack again, Nova; you can¡¯t escape it. You have to stop him before he uses it!¡± Rhea explained. Nova instinctively darted across the edge of the field, speed increasing as she retreated, and she caught Aleric¡¯s paw barely missing her tail with three long white claws of energy ripping the dirt up where she¡¯d stood. Aleric was hot in pursuit, keeping pace with her while a white force started gathering around his body. How ¡­ I can¡¯t pull too much energy from you!? ¡°Try to evolve!¡± Nova¡¯s gut tightened as stress pumped through her body. She didn¡¯t like this feeling; she didn¡¯t want to lose; she wasn¡¯t supposed to. Jaw tight, Nova reached for the power within her, the only one available. An explosive strength flooded her body as she pulled more energy from Rhea than her last two battles combined, and a brilliant glow radiated out of her body; Aleric¡¯s own frame illuminated with blazing light, and he blasted toward her. The world grew smaller as Nova grew, and the moment he impacted, they were both sent blasting apart, but Nova didn¡¯t sense any loss to her defensive pool of energy; her transformation had acted as a barrier. Flipping around in the air, she smiled while doing a quick scan of her new form; she retained her black and white theme, but the end of her long human-like bangs now adorning her head was light blue. Her transformation had caused a wave of gasps to fill the sides of the arena, and a flood of instinctual information filled her mind. ¡°Glaceon! Nova, you¡¯re so cute!¡± Rhea cheered. ¡°Watch out for him¡­¡± A flash sparkled in Nova¡¯s pink eyes, and she sensed the exact trajectory and Move Aleric used while seeking to end the match. Without looking, Nova smiled, jumping at the last second to flip in the air in a flourish. The surprised Glameow rocketed below her with a shocked expression as she opened her mouth, gathering the most natural Move that came to her, releasing a gale of frigid wind that blew the Pokemon away, ice trailing along her trajectory. Mist frothed off the frozen ground as Aleric recovered, ice falling off his now ruffled fur; he was no longer calm and collected, glaring at her with a serious expression. ¡°How ¡­ unexpected.¡± Nova felt invincible as she smiled down at him from across the field, over twice his size, and she played with her two long locks that could be stiffened into sword-like blades. They were easily maneuverable; she could grab someone with them, and her broad tail could bat the cat Pokemon away if she wished. Her strength, defense, and even her speed felt slightly better; everything improved. The white fur she was so proud of had turned black with her paws, tail blade, crown, back pattern, and inner ears now white. Giving Aleric a confident smirk, her eyes narrowed. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Taking a deep breath, she sent streams of frigid air across the field; the Glameow managed to barely dodge her sharp gales, but Nova swiftly cut off his escape, trapping him in a corner. He¡¯d slip on the ice if he tried to run anywhere else. With one last defiant charge, he¡¯d gathered enough energy to launch another Quick Attack at her, and she released a hail of ice from her mouth; he leaped into the air at the edge of her ice, taking to the air with his insane speed, but she was too far away. He tried cutting through her Icy Wind, but it was far too powerful. The two energy met, and the moment his Move failed, her ice shredded the last of his defensive shell, sending the knocked-out Pokemon tumbling across the now partially iced over battlefield, and she turned to give a cheer to the crowd¡¯s wild clamor, showering her with love. I did it! ¡°You were amazing!¡± Mya shouted. Rhea followed with praise. ¡°That was awesome; I really felt the energy drain, but it¡¯s manageable!¡± Yes; so, I can practice! Now in heaven, Nova felt like nothing could stop her, and she began prancing around enthusiastically, gobbling up the crowd¡¯s energy. B1 — 18. Omens In Viridian Giovanni unfastened his coat as he sat down to watch his granddaughter¡¯s matches, using his sharp senses to evaluate her new travel companions; Rhea¡¯s Eevee, in-particular, drew his attention when he arrived. Leaning forward to rest his elbows on his spread knees, he rested his chin on the back of his steepled hands with a gentle smile. There were multiple reasons he was here, but watching Amira battle was a pleasure that topped that list. Matori handled anyone that tried to disturb him, naturally. Watching his cute granddaughter prepare herself and her Fennekin reminded him of various members in their family; her shy nature mirrored her father while her drive and determination were eerily reminiscent of her mother. Out of all the Trainers in the world, a mere handful unnerved him; his daughter-in-law was one of those. Most of the Trainers above him had very simple motivations and limits that he could work around; Lyra may be simple in nature, but she was anything but reasonable. Her ethics were turbulent compared to many of the Champion to Legendary-tier Trainers he dealt with. Her obsession with Silver had led to the collapse of his former empire. To those that weren¡¯t too acquainted with Lyra, she was a hero, star, and image of the joyful spirit she exuded, but if anything threatened that little happiness, then another side of the mercurial girl emerged. She was as devoted as they came; it just paid to make sure that was on your side and not the opposition. He wanted to enjoy the match, but his thoughts kept returning to his past as he watched. Giovanni had never known his mother¡¯s real name; the original founder of the Rocket Syndicate, Madame Boss. Leadership hadn¡¯t been his goal; he was focused on another path that his mother disapproved of, but when she suddenly vanished, the whole organization looked to him. The thrill of power and the challenge of competition spurred something inside him at that moment, and he seized the reigns. He and Ariana had a relationship at the time, more or less forced on the pair by Madame Boss to keep him involved during his younger years, and Silver was born as a result. Mars soon followed. A sadness fell over Giovanni¡¯s heart, but he refused to allow the emotion to show on his face as he followed Amber¡¯s Embers, making quick work of her first opponent; she was making good progress. However, watching his granddaughter also reminded him that he¡¯d failed his own children in their youth, treating them more as agents than his flesh and blood. Thankfully, Ariana had done what she could to spoil them. Giovanni remembered the first real fight he had with his wife, when he ordered their daughter to infiltrate the Galactic movement; he needed a capable and loyal operative for the mission, and she was the best fit at the time. His daughter still sent back reports to this day, but he had long suspected she¡¯d fallen under Cyrus¡¯ charismatic influence, and he hadn¡¯t noticed until it was too late. It was one of his greatest mistakes, yet he couldn¡¯t try to recall her; if she suspected he knew of her allegiance shift, then he may never hear from her again. Before, his public image was only a facade to operate in the underground, but after Red crippled his Kanto branch, Giovanni had secluded himself to ponder the path he was taking. That had led many of his Admins, including Ariana, to search for him, which brought Silver, Lyra, Kris, and Ethan to one of his secret bunkers. Lyra was the driving force that had pushed the others along and had been the one to stomp him into the dirt; her tactics were vicious when in actual combat, and she¡¯d demanded he make-up with Silver. The threat was real; poison needed to be cut out or purified. In the end, he was forced to comply; of course, it hadn¡¯t been entirely sincere, but it opened the way to heal what was left of his family ¡­ at the ax of a hormonal fourteen-year-old girl with the power of a High Master. Now, that crazy girl was his daughter-in-law and had done more to help his family than he could ever adequately express gratitude for. After his crushing defeat at the hands of Chase twelve years ago, Giovanni decided to move his company in the opposite direction; the organization would take a backseat to the legal business side of things. Blue hadn¡¯t even been on his radar back then; he was simply just a powerful Trainer with something to prove. Yet, after the many tragic events of the Ultra War, Blue moved to one of his most significant threats, and there wasn¡¯t a thing he could do to stop the legend if it came to it. A very thin line kept his wrath in check, and Giovanni had to live with the fact Blue could cross it any given day; although, that uncertainty had been more apparent during Blue¡¯s struggle with alcoholism. The Legendary-tier Trainer had been on his mind since Amira vanished after her fight with the faint lingering signature of Teleport; a few minutes later, he¡¯d sensed Blue¡¯s energy being released, but the fact Cynthia and her parents had been there to force the manic man to back down confused him at first. Lyra didn¡¯t elaborate on why there had been a confrontation between the legends, but it seemed to be resolved swiftly, and even High Masters could have missed it with the level of control they had at their tier of strength. Just the fact Drake, Cynthia, and Glacia had been in Pallet told him everything he needed to know after a moment¡¯s thought. Rhea was obviously related to the family somehow, and her Eevee and Mawile all but confirmed the connection. She was Christie and Keith¡¯s girl, which drew more questions than he cared to be involved in. Although, the secrecy didn¡¯t sit right with him after the Ultra War¡¯s events. Amira went missing, Blue acts up, and the Sinnoh Active Champion intervenes with her parents; if he was honest, no one else would or could have. Only Cynthia had the raw power to force a Legendary-tier Trainer to back down when they were enraged; even if Chase, the Active Champion that was supposed to be the arbiter of law in the region, was there, all he could do was plead with the legend. Giovanni didn¡¯t want to believe Blue would kidnap his granddaughter to get to him; everything he knew about the man told him it wouldn¡¯t happen. Yet, she¡¯d been kidnapped, and the number of people that would or could accomplish that so swiftly, and with Lyra there, was slim; none of it fit, which left other options to consider. His gaze rose from Amira¡¯s second battle, where she was putting on a show for him, and he focused on Rhea. Her looks certainly fit the bill; she had the same staple hair-ties as her aunt for crying out loud, but it wasn¡¯t as if that was a rare accessory. Just the fact she had Master Balls with genetically modified Pokemon made him confident of her relation, but his knowledgeable and paranoid mind had to wonder if there was a deeper reason for the family¡¯s hidden member. This week had him more than a little on edge. Amira was kidnapped, Lusamine showed signs of waking, which could mean the Ultra Wormholes were unsealing, and a major terrorist was caught within his city-state after his underground network tracked him down. It had been a bit amusing to find his link with the terrorist through underground business dealings with Nobunaga in the isolationist continent of Ransei; technology was minimal within the seventeen kingdoms, and they¡¯d been at war longer than could be remembered. All but one of its domains refused outside interference as a matter of great pride. However, Giovanni had grown curious about the continent after a fireside story told by Drake during the war; the legendary Dragon Trainer boasted of secretly having a relationship with the Aurora Kingdom in his youth, alluding to the possibility of open minds within the kingdoms. It had given him the idea of reaching out to each; it wouldn¡¯t cost him much, and the pay-off could be exponential. War meant big business, and a war that could last his lifetime meant continuous profit. In the end, only one gave a favorable response, the Kingdom of Dragnor. He¡¯d received quite a few exciting treasures and resources from that relationship, and the help he desired was archaic in terms of the modern age. It appeared he was not the only one to use Nobunaga¡¯s land as a hidden base location and resource hub. Carl, one of his regional admins that led the Unova branch, was able to follow that information to capture one of the Shadow Triad members two weeks ago through a clever trap; the other two came to his rescue shortly after the memory extraction had completed, which would work in his favor in the end. It had landed him Zinzolin. The man had some impressive work to his name and required excessive force to bring in without a fight, which is why he¡¯d manipulated Ethan to take up the cause. The battle-crazed legend was always looking for a legal way to enter life and death battles, clinging to limited, but firm ethics and morals. Plasma wouldn¡¯t know Rocket had been involved since he was good at covering his tracks, and he¡¯d informed Colress himself of his man¡¯s capture by Viridian PD and Ethan to improve Rocket¡¯s relations with the resourceful terrorist organization. The man was far more reasonable than their previous leader. The alignments had split when Ghetsis¡¯ true nature was revealed, which caused two factions to form; those that were loyal to N, their king, and Ghetsis¡¯, the manipulative man that had led from the shadows since its founding. N won with the help of several Trainers, which landed Ghetsis in the IP¡¯s Maximum Security Prison after his first escape at the beginning of the Ultra War. The event further fractured the organization, with Colress acting in the shadows within the public¡¯s eye, much like himself, but the scientist was far more aligned with Rocket¡¯s goals than either of the other two factions. Amusing, where his mind was taking him as of late; the colliding threats converging on his city forced him to ponder the curves in history that had led to his current headache. Everything Giovanni did was calculated to build up his family, Viridian, and Rocket while minimizing blow-back. Yet too much pressure cracked the egg, and unforeseen events were causing him concern. His spies told him the Plasma Frigate was seen heading for Kanto from the east, but its stealth technology was difficult to penetrate, even for his satellites; his employees may have had a hand in its design, but the stealth components came from Plasma scientists. Lusamine¡¯s condition was a blessing and a curse since it had forced multiple Grandmaster and Champion-tier Trainers to gather in Viridian; one such misfortune was Guzma¡¯s sudden arrival. His connection to the woman was a tragic one, but the man¡¯s personality was something he was all too familiar with, and his gang of misfits had grown to be the largest public organized gang in the world, bordering the line that people could tolerate. Guzma was reckless and intimidating by nature; plus, since he¡¯d stopped an assassination attempt on Lusamine¡¯s life while under Giovanni¡¯s care, mixed with the first active movement the woman had made since her coma, meant he was a snarling Houndoom ready to snap at anything that rubbed him the wrong way. The assassination attempt was real; judging by the footage, it was the work of the Shadow Triad, which Guzma wouldn¡¯t be familiar with, but it wouldn¡¯t take him long to bark up the right trees to figure it out. He had a reputation that few would want to test. In truth, it smelled of Colress¡¯ set up to spring the war criminal; he was expecting an underground message from the man, delivering his apologies for the disruption in his city. He had no intention of actually killing Lusamine, he was sure. It wasn¡¯t in his style, and he wasn¡¯t on excellent terms with the former leader; Plasma was split between the two, but if he broke out of prison, Giovanni had no illusions they¡¯d flock back to the charismatic man. He also had to consider the possibility Ghetsis was the wildcard he might not have expected. If he had managed to worm himself a network to issue orders from prison, then it was the perfect alibi and smokescreen. If it was Ghetsis, Lusamine was in real danger, and the triad increased the probability he was involved. In any case, this was undoubtedly an attempt to cause chaos in Viridian with a clash between Guzma and the Plasma protestors; the VPD would be hard-pressed to stop a gang war of that size. He just had to hope the world¡¯s most popular gangster wouldn¡¯t connect the dots while doing his best to distract him. It did say something that either Colress or Ghetsis would be willing to rub Guzma the wrong way, putting Plasma on Skull¡¯s radar to get Zinzolin back, and with Ethan involved in the transfer, any operative was diving into an early grave; both Plasma leaders combined would be mutilated by the legend in a straight battle, but they rarely operated like that. Still, it would be much easier to attempt an intercept mission over Unova instead of dealing with a Legendary-tier guard; it¡¯s the play he would have made unless he was essential for something time-sensitive. Things just weren¡¯t looking good at the moment, but he had to figure out a way to keep everything reasonably calm for the transfer. The second the chubby man was outside his city-state, it was someone else¡¯s problem. Trying to clear his mind, he finished watching Amira¡¯s final battle; she was part of the reason he was concerned about the coming days, but for the moment, enjoying her independent spirit would help him relax. Her tactics were far more advanced than the competition, but that was expected for Starter Award winners. Their Pokemon simply outclassed most of the early League. That gap would continue to close as time passed, and the Encrusted Badge challenge would show them how difficult Pokemon battles could be. He rose with a soft clap, Matori mirroring his actions by his side as Amira finished her last challenge. ¡°Excellent.¡± ¡°You¡¯re exaggerating,¡± Amira mumbled, trying to suppress a blush while displaying cute fidgets; her fingers were desperately trying not to play with her sunglasses attached to her dress front. The brown-haired girl opposite her returned her Drilbur with a sad expression. ¡°We tried¡­¡± Giovanni buttoned his suit coat, giving the depressed girl a light smile; it was hard to stay stoic in the presence of his granddaughter. ¡°What is your name?¡± The girl jumped, suddenly looking nervous as everyone eyed her. ¡°U-Umm ¡­ it¡¯s Lulu ¡­ no, I mean, well ¡­ uh, my full name is Louis, S-Sir ¡­ I¡¯m from Unova,¡± she stammered, cheeks coloring. ¡°W-Was it really that bad?¡± Amira scratched the back of her neck, giving him an adorable glare. ¡°Naa¡­¡± Giovanni motioned to the ground. ¡°Fields like these are generally two meters deep, filled with packed earth. Your Pokemon is a very reliable Ground-Type; I applaud your Starter choice, but it would be best for the two of you to learn how to better utilize his digging capabilities to escape danger and plot surprise attacks.¡± She nodded with a shy smile, rubbing the back of her neck to relieve the stress. ¡°T-Thank you, Grandmaster Giovanni ¡­ umm, you¡¯re the Gym Leader of Viridian, right?¡± A few mumbles rippled around the area. ¡°Of course, he is; is she stupid?¡± ¡°Did she not see the pin on his jacket?¡± ¡°Coming to Kanto and not even realizing who its Gym Leaders are¡­¡± All noise died down as he spoke, feeling somewhat agitated by the discouraging comments when he tried to help the girl. ¡°Yes, Louis, or is Lulu more preferable?¡± ¡°L-Lulu¡¯s fine,¡± she mumbled, throat a bit dry after the harsh comments. ¡°Lulu, then,¡± he leered at a few nearby Trainers that had snickered at her inquiry. ¡°Your Drilbur could handle 63% of the Trainers in this room without an issue. If you¡¯d like to make that 96%, then I¡¯d suggest watching my Gym match history yesterday.¡± Many of the teams¡¯ tongues shot to the roofs of their mouths at his comment. He walked over to his smirking granddaughter, giving him a short shake of her head with his parting words. ¡°I expect you¡¯ll go far in this league, Lulu; train diligently to face my Gym in the future.¡± ¡°Y-Yes, sir!¡± Lulu replied with a more confident smile. ¡°Thank you, sir!¡± ¡°Any top-tier advice for me, Gym Leader?¡± Amira asked in a taunting tone as they moved to watch Rhea¡¯s final match. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! A half-smile lifted the edge of his lips as he peered down at his granddaughter, Purrfection, his Persian, by his side; his first Pokemon when he was but a boy. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can figure out the flaws without my opinion.¡± ¡°Humph, naturally,¡± Amira replied in a semi-annoyed tone, but there was a small smile on her lips. ¡°... What did you think about Rhea and Lori?¡± She¡¯s on a nickname basis with them ¡­ she¡¯s growing attached. Swifter than I anticipated; that¡¯s good. He eyed the purple-haired girl and her Pokemon as she talked with her last opponent, offering somewhat decent advice after the match with his sad questions. ¡°The Froakie¡¯s playful nature will probably come back to bite them in the future, but he¡¯s competent enough that I believe he¡¯ll learn when it¡¯s the right time to joke around.¡± ¡°Rhea?¡± Amira softly asked, frowning while everyone gathered to watch her Eevee¡¯s final match. Most of the onlookers left a sizable distance between them to not crowd Giovanni. Matori¡¯s small frown caught his attention as she worked with her tablet, seeming to discover something that she didn¡¯t like; if it was immediately important, then she¡¯d let him know once gathering the information he needed to make a decision. Giovanni turned his gaze to the beautiful, bright pearly eyed girl as she met her next challenger, making his lips fall into a line; her opponent was one of the few that would likely defeat Lulu. Judging by the Pokemon¡¯s strength within the ball, how he carried himself, and the evident knowledge the boy knew of the type of Pokemon he was facing, he wasn¡¯t a pushover. He¡¯d been informed of Coral Kaylera¡¯s conspiracy piece; the woman was usually fifty-fifty on her information, which caused a decent following to back her wild theories. Nova was Rhea¡¯s Eevee¡¯s name, and he had to wonder if Christie had taken Rocket¡¯s early Eevee experimentation data. So far, it hadn¡¯t been seen, but if she managed to replicate and perfect Vee¡¯s genetic stabilization research, then it would be interesting. The result itself was a useful discovery, but the underlying process and fusion energies involved were the real jewel that his own scientists had failed to reproduce, which led to the project being shut down. Still, from what he¡¯d seen of Nova and Mya, they were primarily reliant on their far superior genetics while having access to all of Rhea¡¯s stores of energy to power through their competition. There hadn¡¯t been any shows of intelligence or proficiency in their matches. In fact, both Pokemon reminded him of Mewtwo before his guidance had unlocked his legendary potential; he regretted how that relationship turned out, but in the end, perhaps it was for the best, considering the Ultra War. Many of his original opinions had been skewed by that affair. ¡°... There¡¯s a lot to improve on.¡± Amira popped her tongue. ¡°Ouch ¡­ her Pokemon are really something ¡­ cute.¡± ¡°That, they are,¡± he whispered, vision narrowing while watching the Pokemon reveal; a moderately bred Glameow came out. Thought so ¡­ it¡¯s over once the Fake Out hits; it¡¯s a novice breaking Move she shouldn¡¯t be prepared for. The speed disparity will then cause Nova to be on the receiving end of what she¡¯s done to her last two opponents, and with little to no precaution, she¡¯ll be overwhelmed unless she can pull out something unexpected. Nova¡¯s thoroughly bred, which means Rhea could scout with Detect, saving her from the Fake Out if she¡¯s smart ¡­ no, my expectations were too high. If she pulls a significant amount of energy from Rhea to use Synchronoise, then she might be able to simply power through like Mya did ¡­ hmm, not utilizing it? I suppose I was right about the hospitalization; it was a reckless and unsustainable strategy. What was her family thinking? The Master Balls are too dangerous, but given the energy draw her Pokemon currently have¡­ Giovanni¡¯s brow furrowed. The moment the match¡¯s end was in sight, Nova started evolving, and the type of energy it was releasing confirmed his theory; Christie had perfected the Vee Project, and Glaceon was an excellent choice against the much swifter Pokemon. Her first Move was designed to combat Speed-types, making him wonder if it was planned or pure luck. Christie had uncovered a dangerous secret. Amira didn¡¯t seem as shocked as he would have expected, meaning she likely knew about it; she wouldn¡¯t know about the Vee Project, but he could imagine she wanted an Eevee that could shift into all its transformations. Giovanni had no doubt the process had required using a Master Ball, proving that there was more to Rhea than her family wished to release. As could be expected, Nova dominated the fight after gaining access to her speed reduction cone-attack, empowered by Adaptability; the Glameow didn¡¯t stand a chance, but the Detect was an improvement, he had to admit. When the battle ended, he clapped; the crowd erupted with cheers, questions, and congratulations upon her Eevee¡¯s evolution. ¡°What do you think?¡± Amira asked, giving him a curious smile. Giovanni¡¯s features must have been less impressed by the feat than his granddaughter expected it to be. ¡°I¡¯m waiting for the finale.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ is that so?¡± She frowned. ¡°So, you did know.¡± ¡°In a manner of speaking,¡± he replied. ¡°The process was first discovered by Rocket, after all.¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled in, sending an accusatory glare up at him. ¡°That would''ve been fun to hear about.¡± ¡°... To be honest, it was a long time ago. Her mother has the resources to accomplish it, though.¡± His granddaughter stiffened. ¡°You ¡­ even know about that?¡± Matori giggled softly beside them. ¡°Dear, it¡¯s not a difficult deduction given the details Rocket has.¡± ¡°Always the humble one,¡± Amira mumbled, bunching her tight lips to the side; she more than likely wanted to finally have something he didn¡¯t know that she could hold over his head. It was endearing to him, really. ¡°Keep journeying, and maybe you¡¯ll discover something that surprises me,¡± he whispered just low enough for the two ladies beside him to hear. Matori couldn¡¯t help a strong quake of internal laughter, suppressing a snort. ¡°G-Good one, Master.¡± Amira shot a venomous glare at his assistant; they¡¯d had this back and forth for years since she was a little girl. ¡°I¡¯ll prove you wrong, Matori ¡­ and there you go again with that master bit ¡­ you¡¯re so weird.¡± His granddaughter was one of the few people that could get his assistant to blush. ¡°You can talk,¡± she huffed softly; ¡°I wasn¡¯t the one that wet her bed until she was eight.¡± Both women were now shooting daggers out of their eyes, throwing whispered insults and accusations at each other before Nova¡¯s devolution, shocking the whole room, but Matori had ceased her childish banter, features becoming serious; she leaned in with a dark tone. ¡°I¡¯m afraid your fears were well-founded, Master.¡± Glancing down at her tablet, he saw Guzma¡¯s website, Skull.gon; media companies removed the gang in a cooperative effort, banning them across all platforms. However, that only enraged the group; it was as if they were just trying to sweep everything under the rug, polarizing things further, and had been the wrong move in Giovanni¡¯s opinion if they desired de-escalation. Now, they had their own social platform for all the misfits to join, and they had no control over the narrative; his platform had over ten million active users that all saw the Grandmaster as their leader. Guzma had just sent out a mass message to his followers; all the social rejects, punks, and anarchists of society. Taking a deep, troubled breath, Giovanni moved to inform Amira something important had come up, and he¡¯d get back in touch with her in a bit; her parents would be here soon, and they¡¯d probably host dinner at their place for the first night. He¡¯d told Silver to use the company card to spoil them a little if this very event occurred, and he wasn¡¯t able to join. It really was a shame. Heading for the elevator, he returned to the surface and into his awaiting limo; once in the sealed and shielded space, Matori groaned before playing the message, ¡°Gladion tagged it; he¡¯s on his way.¡± Giovanni felt like cursing; he knew Guzma couldn¡¯t keep Lusamine¡¯s possible recovery from her family, but he¡¯d hoped it wouldn¡¯t be like this as the gangster¡¯s message played on Matori¡¯s tablet. He had to act fast with every prominent Skull Admin and hundreds of thousands of statements confirming they¡¯d be there by morning. Guzma recorded while in Lusamine¡¯s hospital room, refusing to leave after the attempt on her life, his intimidating 9¡¯10 Golisopod stood behind him. He wore his signature black and white Skull look that had taken off around the world; his large sun and moon-shaped flight goggles, chucks, chunky gold watch, and a giant gold chain with the yellow and black themed Skull logo. He only had a short-sleeved overcoat on, choosing to forego an undershirt to show-off his multiple Alolan Skull tattoos imprinted across his body, representing Skull and his leading team. The gangster worked around his strong jaw, tongue popping against the roof of his mouth as his nose twisted with agitation. Lusamine¡¯s eyes were shut as she laid in bed, blonde hair still changed to black with blonde streaks from her fusion to the Ultra Beast. He spoke in a heavy Alolan accent, glancing back for a moment at the woman, ¡°Aye, yo, check it out, young. Ya know who I am; it¡¯s the President from Po City. I don¡¯t Muk with wangsters, I¡¯m a real gangster. But aye, yo, I got a new beef for the Nation. ¡°Yesterday I was doin¡¯ my thing, checkin¡¯ up on Lusi; ya know what it is,¡± his countenance darkened further. ¡°Ain¡¯t none of dem Legendary Trainers got Muk when it comes to Lusi; this bearcat took out the whole Ultra incident, yo, and what¡¯s she get, huh? Nada, but disrespect. ¡°Naw, no, what she got was a bed and public scorn; ya know what it is, and yo, yesterday, I found a hit out on our girl. The girl that fought for ya; a true soldier, ya know,¡± he sucked on his lip, anger in his gray irises as he tilted his head. ¡°Lil¡¯ Gladion¡¯s makuahine ¡­ and ya think APC¡¯s hound is gonna stand for that?¡± He shook his head with a low growl, sniffing loudly while his Golisopod mirroring his Trainer, blood in their eyes. ¡°Plasma, ya know that streets talk, and there ain¡¯t no flags or peace when it comes to shots, cuz; what, ya think I wasn¡¯t gonna catch the slip? Naw, naw ¡­ I don¡¯t play that; Skull don¡¯t play that game, and the day Lusi be lookin¡¯ ta be wakin¡¯ up? I ain¡¯t overlookin¡¯ that timing, yo. ¡°Aye, and with the whole Plasma Muk happin¡¯ in Viridian ¡­ ya think I¡¯m stupid? N, Ghetsis, Colress ¡­ yo, whichever it be, ya barked up the wrong tree; these fools afraid to bust. I¡¯ll murk ya; Plasma, ya just made the Skull List. ¡°Giovanni, Viridian, if ya can¡¯t handle your business, Skull will do it for ya. I¡¯m clearin¡¯ the crowd; I don¡¯t wanna see a single Plasma in Viridian by tomorrow night. ¡®Cause I¡¯m a real one; line any Trainer up, I don¡¯t fear none. S-Gang, Exotic Family, and APC; it¡¯s an army. Viridian City ¡­ consider this an invitation to my Skull Nation.¡± The message abruptly ended. Matori breathed a long sigh. ¡°It¡¯s currently making its way to the Police Commissioner.¡± Giovanni took a deep breath, glaring across the large back seat at the wall; Purrfection sat beside him, brooding on the news himself. It¡¯s looking more like Colress¡¯ play; he wouldn¡¯t have expected Lusamine to be waking up, which would have put Guzma in an even more paranoid mindstate. He¡¯s serious, and trying to lock him up would only put more tension with the hundreds of thousands of gang members flooding Viridian. Plasma couldn¡¯t organize people that fast ¡­ not one of the foremost criminal organizations can since Skull operates in the open. Guzma¡¯s called the exodus of anyone who associates with Plasma, and Gladion discovering about the assassination attempt on his mother¡¯s life, and in this way ¡­ Viridian was already having issues with Plasma, but Skull is ten-times worse with their numbers and violent nature. They¡¯ll just restrain the wall guards and storm the city if Guzma tells them to; there¡¯s not enough manpower. Viridian is about to be under siege if nothing is done. His phone began vibrating shortly after he finished the video, and he picked it up; Chase was on the other end. ¡°Hold up, what¡¯s going on in Viridian?¡± ¡°In short ¡­ Guzma feels that Lusamine¡¯s life is in danger and is gathering his troops.¡± ¡°I heard something about Plasma ¡­ Colress can¡¯t be behind it, though, right? He¡¯s cooperated with the United League for years, which means ¡­ is Ghetsis making a play?¡± Debating on how to answer, Giovanni was silent for a few seconds; in truth, the method was heavy-handed by Colress, indicating he was coerced into the act. Ghetsis might actually be the true orchestrator of the attack, but it was nearly impossible that they¡¯d predict the woman¡¯s signs of recovery after eight years in a coma. He didn¡¯t want to inform her family quite yet, which Kukui, Christie, and Bill agreed with. They didn¡¯t know what to expect if she did wake up; no one had been recovered after being taken by Nihilego. The Ultra Space creatures were uncontrollable by even their enemy, acting as apex predators in the interdimensional realm; if in their massive swarms, they could even overpower most Legendary Pokemon, requiring multiple Legendary-tier Trainers to redirect their migrational course within the alien domain. Lusamine was the only one that could be recovered, which was how they learned much about the Ultra Beast¡¯s unique fusion-like ability. It was unlike anything Bill had encountered, and Giovanni had devoted countless resources to discovering the effects with little results. The top scientists in the world collectively smashed their brains against a wall trying to break the puzzling process that had befallen the woman¡¯s entire being; even her fortitudes had been altered by the fusion. ¡°... It might be orchestrated by Ghetsis, Chase, but that¡¯s not the issue. I¡­¡± He paused as a few calls came in. ¡°One moment, I¡¯m going to bridge the call with Kakui, Commissioner Jenny, and Nanu.¡± Adding them to the call, Jenny¡¯s cold voice spoke first. ¡°What am I watching? A gang war in Viridian, Giovanni, and because you couldn¡¯t protect a single woman?¡± Nanu¡¯s tired voice spoke up on the other end. ¡°Aww, don¡¯t be like that; this isn¡¯t Giovanni¡¯s fault.¡± ¡°Why isn¡¯t it?¡± Jenny snapped. ¡°He¡¯s the one that¡¯s trying to do my job for me with the extradition, and why can¡¯t you stop the brat from sending off all his zealots? Aren¡¯t you supposed to be in charge of his island?¡± ¡°It¡¯s complicated,¡± Nanu mumbled, probably playing with one of his old toys. ¡°I can¡¯t blame him ¡­ he¡¯s got a soft spot for Lusamine. It¡¯s kind of noble, actually ¡­ if ya think about it.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t give a Pinsir about what¡¯s noble; I don¡¯t want his people entering my city! I¡¯ll invoke emergency powers and make a temporary prison just for them outside the city if I need to.¡± ¡°Now, now, Commissioner,¡± Chase chuckled. ¡°They aren¡¯t breaking any laws by coming into Viridian. We should be prepared, but we don¡¯t have the authority to do it.¡± ¡°No?¡± Jenny asked. ¡°You must still not be caught up in Viridian City-State Law, Champion. Guzma just enacted a call for violence between two gangs, and we both know Plasma¡¯s group of several thousand will get blown to pieces by Skull¡¯s numbers. I¡¯m heading there to arrest him myself, and if I need to, I¡¯ll conscript the Ranger Union for support. You can always make an appearance, Chase.¡± Releasing a soft sigh, Giovanni leaned back; since Kakui wasn¡¯t speaking, he expected the matter to be private. ¡°That would be a mistake, Commissioner. It would be exactly what Ghetsis would want, chaos.¡± ¡°Of course, it would be, Giovanni. Why didn¡¯t you warn me of this happening with your whole spy network?¡± Jenny demanded, likely still on her way to arrest Guzma. ¡°Are we back on that subject?¡± He asked in a dry tone. ¡°I¡¯m not a part of that life anymore, Jenny. I do have a few friends, but that¡¯s far from the levels of authority I had over the criminal underground in the past. We should focus on what will help.¡± Chase knew he still had criminal activities on the low, but government-sanctioned since he provided information when needed. It aided Rocket and the nation; a win-win when dealing with groups counterproductive to Giovanni¡¯s own goals. The United Indigo League used him, and he used them. Of course, Jenny was not a part of that inner circle, but she wasn¡¯t blind. ¡°Enlighten me,¡± Jenny growled. Giovanni folded his hands together, lips pulling in as he compiled his thoughts. ¡°Skull entering Viridian isn¡¯t the problem. Guzma¡¯s only objective is to protect Lusamine, but she cannot be moved at this time. Correct, Kakui?¡± ¡°That is correct,¡± the man replied. ¡°Which leaves us with our only alternative, which will be playing into Ghetsis¡¯ hands ¡­ I can try and reach out to some of my old contacts to smooth things over, but all of these events are colliding over one target ¡­ we must move Zinzolin out of Viridian.¡± Jenny¡¯s voice became even more heated. ¡°Out of the secure location I have him; are you sure you¡¯re not working with Plasma? You were the one that brought Ethan into the mix, which is a wildcard I cannot control. The extradition plans are set for tomorrow night; I¡¯d need to inform Unova¡¯s escort of the change, and if I did, I don¡¯t see them being able to coordinate the change without issues. In fact, where am I going to send him to next if Viridian is compromised? The other cities within the state aren¡¯t equipped to handle this.¡± ¡°... No, I like that plan,¡± Chase hummed. ¡°We can move him to the League if needed. It should be the best place.¡± Giovanni was a bit annoyed by the man¡¯s innocence with the criminal mind. ¡°I¡¯m afraid that¡¯s exactly what they¡¯d expect of you, Chase. The Summer Indigo League is currently underway. There are many tourists and citizens near the League that would make for an excellent next target, which is why Ghetsis chose this gang confrontational route for the very fact I am over Viridian. ¡°No, the best course of action ¡­ Saffron City. I have an old base there you can use, and if Chase can convince Sabrina to aid in the emergency extract with Will acting as the decoy teleport, we can confuse the Plasma Frigate detection technology. The more teleports we can make at the same time, the more shade we can provide. I can give you three more locations that can act as secure sites for more traps with League agents ready to apprehend those that attack; it will force them to be cautious, buying more time. ¡°To me, the massive energy teleportation spikes in Saffron from Silph¡¯s prototype Warp Gates will be able to cover up the transfer, providing the needed smokescreen to throw them off the trail, and even if they did predict it, the damage would be minimal since the base is underground outside the city. They just need to enter the underground tunnels I had built to reach it.¡± He had a few ongoing operations within the base, but it wouldn''t be difficult to scrub, and the sacrifice was worth getting the danger out of his city and away from his family. Matori was already in the process of activating the emergency protocols. ¡°... Uh, wow, okay,¡± Chase mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s a lot more complicated than I was thinking ¡­ should I be on the decoy?¡± ¡°That would help,¡± Giovanni replied. Jenny didn¡¯t sound happy. ¡°You¡¯d need to convince Ethan.¡± ¡°I can do that.¡± ¡°And Guzma has to answer for that statement. He can¡¯t think it¡¯s okay to do that in my city.¡± Nanu sighed. ¡°Yeah, yeah ¡­ I¡¯ll talk to the boy, and you can have him under house arrest or something in the hospital ¡­ it¡¯d take a battle to force him out at this point. Make a show out of it. Skull¡¯s not that bad as a whole, but there are some bad eggs. The Admins will keep things in order, though, if Guzma¡¯s happy.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not what I meant,¡± Jenny snapped. ¡°I know,¡± Nanu replied, ¡°but there isn¡¯t much you can do when he¡¯s literally got an army that follows him. Most figured that out already. Sure, you can force them down with power ¡­ to an extent given Skull¡¯s upper-tier members, but that¡¯ll cause issues in its own right as a movement. By the way, nice plan, Giovanni. Impressed me. Anyway, I¡¯ll give the youngin¡¯ a call ta calm him down.¡± ¡°Thanks, Nanu,¡± Giovanni smiled. He¡¯d gotten closer with the Island Kahuna over the past eight years; their relationship had been strained before that. ¡°How soon can you set up the transport, Chase?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ probably like an hour or two. Will isn¡¯t nearby, but he can get back pretty quickly. Sabrina might take a tad bit convincing, though ¡­ she wouldn¡¯t like being used as a vehicle.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a decent time-frame. Let me know if you need anything else.¡± Jenny was obviously still somewhat frustrated at bringing the terrorist out of his secure location since she just hung-up. Giovanni worked around his jaw, glaring down at his phone as Colress left him an encrypted message, and his vision narrowed. Things are going to get troublesome. B1 — 19. Determination 6:36 P.M. June 13, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The last day of battles for the First Preliminary Match Week in preparation for the Kanto & Johto Summer Indigo Cup. Many tourists are traveling through Pallet and Viridian to arrive at Silver City for the big tournament while also supporting the Summer Bronze League kick-off. Rhea¡¯s energy took a big hit from Nova¡¯s transformation, but the match was simple afterward. The Glaceon¡¯s Moves weren¡¯t all that much more expensive than earlier; although, she had only utilized two arsenals in her kit. The experience increased Rhea¡¯s confidence in the little girl, in any case. The proud little Eevee was more than a bit pleased with herself as she pranced around, soaking in the praise. She was a little worried about Nova treating her like a delicate flower compared to Mya but could understand the caution she took in her matches. Nova also didn¡¯t want to be the cause of more restrictions when things were looking up for them. Rhea thought of herself more as a Daylily, though; flood her, take away the water, and toss heaps of salt all over, she¡¯d come back stronger. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she took the time to meet her opponent, Philip, while her two Pok¨¦mon talked amongst themselves within the bond they shared. The boy was walking around the right of the room with his teammates patting him on the back for encouragement; they all seemed a bit rueful at the loss, giving Nova curious glances. ¡°Thanks for the battle,¡± Rhea greeted first, giving them a soft smile. Philip nodded, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Yeah, it was pretty, umm ¡­ embarrassing, really,¡± he chuckled. ¡°We went through a dozen strategies to try and take you down, but¡­¡± ¡°Yo,¡± his buddy had curious eyes on Nova, cutting him off while shaking his head, ¡°I just don¡¯t get it, though, Phil. Aye, Mack, ya ever seen an Eevee evolve into a Glaceon without an Ice Rock?¡± Mack scratched his temple with a low hum. ¡°Na ¡­ not really, dude. Just kind of came from left-field.¡± Philip folded his arms. ¡°Hmm ¡­ it is a bit odd. My cousin¡¯s bred a few Eevee, but yeah ¡­ I mean, yours is pretty unique looking. What¡­¡± Rhea was running through excuses in her head when the increased heat in her chest from Nova¡¯s current evolution faded; she was drawing less energy than before. Her gaze darted back with everyone else¡¯s as a bright light filled the space, and Nova returned to a normal state, giving the ground in front of her a few shocked blinks, but Nova¡¯s surprise was dwarfed by the onlookers. Wait ¡­ can you only evolve for that short of a time? Nova gave her a vague response; apparently, she had to practice, which was fine, but it just meant the gig was up. Her mother warned her about the effects being new. Muk ¡­ it¡¯s a lot shorter than I thought it¡¯d be. If Nova randomly reverts in the middle of a match, it could cause a huge problem. I guess we¡¯ve got a lot to work on. Mumbles swiftly swept the throng as the news spread, and people were pushing closer to see; Nova still stood in the middle of the ring, chirping to Amber and Gables about the incident. ¡°... Did ¡­ that just happen?¡± Mack asked, unwilling to take his eyes off Nova. Philip slowly shook his head. ¡°Yo, uh ¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± They turned to her with several people that were nearby. ¡°Umm,¡± Rhea didn¡¯t know how else to explain it other than to just give a reluctant smile. ¡°I¡¯m not ¡­ exactly sure how it works, but ¡­ yeah, my Eevee can transform for a bit.¡± ¡°Woah ¡­ wait, for real?¡± Philip asked, eyes growing wide. ¡°What do ya mean ¡­ like, whenever you want?¡± Rhea glanced around for support, but more people started to crowd her as whispers about her answer spread. Amira was busy talking with her grandfather, and Mallory was being swarmed by more people asking about her Pok¨¦mon. Philip certainly wanted some more information, but he was soon overshadowed by a female team that appeared to have recently come in after hearing about her battle. Their faces were flushed with excitement while butting in between them. ¡°W-Wait! Are you ¡­ are you saying there¡¯s a way to make an Eevee turn into other forms?¡± ¡°Yeah, we heard one of the guys say your Eevee can do that! Please tell us how; we all have Eevee, and that would be so awesome!¡± The third was nodding, a bit shyer than the rest, but wanted to understand what they¡¯d seen. ¡°Mhm, mhm! We don¡¯t know when they¡¯ll evolve, but is there a way to change into all of them?¡± Rhea held up her hands, giving the girls a forced smile while backing up a little into the ring; she hadn¡¯t expected the sudden outburst. ¡°S-Sorry, but my mom did it. I¡¯m not sure how it all works. Nova¡¯s just bred a special way. I¡¯ve heard there are ways to make it easier to get an Eevee to evolve into a specific type, though.¡± ¡°Aww ¡­ c¡¯mon, there¡¯s gotta be something you know!¡± Another whined; she was drawing more and more people seeking any kind of news that might increase their chances. ¡°Is there an item? I wanna get an Eevee, but I¡¯m scared it could change into a type I already have!¡± Despite the pleas, Rhea couldn¡¯t give them answers. The returning comments were just as varied as the number of people; some thought she was being secretive about the info, others questioned if what other people saw actually happened, and more were just trying to figure out the commotion. However, the commotion swiftly died down as Giovanni¡¯s massive 2-meter-tall frame took the stage. The crowd naturally parted for him and his gigantic Persian, allowing enough from for Amira and his assistant to comfortably walk beside him. ¡°Excuse me, Rhea, Mallory.¡± His powerful voice was calm and commanding, quickly retaking center stage; his towering frame and Pok¨¦mon also helped the throng to settle down by their sheer presence. ¡°I must attend to some urgent business. My son and daughter-in-law will be outside to pick you up shortly. Once this is handled, I¡¯ll get in touch.¡± With those simple departing words, he turned and left. Amira seemed sad at the news but used the distraction to gather the two of them together, motioning for their exit. Rhea gave the pushy, aggravated, and sorry girls another apologetic smile before joining her teammates. The groups mumbled to one another but didn¡¯t pursue as she made it to Lori and Amira. ¡°... Wait,¡± Rhea asked, ¡°so, umm ¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± Amira folded her arms, wearing a small frown, while following her grandfather¡¯s back. ¡°He¡¯s busy with things ¡­ my parents should be here soon.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s good.¡± Lori leaned in, nudging her while whispering. ¡°Hehe, a lot of people are pretty nervous about facing you now; apparently, that last guy you fought was a big deal around here.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± She brushed back her thick blonde hair, glancing at the groups. ¡°I suppose trying to hide the secret wasn¡¯t that realistic. They think I¡¯m lying¡­¡± She trailed off as two girls came closer. ¡°Umm ¡­ sorry, ya know, to bug you ¡­ umm, I¡¯m just a bit ¡­ is there a way you can help our Eevee evolve?¡± ¡°Yeah, please,¡± the other asked. ¡°I¡¯ve just never seen an Eevee return to ¡­ well, an Eevee, after evolving. I couldn¡¯t find anything online, either.¡± Nova was by her side, giving her a concerned look. No, you didn¡¯t do anything bad. She assured her with a strained smile. You¡¯re just really special, and they want to know how to be like you. Nova seemed to understand the sentiment with Gables and Amber¡¯s comments, and Rhea sighed while turning back to the girls. ¡°I¡¯d love to tell you, but it¡¯s¡­¡± Amira cut her off. ¡°My grandfather had an Eevee that was able to do it in the past. It¡¯s possible, but the process is somewhat difficult to recreate, from what I understand.¡± ¡°O-Oh ¡­ I didn¡¯t know¡­¡± The girl mumbled, and a few others gave each other conflicted gazes. The other bit her lips, staring down at the ground. ¡°Uh ¡­ so, maybe in the future?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°Can¡¯t say. Rocket has many projects its scientists work on for breakthrough technologies; perhaps, in time. The Eevee Evolution Lab has most of the new research, though. I¡¯ve heard Rocket does help with their research from time to time, but if you want the most up-to-date data, I¡¯d suggest calling their center for more advice.¡± Rhea was thoroughly impressed by the recommendation and a direction for them to take, and so was everyone else. ¡°Yeah, okay ¡­ thanks.¡± They smiled, took out their phones, and began looking up the website. Rhea shut her mouth, brow furrowing as Amira motioned for her to follow. ¡°Good luck.¡± Lori gave her a small smirk as they went to the elevator. ¡°Nice redirect. Is that true, though?¡± She whispered. Amira nodded once out of earshot, leaving the groups to mumble among themselves. ¡°Apparently ¡­ he basically said your mother took the data from Rocket and perfected it.¡± Rhea released a sad chuckle. ¡°Yeah ¡­ sounds like something she¡¯d do. Umm ¡­ should you have said it, though?¡± She asked as all the people searched online for any records of Eevee turning back into its base. ¡°Right?¡± Lori hummed thoughtfully. ¡°Isn¡¯t the stuff your grandpa does a secret?¡± ¡°Meh,¡± Amira replied, pressing the elevator to leave before anyone tried to stop them. ¡°It¡¯s enough bait to get them off our backs. The news will spread and possibly get people focused on the project again; I really didn¡¯t say all that much, but it will be enough to stop further harassment once it hits the media. If your Eevee can do it, then it¡¯s only a matter of time until other companies try, and with Rocket¡¯s name involved, it¡¯ll put less focus on you.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t think of that,¡± Rhea whispered, bending down to pet Nova as they started to rise. A smile came to her lips. ¡°Thanks for helping me out, Amira.¡± Amira didn¡¯t look at her, arms folded as she looked away. ¡°Yeah ¡­ no problem. So, umm ¡­ what do you guys want to eat? My parents will probably want to go someplace, but we¡¯ll want to hit our spa before going out ¡­ I want to, at least.¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that,¡± Rhea giggled, glancing down at their travel-worn appearance, ¡°and Nova wants to try it, too! She was super jealous of all the other Pok¨¦mon getting to enjoy the Pallet spa.¡± ¡°Right ¡­ how are you feeling?¡± Amira whispered, putting her sunglasses back on while they exited. Mallory¡¯s eyes widened before following Amira¡¯s example. ¡°Oh, yeah! How was it? The whole evolution thing?¡± Fumbling with her own glasses attached to her shirt, Rhea shrugged and trailed behind her two companions. ¡°It wasn¡¯t that bad. I mean, yeah, it¡¯s really draining, don¡¯t get me wrong, but I¡¯m pretty sure I can do it once a day without trouble. So, one time for battle right now, and Nova can practice once just before bed.¡± Nova gave a happy response while talking with Gables and Amber; they appeared to be getting to know each other now that the commotion was over. The towering buildings came back into sight as Amira motioned them to the side of the building they stood outside of, sitting on a concrete rise while checking her phone. ¡°I¡¯ll let you two know when my parents are almost here. We can just chill until then.¡± ¡°Oh, I got some stuff I need to look up,¡± Mallory chuckled with a small smirk. Amira thought it was a little suspect by the gaze she gave the purple-haired girl, but she didn¡¯t pursue the topic. Their three Pok¨¦mon jumped up beside them to chat. Rhea rubbed her phone between her fingers, lips pursed with both her teammates preoccupied; the city really did feel like it could collapse on her, which caused her stomach to churn a bit. Before, it had been manageable since she wasn¡¯t looking up or paying too much attention to the insanely designed buildings, but now that she was focusing on all the unique things, it was a bit overwhelming. People moved between buildings with the giant lifts, crowds filed down the sidewalks with an apparent unspoken directional flow to each sidewalk that kept the sea of bodies in motion, and hundreds of various Pok¨¦mon moved along with it as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Trainers and their Pok¨¦mon worked jobs. A Trainer might have their Pok¨¦mon deliver hand mail; although, that was becoming very outdated, which moved onto other tasks, such as sanitation and many other labor fields that allowed a Trainer to get a bit extra monthly credit flow for expenses. Her eyes lifted to the tall structures overhead to see dozens of Pok¨¦mon about their business in the air; it was heavily regulated by the VPD, and only authorized Pok¨¦mon were allowed to operate within the city airspace to keep everything in motion. Shuddering a little, Rhea turned her focus back to her phone to check out the past match she had; honestly, she wasn¡¯t really paying attention when she accepted the last three battles, which was kind of stupid of her. Her lips bunched to the side upon reading the resulting information of each, but the last one was the biggest eye-opener. Philip Alexander - 11W - 1L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 693 (-9) Kanto Battle Rank: 18,426,134 Region: Kanto Daily Battles: 5 Bet: 500 Credits Result: Loser Vs. Rhea (Hidden) - 4W - 0L Battle Tier: Bronze 1 Kanto Battle Rating: 573 (+23) Kanto Battle Rank: 20,353,194 Region: Kanto Daily Battles: 3 Bet: 500 Credits Result: Winner Rhea was a little taken aback; the past two matches she went up against were of similar ranking to the Kalos girls Amira and Lori had faced the day before, but Philip and his team were probably one of the higher-ranked Bronze 1 contenders, and it had undoubtedly been for a reason. His Glameow was way stronger than I thought ¡­ he was on a winning streak and would have steamrolled right over Nova and me had she not evolved. If I¡¯m honest ¡­ he really should have won. She kept her internal dialog private, finding it easier after being bonded with her two Pok¨¦mon for a few days. Nova had done her best, but her past two matches returned with a sharp stabbing realization. We need a lot of work. Amira had strategies she went over with Amber ¡­ I¡¯ve just been telling Nova to be careful and watch out for fundamental things. She does need that help, but ¡­ I didn¡¯t know Glameow had Fake Out ¡­ I mean, it¡¯s a known flow disruptor that can really ruin starting momentum, which is why Nova began to panic. She never expected to get hit, and then she naturally used Detect after, which was a good scout Move. No ¡­ I¡¯m the one that needs to work harder. Pulling up the Move list her mother sent on Nova, she released a low groan; there was a lot, and some were new to her. She watched many Master-tier battles, but all the Masters didn¡¯t need to commentate since they knew what was happening at a glance; she just observed for the enjoyment. She had trouble watching Franky at his best because of how strong the energies were for Grandmaster matches, but she could still weather them at a distance. Lila, her aunt¡¯s Spiritomb, had been a reminder of how massive a gap there was between Grandmaster and Legendary. She really needed to do better, and if Nova wanted to try out in a Contest, which she was sure the little girl did, they had to go over her Moves. The list was long, but Rhea took careful note to memorize them and look up the few she didn¡¯t know. All of them were useful for something, but only a few caught her immediate interest. Detect Growth Natural Gift Synchronoise Wish Yawn Veevee Volley Nova naturally used Yawn and Detect in our matches today; she even used Yawn instead of evolving, which worked in the end. It might have taken a while to come into effect, but it did make the Shellos sleepy. She just really doesn¡¯t want to get dirty ¡­ which could be an issue in some battles. Maybe it¡¯s my lousy influence; I kept showing her off to people, which has turned into an expectation¡­ Her eyes centered on Natural Gift with a slight frown. Amira talked about using berries in matches ¡­ her grandpa even grows them outside the city for Trainers to use against his Gym. Nova can actually turn those berries into powerful damage Moves with the reduced cost of energy ¡­ although, a one time use Move is a gamble if they dodge it. Wish was what Amber and Amira used¡­ She growled a bit, scratching her scalp. It¡¯s one of the more expensive ones, though. A lot easier for me to do than them, but at the cost of a chunk of my energy. She adjusted her skirt while eyeballing the last three Moves. Veevee Volley was a specialty Move that was actually pretty shocking her Eevee knew at all; according to the Eevee Research Center, it was one of the strongest physical-type Moves Eevee could learn but required a close bond to bring out its full potential. Rhea had a lot of her energy available for use by her Pok¨¦mon, but the Master Ball didn¡¯t strengthen that friendship bond; it might help, though. Growth plus Synchronoise was a killer combo, but the cost was similar to Mya¡¯s Swords Dance or Psyche Up with Sucker Punch, like a desert soaking up water. Synchronoise mixed with one of Nova¡¯s other forms would be quite the shock to their opponents, though. In the end, she put the list away, returning to PikaBook. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. A smile brightened her glum lips while watching Len and Jason messing around on the trail. The two were having mock battles while on the road, which apparently was something her grandfather had suggested. However, a further update caught her attention; Bianca was still home alone, searching for a suitable flying Pok¨¦mon in the surrounding mountains to act as her messenger for groceries after Sabin¡¯s suggestion. Rhea had just expected her cousin to have already dismissed the option for some reason, but apparently, no one had even thought of bringing it up for the past few years. Hilbert isn¡¯t back yet, which means¡­ Finding her cousin¡¯s husband on her phone, she dialed the number. It rang a few times until his bright voice answered on the other end. ¡°Ah, Rhea! Yo, what¡¯s up?¡± Mallory and Amira gave her a questioning look as she made it voice only since they were so open in public. ¡°Hilbert, hey, umm ¡­ so, I just made it to Viridian like ¡­ forty-five minutes ago. You¡¯re around, right? I mean, my mom and dad should be in the city, too.¡± ¡°Oh, for real?¡± He sounded truly surprised by the information. ¡°Uh ¡­ I¡¯ve been a bit busy training recently ¡­ gotta get stronger to beat Iris, but she keeps just getting stronger. Hehe, uh ¡­ let¡¯s see ¡­ I was with Gold on Mt. Silver two days ago, but something¡¯s got him in a restless mood in Viridian. I¡¯ve just been walkin¡¯ around the last few days, video chatting with Bianca. What¡¯re your folks doing here?¡± Rhea shrugged as if he could see her. ¡°I couldn¡¯t say. Something¡¯s happening that needs her scientific background. I thought you¡¯d know since you¡¯re ¡­ well, you,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Bah ¡­ I¡¯ve been so out of touch,¡± he moaned, probably running his hands through his hair. ¡°Me and my crew were just climbing so fast before, but lately ¡­ it feels like we¡¯re just hitting a wall, and I¡¯m doing everything I can to break past it. Ethan¡¯s talking about maybe shooting up to the Sinjoh Desolation, and uh ¡­ ya know, I¡¯m kind of nervous,¡± he sighed. ¡°I wasn¡¯t there during The War ¡­ it¡¯s a pretty intense place, I hear, even for Champion-tier.¡± She¡¯d heard about the insane devastation that took place between Sinnoh and Kanto with all the crazy Ultra Wormhole business and Legendary Pok¨¦mon battles; it was basically a place where standard physics and space-time took a significant hit. ¡°Uh, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do fine,¡± she rolled her eyes, ¡°and you¡¯ll have Gold there with you. Umm ¡­ so, anyways, you got time to hang out tomorrow? I¡¯m pretty sure my parents are going to call to set something up.¡± ¡°Yeah, that sounds fun! Umm ¡­ I thought Bianca said something about keeping you on the low, though?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, my parents said they¡¯ve got that covered.¡± ¡°Sweet! Yeah, sure, it¡¯d be nice to catch up. Wait, hold up ¡­ uh ¡­ yo, Rhea, Gold¡¯s calling me. Mind if I text you later?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Rhea replied, hanging up. Hilbert was a good man, and Bianca wouldn¡¯t allow anyone to say otherwise. Hilda, N, and Cheren had been the big rivals that had continued to push him into the Master-tier. Cheren petered out near the High Master-tier, choosing to take on the more stationary approach as a Gym Leader while Hilda and Hilbert went at it for years in the League; N and Bianca always cheered them on in the sidelines, but then an underdog swept up with a roar that had caught both of them by surprise. Rhea sat back, closing her eyes to the passing fancy cars and disinterested locals going about their daily lives to calm her heart from the raging city around her. She used the chance of seeing her cousin¡¯s husband to wash the noise away, reflecting on the incident that sent Unova into a frenzy. As a criminal enterprise, Plasma had been all but dismantled by Hilbert, Bianca, Hilda, N, his supporters, and the rest of the League. It was a time of celebration with peace returning to the region that had long dealt with opposing factions of royalty. The whole League had worked hard to accomplish the task, and they were excited to start really getting into the big rivalry between Hilda and Hilbert. It was becoming somewhat of a yearly event; the challenge would come, and everyone would wait for the Elite 4¡¯s announcement on who the winner would be. However, a day before Hilda¡¯s expected arrival to challenge Hilbert, Alder arrived with news that would shake the world and send her cousin¡¯s adorably clumsy husband into a headspin. She remembered that televised announcement; he¡¯d prepared the entire exchange, walking right into the Elite 4¡¯s chambers with the Champion during their scheduled block, as was his right. He had a broad smile on his large face; the man was as imposing as her grandfather at that moment, a mane of flashy red hair pulled back into a braid. She could still hear his booming voice. ¡°Boy ¡­ I¡¯ve waited a long time for this.¡± Hilbert¡¯s confused expression shifted between each of the E4 members that seemed somewhat confused about the action; Rhea doubted any of the current members knew what was going on since all of them had replaced the previous Old Guard, and many of those had been beaten by those before. Alder had stood in his spot for generations. ¡°Alder ¡­ what¡¯s going on?¡± Hilbert said, looking somewhat flustered by the News stations silently watching behind him. With a boisterous laugh, he said, ¡°Do you know why I¡¯ve stood at the peak of the Unova League for over seventy-two years as a recommendation?¡± All League members silently shook their heads, excluding Caitlin; it was far before their time, and none of the current could beat the giant. Of course, it was said if the psychic was a bit more proactive she¡¯d easily take the Champion seat herself, but it was only fan-speculation. Alder rubbed his chin with a large smirk, studying the blonde-haired girl before turning his passionate red eyes on Hilbert. ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s ¡®cause I¡¯m just that good, and I thought the little girlie and ya would have a good tug-o-war battle, but yer takin¡¯ too long, my boy. I¡¯ve found something special in a little person that¡¯s made me rethink everything.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ what are you getting at?¡± Grimsley asked, glancing at Caitlin. The girl whose blonde hair put both Rhea and her aunt¡¯s to shame responded with an amused tone, light blue eyes glowing with an inner light as usual. ¡°I wondered if this was a dream or reality.¡± The long, red-haired man just chuckled at her statement. ¡°I always liked you, Caitlin; if only ya¡¯d get off your tiny butt ta challenge me, then maybe you¡¯d be the one ta settle things.¡± Her smile fell a little with a long yawn. ¡°That ¡­ was not a comment I was looking forward to hearing. I¡¯m tired ¡­ can you hurry it up, Alder? Mallory¡¯s sister was just taking notes, probably for some kind of scene she¡¯d write later, and Marshal just wanted someone to get to the point. ¡°Alright, my little lass,¡± Alder pointed right at Hilbert and said, ¡°Hilbert, my boy, I bring a challenge of competence ta ya.¡± It was a stunning revelation; the challenge wasn¡¯t a typical request and could be issued at any time, but it was seen as very rude and disruptive, which was exactly what the former Champion wanted. ¡°I¡¯ll see ya at the Western Bronx Desert tonight!¡± He stated. ¡°After I win, I¡¯ll let ya know why I¡¯ve taken back the reins.¡± With that, he¡¯d left the News and League in shambles; Caitlin promptly went to bed so she¡¯d have enough energy to watch the fight unfold. It was incredibly embarrassing to Hilbert, and worse, Alder hadn¡¯t used his full strength to face him before. Hilda watched the battle, and parts of the southwestern desert rose out of the sea from the earth-based Moves the red-haired figure¡¯s Pok¨¦mon used. Hilbert gave a tough match, and he wouldn¡¯t have stood a chance when he¡¯d first faced the man, but even with the strength he¡¯d gained, he was forcefully removed as the Unova Champion. Alder appeared on all News stations with every E4 Active Member confirming the results; he was once again the Active Champion of Unova. Hilbert was forced to recover with his Pok¨¦mon after the match, which meant the Champion battle to face him would take place in turns. Hilda was a little intimidated by the show of hidden power the elderly man held, and Rhea could imagine it would be like her grandfather rising back up to test the new generation to see if they had the grit to handle the region¡¯s future. Hilda fought Alder¡¯s team two weeks later with the same results; even after witnessing the match between Hilbert and him, she still couldn¡¯t overcome his far greater experience and even more powerful Pok¨¦mon. That left him to deliver his last statement; he¡¯d soundly defeated the previous two Champions within two weeks of each other. Taking a deep breath, he smiled at the cameras and said. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna put any disrespect on yer former Champions, Unova. Hilbert and Hilda are phenomenal Trainers, and I think they¡¯ll go far, but ¡­ there¡¯s a hidden gem in this region that I haven¡¯t seen since Cynthia.¡± The name-drop had caused all ears to tune in. ¡°There¡¯s a rising generation of fine Trainers, but only a few reach that pinnacle, and I was lucky enough to watch her reach for the stars.¡± He came from the time of Rhea¡¯s grandparents, which was a time of many conflicts. Her aunt and grandparents knew something had been up when he stepped onto the League floor to reclaim his spot from Hilbert; most thought it was to humor an old man one last time, but that obviously wasn¡¯t the case. ¡°I¡¯ve met Hilbert and Hilda at their best, and they were unable to defeat me as I stand at the top. I issue a Champion¡¯s Challenge to one hidden gem that¡¯s been kept from me by the Dragon Community for years. Iris Monroe, show me how much you believe in your Pok¨¦mon because I believe you have what it takes to stand next to the likes of Legends.¡± Everyone was stunned. Iris, the Master-tier 18-year-old Trainer that occasionally stood in for High Master Drayden, Mayor of Opelucid City and Gym Leader of its gym? Rhea knew Iris¡¯ parents had died shortly after her birth, but little was known other than Drayden took her in as his granddaughter. Rhea had heard her grandfather rave about her talent, but that was the first time anyone had spoken about her being Legendary-tier, but apparently, Alder had gained the information that she had what it took if pushed by Cynthia herself. Many in the Dragon Community didn¡¯t think Iris was ready with her wild tactics and undisciplined Pok¨¦mon; she¡¯d been in a part of the region that allowed Trainers to bond at a young age since the Dragon Clans had their own sovereign territory. Iris couldn¡¯t really refuse the summons, and it was obvious that her fortitudes were extremely high by just looking at the girl; she looked to be in her very early to even pre-teens by her looks at the age of 18. The girl jumped at the opportunity to show her stuff, something the Dragon Elders believed required more Training, and apparently, adapted in the fight to outclass Alder¡¯s tactics that had blocked both previous Champions. Her primary team¡¯s hidden potential far outstripped the High Master-tier she¡¯d been stuck at by the Elders. Even more, her Pok¨¦mon grew mid-battle against Alder¡¯s Pok¨¦mon to stand victorious after a savage battle that left her Haxorus vs. his Volcarona, both nearly out of all energy. Iris came out on top. The new Champion had only grown since the encounter, putting Hilbert and Hilda in a frenzy to get stronger as they both bashed their head against the insanely powerful Dragon prodigy that was Iris; she was the ultimate boss they saw in front of them that blocked their path to advancing, but her grandfather didn¡¯t praise the savage Trainer for nothing. Her grandfather¡¯s stories returned with the thoughts; Iris had been told to harness, compress, and use caution with her innate power. Of course, that had never been in her grandfather¡¯s vocabulary, and the constant restraint was hurting her, in his opinion, because the elders were frightened of her potential. Iris¡¯ release from the Dragon Homeland had made her more than a little dangerous in battle, according to Hilbert¡¯s complaints, but it¡¯s that unreasonable, raw, passionate determination to win that Drake felt was needed for a Trainer to reach Legendary-tier. A confident, focused, strong-willed drive that fueled an inferno inside their core to succeed. It was a thrilling pulse that crossed into the borders of insanity. Iris was a whole lot more fun than Ethan or Gold, though, and she really liked the girl the handful of times she¡¯d met her since her ascension to the top of Unova. Of course, she¡¯d heard her battle attitude was something else entirely from her usual countenance. Reflecting on the incident with her Pok¨¦mon bubbling inside to push themselves harder made Rhea realize there might be something to the determination that fueled all high-tier Masters. Each of them took their own routes but eventually stopped at some point. Rhea had never thought about such an insane drive to win before bonding with her Pok¨¦mon, and maybe their intense emotions were affecting her, which could be a byproduct of the crazy amount of breeding and genetic manipulation that had been done to them. All in all, she was beginning to realize a growing passion in her that made her want to do better, not only for herself. Opening her eyes, she noticed Amira writing a message to someone. Figuring her parents would probably be arriving shortly, Rhea was a little surprised that they weren¡¯t actually drawing the attention she expected. The immense throng of busy people didn¡¯t have time for someone so low-tier as her, and Amira was probably a common sight around Viridian since she¡¯d grown up here. In fact, she wouldn¡¯t be surprised if they wanted to get away from them; too much attention could draw Giovanni¡¯s eye, and she was learning how protective the man was. Swiftly moving into a private message to her grandfather¡¯s phone, more than a few thoughts were bouncing around in her head, ideas that hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind until she¡¯d met her first friend and began pondering all the layers of hidden information she was privy to. 6:58 P.M. Rhea: Hey, Grandpa. Umm, I had a question! How trapped are people into their fortitudes and Pok¨¦mon? I¡¯ve been thinking about some friends I¡¯ve made and about Iris, Hilbert, and Hilda¡¯s whole thing. I know people get stronger if they¡¯re around powerful Pok¨¦mon, which is why Dragon Trainers, like you, are pretty strong, but how does it all work exactly? The response was swift and in the form of a phone call; she suspected he just wanted to hear her voice. Keeping it on voice only, she answered. ¡°My lil¡¯ Swwabbbluuu! Are ya gettin¡¯ in the gutter ¡®bout takin¡¯ trainin¡¯ seriously?¡± He asked in an enthusiastic tone. Her grandfather¡¯s unusual voice when he spoke to her had been funny since she was a child. ¡°I¡¯m thinking about it,¡± she chuckled. Nova and Mya swapped their attention to her as she spoke, and her two companions did the same. ¡°Mmh, okay ¡­ thinkin¡¯ ¡®bout Iris, too, huh? Hehe. The lil¡¯ dragon¡¯s a good one to model after, I tell ya; like a second granddaughter ta me! Hmm¡­¡± His tone took on a brooding tone as he pondered her question; if anyone knew, it would be him or her great-grandparents. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a lot in mi days; ya heard many of mi stories, but ¡­ it do be difficult for Trainers to rise past their limitations. We be born with talents, see, and Bianca be a blazin¡¯ star of em!¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Rhea nodded with a frown. ¡°Yeah, but she doesn¡¯t really take it seriously.¡± ¡°Aye, which is no big fuss!¡± He defended with a soft huff. ¡°She be doin¡¯ her own bits like mi girl Chrisi. Eh ¡­ it be possible, yes, but requires a great deal o¡¯ work. Red and the Yellow lass did a good ol¡¯ job eh provin¡¯ the likes. Lyra ¡­ ya know the lass; she be settin¡¯ her own pace, as well. ¡°There do be a point many Trainers just ¡­ feel like stoppin¡¯. Don¡¯t be askin¡¯ your dirty ol¡¯ gramps why people be feelin¡¯ the way,¡± he mumbled while scratching his head. ¡°... Oy, Fitz, pull her right, mi lad; we be headin¡¯ south!¡± ¡°Aye, aye, Captain!¡± A hail of voices rolled around the background with more shouts. Figuring her grandfather was back on his second love, his trusty old ship that he¡¯d built from scratch as a boy, she released a soft hum. ¡°It¡¯s possible, though?¡± ¡°Aye, it be possible,¡± he replied with a loud laugh, ¡°but ye gotta av¡¯ ah fine layer of blood pumpin¡¯ in yer veins; the past generations build on the next! At some point, every Trainer be haven¡¯ a family member that boosts ¡®em up, but if they be lazin¡¯ about, then it is what it is. Strap down, and buckle in! Pushin¡¯ be the best way, in the end; ain¡¯t that right, Fitz?¡± ¡°Aye, it be, Captain! To the south, men! To the south; put yer backs in it, ye Yampers!¡± ¡°Hehe, aye; if ya wanna get tougher, mi girl, then push harder. Innate talent and abilities be gettin¡¯ ya started, but yer effort is where the value rises! Be crazier than yer competition, and think outside the ship; ya think yer gran and I¡¯d be here taday if we¡¯d done whatever we¡¯re told?¡± Mya and Nova cheered at his response, feeling her grandfather¡¯s boisterous energy through the call. ¡°Not for a second, Grandpa,¡± she replied with a smile. ¡°Aye, we¡¯ll be leavin¡¯ port soon, mi Swablu; if ye got any more hooks on yer brain, then throw em at yer ol¡¯ seadog!¡± ¡°Thanks, Grandpa,¡± she giggled, cutting off the call to his raucous laughter. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She stared down at Nova, settling in by her side, and Mya by her heart within her pok¨¦ball. Tomorrow would be the day she¡¯d try to keep both out; she¡¯d made up her mind. Alright, well, girls, how would you two like it if we really got into training? Nova hopped up with an excited chirp, followed by Mya. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at her two waiting friends. Amira looked a bit happy, but Malory had a brooding expression on her normally cheerful face. ¡°Umm, what¡¯s up?¡± Rhea asked. Amira¡¯s left eye narrowed. ¡°What was all that about; setting up some plans?¡± ¡°Ah,¡± she nodded. ¡°Eh, yeah ¡­ I just thought it¡¯d be nice to see if my cousin-in-law could make some plans to meet up with my parents and us. Oh, and the last one was my grandpa,¡± she chuckled sheepishly. ¡°I just wanted to know if Sam and the others could get stronger or if all Trainers are stuck where they¡¯re at.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Amira¡¯s eyebrows drew together on the question, lips tucking to the side. ¡°I¡¯ve heard conflicting data, personally. Family lineage does play a role, but how much compared to effort is disputed.¡± Rhea noticed Mallory playing with her phone again, leaning back to allow the two to face each other without her chest, hair, or head blocking the view. ¡°Erm ¡­ yeah, he said talent gets you started, but effort is what will push you beyond, and genetics can be wasted.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Amira hummed, ¡°but I think there needs to be more study done. Fortitude investigations and cataloging have only really started being documented by companies and the League for the past ten years after the whole age thing was discovered. I¡¯m not saying he¡¯s wrong, but ¡­ how much can be attributed to effort has yet to be seen.¡± Rhea shrugged, happy with her grandfather¡¯s response; she took a picture with her team, Mallory giving a convincing fake smile before sending it to her friends. Adding a swift message on PikaBook, she sent it. 7:08 Rhea: Yo, we finished our daily battles; now chilling in Viridian! What¡¯s up with you guys? 7:09 Sam: Hey! We¡¯re still hiking; we promised our Pok¨¦mon we¡¯d make it to the middle point today, and we¡¯re doin¡¯ it! Umm ¡­ should be like another hour and a half of hiking, but then we make camp, eat, wash up, and the like. 7:09 Sam: Wait ¡­ this isn¡¯t a private message ¡­ ugh, I¡¯m so embarrassed! 7:09 Auntie Cynthia: Yo, girls! Hehe, no need to be embarrassed, sweetie. All girls sweat, but we still look fabulous while doing it! ;) 7:09 Bianca: Uh ¡­ Mom, I think we live in different worlds¡­ 7:09 Bianca: Oh, hey, Rhea! If you¡¯re in Viridian, then you can meet up with Hilbert! 7:10 Dad: Hey, we got a whole group goin¡¯! How¡¯s it happenin¡¯? Yeah, we got a bunch of stuff going on here in the city. Uh ¡­ where are you guys right now, Rhea? 7:10 Auntie Cynthia: Keith ¡­ that¡¯s not your good text voice. What¡¯s happening? 7:10 Dad: Text voice O_o what¡¯s that? 7:11 Grandma Glacia: Hmm ¡­ I agree. Have things turned out as we feared? 7:11 Auntie Cynthia: Appears so. 7:11 Bianca: ¡û Lost, please find. 7:11 Rhea: ¡û Lost, too, please find. 7:11 Sam: Uh ¡­ can I be lost? 7:11 Rhea: ^ Sam¡¯s lost, too! Find! 7:12 Dad: Well ¡­ yes, and no, Cindy. Not as bad, but bad. Rhea glanced up with a soft frown while watching Amira motion to them, apparently watching the text feed on her own device. She noticed a sleek car show up that fit five passengers. Releasing a short groan, she swapped back to her App after throwing on her backpack, reading the few messages she missed. 7:12 Auntie Cynthia: There¡¯s going to be trouble in Viridian, then. Plans? 7:12 Dad: Where are you right now, Rhea? 7:12 Rhea: You guys are taking too long >=( Amira¡¯s parents just showed up. 7:12 Dad: Good, stay with them tonight. We¡¯ll be by to pick you up for some fun tomorrow! Oh, Hilbert will be with us, too, Bianca! Well, I think he will? 7:13: Hilbert: Yup, I¡¯ll be there. Gold just filled me in ¡­ seems he¡¯ll be busy for another day or two. Mallory motioned to them as they moved to open the door. ¡°My dad just texted me some data; apparently, Skull¡¯s taking over Viridian if Plasma isn¡¯t thrown out.¡± ¡°What?¡± Amira seemed stunned at the news, fingers halting on the door. ¡°When did this happen?¡± Lori motioned for them to get in; Amira took the left door, Lori in the middle, and Rhea on the right. ¡°Hey, girls!¡± Lyra cheered, bending around to grin at them, but her smile fell a bit at Amira¡¯s scowl. ¡°Umm ¡­ oh, uh ¡­ what¡¯s up? Did I do something wrong?¡± She asked with a worried look at Silver. ¡°Oh, no, were we too late? There was a bit of traffic, and your grandfather called¡­¡± ¡°So ¡­ you do know about Skull threatening Viridian?¡± Amira asked, arms folded at her front. ¡°What¡¯s the deal?¡± Lyra made a forced oh face while chuckling. ¡°Well ¡­ it¡¯s a bit complicated. Your grandfather just had to take care of it; you know how these things can get.¡± ¡°It¡¯s only Skull, though,¡± Amira huffed, seemingly not happy about her home city being invaded. ¡°It could hurt a lot of small businesses that I like. What if they go wild and start burning things? They wouldn¡¯t, would they?¡± Rhea was a bit surprised at that direction. ¡°No need to worry!¡± Lyra reassured with a confident smile. ¡°Nothing bad is going to happen to Viridian.¡± Mallory spoke up, reading the data on her crazy looking App. ¡°It¡¯s about Lusamine, right? That one lady that helped seal the Ultra Wormholes and was absorbed by one of the creatures?¡± Silver spoke up from the driver¡¯s seat, gazing back at them through the rearview mirror. ¡°There was an attempt on her life, but as Lyra said, everything is being handled; there isn¡¯t anything that the three of you can do, and I¡¯m sure each of your parents would feel safer if you stayed with us tonight.¡± Lyra¡¯s brown eyes lit up at the fantasies rolling through her head. ¡°Oh, oh, like the times¡¯ Kris and I would spend time with each other; it¡¯ll be so much fun! Amira said some time at the spa ¡­ oh, and I¡¯ll cook dinner, we can watch some movies! Silver will be our serving boy!¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ I suppose I will,¡± Silver mumbled with a forced chuckle while pulling out into traffic. Rhea thought the experience could be kind of nice, but she could see why Amira was frustrated something terrible was happening to her city. ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± Amira sighed, scratching her collar bone, ¡°it wouldn¡¯t be that big of a deal if Grandpa was here, which means ¡­ there is a real threat something could happen, and the way you and Rhea¡¯s family are acting ¡­ you can¡¯t tell me it¡¯s not bad.¡± ¡°No ¡­ maybe not,¡± Lyra mumbled, ¡°but it will all work out! Your grandfather always finds a way to make things work in Viridian¡¯s favor, and there¡¯s a lot of people working with him. You don¡¯t need to worry.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t want to say it, but Amira didn¡¯t seem shy with her parents. ¡°So ¡­ shut-up and let the grown-ups handle it¡­¡± ¡°No, not like that,¡± Lyra said with a pout. ¡°We¡¯re gonna have a fun time! There¡¯s no reason to get all twisted over it.¡± ¡°... Ahem, Lyra¡­¡± Silver asked as beeping sounded from the front. ¡°Mmh?¡± She turned to her husband with a bright smile. ¡°Your seat belt.¡± ¡°Oh, right, right ¡­ blast, I never ride in these things,¡± she mumbled, fiddling with the straps.¡± Rhea spent a healthy part of an hour and a half at their family¡¯s private spa in Rocket Tower, where high-end staff nearby were on call. PikaSprings had been impressive, but this blew that out of the water. Lyra promised that they¡¯d go shopping tomorrow and would have loved to meet up with her parents for dinner; Rhea was interested in checking out some of the dresses Amira talked about. The Rocket girl was a bit preoccupied with the news when she turned it on, but her mother quickly redirected her attention; she was impressed by the new phone Rhea¡¯s mom gifted them. Once finished with the spa, they took the private tunnel under Rocket Tower to Lyra and Silver¡¯s personal residence just outside the city in Mintale Town. The area was relatively new property when they¡¯d bought it, which was all they could afford at the time since most of their money went into TMs, among many other Trainer cash sinks. It was a cozy three-bedroom house in the suburbs of Viridian, a bit to the northeast of Route 2, which was very modest for someone working as an Executive for Rocket, but much of their money went to other things since they weren¡¯t a very showy type of family, even Silver¡¯s car was company-owned. To the south was Cobalt Coast, running along the right side of Viridian Bay and Springleaf Fields north of Mintale. Lyra had way more things planned for them than they could possibly ever accomplish in the day Amira said they had her, which shared time with Rhea¡¯s parents. Lyra just invited herself to tomorrow¡¯s dinner with Rhea¡¯s parents, and once making it to their house, the woman made a delicious home-made meal. Rhea was a little surprised that Lyra brought down her own PJs for them to use, which the small woman had to go back a few times for with Mallory¡¯s much more shapely figure. Silver quickly ushered her back when she came running out with excitement about finding some old Rocket uniform. When he returned, his face was slightly flushed with Lyra teasing her husband about something. Popcorn and movies finished the night, and Rhea found the sleepover surprisingly therapeutic with her two Pok¨¦mon. Mya took over for Nova as the night was drawing to a close, much to the little Eevee¡¯s dislike; still, she stayed up longer than she was apparently supposed to with Mya¡¯s slight frustration that she wasn¡¯t conforming to the schedule, but she mediated, saying it was a special occasion. After a scary movie that had Amira surprisingly jumpy and embarrassed, they went to bed, sleeping on mats Lyra laid out for them on Amira¡¯s floor. ¡°Night, girls,¡± she cooed, turning off the light. ¡°Mom ¡­ I¡¯m not twelve,¡± Amira mumbled, snuggling further into bed with red cheeks. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ll always be my little girl!¡± She snickered. Mallory seemed to really enjoy being fussed over by the hyper-active woman, and they went to sleep after a short talk about how nice Amira¡¯s mother was. Amira went to bed with a low mumble, but Rhea suspected she was smiling with her back turned to them. ¡°Nice ¡­ she¡¯s smothering ¡­ I do love her, though¡­¡± Slowly they drifted off to sleep, hoping nothing bad would happen in the morning to disrupt their day. B1 — 20. Finding A Path Rhea released a low moan, stretching out underneath her covers. A soft yawn followed before she slowly rose from the extra cushioning Lyra had dug out of storage. She looked around the dark room; movement in the hallway had woken her up. A small glow underneath the doorway from the stairway light and brightening sky allowed just enough illumination to make out the figures around her. Mya had been awake through the night, keeping up with her nighttime watch routine she¡¯d worked out with Nova, but judging by the clock above her head on Amira¡¯s bedside table, she¡¯d slept in later than she expected; of course, she had gone to bed near midnight after the movie. Her Mawile gave her a smile and wave as Rhea squinted to pierce the darkness, and she returned the internal greeting; as normal, Mya was awake during the night to watch for threats. Nova was still fast asleep in her pok¨¦ball, but given another hour or two and she¡¯d be up. Amira was surprisingly still in bed, breathing softly at the edge of her mattress with the blankets pulled over her shoulders; Amber was resting near her feet, curled into a ball. Gables and Mallory were just as restless as Rhea had come to expect, sprawled out across their blankets. One of Lyra¡¯s largest shirts, which had probably belonged to Silver at some point, was pulled up to the purple-haired girl¡¯s stomach and her PJ legs were up to her knees. The shiny frog was draped across her side. Stretching out a bit more, Rhea heard a few cracks, and she folded back the blankets to get up, pointing to the door for Mya to follow. A small smile lifted her lips while glancing back to see Amira groan a little while adjusting her position; she¡¯d probably be waking up soon. It was currently 8:07 A.M., but Amira¡¯s blinds were more or less blankets draped across the windows, blocking out any hope for sunlight to make it through. Snatching her phone, Rhea carefully opened the door a crack and silently slid out of the room. There was the soft clatter of opening cupboards and moving pots downstairs. Ducking into the hallway bathroom real fast with Mya happily following alone, Rhea washed her face and brushed her teeth with the supplies she¡¯d left there the night before. Feeling a little more refreshed, she went to the stairs after a quick check of her face and bound hair. Lyra gave her a bright smile as she entered the kitchen; the woman still had her PJs and slippers on, but her brown hair was shaken out, falling below her shoulder-blades. ¡°Morning!¡± She chimed, pointing at the pan and cooking supplies. ¡°Just getting everything going. Hehe, the others still sleeping?¡± Rhea nodded, settling down at the island bar; Mya climbed up on the nearby stool, her second mouth falling back like hair. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m a little surprised Amira isn¡¯t up yet; we did go to bed kind of late, though. She¡¯s usually up around 5:30.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Lyra mused, cutting up vegetables, beating eggs, and getting things ready for what seemed breakfast tacos. ¡°Amira usually gets up around 8:30 on Saturdays. I tell her skipping out on sleep throughout the week and trying to make it up on weekends isn¡¯t good for her skin, but what can you do?¡± She chuckled. ¡°She¡¯s always been pretty independent.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea rested her elbows on the counter, steepling her fingers together to cradle under her chin, and the conversation she had with her grandfather popped into her mind while watching Lyra¡¯s massive 5¡±4 Azumarill make her way through the kitchen, busy straightening up the living room of the blankets and items that were left from the previous night. ¡°Umm, Lyra¡­¡± ¡°Mh-hmm?¡± The woman turned her happy brown eyes to her, knife pausing over the half-sliced vegetables on the cutting board. ¡°Umm ¡­ I was talking to my grandpa about how people can get stronger yesterday, and ¡­ how hard is it in your experience?¡± Lyra returned to her task, smile softening a bit while turning reminiscent. ¡°Hmm ¡­ that¡¯s a toughy, dear. Everyone¡¯s different. Although, I am one of those special few that came from a pretty generic background that made it to Champion-tier.¡± She paused for a moment, continuing to prepare their meal. ¡°Hmm ¡­ is there a particular answer you¡¯re looking for, or a reason for the question? I might be able to narrow it down if I know a bit more about why you¡¯re asking.¡± Rhea released a low sigh. ¡°Well ¡­ honestly, I guess it¡¯s kind of for two reasons. I have these friends that I met back in Pallet ¡­ you know how I¡¯ve never left the forest village I grew up in, right? I think you know about that.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Lyra responded, moving on to saut¨¦ing some of the items. ¡°I thought so ¡­ umm,¡± Rhea swallowed a little, feeling a bit embarrassed about how few friends she had, ¡°so, I have these new friends, and they¡¯re kind of ¡­ I feel bad saying it, but in the weaker area of Trainers with their fortitudes.¡± Lyra took a moment to scoop up the tops of the vegetables she wasn¡¯t going to use and handed them to Mya to snack on to her delight. ¡°It¡¯s not something to be ashamed of; everyone has different talents, but hard work can fix most problems.¡± Rhea unfolded her fingers, scratching her left temple. ¡°That¡¯s just it. The media always harps on how privileged Trainers are with strong parents ¡­ it¡¯s kind of accepted that if your parents aren¡¯t that strong, then you probably won¡¯t be. I just ¡­ don¡¯t want my friends to be so discouraged ¡­ maybe I¡¯m just reading too much into how they first reacted to me, though¡­¡± A light chuckle shook Lyra¡¯s thin frame as she turned to give her a smile. ¡°That¡¯s nice of you, thinking about your friends. Let me guess, they said something about you being related to Masters or something since you had two Pok¨¦mon?¡± Rhea nodded with a frown. ¡°They thought I¡¯d think they were weak, weird, and wouldn¡¯t want to hang around them ¡­ I mean, I understand why they¡¯d feel like I¡¯d be that way, and ¡­ I¡¯d be embarrassed, throwing up and being sick¡­¡± A reluctant smile lifted her lips. ¡°Uh ¡­ actually, I was kind of frustrated and mad at myself when Amira and Lori were having no problems walking for so long while I was getting tired ¡­ you know, after my fortitudes were drained after my Starter match. Maybe that¡¯s all just kind of getting to me, too.¡± Lyra gave a short hum at her response. ¡°I get that ¡­ well, Kris would more; she was always pushing to keep up with Ethan. We live in a harsh world, for sure, and society¡¯s always hit and miss. Hmm, it¡¯s a bit complicated all ¡®round, though. People will look for any reason to blame others for their own actions, but usually, everyone has some level of dirt on their hands. The only thing you can control is yourself, though, so that¡¯s the best place to start ¡­ we¡¯re not perfect,¡± she whispered. ¡°No,¡± her cheer returned, ¡°but it¡¯s sweet you want to see your friends do better. However, that¡¯s entirely up to them. Is it easy to get stronger? Absolutely not,¡± she giggled, ¡°if it were easy, everyone would do it. It¡¯s because it¡¯s difficult that there¡¯s so much focus on those that make it.¡± Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°I get that, but ¡­ how did you do it? I want to get stronger, too ¡­ I¡¯ve been feeling like I¡¯m not giving enough ¡­ I want to do better for my Pok¨¦mon.¡± Mya gave her a concerned frown, telling her that they were doing good; they hadn¡¯t lost once, but Rhea knew the world was far more complicated than her inexperienced Pok¨¦mon understood and knew they needed to get a lot stronger to reach the types of strength her Pok¨¦mon wished to achieve. Lyra¡¯s smile increased a little as she added the eggs to cook with the vegetables. ¡°Okay, but I don¡¯t know how much help my advice will be,¡± she giggled. ¡°I never really thought about any of that when I was on my journey ¡­ no, I had a lot of other things on my mind,¡± she mused. ¡°In fact, me getting stronger was just a natural part of what I wanted to do, and so it just kind of came naturally. I was around a good group that pushed me in different ways. Silver was ¡­ always so stubborn and shy,¡± she mumbled, shaking her head. ¡°Ethan was the exact opposite! Well ¡­ I mean, in some ways, Ethan was even more shy than Silver, but that¡¯s beside the point, hehe. ¡°No, Kris and Ethan ping-pong off each other well. He¡¯s always building her up, and she keeps him in line. Silver would always disappear to do his Rocket stuff, which got all of us in trouble,¡± she snickered, ¡°with the law and his dad. Life was really different back then ¡­ a lot less connected with technology and government restrictions.¡± She continued to cook the eggs as Rhea listened, trying to find a solution to the feelings in her heart. ¡°I had a goal, and being strong was required for me to achieve it ¡­ that¡¯s it. My Pok¨¦mon were really supportive, and we had a lot of fun. It wasn¡¯t all sunshine and rainbows, but the bad times are what make the good so ¡­ well, good,¡± she chuckled. ¡°So, in short, encourage your friends, and figure out what you want to do. Is there someone you want to beat?¡± Rhea slowly shook her head, resting her chin on the back of her fingers again as Lyra began putting the food inside the tortillas before moving on to fill up glasses of iapapa and mago berry juice. ¡°No ¡­ maybe that¡¯s the problem. Mya and Nova want to get strong, and I want to help them, but ¡­ do I really want to get strong?¡± The question confused Mya as she accepted the glass from Lyra. ¡°You never wanted to be Champion, right?¡± Rhea asked, hearing Amira¡¯s door open upstairs; she was moving to the bathroom with Mallory trudging along after her by the sounds of their mumbling voices. Lyra shook her head. ¡°Oh, no, no, not me,¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°Ethan¡¯s goal was always to be the strongest, which is how Red and he got into that huge rivalry. Kris wanted to keep up with Ethan to stay with him, and me ¡­ I was just along for the funsies at that point,¡± she muttered, reflecting on her past while finishing up the final preparations. ¡°Silver and I never wanted to have the Champion gig, and well, to be fair, neither did Kris or Ethan. Lance sure had his hands busy with so many Champion runaways! Hehe, aww, I feel kind of bad for the guy, but he finally got Chase to fill the spot ¡­ even if he¡¯s not quite as strong as Lance ¡­ our poor region,¡± she sighed. Rhea accepted the plate but waited for her teammates to come down to dig in. Instead, she focused on what she felt was an essential discussion in her life and was a little surprised it was with someone outside her family, but at the same time, she thought it couldn¡¯t come from someone within her network. ¡°I never really had much of a direction in my life ¡­ I always just kind of did what was expected of me ¡­ well, I did have a rebellious phase where I tried to run away once.¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°We¡¯ve all been there, dear.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Rhea mused with a doubtful smile, ¡°Amira seems like she¡¯s got everything planned out.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ there¡¯s some truth in that,¡± Lyra mumbled, leaning back against the counter to look up at the ceiling. ¡°Although ¡­ it¡¯s more like everyone had such hard expectations for her that she had to come up with them to just feel like she had some control ¡­ and the pressure wasn¡¯t from within the family.¡± Lyra¡¯s happy features fell a little at the conversation¡¯s direction. ¡°Amira has her own goals. If you¡¯re having trouble with yours, then maybe you should sit down with your Pok¨¦mon and talk it over with them. What is it you really want to do after your Bronze-tier journey?¡± It sounded like the two girls would be coming down soon, so Rhea moved to dismiss the conversation. ¡°Thanks, Lyra ¡­ I¡¯ll think about it and have a chat with them.¡± The brown-haired woman gave her an apologetic smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t be of more help.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, just talking helped me.¡± So ¡­ just encourage Sam and the gang ¡­ well, it¡¯ll be good to let them know they can reach as high as they want to push, but how do I bring that up? No, worry about that when it¡¯s the right time ¡­ do I really want to get strong? I want to help Mya and Nova, but unless I can put my heart in it, too, then ¡­ will it really be that productive? Her focus fell to her glass, brooding on the topic as her two teammates came in. Lori took the seat next to Mya as Gables hopped off to explore the house more. Amber moved to an angle where she could see Lyra and them as Amira sat next to Rhea. The purple-haired girl¡¯s eyes sparkled, accepting the utensils Lyra passed out. ¡°Thanks for breakfast!¡± ¡°Mmh, Mom,¡± Amira¡¯s full lips became a line while glancing back at the front room, ¡°is Dad working today?¡± Lyra¡¯s bright countenance was back in place within moments. ¡°Yup, it seems like Grandma¡¯s covering some of Grandpa¡¯s meetings, which means your dad has to fill in for your grandma¡¯s work.¡± Amira scratched her scalp with an annoyed expression. ¡°So ¡­ he¡¯s still dealing with the Skull stuff?¡± ¡°Nope!¡± Her mother went to the sink to wash her hands. ¡°From what I know, the Plasma protesters have all left the city to continue their efforts at the League ceremony. Skull is flooding the streets, but all they¡¯re really doing is hanging out and battling in the stadiums ¡­ I heard a ton have tried challenging your grandfather¡¯s Gym,¡± she giggled. Lori hummed, finishing one of the two tacos on her plate while messing with her holographic phone. The string of data she was cycling through was like an intricate spiderweb to Rhea. Once swallowing, Mallory pointed down at the text. ¡°Yeah ¡­ looks like your grandpa let it leak on the Dark Web that they were moving Zinzolin. Well, at least I expect he did if it got out,¡± she added with a laugh. ¡°I can¡¯t see the information being leaked if he didn¡¯t want it to.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ so, what¡¯s that mean for Grandpa; where is he?¡± Amira pushed, clearly concerned about the man. Lyra¡¯s head tilted to the side with a thoughtful expression. ¡°Where is your grandpa? I couldn¡¯t say. I¡¯m not involved in all that stuff. Nope! I get to sit home and spoil you girls all by myself, hehe!¡± The woman immediately rolled into her plans, her voice practically bubbling with excitement. ¡°We can all get ready; oh, by the way, our water heater wasn¡¯t designed for four women, so if you enjoy hot water, you better go first!¡± ¡°Me!¡± Lori piped up with a forced smile before frowning at a text that popped up on her device. ¡°Good, and then we can head into town to get you three some new traveling clothes; your grandpa insisted!¡± She added upon seeing Amira¡¯s frown. ¡°You know he wants to show off the new design machine the company¡¯s recently finished.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ fine,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with my dress, though.¡± ¡°I know; you¡¯re so cute!¡± Lyra squealed. ¡°You want to stop off at your old work, too, right, dear?¡± Amira nodded, settling in to start eating. ¡°That will be nice.¡± Mallory cleared her throat, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Hey, umm ¡­ so, my sister¡¯s plans fell through because of all the Skull stuff, and she¡¯s pretty upset. Can her team join us?¡± Lyra¡¯s lips pressed to the side with a low hum. ¡°I¡¯m not against it ¡­ but we kind of don¡¯t have room in my little five-seater. Unless¡­¡± Her brown eyes moved to her daughter. Amira finished her bite before releasing a reluctant sigh. ¡°I ¡­ I guess it¡¯s fine¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori asked, glancing between them; Rhea was still mostly reoccupied with her internal debate about her future. ¡°Oh, well,¡± Lyra folded her arms with a toothy smile, ¡°we could just use one of the Rocket limos Giovanni keeps on standby. Amira gets embarrassed by them.¡± ¡°Uh, well, why wouldn¡¯t I?¡± Amira huffed, cheeks darkening a little. ¡°They draw too much attention ¡­ and everyone thinks it¡¯s Grandpa.¡± Her scowl intensified. ¡°Every time you go into a place, they¡¯re asking if he¡¯s going to join.¡± ¡°True,¡± Lyra chuckled, ¡°but I think it¡¯s the only option we have unless we use public transportation.¡± ¡°... Yeah, we can go with the limo,¡± Amira mumbled, returning to her food. Rhea set down her glass; she¡¯d been absently sipping at it since the start of the conversation. ¡°Lyra¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± Everyone gave her their attention, including Mya, that had been focusing on her the entire time. ¡°I think I want to be a Trainer.¡± Amira and Lori¡¯s eyebrows rose as they looked at each other. ¡°Okay?¡± Amira mumbled. Lyra clapped her hands excitedly, though, drawing their eyes. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Rhea!¡± ¡°I mean ¡­ I don¡¯t know what kind of Trainer I want to be ¡­ but until I figure that out, I need to get stronger, which means I need to push myself harder.¡± Mallory smiled. ¡°Yeah, sounds good! What do ya got in mind?¡± ¡°For now ¡­ I need to practice having my two Pok¨¦mon out,¡± Rhea said, looking upstairs. ¡°I¡¯m feeling basically 100%, but I know we still need to be careful for several weeks.¡± Nova just woke up and asked if it was okay if she came out. Rhea let her know it should be fine to be out whenever she wanted from now on, and the excited Eevee swiftly exited her ball with a cheer. Lyra¡¯s left hand rose to her chin. ¡°Hmm ¡­ you know, I might have an idea, but I¡¯ll need to think about it a bit more.¡± Amira seemed somewhat reluctant about her mother¡¯s declaration, but things quickly moved beyond the point of questioning her mother. Lyra moved to the fridge and drank some kind of morning protein drink before heading upstairs with Lori to get ready since they were finished with their meal. Rhea silently ate with Amira, both checking their phones. The Rocket girl seemed to be focused on the News while Rhea went through the daily PikaBook posts, adding comments and chuckling at Jason¡¯s posts. Apparently, he¡¯d been the only one to fail the Kaz Gym¡¯s Bronze Challenge because the Riolu he went up against landed an insane High Jump Kick he wasn¡¯t expecting. He¡¯d even posted a frame-skip clip of it with some fun captions where Sunny, his Scorbunny, was caught off-guard; the end showed both Scorbunny and him lying side by side, knocked out together with the Riolu cheering in victory. They were taking it in good fun, but he¡¯d lost 750 Credits on the challenge, which was a blow. The message under the post read: There is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent! Words of encouragement and jokes were listed after by friends and family, so Rhea offered her own. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Great shots! They really caught your good side. Next time, let¡¯s see the opposite angle! Len¡¯s comment made her giggle. I guess you could say that kick had you flyin¡¯ at half-speed, my man! All good. Gonna be a star, man. Life¡¯s like a blur when you¡¯re working this hard to get what you deserve! She smiled while reading down the comments to her post last night. 10:11 P.M. Rhea: Just movie night with the girls and Amira¡¯s mom! She¡¯s super nice, and Silver¡¯s been running back and forth bringing us snacks. Oh, we¡¯re about to watch The Boy Who Saw Black! I¡¯m pretty sure a Gothitelle is in this one. 10:33 P.M. Dad: Oh, I heard that¡¯s a pretty spooky one! You always like the horrors, though. Tell me how it is! Maybe I¡¯ll get your mother to watch it with me, hehe, she always tries to scare me during them. Haha! 10:36 P.M. Great Grandma Carolina: (???)¥Î Ello, our little Swablu! Oh, (*/¦Ø£Ü*) *hides face* I no like scary shows! Glad you get some fun time with Lyra. I¡¯ve heard good things about the girl! <3 I love hearts! TY @Katelin 10:37 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Swwabbbluuu! I want to watch shows with you. D= Your grams never liked the whole movie scene. 10:37 P.M. Grandma Glacia: That¡¯s not true. I do enjoy watching The Frozen Princess. 10:38 P.M. Katelin: Nice, Rhea! Oh, The Frozen Princess! A classic for sure! 10:39 P.M. Great Grandma Carolina: Why haven¡¯t I seen it? ©c(¡ã©–¡ã)? 10:40 P.M. Grandma Glacia: Oh, that won¡¯t do, Carol. I¡¯ll send you a digital copy. 10:40 P.M. Great Grandma Carolina: ( : ? ? ? : ) Umm ¡­ I don¡¯t know how to do that RotumTube stuff. I¡¯ll have Cindy show me how when she stops by next ¡­ I don¡¯t like asking the younger scientists in the center. All this new technology stuff is so tricky¡­ and they change by the year. 10:41 P.M. Mom: Don¡¯t worry about it, Grandma, it can be challenging. 10:42 P.M. Great Grandma Carolina: (¡Á©n¡Á) I feel like you¡¯re making fun of me, Chrisi ¡­ I¡¯m old ¡­ when did I get so old? 10:40 P.M. Grandma Glacia: We all have our time. 10:41 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Not a chance! I ain¡¯t takin¡¯ a back seat! I¡¯m passin¡¯ anybody who thinks they can race! Life¡¯s a fight, and I¡¯ve won every battle! Muahaha! 10:42 P.M. Grandma Glacia: (??_-)¡î Which is why I married you, but I¡¯ll knock you out tomorrow night. 10:44 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Cold-blooded! It¡¯s a bet, woman! 10:44 P.M. Great Grandma Carolina: Oh, you two make me feel even older ¡­ (;;;*_*) give it another twenty years. Rhea, keep sending me pictures. I so enjoy seeing more of your smiling young face! 10:46 P.M. Len: Yeah, let¡¯s go, Drake; I know the drill! I ain¡¯t the first, with the curse, with the thirst, that I wanna be better, not worse, man, it hurts! Yeah, Rhea, and we be the rookies of the year, we keep it 100! No budgin¡¯, not runnin¡¯ from nothin¡¯, na, we ain¡¯t bluffin¡¯! 10:47 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Haha! That¡¯s the energy, mi boy! I¡¯ve seen a few of your posts with Jason; keep on the grind! 10:47 P.M. Jason: We on it! One step back, two forward! 10:47 P.M. Katelin: Bro! Ya never gonna catch up to me at that pace! At least four steps forward! ;P Yeah, tell me how it is, Rhea >.> maybe I¡¯ll get your brother to watch it with me so I can pretend to be scared. Hehe. Rhea was a little surprised at how little Katelin¡¯s comment annoyed her; in fact, she felt a bit amused at the idea. She¡¯d pretended to be frightened by Franky when she was little to get attention, and now that she had Pok¨¦mon of her own, she realized her dad must have easily realized her schemes but never turned her away or made her feel bad. Every moment she¡¯d fake cry to get in his arms, he¡¯d offer her nothing but tender loving care. Suddenly feeling her chest burn, she scrolled down the multitude of responses that went up and down in topics before posting at the end. 8:48 A.M. Rhea: Thanks, Dad. She knew he¡¯d be confused about the response but just giggled at the thought while turning off her messages. The rest of the morning preparation went by quickly, and sure enough, the warm water swiftly ran out once Rhea got in, but it was manageable. Amira seemed to prefer a cold shower. Getting dressed and ready in their everyday Training attire, Lyra seemed to have already arranged for the limo to pick them up because it was waiting outside by 9:21 A.M. The ride back into Viridian was unsurprisingly swift since the limo could bypass the checkpoints by simply using Rocket¡¯s private underground road. They met up with Casey, Inoa, and Ellie at a colossal 90-story building that acted as a somewhat middle of the road hotel. Upon seeing their ride, the Galaran and Alolan girls were wide-eyed, but Casey simply hopped in as if it were the most natural thing since her mother was quite the star and traveled in the vehicles regularly. The bluish-silver haired girl gave them a toothy grin while scooting further in to allow her teammates to join. ¡°Yo, Sis, what¡¯s up? Nice ride, and thanks for picking us up, Ms. Rocket.¡± ¡°Lyra¡¯s fine,¡± she replied with a light giggle. ¡°We¡¯re planning on getting custom dresses designed for your journey. Sound like a plan?¡± ¡°Score!¡± Casey cheered. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re game. Right, girls?¡± Ellie brushed her black bangs to the side, glancing down at her gym shorts and a sports workout shirt representing her grandfather¡¯s Gym. ¡°Eh ¡­ my usual get-up tends ta revolve around this. Aye, but a dress ain¡¯t bad.¡± Iona gave Lyra a pleasant smile, adjusting her exotic-styled shirt with flowers and palm trees. ¡°Alola. I¡¯m fine with whatever you have planned.¡± Rhea found their unique accents interesting and cute. Lyra pressed a button and told the driver to continue to their destination when everyone got settled in. ¡°If you don¡¯t want one, that¡¯s fine, but you can design them however you like.¡± She gave them a wink. ¡°Giovanni wanted to see how you¡¯d use it.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Casey¡¯s smile grew. ¡°I like a mystery! What¡¯s planned after a bit of shopping?¡± Rhea scooted over a bit as Amira spoke up; the red-haired girl was leaning against the right side of the vehicle, arms folded while absently glaring at the crowds of Skull members skulking the streets in packs up to ten. They didn¡¯t seem to be getting into much trouble from what Rhea had casually glanced through on the Viridian News networks, but that could change in an instant. ¡°We¡¯re going to stop by a pok¨¦ball cover shop and then grab out Protect TM. My mom has the plans after that.¡± ¡°Cool,¡± Casey said, turning her attention to Lori with a loud sigh as her fingers slid through her thick hair. ¡°Yo, Sis¡­¡± Mallory did a quick stretch, her chest pressing against her dress front as she released a short yawn. ¡°... Skull?¡± She asked, flicking away the tiny bit of liquid that gathered in the corner of her eyes. ¡°Skull!¡± Casey complained. ¡°We had the whole thing planned out, but they stole the whole spotlight. It¡¯s not even worth doing now¡­¡± Rhea was a little curious about what the girls had planned together, but it seemed she¡¯d be stuck in the dark for a bit longer with Lori¡¯s reply. ¡°Yeah, but we can still have fun with it tomorrow. We¡¯re planning to stay at least one more day.¡± Casey¡¯s lips bunched to the side. ¡°True ¡­ yeah, okay! Hehe, we¡¯ll get to have some fun yet!¡± Lyra seemed amused by the exchange, listening to each of their short conversations that went back and forth. Iona and Ellie seemed as confused about the plan as Rhea and Amira were. When they arrived at the clothing design location, it was not what Rhea expected. The limo dropped them off at the front of a skyscraper shaped into a double hemihelix-shape. Once inside, they were guided to the 24th floor, where a man was waiting in an office that looked like it was meant to see medical patients. A somewhat eccentric man with gray, purple, and red highlighted hair groomed into an extravagant manner explained to them the machine they were about to enter. Rhea¡¯s eyes wandered, studying the odd dress designs displayed and broken down into their separate pieces on the digital screens lining the hallways. ¡°Our machine at Designer-X2P uses exclusively customized Rocket software to measure every inch of your body to the micrometer to provide the best outfit to suit your unique body shape before randomly generating a style by the options you¡¯ve selected. ¡°The weaving device will then print the outfit in real-time with the desired material and quality the person wishes to use.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Iona¡¯s smile brightened. ¡°So, you can custom create Pok¨¦mon clothes with this, too?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± The man chimed with pride. ¡°It can even calculate growth if given the proper information.¡± Lyra was first into the waiting room, turning to address them. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry about cost; Giovanni only wanted to know what you thought of them once you try them on, and we¡¯ll be doing new swimwear and outfits. You can go with shorts, shirts, dresses, or anything of the type! Oh, and just like Amira¡¯s,¡± she pointed, making Amira hesitantly peel back the top of her triple-tier dress, ¡°it can be made to come apart to make it a shirt or dress.¡± ¡°Cool,¡± Casey mumbled, examining Amira¡¯s outfit with an impressed grin. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to try out this thing!¡± Inoa released a forced chuckle before leaning closer to Lyra to whisper. ¡°Umm ¡­ it¡¯s making a model of our bodies, right ¡­ will it be used for anything ¡­ else?¡± ¡°Oh, goodness, no!¡± Lyra laughed. ¡°Every person¡¯s data is confidential, and nothing will be used for any other purposes ¡­ maybe that¡¯ll happen at some point when it hits the mass market,¡± she mumbled, ¡°but at this stage, your data will be deleted once finished. Ah, and we¡¯ll be using the Trainer-quality material for durability and long-term use,¡± she added. After Casey, Rhea went second, which required her to go into a sealed-off room with a circular device like the scanning devices at the city gates, strip down, and allow the object to circle her while performing stretches. It was more than a little embarrassing and awkward, but she was alone during the process. Still, the fact she knew it was creating a digital avatar for her that would take into account her skin pigment, hair, and even her eye color to develop the outfit while measuring every fold and crease on her body made her self-conscious. In the end, she ended up going with something a bit similar to Amira since she really liked the customizable shirt to skirt feature, but the cuts were more vertical in design to add a bit of flair and lemony shaded to go with her hair. The added lace detail to the top section of the bust was impressive, folding around into a sleeveless style that allowed her the option of an overcoat if needed. The machine even created the second layer, yellow and coral bandeau top, tie-side bottoms, and legging/stockings that could be converted in a few ways. It was interesting to see how much could be customized, and Ellie managed to get her grandfather¡¯s Gym symbol printed across the back with his colors. It truly was a unique experience to work with the man as he helped them change tiny parts of the outfit; the model really was life-like, but thankfully, it had a default swimsuit for modesty. Once finished, it would fit like a glove, and had sections inside that could be adjusted to a degree in case of weight loss or gain. Considering the starting price was 10,000 Credits, Rhea hoped it would last a long time; Trainers needed quality goods since they had to travel. Once finished, they each chose a color scheme and style they enjoyed; Amira didn¡¯t change up much of hers. Rhea had never worn a bikini with such excellent support for her bust, and the texture was smooth as silk; if anything, that was the most significant takeaway and compliment given. They asked a somewhat annoyed looking Amira to give their thanks to her grandfather on their way out and went to the store she used to work at. Rhea was a little surprised by how small the place was, renting the most modest-sized store she¡¯d seen in the city thus far, and it was in the far back-right of a shopping complex that would be out of the way from most traffic. She eyed the strange attachments that could be added to a pok¨¦ball using a unique device the store owners had patented. It didn¡¯t seem to help, which made sense since most Trainers used the standard pok¨¦ball types to show-off their level of bond with their Pok¨¦mon. Certain brands of balls like Premier Balls were used for added effects, but all these attachments did was change the outward aesthetic of the device. This was the first time she¡¯d seen items to add custom effects other than the expensive Premier Ball, and the addition could prove popular for Contests, but currently, they didn¡¯t seem to have much publicity. She saw a sign over one of the more expensive areas that called them Seals. The comments she¡¯d received over the last bit did make her think, though; many people liked her Master Ball look, which was much more straightforward than the extravagant additions and paint that could be used to enhance or augment the appearance of your Pok¨¦mon¡¯s home. Pok¨¦balls were cherished treasures that linked you to your Pok¨¦mon, and most Trainers were very particular about that. Rhea guessed fear was partially the reason why people shied away from the elderly couple¡¯s shop; what if their device damaged their pok¨¦ball? The bond remained the same, even if going to a new device, but just transferring pok¨¦balls was a hassle and uncomfortable for the Pok¨¦mon and Trainer; it was a bit distressing to be separated after sharing such a personal bond. While browsing the shop, Lyra scooted closer to engage in a short conversation; her daughter seemed to be really close with the couple, seeing how they were doing and how many people came in within the few days she hadn¡¯t been around. ¡°Hmm ¡­ you might want to get one yourself. Master Balls are extremely rare and fairly unknown to the general public, but it will get you into some awkward conversations with Gym Masters or if you meet any along the road.¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t even thought about the idea. ¡°You¡¯re right ¡­ umm, but what should I make them look like?¡± Lyra gave her a cute smile, pointing at one of the more simple designs; Nova and Mya followed her direction with wide eyes, and Rhea felt their excitement grow. ¡°This is like a gift for your Pok¨¦mon! You¡¯re letting them decorate their home. You should let them choose, but if you want my opinion, wouldn¡¯t a black and white theme suit your two adorable girls? Oh, and maybe a pink indicator that shows their eyes?¡± Well, what do you two think? Rhea asked, walking over to the shelf with her two Pok¨¦mon. Nova¡¯s tail was wagging rapidly upon scanning the optional colors; the level of shininess, reflection, and hues was surprisingly vast. In the end, they both chose to be matching with a black outer shell, white trim, and pink inner core with the indicator. The layer was so thin that it wouldn¡¯t even change the size, but it would add a tiny bit of weight to them. It cost 250 Credits for each, which was actually pretty expensive; Lyra had a point, though, and it would change the conversation from Masters worrying about her to how her pok¨¦balls matched her Pok¨¦mon. Plus, Mya and Nova were thrilled to spend a bit of the money they¡¯d earned, which was how Rhea saw it; they were a partnership. That left them with 11,067 Credits. They had been keeping pretty positive over the last few days, but that was a big expense, and matches where people bet 500 Credits were few at their tier. Most bet 25 to 125; Trainers and Pok¨¦mon had to eat, too. Mya soon went to bed, returning to her newly themed pok¨¦ball to rest up for the night as they left the shop. It was nice seeing Amira in a brighter mood, but the rapping Skull members walking down the hall soured her mood a bit; they didn¡¯t appear to be doing anything wrong, but it was what their presence represented. A TM store was eleven floors up, so they continued up the nearest lift; as they entered the store, Lyra got a phone call. Lips falling a bit, she took out her old flip-phone and waved them off. ¡°You girls go ahead. I need to take this.¡± They entered the store with Casey, Lori, and Ellie, having a serious discussion about what might be the best TM to get after Protect. Inoa and Amira seemed more interested in Lyra¡¯s deepening frown as the Former Champion waited outside the store. Many people had waved at them throughout the day; it was only natural when people saw the bubbly bastion of energy that was Lyra, but her darkening expression stopped a few from approaching. Rhea couldn¡¯t hear what she was saying because of the noise the small crowds generated around her, but Nova could, and from what Rhea could tell from their bond, her little Eevee was confused and a bit worried at the news as she moved to talk to Amber, Gables, and Casey¡¯s group¡¯s Pok¨¦mon. The Fennekin, Eevee, Froakie, Ellie¡¯s Charmander, Inoa¡¯s Cyndaquil, and Casey¡¯s Mudkip all had brooding or confused expressions while discussing it. Knowing they¡¯d probably hear of the bad news when Lyra was finished, Rhea made her way to the front, where they apparently kept their League subsidized Protects for 500 credits. The other three girls were busy going over the insanely pricy TMs; Rhea grimaced, mind reminding her why her brother was usually pressed on credits when he could make thousands in a single battle. She focused on a section that showed Grass on it; there were only papers, showing which TMs they had in stock since everything was kept under lock and key in the back with hired protection since theft wasn¡¯t such a difficult thing for many Pok¨¦mon. Solar Beam ¡­ only 250,000 credits ¡­ on 30% off because of overstocking. Yeah, some of these things are just out of our price range. Thunder Punch ¡­ 200,000 credits. I¡¯m glad Mom bred the basic Fang-series into Mya; that¡¯s so much money, but they are costly and challenging to create ¡­ which makes their supply hard to come by ¡­ single-use, too. Knowing they might have to leave soon, depending on what changes came from Lyra¡¯s call, Rhea picked out two Protect TMs; there were only 18 left in stock within this store. The clerk took her 1,000 credits and went back to grab the items. Rhea frowned upon receiving the crystal-like disks that could fit in the palm of her hand; she could buy a protective Everstone-lined box to keep them safe for an extra 250 credits, but that wasn¡¯t necessary since she¡¯d be using them right away. Taking the user pamphlet off the counter¡¯s side, she noticed more than a few others reading the quick guide. Skimming the contents, it basically just said to have your Pok¨¦mon take the TM and accept the energy it contains; they will need to practice with the Move to get it down, but your Pok¨¦mon should understand with that simple of an instruction. Most of the pamphlet was warnings about one time use, among other things, like not testing it out in the shop and only using it in safe locations. Handing the two TMs to Nova and Mya, she watched as the disks released a faint glow, absorbing into her Pok¨¦mon. She felt a bit of a small shock pass through her connection, but it wasn¡¯t painful; Rhea could sense her Pok¨¦mon had increased their energy usage, which was something she hadn¡¯t considered before. Yes, a Pok¨¦mon was more versatile with multiple Moves, but that also caused stress on the Pok¨¦mon itself, which meant it lowered their potential offensive energy output in a minor way. Rhea suspected she only felt it because of the Master Ball¡¯s link and with how dependent her Pok¨¦mon were on her at this stage because they had multiple Abilities and a wide range of Moves. ¡°Hm¡­¡± How do you two feel? Rhea asked through their shared link, brow furrowing upon their responses. They seemed a tad conflicted after sensing her reaction to the addition. Well, Protect is something that we¡¯ll use often. It should allow you to run right at the opponent, Mya, and block a Move to keep attacking. It could also keep you from getting dirty. Rhea giggled at the joke, but Nova seemed to seriously consider the option. Oh, c¡¯mon! Nova. Rhea chuckled while ruffling her head as she squealed with delight. We gotta get dirty sometimes in battles. You might even look cuter if you get a bit of mud on you! It¡¯s all about how you play it. Nova¡¯s eyes grew as if she just said something divine, but Rhea¡¯s attention was drawn to Lyra as she entered the store. ¡°... Hey girls, uh, hehe, mind snatching your Protect and following me back to the limo; something¡¯s come up.¡± Amira was the first to question her mother, but Lyra simply hurried them back to the vehicle. Once inside and the door shut, she said, ¡°Rhea, I¡¯m afraid your mother was just on the phone ¡­ sadly, she won¡¯t be able to meet up with us, and neither will your father.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Rhea asked, feeling somewhat disappointed while pulling out her phone. Sure enough, an apology from her parents soon followed, but no details were given. Scratching the back of her head with a sigh, Lyra glanced out of the window. ¡°Do you know who Lusamine is? Well ¡­ she¡¯s just woken up, which could mean a lot of terrible things, or it could mean something wonderful ¡­ a family returning to normal, but in short, your parents would feel safer if I got you away from the city.¡± ¡°Is it really that bad?¡± Casey asked. Ellie hummed with a thoughtful expression. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about the whole Ultra War scrap the regions were in ¡­ Galar was dealin¡¯ with its own things, but uh ¡­ I heard that Lusamine lady was wrapped up in some shady business.¡± Rhea knew the story changed on the Master you asked, but it wasn¡¯t all that important at the moment. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯ve got friends that are on their way here ¡­ should I warn them?¡± ¡°What about the city?¡± Amira asked, arms tightening against her stomach as her feet pulled together. ¡°Sweetie,¡± Lyra chuckled, reaching over to take her daughter¡¯s knotted hands. ¡°There are a lot of Grandmasters, Champions, and the like gathered in Viridian right now. Other ¡­ issues might be in play that your grandfather discovered. There¡¯s just a lot of unknowns taking place right now; I sure all of your family members would be happy to distance yourself for a bit. At least until we have a better grasp on what¡¯s happening.¡± Lyra turned to Rhea with a small smile. ¡°Actually, this is perfect. Call your friends and let them know that Viridian is in a bit of a hot spot right now, and ask if they want to be a part of a little training trip I thought up?¡± ¡°Training trip?¡± They all asked, glancing at one another. The Former Champion¡¯s smile returned. ¡°Rhea said she wanted to get stronger, and each of you needs a decent second Pok¨¦mon. So ¡­ why don¡¯t I grab some of the extra Great Balls I have lying around the home, and I take you to a ¡­ well, a difficult place for you girls to handle, but it will be so worth it!¡± Seeing their reluctant looks, she quickly added, ¡°Oh, but of course, Unova¡¯s Former Champion, Hilbert, and I will be looking out for you ¡­ let¡¯s say, two girl teams? Your friends are girls, right, Rhea?¡± ¡°... Yeah, but ¡­ they¡­¡± Lyra swiftly nodded, pigtails bobbing at her shoulders. ¡°Mhm, mhm! Only if they want to join! We¡¯ll be going on the far northwestern side of Mt. Silver sierra, to the left edge of Viridian Forest, where there are currently nests of various Pok¨¦mon from different regions that have gathered.¡± Her excitement began to increase with her explanation. ¡°I found it recently while off exploring; it¡¯s roughly ¡­ oh, mid-Bronze to low-Silver, but the Pok¨¦mon are pretty phenomenal! What do you say?¡± She asked, but Rhea felt like it was more of a formality. Casey was quick to answer, though. ¡°Aww, this is Mukin¡¯ awesome! Yo, Lori, this¡¯ll be lit; what do ya think, you and me?¡± ¡°Sisters at it?¡± Mallory chuckled. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯ll be fun.¡± Rhea steeled her nerves. She wouldn¡¯t catch a Pok¨¦mon since her mother had everything planned, but she could help one of her friends. ¡°Umm, if we¡¯re going to do teams, then ¡­ can I be with one of my friends? Well, if they join.¡± Nova was practically bubbling with excitement, chirping with the other Pok¨¦mon that seemed to look at her as some kind of powerhouse; Rhea suspected she was bragging about her transformation ability. She just hoped they could get Protect down on this trip, and she started texting her friends before Lyra answered. ¡°Oh, of course!¡± ¡°Umm, Mom ¡­ I suppose I could help out the other one,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°I think they could use the help.¡± Iona lifted her hand a little with a sheepish smile. ¡°Umm, since there¡¯d be one odd-girl out, why don¡¯t Ellie and I take the extra.¡± ¡°Aye, that¡¯ll be good,¡± Ellie grinned. ¡°I helped mah da with the gals and lads that be lookin¡¯ fer help. It¡¯ll be good ta see where I be lackin¡¯!¡± Da ¡­ as, in dad? I don¡¯t understand half of what she says sometimes. ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea gave the girls a relieved smile. ¡°Their Pok¨¦mon are brave. They just need a little bit of support.¡± ¡°Say no more!¡± Ellie waved her hand before lifting her fist. ¡°I got yer friend¡¯s back!¡± Rhea returned the fist-bump, but a new worry started to float inside her chest ¡­ Intimidate. That concern increased when Lyra informed them that it would be an overnight event. Well ¡­ this will be interesting. B1 — 21. Training! 12:06 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Rhea called Sam while Lyra had the driver take Casey and her group back to their hotel to pick up their gear. They disappeared inside as the Former Champion answered a phone call from Hilbert; the conversation turned into a strange strategy discussion about Haxorus and Move combinations that Rhea had a hard time following. Lyra seemed to be going over some of Hilbert¡¯s concerns about the Pokemon. On the way back to Amira¡¯s house, the girls chatted amongst themselves while Lyra spoke to Hilbert over the phone. The teens¡¯ discussions revolved around their Pokemon for the most part but turned to which Type they might find around the Viridian Forest hills that would best fit their team, and which region might have the most representation. Casey and Inoa thought Alola might come out on top after the war since Kanto had received quite a few Trainers from those areas over the last several years, causing the occasional non-regional Pokemon to breed in the wild. On the other hand, Ellie noted that to an extent the same could be said about Galar and Unova. Rhea noticed a small smile on Lyra¡¯s cheeks as she absently watched them, keeping track of the conversations while going over complex strategies, environmental differences, and Pokemon choice against Iris¡¯s Dragon Pokemon with Hilbert. The exchange with Sam was a bit shorter than Rhea expected; when the brown-haired girl answered, the group was already on the road to Viridian. ¡°Hey, Rhea!¡± Sam¡¯s tone was a lot more relaxed and confident compared to the struggling undertone she had during their first day of hiking. ¡°We should be in Viridian by tonight. I think we¡¯re making pretty good time!¡± Rhea watched a group of Skull members mingling with the Viridian crowds while talking; she could tell the atmosphere of the city was a lot less casual workday and tenser by the expressions on the citizens¡¯ faces. ¡°Oh, nice! Umm, so ¡­ what would you say if we came and picked you guys up ¡­ you know, for a bit of a training day?¡± ¡°A training day? Uh ¡­ let me put you on speaker with everyone.¡± Sam mumbled. Hannah¡¯s voice was a little distant. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Gathering her words, Rhea sat back. ¡°Umm, yeah, so ¡­ have you heard about the Skull stuff?¡± She asked, fiddling with the hem of her dress¡¯s bottom-tier and adjusting the phone against her ear. Her gaze shifted to the bag holding her previous clothes by her side, wondering if she should change for the event. ¡°No?¡± Sam questioned, probably staring at her friends. ¡°I mean, we saw two groups of people wearing their merch coming into Xanadu when we were heading out, but other than that, we haven¡¯t checked out the News. Right?¡± Rhea barely caught Hannah¡¯s low hum with how far away she was from the mouthpiece. ¡°Yeah ¡­ uh, I haven¡¯t heard anything. Something bad happening?¡± ¡°Skull ¡­ that¡¯s the Alolan gang. Right?¡± Jade asked. ¡°They¡¯re primarily in Alola, yeah,¡± Hannah answered. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve seen a few gang members in Pallet, though.¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Sam commented. ¡°I didn¡¯t know about that.¡± Hannah¡¯s voice died down a bit. ¡°Well, they may just be teens that like the brand.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Jade paused. ¡°Uh ¡­ so, what¡¯s up with them Rhea?¡± ¡°Okay, well ¡­ there¡¯s some stuff going on in Viridian with Skull, and Lyra wanted to know if you ¡­ umm, well, we ¡­ including you, gah,¡± she giggled. ¡°Umm, yeah, she just wants to know if we are interested in this good Wild Pokemon spot she found. Not that I¡¯ll be catching any Pokemon since, you know, my mom has her thing, but the others are thinking about it.¡± Why am I so awkward?! Taking a deep breath, she tried to speed through the rest. ¡°She said you can catch pretty strong exotic Pokemon at our level there ¡­ so, yeah.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ wait. Lyra, as in, Champion Lyra?¡± Jade asked, tone spiking a bit. ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Oh, uh ¡­ mmh,¡± Jade trailed off, causing an uncomfortable silence as the three girls likely gave each other looks. ¡°Uh, you say at our level, but ¡­ are you sure we can handle it?¡± Jade finally asked with a forced laugh. ¡°I mean, you know we¡¯re not ¡­ ya know.¡± ¡°Umm, well, we¡¯re all splitting off into groups,¡± Rhea encouraged. ¡°I was thinking, uh¡­¡± She swiftly listed off random pairings. ¡°Let¡¯s see, me and Sam could go together, Hannah and Amira, Casey and Lori are kind of doing a sister thing, and Casey¡¯s teammates wanted to hang out with Jade!¡± Jade chuckled. ¡°The third wheel in the trio, huh?¡± ¡°No, well ¡­ I mean¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m kidding, I¡¯m kidding!¡± Jade laughed. ¡°Uh, I mean, yeah, it sounds like a good opportunity ¡­ what do you two think?¡± ¡°Me, with Amira?¡± Hannah asked, and if Rhea didn¡¯t know better, she¡¯d say the girl¡¯s tone rose a bit with a nervous pitch; she¡¯d noticed the girl seemed to admire the redhead, which might be because they had similar features, but she quickly dismissed the thought. Rhea glanced over at Amira; she appeared fairly distracted by the Skull members invading her city, glaring out of the tinted window at each one she spotted. ¡°Yeah. Is that okay?¡± ¡°Oh, no, no, of course, yeah!¡± Hannah quickly replied. ¡°Umm, I¡¯m game. You two?¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± Sam reluctantly replied before releasing a short sigh. ¡°I¡¯m just a little worried about bonding to a second Pokemon. I mean, not that I don¡¯t want to ¡­ we¡¯ve only been bonded for a few days to our first, though, and we got pretty sick¡­¡± Rhea mentally kicked herself. Why didn¡¯t I think of that! ¡°I ¡­ did I put you three on the spot?¡± She asked with a sad whisper, feeling like a social failure. ¡°I¡¯m sorry ¡­ I didn¡¯t want to make you feel pushed. I just¡­¡± Her mind blanked; she didn¡¯t know if she should say she was worried about their safety or not, and after a quick reflection, didn¡¯t the danger more correspond to their family connections, or at least, that¡¯s what Lyra had indicated. Sam swiftly dispelled the awkward silence. ¡°It¡¯s not that, Rhea! Heh, no, we, umm ¡­ we¡¯re just a little surprised. I mean, so basically, we don¡¯t have to catch anything, but there¡¯s that option. Right?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Jade returned with a happy tone. ¡°We have been talking about trying to push ourselves more, and our Pokemon want to, too. Who knows, we might even find our second Pokemon. We won¡¯t know unless we go.¡± Hannah agreed, and Sam jumped back in. ¡°Oh, so, when are you going to pick us up; should we keep walking or head to the road?¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze shifted to Lyra as she repeated the question, knowing her friends were trying to cover for her awful social skills. The brown-haired woman gave her a thoughtful look, dropping the phone to her collar bone for a moment to whisper. ¡°Hmm ¡­ within the hour; it¡¯s fine if they stay put.¡± She didn¡¯t know exactly how the Legend would accomplish that but didn¡¯t doubt the response. Relaying the message, the girls accepted the invitation and hung up to prepare. Lyra continued the strategy workshop with Hilbert on their journey; judging by the discussion Rhea could understand, they were talking about Hilbert¡¯s Pokemon positioning and Move countering. It took them forty minutes after her call with the girls for Casey¡¯s group to get their packs and make it back to Lyra¡¯s house; the Former Champions ended their call shortly before they arriving. Rhea, Amira, and Lori gathered their own items together, their Pokemon helping to make their beds, and met everyone inside the front room. Lyra gestured to a bunch of random goods on the table she¡¯d set out for them. ¡°Okay, these are some random stuff I¡¯ve kept around for a while that¡¯s just gathering dust, so don¡¯t worry about taking them. Eh, heh, Super Potions are just not helpful for my Pokemon,¡± she giggled. ¡°And I know some of it is old,¡± she hummed while studying a small bottle with a bit of dust on it, ¡°but it all should still work! We got Potions, Full Heals, and Great Balls. I¡¯ve divided them up between you all, so everyone should get an equal amount.¡± ¡°What about Hilbert?¡± Rhea asked, setting her pack in front of her as she settled on the couch; Nova jumped up to join her. ¡°Ah, he¡¯s preparing himself,¡± Lyra said, checking her purse for something. ¡°He wants me to give him a bit of advice to have a better chance at beating that Iris girl. Apparently, Ethan¡¯s preoccupied, so I¡¯m the next best option nearby,¡± she mused, seemingly satisfied with whatever was inside her small white bag before turning back to the supplies on the table. ¡°One Pidgey for two Geodude ¡­ you know, that¡¯s such a strange saying,¡± she hummed to herself, pigtails bobbing a little with a rueful shake of her head. ¡°How does that even work ¡­ Steel Wing, if its parent was a Skarmory or Fletchling? No, nevermind!¡± She smiled, taking out one of her Pokemon from her handbag. Rhea had to agree. She¡¯d heard people say it before, but had no clue where it came from; the meaning was fairly universally known, though. Amira sighed upon seeing it. ¡°Are we really doing that, Mom?¡± Everyone¡¯s focus bounced between the two as Lyra released her large Porygon-Z; the oddly shaped Pokemon released a cheery noise, breaking into parts to spin like a top, and all of their Pokemon stood straighter upon seeing it. Rhea centered on its ovoid head, sensing the aura of control inside the Champion-tier Pokemon; to her, it seemed the woman¡¯s Porygon was between Franky, at his strongest, and Lila, her aunt¡¯s Spiritomb, in terms of raw power, but it was far superior in control than both ghosts. ¡°Yup!¡± Lyra brightly replied, motioning for them to stand. ¡°Aww, if only I could travel like this all the time like in the old days,¡± she lamented. ¡°Sadly, there¡¯s so many new rules ¡­ I¡¯ve gotten in trouble a few times inside the city,¡± she commented with a frown, ¡°and it¡¯s not hard to trace back to me¡­¡± Still utterly confused about the exchange, everyone held their silence. Lyra gave a short start. ¡°Oh, but no worries; it¡¯s perfectly acceptable inside Mintale Town!¡± Before any of them could inquire further, an odd sensation filled Rhea¡¯s stomach as a bright rainbow light gathered around everybody present. Rhea blinked, and they were suddenly on a dirt road. Did ¡­ we just teleport? A few nearby hikers paused to ogle their magical appearance. However, moments later, a light pink glow surrounded the entire party, and their packs lifted with them into the air. ¡°Woah!¡± Casey mumbled, instinctively trying to adjust her balance by waving her hands a little with everyone else with the fear of falling. Only Lyra and Amira didn¡¯t seem affected by the sudden shift in gravity or change in scenery. ¡°Okay,¡± Lyra chimed as they flew into the sky at an accelerated pace; Rhea was shocked how audible her voice was as her Pokemon¡¯s psychic powers gave them a perfectly temperate environment while propelling them at a rocketing speed. ¡°They should probably be near the beginning of the trail. Right, Rhea?¡± ¡°Umm, yeah¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s throat was a bit hoarse; all of their dresses were being kept in a modest position, which was welcome. She¡¯d flown with Vilora before, although her father¡¯s Butterfree wasn¡¯t nearly as controlled or swift with its Moves. It felt like the Porygon-Z could fire Moves off without building energy at all, and entirely negated gravity, which was astonishing for even her. ¡°Alright, keep an eye out for your girlfriends,¡± Lyra prompted, casually studying the beautiful hilly landscape. A few of the girls whispered to one another about certain sights as Rhea scanned the road; they were zipping along the trail so fast that it was difficult to make out the stunned faces they passed, but she found them after a minute of travel. Rhea opened her mouth to stop them, but they¡¯d far outstripped the position, arriving back at the Nursery before she could fully explain; they were like bullets, zig-zagging along the path. However, upon mentioning roughly how far back it was, they were simply teleported to the location. Rhea had no clue how the Pokemon was so precise with its teleportation, but she could say the same about her father and aunt. Lori was the first to speak as they appeared beside a slack-jawed Sam, Hannah, and Jade. ¡°That ¡­ was awesome; yo, Cass, we need to get a psychic Pokemon!¡± ¡°It would make things easier,¡± Casey mused. ¡°Hmm ¡­ we¡¯ll have to look into it. You think there will be one we can catch?¡± ¡°Who knows, maybe,¡± Lori returned, rushing up with Lyra to greet Rhea¡¯s friends. ¡°Yo, what¡¯s up?¡± Lyra was right beside Lori, hugging the three confused girls without a care in the world while Rhea brought up the rear, still collecting herself. The others drew together to talk about the rare experience. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m Lyra, Amira¡¯s mom. So, you girls are friends of Rhea? Oh, you¡¯re all so pretty!¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ y-yeah,¡± Hannah stammered, catching sight of Amira¡¯s embarrassed smile and wave. ¡°Oh, umm, really? Hey, Amira ¡­ I, uh, I¡¯m looking forward to, ya know¡­¡± Amira put on her glasses and returned the gesture with a forced grin. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll have to see what Pokemon are around ¡­ sorry about my mom.¡± Lyra seemed selectively deaf to her daughter¡¯s comment, continuing to talk to Jade about how beautiful her blue hair was. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine! I was just ¡­ surprised,¡± Hannah mumbled, glancing back at the Former Champion. Rhea met up with Sam after Lyra released her, moving on to Jade; the brown-haired girl seemed to have entered a whirlwind. ¡°Heh ¡­ hey, Sam.¡± She caught Nova still glancing around, an exhilarated rush passing through their shared link; the event had really gotten her excited. It wasn¡¯t just her, all of the Pokemon surrounded the Porygon-Z. Sam¡¯s gaze moved from her Pokemon to Rhea. ¡°Hey, uh ¡­ Nova¡¯s out now? She¡¯s ¡­ just as pretty as I remember. Heh, umm, yeah, you just kind of took me by surprise. Eh,¡± she scratched her temple while turning back to Lyra. ¡°Uh, this isn¡¯t like ¡­ a normal day thing for you?¡± Rhea quickly shook her head, ponytail bobbing left and right. ¡°Absolutely not! Psychic flying was actually pretty rare back home ¡­ it¡¯s really difficult, actually, and takes a Pokemon a lot of control,¡± she mumbled. She trailed off as Lyra finished with Jade and ushered them to the side of the trail, but after seeing the small crowd they were gathering, the Porygon took them over the forest and into the sky again. Once no one could interrupt or listen in, Lyra chimed, ¡°Okay! Now that we¡¯re together, let¡¯s get some things straight.¡± They were kind of at the mercy of the woman¡¯s Pokemon, so everyone was all ears while floating over a hundred meters above the forest. Things had somewhat changed from the first experience, they now had a degree of movement, standing on an invisible psychic platform within a bubble the Porygon made, and Lyra motioned them to sit down on thin air. None of them dared try until Lyra demonstrated. Rhea¡¯s focus moved from their hovering packs to the brightening hilly environment around them as the group settled in for whatever the woman had planned. The sun was rising into the heavens at a steady pace and several dozen flying Pokemon could be seen from their vantage point; a few had Trainers on them. Only a certain degree of heat was allowed past the psychic barrier encompassing their party, and the very soft breeze that was permitted to filter through was pleasant on her skin. She¡¯d been surrounded by Master-tier and Grandmaster Trainers all of her life, but rarely seen anything close to the casual levels of control and power Lyra demonstrated within the past few minutes. Her aunt was an exception, but the Active Champion rarely managed to make it south a couple of times a year to see her. The Porygon was carrying several heavy packs, allowing ten people and their Pokemon the freedom of movement in mid-air, tempering the elements, and suppressing its strength to not harm Sam¡¯s group, all at the same time while making it look easy. Lyra gave them a sweet smile, adjusting her own dress front. ¡°I just wanted to have a little chat with you all while I had you! Oh ¡­ watching you just reminds me of my own Bronze Journey with Ethan, Silver, and Kris,¡± she cooed. Her gaze fell on Rhea with a wink. ¡°Why don¡¯t I give a little pep talk before you all dive headfirst into this training? I¡¯d like to set some things straight.¡± Amira folded her arms with a soft sigh, eyeing her mother behind rosy sunglasses, and everyone else soon put on their own. ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Mom?¡± Rhea was enjoying this side of her teammate; Amira had really shown more of her personality since arriving at Viridian. She loved her family, but as she said in the past, felt they were a bit smothering. ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked!¡± Lyra gestured at each girl. ¡°Silver and I stayed up for a bit after you all went to bed last night, reflecting ¡­ you know, old people stuff,¡± she giggled. ¡°And do you know what I discovered?¡± Rhea silently shook her head with a few others. ¡°Well ¡­ we always had each other,¡± her smile softened as she looked down at the valley. ¡°Every Champion and Legendary Trainer ¡­ every Master, for that matter, has always had their rival to keep them on their toes ¡­ pushing for something greater. We all had our goals, sure, but it was that bond that really kept us up when things were looking down ¡­ and they will.¡± Her brown eyes casually moved between targets. ¡°I came from a country-side ranch, south of Goldenrod City on Route 34 ¡­ oh, around ¡­ that general direction,¡± she pointed with a saddening smile. Rhea caught Amira rolling her eyes, but the girls grew more focused as her mother continued on. ¡°I was a country bumpkin-girl ¡­ a Greenfield¡¯s girl, and the daughter of some local Breeders, working on a ranch. I was the girl everyone thought was too hyper and annoying to be around. Can you believe it?¡± She paused, eyeing her Porygon-Z. ¡°My parents never made it past Bronze-tier ¡­ I¡¯m sure some of you know what that can be like, but that didn¡¯t make them any less great to me. Heh, this awesome little girl was a nobody,¡± she mumbled. A bitter look crossed her gaze. ¡°No ¡­ I was lonely,¡± she whispered, smile falling while staring down at the hills. ¡°... I¡¯m sure some of you feel that way sometimes. You know ¡­ there was one thing Silver told me that really helped build me up to who I am today. Hehe, he didn¡¯t even think it was that big of a deal, but ¡­ to me it was.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest burned a little as she reflected on her own lonely life; she hadn¡¯t expected the insanely powerful Trainer to open up to them like this. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. Sometimes her family would be away for weeks on missions or important business. She had Jason, and her brother was a big help during her younger years. However, when she was fourteen, he went off on his own journey, leaving her alone many days. It was a big blow to her, and her father¡¯s Pokemon would be around most of the time, but it wasn¡¯t the same. Lyra took a deep breath, fanning her face. ¡°Wow, umm ¡­ yeah, but I just want you all to know that it doesn¡¯t matter how strong you are ¡­ it really doesn¡¯t. Being a powerful Trainer won¡¯t make you happy in the end ¡­ not if you don¡¯t have someone to share it with, which is why rivals and friends are so important!¡± Her gaze shifted between them as she spoke. ¡°You have sisters, friends, and some of you might not have even known each other existed an hour ago, but I know each of you can do whatever you set your minds to. ¡°Don¡¯t worry if your family isn¡¯t famous and don¡¯t ever think you can¡¯t do something! Okay? It¡¯s not like everything will be easy, and everyone is on their own journey, but it¡¯s the bonds along the way that will make your brightest days, and keep you grounded through your darkest hour.¡± She let the statement hang with a fond expression, and after a deep breath, she pointed toward the towering figure of a mountain, far in the distance; the snowy peaks surrounding the region¡¯s crown jewel rose like a knife into the dark clouds that usually hung above it. ¡°We¡¯re going to the northeastern edge of one of the most difficult places in Johto and Kanto. There¡¯s a hidden pocket on the border of Mt. Silver¡¯s Sierra and Southeastern Viridian Forest, where Pokemon from many regions have been pushed over the years, squeezed together by the Kanto Wild Pokemon. ¡°There are a few low Silver-tier around the outer edges, but I¡¯m sure you can handle it together! As I said,¡± her gaze lingered on Rhea, ¡°it doesn¡¯t matter how strong you are by yourself, nor your family genetics; if you find a good person to connect to as a rival, then you can become a Master Trainer, no matter your lineage, I guarantee it as living proof. Now ¡­ are you girls ready?¡± Rhea was a little surprised to see Sam, Hannah, and Jade give a determined nod. The other girls offered confident responses, and Lyra¡¯s eyes beamed with pride. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m so looking forward to watching you!¡± Lyra squealed, digging around in her purse to hand Sam, Hannah, and Jade their Great Balls and healing items. ¡°Hilbert and I will keep an eye out, but don¡¯t let that make you feel safe,¡± she warned with a small smirk. ¡°This is meant to be tough! We won¡¯t swoop in unless we absolutely have to. Now, good luck!¡± Rhea blinked and her stomach tightened with the rapid teleportation; her environment changed. She was now in the middle of the woods with Sam, Hector, and Nova by her side. No one else was with them. ¡°Woah ¡­ she¡¯s so cool,¡± Sam mumbled with a grin, spinning around in a circle, and released a soft curse after letting her Great Ball slip through her fingers. ¡°So ¡­ Muk. Uh ¡­ are we at the spot?¡± * * * Hector, Sam¡¯s Pineco, spun in a slow circle with his Trainer, examining the space they¡¯d been transported to; he was more than a little overwhelmed by the whole encounter. He¡¯d never imagined Pokemon could be so powerful. He felt a bit nervous upon seeing the gorgeous white and black Eevee beside Rhea; she was smaller the last time he¡¯d seen her through Sam¡¯s eyes, but now the fluffy Pokemon was fully grown, and even more dazzling. Amber was just intimidating, and Mya looked ten times scarier; their attractive appearances only heightened the sensation that bubbled up within him. Why do these Trainers all have such attractive and strong Pokemon?! How can I make Sam look good ¡­ no, I can¡¯t embarrass her. He almost wanted to return to his pokeball to hide, but steeled his nerves, and tried to put on a cheery face. ¡°Uh ¡­ hi, I¡¯m Hector,¡± he offered, trying not to sound weird. Nova¡¯s light pink irises scanned the forest, sniffing the air for danger, and Hector chastised himself for not doing the same, quickly turning his focus away from the spotlight before him to mirror the Eevee. ¡°Hello,¡± Nova chirped, still eyeing all the Pokemon hiding in the brush or in the trees. ¡°I¡¯m Nova. I saw what you guys did; it was pretty brave, taking on all those Pokemon by yourselves. Mya was impressed.¡± Hector almost backed into his Trainer¡¯s leg when the girl smiled at him. ¡°T-Thanks, umm ¡­ so, I¡¯m kind of slow¡­¡± Nova darted to the right with a shining smile as Rhea pointed toward a clearing, barely visible to him through the woods at his height. ¡°C¡¯mon! Let¡¯s see what¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°Aye!¡± Hector glanced left, toward the loud shout; a few gray Bird-Type Pokemon were squaring off against hovering yellow bugs. ¡°You got three trees over here; this is ours!¡± The birds squawked. The insects didn¡¯t seem to be having it, threateningly moving around the upper branches. ¡°We need more room, and this tree¡¯s bigger!¡± ¡°Nice neighborhood,¡± Hector mumbled, following after the Eevee. Nova slowly came to a stop to give the posturing Pokemon a hard look. ¡°Hmm ¡­ what¡¯s a neighborhood, and how is this nice?¡± She gazed around the clearly hostile forest, pausing on several different types of Pokemon that were glaring at them from branches or bushes. ¡°What¡¯s nice about it?¡± He gave an internal sigh while following after Rhea and Sam, striving to think of an answer to give her; it was easy to forget that Nova was still a newborn. She had a pretty good grasp of human interactions, but that was easier since she was probably bonded since birth. Still, the power he sensed within her a moment ago was something else, and it was so sporadic; she radiated it and then suppressed it, seemingly without even being aware. ¡°Eh ¡­ it just means we¡¯re¡­¡± ¡°Hey, Hector, why are they so mad about where they put their nuts and berries?¡± Hector trailed off as Nova asked another question, utterly baffled by the horde of black Rattata and absurdly poofy Meowth that looked engaged in a territorial scuffle. In fact, the variety of Pokemon around them appeared so preoccupied with each other that they weren¡¯t even paying their Trainers any attention. Rhea and Sam were mumbling about how many diverse regional Pokemon were within the area while ducking under some low hanging branches. ¡°Umm, Wild Pokemon are pretty territorial.¡± ¡°... But why?¡± Nova mumbled, watching the fluffy Meowths with jagged teeth pounce on the Rattata gang. ¡°It¡¯s just a hole in a tree,¡± she mumbled as they hissed, clawed, and bit each other, dark and white energy flying around in a whirlwind. Sam ushered them away from the scuffle, and they made their way toward the meadow. ¡°It¡¯s about protecting their food supply and resting place.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ just bond with a human; Rhea feeds me,¡± Nova huffed. Hector didn¡¯t know how to response; she certainly had the mindstate of a Pokemon born in human society. He had to forage for food and defend his own piece of land for the last several months until Sam and her parents found him. He glanced up at his Trainer as she had an awkward conversation with Rhea about what kind of Pokemon would best pair up with him; she really admired Rhea, which was only natural to Hector. Rhea had to have incredible energy reserves to allow Mya to use so many Moves, and he wanted to do better, too. At the same time, he felt like there was something he was missing; Sam was inspired by Rhea and haunted by her at the same time. It was probably a humans thing he wasn¡¯t accustomed to yet. After they traveled to the edge of the meadow, the Wild Pokemon started to thin out, and the forest grew more peaceful. Nova appeared to be absolutely enthralled by the plethora of new scents, sights, and sensations that tickled her senses, rubbing up against wood, nuzzling flowers, and watching the various Pokemon gather to whisper about them. Nova could probably hear what they were saying with her big fluffy ears, but Hector¡¯s range was limited to a short distance. The alluring Eevee looked to be rather pleased with the conversations, continuing to experiment with her surroundings. He hovered a bit into the sky to get a better view; he could only hold himself up a small degree with his energy before falling back down to the earth to bounce into the air again, and it didn¡¯t function all if he met resistance, but it helped with movement. Hector noticed Sam staring at Rhea¡¯s strange phone device to study some kind of map. He felt kind of bad for leaving the perimeter defense to Nova since she was so young, but without a doubt, she could punt him out of the sky in terms of strength, and her sensory abilities were far superior. So, with little to do but ponder the Eevee¡¯s innocent questions and Sam¡¯s buried internal feelings, he watched his brown-eyed and haired Trainer. Since meeting her a few days ago, he¡¯d learned a few things about the girl; of course, he wanted to test the humans to see if it would be worth leaving his little piece of paradise in Pallet Forest. He¡¯d worked hard to staked out a small little area to himself, and Sam¡¯s parents quickly showed him that she came from good stock. Much like many of the Pokemon he¡¯d met, breeding really was important to keeping a territory through generations. From what he understood, Sam¡¯s parents came from a decent background, something humans called Silver-tier, but she hadn¡¯t let her friends know about their accomplishments. He¡¯d kept his mouth shut about it, but it didn¡¯t sit right with him. Her grandparents had even made it to the Silver Indigo League, and the few battles he¡¯d seen from Sam¡¯s phone were intense compared to what he was used to in the wild. However, her grandparents failed to qualify for Gold-tier three times, being booted out of the preliminaries, and eventually gave up on their last attempt. It wasn¡¯t something to be embarrassed about, considering the clips he¡¯d seen blew any match he¡¯d seen out of the water, including Mya¡¯s performance. Although, the pure domination the stunning Mawile showed made his heart pound. The thing he didn¡¯t understand was Sam¡¯s buried feelings; she wouldn¡¯t show them to her friends. His Trainer felt like there was something wrong with her after becoming sick from bonding with him. Hector heard about this human science stuff, but didn¡¯t quite understand why it made Sam depressed. Sure, the only battle they¡¯d won so far had been against Wild Pokemon, but the battles against Trainers were close; he was experiencing a much bigger world than the little plot of land he¡¯d been born to. The competition was far more fierce than he dreamed; it really was exciting. Zelri, Lyra¡¯s Porygon-Z, was the most godly Pokemon he¡¯d ever seen. Not only the power, but the control was something he never even considered possible. Nova was a Pokemon that could reach those heights, he was sure, and he wanted to try, but the emotions hiding inside Sam¡¯s heart kept troubling him when he thought about reaching higher. He didn¡¯t think she was a disappointment, not at all, and Sam had enough internal power to draw out his own strength. To him, they were a good match, but she doubted herself. Hannah was a bit shy about opening up, yet she had pushed forward with Jade to try and keep up with Rhea¡¯s group; Sam put on a face to not look vulnerable. The happy mask she used for others was like his Protect Move; he just didn¡¯t understand why she had to use it against people that were supposed to be her support, like his family. Hector moved his gaze to scan the large field the two girls were gazing over, pointing at several groups of various Pokemon; they appeared to be speaking more naturally to one another after the excitement settled down. Of course, he couldn¡¯t talk; he¡¯d always had trouble chatting to pretty Pokemon. Sam called him Bashful sometimes, but in an endearing way. Nova seemed too absorbed with cleaning her immaculate white and black fur to even notice him at this point, focus darting between several Bird-Type Pokemon from various regions to follow their conversation, high in the trees. He released a short internal sigh. This wasn¡¯t how he¡¯d hoped to spend his time with the powerful group his Trainer looked up to; he was all but invisible to the curious Eevee in a place teeming with new discoveries, yet Sam¡¯s heavy heart kept pulling him back to stare at her. How can I help you? ¡°Hmm? No, no, we¡¯re doing fine, Hector!¡± Sam encouraged, probably not really understanding his concern, and sure enough¡­ ¡°All the Pokemon around here are too busy with each other to pay passing Trainers any mind.¡± No ¡­ why do you feel like you¡¯re weak ¡­ I don¡¯t think you¡¯re weak. ¡°Oh! Is Nova kind of intimidating?¡± She asked, vision swiftly shifting to the Eevee with a short frown. ¡°She¡¯s being nice, right?¡± Sam ¡­ no, not Nova ¡­ I mean, yeah, she¡¯s great, I mean, intimidating, and beautiful, sure, but I¡¯m worried about you! ¡°Hehe, a bit conflicted? Yeah, I get that. She¡¯s really something.¡± Nevermind¡­ He hovered away a little, and Sam completely misunderstood his frustration, giggling about how the two of them just needed some time together. Hector¡¯s mind returned to the day he¡¯d met Sam; she should have returned home, but instead, she chose to hide out in the Pokemon Center. She explained why; Veronica, the next-door neighbor, was looking for teammates, and Sam¡¯s sister wanted them to pair up. Jade offering Sam the chance to join a team before Veronica could ask was like morning dew on his Trainer¡¯s tongue; they wouldn¡¯t judge her for being sick, unlike her haughty next-door neighbor. Sam¡¯s sister didn¡¯t even believe Sam was sick since their family had never experienced it before, which only made Sam bottle up her emotions more. There were so many new things he was learning about humans; they were far more complicated than he first thought. The biggest emotional shock Hector ever felt in his life was when Rhea offered to be her friend, and the pulse came from Sam, not his own emotions. The second was when Sam discovered Rhea¡¯s family tree. A close third was watching Rhea¡¯s battle on TV, but that was shared; Sam¡¯s muscles were as hard as steel while playing the match over several times. She kept asking him why Rhea wanted to be friends with them. It¡¯s not like he had answers, though. Apparently, Trainers with Master family members were very rare, and even knowing someone that had a distant relative that was a Master Trainer meant a lot to humans. He was beginning to understand the sentiment with Rhea¡¯s Pokemon, but Lyra¡¯s Porygon-Z was all but ethereal to him, untouchable, and evidently, that wasn¡¯t even the power cap. However, Lyra¡¯s words had sparked a bit of hope inside Sam, yet seeing so many different types of Pokemon was starting to allow the dread to return. His Trainer was terrified of getting sick again if she bonded to another Pokemon. Sam¡­ He turned around again as the pair started to drink water. I think you¡¯re strong enough. I believe in you! I just need to find another Pokemon that will believe in you, too! Sam blinked, and gave him a smile, showing her slightly crooked teeth. ¡°Oh, here, Hector!¡± She dumped a little of her water over his head. Not my point ¡­ but thank you. He mumbled, absorbing the liquid. Nova cheered as Rhea got down to pour a bit of her own water out for the Eevee to drink. Pokemon could go days without food, but whenever they did eat or drink it redoubled their healthy status. Although, it didn¡¯t have an effect on their internal energy unless they were at unhealthy levels, which required a week without any nourishment, and many Pokemon gained their nutriments from different methods. Hector ate by absorbing liquid since he didn¡¯t have a mouth; some of his family members would even explode their energy in the faces of Pokemon that disturbed them. It drained their whole defensive and offensive energy but was fairly effective when you had eight Pineco on the tree to defend the spot. Most Pokemon learned quickly not to disturb them, especially after a rainstorm when disrupting a Pineco¡¯s mealtime. He was happily waiting to gain the ability to explode; it should be available soon. Rhea put away her water bottle and put her backpack on, pointing at the field again. ¡°Think we should set up camp in the field? I think this is a good area to settle down and look for your Pokemon, and if any want to challenge us, then it¡¯s a decent open area.¡± Sam threw on her own pack with a grunt, hopping a little to the side while balancing herself. ¡°Sure! Umm ¡­ do you really think I can handle another one?¡± She asked with a forced smile, but her insides were squirming. ¡°Yeah!¡± Rhea replied. Hector roared his approval as loudly as possible through his private bond with Sam. You can do it; Rhea thinks so, too! Sam gave him a short chuckle. ¡°Thanks, Rhea, Hector ¡­ I¡¯m just a little nervous. I mean, there are so many competitive Pokemon here, and Lyra said they were above average.¡± Nova sat down beside him with a short huff, making Hector very slowly hover away. ¡°Meh, they don¡¯t seem all that tough compared to Alaric.¡± ¡°Alaric?¡± Hector asked. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Nova lifted up her front paw to frown at the bits of dirt that collected on it and began cleaning herself. ¡°Just this Glameow I beat the other day.¡± Hector had no idea what a Glameow was, but apparently, Nova had been through her own battles since they¡¯d last met. ¡°He was pretty strong?¡± ¡°I mean ¡­ I guess,¡± Nova mumbled, pink eyes wandering to the left; it was the first time he¡¯d seen the gorgeous Eevee sound a bit embarrassed. ¡°I was a bit surprised ¡­ at first. He did this Fake Out Move that I need to look out for; Rhea said she¡¯ll try to warn me sooner next time. ¡°... Oh, there was this really long fire Pokemon,¡± she pivoted to another topic, focus returning to him with a charming smile. ¡°He had this funny way of talking, and he rolled up into a ball!¡± ¡°Oh, wow. You¡¯ve been in a lot of battles?¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ like three ¡­ two more than Mya, and I¡¯ve won all of them. Everyone claps, but I don¡¯t like it when Pokemon spray mud at me.¡± Her face suddenly twisted with horror as she caught sight of the Pokemon across the field. ¡°What are they doing?! Hector, do you remember when you were traveling with us?¡± She asked, getting on all fours; her vision darted to a wet patch of mud that the field Pokemon dug up and were playing in. ¡°Uh ¡­ I think?¡± Hector¡¯s gaze moved between the two, noticing Rhea and Sam discussing the different Pokemon in sight, but he was too distracted by the energetic Eevee that appeared to be in shock at the Wild Pokemon¡¯s actions. ¡°What part of the day?¡± ¡°Look at them!¡± Nova gasped, the hair along her back rising in agitation; her demeanor seemed to draw Rhea¡¯s confused gaze. ¡°Remember when Amber was forced to go through that mud pit ¡­ I¡¯d return to my pokeball and wait for Rhea to go over it, but they¡¯re just jumping in it?! Are they crazy? You saw how hard it was for Amber to get her fur clean!¡± ¡°Fur clean ¡­ oh¡­¡± Hector had no clue why the pretty Eevee was so aghast at young Pokemon playing in the mud; there were a lot of Pokemon that enjoyed the mud. It was a good chance Nova was not one of those Pokemon. ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, some Pokemon actually live in the mud.¡± Nova gave him a glance that said he was insane. ¡°Why ¡­ would anyone want to live in ¡­ in such horrible stuff?¡± Right ¡­ she¡¯s still a kid, even if she looks fully grown. ¡°Oh, no,¡± Nova¡¯s ears fell back while gazing up at Rhea, ¡°we¡¯re planning on sleeping in a field where Pokemon live in mud¡­¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Hector chuckled, feeling a bit of his bashfulness lift from the strange conversation. ¡°I don¡¯t know if they live in mud, but they clearly enjoy it.¡± ¡°How ¡­ why?¡± Nova mumbled, reality crumbling before her eyes. ¡°Wait ¡­ was Kreemi a Pokemon that lived in mud ¡­ do Shellos live in mud? No wonder she was spraying the stuff everywhere!¡± Hector had lost all track of her babbling. ¡°I ¡­ can handle the Pokemon that are playing in the mud ¡­ if you want,¡± he mumbled. He shot back a few feet as Nova¡¯s expression brightened like the morning sun and she closed the distance between them in the blink of an eye. ¡°You¡¯d really do that for me?!¡± She asked, tears starting to gather in her big pink eyes. ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ I can do that.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± She squealed, head darting forward to nuzzle his cheek in her excitement. His body instantly transformed into red energy, causing Nova and Sam to jump in surprise; his pokeball activated with his reactionary retreat, energy beam meeting with the closed capsule. It opened upon connection and he hid inside his sanctuary, buried within Sam¡¯s spirit as his body burned with embarrassment. No, no, no, no, no¡­ ¡°Hector? Hector ¡­ oh, hehe ¡­ what did she do to you?¡± I can¡¯t ¡­ make it stop! ¡°Oh, Hector; you¡¯re so bashful! Did she tease you?¡± No ¡­ it¡¯s even worse; she has no idea! Nova slowly approached his pokeball with a confused look, glancing up at Sam¡¯s light giggles. ¡°Hector? Umm ¡­ did I do something wrong?¡± Ugh ¡­ I can¡¯t just let her be confused, but what do I tell her? It took everything within him to exit his protective capsule and face the concerned Eevee; her bewildered expression was the worst. ¡°Uh ¡­ no, no, you didn¡¯t umm, didn¡¯t do anything wrong¡­¡± ¡°Then ¡­ why did you run away?¡± Nova asked, ears falling back again as she stared at the ground, mind turning to find an answer. Hector closed his eyes, breathing in through his skin and slowly releasing it in a long stream while steeling himself for something he felt he¡¯d regret. ¡°You¡¯re ¡­ just too pretty to be rubbing up against male Pokemon like that ¡­ it¡¯s ¡­ it¡¯s just confusing.¡± Nova¡¯s expression went from confusion to a brilliant smile to a mystified tilt of her head. ¡°You ¡­ think I¡¯m pretty, but ¡­ that¡¯s a problem ¡­ why is being pretty a problem? I like being pretty¡­¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s not a problem,¡± Hector stammered, feeling a little frustrated as Sam whispered to Rhea and they both started giggling. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ kind of ¡­ what¡¯s the word ¡­ uh ¡­ awkward, no ¡­ umm ¡­ ticklish?¡± He blurted out in his desperation. ¡°Ticklish ¡­ oh,¡± her features brightened again, ears rising. ¡°I get that feeling, too! Yeah, when I rub up against something, sometimes it tickles. Okay, so you don¡¯t like that feeling?¡± ¡°I mean ¡­ sometimes,¡± he mumbled, trying to find a way out of the hole he¡¯d dug, and he noticed their interaction drawing a small crowd of amused Wild Pokemon, making his body burn hotter. ¡°Anyways, uh ¡­ yeah, if any Pokemon, you know, spray mud, then ¡­ yeah, I¡¯ll handle it.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she grinned, tail starting to wag again. ¡°I¡¯ll leave them to you!¡± Sam bent down to pick him up, chest quaking with laughter as she hugged him to her breasts. ¡°You¡¯re adorable!¡± Thanks for the help¡­ ¡°It was just so cute; oh, I wish I recorded it!¡± Record ¡­ hmm ¡­ I have a feeling I wouldn¡¯t like whatever that is. In the end, at least one good thing came out of embarrassing himself; Sam was in a happy mood again. They made their way into the field, catching the notice of all the Wild Pokemon that played in it. He quickly discerned their presence wasn¡¯t accepted as Nova and his Trainer put down their packs to start setting up their tents. ¡°Hey, what are you doing in our field?¡± A Pokemon playing in the mud asked, and he jogged over with a few others as the rest hid behind them. There were only three kinds of Pokemon that were in the field, and it appeared to be for a reason. Sam¡¯s tone became troubled upon seeing the advancing Pokemon. Hector breathed a short sigh as Nova squeaked while staring at their muddy figures and hid behind him. ¡°A swarm of Phanpy with a few Burmy and Dwebble. They don¡¯t seem all that weak, either.¡± The Phanpy appeared to be the dominant Pokemon in the field as one stepped forward, swinging his small trunk. ¡°I hope you¡¯re aware that this area is claimed by the great bright one!¡± ¡°We don¡¯t care about that,¡± Nova huffed from behind Hector. ¡°Rhea just wants to camp here, and Sam¡¯s looking for a strong Pokemon to join her team.¡± The Phanpy had a twinkle in his eyes as the throng began to mumble with small smirks. ¡°So, you wish to challenge the boss?!¡± Chants of a new victim passed through the dirty bunch, and Hector lowered his body to the ground a bit; it was difficult to hover above a foot, and climbing took some skill, but once lowered, he was stalwart. ¡°I issue the challenge. Where is your champion?¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re so cool,¡± Nova whispered, causing his nerves to shake a bit. ¡°Yeah, take out their leader!¡± Rhea leaned over to Sam, pitch rising. ¡°Hey, hey, look! A Shiny Phanpy ¡­ I think it¡¯s actually pretty strong compared to the rest, judging by its aura. Mmh ¡­ it looks like Hector wants to fight. I mean, we can, but ¡­ wait, Nova says Hector wants to do it alone?¡± The blonde-haired girl asked, ponytail bobbing to the side as she faced his Trainer. ¡°I ¡­ guess so,¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°Are you sure, Hector? If Rhea¡¯s saying it¡¯s strong ¡­ I mean, we¡¯ll probably have to play it super defensive.¡± Hector¡¯s eyes narrowed as the confident and chuckling Pokemon parted to allow a shimmering Phanpy to walk between them. She was beautiful, but in a different way than Nova; the long nose Pokemon had a much brighter skin-tone than the others surrounding it, trunk lifted proudly in the air as they cheered her arrival. The female Phanpy¡¯s voice was a bit deeper than Nova¡¯s, and her long black eyes shifted between them. ¡°Isn¡¯t this cute ¡­ is that your girl behind you; trying to protect her?¡± ¡°N-No ¡­ I mean, yes ¡­ I mean ¡­ she doesn¡¯t ¡­ ugh, are you this field¡¯s champion?¡± He asked. How much worse can this get¡­ ¡°Yeah,¡± Nova cheered, probably shooting a glare at the Wild Pokemon from behind Hector, ¡°he¡¯s going to toss you back into the mud!¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ I wasn¡¯t in the mud, Sparkles.¡± ¡°My name¡¯s not Sparkles, it¡¯s Nova!¡± ¡°Heh, it¡¯ll be Mud when I¡¯m done with you.¡± The blue-skinned Pokemon mused, puffing up her chest as the others snickered. ¡°Nu-uh ¡­ you won¡¯t get me muddy; Hector said he¡¯d beat-up anyone who tried to get me dirty!¡± ¡°I¡¯ma run ya both over in one Move, then toss ya inta the mud. Oh, and then I¡¯ll jump on ya!¡± She released a hot puff of air from her nose, kicking up grass and dirt to expose the dirt underneath. ¡°And I won¡¯t even use my biggest attack; you¡¯re both weak!¡± ¡°Hector,¡± Nova cried, quivering behind him. ¡°I don¡¯t want to have muddy fur¡­¡± Seeing the posturing Phanpy in front of him with Nova pleading for protection behind, Hector¡¯s turbulent emotions cooled, and he recalled all the battles he¡¯d gone through with his new friends; it was his time to show Sam she wasn¡¯t weak, that they were strong, and to make her confident in front of Rhea. Lowering himself even further to tank the agitated Phanpy¡¯s charge, his voice was resolute. ¡°Come. My body is ready.¡± B1 — 22. Now, Its Personal 9:00 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Hector prepared himself for the coming blow, pulling in Sam¡¯s offered energy at a slow rate; he could compensate any extra with his own once the Phanpy charged. Aggravatingly, she was still busy posturing, walking left and right as the other meadow Pokemon reacted with cheers and taunts. It was a common tactic Hector was accustomed to since he was born in the wild. Unbound Pokemon required more time to gather their power without the added support of their Trainer, and it allowed them to scope out their opponent to size up a promising attack or to judge when a decent point to retreat might be. A typical Wild Pokemon¡¯s approach to battles. The method was somewhat exasperating to Hector after experiencing just a fraction of what Sam called the Training Industrial Complex. He was in the kiddy zone of that human structure, and the speed at which those matches were carried out had his mind spinning, at first. A low sigh puffed out of his skin while slowly turning to follow the Phanpy¡¯s prance, back and forth she went, which allowed him to see Rhea, Sam, and Nova retreat several meters to not get caught in the crossfire. Nova joining them was a relief, just in case any Wild Pokemon took the opportunity to attack their Trainers while he was engaged, but he doubted the young Pokemon had thought about that possibility. Then again, he hadn¡¯t been the one scouting out the area when they were teleported in, but to be fair, it¡¯s not like he¡¯d ever been teleported before. He all but ignored the Phanpy and her followers¡¯ comments; the nice breeze rolling through the trees and field was far more appealing to snatch his attention, and the longer she stalled the more he regretted not being in a double battle with his friends. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Rhea¡¯s pulling up his data right now, give me a second. I¡¯m surprised he hasn¡¯t attacked yet.¡± She¡¯s a girl ¡­ yeah, I guess it¡¯s okay, but I¡¯ve gotten used to battles just starting off with a bang. Sometimes it sucks being a defensive type¡­ ¡°Oh, sweet. Lori just bought the team subscription package to Pokedex.mon ¡­ holy Miltank, there¡¯s so much information. Umm ¡­ sweet, he¡¯s neutral to Fighting-Type Moves; we¡¯re good! Just the normal strat.¡± Whenever she attacks¡­ Hector complained. ¡°We¡¯ll look out for what Moves ¡­ oh, it¡¯s a girl since she¡¯s got a slightly longer trunk ¡­ I¡¯ll keep you updated!¡± If Nova was actually serious about fighting instead of freaking out about the mud, he had no doubt she would have already jumped in to attack the Phanpy. Battle pace and momentum was something he¡¯d learned from human competitions, but he had to remind himself it was a different format. Wild Pokemon relied on humiliation and the threat of further damage after fainting to keep nearby competitors in-line; it was usually very effective inside Pallet Forest. Sam constantly feeding him supporting information and Rhea¡¯s back-up presence also helped to keep him calm. It was all on you in the wild, but he had a team now; these field Pokemon would scatter the moment their champion fell. Hector¡¯s focus sharpened as the Phanpy appeared to finish sizing him up. ¡°A stone wall, huh; too dum to speak, or are ya too scared?¡± Meh, it just wasn¡¯t worth responding in Hector¡¯s eyes; reflecting on how boring the Wild Pokemon battle scene had gotten was far more interesting. ¡°Oh, were you saying something?¡± Hector asked, causing Nova to snicker from beside Rhea¡¯s legs. The Phanpy flicked her trunk with an agitated huff, lowering her body to the ground and tucking into a ball to release a soft white light; the Long-Nosed Pokemon¡¯s skin showed a light layer of energy. Hector prepared himself for the attack, but Sam was quick on the explanation, easing his tension. ¡°Defense Curl. She¡¯s cautious, trying to set-up ¡­ we¡¯ll be able to do that later. Maybe we should get the Defense Curl TM if Wild Pokemon take this long to attack.¡± That¡¯d be nice. The Phanpy started to rotate side-to-side while chuckling to herself. ¡°I¡¯ll blow you right back into your precious Trainer¡¯s face!¡± Hector¡¯s eyes narrowed, more than ready for a counter strike. ¡°Just try it.¡± A whirlwind kicked up as her glowing white rotations increased, and she zig-zagged toward him, kicking up grass and dirt. Hector smiled on this inside; he¡¯d met many Pokemon that were confident in their physical strength, but that didn¡¯t matter much to him. She launched toward the Pineco, leaving a small dirt path along her trajectory, fueled by her fans¡¯ encouraging shouts. Hector simply ignored the debris she threw meters around herself. Red steam rose off his body, Sam in his mind, identifying the Phanpy¡¯s Move. Nova squeaked in panic from behind him as the Pokemon threw grass and mud in that direction, spinning like a top toward him, but he held his ground as the twirling Pokemon struck. He was a wall, instantly stopping her advance; the attack surprisingly cut his defensive energy by a little more than a quarter, but the greater damage she did, the more he returned. Here comes the boom! Hector absorbed the physical damage, funneling it into his counter; a frontal cone of crimson force shot out of his frame, sending the stunned Phanpy tumbling four meters across the grass and upturned top-soil. He lifted an eye at the cute cry she made upon getting struck, but it wasn¡¯t uncommon for Wild Pokemon to adopt a more frightening tone when facing a foe. Nova shouted for blood. ¡°Yeah, get her, Hector; smear mud in her face!¡± Oh, geez¡­ Hector chuckled. That¡¯s not that big of a deal to these Pokemon, Nova. A few of the Phanpy¡¯s followers cried out to the repelled field champion. ¡°Boss!¡± ¡°W-What happened?¡± ¡°Get up and fight, Boss!¡± ¡°Great Shiny One!¡± ¡°Repel the invaders!¡± Hector pushed forward on Sam¡¯s instruction to do a quick follow up, accepting her given energy while everyone shouted. He charged a cone of white power in front of him, punting the startled Phanpy back four more feet. She found purchase against the grass and flip upright before he could continue, so he bunkered down again, preparing another Counter. She wasn¡¯t smiling anymore, glaring hot enough to burn. ¡°W-What was that,¡± she growled; her voice was much cuter after dropping the pretense. ¡°I ¡­ how did you hit me so hard when ¡­ when you¡¯re so weak?¡± Her trunk flicked to the left and right. ¡°No, no, no, I can¡¯t be thrown back ¡­ I can¡¯t! I¡¯m strong!¡± Obviously, this Phanpy had little opposition in her part of the forest as her anger grew, and Hector¡¯s eyes shifted into a half-smile. ¡°I mean, it wasn¡¯t terrible, but I¡¯ve felt worse.¡± She glanced around with aggravation as a few of the Phanpy backed up further in fear. ¡°S-She¡¯s losing?¡± ¡°How¡¯s the Great Shiny One losing?¡± ¡°No, no, but ¡­ but she¡¯s not supposed to lose.¡± ¡°She said she doesn¡¯t lose¡­¡± The lost faith in her abilities caused her glare to double. ¡°No, I¡¯m not a loser! I¡¯m strong; you¡¯ll see! I¡¯ll show you my second strongest attack; just try to take it!¡± ¡°... I¡¯ve been waiting for a while,¡± Hector grumbled, casually turning to see what the others were doing in hopes it would further provoke her into speeding things up. Upon turning to check on Sam, Hector released a depressed sigh, which only proved to further annoy the Phanpy, thinking he was aiming the action at her, but that wasn¡¯t the case. Nova was hiding behind Rhea¡¯s legs; there were a few small clumps of grass and dirt around the two. A few seemed to have struck Sam and Rhea, but they didn¡¯t give any indication it upset them. C¡¯mon, Nova ¡­ she really is such a child. You really don¡¯t like getting dirty THAT much? ¡°Grrrgh!! Keep making fun of me after this!¡± His focus snapped back to his opponent; she¡¯d been charging up her famed attack for over forty seconds. A light pink glow gathered around the Phanpy, and she dashed forward, using her entire body in the attack. She smacked him with her trunk, slapping him with her ears, and finally head-butted his face. ¡°No way, Play Rough? This one¡¯s super strong, Hector!¡± He held his ground, but he hadn¡¯t felt consecutive heavy blows like this from even the Trainer-linked Pokemon he¡¯d faced. Hector held on, though, converting each strike to the retaliatory blast he¡¯d deliver. The pink light surrounding the Phanpy faded, chest heaving from the strain of channeling much of her offensive energy, but she only got two ragged pants, utterly shocked he was still standing. He¡¯d been pushed back a meter and was close to passing out, but this had to be it. A soft chuckle shook his frame as Sam cheered. ¡°Checkmate!¡± The Phanpy didn¡¯t even try to retreat, wide eyes giving him a mixture of emotion, and the hurt in her gaze wasn¡¯t from the attack she knew was coming; she was never supposed to lose. Hector¡¯s gathered force exploded through her, shattering the Phanpy¡¯s defensive barrier and chunking the secondary shell all Pokemon had to mitigate extra damage, protecting their physical bodies. Her limp frame was thrown two meters into the air and six back, bouncing across the grass to stop in an unmoving heap. All of the meadow Pokemon fled with panicked screams into the underbrush. A relieved sigh passed through Hector¡¯s skin; it was actually a really tough fight, one more attack, and he would have been knocked out. He felt the strength inside him increase, putting a smile on his eyes as a new Move opened up to him, Self-Destruct. Dad would be so proud! * * * A muffled groan passed through Phanpy¡¯s frame as she twitched, mind rousing. The small aches that burned her body were swiftly fading. Cracking open an eye, she saw the looming figure of a human kneeling close by, spraying some kind of liquid over her. It absorbed into her skin, and the damage she¡¯d taken in the fight started fading, her defensive shell returning. Why ¡­ how are they healing me? Is it ¡­ what if it¡¯s poison?! Struggling to her feet, she shook her head, trunk flopping left and right before seeing the two humans and Pokemon standing around her. She didn¡¯t know what kind of expression the humans made, but it wasn¡¯t hard to figure out from the Pokemon. The fluffy one was glaring at her suspiciously, vision shifting between the pool of mud at the edge of the field and her. The hard one gave her a bright smile. ¡°Welcome back,¡± he chimed. ¡°I¡¯m Hector, and I believe Nova introduced herself already.¡± Nova released a low growl. ¡°You don¡¯t ¡­ live in the mud ¡­ do you?¡± Phanpy¡¯s nose stiffened before raising threateningly, hopping back while returning Nova¡¯s throaty rumbles. ¡°W-What do you want ¡­ why did you ¡­ why¡¯d that human spray that stuff on me?!¡± The human gave her a short wave, speaking its general gibberish; in her entire seven months of life, she¡¯d never seen a human but had heard the stories from around the forest; these could be their females, but she wasn¡¯t sure. Many Pokemon said you could get powerful and live a comfortable life with them, but others were suspicious about those rumors, including her. There were terrible stories about humans that would hurt Pokemon, too. ¡°Why¡¯s it pointing at me; it¡¯s laughing at me, isn¡¯t it?!¡± ¡°No, no, no, she¡¯s really not,¡± Hector soothed, moving forward a little. It is a female human; they¡¯re supposed to be the worst! Phanpy jumped back again, glancing around. ¡°Where did ¡­ what did you do to all the others?!¡± Her body stiffened upon remembering one particular rumor a passing Beedrill told her once. ¡°Did ¡­ did they eat them?¡± Phanpy asked in horror. Hector looked at her in utter confusion, and Nova giggled. ¡°Hector, Hector! Is she stupid? Maybe all the mud got in her ears. Did she even hear what Sam said?¡± Phanpy¡¯s body heated with the insult. ¡°I¡¯m not stupid; you¡¯re stupid!¡± ¡°Huh? No, I¡¯m not; I¡¯m smart! I¡¯m not the one that doesn¡¯t understand human, stupid!¡± ¡°Nova¡­¡± Hector gave a depressed sigh, poky edges falling a little. ¡°I have a hard time understanding humans that aren¡¯t Sam ¡­ it¡¯s easier for Pokemon that are bonded from birth, and as far as I know, humans don¡¯t eat Pokemon.¡± ¡°No way?¡± Nova looked genuinely stunned. ¡°You don¡¯t even know what Rhea says?¡± Hector¡¯s body turned left and right. ¡°Nope, not most of it. A lot of what she says gets translated to me by Sam ¡­ well, sometimes,¡± he mumbled. The shift in tension baffled Phanpy, but the stinging in her chest increased as reality set in. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Does it even matter? The humans can heal Pokemon so fast ¡­ they even healed me. So ¡­ I just ¡­ no, it had to be a fluke. Her features set, scowling at the ridiculously attractive Pokemon he called Nova. ¡°You cheated! I ¡­ you must have helped him when it was supposed to be just the two of us!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Nova¡¯s ears flew into the air, head darting to Hector. ¡°What¡¯s she talking about? I didn¡¯t help you.¡± Hector released another low sigh, offering her an encouraging smile. ¡°Okay, so, let me break it down for you. Sam needs a new Pokemon; she¡¯s a super cool and good Trainer! I think you¡¯d be a good partner to join us; you are really strong. There¡¯s a lot of fun we could have, and there¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not stupid!¡± Phanpy snarled. Nova¡¯s head tilted to the side with a small smirk. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not! Okay? I¡¯ve heard about the whole human bonding thing ¡­ every Pokemon hears about it around the forest when they hatch, but ¡­ but¡­¡± She trailed off, vision dropping to the ground. The previous fight flashed through her mind, recalling the sounds of all the Pokemon that gathered around her over the last few months, cheering her strength. There was only one Pokemon she couldn¡¯t beat in her life, the only one that mattered, and she couldn¡¯t leave the field without overcoming that terror; just remembering the fight two months ago made a shiver run down her spine. Her focus moved to the meadow, stopping momentarily on each ripped up piece of grass, marked tree, and eventually settled on the collapsed trunk near the edge of the clearing. There were dozens of indentations along its entire length, each one showing the progress of her training. Anger and humiliation coursed through her chest upon remembering that bright sunny day, when a looming shadow stood on top of her drained and beaten body and forced her to say she was weak. He ruled the larger area now; everyone followed his rules, gathering weekly piles of berries for him and bringing heaps of small insects they¡¯d found in the dirt. A week, that was how long it took her to recover after the savage beating he¡¯d given her; she¡¯d passed out a few times, but he¡¯d kept attacking until she finally broke. A week of limping through the forest, scavenging for berries that would help treat her wounds, and worse, word had gotten around; everyone knew. It took almost two months to restore her image within the territories surrounding the meadow, but she still heard the occasional snicker from the Kakuna gang and the traveling Nidoran groups, but she couldn¡¯t do anything about them. Phanpy knew if she could just hit her nemesis once with her strongest attack, she¡¯d win, but it took too long, and he could somehow stop her quicker attacks. It had to be a fluke! The heat in Phanpy¡¯s gaze returned to Hector. ¡°... Take my biggest attack,¡± she growled. ¡°Everything I have, and ¡­ and I¡¯ll think about it, but I can¡¯t lose! I¡¯m not a loser!¡± Her voice cracked, struggling to keep in the tears threatening to leave her eyes. Hector hummed, floating a bit away to look up at his Trainer; Sam folded her arms, lips bunching to the side while staring at her. Accept the challenge! I¡¯ll show you both what I can really do! I¡¯m strong! I am! I have to be! My parents were strong; I have to be strong! I have to be¡­ He faced her again with a welcoming smile. ¡°Stronger than Play Rough, huh? Sam¡¯s impressed. Okay, uh ¡­ we¡¯ll give it a go, though. Just be prepared to be thrown back again.¡± She had no clue what Play Rough was but didn¡¯t care; they¡¯d taken the bait. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that,¡± Phanpy grinned as confidence filled her breast again. Phanpy kicked back more clumps of grass and dirt, gathering every ounce of energy she could muster. Hector lowered himself to the ground again, features set to tank her blow, but she knew this would be his doom. More than a minute passed as a dark brown field began rippling around her entire frame, strength surging through her whole body. It¡¯s impossible! No one can stop me when I¡¯m stampeding! She screamed, galloping at an accelerated rate as her speed increased, generating a wave of unstoppable force that would smash anything standing in her path. ¡°I¡¯ll blow you away!¡± Clumps of grass were kicked up as she rammed into the sturdy Pokemon, and she cheered as he was forced into the ground. Push! Harder! Harder! A red glow was filming off his body, and she glared into his serious red eyes; soil flew past her as she continued to drive him into the earth. One foot, three, and then she started losing momentum; his focused gaze was still centered on her. No ¡­ no, he¡¯s supposed to faint ¡­ why¡¯s he not fainting? He¡¯s not flying away!? Doubt flooded Phanpy¡¯s stunned brain as the colossal amount of offensive energy she¡¯d gathered started to dissipate, and she came to a stop. She lost. His defense was better than her attack. A flood of emotions cut their way to her very core while watching the crimson aura release from Hector¡¯s body. Her feet left the earth¡¯s firm embrace, stomach swirling while spinning through the air, but her mind was already frozen. She watched the ground come closer before bouncing across the dirt and grass to land on her side. Hector¡¯s confused tone pierced her heart like a Weedle¡¯s horn. ¡°Are you sure that¡¯s your strongest attack? Uh ¡­ Play Rough did way more damage.¡± Body quivering, throbbing heart burning a hole in her chest, the forest started to blur as she laid on the grass, unable to find the strength to stand. Is this a nightmare? A second time? It can¡¯t be real ¡­ I can¡¯t be vulnerable. No, no ¡­ am I weak? The pain gripping her chest was unbearable; tears clouded her vision, her world falling into pieces around her. * * * Hector frowned after receiving the proud Phanpy¡¯s most powerful Move; she wasn¡¯t getting up after his question, but she couldn¡¯t have passed out. The answer came from Sam as she went over the Move with Rhea. ¡°Wait ¡­ that was High Horsepower? Wow, that¡¯s ¡­ a REALLY strong attack, but you¡¯re resistant to Ground-Type Moves. So ¡­ really, she¡¯s just unlucky you went against her. Play Rough and High Horsepower? Wait, that was even STAB ¡­ holy Miltank ¡­ yeah, I don¡¯t know, Hector ¡­ she¡¯s just too powerful for me.¡± No! That¡¯s good that she¡¯s powerful. Hector encouraged, giving Sam a supportive nudge after dislodging himself from the dirt. I¡¯m sure we just need to be careful like Rhea; remember what she said about her own stuff? You told me she had to take it easy and build back up. We can do that! Nova caught his attention as Rhea and Sam talked to each other; it sounded like the blonde-haired Trainer was trying to talk her into giving it a shot. The Eevee¡¯s ears were pulled back with apprehension while staring at the Phanpy; the Lone-Nosed Pokemon hadn¡¯t gotten up yet after being sent six meters away. ¡°Umm, hey, Hector?¡± Nova whispered. ¡°Hmm?¡± Nova cautiously crept forward, tail low while circling the Phanpy. ¡°... She¡¯s crying. Are you okay? Hey, why are you crying?¡± Hector¡¯s eyes pulled together. ¡°Huh?¡± He hopped over with short hovering bursts; their Trainers seemed to have noticed something was happening because they soon followed. The Phanpy didn¡¯t respond; it was like she couldn¡¯t even hear them. ¡°Hey¡­¡± Nova mumbled, jumping forward to nuzzle her cheeks. ¡°Does something in your heart hurt? I¡¯ve only seen Rhea cry when she was really sad, but only a little. Why are you sad? I don¡¯t like how it feels when Rhea¡¯s sad.¡± The Phanpy sniffed, pushing Nova away with her trunk. ¡°... Stop ¡­ how could this happen to me? I practiced every day ¡­ I wasn¡¯t supposed to lose ever again. Why am I lying on the ground again ¡­ it hurts ¡­ it hurts so much¡­¡± ¡°... Losing isn¡¯t that bad,¡± Hector mumbled, confused by how dramatic the Phanpy was being. Her body tensed as if he¡¯d struck her. ¡°What do you know?!¡± She shouted, tears doubling as she jumped to her feet and smacked him with her trunk, but there wasn¡¯t any energy behind it, so it didn¡¯t cause damage; he backed up a bit anyway to give her space. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to help,¡± Nova mumbled, ears lying back while glancing between Rhea and the teary Phanpy. ¡°Why does it hurt? Rhea¡¯s worried, too.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need your help¡­¡± She took a step forward but tripped, falling on her trunk. Her lips pulled together as her frame quaked again, and after a moment, she screamed. ¡°I¡¯m not weak ¡­ I can¡¯t be weak? She¡¯ll never come back if I¡¯m not strong¡­¡± Hector slowly approached her again, voice softening. ¡°Who won¡¯t come back?¡± She tried to stifle her tears again, but her mouth quivered; it took a minute for the Phanpy to calm down, and Sam sat down next to her with Rhea, stroking her side comfortingly. ¡°... I just needed to beat him¡­¡± ¡°Who?¡± Nova asked, lying on her belly in front of the Phanpy. ¡°I¡¯ll beat him up for you. I don¡¯t like tears ¡­ it makes me wanna cry,¡± she sniffed, trying to hold back her own from leaking out. ¡°Did he jump on you in the mud?¡± Hector settled in beside her as she slowly opened up to Nova¡¯s own tears, and he started feeling attacked himself while listening to the savage beating the Phanpy took. A Nidorino recently evolved and took over the area shortly after her birth six months ago. He¡¯d beat Phanpy¡¯s mother, which used to run the territory; her mother had a reasonably good family line, considering her daughter¡¯s own strength. Her mother had initially lived on a big island but decided to explore a different area by hitching a ride on human boats, eventually arriving in Kanto. It was a fierce battle, but ultimately, the Nidorino forced her to pass out and didn¡¯t stop there. After continuing to beat her, much like the Phanpy¡¯s daughter months later, he¡¯d forced her to leave. However, he refused to let her daughter join the exiled mother, using her as a shiny trophy that he could remember the victory. Phanpy had been trying to get strong enough to beat him ever since, but she didn¡¯t even know if her mother was alive after the extensive damage she¡¯d taken. Sam grew concerned when she showed them the direction the Nidorino drove her toward, Mt. Silver. It was a bit difficult to relay the whole story to their Trainers, but Nova was shockingly better at articulating her words through her bond to Rhea. The entire story was told within an hour. ¡°If she went there ¡­ that¡¯s so sad.¡± We need to avenge her! Hector fumed. In Pallet Forest, something like this wouldn¡¯t have happened; everyone lived by a pretty moral code. This Nidorino was scum. Nova nuzzled the crying Phanpy to comfort her. ¡°... Mya woke up, and she wants to beat him up for you, too; oh, Rhea has an idea!¡± ¡°... What?¡± Phanpy mumbled, now allowing Sam to hold her; Sam¡¯s gentle hands seemed to calm the heartbroken Pokemon. ¡°Okay,¡± Nova¡¯s brow set with a confident smile. ¡°You bond with Sam, and she¡¯ll help you fight this Nidorino guy. Mya will draw him here and help you beat him up! She says she¡¯s gonna chew him up into little bites!¡± ¡°Why would you help me?¡± She whispered, trying to restrain the emotion in her voice. Nova smiled at her, tail wagging. ¡°Because you were crying, and I started to cry,¡± her voice cracked a bit, ¡°when I listened to ¡­ to what he did to you. He¡¯s mean ¡­ really mean, and I want to scream at him and beat him up too, humph, but ¡­ but it¡¯ll probably be Mya¡¯s turn when we¡¯re ready,¡± she mumbled with disappointment. Phanpy took a deep breath and got up, giving them a thankful smile. ¡°Okay ¡­ what do I need to do? I¡¯ve heard stories, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Hector couldn¡¯t bring himself to tell her about what might have happened to her mother; they should probably handle the first hurdle. ¡°Why don¡¯t you join Sam and me? She¡¯ll give you a fun name, and we¡¯ll be friends!¡± She seemed reluctant but eventually nodded. ¡°If ¡­ if we beat up that Nidorino ¡­ I¡¯ll do anything.¡± Sam appeared just as hesitant as the Phanpy while taking out the Great Ball Lyra gave her. ¡°Well, Hector ¡­ I¡¯m scared. I have to help her, though ¡­ there¡¯s just no way I can¡¯t. Umm ¡­ well, you¡¯ll have to be in your pokeball a lot more while I get used to it. There¡¯s just no way I can have you both out, sorry ¡­ Rhea was the one that told me that.¡± That¡¯s fine; let¡¯s do this! She¡¯s a great fit for our team. * * * Sam took a deep breath while activating the pokeball; Hector returned on his own, the item expanding and dropping off her belt. She plucked at the hem of her tight brown shorts with a nervous chuckle. ¡°Well, what are we going to name you?¡± She set the ball down, and Phanpy cautiously pressed her head against it; her body transformed into red energy before vanishing into the capsule, bonding with Sam¡¯s soul. The tightness that gripped Sam¡¯s chest hurt for a moment as the Phanpy curiously explored the new link they now shared; it felt like something invisible inside her core was being stretched out. Rhea leaned forward as Sam pressed her fingers against her chest. ¡°Hey, are you okay?¡± ¡°Hehe, yeah, yeah, uh ¡­ it¡¯s just kind of¡­¡± ¡°Tight?¡± Rhea asked with a forced smile. ¡°That¡¯s the word ¡­ eh ¡­ wow, it kind of feels like ¡­ I don¡¯t know, heartburn or something? It¡¯s different from what it was like with Hector ¡­ worse in some areas and better in others. Umm,¡± saliva gathered in her mouth, and she forced it down, ¡°should I ¡­ let her out? Oh ¡­ she¡¯s worried about me ¡­ that¡¯s so cute,¡± she smiled. Rhea¡¯s lips tightened. ¡°Uh ¡­ why don¡¯t we wait a bit. Let yourself get used to it. You might feel a little sore; I did. I had to take a bunch of antibiotics after Mya¡¯s fight ¡­ eh, but things are doing a lot better now, and that was kind of different ¡­ gah, I¡¯m rambling,¡± she chuckled, scratching her temple. ¡°Just give it a bit of time for you both to settle in.¡± ¡°Yeah, that sounds good.¡± The pressure was easing at a prolonged rate, but at least the tightness squeezing her heart was noticeably fading. ¡°Oh,¡± Rhea folded her arms while staring at her black and white Eevee, ¡°Nova¡¯s excited to know what her name is.¡± ¡°Umm, how¡¯s ¡­ Tera; do you like it?¡± A smile brightened Sam¡¯s cheeks as Tera accepted the new name. ¡°She likes it.¡± Nova gave a happy chirp, and Tera responded; Hector began to talk to her, explaining the ropes. Rhea and Sam spent the next little bit setting up camp and preparing Tera; they went over all the possible Moves Phanpy could learn with the help of Mallory¡¯s account at Pokedex.mon, building a list of all the Moves she knew. Sam was stunned at the gains she¡¯d just made; Hector learned Self-Destruct, and everything Tera knew put her on a whole new level than she ever expected to be. Tears started gathering in her eyes as she looked down at all the Moves her small team could use. ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ not getting sick ¡­ not like I did before.¡± Rhea reached over, voice softening as she hugged her. ¡°Yeah. You¡¯ll be beating Gym Leaders in no time.¡± ¡°Thanks, Rhea,¡± Sam rubbed her eyes, coughing as she chuckled a little. ¡°Muk, I¡¯m so emotional, gah ¡­ Hector and Tera¡­¡± Her own Pokemon teared up in response to the feelings burning her heart, and Rhea¡¯s grip tightened around her shoulders. I¡¯m not weak ¡­ we can really do this. Clearing the mass in her throat, she coughed again, hugging her friend back. ¡°Thanks, Rhea ¡­ thank you so much for believing in me.¡± ¡°Of course¡­¡± Fifteen minutes passed with Sam¡¯s emotions rising and falling with her two Pokemon, but eventually, she managed to calm down. The Pokemon around the area started to gather around the treeline to silently observe, but they mostly ignored them. Sam¡¯s red and puffy eyes stared down at the list of Moves she had now. Hector: IVs around 10 to 15. Ability: Sturdy - Naturally increases base defensive stats while also granting the ability to withstand a single Move that would knock him out, but even the slightest graze of energy could cause him to faint. Protect Tackle Counter Self-Destruct Tera: Shiny; IVs around 21 (similar to all the Starter Award Pokemon) Ability: Opportunist (Pokemon Shuffle Ability) - Rarely increases damage. Defense Curl Growl Odor Sleuth Tackle Flail Rapid Spin High Horsepower Play Rough I love you two ¡­ I¡¯m gonna do my best. Okay, Hector, Tera? We¡¯re going to take him down ¡­ for your Mom, Tera¡­ Emotions bubbled up inside her again while thinking about the fate of her Pokemon¡¯s poor mother. We¡¯ll get him¡­ They set up camp, and after a few hours, Sam had Tera come out. She played around with Nova in mock battles, the Eevee literally running circles around the Phanpy, but that swiftly became cries as the Long-Nosed Pokemon began throwing mud at the retreating diva. All in good fun, Rhea roped Tera in to help Nova get over her fear of mud, and her precious little Eevee finally managed to gingerly dip her paw in the stuff before crying. After two more hours, they finally got her to at least dodge the globs of mud Tera threw and advance instead of running away. It was 8 PM when they were finally ready to draw the Nidorino in, and Mya came out with a yawn. Tera was a bit intimidated by the Mawile, even without her aura affecting the Phanpy since Mya could control who it was used against; anyone she saw as friendly was exempt from the ability. On the other hand, every other Pokemon in the area shrank back as her massive jaws opened and closed. They greeted each other, Nova becoming a bit miffed as Mya teased her about the mud. Nova challenged her to a game of tag at Sam¡¯s suggestion. Mya was first, easily casing down and tackling the shrieking Phanpy. In this game, if you were tagged, both of you were it. However, even with the two vs. one advantage, the Eevee ran circles around the two frustrated Pokemon, taunting them with laughter. Rhea was a bit shocked when they finally caught her by a strategy Tera came up with, trapping her between them and the mud pit; there was whining about cheating, and Nova¡¯s tail getting wet when she tried to jump over them, Mya¡¯s second mouth clamping around the fluffy appendage. Rhea and Sam just laughed at the whole event, and at 9 PM, when the sun was sinking below the horizon, their opponent finally showed up at the back of their camp. The 3¡±4 Nidorino walked out of the forest beside Sam¡¯s tent, making her tense as Mya pointed him out, jaws snapping with anticipation. Hector tensed inside his pokeball, and they got into position near the opposite side; Nova stood beside Rhea and her to provide defense in case anyone else showed up. A low curse slid through Sam¡¯s locked jaw as the Nidorino took its slightly discolored horn and slowly tore a wide cut across her tent side. ¡°You little Mukin¡¯ loser!¡± Sam grumbled. ¡°Do you know what that costs? You suck¡­¡± Tera yelled something at him, but he seemed to be smirking at the two Pokemon facing him; he didn¡¯t appear all that concerned with Tera, but Mya was catching his notice while sallying up to the pair. Okay ¡­ it¡¯s on! Sam cheered for her new Pokemon. ¡°Alright, looks like he¡¯s got Poison Point ¡­ not as good as Rivalry would have been. We¡¯ve still got enough healing items if you get poisoned or hurt, but let Mya handle most the attacks, Tera, and take him down!¡± B1 — 23. Improvise, Adapt, Overcome 9:00 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. The breeze running down from Mt. Silver was much cooler than the areas Mya had been since hatching five days ago. Every new experience was like electricity running through her veins, born to live her life to the fullest; she was wide-eyed, hot-wired, locked, and loaded for conflict. She was born wild, yet the Wild Pokemon she¡¯d seen so far weren¡¯t anything like her. Throughout the past hour that she¡¯d been chasing around Nova and Tera, most of the Pokemon nearby didn¡¯t dare step foot inside the field. At least they didn¡¯t run for the hills, but according to Rhea, that was because they were stronger than the Pokemon they¡¯d come across around Route 1; she wasn¡¯t impressed, though. Mya slowed in her chase of Nova to stare up at the bright stars dotting the heavens in a large, half-crescent globe rising from beyond the mountains to illuminate the hilly forest they were in. The sun¡¯s glow was hardly noticeable at this point, but the sky was bright enough to allow her to see in the meadow; she naturally could see well in the dark, even in the overshadowed forest. She could see the flashing eyes of apprehensive onlookers sprinkled throughout the trees and bushes, drawn by her aura to witness the fight they knew would come. Rhea had developed a plan earlier with Sam; they thought the Nidorino would be far outside their ability to battle, without a solid strategy, even if joining forces and she was involved, it would be classified as Low Silver-tier, after all. Mya wasn¡¯t convinced. Losing was impossible to even comprehend for the Mawile, even if she was limited on her Moves; she lived for battle, yet none of these Wild Pokemon even wanted to test her. Nova recounted all the showboating taking place when they first arrived, but for all the hype, she was severely disappointed. A smirk lifted the edges of both Mya¡¯s lips when her opponent finally showed his rugged face, pink irises hounding the Poison Pin Pokemon as he left the forest carrying a visible swagger ¡°Humph ¡­ maybe this will be more interesting than I thought.¡± The Nidorino certainly was rugged looking and appeared to have gone through a few harsh battles by the scars on his skin. He wasn¡¯t afraid to keep going after his defensive shell fell, which was an improvement in Mya¡¯s opinion. This was the type of Pokemon that loved to fight. Nova growled at his appearance; she really wanted to beat him after hearing Tera¡¯s story. ¡°He¡¯s just as ugly as I thought he¡¯d be!¡± The Eevee darted back to Rhea, defending the two in case any wild Pokemon tried to make a move while Mya was occupied. Mya dared any to even try; she¡¯d make an example out of the fool. Their Trainer had given them all the possible information and strategies the Pokemon might use with his Ability and Moves. None of it had Mya worried, but Sam seemed pretty daunted by the news. This wasn¡¯t the time for fear, though, and Tera shared her emotion, turning to give a hateful glare at the advancing Nidorino. She had unfinished business with the Pokemon, and Mya was more than willing to help out if it meant sinking her fangs into something. The Nidorino passed by Sam¡¯s tent, ripping a long gash into the durable fabric with his horn, sharp enough to cut it without pause. ¡°Humans and Pokemon ¡­ invading my territory? I don¡¯t think so, and what¡¯s this ¡­ my little shiny, you don¡¯t think I¡¯ll let you go?¡± He growled. ¡°Looks like I¡¯ll have to kill your human and punish you.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Mya mused; she hadn¡¯t met a Pokemon that threatened to kill a human yet. ¡°I suppose this really is the wild.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t hurt our Trainers!¡± Nova and Tera barked, but it wasn¡¯t even a question in Mya¡¯s mind. He could dream. Tera¡¯s tone had dropped a few octaves as she lowered herself to charge. ¡°I¡¯m going to avenge my mother; she¡¯ll come back if I can kick you out!¡± Nidorino snorted, brandishing his discolored horn with pride, all but ignoring the Phanpy. His glaring red eyes were trained on Mya. She returned a bright smile while waving, her second mouth splitting open in a wicked grin, and her tongue sliding across her fangs with anticipation, saliva dribbling to the grass. ¡°Hello!¡± Her Intimidate aura grew in strength at her excitement, causing a few hiding Pokemon to run away in the bushes. ¡°... Not a bad aura,¡± Nidorino mumbled, returning the expression, ¡°of course, it¡¯s not strong enough to scare me, little girl.¡± ¡°Say that when my fangs close around your face,¡± Mya giggled. She wanted to just rush in, but that wasn¡¯t a part of the plan; Rhea wanted to get some initial chip damage in and to disorient him, which meant they had to wait for him to charge. His annoyed eyes rolled to Tera while she barked, ¡°I¡¯ll take you out tonight!¡± The Nidorino¡¯s tone turned harsh, making Tera flinch a little. At least she held her ground. ¡°I gotta set an example of you now, shiny. You¡¯ll be dead on the ground, just like your mother! Everyone says you¡¯re weak. You¡¯ll never play in the big leagues; never compare to me. You¡¯ll never be a warrior!¡± ¡°I¡¯m different now; your horn¡¯s not strong enough!¡± Nidorino¡¯s expression darkened as he began stepping forward to charge her. ¡°Famous last words, shiny; just cry for me and bleed again!¡± ¡°Come at me with everything you¡¯ve got,¡± Mya enthusiastically growled, ¡°but you can¡¯t break through this wall!¡± To her thrill, the Pokemon¡¯s strong defensive shell repelled her first attack. It was now confirmed; she couldn¡¯t lower his Stats, which meant her damaging Moves would also be severely reduced in damage. However, Rhea had been prepared for that, and there was a way she¡¯d been taught to overcome that tier-gap; she¡¯d be exposed, though. ¡°Nova, back to your pokeball; okay, Mya, take what you need, and wait for Sam!¡± The Eevee groaned; she¡¯d hoped to stay out and defend Rhea, but their Trainer needed to conserve as much of her fortitudes as possible. Nova swiftly returned to the activated ball in Rhea¡¯s hands and she put it back on her belt. Mya began pulling in a large amount of energy from Rhea; it would be rough on her Trainer, but she¡¯d purposefully held Nova back from Evolving or them using too much power after going over the possible plans. Sam held both Hector and Tera¡¯s pokeballs in her hands as their powerful opponent prepared to charge, back legs coating with a soft red light. A fire ignited in Mya¡¯s chest; Rhea¡¯s energy blazed within her. ¡°Fight me!¡± * * * The intimidating Pokemon¡¯s loud shout to fight her amused the Nidorino; he didn¡¯t take orders, and he wouldn¡¯t be lulled into whatever trap the Phanpy set up. There wasn¡¯t a doubt in his mind that she had some trick in the works or else she wouldn¡¯t have had the courage to face him ¡­ not after what he¡¯d done to her last time. Nidorino charged at the Phanpy; she had one ability he had to look out for, which she no doubt also possessed since her mother had used it. Still, the Pokemon with the big jaws did put a small amount of unease in him with the aura she released, and between her and the Eevee, they were the prettiest Pokemon he¡¯d seen. Perhaps he¡¯d keep them in his territory. Charging up Double Kick, he prepared to smash the Phanpy in the face and back into her new Trainer¡¯s chest; it was disgraceful that she¡¯d even try to bond with a human to rise above him. Did she have no pride? No, the moment he brought the battle to both her and the Trainer, they¡¯d panic and he¡¯d easily finish them both. Strength flooded his muscles, and he ran for the Phanpy; he far out-classed both Pokemon. The shiny girl turning into red energy was not something he expected, causing him to slow down in confusion, vision following the beam to the strange metal ball in the human¡¯s hand. What the¡­ The Trainer threw another pokeball in front of him, causing the Nidorino to jump to the side out of caution; he¡¯d heard of the devices used to bond with Pokemon, but it was the first time he¡¯d seen it in person. A Pineco emerged near his left side. He¡¯d dealt with a few of their kind further east, and as long as he was quick, they weren¡¯t a problem. Shifting his body to punt the spiky ball away, his eyes widened; it was radiating a brilliant light. How ¡­ so fast? ¡°For Tera¡¯s Mom!¡± The Pokemon roared. His foot landed before it went off, but the Pineco took the first blow, digging into the ground by the force of his kick. Why didn¡¯t he faint?! Nidorino disengaged, jumping away with what extra time he had, but it was too late. The large pulse of white force decimated a two-meter wide area, colliding against his body, and throwing him three meters to the side with chunks of dirt and grass. He did a barrel roll in the air to land on his feet, jaw tight as he slid to a stop; the surprise attack had taken at least 10% of his defensive shell out, more than most Wild Pokemon in the area were able to do. At least the Pineco would be out of commission. A low growl rumbled in his throat while watching a red beam exit another one of the Trainer¡¯s devices to recall the Pineco, and the shiny Phanpy returned to the field with a smug grin. Trainers ¡­ they¡¯re the issue. ¡°Thank you, Hector,¡± she chimed, vision hardening once settling on him. ¡°Now, let¡¯s finish this, Mya!¡± Mya? His narrowed eyes darted to the beautiful two-mouthed Pokemon and a sharp shiver ran down his spine; a long purple chain shot out of her chest, rushing straight for him. Mya gave him a wicked smile. Nidorino leaped back, trying to dodge the swift attack, but it changed directions to link with his forehead; a strange link connected him to Mya for a moment that caused cold sweats to break across his skin; both his Defensive Stats fell dramatically. He hadn¡¯t felt so vulnerable in over two years. ¡°Impossible,¡± he mumbled, trying to come to terms with what had just happened; the Pokemon¡¯s internal strength had somehow increased. There was no way a Trainer could boost a Pokemon by this much. A devilish giggle slid through her throat, burning pink eyes fixated on him as her energy continued to build at an impossible rate, large jaws opening wide to release a high-pitched roar that severely cut his Attack. ¡°I said fight me!¡± Nidorino¡¯s narrowed eyes fixated on the threatening female Pokemon. She¡¯d used his disbelief to keep attacking, even now she was continuing to build energy; no Wild Pokemon he¡¯d met could pull so much power so quickly. She was a real hazard to his Stats. He didn¡¯t understand it, though. How did she bypass his much stronger defensive shield that made him immune to every other Pokemon in the area? She shouldn¡¯t have been able to affect him with any Status Moves with how powerful he was compared to her, and the building terrifying aura she produced sent all of his followers around the meadow running. Worse, she¡¯d somehow grown even stronger as he weakened. He¡¯d never met a Pokemon like this. Making up his mind, Nidorino darted to the right to have proper field vision, taking the chance to attack the Phanpy and break her concentration. He had to buy himself time to take care of the Mya, and he knew the simple answer. Powerful Pokemon he¡¯d met higher on the mountain told him a sure method of dealing with Trainer enhanced Pokemon; kill their human. The Phanpy tucked into a ball, increasing her Defensive Energy, but he was only concerned about one Move from the Long-Nosed Pokemon; the one called Mya was the real threat. He had to take out her Trainer first. * * * The surge of power coursing through Mya¡¯s chest made her feel invincible as she liberally drew on Rhea¡¯s fortitudes; this time with consent and they continued to brute force their way through the Pokemon¡¯s high shield, lowering his Defense and Offense. Rhea believed he could almost certainly knock them out with a single attack if they didn¡¯t do everything in their power to weaken him; Tera was the real sweeper. It was only Mya¡¯s job to put them on an even playing field. That didn¡¯t mean she couldn¡¯t have fun. ¡°Aww, what are you doing; I¡¯m right here?!¡± She yelled in frustration as his horn began to glow, shooting large white projectiles at Tera. Tera grunted as each spike smashed into her, although she seemed to be doing fine while tucked into her ball; Mya still needed to get the next two attacks before Tera could really get close to him. A smirk lifted Nidoran¡¯s mouth as he turned his horn on the third attack, right at Rhea; a flaring white barb shot for her Trainer¡¯s chest. ¡°Mya!¡± Nova screamed. The fire in Mya¡¯s chest froze; not only had he ignored her, but attacked Rhea after her warning. She converted the gathering energy inside to a quicker Move. Darkness surrounded Mya, causing Rhea to wince at the sharp draw increase; her black-infused fist smashed into the barb, destroying it. The following two glowing horns struck her closed second mouth, shoving her back a little in the air, and doing 10% damage to her shell. Rhea¡¯s strained voice chuckled in Mya¡¯s mind. ¡°Thanks, Mya ¡­ umm, I think I only have enough for two more decent Moves before it will start getting dangerous again. I¡¯m already feeling pretty sore.¡± ¡­ More than enough. The Nidorino wasn¡¯t amused, but neither was Mya; she''d defend her Trainer from his attack without blinking an eye. He was much faster than her, and Sam was treating Tera¡¯s poison while trying to charge up for their finishing blow. It left Mya to take his attention, which was more than fine with her. Mya¡¯s second mouth released hot stream as she snarled, ¡°I told you to focus on me, ugly points.¡± He charged right at her, charging a Tackle to plower through her and attack Rhea again. ¡°I care nothing for humans and their pets; you¡¯re all weak ¡­ what?¡± A low rumble reverberated in her throats, heated breath releasing a vaporized liquid as she spread her arms out and set her feet to tank the Pokemon¡¯s stampede; her fangs illuminating with a fierce red light as she pumped Rhea¡¯s energy into them. The Nidorino¡¯s heavy force slammed into her body, pushing her back a bit with a burst of power that exploded against her chest, but Mya¡¯s intense pink eyes met his stunned gaze as they came to a halt; she¡¯d stopped his charge. Her lips rose into a smirk. ¡°Wrong Move.¡± Mya¡¯s jaws darted out as he¡¯d drawn near, finding a firm grip. Nidorino screamed; her flaming jaws closed around his back, igniting it in a blaze of red. He struggled to free himself from the inferno burning his back, horn smashing against her chest, but she was immune to his poison and the blows held far less power than before. Feeding strength into her maw and around the Nidorino, Mya lifted him up and threw the Pokemon high into the air. ¡°Who¡¯s weak now?¡± If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. * * * Tera couldn¡¯t believe how much strength Sam had managed to give her with Mya actually handling the ridiculously powerful Nidorino; she was practically bubbling with more energy than she thought possible. Mom ¡­ please don¡¯t be dead ¡­ please ¡­ I¡¯m going to beat him, and then I can see you again. Mya¡¯s flaming jaws closed around her nemesis¡¯s back before tossing him right at her. Thank you, Sam, Hector ¡­ thank you so much. Sam cheered her on, breathing a bit heavy with all the energy she¡¯d sent Hector and her; the courageous Pineco was still KOed in his pokeball. Everything had been for this moment. Tears dripped out of her eyes as a light brown radiance erupted around her, and she took off into a sprint. Wind gushed past her flopping ears and the first memories she had of her mother when breaking out of her egg came rushing back while closing in on the rapidly falling Nidorino. He was roaring with rage, utterly oblivious to her stampede as he spiraled through the air to right himself. ¡°Y-You burned me?! I¡¯ll stomp you and your Trainer¡­¡± Tera lowered her head and smashed into the area¡¯s overlord, putting all of her pent-up anxiety and hatred into it. Nidorino let out a squeak, body curving around her head and his defensive shell shattered. Tera sent him rag-dolling across the ground several meters to land at the edge of the field. Additional strength filled her breast as she slowed to a stop, glow fading around her and she was a little surprised to feel Hector grow a little stronger; they¡¯d really won. ¡°Yes! Yes! I ¡­ I did it ¡­ we did it!¡± She cheered, jumping up and down while bawling. Sam¡¯s movements seemed stiff while jogging forward to hug her. ¡°I ¡­ we won, against a Low Silver-tier?¡± She panted, skin a bit slick with sweat. ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea groaned, dropping to her butt. ¡°Gah ¡­ I¡¯m so tired and sore, though ¡­ Mya grew a lot from that fight, though.¡± Mya was marching over to the fainted Pokemon to punt him around a bit more, and the glowing red marks of burn were still smoldering on the collapsed Pokemon¡¯s back. ¡°Don¡¯t think it¡¯s over now,¡± she growled, frightening aura and fangs flashing in the moonlight. ¡°I haven¡¯t chewed you up properly after you attacked Rhea¡­¡± Tera shivered at the dark tone in the Mawile¡¯s throat, but everyone¡¯s attention swapped to a small teenage girl that floated out of the forest with low grumbles. * * * Lyra hovered high above the Viridian forest, keeping track of each girl with the help of Zelri, her Porygon-Z. Hilbert sat beside her, his Reuniclus practicing his own Psychic flight; it was difficult for a Pokemon and Trainer to keep up for many hours at a time. It had taken a lot of training and time before Zelri could float her around for days without rest. Hilbert¡¯s head snapped back toward Saffron City; a massive burst of energy spiked in that direction. Any human could feel sick when in the presence of a powerful Pokemon, but it took practice and a certain amount of genetics to read auras; the solidification of aura through family lines was one of the major contributors to the theory that pedigree mattered. Although, not as much as most were led to believe; she was proof of that. The process took a very practiced Trainer a lot of time to identify Pokemon and especially Trainers¡¯ auras. Pokemon and Trainer aura discharges could be hidden or suppressed if skilled enough, as well; she had no doubt any Grandmaster would begin their children on the basics while young, which meant Rhea and the others must have some practice in it, Amira certainly did. However, what was currently happening would be far outside their scope. Usually, High Masters began learning how to identify hidden auras, and being able to project your fortitudes through Aura Control came at the Grandmaster-tier. However, what they were sensing made Grandmasters look like the tiny ants Pokemon ate. ¡°Uh ¡­ you¡¯re kidding me,¡± Hilbert moaned, taking off his cap for a moment to run his fingers through his brown hair. ¡°Is she really going to challenge Gold?¡± Judging by his reaction, he knew the raging aura that just clashed with Ethan¡¯s; she¡¯d never been to Unova, so its Gym Leaders or Champions weren¡¯t really that known to her. Aldar was a pretty good Trainer, but she knew only general information about the rest. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s Iris; the girl you¡¯ve been talking about?¡± Lyra asked, Zelri flipping her invisible seat around to stare into the distance. ¡°Depending on how skilled she is ¡­ she might be able to beat me,¡± she commented. The city was far too distant for them to see, but when powers that vast sparked, it was difficult not to notice if you knew what you were looking for. ¡°Yeah,¡± Hilbert sighed, ¡°that¡¯s Iris¡¯s aura. She¡¯s nowhere near Gold¡¯s level, so why did she suddenly attack him?¡± A light giggle shook Lyra¡¯s frame as her brown eyes narrowed, a thoughtful curve on her lips. ¡°Oh, I¡¯d say ¡­ she¡¯s a Litleo to a Pyroar ¡­ which is actually pretty impressive at her age, and she just ¡­ blocked Champ. Wow, and threw him to the side, but they should probably watch the damage while they¡¯re that close to the city ¡­ 114 miles is far too close if Ethan wants to play. I think Iris is just trying to tell them she¡¯s the boss, though; they probably wanna do something with the prisoner that she doesn¡¯t like.¡± Hilbert¡¯s lips were pulled in, clearly conflicted by the change. ¡°I can get that, she is Unova¡¯s Champion, but ¡­ she¡¯s using four Pokemon and he¡¯s using one¡­¡± Lyra¡¯s focus instantly retreated from Iris and Ethan¡¯s spat to the hills below, smile falling, and Zelri took three seconds to teleport the four of them to the thick foliage surrounding a meadow. Porygon was a fairly unique Pokemon as it gained an ability every time it evolved; Zelri had Trace, Download, Adaptability, and Analytic from her Dream World adventure. Analytic was quite useful in many ways; by slowing her teleport, her Porygon could provide extra coverage from being detected if utilized properly. Rhea and Sam were battling a Nidorino in the field. She¡¯d been keeping an eye on their fight with the local boss of the area, and the girls had come up with a very ballsy plan. It worked out, but only because of several lucky factors. On the other hand, the thin, 5¡±2 girl with four thick pink braids, two at her back and two at her front, dropping just below her shoulder blades, was something else entirely. She came floating through the underbrush, yellow eyes glowing while scanning her environment. She wore a chain-link hairpin with a large red encrusted jewel at the end; similar stones were attached to two anklets. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I messed up that teleport ¡­ but when there¡¯s ¡­ oh, uh, hello!¡± She chimed with a forced chuckle, vision moving between them and the Pokemon. ¡°Ugh, hi?¡± Rhea returned, really trying to keep the strain her body, mind, and spirit felt after the recent battle. Sam got to her feet, holding her newly caught Phanpy against her chest. ¡°Uh ¡­ Rhea, she just ¡­ did she just fly out of the forest, or was I seeing things?¡± Her voice was still a bit breathless. The girl slowly dropped to the ground, a long gray dress fluttering around her ankles. ¡°Erm ¡­ maybe? Heh¡­¡± She trailed off, and Lyra had no doubt she was trying to get a fix on a place for her next teleport. What are you doing here? Hmm¡­ Hilbert leaned in to whisper, ¡°Hey, Lyra, is that¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± She hissed, holding her finger to her lips. ¡°Something¡¯s not right if she¡¯s here.¡± * * * The girl released a strange aura that Rhea hadn¡¯t experienced before; her heartbeat changed rhythm and a slight euphoric sensation hazed her mind. It was the oddest vibe she¡¯d come across; if she didn¡¯t know any better, she¡¯d say the girl was part Pokemon. Psychics had a unique feel to them, yet this was well beyond that feedback. Rhea returned the awkward chuckle. ¡°... Eh ¡­ so, you¡¯re a Psychic? You must be pretty strong to float around like that. It¡¯s just kind of odd to ¡­ you know, find you in the wild without any Pokemon with you. Right?¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ huh,¡± the girl mumbled, yellow eyes scanning the forest with a half-smile, and she began fiddling with her hands at her dress front. ¡°The uh ¡­ wait, you¡¯re related to Cynthia!¡± She hummed, expression brightening as a faint glow surrounded her again, and she hovered around Rhea. ¡°You have a similar aura ¡­ oh, I think I understand now; that¡¯s why my teleport was all off!¡± ¡°What ¡­ wait, you can read auras?¡± Rhea slowly asked. Mya had dashed back to her side, glaring at the floating girl suspiciously. ¡°Do you know my aunt?¡± ¡°Mhm, mhm! We meet every so often,¡± the girl said with a tinkling laugh. ¡°She can be pretty scary when she wants something. You can call me Mepi!¡± The girl froze in the air as Lyra and Hilbert walked out of the underbrush; Lyra had a super-bright expression and a hop in her step. ¡°Ah, Mepi! Now, what could you be doing ¡­ oh¡­¡± In the starlight, it was a bit hard to see, but Rhea caught a sly smirk slide up the woman¡¯s glossy lips. ¡°Is that¡­¡± Mepi¡¯s facial expression fractured with a wince. ¡°L-Lyra ¡­ oh, uh ¡­ oh-no, why did it have to be you?¡± She groaned, legs and arms tightening as a large glowing figure appeared in the sky. ¡°Oof ¡­ he found me.¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth dropped open and Sam looked like she was about to faint; 8¡±4, layered with flowing silky hair, and releasing a warm yellow glow, Entei touched down in the field without a sound, intense red eyes fixated on Mepi. ¡°... Hey, Entei¡­¡± Lyra squealed. ¡°Entei; it¡¯s been years! Oh, come here, don¡¯t be shy!¡± Hilbert folded his arms with a deep frown, glancing at Rhea and Sam with concern. ¡°Lyra, are you sure this is okay?¡± Lyra dashed over to the Volcano Pokemon, her dress fluttered in the hilly breeze. She wrapped her arms around his neck, cheek rubbing against his fur. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re always the fluffiest of your brothers, and you''re even suppressing your aura for the girls. I love your fur so much!¡± Her voice was muffled while nuzzling his chest. Pulling away, she grinned at Hilbert. ¡°It¡¯s fine, it¡¯s fine. Rhea probably can¡¯t even sense his aura; these guys can be total ghosts if they want to!¡± She huffed with pride. ¡°Wait, if you¡¯re here¡­¡± Rhea pulled her focus away from the Legendary Pokemon to watch the color drain from Mepi¡¯s face. ¡°Ho-Oh¡­¡± The dark sky lit like the noonday sun as a presence even more powerful than her aunt¡¯s Garchomp descended from the clouds. It came as if out of thin air, and a sweeping wave of fathomless rejuvenating rays exploded across everything below it; unlike a compressive force like Lila, the Rainbow Pokemon¡¯s aura filled her breast with an explosive strength that chased away all soreness and left her invigorated. Even while still high within the clouds, Ho-Oh¡¯s colossal form was well over a hundred meters long, making him easily visible with the naked eye. Multi-colored lights danced across the heavens, blotting out the starry sky, and judging by its current position, it was hovering over Viridian City. A majestic call roared across the land as Ho-Oh made his presence known; from what Rhea¡¯s father told her, this Pokemon was probably within the top 15 most powerful on the planet. He wasn¡¯t even sure if her aunt could take him on with her entire team. ¡°No, no, no, no¡­¡± Mepi groaned, hands running down her face. ¡°You guys are such bullies!¡± She shouted, pointing at Entei. ¡°I just want to go north¡­¡± Sam was already on the ground, eyes swimming, and out of the corner of Rhea¡¯s vision, she caught Lyra¡¯s Porygon-Z lifting the recovered Nidorino into the air so he couldn¡¯t run; Ho-Oh¡¯s restorative pressure appeared to heal everything throughout the entire Viridian City-State. Lyra whistled, gently stroking Entei¡¯s fur while looking up at the glorious Bird-Pokemon. ¡°He doesn¡¯t do something like this often, which means ¡­ Lusamine.¡± Ho-Oh dropped into a dive-bomb, moving at mind-bending speeds before shifting his trajectory right to them, and within seconds his massive form passed overhead, causing a wave of warm air to pull their hair along with the gale and press their dresses against their bodies. Even though he was gone, the Legendary Pokemon¡¯s presence hadn¡¯t dissipated, continuing to brighten the entire sky with dazzling rainbows. Rhea tamed her hair and clothing, watching him pass by; he seemingly landed not too far from them and Lyra somehow hoped all the way up to Entei¡¯s back, spreading across his thick mane with a giggle. ¡°Okay, Hilbert, watch over the girls for me for just a little bit; I need to see what¡¯s going on.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ alright,¡± Hilbert mumbled, scratching the back of his head with his cap, ¡°but you know I don¡¯t have a Pokemon that can teleport ¡­ well, not that anyone can use it right now with that abnormal Defog he¡¯s doing.¡± ¡°Right, right,¡± Lyra nodded with realization. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯ll leave Zelri with you just in case I take a bit longer than expected. Entei will bring me back. Is that cool?¡± She asked, leaning over with a bright smile. To Rhea¡¯s shock, a smooth, deep voice bloomed in her mind as the Volcano Pokemon spoke. ¡°Of course, Lady Lyra.¡± ¡°Hehe, still with the lady stuff, huh?¡± She cooed. ¡°Lady Amira has grown quite large since I¡¯ve last seen her.¡± ¡°Oh, yes, that¡¯s right,¡± Lyra hummed, lying on her belly; it looked like she wanted to make a snow angel out of the Pokemon¡¯s fur. ¡°The last time you saw her ¡­ huh. Well,¡± her perky attitude returned in an instant, ¡°Mepi, let¡¯s get going! You know you can¡¯t teleport with Ho-Oh restricting it everywhere.¡± Mepi¡¯s cute first appearance and playful mannerisms had vanished in an instant; she¡¯d fallen onto the ground right next to Sam. It was as if the world was crashing around her. ¡°Why is it never easy¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, c¡¯mon!¡± Lyra called. The girl¡¯s cheeks bunched in a small pout as her psychic aura returned and she began floating into the air. Entei took a few steps into the sky; what appeared to be burning steps appeared below his paws. Mepi gave a low hiss. ¡°The Ho-Oh gang are all bullies!¡± She moaned, dejectedly following them as Entei sped up, vanishing beyond the treeline. Sam looked more confused than anything else. ¡°Heh ¡­ uh, yeah ¡­ what¡¯s going on, Rhea?¡± Rhea slowly shook her head. ¡°I have no clue¡­¡± Hilbert told them that he had no idea what was actually happening; if they wanted to know about the Swords of Justice, Forces of Nature, or Tao Trio, then he was the guy, but Kanto and Johto weren¡¯t his stomping ground. He seemed a bit preoccupied with something else, though, since he kept glancing to the southeast, which was the opposite way of Ho-Oh. It took a bit for Sam and her to calm down, but eventually, they managed to get everything settled; the rainbows in the sky vanished several minutes after Lyra left, but she didn¡¯t return. Once Hilbert heard Tera¡¯s story and how Nidorino had killed her mother, he sent the former area boss to a place he couldn¡¯t cause the same kind of trouble, asking Zelri to teleport him. Sam finally explained to Tera the probable fate of her mom, which broke the girl¡¯s heart. She cried herself to sleep in Sam¡¯s arms, using Rhea¡¯s 2-man tent; they shared it for the night since Sam¡¯s had been ruined. Mya stood guard outside; her Mawile gained quite a bit of strength from defeating the Nidorino, gaining the Fake Tears Move. Rhea was a little salty that she didn¡¯t take a picture of Ho-Oh as he went over, which kept her up a bit, mentally beating herself up. Rhea drifted between events, but the big highlights had been beating a Low Silver-tier with cheeky tactics, which couldn¡¯t have been done without a Master Ball or her exceptional Pokemon, Sam getting her second Pokemon, helping the little Phanpy out of a horrible situation, and seeing Ho-Oh. Mya kept guard through the night; Nova unwillingly fell asleep soon after Ho-Oh disappeared, compelled by her over-emotional mind. Her Eevee had made some solid first steps at overcoming her phobia of mud today. After a bit, Rhea¡¯s droopy eyes dropped her into oblivion. * * * Lyra couldn¡¯t stop smiling; she loved the energies released by the Tower Duo and their helping subordinate Legendary Beasts; even if she was stronger than the three now, their force was unique. She liked them a lot better than the mercurial tempered Legendary Birds. Lugia was always having to slap them atop the head; she wondered how his family was doing. The cute female Lugia that relocated to their world through an Ultra Wormhole nine years ago was much younger and weaker than him, the dirty old man, but Lyra was happy they got along so well. They came up to a large canyon within the sierra; Ho-Oh stood on a rise, wings folded back while he waited for them. He¡¯d shrunk in size to give them more privacy, but few would venture so high onto Mt. Silver, fewer still that could get there with any decent speed. Hopping off her ride, Lyra held her skirt down as she dropped, landing on her feet before adjusting her outfit. ¡°So¡­¡± She gave a side-long look at Mepi, landing beside her. ¡°What ¡­ I like taking this form when around humans!¡± She defended with a soft huff. ¡°Mepi, too?¡± Lyra asked with a small smirk. ¡°It works,¡± she defended, releasing a soft white glow while transforming back into her original form. Once finished, a semi-annoyed Mesprit hovered beside her. ¡°Well, you¡¯re at least happier now ¡­ you can be scary with emotions,¡± she grumbled. Lyra¡¯s smile fell a little, folding her arms as Ho-Oh studied them, high above on his perch. ¡°Why are you in Kanto ¡­ judging by the teleport. You were snooping around the hospital Lusamine was in before Rhea and Sam¡¯s strong emotions in battle drew your teleport off-target.¡± ¡°Arceus¡­¡± Mepi mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s what I want to know,¡± said a booming noble voice around them, coming from all angles, which caused the Mesprit to jump. ¡°What has he discovered?¡± ¡°Y-You know, heh, you can always ask him instead of using me as ¡­ you know, a middle girl. I just do what I¡¯m told.¡± When everyone glared at her, she sighed, ¡°I hate getting caught in the middle ¡­ why don¡¯t you two make up? He could come see things himself, you could get along again¡­¡± ¡°... We haven¡¯t gotten along for eons.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what happens when you take over someone else¡¯s project,¡± Mesprit half mumbled. ¡°No, well, not like he was doing much with the planet, right? Just Pokemon poppin¡¯ outta Wormholes all the time¡­¡± ¡°What have you learned?¡± Ho-Oh¡¯s tone was a demand, and Lyra knew why; he wanted to be prepared this time. After all, he almost died eight years ago, and he wasn¡¯t the only one. ¡°The Wormholes ¡­ are slowly unsealing,¡± Mepi reluctantly mumbled, playing with her tails and hands. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly linked to Lusamine, but ¡­ she is a significant beacon for a third source to latch onto ¡­ if you catch my meaning.¡± ¡°Nihilego¡­¡± Ho-Oh growled, clearly holding animosity for the swarming creatures. ¡°So ¡­ the second war will start in a few years. Do you have a date?¡± ¡°No, I don¡¯t,¡± the Mesprit sheepishly whispered. ¡°It will probably be random at first ¡­ like it used to be, and then ¡­ depending on if those guys are still alive, they¡¯ll find a way to control them again.¡± A low sigh left Ho-Oh¡¯s lungs. ¡°... It¡¯s confirmed then. Lyra.¡± ¡°Mhm?!¡± She chimed, giving him a salute; she was on their team all the way. The Creation Trio were split since Giratina was extremely fond of Cynthia. Dialga and Palkia were also occasionally at odds with Arceus, too, which didn¡¯t help things. It was always drama with them, but Lugia and Ho-Oh were fun and straight to the point, just how she liked it. ¡°I need to know what effect my powers had on the woman ¡­ if any.¡± ¡°You got it, Boss!¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ the more time we can buy, the more information we can gain.¡± Lyra nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll keep ya updated!¡± He released a soft chuckle. ¡°I haven¡¯t met a human I liked more in millennia.¡± ¡°Aww, you don¡¯t have to butter me up,¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°I like you guys, too,¡± she cooed, snuggling into Entei¡¯s chest again. Mepi gave her a raised eye that said she was crazy but swiftly tried to hide it when she thought she was looking. ¡°Can I go now?¡± The lights illuminating the heavens faded, and the Mesprit swiftly vanished in multi-hued lights. ¡°I¡¯m so gonna get yelled at,¡± she groaned. ¡°Bullies¡­¡± She huffed, sticking out her tongue as a final act. Lyra had to admit, she was pretty cute. Still, the drama the Emotion Clique brought was something she could do without in her hectic life. ¡°Well, Entei ¡­ guess we got some dark clouds again,¡± she mumbled. Lyra had hoped the untested and utterly unknown seal Lusamine used would last her daughter¡¯s lifetime. It seemed it had only stalled them a decade. ¡°Guess I should be calling my father-in-law ¡­ aww, but he¡¯s got so much on his plate right now. At least, Ethan and Iris have chilled out.¡± Her thoughts momentarily turned to Hilbert. Poor boy ¡­ it¡¯ll be tough trying to catch up to that crazy girl, but it¡¯s possible. He just needs to find that spark again ¡­ both Hilda and him. They¡¯re too blinded by how bright the dragon girl shines. B1 — 24. Lighting The Torch 1:12 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Hannah held her breath, stomach squirming as the world instantly changed; she went from hanging over empty air to standing on grass and earth. Her balance was the same, but the shock caused her to stumble back a little, and Limru, her Ledyba, hunkered closer to the ground. Don¡¯t fall! Don¡¯t fall! The thought of embarrassing herself in front of her new idol was gut-wrenching, but she seemed preoccupied with other things. Amber was a little disoriented by the sudden shift, but the light gray Fennekin swiftly regained her balance. The fox scanned for danger, and Hannah followed her gaze, regaining her bearings. They were in what appeared to be an ancient forest; she had no doubt many of the Pokemon nearby had never seen human life. Moss and vines grew on the thick trunks, reaching far overhead. The thick canopy only allowed sheens of light to illuminate the area they¡¯d been transported to. It was a bit magical, and the rich scent of the air made Hannah fill her lungs to relish the sensation it produced. The chirping of various Pokemon filled her ears, likely spreading the word of their arrival out of shimmering rainbow lights. Odd berries she¡¯d never seen before and vivid flowers grew throughout the space; the high branches gave her a decent view of their surroundings, but the dense shrubs provided enough cover for most Pokemon to hide. She saw the cute black floof of a foxtail vanish inside a bush, not far away, and dozens of others were taking cover, but the only Pokemon she recognized was Caterpie. Hannah spun in a slow circle, neck craning back to take in the scope of Viridian Forest; it was enormous. Pallet Forest had some big trees, but those were in some of the more remote areas she¡¯d backpacked to with her dad a few years ago before he¡¯d gotten too busy and on Night Watch, but even those were nothing like these ninety-meter giants. On the other hand, Amira was a teleporting veteran because she simply unfolded her arms, unhooked her phone from its magnetic clip like it was any other day, and examined their surroundings; no big deal. Amber and Limru were already on the grind, talking with a few Pokemon she didn¡¯t recognize in a nearby tree. ¡°Hmm, we¡¯re probably on the lower end of a mountain by Mt. Silver. Let¡¯s see,¡± she brought up a holographic image of their area; it took a moment to calibrate their exact location. ¡°Yup ¡­ wait, hold-up¡­¡± Hannah cleared her throat, adjusting her backpack and purple sunglasses while scooting over to see what caught Amira¡¯s attention. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Amira played with the device, zooming out and in on a few arrows. ¡°... My mom put us pretty far apart. Rhea¡¯s to the northwest of us and Mallory¡¯s to the south.¡± Right ¡­ our map syncs to our teammates ¡­ helps us find each other if we get separated. Sam should be with Rhea, but Jade¡¯s with those other girls. Where are they? Pulling out her own phone, it took much longer to find a good enough signal to get the proper data; she kept glancing over at Amira as she played with her holographic map, getting an idea about their surroundings. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what network Amira was on, but it was only a passing thought since it had to be RT&T, Rocket¡¯s network. ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, I see Sam further up on ¡­ is that a big hill they¡¯re on?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Amira replied, looking up to scan the Pokemon around them for a moment before returning to her far more detailed map. The phone was beyond cutting-edge; Hannah hadn¡¯t seen anything about it, which made her feel a little embarrassed with her three-year out of date model, and it was even Silph, not Rocket. ¡°That¡¯s the biggest hill I¡¯ve ever seen, judging by the picture,¡± she mumbled; of course, she hadn¡¯t been outside of the Pallet area since she was a girl. ¡°... Jade¡¯s actually a bit north of us.¡± Hannah paused. Amira was being as quiet as she was back at the Pokespring, causing her mind to wander; she didn¡¯t want to be annoying or ask too many questions. What was the right way to start a conversation? She refrained from biting her lip, feeling it somewhat dry already, but one thought popped up more than any other ¡­ her health. When she¡¯d bonded with Limru, to say she was a wreck would be an understatement; she¡¯d gone into full-on panic breakdown mode. Rhea had seen her like that, and it was embarrassing enough, but she couldn¡¯t imagine letting Amira see her so weak. ¡°So, uh ¡­ are we really going to catch our second Pokemon here?¡± Hannah asked, glancing at the minimized Great Ball in her left hand. ¡°Do you think ¡­ can I handle it?¡± Amira¡¯s red eyes were barely visible behind her tinted sunglasses, and her tone was fairly neutral. ¡°If my mom gave you a pokeball, then probably.¡± Flipping around her backpack, she took out a pack of gum, offering her a piece. ¡°Want some?¡± ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± Hannah forced a smile while taking the offered item and popping it into her mouth ¡­ spearmint flavor. It had a strange familiarity as if she¡¯d had something like it recently. She pocketed the wrapper, pondering the answer. Her mom would probably be one of the best authorities on the topic ¡­ she¡¯s Mukin¡¯ Champion-tier. Although ¡­ what if I could technically handle it, but still get sick. No, but wait, Rhea said it had to do with our immune system; so, as long as I don¡¯t go to a place with a bunch of people real soon, then I should be good. Right? It sounds like it should work that way. Okay, maybe it won¡¯t be so bad! She was starting to feel a bit better now that it was just the two of them and they weren¡¯t around her superstar mother. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I¡¯ve never seen some of these Pokemon before. Your mom wasn¡¯t kidding; there must be all sorts of various regional Pokemon around this place.¡± She followed Amira¡¯s finger as she pointed out a few, showing the difference in their education; Hannah doubted she was trying to sound smart, though. ¡°That¡¯s a Yungoos, a Budew, Blipbug, Grubbin, and oh ¡­ a Nickit just went into that bush,¡± she mumbled, lowering herself to the ground a little to peer into the shrubbery. ¡°That might be a good addition to one of our teams¡¯¡± ¡°The fox? It was kind of cute,¡± Hannah grinned, catching Limru following Amber around as they talked with the Caterpie. ¡°What do you think we should do?¡± Amira set her bag down, sitting on her side while smoothing out her skirt. She gestured for her to do the same. ¡°Probably let Amber and ¡­ your Ledyba¡¯s name is Limru, right?¡± Hannah¡¯s stomach squirmed with delight. She remembered! ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Yeah, we should let them scout out the area and figure things out. Amber seems to think this is a pretty safe spot.¡± Hannah quickly questioned Limru, and she gave her the same response, apparently busy talking with the Caterpie. She seemed to be enjoying her time with Amber, but Hannah was still finding it difficult to interpret Ledyba¡¯s emotions into thoughts. Her gaze returned to Amira; she was wearing a soft smile while watching Amber. I bet she can understand Amber without even trying ¡­ why is it so hard for me? Everything¡¯s so hard ¡­ I just want to be confident. The vibration from her phone brought her attention to a notification; it was from the group-chat she¡¯d joined after being taken advantage of by Coral Kaylera, the journalist, and her mind returned to that horrifying incident. She still felt like such a fool and the embarrassment came back. Scratching above her left ear, Hannah¡¯s eyebrows drew together with concern. ¡°Umm ¡­ Amira.¡± The red-eyed girl turned her head to face her. ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ is Rhea really not mad at us ¡­ you know, for talking about her?¡± Amira took a deep breath, full lips dropping. ¡°No, Rhea¡¯s not mad; honestly, I¡¯d bet money she¡¯s forgotten about the whole thing. It¡¯s not like she can blame you three if she looked into that woman. I don¡¯t; you were just her latest victims.¡± Hannah pulled around her braided hair, fiddling with the tip. ¡°I mean, she was really friendly, and I never would have thought she was trying to use us. We get so many tourists in Pallet that random people asking you stuff isn¡¯t that uncommon. ¡°Thinking back, though ¡­ there were a few things that should have raised a red flag for me sooner. I just felt ¡­ I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s like I let Rhea down. The whole boyfriend thing was adding insult to injury¡­¡± Amira responded by pulling up her phone, sending her an article without explanation. Hannah accepted the transfer and frowned at the title as it popped-up. ¡°... Coral Kaylera¡¯s charges dropped from lack of evidence. Huh ¡­ what charges?¡± Amira put her phone back on its magnetic strip, staring at Amber and Limru; they were speaking to the cute Nickit that just crept out of the bushes. ¡°Have you heard of Naive Mint?¡± ¡°No?¡± Hannah mumbled. She didn¡¯t like the name on instinct. ¡°Naive Mint is a naturally growing substance that originated in Galar but is easy enough to import; in fact, it often is through Viridian shipments. If given to a Pokemon to smell, it can very temporarily change its Nature. If given as a herbal tea, it can cause the effect to last longer.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Hannah whispered, shifting to a more comfortable position on the grass. ¡°I¡¯m following you.¡± ¡°Now ¡­ what if it were given to a human?¡± Hannah was repeating it in her head as Amira answered the rhetorical question. ¡°It will cloud their mind and generally make them more gullible. And there you have it; it wasn¡¯t really your fault.¡± The dots connected in Hannah¡¯s head; it was like a hot iron pressed against her chest. ¡°You mean she ¡­ she drugged us? Then ¡­ no wonder we felt so strange. That¡¯s ¡­ that¡¯s illegal!¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s not easily traceable through drug screening, and only lasts several minutes in small doses, which is why she hasn¡¯t been prosecuted yet; I mean, she mainly operates in Viridian, and the Police there don¡¯t mess around. ¡°I heard down the grapevine she was a pretty scummy journalist, so I committed her face to memory, and she knows it, which was probably why she didn¡¯t approach us.¡± Her cheeks turned in a somewhat sour expression. ¡°I only started looking into her when she came out with that article the other day; we¡¯ll probably run into her again, but she won¡¯t use the same tactic. She¡¯s careful, and buying Naive Mint to participate in battles is well within her rights. If she ever was caught, then yes, she¡¯d have some heavy crimes brought against her. In the end, you just need to be more careful with what you accept from people.¡± She pointed down at the gum pack in front of her with a forced smile. ¡°I¡¯m just saying¡­¡± A shiver ran down Hannah¡¯s spine, the wad of gum stuck against the side of her cheek. No-ho-ho ¡­ I look like an idiot again! ¡°Thanks¡­¡± Hannah mumbled, face turning a bit red. ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah, I¡¯ll try to think more ¡­ I just never had to consider that kind of stuff before.¡± ¡°No, no,¡± Amira chuckled, scooting her glasses up a bit further onto her nose, ¡°I¡¯m not trying to make you feel bad. Honestly, it sucks thinking everyone¡¯s looking to get something from you all the time. I¡¯ve kind of ¡­ well, envied normal girls.¡± She sighed, focus shifting to the forest again. ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong ¡­ no, nevermind.¡± Hannah gripped her left arm, extrapolating what Amira had said; she had no doubt that those words weren¡¯t something she shared with just anyone. It made her happy and sad at the same time. She couldn¡¯t imagine what it was like with one half of her family being universally infamous while the other was revered, and she was stuck in the middle. Not wanting to make the exchange any more awkward than it had already become, Hannah returned to the previous topic. ¡°So, yeah ¡­ she drugged us. That¡¯s so slimy ¡­ so that waiter was in on it, too ¡­ wow, Muk. Her embarrassing us was to make us not question why we felt so strange¡­ ¡°She said she never even got past the fourth Bronze-tier Gym; so, how can she buy specialized Trainer Battle Items? Does she do low-tier Bronze battles often to qualify? Hey, maybe we can get our revenge on her!¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, focus returning to her. ¡°Eh ¡­ she¡¯s Gold-tier; if she said she was Bronze, it was a lie.¡± Hannah¡¯s fingers closed into a fist in her lap, teeth clamping down on each other; she¡¯d hoped they could just come up with an official battle condition and bait her into agreeing. ¡°You¡¯re kidding ¡­ we can¡¯t even challenge her to make her go away in a bet? How ¡­ what can we do?¡± The anger slowly fizzled out. ¡°Is there anything we can do to stop her in the future?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Amira smiled at her. ¡°Look, you three got taken advantage of by a horrible journalist that gets her money off click-bait, blackmail, and drugging her victims. Learn from the experience and be more careful. If anything, I should have warned you about the possibility at the spa and that the paparazzi is targeting us, and thereby, you three.¡± Amira brushed her extremely thick triple-braided red hair behind her while standing and straightening her triple-tiered skirt. ¡°Anyway, that¡¯s in the past. For now, we need to find some strong Pokemon that want to join us; who knows, maybe in time you¡¯ll be able to get your revenge against her.¡± A new goal lit in Hannah¡¯s breast. ¡°You know what, you¡¯re right! If we try hard enough, we can make it to Gold-tier and beat her.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stop there,¡± Amira chuckled, pointing at her Pokemon. ¡°First, we need to get you a good team. Amber¡¯s got a lead. Ready to go?¡± Warm fuzzies swarmed Hannah¡¯s heart; Amira was the best! If there wasn¡¯t a fan club started for her, she¡¯d start one tonight; of course, she had to use an alias because it would be too embarrassing if Amira discovered she was the leader. They followed behind their Pokemon as the Caterpie led the way. The little insects seemed to be somewhat angry, or they appeared that way to Hannah. * * * Amber released a low hum as they entered a very large forest; the trees were so tall that it hurt her neck to try and look high enough to see where they ended. Pokemon could be heard chatting across the area and many were easily spotted, but this was something like the other wild areas they¡¯d been; it was too peaceful. Pokemon were laughing, talking with one another about recent events, and playing games; that all slowly changed when they appeared, word spreading about their invasion. ¡°Humans?¡± ¡°Tell Butterfree!¡± ¡°Are they here to take Butterfree?¡± ¡°No! They can¡¯t!¡± She sighed, walked up to a nearby tree where a few Caterpie were latched onto. ¡°Hello, we¡¯re not here to start trouble.¡± One of the Caterpie responded in a high-pitched male voice. ¡°We have heard tales about the humans; Pidgey tell us about the battles and conquests ¡­ Sparrows lie, and Hoothoot cannot be trusted.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Amber mumbled. ¡°So, we are looking to find two Pokemon that like to battle and want to get stronger. Is there anyone nearby like that?¡± ¡°I knew it!¡± A female Caterpie growled, leaning over to whisper to another as if she couldn¡¯t hear them. ¡°They¡¯re here for Butterfree!¡± Another gave her a quizzical stare. ¡°You sure? Butterfree doesn¡¯t like to fight; it¡¯s too much work.¡± The female Caterpie¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°True ¡­ remember what the Pidgey say, though?¡± ¡°... Which one?¡± ¡°The one that said the thing! The thing about humans fighting Pokemon up the mountain.¡± Limru scuttled over to Amber, causing the Fennekin to glance her way. ¡°Hey, Amber, umm ¡­ do you really think they¡¯ll help? Pokemon where I¡¯m from were pretty cautious of humans.¡± Amber frowned; she could already hear a few male Pokemon talking about how pretty she was. She debated using it to spark up the proper conversation; it usually tended to work, but it didn¡¯t seem necessary as one of the Caterpie descended. ¡°Wait ¡­ you¡¯re here to take two Pokemon that love to fight?¡± He asked with bright eyes. The guy appeared to be fairly young by his size. ¡°Even if they¡¯re battle junkies?¡± Low mumbles swept the throng, carried further by several other Pokemon that heard. ¡°Could they get rid of them?¡± ¡°Finally! They¡¯re so rude¡­¡± ¡°Not the pretty one.¡± ¡°She does whatever the stupid one says, though¡­¡± Amber listened to the babble for a minute, letting Amira know that things were safe in the area; she didn¡¯t hear a single fight happening at all around them, not even over berries, which was odd. Many of the Pokemon around them were a lot stronger than what she¡¯d seen on Route 1 or in the Pallet Hills. Several Metapod could be seen further up the tree, glaring down at them. From what she could tell, there were two Pokemon that the area occupants thought of as hoodlums, causing trouble in their peaceful neck of the woods, and the big plan was to get the two humans to take them away. Limru was starting to get a bit nervous because of something to do with her Trainer; Amira and her were talking, but the conversation wasn¡¯t really that appealing to Amber. The young representative of the Caterpie inched down to the ground, looking up at her with big eyes. ¡°Can ¡­ if you are taking two Pokemon, then there are some we can take you to!¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ what kind of Pokemon are they?¡± Limru asked with a nervous smile. A soft-spoken male voice came from a nearby bush. ¡°The kind you¡¯ll like.¡± Limru glanced between several of the Pokemon that started coming out of the undergrowth; Amira and Hannah had sat down a bit ago to talk. ¡°... I don¡¯t know, Amber ¡­ it could be a trap.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s not¡­¡± Pleaded the Nickit. By his tone, he was somewhat infatuated with the shiny fox; Amber was used to vocal strain by now. Swapping directions, she faced the overgrowth with a small smile, wagging her tail ever-so-slightly. ¡°Hello, my name¡¯s Amber. My Trainer says you¡¯re a Nickit, which is fairly rare around Viridian; that¡¯s really cool. How are you?¡± His big black ears and red nose popped out for a moment. ¡°Umm ¡­ hi. I¡¯m okay. I, eh ¡­ I don¡¯t really have a name. Pokemon just call me Nickit. Oh, it¡¯s, uh, nice to meet you, t-too,¡± he stammered, ducking back into the bush. Amber refrained from smirking. Is this an act? Could this be a play to break the ice with me, pretending to be shy and cute? I guess I could tug the line. ¡°Hmm ¡­ well, I hope you have a good day. Now, Caterpie¡­¡± Caterpie¡¯s confused eyes darted to the bush as the Nickit jumped out. ¡°Wait, umm ¡­ hey, so, how long are you going to ¡­ you know, stay around here?¡± Amber returned her smile to him. ¡°How long ¡­ I can¡¯t really say,¡± she mused. ¡°Probably overnight, if you know of a good open space.¡± ¡°Uh-huh! Yeah, I do, eh ¡­ there¡¯s a clearing not too far from where I like to hang out, actually.¡± He said with an innocent smile. ¡°Mhm,¡± Amber hid her smirk. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll have time for you to show me the best spots ¡­ of course, we first need to find these Pokemon these Caterpie were talking about.¡± ¡°Yeah, uh ¡­ I know where they are, too! They practice in that field I was talking about, but ¡­ yeah, the one guy isn¡¯t all that interesting, and the girl isn¡¯t as pretty as you.¡± Amber pulled her flaming tail around to hide her face. ¡°Oh, am I really that pretty? I mean ¡­ I know my tail flame looks nice, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Limru had a forced smile on her face, but this Nickit needed clear hints; he was obviously new to the flirting game. ¡°Yeah, yeah! I¡¯ll, umm ¡­ yeah, follow me!¡± Crouching a little, Amber kept her tail close to her face, ears releasing mesmerizing flame patterns that caught the yellow-eyed fox¡¯s gaze. She didn¡¯t even need Hypnosis for the young Nickit. ¡°One second ¡­ my Trainer¡¯s almost done.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ uh, so ¡­ where do you come from?¡± ¡°Mmh, probably a place you haven¡¯t heard of before,¡± Amber giggled. ¡°It¡¯s pretty far away. By the way, you wouldn¡¯t be interested in joining us, would you?¡± He crept closer, vision darting to Limru for a moment before returning to her; the Caterpie seemed somewhat annoyed by his appearance, speaking before he could extend the conversation. ¡°Hey, Amber, Nickit doesn¡¯t want to go ¡­ you need to take the other two Pokemon away before Butterfree comes back.¡± Nickit chuckled softly. ¡°Yeah, uh ¡­ I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m ready to go with humans ¡­ it¡¯s not really something I can see myself doing.¡± Amber¡¯s red eyes turned to the bug. ¡°Oh? Too bad,¡± she sighed with disappointment. Amira let her know they were ready. ¡°We¡¯re in luck; our Trainers are ready.¡± The Pokemon began to lead the way, and the Nickit and Caterpie bounced back and forth; the Caterpie just wanted to be rid of the area¡¯s troublemakers, but Nickit just wanted her attention. She placated both, probing for more information about the area. Limru suddenly took to the air; she was becoming visibly agitated with what their Trainers were discussing, and from what bits she understood, it would be difficult to hear. They were reading Trainers reviewing Ledyba and how bad they were. Amber had to focus on the attention-needy Nickit and the annoyed Caterpie; the Pokemon they were being led to were currently getting ready to battle the Area Boss, a Butterfree, which was apparently something of a daily occurrence for the pair, and these Caterpie were done with it. Their guardian idol needed rest, but by the sounds of it, some battle-crazed egg wouldn¡¯t give him a break, and a string of flowers always hyped the egg up, although Amber didn''t know what to make of the descriptions exactly. They were coming up on the site; their Trainers seemed to have come to a conclusion with their discussion, and Limru looked a lot happier by the results. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Amber asked, jumping on a large root to stare at the hovering Ledyba. Limru was smiling. ¡°A bit ¡­ it¡¯s just hard hearing how terrible you are. It¡¯s not like I wanted to be born weak.¡± Amber shrugged, hopping down as their Trainers worked themselves over the massive chunk of exposed wood; Nickit landed beside her, listening intently. ¡°Every Pokemon has weaknesses. Humans help us learn how to overcome them.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Nickit asked. ¡°I, uh ¡­ I heard humans are really savage. We don¡¯t see too many battles here.¡± Ah ¡­ that makes sense. This Butterfree must be really powerful if they keep the peace in the entire area. Her attention shifted to the field as they exited the woods. * * * Hannah rose to her feet, brushing her knees off and adjusting her cream shorts; she noticed a few grass stains on them that weren¡¯t there before. Muk ¡­ I really should spend some more money on good resilient clothes, but they¡¯re so Mukin¡¯ expensive¡­ Not allowing her irritation to show, she kept a bright tone. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m ready! Umm ¡­ so, who do you think I should put on my team? My dad said Ledyba were underrated, but I haven¡¯t figured out how to really utilize her Moves that well ¡­ I mean, I guess we only have two at the moment,¡± she mumbled, trying to remember the articles she¡¯d looked up. ¡°Okay,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°Tell me what you¡¯ve discovered ¡­ oh?¡± She unclipped her phone while looking at a notification. ¡°Lori bought the team package for Pokedex ¡­ that¡¯s nice.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. What? That¡¯s like ¡­ how much money does Mallory have?! That¡¯s super expensive to get a premium subscription like a Team Pass. ¡°Uh ¡­ so, I¡¯m not trying to sound mean, Limru knows that, but ¡­ every article I read said Ledyba and Ledian fall off around Gold-tier ¡­ they aren¡¯t super reliable overall. My dad¡¯s super confident that Trainers sleep on them, though. I just ¡­ what do you think?¡± Amira had her phone up again, occasionally keeping track of where they were going and stepping over roots or ducking branches; their group was drawing quite a few Pokemon. Waiting for her idol to respond, Hannah tried to test her link to Limru. Hey, did that ¡­ he was a Nickit, right? Did he want to join us? The response was a solid negative. Ah ¡­ got it. Thanks, Limru. We¡¯ll find one! Umm ¡­ give me a little time, Limru. I¡¯m sorry ¡­ I know I¡¯m kind of failing as a Trainer. I get drugged ¡­ we¡¯ve lost every battle we¡¯ve been in ¡­ our rank is tanking ¡­ hard. Limru paused for a moment giving her a concerned look. I know ¡­ I¡¯m being hard on myself, but I can¡¯t help it. What if Amira or Rhea lookup how we¡¯ve been doing since we left? It¡¯d be so embarrassing¡­ She sighed, noticing Amira had the picture of a Ledyba on her phone; she was going through the Pokedex site¡¯s information on them. ¡°Hmm ¡­ some of the Trainer comments do mention Ledyba and Ledian are difficult to make competitive, but there¡¯s surprisingly little information overall since not many people move to the higher ladders. Let¡¯s see ¡­ if I was going to get advice from someone, it¡¯d be from someone qualified.¡± ¡°Like?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°Uh, you don¡¯t mean High Master Bugsy, right?¡± She chuckled. ¡°How would I get advice from a Gym Leader?¡± ¡°Any of them, really,¡± Amira mumbled, performing a search. ¡°Viola, Burgh, and Bugsy are all High Master Bug-Type Gym Leaders. Aaron would probably be the best to question as a Grandmaster, and he¡¯s from Sinnoh ¡­ ugh, Guzma is considered a Grandmaster Bug-Type Trainer.¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Hannah adjusted her pack; the weight felt like boulders when she took it off for a bit and put it back on. ¡°Should I really be looking for Top-tier advice at this level? How could I even use it?¡± Amira shook her head, scanning down Pokemon reviews, speculations, and general thoughts on her Pokemon, using the filter to look for specific Master-tier Trainers giving their opinion. ¡°It¡¯s important to know where your Pokemon can excel early on to min-max your efficiency. Ah ¡­ here we go. Bugsy has a big article on it, but it¡¯s pretty dated ¡­ I think it was posted by another user ages ago.¡± Hannah scooted closer to read with her; in short, Ledian had probably some of the worst Stats when it came to the currently known pool of Bug Pokemon. Period. Bug/Flying Type didn¡¯t help much since it gave the Pokemon a ton of weaknesses. It had decent speed, but if they were outsped, Ledian would get KO¡¯ed pretty fast. It was one reason why there were never territorial boss Ledian, forcing them to act as a swarm. Ledian¡¯s Ability, Swarm, was almost useless since increasing their already horrible Attack and Special Attack Stats would do little to help, even if you added their Dream World Ability, Iron Fist. Increasing the Punch-Series Moves provided minimal aid and required a lot of time investment from the Trainer and Pokemon to even accomplish that goal. In the end, combining the 50% increased Offensive Stats of Swarm with Iron Fist¡¯s 20% just wasn¡¯t enough to push her Pokemon into High-tier competitive play on its own. By questioning Limru, Hannah discovered her Ledyba had Early Bird, too ¡­ she couldn¡¯t even get the offensive boost Bugsy was talking about. The Ability helped against any kind of sleep strategy, and did work with Rest tactics, but wasn¡¯t exactly game-changing when other Pokemon could get Insomnia and still brought downtime in a match. The news was a bit crushing for both Hannah and Limru; it was one of the first times she¡¯d sensed her Pokemon¡¯s feelings so strongly, which was heartbreaking, but near the end of the critical review, by one of the world¡¯s foremost experts on Bug-Types, came a silver lining. Bugsy went on to explain that Mega Evolution provided a much needed boost to the Fighting Bug Pokemon, redistributing their Stats in a way to dramatically increase their Attack Stat to rival heavy hitters like Heracross and Pinsir while increasing its Speed by a healthy degree, no longer requiring Rattled as their first Dream World choice. The addition of Guts further helped Mega Ledian enter the competitive scene by having a way to increase its Attack by utilizing the opponent¡¯s energy when targeting the Mega Ledian with a status condition, allowing it to intercept the Moves for its team. When combining Swarm, Iron Fist, and Guts with Ledian¡¯s Barrier Bash Ability, gained on its Evolution within Silver-tier, in addition to its changed Typing of Bug/Fighting and Stat redistribution, Ledian could finally become a physical offensive threat. Barrier Bash gives the Pokemon a permanent Brick Break, able to outright shatter popular defensive choices such as Barrier, Light Screen, and Aurora Veil with any physical Move, and allowing Ledian to bypass up to a +2 Defense buff. All while simultaneously setting its own Reflect, Safeguard, and Light Screen defensive matrix, keeping offensive momentum to snowball. Bugsy recommended Swarm as a starting Ability since it would provide high offensive pressure for the Bug Pokemon with a proper support to keep the Ledyba just within range of the Stat increase early on, but that wasn¡¯t an option for them. Ledian became a real offensive threat for set up and wall-breaking strats in Silver-tier, but fell off fairly hard in Gold-tier. It could function as a Baton Pass user to help their team, but with such low Defense and being an up-close and personal type of combatant, they were very susceptible to one shots and focus swap burst teams. It wasn¡¯t until Platinum-tier, the earliest a Ledian and their Trainer could perform Mega Evolution, when the Fighting Bug could really enter the scene again, and kept its viability into Master-tier if going for their Dream World Abilities. Of course, Mega-Evolution was even difficult for Top-tier Trainers at Platinum, like Rhea¡¯s brother, but was possible. The Bug Master recommended Iron Fist first but Rattled would be a wonderful addition if you decide to keep your Ledian on your Main Line-up and send it on its second Dream Journey heading into Grandmaster-tier. Hannah couldn¡¯t even imagine that, though, and knew very little about the obscure Dream Dimension. However, if she was able to meet most of those conditions it would be difficult to stop the rampaging Fighting Bug Pokemon when it started to snowball. It¡¯s just that Ledian required a lot more dedication and time with their Trainer than most Pokemon to reach that Mega Evolution breaking point when they finally became viable. Mega Evolution was recommended over Z-Moves and Syncro-Burst for obvious reasons. In the end, her Ledyba would have a rough time in Bronze-tier, grow into a threat in Silver, fall-off hard in Gold before reaching the stars in Platinum ¡­ if Hannah could keep up. Limru also required a lot of resources to expand her great TM and Tutor Move Pool, but that came with time. Her dad hadn¡¯t been wrong, but the road would be difficult for them. Hannah encouraged her little Ledyba while sensing her mixed emotions. Don¡¯t worry! We¡¯ll get you there somehow ¡­ I know we will! Even if it¡¯ll be rough ¡­ no, we have to believe, and we will get friends to help us! We can do it! Limru flew a bit into the air as they picked up their pace again, and gave her a weak smile; she was still unsure how she¡¯d make it to that big goal. Her little bug girl had no clue her journey would be so much more difficult than the other Pokemon around her. Hannah smiled at her idol. ¡°Thanks for giving us a path, Amira ¡­ that means so much to me and Limru. I know we can do it!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira chuckled while putting her phone away. ¡°All I did was find an old article ¡­ Gym Leaders don¡¯t post those kinds of Pokemon reviews much anymore ¡­ Trainers started to get mad at them for disrespecting their Pokemon.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Hannah¡¯s gaze shifted to Limru, flying ahead of them through the ancient forest. ¡°I can see that ¡­ I felt pretty bad when you were reading the earlier part. I mean, it¡¯s not like Limru can change how she was born, but the last part showed that there¡¯s a path for us ¡­ it¡¯s not impossible.¡± Amira nodded. ¡°My grandpa always talks about that ¡­ there¡¯s always a way to win, you just need to be smart and resourceful enough to make it happen.¡± A fire was burning in Hannah¡¯s chest. Meeting Rhea had been the best thing that had ever happened to her; she used to think there wasn¡¯t anything she could do, these gifted Trainers would always be ahead of her, but after getting to know a few of those untouchable figures ¡­ she discovered they were no different than her in many ways. However, the one thing they had was the confidence to push forward with their goals, and not let anyone else tell them otherwise. She never thought she¡¯d be out here, less than a week after bonding with her first Pokemon, going for her second, but here she was, it wasn¡¯t impossible for her. Amira, Rhea, and Mallory had given her the confidence to reach beyond her lineage. Reading all the horrible things people said about Ledian and Ledyba online had thrown her for a spiral at first; it was probably why her bond with Limru was so turbulent between her own self-doubt and how far the two of them could go. That was in the past, though. She¡¯d show the world what Limru could do, even if she didn¡¯t have the best possible Abilities she could have. Maybe she¡¯d even challenge Bugsy and beat him one day before telling him how much his article inspired her. They entered into a wide open field, sunlight exploding across the grassy area, but much of the tall strands had been cut to a small height, and she caught sight of the two Pokemon they were led to, eyes widening with delight. * * * Comfey hovered above the ground with a bright smile. Togepi, her best buddy, had been practicing really hard to perfect their big combo recently, and she was ready to help him take the win against their biggest foe ¡­ the Boss! ¡°You ready, Togepi?¡± He turned to give her a smug grin, jumping into a quick spin. ¡°I¡¯m ready to take him out; we so got this this time!¡± Comfey wrapped her tail around to hold it, floating down to his level. ¡°What should we do after? I can blow some leaves in his face. Will that help?¡± Togepi waved his hand. ¡°No, no, no, we¡¯ll be fine; one shot is all it will take from our big show!¡± The statement put a bit of unease in her; Togepi had always been a bit quirky with his plans, and sometimes hasty. This was another one of his random attack strategies, but this time, she¡¯d managed to get the timing down to help him. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll try and buy time if it fails again,¡± she chimed. ¡°Of course, that¡¯s probably not gonna happen, though, right?¡± ¡°Yeah! I can feel this next one in the tips of my hands; we¡¯re gonna floor Boss Butterfree today!¡± Hmm ¡­ if we do fail again, which Move should I go with? Butterfree usually lets us get a few in before blowing us away. So ¡­ I should blind him for Togepi to build-up another attack, maybe? Her attention swapped to a crowd of Pokemon that came out of the forest ¡­ with humans. ¡°Oh, Togepi! It¡¯s a human ¡­ don¡¯t they look funny?¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Togepi lifted an eye at the peanut gallery they¡¯d attracted. ¡°Ho, ho! We even drew in humans to see our awesome victory!¡± Comfey released her tail to clap. ¡°You¡¯re so cool!¡± They settled down as a flaming fox came forward with Nickit; the red-furred Pokemon would normally sit by the side of the field and watch them. Comfey thought he might idolize Togepi because the young fox was usually present for their training. Ever since they¡¯d heard a few Spearow talk about how powerful Pokemon could get when bonded with humans and the crazy battles they had, Togepi had been starstruck. He wanted to prove he was strong, too. Comfey just thought it was fun to hang out with her best bud, and enjoyed helping him out. It was nice to be wanted and have a friend. She was all alone when she hatched, and Togepi was the first Pokemon to call her his friend. She¡¯d heard the stories the Pidgey told, but she wasn¡¯t so sure they were being honest; humans couldn¡¯t be that bad if the Spearow liked them. Although, the Hoothoot could be a bit suspicious with their stories about Pokemon ten-times bigger than Butterfree. Snatching her tail again, Comfey did a few spins in the air. ¡°Hello! We¡¯re getting ready for our big fight today. Are you going to watch?¡± The Fire Fox Pokemon sat down, tail swinging softly; she was really pretty, and even sparkled a bit, which drew her eyes from her fur to the flickering flames. The fire was a bit frightening, yet mesmerizing at the same time, and the female fox wasn¡¯t all that scary. In fact, she looked super friendly. Togepi puffed up his chest, pointing at Comfey. ¡°We¡¯re gonna be the new big bosses of this area and kick out all the bad Pokemon!¡± The pretty fox gave them an innocent smile. ¡°Mmh ¡­ is that right?¡± Comfey was a little perplexed as the two humans began talking with each other; one was super excited while the other was looking at some kind of light that a flat crystal produced. ¡°We¡¯ve been practicing a lot,¡± she mumbled. ¡°What are your humans doing? They are your humans, right?¡± The Ledyba beside them nodded, giving her a bright expression. ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Limru, by the way, and this is Amber,¡± she pointed to the fox. ¡°Pleasure to meet you,¡± Amber added. ¡°They are our Trainers ¡­ heh, I suppose you could call them our humans, and we are their Pokemon.¡± Comfey¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh, is that how it works? I didn¡¯t know. So you¡¯re theirs and they¡¯re yours?¡± Limru sat up on her two back legs. ¡°We¡¯re¡­¡± She trailed-off as the group of Caterpie started to cheer. ¡°The Boss is coming!¡± ¡°Butterfree, our protector!¡± ¡°Come show these fools you are undefeated!¡± ¡°Beat back the infidels!¡± A sad sigh, passed through Comfey¡¯s mouth, giving Amber and Limru a forced smile. ¡°Sorry, they get a little worked up when we battle the boss.¡± ¡°Infidels?¡± Amber mused, lifting an eye at the Caterpie. Togepi chuckled, drawing their gaze. ¡°It means we are strong; they recognize us as conquerors!¡± ¡°Boo!¡± ¡°Down with the infidels!¡± ¡°Long reign the Sleeping King!¡± Yeah, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s what it means, Togepi¡­ Her best bud was utterly convinced everyone loved them, but the moment they hatched and started challenging Butterfree, they¡¯d been labeled infidels; she was pretty sure it was some kind of unspoken rule not to challenge him. It made Togepi happy to hear their calls, though, and none of the other Pokemon in the area could handle their tag-team, which meant Butterfree was their goal at finally becoming strong Pokemon, like Amber and Limru. In fact¡­ Comfey grabbed her tail with glee, hugging it close to her chest. ¡°Hey, hey, Togepi! What if we battle Amber and Limru next; we can see how strong human Pokemon are!¡± Limru gave her reply a short chuckle. ¡°Eh, heh ¡­ we aren¡¯t human Pokemon ¡­ we¡¯re just bonded Pokemon.¡± ¡°Bonded¡­¡± Togepi¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Spearow talked about that, didn¡¯t he, Comfey?¡± She hummed, not recalling the word. ¡°I don¡¯t think I was there for that one.¡± Togepi grinned. ¡°Yeah, we can show them how strong we are, but first ¡­ ah, there you are Sleeping King!¡± Comfey saw the pretty Butterfly hover through an open place in the woods with a low yawn, catching sight of them. The moment he saw the crowd that was gathering, he groaned. ¡°Aww ¡­ c¡¯mon, guys ¡­ humans, too. What¡¯s the deal?¡± He questioned, floating over while a group of chanting Caterpie moved below him. Amber eyed him with a small smirk. ¡°You¡¯re the leader over this area? Yeah ¡­ you are pretty strong.¡± He groaned, glancing at the Trainers as they conversed with one another. ¡°You¡¯re here to pick-up a few Pokemon? This is a pretty chill area, but I don¡¯t know if you¡¯ll get many¡­¡± Togepi jumped in with a bright smile. ¡°Esskeetit! Let¡¯s do this Comfey; we¡¯re gonna blow you away today, Butterfree!¡± Ledyba seemed a bit nervous by Butterfree¡¯s appearance, the Caterpie noises, and Togepi¡¯s response. ¡°Can you two really fight him ¡­ he¡¯s super strong.¡± Butterfree waved a hand in his typical weak manner. ¡°It¡¯s cool ¡­ man, you got the looks, though, girl,¡± he chuckled. ¡°M-Me?¡± The Ledyba stammered, glancing at Amber. He did a slow twirl. ¡°Yeah ¡­ once you grow a bit more, you¡¯ll have all the boys running. Uh ¡­ these two fighting me? They¡¯ll be fine. This is ¡­ normal,¡± he grumbled, turning to give a sad glare at the two excited Pokemon. Togepi jumped up, pointing a finger at him. ¡°Normal that we toss you around!¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ c¡¯mon, guys,¡± Butterfree pleaded, droopy eyes sweeping the chants for him to blow them away again or toss them into a tree. ¡°I was up all night talking to Lilligant ¡­ she says Nidorino has been pushing a bit into her territory ¡­ gah, then the Black Rattata gang tried to make a raid ¡­ then the blue Sandshrew clique got into a fight with the Houndour group. Let me sleep¡­¡± ¡°Not until we battle!¡± Togepi grinned, ¡°Or are you scared we¡¯ll win this time?!¡± Butterfree spun his hand in a circle with a short yawn. ¡°Go on ¡­ do your worst.¡± Comfey and Togepi set their faces; this was it. The others backed up, and low whispers were passed around that she couldn¡¯t hear, but it wasn¡¯t time to focus on them. She had to support her best friend. White energy gathered around her as Togepi drew his own. ¡°Don¡¯t regret this; I¡¯m feeling this one, Butterfree!¡± Togepi shouted. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Comfey!¡± ¡°I got you!¡± She shouted, continuing to build all the helpful energy she could muster. Spinning in a circle, the white aura condensed in the center of her loop, and she released her tail to push the gathered sphere at Togepi. All eyes were on them, but Comfey had no doubt they saw their duo as villains. They were rebels to the peace of the area, yet Butterfree never kicked them out, letting them try every time they managed to push to a new level. Their combined attack exploded within her bestie, supporting his next attack to the maximum. Togepi waved one of his hands back and forth with a devious grin. ¡°Esskeetit!!¡± An overwhelming, ominous wave slammed against Comfey¡¯s chest; whatever was coming was far stronger than anything they¡¯d done before. Oh, no ¡­ it keeps getting stronger. Togepi was laughing as power surged from him; the white aura turned light brown before flashing neon green shades, and the air began to vibrate. Butterfree¡¯s mouth dropped open as hundreds upon hundreds of green shards blasted out from around Togepi¡¯s green brilliance. ¡°... Wha¡­¡± Butterfree watched the sky blot out with the projectiles, and with one motion of Togepi¡¯s hand, they descended. ¡°Okay, what?¡± Amber shreaked. The humans and Pokemon screamed with panic, retreating back to the forest, but all Comfey could do was watch in awe. That¡¯s way bigger than anything we¡¯ve done before! Can we actually do it this time? Butterfree pivoted, sending a burst of wind at a thousand beams collapsing around him; it stopped many, but was soon overpowered, striking him from every angle, and they lost sight of him from the exploding particles colliding with his body. ¡°Comfey, Comfey; we did it!¡± He cheered. ¡°We¡¯re so¡­¡± He trailed off as the devastated battlefield cleared of green; Butterfree was now on the ground, wings lifting left and right while examining himself. ¡°Huh ¡­ wow, a lot stronger than anything you¡¯ve done before ¡­ I¡¯m definitely awake now, heh.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Togepi mumbled, dropping to his butt. Oh, I gotta follow up! It took her a moment to regain her senses after the flashy Move; a four meter area was utterly devastated, only ripped up dirt visible below Butterfree. Comfey shot forward, twisting around their opponent¡¯s body, barely able to grab her tail before squeezing; white illuminated her frame. ¡°I ¡­ I got him, Togepi! I¡­¡± Butterfree chuckled, flexing his wings; her grip slipped, and he beat his wings, blowing her and Togepi back. A massive chunk of her defensive shield was instantly taken. ¡°Nooo ¡­ Togepi!¡± Sure enough, her bestie was on the ground, eyes spinning; they¡¯d failed for the forty-eighth time, but she couldn¡¯t give up yet just because she was running low on energy. Turning around, she spun in a circle to blaze bright green. A swirl of leaves and wind expanded in a small tornado toward Butterfree to lift and blind him, but another casual flap of his wings sent it back in her face, negating her Move. ¡°We tried¡­¡± ¡°It was a nice try,¡± Butterfree encouraged with a smile and soft chuckle. The reverse gust struck her and she blacked out. * * * Amira¡¯s lips dropped open upon sensing the unusual aura expelling from the Togepi¡¯s body; this was not a normal attack, and reminded her of the aura Legendary Pokemon naturally generated. A dome of green darts trapped everyone in the area. You have to be kidding me; am I about to die to a random Metronome Move that hit the golden ticket? Amber let¡¯s go! She grabbed Hannah¡¯s arm; the girl was too stunned to even move upon seeing the hundreds upon hundreds of darts shooting into the sky to lock the Butterfree in before attacking from all angles. ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± ¡°W-What is that?¡± Hannah gasped. ¡°Togepi luck!¡± Amira shouted, noticing the arrows instantly curve around them at light speed, leaving a sizzling trail of green dots across her vision. It didn¡¯t actually hold that much power, but was far stronger than the Togepi should have been able to produce since it had converted into the multipliciable force of a Legendary Pokemon¡¯s energy. The air hummed with the unique aura, pulsing through Amira¡¯s body; she¡¯d never felt this kind of weird signature waves, which meant this attack didn¡¯t come from the Tower Duo or their subordinates since she¡¯d met each of them when she was a little girl, and it¡¯s hard to forget those kind of forces. It was over before they even made it to the forest edge; dirt couldn¡¯t even expand, each explosion sending it back to compact the earth with a dense gravitational impact. She slowed to a stop with the others, and she could feel Amber¡¯s panic, wondering what she should do. Amira soothed her, breathing a sigh of relief. Her mother hadn¡¯t shown up, she had no doubt she would have if she¡¯d actually been in danger, but who could stay calm in the face of such an attack? The powerful Low Silver-tier Butterfree had taken the full brunt of the attack, and had clearly taken damage by the way it had been forced to the ground. Of course, when struck by Legendary Energy, even from a much lower-tier Pokemon, you didn¡¯t come out unscathed. Two gusts later, and both the Comfey and Togepi were knocked out; the Butterfree appeared to be taking the surprise attack surprisingly well. Amber tentatively went over to talk to him, but all the other Pokemon had long since vanished into the forest in panic. While her Pokemon checked things out with him Amira searched Pokedex¡¯s website and scanned for anything that matched what she saw; nothing came up. She couldn¡¯t find any reference to anyone getting the same Metronome Move anywhere online. Turning off her phone, she put it back on her belt. Setting her backpack down, she got out her Super Potion and went to heal the Comfey and Butterfree; Hannah had recovered and went to do the same to the Togepi. ¡°Uh ¡­ Amira, what was that?¡± She shook her head, smoothing back a few strands of hair that had fallen out of place. ¡°Honestly, I have no idea. I couldn¡¯t find anything about it ¡­ I¡¯ll have to ask my mom. Umm ¡­ how¡¯s the Togepi?¡± ¡°Recovering ¡­ he seems a bit down.¡± The Comfey floated over to comfort the Spike Ball Pokemon after Amira healed her; she seemed to thank her and Amber before hovering to her friend with concern. Togepi was tearing up a little with Hannah¡¯s compassionate rubs to his shell. ¡°It¡¯s okay ¡­ you were really strong; you did good!¡± The Butterfree gave her a weak salute when she started healing him, too. Geez ¡­ that nearly stopped my heart. * * * Comfey wrapped around Togepi and the human¡¯s hand. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t cry ¡­ we did really good, Togepi!¡± She encouraged. ¡°Look, even the humans think you¡¯re awesome.¡± ¡°I ¡­ I just wanted to have them ¡­ them all like me. Everyone hates us, and now ¡­ now ¡­ how do we win if that doesn¡¯t work? We tried ¡­ everything¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry! We¡¯ll get it one day, Togepi, and you¡¯ve got me.¡± He hugged her, sniffing a little. ¡°... Thanks, Comfey ¡­ how do we get stronger?¡± Limru rubbed Comfey¡¯s back with a comforting smile. ¡°Hey, if you want to get stronger, you can join Hannah and me. We¡¯re gonna get to Gold-tier ¡­ no, Platinum, for sure; we gotta get back at this human woman that drugged my Trainer and made her feel bad.¡± Comfey had no clue what Gold or Platinum was, but figured it must be something powerful. ¡°W-We can get stronger?¡± Togepi asked, tears still in his eyes. Comfey frowned. ¡°Will we be separated? I wanna stay with Togepi.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± They turned to see Amber walking over to them with Butterfree and the other human by his side. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯ll never see each other again,¡± the fire fox said with a smile. ¡°I could use your help, if you want to join. Amira¡¯s really impressed by that Helping Hand Move you have, and if you want to get stronger, there¡¯s no faster way than bonding with a Trainer.¡± ¡°We can still see each other?¡± Comfey asked. ¡°Spearow said Trainers go to really far away places ¡­ I¡¯ve never left this area.¡± Togepi whipped his eyes, putting on a brave face. ¡°We can get stronger, though? The bonding thing?¡± ¡°Without a doubt,¡± Amber grinned, glancing to Butterfree as he released a slow sigh. ¡°Hey, Comfey, Togepi ¡­ if you really want to get stronger, then they¡¯re not wrong.¡± Comfey¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°But ¡­ the Caterpie say humans can¡¯t be trusted. You trust them, Butterfree?¡± He chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a bit more complicated than that, but ¡­ yeah, these girls seem fine,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Plus ¡­ I could get some sleep if you two go off to get stronger,¡± he yawned. ¡°Oh ¡­ I¡¯m tired again¡­¡± Comfey¡¯s lips drew in, but Togepi seemed all in. ¡°I want to get stronger!¡± Limru hovered over them to sit in front of him. ¡°Hannah and I¡¯d love to have you! We really want to get stronger, too, and there are lots of Pokemon even stronger than Butterfree out there.¡± ¡°Wha ¡­ no way,¡± Togepi mumbled, looking to the Pokemon for confirmation. ¡°Butterfree¡¯s never lost ¡­ not once!¡± He rubbed his cheek absently. ¡°Well, yeah, but there are way stronger Pokemon up the mountain. I run a pretty easy strat with sleeping groups and taking them out. It won¡¯t work on stronger Pokemon, though.¡± Amber¡¯s tail started to wag again, giving her a charming smile. ¡°We can be friends.¡± A heat rose in Comfey¡¯s chest. ¡°We ¡­ can be friends?¡± Limru got up on her hind legs again. ¡°Yeah! We can all be friends. We help each other out in battles; there is this Triple Battle thing where all my other new friends join in and we try to win together. It¡¯s really fun.¡± Tears started shining in Comfey¡¯s eyes, hands clamped against her chest. ¡°I can ¡­ have more friends? I want more friends!¡± She cried. ¡°I¡¯ll help a lot, and ¡­ and I want to have fun ¡­ can we do that?¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Butterfree hovered down, whispering to Amber, but she could still hear him. ¡°They only hatched a few months ago, and ¡­ they didn¡¯t have the warmest welcome.¡± Amber pressed her front paw against her human¡¯s leg, and the Trainer took out a spherical thing. ¡°Just go into here, and you¡¯ll be bonded with Amira and me; we¡¯ll be your new family,¡± she grinned. ¡°We can have a lot of fun and make more friends all over the place.¡± ¡°Me, too!¡± Togepi shouted, and clapped with excitement as the other human brought out a similar device. ¡°Esskeetit!!¡± Comfey giggled as he jumped out of her grip and off the human¡¯s lap to touch the sphere; her mouth dropped open when it swallowed him whole. ¡°Wha ¡­ where¡­¡± Limru waved her arms. ¡°One sec, one sec ¡­ I need to go back in¡­¡± The human tensed a little as if in a bit of pain, but Comfey thought she was smiling. In dismay, she watched Limru turn into energy and go into a similar sphere. What¡¯s happening?! Togepi¡¯s sphere opened, revealing her bestie¡¯s ecstatic face. ¡°Comfey, Comfey! It¡¯s so warm and ¡­ and I can talk to them in my mind! I¡¯m talking to Limru ¡­ heh, she¡¯s like ¡­ so close to me, but ¡­ there, she¡¯s right there!¡± He pointed at the ball in the human¡¯s hand. ¡°Oh, oh, she wants to give me a name like Limru ¡­ Star? Esskeetit!¡± Amber lifted an eye. ¡°Eh ¡­ what does esskeetit mean?¡± Comfey smiled. ¡°It means let¡¯s get it ¡­ it¡¯s like his cheer. Hehe ¡­ umm, yeah, okay. If Star wants to go with it, and he likes it ¡­ I¡¯ll give it a shot.¡± She swooped down and tentatively touched the sphere; a strange expansion felt like it entered her chest. Without warning, she was in a warm, safe place next to Amira¡¯s heart. She knew her Trainer¡¯s name, and could feel a wealth of strength within her that made her own look tiny. Wow ¡­ this is so comfy. ¡°Heh, good one,¡± Amber commented. We can talk! This is so cool. Amber¡¯s tone turned teasing. ¡°Not going to say esskeetit?¡± Nuh-uh, that¡¯s Toge ¡­ Star¡¯s thing, she giggled. Umm ¡­ so, do I get a name? Her chest burned with wonder as all the new sensations swirled within her and around her; it was so strange sharing emotions and thoughts, but Amira somehow understood her question, and shockingly, she could understand her human. ¡°Hey, Comfey. I am so happy you decided to join us!¡± Amber piped up. ¡°She¡¯s interested in making more friends. We have a team, by the way; you¡¯ll meet them tomorrow.¡± More friends?! H-How many? She cried, hands trembling against her mouth; this was the happiest moment in her life. ¡°We ¡­ oh ¡­ you want to meet more friends? We¡¯ll be getting at least another four along our journey, probably more, and tomorrow you¡¯ll meet Rhea and Mallory¡¯s team. Lori will have a new Pokemon with her and Rhea has Nova and Mya.¡± Four new friends ¡­ and they¡¯ll be friends with Star? ¡°Yup, well ¡­ probably,¡± Amber mumbled. ¡°Name, Amira, name!¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Amira giggled, and Comfey could suddenly see the world through her Trainer¡¯s eyes. ¡°How about ¡­ Holly?¡± This is so, so, so cool ¡­ uh, Holly? Holly ¡­ Holly ¡­ I¡¯m Holly! I¡¯m Holly! She cried. Thank you, Amber, Amira ¡­ I won¡¯t ¡­ I¡¯ll be a good support and help you as best I can! It seemed Amira was a bit unique since she was able to have both Amber and her out at the same time, and they spent the rest of the day getting to know each other. Limru and Star took turns by the hour, but Hannah seemed to be pushing herself to do it; she was pretty sore by the nightfall. A big surprise came when Ho-Oh burst into existence; Amira apparently had some connection to the bird as a little girl. The Legendary Pokemon was beyond anything Holly thought was possible, and it showed her the path they were on, and it excited her. She had a team and friends now; she wouldn¡¯t be alone ever again like when she¡¯d first hatched. Amira and Holly went over her Moves and Ability, which was exciting for them both, and her Trainer showered her with praise; it was hard to keep modest with the human¡¯s continual proud emotions. She was the key to beating someone named Forrest. IVs: Average 21 Nature: Modest Ability: Triage Known Moves: Celebrate Growth Flower Shield Helping Hand Leaf Tornado Leech Seed Lucky Chant Vine Whip Wrap B1 — 25. Emotion 12:06 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Jade spent the morning hanging out with Hannah and Sam; these last few days were becoming some of the happiest in her life. She was on a team that cared about her for just being her. They¡¯d gone over a few strategies during breakfast, mostly touching on the 3s Battles they¡¯d lost the day before. The three didn¡¯t spend long reflecting since a lot of people were moving around since they set up in one of the Route 1 trail campsites. Sam surprised them with some cut fruit she¡¯d bought yesterday when they were getting ready to leave Xanadu, popping it out when they were cleaning up camp. It wasn¡¯t something she expected and was a nice treat. Jade had hopped from group to group in school, looking for people that would treat her like Sam and Hannah did. The three of them just clicked, and it made her feel so warm and fuzzy inside. She smiled while watching the groups of trainers pass by her and her two friends; they¡¯d moved to the side of Route 1¡¯s road when Rhea called Sam¡¯s phone. There were a lot of various styles of clothing from the tourists passing through that interested her. She wondered if a few could be purchased online and shipped to Kanto. However, her lax thoughts came to a screeching halt when Rhea explained who would be going with who. She was excited for the prospect of spending time with one of her new idols ¡­ until that didn¡¯t happen. She gave a weak chuckle, masking the depressed sigh close to her lips once her name was put in the hat; Rhea just threw her in with Ellie and Inoa, Casey Brook¡¯s teammates. ¡°The third wheel in the trio, huh?¡± Jade instantly regretted the comment as the vivid vision of Rhea¡¯s coral blue eyes creasing with concern flashed across her mind with the blonde supermodel¡¯s shift in tone. ¡°No, well ¡­ I mean¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m kidding,¡± Jade laughed it off with a wave of her hand as Sam and Hannah turned troubled looks on her. ¡°I¡¯m kidding! Uh, I mean, yeah, it sounds like a good opportunity,¡± she deflected, trying to shift the focus. ¡°What do you two think?¡± Luckily, Hannah swiftly took the spotlight with the revelation that she¡¯d be spending one-on-one time with Amira. Jade hadn¡¯t missed the comments her redheaded teammate had made about the Rocket girl. Without a doubt, Hannah admired Amira¡¯s cool and tough-girl personality, the way she didn¡¯t seem to care how people saw her, and how effortlessly she fit into a conversation or knew exactly what to say at the right time. While Jade agreed, she didn¡¯t really gravitate to those types of girls. She wanted to spend time with Mallory. At the spa, Lori was always the one pulling everyone back in and keeping everything going. Rhea was a little like that, but in a more socially awkward way that was cute and beautiful at the same time; on the other hand, Mallory had a naturally cool and clever vibe that Jade wanted to emulate. She was vocal, fun, and had so much depth to her personality that drew people in. Although, after Rhea explained the groups, it wasn¡¯t like she could blame the decision. Lori was going to spend time with her sister. The news about Casey Brooks and Mallory Medina being step-sisters threw Jade for a loop, but it made sense with their parents. It just never occurred to her since they came from entirely different regions. Still, she couldn¡¯t help feeling like a third wheel ¡­ yet again. A loud sigh puffed out of Jade¡¯s lips as she swung her backpack off with the others, dropping to the grass to stare up at the sky; Orin, her Pidgey, fluttered down to land on her chest, trying to tell her that he was here for her as Jade managed her unbound blue hair. It was a sweet sentiment but didn¡¯t help. Her mind wandered until Rhea and Lyra showed up; she was doing her best not to look lonely or depressed ¡­ but it was hard. Her teammates seemed far more nervous about their own pairs to notice her internal struggle, so at least she could attempt to stitch another cut in her battered heart. Jade turned her head away to wipe away a tear. This journey was supposed to be different from middle school ¡­ high school ¡­ it was her Bronze-tier Journey; it took so much out of her to even get everything set up for that day she met Rhea, Sam, and Hannah. Everything just meshed together so perfectly, which was why this hurt so much, and it shouldn¡¯t, and she was stupid, but still a tear fell from her eye. Why is it always like this? Having Rhea call them and literally talk to a celebrity like Champion Lyra was a dream come true ¡­ something her parents wouldn¡¯t have approved of, yet now it was a bit difficult to feel the excitement she desperately wanted with the same old cycle returning. She loved her parents, and they loved her, but that didn¡¯t mean they accepted her or her sister¡¯s choices in life ¡­ which was hard. Her parents were nobodies; in fact, there wasn¡¯t much she could even say about them to friends ¡­ well, there was one thing, but she preferred to keep that to herself. What she told friends was pretty simple and to the point. They worked at one of the local fish farms that provided a safe place for the fish outside of the wild, and that was it ¡­ that¡¯s all she needed to say. Her parents actually met during the early days when the wildlife business and preservation effort started to emerge, attempting to rescue many of the swiftly diminishing wildlife from Pokemon savagery ¡­ they were Flare supporters. Not the vocal, annoying, activist Flare supporters, but the silent glare type. Both failed their Bronze-tier Journey when they were younger and grew bitter soon after; once everyone in their graduating class managed to get a Boulder Badge, they returned home, and one of Kalos¡¯s Flare evangelists came to Kanto soon after. Jade wasn¡¯t sure about the finer details, as it happened before she was born and when her parents were still teens, but they jumped on the message. They donated to the organization monthly, subscribed to its merchandise catalogs to support the cause, and weren¡¯t even phased by Lysandre¡¯s real goal that had been thwarted last year. It was all manipulated and fabricated, they said; it¡¯s well known, Kalos News is under the Nobles¡¯ thumb. In the end, her parents weren¡¯t too keen on Pokemon battles, Training, or Pokemon in general; they¡¯d released their two bonded Pokemon when they were teenagers. Flare¡¯s belief was that Pokemon were a blight on the world and wildlife were the victims of a cruel invasive species that had to be set right, and humans had the power to do it ¡­ and her parents bought into that ideology. Therefore, Jade didn¡¯t get much support from them; at least they wouldn¡¯t disown her, but most of the heat of being a Trainer had fallen on her older sister, Cami. She¡¯d started her journey three years ago and didn¡¯t get far, but she still kept in touch with her old teammates from that time. Cami showed her the ropes on how to apply for the Pallet Trainer Support Fund, helped her find Orin, and even saved up a bit each month for the past two years to help give her enough money to have a better journey than she did. Her older sister only made it to Misty¡¯s Gym in her Bronze-tier journey, but part of the reason had been from lack of funds, and with a Battle Record of 48.6% win to loss ratio, she barely missed the mark of applying for further aid. That didn¡¯t stop her from Training and getting stronger, though. Cami and her Oddish, June, tried battling locals on weekends to push on and try the journey one more time. Jade wanted to make that dream come true, which meant she had to succeed and start saving up money, just like her sister had done for her. It was personal, and she kept it close to her chest, avoiding the topic altogether. What was she supposed to do? Hey, glad you want to be my friend; by the way, my parents hate all Pokemon! So, wanna talk about the latest League Battle at my place ¡­ where my parents will give us the stink-eye the whole time? Yeah, a great way to keep friends. Obviously, with anti-Pokemon merchandise filling her hallways and the face of an international terrorist hung up, she was a bit skittish about letting friends come over or talk about her parents. It wasn¡¯t the most popular ideology with the colossal Trainer community, which dominated Kanto¡¯s population. That was all fine and good; she could live skating around her family life or rocking the latest technology or fashion, and she wasn¡¯t shy. Her sister supported her, and Cami was her biggest idol. The current issue was different, though. Jade put herself out there and did her best to stay positive. She loved Pokemon, and Orin was a treasure close to her heart, literally. Friends ¡­ Jade had problems with friends, and subconsciously, she wondered if it was because she wouldn¡¯t talk about her family. Was that detail in her life such a big deal? True, most girls and boys loved to brag about their family¡¯s accomplishments, but there was more than just that, and she got along with a lot of people. In fact, Jade bounced between several groups of friends she¡¯d hang around in school ¡­ the perplexing problem was that each of them seemed to only call her when their other friends were busy. She had friends, a lot of them ¡­ none of them really texted or called over the last few days, but that¡¯s fine because they were too busy to reply to her messages. It was the first week of the International Bronze League, after all. Taking out her phone, Jade shielded her eyes from the overhead sun, checking to see if any of the boys or girls she used to hang around had replied. Nope ¡­ none of them had, but they seemed to be posting a lot on their PikaBook pages and responding to others. They could have forgotten, though. She¡¯d only sent one or two messages, asking how things were for them. Swapping to the Battle App, she looked up a few of their Match Histories; many had won at least one match over the past few days, but some of them came from Silver-tier families or high Bronze-tier. Could ¡­ no, they wouldn¡¯t ghost me because I haven¡¯t won a match yet ¡­ right? Orin hopped forward, sharp talons curved in a way to not dig into her chest as he transferred to a spot just below her collar bone. He was trying to cheer her up; she was just feeling really off after Rhea¡¯s call. It was hard knowing you were the 3rd wheel in all your friend¡¯s circles, and usually, she¡¯d just shrug it off and put herself out there to find more friends. If she just kept building her network, eventually, she¡¯d find a good core group. She¡¯d find a good bunch of girls and boys she clicked with that actually wanted her around. She had some insecurities she was aware of, and so did everyone else; she worked on them. It didn¡¯t prevent her from finding some form of joy in a day or something to be thankful for. This time ¡­ being 3rd wheel hit something different in her breast ¡­ she¡¯d finally found a solid group of friends, yet the cycle continued. Jade¡¯s lips pulled in as she inhaled, letting it out in a slow stream through her slightly stuffy nose before reaching up to scratch Orin¡¯s neck. She wiped away another tear; sometimes, spring pollen got to her. Orin enjoyed the attention but knew through their link that she was just distracting him; the comforting waves he projected told her they didn¡¯t mean to hurt her. Mallory just wanted to spend time with her sister, which Jade totally got. It¡¯s just ¡­ that was the point. Being sad or hurt was stupid, immature, and dumb. Still, she had to tuck her lip under to stop it from trembling. It wasn¡¯t like she¡¯d really connected with Lori ¡­ did Amira and Hannah click that well, or maybe Sam and Rhea somehow get closer to one another when she wasn¡¯t looking? Dropping her phone by her head, she rubbed her eyes with a silent groan, trying to suppress the heat in her nose and face. No, no, it¡¯s fine, Orin! I¡¯m fine! We¡¯ll get to hang out with two really big Starter Award Winners! Right? We get to see what they¡¯re like and learn more about them¡­ ¡­ That was all she did, though ¡­ get into a new group, learn more about them, and then they¡¯d go off together and leave her behind. It was a never-ending cloud over her head; she always tried so hard to be friendly and a part of the group ¡­ to be accepted. There was always the next group, though! It¡¯s just ¡­ this was supposed to be her group, and Rhea was so nice and friendly ¡­ she came to her. Being side-lined with an entirely new group while everyone else had their top-pick hit her chest particularly hard this time. When Lyra finally showed up, Jade managed to get her emotions under control. Orin was still throwing those gut-churning, well-intentioned waves that made it harder, which he didn¡¯t understand. She couldn¡¯t blame him, though; he hadn¡¯t been bonded with her for that long. Lyra was an instant save, though, and spectacularly swept her internal struggles under the rug while taking them high into the air at an impossible speed. It temporarily silenced the swirling doubts in her chest. Next, the Champion¡¯s encouragement and the story was a massive hit for Jade, as it appeared to be for Sam and Hannah, but with the news came a troubling question. Do people find me annoying? Lyra had trouble with groups, too ¡­ everyone thought she was too hyperactive and aggravating. Is that why they forget to call me? If I get stronger, then will people want to be friends with me? I want to have friends ¡­ I really want close friends, but I can¡¯t make any stick around. Jade jumped a little when Lyra suddenly teleported them to Viridian Forest, Orin on her shoulder. Okay, shut-up, brain! Calm down ¡­ deep breaths. Just be happy! Trying to distract herself, Jade added a smile to look around with her new companions, noticing they already had their Pokemon out. Ellie, Kabu¡¯s granddaughter, had a non-shiny Charmander, while Inoa, Olivia¡¯s daughter, had a shiny Cyndaquil. She¡¯d noticed both Casey and Rhea¡¯s group were now wearing high-quality Trainer dresses that resembled Amira¡¯s in some fashion, showing they¡¯d all probably gone shopping together. Could Rhea have found a new group to hang around? Are we taking 2nd place? No! Stop being stupid! I¡¯m so stupid! What, can Rhea not go shopping with anyone but us? Gah, get over yourself¡­ Ellie reached her arms high into the air, petite chest pushing out with her low groan before stretching out a little. ¡°Forest be wii-bit ah chiller than the low-lands, aye?¡± She giggled while hugging herself. It was challenging to understand the jumpy nature of the Galar girl¡¯s language, but she appeared to be pretty friendly. Inoa¡¯s Alolan accent was easier to follow with its slower pace and less vocal range. ¡°Heh, you¡¯re telling me. If a youngin¡¯ went out in Spring and it¡¯s like this, they¡¯re going back in for a jacket!¡± She mused, rubbing her hands together before hugging herself. ¡°Southern Galar, mi da¡¯s Gym be at, and ya know the weather be warmer ¡®round da time,¡± Ellie stated, pulling up a new Silph Phone from a magnetic clip at her side. ¡°Blast¡¯et ¡­ how¡¯da¡¯ya work the Mookin¡¯ non-Rodom phones?¡± She hummed, swiping her hand across the slim screen to swap between layers. ¡°Mook! Mi apps keep jumpin¡¯ on me!¡± Inoa scratched her forehead with her middle finger before getting her own out. ¡°Yeah ¡­ the Rotom recall took the wind out of my sails ¡­ I used it so often, and this new operating system is hard to get used to.¡± Jade had no clue what they were really talking about. ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah ¡­ wait, Rotom the Pokemon?¡± The two girls paused, tearing their critical gaze away from their new-generation Silph device to lift an eyebrow at her. ¡°Aye, say what have ya?¡± Ellie questioned. ¡°Ain¡¯t ya er¡¯ had ah Rotom Phone, eh?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t say that I have,¡± Jade replied with a forced chuckle, deciphering her question as Orin puffed his feathers a bit on her shoulder. ¡°In Kanto, we mainly work with the Rocket or Silph brands.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Jade glanced around for something to steer the conversation away from what she didn¡¯t know. ¡°So ¡­ what do you think about this place?¡± They were teleported to a relatively sunny and loosely dense part of the Viridian Forest, which was out of character for the ancient woods. That didn¡¯t mean the trees were small; the giants stood several meters away from one another, spread out with many flowers and tall grass between. It almost seemed by design with how clusters of groomed brushes and various colors of floral patches dotted the scenery. Dozens upon dozens of various Pokemon Jade had never seen before were watching them as Ellie and Inoa¡¯s Pokemon tried to find a Pokemon to talk to. Orin was scouting the chirps each Pokemon made, soaking in information while the other two initiated. He wasn¡¯t particularly concerned with the area, which told her there weren''t nearby threats, but from the emotions he sent through their link, it was obvious that they¡¯d entered a place far outside their level. Inoa and Ellie¡¯s lips shut, doing a quick 360 to gain their bearings. ¡°Eh¡­¡± Ellie put her hands behind her head. ¡°Not too frightenin¡¯, if ya know what ah mean? ¡®Lotta cuties spaced about, but uh ¡­ Luka¡¯s not seein¡¯ a good group o¡¯ fellas that be interested in joinin¡¯ da team. ¡®Bout you, Inoa?¡± The black-haired Trainer took one more look at her phone before putting it away with a sad sigh. ¡°Yeah, not getting much, I¡¯m afraid, and I have no clue how to work this Map App.¡± Tight stomach urging Jade to push on and find something to aim everyone¡¯s focus, she held her fingers behind her back and eyed a few Pokemon. ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah! So ¡­ what do you think about finding a good place to camp? Once we get settled in, we can look around for Pokemon that might be interested in bonding?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a good idea,¡± Inoa returned the smile. ¡°Orin?¡± Jade asked, trying to keep her little friend busy. Her Pidgey lifted off her shoulders with a dissatisfied chirp before asking a few nearby Pokemon with a lilypad on their heads to guide them to a suitable spot. He also made clear their intentions. Although, a few apricorn-like Pokemon were the first to respond. After a few words passed between them, their growing group of Wild Pokemon was in motion. At least they were friendly in this area; she wasn¡¯t looking forward to finding unfriendly Pokemon. The sound of running water soon filled their ears, and the Pokemon guiding them brought their group further downriver to cross the 10-meter brook. The forest only became more magical, open, and large as they went, showing just how attached the Pokemon were to this area. Orin was concerned for her, which pulled his attention away from the chattering Pokemon, but Luka seemed to be picking up the slack. Jade just urged him that she was fine; this was all normal ¡­ naturally, he didn¡¯t believe she was okay. They were picking up a few more Pokemon along the way. She caught sight of Pineco, Wooper, Hoppip, Tangela, and Oddish, among others. Somehow they were all pretty strong and could probably give Orin and her a run for their money ¡­ with the two of them working together. She couldn¡¯t help but ask herself why they were even here, despite Lyra¡¯s trust? Jade didn¡¯t want to put Orin down; they were just so outclassed it was painful. Who would want to join them? It¡¯s like ¡­ you had Ellie, Inoa, and then ¡­ her. Orin was great ¡­ she, on the other hand¡­ Stop being negative! This isn¡¯t like me ¡­ why can¡¯t I get this tension out of my chest? Ellie had fallen silent to study her surroundings and examined the Pokemon in sight; so, Jade turned her focus to Inoa, doing her best to be friendly while masking her internal bare-knuckles brawl with her depression. ¡°Hey! So, you¡¯re from Alola, right?¡± She asked, focusing on the neatly trimmed three-foot-tall grass mixed with flower patches. ¡°I heard it¡¯s really pretty there.¡± ¡°Hot is what you¡¯re trying to say,¡± Inoa giggled, following her gaze. ¡°I think Kanto is pretty, though; it¡¯s a lot bigger than the islands, that¡¯s for sure. Uh ¡­ so, how¡¯s your journey been so far?¡± She asked, pulling back her hair while stepping over a small rise. ¡°You seem to have the flying Pokemon covered.¡± Jade followed the girl¡¯s finger to Orin, flapping gently above their guides. ¡°Yeah, Orin¡¯s a really good partner,¡± she whispered, giving him a wave. ¡°Eh?!¡± She almost tripped as Inoa darted in front of her with a soft frown. ¡°What?¡± Ellie came to a halt with the majority of the pack of Pokemon they¡¯d gathered, but Inoa just gave her a silent but studious glare; it was starting to feel uncomfortable. She was feeling off as it is, but this sudden 180 was unnerving. ¡°... Mmh ¡­ something¡¯s up that¡¯s bugging you ¡­ a lot.¡± Jade barred a forced grin. ¡°W-What do you mean?¡± The Alolan girl wasn¡¯t too close, but she still stepped back to brush out her blue hair and avoid the girl¡¯s searching dark-gray eyes. ¡°I guess ¡­ umm, I¡¯m just a little ¡­ you know,¡± she mumbled, sucking in her lips, folding her arms, and shying a bit further away. ¡°What could I offer these Pokemon?¡± Inoa hopped forward and gave her a hug, completely catching Jade off-guard. ¡°No! Bonding with a Pokemon is more than just give and take ¡­ that¡¯s why it¡¯s called a bond. You¡¯re super sad,¡± she whispered in her ear, ¡°and I can¡¯t stand it!¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, yeah, I know, but ¡­ I mean, a lot of ¡­ umm¡­¡± She trailed off, not knowing where to go in the current situation with the girl¡¯s arms closed around her body; Jade¡¯s arms were still folded tightly under her pounding chest. She tried to pull away, but Inoa stepped with her, throwing Jade¡¯s mind into a confused spiral with what to do. Ellie sighed, putting her hands on her hips while audibly clearing her throat. ¡°Aye ¡­ ya be doin¡¯ the thing again, Inoa. Gotta chill the vibes.¡± The girl gently pulled away with embarrassment, and Jade gave Ellie a thankful smile. The Pokemon watched as if this was a drama, and Inoa¡¯s concerned look hadn¡¯t faltered with her red cheeks, hands held behind her back. ¡°Oh?¡± Inoa¡¯s lips fell with her eyes. ¡°Sorry, Jade ¡­ sometimes I can get a little too ¡­ friendly.¡± Jade lifted her hands defensively, shaking her head. ¡°No, no, it¡¯s fine ¡­ umm, I was just a bit caught off-guard. That kind of came out of nowhere, ya know what I mean?¡± Ellie motioned for them to continue. ¡°Yo, let¡¯s be goin¡¯. By the way, if ya ¡®av anythin¡¯ be beatin¡¯ at yer chest, then let yer girls know. Just sayin¡¯, Inoa¡¯s got ah pretty good nose for how people are.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a Rockruff, Ellie,¡± Inoa huffed, giving her a glare. ¡°My dad can feel people¡¯s emotions, too.¡± Her gaze softened a little when turning to Jade, but soon after began glowing a soft purple. ¡°But, yeah ¡­ just know that we¡¯re here to help if you need it. Umm ¡­ are you really sure you¡¯re okay with your team? Are they bullying you?¡± Jade¡¯s eyes widened with horror, thinking back to one girl that turned half their school against another for false allegations. ¡°W-What? No! No, no, no, Sam and Hannah are wonderful! They¡¯re super great,¡± she swallowed nervously, eyes searching while pulling her bangs behind her ears. Wait, I¡¯m being super suspicious! What¡¯s with that gesture and her eyes? ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re getting along great,¡± she chuckled, and the other two girls gave each other doubtful looks. ¡°No ¡­ gah, I¡¯m just ¡­ I¡¯m flustered, okay?¡± She pleaded, starting to stammer and lose all coherent thought. ¡°I¡¯m just ¡­ I umm ¡­ just ¡­ wanted to hang out with Mallory, and ¡­ no, no, not that you two are bad!¡± How did it turn out like this? Her nose started to burn as tears leaked from her eyes. ¡°I ¡­ I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying¡­¡± She cried, taking a step back while hugging herself. ¡°Woah, woah!¡± Ellie lifted her hands in panic as Inoa suddenly started to tear up with her. ¡°W-What is it, Jade?¡± Inoa cried. ¡°Why ¡­ Why are you so confused and hurt? I feel it, too!¡± It took a moment for Jade to get her emotions under control as Inoa hugged her again; it kind of felt like she was partially trying to comfort herself. Orin flapped over to do his best to help, panicking himself, but it just felt like a dam had burst within her with Inoa latching onto her. Once she calmed down, the two separated with the throng of Pokemon surrounding them in confusion, but Jade was too focused on Inoa to really worry about it. ¡°W-Why did it happen like this?¡± She took several deep puffs of air, feeling a little breathless after the hurricane inside her subsided. ¡°Ugh,¡± Ellie popped her tongue a few times. ¡°Eh, Inoa be a tad uncontrolled in her ¡­ uh, thing¡­¡± Inoa sighed, cleaning her puffy and red face as Jade did the same. ¡°I ¡­ uh, I¡¯m so sorry! I¡¯m so embarrassed¡­¡± She cried, head falling a little shame. ¡°I ¡­ I didn¡¯t mean to, but ¡­ sometimes when it starts it just ¡­ it won¡¯t stop.¡± This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jade sniffed, finding snot running across her arm. Trying to clean off with the nearby stream while dealing with her burning body by splashing some cold water on her face, she shuddered. Her chest was still pounding. ¡°Ya gonna explain?¡± Ellie asked with a deep frown while fussing with her shoulder-cut hair. ¡°¡®Cause I ain¡¯t gotta clue how ya do your voodoo.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not voodoo!¡± Inoa huffed, rubbing between her eyes after cleaning off her hands. ¡°Gah ¡­ no, I¡¯m really sorry, Jade. Umm ¡­ my dad¡¯s a psychic, and well, not a really powerful one.¡± ¡°Psychic?¡± Jade gulped, standing while holding her left arm; Orin had flown to her shoulder to nudge her ear in comfort. ¡°You mean ¡­ like High Master Sabrina or Grandmaster Will?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ I don¡¯t know really who those people are,¡± Inoa mumbled, scooting back against a large tree root while tucking her legs up to her chest and straightening out her dress. ¡°Probably not, though ¡­ you see, my dad¡¯s not that strong. He¡¯s just an Empath Psychic ¡­ he can¡¯t move things with his mind or read minds or anything like that, but ¡­ since my mom¡¯s a Grandmaster¡­¡± Jade was beginning to feel more in control now but noticed Ellie kept her distance from the Alolan girl. Clearing her throat, she scratched Orin¡¯s neck before sitting down by the stream to face Inoa. ¡°Your mom¡¯s Grandmaster Olivia, right? She¡¯s a powerful Trainer, I heard.¡± Inoa played with her black bangs with a depressed look on her pretty face; Jade hadn¡¯t seen many dark-skinned people in Pallet. Most of the Kanto population had a yellow-undertone, but occasionally there would be someone from the southern Orange Islands that would visit her city. ¡°Well ¡­ you see, because my mom¡¯s a High Grandmaster, it kind of enhanced the Empathy part on my dad¡¯s side of the family ¡­ so, I can actually affect other people¡¯s emotions, too ¡­ sometimes it just gets a bit too much for me when people are bottling up a lot. Still ¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± Jade was a little stunned by the news. ¡°You mean ¡­ you can feel exactly what I feel? For real?¡± Inoa slowly nodded. ¡°I know it¡¯s invasive and personal and weird¡­¡± Ellie and her Charmander leaned against a tree a few meters away, and she crossed her legs, tapping the grass with the heel of her foot. ¡°The day before, Inoa got me gettin¡¯ outta the shower ¡­ had me on the ground like a babe. Cass ¡®bout jumped me a bit back with the boost, too ¡­ be like, calm the Mook down¡­¡± Inoa¡¯s brown eyes shifted to the water, lips tightening. ¡°... I¡¯m sorry ¡­ I¡¯m trying to get better control. I was just worried ¡­ well, she was getting aggravated about you popping your tongue ¡­ I know I made it worse.¡± Jade felt a little bad now; she had no clue their team was going through a hard time together. Of course, she didn¡¯t really know anything about the girls. Inoa¡¯s Shiny Cyndaquil was rubbing up against her leg, trying to comfort her depressed Trainer. ¡°I¡¯ll try to stay further away¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Jade shook her head with a comforting smile; it was a bit gut-wrenching knowing the Alolan girl could tell what she felt whenever she wanted, but it wasn¡¯t in Jade to shun someone. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯ve gone through a rough time, too ¡­ I mean, you feel everything they¡¯re going through, too ¡­ that must be exhausting.¡± Building up her courage, Jade got up and walked over to sit beside Inoa; her Cyndaquil swapped to the opposite side. ¡°Umm,¡± nibbling at her lips, Jade took a deep breath before continuing, ¡°so ¡­ I¡¯ve kind of been the third-wheel like ¡­ all my life, and well ¡­ I just kind of felt like that again when everyone paired off. I shouldn¡¯t feel that way, but ¡­ I couldn¡¯t help it.¡± Inoa scooted closer to the water¡¯s edge with a concerned look. ¡°W-Wait, no, no, you don¡¯t need to explain anything to me! I¡¯m just ¡­ I¡­¡± Jade shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine! I¡¯m ¡­ actually kind of glad someone¡¯s able to understand, ya know?¡± It was true, but she was also nervous, which was why her gut tightened. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± She looked up at Ellie apprehensively. ¡°Uh ¡­ I mean, yeah ¡­ if you want to talk, then ¡­ then I¡¯ll listen, but ¡­ do we really want to do it here?¡± Glancing around at the dozens and dozens of various Pokemon in the water, in trees, hovering in the air, and on the grass, Jade shrugged; it actually felt pretty liberating to have finally cried it all out. ¡°This is fine. If that¡¯s okay with you?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ sure.¡± Ellie sank down to the ground to rub her Charmander¡¯s head. ¡°Aye, if ya two wanna talk, then whatever ¡­ I¡¯ll just try¡¯ta figure out this Mookin¡¯ phone¡­¡± She grumbled, pulling out the device. Taking another deep breath, Jade allowed her head to sink back against the exposed root; the canopy overhead allowed sheens of light to spread across the path and shade other areas. It really was a beautiful place. ¡°So ¡­ yeah, I¡¯m usually pretty happy, but it just sucks when all your friends just go off without you, ya know? I try to make friends, and we seem to get along, and then they just kind of only see you when you¡¯re around. Text or call ¡­ they only ever see what you¡¯re up to when you initiate ¡­ sometimes not even then. ¡°At some point, I just wonder if I¡¯m too annoying to have friends, or maybe I¡¯m too dull ¡­ or maybe I¡¯m just needy? There¡¯s just questions ¡­ never answers, and I can¡¯t really talk to my friends about it because ¡­ well, it would be like accusing them of something, and I¡¯m not trying to do that¡­¡± ¡°... That¡¯s rough,¡± Inoa mumbled, playing with her toes. ¡°Umm,¡± she wiped a tear away from her already puffy eyes, blinking a few times, ¡°what about your current team?¡± Jade slowly nodded, pulling her legs up to wrap her arms around them. ¡°They¡¯re great ¡­ really, they are ¡­ and there¡¯s no reason why I should feel like the third wheel. We¡¯ve clicked and everything. Like I said ¡­ I was just being stupid. Mallory and Casey wanted to have their sister-thing. There¡¯s nothing wrong with that.¡± A low hum rumbled in Inoa¡¯s throat. ¡°... I feel it¡¯s kind of my fault, then¡­¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Jade asked, giving her a confused look. ¡°Well ¡­ Casey probably wanted to go with her step-sister to get away from me. I¡¯ve ¡­ kind of had a few more ¡­ episodes than I normally do over the last few days. I can be a bit of a downer when sharing so many people¡¯s emotions ¡­ especially with all the crowds and it just drains me.¡± Feeling a lot better about where she was, Jade scooted over and leaned in to hug Inoa. ¡°Hey, if you need someone to talk to, then you can talk to me, too! Want to share numbers? If you want to ¡­ you know, be friends?¡± Inoa¡¯s lips started to tremble as she hugged her back. ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ I¡¯d like that ¡­ umm,¡± her chest fluttered a bit against Jade¡¯s arms, taking a shuddering breath, ¡°thanks ¡­ for not ¡­ you know, calling me weird or running away.¡± ¡°Yeah, not gonna get rid of me that easily,¡± Jade giggled, pulling out her phone. ¡°Let¡¯s get a picture with Ellie! We can post it, and get a ton of likes from everyone.¡± Ellie popped her tongue, lifting an eyebrow at them, huddled next to each other. ¡°Eh, ya gonna be snappin¡¯ a pic lookin¡¯ like an Alcremie sobbed al¡¯oer yer face?¡± Jade had no idea what an Alcremie was, but chuckled at the context. ¡°You have a point. Let¡¯s get cleaned up, find a nice spot and take a group picture!¡± Inoa rubbed her small nose and gave her a thankful smile. ¡°Thanks, again.¡± Ellie groaned while getting up and stretching out. ¡°Aye, the touchy-feely rubbish ain¡¯t mi strong suit, but ya got mi heart burnin¡¯ a tad.¡± It didn¡¯t look like the rather unimpressed and cold girl was feeling much emotion, but from what pictures Jade had seen of her grandfather, it didn¡¯t shock her much. Jade giggled while hoisting herself up to retrieve her backpack. ¡°Is that what you look like when emotional?¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Ellie lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Somethin¡¯ be off with mi face?¡± Inoa smiled softly, wiping away any extra tears before splashing her face with water. ¡°Ellie only has two expressions; I¡¯m bored and,¡± she giggled, ¡°I¡¯m about to end this boy¡¯s whole career.¡± ¡°False,¡± Ellie huffed, putting her hands on her hips, ¡°Mi face be havin¡¯ a good ¡®ol smile ¡­ it just not be worth the effort most the time, ya know?¡± They got back on the path, following their guides to a meadow they could set up their campsite, and Jade tried to learn a bit more about her temporary companions. Ellie¡¯s grandfather had actually come from Hoenn and been pushing to be the best in Galar ever since he arrived; the Galar League had invited him to the region when one of their Gyms was closed with few capable Trainers to fill the spot. The region¡¯s League was a lot different than Kanto¡¯s. Ellie had been born in Galar, and her mother was a native Galarian, grandfather being on her father¡¯s side of the family. She helped with anything she could in Kabu¡¯s Gym, which really meant she picked up on his teachings and tried to offer advice to the students that paid for her grandfather and father¡¯s professional guidance. Kabu was a High Master and her father sat in Master-tier. The League knew what they were doing because the Gym had sparked a heat in many Trainers over the past three decades they¡¯d been in Galar. Leon¡¯s rise to fame had been so legendary that even Jade knew a bit about the Champion. He¡¯d apparently helped Ellie¡¯s grandfather at a low point, too. Inoa¡¯s mother was Akala Island¡¯s Kahuna and the Alolan League¡¯s Elite 4 3rd-Rank. The Alolan League had an appointed Champion at the moment, named the Masked Royal, which was a strange name in Jade¡¯s book; his images online were even more bizarre. Apparently, he was also a part of some strange sport in Alola called Pro Wrestling. No one knew his identity, but there were speculations on a few high-profile individuals. It was hard being that powerful and remaining hidden, yet he¡¯d managed to keep his identity hidden, which was impressive. From the exchange, she learned that Ellie wasn¡¯t nearly as cold and dismissive as her appearance led on, and Inoa was a lot more sensitive than she first took the confident-looking Trainer. Arriving at the beautiful flower field, Jade noticed a few Pokemon grouped together across the field, and one in-particular caught her eye. ¡°Hey, hey,¡± she hissed, pointing with star-struck eyes, ¡°it¡¯s a Lilligant! Wow ¡­ she¡¯s so cute!¡± The Flowering Pokemon turned around to see almost an army of curious, Wild Pokemon flooding the meadow; they were all very careful about where they moved to not damage the beauty of the area. ¡°Aye ¡­ that be a banger¡­¡± Ellie mumbled, shifting closer to her. ¡°We best be treadin¡¯ lightly, if ya know what I mean?¡± Inoa nodded with pursed lips. ¡°Yeah, that Lilligant is definitely a Silver-tier.¡± ¡°What ¡­ how can you tell?¡± Jade asked, watching the Pokemon turn back to speak to a Pichu that seemed fairly frustrated; its body was sparking every so often. ¡°Eh ¡­ it¡¯s kind of just a feeling ¡­ in your gut,¡± Inoa replied, stopping at the edge of the field. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure it would probably be the leader over this area. We should probably introduce ourselves.¡± Jade felt a little nervous about the prospect; she¡¯d been taught in school about Pokemon that ruled areas, but all of those lessons had been to stay away from them. Wild Pokemon were very territorial, and the Bosses of different areas were extremely so. If you did something to displease them, they could kill you without blinking an eye. Orin was quick to volunteer, and the emotions swirling inside her Pidgey made Jade a bit guilty. * * * Orin released a low groan as they followed the friendly Pokemon; he hadn¡¯t traveled through this area before but had heard chatter from the flock. Pidgey flew all around the world and often traded flocks like Trainer Battle Teams. He just hoped in the future he¡¯d be strong enough to not be stunted and forced off the team. Flying Pokemon naturally knew a lot, a lot more than most other types. Ground-Types came as a close second with their listening ears underground and Water-Types had a decent information network, but no one could match Flying-Type. Not having flown through here before was actually a blessing ¡­ he hadn¡¯t been the most honest of Pokemon, and it was fun being a little impish every once in a while. He played tricks on his new buddies sometimes, but he¡¯d sworn off the troublemaking life when he¡¯d met Cami¡¯s Exeggcute. Jade¡¯s sister was really nice and spirited, but her Pokemon was so friendly ¡­ cute, too, of course. He¡¯d seen his fair share of female Exeggcute to know when one stood above the pack. Unlike most of the Pokemon the other Trainers they fought had, he chose to bond to Jade from the comfort of her own home, having been a regular visitor to the apartment balcony. He was a little embarrassed that the first real danger his Trainer had been a part of was because of his past. The Pokemon near Pallet had known about his tricks and lies that had more than a few areas blacklist him. Honestly, Amber and Gables had been the only deterrent on their first day that kept the Wild Pokemon mostly civil. He was kind of dreading when they made it to Leaf Jungle, southwest of Vermilion City. He had Pidgeot, the Big Boss of the skies between Leaf Jungle and Pallet, to protect him, which made him rather bombastic; he regretted that now. Still, he had to protect Jade, and he¡¯d come to really like her after their short time of being bonded. He could never go back to the flock now that he¡¯d been bonded, but there were never any hard feelings and he¡¯d even had some good conversations with a few old buddies earlier today. Mt. Silver, though ¡­ even Big Boss Pidgeot stayed clear of here ¡­ this was Dragonite¡¯s territory, and everyone in the skies knew it. His Area Bosses were very aggressive, too, and Skarmory had almost killed Big Boss Pidgeot two months ago when he flew too close to this very location. Of course, one of the four region¡¯s Moltres had passed through the area three months ago, and it had been one of the females, the strongest, which could go crazy on the drop of a leaf. She had everyone stepping on eggshells; the flaming giant would even turn Dragonite to ash. He¡¯d had his fair share of experience with Bosses and it made him cautious. Then again, they did have Lyra¡¯s Pokemon watching over them, but it¡¯s not like these guys would know that; everyone knew about Pidgeot and not to mess with certain flocks. This was whole new territory, though. When they stepped onto the meadow, Orin shivered; he didn¡¯t need the Pokemon around him chirping about the Boss being ahead, but he mustered up his courage. There were occasionally protected pockets like this in the wild where the Boss was a peaceful Pokemon that liked to keep things chill; although, from the looks of it, Jade had to be careful where she set up her tent. This Lilligant seemed to like her floral arrangements. The emotions swirling around in his breast were somewhat vexing. Jade was really depressed, and he apparently couldn¡¯t do anything to help, but the new random human could. Her Cyndaquil was nice, but not that helpful when it came to information. Flying Pokemon were just so much more knowledgeable when it came to explaining things. Well ¡­ at least you¡¯re feeling better. Orin sighed, leaning over to nudge his Trainer¡¯s ear. I¡¯ll go see what we have to expect. Just chill here. Jade gave him a thankful nudge through their link; it was getting better. He couldn¡¯t quite understand her like Hector said he did Sam, but that wasn¡¯t uncommon. Understanding which Move might be best to use was simple enough when you had so few to work with; he¡¯d never had to fight in the wild since he¡¯d been in a flock. It was always dive bomb and peck the few unlucky fools that annoyed them ¡­ how times had changed. ¡°Hello!¡± Orin greeted, making it to the small group of Pokemon with the Boss. Lilligant was a decent looking Grass-Type, but not really his style in women; she did have a kind face, though. Her seed-like orange eyes turned to survey the crowds of Pokemon filling the meadow. ¡°Oh, no ¡­ guys, we¡¯re not supposed to group together like this ¡­ it draws the larger Pokemon up the mountain. C¡¯mon ¡­ let¡¯s go¡­¡± She urged, basically ignoring Orin. He was a little indignant with the action, but what could he do but wait; usually, he¡¯d show up with a flock and Pokemon would be begging them why they were there, hoping the crew wouldn¡¯t steal all the berries. ¡°That¡¯s right ¡­ I know,¡± she sighed, ¡°humans are interesting ¡­ yes, they can cry, Bulbasaur, Wooper wasn¡¯t lying.¡± A few of the stronger Pokemon protested, hoping to stay, which Lilligant allowed. The ones that caught his eye was a Tangela and one of the strange puffy Meowth he¡¯d rarely seen before. Other than those, several Petilil were hovering around, whispering to one another too softly for Orin to hear. One of the new Pokemon started freaking out with his Trainer, practically jumping up and down while pointing at the Meowth. Jade didn¡¯t seem as impressed; it kind of made her feel a little uncomfortable since she was used to the Kanto version. The Pichu was glaring at the Lilligant, mumbling under its breath. Only after the crowd had started to disperse did she speak up. ¡°Hey, I¡¯m awesome, okay; I¡¯m not different than the other Pichu! You¡¯re different from the other Petilil! Yeah!¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± Lilligant rubbed the side of her head with a sad expression. ¡°... I¡¯m not making fun of you, Pichu ¡­ I¡¯m trying to help.¡± ¡°No, no!¡± She barked, rising up with electricity sparking at her cheeks; judging by her small size, she¡¯d probably just recently hatched. ¡°You¡¯re telling everyone I¡¯m not normal!¡± Lilligant turned her focus to Orin as the other two Pokemon made their way to them. ¡°Hello ¡­ I apologize for being rude, but I need to address something¡­¡± ¡°Nu-uh,¡± Pichu huffed, ¡°because I don¡¯t need no one¡¯s help! My brothers and sisters are making fun of me because of what you said, and it¡¯s mean! You¡¯re a mean Boss!¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Koko mumbled. The Cyndaquil gave Luka, the Charmander, a look that said it all; troubles in paradise. The Flower Pokemon shook her head. ¡°Pichu ¡­ I talked to the southern Boss; Butterfree says he¡¯s seen this before ¡­ you¡¯ll die in a few weeks if we don¡¯t figure out how to fix you.¡± Judging by how agitated the Pokemon was getting, Orin, Luka, and Koko retreated a few paces. ¡°I don¡¯t need fixing!¡± Pichu yelled. ¡°See,¡± sparks increased around her, ¡°look at this big Thunder Shock! I¡¯ll show you!¡± ¡°No, Pichu!¡± Lilligant stepped forward as the electricity the Pokemon had been building erupted toward the Boss. Orin¡¯s eyes widened as he watched a massive discharge of electricity seemingly collapse in on the electric mouse, shattering its defensive matrix, and then the bolt swiftly flipped in the air, racing right back at the stunned Pichu. She couldn¡¯t see it coming after being knocked out by her own discharge, mind scrambled and still recovering. He winced as it struck, damage waking her up and sending the screaming little girl flying back in pain; Orin was trying to figure out precisely what he¡¯d just witnessed. She tumbled to a stop a meter away, causing Orin to wince again. ¡°Oof ¡­ was that supposed to happen? I¡¯ve uh ¡­ never seen a Pichu or Pikachu attack themselves like that.¡± Lilligant moaned while rushing over to see if she was alright with the other Pokemon around them. ¡°Pichu ¡­ no, no, no ¡­ I told you not to do that¡­¡± ¡°Arceus!¡± Jade cried, hands flying to her mouth as she watched the Pokemon tumble limply across the grass. Bright shimmering leaves shot out from the flower¡¯s green aura she swiftly built, falling around everyone in the area. ¡°Someone bring a berry ¡­ oh,¡± she paused as Jade came running over with one of the items Lyra had given them. ¡°Thank you, human ¡­ who¡¯s human is this?¡± She asked, glancing back at them. Jade was asking questions of the other two Trainers as they came to join her. Koko and Luka pointed at him, causing the Silver-tier Pokemon to give him a charming smile. ¡°Can you tell your human thank you? Umm ¡­ and ¡­ do any of you know how to help Pichu? I¡¯m afraid if she remains here, then she will die.¡± Orin wasn¡¯t the happiest about this plea; the last thing they needed was a defective Pokemon in their party, especially one that refused to see they had a problem, but Jade was far more compassionate. He sighed as she sent waves of empathy to him. She was horrified when she saw the Pichu attack itself and get blown away in an instant; true, the electric shock had hit it after it basically self-destructed. In fact, how did a Pichu know Self-Destruct? That was supposed to be Hector¡¯s thing. Wait, no ¡­ that wasn¡¯t right, there wasn¡¯t an explosion; it was more like it blew a circuit and then hit itself with its own attack. He¡¯d seen some human electric towers do that, never a Pokemon. ¡°Uh ¡­ I can ask,¡± he reluctantly mumbled, hopping over to look up at his concerned Trainer; she was trying to heal the Pichu without much success. Having been hit with its defensive matrix down had actually hurt it pretty bad. Although, something else caught his attention when he drew near, seeing how battered the electric mouse looked. It suddenly clicked in Orin¡¯s mind, she¡¯d destroyed her second energy matrix. He¡¯d never seen nor heard of a Pokemon sabotaging themselves that much. It was as if she was trying to commit suicide. Gathering his thoughts, he sent Jade the Lilligant¡¯s request. Uh ¡­ yeah, the Boss wants to know if you guys know how to ¡­ eh, fix her? By the way, Lilligant says she¡¯ll probably die in a few weeks, but judging by that ¡­ I wouldn¡¯t give her a few days. * * * Pichu groaned, senses slowly returning; she released a low whimper as liquid misted around her. It felt like her whole body was on fire. No ¡­ no ¡­ I¡¯m not different ¡­ I don¡¯t need fixing ¡­ I can shock things like my brothers and sisters ¡­ why does it hurt... Tears started leaking out of her eyes as they opened; she was in some strange creature¡¯s lap. It looked funny, but seemed to be helping her. The mist Move it was using was restoring her defensive matrix, but it wasn¡¯t getting rid of the burn she felt running through her whole frame. ¡°It ¡­ it hurts¡­¡± Lilligant came into view as the strange creatures began talking to each other, and the other Pokemon discussed her horrible failure. Questions started to prod her dazed and feverish mind. Am ¡­ am I a defective Pokemon? Mom and Dad don¡¯t want me ¡­ my brothers and sisters make fun of me ¡­ what do I do? ¡°Hey, little Pichu¡­¡± Lilligant whispered, stroking her head. ¡°I ¡­ don¡¯t know if there¡¯s anything I can do for you. There are humans that might be able to help, though ¡­ I have heard things from other Pokemon, and this girl named Jade wants to see if there¡¯s someone that can heal you.¡± ¡°Lilligant,¡± she cried, tucking tighter into a ball as her body flared again, ¡°Lilligant ¡­ it hurts¡­¡± ¡°I know ¡­ I know¡­¡± After a while, the aches became bearable, but even the berries the other Pokemon brought didn¡¯t stop the burning. The human Pokemon, or that¡¯s what Lilligant called them, said she needed special care to stop it since her second defensive matrix had been broken. W-Why me? I just want to be normal¡­ * * * Jade sprayed the injured Pichu with the Super Potion Lyra had given her, but knew it wouldn¡¯t help with the damage she¡¯d already taken from her own attack; all she could do was comfort it until they could get it to a Center for further treatment. Inoa and Ellie came jogging over, tossing their packs on the ground. ¡°What ¡­ just happened?¡± Inoa asked in shock. Ellie hummed, kneeling down beside her as the Lilligant observed with a worried look in her seed-like eyes. ¡°The blasted thing attacked itself ¡­ what the Mook?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Jade returned. ¡°Umm ¡­ she¡¯s hurt now,¡± she groaned, feeling for her and Inoa seemed to be trying hard to control her own emotions to not send everyone nearby into tears; they could tell she was female by the heart shape at the end of the little Pichu¡¯s tail. ¡°Is there anything we can do?¡± A few of the Pokemon that had stayed were running off into the forest on the Lilligant¡¯s orders to get berries, and the Pichu started to stir in Jade¡¯s arm as the potion helped stabilize her energy. At least it wouldn¡¯t die like a normal animal if its matrix returned to help ward off any illnesses. Ellie frowned and shook her head as the Pichu began crying softly, talking to the Area Boss; she appeared to be comforting the baby Pokemon. ¡°Eh ¡­ mi da¡¯ might ¡®ave somethin¡¯ ta say but in Galar they be Mookin¡¯ sleepin¡¯...¡± Inoa nodded. ¡°Yeah ¡­ it would be really early in Alola right now.¡± Wait ¡­ what about Rhea¡¯s Mom; she¡¯s a world famous scientist and breeder, right? No, but ¡­ I can¡¯t just ¡­ but this Pichu¡¯s hurt¡­ Lips tightening, Jade put the bottle down beside her and got her phone out, keeping the Pichu in her lap. The others gave her a questioning look, but she was too focused on fighting past the discomfort in her gut. Opening PikaBook, she sent a DM to Christie since her profile was open to her with Rhea listed in her Close Contacts. 2:34 P.M. Jade: Hey, you might not know who I am. My name is Jade and I¡¯m friends with Rhea. A Pichu just zapped itself really bad, and I don¡¯t know what to do. Setting her phone to the side with a long sigh, she stroked the hurting Pichu; it seemed to be trying to stifle its cries since the shakes only made it ache more. ¡°Hey ¡­ I¡¯m trying to get some help, just hang in there.¡± ¡°A Ranger might be close by,¡± Inoa mumbled; her face creased with frustration while trying to work her phone, but everyone froze when Jade¡¯s started to vibrate. She picked it up; Christie was calling her over PikaBook. Nervously answering it, she said, ¡°Hello, umm ¡­ what do I do?¡± Rhea¡¯s mother was gorgeous, showing features similar to Cynthia, and the background appeared to be some kind of hospital. ¡°Hmm ¡­ yes, I remember you,¡± the woman stated with a small frown while doctors in lab coats bustled about in the background; judging by the outfits it was probably Rocket Private Hospital for Research and Development in Viridian. ¡°Now, tell me what¡¯s happening?¡± Jade pivoted the phone to show the Pichu on her lap, explaining what she¡¯d seen. Christie shifted to a less busy room, but the hospital was packed with researchers and doctors, talking in small groups and sharing charts. ¡°Hmm ¡­ it¡¯s a very rare Ability irregularity caused by distinct chromosomal abnormalities that occurred in cell division. What you¡¯re describing sounds like this Pichu has activated its Dream World Ability instead of its natural one ¡­ it will die in the wild.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Jade asked. ¡°Is there anything we can do?¡± Ellie and Inoa gave the Pichu a sad look as they listened; their three Pokemon were talking with a few of the Wild Pokemon. Christie scratched her scalp with tight lips, glancing away while pondering something. ¡°... How would I explain it to you? Okay ¡­ humans have fortitudes and Pokemon have Energy Cores. Pokemon use their Energy Cores in various ways; some of that power is focused on defense and some offense. That should be pretty standard knowledge. Following?¡± Jade silently nodded, hoping there was an answer in the woman¡¯s explanation. ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Right ¡­ well, think of that Energy Core as a sphere and only so much can fit in that sphere. Moves, Abilities, and even IVs and EVs take up a certain amount of room ¡­ if you put too many Moves or Abilities in that space ¡­ it cracks and breaks. ¡°I¡¯ve specially bred and genetically tweaked Rhea¡¯s Pokemon to be able to handle that required space ¡­ it wouldn¡¯t happen in the wild. The issue with Rhea¡¯s Pokemon is the energy they require to maintain all those little bubbles in that big sphere, which is why they must take so much energy from Rhea to survive.¡± This was all new to Jade, mind spinning with the information. ¡°W-Wait, umm ¡­ Rhea hasn¡¯t told me about any of that stuff,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Oh¡­¡± Christie chuckled sheepishly before becoming somber. ¡°Well, no use crying over spilled milk. In any case, that Pichu was born with her Dream Ability, which is far more demanding on her Energy Core. My guess is that it has one or two Egg Moves, one probably being very costly, while dealing with the added stress the Lightning Rod Ability has, taking up a much bigger area in her Energy Core than Static, the Ability she should have. ¡°It¡¯s very helpful and can be used in a lot of tricky ways, but Pichu aren¡¯t naturally accustomed to that Ability ¡­ there¡¯s no one to teach her how to properly use it. There¡¯s a reason why Dream Abilities naturally don¡¯t activate until entering the Dream World; they put a lot of pressure on a Pokemon¡¯s Energy Core. ¡°So, with the stress those Moves and Ability cause, alongside some generally high Stats ¡­ it¡¯s just too strong for its age. It will die. I might be able to save her by force expanding the Pichu¡¯s Energy Core, but it¡¯s a risky procedure that is rarely suggested or worth it for normal Pokemon, and ¡­ it would require a Trainer¡¯s bond to help stabilize her recovery.¡± Jade took a heavy breath; Christie¡¯s methods were rough on Rhea, which had an incredible fortitude limit. Just how bad would it be on her? Still, she couldn¡¯t ask Inoa or Ellie to take it on. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯d like to try and ¡­ well, if I can.¡± Christie scratched above her left ear, glancing away with a deep frown. ¡°Look, honey ¡­ there are other issues. Wild Pokemon ¡­ especially when requiring Trainer¡¯s energy to survive, will grow very attached to you ¡­ addicted, to be frank. Plus, it looks very young. I genetically removed that addictive trait from Rhea¡¯s Pokemon. This Pichu won¡¯t be able to return to the wild.¡± ¡°Yeah, but ¡­ she¡¯ll die otherwise,¡± Inoa mumbled beside her. Jade shook her head while petting the whimpering Pichu. ¡°I want to ¡­ I just don¡¯t know if I can.¡± Christie sighed before a small smile moved her lips. ¡°Okay ¡­ I¡¯m swamped right now, but why don¡¯t you bring her back to Viridian. Luckily, I¡¯m close by. She¡¯ll be in some pain and discomfort tonight, but just from what I¡¯ve seen, she¡¯s not in life-threatening territory at the moment. ¡°I¡¯ve talked to Lyra and know where you are. Just try to help the Pichu understand her position and see me in the morning when Lyra brings you back. It might be hard for the little girl to understand at her age, but do your best.¡± Jade accepted the challenge, feeling like this Pichu needed her. While they prepared camp and helped the Pichu, Inoa and Ellie found two Pokemon willing to join them with Lilligant¡¯s help. Inoa bonded with a Galarian Meowth and Ellie with a Tangela. * * * Pichu spent the day in Jade¡¯s arms or lap; the human girl¡¯s hands were comforting, and the other Pokemon were helpful. Pichu just wanted the pain to go away; it hadn¡¯t been this bad the last time she tried to use her Thunder Shock. The other two humans apparently found the cause ¡­ she was born defective ¡­ she had an Ability called Lightning Rod, which she wasn¡¯t supposed to have for a long time. That was the reason why her family¡¯s electric attacks hit her, and she damaged herself ¡­ she couldn¡¯t control it. Pichu cried ¡­ the pain in her chest rivaled the burning across her body; it hurt more knowing she was the problem, and it wouldn¡¯t get better. The human¡¯s Pokemon tried to tell her there might be a way to fix her, but where would she go? Her parents didn¡¯t want her ¡­ no one tried to help until Lilligant got involved ¡­ she was cursed. However, all the injuries across her body and even a bit of the pressure in her chest evaporated when night came, and rainbow lights exploded across the sky. Everyone¡¯s mouths dropped upon seeing the colossal shimmering bird Pokemon streak across the sky to their south, causing a wave of warm air to sweep across the forest. The human Pokemon called it Ho-Oh, and he was beautiful. It was just the distraction she needed to pull her out of the hole she was in, and cuddling next to Jade in her shelter and big cozy bag made her chest flame in a good way. No one had been so nice to her since she hatched. Orin seemed a bit uncomfortable with her being so close to his human, but she didn¡¯t care; Jade was warm and comforting. She shifted against Jade¡¯s belly within the sleeping bag; the human had long since fallen asleep. ¡°Psst ¡­ hey, Orin ¡­ you awake?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± He grumbled just outside her covering. ¡°Umm ¡­ do you really think Jade can fix me?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ probably not her, no. There are lots of humans that specialize in that kind of stuff; they call them doctors ¡­ kind of a stupid name, but yeah.¡± ¡°They can fix me?¡± ¡°Probably.¡± ¡°... Thanks¡­¡± She smiled, snuggling closer to Jade. She liked humans. Wild Pokemon were mean. B1 — 26. Overcoming Toxicity 11:12 P.M. June 14, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st of the 2 Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Swirling nervousness and excitement twisted Mallory¡¯s stomach as Lyra teleported them to their various locations, causing a smile to brighten her lips. In the next second, she went from beaming sunlight to a densely overgrown forest, thick canopy blocking out the chance for most of the sun¡¯s rays to reach them far below massive tree branches. ¡°Oh, wow ¡­ Viridian Forest is crazy,¡± she mumbled. Spinning in a slow circle with Gables on her shoulder, she noticed him scanning for danger, but it would be difficult to spot any Pokemon in the thickets surrounding them. Plus, they¡¯d more than likely scattered the moment their presence was known and were scouting them out before preparing to attack. It was dark, but she could still spot a few Pokemon with the dim lighting before they ducked into the brush. The only ones she recognized were Pidove, Venipede, Budew, Foongus, and Skorupi. Casey, her step-sister, was managing her unbound, absurdly thick silvery-blue hair while scanning the forest. ¡°Eh ¡­ yeah, but at least it¡¯s not as dark as Ilex Forest ¡­ still too dark for me. Yo, Lori ¡­ you think there¡¯s any chance we get through this without something tangling and damaging our hair? Look at this place¡­¡± ¡°Our hair?¡± Mallory snickered, shifting the purple tote bag on her shoulder to pull around her braided purple locks. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about, but my hair¡¯s gonna be fine!¡± A grimace touched her sister¡¯s cheeks while glancing at her, vision narrowing to get a better look as her eyes adjusted. ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­¡± Her focus soon returned to their surroundings. ¡°Gah, I should have done mine up¡­¡± Gables hopped down to talk to the invisible Pokemon, hiding in the brushes; Mallory hadn¡¯t seen a single one after the first few, but the sounds were evident as they spoke to one another. Mallory¡¯s eyes were beginning to adjust as she blinked. It really was a super dense part of the forest; Lostlorn Forest couldn¡¯t even compare as she judged the tall grass and foliage surrounding them. ¡°Want me to do it up real fast?¡± As her vision cleared, she saw Casey wearing an annoyed frown while playing with a decent clump of her thick locks, and judging by the crease in her lips and nose, something was eating her up inside besides the possibility of tangling her hair. She hadn¡¯t seen her sister this agitated in a long time. ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, that¡¯d help, I guess.¡± She set down her black and blue tote bag to find hair ties. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really ready for the whole teleport campout¡­¡± ¡°Heh, sure,¡± Lori chuckled, taking the tie and lifting a purple eyebrow at Casey¡¯s hair; she¡¯d turned her back to her and flipped it out. ¡°Hey, wanna sit down and chill for a bit; this might take a while.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Casey grumbled, glaring down at the long blades. ¡°I¡¯m not wearing tights like you¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± she laughed, pulling off her bag and dropping to her side, and smoothing out the grass to act as a cushion. ¡°Sit down so I can do your hair! See, I¡¯ve got a spot open for ya.¡± Her sister released a low groan, rubbing the back of her neck and averting eye contact; Sadie, her shiny Mudkip, was having a hard time deciding if she should help Gables or stay close to Casey, which was even further proof something was eating at her sister. ¡°Gah, fine ¡­ Mom would hate it here.¡± Mallory rolled her eyes as Casey smoothed out her skirt and pulled her hair over her shoulder to sit; there Casey went, bringing up their Mom again. ¡°Okay, Cass, stop dropping hints and just say it.¡± She sighed, smoothing out her hair in a simple triple-lock braid like Amira seemed fond of. ¡°What?¡± She asked, leaning away defensively. ¡°...¡± Lori just worked on the braid in silence until she broke down. ¡°Fine, okay!¡± Casey groaned, hands tightening against her bare thighs. ¡°It¡¯s just been ¡­ I don¡¯t know, a bit rough with Inoa and Ellie. Okay?¡± Mallory¡¯s vision shot to Gables as he disappeared into the brush with Sadie, further talking with the Wild Pokemon. They¡¯d apparently moved from alarm to curiosity, trying to gauge their intent after randomly showing up in their area. ¡°Hmm? Could have fooled me with all those pictures on MemeStar and posts on PikaBook, Cass. What¡¯s up?¡± Casey wasn¡¯t being totally honest with her, which was typical when things got this bad, but Mallory expected several things were finally collapsing in on her sister, and she was projecting it on her teammates. ¡°Yeah, well ¡­ I mean, I have like 20 million followers on MemeStar; I can¡¯t put out stuff that¡¯ll get people to harass them¡­¡± Lori shook her head with a sad sigh. She hated it when Casey got this way; her sister loved to be the virtual party¡¯s spotlight but always had something to complain about. Of course, she blamed social media for being the big spark that turned Casey into the hot mess she¡¯d become, and to a certain extent, their mother. ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Lori finished the braid a lot quicker than she expected, purple eyes closing to lie back in the tall grass as Casey inspected it. Settling in for what she knew was coming, Mallory crossed her legs, black thigh highs blocking most of her skin from the grass¡¯s tickling sensation. Still, she was forced to scratch her neck once she settled in. The ground wasn¡¯t wet enough to cause problems, and the long blades provided decent comfort. ¡°Okay, let it out, Cass. What¡¯s so annoying about them?¡± It was like a dam had opened as Casey started her rant, and Lori just listened; with her eyes closed, it was easier to identify the fluctuations in her sister¡¯s voice, highlighting different points. ¡°Well ¡­ I mean, Inoa isn¡¯t that annoying per se, but gah, she has issues! No ¡­ I take it back, yeah, she¡¯s pretty annoying,¡± Casey huffed, fiddling with the quick braid Mallory did. ¡°She¡¯s got this emotional, psychic thing ¡­ it¡¯s like Will and Whitney had a kid, tossed her into that old hippie dude¡¯s kum-ba-yah summer camp every year to learn about the stupid pok¨¦ flute crap ¡­ you know, that thing anyone can just play a recording on their phone if needed these days, and dosed her up on ten pills of estrogen and progesterone before throwing her into my party! ¡°She¡¯s got zero music taste ¡­ country and the stupid weird Alolan country kind that adds Pokemon sounds into the background. I mean, what, is she twelve?¡± She groaned, scratching her brow. ¡°The girl plays it while she¡¯s showering and has the neighbors pounding on the wall for her to stop ¡­ I just, really? I¡¯d get it if she were listening to Elesa, that Muk bumps, but Alolan country¡­¡± Casey took a deep, fuming breath, and Mallory cracked an eye to see her hands occasionally animating her frustrations. Closing her eyes again, she patiently listened to her sister¡¯s biting comments, waiting for her turn. ¡°Oh, and then there¡¯s Ellie, gah! I can hardly understand her, and she¡¯s obsessed with her grandfather; it¡¯s like, yeah, I know, he¡¯s a High Master, whoopie-doo, he¡¯s got a Gym. Who¡¯s she trying to impress? Both our parents are in the Elite 4 ¡­ in two entirely different regions! Galar doesn¡¯t even have a proper League; it¡¯s just sad how much she focuses on that one thing!¡± Sounds like someone I know¡­ Lori thought with a bit of agitation growing in her own breast, but she was patient and let her sister continue to pump it out. ¡°She has no party sense, at all!¡± She growled, leaning forward to press her chest against her knees and pull back her braided hair. ¡°It¡¯s impossible with the two! Getting Inoa to go into a club is like pulling teeth, and Ellie can¡¯t dance for Shellder, and her face ¡­ her Mukin¡¯ face just won¡¯t show any emotion! It¡¯s like she¡¯s a Slowpoke, and my comment section can¡¯t get over it!¡± Casey swapped directions on the drop of a pin, pulling up her phone. ¡°Oh, and did you see this? Did you see this?!¡± Mallory cracked open an eye to passively watch a clip on Tonia¡¯s MemeStar page, one of the few competitors Casey had on the platform. The short was of Casey storming up to Ellie on yesterday¡¯s morning live stream and chewing her out for popping her tongue too much; Mallory guessed it was a nervous relief action the girl did. The text Nidoran¡á was over her with Slowbro over Ellie; after a moment, Tonia began speaking with an amused tone. ¡°Angry Nidoran uses Growl; it¡¯s worthless, just like his brain. Heh, dumbfounded Slowbro uses Confusion; it¡¯s super effective!¡± It ended with Casey storming out of the hotel room, red-faced and fuming. ¡°Yeah!¡± Casey barked, ¡°Tonia did me like that, and then she called me a hormonal drunk Nidoking, trolling for simps! She called me ugly!¡± Mallory ached to say, not exactly, among a few other things but continued to listen as if using Bide. If she wanted to get her point across her sister¡¯s thick skull, then Mallory had to let her frantic sister keep throwing rope around her neck. Casey¡¯s face was becoming red with frustration and a bit close to tears. ¡°Inoa¡¯s a walking disaster that could totally ruin me while streaming, and Ellie is like a brick wall with zero personality that does everything in her power to make me want to strangle her! Do you see why it¡¯s just ¡­ they¡¯re horrible!¡± She seemed to be finished, causing Mallory to take a deep breath; the emotions Gables was feeding her while talking with Casey¡¯s Mudkip added more fuel. Her sister could be a complete drag sometimes, but she was her sister, and it was Mallory¡¯s job to set her straight. It had been a few weeks since she¡¯d seen the building pressure building in Casey and knew something like this would probably happen ¡­ she just didn¡¯t think it would be this bad. Opening her eyes, Lori hoisted herself up and unclipped her phone to open the app their father had given them ¡­ Casey just didn¡¯t have the patience to learn it. ¡°Mallory!¡± Casey growled, glaring at her as she turned her attention to the device. ¡°Weren¡¯t you listening? Help me out; you¡¯re the one that always has the plans! Wait ¡­ is that a new type of phone? Where¡¯d you get it?!¡± She asked, leaning over to stare at the holographic display with shining eyes. ¡°Why are you¡­¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Lori grunted, pulling up TopMemeStar.gon, a 3rd party website designed for monitoring account monthly numbers, biography, and general schedule times. ¡°You dipped by roughly 50,000 followers last month¡­¡± Casey instantly went on the defensive, folding her arms and tightening her lips. ¡°Well, yeah ¡­ but I got 150,000 back after the Goldenrod Central Street Club stream!¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ and Mom just broke 21 million followers.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± Casey huffed, tucking her lip under while glaring at the forest. ¡°I mean, yeah ¡­ okay, she hit 21 million first, but ¡­ yeah, of course, she would start growing super fast when the International crap hit and lots of people were looking more into our League¡­¡± ¡°Cass¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± She asked, arms tightening under her breasts. ¡°Stop making fun of me and help!¡± ¡°Gah¡­¡± Mallory dropped back down to the grass. ¡°You¡¯re projecting hard, Sis ¡­ really kills the vibes.¡± Casey¡¯s mouth dropped open in disbelief. ¡°Projecting?! What do you mean? Hey, I¡¯m your sister, help me out ¡­ don¡¯t go throwing me under a Rhyhorn, too, Muk¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not, Cass ¡­ look, name me five friends,¡± she waited just until she was about to talk before adding, ¡°not online MemeStar friends.¡± Just like that, her sister¡¯s jaw snapped shut, brow furrowing while scouring her contacts for anyone who fit the bill; Cassey was extremely competitive, and when she was losing, she¡¯d start getting flustered and angry. ¡°... Yeah, okay, I have friends!¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Lori replied, clearing her throat while settling further onto her grass bed to let Casey know she was waiting. ¡°Geez, can you give me a minute to think? Muk! Umm ¡­ yeah, there¡¯s Trevor!¡± Mallory smirked. ¡°Mom¡¯s chauffeur ¡­ really, that¡¯s the first friend that comes to mind?¡± Casey¡¯s cheeks darkened. ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°I hate it when you get like this! Look, I¡¯ve got a lot of friends on MemeStar, okay? It¡¯s not like you can talk; the only person you ever hang out with is Len,¡± she smugly smirked. ¡°Mmh ¡­ there¡¯s Tony, Jainna, Ronny ¡­ sometimes Paul asks me out on dates, but he¡¯s kind of been a bit distant since Jainna¡¯s taken an interest in him. Jordan usually asks me out to the¡­¡± ¡°Okay, I get it; you¡¯re popular!¡± Casey huffed. ¡°Yeah, you go out with a lot of people, great, but I can¡¯t go out with fans or followers, and besides, who doesn¡¯t know who I am? You¡¯ve always tried to keep a low profile!¡± ¡°Not really,¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°We should get back to your problem, though ¡­ Mom and MemeStar.¡± Casey gave her a strange look. ¡°Huh? No, my problem is Inoa and Ellie¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± she interjected, ¡°your problem is toxic social media and an obsession to beat Mom at something. C¡¯mon, Cass, take a step back ¡­ who do people compare you to?¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± She refused to say it, left hand gripping her arm. ¡°It¡¯s not just that¡­¡± ¡°Who?¡± ¡°... Mom¡­¡± ¡°How did Tonia get her fame?¡± Her sister rolled her eyes. ¡°Yeah, bashing me with memes¡­¡± ¡°Karen 2.0?¡± ¡°Lori!¡± Casey cried, face turning red as she hit a soft spot. ¡°You should know how that makes me feel¡­¡± ¡°My point,¡± Mallory groaned, head sinking back. ¡°You¡¯ve been locked in MemeStar instead of the real world ¡­ you have no friends, everyone you call friends are just there to leech off your popularity, and you know it, you have no real social skills ¡­ yeah, none,¡± she repeated at Casey¡¯s tearing up glare. ¡°The moment someone talks to you about anything non-MemeStar related, you freeze and pivot. You gauge your looks off comments, using filters when you have a bad day, and cry if you get less than a million likes on a post. The smallest criticism from anyone sends you blazing into a flame war that continues until you ask me how to stop it, and then if Mom gets a MemeStar award before you, it¡¯s the end of the world¡­¡± Casey¡¯s lower lip started to tremble as tears fell down her cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re being so mean, Lori ¡­ and ¡­ and Mom doesn¡¯t even post often or take it seriously, but ¡­ but she does better than me¡­¡± ¡°Why?¡± Lori rhetorically asked. ¡°Because you prop up her account; you¡¯ve made it a war that your followers feed into, and enough second accounts, and boom, they¡¯re getting you to post more crazy things like clockwork. The smallest controversy and the toxic crowd starts flooding other accounts to spread the sickness like a disease, trying to get any stupid opinion anyone else has to offer to another platform to get a reaction.¡± A few tears ran down Casey¡¯s cheeks, and she wiped them away, sticky throat changing her voice a bit. ¡°I ¡­ you¡¯re supposed to help me ¡­ not make me feel even worse,¡± she sniffed. Mallory figured it would get to this point and got up before Casey could think about running away to cry. Latching onto her hurting sister, Lori dragged her to the ground with Casey on top of her. ¡°Hey ¡­ I am, but this is the only way I can get to you. Okay? I love you.¡± Casey¡¯s chest convulsed against her breast, sniffing loudly as she started to break down. ¡°I ¡­ I just ¡­ I don¡¯t know what to do, Lori ¡­ I just ¡­ it really hurts when people make fun of me, and ¡­ and Inoa¡¯s been making me so emotional that ¡­ that I post stupid things¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re miserable ¡­ I know¡­¡± Mallory sighed, rubbing her sister¡¯s back. ¡°I¡¯ll always be here for you, though ¡­ even if I¡¯m mean sometimes, I want to help. Sisters, right?¡± She let Casey cry on her and babble gibberish for a few minutes, allowing her to get out the bottled-up emotions from hundreds of toxic comments, posts, and self-disgust at being less than dirt for not meeting up to her own unattainable goals. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Mallory had seen MemeStar taking over her sister¡¯s entire identity for about two years now; at first, it was a fun way for the two of them to share things across regions. However, the moment Casey introduced their mother to it, and she began posting short clips of Grandmaster-tier Battles, mixed with fun memes or posts, her account swiftly blew up to 100,000 followers. The brief bit of fame jumped Casey¡¯s follower account up, and then the trouble started. It was Casey¡¯s continual drive to outperform her mother that slowly drove her into this unhealthy fear of being forgotten and the people that acted like her friends across the world when they knew absolutely nothing about her. Their mother rarely ever posted matches and never read comments; she just got a kick out of seeing the heart mile-marker notification hit her phone with the little animation that would show new monthly Pokemon gifs she thought was cute; last month had been the Eevee line every million views, and them playing with one another after 15 million. It was a very simple thing that had their mother post every once in a while to cheer herself up after a long League meeting day. To Casey, it was a war of how many comments each received, how many hearts or shares, and the follower count continuing to increase. The mistake she¡¯d made mainly came a year ago, setting a goal video if she managed to beat her mother¡¯s next video ¡­ a certain branch of her community discovered ways to manipulate Casey into posting more and driving her into crazier behavior until she was blackout drunk in a club. They¡¯d even influenced her clothing style, continuing to show more and more skin or perform various sexualized dances to get more views. It had taken over her entire mind, without her even realizing it. Mallory had a fair few followers at 120,000, but most of them had been a cross-over from Casey¡¯s 20 million. She didn¡¯t post the same type of content that got the rage-bait and click-bait to avoid the crowd it brought. Overall, she thought social media was a cancer that would eventually eat itself as accounts turned on each other, rules cracked down with postable content, bans happened, and legal battles tore the company apart from a toxic user base. Still, it did have its uses if used properly, but it would always spiral out of control. Once Casey calmed down, Lori helped her sister to her knees and straightened Casey¡¯s dress and hair as she tried to temper her emotions. ¡°... There we go ¡­ what do you need to do? You won¡¯t like my suggestion. Want to hear it?¡± ¡°... I know ¡­ cut off social media, right? It¡¯s just ¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± her chest fluttered again as she took a deep breath. ¡°I get this urge to just ¡­ just check my dashboard and see how many followers I¡¯m up ¡­ and suddenly I¡¯m just doing it. I know I should probably not look at comments ¡­ it just nags and nags, and then out of nowhere I¡¯m looking at them ¡­ replying ¡­ getting angry ¡­ posting¡­¡± Mallory sighed. ¡°Yup ¡­ you¡¯ve tied your entire identity to it; your whole life revolves around it ¡­ you need other hobbies or interests to fill the void. It¡¯s gonna be hard to find something with that same dopamine kick, though¡­¡± ¡°Geez ¡­ I don¡¯t even know what you¡¯re saying sometimes,¡± Casey cried, rubbing her puffy cheeks. ¡°Like ¡­ what should I do?¡± Mallory¡¯s lips lifted into a big grin. ¡°I know ¡­ how about you change your branding.¡± ¡°My branding¡­¡± Casey dully repeated. ¡°Give control of the account to Iona or Ellie and stop doing streams. Let them post instead of you, and tell them to disable DMs.¡± Casey¡¯s expression fractured. ¡°Give ¡­ control ¡­ no, no, no, I can¡¯t do that.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Cass,¡± Mallory encouraged. ¡°You¡¯re an introvert that loves to act like an extrovert; you can¡¯t stand hanging around large groups of people.¡± It¡¯s not like Casey could lie to her ¡­ they¡¯d known each other as far back as either of them could remember, causing a low whimper to escape her sister¡¯s throat. ¡°But ¡­ I really don¡¯t know how to talk to people ¡­ I just talk to the camera.¡± ¡°Mhm! You have teammates, though,¡± she encouraged. ¡°It¡¯s hard, but if you really, really want to feel better and not so depressed all the time ¡­ open up to them, and let them know that you¡¯re struggling.¡± ¡°... Lori, but that¡¯s ¡­ that¡¯s the exact opposite of what I¡¯ve been trying to do,¡± Casey cried. ¡°Inoa¡¯s psychic, emotional blast sends me running from the room to not break down! I don¡¯t want to¡­¡± Mallory closed in to hug her again. ¡°Be vulnerable? You are! Are you kidding me? You¡¯re shaking as if you jumped into an ice bath, and there¡¯s nothing wrong with it ¡­ cry if you want to, and let it out.¡± ¡°...¡± She began to weep again, and Lori held her. ¡°It¡¯s not gonna be easy, alright? It¡¯s gonna be tough, but you¡¯re tough ¡­ tell me.¡± ¡°T-Tell you what?¡± Casey sniffed, reaching down to rub her concerned Mudkip¡¯s forehead; she¡¯d returned with Gables after making sure they¡¯d be safe in the area. There seemed to be a little concern, but nothing immediately requiring Lori¡¯s attention in the wild forest. ¡°Tell me you¡¯re tough, silly,¡± she giggled, stroking her fingers through her sister¡¯s long bluish-silver hair; part of it had come undone. ¡°... I¡¯m tough¡­¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t hear you,¡± Lori teased. ¡°I ¡­ I¡¯m tough, okay!¡± ¡°Yeah, you are,¡± she said, pulling away to give her a warm smile. ¡°You¡¯re my tough little sister.¡± ¡°Well ¡­ we don¡¯t really know who¡¯s older,¡± Casey mumbled, bringing up an old argument they had when kids. ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Mallory smirked. ¡°Look at me! Who¡¯s older?¡± Casey¡¯s puffy cheeks bunched a little before her gaze fell to her bust. ¡°Yeah, well ¡­ size isn¡¯t everything, and I beat you when we were 12.¡± ¡°Two weeks,¡± Lori scoffed, folding her arms. ¡°Although you¡¯ve always had longer hair than me ¡­ and that thickness could give Rhea a run for her credits.¡± A small, thankful smile brightened Casey¡¯s face. ¡°I do have pretty hair.¡± ¡°Oh, no,¡± Mallory gasped, hand flying to her mouth as she stared at her shoulder. ¡°What?!¡± She asked, following her gaze. ¡°You¡¯ve got something stuck ¡­ right ¡­ there¡­¡± ¡°Where¡­¡± ¡°There¡­¡± ¡°... There¡¯s nothing ¡­ gah¡­¡± Casey growled, shoving her shoulder with a weak smile. ¡°Don¡¯t scare me like that!¡± Mallory chuckled, throwing her arm back to keep balanced. ¡°Okay, so, gonna give Inoa and Ellie another chance?¡± ¡°... Yeah, I guess, but ¡­ I mean, I¡¯ll try it. Inoa¡¯s just kind of ¡­ well, scary ¡­ knowing exactly how you¡¯re feeling. I don¡¯t want her to know that.¡± ¡°Imagine it from her side,¡± Mallory returned, grunting while getting to her feet. She walked around to her sister¡¯s back to help manage her hair again. ¡°She probably doesn¡¯t want to get mixed up with random people¡¯s baggage ¡­ I wouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°... I guess,¡± Casey mumbled, following her action after her hair was fixed. ¡°Umm ¡­ so, how¡¯s your group?¡± ¡°You kidding me?¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°Rhea¡¯s pretty cute and socially awkward; the perfect combo. Heh, she¡¯s practically sugar in a needle with how she can fidget sometimes! Amira¡¯s kind of serious, but she¡¯s smart, and I get the feeling she¡¯s hiding a lot under that cool-girl vibe.¡± ¡°Sounds nice,¡± Casey whispered, averting her eyes again. ¡°Girl, please,¡± Lori laughed, hopping over to nudge her with her hips and throw her sister off-balance, ¡°you¡¯d be complaining about Amira being more popular than you and Rhea messing up battles or something. Lighten up, Sis, and get away from that whole MemeStar persona!¡± ¡°... I know,¡± Casey moaned, pulling back her hair. ¡°I¡¯ll work on it.¡± ¡°Uh-huh ¡­ updates!¡± Lori sang, giving her a wink. ¡°... No, Lori ¡­ we¡¯re not thirteen anymore¡­¡± ¡°You know you won¡¯t follow through unless I¡¯m holding you to it!¡± ¡°... Ugh ¡­ fine¡­¡± Mallory darted back in to hug her. ¡°That¡¯s the adorable little sister I know!¡± ¡°Gah¡­¡± Casey¡¯s face was probably blushing against her chest; she both hated and loved being labeled the little sister ¡­ it just depended on the context. Her sister¡¯s flair was back as Lori pulled away, and there was a confident smile back on her lips. ¡°Alright,¡± Lori stated, bending down to pick up her bag, ¡°you ready to look for our second Pokemon? I bet I¡¯ll find one first!¡± Casey¡¯s toothy grin reappeared. ¡°You¡¯re on. How much?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ how about I give you two Rocket stocks if you win?¡± ¡°Weird flex,¡± Casey mumbled, lips curving into a smirk as her eyebrows lifted. ¡°When did you get into stocks?¡± Lori¡¯s cheeks bunched to the side, cupping her chin. ¡°Uh ¡­ 15? Yeah ¡­ around there was when Dad got me my first.¡± ¡°Well, whatever,¡± Casey shrugged, ¡°that works. What about if you win?¡± ¡°Come again?¡± Mallory asked with an innocent smile. ¡°I asked¡­¡± She trailed off, catching her meaning. ¡°Fine ¡­ a mystery box if you win.¡± ¡°Well, let¡¯s go!¡± * * * Gables reassured Sadie, Casey¡¯s Mudkip, that her Trainer would be fine, but he could understand why she¡¯d be concerned, given what he felt from Mallory. The Pokemon around them observed their humans in fascination, and a rude Hoothoot was laughing at Casey¡¯s tears, finding crying humans entertaining. Overall, the area they¡¯d come to was fairly boorish, with Pokemon having a fairly savage view of humans. They weren¡¯t precisely hostile toward them, but from the influence of Pokemon further up the mountain, humans were seen as weak and stupid. However, one thing stood out to him ¡­ pranks seemed to be the name of the game in this area of the forest. The area wasn¡¯t run by pure power, but by the level of trickery the Pokemon could employ to beat their competition, and the dense environment allowed for gorilla tactics to push out slightly stronger Pokemon. That being said, there was an Area Boss, which Gables was eager to meet. He and Sadie had finished spreading the word about their purpose here and desire to see the Area Boss, letting the Mudkip return to comfort her Trainer. The mass of emotions seemed to have faded in Casey because Sadie was less agitated. The shiny Mudkip was very pretty like most shiny Pokemon were, but sadly, her much higher-pitched voice would probably turn off many males; it wasn¡¯t that bad to him. Still, she seemed personable, energetic, and caring. Although a little nervous when first talking with him, it had come off charmingly. He grinned at her as their Trainers prepared to move out, Casey cleaning herself up a bit with Sadie providing a bit of water. ¡°So, you good to trick on these fools?¡± ¡°Mhm! Umm ¡­ but what do you want me to do?¡± She asked. ¡°I can wallop them or spray water really hard.¡± He shook his head. ¡°Remember those two Moves you told me about before?¡± ¡°Eh,¡± she looked doubtful, glancing left at a few Pokemon, hidden from sight in the brush, while laughing at how they were going to get pounded into the mud. ¡°You know ¡­ it takes a while to do the big one ¡­ and do they know we like the mud?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it!¡± He replied with a wave of his hand. ¡°You just need to distract one for a moment so I can get a good shot in, and then they¡¯ll be focused on me.¡± She didn¡¯t seem convinced. ¡°Okay¡­¡± They were now on the move, following the snickering Pokemon to their boss. It couldn¡¯t be a trap, which Zelri had warned them about looking out for ¡­ well, who would be stronger than their boss, and from what he¡¯d heard, the head Pokemon never turned down a fight since it would ruin their image in the pack. The dense forest was filled with hidden Pokemon, each one trying to trip them up with their whispers or make them turn back. Lori and Casey were too busy talking with each other to notice the atmosphere, and Gables wasn¡¯t that concerned since Lyra and Zelri, her Porygon-Z, were watching over them. This was the quickest way to get to the person in charge, and from there, they could figure out who was interested in getting out of this gloomy overgrown area. Surely, there had to be someone sick of this atmosphere. When they made it to the hollow den of a large Pokemon, they stopped, and Mallory purchased something to help them identify the many new faces around the area. Even she didn¡¯t know a lot of the Pokemon leaving the brush to witness the show. A long black hand stretched out of the dark area before bright, shimmering white eyes and a small reg glow illuminated within. Out crawled a vicious-looking Pokemon with a wide, sharp-toothed grin ¡­ and unsurprisingly, Mallory squealed with excitement. It was a Sableye, and he¡¯d mop the floor with Gables, he was sure. Sableye¡¯s oddly shaped head tilted as he hopped forward, and the silence around the forest pressed in on them. ¡°The Boss of this area is a Silver-tier Sableye! He¡¯s so cute!¡± Lori elatedly spoke through their bond. Eh ¡­ if you say so. Kind of creepy that he¡¯s not even saying anything; gotta be real. Sadie was trembling beside him as the Sableye¡¯s much greater pressure hit him; his speed increased sporadically, making his movements oddly hard to follow while circling them, gem-like eyes shining ominously. ¡°Ooh, I think that¡¯s Stall; he can trick his opponents¡¯ energy-sensing abilities by changing his Move¡¯s attack speed, baiting out Protects and other types of Moves. Pretty decent ¡­ oh, I wish he¡¯d join us ¡­ gah, even if he¡¯s part Ghost, but I really doubt it, and we couldn¡¯t even use him in the Bronze League. So, uh ¡­ what¡¯s he want?¡± I don¡¯t know ¡­ he¡¯s just stalking around us like a creeper, Gables noted with a lifting eye. ¡°Heh ¡­ wait, are you calling him a creeper when you literally camo stalk?¡± Eh ¡­ at least I¡¯m not creepy about it¡­ ¡°H-Hi?¡± Sadie mumbled. Hissing laughter escaped his wide grin while hopping forward to stand a few inches away from Sadie, and before Gables could try to get between them by guiding her back, he jumped on his feet to stand the same distance from him ¡­ then he retreated back. ¡°Okay ¡­ what¡¯s up?¡± Gables asked with a forced smile. ¡°You¡¯re the Boss of this area, right?¡± The weird Pokemon completely ignored him, snapping his fingers and pointing at a few nearby bushes. Gables had no idea why he wasn¡¯t talking, but the crowds of Pokemon left them alone. Once they were gone, he spoke, voice somehow even squeakier than Sadie¡¯s. ¡°You seek a bond partner! Ooh ¡­ ooh ¡­ and your Trainers are good ¡­ very good. I like you ¡­ I like you a lot!¡± Creepy when he walks and creepy when he talks ¡­ what a combo. Adding a charming smile, Gables nodded. ¡°Yup. We¡¯re here to have fun and see if anyone wants to join¡­¡± He trailed off as the Sableye hopped back and forth. ¡°Yes, yes, the seeking bond thing is a big thing, and humans are fun! I help. I help. Only if show fun stuff. What fun stuff you do?! Attack! Attack!¡± His jumpy nature wasn¡¯t on Gable¡¯s wavelength, but there wasn¡¯t much he could do against the vastly more powerful Pokemon. He wanted to see something fun, not powerful, and judging by the talk on the way here, something tricky. ¡°Gables ¡­ uh ¡­ what should I do? What does he mean¡­¡± Sadie was clearly frightened by the strange Pokemon¡¯s antics in the very dark forest, which made him almost invisible in the shadows. ¡°... The big one ¡­ yeah, do that, and I¡¯ll do my thing¡­¡± He said, telling Lori what was expected of them. ¡°Ah ¡­ he¡¯s trying to test us? Not power, huh ¡­ just something interesting? Well, we can do that! Seems you read my mind on Sadie¡¯s Move.¡± He chuckled at her pun, using his Move. ¡°We got tricks for days!¡± Gables took a big breath and blew a big bubble, sending it gently floating above the dark Pokemon¡¯s head, now bouncing up and down. ¡°Oh? Oh?¡± He questioned, following the shimmering sphere up. He activated Camouflage, blending into the grass with the Pokemon¡¯s shifted attention, and prowled toward him. Lori¡¯s energy trickled to him through their growing bond, and he charged up Power-Up Punch. The Sableye¡¯s gaze returned to the field, grin increasing, and if Gables didn¡¯t know any better, he¡¯d say that the Dark/Ghost Pokemon could still see him, but he shifted his attention to Sadie; she was drawing in as much power as she could from Casey to try and get her big Move off. ¡°Oh, tricky-tricky¡­¡± He snickered. Sure enough, the Boss didn¡¯t even flinch as he popped out of camo and threw a hefty punch of orange energy into his face. Gables wasn¡¯t expecting it to hurt the Pokemon as he passed right through the ghost¡¯s wicked-looking face to flip around; he was immune to Psychic, Fighting, and Normal Type Moves, which was a healthy chunk of his Move Pool, but that was fine, this wasn¡¯t a real fight. Flipping around in the air with the height the punch gave him, Gables spat a glob of mud from his mouth to blind the ghost. It landed, coating his face and causing him to wipe at his eyes. Just as planned, Sadie¡¯s attack started while he was dealing with the mud, and Gables was carried out of range with his surprise punch. Bluish white energy steamed off of her skin, rising into the air to swiftly form a cloud that gathered above the recovering Sableye. When he could finally see again, the four by four-meter dense fog released a hail of pelting snow, charged with Ice-Type energy to bury the surprised Area Boss and causing his smile to fade at the field of white collapsing around him. He was buried in the Avalanche. Gables landed a few feet away, barely getting outside of the wide-area Move¡¯s attack radius in time; at least five feet of compressed snow was piled on top of the Ghost Pokemon. There we go! ¡°Yeah! Sadie¡¯s got a pretty good Move, but sadly ¡­ we¡¯re kind of out of options. All Sadie¡¯s got is that and Water Gun ¡­ haha!¡± Mallory cracked up laughing as the Sableye popped out of the top of the snow with a big grin to be met with a blast of frigid water from Sadie¡¯s open mouth. Her hesitant voice soon followed. ¡°Uh ¡­ G-Gables, that¡¯s all I have ¡­ umm, Casey¡¯s saying my other Moves won¡¯t be effective.¡± Gables chuckled, hopping around the large deposit of snow to rejoin her, but trailed off as the Sableye phased through the snow to stand between them; his large, sharp-toothed grin was still in place. ¡°Oh ¡­ fun, fun attack! I like it! I like it!¡± He clapped, pointing at him. ¡°Sneaky, sneaky attack¡­¡± His fingers shifted to Sadie. ¡°Big, big attack! Yes, yes, there be sneaky and fun Pokemon that want bigger stuff! Come! Come!¡± He motioned for them to follow ¡­ Gables didn¡¯t think it would be this easy. He saw a few worthless attacks made against him, which meant they passed the cool-test, and was guiding them to Pokemon that would be interested in joining them. ¡°Uh ¡­ okay¡­¡± Gables mumbled, giving Sadie a forced smile while communicating the change in direction to Mallory. ¡°Yo, sick! So, there are some Pokemon that want to join us? This place seems filled with Dark Types ¡­ oh, I hope it¡¯s a Dark Type!¡± They had a bit of trouble following the ghost through the dense foliage, but he kept hopping back to motion to them, and more Pokemon began following from the shadows. Uh ¡­ weren¡¯t you saying we needed a balanced team, Lori? Too many Dark Types would make us vulnerable, and I¡¯ll become a Dark Type later? ¡°Hmm? Well ¡­ I mean, yeah, we¡¯ll probably be pretty vulnerable if we do have more Dark Types ¡­ that¡¯s what you¡¯re asking, right?¡± Yup. ¡°Yeah, true, but ¡­ they¡¯re just so cute! I¡¯ll make it work! Dad and Mom do.¡± Gables knew she wasn¡¯t completely honest; she just wanted more of her favorite type of Pokemon. Her parents did mostly have Dark Pokemon, but their primary teams were more balanced after getting to the Grandmaster-tier. He swiftly let the thoughts slide off, though; Mallory was smart and knew what she was doing. Although, the Pokemon they met ¡­ had him wondering if she might be blinded by her strange taste. Gables¡¯s lips pulled in as a Pokemon bordering on funny-looking, and a complete creep jumped out at him from the bushes, tongue out in hopes of jump-scaring him. ¡°Blah! Hehehe¡­¡± He shouted before laughing and ducking back into the bushes. ¡°SO CUTE!¡± Mallory squealed as the Pokemon hopped up a nearby tree to start shaking a low hanging branch over his head to spray leaves down on him with short snickers. ¡°Hi! Hi! Oh, Boss thinks you''re fun?!¡± He snickered. What ¡­ is he? Gables asked, activating his camo to crawl into the bushes to give him a taste of his own medicine. ¡°Ooh! That looks so fun!¡± The Pokemon giggled, jumping down to look for him. ¡°Where¡¯d you go? Come out, come out, wherever you are!¡± Mallory looked at her phone as Sableye guided another small and cheery Pokemon to a hesitant Casey through the brush. ¡°Uh ¡­ I think the one that¡¯s taking a liking to you is called Impidimp ¡­ it¡¯s a Dark/Fairy Type! Oh, and lots of good things talked about it, and I think it has a decent Move Pool. Oh, look at Sadie! Is she blushing? A Mime Jr.¡± Gables popped out of a nearby bush to see what Mallory was talking about and found a small male clown-like Pokemon bowing to Sadie; his voice was a little high for a male. ¡°My lovely pink gem, it would be my pleasure to escort you out of the woods.¡± ¡°O-Oh, that¡¯s ¡­ that¡¯s nice,¡± she stammered before running back behind Casey¡¯s legs to hide; she was definitely not accustomed to the strange behavior of the Pokemon around them. The Mime Jr. covered his mouth with astonishment. ¡°... And you have the voice of a Chatot!¡± ¡°N-No ¡­ not me,¡± Sadie mumbled as Casey giggled and bent down to rub her head. ¡°Most definitely you!¡± The Mime Jr. replied, hopping forward to bow again. ¡°I would be honored to be by your side ¡­ if you will have me.¡± So ¡­ in the end, Casey got a strangely polite Mime Jr. that made Sadie blush and feel like her voice wasn¡¯t such a bad thing, and Gables ¡­ he was stuck with an Impish imp that liked playing tricks and being tricked. Although Mallory went over his Move Set after bonding, and Gables had to admit, he¡¯d be useful in a Double Battle. Plus, it was technically stronger than him, but not by a whole lot. Casey named her Mime Jr. Noble, and Mallory named her Impidimp Miky. Impidimp: Name: Miky Nature: Impish (Defense Up; Sp. Attack Down) Ability: Prankster Average IVs: 20 Move Pool: Confide Fake Out Bite Flatter They were led to a clearing shortly after for Casey and Lori to set-up their tents. The rest of the day was spent going over their new Pokemon¡¯s Move combination and Gables getting to know Miky better; he wasn¡¯t that bad after getting situated with them. There were some excellent combos they could do with speed strategies, giving him a chance to go stealth with the Fake Out stunning one of their opponents at the start. Casey and Lori did two battles against each other, and they both won a match and left the deciding tie-breaker for another time. Ho-Oh¡¯s appearance helped seal the sisters¡¯ day; Casey was doing much better and Lori could tell her sister was on her way to recovering. Casey just needed her new teammates to support her. B1 — 27. Gathering 6:02 A.M. June 16, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. The last Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. Rhea groaned a little while stretching out in her sleeping bag; her back pressed up against a soft, warm body next to her. She was a bit confused for a moment before remembering she was sharing her tent with Sam after the Nidorino ruined hers the day before. Smacking her lips, Rhea took more care to limit her movements on the left side, extending her legs as far as they¡¯d go to feel the morning burn. Nova shifted around her legs inside of her sleeping bag, two paws clamping around her calf and pulling it back to use as a pillow. She giggled softly as Mya wished her a good morning. Adjusting her position, Rhea ran her fingers through her tied-back hair and yawned, taking a minute to fully wake up. She returned the greeting, releasing a puff of air before taking in the mountain¡¯s crisp morning air. A smile brightened her cheeks while thinking about Ho-Oh¡¯s appearance yesterday; she felt amazing. Mya and Nova had the same sensation run through their own bodies. It¡¯s not like they were just recovered ¡­ it was like they were renewed. How was the night watch? Rhea asked. Mya fed her a meh response; apparently, the rowdy Pokemon in the area had been somewhat preoccupied with each other, figuring out who¡¯d be the next Area Boss after news spread that the Nidorino had not only been beaten but taken somewhere by the humans. With a bit of interpreting and puzzling out Mya¡¯s boredom-induced chat, she figured out that the Wild Pokemon had grown even more cautious of humans after their big lousy boss was swept away in a ray of light. The arrival of Entei and Mepi didn¡¯t seem to help; in fact, they were more frightened of the pink-haired woman than the Legendary Volcano Pokemon. It had to do with the strange feelings she produced, and Rhea had to agree; her aura was the most bizarre she¡¯d ever read. Lyra knew her, though, but they didn¡¯t exactly seem to be friends based on Mepi¡¯s reaction. It was shocking to see a Psychic in the middle of the forest without Pokemon. Rhea shifted her hair a little against her inflatable pillow, eyes closed while remembering the sensation in her chest when Mepi appeared, trying to draw a comparison to the few Psychics she had met, like Sabrina. The chattering Flying Pokemon in the trees didn¡¯t help her concentration, and Sam¡¯s low breaths became surprisingly loud when attempting to connect her experiences. She¡¯d never shared a tent with anyone before, including her father when they went out on hiking trips. Sabrina¡¯s aura was very controlled but razor-sharp, like a knife, which made sense since she was one of the world¡¯s strongest offensive psychics. The woman had a troubled past with how powerful her powers were, developing split personalities; she forcefully took over the Gym from her father at the age of 14, an accomplished Psychic himself, and began a game against the Trainers that would face her. She¡¯d even heard low mumbles between Masters, talking about how she used to turn people into dolls if they didn¡¯t win ¡­ only one person ever did beat her while her personality was split, and that was Red, saving Yellow in the process. The defeat somehow merged the two psychically separated personalities, but the damage was done. Sabrina had a reputation with the older generation and it was a fearful one; Kanto had its share of sketchy Gym activities that had Lance scrambling to address after Champion Oak retired, many of which Red had a hand in correcting. It was a chaotic time for Kanto, and it was later revealed Giovanni was the cause of most of Lance¡¯s troubles, keeping him busy to keep his eyes off Rocket¡¯s criminal empire. Red had been Giovanni¡¯s blind spot. That was long before Rhea was born, though, so she couldn¡¯t be sure of all the details. Her wandering mind shifted between strong Trainers she¡¯d been around, including Will and Lance, but no one even came close to how Mepi¡¯s aura felt. Her aura was almost like a Pokemon¡¯s ¡­ what do you think, Mya? Mya gave a low grunt; she wasn¡¯t particularly interested in her. There was something off about the human, but it wasn¡¯t her problem anymore ¡­ she just wanted someone to challenge her. It wasn¡¯t likely with her waves of Intimidation and the reputation they¡¯d made in the area. Huh ¡­ yeah, I guess it doesn¡¯t really matter since she¡¯s gone, but ¡­ it¡¯s just aggravating. I¡¯ve been learning how to read auras since I was a little girl; I¡¯ve seen thousands between all the Masters that come through, but nothing like that. Why¡¯s she so different? Mya didn¡¯t have an answer for her, and Nova was passed out, hugging her left leg tight to her chest, holding it still; it was the first time she¡¯d slept with Nova, and she was a complete cuddle-bug, making her giggle. It felt fine having her two Pokemon out of their pokeballs now, which meant she was acclimating. Rhea settled into her sleeping bag, giving her little puffball more time to rest; Mya was content talking with Tera, Sam¡¯s new Phanpy since the night had been relatively lax. Tera was surprisingly pretty strong, and even Mya acknowledged it. Shifting her head to her left, Rhea¡¯s lips pursed while staring at her clear crystal phone, and after a moment¡¯s thought, snatched it up to check out the News. There had to be news about Ho-Oh, and sure enough, front and center was the high-resolution shot that had been taken by an amateur photographer that happened to be at the right place and time during his descent upon Viridian. All the News stations had the Legendary Pokemon on the front of their headline, trying to bait people into their scoop or take on the incident. Most were positive, but a few were negative to elicit more traffic by taking the opposite angle, or at least that¡¯s the kind of thing Rhea guessed would be Amira¡¯s view. Rhea¡¯s mind paused, eyes narrowing with a small smile while staring at the corner of her tent ceiling; it was such a strange thing to ponder ¡­ she had begun to analyze the News as if she were Amira rather than just randomly skimming for general information. Pushing it out of her brain, she tapped on a few articles, scanning the contents. Ho-Oh certainly had the strength of a Legendary Pokemon by the report¡¯s highlighted notes. His healing rays were felt throughout all of the Viridian City-State and even reached as far as Pallet, Pewter, and Cremini City. A few adverse side effects were caused by the Rainbow Pokemon that people noticed, such as the inability to teleport for some high-end transport agencies or item transferals. A lot of traffic was also stopped for a while, causing delivery delays, and there were several reports of accidents that had occurred ¡­ all their injuries were healed, yet the damaged property was an issue. Not a single person died while Ho-Oh¡¯s regenerative rays were seen in the sky, and its lights passed through the earth, buildings, and even Training barriers. Nothing seemed to be strong enough to repel the Legendary Pokemon¡¯s power. Most outlets called it a day of remembrance and praised the miracle that had healed tens of millions of even terminal and hitherto thought incurable diseases or genetic abnormalities. Journalists couldn¡¯t find a single story about someone that hadn¡¯t been cured. On the other hand, articles asked why Ho-Oh didn¡¯t do this regularly; they discussed his motives or outright accused him of single-handedly cutting medical personnels'' jobs short since they were now not as needed. Nurses and doctors were examining how this would affect their industry, but Chase had already come out with a statement that government aid was being discussed. Skull invading Viridian had taken a back seat to Ho-Oh¡¯s arrival, and the Summer Cup was in the 3rd spot. Although there was some smack-talk happening between Gold-tier Trainers pushing for Platinum. It wasn¡¯t anything new, and some Trainer rivalries could get really out of hand, but a lot of the early League craziness had been tempered with regulations. Rhea¡¯s mind turned away from the League, returning to the majestic image of Ho-Oh; at the angle taken, it almost looked like all the rainbow colors had filtered to gold; it was a rare occurrence that had only been documented in old Johto texts or ancient Kanto civilizations when all the shades momentarily took on this heavily cast of divine light. It sent shivers down Rhea¡¯s spine; there was a reason Ho-Oh was revered throughout Johto and Kanto. He¡¯d been a check on tyrannical power in the past between warring City-States and even between the two regions throughout history. If a pure-hearted Trainer sought his aid, then legend said Ho-Oh would grant them his strength. Thinking she¡¯d spent enough time under her covers, she slid out of her sleeping bag with Nova protesting with a low groan. Rhea smiled at her little ball of fluff as she unzipped part of her bag; she was still clamped to her leg with a noticeable frown, front paws wrapped tightly around her ankle. ¡°C¡¯mon¡­¡± Rhea whispered, scratching her folded back ears, ¡°It¡¯s time to get up, little princess.¡± Nova cracked open an eye, pink iris catching sight of the sun filtering past the tent¡¯s covering, and swiftly closed it again. She released her leg and nuzzled herself back under the sleeping bag. Rhea could practically hear her Eevee¡¯s plea ¡­ five more minutes¡­ Rhea giggled while scooting out of her tent, pulling her bag with her. The crisp mountain air stung her bare skin; most Trainers slept in their underwear to make their daily clothes last as long as possible, and she usually went naked but felt it would have been uncomfortable with Sam in her tent. Sam was shifting a little in her sleeping bag and seemed to agree with Nova about sleeping in. Mya was having a hard time staying awake after such a boring night, but Tera kept her company. Tera guided her to a nearby stream, where she washed up and did her quick camping maintenance. After finishing up her morning prep and putting on her dress, she returned to find Sam sleepily rousing herself with a few stretches; Nova was doing the same. The rest of the early hours were taken by cleaning up the site, finishing breakfast, and going over each other¡¯s Pokemon Moves with them. Rhea was becoming more aware of what each of her Pokemon¡¯s Moves did and began going over some possible combinations with Sam. At 9 A.M., Lyra returned with Hilbert; they¡¯d been up all night but didn¡¯t look tired in the least ¡­ the benefits of having extremely high physical fortitude as a Champion-tier. Lyra was thrilled with Tera, saying she was the highest level out of everyone¡¯s Pokemon so far and that she was impressed by the tactics they¡¯d used against the Nidorino. Rhea asked about Mepi, but the girl had returned north to Sinnoh, which surprised her; apparently, it was the girl¡¯s home region. Hilbert gave her a hug before taking off; he had to take care of something that was bugging him. She was a little disappointed he didn¡¯t stick around since she didn¡¯t see him that often, but was used to everyone in her life taking to the skies the moment something caught their interest ¡­ most of the people in her life were all high-profile Trainers. Lyra teleported them back to her house, and everyone else followed shortly after; Silver seemed to have already left for work. They all found a place in Lyra¡¯s living room, and her Azumarill went to grab a few more chairs from the kitchen. Rhea¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as the group took their places around the room. Everyone was in high spirits, but for some reason, Inoa, Casey¡¯s teammate, sat kind of off on her own, and Jade swiftly moved her seat over to join her, which caused Inoa to give her a thankful smile. Did something happen between Inoa and her team? Why is she by herself? Mmh ¡­ should I go talk to her ¡­ oh, Jade¡¯s doing it. She caught a look that passed between Casey, Inoa, and Ellie she didn¡¯t quite understand; if she was to take a guess, they needed to sort something out. Her attention was swiftly pulled back to the others as they all introduced their new Pokemon. Rhea didn¡¯t know if she should try to say something or not, but Jade seemed to have gotten closer to the dark-skinned Alolan Trainer. Amira got a pretty strong Fairy-Type Pokemon called Comfey, which she named Holly. Rhea thought she was super cute with how friendly the flower Pokemon was, floating between the other Pokemon to shake their hands or talk. Nova took a shine to her, and she ran over to join Amber and her new teammate to talk more. On the other hand, Mallory had an Impidimp that Nova didn¡¯t like at all, and the little guy wasn¡¯t exactly in Rhea¡¯s taste with its personality; he reminded her of a much less mature Franky. Miky kept on snooping around and trying to play pranks on them. He learned quickly not to get behind Mya with her snapping jaws, which got a giggle from a few of the girls. Tera and Hector gathered around Mya for protection from the imp¡¯s games, if nothing else, but the Long Nose Pokemon had really taken a shine to her tough Mawile. Hannah¡¯s Togepi introduced himself with flourishing twists and jumps in the air; he actually went kind of on the offensive against the Impidimp, chasing it around while shouting things that the other Pokemon laughed at. The spiky egg was really quite animated compared to most of the Pokemon Rhea had seen. Rhea just liked to see the pink trickster get a little taste of his own medicine. Everyone fawned over the shy little female Pichu in Jade¡¯s lap, which refused to leave her side, with Orin sitting on his Trainer¡¯s shoulder, talking to her. According to Jade, the Pichu had a rare genetic condition that Rhea¡¯s mother had talked to her about, and there might be a way to save her. Both of them were worried about the operation, but if they didn¡¯t do anything, then the little Pichu would die regardless. She was the weakest out of all the Pokemon they¡¯d gathered since she was a newborn, and even though Mya and Nova were only recently hatched, they were exceptions with all the changes her mother had made to them. Inoa had a female Galarian Meowth ask to be in her party, which was a bizarre regional variant to the Meowth Rhea was accustomed to. The cat Pokemon was certainly fluffy around certain parts, but small curves to her features did make her appear more feminine, according to Ellie, who¡¯d grown up around this kind of Meowth ¡­ Rhea found it hard to believe she thought their Meowth was the strange one. Ellie gained a male Tangela on her squad, which made a few comments but didn¡¯t seem too outspoken. The Tangela and Galarian Meowth stuck together since the two had grown up in the same area; in fact, the Tangela convinced the female Meowth to join him on the human adventure. Mya and the Galarian Meowth seemed to hit it off a bit from the little they talked. Ellie¡¯s male Charmander and Inoa¡¯s female Cyndaquil appeared to be buddies, and Casey¡¯s Mudkip was obviously quite shy due to a Mime Jr. named Noble. From what Rhea could see, the little clown was peppy and respectful, but Sadie was pretty nervous around him, hiding behind Gables. They each got ready to go after some introductions and a snack for those that hadn¡¯t eaten yet, such as Mallory and Casey; apparently, the two sisters had slept until 8 A.M., likely partying all night, if Rhea was to take a guess. With how many girls they had, Lyra¡¯s car wouldn¡¯t be big enough to accommodate them, so she called the Rocket limo to pick them up again. In the meantime, Hannah and Jade managed to get the Champion to tell them a bit about Ho-Oh; Amira seemed to know the story because she disappeared to her room for something. Lyra settled in, smoothing out her dress to tell a short story; everyone else seemed happy to learn more about the Legendary Pokemon. ¡°Okay, so, the first thing you need to know about my guy Ho-Oh is that he¡¯s a pretty old dude!¡± Lyra started with a short snicker. ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea nearly fell out of her chair at the comment; there was a massive disconnect in her brain between the elegant, dazzling Rainbow Pokemon and an old man. Hannah nodded. ¡°Yeah ¡­ uh, I¡¯m not really seeing the resemblance.¡± ¡°Well,¡± the Champion mused with a sly look, ¡°Lugia is way more sus, but Ho-Oh¡¯s had his flings.¡± ¡°Hold-up, hold-up,¡± Mallory smiled, ¡°you¡¯re talkin¡¯ about Legendary Pokemon dating scandals?¡± Lyra put her finger to her lips, giving her a wink. ¡°Shh ¡­ he¡¯s got ears everywhere! I¡¯m going to tell you a story about the Ultra War, a pretty cute but tragic one.¡± ¡°Mom,¡± Amira called down with a loud sigh, ¡°you know, talking about that stuff is supposed to be somewhat illegal, right?¡± ¡°Pfft,¡± Lyra waved the comment off with a chuckle, ¡°girl, do you know who you¡¯re talking to?! Oh, and I participated in the whole meeting; of course, I know what¡¯s off-limits ¡­ and where to walk the line,¡± she winked at them, causing a giggle to pass through the group. Lyra shrugged with a sad shake of her head. ¡°Although, I thought more of it should be open,¡± she huffed, drawing the hopeful eyes of everyone for juicy details. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve told you all the fun ones already!¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ doesn¡¯t mean you should have,¡± Amira replied, barely audible from upstairs. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Anyways,¡± Lyra grinned, settling into her armchair while crossing her legs. ¡°During the Ultra War, Ultra Wormholes were popping up everywhere; basically, teleportation spatial stuff that could take you to different dimensions. We couldn¡¯t stop them all since our enemy wanted to open as many as possible to throw us off. It was chaos!¡± Lyra¡¯s hands and facial expressions animated the scenes with emotion. ¡°We were running all over the world, trying to deal with all the random things that came through, and well ¡­ Legendary Pokemon helped off and on, depending on the region and threat. Ho-Oh was a huge support, and Lugia ¡­ well, more toward the tail end of the war for, ahem, reasons,¡± she snickered. ¡°You see, Ho-Oh had been putting in all this work and helped me out a ton; we¡¯re pretty close to making some real headway,¡± she added. ¡°Then ¡­ Lugia got himself a little girlfriend,¡± she mused, ¡°that dirty old man.¡± Casey¡¯s thighs were locked together as she sat on the edge of her seat. ¡°He was older than her?¡± She asked, more enthralled than Rhea thought the party-girl would be, but it was a question she also wanted to know. Stories like this weren¡¯t something most of the Masters she knew talked about; all their tales were about battles that she didn¡¯t understand since there wasn¡¯t any context. Lyra nodded. ¡°Oh, our Legendary Pokemon are super, super oldies! This Lugia that showed up was like only ¡­ 30,000 years old? Yeah, super, super young, but, oh, she made ol¡¯ Lugia¡¯s tail wag with those colors! She kind of messed him up in more ways than one for a bit,¡± she mumbled, lips pulling in, ¡°he¡¯d fallen hook, line, and sinker for the pretty bird.¡± ¡°30,000 is super young?¡± Sam whispered in disbelief, but Lyra kept on with her story. ¡°Naturally, Ho-Oh got a bit jealous ¡­ and a bit exasperated with his old pal,¡± the woman chuckled, playing with a few free locks across her front. ¡°I mean, the two guys had been bachelors for like ¡­ ever, and then his main dude had this random girl wrap him around her tail! ¡°He stopped showing up on weekly catch-up flights, started ditching planned battle spots, as well as ghosting him a bit to deal with this attractive little fox, and well ¡­ Ho-Oh couldn¡¯t just interfere¡ªmy advice, by the way,¡± she tittered. ¡°Lugia had met one or two female Lugia throughout his many ages of Ultra Wormhole events, but they always went back, leaving him heartbroken, and ¡­ usually a bit battered. He¡¯s kind of a hopeless romantic,¡± Lyra shrugged, getting a giggle out of Rhea and a few girls. ¡°He never goes hard on them.¡± ¡°Ho-Oh, though ¡­ wow,¡± Lyra breathed with a forced smile, ¡°he¡¯s ¡­ somethin¡¯ else when it comes to courting. He¡¯s made a few advances at one or two Ho-Oh beyond our dimension, but he¡¯s never really had Lugia¡¯s luck, which is crazy because he¡¯s super hot!¡± She smirked. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s the way he goes about preening ¡­ I don¡¯t know, but as far as Lugia tells me, those Ho-Oh were super stuck-up and probably intimidated by our Ho-Oh since he¡¯s so strong ¡­ or just old.¡± ¡°Is it really that hard for them?¡± Rhea asked, feeling a little bad for the majestic bird Pokemon. Jade shook her head with a strained grin. ¡°I¡¯m just trying to understand there¡¯s more than one of ¡­ well, Ho-Oh. Wait ¡­ they can have babies?¡± ¡°Oh, they totally can! There are many, many more Legendaries, too¡± Lyra waved her hand, ¡°but usually only one per dimension since they¡¯d have to migrate across space and time; it¡¯s also not guaranteed they¡¯d be female! As to your question, Rhea,¡± she puffed out a long sigh, ¡°yeah, knowing how most Legendary Pokemon personalities are ¡­ it¡¯s hard to find compatible mates with egos so big. It really takes something special for two Pokemon that can live forever to decide to live eternity with one another.¡± ¡°Well, when you put it like that,¡± Mallory hummed, rubbing her chin. Casey shook her head, braided hair bouncing across her front. ¡°No, I think it¡¯s beautiful, Lori ¡­ spending forever with someone that gets you¡­¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I don¡¯t know,¡± Lori mumbled, ¡°seems like a pipe dream to me.¡± Lyra leaned back, folding her arms and tapping her leg. ¡°Finding that kind of love can be difficult ¡­ it certainly requires more than physical attraction ¡­ anyways, Ho-Oh was kind of in a slump, and so he came knocking.¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Woah, he went to you for relationship advice?¡± She asked with awe; her phone was out, and she was writing it down in what appeared to be a journal. ¡°That¡¯s like ¡­ Pokemon do that?¡± ¡°I mean, Ho-Oh¡¯s not a normal Pokemon,¡± Lyra mused. ¡°He¡¯s been around before humanity was a thing ¡­ but yeah, he came soaring through the sky, pulling me right out of the backyard,¡± a slight pout creased the woman¡¯s lips, ¡°he¡¯s normally more gentlemanly about his abductions, but he was in kind of a mood that day.¡± ¡°... Wait,¡± Rhea mumbled, ¡±he ¡­ kidnapped you?¡± ¡°Basically,¡± Lyra huffed. ¡°He wouldn¡¯t even let me talk; just went on and on about this little storm he had to contain because Lugia and his new girl ¡­ well, she wasn¡¯t his girl then, but Lugia kept bragging about how he was getting through to her ¡­ it¡¯s complicated. Anyway, he just wouldn¡¯t shut up about it, so ¡­ I told him to just find a girl himself and stop bugging me ¡­ I was kind of pissed.¡± She rolled her eyes, brushing back her brown locks as everyone leaned in closer. ¡°And he, having the dense bird brain he has sometimes, started thinking with his emotions and was like ¡­ ¡®yeah, I should!¡¯ So, when the next big battle happened with a wormhole opening up ¡­ ya know what he did?¡± They all shook their heads. ¡°He skipped out!¡± Lyra groaned. ¡°And it was kind of my fault ¡­ I felt a bit guilty, but things turned out alright since Zygarde showed up ¡­ oh, Amira,¡± she shouted, ¡°that¡¯s the Pokemon¡¯s energy that the Togepi copied! Yeah ¡­ where was I ¡­ ah, he skipped out ¡­ yeah, probably the maddest I ever was at him,¡± she shook her head with a frown. ¡°Not only did he skip out, but he showed up to skip out!¡± With everyone¡¯s confused glances, she elaborated. ¡°Ho-Oh popped-in to the battle and just smashed right through the enemy¡¯s formation without a care in the world ¡­ super stupid, but that¡¯s how annoyed he was with Lugia, and I didn¡¯t realize it ¡­ he went to twelve dimensions before returning ¡­ twelve!¡± ¡°Did he find a girl?¡± Sam tentatively asked. Lyra nodded, anger fading. ¡°Yeah, he did ¡­ super young thing ¡­ probably less than 10,000 years. She made it back, and they had a happy few months together ¡­ I was pissed at him, but then she was murdered in one of the last invasions. That kind of changed him ¡­ and his focus; I couldn¡¯t stay mad after seeing his heart break like that.¡± Rhea was surprised her nose started to burn, and Hannah was wiping at her eyes. ¡°Why,¡± Casey mumbled, ¡°he just ¡­ after so long, he finally found a girl that liked him and ¡­ she was killed?¡± Lyra breathed in and out, fiddling with her bangs again. ¡°Ultra Wormholes used to be extremely rare ¡­ thinking about the ages they¡¯ve lived and how long it took for him to find that love interest is what kind of hit me, too. The Ultra War gave him the chance to find her ¡­ and it took her away. Yup ¡­ that¡¯s why it¡¯s cute and tragic. There are lots of stories like that during the Ultra War ¡­ filled with happiness and sadness.¡± ¡°Life sucks,¡± Casey grumbled. Mallory was folding her arms under her chest, glaring at the floor. ¡°... Did he get his revenge?¡± ¡°No, not yet ¡­ it almost cost him his life trying, but ¡­ he¡¯s doing better. He¡¯s got a good group of homies, and Lugia was there for him.¡± Rhea reached down to pick up Nova as she ran over to her, petting her head. ¡°That¡¯s so sad ¡­ my family never told me that story.¡± Lyra gave her a sad nod. ¡°Yeah, your family¡¯s closer to the Sinnoh and Unova Legendaries, which ¡­ I am not so much,¡± she said with a forced smile. ¡°Even the Legendary Birds give me a headache sometimes ¡­ they can be fire starters, but Lugia keeps them in check most of the time with his girl. They¡¯re a lot more manageable with the two of them keeping an eye out for their tempers ¡­ oh, the limo is here!¡± She chimed. ¡°That was quick¡­¡± Inoa mumbled. ¡°Umm, Ms. Lyra ¡­ I heard a story that Ho-Oh could revive the dead ¡­ couldn¡¯t he do that to ¡­ you know?¡± Rhea was shocked it had been the Alolan girl to bring it up; the thought did momentarily pass through her mind, but it was swiftly swept under the rug with the rest of the tragic tone of the story. ¡°Wait,¡± Casey¡¯s brow furrowed, ¡°you¡¯re right! What about the story with Suicune, Raikou, and Entei?¡± Everyone¡¯s gaze turned to Amira as she descended the stairs. ¡°It¡¯s because of how she died ¡­ Yveltal.¡± There were more than a few blank looks around the circle, but Rhea breathed out an understanding hiss. ¡°Ah ¡­ the Destruction Pokemon.¡± Lyra groaned, goosebumps appearing on her arms as she rubbed them. ¡°I hate to even think about her ¡­ umm, yeah, some Pokemon are just ¡­ dark. Anyways, we should get going!¡± She chuckled, getting to her feet. ¡°I¡¯ll drop you girls off wherever you want,¡± she added, glancing at Casey¡¯s group. ¡°Right¡­¡± Casey whispered, giving Lori a look that confused Rhea; her sister only returned a lifted eyebrow, which caused Casey to sigh. ¡°Alright, umm, I think our hotel would be fine. Thanks, Champion Lyra.¡± ¡°I told you,¡± Lyra giggled, ¡°just call me Lyra!¡± The rest of the girls thanked her for the help and advice she¡¯d given before dragging their packs outside. Only a few fit in the trunk, so Casey¡¯s group decided to keep theirs inside since they¡¯d be getting out. To Rhea, it looked like Casey had something she wanted to talk about with her teammates, but it was awkward in the group. The trip to their hotel was mostly in silence; Inoa kept giving Casey nervous looks while Ellie kept a bored expression ¡­ of course, Rhea hadn¡¯t seen much emotion out of the girl. Jade waved Inoa off as Mallory and Casey hugged; Lori whispered something into her ear before pulling away. The exchange didn¡¯t last long, and they were back on the road to the nearby hospital where Rhea¡¯s mother was waiting. The Pichu looked pretty agitated, but Rhea was sure she was scared; Jade comforted her with Sam and Hannah¡¯s help. Amira was back to her silent cool-girl attitude, passively looking out of the window, glaring at Skull members, but Rhea¡¯s mind was still on the exchange between the two sisters. ¡°Umm, Lori,¡± Rhea asked, shifting a little to face the purple-haired girl. ¡°Mmh?¡± Lori asked, giving her a questioning smile. ¡°Is Casey okay? She just seemed a little ¡­ well, a lot different.¡± ¡°Cass, yeah, yeah, she¡¯s fine,¡± Mallory waved dismissively. ¡°Their team went through a bit of a rough patch, but it¡¯ll work out. Hmm ¡­ but I¡¯m a bit more worried about Viridian,¡± she mumbled, watching Gables talk to Miky; he seemed to be trying to teach the imp how to be a bit less annoying, and he was actually listening. Amira¡¯s hand stopped passively petting Amber in her lap, causing the fox to look up at her. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Ah, I guess it¡¯s hitting the dark web, huh?¡± Lyra sighed, readjusting her hair. ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked. Lori straightened out her skirt. ¡°Lusamine woke up ¡­ some people are saying the Ultra War will probably start again.¡± Flashbacks of the injured Masters passing through her small village when Rhea was younger surfaced. ¡°Wait ¡­ no, but ¡­ she stopped it, didn¡¯t she? Why would that mean they¡¯re going to open again?¡± Mallory shook her head. ¡°No idea; it¡¯s just what people are saying.¡± Sam hugged herself as a shiver ran down her frame. ¡°That was a pretty scary time ¡­ my parents were really worried Silver-tier would be drafted. One of the Gold-tier Trainers they knew died¡­¡± Lyra¡¯s smile was compassionate. ¡°We¡¯ve had a lot of time to prepare. It shouldn¡¯t be as bad as it was if that happens. The truth is, we don¡¯t know what it really means; they might open again, but if they do, it will be slower and not nearly as many. It could be five or ten years until the first reappears.¡± It all started to connect in Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°That¡¯s why my mom¡¯s here ¡­ she¡¯s trying to figure it out, right?¡± ¡°She is,¡± Lyra nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not something you girls need to be worried about, though¡­¡± ¡°No?¡± Amira asked, glaring at her mother. ¡°After you just told us a story about the war where Legendary Pokemon died? Where Grandpa and everyone else in my family was on the front line? Rhea and Mallory¡¯s families, too,¡± she challenged. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s lips sealed, not wanting to get involved in the conversation. Lyra¡¯s smile fell a little with her gaze. ¡°True ¡­ I can¡¯t say everything will be fine like you¡¯re a little girl anymore. War is scary, but if those that can fight don¡¯t ¡­ then we lose everything we care about anyway.¡± ¡°I get that,¡± Amira replied, arms tightening under her chest, ¡°just don¡¯t lie to me.¡± Mallory sighed, fiddling with her skirt. ¡°I get why you¡¯d need to keep certain things hidden. If you say the wrong thing, then the public could go into a panic, and it would only hurt things. The economy could take a hit, which would affect the war effort, too ¡­ it¡¯s complicated. I don¡¯t really remember much from that time ¡­ just a lot of sadness, being alone, and well, a lot of pain.¡± The Champion visibly forced her hands away from her hair. ¡°... I do generally agree with your aunt, Rhea. I think kids can handle more than we think they can ¡­ I mean, from personal experience alone, heh ¡­ but you should also be focused on other things, happier things. ¡°War is ugly, and I fought to make the world a brighter place for my cute little redhead,¡± she teased, scooting over to hug Amira. ¡°I want you girls to enjoy yourselves on your journey; becoming a Trainer is all about the adventure, growing closer to your Pokemon! Leave all the hard stuff to the adults until you absolutely have to join the fight ¡­ of course, that doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t prepare,¡± she added with the glare Amira gave her. Amira took a deep breath, seemingly to calm her nerves as Rhea thought about Lyra¡¯s words, but her teammate said what she was thinking. ¡°I get it ¡­ we¡¯re weak Bronze-tier. If I want to keep you safe ¡­ I just need to get stronger than you and force you to stay home.¡± ¡°Oh, honey,¡± Lyra chuckled, tears coming to her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re impossible!¡± Amira returned, cheeks red as her arms tightened around her mother¡¯s chest. Rhea smiled. Amira was right; her family always left her behind with all the things they did to keep the public peace. If that was the case, then she just needed to get strong enough to keep them safe. Mya and Nova were 100% on board. ¡°You¡¯re saying we have time, though. Are you with us?¡± She asked Mallory. She pulled back her purple hair with a forced smile. ¡°It¡¯s gonna be harder than you think, but yeah, I¡¯m with you.¡± ¡°Us, too!¡± Hannah chimed. ¡°Umm, we¡¯re not super strong, but we want to help.¡± Sam¡¯s grip tightened against her thighs. ¡°Mmh ¡­ yeah, we¡¯ll do our best.¡± ¡°Us, too, right, Pichu?¡± Jade asked, holding up her little yellow ball. The electric mouse gave a weak chuckle, probably not understanding what was going on, which caused the other Pokemon to laugh. Lyra ruffled Amira¡¯s hair to her displeasure, forcing her to fix it. ¡°You girls are so cute and spirited ¡­ if you keep that attitude, I know you¡¯ll go far. Just know that this little lady¡¯s gonna be looking out for you. Until you can beat me in a match, you¡¯ll always be my little girl,¡± she winked. ¡°Just watch,¡± Amira grumbled, fiddling with her braid, ¡°I¡¯m going to beat Grandpa and you¡­¡± ¡°I look forward to it!¡± Lyra giggled. Rhea¡¯s heart warmed at the exchange. She hadn¡¯t met Lyra before since her family didn¡¯t trust the Rockets that much, but the woman was a gem. She noticed the strict Rocket security outside the hospital as they arrived; shockingly, one or two reporters were being kept from entering. Most of the News was still on the Ho-Oh event, but it appeared a few snoops had at least connected the dots that Lusamine might have awoken. They tried to get a comment, but the Rocket guards swiftly forced them back as the girls entered the extremely advanced-looking building. Researchers were flooding the hallways, talking to one another and comparing notes or theories, but Lyra promptly released her Porygon-Z and teleported them to a room once inside the building. Christie was standing beside a strange portable machine, messing with a tablet as they entered. ¡°Ah ¡­ you made good time, Lyra.¡± Rhea rushed over to hug her, and her mother opened her arms with a tired smile; she didn¡¯t look quite as bad as when she¡¯d passed out, but it was getting close to that point. ¡°Mom ¡­ you need to rest a little.¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± she chuckled, rubbing her back with the tablet, ¡°your dad tells me that all the time. ¡®Oh, you¡¯ll start losing hair if you keep like this¡¯ ¡­ gah, like I haven¡¯t already solved that issue,¡± she snickered. ¡°I¡¯m with your daughter,¡± Lyra chimed in, taking a nearby seat, ¡°you should take care of yourself more.¡± ¡°I do with what little time I have,¡± Christie replied, brushing back her bangs to focus on the Pichu Jade brought over. ¡°And this must be the patient,¡± she hummed. Jade and the Pichu fidgeted with Christie¡¯s critical eye. ¡°... Well, she¡¯s as healthy as she could be, considering the circumstances, which is a positive. Alright, let¡¯s get this going ¡­ I have a few gene ontology reports to go over after this to compare our bioinformatics data¡­¡± ¡°For Lusamine?¡± Rhea asked. Her mother scratched her temple, shooting a light glare at Lyra, but the woman pointed at Mallory with a smile. ¡°Gah ¡­ let¡¯s not make a spectacle of the woman; she¡¯s been through enough.¡± Rhea was surprised to hear that from her mother. Amira, Lyra, and Lori agreed, though. Her mother took the nervous Pichu from Jade, and everyone moved to the side of the room to observe. ¡°She¡¯s terrified,¡± Jade whispered. ¡°Aww, I know,¡± Christie smiled reassuringly, ¡°it¡¯s rough for wild baby Pokemon; they don¡¯t understand us. Okay, Pichu, let¡¯s get acquainted.¡± Christie took out a pokeball to release her male Meowstic. ¡°Mika will help you relax ¡­ there we go,¡± she soothed as a white aura emitted from him before yawning. The small cloud dispersed against the Pichu¡¯s body, causing her trembles to ease and the Pokemon swiftly fell asleep. She accepted the sleeping Pokemon and placed her inside the machine. ¡°It¡¯s not going to hurt her, right?¡± Jade tentatively asked. Christie¡¯s lips bunched as she sealed the container. ¡°It would be more comfortable if we were in my lab with proper equipment, but this will have to do. She won¡¯t feel anything with how deep she¡¯s sleeping ¡­ this is much easier on newborns than already developed Pokemon.¡± ¡°What¡¯s she doing?¡± Amira whispered to her mother. Lyra shrugged. ¡°Wrong person to ask¡­¡± Rhea had heard her mother talk about this before, so she explained while her mother worked, Jade, Hannah, Sam, and Mallory listening intently. ¡°You see the second chamber Mika is getting into? To force open the Pichu¡¯s Energy Core, she needs to be surrounded by concentrated Pokemon energy ¡­ it¡¯s actually a bit painful for Mika, having his energy extracted.¡± ¡°You can extract Pokemon energy?¡± Hannah hissed with concern. ¡°When did that happen?¡± ¡°A long time ago,¡± Lyra mumbled. ¡°Rocket and Plasma developed the technology. It can be used in a good way ¡­ and bad.¡± Rhea nodded, watching Mika wince as the machine started to hum softly; her mother was watching the charts and modifying the draw. ¡°I think it should be pretty quick and easy since Mika is low Master-tier and Pichu¡¯s a newborn.¡± ¡°That¡¯s correct, honey,¡± Christie replied, giving her a warm smile before returning her focus to the tablet. ¡°I¡¯m happy to see you pay attention while I¡¯m rambling at home.¡± They fell silent for the remaining five minutes it took to forcefully expand the Pichu¡¯s Energy Core, and Christie gave the Pichu an item to wake her up. She seemed to have a hard time breathing. Everyone¡¯s gaze moved to an Ultra Ball that Christie produced from her lab coat, handing it to Jade. ¡°You¡¯ll need to constantly feed her a small bit of energy, which will also help you expand your fortitudes. It¡¯s going to be a bit rough, though.¡± Mika explained to the Pichu what would happen next, opening the case up himself with Telekinesis. Jade hesitated for a moment before accepting it and offering it to Pichu with a smile. ¡°Okay, are you ready to be my partner?¡± Whatever Mika said to the Pichu had her in tears, and she practically jumped on the device, not knowing a simple touch would work. She was converted to energy and swiftly accepted the bond. ¡°How do you feel?¡± Rhea asked as Jade winced. ¡°Umm ¡­ it¡¯s a little tight¡­¡± She mumbled, rubbing her chest. Rhea chuckled. ¡°Yeah, I know what you mean.¡± Mallory gave her a bright smile, gaze shifting back to Christie. ¡°So, it worked?¡± ¡°It did,¡± Christie replied, packing the device into a large bag that Mika lifted with his psychic powers. ¡°Now, I¡¯ve gotta get back to work ¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, dear,¡± she sighed, reaching over to hug Rhea. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I know you¡¯re busy. Thanks for helping.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, thanks so much!¡± Jade followed. Christie waved them off, already on her way to the door. ¡°Your dad says he¡¯s sorry, too, but more stuff came up that he has to deal with.¡± Story of my life¡­ Rhea partially complained. ¡°It¡¯s fine ¡­ umm, Mom, I¡¯ll see you guys at Pewter, right?¡± Her mother paused at the door, suddenly looking a bit frustrated before hurrying back to get a good look at her. ¡°Yeah, we should ¡­ hold-up¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked. Lyra hummed, giving Christie a wink. ¡°Just noticing?¡± ¡°Ho-Oh healed your fortitudes ¡­ hmm, but I¡¯d still like to run more tests when you get to Pewter,¡± she mumbled, turning Rhea around in a circle. ¡°... Super cute dress, by the way ¡­ okay, I¡¯m off!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea chuckled. Just Mom being Mom¡­ They all laughed at her mother¡¯s strange, sleep-deprived behavior before heading to the Viridian Gym. Giovanni had texted Lyra about stopping by, which Amira was excited about; Rhea figured she was relieved about the simple fact her grandfather was alright after the chaos yesterday brought. An officer stopped them on the way out, pulling Lyra off to another room ¡­ probably to talk about her teleporting in the hospital by her sheepish expression. Rhea could understand where Amira was coming from by the stern look of Viridian¡¯s chief law enforcement officer, Viridian Police Commissioner Jenny, the City-State didn¡¯t mess around, even with Champion-tier Trainers that broke the rules. After a short exchange, they parted ways with Sam, Jade, and Hannah; Jade called her cute little Pichu Mimi since the little Pokemon liked Mika¡¯s name, and Rhea, Lori, and Amira went with Lyra to the Gym. B1 — 28. Problems Ahead 1:03 P.M. June 15, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. The last Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. One day after Ho-Oh healed everyone. Rhea sat in the back of the Rocket limo with Lyra, Lori, Amira, and their Pok¨¦mon driving through traffic to make it to the Viridian Gym. There wasn¡¯t a center table in the vehicle which allowed their Pok¨¦mon and them a lot of legroom. The city was packed between everything that was happening with the League, and the grid had been in a constant flux after the Ho-Oh incident, family, friends, and researchers flying in from around the world to see those that were cured. Businesses were being overrun with the rapid increase in population, mixed with the Skull invasion; they¡¯d increased shipments in advance to prepare for the Summer Cup, but it didn¡¯t seem to be enough when the streets were locked up. In short, they were in a city-sized traffic jam, and it had been a bit exhausting. Mya had fallen asleep in her pokeball while Nova stayed out; Gables, Miky, Lori¡¯s Impidimp, Amber, and Holly, Amira¡¯s Comfey, were taking the time to get to know each other. Amber and Gables were trying to teach Miky the proper time to prank people or have fun and when to chill. Miky had calmed down a lot, intimidated after unsuccessfully trying to scare Lyra¡¯s Azumarill, sitting beside her ¡­ at least, that was the Champion¡¯s explanation as to why the little imp ended up hiding beside Lori. The sweet and large 5¡¯4 Azumarill was taking the seat beside Lyra, listening to the conversations the small Pok¨¦mon had. Lyra released a low groan, staring out of the window with a bored expression, causing Rhea to giggle. ¡°Hmm?¡± The woman asked, a small smile brightening her lips and drawing everyone¡¯s attention to Rhea. Rhea brushed back a loose lock of her hair, shifting in her chair to a better angle; the cracking of the leather seats made her a bit self-conscious. ¡°Oh, I just had the thought that ¡­ well, in your head, you were debating whether it would be easier to deal with the Police again or teleport us to the Gym.¡± Amira sighed, rolling her eyes, her gaze returning to the stopped cars and packed sidewalks through the window. ¡°She probably was¡­¡± ¡°Guilty!¡± Lyra chimed, giving them a sheepish grin. ¡°I used to teleport around everywhere,¡± she huffed, folding her arms with a slight pout, ¡°and then they had this whole ¡®security risk¡¯ thing and ¡®stopping criminal activity¡¯ thing. They actually made it illegal, too ¡­ I have to pay a fee every time I do it ¡­ or at least get caught, so Zelri and I have had to get more tricky¡­¡± She snickered. Lori shifted her skirt to the side with an interested grin, vision darting between the Pok¨¦mon between them in the long, open limo space and Lyra. ¡°Oh, you found a loop-hole? Nice!¡± Lyra¡¯s brown eyes twinkled as she sat forward, and Zelri popped back out of her pokeball without even being called, separated into pieces floating in the air; she presented the Porygon-Z with a bright expression. ¡°Tada! Isn¡¯t she awesome!¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯m not following,¡± Rhea mumbled, eyeing the spinning Pok¨¦mon, separating into pieces to show off and drawing the attention of the other Pok¨¦mon. ¡°I mean, yeah, she¡¯s probably one of the strongest Porygon-Zs in the world, but¡­¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lori followed up, ¡°how does Zelri fix the teleportation monitoring system?¡± ¡°Analytic,¡± Amira replied in a bored tone. ¡°It can basically power-up Moves to add special traits if used properly; with Teleport, Analytic can make it undetectable.¡± Lyra gave her daughter a light glare. ¡°Humph ¡­ always stealing my thunder, c¡¯mon, and you make it sound so boring! It took Zelri a lot of practice with all her Analytic Moves ¡­ we were the ones to discover the Teleport trick, and did you know only four Pok¨¦mon can even do that?!¡± She argued, hyping up a proud Zelri as she continued spinning in the air; her Azumarill was clapping. Rhea slowly shook her head. ¡°Nope ¡­ umm, four in the world or just Pok¨¦mon in general?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ well, more than four Pok¨¦mon can do it in the world, but ¡­ umm, Zelri¡¯s the best coach for it!¡± Lyra added. ¡°Every Grandmaster with a Starmie, Magnezone, Porygon-Z, or Beheeyem tends to eventually come and ask for lessons; that¡¯s how awesome she is!¡± Amira brushed back her braid, turning to grin at her mother. ¡°Which you charge a hefty price for.¡± ¡°Heh, well,¡± Lyra played with a lock of her unbound brown hair across her front, ¡°I mean, it¡¯s pretty specialized stuff; Zelri and I have lots to do, and both the Trainer and Pok¨¦mon need to learn proper energy control with it, so you could say I¡¯m training my competition¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, totally, Mom,¡± Amira pushed, ¡°it¡¯s not like we can use the money with all the cash you dump into TMs or Tutoring and let¡¯s not get started on Dad.¡± Her mother held up her hands with an embarrassed smile. ¡°Guilty, again, heh¡­¡± ¡°Really?¡± Mallory asked with an interested hum. ¡°How much have you put into TMs and Tutoring? My parents spend a lot on them, too, but Champion-tier and Grandmaster-tier are two separate things.¡± Rhea perked up, scooting forward a bit; it was an important topic for any Trainer, and the cost of creating TMs or time taken Tutoring was extremely costly, especially developing new ones. ¡°That¡¯s actually a really good question! Umm, the cost of living a normal life and a Trainer¡¯s life are totally different things, right?¡± She wedged her back further against the door, adjusting her seat belt for a moment. ¡°Like ¡­ this nurse in the hospital said my grandma basically doubled her salary by giving her 50,000 credits, but 100,000 credits is small betting money for someone like my aunt; Training may be the highest-earning profession, but it¡¯s also the most costly to stay competitive is what I¡¯m trying to say. Right?¡± ¡°Woah, woah, Rhea,¡± Lyra giggled, ¡°you can¡¯t go comparing normal Training with your family; your aunt is among the absolute most powerful Trainers in ¡­ well, history, dear, and that¡¯s going to come with a lot of wealth!¡± Lori hummed softly at her comment. ¡°Right, right, Cynthia is the extreme example, but I also wonder about that; if TMs and Tutoring became more available, would it create stronger Trainers over time?¡± ¡°Mmh, I¡¯m not so sure,¡± Amira replied, starting to get into the conversation while glancing toward her mother for a second opinion. ¡°Just because you have more Moves on a Pok¨¦mon, the Trainer might be able to come up with better strategies, which is great, but ultimately, if they don¡¯t have the drive to use everything at your disposal before those additions, a Trainer won¡¯t raise any further than where they¡¯re currently at.¡± Lyra folded her legs the opposite way, wrapping her arms under her chest with a small smile. ¡°I think I understand what you two are trying to get at ¡­ are Trainers naturally locked out because of resources, natural talent, or their Pok¨¦mon¡¯s genetics or type?¡± Rhea swiftly nodded. ¡°Blue told me there¡¯s so much more to being a Champion, yet their Pok¨¦mon have so many more Moves than all the other Trainers, which I get that they sank a lot of credits into, but ¡­ yeah.¡± Their Pok¨¦mon were now listening intently to the conversation, Lyra¡¯s Azumarill offering her own answers regarding the question. ¡°I mean, you told us about your story and how you made it, but there aren¡¯t many like you,¡± Rhea argued. ¡°So, Jade just got her Pichu that has an Ability issue from birth, mixed with her own family record ¡­ not that I¡¯m making fun of her,¡± she quickly replied, holding up her hands. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­¡± ¡°No, no, I get it,¡± Lyra thoughtfully nodded, ¡°and granted, I could be seen as an exception ¡­ and I am, to an extent,¡± she mused. ¡°However ¡­ so could your friends. Most people tend to think in absolutes and believe the science has already proven the level disparity between genetic lines, but ¡­ it¡¯s more complicated than that.¡± ¡°Like?¡± Mallory asked, arms folded under her breasts. ¡°The statistics are pretty solid; 32.95% of the population can¡¯t even handle bonding with a Pok¨¦mon at an early age, and it¡¯s been shown to run in family lines, linking it to the human fortitude phenomena. It was seen as such a problem that the majority voted to restrict the age limit of bonding in most democratic nations, slowing the progress for Trainers like us with powerful family roots.¡± Rhea remembered some of those statistics from her mother¡¯s recording; she had no doubt her family would have started both Sabin and her out at an extremely early age like Iris was able to in the Land of Dragons within Unova¡¯s Blasted Woodlands, a vast and ancient forest located at the region¡¯s northern section, extending all the way to Fiore. ¡°That was the 14-year-old statistics, too,¡± Rhea noted, ¡°and even the 67% that do fine with the bonding at a young age can¡¯t make it to Master-tier.¡± The purple-haired girl shrugged nonchalantly. ¡°I¡¯m not even really complaining about being forced to wait, but it¡¯s just a fact¡ªbonding can cause severe life-long issues for many humans, which is why in the past, Training developed different forms of bonding in various nations.¡± ¡°Rangers?¡± Amira asked with a mild smile. ¡°I¡¯ve always wondered how swift-bonding really worked; it¡¯s only temporary, and even if you can slowly deepen your bond with the single partner-Pok¨¦mon you¡¯ve built a friendship with over a long period, it¡¯s just so much work for so little return. I get it¡¯s a lifestyle and choice, but ¡­ it¡¯s just so inefficient compared to constantly having that connection with pokeballs.¡± Lyra calmly listened to their back and forth, leaning over to hug her Azumarill and stroke her head. She¡¯d been nodding the entire time, brown eyes shifting between them. Mallory¡¯s head tilted while continuing her examination, staring at the floor. ¡°Yeah, bonding is by far the proven method to reach the top of the field. Rangers can be powerful; I mean, Rank 9s number in ¡­ no, let¡¯s exclude every Ranger but Rank 10s ¡­ there are only twelve Top Rangers in the world, yet they¡¯d get creamed by Chase ¡­ there¡¯s a reason Rangers don¡¯t become Champions.¡± Her purple irises returned to Lyra. ¡°So ¡­ Rangers and wild Pok¨¦mon don¡¯t have TMs, Tutoring, and the snappy decision making that being a completely Bonded Pok¨¦mon brings; it makes sense why it¡¯s a less appealing concept for most regions without the tradition and promotions, especially for Trainers not so used to the fortitude stress of a constant bond. ¡°That¡¯s just it ¡­ not all Pok¨¦mon can handle TMs or have the talent to be effective students for Tutors, and Trainers can¡¯t handle Pok¨¦mon above their Tier-listings, which is why they were created in the first place, as the solid, general marker.¡± Lyra sat back with a short clap and giggled. ¡°Excellent breakdown of why we¡¯re historically here as a society ¡­ now, consider this,¡± she challenged with a wink, ¡°how big of a gap is there between talent and hard work?¡± The subject helped pass the time and solidify some thoughts in Rhea¡¯s mind; she and Mallory fell silent to think about the question, but Amira answered with a small huff and shake of her head. ¡°It¡¯s complicated.¡± ¡°Right?!¡± Lyra replied. ¡°Every person will be different, and I¡¯m not saying everyone can get to your aunt¡¯s level, Rhea, or your father¡¯s, Mallory,¡± she stated, giving them a sad smile. ¡°The fact of the matter is, we¡¯re all limited in some way, shape, or form, which can be motivations, environment, genetics, among numberless factors ¡­ in fact, what about your cousin, Bianca?¡± She asked. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I have thought about that in the past,¡± Rhea mumbled, feeling a little uncomfortable with the topic after the hate her cousin got from the online community, which caused her to pull back entirely from public social platforms. ¡°She got a ton of resentment from the Training Community and population in general when she decided to become a researcher instead of a Trainer¡­¡± Amira growled a little, glaring out of the window. ¡°People suck online¡­¡± Lyra released a depressed sigh, petting her Azumarill¡¯s tail now as Zelri entered the conversation with their Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Yes ¡­ anonymity can really show you the worst in people when they believe there won¡¯t be any consequences, especially when they fail as a Trainer and turn to gather social power online to harass those that manage to make it. ¡°Companies must provide the best security or receive harsh backlash themselves if there¡¯s a single breach, and the court system is usually more favored toward the lower-tier Trainers. It was a bit unfortunate for your cousin, but her situation proves a point ¡­ talent can only get you so far.¡± ¡°Brush me up on it?¡± Mallory asked, shifting her gaze between Rhea and Lyra. ¡°I¡¯m not following; I try to stay away from the online drama circles.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Rhea sighed, fiddling with a part of her brushed-out hair across her front, ¡°you know Bianca, right?¡± Lori nodded. Rhea licked her lips, feeling a bit nervous about even talking about the touchy subject within her family; between the doxing and hate messages her cousin received, it took a big hit on her emotional state for six months in her mid-teens, and Rhea didn¡¯t know how she would have handled it when she was 16-years-old. The people that followed Bianca¡¯s progress felt betrayed by her actions since they lived vicariously through her, and she was supposed to be the same as her mother ¡­ Grandmaster-tier in the Contest scene, the highest rank; a Champion without equal; the Legendary-tier Trainer that wouldn¡¯t even back down to Legendaries, and when Bianca made it public that she had no motivation to go beyond Master-tier, she went from their holy avatar to the ultimate betrayer. Her cousin moved back into Rick¡¯s place in Nimbasa City after splitting off from her group, setting things up as a researcher at the University of Black City. Rick was a close family friend who had practically raised Bianca for a few years when her mother dealt with Galactic. There were never any romantic exchanges between Rick and Cynthia; although, a small minority of the public fed into the idea. Cynthia chose to have her daughter live in Unova to escape the constant harassment she¡¯d get in the Sinnoh region, even from good people. The distance worked exactly as she predicted, allowing Bianca to have a somewhat normal life. Of course, her mother visited a few times a week whenever she could get away, having the ability to teleport vast distances with Selerice, her Togekiss, and kept constant contact with her education and daily life. Everything was fine until starting her 14-year-old Bronze-tier journey; her identity hit every Unova News Station, and after she came out about not wanting to pursue a professional Trainer¡¯s lifestyle, the mob came for her. Even in Nimbasa City, the toxic fandom found Rick¡¯s address, doxing him and doing their best to force all the Unova Universities to reject her in the hopes she¡¯d return to Training. She could deal with the private school calls, telling her that they were under pressure from the public to reject her or the harassment; it was when Bianca¡¯s father-figure started receiving the mob¡¯s doxing wrath when she started breaking down. She was only 16-years-old, and she never imagined her personal decision to simply become a researcher would hurt him. Bianca retreated from everything, moving in with Rhea¡¯s family for a bit to escape and find emotional relief, which was where they first became close; after everything died down with her utter separation from the public eye, she was able to take on the quiet role of a scientist. She studied under Professor Juniper while attending online classes and completed several major projects with Christie¡¯s support. Of course, she never wanted public attention after that, choosing to redact her name from the projects. That was when social media was really just kicking off, and people saw the power in it; the only reason much of the doxing didn¡¯t work was that it was Bianca ¡­ Cynthia¡¯s name alone kept businesses panicking between her and the rage-filled mob, the days of the Twitter platform that quickly died from the subsequent public backlash years later. A few Masters had made threats about going after those people in the past, and with powerful digital Pok¨¦mon, it wasn¡¯t impossible, even with high-levels of corporate security, but with the law on the public¡¯s side, those Master groups were labeled terrorists for their actions. ¡°Right, well ¡­ Bianca never really liked battling, but she was recognized around the world, for obvious reasons,¡± Rhea explained, ¡°and made waves beside Hilbert, Hilda, Cheren, and the various small Plasma incidents; I¡¯m sure you know about all that.¡± Having lived in Unova and grown up around people that dealt with them extensively in the following years, Mallory nodded. ¡°Wait ¡­ are you talking about the whole Twitter thing?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°Ah ¡­ okay, yeah, that happened when I was like ¡­. six, so I don¡¯t know much about it.¡± Lyra was now polishing Zelri¡¯s smooth body with a handkerchief from a side compartment. ¡°Mhm ¡­ talent like Bianca¡¯s is challenging to come by, and a lot of people put money into her as a brand ¡­ a safe bet. There¡¯s a part of the conversation you¡¯re talking about that goes left unsaid ¡­ even by you two,¡± she commented, looking up at Rhea and Mallory. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Rhea¡¯s lips tightened, vision dropping to her lap. ¡°Something we don¡¯t see?¡± ¡°The conflict between normal people and high-tier Trainers,¡± Lyra whispered, pulling in her Porygon-Z to hug her. ¡°What can you learn about Bianca¡¯s experience?¡± ¡°It was horrible,¡± Mallory huffed, nose twisting a bit. ¡°Social media can be total cancer.¡± Rhea shivered at Lyra¡¯s tone, hugging herself, remembering back to when she was a little girl; Bianca had been a big sister to her when she was seven-years-old. ¡°Umm ¡­ they were acting like the victims,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Bianca was the one that hurt them or ¡­ well, at least that¡¯s what the media and journalists were turning it into. How much money people lost by betting on her, the tragedy that might happen if her mother died and she didn¡¯t fill her shoes ¡­ among a lot of other things.¡± The brown-haired woman dropped back with a long sigh, closing her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t know if anyone¡¯s told you this ¡­ I suppose it¡¯s just kind of an unspoken truth in the Master Community; they probably don¡¯t even talk about it ¡­ I know I don¡¯t hear it often.¡± Amira gave her mother a deep, concerned frown. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Lyra chuckled, glaring out of the window. ¡°Waging an all-out war is far easier than fighting a toxic culture ¡­ or even a corrupt system; even if you have a good system, a toxic culture can utterly ruin it. Your journey will be more difficult than you girls seem to think ¡­ and I suspect you¡¯re beginning to learn a bit about it through your friends, from what Amira told me.¡± Rhea leaned forward to look at the redhead. ¡°What do you mean ¡­ what happened to Sam and the others?¡± Lori¡¯s gaze fell to her lap. ¡°I saw something about drugs with that reporter woman,¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°Is that what you¡¯re talking about?¡± ¡°She what?!¡± Amira nodded, arms folded tightly against her chest. ¡°It was just Naive Mint, but yeah ¡­ that¡¯s what people will do.¡± Lyra¡¯s eyes opened to look at the ceiling. ¡°It¡¯s just another part of the lurking public monster ¡­ young Trainers dream of the top ¡­ having nightmares of being near the bottom; yet look at it from the Master Trainer¡¯s perspective ¡­ when you feel more like a product than a person, there¡¯s a problem, but everyone¡¯s fine with it.¡± Lori¡¯s brow furrowed, vision falling to her lap. ¡°Is that why you never took the Champion position?¡± Lyra chuckled, playing with her brown hair as Amira released a concerned groan. ¡°Some people are built for that kind of job ¡­ some aren¡¯t. It¡¯s just another day of being a Champion-tier Trainer ¡­ another night with another battle in your mind ¡­ not the battlefield. There is a lot of love ¡­ and a lot of hate ¡­ so many people that don¡¯t want to see you unwind ¡­ it¡¯s all about them and what they want, and they don¡¯t care until you¡¯re gone.¡± She looked up at them with a sad smile. ¡°A lot of Master Trainers are a mess behind the curtains ¡­ not the hidden ones that pull away from the public eye like the Trainers inside your little village, Rhea,¡± she whispered. ¡°Think about it ¡­ Trainers with the power to crush cities by themselves are frightened to death of the public. ¡°Society creates a lot of their own problems and expects those in power to solve it when all of us just want to run from those kinds of things ¡­ to have fun battles, explore, and just ¡­ live ¡­ to be like Red, Yellow, and me, and not be a public item.¡± A cold cast fell across her face, eyes seeing something far beyond their car as she looked into her past. ¡°They don¡¯t know what real war is like because they can¡¯t handle it, and so we become their broken proxies, the things Master Trainers go through to keep the public safe or compensate for their lifestyle. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re a dictatorship, either ¡­ we¡¯ve tried to civilize the world, yet the ugly culture underneath persists.¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t expected to see this side of the bright, spirited Kanto superstar; Nova fed her conflicted emotions with the baggage fame brought, but she wanted praise. ¡°We can¡¯t have sick days ¡­ tough days ¡­ we can¡¯t be depressed or broken. Blue ¡­ the public ruthlessly went after him when he shattered after the war ¡­ yeah, he was a mess, but they don¡¯t know the demons he fought. Where was his support? ¡°The public acts like your friends until you need them the most; then just say, ¡®get your act together.¡¯ No, it was only the Master Community that helped him through that battle ¡­ because we get it. We¡¯re still human ¡­ yet they don¡¯t know the monster we fight in our own heads.¡± She breathed in a deep breath and let it out in a laugh. ¡°They say I¡¯m the best, and they say I¡¯m the worst ¡­ they only care when they benefit and wonder why Master Trainers turn to terrorist activity; I can actually sympathize with some of their struggles ¡­ even while stopping them for public safety. ¡°Where do they go when they¡¯re feeling low? How do they know what¡¯s real when their mind questions all they know? How do they save themselves from themselves when depression hits? They can¡¯t tell the public or risk backlash but are expected to remain in the spotlight ¡­ you gotta keep pretending everything¡¯s fine ¡­ until Galactic is formed. ¡°So many Master-tier Trainers fall in with various organizations for support ¡­ it¡¯s no wonder, especially when there are messages and leadership such as Galactic. Cyrus¡¯s nihilistic approach to the fractured world and his goals are compelling to disillusioned Master Trainers ¡­ think the opposite of Skull, and our world isn¡¯t perfect. ¡°If Cyrus can get rid of free-will and emotion, then he really believes he can end all conflict or pain ¡­ many believe him because of that conviction and being conditioned by society, receiving or seeing the cultural tool you¡¯re expected to live as for the majority. The public talk and talk, but they don¡¯t know what goes on in our heads or what our families deal with.¡± Rhea released a low hum, not knowing what to say to the sobering topic; Lyra was right, no one had told her any of this in such a straightforward way, but after thinking about it, the ugly side of society took on a monstrous form. Of course, Lyra had dealt with it from the lowly Bronze-tier side, Rocket criminal side, and Champion hero side. ¡°Oh, goodness!¡± She giggled, fanning her face while giving them a forced smile. ¡°That¡¯s just a part that can get to me when people talk about the whole Trainer Tier disparity; destructive power or money isn¡¯t a cure to feeling depressed, or the shield people believe it is.¡± Lori nodded silently. ¡°... I guess that¡¯s part of why my sister hides in her own little world, but ¡­ you¡¯ve seen it from both sides, right?¡± Amira had been wearing a concerned scowl from the start; she swapped places to sit next to her mother, rubbing her leg, and Lyra reached over to hug her. ¡°Aww, I love you so much!¡± Her big blue Pok¨¦mon shifted over to rub against her other side. ¡°Hehe ¡­ yeah,¡± she whispered, ¡°my family was Bronze-tier ¡­ Bronze-Kid is what the neighborhood children used to call me, and I¡¯ve seen the top as a Champion ¡­ it¡¯s not as glamorous as people believe ¡­ your heart can easily become empty and cold ¡­ our personal struggles and fears don¡¯t just disappear, and it just takes a moment to alter a life ¡­ no, no, let¡¯s get off this topic!¡± She laughed, brightening up. ¡°Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± She asked, her heart feeling heavy. ¡°Giovanni wanted to meet you specifically, which is why we¡¯re heading to the Gym.¡± ¡°Wait ¡­ just me?¡± She asked with growing panic; Nova jumped up on her lap, trying to get her attention with her own questions. Lyra leaned over to rest her head against Amira¡¯s shoulder, seeming to find immense joy in the action. ¡°Not the only reason, but a big one; he was worried about something.¡± Lori began asking about her experience in dealing with the public while Rhea addressed Nova¡¯s worries. From what she heard from her teammate¡¯s conversation, Lyra simply withdrew from the public space before social media created the mob powers that could mobilize a storm of negative emotion at any Master. It was harder today to get what Lyra had than it was when she was a girl; so many people were watching and judging with the rise of technology. Ummm ¡­ no, Nova, having people cheer for us isn¡¯t bad; it¡¯s just that you can¡¯t expect them to always be on your side ¡­ it¡¯s usually just a phrase, and then they¡¯ll be booing you. Her little Eevee didn¡¯t like that answer, nose creased while glaring at the door; why would anyone dislike her? She was cute and strong and adorable, and she could transform into so many fantastic forms, and she was pretty, and her fur was so soft and fluffy ¡­ the random, and somewhat repetitive thoughts Rhea felt running through Nova¡¯s mind made her giggle. I¡¯ll always love and cheer for you! She assured, reaching down to snuggle against her. Nova reluctantly gave in, saying as long as she was on her side, then it didn¡¯t matter if they were booing ¡­ she still didn¡¯t like or understand it, though ¡­ she was puffy sweetness. Rhea¡¯s attention went back to Lyra as Amira pushed back against her. ¡°Mom ¡­ it¡¯s uncomfortable¡­¡± ¡°Aww, just a little longer?¡± She pleaded, dropping to her daughter¡¯s lap and smiling up at her. ¡°I always dreamed of just lying on your lap and taking a nap!¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, but a smile brightened her lips. ¡°And who¡¯s the mother?¡± ¡°Pamper me!¡± Lyra grinned. ¡°Look how down I am; I need some comfort, and your dad¡¯s not here!¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯m starting to think you brought up this whole topic to do this¡­¡± Amira accused. Lyra twirled her brown locks around her index finger with a small, impish smile. ¡°I¡¯m not above using it for my benefit!¡± ¡°Gah, get up¡­¡± Amira grumbled, helping her giggling mother. ¡°Hehe ¡­ okay, okay ¡­ Zelri, gah, this traffic jam is taking forever!¡± Glancing out of the window while adjusting her appearance, Lyra groaned. ¡°We¡¯ve only gone a block; okay, let¡¯s go¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯ll probably figure it out,¡± Amira warned. Mallory¡¯s bright expression was back in place. ¡°How? You said the whole Analytic thing stopped it.¡± ¡°They had to figure out a method to counter it,¡± Amira replied, glaring at her mother¡¯s grinning nods. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! Aren¡¯t I so wonderful, helping the city figure out its weak security points?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it,¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°I approve! Wait, the four teleport Pok¨¦mon with Analytic were Starmie, Magnezone, Porygon-Z, and Beheeyem?¡± Rhea took a deep breath, trying to pull back a positive vibe. ¡°That¡¯s what I remember!¡± ¡°That reminds me,¡± Amira¡¯s red irises shifted to Rhea, ¡°I wanted to know if your mother gave you a list for your future Pok¨¦mon? It would be good to plan our Three¡¯s composition for the future.¡± ¡°Always thinking ahead, just like your grandfather,¡± Lyra snickered, nudging her daughter. ¡°Someone¡¯s gotta do it,¡± she returned but looked a bit sad when Rhea shook her head. ¡°True! True!¡± Lyra chimed. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go!¡± The Porygon-Z began to glow with a purple light, and to Rhea, it didn¡¯t look like Zelri delayed her Move at all when comparing it to Vilora¡¯s, her father¡¯s Butterfree. Her stomach tightened with the spatial shift. Rhea was suddenly sitting on an expensive green and black-themed couch, Mallory beside her; their Pok¨¦mon were looking around in confusion on the table in front of them. Amira, Lyra, and her Pok¨¦mon were on the opposite couch from them. Between the two parties, on Rhea¡¯s left, was Giovanni, his assistant, and the massive 6¡¯2 Persian; his tablet went to the black-haired woman upon their entrance. ¡°Ah ¡­ Lyra, heh, you do cover your tracks well, but did you inform the driver.¡± ¡°Kind of ¡­ not,¡± she finished with a sheepish laugh. ¡°The Commissioner will be knocking once the vehicle stops at the Gym entrance, and you don¡¯t leave it,¡± he replied with a smile, looking up at his assistant. ¡°... Already notified.¡± Lyra held up her thumb. ¡°Nice! Dependable as always, Matori!¡± ¡°At least with the little stuff,¡± Amira whispered with a slight smirk, glancing away from the woman¡¯s sharp glasses stare. Giovanni got to his feet, a low grunt close to his lips, drawing everyone¡¯s attention before Matori could respond to Amira¡¯s comment. ¡°If you could follow me, girls,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯ve planned for a late lunch, given Lyra¡¯s impatient tendencies.¡± ¡°Man, I¡¯m so guilty today!¡± Lyra giggled, smoothing out her dress. ¡°Will Silver be joining us?¡± She asked, expression hopeful. The large man nodded. ¡°He should have time between the Porygon inspection and taking inventory.¡± ¡°Wait, Dad on inventory?¡± Amira asked. ¡°For the important items, yes,¡± Giovanni replied, opening the door to lead them into a wooden lined hallway; guiding plaques were placed on the intersections they passed, showing directions. ¡°Rhea ¡­ I asked Lyra to bring you here to test a problem I foresee with your Gym Battles.¡± ¡°Just me?¡± She asked, glancing down at Nova, but her little girl was jogging beside the casual Persian; the Eevee was enamored by his perfectly groomed white fur. Amira released a low rumble in her throat. ¡°Mmh ¡­ are you talking about the Gym Equalization Act?¡± Rhea slowed a little; it hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind with everything happening around her, but they were right ¡­ in the matches she watched. Giovanni¡¯s Pok¨¦mon had to be recalled after winning so often because it grew too strong for the opponent. Gyms hadn¡¯t been a massive part of her life, growing up in a community that already passed most Gym challenges; most of their conversations were on Post-Gym activities or advancements. The Gym Equalization Act had been implemented a few decades ago with the invention of devices that could read the Spiritual Core of Pok¨¦mon, mainly discovered when analyzing Pok¨¦mon DNA. It only worked when comparing Trainer and Pok¨¦mon through the pokeball medium, though, but she heard it could also be used with a Styler. It was meant to give a more real challenge to the Trainers taking on a Gym while allowing them the ability to actually compete and not get blown away ¡­ Sabrina had been guilty of this, which had sparked the controversy. In fact, after a moment¡¯s thought, Rhea figured certain aspects of their current society were probably in response to Masters like Sabrina abusing their powers, yet it wasn¡¯t entirely her fault from what she¡¯d heard. Lyra was right ¡­ everything was so complicated. ¡°I ¡­ have to fight Pok¨¦mon on Nova and Mya¡¯s level?! How ¡­ where is that?¡± Giovanni shifted to look at her with a small frown. ¡°I can gauge it fairly accurately, but I¡¯d like to see what the League machine determines ¡­ it doesn¡¯t account for the team¡¯s experience, which is why I purposefully handicap myself.¡± ¡°Mmh, that might really cause a problem¡­¡± Mallory mumbled. Lyra chimed in as they passed a few Rocket employees in white coats, talking to each other about some machine. ¡°Oh, by the way, congratulations, Rhea!¡± ¡°For?¡± Amira asked; Rhea was currently worrying about the test coming up. ¡°She beat a recently evolved Nidorino!¡± Giovanni hummed. ¡°Interesting ¡­ how did you manage it?¡± ¡°Luck, mostly,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°I had a friend backing me up.¡± Lyra seemed to have witnessed the entire thing because she swiftly picked up Rhea¡¯s preoccupied slack. ¡°She used his pride against him at the start, getting off a Self-Destruct from her friend¡¯s Pineco, swapped him out with a rather powerful Phanpy, and used Mya¡¯s Steel-Typing, breeding Moves, and Master Ball power spike to forcefully lower his defenses to get a Burn, and decrease his Attack Stat, buying, time for the Phanpy to land a devastating High Horsepower, ending the match!¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Amira mumbled, giving Rhea a smile, ¡°pretty smart strategy.¡± ¡°Mmh, I guess,¡± Rhea whispered, hands held tightly behind her back. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have come up with it if Lori hadn¡¯t bought that Pokedex subscription, and I was thinking about how you fought during the Starter Battle.¡± ¡°Oh, nice!¡± Mallory grinned. ¡°A team effort, then!¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. ¡°Yeah, I guess it really was.¡± Giovanni guided her into a side room with several researchers pouring over data; they all came to attention when their boss entered, but he told them to return to their calibrations, directing one to assist him. He pointed Rhea to a machine, showing six slots for pokeballs to be slotted in. ¡°If you put your two in there, then it will give me a list of Pok¨¦mon I can use that are bonded to me within the database. All Gym Leaders and Aides are required to have a certain amount of Pok¨¦mon they can utilize for specific tiers.¡± Rhea tentatively returned Nova to her pokeball; she had no clue why she was so nervous since she¡¯d been mesmerized by the giant cat Pok¨¦mon the entire time. It was swiftly becoming clear to her that they were being tested, though, and naturally, she¡¯d proudly score high. She looked at Nova¡¯s pokeball with tight lips; the black outer shell with the white trim and pink indicator cover that she¡¯d purchased at the place Amira worked as a teenager shined in the room¡¯s bright light. How will we be graded? Her teammates gave her an encouraging look as she put Nova and Mya¡¯s pokeballs in the machine; her Mawile was still fast asleep. She stepped back, glancing over at the scientist as he studied the screen the device was attached to; his voice was a bit nasally. ¡°Umm, Mr. Rocket, these Pok¨¦mon are ¡­ these numbers can¡¯t be right ¡­ the machine must be malfunctioning.¡± They turned to his left as a woman nearby heard the man¡¯s response, and she moved over to join him. ¡°What are you talking about, Joseph? I set it up myself ¡­ no, but ¡­ hmm ¡­ Ms., could you remove them and put them back in, please?¡± She asked. Rhea complied, and Mallory snuck around to see what they were looking at. ¡°Wait ¡­ does that say Bronze Grade 8?¡± She asked in shock, making Rhea¡¯s shoulders droop. We¡¯re doomed¡­ Nova was baffled; high was supposed to be good, and she was awesome! They could beat anyone! ¡°Well, no,¡± the woman mumbled, causing a spark of hope to brighten in Rhea¡¯s chest. ¡°You see this number, Joseph ¡­ the programming won¡¯t allow a Bronze-tier Trainer to be placed in Silver before qualifying through the League; these numbers reflect Silver Grade 3.¡± ¡°Silver ¡­ Grade 3¡­¡± Rhea mumbled in disbelief; that had to be stronger than even the Nidorino she fought in Viridian Forest. ¡°How¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s about accurate,¡± Lyra nodded with an inquisitive stare. ¡°Closer to Grade 4, but it¡¯s on the tipping scale.¡± Giovanni released a long sigh, nodding his head. ¡°I figured. You may return to your work.¡± The technicians looked between Giovanni, Rhea, Lyra, and the screen before scratching their heads and retreating to the strange machine they were tweaking in the corner. Amira joined Mallory, studying the information. ¡°Silver Grade 3 ¡­ yeah, Rhea shared her list of Moves with us, and I agree, her Pok¨¦mon are powerful, but ¡­ Silver Grade 3 powerful? I¡¯m not seeing it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about the Pok¨¦mon alone,¡± Giovanni stated, gesturing for Rhea to remove the pokeballs, ¡°it¡¯s about the bond, Trainer fortitudes, and Pok¨¦mon energy cores. It¡¯s reading those three metrics and combining them to find the appropriate challenge,¡± he explained. Nova exited her pokeball, talking with Gables, Holly, Amber, Miky, and Giovanni¡¯s Persian to understand why her strength would hurt them in the start. Mallory asked if she could test it out, and he agreed; she returned Gables and Miky to their pokeballs to be scanned. The blue frog Pok¨¦mon was in an Ultra Ball while the imp enjoyed a Great Ball. ¡°Bronze Grade 3¡­¡± Mallory mumbled with disappointment. ¡°Well,¡± Amira pointed at the screen, ¡°with Miky in the Great Ball, but if you swapped him to an Ultra Ball, then you¡¯d probably hit Grade 4. I bet I¡¯m roughly the same ¡­ umm, yup, Grade 3,¡± she said after testing her own. Their group exited the room, following Giovanni to a long hallway with a flat escalator on either side of the corridor; the path led through the underground networks he had built under the city and Rocket Tower. Giovanni explained as they went. ¡°Rhea¡¯s entire energy pool is available for her use, which is why it believes she can fight at Silver Rank 3 since it doesn¡¯t take into account her health. Pokeballs are typically designed in a manner to not require that kind of examination, and while she could battle at that level with raw strength, it would likely kill her.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Rhea mumbled, twisting Nova¡¯s pokeball around in her hands, ¡°so how am I supposed to battle Gyms then?¡± Lyra reached over to rub her back comfortingly. ¡°You don¡¯t have to worry; that¡¯s why we did this!¡± Matori nodded from beside Giovanni; she¡¯d been fiddling with a tablet since the start. ¡°There are exceptions Gym Leaders can make within their challenges, decreasing or increasing their match difficulties if appropriate metrics are met. It seems you already have a note on your personal file in the League database, yet further clarification will need to be met.¡± Giovanni turned to smile down at her. ¡°I¡¯ll put my own opinion into your file that Gym Aides will see; your matches will be challenging, but it won¡¯t be impossible, and ¡­ if you''re smart, you won¡¯t hurt your health.¡± Rhea breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°Thanks ¡­ umm, so ¡­ you¡¯re saying I need to know when to give up?¡± ¡°Knowing your limits is important, dear,¡± Lyra replied, ¡°especially when dealing with Master Balls.¡± ¡°I get it,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Really, thank you¡­¡± ¡°I look forward to seeing your matches,¡± Giovanni commented. ¡°It will be a good examination of the Master Ball¡¯s use in a League format.¡± Rhea quieted down after that, pulling in to ponder everything that had been dropped on her; yes, she had extremely powerful Pok¨¦mon that could probably stomp most Trainers within her tier if she brute-forced her way through it, yet that wasn¡¯t a viable long-term strategy, as Giovanni hinted at. Her grandfather¡¯s suggestion at building a protective wall to prevent her Pok¨¦mon from hurting her, even unintentionally, was necessary. She asked Giovanni about it, but he didn¡¯t have an answer for her; it would be something he could look into since it was a new concept to him, but the Master Ball still had many secrets to discover with how powerful of a bond it formed between Pok¨¦mon and Trainer. It soon became apparent when they were nearing Rocket Tower with how fancy the hallways became, sporting dark, polished wood and granite floors. They entered an elevator that took them to Giovanni¡¯s private living space on top of the massive building overlooking Viridian. Silver was there, causing Lyra to squeal and run over to hug and kiss him; he wore a fancy business suit, just like his father. Ariana, Amira¡¯s grandmother, quickly embraced her, wearing business attire; her white heels tapped against the marble floors as she returned to her seat. Rhea realized how average the family was when just sitting down to eat, and the three of them went into further details about their time in Viridian Forest; Lori¡¯s adventure in the spooky side of it was exciting with the practice battles she had with Casey. Giovanni went into a few details about his own journey as a kid before Lyra took over the rest of the discussion, poking fun at Silver and her adventures through Johto. Ariana didn¡¯t speak much, but she seemed to be enjoying herself, and Amira opened up a lot, showing much more emotion in the exchanges with her mother¡¯s jibing comments pulling her into the discussions. The night ended with them heading back to Lyra and Silver¡¯s house, watching more shows, and preparing for bed; tomorrow, they¡¯d make their way to Dark City! B1 — 29. Project 223 4:43 P.M. June 15, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. The last Days of Rest after the previous week¡¯s battles. One day after Ho-Oh healed everyone. Giovanni saw his granddaughter and her friends off; Lyra would take them back to her place, and after a bit, Silver would join his wife. Once they¡¯d left, he entered one of his extensive studies with Silver, Matori, Purrfection, and Ariana. Only two staff were allowed on the residence floor of his tower, and among many reasons for that, this room was numbered. The study had unique ancient texts and rare artifacts from across the globe; items of unknown power were discovered and transported here to await testing. What safer place was there than an area he had complete control over, and Cremgr, his High Master-tier Gengar, took shifts with slightly weaker Ghost Pok¨¦mon he had to keep the place locked down. Cremgr took pride in having a perfect record, never allowing a single thief to escape, and kept watch on Giovanni¡¯s greatest treasures; he was too paranoid to store them far away. This was his vault, and it may have appeared utterly open to the world to see, yet that was also the symbol of power he held. Giovanni wasn¡¯t the strongest Trainer on the planet by a large margin. He never slacked, which is how even as a Gym Leader, or around High Master, where most Master Trainers petered out and found it difficult to advance further, he continued to make gains. Cunning, connections, and a vast spy network were how Giovanni made his significant empire of resources, and yes, he was powerful. Currently, he hovered around the average range of Grandmasters; of course, few knew that, underestimating his actual strength, and if he was really going to war, then there were numberless tricks and preparations he¡¯d made¡ªyet this situation was different. He sat down in an armchair, Matori standing beside him. Cremgr floated out of the shadows with a broad smile to hover around him; Giovanni gave the ghost a smile and nod, soundlessly receiving his detailed report on the two staff¡¯s movements that were charged with upkeeping the floors. Jume and Tessa were in their forties, and Giovanni saved the two from certain death in their youth; they were utterly loyal to him, yet one could never be too careful. Silver and Ariana sat opposite him, his wife pouring a glass of wine before taking a sip and following his gaze to Viridian Park, perfectly on display from their vantage point inside Rocket Tower. ¡°Is it bad?¡± She asked, straightening her pants and crossing her legs. Silver breathed a deep sigh, accepting a glass from his mother. ¡°The entire thing was a smokescreen; I only question if Ghetsis used the opportunity of Zinzolin in Viridian to make a move or if he was planted from the beginning. Project 223 was taken from the 10th basement containment room.¡± The Rocket family¡¯s expression fell into a stiff grimace at the news; Giovanni had expected there to be a breach after Matori got an unusual activity alert, yet this changed everything. Project 223 was so secretive that the number of people that knew about it could be counted on two hands. Matori¡¯s vision went to her tablet, keeping up to date on current Rocket activities across the world, scanning reports as silence closed in on them in the wake of the information. Giovanni wanted to curse; he didn¡¯t like the idea Silver put forward, and he refused the wine Ariana offered. He needed a sharp mind, and dulling it might feel better, but it wouldn¡¯t help him out of this situation Had Ghetsis actually played him? It didn¡¯t make sense, though¡ªno one should have been interested in exposing 223¡¯s existence. He folded his hands across his lap, glaring down at the park while Purrfection offered his own outlook on the situation; his Persian usually had a much more varied perspective than his own, giving him another angle. The events played before his mind on repeat, dissecting, analyzing, and projecting; a decision had to be made if he¡¯d report his findings to the United Indigo League. Complications would arise that he did not want to deal with once coming clean about the breach and what was taken. Plasma wasn¡¯t capable of this on its own; it was a fractured organization, and to say there were only three factions would not have been entirely correct, which was one of the problematic aspects of dealing with it. Although, their division was also their weakness. N had his piece that operated on behalf of the Unova League, specializing in rooting out the splinter cells that developed after its collapse. They went by a prefix now, Ideal Plasma, but everyone simply called the group as a whole by its original name. They operated from N¡¯s castle, making use of his noble bloodline inheritance, which allows him to run the ancient piece of technology. Colress took over most of the organization¡¯s scientific branch by force upon Ghetsis¡¯s 2nd collapse, funneling much of the team¡¯s financial resources away from its other members. Tthe group¡¯s rapid advancements came from understanding old technology and improving upon it, granting them their invisibility devices. The scientist had been known to go to extreme lengths to make methodical breakthroughs in various research fields, which he hid behind the excuse of being compelled by Ghetsis, pardoning him to a certain degree. When given a chance, Colress would use any method available to prove a thesis; however, he operated within the framework of those he used as protection, which meant openly heinous acts were not even on his well-structured brain when in the service of the United Leagues. On the other hand, Ghetsis was a patient and charismatic man that drew in his followers like a cult leader, manipulating their morals little by little until speaking up on social media became mentally breaking women at a black site to join the cause. It was rather slow but an effective practice, developing zealots that looked to him as a god. Ghetsis was more of a religious and philosophical figure than a businessman like Giovanni, and that made it difficult to predict the enigmatic man because such people were not beholden to reason or limits. Ghetsis would do absolutely anything to achieve his goals. He taught his cult that humans had corrupted the natural balance of the world, and he sought to show the masses the inexcusable effect humanity has had upon not only Pok¨¦mon but the world itself. In fact, he pulled in many Rangers and Pok¨¦mon to his sympathetic cause. Humanity had subtly warped the entire wild infrastructure by injecting a human hierarchical pyramid into even the most remote areas of the planet. Humans were the dominators, and we called it a bond, but in reality, we were brainwashing Pok¨¦mon into acting as our servants, which was ironic, given Plasma¡¯s methods. He exposed a more recent discovery to the masses that had been kept quiet for a decade, requiring further study; Trainer fortitudes were addicting to Pok¨¦mon, and the man twisted that information to his advantage, claiming that the initial hit Pok¨¦mon gained made humanity a destructive drug to the Pok¨¦mon world. It wasn¡¯t entirely wrong, but falsely narrated, which was why there was power in the message. In truth, the effects weren¡¯t nearly as powerful as he claimed them to be, and extended research showed it, but the full details of the matter weren¡¯t important to Ghetsis; he only needed a cause people could believe in. To his followers, human-kind is a parasite that must be purged, but just like his recruiting tactics, Ghetsis was careful and gentle with such a message. He drew people closer and closer to fanaticism, guiding them to the idea that only he was capable of righting such wrongs. One small violent action led to another, turning from protests to riots to re-education camps to produce more zealots to concentration camps for those that refused. Every rally and hopeful message about allowing Pok¨¦mon to return to a life untouched by the toxic human fortitudes hit a place in sympathetic Trainers¡¯ hearts, and he centered on that drive, contorting it beyond recognition. The bold and righteous ideologues would then blindly go out like drones, carrying his message to more people and Pok¨¦mon to be pulled into the slow maelstrom, dragging them bit by bit below the depths of Ghetsis¡¯s ideology until they¡¯d gone too far to return. On the surface, it was a nonviolent campaign of persuasion and ideas, drawing in dozens of intellectuals and sages to propel his influence further, such as Zinzolin, Giallo, and Ryoku. Only a few of those individuals broke away from Ghetsis after he was exposed, but most were far too committed to the cause, poisoned by their holy figure¡¯s own toxic ideas; they couldn¡¯t turn back, much like the Pok¨¦mon they supposedly fought on behalf of. However, true to their intelligence, most acted in such a way to maintain plausible deniability, supporting their god by pulling in more support and continuing to serve as rally points for violent Plasma cell leaders to receive training. Ghetsis was a formidable, cunning opponent that few could get a proper read on, even with aura perception since he was powerful enough to manipulate it as a Low Champion-tier Trainer. Burgh was utterly taken in by the man, arguing on his behalf that he raised important questions that needed to be explored, even going so far as to try running his Gym without bonded Pok¨¦mon, seeking to see how a pre-pokeball Gym might function. Giovanni only gave Ghetsis¡¯s theories a glancing thought before rejecting the ideological and childish notions; the world was harsh, and trying to create some kind of Pok¨¦mon and human utopia was not something he wished to put wasted effort into. However it was done, civilizing the world would play out as it always had, the strong dominating the weak, which would then make the weak strong as they discover ways to win back the edge. His life was cruel, and he dealt with life as it had treated him, firming his resolve and getting to work, molding his own future. If others were too weak to accomplish that, then how would they ever sustain a peaceful utopian world, to begin with? They couldn¡¯t, and the cycle continued. Plus, putting your complete trust in a single man was a fool¡¯s game. Were humans providing intoxicating energy to Pok¨¦mon? Yes. Were Pok¨¦mon providing intoxicating energy to humans? Yes. It was a symbiotic relationship, and he had no issues with it; the world was what it was, and he¡¯d manipulate it any way he could to get what he wanted. The issue came when this cult leader had turned his sights on something he shouldn¡¯t have known about, and that was his current dilemma. Giovanni¡¯s mind finished processing the motivations behind Plasma¡¯s split leadership by the time Purrfection and Silver completed their thoughts, and he broke the proceeding silence; Ariana and Silver were pondering their own connecting thoughts on what information they¡¯d gathered. ¡°Ghetsis¡¯s plot was flawless ¡­ but it wasn¡¯t by his design. The irregularities blinded me to his true objective; however, my focus isn¡¯t on why he did it; it¡¯s how he knew about it. Is there a leak inside the caretaking personnel?¡± Silver set his half-empty glass on the table beside his chair, arms folding while slowly shaking his head. ¡°As far as I¡¯ve been able to identify, there isn¡¯t. Only three people handle 223, and all of them check out; you vetted them yourself. Manipulations might be revealed from the mental scan, but given the level of the breach ¡­ we¡¯re not dealing with Plasma but another organization.¡± Ariana rotated her wrist, red eyes glaring at the shifting liquid in her glass and sending its scent across the room to Giovanni. ¡°A 10th Floor breach, and of 223 ¡­ if the information wasn¡¯t leaked from within the organization, then it was from a researcher on the initial project. Few would know of its unique ability, though.¡± Cremgr sent him a message that his expected guest had arrived; Colress was on his way, and Giovanni gave him temporary access to his private elevator to this floor. The man descended upon the tower from the Plasma Frigate, barely able to keep its cloak active after the damage Iris had done to it during the night. He had to get the sensitive parts out of the way before the scientist arrived; Giovanni¡¯s mind was running laps, following the events that lead to this outcome. ¡°Colress is making his way to the elevator. We have someone on Lusamine?¡± Matori hissed. ¡°We tried, Master, but the best we have is long-range surveillance; she¡¯s ¡­ unstable, which is expected, but the issue is Guzma, hounding anyone that tries to intervene. Last night¡¯s incident was ¡­ difficult for the woman to handle, and she¡¯s spending her time with Guzma in the city, trying to sort things out in her mind.¡± ¡°Christie, Bill, and Kukui¡¯s recommendations?¡± Ariana inquired. Silver shifted to face his mother. ¡°I spoke to Christie before we ate; she¡¯s going over the data with our researchers, but Kukui has been occupied by Gladion and Lillie. Bill and her confirmed that Lusamie¡¯s entire physiology has taken another shift after Ho-Oh¡¯s actions. His energy appears to be interacting with the residual parasitic force of the Nihilego. They¡¯re still compiling the data ¡­ it¡¯s just Lusamine isn¡¯t cooperating after her breakdown to run further tests.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Giovanni ran his hands through his neatly trimmed, close-cut black hair, releasing a hard breath. ¡°It¡¯s a complicated situation that couldn¡¯t be avoided.¡± ¡°You did everything you could to try and fix it,¡± Ariana offered with a sad smile. ¡°She just needs to go through the stages of grief.¡± ¡°We might not have time to ease her into that,¡± he mumbled, reaching over to pet Purrfection as he gave a similar response. ¡°If opening the wounds and allowing her to feel the full weight of her loss will speed up the healing, we should nudge it in that direction. It won¡¯t be easy on her, but it might be the only path forward to get her cooperation.¡± Matori made a sad note in her throat. ¡°So ¡­ move pieces around to allow her to dive headfirst into the deep-end? I can have some of our agents guide her in that direction from afar, but Guzma¡¯s reactions will be unpredictable once she starts breaking down, and we¡¯ll need to maneuver ¡­ Keith, Christie¡¯s husband, might be able to handle it if Lusamine can¡¯t control herself, but¡­¡± Ariana shook her head, nose twisted in a distasteful manner. ¡°Lusamine¡¯s gone beyond Grandmaster-tier and reached Champion with her fortitudes after being infected by the Nihilego. She may no longer have any Pok¨¦mon, but by physically augmenting her body with her fortitude, she could become a very deadly public threat that would force Police intervention. She could be taken out of our jurisdiction, and Jenny wouldn¡¯t be compliant.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ Guzma couldn¡¯t handle that level of augmentation,¡± Silver grunted, shifting uncomfortably, ¡°even from a woman¡¯s weaker form; he¡¯d be in danger himself.¡± Giovanni knew why his son was unhappy with the direction things were taking; the only person capable of completely shutting Lusamine down was his wife. ¡°I hope it doesn¡¯t get to that point, but we have to plan for it. Lusamine is a danger to not only herself but others, and she could overpower most Pok¨¦mon at that tier. In addition, Guzma would attack any Trainer that tried to subdue her in that fashion, in any case, and put his own body in harm''s way. He¡¯s too sympathetic and attached to her.¡± ¡°I get it¡­¡± Silver growled, glaring at the window. ¡°I don¡¯t have to like it, and Blue¡¯s already returned to Alola.¡± Not that he¡¯d offer us any favors¡­ Their gaze shifted to Ariana as she folded her left arm across her stomach. ¡°I don¡¯t like it either, Son, but Lyra might be our only option. Chase could even be at a disadvantage if they squared up; he is more versed in the technique, but she has more raw power, combined with the explosive edge the parasitic energy apparently grants her.¡± Giovanni sat straighter as Matori stiffened, drawing everyone else¡¯s attention. ¡°What is it?¡± Matori licked her lips, scanning down a few recent reports. ¡°There was a ¡­ unexpected report just made by Domino ¡­ found at the hospital.¡± ¡°Domino is back in the region?¡± Silver asked, glancing at his mother. Ariana nodded. ¡°She completed her mission in Galar last week and was given time to rest, but with the unexpected things happening around Viridian, I called her back to stake out the hospital in case any uninvited guests returned.¡± The purple-eyed woman¡¯s expression tightened, vision returning to the tablet. ¡°A spy is best suited to rooting out spies ¡­ she caught Kasa trying to gain access to Lusamine¡¯s data.¡± ¡°Kasa,¡± Giovanni growled, sitting back to fold his hands across his lap; this changed everything. ¡°The thief ¡­ so, that¡¯s how Ghetsis did it ¡­ everything¡¯s falling into place.¡± Silver¡¯s brow furrowed, glancing between his parents, brooding stares. ¡°Kasa? I don¡¯t know that name.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Ariana released a low hiss of air. ¡°She¡¯s a top-tier thief for hire and worked on Project 223 ¡­ impersonating a renowned male scientist in our employ that she¡¯d kidnapped and killed. Kasa was an unprecedented spy ¡­ even before her transformation. It¡¯s a miracle Domino noticed her, yet if it were anyone, it would be her; Kasa is the girl¡¯s idol. ¡°However, I¡¯m not seeing the connecting dots between Kasa and Ghetsis; she already had Project 223¡¯s data, double-crossing her client and killed him, from what I understand, and used it to become ¡­ whatever she is today. She was trying to access Lusamine¡¯s data, which means after stealing 223, she doubled back to gain further information.¡± Her red irises lifted to Giovanni. ¡°Are we sure Ghetsis is behind the abduction if Kasa was involved? She¡¯s been operating as a public figure for some time now, using her skills to infiltrate and manipulate the Societea non-profit organization to some end in Oblivia.¡± Giovanni thought about it for a moment and nodded. ¡°Kasa already has the data on 223, and she¡¯s gone even further with it, applying the research to herself. Ghetsis would no doubt want 223, and Kasa wants something he can grant her; besides, she¡¯s one of the few free-lance contractors in the world that would target Rocket.¡± His black eyes lifted to Matori. ¡°I assume she escaped?¡± ¡°Sadly, yes,¡± Matori sighed, ¡°Domino couldn¡¯t make a scene where they were, and Kasa is far too dangerous given her abilities to handle within a public space; she sent the report and tried to follow, but naturally, she slipped into the crowd without a trace. They exchanged pleasantries ¡­ Kasa poked at Domino¡¯s past and tried to get her to go solo.¡± Giovanni would have preferred she had made a scene, despite the casualties that would have followed, but she wasn¡¯t operating with the appropriate information to make that decision. He sat back with an agitated growl. ¡°With Kasa as the delivery agent, Ghetsis will get 223 without question, even in an IP Maximum Security Prison.¡± There wasn¡¯t anything he could do about it. Ghetsis had cornered him; it wasn¡¯t a situation he¡¯d experienced often in his life, but Kasa was the link that made this possible, meaning something much bigger was in the works, and this had been planned for a very long time. It just so happened that one miscalculation had utterly thrown him into a loop and launched Ghetsis¡¯s plot toward success¡ªLusamine. The woman had drawn Ho-Oh¡¯s actions, raised his security in areas Ghetsis wasn¡¯t trying to penetrate; although, that increased scrutiny had given him Kasa¡¯s involvement, which was a stroke of luck. By dangling Zinzolin, Iris had come running, causing tension between Ethan and her, forcing his absence, and drawing his stationed Pok¨¦mon with him. Mixed with Lyra being forced to protect Amira, pulling her away from the city, Skull¡¯s presence drawing Jenny¡¯s eye, manipulating Colress into the area to further attract the League¡¯s notice ¡­ there had been too many variables. It was a flawless combination to completely snatch Giovanni¡¯s attention. His vision turned to the door as Colress was guided in; the man had a smile that he shouldn¡¯t be feeling. ¡°I appreciate the warnings and invitation, Giovanni,¡± he greeted. ¡°Ariana, Silver,¡± he added, ¡°a lovely evening.¡± When he sat, Giovanni pondered the direction he had to take; it was time to choose, and he didn¡¯t like his options. The best way to handle it would be silence if he wished to avoid blowback, and Ghetsis gave him that option to tell the League, which was a trap. The moment he leaked the information of 223 to the United League, Giovanni¡¯s allegiances would be sure, and Ghetsis would have evidence to spread to the underground. His legendary credentials among the criminal circles would evaporate overnight, and much of the protection he enjoyed from that reputation could be in jeopardy, harming his family ¡­ his vulnerable granddaughter. There was only one option, and it was now sitting across from him; Ghetsis had forced him to go into an underworld war. ¡°Colress ¡­ how are the damages?¡± The man chuckled. ¡°A lot less severe than they could have been had you not warned me of Iris discovering our location; her using that mock battle with Ethan to aim an attack at us without our instrument¡¯s notice was brilliant. Of course, the girl has continued to surpass all my expectations.¡± Silver frowned, red eyes darting between them while readjusting his long red hair, falling to his lap. ¡°You are cooperating with the United League; why would Iris attack you when she is a part of it?¡± Colress turned his yellow eyes to him with a curious smile; the man had run so many experiments on himself to improve his own fortitudes that it had changed his hair and eyes. He was the only scientist in the world to have replicated a process similar to the parasite Ultra Beast, yet went about it by a completely different method and with much less drastic results. ¡°Hmm ¡­ yes, well, Iris has had a very ¡­ colorful history with Plasma, and honestly cares little for the deal Alder made with me. She tolerates my work but has shown no issues with showing me my place. Iris is a very wild and imperious girl that might have inherited the Defiant Ability from the ¡­ experiments gained from generations past.¡± He theorized, taking out a tablet from his large lab coat pocket. ¡°The Dragon Clans have a very obscure history, which is one of many side projects I hope to crack as they are the only ones able to accelerate Dragon Pok¨¦mon¡¯s evolutionary progress to such a marvelous extent¡­¡± ¡°Fascinating,¡± Giovanni cut in; he would have enjoyed Colress sending his data to his scientists to explore or go over, but he didn¡¯t have time for the man¡¯s obsessive scientific explanations. ¡°Colress, what do you suppose Ghetsis¡¯s goal was?¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ obviously not gaining Zinzolin back, given that Iris came herself to snatch him up with her claws, which made me think he had some alternative plan in Unova while drawing her away, yet nothing of significant importance has come from my contacts. I hope you found my message about Iris on the transport helpful?¡± Giovanni¡¯s legs crossed the opposite way, and he nodded. ¡°It gave me time to maneuver Ethan into an agreeable mood to not escalate things further, and I believe her addition to the transport was a calculated play on Ghetsis¡¯s part to draw more chaos from Ethan meeting the Unova Champion.¡± ¡°They do have rather conflicting personalities,¡± Colress replied. ¡°I came in hopes of warning you of Ghetsis¡¯s plays in your city and offering my help if needed, yet I became the one in desperate need of your assistance. A miscalculation on my part by underestimating Iris¡¯s wrath for my part in the attack on Opelucid City and the casualties therein.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Ariana mumbled, working on her second glass of wine. ¡°To the point, though ¡­ Ghetsis¡¯s plan to recover Zinzolin is still underway, yet we failed to understand his true target ¡­ Rocket.¡± Colress¡¯s left eye lifted, vision shifting to Giovanni. ¡°Consider me enthralled,¡± he stated, leaning forward with excitement in his yellow eyes. ¡°I can understand his desire to usurp your authority, Giovanni; Ghetsis is an egomaniacal cult leader that truly believes the world belongs in his self-righteous hands. However, making an open enemy of you is not an action the Ghetsis I knew would take until he gained that ultimate power. What has changed?¡± Giovanni closed his eyes, taking a deep breath before looking at Colress. ¡°You know about the Mewtwo Project?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ you have kept that savory data under lock and key. I would love to say yes, and that I had seen the project files myself, yet I cannot. ¡°If you had opened the project to me, I would advance dozens of groundbreaking research. I have gone to great lengths to even locate the scientists that were on the program, alas, all but two are either dead or had their minds erased, and I cannot get my hands on the survivors.¡± Giovanni focused on the scientist; Colress¡¯s posture had shifted with interest as the conversation¡¯s direction changed. There was a reason why Giovanni never repeated the project. ¡°Mewtwo made certain that most wouldn¡¯t have the chance to recreate the process after his female counterpart was created,¡± Giovanni replied. ¡°That being said, a large number of programs were developed from that experiment, one among them resulting in the creation of Ditto by the failed attempts at cloning Mew¡¯s DNA.¡± Colress nodded. ¡°I was only recently able to find my own little Ditto, given their rarity after you made a concentrated effort to consolidate the market.¡± Giovanni¡¯s eyes narrowed, glaring at the park through the glass walls. ¡°Selling them was a mistake ¡­ they granted too much power.¡± ¡°Heh, yes, a lot of terrible incidents came from the various Ditto you sold twenty years ago, but most died from genetic issues within that time. They all are flawed in some manner, though, which is fascinating; some have survived for me to conduct further research.¡± Colress¡¯s vision narrowed. ¡°Although, what does Ghetsis, Mewtwo, and Ditto have in common?¡± He mused. ¡°Ditto is indeed very valuable, but they all have drawbacks.¡± ¡°Most have drawbacks,¡± Ariana mumbled, taking another sip of her wine. ¡°Ghetsis used the chaos across Viridian, Saffron, and within our organization in regards to Lusamine in order to steal 223 ¡­ a Ditto that has perfect transformation and is fully compliant with anyone that bonds with it, having no side effects from being unbound.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Colress mumbled in shock, pushing his glasses up, yellow irises widening. ¡°A Ditto with perfect transformation? Explain.¡± Giovanni folded his fingers in his lap, giving the man a cold stare. ¡°223 was developed primarily using breakthrough research when Christie worked for Rocket and utilized her advanced knowledge of genetics, gained through the Mewtwo Project, with her mentor, a brilliant scientist that was murdered after overseeing most of the plan¡¯s competition. ¡°223 can transform into any Pok¨¦mon, object, human, or whatever the bonded Trainer desires if they have enough energy to grant it; one touch, and it can replicate a human¡¯s memories and personality. The one drawback is that 223¡¯s Energy Core is just as malleable as its Trainer, meaning it requires an outside power source, like a Trainer¡¯s fortitudes or a machine, in order to transform.¡± ¡°Heh ¡­ ha-ha-ha-ha!¡± Colress began chuckling until it grew to full laughter. ¡°Drawback ¡­ drawback? That¡¯s not a drawback, Giovanni, that¡¯s the gold egg ¡­ the prize ¡­ a link I¡¯ve been trying to understand for years! And you¡¯ve had it all along,¡± he clapped. ¡°Giovanni, we must be more open with one another; with the resources you put into research and development, connections, and ¡­ oh, oh, heh, I¡¯m getting ahead of myself,¡± he mused, sitting back while regaining his controlled demeanor. ¡°Ahem,¡± his yellow irises shifted between the Rocket family¡¯s stoic expressions, ¡°right. Ghetsis has 223 ¡­ I love that number now ¡­ hmm ¡­ ah, so ¡­ he plans his return, which puts my position at risk. You have called me here to warn me of Ghetsis breaking out of prison. I¡¯m touched, Giovanni,¡± he commented, bringing up his tablet to swiftly play with it. Matori wasn¡¯t a fan of the man¡¯s swing from excentric to controlled behavior. Giovanni allowed him to continue making plans and sending instructions to his men above his tower; Colress¡¯s passion was the way to pull him in, but he could never fully trust a man that was so easily swayed by the meat of scientific fancy. This was the kind of man that would destroy the world to prove his thesis was correct. Colress¡¯s eyes sparkled. ¡°Although, I suppose you had no choice; I¡¯m the only ally you can rely on, it seems. Ghetsis must have suspected you had connections in the United League that could halt him and promptly cut that off. You need someone that knows the inside of Plasma. ¡°Of course, I¡¯ve already labeled myself a criminal in the eyes of Ghetsis, having betrayed him once before to regain control over the science division and its resources. The fear of me rejoining him is off the table. He knows I would have been pulled to you, putting a target on my back. Ghetsis isn¡¯t a fool to think he could keep his actions hidden from you for long¡­¡± A broad smile lit his face again. ¡°Ah ¡­ he¡¯s determined enough to go to war with Skull, me, N, the United League, and you ¡­ oh-ho-ho, this is getting exciting! 223 offers such a massive advantage ¡­ he could impersonate anyone ¡­ get anything ¡­ go anywhere. ¡°Oh, but the data I stand to gain is ¡­ more than adequate for that risk and the lives of my fellows. You wish to regain 223, correct, and then allow me my shot with it ¡­ to understand its secrets?¡± Giovanni kept his emotionless gaze upon the thrilled scientist; working with Colress would be much easier than any of the other options at his disposal. He had to get ahead of this, and that meant throwing in his hat with a person he knew, and this man¡¯s inner motivations were acceptable since he could guide those actions. ¡°Ghetsis being free concerns me,¡± he stated. ¡°His grab for power would include overtaking me, given time, and he¡¯s shown the nerve to attack my headquarters already. However, I cannot act so openly while he has 223. I need your inside spy network to lock down his position and get 223 back; his next move is Unova, retrieving Zinzolin by simply walking him out with 223.¡± A controlled grin returned to the man¡¯s lips as he rose, walking over to hold out his hand. ¡°Then that is where we start.¡± Giovanni rose to his feet, taking the man¡¯s hand. Ariana and Silver kept their peace, but he¡¯d need to go over detailed plans with them after Colress left. It was more than just his name and life on the line; Amira would be in danger if his connection to the United Indigo League was revealed. ¡°I look forward to working with you, Giovanni,¡± Colress stated, breaking away to swiftly return to his airship. ¡°We¡¯ll accomplish great things in the future! Hehe, I can taste the discoveries.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be in touch.¡± Giovanni watched him leave, hands clasped behind his back; Matori was already sending orders throughout Rocket¡¯s network, directing operatives to various tasks in preparation for the information war and tactical diversionary moves that needed to be taken. He planned on sending Rocket scientists aboard his vessel; Rocket could gain valuable technology data from it, and Colress would be more than willing, given what Giovanni was offering the man in return for his aid. Colress would jump him back into this game and give Rocket a way to fight Ghetsis¡¯s return to power. Giovanni wouldn¡¯t make it easy on the man. B1 — 30. To Gardenia City! 7:01 A.M. June 16, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 1st day of the Round Robin Summer Indigo Cup. Two days after Ho-Oh¡¯s Viridian appearance, healing everyone. Rhea¡¯s neck stretched to the left as she slowly awoke, cracking open an eye; Mya gave her a good morning, standing not far away while giving her a bright wave. She hoped to get some battles in today. Nova was curled into a ball between her arm and side. Mmh ¡­ yeah, we¡¯ll probably get some challenges on our way to Dark City. Mya cheered, walking over to join Amber and Miky; the imp was quickly learning when it was alright to play pranks and who enjoyed it. Comfy was far more tolerant of the Impidimp¡¯s antics, laughing and playing games with him, but Rhea thought that had to do with her nature. Glancing at the clock by Amira¡¯s bed, she saw it was 7:04. She¡¯d been getting into a bad habit of sleeping in longer than usual while in Amira¡¯s house, and her teammate was practically comatose on her bed, wearing a rather cute sleeping face with her full lips slightly open, resting on her side. Mallory wasn¡¯t next to her, and Mya explained the purple-haired girl had woken up about 30 minutes before her and was finishing up in the bathroom. Being careful to stretch out, Rhea got up while laying the blanket over part of Nova¡¯s body. Throwing on a long nightshirt Lyra had given Mallory and her, she went into the dimly lit hallway and saw the morning sun creeping through the windows; Amira had thick black drapes that blocked the light. She heard Mallory in the bathroom, brushing her teeth, so Rhea took a moment to head downstairs; a giggle slid through her throat while reading the sticky note on the wall on the way down. ¡°Hey, girls! Silver had a lot of work to do, so he left at 5 A.M., and I have some things to do too. Sorry for running out before you woke up, but I left a morning snack and lunch for you in the fridge. Help yourself to whatever you like, but tell Amira to take it easy on the Leppa Juice! She doesn¡¯t need half a carton in a single sitting ¡­ it¡¯s not a food replacement. By the way, loved having you girls over; come by whenever you¡¯re in the area! Know that Silver and I love you, and have a wonderful adventure!¡± Making it into the kitchen, Rhea smiled at Lyra¡¯s Azumarill sleeping in the corner of the living room with a quilt blanket draped over her. According to the note on the fridge, she¡¯d prepared what seemed to be Cold Brew Pecha Overnight Protein Oats for breakfast; it was made out of unsweetened almond milk, juiced Pecha Berries, MooMoo yogurt, vanilla extract, salt, regular oats, protein powder, and cinnamon. It sounded delicious, and for lunch, there were collapsable containers with Eggant nachos and Strib and Touga Berries as sides. Closing the fridge as she heard Mallory get out of the bathroom, we swapped places, saying good morning on the staircase. She was wearing the custom dresses that had been perfectly designed for their figures. Rhea got ready with Amira following, and the three of them were eating and chatting by 8:14 A.M. Their Pok¨¦mon were given some treats by Lyra¡¯s Azumarill when she awoke, showing them where her secret stash was within the pantry. By 8:36, they were getting ready to head out, Rhea checking her phone while waiting for Amira to set her room right; she¡¯d made a surprising mess that Rhea hadn¡¯t expected of the structured girl. The News was just as it always was; the miraculous event that Ho-Oh had brought about was swiftly overshadowed by whatever negative events the journalists could find. Lusamine had some kind of incident in a local bar, and many news stations were asking the city why she was let free among the populous, considering the unknown state of her condition. Skull was making minor trouble, but only a few verbal altercations and two fights yesterday resulted in an arrest. Apparently, some bigshot Plasma Member had been extradited to Unova and was awaiting trial, but the only reason that hit Kanto News was that he was found within Viridian. All in all, it wasn¡¯t all that interesting to Rhea. Mallory showed them some local, small-time journalists that had snuck photos of them out in public and were spreading gossip about their travels like a daily blog. The part that drew Rhea¡¯s notice was Sam, Jade, and Hannah were pulled into the shot with Casey¡¯s team. Trying to get all of that out of her head, she turned to PikaBook. Jason, Len, and Lucian were currently heading deeper into Viridian Forest, traveling along the areas listed as High Bronze Tier by the Ranger Union in that area, looking for a few Pok¨¦mon, but Len and Lucian appeared to have already gotten their 2nd Pok¨¦mon, leaving Jason to find his. Len and Lucian wanted to keep their team additions a secret since they wanted to battle them again after the Pallet match, but they were planning on spending the next four days training in the wild. Both Sam and Casey¡¯s group had gotten up before them, already on the road to Dark City at 6:40 A.M., and had a decent lead on them. Hannah, Sam, and Jade stopped off to get their Protect TM; Hector already knew the Move. The trio hit the road after that, participating in their three daily battles. Rhea grinned upon reading their messages on PikaBook. 7:38 A.M. Sam: Hey! Guess what! We won! We finally won our first match! Tera was a MONSTER in our Triple Battle, just charging in there and taking out everything with Star acting as her backup support! So many people love her shine, too. 7:38 A.M. Hannah: Yeah! Star¡¯s so hyped with hanging out with everyone, too; he¡¯s got this ¡­ umm, I don¡¯t even know how to explain it! He¡¯s just ¡­ kind of spooky sometimes, and he can shove Pok¨¦mon away with Extrasensory. He really, really likes Metronome, though, hehe. Sent a Swift at one of our opponents with it. 7:39 A.M. Jade: Mimi and I were kind of protected by Star; he¡¯s really acting like a big brother to her and saying he¡¯ll keep her safe. She¡¯s got a lot of spirit but needs a lot more battles to be on the same level as Star and Tera ¡­ Tera¡¯s a BEAST. She draws all the aggro. 7:40 A.M. Sam: Yeah, but we can take it! Oh, tell them what Mimi did, though, Jade! 7:40 A.M. Jade: Oh ¡­ yeah, umm, I mean, it wasn¡¯t huge, though ¡­ Tera¡¯s kind of immune to Electric attacks. 7:41 A.M. Hannah: It was super unexpected, though! 7:41 A.M. Bianca: Hello, girls! Umm >.> I¡¯m kind of lost. Who are these Pok¨¦mon, and what¡¯s up? I¡¯m up for a good battle story. =) The conversation went back and forth between a few of her family members until they were caught up on the trio¡¯s new Pok¨¦mon. 7:47 A.M. Jade: Yeah, so, my Pichu had some trouble, but Rhea¡¯s Mom helped her. It¡¯s kind of tiring, and my body hurts a lot right now ¡­ aww, her cute smile is always worth it, though, and I love playing with her little heart-tail. 7:48 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: (???) It¡¯s so lovely when you get to grow with your bonded Pok¨¦mon from the start. You girls these days are so blessed with all the modern stuff like Great Balls; we didn¡¯t have all the fancy and powerful bonding devices back in my day. So, what happened with the battle? 7:48 A.M. Jade: Oh, right, right. So, the Voltorb we were fighting ¡­ we were really worried about it maybe exploding on us; we don¡¯t know what Tier they learn Self-Destruct, but he sent this strange staticky circular pulses at Star, but they were suddenly pulled in by Mimi, and her Special Attack went up like crazy! He tried it once more, and she drew it in again; it made Mimi¡¯s Thunder Shocks super, super strong! 7:49 A.M. Hannah: That¡¯s why we won, really! 7:49 A.M. Jade: No, no, no, it was all you guys. 7:49 A.M. Sam: Nuh-uh! You were keeping that strange Electric Attack away from us. 7:49 A.M. Bianca: Ah, it sounds like Eerie Impulse; heh, it¡¯s a Status Electric Move ¡­ although, it¡¯s really unusual for Lightning Rod to even pull in Status Moves. It works typically against Damage Moves and can even draw Physical Electric Pok¨¦mon ¡­ as in, literally pull them toward your Pok¨¦mon if they used a Move like Spark. 7:50 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: You have a really special Pichu, Dearie! That¡¯s so ¡­ sick ¡­ sick is a good new age word, right? 7:50 A.M. Katelin: Yup, that¡¯s a good word to use, Carolina! Sounds pretty awesome, girls! I can¡¯t wait to see Mimi when you make it to Pewter; we should still be in the area for Rhea. You girls are doing well; keep up the hard work! 7:50 A.M. Sam: Thanks, Katelin, Bianca, Carolina! We¡¯re gonna do our best! 7:51 A.M. Hannah: Yeah, thanks for being so supportive of some random girls xD 7:51 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: You¡¯re not random! ?¨q¨r? You¡¯re friends with my dear Rhea! That makes you practically family! Oh, I need to go ¡­ tech support is here to help me with this blasted computer. Why do they make these things so complicated?! I just want to do a cross-examination of these two magnificent Pok¨¦mon Core Wave Sequences, yet my blasted screen keeps flickering! 7:51 A.M. Jade: Pok¨¦mon Core Wave Sequences ¡­ I don¡¯t know what that is, but I could probably help with the screen. It¡¯s probably a driver issue. 7:51 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: Girl ¡­ you¡¯re speaking in tongues to me. What is a driver issue? Where is it going? 7:51 A.M. Katelin: Oh, dear ¡­ it¡¯s like a program that runs the device and gives it instructions. 7:52 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: Bad instructions. Okay. So, we fire the driver or tell him to do better? ?¨q¨r? I just need my screen to work! Watching this man play with these windows popping up and going to these sites so fast is like I¡¯m a freshman watching my professor try to explain the Ancient Draconid language ¡­ utter gibberish. 7:53 A.M. Bianca: Heh, best have him fix it, Granny. 7:52 A.M. Great Grandma Carolina: I feel so old
  • Single Performance is the only format. Only one Pok¨¦mon is allowed to compete within a Contest.
    • Normal Contests (Bronze Keys): Solo and Team are two different Contests to avoid fortitude issues. Super Contests (Silver Keys): Hyper Contests (Gold Keys): Master Contests (Platinum Keys): Grandmaster Contests (Gem Keys): To advance within each Contest Rank, a Trainer must win Key Showcase Events, which are primarily community-driven that the PAC organized. The Contest App allows the audience to vote on individual performances, which would then be used to send holographic globes of light from around the stadium, symbolizing the various colors each contestant chose, showing how their performance was met by those supporting the show, giving a visual indicator above their head as to who won the most hearts. Three Judges are selected by PAC, given 30% of the total heart count, which is used to counter any kind of cheating and give honest reviews. They were often featured on the PAC website afterward, explaining their views on the matter. Each Judge is given 10% of the total vote, allowing them to provide a portion of that to both contestants that they felt earned a specific score. If they gave one pair a 4%, the other would get a 6%. An online voting award is typically given for those that received the most general populous votes, granting Ribbons, which allowed them to enter other competitions for more money, starting in the Hyper Contests. At the end of the night, the community champion is then given a Royal Key of their respective Rank, and once they receive three, they can enter the Ameliorate Showcase, where the best of their peers perform to be named victor, rising to the next Rank. Trainers begin competing at every rank, but at Bronze-tier, you may not have the Moves or the connection to your Pok¨¦mon to really draw out their potential, which means many Trainers wait until they are Silver or Gold-tier to even begin competing. Rhea''s mind was reeling a bit after watching such an in-depth article and didn''t really want to focus on it, but her aunt once said that Contests are an excellent place to further build your team¡¯s skills in ways battling can lack. It incentivized you to discover unique, out-of-the-box ways to use your Moves in order to not only do damage but look fabulous while doing it. Contests were a challenge because you focused on knocking out your opponent and putting on a show, which was more important than one might think in real-world combat. If you could put on an act against someone trying to kill you, and be able to keep cool while under pressure, then the mind games could help you edge the victory in a battle you usually would lose. Your ability to put on a mask of confidence is essential since it can keep an opponent on the defensive and cautious of you, even if you¡¯re on the ropes. The opposite was true, as well, which meant you had to learn where to put on that performance, and Contests were the perfect stage for building that skill. Hoenn may have started Contests, Kanto and Sinnoh improved upon them, and people hated to admit it, but Kalos brought the spark that led to the current universal format. It had been a girls-only competition in Kalos, but it expanded into the universal system they had today after men¡¯s activist groups fought to have entry fifteen years ago. Rhea¡¯s attention moved from the video to her awakening Pok¨¦mon, gradually waking up as she watched the video. Nova was the first to poke her head out of the covers, giving her a weak good morning while stretching out and yawning. She swiftly hopped down to join her in watching the video, tail wagging as she settled into Rhea¡¯s lap. Mya was still fast asleep, enjoying her rest time. Amira was engrossed in looking up some news about Rocket while Mallory got ready. She finished the video, discussing a few things with Nova about what they should expect, and had Amber help dry her hair; in truth, it did feel a lot better doing it the way Amira suggested, even if it required more time and effort. Rhea combed out her hair with Amber¡¯s deep breaths, producing a surprising force that wasn¡¯t too hot. Once finished, they got ready to head down to the Contest Hall. Stepping out into the partly cloudy morning, they were met by a soft chilly breeze; they had climbed quite a bit in elevation from Pallet, but it would be a much steeper hike to Pewter. Amber, Gables, Mya, and Nova walked a bit behind them, keeping pace while the girls carved a path for the four to have room while not getting accidentally run over because of their size. They were having what appeared to be a cheerful conversation about what to expect, with Nova proudly leading the discussion, having watched the video with Rhea. Rhea had been a bit shocked to learn that Holly and Miky, Amira¡¯s Comfey and Lori¡¯s Impidimp, had actually gotten into a good talk that lasted well into the night, and so the two were soundly sleeping within their pok¨¦balls. Mallory sparked up the next conversation about the types of items they could rent or purchase within the field. ¡°So, what are you two going to buy?¡± She asked. ¡°You can get balls or blocks of wood or bricks, you know, to show your Pok¨¦mon¡¯s skill and stuff for the first stage.¡± Rhea hummed, shaking her head. ¡°I¡¯m still trying to figure it all out, but aren¡¯t we competing with one another,¡± she asked with a weak chuckle. ¡°We should surprise each other!¡± ¡°True,¡± Mallory laughed. ¡°I¡¯m thinking about something pretty cool with Gables. It¡¯ll be fun, and do you think we should rent some outfits, or do you think these are pretty nice?¡± She asked, glancing down at her dress. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I mean, they are super cute, to begin with, but maybe we could rent some accessories or something,¡± Rhea commented. ¡°Uh, hey¡­¡± Rhea and Mallory glanced at Amira¡¯s concerned face, looking down at the Gardenia City Contest website. ¡°You both know that registration for the Rookie Contest closes at 8 A.M., and there¡¯s going to be a big crowd flooding the area,¡± she mumbled, noting the already bustling streets. ¡°Eh ¡­ 8 A.M.?¡± Rhea mumbled, pulling up her own phone to get the time. A puff of air hissed out of Mallory¡¯s teeth. ¡°Oof ¡­ 7:13,¡± she confirmed. ¡°Yeah, we should probably hurry; we¡¯ll have time to check out nearby shops after we register.¡± The clusters of people and their Pok¨¦mon around the small city drew Rhea¡¯s eyes; it was still so new seeing so many people in one place, but it just gave her more energy. A lot of these people would be at the Contest, seeing as today had a Hyper Rank Battle Contest, followed by a Super Rank Drama Contest to close out the night. Their own Pok¨¦mon drew many looks and whispers from several groups, pointing at Mya, Nova, Gables, and Amber; their party certainly was noticeable, being Shiny and having unique colors. Rhea hoped it might give them a little bit of an edge in the Contest. The closer they came to the Contest Hall, the tighter the throng of people got, especially since the sidewalks weren¡¯t nearly as wide as Viridian¡¯s. Mya soon had to return to her pok¨¦ball, and Rhea was forced to carry Nova. It was surprising how many people had flocked to the city considering the League Spring Cup 2nd Preliminaries were going on, but she had to remind herself it wasn¡¯t the actual start of the competition yet, and people mainly went for next week¡¯s pre-celebration before the Round Robin Tournament began. It was 7:30, and the Contest District of Gardenia was packed, stores bursting with activity; the Rookie portion of the Contest would start at 5 P.M, preceding the Hyper, yet the area was crowded. The Gardenia Contest Hall was massive, able to hold up to 8,000 people; considering it was a popular and easily accessible site considering the transportation methods close to Viridian, it was no surprise. They passed through the building¡¯s doors at 7:40, spotting the signs that pointed them to another area for registration. * * * Nova looked up at the vast entrance hall of the building they¡¯d entered, Rhea setting her back down. Dozens of Pok¨¦mon she¡¯d never seen before were out, walking around, and they were much bigger than her. Mya soon joined her, grinning while eyeing the powerful Pok¨¦mon around them. ¡°What do you think, Nova? That one has to be in Gold-tier, right?¡± She asked, pointing at a Venomoth. ¡°How long do you think it will take for us to get to that level?¡± Nova slowly shook her head, hurrying to keep up with Rhea. ¡°Umm ¡­ I don¡¯t know, but yeah, we¡¯ll have to see what they can do in their battles. We¡¯re going to stay and watch, right?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Rhea cheerily responded. ¡°We¡¯ll watch the Drama and Battles. It¡¯ll be fun to see what kind of combinations they can do. Tonight¡¯s supposed to be a Hyper Rank Solo Quadruple Performance. You two excited?¡± ¡°Yeah! I am!¡± Nova exclaimed, noticing how well-groomed the Pok¨¦mon around them looked; of course, she was super cute, too. She had taken exceptional care at cleaning her fur before they left. Mya folded her arms, studying a Persian walking away from them. ¡°I am, too, but I can¡¯t help but notice everyone¡¯s so incredibly weak compared to Franky and Zelri.¡± Gables chuckled, hopping beside them. ¡°C¡¯mon, you can¡¯t compare someone to those monsters!¡± Nova¡¯s pink eyes lit up, moving to Mya. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you remember Conny, Lyra¡¯s Azumarill? She was just ¡­ so, so beautiful!¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ I got the feeling she wasn¡¯t someone you¡¯d want to cross, though ¡­ and from what Amira¡¯s told me about her...¡± Amber mumbled, adding a forced smile. Mya shivered, rubbing her sides. ¡°Yeah ¡­ well, she¡¯s one of the few Pok¨¦mon that I don¡¯t really want to fight ¡­ so ¡­ yeah.¡± They passed through some glass doors and into a new room, causing the hall noise to instantly die down, but Nova could still easily pick up on the conversations outside with her sharp hearing. The area was filled with many chairs for people to sit and wait, but no one was currently present except for the woman behind the desk. Rhea went up with Mallory to register. It wasn¡¯t two minutes into the process when a new blonde-haired girl came rushing to the door, carrying a Pok¨¦mon that Gables identified as a Bounsweet. Nova could understand most of human speech with the words she¡¯d learned while still an egg; Rhea¡¯s mother had played recordings that she could hear through her shell that allowed her to learn a bit. The girl was wearing shorts and a baggy T-shirt, hair somewhat a mess from running here. ¡°I ¡­ I¡¯m not too late,¡± she panted, glancing between them. ¡°Huh ¡­ an Alolan accent,¡± Rhea noted, shaking her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s 7:54, so you should still have time. We¡¯re just finishing up.¡± ¡°Thank Arceus!¡± She sighed, jogging over with a weak smile. ¡°We got carried away watching some of the Preliminary Loser¡¯s Bracket matches; Kanto has some awesome Trainers!¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Mallory chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll have to go back and look at some of the highlights.¡± ¡°Totally worth it!¡± She chimed, still sounding a bit breathless. ¡°My name¡¯s Jayline, but you can call me Jay ¡­ umm, is there a form or something ¡­ ah, thanks,¡± she mumbled, setting down her Pok¨¦mon to grab the pen and paper the women behind the desk offered. Nova turned her attention to the tiny, round Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Hi! I¡¯m Nova.¡± She turned her head to point at the others. ¡°That¡¯s Mya, Gables, and Amber. Only Gables and I are entering, though.¡± ¡°Hello,¡± The Bounsweet replied with a bright smile. ¡°My name¡¯s Poppy. Jay and I come from Alola, the Lush Jungle territory, and it¡¯s really different here; it¡¯s so, so big!¡± Nova had no clue what the Lush Jungle territory was; the others gathered around them, yet they seemed content letting Nova take the lead. ¡°That¡¯s cool. I come from an egg and a lab,¡± she replied, causing Amber and Gables to giggle. ¡°So, what¡¯s it like where you¡¯re from?¡± ¡°Oh, a lab? You do look way too pretty and clean to be a Wild Pok¨¦mon,¡± Poppy replied, glancing between them. ¡°In fact ¡­ all of you look so pretty and handsome to come from the Wild. No scars or signs of malnourishment. That¡¯s pretty awesome!¡± Her smile fell a little, four leaves on her head drooping a bit. ¡°Uh ¡­ well, where I¡¯m from, it¡¯s a bit rough. You got pretty rough Bosses that are always fighting for territory; their parents are pretty tight, too, so if you try to stick up for yourself or someone else, then things can get rough for you.¡± ¡°Sounds like a place I¡¯d like!¡± Mya grinned, her second mouth peeling back as her wet tongue slid across her large fangs. Gables folded his arms, head tilting a bit. ¡°You don¡¯t seem to have any scars or anything; in fact, you look really healthy and pretty yourself.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Poppy grinned. ¡°Yeah, I had really protective older sisters that took care of me; in fact, Jay¡¯s parents bonded with them to keep us together.¡± ¡°Aww, that¡¯s nice,¡± Amber whispered. ¡°What about your teammates; where are they?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ well, you see¡­¡± She looked away, expression turning forced. ¡°Oh, no. Did something happen to them?¡± Nova asked with concern, ears folding back. ¡°No, no, nothing like that!¡± She said, leaves rising in protest. ¡°No, it¡¯s just ¡­ they kind of backed out of coming to Kanto at the last minute, and so ¡­ we¡¯re kind of solo right now.¡± Mya¡¯s head cocked in confusion. ¡°You can do that?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Poppy shrugged, stem shifting to the opposite side. ¡°Why not? I mean, we gotta find some people when we get to the Bronze League, but that shouldn¡¯t be that hard.¡± ¡°Ah, good point,¡± Amber nodded. ¡°Although, isn¡¯t it rough traveling alone? You can¡¯t really go off of the path too far.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I mean, it hasn¡¯t been all that bad,¡± Poppy mumbled. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll have to run away at some point, but so far, we¡¯ve been doing pretty good. There were some tough Kanto Trainers we¡¯ve fought, though. My parents were pretty strong and taught us how to take care of ourselves and each other.¡± Nova sat down, tail wagging a bit. ¡°That must have been really nice. Most of the wild Pok¨¦mon we¡¯ve met haven¡¯t been all that great. We fought this Nidorino that was horrible.¡± ¡°Yeah, it can be like that,¡± Poppy mumbled, looking up at her Trainer. ¡°Oh ¡­ I think they¡¯re finished registering.¡± Sure enough, Rhea told her they were going to head to the dressing area to know where they needed to go; they had to be here by 4 P.M. She had also learned that there were only six Rookie contestants. They said goodbye to Amber as Amira took her off to visit some stores while Rhea, Mallory, and Jay checked out the female dressing room. Heading inside, they found the three other girls chatting to one another, apparently teammates. The three were pretty well dressed, but Nova¡¯s attention was more on their Pok¨¦mon as Rhea engaged the Trainers in conversation. Rhea knew precisely what they were since she liked to look up cute Pok¨¦mon. ¡°So, we¡¯re going up against a Ralts, Smoochum, and Igglybuff? They¡¯re super cute Pok¨¦mon.¡± Nova had to agree; they had really well-maintained appearance and seemed to have applied some kind of oil that made them a little shiny, giving them a similar effect as Gables, Amber, Mya, and her. She dashed forward with a charming smile as they cut their whispered conversation to stare at the advancing party. ¡°Hello! I¡¯m Nova. So, we¡¯re going to be going into the Contest together?¡± She couldn¡¯t quite see the Ralts¡¯ eyes behind her thick, bowl-cut green hair but noticed her pretty red pinkish-red horns as she folded her arms, turning to them with the others. ¡°Nova, huh? That¡¯s an ¡­ interesting name,¡± she mumbled, voice and tone somewhat imperious. ¡°Mine is Jewlya, and this is Rina,¡± she said, pointing to the Igglybuff, ¡°and Whimsy,¡± directing their attention to the Smoochum. Gables rubbed the side of his head. ¡°Huh ¡­ Jewlya, Rina, and Whimsy. Okay, so have you three been in a competition before?¡± ¡°Indeed, we have,¡± Jewlya noted, head tilting back a bit to show one of her deep red eyes. ¡°What ¡­ are you two, though?¡± She pointedly asked, pointing at Mya and Nova. Nova sat back, tail going still while turning to face Mya. ¡°What ¡­ do you mean? I¡¯m, umm ¡­ I¡¯m an Eevee ¡­ doesn¡¯t everyone know what an Eevee is? We¡¯re super cute.¡± All three of the girl¡¯s mouths curved into a smirk. ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Whimsy giggled. Jewlya held up a hand as Nova felt Rhea getting a bit uncomfortable and a bit annoyed while talking to their Trainers. ¡°Now, now, girls; we shouldn¡¯t make fun of their defects.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that ¡­ what about me is defective?¡± Mya growled, large jaws opening in a snarl. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Nova mumbled, looking down at herself before turning her head and moving her tail around to look at it from various angles. ¡°I¡¯m gorgeous ¡­ everyone says so.¡± The Igglybuff released a sad chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m sure they just don¡¯t want to hurt your feelings, Dear. Have you seen the knots in that scraggly mane or the way you¡¯ve licked yourself? Someone needs to help you,¡± she said, holding a hand up to her mouth. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, the judges and crowd will be able to tell.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Nova¡¯s eyes widened, swiftly looking at her fur and brushing out her black mane. ¡°I ¡­ I don¡¯t see anything wrong¡­¡± ¡°You don¡¯t,¡± Poppy huffed, glaring at the three. ¡°They¡¯re just blowing smoke like a Salandit. Shouldn¡¯t you three get back to adding more oil to shine a bit more? You¡¯ll never out sparkle Gables like that.¡± The three glared at Poppy as Gables chuckled, holding out a paw for the plant to smack it with one of her leaves. ¡°Got ¡®em! You might wanna check that swirl on your head, too; I think it¡¯s a bit off. A defect?¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Rina mumbled in shock, eyes shifting in panic. Jewlya huffed, motioning for the three to retreat as their Trainers turned to leave. ¡°You¡¯re fine, Rina. Let¡¯s leave these losers to prepare for defeat.¡± ¡°W-Why is everyone being so mean?¡± Nova asked in shock. ¡°Can¡¯t we be friends?¡± ¡°Tch, with them?¡± Mya snorted. ¡°I¡¯d rather bite myself.¡± ¡°Ditto,¡± Jewlya sniffed, exiting the room. Nova¡¯s ears sagged, tail pressing against her left side as she stared at the floor. ¡°I was trying to be nice. Why did they say we¡¯re defective?¡± Poppy walked over to pet her side. ¡°It¡¯s okay; they¡¯re just jealous of how pretty you are. They have to put on products and stuff to try and match your natural shine.¡± Gables smirked. ¡°Lori says they¡¯re the classic mean girls. Start poking back, and they run with their tails between their legs.¡± ¡°... I just wanted to make more friends,¡± Nova mumbled; she could feel Rhea thinking the same thing. * * * Rhea reached down to pick up Nova, feeling her hurt and confusion; apparently, the Pok¨¦mon hadn¡¯t been much sweeter than their Trainers. They didn¡¯t have to make passive-aggressive comments, but they started out making fun of how Jay was dressed, asking if she planned on competing while looking like a rough Ranger bum. Mallory snickered. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re totally shaking in their heels; if they stayed any longer, then they probably would have collapsed.¡± Jay rubbed the back of her neck with a weak chuckle. ¡°I mean, those girls were from Kalos, right? I¡¯ve heard some things from you Kanto folk about the region.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ sadly, no,¡± Lori sighed. ¡°No, they¡¯re from my region, Unova, which is why they didn¡¯t poke at me and ran when I got involved; they have famous Contest winners as family members.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ sad their attitude is so Muk because they¡¯re not bad looking on the outside,¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯m gonna go get ready; heh, I just woke up late, threw on my clothes, and booked it down here.¡± Rhea glanced down at her phone as it went off. ¡°Yeah ¡­ umm, wait ¡­ uh, our teammate found a good breakfast place she wants us to join her at. Want to join? If you don¡¯t have anyone around and you need some help with something, you can text or call me. Mind sharing contact info?¡± She asked with a hopeful smile. ¡°Hmm,¡± she folded her arms under her small bust with a brilliant smile. ¡°You know, it wouldn¡¯t hurt having someone that knows the region on dial. The League foreign support sucks here!¡± She groaned. ¡°Right?!¡± Mallory mused. ¡°It¡¯s always busy and has a wait time, but that could be because of how many people are flooding Kanto right now.¡± ¡°True,¡± Jay shrugged. ¡°Alright, uh ¡­ yeah, sure, thanks for the offer, Rhea!¡± She said, pulling out her phone. ¡°Man ¡­ the Rotom recall sucks ¡­ I just can¡¯t get used to these phones. Umm ¡­ I can join you guys for breakfast before heading back. Yeah, let¡¯s do it.¡± Yes! A new friend! She felt Nova cheering up in her arms while talking to Poppy. ¡°Oh, and it¡¯s my treat!¡± Rhea added with a grin, pressing the proper motions she¡¯d preset on her phone to transfer her contact info onto Jay¡¯s phone; once she accepted, her number was transferred back to Rhea¡¯s. ¡°Mmh ¡­ alright, alright,¡± Jay relented, eyeing her crystal device. ¡°I do need to conserve as much money as possible since I¡¯m alone. By the way ¡­ that¡¯s a crazy-looking phone. Which company do I need to sign my soul away to get one of those?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Umm, it¡¯s a Silph model that should be coming up on the market in several months.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ I guess you got the contacts,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Gah, just give me back my Rotom phone!¡± She cried with a sad smile. Rhea and Mallory laughed, leading the way to the address Amira sent them. B1 — 32. Showcase 8:24 A.M. June 18, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 3rd day of the Round Robin Summer Indigo Cup. Four days after Ho-Oh¡¯s Viridian appearance, healing everyone. Hyper Contest happening today. Rhea walked out of the Contest building, explaining Nova¡¯s black and white theme to a few people along the way that stopped them to ask. There were some comments about her pink eyes, Contest fans wondering if she was using contacts, which wasn¡¯t something they¡¯d seen before. Jay gave her a sad smile as they left the hall, making it back onto the streets. ¡°You certainly are popular with Nova. It should help you in the Contest.¡± A short chuckle rumbled in Rhea¡¯s chest while stroking Nova¡¯s fur. ¡°Well ¡­ I just want to see what a Contest is really like. It¡¯s certainly a lot more crowded than I initially thought,¡± she mumbled, nervously glancing around the packed small city. Mallory leaned over with a grin. ¡°Feeling a little closed in?¡± Rhea worked around her neck and shoulders a little. ¡°Kind of. In Viridian, Lyra and Giovanni showed us the VIP treatment, and we weren¡¯t really out in the city much without people giving us plenty of space; and Pallet was a bit overwhelming, but there were spots that I could go to have some space ¡­ Here, though¡­¡± Jay¡¯s brown irises swept the mass of Pok¨¦mon and humans they were slowly moving through; it was hard to spot the ground anywhere they looked. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯m pretty used to it during the tourist season on Akala Island. Lori folded her arms under her bust, Gables hopping to her shoulder. ¡°Akala Island ¡­ Isn¡¯t that where Inoa comes from?¡± Jay¡¯s eyebrow lifted, turning her attention to the purple-haired girl. ¡°Oh, Kahuna Olivia¡¯s daughter?¡± Her lips pursed while scooting around a large group, taking up most of the sidewalk, looking at a map to see where they should go next. ¡°Umm ¡­ Well, I know of her. She was homeschooled, so she never interacted with any of the public school kids,¡± she replied. They arrived at the restaurant, which seemed to be a pretty upscale place near the hall; there was a waiting line outside, but Amira told Rhea to talk to the hostess when they got in. They paused their conversation while they weaved through the throng blocking the waiting areas, mumbling apologies as they squeezed to the front. Kaylee, the hostess, recognized them instantly upon seeing Rhea holding her unique salt and pepper Eevee; the woman guided them up to the 5th level of the restaurant, which seemed to be reserved for VIP guests because it was far less crowded and had a certain vibe with the fancy aesthetics. Jay leaned over to Rhea as they stepped out of the elevator on the 5th floor and whispered, ¡°Umm ¡­ you know I still look like a complete mess ¡­ I haven¡¯t even showered.¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. ¡°Yeah, sorry ¡­ I should have expected something like this with Amira, to be honest; we are still in Viridian City-State, and her grandfather kind of is a big deal here ¡­ Well, all of Kanto.¡± ¡°Wait, for real?¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°The pretty redhead that¡¯s with you?¡± ¡°Nah,¡± Mallory winked, nudging Jay¡¯s side. ¡°You look fine! Own it, and no one will pay you any mind; besides, who¡¯s gonna say something once they see you with Amira?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ if you say so¡­¡± She mumbled, cheeks a little red while noticing the couples following their progress across the fancy open floor. Amira was sitting by the window with a clear view of the square below; another chair seemed to be brought over with a table to make sure they had plenty of room when Rhea told Kaylee they were bringing a guest. Soft music played in the background that matched with the ritzy atmosphere; it was pretty unique, and Rhea hadn¡¯t heard anything like it before. ¡°Hello again, Jay,¡± Amira greeted with a smile, offering her the seat next to her so Rhea and Lori could sit across from them. ¡°Umm, hey¡­¡± Rhea was beginning to have second thoughts about fronting the cost with everything she was seeing on the other patrons¡¯ plates, but Amira swiftly took her concerns away, and a waiter was promptly walking toward them to take their orders, remaining silent until addressed beside the table. ¡°My grandfather is paying for the meal as an apology for not having more time with us when we were in the city. So there¡¯s no need to count credits,¡± she giggled, pointing at the menus. ¡°I¡¯ve already ordered some food for our Pok¨¦mon that they should find very tasty.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Mallory chimed. ¡°Man, it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve eaten at a place like this. Heh, usually my mom¡¯s the one that¡¯s hitting spots like these; my dad¡¯s all about room service at the casinos we go to.¡± Jay was floored by the conversation, turning her gaze to Rhea as if expecting her to go into detail about her experiences with this lifestyle. Rhea promptly shook her head. ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, I¡¯ve mainly cooked for myself growing up; so, I don¡¯t know how any of this stuff goes! My brother kind of sucked at cooking, so that left me to do it,¡± she grinned. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Jay sat her Bounsweet down to join Amber and Holly in their own separate area, Mallory and Rhea doing the same with their Pok¨¦mon. Nova was thrilled to spend more time with Amber while Mya was getting to know Poppy more. They opened the booklet they¡¯d been given, scanning down the listings with everyone else; Amira wore a soft smile while staring down at the crowds below. Jay cleared her throat, brow furrowed as she scanned the dishes. ¡°Umm ¡­ I don¡¯t really know a lot of these Kanto dishes ¡­ or their names.¡± The waiter jumped in. ¡°This restaurant is actually themed after the Almia region¡¯s desert city of Haruba. We carry many of those styles of dishes found within that area. I have a menu with images of items if that would be helpful?¡± ¡°Yes, please!¡± Rhea chuckled, glancing between the strange names. ¡°I will be right back.¡± He took their menus and left into another section of the wide-open room, leaving them to talk. Jay gave Rhea a forced smile. ¡°I¡¯m glad I wasn¡¯t the only one feeling lost.¡± ¡°I¡¯m with you two,¡± Lori grinned. ¡°So, you were talking about Oliva?¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Jay mumbled, drawing Amira¡¯s gaze. ¡°Well, like I said, I don¡¯t really know much about her daughter; Olivia is my Island¡¯s Kahuna, but I¡¯ve only seen her around the city during festivals. I mean, I have a long way to go to complete the Island Challenges,¡± she sighed, vision falling to the fancy tablecloth. Amira shifted her folded hands in her lap, giving Jay a curious look. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of Alola¡¯s unique system ¡­ Kahunas are kind of like our Elite 4, and your Trial Captains are like our Gym Leaders. Correct?¡± ¡°Trial Captains?¡± Lori repeated in confusion. Jay puffed out a long sigh, giving her a forced smile. ¡°I know ¡­ I¡¯ve heard a few people make fun of Alola while I¡¯ve been here in Kanto.¡± Rhea quickly shook her head. ¡°No, no, we¡¯re not making fun of you! I¡¯ve met Professor Kukui; he¡¯s a super-strong Trainer that¡¯s holding down the title of your new Champion position; he¡¯s married to Professor Burnet. Right?¡± She asked, knowing the answer, but wanting to make Jay feel more comfortable. Lori nodded. ¡°Yeah, we just don¡¯t really understand your system. Eh ... they are making a League, I heard, and wasn¡¯t that the man we met at Oak¡¯s thing ¡­ I didn¡¯t know he was a Champion¡­¡± Jay gave her a confused smile. ¡°Wha¡ªChampion? No, no, no!¡± She giggled. ¡°Masked Royal is our current League Champion.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Rhea slowly mumbled, a bit confused. ¡°And that¡¯s Professor Kukui¡¯s whole battle image thing ¡­ Is that supposed to be a secret?¡± She asked, glancing between Amira and Lori; they were just as bewildered as her. ¡°You must be mistaken ¡­ Wait¡­¡± Jay paused as Mallory pulled up photos of Professor Kukui and split the screen to show a picture of Royal Mask, winning a battle. ¡°No¡­¡± Mallory¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°Yeah, after comparing them ¡­ that ripped chest is totally the same!¡± She chuckled. ¡°Wait, no one¡¯s figured that out?!¡± Jay looked floored. ¡°No way ¡­ Professor Kukui is Masked Royal?¡± ¡°It seems you leaked something big,¡± Amira mused, comparing the images on her own phone. ¡°There¡¯s no denying it once you put them side by side. It helps when he has so many public photos without a shirt while wearing the mask and without it.¡± Rhea ran her fingers through her combed back hair with a low groan. ¡°Shoot ¡­ no-ho-ho ¡­ How was I supposed to know it was a secret?! They¡¯re so open about it with my parents.¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°How ¡­ did you¡ªyour parents?¡± She asked, giving Rhea a stunned expression. The four cut their conversation short when the waiter came back with Amira¡¯s food and their menus. Rhea, Jay, and Mallory quickly ordered based on what looked good before dismissing him, and Jay returned to the subject. ¡°So ¡­ your parents are close with Professor Kukui and Burnet?¡± ¡°Probably her mom,¡± Lori hummed. Rhea shook her head with another sigh. ¡°No ¡­ my dad¡¯s buddies with Kukui; they actually went on a few adventures around the world together before he was married to Burnet. They used to joke about some kind of old sport or something they were both into ¡­ I never really paid attention to it.¡± ¡°Old sport ¡­ Pro Wrestling ¡­ Is that not big here?¡± Jay slowly asked. Mallory snickered. ¡°Oh, nope! It¡¯s real small-time here; boxing is bigger than wrestling in Kanto. Wrestling is kind of the big thing in Alola, Oblivia, and Sinnoh.¡± ¡°Sinnoh?¡± Rhea repeated. ¡°Wait ¡­ is that the strange thing Wake does that my aunt¡¯s not into?¡± ¡°Crasher Wake?¡± Jay asked in shock. ¡°You know Crasher Wake, too?! No way ¡­ My parents would pay extra to watch Crasher TV¡¯s specials on the Sinnoh Network when I was a kid.¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°Crasher Wake ¡­ heh, yeah ¡­ he¡¯s a character¡ªa bit too much for me. No, my favorite Sinnoh Gym Leaders are probably Gardenia and Volkner; he¡¯s just so cool,¡± she hummed, thinking back on the times she¡¯d pet his cute Luxray. Amira sipped at her straw, the waiter having already supplied their table with water. ¡°You know this city was named after Gardenia¡¯s great-great-grandmother that founded it?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t say,¡± Mallory replied, taking a sip of her own water. Jay was utterly fixated on Rhea, though. ¡°Seriously ¡­ How do you know so many important people? Umm¡­¡± She glanced at Amira and Mallory. ¡°Know what, never mind¡­ Sorry, I asked,¡± she sighed, clamping her lips around a straw while looking into the water she drew from. Rhea sighed, leaning back to glare at the ceiling. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Jay. I didn¡¯t know it would be this bad keeping my family a secret, but they¡¯re just trying to protect me¡­¡± She thought about Bianca¡¯s exit from the Training community and how horrible it had been. ¡°It¡¯ll get out eventually, but umm ¡­ what about the Kahuna and Trial Captain thing?¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Jay leaned against her chair to follow Rhea¡¯s gaze to the roof, brushing out her messy blonde hair, and a smile touched her lips. ¡°I live near the Lush Jungle, which has Mallow as its Trial Captain. Mallow¡¯s awesome and super strong; she¡¯s a Master and been there since she was seventeen¡ªshe¡¯s nineteen right now.¡± Amira set her glass back down on the table, eyeing a few patrons that were leaving. ¡°Alola didn¡¯t join the United League until the Ultra Wars, and the age restriction wasn¡¯t implemented until the last few years. Is that right?¡± Jay nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ve been with Poppy for a while, but we¡¯ve never really gotten into Training until the notice came out that you could go to Kanto if you qualified, and we did,¡± she smiled. ¡°So, we¡¯re seeing how the whole Kanto Gym Challenge is compared to the Island Challenge. ¡°Mallow was one of the youngest to complete the Island Challenges, shortly after the Ultra War ended.¡± Her smile fell. ¡°Mallow¡¯s mom contracted a disease before the Ultra War, causing her older brother to take on her duties during the event. She became the official Trial Captain when he went on a journey to become a Master Chef ¡­ That¡¯s kind of what our Island Challenge is all about.¡± ¡°Cooking?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°I love cooking! My cousin and I have been trying to make all sorts of stuff recently.¡± Jay turned to her with a grin. ¡°Yeah, well, part of the Island Challenge is to make sure you know how to cook in the wild and what ingredients are good or bad inside the jungle. Mallow helps teach us a lot; she spends so much time with Trainers looking to complete the Challenge.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice,¡± Mallory whispered. ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Jay focused on Holly, her smile brightening. ¡°Mallow has a Comfey, too; he¡¯s so cute. Yours is, too.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Amira gave her Pok¨¦mon a warm look. ¡°I¡¯ve grown attached to her; she¡¯s so helpful and positive all the time.¡± They settled down as the waiter brought back their ordered items, and apparently, this was only the first course, judging by the other patrons and what the booklet showed. Finishing their meals by 9:21 A.M., they parted ways with Jay; Rhea had a lovely time getting to know her new friend, sending her a few texts wishing her luck with the competition. Rhea, Amira, and Mallory went around a few local shops that sold Contest outfits and accessories; Rhea bought a pretty yellow bow to tie at the end of Nova¡¯s tail that she was tickled about. The three of them went out of town to the large nearby lake, using the sandy beach as a training spot to practice their Moves. Rhea was pretty impressed by what Mallory came up with, and she said theirs was good, too, but it felt a bit disjointed to Rhea. Still, it was the best she could come up with since she hadn¡¯t given it much thought beforehand. 3:10 P.M. came around swiftly, and they made their way back to the Contest Hall, reaching the building close to 3:50 with how packed the streets were; they made it into the changing room before the 4 P.M. deadline, though. Aeldee, Lachlan, and Tyler were standing beside the door, all dressed up and looking really pretty; it was a shame they had such horrible attitudes. Rhea kept her distance as Mallory and she made it inside; Amira managed to take one of the VIP room¡¯s seats that her grandmother usually had reserved for when she had the desire to see a Contest. She almost missed the chance to make the reservation before it became free-game. Jay hadn¡¯t gotten there yet, but in five more minutes, she was rushing in with a strained smile. ¡°I¡¯m here! I¡¯m here!¡± She called, and Rhea eyed her outfit with interest. The Alolan girl was wearing a tropical-themed white and light blue shoulderless midriff-cut shirt with a red sarong skirt, displaying a leaf imprint. She rented white heels, and her black halter wrap bikini was shown around her neck. Her white and red-themed sun hat complimented the Alolan-style, and Rhea caught sight of her colorful braided wrist accessories and earrings when smoothing back her brushed-out blonde hair. ¡°Looking cute!¡± Rhea grinned, glancing down at herself. ¡°Heh, and here I am still wearing the same dress I had on this morning.¡± ¡°I like the pale yellow, though; it really fits with your look. Eh ¡­ Well, heh, you¡¯d look good with a trash bag on!¡± She snickered, brown irises moving over her figure. ¡°No¡­¡± Rhea waved her hands, but Mallory was quick to jump on board. ¡°Not wrong, and you should see her without the dress!¡± ¡°Mallory¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, cheeks darkening a little. ¡°You¡¯re the one with the curves.¡± ¡°Bah ¡­ just fat,¡± she mused, pushing up on her left breast with a forced smile. ¡°They get in the way most of the time; no, you¡¯ve got the perfect figure in my book.¡± They all giggled, but it soon died down when they noticed the glares the three other girls were giving them. ¡°Don¡¯t bother with them,¡± Mallory grunted as Jay set Poppy down to greet Nova and Gables. ¡°They¡¯re just spiteful Jinx, looking to tear down anyone they think is worthy competition, or else they¡¯d ignore us,¡± she said with a wide grin while waving at the girls. They grunted, turning back to the doors as a message came on over the speakers, letting them know it was almost time to begin the Contest. Rhea took a deep breath, massaging her shoulders; her stomach was turning, letting her know that the unfamiliar food she¡¯d eaten wasn¡¯t the best choice, but she powered through. It¡¯s only a Rookie Contest ¡­ No big deal. She gave Mallory a thankful smile as she reached over, sliding her hand behind her hair to rub her back. ¡°We¡¯ll do great!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Jay stretched out her arms. ¡°I¡¯m nervous, too ¡­ we don¡¯t have these contests on Alola, and I thought they¡¯d be fun to try out.¡± The three comforted each other as the girls in front of them emotionlessly motioned to follow their lead on stage; after all, they didn¡¯t need the newbies making them look bad. It was time¡­ This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. * * * Nova followed Rhea¡¯s lead, taking a deep breath, Gables patting her shoulder as Mallory did the same for her Trainer. ¡°We¡¯re good! You know how awesome our Moves are.¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll have everyone cheering!¡± Poppy chimed. ¡°Jay and I practiced a little yesterday.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ we only practiced just before coming here,¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°What if they hate me?¡± She asked, tears falling as she caught the leer from their three opponents across the room. Jewlya, the Ralts, shifted her head toward them; Nova had no clue how she could even see behind that thick hair, but she appeared to know exactly where she was going. ¡°Follow us, and don¡¯t do anything until the announcer says you can.¡± Nova smiled, rubbing her tears away, but her stomach still felt queasy. ¡°Thanks. I thought you didn¡¯t like us.¡± Rina, the Smoochum, directed a smirk at her. ¡°She just doesn¡¯t want you to ruin everything for everyone; we¡¯ve seen some Trainers hurt everyone¡¯s chances, and that could be you.¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m going to try my best,¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°I looked at a video with Rhea and everything.¡± ¡°A video?¡± Rina scoffed, nudging the Igglybuff beside her. ¡°They got all their information from an online video.¡± ¡°Sad¡­¡± Whimsy sighed, shaking her head. ¡°Mhm,¡± Gables smiled. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see how some veterans show us how it¡¯s done; don¡¯t trip.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t trip,¡± Jewlya huffed, motioning for them to follow. ¡°You¡¯d better hope we do, though, because you¡¯ll need all the help you can get against us.¡± ¡°Charming,¡± Poppy mumbled. ¡°Too bad the humans can¡¯t see this side of you¡ªmaybe some of the Pok¨¦mon spectators will catch it.¡± Whimsy laughed. ¡°It¡¯s not about the attitude, but the performance on stage. If you can¡¯t handle it, then go do your boring normal battles.¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t been in a battle with me, sweetie,¡± Gables winked, ¡°but you¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure,¡± she scoffed. They made their way out onto the stage; it was the first time Nova had seen it, and judging by Rhea¡¯s reaction, she was regretting not scouting it out sooner. The six contestants were met with screams that made Nova¡¯s ears fall back, trying to dampen the sound, but she wanted to keep herself looking confident with Mya in her head and the example of the three Pok¨¦mon ahead of her soaking in the crowd¡¯s noise. 8,000 people were seated around the massive auditorium, screens showing every move they made at various angles. Nova¡¯s heart was pumping frantically, and she caught the Ralts¡¯ slight smirk while glancing back at her. ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready for front row seats to what real Contests are like.¡± A lump dropped down Nova¡¯s throat, body feeling warm and fuzzy with the cheers. They all want me to show how cute I am. I am cute¡­ ¡°You¡¯re super cute!¡± Rhea chimed, but her Trainer couldn¡¯t hide her own nervousness, which meant Nova had to be strong. ¡°Knock ¡®em dead!¡± Mya roared. ¡°Take them out with one Move, and they¡¯ve got nothing to show for it; easy as one Sucker Punch!¡± It¡¯s not like that, Mya, Nova mumbled, smiling while turning in a circle to view all the people; the announcer soon started speaking, silencing Mya¡¯s response. The man¡¯s voice was similar to the men that announced Mya¡¯s match against Lucian, Jason, and Len, deep, booming, and smooth. ¡°Ladies and Gentlemen, I welcome you to this week¡¯s Hyper Star Battle Style Contest! We have some famous people in the line-up tonight, including the older brother of one of our Beginning Acts. ¡°Among our main contestants, we have Mitch Omasalor, winner of four consecutive Super Contests within the Cool-Style, now moving onto the Star Stage! ¡°He has competition tonight because Roman Patel is in the line-up, having won his first Star Contest last month! Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a show for you! ¡°Now, let¡¯s get into our Rookie Star Battle Style Contest to have a sneak peek at the upcoming stars because that¡¯s what we have tonight, folks! ¡°Leading her team, Aeldee Omasalor¡ªyou heard it right, Mitch Omasalor¡¯s youngest sister is making her first appearance in Gardenia City, but she¡¯s no Rookie! Aeldee and her partner Jewlya have been rocking Rookie Contests throughout Johto and Kanto over the past season, and they¡¯ve got fans in the stands tonight!¡± Nova caught at least a hundred people screaming their names around them as the pair stepped forward to wave; the two had bright smiles that she hadn¡¯t seen before, which brightened their countenance significantly. You couldn¡¯t tell the attitude they showed to Nova just by looking at them; Nova was just sad they didn¡¯t want to be her friend. ¡°Her teammates have shown tremendous skills that highlight just how talented and practiced these girls are! We have Lachlan Lowe with Rina, her Smoochum, and Tyler Barron with Whimsy, her Igglybuff. Give it up for these rising stars!¡± The throng complied as they joined their teammate, 8,000 people cheering for the girls to dazzle them. ¡°Next, we have some surprise entries; Unova¡¯s Starter Award participant, the Dark Queen and King¡¯s daughter, younger sister to Unova¡¯s youngest Elite 4 member, Mallory Medina!¡± The crowd exploded with sound at the news; Mallory stepped forward with a presence made for the spotlight. ¡°Heh, I don¡¯t think you need a reminder after her sister, Cassy Brooks, entered the limelight; Mallory may be less known here, but in Unova, she¡¯s renowned for pumping up parties¡ªso let¡¯s see what she can pull out of her bag of tricks for us tonight!¡± Jewlya, Rina, and Whimsy were giving Mallory and Gables charming smiles, but Nova was sure they were cursing them. Gables leaned back to see them from Mallory¡¯s shoulder, giving the three a wink and thumbs up. ¡°Good luck!¡± ¡°Heh ¡­ we won¡¯t need it¡­¡± Jewlya mumbled. ¡°Look at that sportsmanship and charm from Mallory¡¯s Froakie!¡± The announcer cried with laughter. ¡°He¡¯s probably got all the female Pok¨¦mon faint with that glow; all-natural, I¡¯m told, folks! ¡°Next, we have the nameless Starter Award mystery participant that has the news in a storm, Rhea, and her unique, black and white Eevee, Nova! We¡¯re expecting great things out of these Trainers. ¡°Our final contestant comes all the way from Alola, taking her first steps on Kanto soil and already jumping into the Contest scene, Jayline Alana, and her Bounsweet, Poppy! ¡°Let¡¯s jump right into it! Aeldee Omasalor and Jewlya will start us off with a stirring performance, utilizing a song from Johto¡¯s underground artists, SWRV Sounds! Heh, let¡¯s see how our Ralts uses this combination!¡± The lights dimmed, blanketing them in darkness as a light blue spotlight centered ahead of them on the stage. Jewlya elegantly moved forward with a small smile. ¡°Watch how it¡¯s done, girls.¡± Nova was a little distracted by Rhea¡¯s sudden spike in dread. ¡°Music? The video didn¡¯t say anything about Rookie Contests having music! That¡¯s supposed to start at the Normal Contests!¡± Is ¡­ that bad? Nova asked, but the spectacle before Nova told her everything she needed to know, comparing Jewlya¡¯s performance to what they¡¯d practiced. The crowd¡¯s noise died down as soft music began to play. In the faint light, with all eyes on the small Pok¨¦mon, she swayed to the tempo. Nova watched her smooth movements, using her dress-like gown in her steps. A white glow illuminated her form, causing a second Ralts to appear, and then another, all following slow, set motions that complimented each other. Nova didn¡¯t know what she was doing, but it stilled her racing heart, watching the Pok¨¦mon move forward and back, around each other¡ªnever touching. They glided to the edges, pairs spinning off into the darkness before changing dance partners, the two clones vanishing until nine became four, one sitting in the center, watching the couples slowly fade. The last one left its partner, spinning into the darkness to meet with Jewlya in the center¡ªyet before they touched, it dispersed, leaving her alone. Her head lowered with the sound of the music, falling to her knees, and then she faded, too, leaving the spotlight empty. Nova¡¯s mouth dropped open; she hadn¡¯t even seen Jewlya swap places or leave the darkness, but when she glanced toward her Trainer, there the Ralts was. The crowd clapped slowly as the blue light closed in, moving to brighten the pair; they curtsied to the reaction, returning to the lineup. The performance had calmed the rowdiness of the spectators. Nova was stunned how much control the pair had, manipulating the people¡¯s emotion, and hadn¡¯t expected this kind of reaction, but she admired it. Even if they were mean to her, she couldn¡¯t deny that it made her feel very different compared to what she and Rhea had practiced. The announcer¡¯s smooth voice returned, softer and thoughtful. ¡°An excellent performance, Aeldee, and Jewlya ¡­ Utilizing Double Team while mixing it with the tempo of the music ¡­ Dancing with one¡¯s self is a deep, artistic expression of inner turmoil and emotion. Well executed, girls.¡± Nova leaned over to Gables beside her, whispering, ¡°We didn¡¯t do anything like that¡­¡± He released a short sigh, but there was a smile that admitted he was impressed. ¡°No, we didn¡¯t, but that¡¯s fine. Lori¡¯s saying we should take this opportunity to learn and improve our next performance¡ªthey may be a bit uppity, but it looks like they¡¯ve earned their confidence. Can¡¯t deny that.¡± Nova stared at the floor as highlights of the dance played overhead; the spectators¡¯ energy had quelled significantly. ¡°No, we always win!¡± Mya huffed. ¡°Just do better than them.¡± How, Nova mumbled. How would you do it? ¡°I don¡¯t know ¡­ I don¡¯t do this stuff.¡± Yeah, but ¡­ We''ve only done this one thing. ¡°Gah ¡­ she¡¯s just moving around; it¡¯s not hard.¡± Rhea sounded a bit defeated, too. ¡°It¡¯s not easy, Mya. We can¡¯t just wing this part; it¡¯s a performance, which takes imagination, practice, and preparation. Lori¡¯s right; we just need to watch and learn because I didn¡¯t expect to hit a competition like this for a long time. Sorry, Nova.¡± Nova thought she should feel upset, but after watching Jewlya¡ªshe couldn¡¯t be. Her ears fell, knowing she was inferior. No matter how agitated Mya was, Nova couldn¡¯t deny it. She was cute, without a doubt, but in this Contest, it wasn¡¯t good enough to just be pretty. She and Rhea needed to work harder, but that didn¡¯t mean they¡¯d give up. She may not like the Ralts¡¯ attitude, but she wasn¡¯t wrong¡ªit was about the performance on stage, and the next one set the feeling in her heart; they were not ready for this at all. ¡°Lachlan Lowe will now follow with Rina, using a track from Rude¡ªEternal Youth.¡± The Smoochum walked forward, lights dimming again around the small pink, cream, and blonde Pok¨¦mon; she seemed to be checking the large auditorium¡¯s air current before getting into position. Music began to play as she looked up, took a deep breath, and sent a blast of cold wind into the sky that frosted into flakes. A powder-like white substance gently fell back onto Rina with the instruments gentle, slow start; each break of the tempo caused her to make a movement, body shimmering white to reveal a single copy of herself, just like Jewlya. Nova¡¯s throat went dry, and she didn¡¯t know why she shivered as the music picked up with their mirrored movements; again, never touching, but getting closer with every beat that hit, then pulling away dramatically. Occasionally, they sent more flurries of powder into the sky, allowing it to drift back around them, coating the floor with a fine layer of white, but only one set of footprints could be seen disturbing the snow that sparkled in the overhead light, highlighting the swaying Pok¨¦mon. The music died down with the clone fading away, leaving Rina reaching out to the lost double, longing for more before dropping to her knees, moving the powder with her hands as the lights faded. Nova couldn¡¯t hear much as the audience pondered the display, following Jewlya¡¯s performance; it made her think that Rina had lost something precious. It was even more expressive than the last one as if it was only to build up Rina¡¯s. ¡°What a dualistic layering to your performances,¡± the announcer noted in a somber tone. ¡°To be able to utilize the previous contestant¡¯s Move with Copycat, bringing Double Team into the snow. Powder Snow was a wonderful tone-setter. I can tell you practice often with your teammates because one act bleeds into the next; to illustrate the loss of someone dear to your heart and the longing that accompanies it is a compelling story you¡¯ve shown us.¡± Again highlights of the performance replayed above them, drawing the crowd¡¯s attention; there were even a few humans crying in the stands, showing how much it had touched them. Rhea was half wondering if they¡¯d entered a Drama Style Contest because these sorts of portrayals were usually saved for those types of competitions but reasoned that this was simply a showcase of their skills, which could be anything, including this. Nova was starstruck with the entire production, and after watching them in action, felt that the three were actually very strong, too¡ªthey were likely even stronger than Tera. A crew of Pidgey swiftly swooped in with everyone distracted, blowing the snow off the platform with Gusts, sending it into some kind of retractable container that opened up on the stage. The darkness would blind it from most of the viewers. Once clean, the announcer had Whimsy come forward, and Nova was eager to see what she would do. When the music started, she was a little taken aback by the cadence¡ªit was bright and cheery. The Igglybuff hopped across the stage with a bright smile, glowing white while spraying a significant stream of snow into the air, the color swapping to purple soon after to bring it all crashing down on top of her in a clump, outlining her, as the tempo slowed. She poked her head out with a smile, rhythm picking back up and causing chuckles from the audience. Shaking it out, Whimsy jumped forward, laughing while rolling around in the powder; she made two more leaps until Nova noticed what she was doing, creating a smiley face in the snow. Once finished, she jumped up in the air with a bright cheer. ¡°Tada!¡± The announcer laughed. ¡°Clever girl, using Copycat to get Powder Snow before Gravity brought it tumbling down on your head to create a happy face with it. An excellent way to end the theme your teammates set and bring us to a more positive light.¡± ¡°Yeah, Nova ¡­ We shouldn¡¯t expect a high score after those three did their thing; we¡¯ll work on our own performance after this¡ªwe¡¯ll do even better.¡± I¡¯d like that, Nova chirped, feeling happy they entered, even if they wouldn¡¯t win this stage. We still have a secret weapon for the big part after this! ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Mya cheered. ¡°You¡¯ll knock them out, too!¡± That¡¯s the plan. ¡°We do have a good finale,¡± Rhea agreed. ¡°We aren¡¯t out of the Contest yet.¡± Jay was called next. ¡°You can do it!¡± Nova chimed as Poppy jumped forward. ¡°Thanks,¡± she replied, spinning in a circle. ¡°Kanto Contests look pretty fun.¡± Jay leaned over to Rhea with a forced smile. ¡°Wish us luck¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll all need it,¡± she mumbled back. There was no music this time; the Bounsweet shimmered white, causing green, pink, and yellow notes to dance around her petals that slowly fanned out while she cheerfully hopped around. The two leaves on her head began to glow, turning bright blue, and Poppy danced across the spotlight, throwing tiny droplets of water into the air, flying off with each wave of her leaves. Once making it to the center of everything, she spun in a sharp circle, causing a strong gust of wind to explode around her that made the notes and water burst into sparkling lights that rained across the entire stage, blanketing it in bright rays of color. She got some claps from it, but Nova thought people were just being nice. ¡°Not bad, Play Nice mixed with Splash, then you sent the scattered energy across the landscape with Rapid Spin in a mist of shimmering colors. Nicely executed.¡± Nova¡¯s mouth was open again as she looked around in wonder. ¡°It¡¯s so pretty, Poppy¡­¡± Next up was Mallory, and Gables did what Nova had watched them practice, blowing out a stream of bubbles before jumping off them to rise into the air; each one popped the moment he leaped to the next, causing sparkles of blue energy to fall below. Each hop, he made a different acrobatic twist, and at the end, he landed, blowing a bubble with a peace symbol held to the crowd. He got chuckles and mild claps from his performance, and Nova couldn¡¯t blame them for not being super impressed; still, it was cool that he could use his bubbles as a launchpad. ¡°Bubble shenanigans; I like it! Gables has some smooth movements, too. I can¡¯t wait to see how he does in the Battle Stage. Finally, we have our last Rookie Contestant, Rhea, and Nova! Let¡¯s see what our salt and pepper Eevee has to offer us to end the showcase.¡± Nova took a deep, calming breath, tail flicking to the left; she caught sight of her yellow bow with a small smile. I love you, Rhea; I¡¯m gonna do my best. ¡°You got this!¡± Rhea cheered. Taking the stage, Nova noticed Jewlya, Rina, and Whimsy¡¯s smug smiles, knowing there wasn¡¯t anything they could do to top them, and Nova couldn¡¯t argue with it, but she¡¯d do exactly what they¡¯d practiced. The Combat Phase was where they¡¯d really show them. With the light on her, Nova gave the crowd a happy chirp. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Nova! Here we go!¡± She pulled out Rhea¡¯s energy, preparing her small show. A green orb of light grew between her stiff ears as she concentrated; once it reached the size of a human hand, she nudged her head up, sending it flying into the heavens for it to come back down. Her fur shimmered white, stars blinking into existence around her, and as the green orb returned to her, shooting stars blazed over her head, and her body filled with energy. A purple aura mixed with the green and white, coating her body as she activated her final Move, purposefully made unstable. The crowd followed the small pillar of purple light that shot into the sky before erupting into dazzling rays that fell across the stage in all directions. That was it. Nova stood in place, tail wagging as she smiled at the clapping humans; they liked her act, too. Naturally, she didn¡¯t get the same reaction as the others, but this was acceptable. Still, it hurt feeling like she¡¯d given the worst performance. ¡°Hmm ¡­ interesting combination, using Growth to add a bit of flair to the beginning, then following it up with Wish to draw in the magical effect of the stars before throwing an unstable Stored Power into the air, purposefully, to make it shower sheens of purple light across the stage. It¡¯s an impressive feat, using a Move¡¯s instability for a visual display¡ªnot something normally seen, even in Super Contests.¡± In truth, she¡¯d learned it from her aunt, and when the lights turned to her and Nova, they waved with smiles at the slow claps she received; it was more commending the skill in the act than the show itself, which she could accept. ¡°Alright, folks, send your hearts to the contestant that stole it!¡± 8,000 participants made their bit, causing bright pink holographic hearts to explode out of the stands, going to each of them; 10% of these votes would be added to their final score, rounded to the nearest decimal point. The judges would vote at the end of the Battle Phase. Nova smiled at the hearts that popped above her head, increasing the number; the other three were like a hurricane of pink, swirling above them. Jewlya - 2,342 = 232 Rina - 2,956 = 296 Whimsy - 1465 = 147 Poppy - 372 = 37 Gables - 454 = 45 Nova - 411 = 41 We got 411 votes, Rhea! People love us! ¡°Right! You did so well!¡± Rhea chimed, reaching down to pick up Nova and snuggle against her forehead. ¡°We¡¯ll do even better next time!¡± Yeah! Mya was silent through the exchange, but Nova could tell she was annoyed they¡¯d basically come in last place. Poppy and Jay didn¡¯t seem too bent out of shape from it, though, soaking in the crowd¡¯s excitement. Nova¡¯s fur stiffened against Rhea¡¯s arm as the announcer roared. ¡°Give it up for our first dazzling match, Rhea and Nova Vs. Aeldee Omasalor and Jewlya! If the other contestants can move to the side of the stage, behind the protective barriers.¡± The crowd clearly favored Aeldee by the number of times Nova heard the girl¡¯s name shouted with her Pok¨¦mon. It¡¯s too soon! Can¡¯t we rest? ¡°Guess not,¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. Something else snatched Nova¡¯s attention, though; she heard Amira calling her name. ¡°You¡¯ve got this, Nova; show them how cute and powerful you are!¡± Amber followed up with Holly. ¡°Give it your best, Nova.¡± ¡°I know you can do it!¡± Her heart filled with warmth; she had people cheering for her; even if almost everyone in the stadium wanted to see her lose, there were friends in her corner. We gotta win! Nova sniffed back her tears, pawing Rhea¡¯s arm to let her know she needed to get down. I¡¯m gonna do my best! ¡°Just make them run away by roaring at them,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s not hard; they¡¯re weak.¡± Oh, be quiet and just cheer for me, Nova grumbled. I cheer you on. ¡°No ¡­ you yell at me.¡± Only when you¡¯re pulling too much energy from Rhea ¡­ And you don¡¯t hear me anyway¡­ ¡°Guys,¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°No fighting; we need to be a team!¡± ¡°Sorry ¡­ I just ¡­ We aren¡¯t supposed to lose,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°... Ever.¡± ¡°Mya ¡­ No, we need to be focused. You ready, Nova?¡± Yeah! She huffed, glaring at the Ralts as she shot her a smug grin, eyes looking at the number of hearts she received. I¡¯m gonna show her the big move we practiced! ¡°If she doesn¡¯t get a mud attack off on you and make you faint,¡± Mya snickered. No! Stop teasing me! I ¡­ I really don¡¯t like mud ¡­ She doesn¡¯t have mud attacks. Right, Rhea? ¡°Mud?¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Uh ¡­ no. I don¡¯t think so, but ¡­ you know, you have a mud attack.¡± Nova¡¯s eyes widened with sudden realization. I do! He-he-he-he ¡­ I have a mud attack. Steeling herself as Rhea put her down, she raced into the middle of the field, catching Rhea go behind the Trainer barrier a decent ways away to not get hurt by any of their Moves. ¡°Are you ready to get dirty?¡± Nova asked, giving the Ralts a wicked smile. She huffed in response. ¡°... Unlikely.¡± The announcer shouted. ¡°Are the contestants ready? ¡­ Alright, let¡¯s see the star in you, girls, and¡­ Here. We. Go. Match Start!¡± B1 — 33. A Learning Experience 5:24 P.M. June 18, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The start of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. 3rd day of the Round Robin Summer Indigo Cup. Four days after Ho-Oh¡¯s Viridian appearance, healing everyone. Hyper Contest happening after Rhea and the girls¡¯ opening act. Nova darted to the left as purplish energy surrounded Jewlya; using Detect, she sensed the places Ralts would next attack. Powerful Psychic bolts flew from around the Ralts¡¯ aura, yet not one touched her. A giggle slid through Nova¡¯s throat as she maneuvered around waves that arced from Jewlya; dodging them was effortless. This is in the bag, Rhea! The crowd cheers filled Nova¡¯s breast as she dashed between the strikes, finding an opening to get within range of the tiny creature. Nova did a flip in the air, doing an aerial spin between two darts of energy, directing her gathered force at the ground with a wicked smirk. Her glowing brown paws touched the earth, causing a small section of the stage floor to illuminate with the same hue before small, wet mud clumps were sent spraying toward the surprised Ralts. Nova swiveled to see the damage and look of disgust on her opponent¡¯s face, only to be met by five Jewlya, and all of them were mud-free. Her expression was a little different than what she¡¯d expected, too. ¡°Wha ¡­ How¡¯d you dodge that?!¡± The Ralts¡¯ glaring red eyes could be seen ever so slightly from behind her thick green bangs, causing Nova to jump left, predicting another attack, but the green-haired Pok¨¦mon only gave her a dirty look. Boos were heard across the stadium. Jewlya¡¯s tone became snooty as she folded her arms across her chest, tilting her head to the audience. ¡°This is a Contest, Nova, not a mud brawl, and I suspect you had no other thought than simply making me dirty¡ªnot creating beauty, but degrading it.¡± Nova¡¯s ears fell back, Rhea confirming her opponent¡¯s chiding remarks. ¡°Shoot ¡­ Umm, Nova, I think that was the wrong play. We need to make something dazzling.¡± ¡°... Sorry,¡± Nova mumbled. Her opponent just shook her head with a sad puff of air. ¡°This is why I hate Rookie Contests,¡± she grumbled. Nova caught her shimmering white eyes as Jewlya tilted her head again. Cautiously darting back, she felt the Ralt¡¯s intense stare following her every movement. ¡°It will be over soon,¡± she mumbled. ¡°I hoped to make this more flashy, but you¡¯re too new for this kind of scene to provide a good show.¡± Nova¡¯s nose creased with Mya screaming in her head. ¡°Forgot about all those people; just win! Take her out!¡± Rhea was more helpful. ¡°She just used Trace, Nova! She¡¯s copied one of your abilities; she has Run Away or Adaptability!¡± A small smile lifted Jewlya¡¯s lips. ¡°Huh¡ªyou really do have two abilities; well, this is going to be interesting¡ªwhich should I use first?¡± Nova dashed forward, black energy gathered around her mouth to form four fangs as she jumped at the small Pok¨¦mon, but she had targeted one of her illusions, taking a bit out of the concrete and sending fragments flying across the area. She went after another one, just trying to keep momentum as Rhea looked some things up, but somehow Jewlya sidestepped every attack with an elegant twist to her movements. Nova followed Jewlya across the stage with the commentator¡¯s words following them, but she was too focused to pay them any mind; it was becoming more and more apparent that the Ralts wasn¡¯t just faster than her, but it was like she could predict what she¡¯d do. A red glow illuminated Nova¡¯s back feet as she pursued the last clone, but Jewlya was so slippery, performing odd, flexible maneuvers to get to her sides or above her, and every time, the Ralts¡¯ soft hand slid across Nova¡¯s fur. It was infuriating! ¡°Hmm¡ªyou really do have nice hair,¡± Jewlya whispered, ¡°and a lot of Moves, but you¡¯re just throwing them around, hoping to hit me, which isn¡¯t going to happen. Heh, I was expecting a lot more from you from what Aeldee said.¡± ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Mya moaned; Nova¡¯s Double Kick dispersed as it failed to land. ¡°Everyone¡¯s laughing at you!¡± I¡¯m trying! Nova cried. She¡¯s too wiggly! ¡°Nova, try this¡­¡± Following Rhea¡¯s advice on instinct, Nova ran straight for the Ralts, building up energy for a Tail Whip since the Ralts was far stronger than her by raw Stats. Jewlya shot out more bolts of purple energy, but these were far larger than the previous one, now enhanced by Adaptability; there were no more doubles. Just as planned, Nova dropped the attack and used Protect, instantly creating a bluish shell that absorbed every hit; she was going to use it to smash into Jewlya. A slight glimpse of Jewlya¡¯s amused red eyes peeked out beneath her green hair as she performed a graceful twist, sidestepping her yet again, but this was just what Rhea had planned for. Warmth bloomed in Nova¡¯s heart as she remembered all the good moments¡¯ Rhea and she shared over the week, cuddling next to her Trainer¡¯s legs in her sleeping bag, being held in her arms, and learning the human written language to understand her texts. A significant amount of Rhea¡¯s energy filled her, and a bright golden radiance exploded across the stage as Nova jumped into the sky, strength filling every fiber of her body. Cycling beams of orange and yellow orbited her shimmering aura as Nova literally flew through the air, speed dramatically increased. Jewlya was far too slow to avoid an attack like this; her movements were laughable. ¡°Let¡¯s see you dodge this!¡± She laughed. ¡°You¡¯ve got her!¡± Rhea and Mya cheered, and the crowd had quieted down to see the flashy Move. Just before Nova struck, a bluish shell surrounded Jewlya¡¯s body, causing Rhea and Nova¡¯s heart to plummet; of course, she¡¯d have Protect. Nova slammed into the barrier, pushing as hard as she could, but the smiling Ralts just shook her head and hand at her, saying, ¡°No, no, no¡­¡± An explosion detonated from the point of contact, sending a shower of energy around a five-foot area and cracking the concrete base of the stage as Nova shot back, flipping in the air to land on her feet. Did I do it? Did I break past it? It was so strong¡­ Nova¡¯s hope failed her. In shock, she saw red glowing eyes through the haze; Jewlya was giggling to herself, shadowy-like wisps coating her outstretched hand as she broke through the dust, casually closing the distance. ¡°Did you actually think I didn¡¯t have Protect?¡± She asked. ¡°Detect! Detect!¡± Rhea shouted, but it was too late, the black force solidified around Jewlya¡¯s frame, and Nova was locked in place, unable to even speak. R-Rhea! I-I can¡¯t move! Nova cried. ¡°It¡¯s Disable; it will only last a second, but we can¡¯t use Veevee Volley again!¡± ¡°You couldn¡¯t beat me if you had weeks to prepare,¡± Jewlya lilted, walking up to run her left hand down Nova¡¯s face, which was already tearing up. ¡°How sad¡ªand don¡¯t think for a moment you would have won against Rina or Whimsy; you¡¯re talented, sure, but your tactics and grace are atrocious.¡± Disable faded, and Nova swiftly pulled in energy to bite her, but as Jewlya¡¯s eyes turned purple, her consciousness faded. ¡°Just close your eyes¡ªthere ¡­ Go to sleep; it¡¯ll all be over soon.¡± Nova¡¯s mind drifted; sounds, tastes, and the entire world around her blurred into one hazy mess. Rhea¡¯s concerned voice faded into oblivion, and when the fog cleared, all she could feel was pain. It was like what Tera described; she¡¯d never experienced anything like this before, though. R-Rhea? Nova mumbled, eyes cracking open to see herself in darkness ¡­ Jewlya and Aeldee were standing in the center of the stage, bright lights on him with the roar of the audience filtering back into Nova¡¯s fuzzy brain. W-What happened¡­ Rhea¡¯s sad explanation was numb to Nova¡¯s mind as she watched the match highlights on one of the giant screens above, the announcer commentating. Her Veevee Volley was shown first. ¡°... Even though Nova had a rough start with that out-of-place Mud-Slap, she managed to come back with a dazzling show of an attack that I¡¯ve never seen before, and that¡¯s saying something! It was devastating! However, Jewlya easily defended against the glamorous Move with Protect and swiftly took complete control over the Contest!¡± Nova could hardly believe what she was watching; the last thing she remembered was the Jewlya¡¯s shining red eyes, mixed with purple¡ªbut the more the recording played, the more pain she felt in her heart with Mya¡¯s harsh words. ¡°In spectacular fashion, like the heroes of legends, Nova exploded with unknown power, hurdling toward her opponent, but¡ªat the last second, when everyone thought it was the end of Jewlya, she created a protective barrier to defend against the attack, and Nova couldn¡¯t power through! ¡°This is no happy ending, folks, but the showmanship of a villainess as she slowly emerges from within the midst of the heroine¡¯s legendary attack, unscathed, and locks her into a vice, disabling her most powerful Move, but she doesn¡¯t stop there¡­¡± Nova¡¯s long ears were pulled back in confused horror as she laid on her side in misery, forced to watch herself stiffen on video and bow to Jewlya, eyes mirroring the Ralts¡¯ light purple glow. ¡°Our heroine¡¯s mind is bought under the spell of her most fearsome adversary before performing a dramatic circular waltz, splitting into several visual clones and sending waves of musical notes at our heroine until she is left battered and defeated ¡­ Jewlya, the villain in this act, blowing her a kiss before walking away, victorious!¡± R-Rhea¡­ Nova mumbled, tears leaking out of her eyes as she watched the highlight play again. I ¡­ I don¡¯t remember¡­ ¡°You lost¡­¡± Mya mumbled in agitation. ¡°I just ¡­ we had to watch you get totally owned¡­¡± I don¡¯t remember! Nova cried. I don¡¯t ¡­ I just ¡­ she looked at me, and then ¡­ then I ¡­ I was in pain¡­ The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Nova, it¡¯s alright!¡± Rhea hurried to her fallen form as the barriers fell, lifting Nova into her arms. Mya huffed. ¡°Alright? We lost ¡­ it¡¯s not alright. We¡¯re not losers ¡­ Well, I guess Nova is now.¡± ¡°Stop being mean!¡± Rhea chided. ¡°Nova really tried; we were just really out of our league¡ªAeldee¡¯s Battle Rank is 1072 ¡­ We¡¯re 616, and she¡¯s Bronze Six with five badges, one Encrusted! She is really, really strong¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, but she didn¡¯t look that strong,¡± Mya huffed. ¡°I could have taken her.¡± Nova was curled up in Rhea¡¯s arms, listening as she cried. I¡¯m s-sorry, Rhea ¡­ I ¡­ I really am¡­ She cut off as Rhea touched a sore spot; Jewlya¡¯s attacks had blown right through her defensive matrix and even hurt her a bit past the second. Rhea sighed, walking to an exit area that would take them to a place below the stage to have Nova treated; Jewlya was stealing the spotlight anyways, and the girl only had good things to say about Nova and her¡ªof course, Rhea expected it was all show, and Nova agreed. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± It ¡­ I¡¯m fine, Nova mumbled, sniffing back her tears while trying to be strong. I just want you to hold me¡­ Rhea¡¯s arms tightened around her, and even if it hurt, it helped comfort her tender heart. She caught Gables giving her a concerned look with Mallory; they¡¯d just searched their own opponent because they were next, and it was probably just as bad as Rhea explained to them. They were up against Rina, the Smoochum. The votes were cast without them, but that was the furthest thing from Rhea and Nova¡¯s mind. Rhea was worried about her. On the other hand, Nova was stuck on another angle; she¡¯d lost, Mya wasn¡¯t wrong, they were supposed to win, they were the best, and yet she lost. Nova passively watched the bright hallway walls pass under the stage as Rhea took her for treatment; her loving Trainer made every excuse for her that she could think of. ¡°... We can¡¯t actually get challenged from people at their level out in the world; it was only allowed because of the Contest Rules, and it won¡¯t affect our Battle Rank since it¡¯s not an official League match. It was just good practice! We know that we need to work on a lot of stuff, which is good; you make mistakes to learn how to not make them again.¡± Mya released a low hum. ¡°Better to not make the mistakes at all and just win.¡± Nova didn¡¯t want to make things worse by bringing up that Mya may have won, but Rhea was hospitalized, and they were almost taken away from her because of it. ¡°Yeah, but we can¡¯t beat everyone¡­¡± Rhea mumbled after interpreting Mya¡¯s rebuttal. ¡°Why not? No one can beat me, and Nova¡¯s supposed to be like me¡ªso, no one should be able to beat her.¡± ¡°Could you beat Franky?¡± Rhea was getting a little frustrated by her tone. ¡°Uh ¡­ no,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°Zelri?¡± ¡°Not yet¡­¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Rhea sighed, swapping her attention back to Nova as they got to the hired nurse, and Mya continued to sulk. ¡°She¡¯s just going to help you for a minute, and then we can go over it!¡± Okay¡­ Nova let Rhea return her to her pokeball; the device the person put it into filled Nova with strength, but her mind was in an entirely different place than Mya or Rhea¡¯s. She wasn¡¯t stupid. Purrfection and Giovanni¡¯s concerns flashed across her brain, and what Rhea said might be well and true, but¡ªshe was supposed to be ranked even higher than Jewlya¡ªshe was supposed to fight even stronger Pok¨¦mon and win. Jewlya hadn¡¯t even been taking their fight seriously; this was a Contest, meant to show how good of a performance you could give, and not an actual Battle Match. The Ralts played with her the entire time; it was like watching Mya fighting Sunny and the others¡ªnot close to a challenge. She wasn¡¯t even able to evolve because Jewlya took control of her mind. ¡­ Rhea. Nova whispered, still healing inside her pokeball. Rhea and Mya paused their agitated back and forth. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± ¡­ I think I need to learn how to fight better. I¡¯m strong¡ªeven Jewlya said that¡ªbut, umm ¡­ I need to figure out what to do in a fight. Mya¡¯s snort told her that she thought her reasoning was stupid, but Nova ignored her; Mya would always think of herself as the strongest¡ªthat was just Mya. Nova had discovered that strength wasn¡¯t everything, and watching the replay of herself getting utterly beaten while oblivious to the fact forced that fact to sink in. She knew she wasn¡¯t weak¡ªshe just had a lot to learn. Through her connection to Rhea, Nova heard the crowd roar with excitement as Mallory¡¯s battle started. It soon faded back into the back of Nova¡¯s mind. Mya was still stubbornly refusing to think that anyone could defeat her and that Nova had a lot to work on. Nova wasn¡¯t particularly upset with Mya since she knew where she was coming from and knew her buddy wasn¡¯t doing it to hurt her; in fact, this was Mya¡¯s way of trying to help her¡ªodd as that may seem, but the connection she had to the Mawile told her that much. Another issue was that after seeing how elegant and practiced Jewlya was¡ªno, her teammates, too¡ªNova couldn¡¯t deny that she deserved to lose that match. Rhea¡¯s argument with Mya soon became tainted with worry. It suddenly struck their Trainer how terrible their exit looked to the audience; most people would say they¡¯d run away. Mya didn¡¯t think so since she doesn¡¯t run away, so whoever thought that would be stupid and wrong, but Mya missed many things when it came to Rhea; it wasn¡¯t really her fault, though¡ªat least, Nova didn¡¯t think so. She just had a different way of thinking about stuff. It only took a few minutes for Nova to be fully recovered, and by that time, the victor was crowned for Mallory¡¯s match¡ªshe lost. The pair stayed on stage to receive their short applause and hearts before coming downstairs to join them. It was Poppy versus Whimsy next. Nova exited her pokeball, Mya already sitting on one of the waiting room couches across from Rhea, now wondering if she actually could beat Lyra¡¯s beyond god-like Porygon-Z. Give it up, Rhea, Nova groaned, hopping onto her Trainer¡¯s lap. Mya won¡¯t believe us until she has her first loss. ¡°Nope! Never gonna happen!¡± Mya grinned. ¡°I¡¯m better than everyone we¡¯ve seen; you saw what Rhea and I did to that Nidorino! She doubts us too much. Watch, the next match I¡¯m in, I¡¯m going to crush them!¡± Rhea straightened her dress to give Nova space to get onto her lap. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, guys ¡­ We can¡¯t take this loss too seriously. Yes, it was embarrassing, but it¡¯s fine! Those girls and their Pok¨¦mon are way above where we¡¯re at; we should learn from them.¡± ¡°Heh, even their attitudes?¡± Mya asked with a slight smirk. Rhea¡¯s eyebrow lifted while petting Nova. ¡°If you¡¯re saying what I think you¡¯re saying, then you can¡¯t talk when it comes to battles; you trash talk anyone who¡¯s your opponent.¡± ¡°¡®Cause I¡¯m better,¡± Mya shrugged, her large second mouth shifting to follow Mallory and Gables as they came in. ¡°Yo, Gables¡ªWhat happened, man?¡± His left arm was frozen, but he was wearing a pained smile; Nova could sense his defensive matrix had been obliterated. The shiny Froakie shook his head with a low sigh. ¡°That girl¡¯s a terror; she knew like every Move I had ¡­ between Confusion, Copycat¡ªyeah, she stole my camo, girl! I mean, really?! Then the Lick¡­¡± He shuddered, ¡°And blanketing everything with snow¡ªyeah, I ain¡¯t gonna lie¡ªI saw six hands all up slappin¡¯ my face at the end!¡± ¡°Weak,¡± Mya moaned. Nova returned Gables¡¯s pained grin. ¡°No, I get it, Gables¡ªThey¡¯re so much tougher than anyone we¡¯ve fought¡ªeven Alaric, that Glameow I beat.¡± ¡°Is what it is,¡± Gables shrugged, glaring down at his frozen hand before returning to his pokeball to get healed. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m out.¡± Nova¡¯s focus moved to Mallory as she walked over to join them, releasing a low grunt while plopping into the seat beside Mya, throwing her hair behind the couch. ¡°For real, what is up with us being in the same bracket as those Jinxes?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled together. ¡°You know, I could probably see those three having no problems beating the Low Silver-tier Nidorino we fought in Viridian Forest.¡± ¡°Gah,¡± Mallory scratched her temple with agitation. ¡°The most vexing part is how arrogant those prima-donnas are! Sure, they¡¯re pretty good, but not that good. Once the spotlight hits them, they¡¯re all hearts and rainbows ¡­ They aren¡¯t real at all¡­¡± She huffed. It was the first time Nova had really seen Mallory get upset. Everyone¡¯s gaze lifted to the ceiling as Jay¡¯s match was called; of course, Whimsy was the victor. Jay came into the room with a scowl not soon after, and Poppy joined Gables in the healing unit. ¡°Okay, Sing is Mukin¡¯ busted ¡­ and she just spams it like she¡¯s in a Pokeband. Oh, you get a hit in? Heal Pulse. Trying to dodge? Gravity¡ªyou¡¯re not dodging now! Use Acupressure after buying some time to hopefully get something to help? Oh, she was just playing with you, Copycat to rub things in ¡­ and, of course, it¡¯s Speed she gets. That fake smile telling me how good we are ¡­ gah, kill me!¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach shook with laughter, pressing against Nova¡¯s body. ¡°Seriously, though¡ªdid you check their Battle Ranking, Jay?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ What¡¯s that again?¡± She asked with a forced smile, trying not to fiddle with her hair. Mallory leaned back, shaking her head. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re like Bronze Six, and we¡¯re Bronze One. They should be going after their sixth badge, not beating up beginners in Rookie Contests, but that shows where their heart is ¡­ not real competition.¡± ¡°Bronze Six¡­¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°I think I heard something about that with the new Alolan League? I don¡¯t know,¡± she moaned, glaring at her lap. ¡°Contests really look fun on the outside¡ªI mean, it would have probably felt a lot cooler fighting one of you, but¡ªyeah ¡­ maybe another time,¡± she grinned. Nova kept listening as Rhea gently stroked her fur; she was feeling a lot better now. The loss was a massive shock to her system; it came completely out of nowhere, and not even being able to do anything while under Hypnosis made her pity Amber¡¯s victims. Gables and Poppy soon came out of their own pokeballs to join them, and Mya struck up a conversation with an amused Gables as he asked her probing questions about what she¡¯d do in his situation. Mya got a bit flustered near the end, asking Rhea a few questions that had her glowing with pride again as their Trainer privately tutored her¡ªunknowingly helping the Mawile win an argument. Without Rhea, Mya would have been stumped by Gables, but she still thought of herself as the reigning champ. Amira joined them not too long after, and the Rookie Contest came to a close, forcing them to get up from their warm, comfy chairs to trudge back up to be presented to the throng. They learned that it had been a Triple-Threat Match where all three victors had been pitted against each other since they had an uneven number of contestants for the finale. Whimsy was knocked out first; Rhea thought primarily because of her healing, and her teammates didn¡¯t want to deal with that, leaving Rina and Jewlya to battle it out. Jewlya won but took a decent chunk of damage. Rhea wasn¡¯t all that interested in dissecting the match at the moment, though. Jay, Mallory, and Rhea went back on stage, Pok¨¦mon fully restored to health. The crowd was surprisingly warm to them, considering how badly they¡¯d been beaten. Nova figured it was mainly because this was literally their first Contest; most people weren¡¯t really expecting much from them in the first place. The final score was a bit different than Nova expected. In an 8,000 seat stadium, the judges got 2,400 hearts to spread among the contestants, and the last addition would be their Showcase Stage score. Score - Audience + Judge + Showcase = Total 1st: Jewlya - 2653 +350 + 232 = 3,235 2nd: Whimsy - 2,658 + 400 + 147 = 3,205 3rd: Rina - 2,345 + 475 + 296 = 3,116 4th: Nova - 81 + 475 + 41 = 597 5th: Poppy - 135 + 350 + 37 = 522 6th: Gables - 125 + 325 + 45 = 495 Nova discovered she¡¯d done insanely good with the Judges¡ªway more than she thought she would, considering her Mud-Slap blunder and battle performance. The three girls gave them smiles and waves before disappearing into the halls without going to the dressing room to strip down. Nova figured they were going to watch the Super Contest since one of the contestants was her brother. As for their party, they didn¡¯t stick around for the Super Contest; it just wasn¡¯t all that appealing after having suffered such a humiliating defeat. Nova was with everyone else, expecting it to be more even, having other contestants that had no clue what they were doing¡ªthat hadn¡¯t been the case. Returning to their rented room, Nova snuggled up on Rhea¡¯s lap to go over their recorded footage in detail with the others, trying to figure out what they could have done to improve their performance. There were a lot of options, but it would have been a hard match. Of course, Mya was just as helpful as always¡ªwith her, it was all aggression, pure and raw, which wasn¡¯t something Nova could emulate. The biggest problem Rhea saw was Jewlya¡¯s Trace Ability, which copied Nova¡¯s Adaptability, and made all of her Psychic and Fairy-Type Moves hit for an incredible amount of damage; in fact, Jewlya was so unaccustomed to the power boost that she¡¯d hurt Nova beyond knocking her out by accident, which was the reason for her lower Judge Score. When the Judges came out with their reasoning, Rhea¡¯s shining grace was the Showcase, where she¡¯d demonstrated a high-tier performance; at least, according to the experts. They¡¯d been impressed by her being able to work unstable Moves into her act, which brightened Nova¡¯s day. To end the bitter day, Rhea, Amira, Mallory, and Jay all bought small packs of ice cream and sat around talking about bands, the cutest Pok¨¦mon, and learning more about Alola¡¯s unique variants. Nova and her friends tried coming up with their own drama, which was fun! Although, in the end, they wound up watching a Drama-Style Super Contest¡ªof course, only for research purposes! It did take up most of the night, but Nova and Mya had to translate for some of the human parts to the others. It couldn¡¯t be helped. It was more enjoyable than winning a stupid Contest, and before Jay left, Nova got to show off, evolving into Glaceon! Jay was starstruck by the private transformation performance that made the Eevee feel special. When 9:30 P.M. came around, they said their goodbyes to Jay and got ready for bed; it was to Dark City, and beyond it to Pewter City tomorrow! B1 — 34. To The Rocky City 6:03 A.M. June 19, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The end of the 2nd week in the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League Preliminaries. Last day of the Summer Indigo Cup Qualifiers. Five days after Ho-Oh¡¯s Viridian appearance, which healed everyone. One day after Rhea and Nova lost their first battle. Rhea slowly awoke, Mya and Nova still fast asleep, cuddled up on her bed; the noise of the small city was more pronounced than in Lyra¡¯s house and far louder than her tiny home in the forest. Naturally, Amira was up, but she seemed to have slept in for at least 15 minutes because she was still in the bathroom. Shifting her weight a little, Nova¡¯s paws tightened around her left leg under the blankets, Mya sleeping on top, weighty mouth-like horn lying across her stomach. Closing her eyes, Rhea rubbed her eyes before adjusting her pillow and taking a long breath as the events of yesterday came rolling back. Mya had been less of a brat as the day went on, and Rhea tried to be strong for Nova, but it wasn¡¯t like their first loss hadn¡¯t affected her, too. Mallory, Amira, and Jay had been there to try and cheer her up, yet for some reason, she found it difficult to text Sam, Hannah, and Jade about it, much less post it to her family. Deep down, it agitated her¡ªJason had been down after they¡¯d beaten his team, but he didn¡¯t act like it was the end of the world. The only people she knew that had never lost a battle were her aunt and Leon¡ªthey were exceptions, though. If you counted each other, Red and Ethan had gone back and forth, which showed even Legendary-tier Trainers weren¡¯t invincible; even if she felt like her aunt was, the legend shot that idea down repeatedly since Rhea¡¯s childhood. Still, it felt different today. She had to be there for Nova yesterday, defending her from Mya¡¯s own frustration. Today, lying in bed with both her Pok¨¦mon sound sleeping, she felt sapped of energy, which didn¡¯t make sense since she just woke up. Her chest rose as she filled her lungs with air before blowing it out in a long, soft stream. We lost¡ªhonestly, she should have, considering how strong they were ¡­ It¡¯s not like it will affect our bounty or Battle Rating, though. The problem wasn¡¯t that they were beaten¡ªthey were dominated, and these were still Bronze-tier Trainers, exceptional, sure, but still, Bronze¡ªGym Leaders and their aides were on a whole other level. Reaching over to the bedside table to snatch her phone, she saw dozens of notifications waiting for her, causing Rhea to grimace; her family somehow learned of her loss. Unlocking it without going through them, she searched on the Kanto Contest website for yesterday¡¯s performance and looked up her match. She dimmed the bright holographic screen to keep the light down, lips tightening while watching the Ralts utilize her Moves. Jewlya kept at a safe distance, predicting Nova¡¯s direction and positioning appropriately to weave around her Eevee¡¯s attacks. She had perfect balance, like a dancer, which made sense considering their opening act. Double Team, Confusion, Hypnosis, Disable, and Disarming Voice were the only Moves she used, but she¡¯d also copied Nova¡¯s Adaptability with Trace, further strengthening her attacks. Rhea hadn¡¯t expected the Ralts line to be so powerful, but considering Diantha¡¯s ace was a Gardevoir, it made sense. To think our first loss would be in a Contest and not a real battle ¡­ And in front of thousands of people. Her nose burned just thinking about all the screaming people cheering her opponent on, but that was what she signed up for. The crowd had been on her side in the Starter Award match. Releasing tension with a low groan, she shifted her long ponytail to the left side of her bed, falling off to the side before swapping back to her messages to read them. Amira exited the bathroom, wearing her bathing suit; her thick wet hair was already brushed out and slowly drying. Her red eyes shifted to Rhea with a small smile. ¡°Morning,¡± she whispered, turning her back to study herself in the mirror. ¡°Morning¡­¡± Rhea returned in a low mumble. Rhea couldn¡¯t see a mark on Amira¡¯s smooth skin, and she was reminded how fit the Rocket girl was; Amira had a tight figure and took excellent care of her natural beauty. Turning her attention back to her phone, Rhea¡¯s brow lowered¡ªher aunt had left a message at 5 A.M; Elite Island, where the Sinnoh League was located, had two hours on where they were in Kanto¡¯s time-zone. Of course, who knew where her aunt currently was, considering she could teleport vast areas at a time and travel at supersonic speeds with her Pok¨¦mon. Dropping the volume, she played the recording. ¡°Hey, Rhea! So, I heard about your first contest and tuned in; you did really well. Heh, I saw what you did there in the Showcase. Give me a call!¡± ¡°You good?¡± Amira asked, pulling Rhea¡¯s focus back to her as she brushed Amber¡¯s damp fur out on the sink counter. Rhea gave her a fake smile. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°... You just seem a bit down,¡± Amira replied, scratching the inside of Amber¡¯s left ear; Holly was just exiting the bathroom, spinning in circles with a smile on her cute face. ¡°Still worrying about that loss?¡± ¡°Kind of,¡± Rhea admitted, lips falling a bit to stare at her screen. ¡°It¡¯s not really that we lost¡ªit¡¯s how we lost. Nova wasn¡¯t even able to evolve to show off her stuff, and¡ªI can¡¯t help but think it was my fault.¡± Amira¡¯s full lips tightened before setting her brush down and walking over to take a chair near Rhea¡¯s bed, crossing her bare legs and adjusting her bikini while sitting; Holly and Amber began talking as the Comfey tried using the brush Amira had left to help out. ¡°I know it might sound a bit harsh, but it kind of was,¡± Amira said with a forced smile, ¡°and that¡¯s not really bad.¡± Rhea pulled her eyes away to look up at the ceiling. ¡°Hmm ¡­ What did you get out of it¡ªwhat should I improve on?¡± Amira pointed at their teammate with a short giggle. ¡°Mallory gave you everything you needed, but both of you focused too much on what you would do, rather than what your opponents might use; you already knew who your competition was.¡± Lori was in her usual restless position on her back, somehow managing to flip to the side of her bed during the night to have her bare legs dangling over the side. She had a cute smile as she dreamed, hugging her pillow close to her chest with Miky and Gables snuggled against either side. ¡°True¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, opening the Pokedex App and Ralts¡¯ data to passively stare at it. ¡°I could have at least looked at what Moves and Abilities she had to be prepared.¡± ¡°At the same time,¡± Amira sighed, inspecting her hair, ¡°it might have helped you last longer, but I seriously doubt it would have won you the competition. They are way more experienced in Contests and Battles. I¡¯d just take it as a learning experience.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea chuckled, rumbling stomach causing Mya to moan and flip to the opposite side, large jaws opening a bit more. ¡°I guess I figured as long as I¡¯ve got such a big energy advantage that we shouldn¡¯t have been¡ªwell, steamrolled.¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°Knowing Ralts learns Hypnosis early on could have given you a warning, but the only option would have been to temp-evolve into Glaceon and try to power through since Jewlya had a decent defensive and long-distance fighting style. Yawn might have been a decent play, but I bet she would have countered it somehow, which meant you had to be careful when to spring it on her.¡± ¡°Yawn,¡± Rhea mumbled, eyes widening. ¡°I didn¡¯t even think about that¡­¡± ¡°Heh, well¡ªit¡¯s not difficult to intercept with another Move, to be honest,¡± Amira admitted. ¡°Sure, it can be good, but it¡¯s a pretty slow attack that she could have used Disarming Voice to cancel out; it could have blocked the Move and powered through with Adaptability to force you to change positions, putting you on the defensive.¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I need to take advantage of Nova¡¯s Adaptability and Run Away Abilities more ¡­ Thanks for the talk, Amira.¡± ¡°Anytime,¡± Amira smiled, getting up to continue getting ready. Not wanting to move and wake Nova or Mya yet, Rhea called her aunt, holding the device up to get a better angle for her camera. It rang three times before she answered. ¡°... Rhea, darling!¡± Her aunt¡¯s beaming face came on the holographic display; she was dressed in a warm black-themed coat, and a blizzard raged behind her, causing Rhea¡¯s low-volume speakers to go crazy. Of course, her aunt was utterly unphased by the phenomena. ¡°Aunt Cynthia¡­¡± Rhea greeted with a smile. ¡°On Mt. Coronet?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Mt. Coronet?¡± She repeated. ¡°Mt. Coronet? Nope, the Winter Woods, by Cameran Palace,¡± she replied, turning her phone to a new angle to catch Milina, her 6¡¯4 Glaceon, in the background. Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°The Rota Kingdom northwest of Pewter?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ One moment¡­¡± Micky, her aunt¡¯s 8¡¯11 Togekiss, came out of his pokeball and generated a psychic barrier and platform for her to sit on, significantly diminishing the background noise of the ferocious wind. ¡°There we go, and mhm! There were some things I was looking into over here¡ªyou know there¡¯s a whole underground network within the mountains dedicated to Mew?! It¡¯s so interesting ¡­ Anyway, how are you doing?¡± She questioned, looking up at the sky for a moment. Rhea sighed, forcing a smile. ¡°Feeling a bit down, but I know I can do a lot better. I talked with Amira, and I think I should have prepared better by looking up Ralts¡¯s Move Pool and Abilities.¡± Her aunt giggled. ¡°That¡¯s a good attitude¡ªpast performances if they¡¯re well-known, too. Although, don¡¯t feel too down! He-he, your opponents were really tryhards for a Rookie Contest, and I have a feeling you weren¡¯t going into it expecting that type of competition.¡± ¡°You got me,¡± Rhea laughed; her aunt always knew how to make her feel better. ¡°I thought it would be more fun at this level, but it turned out to be really sweaty.¡± Cynthia¡¯s lips fell a bit. ¡°Actually, I think you helped your opponent more than you think; Ralts¡¯ Trace Ability has a very high skill ceiling, and Adaptability is quite powerful if used properly¡ªalmost every Ability has at least one hidden gem locked within them.¡± ¡°Ah, right, right,¡± Rhea mumbled, remembering back to some of the things taught to her at school. ¡°I heard she got a lower score from the judges because she misjudged the extra damage Adaptability gave her and hurt Nova.¡± ¡°Unfortunately, that was the case,¡± Her aunt folded her arms, glancing to the left with a low hum. ¡°She looked like a hard-working girl; what you saw was skill, not talent, but she¡¯d obviously never dealt with Adaptability before, which was why they mismanaged it. ¡°Contests are to show off the beauty and skill of your Pok¨¦mon, not harm or degrade your opponent; she used her Hypnosis to make Nova do a few decent dance moves to lighten the mood from your previous attacks. That¡¯s why the most high-rated Contests have both sides working together to create beauty while amid battle ¡­ On that note¡­¡± Cynthia gave her a light glare, and Rhea nodded knowingly while scratching her temple. ¡°I know¡ªwe figured out Mud-Slap was the wrong play pretty soon after using it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not to say Mud-Slap can¡¯t be used in a competition,¡± her aunt chimed, expression brightening. ¡°In fact, I¡¯ve used it myself! It just needs to be utilized correctly, and Ground or Rock-based Pok¨¦mon can combine it into marvelous ways. All in all, though¡ªhoney, you were fantastic, and the judges caught the skill behind that unstable Stored Power, even if the fans did not.¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Rhea shifted her phone to her other hand. ¡°You know I got that from watching one of your old Contests, but we didn¡¯t have all the Moves to follow up with it to really copy it.¡± Her aunt¡¯s smile turned kind. ¡°You can¡¯t pull off a Triple Rainbow, Shattering Diamond Radiance in a Rookie Contest, my little Swablu; I get you¡¯ve never really seen lower-tier matches or competitions, but everyone starts out in Bronze, honey. Be patient with yourself.¡± ¡°I know, I know¡­¡± Rhea grumbled. ¡°It¡¯s hard, though¡ªMya was pretty hard on Nova yesterday; she thinks she¡¯s invincible, and we should never lose.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Her aunt reached out to stroke Micky¡¯s head with a fond smile. ¡°I know what that¡¯s like¡ªshe¡¯ll learn soon enough that everyone is vulnerable.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t like the way that sounded. ¡°You mean¡ªwe¡¯re going to lose again pretty soon?¡± ¡°... You know, I¡¯ve lost a match before¡ªan important one. Ethan, Red, Blue, Yellow¡ªeven Leon will tell you he¡¯s lost.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ That¡¯s news to me,¡± Rhea mumbled, lifting an eyebrow while thinking about the flashy Champion. Mallory stirred a bit with a low groan. ¡°Leon¡¯s hyped up as being invincible by Galar.¡± Cynthia nodded. ¡°He¡¯s solid, for sure, and on his way to Legendary-tier without a doubt, but there are Pok¨¦mon out there that could crush every Legendary-tier Trainer on our planet without batting an eye. I just have a feeling Mya¡¯s little bubble will pop soon enough. Now, to get onto a brighter subject¡ªI heard you¡¯ve been hanging out with Lyra!¡± This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Rhea¡¯s frown flipped in an instant, and Amira turned to glance her way for a moment before returning to her morning maintenance. ¡°She¡¯s awesome! I really like Giovanni, too; in fact, all of the Rocket family seem really nice and nothing like everything I heard back home.¡± Her aunt folded her fingers across her crossed legs. ¡°Oh, everyone has their dark side that you need to be cautious of, Rhea, but Rocket has changed a lot over the years with Lyra¡¯s influence¡ªshe really is a rather cheeky girl,¡± she mused. ¡°I really want Dawn and her to get a bit closer, but it¡¯s nearly impossible to get the girl to leave Sinnoh or Lyra to leave Kanto.¡± Mallory released a morning moan, spreading out across her bed and sitting up to give them a wave while yawning. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get ready, Rhea¡­¡± She whispered, Gables and Miky joining her. ¡°How is Dawn?¡± Rhea asked, watching the purple-eyed girl unbind her hair to shake it out on her way to the bathroom, giving Amira a bright grin. ¡°Same ol¡¯ Dawn,¡± Cynthia snickered. ¡°Goes out training every day and forgets at least one thing that she beats herself up over¡­¡± Her vision narrowed slightly, staring off-screen. ¡°I knew it ¡­ Hey, gotta go, Honey!¡± She chimed. ¡°If you want to use me as a soundboard for future Contests, then shoot me a text.¡± ¡°Bye¡­¡± Rhea dropped her phone on her chest with a sigh as the image cut off. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Amira asked, proving she was far more flexible than Rhea with the poses she took, stretching to get ready for the day¡¯s hike; Amber and Holly were trying to mirror their trainer without success. ¡°Also¡ªthanks for what you said about my family.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Rhea giggled, shifting her pillow to scoot up on her headboard. Nova¡¯s iron grip around her ankles meant the Eevee was pulled up with her, still fast asleep, and Mya rolled to the side of the bed, arm and horn hanging off it. ¡°I only said what was true. Your mom¡¯s really awesome.¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªshe¡¯s great,¡± Amira whispered. She moved to her red dress, inspecting it. ¡°What do you want to do for the next few days? We still have a bit of time to get to Pewter, but if we keep going at this pace, we¡¯ll start losing days to get to each Gym by the end of the year.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ I get that,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°What do you think about heading straight to Pewter? Should we stop by one of those unofficial Gyms in Dark City?¡± ¡°Kas or Yas?¡± Amira asked. ¡°Umm ¡­ naa. The prizes aren¡¯t all that great for us; I mean, we don¡¯t need the credits right now. We need to get our Encrusted Badges.¡± Lori¡¯s tired voice came through the closed bathroom door. ¡°Umm ¡­ by the way, I¡¯m down to 3,602 credits, guys.¡± Amira¡¯s red eyebrows darted up. ¡°Huh? Hold up! Didn¡¯t you have like ¡­ over ten thousand? What happened to it all?¡± The shower started as she talked, water sloshing around inside as she washed. ¡°Eh¡ªwell, I was up to like 25k, and then the pass cost 15k for the Seasonal Bronze Pass¡ªit was on sale! I made some bad bets and, well¡ªyeah, but it¡¯s no problem! I¡¯ll get it back; there are some underground betting rings in Dark City I saw on a message board that I can use to win some back!¡± ¡°You have to be kidding me¡­¡± Amira grumbled, shaking her head. ¡°You know, my Grandpa has a bunch of Casinos around the world¡ªCeladon City is huge into gambling, and guess what¡ªthe House always wins.¡± ¡°Hehe, yeah,¡± Mallory giggled, ¡°but there are tricks you can use to get around them! My dad¡¯s been playing them for years.¡± Amira scratched her forehead. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Wait! What¡¯s the gambling age in Kanto?¡± Lori asked in a panic. ¡°Seventeen¡ªyou¡¯re fine¡­¡± ¡°Wow¡ªthought I¡¯d have to go for my Plan C there for a bit; never mind, we¡¯re good!¡± ¡°Plan C?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°Mhm, beg you guys for cash,¡± Lori laughed without a hint of shame. ¡°The underground ring in Dark City requires a 5k buy-in, and they don''t ask about age¡ªso, as long as I could''ve borrowed 1.5k from both of you¡­ What? I can make it all back.¡± ¡°Unbelievable¡­¡± Amira sighed. ¡°She¡¯s an addict¡­¡± Rhea went through her messages as Amira and Mallory argued about gambling, the redhead utterly against it since there were much better ways of making money by marketing, investing, and saving, which was far more stable; Mallory called that approach boring and slow. Many of the texts were encouraging; Jade, Sam, and Hannah had discovered the match through social media trending¡ªMallory and her loss were currently ranked 14 with people posting memes about them getting owned, connected to the Oak Starter Award symbol. Her friends linked different parts of her performance in GIFs, saying what they liked, and her family members soon followed, her great grandmother asking for instructions on the GIFs. A smile brightened Rhea¡¯s cheeks and the hate slid off her like water; she didn¡¯t really care what most people said, so long as her family and friends were on her side. Nova and Mya got up to take a warm shower with her, which swiftly grew cold since Mallory had used up most of the hot water; she was a glutton for heat, which was kind of funny since every morning Rhea saw the girl¡¯s blankets and sheets a complete mess, not even close to covering her body. They got ready by 7:30 A.M. and hooked up with Jay; Jade, Hannah, and Sam messaged them that they would probably make it to Dark City by the time they did. Jay didn¡¯t find it too challenging to keep up with them on their way back through Shadow Woods; it really was something, going from bright morning sunlight to utter darkness. Their trail was only lit by the lamps on the side of the road, which gave the forest an eerie vibe, and the chattering Pok¨¦mon didn¡¯t make the atmosphere any better. Staying on the path, they made it to Dark City by 10 A.M., meeting up with their friends; it seemed some people figured their bounty had been claimed by the loss or it wasn¡¯t worth battling them because the groups of Trainers along the road didn¡¯t appear to be interested in a match. Mallory may have allowed her bounty to be reset, but Rhea¡¯s was still open for the taking. Rhea noted the reason could have been tied to it being the final matches of the Bronze League Qualifiers, and most Trainers they saw were glued to their devices as they walked, mumbling amongst themselves. Mallory went with Hannah and Amira to one of Rocket¡¯s Casinos, Amira feeling a little better than Lori''s underground suggestion. ¡°We¡¯ll be back with a killing!¡± Lori cheered. ¡°Hitmon Hold¡¯em is the game!¡± Jay, Rhea, Jade, and Sam took a short break to visit a few of the sites in Dark City, like the famous Red Ketchup Bottle of the legend Tom Ato and his companions, Anne Chovi, and Caesar Salad. If there was one thing she learned from Dark City¡ªthey loved their ketchup. The item that had apparently brought an end to the Kas and Yas street gang violence led to the city¡¯s reconstruction and expansion. A statue of a fierce-looking Pikachu was erected at the town center, calling down a bolt of Thunder that seemed to have some historical significance. Rhea didn¡¯t have a clue what it all meant, but it was kind of funny. Sam challenged Rhea to a battle once they got to Pewter; her Pok¨¦mon still wanted time to prepare, and Mya was all for it. Hector and Nova spent some time together, the Pineco encouraging her on the performance, while Poppy, Tera, and Mya chilled together. Mimi was a bit shy around the two groups, and so Orin stayed with his teammate, keeping her company as she rode on Jade¡¯s shoulder. Jay and Sam hit it off pretty fast, and their group got lunch, Rhea paying; she was down to 11,267 credits at this point, which seemed like a fortune, yet the prices of things were a lot more expensive than she thought. Back home, all she had to do was make a list of things she wanted, and her parents would buy it, but it was a little different when handling the money herself. The restaurant they went to had the Gold-tier Loser¡¯s Bracket playing, where Mitch Jones and Corrin Irina were currently facing off; it was a hot rivalry this season, both flaming each other on social media over the past two weeks. It ended with Mitch Jones coming out on top, calling himself The Law, and that Platinum Threads should be worried because he¡¯s coming, naming Sabin and Katelin among those he¡¯d beat in the Winter Cup. Rhea just laughed at the prospect; if this match was the best he had, then she couldn¡¯t see him getting close to beating her brother, but some Trainers could build their strength quickly. Still, she wasn¡¯t all that impressed; her friends, on the other hand, seemed excited to see the future match. Once they finished eating, their group met back up with Mallory, Hannah, and Amira, trying to dodge questions about Rhea¡¯s unique Pok¨¦mon along the way. Mallory was bright-eyed and filled with energy, while Amira looked utterly drained. ¡°What happened?¡± Rhea asked, shifting on the sidewalk to let a Machoke by. ¡°Eh¡­¡± Hannah chuckled. ¡°It was up and down.¡± ¡°I¡¯m positive 1.2k credits!¡± Mallory cheered. Amira looked dead inside. ¡°She lost 57.3k total ¡­ She won, lost, won, lost again¡ªit¡¯s too stressful seeing that much money passing around; we should have left when you got the 13k pot¡­¡± ¡°Nah, we had to get that to jump to the 100k pot table to get the buy-in!¡± Mallory laughed. ¡°Man, that was so much fun; so, what¡¯s next, Girls?¡± she asked, looking between the group. ¡°Pewter!¡± Amira instantly responded. Mallory hummed. ¡°I guess I could gamble a bit more in Pewter¡­¡± A forced smile came upon Sam. ¡°Pewter City-State actually doesn¡¯t allow casinos and the like¡ªso¡­¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Amira jumped in. ¡°Let¡¯s take what we have and go get our Encrusted Earth Badge; it costs 3k credits to enter a Gym Battle at Bronze-tier, and we have to assume we¡¯ll at least lose once.¡± ¡°Pfft, 3k is nothing!¡± Mallory scoffed. ¡°I got plenty.¡± ¡°Nothing¡­¡± Jade whispered with a sigh. ¡°My sister had to give up on her Bronze journey because she ran out of funds to challenge the Gyms. I thought it was 1k per Gym Challenge?¡± Hannah piped up. ¡°Oh, it is for a normal Gym Badge, but Encrusted are 3x the rate on all Tiers.¡± Sam¡¯s hand slid through her straight brown locks. ¡°Wow, I guess keeping a budget is a pretty good idea then.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Amira groaned, clearly unable to get through to the gambling addict. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect one of us to be this low at the start of our journey,¡± she mumbled, doing the math in her head. ¡°Umm ¡­ what about a gambling budget, Lori?¡± ¡°Gah,¡± Mallory waved her hand dismissively. ¡°If you don¡¯t go big, then you won¡¯t get the prize! Sometimes you just gotta roll the dice.¡± ¡°Why did you go off the card games?¡± Amira asked. Hannah nodded. ¡°Yeah, I was wondering about that, too; you were raking in a bunch.¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Mallory chuckled, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°Well, they started adding a few decks. So¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth opened. ¡°Oooh ¡­ You can count cards! I saw something about that in a movie.¡± The seven of them laughed and chatted for a bit, Amira finally calming down after the stress of watching Lori gamble. She was a little surprised the Rocket girl was so against it since her grandfather got a considerable portion of his wealth through the business. Amira responded with, ¡°If you own a bakery and eat all the bread, then what do you have to sell? A casino makes its profit off the people stupid enough to waste their money; I know how casinos operate and would never put my credits on those slim chances!¡± ¡°It¡¯s just so much fun, though,¡± Mallory countered. ¡°It¡¯s less about the gains and more about the sport of it¡ªthe atmosphere!¡± she said with stars in her eyes. In the end, Amira won, dragging them north toward Pewter; on their way out, they popped into both Yas and Kaz Gyms to discover when Len won the contest, he¡¯d received the Grand Prize, a newly hatched, top-bred Tyrogue looking for a partner. Mallory laughed maniacally at the news, messaging her best friend hints that they¡¯d discovered his 2nd Pok¨¦mon. Of course, the male trio was still deep inside Viridian Forest and out of service. They exited the city, walking the rest of the way to Pewter City; they took a rather casual pace to allow Jade, Sam, and Hannah to keep up, but they seemed to be doing much better than the first day they¡¯d traveled together. Jay was captivated by the various Pok¨¦mon they passed along the meadows of Route 2, bonding with a Diglett she named Jude on their 2nd day of the trip after Amira recommended looking for one to cover her type bases when they passed by the Diglett Caves. Poppy could handle the first two Gyms, and Jude would help against the third. Jude was a culture shock to Jay without the blonde hair-like attachments the Alolan variant had. The seven of them went through a few mock battles along the way at Rhea¡¯s suggestion, mirroring things she¡¯d read from Jason¡¯s messages about even using travel time to get stronger. Mya was more than happy to chase the other Pok¨¦mon around and show how strong she was; between them, they had enough healing items to keep up the practice and stocked up a bit more at a Trainer Station along the route. Both of her Pok¨¦mon felt a bit stronger after all the practicing, and they were becoming more accustomed to their Moves in combination; they also used the time to look up a few Bronze matches at the Pewter Gym. Mya didn¡¯t feel that threatened, but Rhea and Nova realized they were in for a tough battle in the coming days. It was 4 P.M. on Tuesday, the 22nd when they made it to the large gray stone walls of Pewter City. The hike was starting to get to Jay, Sam, Jade, and Hannah as they climbed higher and higher above sea level, eventually making it to the 5,673-foot elevation of Pewter City. The landscape was surrounded by towering mountains, Mt. Moon¡¯s colossal presence far in the distance, resembling Mt. Silver¡¯s own imposing sight. At the leveled out ground of Pewter, they could look back and see Dark City far in the distance; Viridian Forest was a sprawling valley of massive trees, rising and falling with the hills that hid certain parts of it from view. Sam whistled as they finally made it to an observation point built near the leveling point of Pewter. ¡°Wow! Do you see that massive river over there?!¡± she asked, pointing deep into the western half of the forest. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Jay nodded. ¡°Yeah, this is just¡ªcrazy ¡­ I¡¯ve lived on an island all my life and never seen anything like it¡ªit¡¯s huge!¡± Hannah directed their attention north of the vast, winding river. ¡°I think that¡¯s the entrance to the Rota Kingdom, right? There¡¯s supposed to be a huge festival and there; oh, and a ginormous castle surrounded by water, too! I so want to go visit ¡­ I heard they dress up in old historical outfits and have battles and everything!¡± Rhea¡¯s mind flashed back to the conversation she had with her aunt that morning; she¡¯d been just northwest of Rota City, in its frozen winter woods that remained cold year-round. ¡°It is pretty fun,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°My grandma took me there to see what it was like when I was seven, and we have a villa there since it¡¯s where my family roots come from.¡± ¡°Wait ¡­ Really?¡± Hannah asked, swiftly taking out her phone to write something down. ¡°I didn¡¯t know your grandpa came from Rota!¡± Amira nodded, folding her arms as her gaze wandered over the dense forest. ¡°Well, not really my grandpa¡ªmy great grandma on my dad¡¯s side came from there. Apparently, not even my grandpa knew her real name, but when he was eight years old, he went to¡­¡± She trailed off, cheeks darkening as her hands reached up to fiddle with her sunglasses. ¡°Ahem ¡­ anyways, yeah ¡­ Rota¡¯s a really nice place,¡± she mumbled. Rhea giggled; she liked learning more about Amira, and she was opening up more every day. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t say that about anywhere since I¡¯ve never gone more than several miles away from where I grew up. It¡¯d be great to explore it, though.¡± ¡°Maybe after our Bronze Journey,¡± Lori chimed in, squinting while trying to see beyond Dark City. Gardenia City was blocked entirely by the mountains around it, but a desert-like environment could barely be seen through gaps in the distance. ¡°We can take public transportation at that point.¡± Excitement bubbled up in Rhea¡¯s breast. ¡°Yeah! I¡¯d really like to travel a bit, and maybe we can hop over to the next International League to check out that place, too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m game for that,¡± Hannah cheered. ¡°You two?¡± Sam and Jade agreed, but the blue-haired girl was a bit hesitant. ¡°Umm, I like that,¡± Jade whispered, ¡°but¡ªI¡¯m trying to also save up some money, too.¡± Jay adjusted her Alolan skirt with a bright smile. ¡°I¡¯d like to travel a bit, too; it¡¯s why I came here in the first place. Maybe I can join you guys; well ¡­ I guess it depends how well we do in this tournament,¡± she sheepishly chuckled, glancing down at her two Pok¨¦mon, still getting to know each other. ¡°There¡¯s so much to explore.¡± The seven of them nodded in silence, continuing to watch the valley as an orange tint started to cast over the landscape with the falling sun. Rhea took a few more minutes to take in the fresh mountain air and sights. It really was kind of magical, and the flying Pok¨¦mon that dotted the skies in their own packs made her smile. Everything was so peaceful. The imposing figure of Mt. Moon to the east and its surrounding mountains had a majestic beauty. Viridian and its skyscrapers were too far away to spot, the only reason they managed to make it this far so quickly was because of Rocket¡¯s well-maintained route they¡¯d created for transport. Rhea could see the two roads winding in parallel from Dark City through the meadows and trees, crossing over rivers to reach the massive gates below. From what she¡¯d learned in school, a fork near Pewter went to the Rota, and a caving system through the mountains had been built with the assistance of Brock and his family, carving a route to the kingdom. Her focus returned to Viridian Forest, lips coming together. Jason and the others are out there somewhere ¡­ If I could peel back the trees, how many Pok¨¦mon and humans would be within eyesight? After several minutes of silence, they climbed down the tower, passing a few other tourists on the way before entering Pewter City. B1 — 35. Mom Being Mom... 4:12 P.M. June 22, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 14 Days. Rhea took one last look at the expansive view of Viridian Forest, pondering everything that had happened since she¡¯d started her journey. Fourteen days ago, on June 9th, she¡¯d bonded with Mya and Nova. Now, here she was, overlooking a sprawling landscape of a place she¡¯d only seen in photos ¡­ It took her fourteen days to travel from Pallet to Pewter, and she did it with her friends¡ªteammates. She smiled, gaze shifting to her Pok¨¦mon on top of the rail guard, enjoying the sight below with the others. It was hard to believe, but they had taken down a Low Silver-tier wild Pok¨¦mon together ¡­ not to mention seen Ho-Oh, and it was only the beginning of their story. Managing her long bound hair, Rhea flipped around, leaning against the guard to stare behind them at the large city they were about to enter, surrounded by a stone wall that marked its borders. She¡¯d heard quite a lot about Pewter. The ground was far more leveled out than the old pictures she¡¯d seen of the place, which was in no small part a product of Brock¡¯s family, and why they were so revered in the area. That hadn¡¯t always been the case, though, and there was a time when they¡¯d come under heavy criticism in the manner they handled the City-State¡¯s Gym, primarily dealing with Flint and Lola. However, in the subsequent years after Brock¡¯s travels and education as a human physician, Forrest¡¯s rise as a competent High-Master Trainer, and more of the Harrison family taking their steps into the spotlight, the Pewter City-State returned with power. The Harrison family got together for an ambitious reconstruction effort fifteen years ago, diverting several nearby rivers to better connect the split water supplies for both Pok¨¦mon and human use, leveled the ground for stable expansion, and established the 3rd most prestigious hospital for both Pok¨¦mon and humans alike in Johto and Kanto. Towering concrete and steel buildings of the working district rose into the sky on the west side of the city, whereas most businesses were near the river. The marketplace, corporate offices, and hospitals were located there, and its economy was booming since Viridian¡¯s public and private transportation services had grown. To the east of Main Street was the residential district, leading further beyond it to many farmlands and Route 3, the safest path Pewter maintained around Mt. Moon through Clefairy Valley, linking with Route 4 and Rifure Town in Blue Forest. Some Bronze and even Silver-tier Trainers in the past had their most challenging times in this section of the region since paths weren¡¯t as clearly marked back then, causing many young kids to become lost in the dangerous mountainous terrain. Pewter had a rocky history¡ªhowever, Brock had contributed a great deal of effort into improving his city, and with the reconstruction, Route 2 went straight to Pewter Main, guiding Trainers directly to the city¡¯s heart, its Gym, which separated the working and residential districts. Trainer hotels and dining areas were the main staple across the avenue, marketed toward travelers on their journey through Kanto that took them around Pewter¡¯s Gym and toward the city¡¯s greatest attraction, Pewter Museum of Science. The entire northern part of Pewter was taken up by the sprawling campus, designed for specific purposes. At its heart was the museum itself, displaying the area¡¯s rich cultural past and dedicated to many of Mt. Moon¡¯s secrets. Great and mysterious civilizations were native to Mt. Moon¡¯s surrounding landscape, including Pok¨¦mopolis, a people that utilized strange artifacts the scientists of Pewter were still trying to decipher and learn more about. It was a warful nation with some connection with the world¡¯s giant Pok¨¦mon, but much about the people and its Pok¨¦mon was still being excavated due to its dangerous nature. Mew was a big focus in some of the other past cultures that lived in these ancient mountains, dedicated to honoring a place called The Forest of Origin, which her father claimed was a real place, masked in the wandering alpine mists, north of Mt. Moon. Rhea wasn¡¯t exactly sure if her father was pulling her leg or not on that story since trying to hide a tree the size of a mountain seemed rather silly in today¡¯s day and age, but he was adamant about it. No, but what she was sure about was the campus¡¯s Ancient Pok¨¦mon Biodome to the museum¡¯s northern half, where an exhibit was located, and the giant Shieldon dating back to Pok¨¦mopolis had been revived. It proved the Pok¨¦mon had been in the region and sparked some debate among scientists about how wide the ancient empire spread since no documents dated back that far and the language was still being studied. Rhea was neutral to much of it, but she heard about it nonetheless because of who her mother was¡ªshe just wanted to see a non-Dynamaxed giant Pok¨¦mon for herself. The east side of the campus was dedicated to Pewter University, built closer to the residential district where dorm facilities had been constructed for those studying abroad. It ranked in the top five in Johto and Kanto. The city¡¯s Science Division was located on the west side of the campus, dealing with most of the postgraduate activities and research, which Rhea wasn¡¯t particularly interested in. A long sigh left Rhea¡¯s lips while studying the vast expanse of the city she¡¯d only seen on her cycling laptop background of places she wished to visit¡ªit was so much larger than her tiny little village ¡­ everything was, and it was beginning to become a bit overwhelming. They¡¯d hardly scratched the surface of Viridian; even Dark City and Gardenia City were massive compared to her home village. The mountains surrounding the level city, enclosing it in a protective half-circle, put her mind at ease, though, knowing there was always something bigger. There were still hydropower plants that could be seen along the Pok¨¦mon carved river that the area primarily relied upon before Rocket¡¯s clean nuclear plants, but it still served as a means to mitigate some power costs¡ªthere were times Pewter faced power droughts when the mountains would have enough snowfall during the winter months to keep the plants from running and the area¡¯s needed water supply dried up. Things had grown significantly better since Rocket¡¯s ferocious return into the business world, though. Rhea smiled at her redheaded companion as the girl peered into the deep valley below, searching for any hint of her home city. Things are turning out pretty good so far¡­ Taking out her cell phone, she texted her brother, lips falling a bit when she got an auto-reply he¡¯d preset whenever the message couldn¡¯t be received¡ªhe was in a place that couldn¡¯t be reached, meaning Katelin and him were still hiking around Mt. Moon on their couple¡¯s retreat. The message said they¡¯d be back in Pewter by the 23rd, tomorrow. It wasn¡¯t long after that the seven girls made their way down from the lookout tower to enter the City of Stone. Sam, Hannah, and Jade slowly got to know Jay over the last few days, exchanging contact information themselves. Amira and Lori were discussing the benefits of Contests, the purple-haired girl still trying to convince their teammate to join them at some point when Rhea got a call from her mother. Answering it in voice-only mode as they returned to the road, her mother¡¯s cheerful voice brightened her moon further. ¡°Hey, Mom!¡± ¡°Afternoon, my little Swablu! Oh ¡­ in new company?¡± ¡°Yeah, I found a new friend named Jay; she¡¯s from Alola.¡± Her mother giggled. ¡°Look at you, capturing more friends by the day, and your father was telling me how worried you were about spreading your wings.¡± A light blush touched her cheeks. ¡°Mom, it wasn¡¯t that bad¡­¡± ¡°He-he, alright, alright! Well, I can¡¯t wait to meet them at some point¡ªby the way, your father and I have made some time to stop by Pewter late this evening, and I have a special gift for you and your teammates!¡± ¡°A gift, huh¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, eyeing her two companions, still engrossed in Lori¡¯s learned lessons from their spectacular Contest defeat. ¡°It¡¯s not new phones again, is it?¡± She asked, knowing her mother loved giving her new pieces of prototype technology to test out. Rhea did her due diligence as a tester, though, and sent weekly feedback data on bugs or errors she found¡ªalthough fewer and fewer of them occurred with every new item her mother sent her from her Silph contacts. She caught a few phrases as her six companions as they converged into a singular group, noting the topic change as the Rocket girl explained to the others that Forrest wasn¡¯t scheduled to take battles until tomorrow at 11 A.M., which made Rhea¡¯s day since her brother would be able to see her first Gym battle. Jay scratched her head with a slight frown. ¡°Wait¡ªso, Pewter is the easiest Gym?¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s what everyone says,¡± Hannah replied with a forced smile. ¡°I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s true, but I wouldn¡¯t say that when we get inside, they¡¯re pretty touchy about it.¡± Amira shrugged, pushing up her seashades a little on her nose after adjusting her tote bag. ¡°It¡¯s a well-known fact that Falkner and Forrest are the first Gyms you should attempt to get an Encrusted Badge from if you¡¯re going for the League Triple Challenge. It¡¯s hard to argue with numbers, but the statistics could be skewed since more people go through Pewter than any other Gym.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ I had no idea,¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°I was told by some Kanto guys that I should try Viridian Gym first.¡± A laugh shook Amira¡¯s chest. ¡°... Yeah, you¡¯ll get some of those people in Kanto¡ªheh, no, no, you shouldn¡¯t! My grandfather is ranked at the top of Johto and Kanto Battle Rankings for a reason.¡± Focus returning to her mother, Rhea frowned while staring ahead of them at the front gate leading into Pewter. ¡°So ¡­ you¡¯ll be here tonight?¡± ¡°Mhm! I have a lot of data I can look over without being in Viridian as is, and some new developments have given me more time ¡­ Is Sabin there?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°I think he¡¯s still with Katelin on their little adventure, but he¡¯ll be back tomorrow.¡± ¡°Good. Good. I was just hoping to see him a little,¡± she replied, mirroring Rhea¡¯s depressed tone. ¡°I don¡¯t see you two enough ¡­ My, how quickly kids grow.¡± Rhea¡¯s expression brightened a little. ¡°You can always stop by with dad wherever we are and hang out for a bit.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ maybe we¡¯ll do that a few times a month¡ªI gotta get my cute daughter fix,¡± she snickered. ¡°Plus, I¡¯ll be able to see how things are going with Nova and Mya ¡­ Hmm, gotta finish setting some things up. Talk to you later tonight, honey!¡± ¡°Later, Mom¡­¡± Hanging up, Rhea caught a recent post by Jason that came down the moment she ended the call, saying they¡¯d be back in Pewter late that night. They¡¯d likely crash at some hotel after the grueling adventure they seemed to have, given the mud-caked images her best friend sent back, but it meant they¡¯d have time to catch up tomorrow¡ªit would be an eventful day. Noticing she was off the phone, Sam bounced over with a bright grin. ¡°... Hey, Rhea! So, we have some time to kill after signing up at the Gym. What do you think about hitting the museum? Jay wants to see the Pok¨¦mopolis exhibit and giant Shieldon!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Rhea chimed, walking closer to her group. ¡°Although, I need to stop by Brock¡¯s hospital for a checkup later tonight.¡± ¡°Oh, is something wrong?¡± Jay asked with concern, brushing back her blonde locks that Jade braided that morning. ¡°No, no, no!¡± Rhea laughed, waving her hand. ¡°My mom¡¯s stopping by with my dad, and they wanted to make sure I¡¯m healthy¡ªnothing big.¡± Sam quickly jumped in, pulling Jay¡¯s attention. ¡°Oh, okay! So, while Amira, Lori, and Rhea do that, we can look around the local shops.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lori grinned. ¡°You four chill, and we¡¯ll meet up after; you can show us all the cool stuff.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Jay returned, her brown eyes falling to the road. ¡°You know ¡­ it really means a lot to me that you¡¯re showing me around and stuff¡ªthanks.¡± Hannah jumped ahead a bit, turning to walk backward while managing her hair. ¡°No problem! By the way, I love the whole Alolan theme you have; it¡¯s really bright and eye-catching.¡± Jay plucked at her skirt, expression forced before shivering a little as the wind picked up. ¡°Uh ¡­ sure, but I really need to get some warmer clothes because¡ªgah, is it not chilly to you six?¡± she asked, rubbing her shoulders. ¡°It wasn¡¯t too bad in Pallet, but every day it gets colder and colder¡ªshouldn¡¯t it be the opposite?!¡± Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Elevation,¡± Amira replied. ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, it¡¯ll get a lot chillier as we go around Mt. Moon, but it will warm up as we get to Cerulean.¡± ¡°New clothes, then?¡± Rhea asked, studying the girl¡¯s petite figure. ¡°I kind of think it¡¯s a bit hot right now¡ªpersonally.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Jay mumbled, still rubbing her shoulders. ¡°Will it get colder anywhere else in Kanto?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°Mt. Silver and Pewter areas are the coldest here.¡± ¡°Alright ¡­ so, I just need to tough it out for a week¡ªbetter than wasting my money,¡± she grumbled, reminding Rhea how stretched the Alolan girl was without a team to help back her up. Sam pulled her brown bangs behind her ears before looking at both her teammates. ¡°Umm, Jay¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Hannah, Jade, and I were talking last night, and¡ªif you want, you can join us. I mean, I know it¡¯s not really that common to have a four-person party, and we¡¯ll have to work some things out later, but we think you¡¯d be fun to travel with.¡± Jay slowed down a little, causing the others to join her; they were nearing the gate into Pewter. ¡°You ¡­ You really mean it?¡± she asked in disbelief. ¡°I mean ¡­ I¡¯ve been a bit lost since coming to Kanto ¡­ It¡¯s just so big¡­¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Hannah grinned. ¡°You¡¯re super nice, and you can show us more of those Alolan dishes you were telling us about.¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t cause trouble?¡± she pressed, concerned brown eyes shifting between them. Sam shook her head. ¡°Not at all! Will you join us?¡± ¡°Umm, sure¡ªyeah, I¡¯d like that,¡± Jay said, trying to hold back tears. ¡°Thank you ¡­ I was getting a bit overwhelmed by how much Amira was telling me about how big Kanto was¡­¡± Amira¡¯s lips tightened. ¡°Oh ¡­ Sorry¡­¡± ¡°No, no, I was just¡ªit¡¯s a lot to take in,¡± she hurriedly replied. ¡°I¡¯m used to living on an island.¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°What¡¯s a continent but a big island¡ªAm I right?¡± They all laughed. Rhea¡¯s heart was on fire while watching the whole exchange, tears near her own eyes¡ªshe¡¯d found a good group of friends. Continuing into Pewter, her mind returned to her parents'' visit; she couldn¡¯t wait to hug her mom and dad again¡ªshe missed her father¡¯s strong embrace and her mother¡¯s gentle touch. Nova wanted hugs, too, while Mya was more focused on tomorrow¡¯s match, excited for a real test of her strength. The streets of Pewter were similar to Viridian, Brock probably taking inspiration from Giovanni¡¯s own reconstruction plans, which left plenty of room for people to travel along the sidewalks. Rhea caught sight of many Pok¨¦mon going about errands with their Trainers or operating independently; it was something she¡¯d only recently become accustomed to since the only cities she¡¯d seen were in online videos. Walking into the colossal Rock-themed Gym at the city¡¯s heart, her teammates signed up for the match against Forrest tomorrow, putting down the 3,000 required credits while the other four went for the standard 1,000 credit Aide challenge for later that evening. Jade, Rhea, and Hannah were nervous about the challenge, but Lori, Amira, Sam, and Jay were pretty confident¡ªMya felt downright unbeatable, as usual. They stopped off at a nearby restaurant Amira directed them to, which was actually relatively affordable, considering the quality of the dishes, and once fed, visited the museum at 5:45 P.M. On the way into the facility, Rhea noticed what she assumed were students of Pewter University, mostly ranging from ages 17 to 28, yet there were a few younger or older. Amira explained that the shiny brass Bolder Badge pin with various bars on their outfit marked them as students, and the more lines showed their current seniority at the college. Everyone was dressed rather well, and their group drew a lot of attention, especially from the men, which Rhea chalked up to be from Jay¡¯s exotic outfit. Jay debated getting warmer clothes again while passing by a retail store but decided against it in the end, saying it would only increase her pack-load in the future, and they¡¯d be indoors most of their stay in Pewter. Rhea paid the 100 Credit fee for each of them, excluding Amira, who insisted on paying her own, yet the others gladly accepted her offer. Inside the central museum were fine pieces of historical art salvaged among many other artifacts, such as pottery and the gibberish writing system Rhea couldn¡¯t make heads or tails of. Pok¨¦mopolis had an interesting architecture from what little had been uncovered so far, including the odd artifacts composed of a material only found inside the area, which had some scientists conclude the civilization originated from another dimension, possibly utilizing the Ultra Wormholes thousands of years ago. The giant Shieldon was something else to behold; Mya and Nova seemed very puzzled by what the creature had to say; to them, the Pok¨¦mon spouted nonsense, talked funny, and what they did understand was rude¡ªMya wanting to fight it, but the first-stage Pok¨¦mon was somehow Gold-tier by Rhea¡¯s estimates, and the museum wouldn¡¯t be too happy with them for disrupting the habitat. At one of the exhibits, a video was playing about scientists theorizing how Pok¨¦mopolis managed to accomplish giant Pok¨¦mon without using the Dynamax phenomenon and questioned how they managed to do it. Unlike Gigamax, where Champion-tier Trainers could cause their Pok¨¦mon to mimic the Dynamax feat or the Galar equivalent, Pok¨¦mopolis managed to keep their Pok¨¦mon at that colossal form permanently. They were hoping the giant Shieldon would provide them some answers since giant Pok¨¦mon sightings had turned out to be accurate, where everyone thought it was a myth beforehand. Rhea took several pictures of the interesting things, posting them for her family to comment on. Of course, she quickly learned that was a mistake after her great grandmother, Bianca, mother, and aunt got into a lengthy scientific breakdown of every little thing. The four bounced off one another, making the comment section downright unreadable with the scientific and historical jargon they were spouting. Wasting time in the museum until 8:45 P.M., when the facility was nearing closing hours, Rhea, Amira, and Mallory split ways with the other four girls, promising to meet up after the checkup. They made their way to Brock¡¯s private hospital, where he acted as its Medical Director. The auburn-haired beauty that met them at the desk took the group by surprise, though. Holly Harrison, Brock¡¯s wife, was standing behind the receptionist¡¯s desk, casually talking to her husband¡¯s employee with her large Probopass beside her. Rhea knew about the woman and even the romantic tale the two shared since it was a favorite among Masters. Brock and Holly were paired in the Platinum Hearthome City Tag Battle Competition, and he was instantly smitten by her beauty, while she couldn¡¯t care less for him, rejecting his advances. Holly was older than Brock by two years and had no interest in younger men, yet after experiencing how deep his bond was with his Pok¨¦mon, she began to wish for something similar with her own, feeling somewhat inadequate and responsible for their loss. She left without saying goodbye to him, unable to face the former Gym Leader, and vowed to train to be not only a better fit for her own Pok¨¦mon but for Brock, as well. Two years later, when he was 19 and she 21, they met again¡ªthis time it was Holly that made the first advance, saying that after their battle, she¡¯d know if they were right for one another ¡­ They were married that night. Holly was a Master-tier Trainer, never quite making it to High-Master, yet still participated in competitions to this day. ¡°Rhea, I¡¯ve been expecting you,¡± she said with a soft smile, pushing herself away from the wall to join them. ¡°Your parents should be arriving shortly.¡± She said it low enough to not be heard by the several patients around the open area, but several of them watched in fascination as Holly guided them back, likely knowing who they were. Once beyond the restricted doors, nurses and doctors cycling between rooms, Rhea looked up at the slightly taller woman¡ªher heels added to the height difference. ¡°So ¡­ Are you here to spend time with Brock?¡± Amira and Mallory seemed to have no idea about the connection, keeping silent while listening to them. ¡°That and helping out,¡± Holly replied in a happy tone. ¡°I received my nursing license a few years back, and while I¡¯d rather be training with my husband, this is a passion of his I can enjoy being a part of.¡± Rhea wondered what Lori was thinking, seeing her sly smile as the woman mentioned training with her husband, but dismissed it as Holly continued. ¡°Hmm¡ªHow are you feeling? Brock¡¯s been pretty worried about you over the past two weeks.¡± ¡°He¡¯s still talking about it?¡± Rhea asked with a forced smile. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m fine now, especially after Ho-Oh¡¯s visit to Viridian.¡± Holly slowly nodded, lips falling. ¡°Yes ¡­ Ho-Oh¡¯s appearance was a shock ¡­ It¡¯s too bad only a part of Pewter was affected. There were a few patients that could have really used his help¡ªbut that¡¯s life. A great many were healed, though, which we should be thankful for.¡± They fell silent at the sobering topic until reaching the designated room; her parents were already inside, likely teleporting in, and her father rushed forward, reacting faster than her mother. Rhea released a gasping chuckle as her father swept her off her feet and into a bear hug. ¡°My darling little Swablu! How are you doing?¡± ¡°F-Fine, Dad! Heh ¡­ umm, yeah, my first few weeks have been great!¡± ¡°Hello, dears,¡± her mother laughed, walking over to hug Amira and Lori before getting to Rhea once her father let her go. ¡°We¡¯ll have to talk after we see how you¡¯re doing ¡­ by the way, has Rhea told you two I have a little gift for you?¡± she asked with sparkling eyes. ¡°No¡­¡± Amira mumbled, giving Rhea a questioning glance. Mallory grinned. ¡°Oh, I love surprises!¡± ¡°Wonderful!¡± Christie chimed, ushering Rhea to the oversized chair that Brock silently stood beside with his wife. ¡°First, we need to get some data ¡­ There we go, just sit back and relax¡­¡± Brock and Holly stood by the edge of the room as Christie took over, messing with the equipment on the holographic interface above the device. After adjusting a few settings, her lips tightened, gaze darting between graphs and numbers that meant nothing to Rhea. Mallory, Amira, and her father took the opposite side of her chair, wearing blank expressions while trying to follow the rapidly changing data points her mother instantly grasped and flipped to the next, making more adjustments. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I thought so ¡­ That could cause issues later ¡­ This could help, though ¡­ but modifications need to be made¡­¡± ¡°Christie?¡± Brock mumbled, glaring at the gibberish above them. ¡°You¡¯re looking at the genetic readings¡ªHow important is that in regards to her fortitude health?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ a lot in the long run,¡± Christie absently replied, still cycling through the data that might as well be from Pok¨¦mopolis with how alien it all looked. ¡°Ho-Oh accelerated several factors that I wasn¡¯t accounting for¡ªI was right to advance to the next stage.¡± ¡°Meaning¡ªyou know, in a language I understand?¡± Rhea weakly laughed. ¡°Your next Pok¨¦mon,¡± her father brightly responded. Brock¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°W-Wait ¡­ so soon¡ªAnd this one will require a Master Ball, too?¡± ¡°She will¡­¡± her mother whispered, seemingly not all that happy about what she was seeing. ¡°It¡¯s not exactly what I planned for, but readjustments are just a natural part of science and groundbreaking research.¡± Christie swiped left, dismissing the data. ¡°Now, I¡¯ll need the two of you to hop on the chair, as well,¡± she stated, smiling between Amira and Mallory. ¡°For?¡± Amira nervously asked. ¡°I¡¯ve discussed it with your parents and come to the conclusion that it just isn¡¯t fair to keep giving my daughter so many things without considering the two of you, and so, after some explanations, they consented with my desire to give you both a Pok¨¦mon I¡¯ve bred.¡± Rhea was just as floored as her two companions, and it didn¡¯t stop there. ¡°Giovanni was particularly eager to see what you might decide, Amira.¡± ¡°My grandfather¡­¡± Amira brushed back her red locks while staring at the tiled ground, deep in thought. ¡°So ¡­ my mom¡¯s alright with it, too?¡± ¡°More than that,¡± Keith warmly replied. ¡°She can¡¯t wait to see how you respond to the offer; there¡¯s no pressure. If you want to accept it or choose to find your own, then either is fine¡ªChristie just wanted to give you the option.¡± Lori licked her lips, rubbing her left arm with excitement. ¡°So, what are they?¡± ¡°A secret!¡± Christie winked. ¡°I went over the options with each of your parents, and they helped me narrow down the choices. Karen was a little hesitant but agreed with your father that it would certainly test your adaptability.¡± ¡°Cool! Yeah, I¡¯d love it¡ªuh, what¡¯s up with the checkup, though?¡± she mumbled, glancing down at the chair Rhea was on. Rhea sighed. ¡°It¡¯s for the human evolution stones ¡­ Isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°The what?¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Sorry ¡­ human evolution stones?¡± Christie nodded. ¡°Not like the one I gave you, dear, but similar, yes¡ªmore specialized than the public ones Silph is creating.¡± ¡°Yes! More exclusive stuff,¡± Mallory chimed. ¡°Yeah, okay, so ¡­ I just need to sit down?¡± Rhea got up to allow her to sit. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯m healthy now?¡± ¡°Mhm! Ho-Oh is a miracle worker ¡­ literally, and that¡¯s it, Mallory!¡± Christie stated after tapping a few buttons. ¡°What about you, Amira?¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ I ¡­ I guess it would be kind of stupid to refuse,¡± she whispered, hesitantly getting into the chair. ¡°Is there anything you can tell us about the Pok¨¦mon we¡¯ll be bonding with, though ¡­ Will we have to use Master Balls?¡± ¡°That¡¯s my question,¡± Brock grunted, Holly soothingly rubbing his back as she listened. ¡°Sadly, yes. It is unavoidable due to the power they possess as newly hatched Pokemon¡± Christie replied without hesitation. ¡°... I see,¡± Amira muttered, looking up at the glowing lights. Christie shook her head. ¡°I will say¡ªyour grandfather was very interested in the implications your Pokemon offers, given its potential ¡­ Heh, and your mother was dubious about how you¡¯d react to the requirements to achieve her potential ¡­ Keith¡­¡± Rhea stepped back to allow her father to shift around her, heading to a small crate in the corner of the room. He picked it up and brought it over to a table, opening the top to reveal three containers. Her mother opened the first one her father placed on a table, taking out a black and white egg with what appeared to have cloud-like shapes across it and small ovals. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you a little about each ¡­ Rhea, this little girl, well ¡­ I had to make some adjustments to make her less¡ªhyper-focused, after the previous data I collected¡­¡± She was obviously talking about Mya while trying not to make it sound as if she had a problem. ¡°However, it altered her Nature to be a little more ¡­ quirky than I anticipated¡ªeven human personalities are influenced to a degree by our genetics. Pok¨¦mon primary Natures dictate directions their energy will develop, but that doesn¡¯t mean they don¡¯t have other qualities or traits ¡­ this girl will be quite a bit more hasty and sassy than I anticipated, but her primary Nature will be Quirky.¡± Heh ¡­ are you two ready for a sassy and hyper-active teammate? Rhea asked her two Pok¨¦mon as they exited their balls to study the new egg. ¡°I can¡¯t wait¡­¡± Lori giggled at the explanation as Christie sat the egg down with the small bag holding their EV food and the special stone to give her once hatched. ¡°What about mine?!¡± ¡°Yours ¡­ is right here¡­¡± her mother laughed, taking out a rather oddly designed white and black egg¡ªRhea could only describe it as a crown with diamond shapes, holding an egg. ¡°So cool!¡± Lori squealed, Gables and Miky hopping around it. ¡°She will be a bit difficult to adjust to at first; I¡¯ll send you a guide on what to expect ¡­ Once I get the time to write it,¡± she mused. ¡°Next, Amira¡¯s¡­¡± Out of the final container, she pulled out an even more unique egg, still in the black and white theme; it had wave-like patterns and oddly-shaped splotches across its upper region. ¡°This darling little girl ¡­ is actually related to one of my sister¡¯s Pok¨¦mon, meaning she comes from very, very strong stock,¡± she chimed. ¡°All girls?¡± Mallory questioned. Rhea giggled. ¡°Yeah, female Pok¨¦mon carry on the type of Pok¨¦mon while males seed various potential Moves and Stats, so my mom always manipulates them at the start to be female to continue on the genetic line instead of it coming to a halt. Right?¡± ¡°You paid attention!¡± Christie smiled. ¡°Indeed. It is key with breeding to have strong females, and if you keep having females down the generations, then you¡¯ll end up with Pok¨¦mon like Nova and Mya¡­¡± ¡°Impossible in nature,¡± Brock mumbled. ¡°They¡¯d die.¡± ¡°True,¡± Christie conceded, ¡°but that is the purpose of the Master Balls and a Trainer. So ¡­ which will you choose?¡± Her father took out four pokeballs, three Master Balls that he put beside each egg¡¯s care package. ¡°No need to select now,¡± he said. ¡°Christie¡¯s just really excited to see what you think about them.¡± Christie laughed. ¡°I am! You could consult with your family, though¡ªthere are pros and cons to having these Pokemon and going all-natural ¡­ Now, why don¡¯t we gather everything up and talk for a bit!¡± Rhea happily accepted her new Pok¨¦mon, excited to see what it was, and Lori made them promise not to look up any egg guides to cheat the surprise to her parents'' amusement. Brock was pulled away by his staff to handle administration work, but it was clear that her mother¡¯s methods didn¡¯t entirely sit right with him. After a good thirty-minute visit, they parted ways and joined back up with the four other friends; the topic about their eggs became the deciding talking point for the rest of the night, and it wasn¡¯t until 11:56 P.M. did they get to bed. Tomorrow was the big challenge¡ªtheir first attempt at an Encrusted Gym Badge. B1 — 36. Little Devil 6:17 A.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pok¨¦mon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration followed, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, the Summer Round Robin Cup would begin, crowning the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Mallory grunted while stretching across her bed, shifting her bound purple hair to the side while slowly waking up; Rhea was out of the bathroom and getting ready. Amira, of course, was fully up and scanning through relevant news; her red hair was brushed, letting it air dry before her Fennekin blew the rest of the moisture out according to her daily routine. Mallory wasn¡¯t that concerned about her hair¡ªblow it out with the cool setting and be done with it was her philosophy. Gables and Miky slid off, her little prankster crawling under the blankets to get a bit more sleep as she got out of bed to stretch, bikini pressing against her bust with the motion. ¡°Morning¡­¡± she grunted, tilting left and right while glancing at her egg, still in the container beside her bed; she always had to loosen up in the morning¡ªit felt good, but the initial tightness wasn¡¯t great, along with the desire to sleep in another hour and a half that accompanied it. She was excited to see what her new Pok¨¦mon would be¡ªespecially when Rhea¡¯s famous mother bred them and with what the woman explained about her mysterious new partner. They just needed another day in the cylinders for some reason, then she recommended they sleep with them. ¡°Hey!¡± Rhea chimed, giving her a cute smile; her egg was beside her bed, too. ¡°Today¡¯s the day!¡± ¡°Nervous?¡± Mallory asked with a grin. Amira frowned, red irises lifting as a sigh left her full lips; her egg was on their small group table. ¡°It¡¯s our first Gym Battle, and against a Leader¡ªForrest may have a reputation as the weakest out of the region¡¯s High Masters, but that doesn¡¯t mean he¡¯s a pushover; there¡¯s a reason the Encrusted Badge Challenge is so infamous for smashing Trainers because of the financial cost.¡± Lori shrugged, adjusting the straps on her shoulders. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve got the Type advantage; if I can¡¯t do this one, then it just means we should focus on the Aides instead of doing the EBC.¡± Amira¡¯s gaze lowered. ¡°... I need to prove to myself that I can do it.¡± Mallory pursed her lips at the Rocket girl¡¯s tone, Rhea seemingly having a worrisome internal conversation with her Mawile. She wondered how much of Amira¡¯s drive was focused on her family image, even if it was subconscious ¡­ Cass placed similar stressors on herself for her followers; well, that and her complete inability to handle criticism. Grabbing a few of her items, she moved to the mirror to pull down on her eyes and check her complexion with a groan¡ªshe wasn¡¯t blind or dumb and knew that the three of them came from phenomenal genetics that naturally enhanced their beauty, yet couldn¡¯t help secretly comparing herself to others. She was aware of the flaw, having incredible self-awareness, and being critical of how she acted around others was important to her. It gave her a sense of peace when people were chill, and setting up an atmosphere to let people fit into that mold was a skill she¡¯d learned, and being happy wasn¡¯t that difficult when you surrounded yourself with the right people. She¡¯d heard a lot about Rhea from Alder since he was good friends with Cynthia. She was probably the cutest girl she¡¯d ever met, and her awkward social skills somehow contributed to just finding new people and asking to be friends, which was funny to her. Mallory was friendly with everyone but selective about who she allowed to stay in her life, while Rhea was super open, pulling girls into their little circle left and right. Her struggles were so different, too, and somehow, she managed to take all the challenges and brush them off without lingering on them. On the other hand, Amira was very confident in her social skills yet extremely closed off, utilizing the opposite approach Mallory took. Unlike her, the redhead was super shy, though, which was fascinating. Amira was gorgeous, classy, and reserved, reflecting the Rocket side of her family. She accessorized in a simple manner that was just enough to be perfect. The little choker, bracelet, fashionable sandals, and how she molded her thick flaming hair or positioned her glasses showed the girl knew how to look good. Mallory¡¯s mind was pulled back to Lucian¡¯s comment about her being ugly, which set a fire in her chest, just thinking about it. From Amira¡¯s full lips, perfect skin, and carefully sculpted features, she was far prettier than herself, which meant the boy was insulting just about every girl there because few of them could match Amira toe to toe. The one thing Mallory was always complimented on was, annoyingly, her hourglass figure¡ªthat was it. Her aggravating, uncomfortable, overly hyped shape. Shopping was a nightmare, which made it awesome that Amira¡¯s grandfather had a whole industry at his beck and call, giving her the perfect dress. She smiled fondly at the dress Giovanni had Lyra get them; it was honestly such a thoughtful thing for him to do¡ªeverything the Rocket family did was amazing. The hate was overhyped. Of course, clothes went a long way with Mallory. Most of the time, she¡¯d go out shopping with her old gang, spot this stunning dress, and it¡¯s only like 60 credits! Wonderful! Then, she¡¯d look at the measurements¡ªnot wonderful. The bust and waist? Perfect! Hips? Nope ¡­ About 8¡± too small, or vice versa¡ªa dress would fit her waist and hips perfectly, the bust, on the other hand, way too small. She wanted to buy a form-fitting skirt? Good luck finding something that isn¡¯t gaping at the waist but has room for her butt. A pretty, flowy top? Better wear a belt, or she¡¯d look like a pregnant blimp. What about a button-up shirt? Nada¡ªeither too loose and awkward or so tight in the bust; most in her waist size looked like they¡¯d pop buttons everywhere. Pants? Just looking at a few of Rhea¡¯s friends¡¯ outfits had her jealous. The moment she found a company that produced some that can contain her hips, butt, and thighs while accounting for her long legs, they stopped making them because of the low demand, and she was looking for another the following year. Her leg length also made some dresses practically shirts on her. No, she was pretty self-conscious about her figure since clothes made up a big part of a person¡¯s life, and in truth, sometimes she could go a bit overboard with gloves, stockings, and the like¡ªshe¡¯d learned fashion from her older sister, and she had a style of her own. She wanted to branch out but was scared to since she¡¯d grown up emulating her sister just to attempt to gain her attention¡ªkind of a stupid thought if she reflected on it now, and purple was hard to match stuff life¡ªred, red went with almost anything, and Rhea¡¯s golden mane gave her so many options. Purple ¡­ you had black, and that was about it. Bright yellow, orange, or green could work, but most of the time, it just made her look somewhat sickly. Stepping into the bathroom with Gables, Mallory sat her items down to look at her purple eyes before turning to stare at the discolored areas on her back. Her face was kind of average, in her opinion, and the scar on her back was a big point of concern when she was a girl whenever she had sleepovers or went swimming¡ªit took a lot to even look halfway decent. Having horrible burn marks that were practically magical and required years of special treatment didn¡¯t help her self-image¡ªespecially when seeing Amira and Rhea¡¯s perfect skin. Of course, she¡¯d never touch on that ¡­ What good would it do? One fact drew her mind to the damage¡ªHo-Oh¡¯s incredible healing light didn¡¯t cure it¡ªa Pok¨¦mon so renowned for its restorative energy that it could return the dead. She¡¯d never let it show on the outside, but from what she knew about Legendary and Mythical Pok¨¦mon ¡­ Would she ever be free from this reminder that she was parentless? As a child, she would wonder if perhaps she was the cause for their deaths. Did she run out somewhere like an idiot, and they had to protect her? Why was she in a war zone to begin with? Was it their fault for bringing her? The questions silently burned her heart for years. However, the only thing Grimsley would tell her was that the fire that burned her took her parents, which meant it was from some Legendary or Mythical Pok¨¦mon. There was one time when her foster father was ridiculously hammered¡ªof course, there were times he could just be straight funny with how good at acting he was; this hit a little closer to home, though ¡­ How she was lucky to even be alive¡ªright ¡­ lucky her. No one would tell all the details, but some magical force was trapped underneath her skin, somehow so attached to her, it was practically linked to her spirit itself or something. She¡¯d lost count of the treatments by Pok¨¦mon and doctors, which managed to cover up the radiant pattern to make it look even a little better¡ªat least it stopped the episodes of pain. It took Alder appealing to Cynthia for something only she could achieve since she was close to all the Sinnoh Legendary and Mythic Pok¨¦mon¡ªasking Jirachi to use almost 800 years of charged energy to just remove the pain, and Cynthia noted that it could return at any time. She just wanted to know who did it to her¡ªwho took her parents and scarred her for life¡ªit was something she¡¯d buried deep in her soul over the years¡ªto be whole, like everyone else, and not have to deal with the fear of it coming back. Jirachi wouldn¡¯t have the power to do that again, but maybe, just maybe, Ho-Oh¡¯s power had strengthened whatever Jirachi did because the Mythical Bird was far, far stronger than the Wish Pok¨¦mon. Cynthia asked her if she wanted to have her sister look into it, but after two years, five to seven years old, in utter pain, episodes flaring off and on, trying to rekindle and finish the task, countless scientists, all ending in crushed hopes for a normal life, she refused¡ªthis was enough¡ªno more. Although, after meeting Rhea¡¯s mother and seeing the miraculous things she could accomplish, Mallory was beginning to think there might be some hope¡ªshe just wasn¡¯t quite ready to let it in. Gables jumped up to her bare shoulder, comfortingly patting her on the head. Smiling, she giggled. Thanks, Gab¡ªI¡¯m just reflecting a bit too much on the depressing part. Look at the bright side; I¡¯ve got two awesome teammates ¡­ Lucky me. She meant it this time. Striping down, she set the bathing suit apart from her new outfit and second bikini and turned the heat up high, letting the hot water melt her troubled mind away while throwing on a song on her new phone and singing along; music was a huge part of her life, and the advanced device Rhea¡¯s mom got for them had shockingly good speakers for being crystal¡ªshe had no clue where the sound came from, but it pumped. Finishing up, she got out and dressed in her new underwear, throwing the previous in the washer while they were out for the day. She took her dress out, grinning at Amber as she proudly jumped up to the counter, ready to help her dry her hair¡ªit was becoming a standard that the Fennekin funnily really put a lot of pride into. Gables was chatting with Miky as he trudged over, still groggy; the Froakie was trying to hype him up for the match today. Rhea was humming the song she was singing when she came out. ¡°... as bright as one ¡­ Oh! I didn¡¯t know you liked that, too!¡± She said with a bright smile. ¡°I think you¡¯ve gone through like every genre since Pallet¡ªwell, heh, not heavy metal, but that¡¯s more my brother¡¯s thing.¡± ¡°I enjoy a good headbanger from time to time,¡± Lori chuckled, combing through her locks as Amber blew. ¡°So,¡± she shot a small smirk at Amira, ¡°who do you two think is the best singer in the group? We gotta have one if we¡¯re gonna start a band!¡± ¡°A band?¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Uh, yeah, not my thing.¡± ¡°The spotlight?¡± Malloy giggled, bowing her head for the little fox Pok¨¦mon to get another angle. ¡°Sad¡ªbecause I think you¡¯ve totally got the best voice out of the three of us.¡± This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°I think so, too!¡± Rhea chimed, pulling up her phone. ¡°I was recording a bit of her singing yesterday morning¡ªI think you were asleep ¡­ Check it out!¡± ¡°Wait ¡­ You did what?¡± Amira mumbled, eyes widening. ¡°Yeah, it was just so pretty,¡± Rhea said, playing the song. It took a second for Rhea to pull it up, allowing her to finish drying her damp hair. Shifting to the blonde girl¡¯s bed to listen, Amira glared at the unaware blonde-haired girl, trying to not look flustered. ¡°Oh,¡± Mallory mumbled, folding her arms while thinking about the lyrics the redhead was singing. ¡°This song¡ªit sounds like the perfect song for you, though.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Amira asked, setting her phone down to come over and listen. ¡°My mom used to sing it to me when I was a kid.¡± Rhea hummed. ¡°I¡¯ve heard it before, but yeah, it¡¯s kind of old. I just like the beat, but listening to you sing the words without the instruments really made me think about it.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Mallory nudged her side with a sly smirk. ¡°You know, to me, this song has kind of a twist to it¡ªit invokes that naivety and innocence in you before jumping into the hook, which is more adult-themed.¡± Amira shrugged, mumbling, ¡°Yeah, well¡ªI guess it is kind of a personal thing. My mom used to hum it while we made chocolate chip cookies together to surprise my dad after getting off work.¡± ¡°¡°Cute!¡±¡± They both squealed. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t have expected anything less,¡± Mallory mused, thinking back on the perfect little marriage Silver and Lyra had. ¡°Your parents are sooo sweet to each other!¡± ¡°Mhm! Your mom¡¯s the best!¡± Rhea jumped in. ¡°Eh ¡­ They aren¡¯t your parents,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°They¡¯ve got their sides.¡± ¡°I bet,¡± Mallory chuckled, but she couldn¡¯t help another side of envy creeping into her chest and tried to brush it away. Karan and Grimsley were the kind of parents most kids dreamed of¡ªliving the famous life, yet their parenting left ¡­ something to be desired. Mallory was often alone, which was why she tried to get her sister¡¯s attention, and eventually, she found friends to help fill that void, but she wanted a good, stable parent she could go to. Grimsley was great for the unconventional, and both knew their way around the laws, teaching her everything they knew¡ªshe lacked those memories of personal time, though ¡­ spent baking or hanging out with her parents that didn¡¯t involve gambling or learning the criminal underground. Predictably, her gaze soon fell on Rhea¡¯s hair ties as she discussed cooking with her dad; it matched the brand her aunt owned¡ªknockoffs were everywhere, but she had no doubt the item actually came from her aunt and was the authentic brand, meaning people would pay bank for them. Honestly, she could fund her entire Bronze to Gold-tier journey just off selling it. Of course, those kinds of thoughts probably never crossed the innocent girl¡¯s mind. Mallory nodded, giving Rhea a smile as if she were listening, trying to get the thoughts out of her head. ¡°Oh, yeah! That must have been fun. That reminds me, weren¡¯t we going to see about getting some stuff for Jay to cook something for us tonight¡ªafter the battles?¡± Rhea¡¯s pearly blue eyes widened with excitement. ¡°Yeah! She was going to show me how to really make an Alolan dish, and Bianca was going to join us on live chat to make it, too; she¡¯s super excited to learn the real way to make Alolan Lau Lau and something called Poke¡ªit requires some of the local fish from there, but she said our Pok¨¦mon would love it, too.¡± ¡°Both are pretty good, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know how you¡¯ll feel about real Lau Lau,¡± Amira replied, probably trying to get the topic off her singing. ¡°Most of the recipes in Kanto substitute the Alolan ingredients for things we¡¯re more accustomed to¡ªI bet Jay will want to spend the extra money on the actual ingredients imported from Alola, which can be super expensive ¡­ especially in a high altitude, distant city, like Pewter.¡± ¡°Exciting,¡± Mallory mumbled, bypassing her comment. ¡°We¡¯ll have to come up with our own song to sing while cooking!¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯ll be fun!¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Since it¡¯s Alolan themed, maybe Jay could play something we could learn.¡± ¡°Mmh, I don¡¯t know,¡± Amira sighed, brushing back her hair. ¡°Learning a new, foreign song, cooking, and live streaming with your cousin? Wait¡­¡± Mallory frowned at her tone but quickly caught on, sucking in a breath through her teeth. ¡°... Ah, right, right¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, confused eyes darting between them as Nova and Mya poked their heads out of her blankets behind them. Amira rubbed the back of her neck with a telling smile. ¡°Can we live stream with Bianca and Jay ¡­ together?¡± ¡°I mean, why ¡­ Oh ¡­ Muk,¡± Rhea groaned, running her fingers through her thick blonde ponytail. ¡°Having my family be a secret sucks!¡± ¡°Saved! Nice catch, Amira,¡± Mallory praised, comfortingly rubbing Rhea¡¯s back. ¡°Maybe you can teach Bianca what you learned.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ I guess that works, too,¡± she puffed out a sad breath, falling back to pull Nova onto her chest to smile at her. ¡°Yeah¡ªand let¡¯s not let the stress of this Gym Challenge get to us! It¡¯ll be scary at first¡ªMhm, I¡¯m scared, Mya,¡± she gave the Pok¨¦mon a strained grin, ¡°but it¡¯s also exciting.¡± Mya folded her arms, giving her Trainer a look that said she was worrying too much before jumping off the bed to hang with Gables and Miky; her little trouble maker was starting to adapt to their group and learning what jokes and games were acceptable. He really had a cute heart that tried to clown around to distract people from their troubles. ¡°Are you two scared?¡± Rhea asked, stroking Nova¡¯s fur as she settled on her chest. ¡°Me?!¡± Mallory laughed. ¡°Naa! Gables is gonna own! Oh, we¡¯re gonna see the boys today on the way there, right?¡± Amira groaned, falling back to the bed beside Rhea, and Amber happily jumped up to sit next to her, Holly jumping out of her pokeball to join the pair. ¡°What do you think Lucian¡¯s going to say when he sees us?¡± ¡°That guy?¡± Mallory smirked. ¡°You know, I think he actually likes you!¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Amira¡¯s red eyebrows came together, head lifting to give her an incredulous stare. ¡°You¡¯re joking! What about his attitude says he likes me?¡± Rhea was right beside her on the issue. ¡°Yeah ¡­ uh, saying the things he did¡ªit doesn¡¯t really strike me as, ¡®Oh, this girl¡¯s pretty!¡¯ Mallory¡¯s head tilted, winking at the girls. ¡°Classic noble boy rejecting what he really wants, but knows he can¡¯t have because Mommy and Daddy would disapprove! He has to say you¡¯re ugly¡ªhe¡¯s trying to close the door and deny it, which leads to¡­¡± She hopped up, grabbed her phone, and found the song in three seconds, pointing at Gables. The Frog Pok¨¦mon smiled, hopping onto the table with a flourish before breaking into a dance as she played the song clip while getting into the groove and mirroring the lyrics. Amber and Nova bounced on Rhea and Amira¡¯s chests as laughter shook them. ¡°That¡¯s pretty rich,¡± Amira wheezed. ¡°Thanks for cheering me up, Lori¡ªwow, if that is true, then¡ªwow¡­¡± Rhea was gasping as Mya climbed up on the table, curiously trying to emulate Gable¡¯s movements, Miky joining and doing a pretty good job after, a bright grin on his pink face as everyone laughed with the increased volume of the singers. The three of them were singing the song the rest of the morning, playing off each other and getting the notes right, which put Mallory¡¯s mood through the roof with everyone else, tuning into her joke and portrayal of the snooty boy. They got more and more into it until they were singing at the top of their lungs, probably annoying the neighboring Trainers beside their room, Lucian¡¯s comic-like image in their minds, heartbroken and crying to the moon about his loss. The song didn¡¯t perfectly match the circumstance, but their imagination made up the rest, and they were having fun; Mallory also enjoyed Amira¡¯s voice, causing her to try and keep it going with the thought that maybe she¡¯d grow more comfortable singing along their journey. It was good enough to probably match Len¡¯s mom if she practiced more. It seemed to be working because she managed to get her to join in when they left the hotel at 10:30 A.M., meeting up with Jay, Hannah, Sam, and Jade. She roped the girls into bouncing off each other, each taking lines from a popular song they all knew, snapping their fingers to the beat, and drawing eyes as they walked down the street. Amira was hesitant, but she¡¯d trapped her! She didn¡¯t want to be the only one not participating, which pulled her a bit out of her comfort zone. One step closer to forming a band! Rhea sent Jason the restaurant they were going to for breakfast, and the trio met them there; Lucian was rather cold and disinterested, obviously not wishing to be with the seven girls, much to Mallory¡¯s amusement¡ªhe was so uncomfortable, and Amira caught onto the vibe in an instant, giving her a stare that said she was connecting the dots showing she¡¯d set this whole thing up, which ¡­ She¡¯d be right! She really was kind of petty, and that first comment to Amira, reflecting on every other girl in the room and how he looked at Casey, was something she took personally. It was really hitting dozens of goals she had¡ªspending time with Len again, making Lucian squirm, uplifting her teammate, etc. She made it a point to pull Lucian into the conversation, giving him small facial expressions to poke at his ego¡ªoh, she was petty¡ªsomething her foster parents taught her in spades. Lori probed into what Pok¨¦mon they¡¯d gotten from their trip, but even Len was secretive about the info, considering they were rivals. Finally, it came¡ªprecisely what she was waiting for. She knew it would come up with this get-together. ¡°... Hmm¡­¡± Mallory mused, setting down her fork and knife after finishing her last berry-filled pancake; kindly, Rhea told the girls she¡¯d pay for everyone before they entered. ¡°Yeah, didn¡¯t Lucian pick a Piplup? Heh, Amira, remember when Mya sent it flying like¡ªright at my face! He hit the barrier and just slid down it¡­¡± Lucian seemed to have had enough of the subtle references of the embarrassing moments. ¡°... It was supposed to be a match between Amira and me¡ªI would have won.¡± Len and Jason sat back, withholding sighs, clearly having this conversation before. ¡°... Yeah,¡± Len mumbled, ¡°but it is what it is, Man. Next time, we¡¯ll do better.¡± ¡°Humph,¡± his narrowed blue irises slid to Amira, ¡°Why not have a rematch today¡ªJust a one-on-one.¡± Mallory was a little surprised; she suspected he¡¯d demand another team match, causing her mind to kick into suspicion mode. Perhaps, embarrassing himself with the public Rocket apology was even more of a thorn in his side than Rhea¡¯s terrifying domination¡ªlosing wasn¡¯t as bad as swallowing his pride because he could just make excuses with that. The five other girls'' gave nervous glances at the sudden shift in the light atmosphere Mallory had crafted. Amira sat back, red eyes meeting the boy¡¯s glare, fingers rubbing the frame of her glasses, secured at her front. ¡°... Aren¡¯t you challenging Forrest in a few hours? Do you really think it¡¯s wise to get into a battle before that?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Jason mumbled, scooting back and looping one of his arms around the back of his chair to face his teammate. ¡°We gotta be in the Stadium by 1 P.M. for the Bronze Block.¡± Lucian¡¯s eyes were serious. ¡°It¡¯s 11 A.M., and this shouldn¡¯t last more than five minutes¡ªmax.¡± Amira¡¯s jaw tightened at his tone, the other girls¡¯ brows furrowing at his statement. ¡°Plus, there¡¯s a decent field nearby that we scouted out before getting our second Pok¨¦mon.¡± Len sucked on his tongue, making a noise. ¡°Eh¡ªthat¡¯s a bit big¡ªpretty public, too.¡± The boy¡¯s lips curled, giving his teammate a slight shrug. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re both right¡ªit¡¯s too much.¡± Amira¡¯s tight lips lifted into a smile that didn¡¯t touch her red eyes. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine¡ªlike you said, it won¡¯t take more than five minutes, and there¡¯s a Center nearby ¡­ I saw it when we were exploring the city yesterday. Are we doing this right now?¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Lucian leered, getting to his feet as the waitress stopped by, noticing they were about to leave. ¡°Oh, umm ¡­ How will you be paying?¡± Rhea was about to pipe up when Amira held up her hand with a sweet smile at Lucian; he was still in his ritzy Kalos suit. ¡°I¡¯ll get everyone, Rhea¡ªI understand the Encrusted Gym Challenge can be costly.¡± Lucian¡¯s expression fell at the insinuation, but she was already pulling out her phone to transfer the funds. ¡°I can¡­¡± ¡°No, no, it¡¯s fine,¡± Amira laughed. ¡°I get it ¡­ There we go.¡± she chimed. ¡°Umm ¡­ Thank you for your patronage,¡± the waitress excused herself with a strained smile as she noticed the atmosphere. ¡°Aren¡¯t we on a clock?¡± Amira asked, lifting an eyebrow at the disgruntled boy. ¡°Let¡¯s go¡­¡± Mallory was impressed. Amira was certainly correct; resting and preparing would be the best action, but she had steel in her, and it wouldn¡¯t back down. Jay, Sam, Rhea, and Jade were giving each other concerned looks, but Hannah was shockingly on board. ¡°Holly, and you¡¯ve got this!¡± Hannah whispered just loud enough for Mallory to barely catch it, giving Amira a confident grin. It suddenly dawned on her that Amira had picked up a Grass/Fairy Pok¨¦mon. ¡­ Was that premeditated? He shouldn¡¯t know her Pok¨¦mon yet, either¡ªHe could be planning on throwing out his new one, too. This will be interesting¡ªHe has Piplup for the Gym, which means this must be for something else, but what? The ten of them shuffled out behind the large group table they occupied, exiting the restaurant and heading to the field, Amira putting on her glasses with a smug, confident smile as the hot sunlight and cool mountain breeze hit them. ¡°How about another bet, Lucian?¡± His prideful tone returned as he put a hand in his pocket, free one sliding dark, expensive sunglasses over his eyes. ¡°You¡¯d be setting yourself up.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see¡ª3,000 credits?¡± Behind the leading pair, Mallory hummed. Does she have that much? That¡¯s a massive bet after already paying 3k for the Gym¡ªreally unlike Amira ¡­ I¡¯d probably do the same if someone called me ugly, though. It¡¯s enough to break a Bronze Trainer at this stage¡ªShe¡¯s pissed. Jason hissed, falling behind with the rest of the group. ¡°Yo, we can¡¯t be¡­¡± ¡°Deal,¡± Lucian replied without hesitation. ¡°Maybe your grandfather will give you a loan.¡± Len groaned. ¡°Muk¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t you mean your parents?¡± Amira returned. ¡°Your mother might even call¡ªOh, that¡¯s a thought; would it be considered charity work if I lost.¡± ¡°Oof!¡± Len winced, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Yo¡ªshe¡¯s going in.¡± ¡°At least no one could compare you to your mother,¡± Lucian returned, a smile on his lips, but his nose was flaring. ¡°Woah¡­¡± Jade shivered, and even Hannah looked uncertain with the casual poison the two were throwing at each other. Jason leaned over to Rhea. ¡°Aren¡¯t they taking this a bit too far?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I mean, he did start it,¡± she hesitantly mumbled. Mallory was thrilled, though¡ªAmira¡¯s victory was a win for them all, and maybe it would chop Lucian¡¯s ego down enough to actually notice the ground existed. The little devil within her was hyped; Gables sent somewhat conflicted emotions about how things were going, but Miky was doing the ¡°Tap In¡± dance with her. B1 — 37. Bitter Defeat 11:07 A.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Amira walked beside Lucian in silence; after a few insults, she¡¯d lost the appetite to speak. If Mallory was right and he did like her, then he¡¯d never get a girl to go out with him with this attitude and method. In the end, all she wanted to do was see how his handsome face broke when he lost. She felt a little bad for his Pokemon, but they didn¡¯t seem to be helping him shape up, so that was on them, too. Rhea and the others were lagging behind, whispering to one another, likely upset with Lucian, yet that meant nothing if they were just going to let it go on. The only thing that would wake him up would be a hard defeat¡ªnot a brutal one. The problem with Rhea¡¯s performance was that her Mawile was too dominating; he could just brush it off as a fluke. Obviously, by his statements, his ego was hurt over the bet and not the loss¡ªhitting his pocket and forcing him to budget or straight-up get him to return to Kalos. The looming possibility of giving up on their Bronze-tier journey was where he¡¯d brought them in their little spat. She had to have a solid win and not make it look completely one-sided, but enough to send a clear message. Only then would he actually wake up to reality, and maybe, just maybe, he¡¯d learn to respect her more. Her gaze shifted to the boy¡¯s sour expression, staring straight ahead of them as they stopped at a street light, waiting for it to change colors; her environment was tinted by her red sunglasses, giving his complexion another hue. He was playing on his phone, working through the local stadium¡¯s website, and her eyes narrowed upon seeing a bit of what was on the page. ¡°You made reservations ahead of them?¡± she asked with tight lips. ¡°For how long? Did you book the stadium the moment you lost to me?¡± ¡°... I didn¡¯t lose to you,¡± he growled, sharp blue irises darting to her as the others stopped a bit further back. ¡°No¡ªI was planning on practicing with Len and Jason, but this came up.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Amira looked away with a condescending smile directed across the busy street. ¡°Right ¡­ You must think I¡¯m stupid. You¡¯re already low on credits after losing to us, so why book an expensive stadium to practice with your boys instead of just going into the forest and doing it for free and in private? You totally set this whole thing up.¡± ¡°Believe what you want,¡± he grunted, continuing to input the public battle listing. A scoffing breath passed through Amira¡¯s lungs. ¡°Mhm.¡± He was trying to pull in as many people as he could, prepping the reservation beforehand to get the pro and anti-Kalos crowds interested in watching his next public match. It would be broadcast on general forms, and hype would be passed around quickly, sending notifications about who he was challenging, which would draw even more people that would put it on their ¡®Watch List.¡¯ There was an issue with the coming battle that had Amira a little worried¡ªhis Piplup had a Type advantage over Amber, which meant he knew she¡¯d go for her new Pokemon. She could put Amber in any way, trying to juke his next unknown pick, but that might backfire spectacularly. It wasn¡¯t a good bet. Holly was primarily her support, but at this level, it didn¡¯t matter all that much with her raw Stats and everyone¡¯s low Move Pool. On the other hand, she could outlast him if she could stall him with Leech Seed and defensive plays. It was a 1v1, and if he did try to juke her by sending in Piplup, she¡¯d demolish him with Holly¡ªno, it had to be a battle between their new Pokemon. The light turned red, and the crosswalk sign lit up, letting them know they could cross. A few eyes locked on them as they moved past, mainly focusing on Rhea and the cute unique Eevee in her arms. Amira¡¯s attention was on a Weedle, though, inching along the ground with its Trainer. ¡­ What if he got a Poison-type? Holly¡¯s weak to them, and they¡¯re all over Viridian Forest. Unless someone saw Holly and reported on it, then he wouldn¡¯t know about her, and if he did know I had a Comfey, would he expect me to think he had a Poison-type to trick me into sending out Amber? ¡°Hmm¡­¡± I¡¯ll have to look up his Pokemon when he releases it to better grasp my options, but worrying about it won¡¯t do me any good. ¡­ I need to give her a strategy. Holly and Amber were sending her confident and cheerful feelings, telling her they¡¯d win no matter what; she¡¯d still like to work out a solid plan, though. She told Holly what she was thinking on the way to the local stadium, preparing her for what she feared they were up against. When they arrived at the building Amira folded her glasses and secured them between her breasts, staring around the interior with a dull expression. It was pretty fancy, at least a Gold-tier Standard, which meant their base bet would need to be pretty big, and Lucian already put down the down payment on the reservation. He was planning on hitting her with a high credit bet; she just beat him to the punch. ¡°Mhm ¡­ You weren¡¯t planning on this,¡± Amira said with a derisive smirk at the boy, who was folding his own flat glasses and tucking them into an inner jacket pocket. ¡°You can keep dreaming you¡¯re the center of my universe,¡± Lucian replied, causing Amira¡¯s jaw to lock. What?! Dream ¡­ that I¡¯m the center of HIS universe? No ¡­ calm down ¡­ calm down¡­ Releasing a hot, frustrated breath, Amira forced herself to snicker. ¡°... And who¡¯s dreaming now?¡± She folded her arms, tilting her head to smirk at him as they made it to the check-in counter; they were drawing a lot more eyes now. ¡°... Since you brought up dreams, is that where all this vitriol is coming from? Are you damaged? Keep dreaming about me winning and hoping to confront your trauma?¡± ¡°... Damaged?¡± He sucked in a deep breath, giving her a clearly forced smile as they got in line behind the only other person at the desk. ¡°Heh¡ªis that what your Rocket delusional brain thinks? Are you telling yourself that in hopes to be some kind of savior like how these stupid Kanto people see your family? Sad.¡± Amira couldn¡¯t unlock her jaw as she grunted a laugh, trying to play off his insult. ¡°Mhm-hm-hm-hm.¡± It took several seconds of watching the boy¡¯s smug smile before she could talk again, trying not to show how tense she felt. As they stepped forward to check-in, she mumbled, ¡°Obviously, you don¡¯t know a thing about Kanto or Rocket.¡± ¡°Why would I waste my time?¡± Lucian grunted, his expression putting on a bright mask upon stepping up to the woman at the front desk. ¡°Ah, the reservation is under Lucian.¡± The woman turned her gaze from the departing Trainer pair, making their way to their own room for a battle. ¡°Welcome. Ah. Give me a moment to look that up ¡­ Yes, I see you¡¯ve booked in advance¡ªgood, I¡¯ll slide you into the priority spot¡ªthere!¡± She looked up at both of their cheery masks as she held up a charging scanner. ¡°Will your opponent¡ªOh, Ms. Rocket! I only just noticed you,¡± she sheepishly chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to have your patronage.¡± Lucian¡¯s lips twitched a bit that she was recognized, yet he was just another Trainer passing through. ¡°Do I know you?¡± Amira gave the woman a thoughtful look; she didn¡¯t, but it would be infuriating to Lucian. ¡°Becky ¡­ Hmm, I¡¯m not sure I¡¯ve seen you around Viridian.¡± The woman¡¯s smile faltered a little, holding up her hands. ¡°Oh, no, no, no! I just own a lot of your family¡¯s products¡ªa lot of the medical stuff Rocket invented really helped my grandparents with their pain.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Amira nodded, but her head tilted a little to catch Hannah with her phone out again, typing away with a big grin on her face. ¡°Yeah ¡­ My grandmother handles a lot of the management on the medical front of Rocket. There should be a more efficient and less intrusive oxygen concentrator device than the current model. I know Pewter buys quite a few for those that suffer from AMS in the area.¡± Becky¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Mhm! My cousins usually get a bit of altitude sickness when they come through, and it can hurt our tourist margins a bit, too. Rocket¡¯s really helped Pewter grow since I was a little girl. Thank you.¡± Amira laughed it off, trying not to blush; it was rare that she got comments like this in Viridian since most people took their presence for granted. ¡°No, I don¡¯t have anything to do with the business side of Rocket.¡± ¡°Right, sorry,¡± Becky returned the laugh. ¡°I was just a bit surprised to see you here¡ªBronze-tier Trainers usually go to the less expensive stadiums around Pewter.¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Lucian cut in, pulling her focus back. ¡°We are on a schedule, Ms. Becky.¡± ¡°Ah! Right, right ¡­ umm, will you accept the charge, Ms. Rocket? The Stage base fee of 1,000 credits with a 5% charge of the winning party¡¯s bet. What will that bet be?¡± Amira knew it; Lucian¡¯s Battle Rank showed that he¡¯d battled a dozen Trainers over the past fifteen days. He was building up just enough credits to challenge her and the Gym. ¡°If it¡¯s 1,000 credits, then the bet will be for 2,000¡­¡± ¡°2,000?¡± Lucian asked with a lifted eyebrow, turning to give her a small smirk. ¡°Didn¡¯t you agree to 3,000 before?¡± Really?! ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira¡¯s arms tightened under her chest as she studied the boy. He can¡¯t have that much to bet. I had 8,710, dropping down to 5,710 for the Encrusted Challenge. If we bump it up to 4,000, then I¡¯d be down to 1,710 if I lost. Has he really been able to recover enough from the Starter Award loss to make this bet? Becky glanced between them and the small line gathering behind their large group. Amira chuckled, holding up her phone for the charge. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want. 3,000 credits, Becky.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± she imputed the data with a concerned frown. ¡°4,000 credits in all, and you need to do the Gym challenge? Umm ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s the highest amount we¡¯ve seen in the Bronze Division at your rank¡ªhe-he, uh ¡­ it seems there¡¯s already a 178,000 credit pot between people betting on your match.¡± Lucian nodded. ¡°Heh, yeah¡ªI saw that 5,000 people have already listed that they¡¯d watch it. It should be quite a show,¡± he said with a slight grin at Amira. ¡°Not the kind you¡¯re hoping for,¡± Amira replied, putting away her phone with the hope her credit flow wouldn¡¯t hit this low ever again. Becky printed a ticket and motioned to them to the right. ¡°... If you follow the hall to the second level, your Battle Stage is B-7¡ªit will be to your right. It is scheduled as a 1v1 with a time limit of 5 minutes upon release. One of our official referees will be on sight to judge the contest. I hope you have a pleasant match, and thank you for choosing Pewter Gold Star Stadium!¡± Amira caught Mallory whispering to Jay as they moved away from the desk and toward the stairs that would lead to their area. ¡°Did you see the way he looked at her?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ I¡¯m just a little confused why the two are raging Tauros? What¡¯s the beef?¡± Rhea was a little ways away from Jason while her friends hovered nearby, Hannah paying close attention to her. She had the distinct impression the girl admired her since they spent time together in Viridian Forest. Air hissed through Mallory¡¯s teeth. ¡°Yeah ¡­ he did basically call every Starter Award girl ugly, so he¡¯s kind of been dunked in Grimer ever since.¡± ¡°Ew¡­¡± Jay mumbled, scratching her stomach. ¡°He really said that?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± One of Len¡¯s eyes creased a little. ¡°I mean¡ªokay, Lori, I can see why you¡¯d think that, but he didn¡¯t mean it like that.¡± ¡°Bro ¡­ Defending him?¡± Mallory asked in surprise. He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck as they climbed the stairs. ¡°Yo, I¡¯m just sayin¡¯, he¡¯s not as bad as I thought¡ªfor the most part, but he does have some beef with Amira. He¡¯s totally different when you guys aren¡¯t around.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s our fault?¡± Lori asked, her arms crossed under her bust. A strained laugh shook his body. ¡°I didn¡¯t say that, Lori ¡­ Oh¡ªyou¡¯re pissed about him dismissing Cass. For real, he was just trying to pick a fight with Amira, though, not every girl there.¡± ¡°He should have been clearer with his words, then,¡± Lori huffed. ¡°Anyone with eyes could see Amira¡¯s got the looks and fashion to put most girls to shame, and he comes on to her like that¡ªhe might as well have insulted all women. Is he gay?¡± Lucian seemed to be picking up on the same conversation because he wore an exasperated expression, yet he didn¡¯t try to address it. He might have been surprised Len was even sticking up for him at all, which showed more about the character of Lori¡¯s best friend and how open he was at speaking his mind, even if unpopular. Amira was more stunned at how highly Mallory had been praising her lately¡ªbetween her looks, voice, and family, she might as well have been perfect. Honestly, it was a bit uncomfortable. She¡¯d been ragged on by the media and school kids for so long that the sudden shower of praise her teammates gave her came as a whip-lash, especially the way others treated her outside of Viridian; the contrast was shocking. ¡°Are you gay?¡± Amira asked, shooting him a thoughtful smile. With a straight face, Lucian said, ¡°No ¡­ What¡¯s up with girls thinking every guy that rejects them is gay?¡± ¡°Huh? Heh, when did I ever ask you out¡ªah, another dream. Still, you say that, but you could have fooled me,¡± Amira mused, yet all she got was a frustrated glare and pink cheeks before he turned away from her. Are you guys ready to show him what we¡¯re about? Amira asked, walking into the stadium. * * * Holly was a swirl of confidence, with Amber continually hyping her up. ¡°You are going to destroy him, Holly!¡± Yeah! But umm ¡­ can I be friends after, though? I mean, we¡¯re totally going to win! We¡¯ve been practicing, and Amira¡¯s incredible! I just ¡­ you know, want to be friends with everyone. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I don¡¯t know about his Piplup. He''s rather ¡­ He¡¯s an arrogant fool if you ask me, but his new Pokemon might be nice ¡­ it¡¯s possible.¡± Mmh ¡­ you don¡¯t sound convinced. I mean, Star was ALWAYS super confident, and we¡¯d practice and practice, but Butterfree beat us every time. We were still friends, though. ¡°That¡¯s quite a bit different than our relationship to Lucian¡¯s Pokemon,¡± Amber chuckled. ¡°Still, if you want to be friends, and they¡¯re cool with it, then I won¡¯t stop you.¡± Okay! I¡¯ll ask and see if they want to play! This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience. The pair hushed as they saw the stadium through Amira¡¯s eyes; it wasn¡¯t nearly as big as the crazy big Contest one that Nova, Gables, and Poppy entered, but it was still pretty big. Hundreds of people were getting seated around the area to watch as Amira took the long way to the opposite Trainer Box. A black-haired man in a striped shirt sat at an electrical station, neatly situated inside the wall. The field was an ample, sectioned-out, marked space that was only slightly smaller than the Contest Hall. There was closely trimmed grass across the area with an outer stone walkway. She was a little taken aback by some of the shouts she heard from the people; some were booing Lucian and some Amira. Why don¡¯t they like us? Amber yawned. ¡°I ¡­ I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s the same everywhere, though. Humans will cheer for one side and yell at another.¡± I want to cheer everyone on¡­ ¡°That¡¯s fine. Most humans aren¡¯t like you, though.¡± Oh, yeah ¡­ I shouldn¡¯t be saying everyone should be like me ¡­ that¡¯s mean. ¡°He-he, you¡¯re precious, Holly,¡± Amira giggled. ¡°I can feel you wishing Lucian good luck. Thanks for the perspective. In the end, we should finish this little spat here and get over it. How does that sound?¡± I like that! We can all be friends! Holly cheered. ¡°Eh¡­¡± Amber sighed. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t go that far¡ªat least we wouldn¡¯t be enemies.¡± That¡¯s a good start, Holly chimed. She could feel Amira¡¯s gut tighten. ¡°It¡¯s about to start, Holly. There¡¯s no announcer¡ªno guy calling things out like the Contest match; this guy on the side of the field is just there to make sure everyone follows the League rules. Are you ready?¡± Mhm! ¡°Just remember, we¡¯re playing the defensive game until I know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± Yup! Keep my distance, and blow him away until further instruction. Got it, partner! ¡°He-he, alright. Here. We. Go!¡± Holly pulled away from Amira¡¯s vision as her pokeball was thrown to the left side of the stadium. She reformed outside of her pokeball, spinning in a circle with a bright smile before staring across the field at a Pokemon she knew all too well from her time in Viridian ¡­ She was facing a Venonat, one of the early Pokemon Star, and she had trouble with back in their area. ¡°Muk¡­¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°Keep dancing around the field until I can figure out what Moves it has¡ªprioritize dodging any kind of Poison attacks if you can catch them.¡± I know how to fight this one! Holly cheered. They¡¯re tough, but we win all the time in Viridian Forest; they¡¯re super slow, too ¡­ Although, Star was super, super slow. I had to protect him a lot, and they have this thing that stops me from using Moves. ¡°Mmh? If you know about Venonat, then just be careful; this one is probably stronger than the ones you fought.¡± Alright, I¡¯ll be on my guard, partner! ¡°Go get him, Holly!¡± Amber cheered. The Venonat didn¡¯t waste a moment, hopping across the field in short bursts, which wasn¡¯t all that quick to Holly. She giggled while preparing an attack and dodging around his leaps, but her lips fell a little when his strange eyes shimmered with an inner red light¡ªhe was trying to better track her movements, but the pattern of his buggy eyes also told her that he was the type of Venonat that was hard to dodge. Knowing it would probably disable the first Move she did, like the Wild Venonat, Holly started to hum her lullaby that would protect her from hard hits for a short while, spinning through the air as he chased her, preparing another Move. A small white film surrounded her body. ¡°Hello. Hello!¡± he shouted in a much higher-pitched voice than she was expecting. ¡°I am Chance, the storm of the Venonat, hidden in the leaves! I am the flash in the night sky! The shadow under the bush!¡± ¡°Hello, the shadow under the bush! I¡¯m Holly,¡± she replied, keeping her distance with the two vines that shot out from underneath her waving hair. He wasn¡¯t using his disable Move, which perplexed her. Instead, he shot out a short scream that sent a small circular wave at her. ¡°Supersonic! Dodge it, Holly!¡± She barely managed to spin in a circle, causing it to pass through the center hole. ¡°He-he, close one, the storm of the Venonat. Do you think we can be friends?¡± she asked. Chance was doing a remarkable job dodging her vines, hopping across the ground in quick, sharp angles that made it difficult to predict. ¡°The storm is a lonely life, but occasionally other clouds join him!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Holly was utterly thrown off by the statement, and a short burst of light green encircled him before a haze of red began spreading across the field. It was slow, but everywhere he hopped, the mist followed. The crowd¡¯s cheers rose at the sight of it. ¡°Is that ¡­ Rage Powder? No¡ªthat¡¯s the Move to look out for, Holly! You can¡¯t let it touch you. If a certain amount is absorbed, you¡¯ll lose track of my voice...¡± This is new¡­ Holly commented, spinning in a circle to create a tornado to blow it away. He was sweeping across the field, creating a wall of the red powder that was trapped inside the barrier; the guy was somehow predicting her movements, too. It vanished after a time but remained long enough to draw her into a corner. ¡°I am the madness incarnate¡ªbringer of the crimson light!¡± Comfey giggled as her gust sent all of the haze back across the field. ¡°You remind me of¡­¡± Amira¡¯s explanation cut off as a dark shadow surrounded the Venonat, and she felt something wrap around her ability to cast Leaf Tornado. No ¡­ Why¡¯d he choose that one?! She cried. No Pokemon had locked her out of her wind attack in Viridian Forest. Her focus lifted to Lucian, standing on the platform while observing the conflict; his arms were folded across his chest, and a small smile was on his lips. Holly hugged her chest, feeling a little unsure what to do now that her big Move had been locked out; she couldn¡¯t do enough damage without it. Amira¡¯s voice took on a calm, calculating tone as he prepared to blanket the field with the powder again. ¡°Okay, Holly, I know you¡¯re panicking a little, and that¡¯s fine, but I need you to focus and listen to me.¡± O-Okay ¡­ W-What do I do? Star always made really big attacks¡ªI just helped! ¡°You¡¯re doing great!¡± Amber encouraged. ¡°Holly ¡­ He¡¯s going to make you angry¡ªmadder than you¡¯ve ever felt, and you¡¯re not going to be able to hear me.¡± I don¡¯t want that! Holly shivered, doing her best to keep him at a distance with her vines, but the haze was creeping past, drawing closer and closer. ¡°We need to outlast him, but he¡¯s going to make you reckless. Be as angry as you want¡ªrage, but repeat this for me ¡­ Leech Seed will make him mad, Flower Shield will make him mad, Wrap will make him mad¡­¡± Alright ¡­ Leech Seed, Flower Shield, Wrap will ¡­ will¡­ She prepared the first one, shooting it off, but he dodged the bright beam of light, and suddenly, the mist was around her. All she saw was red, vision centering on the infernal thing in front of her. ¡°Y-You dodged it ¡­ Why did you dodge it?!¡± she yelled as a red glow surrounded her white aura. ¡°I¡¯m so much faster! How did you dodge it!¡± ¡°He-he-he, the shadow cannot be caught by the wind!¡± he replied, jumping forward with a white force generated in front of him. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about!¡± she growled. It was as if she hadn¡¯t gotten enough sleep for days, was stressed about not backing Star up, and it hadn¡¯t stopped raining for a week, so she couldn¡¯t see the sun¡ªChance was a HORRIBLE person for doing this to her! ¡°You¡¯re mean! You¡¯re, umm¡ªyou¡¯re ugly! You throw smelly spicy stuff everywhere!¡± she ranted, shooting off more Leech Seeds for him to dodge. He slammed into her, causing them both to fly back, and she struck the wall with a grunt. It only served to further incite her. ¡°You hit me! How could you be so rude! I¡¯m supposed to be hit last!¡± ¡°Mua-ha-ha-ha! The madness takes you!¡± She clenched her small hands close to her chest while rising up. ¡°I¡¯m Holly, not madness!¡± Weaving through the lingering haze, she dodged another attack, wrapping around his form. ¡°He-he-he¡ªcan¡¯t dodge me now!¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ Ha-ha! Fool! It is you that cannot dodge!¡± He screamed in her ear, causing her to become dizzy and loosen her grip. The white force exploded around him as he jumped forward, knocking her back again. ¡°Mmgghhh!!¡± Again, it wasn¡¯t much damage, but it was slowly eating away at her shield. ¡°Ha! Ha-haha! You know what I¡¯m gonna do?!¡± she said, dodging around an attack while glaring at them. ¡°I¡¯m gonna suck all the happiness out of you¡ªcause I wanna be happy, so ¡­ make me happy by disappearing!¡± Everything was dizzy, and there were two of the accursed fuzz balls closing in on her, but she just had to pick one¡ªgetting around one would be fine. She encircled him, sliding around Chance¡¯s attack. ¡°Wha¡ªHow did you catch the shadow?!¡± he gasped, struggling in her grip. While he was gripped by her body, she launched a Leech Seed onto him. ¡°He-he-he ¡­ I just needed to catch one of you!¡± she woozily stated, gripping him tighter as she felt his energy slowly feeding into her. ¡°Struggle, little bug¡ªyes, struggle in my arms¡ªgive me back the happiness you took!¡± she giggled, her head light as the clouds. ¡°... Huh¡­¡± He somehow slipped out of her grip¡ªshe only lost a few seconds¡ªwas it only a few seconds? She was being sent flying across the field again, her mind clearing, but the moment her vision started to clear, the red mist and his loud yell rattled her brain again. ¡°A-Again?! I ¡­ w-where¡¯d you go?!¡± she asked, not being able to find him in the powder with her blurry eyes. She was now running into the ground. ¡°Wasn¡¯t I ¡­ trying to go up?¡± ¡°G-Get your gross vines off me, temptress!¡± Chance yelled, rolling around the ground as her seed constricted around his body, sapping his strength and feeding it back to her in small green clumps of energy. ¡°W-Who¡¯s Temptress? Me?! I¡¯m Holly! Remember my name! It¡¯s important!¡± she shouted, throwing out drunken whips that missed all three of him. ¡°How do you do the¡ªthe multiple¡ªimage thing ¡­ You¡¯re mean like those girls! Yeah! Meanie!¡± Chance¡¯s copies slowly fused together as her spinning head normalized, and she shot out another Leech Seed again; he had managed to get the last one off. ¡°Where ¡­ There you are! Ha-ha! Yes, feel my wrath! I am the flower of Viridian Forest! Fear my petals!¡± she shouted. In frustration, he got back up, and Holly felt her Move return. ¡°Eat leaves!¡± A gale erupted in the center of her spinning body as she grabbed her tail, sending him and the powder tumbling back across the field. In hot satisfaction, she saw the agitation on his Trainer¡¯s face for a moment before returning her vision to the Venonat. ¡°It¡¯s time to ¡­ ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!¡± ¡°He-he-he-he!¡± Chance laughed as shadows surrounded him again, and she was locked out of Leaf Tornado. ¡°The winds are restrained, my Lord!¡± ¡°Who are you talking to?! Am I invisible?!¡± She launched more Leech Seeds at him and could tell his shield was failing due to his careful movements. ¡°Ha! I¡¯m getting to you!¡± ¡°To attack the shadow is to attack the wind¡­¡± A smirk lifted Comfey¡¯s mouth as she dodged another Supersonic and planted a seed on his back; he wasn¡¯t getting this one off that easily. ¡°You¡¯re finished!¡± Vines extended to whip the infuriating Pokemon as they danced through the red mist. Power filled her from time to time; she had no clue where it came from, but it was invigorating¡ªit was as if the world itself wanted her to make this Venonat vanish off its surface. He was chipping her down, even with Leech Seed, though, and she was starting to feel each blow. At 35% of her shield, she wrapped around Chance, vines sucking his energy out, and in a final combo, she squeezed, whipped, and sucked the last of the Venonat¡¯s defensive matrix, shattering it. He fainted in her death grip. ¡°Ha! Ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha ¡­ n-no ¡­ no!¡± Tears welled up in her eyes as her tinted vision faded, and she lowered him to the ground in a panic. ¡°I¡ªWhat was I saying¡ªI¡¯m sorry! You¡¯re not ugly! I¡¯m sorry! I¡¯m sorry!¡± ¡°Excellent work!¡± Amira praised. ¡°Holly?¡± W-Why was I so angry? I just¡ªI¡¯ve never said such horrible things! I¡¯m an awful Pokemon! I¡¯m sorry, Amira! I¡¯m sorry, Amber! ¡°No! You did great!¡± Amber comforted as Amira talked to Lucian; Holly was too focused on how terrible and sharp her words were. Her head lifted in panic as a red beam recalled Chance. ¡°I ¡­ N-No! Please, I need to say sorry to him! I¡¯m so, so sorry!¡± ¡°He was making you say those things, Holly! He was the mean one that made you say those things¡ªalthough, they weren¡¯t really wrong. He isn¡¯t the best-looking Pokemon.¡± But ¡­ But he¡¯s not ugly! You¡¯re not supposed to call Pokemon ugly¡ªButterfree taught us that. Oh, my goodness¡ªButterfree wouldn¡¯t even recognize me anymore!¡± She started to cry, looking up as someone started nuzzling the side of her face. ¡°Holly! Holly! What¡¯s wrong?!¡± Nova asked, tears wetting her fur. ¡°Where does it hurt? Rhea will give you a potion! Do you want a berry or something?!¡± Holly reached out to hug her friend. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m horrible, Nova! Star¡¯s gonna hate me!¡± ¡°Esskeetit!¡± She stiffened as she heard her bestest friend¡¯s voice. He jumped down from the stands with a few of their new friends, their Trainers focused on Amira and Lucian. ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talkin¡¯ ¡®bout, Holly!¡± Star cheered, dancing over to her. ¡°You pulled up and showed that hater what¡¯s up!¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Holly asked, eyes wide as she looked at her grinning friends. Gables chuckled, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°Yeah, he was all tryin¡¯ ta sneak a win, but you were all, I¡¯m here now, do somethin¡¯!¡± Mya turned both of her smirking lips to the boy they¡¯d just beat, glaring at the console in front of him. ¡°You should have heard the things he was telling Amira as they battled¡ªNova told us.¡± ¡°Yeah! He was so mean! Telling her how¡ªhow you looked stupid when you¡¯re so pretty!¡± ¡°H-He said that?¡± Holly asked, tears bubbling up in her eyes again. ¡°... I just ¡­ I just want friends.¡± ¡°I¡¯d super zap him!¡± Mimi huffed, sparks dancing at her cheeks. ¡°Yeah,¡± Mya licked her lips. ¡°Tasting a little bit of his flesh might be good.¡± Star walked over and rubbed her cheek with a small smile. ¡°Aye, Holly¡ªyou were a superstar! Don¡¯t be sad. Esskeetit, and go snatch our next victory at the Gym, too! Then we party!¡± He grinned, moving in to hug her. She still felt a bit discouraged by her actions. ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not a bad Pokemon?¡± ¡°Never!¡± Star soothed. ¡°You¡¯re my bestest friend.¡± ¡°... Thanks, bestest friend¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t forget us,¡± Amber whispered, moving in to snuggle next to her with the rest of her friends. ¡°T-Thanks, guys¡ªfriends¡­¡± * * * Lucian¡¯s fingers shook with rage against the console, doing his best to remain composed, but he¡¯d just about lost everything; he was mad enough to scream but sad enough to cry. It was like he was walking on a tightrope without a net and kept falling. He looked up to find Amira and the girls that surrounded her with smiles on their faces¡ªhappy people¡ªall with real nice lives, friends, and family. This was supposed to be the break¡ªthe chance to finally get his parents to recognize him, yet instead, he was staring up at the people that hated him. It¡¯s not like he could blame them, but it would have been easier if he could just get his parents¡¯ attention. Of course, this was probably another broadcast his mother skipped out on because she was too busy for him between being an actress, Kalos¡¯s Champion, and dealing with the public; it was like everything he did only returned him a worthless glance his way. Meanwhile, he¡¯d heard endless stories about how close the Rocket family was. Not to mention Rhea, who had Cynthia, a world legend, and the Sinnoh Active Champion seemed to have all the time in the world to spend with Bianca, at least from what the News reported¡ªeveryone had someone but him. His father was so busy with discovering new recipes, his 5-star restaurant, and the League to even notice him except for trying to get him to enjoy his craft¡ªLucian hated cooking, yet it was the only way he could find personal time. At least that was easier than spending more than five minutes with his mother before she was off again¡ªshe rarely even slept at home. He was at the bottom of a pond, staring up at all the happiness in the sky, high above him¡ªhe hadn¡¯t even broken the surface of the water, much less the sky. Cobalt tried to comfort him, but all he saw was the girls ruining everything for him. Look at them, Cobalt¡ªthey take their happiness for granted and force me down with a boot to watch their shining, happy lives¡­ Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed his small case and shook out one of his anxiety pills, and popped it into his mouth, chewing it up and swallowing. Muk ¡­ it¡¯s cool when everything¡¯s going right in your life. It¡¯s easy to endure when you¡¯ve got friends¡ªwho else loves me but you, Cobalt? Pressure gripped his chest as Amira snickered across the private speakers; everyone was filing out, either booing him or cheering Amira on since they lost credits on their match. ¡°Well¡ªthat wasn¡¯t even close, and look at that¡ª7 minutes. Looks like you were wrong.¡± Lucian wanted to explode on her with the adrenaline-filled venom coursing through his veins, but he only barely held himself back. ¡°... I suppose we were both wrong.¡± ¡°I was going off your judgment¡ªI suppose it was bound to be trife with that in mind. I¡¯ve learned my lesson.¡± ¡°Mmgh¡­¡± he grumbled in response, holding back the liquid in his eyes; she really had a vicious mouth for such a pretty face. What did he care about the worthless catcalls of the public; they were with you when you were winning, and the moment you''re broke, and on a losing streak, they were stabbing your back with a sneer. Amira, on the other hand, had everything he wanted¡ªher words cut deep. Of course, she knew how it worked. It was cool to be the girl in the spotlight¡ªeveryone went easier on women. They fawned over his mother, pulling her attention away from him¡ªleaving him alone in a cold mansion. Taking out another pill, he released a hot puff of air before taking it and returning the smile. ¡°Seems you¡¯ve got it all¡­¡± He glared down at her Comfey; it was so discouraging. He had the Type advantage¡ªbut no Poison Moves. The rage-confusion-disable strat was supposed to net him a win; they¡¯d been practicing it religiously for three days. Amira¡¯s Pokemon didn¡¯t even have a plan, yet its more diverse Move Pool and Stat advantage edged out its victory¡ªit was infuriating. Everyone has it so easy¡­ Chance woke up in his ball, expressing his sadness that he lost after they¡¯ve been practicing so much. Hmm ¡­ It¡¯s not your fault, Chance¡ªyou were brilliant. Give it a bit more time and experience¡ªyou¡¯ll waste that Comfey. Don¡¯t sweat it. Cobalt ¡­ Are you ready to dominate the Gym? We can¡¯t do the Encrusted Challenge anymore, but that¡¯s fine. We¡¯ll work our way back¡ªWhy did I even bother trying to win back my honor in any case ¡­ It¡¯s not like any of the family is watching. Lucian left the stadium without his team, heading for the Gym; he¡¯d saved all his money for this¡ªbet almost everything on the hope that he could prove to himself it was a fluke, and maybe, just maybe, someone in his family was watching. All the preparation, the work he put in, yet¡ªhis cousin was the only one that followed the personal link he sent to them on social media ¡­ Perhaps, that was a blessing, in the end. He had to find another way to get their attention¡ªhe¡¯d do anything to get his mother to even call him once without reason. B1 — 38. Pewter Gym 1 11:49 A.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Amira watched Lucian walk off, hiding a smirk; the fact he wasn¡¯t sticking around to try and banter meant this really had gotten to him. He probably was doing a lot of self-reflecting, but she had to admit, his strategy wasn¡¯t bad, and she¡¯d been worried for a minute there. She¡¯d just obtained a massive financial boost while he was on the verge of ruin; considering the hype he¡¯d put into this match, Amira thought one or both his parents were watching¡ªthat¡¯s what posturing got him. The nine of them moved into the hallway as the crowd filed out to allow the next match between Silver-tier Trainers to get ready. Passing back into the hallway, she pulled a few loose locks behind her left ear to face Len. ¡°Lucian took off; have you guys made an appointment for the Gym already?¡± Len hissed a breath through his teeth, scratched the back of his neck. ¡°Honestly, Jason and I did, but he was holding out¡ªguess this is why.¡± Jason groaned. ¡°Yeah¡ªI figured he was trying to hold off and learn more about Forrest¡¯s strats or something, but after that bet ¡­ It¡¯s not lookin¡¯ good.¡± Rhea, being the worried cute Chansey she tended to be, turned her attention to Jason. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t you go after him? He¡¯s probably not doing well right now.¡± Amira held her arm behind her back with a small smile. ¡°I could always refund the bet.¡± ¡°Eh,¡± Len gave her a forced laugh, ¡°yeah ¡­ I wouldn¡¯t bring that up to him.¡± ¡°I mean, if he needs the money,¡± Lori commented, giving Amira a sly look. ¡°He brought it on himself, but if Amira¡¯s kind enough to return it ¡­ I¡¯m just sayin¡¯,¡± she shrugged at Len¡¯s expression. ¡°Lori, c¡¯mon¡ªhe¡¯s been embarrassed enough. The dude¡¯s got issues, but he¡¯s not Ghetsis.¡± ¡°My bad! My bad!¡± she laughed, waving her hands. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll drop it. So, what are you two gonna do?¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Yeah, I think you guys should go make sure he¡¯s alright ¡­ I just kind of feel for him after all those people were booing and yelling at him.¡± She looked down at Nova in her arms as she chirped, ears laying back while looking up at her Trainer. ¡°... I know, Nova¡ªhe did look like he was about to cry.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know about that,¡± Amira mumbled, frowning as she thought back to the stone-cold glare he gave her on the way out. ¡°He¡¯s probably just sulking.¡± Jason shot a concerned look at Len as they moved downstairs; Rhea¡¯s friends were at their tail, talking to one another about the battle itself more than the drama behind it. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªWhat do you think, Len?¡± The boy brushed back his black white-highlighted hair, staring at the floor. ¡°Naaa¡ªLucian needs his space to chill¡ªbest thing we can do is let it sit in the past. He¡¯s gonna do what he needs to blow it out, but this ain¡¯t gonna stop him. He should have just enough to get on the grind again.¡± Amira felt Lori¡¯s rolling eyes that said, ¡®It¡¯s a shame,¡¯ purple hair blocking the boy¡¯s view. ¡°Well, okay,¡± Rhea sighed, sliding her fingers through her hair. ¡°I felt something was wrong, though ¡­ He¡¯s just so up-tight¡ªlike he¡¯s super stressed about something.¡± ¡°That¡¯s simple,¡± Amira replied, ¡°it¡¯s his parents.¡± The girl¡¯s pearly blue eyes creased. ¡°I guess¡ªmaybe there¡¯s something more to it, though.¡± ¡°Not my problem,¡± Lori grunted. ¡°Anyway, we headin¡¯ to a Center? The treatment center here¡¯s got a fee,¡± she mumbled, glancing at the private restore area as they reached the front lobby. Amira nodded, done with giving Lucian space in her brain. ¡°We¡¯ve got time. In fact, the Gym Center is free when its Leader is scheduled; it helps save a trip and gives a reason for people to go inside and see the hype.¡± Everyone slowed a bit, splitting up to allow the four other girls to catch up, and Jay piped up. ¡°Umm ¡­ I actually had a question about that¡­¡± ¡°Shoot,¡± Amira said, tugging her glasses out of her shirt front as they made it back to the sunny streets and entered traffic; it couldn¡¯t even be called that since she was so used to Viridian¡¯s crowds¡ªthis was light. Jay adjusted her tropical dress a little and rubbed her arms as she shivered, the chilly breeze that blew down from the nearby mountains pulling her hair to the side. ¡°I ¡­ Muk, it¡¯s cold here¡ªumm, what¡¯s up with the whole Gym thing? I¡¯ve heard some foreigners that want to make it more of a thing in Alola, but yeah¡ªwe weren¡¯t exactly given that much information on the site,¡± she chuckled. ¡°No way,¡± Sam mumbled. ¡°They really didn¡¯t tell you anything?¡± Mallory lifted an eyebrow, pulling up the site as their large group caused others to curve around them. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I swear they had a Gym section on here ¡­ Oh, it¡¯s only like a single page, linking to the Gym locations and saying it¡¯s mandatory for the League Qualifiers. Huh¡­¡± A sad smile moved the girl¡¯s lips. ¡°Mhm¡ªin fact, I heard about Contests from some Trainers in Dark City and decided to give it a try since it sounded fun, but¡ªheh, that didn¡¯t turn out like I thought¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in. ¡°Heh, umm, I¡¯ve lived in Kanto my whole life, and it wasn¡¯t anything like I thought either.¡± Lori turned her bright expression to Amira. ¡°Okay, our resident expert; what¡¯s the rundown on Gyms?¡± Amira smiled at the sentiment; it was nice having people ask her real questions instead of rolling their eyes at her more detailed explanations. ¡°Hmm ¡­ What do you want to know, Jay?¡± she asked, adjusting her bag as they stopped at a light. Jay hugged her Bounsweet closer to her small chest. ¡°Umm¡ªWell, the Island Trials are less about pure combat and more about learning a lot of skills and bonding with Pokemon¡ªlearn about the Islands and stuff. I¡¯ve heard the various regional battles are way more brutal. I mean, the Totem Battles are rough, but that¡¯s for the more advanced challengers¡ªunderstanding the Wild and stuff.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Everyone went silent to listen to her as Amira gathered her thoughts; it cleansed her mind of Lucian and warmed her heart that they¡¯d consult her. ¡°Gyms are essentially meant as a training course for a region¡¯s military might¡ªconscription is a real thing, and it used to be a problem in ancient times ¡­ Am I saying something wrong?¡± The group was staring at her with wide eyes and open mouths. Rhea shook her head. ¡°No! No! I¡¯ve heard about the whole training for war and stuff, but not the other part.¡± Mallory scratched under her left breast as they started walking across the street before adjusting her bikini under her dress a little, drawing a few looks from men that she ignored. ¡°Eh, I mean, the only thing they taught in public school was that battling was a way to get closer to your Pokemon and make a lot of money¡ªI learned from the League members that it was all propaganda.¡± ¡°All of that conscription stuff is news to me,¡± Jade mumbled, her other two teammates nodding in agreement¡ªHannah had her phone out, typing away again, but it was good information to jot down. Amira shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s simple logic, really. Regions were far less stable, and there were a lot of wars back in the day¡ªI mean, look at the whole Ransei continent. It¡¯s been in self-isolation since anyone can remember, and all we know is that it¡¯s been in a constant state of war from what little comes out of the place.¡± Jay hummed. ¡°I¡¯ve seen Ransei on the map, but we never really covered it beyond it being inaccessible to travel due to their strict no-foreign interaction agreement.¡± Jason smiled as he jumped into the conversation. ¡°Oh! Some say it¡¯s shaped like Arceus!¡± ¡°It is,¡± Len stated, pulling out his phone to look up a satellite image for Rhea, Sam, Jay, and Jason to see while Amira continued her explanation. ¡°Anyways, have you ever wondered why Centers and other social safety nets related to Training are always funded under the League Defense Act? It¡¯s because its purpose is to train, categorize, and facilitate a certain mindset for the region¡¯s defense, and it¡¯s been that way for centuries.¡± She followed the advance of the Pewter University students as large clusters of them started appearing around the shopping district they were entering. ¡°In short, Gyms have a set standard the League creates for each Tier, and most of the public think it''s about career opportunities, fame, and freedom ¡­ When it¡¯s actually a means to generate the next generation¡¯s soldiers to protect regional interests. Who pays the best? The League.¡± ¡°That¡¯s pretty intense,¡± Jay mumbled, stroking her Pokemon¡¯s small leaf with troubled eyes. ¡°So ¡­ Does that mean Alola¡¯s joining that mindset if we¡¯ve created a League and united with the other regions? Is this a trial for us?¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled in for a moment at her tone. ¡°... Well, I¡¯ll put it this way¡ªif we didn¡¯t have that type of system, the world would have been conquered during the Ultra War. It¡¯s actually the Trainers that get hurt the most by it, but they also get to live an extraordinary life, yet that doesn¡¯t protect them from public and media attacks, social expectations, and Trainers going through mental disorders or suffering from depression are dragged through the mud.¡± Her gaze shifted to Rhea as she squeezed Nova closer to her breast, nodding at her explanation. ¡°Yeah¡ªthe public can be vicious and cruel.¡± ¡°You can say that again,¡± Lori grumbled. ¡°It¡¯s like the higher Tier of Trainer you are, or if you have anyone in your family, then you¡¯ve gotta literally be a god and quit being a human being.¡± Hannah¡¯s eyes widened, fingers pausing on her phone. ¡°... Is it really that bad?¡± Jay hummed, shifting her arms to adjust her sunglasses. ¡°I can see that, now that you mention it ¡­ You asked me if I knew Inoa, and¡ªwell, yeah, but I¡¯ve only heard bad things¡ªI bet they¡¯re not all true, though¡­¡± ¡°Inoa¡¯s awesome!¡± Jade interjected in a defensive tone, causing Sam, Hannah, and Jay to jump. ¡°She tries really hard to be normal, but everyone shuns her because it¡¯s hard to control her¡ªumm, no, she¡¯s just awesome!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ll take your word for it,¡± Jay replied, forcing an awkward laugh to try and diffuse the situation. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to offend¡ªwell, no, I didn¡¯t mean to make fun of her¡ªI just heard a bunch of stuff that got her pulled out of school.¡± Rhea jumped in, trying to smooth over the discussion. ¡°Right! You were with Inoa and Ellie in Viridian Forest, weren¡¯t you?¡± Jade nodded, reaching up to scratch Mimi, her Pichu, as she nuzzled her cheek. ¡°Yeah ¡­ Inoa¡¯s had it rough. She¡¯s super nice and sensitive to everyone else¡ªit hurts her knowing exactly who¡¯s afraid of her when they¡¯re nearby and they put on an act, trying to make her think they¡¯re friendly¡ªtalk about her behind her back,¡± she whispered in agitation. ¡°People don¡¯t know her.¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re right! I¡¯m sorry,¡± Jay mumbled, vision dropping to the sidewalk. ¡°... I feel you¡ªit felt bad when I heard all the stuff Kanto says about Alola¡­¡± Len waved his hand dismissively. ¡°That¡¯s everywhere; I bet they say all sorts of stuff about Kanto and the other regions back in Alola¡ªwe got it in Unova.¡± ¡°The double standards,¡± Lori winked. ¡°No place is perfect, yet they act like their home is while ignoring the bad.¡± ¡°I guess,¡± Jay sighed. ¡°Ahem,¡± Amira tried to pull the conversation away from the subject. ¡°In any case, Gyms provide a metric by which the League can categorize potential. They didn¡¯t know that much about fortitudes back when Gyms were first created; the strong were just put in power to keep the peace or took control by force. Now, things have changed a bit with the installment of the set regions and League System.¡± Jay gave her a thankful smile. ¡°Thanks for explaining it. I can see why it¡¯s there now¡ªUsually, the Guardian Deities and the Kahuna would handle all the threats if Alola was in danger, and the Trial Captains helped handle the area stuff, but from what I heard, the Ultra War was bad for Kanto and Sinnoh.¡± Sam laughed. ¡°Yeah, my parents talk about those times a lot, but I don¡¯t remember a whole lot except supply shortages and stuff like that¡ªPallet made a bunker after the Shinjo incident, but how¡¯s that supposed to help us, am I right? There was a lot of criticism for it.¡± Hannah hissed, vision darting to Amira. ¡°... Which was placed on the Master Trainers ¡­ I see where you¡¯re coming from now.¡± Amira shrugged again. ¡°It is what it is. People lash out when they¡¯re afraid, and the Master Trainers or Gym Leaders are the easiest targets. Getting off this topic, though,¡± she blatantly stated, ¡°let¡¯s return to the Gym.¡± ¡°Right!¡± Jay smiled. ¡°I was super unprepared for the Contest. What should we do?¡± Poppy gave a questioning chirp in her arms, looking for answers herself. Amira chuckled. ¡°You and I should have a fairly easy fight, all things considered. Your Bounsweet is a Grass-type. Watch what Forrest is doing in the match with me because the Aide you¡¯ll be going up against won¡¯t be nearly as tough. You just need to land your Grass Moves, like Holly¡¯s Leaf Tornado or Vine Whip, and you¡¯re golden.¡± ¡°Eh¡ªhe-he-he¡­¡± Jay¡¯s expression turned forced, Poppy¡¯s leaves falling in defeat. ¡°Well, you see¡­¡± Lori and Len winced as Jason sucked in a breath. Rhea looked ahead of them as the Gym came into sight. ¡°Oof¡ªDon¡¯t tell me¡­¡± She nodded. ¡°Yeah¡ªPoppy and I don¡¯t have any damaging Grass Moves¡ªWe¡¯ve got Splash, Play Nice, Rapid Spin, Grass Whistle, and Accupressure.¡± Sam enthusiastically jumped in. ¡°Wait, isn¡¯t Splash a water-like Move? Can¡¯t that help?¡± Amira wanted to facepalm but knew it wasn¡¯t nice and restrained herself. ¡°Eh, no, Sam¡ªIt may look like a Water-type Move, but its energy typing is Normal and is one of the most useless Moves there is until you get to a higher control cap when it can be used as a sort of weak Protect.¡± The brown-haired girl¡¯s cheeks flushed. ¡°Oh¡ªmy bad¡­¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re good!¡± Rhea comforted, bumping into her a bit to take her mind off it. ¡°Heh¡ªYou know, my brother tries to teach me all this advanced stuff, too, and he ¡­ No¡­¡± Amira glanced at her teammate as she trailed off, Rhea¡¯s focus near the colossal underground Gym front entrance where a group of people stood; two famous faces stood out in an instant, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. Jade gasped. ¡°Rhea, is that¡­¡± ¡°Sabin Evenhart,¡± Mallory interjected, saving Rhea from the girl¡¯s shocked response. ¡°Huh¡ªWonder if he¡¯s here to challenge the Gym?¡± ¡°He¡¯s with Katelin Jennings, too,¡± Hannah squealed. ¡°I love her! Oh, have you seen her Encrusted match against Janine?! Wait ¡­ she¡¯s Sabin¡¯s girlfriend, which means ¡­ OH!!¡± Her eyes darted to Rhea in fangirl excitement. ¡°Oh!¡± ¡°Huh¡ªWho?¡± Jay asked, trying to puzzle out what was going on. A smile brightened Amira¡¯s lips as she saw Rhea¡¯s conflicted expression; Amira had always wanted a sibling, but for whatever reason, her parents only had her, and she¡¯d never brought up with her mother. She had no doubt Rhea wanted to rush over to her brother and give him a hug because that was what she saw in her eyes, yet the confused, conflicted aspect of having her family hidden put a huge block between them since her brother operated in the open. In truth, Hannah had put together something Amira hadn¡¯t; it didn¡¯t occur to her that Katelin could become Rhea¡¯s sister-in-law in the future, especially with how the public talked about the accomplished Platinum-Tier power couple. ¡°That¡¯s one possibility,¡± Amira replied to her teammate¡¯s earlier comment. ¡°Anyway, we should probably be going inside. You good, Rhea?¡± ¡°Uh¡ªumm¡ªno, yeah¡ªyeah, I¡¯m good! Heh, I just, umm ¡­ yeah¡­¡± Amira held out a hand in surprise as Rhea stumbled forward while trying to walk again. ¡°Woah!¡± ¡°No¡ªNo, I¡¯m good! I¡¯m good!¡± she sheepishly laughed as the others gave her worried looks. Len was more focused on Sabin, though. ¡°Aye, you know he went to Unova for his Gold Journey and beat my mom¡¯s Gym, right?¡± ¡°Wait, when did that happen?¡± Lori asked in surprise. ¡°He got an Encrusted Badge from your mom?¡± ¡°Heh, no, no, no!¡± Len waved his hand. ¡°No, he beat one of her aides.¡± Lori¡¯s eyebrow lifted, lips pursing to the side as they made their way toward the pair. ¡°Which one?¡± ¡°Amp¨¨re.¡± ¡°Huh¡ªshe¡¯s one of the better Masters,¡± Mallory commented with an impressed nod. ¡°Okay, I see him. What about Katelin; she joined him over there?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea mumbled, pulling everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Her group and his were going through Unova together. He got the Encrusted Wave, Basic, Insect, and Legend Badges while she got the Toxic, Basic, Jet, and Wave Badges.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Jay giggled. ¡°Are you guys fans of theirs?¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°Yeah, somethin¡¯ like that,¡± Len chuckled. ¡°We should get going, though; it¡¯s getting close to the time we need to be inside.¡± Amira noticed Sabin and Katelin¡¯s gaze followed them inside; Sabin knew his little sister was going inside, and they paused at the door as they called out, Rhea¡¯s body going stiff. ¡°Hold up!¡± Katelin laughed, breaking away from them. ¡°Aren¡¯t you three in this year¡¯s Oak Starter Award? Man, Sabin, that take you back?¡± The carefree, handsome face of Rhea¡¯s brother settled on them with a bright grin. ¡°Ah, what¡¯s up, Kate?¡± ¡°The Starter Award kids,¡± she pointed, pulling his arm their way. ¡°Let¡¯s go say hi!¡± The reporters were ablaze with other questions. ¡°Sabin, are you here to challenge Forrest for the Encrusted Platinum Boulder Badge?¡± ¡°Over here, Sabin! Are some of the recent reports about you taking your Master Journey to Galar true?¡± ¡°Katelin, is Jeniffer¡¯s Gossip piece about the proposal from Ace Trainer Hansen true?¡± The two dismissed the throng, cleverly using them as a means to escape their frenzy of questions for the famous pair. Sabin jogged over with Katelin pulling his arm. ¡°Woah, hey¡ªI got it, Kate,¡± he laughed. ¡°Not fast enough! Hey, girls! Oh, and you¡¯re Len, right? Your mother¡¯s Gym was pretty rough for me, but I learned some good strats from some of them!¡± Len rubbed his chin. ¡°Ah, yeah, she talked about it during dinner that night¡ªSo, what¡¯s up?¡± The journalists saw that they were being stonewalled and swapped targets, trying to separate Len from their group. ¡°Len¡ªLen Hart! Are you here for the Encrusted Badge, too?¡± one asked, assuming the power couple was here for that reason. ¡°Your mother¡¯s an Electric-type High Master; how are you going to handle the Rock-type status of Pewter?¡± The boy waved his hand, dismissing the question. ¡°Sorry, guys, but I¡¯ve got places to be; contact my agent if you want to set up an interview.¡± His reply silenced many journalists, likely wondering who his agent was to do something like that but not wanting to look like idiots. It was a good bluff, giving room for Amira to bustle them inside. ¡°... I have the first match coming up in a bit; I need to get ready¡­¡± ¡°Ah ¡­ Right, right,¡± Sabin mumbled, following them inside. ¡°Heh, thanks for getting us out of that storm.¡± Katelin expelled a pent-up breath in a long drag. ¡°Riiight?! I can¡¯t believe it¡ªWe flew in, and they swarmed us like Insect Pokemon defending their territory! We were having such a good time on Mt. Moon, too ¡­ Oh, well.¡± Sam, Hannah, Jade, and Jay were utterly silent, not knowing how to proceed with the conversation. Rhea swiftly regained her senses, though; Amira laughed at how awkward the girl was sometimes. ¡°H-Hey! Uh¡ªyo, so, we¡¯re just¡ªyou know, going to challenge the Gym, heh¡­¡± she stammered, fidgeting a little with her bound, waist-long blonde hair like Amira¡¯s mother did when nervous. ¡°What are you guys doing here?¡± Katelin¡¯s eyes narrowed teasingly as she nudged her boyfriend. ¡°Oh, we¡¯ve been getting into trouble on Mt. Moon and exploring a bit of the area.¡± He smirked, leaning over to kiss her on the forehead since he was taller than her. ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s basically kidnapped me the last few days.¡± She winked at them. ¡°Shh! Don¡¯t call the cops; it¡¯s consensual, I swear!¡± ¡°Where have I heard that before?¡± Lori snickered, catching Rhea¡¯s red cheeks. ¡°Are you two here to challenge the Gym?¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Sabin shook his head. ¡°Na, we just needed someplace to get away from the Mandibuzz. We¡¯ll stick around, though. Might be fun to see some Bronze matches.¡± ¡°Is it really that fun?¡± Jay blurted out. ¡°Oh?¡± Kate asked, focusing on the girl. ¡°Who¡¯s this¡ªOh, are you one of the Alolan girls they sent over?¡± ¡°Eh, yeah, sorry¡ªI just¡ªpeople don¡¯t usually say they¡¯re into Bronze matches. I was just a little surprised,¡± she chuckled, probably trying to not be the odd one standing by saying nothing in the group. ¡°It really is fun,¡± Sabin defended, smiling at Rhea before turning it to the other girls. ¡°It keeps you level-minded, knowing where you¡¯ve come from and where they might be someday. Who knows, maybe one of you will jump past Kate and me.¡± ¡°Pfft, I don¡¯t know about that!¡± Sam chuckled, finally entering the discussion. ¡°We¡¯ve got a long way to go.¡± ¡°We all started where you are,¡± Kate encouraged. ¡°You just gotta persevere and work on yourself and your team! It¡¯s less about what Pokemon you have and more about the bond and strategies you can develop, so don¡¯t be too hard on yourself or your Pokemon if you lose. You just gotta jump into the Training grind and find out where you need to improve on!¡± ¡°Thanks for the advice!¡± Jay chimed. ¡°It¡¯s been a bit of a culture shock¡ªcoming to Kanto and all, but I¡¯m starting to like it more and more.¡± She grinned at Rhea. ¡°I¡¯m meeting all sorts of friends.¡± ¡°Glad to hear,¡± Sabin whispered, and Amira caught a proud twinkle in his eyes as he appraised his sister¡¯s new friends. ¡°Anyway! Kate and I are gonna go get a good seat¡­¡± ¡°If we can! Hurry before everything¡¯s taken!¡± Kate groaned, pulling him toward the counter. ¡°Later!¡± he laughed, waving them goodbye. ¡°Yeah¡ªbye¡­¡± Rhea weakly mumbled, returning the gesture; Amira was sure she really wanted to drop the whole thing and run over to hug him by the look in her eyes. ¡°C¡¯mon, Kate! Heh, it¡¯s Pewter Gym; they got seats for days!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Kate gave him a slight grin. ¡°Didn¡¯t know the University schedules classes to be free when Forrest has his matches, did you? There¡¯s three Gold-tier challenges at 6 P.M., too.¡± ¡°Oh¡ªokay, maybe we do need to get going to find a good seat,¡± he mused. ¡°Ya got me!¡± ¡°What would you do without me to keep that battle-head straight?¡± Amira made her way to the in-Gym Center to heal Holly¡¯s defensive matrix before heading to the challenger location, causing the other girls to follow her; she¡¯d already scouted out the proper areas to go when signing up. Sam, Jade, Jay, and Hannah waved them off since their matches were tomorrow during an aide block. The three teammates were a bit thrown off by Jay¡¯s questions, asking for help on preparing for tomorrow. Amira, Rhea, and Mallory had left their items in the hotel room to avoid any locker fees. They made their way out to the ringside soon after being called; there were seventeen other participants beside their party, but all of them had scheduled their match at the furthest priority, excluding Len that had been shifted to the slot just after Rhea. It would be Amira first, Mallory second, and Rhea third, then Len and Jason. The blonde-haired girl seemed to be having a nervous discussion with her Pokemon; Mya wanted to be the one to go in, which was a good choice, but her attitude was troubling¡ªshe seemed to think that it would be just as easy as her other matches. Amira touched her breast as Holly sent a warm, hug-like sensation that wrapped around her like the Pokemon was literally embracing her. Aww ¡­ You really are adorable, Holly. We¡¯re gonna go with the big setup strat we worked out. Okay? She responded with confidence; they would play the defensive route by setting up for a clean sweep and use everything at their disposal¡ªit¡¯s what her grandfather would do when heading into a serious battle. Forrest had strategies to combat his own weaknesses just like her grandfather did. If she wanted to win this, even with a Type advantage against most Rock-types, there were combinations he could use that would throw her off. He wouldn¡¯t know her Pokemon, and she wouldn¡¯t know his exact choice, either, but it would be some kind of Rock-type at the very least. Amira gazed around at all the women that had gathered to face the Gym Leader; Len and Jason went to the male locker rooms. There were three other girls beside them, which seemed to be from Kalos. These girls weren¡¯t anything like the previous ones they¡¯d seen, though¡ªin fact, one was throwing up from the stress she was feeling, her friends comforting her. They mostly kept their distance, and eventually, the time came for Amira to go out; Amber was doing her part to amp Holly up, giving the Flower Pokemon confidence. Amira went forward, breaking away from the rest after being given instructions when signing up; the announcer calling the shots had a deep, showy voice. ¡°Ladies, Gentlemen, and Pokemon! Put your hands together for Wednesday¡¯s Leader Bronze League Kickoff!¡± Tens of thousands of people were filling the stands, which was a vast difference compared to the numbers she saw in the streets, but considering how hard it was to get good seating for Gym Leader days, it wasn¡¯t all that surprising to Amira. Their cheers made her heart beat faster, and she knew her family was watching after the text she sent them last night. Okay ¡­ We can do this. The spotlight hit her, and she walked to the lowered platform with a confident smile, wearing her sunglasses to dim the bright lights that were cast upon her in the dark underground stadium that was built to have Master-tier matches, which meant it was colossal¡ªit had to accommodate for a full six-team if the challenger wanted that format. She felt sweat in her armpits, but she couldn¡¯t help it with how hot her body was; this was one of the biggest stages in Kanto and attracted a world audience¡ªshe couldn¡¯t make her family look bad. ¡°We have a treat for you tonight! Last week we had our first run-in with the Oak Award Winners, and this week is no different! We have Viridian¡¯s Red Flower and the Viridian Ruby, Amira Rocket!¡± Amira tried not to roll her eyes or sigh in exasperation at the nicknames people had given her over the years¡ªthe announcer was obviously one of the pro-Lyra fans because only they called her by those titles. The field comprised many rising rock formations and places where a Pokemon could hide or use to its advantage. He might use the blind spots to attack you, Holly, and do something I can¡¯t see¡ªof course, as a High Master, he can see the whole Muking field and know what¡¯s happening. It really is a tough challenge. Holly told her she¡¯d do her best with Amber¡¯s encouragement. Losing isn¡¯t the end of the world¡ªBut we don¡¯t plan to lose. Let¡¯s do this. When Forrest came out from the back to stand at the slim console, Amira was a little taken aback; she¡¯d seen Brock¡¯s brother around Viridian but never actually saw the man in person. He wore a simple business suit, which was very unlike his older brother and was quite a bit more serious, and his fashion was just her type. Somehow her heart beat a bit faster upon seeing his business-like cadence, and his voice was smoother than the announcer singing his praise from the speakers above. ¡°Amira, it¡¯s a pleasure to meet you¡­¡± She put Holly and Amber into the analytics machine that would measure their strength which would release a set of Pokemon in his console that was strength appropriate for the match. ¡°... I see you know how this works,¡± he chuckled, his lips only rising a little. ¡°You¡¯ve scheduled a single¡¯s match¡ªone Pokemon.¡± ¡°I did,¡± she took a deep breath, setting her brow. ¡°Don¡¯t go easy on me.¡± He studied her from across the enormous gap that separated them, and Amira¡¯s mind soon began blocking out the shouts of the crowd with the presence of the High Master across from her; it was something her grandfather could do that had always made her curious¡ªthey could somehow draw in their opponent and make you focus only on them. ¡°I¡¯m not going to raise my standards because of who your family is, Amira,¡± he evenly replied. ¡°You are here to be tested, and I am the tester.¡± He reached down and picked a pokemon from the options he had before him. ¡°Are you ready to show me what you¡¯ve learned from your family?¡± Amira took a moment to respond, composing herself with her Pokemon sending her ¡®go¡¯ signals. ¡°... I am¡­¡± She selected Holly, taking her out of the scanning device. ¡°Then show me you have what it takes to take my Badge.¡± The announcer saw Forrest was ready and made the countdown. ¡°And ¡­ Here we go, folks¡ªthree, two, one, begin!¡± * * * Holly released from her capsule, tuning out of Amira¡¯s senses to focus on what was in front of her. What was released was something rather strange, but she¡¯d seen it in the museum before; her Trainer¡¯s response wasn¡¯t good, though. ¡°Muk¡­¡± Amira growled as Holly started to take her Trainer¡¯s given energy and convert it into her song. ¡°Tyrunt ¡­ Is he trying to see if we went to the museum to learn about the Fossil Pokemon¡ªit should be good, but it¡¯s bad!¡± Why? What should I do? The ferocious-looking Pokemon snapped his jaws as he ran behind a nearby rock alcove, disappearing from Holly¡¯s view. ¡°He-he-he, another victim for my jaws!¡± he roared. Amira had told her she was quicker with her Moves than most people at this level, which made her happy, and the white glow of Lucky Chant shielded her from harsh attacks. However, the Tyrunt soon appeared on top of a small rise, and a powerful, guttural roar similar to Mya¡¯s exploded around the area as a red and pink aura erupted around his strange, uneven dance. ¡°Destroy! Snap! Break!¡± he shouted, and the violence in his jumping frenzy made Holly retreat a little, preparing her next Move. ¡°He¡¯s Rock/Dragon-type, Holly¡ªhe¡¯s powerful but has a lot of weaknesses ¡­ You should be able to destroy him¡ªWe just don¡¯t have the Moves at this level, and Forrest knows it. It¡¯s a hard match-up at our level¡ªIs that Dragon Dance?! This is getting dangerous.¡± ¡°Y-You¡¯re kind of scaring me,¡± Holly mumbled, but all that met her was his intense eyes. ¡°You step into my territory! King¡¯s territory!¡± His jaws snapped again, causing her to flinch as white surrounded her, swiftly turning green as her internal strength grew; she assumed King was this Pokemon¡¯s name. He was like the super aggressive Pokemon in the Nidorino¡¯s territory in Viridian Forest. A dark brown shimmer radiated below the fierce red and pink aura, causing King¡¯s body to shine as if polished. ¡°I will crush you!¡± He jumped down from the rocks, rushing her, and he was much bigger than she thought as his speed dramatically increased. Amira was in her head, giving advice. ¡°He¡¯s buffing to counter our buffs ¡­ Those are good Moves, too. He will outspeed you at this point, which means you need to use your floating to your advantage. Use the rocks as jumping points to float away and stay out of reach while finishing your buffs!¡± Got it! He¡¯s so angry, though! ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s pretty intense,¡± Amber mumbled. ¡°Make sure to keep away from those jaws.¡± Holly squeaked; she couldn¡¯t fly, only hover a set distance off the ground, which normally was around five feet. She could use other things to levitate and float on the wind, though, but that didn¡¯t help her in this underground area. The 4¡¯09¡± tall monster was gaining on her with every quick step of his powerful legs. ¡°Come into my jaws!¡± ¡°No, thank you!¡± Holly said, floating up the rock and jumping off, but he leaped after her, and she had to pull back her tail before his jaws could snap around them to drag her back to the floor. He landed with a slide and was back on the hunt soon after, charging his next Move. Holly¡¯s breast filled with strength as she converted Amira¡¯s energy into power; it took so much time to gather the appropriate amount to make these big Moves, but Amira was adamant about it. ¡°He might be too heavy to blow back with your Leaf Tornado; zoning him won¡¯t work that well, but maybe after charging up your Special Attack, it will help. Leech Seed should be the next strategy¡­¡± Four brown globes of light separated from King, forming into jagged rocks that launched at her in the air¡ªshe couldn¡¯t dodge them. ¡°Vine whip! Pull yourself away!¡± Holly reacted on instinct on the command, using her swift-acting Move as a grapple. She barely managed to get away in time but judging by the white glow he received after it, Amira saw he was starting to way outpace their ability to keep up. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect a stat race¡ªDragon Pokemon have insane innate energy pools, though. He¡¯s fast enough to grab your vine with his jaws if you try to attack them¡ªit¡¯s going to be hard on our energy, but go for another Growth to try and get more power behind your attacks. If you get hit too much, it''s over; we need to end this, and quickly.¡± He was becoming so much faster than her that it wasn¡¯t even fair; by the time the petals were blossoming around her spinning body, he was on top of her, sliding into a spin to smack her with his glowing tail and sending her smashing against a nearby rocky edge. She winced, despair touching her heart as all the work she just put in was negated. ¡°Use Vine Whip now to throw him as far as you can!¡± O-Okay, but he¡ªhe lowered my shield! ¡°You¡¯re doing fine, Holly! Stay focused.¡± Her vines shot out as she tried to recover; he somehow knew her attack was coming because he shifted his momentum to leap to the left, but she still managed to snag a leg; it was like trying to throw a tree stump, yet she managed to toss him a quarter of the way back to his side of the field, beyond the jutting rocks. A loud boom sounded as he landed out of sight. I ¡­ I did it! she cheered. ¡°Don''t celebrate yet,¡± Amber advised. ¡°How he¡¯s been moving, he probably landed on his feet and is rushing back.¡± Amira hummed. ¡°His attacks are very linear; use a Leech Seed on him as he¡¯s running toward you¡ªthe center of his chest. His small arms can¡¯t get it off.¡± Holy took a shuddering breath to still her pounding chest; this was way more intense than her previous fight since she wasn¡¯t the one enraged this time. Okay! Amber was right, and he was soon jumping over a rocky hill. ¡°You think that¡¯ll slow King?! I¡¯ll devour you!¡± Aiming carefully, she waited for him to begin charging his Tackle before shooting it as the barrier was forming; just as Amira told her in one of their training sessions, there¡¯s a transition phase where they can¡¯t use Protect to block her attacks. The seed struck, sprouting to enclose his body, but that didn¡¯t stop the charging Tyrunt and Holly watched with wide eyes as he drove her into a nearby rock formation, breaking through it to hit the next one. Coughing as he pulled back to launch another Tail Whip, Holly spun in a sharp circle, causing a harsh gale to force the Ancient Pokemon back as he lost his balance. He¡¯d smashed through at least forty percent of her shield with that single attack. However, small balls of green defensive energy were already being pulled out of King and floating to her, slowly restoring it. ¡°Good! That¡¯s going to help us take more hits,¡± Amira cheered, but Holly could already tell she was running lower on the amount of energy she could give her; she hadn¡¯t had to push her Trainer like this in any of their fights, and maybe the last one against Lucian had something to do with it, too, but they were in a troublesome match¡ªGyms were no joke. King was back on his feet with a smooth trick of shifting his powerful tail to sending him flying a few feet into the air, but Holly was already on top of him, glowing body wrapping around his frame to leave a constricting white light¡ªAmira had been teaching her how to use Wrap without staying attached to the opponent, which was something she¡¯d never thought about before. He chomped down on her body with his powerful jaws, but there was no energy behind it, so no damage¡ªshe was just as trapped as he was in her Wrap. ¡°L-Let go!¡± she growled. ¡°He-he-he, I¡¯ve got you now,¡± he mumbled through his locked jaw. ¡°Holly, use Vine Whip to pull his legs out and trip him!¡± She did, but he refused to let go as they both collapsed to their side. It didn¡¯t work! ¡°Plug up his nose with them!¡± Eww ¡­ But okay¡­ She panicked a little in the process as the brown energy balls started to form around them again; he kept her still to smash her with the Ancient Powers he could generate. Her vines stuck up his flaring nostrils the moment they formed, and she couldn¡¯t believe it actually worked! The rocks slammed against the ground as he began to struggle, causing the Move to break. ¡°M-My nose?!¡± He gagged, letting go, and she flew away, promptly spinning in a circle and sending more Leaf Tornadoes his way. It was a tough battle at the start, but now things were looking up. She managed to keep her distance; between the Wrap, Leech Seed, and Leaf Tornadoes while jumping off high rocks; she was swiftly draining his shield and replenishing her own. He began to destroy the elevated stone platforms, but it was too late at that point, and in the end, she was standing over the unconscious Tyrunt, gasping and only partially lucid. She¡¯d used so much of her own personal energy in this fight that it was difficult to see straight; he was more challenging, tougher, and brutal than anyone she¡¯d faced in the Wild or from Trainers. She looked up as Forrest returned the Pokemon, realizing how loud the cheers were across the stadium at her victory¡ªshe did it ¡­ she won. ¡°You did so well,¡± Amber praised. ¡°You feel how proud Amira is of you?¡± Y-Yeah ¡­ I¡¯m so tired, though¡­ she mumbled. I¡¯ve never worked so hard in a fight¡ªI never stopped running or using my Moves, and he dodged so many of my attacks by using the rocks as cover¡­ ¡°You still won!¡± Amber chimed. ¡°We got our first Encrusted Badge thanks to you!¡± Heh ¡­ thanks, Amber. I¡¯m just happy to be of help! * * * Amira was floored. We did it ¡­ Holly¡ªwe did it. Amber and Holly were sharing a moment, and her little Flower Pokemon was exhausted. Centers could only do so much to restore Pokemon Power, and with how enraged Holly was in their fight against Lucian, she had no restraint, causing this battle to be rougher than it had to be ¡­ and that was her fault. She let Lucian get to her, which could have cost her this match. She sighed. I need to do better. Her attention lifted to Forrest as he started to clap, causing the crowd¡¯s noise to die down and he spoke over the speakers for everyone to hear. ¡°Amira Rocket, that was an excellent use of your Comfey¡¯s Moves. ¡°It wasn¡¯t perfect, but you managed to pull through when facing a very aggressive Pokemon that never let up on his attacks and used his environment to his advantage, even going so far as to make use of it yourself. You¡¯ve earned your victory.¡± A genuine smile lifted Amira¡¯s lips; for some reason, she needed that praise, and it was hard to keep the tears from leaving, her eyes hidden behind sunglasses. ¡°... Thank you, High Master Forrest¡ªI¡¯ll continue to improve.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure you will. Now, I must face my next challenger.¡± Nodding, Amira got off the stage to allow Mallory her turn; her phone buzzed in her clip at her waist¡ªit was probably her mother and the rest of the family. The moment the spotlight left her to Lori, she took her glasses off and whipped away a few tears of gratitude. Thanks for working with me, Holly¡ªI couldn¡¯t have done this without you. B1 — 39. Pewter Gym 2 1:15 P.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Mallory drew in a deep, apprehensive breath while passing her redheaded teammate. Amira was likely screaming at the top of her lungs inside¡ªshe was the reserved type, but she¡¯d been around the girl long enough to know she was just as animated as Mallory was; she just hid it a lot better. A swarm of Butterfree was in her stomach, tightening her gut, and yet she¡¯d never run away from something like this¡ªthis was exciting! This is it, Gables! Miky! We¡¯re at the first big wall! Are you ready to smash it with some style? Her two Pokemon gave an internal cheer, and the spotlight swapped from Amira to her as the announcer introduced them. Mallory wasn¡¯t paying attention to him, though; her focus was entirely on the sharp-dressed Gym Leader. The sound of the crowd filtered out of her head as she focused; it was the same at clubs when she was in the zone, just feeling herself, and she took out her headphones from her pocket, putting them in to help handle her pent-up stress. She was entering the big stage. Miky, Gables, and her could all share the music and vibes; her poor Impidimp wanted to show his stuff, too, since he hadn¡¯t had a lot of opportunities to shine over the last few days. Unfortunately, a Rock-type Encrusted Gym Challenge didn¡¯t work too well for his Moveset. Don¡¯t worry, Miky. I know you¡¯re itchin¡¯ to dance on stage and give it your all, and you¡¯ll get your chance. This is Gables¡¯s stage, though. You¡¯ll get a ton of opportunities on our way to the next Gym, and Cerulean City¡¯s has your name on it! He cheered up, and Gables somehow got him to calm down a bit; he soon chilled to the music with them as they made it on stage, and Mallory took out an earpiece to set things up. Her focus fell to the damaged field before rising to the Gym¡¯s Leader; there were rock fragments strewn across the ground from the little roaring monster that had terrorized the dirt mounds and stone pillars. Forrest was way different than she expected, having met his older brother through Rhea¡¯s troubles. This man held a dignified demeanor that he¡¯d probably gained from having dealt with Rocket over the years, as the mutually beneficial relationship Pewter and Viridian developed¡ªat least, that was Lori¡¯s headcanon. In truth, he reminded her of Cheren ¡­ maybe a bit less school teacherish and more upper-class, now that she thought about it. His tone was patient and charming. ¡°Are you ready? You¡¯ve scheduled a single¡¯s match, as well¡­¡± Forrest whispered, staring at the screen in front of him. The announcer was going crazy, talking about dance awards and other random things that didn¡¯t mean all that much to her; in fact, she wondered how he¡¯d even come across those tiny events she was in when younger. She did her best to ignore the overblown introduction, forcing a smile at the Gym Leader¡¯s tone. ¡°Eh ¡­ Did ya expect a Double-Battle, or for me to use both of my Pokemon?¡± Forrest kept a formal posture as he shook his head. ¡°I allow the Trainer to set my expectations within the battle; although, it has been quite a while since a Bronze-tier Trainer has tried to break the mold. Perhaps I was hoping today would be a change of pace.¡± ¡°Ah, well, sorry to disappoint,¡± she mumbled, activating Gables¡¯s pokeball to twist it around her hands. ¡°I¡¯m here to win¡ªAnd not underestimate you. It¡¯ll be tough enough to win a one-on-one.¡± He sighed, but a smile was on his face. ¡°Understandable. Normally, it is fairly simple to decipher what tactic a Trainer will implement at the Bronze-tier. Things grow more interesting in Doubles, and when facing famous individuals, such as your group, sadly, I am spoiled on which Pokemon you use.¡± Muk¡­ Mallory winced. ¡°Heh¡ªso ¡­ Against Amira?¡± He shook his head, focus shifting to the redhead, standing beside Rhea. ¡°In fact, Amira gave me a pleasant surprise. I thought she would use her Fennekin; although, the Comfey was a nice change of pace, given the Pokemon that normally see my Gym walls.¡± His gaze returned to her. ¡°Seeing as she managed to obtain a decent 2nd Pokemon to face my Gym, I was hoping you might throw a curveball at me.¡± Muk ¡­ Gables, we might be screwed¡­ She mumbled, scratching her forehead. ¡°Eh ¡­ Heh, ya really gonna do me like that? I mean, you could always show off your skills by choosing a Pokemon that¡¯s weak to me! Right? Think about the show!¡± The crowd laughed at her comment, and Forrest¡¯s features brightened. ¡°Unfortunately, this is a test of you and your Pokemon¡¯s skills, and not mine. However, a lot of my decision depends on how your Pokemon places in the League Power Scale Equalization System.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Mallory sighed, placing her worried Froakie and Impidimp in the machine to analyze their strength. ¡°Still, we didn¡¯t come here and drop 3k¡ªnot to mention, borrow money¡ªto get on this stage!¡± she proudly announced without a hint of shame. ¡°I won big, and all that isn¡¯t going to go to waste!¡± Forrest glanced down at the drawer that opened before him. ¡°... Ah, well, this might be interesting, after all. Katie rarely gets to see much action.¡± Lori put her earpiece back in as the announcer got ready to begin the match. Okay, Gabs! You ready to take out this Katie girl? * * * Gables hissed as Mallory plucked his pokeball out of the console; the little banter between the Gym Leader and his Trainer was probably another part of the entertainment factor that got the crowd hyped. Man, I¡¯m gonna give it my all, but it¡¯s gonna be rough. He totally knows we¡¯re goin¡¯ with the water strat. ¡°I know, I know¡­¡± she whispered, absently twisting his capsule around her fingers. ¡°Think about it, though ¡­ He didn¡¯t know about Amira¡¯s Comfey, yet still chose a Rock-type that wouldn¡¯t be that affected by Grass or Water. If he knows what¡¯s likely to come ¡­ Is he going to use a Rock/Water-type? We still have good Moves to rely on ¡­ Muk, we just don¡¯t have another option.¡± She got into a posture to throw his ball as the announcer called for them to get ready. ¡°Mi bad, Gabs,¡± Miky whispered. ¡°Mi thoughts mi be better ¡­ Mi was strong in forest.¡± No, no, you¡¯re good, man! Gables growled. It¡¯s like Mallory told you earlier; you just don¡¯t have the right Moves for the job right now. You¡¯ll get there and be a total beast, though! Umm ¡­ we¡¯re starting already? ¡°Countdown is countdown¡­¡± Gables tried to loosen up in the few seconds he had before making his appearance on the field below. Okay, let¡¯s get this going! You got my back, Miky? He landed on the hard rocky surface of the stadium, Mallory¡¯s Pop Music calming him down a bit. ¡°Mi watch! Mi watch!¡± The Pokemon that was revealed caused Gables¡¯s mind to blank for a moment; she was gorgeous. Long neck, colorful flared wing-like lashes, and a phenomenal light-blue sheen to her skin¡ªthose eyes were like the ocean. ¡°Whaaa¡­¡± Mallory was stunned by the choice. ¡°He knew, yet ¡­ Is he taking it easy on us? I think I know that Pokemon ¡­ One sec, I¡¯ll look it up¡ªWe saw one like that in the museum, so it must be another Fossil Pokemon.¡± Katie had an angelic voice that was in some ways similar to Amber, but the Fire Fox was his friend, and he didn¡¯t see her like that; this girl was like gazing at the moon in the night sky. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Katie. It¡¯s a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Richard said, your name was Gables. Correct?¡± ¡°R-Richard?¡± Gables asked, regaining his bearings as Mallory used the introduction phase they were in to look more into the Pokemon. ¡°The announcer,¡± she giggled, tilting her head up to the ceiling. ¡°He¡¯s one of the boisterous ones.¡± ¡°Ah, okay, yeah ¡­ Umm, yeah, my name¡¯s Gables. Nice to meet you, Katie.¡± She gave him a heavenly smile before her deep blue eyes scanned the field. ¡°I don¡¯t get to battle often. I¡¯m really looking forward to enjoying this match, Gables.¡± ¡°Amaura is 4x weak to Fighting and 2x to Water ¡­ Seriously, why did he choose her¡ªIs he mememing on us? Maybe he hasn¡¯t seen the viral videos of you memeing in that one fight ¡­ She has like ¡­ six weaknesses!¡± Katie looked up, smile falling a little. ¡°I suppose it¡¯s time to start.¡± He used Camouflage, blending into the environment as Katie¡¯s smiling eyes found him, a white aura surrounding her body. ¡°Oh,¡± she whispered, ¡°You have an extraordinary Move, Gables! Please, show me again! I want to see you blend into the environment.¡± He jumped to the side as the shimmering sphere shot from her head, curving right toward him. ¡°Why is she attacking if ¡­ Can she see me?!¡± Gables pushed off the stone pillar, doing a flip in the air to try and dodge, yet the ball struck his leg, causing a distinct white outline to surround his entire frame¡ªevery Move he had was instantly sealed ¡­ all except Camouflage. Miky was panicking. ¡°Leg! Leg!¡± ¡°Encore!¡± Mallory shouted. Cold sweat pushed out of his pores; it was the same ability Chary, Len¡¯s Chimchar, used to lock Mya out of everything but Sucker Punch. ¡°H-How did you predict where I¡¯d be?¡± he asked in astonishment; the white outline exposed him, even when using camouflage. Katie gave him a forced smile. ¡°Sorry! It was just the closest place you could jump to¡ªYou could have tried to the rock over there¡ªa place I might not expect or can reach,¡± she added in a helpful tone. Muk! Distance, Gables, she¡¯s charging another Move. I¡¯m looking at her Moves and Abilities right now¡­ Gables¡¯s chuckle faded as a yellow outline enclosed the Rock/Ice Pokemon, causing sparks to generate across the Amaura¡¯s frame, and she was lifted into the air. ¡°Heh, I hope your as slippery as you look, Gables, because you¡¯re gonna need it.¡± ¡°Run time would be nice!¡± Miky mumbled. ¡°Make like shadows, Gabby!¡± Jumping back, Gables tried to hide behind a stone pillar. ¡°What¡¯s up with Gym Leader Pokemon?!¡± Mallory huffed. ¡°She¡¯s a Rock/Ice-type, not an Electric!¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Katie¡¯s speed increased dramatically as she hovered through the air, sparks dancing across the ground as she disappeared behind a rock formation, weaving through the jagged field while blowing snowflakes from her mouth toward the ceiling, making a gentle veil that would fill the atmosphere. Gables shivered as the first flake hit his skin¡ªit was an area attack, designed to do minimal damage yet be near impossible to dodge. Each ice crystal ate a tiny fraction of his spiritual matrix away. Mallory was swiftly breaking it down. ¡°Encore to buy time and see you, Powder Snow to slowly freeze and create footprints she could track his movements through. We have a mega effective move, but she¡¯s going to keep distance and freeze you out!¡± ¡°Flee!¡± Miky shouted. I can¡¯t, Miky; if I run, the snow will ruin me; it¡¯s not that effective since it¡¯s so spread out, but I can¡¯t dodge it like this¡­ ¡°Mi cover eyes!¡± Trying to get into the groove of a song passing through Mallory¡¯s connection, Gables chuckled, trying to keep his composure. Didn¡¯t you say you¡¯ve got my back? C¡¯mon, man! He started charging the one Move that could take this fight into easy-mode territory. ¡°Eh ¡­ Eh ¡­ Mi ¡­ mi try!¡± He flipped around the rocks, swiftly gaining on the pretty Tundra Pokemon; she was fast with the electricity supporting her, but he could still outmaneuver her, and soon, his fist illuminated with red light. Katie wove between rock formations, keeping her distance while continuing to cover the field in the falling frost, yet there was a happy smile in her eyes; she was practically dancing in the air with the electricity and snow falling around them. His energy matrix was taking tiny bits of damage every time a certain amount of Ice-type energy struck him; he had to admit, she was gorgeous with her twirls and Move combination¡ªwithout a doubt, she would have won the Contest they¡¯d entered, and she was so lighthearted and friendly. At last, he came within striking distance; Encore ran its course, and he had just enough time to pull enough energy to use Power-Up Punch. However, a shiver ran through his connection to Mallory, dread in his Trainer¡¯s heart as she continued to research their opponent. ¡°Gabs, attack the nearest rock and use it as cover!¡± He instantly reacted, given the fear coursing through Lori¡¯s bond with them. The orange explosion of force rocketed to the side, destroying the base of a tall stone pillar and sending most of it crashing toward him. Gables managed to see another yellow glow illuminate Katie¡¯s frame, and the electricity intensified as the pillar came between them; arcs of lightning erupted above him, burning the stone and sending the thin layer of snow scattering in all directions. He flinched before a shiver ran down his spine, watching the nova pass; the sharp sparks that arced across the energy infusing the ground could still be heard. Twisting blackened marks were left in the wake of the 3-meter radius of the discharge. His Trainer had saved him because an attack like that would have stripped his entire defensive matrix, but Katie wasn¡¯t finished. ¡°Muk! This fight is so overtuned ¡­ What¡¯s up with those Moves? Two Electric-type Egg Moves? Forrest is out for our blood!¡± ¡°Big stones! Flee! Flee!¡± Miky yelled. ¡°Ancient Power! She¡¯s attacking and trying to buff herself¡ªMind Reader! Mind Reader!¡± Gables activated the Move before his Trainer even mentioned it, on the same wavelength while watching Katie¡¯s charming, elegant, lightning embraced movements as she hovered over his stone defense. A white aura radiated around him, centering on Gables¡¯s twinkling eyes as he connected to the Amaura¡¯s mind. Four rough rocks formed out of the dark brown energy wisping off her frame. ¡°He-he-he ¡­ You¡¯re doing pretty good, Gables! My snow will keep falling, though! Keep that in mind.¡± Gables flipped back, using an aerial cartwheel before jumping into a back tuck to dodge the four launching projectiles, knowing their exact trajectory¡ªhe also learned she was genuinely enjoying herself, and a grin split his lips, heart calming with the knowledge that she was kind of attracted to him, too. Landing on the side of a spiky formation, he chuckled, sweat beating down his pumping chest. ¡°Katie¡ªYou¡¯re one of the strongest and prettiest Pokemon I¡¯ve met at my level!¡± She giggled, twirling in the air to face her while reapplying her magnetic Move. ¡°Thank you, Gables; that¡¯s so sweet! He-he, you have a lovely coat that¡¯s distracting me. I¡¯d be cautious of my snow, though.¡± He winked, jumping between her breath attacks to close the distance between them. ¡°My Trainer¡¯s got me covered there!¡± Gables could practically hear Nova¡¯s cries of dread from the ring-side stands as he finished charging, drew in a deep puff of air and formed the energy to spray a large glob of mud in a wide explosion at Katie, passing into the tail end of the discharge. Just as Lori predicted, another nova of devastating electricity erupted around Katie, yet the mud blocked almost all of it, and the brownish coat he gained helped to dampen the bits of damage he did take. The dirt would act as an absorbent; he just needed to avoid as many bolts as possible. ¡°Oh? Now that¡¯s a good strategy!¡± she cheered, speeding away across the air. ¡°This is so much fun!¡± Mallory growled, studying the datasheet on her phone and how the fight was progressing; Gables could feel her coming to a gamble¡ªit always came down to this in the end with his Trainer. ¡°Mmh ¡­ we can¡¯t win this long-game ¡­ And that Discharge is practically a one-shot ¡­ It might knock you out with Mud Sport active, and the constant chip-damage from the falling snow doesn¡¯t help ¡­ We¡¯re toast at this rate, which means we gotta be ballsy.¡± Gables grinned at the plan Mallory came up with; it might get the job done. Still, he was disappointed in what it would do. Katie backed off for a moment, giving Gables time to jump around a rock and camo; he was out of sight, which meant she¡¯d have to predict where he was again, and he leaped to another rock to not be predictable before she rounded the corner¡ªthe mud was a part of his own energy, so it blended with him. The snow continued to fall around them, fueling the frigid environment, yet since he was on the side of a rock, he wouldn¡¯t create any footprints; that didn¡¯t help them slowly eating away at his defensive matrix, though. They were running out of time, and so, this was their make-or-break moment. Her electricity melted the snow as she passed over the area, humming to herself with a sly smile in her deep blue eyes. She hovered between the rock formations, scanning the thin layer of snow as Gables bided his time¡ªhis energy matrix was 79%; the snow was putting in work. ¡°She really has a brutal attack strategy,¡± Mallory commented with a small laugh, ¡°especially for Water-type Pokemon that think they¡¯ll have the advantage. If only we had something stronger than Bubble, but Power-Up Punch is the one thing we have that can put us back in this fight¡ªBut I don¡¯t think even that will take her out¡ªIt should be close, though.¡± Got it, he muttered, taking the energy she offered. Katie was now three meters away, which just so happened to be the center of all the rock formations he was hiding amongst, yet also the distance of her lightning nova. ¡°My, my, my, Gables¡ªYou really are a slippery one. I really like that last flip you did ¡­ Is this the last play? If so, please ¡®wow¡¯ me!¡± She was a different kind of opponent; Gables really liked the girl¡¯s attitude. Enough time passed, and she began glowing yellow. ¡°Hmm? What are you going to do now¡­¡± ¡°Go! Go! Go!¡± Miky shouted. Gables shot off the rock he¡¯d been using, camo dropping as he flew at the Amaura, opened his mouth, and sprayed mud all over her¡ªhe really didn¡¯t want to and could practically feel Nova¡¯s sharp eyes glaring at him. ¡°... There you ¡­ Oh ¡­ This is ¡­ new¡­¡± Her electricity expanded, blowing back much of the snow in the area, but the mud blocked a good portion of the discharge; still, he knew he¡¯d get struck by a little, and sure enough, a bolt cut through his left hand¡ªjust that small hit dropped him to 58%¡ªshe had impressive Stats. However, something unexpected happened that they hadn¡¯t accounted for¡ªthe mud attack temporarily disrupted her magnetic rise, blocking the energy from reaching the ground, and forcing her out of the air. Power-Up Punch took a long time to generate now that he was already +1 Attack, and he had to build up enough energy through Mallory to get +2, which wasn¡¯t easy at their level, but Katie¡¯s disrupted flight caused confusion and a bit of panic in the pretty girl. ¡°W-What did you ¡­ oh-no¡­¡± she mumbled, back feet touching the ground before spraying out a gale of icy breath. Gables¡¯s jaw set, powering through the arctic wind, coating his frame in ice from the concentrated blast. He tried to ignore the chills running down his arms as ice gathered. No! No! No! Don¡¯t freeze on me now, body! He broke past the flurry, brilliant red first landing under her chest just before her front legs touched down. She managed to give him a happy smile as her attack ended, deep blue eyes showing the delight she had in finally getting a chance to battle. 4x Weak to Fighting, plus he was +1 Attack¡ªhis fist was a comet. Katie shot up from the powered-up Fighting Move, her smile falling with a wince, but her defense matrix didn¡¯t break¡ªThis girl was something else, but Mallory predicted it. Gables landed on the ground, jumping back into the air after her. He filled his lungs with the biting chill of the falling snow, still lingering in the atmosphere from Katie¡¯s continual skyward attacks, and sent a giant bubble at her. We¡¯ve got this! Unfortunately, his powerful blow had also blown off much of the mud; electricity sparked around her glowing yellow frame, and she zig-zagged out of its trajectory, trying to catch her breath. ¡°Heh¡ªhe-he-he¡ªI loved that!¡± she wheezed. ¡°Ouch ¡­ That was a good hit, but I¡¯m not done yet!¡± She recovered as Gables retreated behind another pillar; her gale of snow frosting over the edges of the stone as she turned her breath on him; he was down to 24% after taking her Powder Snow head-on¡ªThat was supposed to be their big win. At least he had a moment to prepare; she shouldn¡¯t¡­ ¡°Flee!¡± ¡°Ancient Power!¡± Miky and Lori shouted in unison. He leaped to a neighboring rock as four Rock-type infused energy crushed the pillar he¡¯d been on, pelting Gables with the shrapnel and dropping him to 18%. She¡¯s still attacking after I hit her that hard?! Muk! Now or never! Gables landed on the nearby rock and rocketed back, throwing caution to the wind. Katie was smiling as she passed through the floating rocks that were picked up by her magnetic field, scanning for him. ¡°I haven¡¯t been struck by something¡­¡± His glowing white fist pounded into her side, causing Katie¡¯s bright blue eyes to widen in shock as he sent her tumbling the opposite way, carrying chunks of stone with her¡ªher shield shattered, forcing the pretty Amaura unconscious. ¡°We did it!¡± ¡°Yis! Yis! Yis!¡± Gables tried to land on his feet, but his foot slipped on ice, causing him to tumble across the energy-laced field. When he came to a stop, he just laid in the snow, skin tingling from the offensive energy. A part of his neck had been frozen at some point, making it hard to turn. The crowd was deafening, but he was utterly emotionally drained¡ªKatie, this pretty and cheery girl, gave him the most challenging fight of his short life¡ªhe was down to 9% and dropping, continuing to take damage from the quickly melting Ice-charged zone he was sprawled across. We won¡­ ¡°You were so awesome!¡± Mallory squealed. ¡°Mi help! Mi help!¡± Miky shouted, dancing inside his pokeball. Yeah ¡­ good teamwork, guys ¡­ I want to sleep, but¡­ He struggled up, rubbing his shoulder with a forced grin as Katie returned to consciousness, having trouble rising. Her voice was just as pretty as it was before her loss. ¡°Heh¡ªI didn¡¯t expect that little surprise. Well played, Gables ¡­ Thanks for showing me a good time¡ªI needed that.¡± ¡°Heh-he-he,¡± Gables pounded the ice on his neck, giving her a forced smile. ¡°No cap¡ªThat was the toughest battle I¡¯ve ever had, girl! You¡¯re phenomenal.¡± ¡°Aww, you really are sweet,¡± she smiled, looking up at Forrest as he spoke to Lori, ¡°... Seems I¡¯ll be going to get treated¡ªForrest is really impressed by your team. He expects you to go far.¡± Katie gave him a cute, parting grin, and the tilt her head made had Gables¡¯s heart thumping. ¡°Don¡¯t forget about me, kay?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Gables moaned as a red beam shot out from her pokeball, returning her to the device. ¡°Humph, you can¡¯t go sayin¡¯ that and dippin¡¯ on me, Katie!¡± A grin soon brightened his expression. ¡°Maybe you are a bit shyer than I thought¡ªI won¡¯t forget you!¡± he yelled, and Mallory recalled him. ¡°Hmm? Hmm?¡± Lori mused as she left the stage. ¡°Do I sense girlfriend material?¡± Hey, ya know, she¡¯s a stunner. I¡¯m just sayin¡¯, Gables shrugged. Miky snickered. ¡°Gabby and Katie, sittin¡¯ in di Nanab tree¡­¡± Yo, Miky, c¡¯mon, dude! ¡°Sh-sh-sh-sh-sh¡­¡± * * * Mallory wanted to dance as Gables landed the final blow. ¡°That¡¯s the money shot!¡± she yelled, but it was drowned out by the crowd and announcer. ¡°Gables did it! Mallory and Gables actually did it! That¡¯s two Encrusted Badges for the Starter Award girls, ladies and gentlemen, and man, were they close! Look at Gables; he¡¯s not even trying to get¡ªOh, are there some encouraging words being passed to our Froakie from the crowd favorite? Yes! It seems Katie had the time of her life in that battle; her smile says it all, and now we get to see our final girl in this trio compete¡ªthe mysterious Award Winner, Rhea!¡± Lori¡¯s attention turned to Forrest¡¯s dignified tone as he smiled across the stage at her, and everyone quieted down to listen. ¡°It was a rough start, but you managed to keep your cool and use the few Moves you had in innovative ways to survive long enough to land a solid hit ¡­ You¡¯ve impressed me, Mallory. Grounding Katie was a good strategy to hamper her mobility.¡± She scratched the back of her neck before returning Gables, giving the analysis a strained laugh. ¡°Well ¡­ yeah, that part was kind of an unexpected gift. I didn¡¯t think Mud Sport would be able to do that, but it kind of makes sense, now that I think about it.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Even if it was an accident, it threw Katie off enough to give you some breathing room. She won¡¯t forget that lesson.¡± ¡°Neither will we!¡± she returned. ¡°Thanks for not taking it easy on us¡ªThat really was a tough match, High Master Forrest. I learned a lot.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad, and that¡¯s the main reason I became a Gym Leader¡ªIf you haven¡¯t learned something by the end of a Gym Battle, then a Gym is failing its primary purpose. I know you¡¯ll go far.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Mallory practically swam off the stage; she was weightless, and her body wanted nothing more than to hit a club and use all that energy, but that had to wait until Rhea got her badge. They¡¯d done it, though! She teased Gables a bit, noticing he fancied their opponent; he¡¯d made a good impression, at least. Who knew? Maybe there was hope in the future, but it was his first real crush. We did it! Wooh! 1 out of 4 down, boys! B1 — 40. Pewter Gym 3 1:29 P.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Rhea passed by Mallory, the purple-haired girl gave her a bright smile, and the light swapped to Rhea a moment later; their match was incredible¡ªcompared to everyone they¡¯ve faced so far, Forrest¡¯s Pokemon were on another level. Giovanni¡¯s battle style was completely different, utilizing everything at his disposal with Pokemon of much lower strength than his opponent. It was the type of match that made you depressed with how outclassed you were. On the other hand, Forrest utilized Pokemon with Moves that complemented each other and showed those that challenged his Gym how wrong it was to assume having a Type advantage meant it was a sure victory. Amira and Lori were supposed to have an easy win, yet their battles were intense from start to finish, and they barely made it out on top. She was really starting to worry about what Pokemon he¡¯d choose since he knew all their Pokemon. None of that meant anything to her roaring ball of molten steel, jumping around in her pokeball; all her friend¡¯s matches had shown the Mawile was that she should expect at least a ¡®moderate¡¯ challenge. Her ears were ringing, making it hard to hear the announcer as he shouted about the things she¡¯d done and what was reported online. Sabin¡¯s here ¡­ Sabin and Katelin ¡­ All my friends ¡­ Mya, we have to take this seriously. Her Mawile huffed, sending back feedback that she took everything seriously; she was just the best¡ªwho had beaten her? No one. Nova tried to offer Rhea some support, hoping to deflate a little of her teammate¡¯s hot air, but it only met Mya¡¯s steel wall of pride. Rhea didn¡¯t like to entertain the thought they¡¯d lose¡ªshe was, though, and it wouldn¡¯t be the worst thing ¡­ Her brother¡¯s presence just made it all the more difficult to swallow. She made it up the stairs to the lift, which then rose into the air until it was level with Forrest, giving her a full scope of the ravaged field; the ice had already melted, leaving stone fragments everywhere of broken pillars. Then, taking a deep breath, she put her pokeballs in the machine. Forrest was ignoring the announcer, fingers sliding across the display in front of him with a frown as the drawer slid open to allow his selection of Pokemon¡ªhe didn¡¯t touch it. The private connection between them opened while the announcer went over highlights of the previous matches, drawing comparisons and hype for the upcoming battle. His calm voice only reached her ears as the crowd cheered at various moments of Amira and Mallory¡¯s fights. ¡°... Rhea, my brother warned me in advance about your boosted stats and gave me his advice, but I was not expecting this ¡­ Giovanni even made a note, which I think is too harsh. Do you have anything to add?¡± Mya was telling her to scream, ¡®bring it on,¡¯ but Rhea dismissed the taunt. ¡°Giovanni said it would be challenging¡ªI¡¯d like to think he was looking out for me ¡­ He is Amira¡¯s grandfather.¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ Giovanni is a very skilled Trainer¡ªbetter than me, I can confidently say. However, you must understand him, Rhea ¡­ It is the fact you are his granddaughter¡¯s teammate that will cause him to put you at a higher skill to push you forward for Amira¡¯s sake. He is recommending Grade 6, Rhea.¡± Rhea had no clue what the standard system really implied on a reference scale below Platinum¡ªshe rarely ever witnessed Bronze to Gold matches. ¡°To be honest ¡­ I don¡¯t know exactly how strong that is. My friend and I beat a Low Silver-tier in Viridian Forest¡­¡± She could barely see Forrest shake his head from across the field, just above the pillars that dotted the landscape. ¡°A wild battle and a Gym Challenge aren¡¯t even in the same ballpark, Rhea. Normal Bronze-tier Trainers, starting out just like you, would be facing Janine or Sabrina¡ªtheir 5th or 6th Badge by Grade 6. Amira and Mallory were facing Grade 3 Pokemon, skilled Grade 3, but at that level, nonetheless. I¡¯m leaning toward Grade 4, personally¡ªyou don¡¯t have near the amount of experience for Grade 6 yet¡ªare you sure you want to go through with this?¡± Everything he warned about had Mya more hyped ¡­ her Mawile would be emotionally hurt if she didn¡¯t accept the challenge. Rhea took a slow breath, knowing this was going to end badly, but it was a partnership, and Mya wasn¡¯t going to back down from this one; she was lucky her Mawile wasn¡¯t demanding to go higher for doubting her power. Mya ¡­ We¡¯ve talked about this ¡­ There¡¯s a cut-off point where you can¡¯t use any more of my energy, and once we hit that point, you have to stop, or I¡¯ll need to return you to your ball and forfeit myself. Mya rubbed her spirit with a confident hand, telling her she had all that under control now, asking her to remember the Nidorino and how they were a team. ¡°... I¡¯d like to face a lower grade, Forrest, but I can¡¯t back down ¡­ We¡¯ll give it our best!¡± Forrest¡¯s expression tightened as he selected their opponent from the drawer that popped open. ¡°Rhea ¡­ I¡¯ll be putting you against a high Grade 6 Pokemon. At this stage, there are things I¡¯m supposed to do to prepare Trainers for the battles ahead, especially for what they might face in the League ¡­ Good luck.¡± * * * Mya cheered, fire in her chest, and Rhea finally relented, resolving herself to push beyond what this Gym person wanted; they wouldn¡¯t be held back, and if she did wimp out, then she couldn¡¯t look her friends in the face¡ªeveryone knew she was a winner, and that¡¯s all that mattered to her. Through Rhea¡¯s eyes, Mya saw Forrest give an understanding nod and swap the coms back to the stadium, silencing the announcer. ¡°Rhea, you have selected a single¡¯s match, one Pokemon ¡­ Do you accept?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Mya roared. ¡°I don¡¯t even have to try¡ªRhea, we got this, easy.¡± Mya¡¯s chest thumped with anticipation as Rhea¡¯s left hand closed around her capsule, lifting her out. ¡°Winning is what we do.¡± The deep-voiced announcer picked up, causing Mya¡¯s chest to puff up in her ball. ¡°Here we have it, folks. Rhea has never lost a single round outside of an unexpected Contest entry with her Eevee in Gardenia City. ¡°We can¡¯t count that, though; anyone who¡¯s a Contest follower and saw that performance knows the Johto Stars that have dominated the Johto Bronze League, earning two Encrusted Badges last season! So now, we have the Mystery Starter, Rrrrhhheaaa verses Pewter City¡¯s Gyyymmm Leader, Forreeest Harrrrisooon!¡± ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t know any Johto stars; better count my wins again,¡± Mya grinned inside her pokeball; the crowd was deafening¡ªlouder than any event they¡¯d been to previously. ¡°C¡¯mon, Mya,¡± Nova grumbled. ¡°You heard him; they were super strong.¡± ¡°They¡¯d give up if they were against me,¡± Mya laughed. ¡°We¡¯ve got this, Rhea! Trust me; we win, win, win, win, and that¡¯s it!¡± The announcer paused for the hype. ¡°Three. Two. One. Begin!¡± A second after Rhea threw her ball, Mya¡¯s visual connection to her Trainer pulled away, and she was released. Feet landing on the hard stone floor of the arena, she released a loud roar of excitement. ¡°Here we go!¡± Intimidation swept across the field in a threatening wave, yet at the same time, a compressing weight sank into her chest. Her grinning jaws snapped shut as she leered across the arena at her opponent, and Rhea sent a pulse of her energy into Mya, strengthening her Ability. ¡°... We¡¯re facing a Pokemon with a stronger energy matrix than what¡¯s at our level; any Status Move is going to require more power than normal.¡± Just like the Nidorino; yeah, been there, done that. Her slick tongue slid between her lips as colossal boulders lifted up from behind the stone columns and dirt mounds; it took a moment for her to recognize it as a Pokemon with how massive it was. This is the type of Pokemon I should be facing! Mya laughed, rubbing her hands together before rushing the rocky monster, large stone head hovering 4-meters above the ground as intense black eyes fixated on her. The announcer¡¯s voice rang out across the stadium before Mya tuned him out. ¡°Rhea throws out Mya, her devastating Mawile that we saw in the Starter Contest, and Gym Leader Forrest selects ¡­ Merrock ¡­ REALLY?! Merrock has entered the stadium, ladies, and gentlemen! We¡¯ve got a storm on our hands!¡± ¡°An Onix¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, utterly perplexed at his choice. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re weak to a ton of Moves you have ¡­ Yeah, but I can also feel his aura ¡­ He¡¯s definitely stronger than the ones that fought Amira and Lori. But, wait ¡­ are you being slowed?!¡± Now on the move, Mya¡¯s smile fell a little as she ran between upturned mounds, broken pillars, and scattered debris. Rhea was right; her movements felt a bit sluggish. I guess ¡­ It¡¯s annoying, but whatever; heh, it¡¯s not like it¡¯s going to help him ¡­ Which Move should I use? ¡°Mmh ¡­ I know Ice Fang should be super effective ¡­ Let me look him up and compare you to the possible Moveset he has.¡± I¡¯ll just be owning him while you do that. Merrock grunted at her advance. ¡°Fool. You should have taken Forrest¡¯s offer.¡± The Onix opened its mouth and let loose a high-pitched screech, sending white waves at her. They were surprisingly fast; she¡¯d lose momentum if she tried ducking behind a rock, and so she retaliated with her own roar. ¡°Scared?¡± Mya snickered, wincing as the wave lowered her Defense; however, Merrock dropped to the ground, causing her attack to be absorbed by the stone pillars. Stupid height. She lost sight of him as the sound of crushing rocks filled the air, Merrock snaking around the tall remaining pillars on the right side¡ªhe was much faster than her. Jumping on top of a nearby mound to survey the right side of the gigantic stadium, Mya¡¯s eyes narrowed, scanning the stone markers. ¡°... Coward! Where¡­¡± Mya smirked as a profound brown aura surrounded the Onix, only twenty feet away from her; frost exited her second mouth. ¡°Finally ready to ¡­ What?¡± Merrock spun around on the ground, causing a horrible noise as pillars broke and dust exploded around them¡ªa sudden gale burst against Mya¡¯s body, tiny fragments of stone harmlessly bouncing off her body. She watched the current cameras circling the field retreat for new ones as the roaring wind increased with his movements; Mya threw up her hands as sand and wind filled the space, blinding her. What¡¯s happening?! ¡°You ¡­ You have to be kidding me!¡± Rhea gasped. ¡°Sandstorm ¡­ At our level? Is this even legal? Mya, it does Rock-Type damage to¡ªNo, you¡¯re Steel-Type! You¡¯re immune to it. My aunt can this thing last forever, but I have no clue how long this will continue at our level¡ªthis is bad, though ¡­ really bad.¡± The announcer¡¯s voice was swallowed by the wind, and the crowd disappeared in the haze of sand. Mya¡¯s nose creased, grimace turning her lips. ¡°This is nothing! I¡¯ll just blow it away!¡± ¡°Mya¡­¡± She pulled in Rhea¡¯s energy before twisting her hips and jumping, spinning in a circle as she generated a gale of her own; however, she hovered longer in the air than she anticipated because of the weight causing her Moves and movements to be sluggish. What is this thing¡­ The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. Her attack parted the sand for a moment, but her Fairy-Type energy was soon eaten away; the Onix was nowhere in sight¡ªshe could hear him, though. Stone against stone ripped past the biting dust, stirring around in the air, but he was so quick. She couldn¡¯t see more than ten feet ahead of her as she tried navigating the blizzard; her icy fangs collapsed as the energy ran its course, fragmented ice carried off by the wind. I ¡­ I can¡¯t see him ¡­ Where am I, Rhea¡­ ¡°Calm down¡ªstay cool.¡± ¡°Coward! Hiding in the sand ¡­ You are scared of me! Face me head ¡­ bleh ¡­ Come at¡­¡± ¡°Jump back!¡± ¡°Maya, jump!¡± Mya jumped in the air, not knowing if she should go up or to the side; Merrock burst through the sandstorm¡ªright in her face¡ªfierce silver aura erupting around his body. Her jaws reached back to a nearby pillar, but the weight of the Onix¡¯s Ability pressing against her body only allowed her to latch onto the rocky surface before he struck. The stone crumbled in her mouth as Mya¡¯s eyes widened in shock¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a thing she could compare it to; nothing had hit her like this silver battering ram. All the air in Mya¡¯s lungs was forcefully expelled as 61% of her defensive matrix was blown away. Mya rocketed through two pillars, dirt erupting around her as a mound stopped her. Mya coughed, rolling to her side as Rhea screamed into her disoriented mind; the sand was making her lose focus of everything. ¡°Dive to the right.¡± Following the instructions on instinct, she dodged a charged white tackle the Onix made before disappearing into the storm again. Reorienting herself in the shifting environment, Mya¡¯s heart started to beat faster. ¡°I ¡­ I can¡¯t see him, Rhea ¡­ All I see is sand¡ªthe rocks¡­¡± Four glowing stones appeared from Mya¡¯s aura as she launched them at the resounding crash of rock against rock, trying to aim at the sound the Onix made while moving; she had no clue if they hit or not. ¡°He¡¯s too fast¡­¡± Probably the most disturbing thing was the Pokemon¡¯s silence in the howling gale; he wasn¡¯t showing off or yelling¡ªonly the sound of crashing stone and sharp wind reached her ears. ¡°Calm down, Mya ¡­ He has a rare Ability for Onix called Frighten that¡¯s been slowly working against you¡ªYour defensive matrix is nowhere near strong enough to repel it like he¡¯s doing to your Intimidate. ¡°Look, Mya, my dad once said to look for the glow of your opponent¡¯s energy, not him, when in blind battles like this ¡­ Once you see it, dodge.¡± Mya took deep breaths, but the sand was agitating her nose and made her head spin¡ªshe saw the light. Merrock¡¯s flaring silver aura illuminated two dozen feet away, and Mya ran to the right, using the pillars and mounds to line-of-sight him¡ªit was like Merrock could see her in the storm. What do I do? ¡°Ancient Power was the right play¡ªwe need to get your speed back up, so you¡¯re not thrown off. Keep using it ¡­ Good!¡± Mya slowly charged the Move as Merrock tore through the mounds and pillars where she¡¯d been. She sent the four rocks blindly at the sound; her speed rose with every other Stat, but it pulled a large chunk of Rhea¡¯s energy. ¡°We need to wait out the sandstorm.¡± No ¡­ No, I think I can do it now! Mya said, confidence rebuilding. It was that stupid speed thing that was holding me back. ¡°Mya ¡­ You need to hide and let him waste energy on the sandstorm; he can track your footsteps, so you need to tread lightly and hide.¡± I ¡­ I can¡¯t hide! But, I¡¯m not a coward like him! ¡°Please, Mya ¡­ It¡¯s strategy, not¡­¡± I¡¯m too strong to hide from someone this weak, she huffed. This stuff doesn¡¯t even hurt, and if he¡¯s tracking my footsteps, then I can lead him into a trap¡ªjust like that stupid Nidorino! ¡°He¡¯s not going to let you set up.¡± She could feel him getting closer to her by the vibrations passing through her legs. I know¡ªI¡¯ve learned his trick, though! It¡¯s easy now! Merrock jumped out of the sky, over 5-meters above her, which was surprising, but not enough that she wasn¡¯t ready for. She hopped to the side, now back to her normal speed, and used a nearby stone to sling herself away from the bright silvery attack. He smashed into the floor as she soared above him. You just tell me what attacks I have that are good against him. We¡¯ve got this! Ice gathered across her mouth as she landed on top of him, bright fangs digging into his defensive matrix as he twisted to get her off. His tail illuminated as it closed around her, tightening to chunk her shield, but that was much better than the hit and run tactics¡ªhe was right in front of her. She bit him again with the frosty energy, forcing him to throw her, but she¡¯d anticipated it, and just before getting out of sight, shadows engulfed Mya. Her black fist smashed into Merrock¡¯s face, throwing him to the side as the storm broke. ¡°I¡¯m back in this!¡± she laughed, landing on the ground, but Merrock was already twisting around, creating a boulder out of energy at his tail before flicking it at her. Mya¡¯s own dark brown energy condensed to fire four smaller rocks, intercepting just before it struck ¡­ Her attack was overpowered. Mya was slammed into the ground as the rock crumbled around her; she threw the rubble off with a growl. That wasn¡¯t supposed to happen¡ªher defensive shell was at 26%, but that didn¡¯t matter¡ªwinning was the only thing that mattered. She drew upon Rhea¡¯s energy reserves, empowering it a bit further to just try and do a bit more damage. ¡°... Mya, he¡¯s weak to Fighting, Ground, Steel, Water, Grass, and Ice ¡­ No, his is STAB; you won¡¯t win the ¡­ ugh.¡± My bad ¡­ No, I¡¯m fine! ¡°No, Mya ¡­ You only have about three attacks left before we have to call it.¡± I ¡­ I can work with that, Mya mumbled as she dodged a tackle and latched on the side of his head as he passed. I¡¯ll do it ¡­ somehow, her voice was starting to quiver, though; his shield seemed impossible to break, and he barely moved from her attacks that usually send Pokemon flying. Her fist glowed red, but before she could launch it, Merrock leaped into the air to spin in a rapid vertical circle. She took a chunk of damage, throwing her almost to the ceiling of the arena barrier. Mya¡¯s stomach twisted as she hung in the sky, mind suddenly blanking as she watched the Onix¡¯s brown aura increase as it rolled around the stadium, kicking up sand, dirt, and stone. I¡¯m not losing, Rhea ¡­ I can¡¯t lose ¡­ I¡¯m invincible¡­ The gathering force of Rock-Type kept increasing as she fell and Merrock¡¯s rapid rollout accelerated the massive Pokemon; she was twisting ¡­ falling. Doubt crept into Mya¡¯s heart as Power-Up Punch faded, unused since it was out of range and dumping more of Rhea¡¯s precious energy. I ¡­ I can still do it ¡­ I have three more attacks ¡­ Right? Time slowed as Mya neared the ground; she still hadn¡¯t figured out what to do. Her nose burned as the rolling giant approached. ¡­ What do I do, Rhea? ¡°Sucker Punch!¡± Mya reacted on instinct as her Trainer sent the command. Shadows enclosed her as the looming boulder neared, and she appeared right at its spinning eye, fist connecting and sending him spiraling off-course, unraveling to slam against the ringside barrier. He didn¡¯t waste a second, uncoiling to weave back to her, silvery aura flaring across his frame; Mya¡¯s body went numb¡ªthat attack did 61% of her shield. Rhea broke her out of her mental loop. ¡°Astonish! His aura¡¯s getting to you, Mya.¡± A large, ghost-like visage of her massive jaws appeared in front of her, rushing the Onix with a hiss. He tried to dodge, but he was too bulking and attacking too fast¡ªhe flinched as the attack hit, causing him to tumble several meters, shattering more of the field¡¯s terrain. ¡­ It worked¡­ Rhea¡¯s encouraging voice filled her breast. ¡°Metal Burst! C¡¯mon, Mya, don¡¯t give up!¡± Her confidence returning, Mya¡¯s aura lit with silver light as Merrock spun, brown light gathering around him; his movements felt slow since she¡¯d just broken his rhythm, but she waited¡ªthis was her last attack; it would eat up everything she had left. Mya jumped into the air, covering her face as Merrock threw a boulder at her. She winced as it struck, dropping her to 4% and flying into the barrier behind her. It crumbled the moment it hit, and her silver aura increased, pulling back into her mouth to create a pulsating globe. Then, jumping off the side, she spun and launched the attack. Merrock was now rushing her, a white field growing in front of him to tackle her; Mya cheered inside as the ball struck him square between the eye¡ªhe jarred for a moment, but it didn¡¯t break the attack. She was still in the air ¡­ No Moves, 4% shield, and he was so fast ¡­ Her heart drained of emotion as the world collapsed on top of her. No ¡­ I can¡¯t lose¡­ ¡°Mya!¡± Nova screamed. The world went black. * * * Rhea bit her lower lip as she reached the energy cap that she¡¯d set for herself; that was it¡ªMya couldn¡¯t actually use any of her own energy since it was all used to keep her alive. Her hand went to her breast as Mya shut down; she¡¯d been spiraling, but to feel her world shatter was like a piece of her heart breaking off. Nova was crying, sending worrying signals to her after Mya¡¯s collapse. It¡¯s okay, Nova ¡­ I know it hurts. Yeah ¡­ it hurts. She knew this outcome was probably the best thing for her Mawile¡ªto experience this early on, but it didn¡¯t feel any better. Silence took the crowd as Merrock sent Mya flying against the barrier again, dropping limply to the floor where her secondary defensive matrix cushioned the blow. The Onix kicked up sand and rock, flinging it across the stage in a victory lap. A small smile touched Rhea¡¯s lips as she breathed a long sigh and recalled Mya, rubbing her throbbing chest. I know this was hard, Mya ¡­ I know. Mya listened to her, though, which was an improvement, and her little girl had even kept careful track of her energy after she¡¯d given her the warning. Metal Burst was a strong Move that had taken a chunk of her fortitude strength since it returned a pretty powerful attack. She sucked in her lower lip, looking up at Forrest as he examined her¡ªnow, for the verdict on their performance. The sharply dressed man cleared his throat, returning Merrock to his pokeball as everyone waited in stillness. ¡°I don¡¯t know exactly what Moves your Mawile knows, but from what I saw, quite honestly, Rhea, you should have had no problem defeating Merrock¡ªhad you been prepared. ¡°Still,¡± he gave her an understanding smile, ¡°you did better than I thought you would. You have exceptional Pokemon, but they were too slow to respond to the battle. From what I saw, she was resisting your advice, which can happen, yet at the end, she started to do a little better.¡± Forrest took a deep breath and chuckled. ¡°You may have lost, Rhea, but there can be a win found within it. A Trainer should cherish their losses over their victories because it is in a loss that you will find areas of improvement.¡± Rhea''s nose burned; she wanted to cry but not yet. ¡°I ... Thank you, Gym Leader Forrest ¡­ I know we could have won¡­¡± Her lips tightened for a moment as hot air fluttered in her chest. ¡°Metal Burst on that first Heavy Smash was ¡­ it was the best opportunity¡ªthat you gave us, and we missed it ¡­ Thank you,¡± she cleared her throat, putting on a fake smile while fighting tears. ¡°Thank you for showing us where to improve.¡± Reaching over to grab Nova¡¯s pokeball to put it on her belt, she hesitated for a moment¡ªher fingers were suddenly weak, and she feared she¡¯d drop it. Instead, she closed them into a fist, stretching them out for half a second before grabbing her worried Eevee and heading off-stage. Len passed her, his tight expression following her exit as she rubbed her left arm, just trying to get feeling back into it. The spotlight soon swapped to him, leaving her in darkness to be met by Amira, Mallory, and Jason. All the other contestants hung back. The announcer took the crowd''s attention as highlights of the last three matches played overhead, and he compared them, drawing more hype for the upcoming matches. Mallory was the first to reach her, arms folding around her side and shoulder to lift her into a bear hug. ¡°Hey! Are you okay? That was ¡­ Eh, a tough match.¡± Nova was crying against her heart, snuggling closer. Rhea chuckled, arms rising to return a soft embrace. ¡°Yeah ¡­ kind of ¡­ well, not really,¡± she whispered, clearing her throat and sniffing as a few tears fell down her cheeks. ¡°Mya¡¯s hurt¡ªemotionally. Nova¡¯s super sensitive to this stuff, and¡­¡± Amira awkwardly stepped forward as Rhea let Lori back off. ¡°... Your brother?¡± she whispered, hesitantly opening her arms with an unsure expression¡ªit helped, making Rhea chuckle and step in to hug her. ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ I don¡¯t know ¡­ I mean, I knew it would probably be like this, but ¡­ I just didn¡¯t think it would really hurt that much¡ªthanks for caring, guys.¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Jason jumped in next, his grip gentle. ¡°Yo, I mean, I thought you did awesome ¡­ I was biting my nails when that Sandstorm came up.¡± ¡°Heh, you and me both,¡± Rhea said, pulling back. ¡°Hey,¡± Jason whispered, clearing his voice and stepping back to point at the three of them. ¡°Ya know what I think? The three of you should take off and get some ice cream or something! Just get out of here, ya know?¡± Rhea gripped her right arm, her focus darting between them. ¡°Wait, but ¡­ Len and you are next?¡± ¡°Naa! We¡¯re good, and I¡¯m sure your brother¡¯s worried about you; I¡¯ll have my sister here. We can all catch up later.¡± A smile moved Amira¡¯s red eyes. ¡°I agree. There¡¯s a good local place I scoped out before, and we can get Mya treated on the way.¡± Mallory¡¯s purple hair bobbed up and down with her head. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! Besides, they¡¯re boys; they¡¯ll be fine! We should check on Mya ¡­ How is she, by the way?¡± Rhea hissed. ¡°Not great ¡­ She kind of fell apart at the end¡ªwhen she realized we were losing.¡± Amira¡¯s arms tightened under her bust as she sighed. ¡°Yeah, I figured once she started to freeze, but¡ªin all honesty, it was probably for the best, but I know that doesn¡¯t mean it will be easy on you three. We should treat her to something to let her know we all care.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Mallory forced a laugh. ¡°I mean, if she wants something ¡­ I know I wouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°True,¡± Rhea mumbled; Jason and Amira nodded. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s go to the Center to get Mya treated ¡­ She¡¯s still unconscious, but I think it¡¯s more from the emotional shock than anything¡­¡± Depression hit her gut, tears welling up in her eyes again as her phone vibrated; she took it out, lips starting to tremble as Sabin text her. 1:46 P.M. Sabin: Hey, I¡¯m here for you. Always. What hotel are you staying at? I¡¯ll ditch the paparazzi and be there in fifteen. 1:46 P.M. Sam: You okay? Everyone wants to come cheer you guys up; what¡¯s the plan? You know, if that¡¯s okay. She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. ¡°Heh ¡­ Just Sabin and the girls ¡­ They want to meet up.¡± Nova was crying again, but this time trying to comfort her by nuzzling her spirit to let her know she was there for her, too. ¡°I got it!¡± Mallory chimed, gently rubbing her back. ¡°Center, ice cream with the girls, back to the hotel to recuperate.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled to the side. ¡°Jay doesn¡¯t know about Sabin.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine with it,¡± Rhea replied. ¡°I mean¡ªheh, she¡¯s stuck with us since our last glorious defeat ¡­ I think she¡¯s fine.¡± Amira gave her an encouraging smile. ¡°If you¡¯re okay with it, then I¡¯m fine with those plans.¡± Jason jumped in with a grin. ¡°Right! Kate and I will join you after ¡­ Len¡¯s gotta go find wherever Lucian ran off to ¡­ He¡¯s been ghosting us since ¡­ yeah, anyway, get going!¡± He urged, gently pushing Rhea toward the exit. ¡°Get outta here and fix that sugar tooth.¡± ¡°He-he-he ¡­ Thanks, Jason.¡± Rhea rubbed her hot forehead and cheeks, trying to look at least somewhat presentable. ¡°... Really ¡­ Thanks, guys.¡± Texting her brother the address, she told Sam her plans and that Jay would be joining the Rhea Secrets Club before heading out. B1 — 41. The Strongest’s Crisis 1:39 P.M. June 23, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 15 Days. Rhea passed through the dark stadium to the contender locker rooms with Amira and Mallory in tow; their exit caused the other boys¡¯ and girls¡¯ eyes to follow them. Mya was still unconscious, which was unusual for the amount of damage her secondary matrix took. The Onix had been fairly powerful, but it was only a tackle that ended the fight, which Forrest likely had calculated, and a Gym Leader wasn¡¯t going to make the mistake of over-damaging a Trainer¡¯s Pokemon on a public stage¡ªshe was going through an internal crisis. Once they made it to the public hallways, Rhea slowed to a stop, arms tightening under her chest as Ariel, a fellow Oak Starter, turned to smile at her. The orange-haired girl seemed to have been waiting for them to exit with her teammates. ¡°Ariel?¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°Eh ¡­ hey!¡± she mumbled, walking forward to hug her. ¡°It¡¯s been a bit ¡­ fifteen days? Yeah, forever!¡± Pulling away with a small frown, Rhea questioningly glanced between her teammates, hanging back a bit with Amira and Mallory doing the same. ¡°So ¡­ how¡¯s your mom ¡­ I mean, what¡¯s going on?¡± Ariel seemed to notice her slightly red cheeks because her orange irises reflected her concerned expression. ¡°Heh, my mom? Still bouncing off the trees in Eterna City. Umm ¡­ Catherine, Iva, and I were watching the matches, wondering if she would take on the Encrusted Challenge ourselves¡ªyikes! Am I right?¡± Rhea¡¯s focus went to her companions. Catherine O''Keenan was from Galar but didn¡¯t have the same thick accent Ellie had. She wasn¡¯t too familiar with her background like many other regions but knew the girl came from a long line of Galar Gym Leaders. Her hometown was in Circhester City, and its Gym specialized in Rock-Type, which meant she was probably right at home in Pewter. She¡¯d heard her dad was kind of weird, but her grandmother was awesome; she took after her grandmother with the ridiculously thick white locks and bright blue eyes. Iva Deutschmann came from Hoenn and was Wattson¡¯s granddaughter. She¡¯d heard the girl was good with technology and had been brought up as an apprentice mechanic. What she knew about the Hoenn girl was only what she¡¯d seen in a Gossip interview once, which was an odd detail; Iva had unruly wavy hair that required straightening every morning and that she usually had it done up to keep out of her face. Ariel¡¯s long orange hair was a bit messy with minimal effort on a pulled-back braid; she wore a cute outfit that couldn¡¯t have been Trainer Gear, though, and knowing her, Rhea figured she didn¡¯t travel that light, which was why they were taking it slow. Rhea hummed, trying to gather her wits and compose herself. ¡°... It was pretty hard.¡± ¡°Yeah, insane! We were cheering you on, and Catherine couldn¡¯t believe he used Sandstorm ¡­ That was like ¡­ totally not fair!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve never seen my dad do that at Bronze-Tier, and he runs a Rock-Type Gym back home.¡± Catherine¡¯s sing-songy voice followed. ¡°Still, it got me a bit hyped.¡± Rhea tried to put on a smile. ¡°Thanks for cheering me on, ahem,¡± she motioned for them to follow her through the mostly empty hallways to get to the Gym¡¯s In-House Center. ¡°It was harder than I thought. What are you doing here, though? No, wait ¡­ how are you doing?¡± she chuckled, ¡°I saw Olivia and Amy have their Boulder Badge and are working on their Cascade Badge.¡± ¡°Ugh!¡± Ariel brushed back the locks on her left side with a grimace, ¡°Don¡¯t remind me; it¡¯s exhausting just keeping up with their posts! They¡¯re trying to do the whole speedrun thing, but we¡¯re looking at the Encrusted Challenge like you guys, although¡­¡± She turned to Catherine, who gave a short nod. ¡°With our Pokemon, we don¡¯t have the means to really handle the Gym at this time, so we¡¯ll probably head to the next or hang around and find our next team addition.¡± ¡°Probably stay and find a Grass or Water-Type in the forest,¡± Iva jumped in with a grin. ¡°I mean, they¡¯ll really need help, but I¡¯m totally ready to take on this Gym with the help of Rocket. Thanks, by the way,¡± she said while leaning forward to smile at Amira. She lifted a red eyebrow. ¡°For?¡± ¡°Oh, check it!¡± Ariel said, pulling up her phone and playing a video. Iva was jumping up and down beside a massive green stone in what appeared to be a huge public park, squealing for joy with crowds of happy tourists watching her cute little Eevee transform into a Leafeon. Nova was still trying to snuggle up to her heart, but because she was so close, Rhea could feel the spark of awe from her little Eevee while watching. The blonde-haired girl took out her Ultra Ball and tossed it forward as they descended the stairs, catching it as it returned; her little 3-foot-tall Leafeon popped out with a small yawn and adorable chirp. Nova was squealing with excitement, so Rhea released her to run ahead of them and talk; they wouldn¡¯t be staying that long, and Mya hadn¡¯t even regained consciousness yet. Plus, her little Eevee was so sensitive that any distraction would help her once the real emotions hit¡ªMya¡¯s trial was only on pause at the moment. ¡°Rocket has a Moss Stone in the big park! I was worried about looking for one in Viridian Forest since Cinnamon really wanted to be a Leafeon, but thanks to your family, everyone can have one. We definitely should be looking for Pokemon on our way through Mt. Moon, though.¡± Amira shrugged, but there was a smile on her full lips. ¡°Importing a public Moss Stone and creating an environment where it can flourish is worth improving public opinion. My grandmother oversaw the exhibit; the issue was making it safe for those that didn¡¯t want their Pokemon to evolve, but that¡¯s what the energy-charged glass is for around the showcase.¡± Ariel leaned over and nudged her side, her smile falling a little while her eyes followed Cinnamon and Nova. ¡°... Are you really doing okay?¡± Giving her a low, thankful laugh, Rhea nodded. ¡°Me? Yeah, I¡¯m fine, but Mya ¡­ not at all. I¡¯m a little worried about her, and she¡¯s starting to wake up.¡± Nova paused, looking back with big eyes, and Rhea returned her to be there for Mya. ¡°I¡¯m not sure how this loss will affect my little Mawile.¡± Iva pulled out Cinnamon¡¯s pokeball, red light pulling her inside as they walked across the main hall; the Center was only several meters away when Sam called out from behind them. They paused, turning to see Sam, Hannah, Jade, and Jay jogging down the stairs of the upper balcony area; the girls were doing their best to manage their jumping dresses. Ariel chuckled while watching them rush toward them. ¡°Looks ¡­ like you¡¯ve found some friends already. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m that surprised,¡± she winked, motioning to the others, ¡°but we¡¯ll take off. We gotta get more data on Forrest since we need to prepare for next week¡¯s battle.¡± Rhea waved them off with Amira and Mallory; the purple-haired girl had kept her silence the whole time, following the conversation with a gentle smile. ¡°Later¡­¡± ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯m surprised, either,¡± Lori snickered, nudging her. ¡°You could be dropped in a desert and make friends with a cactus.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ not sure how I should take that,¡± Rhea chuckled, opening the doors to the Gym Center as Sam and the others huffed and puffed from their quick flight. ¡°Hey ¡­ heh, the world¡¯s not ending.¡± ¡°I ¡­ I know,¡± Sam wheezed, fanning her face, ¡°but ¡­ it¡¯s so hard to get out of a place when¡­¡± She trailed off as loud noise sounded down the halls, doors opening to show people. ¡°A short break?¡± Amira asked. Jay sighed. ¡°Yeah ¡­ we got ahead of the crowd, but it was¡ªit was rough ¡­ Oh, but not as rough as your match!¡± Rhea waved her hand for them to follow her inside as Mya finally woke up, somewhat disoriented. Mya ¡­ it¡¯s not the end of the world that we lost. You¡¯re super strong¡­ Nova tried talking to her, but the Mawile didn¡¯t answer. A numbness was spreading out from Mya, sending rippling effects through Rhea¡¯s body. Take as much time as you need, Mya, but Nova and I are here for you. The rising outside noise was severely cut as the door closed behind them, and the girls slowly spread out in the vast area. Rhea was glad Mya couldn¡¯t see their apprehensive expressions before realizing Mya could just look through her eyes; however, the little baby Pokemon had moved as far away as she could with the spiritual bond they shared. Her gaze shifted to Jade as the blue-haired girl rubbed her own arm, clearing her throat. ¡°... Rhea ¡­ How¡¯s Mya doing¡ªshe¡¯s not hurt, right?¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just, umm¡ªthose attacks looked so powerful, and Sandstorm ¡­ everyone jumped to their feet when that happened.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I thought,¡± Jay groaned, moving to the left a little while scratching the back of her leg with her foot. ¡°Those matches were just¡ªjust crazy for beginners ¡­ There¡¯s no way Poppy and I could have handled something like that.¡± Mallory stepped forward with a chuckle, guiding Rhea to the front desk. ¡°Let¡¯s chill it, girls.¡± Rhea gave her a thankful smile, realizing Mya¡¯s stupor was probably affecting her a bit. Taking out the Mawile¡¯s pokeball, she handed it to the attendant. ¡°She¡¯s just a little shocked right now.¡± ¡°Not a problem,¡± the woman calmly replied. ¡°The restoration process should help ease her out of that.¡± She watched the woman move to the side, placing Mya in one of the many pokeball slots while adjusting the settings that popped up on a nearby screen; honestly, Rhea wasn¡¯t sure if pulling her out of the stupor was a good or bad thing. What should I do, Mya? Please, let me know¡­. Mya didn¡¯t answer, making Nova a bit frustrated, but she simply retreated to snuggle her spirit for support. Walking back to the group, Rhea leaned up against the side of the glass wall, unable to really sit yet. ¡°Heh ¡­ The Encrusted Challenge is no joke.¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°The Encrusted Matches are supposed to be like this ¡­ I¡¯ve grown up watching my grandfather dismantle Trainers in similar ways ¡­ He just doesn¡¯t give¡­¡± She trailed off, but Rhea finished her thought. ¡°... He doesn¡¯t give Trainers so many opportunities to win ¡­ I know. You only need four Encrusted Badges to enter the League, skipping four, which saves time but is supposed to showcase your skills and why you are allowed to skip four Badges.¡± Hannah¡¯s red hair shifted at her shoulders while glancing between them. ¡°Mhm ¡­ Still, all three of your Battles were so breathtaking ¡­ I couldn¡¯t believe how awesome Holly was ¡­ Star was punching the air and shouting the entire time, saying, ¡®that¡¯s my bestie.¡¯ Heh ¡­ he¡¯s so cute, and he was the same for both of you, too,¡± she added, turning to Rhea and Mallory. Sam scooted over to her to lean against the glass, playing with the hem of her shirt. ¡°So ¡­ how¡¯s Mya doing ¡­ She¡¯s awake, right?¡± she whispered, studying the Center medical staff at work behind the desk; there were other Pokemon being treated beside Mya. Rhea scratched the side of her neck, studying her Mawile to find any shift in behavior, but she was still stuck on the fact she¡¯d lost¡ªtrying to cope with the knowledge that didn¡¯t even register to her brain. ¡°She ... won¡¯t talk to me.¡± Amira changed positions with Mallory to tentatively rub her back. ¡°Give it some time.¡± ¡°Yeah, I know,¡± Rhea whispered, gesturing for them to take some seats around the sizable waiting room. ¡°Please, sit ¡­ it shouldn¡¯t take long.¡± ¡°Not until you do first,¡± Mallory replied, hopping forward to take her hand and guide her to a seat; Nova jumped out of her pokeball after Mya¡¯s continual silence and jumped up on her lap, smoothing out her pale yellow dress before giving her a pink, big-eyed stare that said she was upset. Petting her head, Rhea sighed. I¡¯m fine, Nova ¡­ I love you, Mya. Nova said it, too, but Mya continued to ghost them. Breathing a sad puff of air, Rhea turned to Jay with a forced smile. ¡°Hey, Jay?¡± ¡°Huh? Uh ¡­ what¡¯s up?¡± Jay asked, plucking at her flowery dress. ¡°Would you like to connect with my PikaBook profile? It¡¯s kind of private ¡­ We¡¯re just going to go meet with my brother, and ¡­ well, yeah.¡± Jay¡¯s brown eyes creased. ¡°Umm, sure, but ¡­ Are you sure? You just met me, and I know we aren¡¯t really all that close ¡­ I don¡¯t want to intrude.¡± Jade leaned over and nudged her shoulder with a big grin. ¡°Best give it up, Jay; Rhea¡¯s pretty ruthless on the friend-game!¡± ¡°Totally!¡± Mallory agreed, rolling her eyes. ¡°Rhea¡¯s picked up more friends in two weeks than I¡¯ve done in three years!¡± ¡°Eh¡­¡± Amira smirked. ¡°Are you trying to brag, Lori, because that sounds a little sad ¡­ wait¡­¡± An impish smirk lifted Lori¡¯s lips. ¡°Oh, are we comparing friend counters now, Amira? I don¡¯t know if you can talk. He-he-he¡ªkind of walked into that one! C¡¯mon, how many friends?¡± Amira¡¯s mouth tightened, leaning back with a grunt while looking away. ¡°Heh, thought so! Hey, at least you¡¯ve got two now!¡± ¡°Six!¡± Hannah instantly corrected, causing Rhea and Nova to giggle. Rhea took out her phone and pulled up PikaBook. ¡°I¡¯m happy to add you, Jay¡ªbut only if you¡¯re comfortable with it.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I just don¡¯t want to be a bother,¡± Jay mumbled. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m totally new to Kanto, and I¡¯ve burdened you guys enough¡ªlook how many credits you¡¯ve already spent on me.¡± ¡°Willingly,¡± Sam chortled. Hannah nodded. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! And we¡¯ve insisted!¡± She ran her fingers through her brown hair, giving Rhea a forced smile. ¡°Geez, you guys are so awesome¡ªalthough you should really be more careful if you ever come to Alola¡ªSkull takes advantage of tourists a lot.¡± Lori winked, pointing at Amira. ¡°We¡¯ve got our own little scam detector!¡± The redhead gave her a dubious look. ¡°... I¡¯m not sure about your compliments, Lori.¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t they the best!¡± Lori laughed. ¡°The absolute greatest! Oh, hold up¡­¡± she looked down at her phone as Rhea and Jay connected. ¡°Huh ¡­ Forrest is clearing up the field and having a chat with Len ¡­ heh, he hates the intermission jitters and wants it to be over.¡± Amira glanced down at her own device, looking through some messages from her family¡ªLyra seemed to have sent dozens of messages with images and personal captions that made Amira smile. ¡°Humph, he should have been first, then.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m sayin¡¯!¡± Mallory returned. Rhea lost track of their conversation as she got a notification ¡­ her granny had initiated a message thread, pulling in a few people she likely didn¡¯t mean to. Great Grandma Carolina: (???)¥Î Hello, Rhea¡¯s new friend! It is such a pleasure to meet you! Jay: Umm, hello! Uh ¡­ Your profile says ¡­ Professor Carolina? The famous professor from Sinnoh? Great Grandma Carolina: Aww, thank you, but no need to go by any of that. Just call me Carole, or Granny Carole, or anything you like! Rhea¡¯s head drooped as family and friends swooped in like Sharpedo that had just caught the scent of fish guts, visibly shocking the Alolan girl as world-famous big names began going back and forth. Grandpa Drake: Mom, you¡¯ve been on so often lately! Hey, my little Swablu! How¡¯s your day? Katelin: She had a hard fight against Forrest! Almost took the Encrusted Badge, though! Rhea: You can stop hyping me up, Katelin. We lost, and we should have won, but we¡¯ll get it next time. Katelin: You were facing a Mukin¡¯ Sandstorm, Heavy Slam, Frighten Onix, girl! You were rockin¡¯! Great Grandma Carolina: ©c(?_?)¥Î Language, dearie, and what¡¯s with that combination? Boo! Why so hard against my little Swablu! Bronze-Tier shouldn¡¯t be that difficult; it wasn¡¯t in my day ¡­ I¡¯m gonna call the League. The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Rhea: No, Granny!!! I¡¯m fine! Don¡¯t do that. Great Grandma Carolina: ?? ?.??? Sandstorm is not a Bronze-Tier Move! Aunt Cynthia: Sorry, Grandma, but it is approved for specific instances in Kanto. Mom: Yes, and it is understandable why it would be used against Mya. Great Grandma Carolina: No! Change the rules, Cindy! Too hard! Aunt Cynthia: While I would love to change, mmh ¡­ many things about the Kanto and Johto Leagues, it is not my region, Grandma. Sorry, Rhea. I hope you are not taking the loss too personally. Great Grandma Carolina: ?¨q¨r? I¡¯m writing a formal complaint. Mom: ¡­ Grandma, this is actually a good thing for Mya¡¯s temperament. I was the one that recommended Brock to tell his brother to not pull punches. Mya¡¯s Adamant Nature is extremely pronounced, which does grant her great physical traits and requires a bit of a brutal loss to pop the initial bubble that it causes when young. Great Grandma Carolina: (?''?-''?)? Apologize to your daughter! You don¡¯t do that to your daughter! Drake raised you better than that! To conspire against your own daughter ¡­ Cristie, what is the meaning of this! Grandpa Drake: ¡­ I get lost when you start talking ¡®breeder,¡¯ darling. I love you, Rhea! Woah! Mom! It¡¯s not how you took it. Mom: Grandma, it¡¯s for Mya¡¯s growth. I¡¯m not conspiring against my daughter???? Aunt Cynthia: It¡¯s really fine, Grandma. Great Grandma Carolina: Hmm ¡­ I¡¯m still ?_? ¡­ Why did you tell this Forrest person to go hard on Rhea? Mom: I¡¯ll clarify it to you later, Grandma. I love you, Rhea. Rhea: Mom¡¯s fine, Granny. Actually, Forrest gave us several chances to win ¡­ We just need to get better. Great Grandma Carolina: Aww ¡­ I¡¯m sorry, dearie. I¡¯ll send you some chocolates; the good stuff, and not the junk Drake always gets me. Grandpa Drake: Whaa ¡­ Mom, that¡¯s good stuff! Great Grandma Carolina: It smells like two-year-old feet ¡­ How is that good? Grandpa Drake: No, it doesn¡¯t smell ¡­ gah ¡­ We¡¯re in a group chat, Mom. Great Grandma Carolina: What?! No, when you click on someone¡¯s name, they are in private. Cindy showed me! Aunt Cynthia: You have to press the box and not keep typing, Grandma. Great Grandma Carolina: Oh ¡­ goodness ¡­ so embarrassing. I¡¯m sorry, dearie. Grandpa Drake: Anyway, we¡¯re looking forward to watching the recordings, my little Swablu ¡­ Oof, your grandmother¡¯s giving me that look ¡­ Mom, you added her?! Aunt Cynthia: ¡­ Public, dad¡­ Grandma Glacia: Indeed. Rhea ¡­ I hear you had an Encrusted Gym Battle today? The dots told Rhea everything the elderly Legend wanted to say. Rhea: Sorry for not letting anyone know, Grandma. Rhea: Sabin watched me, though! She hissed the moment she sent the message. Grandma Glacia: Oh ¡­ Your brother was able to watch. He must have enjoyed seeing your first Gym Battle live. Katelin: Yeah, hehe, umm, we had fun. Bianca: Oh, your first battle? Nice! Rhea wanted to facepalm and strangle her brother¡¯s girlfriend; Katelin was obviously trying to throw some heat off of Sabin, but in doing so, had dumped gas on her. Bianca was also probably a bit sad she wasn¡¯t put in the loop, too. Grandma Glacia: I see ¡­ Katelin was invited, too. Hmm. I look forward to seeing your next Gym Challenge. Please send a link, date, and time. Rhea: Will do, Grandma. Bianca: Looking forward to it, cutie! Mom: So, Mom ¡­ How¡¯s Dad doing? Grandma Glacia: ¡­ The same as always. Grandpa Drake: Oof. Yes! We¡¯re great, honey! Gotta go; big storm coming in; gonna be fun! Grandma Glacia: He caused the storm. Grandpa Drake: Gonna lose service soon! Bye! Rhea breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks, Grandpa. Mom: I¡¯ll call later, honey. I love you and know you did your best! I hope Mya understands that it may hurt now, but this can only help your bond grow. Aunt Cynthia: Everyone loses, darling. I know it hurts. Be there for Mya, and let your friends be there for you. Jason: ^^^^^^^ Katelin: ^^^^^ We love you, too! Bianca: Ditto! Great Grandma Carolina: Ditto ¡­ Is that what the kids say? Katelin: Eh ¡­ bit of a hot-button word today with the whole genetic thing and them dying off, but yeah. Bianca: What? No, really? Aunt Cynthia: ¡­ We used to say it all the time ¡­ generations get soft. Katelin: I¡¯m just letting you know! I mean, I still use it; it¡¯s cute, but it can sometimes get people screaming. ¡°... Wild,¡± Jay mumbled, following the chat with wide eyes, and she wasn¡¯t the only one. Amira nodded. ¡°Your family is ¡­ unique, Rhea.¡± ¡°That¡¯s one way to put it,¡± Rhea groaned, turning her phone off. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡¯s expressions were a mixture of forced smiles and pure amusement. ¡°Yeah, it can be... ¡± Sam chuckled, ¡°uh ... a little chaotic sometimes?¡± Rhea put her phone in her hidden pocket and sat Nova down as the woman came back with Mya¡¯s pokeball. Getting up, she went to the desk and accepted the device. ¡°She¡¯s all taken care of,¡± the woman smiled. ¡°I hope the rest of your stay in Pewter meets your expectations.¡± Rhea nodded, waving her off as everyone got to their feet, focus on the capsule. Mya? She didn¡¯t answer. Mya, everyone¡¯s worried about you. Let me make sure you¡¯re doing alright. She pressed the activator on the ball and released Mya but jumped a little as it immediately reopened and sucked her depressed Mawile back in. ¡°... She¡¯s refusing to come out?¡± Jade whispered. Mya¡­ She paused as her Pokemon gave her first response, and it was for her to leave her alone, sulking as far away from her spirit as possible. ¡°... Okay¡­¡± Rhea sighed before adding a fake smile. ¡°Mya says she just needs a bit of time. Umm ¡­ you want to go get that ice cream? I think ¡­ Oh, my brother¡¯s going to be another fifteen minutes,¡± she mumbled, checking her phone as it vibrated in her hidden dress pocket. Sabin was being hounded by a few fanatical fans that weren¡¯t allowing him to get out of the stadium, asking for pictures and blocking his way. She took a moment to formulate a text back, but in the end, went with the generic, ¡®That¡¯s fine, need some time, too,¡¯ response. Scratching her eyebrow, Amira took the lead, guiding them to the ice cream place. * * * Mya¡¯s heart didn¡¯t feel heavy ¡­ it was empty ¡­ everything drained out of her when she saw her defensive matrix about to break. Her entire life had been a solid rock, steady as the tide, yet in an instant, her whole life became undefined. I¡¯m the greatest ¡­ everyone agrees, I¡¯m the greatest ¡­ I¡¯m undefeated ¡­ unstoppable ¡­ I was stopped ¡­ but I¡¯m unstoppable. Her eyes scanned the infinite darkness as she pulled as far away from Rhea and Nova as she possibly could. Rhea was currently walking to the ice cream shop to pick out various flavors of delicious ice with Mya¡¯s friends ¡­ friends she couldn¡¯t face. Mya¡¯s appetite had dried up, and when she¡¯d exited the pokeball, everything was gray and had lost its color ¡­ she was being pressed in by everything ¡­ Rhea and Nova¡¯s comforting waves hurt ¡­ squeezing the life out of her ¡­ she¡¯d never felt a more terrifying binding force than this constricting pressure that gripped her heart ¡­ it was better to not feel anything at all. ¡°¡­ Mya ¡­ we love you. We¡¯ll get through this.¡± Shut up ¡­ Shut up! ¡°Mya, we¡¯re so scared and worried about you!¡± Shut up ¡­ I don¡¯t want to ¡­ go away¡­ Every word was a new cut, so she tried to pull inward as much as possible, distancing herself from Nova and Rhea. How can I be there for you, Rhea ¡­ How can I be a good partner when all of me isn¡¯t enough to win? How could anyone love me? I ¡­ I don¡¯t love me ¡­ I¡¯m not a winner ¡­ If I¡¯m not a winner, then ¡­ then who am I? I ¡­ I¡¯m the ¡­ I¡¯m invincible¡­ She was the unbreakable fangs that stood in front of her Trainer when an unbeatable Nidorino tried to kill her ¡­ she¡¯d taken every blow, never budged, thrown him back ¡­ something impossible, but she defied everything ¡­ That¡¯s who she was ¡­ she was a winner, but if she lost ¡­ what was she now? Time passed in flashes of Rhea and Nova¡¯s smothering, compassionate influxes that choked the air from her lungs and twisted her mind. ¡­ My entire existence is tarnished ¡­ My purpose soiled ¡­ If I can¡¯t protect Rhea from ¡­ If I can¡¯t win ¡­ What am I worth? Rhea walked into the store, Nova exiting her pokeball on their Trainer¡¯s gentle voice as she started crying again that Mya wouldn¡¯t talk to her. Immediately, Trainers were fawning over her unique colors ¡­ Nova was known for her cuteness and Mya her strength¡ªanother fang dug into Mya¡¯s chest. Poppy, Star, Holly, Gables, Nova, Hector, Orin, Mimi, and Tera exited their pokeballs, joining Nova in sampling the various flavors to get their own cone. Through Nova, Mya tensed upon hearing Tera looking for her. ¡°Hey, where¡¯s Mya? I wanted to challenge her to see who could eat all of their ice cream cones first! I can do it in one bite!¡± Nova hummed. ¡°... Not all four cones in one bite, though. Right?¡± ¡°No, but I¡¯m fast! Where¡¯s Mya? I wanted to tell her she¡¯s so brave and powerful! That one big shot that sent that huge Rock Pokemon flying was so cool!¡± It¡¯s a lie ¡­ It¡¯s a lie¡­ ¡°Mya¡¯s kind of being ¡­ I don¡¯t know, it¡¯s confusing,¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°She¡¯s mad and sad, and super mad ¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Tera puffed up her chest. ¡°Well, I wanna be just like Mya, and I can¡¯t beat her yet, but one day, I¡¯ll be strong like her! I¡¯m gonna try to fight the Gym tomorrow and want Mya to see me be strong, too!¡± Sam was talking to Rhea at the same time, telling her how much Tera admired her. Every word was a gash in Mya¡¯s heart. It¡¯s a lie ¡­ I¡¯m a lie¡­ Wanting to get away, Mya exited her pokeball; the world was a blur as tears fell down her cheeks, and she ran in front of the store, breaking left as the glass door automatically opened for her. Rhea¡¯s heart rate spiked as she watched her leave, bending down to pick up her pokeball; Nova ran to the door, looking after her with the others. ¡°Mya?!¡± ¡°R-Rhea! Mya¡¯s running away ¡­ She¡¯s crying ¡­ W-What do we do?!¡± She didn¡¯t know where she was going, and the humans around them parted to allow her through, giving her questioning looks, but the world was a haze to her. The noises in her ears were deafening, crashing together to create a cacophony in her shambled brain. Rhea ran after her with the others, having a harder time getting through the crowds, but Nova kept close. ¡°Follow her, Nova ¡­ Make sure she doesn¡¯t get hit by a car or something¡­¡± ¡°I ¡­ I¡¯m trying.¡± Go ¡­ Go away ¡­ You don¡¯t need a defective failure¡­ Running blindly, she ended up in an alley and huddled near the back behind some dumpsters the humans used to throw away their trash. I¡¯m not strong ¡­ I lost ¡­ Why did you say that, Tera ¡­ Why does everything hurt so much?! Nova was nearby but was keeping her distance. It took a few minutes for Rhea to catch up to them, following her connection to Nova and her. ¡°Is she here, Nova?¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ she¡¯s just crying in the back ¡­ s-should we go see if she¡¯s okay? She¡¯s hurting so much.¡± ¡°I know ¡­ Yeah, let¡¯s go ¡­ slowly.¡± Maya sniffed, her large mouth covering her body to protect her from the world; it felt like she was underground¡ªshe couldn¡¯t breathe or see. ¡°Mya,¡± Rhea whispered, kneeling down a few feet in front of her with Nova by her side. ¡°Mya, we¡¯re here for you.¡± Maya trembled, finally responding to her Trainer, that she¡¯d failed. Why?! I¡¯m garbage ¡­ trash ¡­ a loser. You should leave me here ¡­ I¡¯m not worth anything if I can¡¯t win. I¡¯m ¡­ I¡¯m only holding you back. ¡°No ¡­ No, Mya, I¡¯m not better without you. Nova and I don¡¯t feel that way at all!¡± ¡°I love you so much ¡­ W-We¡¯re bestest friends ¡­ like Star and Holly ¡­ I ¡­ I told them we¡¯re besties, too.¡± W-Who would be friends with a failure¡­ Rhea slowly inched forward, using her hands to shift her dress a little; Nova¡¯s ears were pulled back as she followed. J-Just leave me alone ¡­ I¡¯m worthless. Nova leveled a frustrated glare at her through their bond. ¡°No, you¡¯re not! You¡¯re not worthless ¡­ You¡¯re my partner! Superfriends ¡­ Forever.¡± ¡°Mya,¡± Rhea softly whispered, holding her knees as she sat against the wall next to her, ¡°everyone¡¯s here for you.¡± She leaned closer to wrap her arms around her trembling jaws. ¡°To be honest, losing really hurt me, too ¡­ I knew we would.¡± Maya flinched. I ¡­ I told you ¡­ I¡¯m a failure. ¡°I was frustrated with you ¡­ sad and frustrated ¡­ Arceus, you¡¯re so headstrong, so stubborn, but nothing I tried worked ¡­ You had this unbreakable wall that was separating us, and I couldn¡¯t break past it.¡± Maya¡¯s arms started to tremble against her chest. I ¡­ I¡¯m flawed ¡­ I¡¯m the worst Pokemon partner there is. Rhea continued to rub her quaking mouth, voice somehow soothing. ¡°I didn¡¯t know what to do, but I knew you¡¯d never accept lowering those crazy high standards ¡­ a lot of that blame is on me ¡­ just like Nova, and how hurt she was when we lost the Contest.¡± Her chest shuddered. W-We¡¯re all defective? ¡°No ¡­ you¡¯re both my precious, bonded Pokemon that no one can replace. I know it hurts ¡­ You can feel how hurt I am, too, but now that we¡¯ve gone through this, we can really start getting closer to one another ¡­ We get closer by going through tough things, and isn¡¯t this tough? Will you walk with me, Mya ¡­ even if it hurts?¡± ¡°I will!¡± Nova huffed. ¡°I¡¯m gonna win the next Contest, no problem!¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Well, your next big battle will be in Cerulean City. The question is ¡­ does Mya want to give up? I believe in you but everything is up to you. If you want to leave the Battle Scene, then that¡¯s fine, Mya ¡­ I understand.¡± The air fighting to fill Maya¡¯s lungs froze; Rhea¡¯s words were like a punch to her gut. Quit ¡­ You¡¯d still fight, though ¡­ Right? ¡°I will!¡± Nova growled. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get stronger and beat those Contest Hussies!¡± ¡­ Hussies¡­ She shook her head, moving her head a little to look at Rhea¡¯s blurry face. Does it matter, though, Rhea? If ¡­ If I can¡¯t beat the easy Gym, then how can I take us through the others? ¡°It¡¯s not just you,¡± Rhea whispered, reaching over to clear away her cheeks. ¡°Nova and I are here ¡­ Everyone else, too.¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll win easy!¡± Nova roared. ¡°I¡¯m gonna get super, super, super strong like all of Lyra¡¯s Pokemon and show how adorable and cute and strong Rhea and I are! You, too!¡± Rhea bit her lower lip, putting on a clearly fake smile. ¡°I don¡¯t want to hold you back, Mya ¡­ If you really want to be free, then ¡­ it would hurt, but ¡­ but I want you to know that I¡¯m willing to do whatever is best for you.¡± The shock that hit Maya¡¯s chest was enough to dry her tears and she swung her head out of the way to tackle Rhea, taking her to the ground and burying her head in her breast. N-No! I don¡¯t want to leave you, Rhea ¡­ We ¡­ We got through the ¡­ the stuff I did to you, and ¡­ and I want to be strong, too ¡­ Why am I not strong? Rhea shifted her weight across her, a rumble transferring between their frames as her Trainer giggled, tears in her own eyes as she stroked her fine hair. ¡°Hey, hey ¡­ We¡¯ll work on it together. How about we save Forrest for the final Encrusted Badge. We¡¯ll be back, and when we do, we¡¯ll win.¡± ¡°Easily!¡± Nova huffed, nuzzling them both. Can we? ¡°Without a doubt! Besides, Amira, Mallory, and us will have to face different Gyms for our Encrusted Badge that best works with our teams. Don¡¯t you worry; we¡¯re going all the way!¡± Maya¡¯s arms tightened around Rhea, causing her to choke a little. ¡°Softer ¡­ softer ¡­ delicate Trainer, here.¡± Thank you, Rhea ¡­ Thank you for not abandoning me for being weak ¡­ it hurts so much being weak¡­ Tera tentatively entered the alley. ¡°M-Mya? Mya, are you okay?¡± Taking a shuddering breath, Maya got off Rhea¡¯s chest and cleared her face. ¡°Y-Yeah, I¡¯m here ¡­ I just ¡­ I never knew how weak I am¡­¡± She took a step back as Tera¡¯s cheeks puffed up. ¡°You¡¯re not weak! You¡¯re the strongest Pokemon I know! No one¡¯s better than you! No one!¡± Rhea pulled herself against the wall, holding one of her knees while watching them with a smile. ¡°B-But I lost,¡± Mya mumbled, rubbing her arm. ¡°Yeah! He was so lucky! Next time, he better hope you don¡¯t pound him into the mud like that Nidorino!¡± Nova jumped forward with a cheer. ¡°Yeah! Next time you¡¯ll pound mud all over him!¡± Rhea reached forward and rubbed her head. ¡°... Okay. Mya, are you ready to go back and get some ice cream?¡± ¡°Oh, wait!¡± Tera¡¯s grinning eyes narrowed. ¡°I challenge you to an ice cream eating contest! Fastest to eat the cones!¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ that¡¯s not really a Contest,¡± Nova mumbled, but Mya¡¯s loud acceptance drowned her out. ¡°You¡¯re on! I¡¯m gonna win, though!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not gonna make it easy for ya!¡± ¡°You better not!¡± Mya laughed, opening her wide jaws. ¡°I¡¯ve got a pretty big tongue!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not afraid!¡± ¡°Good.¡± * * * Rhea got up, dusting her dress off; she¡¯d probably have to put it through the washer, but nothing beat Mya¡¯s smiling face again as she walked with Tera and Nova out of the alley, and they were soon joined by the other Pokemon. Nova was explaining to Mya about ice cream, which she loved and hated because of the stickiness and flavor. Rhea¡¯s focus moved to Mallory as she frowned down at her phone, showing the Pewter Gym website. ¡°Something up?¡± ¡°Well ... Len lost, too ¡­ his Tyrogue was pretty strong, but that Geodude had some crazy hide and seek tactics¡ªwe could learn some things from that match, and that finishing Focus Punch was brutal.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea leaned in with the others, looking at the video as Lori expanded the holographic screen. ¡°Oh, Jason¡¯s up next ¡­ What kind of Zigzagoon is that?¡± ¡°Galarian,¡± Lori replied with a minor squeal. ¡°I LOVE the Dark-Type Zigzagoon!¡± ¡°Dark-Types in general, you mean,¡± Amira snickered. They went to their hotel room to meet up with Sabin; he was dressed in a pretty shady way¡ªcovered up in black jeans now and an orange shirt with glasses, hat, and bandana¡ªit didn¡¯t match, but no one would recognize him. Jay was very flustered and a lot more awkward than she¡¯d normally been, which might have been because she was attracted to her brother, but seeing Katelin in the picture shut that down quick; she came back strong after Jade and Mallory¡¯s light teasing that Rhea was rubbing off on her, and was drawn in as one of the girls. Jason won his match, using a cheeky tactic of Sand Attack, Leer, Lick Paralysis, double-Salac berries from his Gluttony Ability, allowing him to consume two barries right after each other, and utterly outclassing the Geodude by spam Tackling him. It helped that the Pokemon had no Egg Moves and wasn¡¯t the most genetic god, which put him in Rank-2 Bronze. Sabin was more than a little interested in the new eggs their mother gave her team, but his focus was almost entirely on her from the moment he showed up. Lori and Amira went back to the Gym a bit later to pick up Katelin and Jason before snatching their Encrusted Bronze Boulder Badges. Len disappeared somewhere to find Lucian while they spent the remainder of the day relaxing. At 6 P.M., Sabin bought her some inconspicuous clothes via Katelin and Amira before taking her on an evening flight across the Pewter mountains on his Aerodactyl, catching up on her journey and giving her some time to talk about her difficulties¡ªhe was such a good listener, and just hugging his tight stomach helped ease the stress of the day. Mya and Nova were thrilled at the sights, and after a while, Sabin stopped off to get them their own seats on the rented saddle, only increasing their enjoyment. Once night fell, everyone separated to their own hotels, and Sabin promised to stick around with Katelin to spend the morning together. Even though the morning was a rocky start with Lucian and the Gym Challenge, the ending was as sweet as Rhea could have asked for¡ªspending personal time with her big brother again and with her own bonded Pokemon. B1 — 42. Please, Don’t Choke! 6:25 A.M. June 24, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 16 Days (15 Officially; 16 since getting Mya and Nova). Jay stretched out on the bed next to Hannah, being careful not to wake her; ever since she first started traveling with Rhea and Sam¡¯s groups, she discovered that they both had very different ideas of what was a good time to wake up. 7 A.M. was normal for these girls, but she got up a bit earlier than that. Poppy gave her a cheery greeting as she got up, and Jay returned it, sliding out of the bed; Sam had offered her the option to save credits by joining them, which she couldn¡¯t be picky about, and Hannah insisted she not sleep on the ground in her sleeping bag. Her little Bounsweet hopped off the chair she was using to sleep, joining her as Jay released a soft groan; she stretched to ease her stiff muscles, the exercise was natural after years of a good morning routine. Hmm ¡­ Well, Poppy, it¡¯s our first Gym Battle¡­ Poppy¡¯s concerned eyes lifted to look at her. I know. Jay sighed, getting on the floor to stretch; it was still very dim in the room because of the drawn curtains, but the bit of light shining through the edges helped to illuminate her surroundings enough to see. Rhea and the others¡¯ matches yesterday were insane. It¡¯s supposed to be catered to our combined ability, though. The Fruit Pokemon smiled a little, telling her that she hoped they wouldn¡¯t be embarrassed. You and me both, Poppy ¡­ You and me both. We don¡¯t have a Grass-Type Move, and Rapid Spin ¡­ yeah, not great against physical defense, but we¡¯ll do what we can! Once finished, Jay checked her phone to see Rhea and the others were up, which wasn¡¯t surprising. Amira got up insanely early. 6:04 A.M. Rhea: Hey! So, I¡¯m going to go check out some stuff with my brother this morning. Jason¡¯s spending time with his sister, and Mallory¡¯s dragging Amira around town to look at stuff. We¡¯ll be there for your guys¡¯ matches before hanging out for the rest of the day. We¡¯re going to head off to Mt. Moon tomorrow; Jason already left with his team. 6:05 A.M. Rhea: I just want to be there for you guys, too! Let me know if anything comes up! We¡¯re rooting for you! 6:07 A.M. Rhea: Oh, and Mya¡¯s doing better now. She¡¯s down a bit, but overall happy we¡¯re not giving up. Forrest is going to be our last Encrusted Badge, and we¡¯ll get it! 6:11 A.M. Rhea: I almost forgot! Yeah, like Amira was saying yesterday; it won¡¯t be nearly as hard for you guys! I¡¯m ¡­ kind of a special case ¡­ heh, yeah, not as glamorous as people make it sound. You guys will kill it! Rhea¡¯s enthusiasm helped to calm her queasy stomach. Maybe it is good to not be so advanced in Bronze-Tier ¡­ We get to stretch a little and figure things out. What do you think, Poppy? The Bounsweet hopped up and down, confidence filling Jay¡¯s bond with her. Great. Well! Let¡¯s do this! Drafting a text back, Jay stuck her tongue out a bit while going over it a few times; she sucked in her upper lip a little in frustration. Is it too long? Maybe I should cut back a little ¡­ Wait, you think it¡¯s fine? Poppy¡¯s leaves went up and down in a nod, a bright expression on her cheery face. Alright, and ¡­ send! 6:41 A.M. Jay: Thanks, Rhea! Poppy and I are nervous, but excited, too. I¡¯m happy Mya¡¯s doing better; let her know that we think she¡¯s super strong! We¡¯ll be kind of getting ready for our battles today, so don¡¯t worry about us. I look forward to seeing you after the match, win or lose. It¡¯s just kind of crazy battling in front of that many people; it¡¯s so much different than Alola! In a good way, I guess. Have fun with your brother, and I won¡¯t say a word! Thank you for trusting me. Okay, let¡¯s get ready and go over strategies; if Rhea¡¯s battle taught me anything, it¡¯s that we need to really know our Moves and what we¡¯re going up against. Luckily, we¡¯re like fourth or fifth ¡­ behind some other people¡ªwe¡¯re before Hannah and the others, though. The Bounsweet tapped her leg with assurance passing through Jay¡¯s spirit. Yeah ¡­ maybe I¡¯m worrying too much! Let¡¯s just have fun! After she was finished agonising over her message, and the tough battle ahead, she got in the shower, letting the hot water help her forget any worries, if only for a brief time. Smiling, she put on a soft song in the shower to not wake the others; Hannah taught her how to use her phone over the last few days¡ªit wasn¡¯t a Rotom Phone, but it did the job. The trio got up between 7 A.M. and 8, dragging themselves out of bed to brush their teeth, hair, and do all their other morning activities. It was 8:30 when they left the hotel to get breakfast, going for a light meal since they weren¡¯t that hungry, bodies too jittery to want much sustenance. They looked up the Master Aide they¡¯d be going up against today, and according to Hannah, she was a woman in the middle of the road when it came to her Battle Record for the Gym scoreboard. Sitting down at the yogurt cafe they stopped off at, the four of them sat around a table with their phones out, browsing her battle record. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Master Amara.¡± Jade slumped back in her chair, glaring at the information. ¡°She uses the Geodude line pretty often¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s pretty,¡± Hannah mumbled between sipping her morning coffee. ¡°Purple hair and eyes like Lori. Although, I don¡¯t know about that fashion ¡­ She seems to like green and yellow a lot.¡± Sam chuckled. ¡°Better than me ¡­ I don¡¯t know what to wear half the time; I¡¯ve heard purple hair¡¯s kind of hard to match stuff with.¡± Jay was more interested in the Gym format itself. ¡°So ¡­ I¡¯ve had a question,¡± she whispered, drawing the other three¡¯s attention. ¡°Mhm?¡± Hannah asked. ¡°Oh, wait, I didn¡¯t ask, but ¡­ I didn¡¯t wake you up during the night. Did I?¡± She shook her head. ¡°Nope. Not at all.¡± Jade giggled. ¡°You sure? Hannah¡¯s a pretty restless sleeper.¡± ¡°No, really; I didn¡¯t wake up at all.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Hannah sighed, scratching her neck. ¡°I was pretty nervous when I woke up, and you weren¡¯t there ¡­ I felt like I¡¯d kicked you off or something.¡± Sam shifted a little in her chair to face her, glancing back at the crowds of people passing across the Pewter streets as they sat in the 2nd-story outside dining area of the cafe; it was surprisingly tempered compared to the previous day¡¯s wind. ¡°You wanted to ask something?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Jay reached down to grab Poppy and set her on the table as she finished her food. ¡°So ¡­ Gyms go through a ton of Pokemon in order to keep things balanced between Trainers. Right?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± Hannah mumbled between bites of her yogurt. ¡°I was just wondering ¡­ Where do they get all their Pokemon from? Also, at some point, are there just too many Pokemon in the Gym¡¯s archives that get way too strong for normal use ¡­ You know, creating a big group of higher-tier Pokemon that don¡¯t get to see much action?¡± ¡°Oh! Heh,¡± Jade sat up a bit. ¡°Yeah, I know that one! The Masters each gather their own specific Pokemon for the Tiers, and they¡¯re usually found in the wild. They make a bond with them with the expectation that the Pokemon will return to its habitat after a time, stronger and able to defend their territory.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that ¡­ like pretty rough on them, though?¡± Jade asked. ¡°The whole harming the Pokemon if it¡¯s separated from their Trainer thing?¡± Hannah shrugged. ¡°I mean, it probably isn¡¯t easy, but if the expectation is to leave at the start, then I guess it¡¯s not that huge of a deal since all the Gyms do it.¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Jade¡¯s blue locks shifted at her shoulder as she shook her head, ¡°I think there¡¯s an Unova Gym that does it without bonding.¡± ¡°What? No way,¡± Sam scoffed. ¡°Who?¡± ¡°B ¡­ It starts with a B, I¡¯m sure,¡± Jade whispered. ¡°My parents ¡­ bah, never mind. Eh, yeah, so that¡¯s how Gyms do it in Kanto.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ I guess it must work then,¡± Jay shrugged. ¡°Thanks, I was just a bit confused how they could have like ¡­ Pokemon for every single person.¡± Hannah¡¯s grin became forced. ¡°You guys ready?¡± Sam instantly nodded, her eyes sparkling. ¡°Yeah! Tera¡¯s hyped! She can¡¯t wait to have Mya watch her; aww ¡­ I¡¯m not trying to embarrass you,¡± she soothed, looking down to pet her Phanpy as she gave her a light glare. ¡°I think it¡¯s sweet you want to impress Mya.¡± Jay thought back on yesterday¡¯s Sandstorm match, gut tightening. Nova had shown some pretty cool moves while fighting Trainers along their way to Pewter, including the ability to transform into Glaceon whenever she wanted. However, when Mya got into that ring, she was actually putting up a fight against that monstrous Onix. Jade scratched her left arm with a groan, picking up her happy Pichu. ¡°Mimi and I aren¡¯t ready ¡­ Mimi¡¯s still pretty young.¡± Sam reached over to rub Mimi¡¯s head, making her cheeks spark with pleasure. ¡°Hasn¡¯t Tera and Nova been helping her get used to battle?¡± ¡°Yeah, but ¡­ It¡¯s a Rock-Type Gym,¡± she mumbled, scratching under the little mouse¡¯s chin. ¡°She just learned Play Nice yesterday, when Orin was helping her¡ªhe¡¯s kind of taken on the big brother role for her¡ªalways trying to teach her something.¡± Hannah sat forward, pushing her dishes up to lean against the table. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Lori helped you figure out all her Moves and stuff, right? You kind of skipped out on the details the last few days. Anything out of the blue?¡± Jade smiled a little, playing with Mimi¡¯s heart tail. ¡°Yeah ¡­ Timid Natured, but she has a spunk to her. She¡¯s got Electric Terrain, which is pretty insane, but it takes forever to charge it at our level ¡­ It also drains us ¡­ bad.¡± Jay¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh! Electric Terrain is so pretty; I¡¯ve seen a few Trainers use it at festivals in Alola. You can do some really cool things with it.¡± ¡°I mean, yeah, it¡¯s awesome ¡­ Just, heh, not where we are. Still, I have faith in her, and she¡¯s been getting so much support from everyone ¡­ She doesn¡¯t want to let everyone down.¡± Sam reached over to pet her. ¡°Aww, c¡¯mon, Mimi, you¡¯re not going to let anyone down. Just do your best, and that¡¯s all there is to it.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Jade grinned, lifting Mimi up in the air to look at her. ¡°Remember what Lori said? Once you get Magnet Rise, you¡¯re gonna be a monster!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Jay leaned back with a small smile. ¡°What if she¡¯s an Alolan Pichu?¡± The three girls gave her a questioning look. ¡°Huh? Why does that matter?¡± Jade asked. Eyebrow lifting, Jay glanced between them. ¡°Umm ¡­ you really don¡¯t know? Alola has a unique type of Raichu that has this surfing ability that¡¯s basically ¡­ never mind,¡± she mumbled, sitting back while running her fingers through her blonde hair. ¡°What are the chances she¡¯s from Alola in Kanto?¡± Jade turned a smirk to Hannah. ¡°Well ¡­ pretty high in the area, we found Mimi, right?¡± ¡°Mhm! Isn¡¯t Tera from Alola?¡± Sam nodded. ¡°Yup! Rhea found out that her dad had to be a Mudsdale or Mudbray.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± Jay grinned, glad they were talking about Pokemon she actually knew about. ¡°Mudsdale is actually Poni Island¡¯s Kahuna¡¯s main Pokemon; Kahuna Hapu is awesome! They¡¯re such ¡­ eh-heh, you have no idea who Kahuna Hapu is, do you?¡± she asked at their blank stares. ¡°Sorry,¡± Hannah shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never really heard much about Alola; most of the stuff we learn about has to do with the Orange and Sevii Islands.¡± Jay sighed, sitting back. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine ¡­ I¡¯m just a little stunned at the size of Kanto ¡­ and you have a whole different region on the west side. It¡¯s just ¡­ so big.¡± Sam got to her feet, stretching out. ¡°Well, why don¡¯t we slowly learn about Alola from you as we show you a bunch of cool places in Kanto! First, we gotta get this badge, though. Ready to go and study a bit more and come up with some good strategies?¡± ¡°Yo, we totally got this, though!¡± Hannah cheered, picking up Star as he finished dancing with Tera. ¡°Star¡¯s got this big plan he¡¯s been cooking up! Let¡¯s win!¡± Jay was a bit more nervous, but if anyone had the right to it, it was Jade, and if Mimi could soldier through, then she and Poppy had to give it a shot. The rest of the morning was filled with the four of them strategizing, and in no time at all, she found herself in the arena. Amira, Rhea, and Lori met them in the hall to cheer them on before taking their seats. Sabin went with Katelin to some remote place to spend time together while Jason, according to his post on Rhea¡¯s page and her earlier text, had moved onto the next area¡ªMt. Moon. To be honest, she was a little spooked by the stories she¡¯d heard from Hannah about ghostly Clefairy. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. It was strange getting updates from world-famous people via Rhea¡¯s connection to her account; they were so open and crazy. Some conversations between Cynthia and Rhea¡¯s mother were straight-up forgotten languages that even her browser didn¡¯t know how to translate, and the scientific gibberish was dizzying when Bianca joined in about Dream Formulas or something like that. The strange part was how little it seemed Rhea got onto the application; she was always online, but her family went hard on the app. Hannah got daily messages from home; her father sent most of them in the evening when he woke up for work. For how often Sam complained about her sister, she sent periodic messages over the past few days, although her sister mainly complained about her boyfriend; her parents kept tabs, too. Jade was constantly talking up her older sister and sending her pictures of their progress. Jay looked at her own messages from home ¡­ empty. Lips tightening, she put away her phone and returned her attention to the Gym battles happening before her¡ªshe was next. W-We can do this, Poppy ¡­ This trip was just what we needed. Who would have thought that we¡¯d make Kanto friends in the first two weeks ¡­ Crazy, right? Everyone seems to be fun and friendly here. I¡¯m kind of glad Aulii, and Maleia flaked out. * * * Poppy hummed in her pokeball at her Trainer¡¯s comment. I mean, yeah, Aulii and Maleia aren¡¯t the greatest girls, but they¡¯re still better than those Contest girls ¡­ Mika¡¯ele and Iasepa are WAY better Pokemon, too. ¡°Eh ¡­ true, true,¡± Jay chuckled, but Poppy could feel her discomfort. Jayline, if you don¡¯t tell me we have this, then¡­ ¡°We have it! We have it!¡± Jay instantly replied. ¡°No, you¡¯re right, but weren¡¯t those Johto girls and not Kanto girls?¡± True ¡­ how many Kanto girls have we really gotten close to, though? ¡°Point taken ¡­ I think. Umm ¡­ Let¡¯s have fun.¡± Heh, how many times have you told me that today? ¡°I¡¯m trying to convince myself ¡­ geez, c¡¯mon, Poppy!¡± I know! Let¡¯s go! Star¡¯s been hyping me up all day. He¡¯s nothing but a hype boat! I feel like I can take on Kahuna Olivia right now! ¡°Well ¡­ It¡¯s our turn. Man, that last guy¡­¡± Yeah, he got smoked, but he basically just let himself get ping-ponged off the rocks. I¡¯m not gonna let that happen. ¡°Deep breaths ¡­ You know the promise; if we can do this League business, then we¡¯re going to do the Island Challenges.¡± And who¡¯s the one that got you to make that promise? ¡°He-he-he. You. I¡¯m¡­¡± Hyping yourself up. I know! Now, let¡¯s blow this rock head away! Jay put her ball in the sensor, swallowing as the reading came up ¡­ Rank 2. ¡°Well ¡­ that¡¯s not Rank 1, which means you¡¯re something special, but I already knew that.¡± It¡¯s not one of those Encrusted Matches, though, Poppy pointed out, trying to decipher the announcer and Gym Aide¡¯s words; human speech wasn¡¯t complicated at this point for her, but it was still somewhat hard if they talked fast. ¡°Jayline Alana, from Alola, I see. Well, this should be fun. You¡¯ve got a stronger Pokemon than I expected; it¡¯s bordering on the lower Rank 3 spectrum if pushed a little more. I hope you have fun with this experience; I know it¡¯s tough-going to a new region and starting your journey¡ªshoot, I don¡¯t know if I could have done it when I was a girl,¡± she laughed. He-he-he. She¡¯s calling you out, Jay; loosen up! Jay cleared her throat as the crowd¡¯s noise lowered. ¡°Thanks, umm ¡­ yeah, you could say it¡¯s a bit rough, but I¡¯ve found some ¡­ some good friends that are helping me through it.¡± Aww ¡­ you can¡¯t make me soft before we go into battle! You¡¯re going to make me cry with those emotions. ¡°... We¡¯re lucky ¡­ Okay, let¡¯s do this! Don¡¯t hold back, Poppy! We¡¯re full-sending it!¡± Just tell me who I need to stomp on! The counter started. ¡°Three ¡­ Two ¡­ One ¡­ Start!¡± Poppy drew away from Jay¡¯s spirit as she was thrown into combat. The field had much fewer pillars and obstacles than the Encrusted Match, and it allowed both opponents to see each other at the start, unlike the maze-like structure there the day before. Her eyes widened in shock as Poppy¡¯s opponent stretched out his firm hands. A Geodude ¡­ from Alola, which they¡¯d seen plenty of around town. ¡°A-An Alolan Geodude?¡± Jay mumbled. Amara chuckled. ¡°I thought it would be appropriate, and Manu doesn¡¯t get much use, but he¡¯s sweet.¡± Manu cupped his chin, giving her an appraising look. ¡°Are you ready? Ya better get movin¡¯, honey, cause this is gonna get pumped up!¡± ¡°Hide behind the rocks, Poppy! He¡¯s got ranged attacks¡­¡± On it! On it! Poppy was already jumping through the air, small leaves wiggling to keep her airborne a bit longer while using her energy to glide through the air to the right side of the ring. ¡°We¡¯ve gotta be faster than him!¡± Taking a deep breath, she gathered enough energy from Jay with what she was able to build herself and sent a few lovely colorful notes at the stationary Pokemon; at the same time, Manu¡¯s body sparkled with yellow light, gathering energy since the moment he left the ball, and electricity crackled across his form. Her eyes widened in wonder as she watched Manu reach down and grip a stone, ripping it out of the dirt with the sparks illuminating his frame; he threw the rock at her notes, causing them to shatter. ¡°Best be usin¡¯ your environment, honey; it¡¯s about to speed up¡ªyou want this Badge, come and get it.¡± The rock smashed the pillar Poppy darted behind, shattering the projectile and sending shards scattering through the air. ¡°He¡¯s charging you for a Tackle!¡± Outlined by white energy, a green radiance pressed against her head, and her Special Defense was increased; it was better than nothing, and that¡¯s what you got when rolling the dice. Jumping back, she watched the pillar crumble as the electrified Geodude broke through the stone white aura charging at her. Still in the air, Poppy spun in a circle, whipping up a storm and; dust gathered from the vortex. Manu powered through it and struck her mid-Move, but it didn¡¯t have as big of an impact had she not used Rapid Spin. His sparks exploded across his body, and Poppy recovered quickly, touching down and spinning again; the electricity erupted in a large bolt, enhanced by his earlier charge. Poppy jumped at the nearby pillar, barely able to float to the top before using it as a platform to leap high into the air over the Geodude; those last two hits were dampened, but still took roughly 15% of her defensive shell out, and she¡¯d likely only nicked his shield with her attacks. ¡°You¡¯re in the open!¡± I know, it¡¯s not looking good, Jay ¡­ I¡¯ve got an idea, though. ¡°Lovin¡¯ the shock?¡± Manu asked. ¡°If ya ¡­ oh?¡± Spinning overhead, Poppy drew the Pokemon off the ground and around her miniature cyclone, but he was too heavy to throw far; it still gave her room to duck into the maze. We expected a Geodude, not an Alolan! He¡¯s got the range on me. Poppy mumbled, hopping between rocky mounds and pillars. ¡°We still gotta use the plan¡ªhe might be able to break out of it. We can do it at least four times if we build up enough energy.¡± Working on it. Poppy could hear Manu climbing up the pillars to jump between them while looking for her on the ground. ¡°Hey! Where are you, honey? Tryin¡¯ to buff up?¡± Nope! That¡¯s a gamble and won¡¯t help much with what I¡¯ve got. ¡°Over here!¡± she called. She dashed away, dragging him deeper into the area she¡¯d memorized for their strategy; Rapid Spin was her only damaging Move, and against Defense like this Geodude had, it was a rough matchup. ¡°Hide and seek, eh?¡± A loud crack sounded, and he began throwing large stones around the area she¡¯d last spoken. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I¡¯ve been practicing my juggling lately; I saw this human do nine, and it¡¯s so hard.¡± Poppy jumped as one of the rocks landed six inches to her back. ¡°Still¡ªheh¡ªI¡¯m getting good at throwing them in the air.¡± Crumbling rocks continued to smash around her, shattering against the hard floor and sending fragments across the ground; it was becoming difficult to hear his words as they continued, and from what Poppy could see, he was somehow getting closer to her without her even saying a word, which hadn¡¯t been a part of the plan. How¡¯s he know which direction I¡¯m going? He¡¯s just throwing rocks everywhere? ¡°I don¡¯t know, but we¡¯re getting close. It¡¯s almost time.¡± The announcer was now counting Manu¡¯s ring record for rocks thrown in the air because he was managing to keep at least two at the moment. ¡°Here we go, folks ¡­ We have the Manu special, cornering his prey while tossing rocks around them and juggling at the same time ¡­ We¡¯ve only seen two so far, but ¡­ is that a third? He¡¯s got a third, ladies and gentlemen! How does he track his opponents when blind? Have any of you figured out the trick?¡± No¡­ It didn¡¯t matter, though; Poppy hovered in short skips across the dusty and tiny rock-strewn floor to make it to her final destination, the arena corner. Turning around, she saw the three rocks jumping up and down as they slowly came around a pillar and smashed to the floor around his grinning face. ¡°Well, well, well ¡­ I only got to three today, but, heh-he-he, I was losing a lot. Ran out of places to go?¡± Sparks flashed across his body, and Poppy jumped forward, trying to get in the correct position; eating the blast of electricity, she groaned as it stripped another 15% of her shell away. He didn¡¯t know what was about to happen, though. Spinning to create a tornado around herself, Poppy angled the gust in a way to shoot him right into the point of the barrier, and once she had him against the ring, she wouldn¡¯t let up. All the energy she gathered from Jay over the chase with her own reserves was dumped into this attack. ¡°One Rapid Spin, two, three ¡­ four!¡± Poppy¡¯s small chest was huffing and puffing as she jumped away, trying to run back into the field, but Manu¡¯s call stopped her. ¡°Hey! Hey! That was ¡­ wow! I¡¯m very impressed, Poppy. Woah! Hold up! Don¡¯t go ¡­ I¡¯ve got a little challenge for you.¡± ¡°Poppy? What¡¯s going on?¡± She slowed, hesitantly turning around to give him a dubious glare. ¡°I ¡­ What do you ¡­ I mean, what¡¯s the challenge?¡± It was a bit difficult finding her breath after such a rapid excess of attacks, pinning him in the corner from the rotations; part of the earth was ripped up and thrown across in clumps from her attack. A gleam lit in his serious eyes. ¡°A run and chase match like this isn¡¯t fun for people to watch, so ¡­ How about we spice it up. I¡¯ll stick in this corner, and let¡¯s see if you can actually knock out my shield¡ªI¡¯ll even give you time to charge up your next barrage!¡± ¡°What ... You¡¯re just going to take it?¡± Poppy mumbled. ¡°What are¡­¡± ¡°Oh, no! Heh, not at all! I¡¯m going to attack ¡­ we¡¯ll just see who lasts longer in a slug-fest. Sound game? You¡¯ll run out of time if you don¡¯t,¡± he motioned to the big clock overhead, ¡°and I can tell you, I¡¯ll win on points, hands down.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± He¡¯s making a deal ¡­ I think I have to take it. ¡°Okay ¡­ Just, be ready; I¡¯m going to let you know when. Okay? Amira¡¯s recount of her battle really made me think about it, but ¡­ yeah, you know.¡± Send me the energy. Poppy mumbled. ¡°You¡¯re on.¡± ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have ourselves a Mid-Game Challenge on our hands; what has Manu cooked up for us tonight?¡± The Geodude dug himself into the corner with a wide grin. ¡°Come at me, girl,¡± he motioned with his big rocky fingers; a silver polish flashed across his body from a dark brown illumination, making Poppy jump back. ¡°He-he-he, no need to be skittish¡ªI¡¯m all slicked up and ready to dance.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get too cocky,¡± Poppy huffed, keeping the maximum distance that her spin could get the most damage out; her chest was pounding, wondering what he was going to do, but a bit of excitement was filling it now. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The crowd cheered as her Normal-Type energy laced gusts roared around her, and she pelted the Pokemon as a faint white aura flickered across his shimmering body, increasing with every rotation she made. ¡°That¡¯s it ¡­ keep going!¡± Manu laughed. ¡°That¡¯s the stuff¡­¡± His fingers dug into the ground as her spins became more wobbly¡ªit was getting dizzying, keeping up the continual energy intake and twists. Jay¡¯s energy was being drained rapidly, too¡ªManu¡¯s defenses were insane. ¡°Holy Miltank ¡­ He has to have Sturdy! There¡¯s just no way he¡¯s this tanky ¡­ wait, that first attack, he used Rock Polish, which means he¡¯s going to go in for a speed hit¡ªit has to be like Hector¡¯s Counter!¡± Jay¡¯s voice was getting harder to hear, white noise flashing across her vision from the spins, but one word instantly snapped her out of the world hazing together. ¡°Protect!¡± A sharp, greenish-blue barrier enclosed her body as an enormous white force gathered around Manu, and he rocketed forward, sending sections of the dirt scattering in all directions with a scream. ¡°Yee-Haa! Here we go!¡± Poppy¡¯s spinning world came into focus as her shield spider-webbed, and she was suddenly flying back, carried into pillar after pillar, Manu maintaining his charge, yet her barrier held. Halfway through the third column, his energy faded with her protective shell. ¡°Rapid Spin!¡± The tornado sent him flying into the air as he gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Nice ¡­ play, honey¡­¡± His defensive matrix cracked, and she fell to the ground, utterly exhausted. D-Did we do it ¡­ I can¡¯t ¡­ I can¡¯t really see much ¡­ A-am I spinning or the world? Jay squealed. ¡°We did it!¡± * * * Jay threw her fist in the air before returning Poppy, taking two times to get the proper connection because of the distance, and releasing her to hug her precious little cherry. Amara clapped with a bright smile, bringing Manu into his capsule. ¡°Excellent, Jay, and I have to apologize a little,¡± she giggled. Turning Poppy around in-between her bosom to see the Master Aide, Jay cleared her throat, trying to calm her pounding heart that Poppy could no doubt physically feel. ¡°Umm ¡­ thanks, but, eh ¡­ why?¡± She looked up at the screen to smile at poppy. ¡°You came up with a ¡­ he-he-he, a fascinating strategy that I can honestly say, I have not seen before, and that¡¯s saying something, Jay. It was a bit more challenging for you than I initially wanted to go, but you handled it brilliantly. ¡°I was hoping Poppy had Protect to give you a chance to counter the Bide. It was a good test to see if you had the reaction time since you already had the mind to come up with a clever strategy, and am I correct in assuming you studied my previous Bronze-tier Battles?¡± ¡°Y-Yes, Ma¡¯am, and ¡­ thank you for the praise; heh, we were, umm ¡­ pretty worried there for a minute¡ªManu was just so tanky.¡± Amara nodded with a sad puff of air. ¡°Yes, I did not expect you to be using a Grass Pokemon without any Grass Moves, but you performed like a real champion. Your parents should be proud because that was an excellent use of strategy¡ªhe-he-he, although it seems Poppy has checked out.¡± ¡°My parents ¡­ yeah ¡­ eh?¡± Jay had been so flustered at her words she hadn¡¯t noticed Poppy was practically cross-eyed, personal power utterly spent. A simple Center visit wouldn¡¯t cut it when it came to PP; she¡¯d be there for at least an hour to recharge after getting this low, and she was feeling a bit sore herself. ¡°Ah ¡­ heh, yeah, she went pretty hard, and we were having fun at the end¡ªthank you.¡± The Master Aide made a few motions on the screen in front of her. ¡°No problem! I hope you continue to use that brain of yours because it¡¯s a gem. Have a lovely day, Jay, Poppy, and enjoy your Boulder Badge; you¡¯ve earned it.¡± Jay left the stage with a big smile, and even better, her phone was blowing up with messages. Adjusting a passed-out Poppy in her arms, she looked at them, nose burning a little. 1:53 P.M. Mallory: Killed it, girl! Muk, that corner strat had me floored! Even Amira¡¯s praising the Pincer out of that one! Gables wants me to say ¡®smooth win¡¯ at the end, too. Snap! That Protect was on-point! 1:53 P.M. Rhea: That was so awesome! I had to keep my hands in my lap the entire time to not bite my fingers, but that big Rapid Spin combo attack was insane! Where¡¯d you learn it? Did you just come up with it on your own? 1:54 P.M. Amira: I must say, the way you calculated the angle on Rapid Spin to get that Geodude into the corner was rather impressive. Poppy has good talent and guidance. Keep up the excellent work. She sniffed back tears, looking up to see Jade nervously giving her a smile as the light changed to her, and moments later, Hannah¡¯s arms wrapping around both Poppy and her. ¡°That. Was. Incredible! Where¡¯d you learn that?!¡± Jay breathed out a hot breath. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ I don¡¯t know, something that seemed like it might work. Thanks¡­¡± She didn¡¯t need her parents to message her; she had friends now. ¡°Should we get Poppy to the Center?¡± Sam tentatively asked, studying her. ¡°And how are you feeling, ¡®cause that was ¡­ How many attacks in succession?¡± ¡°Heh, I don¡¯t even know,¡± Jay replied, whipping back a tear. ¡°I think we¡¯re good, though; she¡¯s just exhausted. I¡¯ll let her rest in her pokeball ¡­ Well, let¡¯s see how Jade does.¡± ¡°Oof, yeah ¡­ after that match ¡­ If she got an Alolan Geodude¡­¡± Hannah hissed. Sam waved her hand. ¡°Naa, Mimi and her have got it, no problem!¡± Jay drew in deeply, turned, and shouted with the crowd. ¡°You¡¯ve got it, Jade! We believe in you!¡± She wanted this moment to last forever ¡­ She hadn¡¯t felt so happy in years. So ¡­ This is what Gyms are about ¡­ overcoming challenges with your friends and making new ones along the way. In the Island Challenge, it¡¯s all you and your Pokemon, but at least in these other regions, you get teammates to share it with, too ¡­ a big happy group of experiences. B1 — 43. Egg Surprise! 2 P.M. June 24, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 16 Days (15 Officially; 16 since getting Mya and Nova). Rhea watched the other three go through their matches with bated breath. Mimi and Jade went next, and because of her little Pichu¡¯s low level, she came across a stroke of luck and found herself paired against an Omanyte. The battle was surprisingly well-matched since her baby Pichu was able to use her Thunder Shocks. Considering the Spiral Pokemon only had Bind and Withdraw, it shouldn¡¯t have been that difficult to win, but the little guy used its little white vines to slingshot around the pillars, which came as a shock to the crowd and the Pichu. She smiled while watching the animated faces the little mouse made while dodging and jumping out with flair, likely taking inspiration from Star. In the end, Mimi and Jade came out on top; the dark blue-haired girl was practically crying while hugging her Pichu. Hannah came after, and everyone got on the edges of their seat when Amara released an Aerodactyl to fight the little egg. Star was a hoot, though; in fact, Amira was holding her breath and clapping at a few moments, such as when Hannah had him use Psycho Shift to cure the Dragon Breath Paralysis and return it to the Fossil Pokemon. It tried to use Supersonic to confuse him, but he counted with Extrasensory self-flight¡ªbasically chucking himself through the air like a rocket ship¡ªhaving the crowd jumping and laughing with surprise. He got three random Metronome Moves; one was terrible, the second amazing, and the third funny. The first random Move saw Star picking up a rock, charging it with energy, and flinging it at the flying Pokemon¡ªit missed. The second was beautiful, Star jumping off a pillar as the Aerodactyl smashed through it, trying to bite him, only to see a massive ball of electricity smash into his face. Marked by its red core and green inner fusion, the announcer went wild with the onlookers as he shouted Zap Cannon. To end the fight, Star pulled out a shocker, transforming into the ancient Pokemon to shoot a Dragon Breath of his own¡ªof course, Hannah and Star both looked super drained after the fight, and if there was any criticism, it was how they¡¯d gone all-in, but that was Star. Sam and Tera straight went in right out of the ball; her Geodude opponent and her meeting in the center with a Rollout collision. It was like watching a mirror as both tucked into a Defense Curl and went at it again, Tera edging out and throwing him to the side. The Geodude broke away, tearing up an entire pillar, charging it with energy, and chucking it in the air for it to collapse into a hail of stones as Tera rolled in a rapid circle around them to send her opponent smashing through a few pillars. It retreated into the maze, using Rock Polish to speed itself up to prepare for a bigger attack, and Tera mirrored him, kicking up dirt while throwing out her trunk in a challenge. Mya¡¯s fists were held tightly against her chest as she watched, cheering the Shiny Phanpy on; she wanted to see her friend win¡ªit was kind of for both of them, and Tera was killing it. Light brown energy collected around her as Sam struggled to get to the proper threshold to unleash their big STAB Move as the Geodude gathered a dark red aura that condensed around his fists. Tera jumped into a trampling charge, light brown force increasing as she moved, and the Geodude launched forward, breaking through the side of a pillar to meet her. Colliding in a battle of strength, Tera¡¯s opponent¡¯s attack and energy shell shattered, planting the rock firmly into a soft pile of soil three meters away and sending clumps of earth flying in all directions. They won, all of Rhea¡¯s friends managed to get their first badge, and she couldn¡¯t have been happier for them, despite her difficult inner turmoil at the pain Mya was still overcoming. Lori, Amira, and she had a chance to meet them in the lobby as they left the stadium, and to Rhea¡¯s surprise, Jade¡¯s sister was there before them. She wore a black dress and summer hat with simple jewelry; overall, Rhea thought she was pretty. Hannah waved them over when they came into view. ¡°Hey! Over here!¡± Rhea closed the distance, brushing back her bangs to give the older woman a bright smile; her hair was a darker shade than Katelin¡¯s. ¡°Hello, I¡¯m Rhea¡ªIs this your sister, Jade?¡± The woman giggled, speaking up and holding out her hand before Jade could form a response. ¡°Yeah, my name¡¯s Cami; I just came to see my little sister totally dominate! Wasn¡¯t she amazing?¡± ¡°Stop,¡± Jade mumbled, cheeks darkening as she looked away. ¡°Mimi was pretty good, though.¡± Mallory nodded, rubbing the Pichu¡¯s head. ¡°I loved your little screams¡ªI can see who you¡¯ve been hanging around most,¡± she snickered, pointing a finger at Star. He puffed up his chest with pride, jumping into a conversation with Holly as she exited to congratulate her best friend on his victory. Amira stepped to the side with Hannah, bending down a little to watch the two Pokemon jump, clap, and high-five each other. ¡°It seems you both managed to win on your own¡ªThose combinations and making use of the surprise Moves was really well done, Hannah.¡± ¡°Thanks! Actually, my Dad¡¯s trying to make his way out,¡± she giggled. ¡°He took off the night to see my first Gym Battle.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sweet.¡± Sam hissed. ¡°Yeah ¡­ My parents couldn¡¯t come, but Dia¡¯s here ¡­ my sister¡ªkind of surprised she came, to be honest, but she did ditch her boyfriend for it, so¡­¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Doesn¡¯t that mean she really does care about you?¡± She smacked her lips, folding her arms before rubbing Tera¡¯s head; she and Mya were having an animated conversation about the battle with Tera¡¯s trunk and Mya¡¯s hands making extravagant gestures as Mya darted back and forth. Rhea figured she was recounting her moment dodging all the falling rocks. Jay was a bit more stand-offish, but Jade and Cami swiftly roped her into going out to eat and allowing everyone¡¯s families to get to know each other. Sam was nervous about bringing her sister into the event but soon lost the option to retreat once the young woman showed up, shoulder-length brown hair pulled back into a small bun and wearing dark sunglasses. She seemed friendly enough, hitting it off with Cami; if there was someone that felt out of place, it was Hannah¡¯s aged father, hanging out with a bunch of younger girls. Still, he insisted on paying, and the girls didn¡¯t complain. Waving them off, Rhea released a low sigh, noticing more than a few people trying to act casual while recording them; she couldn¡¯t go anywhere without someone recognizing her team. A man ran up with his phone, probably one of the MemeStar ¡®reporters,¡¯ and wanted to know how she was taking her loss against Forrest. Lori chased him off, helped by Mya¡¯s sullen growls, before Amira pulled her toward the exit. Rhea shook her head in amusement at how close she felt with her friends already, smiling at Lori as she returned; Nova had fallen asleep in her pokeball after the excitement of the match. ¡°So ¡­ We really going to head out?¡± ¡°The sooner we get four Encrusted Badges, the sooner we can relax and do whatever it is we want to do,¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°Get the hard work out of the way first, and then you know how much time you have to play after.¡± ¡°Good in principle,¡± Mallory chuckled, ¡°but I have problems procrastinating.¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Rhea lifted a fist that Lori bumped as they descended the stairs. ¡°It¡¯s a good thing we have Amira here to keep us on track!¡± Amira snickered. ¡°The pressure is overwhelming ¡­ So, what¡¯s going on with your brother and Jason?¡± Mallory jumped down two steps to land on the ground level, skirt flying up a little before she spun around to walk backward. ¡°Yeah, didn¡¯t you say something about them leaving, but he was spending time with his sister? Seems a little contradictory!¡± Rhea groaned. ¡°About that ¡­ So, apparently, Lucian got into the early matches before we got to the stadium yesterday and got his Earth Badge, which gave him a bit more money to work with, but he needs to find more opponents to build his funds up.¡± Amira rolled her eyes. ¡°Uh-huh ¡­ So, he takes the frustration of me thrashing him out on all the unsuspecting Bronze Trainers between here and Cerulean.¡± ¡°Lame,¡± Lori huffed, playing with a lock of her hair. ¡°What¡¯s up with that? Jason wants to spend some time with his sister but can¡¯t because he¡¯s too busy with a Diglett up his¡­¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Amira hissed, giving Lori a slight glare, ¡°Don¡¯t do Diglett dirty like that ¡­ they¡¯re cute.¡± Mallory lifted an eyebrow, and Rhea was with her on this one. ¡°Diglett ¡­ cute?¡± ¡°Eh-he-he-he,¡± Rhea sucked in a breath, ¡°yeah ¡­ I don¡¯t know about that one, Amira, but at least I agree that we can leave the little guy out of ¡­ places they shouldn¡¯t be,¡± she forced a laugh. ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± Mallory crossed her arms with a frown. ¡°It¡¯s just an Unova expression; no harm! Should I stop saying Muk, too?¡± Amira cleared her throat. ¡°Muk ¡­ are disgusting, so I have no issues with that¡ªbut really,¡± she pleaded, ¡°Diglett are adorable! Their little pink nose and big eyes,¡± she whispered, pulling up what seemed to be an entire file on her phone dedicated to fan art of the Pokemon. ¡°The Alolan ones with their three tiny hairs!¡± She squealed. ¡°Mh-hmm¡­¡± Lori slowly nodded, looking at the images. ¡°I¡¯ll ¡­ stick with my Absol, Umbreon, and Alolan Meowth.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, eyebrows rising. ¡°Alolan ¡­ Meowth ¡­ Have you seen their Gigamax?¡± She shuddered. ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ It¡¯s horrifying!¡± Lori gave her a dull look. ¡°Mmh ¡­ Fairy lover?¡± ¡°Mya answers that question?¡± Amira snickered, pointing her finger at the confused Mawile beside her. ¡°Mya¡¯s adorable!¡± Rhea defended, bending down to stroke her large second mouth as her little girl smiled from the praise, but in her heart, the Mawile was huffing that she¡¯d rather be scary and intimidating. Always cute to me! Making it out into the streets, Mallory threw her arms in the air. ¡°C¡¯mon, Rhea! Fairy-Types, though ¡­ that¡¯s like every little girl¡¯s generic wish to secretly be the Rota Queen ¡­ Dark Pokemon are where it¡¯s at!¡± A teasing smile lifted Rhea¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Oh? You¡¯re not just saying that because your parents ¡®both¡¯ are Dark Specialists?¡± ¡°N-No!¡± Lori stammered. ¡°I mean, I may have been exposed to a lot of Dark-Type Pokemon, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ll like them¡­¡± She shivered. ¡°I can¡¯t stand Ghost-Types, and my sister¡¯s a Ghost Specialist. Why do you like Fairy-Types?¡± ¡°¡°¡°Because they¡¯re cute.¡±¡±¡± Rhea glared at her two companions as they both laughed after copying her. ¡°Very funny. And Amira¡¯s love for Ground-Types comes from her grandfather?¡± ¡°No, actually,¡± Amira said, putting on her glasses with the two of them as they exited out of the Gym; they¡¯d gotten their Encrusted Badges at the desk before finding their seats. Holly wrapped around Amira¡¯s hair to add a cute flowery vibe to her braid as they continued. ¡°In fact, I don¡¯t like most Ground-Types, but Diglett is an exception.¡± ¡°I¡ªI¡¯m not a generic Fairy-girl,¡± Rhea protested. ¡°Really! I, umm ¡­ I like a lot of Pokemon.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool!¡± Mallory giggled. ¡°By the way, when do you think those eggs your mom gave us are going to hatch¡ªI¡¯ve been dying to look up what it is, but ¡­ ugh, it¡¯s so hard to resist!¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°I mean, I can give her a text to make sure since¡ªWell, I should have made sure before we started spending extended time away from them,¡± she mumbled, removing her phone from her dress pocket to ask the question. ¡°True,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°It would be pretty traumatic to just randomly wake up in an empty, locked hotel room ¡­ Wow, we¡¯re terrible.¡± A low hiss passed through Lori¡¯s lips. ¡°Yeah ¡­ let¡¯s get back to the room.¡± Mya returned to her pokeball to allow them to pick up their pace, and the three of them made it halfway back when her mother returned the message. 2:34 P.M. Mom: Oh, you girls aren¡¯t already on your way to Mt. Moon? Hmm ¡­ if you kept them in their incubation chambers, then the time should be relatively close to one another. One moment, let me pull up their datasheet to get an accurate reading. 2:37 P.M. Mom: Okay, so ¡­ How wonderful! They should be hatching in roughly two hours; they¡¯ll be itching to get to know more about their new party, so it would be good to let them stay out and learn more about their new world! Tucking her lip under her teeth, Rhea showed Amira the text. ¡°Today.¡± ¡°No way,¡± Lori mumbled, a grin spreading across her lips as she put a hand to her breast. ¡°My heart¡¯s starting to beat! Two hours? Should we head out of Pewter or wait until tomorrow morning?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°We can carry them out if it¡¯s that soon and stop off on the road for a bit to read the instructions Christie gave us. Pushing forward should be the play.¡± ¡°Born on the road, huh?¡± Lori hummed. ¡°I guess it¡¯ll give them a crash course,¡± Rhea sighed, and Sabin¡¯s warning this morning pulled her thoughts in another direction. ¡°But umm, guys ¡­ We should be careful.¡± Amira and Lori gave her a questioning look, prompting her to continue. ¡°Well, my brother said that high-profile Bronze-tier Trainers have been kidnapped recently between Mt. Moon and Pewter.¡± Amira folded her arms at the news, lips tightening. ¡°Kidnapped for what ¡­ Money?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Mallory pulled up her strange app, likely looking through the criminal underground blogs and websites. ¡°I can¡¯t ¡­ see anything like that from online chatter.¡± Shivering a little, Rhea rubbed her shoulder with her phone. ¡°I don¡¯t know ¡­ He just told me that the Rangers were looking into disappearances and to be careful; he and Kate¡¯ll be close by in case something happens.¡± ¡°Humph, I¡¯m not too concerned,¡± Amira replied, brushing back her bangs as a breeze blew them out of place. ¡°It¡¯s one thing to go after a famous Trainer, but another to go after a Rocket.¡± ¡°True. True.¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°I mean, who¡¯d be stupid enough to get on the big bad former Criminal Superstar¡¯s bad side, right?¡± ¡°More like my mother,¡± Amira mumbled. Rhea slowly nodded. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I can see it; Lyra seems like the super protective type, and my aunt is ¡­ not friendly to those that cross her.¡± Mallory¡¯s smile turned forced. ¡°We¡¯ve seen it first hand.¡± ¡°That, we have,¡± Amira scratched her temple with a low puff of air. ¡°I don¡¯t think we need to be all that worried, but ¡­ a little caution wouldn¡¯t hurt.¡± Making it to their hotel, they gathered their items, cleaned up, checked out, and were on their way to the edge of Pewter, taking a taxi to the edge. Rhea turned around to look at the high, mountainous stony city of Pewter; they were reaching slightly higher elevations before dropping into Clefairy Valley a few miles to their west. Her grip tightened around the light container held in her arms while staring at the place she¡¯d had her first Gym loss; Nova was now awake and excited to meet their new fresh greeny. Well, guys ¡­ we¡¯ve had a rough start, but it¡¯s going to get better from here. When we come back to Pewter, it¡¯ll be for a big win. Nova and Mya gave a cheer; they may have been the only ones not to obtain a badge, but that wouldn¡¯t last long¡ªthe Encrusted Cascade Badge would be theirs. ¡°Well, can¡¯t say Pewter was uneventful,¡± Mallory mused as they turned to begin their journey into the valley surrounding Mt. Moon. ¡°So ¡­ Why aren¡¯t we going through Mt. Moon?¡± Amira hummed, holding up her egg case to study it. ¡°Because, after the Sinjoh Incident, all those strong Pokemon flooded the area¡ªthe cave is now rated as Silver-tier. Uh, Rhea ¡­ Should we keep them in their case or take them out if they¡¯ll hatch in the next forty minutes?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Rhea responded by taking out her phone and calling her mother; the ring only happened twice before she answered. The three of them gathered around her phone to see Christie holding a phone out while wearing riding goggles; her hair was pulled into a ponytail, blowing back in the wind. ¡°She tried to say something, but nothing came through the speaker, and out of the corner of the screen, Rhea could see her dad¡¯s back. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. It only lasted several seconds before she hung up, and she received a text. 3:57 P.M. Mom: Almost there! 10 Minutes. 3:58 P.M. Rhea: We just left Pewter. At East Gate. 3:58 P.M. Mom: Go into northern trees outside the gate. See you soon! Rhea sighed, rubbing the back of her head. ¡°I think ¡­ my mom forgot about making those evolution stones,¡± she mumbled, glancing back at the groups of people walking along the broad path and into Pewter¡¯s Check-In Station. ¡°Is that like her?¡± Amira questioned, following her north to the treeline. A nearby Ranger saw them going north and frowned, following their path with his eyes; the Pidgeot by his side rose into the air, hovering a hundred feet off the ground and keeping his eyes on them. Mallory followed the Bird Pokemon¡¯s rise into the air. ¡°Seems the Rangers are a bit jumpy over here.¡± ¡°We do fit the profile,¡± Amira mumbled. Rhea nodded. ¡°Yeah ¡­ Umm, it is kind of like my mom, to be honest. She has so many projects going on¡ªif you saw the state of her labs, then you¡¯d understand¡ªsame with my aunt, actually. Though my Granny and Grandma are super organized.¡± She trailed off as Mya exited her pokeball along with Miky and Amber to keep them safe in the forest as they entered the outskirts of Pewter; still, it was just outside the city, so the chances of getting snatched were almost non-existent. It didn¡¯t take long until her mother and father teleported beside them, causing their Pokemon to jump. Keith helped Christie down from Jeffery as Vilora hovered around them. ¡°Hey, girls!¡± Her dad greeted, rummaging through Jeffery¡¯s saddle to get out a few hastily wrapped packages. ¡°How¡¯s it going? Oh, it seems we¡¯ve got an onlooker,¡± he mused, and Vilora rose teleported away, likely to let the Pidgeot know everything was fine. Her mom was pulling down her dress to put her hands on her hips while adjusting her appearance; she wore some stretchable gym shorts that Rhea guessed she¡¯d snatched on the spur of the moment to ride. ¡°Uh-huh ¡­ Well, you know your Mom,¡± Christie mumbled with a sharp hiss. ¡°Sometimes, I can be a bit forgetful¡ªso, ah, thank you, Keith!¡± she chimed as he handed her the packages. Rhea was somewhat embarrassed by the whole show but knew there was nothing she could do about it. Vilora teleported back soon after, looking happy while munching on a berry the Ranger likely gave her. Keith gave the butterfly a slight frown. ¡°You know we¡¯re layin¡¯ off the sweets, remember?¡± Vilora turned her back to him in protest, continuing to munch on the snack and likely telling him, ¡®Just this once.¡¯ ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Nevermind,¡± she grumbled, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°So ¡­ should we take them out of the cases before they hatch? I mean, logically, we should, right?¡± ¡°Yup! And ¡­ Here you go, Amira, and ¡­ this one''s for you, Mallory,¡± she whispered, handing them the small packages. ¡°And this one''s for you, dear!¡± Rhea accepted the package before setting down the container to remove the egg. ¡°Umm, Mom, since you¡¯re here, can you take the containers back?¡± ¡°Sure thing! Oh, we¡¯ve actually got somewhere important to be ¡­ Something to do with Ultra Energy spikes or something. Keith, if you could¡­¡± ¡°Already on it, honey!¡± He said, accepting the containers to put in the saddle. ¡°By the way, Mya, I heard you put up a Muk of a show; just dirty, huh?¡± He grinned. ¡°Keith, language,¡± her mother mumbled, giving him a slight glare while taking out her tablet to scan Rhea¡¯s egg. ¡°I know. I know.¡± He snickered, giving Rhea a wink. ¡°Kids don¡¯t swear.¡± ¡°Never!¡± Mallory returned with a big grin, crossing her heart. ¡°I¡¯m so excited!¡± ¡°I bet,¡± he returned. ¡°They¡¯ll be real winners, but you¡¯re gonna have to take some time to learn how they battle.¡± Amira nodded, silently looking at the egg in her hands. Her mother puffed out a long, regretful breath. ¡°Well ¡­ Sorry, Rhea, but we need to get going. I can¡¯t wait to see the pictures, and don¡¯t skimp out! I¡¯ll be glued to my screen to see your posts¡ªoh, and set your watch¡­¡± Amira was the first to get her app open, causing her mother to give her a beaming smile. ¡°Always quick on the take!¡± she said, messing with her tablet. ¡°It will be precisely ¡­ thirty-three minutes.¡± ¡°I have it,¡± Amira whispered, starting the timer on her phone. Her parents went just as they entered, like a whirlwind; with one swift flap of his massive wings, Jeffery and Vilora shot into the sky with her parents. It was kind of crazy how easily the gigantic Fearow could get through the smallest treelines. Amira, Rhea, and Mallory took a few minutes to look at their eggs before returning to the road. They turned the bend that put Pewter out of sight as they reached the 3-minute mark and moved off to the side of the road. Going a bit away from the flow of traffic, they sat around a picnic area with a chained bench. Nova, Mya, Gables, Miky, Amber, and Holly were standing around the table, looking at the eggs with anticipation. ¡°Well ¡­ Here we go,¡± Amira whispered, looking down at Rhea¡¯s as it started to wiggle. Mallory scanned both of theirs, but they seemed to be a little delayed. ¡°Oh? Heh, looks like we¡¯ll be taking our turns! Dark-Type? If my dad had some input, it could be¡­¡± ¡°She could be anything,¡± Amira mumbled, arms tightly folded against her body. ¡°She¡¯s going to be powerful, nonetheless, and we¡¯ll need to bond with a Master Ball¡ªaren¡¯t you scared?¡± ¡°Not even a little!¡± Mallory grinned. ¡°Were you, Rhea?¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ mmh, kind of ¡­ I mean, Nova and Mya were my first Pokemon. So¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, I can see why that would be ¡­ Oh, she¡¯s coming out! Is that¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes opened wide as a shining smile brightened her cheeks. ¡°A Buneary! S-she¡¯s so fluffy and cute!¡± She gasped, leaning forward to pet her soft ears as she sat in her broken shell to look around with confusion. Like Nova and Mya, she had pink eyes, but her brown fur was a shiny black with pure white tufts and nose. Blinking a few times, she yawned and stretched, leaning left and right before smoothing out her fur and listening to the Pokemon talking to her. She looked up at Rhea with a bright smile and greeting before folding down her ears to brush them a little. Nova looked to be talking her ear off, but everyone changed focus as Mallory¡¯s egg started to shiver. Her Buneary followed Nova¡¯s prompts to watch with a small frown. ¡°Okay¡ªdeep breaths,¡± Mallory repeated, sounding breathless. ¡°What am I going to ¡­ So cute! But ¡­ Mmh?¡± She cheered as the little puppy Pokemon popped her head out to look around but didn¡¯t seem to know what she was. Rhea knew in an instant due to seeing Professor Kukui¡¯s so often, but Amira was the one to reveal her name. ¡°She¡¯s a Rockruff ¡­ Very, very cute,¡± she smiled, reaching over to pet behind her ears with Mallory scratching her head. Her white tail, the inside of her ears, collar, and mouth were shiny black, while the rocks on the collar, her body, and nose were white¡ªthe Rockruff¡¯s pink eyes scanned before giving a charming bark. Everyone greeted her, but Rhea¡¯s Buneary seemed to be getting bored of the exchange because she had hopped off the table to do several flips and was testing her speed at swift side-to-side maneuvers. She had quick, uneven bursts of speed that seemed challenging to track when they¡¯d happen as she bounced around in a flurry, performing twists, kicks, and punches with her tiny arms, legs, and ears. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Mallory grinned upon seeing her Buneary dart around and test her skills; her Rockruff lifted up on her hind legs to watch the bunny play-fight. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem all that tired using her own energy¡ªoh, I¡¯ve got the perfect song for her!¡± With a few swipes, a song was pumping. ¡°Really?¡± Amira asked as the snappy beat played. Rhea chuckled. ¡°She does seem to have that attitude and energy¡ªmy mom said she¡¯d be a bit sassy and hyper.¡± Nova jumped down to follow her a little, complimenting her on her movements. Mya went to join the Eevee to learn more about their teammate¡¯s personality. She was now looking around at the Pokemon, watching them from the treeline or in the air. Rhea walked over to offer her Buneary the special stones her mother made and the Master Ball; she quickly accepted both, and Rhea winced as she bonded with her. ¡°Here, these are what ¡­ Oh, heh, I guess Nova and Mya already told you,¡± she whispered as she swiftly went through the process without hesitation. Having three Pokemon bonded to her was a bit rough and harder than she expected to have out all at once; thankfully, Mya was fairly self-conscious about her, and so the stress to her spirit only lasted a second before the Mawile returned to her own pokeball. Nova was already explaining to the confused Buneary how things worked, giving Rhea a worried look. Now bonded, Rhea could tell just how ready the Buneary was to get used to fighting; it was a little frightening how hyper the little girl was¡ªshe had a remarkably similar sensation to Mya. If Mya did a lot of damage in a single attack, this Buneary did it in speedy, rapid Move combos, and it came naturally to her. In fact, she could tell her new Pokemon had more Moves than Mya and Nova. ¡°A name,¡± she whispered, ¡°umm ¡­ How about Alice?¡± Alice nodded, and Nova went off with her to spar a little; Nova was happy to help her new teammate, but Rhea was a little taken aback at how eager to see combat the hasty bunny was. She was still a newborn, and Nova had a lot of experience with her over the last two weeks they¡¯ve entered the Trainer scene. Alice was still shockingly fast, and they weren¡¯t using her energy for Moves but just practicing movement and dodging. You can ¡­ chill if you want. Rhea laughed, but Alice wanted to better understand what Nova was telling her and this seemed to be the best way to do it; Mya was coaching from within her pokeball, but Alice seemed to be listening to Nova more than her, which annoyed the Mawile. Okay. Umm ¡­ Once we start getting more on the road, I think the others will want some practice, too. So that should help. The little flipping and cartwheeling bunny gave her an internal cheer at the news, and Rhea hesitantly returned to Mallory and Amira, still waiting for her egg to hatch while petting her Rockruff. Mallory pulled out her own stones from the bag, freezing as one absorbed into her own body. ¡°Wha ¡­ Oh, this is that ¡­ Did I just evolve?¡± she asked with a bright smile. ¡°By the way, heh, Alice is SUPER hyperactive ¡­ Look at her go!¡± ¡°She just hatched,¡± Amira mumbled with a furrowed brow. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen anything like that ¡­ I suppose that¡¯s genetic engineering for you. Speaking of which¡­¡± Rhea sat down across from her. ¡°I¡¯m sure it will just be another few seconds ¡­ Yup!¡± Amira tensed, holding her breath and pulling in her lower lip while watching the egg slowly break open to reveal a Pokemon all of them recognized. A soft hiss passed through Amira¡¯s teeth. ¡°A ¡­ what?¡± They watched in question as it slowly hovered out of the egg to spin in a slow, wide-eyed circle. She gave a slow yawn before gently falling to the table and drifting to sleep. Rhea pipped up in an instant. ¡°A Feebas! I know it¡¯s not the most popular Pokemon,¡± she giggled, ¡°but there¡¯s a reason my aunt has a Milotic! She¡¯s soooo gorgeous and powerful¡ªthe strongest in the world!¡± The Feebas¡¯s tiny pink dot of an eye was in a black pool with a white lining. Her brown skin had darkened, white speckles, and blue fins and pink lips were white. ¡°Wait¡­¡± Mallory lifted an eyebrow at the ugly Pokemon. ¡°That ¡­ turns into a Milotic?! No way¡­¡± she mumbled, pulling up her phone to look up the information. ¡°Eh ¡­ Woah, yeah ¡­ what a ¡­ eh, transformation.¡± Obviously, she didn¡¯t want to hurt the Fish Pokemon¡¯s feelings. ¡°She was ¡­ floating, too,¡± Amira slowly commented, taking Mallory¡¯s offered phone to look at the data. Rhea leaned over to read with her. ¡°Eh ¡­ Wait, my mom makes sure the Pokemon has all of its Abilities, which is probably ¡­ uh ¡­ Does she have three Abilities?¡± ¡°No, FIVE ¡­ No wonder she¡¯s lying there like that,¡± Lori gasped. ¡°Snap ¡­ Is that even possible?¡± Amira promptly took out the stones and pokeball, hesitating for only a moment before bonding with the Feebas. Her eyes instantly closed, taking a sharp breath while lowering her head. ¡°This ¡­ This is ¡­ uncomfortable, Rhea,¡± she whispered. ¡°It ¡­ gets better. Right?¡± Holly swiftly returned to her pokeball after Nova barked something, and Amira breathed a sigh of relief, scratching her temple as Amber nuzzled her hand in concern. ¡°... I¡¯m fine ¡­ That helps.¡± Rhea¡¯s hands tightened against each other. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s rough at the start. Nova and Mya can run your Pokemon through the basics.¡± ¡°That would be helpful,¡± Mallory said, having Miky return to his pokeball before bonding with her Rockruff. ¡°That¡¯s insane, though. I think I¡¯ve seen Feebas on one of those top ten¡ªeh, least used Pokemon for Bronze-tier,¡± she corrected as the Pokemon opened her naturally big eyes to float into the air. Looking over at Alice, Rhea sighed. ¡°I mean, I guess I could see that, but if you can get onto Melina¡¯s level, then¡ªyeah, just imagine a fifty-foot long Milotic that can create huge tsunamis.¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ Have you seen the Move list?¡± Amira asked, looking inside of the bag Christie gave them to extract the paper. ¡°Oh, right! Eh, but shouldn¡¯t we name them first?¡± Mallory asked, giving her cute little puppy a small smile. ¡°I¡¯ve seen what you transform into, and you¡¯re a beast! My adorable little beastie, he-he-he ¡­ How about Roxie!¡± she squealed. ¡°I love it! What about you ¡­ You, too?! Yes!¡± Amira looked at the image of Milotic with a soft hum as her Feebas blankly stared at her. ¡°How about ¡­ Serenity ¡­ It seems to suit you. Hmm ¡­ She likes it.¡± They all looked down at their papers, stunned at the volume of Abilities, Moves, and exceptional genetic feats Christie managed to give their new Pokemon. Mallory was the first to have her mouth drop open. ¡°Whaaa ¡­ Are you kidding me? So ¡­ Roxie, when we start Gold-tier ¡­ when you Evolve, you¡¯ll constantly change between all three forms, depending on the time of day? That¡¯s wild ¡­ totally changes our strategy, too.¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Yeah, sounds like something my mom would do.¡± She glanced left as her Buneary flipped into the air to land on the table as Rhea scanned her data. ¡°Umm ¡­ So, apparently, Alice has three Abilities ¡­ Sleep Charm, that has a chance to force the opponent asleep when landing a successful hit. Opportunist, that can randomly multiply her damage, like Tera. And Klutz has been removed to tweak Run Away to activate when going into combat instead of away.¡± ¡°Sleep on attack? Even if a super small chance, it¡¯s still crazy powerful,¡± Mallory mumbled. ¡°Especially with those moves she¡¯s got. Roxie has Keen Eye that allows her to predict movements, Vital Spirit¡ªheh, that prevents sleep,¡± she winked at Alice as she folded her arms with a slight frown, ¡°and ¡­ Rockify? Huh ¡­ She can turn her allies next Move into a Rock-Type if she touches them.¡± Rhea turned her attention to Amira, who looked a bit torn by what she was reading; Serenity simply watched her with a blank look. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Amira looked up for a moment before returning to the sheet. ¡°Umm ¡­ Serenity actually comes from your aunt¡¯s Milotic ¡­ She has an insane Move Pool, and her Abilities are ¡­ incredible, to be honest. Her Stats are off the charts¡ªeverything about her is exceptional beyond words ¡­ My grandfather would salivate over Serenity ¡­ without a doubt.¡± ¡°But?¡± Mallory asked with a small frown, petting Roxie in her lap as she looked between them. ¡°If ¡­ I want her to reach her potential ¡­ I need to do Contests,¡± she mumbled. Mallory breathed a low hiss. ¡°Oh ¡­ Oh ¡­ I see. Uh, well, on the plus side, you¡¯ll be joining us!¡± she laughed. ¡°Contests, though? Kind of a strange way to evolve.¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°I thought that, too, but it¡¯s really just a way to break past Feebas¡¯s innate genetic feeling of inadequacy¡ªat least, from what my aunt and mom say.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Amira looked down at Serenity with a tender smile before reaching out to hold her. ¡°Your mother said it¡¯s been something she wasn¡¯t able to breed or genetically remove. Well, I suppose we ¡­ Hmm ¡­ We¡¯ll be getting to know each other better.¡± Alice jumped off to practice her movements with Gables and did a shockingly good job keeping up with her short bursts of speed. ¡°Abilities! What are her Abilities,¡± Mallory eagerly asked. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira showed them the piece of paper with Serenity¡¯s information. ¡°Levitate was not something I expected. Swift Swim when in rainy weather. Oblivious to most feelings, in general. Opportunist, just like Alice, and Barrier Bash, that destroys Barrier-type Moves like Light Screen.¡± Mallory breathed a long breath while nodding, reading through her Move list. ¡°Yeah ¡­ Even if we¡¯re feeling a bit of discomfort from this Master Ball stuff¡ªyo, Rhea, we¡¯re gonna have to thank your mother because she hooked us up!¡± Buneary: Name: Alice Nature: Quirky (Neutral; Slight Sassy Gene) Average IVs: 31 Abilities: Sleep Charm - On physical Move contact has a small chance to force target asleep; does not work against those that are Oblivious or immune to Charm Effects through Abilities or Moves. Opportunist - Occasionally 1.5x Multiplier on random attacks. Run Away - Modified to activate when rushing into combat rather than away by removing Klutz to give room to tweak it. Move Pool: Attract Circle Throw Copycat Cosmic Power Defense Curl Double Hit Encore Fake Out Fake Tears Fire Punch Flail Focus Punch Foresight Ice Punch Low Kick Magic Coat Mud Sport Pound Power-Up Punch Return Rototiller Sky Uppercut Splash Sweet Kiss Switcheroo Teeter Dance Thunder Punch Feebas: Name: Serenity Nature: Bold (Defense Up; Attack Down) Average IVs: 31 Abilities: Levitate - Levitate a few meters into the air, depending on the strength of the Pokemon. (Feebas has the ability in the Anime ¡ú Image ¡û) Swift Swim - Raises Speed by x2 when in stormy weather. Oblivious - Immunity to Charm Moves and Abilities. Opportunist - Occasionally 1.5x Multiplier on random attacks. Barrier Bash - Physical Attacks break Light Screen, Reflect, and Aurora Veil if near the same level as the opponent. Move Pool: Brine Captivate Confuse Ray Dragon Pulse DragonBreath Haze Hypnosis Iron Tail Light Screen Mirror Coat Mist Mud Sport Tickle Splash Rockruff: Name: Roxie (Will alternate between all three forms (Midday; Dusk; Midnight) depending on the time of day in an 8H period after evolving) Nature: Jolly (Speed Up; Special Attack Down) Average IVs: 31 Abilities: Keen Eye - Allows Roxie to predict where a Pokemon will dodge, minimizing the chance of missing. Vital Spirit - Prevents sleep, and Pokemon with this ability are genetically predisposed to enjoy battling. Rockify - Allows Roxie to change the type of Move of its allies into a STAB (based on its own typing) Rock-Type if she touches a partner. Move Pool: Crush Claw Endeavor Fire Fang Last Resort Leer Sucker Punch Tackle Thrash Thunder Fang Rhea forced a smile as they went through each other¡¯s Moves, each of their Pokemon listening closely. ¡°... Eh, so ¡­ We¡¯re really going to have to practice to not get smashed by the Encrusted Challenge.¡± ¡°You¡¯re tellin¡¯ me,¡± Mallory giggled, ¡°but isn¡¯t this exciting! I can¡¯t wait to reach high-end Silver-tier or Gold to see Roxie in all her forms; she¡¯s going to be so adorable, awesome, and cool!¡± she said while scratching the Rockruff¡¯s neck as she arched her back and lifted her tail with enjoyment. Amira hummed. ¡°Yeah ¡­ It¡¯s going to be a lot of work, but now we have a reason to hit every Contest Hall ¡­ I need practice and Serenity, we¡¯re going to fail a lot.¡± The Feebas gave her a dull look as the redhead stroked her faded black and white scales. Packing everything up, they put their backpacks back on and started on their journey; Nova spent most of it teaching Alice about battling and helping her know how to use her Moves with Rhea as the others did the same for Serenity and Roxie. It took most of the remaining day to reach the slope that would take them into the valley; Mt. Moon¡¯s colossal girth couldn¡¯t be described by words, and only Mt. Silver rivaled it. The peak was well-hidden behind the veil of snow that constantly blanketed the elevations, which was likely caused by the Articuno living at the top. They set up camp and got ready for bed, swiftly drifting off to sleep with their new Pokemon snuggled against their chests. B1 — 44. Proving Worth 2:34 A.M. June 25, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 17 Days (16 Officially; 17 since getting Mya and Nova). Declan cracked his neck while looking at the gagged turquoise-haired girl. He sighed as she started crying again; the Machop with her had been beaten to the point its defensive shell was shattered and Declan¡¯s Butterfree, Kalo, was keeping it paralyzed. His gang had ambushed the young Bronze-tier Trainer and her party on the road after scouting out her background in Pewter. Her two rich friends were little fish compared to the main prize in front of him. Meghan Ford came from a rather wealthy Kanto family, and her mother, Emily Ford, inherited much of her parents¡¯ fortune upon their early deaths when she was young. Meghan recently turned seventeen, which put her on the path for the Bronze League and right into his sights. Unluckily, the Combined Indigo League decided to have the International Bronze League in his backyard, which meant more eyes were on the lookout. He¡¯d been operating here for a few seasons now, and it paid well. On the plus side, the families they extorted were too frightened to talk, and he expected their reputation to keep their mouths shut¡ªwho would want to let it be known they¡¯re vulnerable. ¡°When are your parents going to respond?¡± he asked with a bored look at the girl¡¯s phone. She quickly shook her head, chest pumping while trying to say something; she¡¯d been strapped to the chair for the past two hours. They¡¯d ambushed their small camp when they decided to sleep a little too close to the forest treeline. This wasn¡¯t Declan¡¯s first ransom; although, he¡¯d missed quite a few big names with the Oak Award boys and girls passing through. They had one shot, though, tomorrow¡ªone job that could set everyone in his crew up for life, and that was Amira Rocket¡¯s team ¡­ Of course, he wouldn¡¯t touch the Rocket girl ¡­ Giovanni¡¯s reputation was beyond legend. Still, making her sleep for a few hours while getting cash from her teammates wouldn¡¯t be that bad; in fact, the criminal genius turned apparent entrepreneur might even respect the bold decision, and no harm would come to his granddaughter. His hand slipped away from his chin as the girl started rocking back and forth in desperation. ¡°Ugh ¡­ C¡¯mon. What?¡± he asked, nerves already on high with the plan he¡¯d shared with the rest of his crew. Tomorrow¡¯s job would be the last before they vanish forever¡ªif this ransom hadn¡¯t been in the works for a while before catching wind of Amira Rocket¡¯s team, he would have abandoned it. Declan reached over to tug the gag strap and remove it. ¡°Hmm?¡± The turquoise-haired girl coughed a little. ¡°I ¡­ I¡¯m trying t-to say ¡­ My Mom and Dad are¡ªare out of the region right now! T-They won¡¯t have s-service until tomorrow ¡­ P-Please ¡­ just ¡­ just let Hana and Libby go ¡­ I¡¯ll stay and¡­¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± he grunted, nose twisting with agitation at the news. ¡°Muk you look ugly crying¡­¡± Her wet eyes slowly fell to her lap in fright as he put the gag back in. Kalo gave him a small gesture with his hand. I know! I know! This wasn¡¯t a part of the plan ¡­ I know you want your cut, too¡ªhow do you think I feel? he growled while communicating with the Butterfree. Declan shifted his chair to an angle to better look at her while sinking into it.. ¡°Is that right ¡­ They won¡¯t be available until tomorrow ¡­ Muk¡­¡± He rolled around his shoulders with a low yawn. ¡°The question is ¡­ are you telling me the truth? And if so¡ªwhat am I going to do with you ¡­ I have plans for tomorrow.¡± Meghan¡¯s distressed eyes darted to the table as Kalo sprayed more powder on the girl¡¯s Pokemon, but all of them froze as another male voice entered the conversation. ¡°Did I hear that correctly, Bub ¡­ Plans tomorrow, huh? Do tell.¡± A soft voice, clearly amused, spoke from behind him. Declan jumped up as Kalo swiftly flew to his side, but no one was there. ¡°Wha ¡­ Who¡¯s there?! Gregory! Is ¡­ Hey! Gregory ¡­ Maisy? What¡¯s¡­¡± The voice returned with a low chuckle. ¡°No need to give yourself a scare.¡± He scanned the wide-open tent they¡¯d set up in the shadow of the forest with the electric lamps they used to keep it lit. Boxes and small crates were around the inside, items they¡¯d stolen from Pewter¡¯s stores; nothing was out of place or was large enough to hide a person. Darting to the entrance and looking behind the nearby boxes as Kalo scanned from the air, his muscles froze upon hearing Meghan¡¯s voice. Almost stumbling in shock, he glanced back to see the girl¡¯s gag was missing¡ªcompletely gone. ¡°W-What¡¯s going on?¡± she cried. ¡°I¡ªI just want to go home.¡± ¡°When¡­¡± Declan trailed off as the ropes digging into her skin loosened with the high-pitched voice returning. ¡°I¡¯m just a whisper in the void¡ªno one¡¯s there¡­¡± Meghan hugged her arms, the girl¡¯s body trembling as she looked around in a panic. ¡°A-Are you a G-Ghost Pokemon¡ªare you trying to s-save me?¡± ¡°Stop hiding¡ªand don¡¯t you move!¡± Declan shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the teen and causing her to jump; Kalo moved his wings in a threatening manner. ¡°Gregory, where the Muk are you¡ªGet in here!¡± ¡°He-he-he ¡­ I¡¯m just a trick of your own mind¡ªblink your eyes once and you¡¯ll find I¡¯m just a ghost inside your ¡­ oof!¡± Kalo pointed to a shadow beside a crate, darting forward to send a gust at the intruder, and sending a shadowy Mewoth tumbling against the side of the tent before it returned to a normal color. ¡°Hey! What¡¯s the big idea, ya flyin¡¯ ball of allergies ¡­ Ew, and take a bath!¡± the Meowth mumbled, brushing himself off while getting to his feet. A smile brightened Delcan''s face before laughter shook his chest. ¡°A Meowth ¡­ heh, we¡¯re under attack by a talking Meowth? Eh ¡­ what were you planning? No, wait,¡± his smile fell as he released Gina, his Tangela, ¡°who are you with¡­¡± Gina¡¯s vines rose in a threatening manner and Kalo went to his side; this was so far out of left-field that he didn¡¯t know if he should laugh or feel threatened. A low cackle slid through the Meowth¡¯s throat. ¡°Who am I with?¡± Meghan¡¯s voice quivered with a low scream as she began to glow a deep purple with her chair; Declan couldn¡¯t react in time as she was pulled through a cut in the tent that appeared in an instant for a man and woman to step through. ¡°He wants to know who you¡¯re with?¡± the blue-haired man asked. He wore a ring, two bracelets, and an earring in his left ear. The pink-headed woman beside him had a hand on her hip, giving the tent a sad smile. ¡°To think we were called off vacation for these fools¡ªalthough, it¡¯s a good thing we were¡­¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± the Meowth hummed, folding his arms and giving him a lifted eyebrow. ¡°Who knows what he would have done to that poor girl.¡± A lump dropped down Declan¡¯s throat; no one was coming to his aid¡ªwhere were his men? ¡°Gregory!¡± ¡°Oh, darling,¡± the woman giggled, ¡°have you not figured out they aren¡¯t coming?¡± ¡°Sad, really,¡± the man mumbled with a shake of his head. ¡°The intelligence of criminals these days.¡± Declan took a step back and adopted the best smile he could. ¡°You ¡­ aren¡¯t with the Rangers, I assume? What¡¯s your goal here¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you asked!¡± the man chimed. ¡°Wife¡¯s first.¡± The woman shifted to put her back against her partner¡¯s with a small smirk. ¡°To protect the innocent from devastation!¡± ¡°To unite all families within our nation!¡± ¡°To denounce the evils of bad hair products and horrible food!¡± ¡°To extend our reach to the jelly donuts above!¡± ¡°Jessie.¡± ¡°James.¡± ¡°Team Rocket blasts off at the speed of light!¡± ¡°Surrender now, and we¡¯ll spare you from the flight.¡± ¡°Meowth! That¡¯s¡ªwait, is this our 500th assassination?¡± Too confused to know if he should stop them or not, Declan¡¯s face drained of color as he finally understood what was happening. His heart stopped as he pulled back the flap to see a psychic barrier around his tent and beyond¡ªeveryone but Maisy was lying on the floor without a mark on them; he had no doubt they were dead. A Chimecho hung in the air outside, creating the field, weaving back and forth with a bright smile upon seeing him as if saying ¡®Hey!¡¯ ¡°Coming to a ¡­ Did she actually feel that¡ªIt¡¯s suppressed?¡± Jessie asked in shock, looking toward the forest with a small frown. Meowth hummed, jumping up on the table while rubbing his chin and utterly ignoring him. ¡°That¡¯s some crazy Aura sensing ¡­ Did she?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± James sighed, looking down at a phone, ¡°the Rangers were alerted.¡± Declan cleared his throat. ¡°A Rocket Assassination squad, huh? Eh ¡­ I¡¯m sure we can work things out¡ªI¡¯ve got some contacts that Giovanni might¡­¡± ¡°Oh, is he still breathing?¡± Jessie asked, snapping her fingers. His breath caught in his chest; a massive shadow coiled around him from nowhere in an instant, and both Kalo and Gina¡¯s shields were shattered from a pink aura that enclosed them¡ªthey fell to the dirt, Declan feeling their spirits ripped away from him like roots leaving soil as their lives ended. I don¡¯t ¡­ No, Gina ¡­ Kalo ¡­ I don¡¯t wanna die¡­ Tears fell down his cheeks as a three-meter long Seviper ensnared him; it opened its massive jaws to spray spittle across his face that burned. He couldn¡¯t speak as the razor-sharp, fin-like tail inserted into his mouth, forcing his tongue down. I don¡¯t want to die! P-Please¡­ The last thing he saw was a Pumpkin Pokemon hovering down with a dark force gathering around it as a squat Pokemon waddled through the hole in the tent to direct illuminated pink eyes at him. All Declan knew was the horrifying nightmares that brought back his step-father¡¯s belt into memory until even that was gone. * * * Jessie moaned while working around her neck; her husband was doing his normal dorky thing and looking for goodies to treat her with. ¡°Why does everything have to get complicated?! This was such an easy mission.¡± James gave her a short nudge and chuckle. ¡°Hey, at least we get some time off after this one; the Boss set us up with¡­¡± Her blue eyes sparkled as he pulled out tickets to Alola. ¡°No!¡± ¡°Cheap vacation to the big leagues, girl!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talkin¡¯ about!¡± Meowth cheered, rummaging through Declan¡¯s pockets when Jessie let the now brain-dead man go. ¡°Oh, he has some gum! Want some?¡± he asked, offering one to James. ¡°Sure ¡­ you know,¡± he mumbled, unwrapping it and popping it into his mouth, ¡°You gotta wonder why these people ever think of pullin¡¯ one over on the Boss.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Meowth sighed. ¡°So ¡­ how do we go about cleanin¡¯ this up with the fuzz on us?¡± ¡°Same ol¡¯,¡± Jessie motioned for Mr. Mime, Chimecho, and Malamar to pick everything up. ¡°We¡¯ll dump them off in the caves and burn it all to ash¡­¡± She accepted two pieces of gum from Meowth. ¡°Then we control the smoke, make everything look good¡ªand no evidence. All they know is that there were some High-Tier Moves used in this area; no big deal.¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. She glanced around at the ravaged campsite; they¡¯d looked through a few of the belongings as their Pokemon slowly moved all the corpses and items away while cleaning up the mess and wiping the memories of the nearby Pokemon that were rounded up. Popping a bubble, she huffed. ¡°Still, sucks we gotta rush ¡­ brats. Oh, how¡¯re the girls?¡± Meowth pointed at the corner of the camp where Maisy sat with the hypnotized Bronze Trainers and their Pokemon. ¡°Handled. Mime will dump them off at their old camp; he knows the plan.¡± Jessie blew another bubble while lifting an eyebrow. ¡°Mhm ¡­ remember the last time James said Mime had it.¡± The scrawny Pokemon lifted his middle finger at her with a slight scowl, causing her to giggle. ¡°I mean, you did almost drop a train on all of us.¡± James walked over to talk to Maisy with a bright face; the woman had been the one to tip off Rocket about her boss¡¯s plans to attack Amira¡¯s group. Naturally, Giovanni responded precisely the manner Maisy feared; Rocket¡¯s reputation was there for a reason, and by doing this, she¡¯d obtained a place in the organization. Jessie was more interested in what cafe James would surprise her with in Alola; she knew him too well, and he had some plan to dazzle her with something¡ªshe couldn¡¯t wait. Looking up at the starry sky, she smiled. What a wholesome mission. Save some girls from sketchy dudes, get time in Alola with the gang, and we get to loot everything! The Boss is good. ¡°Alright, losers!¡± she yelled, spinning her fingers. ¡°Let¡¯s get this show on the road; my Alolan tan is a day away!¡± Meowth gave her a dull look. ¡°Who¡¯s the one lazing around and looking at the sky?¡± ¡°It¡¯s romantic looking right now,¡± she huffed, pointing at the heavens. ¡°Besides, who¡¯s the one that can¡¯t get enough of looking at that fake gold block we found last mission?¡± ¡°You don¡¯t know it¡¯s fake!¡± Meowth defensively returned. Both of them looked at James as he came running over with a bright smile. ¡°Jessie! Meowth! I found donuts!¡± ¡°¡°No way! Jelly?!¡±¡± The three of them split the treasure between everyone¡ªexcept Maisy, of course¡ªmoved everything to a cave with Psychic and Teleport before ridding themselves of the evidence. Now, it was time for Alola! * * * A shiver ran down Rhea¡¯s frame as a spike of energy crawled through her veins, sitting up in her tent. Alice smoothly flipped off her chest, where she¡¯d been sleeping, Nova sharing her time with the rabbit. Mya sent her a questioning pulse through their connection since she was outside with Serenity and Gables. Alice swiftly hopped out, ears scanning left and right for danger, but she couldn¡¯t find any. It took a moment for Rhea to realize what she¡¯d sensed; a spike of Pokemon energy that shouldn¡¯t be close to this area¡ªMaster-tier. Rubbing her neck, she yawned while trying to collect herself enough to further identify the pulse; it had only been for a slight second, but her father and brother went through exercises like this regularly, and Master-tier was the best area she could identify since it was the most common strength around her house. Someone had used one of the Moves her father warned her to watch out for; she couldn¡¯t tell what the Move was other than it was in the list to be concerned about ¡­ Moves used to cause trouble, especially if in the dead of night. It¡¯s fine ¡­ I just ¡­ There it is again ¡­ Do you feel that? It¡¯s weak, but ¡­ no, it¡¯s like ¡­ A Pokemon is trying to minimize their aura release. That¡¯s not normal¡­ Alice hopped back in to lean against her knee, observing to better understand what she should do. ¡°No need to worry,¡± Rhea giggled, reaching down to scratch the base of her ears. ¡°It¡¯s pretty far away ¡­ at least ¡­ It¡¯s near the edge of what I can sense¡ªwow, umm ¡­ it¡¯s about a mile to our northeast.¡± Debating for a moment, she decided to send a message to the Pewter Ranger Hub through the Trainer App. It would be logged, and someone would be out to check it. She also messaged Sabin, but he returned a message that they were to their south and hadn¡¯t seen anything suspicious. Alright, I¡¯m heading back to bed. If anything looks bad, then wake all of us up, Mya. Mya gave her a confident affirmative, and Rhea slowly drifted back to sleep. * * * Alice crossed her arms as she watched her Trainer go back to sleep; she didn¡¯t quite understand the temporary concern that flashed through Rhea¡¯s spirit, but she appeared to have calmed down. It didn¡¯t take long for her to sleep, and Nova was practically comatose. She smoothed out her white tufts, glaring toward the front of the tent where Mya was; the Mawile put out this ¡®I¡¯m better than you¡¯ vibe that didn¡¯t sit well with her, and now that she was awake, she couldn¡¯t go back to sleep. Jumping outside, she did a flip over her to land in front of the big-mouthed Pokemon and stared at her. ¡°What?¡± Mya asked, moving away from her to sit against a tree; she was assigned to watch the forest. ¡°Rhea¡¯s going to sleep, so you should do the same. Nova and I have got most things covered.¡± Alice¡¯s left foot started to tap against the ground with slight aggravation. Gables talked with Serenity, helping her better understand Lightning Pokemon that Amira warned her about before bed. She didn¡¯t want to start a bad vibe, but everyone treated them like second-tier fighters. ¡°What¡¯s up with you; all you¡¯ve been doing is jumping around and glaring at everyone all day.¡± She lifted her chin, arms crossed again. ¡°I could beat you.¡± ¡°Heh ¡­ you¡¯re joking? Look, Alice, you¡¯ve got some speed, sure, but that¡¯s it. You don¡¯t have the power to hurt me.¡± ¡°Are you scared to try?¡± She asked, ears tilting to the left with a slight smirk. ¡°No ¡­ You¡¯re just the dress-up pretty Contest kind of girl, and I¡¯m more of the battle girl.¡± ¡°Excuse you!¡± Alice hopped forward to put her hands on her hips. ¡°Prove I¡¯m only a ¡®dress-up pretty Contest¡¯ kind of girl!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not interested in a newborn,¡± Mya said, waving her hand dismissively. ¡°You are scared.¡± Mya¡¯s expression fell a bit as she saw Gables and Serenity look over at them. ¡°Why would I be¡ªyour punches literally do nothing to me when we¡¯ve sparred Gabes?¡± Alice shrugged before walking back toward Gables and Serenity. ¡°Do one of you want to practice? Mya¡¯s too scared that if I bring it, she¡¯ll get decimated.¡± ¡°What?¡± Mya growled, getting up to glare at her. ¡°You know I¡¯m not scared of anyone!¡± ¡°Hmm? Then why won¡¯t you fight me!¡± Alice challenged, causing Gables and Serenity to look back and forth at them. ¡°Are you jealous I could do both Battles like you and do Contests like Nova? I mean, I can see why you¡¯d be shaken¡ªI¡¯m coming from under the radar while you¡¯re overrated.¡± Gables gave them a small smile, holding up his hands. ¡°Hey! Hey! We good?¡± Alice gave her a cute wink. ¡°It¡¯s okay to admit it, Mya; you¡¯re scared to fight me.¡± She jumped around, accelerating at various points while spinning, kicking, and punching. ¡°I¡¯m a whirlwind, and you¡¯re the mountain getting chipped away!¡± ¡°Oh, I like all of that¡ªis that how the big mountain gets blown down?¡± Serenity asked, pointing up at Mt. Moon. ¡°He-he,¡± Alice adjusted the floof around her waist, ¡°that¡¯s how a Mya falls; she doesn¡¯t want to start the tally because she knows she¡¯ll never win.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Mya snapped, releasing an intimidating aura that pressed in on Alice, but it only got her blood pumping. ¡°Finally¡­¡± Gables jumped between them. ¡°Woah! Woah! It¡¯s super late, guys! If you want to fight, then do it when Rhea gets up during breakfast.¡± Alice¡¯s ears drooped a little, realizing she¡¯d draw energy from Rhea and likely wake her up, but she¡¯d gotten what she wanted¡ªa real fight instead of the fake no-energy stuff they¡¯d been doing¡ªshe was itching to let loose. Mya was the first to accept it, though. ¡°Yeah¡ªand don¡¯t go draining Rhea, Alice ¡­ She needs the energy to travel during the day, too.¡± Alice did an aerial cartwheel before a roundhouse kick. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯ll show you how I¡¯m not just a sweet face!¡± ¡°Certainly not a sweet attitude,¡± Mya grumbled, returning to her tree. ¡°Go get some sleep¡ªyou¡¯ll need it.¡± She crossed her arms. ¡°I¡¯m not going back because you told me to¡ªI was going to get some sleep anyway.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Mya smirked. Jumping a few feet to Rhea¡¯s tent, she glanced back at the Mawile. ¡°Don¡¯t back out.¡± Mya yawned. ¡°Why ¡­ because even this conversation is boring.¡± The heat in Alice¡¯s chest rose; Nova was fun and friendly, but Mya was only interested in scaring away the wild Pokemon. She gave her orders as if Alice was obligated to follow her. Just try to land one hit on me. ¡°Too easy.¡± Prove it. With that, Alice went to sleep on Rhea¡¯s chest again, snuggling between her breasts; Mya and she couldn¡¯t have been spiritually further apart as they took to their own corners of their Trainer¡¯s bond. It didn¡¯t take all that long for her to go to sleep, and when Rhea stirred in the morning, Alice was quick to flip off her chest and stretch beside her. She could hear Amira using water Gables created in a pan to wash her face. Morning, Rhea. ¡°Hey, Alice ¡­ How was your night?¡± Nova asked, yawning in her pokeball. ¡°We get to spend more time together since Mya will be sleeping!¡± Not for a little bit; we have a battle! ¡°Morning ¡­ wait,¡± Rhea was taking a moment to analyze the strange shift that she sensed between them. ¡°Are you two fighting, Alice, Mya?¡± Mya appeared in the tent entrance with crossed arms. ¡°She said I was scared to battle her; I¡¯m not.¡± ¡°You really wanna try, with Moves and everything?¡± Nova asked. Of course. If she lands one hit, then I¡¯ll admit defeat. A snort shot through her nose. ¡°One hit is all it will take.¡± Can we, Rhea? Alice asked, looking up at her trainer with big, pleading eyes. I¡¯ll show her I¡¯m worthy of respect! ¡°Uh ¡­ heh, it¡¯s kind of early,¡± she mumbled, rubbing her eyes, ¡°but as long as it doesn¡¯t get too serious, it should be fine.¡± Yes! Jumping outside, Rhea let the others know she wanted to have a battle with Mya; Mallory groaned, cracking her back before joining them with dead eyes. ¡°Remember,¡± Rhea said, bending down to look at them both, ¡°this is just a quick battle; we need to save our strength for the rest of the day.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got it!¡± Alice grinned, brushing back her black fur. ¡°I¡¯ll show you what I can do.¡± Mya shook her head and rolled her eyes. ¡°Show her what¡ªhow easily you get stomped into the mud?¡± Nova gasped inside her pokeball. ¡°No, not mud! Don¡¯t do that to Alice¡¯s pretty fur; you¡¯re not evil! Don¡¯t be evil, Mya!¡± Do whatever you want, Alice challenged. ¡°Ready?¡± Rhea asked, glancing between them. ¡°Set ¡­ Go!¡± Their Trainer sent an equal amount of energy between them, but obviously, Alice had an advantage in the amount she could utilize in quick succession. Alice shot forward, darting around Mya¡¯s slow, open jaws; her arms began to glow white, and she delivered swift one-two punches around Mya¡¯s body as she spun in circles, trying to follow her speedy movements. ¡°Alice ¡­ How can you build energy so fast, and ¡­ and it costs almost nothing¡­¡± ¡°G-Give me some space!¡± Mya growled, jaws and fists thrashing around to try and catch her. ¡°You¡ªit doesn¡¯t even hurt!¡± Mya released dark energy before a clone shot out of her body to swallow Alice, but she simply cartwheeled out of the way, spinning in a low sweep to take the Mawile off her feet. The Mawile¡¯s jaws latched onto the tree nearby to fling her mid-air high above and away from her small, repeated attacks. A white illumination surrounded her as she swiftly returned to the ground to slam her into the soil. ¡°What¡¯s your deal?¡± Alice did a backflip to the tree and used it to leap away; finding her balance in an instant, she giggled while doing an aerial cartwheel and clapping her hands, shimmering white that soon encircled Mya. Unfortunately, it failed. It didn¡¯t really bother her, but it was confusing. Rhea? Why did that fail? ¡°Heh,¡± Mya stood in place, continuing to gather energy at a snail¡¯s pace that made Alice want to cry. ¡°You can¡¯t use Status Moves when my energy matrix is so much stronger than yours!¡± Rhea confirmed it. ¡°Huh ¡­ That¡¯s pretty fun,¡± she laughed, launching back at her with swift motions; she finally felt better after being able to use Moves. It was funny and thrilling watching the slow Pokemon¡¯s movements, too, as she slid around the telegraphed flailing. ¡°Let¡¯s switch it up!¡± Ducking around her attempt to bear hug her with a side step, her ears illuminated to do another one-two punch, and just as Rhea and Amira talked about yesterday, one of her Abilities finally snuck past the Mawile¡¯s natural barrier, and her eyes drooped. ¡°It¡¯s almost over ¡­ W-What ¡­ No, you can¡¯t¡­¡± she wobbled with the immense amount of energy she was pulling from Rhea collapsing. Alice wasn¡¯t done, though, and she grabbed the girl¡¯s foot, red aura flowing off her frame as she spun in a circle and tossed her at the tree; the increased strength Alice gained from the Move was the only way she could even hope to budge the Mawile¡¯s heavy body. Mya hit the tree while fading into sleep; it didn¡¯t take long for her to snap out of it. Still, it gave Alice enough time to run up the tree and pull in the required energy to hit her groggy teammate with a sky uppercut. The Mawile smashed through the lowest branch before dropping to the ground to recover. Honestly, she didn¡¯t look like she¡¯d taken much damage at all, and Alice could sense Mya¡¯s inner frustration. ¡°S-Stop throwing me around!¡± Mya yelled, grabbing the nearby broken branch to sweep her away. Alice giggled, jumping to smack her left ear against the bark to carry her over the wood; the problem was it sent her spinning faster than she anticipated. She managed to land but felt a little dizzy at the motions. Snapping out of it, she saw Mya had used the opportunity she¡¯d given to charge up her second complete attack out of the entire fight. Eyes snapping open in surprise as her ears stood on end, Alice felt a shiver down her fur as Mya vanished into shadows. Twitch fibers activating the moment Mya used her attack; Alice jumped to the side to see Mya¡¯s Dark-infused fist sliding just under her jaw¡ªthe graze of energy itself took an 18% chunk out of her energy matrix. ¡°Done!¡± Rhea called. Alice did a small side twist before jumping into a round-off backhand spring to escape the Mawile¡¯s deadly fist. Mya glared after her, fists shaking with agitation. ¡°All you do is run, jump, and run again!¡± ¡°I know, aren¡¯t I adorable?¡± Alice laughed, hopping into flips. ¡°I was so ¡­ That was so much fun! I want to do it some more! You are pretty sturdy, though!¡± * * * Rhea leaned over to Amira and Mallory as they finished watching the exchange. ¡°What do you think?¡± Amira nodded with an impressed look. ¡°It¡¯s not that she¡¯s just fast¡ªshe¡¯s quick and can find perfect balance while predicting Mya¡¯s attacks.¡± ¡°Not really that hard, to be honest,¡± Lori whispered. ¡°Mya¡¯s a powerhouse, but she¡¯s kind of telegraphed in her movements.¡± ¡°True,¡± Amira nodded, ¡°but Alice is still less than twenty-four hours old, and this was her first battle. Mya had at least a day to acclimate and was able to watch Amber fight.¡± ¡°The speed at which she accomplishes Moves is insane, too,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Although, they aren¡¯t the most powerful attacks¡ªIs that just her age versus Mya¡¯s own battle experience?¡± Mallory pulled her lips in for a second. ¡°Eh ¡­ probably has a part in it, but who knows what your Mom did. A fast Move charge at the cost of some damage isn¡¯t a terrible trade-off. How was the draw?¡± ¡°Mya pulled more in just the few attacks she did¡ªalthough, it was pretty clear they¡¯d one-hit Alice if Mya got a clean strike.¡± Amira bent down to stroke Alice¡¯s ears as she listened with a bright expression; Mya looked more annoyed but seemed to be happy they¡¯d recognized her strength. ¡°Alice is sure to get stronger, and her energy matrix will grow, but I suspect she¡¯s more of a glass cannon. Her movements are insane, though¡ªI¡¯d like my Pokemon to practice dodging her, to be honest.¡± The Bunneary¡¯s pink eyes sparkled. ¡°Heh, yeah ¡­ yeah, she¡¯d love that,¡± Rhea mused. ¡°She really wants to show how fast and strong she is ¡­ So, let them just do non-Move-based Training on our way into the valley?¡± ¡°Sounds like a plan!¡± Mallory cheered. ¡°Gables loved doing it with her when we were setting up camp yesterday; she¡¯s quick, and those random speed boosts are scary¡ªoh, Roxy wants to join, too!¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s a plan,¡± Amira said, getting her supplies together. ¡°We¡¯ll probably meet up with some Trainers looking to fight, and I¡¯m looking forward to seeing their faces when Serenity, a floating fish Pokemon, pulls out the Dragon Pulse.¡± Rhea could practically hear her evil chuckles, which brought a smile to her lips; she was beginning to have fun. ¡°Yeah! This will be great!¡± B1 — 45. Changing Course 10 A.M. June 25, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 17 Days (16 Officially; 17 since getting Mya and Nova). Rhea held her hand behind her back, walking beside Amira and Mallory. They¡¯d begun their long trek through Route 3, along the base of Mt. Moon; it used to lead to a well-traveled cave before the class of Pokemon increased when she was still a kid. Their Pokemon were running along the dirt road, play-fighting in the grass to not waste their Trainers¡¯ fortitudes. Alice and Nova seemed to be leading Holly, Serenity, Miky, and Roxie in the exercises; the goal was to dodge their jumps, punches, and basically, a game of tag. She shifted her gaze to the scenery, focusing on the rocky face of the mountains to their right and Mt. Moon to their left; the colossal mountain was covered by a thick forest and veiled by snow higher up. Rhea took a moment to count how many Pokemon she could spot flying in the air or hovering above the treeline; there wasn¡¯t one she didn¡¯t recognize. Spearow and Fearow flew in their packs, Pidgey and Pidgeotto, making sure they didn¡¯t cross certain territories. Butterfree kept to their own little packs, protecting their young. A Charizard flew high overhead, only visible by the trail of fire his blazing tail left in the heavens; he was heading from Pewter, following the path they were on from the air. Farfetch¡¯d were less frequent but could be seen from time to time. Several Pinsir stuck on a few trees to their right, sucking out the sap and claiming their territory. Shockingly, she caught sight of a Mothim migration, and Combee hive, but they were probably pushed into Kanto from the Shinjo-incident. She even spotted a Chatot, hanging in a nearby branch to watch who walked down the path. They passed at least a dozen backpackers and overtook a few Bronze-tier Trainers that seemed somewhat nervous upon seeing them coming up from behind. After the last group gave them nervous waves, slowing down to let them pass on the wide road, Rhea hummed, following the three boys as they dropped back. ¡°What¡¯s up with everyone our age giving us those looks?¡± Lori adjusted her sunglasses before glancing back. ¡°Eh ¡­ Well, our Pokemon were publicly ranked at the Gym, and umm, yeah, if we¡¯ve been shown to go up against a Sandstorm Onyx, and other crazy matchups¡ªdon¡¯t ya think they¡¯d be nervous?¡± ¡°I guess,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Didn¡¯t they see how strong Mya was, and all the Moves she used in the Starter Award Battle?¡± Amira absently nodded, focused instead on her 3D map app while tracking their progress. ¡°Once is a fluke, Lori¡¯s meme a deterrent, and our intense Gym battle definitive proof. It means we¡¯ll have tougher matches ahead. Weaker teams won¡¯t come near us while those looking to test their own skills will search us out.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ Alice still needs battle experience. I guess we can challenge people.¡± Rhea caught the redhead zooming in on a branch in the path ahead of them, full lips pulled in with a troubled look. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Mallory noticed her fiddling with the detailed app, as well. ¡°Uh ¡­ Yo, are we not continuing along Route 3? Didn¡¯t you say we needed to get to Cerulean City?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Amira pushed her round frames up a little on her nose, swiping the image to pull out a little, ¡°there are a few paths we could take through Clefairy Valley but I think it might be beneficial to take the detour through Apple City before getting into the desert part, and we could¡ªI mean, I¡¯ve always wanted to try the Kayak Gorge route to Rifure Village.¡± A small smile bloomed on Rhea¡¯s face as she glanced at Amira¡¯s new Pokemon. ¡°Giving Serenity a chance to spread her fins in the water wouldn¡¯t be influencing this, would it?¡± ¡°Heh, was it that obvious?¡± Amira asked with a forced laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you know how to use a kayak, but it¡¯s pretty fun and way faster than walking.¡± ¡°Uuuhhh ¡­ I do not,¡± Mallory flatly stated, ¡°but I¡¯d be willing to learn! Gables¡¯s all for spreading his arms and chillin¡¯ in the water with Serenity.¡± Rhea looked to the side with a small frown while watching Nova laugh; she was running away from the hyperactive bunny pursuing her. Nova, what do you think about trying to train to transform into Vaporeon? It might help if we¡¯re on the water. Her little Eevee tried to do a quick maneuver to throw Alice off, but the little bun was too good at split-second repositioning and managed to close the distance and tap her back foot with her ear. Nova gave her a happy cheer before telling Rhea she was super ready to practice her transformations. ¡°Well, it looks like Nova¡¯s all for it,¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°I think she¡¯s been a little sad we haven¡¯t been training her forms as much as we wanted.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± Lori hummed, pressing closer to Amira in order to scan the map. ¡°So ¡­ We are going to rent some kayaks from Apple City ¡­ Oh, the river runs right beside it ¡­ Hold up¡­¡± Amira laughed. ¡°I know. I know. It¡¯s a really big gorge, and there are a few rough parts, but they¡¯re not that bad.¡± ¡°You¡¯ve done it before?¡± Rhea asked, studying the river. ¡°Wait ¡­ what¡¯s that part you have pinged? It¡¯s a little off the main path.¡± ¡°It sure sounds like she¡¯s done this before,¡± Mallory mumbled, folding her arms and looking down at the dirt. ¡°To be honest¡ªI¡¯m not the best swimmer. You, Rhea?¡± Rhea pulled her ponytail around to check its security as they walked. ¡°Eh ¡­ yeah. Yeah, my dad did a bunch of training like that with me when I was growing up; heh, he got stuck on an island one time with his team and they had to catch a Water Pokemon to get off.¡± Lori¡¯s eyebrow lifted. ¡°They didn¡¯t just call for help?¡± Amira giggled. ¡°I don¡¯t think they had the kind of phone technology we have now back then. In a way, I wish it was like that.¡± ¡°It would make things interesting,¡± Rhea mumbled, thinking back on her grandparents¡¯ and parents¡¯ stories. ¡°A lot changed after the Ultra War ¡­ they didn¡¯t really even have portable phones when my dad was a kid.¡± ¡°I know, it¡¯s crazy,¡± Mallory mumbled. ¡°Anyway, uh,¡± she scratched her temple, ¡°heh, if I end up falling in, then Gables will probably need to save me, but he¡¯s cool with that.¡± A wry smile crossed Amira¡¯s eyes. ¡°And you¡¯re okay with going still?¡± ¡°Sure! It sounds like an adventure.¡± ¡°Rhea?¡± Amira asked. She shrugged, looking up at the snowy peaks of the mountain; Katelin and her brother had explored it, and she wanted to but knew it would be stupid to try¡ªdoing so would put her baby Pokemon in an impossible situation if they came across any territorial Pokemon. ¡°Yeah, I mean, I¡¯m all for kayaking; at one point, my dad would take me sea kayaking at least ten times a year. It was pretty fun.¡± When the two of them didn¡¯t respond, she turned to face them. ¡°What?¡± she asked upon seeing their expressions. Amira shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s just ¡­ a little surprising. I¡¯ve never been sea kayaking.¡± ¡°I mean, it¡¯s not that hard,¡± Rhea dismissed. ¡°My mom and aunt came a few times, too. We liked to explore new areas, and sometimes they¡¯d show me underwater caves nearby that we¡¯d dive to.¡± ¡°Dive,¡± Mallory repeated. ¡°As in, freediving? You Mukin¡¯ freedive?!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows drew together. ¡°Yes? Everyone in my village learned basic Training skills. Freediving was a course everyone had to go through.¡± She scratched the side of her head with agitation, returning her focus to the compact dirt road. ¡°I never could beat my brother¡¯s record.¡± ¡°Which is?¡± Amira asked. ¡°I can hold my breath for eight minutes.¡± ¡°Oh, nice!¡± Rhea forced a laugh, rubbing her neck. ¡°I umm ¡­ yeah, that¡¯s pretty good.¡± Curiosity creased Mallory¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hmm ¡­ How long, Ms. Water-Type Specialist? ¡­ Oooh, I bet you''d love the river or ... heh, scared you might see some Luvdiscs?¡± ¡°No! No! No!¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°I mean, I can only hold my breath for fourteen minutes while Sabin got sixteen on his last test¡ªI beat Jason, at least,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Still, Sabin never lets me live it down.¡± A pout crossed her face. ¡°I did place 3rd out of everyone that took the course, though.¡± ¡°Fourteen minutes?¡± Amira gasped, pulling up a search engine. ¡°How? Umm ¡­ Yeah, the average person can only hold their breath for like ¡­ thirty seconds to two minutes!¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhea scoffed, waving her hand with a sly smile. ¡°There¡¯s no way! Thirty seconds? Most of the kids I grew up around could hold it for at least seven. My dad can hold his breath for forty-five minutes, and my aunt ¡­ ugh, I don¡¯t know if she cheats or not, but I¡¯ve seen her in the water for hours without coming up.¡± Brushing her hair back after inspection, she giggled. ¡°On the other hand, my mom can¡¯t go longer than twenty minutes, which my dad makes fun of her for.¡± Mallory scratched her neck with a slow shake of her head. ¡°Mhm ¡­ Yeah, no, I¡¯m not gonna worry about you in the water then.¡± Amira puffed out a long breath. ¡°No, Rhea will be the one saving you.¡± ¡°Mhm, at least she can¡­¡± Rhea rubbed her left arm, watching Lori pull up on her shirt front and adjust her bikini a little before dropping it down again. ¡°So ¡­ are we going to do the kayaking thing?¡± Mallory nudged her head toward Amira. ¡°I¡¯m up for it¡ªheh, if she gets my kayak!¡± Amira¡¯s lips creased in confusion. ¡°Revenge for forcing me on water!¡± She snickered. Running her fingers through her red hair, Amira grunted. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s fine ¡­ Actually, Rhea, there may be something you can help me with.¡± Not knowing what Amira wanted but happy to get off her feet, Rhea smiled. ¡°Sure. Something to do with diving?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira whispered. A look crossed Amira¡¯s face as she studied the marked place on the map; Rhea couldn¡¯t tell if it was anxiety or sadness. ¡°Thanks ¡­ It¡¯s something I¡¯ve thought about for years.¡± She licked her lips and shivered before laughing, which drew Mallory¡¯s vision. ¡°Wooh! I just can¡¯t wait to get back on the water ¡­ I used to come here with my mom when I was off for the summer.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Mallory checked her dress and shifted her pack as she spoke, trying to get everything back in place. ¡°How long will it take to reach Apple City?¡± Amira pointed at the split in the road ahead of them. ¡°We go right.¡± ¡°Apple Way,¡± Rhea read, looking closer at Amira¡¯s map. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s even got an estimated timer on it ¡­ six hours at our current pace? Not bad. Will we have enough time to get to the kayaks?¡± ¡°No, which is why we¡¯ll need to reserve it for tomorrow; there¡¯s usually a day¡¯s wait, in any case.¡± Mallory threw her hand in the air with a cheer, brushing back her long purple hair. ¡°Beds tonight, girls! Oh, and maybe we should get our nails done. What do you think?¡± Amira glanced down at her fingers with a light frown. ¡°It couldn¡¯t hurt.¡± They turned to face Rhea as she hid her hands behind her back. ¡°What? Nails? Heh, why would you suggest that, Amira? I, umm ¡­ I mean, we could¡­¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Mallory hopped behind Amira to reach Rhea¡¯s back. ¡°I knew it! You¡¯ve never had a manicure in your life! The spa was the first time. Wasn¡¯t it?!¡± Rhea folded her fingers in, hiding them in her skirt. ¡°No, but ¡­ my nails aren¡¯t that bad,¡± she whispered, her cheeks reddening. ¡°I do my own, and¡ªand I¡¯m not the best, but¡­¡± Amira smiled. ¡°I honestly didn¡¯t notice.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°I knew it! I knew it!¡± Mallory mused as Rhea allowed her to guide her hand up. ¡°Girl ¡­ how do you have the cutest hands I¡¯ve ever seen¡ªthat¡¯s somehow never been touched by a manicure?! And that thick, silky hair ¡­ I¡¯m so jealous, Rhea!¡± Pulling her hand away, Rhea pressed it against her breast. ¡°They aren¡¯t that great ¡­ I had some acne when I was twelve, and Jason used to poke fun at me for it¡­¡± Amira laughed. ¡°Rhea, every girl gets acne.¡± ¡°Not the models or Master Trainers,¡± Rhea grumbled, combing through her thick ponytail after Mallory finished playing with it. ¡°I had this big red spot on my nose¡ªgah, one of the most embarrassing moments of my life was going to school with that on my face.¡± Mallory lifted her hand. ¡°Uh, same, girl! Seriously, what¡¯s wrong with skipping a few days of school to get rid of something that¡¯ll emotionally scar you for life! Muk, and when Tory made fun of the pimple on my shoulder in the locker room ¡­ She was the worst! The worst!¡± The two of them shot an inquisitive look at the redhead as she smirked, bringing her hands up to adjust her cap and ponytail sticking through the back. ¡°Think I¡¯ve got you both beat in that department.¡± ¡°Oooh! Do tell!¡± Mallory said, jumping ahead a little to turn and walk backward as they turned down the path that would lead them into Clefairy Valley. ¡°Was this when you were in Public School?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°Nope. Public really wasn¡¯t all that bad.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Rhea blurted out. ¡°I mean, that was when that video was leaked to the public; when you beat up that boy.¡± ¡°Yeah, what was that about?¡± Mallory giggled. ¡°I mean, mad respect, girl, but give us some context to hate the dude with you!¡± ¡°Meh, that was regular bullying stuff¡ªname-calling, making fun of my hair, or family. His name was Jefferson, and what you can¡¯t see on the footage was the wad of gum he¡¯d stuck in my hair¡ªclose to my scalp and smeared around. It was red, so ¡­ go figure.¡± Mallory¡¯s nose twisted. ¡°Should have his Diglett Pinsired.¡± ¡°Mallory¡­¡± Amira blushed as her mind followed the symbolism. ¡°I told you, please, don¡¯t do that to my cute Digletts.¡± ¡°Oh! Right! Right! Eh ¡­ Oh, I got it!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°His¡ªhe-he-he¡ªhis Onix should be twisted!¡± Rhea¡¯s own cheeks darkened while picturing the image. It was a bit of a hard name to swallow for her and Mya after their defeat; her Mawile shifted uncomfortably in her pokeball. ¡°Heh, eh ¡­ Yeah, but the guy totally deserved his ¡­ uh, Luvdiscs crushed.¡± Amira displayed her hair with a grim smile. ¡°You should have seen how horrified my mother was ¡­ She spent the whole night using peanut butter to get it out of my hair.¡± ¡°Really? That works?¡± Mallory asked, watching Gables try to out flip Alice; he was still a decent amount faster and more agile than the Buneary. ¡°Wait, if that wasn¡¯t even bad ¡­ What was in ¡­ Where did you go to school after that?¡± A grimace crossed Amira¡¯s lips. ¡°Pokemon Tech. It used to function as a badge alternative until the Ultra War when everything was revamped. It has top educators and excellent staff, but just like any school, there are those ¡­ special cases. I learned how emotion leaks into academia more often than I believed.¡± ¡°Meaning?¡± Mallory asked, her focus on a few normal bubbles Gables created for their Pokemon to practice hitting, constantly decreasing their size. A few tourists passed them, going the opposite way; they didn¡¯t pay them much mind. Amira¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Bullies, I can do something about ¡­ instructors that have it out for you ¡­ there are limited options. Lost papers, ripped assignments, sharp words, and public humiliation in front of one¡¯s peers can be ¡­ exhausting.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t believe it. Every teacher she had may have been strict and pushed them, but she¡¯d never experienced bullying; she saw posts about it online, of course, yet her little world consisted of very prominent Trainers that were very close to her family. Sure, she couldn¡¯t hide anything from her parents because of that, similar to some of the girls Rhea saw in the dramas she used to watch, yet school was super fun¡ªshe loved waking up and going to class. ¡°Are you serious?¡± she asked. ¡°You were bullied by your teachers?¡± A hiss passed through Lori¡¯s teeth. ¡°I can see it. I bet your grandpa did something to affect their family or something when they were younger. Right?¡± Amira massaged her neck with a light grunt. ¡°Meh, some, sure, but Madaline Jamison was the worst of them, and the reason for her persecution was because my mother knocked her out of the Platinum League running and Master, which affected her overall rating¡ªthe part that put her over the edge was when my mom didn¡¯t even know who she was ¡­ That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Tck¡­¡± Mallory spat on the road, glaring at Mt. Moon. ¡°What a Nosepass¡ªno, a Protopass. Bet she has a sweaty bush.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea had lost the insult after Nosepass. Amira giggled. ¡°Probably best you don¡¯t know, Rhea! That¡¯s pretty good, Lori¡ªAnd you¡¯re probably right. Anyway, it made me work harder, have backups of everything, and take photo proof of my tests for evidence. It¡¯s challenging when the person that can decide much of your future credentials has a grudge against you for nothing you¡¯ve done.¡± Rhea¡¯s mind pulled in, trying to find something to lighten the mood in her scattered memories, but Mallory got to it first. ¡°Well, you know,¡± she looked up at the sky as if being watched, ¡°there was this one time my dad and I snuck into this Casino¡ªhe lost his wallet with his ID, and this place wasn¡¯t on the best terms with my dad! I got caught¡ªon purpose, of course¡ªand they dragged me down to some kind of holding area¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Sketchy,¡± Amira mumbled, and a smile brightened her complexion. ¡°What did you do?¡± ¡°They left me inside when my dad started winning big¡ªheh, some thugs ran the outfit, and the League was doing some investigations on it, and my dad wanted me to have some on-hand experience.¡± Her hands became more animated as she got into the story. ¡°He showed me the schematics and everything I needed to know¡ªI had a paperclip in my hair!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Amira snickered. ¡°Did you really use a paperclip to break out of the room?¡± She held up her hands in her defense, making Rhea chuckle. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m just tellin¡¯ it how it was! I used two paper clips, excuse you! One they accidentally left on the table with this file showing pictures of me and public records of my age¡ªgood thing, too, because I broke my first one, he-he-he! I got out, got the USB in, and pulled the fire alarm! Walked out with sunglasses while listening to some boppin¡¯ tunes playin¡¯ in my headphones.¡± ¡°Classic,¡± Amira mused, shaking her head. ¡°Agent Mallory.¡± ¡°It was a one-go, but so much fun! Eh ¡­ yeah, Cass couldn¡¯t handle something like that, though¡ªshe¡¯d choke, which is fine! She just can¡¯t tell a lie.¡± Amira stretching her hands in the air. ¡°Man ¡­ I don¡¯t know you at all!¡± ¡°Give it time!¡± Lori nudged her with a wink. ¡°I¡¯ll give you some stories to tell. You too, Rhea! I¡¯m tellin¡¯ you, we need to set up some dance time ¡­ I¡¯m getting some withdrawals¡­¡± she said, breaking into a dance while they moved after throwing on a song that she made work surprisingly well. ¡°C¡¯mon, sing with me!¡± She laughed, grabbing Rhea¡¯s hand and spinning her around. ¡°Let the beat move those hips!¡± Mallory managed to get Amira to join them, swapping between songs while learning various dances from the expert on their way to Apple City. Their Pokemon joined in, Gables acting as their tutor, and soon Holly and Amira were spinning around in circles to the music. Several groups of people laughed and cheered them on; Rhea soon discovered how much work dancing was because she was sweating sooner than she thought, but Rhea couldn¡¯t remember having more fun as she swayed with Alice in her arms¡ªall the Pokemon were singing with them, and Nova got super excited when a Pikachu offered background vocals on one track that sounded pretty good. The massive skyscrapers of Apple City came into view as the forest thinned, and Rhea caught sight of the plains leading to the rocky, desert-like environment of Clefairy Valley. ¡°Uh ¡­ heh, is that a UFO?¡± Lori asked, pointing at one of the largest buildings near the center of the city. ¡°And ¡­ this place rivals Pewter City. Why isn¡¯t this the City-State capital?¡± ¡°Gym influence,¡± Amira stated. ¡°The UFO ¡­ yeah, it¡¯s the main attraction of Apple City. If you¡¯re a Clefairy maniac, then this is the place to go because they¡¯ve got parades, events, and exhibits documenting everything they know about the Clef, the Clefairy¡¯s homeworld, or something like that.¡± Rhea leaned forward with big eyes. ¡°Homeworld? What are you talking about?¡± Alice looked up at her, ears pulled back as she listened with interest; it seemed like she¡¯d heard some Clefairy somewhere in the trees as they walked. ¡°You really don¡¯t know?¡± Amira asked. ¡°I mean, the story was pretty big a few years ago when a lot of the news broke. The Apple City Space Center of Observation and Technology ¡­ TACSCOT for short ¡­ I know, stupid name, but they found the homeworld¡¯s location. The biggest problem is actually getting something to go fifty light-years.¡± ¡°For real?¡± Mallory mumbled, glancing toward Mt. Moon. ¡°So ¡­ all Clefairy are from that planet?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°There are a ton of theories. Some scientists theorize Clefairy got help from Elgyem in the distant past and flew there to start a colony¡ªit¡¯s all speculation, of course. Some believe they originated here and went to Clef before making a return trip.¡± Lori¡¯s face blanked. ¡°Elgyem?¡± ¡°An Pokemon believed to be extraterrestrial, first discovered in Unova,¡± Rhea mumbled, a bit surprised the Unova girl didn¡¯t know it. ¡°I didn¡¯t know it was confirmed, though¡ªI thought it was only a rumor¡ªa conspiracy theory or something.¡± The redhead pointed up at the blue sky. ¡°I mean, sure, but apparently, they¡¯ve got enough evidence to have the scientific community in a buzz. I thought you¡¯d know since, you know, your mom.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ My mom is more down-to-earth, experimenting with things she can touch, kind of scientist¡ªmostly the genetic kind. This kind of stuff is somewhat pointless to her¡ªunless she¡¯s already discovered how they can survive in space¡ªprobably,¡± she mumbled, scratching the back of her head. ¡°She¡¯s pretty secretive about her work until she figures out the negative sides that can come from it and takes measures against it.¡± ¡°Smart.¡± Mallory was on her phone, mumbling about alien Pokemon. Rhea chuckled. ¡°You know, we have Ultra Beasts and Deoxys¡ªalien Pokemon aren¡¯t unheard of; I¡¯m just surprised it¡¯s been confirmed for Clefairy.¡± ¡°Want to check it out?¡± Amira asked, gesturing to the big tower. ¡°I could probably get us in to talk to Mimi, the head scientist of the institute. My grandpa¡¯s a heavy investor for them. She¡¯s the one that made the discovery.¡± Mallory absently stuck her thumb up. ¡°I¡¯m game¡ªhuh ¡­ there is some crazy stuff they talk about here. What¡¯s a ¡­ transdimensional multiphase drive ¡­ like what is it?¡± Rhea pulled in her lips, taking out her phone to text her mother. ¡°I can ask my mom if she knows anything; she likes talking about this kind of stuff.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Amira gestured to the gates of the city ahead of them, Apple City Police on the walls and keeping the metropolis safe from any rampaging wild Pokemon that came from the Ultra Virus effects. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t take us long to check-in. You can talk to her if you want while I handle the paperwork.¡± ¡°Please!¡± Mallory groaned. ¡°I hate paperwork!¡± Scratching the back of her neck, Rhea nodded. ¡°Sure ¡­ Eh, heh, you actually have me interested in finding out more.¡± A small smile lifted Amira¡¯s lips. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m glad you don¡¯t ¡­ nevermind,¡± she whispered, adjusting her cap. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll go ahead, just chill outside¡ªit¡¯s probably loud inside.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Rhea waved her off; her mother hadn¡¯t texted back yet, so she called, slowing her pace and glancing around the cleared area around the city. Most City-States had to build up after they reached their boundary walls, which meant buying old housing areas to expand into condos and apartment complexes. The League wanted to preserve the wild habitat for Pokemon, and that meant regulations on city growth and housing. Her mother answered on the seventh ring. ¡°Mmh ¡­ oh, morning, my little Swablu¡­¡± her mother yawned, rubbing her eyes while stretching out. A rueful sigh puffed out of her lungs. ¡°Late night, Mom? It¡¯s almost 3:30 P.M.¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ Is that the time? Huh.¡± Christie seemed to be in a dark lab that was probably still in Viridian. ¡°Still in Kanto?¡± ¡°Yup! Mmgh ¡­ that¡¯s the spot,¡± she grunted, twisting left and right. ¡°Eh ¡­ Lusamine¡¯s change has been keeping us on our toes. Anyway, what¡¯s going on?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips flipped into an accusatory frown. ¡°How much sleep did you get?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Her mother brought a finger to her chin with a thoughtful look. ¡°I¡¯m guessing here, but ¡­nine-ish hours ¡­ seven-ish ... I can¡¯t tell! So ¡­ Oh, she¡¯s adorable! Hello, Mallory!¡± She chimed as her Buneary jumped onto her shoulder to look at the hologram; no one was close enough to see her talk to her mother, but she moved off the front entrance area to lean against the wall. Mallory waved back. ¡°Hey! Can¡¯t say your name, love you!¡± ¡°He-he-he, thanks, dear; I had a lovely chat with your mother yesterday. She asked about you.¡± A slight frown touched the violet-eyed girl¡¯s lips. ¡°I text her every once in a while.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ I think she feels like you''re hiding things from her about your sister. Can¡¯t say why, but it is what it is, and that¡¯s between you two,¡± Christie mumbled. ¡°So! What¡¯s going on?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t expect the mood to swap in this spoiled direction. ¡°Yeah ¡­ umm, we¡¯re over here at Apple City, and I wanted to know a bit more about this whole Clefairy being from a different world thing? I just thought you might know something.¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh! Yes, Mimi¡¯s life¡¯s work. The girl¡¯s pretty dedicated and took over Professor Oswald¡¯s work when he vanished. Most people thought he was a crackpot except Professor Oak¡ªI had my doubts, but several genetic anomalies in various Clefairy made me a believer of the Space Theory. Another planet, on the other hand, heh, I was a skeptic. In fact¡­¡± She paused, fiddling with the tablet next to her; Mallory was on her phone with a sour expression, likely texting her own mother. ¡°Eh ¡­ Yes! There it is ¡­ I¡¯m in an old chain email with Mimi¡ªI like to keep up to date on the latest projects and stuff.¡± Christie scratched above her ear with a small smile. ¡°Oh! Yup, this is the one ¡­ Mimi¡¯s preparing a craft with her Clefairy¡¯s help to travel to their planet. Kind of hush-hush, but Giovanni¡¯s funding it, from what I can gather. It should be ready in about two years¡ªat least, if it¡¯s on schedule ¡­ This is a 2nd Generation Terran Celfary, after all.¡± Rhea¡¯s forehead creased. ¡°Seriously? That¡¯s actually pretty cool. I¡¯d like to see it someday¡ªif it doesn¡¯t take all that long to travel there,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Fifty light-years is ¡­ a long time.¡± ¡°Mmh, not as much as you think¡ªand light-years is a measure of distance, not time, honey¡ªand with the proper technology¡­¡± her mother trailed off, scanning the information in the email. ¡°According to these schematics ¡­ less than a week; she¡¯s been in close contact with Hoenn¡¯s Mossdeep Space Center¡¯s top scientists on the subject¡ªbig names. Wow,¡± she paused, scrolling down the information, ¡°no, this is some serious stuff, huh ¡­ Just not my field specialty.¡± Feeling a little more excited after hearing her mother¡¯s opinion, Rhea shifted the phone to her opposite hand and twisted her body as a group of Trainers looked her way, likely recognizing Lori and her. ¡°That¡¯s cool. Alright, thanks, Mom; that¡¯s all I wanted to know. Oh, and we¡¯re going to go down the Kayak Gorge Route.¡± ¡°Nice! I know you and your dad loved to do that in the ocean ¡­ me, not so much,¡± she laughed. ¡°Your aunt burned me out years ago! She never stops ¡­ never!¡± A low groan rumbled in her throat as she sank to the messy countertop. ¡°I suppose that¡¯s why she¡¯s a Legendary Trainer.¡± ¡°And who¡¯s talking?¡± Rhea asked, lifting an eyebrow. ¡°Legendary Researcher and Breeder?! I have to get on you to sleep properly!¡± ¡°Oh, I think your dad¡¯s here with my breakfast!¡± her mother clapped. ¡°Don¡¯t change the subject!¡± ¡°Gotta go, honey! Love you, have fun with the girls!¡± Rhea¡¯s expression dulled as the connection cut. ¡°Humph¡­¡± Take care of yourself, Mom¡­ Fifteen seconds later, Amira exited, waving for them to join her. They entered, Mallory still in a hot discussion with her mother through texts, before being scanned with their Pokemon and entering Apple City. Amira somehow had already organized a tour of the TACSCOT facility for them. This was one of the few times in Rhea¡¯s life that she felt excited to learn about science; most of the time, she just listened to her mother prattle on because she loved her and wanted to let her express her passion. This was different, though¡ªspace exploration, and from what her mother said, this Clef planet was just the beginning with this technological leap. B1 — 46. Mother Issues 3:38 P.M. June 25, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 17 Days (16 Officially; 17 since getting Mya and Nova). Smiling as she made it inside Apple City¡¯s walls, Rhea slowed to take in the pretty and unusual sights. Viridian had been a lot more open than she thought, and everything was planned to the last detail, but this was much less organized. To their right was an old parking lot for picking up walking travelers, which wasn¡¯t all that interesting. On the other hand, to their left was a vibrant and open park. Decorated trees were placed across the area with a big fountain and what appeared to be a festival was currently underway. Nova and Mya were out right now; the Buneary and Mawile seemed to have developed some strong detest for each other somehow, and nothing Rhea said was fixing it. Her Eevee absolutely loved being able to be out all the time since the other two refused to be out of their capsules together. The Evolution Pokemon and Deceiver Pokemon were a little overwhelmed as they followed Rhea¡¯s example, taking in the hundreds of people milling about. You wouldn¡¯t think this was the last stop before a rocky valley expanse that was home to Mt. Moon¡¯s clustered Rock Pokemon population by how vibrant and green it was. Apple City¡¯s beauty came primarily from its abundance of water, with Kayak Gorge going right through it, making the place a prime spot for many aquatic activities. Jets of water sprayed around the fountain in the center of the park, and of course, a flying saucer spun atop the spray. It looked nice; they¡¯d slowly descended from the high terrain of Mt. Moon and into the deeper valley, and without the mountain¡¯s frigid downward winds that cut through the canyons, the sun blazed his glory down on them. Children in bathing suits ran through the explosions of water from the jets, and two wide and long visqueen plastic slip n slides had been set up¡ªthere was one for kids and a far more rapid one for adults and Pokemon. There appeared to be a competition for doing tricks and how far you could get; there were several adults engaged in the contest, but most of it seemed to be teenage girls and boys, egging each other on to beat the Poliwag, Squirtle, Vaporeon, and Totodile that made up the champion spots. The Totadile was doing some kind of sliding dance that had Gables salivating to give it a go, and Serenity seemed to want to enjoy the deep fountain with the other Water Pokemon. Amira and Mallory let the two Pokemon have their fun, taking off to join in the festivities; the Froakie promised to look out for the Feebas. Serenity had more than a few shocked onlookers watch her float through the air with Gables in tow, running across the ground. ¡°Wow,¡± Rhea mumbled, mind spinning as she tried to take everything in. ¡°What¡¯s the celebration¡ªaliens?¡± Mallory didn¡¯t respond, still locked in what appeared to be an aggravating conversation with her mother through text. She popped her tongue a few times before hissing and brushing back her bangs. ¡°Stupid¡­¡± Amira pointed at various attractions with a giggle, trying not to bother Lori¡¯s private discussion. ¡°What gave you that idea?¡± ¡°I suppose it must be¡­¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°This is all new to me.¡± The little alien spaceship night lamps around the city were cute, and dozens of small booths around the field sold limited-time souvenirs and figurines of various thought-to-be extraterrestrial Pokemon. Amira directed them to a nearby shaved ice booth. ¡°Ever had this before?¡± Wide-eyed, Rhea shook her head while adjusting her backpack. Nova was a little nervous about leaving her side with so many people passing by that pointed and talked about her; some of them had seen her Contest performance, which was a sore spot for her, and the black and white Eevee was very noticeable. Mya was more interested in the food than the attractions, running after Amira. Rhea glanced at Lori to whisper, ¡°Want one?¡± The purple-eyed girl absently waved her hand. ¡°Eh¡ªyeah, yeah, sure, umm ¡­ hmm. Cherry or some flavor like that¡¯s fine; I¡¯ll pay you back.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Following the redhead, Rhea¡¯s eyebrows pulled together while studying the picture display and getting in line with the others. ¡°Eh ¡­ Lori wanted cherry¡ªah, they¡¯ve got it! What is shaved ice?¡± Amira pushed her circular glasses up on her nose with a small grin. ¡°You¡¯ve really never had shaved ice?¡± ¡°No! No! Seriously,¡± Rhea urged. ¡°I mean, I¡¯ve heard of it, but only like in videos online and stuff ¡­ Is it shaved ice?¡± she laughed. ¡°Flavored ice,¡± Amira stated, pointing at the Snorunt that froze a wooden peg the owner was using as a base to form the block. Next to him, a blonde teenage boy was using some kind of metal tool to shave it into a steel bucket; there was another container filled with the chips beside the man that he was currently operating with a scooper to put into biodegradable paper cones. ¡°Cool ¡­ Oh, they have strawberries? Yes!¡± Oh, I¡¯ll get you three some, too. You can get one once Mya is done, Alice. Her Pokemon chirped with pleasure at the news. Nova and Mya studied the pictures to select what they wanted. Nova chose peach while Mya got apricot. The Mawile happily dumped the entire thing into her large mouth since it could melt and digest liquids before returning to her pokeball soon after, allowing Alice to come out. The newborn bunny bounced to the board with quick hops, jumping up and down with excitement while pointing at peach, mimicking Nova on her suggestion, the excited Pokemon trusting in her big sister¡¯s tastes. She ordered it, with Amira doing the same for Holly and Amber; Serenity was content chilling inside the fountain. The Feebas seemed to be training herself for when she¡¯d have a whole river to roam, advised by her redheaded Trainer. Rhea frowned, looking at the cone holder in front of Mallory as she continued to furiously text away without even giving the item a glance. She must be in a pretty big conversation ¡­ Should I say anything? No! Stupid! Super stupid! If I was mad at my mom, I wouldn¡¯t want someone butting in. Turning her focus away from Mallory, she eyed the festivities. ¡°Eh ¡­ Amira, when were we supposed to be at the facility?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh,¡± she cleared her throat, hissing a little, ¡°brain freeze ¡­ Oof, umm, yeah, don¡¯t eat yours too fast.¡± ¡°Noted?¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°You okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, heh, just a bit too happy, I guess.¡± Rhea chuckled. She was glad to see Amira becoming more comfortable around them and opening up more; the girl knew so much but seemed to have had a bad experience expressing it to others. It was almost as if she expected Rhea to start chiding her that she¡¯d already known everything she said. Rubbing her forehead and adjusting her glasses, Amira sighed. ¡°Muk, I forgot how that felt ¡­ umm, the Admin set it for 8 P.M. to give us time to travel and explore.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± Rhea said, scanning the crowd. ¡°Why did they have a festival right now? Isn¡¯t it a bad time with the Indigo Cup going on right now in Silver City?¡± Amira brushed her bangs behind her ear as a breeze blew it out of place. ¡°It would be, but they¡¯re capitalizing on the International Bronze League, which is smart. Kanto is receiving a big bump in tourism because of it.¡± ¡°Huh, I didn¡¯t think about that.¡± Rhea sat back, playing with her empty paper cone. ¡°This is good, by the way ¡­ it really helps with the heat.¡± Her gaze darted to Lori before shifting away; the bright-faced Unovan girl was usually so cheery, but something really seemed to be getting under her skin. Crossing her legs, Rhea hummed, watching the crowd cheer on various floats that were now being pulled down the adjacent street to the park. A stage set up beside the city wall had a costume contest finishing up, counting out the crowd votes for the prizes. Festive kites and umbrellas were being carried around by dozens of people, showing Cleffa, Staryu, and Elgyem¡¯s evolutionary families¡ªin fact, much of the decorations seemed to revolve around the three popular extraterrestrial Pokemon. Her vision locked on little balloons several children were running around with. ¡°Eh ¡­ what¡¯s that?¡± Amira followed her finger. ¡°Ah¡ªit''s Minior, a Pokemon said to have come from meteors.¡± A comfortable smile brightened her full lips as she followed their path, the children weaving through the groups of adults and teens. ¡°It¡¯s cute if you see the videos of it¡­¡± Rhea gasped, pointing to the tail end of the floats in wonder as a gigantic Rayquaza wove back and forth through the streets; the feet of a few dozen people could be seen between the crowd as they operated the seventy-foot long costume. ¡°Wow! That looks so good! Zinnia would be sooo freaking out right now!¡± she exclaimed, gleefully clapping. Mallory viciously scratched her temple while baring her teeth a moment and really getting into the angry text. ¡°So dumb!¡± ¡°Kind of like you?¡± Amira forced a giggle, focusing on Rhea rather than the costume or Lori. ¡°Zinnia ¡­ a friend of yours?¡± ¡°I guess ¡­ Heh, kind of?¡± Rhea mumbled, bright blue eyes sparkling at how much effort they put into the design. ¡°Zinnia stopped by once to talk to my grandpa when he was away from Hoenn¡ªhe was away from the house, too, he-he-he, and so she hung out with me until they got back. She¡¯s so fun and cool! Zinnia¡¯s close to Rayquaza¡ªshe said he¡¯s got some connection to Arceus¡¯s group, but eh, heh, apparently they¡¯re not on the best of terms.¡± Amira huffed, leaning back with a small frown while folding her arms under her chest. ¡°Not surprising¡ªI haven¡¯t heard that many good things about the ¡®Alpha Pokemon¡¯ from my mom. She said his attitude is Garbodor ¡­ She hates using Muk since she thinks it''s cute¡ªI don¡¯t know¡ªshe¡¯s weird, but who¡¯s Zinnia?¡± she asked, scratching her neck as the sun cut through the branches to shine upon them. Rhea¡¯s eyebrows rose. ¡°Wait, you don¡¯t know who Zinnia is?¡± Amira silently shook her head, twisting the empty paper cone on top of the table. ¡°Oh, umm ¡­ Well, she¡¯s this super-strong and cool Champion-tier Dragon specialist in Hoenn. She¡¯s got this adorable little Whismur she calls Aster¡ªsuper cute! Zinnia typically does her own thing, but she hung out with me for a bit when I was fourteen. Oh! She even took me flying around Mt. Silver on Sammy, her Salamence! He was so much faster than anyone I¡¯ve ever ¡­ No, wait,¡± she paused, thinking back, ¡°no, your mom¡¯s psychic flying was so fast¡­¡± Amira chuckled at her enthusiasm. ¡°Yeah, well, my mom¡¯s one of the best at it ¡­ that I know of, anyway,¡± she shrugged. Rhea quickly nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, your mom is awesome, too!¡± ¡°Ugh¡ªmy mom¡¯s a dunce,¡± Lori grumbled, fidgeting with her hair as she waited for another text. ¡°She¡¯s so dense¡­¡± ¡°Really?¡± Amira mumbled, ¡°I thought she was one of the most devious Dark-Type specialists in the world.¡± ¡°Battling doesn¡¯t equate to parenting skills,¡± Mallory growled, getting back into her text chain. Amira¡¯s lips tucked to the side. ¡°Huh ¡­ So, Rhea, what¡¯s up with this Zinnia girl? How old is she?¡± Rhea shrugged, looking down at Alice and Nova as they began playing with Amber; Holly remained in her pokeball to allow Serenity her time in the fountain. ¡°I have no clue about her age¡ªmy grandpa adores her, though, and even my grandma respects her. She¡¯s super cheery, and I¡¯ve heard Iris totally gets along with her¡­¡± Her teeth showed as a hiss passed through them, and she gave the redhead an apologetic smile. ¡°And, heh, you didn¡¯t ask for her life story ¡­ Sorry for the info dump.¡± Amira giggled. ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡± She sighed, leaning back to grin at the fountain. ¡°It¡¯s fun and interesting learning about the obscure and powerful Trainers in the community¡ªyou¡¯ve got the hookup, unlike me.¡± ¡°What about your mom?¡± Rhea asked, correcting her posture a bit. ¡°Eh ¡­ My mom''s circle mostly revolves around her small group of friends. She¡¯s acquainted with a ton of Trainers, but her stories are always about my dad or ¡­ ugh, Ethan.¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°You mean Gold? Man, he¡¯s so annoying!¡± ¡°Right?¡± Amira spread her arms. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªthe funny part is that my mom says he¡¯s always been like that, though. Anyway, back to Zinnia.¡± ¡°Zinnia¡­¡± Rhea rubbed her shin with the side of her sandal. ¡°She¡¯s one of the people I admire¡ªshe does whatever she thinks is right, full force, and with a smile on her face! You know, she even stood against Steven Stone and my grandpa a few times, which is one of the reasons why my grandparents respect her ¡­ My granny goes to her to keep up on her Draconid language studies since she¡¯s a native speaker.¡± A slight smirk lifted Amira¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Crazy, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know, from what I¡¯ve heard about your grandpa, he¡¯s a fan of every Dragon Master.¡± Rhea¡¯s smile strained. ¡°Eh, not really, to be honest. He¡¯s always butting heads against the Dragon Community because of the way they handled Iris¡¯s upbringing.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Mallory¡¯s gaze shot to her while tapping the side of her phone against the table. ¡°He¡¯s even against Drayden? I thought Iris and him were like super close.¡± Rhea swiftly shook her head. ¡°No! No! No! Drayden is one of my grandpa¡¯s best friends; they¡¯re always talking, and he¡¯s the reason my grandpa even knew about Iris. He needed my grandpa¡¯s connections in the Dragon Village to give her a chance to live in Opelucid City with him.¡± Amira glared down at the dirt. ¡°Is everyone in the Dragon Village that restrictive?¡± ¡°Not everyone, but a lot of important people were just scared of Iris¡¯s affinity to Dragon Pokemon¡ªat least, that¡¯s what my grandpa¡­¡± Amira held up a hand to stop her jabbering, jabbing her thumb at a few people that seemed to stop for a moment to linger and listen. ¡°Anyway, I didn¡¯t expect there to be a small festival going on.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea said, getting up to grab a flyer from a nearby guy that was handing them out. The group lingering wasn¡¯t moving on, and teenage girls gathered to record Nova, Alice, and Amber play. She sighed, moving her chair over to sit next to Amira and look over the information. Mallory was back on the typing grind with what Rhea assumed was her mother. ¡°Quite a few activities, huh?¡± Amira mused, trying to ignore the listeners. ¡°A lot of them are over since it¡¯s getting close to 4 P.M.¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Looks like most of it goes through the morning to afternoon. Oh, Mallory, there¡¯s a dance hall that¡¯s near the City Square that¡¯s free of charge right now.¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°Never good when it¡¯s community stuff like that,¡± Lori grumbled. ¡°They¡¯ve gotta make it all G-Rated.¡± ¡°Heh, what¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Rhea forcefully asked. ¡°Boring ¡­ Does she really think I¡¯m stupid?¡± ¡°Your mom?¡± Amira asked. ¡°Yes! She¡¯s so ¡­ Mmgmmg¡­¡± Rhea scooted a bit closer, brushing back her bangs a little while hanging over the paper to keep it out of the way. ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a poll going on to see which is the most popular extraterrestrial Pokemon! That¡¯s cool ¡­ Man, I wish we could spend more time checking all this stuff out.¡± ¡°Never been to a festival?¡± Amira asked, forehead creasing with concern. She shook her head, causing her blonde high-ponytail to swing at her back. ¡°Just the small events the school and Masters put on.¡± That got a few hums and glances from the listeners, but they soon coughed and started up a quiet conversation with one another. Rhea continued to ignore them. ¡°Do you want to spend more time here?¡± Amira asked. Leaning back with a low groan, using her core muscles to keep herself up, Rhea checked the security of her ponytail. ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡ªwe really need to go make those, eh, reservations, don¡¯t we? It¡¯d be cool to check this place out, but I¡¯m good to wait, and we have that tour.¡± Tapping the tail-end of the cone on the table, Amira scratched her neck and stretched a bit. ¡°Mmh ¡­ we can make the reservations and chill since we do have a few hours.¡± Mallory grunted, shoving her phone in her skirt pocket before putting on what Rhea knew was a fake smile. ¡°Okay, girls, so ¡­ What¡¯s the plan? Sorry, I just had to wade through the sludge ¡­ My mom.¡± ¡°Something wrong?¡± Rhea asked. Wait, no! I said I wasn¡¯t going to get involved! Stupid! Mallory scratched her ear, looking away with a dull smile. ¡°Just the usual¡ªmy mom¡¯s always too busy ¡­ Until she isn¡¯t. She saw Cass¡¯s video clips and wants to come hang¡ªI don¡¯t know¡ªit¡¯s just like her to come to me before going to Cass. She just ¡­ mmh-hm-hm-hm ¡­ always has something that comes up last minute.¡± ¡°So she bails?¡± Rhea whispered, fingers tightening in her lap. ¡°Yeah, well, my mom¡¯s let me down a lot.¡± She brushed her hair back with a weak shrug. ¡°It¡¯s whatever, though¡ªshe¡¯s in her own little world.¡± Purple eyes widening with a forced smile, Lori straightened a little and leaned in. ¡°Annnyway, it¡¯s like¡ªenough with waking up on the wrong side of my head, am I right? Quit with all the gloom and doom! I¡¯m tryin¡¯ to keep it on the bright side¡ªso, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Uh¡­¡± A forced laugh shook Amira¡¯s chest. ¡°Your mom isn¡¯t going to randomly show up?¡± ¡°Naa!¡± Mallory looked up and shook her head. ¡°Please, my mom? She¡¯s too busy doing League stuff, so probably not.¡± Amira¡¯s lips tightened, glancing around at the festival participants. ¡°It¡¯s still the week of celebration before the matches really get underway, and at the end of that grace period for the Trainers¡ªshe¡¯s probably finished with her immediate League duties this late into the week.¡± ¡°No way,¡± Mallory grunted, ¡°c¡¯mon, can we get on another subject? I mean, she could¡ªit''d be spontaneous, which is like her, but I stopped expecting things from her a while ago. She never goes out of her way to come up to Sinnoh.¡± ¡°We are in her home region,¡± Rhea slowly laughed. ¡°Oh, but Amira and I were thinking about going to reserve our stuff and then the ¡­ Heh, what was it called again, Amira, TACSCOT, or something?¡± Amira rolled around her neck and stretched her back out. ¡°That¡¯s it.¡± ¡°Yeah, that starts at eight.¡± ¡°Sounds fun!¡± Mallory grinned. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± The three of them got up and grabbed their bags. Serenity and Gables returned after playing the game and practicing swimming; the Froakie had earned 3rd place on the styling competition with the slip n slide, earning Mallory and him 250 credits. Amira took out her GPS, motioning them to follow her. ¡°Umm, on the way, do any of you want to grab dinner?¡± Alice, Nova, and Mya cheered in unison. ¡°Heh, I thought you¡¯d never ask,¡± Rhea chuckled, rubbing her stomach; they hadn¡¯t eaten anything since the morning. ¡°Oh, and¡­¡± she opened up her bag with a grimace. ¡°Yeah, we need to stock up on supplies before heading out tomorrow.¡± Amira hummed. ¡°Yeah, can do¡­¡± They paused before hitting the sidewalk, turning around as gasps erupted around the area, and the group following them dropped their bags in shock. Two very well-known figures stood several meters away, glancing around while gaining their bearings. A loud groan rumbled in Mallory¡¯s throat as she folded her arms with a dirty scowl. ¡°Of course, she¡¯d get Will to teleport her here when I stop responding¡ªstupid Psychics.¡± Karen wore a bright smile and a tight black and purple romper tank top with heels; she looked as wild and fabulous as her magazine and social media appearances. Will stood by her side, wearing his signature mask and noble garb. Chewing gum, Karen sighed, putting a hand on her hip while focusing on her stepdaughter. ¡°Thanks for bringing me, Will.¡± A short chuckle shook the man¡¯s slim chest. ¡°Anytime, Karen. Good luck.¡± He vanished in multi-colored lights. Karen¡¯s 5¡¯9¡± Umbreon came out of her pokeball as the woman brushed back her absurdly thick silver hair and scanned their audience; the ball somehow stayed attached to her hip and returned to its original size upon releasing the Pokemon. Nova¡¯s mouth dropped open in shock at seeing the Moonlight Pokemon, and the two casually walked over to join them. ¡°Lori, It¡¯s been weeks since I¡¯ve last seen you face to face.¡± Mallory¡¯s smile was forced behind her sunglasses. ¡°Thanks, Mom, for, you know, just poppin¡¯ in wherever you feel like it ¡­ or ignoring me entirely.¡± Karen chuckled, stopping in front of them, the woman certainly was as well-endowed as her stepdaughter. ¡°You make it sound like I¡¯m a bad mother.¡± Her silver irises shifted to Rhea with a sly smile. ¡°Rhea, you¡¯ve grown even more beautiful since the last time I saw you, and Amira, you¡¯ve come into your own, too.¡± Amira had a pure and innocent smile. ¡°I¡¯m grateful for the compliment.¡± ¡°Y-yeah!¡± Rhea stumbled back a little to give Lori and her mother space, holding her forearm. Nova was practically jumping up and down with Alice as she talked to the Umbreon that nuzzled against Lori¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°Nice to see you, too, Lumica,¡± the violet-eyed girl mumbled. ¡°Okay, Mom, you have my attention. What?¡± ¡°Do I need a reason to be here?¡± Karen asked with a perfect smile, putting a hand on her cheek. ¡°I thought we could have a little daughter-mother time. Is that fine, Rhea, Amira?¡± Mallory rolled her eyes while looking at the sky. ¡°Hey, can you guys get the reservations?¡± Amira didn¡¯t skip a beat. ¡°Of course. Aren¡¯t I paying for you anyway?¡± Lori gave her a small grin. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll be back as soon as possible ¡­ It shouldn¡¯t take long. Right?¡± she asked, eyeing her mother. ¡°We¡¯ve got this tour thing for a space place that I¡¯m looking forward to.¡± Karen lifted a silver eyebrow. ¡°Oh. Is that right? Hmm ¡­ when were you ever interested in space stuff?¡± Mallory smirked, still not making eye contact with her very forward mother. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªten seconds ago?¡± Rhea winced, but Karen only laughed at her daughter¡¯s response. ¡°I see. I wouldn¡¯t want to take away from your precious party time¡ªat the UFO center,¡± she snickered. ¡°I know you are trying to make memories with your friends. In fact, there¡¯s a nice cafe nearby that I frequent when in Apple City for their delicious pastries. Why don¡¯t we go there and order dinner?¡± ¡°Whatever,¡± Mallory sighed. ¡°Go on ahead, guys. I¡¯ll catch up in a bit.¡± Amira and Rhea hesitantly left with a wave. ¡°Later¡­¡± ¡°Good day, Grandmaster Karen,¡± Amira respectfully said, almost causing Rhea to trip over her far more familiar statement. Karen returned the wave. ¡°Have a lovely meal, girls. Oh, and it seems Lumica wishes to join you¡ªShe¡¯s not picky, and I¡¯ll pick up her tab.¡± How did she know¡­ One of the pokeballs around her waist opened to reveal a large Spiritomb, and a pink aura surrounded its body before the two vanished from sight, causing a stir from the recording throng. Classic, Rhea¡¯s lips tightened, knowing the trick from her aunt. I hope they¡¯ll work it out, she mumbled to Mya. Her Mawile wasn¡¯t listening, too focused on the Umbreon. Looking back with a bit of worry, Rhea moved closer to Amira as they drew the crowd¡¯s attention, but thankfully no one followed with Lumica¡¯s uneasy aura hanging near them. ¡°Do you think Mallory thinks we¡¯re abandoning her?¡± ¡°What?¡± Amira shook her head, managing her hair. ¡°She probably feels more uncomfortable talking openly to her mom with us there ¡­ I¡¯d be the same.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea asked. Amira gave her a slight smirk. ¡°We can¡¯t all be you, Rhea.¡± ¡°I¡¯m nervous when we¡¯re around my mom,¡± she mumbled in her defense. ¡°It was a compliment.¡± ¡°Oh! Heh, thanks¡­¡± her head drooped. ¡°Ugh, why am I so awkward ¡­ Hey?¡± Amira bumped into her side. ¡°You¡¯re awkwardly adorable; it¡¯s great.¡± ¡°Making fun of me now?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªit¡¯s just hard sometimes.¡± Amira gave her an incredulous look. ¡°What, to talk? You¡¯re all about charging in and blazing the trail.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, maybe¡­¡± she looked away, rubbing her arm. Everyone has such different relationships with their family. Amira¡¯s super close ¡­ to the point of almost smothering, while Mallory has a hot and cold relationship with them. Is it really so complicated? Well, I guess my family is somewhat complicated¡­ ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°Just thinking about my family.¡± Amira nodded, turning back to the street. ¡°So, what do you want to do¡ªeat or register first?¡± Turning her mind away from her mental spiral, Rhea scratched the side of her head. ¡°Probably go register first.¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± Nova and the other Pokemon seemed enthralled by Lumica as she walked with them through the streets, absently following Amira. Rhea kept her silence throughout the journey, taking in the massive buildings. The gorge cut through the middle of the city, and its beauty stunned Rhea. The water was so blue and vibrant, and she could see large bridges linking the north and southern half of the metropolis. They took the zig-zagging path that led to the docks built into the side of the cliff and went inside. The line wasn¡¯t as long as Rhea thought it would be, and they looked out of the building¡¯s glass windows at the water¡ªthere were even panels in the floor to view the pristine environment underneath the waves. Apparently, the city did a fantastic job at managing their trash because not a single piece of filth could be seen inside, and a video showed that Rangers were hired to patrol the waters with various wild Pokemon that took great pride in their environment that they incorporated into the maintenance of the gorge. Littering came with heavy penalties, and unlike many other areas, Apple City enforced them without exception. Making the reservations and selecting out of the twelve available kayaks, they made sure to consider Mallory¡¯s wide hips and long legs; Rhea got a linking tether for the Unova girl, too, so she could keep her close. The excitement was bubbling in Rhea¡¯s chest at the thought of getting back out on the water and the mystery Amira needed her help with. Grabbing their tickets, the redhead brought them to another one of her pre-selected restaurants that would help beat the 5:30 dinner rush. Of course, once the senior staff saw Amira; they were ushered into an upper floor VIP dining area with a view of another park hosting various activities involving Clefairy. Lumica went through the menu with their Pokemon, recommending certain dishes that they all took, and waved her paw to the stationary waiter, pointing at a spot on the Pokemenu that her Trainer would cover all the expenses. There were no problems when Amira mentioned Karen. Rhea smiled. Karen seems so nice ¡­ I don¡¯t know about her relationship with Lori, though ¡­ Is it wrong to like her? I¡¯ve always kind of liked Karen. No! Stop overthinking it! Leaning to the side to stare off the low balcony to see the active UFO city, Rhea smiled. She was really out of the forest and in a metropolis¡ªfor once, she didn¡¯t feel rushed or lost in the madness. She was on her own and with a team of her own. This is so nice. Amira¡¯s head tilted while studying her. ¡°Hmm. What is that look?¡± Rhea shifted her hair across her front, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ I never thought I¡¯d be here¡ªI can¡¯t really say how I¡¯m feeling, but ¡­ it¡¯s just magical.¡± ¡°I would disagree about this being magical,¡± Amira mumbled, looking around at the city. ¡°It¡¯s a decent place, and I have some good memories here, but it is far from the most glamorous area in Kanto.¡± Looking up at the rising moon and falling sun, Rhea giggled. ¡°This is all new to me ¡­ everything seems so magical, and a lot of it is thanks to you, Amira.¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened a bit, and she fiddled with her glasses on her dress front. ¡°What do you mean ¡®thanks to me?¡¯ I¡¯m ¡­ not doing anything.¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°You¡¯re the best tour guide! You know everything and where we should go. I wouldn¡¯t have even guessed to take this route.¡± ¡°I guess¡­¡± They paused as their food came, which was shockingly fast. Mouth dropping open, Rhea pointed at the massive bowl of soup and entrees set before her. ¡°Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to eat all of this?!¡± Amira snickered, regaining her composure while giving the confused waitress that brought it a nod. ¡°It¡¯s exactly what it looks like. Just eat what you can.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s brow creased. ¡°I hate wasting food¡­¡± The redhead didn¡¯t respond, but a small smile brightened her already lovely face as she pulled out her napkin and prepared to eat. Rhea mirrored her but was more than a little intimidated by the size of her meal; it was the same at the Rocket feast¡ªit had been a feast, but at least they had a lot of people to split it up. Alice and Mya took turns eating their dishes, carefully watching and imitating the elegant Umbreon. Rhea was still worried about the two and their relationship, but both of them weren¡¯t thrilled to address anything yet every time she asked. Her phone went off as she started with the salad; it was her mother. 6:06 P.M. Mom: I just got off the phone with Mimi, and she¡¯d be happy to show you around herself. Don¡¯t think you¡¯re intruding, like you usually worry about, you silly girl! Mimi¡¯s got some extra time, and making Amira hyped gives points to the project in Giovanni¡¯s eyes. It¡¯s a win-win! She¡¯ll meet you at the front at 6:45. Mom ¡­ I don¡¯t think I¡¯m intrusive. Although, I guess I would be kind of worried if she didn¡¯t say it ¡­ Muk. Returning the message, she smiled. 6:07 P.M. Rhea: Thanks! Amira should be happy to have it be the foremost scientist of the whole thing. You¡¯re the best, Mom! 6:07 P.M. Mom: I¡¯m crying! Love you! I¡¯m the best? I¡¯m going to save this for hard days¡ªtoday was hard. Love you! Have fun tomorrow and tonight! Take a bunch of pictures! So many exclamation points, Rhea giggled. ¡°Something up?¡± Amira asked. ¡°Is it Lori?¡± ¡°No, my mom. She¡¯s got Mimi to personally give us the tour.¡± Looking impressed, Amira hummed. ¡°Mimi Metcalfe herself? I¡¯ve never met her. She runs the entire research division. There isn¡¯t a better person to get answers from; I¡¯ll message my contact and make him aware.¡± They looked up as Lumica lifted a paw to get their attention, pointing to the street. ¡°Mallory and Karen are coming back?¡± Rhea asked. She nodded with a chirp. ¡°Wonderful,¡± Amira whispered, texting her contact. ¡°We should meet Mimi at the scheduled time.¡± Mallory and Karen floated up a minute later, suspended in the air through Psychic Flight from her mother¡¯s Spiritomb. Lumica nuzzled Nova''s nose, saying goodbye, which almost made the little girl faint from excitement; she¡¯d asked a billion questions and got a billion answers from the patient senior. Lowering to the balcony, Mallory and Karen hugged. ¡°Thanks, Mom¡ªI actually had a pretty good time.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad,¡± Karen giggled. ¡°We¡¯ll have to do this more often. You know, maybe when you get to Saffron City ¡­ Hmm? There¡¯s this amazing exclusive dance club on a particular roof only accessible to those that can make it there!¡± ¡°I¡¯d love that! Can we bring Cass?¡± ¡°Of course! A girl¡¯s night out.¡± Lori closed in to hug her again, kissing her cheek. ¡°Thanks, Mom!¡± Pulling away, Karen gave them a wink and wave. ¡°Perks of being in the Elite-4; he-he-he, I can fly in the city and do basically whatever I want. Bye, girls, I¡¯m off to meet my other troublesome daughter now.¡± Floating into the air, her Honchkrow exited its pokeball, and her Spiritomb placed her on top of the giant 5¡¯5¡± Big Boss Pokemon. ¡°Have a fun time, and watch yourselves! Three gorgeous girls can attract danger!¡± she grinned. ¡°Just give me a heads up next time, Mom!¡± Mallory yelled. ¡°He-he-he, where¡¯s the fun in that?!¡± Bracing herself, the Honchkrow turned, dove a little to cut the backdraft, and shot into the sky with powerful beats of its wings. Folding her arms under her bust with a shake of her head, Mallory sighed. ¡°Wow¡ªyup, that¡¯s my mom. So, what¡¯s up¡ªoh, we¡¯ve already eaten,¡± she said as Gables and Miky jumped out to talk to the others. Amira leaned back in her seat with a smile. ¡°You seem to be in a brighter mood.¡± ¡°Eh, you can say that,¡± she hissed, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°My mom just annoys me sometimes, but things tend to work out. My dad¡¯s coming to chill in a few weeks, and I¡¯m hyped for that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s nice.¡± Amira pointed at Rhea, food in her mouth, still trying to finish her colossal meal. ¡°Rhea¡¯s mother got us a tour by none other than Mimi Metcalfe, the most important person of TACSCOT.¡± Mallory grinned, dropping down in a seat. ¡°Sweet! Heh, we goin¡¯ when Rhea stops stuffing her face?¡± Rhea swallowed and gave her a dirty look. ¡°I¡¯m not a Tepig! I just¡ªthey gave me all of this¡ªI can¡¯t let it go to waste, and your mom even paid for it!¡± ¡°Good thing!¡± Mallory¡¯s face turned grave. ¡°I was seriously worried about you for a bit¡ªAmira and I talked about how you might just drop dead on us in the middle of the road with how little you eat.¡± ¡°Wha-what?!¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks flushed crimson. ¡°I-I eat plenty of food!¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Mallory leaned over to look at Amira, who nodded. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ve noticed it, too, Rhea. You tend to keep your meals ¡­ lean.¡± Rhea huffed, glaring down at the bowl of soup in front of her. ¡°I eat just fine. I¡¯m not trying any special diet or anything¡ªI just don¡¯t need to eat all that much.¡± A depressed sigh puffed through Mallory¡¯s lips. ¡°You¡¯re light on the meat, too¡ªhow¡¯d you get those curves with that diet¡ªwhere¡¯d it come from? Well, I mean, your aunt certainly has curves,¡± she giggled, ¡°but c¡¯mon, girl, don¡¯t make us worry about you.¡± Looking down at herself, Rhea spread her arms. ¡°What are you talking about¡ªI¡¯m not that curvy¡ªI¡¯m not too skinny either.¡± Mallory sucked on her lip, not convinced. ¡°Eh¡ªgirl, I¡¯ve seen you practically naked; ya can¡¯t tell me that. You¡¯ve got curves; own it!¡± ¡°I agree¡ªto an extent,¡± Amira mumbled, looking away while fidgeting with her glasses again. ¡°I am not¡ªmy fashion isn¡¯t the same as yours, Lori.¡± ¡°A shame,¡± she teased, looking her up and down. ¡°You could make any boy drop his jaw. Y¡¯all are easy targets,¡± she snickered. Rhea smiled at Lori¡¯s jabs. She really is different than everyone I¡¯ve grown up around. I like it, and she¡¯s right! I do have curves ¡­ I just don¡¯t know if I can ¡®own¡¯ it like her, though, she laughed to a confused Nova. ¡°Our boats ready?¡± Lori asked. Amira nodded, and Rhea forced herself to chug the rest of the soup, coughing a bit at the end. ¡°It is ¡­ Oh, well, that¡¯s certainly one way to do it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s more like it!¡± Mallory stretched out her back. ¡°Okay. We ready to go?¡± ¡°Fine,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Still, I¡¯m not anorexic!¡± Amira got up and situated her strap over her shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re only stating what we observe, and we¡¯re worried about you.¡± ¡°Thanks, I guess,¡± Rhea sighed, preparing to go. ¡°I mean, I kind of don¡¯t have the biggest appetite, but ¡­ I¡¯ll ask my mom if I need to eat more.¡± Mallory swapped Gables out for Miky to give the imp some time to stretch his legs. ¡°Got anything you want to learn here?¡± An edge of excitement cracked in Amira¡¯s voice that Rhea hadn¡¯t heard before. ¡°A lot! There¡¯s so much that my last tour left me wanting. I¡¯m hoping Mimi will have the answers I want.¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it, too,¡± Rhea said, and they left the restaurant. They were forced to take a cab to get there on time, given the packed streets, floats, and not knowing where everything was. At 6:46 P.M. the three of them stepped through the expensive-looking front doors of the Apple City Space Center of Observation and Technology. B1 — 47. Extraterrestrial Clefairy 6:47 P.M June 25, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. A week of celebration is to follow, marked with events put on by the Indigo League, after which the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. The battles begin on the 27th. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 17 Days (16 Officially; 17 since getting Maya and Nova). Walking into the Space Center, Rhea was instantly taken in by the clean and expensive front entrance that didn¡¯t hold the same alien enthusiast vibe like the rest of Apple City. A massive holographic moon was the centerpiece of the first floor, hovering in between the three open levels in the center of the building. Rhea had no clue how it was kept in place as Lori, Amira, and their Pokemon slowly proceeded. It appeared to be floating in place without any support or signs of its projection source, allowing you to see the slowly rotating sphere. It seemed to be the main attraction for people to look at while waiting. Inlets were placed at four points in the circular lobby, giving people the option of privacy, but the padded chairs around the edges provided a full view of the moon. ¡°Woah¡­¡± Lori pointed at the three small rings of asteroids circling the lunar object. ¡°Wait, is that for real? Is that what the moon really looks like?¡± Slowing underneath the hologram, everyone looked up in wonder at the device; they were drawing some attention from the several adults in the area, but they quickly returned to their phones or tablets. Amira didn¡¯t seem all that interested in the centerpiece; her focus was on the four well-dressed men and two women holding a business-like attitude at key locations around the area. The redhead absently replied, her mind appearing to be somewhere else. ¡°Mhm ¡­ I¡¯m surprised you didn¡¯t learn that in school. It¡¯s been a known fact for over four centuries, but I suppose scientific knowledge hasn¡¯t really been streamlined until the last eighty years¡­¡± ¡°I heard about it,¡± Rhea mumbled, looking for the sparkles of various stones in the moon¡¯s triple belt that intercepted at its northern and southern points. ¡°That¡¯s where Moon Stones come from. Right? At certain times, some of them are thrown to Earth?¡± ¡°Very good!¡± They turned to see a smiling lavender-haired woman around 5¡¯5¡± tall¡ªmaking her shorter than all of them¡ªshe had darker eyes than her hair and seemed to be in her mid-twenties. She wore a neat lab coat that Rhea had seen before; in fact, after glancing around, she noticed the men and women Amira was looking at had the same uniform as the Rocket employees she¡¯d seen in Viridian. The stylish ¡®R¡¯ on their breasts should have tipped her off. Amira¡¯s passive expression brightened in an instant. ¡°Mimi Metcalfe, I appreciate you taking the time out of your busy schedule to guide us around,¡± she said, promptly walking forward to shake her hand. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble,¡± Mimi replied, returning the gesture and lowering her voice, aiming an inquisitive look at Rhea. ¡°I must say, I was more than a little surprised to have a conversation with your mother. I¡¯ve been trying to get her interested in my work for years¡ªlearning about you from her was another thing entirely.¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°She¡¯s been in her own little world for a while now. I hope we aren¡¯t causing problems¡­¡± Mallory nudged her side with a wink. ¡°C¡¯mon, Girl, what¡¯d she say¡ªit¡¯s no trouble!¡± Mimi motioned for them to follow her into one of the small inlets for more privacy while still allowing some view of the hologram. ¡°So, from what I¡¯ve been told, you three have an interest in some of my work.¡± Mallory scratched the side of her head, following after her with a short yawn. ¡°I mean, yeah, some of it seems cool. But, eh, the whole space class stuff was boring to me¡ªto be honest, skipped most of it. Maybe if they had things like that, then I would have been more interested ¡­ Yo, think about the party you could throw in a place like this?¡± Mimi¡¯s shoulder-length hair swayed a bit as she glanced from Lori to the craters, fissures, and mountain ranges of the lunar object, giving a short sigh. ¡°That would be a very expensive party¡ªRocket invests roughly twenty-five billion credits a year into this program.¡± Lori choked. ¡°B-Billion?¡± Amira nodded, folding her arms under her chest. ¡°Less than I thought. TACSCOT operates as an independent agency but in reality, my grandfather owns most of it. Correct?¡± Mimi¡¯s tone grew a tad reminiscent at the girl¡¯s statement. ¡°Yes. We can start with a general history if you¡¯d like?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that!¡± Rhea piped up, her Pokemon listening intently. ¡°I also want to learn more about Clef and the moon.¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled in, seemingly bursting to ask her own questions, but held her tongue. Mallory shrugged. ¡°Sure. Lay some context on us,¡± she snickered. ¡°Alien Pokemon don¡¯t really seem all that cool, but maybe you can wow me.¡± She lifted an eyebrow at Amira¡¯s light glare. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ nothing. I¡¯ll get to my questions later.¡± Taking a breath, she put on a happy face. ¡°Would it be best to find a more amiable locale? I¡¯m sure certain topics would be best kept private.¡± Mimi¡¯s hand came to her mouth as she giggled. ¡°I suppose some things would be¡ªespecially the things Rhea¡¯s mother showed minor interest in. On the bright side, I received some wonderful confirmation data from her that I¡¯ve been trying to get for over eighteen months.¡± Rhea winced. ¡°Eighteen months? My mom can be a little busy, I guess, but¡­¡± The woman dismissively waved her hand. ¡°Your mother is brilliant, and her specialty branches into so many fields that she¡¯s pulled in every direction; it isn¡¯t her fault. There just aren¡¯t many people with her knowledge and ability to connect small pieces into a complete puzzle.¡± Changing directions, they moved to an elevator in the corner, bypassing the security and desk attendant; the Rocket guards followed them with their eyes. Mallory was the one to make the comment when they got to the elevator. ¡°So, eh ¡­ Amira what¡¯s up with Rocket and always dressin¡¯ in such nice clothes? Heh, is owning a spiffy suit a requirement in an interview?¡± Amira took the corner of the elevator as the doors closed behind them and Mimi pressed the button for the 3rd floor. ¡°It¡¯s simple really¡ªit¡¯s for the image. Rocket makes a big deal out of appearance because it is the first thing others see; we pay better than our competition, and we like to show that. My grandfather has built the reputation of taking care of his employees, and not a single one makes less than a livable wage.¡± It sounded like a rehearsed response to Rhea, yet it did make sense; considering Rocket¡¯s mob reputation, it took a lot to change people¡¯s views once trust was broken. Giovanni was an expert at turning one¡¯s image around, though, and his history proved it. She held her arm behind her back, looking at herself in the elevator¡¯s reflective walls that made up the upper portion of the large rectangle. ¡°I like it. I¡¯ve always thought of Rocket as being classy.¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°Meh, I don¡¯t know; it just seems like they¡¯re trying too hard or something. Nothing wrong dressing up, but when you do it every day¡ªtalk about exhausting.¡± Mimi chuckled. ¡°Isn¡¯t dressing up itself exhausting, yet we do it every day.¡± They gave her a confused look, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice while taking out a pokeball from her lab coat. ¡°Oh, I have an idea! Why don¡¯t I have Snowball explain things to your Pokemon?¡± Rhea was even more bewildered by the name when she released a big, smiling Wigglytuff; she was undoubtedly ultra-cute, but she couldn¡¯t get over the name. ¡°A ¡­ pink snowball?¡± Mimi reached over to rub the Balloon Pokemon¡¯s head, causing her ears to fold down with pleasure. ¡°Snowball and I grew up together¡ªheh, I had my first Pokemon when I was six years old.¡± ¡°No cap?¡± Mallory asked. ¡°That¡¯s even young for ¡­ How old are you?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ My Pokemon and I are only at Gold-tier, which means I don¡¯t have all that many Trainer benefits,¡± she giggled. It wasn¡¯t an answer to the question, but enough to satisfy. ¡°Ah, we¡¯ll just go over there and talk by the window,¡± she said, motioning them to a group of couches and chairs that overlooked the front entrance of the building. Alice had instantly jumped into a conversation with Snowball, with Holly and Nova adding to the discussion. Sitting by the window, Rhea pulled her long braid over her shoulder, smoothed out her skirt with the others, and looked down at the bustling night partiers in costume. Clearing her throat, Mimi crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap. ¡°Now, getting to your questions, Rhea¡ªClef is a world inhabited by Clefairy, but the history of that is somewhat muddled. I think it¡¯s best I start at the beginning and tell you a bit about how TACSCOT was founded.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Can you show us anything cool?¡± A sad look crossed Mimi¡¯s face. ¡°Sadly, what most people think is cool, like graphical representations or documentaries, and all of the little details are the finished products of so much effort and work people take for granted. Everything in a video is wrapped in a background of massive metadata that we gather and combine over years of fact-checking and studies. What we know is so limited. ¡°Some extraterrestrial Clefairy decide to stay behind and live on Earth, but we¡¯ve only been able to discover them in the third to the fifth generation, which usually has limited knowledge.¡± ¡°There are Clefairy that do that?¡± Mallory asked. A sad look moved Mimi¡¯s lips as she looked up at the sky, still bright with the summer sun. ¡°When I was six years old, my parents had a very close friend ¡­ Professor Orville. He didn¡¯t have any Pokemon and was always raving about space and the latest discoveries. It was from him that I grew to love the puzzle about extraterrestrial Pokemon,¡± she whispered. Amira was on the edge of her seat; this seemed to be the direction she wanted to go. ¡°I¡¯ve heard rumors about you actually meeting Space Clefairy? I haven¡¯t been able to find anything about the first-generation aliens that decided to live on this planet. What¡¯s the purpose of them even coming here? What makes taking such a long trip worth it for them?¡± Mimi¡¯s focus returned to the Rocket girl. ¡°He-he-he, I see you¡¯re the major force behind coming to Apple City. Of course, I¡¯ve heard about some of your questions from my colleagues¡ªsome believe we¡¯re so well funded because of your interest in the subject.¡± Amira settled back, folding her arms across her stomach and looking away; Rhea knew she was trying to hide a blush since she was so easily caught off-guard by off-handed compliments. ¡°My grandfather¡¯s organization is called Rocket; my whole family has an interest in space ¡­ well, besides my mom since she¡¯s been to the moon¡­¡± ¡°What?!¡± Rhea and Mallory asked in unison. ¡°Hmm?¡± Amira blinked, lips tightening, and even Mimi gave her an inquisitive look. Lori shook her head. ¡°Nu-uh, girl, you can¡¯t just drop that bomb and sweep it under the rug. Spill! Your mom actually went to the moon?¡± A hiss passed through Amira¡¯s teeth; clearly, she didn¡¯t mean to blurt out the comment, showing how flustered she was inside about this meeting. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªshe mentioned it one time when we were talking about Corrina and Argen ¡­ Muk¡­¡± ¡°Corrina and Argen?¡± Mimi asked, showing her interest by leaning forward a little. ¡°I thought I would be the one telling the stories, but you have me curious. Lyra¡¯s practically a legend herself, and to discover she went to the moon ¡­ A Legendary must have been involved.¡± From what she¡¯d heard through Lyra¡¯s stories when crashing at the woman¡¯s house, Rhea¡¯s eyes popped open upon connecting the dots. ¡°Wait, Corrina and Argen ¡­ Legendaries your mother likes ¡­ the male and female Lugia ¡­ Is that her nicknames for them?¡± ¡°Ugh,¡± Amira scratched her forehead, fidgeting with the glasses tucked between her breasts. ¡°Yeah¡ªit¡¯s kind of a teasing thing she does¡ªmy mom¡¯s a hopeless flirt. She¡¯s given them all little pet names, but it¡¯s usually a family thing. It¡¯s nothing big; my mom just went on a few trips with them into space ¡­ They can create a barrier that produces air and pushes out carbon dioxide or something.¡± ¡°Aww,¡± Rhea pressed her heels against the bottom of her chair and scooted over a bit. ¡°That¡¯s so cute; Corrina and Argen going on dates or something?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°It was when he was still getting her used to our planet¡ªmeeting his friends or something. She says Rayquaza¡¯s cool with the Tower Duo. Rayquaza does some kind of patrols or something after the war¡ªI don¡¯t know much about those details.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Mimi whispered, scooting back and cupping her chin. ¡°It is unfortunate the Legendaries, and Mythical Pokemon are so selective on which humans they associate with¡ªthey could help solve so many issues, take Ho-Oh¡¯s ¡­ No, never mind,¡± she sighed, forcing a short chuckle. ¡°I have my own selfish desires.¡± Mimi took a second to collect her thoughts, watching Miky, Roxie, Nova, Alice, Holly, and Serenity gathered around Snowball to listen to her own story. Rhea could feel every one of Alice¡¯s tiny ear twitches, bouncing between quick thoughts as the Wigglytuff spoke. Is it cool, Alice? Alice turned and nodded emphatically; Rhea¡¯s eyebrows furrowed as she interpreted her response. ¡°Umm ¡­ Alice is telling me something about battles in space?¡± Mallory¡¯s dulling eyes found new life. ¡°Huh? Space battle?¡± she asked with a growing grin. ¡°When do we get to that?¡± ¡°That does seem interesting¡ªI¡¯ve never heard about battles in space from this program.¡± ¡°Oh, goodness,¡± Mimi¡¯s expression tightened, looking down at her Pokemon. ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ Mmh, much further into the story than¡ªwell, we haven¡¯t even started, he-he-he ¡­ ah, I guess I¡¯m being kind of slow,¡± she mumbled, brushing her fingers through her hair while responding to her Pokemon. Clearing her throat, she motioned for them to follow her back to the elevator. ¡°Why don¡¯t we hurry this along.¡± They rose to their feet and followed as she explained; their Pokemon followed after them, still in the middle of an intense part. Dozens of people talked between the 3rd floor branching hallways, and at least half paid them mild interest before moving on. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°In any case,¡± Mimi said, ¡°when I was six, a Clefairy ship that crashed near Mt. Moon began terrorizing Apple City¡ªstealing all sorts of technology, food, and equipment. I was young and naive¡ªit was new for Clefairy behavior ¡­ I thought it was all to fix their ship, and some of it was, but much of it was souvenirs.¡± Amira nodded. ¡°I¡¯ve heard about that. They had Rangers and Trainers in a mess, trying to figure out what to do about it.¡± ¡°The event drew Professor Seymour, Oak, and Orville into a collision course¡ªmy father gave them access to our guest bedrooms since our house was nearest to the crash zone. I listened in on their conversations¡ªin fact, a prominent Pallet Trainer named Ash was involved, along with Gym Leader Misty, and Brock, the former Gym Leader of Pewter, were also there.¡± They stopped in front of the elevator, and Rhea turned to Amira as a low hum rumbled in her throat. ¡°I guess that makes sense; Brock was the Gym Leader at the time and was over Apple City¡¯s overall defense against credible threats.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t see it. ¡°Were Clefairy seriously a threat against High Masters like Misty and Brock¡ªno, Professor Oak was there, and he¡¯s as strong as my grandpa.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°I can¡¯t even imagine Len¡¯s mom struggling against Clefairy.¡± Mimi sighed, swiping her company ID and pressing the button to reach the 90th floor; she stepped back with a grave look. ¡°There¡¯s a reason why our research is secretive¡­¡± Her gaze flipped to Amira. ¡°That¡¯s a reason why Giovanni spends such a significant amount of money on research and development, and it¡¯s not to just have a fun time on a new planet.¡± Amira was glaring at the floor. ¡°So ¡­ I think I understand where you¡¯re going with this¡ªI know my grandfather¡¯s tactics. He¡¯s slowly been releasing information about this over time to ease the public into it ¡­ I always wondered why Will had a spot on your board, showing the League¡¯s interest in your foundation.¡± Lori held up her hands. ¡°Okay! Okay! What am I missing? Government, plus corporate supergiant, plus ominous tones¡ªthese Clefairy are a threat ¡­ Clefairy?¡± Amira glanced at the elevator numbers going up on the digital indicator above the door; they were reaching the 60s. ¡°It¡¯s not just Clefairy. Right? I¡¯ve heard my dad say something about Moon Stones being the connection, but I haven¡¯t been able to ask him about it yet.¡± Mimi reached into her pocket to take out a phone and opened a secure file to show them blurred photos that seemed to have been taken over twenty-five years ago. ¡°Clefairy have long been suspected of having originated from space, but most thought they lived on the moon because of their connection to Moon Stones; however, when Professor Oak and Orville looked further into it, they discovered something else entirely.¡± Rhea took her offered phone and swiped through the pictures, Amira and Mallory looking at it. ¡°Holy Ponyta,¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen a Moon Stone that big.¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks bunched to the side. ¡°How many Clefairy are around that¡ªare they worshiping it?¡± Mimi walked out of the elevator, guiding them through a long white hallway with thick steel doors and code names and numbers on the plaques beside them. Going into a room, she gestured for them to follow. ¡°I don¡¯t know why your mother believes you should know about this, Rhea, but given what she¡¯s done for me, I¡¯ll comply.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Rhea slowed upon entering the dark space. The dim lights flipped on for Rhea to see a colossal area that would have taken the next two floors out of commission. In the center of it was a Clefairy shielding its eyes, blinking to adjust them; no one else was inside, but the little Pokemon seemed to be working on a dissected spacecraft. They stopped in their tracks, wide-eyed as their eyes moved from the ship pieces to several empty computer stations and large cameras recording the process. Snowball had to reign the other Pokemon in as they rushed over to talk to the Fairy Pokemon. ¡°That¡¯s a real ¡­ Clefairy UFO?¡± Mallory asked. Mimi giggled, walking to a nearby computer station to access it. ¡°UFO stands for Unidentified Flying Object. This is an old craft that was found from another crash and saved from the conflict some locals had with them¡ªa much older model than the one I saw.¡± ¡°What did my mom ask you to do?¡± Rhea pressed, hesitantly returning to her side with the others as she pulled up a few modeling videos. ¡°Just so you know, this is very classified material, but given the work your mother brings, and with Giovanni¡¯s influence¡ªyes,¡± she chuckled at Amira¡¯s expression, ¡°I consulted your grandfather and father before agreeing. They seem to believe knowing these things will help push you as Trainers¡­¡± She trailed off while putting the videos into a sequencing program within a specific order. ¡°What about my parents?¡± Mallory mumbled. ¡°Eh, heh, mmh, sadly, I don¡¯t have any way to get ahold of them,¡± Mimi said with an apologetic smile. ¡°If you¡¯d like to remain in the dark¡­¡± ¡°Nope! I¡¯m good,¡± she laughed. ¡°I¡¯m perfectly fine with them not being aware! Well, Muk¡ªif Will¡¯s on the committee, then she¡¯ll know all about it.¡± Mimi took a deep breath and looked up. ¡°That Clefairy is helping us better understand her ancestors. From what we can tell, her name is Umi, and she¡¯s a third-generation extraterrestrial. She wants to learn more about her own people because of the stories she heard from her father¡ªshe¡¯s a lot stronger than normal Clefairy, near Gold-tier on her own.¡± ¡°Crazy,¡± Rhea mumbled, watching Alice and Nova jump around her; the Clefairy appeared to be enjoying the company and questions. ¡°So, are you saying these Clefairy could be bad?¡± ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Mimi whispered, pulling up the videos. ¡°Your mother is the world¡¯s brightest geneticist¡ªhuman and Pokemon. After looking over the data I sent to her, she returned this in response.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t even know some of the Pokemon that popped up on screen¡ªsome were cute, and some were frightening. The few she could name were Nidorina, Nidorino, Clefairy, Jigglypuff, Skitty, and Munna, which she only knew because of her cousin. ¡°Your mother genetically identified the evolutionary signatures that prove all of these Pokemon share some kind of distinguishing factor that sets them apart from every other Pokemon, and the additional unique traits show their bodies have adapted to survive an entirely different ecosystem than we have on Earth.¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Amira grinned. ¡°Finally, so it¡¯s proven? Nidorina and Nidorino are extraterrestrials? I knew it! What about the theory that they started on Earth and went to Clef?¡± Mimi slowly shook her head. ¡°That was the initial theory, but from what we¡¯ve learned ¡­ the Clefairy on Clef are shockingly advanced and utilize a specific type of energy that the Clefairy on Earth do not, which was the second data your mother confirmed and isolated, Rhea.¡± The next video displayed the moon with its three rings. ¡°Mossdeep Space Center upgraded their satellites and were doing a routine check of its diagnostic systems when it picked up a strange phenomenon¡ªto put it in perspective, this data was taken when I was six.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips tucked under, brow creased as she watched a small object fly toward the belt. ¡°Is it stopping and changing course?¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Amira cupped her chin, leaning closer. ¡°You¡¯re right¡ªits movements aren¡¯t normal. Is that the first discovery of¡ªwhen you were six, so these are the Clefairy you met?¡± she asked, changing course as the thought came to her. Mimi nodded. ¡°Watch¡­¡± The object went into the belt, and what emerged were two dots, the ship and something much larger. ¡°Is that¡­'''' Mallory whistled. ¡°No cap¡ªMuk, they caused the meteor to hit the forest?¡± Rhea looked down at the scientist¡¯s phone in her hand. ¡°That huge Moon Stone we saw them worshiping¡ªthey caused it to happen?¡± ¡°They did ¡­ Your mother took the data I sent her and compiled it into a workable theory that¡¯s more concrete than anything we¡¯ve been able to get until now. The Clefairy can¡¯t evolve on their planet, and how Moon Stones are created, the unique stones around our moon pass through our neutral energy field infusing the atmosphere, and it changes the property to form the evolution stones, which is why we find them at specific places where they absorb the force in their environment.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Mallory straightened and looked at the spaceship. ¡°So, they need to come here to evolve¡ªcool, we¡¯ve got special rocks. Why¡¯s that make them scary? Besides that one time you talked about, and, you know, all the cool things we can learn from their tech, have they hurt anyone?¡± Mimi hummed, looking at Umi, still engaged with their Pokemon. ¡°Rocket has ways of communicating with Pokemon that most companies do not¡ªI doubt I know all the details, but it put Giovanni on high alert.¡± ¡°Meowth!¡± Amira smiled; Rhea was glad to see her opening up more, and she¡¯d done so far more than usual in the last thirty minutes. ¡°I¡¯ve met a Pokemon that can talk; he¡¯s a little strange but funny.¡± The woman shrugged. ¡°That¡¯s not the important part. The information was confirmed through strong Trainers I hired that had Pokemon with Telepathy. Umi¡¯s father, a second-generation extraterrestrial, told her the reason his mother came to Earth was to obtain the jewel of the universe¡ªthe power to fight their hated enemy. They¡¯re using Moon Stones as resources to fight their war, and¡­¡± She looked away, fingers tightening into fists. ¡°Professor Seymour went willingly with the Clefairy on their return to Clef, hoping to learn more¡ªit was an amazing discovery. If I¡¯d been able to, I would have gone, too, but a few years later, we discovered the Clefairy¡¯s tactics had changed.¡± Mimi rubbed her left arm, looking agitated. ¡°Eight years ago, Professor Orville was caught on camera¡ªabducted by four Clefable, and several others are known to have been taken by force. We can¡¯t be sure how many other unknown cases have gone by without notice, why they¡¯re doing it, or who could be targeted next ¡­ Out of those we can confirm, they¡¯re all top scientists in their various fields.¡± Rhea instantly felt the hair on the back of her neck rise. ¡°So ¡­ my mom could be a target in the future?¡± Mimi chuckled. ¡°Well, your mother is Master-tier, unlike most scientists; they¡¯d have a fight on their hands, and from what I know about Christie, she¡¯s prepared for everything¡ªshe¡¯s worked with and crossed the worst people on this planet and is still very much alive.¡± ¡°True,¡± Rhea mumbled, still worrying about the future. I can¡¯t have Mom abducted over a hundred and fifty light-years away ¡­ How would we¡­ The saliva in her throat dropped into her stomach. ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ why you¡¯ve been researching their technology¡ªwe¡¯re helpless without the ability to reach them.¡± Amira stepped back and folded her arms. ¡°Not the direction I thought this would go ¡­ I can see why my grandfather would be so invested in this, though¡ªespecially after the Ultra War. He doesn¡¯t do well with situations he can¡¯t do something about¡ªhe¡¯s the type that refuses to be helpless in any situation and find a solution.¡± A smile brightened her lips. ¡°I¡¯m glad I¡¯m in the loop now. How much progress are you making?¡± Mimi breathed in deeply before letting it out in a slow stream. ¡°There are a lot of technical issues ¡­ We know the new ships the Clefairy have can transport humans, but from all the available science we have, human travel isn¡¯t possible in the exact same way. The capability of reaching the speeds necessary to reach light year travel is in the production phase, but surviving that as a human seems unlikely.¡± She looked over at the tiny Pokemon with a small smile. ¡°I¡¯m working with Umi on that issue now, going over anything we might have missed. We learned so many unexpected things that might or might not be true; everything we can see about Clef is ancient because light only travels so fast. We won¡¯t really know what¡¯s going on until we get there.¡± Licking her lips, Mimi shook her head. ¡°I used to dream about joining Seymour and the Clefairy when I was a girl ¡­ Well, I was a girl. Heh, we only really started making progress when I convinced her to help us. Unfortunately, the Jigglypuff evolutionary line is very unpopular to the extraterrestrial Clefairy.¡± ¡°Their enemies are Jigglypuff?¡± Amira asked, sounding not too thrilled at the news. Mallory snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t sound disappointed! That¡¯d be great ¡­ At least I can imagine cute little Pokemon puffing up and trying to push each other off a log for dominance or something.¡± Mimi shook her head. ¡°We initially thought that was the case, but Umi shot that down when we asked¡ªthey really disrespected Snowball, now that I think back, but she was trying to be supportive of me and my dream ¡­ they¡¯re just very discriminatory to them, it seems¡ªthey think they¡¯re stupid and lazy.¡± Mallory hissed, arms crossed under her bosom with a small frown, something on her mind. ¡°Uh ¡­ If they have all this technology, why don¡¯t they make some kind of super robot weapon or something to stop their enemy?¡± The scientist shook her head. ¡°Pokemon minds don¡¯t work like that¡ªgenetically, they¡¯re predisposed to fighting conflicts themselves; of course, there are exceptions to everything, but that¡¯s a tiny, tiny fraction. We¡¯re talking less than point four to the power of eight percent of Pokemon by current data¡ªso, naturally, they¡¯d do exactly what they have, find a way to get stronger with our Moon Stones. In fact, they could be the reason we have so many, and they might have even caused the rings around the moon.¡± ¡°Wild,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s so crazy ¡­ I didn¡¯t think we have to worry about aliens¡ªyou know, heh, the whole meme, ¡®Beheeyem are coming to get you in your sleep,¡¯ is a thing.¡± Mimi rolled her eyes. ¡°Beheeyem are far more mysterious at this point, but seeing how much resources we¡¯ve dumped into Clefairy and not Beheeyem, Clefairy are who we perceive as the real threat. In any case, that¡¯s the big secret. We¡¯ve got a deadline for next year to get things in order ¡­ I need to know what happened to Seymour and Orville.¡± Rhea looked at the screen, showing the repeating information with dozens of pages of notes and comments that her mother sent over. Why did you want me to know the dark part of extraterrestrial Pokemon? I suppose there are a lot of threats out there ¡­ What are you trying to say?! Feeling somewhat frustrated by her mother¡¯s decision to shoehorn her way into the project, Rhea groaned, causing the others to look at her. ¡°Gah ¡­ My mom can make me crazy!¡± ¡°Join the club,¡± Mallory mumbled, eyeing the meteor crash again. ¡°So ¡­ the space battle thing was what?¡± Mimi¡¯s lips tightened, moving to the computer and playing a few images. A simulation popped up of the Clef System, where three planets seemed to be drawing closer together. ¡°With new imaging, and a sharper focus of the star system, we¡¯ve learned that Clef isn¡¯t just one planet, but a cluster of three.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Mallory scratched the side of her head. ¡°You gotta be kidding me; there are more twists?! Don¡¯t tell me, they¡¯ll collide?¡± She shook her head. ¡°They should have centuries ago, by our simulations, at least¡ªbut the Clefairy are still going back to the star system and coming back. According to the stories Umi¡¯s father told her, they¡¯re in perfect synchronous orbit around the sun, which makes for some intense environmental conditions and could explain their increased strength¡ªagain, we can¡¯t confirm it until we get there.¡± ¡°Intense,¡± Amira said, more excited than Rhea¡¯s ever seen her; her red irises were practically sparkling. ¡°Who is planning to go¡ªRocket Executives, the League?¡± Mallory groaned. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡ªthey battle between planets¡ªfly up and fight?¡± ¡°No ¡­ really?¡± Amira breathed, fingers held into tight, excited fists. ¡°That sounds so cool!¡± Rhea hummed, scanning down a few of her mother¡¯s notes. ¡°Well ¡­ one of the genetic traits of the Moon Stone evolutionary lines ¡­ is the ability to function without air in space and survive the conditions, according to my mother¡ªincluding Nidoking and Nidoqueen.¡± Mind blown by what she was reading, Rhea shook her head. ¡°No way ¡­ the genetic samples show Clefairy enhanced by the Gigavirus and Pokevirus from this world could be as much as fifty percent stronger than the average Pokemon population on Earth as Clefairy, not even their third evolution¡ªit is a low sample size, though,¡± she mumbled, mirroring her mother¡¯s conclusion. She glanced over at Umi, still talking to their Pokemon; she seemed to have limited Pokemon interaction because she was eating up the attention. ¡°Wow ¡­ That¡¯s a lot to take in. Umm ¡­ is there anything else?¡± ¡°A lot,¡± Mimi giggled. ¡°I understand if it¡¯s overwhelming. That¡¯s the general gist of the real purpose of this organization, though¡ªto prevent an alien invasion and figure out what¡¯s really happening to those abducted.¡± Amira cleared her throat and gave them an embarrassed smile. ¡°Umm, I get it if you¡¯re not really into this stuff, Rhea, Mallory. If you want, you can enjoy some of the festivals while I stay behind¡ªI¡¯ll join up when I can. I just have a lot of questions I¡¯d like some answers to.¡± Rhea was already feeling heavy after learning about the possibility of her mother being a target of these extraterrestrial Clefairy. ¡°Umm, yeah ¡­ yeah, Lori, you wanna go hang?¡± ¡°Please,¡± Lori cried, rubbing her forehead before latching onto her arm, ¡°carry me away from this madness. I just wanna deal with things I can¡ªyou know, deal with. Save me, Rhea!¡± she melodramatically cried with a forced smile. ¡°Heh, okay!¡± Rhea laughed, walking back a bit. ¡°Umm ¡­ you sure, Amira?¡± Her red hair bobbed up and down with more enthusiasm than she¡¯d ever seen from the girl. ¡°Seriously! This is really my thing! I love this stuff¡ªgo, I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Mimi happily motioned for them to follow her. ¡°I¡¯ll see you to the elevator; it requires authorization to leave this floor.¡± ¡°For real?¡± Mallory asked, lifting an eyebrow, looking back at their Pokemon with a slight frown. ¡°How does anyone else use it then? And ¡­ it seems it¡¯s only us, Rhea¡ªeveryone else wants storytime.¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Some one-on-one time! Great. It¡¯s my first festival, too; heh, even if it¡¯s almost over. Let¡¯s go have fun!¡± Mimi guided them out with an amused expression. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re not freaking out¡ªsome people are like that. As to the elevator, when the 90th floor is pressed, a replacement elevator is put into circulation; you¡¯ll be taken down in a separate shaft to a private exit.¡± Nova seemed a bit conflicted but was quickly pulled back into the 3rd generation Celfairy¡¯s story. Mya and Alice had a bit of an argument, distracting the poor Eevee, yet in the end, Alice returned to spend time with Rhea while Mya stayed to listen to the tale. ¡°Thanks, Mimi,¡± Rhea forced a laugh, giving Mya a short shake of her head as she settled in with bright eyes. ¡°It wasn¡¯t what I expected, but it certainly was interesting and gave me something to think about¡ªmore to ask my mom ¡­ No,¡± she gasped. ¡°Is that why she had you tell me ¡­ To get me to call her again?¡± Mallory shot an impish look her way. ¡°Sounds like something my mother would do? Maybe they¡¯re not so different after all¡ªmine¡¯s just a battle blockhead, and yours is a world-famous geneticist and breeder.¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ Moms,¡± Rhea mumbled, shaking her head and rolling her eyes. Getting into the elevator, they soon exited and went about exploring the festival; Mallory gleefully showed her secrets on how to cheat the booth games¡¯ tricks; Alice cheered her on, getting excited every time she won a small prize. Rhea selected a small red bow for Alice. The little girl squealed after she revealed the gift, hugging her spirit; she could feel the snuggle bunny¡¯s arms around her just as much as Nova. She was growing attached to the little fluff ball. Amira didn¡¯t return with their Pokemon until 9:46 P.M., discovering which hotel they¡¯d paid for via text; the redhead was practically glowing. Oddly, she didn¡¯t burst into a discussion on the topic but filed it in her big brain and asked Rhea how her first festival went. Not long after, they went to bed, dreaming of space battling Celfairy armies, shooting Moonblasts. Tomorrow was their river adventure! B1 — 48. Surprise Fright 6:02 A.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Stretching out in bed, Rhea yawned, feeling Mya¡¯s cool head resting next to her. Gently pulling her leg out of Nova¡¯s loose grip, she was surprised when the girl didn¡¯t latch on. In a surprise twist to start the day, she discovered Amira still in bed, full lips hanging open as her chest rose and fell with Amber by her side and Holly wrapped around her uncovered left foot. Rhea pulled the sheet back over Mya with a light giggle, figuring most of the Pokemon and Amira were still tired after Umi and Mimi¡¯s stories. Alice, Nova, and Mya certainly seemed to be talking up a storm when she fell asleep, and she figured the others had been just as antsy. The redhead had probably spent most of the night fangirling to her Pokemon. Rubbing her throat and getting up to stretch, Rhea took a bit more time than usual getting ready since they were likely going to be running on their Viridian schedule today with Amira; it was the only experience Rhea had of the redhead oversleeping, which Mallory would more than enjoy. Blinking to adjust her eyes, she saw the purple-haired girl had been as restless as usual, spread out across her bed in all directions with Roxie curled up by her armpit and Miky lying atop her stomach. Rhea had been the last one to put her clothes in the overnight dryer, so she extracted them, got her replacement Bandeau bikini, and went to prepare for the morning. Nova woke up shortly after she started the water, swiftly rousing Mya to open the door for her; the sleepy Mawile slowly slid out of bed and trudged over to the door to carefully twist the knob with her big jaws, allowing the Eevee to run in. Rhea dubiously watched the endearing moment, bending down to pet Nova as she happily jumped into the spray and used it to try and clean herself. Mya debated going back to bed before deciding she was up and came inside to join them. Since she was usually the middle shower girl, and knowing Lori had to have her warm water, Rhea rarely had the chance to take her time in the mornings. Taking the extra time as a treat, Rhea helped teach Nova how to open one of the hotel¡¯s products that were included in the Trainer package. In no time, Mya and Nova were using the products themselves. Getting out of the bathroom at 6:26 A.M, she was a little surprised to see Mallory had swapped positions; she now was hugging Roxie close to her chest as Miky leaned against her lower back with his tongue hanging out. As usual, her left bikini strap had fallen off during her movements. Holly slowly unwrapped herself from Amira¡¯s leg and stretched in the air. ¡°Heh¡­¡± Rhea shook her head, giving her companions a small smile; Lori likely noticed Amira still in bed and took it as a pass to sleep in as long as possible. Motioning to Holly, Rhea went to the mirror to comb out her hair; she couldn¡¯t put it in a ponytail until it dried more, and Amber finished blowing it out. ¡°Hey Holly,¡± she whispered as the Posy Picker Pokemon smiled and waved while floating to her right. Mya and Nova gave their own greetings. Rhea maneuvered around the bed, giving the redhead a fond look; they were growing closer as friends, and that tickled her. ¡°I think your Trainer will be dead to the world for another hour or so ¡­ Want to grab breakfast for everyone with us?¡± Holly¡¯s lime green eyes sparkled as she nodded. ¡°Cool. Just let me finish combing my hair out, and we¡¯ll head out¡ªwe just gotta be quiet.¡± Even after brushing out her wet hair as best she could, the thick locks did exactly what her aunt¡¯s did, curling out near the bottom, and without her high ponytail, it fell to the back of her knees. Throwing on her dress and putting the previous day¡¯s clothes in the washer, setting it on silent mode, Rhea happily left the room with her phone and keycard. Holly took on the job of forming around her hair to keep Rhea¡¯s bangs in check and her wet locks from folding around her front as they walked. They walked slowly so as not to rush Mya. Nova led the conversation with her fellow Pokemon about the stories they¡¯d heard; from what Rhea understood, there was a tale about Clefairy warriors, fierce battles, and a love triangle of sorts. Stopping off at a 24-hour restaurant, Rhea ordered what she¡¯d seen her friends like; a cappuccino for Amira, an expresso for Mallory, and she got a honey almond milk flat white for herself. Of course, all of the items had some bizarre alien theme to them. Nova, Holly, and Mya picked something out from the specialty Pokemon menu for the other Pokemon that they might enjoy. Alice was still fast asleep, still taking a long time whenever she did knock out, which seemed to be caused by her still growing after hatching, so Nova selected hers. Pulling her damp hair over her shoulders to sit, Rhea guided them to a corner table to be out of everyone¡¯s way and looking out at the slowly bustling city while awaiting their order. The extraterrestrial enthusiast city appeared to still be mostly comatose at this hour after last night¡¯s celebrations because the only people out seemed to be the early-morning workers, and of course, the cafe was many peoples¡¯ first stop for the day. She saw Pidgey and Pidgeotto working together as they delivered the mail for the businesses; the Pidgeotto carried a big, organized bag that the three Pidgey swooped by and took each separated area to their designated location. It was interesting to see the next set of letters pushed forward after the Pokemon pulled it out. Squirtle and Wartortle seemed to be employed by the city to spray down the streets because they were moving down lanes and cleaning them off while Butterfree pushed the liquid toward the storm drains. They all wore yellow vests while their Trainers directed traffic away from the work effort. A well-dressed, blonde-haired young woman wearing an Alolan floral dress and bowler hat paused after walking beyond the automatic doors. A beautiful Alolan Ninetails and Vulpix walked beside her. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but stare at the pair but soon noticed the woman was staring back at her. Locking with the woman¡¯s blue eyes, Rhea quickly averted eye contact, trying not to be rude. The woman smiled and walked over to her corner, drawing Rhea¡¯s gaze again. ¡°Excuse me, but ¡­ are you one of those Oak Starter girls?¡± Mya, Holly, and Nova greeted the Ninetails and Vulpix. They appeared to have a similar conversation to Rhea as she nodded. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m Rhea. Is ¡­ there something you needed?¡± The woman shook her head. ¡°No, nothing like that,¡± she laughed, gesturing to the seat. ¡°Actually, I saw your match at Pewter Gym the other day and was blown away by your performance.¡± She stepped forward to hold out her hand. ¡°My name¡¯s Malia; do you mind if I sit?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, umm, go ahead. Heh, eh, we did our best,¡± she mumbled as the young woman pulled out a chair to sit across from her. ¡°It was a pretty rough match, but Forrest gave us a chance to win¡ªlike he said.¡± Malia hummed, leaning to the side while crossing her legs and placing her hands in her lap. ¡°I¡¯m from Alola; my cousin, Kalani, is taking part in the International Cup with you. He¡¯s trying to explore the mountainside of Mt. Moon,¡± she giggled. ¡°He¡¯s had some tough calls on the slope and gets in trouble with the Rangers, but he likes to go places he shouldn¡¯t.¡± Her lips fell a bit as she sighed, looking down at her two Pokemon. ¡°The Gym was a new experience entirely from the Island Challenge, and I was shocked at how strong some of the Kanto Trainers are ¡­ Umm, you¡¯re from Kanto, right?¡± ¡°I am ¡­ Why¡¯s that?¡± Rhea replied, straightening a little; she didn¡¯t expect to get into a conversation with a stranger, and it seemed so random. ¡°Is there something you wanted to know?¡± Malia sucked in a short breath before letting it out. ¡°Kind of ¡­ I, eh, heard that some parts of Mt. Moon are dangerous, and I don¡¯t really know many people here¡ªI don¡¯t know, maybe it¡¯s stupid, but I just felt like I could talk to you. Maybe it¡¯s because ¡­ Mmh, well, I¡¯ve seen you battle so hard in the Gym¡ªand you looked like you knew a lot about this stuff.¡± Rhea actively tried to look at the woman¡¯s aura; it took some effort at her current stage, but she hadn¡¯t practiced in a while; Malia certainly was genuinely nervous. She was a little taken aback that Mya was roughly on the same level as the Ninetales, energy-wise, but that put Malia at low Silver-tier, and even if she wasn¡¯t the best at gauging auras below Platinum, she was confident in her observation. ¡°I mean, I can try to help. What¡¯s the problem?¡± She smoothed back her bangs and looked out of the window. ¡°My cousin¡¯s ¡­ he¡¯s been ¡­ Arceus ¡­ He¡¯s been somewhat obsessed with this idea of some Legendary Pokemon named Articuno that he¡¯s heard rests on the upper half of Mt. Moon somewhere¡­¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ Woah! Woah! Woah! Calm down! What¡¯s going on?¡± Rhea stammered as the girl began to word vomit. ¡°His whole party was put to sleep by some¡ªsome Wigglytuff or something¡ªwhen he started to climb, and they were tied to a branch and slapped a bunch of times by all of the Jigglypuff that followed it.¡± Rhea grimaced. ¡°Ugh ¡­ Sounds like a territorial dispute¡ªPokemon that deal with humans a lot usually humiliate or do things like that in Kanto to warn them to get lost, but umm ¡­ What the Muk does that have to do with an Articuno?¡± Malia shook her head and then nodded, seemingly unsure of what action to take. ¡°That¡¯s what the Ranger that saved them said¡ªa Pidgey saw it all and reported it to him or something ¡­ I don¡¯t know, a Rotom phone would have helped,¡± she grumbled. ¡°How does this whole system works in Kanto anyway¡­¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± Rhea folded her arms, looking at the counter to see where the staff were on her drinks; they seemed to be understaffed and were dealing with many call-in orders that people were coming in to pick up. ¡°Rangers in Kanto befriend Pokemon and give them rewards for spying, I guess you could say; if a human¡¯s in trouble, then they¡¯ll report back, which means most Silver-tier Pokemon tend to be somewhat tolerant; since they know, there are spies.¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ I suppose we have a similar system in Alola,¡± Malia mumbled. ¡°I¡¯m just kind of worried about him because he¡¯s not backing down ¡­ The Ranger even warned him that if he defies the safety regulations, he could be deported, but I¡¯m just worried about them getting hurt.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips tightened as she remembered her encounter with the Nidorino. ¡°I¡¯m sure it can get dangerous in Alola, too, but Kanto¡¯s big¡­¡± Malia laughed nervously. ¡°Big? It¡¯s huge!¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ Pokemon around certain areas have barely any human interaction and are very territorial; Mt. Moon especially, and the Articuno that lives up there isn¡¯t ¡­ I don¡¯t know exactly which one it is, but if it¡¯s the second-oldest¡ªshe¡¯s very aggressive. There¡¯s also the Shinjoh Pokemon that were pushed south, and if he ends up in the wrong area, then yeah, he could die.¡± Malia nibbled on her lip and fidgeted with her hands pressed against her abdomen. ¡°Thanks, umm ¡­ I saw your battle with that High Master Gym Leader ¡­ Forrest, right?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°I ¡­ think you actually inspired him to want to push forward and get the Legendary Pokemon to beat the Gym Leader ¡­ It¡¯s stupid, but, yeah¡­¡± Rhea opened her mouth, but nothing came out as she looked at Mya, returning the confused look. ¡°Wait ¡­ what? My battle inspired him to go after ¡­ a Legendary ¡­ a Legendary, as in Articuno? If it¡¯s the one I¡¯m thinking of¡ªthe one that takes High Masters to just calm down?¡± ¡°Ooh ¡­ Muk,¡± Malia mumbled, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah, sorry ¡­ What should I say? He won¡¯t listen to me ¡­ Kalani and his friends think they¡¯re like our Guardian Deities, and they¡¯ll just help him out if he proves he¡¯s brave enough to seek them out.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ no. No, no, no,¡± Rhea''s hair shifted against her front with her protests. ¡°He needs to not go anywhere near the higher points of Mt. Moon! Articuno is¡­¡± Rhea rubbed her arm, remembering the stories she¡¯d heard about the Masters that encountered the Articuno; her brother was one thing, but he was Platinum-tier. ¡°Articuno is the type of Legendary that likes to be left alone, which is why they chill on top of big mountains. I¡¯d be more worried if he gets into a Gold-tier area, though ¡­ From what Masters tell me, Gold-tier Pokemon on Mt. Moon will jump a Trainer on sight to just prove their strength.¡± Malia pulled out her phone, biting her lower lip and tapping the table. ¡°What do I tell him?¡± Rhea¡¯s legs tightened. ¡°Uh, he¡¯s being stupid¡ªreally, incredibly stupid. I ¡­ still don¡¯t know how I inspired him to try and get help from a Pokemon that would literally kill him for even trying to bond with.¡± A groan rolled through the woman¡¯s throat. ¡°Bond with!? Our Guardian Deities won¡¯t bond with people but just help them with what they need ¡­ he thinks they¡¯re like that¡ªwe don¡¯t know anything about Kanto, and I¡¯ve already told him he¡¯s being stupid!¡± Taking in a deep breath, Rhea let it out with a slow shake of her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to tell you. Did he think Forrest would go as hard on him as he did on me¡ªis that why he wants to get a strong Pokemon ¡­ And why go straight for an Articuno?¡± Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you his thoughts,¡± Malia mumbled, unlocking her phone and looking at the screen with a blank look. ¡°He just was talking about the matches your team had, and now he needed something even flashier to knock everyone¡¯s socks off.¡± Rhea closed her eyes and rubbed her eyebrow; a vibration from her phone probably meant Amira or Mallory had gotten up. ¡°Wait ¡­ so he just thought we outclassed him, and no one would pay him any attention?¡± ¡°I guess?¡± She leaned back, making a sound while sucking in air through her teeth. ¡°I just¡ªI don¡¯t want him to die with all of his friends.¡± She couldn¡¯t think of a single response that would get through to someone like that¡ªin fact, it reminded her of Blue in a lot of ways. Blue was a clout chaser, and the backlash to his alcoholism only worsened it for a while. ¡°Umm ¡­ I don¡¯t know what to tell you¡ªI really don¡¯t.¡± She gestured to the glass. ¡°You can talk to a Ranger about it and have him watched for reckless endangerment of his party. I know he¡¯ll probably hate you for it if he finds out, but his plan isn¡¯t just stupid¡ªit¡¯s suicidal.¡± A long puff of air shot through Malia¡¯s lips. ¡°That might be my only option ¡­ anyway, thanks for talking with me; I know you must be busy ¡­ sorry¡­¡± Rhea held out a hand and forced a laugh. ¡°No problem ¡­ If you want, tell him you met me, and you challenged me on his behalf. See if he¡¯ll come looking for me.¡± ¡°You really think that will work?¡± Malia asked, hesitantly taking it as they both got to their feet. ¡°I don¡¯t know?¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Maybe. Let him know we¡¯re going downriver to Rifure Town. If he wants clout, then be the first person to beat me one-on-one. I mean, we¡¯ve only lost in a Contest and Gym Battle; both of the events got huge publicity for me¡ªwhich I didn¡¯t really want,¡± she grumbled. A thankful smile brightened Malia¡¯s face. ¡°That means a lot, Rhea. I feel bad for putting my worries on you, but¡ªheh, not that bad if it¡¯ll get him off this crazy mindset he¡¯s in.¡± Rhea slowly walked toward the counter as they called her name; Holly, Mya, and Nova followed behind her. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it; if he wants to battle, then I have a new Pokemon he hasn¡¯t seen. He could be the first to face her if he¡¯s fast enough and thinks he¡¯s got what it takes.¡± Mya laughed, internally glaring at the sleeping Bunny Pokemon; she really needed to nip this growing dislike the two were developing in the bud. ¡°Thank you ¡­ really, thanks, Rhea,¡± she restlessly mumbled, stepping away with her hands raised before returning to pick up her forgotten phone on the table. ¡°I really think that might motivate him ¡­ oh, I¡¯ll let you get on with your day ¡­ Rifure Town, right?¡± she asked, fingers tightening around her device. ¡°That¡¯s the place,¡± Rhea grinned, handing Mya one of the trays to carry with her large mouth and another one for her hands while she took the last carrying case for their drinks. ¡°If he wants to get there quickly, he should use the river and hurry after us; we¡¯ll be taking it slow.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let him know!¡± Having already paid for the coffee and food, Rhea left, balancing the tray in one hand to wave the woman goodbye. They left the business, returning to the room while getting out her phone to text Mallory back; somehow, the girl that could sleep through a siren was up before the early bird. Rhea glanced back, looking past the growing crowd going about their daily tasks. ¡°Well ¡­ that was weird. What do you think?¡± Mya, Nova, and Holly gave a similar response; apparently, even the Pokemon acted somewhat funny. Hmm ¡­ I don¡¯t know, Mya, Amira would be super suspicious about something like that, but I didn¡¯t sense any deception or anything from her aura. Mya lifted an eye, trying to balance the drinks in her hands. She didn¡¯t have to say anything; Rhea felt it. I know I¡¯m not the best at sensing that stuff! I¡¯m not the worst, though ¡­ Aura Control was my highest class ¡­ I just failed all the easy tests but aced the big ones. Nova snickered, whispering to Mya that mirrored her. Rhea¡¯s lips parted in disbelief, giving her two Pokemon a dirty look. You two are just rubbing it in ¡­ It¡¯s super hard to do aura stuff, okay? I bet I¡¯m better than Mallory and Amira! Eh¡­ She grimaced as they challenged her to prove it, and Rhea was starting to wonder if they were trying to train and motivate her after finding out a weakness she had. Maybe ¡­ We¡¯ll see, Rhea mumbled. Still, Malia just randomly finds me and starts talking about how I¡¯m the reason her cousin¡¯s on a suicide quest? Too weird¡­ Holding the coffee in one arm, she pulled out her phone and glanced at the holographic screen. 7:46 A.M. Mallory: Yo! I got up, and you¡¯re totally MIA! Holly seems gone, too! Guess you guys went out. I¡¯m gonna get ready. Heh =P Amira¡¯s still fast asleep! I win! It¡¯s like ¡­ 1 vs. 16; I¡¯m on her butt now! Anyway, give me a heads up. Clearing her throat, she spoke to the phone to activate the voice command. ¡°Kelly, text Mallory ¡­ On our way back, period, Got coffee¡­¡± she listened to the simple message repeat itself. ¡°Send.¡± Putting away her phone, they finished the trip back. Mallory was still in the shower, leaving the door ajar; by the steam billowing out and fogging the mirror, she was doing her thing. Amira stretched out with a yawn when she opened the door, rubbing her eyes. ¡°Oh ¡­ thanks, Rhea,¡± she mumbled, taking the cup she offered. ¡°Mmh ¡­ so good.¡± Glancing down at the alarm by her bed, she groaned. ¡°Umm ¡­ Wow, did I sleep through my alarm?¡± Rhea shook her head, sitting down in a chair beside her bed to drink her own coffee. ¡°I don¡¯t think you set it; I didn¡¯t hear it.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Amira scratched the top of her head before moving to pet Amber. ¡°I guess I did have a hard time getting to sleep. Anything new?¡± she asked, scooting against the headboard for Amber to sit on her lap. Telling her about her encounter with Malia, she judged the girl¡¯s reaction to a T; Mallory exited soon after she started, listening in to the conversation while finishing her morning prep. ¡°Yeah, that sounds sus as Muk,¡± Amira mumbled, absently drinking from her cup as the other Pokemon took turns out of their pokeballs to have their own. ¡°It could have been bait¡ªa super strange way of going about it, though. A stupid cousin, chasing fame¡­¡± Mallory cut in with an impish grin. ¡°Unless¡­¡± ¡°Unless?¡± Amira repeated. Knowing Mallory, Rhea finished where her mind would likely go. ¡°Unless she¡¯s interested in one of his friends, and she¡¯s worried he¡¯s going to get them killed?¡± ¡°Bingo! There it is, girl! Heh, I can¡¯t believe your mind went there. Uh, yeah, I mean, the way you¡¯re describing it; she¡¯s totally into one of them.¡± Amira¡¯s lips tucked in with a short hum. ¡°I suppose that does account for her mentioning them and that he¡¯s likely going to get them killed ¡­ I just can''t get over the stupidity of it all, but I suppose he does come from a different Pokemon culture in Alola.¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°In the end, if he comes looking for me, we¡¯ll battle, and that will be that. I¡¯m not too worried.¡± Amira and Lori¡¯s silent stares drew her eyebrows in; Amber seemed more focused on her still somewhat damp hair. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Girl,¡± Mallory got up to put her dress on, moving Rhea¡¯s garments to her messy bed, ¡°you¡¯ve been growing! I remember when you¡¯d be so nervous about battling.¡± ¡°Gyms do give you a new perspective,¡± Amira groaned, getting up to stretch her hips and arms from side to side. ¡°Well ¡­ you two ready for a Splash?¡± Lori shivered while throwing her damp hair out of the back and sitting on the bed for Amber to happily dry it out. ¡°Ugh ¡­ not really lookin¡¯ forward to getting wet ¡­ while I¡¯m wet.¡± Rhea gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Don¡¯t worry; I¡¯ll help you out!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll need it ¡­ just don¡¯t let me drown!¡± Lori chuckled bitterly. ¡°I¡¯ve never been on a river.¡± ¡°Never?¡± Amira questioned, bringing her own replacement garments into the bathroom. ¡°Too busy partying?¡± ¡°What else?¡± Lori laughed. ¡°Ugh ¡­ yeah, I was always more of a city-girl¡ªgoin¡¯ wild in the night; you know me,¡± she shrugged. ¡°So ¡­ you¡¯ll need to hold my hand through this one and guide me in this dance, girls.¡± ¡°Not really a dance,¡± Amira chuckled, ¡°but I get it. We¡¯ll take it slow.¡± Amira finished a cold shower and was ready far quicker than Mallory, almost completely packing her backpack before the other. Disposing of their empty cups, the three helped one another tie their hair into buns before making their way to the gorge facility. Mya returned to her pokeball, not thrilled about the water in the least, and decided to take the night shift, getting rest when she could throughout the day. Alice and Nova were more than happy to accompany her on the water. Counter to Rhea''s expectations, Amber wanted to ride in Amira¡¯s lap with Serenity exploring the river as training. Water sources were usually reasonably safe for most Fire-Types since the natural Water-Type energy inside most rivers, lakes, and the ocean was very minimal; long-term exposure would undoubtedly affect their defensive matrix, but overall, it was more of a phobia Fire-Types had to the element itself. Of course, Gables would be sticking with Serenity and providing emotional support for Mallory, and Roxie was on board with the whole training arc with Amber. Miky seemed to be sleeping again, in any case. The Unovan girl grew more and more flustered as they neared the boating house, asking a ton of questions, but Rhea told her they¡¯d go over the simple basics when they arrived. She was blown away by the light blue color of the river as they made it to Kayak Gorge. The sides had been smoothed out along the city and sprayed with environmentally safe protective coating to keep it from eroding, but she was sure the beauty of the natural cuts in the walls would soon become visible as they left the metropolis. Walking down the winding pathway to the docking area, they found the attendant sitting outside in a foldable chair with sunglasses; he was somewhat muscular and appeared to be in his mid-twenties. By the tone of his voice, he¡¯d likely seen them on the News or in one of their competitions; he scratched his forehead, vision sliding between them. ¡°Hey, uh, got the¡­¡± Rhea bounced forward, stomach swirling with excitement while taking out her phone to show him the reservation. ¡°Right here!¡± she chimed, holding up the holographic display and catching sight of his name tag. ¡°Thanks, Tucker.¡± His eyebrows rose. ¡°Woah ¡­ fancy phone. Uh, yeah ¡­ Looks good, and it says you have someone new to the activity? I can¡­¡± Lori swiftly shook her head. ¡°No, I think I¡¯m good! Rhea¡¯s going to teach me,¡± she flatly refused, and if Rhea didn¡¯t know any better, she¡¯d say the girl was embarrassed. ¡°Are you sure?¡± Tucker asked, glancing at Rhea. ¡°I mean ¡­ you paid for the insurance, but I¡¯m supposed to make sure everyone knows what they¡¯re doing¡­¡± Rhea waved her hand. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine; thanks, though! I¡¯ve done this loads of times.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± He hesitantly opened the door for them to go through, seeming conflicted on if he should press more. ¡°By the way ¡­ I saw your matches on last night¡¯s special. It was intense! I¡¯ve never seen Bronze matches like that. And Sandstorm? Crazy.¡± ¡°Yeah, it was like that.¡± Mallory nervously chuckled, ¡°Eh, so ¡­ no Pokemon are going to, you know, flip me over?¡± Tucker laughed. ¡°It really doesn¡¯t happen as often as you¡¯d think, but I have heard stories about that¡ªjust don¡¯t litter or antagonize the wild Pokemon, and you should be fine.¡± Catching her tight lips, he added, ¡°Hundreds of people go through the main pass every day without issues¡ªif you stay on the designated route, there wouldn¡¯t be any problems.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Mallory swallowed, giving Amira a frightened look. ¡°We¡¯re¡­¡± ¡°Going to be going down the proper path,¡± the redhead cut in; clearly, she didn¡¯t want to let on they were going to be taking a side route. ¡°Nothing to worry about, Tucker; now ¡­ where are our kayaks?¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ over here,¡± he whispered, motioning for them to follow him inside. ¡°The towing gear you rented are inside, as well. The paddles are strapped on it, as you can see¡­¡± ¡°Great! Thank you,¡± Rhea said, putting a hand on the small of Mallory¡¯s back and guiding her forward. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s take this slow first¡­¡± Amira had already removed her dress and was packing it into her bag. Mallory¡¯s shaky hands moved to her skirt, folding it down. ¡°Umm ¡­ Right, we¡¯re going in bathing suits ¡­ I didn¡¯t think about that.¡± ¡°No big deal,¡± Amira casually replied as if she¡¯d done this a thousand times, picking up the life vest and strapping it on. ¡°You got it, Rhea?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Rhea followed suit, helping Mallory with her own; Tucker looked away, finding a lot of interest in the wooden walls. ¡°Here we go ¡­ slide your arms through there ¡­ oof¡­¡± ¡°I know it! My chest is too big!¡± Mallory moaned, rubbing her neck and trying to step away, but Rhea followed, fidgeting with the straps. ¡°It¡¯s cool ¡­ I just need to pull it out more. We need to adjust it anyway to fit you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m totally a Miltank!¡± Mallory cried, causing Tucker to shift uncomfortably. ¡°Look at me, Rhea? I¡¯ll sink to the bottom! I can¡¯t swim!¡± she huffed, chest starting to heave in panic. Gables rubbed her leg, assuring her that he¡¯s there for her. ¡°You have me here¡ªGables, Serenity, and Amira! I passed water rescue with flying colors in school!¡± ¡°What kind of messed-up school did you go to?¡± Mallory groaned, tucking her lip under as Rhea found the proper length to tighten her jacket. ¡°It¡ªit feels loose ¡­ no, t-too tight!¡± Rhea giggled, pulling it in more before releasing it a tad. ¡°I think this is the first time I¡¯ve seen you freaking out.¡± ¡°I said I can¡¯t swim¡­¡± Mallory cried, actually looking like tears might leak out of her eyes. Taking a deep breath, Rhea stepped back, giving her a compassionate smile. ¡°Do you really not want to do this?¡± Mallory¡¯s jaw snapped shut, rubbing her left arm while trying to get used to the bulk of the life vest across her bust. ¡°I mean ¡­ no, I¡¯m just ¡­ dude, go away¡­¡± she groaned, taking out her fear and frustration on the man. He held up his hands. ¡°Going¡ªI¡¯m going¡­¡± Shutting the door behind him, Mallory scratched the side of her head. ¡°Muk ¡­ sorry, I''m just nervous¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re fine,¡± Rhea said, looking over to find Amira already expertly entering her own kayak. ¡°Ready to continue?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s ¡­ do it, I guess,¡± she hissed, plucking at her vest. ¡°It does feel a little tight, but ¡­ I¡¯m scared it¡¯ll come off¡­¡± Rhea helped her adjust it a bit more. ¡°Feel better?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± ¡°Okay, now, paddle over your head¡ªIn the center!¡± Mallory gave her a dirty look. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Really! Just hold it above your head,¡± Rhea urged. Lori shook her head while complying. ¡°It feels silly ¡­ you¡¯re making fun of me.¡± ¡°Form right angles with your elbows¡ªc¡¯mon ¡­ Now keep them straight ¡­ Yup, that¡¯s where you want to hold them. Now, your thumb and forefingers together ¡­ Just like that! I think we¡¯re ready to get in!¡± A quiver ran down Mallory¡¯s frame as Gables tapped the side of the boat with a smile. ¡°Already?¡± Getting down on one knee, she motioned for her to follow her; Mallory¡¯s was green and white on the bottom. ¡°It¡¯s not as hard as it looks.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Mallory¡¯s scared eyes moved to her cheering Pokemon, trying to give her strength. ¡°I need to do what again?¡± Rhea guided her paddle while guiding her through the process. ¡°Alright, here, take the paddle ¡­ and place it behind your seat¡ªthe other side on the dock, so you have stability ¡­ That¡¯s it¡­¡± Amira shoved away from the dock with Amber on her lap and Serenity hovering above the water. Mallory¡¯s hands were shaking in Rhea¡¯s as she continued to guide her. ¡°I ¡­ I feel like I¡¯m sinking!¡± ¡°No, no, you¡¯re fine! Just don¡¯t panic ¡­ Keep holding my hand¡­¡± ¡°Like I¡¯d let go! Muk ¡­ Muk, Muk ¡­ this thing doesn¡¯t feel stable at all!¡± Rhea was a bit surprised at how terrified this was to her, considering how cool she¡¯d been about going on the trip. ¡°You¡¯re fine! Adjust the back to how you like it¡ªkeep yourself stable with the paddle on the dock and your kayak like I showed you¡­¡± ¡°O-okay?¡± Mallory pulled her hand close to her chest in sudden panic. ¡°D-did something press up against the bottom? I want to get out¡­¡± ¡°You¡¯re fine; it¡¯s fine!¡± Rhea reassured her, readjusting her kneeling position to give herself more balance. ¡°You¡¯re already inside! Look at you¡ªyou¡¯re doing it!¡± ¡°What do I do, though? What am I doing?¡± ¡°Take the paddle ¡­ mhm ¡­ now, keep a good posture,¡± she mumbled, pressing a hand against her chest and back to get her into the proper position. ¡°Okay ¡­ here''s the scary part.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t like ¡­ What do you mean this is the scary part?! This is all scary!¡± Mallory snapped, fingernails digging into her hand a little. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Keep your head, chest, abdomen, hips, and rear-end evenly aligned.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Their focus moved to Amira as she wiggled in her kayak, pushing water back and forth. ¡°Keep your hips loose, allowing your boat to rock under you.¡± ¡°Yeah! No!¡± Mallory gasped, expectantly waiting for Amira to flip into the water. ¡°No ¡­ How are you not falling over?¡± ¡°It¡¯s designed to be like this,¡± Amira returned; although, Amber looked somewhat terrified by her Trainer¡¯s actions, dropping to her belly to hug Amira¡¯s legs. Rhea got the feeling Amira was stonewalling her emotions a bit; there was something important on her mind that likely involved where she was taking them, but Rhea decided to let her open up in her own time. Slowly, they got Mallory used to the process, and eventually, they moved on to strokes, and within thirty minutes, they were out on the water. Serenity had stayed above the surface the entire time, and once they moved out, she dove in. Rhea grinned as the soft breeze blew over the gentle waves, and the current pulled them downstream; she towed Mallory along, helping her get used to the motions, but she was still struggling with her fear. Alice was balancing on the front, doing flips to train herself while Nova stayed safely on Rhea¡¯s lap. Yes! We¡¯re out on another adventure! You know ¡­ Maybe Nova can work on her transformations while we¡¯re out here. B1 — 49. A Whole New World 10:54 A.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Serenity watched Rhea calm Mallory down, teaching her how to use the human devices that allowed them to travel by water. She wasn¡¯t entirely sure why the girl was freaking out so much; water was supposed to be Serenity¡¯s home, and the other Pokemon in the fountain had nothing but positive things to say about the river. Of course, Amber was acting tough on the outside, but her spirit was practically quaking while pressing as close as possible to their Trainer. Hovering above the water, Serenity closed the distance to stare down at her teammate. Stay strong, Amber. It¡¯s not that scary. The fire fox had been a pillar of confidence and helped her adjust to this world when she first exited her egg; it was Serenity¡¯s turn to be there for her. ¡°I¡¯m fine ¡­ I just ¡­ Oh, no ¡­ please don¡¯t rock the boat, Amira!¡± she cried, falling to her belly to hug their Trainer¡¯s leg. ¡°Contrary to what you might believe, Fire Pokemon aren¡¯t naturally good swimmers!¡± Amira reached over to rub Amber¡¯s pulled-back ears with a soft smile. ¡°He-he-he, I know you¡¯re frightened. Serenity is here to help us if needed; this is a good exercise for putting your faith in her.¡± Holly cheered. ¡°Yeah! We¡¯re totally going to have so much fun! Star and I tried to float down a river once, and I totally saved him!¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ not helping, Holly ¡­ I¡¯d rather not need saving¡­¡± Amber mumbled. Don¡¯t worry about a thing, Amber! Serenity piped in, rising a little to get a better look at the Pokemon. I got some swimming lessons from the fountain Pokemon, and they said I was pretty fast. ¡°Ooh!¡± Holly clapped her little hands in her pokeball. ¡°You¡¯re working so hard!¡± Amber didn¡¯t seem all that convinced. ¡°Great ¡­ I¡¯m just ¡­ I¡¯d rather not get too wet! Maybe I should have a life jacket, too¡­¡± That¡¯s not trusting in me, Serenity mumbled, flippers falling a little. I haven¡¯t had a chance to battle yet, but I¡¯m strong; I can help you. ¡°I mean, Amira has a life jacket ¡­ It¡¯s not about that ¡­ Humans use them, and maybe there are some for Pokemon¡­¡± Amira glanced down at Amber, who was doing her best to compose herself again. ¡°Do you ¡­ Hmm, sadly, with how many sizes of Pokemon, we¡¯d have to have one specially made for you. Sorry, Amber.¡± ¡°N-No problem,¡± she quickly added. ¡°Just a thought¡­¡± Serenity tried to cheer the Fennekin up, and she was building her confidence the more time they spent in the boat; Rhea¡¯s own comforting words to Mallory appeared to help Amber, too. Holly was the fox¡¯s little cheerleader. Gables stood on the nose of Mallory¡¯s kayak, cheering her on with Roxie, a bundle of joy, following his example; the Rockruff didn¡¯t appear scared in the least, standing next to Gables to practice balancing, and Alice, who seemed to be taking the training incredibly seriously, obviously determined to prove herself to Rhea over Maya. Her focus returned to Amber as she tentatively built the courage to leave Amira¡¯s leg and put her paws on the side to look down at the gleaming teal water. ¡°S-Serenity?¡± Mhm? she asked, moving to look up at her. ¡°You¡¯re ¡­ If I fall in, you¡¯ll be close by?¡± Of course! Just call, and I¡¯ll come running to carry you back to Amira. ¡°What if a Pokemon shoots water at me?¡± Amira reached under her chin to scratch it with her fingernail. ¡°If a Water Pokemon attacks us, then you return to your pokeball and leave it to Holly and Serenity. How about we look at getting you a custom vest in Cerulean City and have some swimming lessons?¡± Serenity¡¯s face didn¡¯t change, but her heart warmed as Amber hugged Amira¡¯s spirit. ¡°Thank you! I¡¯m just ¡­ I¡¯m gonna do my best!¡± ¡°Me, too!¡± Holly chimed, wrapping around the two¡¯s spirits to squeeze them. ¡°Let¡¯s beat this river battle! Oh, what are you going to do, Serenity?¡± Explore! A grin lifted her heart, unable to show emotion on the outside. I¡¯m still confused why I can¡¯t help you do your thing, Amira. The red-haired girl glanced over to Mallory and Rhea as they moved on to actually pushing away from the dock; there was an apprehensive determination in her chest. ¡°I ¡­ need to do this myself, but ¡­ It¡¯ll be nice to have you there with Rhea. I just need to know where my mom went whenever we came here, and ¡­ and I think I can do it now.¡± Holly hummed, spinning around Amber and Amira¡¯s spirit. ¡°I want to come, too.¡± ¡°We can all go,¡± Amber said, snuggling into their Trainer for comfort again. ¡°We just need to be in our pokeballs since we can¡¯t breathe underwater for a long time like them.¡± Amira readjusted herself on her seat, causing Amber to groan a little as the boat swayed, but she¡¯d need to get used to it as they went along. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll take you three with me ¡­ My mom just always had this mysterious look whenever she¡¯d slip away, and ¡­ All she did as a teenager was explore with her Pokemon.¡± Serenity settled in on the kayak¡¯s front to listen in; Amira had talked a lot about her mother last night. Lyra and her would take personal trips all across Kanto, and every time, her mother would leave an unsolved mystery that would pester her Trainer to no end while sharing little details to spur her imagination. A reminiscent smile lifted Amira¡¯s full lips as she passively stroked Amber¡¯s fur; Mallory and Rhea were moving on to how to use the paddles, giving Amira time to calm her racing heart. ¡°My mom always took me down different routes, but somehow, we always ended up in the same flat stone rock; it had enough trees on it that provided deadwood for a fire, and a perfect view of the night sky with the lapping waves of the river and wild Pokemon around us.¡± Holly settled in herself. ¡°Wow ¡­ you said she never spoiled things, too, but just showed you places to check out someday with us?¡± A quake shook Amira¡¯s chest as she softly giggled. ¡°Yeah, Mom would never tell me the secrets, but guide me in the right direction ¡­ for my future journey with all of you.¡± How sweet, Serenity whispered. It sounds like she always likes to have fun. Amira suppressed a snort, shaking her head. ¡°My mom¡¯s always restless ¡­ unless it involves fake sleeping on my dad¡¯s shoulders,¡± she snickered. ¡°She could dance in the middle of a forest fire while putting it out with her Pokemon¡ªall as my dad freaked out ¡­ Heh, not that she¡¯s good at dancing, and still manages to make me jealous I wasn¡¯t there ¡­ She¡¯s always talking about finding treasure.¡± A hiss puffed through her teeth as she thought about her mother and father. ¡°My poor dad ¡­ Grandma tells me how innocent he was, but my mom is adrenaline incarnate. There¡¯s no beating her, and he became a Stantler in the headlights. She¡¯s the biggest tease to me and Dad, and I swear, my mother is the reason Ethan and Kris are the way they are today.¡± Who are they? Serenity asked, finding hidden fondness in Amira¡¯s heart upon mentioning the pair. Holly jumped in with excitement. ¡°Ooh! Yeah, you mentioned them before, Amira! You like them!¡± Amira fidgetted with her paddle, glaring at the water. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I¡¯d go so far as that ¡­ At least, from what I think you guys are saying.¡± A forced chuckle moved Amber to crouch in the boat again. ¡°She has a hard time expressing her feelings when it comes to them.¡± ¡°Really, Amber?¡± Amira grumbled, tapping the side of the kayak while leaning back; Mallory and Rhea seemed far too occupied with the girl¡¯s shaky movements to notice. ¡°I told you about last year¡¯s friends and family gathering ¡­ The dress my mom crafted for Kris?¡± Amber pressed her back against Amira¡¯s leg for leverage. ¡°You¡¯ve shown me; it didn¡¯t look that bad.¡± Can I see? Serenity asked, hovering closer as Holly did the same internally. ¡°Oh, me, too again, please! I thought it was pretty!¡± Checking the struggling pair across from her, Amira sighed and pulled out her phone to show the image. Serenity thought humans wore strange outfits, but this seemed like something girls would wear at Contests. According to Amber¡¯s description, it was a black halterneck Caroline dress that had an open, semi-sheer back with an R and red frill that obscured part of her shins. Kris wore a black semi-sheer cap, white heels, and sheer tights. She was facing away, which showed off the neat black bow tied around her waist. ¡°C¡¯mon, Amira,¡± Amber laughed, trying to distract herself from the body of water surrounding them. ¡°The reason you took the picture was that you liked it.¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ sure,¡± she mumbled, flipping to the next image, ¡°but she was totally cool with Ethan dressing like ¡­ like a thug! He had cuts and bruises from some fight he had with a Machamp ¡­ that he fought himself! He¡¯s insane; it just made me so mad. Kris lets my mom bully her around, and Ethan doesn¡¯t even try to look good for his wife; of course, she just laughs and starts patching him up!¡± Her head fell, hiding a groan in case the others misinterpreted it. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just thinking about a ton of bad things to make me scared to do this ¡­ It¡¯s the first thing I¡¯m looking into that my mom teased ¡­ Arceus, but when they get together with Red, Leaf, and Blue ¡­ it¡¯s chaos! My mom looks up to Leaf ¡­ Ethan can¡¯t get enough of fighting Blue and Red ¡­ It¡¯s insane! Two minutes, and they¡¯re already flying off to Mukin¡¯ Mt. Silver to have their private little time¡­¡± Serenity finally understood where her anger was coming from; she was left behind when certain people got together, and she wasn¡¯t used to being left out. The conversation soon died when Mallory came into view, and they began listening to Rhea¡¯s encouraging prompts, guiding the girl¡¯s first, shaky paddling attempts. ¡°... That¡¯s it!¡± Rhea encouraged. ¡°You just need to keep it even, and ¡­ see?¡± A strained grin was on the frightened girl¡¯s face. ¡°I-I¡¯m getting the hang of it ¡­ Woah ¡­ okay, slower ¡­ slower,¡± she mumbled while rocking a bit. Amira took a long breath, trying to release her tension. Holly whispered, ¡°Psst, Amber says Amira really loves it when the others show up because it makes her Mom and Dad happy. I¡¯d be happy too if I didn¡¯t see Star for a long time.¡± Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. Hmm ¡­ Amira has a hard time showing her emotions? Serenity asked, weaving through the air to follow the two, helping Mallory get closer to the exit. She¡¯s so open with us, though? ¡°That¡¯s just how it is¡­¡± Amber shivered, keeping herself as low as possible in the kayak. Humans are strange¡­ A thrilling pulse ran through Serenity¡¯s bones as it became clear they were going out on the river; this was the moment she¡¯d been dreaming about since talking with Gables about large bodies of water. The Frog Pokemon was making swaying gestures with his arms to help direct Mallory, but Rhea was doing most of the work by towing her along at this point, and Roxie had moved to snuggle into the girl¡¯s lap to give Lori extra comfort. Nova was leaning over the side to study the surface, wagging her tail while giggling to herself. ¡°Look, Alice, I can see myself!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± The Rabbit Pokemon was doing flips and balancing on one foot. ¡°I see myself jumping around, too! Oh, let¡¯s have a jumping contest!¡± Letting the thrill roll around her belly, Serenity dove under the soft waves as they exited the sheltered dock; smooth liquid flowed past her sides while diving deeper into the wide gorge and a whole new world opened up before her eyes. Veins of sunlight danced across the clear water, perfectly visible to Serenity¡¯s eyes, and dozens of various types of Pokemon and large schools of fish hurried along while occasionally being chased. The rocks were smooth, and many almost seemed to meld together, fitting perfectly into different patterns. She lost herself in the beauty of it all; plants and algae grew across the bottom, swaying in the soft current that pulled them to the east. The voices of hundreds of Pokemon spread out across the city¡¯s canal carried through the water, forcing Serenity to try and focus her thoughts on who to listen to. Amira went over many Pokemon they¡¯d likely find in the area, but it was still a bit overwhelming. Magikarp swam in schools, showing off various colors and sizes that made each unique; her Trainer told her that there was even a catching contest in Kanto to see who could attract the best Magikarp. From what she¡¯d been told, it was a big thing in the Magikarp community, and it held bragging rights that carried throughout Kanto, Johto, and even as far north as Sinnoh. Slowly weaving underneath Amira¡¯s kayak, Serenity lost track of everything above while taking in the alien world; it was like listening to Umi, the Clefairy, tell stories that her father had told her when she was young. A place of wonder where different plants, wildlife, and even Pokemon that weren¡¯t native to this world were on this other planet; the Clefairy Empire spanned the entire globe, ruled by the Fairy Queen. No one from Umi¡¯s family was of noble enough blood to see such dignitaries, which the humans didn¡¯t like, but it all sounded so magical to Serenity. The Fairy Queen protected them from the horrible sky terrors, which came with wings, horns, and powerful attacks that devastated their homes; even if the Clefairy Royal Guard were strong, the damage took years to repair. Another planet was locked in combat with the Clefairy Empire and the Sky Terrors; even with the Fairy Pokemon¡¯s advanced technology and mighty warriors, these creatures were like walls of stamina that could outlast their assaults. Battles and bodies littering the planet¡¯s orbit. It sounded like a place where she could get strong, and to protect one¡¯s home was essential to Serenity because her Trainer was her home. However, unlike the warring place of struggle and death, this environment was slow and peaceful¡ªexcluding the chasing of fish, yet Amira told her it was the natural cycle of things. Pokemon have been known to go after each other for nutrients if no other source was in the area, such as what happened on Mt. Silver. Serenity spun in a circle, watching two Gyarados weave through the water; they were the Bosses of this city''s waters that kept the peace. The male¡¯s sharp red eyes darted to her as they passed, creaking ripples on the surface while releasing a low growl. ¡°Be mindful of others, little one.¡± She could sense they were strong with the Intimidation they produced; the male was at least 10 meters long while the female was closer to 9. Following their swift exit, Serenity couldn¡¯t help but gawk at their shimmering scales. Rivers have a lot of dangerous Pokemon in them ¡­ I have to be careful and watch out for everyone¡­ Gables soon jumped into the water to join her. ¡°Yo!¡± he grinned, casually swimming backward to stare up at the kayaks overhead. ¡°Sorry ta keep ya waitin¡¯! I saw those big Pokemon go by; eh, freaked Mallory out ¡­ Heh, she almost tipped her boat.¡± ¡°Is she okay?¡± Serenity asked. Noticing the eyes they were pulling, but a small group of kayakers were coming from further up the river, which drew the whispers of the Pokemon around them. ¡°Oh ¡­ they¡¯re already gone.¡± The Frog nodded. ¡°Yeah, they were movin¡¯! Uh, mhm, she¡¯s good.¡± He gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Seeing Amira be so cool is helping her keep a level head,¡± On the inside, her Trainer was a hot mess; Amira was still trying to come up with a half-excuse to tell the others they should just go the regular route. Listening to some of her inner turmoil, Serenity felt a little bad. ¡°What if I read too much into Mom¡¯s jokes and teasing comments ¡­ What if I¡¯m hyping it up for nothing, and I¡¯m disappointed? There has to be something cool and exciting ¡­ It¡¯s what she lives for. She¡¯s been to every Region, including that crazy isolationist one, so ¡­ so there¡¯s got to be something there ¡­ Why else would we always go to this spot? She even texted me about taking pictures today so she could share the experience with me¡­¡± Amira kept second-guessing herself; she didn¡¯t want to feel disappointed in the hype because she didn¡¯t want to feel disappointed in her mother. It was a silly fear but real to her. Holly was a comforting blanket around her spirit. ¡°It¡¯ll be fun! I know it; your mom is the best¡ªeven Rhea agrees!¡± Allowing Holly to deal with their Trainer¡¯s emotional struggle and Amber coping with her own, Serenity returned her gaze to the river. ¡°Is it like this everywhere?¡± Gables lifted an eye, changing his stroke. ¡°Eh ¡­ kind of, but I mean, everywhere¡¯s got its differences. I can¡¯t say I saw a Gyarados in the pond I was put into after hatching¡ªthe Professors think we should have like half-and-half; we spend a bit of time in the wild and among other Trainer Pokemon before meeting our Trainers.¡± ¡°Sounds ¡­ interesting,¡± Serenity whispered, listening to the conversations they passed. Psyduck floated near the surface in small clusters, mumbling to one another while completely ignoring them; the group comprised two females and eight males. ¡°Weather¡¯s gonna get bad tonight¡­¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ I¡¯ve already got a headache. Go get me fish¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a headache, too ¡­ You go.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not hungry¡­¡± ¡°Me either.¡± ¡°Want to spin in circles?¡± ¡°Too much effort¡­¡± ¡°Maybe the Squirtles will play catch the ball over us again?¡± ¡°That¡¯d be nice ¡­ I like to follow it.¡± ¡°Better than counting clouds.¡± ¡°I have two.¡± ¡°No, I have eight.¡± ¡°Wow ¡­ I lost count.¡± ¡°Want to make one of us fly?¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ fly to get fish?¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Weird Pokemon¡­ Serenity took note of it to tell her Trainer of the changing weather later, passively watching the Psyducks eyes glow with their bodies before sending one to collect fish for everyone. ¡°I¡¯m so fast my headache is gone!¡± she laughed, zipping around the pond in a very inefficient way to collect fish as they scattered, instead just using another Move to gather them beside her. ¡°So strange¡­¡± Serenity mumbled, turning her focus to a bunch of Goldeen who were eyeing them with dull eyes. Her mood soon dampened as they passed, watching the bubbles lift around them from the stirred-up water of the two Boss Pokemon. ¡°She¡¯s ugly, Goldeen.¡± ¡°She really is, Goldeen.¡± ¡°Goldeen,¡± another waved her flipper at Gable¡¯s critical stare. ¡°He¡¯s cute.¡± ¡°I¡¯m cuter,¡± said a male, darting out to do a flip that didn¡¯t impress the girls. ¡°No, I¡¯m cuter!¡± Serenity huffed, watching the showy Pokemon try and look cool. ¡°Personally, I think you¡¯re all quite below average.¡± Gables snickered, reaching a hand over for Serenity to slap it; he¡¯d shown her various comebacks to say whenever the wild Pokemon would get mouthy. She was surprised to learn many Pokemon were jealous of Trainer bound Pokemon because it made them feel inferior, at least, those that lived near human settlements. ¡°Says the black speckle muncher,¡± another girl sniffed. The women turned their butts to them and flicked their tails, clearly upset Gables was siding with her before moving upriver with their horns held high. ¡°What do these kids know,¡± one grunted. ¡°Yeah, Goldeen, we¡¯re so much more popular than them.¡± Two Goldeen rushed forward, causing Serenity and Gables to prepare themselves, but they simply performed big circles around them, shouting, ¡°Ugly! Ugly! Ugly!¡± Gables chuckled, swimming with his hands behind his head while kicking back. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Serenity, is it just me, or are these guys Muk sippers ¡­ How else did they get that ugly yellow tint?¡± ¡°Definitely Muk sippers,¡± Serenity replied, trying to give them a smirk, but her face wouldn¡¯t change. ¡°Would Garbodor kiss them?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± One Fish Pokemon shot forward with his horn brandished but froze as a low groan rippled through the water. The two Goldeen turned to find a Poliwhirl rubbing his head while getting up from the side of a rock with a small crowd of female Poliwag. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯d watch where you¡¯re pointin¡¯ that kids ¡­ Don¡¯t need to be causin¡¯ trouble ya can¡¯t handle.¡± The two Goldeen glared at him before turning it to Gables. ¡°We better not find you upstream!¡± ¡°Oh? Come on downstream, and we¡¯ll see how well you can dance, or ¡­ are you scared? Don¡¯t want to embarrass yourselves again in front of the ugly Goldeen, right?¡± Their eyes were as sharp as their horns. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Goldeen¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re not worth it,¡± he grunted, flicking his tail in a rude gesture and speeding off to join their little gang. ¡°Don¡¯t let us catch you downstream!¡± Serenity liltingly called after them. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t want to make your faces uglier!¡± The Poliwhirl chuckled, stretching a bit to push off his rock. ¡°Be back later, girls¡­¡± His exit left the group groaning. Pulling up beside them to join their pace, he looked up at Amira overhead. ¡°So, some new Trainers, huh? Bronze-tier ¡­ Although you, my odd lady, don¡¯t seem to match the bill,¡± he mused, turning to rub his belly thoughtfully. Serenity wasn¡¯t sure if he was insulting her or not, turning to Gables for answers. ¡°Am I odd?¡± Gables rubbed his chin with a slight smirk. ¡°Hmm ¡­ You¡¯re one of the enforcers around here? Seems everyone¡¯s staying clear of us now that you¡¯ve shown up. Oh, and I think he¡¯s talking about how strong you are, Serenity.¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± The Poliwhirl spun to give a wry smile at the various groups of Poliwag, Goldeen, Staryu, Squirtle, and a single Piplup that was surrounded by Magikarp. The fish kept a wide distance from any Pokemon, ready to dash away at a moment''s notice or hide in the rocks or plants below. ¡°We like to keep a friendly environment here; the humans keep things clean, and anything strong that tries to make its way down the river to upset things gets handled by them. This is paradise, baby!¡± He pointed at the fish. ¡°We got as much food as we want, and if we¡¯re feelin¡¯ like a treat, we can always go up for the humans to spoil us. Isn¡¯t it great? We¡¯ve tamed the humans.¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ interesting way to look at it,¡± Gables mumbled, glancing up. ¡°One second ¡­ Mallory¡¯s freaking out again because the wind¡¯s picking up.¡± Serenity noticed they were leaving the city boundary and heading into the deeper parts of the gorge. ¡°So ¡­ I¡¯m odd because of ¡­ why?¡± she asked, looking at the swirly Pokemon. He studied her for a moment, eyes showing a bit of mirth. ¡°You¡¯ve got power, girl, and I wouldn¡¯t really say you''re ugly ¡­ I¡¯ve seen other Feebas come through with one or two Trainers, and you¡¯ve gotta be the prettiest of the lot.¡± Her mood instantly brightened. ¡°Oh? That¡¯s nice of you to say. You¡¯re the first wild Pokemon to not call me names.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been around,¡± he said in a dismissive voice. ¡°Hmm ¡­ so, mind if I accompany you? I like to hear stories about where Pokemon and their Trainers come from. It¡¯s probably the most fun you can have on this river,¡± he chuckled. Serenity sighed, looking up at the boat where Amira was. ¡°I ¡­ only hatched a little bit ago, so¡­¡± He grinned. ¡°You do look young, heh, but I guess I¡¯m not really seeing it because of the strength I sense in you. Uh ¡­ I could keep you company and tell you about this place if you want? I¡¯ve got all day.¡± He¡¯s so friendly! ¡°Sure!¡± Serenity chimed. ¡°I think¡­¡± She trailed off as something fell into the water; all she saw was a black and white Glaceon that started swimming next to Rhea¡¯s kayak. ¡°A ¡­ friend of yours?¡± the Poliwhirl asked. ¡°She¡¯s super pretty, but ¡­ that movement is going to tire her out real fast.¡± ¡°Yeah ¡­ That¡¯s Nova,¡± Serenity smiled, listening to Amber¡¯s one-sided conversation with Nova since she couldn¡¯t hear the Glaceon¡¯s responses. ¡°You couldn¡¯t turn into a Vaporeon? Hmm ¡­ Sorry to hear that! Keep trying; maybe you¡¯ll get it if you practice more! Woah, did Alice flip onto your back and then back onto the kayak? She was so fast¡­¡± Turning back to the Poliwhirl, Serenity corrected her tail posture a bit. ¡°She¡¯s learning. Umm, sure, I¡¯d like the company.¡± Serenity was happy to have the older Pokemon show her the various locations and make comments about the areas or paths. Gables showed up after calming Mallory down and got into the conversation. The area wasn¡¯t always so peaceful; twenty years ago, the place was filled with competition, but over the years, the humans and Rangers helped to make peace between the different river bosses, which turned much of their former lifestyle on its head. There were still the young upstarts that dreamed of the glory days they heard from their elders; the battles, glory, and scars they showed were like a badge of honor. Hours passed with the Pokemon talking about each area¡¯s main faction and how temperamental each was; the Croconaw inlet was a place where wild Pokemon still held minor strength competitions. Remoraid could be aggressive in their packs but mostly kept to themselves. However, when they turned down a side branch that showed more choppy waters, their guide halted. ¡°Uh ¡­ You know that¡¯s not a safe territory, right?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not?¡± Gables asked, rubbing his head and following his gaze as Amira led them inside. ¡°Is it dangerous?¡± Poliwhirl hissed, blowing bubbles to the service. ¡°Not even the Big Bosses go there ¡­ I don¡¯t know, but if Pokemon go in, they don¡¯t come back, which ¡­ could mean a lot of things! I¡¯m just saying it¡¯s the sketchiest path your Trainers are taking ¡­ I¡¯m good to stay here.¡± Serenity sent the warning to Amira, but she waved it off. ¡°It¡¯s fine ¡­ the Cloyster here might be a little scary, but he knows me¡­¡± Leaving the concerned Poliwhirl behind with a parting wave, she frowned at his goodbye. ¡°Uh ¡­ you know the Rangers are gonna know you went down there ¡­ Those Magikarp are going to warn them.¡± Amira, the Magikarp are going to rat on us¡­ ¡°It¡¯s fine; we¡¯ll be there before they can catch up, and they¡¯ll see we aren¡¯t in danger. We¡¯re heading on a Platinum route.¡± Feeling the pressure hit her chest at the news, Serenity kept her senses sharp, scanning for danger to intercept. Are you sure? The Poliwhirl seemed pretty scared. ¡°We¡¯re fine ¡­ He likes certain poke blocks. We¡¯re going to pick up our pace a bit; watch Mallory¡­¡± The water¡¯s speed was increasing as they went on. B1 — 50. A Road Block 4:30 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea spent over six hours helping Mallory feel comfortable on her kayak; Butterfree swarmed in her belly the second she was on the water again. The brilliant hue of the lapping waves mixed with the gentle tug of the current was soothing; she was back in her element. She¡¯d dreamed of going to the big cities and experiencing what it was like to be around hundreds of people, but nature was her backyard, and she¡¯d grown up without a fear of it, given Franky¡¯s constant presence in her life. The ghost may have been an annoyance for much of it, but no wild Pokemon would so much as look at her in the wrong way with the Grandmaster-tier ghost protecting her. The fact she¡¯d become the teacher was also brightening Rhea¡¯s mood while guiding her frightened friend through the kayaking process; it reminded her of the time she¡¯d spent with the Masters during school and the encouragement they instilled that allowed her to spread that to Mallory. The Unova girl was doing her best to remain stable and almost tipped herself over a few dozen times when they came to more rough waters, but taking it nice and slow, Gables and her managed to continue building Lori¡¯s confidence. Nova was sunbathing to dry her wet fur, spread out across the back of her kayak; her second transformation attempt went as well as the first. Aww, Nova, you¡¯ll get it! Her Eevee released a low grunt, front and hind legs hugging the boat. Don¡¯t be like that; you¡¯re not the worst Eevee in the world, Rhea giggled at her response, and Alice jumped in, offering her own strengthening words. You lasted at least a little longer as a Glaceon that second time ¡­ Aww, I know you¡¯re tired, cold, and wet ¡­ Just let the sun warm you up and listen to nature. Despite her efforts, Nova couldn¡¯t get over her depression; she couldn¡¯t even touch her Water-Type evolution. The Eevee thought it should be just as easy as her Glaceon transformation, yet the Ice-Type was currently the only one available to her. Mya was fast asleep, happy to be in her pokeball, and unfortunately, she and Alice were still at odds. The Mawile seemed embarrassed or angry that the hyperactive bunny didn¡¯t defer to her authority as the older Pokemon in the party. On the other hand, Alice thought Mya¡¯s confidence was overhyped and wasn¡¯t having her attitude. She moved to Rhea¡¯s lap after finishing her balance training to enjoy snuggling and passively watching the world pass them by; it was one of the few times she¡¯d seen the rabbit so calm. Mallory seemed comfortable enough to allow Gables to chill with Serenity at this point, but he was staying close to his Trainer; it told Rhea the girl was still putting on a brave face, and the Pokemon could sense it. Hang in there, Lori¡­ The girl was resting, focusing on her balance and allowing Rhea to tow her; it wasn¡¯t all that challenging. It brought Rhea back to her school days. For Rhea, the trip was relaxing and brought back memories of the times she¡¯d spent with her father and brother; she¡¯d been out on a kayak with her parents as young as three, and outdoor activities as a very regular thing for their small village that lacked in a lot of other city activities. The gentle sound of the lapping waves and surrounding Pokemon helped to distract herself from the upsetting information about the Clefairy and the potential danger they posed to her mother. Rhea wanted to glare at her mother and force her to say she¡¯d be fine; the thought of Extraterrestrial Pokemon snatching up her elusive mom seemed preposterous, yet given her mother¡¯s proclivity to be extraordinarily thoughtful and not think about specific social interactions at all at the same time aggravated Rhea. Her mind was slowly drifting back to the underlying worry that filled her heart. Thanks, Mom ¡­ Take cute Fairy Pokemon that I like and turn them into kidnapping alien warmongers. If I see a Clefairy, are they somehow a spy in disguise for the Clef Mother Planet or something? ¡°Gah!¡± she growled, rubbing her forehead and causing Alice to lean back to look up at her with her long ears pulled back. I¡¯m good ¡­ My mom¡¯s just annoying sometimes. Alice patted her thigh with a smile, trying to comfort her. Yeah ¡­ I guess you¡¯re right; no one¡¯s targeted Mom for a reason ¡­ They¡¯d be staring at an army of the strongest Trainers on the planet, but ¡­ these are aliens ¡­ No, just got to not think about it ¡­ Oh, look how many fish there are! Alice hopped up to lean her small arms against the edge of the boat to stare down while blinking a few times, trying to penetrate the shiny river water, and even Nova cracked open an eye with a low groan, staring down at her reflection. A few fish jumped out of the water to grab the tiny insects hovering around the surface, and Rhea giggled when they rounded a corner, seeing a few Slowpoke sitting on a small rise with their tails in the river. Alice¡¯s mouth dropped open, and she began clapping as she caught one lift his tail out with a fish on it, sending it right into his buddy¡¯s open mouth. The bunny had been fascinated by the lifestyle many of the Pokemon lead on the river. Yeah, Slowpoke fish like humans with fishing poles; this one professor theorized we learned how to fish from Slowpoke back in the day! Pretty cool, huh? In general, Rhea loved nature. It was nearing the start of summer, which meant the sun illuminated the sky and warmed their exposed skin. In contrast, the gorge funneled a cool, refreshing breeze that tickled her neck and arms. Exercising her muscles felt right, and each move she made that dipped the paddles into the liquid to propel them forward made her want to keep going. The funniest part of this adventure was that unlike her more isolated exploits with Franky or her father, she was able to wave at and greet other kayakers on their trip; she¡¯d already had a good conversation with a tourist attempting to travel all of Kanto by water. At the leisurely pace they were moving, it gave her so much time to just enjoy their surroundings. Throughout the trip, Amira remained in the lead, and Rhea was more than willing to allow the redhead to surprise them to this mysterious campsite; it was a favorite spot for the girl, and Rhea was excited to hear more about the stories she shared with her mother once settling down. However, a frown touched Rhea¡¯s lips as Amira shifted toward a break in the route to their left; a few small waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs above them, causing a roar of noise. ¡°It¡¯s this way,¡± Amira yelled back, already in motion to enter the trail. Rhea¡¯s head shifted to a sign posted into the rocks nearby; she didn¡¯t need to read it to know what it said after memorizing the various branching points over the past few hours. ¡°Umm ¡­ Amira? Hey¡ªAmira! Isn¡¯t ¡­ Isn¡¯t this a Platinum route?¡± she called out. ¡°I think it cuts a bit of time off our travel, if I remember correctly, but¡­¡± ¡°Wait, Platinum?!¡± Mallory shouted, eyeing the falling water distrustfully. ¡°Did you say Platinum?¡± It seemed challenging for her to hear them. ¡°Yo, that¡¯s ¡­ Weren¡¯t you talkin¡¯ about how stupid those one guys were? I don¡¯t want to die in¡ªin this thing!¡± she said, gesturing at her lifejacket. Amira returned a nervous laugh, causing Rhea and Mallory to stare after her in confusion. ¡°It¡¯s fine! There¡¯s a Pokemon¡ªa Cloyster ¡­ He¡¯s up ahead¡ªhe knows me ¡­ D-Don¡¯t you trust me?¡± Seeing the unsure look on the redhead¡¯s face as she glanced back at them, Rhea knew this was probably a big thing for Amira, but it didn¡¯t help Rhea¡¯s rising nerves; she grew up near Mt. Silver, and after hearing about the mortality rate from her father for Master-tier Trainers, she wasn¡¯t too keen on testing fate, much less her brush with the Nidorino. Releasing a hot puff of air, Rhea moaned, looking down at Alice; Nova had jumped inside again to look up at her with concern. I¡¯m not sure about this, girls, she mumbled to her Pokemon. Amira¡¯s not the type to get us in danger ¡­ At least, I don¡¯t think she is from what I know about her, but straight to Platinum? I don¡¯t know¡­ Alice gave her a courageous pat to her spirit, ready for any challenge; the bunny hadn¡¯t experienced the fight against the Nidorino. On the other hand, Nova was more on Rhea¡¯s side after facing just a Low Silver-tier wild Pokemon. Still, she wanted to put her faith in Amira; it just felt so strange after talking to that girl in the cafe about her reckless cousin for Amira, the most cautious of their group, to guide them down something so dangerous that same day. Amira wouldn¡¯t try to kill us ¡­ I guess this is one of those leaps of faith Dad always talked about when routes didn¡¯t have Tier-Labels ¡­ maybe it¡¯s mislabeled? Taking a deep breath and setting her resolve after her Pokemon agreed, she yelled, ¡°Okay¡ªNo, I trust you, Amira!¡± Amira¡¯s lips tightened, glancing back while mumbling something under her breath that seemed like she couldn¡¯t believe what she was hearing. Rhea was already committed, though; when she went in, she went in. ¡°It¡¯s gonna get a little rougher, Mallory; are you good?¡± ¡°No!¡± Mallory returned, chest heaving a little as Gables patted the side of her boat to let her know everything was good underwater. ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ This is my first time doing this¡ªMuk! T-This thing is insane! I¡¯m freaking the Muk out!¡± Amira¡¯s lips tightened, glancing back at them as they continued to near. ¡°We ¡­ don¡¯t have to go down if you¡¯re really not comfortable.¡± Rhea could tell there was far more to this than Amira was letting on, and of all times, it suddenly hit her that they hadn¡¯t even gone shopping to refill their supplies before going; she¡¯d been so caught up in the adventure of it all, and helping Mallory, that it completely slipped her mind. Shoving the thought away, she was a little shocked when Mallory released a faint scream of frustration that made Amira and her jump; the purple-haired girl scratched her head with her left hand, paddle clutched in her right. ¡°I ¡­ I ¡­ mmargmmah! Fine! Fine! I¡¯m not scared! I¡¯m totally scared! I just ¡­ Muk! Muk! I¡¯m not gonna back down! Just don¡¯t let me die because¡ªlook, I still want to dance more and¡ªand I haven¡¯t been to a Kanto club!¡± A small giggle shook Rhea¡¯s chest; maybe they were doing something stupid, and it could turn out bad, but Amira wasn¡¯t the only one that grew up hearing about her parents¡¯ stories. Her Aunt was a prime example of not letting anything get in her way; if she wanted to do something, she did it, and Rhea always admired that about her. We¡¯re doing something risky, sure, but we¡¯re not trying to catch an Articuno stupid! she laughed to Nova. Amira¡¯s got a plan; trust exercise one of our journey! Let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go! ¡°Alright, Amira,¡± she shouted, flipping her paddle around in the somewhat stationary position she was maintaining. ¡°I trust you; do we need to hurry¡ªwhat¡¯s the play?¡± Amira¡¯s gaze flipped to the water as Serenity floated out, and her voice softened as Rhea closed the distance with Mallory in tow. ¡°I ¡­ really thought you¡¯d talk me out of it.¡± Rhea tapped Amira¡¯s kayak with her paddle, giving her a grin before flipping some water into her face. ¡°Heh, I know you aren¡¯t dumb; we should get going, though, right?¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªwoah, Gables, don¡¯t let me fall,¡± Lori groaned, pressing a hand against her pumping chest. ¡°W-Won¡¯t the Rangers come and stop us?¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± Amira¡¯s expression lifted a bit as she wiped the water away from her face; Amber didn¡¯t seem to be happy about the splash, but she¡¯d gained a lot of confidence since the start of their journey. ¡°Umm, it¡¯s not far at all ¡­ There¡¯s a Golduck that should be up ahead, and he knows me, too ¡­ I told Serenity what to tell him¡­¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Rhea chimed, pulling Mallory after her to take the lead. ¡°Just keep your hips loose, Lori, and I¡¯ll get us through ¡­ Comin¡¯, Amira?¡± Amira hesitated for a moment, puffed out a breath, and maneuvered past her. ¡°Thanks, Rhea, Mallory.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. * * * Serenity dove back under the waves after seeing Rhea and Mallory commit to her Trainer¡¯s route. Amira¡¯s heart was conflicted and hesitant, though. ¡°This isn¡¯t smart¡ªwhy are they being stupid and following me?¡± Amira groaned. Amber seemed to agree. ¡°I¡¯m not a fan, myself, Amira. Maybe we should work on the badges before any of this exploring stuff?¡± No, we¡¯ll be fine! Serenity interjected. Where¡¯s your sense of adventure, Amber? You aren¡¯t scared of the water? she teased. ¡°N-No! Have you seen me?¡± Amber sniffed, shakily trying to get to her feet to prove her point in the bed of the kayak. ¡°I¡¯m not s-scared!¡± Oh! I¡¯m totally wrong! Serenity chuckled on the inside. We have the blocks, and Amira¡¯s been given access before because of her mom, right? Everything works out; Amira explained it all to us last night. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s a smart plan¡ªor that it¡¯ll work,¡± Amber grumbled. ¡°I¡¯m .. Not that I doubt you, Amira ¡­ I¡¯m just saying¡­¡± ¡°Umm,¡± Holly tentatively cleared her throat, ¡°I think it¡¯s smart. Amira has the poke blocks. Wouldn¡¯t it be a dumb plan if we didn¡¯t have them?¡± Holly gets it! Serenity laughed. This is great! They entered the stream, and she scanned the area ahead of them; it took a sharp dip that caused the tide to increase, but Rhea seemed more than capable of maneuvering Lori and her through the current. The walls rose, as well, casting a shadow over them, and the first thing Serenity noticed was the distinct lack of Pokemon in the area; a dozen Goldeen and a three Totodile hovered around the entrance, watching them go while mumbling to one another. It seemed strange to Serenity; the river had been filled with Pokemon of all types along their six-hour journey. They¡¯d insult her under their breath or start gossip that would take to the sky via Pidgey or Spearow; now, the only thing in sight were dozens of various kinds of fish of all sizes. There were so many schools of colorful creatures that Serenity almost missed the shimmering coat of a Shiny Golduck leisurely examining a few small rock formations on the floor. We¡¯ve got ¡­ Oh, I see the Golduck! Be right back¡­¡± Serenity shot forward, swiftly outpacing the kayaks as the blue-skinned Pokemon turned to look at her; his glowing red gem dimmed as she neared, but he didn¡¯t seem all that happy to see her and the boats above. The fish scattered with her swift movements, and Golduck''s sharp white claws darted out to snatch one of the bigger creatures, digging into its flesh before opening his mouth and biting its body in half to swallow the rest. She paused, unable to pull her mind away from the fact he could do the same to her without much effort, given the waves of powerful energy he emitted. ¡°Uhm ¡­ Hello!¡± Red blood spread out before the Golduck, and he ate the rest of the fish in his second bite; his voice was deep and inquisitive. ¡°Why ¡­ would a Trainer like yours be here? Did you not see the sign? This area is closed off to Trainers and Pokemon around your level.¡± Serenity did a quick three-sixty as bubbles and crimson liquid swirled around them with his swift motion to circle her. ¡°Uh ¡­ Yeah, my Trainer¡ªher name¡¯s Amira Rocket,¡± she said, trying to ease her racing heart. ¡°She, umm ¡­ she comes here often with her mom, Lyra Rocket.¡± The Golduck lifted an eye, gaze drifting up to the three kayaks. ¡°Rocket ¡­ Lyra?¡± Uh ¡­ I don¡¯t think he knows human names, Amira. ¡°See! I told you; we should get out of here!¡± Amber cried. ¡°I¡¯m useless here!¡± ¡°Ask about an Azumarill; that¡¯ll jog his memory,¡± Amira instructed. Serenity felt a little queasy at the intense look the Golduck gave her, waiting for an answer. ¡°I¡ªumm, the really strong, uh, Azumarill, I think?¡± The Golduck¡¯s bill dropped open in an instant, his threatening aura vanishing. ¡°Ahh! Yeah, okay ¡­ Oof, so, she¡¯s nearby, huh?¡± he asked, looking back to scan the river. ¡°If she¡¯s ¡­ Wait, is Zelri here?¡± The hope in his eyes returned to the fish-filled river; not another Pokemon in sight other than Gables. Swiveling around, Serenity hummed. ¡°I ¡­ I don¡¯t think so? She¡¯s ¡­ probably going to meet us there at some point, but ¡­ we should be fine, right?¡± she lied. ¡°We¡¯ve got the poke blocks and stuff.¡± The Golduck grimaced, scratching his wrist. ¡°Ugh, he does like his poke blocks ¡­ Just ask Zelri about me, okay? See if she¡¯ll stop by or something,¡± he mumbled with a casual shrug. Amira, I don¡¯t think he¡¯s cracking¡­ Serenity mumbled. Holly clapped. ¡°Oh! Oh! Use the one trick! Amber, get the treat!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want to move, Holly ¡­ Everything¡¯s shaking!¡± I think that¡¯s just you, Serenity giggled. I think he¡¯s close! I can grab it. ¡°So¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± The Golduck¡¯s focus returned to her. ¡°Amira said you like ¡­ sweet things? She¡¯s got a present for you!¡± His nervousness and reluctance fell in an instant. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you say so! Is it up there? Ah, I just need to make sure it¡¯s her¡­¡± He rocketed up, breaking the surface in an instant to land on the side of the cliff to study her Trainer. Rising herself, Serenity exited the river to find Amira bending over Amber, already rummaging through her pack. ¡°I¡¯ve got it here, Serenity ¡­ here!¡± Rhea and Mallory¡¯s focus was on the large Golduck as he dipped back into the water, reaching them in seconds and leaving Lori crying as her boat rocked. ¡°Oh, what sweet?¡± he eagerly asked, looking up at Amira. Taking out two inch-sized cubes, Amira tossed them up for him to snatch out of the air. ¡°Mmh!! So good!¡± he laughed, licking his lips. ¡°Okay! Thanks for the treat, and just remember to ask her!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Serenity whispered as he dipped back into the waves to swim a bit back upriver. He wants me to talk to someone named Zelri? Amber practically choked. ¡°Pfft! In his dreams! No, not even in there!¡± ¡°Aww, don¡¯t be mean,¡± Holly mumbled. ¡°I think he was a pretty handsome guy. Zelri might like him.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Amber snickered. ¡°Yeah, don¡¯t bother, Serenity; we probably won¡¯t see this guy again.¡± ¡°Poor guy,¡± Holly sighed. ¡°I feel bad for him.¡± ¡°You¡¯re the kind of girl that spends time with people because you feel sad for them,¡± Amber mused. ¡°Let him down hard and let him move on.¡± ¡°I just don¡¯t like seeing sad Pokemon¡­¡± Serenity wasn¡¯t all that interested in the conversation at that point and dove back underwater. What¡¯s next, Amira? Their Trainer was holding her breath while pulling them around a nearby bend that opened up into a vast open area, and Serenity''s brain blanked. Amira wasn¡¯t wrong when trying to describe it last night. Ice crystals littered the floor that was hundreds of times shinier than the sparkling heavens at night. The refracting light illuminated the space into a blinding spectacle that would cause the surface of the massive pond to glow. Thousands of large fish swam near the middle or top of the space while dozens of Shellder spread across the bottom, nestled among the crystals. No other Pokemon were present, but there was one different from the others. In the deepest part of the pond, a glistening blue-violet shell rose out of the depths to open and reveal sinister white eyes and grin from its double shell. It was then that Serenity saw the bone remains of a few Pokemon such as Slowpoke and Goldeen. The deathly silent water stilled before the fish scattered, and every Shellder lifted from the pond floor, turning to open and smile at her. Rhea, Mallory, and Amira floated out onto the smooth surface, only able to see the shimmering water and two branching river entrances ahead of them. Amira, there¡¯s a ton of¡­ The Cloyster¡¯s figure phased with rainbow colors, instantaneously appearing in front of her; he was larger than anything she¡¯d seen. ¡°What do we have here?¡± His tone was slow and low, projecting an ominous wave of raw energy that could have been an attack in itself. She¡¯d met what the humans called a Grandmaster Umbreon, Lori¡¯s mother¡¯s Pokemon, but none of them had any malice or harmful intent; in fact, they were quite friendly and pleasant to be around¡ªthis was not that. Serenity couldn¡¯t help but shake at the overwhelming presence that trapped her in place; this Pokemon could kill her with any attack, but instead of her protecting her Trainer, in the next second, Amira was diving into the water to float by her side, giving the Cloyster a small smile and wave. The threatening atmosphere died in an instant as he chuckled, facing her Trainer and allowing Serenity to suck water through her gills. ¡°Amira? My, you humans grow in the most unusual ways ¡­ I assume this is your Pokemon?¡± His sharp white eyes shifted to her, and she stammered, ¡°Y-Yes ¡­ Umm ¡­ I¡¯m S-Serenity.¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ Ask her when her mother will be joining us? I¡¯ve grown lonely since the last time she visited.¡± H-He wants to know when your¡ªyour mom¡¯s coming? ¡°I know, he¡¯s a bit much,¡± Amira grumbled, pushing herself down and folding her arms to give him a cross look. ¡°Don¡¯t let him intimidate you; he just likes to feel strong, but he¡¯s pretty chill ¡­ at least since he knows my mom¡¯s Pokemon. Let him know it¡¯s just us ¡­ And I plan to do the challenge.¡± Repeating her Trainer¡¯s instructions, the Cloyster snickered; all of the Shellder were staying in place, watching and laughing while mumbling to one another. ¡°Interesting ¡­ Lyra was the first human to ever complete my challenge ¡­ Ah, that was so long ago. Very well, my children will hold their peace ¡­ After all, without Lyra, I would have been left alone for such a long time¡ªshe always has gifts, too. Make sure Amira¡¯s friends know my rules¡­¡± ¡°O-Okay¡­¡± Serenity said, trying to put on a brave face, even if her expression didn¡¯t change. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He gave her a second look while rising with Amira¡¯s gestures for them to go to the surface. ¡°You are far prettier than any Feebas I¡¯ve ever seen¡ªalthough I¡¯ve only met three. Take that how you will.¡± Serenity didn¡¯t know how to take it at all; everyone said she was ugly, but she could get used to these comments¡ªcompared to other Feebas, but still, it was a compliment she didn¡¯t expect. Amira grabbed the poke blocks and tossed half a bag to the Cloyster, who took them and teleported away; Serenity couldn¡¯t see him anywhere nearby, and all of the Shellder returned to the bottom of the pond, shells closing to return to their slumber. ¡°Woah, I was scared for you!¡± Holly squeaked. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Yeah ¡­ I think, Serenity mumbled. Thanks¡­ Amber hissed. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I don¡¯t really like scary types like him ¡­ That smile is creepy ¡­ Can we please go on land now, Amira? Oh, and I¡¯m happy we¡¯re all not dead, too!¡± ¡°Heh, you¡¯ve done great, Amber,¡± Amira laughed, happy things worked out. ¡°Oh, looks like we¡¯ve had an observer ¡­ Wave, girls.¡± Serenity floated above the water, liquid dripping off her form as she scanned the sky to see a Pidgeot with a human riding on his back. The bird was magnificent, with clean feathers and a sharp beak. * * * Amira guided Rhea and Mallory to a nearby inlet for kayaks that her mother had made long ago; the Ranger watched them from the air, keeping a close eye on the water to make sure they were safe, and when they climbed up the ramp to the top of the flat island over twelve meters above the water, he descended to talk to them. She expected some kind of discussion with whichever Ranger was nearby. Rhea and Mallory stayed close to her side with their pokemon while waiting for him to close the distance. Amira kept a pleasant smile. He cleared his throat, brown eyes moving between their Pokemon. ¡°Amira Rocket ¡­ I¡¯d expect someone of your reputation to know what a Platinum Route looked like, but ¡­ given what happened¡­¡± She nodded. ¡°Yup, I came here pretty often over the years with my mom; I know the Cloyster.¡± Rolling her eyes, Amira sighed, ¡°My mom was the one that actually gave him a Teleport TM back in the day. He thinks he¡¯s hot stuff because he has Skill Link and Shell Armor. He¡¯d never do anything to hurt me, though ¡­ Not after meeting my mom¡¯s Pokemon.¡± A low hiss shot through his teeth as he glanced between her two teammates. ¡°Sure ¡­ I get all of your families are probably far above Master-tier, but be mindful of the Tier-System in the future. You don¡¯t know how he might have acted toward your teammates ¡­ He seems to have accepted you, but be more cautious in the future.¡± ¡°I completely understand!¡± Amira said, trying to sound as sincere as possible. ¡°There was something my mom left for me here ¡­ It¡¯s just one of those family things. I¡¯ll be careful.¡± Rhea piped up soon after. ¡°Yeah! We¡¯ll be super careful. Thanks for coming to our rescue!¡± He gestured to the edge as the Pidgeot cleaned himself. ¡°Just be mindful of your surroundings; there¡¯s a perpetual whirlpool to the north of here. A lot of Trainers have been seriously injured in this area ¡­ Even if your mother is near Legendary-tier and your grandfather is the Viridian Gym Leader, you¡¯re expected to follow the same rules as other Trainers.¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Amira nodded, adding a forced smile. ¡°I know you need to reach Silver-tier to waive the Trainer Protection Program. We¡¯ll just camp out here and return to the route in the morning.¡± Unfortunately, the Ranger wasn¡¯t going to let her have her way. ¡°Seeing as you have this Area Boss¡¯s permission to stay, I¡¯ll allow you to camp here, but I¡¯m going to leave a monitor to make sure nothing bad happens.¡± Amira wanted to curse as he motioned to the Pidgeot, and he nodded, making a loud call that brought a Pidgey out of the nearby overgrowth to land on the Ranger¡¯s outstretched hand. ¡°This little guy will make sure you¡¯re safe; if there are any problems, then send him to find us¡ªthis Area Boss is temperamental.¡± Mallory¡¯s expression fell, regaining her attitude now that she was on land; folding her arms under her bust, she huffed. ¡°Why let us stay at all then?¡± He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Honestly, I shouldn¡¯t, but ¡­ I¡¯ve seen that Cloyster attack Platinum Trainers without hesitation, and he¡¯s tough, yet he didn¡¯t so much as make a Splash when seeing you. There¡¯s been talk about relocating him into the ocean among officials in Apple City, and I¡¯d like to think he can be reformed ¡­ If you have a relationship with him, then please, negotiate with him because I don¡¯t like taking Pokemon out of their homes against their will.¡± Hope sparked in Amira¡¯s breast; there was hope yet, and this little Pidgey could be bribed ¡­ Rangers trusted Pokemon far too much; her mother was a master at getting friendly Pokemon to do what she wanted¡ªshe just needed to take a note from her book. With that, the Ranger left, and they started setting up camp. The flat, high-walled island had a dense, half-dead woodland on the left half, and near it was a campfire pit made by Red and Yellow during their journey many, many years ago; at least, that¡¯s what her mother claimed. Amira had some pondering to do, but it shouldn¡¯t be that hard with the tools at her disposal. It was time to teach her Pokemon the art of bending the rules to get what you wanted. Tested Positive For COVID-19 Oof, seems in my delirium, I missed a few updates on a few of the serials. I''m not in any risk demographic and they sent me home from the ER to rest up. I do have my vaccination, but I still need to isolate. My airway is good and the doctor said for me to just take it easy. For more details, go to the discord. Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. https://discord.gg/qaU96C6H says I can''t post unless over 500 characters but haven''t had the problem on the other chapters. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. Go to the discord for more details. B1 — 51. Unsettling Realization 5:25 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea watched the Ranger leave on the back of his Pidgeot with a frown; they hadn''t even gotten his name. It was nice that he seemed concerned about the Cloyster, but she did take a bit of issue with his attitude. From what she¡¯d seen so far and heard, this Cloyster had a monopoly in this area, killing any Pokemon that tried to move in, which was extremely harmful to both humans and Pokemon. Tightening her hands on her pack, she glanced down at Nova when the Eevee nudged her bare ankle; Alice was asking her questions that she didn¡¯t have the answer to. Rhea released a sad sigh. Hmm? Oh, I¡¯m just a little taken aback; he seemed more worried about the Cloyster having moved areas than the fact we¡¯re in a Platinum-tier area¡ªdon¡¯t get me wrong, I¡¯m happy he didn¡¯t kick us out, but it¡¯s just weird; I don¡¯t know¡­ Looking back up at the sky, Rhea folded her arms. I try to be open-minded ¡­ It¡¯s hard sometimes understanding Rangers, though. Maybe it¡¯s because I didn¡¯t grow up in the culture. I¡¯m just ¡­ Know what, never mind. Rhea chuckled, plucking the back of her bottoms out before bending down to a perplexed Alice and Nova. I¡¯ll just do my thinking; you two don¡¯t worry about it ¡­ Wait, what do you want to do? Nova hopped up on her hind legs and bit down on her pack strap, pulling on it a bit. Now, as baffled as her two Pokemon were a second ago, she slowly slid it off. Okay? Are you telling me to ¡­ Oh! Teh ¡­ Really, you two wanna try doing it yourself? Alice waved her off with sparkling pink eyes, wiggling under the bag to hoist it onto Nova¡¯s back, and the two slowly moved to the campsite where Mallory was happily getting her tent set up. You want to put up our stuff tonight ¡­ Do you know how to do that, Nova? She returned a happy chirp, moving slowly while trying to balance the bulky pack on her back with Alice¡¯s help. Rhea watched in amusement for a moment as Gables and Roxie rushed over to help them with the Eevee¡¯s call. Okay ¡­ Just ask me if you need any help. Her focus shifted to the redhead; Amira¡¯s attention was taken by the Pidgey that the Ranger sent to watch them. She could practically see the girl¡¯s mind spinning a web of plans to develop a way to accomplish her goals for coming here¡ªa Ranger wasn¡¯t going to stop her. Pulling in the corner of her lip, Rhea made her way to the edge of the cliff to look out at the shimmering pond; she couldn¡¯t see the Pokemon, but many were strong enough for her to sense their auras, which wasn¡¯t something she experienced often. Her training in aura was primarily directed at sensing negative emotions in Pokemon; it was much easier for her to accurately identify more powerful life signatures. The issue was compounded by the fact all of the Pokemon below released waves of animosity¡ªnot everything could be sensed at once, but as she focused on the individual auras, a clearer picture was coming to mind. So many Shellder ¡­ That Cloyster is definitely Upper Platinum-tier, too ¡­ Such a cold and aggressive force, as well, and he¡¯s passed that on to his children. Without Franky here¡­ A shiver ran down her frame and she rubbed her arms as the cool breeze lifted off the water to press against her skin. She couldn¡¯t shake the uncomfortable edge she felt on the Ranger; maybe it was his rather abrupt entry and exit or that he remained nameless. They¡¯d seen a Ranger with Pidgeot on their way here, yet this wasn¡¯t the same guy. Rangers were generally very caring people¡ªtoo caring, which showed in the very high injury and mortality rate of the profession in the more dangerous areas. There was a new breed of Ranger, or so she¡¯d heard; then again, it wasn¡¯t like she¡¯d met any in her life¡ªwhy would she when Masters surrounded her from birth? Rhea had to remind herself that her home was far from the norm, too, but that didn¡¯t reduce the danger wild Pokemon could pose in this age. Glancing back, she saw Amira walking toward the small dense section of the flat island; most of it was fairly rocky, but a portion of it had what seemed to be deep and fertile soil that must have been dropped there by a strong Trainer at some point in the past. The Pidgey watched her go and soon took flight to hover above Amira, speaking to Amber, who seemed to be luring the Pokemon into the trees. Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in. We¡¯re in a Platinum-tier zone ¡­ Seriously, why leave a Pidgey with us? He knows the Cloyster can teleport ¡­ teleport alone bumps it up to a potential Master-tier threat. It just seems so off¡­ She couldn¡¯t get the feelings out of her chest; it went against everything her family told her about Rangers, and this one was undoubtedly at least Upper Gold to Low Platinum, given the strength of the Pidgeot¡ªit equaled Snee-Kee, her brother¡¯s Klefki, which was the weakest of his main team, but that was saying something. Overall, she¡¯d heard it dozens of times; Master Trainers and Top Rangers worked with one another due to things balancing out by having both cultures, but that didn¡¯t mean they agreed on everything. Kanto was heavily steeped in Trainer ideology. Studying the pond below them, Rhea passively unbound her hair, shaking it out a bit before pulling it out of her face in the cool breeze. She trusted that Amira knew what she was doing here; she¡¯d proven it by getting them past the Cloyster¡ªthe Ranger on the other hand was running circles in her mind. Puffing out a long breath, Rhea yawned and rubbed her eyes; she didn¡¯t feel tired, but it came out anyway. She blinked to adjust her vision and scanned the water as it swept around their island on both sides; it seemed to be perfectly still in some places while a more aggressive tide washed over others in an unnatural current. The waves brushed against the sides of the sheer rock face of the gorge across from them, rising a bit above their current position; it was a bit unusual to see so many fish swimming near the surface of the pond, but considering only a single evolutionary predator occupied the space it allowed them to flourish where an abundance of Pokemon in the rivers kept the population down. Glancing back, Rhea discovered Amira talking to the Pidgey while gathering dead sticks for the fire. Mallory was still setting up her inflatable mattress with a tiny hand pump, chuckling at her Pokemon trying to help Nova and Alice with her tent. Thanks, guys ¡­ Trying to give me a break is sweet. Alice sent a distracted grunt, listening to Lori¡¯s basic instructions with Nova as they tried to learn the process. Rhea¡¯s eyes returned to the surface of the glittering wonder below, passively fidgeting with her bikini to better situate it before lowering herself to the edge to dangle her feet over the edge. She was forced to wrap her thigh-length blonde locks around her throat to keep it out of the dust, but it also acted as a windbreaker, which helped. The strange scent of jade permeated the air as she sat, kicking her heels against the side of the cliff. Her skin heated under the strong summer sun, but the chill lifting off the pond helped to cool her; she was sure there had to be ice underneath the blinding water. Putting her unsettling feelings behind her, she let the magical moment wash over her; it felt like she was dreaming. All of the worries and chaos that she had been feeling had been stripped away by the dazzling spring''s enchanting presence with the sun''s reflecting rays. After a minute, Rhea groaned, mind returning to the Clefairy. "Why did Mom make me worry about her?" ¡°Yo!¡± Mallory''s low moan caused Rhea to lean back and watch the purple-haired girl approach her. "Mmh! Does it really bother you that much?" The girl pulled out her own hairpins and shook out her locks before wrapping them around her throat in the same manner as Rhea to keep them tamed. "My mom would have done it to tease me¡ªno doubt." "Well, your mom would have¡ªeh, I guess she would joke about that stuff ... My mom, though..." Rhea trailed off, looking down into the cool water. "My mom''s too busy to think of stuff like that." Mallory carefully dropped to her butt and scooted to the edge with her, reaching out to snatch her hand for support. "Umm ... Yo, what''s up with you and all this ... stuff ... Aren''t you scared?" she mumbled, tentatively looking over the side of the cliff. Rhea snickered, seeing Lori''s forehead crease with worry, free hand pressing tightly against her inner thigh. "I guess we come from different worlds; my dad and I would go hiking and do stuff like this all the time." Lori pressed her lips together, "but..." "But what?" "But ... you''re like ... I don''t know ... You look so natural doing this stuff." She forced a chuckle, purple eyes focusing on her. "It''s kind of cool, ya know?" "Me?" Rhea grinned. "Look at you! This is your first time on the river, and you''re all gas, no breaks! I think that''s super brave¡ªyou''re super brave," she encouraged. "Geez," Lori blushed, playing with her hair; her feet hadn''t left the rock once, "all I hear out of your mouth is positive Muk¡ªtell me I suck every once and a while, girl! I gotta hear it sometimes..." Rhea offered a soft chuckle and slowly pulled Lori to her feet and away from the precipice, playfully taking a swing at the girl''s arm. "That''s the stuff you''ll have to teach me! So, should we go get the fishing rods and start getting some dinner? Amira''s getting the fire started..." "Not that it''ll take that long," Amira mumbled, returning with a bundle of sticks in her arms; she was careful not to poke her exposed skin. "The fish here are big, so we should only need one." She dropped them by the campfire, lifting an eyebrow at Alice, Gables, Nova, and Roxie, coordinating with one another to feed the rods through the tent straps. "Not bad, guys." Gables gave her a thumbs up, practically saying, why, thank you! Mallory held her arm behind her back, pushing out her chest with a low hiss while looking away. "Eh ... yeah, about that¡ªI''ve never fished before, and ... I don''t have a rod." "Really?" Amira quirked an eyebrow, and Alice mirrored the look for nothing else but to try it out. Lori shrugged, thumbnail playing with the back of her elbow. "Didn''t think I''d ... Well, yeah," Mallory laughed. "Can you teach me on Rhea''s rod? I mean, I''d kind of like to learn¡ªoh, but maybe on yours..." Rhea was amused seeing this more exposed side of Lori since her nervousness of getting on the river; perhaps they needed to get her out more often. "I suppose I can teach you," Amira hummed, glancing at Rhea, "but only if I can fish, too. We don''t really have all day¡ªnot to be mean, it''s just..." Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon. "No, I get it," Mallory sucked on the roof of her mouth. "I just thought¡ªI''m not good at this outdoors stuff, okay? I''m more of a city girl." "Oh, yeah, and I''m totally a country bumpkin!" Rhea laughed. ¡°You were showing me all sorts of stuff in Apple City, so it''s cool we can teach each other different things ... I''ll just take a look around more¡ªhere, let me get my rod," she muttered, getting down to extract her fishing pole from the scattered contents of her bag; Nova and Alice had made quite a mess of things. Amira threw a quick wave in Gables'' direction as he gave them a thankful smile; Mallory must be working through a lot of deeper emotions that they didn''t understand. Lori took the pole Rhea offered with a low shriek, looking at the barbed hooks at the end of the string as Rhea pulled off the plastic safety pieces to stick in the small kit. "Augh! I ... I don''t know if I can do this." Her shaking purple eyes met Rhea''s as she gave her a tender expression. "I can stay too if it''ll help. It''s actually pretty relaxing once you get the hang of it." Mallory took a few deep breaths, exhaling the stress and thoughts that were quickly sinking her. "Muk ... How can you two be so cool with all this ... this water surrounding us? We''re literally trapped..." Rhea smirked, taking Amira''s pole as the redhead positioned herself next to Lori to get her line ready with the artificial bait; she became so involved and caring when it came to teaching people. "Here, let me help ... We''ll take it slow; my mom''s crazy at fishing ... basically she''s good at everything; sometimes I''m so jealous." "Of your mom?" Lori asked, and even Rhea was surprised at the admission. Amira¡¯s nose twisted with agitation, but her tone was gentle while guiding Lori''s hands to the proper areas and checking to see if everything was in order. "She''s a natural at everything ... I know, she''s a High Champion Trainer, and I bet your aunt''s the same way, Rhea. It doesn''t matter what they do; they just power their way through it with insane positivity and pep ... I swear if I could turn my mom''s energy into a drink..." "My Aunt Cynthia?" Rhea forced herself to ask; she didn''t even want to imagine her aunt''s energy. "Yeah ... it''s less ''pep'' and more like the coming of an apocalypse that everyone just jumps out of the way of and lets her do her thing..." "Mmh, makes sense," Amira mumbled, turning back to Lori. "So, you don''t need a death grip ... Loosen up a bit ... there we go." "N-No, but¡ªbut what if it jerks the pole out of my hand," Lori fearfully protested. "I''ve seen those shows where they use line to pull fish in, and¡ªand sometimes they''re so big they just take you right over the edge of the boat!" "Ocean fish," Rhea chuckled. "These are big, but my rod''s built for bigger fish; it should be fine," she added, checking Amira''s line for her. "I-I can do it!" Mallory shakily declared, trying to pump herself up. "That''s the spirit!" Rhea cheered. Amira cleared her throat, sliding closer to Lori to guide her through the motions. "We''re pretty high up, so you''ll need to throw it wide. Ready?" "Okay..." Rhea had fun being Amira''s cheerleader and her two Pokemon soon rushed over to aid their Trainer. It didn''t take more than five test casts for the girl to start getting it and do it by herself for the first time. "I did it!" she squealed, pumping the rod a bit into the air with glee. "Woah! Okay ... Okay..." "That''s awesome!" Rhea clapped. "See, it''s not so bad!" A soft smile brightened Amira''s cheeks as she took the pole that Rhea offered. "It''s ... nice doing this with other people ... with a team." Rhea could feel her chest welling with emotion as she hopped forward to hug the redhead from behind. "H-Hey..." "I feel the same way! It''s been the best traveling with you two." "Umm, yeah, like, totally," Mallory breathed, "but umm, now what?" "We wait," Amira replied, adjusting her glasses while glancing back at Rhea with a thankful look. "You know ... It means a lot that you guys haven''t brought up my family ... this entire time." "Not like we can talk..." Lori grumbled. "My mom just shows up out of the blue and paints a target on our backs. Am I right?" Amira gave Lori a hesitant look as a lump dropped down her throat. "What''s wrong, Mallory?" "Nothing ... I''m just nervous," the girl admitted with a chuckle. "I''ve never caught a fish before¡ªwhat if one actually b-bites. I just wanted to have a good time, you know..." The way she slid by their parents¡¯ random and eccentric behavior made Rhea even happier. I really gotta wonder if the Oak Starter Award random selector is random at all ¡­ It doesn¡¯t seem like it. "Oh, one sec, let me get you guys seats!" Rhea jogged back to grab one of the small stumps around the fire but it was pretty stuck in the ground; Alice noticed and did a quick jump kick with Nova to pop it out. "Oof ... there we go!" she grinned, falling over a bit. Hoisting it up, she brought it back to Mallory, noticing the girl''s slight discoloration on her back again; it was easy to notice when she only wore a bikini. "Hey, are you doing okay?" Rhea asked, setting the log down behind her. "Eh, heh, I don''t know about sitting, to be honest," Lori laughed. "I''m nervous enough standing!" Amira glanced back at the Pidgey; he''d returned to sit near the fire, watching Alice and Nova still struggling to do their little project¡ªthey wanted to do it totally on their own to prove to themselves they could. "By the way," the redhead whispered, "did either of you pick up on that strange behavior that Ranger showed us? I didn''t really pick up on it at first, but the more I thought about it, the more strange his actions looked." Mallory gingerly sat her backside down as if the log would bite her or a fish would take advantage of her action to drag her off the small cliff. "Eh ... not really? I mean, he was just one of those dudes that''s all up in arms about dangerous Pokemon being picked on or whatever ... Unova deals with that Muk all the time." "Yeah, but his actions weren¡¯t in line with standard protocol," Amira murmured. "It was really out of character for a Ranger ... Leaving us here in a dangerous area with just a Pidgey. At first, I thought it would be easy to trick the little bird into letting us do our thing, but Amber says he''s acting funny, too¡ªmainly, he rejected her." The shiny Fennekin next to her gave a short sniff before puffing out a hot stream of flames in the indignation. Rhea kneeled down beside them. Hey, Alice, Nova, keep that guy distracted for us ¡­ Amira thinks there¡¯s something up with this whole thing and I¡¯m with her. Her two Pokemon accepted the mission with fervor, trying to rope in the bird in helping them to which he flatly refused, angering Alice a bit, and they seemed to get into an argument; Nova tried to keep the bunny calm. ¡°I agree,¡± Rhea nodded to the girl, who shot a quick look of realization at her. ¡°I think he''s telling Alice that she''s not trustworthy as a Trainer Pokemon." Amira hissed, glaring at the pool; Serenity floated out of the lake to look up at them¡ªRhea didn''t think she was still in there. "Does that sound like a Ranger partner Pokemon? No ... I''ve got a bad feeling about this." Rhea hummed, fingers tightening against her thighs. "Do you think we should contact the Ranger Union?" Mallory''s fear had diminished substantially as they pulled her mind away from the possibility of being dragged into the pond. "I don''t think so; a Ranger partner Pokemon should have been on watch, right? If he showed up, then something else is up." "My thoughts exactly," Amira agreed. "He didn''t give us identification, a name, or even inquire further about why we were here. Why create this ruse of being a Ranger unless we''d get suspicious if one didn''t show up to stop us, and when he noticed we weren''t killed by the Cloyster, he had to make an appearance? It''s just a theory, but it''s a bit too suspicious." Rhea''s coral blue eyes shifted between her two teammates. "So ... We shouldn''t contact the Rangers through the App and report it? I did that a few days ago when I felt some super ominous aura in the forest." Mallory shook her head, staring up at the nearby cliffs, peering into the dense undergrowth of various areas. "I''m thinking that''s not a good idea¡ªwe don''t know why he''s here, but the Ranger communications network isn''t all that tough to crack, and if he did do something to the Ranger, then he may even have his device. Either way, he wouldn''t be a fan of us drawing more attention ... If we''re going the Kyurem option here." Amira''s lips tightened, and she pushed her sunglasses up a little on the bridge of her nose. "I''ll have Serenity ask Cloyster what he knows about the guy ... He''s more friendly when fed." Bringing her toes together, Rhea rubbed her chest, feeling her heartbeat rise a little. "Umm ... my brother might still be in the area¡ªhe can get here pretty fast, I think." "Maybe," Mallory mumbled, still scanning the tree line. "It''s better safe than sorry when dealing with sketchy things like this when all alone, and no one knows where we are¡ªdepending on what tech he has, he might even be able to block our GPS." "Good point," Amira gestured for Rhea to go back and check her bag. Hoisting herself up, Rhea jogged back to the campsite; Alice was now trading snarky insults with the Pidgey, Nova now a bit upset with how the bird was talking to them. Keep it up, girls. We¡¯re trying to figure out what¡¯s¡­ Rhea activated her phone, eyes fixating on her service¡ªnone available. It felt like ice had been dumped into her stomach. She looked up at Alice, her two Pokemon feeling the gut-wrenching feeling gripping her chest. We should be close enough to the relay points to have at least two bars ¡­ We¡¯re right next to a major route. Her gaze drifted to the Pidgey, eyeing her with a blank expression. No ¡­ No, I gotta play it cool. ¡°Eh ¡­ Can you be just a bit nicer to Alice and Nova ¡­ They just want to be friends.¡± The Pidgey sniffed, looking away with a few more comments that sent Alice insulting him again; she really wanted to fight the infuriating bird but held back because of Rhea¡¯s internal dread. We¡¯re isolated in a dangerous place with some guy pretending to be a ranger¡ªwithout any way to contact help? What do we do? Is he after Amira or Mallory? Did someone find out my identity and want to make a move against Mom or Dad? Eyes spinning, Rhea tentatively jogged back to her team, the device held close to her breast, face blank but concern spreading across her features as she turned away from the bird. ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah, heh, you were right, Lori!¡± The girl¡¯s hands tightened against her rod, but her tone was light as she called out. ¡°Too bad! Muk, I was hoping to get some online stuff set up. We¡¯ll have to wait a bit and try again.¡± Kneeling beside her two companions, Rhea noticed how dry her lips were and hissed, ¡°What do we do; get back in our kayaks and leave?¡± Mallory¡¯s sunglasses were now rolling down on her nose while staring down at the water. ¡°Uh, I don''t see that going well¡ªhe''s going to be suspicious if we''ve committed to coming all the way here and then just decide we got cold feet¡ªwe''ve even started setting up camp.¡± "Not wrong," Amira sighed, scratching her head and eyes with her pointer finger. "I suppose we should finish catching a fish and settling in, but what''s to stop him from killing us and saying it was Cloyster ... I think ... If this is as bad as it looks and it''s not just a terrible line-up of coincidences, then ... he might be our only option out of this." "That super aggressive Cloyster?" Mallory scoffed, running a free hand through her hair before returning it to the rod. "Muk ... Do you really know him that well?" Rhea shot a hopeful gaze to the redhead, but her expression wasn''t convincing. "Not ... really. He knows me enough that he''ll tolerate us if we follow his rules, but ... I think I have to send Serenity to ask for help¡ªthat Pidgeot will know for sure if she leaves the area¡ªits eyes are just too sharp." Rhea felt the pressure hit her chest. Is this what Dad and Sabin deal with all the time? My heart feels like it''s going to explode! "O-Okay," Rhea puffed out a long stream of air, "My mind''s a total blank¡ªI''ve had top-tier Pokemon protecting me all my life, so ... I don''t know what to do. Silver-tier is one thing, but Platinum? There''s no chance¡ªat all." Amira sucked her bottom lip under, and a tear fell down the side of her cheek, drawing Mallory and Rhea''s attention. "Sorry," she cleared her throat, "I''m just ... I feel like this is my fault. If either of you is hurt because of my family, then..." "You kidding me?" Lori grunted, reaching over to slug her in the arm. Amira coughed, leaning back. "Mmh! Lori ... I''m sitting on the edge..." "I-I''m sorry," Lori groaned, "but that just pissed me off ... You''re not the only person people wanna get rid of, so stop throwin'' everything on yourself ... Muk, my family''s ripped off who knows how many gambling rings and pissed off how many people? Rhea?" "Y-Yeah!" Rhea shot back, regaining her bearings. "You know who my family is! My Mom and Aunt have enemies a mile long! Eh ... I''d just be more surprised they''d want to get on their bad side, to be honest," she forced a laugh, trying to find some silver lining. "True..." Amira mumbled, rubbing her shoulder. "That hurt, by the way..." "It was supposed to," Lori returned. "Quit harping on yourself; geez, you kill everything¡ªyeah, seriously! You make me feel bad because you''re just too amazing..." "Cut it out..." "I agree!" Rhea jumped in, carefully wrapping her arms around Amira''s side while leaning over and back to take them closer to the ground. "Let''s stick together and not see who''s family got who mad ... Deal?" Amira breathed out a heavy sigh, letting Rhea carry her to her back, their feet dangling over the edge. "I''m just¡ªyou two are impossible," she grumbled, pushing her glasses back up after they''d fallen crooked. "Fine ... We''re in it together ... And I''m sorry for bringing us down ... ack..." Rhea tightened her grip as hard as she could, forcing the air out of the redhead''s lungs. "Together! We all agreed to come here together!" "F-Fine," she coughed, "Arceus, fine!" "Good," Mallory grinned, reeling in her line a bit. "So ... you still on that strat¡ªoh, Muk ... I''ve got a bite! Eek! Help! Help!" Rhea scrambled off of Amira, dropping her phone on the ground to stop Mallory from dancing herself right off the cliff; Amira soon came to help as all of their Pokemon gathered with the silently observing Pidgey, and after seven minutes of work hauling a 6lb fish up the side of the cliff and for Amber to deliver a killing blow. Rhea laughed as Mallory threw up a few feet away, gasping for air. "Well, at least we have dinner now!" "D-Dinner!? How can you crazy girls even have an appetite ... I don''t like this..." she cried, dropping to her knees and clutching her stomach. She took in another breath as Gables and Roxie tried to comfort her. "Good work, girls," Amira laughed, holding up the monster. "This will be more than enough for us! Rhea, you''re the cook..." "Right! Now, let''s empty our bags to see what we have to use ... I''ll do my best!" We just need to act normal until Serenity can get that Cloyster on our side ... If she can... B1 — 52. Fighting The Odds 6:30 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Nigel cursed his luck while hiding in the brush from across the shimmering pond of Shellder; this wasn¡¯t supposed to be how this went, and just after he¡¯d sabotaged the communication¡¯s tower and rid himself of the Ranger in the area. If only he hadn¡¯t lost nearly his entire team in the Kanto League ambush they¡¯d run into, then this would have been easy, but Ian, his Pidgeot, managed to sweep him away while the others bought them time¡ªthey all fought against this corrupt system. The propaganda the Leagues employed didn¡¯t sway his convictions in the least¡ªthey were heroes, hidden in darkness. It was rough on both of them, destroying the bond they shared through the Ultra Balls he¡¯d used to link with his former partners¡ªbut they understood the risks of this job. Now they were in the hands of the Kanto and Johto League and would likely go through their re-education camp. He reached over to pat Ian¡¯s neck, studying the three young Bronze-tier girls across the pond while remaining camouflaged behind the brush; it reminded him of his misguided little sister back in Unova. I know, buddy ¡­ This poisonous pain in our hearts is just another reason we need to make Lord Ghetsis¡¯s dream a reality. They understood why we needed to sever the link¡ªthose blood-suckers¡ªif they used their psychic Pokemon, they could have tracked us down via our bond. Ian bent down to nuzzle his head with his beak, gently rubbing away his tears; he didn¡¯t like it but knew this was just a part of the resistance. Look at them, Ian. Nigel sighed, watching the girls fish. Lord Ghetsis, save me ¡­ They brainwash them so young ¡­ Rangers, the hypocrites work alongside Trainers ¡­ Indulge in their fantasies for the profit¡ªit¡¯s disgusting, but these girls. I don¡¯t want to hurt them, Ian ¡­ We need guidance ¡­ We¡¯re running out of time, though, and that Cloyster is so much stronger than we thought. His partner made a soft chirp of acknowledgment; his keen eyes pierced the water to follow the Cloyster, resting at the bottom of the deepest section. He expressed his own thoughts on the eventual conflict, forcing Nigel¡¯s stomach to tighten. I know ¡­ I know, buddy. Teleport is not something we ever expected or were told about. We can¡¯t fail this mission, though! Everyone¡¯s eyes are pointed elsewhere ¡­ We have to obtain the package at all costs before it can be corrupted¡ªwe need it for the coming war. Ian¡¯s ruffled feathers resonated in Nigel¡¯s chest. Giovanni¡¯s granddaughter, though ¡­ If she¡¯s here, and with her GPS being blocked ¡­ How long do we have until someone shows up? What¡¯s more, she¡¯s friends with this Cloyster, too ¡­ He won¡¯t budge on his convictions either ¡­ We have to go through him. Lord, help us. It was rough enough having to deal with the bothersome Ranger and block his means to call for support; Ian was strong enough to handle the Gold-tier Ranger¡¯s partner Pokemon while Nigel took care of the man himself with a well-aimed bullet, but Giovanni¡¯s family was something else entirely. Giovanni himself put a shiver down his spine; his methods and obsession were legendary. It didn¡¯t matter if he completed this mission and got away because he wouldn¡¯t get far if he knew any harm came to his granddaughter. If only we could just tell her to go, but they might get suspicious¡ªa Ranger wouldn¡¯t talk like that to someone with influence like Giovanni¡¯s granddaughter. She might be questioning why I left Drew to look after her ¡­ Should I have left you, Ian? The Pidgeot grunted; he had no clue how they should have handled the unexpected visit¡ªhe was the muscle. Although, Ian was still somewhat leery about Drew, a Pidgey, and their newest recruit. He had called out all of the Ranger-affiliated Pokemon in the area, allowing them to systematically take out the ones that would be troublesome¡ªa necessary sacrifice for their better world. So far, his performance was exemplary, though. With the sentries down, it wouldn¡¯t take more than six hours for the Operator in the area to conclude something was wrong when the Ranger didn¡¯t check in for his nightly report. The issue was if there were any Rocket operatives nearby, looking after Amira. He took out his personal transceiver, operating on the sole frequency his jammer didn¡¯t block, and contacted his supervisor. The holographic display of a blue-eyed man with a black mask covering his face and a headband around his thick mane of silver hair appeared. Not a word exited his superior¡¯s mouth as he waited for the report. ¡°Shadow, we¡¯ve encountered a problem¡ªthe Cloyster guarding the package has been given a Teleport TM, and has likely been given personal training lessons from Kanto¡¯s former Champion, Lyra¡­¡± A lump dropped down his throat, causing him to clear his airway. ¡°Also, Giovanni¡¯s granddaughter just came to camp in the location after I completed the preliminary tasks¡ªshe plans to stay the night, and I¡¯m operating on a six-hour limit¡ªGiovanni may have a unit in the area to look after his granddaughter, as well. Orders?¡± The man¡¯s placid irises shifted to the left for a moment, likely looking at one of his brothers; Nigel waited for his orders, knowing they¡¯d make the best decision for the grand picture their lord had foreseen. Shadow¡¯s gaze soon returned to him, and his deep, buttery voice was like ice in Nigel¡¯s veins. ¡°Kill the team, secure the package, and deliver it to the drop location; no one has their eyes on you, and we¡¯ve added a false beacon for his granddaughter¡¯s location on the river¡ªframe the Cloyster. Trust our Lord¡¯s plan¡­¡± He paused, glancing to his right, and suddenly he was on the move, showing the background of Viridian City; one of his brothers spoke clearly and distinctly. ¡°Our location is compromised; Gladion is onto us.¡± Shadow¡¯s focus returned to him. ¡°Radio silence for the next forty-eight hours; complete the mission.¡± The image cut out, and cold waves crashed over Nigel¡¯s head; he couldn¡¯t breathe for a time, feeling Ian¡¯s acceptance settle in far before he could stomach the response. It was the Pidgeot¡¯s gentle nibble on his ear that allowed the frozen air in his lungs to be released. So ¡­ This is it, Ian¡ªkilling hypocrites and terrible people is one thing, but these impressionable girls¡ªI suppose this is what Lord Ghetsis meant when he said our convictions would be challenged in ways he couldn¡¯t expect. Rubbing away the sweat from his temple as his blood pressure shot up, Nigel puffed out the stress in his breast, patting Ian¡¯s neck again. No ¡­ No, I¡¯m not doubting, bud ¡­ You know I¡¯m not ¡­ It¡¯s just ¡­ I¡¯m resolving myself. It doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t feel bad for these girls ¡­ They were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A quake rippled through his bones, and he could feel his heart coming undone¡ªwhen looking at the three laughing teenagers, he couldn¡¯t help but see Anna, his little sister¡ªespecially the blonde. Anna was kind of the teaching type, helping her friends with how to do outdoor activities. She¡¯d caught her first fish long before he had¡ªwhy was his last memory with her fishing? It played on his mind while watching the girls dig through their packs, searching for ingredients to eat their big catch, unaware it would be their last meal. A well-buried hope surfaced. Ian ¡­ Surely, it would be a big victory for Plasma if we can get them to join the cause. If we give them a chance, maybe we could have someone inside Rocket; surely Lord Ghetsis would be thrilled at that¡­ Ian narrowed his eyes, expressing doubt through their bond. No, I know! Not all of them will join ¡­ Hopefully, but we have to at least give it a shot. The Pidgeot sighed, his vision returning to the pool. Our orders were to kill them ¡­ I know ¡­ I know, but if they¡¯re a part of Plasma, then surely there would be an exception. We have to give them a chance, and they could even talk the Cloyster into joining us! No ¡­ I¡¯m not justifying ¡­ I¡¯m not defying the Shadow Triad; it may just not be necessary ¡­ I know they¡¯re not Anna! Ian shook his head, feathers ruffling; he was convinced it was pointless, but it would get them close enough to the girls for him to make it swift on both them and their Pokemon. No one was supposed to know who did this job. Okay, yeah! We¡¯re just giving them the option to help us out; if they accept, we can have their brains wiped and added as sleeper agents to further the cause when needed. This is the best option if it works! His friend rolled his eyes, saying ¡®if it works¡¯ is the point of the discussion, which he thought was less likely than coming out of this next battle without scars¡ªhe was committed, though. Having convinced Ian to at least give the girls the chance to live, he took a deep breath. You know I can¡¯t go through this and ¡­ If I don¡¯t even provide them with that¡ªI couldn¡¯t look at Julia in the face again. Ian¡¯s head lowered, thinking about his previous bond. Ian¡¯s wife had given her all for the organization¡ªfor them¡ªshe and her Liepard had taken the brunt of an attack by N¡¯s traitor group that had cost them their lives. He wanted to carry on her dream of making the radiant, holy world of genuinely free Pokemon a reality. The shame of being unable to protect his love swept through his mind; he suffered the blame for not being strong enough, but if there was something he could do to redeem himself, it was fulfilling her ideals. Okay, let¡¯s go over our strategies and contingencies for this Cloyster ¡­ I know, Ian¡ªwe need to carry on her flame. Trust in Lord Ghetsis and his plan ¡­ We¡¯ll all be reunited in the end, in truth and light ¡­ reborn. Steeling his heart for what he¡¯d likely be forced to do, he spent the next forty minutes going over the possible Moves the Cloyster might employ and the strategies that went with Teleport. When they finished, Nigel reached into his pocket to remove a locket he had made after Julia¡¯s death; he smiled, firming his resolve while looking into her smiling brown eyes and black hair. He could practically smell the fragrance of her silky locks and the tickling sensation he used to always wake him up when she rustled at night¡ªhe used to hate it; it was funny, really¡ªheartbreaking¡ªthe things that reminded him the most about her were the things he hated. Nigel¡¯s hand pressed against his breast as a quiver ran through it, and he pushed back the emotions threatening to rise through his burning throat. We¡¯ll meet again ¡­ We have to ¡­ Trust the plan. Ian¡¯s own heart was on fire as he shared in Nigel¡¯s pain. After another minute, he slowly moved to the edge of the thicket to join the Pidgeot; the Feebas seemed to be sticking beside the Cloyster, having struck up a conversation with him for the past twenty minutes. The Pidgeot had been keeping a close eye on everything, and Drew kept up on his reports, determined to prove his worth to the cause. The girls were acting a little funny at first, but it was probably because of Mallory being so erratic. Nigel was aware of the Unova girl¡¯s family history, seeing as she had two active members in the Unova League, which made him somewhat confused at Mallory¡¯s reactions. She seemed like such a fearless party girl in everyday media and was very vocal on social media, yet here, she was acting like a complete child, fearful of everything¡ªit gave him hope they hadn¡¯t noticed any strange behavior from him¡ªit was hard acting like a hypocritical Ranger. In the worst-case scenario, he¡¯d need to kill the girls and pin all the local activity on the Cloyster¡ªso long as no one looked too deeply, then it should be convincing. He wanted to throw up just thinking about jabbing their bodies with the Pokemon¡¯s icicles, but for the greater good of the Pokemon world ¡­ he had to bear the guilt ¡­ for Julia and Lord Ghetsis. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Let¡¯s go. We¡¯re as ready as we¡¯ll get. Reaching down into a duffle bag, carrying a few of his supplies, he put the pistol on the top of the items; it wasn¡¯t useful against any competent Trainers and their Pokemon, but opportunities always presented themselves for the overconfident. He could use the high-powered rifle, which was far more effective against anyone but Master Trainers, given their Pokemon¡¯s general perception range. Please, see the truth in this corrupt world ¡­ Don¡¯t make me do this. The girls were currently cutting up their fish and seasoning it; the blonde seemed to be leading the group in how to cook. He wanted to provide them more time, but a nighttime fight wouldn¡¯t be to their advantage, and given they were under time constraints, he couldn¡¯t spare even a minute. Closing it up, he moved back to the small clearing with Ian; mounting his friend, they took to the air. The girls quickly noticed their descent and put their items to the side to gather in a group with their Pokemon curiously taking point between them. Nigel discharged his pent-up lungs, glancing around nature one last time before entering the nightmare he had to endure. The wind had increased a bit since that morning, and the sun still shone its hot rays down on the primarily rocky island, illuminating the ice crystals in the massive pond to generate a beautifully shimmering surface; twilight would fall in the coming hour, and ideally, he needed to be out of this area before then. Two rivers rushed beyond the body of water to feed into a square convergence point for six rivers that generated a colossal spiraling whirlpool¡ªhis destination was at the center of that mass¡ªa hidden underground cavern that fed into an underground waterway. He wasn¡¯t sure about anything inside other than what he was tasked to retrieve. Touching ground, Nigel hopped off, carrying his duffle bag; the blonde was the first to talk. ¡°Oh! Uh, hey, were, umm¡ªwere we not supposed to catch fish here? You see, heh, we kind of forgot to go shopping before coming¡­¡± Nigel waved his hand in a dismissive gesture, feeling the weight on his chest. ¡°No¡ªnothing like that ¡­ I just wanted to ask you a few more questions.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Amira said, eyes hidden behind her red-tinted glasses as the sun cast a glare across the reflective surface. ¡°Although we didn¡¯t get your name before you left¡ªcan you tell us which Ranger Operations Unit you¡¯re from?¡± Ian shifted his head to give him an ¡®I told you so¡¯ stare. Yeah ¡­ They know we aren¡¯t Rangers ¡­ I guess the Meowth¡¯s out of the bag¡ªno turning back now. Remorse passed across his face, vision going black as he turned away his gaze and let go of a long sigh; their wide eyes followed his movements when he dropped his bag down, opened it, and extracted the pistol¡ªan illegal weapon in all regions¡ªbanned fifteen years ago because the Leagues didn¡¯t want anyone with the power to defy them¡ªonly Trainers were allowed to have control. ¡°Woah! Woah! Woah!¡± Mallory backed up with her hands held up. ¡°Yo, really?¡± The Fennekin shot out a burst of flames at the sight of the weapon, all the girls backing away; the Buneary shot forward with the Impidimp while the Eevee and Froakie leaped into their Trainer¡¯s arms to likely use Protect¡ªthey certainly did come from prestigious families since they were able to have two Pokemon of such caliber out at the same time. Ian lazily flicked his left wing, sending the attacking Pokemon flying back as their Trainers fought to keep their balance in the non-charged wind¡ªIan was strong enough to kill them with his weakest hit, even with their Pokemon using Protect. The blonde seemed to be the only one able to keep her position, using her Eevee¡¯s Protect to run between Amira and him; it severely cut the gale, which allowed the Rocket girl to stabilize¡ªtheir dresses pressed against their bodies as the air passed. ¡°Why ¡­ Why are you doing this?¡± the blonde asked. ¡°Who are you with?¡± Amira coughed, brushing back her messy hair and fixing her glasses. ¡°Plasma ¡­ I bet it¡¯s Plasma, given all the Muk you¡¯ve been causing in Kanto.¡± Nigel cocked the weapon, taking a calming breath, and stepped forward, adding a grave tone. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to understand our cause¡ªnot in the worlds you¡¯ve grown up in.¡± His focus slid to Mallory. ¡°Especially you ¡­ Grimsley has likely poisoned your mind to our true objective. We only want what¡¯s best for Pokemon and humanity ¡­ True freedom.¡± ¡°As you point a gun at us?¡± Amira grunted, vision darting left as her Fennekin recovered and ran to her side; her accusatory red eyes flashed through the red tint of her sunglasses. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter, Lori, Rhea ¡­ That gun will rip through their shields unless we combine them.¡± Ian ruffled his feathers as if saying he¡¯s still there. Nigel rubbed his left temple, gun still pointed at the redhead; he was shocked how steady his aim and heart were considering his hesitation. I shouldn¡¯t have expected anything else¡­ Rhea stepped back with her Buneary, the bunny jumping into her other arm. ¡°We have to try to live, Amira!¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori forced a laugh, jogging over to join them. ¡°What¡¯s with you, dude? We¡¯re just doing our thing ¡­ Get lost!¡± Her Froakie shot a bubble at him from her arms; Ian held out his wing to harmlessly scoop it away. Nigel shook his head. ¡°Look ¡­ Don¡¯t make me do this ¡­ Join Plasma ¡­ listen to what we have to say.¡± ¡°Are you serious?¡± Amira scoffed, heat in her voice. ¡°Don¡¯t make you do this ¡­ Like you¡¯re the victim here? We just wanted to go on our journey¡ªyou¡¯re the one that came to us and threatened to kill us for just living our lives.¡± ¡°No use, Amira,¡± Lori groaned, looking scared as she pressed against the girl¡¯s shoulder, ¡°Plasma¡¯s intolerance is legendary.¡± Teeth clamping together, he felt Ian¡¯s cold stare. Just ¡­ Just a bit more! ¡°You have¡ªno idea what we sacrifice for our ideals ¡­ to show you the truth of this corrupt world ¡­ The things I lost to the heroes you look up to. They¡¯re nothing but cowards ¡­ cowards too afraid of what our ideal world would look like¡ªto not have power they hold over the masses! You¡¯re brainwashed from birth!¡± ¡°Double standards much?¡± Amira huffed. ¡°Your gun certainly does change things, though ¡­ Now!¡± Mallory¡¯s eyes welled up with tears as the three of them turned and started running to the edge of the cliff to their backs while snatching their life vests on their flight¡ªtoward the mouth of the stream that led to the whirlpool. Nigel cursed his lack of persuasion. If only I was just a little better with words ¡­ Maybe in a different situation ¡­ I know I tried, Ian. Just do it ¡­ We need to prepare for the¡­ A shimmering, multicolored light came into existence between the girls and him. No, it shouldn¡¯t have been possible¡ªat the height we came in ¡­ The Feebas¡­ The shiny purplish shell of the Platinum-tier Cloyster appeared before them, hovering a bit off the ground with its personal energy; it opened up, giving him an intense, dark smile from within its depths¡ªthe Pokemon was taller than him. Still, it was a bonded Pokemon versus a wild¡ªeven if he had the advantage in Typing and Moves, they were experienced in the long game. Ian snatched his given energy, quickly putting up a Reflect; they could execute Moves much faster than it, and as if dying of thirst, Ian sucked in Nigel¡¯s strength to use their strongest strike within seconds of the Shell Pokemon¡¯s appearance. The barrier shimmered into being in front of them; it was necessary to cover any possible hit from its Ice-charged barrages¡ªfor a time, the dampening field would activate in whatever direction Ian saw an attack coming. Ian! Forget the girls; get him away from me, and I¡¯ll handle the three¡ªtake as much ¡­ A deep blue glow illuminated the Cloyster, causing Ian¡¯s mind to panic¡ªa sphere of bubbling liquid spun around the Pokemon¡¯s shell before condensing between its two top spikes. Muk! Nigel took off into a sprint toward the foliage as the Cloyster released malevolent laughter, closing into its shell to absorb Ian¡¯s building flurry¡ªan eruption of liquid rocketed into the sky, turning into laser beams of hyper-focused jets that came down like comets, penetrating the stone to send shrapnel, bullet-like rock shards flying in all directions. He dove to the ground, covering his head as the sharp noises and whistling projectiles whizzed past his ears, and Ian tried to dodge around the eight shafts of deadly rays using quick beats of his wings¡ªthe rocks didn¡¯t affect him, considering his natural energy shell. The Pidgeot danced around the attack, charging the strong Normal-Type Move they¡¯d concluded was their best offensive option¡ªthey had to get the Cloyster on the defensive in this scenario, but given the unexpected ambush, he knew their response was a mistake¡ªthe correction would come on the follow-up Move. Nigel screamed as a shard struck his hip, digging into his skin, muscles tensing as Water Spout passed; he scrambled to his feet, trying to take cover in the foliage. He needed to get out of the heat of battle; all Ian needed was his energy and not worry about protecting him. His friend avoided every beam and returned the onslaught with white charged blades, whipping up a gale that followed his massive wings. Limping through the girls¡¯ camp, Nigel glanced back to see the attack land against the Cloyster¡¯s well-polished shell, yet given its hue, there wasn¡¯t a chance they¡¯d land a critical hit¡ªIan was right; he was one of the rare Cloyster with both Shell Armor and Skill Link¡ªcombined, with Teleport, he was a monster. Nigel didn¡¯t have time to check the damage to his hip; given the Pokemon¡¯s reputation, he had no doubt this Cloyster knew when fighting to the death with any human bonded with a Pokemon, the human was the most efficient target, which is why it went for an attack that would hit both of them. Even if he missed, the shrapnel was a vicious strategy to employ. Amira, Rhea, and Mallory were near the edge of the cliff, but he didn¡¯t have time to worry about them. Drew! Go after them! Make sure you keep track of where they are and kill them if you get a chance! His mind numbed while watching the Cloyster tank Ian¡¯s hit without much trouble; it was slightly higher-leveled than the Pidgeot, and it would take more than expected to crack that intimidating bastion of defense. All thoughts soon vanished in Nigel¡¯s mind as the Cloyster¡¯s shell opened, turning to face him with a jagged, toothy grin¡ªits frontal spike illuminated a wicked light blue¡ªa signature Move that would charge faster than any other. Quick as bullets, five spinning lances of ice exploded from the point in quick succession; Nigel dove again as a furious gale erupted across the surface of the flat island, harsh currents threatening to throw him in the air¡ªthe spiraling whirlwind of charged energy cut past any force used to keep the Cloyster in place, sending it flying off the ground and into the sky while changing the trajectory of the massive icicles. Even with Ian¡¯s intervention, he felt the chilling pass of the arctic shards cut through the air to his left, and two struck the ground a foot to his right, digging into the rock and sending bits of sharp ice and rock to cut his exposed arms, back, sides, and legs. Wincing as it passed, Nigel forced himself up, feeling burns across his body as he finally made it into the brush and away from the battle¡ªhe didn¡¯t stop at the edge, though, running further into the undergrowth. Ian and the Cloyster took the battle across the landscape as Nigel collected himself. He didn¡¯t stop until the sound of their battle became somewhat distant, but given the Cloyster¡¯s ability to teleport, he didn¡¯t want to take the chance of being caught with his pants down¡ªhe crawled into some dense foliage, catching sight of a frightened Caterpie that quickly scurried away. Muk ¡­ Muk! C¡¯mon ¡­ Calm down¡­ ¡°Mmgmgmm¡­¡± he hissed, twisting around to see a splinter of stone the size of his pinky sticking into his side; he¡¯d felt it grinding against his bones only as an afterthought with the adrenaline running through his veins before. Dozens of tiny bits of ice and rock were embedded into his skin, forcing Nigel to puff out hot streams of air to try and get his rising pain under control. Knowing he couldn¡¯t move effectively without removing the larger pieces, he pulled out the ones that would limit walking. Gritting his teeth, Nigel forced his way through it and hesitantly made his way back to the opening after seeing the blood that pumped out of his hip. Stupid ¡­ I was stupid to think they¡¯d even consider it¡ªbrainwashed! Making it to the clearing, he peeked through the brush and found that one of the girl¡¯s packs had been pushed to the edge of the treeline. The Cloyster was teleporting into the air, surprise attacking Ian, but given the Pidgeot¡¯s agile movements, he was able to hold out for now¡ªAgility soon took effect, dramatically raising the Bird Pokemon¡¯s speed. Just keep pushing him, Ian! Keep him busy and away from me, and you should be able to outlast ¡­ Muk¡­ He ducked back into the brush as the Cloyster appeared out of rainbow lights fifteen meters away; Ian quickly shot down to generate a twister that pulled the breeze into its rapid expansion to intercept. However, not soon after, a whirlpool of water cycled around the Cloyster, sending waves of liquid through the brush and ejecting any Pokemon unlucky enough to get caught in the stream¡ªmost would be severely hurt given the strength of the Move. Still, the Pokemon was only focused on killing him. Ian¡¯s twister soon scooped up the majority of the water, pulling the Cloyster in, yet in the next instant, he teleported out of the cyclone¡ªluckily, Nigel escaped the attack, only having to hold onto a tree to weather the two feet of water rushing past him¡ªunluckily, the girl¡¯s pack was now moved dozens of meters down the treeline, stuck in the bushes. Give me some time to recover! Lord Ghetsis ¡­ Please, offer me your help! Making his way over, he managed to get to the bag and find a medical kit¡ªthe Cloyster sent a few more wide-ranged attacks into the foliage, but more toward the center, which gave him time to patch himself up. Another stroke of luck¡ªhe shoved the Bandeau bikini aside to extract the rope and climbing gear. Complete the mission ¡­ Ian, prepare to blow out the whirlpool so I can dive in and take advantage of the disrupted flow! Overall, obtaining the package was everything¡ªeven if he was discovered, if he managed to get it, then all wasn¡¯t lost. Collecting what items he could from the girl¡¯s bag to help him, given his were lost after Ian¡¯s whirlwind, he made his way to the cliff edge to dive into the river. I can do this¡­ Unfortunately, Drew made him aware that he¡¯d lost them after they jumped into the whirlpool themselves¡ªone thing at a time. After eight minutes of struggling through the dense forest, he made it to the edge¡ªIan was whittling down the Cloyster¡¯s shield, yet it was shockingly resilient and given it had some means of recovery, it was turning out to be a very drawn-out fight. When he arrived, Ian shot down and sent another whirlwind to counter the water¡¯s spin, causing the tides to shift on the surface and waves to lap against the walls. Giving it a moment and timing his dive at the correct riptide, he jumped¡ªhe would complete his mission. B1 — 53. A Frigid Escape 8:06 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). On Amira¡¯s prompt, Rhea shot left with her team as the Cloyster came between them, heart pounding, and her muscles seized the moment the Cloyster and Pidgeot released their full strength, showing they were getting serious; it only lasted a fraction of a second, yet was enough to almost make her trip. By the looks of Mallory and Amira¡¯s stumbling feet, she wasn¡¯t the only one. C¡¯mon! Calm ¡­ Stay calm, she recited on repeat, for her own nerves as much as her Pokemon. It was a bit difficult when Nova was freaking out behind her, trying to keep track of the fight and if she needed to use Protect. Mya was wide awake now and itching to have her turn¡ªconsidering the Pidgey hovering fifteen meters above them, she just might. On the other hand, Alice was running ahead of them, knowing their objective; the bunny grabbed the life vest and tossed it up at Rhea as she neared, moving to do the same for Amira as Gables got Mallory¡¯s. They were cutting it close; the Cloyster had been resistant to getting involved in human matters, but Amira and Serenity seemed to have somehow finally convinced him, which might have just been due to the Plasma member¡¯s intrusion past the appropriate boundary the Cloyster set. Rhea¡¯s lips tightened when Mallory¡¯s nervous hands missed the flotation device¡ªthis hadn¡¯t been discussed before, but she was following Amira¡¯s lead, and if anyone needed the vests, it was Mallory. She breathed a sigh of relief when Roxie caught it in her teeth and urged her flustered Trainer to keep going¡ªRhea could tell Mallory was having the worst day in her life¡ªa phobia of deep water in front of her and a murderer at their backs. The pressure building from the Platinum-tier Pokemon was like twenty-pound weights against her chest, and she could imagine it was the same for her teammates; they may have grown up around Grandmaster and Champion-tier Pokemon, but steeling your nerves while under severe pressure was another matter entirely. Responding to Nova¡¯s questioning crisis about the gun after Amira¡¯s statement, Rhea shot back a glance at the progressing battle. Nova, we don¡¯t stand a chance if he shoots¡­ Her lips parted in horror as the Cloyster radiated ominous energy that made her spine tingle; this was the aura of death¡ªmurderous intent her father trained her to be mindful of, and it seemed the fake Ranger knew it. The man dropped his gun in a heartbeat, taking off for the treeline as beams of hyper condensed liquid shot into the air like missiles to penetrate the stone ground; the pressure and hissing sound they made burned her ears, rocks igniting across the impact zones to spray deadly shards in every direction. Bullet-like rocks pelted the man; unfortunately, he dove to the dirt just in time to miss the bulk of the spray¡ªhe didn¡¯t come away unscathed, though. We have to find shelter ¡­ This is like getting between Sabin and Katelin¡¯s serious battles! Fingers tightening around her life jacket, she turned away from the fight, noticing Amira and Mallory¡¯s bobbing hair already pulling ahead of her. Get to safety first! We can¡¯t get to the kayaks from this side of the cliff ¡­ What¡¯s Amira¡¯s plan? She hadn¡¯t made it entirely clear since they¡¯d been watched for much of the time, but Rhea figured it had something to do with diving into the river with prioritizing the vests. Nova cried out from the rear, forcing Rhea to relay the message. ¡°The Pidgey!¡± The Bird Pokemon shot out of the sky, sending gusts to force them off their feet, but Gables and Amber used Protect to weather the bulk of the spray, repelling the gale. Rhea missed the bulk of the attack after lagging behind and was a little surprised when Alice used her as a launching board to jump into the sky, pulling her energy in to deliver a Thunder Punch to the back of the unsuspecting Pokemon. Nice! Nova cheered, too, but the blow didn¡¯t so much as shift the Pidgey three feet out of the air as it recovered, flipping around to turn its attention to the bunny¡ªAlice darted around, using her bursts of speed to evade the much faster Pokemon by using her agile acrobatics. The Pidgey seemed to have the advantage in the air, but near the ground, it found it more difficult to land hits¡ªstill, Rhea¡¯s gut tightened in dread as it sent a sharp gust to suck Alice in. No ¡­ Alice is still too weak for this level of a fight¡­ By the hair on her chin, Alice managed to cartwheel and flip out of the way of the spinning cyclone¡ªshe didn¡¯t have Protect like Nova and Mya. Their opponent was definitely high Bronze or low Silver; fortunately, the Bird had to keep an eye on the two Platinum Pokemon, and out of nowhere, a flurry of wind blew her hair into her face. The unexpected gale turned out to be the Pidgeot¡¯s charged attack, whipping up dirt and dust that rushed toward them as white blades pelted the Cloyster¡ªit didn¡¯t seem all that effective. With the Pidgey forced to reposition, they made it to the ledge, Lori peeking back over to groan. ¡°Mmgh! It seriously dodged all of those attacks?!¡± Amira hummed, already fiddling with her life vest; she¡¯d lost her glasses in the flight. ¡°Mmh ¡­ that Water Spout was pretty¡ª¡± Her red irises shot up as Rhea slung her own arms through her jacket. ¡°Hurry, get down here!¡± Rhea hopped down incremental drops that led to a ten-meter dive to the swirling river; a large whirlpool spun around in a circle to their left. They¡¯d made it to the edge of the island forest, and below was the mouth of the chasm. ¡°T-This is insane!¡± Mallory screamed, dropping against the small cliff face at their back to bend over and grasp her forehead. ¡°He literally had a gun¡ªlike, a real one! They¡¯re trying to kill us!¡± Amira was kneeling down beside them, holding out the life jacket. ¡°We can¡¯t stop, Lori ¡­ Roxie¡­¡± The Rockruff was already on it, nudging the vest in her mouth against Mallory¡¯s bare thigh. ¡°Good! Look, it¡¯s not safe for you to jump with a life jacket from this high; you have to pencil dive¡ªfeet first, and then we¡¯ll help you get the jacket on. Rhea and I know how to dive with it, but you don¡¯t.¡± Rhea nodded, turning her focus away to peek over the edge for a second; the Pidgeot¡¯s blades of wind didn¡¯t seem to cause that much damage, and the Cloyster sent five icicle lances flying at the Plasma grunt¡ªhe dove again as the Pidgeot beat his powerful wings to cause a roaring gale that blew them off course. Muk! Clearing her throat, Rhea tugged on the jacket, noticing the Pidgey swooping out of the sky to dodge the incoming attack as a wall of dust advanced toward them. Nova! Jump down! ¡°Stay down!¡± she screamed, and her Eevee huddled next to them as they pressed against the cliff wall. They all released a small squeak as a whirlwind shot across the overhead plateau Lori gasped, purple irises latching onto a few objects. ¡°No ¡­ My stuff!¡± Rhea caught a large portion of their supplies falling into the river below, and the Cloyster was sent flying into the heavens. We might get caught in the fight at this rate! A white aura illuminated the Pidgey¡¯s body as it came into view again, its speed increasing dramatically; it dove at her throat¡ªshe couldn¡¯t react. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Nova jumped into her arms, forcing the air out of Rhea¡¯s lungs while dragging her to the ground and throwing up a Protect. The kinetic energy pushed beyond the repelling Move, further pressing the Eevee into Rhea¡¯s tight chest and causing the rough stones of the wall to dig into her back. Wheezing, Rhea felt tears come to her eyes as she coughed, trying to find her breath, yet the shield held, deflecting the Pidgey to their right. Alice used the wall to take to the air after it, but the Pidgey twisted at the last moment, dodging her glowing feet by a hair¡¯s length. Amira cursed, following the Pidgey¡¯s rise as it prepared another attack. ¡°Keep it busy!¡± Amber peppered the sky with Embers, missing every shot; the bird used his superior speed and mobility to sweep around the fire¡ªtheir Pokemon didn¡¯t have many ranged attacks. His next Quick Attack was aimed at Mallory¡¯s breast, but Roxie vanished in shadows the moment it reached the cliff edge, throwing her dark-infused paw at its face; the blow wasn¡¯t all that strong, yet managed to change its course. Amira finished putting on her life jacket and shifted to look at them. ¡°We need to jump!¡± Mallory¡¯s eyes were as big as saucers. ¡°W-Without ¡­ I¡¯ll drown! Seriously, Amira! I¡¯ve NEVER done this! I don¡¯t know how to dive!¡± ¡°P-Pencil dive,¡± Rhea quickly replied, rubbing her chest and finishing her own straps as Nova jumped off. ¡°All you need to do is pull your legs together and keep your arms to your side¡ªmake sure you hit with toes pointed down to break the water tension. Gables will be there to help bring you back up.¡± Trying to remain calm, Rhea watched as the Pidgey rose higher in the air, looking toward the forest¡ªlikely where his Trainer was. Rhea crawled over to Lori in the small moment they had; Amber was still shooting Embers at the bird. ¡°Hey, we¡¯re here for you,¡± she whispered while rubbing the frightened girl¡¯s cold back; she was quivering uncontrollably. Amira¡¯s voice was still calm and collected, which helped Rhea¡¯s own pumping heart. ¡°Just breathe for a minute.¡± Alice, I think Mya needs to come out, Rhea prompted, noticing that this Pidgey might just be Silver-tier at this point. We aren¡¯t doing a lot of damage to it¡ªwe just need time and well-placed Sucker Punches to keep it off us¡­ Her attention darted to the Unova girl as she started to hyperventilate. ¡°Focus! Focus, Mallory! We¡¯re going to jump off and swim into the whirlpool¡ªthere¡¯s a cave underneath.¡± ¡°What?! No! No! I can¡¯t! I can¡¯t swim! I told you¡­¡± Cutting Mallory¡¯s shrieks off by reaching up to grab the girl¡¯s face, Amira looked her dead in her wet eyes. ¡°Lori! I know you¡¯re scared. We can¡¯t go anywhere else! Look! We¡¯re surrounded by water, and they¡¯re trying to kill us. I know it¡¯s scary, but it¡¯s the only place we can go!¡± ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± Rhea hissed, double-checking her vest so it wouldn¡¯t snap or tear at her skin too badly when landing. Amber wasn¡¯t happy to be recalled but went inside as Amira prepared them to jump. Rhea swapped Alice out, pulling her pokeball off her bikini bottom¡¯s built-in magnetic belt and bringing in Mya. ¡°We don¡¯t even know if the Cloyster will win. We need to go!¡± ¡°H-How?! I can¡¯t swim!¡± Mallory cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯ll die either way! No ¡­ I know, Gables!¡± Amira guided Lori¡¯s hands to her hip to remove Roxie¡¯s pokeball. ¡°Return her, and let¡¯s get going; the Pidgey¡¯s coming back!¡± Following instructions without her Trainer¡¯s notice, the ball activated on its own as Roxie returned, and Amira helped her put it back on her bottoms. ¡°Okay, calm breaths ¡­ Mhm ¡­ There we go! We need to go; you won¡¯t sink with Gables helping you!¡± Rhea glanced back over the edge of the cliff as Amira got Mallory ready; the dust was being blown away, and no one could be seen within sight, but given the fierce battle that was taking place across the river, she was sure the man managed to make it into the treeline. Mya, be ready to attack the Pidgey when we jump; he¡¯ll try to stop us. Her Mawile¡¯s fists tightened, serious pink eyes narrowing while following the Pokemon hovering above them. Finally ready, Amira pulled Lori to the edge, taking her down the lower ledges to the ten-meter drop, and Rhea tailed them, keeping a close eye on the Pidgey. ¡°O-Okay,¡± Lori panicked, ¡°Just ¡­ Just pencil-thingy¡­¡± Rhea returned Nova to her pokeball, and Lori¡¯s voice caught in her throat while Amira prepared them. ¡°Feet first; here, take my hand! Go!¡± she said, tossing her life jacket the 10-meters to the water. ¡°I ¡­ I¡­¡± ¡°Go!¡± Mallory screamed, catching the Pidgey''s notice as they jumped off with Gables beside them; the girl locked up but managed to do as instructed. Just as Rhea predicted, the Pidgey moved to strike after noticing their daring escape. Mya responded in the nick of time, appearing from darkness midair to target its blindspot. Pounding the bird off-course, its whirlwind was sent against the waves below, which helped break the current a bit. Entering the river, Lori and Gables sank in as Amira recovered on the surface; Serenity was by her side in an instant, helping her toward Mallory while entering the pull of the current. Rhea¡¯s left hand tightened around Mya¡¯s pokeball upon seeing the Pidgey¡¯s attack. He tried to force them against the wall ¡­ They¡¯d be ripped to pieces on the way down! Muk¡­ She sent a red beam from the device to drag Mya in as she fell, and the Pidgey hastily rose into the air¡ªCloyster teleported nearby. Twisting rays of rainbow energy erupted from within its core, creating paths of ice to be made across the cliff edge as it chased the Pidgey away, but the Pidgeot shot out of the sky to sweep it away with another powerful whirlwind. Relief filled Rhea¡¯s heart while fastening Mya¡¯s pokeball to her hip and jumping; Nova was cheering the Cloyster on. I don¡¯t know why it helped there, but that should buy us enough time! Breaking the cold water¡¯s surface, Rhea felt the weight of the blow compress against her chest, but her form dissipated much of the shock; dipping below the waves for a moment, she saw the sheer size of the pit hole¡ªit was massive. She couldn¡¯t help but notice sharp ice crystals forming around the ring, which was concerning, but it wasn¡¯t nearly as dangerous since they had two Water Pokemon to guide them. Guilt flooded from her connection to Nova as the Eevee lamented that they were the only team without a Water Pokemon, and it was her fault. Fighting her way toward Amira and Mallory, she saw they were already getting the panicking first-time swimmer into her vest. No! Stop that! You¡¯re not a lousy Eevee because you can¡¯t turn into a Vaporeon yet! Nova wasn¡¯t convinced while watching Gables and Serenity supporting Mallory in her floundering attempts to stay afloat in the shifting waves; the Pidgeot had inadvertently helped to ease the current a bit in its last attack. We¡¯ll get through this, and you¡¯ll get it eventually! Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in upon making it to the pair by swimming with the current; it felt like she was in the ocean. ¡°How is she?¡± she asked, latching onto Amira as she acted as the centerpiece for their two Water Pokemon guidance system. Amria forced a laugh. ¡°Well, she¡¯s not dead.¡± The joke helped Mallory chuckle a little, teeth chattering; in truth, it was far colder than Rhea thought it should be, and the ice around the bottom didn¡¯t give her a good picture of what awaited them inside the cave. ¡°You good?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°N-No ¡­ Y-You two¡ªs-suck ¡­ Onix¡­¡± she shivered, coughed, and sputtered, hugging Serenity; Gables was using the Pokemon lifeline on the jacket to help push them around the cyclone. ¡°Rude,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Just breathe a little ¡­ calm your heart¡ªthat¡¯s it, big breaths, and you¡¯ll need to hold it ¡­ Amira, what kind of cave is it?¡± she asked, worry filling her chest. Amira grimaced, shaking her head while readjusting herself on Mallory¡¯s left, not wanting to panic the girl. Great ¡­ We have no clue what we¡¯re getting into. ¡°Hold your breath!¡± Amira said, hugging Lori with Rhea. Sound died in Rhea¡¯s ears as they were pulled under by the strong tide, but Serenity and Gables kept them stable enough to exit the bottom¡ªthe problem, it was an underwater cave. It spat them out of the rotation once inside, forcing them toward the icy ceiling to be skewed on the spikes, but Serenity acted in a flash, wiggled her way out of Mallory¡¯s weakening arms¡ªtail illuminating a bright silver, she spun around to cut Mallory¡¯s straps. Gables helped Amira with one of hers as Rhea unfastened her own. Allowing herself to be flipped around to let the vests slip away, Rhea saw Mallory had practically passed out from the ride, having lost all of her air¡ªshe could still go at least eight more minutes, but they were running out of time for the Unova girl. It was oddly calming to see the bright hole and spinning vortex that carried down further into the channel, yet where they were was calm and peaceful; above them shone glistening ice while below were various clusters of fallen rock¡ªit was as clear as could be. Rhea pulled Mallory in as Amira nudged her toward a decent-sized inlet to their far left. Serenity and Gables helped them swiftly carry Mallory¡¯s partially unconscious body to the area. Breaking the surface, Rhea tentatively tested the air to find it shockingly clear, and light somehow radiated from the opening above them; they appeared to be in a hollowed-out tunnel that led further into an underground system. Coughing once, Rhea used the edge of the wall for support while holding Mallory from the back and under her chest. ¡°Amira¡­¡± ¡°Got it! Got it!¡± The redhead managed her hair to avoid getting it stuck on anything before bending down to carefully drag Lori out of the water; Amira shifted the girl to her side. ¡°Hey, Lori! Are you okay? Lori¡­¡± Her voice echoed in the cave, and as Rhea got out, a small stream of liquid bubbled out of Lori¡¯s throat. Violent coughing, Mallory whimpered, tearing up. ¡°W-Why did¡ªdid you do that to me?¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay ¡­ We made it,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°We¡¯re here ¡­ Just rest for a second.¡± Rhea climbed closer, water dripping off her cold body as she laid beside the quivering girl and hugged her; her own teeth were beginning to chatter. ¡°H-Hey ¡­ We¡¯re here. A-Amira, could you get Amber to¡ªto heat us up?¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªyeah,¡± she muttered, but the Fire Fox was already jumping out of her pokeball to blow hot air over them, and Amira soon closed in around Mallory¡¯s opposite side as they hugged each other¡ªwherever they¡¯d made it to, it was freezing. B1 — 54. Blood Bound 8:16 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). A shiver ran down Rhea¡¯s frame while pressing against Mallory¡¯s front. Amira¡¯s fingers tightened around her back on the opposite side; the chill of the arctic cavern environment was unlike anything she¡¯d experienced when preparing for her journey with her father. Her numb and slowed mind was reminded of the stories she¡¯d heard of Mt. Silver as Amber¡¯s hot breath tingled her bare back; the Fire Fox was doing her best to warm them up in the frigid tunnel. Rhea took deep, controlled breaths, tucking her head against Lori¡¯s neck. There has to be a powerful Ice-Type Pokemon here¡­ The ice around them wasn¡¯t normal; Ice-Type energy leaked out of the illuminated crystals. It wasn¡¯t strong enough to harm a Pokemon¡¯s defensive matrix but more than enough to generate a far more hazardous environment to travel through. Her father told her stories about the youngest of the Articuno in Kanto that made his home at Mt. Silver¡¯s peak¡ªa Dragonite may have been the Boss of Mt. Moon, but Articuno was its god. The Cruel Pokemon was well-known for his dislike for humans, and unlike the two older female Articuno, he didn¡¯t even try to hide his presence, which only enhanced the bone-chilling atmosphere he radiated as a warning. Amber¡¯s hot breath tingled Rhea¡¯s bare back as she continued to circle them, drying their bikinis and wet skin. Only a few minutes had passed since they¡¯d exited the river, and her wandering mind was beginning to focus on their predicament. Nova, Alice, Holly, Miky, and Roxie exited her pokeballs soon after they¡¯d huddled together, settling in around them to help warm their Trainers. Her Eevee¡¯s fluffy fur was warm as she laid atop them, trying to act as a miniature blanket; her worries soon redirected Rhea¡¯s concerns, though. You¡¯re right, Nova. If we got here, then that Plasma guy should be able to find us, too. Pressure shook Rhea¡¯s chest as she coughed. ¡°H-Hey,¡± she shivered, ¡°we need to find a-a place to ¡­ a warmer, safer place¡­¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira mumbled, fingernails pushing into Rhea¡¯s skin as her muscles tightened. ¡°We should¡ªhold our Pokemon to our chests¡ªkeep your hands under your armpits, too.¡± Mallory whimpered; she¡¯d been coughing a few times to rid her lungs of the lingering liquid that had filled them. ¡°I¡ªwhere do we go? We¡¯ll freeze to death here¡­¡± ¡°No, not with Amber,¡± Rhea encouraged. ¡°She can keep us warm¡ªwe just need to get away before that Plasma guy comes ¡­ comes looking for us.¡± ¡°Mmgm ¡­ okay,¡± Mallory hugged Rhea closer, causing her wet bikini and soft breasts to compress against her collar bone. ¡°You¡¯re so warm, though ¡­ I don¡¯t wanna get up.¡± Roxie chirped with concern atop Amira and Lori¡¯s shoulders, nuzzling her Trainer¡¯s ear. ¡°I know,¡± Lori whispered. ¡°I¡¯m just complaining ¡­ It makes me feel better. Let¡¯s go.¡± Amira and Lori¡¯s arms unwound around Rhea¡¯s side and back as they untangled themselves to get to their feet; Nova hopped off before jumping into Rhea¡¯s arms¡ªher silky hair comforting Rhea. Alice used the wall nearby as a platform to reach Rhea¡¯s shoulders and nuzzled her way past her damp hair to settle behind her neck, patting her chest to let her know she was here, too. Holly and Miky did the same for their Trainers. Thanks, Alice, Nova ¡­ We¡¯d be dead without all of you. Thanks for the support. Mya cuddled against her spirit from inside her pokeball, and Nova happily chimed that they were a team. Their attention was soon snatched by Amira as she led the way forward, Amber in her arms; the Fennekin¡¯s ears hadn¡¯t reverted to their tuft state, angling them to allow the radial heat to project outward. ¡°We should use a Mud Move when we¡ªmmgh, it¡¯s freezing,¡± she choked, puffing out a stream of air. Rhea hadn¡¯t even thought of it. ¡°You¡¯re right,¡± she mumbled, stumbling forward as her legs locked up from the chill. Catching herself, she swallowed, looking back at Mallory. ¡°It can help trap our body heat.¡± Nova was confused and concerned at the suggestion but pushed the discomfort down at her explanation; if it was to protect her, then she¡¯d even get dirty. Amira nodded. ¡°Yeah, we just ¡­ wow¡­¡± The redhead stopped at the opening at the top of the circular tunnel they¡¯d climbed up through, seemingly stunned by what she found. Rhea walked up beside her and looked out, mind clearing of thought as the sight came into focus. The walls were smooth, showing various shades of blue from the mineral deposits within them, and crystal clear pools of water gently rippled from some kind of force that pushed the liquid in a specific direction. What appeared to be a roughly made pathway had been fashioned from their current location to follow streams of water, running down both sides of the passage; glowing crystals illuminated the area on all sides, growing out of the stone surrounding them. Rhea¡¯s bare feet pawed the rough floor beneath her; it was textured enough to provide grip while not being too sharp to cut their skin. ¡°Wow ¡­ do we go up or down?¡± ¡°Whatever¡¯s warmer,¡± Lori grumbled, moving in to press against Rhea¡¯s shoulder for a little extra warmth. ¡°Up to get out, right? We need to get out of this place¡­¡± Amira shook her head, quickly brushing back her damp locks as Holly helped to keep them out of her face, acting as a scarf for her Trainer. ¡°I don¡¯t think there is a way out¡ªit may look like it goes up, but I bet it just curves back down.¡± ¡°Muk,¡± Lori rubbed her throat before returning her fingers to Roxie¡¯s soft fur, being careful of her sharp rocky neck collar. ¡°Let¡¯s just go up¡ªmaybe it¡¯s a little warmer.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Amira sighed, leading them on again. Rhea grimaced while looking back at the trail of water and disrupted dust their path made. ¡°He can track us ¡­ Does that mean we should just keep moving?¡± ¡°We need to to keep warm,¡± Amira paused, frame shuddering. ¡°There¡¯s not much we can do if he has his Pidgey with him¡ªit¡¯s stronger than all of us, and with his guidance ¡­ We¡¯re dead.¡± Mallory¡¯s teeth were chattering, and she seemed unable or unwilling to respond; the three of them fell into silence. Rhea smiled down at her little Eevee as she pressed the side of her head against her neck, tail wrapping around her right side as she felt Rhea getting colder on that side. No, there¡¯s nothing you three can do right now. We just need to keep warm and get away from that Plasma guy. You¡¯re doing great. She felt for her Pokemon as they sent more signals of inadequacy, unable to do more for her like Amber was doing for Amira; it wasn¡¯t a secret that Amira was doing the best out of them. You all have your own strengths! Rhea encouraged. No! Stop that, Nova. Nova flinched as Rhea stumbled, looking down to glare at her. You¡¯re not a failure because you can¡¯t become a Flareon. I love that you can be a Glaceon; it¡¯s not bad that you can become an Ice Type. Actually¡­ An idea brightened Rhea¡¯s quickening mind. ¡°Amira!¡± Her voice carried surprisingly far, echoing down the hallways and causing a few screeches from what she assumed were Zubat further in. ¡°Shh,¡± Amira chided, ¡°we don¡¯t know what else is here. What?¡± Mallory¡¯s shivering body shifted to look at her, jaw too tight to respond; she seemed genuinely miserable and frightened. Swallowing the little bit of saliva in her mouth, Rhea coughed a little while inhaling the cool air; there did seem to be a slight breeze that pushed against them from further up the tunnel. ¡°What if Nova makes an ice wall behind us¡ªto block off the guy? I mean, he can already follow our trail, so it shouldn¡¯t give anything away. Right?¡± Amira¡¯s dry lips pulled in, glancing back the way they¡¯d come. ¡°I don¡¯t ¡­ Umm, yeah, that could be good, but make sure there¡¯s small enough openings for air to get through. We don¡¯t know exactly where most of it is coming from.¡± Nova¡¯s ears perked up at the suggestion, but she had her own concerns. Rhea was happy to give her doubting Eevee something she could do. I know I¡¯ll be cold if you leave my arms, but Alice can help to keep me warm still, and we need to stop him from following. Can you make it as thick as you can and join us again? Her little bundle of fluff pressed her ear against her chest and groaned; Rhea picked up on the Eevee¡¯s vibe, which touched her heart. She was unsure if she should leave her side for even a second; she was excited to have something her Glaceon form could do but felt if she left, something terrible could happen, and she wouldn¡¯t be there to protect her. Alice and Mya¡¯s assurances that they¡¯d be here in her absence and Mya¡¯s statement that this was something only she could do out of their party motivated her to give it a shot. A new idea formed as Nova jumped down and Alice took her place. Wait, Nova, seal off the entrance that we used to get here! It¡¯ll be easier to do than this giant cavern. Nova¡¯s serious pink eyes showed her resolve as she nodded and ran back, pulling Rhea¡¯s energy away to transform; Rhea couldn¡¯t be more proud of her stalwart Pokemon. Her lips soon fell as they continued to hike up the gradual rise to the sharp turn a few dozen meters ahead of them, stepping around shimmering ice crystals that were large enough to run clean through their bodies. Am I actually helping any of you¡­ Alice¡¯s soft ear gently slapped her cheek, causing Rhea to give the flinty rabbit a sad smile. I¡¯m sorry ¡­ I know I shouldn¡¯t be sorry, she sighed as Alice rubbed her chest comfortingly. I¡¯m just cold thinking ¡­ We¡¯re partners. We all help each other. Mallory¡¯s rigid movements worsened as they rose; she really seemed to do poorly with the chill, even while her Pokemon were doing their best to warm the Unova girl up. Nova reported that she was sealing off the entrance when the three of them made it to the end of the corridor; round the bend was an opening, showing a dazzling, high view of a deep cavern below. None of them could speak; out of everything Rhea thought they¡¯d find, underground ice-like trees were not among them. They were near the ceiling of a colossal underground valley of sorts, and giant pillars rose out of the ground to support the weight of the large open space. A pool of glistening teal water flowed around the small islands showing the gnarled, twisting tree-like structures; cuts were naturally fashioned in the trunks, projecting bluish-white light, and globes of iridescent bulbs floated around the faintly dark blue petals of its high, clustered branches. Ice clusters bigger than any she¡¯d ever seen rose out of the walls, water, and ground all across the area in a glorious field of radiance. Across the ceiling were long, luminous chains that left much of the dark stone dotted like falling stars stretching out of space. At the center of the vast space was a gargantuan shard of pure ice, reaching below with swirling frost that partially obscured a figure within, but Rhea couldn¡¯t have mistaken the shape inside for anything else¡ªan Articuno larger than any she¡¯d seen in social media was trapped in the sheet. The mist slowly fell to the lake, curving into patterned currents of the projected wind that swayed around the trunks of the trees. ¡°No way¡­¡± Amira whispered in awe. ¡°This is where my mom would always go?¡± Rhea was too stunned to do anything but experience the magical sight below them. Fields of frozen flowers could be seen around the trees, actual flowers frozen in place for all time, expelling various lights that illuminated the area in rainbow colors. It gave Rhea the sensation of a solemn graveyard built to honor someone precious. It was magnificent yet held a sorrow she couldn¡¯t explain with the radiance of a pure and holy figure at its center. Mallory coughed, breaking the magic of the place. ¡°C-Can we d-do the mud¡ªthe mud thing?¡± she asked, body shivering violently. ¡°Yeah ¡­ Yeah,¡± Amira whispered, clearing her throat and turning back to her. ¡°Alice has Mud Sport. Doesn¡¯t she?¡± Rhea nodded, taking one last look at the view and path ahead of them; stairs were built into the cavern, allowing them to descend. ¡°Yeah.¡± Nova said she¡¯d finished her seal and was coming back; she tried to make it as thick as she could, but her transformation was ending soon. Rhea could feel how tired she was after using as much of her personal energy she could rather than take Rhea¡¯s. She wanted to scold her Eevee for trying to do everything but didn¡¯t want to shatter her determination. Thanks, Nova. Come back, and you can fall asleep in my arms while warming me up. Her little fluff ball gave an internal chirp, happy to be of help and proud she could actually use a bit of her own energy now to help Rhea. It was something to note¡ªMya couldn¡¯t do that yet, but Nova could. Rhea sat Alice down, folded her arms under her armpits, and closed her eyes as Miky returned to his pokeball to be replaced by Gables. Cover us up, Alice! Her little Buneary and the Frog Pokemon dumped mud over them; surprisingly, it was warm, which helped quell Rhea¡¯s shivers. Once they finished, Rhea wiped away a bit from her eyes, nose, and lips. ¡°Thanks, Alice, Gables ¡­ hey,¡± she giggled as the bunny jumped into her arms and snuggled against her chest again. Mallory was still shivering, but a small grin moved her cheeks. ¡°Heh¡ªwe¡¯re really in the mud, huh? Now, uh ¡­ let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t fall to our deaths,¡± she mumbled, glancing to their side at the railless edges of the wide staircase. Alice communicated that she knew Nova would take her place soon, but she just wanted to hear her heartbeat a bit more in her arms. Mya huffed, feeling left out since she was too heavy for Rhea to carry around for an extended time. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Sorry, Mya. You can cuddle next to me when we sleep. The Mawile was content with the compromise, and they began walking down the steps; they didn¡¯t make it two before Nova came running back, breathing a little heavily with her ears lowered. Alice used Rhea¡¯s shoulder to position around her neck again, and to Rhea¡¯s surprise, Nova didn¡¯t even hesitate to enter her muddy hug; the Eevee¡¯s head fell limply against her breast, breathing out a hot puff of air. Amira hugged Amber tighter against her chest; the mud was already drying from the Fire Fox¡¯s radial heat. ¡°Was it pretty exhausting for her?¡± Rhea shook her legs out a bit, trying to stop them from cramping and keep the blood flowing. ¡°Yeah, she just kept blowing Icy Wind against the sides, trying to focus it to make a thin sheet before using it as a base¡ªit was fast, but she did her best.¡± ¡°Thanks, Nova,¡± Amira said, moving over to rub her head. ¡°Anything we can do to slow him down is good. We should get going.¡± Mallory was already descending the stairs, careful to remain in the center and conscientiously choosing her steps. ¡°Uh ¡­ Yo, Amira, what is this place? Did your mom build it?¡± The two of them swiftly followed the Unova girl; Rhea could hardly tell what color her hair was under the brown mud coating her back. Amira hummed, coughing as a tickle likely scratched her throat. ¡°I can¡¯t say ¡­ All I know is that my mom said she¡¯d explain it to me if¡ªwhen I was able to make it here on my own. She thought I should wait until I was Silver-tier, but¡­¡± Rhea giggled, eying how perfect the steps were crafted compared to everything else in the natural cave. ¡°But you wanted to prove you could do it?¡± ¡°Stupid, I know,¡± Amira whispered, forehead furrowing. ¡°We wouldn¡¯t be in this mess if I wasn¡¯t selfish and stupid¡­¡± ¡°Yo, c¡¯mon, girl!¡± Mallory hissed. ¡°Ease up on yourself ¡­ Plasma¡¯s a cancer; no way we knew they¡¯d have an OP here¡ªCryogonal¡¯s sack, it¡¯s cold here! Naa, I¡¯m good, Gabs¡ªjust gotta let out a scream, but I can¡¯t¡ªya know?¡± Rhea glanced down at Nova; she¡¯d fallen asleep, breathing deeply against her bust. ¡°I get that ¡­ Do you think this is why that Plasma guy is here?¡± she asked, looking up at the large crystal jutting out of the ceiling. Amira followed her gaze. ¡°Mmh ¡­ How would they know about this place? It¡¯s hidden and guarded by a Platinum-tier Cloyster that¡¯s bulky enough to even outlast Trainers of similar rank ¡­ This is a Master¡¯s area, and I don¡¯t see any Masters in Kanto giving up this location.¡± ¡°Nu-uh,¡± Rhea instantly replied, making Mallory slow and look back at her. ¡°I don¡¯t think this is a Master¡¯s area.¡± ¡°No?¡± Amira asked, eyebrows pulling together. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Vision wandering, Rhea shook her head again. ¡°My dad told me all sorts of fun stories about places around Kanto ¡­ My brother can¡¯t stop talking about the fun things Kate and he find, too, but I¡¯ve never heard about this place. I know tons of secret locations around Kanto, but this isn¡¯t one of them, and it would be big talk in our little village ¡­ It¡¯s beautiful.¡± Mallory hummed, continuing their path to the foot of the vast underground area and its multiple paths that led to various spots. ¡°You¡¯re saying this is something only Amira¡¯s mom knows about?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°I can¡¯t say for sure ¡­ Probably only those in her group.¡± ¡°Good point,¡± Amira whispered before Rhea caught a lump drop down the girl¡¯s throat. ¡°Mom was always a bit different when we came here.¡± Her gaze lifted to the star-like threads above them before moving to a colossal cavern to their left, showing a bright light that obscured what lay beyond. Massive pillars rose out of the ground in the rugged terrain. ¡°In what way?¡± A long puff of air shot through Amira¡¯s nose, focus returning to the massive Articuno encased in ice. ¡°Kind of melancholy ¡­ I don¡¯t know, bitter maybe? At the same time ¡­ No, maybe it wasn¡¯t bitter,¡± she mumbled, swallowing and coughing again. ¡°A bit wistful, I guess.¡± ¡°Wistful?¡± Rhea mumbled, studying what she could about the aura of the area. She wasn¡¯t the most adept at this kind of aura examination, but it certainly seemed to represent a heavy atmosphere. There was a mournful yet beautiful elegance and hopeful touch to the scene, which pulled at Rhea¡¯s heart. A stream of visible air pushed through Lori¡¯s lips as she scanned the shimmering water¡¯s gentle tide. ¡°I¡¯d say there¡¯s something bitter about this ¡­ It¡¯s pretty, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know; it¡¯s angelic and sorrowful. A broken heart with the hope for grace reborn.¡± Amira¡¯s confused red irises shifted to Lori. ¡°A broken heart with the hope for grace reborn? Where did you get that?¡± Rhea looked at the Articuno in the center with the solemn, brilliant trees surrounding it. ¡°I can see it ¡­ frozen flowers, blooming for the torn apart. Your mom¡¯s close to the Legendary Birds, isn¡¯t she?¡± ¡°I guess?¡± Amira¡¯s full lips shifted to the side while studying the solitary figure, trapped in time before them. ¡°She¡¯s never spoken about an Articuno like this, though, and she can¡¯t be any of the Articuno I know of in Kanto.¡± Lori paused, looking back at the way they¡¯d come. ¡°You sure ¡­ By the way, have you two heard anything? I haven¡¯t. Is he going to chase us?¡± Rhea followed her gaze; the mud was starting to harden across her body, and the chill was setting in again. ¡°Maybe he can¡¯t get past Nova¡¯s ice wall ¡­ Umm, I don¡¯t think this Articuno is from Kanto, either. It¡¯s bigger than any of the Kanto Legendary Birds ¡­ Probably a lot older. Do you think she came through an Ultra Wormhole during the Ultra War?¡± Amira''s chest puffed up and out as she sighed, rubbing Amber¡¯s soft neck as the fox studied their environment. ¡°How should I know? My mom rarely ever talks about the war ¡­ A lot of memories hurt her, I think. Maybe she is from another dimension,¡± she whispered, looking up at the majestic bird. ¡°She¡¯s as big as Lugia.¡± On second glance, Rhea nodded, trying to compare the size to what she¡¯d seen in videos and from her mother¡¯s research books. ¡°The female Lugia, right¡ªthe one your mom talked about?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°Umm, you two think we should get more mud?¡± ¡°Please!¡± Lori shivered. Gables responded by jumping down, and Lori put Roxie next to him. Rhea gently sat Nova¡¯s sleeping body next to the Rockruff, allowing the two to huddle against each other with Amber and Holly as Gables and Alice sprayed more warm mud over their bodies. When finished, they gingerly picked up their Pokemon; Nova gave a sharp quake as the mud touched her fur but snuggled closer to Rhea, releasing a low moan in her sleep. Thanks, Nova ¡­ I know not being able to transform has been rougher than you let on. Be patient with yourself. Mya and Alice gave their own comforting words, doing their best to not sour the moment by being annoyed with one another. Rhea licked her dry lips before sputtering as mud entered her mouth. ¡°Yuck ¡­ bleh!¡± Amira and Lori giggled but retreated into their own minds as they continued down the steps. Rhea¡¯s focus shifted to her Pokemon. Alice, Mya ¡­ I know both of you are going through your own rough patch. I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re always at each other¡¯s throats, but I¡¯m proud you two can set it aside when needed. If you need help, let me know. I¡¯m here for both of you. Alice¡¯s small chest released a rumble that transferred to Rhea¡¯s neck as she curled around it; she said she didn¡¯t like Mya¡¯s attitude, not giving anything more into the disconnect, and Mya did the same. They may not like each other, but they¡¯ll work together if it means helping her and Nova, which was heartwarming. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Rhea looked up at the long path to the cave entrance near the ceiling; the Plasma guy still hadn¡¯t shown up, and it had been more than thirty minutes since they¡¯d entered the caving system. Is he really coming after us? Maybe something¡¯s changed. Amira drew their attention to the walkways, one particular path that stretched out ahead of them. ¡°We should take cover behind those big trees; it will give us a full view of the stairs to see if he¡¯s going to follow.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Mallory nodded, voice a little scratchy. ¡°We planning on spending the night down here because¡­¡± she groaned, turning to stare at all the ice that filled the area. ¡°Unfortunately,¡± Amira sighed. ¡°He should be forced to leave in the next few hours, but we need to be sure he¡¯s gone.¡± Rhea carefully shifted her neck around to stretch it out, Alice holding tight to not fall off. ¡°When the Rangers start investigating, they should see our supplies and send out a rescue party.¡± ¡°Nice!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°Yeah, that should work ¡­ Umm, so Amber¡¯s our fire?¡± Amira¡¯s hiss pulled their focus. ¡°Again, unfortunately, the Rangers aren¡¯t going to have it easy ¡­ Cloyster won¡¯t let anyone else come in here, and I see why now,¡± she muttered, looking up at the Articuno. ¡°They¡¯ll probably need to call for a Master Trainer or for reinforcements to restrain him.¡± Mallory¡¯s smile instantly fell. ¡°Okay ¡­ which means? We aren¡¯t staying in here for days?! Please tell me no!¡± she cried. Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed, lips pulling in while glancing between her teammates. ¡°Ah ¡­ I get it. If the whirlpool is the only way out¡­¡± Lori¡¯s face turned ashen. ¡°I ¡­ didn¡¯t think about that ¡­ I can¡¯t get back up that thing¡ªI nearly died just coming down.¡± Gables rubbed her mud-slicked back. The Unova girl wasn¡¯t having it, though. ¡°Nuh-uh, Gabs! No way I¡¯m going back into that water ¡­ gah, I might as well freeze to death without getting wet ¡­ Muk.¡± Amira slowly nodded, starting their path along the smooth, rocky way to the closest colossal tree. ¡°Be honest with me, Rhea; do you think you could get back up that whirlpool?¡± Rhea shifted Nova in her arms, remembering their spiraling descent into the underground waterway. ¡°By myself ¡­ unlikely. If I had Serenity or Gables, and I prepared myself a bit, probably.¡± The redhead¡¯s jaw tightened, glaring at the floor. ¡°Not the answer I was expecting ¡­ You¡¯re better at swimming than me. I doubt I could do it, even with Serenity and Gables.¡± A shiver ran down her frame. ¡°It was hard enough getting to that opening¡ªI thought I could hold my breath longer, but I was panicking too much.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes creased with concern. ¡°I was panicking, too. Don¡¯t blame yourself.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori¡¯s growl ended in a moan. ¡°I¡¯d be dead without you two ¡­ shot in the head, blown to bits against that cliff by that Pidgey, or drowned ¡­ I¡¯m the useless one here.¡± Amira snorted, a sad smile softening her mud-caked features. ¡°I guess it¡¯s rough on all of us. Truth is ¡­ I¡¯ve never felt so scared.¡± Rhea moved closer to press against her shoulder as tears came to Amira¡¯s eyes. ¡°Me, too. I¡¯ve heard stories from Masters but actually seeing a gun pointed at you¡ªknowing there¡¯s nothing you can do but run and hope you don¡¯t die ¡­ It¡¯s different experiencing it.¡± Mallory closed in on Amira¡¯s other side, sandwiching her between them. ¡°Yo, it sucks ¡­ Heh, I was more scared of the water than the gun, to be honest. Plasma¡¯s kind of a normal thing in Unova, and I¡¯ve been around plenty of murderers, but nature ¡­ nature scares me.¡± Her purple irises lifted to the Articuno. ¡°Legendaries scare me.¡± The last bit caught Rhea¡¯s attention. ¡°Legendaries?¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ Mythical Pokemon, Legendaries ¡­ I don¡¯t know ¡­ It¡¯s hard to talk about. She¡¯s dead, isn¡¯t she?¡± Rhea looked up at the impressive Articuno encased in the ice above them. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I¡¯m sure of it¡ªif not barely alive. From her aura, if she exited, she¡¯d die. There¡¯s ¡­ wait¡­¡± She slowed, breaking skin contact with Lori. ¡°What?¡± Amira asked, following her gaze. Alice rustled at her neck, trying to translate Rhea¡¯s thoughts and emotions. Now that she was calming down and focusing, Rhea sensed a malignant force inside the Articuno; it was challenging to find it beyond the mass of Ice-Type energy surrounding them, but it was certainly there¡ªa Poisonous-Type energy she¡¯d never felt before. ¡°She¡¯s infected with something ¡­ I think the perma-ice is the only thing keeping her on the edge of death. Why would she willingly suffer?¡± Mallory squinted. ¡°Suffer ¡­ Are you sure?¡± Amira turned her body to look at Rhea. ¡°My mom would know all of that¡ªis it incurable, then?¡± ¡°Incurable?¡± Lori whispered, vision pulling in as she reflected on something. Rhea took a few more steps forward, trying to hone her aura sensing; it was hard, and it only became apparent for a second¡ªas much as she tried, she couldn¡¯t part the veil again. ¡°I ¡­ think so? It was only for a moment, but I think she¡¯s still slowly dying¡ªis she hoping your mom can find a cure to rescue her?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°Maybe. It sounds like something my mom would¡­¡± They jumped as a loud shattering of ice echoed through the halls¡ªthe Plasma member was onto them. Mallory flinched but was the first to respond, face hardening. ¡°Let¡¯s go! The trees, right?¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but worry as they ran, leaving globs of mud behind them. ¡°Our trail!¡± Holly returned to her pokeball to be replaced by Serenity; the Feebas shot back, firing streams of water at the patches to clear off the walkway. It put a slight smile on Rhea¡¯s lips. Amira, always thinking ahead. Making it beyond the nearest root, which was larger than all of their bodies combined, they took shelter behind it as the Feebas cleaned up their path; he may still be able to follow the trail of water, but Serenity sprayed more liquid down other ways, likely on Amira¡¯s suggestion. It took longer than Rhea expected for them to see the small figure of the man reach the top of the long staircase above them; Serenity had plenty of time to complete her mission. Unexpectedly, he wore some kind of jacket, a helmet, and a duffle bag over his shoulder¡ªa powerful assault rifle was in his hands, its barrel pointed at the ground. Mallory hissed as they retook cover behind the roots. ¡°Muk! He actually found that thing? Yo, Amira, how bad is it?¡± ¡°That rifle?¡± Amira asked, lifting an eyebrow as she pressed further into the network to an inner crevasse that would block out all sight from the outside. ¡°A pistol will break past even a low Silver-tier Pokemon¡¯s Protect ¡­ A specially designed assault rifle with the proper bullets could handle Gold-tier Pokemon.¡± Rhea took a heavy breath and cleared her throat. ¡°There¡¯s nothing much we can do but try to hide here¡ªshould we go further into the trees?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Amira muttered, glancing at the pitch-black area they were at the mouth of. ¡°We can¡¯t go anywhere else, and I bet he¡¯s going to use the riflescope to scout out from the high ground.¡± Mallory quickly nodded. ¡°Yeah, I saw that in a movie once! You think he has that heat vision stuff? He could see our body heat trail or whatever!¡± Amira suppressed a laugh. ¡°That kind of stuff is fiction. Are there heat scanners? Yes, but even Rocket doesn¡¯t have something that precise ¡­ Well, that I know of,¡± she mumbled. ¡°In any case, we can only do what we can. Let¡¯s hide in the tree; maybe we can find a spot closed off enough that we can block off when Nova finishes resting. It should warm up if we can seal off most of the entrance like an igloo.¡± ¡°Good plan,¡± Rhea smiled, feeling better after getting things under control. The mud was helping to repel the Ice-Type energy, if only by a bit with its Ground-Type. At least they had a chance at escaping his attention now, and every minute they bought was another minute closer to rescue. Please, someone, anyone, help us! Rhea felt her heartbeat easing as twenty minutes passed; they entered the dark stone-like tree, keeping track of every twist and turn until they made it to a glowing area of pure ice¡ªinside was a sizeable bluish-white egg¡ªshe recognized the object in an instant. ¡°An Articuno egg?¡± ¡°What?¡± Amira and Lori asked in unison. Stepping forward, Rhea¡¯s eyes followed every inch of the radiant egg inside the ice; it all made sense now. ¡°This is a nest ¡­ My mom told me stories about Legendary and Mythical Pokemon eggs at bedtime when I was a little girl. Articuno eggs need an environment like this to grow and survive ¡­ Their mother encased herself in ice to give them the time to hatch.¡± ¡°How many?¡± Mallory asked, a sharp quiver running down her frame while studying the item. ¡°Is there an egg in every tree? That¡¯s like ¡­ eight Articuno eggs!¡± ¡°Is that even possible?¡± Amira asked. ¡°I thought it took centuries for Legendaries to be fertile enough to lay eggs.¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Normally, yes, but the hatching time is also extremely long and requires specific conditions ¡­ These eggs are probably ancient.¡± ¡°Oh no,¡± Lori¡¯s lower lip tucked under. ¡°Plasma¡¯s here to try and take all of these eggs, aren¡¯t they? If they get their hands on eight Articuno they can corrupt ¡­ That¡¯s huge.¡± A voice in the shadows behind them made Rhea¡¯s heart stop, the ice around them seeping into her veins as she turned; the large, scraped-up man stepped out of the shadows, rifle raised. ¡°Corrupt? Where do you get the right to call our ideals corrupt?¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t even heard him¡ªAlice hadn¡¯t heard him; the boots he wore seemed to have some kind of noise suppression technology built into them by their sleek design. Amira took a deep breath before stepping forward. ¡°True ¡­ We don¡¯t know much about Plasma. Help us understand.¡± The man snorted, shifting the barrel toward her while shifting his shoulders to get a better position on his duffle bag. ¡°I would have, had not you wasted so much of my time. I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± ¡°Amira!¡± Rhea dove left, tackling the redhead as the sharp echo of the rifle fired. Serenity shot out a spray of water, but it was too late; Rhea felt something strike her neck, breaking the skin as she took Amira to the ground¡ªit didn¡¯t hurt, disbelief flooding her mind. The man dodged the jet of water, taking aim at Mallory, yet in the second his finger twitched, a 5¡¯8¡± Houndoom dashed out of the shadows, horned head smashing into his back and forcing the air out of his lungs. He gasped, back arching as a loud crack resounded in the chilled air, sending him bouncing across the stone floor. Rhea¡¯s lips parted in disbelief as she fell atop Amira¡¯s chest, causing the girl to wince and cough. ¡°Atreyu?¡± A sinister growl rumbled in her brother¡¯s Houndoom¡¯s throat as he sent a jet of blue flames at the fallen rifle, leaving a trail of steaming, black stone and turning the gun to molten metal. The space was instantly warmed as the Dark Pokemon¡¯s glowing red eyes returned to the screaming man; a portion of the inferno licked against his hand, charing his flesh. Atreyu was quick as lightning, pounding on top of the man, sharp teeth ripping the bag away from him before his barbed tail cut a line up his jacket. The Houndoom searched the assassin for more weapons, intense red irises scanning every inch of his person. Hot breath penetrated the pained man¡¯s eyes and burned his throat, which forced him to keep it closed. The Houndoom¡¯s large front paws crushed his arms, pinning them in place; within seconds, he¡¯d concluded there wasn¡¯t anything else he could use to harm them. A silver aura illuminated the Houndoom¡¯s tail as he jumped to the man¡¯s side; the tip cleaved through both of the man¡¯s minimized pokeballs, forcefully cutting off the energy and bond he shared with his Pokemon. He gasped, clutching his chest while shifting to the side in panic and distress; Rhea had no idea how it felt to have your Pokemon forcefully ripped away from your spirit other than what she¡¯d heard, which was horrifying. Tears came to Rhea¡¯s eyes as her brother¡¯s caring Houndoom jogged over to check her shoulder. Nose burning, she blinked back the liquid threatening to slicken her cheeks. ¡°Sabin¡¯s here? Where¡¯s my brother?¡± Atreyu¡¯s concerned eyes shifted to her; Alice, Mya, and now a rousing Nova were fussing over her. ¡°Rhea,¡± Mallory gasped. ¡°You¡¯re bleeding¡ªhow deep is it?!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea rolled to her side to get off Amira, glancing at her shoulder. ¡°Oh ¡­ It only grazed me, I think ¡­ Umm ¡­ No, I¡¯m fine!¡± ¡°How¡¯s that fine?¡± Amira asked, voice quivering a little as she got up to check on her. ¡°You ¡­ You tried to take a¡ªwhy¡¯d you do that?!¡± Rhea fought past the pain, laughing now as tears fell down her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m fine! I¡¯m just ¡­ I¡¯m happy you¡¯re okay. Sabin ¡­ Atrayu, where¡¯s my brother?¡± The Houndoom lifted his head up to the ceiling, and Alice translated¡ªhe was above, battling both the Cloyster and the Pidgeot with his Aerodactyl; he set Katelin off to get help in case there was more Plasma around. Atreyu, his strongest Pokemon, wasn¡¯t there to protect him¡ªhe sent Atrayu to save her as he battled two powerful Pokemon seeking to kill him. Lips quivering, Rhea reached out to hug the stalwart Houndoom as he nuzzled her ear in concern; Alice, Nova, and even Mya couldn¡¯t hold back their own tears¡ªthe nightmare was over. Her brother was there to rescue them. B1 — 55. Ruthless 6:56 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Sabin grinned as Rovane, his Aerodactyl, soared through the air at accelerated speed, wind rushing past him; Katelin was pressed against her Noctowl¡¯s body, twelve meters behind them. Through his red-tinted goggles, he saw the towering visage of Mt. Moon in the northwest and the winding beauty of Kayak Gorge in the distance, Apple City blocked by the mountainous range of the Greylan Highlands. The vibrant greenery mixed with the gray, rocky hills and pools of water provided a perfect view of the desert-like plain a bit north of the gorge Rhea and her team were currently on¡ªthe area was on full display at their altitude. Their destination was a small clearing just south of the peak of a hill that gave a perfect view of the central half of Clefairy Valley; a small log cabin was built among the grass, just beside a small creek. It was a Summer home that one of the Rangers they¡¯d become friends with had built to live in the area. He¡¯d grown close to many of the wild highland Pokemon, helping them to form a positive community to grow and support one another. He opened the cottage to close friends that he knew would be respectful of the environment and the items inside¡ªgiven it was a Gold-tier zone, few humans would ever stumble across it. Breaking the dive, Rovane¡¯s large wings unfurled, shifting into a sharp sweep just above ground until they¡¯d mitigated enough of their momentum to slow to a stop. Landing atop the moist, grassy field that had seen a spotted shower earlier that day, Sabin ran his hand through his light brown hair, shooting a grin as Katelin soared overhead¡ªshe¡¯d only lagged behind twelve meters near the end of their race. Jace was improving, which was good considering he was a newer addition to Kate¡¯s team. Milina, her Fearow, had found a new purpose and home in the Rage Island Protected Area in Johto. It was a heartbreaking time for Kate and her team but she didn¡¯t want to tear apart the love Milina had garnered from a handsome male Fearow in the area. The Beak Pokemon wasn¡¯t the only friend she¡¯d bonded to along their journeys that she¡¯d encouraged to pursue their own path. Kate had a big heart, finding Pokemon that felt out of sorts in their current place in life, offering to help them find purpose elsewhere. It hurt her team overall, but also forced her to adapt. He supported her outlook on Training, and even if it was hard for all parties, given the addictive nature of the bond between human and Pokemon, parting on a positive note helped greatly. He just had to be there to comfort his girlfriend when her emotions got the best of her after the departures¡ªthey stopped by to visit, of course, but it was very different having an active bond and meeting without it. Nice job, Rovane. You didn¡¯t make it look like we were going easy on her ¡­ Yeah, Jace¡¯s having a rough time trying to adapt to how strong everyone is. Kate¡¯s building him up, though. Kate landed beside him as he dismounted, puffing out a long puff of air. ¡°Dude, Jace, that was way better than last time ¡­ We were so close!¡± Her Noctowl¡¯s chest was pumping, head lowered and showing the strain the race had proven to be for him. He gave a disappointed chirp that Rovane made a few comments to, encouraging the Owl Pokemon. Sabin gave them a grinning salute. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re growing stronger, bud. I saw you use that Sky Attack to follow our Fly!¡± Kate forced a smile, carefully getting off the Pokemon¡¯s settled back to rub the side of his beak. ¡°Yeah ¡­ I know it took a lot out of you, but you came up with it on your own! You knew you couldn¡¯t match his speed without using a faster Move, which got us up into the faster currents before they got too far ahead.¡± He nuzzled her cheek, grateful they weren¡¯t berating him like the others in his previous flock. Sabin removed his red-tinted goggles and shook out his hair with Kate. ¡°For real, and the Agility was huge!¡± He smirked at his smiling girlfriend. ¡°Caught Rovane and I off-guard. When did you find the time and credits to purchase the TM?¡± Throwing her hands behind her back to play with her goggles, she gave him an innocent smile as Jace shot a worried glance back at her¡ªhe knew it¡ªthe Pokemon was far easier to read than the dark blue-haired girl. ¡°Why do you think it was me that gave him that TM? He could have gotten Agility from someone else he met; lots of older Flying Pokemon so happen to find TMs all the time! You know that.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Sabin folded his arms and shifted his hips to the side, glancing at Rovane, who shook his head. His other five Pokemon that were currently with him gave their own hot takes on the revealed Move on her new teammate¡ªhe had his full main crew on-hand. ¡°So, bumming off me for food and hotels for the past two weeks has nothing to do with bad financial management?¡± ¡°Pfft! Me? C¡¯mon, babe,¡± Katelin skipped forward to throw her hands around his shoulders and pull him down for a kiss¡ªher soft, warm lips were like candy with the lip gloss coating them. ¡°Aren¡¯t you just being nice to me?¡± Pulling back, her shining amber irises pulled his gaze as he folded his fingers together behind her arched lower back. ¡°How much?¡± he asked, giving her a wry grin. Her vision darted to the left, eyebrows falling when a short sigh shot through her nose; Jace hid his face with his wing, likely being reminded how much she¡¯d spent on him, causing Rovane to chuckle. ¡°Okay, yeah¡ªI saw it was on sale, and well ¡­ I was thinking we¡¯d have another race soon, so ¡­ You were MIA for so long, so... ¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± silent laughter shook his chest as he leaned down to kiss her again. ¡°I missed you, too. You know, the first thought on my mind when that Steelix almost crushed me back in those caves was how you¡¯d kill me if I didn¡¯t say goodbye.¡± He winced as she jabbed him in the gut. ¡°No goodbyes with me, Sabin!¡± She pulled him down and connected their lips again; a little rougher this time, he tasted blood as her teeth punctured skin¡ªhis Pokemon gasped, everyone but Luna and Jace knowing where this led. After releasing him, she danced back two steps and winked, tongue sliding out to sample the flavor. ¡°Honey, I¡¯ll break you a hundred different ways before you leave me like that! Next time, you better bring me with you¡ªI¡¯m not gonna lose you to some Mt. Silver Steelix¡ªwas it a girl?¡± Sabin pressed his thumb against the wound, heartbeat rising; Luna was up in arms at Kate¡¯s rowdy behavior, but she¡¯d been holding it in for a while now, and he knew it¡ªhis other Pokemon were waiting with bated breath in the hopes it would escalate. Even wild Pokemon were pausing as they sensed the atmosphere shifting. Vision flicking up to appraise his girlfriend, Sabin felt the chemicals kicking in. Katelin¡¯s black and blue-themed tailored romper with her yellow and cream blazer always highlighted the best parts in his mind. Here we go again. ¡°Heh¡ªI don¡¯t doubt it. What if it was?¡± Dropping her goggles, Katelin put her arm behind her back to grip her elbow, amber eyes narrowing seductively; she was drawing his attention to her curves by the way her hips shifted and puffing out her chest. ¡°Well ¡­ I¡¯ve heard another girl is vying for your heart at the moment¡ªI can¡¯t have that.¡± Luna sniffed from inside her pokeball, commenting that she was the one that was bonded to him, unlike her. Sabin figured over the past two weeks, Missy, her Alcremie, had been trying to instigate Luna¡ªMissy was staunchly for Kate and his relationship, seeing as it was a driving factor in her actually joining Katelin on their Galar journey¡ªthe Mismagius did not like the impish Cream Pokemon. Sabin loved the playful games Kate started, though. Seeing her flirtatious posture tempting him, he jumped forward, making her squeak and fall back with an apprehensive giggle. His arm closed around her tight shoulders, guiding her to the ground to pin her to the grass. Kate¡¯s smiling cheeks flushed, and her heart was pounding against her ribcage, considering her hot breath pumping through her parted lips. ¡°What are you waiting for?¡± Grip tightening around her raised arms, her black tight covered legs between his, he stared into her wild eyes¡ªsearching his face while trying to predict his next move. However, his deep, teasing words made her blink with momentary confusion. ¡°You haven¡¯t answered me yet, Kate.¡± ¡°Hmm? I ¡­ Umm ¡­ What?¡± Sabin put his weight forward, knees sinking further into the soft soil as Kate¡¯s legs spread to press against them. ¡°How much did you spend on Agility, babe? How long are you under my thumb?¡± An Impidimp-like gleam twisted her cheeks. ¡°What would you do to me if I don¡¯t tell you?¡± Head lowering to whisper into her left ear, he felt a quiver run through her muscles as the hot air brushed against her skin. ¡°I¡¯d¡­¡± She tensed as his teeth lightly pressed on the tip of her ear, nibbling a little while tightening his grip against her arms¡ªhe knew her mind was going crazy at this point, her thighs snapping together. ¡°S-Sabin! Heh¡ªokay! Okay! It was 175,000 credits! Now stop teasing me and really kiss me!¡± Laughing, he pulled her to the side to straddle him. ¡°Really ¡­ Shouldn¡¯t you take responsibility for my bloody lip? C¡¯mon, Kate ¡­ You¡¯re in the position of power. What¡¯s gonna satisfy you?¡± Brushing back her blue locks, she worked her lower half atop his chest with a mischievous grin, shooting a thrilled leer down at him¡ªpushing her weight on him as she took the reins. ¡°You¡¯re the worst! You¡¯re going to make me work for it, huh?¡± Tilting her slender neck to the side, she tucked her lower lip under while sliding her fingers through her bound hair to pull the ribbon out. Shaking her thick locks out, they fell across his half-exposed stomach, tickling his abs¡ªLuna was practically paralyzed by this point, totally innocent to the kind of emotions rushing through Sabin¡¯s veins as his other Pokemon settled in for the game¡¯s escalation. ¡°Mmh.¡± Kate leaned forward, coming inches away from his face and allowing her long hair to drape over him like a veil¡ªKate was a cannibal, reaching in to pull out and take a bite of his heart. ¡°Tell me you want it again.¡± The world was blocked out by her locks; she wouldn¡¯t give up at this pace, and he could feel his own body heat rising¡ªthe pressure of her on top of him, fingernails slowly sinking into the skin of his shoulders¡ªKatelin had been purposefully holding herself back over the past two weeks to savor the rush when the two of them could be alone. Staring into the woman¡¯s glinting eyes, a smirk lifted the corner of his lips¡ªhe wanted a bit more from her. ¡°Make¡­¡± The tense atmosphere popped as his phone lit up the hot atmosphere. Katelin¡¯s seductive eyes turned pleading in an instant, yet it was her that groaned and rolled to the side after the fourth ring. ¡°No fair ¡­ You really know how to make me cry, Sabin!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not my fault,¡± he sighed, giving her a reassuring grin while she pouted next to him. ¡°Just wait for the sequel.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Her curious tone returned, shifting to her elbow to give him a vicious smile. ¡°Bold words ¡­ What are you going to do to satisfy my disappointment? I¡¯m not cheap.¡± ¡°Do I know it,¡± Sabin snickered, holding his tongue against his cut lip. ¡°It¡¯s my dad,¡± he muttered, reaching into his pocket to pull out the device. Of course, everyone booed, from the wild Pokemon that had stopped to watch to all of his own bonded Pokemon¡ªwith the exception of Luna, who was still somewhat in a daze from the transfer of emotion between Kate and him. She was jealous of Kate pulling away all the attention he¡¯d been showering her with since bonding to the Ghost Pokemon in the Mt. Silver caves¡ªhe was the bad guy to everyone at this moment. ¡°I know your dad¡¯s ringtone,¡± Kate grumbled, expression dulling. ¡°Don¡¯t make me sleep alone tonight ¡­ Look! I¡¯m shaking! My hand¡¯s shaking, Sabin!¡± she said, letting him know she¡¯d been really in the mood, and it had better be good. Rovane had one of his three-fingered wings pressed against his head, eyes closed and shaking it in disappointment as Sabin answered the call in voice-only mode. ¡°Ahem¡ªyo, Dad, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Huh? No video ¡­ Eh, am I interrupting somethin¡¯? Sounds like I¡¯m interruptin¡¯ somethin¡¯.¡± Katelin¡¯s tone brightened in an instant. ¡°Not at all! Something up?¡± ¡°Ah, Kate, still with Sabin, huh ¡­ Hmm. Eh, I¡¯ll be quick then, heh, it¡¯s getting late, after all. Your mom¡¯s worried that Rhea might be mad at her after letting her in on the whole Clef alien thing.¡± Sabin groaned, releasing a puff of air through his nose. ¡°What about the alien stuff ¡­ Why¡¯d Mom even bring that up with her? You know Rhea¡¯s been worried about her being taken by all the terrorist organizations she¡¯d worked with in the past and now adding aliens to the mix.¡± Kate¡¯s lips pulled in as she resituated herself. ¡°Yeah, Rhea¡¯s tough, but she¡¯s always had a soft spot when it comes to your mom¡¯s safety¡ªI remember she went on a hunger strike when she was eleven until your mom came home.¡± Keith hissed out an audible stream from his lungs that was picked up by the phone. ¡°Right, the hunger strike ¡­ She got that from an online video¡ªhad me worried sick for her health. Umm, yeah, I think Christie just thought it would be cool¡ªshe usually loves sharing things with Rhea she thinks will be cool.¡± ¡°Scatterbrained Mom,¡± Sabin mumbled, rubbing his forehead. ¡°How can she be one of the most intelligent people on the planet and be so dumb when it comes to Rhea.¡± His dad forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah, eh ¡­ I love her, but things can go right over her head at times. Has she talked to you?¡± ¡°Rhea?¡± Sabin asked. ¡°Naa, she hasn¡¯t talked to me since she posted those pictures of her new Buneary. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve reached out before calling me?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± His tone saddened. ¡°I know I¡¯m probably overthinking it, but do you think she¡¯s also mad at me? When Malva ratted your mother out to Flare ¡­ She said some stuff¡ªlike why wasn¡¯t I there to get her out, and I¡¯m wondering if the possibility of aliens snatching up her mother¡¯s brought back some of those memories.¡± Kate scratched her forehead, coming to the conclusion that this wasn¡¯t just a simple check-in call. ¡°Maybe she just needs some time to process it. How long has she known about the whole Clef thing¡ªI don¡¯t know much about the place myself.¡± Keith paused, pondering her words. ¡°Some time to think about it? Possibly ¡­ Christie is concerned she might have soured her journey by introducing too many new things¡ªshe hasn¡¯t had the smoothest start.¡± ¡°How long, Dad?¡± Sabin pressed, abs tightening as he lifted himself up. ¡°Eh ¡­ somethin¡¯ like a day or two, I think. Christie wasn¡¯t entirely clear on it.¡± Sabin spread his legs to stabilize himself and stretched out his neck; his team talked to one another about the best option to approach the subject if they did contact Rhea. ¡°Let me guess, Mom thought Rhea would call her back that night, hyped and looking to share what she learned ¡­ Ugh, she hasn¡¯t slept yet, has she?¡± ¡°Doubt it,¡± his dad replied, sounding tired. ¡°You know your mom; she used to talk to me well into the night when you two were kids, and she had some free time.¡± Sabin¡¯s eyes lifted to the slowly dimming sky as the sun descended across the sky, shaking his head. ¡°You mean when the two of you were actually home¡ªthere were months you two were off doing things during the war. Of course, Rhea¡¯s scared to death of losing you both ¡­ Anyways, yeah, I¡¯ll give her a call and see what¡¯s up.¡± ¡°Thanks, son ¡­ Sorry your parents are such a pain,¡± he laughed. ¡°Umm, yeah, I know it¡¯s probably not as bad as we think.¡± A smile lifted Sabin¡¯s cheeks. ¡°I know¡ªshe¡¯s your little Swablu¡ªyour fluffy, innocent cloud in the sky. You know, even if she¡¯s mad, she doesn¡¯t have the heart to hold a grudge.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. ¡°True,¡± Katelin giggled. ¡°I mean, she¡¯s even warming up to me! You know, she had Franky stick mud in my shoes once because you dropped info that you two planned to help me train. I¡¯m probably the biggest black mark there is in her book, but look at us now!¡± Atreyu snorted inside his pokeball, asking what berries she was smoking because, to him, Rhea was just tolerating her at this point. Luna was quick to back him up. ¡°Mhm,¡± Sabin mused, fingers through his hair; the women in his life were always trouble. Still, he couldn¡¯t live without them. ¡°I¡¯ll call you back when I get in contact with her. Later, Dad.¡± ¡°Later!¡± The call ended, and Sabin groaned, falling to his back while stretching out his arms. Katelin stirred her shoulders against the ground to position her head on his bicep, watching their two riding Pokemon talk amongst themselves a bit away as the sound of the brook intensified. Sabin blankly stared up at the heavens, tracing the few clouds to their south as they moved across the sky; Bird Pokemon were taking flight and continuing on their way after staying to see the unusual human behavior. He could feel the small rumbles underneath his feet from the network of tunnels that were the colossal network called the Diglett''s Caves, which ran all the way from Pewter City to Vermilion City. The diverted underground rivers and springs that they maneuvered caused the highlands to be so green. Katelin¡¯s tight muscles eased against his arm as she laid next to him, hands folded atop her belly; this would probably content her for now, but there was a reckoning hidden within her pretty face that he¡¯d have to answer. Reaching over, he found her fingers and intertwined them while using his free hand to hold up his crystal-like phone; he pressed the combination to activate voice command. ¡°Call Rhea.¡± Snuggling closer on the wet grass, Katelin prepared a smile to greet Rhea. ¡°You wanna make a bet that she¡¯s just having so much fun with her team she¡¯s just been too ¡­ Huh?¡± The call dropped, unable to connect, which was unusual, given the location they should have been. ¡°That¡¯s ¡­ odd,¡± Sabin muttered. Katelin lifted her head to pull her long blue locks across her front; he had no doubts she¡¯d want to use the brook to get clean after this, which was why she wasn¡¯t making a fuss¡ªin fact, the dirtier they got, the more fun it would be for her. ¡°You don¡¯t think she turned off her phone. Right? Wait, no, even then the radio tower would recognize it wasn¡¯t sent and redirect it to the database to be stored in the cloud.¡± ¡°Right.¡± Sabin sniffed, bringing it down to use his chest as a prop to get a better grip. ¡°No, that¡¯s odd¡ªone sec, let me check Silph¡¯s Pikabook to see if they¡¯re doing some maintenance since something went wrong ¡­ It¡¯s showing there are some issues that are being investigated¡­¡± Hoisting herself up, Katelin turned her attention to the north. ¡°Don¡¯t they have a secondary tower that can be used at a weaker capacity if something like that happens? We should be able to at least send a message ¡­ Both towers are down?¡± Swapping to his contacts, Sabin called his Ranger buddy working a section of the Clefairy Valley route; it went through. ¡°Uh, yo, Sabin! What¡¯s goin¡¯ on? I heard from Britney that you¡¯re up at Ragan¡¯s place!¡± ¡°Warren,¡± he muttered, glancing over at Kate. ¡°Hey, so, is the tower working there or not? I saw there were some issues.¡± Hesitating for a moment, his tone became confused. ¡°Tower ¡­ Oh, yeah! I saw that we had to swap to the backup, but there are problems with that one, too. Only Rangers and emergency personnel can make calls at the moment, but it should be solved in a bit, and texts are still going through.¡± Kate¡¯s eyebrows knitted together; as Platinum-tier Trainers, they were labeled under emergency personnel. ¡°We should still be able to call into other people then.¡± All the issues lining up with the threat of Plasma and Skull in the region put an edge of worry against Sabin¡¯s chest. ¡°Hey, Warren, could you check on a few Trainers for me to see if they¡¯re good?¡± ¡°Eh, sure, man. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing,¡± he cleared his throat, ¡°just trying to confirm some things.¡± ¡°Umm, so what¡¯s the team ID, or do you got some names I can search by?¡± Sabin¡¯s muscles tightened; he hadn¡¯t experienced this anxiety before, but neither had he fully realized that his little sister was exposed to the world now¡ªKate¡¯s eyes creased with concern, noticing the shift in his voice. ¡°It¡¯s one of the new Oak Starter teams; the members are Rhea, Amira Rocket, and Mallory, that Unova party girl.¡± Warren made a note in his throat. ¡°Mmh, right, right¡ªthe team that made waves in Pewter. Come to think of it, I thought I saw a news article about you showing them some favor or something just before their match. Did ya give them some pointers or something?¡± Kate jumped in. ¡°Oh, no, no¡ªwe just saw they were pretty talented, and their Pokemon were adorable!¡± ¡°Hold up, is that Katelin? Yo, girl! Man, that fire you helped the west branch with was awesome! I had a buddy that said you saved a little girl¡¯s life!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she giggled, ¡°it was a pretty big mess in Johto, but it worked out¡ªabout the team?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ yeah, so ¡­ I show them on the river¡ªtons of other Trainers are showing in their area. You want to get in contact with them ¡­ Hold up, that¡¯s strange¡­¡± Sabin¡¯s gut loosened and tightened in the next second; their Pokemon came closer, listening to the conversation. ¡°What?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just ¡­ It¡¯s showing their devices are experiencing issues with connecting, but everyone else around them shows their¡¯s is fine.¡± It was enough to get Sabin off the ground. ¡°If you could send the coordinates to me, Warren, it¡¯d help a lot. Kate and I are going to go check it out¡ªmaybe everything will be fine, but I¡¯m just worried since there¡¯s been so much trouble recently.¡± Warren popped his tongue before letting out a hiss. ¡°No joke¡ªword down the Ranger vine says Unova¡¯s Champion, Iris, went at it with Gold and blew up some invisible airbase or something insane. If it wasn¡¯t from guys and Pokemon I trust, then¡ª¡± He cut off, mumbling to himself. ¡°Yo ¡­ I can¡¯t get in touch with the Ranger on duty covering that section this week ¡­ Everything¡¯s messed up over here. Gah, I mean, this is weird¡­¡± Katelin got up, shifting left and right as she stretched, readying herself to get back in the saddle. ¡°Warren, the data?¡± ¡°Right ¡­ Yeah, seriously, tell me what you find, man, because some shifty things are goin¡¯ on now that I¡¯m looking at it. The technician recently posted an update that there¡¯s seemingly nothing wrong with the tower itself¡ªhe¡¯s double-checking, but it might be an external force disrupting the main frequency.¡± Receiving the advanced access to his Ranger Assistant App, Sabin¡¯s grip tightened around the device as it projected the pings on the map. ¡°Thanks, Warren. I¡¯ll update you in a bit.¡± Kate was already jumping on Jace¡¯s saddle as he hung up. ¡°You think the data¡¯s being manipulated?¡± ¡°Possible,¡± Sabin muttered, sharing his internal thoughts with his team while expanding the map to give Rovane a comprehensive understanding of their route. ¡°If it is false, how are we going to find them?¡± ¡°Backtrack,¡± Kate replied, preparing her hair and goggles. ¡°The data¡¯s recorded up to 24 hours¡ªit¡¯s possible they didn¡¯t have time to change the logs.¡± Following her suggestion, ice flooded Sabin¡¯s veins. ¡°Rhea¡ªshe went into a Platinum-tier area ¡­ her team¡¯s markers just instantly change locations after a few minutes. Yeah, let¡¯s go!¡± Snatching his goggles off the ground, Sabin hopped onto Rovane¡¯s back as his Pokemon sharpened their minds for what was to come¡ªthey¡¯d seen enough of the world and combat to know when something didn¡¯t sit right, and a storm was brewing inside Sabin¡¯s breast. Katelin''s expression tightened. ¡°It could be a glitch¡ªshould we call your dad or the Rangers in the area¡ªyour aunt?¡± Sabin shook his head. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure first, but if it is dangerous, he won¡¯t be able to get here fast enough¡ªeven my Aunt Cynthia couldn¡¯t travel from Sinnoh at the speed we¡¯d need help. If it looks really bad¡ªif it is an actual organization and not some random trouble, I want you to call him to get Lyra involved¡ªif anyone in the region can move across long distances, it¡¯s her.¡± She slowly nodded as they lifted into the air. ¡°Amira is her daughter, after all.¡± He felt Atreyu¡¯s growls transfer to his spirit; he¡¯d make sure Rhea was safe if it came down to a fight. Putting his faith in his Houndoom, Sabin took to the skies with Katelin¡ªthe tricky part was conserving energy for a battle while getting to the location as fast as possible. The highlands passed below them¡ªthe first destination would be the Platinum-tier area since it was the most deadly. Jace wasn¡¯t in the best condition after the exhausting race they had before, and even if Kate would have hated it, Sabin was glad she accepted the task of getting help if it looked bad¡ªhe didn¡¯t want two girls he loved to be in harm''s way. He trusted Katelin''s skills, but she¡¯d given her most powerful Pokemon vacation time, which was really just relationship time. She wasn¡¯t at peak combat potential while he had his whole team ready to go. His eyes narrowed as Katelin waved at him to his left, pointing forward; she was sharper at long-distance Aura detection than he was, but he felt it soon enough¡ªa battle was up ahead, and it wasn¡¯t amateur hour. Entering the winding canyon riverways, Sabin scanned the area with Kate; he didn¡¯t know why the Pidgeot and Cloyster were fighting, but it soon became clear both had no intention of letting them hang around. The Cloyster teleported to their back, sending spikes of ice in their direction, but Rovane maneuvered between them¡ªthe Pokemon was strong, and it was thanks to their practice trying to predict Sabrina¡¯s Gym¡¯s teleport tactics that his Aerodactyl wasn¡¯t caught off-guard. Pulling Luna¡¯s pokeball from his belt as the Pidgeot swooped in, sending bright blades of wind at Kate¡ªshe didn¡¯t have any Pokemon that could keep up with the powerful Flying-Type Pokemon. She should have retreated, but instead, she flew toward him, Jace using Protect to defend against the back attack. Luna popped out of her pokeball, giggling as she floated back to release a light green aura; a wind whipped up around her as leaves formed out of the energy, rushing past the Ghost to engage the Cloyster. The Cloyster¡¯s smile faded upon seeing Saban next release Snee-Kee, his Klefki; he was the weakest on his team but was mainly there for support, building up their defenses by closing around Sabin¡¯s wrist. His only priority was discovering what happened to his sister, so Luna would keep the Cloyster busy while they investigated. Rovane wasn¡¯t about to let the Pidgeot have his way, either. If they wanted to battle, they weren¡¯t going to pull punches. A dark brown light shone around the Aerodactyl as Sabin funneled energy through his three Pokemon, generating twenty-five head-sized rocks; the Pidgeot was clearly enhanced by Agility, but Aerodactyl were naturally among the fastest Pokemon as an apex predator in their time. The hail of stones launched forward at a flap of his wings, forcing the Pokemon to retreat from the super effective Move that could flinch. It was shockingly mobile and experienced in dealing with air-based Rock Moves, which made Sabin conclude it was likely a bonded Pokemon. Every calculated observation he made collapsed the moment Katelin was able to make it to his side, shouting past the wind. ¡°Jace sees Rhea¡¯s supplies below! Sabin, there¡¯s a gun on the ground outside their campsite¡ªhe saw someone jump into the whirlpool as we were arriving!¡± A gun? No, we need to¡­ Allowing his Pokemon to do what they did best, he pulled out his phone, slipping the wrist strap on the opposite wrist for security. Katelin''s voice stopped him before he even brought it out of sleep. ¡°We¡¯re being jammed! It¡¯s just like the stuff we saw in Unova!¡± she hollered past the wind, voice cracking a bit¡ªJace didn¡¯t look too hot after their swift flight. A jammer and gun¡ªit has to be an organization to get their hands on that kind of tech. Plasma seems to be picking a fight with Giovanni on the low, considering how the League¡¯s been moving ¡­ Did they send a hit team after Amira? If he went after them ¡­ No, Rhea¡¯s life is in danger! Connecting the dots in a few seconds, he decided it wasn¡¯t worth taking any chances at this point¡ªtwo strong Platinum-tier Pokemon and one with Teleport¡ªthe limiters came off. ¡°Kate!¡± ¡°I¡¯m going! Save Rhea!¡± Kate returned, urging Jace to head back the way they¡¯d come to escape the jammer. The Pidgeot zipped around in a long arc, outpacing the attack but a few strong flaps of his wings brought him back to Kate; he wasn¡¯t going to let her escape without a fight, and Jace wasn¡¯t in a state to defend against a Pokemon that was slightly stronger than him at his best. Sabin was done playing around, though¡ªas far as he was concerned, the two Pokemon were attempting to kill his little sister. A radiance formed around the small sphere around Rovane¡¯s leg as Sabin¡¯s body began to illuminate a light red, calling on their shared bond to crush anyone who stood in their way to save Rhea¡ªhe jumped into open space. A shrill roar erupted out of the Mega Aerodactyl¡¯s throat as rocks shot out of his body, and he grew in size, causing the straps holding the saddle in place to pop and fall below. Speed accelerating, Sabin felt the raging flood between them¡ªeach Pokemon close to his spirit rattling to have their own shot at their new opponents. A gale of strong wind whipped into a whirlwind, moving at a sharp angle that only settled around his allies, allowing Jace to barely dodge the Pidgeot¡¯s shimmering wings. The added speed allowed the Noctowl to break away from the primary fight, giving Sabin the ability to solely focus on what they needed to do. Snee-Kee had finished setting up their defenses. A pink honeycomb shell surrounded each of his Pokemon, including himself, as the Klefki was attached to his wrist. He used the Pokemon as a parachute, gripping the ring as he slowed their descent to the island below. His hard blue eyes darted to the Cloyster as he teleported nearby, sending more icicles to cut him in half, yet Klefki finished his next Move, creating a large box with blue square walls and a deep purple floor and ceiling around them. Sabin smirked as the lances slowed, allowing him time to find the right angle to harmlessly pass by his tilted body, surprising the trapped Cloyster. Inside any of the Room-Type Moves, Teleportation-Type Moves and escape, in general, required a significant amount of energy to run, needed the creator¡¯s permission to leave or the controlled area had to be destroyed, which wasn¡¯t easy given the amount of energy Snee-Kee used. Luna floated inside with a mischievous song. The wind at their backs dissipated as he had Rovane cut the Move since it had run its course. Three rings of water surrounded the Cloyster, expecting a long fight; he jumped away as white rays wrapped Luna in light and the Ghost Pokemon swapped their Abilities¡ªthe Cloyster¡¯s eyes widened in shock as it lost its critical hit protection, Luna spinning in the air while gaining a glossy coat. The Mismagius lost her ability to fly more than a few feet off the ground but took away the Pokemon¡¯s primary shell. It managed to increase its defensive stats while facing the Pidgeot, but he wasn¡¯t concerned. Atreyu burst out of his pokeball when the shield went up. Vision narrowing, Sabin sucked on his cut lip, reopening the wound. Protect my sister, Atreyu. The Houndoom didn¡¯t need a prompt; he was already darting to the wall, exiting before the Cloyster knew what was happening. He could tell the Pokemon was getting flustered; he wasn''t able to teleport away, which clearly had never happened before. The Cloyster awkwardly floated into the air as he got used to his new, temporary Ability. Mismagius could smell blood, having grown up in Mt. Silver¡¯s caves, hesitating to take advantage of your enemies¡¯ weaknesses meant death. Another whirlwind of Grass-Type energy circled the Ghost as she ruthlessly assaulted the panicking Pokemon in the death box, and Sabin exited the barrier to look into the sky. A ferocious purple aura and frenzy surrounded the ancient predator as he took the battered Pidgeot out of the sky. Claws around its neck and body, Rovane rode the fallen Pidgeot across the rocky ground. His large mouth opened as the bird helplessly struggled to get the Mega Aerodactyl off, releasing frightened squeaks when seeing the dark force leaking out of the Fossil Pokemon¡¯s colossal jaws¡ªthey came down without mercy, breaking its defensive matrix. It wasn¡¯t even a contest when they decided to get serious; he was prepared to face the Encrusted Platinum Challenge¡ªbattles like this couldn¡¯t even be called that when using his primary team. Rovane crushed the Pidgeot¡¯s wing, forcing it awake and making it scream in pain. He wasn¡¯t going to take any chances for a comeback. The Cloyster was trying to use some scary human he knew as a threat to keep Luna from breaking its shield as she toyed with him, but he wasn¡¯t taking the bait. He took a deep breath as Atreyu confirmed that he¡¯d subdued the man and that Rhea had only a minor gash that would heal¡ªstill, the fact he¡¯d hurt her put murder in his heart. Good work. Keep her safe; we¡¯re wrapping things up. Keep sharp everyone, we don¡¯t know when others might show up. This was far too easy for a Plasma OP. Conserving energy, Rovane reverted back to his original form, hopping off of the crying Pidgeot before sending it tumbling across the stone with its tail¡ªunprotected by its secondary defensive matrix at this point, it felt every hard collision against the rough rock. His Kangaskhan and Heracross were itching for their own turns, but they were in reserve; they needed to have a hand to play if anyone else showed up. Trick Room vanished, showing the Cloyster inside, outer layers cracked in various places as it trembled inside its fractured shell. He talked a lot of Muk to Luna until he¡¯d been locked down. Sabin rolled around his shoulders with agitation as the silence stretched; Snee-Kee hugged his wrist, telling him it looked like things were over. No ¡­ Sending one low Platinum-tier grunt¡ªmaybe it was supposed to be covert, but it just seems wrong. He ran his hands through his hair, releasing a frustrated hiss through his teeth; Melira, his Kangaskhan, agreed, saying the last time they fought some Plasma thugs, there were at least three, even if only Silver-tier. Why were they here ¡­ What? An ice egg? Atreyu was sending him information, but all thoughts of danger vanished as a small woman appeared in front of him with Katelin¡ªLyra appraised the field with narrowed eyes, Zelri, her Polygon-Z beside her. ¡°S-Sabin,¡± Kate mumbled, stumbling forward in a daze. ¡°She like¡ªshe showed up like, instantly!¡± Lyra¡¯s lower lip tucked under, vision scanning various places her Pokemon likely directed her toward. ¡°You brought things under control pretty fast, Sabin ¡­ Thank you. Zelri found the jammer and destroyed it, and there aren¡¯t any more people in the area¡ªit seemed like a solo attempt, which makes sense given the objective.¡± Her soft voice hardened when the gun thirty meters away floated up to meet him. ¡°Your Houndoom protected Amira, Mallory, and your sister?¡± Sabin cleared his throat, nodding¡ªit was something else, sensing the raw power the Polygon-Z boasted, which was similar to many of his aunt¡¯s Pokemon. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re down in some ice cave; he¡¯s making sure they¡¯re warm¡ªmy sister was hurt, though.¡± She hummed, light brown eyes not giving anything away while staring at the gun. In the next second, Zelri vanished in bars of color, returning the same way with everyone, including the assailant. Atreyu¡¯s head shifted left and right in a temporary panic; it was so fast he couldn¡¯t even react, which was insane given the long build-up Teleport typically took. The Cloyster was simple enough to track when he¡¯d use the Move, but Zelri¡¯s was instantaneous and without a hint of warning like every other Pokemon, confusing him. Amira burst into tears upon seeing her mother; she ran forward, falling into her welcoming arms. ¡°Hey. Hey ¡­ I¡¯m here¡­¡± Likewise, Sabin found the world spinning as Rhea tackled him. ¡°Sabin! I was so scared! He¡ªhe had a gun, and he shot at Amira!¡± He caught Lyra¡¯s expression as she flinched at the news, her arms tightening around her daughter while focused vision on Rhea¡¯s bleeding shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m here, Amira ¡­ He shot at you?¡± Mallory nodded, tentatively stepping forward as Amira buried her face in her mother¡¯s breasts. ¡°Umm ¡­ Yeah. Rhea tackled her out of the way¡ªshe got nicked in the neck. He¡¯s from Plasma¡ªhe asked us to join him or die¡­¡± Lyra¡¯s arms trembled a little as she pulled her daughter away with a reassuring smile; Zelri floated beside her, unmoving in her broken state. ¡°You¡¯re safe now ¡­ Are you girls okay?¡± Amira¡¯s throat seemed to catch. ¡°No¡ªRhea almost died protecting me ¡­ she could have been shot¡ªand it¡¯s all my fault!¡± Her mother¡¯s nose reddened, tears coming to her own eyes. ¡°It¡¯s okay now¡ªokay? I¡¯ll make it all okay¡­¡± Sabin silently held his sister, taking a deep, calming breath, allowing her to cry into his chest; all of his Pokemon exited their pokeballs to huddle around them, comforting Rhea as Katelin glared at their assailant. Lyra took a few calming breaths, her eyes moved to the right, where the passed out man was lying unconscious, knocked out by whatever Zelri did to him; for a moment, Sabin felt a threatening aura more terrifying than anything he¡¯d experienced¡ªnothing he¡¯d met in Mt. Silver could compare to the look in her light brown eyes. Pulling away, Lyra brushed back her daughter¡¯s damp red locks. ¡°I¡¯m going to bring you all to Rifure Town and grab your dad¡ªI¡¯ll only be a second. Is that okay?¡± Taking several deep puffs of air, Amira tried to compose herself and nodded. ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ Mom, what are you going to do?¡± A chill ran down Sabin¡¯s spine as Lyra spoke in a sweet voice that didn¡¯t match her words. ¡°I¡¯m going to end this Plasma stuff! What else, my little Mew ¡­ Hmm-hmm, someone tried to take you away from me.¡± B1 — 56. A Mother’s Wrath 8:36 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Looking down at her daughter¡¯s wet and puffy red face in the final sliver of light from the dying sun, a shiver ran through Lyra¡¯s frame. The glass of her happy little family life was cracking before her eyes in the nightmare that flashed through her heart and mind. Warmth spread from her daughter¡¯s trembling shoulders to Lyra¡¯s paralyzed fingers as Amira did her best to put on a brave face. ¡°Y-Yeah ¡­ Mom, what are you going to do?¡± The question stilled her frantic mind, Zelri and the rest of her Pokemon sharing their strength to cool the hot emotion electrifying her heart. She¡¯d done her best to give her daughter space to grow into her own woman, and it had been the hardest thing in her life to not call or text or even see her precious, vulnerable redhead¡ªshe¡¯d burn the world for her daughter. A sweet mask came into place to mask the distorted reality threatening to close around Lyra¡¯s neck as fire and ice collided with her spirit. ¡°I¡¯m going to end this Plasma stuff! What else, my little Mew ¡­ Hmm-hmm, someone tried to take you away from me.¡± Forcing her hands away from Amira''s hot skin, Lyra¡¯s fingers folded tightly into the center of the palm of her hand, hidden by the long sleeves of the frumpy striped sweater she wore. Her thumbs closed over the middle phalanges before her arms crossed under her breast, creasing the fabric; it was as if parts of her body had instantly frostbitten. ¡°Your father will be back in a moment.¡± Zelri spun into a miniature cyclone and her frightened daughter¡¯s soft face turned into the massive glass overview of Viridian Park from Rocket Tower; as could be expected, her father-in-law, mother-in-law, his secretary, and Silver were at their perch at this hour, overlooking the city. Giovanni, Ariana, and Matori gave her confused looks; she¡¯d never interrupted them in this manner. ¡°Honey?¡± Silver whispered in surprise, getting to his feet. ¡°Is something¡ª¡± Unable to control herself any longer, a hard lump dropped down Lyra¡¯s throat as a quiver shook her unsteady frame and she stumbled forward to press a hand against the glass, Zelri moving to support her side¡ªSilver would have had he not been paralyzed by the sudden blizzard of negative aura expelling from her spirit. Her illuminated brown eyes fixated on the bustling city below, she took one last shuddering breath to release the turbulence within her breast. ¡°Silver¡­¡± Cold beads of sweat were beginning to show on the four as Lyra turned to face them, the permafrost in her chest compressing the inferno. ¡°Your daughter and her friends need your protection while I handle the problem; Zelri will take you to Rifure City. Make them feel safe.¡± Collecting himself before his parents, Silver adapted to the situation at the mention of Amira. ¡°No one will touch a hair on her head.¡± Zelri and Silver vanished in vertical lines of prism colors, and Giovanni slowly folded his stiff fingers together, giving her unnatural smile a calculating look. Ariana mechanically uncrossed her legs to get to her feet, folding her arms at the simulated arctic environment that passed through their perceptive minds at the unwithheld aura she released. ¡°What¡¯s happened to Amira, Lyra?¡± Lyra¡¯s bangs slipped out of place as she unfolded a trembling hand to press against the right side of her cheek, an unnatural smile on her lips. ¡°We tried it your way ¡­ Now, we¡¯re doing it mine. Send an emergency call to Jenny, the Elite 4, and Chase to meet you here in five minutes¡ªWill can bring him. I¡¯ll be back in a moment.¡± Their focus darted to Zelri as she returned with the unconscious man that had attempted to kill her daughter; in the next second, they were standing in front of a beautiful black-haired woman, floating cross-legged in the air next to a large Mega Alakazam. Sabrina unfolded her legs, black dress fluttering around her as she straightened, heels meeting the polished tile floor; her glowing, light-purple eyes creased, and a small frown touched her lips, gaze wandering to the man beside her¡ªLyra didn¡¯t say a thing as the psychic read the future of their conversation. If it wasn¡¯t for her phenomenal mental and spiritual self-control while in the middle of training, the woman would have been just as helpless against the arctic aura radiating from her form. ¡°I haven¡¯t been a Rocket interrogator or extractor for quite some time, Lyra, and for you¡­¡± She paused upon fixating on the shell casing hovering beside Zelri, ¡°Ah ¡­ Given what I know is to come, it might as well be a governmental edict.¡± Not saying a word, Lyra left the man in Sabrina¡¯s care; large organizations were notorious for implanting kill switches in their members that carried out important missions in case of capture and the psychic was practically the authority on the protocols to counter such attempts. Zelri took her to the Silph radio tower that was the closest to where Amira was attacked; the Porygon-Z swiftly fused with Lyra¡¯s phone as she took it out of the back pocket of her fitted, black pants. Brushing back her bangs and pulling around her low-bound ponytail to play with the end, Lyra stared at the large structure; a few workers were searching around for what was jamming the signal, but Zelri had already located it while sending out messages to the interested parties¡ªshe was barely holding it together. She took the moment to breathe, each of her Pokemon around the two regions sending their love and support her way; Mikayla, her Wigglytuff, was teleporting northwest to bring everything together. Messages sent, Lyra¡¯s crazed, glowing, dead irises twitched while shifting to the device Zelri switched places with a rock, using Analytic¡¯s advanced features to strengthen the Move to affect inanimate objects. Infatuated by the floating piece in front of her, Lyra¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter, lips rising as mirth filled her cold, burning bones; Zelri confirmed it, a Rocket device. ¡°Was that the game?¡± she whispered, feeling her aura converting into physical power to flood her veins as the pieces connected; muscle spasms in her jaw caused it to lock in place. ¡°Heh-he-he-hmm¡­¡± Is this what it¡¯s worth, Ghetsis? Breaking my family apart to get your hands on a few Articuno eggs and setting me off ¡­ A clever plan, I¡¯ll give you that, and to accomplish it without Giovanni even hearing about it in his own backyard is even more impressive¡­ It was about time to pull all the strings she¡¯d sent out¡ªZelri teleported her around Kanto and Johto to collect their comrades. Her Azumarill, Conny, was at home, gathering the food for the meeting. Mikayla was heading for the Winter Woods above Rota City and would be returning shortly. Dowo, her Sudowoodo, and Bailey, her Meganium, were waiting in the trees of Johto for them to pick her up. Riga, her Girafarig, sat in the Safari Zone, ready to go after visiting with old friends. It didn¡¯t take long to gather her Pokemon, and seven minutes after leaving Giovanni, she made her return, making one more stop to kidnap the last key player. ¡°Eh?! Yo!¡± Guzma balked as she appeared out of thin air, snatching the back of his coat, and Zelri took them to her father-in-law¡¯s study. Lusamine was still asleep after her emotion-filled day. Luckily, things were beginning to stabilize after her harsh breakdown and the secret meeting she had with an unexpected visitor. Most of the cast had gathered; her step-family had their way of doing war¡ªLyra had her own. * * * Chase ruffled his black hair in agitation upon getting an emergency message from Giovanni, his Pikachu giving him a sad pat on the head from his shoulder. ¡°It never ends, Hajime,¡± he muttered, yawning. In the next second, a quake ran through both Hajime and his bones¡ªLyra¡¯s intense aura erupted across the region like a Legendary Pokemon, which was exactly why the Trainers reaching such heights were put into that category by the Master¡¯s community. ¡°Pika-Pi!¡± Hajime muttered, asking what was happening; he¡¯d never actually fought the Kanto and Johto¡¯s legends beside mock battles, and this terrifying presence was unlike anything he¡¯d felt from them. Swiftly getting to his feet, he wasn¡¯t even halfway to the door when Will appeared out of a flashing light with Karen, Koga, and Bruno making an appearance right after, Venomoth by their side. ¡°What¡¯s got Lyra in a mess?¡± Karen asked, rubbing her left shoulder. ¡°Aura like that ¡­ I haven¡¯t sensed anything like that since the War.¡± Koga hummed, hands held tightly behind his back. ¡°Giovanni called for aid¡ªI hope he doesn¡¯t mean against Lyra because if that¡¯s the case¡­¡± Arms folded tightly across his chest, Will¡¯s face tightened. ¡°I can sense Sabrina¡¯s unease ¡­ Lyra just left her. She¡¯s teleporting all over the place ¡­ Why?¡± Karen¡¯s fingers pressed against her breast. ¡°What if Lusamine¡¯s parasitic Ultra Beast connection has taken hold of Lyra¡ªIs there anything we can do?¡± A low growl rumbled in Bruno¡¯s throat while shifting to look at Mt. Silver. ¡°Is that even a possibility? If so ¡­ Is Blue still in the region? One of that crew is usually always on Mt. Silver.¡± Chase bit his lower lip. Should I call Elaine? Blue left weeks ago! Can we even touch Lyra if we¡¯re working together and she¡¯s serious? I don¡¯t think we can ¡­ Useless¡­ Will¡¯s head snapped to the left. ¡°Lance is nearby! I¡¯ll be back¡­¡± He didn¡¯t even finish speaking before vanishing. Chase couldn¡¯t help but feel the pressure of Champion weighing down on his shoulders. There weren¡¯t that many people he felt inferior to, but the previous Champions of Kanto were like blazing quasars compared to him¡ªuntouchable. ¡°We can¡¯t wait; Koga, get us to Giovanni to understand what¡¯s happening!¡± Stomach swirling, Koga took them to the nearby city, barely within the man¡¯s teleportation scope. Once inside the lavish study overlooking Viridian Park, Chase turned to center on the solemn man. Ariana was by his right side, hand resting on his shoulder while Matori¡¯s fingers skated across her tablet; the atmosphere was grim. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°What¡¯s happening?¡± Chase demanded. ¡°Why is Lyra ¡­ She¡¯s gathering her Pokemon,¡± he realized, turning to follow her very clear and intimidating path across the region. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Who pissed her off?¡± Karen asked, arms held tightly against her bust. ¡°What¡¯s¡­¡± she trailed off, pulling out her phone to read a message. Everything became clear once Giovanni took a deep breath, elbows resting against his knees while leaning forward, steepled fingers resting under his chin. ¡°From what I gather, Plasma attempted to murder Amira and her team, likely as a means to drive Lyra into this very action, only against some other redirected target.¡± His stone-cold eyes wandered to the brightening city as the sun fell. ¡°Whoever is pulling the strings in Plasma right now doesn¡¯t know Lyra well but knows her well enough to understand how she¡¯d react if harm came to Amira¡ªmuch less if she were to be killed and sought to direct that wrath. I don¡¯t know what my granddaughter and her team¡¯s conditions are, but you can imagine her response.¡± The gears began turning in Chase¡¯s mind while Giovanni explained the situation, gut tightening when Karen¡¯s own rage-filled aura sparked beside him. ¡°They went after my daughter ¡­ Lyra sent them to Rifure City with Silver. Rhea¡¯s brother figured out what was happening and saved them while his girlfriend went to have Keith contact Lyra for aid.¡± Chase¡¯s blood ran cold as the dominos started falling in his mind. Rhea, Amira, and Mallory ¡­ All of them are connected to extremely powerful families. How will Cynthia, Keith, Christie, Hilbert, Drake, and Glacia respond to this ¡­ The Hoenn, Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, and Unova regions would all have a vested interest in this ¡­ It jeopardizes the International Cups at its core. Lance and Will popped in beside them as Karen read off her text, staying silent to get the gist of the meeting. Koga¡¯s eyes slid from Karen to Chase. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, Lyra has decided to step into the ring, and it looks like she wants to take the reins.¡± ¡°I can understand that,¡± Chase hissed, rubbing the back of his head, Hajime¡¯s cheeks sparking with agitation. ¡°However, we¡¯ve been building a society¡ªrules so we can move past all the drama of the past.¡± Karen¡¯s bluish-silver eyes narrowed while shifting her position to glare at him. ¡°They tried to murder my daughter, too, Chase. Whatever Lyra¡¯s planning, I want to hear it.¡± ¡°Chase,¡± Bruno muttered, flexing his muscles and rolling around his neck. ¡°I¡¯ve been in the Elite 4 for a long time¡ªI¡¯ve seen a lot change because of the work you¡¯ve put in, but we both know this is not as simple as we have laws now.¡± Lance breathed in deeply and let it out, vision following Lyra¡¯s teleports across the regions. ¡°Unfortunately, you¡¯re right, Bruno. Chase,¡± his yellow irises centered on him, showing the intensity the powerful retired Champion was known for, ¡°Lyra isn¡¯t the type of girl to back down, and she knew you¡¯d be against her methods¡ªwhich is why she¡¯s gathered everyone that would be for or against her plan in one place. You¡¯re far outnumbered.¡± ¡°Muk¡­¡± Chase cursed. ¡°If I challenge her ¡­ She¡¯s going to challenge me for the title.¡± He was backed into a corner, and Lyra knew it; he¡¯d tried to unite everyone and make the region prosper in peace. The former Champions weren¡¯t interested in governing; all they cared for was having fun, advancing their skills, and being free spirits, which left Lance to fill the spot until Chase was strong enough to take it on. Teeth grinding together, Chase¡¯s vision fell to the floor; there was nothing he could do at this point. There were no delusions in his mind¡ªLyra would rip him apart when playing around, much less when she had something to lose. Hajime agreed that if they fought against the mother, they¡¯d lose, and it wouldn¡¯t be clean judging by her mental state. Giovanni pulled everyone¡¯s gaze, his smooth baritone voice leaving the place in silence. ¡°I warned you all when the Ultra War began and you involved Lyra, Chase ¡­ The woman is straightforward in mind and soul, but you will never tell her what to do.¡± Ariana gave a weak chuckle. ¡°Indeed. It¡¯s not who gives Lyra permission that is ever the question ¡­ Who is going to stop her?¡± After several seconds of deep thought, Matori cleared her throat. ¡°Jenny has been teleported to the building, Master. She will be escorted in shortly.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Chase was too centered on how to mitigate the disaster that Plasma had awoken. ¡°How is she going to go about it? Use all of our resources to discover where Plasma is and dismantle them?¡± A wry smile tilted Matori¡¯s lips. ¡°Heh, are you serious? Lyra is the definition of brute force; her ace is an Azumarill, for goodness sake.¡± Lance smirked, shaking his head. ¡°Brute force she may be, but that doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s dumb. The best we can do is try to work with her to ease any damage that might occur; she is one of the most proficient sting operators I¡¯ve known when combined with Zelri.¡± Jenny entered, face red, yet her anger died instantly as she noticed the individuals in the room. ¡°Gio¡ªWhat happened?¡± Giovanni stood up, walking around Lance and Will to stare down at his city as Jenny took a second look, gauging the situation. ¡°You¡¯re all underestimating Lyra.¡± Chase hesitantly moved to his side, feeling the uneasiness of his Pokemon at the prospect of facing Lyra in the chance she went off the deep end. ¡°How so? What is she going to do, Giovanni?¡± Karen snatched his attention as she grabbed the wine bottle off the table and took a swig. ¡°Not enough. Let¡¯s just wait until she gets here¡ªbecause I wanna kill some Plasma myself for taking a crack at my daughter¡ªjust thinking about my last visit with her could have been the last is setting me off.¡± Opening another bottle as the Dark specialist took the one on the table, Ariana poured another glass before joining her husband by the window, whispering, ¡°Not an exaggeration. I¡¯ve never seen Lyra¡¯s face look like ¡­ I¡¯ve never seen that look in her eyes¡ªmurder is on her mind.¡± ¡°Her heart,¡± Giovanni corrected. ¡°She has a bigger picture in mind that we¡¯re about to see. Everyone¡¯s here; it won¡¯t be long until she shows her hand.¡± A lump formed in Chase¡¯s throat; the number of people on this planet that could put fear in him was pretty few, and he never actually expected the bubbly brown-haired giggly girl to make his chest hurt, but he didn¡¯t even have to look for that terrifying aura¡ªshe wasn¡¯t hiding; why would she need to? The air in his lungs froze as Lyra appeared behind them, practically an enraged Lugia in the disguise of a cute girl, and it was at that moment he knew what Ariana meant. Lyra¡¯s sweet voice was easily heard in the room as she hugged herself, muscles tight and a frightening smile upon her lips that contrasted the unbridled odium in her glowing, reddish-brown eyes. ¡°Hello, everyone!¡± she chimed, dropping a struggling Guzma to the floor; he couldn¡¯t get free from the woman¡¯s death grip. ¡°I¡¯m glad you could make it. We¡¯re almost ready to start.¡± ¡°Aye!¡± Guzma shouted, scrambling to his feet and glancing around as his Golisopod shot out of his pokeball, ready for action. ¡°What is this? Y¡¯all jumpin¡¯?¡± He stumbled back upon catching Lyra¡¯s soft voice and crazed eyes. ¡°Take a seat, Guzma. I¡¯ll need you in a bit; heh, no need to worry about Lusamine. I¡¯m keeping very close track of her ¡­ We can start when everyone gets here.¡± Karen cleared her voice. ¡°How¡¯s Mallory?¡± ¡°Oh, she¡¯s perfectly fine!¡± Lyra replied, and they all noticed the tiny twitches her fingers made against her cupped cheek. ¡°Silver¡¯s handling things on that end, but¡­¡± A quiver ran down Chase¡¯s spine as she turned her focus to him. ¡°Chase, what Giovanni, Jenny, and you have been doing¡ªit¡¯s too slow. So, I decided I¡¯m going to fix all of your little Plasma problems.¡± ¡°Say what?¡± Guzma¡¯s focus shifted to the others, stirring uncomfortably in the tense atmosphere. ¡°Okay¡ªOkay, ya got beef with Plasma? Heh, okay, I¡¯m game. Ya know I¡¯d be on that meat¡ªa mukin¡¯ Kanto Legend, Huh? ¡®Bout time yer finally started takin¡¯ it seriously. What¡¯d they do, huh? Who we jumpin¡¯?¡± Giovanni cut him off, half turning to face his step-daughter. ¡°Who else is joining, Lyra?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lyra grinned, voice beginning to quiver. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise, Gio! You see, I¡¯m feeling ¡­ mhm-he-he, very, heh, unusual right now, and¡ªand what did they do to me, Guzma?¡± Her neck tilted to the side as a new figure teleported into the room, and an ulcer formed in Chase¡¯s gut; he couldn¡¯t even sense it. Leaf appeared a few feet away from Lyra with her large Blissey by her side. The woman¡¯s tight, drawn-in lips shifted to the side upon brushing back her thick hair; she wore an Alolan sleeveless belly shirt and tropical Sarong skirt. ¡°I got your message, Lyra ¡­ What¡¯s up¡ªdid you call my big sister, too?¡± Not a soul breathed as Green appeared beside her with a 5¡¯9¡± Clefable by her side; both wore a critical look, and the brown-haired woman wore a black tank top and blue short-shorts. ¡°Yo, Leaf, Lyra, I felt your aura going crazy all the way inside Mt. Silver; what¡¯s going on?¡± Leaf shook her head. ¡°I just came back to grab some of the things Blue left a few weeks ago. When I got here¡ªreally, Lyra, are you feeling okay? You don¡¯t feel or look well,¡± she asked, stepping forward to check how hot her cheek was. Lyra giggled at her touch, patiently waiting for them to finish or perhaps trying to compose herself. ¡°Me? No ¡­ No, not really, Greeny, Leafy, umm¡ªI¡¯m not feeling well at all,¡± she said, giving a short, shaky chuckle. ¡°Eh, one minute, Kris is almost here. Heh, she¡¯s been following up on some Mew stuff up by Rota that Cynthia sent to her; you know how Kris is with researching stuff!¡± Chase was long past thought. He¡¯d rarely met with Leaf, Green, or Kris, of which all three were among the top ten female Trainers in the entire world; all Legendary-Tier and Lyra was bringing them together for a witch hunt. Green had been stolen from her family as a child by some masked man, coming to call her sister a rival without even being aware of their relationship until tracing her lineage later. They were practically twins, except for the fact Leaf was more curved and had slightly lighter hair than Green¡ªat one point, the older sister had badgered him about becoming one of her Pokemon after hearing he¡¯d met Mewtwo¡ªshe had an obsession with the Pokemon. Lyra¡¯s intense irises darted to him as the sisters turned to survey the still room with their Pokemon. ¡°Speaking of Cynthia, I expect her to be giving me a call very soon, too ¡­ Ah, there she is!¡± She held up her phone, activating video chat to present the room. ¡°Hey, Cindy! So, you got my message?¡± Kris popped into the room with Lyra¡¯s angry Wigglytuff by her side; she seemed to know the gist of what was happening because upon seeing Lyra, she jumped forward and gave her a tight hug. ¡°Lyra! Is Amira okay? She¡¯s not hurt, right? What can we do to help?¡± Lyra¡¯s mask didn¡¯t break as the woman embraced her, their bodies weaving back and forth. ¡°He-he-he! No! No! Amira¡¯s doing fine¡­¡± Silence fell as Cynthia spoke. ¡°Rhea? You said she was grazed by a bullet? What¡¯s the situation, Lyra. Do I need to come down?¡± All Chase could see were the titans looming up before him as Lyra swallowed and addressed the Sinnoh Champion. ¡°Honestly, I¡¯d love you to come and offer me help,¡± she said, and a tear fell down her smiling cheek, ¡°and I know you¡¯re worried about Rhea; I expect Christie and Keith to be jumping in at any moment, but ¡­ This is a Kanto and Johto problem, and we¡¯ll handle it.¡± Cynthia nodded slowly, narrowed eyes shifting between Green, Leaf, and Kris as their demeanor darkened at the news. ¡°So ¡­ You called in the squad to keep you on track because no one else could ¡­ Smart girl. Although, given what you told me, who is going to keep them on track?¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°No need to fret¡ªYellow, Red, and Blue will be here soon. I can¡¯t get ahold of Gold¡ªa shame, really, he¡¯s going to feel left out, but Yellow¡¯s the best of us! She¡¯ll keep us golden, he-he-he!¡± Chase couldn¡¯t believe the sleeping dragons rearing their heads in the room; Plasma had pulled a gambit that had roused several natural disasters. Cynthia''s face on the projected screen tightened, and Chase could see her debating if she wanted to make the trip; he was an ant in front of giants. ¡°How did you get Blue to join?¡± Leaf forced a chuckle, scratching her temple. ¡°Eh, I guess that¡¯s where I come in ¡­ Yeah, my husband will help. If Plasma¡¯s taking shots at Lyra, they¡¯re willing to go after any one of us, and even if Blue hates Giovanni¡­¡± The room¡¯s warmth was sucked out as the woman¡¯s brown irises flashed and a threatening tsunami crashed over them, yet it was directed at the Mob Boss. ¡°Blue has a soft spot for Rhea, and Red¡¯s always willing to take down a criminal organization. Lyra¡¯s right; we¡¯ve got this.¡± Lyra clapped her hands. ¡°See! I mean, you might as well be here with Red showing up. Right? You two are so much alike!¡± A pained smirk lifted the Legend¡¯s lips. ¡°You always said that ¡­ Hmm. If Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Leaf, Kris, and you will spearhead it ¡­ Hmm, I¡¯ll hang back for now ¡­ I see Lance and Chase there, too. I expect it to be resolved by tomorrow.¡± Letting the statement hang for a moment, Cynthia ended the call; Cynthia projected the same energy in the United Indigo conferences they¡¯d shared between regions. She set expectations, and if they weren¡¯t met, she¡¯d follow up, except this time, she would come to insert herself in the investigation into the organization that attempted to assassinate her niece. Lyra giggled while pocketing the phone, and the other Legends gave strained laughs themselves. ¡°Well, that¡¯s Cynthia for you¡ªwill it really take before lunch? Dinner, at most! Okay, now, Guzma, we need your platform to send a message ¡­ Kanto has become a No Plasma Zone¡ªnormal people are fine; Sabrina will root out our real targets ¡­ Whoever ordered Amira¡¯s hit, though ¡­ I¡¯m going to kill them.¡± A shiver ran down Chase¡¯s spine; it was a fact. ¡°We ¡­ Shouldn¡¯t we have a trial?¡± Chase nervously asked as he tried to stop his teeth from chattering from the malicious forces collapsing around them. The four Legends'' gaze turned to them, and Karen voiced their expression. ¡°Why? Sabrina would have already confirmed their guilt.¡± In the end, if he could finish this with only a single murder, it would be a miracle. Skull, Rocket, the Indigo League, and now almost every Kanto Legendary Trainer reached for their throat. He had to wonder if this would end with Lyra breaking into the International Police Force¡¯s Maximum Security Prison and cutting the head off the snake. Who would stop them? Certainly not Cynthia, Iris, or Unova. In fact, given the Legend¡¯s reputation, this was bound to turn into a holy crusade, and he was left to damage control. Who knew Plasma would be the spark to end the world, Chase muttered to his Pokemon, because how else could you describe this? In Kanto and Johto ¡­ Plasma¡¯s doomed. B1 — 57. Killing The Pain 8:56 P.M June 26, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The celebrations finish tomorrow when the Summer Round Robin Cup will begin, to crown the best of each Tier among those that advanced. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 18 Days (17 Officially;18 since getting Maya and Nova). Lyra cleared her throat as most of the party she¡¯d called turned their attention to her; a familiar calmness was helping to settle her pounding heart. ¡°Wonderful! Now that we have all the main people present, let¡¯s have you all combine your efforts together and find me¡ªahem, us, he-he, every location Plasma has dug their claws into.¡± Giovanni¡¯s dark eyes were centered on her, gears turning in his mind; instinctually, she knew he didn¡¯t like being in the dark. She was surprised how collected he was because the old Giovanni would have already started to show cracks as things spiraled out of his control. Guzma sallied over to a chair and dropped into it, spreading his legs and chuckling; his silver irises radiating his excitement. ¡°Hoh-heh, ¡®ight, I can get behind a take-charge gal like ya¡ªreminds me of Lusi. My boys are all over Veridian¡ªMuk, they¡¯re all¡­¡± ¡°Garbador,¡± Lyra promptly cut him off while showing nothing but smiles. ¡°Muk is such a cute Pokemon; it makes me sad when people slander them.¡± Silence ensued for a few seconds, Guzma¡¯s confused, lifted black eyebrow shifting to Leaf, Green, and Kris¡¯s forced laughter. ¡°Eh, sure, whatever¡ªanyways, I¡¯m good to track down these ¡­ Garbador,¡± he chuckled, shrugging his shoulders before smirking at Giovanni. ¡°We gonna have problems?¡± If anyone did, Lyra knew they were too frightened of what she¡¯d do to outright deny her; she¡¯s brought everyone here to remind them that if she wanted, she could take the political system of Kanto and Johto by force¡ªit wasn¡¯t like she wanted to, which was why she¡¯d made it painfully clear how she felt. She¡¯d given them the options to at least direct some of her charged emotions. Focus still on her, Giovanni smiled. ¡°An attempted assassination was made against my granddaughter, Guzma. I believe our interests have aligned. That being said, Lyra, might I have a moment of your time in private?¡± Expecting it, Lyra sighed, turning to Green and Leaf. ¡°Yes, yes, Gio¡ªLeafy, Neeny, it would be lovely if you two could please meet up with Red, Yellow, and Blue. They¡¯re making their way here, and I¡¯m sure Blue will want to work his own angle instead of coming into Viridian.¡± ¡°Yeah, of course, but¡­¡± Leaf said, glancing at her older sister. Green¡¯s lips tightened, arms crossed under her modest bust. ¡°Kris is going to be with you, right? I don¡¯t want to leave you alone.¡± Kris¡¯s blue locks bounced as she nodded, scooting over to supportively grab Lyra¡¯s hand; she could feel the uplifting spirit of the legendary researcher and the hidden strength of her suppressed aura. ¡°Count on me! Just let us know what¡¯s going on over on your end!¡± Leaf rubbed her neck, glancing around at the apprehensive Trainers in the room. ¡°Alright ¡­ We¡¯ll be right back. I¡¯m sure Yellow will want to stay close to you¡ªyou know how sensitive she is.¡± ¡°Heh, I look forward to it!¡± Lyra laughed, a small degree of relief taking a place in her chest. Once the two vanished in Leaf¡¯s Blissey¡¯s teleportation light, Lyra turned her flaring eyes to Giovanni. ¡°Unfortunately, Gio, I can¡¯t do it completely in private¡ªKris will be with me.¡± Kris flexed her fingers, nodding. ¡°Is that okay?¡± Adjusting his suit, her father-in-law didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Of course. Is there a place you had in mind¡ª¡± Giovanni blinked, surprised at the sudden change of location as Zelri transported them to the front room of their house in Mintale Town. Conny and Mikayla darted to the kitchen to finish gathering the snacks for the rest of Lyra¡¯s friend¡¯s Pokemon¡ªshe had to offer them something of a treat because it was just something she loved to do. Free left hand closed tightly to her side, Lyra¡¯s smile fell a little; Kris stayed beside her, the woman¡¯s soothing aura helping to calm her frantic mind. ¡°I know what you¡¯re thinking, Giovanni ¡­ I¡¯m not stupid.¡± Giovanni worked out his neck before finding the usual armchair he took when visiting and sat. ¡°I understand, Lyra¡ªI do, and you know I am behind you. I just want to know a few key details ¡­ Are you able to humor me?¡± ¡°Lyra,¡± Kris whispered, grabbing her other hand as she turned to look at her. ¡°I want to know more about what¡¯s happened, too. Seriously, I know you don¡¯t want to even talk about what happened, but I¡¯d like to know so I can explain it to the others¡ªtake some of the load off of you and get everyone on the same page¡ªI know, Plasma¡¯s going to pay, but the details might help us narrow it down.¡± Taking a long, calming breath, Lyra giggled. ¡°Oh, Kris¡ªthanks, that really will help because¡­¡± A tremor ran down her spine as her glowing brown, almost red eyes fixated on the bullet case beside them. If it wasn¡¯t for her friend¡¯s legendary suppression aura, she¡¯d do damage to the normal people around her neighborhood because of the pressure she released. Kris¡¯s light blue eyes brightened as she stabilized the charged spiritual energy she released. Her soothing smile didn¡¯t falter, and if Silver was holding her hands, they would have been crushed by her grip. ¡°I¡¯m here for you, little sunshine! Let it out¡­¡± Tears began to well up in Lyra¡¯s vulnerable face as the cap on her pent-up heart began to leak. ¡°T-They shot at my baby, Kris ¡­ Really, that case¡ªthat shell could have gone through my daughter¡¯s chest. Who¡ªwhy would they do that to me ¡­ to any mother?¡± Kris stepped forward and closed her arms around Lyra¡¯s body, her friend returning the colossal force she could feel past her physically enhanced muscles. ¡°I¡¯m here ¡­ We¡¯re here for you¡ªYellow¡¯s coming, Red, Green¡¯s even stopped her crazy training, and Blue and Leaf are here to help¡­¡± ¡°Mmh¡ª¡± Sniffing back snot, Lyra coughed a little, cheek resting against Kris¡¯s collar bone. ¡°I wish Gold was here, too¡­¡± ¡°Heh, yeah¡ªhe¡¯d be a real mess, too¡ªthen we¡¯d really need Red and Blue, huh?¡± Letting herself be comforted in Kris¡¯s strong arms for a minute, Lyra eventually got control of her emotions. Puffing out hot air, she took a paper towel Conny had carried over at some point, giving her adorable Azumarill a thankful smile. ¡°Thanks, guys ¡­ Okay, I think I can talk about it ¡­ At least for a little bit.¡± Compressing her spiritual pressure, Lyra took the whole roll from Conny and sat with her two puffy Pokemon on the couch, Kris sitting across from her and Giovanni silently waiting for her to calm down. Dabbing her cheeks and blowing her nose, Lyra¡¯s focus shifted to Giovanni. ¡°Ahem¡ªthere is a spot I take Amira to¡ªa special place I go to that very few Trainers know of. Plasma¡¯s aim was to get their hands on a few Articuno eggs.¡± Kris¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Ah, okay, yeah¡ªI¡¯m on the same page. I¡¯m guessing they didn¡¯t know the issues regarding their hatching conditions.¡± Giovanni¡¯s steepled fingers rested on his crossed legs. ¡°Hmm ¡­ which further narrows down the potential leaks, I assume. If you can give me a list of the individuals that knew of the location, we can find a good point of contact.¡± He shifted in his chair, glancing to the left, deep in thought. ¡°You have Sabrina handling the extraction, but you went to her for a reason¡ªhe¡¯s likely already had his brain scrambled the moment Sabin captured him. Still, she¡¯s proficient enough to find a lead. My concern is how this approach might be playing into Ghetsis¡¯s hands.¡± Lyra gave him a sad smile. ¡°Zelri,¡± she pointed at the device her Porygon-Z sent to him. ¡°I found that at the radio tower. Look familiar?¡± Kris hissed. ¡°Ugh¡ªwhy did my mind have to go back to Rocket¡¯s Goldenrod invasion ¡­ What a mess.¡± Giovanni¡¯s fingers drifted apart to snatch the object out of the air, studying the piece of technology. ¡°You ¡­ have no idea,¡± he muttered, vision narrowing. ¡°This particular model is from a splinter Rocket group Vicious started ¡­ A single fallen leaf signals the start of autumn¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Kris asked, eyebrows furrowing. ¡°Are you saying Plasma was trying to turn Lyra against you¡ªhave her destroy Rocket by framing a splinter group you haven¡¯t dealt with yet?¡± Lyra was more interested in the final part of his statement; she¡¯d known Giovanni for a while, and there were many moving parts of the underworld and various organizations he had exclusive knowledge of. She let him stew, though. He would connect the dots she needed. Giovanni¡¯s fist closed around the device, hand lowering to his lap. ¡°Worse than that ¡­ I thought this plan was too complex for the Shadow Triad. They¡¯re high-value agents, but there¡¯s someone larger running the operations in Kanto and Johto.¡± Unfortunately, the man was too intelligent to just come out and say what she wanted to know until his own thoughts were put forward. ¡°I want them to answer for this Lyra¡ªby no means can I ever compare my own emotions to yours in this regard, but I love Amira with all my heart. I¡¯ve eliminated three kidnapping attempts aimed against her in the past month.¡± The corner of Lyra¡¯s lips tilted, heat rising in her chest again, but she did her best to temper it. ¡°Basically, you¡¯re asking if I¡¯ve considered that this is what Plasma wants, and I¡¯m playing into their hands?¡± ¡°We have to consider all possibilities,¡± Giovanni gravely replied. ¡°That doesn¡¯t mean we don¡¯t go after them, but depending on how they¡¯ve prepared, it¡¯s prudent we select the best option on how to go about it.¡± He glanced at Mikayla and Conny¡¯s scowling faces; the Wigglytuff and Azumarill wanted somewhere to place their fury already. ¡°By starting a crusade against Plasma, you could be inadvertently building a platform for Ghetsis to turn the rest of the world against Legendary-tier Trainers¡ªTrainers in general. It¡¯s the perfect storm he can use to build up his return.¡± Expression firm, Lyra¡¯s tight hands dug into her thighs, ripping a line in her black pants. ¡°As I said, Giovanni, I¡¯m not stupid ¡­ I know I¡¯m not capable of getting in front of a camera right now¡ªfar from it, and if I were to get in front of the public, I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d say.¡± Kris got up to take the tight fit beside the Wigglytuff, putting her arm around her to rub Lyra¡¯s tense back. ¡°What¡¯s the plan?¡± Giovanni answered, pulling the woman¡¯s concerned blue eyes, and a thoughtful leer was in the Mob Boss¡¯s side-long gaze. ¡°I just needed to be sure ¡­ As savage as ever, Lyra.¡± ¡°What?¡± Kris muttered, glancing between them. A junction passed while Giovanni zeroed in on Amira¡¯s smiling 13-year-old photo on the wall, riding Dowo, Lyra¡¯s Girafarig. ¡°Yellow is the key¡ªit¡¯s multifaceted, and of course, Red would accompany his wife, which would then pull in Blue. Leaf works with her husband to help by invoking Christie¡¯s daughter ¡­ Green is there to offer a bit of resistance to Kris¡¯s more restrained approach while Kris tempers your aggression.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Lyra let him verbally work through the dominos she¡¯d swiftly come to the realization that needed to be put into place and tapped. Kris silently listened, forehead furrowing further as he went on, and a soft chuckle shook his muscular chest. ¡°Even me explaining this to Kris was something that your mind of yours put together ¡­ Skull, Jenny¡¯s family network, the League, and Karen¡¯s contacts combined with mine will be working in the background to root out the individuals in Johto and Kanto, but that was never the issue ¡­ Chase, the boy was backed into a corner the moment Plasma forced you to take action¡ªanother calculated part on Plasma.¡± One arm moving to the chair¡¯s side, Giovanni¡¯s other fist pressed against his gray, pinstripe suit jacket. ¡°They wanted to make this a showcase of excessive force by the Legendary Trainers and League, by extension, since you¡¯d take over if Chase tried to fight back. It might have even tipped you to the point of cracking ¡­ They would have had their victim case to appeal to the public. However, there is a problem I¡¯m seeing¡­¡± Lyra focused on Kris¡¯s touch against her spine, trying to distract her mind from the hurricane of negative thoughts cascading through her mind. ¡°How Plasma came up with this plan when they couldn¡¯t have known Amira and her friends would go to the same location they had set up an operation¡­¡± Giovanni¡¯s shoulders relaxed, getting into his usual groove as the unknown fog around him began to thin; Lyra knew how his mind worked after so many years¡ªfew would know him better than her because he was one of the possible threats to her daughter. ¡°They wouldn¡¯t¡ªunless they were tracking Amira, which we don¡¯t have any evidence of, and Jessie assures me there weren¡¯t any before Apple City. Karen did a check on her foster daughter while there, and knowing her, she was making sure things were going smoothly for Amira¡¯s group.¡± Kris hummed, listening intently. ¡°So ¡­ Plasma didn¡¯t plan on assassinating Amira, Rhea, and Mallory until they showed up?¡± Fingers folding together again, Giovanni glared at the floor, and after four seconds, shook his head. ¡°No¡ªthey planned on assassinating Amira¡¯s party at some point to spark this controversy they could ride, but the timeline was accelerated due to convenience. The Shadow Triad may be coordinating much of Plasma¡¯s operations here, but they¡¯re only directing the flow of plans handed down to them.¡± ¡°Eh, hey,¡± Kris muttered, shifting uncomfortably, ¡°I¡¯m still confused on how Yellow is the key to all of this. Yellow¡¯s been in Alola for a few years now.¡± No ¡­ Kris! He¡¯s getting so close ¡­ Gah, I guess she still needs to hear it still ¡­ Just tell me who I need to kill, Giovanni! Lyra screamed in her mind, showing a fake smile on the surface. If it was Ghetsis, it might be a bit troublesome, but drama and controversy meant nothing to her¡ªshe¡¯d have her pound of flesh. A twitch sparked at the corner of Giovanni¡¯s mouth, black eyes drifting to her; he knew she was waiting for the face behind the strings. ¡°Lyra¡¯s key¡ªnot Plasma¡¯s. Yellow will be the face of the League¡¯s protection efforts, taking the media by storm by her return from Alola with Red. It¡¯s another callback to their days fighting against Rocket and painting Plasma in the same light ¡­ A vicious counterplay by making it seem¡ªtamer than it actually will be.¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ I see,¡± Kris mumbled, leaning forward to study her. ¡°So, that¡¯s how we¡¯re going to do it? We teleport all the real Plasma agents to Sabrina; she lays bare their network, and we dismantle their operator list, and then?¡± Lyra shivered a little as the spotlight returned to her, happy to have her two comfy Pokemon sandwiching her in love and support. ¡°I couldn¡¯t care less about the small grunts¡ªI¡¯m after the head ¡­ Whoever made my daughter¡¯s death a part of their agenda.¡± Her blazing eyes darted to Giovanni. ¡°Well? You¡¯re the one in contact with Colress and have people on the inside¡ªwho would have been in the position to make that call?¡± Cold sweat broke out across Giovanni¡¯s brow again as her spiritual force lashed out again, unable to restrain her acrimony any longer. ¡°Who tried to take my daughter away from me?¡± A long breath streamed out of the man¡¯s lips, uneasy vision narrowing. ¡°Ghetsis can¡¯t make plans like that in the IP Maximum Security Prison, and given the data Colress recently sent me ¡­ Gorm is the only option. He¡¯s the only one capable of heading a regional effort in Kanto at the moment.¡± Lyra laughed, her stomach shaking at the mirth rolling through her small frame. ¡°Gorm ¡­ that famous intellectual that said that thing about not making mistakes?!¡± A face in her mind, Lyra¡¯s smile fell. ¡°Where is he?¡± Giovanni rose to his feet. ¡°We¡¯ll find out as we pool our information. Yellow should give the speech in the morning¡ª8 A.M. would be a good time to hit both regional news cycles. Skull¡¯s social media platform will draw attention to the rest of the world and make it viral. In the meantime, we need to compile all of our resources to prepare for the operation.¡± Kris got up, stretching out her back. ¡°Right ¡­ I¡¯m guessing the actual snatch and grab won¡¯t last more than three minutes with everyone working together; we¡¯ll just overpower anything, so no need to worry about anything like that¡ªnot like any counter teleport methods are going to stop us.¡± Lyra was happy no one tried to stop her from killing Gorm; they¡¯d all been forced to kill during the Ultra War, and when it came to their family, every one of them had made promises to protect one another, no matter what. ¡°I want to send a clear message¡ªobviously, they think we¡¯re too soft, or else they¡¯d never even think about hurting my child.¡± Returning them to Giovanni¡¯s study, they began cross-referencing their databases; no one was going to attempt to sneak anything into each other¡¯s networks after the show of force she¡¯d pulled together, and her one regret was Gold¡¯s absence because that man would have been the nail in the coffin. Something she hadn¡¯t counted on was Grimsley showing up an hour after they¡¯d started, acting as a Unova representative. She figured he couldn¡¯t sit tight, and Iris wasn¡¯t going to stop him. He¡¯d made the journey all the way from Unova in record time, and between him and Giovanni, they connected several key players that narrowed down the list to her main target. Lyra stared out across the nighttime cityscape of Viridian¡¯s vibrant life, yet her eyes were dead. Gorm ¡­ tomorrow, I¡¯m going to kill you, so cherish what time you have left. * * * Amira huddled next to Rhea and Mallory on the large couch of the private cabin her father had taken them to, pulling the big, puffy blanket closer to her chest; some of their Pokemon were bundled beside them. Alice, Nova, Roxie, and Amber made the heat almost torturous, yet none of them seemed to want to let hot air escape. Lori had her head resting against Gables¡¯s body as he watched whatever Katelin had turned on. The blue-haired Trainer put on some new movie for them to watch, trying to take their thoughts away from the event, and Holly was wrapped around Amira¡¯s throat, hugging her for comfort. Her dad sat nearby, and the only reason Amira wasn¡¯t snuggling up to him was the guilt inside her breast. I took us to that spot ¡­ I¡¯m the reason Rhea got shot. The patch on Rhea¡¯s neck caused the heat in her chest and face to rise, but she restrained the tears; the blonde made it clear she didn¡¯t blame her¡ªAmira wasn¡¯t so easy on herself¡ªshe knew going into a Platinum-tier area was dangerous. I¡¯m stupid¡ªso stupid, and after everything I said about that boy Rhea talked about. Him climbing Mt. Moon and making friends with Articuno seems smarter than me¡ªa genius. I was selfish, dragging Rhea and Lori into danger because I wanted to brag to my mom¡­ She desperately wanted to be held by her dad¡ªhe probably was confused and giving her space, but she couldn¡¯t go hug him when Lori and Rhea didn¡¯t have anyone. Sabin had stepped out to talk to their parents a while ago and hadn¡¯t come back, yet Rhea seemed to be the strongest out of them all. The girl bounced back like being shot wasn¡¯t even that big of a deal. It didn¡¯t register in Amira¡¯s brain, though¡ªforcing it to come to a complete halt every time the memory punched her in the face. Rhea risked her life for me ¡­ She tackled me out of the path of that bullet ¡­ I almost died today, and she saved me. Looking at the smiling blonde on her left, leaning against her shoulder and snacking on popcorn, Amira couldn¡¯t blink. We¡¯ve only known each other for ¡­ for less than three weeks, and she was willing to die to save me. Why? Am I just a terrible person for even questioning that? Would I do the same for her? The thought paralyzed her. I don¡¯t know¡­ Katelin yawned on the couch beside theirs, lying across its length while fiddling with her phone; the woman was probably messaging her own family about the incident. Honestly, Amira didn¡¯t want to talk to her family about it¡ªof course, she¡¯d thought of the possibility of being kidnapped among various other terrible things that could happen to her, but nothing like that occurred throughout her life, and it was only a passing thought exercise at best, but this¡ªthis was very real. Her cold toes curled, pulling in the blanket. I¡¯m a coward ¡­ I don¡¯t think I could have done that for Rhea. I¡¯m a stupid caitiff ¡­ thoughtlessly bringing my teammates into danger when they trusted me. This isn¡¯t who I¡¯m supposed to be ¡­ I¡¯m supposed to be a Rocket. I¡¯m supposed to be the smart one ¡­ The one who won¡¯t back down when things get tough, look at me ¡­ I¡¯m a mess. The sliding glass door opened, making the lump in Amira¡¯s throat drop and causing all of them to jump. Sabin walked through, rubbing the back of his neck and giving them a sad smile. ¡°Sorry for the scare.¡± ¡°Anything important to discuss?¡± Silver asked, adjusting his long, silky red hair across his front; Amira wanted to bury herself in it like she did when a little girl. He gave a forced laugh. ¡°Eh, well, my family is going a bit stir crazy right now.¡± Rhea chuckled, resituating herself to look at him. ¡°I bet Grandpa is ready to start breathing fire, and I can picture Grandma¡¯s calm face and claw-like fingernails reaching to dig into some Plasma grunts!¡± ¡°Not wrong!¡± her brother returned. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for Aunt Cynthia keeping everyone calm, I¡¯m pretty sure the whole family and a ton of friends would jump in on whatever Lyra¡¯s got going. Apparently, I heard Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Leaf, and Kris are getting in on this.¡± Silver breathed a sigh of relief, hands folded across his lap. ¡°I¡¯m glad ¡­ Amira.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± she asked, her focus melting at her father¡¯s honeyed voice. He gave her a fatherly smile. ¡°We can talk when you¡¯re ready ¡­ Your mom¡¯s handling Plasma, though. There¡¯s nothing to worry about.¡± ¡°N-No, yeah,¡± she stammered, trying to laugh it off. ¡°Of course¡ªI mean, it¡¯s Mom¡­¡± Lori snickered, pulling out her phone to look at some messages. ¡°Yeah¡ªmy mom¡¯s been a raving Primeape ¡­ Heh, I have to warn Cass not to go crazy on social media, too. Eh¡ªshe¡¯s the type to rant and cause an actual riot by the insane followers she has. Shauntal¡¯s basically writing me novels through text, but ¡­ but my dad¡¯s been kind of unusually quiet, though¡­¡± Rhea gave her a confident grin. ¡°From what you¡¯ve told me, and I¡¯ve heard, your dad¡¯s working on his angle, too. I bet he¡¯s connecting with Amira¡¯s family and your mom to get a bunch done!¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Lori¡¯s lips parted in disbelief, purple irises darting to the blonde. ¡°Are you psychic?! She just told me Dad¡¯s in the region¡ªhe just showed up!¡± ¡°See!¡± Rhea chimed. ¡°I knew he couldn¡¯t stay away, and I bet once all this is over, he¡¯ll want to spend some time with you. He¡¯s already here. Right? He-he, probably all of our parents¡ªthey¡¯re pretty overprotective, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Amira whispered, vision drifting to her father. ¡°Thanks, Dad¡­¡± She¡¯d caught her father playing with his fingernails for a while as they tightened into his palm; he was stressed. ¡°Of course ¡­ By the way, I think it would do you good to get some sleep. I¡¯ll stay up to watch the house, don¡¯t worry. It must have been exhausting for you and your Pokemon.¡± More guilt hit Amira in the gut; she¡¯d been a bit out of sync with her Pokemon as they tried to convince her this was Plasma¡¯s fault. You guys are just trying to make me feel better ¡­ I am to blame for most of this. Yeah, he attacked us, but I put us in that situation ¡­ It was entirely avoidable. Unconvinced by her Pokemon¡¯s pleas, Amira got up with the others; getting ready for bed was like a dream because everything between the couch and joining Rhea and Mallory in their shared king-sized bed was a blur. She stared up at the ceiling, their Pokemon cuddled around them. Mallory fell asleep pretty quickly, but Rhea rustled a few times, making Amira¡¯s head question what was on her mind, keeping her awake¡ªsomething was because her heart wouldn¡¯t stop beating like a Buneary. Rhea¡¯s hot air tickled her neck as she turned over to look at her, whispering, ¡°Amira ¡­ Are you awake?¡± ¡°... Mhm?¡± The girl¡¯s cold fists made Amira¡¯s gut tighten as they brushed against each other. ¡°Umm ¡­ I heard what you said to your mom, and¡ªand I just wanted to let you know that it¡¯s not your fault. I don¡¯t regret going there¡ªit¡¯s not your fault Plasma tried to kill us. I¡¯m just¡ªwithout all of us, I don¡¯t think we could have made it out of that nightmare, and I just wanted to let you know that I love being friends with you ¡­ Thanks for being my friend.¡± A sharp intake of air caused Amira¡¯s hot chest to tremble, liquid coming to her eyes. ¡°N-No, it was my fault, Rhea ¡­ I took us there.¡± Rhea¡¯s arms closed around her, both of their Pokemon doing the same. ¡°Nu-uh ¡­ You showed us a magical time¡ªand the cave would have been magical if we were able to do it as a team. We should do it again before the League¡ªyou know, make it a big thing to reflect how far we¡¯ve come. It shouldn¡¯t be a terrible memory¡ªwe made it, and it was because we trusted each other.¡± Amira¡¯s trembling fingers slid under Rhea¡¯s hot belly, returning the embrace. ¡°Thanks, Rhea ¡­ You¡ªI don¡¯t know how to¡ªyou risked your life for me. I¡¯m just¡­¡± ¡°He-he,¡± she felt tears on Rhea¡¯s own cheeks. ¡°We¡¯re a team! I¡¯m here for you, and when we needed it, you were there for us¡ªhey, you were the one that drew his attention away from us, or did you forget that part?¡± The truth in Rhea¡¯s words was as good as a blow; she didn¡¯t think about it in that light, but to Rhea, she was trying to save their lives by drawing his focus. ¡°Yeah!¡± Rhea doubled down. ¡°You were the bravest of us all ¡­ Thanks, Amira. I¡¯m so happy we got on the same team.¡± Mallory grumbled next to their crying and quivering bodies, pulling most of the blankets over and making them giggle¡ªit felt good to laugh after everything that had happened. The guilt hadn¡¯t completely faded, but Amira couldn¡¯t deny what Rhea pointed out, and given time, maybe she could forgive herself. Still, at least she knew how Rhea felt about her, and that meant the world to her. B1 — 58. In The Shadow Of Giants 9:14 A.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea groaned, stretching out a little; she hesitated when Amira hummed next to her, slow, hot puffs of air pressing against her ear. The redhead was sleeping on her side, a peaceful look on her soft complexion as Holly loosely cuddled around her neck. Nova and Alice stirred in their own sections of the covers while Rhea smacked her lips and rubbed her eyes, head tilting against her squishy pillow to peer at the window; someone had come in during the night and layered another blanket on them, likely to make up for Mallory¡¯s restless movements that stole most of it before throwing it off the bed. As could be expected, her puffy black and white Eevee was underneath the blankets, nestled between her legs, paws clamped around her left shin as if someone was going to whisk her away in the night, likely thinking ¡®not on my watch.¡¯ Alice had taken a different position than usual, snuggling between her breasts, which had prevented her from rolling onto her side, yet it hadn''t appeared to hamper Rhea¡¯s sleep because, judging by the light peeking through the drawn heavy curtains blocking out the morning, she¡¯d slept in. The Buneary rustled a bit as Rhea took a deep breath and let it out, blinking a few times and carefully brushing away the sleep from her eyes; it soon progressed to a yawn, and she suppressed as much noise as she could while clearing her throat. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Rhea shifted a tad, getting in a more comfortable position. Wow, yesterday was insane ¡­ It started out so good, too. Well, I guess that odd meeting with Malia and her brother¡¯s Articuno story¡­ A gear suddenly clicked into place, and a rueful smile creased her lips. What are the odds, huh? Malia asks me for advice to get her brother to stay clear of a dangerous Articuno, and we find an Articuno nest not that far away from Mt. Moon. Crazy¡­ She let her mind wander while waking up, going over everything that had happened since the start of her journey. It was a bit unbelievable to think about, but she¡¯d only been a Trainer for three weeks¡ªnot even that, nineteen days now. Wow ¡­ How much has happened? I¡¯ve made so many new friends ¡­ heh, we almost were killed by a Nidorino. We saved Tera and that area from that tyrannical Pokemon, we healed her and saw Ho-Oh¡ªyeah, that was awesome. There was that weird Psychic woman that Lyra scared the Litwick out of ¡­ Oh, Entei was gorgeous ¡­ Eh, dashing ¡­ gallant? Since he¡¯s a guy, heh, would he like being called gorgeous? Whoa ¡­ I¡¯ve seen three Legendaries since my journey started, but I guess everyone saw Ho-Oh. So cool¡­ She reached up to absently scratch the base of Alice¡¯s ears, causing the bunny to chirp and nuzzle further into her fingers. Mya was utterly passed out, and Rhea had the internal image of her big, open mouth lolling open while resting against her spirit. A lot of things have happened¡­ Tilting her head against the pillow, she watched Amira¡¯s side of the blanket rustle a bit as Amber slowly inched up to poke her head out and look at her; at least the Fire Fox was up. Rhea watched as she settled down, turning her gaze to her Trainer, red eyes showing concern. Rhea consciously adjusted her long blonde braid to the side, releasing a sad sigh. ¡°Mhm, I know,¡± she whispered. ¡°Amira¡¯s too hard on herself ¡­ We should try to cheer her up today.¡± Amber¡¯s face softened with relief, visually thanking her, but Rhea understood why the Rocket girl was beating herself up¡ªshe couldn¡¯t be sure she wouldn¡¯t be doing the same thing in her shoes. Amira was very critical about her own actions, and over the past few weeks, Rhea noticed she put up walls with most people. The redhead had let her guard down a few times, pulling out a cuter inner-teen, such as when they learned about the extraterrestrial Clefairy or small fractures in her shell when with her mom. Nineteen days ¡­ We¡¯ve done a Contest, Trained in Viridian, made new friends, and had our first Gym battle. So many memories and experiences in such a short amount of time. Relaxing a bit, a tiny smile lifted her eyes while staring up at the ceiling. Yeah, yesterday was tough ¡­ freezing to the bone, stuck in the middle of a fight to the death ¡­ so many things, yet the amount of joy I¡¯ve had since starting is just ¡­ it¡¯s just overwhelming. Hearing some movement in the hallway, Rhea figured it was time to get up, sending an internal prompt to Nova and Alice. Nova yawned, stretching out against her leg and mumbling that she was up; Alice did the same atop her chest, flopping to her back and pushing up to arch her back before plopping down. After a second, she got up, smiled at her, saying ¡®Good morning,¡¯ and hopped to the floor. Her Eevee soon crawled over her leg and followed the Buneary. Gently pulling back the covers, Rhea got up and examined her two teammates. Mallory, predictably, had a foot off the bed where her head should have been; the blankets were bunched around her ear, right arm on her stomach, and left across Amira¡¯s bundled shins. Her Pokemon followed suit, with Gables¡¯ toes draped across her thighs and Roxie lying between her bust. Rhea watched Lori¡¯s chest slowly rise and fall, lips partially parted to release soft puffs of air. She¡¯d learned a lot more about her teammates and how each of them had their own insecurities¡ªshe wasn¡¯t the only one working through problems. Still, she never expected the party girl to be helpless in the water. Rolling around her neck, she waved at Amber when the Fennekin joined Alice and Nova, stretching on the hardwood floor. Following their example, Rhea leaned left and right, examining the dim room. A rug was underneath the bed, and there were two large dressers on either side of the wall; a mirror was on the one opposite the window to reflect light into the room. Above the bed and built into the wall, an unusual design choice was a gas fireplace, surrounded by brick, and expensive landscape paintings were across the sheetrock. Two chairs facing each other in the back left corner allowed a couple to sit and enjoy the view out of the large window had it not been closed for Rhea. They¡¯d been guided to the cabin by Silver after Lyra dropped them off in the rural area; the road was dirt, and they couldn¡¯t see any other structures in the surrounding forest. The High Master-tier Trainer then guided them into the luxury cabin. Exiting the master bedroom, Rhea carefully closed the door after the Pokemon cleared it. Katelin gave her a short wave as she turned around. ¡°Hey! I was gonna take a shower, but if you wanna go first, that¡¯s cool¡ªwait, you don¡¯t have any clothes, do you?¡± Folding her arms, Rhea sighed, braided hair shifting at her back. ¡°Don¡¯t remind me ¡­ Everything I had was blown away when that Pidgeot attacked us.¡± Katelin¡¯s expression tightened. ¡°Oof, yeah, I¡¯ve had a few times where we lost everything. Ugh,¡± she rolled her eyes, ¡°one time because Atreyu sneezed and lit my whole pack on fire¡ªyeah, watch out for your stuff, Amber,¡± she chuckled, glancing at the Fire Fox. She gave a thoughtful grunt, turning back to Alice and Nova as they got into a conversation. ¡°Hmm,¡± Rhea rubbed her neck. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll have to buy some more clothes today.¡± Her focus moved to Silver as he came into view down the hall, walking in from the front room. ¡°You needn¡¯t worry about that, Rhea. When you three are ready, we¡¯ll do some shopping in town; they won¡¯t have everything you need, but what we can¡¯t find, we¡¯ll order and have shipped to Cerulean¡¯s Pokemon Center.¡± Hands gripped at her front, Rhea forced a chuckle; he had a certain serious charm, especially when smiling. ¡°Thanks, Mr. Rocket. Umm, is my brother still here?¡± Katelin groaned, adjusting her nightgown. ¡°No¡ªhe took off after making sure you were asleep. I waited for him to come back until like 3 A.M., but¡­¡± Her focus moved to Silver as he laughed. ¡°He came back at 3:26 A.M., but you weren¡¯t awake.¡± ¡°Eh? No way,¡± she grumbled, sliding her fingers through her unbound blue locks. ¡°Did I really crash that hard? Too bad. Did he find Rhea¡¯s stuff?¡± Rhea¡¯s breath caught, imagining her brother and his Pokemon scanning through that battlefield through the night for her gear. He really went back to find our stuff? ¡°Fortunately, and unfortunately, he did,¡± Silver sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Almost all of it is ruined, either by wild Pokemon, thinking it was litter, or from the battle itself. He cleaned up the rest of it with a few Rangers that were exploring the area, but the dresses Lyra had made were unusable.¡± ¡°Aww,¡± Rhea crossed her arms. ¡°I loved that dress; it was so convenient.¡± Swallowing while looking down at her swimwear¡ªthe only clothing left, she frowned. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll have to grab some stuff after all.¡± Silver leaned against the wall, wearing a smile as he slid his hands inside his pockets; he¡¯d swapped to a fitted, black high-neck long-sleeve shirt and blue gym pants in place of his work suit. ¡°Not for long. Sabin volunteered to return to your home to get you at least a day¡¯s change of clothes; he should be back within the hour.¡± A pout moved Katelin¡¯s lips. ¡°He could have woken me up.¡± The man gave an amused shrug. ¡°I told him I¡¯d hold down the fort, and he said you were wrapped so tight around a pillow that he didn¡¯t want to disturb you.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t!¡± Kate mumbled, cheeks darkening. ¡°That punk¡ªI¡¯ll get him for that¡­¡± she growled, scratching the top of her head and walking a few steps toward the second bedroom. ¡°Well, I¡¯m gonna get some stretches in with my Pokemon while you shower, Rhea. Talk to you in a bit.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but smile after her retreat; she knew the woman loved her brother and seeing this side of her put things into perspective. The pair tended to tease one another in unusual ways that Sabin didn¡¯t do with her, but the same held true in reverse. She was still his only little sister, and that was enough for her to share him now¡ªhe loved her in a different way that was also unique. Putting pressure against her arms and fingers, Rhea yawned. ¡°What about my parents? Have they called?¡± Silver nodded, jabbing a thumb behind him. ¡°Your dad picked up some stuff for me to make breakfast last night before joining Lyra¡¯s crusade.¡± Twisting her hips, she heard a few cracks between her weak grunts. ¡°Mhm¡ªthat¡¯s my dad, always worried about me eating ¡­ Ugh, you know, Amira and Lori said the same thing a few days ago. Heh, everyone gets so uptight if I skip a few meals. Umm, so, what¡¯s happening with Lyra?¡± He directed her to the bathroom. ¡°Get freshened up, and I¡¯ll throw up the news to get you caught up. Breakfast should be ready when you get out.¡± Feeling better, she paused before entering the open door with the excited Pokemon, Silver¡¯s tone dropping a little, ¡°After last night ¡­ How do you feel?¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, a rush of emotions flooding her breast, but it only lasted a moment as the question seemed to linger in the air. Her hand went to the bandaged wound on her neck, ¡°Mmh ¡­ maybe I¡¯m still a bit in shock¡ªI don¡¯t know, but I feel okay right now. It was terrifying last night ¡­ Now, though, it¡¯s like it was an eternity ago. I¡¯m more worried about Amira¡¯s emotions, to be honest. She thinks all of this is her fault.¡± ¡°And how do you feel about it?¡± Silver asked, tone soft and filled with understanding. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Heh,¡± she shook her head, pulling out her braid and shaking out her long hair for it to tickle her calves. ¡°Me? I think she¡¯s amazing¡ªshe put herself in harm¡¯s way to save Lori and me. If it wasn¡¯t for Amber and her, we wouldn¡¯t be alive right now,¡± she whispered, bending down to scratch the Fire Fox¡¯s ears. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have asked for a better teammate.¡± A small smile was on Silver¡¯s lips, but it was on the closed door behind her. ¡°I see ¡­ He-he-he-he, eh, maybe I¡¯m a bit biased as her father, but I feel the same. Thanks for sticking by my daughter, Rhea ¡­ You¡¯re a good friend and teammate¡ªit¡¯s not easy to be both.¡± Nodding, Rhea giggled and entered the bathroom, audibly closing the door behind her; leaning up against the frame, she looked up at the ceiling, hearing the bedroom knob turn and open. Closing her eyes, she let a soundless chuckle rumble in her chest before turning on the fan to mask any following sounds. Amber¡¯s tail was wagging while jumping up on the counter to give her a thankful smile. ¡°I mean it,¡± she whispered. ¡°I think Amira is a hero.¡± * * * Amira¡¯s hand pressed against her breast as the bathroom door closed. She really thinks that ¡­ even after being shot? Her lips tightened as Lori groaned, rolling around on the bed again to fill up the space Amira had left; Roxie and Gables half woke up, adjusting to her restless shifting to snuggle against her new position. Holly resituated herself against her neck, yawning a little, but the blanket the Unovan girl wrapped around her torso drew Amira¡¯s gaze. Dad must have come in and put that over Rhea and me ¡­ I messed up, so why is everyone being so nice to me? Swallowing the saliva in her throat, she carefully opened the door, cracking it open to hear the bathroom fan start. Of course, her dad was waiting for her against the wall. Tentatively easing the knob back as she exited, she turned around to stare at the floor. ¡°Morning, my sleepy Mew,¡± her dad chuckled, red irises lingering on her messy pulled-up hair. ¡°Sleep well?¡± Hot air shot through her nose, accusing eyes darting to his soft face. ¡°Don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t know I was listening,¡± she grumbled, keeping her voice down to not draw attention. Silver¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter before motioning for her to follow him to the kitchen. Amira leaned against the island as her father went into the fridge to extract the ingredients for breakfast quesadillas. Her jaw clamped while watching him silently working on getting the supplies out. He¡¯s going to make me start ¡­ Mom¡¯s always the one to jump right in, and he¡¯s the waiting type ¡­ I hate you both! ¡°I¡¯m not a good teammate ¡­ I could have gotten them killed,¡± she blurted out, trying to weather Amber¡¯s protests. ¡°Heh, the ironic part is that Rhea had a conversation with some woman asking for advice on how to discourage her younger brother from doing something stupid ¡­ I¡¯m such a hypocrite, doing the same thing.¡± Her father gave a short shrug, eyebrows rising while doing a slight nod to the side. He¡¯s agreeing with me! Really, Dad?! ¡°Maybe I should just try to do it myself¡ªI¡¯ll just get Rhea and Lori hurt,¡± she grunted, suddenly feeling a knife in her heart that tightened her lungs. ¡°I¡¯m so stupid¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, can¡¯t argue there sometimes,¡± he snickered, turning to give her an infuriating smirk. ¡°Remember when that boy confessed to you, and you just ignored him?¡± Amira¡¯s face flushed. ¡°What does that have to do with anything? You¡¯re no help at all¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± her dad sighed, starting the stove and setting a pan on it to start warming it up. ¡°You came home and cried to me for twenty minutes, asking me what¡¯s wrong with you¡ªhave you even told your mom to this day?¡± ¡°Why?¡± Amira growled, ¡°what could she do ¡­ Mom doesn¡¯t have a single embarrassing bone in her body¡ªshe couldn¡¯t care less if she says or does something that¡¯s totally cringy.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Amira stiffened as her dad¡¯s left hand lingered on the knife he was about to use to cut the vegetables, tapping the marble countertop. After a moment, he walked over and wrapped his arms around her. ¡°H-Hey!¡± Amira mumbled, pushing against his firm chest, but in the next second, tears were coming to her eyes. ¡°Stop ¡­ I¡¯m ¡­ I¡¯m fine ¡­ I¡¯m just stupid¡­¡± It didn¡¯t take long for her to curl up against her abs and shakes to rattle her bones as she pressed into her dad¡¯s body. ¡°How can I be so stupid ¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Dad¡­¡± Emotion touched her father¡¯s voice. ¡°Tch ¡­ Really, Amira, every time you feel like you¡¯ve done something wrong, you apologize to me as if you¡¯re letting me down.¡± ¡°I-I have,¡± she swallowed the lump in her throat, nose and throat hot. ¡°I went to a Platinum area ¡­ I know I shouldn¡¯t have, but¡­¡± Her dad¡¯s gentle hand closed around the back of her head, pressing her ear against his chest. ¡°Are you still trying to compare yourself to your mother? Amira, if you knew the pressure and heartache she feels because of¡ªyou¡¯re you, Amira.¡± She slowly shook her head. ¡°M-Mom¡¯s never gotten it¡ªI want to be strong and confident ¡­ I want to be brave and happy, but it¡¯s so hard¡­¡± ¡°Heh,¡± Silver shot out a strong puff of air. ¡°All you see is the Champion, legendary mother you grew up admiring ¡­ You don¡¯t know the half of how stupid your mother was when we were teens, and this¡ªthis wasn¡¯t your fault¡ªand no one is blaming you ¡­ no-one but you, honey,¡± he choked. ¡°Forgive yourself.¡± Amira sniffed. ¡°I can¡¯t¡ªI couldn¡¯t live with myself if ¡­ if I got Rhea killed ¡­ She was only an inch away from¡ªit almost hit a major artery!¡± ¡°You can¡¯t live like that,¡± her dad whispered. ¡°You¡¯re human, Amira, and it wasn¡¯t your fault that situation happened¡ªeverything was on Plasma. If he wasn¡¯t there, none of this would have happened ¡­ Don¡¯t eat his sins.¡± The words dug at her soul, but she couldn¡¯t let it go. ¡°Dad ¡­ You can¡¯t tell me if it was Mom; she would have found a way to get out of it without help¡­¡± Taking a deep breath, her dad let it stream out, brushing against the top of her head. ¡°What I do know¡­¡± He gently pulled away, and Amira hesitantly let him go. Turning off the stove, he returned to take her hand and guide her to the front room. Sitting on the couch, he drew her against his chest, draping a blanket around her¡ªshe felt like melting into his arms. Her father¡¯s voice was soft and solemn. ¡°Amira, you hold your mother on such a pedestal that it crushes her some days¡ªthe way you compare yourself to her, judging yourself at the foot of a colossal mountain towering over you.¡± Amira felt hollow, even with the comforting love her Pokemon tried sending her; Holly had awoken, doing her best to cheer her up while wrapped around her neck. ¡°All I¡¯ve ever wanted was to be like her¡­¡± Silver brushed back her bangs. ¡°Your mother cries to me some nights¡ªasking how she can be a more supportive mother without crossing the line¡ªasking me if she messed up, and in the process, made you feel less of a woman because of the life she¡¯s lived. It kills her, trying to distance herself to let you make your own mistakes ¡­ To be you, not her ¡­ she wants you to be more than her¡ªyour mother wants you to be you, Amira.¡± ¡°How?¡± Amira whispered. ¡°Every step that I take feels like another mistake ¡­ Everything¡¯s falling apart. I wasn¡¯t supposed to be this stupid¡­¡± Her dad¡¯s arms closed around her bare stomach, drawing her in. ¡°You¡¯re smothering yourself, Amira¡ªI don¡¯t know what you¡¯re expecting of yourself, walking in your mother¡¯s shoes. She¡¯s not perfect ¡­ Your mother is goofy, flawed, emotional, and a hot mess a lot of the time ¡­ She wants to scream when you put these expectations on yourself.¡± ¡°What should I be then?¡± Amira whimpered, listening to her father¡¯s heartbeat to calm her own. ¡°Grandpa, Mom, you ¡­ I can¡¯t make a mistake or¡­¡± ¡°Or you¡¯ll embarrass us to the public¡ªlose him business opportunities, and potentially hurt the company, and thereby the employees that rely on him?¡± Silver sighed. ¡°Cause people to hate on your mother?¡± She felt something wet drop onto her hair. ¡°Amira ¡­ no one can hurt your mother more than you can. If she saw you like this¡ªit would break her. All she wants is for you to be happy¡ªfree, enjoying life to the fullest¡ªnot caged by the expectations and pressure you put on yourself. You focus so much on your flaws and elevate her strengths to an impossible degree¡ªshe would fail in those shoes.¡± Amira trembled; he¡¯d never talked to her like this before. ¡°I¡¯m scared ¡­ Who am I if ¡­ What if I am a failure?¡± Her father¡¯s sad voice numbed Amira¡¯s entire body. ¡°You can only fail at being your mother ¡­ No matter how hard you try, you will never be her. All you can be is yourself. Don¡¯t trap yourself in her shadow¡ªyou will make mistakes, and if you can¡¯t accept that, you¡¯ll never beat your mother ¡­ That¡¯s your goal, isn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll never beat Mom?¡± she whispered, fear gripping her chest. ¡°Not by following in her shoes ¡­ blaze your own trail with your team¡ªshow your mother she¡¯s your inspiration, not a suit you can disguise yourself in. Don¡¯t waste your life chasing a shadow ¡­ Heh, you know how much she loves the sun¡ªbe a light she wants to follow.¡± Right¡­ Amira whispered in the safety of her own mind. How can I ever be the light to someone like Mom when I started my journey so late ¡­ She was Champion-tier by her seventeenth birthday. Reading her mind, her father hummed, looking up at the ceiling. ¡°How? By being her precious daughter, Amira ¡­ Why do you think she stopped training when Ethan and Kris kept pushing?¡± Her skin prickled, knowing the answer all too well. ¡°... Me.¡± ¡°Because her daughter¡ªyou are the most important thing to her¡ªnot training, and it¡¯s not just her¡ªZelri, Conny, Dowo, Bailey, Mikayla, and Riga ¡­ All of her Pokemon are so proud of you¡ªand mine, too¡ªwe want nothing more than for you to succeed and be happy.¡± ¡°And look at me,¡± she muttered, gripping the blanket closer. ¡°I¡¯m such a failure.¡± ¡°Only to yourself ¡­ I know you¡¯re going to beat your mother ¡­ as yourself, not by being her. All we want to do is help you bloom into the beautiful woman that we see. We love you, Amira¡ªyour mother, would burn the world for you ¡­ the love she has ¡­ I can¡¯t even express it. Please, if you can¡¯t believe in yourself, trust in the faith your team and family have for you.¡± His words echoed in Amira¡¯s mind, drawing on something small in her heart, nourished by the experiences she¡¯d had over the last three weeks. ¡°But ¡­ I was stupid for going there?¡± ¡°Stupid?¡± her dad chuckled, causing the reverberation to rattle through her bones. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say it was really stupid¡ªyou had a plan, right?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± ¡°Ballsy, for sure, and a little reckless, but something your mother wouldn¡¯t have even hesitated over. Gah, I can¡¯t count the number of medical supplies we went through when we were kids ¡­ Heh, I think I saw her with a bandage somewhere on her face more times than not, and Ethan¡ªyeah, that kid was somehow worse,¡± he growled in frustration. ¡°The best times of my life,¡± he ended in a soft mutter. Amira let her mind wander in the ensuing silence, working through the emotions colliding inside her. ¡°So ¡­ I can make mistakes?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± her dad replied, ruffling her already messed up hair and easily lifting her up to set her back down on the couch like a child. He gave her a slight grin, clearing away his wet and red cheeks. ¡°Still, this wasn¡¯t your mistake¡ªlearn from this, and losing isn¡¯t bad. If you never lose, you¡¯ll never grow.¡± Forrest¡¯s words to Rhea came flooding back into Amira¡¯s mind as her vision fell to the rug. ¡°Rhea lost ¡­ failed, but they got back up and tried again. I ¡­ I guess I can, too.¡± Her dad returned to the kitchen, preparing their food, and Katelin popped her head out. ¡°Hey¡ªoh, uh, heh, okay¡ªmy bad!¡± she choked a laugh after seeing their faces and darted back in. Unphased, Silver picked up the knife and brought the vegetables under the blade. ¡°Take your time, Amira. Think about it. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find your path with an excellent example like Rhea in your team, and don¡¯t try to be her, either ¡­ Let yourself shine for once.¡± Amira¡¯s grip tightened around her blanket, drawing it closer as Holly, Amber, and Serenity mirrored her father¡¯s advice. Be more like me ¡­ and less like Mom or Grandpa. Dad really thinks I can beat Mom? She looked up to the kitchen, watching her father work. If I can beat Mom, I can definitely beat Grandpa ¡­ I just need to be myself¡­ Mallory came stumbling out of the room shortly after, Gables wrapped around her left leg and Roxie draped across her shoulder. ¡°Eh¡ªyo, Amira ¡­ Ugh, yeah, rough night for me, too, huh?¡± ¡°What ¡­ do you mean?¡± Amira asked, eyebrows drawing together while touching her flushed cheeks. She tried to smile. ¡°Do I really look that bad?¡± Lori shrugged, examining the food on the island. ¡°Wooh! That looks like it¡¯s gonna be sick! Uh, I mean, I cried a bit, too, when I woke up, and you guys were gone. I was all, no, they hate me for not being able to swim!¡± she laughed, clearly joking by her tone. ¡°Naa, I¡¯m just playin¡¯, but seriously! I was like, for real, I¡¯m always the last one up¡ªgah, I¡¯m always making us start late, huh?¡± Amira shook her head, feeling a smile coming on as the Unovan girl¡¯s infectious grin caught her. ¡°No ¡­ I like you just the way you are.¡± ¡°Aww, thanks, Amira! So, Rhea still in the shower?¡± Katelin hopped out of her room, doing a quick check to see if the atmosphere had changed. ¡°Eh, yup! We¡¯re just waiting for Sabin to come with some clothes for her.¡± ¡°Not only that,¡± Silver chuckled, getting the first quesadillas ready to put into the pan, ¡°Sabin said he knew his sister would feel awkward if she was the only one with clothes, so he¡¯s bringing some dresses for the two of you to use until we go shopping later.¡± ¡°Sweet!¡± Lori hopped into the couch beside her, glancing down at her bust. ¡°Uh ¡­ I hope he brings her baggier ones.¡± Katelin giggled, sitting across from them before crossing her legs and adjusting her nightgown. ¡°For real, girl¡ªyou¡¯ve got it goin¡¯ on!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t remind me!¡± she groaned. ¡°I hate it! Bah, Amira¡ª¡± ¡°Huh?¡± she asked, red eyes darting to the purple-haired girl. She reached over to jab her shoulder with a wink. ¡°You got the perfect proportions, I swear! That gorgeous skin, hair¡ªand Rhea agrees, not to mention you¡¯ve got the best voice out of us!¡± Blushing a little, Amira felt the hole in her heart healing. ¡°I¡¯m not that pretty¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s making a joke!¡± Katelin laughed. ¡°Man, that¡¯s rich! Can you believe this girl, Lori?¡± ¡°You have no idea! Rhea hangs on her every beauty tip! You should hear about this thing she does to keep her hair so healthy¡­¡± It didn¡¯t take long for Amira to start feeling better, and when Rhea came out, Amber bundled in a towel, chirping with joy, Amira finally laughed. Maybe she could be herself¡ªalthough it was hard to pull herself away from the image of her mother. Still, if Rhea and Lori were okay with her failing, maybe it would be possible. Several minutes later, Sabin returned to Katelin and Rhea¡¯s delight, bearing gifts. The brown-haired man directed their attention to the TV soon after as her father set the table. ¡°Have you seen the Press Conference? It¡¯s blowing up all over the world¡ªtrending everywhere!¡± ¡°No?¡± Rhea muttered, moving to help Silver after hugging her brother. ¡°I¡¯ve had other things to think about ¡­ Uh, who spoke¡ªChase?¡± He shook his head, light in his eyes. ¡°No, Yellow¡¯s back!¡± Everyone paused, turning to look at him. ¡°Yellow, Yellow?¡± Katelin asked. ¡°Legendary Cutie Yellow?¡± He nodded, scanning for the remote. ¡°Yeah¡ªthat¡¯s not all. Red, Blue, Kris, Green, and Leaf ¡­ It¡¯s insane! It¡¯s like the world¡¯s strongest Trainers are all in Kanto overnight!¡± Amira couldn¡¯t believe it, and her thoughts instantly went to her mother. Mom ¡­ Are you that upset? You called everyone together for¡­ Tears came to her eyes, and everyone froze, but she couldn¡¯t stop crying. Rhea was the first to close in and hold her, followed by Lori, who forced her way in on the other side, pulling her head against her breast. I don¡¯t deserve this ¡­ but thank you ¡­ Thank you¡­ B1 — 59. Drawing A Line 10:21 A.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea took the right side of Amira while Lori took the left, holding her to let the redhead know she was loved. She didn¡¯t know everything that was weighing on her teammate¡¯s hearts, as Amira didn¡¯t share, seemingly unable to put it into words, but she didn¡¯t need to; if the role was reversed, Rhea knew all she¡¯d want would be someone there to hold her. If they weren¡¯t enough, Holly, Amber, Alice, Nova, Miky, and Roxie were out and taking up every extra place they could find around the sobbing redhead. After making sure she was okay, Sabin and Katelin moved to help Silver finish preparing breakfast; Amira¡¯s father had made his presence known, squeezing her shaking shoulder for a minute before allowing Rhea and Mallory to be there for his daughter. Several minutes passed until the strong-willed Rocket girl was hiccuping and sniffing back her runny nose. Amira kept her focus on the wool rug, and silence soon took the living room, only broken by Silver, Katelin, and Sabin¡¯s soft movements. Once she¡¯d calmed down, Rhea found her hand, squeezing it and giving her a reassuring smile. How much pressure has she been putting on herself? I know nothing needs to be said, but is there anything I can do? It¡¯s gotta be a lot deeper than just the danger thing, too. Nova, ever the sensitive one, had been crying with Holly, snuggling up between Rhea and Amira¡¯s shoulders¡ªthe little Eevee couldn¡¯t handle strong emotions. Mya and Alice found some common ground in trying to ease the fluff-ball¡¯s confused distress. Eventually, everyone started to calm down, and Amira cleared her thick throat. ¡°I¡¯m ¡­ Mmgh¡­¡± Figuring the redhead wanted to say ¡®I¡¯m sorry¡¯ but realized everyone would jump on the ¡®don¡¯t say sorry¡¯ train, Rhea shook her still damp hair. ¡°We¡¯re always here for you, Amira! No need to explain anything.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori sighed, taking a moment to flip her hair around to a better position. ¡°Heh, you remember me in that boat ¡­ I was ornery, snappy, and a total¡­¡± The Unova girl trailed off, eyebrows furrowing. ¡°Mmh, where am I even going with that?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°No clue, but if you need anything, Amira ¡­ we¡¯re here for you.¡± Amira¡¯s chest fluttered a little against Rhea¡¯s arm as she pressed in to hug tighter. ¡°Thanks ¡­ Umm, I think I¡¯m a bit better now. I¡¯m just trying ¡­ It¡¯s a lot to process.¡± ¡°Take your time, honey,¡± her dad replied, cleaning the dishes as Katelin and Sabin put hot towels over the plates, helping to keep the food warm. Shifting a little in Rhea¡¯s arms to let her know she wanted to right herself, Amira straightened, reaching forward to pull out a few tissues to clean her face. ¡°Thanks ¡­ Yeah, I ¡­ hmm.¡± Taking another few seconds to compose herself, Amira eased the blanket around them to the side, dumping it on Lori to get up and ease out a bit of tension. ¡°Umm, there was something about a Press Conference with Yellow?¡± Sabin nodded, taking a standing position behind the nearby sofa with Kate. ¡°Yeah, I can stream it to the TV if you want¡ªit¡¯s pinned to the front of Skull¡¯s platform.¡± A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat, every Legendary-tier Trainer in the two regions, excluding Ethan, was currently in Kanto. The last time one of them spoke at a Press Conference was Blue, when he stepped down from the Champion position after his alcoholism grew too much for him, and conceded the position back to Lance. Rhea didn¡¯t know all of them that well, but most of them she¡¯d at least talked to a few times throughout her life, and Blue was somewhat of a regular to her hidden village. Everyone turned to Amira, waiting to see if she was fine for it to respond; the girl¡¯s gaze still hadn¡¯t risen from the rug, standing in place and rubbing her shoulders. ¡°Is my mom on TV?¡± Silver moved to stand between Sabin and Rhea, arms crossed and an understanding smile on his face. ¡°She is in the background. Chase gave the opening speech before introducing Yellow; I watched it live.¡± Amira nodded, taking a deep breath and shifting to look back at the food. ¡°Ahem ¡­ We should eat ¡­ Do you want to play it while we have breakfast?¡± ¡°Sounds good to me!¡± Lori replied, getting to put her hands behind her back and stretch out her chest; the small pops her bones made caused Rhea to smile. ¡°Mhm,¡± Rhea jumped in, getting to her feet and following their example as their Pokemon joined them. ¡°Gah¡ªit feels good to stretch sometimes, and¡ªheh, you two are the ones that are always¡­¡± The door shot open with a heavy thump that made all of them jump and spin around. In the doorway was a panting woman with frizzy blonde hair, sunken blue eyes, and wearing a rumpled brown shirt and skirt. Rhea¡¯s tongue lodged in her throat as she tried to speak, her gasp turning into a choke. Hand coming to her neck, she coughed as Sabin muttered, ¡°Mom?¡± Christie rushed inside, almost tripping on her heels as Rhea doubled over, Amira reaching over to rub her back in concern. ¡°Honey¡ªI¡¯m just ¡­ How bad is the wound? Your dad said it will heal, but there will be scarring ¡­ Let me see¡­¡± Recovering with tears in her eyes, Rhea did her best to find an opening as her mother closed in; Sabin came between them, holding up his hands to fend her off. ¡°Mom, it¡¯s been like twelve hours now! She¡¯s not dying¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m fine, Mom!¡± Rhea panted, trying to catch her breath as her heart began to race; just seeing her mother made her want to jump into her arms, but she held herself back. ¡°I¡¯m just¡ªyou scared me!¡± Sabin wasn¡¯t able to hold off their mother for long and she was soon brushing back her long, unbound blonde locks to examine her neck. ¡°I came as soon as I could ¡­ Muk, I hate how busy everyone is¡ªyour dad couldn¡¯t even find the time to teleport me! Everything was so hectic and everyone was trying to get on the same page¡­¡± ¡°Christie,¡± Silver chuckled, having backed up a little to give them room, ¡°I dressed her wound myself. We can go to a clinic in¡­¡± Rhea caught sight of a 5¡¯5¡± Honchkrow that slowly walked through the door as her mother shot a quick glare in Silver¡¯s direction, pulling one of the six pokeballs off her waist. ¡°Honestly,¡± her mother complained, ¡°I know Lyra was going through a rough time, but I know her Pokemon are skilled enough to concentrate their energy into healing human injuries.¡± Mallory was now focused on the Big Boss Pokemon, though. ¡°Hey ¡­ Is that you, Aya?¡± Silver followed Lori¡¯s gaze to her mother¡¯s Pokemon. ¡°Lyra was ¡­ Mmh, you know how focused she can get when things upset her ¡­ I apologize.¡± ¡°Humph¡­¡± A 2¡¯1¡± Bellossom Rhea knew all-too-well exited the pokeball. ¡°We¡¯ll do it ourselves then.¡± Rhea consigned herself to be guided back to the couch by her mother¡¯s worried hands, noticing Katelin awkwardly acting as the background character. I love you, Mom, but you¡¯re always hot or cold ¡­ You¡¯re either obsessed I¡¯m not eating a proper diet or too engrossed in your work. It¡¯s why I used to fake so much stuff when I was a kid¡­ Vanty, her mom¡¯s female Bellossom, was one of her unique breeds, evolving with the rare Healer Ability. It was a staple when she was younger: Come home with cuts and bruises from playing in the forest? Vanty. Cut her finger while cooking? Vanty. Sick stomach? Vanty. The common cold? Vanty. Even if the Pokemon wasn¡¯t a cure-all, her ability helped alleviate some of the stresses on her body, and Rhea had a lot when she was a child. Rhea wondered if even hospital Pokemon had as much human healing capability as this little Flower Pokemon. Vanty hopped up on the couch, happy smile in place and leaf skirt swaying; Nova and Alice were quick to show interest. It only took a moment for her mother to get off the bandage, revealing the sticky ointment Silver used to disinfect the wound. Christie¡¯s eyes narrowed, and if Rhea was being honest, she didn¡¯t exactly look at it closely; she¡¯d been careful with it in the shower, wiping her skin down instead of letting the spray rain on top of her. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you had a brush with a Unova terrorist organization in Kanto ¡­ This is supposed to be your first experience out in the world, and look what you¡¯ve had to deal with¡­¡± ¡°Mom ¡­ stop fussing,¡± she hissed as the air touched the gash, her cheeks darkening a little with everyone''s eyes on them. ¡°You say that, but this is like ¡­ like every other week for Dad and you.¡± Her mother¡¯s jaw tightened, a deep rumble in her throat that said it wasn¡¯t a point she accepted. ¡°Maybe as time went on¡ªnot the first few weeks of your Bronze journey, though. Vanty ¡­ I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do without you.¡± The cute Pokemon¡¯s flowers spun as she gave a happy chirp, holding out her hand to radiate a concentrated yellow glow. The pain eased, and she felt a light euphoric sensation pass through her mind. Once over, Vanty patted her shoulder and hopped down to walk outside and see if there were any flowers. Lori was gently stroking the back of her mother¡¯s Honchkrow. ¡°Umm, Aya¡¯s telling Roxie that my dad¡¯s in the region?¡± Christie nodded, making a closer inspection of where Rhea¡¯s cut had been. ¡°Mhm ¡­ He¡¯s been our Unova connection, organizing any information we need on their end. I bet he¡¯ll want to see you once all this business is over, and honestly ¡­ I¡¯m not expecting it to last much longer,¡± she whispered, brightening a little. ¡°There, not even a scar on your beautiful skin!¡± ¡°Thanks, Mom,¡± Rhea grumbled, getting up. ¡°Umm, hey¡­¡± Everyone gave her their attention. ¡°Can I get a second with my mom while you set up the TV for Yellow¡¯s speech?¡± Amira¡¯s gaze softened with understanding. ¡°I think that¡¯d be good. We¡¯ll heat up the food and make some more for your mom to join us ¡­ Right, Dad?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Silver promptly replied, moving back to the kitchen to put on an apron. ¡°We have enough for an extra mouth or two.¡± Rhea gave her mother a slight smirk, pulling the confused woman toward the sliding glass door. ¡°Good, ¡®cause she¡¯s a Tepig whenever we¡¯re at home.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± Katelin winced, leaning into Sabin. ¡°Called out!¡± Sabin snickered at their mother¡¯s drawn-in eyebrows, trying to process what she¡¯d said. ¡°I mean, is she wrong? You¡¯ve eaten at our house¡ªshe eats more than my dad!¡± ¡°Do not!¡± Christie protested. ¡°I happen to eat quite healthy.¡± ¡°Grandpa¡¯s influence on her!¡± Rhea chuckled, causing the atmosphere to lighten. ¡°He does the same thing with me when we¡¯re around¡ªRhea, you¡¯re too skinny! Grandma, too, but she¡¯s more subtle about it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Grandma,¡± Sabin shrugged, ¡°and yeah, heh, it do be like that sometimes.¡± Dragging her mother outside, she saw the woman¡¯s expression lighten up once beyond the cabin. ¡°A cruel thing, to use your distraught mother as comedy relief ¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re doing okay.¡± Rhea¡¯s grip slackened, catching sight of Vanty moving between flowers to smell them. Pulling away a bit, Rhea brushed her hair away as the wind strengthened and pulled it out of her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not, really ¡­ not completely.¡± Her mother¡¯s fingers twitched toward her before stopping and drawing back to nervously fidget with her shirt. ¡°Was ¡­ it something I did ¡­ The Clefairy thing?¡± Taking a deep breath and finally letting the chaotic emotions swirling in her breast start to settle, Rhea decided if it was ever going to be addressed, today was the time. Building her courage, she turned around to give her mother a somber stare, keeping her voice as controlled as she could. ¡°Mom ¡­ I know you¡¯ll never be like any of the normal mothers I grew up watching in shows¡­¡± Her lips tightened as the woman that birthed her focused on the grass, fingers finding her wrist. ¡°I know me saying that hurts ¡­ It hurts a lot ¡­ but I can¡¯t pretend that it hasn¡¯t affected me, too ¡­ Mom, I love you.¡± Stepping forward to take her hands and draw her pained gaze, Rhea breathed for a second, throat constricting. ¡°I love you¡ªso much, and I¡¯d fake cry¡ªmake up things, and even hurt myself in the forest to get you to pay attention to me ¡­ All to get your attention because you weren¡¯t there like Dad was, and ¡­ and I get it¡ªI do ¡­ now I do¡­¡± Letting the lump ease down to her stomach, Rhea sniffed back her tears, trying to remain strong and push through. ¡°You kept as close as you could¡ªcalled, sent me letters because you knew I loved them and would be home every time you weren¡¯t on some big project ¡­ but I knew it was only a visit, and¡ªand most of the other kids¡¯ parents would go, but never like you, so¡­ If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°So, I felt different, which was why I didn¡¯t like to go to their houses, and would have them come over or meet somewhere to play. I hated your work for a while¡ªloved you, but hated what you did, and asked if maybe it was my fault¡ªno, I know it wasn¡¯t!¡± she added, at seeing her mother¡¯s big, watering eyes. ¡°I played with Dad¡¯s Pokemon because yours were rarely around¡ªand when they were, I had a great time, but it always felt so short.¡± She looked back and smiled at her little Buneary and Eevee, ears folded back while looking at them from the porch, and Mya was feeling down within her pokeball. ¡°That being said ¡­ Yeah, it hurt a lot¡ªgrowing up, I had my problems, but I know you were trying to help bring down people like Plasma ¡­ I understand now how scary it is¡ªand I¡ªI can¡¯t imagine how brave and strong you are to do all of this.¡± ¡°What?¡± her mother whimpered, arms beginning to tremble as Rhea moved in to wrap her arms around her. ¡°You¡¯re so brave, Mom ¡­ I did see you a lot more than it felt like as a kid ¡­ I was selfish, and I had Dad almost all the time¡ªwhile you were out stopping bad people and giving me my beautiful Pokemon. I love them ¡­ I love you, and ¡­ and yeah, I¡¯m so scared of losing you, but after all of this, mmh ¡­ I know¡ªI know I need to have faith in you because my mom is strong.¡± Liquid wetting her eyes, she tried to choke out her words, ¡°... Oh, my little Swablu,¡± her mother whispered, voice between a cry and laugh as her grip tightened. ¡°I¡¯m far from a perfect mother ¡­ heh, you know that first hand, and ¡­ I¡¯m so blessed to have a son and daughter who can put up with their crazy mother¡¯s flaws. I want you to be happy¡ªto have adventures and be safe ¡­ but I know this world isn¡¯t safe, which is why I worked so hard to give you everything I could to provide the best protection I was¡ª¡± Rhea nodded, cheeks pressing against her mother¡¯s. ¡°I know ¡­ I know. I¡¯m an imperfect daughter, too¡ªthat did stupid things to make you worry ¡­ I¡¯m terrible. So, Mom ¡­ I¡¯m going to try to be better¡ªto get stronger, so you don¡¯t have to worry so much.¡± All her mother could do was breathe, emotions causing her chest to heave against Rhea¡¯s. They held each other for a few minutes until able to regain control. Arms tightening around her back, Christie kissed her cheek. ¡°Together ¡­ We¡¯ll work on our problems as a family. If you need anything¡ªanything at all, you know all of us are just one call away.¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± Rhea returned the peck on the cheek. ¡°Mmh, and I know that if anything does happen, Aunt Cynthia will fly into space and bring you back herself ¡­ What¡¯re some Extraterrestrials against the Legendary Sinnoh Champion?¡± ¡°Right?¡± her mother giggled, brushing away her tears. ¡°Your aunt has literally picked me up and carried me like an infant to bed before!¡± ¡°Dad, too,¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Ugh ¡­ Yes, and I¡¯ve carried your father that way, as well,¡± she grumbled, scratching behind her left ear and brushing her messy locks back. ¡°Well, how about we watch that conference before getting ready for some shopping?¡± Rhea¡¯s puffy eyes lit up. ¡°You¡¯re coming shopping with us? That¡¯s like¡­¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Christie grinned. ¡°Our first Mother and Daughter shopping trip!¡± Excitement bubbling up inside her, Rhea returned to the cabin to find everything set up for breakfast in front of the TV. Settling in, Rhea started to eat while listening to the speech start, Chase walking up to the podium. Behind him, in the oversized chairs of the Elite 4, were Will, Koga, Bruno, Karen, and one surprise guest that stood beside Chase¡¯s center throne, Elaine. The brown-haired girl was notorious for being Chase¡¯s closest rival and would often battle for the Champion Title. Chase was on top, at the moment, having won fifteen and lost thirteen, but that difference had been reversed the year before. Her infamous Eevee was held in her arms, and to Nova and Rhea¡¯s shock, once settled in, her mother casually said, ¡°Oh, look, Nova, it¡¯s your mom!¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea simultaneously chimed with her stunned Eevee, vision darting back to center on the shocking revelation. ¡°Ambrosia is Nova¡¯s mother?¡± Christie took a second to sip some water. ¡°Mhm ¡­ Ambrosia is definitively the strongest Eevee in the world. She also cannot evolve¡ªmuch like Red, Yellow, Ash, and Chase¡¯s various Pikachu. Although, definitively speaking, Yellow and Red¡¯s Pikachu take the cake for genetic abnormality having been a part of an early Light Ball Rocket experiment ¡­ Forced into it in Rocket¡¯s earlier days,¡± she muttered, glancing over at Silver. Silver held up a hand. ¡°I was seven years old at the time, but yes, there were a lot of unethical experiments that produced a select few incredible Pokemon at the cost of thousands.¡± Rhea and Nova were still on Ambrosia being Nova¡¯s mother, and not wanting to make Amira think about her family¡¯s past, pressed on. ¡°How did that happen? Why didn¡¯t you tell me before or ¡­ Do Elaine and Ambrosia know about Nova ¡­ Well, I mean, of course, they¡¯d know, but I mean about me?!¡± ¡°Of course,¡± her mother chuckled, looking up at the paused video and serious-looking Eevee. ¡°I came to them with the proposal to make the strongest daughter for my daughter, including the fact that she''d be able to change into every Eeveelution. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll seek you out at some point to catch up and see how things are going.¡± Nova¡¯s excitement was almost palpable as she jumped around in a circle. Voicing Alice and Mya¡¯s own questions, Rhea asked, ¡°What about my other two Pokemon?¡± Her mother sat back and studied her two Pokemon. ¡°I looked around for quite some time and thought I settled on two specific candidates to be their parents, but then two phenomenal Pokemon immediately caught my attention after your grandmother mentioned a rather talented young Contest star.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips parted in disbelief, remembering back to the past few years of famous showings from across the regions. ¡°Hoenn ¡­ Are you talking about May Lavent¡ªher Mawile and Lopunny?¡± ¡°You know of her?!¡± Christie chortled. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. I approached her since I had a lab in Sootopolis; I gained her permission and examined their genetics to find the girl¡¯s Pokemon had nearly perfect stats¡ªthe important part for her Loppuny being Klutz had been replaced by your cute bun¡¯s rare sleeping Ability!¡± Alice and Mya had no clue who May was but were excited after feeling Rhea¡¯s awe. ¡°Wow ¡­ that¡¯s so cool, Mom! She¡¯s so cute, and ¡­ gah, I can¡¯t even say how many Contest¡¯s she¡¯s blown through, and she¡¯s only Platinum-tier!¡± Catching everyone¡¯s smile, Rhea swiftly scooted back, realizing she was on the edge of the sofa. ¡°Sorry, umm, we were going to start the video?¡± ¡°I think you¡¯re the cute one!¡± Katelin giggled. ¡°Everyone ready?¡± When they nodded, Sabin pressed play. Rhea paid close attention as Chase smacked his lips and glanced around at the press surrounding the Conference Room at the Indigo Stadium. The young man¡¯s voice was strong, yet it wasn¡¯t hard to see he was tense. ¡°My fellow citizens from Kanto and Johto ¡­ I have called this Address as more than a message to our nation ¡­ but to the world. We have been privileged to host the first Regional Combined League and are acting as the pilot for the initiative in this progressive revolutionary movement. ¡°We have overlooked past wars and grievances that have stained the pages of our history books with blood. Yet, we have tried to progress beyond that history to come into the United Indigo Leagues, and as with everything, there are always challenges that must be overcome.¡± He paused, glancing around at the unseen reporters and cameras in the room, voice turning somber. ¡°As many of the News Stations in this room have reported on, there were sightings of the infamous Plasma Frigate ¡­ Damaged and blinking in and out of its cloaking technology.¡± The power in his voice returned, trying not to appear weak. ¡°Certainly, it is a fair comparison that the commentators on the images, and connecting it to the very public announcement I made earlier this month concerning the capture of a High Ranking Plasma terrorist, Zinzolin. ¡°As I am sure you are aware, his most notable ¡­ I fear calling it a crime is too shallow of a word ¡­ Zinzolin¡¯s sin is in his heinous part in the Opelucid City tragedy, when using Kyurem, the Legendary Pokemon''s power, to flash freeze the entire area ¡­ murdering millions of helpless people in the name of their Lord, Ghetsis. ¡°Concern is certainly warranted, given that level of threat ¡­ a High Master terrorist held in custody is always accompanied by high tension, but Johto¡¯s famed Legend, Gold, the man who stands as one of the pillars of our united region, took up the task of guarding Zinzolin, acting as his personal leash.¡± He paused, giving the camera a smile. ¡°I am here to announce that the transfer has been successfully made. As you should be hearing, Iris, Unova¡¯s Active Champion, came personally to make the transfer, and in the process, attacked the Plasma Frigate, forcing them to make a full retreat. Zinzolin is no longer on Kanto or Johto soil.¡± Rhea could practically hear the cheers around the nation, and Chase took a moment to allow the information to sink in. ¡°Certainly, it is a time for celebration, but there are other concerns I am well aware of that have been keeping the nation up at night. I realize that this is a very big moment for our united region, and the world has its eyes on us. So, we must put our best foot forward.¡± The young man¡¯s auburn hair swayed a little while shifting his weight to direct a happy smile to the girl behind him. ¡°To that effect, I have a ¡®few¡¯ special guests to help bring all doubt to rest. Kanto and Johto are united, and let this be a show to the world that has put their faith in us for their children¡¯s safety!¡± He immediately took a step back to allow Elaine to take his place, returning to his seat. The former Champion cleared her throat, her Eevee transferring to her head to puff herself up, trying to look important¡ªNova was captivated by her mother. ¡°Hello! I know it¡¯s been a while since you¡¯ve heard from me, but just in case you don¡¯t know, I was Kanto and Johto¡¯s Champion last year!¡± she said, delivering a dazzlingly cute smile to the masses. ¡°Chase has brought to my attention the concerns about various events that have been happening around our regions, and I¡¯m here to let you know that I support Chase¡ªas both his rival and friend!¡± Looking like the bill of confidence, she put both hands on the side of the podium and went right in. ¡°Viridian News Stations have been screaming about Skull¡¯s invasion and highlighting a few dozen cases of somewhat degenerate behavior, but what you haven¡¯t seen are the ¡®thousands¡¯ of extraordinary acts the group has done around the city and Kanto! ¡°They¡¯ve taken part in large trash clean-ups with the Rangers, increased the funds coming into the region by a substantial margin, and stopped quite a few fights and bullying incidents! If you¡¯ve been following Plumeria¡¯s feed on their social media platform, you¡¯ll find her organizing all sorts of positive events, from minor tournaments to lecturing her friends to do better! ¡°Skull may have had a rocky start, but anyone that¡¯s seen their progress over the last few years knows how much good they¡¯ve done for Alola.¡± Her smile turned a bit forced, mirroring her Eevee¡¯s. ¡°Yes, I know Guzma and Skull, in general, can have a pretty hard look, but they have hearts of gold! There were two members I saw helping an old lady across the street; I mean, he-he-he, that¡¯s the kind of thing you see in the movies!¡± Bringing her cheer back in, Elaine breathed a long sigh. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about the elephant in the room ¡­ Everyone¡¯s seen Guzma¡¯s ultimatum to Plasma and knows the reason behind it. Let me confirm ¡­ Yes, the terrorists Unova has identified as the Shadow Triad attempted to murder Lusamine, Aether Paradise¡¯s president, that has been in a coma since the Ultra War. ¡°As could be expected, an extreme circumstance led to him acting in kind, as any of us would if a precious loved one was attacked. That being said, the League is now taking control over the matter. I¡¯d like to introduce the heroes you all know and love¡­¡± Taking a step to the side, she turned her head to see a crew unlike any other throughout the entire world¡ªmulticolored lights brightened the area to reveal Kanto and Johto¡¯s Legends. Yellow, front and center, took the attention immediately, her mane of silky golden locks pulled into a high ponytail. She wore a black high-neck, long-sleeve shirt, and yoga pants under a yellow robe. Her classic straw hat was gripped in her hands¡ªChuchu was on her shoulder, a flower sticking to the base of her ear by a static charge. To her right was Red, Blue, and Leaf, while Lyra, Kris, and Green were on the other side. Rhea already felt goosebumps at seeing six Legendary-tier Trainers standing in one location¡ªeach of them had the power to destroy the world or battle Legendary Pokemon, and Lyra wasn¡¯t that far from entering their ranks from what her aunt had told Rhea. Amira¡¯s thighs tightened against Rhea¡¯s as she saw her mother, a lump falling down her throat. ¡°She¡¯s so tense¡­¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t see it by the pleasant smile the small woman wore, but she¡¯d defer back to Amira on that one. On the other hand, Yellow¡¯s adorable closed-eyed smile as the world tried to process what they were seeing would have made Rhea laugh had not the small girl¡¯s nervous fidgets against her hat melted her heart. Stepping forward as the Legends spread out to stare at the camera, Yellow took the stage; Chuchu instantly took the podium, immediately drawing a close-up as she began to talk. ¡°Pika-Pi-Pi-Pika! Pi-Pi-Pika-Pikachu!¡± Blue¡¯s slightly annoyed expression turned to slight exasperation, two fingers coming up to his forehead as Leaf giggled and looped her arm around her husband¡¯s. Red had his trademark half-smile while hiding his eyes with the rim of his hat. It was the contrast between Green¡¯s smirking head shake, Kris¡¯s tight smile, and Lyra¡¯s plastic face that made Rhea realize what Amira had caught onto¡ªLyra was practically frozen in place. ¡°Ahem,¡± Yellow¡¯s petite voice carried through the microphone. ¡°Umm, thank you for those inspiring words, Chuchu. Eh ¡­ I hope you forgive me¡ªheh, you know I¡¯m not as good at this. Chase and Elaine are such wonderful Champions ¡­ I could never do this back in the day, but ¡­ I know a lot is riding on this regional collaboration, so ¡­ Chase has asked if we would mind staying for its remainder.¡± She let the statement hang for a moment, gathering her thoughts as Chuchu motioned for her to keep going. ¡°Oh, right, umm ¡­ Yeah, so ¡­ my husband¡ªeh, Red, that is, and Blue, his wife, and my best friend, Leaf ¡­ uh, Kris is going to be taking another journey around Kanto with us again! Green¡¯s going to spend some more time with her sister, and Lyra¡¯s got a bunch of spots for us to visit!¡± Her nervous light brown eyes darted to her Pikachu, hissing, ¡°What else, Chuchu? There were some other things¡­¡± Chuchu rubbed her ear, releasing a soft stream of air. ¡°Pi-Pi-Pi¡­¡± ¡°Oh, yeah! Umm, right, we¡¯re going to be rooting out all of the corrupt stuff on this vacation¡ªjust like old times! Normal Plasma people are just trying to do good by Pokemon and people, and ¡­ and umm, we shouldn¡¯t judge them for their beliefs, but some bad ones are hurting people and the overall message.¡± Adding a bright smile, she raised her hat into the air. ¡°So, we¡¯re going to make sure we keep everyone safe! That¡¯s it!¡± Chuchu jumped on her shoulders as an unusually intense look came over the girl¡¯s face, and Rhea shivered as a wave of pressure swept across the entire region. Brown eyes glowing green, sparks danced around her as Chuchu generated arcs of electricity. ¡°If you plan on hurting people, watch out because Team Red is here to stop you!¡± The oddly reassuring aura the girl spread across two entire regions popped like a bubble as her husband walked over and guided her away for Blue to take the stage. ¡°Eh ¡­ I know we¡¯ve been gone for a while, but ¡­ oh, am I done?¡± she asked in surprise. A big, confident grin that could only come from Blue or Ethan appeared on the showy man¡¯s face while taking a mic off the stand to say, ¡°You hear that, dweebs? Ya done messed up. Legends are back, so take a hike. Conference over.¡± Turning around, he dropped it on the ground, leaving the press in silence. Rhea smirked, feeling safe after Yellow¡¯s reassuring aura, but Blue¡¯s antics amused her. I guess the other regions will be returning with some interesting stories. * * * Appearing back in Giovanni¡¯s study, Lyra¡¯s gaze turned cold upon seeing Sabrina; all three of the Shadow Triad floating around her illuminated form; Blue had taken his wife, Red, and Yellow to handle their own hunt of the smaller targets. Kris¡¯s hand tightened against hers, Green beside them with her arms crossed. Lyra¡¯s voice was ice. ¡°You found Gorm?¡± The Psychic nodded, drawing Giovanni¡¯s gaze; Chase and the others wanted no part in what she was about to do. ¡°Maroon Town.¡± Her smile not touching her eyes, Lyra finally had a target. Johto, huh ¡­ And coordinating everything from so far away? He must have a few powerful Psychic Trainers helping him coordinate things. It doesn¡¯t matter. The Blackthorn Mountains will be the perfect place to end his existence. ¡°What about them?¡± Kris asked, pointing at the ninja. Lyra glowered at the triplets. ¡°Witnesses to tell others what happens to those that go after our loved ones.¡± Once Sabrina sent the exact location to her mind, Zelri teleported them toward their target; there was no escape¡ªshe would have her pound of flesh. B1 — 60. Shattered 8:15 A.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). The pine-filled southern mountainous range of Rage Alps came into focus as Zelri teleported Lyra to the chilly location; Green, Kris, Sabrina, Giovanni, and the unconscious Shadow Triad were behind her. Standing at the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking the small town, Lyra stilled her pounding heart, taking a deep breath; her target was in sight. Her sweater helped buffer the high-altitude winds as her Pokemon scanned the population¡¯s psychic signatures for the most mentally shielded targets. Nothing was leaked throughout the night, giving Gorm and Plasma little time to respond. However, the organization had a command structure, and the moment the Shadow Triad lost communication with the current Plasma Executive in the region, she had no doubt he¡¯d be planning his escape. Gorm wasn¡¯t a stupid man, and he¡¯d have multiple ways out; there was a reason he evaded Unova¡¯s League for so long¡ªthis wasn¡¯t Unova. Even if Lyra was technically borderline Legendary-tier, her Pokemon were no less skilled than any of her friends; in fact, they had playdates regularly with Gold, Kris, and Green, putting them on a different level than any other borderline Legends like Iris, Leon, or Dawn. Diverting her attention to her glossy, spinning Pokemon, a small smile lifted her lips as Zelri discovered their target¡ªLock-On took effect. Zelri surprised her by transmitting what she wanted to do, making Lyra¡¯s bleeding heart leak lava. He-he-he, oh, you naughty girl! Did Conny and Mikayla bring that up? Hmm ¡­ I love it, and it brings everything full circle. Sabrina¡¯s full lips tilted into a frown. ¡°I didn¡¯t think ¡­ I would be joining you, Lyra.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Lyra turned to give the woman a sorry wave. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to just kidnap you! Zelri and I are a little on edge. Would you like her to take you back?¡± ¡°One moment¡­¡± The Psychic¡¯s glowing eyes intensified as she lifted herself into the air, the Porygon-Z taking over control of imprisoning the Shadow Triad. ¡°No need. I¡­¡± She paused, forehead furrowing while closing her eyes; several seconds of silence passed before her bright pink irises opened. ¡°I was ¡­ unaware of such invasive methods.¡± Giovanni, Green, and Kris¡¯s somber expressions shifted to the Gym Leader in question before returning to Lyra. ¡°He-he-he ¡­ My, you¡¯ve grown, Sabrina!¡± she complimented, clapping her hands. ¡°Don¡¯t you remember the days when we used to train a bit? You really helped me learn how to beat Psychics with Future Sight, but you¡¯re in a whole different league now; Will should watch his back¡ªheh, or his future!¡± A tight smile moved Sabrina¡¯s cheeks. ¡°If you had such methods to begin with, why did you need me?¡± ¡°What¡¯s she talking about?¡± Kris asked, crossing her arms under her chest. ¡°I¡¯m not following.¡± Hands behind her back, Green nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, sorry, Sabrina, but we¡¯re not Psychics.¡± Lyra tried to dismiss it with a short wave. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s just something I learned around the end of the Ultra War.¡± Giovanni¡¯s jaw and gaze tightened, but Green was the one to voice the Mob Boss¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Are ¡­ you talking about your Rainbow Rocket counterpart?¡± Thinking back to the rather unusual battle with her alternate timeline double and the experiences they¡¯d shared together, Lyra¡¯s vision glazed for a second. ¡°Mmh ¡­ surprisingly, yes ¡­ she made me aware of things I never thought I would use, but my short answer, Sabrina ¡­ Heh, because we haven¡¯t really practiced it.¡± ¡°You¡¯re talking in the theoretical?¡± Giovanni asked, and Zelri roused the assassin triplets, drawing everyone¡¯s focus. The Triad refused to groan, partially stunned, but staying true to their training; one whispered a soft prayer, though, ¡°L-Lord Ghetsis ¡­ Save us¡­¡± Lyra¡¯s brown eyes flashed red as her pressure escaped her control again, Kris and Green dampening her aura at the same time Zelri created a Trick Room to keep the element of surprise. ¡°Heh ¡­ Excuse me?¡± The Porygon-Z floated him through the air to look at her fake smile. ¡°Ghetsis ¡­ save you?¡± she asked, nose twitching with agitation. ¡°He-he-he, who do you think he¡¯ll rescue you from?¡± Green snickered, glowing brown irises fixated on the trapped assassin, who¡¯s lungs were in danger of being crushed by just their pressure. ¡°What, do you think we¡¯re just eye candy? You¡¯re in Kanto and Johto¡ªthis isn¡¯t Unova, but let¡¯s play fantasy for a second. Your god is on your side? Go on, get Ghetsis¡ªno, all of Plasma ¡­ As a matter of fact, go get all your Legendary Pokemon¡ªI¡¯m alright with that drama, ¡®cause we don¡¯t play games here.¡± ¡°We play a whole different kind of battle.¡± The corner of Lyra¡¯s lip twitched, her voice cracking, ¡°Mmh-heh, I will always do what I have to, to keep my daughter safe. I don¡¯t care what the law says, or any moral code¡ªif you take shots at my family, I¡¯ll find your definition of pain¡ªit¡¯s a fact; you get the best of me¡ªeh-he-he-he, and here I am ¡­ So, watch and report.¡± Zelri slid his headband down to gag the assassin, and Lyra retracted her pressure, allowing the Triad to gasp for air. The Trick Room dropped and she returned her focus to Maroon Town¡ªit was already over; she was just savoring what was to come. Sabrina¡¯s voice was hoarse, as much as Giovanni¡¯s would be, unable to keep her composure under three Legendary auras. ¡°I¡¯d like to go over it with you when you are free¡­¡± ¡°Dangerous stuff,¡± Lyra smiled. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you what ¡­ become Champion, and I¡¯ll explain it to you¡ªyou¡¯re one of the few people in the world that would have the skill.¡± The woman¡¯s Training-focus would strengthen at the challenge, and with a nod, she vanished in rainbow lights, returning to her city; Lyra hoped it would motivate her to break past the barrier she¡¯d been hitting¡ªshe liked Sabrina. A hot puff of air shot through Lyra¡¯s throat as she had Zelri pull the trigger. Gorm was using the basement of a small bakery, and judging by the way business was moving as usual, she figured he¡¯d either hypnotized the employees or they were sympathizers. Kris, Green, and Giovanni watched the Virtual Pokemon drop the Shadow Triad, teleport into the city, take over the three-floor bakery¡¯s power grid, cut it off, and teleport in to snatch all the Plasma members. Even with the mental dampeners, Wonder Room, and Psychics scanning for danger, none of them could out-finesse her. Zelri identified the hostages in the blink of an eye, and in that same blink, as darkness took them, the Porygon-Z crushed the barrier and forcefully transported the group to Lyra¡¯s back. When she turned around, never had Lyra felt such a cold numbness touch her heart, and the smile moving her lips and eyes reflected it. ¡°We finally meet, Gorm.¡± The white-haired sage blinked, vision shifting between his stunned group of three Psychics; it was the Shadow Triad¡¯s attempts at finding their feet that kept his attention, though. Gorm couldn¡¯t even shift his weight before Zelri trapped them into a box. ¡°How ¡­ unfortunate,¡± he muttered, holding up his hands upon seeing Green and Kris beside her and the barrier locking them in. ¡°You have me curious, though ¡­ How did you discover your daughter was in danger¡ªwhat miscalculation did I make? Given the location, and their departure location, it should have been a fortuitous blind spot.¡± Giovanni rolled around his neck, using a handkerchief to wipe away the perspiration on his forehead from the forces released moments earlier. ¡°That¡¯s beside the point, Gorm.¡± Walking past his sweating Psychics, the well-dressed man balled his fist and punched the elderly sage in the face; Gorm¡¯s reinforced physical fortitude helped to mitigate the blow, but Lyra was impressed at the strength Giovanni had managed to build since they last fought. Two teeth were knocked out as the Plasma Admin was sent tumbling to the ground. True to their reputation, the Shadow Triad vanished, using their ninja arts with fortitude training to use their blind spots to attack; Lyra had asked Zelri to give them the breathing room to help mitigate some of her angst. The Porygon-Z stopped the one attacking Giovanni in midair as the second leaped toward Gorm. The third, however, went after Lyra, and she patiently waited, allowing the moment to sink in; Kris and Green didn¡¯t bat an eyelash as he came up behind Lyra with a Banette, Bisharp, and Accelgor, their pokeballs being transferred to him from his brothers in the brief second they split. She¡¯d been waiting for them to make a move; Plasma Admins and the Triad used cloaking technology on their pokeballs, giving them the surprise advantage, but Zelri sensed the technology¡ªit was more fun this way¡ªthe barrier swapped to Trick Room, the rose and violet blocks switching to sapphire and rose. The pull of gravity lightened as pressure surrounded the attacking figures, and Lyra casually sidestepped the man¡¯s grasping hands, aimed to rip out her jugular, making use of her physical fortitude to snatch his wrist. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Accelgor¡¯s Unburden failed, its strength not having the hope to counter the room¡¯s effects. Using brute strength alone, she yanked him closer, popping his arm out of place to be punched in the face by his own Bisharp, but using his unusual ninja arts that resembled Koga¡¯s, he somehow moved through shadows to her back. It was useless, though; she could track every twitch of his gathering aura, and so she maneuvered the much slower Accelgor¡¯s trajectory by tapping its side while skirting its strike. He barely managed to lift his chin in time to slip past, but a sharp, concentrated pulse of her pressure caused him to lock up. Bisharp¡¯s energy going into its Pressure, Defiant, and Inner Focus were overwhelmed while Banette''s Mega Evolution collapsed mid-transformation. There wasn¡¯t a thing they could do as Lyra¡¯s crazed aura crushed their spirits¡ªthis was her at her strongest¡ªable to unleash everything within her heart, and the difference between High-Master and borderline Legendary. Green popped her tongue, brown locks shifting with her head. ¡°Wow ¡­ you gotta give it to them; they¡¯re quite persistent.¡± ¡°I hate Plasma already,¡± Kris grumbled, glaring at the Triad member psychically paralyzed beside the stunned Admin¡ªa sharpened stone was inches away from Gorm¡¯s throat. ¡°Killing their own comrades?¡± Giovanni stood before the floating man beside him, hands held behind his back while leering at his intense eyes; the veins on their foreheads popped, trying to break free of Zelri¡¯s hold. ¡°That would require them to see them as comrades.¡± Gorm cleared his throat as the Porygon-Z let him go, stumbling to the side and licking away the blood in his mouth. ¡°Ugh ¡­ Might we be a little more civilized?¡± ¡°Civilized?¡± Lyra sneered, reaching to put both her hands on the trembling Banette¡¯s face to squish it a little. ¡°You had my daughter on a kill list ¡­ We are long past civility,¡± she muttered, unzipping and zipping the ghost¡¯s frowning mouth as her dense aura became visible. ¡°Conny, Mikayla¡­¡± Her 5¡¯4¡± Azumarill exited her pokeball, red aura frothing off her body as she stretched out her arms, tail creating tremors in the rocks as it was crushed to dust by its beats and fractured the stone. Conny¡¯s 5¡¯7¡± counterpart jumped out beside her; the Wigglytuff¡¯s expression was less than friendly as the two sallied up to the Pokemon and Triad member. ¡°Break them¡­¡± With Lyra¡¯s Pokemon and her unleashed pressure together, none of them could move, and even Giovanni and Gorm were having difficulty. ¡°I¡¯m going to be very, very clear,¡± she said, squatting down beside the shaking Admin as Riga, Bailey, and Dowo joined her; every emphasis she made was followed by a sharp snap as her two puffy Pokemon shattered the Banette, Accelgor, and Bisharp¡¯s energy matrix before ripping, breaking, or folding their bodies in debilitating ways¡ªZelri preventing their screams. ¡°I have a very, very specific plan in mind for you.¡± Clearing her throat, Lyra wore a cold smile that stilled his heart as she looked into the man¡¯s trembling silver eyes. ¡°Oh, he-he-he, but it¡¯s not my plan!¡± she chortled, gesturing at the colossal 10¡¯4¡± Herb Pokemon beside her. ¡°You see, Bailey here wanted to disintegrate you with a Solar Beam, but we also had to think about the environmental damage ¡­ eh-heh, do you realize how strong her Solar Beams are at full blast¡ªtotally amped? I don¡¯t want to damage the tectonic plates!¡± Scratching her head, she took one more breath, patting the Meganium¡¯s side as grass grew underneath her feet. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± she asked him, locks bunching at her shoulder as her head tilted. ¡°Couldn¡¯t you see this coming?¡± A hard lump gradually fell down his Adam''s apple. ¡°We can talk about¡­¡± Two Pokemon jumped out of their pokeball, likely attempting to catch her off-guard by being so close¡ªCofagrigus and Sigilyph, trying to launch an attack, yet both split the stone foundation as a pulse of concentrated gravity from her Girafarig sent them deep into the rock-face; it didn¡¯t damage their energy matrix, but they¡¯d be unable to do anything if they couldn¡¯t escape its push. Tears were starting to well up in Gorm¡¯s eyes as he realized just how futile it was to even resist, but this was only the foreplay. ¡°L-Lord Ghetsis ¡­ My Lord, save your disciples! Come with your almighty power! Bring the Ice Dragon¡¯s frozen world to this region!¡± ¡°Who do they think you are?¡± Green muttered, watching Conny rip parts of the tattered Banette open to reveal its insides and cause it severe pain¡ªpain the Triad members felt. ¡°Humph, I¡¯m getting annoyed at how arrogant they are¡ªit¡¯s not like they can¡¯t sense how outclassed they are, and their attempts to fight back are pathetic.¡± Lyra shook her head. ¡°The strongest people they¡¯ve had to fight are Iris, Hilbert, Hilda, N, and Alder ¡­ Unova¡¯s still young in their newer generation, but you came here to start trouble?¡± Her tongue slid across her lips. ¡°Kris¡­¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± she asked, walking forward; she wasn¡¯t too thrilled about the Triad and their Pokemon being thrashed, but this was still within the boundaries. ¡°What do you think would hurt Gorm the most?¡± She shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know ¡­ Killing his Pokemon?¡± Lyra slowly shook her head as a grinding sound filled the area, Dowo forcing the Sage¡¯s Pokemon back up as Bailey whistled a sweet song that thrust the three to slumber. ¡°To make him betray everything he believes in¡ªand these will be the witnesses.¡± Straightening, she restrained her aura, pivoting to direct a vicious grin at the fainted Psychics and Triad; everything was coming into focus. ¡°Giovanni, I need your pin.¡± ¡°His what?¡± Green asked, eyebrows lifting. ¡°Okay, I was lost before, but now I¡¯m orbiting the planet.¡± Kris pulled back her blue hair and groaned. ¡°Lyra ¡­ How can we keep you in check if you don¡¯t tell us what you¡¯re going to do!¡± Giovanni¡¯s tight lips parted in disbelief as the gears clicked into place, vision sliding from Grom to Zelri. ¡°Betray everything ¡­ This isn¡¯t Hypnosis.¡± Lyra shook her head and held out a hand. ¡°Your pin!¡± ¡°You learned this from your double? The project was a failure,¡± he whispered, reluctantly unclipping it. ¡°Nuh-uh-uh!¡± Lyra teased, giving him an excited grin. ¡°As I told Sabrina, it takes a lot of skill, power, and the right conditions. Zelri, if you could demonstrate!¡± She held up the pin for the Porygon-Z, and she attached it to her forehead, causing the gem to illuminate. ¡°As you can see, Giovanni¡¯s badge is actually a hidden storage device, housing all of his little secrets!¡± Gesturing at Gorm as Conny woke up the witnesses with freezing water, she continued the explanation. ¡°The conditions? Gorm must be asleep; if his Pokemon aren¡¯t as well, they might execute him by ravaging his spirit¡ªgotta be careful,¡± she happily instructed. ¡°You see, the other me was a pretty smart cookie! See, Zelri was designed for a particular purpose.¡± Her grin tilted to Giovanni, ¡°She called it Trace Analytic Spirit Adaptability Download¡ªProject TASAD.¡± Giovanni shivered. ¡°You¡¯re ¡­ going to transfer his consciousness into a digital prison¡ªhis body will die, but his brain will live on in the cage Zelri creates in the data block.¡± ¡°Ooh! Okay, that¡¯s pretty sick,¡± Green muttered. Kirs rubbed the goosebumps on her arm, watching the Shadow Triad¡¯s eyes bulge with fear. ¡°That can¡¯t be all?¡± ¡°Of course, not ¡­ Giovanni?¡± she asked, giving her father-in-law a light giggle. He adjusted his suit, walking forward to study the Porygon-Z¡¯s work. ¡°Zelri was among Rocket¡¯s experiments in creating a digital Pokemon¡ªsomething Galactic copied for their Rotom project. Among many uses, this was among the most promising ¡­ Only Cynthia¡¯s Porygon-Z could be considered stronger.¡± Digital blocks and panels scanned the sleeping Admin¡¯s body as Lyra bit down on her thumb, feeling elation welling up within her. Giovanni pointed at the process. ¡°Trace scans every fiber of Gorm¡¯s anatomy in conjunction with Analytic, allowing her to use Lyra¡¯s as a guiding blueprint to find his spiritual signature ¡­ Adaptability boosts and gives the Pokemon the ability to mold itself to synchronize with a human¡¯s spiritual signature ¡­ Download converts it into a digital form to lock into cyberspace.¡± He hissed. ¡°It didn¡¯t work, though ¡­ No Porygon-Z was able to fully harmonize all four Abilities, and Dubious Discs, which gave them the Adaptability upgrade, were far too expensive and volatile to mass-produce.¡± ¡°H-Hold up,¡± Kris¡¯s hands were already tight against her bust when he started the explanation. ¡°What about his Pokemon? Are they¡­¡± ¡°Connected to his spirit,¡± Lyra chuckled. ¡°Locked into their own little separate cages where they can see each other, I guess, but unable to interfere because of the coding.¡± Lyra casually walked over to the Triad and looked one of the untouched triplets in the eyes, voice crisp. ¡°In short, Gorm¡¯s entire life ¡­ every ¡­ little ¡­ detail is totally unprotected and readable to Giovanni. Any false memories, half-truths, or corrupted ones are quite simple to differentiate between with the data so openly available.¡± Her hair whipped around as she faced her father-in-law. ¡°Also, while Cynthia¡¯s little darling might be more powerful, I¡¯d say Zelri is more controlled. That being said, in short, I¡¯ve given you the key to dismantling everything Plasma has built, Giovanni. They started a war with the rest of the world ¡­ And I couldn¡¯t care less!¡± Voice turning nasty, she shot a hateful glare at the unharmed Triad brother¡¯s quivering eyes. ¡°You could have gone after Giovanni¡ªme¡ªmy husband ¡­ It wouldn¡¯t bother me in the slightest, but the moment you set your sights on my daughter¡ªmy daughter! Heh ¡­ Was the second you had my undivided attention,¡± she spat, nose twitching and voice shaking with fury. ¡°Gorm will be living an endless nightmare¡ªunable to die, acting as an unwilling informant, trapped in a hole so small¡ªyou couldn¡¯t even fathom the discomfort. The instant he¡¯s deemed no longer of use ¡­ he¡¯ll be placed in an isolating corner to feel his Pokemon be ripped to pieces¡ªbyte by byte¡ªuntil he¡¯s alone to ponder on the single ¡­ fatal mistake of targeting my daughter¡ªthinking about his lapse in judgment for all eternity!¡± Glare tilting between the disbelief of the Psychics and Triad members, Lyra gestured to Zelri as Gorm, and his Pokemon fell limp¡ªthe badge¡¯s radiance faded. ¡°You are the witnesses, so spread the news ¡­ Don¡¯t cross my family or friends!¡± Her six Pokemon rallied behind her, Zelri dropping the lifeless corpses of the spiritually dead Pokemon and human. ¡°Nod if you understand.¡± It took a second for them to move past the fear by the intense pressure pressing against their pounding hearts, but eventually, she got it. Crusade concluded; Lyra shoved the pin against Giovanni¡¯s thumping chest. ¡°I¡¯m sick of this,¡± she snarled. ¡°I gave you the key¡ªunlock the door, and do what you do best ¡­ If this message isn¡¯t properly received¡­¡± Her lower lip trembled as she pulled it under, trying to keep her storming emotions from breaking out of the blizzard she¡¯d covered it with. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do next time¡­¡± He didn¡¯t need to say anything; a single nod was enough. Zelri teleported the Triad and Psychics into the western sea with the expectation they¡¯d find their own way back to wherever, but returning to Johto wasn¡¯t an option. Giovanni was delivered to his ivory tower to begin war plans with Ariana and Matori, leaving Lyra on the barely stable cliff she¡¯d used. The single breath she took after Zelri transported the throng away was enough to smother the boundless inferno within her breast. Legs giving out, Green was the first to catch her quaking figure as she curled up in the woman¡¯s strong arms. Kris and her Pokemon closed in to hold her as she sobbed¡ªshe felt like an utter failure¡ªwhat kind of mother was she for not protecting her baby girl from this trauma? Why couldn¡¯t she face Amira without breaking down and probably hurt her more? Silver was there, but that wasn¡¯t fair to her husband¡ªshe hated her weakness¡ªthe guilt, terror, and odium swirling around her soul was crippling, and no matter how hard she tried, she couldn¡¯t stop weeping. Why can¡¯t I be there for my daughter when she needs me the most? I¡¯m a coward ¡­ I hate this emotionally unstable side ¡­ I just want to be a mom ¡­ a good mom ¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Amira ¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­ B1 — 61. Unwanted Emotion 10:51 A.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). The news was filled with speculations about the conference and what a joy it was to see Yellow in Kanto again; the cute blonde¡¯s display and Blue¡¯s usual confident showboating had stolen the public eye. Red wasn¡¯t quite as noticeable to the every-day Trainer since he rarely spoke or had televised appearances, but Rhea had no doubt the Masters community was in a buzz at the revelation. Unfortunately for all of those in this year¡¯s Summer Round Robin Cup, the Legends had snatched commercial attention. Elaine and Chase were always the talk of gossip media, as well, and seeing the pair together had fans swooning with rumors about if they were seeing each other again. Every channel Rhea casually flipped to was buzzing for more details regarding the sudden arrival of the region¡¯s Legendary Trainers and what Plasma must have done to warrant such a response. Still, not a soul was concerned, given the strong faith the powerful Trainers¡¯ presence gave the citizens¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a negative thing said about them, which was odd when Blue was in the picture¡ªRed¡¯s oldest rival was drama candy to the news. Sabin had laid out the pile of clothes he¡¯d taken from her wardrobe back home, allowing Lori, Amira, and her to find something that would work. Rhea was the shortest of the group, Amira being a few inches taller than her and Lori roughly the same height above the redhead. She was a little happy to see some of her old clothes, and she pulled out some white and black sandals, blue striped skirt, and deep sapphire puffy shirt to put over her black tank top. It was somewhat similar to what she wore when first starting their journey. Rhea squealed with excitement, hugging her brother upon seeing the hair-ties he¡¯d brought; he knew her well. He waved her off as she went to change in the back room with Lori and Amira, their family smiling after them. She became a little self-conscious when seeing her teammates sorting through her outfits, Lori looking sad while plucking between the items in her hands. There were really only two options for the taller¡ªand much curvier¡ªgirl: one yellow and one pink dress, both that went to Rhea¡¯s shins but only came to the purple-haired girl¡¯s knees. After choosing the yellow dress she threw it on; understandably, Rhea grimaced¡ªshe could see the impression her bikini made against the fabric because of how tight it was around her shoulders, back, and bust. ¡°Sorry,¡± Rhea unconsciously whispered, attempting a smile. Mallory chuckled while doing her best to adjust it around her figure. ¡°Mmh-mh ¡­ Eh, heh, no it just kind of makes me feel a bit fat,¡± she grinned, pointing at her belly, ¡°because, girl, this is a tight fit!¡± Amira adjusted the black dress she¡¯d selected, and Rhea thought the redhead looked better in it than she did¡ªshe certainly filled it out. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say that¡ªyou look perfect for your height, and we can both agree Rhea is a bit thin around the belly,¡± she mused, eyeing her. ¡°Facts!¡± Lori snickered, edging forward to poke at her stomach. ¡°Seriously, how do you get tone in all the right places? Wait¡­¡± she grimaced, looking down at her sides. ¡°You work out a lot¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s face heated at the attention the pair were sending her way. ¡°I mean, yeah, I do, but, umm ¡­ You dance a lot, too. You¡¯ve got the perfect hourglass figure.¡± ¡°Extra fat that just gets in the way¡ªsleeping¡¯s a pain,¡± she grumbled, ¡°and I get so hot!¡± Her purple irises turned cat-like as she turned to the Rocket girl. ¡°Amira, though¡­¡± The redhead took a step back, scanning herself. ¡°What? I think this is a cute dress¡ªsimple, black, and well-designed. Rhea has good fashion sense¡ªalthough, it would be nice if we could fit into her shoes, but¡­¡± ¡°Heh, I have small feet,¡± Rhea sighed, but it was encouraging to hear Amira liked her clothes. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°Quit saying sorry,¡± Lori returned, bumping her hip against her before pulling her into a hug. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m the one stretching out your dress with this absurd fat!¡± Rhea laughed, returning the embrace. ¡°Okay, deal¡ªI''ll stop saying I¡¯m sorry if you stop calling yourself fat!¡± ¡°Oof,¡± she pulled away with a wince. ¡°You drive a hard bargain, but ¡­ look at these ¡®big¡¯ thighs and hips,¡± she grinned. ¡°Ha-ha,¡± Rhea snorted, ¡°changing it from fat to big isn¡¯t gonna fly. Weren¡¯t you the one that told us to own our looks?¡± ¡°Beh-heh, I mean, when you look like the two of you¡­¡± Lori mumbled, shifting to the side to bring around her high-ponytail. ¡°Amira and you have hair for days.¡± Brushing her hand away, Rhea sighed. ¡°Yeah, that means it takes forever to manage and¡ªhe-he, means it gets in the way a lot.¡± ¡°Really, it does take a while,¡± Amira grumbled, sitting down to braid her red locks. ¡°I can¡¯t say I¡¯m not happy I have thick hair, though.¡± Lori accepted a comb from Rhea, glaring at the blonde strands stuck to it before plucking them out to put in a nearby trash can. ¡°My hair¡¯s so hard to make look good,¡± Lori said while pulling it over her shoulder. ¡°Amira¡¯s got her dad¡¯s hair and you¡¯ve got your mom¡¯s, Rhea. I don¡¯t know who¡¯s genetics I¡¯ve got, but bah¡ªmy sister got the best parts, I swear.¡± Rhea took a nearby armchair as her friends got ready; it was nice to sit back and just talk to one another while their Pokemon interacted in the other room¡ªeach of them had various things that annoyed them about their appearance, and since there weren¡¯t any girls her age in her little village, Rhea didn¡¯t have anyone to really share those feelings with other than her mother or cousin¡ªshe certainly wasn¡¯t about to share those things with Jason. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira¡¯s red irises tilted to her, expert fingers pulling apart her locks and bangs in a manner to craft her standard thick braid. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Shaking her head, Rhea took in a deep breath and let it puff out. ¡°Umm, did you two have anyone to teach you how to look good? Because I¡¯ve been kind of self-conscious since meeting you two ¡­ Honestly, I feel like all my advice came from movies and online.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Amira slowly nodded, looking over her attire. ¡°I can see the influence of a few fashion sites, now that you mention it, but I don¡¯t think the style is bad.¡± Mallory snickered. ¡°Seriously? How can she not look good in anything, Amira? Put her in a trash bag, and she¡¯d look cute.¡± Rhea frowned, looking down at her thin belly that showed between her tank top and skirt. ¡°You know ¡­ When I look at you, Amira, I just ¡­ can¡¯t help but think you¡¯re classy ¡­ kind of like your grandma. You¡¯re elegant and articulate, and you have that ¡­ that high-class beauty that radiates confidence.¡± ¡°Wow ¡­ Thank you,¡± Amira whispered, but before she could add anything, Rhea pressed on, trying to get her point across. ¡°And Lori¡­¡± The purple-haired girl¡¯s hand paused in her brush strokes to listen, eyebrows pulled together. ¡°Lori¡¯s just so outgoing and proud of her looks¡ªyou don¡¯t even care about talking about your body and making jokes like that. You have that¡ªI don¡¯t know, almost like a reserved sexy kind of vibe, and you wear things like gloves and stuff that make you look so mature ¡­ Plus, you actually know how to dance, unlike me¡­¡± Mallory¡¯s lips pulled in, vision wandering to her silky hair, gleaming in the overhead light. ¡°If we¡¯re being honest ¡­ I kind of hate how I look ¡­ I grew up being compared to Casey and my mom ¡­ I¡¯m adopted, though, yet everyone always compares us¡­¡± Her lips twisted into a half-smile that didn¡¯t touch her eyes. ¡°Being compared to my mom and sisters always made me kind of bitter because I know I¡¯m not as pretty as them¡ªmy mother¡¯s a Mukin¡¯ model¡­¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°I mean, yeah, Casey and Karen are gorgeous, but so are you ¡­ I¡¯m just cute, and I¡¯ve got no style of my own.¡± Lori snorted. ¡°Really? You¡¯re more than just cute, Rhea¡ªyou¡¯re practically candy to be around. C¡¯mon, Amira, back me up here!¡± The redhead had been glancing between their back and forth, silently working with her hair. ¡°Mmh ¡­ In my eyes, you¡¯ve all got different looks that work for each of you. Just because Karen and Casey are stunning doesn¡¯t mean they can match you, Rhea, or I¡ªmy mom¡¯s been the poster girl for being adorable forever, but it doesn¡¯t mean I want to be like that.¡± She crossed her legs and tilted her head to get a better angle on her bangs, looking into one of the mirrors nearby. ¡°I learned a lot about beauty and fashion from her¡ªI was not into my mother¡¯s style at all¡ªheh, not that there¡¯s anything wrong with my mom¡¯s country school-girl look ¡­ She admired Kris a lot growing up, so she mirrored her hair-style.¡± Amira''s slight smile slowly drifted to Mallory, glaring at herself in a mirror. ¡°The way we dress tells others a lot about who you are¡ªof course, it¡¯s not everything, but it¡¯s one of the manners we express ourselves to the world, and it should reflect not only us but the occasion we¡¯re dressing for. For example¡­¡± Finished managing her braid, Amira rose to stare at her black dress and bare feet. ¡°I think this would be one of Rhea¡¯s more formal dresses that she used for special occasions by how clean and taken care of it is¡ªnot only does it tell me something about you, but it makes me happy that you¡¯d trust me to wear something meant for more formal events.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks darkened a little, surprised at Amira¡¯s calm speech on fashion. Vision falling to her lap, she played with her skirt. ¡°Umm, yeah, that¡¯s the dress my mom and I picked out for when I graduated from school ¡­ I didn¡¯t wear dresses often because of how active we always were.¡± A sigh left Lori¡¯s lips as she gave her a soft smile. ¡°Yeah, that toned body of yours shows it.¡± Amira directed her focus to the Unova girl. ¡°On the other hand, the way you dressed made it clear you admired your big sister.¡± The girl combed back her purple hair, rising to twist and look at her back. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s other things about myself that get under my skin ¡­ I don¡¯t know, but you¡¯re not wrong; my sister can be so wholesome and cute¡ªugh, then she can be aloof and stuck in her room for days writing.¡± A shiver ran down Lori¡¯s frame; hugging herself, she glared at the mirror. ¡°Other times, she can be spooky¡ªbeing a Ghost Grandmaster Trainer doesn¡¯t help things, but everyone in the Unova Elite Four can be a bit much at times¡ªincluding my dad.¡± Rhea giggled, pulling strength from Amira. ¡°You guys tease me about it sometimes, but we all know I can be pretty awkward ¡­ It can be a bit scary seeing all this new stuff¡ªit¡¯s just¡­¡± She grinned at her two teammates. ¡°I know yesterday was pretty rough, and we¡¯re all working through our own things, but I love having you guys around ¡­ So, umm ¡­ do you still want to travel with me¡ªas a party, I mean?¡± she nervously asked, posing the question that had been eating at her. ¡°Of course!¡± Lori laughed, setting down the brush to come over and hug her. ¡°And scary¡ªeh-heh, you know I¡¯m super far away from home, right? I¡¯m nervous as a Geodude in water!¡± Rhea got up to embrace her back, feeling the girl¡¯s heartbeat against her ear; it was nice having someone¡¯s arms around her. ¡°Oh?¡± she teased. ¡°I think a Geodude would be more chill than you¡¯d be ¡­ eep¡­¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. She winced as Lori picked her off the ground and pulled her into a bear hug. ¡°Mmgh! You¡¯re never gonna let that go until I can swim, huh?! Fine, you can give me lessons, but not if anyone else is around¡ªI get embarrassed, too. ¡®Kay?¡± ¡°He-he-he ¡­ Okay! Okay!¡± Rhea snickered, pulling away to glance at the redhead. ¡°Amira?¡± Her focus was on her braid, expression somber. ¡°Rhea, Lori ¡­ Can you give me some time to think about it? I¡¯ve just got a lot on my mind ¡­ It¡¯s not you¡ªseriously,¡± she whispered, looking up at Rhea¡¯s drawn eyebrows. ¡°You saved my life, and¡ªthank you, Rhea¡ªreally, but I¡¯m just working things out right now.¡± ¡°No¡ªNo, yeah, sure¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, adding a reassuring smile that didn¡¯t hit her heart. ¡°Just ¡­ It¡¯s not your fault¡ªwe don¡¯t blame you,¡± she pressed, scared Amira was still blaming herself for the incident. ¡°For real,¡± Mallory jumped in, arms folding under her bust. ¡°Rhea wasn¡¯t the only one to save someone, girl ¡­ I¡¯d be dead if you guys didn¡¯t pull my fat butt out of the water¡ªheh, I practically hit those waves like a Heavy Slam!¡± Rhea gave her a quick glare. ¡°Lori¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not fat; I get it!¡± she moaned, rolling her eyes. ¡°Geez, but no crap¡ªyou two saved me more than once yesterday ¡­ If anyone should feel useless, it¡¯s me ¡­ Rhea¡¯s practically a Ranger in the wild, and Amira¡¯s got the brains of a genius. I can ¡­ dance?¡± she chuckled and flashed her teeth. ¡°Heh, I¡¯m just saying¡ªI think I need you two if I¡¯m gonna survive this thing¡ªI need all the help I can get.¡± Amira¡¯s somber smile hadn¡¯t changed. ¡°I¡¯m not saying no, guys ¡­ I just need to think for a bit.¡± Figuring it was best to be supported, Rhea relented. ¡°I understand. If you need anything, I¡¯m here for you.¡± ¡°Me, too¡ªas useless as I might be,¡± Lori waved. ¡°So¡ªwhat¡¯s the plan for today? We going shopping? ¡®Cause I¡¯m totally down to just take today to shop; not that you¡¯ve got bad taste, Rhea!¡± she hissed, glancing down at her compressed chest. ¡°I¡¯m just afraid if I move wrong, I might rip your dress.¡± ¡°I get it; no worries!¡± Rhea smiled. ¡°Shopping would be good ¡­ I just wish my family could come.¡± Amira rolled around her neck and groaned. ¡°I¡¯m fine with that¡ªcan I call my mom first, though?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Rhea fervently nodded. ¡°I mean, heh, mine¡¯s in the next room, and I¡¯m sure she¡¯d want some more attention ¡­ but maybe a bit of a breather would be nice for a bit. Mmh ¡­ Yeah, maybe I¡¯ll take a short walk with my brother while you talk to your mom.¡± Lori¡¯s grip tightened around her sides, hips twisting to stare at the door. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I think my mom or dad might show up at some point, too ¡­ Wow, imagine if they both came,¡± she mused, not sounding confident. ¡°I can hang out with Aya¡ªmy mom¡¯s Honchkrow can be a real attention seeker,¡± she growled, glaring at the comb on the table. ¡°He steals my stuff, so I have to look for him.¡± Rhea¡¯s shoulders fell in exasperation. ¡°Sounds like a Ghost I know¡­¡± The three went silent, causing their family and friends¡¯ laughter and muffled voices in the next room to filter in. It was a bit uncomfortable until Lori went to the door to open it. ¡°You two ready?¡± Amira got to her feet and adjusted a few places on her black dress before nodding, and Rhea followed suit. They exited for Rhea to see her aunt Cynthia¡¯s face on the TV, silver irises turning to her. ¡°My, you look pretty, Dear¡ªall of you do; although ¡­ Christie, you¡¯re going to need to get a new outfit for Mallory.¡± ¡°I know!¡± Lori hissed as everyone centered on her. ¡°I feel like the seams on this thing are about to burst¡ªI have to be careful how I move.¡± Silver gave them a reassuring smile. ¡°We¡¯ll be heading out soon, and Rhea, your aunt has some excellent news to share with you.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Rhea asked, holding her elbow behind her back while stopping in the front room; she saw her mother¡¯s phone attached to the top of the TV, acting as the interface. To her surprise, her mother jumped forward to grab her hand, eyes sparkling. ¡°I can come shopping with you!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea¡¯s body tilted to the side to look at the Sinnoh Champion for an explanation. ¡°How?¡± Cynthia giggled. ¡°Rissi¡ªyou¡¯re always so hyper when things excite you.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the meaning of the word, Cindy!¡± her mother shot back, turning to face her. ¡°How else should I act when I can finally see my daughter whenever I want?¡± Her aunt nodded, focusing on Amira. ¡°By all means ¡­ Basically, Lyra¡¯s gone above and beyond.¡± The Active Champion¡¯s focus shifted to Amira. ¡°I just got off the phone with your mother; Plasma¡¯s operations in Kanto and Johto have been utterly dismantled, and it has sent a clear message to every other organization in the underground. In short, it is because of your mother¡¯s actions that my niece can proudly walk down the street with her family.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t sure why, but Amira¡¯s lips tightened at the news, vision drifting to her father. ¡°I see ¡­ That¡¯s wonderful. I actually was hoping to call her, and if she¡¯s gotten rid of Plasma, then she should be free¡­¡± On the other hand, Lori looked stunned. ¡°Wait, you¡¯re not joking¡ªyo, Kanto and Johto are insane ¡­ For real, Plasma¡¯s been taken out across both regions¡ªovernight?!¡± Cynthia¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her focus still on the redhead. ¡°When a mother¡¯s daughter is in danger, she¡¯ll do anything to keep her safe, and given the connections and power Lyra can summon¡ªclearly, the results speak for themselves. No other region has the raw power of Kanto and Johto, and when it¡¯s threatened, the sleeping monsters it fostered awakens.¡± Christie sniffed. ¡°Rightfully so¡ªPlasma¡¯s been dealt a blow it won¡¯t soon come back from, and it will send waves across the various empires in the criminal underground.¡± Her aunt smirked, and Rhea could see the hidden dragon resting inside for a moment. ¡°When a Legendary Trainer has something in their sights, either the world moves or is forced to move¡ªmuch less when there are seven working toward the same goal.¡± A lump dropped down Rhea¡¯s throat as her past encounters with the seven in question crossed her mind¡ªRed, Blue, Yellow, Green, Leaf, Kris, and Cynthia was even throwing Lyra into that list which spoke volumes about Amira¡¯s mother. As great as her aunt was, Rhea knew even she couldn¡¯t take the combined might of Kanto and Johto, and Plasma had pricked the toes of those sleeping giants. The fact Ethan wasn¡¯t invited, or that Lyra hadn¡¯t gotten in touch with him made Rhea wonder if it was for a reason¡ªshe¡¯d heard chilling stories about the typically loud and proud Legend if he was pushed or angered; Red was calm, cold, and collected¡ªwhen Ethan¡¯s eyes turned gold was when consequences left his mind. Silver cleared his throat, breaking the tense atmosphere. ¡°Your mother might be busy with other things, Amira, but you can try to get a hold of her. By the way, Mallory, your father should be arriving soon.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Lori grinned, fists tightening against her breast. ¡°When?¡± He shook his head, watching his daughter give him a short smile before exiting out of the sliding glass door to call her mother. ¡°I can¡¯t be sure. Will is going to teleport him here, so it shouldn¡¯t be too long.¡± A bit overwhelmed by the news that she could see her family whenever she wanted now, Rhea turned to her mother. ¡°Hey, Mom¡­¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± she chimed, brushing back her unkempt hair in exhilaration. Glancing around the room, she hummed. ¡°So ¡­ where¡¯s Sabin and Kate?¡± Her mother¡¯s smile froze. ¡°Your brother? Umm ¡­ hmm¡­¡± Rhea caught her aunt¡¯s smile, becoming forced as her sister blankly looked around. ¡°They ¡­ went outside to talk, I think? Is something wrong?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, I just wanted to go on a short walk with him while Amira talks to her mom. Do you mind?¡± ¡°No! Heh-he, go right ahead!¡± she instantly replied, fidgeting with her hair. ¡°I¡¯ll just be¡ªumm, right here talking to your aunt. Do you need anything?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, jogging around the couch to the front door, but upon opening it, she turned back, clearing her throat. ¡°Mom¡­¡± Head rising, her mother blinked. ¡°Mhm?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy I get to spend time with you again ¡­ I missed it. Love you!¡± ¡°I love you, too!¡± Rhea hesitated for a second upon hearing her voice catch. ¡°You okay, Mom?¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± she giggled. ¡°I¡¯m your mom¡ªof course I¡¯m okay! I¡¯ll see you after you spend some time with your brother ¡­ Oh, and your dad should be stopping by later, too!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t wait,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Does that mean we¡¯ll have dinner as a family?¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ yeah!¡± her mother quickly nodded. ¡°Leave it to me!¡± Grimacing a little, Rhea coughed out a laugh. ¡°Eh¡ªAunt Cynthia?¡± ¡°He-he-he, I¡¯ll help her, dear.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Christie asked, directing a glare at her sister. ¡°Cooking isn¡¯t all that hard.¡± ¡°Thanks, Aunt Cynthia!¡± Rhea shouted, long ponytail whipping around as she made sure it was clear before closing the door; she couldn¡¯t wait to see everyone in one place again. Jogging around the house, she hoped Sabin hadn¡¯t taken off with Katelin but understood why he might¡ªshe was safe now, and their mother was there¡ªhis girlfriend needed attention, too. Her mind went white at the thought. When did I become totally fine with Katelin stealing Sabin¡¯s attention from me? ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Rhea slowed to a stop as she caught sight of the two surrounded by some of their Pokemon, but as she was reconsidering if she should interrupt, Katelin waved her over. ¡°Rhea! Hey, girl, how are you feeling¡ªoof,¡± she winced, gaze drifting between Sabin and her, ¡°terrible question? Muk¡ªyeah, terrible question!¡± Rhea made her way over, trying to look cheery. ¡°I¡¯m doing a lot better now that you two can stop by and hang out with us whenever you want.¡± ¡°Wait ¡­ we can?¡± Sabin asked, turning to face her. ¡°Wooh!¡± Kate shot a fist into the air. ¡°That¡¯s wonderful, Rhea! Your brother and I were just talking about how we should spend more time with you¡ªisn¡¯t he a good brother?¡± she teasingly asked, nudging his side. ¡°He¡¯s basically the perfect man! Aren¡¯t I lucky?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Kate,¡± he smirked, reaching out an arm to pull her in and kiss her on the forehead, ¡°any brother worth his salt should care for his little sister. I¡¯m far from perfect.¡± ¡°Not from where I¡¯m standing,¡± she doubled down, cheeks rosy as she grinned up at him. ¡°Anyway, what¡¯s up, Rhea? Want to talk to your brother?¡± It was still a little uncomfortable watching her brother be intimate with the woman, but¡­ ¡°If that¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± she promptly winked at her boyfriend, tapped him on the back, and hopped toward her Noctowl. ¡°Jace and I will get in some flight practice because without the work we did before, that Pidgeot would have made cubes out of us! Oh, Rhea, you know your chad of a brother also saved Jace and me from getting cut in half, too!¡± ¡°We were both caught off-guard,¡± Sabin returned, dismissively waving his hand. ¡°We didn¡¯t expect to get into a life or death situation.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Kate rolled her eyes. ¡°C¡¯mon, Sabin, take the credit! Rovane throwing out that Tailwind for us was literally the only reason we got away to call for help.¡± ¡°You would have gotten away,¡± Sabin replied, gesturing at the Noctowl. ¡°Jace could have matched that Pidgeot if he wasn¡¯t already tired from our previous game, and he was handling those currents like a pro.¡± The Pokemon chirped, and Rhea turned back to the house upon feeling Alice and Nova running their way¡ªMya had drifted off to sleep again, having stayed up most of the night thinking about their flight from the Plasma terrorist. On the other hand, for the past hour, Rhea¡¯s long-eared Pokemon had been busy talking to Aya about tactics, hoping to be of more use. Rhea mirrored their sentiment. ¡°Aww, your Pokemon are so adorable and cute!¡± Katelin cooed after getting on Jace¡¯s back. ¡°Plus, Nova can be any Eeveelution for any party occasion! She¡¯s so perfect!¡± Nova puffed up her chest, trying to look proud, but Rhea could sense the doubt in her spirit; she was still beating herself up for not being able to transform into anything but a Glaceon. Sabin knelt down to pet them as Kate waved them off and took to the sky. ¡°So, this is Alice, and this is Nova?¡± The two Pokemon nodded fervently, making him chuckle. ¡°Oh, looks like Atreyu likes you guys.¡± The large Houndoom walked over with Snee-Kee resting on his left horn, and the pair got into a conversation. Her brother¡¯s Pokemon soon crowded around, entering the conversation, and Rhea pulled Sabin to the side. ¡°Umm, do you mind talking with me for a minute?¡± Sabin¡¯s forehead furrowed as he adjusted his blue shirt. ¡°Sure. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± They started walking down the long driveway to the road; dozens of Pokemon were hanging around the edges of the treeline to observe the newcomers to their territory, but Rhea ignored them. It took a minute for Rhea to form the thoughts running through her mind, and Sabin patiently waited, vision wandering. ¡°Sabin ¡­ I feel weak ¡­ It¡¯s different from how I¡¯ve felt in the past.¡± Her brother¡¯s chest expanded as he drew in a deep breath and let it stream out. ¡°You had a brush against a killer that you couldn¡¯t do anything but run from ¡­ Of course, you feel that way. What do you want to do?¡± She looked up at the blue sky, going over the events in her mind. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I wanted to protect Amira and Lori¡ªto just buy as much time as we could.¡± Sabin¡¯s jaw tightened, lips pulling in. ¡°Mhm ¡­ You didn¡¯t know help was coming, though?¡± ¡°No,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°I didn¡¯t, but ¡­ all I could think about was finding somewhere safe ¡­ I would have been lost, though¡ªAmira blames herself for what happened, but without her, Lori and I would be dead. We couldn¡¯t have gotten that Cloyster to buy us time¡ªonly Amira knew how to get it to help ¡­ I was paralyzed before she came up with a plan.¡± A low rumble shook in her brother¡¯s throat. ¡°You feel ashamed.¡± Rhea¡¯s throat constricted, goosebumps cascading down her arms as tears came to her eyes. She coughed, trying to stem the liquid and stop the burning in her nose. ¡°I shouldn¡¯t¡ªI told Amira she shouldn¡¯t, and I know I shouldn¡¯t¡ªI know it, but¡­¡± Sabin¡¯s strong arm pulled her against his chest. ¡°I know,¡± he whispered. ¡°I know¡­¡± Her body began to shake, Rhea¡¯s emotions transferred to her Pokemon, causing them to tear up; she didn¡¯t want to do that to them, but she couldn¡¯t help herself. ¡°Why¡ªwhy am I like this?¡± she cried, pressing her forehead against his chest. ¡°We did everything we could¡­¡± She sniffed back the snot in her throat, coughing again. ¡°I¡ªI tried to save Amira, but¡ªbut she blames herself, and now she might feel too guilty to keep going¡ªand I don¡¯t want to feel this way¡­¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Sabin softly asked, firm arms holding her as she let her pent-up emotions bubble out. Her chest hurt, but Rhea fought back against the open floodgates. ¡°What do I want ¡­ I want to be stronger¡ªI don¡¯t want to feel like this again ¡­ Sam and the Nidorino ¡­ being the only ones to lose my Gym challenge ¡­ the way Mya broke down ¡­ this ¡­ I don¡¯t want to feel like this again. I want to get stronger, Sabin¡­¡± ¡°Okay ¡­ You have a loving family to help you with that¡ªa team and support system. I¡¯m here for you, Rhea¡ªalways. If you want to get stronger, then remember how you feel¡ªburn it into your heart because it¡¯s what will keep you going when you want to quit. You have us to cheer you on¡ªto have your back¡ªbut only you and your Pokemon can walk this road.¡± Rhea slowly let her brother¡¯s words sink in, tempering her resolve in the searing fires that licked at her heart. She didn¡¯t want to be weak anymore¡ªto feel helpless and blank when she should have been able to take the lead like Amira. She would become stronger. B1 — 62. A Chapter Closes, Another Opens 11:06 A.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Amira opened the sliding glass door, feeling Amber run between her legs with Holly wrapped around her neck. Knowing the pair just wanted to be there in case anything happened, uncomfortable letting her go too far away after they¡¯d almost been separated, a thankful smile softened her full lips. She shut the door behind them, vision wandering across the field on the side exit to the cottage¡ªChristie¡¯s Bellossom, Vanty, was moving between flowers in the garden, finding pleasure in strengthening their life force and curing them of disease or chasing away pests. A long sigh passed through her lips, fragile heart cracking as she recalled the Pokemon healing Rhea¡¯s bullet wound. I¡¯m supposed to be better than this¡­ Holly, Serenity, and Amber tried to protest, but she could feel their own frustration at being unable to protect them. I know I shouldn¡¯t feel this way, she growled to herself, teeth locking together now that no one was around, her palm against her hot forehead. I know, but ¡­ how do I stop this guilt? I¡¯ve never felt like this ¡­ helpless. Her Pokemon rubbed against her spirit, doing their best to be there for her, and she loved them for it, but right now, she needed to hear her mother¡¯s voice. Fighting back tears, she pressed forward toward the edge of the forest to sit against a tree. She adjusted her dress so Amber could cuddle up between her legs to look up at her with the Fennekin¡¯s big crimson eyes, Holly doing the same from around the fox¡¯s neck. Amira tried releasing some of the pressure in her chest with a sigh, phone already on her mother¡¯s number, but unable to call yet. She gently stroked Amber and Holly¡¯s heads using her free hand, trying to come up with how she wanted to address the topic. In the end, she decided to be completely honest¡ªher mom would know what to do. Clicking the call button and speaker-mode, she looked up at the sunny sky, watching drifting white clouds move across the heavens. After four rings, her mother answered, but the visual sight of her aggravatingly happy mom was different on her device. ¡°Mom? Are you okay?¡± she asked; concern welled up in her breast as she brought the phone up to study the three Trainers smiling at her. ¡°Doing fine!¡± her mother lied, fidgeting with her hair; her mother¡¯s puffy eyes and red cheeks contrasted her joyful expression. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯m just a little busy.¡± ¡°Hey, Amira!¡± Kris and Green chimed in unison. The dark brown-haired woman winked. ¡°We¡¯ve been busy kickin¡¯ Plasma tail! Red¡¯s team is so far ahead of us. Mmh ¡­ at least we¡¯ve got the Boss points on our side! Let¡¯s keep fighting on, guys!¡± she yelled, glancing around as a dozen Pokemon shouted in unison. ¡°We¡¯ll show Yellow, Red, Blue, and my sister what we¡¯re made of!¡± Her mother¡¯s six Pokemon crowded in the back to wave at the camera, likely assuring her that they were taking care of her mother, and Kris gave the competitive Legend a forced smile. ¡°Eh, you know if we¡¯re going by the standard point system, Elaine and Chase are ahead of us in cells dismantled.¡± ¡°We got the Boss, though!¡± Green growled, ¡°And a ton of admins!¡± Kris¡¯s left eyebrow lifted. ¡°Mmh, I mean, the Shadow Trio are apparently like Jessie, James, and Meowth¡ªthey kind of count as one since they¡¯re usually together.¡± Green¡¯s arms crossed under her modest bust. ¡°Tch¡ªmy stupid brother-in-law¡¯s rules¡­¡± Lyra tried to giggle, but Amira could hear the stress in her mother¡¯s voice. ¡°Wasn''t Daisy the one that posed that question back when you guys were still Gold-tier?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t have Tiers like that when we were kids,¡± Green mumbled, glaring to her left. ¡°Even if Gorm is ¡®technically¡¯ an Admin, he was running things. Sure, my sister¡¯s probably got a bit of a lead, but we can probably catch up¡ªmaybe¡ªpft, and those kids? We¡¯re totally ahead of them¡ªbesides, didn¡¯t they lose to me and agree to be my Pokemon a while ago?¡± she asked with an innocent smile. ¡°So, by formality, their points go to me! Ha! We¡¯re closer to my sister than I thought.¡± ¡°The mental gymnastics,¡± Kris sighed, shaking her head. Amira was happy to see her mother¡¯s best friends doing their best to cheer her up, and their jokes brought a thankful smile to Lyra¡¯s red cheeks. ¡°He-he, yeah, we¡¯re not out yet, Kris ¡­ Umm, so ¡­ what did you need, honey¡ªare you okay¡ªis your dad there?¡± Every time she heard her mother say the word, she recalled the woman lathering up trees to make friends with the local Pokemon. ¡°Yeah¡ªno, yeah, Dad¡¯s here, I¡¯m just ¡­ Mom¡­¡± she choked, voice quivering. ¡°I¡¯m scared.¡± Tingles shot down Amira¡¯s arms as she said it, unable to hold a tear from falling down her cheek. ¡°I¡¯m losing touch with everything I know,¡± she whispered, rubbing her cheek and clearing her throat. ¡°I try not to let it show, but I¡¯m just so scared¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t say it, voice catching. ¡°Amira¡­¡± her mother¡¯s throat constricted, and gloom cast between her two friends as they listened. ¡°Honey, I made sure this wouldn¡¯t happen again¡ªyou¡¯re safe¡ªI promise, I¡¯m doing everything I can, and¡ªand it¡¯s not your fault!¡± Kris carefully bumped in, giving her a reassuring smile. ¡°Amira ¡­ Your mother told me you¡¯re blaming yourself for putting Rhea and Mallory in danger, but we¡¯ve learned that they had you on a kill list before you ever made it to Apple City. Your decision didn¡¯t bring Plasma into your path¡ªin fact, it might have saved your team since Sabin was nearby and the assassin was weakened after his previous failed mission.¡± Amira drew in a shuddering breath, eyes closing as she held her closed fist against her tight chest. ¡°You don¡¯t understand¡­¡± she whispered, arm quivering. ¡°I ¡­ can¡¯t look at myself in the mirror without feeling ashamed¡ªweak ¡­ like I¡¯ll only hold Lori and Rhea back ¡­ but I¡¯m terrified I¡¯ll¡ªI¡¯ll end up alone ¡­ again,¡± she cried. ¡°I feel like a ghost¡ªand I don¡¯t know how to not feel this way. I say I¡¯ll do better, but ¡­ even if they don¡¯t blame me, my heart still hurts¡­¡± Liquid dripped from her mother¡¯s eyes. ¡°Oh, Amira¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t stop the flood gushing from her heart now that she¡¯d started, though, and Amira sniffed, trying to clear her burning nose before coughing¡ªher heart was falling into pieces. ¡°I try so hard ¡­ I try, but ¡­ but I can¡¯t stop thinking I¡¯m better off alone, so I push them away¡ªso I wouldn¡¯t hurt them¡ªthat they¡¯ll be better without me, and I don¡¯t know how it got so bad, but it¡¯s the only thing I have¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s trembling eyes and arms vanished, soon after by Kris and Green, and five seconds after, her mother materialized out of rainbow light, followed by her two friends. ¡°Mom?¡± Amira asked as she lurched forward to collapse beside her, arms closing around her shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s my fault¡ªIt¡¯s all my fault, Amira¡ªI¡¯m sorry¡ªI¡¯m so sorry¡­¡± Kris and Green walked over to kneel beside them, hands resting on her mother¡¯s back. ¡°Lyra,¡± Kris mumbled, ¡°we¡¯ve been over this¡ªit¡¯s not your fault.¡± ¡°Really,¡± Green sighed, pulling out an already dirty handkerchief to clean her mother¡¯s face. ¡°You totally felt the same way at times, Lyra¡ªit¡¯s just a part of growing up.¡± ¡°She shouldn¡¯t feel this way, though¡ªI¡¯m supposed to protect my baby,¡± Lyra sobbed, tight grip squeezing the air out of Amira¡¯s shocked lungs. ¡°M-Mom ¡­ I¡ªI can¡¯t breathe¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m the worst mother in the world!¡± ¡°Lyra¡­¡± Kris breathed out a heavy puff of air, using her superior strength to force some room for Amira to fill her lungs. ¡°Just breathe¡­¡± Green gently pulled Lyra off of Amira, allowing her mother to latch onto the dark brown-haired Legend to cry. ¡°There, there ¡­ See, this is why we wanted you to drink some Calm Mint Tea ¡­ Let it out¡­¡± ¡°You, too, Amira,¡± Kris soothed, brushing back her braid to pull her in¡ªshe could smell the jasmine and iris perfume the woman used, which brought her mind back to a happier time when she was a little girl, playing with Little Miss, her Mismagius. Stroking her hair, the Johto Legend whispered, ¡°Don¡¯t hold back ¡­ Let it all out¡­¡± Holly, Amber, and Serenity all closed in to surround her, both physically and spiritually, too, doing their best to offer as much support as they could. It took a few minutes for their emotions to settle, and Amira looked up at her trembling mother¡ªshe¡¯d never seen her powerful, unbeatable mom look so vulnerable. Swallowing her own feelings, Amira gently pulled away from Kris to embrace her mother; her touch made Lyra flinch, but her quakes soon calmed. ¡°Mom,¡± she coughed, ¡°I love you¡ªwhy do you think this is your fault? You¡¯re amazing¡ªyou can do anything ¡­ I look up to you so much.¡± ¡°B-But I¡¯m not, Amira¡ªI¡¯m not amazing,¡± she sniffled. ¡°I¡¯m a mess, and¡ªand it¡¯s only because of your stupid parents that you¡¯ve had such a terrible life¡­¡± Amira¡¯s arms tightened around her mother¡¯s small chest, pulling her away from Green as she leaned her cheek against the back of her head. ¡°Mom ¡­ I haven¡¯t had a terrible life ¡­ You¡¯re always with me¡ªtrying to teach me stuff¡ªloving me every day. I couldn¡¯t ask for a better mother.¡± Lyra¡¯s small, trembling fingers brushed against her¡¯s. ¡°No, but you ¡­ I¡¯m supposed to protect you, and ¡­ and I don¡¯t know what to do anymore ¡­ I¡¯m a failure¡ªstumbling around in the dark, trying to give you everything you deserve and ruining¡ª¡± ¡°Ruining what?¡± Amira asked, a bitter chuckle in her throat. ¡°I¡¯m the one that sabotaged my own team¡ªthey wanted to keep going, and¡ªand I said I¡¯d have to think about it ¡­ They¡¯ll hate me, and that¡¯s all my fault¡­¡± A sharp hiss passed through Green¡¯s teeth as her eyebrows lifted. ¡°Okay, I was following you until that part. Look, let¡¯s get to the point, or else we¡¯ll keep going around in circles.¡± Kris took a cautious step forward. ¡°Green¡­¡± ¡°No, Crystal,¡± Green grunted, using her real name while reaching forward to pull both Lyra and Amira apart, ¡°it needs to be said.¡± Her intense illuminated brown irises centered on her mother, and Amira could feel the woman''s stalwart, building force radiating through them and quelling her mom¡¯s turbulent pressure. ¡°Lyra, have you forgotten? I¡¯ve known you since near the start of your journey¡ªyou know my past, and if there¡¯s ¡®anyone¡¯ who deserves to feel like a failure, it¡¯s me¡ªbut it seems you haven¡¯t quite recalled what it takes to turn blood, sweat, and tears to gold, even if you¡¯re so close.¡± Lyra¡¯s shakes eased as the woman¡¯s burning passion radiated through them. ¡°You never snapped under pressure¡ªyou broke the mold and got results¡ªignored the resistance like Gold, Kris, Red, Blue, me, and my sister. ¡°Did you forget I was a kidnapped, brainwashed little girl that only cared about herself; Arceus, I even hunted my own sister! Yet, it was all of you that told me to never hesitate, stand my ground, and keep my eyes on the prize¡ªI have too much to lose.¡± Amira could feel the woman¡¯s racing heart quicken her own; Green¡¯s sharp stare and smirk were like a knife cutting out cancer in her chest. Focus drifting to Amira, the Legend¡¯s internal flames licked against her spirit, feeding into her Pokemon. ¡°What do you want?¡± Kris knelt beside her, a temperate aura helping calm Amira¡¯s thumping heart. ¡°Take your time.¡± She didn¡¯t have to think. ¡°I want to beat my mom,¡± she blurted, ¡°even if it feels impossible ¡­ she¡¯s just so strong¡ªstunning.¡± Remembering her conversation with her father, Amira released a depressed sigh. ¡°I know it¡¯s not fair to put you on a pedestal, Mom¡ªyou¡¯re not a god, I know¡ªbut you¡¯re just so ¡­ breathtaking to watch ¡­ Growing up, I always wanted to be like you¡ªlike Grandpa and Grandma, too, but most of all ¡­ Mom, you inspire me.¡± ¡°Amira¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s frantic vibe eased as she reached out to take her hand, but Green¡¯s overpowering presence didn¡¯t falter; in fact, the Legend¡¯s stern ambiance doubled down. ¡°If that¡¯s what you want, you need to embrace the drive to push against endless walls¡ªyou need to have patience, dedication¡ªnever leave a moment wasted, chasing greatness. You¡¯ll learn to seize the pain and turn those feelings into fuel¡ªdig down, stand your ground, and look down at how far you¡¯ve come from the base. It doesn¡¯t matter how high you need to climb¡ªthe sacrifices you need to make every day¡ªit¡¯s the price you pay to get results.¡± Kris nodded, rubbing her back. ¡°You¡¯re smart, Amira¡ªdon¡¯t doubt that. If you fear being left alone and holding back your friends, there¡¯s only one answer forward¡­¡± Green¡¯s grin rose. ¡°Fight for the glory¡ªget stronger¡ªbecause strength is the only way to get the things you want in this world, and it doesn¡¯t matter if Christie bred you the most powerful Pokemon in existence! Mewtwo himself by your side¡ªsure, whatever¡ªif you¡¯re not written in the stars as a Legend yourself, you¡¯ll never be capable of bringing out your Pokemon¡¯s potential.¡± A short chuckle shook her mother¡¯s chest. ¡°Heh, there¡¯s Green the ¡®Evolver.¡¯¡± ¡°And I¡¯m known for it for a reason!¡± she winked. ¡°It¡¯s how the most powerful figures in the world¡ªpeople like Cynthia¡ªwho can match her individual strength to Pokemon the likes of Giratina, set an example for the rest; the blueprints are there, and if you want to level your Pokemon to the max, you have to evolve yourself!¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Amira had never heard anyone present a Trainer¡¯s growth like that. ¡°How can I evolve?¡± ¡°She¡¯s right,¡± the blue-haired Trainer chuckled, changing positions to fold an arm around both Amira and her mother, ¡°but it¡¯s easier said than done. High Master is the top point you can reach by relying on a ¡®Pokemon¡¯s influence¡¯ on ¡®you,¡¯ but if you want both them and you to grow beyond that, you need to evolve¡ªno one can teach you that path¡ªit has to be experienced because every human is different. Determination is a huge factor in your journey, but this is a partnership¡ªdon¡¯t let anything stand in your way.¡± Green¡¯s compressed aura pulled in, glowing eyes swimming with compassion as she crawled forward to squish them into a hug between Kris and her. ¡°Everyone gets scared, girls¡ªwe don¡¯t want to go there¡ªwhen we, or those we love, have our lives on the line, but you need to overcome that fright.¡± ¡°Will it ever leave?¡± Amira asked as the lead in her heart was purified. ¡°Will it ever get easier?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Her mother whispered in a sad tone. ¡°Fear can never be killed¡ªno matter how powerful you are, it will always return¡ªyet you still need to face it every day.¡± Green folded her handkerchief to a somewhat clean portion to help clean Amira¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Just know that being brave doesn''t mean you¡¯re not scared¡ªcourage is when you are terrified, yet you find a way through it. Fear loses its power over you when you understand it; learn your fears and how to overcome them.¡± Amira¡¯s puffy eyes fell to her warm Fennekin and colorful Comfey, tears in their own eyes; Serenity was a bundle of passion, and at the back of her mind, she realized that the little Feebas was a little piece of Cynthia inside her¡ªsomeone her heroes looked up to. Her team, she herself, had the blood of champions, and even her great mother had moments of weakness. A spark ignited the fire in her heart once more. ¡°Mom ¡­ I want to get stronger. Rhea and Mallory deserve our best¡ªmy Pokemon deserve my best,¡± she whispered, stroking her Fennekin and Comfey¡¯s heads. ¡°We¡¯ll push each other.¡± Kris and Green got up to stand in front of them as her mother pulled her into a tender embrace, and her hot breath pressed against Amira¡¯s ear. ¡°I¡¯m sure it will be legendary.¡± They took the next several minutes to compose themselves, and to her surprise, Kris revealed that they were practically invisible thanks to her being able to mitigate and cleanse human and Pokemon aura and pressure¡ªof course, it was quite challenging to maintain at Green¡¯s level. It would take a specialist in the detection field at the Legendary-tier to penetrate it. She asked about the auras¡ªshe¡¯d gone her whole life only understanding the surface level since something like this had never happened before¡ªyet after thinking about it, Amira realized there had been one other incident she¡¯d felt her mother¡¯s erratic presence, and it was when someone had broken into their house during the Ultra War¡ªwhen she was a little girl. Unfortunately, her mother, Kris, and Green deflected, saying she¡¯d understand if she ever got to the Grandmaster-tier; it¡¯s something you needed to experience, and it was like unlocking your inner Pokemon. Letting it rest, she was a bit surprised when Green got a rather annoying call¡ªat least to her¡ªfrom her sister; Leaf seemed to be bragging about taking care of everything already, asking for a figure on how many cells they¡¯d kicked out of Johto and Kanto. Amira giggled while watching the Legendary Trainer fume, connecting the chat to Chase and Elaine to rope them into her team. Her brother-in-law jumped in, unreserved smirk, practically making Green bite the phone in half. ¡°Eh? Chase and Elaine are with ya; huh, Sis?¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Green proudly exclaimed. ¡°Ha! We¡¯ve got a ton of Admins, too! Isn¡¯t that right, Elaine!¡± Elaine¡¯s strained smile on the split-screen showed she was resigned to the assertion. ¡°I ¡­ suppose we do?¡± ¡°Ooh,¡± Blue hissed, still showing his trademark grin while glancing left. ¡°Hear that, Leaf? Your sister¡¯s got Chase and Elaine¡¯s score, too. What do ya think?¡± Leaf¡¯s sparkling brown irises pulled away from the camera to show Red looking up at an impossibly high mountain cliff, its rocks towering out of the ground as crystal clear water fell in long streams out of various openings in a glorious display¡ªthey were in Johto, Mt. Quena. The camera settled on Yellow jogging over to them. ¡°Hey, guys, Red wants to¡ªoh, is that Greeny, Crystal, and Lyra? How are you guys doing?! We found everyone and brought them on Unova planes to extradite them¡ªthere were so many planes, but we paid for all of it!¡± ¡°Not ¡®all¡¯ of it,¡± Blue swiftly interjected. ¡°Red and you got most of it set up before Leaf and I even had a chance to pitch in! Oh, by the way,¡± he grinned, Leaf tilting the camera back into view to show his infuriating smirk, ¡°if we add all of the League¡¯s captures with Green and Chase¡¯s teams ¡­ What¡¯s the difference?¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Yellow jumped, smile turning forced. The Pikachu on her shoulder grinned, smugly glancing to the side with a dismissive gesture. ¡°Pika-Pi-Pika¡­¡± ¡°Chuchu!¡± Yellow hissed, adjusting her hat as the Pokemon tilted it forward with her tail. ¡°It¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s not a competition, but umm ¡­ We did get about forty more than everyone else combined¡ªI was just so worried about how many people might get hurt, so heh-he-he, I umm ¡­ I kind of pushed Red, Blue, and your sister a bit¡ªsorry.¡± Amira was flabbergasted why the kind-hearted Legend was apologizing, but her response seemed to crush Green. ¡°No way ¡­ How many were there in Johto and Kanto?¡± Yellow sucked in her bottom lip, sharp stare directed at Blue and Leaf as they snickered. ¡°We can¡¯t take all the credit, though¡ªGiovanni gave us all the locations. If we had to look, we¡¯d have been at it for months!¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± Leaf swiftly interjected, trying to silence the golden-haired woman. ¡°We don¡¯t need to say that!¡± ¡°Giovanni ¡­ huh?¡± Green asked, a cat-like smile returning. ¡°Tryin¡¯ to pull one over on me, Leafy? Well, if that¡¯s the case, we might as well add all yours to our counter because we were the ones that got him all those names.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Blue asked, tilting on-screen to give her a blank stare. ¡°And pray-tell why you so happened to let all those ¡®points¡¯ slip you by?¡± Kris jumped in. ¡°Eh¡ªheh-he-he-he, umm, we had more important things to handle. It looks like we¡¯ll be buying dinner tonight!¡± ¡°What?! Kris!¡± Green shriek. ¡°Don¡¯t concede defeat! We still gotta determine who contributed the most¡ªwe still got a chance!¡± ¡°Give it up, Sis!¡± Blue snickered. ¡°Delusion doesn¡¯t look good on ya from this height.¡± Leaf gave him a high-five, winking at her sister. ¡°Hope you¡¯ve been keepin¡¯ up with those challenges, Sis, ¡®cause you know how much our Pokemon love to eat! Alright, let¡¯s get goin¡¯ on the next adventure!¡± Her sister blew a kiss, jogging over to Red before cutting the feed; a peace sign was the last thing they saw. ¡°This isn¡¯t over, Leaf!¡± Green shouted. ¡°Mmgm-hmm-hmm ¡­ The way she gets when her husband is around is so¡ªaggravating!¡± Lyra giggled with Kris, watching the rivalry between the sisters play out. ¡°I kind of like what Blue pulls out of Leaf,¡± Lyra chimed, happiness back in her voice as her arms tightened around Amira. ¡°Red and she used to be so empty when they isolated themselves on Mt. Silver, but look at them now!¡± Green¡¯s vision narrowed. ¡°Yeah, well¡ªit was a rough time for all of us. Umm, gah¡ªI need some way to get them back for this, though,¡± she grumbled. ¡°You¡¯re gonna help me, right, Lyra, Kris?¡± ¡°Count on us, Boss Green!¡± Lyra said, giving her a salute. ¡°Team Green is back in action!¡± ¡°Good! The next challenge is tonight, so let¡¯s rest until then¡ªconserve your strength because we¡¯ll need it against our competition!¡± ¡°Sir!¡± Lyra and Kris happily responded, making Amira laugh; it had been a while since she¡¯d seen her mother¡¯s playful side with her friends. Returning inside with the three, their entrance caused a stir, but to Amira¡¯s own surprise, she found Grimsley and Karen sitting on the couch with an elated Mallory. Keith and Christie, Rhea¡¯s parents, were cuddled up on the sofa together, waiting for her teammate to return, and Silver got up to hold out a hand to Lyra, showing the dazzling smile that melted the heart of both girls in his life. ¡°I¡¯m happy you could join us, Dear.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Lyra grinned, walking forward to link hands. ¡°Thank you for taking care of the girls.¡± ¡°Always.¡± Amira settled in between them, both leaning against her as Amber and Holly took her lap, trapping her to the final couch. Kris and Green moved some table chairs over to sit, and not soon after, her red-faced teammate returned with her brother. ¡°M-Mom¡ªDad?¡± Rhea asked, her cute grin relaxing Amira, but another shock came when the blonde¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°Umm ¡­ Amira, Mallory¡­¡± Mallory cleared her throat and got up, careful not to rip the tight yellow dress she wore. ¡°Actually, Rhea, I had something I wanted to say first.¡± ¡°Eh?¡± Rhea¡¯s expression collapsed. ¡°Umm¡ªyeah, okay.¡± Amira¡¯s gut twisted, imagining what this might be. Did I ruin everyone¡¯s will to continue when I said I needed time? Moving to the front with her somber Impidimp and Froakie, Lori took a deep, determined breath and glanced between them. ¡°Gables, Miky, and Roxie all agree with me¡ªwe know we¡¯re the weak link in our team, but we don¡¯t want to be! The four of us agreed that we don¡¯t want anyone else to travel with¡ªwe promise we¡¯ll work hard to get stronger. So please, don¡¯t give up on our team.¡± The Frog and Wily Pokemon nodded, and Amira¡¯s throat caught. W-Why ¡­ Lori was in the most trouble¡ªshe could have drowned multiple times, but she¡¯s blaming herself when ¡­ she couldn¡¯t help it. Amira swallowed, realizing how terrible she¡¯d been to herself¡ªher feelings didn¡¯t just affect herself but her teammates¡ªher friends. Rhea¡¯s frown flipped. ¡°I feel so weak, too ¡­ Amira was the one that pulled us through, and I want to thank you for that¡ªhow calm you were really helped me calm down. Mya, Nova, and Alice want to get stronger, too¡ªas friends. I¡¯ve learned so much from you, Amira¡ªplease, give us a second chance.¡± ¡°He-heh,¡± Amira tried to stop her tears with a laugh, staring down at the table. ¡°Give you a second chance ¡­ I¡¯m the one that feels like I need a second chance, but after talking to Green and Kris ¡­ I¡¯m not perfect¡ªit¡¯s not worth hating myself¡ªbecause it only punishes those around me.¡± Her mother pulled her long red braid around to play with the end, a soft curve on her lips, and Amira jumped over the wall in her heart to meet the next. ¡°I¡¯d love to travel with the two of you¡ªif you can live with my imperfections.¡± ¡°Our imperfections!¡± Rhea chuckled, walking close to sit on the table and smiling at her. ¡°Let¡¯s get so strong this never happens again!¡± Lori held up her fist for them to bump, a half-grin in place. ¡°It¡¯s a new beginning. Let¡¯s show everyone what we¡¯re made of!¡± ¡°Prove to ourselves we¡¯re worth more than we think,¡± Amira returned, meeting her knuckles. Rhea¡¯s tight lips and serious eyes gave Amira fuel. ¡°I¡¯m ready to take Training seriously¡ªI¡¯m sorry it took so long for me to really put my heart into it.¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Lyra interjected from beside them. ¡°Train your hearts out, but win or lose, so long as you¡¯re having fun with your Pokemon, you¡¯ll grow. If you¡¯re always battling, then there¡¯s no time to play¡ªjust remember, the top is lonely if you give up the spark in your chest.¡± Amira¡¯s thoughts returned to what they said about Red and Leaf when they isolated themselves on Mt. Silver. The advice of those that have walked the road. She could see her family far above her on the steep mountain of life ¡­ yet she was moving toward them, and that was all that mattered. ¡°Thanks, Mom¡­¡± ¡°So!¡± Christie said, pulling everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°We¡¯re just about ready to go hit the town for some temporary clothes for these girls; do you girls want to join?¡± ¡°Us?¡± Kris asked, vision shifting to Green. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be too much?¡± ¡°Right? I mean, I¡¯d love to just hang, but it¡¯s hard to walk around in public with anyone.¡± Karen giggled, leaning forward to adjust her designer gold and black shirt top. ¡°Not if we let all of our Pokemon mingle¡ªwhy not give them some breathing room?¡± Christie pointed at the TV, directing her daughter to the screen as Keith operated the remote. ¡°I was waiting to show you this, but as always, your aunt is ahead of the curve. Between Yellow¡¯s public appearance, Lyra¡¯s actions to the criminal underground, and now¡­¡± Their focus centered on the brilliant golden-maned woman as the Sinnoh Champion took the region¡¯s grand podium to deliver a speech that would likely be broadcasted to most of the world. ¡°As many of you are aware, a terrorist group located in Unova by the name of Plasma has recently caused unrest, much the same as Galactic in our own backyard. These fanatic groups and radical ideologues have been ¡®one¡¯ reason as to why I have kept my family away from the public eye ¡­ Including the terror of the ravenous news stations and cult-like fans that can quickly turn on who they worship.¡± Amira caught Rhea¡¯s arms stiffening, fingers pressed against her tight thighs as her aunt continued. ¡°When my daughter, Bianca, decided to end her journey as a Battle Trainer, her life was made a living nightmare by her fans.¡± Her expression darkened, and Amira could feel a tremor run through her bones at just the sight of the furious World Champion. ¡°She asked me to restrain myself, and I honored her request ¡­ forced to watch my daughter be dragged through the mud by people, thinking they were safe to behave in such disgusting ways because of anonymity.¡± Cynthia¡¯s cold silver irises moved between the cameras, representing different stations. ¡°Kanto and Johto have just shown me their resolve to protect that which they love, and I will answer in kind. My niece has recently started her journey, and my sister, concerned for her safety¡ªand the appetite of the masses,¡± she snarled, glaring at her audience, ¡°decided to keep her identity hidden at the start of her travels, yet things are different now.¡± A family photo of Rhea, Bianca, Cynthia, Keith, Christie, grandpa Drake, and great-grandma-Carolina blew up on the screen behind her; however, Amira couldn¡¯t focus on anything else but the Sinnoh Champion¡¯s ominous tone and dark expression. She brushed back her formal black coat to select a pokeball, releasing the only Porygon-Z in the world Amira was sure could beat Zelri; the shimmering shiny Pokemon spun around in a circle around Cynthia. ¡°Let me be crystal clear¡ªI will not restrain myself again if my family is targeted. Do not feel safe behind the internet because Polina ¡®will¡¯ find you, so be careful with what you post.¡± A dark smirk moved her lips. ¡°Don¡¯t think you have nothing to lose¡ªI¡¯ll leave you with one simple question¡ªname one person who would ¡®try¡¯ to stop me from getting to you. I don¡¯t care what region you''re in¡ªyou know who I am¡ªthe numberless skills me and my Pokemon possess. I will find you, and you will answer to me¡ªface to face.¡± Her expression softened, and she looked into Kanto¡¯s regional camera. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to follow your matches¡ªsee your mother, father, and brother in the stands¡ªBianca¡¯s cheer at being able to meet you in public. Things are different now; I love you, Rhea; have a lovely journey.¡± Rhea¡¯s aunt¡¯s hair swayed behind her as she turned away to vanish in multi-colored lights, Polina teleporting them to their next location. ¡°Well,¡± Rhea laughed, ¡°umm¡ªyup, that¡¯s my aunt.¡± Mallory nudged her side. ¡°It¡¯s that awesome! You can see your brother any time now!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± the blonde hummed, looking back at her grinning family; at some point, Katelin had come in, yet Amira hadn¡¯t noticed. However, Rhea¡¯s focus soon went to Amira¡¯s mother. ¡°Thank you, Lyra ¡­ This is the best present I could ask for. Eh, heh¡ªalthough, it makes me wonder how our battle will be.¡± Mallory blinked. ¡°Battle ¡­ Today?¡± It clicked in Amira¡¯s mind. ¡°Wait ¡­ the Alolan woman you met in the cafe shop¡ªher cousin and his team?¡± ¡°Ooh!¡± Kris clapped. ¡°I¡¯d love to see it.¡± Green stretched left and right before jumping up. ¡°Sweet! So, we gonna go grab some lunch, shop a bit, and end with a battle, huh? Sounds like a blast!¡± ¡°I¡¯m getting excited just thinking about it!¡± Lyra giggled. ¡°Right, Silver?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± her dad leaned forward, his red eyes calming her thumping heart. ¡°Only if it¡¯s alright with you, Amira.¡± Honestly, she¡¯d only ever battled in front of her grandfather, and that was terrifying enough, but this was on a whole different level¡ªstill, she answered with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m nervous, but I can¡¯t wait to show you how my team¡¯s grown.¡± ¡°Then it¡¯s settled!¡± Grimsley clapped, and Amira lifted an eyebrow upon realizing he was wearing a full kimono. ¡°Why don¡¯t we determine who pays by chance, Karen¡ªheads me, tails you?¡± ¡°Teh-he-he,¡± Karen gave him a dubious eye. ¡°I¡¯m always tails, ¡®Dear.¡¯¡± The man¡¯s smirk shifted to Mallory¡¯s snicker. ¡°For obvious reasons. Is it a bet?¡± Karen held out her hand. ¡°If I can flip the coin¡ªit¡¯s a bet to pay for everyone, after all.¡± Grimsley offered it up, arms disappearing in his sleeves as his sharp eyes studied his wife, and Lori leaned in to whisper, ¡°It¡¯s a game to see which one can cheat the other¡ªgot bets? A tip¡ªthey¡¯re trying to lose.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter. ¡°They want to pay?¡± Deciding to play along, Amira pulled up her phone¡¯s betting app and sent the request to her teammates¡ª50 Credits on Karen. Lori lifted a purple eyebrow at the bet, vision tilting to Rhea as the two Elite 4 members stared each other down. After some nervous debate, Rhea typed her response¡ª50 on Karen. ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Mallory came in an instant after¡ª100 on Grimsley. ¡°Gotta play the odds,¡± she mused. Karin¡¯s thumb flicked the metal into the air, time slowing as she followed its path to find any foul play, yet she didn¡¯t see a thing; Karen snatched it out of the air and slapped it on the back of her thin arm. ¡°Heads¡­¡± B1 — 63. Outer Image 12:09 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Hannah groaned, working around her shoulders upon finally making it to Apple City with Jade, Jayline, and Sam beside her, all still beat from the challenges they¡¯d received that morning. Geez, she grumbled to Limru and Star while getting in line to enter the alien famous city, what¡¯s up with running up on our tents and challenging us at the crack of dawn¡ªwe freaking rolled them, too¡ªlike, what was their goal?! Star was wide awake, laughing at the awesome Seismic Toss Metronome that sent the Rattata flying into the nearby river to be followed up by a Metronome Thunder Shock¡ªthe Spike Ball Pokemon had constantly shown insane luck with his moves, but it still took it out of Hannah. ¡°Is it always like this for you guys?¡± Jay grumbled, twisting her hips and stretching her likely sore calves. ¡°Arceus¡ªone morning battle, okay, sure¡ªbut it¡¯s like they planned to jump us every mile! Poppy and I are beat.¡± ¡°For real!¡± Jade huffed, hugging her sleeping Pichu in her arms; Orin was fast asleep in his pokeball after the last battle. ¡°Are they trying to kill us?! Four battles for each of us in less than four hours¡ªstop and go, stop and go¡ªand it¡¯s not like it¡¯s the smoothest route. My poor heels¡­¡± Sam stretched and yawned, making Hannah glare at the brown-haired girl. Hector and Tera hadn¡¯t been reserved on using their Trainer¡¯s energy; they straight thrashed their opponents, yet despite the stress, they didn¡¯t seem all that worn out like the rest of them. ¡°What¡¯s your secret?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Sam stretched left and right, showing her thin belly. ¡°Eh, I don¡¯t know¡ªbattling became so much easier after we all got our Boulder Badges. I¡¯m thinking about maybe having Hector join Tera,¡± she hummed, looking down at the shiny Phanpy by her side. ¡°You¡¯re joking?¡± Jade moaned, running a hand through her blue bangs to better situate them behind her ear. ¡°I feel like throwing up ¡­ Maybe I should.¡± Jay forced a chuckle. ¡°Mmh, I mean, you might feel better¡ªI did thirty minutes ago.¡± ¡°Egh,¡± Hannah winced, ¡°that¡¯s where you went when we sat down? I guess it was rough on you since you only have Poppy to battle with¡ªyou okay?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah!¡± Jay laughed, Alolan accent becoming a bit thicker. ¡°Like I said, when I threw up, it got better.¡± Sam¡¯s eyebrows knitted together as she stepped forward a bit. ¡°Eh¡ªexcuse me¡­¡± Hannah, Jay, and Jade turned to frown at their teammate as she interrupted a conversation between the two Unova tourists by their voice¡¯s cadence. ¡°Huh¡ªwhat¡¯d ya want?¡± the man in his early thirties asked, shifting with his friend to look at her. ¡°Umm,¡± Sam forced a laugh, ¡°what did you just say just now¡ªCynthia¡¯s niece is what?¡± His buddy nodded, ¡°Ah, check it,¡± he grunted, holding up his phone; a paused video was on the display, showing Cynthia, Rhea, and most of her family, excluding her brother. ¡°The Sinnoh Champion came out and revealed the unknown Oak Starter Award person¡ªis that what it¡¯s called?¡± he asked his friend. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡ªI think?¡± The man shook his head. ¡°Yeah, whatever¡ªuh, anyway, yeah, seems Active Champion Cynthia just came out and basically told the world to Muk themselves¡ªjust try to do somethin¡¯ to her niece and she¡¯ll turn ya to paste.¡± ¡°She¡¯s so cool, huh?¡± his buddy grinned. ¡°Totally my type!¡± ¡°Not in a million years, bud; she¡¯d chew you up and spit you out!¡± the Unova man smirked. ¡°Glad the Johto and Kanto Legends are taking Plasma seriously, though¡ªMuk,¡± he spat, nose twisting, ¡±wish they¡¯d just wipe the lot off the face of the planet.¡± ¡°Eh, heh¡ªyeah¡­¡± Sam muttered, ashen faced while drawing away from the pair. ¡°Hey, umm¡ªso, that just happened?¡± Jay chuckled. ¡°And I thought I was a bit special having a secret, but I suppose it¡¯s out of the bag¡ªcrazy, though, right?¡± ¡°Insane,¡± Jade hummed, looking down at her phone and Pikabook. ¡°Rhea hasn¡¯t posted for a bit¡ªyou notice that?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Hannah sighed, checking her ponytail as the wind picked up. ¡°You¡¯d think there¡¯d be a lot of activity or something after that¡ªI don¡¯t know, should we text or call her?¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Sam slowly shook her head, looking up at Apple City¡¯s skyscrapers. ¡°Probably best not to butt in so fast¡ªwait until she posts again so we know we¡¯re not interrupting something¡ªI just feel like it¡¯s such a big deal that she doesn¡¯t need us pressuring her.¡± ¡°Pressuring how?¡± Jay asked. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t we just be seeing if she¡¯s okay?¡± Hannah thought about it for a second, thinking how this might change the dynamic of Amira¡¯s team; her idol would probably take a backseat for a while in any of the articles¡ªalthough, it could also force her to the front and could spin in an unfavorable light¡ªCynthia¡¯s niece watching to make sure the Rocket girl doesn¡¯t do anything fishy. Her teeth ground together at just the thought, but she couldn¡¯t help it. ¡°No¡ªlet¡¯s give them some space.¡± ¡°What about Bianca?¡± Jade offered. ¡°Can we see if it¡¯s good to message or call by sending her a DM?¡± ¡°Is that too far, though?¡± Sam groaned. ¡°No, it just seems unusual for Rhea to not be posting¡ªadded with her aunt coming out and exposing her¡ªwe should be respectful.¡± Hannah wanted to be on Jade¡¯s side and message Bianca, but her teammate soon caved; however, when they shuffled back to the line, Hannah pulled up Pikabook and hesitantly sent the message. I hope I¡¯m not crossing the line ¡­ Bianca¡¯s the only person that feels right to ask, though, and it¡¯s all just so weird ¡­ Please, be okay. * * * Mallory walked a little behind her arguing parents as they traveled as a group toward Rifure Town; Lyra could have teleported them to their destination, but Rhea didn¡¯t want to rush things. Roxie¡¯s pink irises held concern from between her arms, and Lori could feel her newborn Rockruff¡¯s questions pass between Miky and Gables, asking about her well-being. Mallory¡¯s arms tightened around the Rock Pokemon¡¯s fluffy body; she adored her black and white coat, and she¡¯d been a source of comfort to cuddle up to recently. I¡¯ll be fine, guys ¡­ I know I¡¯m not totally fine, but no one is, she sighed, smiling at her parents, busy leering at one another. I¡¯m just happy to have both my parents in one place¡ªheh, I know they¡¯re strange, Miky, but they¡¯re my parents, and I know they love me ¡­ They just have a different way of expressing love to each other. Her mother couldn¡¯t accept a loss without upping the stakes to win; it was always the law of escalation when it came to the pair, and they wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. It kept things spicy between them until it became too much, and they needed to separate to their own regions, yet there was love there others might not see. Gables patted the back of her head from her shoulder, making Mallory chuckle a little. Yeah, the dress is holding up for now, but if you keep cracking jokes, the seams just might snap¡ªhmm¡­ She glanced ahead, watching Amira be smothered by attention from her mother and the two Legends with them; Silver calmly walked beside them. They werelaughing at the past memories the three were bringing up, making him the butt of several jokes that had Amira in a brighter mood. Rhea was in a similar situation with Katelin, Sabin, and her parents, asking how her first three weeks of Training had been. Lori wasn¡¯t really jealous; her parents had been all over her for the first forty minutes, and now they were in their banter stage. A few of her parents¡¯ Pokemon were walking with them, talking to one another and catching up with each other, and she was left to ponder her life; honestly, she needed the time. It was always the same for her¡ªa storm raged inside her heart, yet she tried her hardest to show the world she was strong and wouldn¡¯t break. Still, she struggled to contend with the two sides of herself every day. She¡¯d had several boyfriends leave because she couldn¡¯t let them in; having her Pokemon helped break some of those walls, but it was still hard to put her real emotions on display. Many times, she let it out in sarcasm, compliments, or jokes to disguise her insecurities. Casey was the opposite¡ªa hot mess that put her heart on her sleeve¡ªand she envied how brave her sister was for it, even if it made her a tornado at times. Lori¡¯s fingers tightened against her phone and adjusted Roxie in her arms to play some music to the wireless earbuds she¡¯d borrowed from Katelin; the rhythm and tone helped to keep her thumping heart and stressed mind in check. There was something magical about music that allowed her to channel emotion in ways she had trouble expressing¡ªin a way, it was her method of releasing stress and telling people her struggle; not that many people ever noticed. She hummed to the tune, letting her parents know she was listening to something; her genius mother and father were actually pretty dumb when it came to emotions, but Lori couldn¡¯t blame them when they had trouble expressing it themselves¡ªher loving, dysfunctional family, doing their best to get through life in their own unique way. Her small, fake smile tilted to the heavens to blank out the world and recede into the pent-up emotions; being able to think and have her Pokemon listen without her saying a word was therapeutic. I¡¯ve never felt so vulnerable ¡­ Muk, yesterday was the worst, guys ¡­ As bad as the burn relapses when I was a little girl ¡­ Unable to tell friends why I disappeared for weeks ¡­ The loneliness of lying there with the pain when no one could be there with me¡­ Holding back the sting in her nose, Lori let the fictitious simper she wore lift a tad as Gables leaned to the side to stare at her back; her braided purple hair swayed¡ªshe could feel every thump it made against her skin, causing a wave of apprehension¡ªthe place where a dormant fire waited to spark back to life and consume her. She stroked Roxie¡¯s head as she sent comforting words between their spirits. I know ¡­ We have a long way to go, and look at Rhea¡ªshe hasn¡¯t even been taking this stuff seriously, and she¡¯s so strong¡ªof course, there¡¯s her mother¡¯s help, she giggled, mirroring the Froakie¡¯s interjection. Yeah ¡­ I never thought I¡¯d be the weak link, though, and¡ªyou know, they¡¯re the first two friends I¡¯ve had that haven¡¯t pushed to learn how I got the scar on my back¡ªalthough, those big-eyed friends of Rhea¡¯s didn¡¯t bring it up, either. Heh, Rhea¡¯s adorable beyond words¡ªAmira¡¯s smart and collected ¡­ but I guess we¡¯re all going through our own things ¡­ I¡¯m not the only one holding back. Her focus drifted to the pretty redhead, giggling at Green¡¯s teasing remarks as Lyra pressed against her husband¡¯s side while they walked. C¡¯mon, Lori, get yourself together¡­ It was hard, though. Ever since she was a little girl, the burn on her back made her bitter, and the constant annoyance of people telling her how beautiful she was by her height or curves was on repeat without understanding the challenge it was to find things in her size or being unable to sleep on her stomach like when she was young¡ªalways on her burnt back, wondering if any stimulation through the night would bring the searing embers to light. Lips pulling in as the song changed, she took a long breath. I know I have my doubts, guys¡ªI can¡¯t hide it from you, and I¡¯m so far away from home ¡­ Yesterday was terrifying enough, letting them know I couldn¡¯t swim ¡­ then all of that Muk happened¡­ Roxie licked her arm, cuddling up to her breast and spirit, Miky expressing his own insecurities about not having the most diverse move pool like the others. Gables tried to comfort them both, but Lori knew everyone struggled with their weakness. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Lori¡¯s gaze was pulled to the shimmering golden locks of Rhea and her mother as they laughed at something Keith said. You¡¯re right, Gabs¡ªRhea¡¯s so pure and honest¡ªbelieving in me ¡­ Heh, I know that¡¯s not what you meant, but c¡¯mon ¡­ I¡¯m such a fake ¡­ so lame. I was frozen in that cave, but she just charged in to save Amira, and Amira tried to pull his attention away from us¡­ It hurt, knowing she¡¯d been the only one to just sit in the back as her team protected her¡ªshe would have drowned, died of hypothermia, or been shot¡ªleft to rot in that icy tomb if it hadn¡¯t been for Rhea and Amira. Muk ¡­ Stop thinking about it! I¡¯m not trying to, Roxie ¡­ It¡¯s just ¡­ I was supposed to be stronger than this ¡­ How could they think I was brave after all of that ¡­ trust me to have their back? I didn¡¯t think ¡­ this was me¡­ ¡°Lori!¡± She blinked, not realizing the golden-haired girl she was looking at had turned to return the stare. ¡°Mmh? Sorry, what¡¯s up?¡± Lori asked, turning down the volume a bit on her music; her parents¡¯ frowns were now on her. Rhea grinned and beckoned for her. ¡°Come here! We decided to get a quick change of clothes before lunch¡ªheh, I know I¡¯d feel super uncomfortable, too, if my dress didn¡¯t fit me¡ªand I doubt you¡¯re into my style.¡± ¡°True,¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Lori needs something she can dance in.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Silver¡¯s critical eye was on her. ¡°Do we need to slow down?¡± Mallory added a fake smile as Lyra¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Oh?! I didn¡¯t know she was a dancer.¡± ¡°A super good dancer!¡± Rhea jumped in, making Karen and Grimsley grin with pride. ¡°She taught us a few steps¡ªeh, are we going too fast?¡± Looking into the girl¡¯s concerned gaze, Lori sighed, vision shifting to her Rockruff while swiftly thinking up an excuse to swap the conversation. ¡°Eh-heh¡ªhmm ¡­ Rhea, you said those Alolan boys were trying to beat us here¡ªto challenge us. Right?¡± Amira swiftly latched onto the topic like she knew the redhead would, eyes widening. ¡°Right ¡­ It¡¯s about a three-day journey on a kayak¡ªugh, I need to report those,¡± she mumbled, holding out her hand to get her phone from her mother, ¡°but we skipped straight here.¡± Sabin cleared his throat. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about that; they¡¯re destroyed, and I already smoothed it over with the company¡ªI found the licensing on what was left,¡± he added after seeing her questioning look. ¡°Right¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, forehead furrowing while looking at the dirt road they walked down; Nova and Mya were out at the moment, talking to Keith¡¯s Butterfree. ¡°I didn¡¯t think about that.¡± Katelin flipped around to walk backward, hands gripped behind her back. ¡°Some boys challenge you in Apple City or something?¡± ¡°The opposite,¡± Amira snickered, causing the blonde to blush. ¡°Rhea was kind of ambushed by this guy¡¯s older sister, and she wanted Rhea¡¯s help pulling him away from trying to catch the Mt. Moon Articuno.¡± ¡°At Bronze-tier?¡± Kate hissed. ¡°Is he a Slowpoke?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Lori smirked, happy to not be the center of attention. ¡°He¡¯s been kicked out by the Rangers a few times, and Rhea said if they¡¯re looking for recognition, they could try to beat us¡ªif they got here before us.¡± Keith hummed, smiling at the sky. ¡°If the boys are that determined, it¡¯s not impossible for them to get here by the end of the day¡ªmaybe they¡¯ll surprise you.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows pulled together as a fire lit in her bright blue irises. ¡°I hope they do; Alice is ready for her first real battle!¡± Lori¡¯s gut tightened at seeing the blonde¡¯s eagerness, and she didn¡¯t exactly know why, but in the changing song, the emotions of their eighteen-day journey rushed through her veins; the highs and lows sparked a flame to push the words from her mouth. ¡°Rhea ¡­ I want to be the first to battle them if they do show up¡ªRoxie and I are ready, too.¡± Her little Rockruff¡¯s tail wagged, dauntless pink eyes reassuring her, and Gables cheered, throwing a thumbs up at Rhea¡¯s happy smile; Miky drew courage from Roxie, but there was still hesitation in his spirit. Sabin grinned, nudging Kate. ¡°You see the rise of new warriors?¡± The blue-haired woman pulled her bangs behind her ears, her soft, sober voice drawing Mallory in. ¡°Girls need to be tough to survive, and I told you these girls had what it takes¡ªyeah, they got beaten down, but they aren¡¯t weak.¡± ¡°Got that right,¡± Karen returned, slowing to put her delicate fingers around her daughter¡¯s shoulder and pull her in. ¡°Lori has never been one to sit down and take a punch¡ªthe number of times I¡¯ve seen her stand up for Casey when she thought no one was looking ¡­ I couldn¡¯t ask for a better daughter.¡± No ¡­ I¡¯m not all that, though¡­ Stifling her throbbing nose, Mallory did her best to hold back the water gathering in her eyes as her father chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ve never known a stronger woman.¡± Arms folded inside his kimono¡¯s sleeves, her father¡¯s proud smirk lingered on Lori. ¡°We all have our struggles, and through the years, I¡¯ve seen her overcome every mountain placed before her¡ªthings that would break most, she stands victorious.¡± Fighting the tears, Lori smiled, but she couldn¡¯t help one escaping as Rhea¡¯s brilliant smile and radiant glow broke through her high walls. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t think Amira and I could make it without her¡ªwe need you, Lori!¡± You ¡­ need me? Lori thought, throat constricting as she sniffed back the filling dam in her eyes; if there was anyone she could trust, it was this pure and honest girl¡ªthere wasn¡¯t a hint of deception or ulterior motive in her bones¡ªRhea was everything she wished to be. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Rhea chimed. ¡°Yeah, if they come to challenge us¡ªno holding punches. Right, Amira? We¡¯re gonna do our best every day; oh, Mom, Nova wants to know how she can get better at transforming¡ªshe¡¯s having trouble with it.¡± Christie glanced down at the big-eyed Eevee, but Lori¡¯s attention was still on Rhea. Roxie, Gables, Miky ¡­ Let¡¯s get stronger together ¡­ I don¡¯t want to let Rhea and Amira down, and ¡­. I don¡¯t want to be scared anymore ¡­ I want to find a way to get rid of this stupid burn on my back and to do that, I need to be stronger. Roxie and Gables threw their full support behind her, and Miky trembled next to her spirit, saying he¡¯d do his best. Mallory couldn¡¯t explain it, but just looking at Rhea gave her strength; now, she had to find it in herself. I¡¯ll get there, guys¡ªas a team ¡­ just be patient with me. Making it to the small town, Lori was a little surprised to see how few establishments there were, mainly near the large blue lake that Kayak Gorge fed into; at some point, the river entered the base of the mountainous range, filled with large trees. The clothing stores didn¡¯t have a large selection, and it was hard finding things in the right size for her waist, hips, bust, and long legs; some brown shorts and a matching tank top would have to do for now. Swimwear was the real challenge, but luckily, some tie models allowed for some adjustment; the support wasn¡¯t the best, though. Silver paid for everything using a Rocket company card, to Lori¡¯s parents¡¯ annoyance, but Lyra smoothed things over. He promised to have replacement dresses from the custom Trainer gear branch company Rocket owned; their sizes were still recorded in the database, and they would be shipped to the Cerulean City primary Pokemon Center. Amira selected a basic beige skirt, black oval top that showed her matching bikini straps, and brown jogging shoes; she came back with a silver Trainer belt to hand her, and Lori was shocked the girl found something that didn¡¯t require much adjusting for her hips on the first go. Rhea kept her clothes, choosing to help Lori search for something in her size, and Lori had to pull her away from the search once finding something she could work with¡ªthe blonde wanted to go on an entire fashion show, just like Elesa¡ªand in Rhea fashion, she was painfully immune to hunger when everyone else¡¯s stomachs growled for sustenance. Putting their old outfits in the shopping bags the teller gave them, their group exited the store, leaving the customers, staff, and tourists speechless. Whispers were everywhere as everyone recognized the famous faces in their group, yet the crowd of powerful¡ªand quite large¡ªPokemon surrounding them kept the majority at bay; still, several brave passing Master Trainers pushed through the repelling vibes they put off to ask for autographs. Green, Kris, and Lyra were always accommodating, and naturally, the three stole the stage, even when among a few Grandmasters and Active E4 members. At 1:44 P.M., her father selected a rather shabby-looking outback establishment she knew would make her mother glare at him¡ªit made her giggle how different the two were¡ªyet Karen had to admit once finished with her meal that the food was delicious. Mallory had to apologize to the poor boy who served them; he¡¯d been white-faced as the throng argued about favorite dishes or what others should order. Green and Kris got into a debate on various fish that had Lori wondering if the two would take it to the battlefield, dampening even her parents'' zeal toward one another. Silver, Keith, and Lyra were there to keep things calm; Lori was surprised the peaceful and happy blue-haired Legend could get so passionate, though, but had to remind herself that everyone beyond High Master was strange in their own right. It made her wonder if it was a product of gaining that strength or something that caused it in the first place¡ªperhaps both. In the end, her father won a self-imposed eating contest¡ªmade up entirely out of the blue¡ªmaking it four to six in Grimsley¡¯s favor¡ªit wasn¡¯t her mother¡¯s day¡ªand he paid for the meal, but she¡¯d be back on the offensive soon. After lunch, Silver guided them around town, showing them the facility where every Encrusted Gym Badge, excluding the Earth Badge, was specially crafted; the League commissioned a family of expert craftsmen to handle the production since the government¡¯s founding. Currently, the grandson of the legendary metal and gem worker, Masa Hiraoka, was overseeing the production. Every Encrusted Badge was unique since they were crafted by hand. Lori found it a bit amusing that in the past, the Gym Leaders were required to take three days out of their schedules to visit the small village at the time to labor with the artisan. She could almost visualize a young Iris enthusiastically running around the mountain, gathering materials for the work, even if the dragon girl was technically the Champion, and Drayden took back control over the Opelucid City Gym. Then again, she wondered how Len¡¯s mother would handle the requirement¡ªshe wasn¡¯t the physical labor type¡ªnot that she couldn¡¯t, but it just didn¡¯t sit with her interests. Lori¡¯s inner angst was fading by the hour, and the terror she felt from the previous day was replaced by the memories she was creating today. Miky came out to take Gables¡¯ place at 3 P.M. when Amira, Rhea, and her families decided to split up, going their own way; all of them could locate each other by their aura when dinner came. Of course, at 5:30, Green, Lyra, and Kris had to go to some meeting between Red, Blue, Leaf, and Yellow, so Lori didn¡¯t expect to see the Legends when they got back together for the group meal. Mallory hadn¡¯t been so happy in a long while, having both her parents to herself, and even in a small town like this, it didn¡¯t matter if they were only seeing the local shops; it was heaven to watch them tease one another. When dinner came, it was her mother¡¯s choice, and ironically, to counter her father¡¯s urge for new things, they met the others back at the previous restaurant, practically making the small business owner and his staff faint. The young Pokemon were busy questioning the much stronger Pokemon throughout the day about ways to get stronger; the advice was helping Miky since they helped him understand not having that many moves wasn¡¯t necessarily a bad thing¡ªit mattered how they were used. Lori got into the conversation from time to time, but her parents were now fighting over her attention, forcing her to play mediator¡ªwhich she loved. However, when dinner was coming to a close, their phones went off. Gut tightening, Mallory grinned, holding her holographic device up for her parents to see, and her teammates did the same; the Battle App popped up with the details. ¡°We got our challenge¡ªlooks like they¡¯ll be waiting for us by the docks.¡± ¡°Exciting!¡± Christie and Katelin said in unison. Sabin nudged his sister¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I know what you¡¯re feeling, Rhea¡ªwe¡¯ll be watching you. Show us what you¡¯ve got.¡± Lori¡¯s heart fluttered as her parents leaned forward to smile at her. ¡°Rookie of the year, huh?¡± Karen asked, pushing in to kiss her forehead; of course, her mother would reference one of the many songs she liked. ¡°I¡¯ve seen you trending on the socials¡ªit seems Gables is turning into an internet trolling legend.¡± ¡°Well, heh,¡± her expression became forced, ¡°I might have gone overboard on one battle, but the girls pissed me off a bit, and you know how MemeStar can be¡­¡± Grimsley put down his glass of beer, left knuckles resting against his cheek. ¡°You always did have a temper and a mind for the theatrical; I saw the recording of your match in Pewter for the Encrusted Badge ¡­ Excellent work, Lori, Gables¡ªyou¡¯re working hard, and it shows.¡± ¡°Thanks, Mom, Dad,¡± Lori whispered, hugging her mother back. It didn¡¯t matter if she was adopted; these were her parents. ¡°Heh, my aim¡¯s not to Self-Destruct.¡± Karen winked. ¡°That can always be a strategy, Honey!¡± ¡°Heh, Mom, you know what I mean¡ªI want to be better¡ªto be a real star,¡± she whispered, glancing at Rhea; her parents didn¡¯t miss the look, smiling at one another. ¡°Well,¡± her dad mused, sitting back before his deep blue irises drifted between them, ¡°I believe you¡¯ve chosen a good person to measure your progress ¡­ I look forward to seeing how you overcome the next battle.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Karen hummed, pulling her arm down a little to study the data of the Alolan boys. ¡°Interesting ¡­ They lost an Encrusted Challenge, but their win/loss ratio is quite good.¡± Grimsley closed in, an eyebrow lifting. ¡°I¡¯d be careful ¡­ These three have more experience than you, and I suspect their Pokemon should be more skilled than those you¡¯ve faced up to this point.¡± ¡°Not a single contest under their belt, though!¡± Rhea added with a big grin. ¡°We¡¯re not going back; let¡¯s push ourselves to the limit and show them how much we believe in our Pokemon!¡± Lori giggled, watching Sabin and Kate pull the pumped blonde¡¯s attention away to offer their own advice; on the other hand, Amira was explaining aloud to her attentive father the impressive stats of the trio. ¡°I¡¯ll be careful ¡­ Thanks for being here, Mom, Dad,¡± she whispered. ¡°Heh¡ªcontests, huh? I¡¯m glad we could,¡± Karen snickered, silvery-blue irises drifting to the TV. ¡°It¡¯s thanks to those unruly Legends we can be so carefree right now¡ªthey certainly know how to make a big splash.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± her dad muttered, following her gaze to a repeat of Cynthia¡¯s short broadcast as commentators picked the Legend¡¯s words apart, speaking to guests. ¡°Iris had me flying over after the first sentence¡ªpfft, brat asked me why I wasn¡¯t already halfway here; it¡¯s not every day the Kanto, Johto, and Sinnoh Legends take such a direct interest in Unova¡¯s affairs.¡± He smirked, his focus returning to her. ¡°Your sister would have been here, as well, had I not needed her unique skills in handling an investigation back home¡ªthere have been some unusual movements among the Plasma Cells we¡¯ve been watching. In any case, I¡¯m sure she will call you when she is able.¡± Conviction doubling at the news, Mallory brought her phone down for Roxie to select their opponent. ¡°I can¡¯t wait. Shaunty¡¯s always so busy! Ugh, is it those two challengers again that¡¯s making her isolate herself?¡± ¡°Two challengers?¡± her mother asked, glancing between them. ¡°I haven¡¯t heard anything about two annoying challengers.¡± Grimsley hissed out a long puff of air. ¡°Rosa and Nate¡ªHugh is making some waves, as well¡ªannoying kids have been Unova¡¯s most recent rising stars. Apparently, they¡¯re friends with the other annoying trio¡ªHilda, Hilbert, and N.¡± ¡°Rosa and Nate ¡­ Who?¡± Rhea jumped. ¡°I didn¡¯t know they were friends with Hilbert and Hilda. I¡¯ll have to ask my cousin about them¡ªoh, umm, you¡¯re going to pick first. Right, Lori?¡± ¡°Yeah, Roxie¡¯s just looking between them¡­¡± Mallory muttered, looking at the Rockruff as she studied the three pictures; ironically, she tried to determine who was stronger by how tough they appeared, which made Lori snicker. Finally, her paw came down on the one that was a bit chubby¡ªthe one she saw that was most intimidating¡ªand Mallory hummed, examining his record. ¡°Two losses to thirty-two wins ¡­ Well, alright; let¡¯s make it three loses!¡± she grinned, reaching down to let Roxie slap her palm and cheer. Rhea was her anchor for now, but she¡¯d give it her best to stay motivated and focused on growing into her own; she¡¯d end this curse ¡­ somehow. B1 — 64. A Rough Start 6:12 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Lori rose as the server returned with her mother¡¯s card and followed everyone out of the restaurant; each family divided into their little circles to chat about the upcoming opponents, yet she walked a little ahead of her flirting parents. Focused on her phone, Mallory messaged Kekoa Newalu while zeroing in on where the battle was going to take place; the holographic map of the town gave her a visual look at how small it was compared to the places she knew back in Unova¡ªit was even smaller than Dark City. Taking in a short intake of air, she released it slowly, looking up at the still bright sky as the sun descended; a soft gust weaved through the broad streets, wide enough for a car to turn around in¡ªher heart felt like it was going to shoot straight out of her chest. Splitting the navigation app window, she pulled up Jingglytunes to change the song to something that would better help her mood, humming to the catchy beat. Native flying Pokemon to Johto and Kanto sat on buildings and signs, observing the humans in their natural habitat, and in a way, Lori wondered what the well-traveled birds thought. Roxie was doing her best to learn about the various species and mannerisms, listening to the much older and far more powerful Master, High Master, and Grandmaster Pokemon around them. Reflecting on the information, her Rockruff brought Mallory¡¯s internal stress down by sharing what she was learning. Butterfree flew overhead, migrating to a new area for pollen while Pidgey and Pidgeotto took the high perches to stare down at the Spearow flock below, using the town for shelter against the stronger crew. A few Murkrow and Natu were watching the conflict while several Taillow were away from their normal migration pattern, looking for scraps of food to eat. Rattata scurried between buildings in their packs, apparently searching for some wild Pikachu that caused them trouble. There were so many things happening around her that Roxie explained, helping to ease her troubled mind¡ªanything to distract herself from the weight she felt from the upcoming conflict, as much as she couldn¡¯t wait to show what they had. Glancing back down at the map, she zoomed in to see their current route; the lake docks was a location, but not a specific location. Sending the message for clarification, she waited for a response, studying their dark-haired opponent¡¯s profile. He wasn¡¯t bad looking, had he lost a bit of weight, but off the smirking photo itself, he wasn¡¯t her type. Still, she¡¯d been surprised in the past when meeting guys to hang out; some people were terrible at taking photos but knew how to present themselves in person. She shivered as Roxie gave her a small chirp, making her look down at the fluffy dog walking at her side. Hmm ¡­ Advice, huh? Mallory frowned, gaze drifting to her smirking parents behind them; they were whispering dirty jokes to one another to see who could make the first reaction. Not wanting to interrupt the two¡ªshe got a lot of pleasure from seeing her parents interact¡ªMallory brushed a few strands of loose hair behind her ear and sighed. Honestly, by these guys¡¯ record, they¡¯ve battled a lot, so their Pokemon should be stronger than us¡ªat least stat wise¡ªbut you¡¯re super genetically gifted, Lori added, giving her a big grin. So, we¡¯ve probably got the Move and Ability advantage. Roxie nodded, showing she was following, and Lori thought about what her doggo had at her disposal; frankly, having two Pokemon out throughout the day was more than a light drain on her fortitudes, but that was the price of them spreading their legs. Let¡¯s see ¡­ there¡¯s a lot we can do, depending on the situation¡­ She spent the next few minutes going over the thoughts running through her head, preparing the Rockruff for whatever might come. In the process of strategizing, Lori¡¯s vision wandered, noticing the throng of people swarming the town; it wasn¡¯t all that populated when they first arrived at noon, but as the day went on and people came in by river or road, more teams took notice of them. Her mother¡¯s glamorous presence and Pokemon drew the majority in; she was the most publicly well-known person in their group. In reality, Christie should have been the largest attraction, considering the scientific breakthroughs and pedigree, but fame came in different degrees, and Trainers certainly got all of the hype. Besides her parents, Sabin and Katelin drew nervous whispers, and a small smirk lifted Lori¡¯s lips at the number of nervous girls blushing in their packs while talking in hushed tones. Clearly, Katelin noticed, but it seemed the woman was very comfortable in their relationship because she didn¡¯t give a hint of irritation. Of course, many girls idolized the Platinum-tier blue-haired woman that Lori saw, as well, and grinning teen boys nudging one another to point them out. From everything she gathered, the pair were a hot topic among the Kanto community as golden stars favored to be the region¡¯s next Master-pair power duo. Even if they were front and center on the street, the number of powerful Pokemon around them made it clear to most that they didn¡¯t want to be bothered. In addition, now that Green, Kris, and Lyra were gone, no one wanted to brave the isolated atmosphere Silver put off or interrupt her parents in their blush-inducing games. Lori saw Rhea messaging Bianca as she slowed for a second, smile brightening, and soon after swapped to Hannah¡¯s Pikabook messenger. She took a few pictures, commenting on them with her family while posting the images. Mallory didn¡¯t know why, but it touched her heart to see the blonde able to be so open now¡ªbefore, it was like the girl was a caged bird. Her attention soon returned to the Trainer App as Kekoa responded. Kekoa Newalu: Yo! Yeah, the others are cool with us going first. I was hopin for a Triple Battle, but my team¡¯s chill with the Single, too. Anyway, just fair warning, I saw the news article about your Rockruff¡ªthree Pokemon already is hype! Nice to see some Alola rep! We¡¯ll be off Pier 4, Training Zone 2. A hiss passed through Lori¡¯s nose, yawning a second before smacking her lips. Man, she complained to Roxie, I had a ton of sleep, but still feel so tired. Hmm ¡­ Is he trying to bait us into having someone else battle because he thinks he¡¯ll be at a disadvantage against you? She caught the Rockruff ears thoughtfully lower while scanning the passing street; the massive lake opened up before them, showing a decent throng of people along the beach, engaged in various activities, and to her surprise, battling was one of them. Wow ¡­ You can battle just on the beach in this town? That¡¯s cool¡ªcan¡¯t do that stuff in cities, but I¡¯d thought they wouldn¡¯t want Pokemon battles to hurt the environment. Roxie hummed, looking up to stare at a Sandshrew battling a Geodude; the Ground Pokemon dove into the dirt as rocks formed in the Rock Pokemon¡¯s hand, throwing it at the place he entered. In fascination, she watched him form another stone, but instead of tossing the rock, he held onto it, and the second the Sandshrew shot out to attack, the Geodude used the stone as a barrier to absorb a large chunk of the Dig damage, rocky fingers closing around the dirt rat¡¯s head. Roxie¡¯s path slowed with the others while watching the fight progress, and on the hat of the Geodude¡¯s Trainer were four standard Bronze Badges¡ªBoulder, Soul, Thunder, and Cascade¡ªthe battling boy and girl seemed to know each other by their grins, and likely was on their seventh month as Trainers. Her Rockruff¡¯s mouth went slack while seeing the Rock Pokemon shimmer, becoming polished; swiftly floating above the Sandshrew¡¯s scratch and grabbing his head, the grinning rough stone flipping into a front flip to slam him into the ground, tucking into a ball to plow into his opponent. ¡°Think you can win this time, Jane?¡± he shouted across the field. The girl chuckled. ¡°I know that Cascade Badge is sucking out the blood in your brain if you think we¡¯ll lose!¡± Just before hitting him, the Mouse Pokemon tucked into a ball and was surrounded by bright white light; the strike sent sand spraying as he was thrown back, but he was back in the ground, tail vanishing below the ground. Amira smiled as they moved down the beach-side walkway, heading for a big docking area. ¡°So, this town allows battles outside of staged areas?¡± Katelin giggled, walking backward to continue watching the fight; the pair were so focused on their match they hadn¡¯t even noticed the top-tier Pokemon in the area. ¡°These matches are some of my favorites ¡­ The adrenaline¡¯s like a drug¡ªa rush¡ªknowing you had to be careful to avoid stray Moves and collateral damage!¡± Keith threw his arm around Rhea, pulling his daughter in. ¡°Heh, sometimes I think we ruined you guys, but there¡¯s really nothing like free-form combat ¡­ No holds barred.¡± ¡°I mean,¡± Sabin snickered, following the battle as they went, ¡°there wasn''t anything like stadium barrier technology when you were a kid, Dad¡ªand Auntie always said without risk, you¡¯ll never grow.¡± ¡°It was a rough time,¡± Christie hissed. ¡°The number of times I had to patch your father up¡ªI learned first aid because of your father¡­¡± A reminiscent smile moved Silver¡¯s lips. ¡°It certainly was a different time ¡­ Still, it¡¯s not like every nation is like Kanto, and the journey is probably a tad rougher in Johto.¡± The discussion seemed to pique her parents¡¯ interest as they ceased their playful whispers to walk beside Lori, and her mother lifted an eyebrow. ¡°I guarantee it¡ªsure, Kanto has its renowned Gym Leaders, but Johto has an entirely different taste.¡± Letting the woman be pulled into a conversation between the adults, Lori slowed a tad to walk beside her sharp-eyed father; his intelligent irises lingered on her before falling to Roxie, hands closed around his back. ¡°Calming down?¡± Of course, he would know ¡­ ugh. She lowered her music a tad, tucking her phone into her rear left pocket. ¡°What do you think, Dad?¡± she sighed. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± His focus drifted to the laughing men and women ahead of them. ¡°What do I think? I think you girls are too tough on yourselves but saying that isn¡¯t going to change anything.¡± ¡°Right?¡± she grumbled, her arms folding under her chest to glare at the gently flowing lake as it washed against the shore. ¡°I¡¯ve seen how weak I am in the last three weeks¡ªI want to do better¡­¡± ¡°Weak? Humph,¡± Grimsley mused, narrowed vision moving to the back of her dark brown tank top. Shoulders shifting uncomfortably, Lori grunted; he was always reading between the lines to find any hidden meaning. ¡°No¡ªI mean, sure, it always bothers me, but that¡¯s not it ¡­ Not really.¡± ¡°Most things come back to that issue, sweetie,¡± he softly replied. ¡°It¡¯s how much it¡¯s contributed to your current mental state and circumstance that is the question, and I¡¯d say¡ªat the moment¡ªyou¡¯re trying to use it to discourage your self-esteem ¡­ Do you believe yourself so inferior to them?¡± Mallory¡¯s jaw locked, reducing her pace a bit to draw distance between their two groups; Miky, Gables, and Roxie were silently listening, unsure how to insert themselves. ¡°Honestly ¡­ Yeah, Dad¡ªI do¡ªnot that I want to. I¡¯m not like them, and that couldn¡¯t be any more clear than how useless I was to them¡ªeh, yeah, I couldn¡¯t even swim.¡± If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. She pulled around her purple locks to fiddle with the braid. ¡°I¡¯m a heartbreaking, no-good Muk Lord¡ªheh, I¡¯m a hot triggered dog¡ªa counterfeit city-girl. Amira¡¯s classy and intelligent. Rhea¡¯s adorably friendly¡ªawkwardly cute¡ªoutdoorsy ¡­ Both are brave and beautiful¡ªI¡¯m just not any of that.¡± Grimsley took a deep breath, unfolding an arm to slide it around her side and pull her in. ¡°Indeed, my foul-mouthed daughter. You¡¯re not afraid to scrap in the dirt or offend people, and you¡¯re always ready to give two fingers to Muk kissers¡ªhmm, you certainly can be a Jinx¡ªpunking idiots that think they¡¯re tough.¡± Mallory rolled her eyes, remembering what Clay told her father once. ¡°Bedpan full of piss and vinegar, am I?¡± Her father¡¯s head turned to give her a slight smirk. ¡°It¡¯s ironic how much you seem to like Clay when hating the country¡ªin the end, you know what you did best, and I wasn¡¯t there¡ªso, what advice would you give yourself?¡± Hating it when he turned it around like this, she rolled around her neck. ¡°I¡¯d probably punch myself in the face and tell my fat butt to get my head back in the game¡ªstop being a wet puss and do something about it.¡± ¡°There you go,¡± he chuckled, unhooking his hand to flip a coin over her to snatch out of the air. ¡°Well?¡± A small grin lifted her lips while looking at the image in her hand. ¡°Tails ¡­ Always tails whenever a girl catches it. Huh, Dad?¡± ¡°Is it?¡± he asked, smiling at the clouds rolling into the valley. ¡°In any case, be careful, Lori¡ªyour Rockruff is exceptional but young¡ªbide your time and dismantle their strategy. Knowing their win-condition is critical to preventing it.¡± Obvious advice, Dad ¡­ but you know I needed it¡­ Puffing out a loud breath, she stretched out her back and looked down at her Rockruff. ¡°So, you think he¡¯s playing us, and we should go with someone else?¡± Roxie promptly shook her head, ready to prove herself. Mallory nodded. ¡°Good¡ªlet¡¯s win this!¡± Gables and Miky cheered them on as they moved to the pier, but Gables¡¯s pep-talk trailed off as Rhea radiated a loud hum, looking at a semi-nervous waving woman at the end of the dock. ¡°Oh? Who¡¯s that?¡± her mother asked. Amira hissed out a chuckle. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡ªMalia, that girl from the cafe?¡± she asked, eyeing her pretty Alolan dress before studying her gorgeous Alolan Ninetales and Vulpix. Lori wasn¡¯t too into the Vulpix line, but she could appreciate the appeal; although, considering the woman was already here, told her Amira had been right¡ªwhether for her cousin or conspiring on her own, she¡¯d set this up. Be ready for a good fight, guys. On their way toward the woman, Keith leaned in to whisper to Silver ahead of them. ¡°Interesting¡ªGold-tier, but I doubt she did much battling by the look of her Ninetales¡ªnaturally gifted.¡± ¡°Seems that way,¡± Silver thoughtfully returned. ¡°Your opinion, Karen?¡± ¡°A schemer,¡± her mother mused. ¡°She¡¯s not big on fighting¡ªit¡¯s clear in her aura¡ªbut she¡¯ll certainly stir things up. Not unlike someone else I know,¡± she snickered, silver-blue eyes darting back at her husband. Grimsley¡¯s smug expression didn¡¯t falter. ¡°I¡¯ve got a gift. What can I say? Will Lyra be joining us, Silver?¡± Lori caught Amira¡¯s instant shift in attention as her father calmly nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll message her when Amira is about to have her battle; she has a debt of some kind to return to Green¡ªnaturally, some game to help lighten their moods.¡± A curious smirk lifted Mallory¡¯s lips upon seeing Amira roll her eyes at the statement; she couldn¡¯t ponder on it because they were closing in on the woman rather quickly. Sabin narrowed an eye, observing Malia fidget a bit under their gaze; more than a few people were stopping to see the massive Pokemon surrounding them. ¡°I think her cousin still hasn¡¯t left the lake. They¡¯ve been going at it all night, huh?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea asked, glancing past her to the various figures paddling across the lake; a few were heading their way. ¡°So she really was trying to set up a battle between us?¡± Kate snickered. ¡°And listening to us through her bond to those adorable snowflakes¡ªI bet they¡¯re letting her in on everything we¡¯re saying.¡± A good practice, Lori thought, glancing down at her serious Rockruff; the newly born Rock Pokemon was quivering to jump into the ring¡ªlikely a product of her strong Vital Spirit ability. We have a lot to learn. She blocked out whatever else was said before reaching the woman; her focus was centered on the water, searching for the opponent that would face them¡ªnone of the faces she could make out seemed to belong to her Alolan challenger. ¡°Hey, Malia,¡± Rhea greeted, forcing a laugh. ¡°So¡­¡± The blonde adjusted her cap, glancing between the adults of their party. ¡°Hello again, Rhea, umm¡ªI, heh, did not expect you to bring such a crowd ¡­ And I am sorry for setting this up¡ªyou''re not wrong to suspect me¡ªit¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Mmm-uh,¡± Rhea interjected, shaking her head and stepping forward to hold out her hand. ¡°I understand; your cousin was fixated on dangerous stuff, and you needed something to take his obsession away from the Articuno.¡± Malia released a grateful sigh, clasping Rhea¡¯s hand to shake it. ¡°Thank you for understanding, Rhea¡ªyour team was all he was talking about after they lost to Forrest. So ¡­ I thought if I could get you to issue a challenge to him, he couldn¡¯t turn it down.¡± ¡°Smart,¡± Christie giggled. ¡°I know many blockheaded Master Trainers like that¡ªso captivated by a dream they funnel everything into it.¡± ¡°Ahem¡ª¡± Malia gave a short curtsy to the group after stepping away from Rhea. ¡°That being said¡ªheh, I did not expect you to be the niece of the Former World Champion.¡± Rhea¡¯s smile became forced, fidgeting with her dress a second. ¡°Yeah, well¡ªeh, my aunt is kind of famous¡ªshe normally skips all that World Champion stuff, but the big one on Pasio is drawing her eye. I mean, Red¡¯s currently seen as the World Champion¡ªsince my aunt didn¡¯t show up, so¡­¡± Malia¡¯s gaze went to Rhea¡¯s mother, blushing a little before reaching into her bag to take out a science magazine. ¡°Umm¡ªso I¡¯m currently studying to gain an Astronomy internship at the Ula¡¯ula Island Moon Observatory¡ªactually, some of your online study videos really helped me understand a lot of topics in school, so¡­¡± ¡°Those old videos?¡± Christie asked, reaching forward to take what appeared to be a worn-out magazine. ¡°Oh,¡± she hummed, examining the cover, ¡°I believe there was a collaboration done in this regarding Extraterrestrial Pokemon that I was a part of.¡± Rhea¡¯s smile brightened. ¡°Oh, is that why you were in Apple City?¡± Malia reached down to pet her Vulpix as she rubbed up against her leg. ¡°Yeah¡ªbut I couldn¡¯t get past the front entrance of the Space Center.¡± Mallory wanted to sigh herself when seeing the bright-eyed blonde¡¯s quick look at her mother. C¡¯mon, girl, she played you¡ªyou need to be lookin¡¯ into these things ¡­ You trust people too easily, and you¡¯re still interested in being super friendly, too¡­ Christie¡¯s lips pulled in, knowing exactly what her daughter¡¯s pleading eyes meant. ¡°Mmh¡ªI suppose if your cousin will be around Kanto for the season, and you are here¡ªexperience in a major independent space center such as TACSCOT would be excellent on a resume¡­¡± Malia¡¯s vision widened as she held up her hands in protest. ¡°No¡ªno, I¡¯m just saying¡ªI-I¡¯m a fan of yours ¡­ I don¡¯t want to¡­¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it help you, though?¡± Rhea innocently asked, just looking to be the helpful girl Mallory couldn¡¯t accept from anyone else¡ªshe was helpless to her nature. ¡°I¡¯m not super interested in all that stuff¡ªespecially recently,¡± she mumbled, eyeing her mother''s forced smile, ¡°but it must be hard for you¡ªcoming to a whole new region and not understanding anything.¡± ¡°Erm¡ªokay,¡± Christie mumbled, catching Karen¡¯s wry smirk, ¡°at most, I can talk to some people, but¡­¡± A light chuckle shook Silver¡¯s chest as his sharp red eyes centered on the Alolan young woman. ¡°Give me your number, and I¡¯ll have you scheduled for an interview; TACSCOT could use every eager young mind it can find. However, for now, let¡¯s return to the topic at hand¡­¡± His gaze lifted from her to a new cluster of kayaks that were coming into the lake from one of the four observable riverways feeding into the body of water. ¡°Your cousin is almost here¡ªasleep, no less.¡± Sabin rubbed his chin, a half-smile on his handsome face. ¡°So, they took turns paddling through the day and guiding their teammates'' kayaks as they rested¡ªthey¡¯ll go far with that dedication.¡± ¡°Dedication is one way to put it,¡± Malia whispered, glaring in that direction. ¡°Umm, yeah, thank you, Mr. Silver! TACSCOT is so much larger than the Moon Observatory¡ªI can¡¯t imagine even having this chance ¡­ Umm, thank you, Rhea¡­¡± she mumbled, taking back her signed magazine from Christie. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it! Okay, so ¡­ Are we just going to battle on the shoreline?¡± Rhea asked, turning to look at the small groups of Bronze and Silver-tier Trainers. Sabin followed her gaze. ¡°Yup¡ªI mean, you¡¯re not going to find many official battle zones in a town as small as this. So long as it¡¯s Gold-tier or below, challenges close to towns are fine in designated areas.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± Lori stretched her arms overhead before pulling down her tank top and adjusting her shorts. ¡°So, I guess Roxie and I should get ready.¡± ¡°Give ¡®em some tough love,¡± Karen winked. ¡°I¡¯ll be recording it for Kass to watch.¡± Lori puffed out a long breath. Great, now I definitely can¡¯t lose this ¡­ We ready to win this, guys? Her Pokemon gave a loud cheer, and they headed over to the shoreline to wait, outpacing everyone else to find a suitable spot. Time to put my resolve to the test ¡­ When did I get like this? Time to tap into old Lori¡ªlet¡¯s do this! * * * Roxie took a deep breath and rolled around in the sand, spraying it everywhere as it stuck to her black and white fur; she wasn¡¯t scared to get dirty like Nova, and the grit burning in her Trainer¡¯s spirit fueled her. She didn¡¯t quite understand Lori like Gables, but she was her Trainer, and she¡¯d do everything in her power to support her. The first cracks were there when she first bonded to the purple-haired human; she had a harrowing past, and something about being with Rhea and Amira had triggered something in the girl. It only grew by the day until it came to a head in that cave¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to be like this, and she was fighting with everything she had. Roxie shook out her sand-caked fluff around her neck, looking back at several girls that stopped to sit and watch her, cooing and talking lowly to one another while taking pictures. Humans are weird. ¡°They really are,¡± Gabs chuckled. ¡°You haven¡¯t even seen half of it.¡± Miky scratched his head from inside his pokeball, having returned to give Lori and her as much energy to draw from as possible. ¡°Half¡ªhalf be lots, though! I¡¯ve seen half?¡± ¡°It¡¯s an expression, dude ¡­ Yeah, I suppose culture differences¡ªyou good, man?¡± Roxie had felt a similar disquiet in the trickster Pokemon; again, she didn¡¯t understand their hesitation or struggle¡ªfrom the moment she made her first stir inside her egg, she knew only resolve. ¡°I¡¯s just bein¡¯ what you call¡ªwet socks? I have the wetness that goes splash-quishy-quish?¡± ¡°Blanket¡ªheh, wet blanket, my dude, but it¡¯s cool. Eh, like I said, not havin¡¯ a bunch of moves and abilities like Roxie is fine¡ªshe¡¯s built differently, but we still got the moves! We gotta learn how to use them better.¡± ¡°I¡¯s trying¡­¡± She had nothing to contribute to the discussion; ultimately, she was who she was, and they were them¡ªcomparing themselves to her was pointless because they weren¡¯t her, and she wasn¡¯t them. Roxie just had to do what she was made to do, fight. Win¡ªlose¡ªit didn¡¯t matter; she only had to put her all into it. Is that them, Gabs? Roxie asked, watching a group of people exit some kayaks and meet Malia. He¡¯s bigger than the photo thing. ¡°Erm¡ªyeah, yeah, it tends to be like that. Umm, yup, none of their Pokemon are out, either.¡± Rhea and the rest of their group were near the road where a large group was gathering; it seemed the fame of the humans and Pokemon were drawing a crowd since they were staying to watch this match. Lori¡¯s teammates had recalled their Pokemon, conserving their energy. Roxie¡¯s claws sank into the sand as the large dark-haired human took up the opposite side from her, glancing to the crowd with a grin before centering on her; she could hear the smug disappointment in his voice. ¡°I hoped you would have chosen your Froakie, to be honest¡ªsending out your newly hatched Rockruff feels kind of insulting.¡± Insulting? He¡¯s making light of me before even seeing me in combat?! ¡°Make him eat his words!¡± Gables roared. ¡°Heh, keep talkin¡¯ like that, and you¡¯ll bite your tongue! Okay, what¡¯s the bet?¡± A slight frown touched his lips. ¡°I was hopin¡¯ you¡¯d take this seriously; you¡¯re still goin¡¯ with your baby Rockruff¡ªit¡¯s not a joke?¡± Mallory¡¯s tone turned flippant. ¡°Fine, how¡¯s a 1,500 credit bet¡ªserious enough for you?¡± A glower crossed his chubby face. ¡°Who¡¯s gonna bite their tongue off again? If you want to throw away your reputation and look like a fool¡ªgood by me.¡± However, Mallory¡¯s voice was anything but cheeky while speaking to them. ¡°Roxie, we¡¯re gonna need to be fast¡ªit won¡¯t take him long to know you¡¯ve got a ton of Moves you shouldn¡¯t, and you¡¯re stronger than you should be. Worse, he¡¯s native to Alola; so, we need to assume he knows far more about you than me.¡± Roxie kicked up some sand and barked. ¡°Show me what you have! I¡¯m ready!¡± A big black Gengar that made everyone stiffen rose up from the sand, shadows frothing off its dark form, but Roxie had seen him in Rhea¡¯s pictures. Keith stood up, clearing his throat. ¡°My Gengar, Franky, will be refereeing¡ªhe¡¯s actually League certified, believe it or not. Ha-ha-ha! So, let¡¯s get this underway; the rules are simple. ¡°First, don¡¯t attack any Pokemon or humans if you can help it¡ªthis kind of battle is a trial of your Move awareness, as much as winning! ¡°Second, strip the opponent of their first energy matrix. ¡°Third, be the last one standing. ¡°No boundaries. No time limit. No Move restrictions. Show your selected Pokemon now.¡± Franky¡¯s sinister, haunting chuckle echoed across the field as he motioned for Kekoa. ¡°I¡¯m going to keep careful track of every action you two make¡ªI wouldn¡¯t disappoint me,¡± he grinned, big white teeth and shining red eyes drifting between them. ¡°I¡¯ll make sure no one interferes¡ªthat¡¯s a duty of the referee, as well.¡± Kekoa expanded an Ultra Ball, shivering as the giant Shadow Pokemon eyed him from the air. ¡°This will be quick¡­¡± Tossing the pokeball, Roxie glared at her opponent as the red light expelled to form a male, brown-furred Pokemon with tan spots and creamy mud shrouds on each hoof. Roxie could feel it the moment he exited. He¡¯s as tough as Gables¡­ The Pokemon shook out his black mane, big ears twitching and cut, smooth tail flicking to the side. Horizontal black pupil fixated on her as he yawned. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Kekoa seems to think you¡¯ll be weak but ¡­ Mmh, there¡¯s something unusual about your coat and feel¡ªI¡¯ve never seen a Rockruff like you back home. Anyway, I¡¯m Kimo¡ªit¡¯s a pleasure to meet you.¡± ¡°Muk,¡± Lori growled. ¡°A Mudbray ¡­ And I¡¯m pretty sure it has Stamina by what I¡¯m reading on the Pokemon¡¯s common datasheet¡­¡± B1 — 65. Stall! 6:52 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Franky¡¯s haunting voice sounded across the area. ¡°Begin!¡± Roxie darted to the right, kicking up sand on her way to the lakeshore; her sharp pink eyes remained on the Mudbray as her opponent stood tall, troubled gaze fixated on her. He¡¯s strong, so I need to ¡­ Hmm? The Donkey Pokemon didn¡¯t move, silently watching her. What are they waiting for? Karen cheered them on as Grimsley spoke softly to Rhea¡¯s dad about how difficult the match would be. Still, they needed to win¡ªRoxie needed to win for Lori. Stopping just before reaching the wet sand, she gathered Mallory¡¯s sent energy while listening to her Trainer¡¯s voice grow more serious; she had the Pokedex website open, analyzing the information on Mudbray. ¡°The shine and extra width to his hooves indicate he has Stamina, meaning we need to be careful how strong our attacks are against him¡ªuh ¡­ hmm, he isn¡¯t attacking¡ªmmh, don¡¯t attack; if our Moves are too strong, it will also increase his Defense.¡± Yeah, but he¡¯s just looking at me¡­ Roxie mumbled, holding onto as much energy as she could as Lori¡¯s preemptive gift slowly faded; the Mudbray¡¯s inaction put her off. Their mock battles against Rhea and Amira¡¯s Pokemon were always so fast paced, especially against Alice. Roxie¡¯s thumping heart started to still, and she didn¡¯t like it. Kimo released a somewhat annoyed sigh, expression dulling. ¡°Are you going to attack?¡± Roxie licked her nose, pawing the soft sand to test the resistance. A flock of Pidgey and Sparrow were gathering on the telephone poles near the houses up the bank, watching the stalled match. He¡¯s waiting for me to attack? Do they just want me to get closer to pull some fast Move? Franky poked his head out of the earth; the lake water rushed around his smirking eyes while observing them. ¡°Mmh?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Lori¡¯s gaze was on the Trainer. ¡°I think I know what¡¯s going on,¡± she growled. ¡°Heh, okay, we can work with this.¡± Gables hissed. ¡°Yeah, he¡¯s looking down on Roxie ¡­ He¡¯s trying to make a point.¡± What point? Roxie asked, thoroughly confused; she didn¡¯t want to rush in and get caught off-guard in such an important battle, but it didn¡¯t even seem as if the Mudbray was taking this fight seriously. Is he saying I¡¯m not worth it? ¡°Ggrrgh,¡± Miky rattled around in his pokeball. ¡°Me don¡¯t likes him!¡± ¡°No. No. That¡¯s fine, guys,¡± Lori mused. ¡°For real, though, this really is hopeless ¡­ typically, but battles aren¡¯t always so clean cut, and you¡¯re not just any Rockruff. No worries. Drop his Defense and keep your distance.¡± Got it! A gust of wind pressed against her fur as she prowled to the left, feeling the grains of sand between her toes as the sun gradually fell across, tinting the sky; the salted breeze tickled her nose and sharpened her mind. Roxie leered at the Mudbray, tracking every twitch her opponent made; she wouldn¡¯t miss with this Move if he was in sight. Her eyes flashed white, transferring the assaulting energy to the frowning Mudbray; it took far more effort to affect him than Alice. At least she could drop his Defense, unlike Mya. A long stream of air shot through Kimo¡¯s nose as he shook his head. ¡°Really, is there any other strategy you can use?¡± he dryly asked, tail flicking to the left in annoyance. ¡°Kekoa figured you¡¯d want to play the slow Stat drop game like every other Rockruff back home ¡­ Disappointing. It¡¯s a shame it¡¯s not going to work against me.¡± ¡°Oh, cool!¡± Roxie whispered, prowling to the left as a silver sheen flared across Kimo¡¯s fur, pulling in to provide an aura-like coat. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± She was feeling a little better as Lori relayed their strategy in their given time; they only had one shot. Kekoa cleared his voice, drawing everyone¡¯s gaze; the boy had his arms folded across his chest, a disgruntled tone in his voice. ¡°Okay, look, Mallory, I don¡¯t know how you usually do things in Unova, but ¡­ Grr-mmgh¡­¡± ¡°Go ahead!¡± Lori said. ¡°Iron Defense is pretty awesome! Eh, but pretty costly, I¡¯d say to make a point.¡± The boy¡¯s eyebrows lifted, bottom lip sucking in to make a short sound. ¡°Mm-hmm ¡­ so you do understand¡ªI¡¯ve been taking this Kanto battle thing seriously¡ªwe all have, and, I¡¯m not trying to be rude, but don¡¯t you think you¡¯re being arrogant? I¡¯m being real here¡­¡± He cut off, hissing air through his teeth while unfolding his arms to scratch the side of his head, ruffling his hair. ¡°I hoped you¡¯d be able to read your opponent better than most of the Trainers¡ªit¡¯s just, you were so awesome in the Gym Battle, and you even got that Encrusted Badge¡ªI¡¯ve been going over your team¡¯s Pewter Gym matches for the past five days because they were incredible, but come on!¡± Roxie¡¯s eyes fell to the sand, pondering the human¡¯s words. Why¡¯s he so upset I¡¯m fighting him? I¡¯ve practiced really hard with everyone. ¡°Don¡¯t give him any mind,¡± Gables absently muttered. ¡°Just stay focused.¡± Yeah¡­ She couldn¡¯t help an uncomfortable shiver passing through her muscles as Kekoa gestured at her, though. ¡°Seriously, Alola is my home¡ªthe home of Rockruff¡ªand I know every Move yours should know. For real, I¡¯m kind of mad,¡± he admitted, and Roxie could see the scowl on his Pokemon¡¯s face, too. Mallory wasn¡¯t concerned though, helping Roxie draw strength in her confidence; all she wanted to do was start the match, but it seemed there was some kind of issue that needed to be resolved first. Can I attack? Miky¡¯s malevolent snicker passed through their connection. ¡°Yes! Yes! Sneak attack! Get ¡®em good!¡± ¡°Woah! Woah!¡± Gables chuckled. ¡°Hold up a bit, guys; let¡¯s have some class! It¡¯s gonna get so much better!¡± Roxie turned her head to see Mallory put a hand on her hip, a small smirk on her lips. ¡°Tell me how you feel.¡± Kekoa¡¯s jaw tightened, giving Lori a dirty look as the onlookers laughed. Roxie couldn¡¯t block out the doubt from the crowd, though; her ears fell back a little at the negativity spreading across the beach¡ªevery group thought she didn¡¯t stand a chance. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter¡ªat all!¡± Kekoa rolled his eyes. ¡°There¡¯s no chance you can win with a Rockruff, and I wanted to have a real battle¡ªand you even accepted a 1,500 credit bet ¡­ I don¡¯t get it¡ªmmg-mhm¡ªit¡¯s like you''re mocking us, and I don¡¯t like it!¡± Miky was going off about him mocking them, but Mallory quieted him. ¡°What do you want then?¡± Mallory casually asked. ¡°Roxie needs experience, and while you don¡¯t believe she can win, that¡¯s the struggle of battling. If you can win, take it and the prize¡ª¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand!¡± Kekoa growled through locked teeth. ¡°I see ¡­ So, he¡¯s really here to improve ¡­ good.¡± Roxie shifted to look at Kimo as he spoke. ¡°We¡¯re really not trying to put you down, Roxie,¡± he said with a reassuring smile. ¡°It¡¯s just that we were preparing to fight your team¡¯s strongest Pokemon, and not to be rude, but Gables is just far more experienced and more powerful.¡± ¡°I¡¯d debate that!¡± Gables reflected. ¡°Keep sharp, Roxie.¡± Everyone¡¯s looking down at me, though ¡­ I just want to have a good time ¡­ I don¡¯t want to cause a problem. ¡°Don¡¯t worry,¡± Lori soothed. ¡°It¡¯s hard¡ªvery hard, but not impossible¡ªwe got this.¡± ¡°I get it,¡± Lori said, brushing her braid over her shoulder while glancing around at the restless crowd. ¡°You wanted to fight Gables because of my Pewter City match. Still, I chose Roxie¡ªI trust her¡ªand I¡¯m not disrespecting you. Wouldn¡¯t you say you¡¯re the one being arrogant? Judge her by her performance, and if you win, we¡¯ll have a rematch tomorrow when we¡¯re all rested. Deal?¡± Kekoa¡¯s focus drifted to her, his vision hardening. ¡°Sure, whatever, but everyone should be able to see how one-sided this will be!¡± ¡°Oh ¡­ Everyone ¡­ You think so?¡± Lori asked, tongue sliding across her lips while looking at the group of whispering Grandmasters. ¡°What do you think my chances are, Dad?¡± Kekoa fell silent, feet shifting a bit nervously as Grimsley¡¯s calm and smug blue irises slid from Roxie to Kimo; all the gathered Trainers and Pokemon stilled to hear his opinion. ¡°Mmh ¡­ Darling, if I¡¯m being quite honest ¡­ heh, it¡¯s nigh impossible. Of course, Christie would know best.¡± All eyes centered on Rhea¡¯s famous mother as a twinkle moved her sky blue eyes; the woman leaned forward, focused on Roxie. ¡°I¡¯d love nothing more than to boast¡ªactually, I think I will¡ªI wouldn¡¯t count Roxie out.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Keith mused, rubbing his chin. ¡°You¡¯ve got me excited!¡± Kekoa coughed. ¡°Excuse me, but ¡­ Mmgh, fine,¡± he muttered, glaring at Lori. ¡°If you think we¡¯re that weak¡­¡± Roxie¡¯s heart elevated as Kimo launched forward, his serious expression causing chatter. Alright, Lori, I¡¯ll do my best! A dark red aura erupted around the Mudbray¡¯s frame as the silver faded and he jumped into the air¡ªIron Defense was a higher tier Move that couldn¡¯t be maintained at this level for an extended time¡ªhis hooves smashing against the sand, spraying debris everywhere as a zig-zag pattern launched toward her. Paying close attention to the attack, Roxie giggled, finally feeling the pulse of battle spur her heart; she vanished into shadow, pulling liberally from Mallory¡¯s reserves. Roxie appeared from darkness beside Kimo¡¯s head, making him stumble in surprise as her smoky paw slammed against his cheek. ¡°Let¡¯s have fun!¡± Thrown to the side by the heavy Sucker Punch, Kimo quickly flipped back to his feet in a haze of sand, but Roxie could pull energy much faster through her unrestricted bond to Lori¡ªflames sparked in Roxie¡¯s mouth as flaring jaws expanded around Kimo¡¯s stunned face¡ªFire Fang closed around his snout. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. An eruption sent the Mudbray stumbling back into the rushing waves, flinging the surf in every direction as Roxie darted back, tail wagging. ¡°W-What are¡ªewagh! It burns!¡± he screamed, burying his inflamed nose into the wet sand and water. ¡°Mmgm!¡± ¡°You doing okay?¡± Roxie asked, hopping back to keep him in view while gaining distance. ¡°Yes! I got a clean hit!¡± she laughed, pride welling up in her breast; this was her first real battle. ¡°I can¡¯t¡ªit won¡¯t stop!¡± Kimo stumbled to his feet while shaking his soaked head. ¡°Gah! It burns¡­¡± Roxie settled down as Lori hummed. ¡°Good job! Still, it didn¡¯t do that much damage, but we got the important bit ¡­ Heh, he¡¯s pretty tough, but he¡¯s not Sturdy!¡± They chuckled at their Trainer¡¯s joke, and Roxie could hear the opinion of the throng swiftly change. Mallory¡¯s serious tone returned as a white glow surrounded the Mudbray. ¡°Stamina giving him a temporary +1 Defense. I guess Sucker Punch and Fire Fang were just enough to activate it ¡­ Heh, not that we¡¯re attacking. Ah, there it is!¡± She smiled at Kimo¡¯s Trainer as his face went white, watching his Pokemon rub his burning snout in the sand and water. ¡°Fire Fang and Sucker Punch ¡­ How did you¡­¡± ¡°Use them so close together¡ªhave both Moves?¡± Lori finished. ¡°I wonder ¡­ Do you still think we were being arrogant? And yeah, water isn¡¯t going to help you,¡± she snickered. ¡°That¡¯s what you get for underestimating us and thinking we didn¡¯t have a chance.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not done,¡± Kekoa muttered, sounding far less assured. ¡°Let¡¯s go, Kimo!¡± The Mudbray¡¯s big eyes narrowed, soaked mane shaking with his head before glaring at her; Roxie just sat on the ground, tail weaving back and forth, throwing sand while keeping her heart¡¯s tempo to Lori¡¯s music through their link. ¡°Check!¡± Lori cheered. ¡°Let¡¯s not celebrate yet, though ¡­ It¡¯s time to dance, girl!¡± Arrogance gone, Kimo dashed forward, one eye closed from the nearby fire energy continuing to burn through his defense matrix. ¡°Don¡¯t think you have a chance!¡± Roxie was back on her feet, barely dodging the vicious red illuminated hooves of the donkey as he flipped to meet her face; she didn¡¯t have the energy to waste on Moves after taking so much of Lori¡¯s energy to land their first combo; her Trainer wasn¡¯t accustomed to such a rapid draw. Ducking close to the ground, she positioned to Kimo¡¯s side, swiping her paw against the sand to throw some into his one good eye; it wasn''t a Sand Attack, so it wouldn¡¯t stick, but every second mattered. He thrashed, trying to headbutt her as she ran away, yet Roxie was already outside of his blinded range; they were pretty even on pace because of her high base Stats, IVs, EVs, and speedy nature, but a single mistake would be her end. ¡°Where are you going?!¡± Kimo yelled as she flipped around, running to the water. ¡°Away from you?¡± she called back, laughter in her voice. ¡°Chase me if you can!¡± Roxie jumped into the surf, sound dampening as she entered the alien world. Bubbles and a strong current met her, pulling Roxie in as Gables helped navigate her into a riptide. He-he-he! He almost got me! ¡°Don¡¯t celebrate yet!¡± Lori cautioned, yet she could feel the thrill in her Trainer¡¯s thumping heart. ¡°He¡¯s jumping in, and he¡¯s got longer legs than you¡ªhustle, girl, but make sure you can go up for air!¡± The dirty and bubbling water cleared up as she made it past the shallow areas, catching sight of many Pokemon, but Franky was already ahead of them, clearing the general area. ¡°Make way¡ªmake way! We¡¯re havin¡¯ a battle; make bets on who¡¯s gonna win!¡± he called, but just his presence was scattering the Wild Pokemon. The various Water Pokemon stopped further up after the initial panic, watching her struggle to the surface in the strong currents; they were drawing the lake crowd now. Breathing out just before exiting, Roxie broke the surface and sucked in air¡ªthe lake was slightly charged with weak natural Water-Type energy, which slowly drained her defensive matrix, but it wasn¡¯t all that bad and bought her precious time; in addition, the Mudbray would be affected, causing more chip damage. Crashing waves, squawking Bird Pokemon, and a few humans on long floating boards were nearby, pointing at her while nudging their friends. ¡°There she is!¡± ¡°Woah, is she okay?¡± ¡°For real¡ªshe¡¯s a Rock-Type, right?¡± ¡°Should we help¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, uh ¡­ Okay¡­¡± They froze in fright as a dark aura surrounded them and Franky¡ªthe Ghost now wearing a white and black striped shirt¡ªpulled them away with a few lingering Pokemon. ¡°A match, huh?¡± ¡°Good luck!¡± Mallory¡¯s comforting voice kept her calm in the lapping waves. ¡°Just a bit more¡ªthis should restrict some of the Moves he can use! Okay, flip around, Roxie; he¡¯s coming!¡± Ducking back into the surf, she kicked her small legs to turn and spot the chasing Mudbray; he was ten feet from her, but in the next second, a light brown aura gathered around Kimo¡¯s frame, and a big smile twinkled in his eyes. Lori, what¡¯s he¡­ ¡°Endeavor!¡± Lori screamed. Wha¡­ Roxie powered the Move as a torrent of her Trainer¡¯s fortitudes rushed into her, and a mud-colored pulse exploded from the Mudbray; a rapid discharge of water changed the lake¡¯s current, shoving away from the Ground Pokemon. Luckily, her attack landed as a force wave of water and energy rattled her bones; all the air in Roxie¡¯s lungs escaped, and the world blinked off and on as she was sent further into the lake. Water filled her lungs as Roxie recovered; Gables, Miky, and Mallory¡¯s voices dulled in her mind. ¡°Swim up! Up!¡± ¡°Up, Roxie! To the light.¡± ¡°Rox! Ups! Ups!¡± Lightheaded and water filling her airway, she tried stabilizing herself in the turbulent water and saw light ahead. Pushing on, Roxie made it to the surface; breaking through, she coughed and spat, trying to remain afloat. She was still being dragged to the center, and her energy matrix was nearly depleted. ¡°Woah ¡­ That was crazy¡­¡± Cracking up her teary eyes, Roxie saw a Poliwag floating beside her. ¡°You okay?¡± ¡°Y-Yeah¡­¡± she coughed; her whole body burned. W-What was that? she asked, catching Franky out of the corner of her eyes, protecting many weak Pokemon from the blast. Glancing back, she winced. Oh, no¡­ She¡¯d been thrown reasonably far away from the shore. Where is he? ¡°Going after you,¡± Lori sighed with relief. ¡°Holy Muk, that was a scare ¡­ Magnitude, and a pretty strong one. Luckily, you got that Endeavor as it went off; even if it broke, it saved you by taking a good chunk of his defense matrix as yours fell.¡± Gables gave a nervous laugh. ¡°Yeah, wooh, just relax a bit¡ªman, I¡¯m tight¡ªheh, he doesn¡¯t know exactly where you went, it seems¡ªso try to make your way back. How close until he¡¯s out of energy?¡± A short snicker came from Lori. ¡°Judging by the look on Kekoa¡¯s face¡ªpretty soon¡ªhe¡¯s totally freaking out inside and asking how you pulled through that. Still, that really could have ended the match, and if he used that at the start ¡­ Yeah, we really did get lucky, guys¡­¡± Roxie took slow, even breaths while paddling to the shore; the Poliwag lazily weaved its tail, following her with curious eyes. Wow ¡­ I¡¯ve never been hit by something that hard. I can¡¯t even remember how I got here. ¡°Are you still fighting that weird-looking horse?¡± the Poliwag excitedly asked. ¡°He¡¯s pretty scary!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m trying to s-stay up,¡± she struggled to laugh, bobbing up and down. ¡°You can¡¯t float? Some Pokemon are weird,¡± he mumbled, looking up at the sky while keeping pace with her. ¡°So, you¡¯re one of the Pokemon that can¡¯t breathe underwater, huh? Weird¡­¡± ¡°Uh-Oh!¡± Miky groaned. ¡°He sees you! He sees you!¡± Lori hummed. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Miky¡ªugh ¡­ Wow, Rhea¡¯s not wrong¡ªI¡¯m already feeling the burn in my chest ¡­ Umm, oof, he¡¯s actually goin¡¯ pretty hard toward you¡­¡± Where? The Poliwag dipped under before appearing on her opposite side, looking to her right. ¡°Eek¡ªhe¡¯s coming! Uh ¡­ What are you going to ¡­ EEEK!¡± He disappeared as a pair of big red eyes poked out of the water, carrying him into the air. ¡°You should get to a safe place! He-he-he-he¡­¡± Franky vanished overhead, and it was then she saw Kimo swimming toward her; he was blocking the shore. ¡°Gotta go hard if you wanna win; ugh ¡­ make that water whip¡ªall or nothin¡¯!¡± Lori shouted, clutching her chest. A little concerned but trusting her Trainer, Roxie gathered her given energy; her defense matrix was just about out. The last dance! Light brown light surrounded Kimo as shadows enclosed Roxie; she appeared at his side just before the Mudbray¡¯s attack¡ªher fist struck first¡ªhis eyes rolled back as her fist broke past his defenses and the far stronger Pokemon sunk under the waves. She¡¯d won. Power infused every fiber of Roxie¡¯s body as the world hazed and went black. * * * Loud clapping came from the sidelines as Karen, Grimsley, Keith, Sabin, and Katelin deliberated the play, and Lori fell to her knees, sweat breaking out across her brow. ¡°Excellent,¡± Grimsley congratulated, ¡°and quite literally your only possibility of victory.¡± Her mother squealed. ¡°Kass is going to love it!¡± ¡°Gah¡ªa battle this short shouldn¡¯t make my knees weak!¡± the exhausted girl laughed, giving Rhea a thumbs up; the Mudbray and Roxie soon broke through the surface of the lake, Franky bringing them back to the beach. ¡°For real¡ªthree Moves, girl¡ªhow do you do it?¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°Well, you don¡¯t use them that quickly! Pace it out¡ªeven just a little. Are you okay?¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Lori waved her hand, her heart practically jumping out of her chest but forcing herself up to accept her knocked-out Pokemon. ¡°Y-Yeah, totally good! I want to dance, but heh, my legs say no!¡± Laughter came from the crowd, and she glanced down at her sopping wet Rockruff; Miky and Gables were hugging the little girl¡¯s spirit. You did so well ¡­ Eh, yeah, guys¡ªI don¡¯t know if any of you can be out for a while¡ªI¡¯m trying my best not to fall on my face. Vanity, Christie¡¯s Bellossom ran over, motioning for her to return to the ground; Mallory happily complied, and the flower Pokemon performed a quick heal; she did the same for the Mudbray. Roxie¡¯s big pink eyes struggled open to look up at her, adding a weak smile to her cute face. Yeah, of course, you did amazing! We¡¯re both not that fit to dance, but we¡¯re totally gonna party after this¡ªyou went hard, and we got credits to burn now! Oh, you got stronger, too! Nice! Kekoa¡¯s cheeks puffed up as air whistled through his lips; he was kneeling beside his Pokemon, rubbing the Mudbray¡¯s back. ¡°Thanks, Bud ¡­ I just¡ªhow is that even possible¡­¡± Sabin walked over to kneel beside the pair, stroking the rousing Pokemon¡¯s head. ¡°If you took it seriously from the start instead of getting caught up at how weak your opponent was, you would have won; Mallory knew if you saw Fire Fang, she wouldn¡¯t get another chance to use it and decided to go all-in from the start.¡± ¡°I just ¡­ How could she use those Moves so fast?¡± Kekoa asked, looking up at her for Lori to return a smug shrug. ¡°It doesn¡¯t ¡­ seem possible.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the lesson,¡± Karen smiled at Lori and winked. ¡°Always expect the unexpected. Mallory is the daughter of two Grandmasters, Dear¡ªobviously, if she kept Roxie in, even with near-impossible odds, then she would have a plan, and you should discover what that is.¡± Silver chortled. ¡°Don¡¯t be hard on him; quite frankly,¡± he frowned at Christie, ¡°Pokemon of this caliber shouldn¡¯t be in Bronze-tier; by all metrics, Kekoa had the proper mental state. Fire Fang is not a commonly bred Rockruff Move since it can be seen as a waste; a breeding Move would be better suited for a non-TM variant in a top-tier bred Pokemon.¡± ¡°Should it really be, though?¡± Christie asked with a slight smirk. ¡°Why settle for one or two when you can have all of them?¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Rhea groaned, blushing while nudging her side. ¡°You¡¯re not normal¡ªwe¡¯re not normal¡­¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing?¡± Christie asked, pulling her daughter to her side and making Lori laugh. ¡°No, for real! I¡¯m totally beat¡ªugh¡­¡± Getting up, she forced her protesting legs to carry her to the Alolan Trainer¡¯s side; his comrades were standing a bit away, muttering to one another. ¡°Well, thanks for the match¡ªI¡¯ve never felt so tired before¡ªnot even for that badge!¡± Kekoa¡¯s focus went from her open hand to Roxie in her other, giving them a weak chirp. ¡°Hmm ¡­ I still don¡¯t know how you did that, but ¡­ Yeah, thanks, I¡¯ll try¡ªno, next time, I¡¯ll beat you!¡± he finished, accepting her hand; his Mudbray nodded, seemingly saying the same to her Rockruff. Amira broke her silent study of the exchange to walk over to them. ¡°An excellent strategy, Lori¡ªreckless, but there wasn¡¯t another option,¡± she smiled. ¡°I learn something every time I watch you battle.¡± ¡°Daww, don¡¯t go soft on me, Red!¡± Lori snickered, winking at her. It took a second, but a sudden realization made her focus snap to her grinning mother. I totally got that bad habit from her! Muking Mom¡¯s wink! Roxie, Gables, and Miky laughed, attention quickly going to Amira as she turned to the two serious Alolan boys, mumbling to one another about the unexpected turn to the match. ¡°I suppose we¡¯re next, Kekipi ¡­ Why don¡¯t we take it to the water?¡± She released Serenity from her pokeball to float beside her. ¡°I suppose you already know who I will use.¡± Kekipi rolled around his shoulders, seemingly working off little sleep; to Mallory, he seemed to be more of the silent type, but there was a fervent focus in his eyes. ¡°My starting Pokemon isn¡¯t suited for it, so I¡¯ll use my newest friend, as well.¡± He opened an Ultra Ball to toss it into the ocean; a Horsea poked out of the surface, a serious gaze fixated on the Feebas. A welcoming smile moved the redhead¡¯s flaming eyes. ¡°Are you ready?¡± Kekipi stretched out his chest and nodded. ¡°Whenever you are¡ª500 credits?¡± ¡°Done.¡± Mallory dropped to her butt where she stood, staring at the Horsea. What do you guys think? Hmm ¡­ Yeah, me, too ¡­ We aren¡¯t going to see a thing, are we? Haha! B1 — 66. Serenity’s Dance 7:09 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Franky hovered out of the ground, waving his hand and drawing Amira¡¯s gaze away from the serious-looking Horsea; a group materialized out of shining light, causing the entire beach to grow still in shock and Amira¡¯s gut to cramp. ¡°Good luck, Honey; I brought friends!¡± her mother chimed, a big grin on her face as she waved next to Yellow, Red, Blue, Leaf, Ethan, Crystal, Green, Hilbert, and Bianca. ¡°Bi!¡± Her stunned mind was pulled out by Rhea¡¯s squeal, rushing to her grinning cousin to embrace. ¡°I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re here¡ªout of Unova¡ªwhat about the village?!¡± Hilbert chuckled, taking his turn to hug Amira¡¯s bouncing, blonde teammate. ¡°I left Ramus to watch over them; your dad got a message to us in the Sinjoh area and Gold had us back here in a flash but Yellow already had everything under control.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Bianca responded, embracing Sabin, Katelin, and Christie soon after Rhea let her go. ¡°Isn¡¯t my hubby the best?! He hasn¡¯t slept in forty-eight hours but wanted to make sure I got here to spend some time with you.¡± Kris saw her husband¡¯s annoyed frown and scooted closer to loop her fingers in his, offering an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry for not getting you¡ªit was a tense time.¡± ¡°Still,¡± he grunted, directing his narrowed vision at Red and Blue trying to fade into the back with slight smirks in their wandering eyes. ¡°Pfft,¡± Ethan rolled his neck, ¡°Yo, Red, Blue, what¡¯s the deal, leavin¡¯ me hangin¡¯ like that, huh?¡± he asked, glaring at the smiling pair. The small golden-haired woman giggled while coming between the three and adjusting her straw hat. ¡°Sorry, Gold¡ªreally, I am! I was just so mad so I just¡ªI had to do my part, and when Chase asked me, I¡­¡± ¡°Aye, I get you! I get it!¡± Ethan groaned. ¡°But yo, you don¡¯t know what mad is, Yellow; you¡¯re all rainbows and Butterfree! I¡¯m pissed!¡± Green swiftly butted in, throwing an arm around the agitated Legend¡¯s shoulders and pulling him in. ¡°C¡¯mon, Shortie, don¡¯t get your hat in a twist; you were just slow!¡± ¡°Tch,¡± Gold¡¯s annoyed glare turned to her mother, yet he respected her curse preferences, ¡°I expected this Garbodor from them, Ly, but you ¡­ Gah, what am I supposed to do now? No, I¡¯ll go to Unova and knock some heads!¡± ¡°Now, now, let¡¯s not get carried away!¡± Lyra gave him a forced grin and shrug. ¡°Sorry, Gold¡ªreally; I would have contacted you if I could, but you were in the most inaccessible place on the planet and I had to act¡ªI had to¡­¡± she trailed off, shifting a little and rubbing her arm. A brief silence followed as Leaf rubbed Lyra¡¯s back and Ethan walked over to hug her uncomfortable mother. ¡°Hey, I know¡ªmy bad ¡­ Uh, Amira, where is that brat¡ªyo, how ya doin¡¯?!¡± he asked, laughing while waving at her using both his and Kris¡¯ enclosed hand. ¡°Mmgmmh¡­¡± Amira responded, fingernails tightening against her palm while watching his blue-haired wife¡¯s strained laugh; out of everyone that could get on her nerves, Gold was right at the top. He¡¯d pinpointed her exact position the second he teleported in, but just wanted to poke fun of her. ¡°Better ¡­ No thanks to you,¡± she grumbled; Holly snuggled next to her spirit, trying to comfort her. ¡°Aww, you can punch me if it makes you feel better?¡± he offered, and she knew it was really to make him feel better for not being there for her; Gold saw himself as a sort of uncle to her and he had a personality that forced him to take action or it ate at his mind. She released an exasperated sigh and smiled. ¡°Thanks for coming, Ethan, but umm¡­¡± Karen cleared her throat, and Grimsley stepped forward to stand beside his wife, addressing the throng. ¡°Perhaps we¡¯ve interrupted the start of this battle for long enough.¡± Amira watched her father direct a reassuring smile her way, already beside Lyra to hold her against his chest as they looked at her. ¡°I agree, Grimsley; the Burnt Ends¡¯ staff are preparing the top floor for a party as we speak.¡± ¡°Ooh, fancy,¡± Green grinned. ¡°You always plan ahead!¡± ¡°Sis¡­¡± Leaf mumbled, turning everyone¡¯s attention back to her and throwing her fist in the air. ¡°Okay, Amira, we¡¯re ready¡ªoh, wait, Green, the camera¡­¡± ¡°I got it,¡± Green said, digging her phone out of her back pocket as Amira¡¯s mother did the same with a big grin. ¡°You good over there, Lyra?¡± Amira tried to not let her face match her hair, but it was hard with over fifty people gathering around the beach and rising. To make it worse, all of her mother¡¯s Pokemon exited their pokeballs to cheer her on. Zelri, Conny, Dowo, Bailey, Mikayla, and Riga screamed her on as the Porygon-Z teleported in signs they¡¯d crafted, waving them around¡ªshe had her own little cheer squad; thankfully, the Legends¡¯ Pokemon didn¡¯t join in the show. Rhhheallly, Mom, that¡¯s what you were doing ¡­ No-ho-ho-ho ¡­ WHY ME?! Why couldn¡¯t it be Rhea¡¯s family ¡­ I guess it already is, too. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! We¡¯re all ready when you are, Franky!¡± her mother shouted, fidgeting with her phone as chuckles passed through the crowd, and to be fair, Rhea was the one freaking out in her group. Finger playing near her collar¡ªwhere her sunglasses should have been¡ªshe hissed air through her teeth. I¡¯m fine ¡­ I¡¯m fine, but this is ¡­ exactly what I didn¡¯t want to happen, she cried. The escalating internal panic only made her heart thump faster as absolutely every single Kanto and Johto Legend was front and center, cheering her on. Not only that, but there was Rhea¡¯s cousin and her husband, a former Champion of Unova, in the mix watching her. Chill! Don¡¯t lock up! Just ¡­ block them out! Luckily, Rhea¡¯s family were far more interested in coming together to talk as Mallory absently discussed something with Kekoa, her Rockruff in her lap and the Mudbray in front of them; she had a soft smile on her face and gave Amira a toothy thumbs up upon seeing her looking. Karen and Grimsley weren''t too far away from their daughter, thoughtful looks on their faces while examining her opponent and Feebas; the pair were likely making bets. A firm prompt brought Amira¡¯s focus back to Serenity as she asked for her to focus. Yeah, my bad ¡­ I¡¯m with you , she muttered, pulling up her phone and accessing the Pokedex website. Franky snickered once she nodded at him, trying to still the pounding in her ears. We must get stronger ¡­ I have to¡­ * * * Serenity calmly waited for her Trainer to pull herself together; she¡¯d been having a troubling time without her sunglasses. It was a mystery to her how the device soothed the human, but it did, which was another blow to Amira¡¯s fumbling mind. Still, there was a firmness in the girl Serenity was waiting to surface; she had been lost most of the morning, but every trial was another brick in building their empire¡ªor so Amira said¡ªshe had no clue what an empire was yet it sounded challenging. She floated to the side, her tiny pink wide-eyed stare moving to the male Horsea; usually, other Pokemon couldn¡¯t get enough of how her void-black sclera, night-like drab skin, or white speckles and fins agitated them, but not a word had been passed between them. The concentration in the blue Pokemon¡¯s intense glare lit a fire in her chest. It was rare that a Pokemon didn¡¯t comment on her hideous appearance¡ªthe onlookers certainly let their snickers be heard¡ªhowever, her opponent was ready for battle, and she wouldn¡¯t have it any other way. Amira, we need to focus ¡­ Are you with me; what should I do? Feeling her Trainer attempting to filter out the noise around them, Amira took a deep breath before letting it out and centered on the Horsea. ¡°Yeah, my bad ¡­ Yeah, my bad ¡­ I¡¯m with you ¡­ We need to get stronger ¡­ I have to get stronger.¡± Tingles shooting through her veins, Serenity shivered and released a long puff of air¡ªit was time for their first battle. I¡¯ll be with you forever, Amira. Teach me the dance. Franky lifted his hands, paused, grinned, and dropped them. ¡°Start!¡± Serenity beat her tail against the air, darting to the welcoming waves while listening to Amira¡¯s calming voice going through the data and developing their plan as they communicated. Bubbles slid past her rough skin and gills as she opened her mouth and entered the murky waters of the shore. Weaving through the current to find the best path like Amira advised, Serenity spun in a delayed circle, a jet of pressurized water grazing her fin and side; from her vast field of vision, it was easy to see the Dragon Pokemon¡¯s glowing red eyes following her movements¡ªit had sharp sight to predict her slower rotation. Shifting her fins, Serenity alternated beats to zig-zag closer, spiraling around each bullet the retreating Horsea sent her way; every light touch of charged liquid chipped away at her defense matrix, but she was gaining ground¡ª97%, 94%, 90%¡ªeven after practicing against Alice¡¯s rapid change in attack angles and feints, the seahorse Pokemon managed to clip her with every jet. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Reaching deeper waters, she found a strong riptide and shot forward, drawing from Amira¡¯s fortitudes to increase her natural speed¡ªthe blitz made the Horsea¡¯s eyes crease into a frown¡ªblack smoke erupted from its snout, painting the world black but not before Serenity gave her best smile and winked. A spray of glittering pink stars and hearts blanketed the area before Serenity arched her sides, promptly doing a 180 to retreat; keeping at least one eye angled in her snaking body to catch any back attacks, she dodged three much less targeted bullets. Drawing more of Amira¡¯s energy in a slow, consistent stream as they had practiced, she opened her mouth for an alabaster mist to trail after her; the fog soon mixed with the black smoke, obscuring them both. Heart screaming inside her breast, Serenity slowed her pace in the veil, able to peer through her own energy to see the spotted black haze mixing with her own obstruction; she needed to buy time. She waited, occasionally puffing out more mist; she needed to know if her attack landed to try and meet him head-on again; they were Training to not rely on the Master Ball¡ªAmira didn¡¯t want to brute force her way through their match¡ªtheir goal was to win this by simulating an Ultra Ball bond, which required far more time to draw energy given the stress all her Abilities added to their connection. Serenity pumped her fins forward, pushing herself away from another jet to allow it to graze her skin¡ªhe was still somewhat accurate; 73% to 72%¡ªCaptivate landed. Amira¡¯s attention was somewhat pulled away for a moment as the Horsea¡¯s Trainer started talking to her, but she was excellent at multitasking and adapted; it was almost time to push for the victory. No Pokemon were within eyesight since Serenity had been entirely attentive to her opponent, and Franky cleared much of the area for some distance; she suspected many were frightened after the Magnitude the Mudbray used. Her lips tightened as the Horsea¡¯s deep voice spoke through the haze. ¡°So, you¡¯re a distance fighter, too?¡± Serenity breathed out more mist while changing locations, keeping an uneven pace and path as she heard him doing the same. ¡°My name is Serenity ¡­ I¡¯m glad my first real battle was against another Water Pokemon.¡± ¡°He-he ¡­ Your first real battle, huh?¡± he whispered, sounding somewhat defeated. ¡°You don¡¯t swim or move like it is, Serenity ¡­ My name is Mika¡¯ele.¡± Keeping her senses sharp, she couldn¡¯t help but feel happy at the praise; no wild Pokemon or Trainers¡¯ that they passed complimented her like that. All my hard work is paying off. A small smile brightened her eyes upon seeing a white smog entering her field of vision; she knew precisely what Move to use next from her Trainer¡¯s continuous internal strategizing. You¡¯re amazing, Amira! It would take a while to charge such a strong Move, but Serenity had time to kill in her mist. ¡°You come from that Alola place? I heard it¡¯s really sunny, and there are a lot of Trainers from all over the world that go there.¡± ¡°Eh ¡­ no,¡± he mumbled, tone melancholy. ¡°Apparently, I come from Pallet¡¯s shores ¡­ It wasn¡¯t the most peaceful place.¡± Ah ¡­ so, the smoke is to keep him safe, and he survived by keeping a sharp eye out for danger. ¡°That¡¯s so sad,¡± Holly whispered. ¡°Star and I may not have been liked in Viridian, but everyone treated us nicely because of Boss Butterfree.¡± Amber yawned. ¡°That¡¯s just how the wild can be ¡­ You two were lucky. No use in being sad, though. Looks like he found a good Trainer; he¡¯s putting up a good fight.¡± Mmh, I don¡¯t think you could win against him, Amber, Serenity hummed, stating what she saw as the obvious. ¡°Mmgmgh ¡­ Serenity, you don¡¯t need to say everything that crosses your mind,¡± Amber grumbled, suddenly in a somewhat grumpy mood. ¡°Yeah, if it¡¯s on water, I¡¯m screwed, but I could totally put up a fight on land.¡± I don¡¯t know, Serenity returned, almost finished with her Move; he¡¯s got a really sharp aim. ¡°Need I remind you that we have a very similar strategy,¡± Amber sniffed. ¡°I could give him a run for his money, even if I¡¯m at a disadvantage.¡± Holly could probably win, Serenity added, humming while casually moving around tiny bubbles that were now exiting the smog. She¡¯s got a good Grass Move against Water-Types. Right, Amira? ¡°Thanks for having faith in me, Serenity!¡± Holly chimed, hugging her spirit. ¡°Don¡¯t bring her into this,¡± Amber sighed. ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re comparing fire to grass¡ªHolly is Fairy-Type, by the way! It¡¯s just ¡­ Stop picking on me! Yes, I¡¯m weak to Water and have trouble with being around it.¡± I¡¯m not picking on you; I¡¯m just trying to learn. ¡°Feels like it¡­¡± Holly wrapped around both of their spirits. ¡°Hey, let¡¯s not fight, guys; we¡¯re friends¡ªteammates! We win together!¡± Yeah, we can do that, Serenity smiled. I¡¯ll protect Amber, and you beat up the Water Pokemon. ¡°I don¡¯t need protection; need I remind you, I¡¯m the oldest!¡± Amber cried, covering her ears with her paws. ¡°I¡¯ll protect Holly from Fire Pokemon by shooting fire at the flames or something, so you can attack him close; just go!¡± Fire Pokemon? Serenity whispered, thoroughly confused. Our opponent isn¡¯t a Fire-Type? ¡°I¡¯m just saying!¡± Amber groaned in exasperation. ¡°Fine! Yes, you protect me from Water Pokemon ¡­ Now just win this; I don¡¯t like lakes!¡± Serenity figured she was having flashbacks of their dive into the ice cave. I¡¯m almost there ¡­ It takes a long time for this stuff if I¡¯m not sucking Amira dry. ¡°Yeah, best to give her time,¡± Holly advised, patting Amber¡¯s head. ¡°Isn¡¯t she doing great?¡± ¡°Umm ¡­ You are doing good.¡± Heart feeling lighter by the minute, Serenity shot back, continuing to retreat from the bubbles and smog, which prompted Mika¡¯ele to poke his head out of his veil. ¡°You keep running away, but my smog will always push your mist back ¡­ Are you trying to run me out of energy?¡± Finally ready, Serenity¡¯s skin became surrounded by a dazzling multi-colored reflective aura before kicking her fins into overdrive. ¡°Let¡¯s dance!¡± A forced smile would have shown on her face, had she the ability to make an expression; she entered the harmful alabaster mist, powering through it to find the Horsea while dodging every bubble that rushed toward her¡ªone variant attack would trigger the end of the Move. ¡°W-What are you doing?¡± Mika¡¯ele gasped upon coming into view, but Serenity could practically feel her heart jumping out of her chest as the thrill of combat embraced her. Spinning around the bubbles and frantic jets of water, Serenity felt her defensive matrix diminishing by the millisecond¡ª44%, 40%, 32%, 23%¡ªshe made a sharp turn to his side upon getting in critical range of her opponent and cheered. I¡¯m having so much fun, Amira! A detonation of all the energy she¡¯d converted through the Clear Smog and her gathered Mirror Coat struck the wide-eyed Horsea, generating a new current that swept them into the tide. Spinning in circles, Serenity spread her fins to stabilize herself and kicked up as two bullets of water grazed her crown, and tail fin¡ª19%¡ªCaptivate had run its course. Insides swirling in rapture, she shot back toward the Horsea, managing to keep her on her fins while closing the distance; Serenity didn¡¯t need to be too close, but she wasn¡¯t a sniper. He tried to make another smokescreen, but it choked in his throat as Serenity illuminated a royal purple and let go of a ferocious roar of pure rage that sent a dragon-shaped multi-colors beam at the shocked Water Pokemon. ¡°N-No way!¡± Dragon Pulse wove through the current, moving as if it had a life of its own around the swift bubbles Mika¡¯ele shot to intercept the beam; it struck him straight in the face, but Serenity wasn¡¯t just watching the attack play out. Heart pumping to the motion of her tail, she used the blast as cover, pulling as much energy from Amira as she could, given their restriction; she¡¯d timed it perfectly with her Trainer¡¯s help. Mika¡¯ele¡¯s vision snapped shut as the impressive yet feeble attack, given her Stats, struck, and when they opened, Serenity was with him; as their eyes collided, she released an opportunistic stream of focused water at the Horsea, shattering his defensive matrix. ¡°YES!¡± Holly, Amira, and Amber shouted in unison. I did it! Serenity screamed, surging to the surface to flip out of the water, spinning in a splash of glowing water. * * * Amira wanted to cry, watching Serenity celebrate in the fading sun, and her mother caught perfect pictures of the display while Zelri carried her through the air. You were so patient and calm, listening to all my theories ¡­ Heh, I know; the Clear Smog was really the thing that helped to seal the deal. Her lungs froze as Kekipi scratched his messy black hair, tired eyes showing a rueful smile as Franky brought his unconscious Horsea out of the lake. ¡°I figured we¡¯d lose ¡­ Still, it was a great match, Amira.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Amira asked, trying to keep herself composed as her mother bit her nails with the other Legends, waiting to rush in and hug her but wanting to keep their space until the two of them were finished. ¡°Why were you asking me all those questions about my other Pokemon?¡± Kekipi¡¯s tongue pressed against his lower lip, and he turned to stare at the various groups of Legends and the crowd of clapping onlookers. His voice dropped a few octaves, making Amira step closer to hear; they¡¯d come closer together during the battle to talk. ¡°At first, I was like my teammates and thought we had a chance, but after the last match, I started to realize something.¡± Amira glanced to her right; her mother was now pestering her father with highlights, showing him pictures with Green doing the same to the other Legends¡ªZelri likely doing something to handle the in-water images. ¡°Which is?¡± she asked, smiling at Serenity as she returned to stare up at her, looking utterly bored in expression while flipping in the air to show her joy. ¡°Winning isn¡¯t everything.¡± He stroked his Horsea¡¯s head, noticing Christie¡¯s Master-tier Bellossom making her way toward them to offer support. ¡°I studied all your Pokemon, and I didn¡¯t stand a chance against your Fennekin or Comfey ¡­ Even if I have over double your victories, there is natural talent, and you¡¯re not being complacent.¡± He turned a half-smile to her and held out his hand. ¡°Talented, intelligent, beautiful, and hard-working¡ªyou¡¯re the full package, Amira Rocket. If you wouldn¡¯t mind, could we swap info so I can battle you again?¡± Amira tried not to stumble over her words as she smiled; of course, there was no way her cheeks wouldn¡¯t flush after something like that. Taking his hand, she chuckled. ¡°Wow, thanks, Kekipi ¡­ Most of the credit should go to Serenity; she¡¯s been anticipating her first battle for days, training with my other teammates¡¯ Pokemon. Umm ¡­ yeah, we can swap info¡­¡± She wanted to die and scream at her parents as more pictures were taken¡ªfrom five feet off the ground, Zelri taking multiple shots using not only her mother¡¯s phone but her father¡¯s, and somehow both grandparents'' phones had magically made it into the mix. Still, the most embarrassing part was the big, shining brown-eyed mother, whispering into her father¡¯s ear¡ªthere was also the issue of over a hundred people watching her trade numbers with a boy. His beige irises lingered on her image that popped up in his contacts before looking up with a forced smile. ¡°Sorry to put you on the spot.¡± Amira¡¯s full lips pulled in as she forced a smile at the cooing voices around the beach; they¡¯d practically turned into the end of one of the sappy soap operas her mother enjoyed¡ªnot that Amira didn¡¯t mind watching to keep her company. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯d get another chance considering the company ¡­ Umm, should we¡­¡± ¡°Let our teammates go next?¡± he finished with a laugh. ¡°Yeah, I wanted to go over a few things about the match if that¡¯s cool¡ªI know your family¡¯s here, though.¡± She promptly shook her head, ignoring her teary-eyed mother. Why is she even crying? Why?! Holly and Amber anxiously held their breaths while Serenity obviously looked on. ¡°Umm, sure; they can wait.¡± Amira did her best to ignore the whispers while making her way to strategically position herself between Grimsley and Sabin¡ªfar away from her parents. B1 — 67. Leaving The Past For Greatness 7:11 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 Officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). A small smile brightened Rhea¡¯s coral blue eyes while listening to her family''s commentary of Amira¡¯s battle against Kekipi. Her big brother was practically glued to Hilbert, Katelin smiling beside Sabin as the former Champion of Unova went over the battle with his own thoughts; Sabin was a huge fan of their cousin¡¯s clumsy husband. Green had edged closer to listen, a cat-like smile on her lips, which amused Rhea; the woman was always on the lookout for Trainers with potential to possibly learn new tricks. The brown-haired woman was a sucker for a handsome face, as well¡ªshe¡¯d heard down the Master¡¯s grape vine¡ªand there were rumors of the mischievous Trainer snatching away young men to battle before dropping them off exhausted. It wasn¡¯t as scandalous as it sounded, Rhea was sure, but she couldn¡¯t blame her cousin¡¯s leery side-long stare at the Legend¡¯s interest in her husband. Chase had made a few off-handed comments to her father when she was a little girl about how Green disturbed him; she had some obsession with a super rare and powerful Pokemon only whispered about by Master Trainers. Bianca was currently shoulder to shoulder with Rhea, giving updates on Amira and Kekipi¡¯s battle as Rhea¡¯s parents stood behind them. Naturally, with how rare the pair were together, their fingers were intertwined while her mother layered endless compliments on the way Amira was training Serenity. Her father occasionally gave his own input, and was impressed by the tactics she was using, which apparently involved stalling and cutting back energy to better simulate a battle without a Master Ball¡¯s connection; the topic appeared to spark some internal analysis from her mother because her voice became more infrequent after the subject was brought up. A chuckle shook her chest at Bianca¡¯s slight nudges, giving her simple responses to placate the woman; after the initial surprise of getting time with her Master-tier cousin, Rhea¡¯s thoughts drifted back to the topics that really weighed on her mind, her teammates. When she¡¯d first met Amira, her confidence seemed uncrackable, and she found a way out regardless of the odds, even when under pressure. She always displayed a level of grace Rhea envied; the way she bravely took the Plasma assassin¡¯s focus gave Rhea goosebumps. Amira was Rhea¡¯s image of security and intelligence, from the redhead¡¯s classy way of dressing and grooming to her refined mannerisms and sharp mind. Alice quickly disagreed with the emotions in Rhea¡¯s chest, which made her giggle. I¡¯m not dissing myself, Alice ¡­ I know there¡¯s nothing wrong with growing up in the forest and in a small village. I admire the traits I see in Amira, though; she¡¯s got such a good relationship with her mom, and I know it¡¯s harsh on my own mom to say I¡¯m jealous, but ¡­ it¡¯s how I feel. It was funny really, watching Lyra float through the air with Zelri supporting her, taking pictures as the battle went on; it caused the parched impression in Rhea¡¯s mouth to want something similar. Her stomach contorted with the yearning to experience what it was like to have your parents every day of your life¡ªto not come home to an empty home¡ªand the disgusting covetous flavor of her dry tongue made Rhea want to look away from Lyra¡¯s beaming smile. Her Porygon-Z had more phones the Pokemon teleported in to collect more angles of Serenity¡¯s battle without Rhea¡¯s notice, showing just how different one¡¯s casual life became when reaching the High Champion¡¯s heights. It made her ponder everything she¡¯d wanted throughout her childhood and teenage years, and made her heart feel broken and polluted with negative emotions she didn¡¯t want to feel toward Amira. It was bizarre, admiring her teammate while also looking at her family unity with green eyes, and the more she fell down the rabbit hole, the worse she felt. Lyra could teleport across an entire region¡ªsee Amira any time she wanted¡ªyet after spending time in the bubbly woman¡¯s home, Rhea realized her teammate¡¯s doting mother was doing her best to keep her distance and give Amira a chance to grow on her own. It hurt Rhea knowing how pained Lyra must feel restraining herself from spending more time with her daughter. Rhea didn¡¯t want to put the pointless emotions on her already struggling teammates, too, and why was she experiencing this sensation of drowning when her mother was right behind her? Am I just being privileged and stupid? she wistfully asked, her smile fell, mind pulling in and brain somewhat filtering out Bianca¡¯s words. Alice, Mya, and Nova listened dolefully, trying to better grasp what she was going through. I know Amira has her own struggles now ¡­ even if she looks so perfect. It was confusingly heartwarming and ripping at the same time¡ªAmira¡¯s life was a complete contrast to her own¡ªshe was in the spotlight, loved or hated, and socially experienced. The more she thought about it the more somber she became. Knees tucked up against her chin, she leaned forward, the memory of her loneliness returned for a moment, and even though they had a battle coming up, Alice, Mya, and Nova calmed themselves to cuddle up next to her; she could see Lyra and her mother back to back, and the two were polar opposites. Lyra gave up being a Champion¡ªthe highest career¡ªa direct influence on the regions to shape it how she wanted ¡­ adventuring with her friends ¡­ getting stronger to match them ¡­ She gave it all up for Amira ¡­ to be a mother. She pulled in her lips before they could tremble; the weight against her chest getting harder to hold up as the sadness came in waves, seeking to bury her. It¡¯s not fair, I guess, to expect the same from my mom, but ¡­ I can¡¯t help but think of how different Sabin and my life would be¡ªDad¡¯s life¡ªif she did the same ¡­ gave it up to be with us. A longing laugh shook her body as the High Champion¡¯s Pokemon grew more boisterous, cheering growing to new heights during high points, encouraging signs bouncing in their arms; the massive Sudowoodo kept tearing up and dropping his board that said ¡®Team Amira! Go! Go! To The Stars!¡¯ It was clearly personally done by the shaky handwriting. Nibbling on her bottom lip a tad, she puffed hot air through her nose. I know I have you, Alice, Mya, and Nova. I know; it¡¯s ¡­ it¡¯s not the same, though, and I know it¡¯s confusing I can¡¯t really explain it. Hmm ¡­ Yes, I wouldn¡¯t trade you girls for the world ¡­ Heh, nope; never ever ¡­ Mhm, even if they give me a whole mountain of the credit stuff we buy ice cream with ¡­ I know, that¡¯s a lot of ice cream, she giggled at the Eevee¡¯s wild mind, trying to figure out how to comfort her. How can I explain it ¡­ Mmh, thinking of having my mother with me every day is just ¡­ It¡¯s a feeling I can¡¯t even say how it would feel because ¡­ Well because I¡¯ve never felt it. You know, the reason I made that birthday wish my mom talks about getting ¡­ When I was eight, I realized I wouldn¡¯t have my mom like the other Masters ¡­ It didn¡¯t stop me from going on hunger strikes or doing other stupid things to get her attention, though. Her throat constricted, and she did her best to hide it, but she had no doubt the many powerful Trainers around her could sense her internal melancholy through aura sight. Still, they seemed to realize she didn¡¯t want to talk about it, and knowing her father, he¡¯d already identified what was eating her up inside by how she looked between Lyra and Amira; her dad was sharp like that, and she loved him for his tact. She was trying to come to terms with this on her own. Well, she wasn¡¯t alone; she had her lovely Pokemon listening and sharing in her emotions in a way no one else could, and Franky confirmed her dad knew her struggle by Franky¡¯s surprise pop-up, patting her leg before returning to ref the match. I saw my mom through phone calls ¡­ quite a bit, but it isn¡¯t the same as having her there ¡­ Heh, teaching me stupid things like how to do my hair ¡­ or how boys can be so frustrating. Sometimes I just don¡¯t get Jason, even though he¡¯s my best friend, and I hate it ¡­ he just closes up and doesn¡¯t want to talk to me. Rhea¡¯s vision drifted back to Amira, and her throat tightened upon watching the girl¡¯s purchased beige skirt flutter in the lake breeze against the redhead¡¯s long legs. It meant more to her than Amira knew that she¡¯d complimented the dress she¡¯d let her borrow instead of telling her how plain it was. Fashion ¡­ Arceus, I didn¡¯t know how bland I was ¡­ blindly following those magazines before meeting Amira and seeing her wardrobe ¡­ Why is that so important? It¡¯s not like that¡¯s something Lyra taught her¡­ Her focus went to Silver, hands closed behind his back and a proud look in his crimson eyes while watching his daughter¡¯s progress. Oh ¡­ So that¡¯s it. Rhea took another deep breath and slowly released the hot air; luckily, Bianca was too focused on trying to follow the underwater battle to give her updates rather than centering her attention on her. Rocket¡¯s an enormous conglomerate ¡­ Silver, Giovanni, Ariana, and I assume Lyra¡¯s parents ¡­ Amira¡¯s grandparents have always been in her life, spending time and teaching her ¡­ Ariana obviously spent time with Amira, teaching her how to dress and how makeup works with her skin ¡­ setting an example. She¡¯s been surrounded by an affectionate family, but ¡­ when Sabin left ¡­ All I had was Dad and his Pokemon. She glanced down at her lap, blinking to hold back the guilty tears. I love him so much ¡­ He did everything he could with me ¡­ camping, teaching me how to survive in the wild, and even cooking ¡­ Yet I wanted more! I wish I had something more ¡­ At eight, I realized I couldn¡¯t have my mom to myself ¡­ She belongs to science and breeding¡ªand she shared what she could with me¡ªI get it ¡­ It was just so hard, but now ¡­ I think ¡­ Maybe I can let that go. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Taking a deep breath, she puffed it out and smiled as Bianca¡¯s fingers touched her hand, a concerned frown on her face. ¡°Hey,¡± she whispered, ¡°what¡¯s wrong?¡± Laughing before clearing her thick throat, Rhea shook her head, trying to look happy. ¡°No¡ªit¡¯s nothing, Bi; heh, just some sand in my eyes.¡± Her cousin¡¯s eyes narrowed in a manner that said, ¡®Girl, who do you think you¡¯re lying to?¡¯ but let it slide, opting to scoot in closer and wrap her arm around her back to grip Rhea¡¯s side and pull her in. ¡°We¡¯re sad buddies, remember?¡± Bianca mumbled just loud enough for her to hear while leaning her head against Rhea¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m always here.¡± ¡°Thanks, Bi¡­¡± Rhea returned, fingers closing around her cousin¡¯s side. ¡°Just trying to work through some things.¡± Bianca¡¯s apple green irises fell to the sand. ¡°I know you¡¯ve got your Pokemon now, but just call, and I¡¯ll be there.¡± ¡°Ditto,¡± Rhea said, making her cousin giggle, and they looked up to watch the end of Amira¡¯s fight. Yeah, I have to let this go ¡­ I think I won¡¯t be able to do what I want with all of you if I keep these feelings bottled up; so, I wanted to just talk about it since I can¡¯t really tell her. Mom shares the same pain of being apart from me¡ªI just know she does¡ªand it¡¯s something she can¡¯t help. Her Pokemon somehow nestled in closer. I left home looking for something to fill that missing piece in me, and now there¡¯s something I can look forward to ¡­ you know, instead of regretting the things I could have done with my mom. It¡¯s time to push forward with my life ¡­ to have fun with all of you; so ¡­ you guys ready to start the real adventure? Alice, Mya, and Nova cheered, and Rhea stared at her redheaded teammate. Slowly, she was starting to see Amira¡¯s own insecurities; the girl built a wall around herself, just like Lori, and they were all trying to piece together their broken parts. Amira blamed herself for endangering their lives, and as much as Rhea¡¯s relationship with her mother bothered Rhea, she couldn¡¯t tell the redhead how to feel. Yet, she saw a piece of the strong and mysterious Rocket girl returning by the second throughout the day; Amira was so focused and serious. Rhea¡¯s vision shifted to Mallory, sitting a bit away with Kekoa as they softly laughed, seemingly making bets on who would win their teammate¡¯s fight while making small talk. To Rhea, she was a really pretty girl that boys would fall head over heels for; she was outgoing, could dance, wasn¡¯t shy or awkward like herself, and had that overall vibe of being fun to be around, yet that morning, Rhea learned the violet-haired girl had a rough time believing in her own looks. Rhea knew she couldn¡¯t fully understand how Mallory¡¯s life had been or why she felt that way, having a body-type many girls would kill for. Of course, there would be downsides she¡¯d hate that no one else experienced, but why she was so critical of her looks was a riddle to Rhea. Now, both Amira and Lori felt out of place in their team, and all of them were trying to prove to each other they deserved to be a part of it; on second thought, Rhea realized it was more about proving it to themselves, which made her smile¡ªthey were all on the same path. Overall, everything came down to supporting each other, and she couldn¡¯t do that if there was envy hidden in her heart, and magically, the hole in her chest was less noticeable; she didn¡¯t understand it, but it was enough. Win or lose, Alice, it¡¯s not about that. Right, Mya? Heh ¡­ yeah, mhm ¡­ We try our best¡ªit¡¯s about learning from our battles¡ªjust like Forrest told us. Bianca¡¯s hands left her side as Rhea rose to her feet and brushed her blue striped skirt off; Serenity flew out of the water, spraying glowing sparkles dancing around her; Lyra was quick to capture the victory jump, and Alice was growing excited against her spirit. Ready for your first battle? she asked. Alice was like a pinball, jumping around her pokeball; Nova laughed and tried to copy her while Mya settled in, still pondering Forrest¡¯s words that Rhea brought back up. As her Pokemon prepared, Rhea glanced at Malia and her cousin; the pair were studying Mallory and Kekoa, speaking softly to one another. From her Trainer App, she knew the boy¡¯s name was Heneli Analu, and he had a good battle record of thirty-seven wins to four losses. His roster showed two Pokemon, and he¡¯d even enabled his Double Battle option, but it hadn¡¯t been used yet by his record. It made her wonder if he¡¯d try it against her, which would be new. Rhea¡¯s attention was soon abruptly snatched by gasps, smirks, and mutters, swirling like a whirlpool around the beach as Kekipi asked for Amira¡¯s number, and she agreed. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but smile and blush a little herself while watching the redhead¡¯s face flush a little¡ªRhea had only seen this in movies or Poketube videos¡ªbut the redhead didn¡¯t stammer or fidget once. Leave it to Amira to be the first to get a boy to ask for her number ¡­ Makes sense, though. Her Pokemon were mystified why the human custom of boys and girls exchanging numbers was so significant, making Rhea giggle. Slowly they were getting back to normal¡ªno, they were going to do better¡ªthey were a team. ¡°Ready, Rhea, or do you need a second?¡± her dad asked in an unassuming way she appreciated. She shook her head, a thought coming to mind as she looked down at the replacement phone her mother had somehow acquired and given them just before leaving the cabin. ¡°Umm ¡­ one sec, actually¡ªuh, yeah, I wanted to stream it for everyone that wanted to see¡ªah, looks like Sam and everyone¡¯s free!¡± ¡°Good thinking!¡± Bianca smiled, pulling her own phone out of her purse. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Grandma and Grandpa look like they¡¯re ¡­ Oh, my mom, too! Eh, heh, she¡¯ll be muted, though¡ªshe¡¯s probably in a meeting,¡± she mumbled with a forced smile. Giving her unlocked phone to her mother, she grinned. ¡°Thanks for being here, Mom. Mind recording?¡± ¡°Of course!¡± Christie chimed, hopping forward to take the device. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Honey¡­¡± ¡°I got it! I got it!¡± her dad snickered, fiddling with her coat to get at her back pocket and phone. ¡°Ahrmm ¡­ There we go! Heh, just gotta get past the five-layer security ¡­ oof, wrong password.¡± ¡°Give it here,¡± her mother sighed, quickly bypassing the locks before turning back to her, but she was quick to press the record button as her opponent came up to them. ¡°Okay¡ªstreaming!¡± Rhea walked forward, catching Green edging closer to sneak behind Hilbert, Sabin, and Katelin; her attention was soon snatched by Heneli¡¯s Alolan accent. ¡°Alola! So, finally, time for us to go at it, huh?¡± he questioned, and even if there were bags under his eyes, he wore an energetic grin. Returning the smile, Rhea steadied her heart; it was game time, and they¡¯d give it their all. ¡°I see you had Double Battles enabled; is that what you want?¡± Mya stirred in her pokeball, interest rising. Malia hurried forward, brushing back her blonde hair and forcing a laugh. ¡°Eh, heh-he, no, no, no; Heneli wants a single, please! He¡¯s good for a blind pick¡­¡± ¡°Malia, I got it¡­¡± he growled, a frustrated frown turning to his cousin. The woman slowly nodded, directing tight lips to Amira and Kekipi. It made Rhea wonder if the redhead was right; Malia liked one of her cousin¡¯s teammates¡ªpresumably Kekipi¡ªthe boy that just asked for Amira¡¯s number. ¡°I know¡ªjust be careful, okay? Heh, you girls really are tough!¡± she laughed. Mya grunted, settling back in with a hint of agitation at giving her hopes up. ¡°So ¡­ a Single?¡± Rhea mumbled, vision drifting between them. Heneli stretched his arms across his chest, loosening up a bit, and Rhea got a sporadic flash of his aura, showing a drive that took her back a bit. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this¡ªI really wanted a Double Battle, to be honest¡ªbut Malia¡¯s a worrywart and made me promise to do a Single.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a wart,¡± Malia sniffed, giving her cousin a dirty look. ¡°You know who you¡¯re going up against, right? The niece of the former World Champion.¡± A strained smile lifted Rhea¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Eh-heh-he, umm ¡­ yeah, I¡¯m nothing like my aunt¡ªshe¡¯s in a whole different league¡ªliterally!¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be so sure, Sis,¡± Sabin said, joining her with Katelin by his side; Green was currently in a conversation with a flustered Hilbert, eyeing his suspicious wife hovering nearby, clearly not trusting the Legend to whist away her husband. ¡°This could be a close match.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Katelin jumped in, further hyping Alice up. ¡°Hilbert seems to think that Heneli¡¯s Pokemon is pretty well trained.¡± Teeth flashing, Heneli''s right hand closed into a fist, anticipation sparkling in his blue eyes. ¡°He really said that? That¡¯s so awesome; I¡¯m a huge fan of Gyms and the whole League tournament thing! I¡¯ve been to almost every major Gym battle back home!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrow lifted. ¡°Gyms ¡­ In Alola?¡± Malia rolled her eyes, sighing while giving her cousin a side-long look. ¡°I told you, Kantonian Gym isn¡¯t an official thing¡ªit¡¯s totally different here in Kanto.¡± ¡°I know, but¡­¡± he trailed off, reaching into his pocket before taking out a plastic pin with what appeared to be some draconic-human hybrid of some kind, singing karaoke. ¡°Ryuki is totally going to beat Royal Mask and make Gyms a real thing; I believe in The Dragon Star! You have to believe, Malia!¡± ¡°Heh-he-he,¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the mention of Royal Mask, thinking back to the bare-chested Professor that somehow no one connected to the current Champion Stand-In of Alola; it helped to lighten her mood. ¡°How strong is this Ryuki guy; seems like you¡¯re a fan?¡± He puffed up his chest, breathing in and grinning with pride. ¡°I want to be just like Ryuki! Kekoa, Kekipi, and I even started a band!¡± Lori smirked, and by the slightly overweight boy¡¯s forced expression, it wasn¡¯t a point of pride to him. ¡°Cool,¡± Rhea smiled, holding her hands behind her back and feeling better as she got to know her opponent. ¡°What¡¯s your band name?¡± ¡°They haven¡¯t decided on one yet,¡± Malia mumbled, clearly not liking the direction of the conversation. ¡°Plus, none of them really know how to play an instrument.¡± ¡°We¡¯re learning!¡± Heneli defended, pointing at a confused Kekoa as he spoke to Amira between an amused Grimsley and Lori. ¡°Yo, you know Kekoa¡¯s getting good at guitar.¡± ¡°He does have a nice voice,¡± Malia admitted, not making eye contact with the tired Alolan boy as he questioned Amira if she knew what they were talking about. ¡°Anyway, shouldn¡¯t you two have your battle?¡± Kate giggled. ¡°It seems Franky is ready. So, are you two doing a Blind Single?¡± ¡°No chance!¡± Heneli boldly stated, unfastening his pokeball and releasing his Pokemon to his cousin¡¯s horror. ¡°Malia told me you¡¯re going to choose your Buneary, so I¡¯m not gonna be a coward and hide my Pokemon! Right, Keahi?!¡± Rhea blinked, but by the short insight of her sporadic aura sensing, she shouldn¡¯t be surprised; he was going full speed from the start, and Alice resonated with the emotion, jumping out of her own pokeball on her own to flip across the sand to mirror the energetic Mankey that appeared. Malia covered her eyes, bangs falling a little with her bowed head. ¡°Ugh ¡­ It¡¯s strategy, Heneli¡ªstrategy!¡± The Legends and Grandmasters shook with laughter at the girl¡¯s frustration. ¡°Strategy it may be,¡± Grimsley smirked, ¡°but I can¡¯t fault the boy¡¯s spirit.¡± Ethan walked forward with a big grin, an amused Kris beside him. ¡°Ha-ha-ha! I like the style, Heneli! You¡¯ve got spirit; keep your eyes on the prize, and you¡¯ll go far!¡± ¡°Yes, Sir!¡± Heneli roared, flaming eager eyes fixating on Rhea. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! I don¡¯t even care about the credits; Keahi and I just want a challenge¡ªit¡¯s been hard to find some, and Kanto is the Battle Region¡ªhome of the World Champion!¡± he said, pointing at an embarrassed Red, as Yellow and Leaf teased him. ¡°Show me what Kanto¡¯s best has because I¡¯m coming with the spirit of the Kantonian Gym!¡± Well, isn¡¯t this turned up to eleven? Rhea mused, but Alice¡¯s heart was already racing, already performing kicks, flips, and maneuvers in the air as the two Pokemon tried to show their skills. Rhea reached into her skirt pocket for her phone¡ªin a sudden flash of realization, she turned to her mom¡ªher phone was currently streaming to her family and friends. Oh, well ¡­ we¡¯re going in this pure knowledge¡ªand I don¡¯t know much about Mankey¡ªbut I¡¯m going to do my best. Resolving her heart, Rhea resonated with Heneli¡¯s aura and didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± Ethan shouted in his booming voice for his somewhat short stature, ¡°we have a battle!¡± B1 — 68. Life Isnt So Bad 7:24 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). Heart pounding, Alice darted right, flipping in the air as Keahi followed, doing his own acrobatics. She¡¯d waited for what seemed forever to finally have her own shot at a match. She didn¡¯t care if she won or lost like Mya; all she wanted to feel was the rush of combat. She grinned and stretched her ears, arms, and legs to prepare for the match to start. ¡°You¡¯re pretty fast,¡± she complimented. The Mankey chuckled, landing on the soft, kicked up sand across from her. ¡°What was that? I can¡¯t hear you past all these humans.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Alice spoke up, bending left and right. ¡°I can hear everything pretty well¡ªI said you¡¯re pretty fast!¡± ¡°Thanks! You, too,¡± Keahi returned. ¡°I heard you¡¯re only a few days old. Is that right?¡± ¡°Three days old, but I¡¯ve been practicing every day!¡± The Mankey whistled. ¡°Wow! Three days ¡­ You¡¯re super fast for being that young, and shockingly cute, too.¡± A small smile moved Alice¡¯s mouth as she brushed her left ear a little. ¡°Most Pokemon tell me that, but thanks. Don¡¯t go easy on me just because I¡¯m cute or else I might just crush you!¡± ¡°Heh-he, I wouldn¡¯t dream of it after seeing your friends in action! Oh ¡­ Are we almost ready?¡± Franky floated through the ground between them, and Ethan seemed just about finished with his commentary. ¡°Sh-sh-sh¡ªalmost,¡± the Ghost snickered. ¡°Are you both good to begin?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± they responded in unison. Rhea took up a position behind her, determination blazing in her chest. ¡°Hey, Alice, maybe we should try to use as little energy as we can¡ªlike Amira did. The only problem is I¡¯ve never had an Ultra Ball connection, so I don¡¯t know what it feels like ¡­ Think we can give it a go anyway?¡± Nova¡¯s uncertain hum followed, studying the limber Monkey as he made sharp jabs in the air. ¡°I mean, but it¡¯ll be harder, though. Shouldn¡¯t you go all out?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Mya roared. ¡°Take him out with a big punch¡ªone hit!¡± That¡¯s not how I do things, Alice sniffed. Haven¡¯t you been paying attention to my practice with Nova at all? ¡°Why should I?¡± Mya grunted. ¡°All you do is prance around forever¡ªit¡¯s boring.¡± Says the girl who hasn¡¯t hit me once! ¡°Gmmghm¡­¡± ¡°Hey, quit fighting!¡± Nova pleaded. Rhea soon followed. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s stick together, guys ¡­ What do you think, Alice?¡± Sure! Heh, I think it sounds fun and challenging. ¡°Okay, but be careful, and good luck!¡± Nova cheered. Ethan shot his fist in the air. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Alice¡¯s pink irises focused intently on the Gengar as time slowed, his big teeth showing before the Ghost faded in shadow. ¡°Begin.¡± Wind shot past Alice¡¯s body as she accelerated, her modified Run Away pushing her forward rather than when retreating, like Nova¡¯s standard version of the Ability. Keahi met her, trying to gather his energy, but Rhea had her own plan. Alice held up her hands as he lashed out, performing a single clap with a thrilled smile. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun!¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Keahi¡¯s muscles froze in his forward thrust, eyes rolling as white light enveloped her frame from the Quick Move, creating a short shockwave. Slowly charging her next attack rather than pulling as much of Rhea¡¯s energy as she could, Alice touched down and spun around his fist. Her ear struck out in her passing, slapping the Monkey to the left. It didn¡¯t cause any damage, but much of her kit generally centered around disruption, sending him stumbling to the side garnering cheers from Nova and the crowd. Finding purchase against the sand, she raced back, spinning to knock out his unbalanced leg with her ear, but he blocked the strike with his tail. Keahi leaned into the momentum, regaining his bearings and using his left hand as a spring to launch himself into the air, performing a front-twist. ¡°Woah ¡­ Nice one!¡± he grinned, eyes narrowing into a leer, ¡°But you¡¯ll have to do better than that!¡± Alice giggled, jumping away to curl into a ball in the air; her defense dropped and then returned, white energy gathering around her. ¡°You were saying?¡± she teased, uncurling to land on her feet and launch forward again; sharp, jagged increases in speed from her ability helping to slow his movements to improve her reaction time. ¡°Heh, that¡¯s more like it!¡± Keahi laughed, a single finger illuminating to extend into a claw as she neared. ¡°You react so fast; it¡¯s like you were born to battle!¡± Alice bounced left to dodge, noticing his trajectory; his swipe curved to the sand, sending it spraying the opposite way. ¡°I was!¡± Performing a round-off with her ears, Alice did a backhand spring to stop her momentum; light gathered to her fur as she stumbled a little to the side, spinning in a short circle while facing him. ¡°Don¡¯t get too dizzy!¡± ¡°Ugh-heh¡ªhow many Moves do you know¡ªHeneli¡¯s super impressed,¡± he forced a smile while attempting to break out of her stall tactic; a pink mist began to flow around Alice as she controlled the Mankey¡¯s body, bringing them closer together to hit him with the confusion waves. Unfortunately, he managed to gather enough energy to repel her control, running around the thin haze she¡¯d created, and making her jump right to keep the thinning force between them. ¡°Mmh,¡± Alice mused, watching an orange aura build around Keahi¡¯s fur, intense eyes sharpening; a profound sense of danger made her tail quiver with excitement. ¡°Are we getting more serious?¡± The Mankey rushed her as the pink haze faded; not once had Sleep Charm activated, but it was a low chance. She still needed time to use one of her bigger Moves. Using her natural bursts of unpredictable speed, she hopped left, spinning upside down to scoop up some sand and throw it in his face, but to her surprise, he had the same plan. Cartwheeling to the side, he grunted as it struck him in the cheek, yet his tail managed to sweep out to fling some back at her. The irritation struck her eyes; she tried to use her ears to stabilize her fall but miss-timed her landing. Tumbling across the sand, she jumped high into the air at Rhea¡¯s prompt. Free-falling, her vision squinted open to catch Keahi¡¯s glowing hand swiping where she¡¯d been; he couldn¡¯t even see, which meant he was following his Trainer¡¯s instructions. She forced a grin as his eyes peeped open, gaze rising up to her descent; red light collected from around Alice¡¯s fur, drawing toward her tiny fist, bathing it in fire. Oh, no ¡­ Did I not time it right? Mya was holding her breath with Nova as she fell; Keahi had plenty of time to sidestep, but instead, he braced for impact, crossing his arms in front of his face. ¡°Protect?¡± Rhea mumbled, but no honeycomb appeared to block her fist; instead, the Mankey angled his arms to take the full brunt of her strike. Alice didn¡¯t question it, not wanting to pass up the opportunity at hitting one of her strongest attacks, and used all the gathered energy she could muster into the Mankey¡¯s guarded face¡ªgoing for the same tactic Lori used¡ªflames exploded on impact, blocking her vision of the Pokemon. ¡°Yes! You did it!¡± Mya screamed. Nova was jumping up and down. ¡°Yeah, you ¡­ Look out!¡± Still suspended in the air, Alice felt the scrawny arm her fist pressed against flex, shoving her back a little, and as the flames faded, her sight was met by the burning fur of Keahi, fierce eyes, and orange aura mixing with a violent red. ¡°Good hit.¡± Keahi blurred into a spin, ambiance flowing to his tail; Alice saw the strike in slow motion, still trapped in the air. Her ear reached to use the extending appendage as a platform to skip over the attack, yet the mere touch of his tail sent a shocking ripping to her brain¡ªthe world went white. Alice¡¯s fuzzy mind came back in spots, feeling dull blows against her petite frame, and it wasn¡¯t until she came to a stop that she realized she¡¯d been bouncing across small sandhills. Salty water filled her mouth, making her cough, and she shakily forced herself to her feet. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. A ringing was in her ears that made her stumble with the surf, trying to pull her back; unclear vision scanning the beach, Rhea¡¯s voice soon filtered back into focus. ¡°... Lice ¡­ right¡ªright¡­¡± She blinked, mind snapping back when a furry ball of sand jumped at her. ¡°Run, Alice!¡± Nova screamed. She¡¯d never been struck so hard in all of her training matches; her shield was practically between 1 and 2%¡ªshe couldn¡¯t be grazed. Gut tightening, she tried to duck, but her right ear wasn¡¯t fast enough, Keahi¡¯s swipe struck, and Alice¡¯s mind slipped under the rising waves that rushed around them. * * * A sad smile moved Rhea¡¯s lips as she watched Alice do her best until the end; she could practically see Nova¡¯s crestfallen ears and Mya¡¯s somber drop to her butt inside their pokeballs. It¡¯s okay, guys ¡­ Hey, now you¡¯ve all lost ¡­ Huh? Just as the surf came up and Alice fainted, the Mankey¡¯s eyes rolled back, and he fell next to the Buneary, both being carried out to sea before Franky lifted them out of the water. Ethan¡¯s boisterous voice filled the beach. ¡°Heneli is the victor! Good fight, guys; close¡ªha-ha¡ªjust a bit longer, and the burn would have run its course!¡± Mya was up in arms, saying Alice should have won; they fainted at the same time. No ¡­ if Ethan said Alice went down first, then that¡¯s that, and¡­ ¡°Woah¡ªhey!¡± Rhea squawked as her cousin practically tackled her from behind, trapping her in a bear hug and lifting her into the air. ¡°That was so good, Rhea! Alice is so strong¡ªand she¡¯s only like three days old!¡± ¡°Eh-heh¡ªyeah,¡± she chuckled, accepting Alice from Franky as Bianca let her go. ¡°Umm, what was that super-powerful Move he used against Alice?¡± ¡°Revenge,¡± Hilbert grinned, walking forward to put an arm around his wife¡¯s shoulders. ¡°It¡¯s similar to the Counter line of energy-absorbing attacks. He was waiting for the opportunity to take a big hit and dish it back.¡± A hot puff of air shot through Heneli¡¯s nose as he joined them, a big smile in place. ¡°Yo-ho-ho, that was lit!¡± He looked down at his unconscious Mankey. ¡°That was Fire Punch¡ªwoah! For real; you¡¯re totally the real deal, Rhea¡ªFire Punch! What Shellder did you find that beautiful Move in, huh?¡± Her dad came over with her mom, and Rhea caught sight of messages from her family and friends scrolling at the bottom of her streaming phone. ¡°By the strength and ease she performed the attack at her age, it indicates the Move is likely bred,¡± Keith commented, looking down at his wife. Christie reached out to take the little bun, Rhea giving Alice up to her mother as her Bellossom hurried over to heal their Pokemon. ¡°She has a long way to go, but I¡¯m more than satisfied by her performance; although, her Teeter Dance could use some work.¡± ¡°For real, Christie?¡± Ethan asked, examining the Buneary in the woman¡¯s arms. ¡°The number of Moves this little girl has¡ªChamp¡¯s freakin¡¯ out!¡± Everyone on the beach went silent as a colossal Donphan that stood over ten feet tall exited a pokeball at the Legend¡¯s waist. His mammoth-like tusks gleamed in the dying sun as he grunted a few times, speaking to Vanty as she healed Alice. ¡°C¡¯mon, Gold, Champ out, really?¡± Kris sighed, walking over to rub the Pokemon¡¯s beefy front leg. ¡°I know you¡¯re suppressing yourself as much as possible, but you can still make normal people sick.¡± The Armor Pokemon¡¯s posture sagged, and Ethan came to his rescue. ¡°C¡¯mon, Kris, it¡¯ll toughen them up; Champ¡¯s been wanting some time with Amira!¡± Rhea was used to Ethan¡¯s antics and smiled at Heneli¡¯s big eyes as he looked up at the giant¡ªKris wasn¡¯t having it either. ¡°Not in a public place¡ªyou have a bad enough reputation as it is, Honey,¡± she sighed. Silver broke the discussion, walking forward with a grinning Lyra, Green, Leaf, Blue Yellow, and Red. ¡°Champ can spend as much time as he likes out when we get something to eat¡ªare we ready? Lyra will take us to Viridian.¡± Green shot an eye over at the small brown-haired woman. ¡°C¡¯mon, Lyra, give us a chance to show off a bit.¡± ¡°Zelri already called dibs!¡± she said, giving the woman a victory sign. ¡°She won the game!¡± ¡°Analytics is cheating,¡± Green mumbled. ¡°Clefy¡¯s never broken .3 seconds behind Zelri!¡± Blue slid next to the woman, nudging her side. ¡°Huh, sayin¡¯ yer weak, Green? You know the name of the game; get good!¡± ¡°Funny, coming from you,¡± Green shot back, shoving the laughing Legend to the side for his giggling wife to catch. ¡°When was the last time you beat Red?¡± Leaf poked her head around to smirk at her big sister. ¡°Can I ask you the same question? Oh, Yellow will know! Yellow?¡± The blonde forced a smile, Chuchu smirking from her shoulder. ¡°Chu-Pika-Pi-Pika.¡± ¡°Chuchu! Don¡¯t say that,¡± Yellow chided, frowning as her Pikachu used her heart-ended tail to push the girl¡¯s hat down. ¡°Pika-Pi,¡± Chuchu smirked, looking to the left. Both Green and Blue glared at the yellow rat. ¡°We can have another round¡ªwhat do ya say, Chuchu?¡± Blue¡¯s confident tone was back in place. Green gave her a sidelong look. ¡°Yeah, what do you say?¡± ¡°Guys¡­¡± Yellow groaned, but her Pokemon seemed more than willing to keep going. Chuchu turned her back on the two, glancing to the side and shaking her tail. ¡°Pika-Pi-Pi-Chu-Pika,¡± she snickered. Yellow winced. ¡°Eh¡ªshe does ¡­ kind of have a point¡­¡± Leaf hissed. ¡°Yeah¡ªit is a bit difficult when both of your guys¡¯ Ace is a Blastoise.¡± ¡°...¡± Red cleared his voice, pointing at Silver and Kris as the pair spoke up. ¡°Yeah, Red¡¯s right! Let¡¯s settle this with an eating contest! Round Three!¡± Rhea chuckled, looking down at Alice as she regained consciousness and hopped down to talk to Keahi; she didn¡¯t seem sad in the least she lost, which made Rhea happy. Everyone went silent when Lyra poked her head around the big Donphan to ask, ¡°So, did you guys want to join us, Heneli? It¡¯s nice getting to talk after a battle and go over each other¡¯s thoughts.¡± ¡°Oh, uh ¡­ Y-Yeah! Yo, that would be awesome. Aye, Kekoa, Kekipi, you two good with getting somethin¡¯ to eat with them?¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ Yeah, sure,¡± Kekoa grinned, patting his round belly and giving Lori¡¯s amused expression a chuckle. ¡°I¡¯m pretty starved after that match¡ªso is Kimo.¡± Kekipi turned to Amira, bags still under his eyes from his all-nighter. ¡°You cool with it?¡± Amira seemed to shrug it off. ¡°Sure, whatever.¡± ¡°Yeah, I think it would be cool to spend some more time with you,¡± he smiled. ¡°I¡¯m down, Heneli.¡± ¡°Wonderful!¡± Lyra cheered. ¡°Okay, let¡¯s go!¡± Without further warning, Rhea felt the unsettling feeling of being teleported; she didn¡¯t even have time to ponder her defeat with how much was happening. In the next second, she was looking around a massive fancy room; it could have been five stories of an open ceiling, and the glass walls gave a stunning view of Viridian Park. The soft sound of jazz filled the air from a band playing near the back to not be too loud and provide relaxing background noise. Rhea¡¯s mind was instantly pulled away from the battle she¡¯d just had with everyone else as they adjusted to the sharp contrast in environment, and a cat-like smirk lifted the corners of her mouth upon seeing Amira¡¯s tight full lips, red irises on her grandparents and Matori already seated at a table. ¡°Wow,¡± Kekipi whispered, looking up at the classy floor with dozens of staff bringing in multiple dishes from elevators. Wow, is correct. Rhea giggled at her confused Pokemon. Amira¡¯s probably so embarrassed; this is practically a date. The redhead kept her composure shockingly well, and Silver took the floor, drawing everyone¡¯s eyes. ¡°Please enjoy yourselves. If you have something you favor, tell one of the staff, and the chefs will prepare it.¡± A handsome smile softened his complexion as his wife joined him, and he slid his arm around her back in a comforting way. ¡°After everything that¡¯s happened, I figured an evening away from stress would do us all good.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Lyra whispered, practically melting into Silver¡¯s arms and making Rhea¡¯s heart warm; he¡¯d likely been planning this throughout the day, and after the battle they had, Rhea was a bit hungry. Blue¡¯s glare moved to Giovanni, but Silver broke the tension by gesturing to the elevator. ¡°Blue, Leaf ¡­ I figured you two haven¡¯t had a proper date in a while, so I prepared the roof venue for your personal use.¡± The former Champion caught his wife¡¯s sparkling gaze at the offer, and Rhea knew she¡¯d likely order the most expensive wine the place had. ¡°I suppose ¡­ for tonight.¡± His large Alakazam exited his pokeball and teleported the pair to the location; Rhea didn¡¯t know why Blue and the Rockets had such a shaky history, but judging by a few of the relieved sighs that came from the group, it was deep-rooted. ¡°Now help yourselves,¡± Silver invited. Red and Yellow moved to the tables by the Jazz band, holding hands and taking a seat to listen. Lyra pulled Silver to a dance area to the side, but it wasn¡¯t hard for Rhea to see the woman using the opportunity to sneak peeks at her daughter and Kekipi while trying to keep her distance. Showing slight annoyance, the redhead cleared her throat, turning to Rhea. ¡°You want to join us at a table? We can talk about the matches.¡± Aww, no alone time with him, huh? Rhea teasingly thought but was more than happy to be her way out. ¡°Sure! Umm, Lori?¡± Lori grinned and jabbed her thumb at her parents and Kekoa. ¡°Already promised my parents I¡¯d chill with them; Kekoa wants to discuss our battle, too. You two cool with me sitting this one out?¡± Rhea could see her studious eyes searching to see if Rhea needed her after their loss, so she swiftly shook her head, giving a dismissive gesture. ¡°Nope! I think I¡¯m good¡ªAmira?¡± ¡°Yeah, have fun,¡± she said, and Rhea caught a small, thankful smile from the redhead that she wasn¡¯t leaving her alone. ¡°I know it¡¯s probably nice having your parents over¡ªit¡¯s not like you¡¯ll be able to see your dad often.¡± ¡°Mmh, you might be surprised,¡± Grimsley mysteriously whispered. ¡°Is that so?¡± Amira hummed, eyeing him suspiciously. ¡°You¡¯ll have to tell me more¡ªdoes Cass know?¡± she asked, waving to them as they moved to find their own table; Karen was already calling over a waitress to peruse the wine selection. Rhea glanced over at Giovanni, Matori, and Ariana; the three were moving from their table to a sitting area to look over the city, a bottle of wine already on the small table between the armchairs. ¡°What about your grandparents?¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled in, glancing at the three and giving her grandmother a short wave as she turned to direct a charming smile their way. ¡°No ¡­ They¡¯re just enjoying the ambiance; they¡¯ll wait for everything to settle down.¡± She fell quiet as Malia walked past her cousin and took Kekipi¡¯s hand. ¡°Let¡¯s go grab something to eat¡ªumm, that area seems free,¡± she pointed. Rhea caught an area beside the tall windows, away from most of the Pokemon, as her Alolan Ninetales and Vulpix moved off to join Yellow¡¯s Pokemon near a place set apart for the large group. Well, I guess she¡¯s trying to make her territory, Rhea mused, which was something Alice, Nova, and Mya could likely understand¡ªunfortunately, being Egg Pokemon, and considering their age, not as much as she thought. Mmh ¡­ I wouldn¡¯t say Amira¡¯s going to battle her for it ¡­ Heh, it¡¯s just a bit funny. Her attention turned to Heneli; the boy still seemed blown away by all the insanely powerful Trainers surrounding them. ¡°This is wild¡­¡± ¡°You good to talk?¡± Rhea asked, gesturing to one of the free tables, set a decent distance away from the rest. ¡°Your Manky¡¯s name was Keahi. Wasn¡¯t it?¡± Her Buneary was happily going over the match, making punching gestures and flips at times that the Mankey laughed and mirrored. Umm, are you okay, Alice? Nova had already asked the question, but she just wanted to see for herself. Her little bunny gave her a cheery affirmative; she didn¡¯t care about the loss, only that she had fun. Yeah ¡­ You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s just have some fun for a night. Huh? Taking a deep breath, Heneli rubbed the back of his neck, grinning awkwardly at his cousin leading away Kekipi as Amira stood beside Rhea, left hand on her hip and neutral expression in place. ¡°Uh¡ªI¡¯m not used to this kind of thing ¡­ What are we supposed to do?¡± ¡°Not a clue,¡± Rhea laughed; on the bright side, using Moves sparingly hadn¡¯t tired her out much at all. ¡°Want to join them and grab some food? It looks good.¡± ¡°I suppose,¡± Amira whispered, a touch of disapproval in her voice as her gaze followed Malia. Heneli took a deep breath, his hand going into his pocket, and Rhea wondered if he was clutching his plastic badge for strength; if so, it was cute. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s do it!¡± B1 — 69. My Journey Has Only Just Begun 7:46 P.M. June 27, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The day has come for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 19 Days (18 officially; 19 since getting Maya and Nova). The soothing saxophone sound from the band with the gentle piano flowed through the atmosphere as Rhea sat with Amira, Heneli, Kekipi, and Malia; it helped ease the uncomfortable silence that passed between them. By the cat-like look on a waitress¡¯ face as she brought them water to start with, she could tell there was tension between Amira and Malia¡ªmore on the Alolan girl¡¯s part¡ªand to Rhea, the redhead couldn¡¯t have been more at home. Legs crossed beside the window, gazing across the soft glow of Viridian Park, there was a reminiscent twinkle in her crimson eyes. The city bathed the canopy and field zones with a glaze light enough to make out just enough detail to enjoy as the sky continued to darken. Kekipi seemed to be enjoying the ambiance, as well, despite how tired he looked. Malia was trying to enjoy herself, but by her occasional fervent shifting focus between the dark-haired boy and Amira, she couldn¡¯t shake her possessive feelings. On the other hand, Heneli looked totally out of place; fidgeting with the pin in his pocket, hazel irises darting between everyone. Rhea was of the same mind, looking for anything that might break the ice. Each party had separated to do their own thing, which didn¡¯t help Rhea¡¯s nerves when no one else appeared to share their awkward silence. Most of the Pokemon had migrated to a section they could all mingle, eating healthy portions of food from the servers taking their orders from the picture menus supplied to them. Nova said she¡¯d wait her turn to give Alice and Mya first choice, which made Rhea proud of the Eevee; she suspected the emotional fluff ball secretly was hoping the two having their first chance to interact outside of their pokeballs together would mend some bridges. Currently, the pair had split off to engage different discussions; still, Nova had to have hope for more unity. From what Rhea could see of Lori¡¯s group, Kekoa was talking up a storm¡ªthere were no reservations¡ªbut considering the girl¡¯s parents were excellent at sparking conversation, in addition to the Unova girl herself, it wasn¡¯t hard to see why it was a more relaxing mood. Kris had roped Ethan into dancing so the man wouldn¡¯t feel defeated by Red and Yellow, by Rhea¡¯s amused guess; it was cute seeing the little blonde and tall World Champion sharing a private moment, not noticing the rival duo. Silver and Lyra were adorable, and clearly, this wasn¡¯t their first slow dance by the rhythm and tempo as the redhead led his wife in the song¡¯s sway. Green sat by a window, drinking wine with her Nidoqueen, Nido; to Rhea, she gave off a somewhat lonely and melancholy look, but it could have just been all the couples¡¯ influence on Rhea¡¯s perception. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but smile while watching her father help her struggling mother through the simple steps; he¡¯d helped Rhea learn various dances through the years when it interested her. Vision shifting to the Viridian Gym Leader and his fashionable wife and secretary, she could see a sort of silent conversation passing between them while studying their nurtured city. Rhea¡¯s imagination told her that every street and building had a story the three had taken part in, and after many years, they could look at them and resonate a host of emotions by what took their focus. A shiver ran down her spine, and the lack of conversation drew her thoughts to the short journey she¡¯d had with her two companions. She took a deep breath and let it out in a quick puff while smiling at the trees far below the tall skyscraper they relaxed in. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Heneli whispered, catching Rhea off-guard; his face flushed a tad as everyone looked at him and he quickly drank a bit of water. Rhea was happy to have something to break the silence, but the question put a low vibration in her throat while shifting to examine the phenomenal metropolis. ¡°Hmm ¡­ It¡¯s more of a feeling than thought, to be honest ¡­ I¡¯ve thought about how my journey might go¡ªI mean, unless there are some kind of belief reasons, almost everyone is required to at least attempt to train and bond with a Pokemon in Kanto¡ªat least from what I¡¯ve been taught. All of this just ¡­ It¡¯s not what I thought it would be.¡± Kekipi turned to join the conversation, pulling Amira and Malia¡¯s attention. ¡°How so¡ªharder?¡± Rubbing her arm as a sudden chill hit her, Rhea¡¯s smile softened; her gaze drifted to the glass in front of her before shaking her head. ¡°Kind of but not really ¡­ I knew it would be hard, and there are some things that really threw me for a loop, but the real thing that got me was the emotional part ¡­ Making friends, overcoming challenges with them, and discovering weaknesses I had that I wasn¡¯t aware of.¡± Malia forced a chuckle, taking one of the straws that had been given them out of the paper and sticking it in her drink to spin around the ice cubes. ¡°That makes me think about the Island Trials back on Alola ¡­ You learn a lot about yourself in them that doesn¡¯t really pertain to battling.¡± Kekipi nodded, sitting back to study the architecture, chandeliers, and decorations on the high, vaulted ceiling. ¡°I remember Captain Mina giving a speech one time on Poni Island about how the Island Trials were meant to help you discover yourself ¡­ I suppose the Kanto journey is similar.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t put so much thought into that,¡± Amira muttered, taking a sip of her water and returning her focus to the city. ¡°The Bronze-tier Journey was created for war purposes, anything beyond that is a secondary product.¡± A small grin curved Kekipi¡¯s lips. ¡°And the Island Trials were originally created to prove to each island tribe that a great warrior and protector was worthy of meeting the tribe¡¯s guardian deity. During a large war among tribes, one man of mixed blood rose in fame due to completing all challenges, becoming the first Kahuna.¡± Heneli rubbed his shoulder and yawned. ¡°Yeah, he-he¡ªbut now there¡¯s a Kahuna for every island¡ªthings sure change over time, huh?¡± ¡°There¡¯s a reason for that,¡± Malia mumbled, ¡°but you never did pay attention to Island History.¡± ¡°Why should I? It¡¯s all old tradition stuff¡ªI want change; give me Gyms and a good fight that will get my blood pumping! Right, Rhea?¡± Rhea¡¯s smile became strained. ¡°Eh-he-he, I don¡¯t know why you¡¯d throw me in the spotlight for that.¡± ¡°Oof, my bad¡­¡± ¡°No! No! Umm, it¡¯s just ¡­ I know what you¡¯re saying, and yeah, ehrm¡­¡± She smacked her lips, hugging herself and looking toward her Pokemon across the room as Nova nuzzled her spirit. ¡°I grew up in a tiny village all my life¡ªlike you wouldn¡¯t believe how small¡­¡± She sighed, returning her gaze to the fiery Alolan boy. ¡°All I¡¯ve known are Master Trainers ¡­ heh, minimum, and everything was always about putting your all into everything you do, which was awesome and all ¡­ It¡¯s just I didn¡¯t know what I wanted to do.¡± ¡°Oh, uh ¡­ that¡¯s rough,¡± Heneli muttered, the heat in his voice calming. ¡°So ¡­ Do you know what you want to do now?¡± ¡°Keeping our team on their toes?¡± Amira asked with a slight smirk. ¡°Hardly! He-he-he, umm, no, I think you keep me on my toes¡ªI can¡¯t go a day without you two pestering me to eat more.¡± ¡°Well, if you didn¡¯t starve yourself, we wouldn¡¯t have to,¡± Amira teased. ¡°No, but seriously, you really do need to watch your diet ¡­ And, for talking about food so often, considering the things you make with your cousin,¡± she brought their attention to Bianca and Hilbert, swaying on the dance floor, ¡°I¡¯d think you¡¯d have a more healthy appetite.¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°I mostly cook for others ¡­ My dad, his Pokemon, my brother when he was at home ¡­ I just don¡¯t get hungry that often.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Heneli asked, latching onto the topic. ¡°How often do you eat?¡± Scratching in front of her ear, Rhea¡¯s lips scrunched to the side. ¡°Uhrm ¡­ maybe once a day ¡­ back home, once every two or sometimes three days if no one bugged me about it. I mean, I can force myself to eat, but I just don¡¯t really feel like it most of the time. It¡¯s just how I feel, and I don¡¯t like worrying people, so if they notice, I¡¯ll snack or something.¡± Heneli laughed. ¡°That¡¯s crazy; I can¡¯t go a day without chowing down a ton, ha-ha!¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Kekipi snickered, drawing attention away from Rhea, ¡°you eat enough for Kekoa and me combined. Malia doesn¡¯t eat much.¡± ¡°Eh, yeah,¡± the woman mumbled, rubbing the back of her neck and blushing a little, ¡°you know our family has trouble putting on weight if we overeat¡ªHeneli¡¯s clearly took after his mother¡¯s side, or else he¡¯d be as big as a Munchlax.¡± ¡°Speaking about Munchlax,¡± Heneli grinned, ¡°I could go for a few plates myself¡ªI¡¯m starved!¡± They all chuckled, and Rhea spun the conversation back to the reason they all gathered as the boy got up to take his plate to pile it with food. ¡°So, what were your guys¡¯ thoughts on your battle? I couldn¡¯t see much, and to be honest, heh, I was kind of too distracted to hear much of my cousin¡¯s commentary. What happened?¡± Heneli skidded to a stop a few meters away from the table, spinning around. ¡°Aye, don¡¯t start without me; I wanna hear!¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Kekipi smirked, getting to his feet and stretching. ¡°Why don¡¯t we all talk while getting some food¡ªheh, I¡¯m pretty tired after that battle. Cool?¡± he asked, looking at Rhea. ¡°Fine,¡± she puffed out a breath of air, figuring he was posing the question to her in response to Amira¡¯s pointed concern for her health. ¡°We already ate before the battle, though.¡± ¡°A little more couldn¡¯t hurt,¡± Amira returned, getting up, ¡°and the food here is exquisite¡ªbesides, you¡¯re somehow the skinniest and most muscular out of Lori and I.¡± ¡°I¡¯m also shorter,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°I get it, though! I get it ¡­ Thanks for worrying about me ¡­ Sometimes I think my mom thinks I¡¯m going on a hunger strike when I¡¯m really just not hungry, which¡ªmmh, never mind¡ªyeah, so, we''re going to get something to eat?¡± she asked, trying not to embarrass herself further. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard of a hunger strike?¡± Heneli said, already piling a ton of berry dessert dishes on one side of his plate and meat on the other. ¡°What¡¯s that about?¡± Malia hummed, scanning the table of expensive dishes and likely trying to determine which she¡¯d try with her limited calorie intake. ¡°Basically, starve yourself until you get what you want.¡± ¡°That sounds insane ¡­ Like, how can you not eat?¡± Amira¡¯s gaze wandered between Rhea and Christie. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Some things are worth more to people than a full belly. In any case, Serenity and I went with a stall, bait, and reflect strategy.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Kekipi smiled, grabbing a healthy portion of greens and a much smaller selection of meat compared to his friend. ¡°Mika¡¯ele was saying you were trying to counter our smokescreen strategy by using some kind of mist of your own; to be honest, I figured you¡¯d go hard from the start ¡­ Clearly, I have a lot to learn.¡± The blonde Alolan girl grunted, shooting a light glare in Heneli¡¯s direction. ¡°It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve had many examples of strategy to model yourself after, considering my cousin always drags you to that brute of a Dragon Master¡¯s fake Gym all the time.¡± ¡°A Gym¡¯s a Gym, Malia,¡± Heneli grumbled. ¡°So what if it¡¯s not official on Ula¡¯ula Island; Ryuki is a legend! He¡¯d beat any Kanto Gym Leader.¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± Malia hissed, fervent eyes darting to Giovanni just over fifteen meters away. ¡°Have some tact, cuz¡­¡± Rhea wondered if she could hear herself, but clearly, the woman had a blind spot when it came to specific topics she felt passionate about. Green was making her way over to get seconds of her own. ¡°I¡¯m just sayin¡¯,¡± Heneli smirked. ¡°Ryuki is basically a Dragon god!¡± Amira smirked at the comment, filling a cup with some strange berry mixed drink at the end of the table. ¡°Believe what you want.¡± ¡°He totally is!¡± Heneli doubled down. ¡°C¡¯mon, who could beat Ryuki; do you even know who he is?¡± Amira rolled her eyes. ¡°I don¡¯t need to. If he started a Gym in Alola, modeled after Kanto, then clearly he couldn¡¯t take the position himself and decided to make an unofficial start-up like the Kaz and Yas Gyms of Dark City¡ªAlola version.¡± Heneli glared at the redhead, and Rhea knew both had different reasons to be proud of their respective opinion. Still, she wondered how many avenues were left that could lead them down these conflict routes because they kept getting sidetracked. Malia¡¯s face paled as Green stopped beside her, an amused cat-like grin on her face. ¡°Did I hear some comparisons between Alola¡¯s lil¡¯ Ryuki and Kanto¡¯s Gym Leaders?¡± ¡°H-He¡¯s not little!¡± Heneli defended, clearly fanboying over the unofficial Alola Gym. ¡°He¡¯s a superstar!¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Green snickered, reaching over to help herself to quite a bit of food on her plate that was more of a platter. ¡°I¡¯d say being 173 centimeters tall is on the shorter side, hun¡ªheh-he, oh, but if you count his ridiculous hair, I suppose he could be ¡®considered¡¯ tall.¡± Amira cut in before Heneli could stop grinding his teeth to respond. ¡°What about his position?¡± Everyone centered on the entertained Legendary Trainer as the corners of her lips twitched, and knowing her, Rhea wondered if she would continue stoking the flames between the pair. ¡°Combat wise? Ryuki would get creamed against any Kanto Gym Leader ¡­ But!¡± she added, watching Heneli puff out hot air. ¡°But ¡­ he has beaten the Kanto Master Challenge and borders on High-Master. I¡¯d say he has a decent shot at taking Forrest¡¯s Gym from him at this point, but if we¡¯re talking about ¡®To The Death¡¯ ¡­ Ryuki wouldn¡¯t make it against a single Gym Leader, without a doubt.¡± Heneli¡¯s lips pulled together, glaring at his plate. ¡°Are Kanto Gym Leaders really that strong?¡± A thoughtful look crossed Kekipi¡¯s face. ¡°What about Johto? I heard there was a Normal-type Gym there.¡± Green grimaced, forcing a chuckle. ¡°Whitney, Whitney, Whitney¡­¡± she slowly mumbled. ¡°The question isn¡¯t if someone can beat Whitney but how there is a Normal-type Gym, to begin with ¡­ You really need to be careful when dealing with Normal specialists, and Whitney ¡­ Whitney can be terrifying.¡± ¡°I can see your point,¡± Kekipi hummed, vision drifting to Giovanni. ¡°The world is bigger than our little islands, and Kanto has some of the strongest there is¡ªnaturally, they¡¯d need stepping stones to get there ¡­ Red and Blue have made clear how dominant they are at the Battle Tree.¡± ¡°I guess,¡± Heneli mumbled, eyes downcast. ¡°Ahem,¡± Rhea smiled, not liking how the conversation was twisting. ¡°I¡¯m sure Ryuki is getting stronger every day. Right? He¡¯s going to beat Royal Mask?¡± ¡°Yeah! He never gives up, and I won¡¯t, either! When I get to the top, he¡¯s gonna be there to battle me, and I¡¯ll be Champion of Alola!¡± Green¡¯s amusement died down, and she gave him a thumbs up. ¡°Good luck, Kid. Every great journey starts with a dream, and it looks like you¡¯ve got a good team of girls to whip you into shape. Huh?¡± Rhea sighed at the woman¡¯s wink in her direction. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Yeah, I want to get strong enough to protect my mom and everyone else I love, so ¡­ heh, I think that means I gotta beat my aunt, I suppose.¡± Heneli pupped a fist into the air. ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± A low whistle sounded from Green. ¡°Big dream, Girl ¡­ I¡¯ve seen your aunt at her best, and it¡¯s not something I¡¯m likely to forget. Also, heh, that means you¡¯ll have to beat me!¡± Green flashed her teeth, grinning and waving a hand as she returned to her table. ¡°Good luck with that, Rhea, because I never go easy!¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze lingered on her Nidoqueen, more than four meters tall and taking up the entire side of the table Green was using, whispering, ¡°I know¡­¡± Nova, Alice, and Mya roared in support as the other three at the dining table watched Green exit in surprise, and Amira appeared to be more unsettled by the prospect than the Alola gang. ¡°Really, Rhea? That¡¯s ¡­ insanely powerful.¡± ¡°Mhm, but if I don¡¯t, then how can I save my aunt if something bad happens ¡­ like what happened to us,¡± Rhea mumbled, feeling an odd warmth and pain in her heart while watching Katelin and her brother dance across the room. ¡°If Sabin wasn¡¯t strong¡ªif your mother wasn¡¯t strong ¡­ We could all be dead, and I want to be strong enough to protect the people I care about, too.¡± Heneli breathed in a deep breath and let it out as they made their way back to their table; taking a seat, he began picking at his food. ¡°I can relate to that ¡­ Malia was hurt one time in the woods, and I wanted to help¡ªbut Keahi and I couldn¡¯t ¡­ Kekipi and his Pokemon were able to use a move and scare it off since Malia and Mei did enough damage, so it didn¡¯t want another fight, but it was a close call.¡± Malia¡¯s eyebrows pulled together, vision falling to her glass. ¡°Wait ¡­ Heneli, I was trying to protect you from that wild Torracat we stumbled into.¡± ¡°Yeah, but Keahi and I felt so powerless,¡± he mumbled. ¡°We were petrified, and so I wanted to¡ªno, it¡¯s just something that bugged me ¡­ You didn¡¯t have to get burned¡ªevery time you came over on Sundays, and I saw the bandages, it pissed me off.¡± ¡°They healed¡ªit wasn¡¯t that bad,¡± Malia whispered. ¡°Honestly, it was kind of my fault¡ªwe shouldn¡¯t have gone to that area to pick ingredients since Mei and I aren¡¯t good at battling¡ªespecially with you, since you were only fourteen.¡± ¡°Mgmh ¡­ So, umm, what was your plan in our fight, Rhea?¡± Rhea licked her lips; hearing other people¡¯s life struggles helped to humbler her¡ªeveryone went through problems, and now she could see why Malia might have a small crush on Kekipi that probably grew over time. When she was desperate, even if his pokemon were weaker, the boy and his Pokemon stepped in to save her. At the same time, her cousin felt frustrated that he hadn¡¯t stepped up, which likely pulled him to the Kantonian Gym as a symbol of strength and courage for him. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s talk about some lighter topics!¡± Rhea caught Amira¡¯s calculating gaze as the two of them went into their battle; she didn¡¯t know why the redhead was so focused on her, but it happened after declaring her intentions to surpass her aunt. Soon enough, Kekipi pulled Amira into their own conversation, mixed with commentary from Malia from time to time. Luckily, she managed to keep everyone from noticing she hadn¡¯t touched much on her plate, but Nova soon caught on as they were finishing up their conversation, and with threats of tickling her spirit with her tail, in good humor, Rhea ate a bit to help replenish the physical fortitude she¡¯d lost during her battle. As could be expected, her mother soon got surprising news from Rhea¡¯s great grandmother that made her zip off to Sinnoh, kissing Rhea goodbye; she was just happy to have her mother for what little time it was. Apparently, a new cavern in Mt. Coronet had been found to have unique stones that could evolve some Pokemon into old Sinnoh regional variants, and she was being called in as an expert. Once again, it was an exciting time and breakthrough that Professor Rowan was at the forefront of. Dawn had been the one to discover the place, which made Rhea happy; she loved the cheerful woman. After some time of mingling between groups, Rhea found herself by the window with Nova in her lap; it was nearing 9 P.M. Her gaze wandered between parties for a moment; she wanted to look like she was having a private moment with someone on her phone to give herself time to reflect. In truth, she¡¯d already spoken to Sam and the other girls. It was Romance Night for quite a few couples that came with them. However, her father could tell she was stalling to calm down after so much social interaction and came to silently sit beside her. Sabin and Katelin went over her fight not too long ago before heading off to enjoy the city, much like Yellow, Red, Kris, Ethan, Blue, and Leaf. Lori had asked a flustered Kekoa if he knew how to dance before guiding him away with a giggle, leaving her parents to talk while observing them. Amira, Malia, and Kekipi were now getting to know the Rocket family in the corner, Silver and Lyra joining them with their Pokemon. Focus returning to the dim cityscape, Rhea puffed out a long breath. ¡°I¡¯m glad I got to see Mom and you dance,¡± she whispered. ¡°He-he,¡± her dad scooted his chair over to wrap an arm around her; she snuggled into his muscular chest as their seats clicked together. ¡°I¡¯m glad I had some time with her, too ¡­ How do you feel about her being whisked away again?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I get it. She was here when I needed her, and that means the world to me ¡­ How are you doing?¡± He groaned, popping his tongue a few times. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re all a bit lonely without you around the house ¡­ Franky¡¯s been in a depressed rut¡ªno use in denying it, Bud,¡± he grinned as the ghost floated up from the floor to glare at him. ¡°You¡¯ve been glued to my computer looking at old videos of when Rhea was a baby ¡­ I know you helped her learn how to talk; heh, I was there.¡± Rhea giggled, reaching out to rub his head as he sniffed back tears. ¡°Aww, sorry it¡¯s lonely, Franky. If you send me a message, I¡¯ll let you visit sometime¡ªyou just need to give me a warning if you want to come say hi.¡± The Ghost¡¯s frown lifted, nodding vigorously. ¡°There we go; what¡¯d I say?¡± her dad laughed. ¡°She can¡¯t get rid of her little spook ¡­ Hmm, so, I heard you wanna surpass your aunt? I¡¯ll be sure to let her know.¡± ¡°Ugh, please don¡¯t ¡­ I want to tell her myself,¡± she smiled, looking down to flip through her photos to one of just the two of them. ¡°Aunt Cynthia has always been so supportive ¡­ I know it¡¯s childish, but yeah ¡­ I want to support her, even if that sounds crazy.¡± ¡°Not crazy at all¡­¡± Rhea leaned in closer as they went silent, and she looked into the night city, enjoying the experience with her father for one last time; tomorrow, they would begin their path to Cerulean City to take on Misty¡ªRhea was determined to complete the Bronze Encrusted Gym Challenge with her teammates; that was her first checkpoint at the foot of the mountain path she was on, and eventually, she¡¯d reach her aunt at the peak. B2 — 1. Normality 7:02 A.M. June 28, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The second day for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers will compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 20 Days (19 officially; 20 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea¡¯s lips parted with a quiet yawn as she shifted on one of the inflatable beds Silver had brought for all of them to sleep on after finishing up last night¡¯s party; the warm pressure of her cousin¡¯s arm was against hers. Cracking open a blurry eye, she smiled at the blonde, mouth open a tad in a way that told her the woman was having a cozy dream. Excluding her mother, Sabin, and Katelin, they¡¯d spent a good part of the previous evening as a family, much the same for Amira and Lori. Careful to shift her bound hair, Rhea looked the opposite way to catch her two teammates on their own air mattresses, and a little surprisingly, Amira was still sound asleep in her mother¡¯s arms; it melted Rhea¡¯s heart to see the petite woman¡¯s arm and body protectively draping over her redheaded daughter. Amber and Holly rested near the pair¡¯s feet. As could be expected, Lori¡¯s blankets were thrown off, sprawled out with Miky on her bare belly and Roxie cuddled against her chest. Smiling while doing her best not to shift too much and wake Bianca or Nova, currently attached to her leg, as usual, and Alice between her own breasts, Rhea let the warmth spread through her. Alice¡¯s fur and ears tickled a little, but looking at her adorable sleeping face made Rhea not want to disturb the Bunny Pokemon; she¡¯d been a hyperactive energized rabbit with Nova, the social Butterfree, the other night. On the other hand, she noticed just how close the girl¡¯s ears were to tickling her face, forcing her to lean back and look at the ceiling. Rhea¡¯s chest rose and fell, puffing out a long stream of air; the Plasma assassin felt like weeks ago with how much had happened since the event, and Rhea figured that was a part of the reason everyone kept smothering them with so much attention. It worked, and she was grateful. Mya rustled within her pokeball. Morning ¡­ Shh, Alice, and Nova are still asleep. Her Mawile yawned and seemed to do a few spiritual stretches while responding. Mmh ¡­ What are we doing today ¡­ Heh, I have no clue. We were so tired after everything yesterday we all just crashed. Hmm ¡­ Yeah, we did lose yesterday. Are you sad for Alice? Rhea''s smile softened, trying to decipher the Pokemon¡¯s feelings and thoughts. You¡¯re right, winning would have been nice, but it¡¯s not everything. Plus, Alice got stronger from the battle; we went in blind ¡­ Umm, hey, Mya, I was thinking something, actually ¡­ What do you think about swapping out of the Master Ball to an Ultra Ball when we can? A hot puff of air shot through Rhea¡¯s nose at Mya¡¯s tentative answer. Not wrong ¡­ We will technically be weaker, but it¡¯s just taking away the unfair advantage we had starting out. I mean, sure, we won our first match, but did we really win when we had such a heavy advantage, even in a three vs. two? I want to show that we¡¯ve grown on our own. Mya hummed, and Rhea could see her in her spirit, sitting down, arms crossed while staring at her comrades. After a second, she sighed and accepted the thought. Heh, I¡¯m not saying you weren¡¯t amazing in that fight, but we both know the importance of energy management from that experience. We learned some valuable lessons, and now we should see what it¡¯s like battling when restricted in our¡ª Alice stretched out, ears lightly pressing against her chin as she yawned; pink eyes opening, she sat up and scooted down to her belly to stand and grin. Heh, morning to you, too, Alice. Umm ¡­ I¡¯d love to get up and take a shower, but I¡¯ve got this ball and chain on my leg, she snickered, inching her leg to the left, only for the Eevee to clamp down on her ankle and pull it back in protest. Hmm ¡­ Oh? Rhea¡¯s gaze followed Alice¡¯s to the closed door in the dark room, but the brightening light at the edges of the heavy curtains showed morning was coming on. Sabin, Kate, and my dad are out there? Eh ¡­ now that you mention it ¡­ Is Kate cooking? The scent of eggs and meat were drifting into the room, making Rhea¡¯s stomach growl and making Alice giggle as Mya¡¯s wasn¡¯t far behind; knowing her cousin, she figured Bianca wouldn¡¯t sleep long given the appetizing smell¡ªshe was a heavy sleeper unless food was involved. No, I think you¡¯re right; Nova would love a warm morning shower and breakfast. Okay, let¡¯s get up, girls! Alice hopped all the way off the mattress as Rhea used her core to lift herself up, reach down, and scoop a bewildered Nova into her arms to snuggle against her face as she sleepily chirped. Are you ready for a shower and a hot meal? The Eevee¡¯s pink eyes lit, tail wagging as Rhea gingerly pulled away from Bianca to crept between their air mattresses; Amira rustled a little, and she figured the redhead would be getting up soon, so she hurriedly grabbed the two towels, her pokeballs, and clothes she¡¯d set out the night before and hurried to the bathroom. Luckily, there¡¯d likely be a buffer between her hot shower and Amira¡¯s cold, so Lori would have plenty of warm water. Sabin glanced toward her as she eased the door shut, giving her a toothy grin and wave before returning to his conversation with her dad, blocked by the wall. Returning the wave, she closed the bathroom door behind her and undressed from her bikini and bottoms; her Pokemon took turns to enjoy the warm spray with their Trainer, Nova helping Alice learn certain products before the Buneary rubbed the conditioner into the Eevee¡¯s coat. Mya wanted to do everything herself, being the independent type, yet still offered advice to the rival bunny. It touched Rhea to see her Pokemon getting along, and watching her two competitive Pokemon brought her mind back to Lori¡¯s parents; the Grandmasters had chosen to get their own hotel room¡ªin the singular¡ªfor obvious reasons, making Rhea blush and giggling a little at the thought. She didn¡¯t know when Sabin and Katelin got home last night, but her father used the sofa to sleep. Silver had to remain with his parents for business stuff, and all the Legends drifted off to do Legend stuff together; from the looks Ethan gave Red and Blue, the three were on their way to the Sinjoh Distortion or Mt. Silver to battle. Bianca had been leery of Green but gave up when the girl offered the challenge and saw her husband¡¯s eager look. She gave her consent for the two to go off and battle themselves. Considering they¡¯d been gone since they got back to the lodge, Rhea figured the two were still fighting, which wasn¡¯t uncommon for Trainers of their caliber. Plus, Green wanted to enjoy herself, which meant pushing Hilbert as far as he could go, which was a very long way considering he was at Champion-tier. Rhea expected the two to be gone for several hours, at the soonest. After finishing her shower, Alice returned to her pokeball since Mya let her sleep with Rhea; she dried off her Pokemon, prepared for the day, and joined her family in the living room with her damp fluffball and gleaming Mawile. She expected Amira to jump in right after, but the door to the room remained closed as she exited the hallway. ¡°Hey, how¡¯s it going?¡± ¡°Yo, Sis, sleep well?¡± ¡°Hey, Rhea,¡± Kate greeted, bandana keeping her hair tied back and an apron on while browning the meat. ¡°I¡¯ll have your plate ready in a minute.¡± Keith snickered, leaning back with his arms around the back of the sofa. ¡°You should have seen Kate at the morning ¡®mart, worrying what you girls would like.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, you don¡¯t need to say that,¡± Katelin grumbled. ¡°I know what devilish food Rhea likes, but I have no clue with the others, and neither of you was much help, might I add.¡± Sabin grunted while moving over for Rhea to sit. ¡°Heh-he, how should I know?¡± ¡°At least give me some suggestions¡ªI just went with breakfast wraps and a more green dish if the others don¡¯t like meat.¡± Rhea giggled as Mya climbed onto an armchair, and Nova settled atop her skirt. ¡°They definitely eat meat; it¡¯s kind of expensive, though, so we haven¡¯t bought much, uhh ¡­ What¡¯s all of that¡ªyour gear?¡± Everyone¡¯s gaze went to the pile of boxes beside the sliding door, and her father chuckled. ¡°No, Sabin and Kate spent last night shopping for some of you girls¡ªif you plan on getting on the road again, you¡¯ll need sleeping bags and stuff.¡± Her eyes widened, moving to her brother¡¯s grin. ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Of course! Heh, Kate went through all of your social media posts to see what brands and stuff you had and got as much as she could.¡± ¡°Kate¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give me all the credit, Sabin¡ªeh-heh-eh, I¡¯m kind of hurting on credits right now, so ¡­ yeah, your brother¡¯s the real hero for all of us! I¡¯ve, eh, been mooching off of him.¡± ¡°I figured it was one and the same since we¡¯re dating,¡± Sabin shrugged. ¡°Although, yeah, Kate, you do need to watch that purse of yours.¡± Kate lifted an eyebrow, the back of her hand sticking to her hip as she glared at Sabin. ¡°How can you be so sweet and turn around and tease me at the same time?¡± ¡°What are boyfriends for? He-he, Rhea, let us know if anything¡¯s missing; Kate got all the stuff I don¡¯t have a clue about when it comes to girls and products.¡± The woman¡¯s expression brightened. ¡°What are girlfriends for? Seriously, though, Rhea, if you need something, let me know!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea choked, trying not to tear up. ¡°Umm ¡­ I think we¡¯ll probably collect everything we need beyond the necessities in Cerulean. Is ¡­ When you two disappeared last night, was it to shop for us?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± her brother answered, leaning in to nudge her. ¡°If you ever need us, Kate and I are here for you, Sis.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think we didn¡¯t have a good time!¡± Kate assured with a wink. ¡°Your brother even surprised me with earrings¡ªoh, wanna see?!¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Rhea replied, reaching around her brother''s broad shoulders to hug him. ¡°Thanks, Bro ¡­ Really¡­¡± He returned the embrace, hot air pressing against her ear as he whispered, ¡°I¡¯m with you, Rhea¡ªI¡¯ll always catch you.¡± Pulling away, he laughed as Kate bustled around to show off her deep ruby earrings. ¡°I definitely didn¡¯t do that, so she¡¯d wear red lipstick more!¡± ¡°Sabin¡­¡± Katelin blushed, making Rhea and Keith giggle. ¡°They look so good on you, Kate! I do see the red lipstick, though, Sabin,¡± she mused. ¡°Good taste!¡± ¡°It has to match ¡­ You¡¯re so bad, Sabin,¡± she huffed, shooting a playful glare in his direction. ¡°You could have told me what you like instead of playing all these games.¡± ¡°Oh? I have a sneaking suspicion you like it like this. Am I wrong?¡± ¡°Not a chance,¡± Kate snickered, cheeks darkening further with everyone watching. Keith hummed, rubbing his chin as they turned to him. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Sabin¡ªthe red¡¯s good, but I¡¯ve always been more of a light pink fan myself.¡± ¡°Mom? Sure! Kate, though¡ªnah, totally that blood color¡ªheh, you don¡¯t know how vicious this girl can be, Dad!¡± ¡°Lies! I¡¯m very gentle¡ªwhen I want to be,¡± Kate returned, wearing an innocent grin. The door opened to reveal a sleepy Bianca wearing her Pikachu pajamas. ¡°Ugh ¡­ Is something burning?¡± ¡°Oh, no!¡± Kate rushed back to the stove to finish up. ¡°It¡¯s fine¡ªit¡¯s not bad ¡­ just a few crispy parts for texture. Right? He-he-he¡­¡± Bianca smiled. ¡°Looks good to me. Oh, nice gifts¡ªare those for Rhea and her team?¡± Sabin gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Yup. Should be set for the essentials.¡± ¡°How was your night, Bi?¡± Rhea asked, turning to the blonde as she took the chair beside Mya. ¡°It was good¡ªheh, it¡¯s been a while since we slept together; I forgot how quiet and still you are¡ªI hope I didn¡¯t punch you in the face¡ªeh-he-he, did that to Hilbert one time.¡± Rhea gestured at herself. ¡°I don¡¯t look black and blue. Right?¡± Sabin smirked, looking away. ¡°I mean, I just thought it was your normal morning look.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Sabin¡­¡± Rhea growled, hitting him with a throw pillow. ¡°He-he, yeah, yeah, you¡¯re good, Bi¡ªRhea always has that ghostly look in the morning¡ªprobably something to do with Franky.¡± Another pillow lifted itself up on the third sofa before blindsiding her brother, the Gengar¡¯s dirty look aimed at a chuckling Sabin, making everyone laugh. ¡°I¡¯m playing! I¡¯m playing! Rhea looks as fluffy and cute as a Swablu.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t she adorable?¡± Bianca agreed, flashing her teeth. ¡°Though, I swear, your Pokemon give you a battle for your credits, Cuz,¡± she muttered, reaching over to pet a happy Mya. A low moan came from the back room as the door opened to reveal a sleepy Amira and her bright-eyed mother. Keeping her voice low yet somehow projecting the radiant energy the woman had by default, Lyra waved at Sabin and her. ¡°Morning! I love waking up to laughter¡ªour house can be so quiet, but you guys are so happy and loud; it¡¯s a ray of sunshine to start my day.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Amira mumbled, bags under her eyes while Amber trudged after her Trainer to the bathroom; to contrast the pair, Holly was wrapped around Lyra¡¯s head, chirping her own morning greeting. ¡°She okay?¡± Katelin asked, poking around the corner while wrapping a tortilla with the ingredients she¡¯d prepared. ¡°He-he-he, Amira¡¯s always a bit grumpy in the morning.¡± ¡°Am not,¡± she shot back through the closed door. ¡°I just didn¡¯t get a lot of sleep with you clinging all over me¡ªhow does Dad do it¡­¡± ¡°He loves me!¡± ¡°No other way he could handle it, I suppose.¡± ¡°Aww, isn¡¯t she adorable?¡± ¡°Mgmgm-ha-ha-ha¡­¡± Rhea liked the relationship the pair shared; someone might think they were fighting, but really it was just their thing. Picking up Nova and scooting over for Lyra to join them, Rhea looked past the woman at the closed door. ¡°Is Lori still sleeping?¡± Lyra plopped down beside her, pulling her into a motherly hug that made Rhea¡¯s mind blank for a second in surprise; she¡¯d forgotten how touchy the former Champion was. ¡°Mhm! She really does love her beauty sleep, but it seems to do wonders for her, so how can I hate? He-he, I just love the morning sun too much¡ªbut there is one thing I love more!¡± A cat-like smile moved her lips as she glanced toward the bathroom. ¡°I haven¡¯t been able to smother Amira like that for years ¡­ Unfortunately, she gained that red-haired rebellious streak earlier than her father¡ªshe refused to sleep with me at five years old¡ªsuch a sad day.¡± ¡°Rhea would never turn that offer down,¡± her dad mused, making Rhea¡¯s gut tighten. ¡°Dad ¡­ I mean, yeah ¡­ no, I¡¯d totally love it,¡± she sighed, forcing a smile. ¡°I just can¡¯t see it happening.¡± Lyra winked. ¡°Don¡¯t be so sure; I mean, Amira would never admit it, but she loves it. When all of you went to bed, we stayed up and talked for a while¡ªMallory and you were out like a light!¡± Sabin nodded. ¡°Rhea¡¯s never had trouble sleeping; she used to sneak into my bed when she was feeling lonely¡ªha-ha, it got pretty crowded when Franky and Atreyu would join.¡± Rhea looked at the table and smiled, remembering her childhood. ¡°I got scared sometimes when Mom and Dad were away during the Ultra War¡ªall I had was Sabin and Bianca.¡± ¡°I loved babysitting, and we always slept together when I lived with you guys,¡± Bianca fondly commented. ¡°Of course, my Pokemon can act as a blanket.¡± ¡°A sweatbox, you mean,¡± Rhea added. ¡°Umm, so is there anything you guys had planned?¡± Lyra¡¯s pigtails weaved with her shaking head. ¡°Not me! Amira wants to get back on the path but is scared to bring it up; she doesn¡¯t know when will be the best time for you guys.¡± The bedroom door opened up to reveal the final member of the party. ¡°Mmgm ¡­ I¡¯m good to go today¡ªheh, I told my mom and dad to quit wasting time with me and go see Cass already. Oh, is all that for us?¡± Rhea nodded, fire lighting inside her. ¡°Yup! Kate and my brother got it for us last night. I¡¯m ready to go today, too. Oh, umm¡ªDad, I wanted to ask you something.¡± ¡°Shoot.¡± ¡°Uh, what would be the good in swapping Alice, Mya, and Nova to Ultra Balls when they¡¯re energy self-sufficient?¡± Alice, Mya, and Nova had talked about it during the shower, and they all came to accept it; now, she wanted her dad¡¯s opinion before bringing it up with her mother. ¡°Ah, interesting that you mention it ¡­ I was thinking about it while watching Amira¡¯s battle yesterday. My dad mentioned she was holding back on purpose to likely replicate the limit ¡­ Woah, you even sectioned it out for each of us¡ªthis is almost like my old comb¡ªnice!¡± Lyra hummed, brown irises drifting to the hallway door as her daughter started the shower. ¡°She was, and doing a decent job at simulating it with a few minor fluctuations. Still, it¡¯s impressive; I bet she¡¯s been trying to test the difference between the two fortitude draws over the last few days. What do you think, Keith?¡± The man¡¯s left hand ran through his thick mane of pulled-back golden locks, a forced smile coming across his face. ¡°Your mother was discussing it with me, and she feels that might have some benefits, yet also some unintended consequences. She wanted to run some numbers and reference some of the old research papers from the various criminal syndicates, but it is something she¡¯s looking into¡ªthough, I doubt it after listening to her¡ªI¡¯d hold off until she talks to you about it.¡± Satisfied with the answer, Rhea nodded. ¡°Okay¡ªI guess it will help us better manage our energy. Thanks, Dad. So¡­¡± ¡°Breakfast!¡± Katelin jumped in, bringing their focus to the wraps, hot coffee, and fruit yogurt dishes she¡¯d prepared. ¡°It looks divine!¡± Lyra chimed, jumping up with the others. ¡°How sweet, you even made some for all of our Pokemon¡ªquite the feast you¡¯ve whipped up for us.¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t noticed just how much the woman had worked because the island was filled with the dishes after she¡¯d put everything in her large pots together. ¡°Thanks, Kate.¡± They settled around the space, taking some outside into the crisp morning air for the much larger Pokemon that wouldn¡¯t fit inside the cabin; the group decided to take it to the deck outside, and half through transporting the goods, Amira exited the shower. The redhead cleared her throat, drawing attention to herself. ¡°Rhea, Lori, I ¡­ I know it might be too soon, but¡­¡± ¡°No need to be like that, Red,¡± Lori grinned, pointing at Rhea. ¡°Goldy and I are totally cool with getting back on the road today. We¡¯re gonna win this League!¡± ¡°Red?¡± ¡°Goldy?¡± Rhea and Amira glanced at each other in confusion. ¡°Ah, yeah, Gabs and I came up with it,¡± she laughed, yet the Frog crossed his arms in the negative from her shoulder. ¡°I know it¡¯s not super original, but I thought they¡¯re pretty cool nicknames. Like it?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine with it,¡± Rhea shrugged, figuring it was better than the Swablu, which her family used as a pet name, and she figured Amira was thinking the same thing since she¡¯d heard her family using Mew for her. Amira hummed, concern and hesitation dropping after the declaration. ¡°Red is a new one, but I¡¯m fine with it. I saw the gear, too¡ªI assume that was Katelin and Sabin. Thank you.¡± Katelin hissed, leaning in to nudge her boyfriend. ¡°I know you said red lipstick looks good on me, but look at her¡ªfull lips, natural plump to them¡ªI don¡¯t stand a chance.¡± ¡°Uh ¡­ Excuse me?¡± Amira tentatively asked, confused gaze drifting between Rhea¡¯s chuckling family. ¡°She¡¯s saying you¡¯re beautiful¡ªthe lipstick part is kind of an inside joke,¡± Rhea explained. ¡°Oh, umm, thank you.¡± ¡°No, thank you for taking care of Rhea for us,¡± Sabin said, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°I know she can be a handful, and I hear you¡¯ve been keeping up on her bad eating habits.¡± ¡°Or lack thereof,¡± Kate interjected, dull eyes drifting to Rhea¡¯s single wrap and a small plate of fruit. ¡°Mmgh, I eat fine¡­¡± Rhea groaned. ¡°It¡¯s everyone else that eats too much.¡± ¡°Think you¡¯re alone on that hill, Darling,¡± Lyra giggled, her plate stacked with food. ¡°The stronger you become as a Trainer, the more your food bill is going to increase¡ªhe-he, not including your Pokemon.¡± Knowing it was a losing battle, Rhea relented. ¡°I¡¯m sure ¡­ Is there anything else, Amira?¡± ¡°Trying to get off the topic,¡± Amira mused, but her smile fell a tad, sober tone returning. ¡°Actually, I wanted to run my new plan with the two of you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m listenin¡¯,¡± Lori said between bites, everyone else settling into their own little conversations or listening to them. Amira took a second to collect her thoughts, looking down at Holly as she ate little bits of fruit on a plate beside her. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about the Bronze-tier Encrusted Challenge ¡­ Do you two know that the price per Encrusted Challenge goes up every badge you earn?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°What? No, umm, I didn¡¯t realize that.¡± Lori nodded. ¡°Mhm! Yeah, I was always over at Elesa¡¯s Gym, so I know a lot of that stuff; I figured we were on a roll, so it wouldn¡¯t be a problem.¡± ¡°Not so,¡± Amira took a deep breath. ¡°Expect things to become more expensive as we continue to travel ¡­ I think we should plan our route to our strengths now that we know our Pokemon. I don¡¯t think Rhea should take on Misty¡¯s Gym.¡± Setting down her wrap, Rhea¡¯s eyebrows pulled together. ¡°You ¡­ don¡¯t think I¡¯ll win?¡± Katelin leaned forward. ¡°That¡¯s not what she¡¯s saying; she wants to minimize the risk of running short on funds, which is something most Bronze-tier Trainers don¡¯t consider.¡± ¡°Right,¡± Sabin whispered, pulling Rhea¡¯s focus. ¡°Kate and I almost didn¡¯t make it on our Bronze Encrusted Challenge because we got stuck on Sabrina and Surge¡ªwe battled a ton of other Bronze Trainers, but there¡¯s a limited pool of credits in circulation between Bronze contenders in an area ¡­ Bronze-tier is meant to be a rookie crusher to weed out the flock.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips became a line. ¡°I didn¡¯t know it was so close for you guys¡ªit was all happy messages home when I called.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t want to worry you,¡± Kate explained. ¡°We got through it, but only because of other tough Trainers with a large amount of money came into Saffron as we were almost out of credits. It was smooth after that but taught us a lesson.¡± ¡°Some of us a lesson,¡± Sabin smirked. ¡°Buying TMs is different; my team needed it!¡± ¡°Mhm. In any case, Amira¡¯s got a head on her¡ªso, what¡¯s your plan?¡± Everyone centered on Amira as she took out the replacement phone Christie had given her, pulling up the projection technology to show some website she added the Gyms to and their Pokemon. ¡°A part of being a Trainer is planning and strategy, and given our team¡¯s Typing and Moveset, we need to plot a path we can all succeed in; it¡¯s not a personal effort, but a team exercise, as well. ¡°Lori and I already have the Boulder Badge, which gives us one out of four that we need to skip the preliminaries and enter the main conference. Going for all eight Encrusted just isn¡¯t practical; in fact, the money risk would be better utilized for TMs, travel, and pushing ourselves. There is plenty of high Bronze-tier or even Low Silver areas where we can find wild Pokemon willing to challenge Trainers.¡± Mallory folded her arms across the table, leaning forward to follow Amira¡¯s hands as she pulled their Pokemon to various Gyms. ¡°So, select the ones we best type against? I mean, Forrest showed us that even Type advantage isn¡¯t a guarantee.¡± ¡°Right, which is why we need to utilize it to the best of our ability. To make matters worse, our powerful Pokemon for our Tier are actually a handicap during Gym Challenges since they raise the difficulty to our current Pokemon¡¯s level, as Rhea showed in her Sandstorm match¡ªthis will not be easy.¡± Rhea¡¯s throat became sticky while centering on Forrest¡¯s handsome photo. ¡°No, I get where you¡¯re going ¡­ I still want him to be our last battle, though¡ªMya and I will win this time.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine¡ªit¡¯s an advantage, and you¡¯ll be more experienced when that time comes. My thoughts ¡­ We need four primary ones¡ªwell, Lori and I three¡ªand then a backup for if we fail one of those on our journey¡ªfive for you, Rhea, including Forrest, just in case one proves too challenging.¡± ¡°Hm-hmm ¡­ I like it,¡± Lyra said, resting her cheek against her knuckles. ¡°So, who will fight who?¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Lori¡¯s focus went to her devilish Pokemon, looking between the screen and his Trainer. ¡°I promised Miky that he¡¯d fight Misty ¡­ Does that work?¡± Amira hissed out a puff of air. ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ not your best match up¡ªeven with Gables; naturally, a Water Specialist as proficient and experienced as Misty is not going to lose a mirror battle ¡­ We¡¯re not going to out-water Misty, but ¡­ I do understand how our Pokemon feel, as well,¡± her red irises drifted to Serenity, floating nearby. ¡°My unsure pick will be Misty, and you can do that, too, Lori.¡± ¡°And me?¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°When do we get our next Gym battle?¡± ¡°You can still reject my proposal,¡± Amira muttered. Her golden bun shook with her head¡¯s motion. ¡°We¡¯re a team, and I said I trusted your judgment; we just want to know when and why you think we should go after our next badge.¡± The redhead¡¯s gaze drifted between the colorful badges and Gym Leaders. ¡°Right now, we¡¯re going to Cerulean City, and you can battle people there to keep our funds up, but I think we should go to Saffron City next for Lori, then Celadon City¡ªpassing through Sable City ¡­ We can skip the kayak ride and take the Commerce City route for Lori.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Lori puffed out a relieved sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll probably be rattled for a while after that¡­¡± ¡°Sorry¡­¡± ¡°All good! So, uh, Rhea¡¯s first Gym will be this Erika Gym Leader?¡± Rhea¡¯s attention moved to Nova, listening intently beside her. ¡°Glaceon ¡­ Right?¡± ¡°Yes. I mean, a lot can change, depending on what forms Nova can take¡ªnot that I¡¯m trying to put pressure on you, Nova,¡± she added as the Eevee¡¯s expression saddened. ¡°Basically, our path from Cerulean to Celadon will be used to help you master your transformation.¡± Giving her Eevee an encouraging spiritual nudge, Rhea grinned. ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll dazzle us! Plus, it means we¡¯ll be able to do more site-seeing as Amira and Lori get ready for their Gym battles.¡± Her Pokemon smiled at the prospect; Alice and Mya challenged each other to have more victories before then. Nova was still nervous but took strength from them. Lori stole everyone¡¯s eye soon after. ¡°Eh-he-he, uh, Red ¡­ Are you saying I should face that Sabrina woman¡ªthe one that¡¯s ranked second as the Rookie Crusher in Kanto Leaderboards behind your grandfather?¡± Amira¡¯s confidence returned while centering on the shaky Impidimp. ¡°Miky is a Dark-Fairy Type; he is immune to Psychic Moves. He has the best shot at completely shutting Sabrina down out of all our Pokemon¡ªexcluding Nova as an Umbreon. Psychic Pokemon don¡¯t get too many varied Moves at this Tier. Be careful, of course, but I¡¯m most confident about that battle so far.¡± Pondering her direction, Rhea saw everyone¡¯s impressed nods and asked, ¡°Are ¡­ we skipping Vermilion since Surge¡¯s Gym is in a volatile state right now, and in the next few days it could turn into a Fairy Gym or remain as an Electric, depending on the High-Master Match at the League?¡± ¡°Correct ¡­ We can mold this plan as we go, but currently, this is how I see it. Janine is another good option for Mya as a Steel Type, and we can go to Fuchsia after that. In addition, Vermillion is on the sea, which means we can bounce between Fuchsia, Cinnabar¡¯s newly rebuilt city, or cut over to Vermilion on a ship if needed.¡± ¡°Solid plan,¡± Keith complemented, yet his tone change brought Amira¡¯s eyes. ¡°I will caution against being too serious ¡­ Sure, plan your route, but have fun¡ªthis should feel like an adventure, not a job.¡± ¡°I totally agree, Keith!¡± Lyra chimed, hugging her daughter closer. ¡°A major advantage of going for the Encrusted Challenge is that it gives you more time to explore¡ªyou don¡¯t need to be concerned all the time about going to a Gym the moment you enter a city.¡± Rhea took a deep breath and puffed it out. ¡°I¡¯m really looking forward to it. So, should we get ready after this and hit the road? It will take us three days to get to Cerulean City from Rifure ¡­ Is that right?¡± she asked, glancing at her map app. ¡°Yup,¡± Katelin confirmed. ¡°Travel between Pallet, Pewter, and Apple City has become super easy because of Rocket¡¯s construction work building a path, but not everywhere has the same straight paths. Oh, and look out for berry trees in Blue Forest; they have a unique taste to them! So good!¡± ¡°Too sweet for me,¡± Sabin chuckled. ¡°Still, we shouldn¡¯t hold you guys up.¡± ¡°Hey, I still need to shower,¡± Lori said, carefully stretching out and yawning; she¡¯d thrown on some gym shorts and a tank top her father seemed to have left for her. ¡°It shouldn¡¯t take long¡ªso, we gonna go through those goodies the lovebirds got us?¡± Sabin and Katelin laughed. Rhea got up and threw her arms over her head, arching her back and groaning with the burn. ¡°Let¡¯s do it! I can¡¯t wait to see Cerulean¡ªthe city of water! Maybe while you guys are registering and doing all the Gym stuff, I do some site-seeing with my Pokemon.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Lori called back, already moving to the bathroom. ¡°Thanks again, guys!¡± Rhea followed the Unova girl inside and dug into her packages with Kate and Sabin watching; the blue-haired woman added comments about where she had the inspiration to buy each from their social media pictures or messages. After Lori finished getting ready, they packed everything into their new bags, waved off their family, and marched back into their Bronze Journey; her journey was only just beginning. B2 — 2. Loose Ends 11:42 A.M. June 28, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Preliminaries for the Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have advanced from Bronze to Silver. The second day for the Summer Round Robin Cup, where the top of Kanto and Johto¡¯s advancing Trainers compete to be named Seasonal Best. Rhea started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 20 Days (19 Officially; 20 since getting Maya and Nova). Putting her past troubles behind her, Rhea tried to get back into the magic of her adventure with her team. Once again, they were back on the road, and Amira retook the lead as their navigator; it made Rhea happy to see the redhead having faith in her abilities. Now that she had a bit of time to slow down and study the forest landscape of Blue Forest, she lost herself in the scenery while talking to her Pokemon, and it seemed her companions felt the same because things were somewhat quiet between them for the first hour. They eventually came to a fork in the dirt road that they¡¯d taken before, yet this time, instead of heading south to Rifure Town, the eastern trail to Cerulean City called to them. It would be a few days, even traveling at their best. Rhea was a little disappointed they didn¡¯t get the chance to further explore Rifure Town as Amira explained more about the old Badge crafting process that her grandfather excluded himself from. The family of Badge crafters had a separate facility to show off their history in the service of the League and Official Gyms; the tour included the old family lodge, how the old Badges were crafted, and a fun ending that allowed the group to create their own custom plastic Badge. Looking back at their journey, Rhea was satisfied, though; she¡¯d spent time with Amira¡¯s family in Viridian, trained in the mountains with her new friends, performed in a Contest, battled a Gym Leader, explored Apple City, and had an exciting adventure before Plasma came into the picture. Still, she couldn¡¯t look back if she wanted to rise and stand on her own; this was for the best, and it wasn¡¯t as if Rifure Town was going anywhere; the famous family had been doing this for almost a century, after all. After an hour, Lori walked over and nudged Rhea as she put on a song for them to sing and dance to; she felt a little awkward, having just passed a few people, but the Unova girl¡¯s rhythm was infectious, and she joined the party girl in roping Amira into the fun. Several minutes later, some familiar faces surprised them¡ªthe Alolan boys were seemingly packing up their tents after sleeping in a clearing with a brook. Taking the opportunity to get one of their daily battles out of the way, a few nervous Bronze-tier Trainers that had spotted them stopped to watch, drawing a few more travelers. They made a simple 25 credit bet that wouldn¡¯t hurt each group that much. This time, Alice managed to just barely come out on top against Keahi, being mindful of his tail and strange movements, and she even followed the Mankey into a tree. Rhea felt much less pressure in the fight, which was nice for a change, but considering most of her family was cheering her on last time, it had been hard to not feel a bit tight. It was easier after discussing their battles together, and knowing the pair¡¯s strategy using Revenge was a bit rough for Heneli, but he was happy to learn the same tactics wouldn¡¯t work twice, meaning they had more training to do. At the same time, it was clear Alice had grown stronger since their last encounter. Katelin had planned ahead where Rhea previously hadn¡¯t, packing each of their bags with a diluted super potion, which seemed to be a trick from more experienced Trainers to help your credits go further. Although, the Alolan group seemed to have their own healing items. Her black and white-furred bunny and Eevee were an instant hit among a group of Silver-tier girls that showered them with attention once Rhea finished her match and restored Alice¡¯s shield. Amira and Kekipi took the battle as a chance to show off their other Pokemon; Rhea was a little surprised to see a cute, rectangle-like Caterpie that Heneli named a Charjabug as Amira sent out Amber, much to the Alola group¡¯s mild chagrin. The shiny Fennekin made quick work of the battle, but to Nova¡¯s horror, the Bug/Electric-type used mud tactics to try and counter the Fire Pokemon¡¯s peppering of Embers; once again, people¡¯s eyes sparkled upon seeing the rare-colored Pokemon in their team, snapping photos and posting on their social media profiles. They all chuckled after the match, and Amira complimented him on using Moves to compensate for his Pokemon¡¯s weaknesses; Kekipi laughed it off, saying he got the idea after seeing Mallory¡¯s Gym challenge. Hyped to get started, Lori did her battle at the same time as Amira, sending out a nervous Miky to have his first actual match; the Impidimp had only been a spectator in their journey outside of training in their own group. When coming out of his pokeball, he seemed to gain a bit of confidence in seeing the aversion of many of the onlookers, off-put by his appearance. He stuck out his tongue and danced around, probably distracting himself with Lori¡¯s music as she bobbed her head to it and grinned. Rhea took time to glance between her teammate¡¯s clash with the Alolan Trainers and was a little surprised to see Kekoa release a dark-furred Rattata as Miky¡¯s opponent. Using her phone to identify the Pokemon with the Pokedex app, she scanned the information; it would be a tough fight for Miky since the Rattata was resistant to Dark-type Moves and rather bold, rushing in to chomp down on the imp. Amira¡¯s battle was long over while Lori and Kekoa continued to struggle against each other. Miky got the opening hit with Fake Out, followed by a Flatter, putting the Rattata off-balance for the Impidimp to sneak a few Bites in. Unfortunately, it seemed the rat was too bewildered to know where to retreat to, so he doubled down, landing a strike with his illuminated tail, but Miky¡¯s training with Alice seemed to be helping him; he dodged most of his opponent¡¯s lunges yet the Quick Attacks were too much for him to out-maneuver. It became a game of who could slip around the other and land their attacks; Miky stood victorious in the end, breathing heavily from the long match. Rhea could tell after a bit of study that the fallen Rattata he stood over was weaker overall, but it was a big confidence booster for the imp, running into Lori¡¯s excited, open arms at his first win. After healing everyone up, they decided to travel together to Cerulean City and got a few challenges along the way from some of the audience they attracted. Rhea wasn¡¯t exactly sure what everyone else faced since the crowd was growing and pulling them into their own matches; Mya wanted to get in on the battles before getting sleep to take guard duty that night and utterly stomped the Krabby and Combee to their Trainers¡¯ shock. Three mandatory battles done for the day, Rhea tried to get away from the throng crowding her and asking questions about her various family members; after ten minutes of trying to get away, Mya¡¯s Intimidate aura and glare kept the rest whispering to one another as she rejoined her teammates who were dealing with much the same. Breaking away to join the laughing Alolan team already with their packs on and ready to continue, Rhea sighed with relief as they hurried on, outpacing many of the onlookers. Things started to calm down as they found their rhythm, and Rhea was happy to learn more about Heneli and his friends. Malia, Heneli¡¯s cousin, had taken a Pidgeot Taxi back to Apple City for the internship Silver offered at the space research center; his team would stream their big battles for her to watch. The sun lowered across the sky as Rhea enjoyed herself, and Lori got them to join in some songs with the boys leading some Alolan songs that the violet-eyed girl added to her playlist. To Rhea¡¯s astonishment, Mallory actually got Amira to agree to learn an easy Alolan dance from Kekipi; of course, she roped everyone else in for her to not feel so awkward, but Rhea had a fun time¡ªAlice and Nova danced with one another, giggling at the strange movements as Mya slept. When night came, they made camp on opposite sides of the road for privacy; Rhea spent time with Nova as Amira and Lori prepared for bed, giving their own Pokemon attention. The next day was less battling and more cross-team training; Heneli showed off his second partner, a female Yungoos named Aowena. Mya and Aowena got along great, playing a game to see who could eat more nuts along the road to find the best-flavored ones. Eventually, the pair went to bed to take overnight duty, allowing Alice to come out and spend time with Keahi, Heneli¡¯s Mankey. Nova practiced her Glaceon transformation, stunning the Alola group that hadn¡¯t believed the hype about her Eevee being able to de-evolve. Naturally, the pretty Eevee spent the day showing off while looking for Rhea to tell her when she could try to evolve again. To Rhea¡¯s delight, Nova was making progress with every change. It was a little strange, but for the first time in a while, they didn¡¯t pass a single group on the second day, which was kind of nice. Rhea took time to message her worried family and friends, posting pictures of them traveling with the Alolan team. Katelin had a few embarrassing comments that had her great-grandma up in arms that the boys better be civil; her dad was far laxer, joking with the blue-haired young woman, but Rhea was happy her brother seemed to still be social media skittish. Her mother was a bit too busy to talk but liked her photos. The forest opened up a bit as they neared Cerulean City, and they settled down by a brook that went along the route; Heneli¡¯s group once again to the opposite side, giving them the river, waving them off for the night. Nova spent some time trying to freeze a path on the water for Alice to ice skate¡ªGables¡¯s idea¡ªand managed to get it thick create a layer across the four-meter waterway. As always, the bunny really just wanted to use it as training, much like everything she did, as Gables showed them how to do it from Lori¡¯s borrowed phone. Amira giggled while recording Amber being coaxed into giving it a try by the shiny Frog Pokemon¡ªshe collapsed on her belly, making Gables save her¡ªthe Fire Fox spent the next ten minutes bundled in the redhead¡¯s lap, hiding her face from the embarrassment. Roxie boldly went for it and nearly fell in three times but got the hang of it over time; Alice was a natural, finding partial success in dodging Serenity¡¯s Brines, while Glaceon Nova found it a piece of cake¡ªnormal Nova, not so much; still, she never gave up. The Rockruff and Eevee¡¯s examples drew Amber to give it another shot¡ªwithout the Brine dodging¡ªnot much progress was made, yet she was growing less embarrassed. Heading to bed shortly after the ice cracked, Nova gave Alice the chance to sleep with Rhea, both loved the cuddles, and much to Mya¡¯s annoyance that she had to be out with the rabbit, but it was the first time the Eevee managed to get the pair out at the same time, to her thrill. Rhea noticed Amira watching some of the highlights from the Summer League; she¡¯d forgotten it was even happening¡ªin fact, she hadn¡¯t checked the news for a few days. Typically, it was one of her only ways to see what it was like outside of her small village, so checking it was almost habitual, showing how much she was changing ¡­ She was free. Settling into her sleeping bag atop her small air mattress with Alice cuddled up on her chest, Rhea took a deep breath; an unhappy Mya sat outside with Miky and Holly, tricked into spending time outside of her pokeball with her bunny rival¡ªNova¡¯s devious machinations¡ªthe Eevee even gave up her precious leg-cuddle time to try and bridge the divide between her teammates. She pulled her bound hair to the left side of her pillow and out of the way, closing her eyes and letting the soft chirp of the forest¡¯s Pokemon wash over her; the whispered chirps of Mya talking to Holly made her smile. The world was a big, terrifying, and cruel place, but there was beauty in it that contrasted the pain, and what it meant to be free was to welcome both sides of the coin. If there was happiness, there would be sadness, and she could live with that. Memories of the last two days flooded her warm breast. I¡¯ve met so many wonderful people I never would have known had I not started this journey ¡­ Jason¡¯s been kind of quiet recently ¡­ They¡¯re in Cerulean; maybe we should meet up while Amira and Lori get stuff ready for the Gym. Yeah, I¡¯ll message him tomorrow¡­ Drifting off to sleep, Rhea¡¯s allowed herself to be taken in by Alice¡¯s body and Nova¡¯s nuzzling spirit. * * * Mya sighed, sitting between Mallory, Amira, and Rhea¡¯s tents to stare into the small fire Amber had made for them to manage; they¡¯d needed to have a base to make breakfast tomorrow, so allowing it to whittle out for the coals to remain was something the Fox Pokemon wanted. She picked up one of the sticks Rhea had used to poke the logs, Miky following her example as Holly settled around Mya¡¯s head like a coat. ¡°Why were there no Trainers to fight today? I wanted to have a battle.¡± ¡°Mmh, I¡¯s do likes to battle, but¡ªbut sometimes I gets scared,¡± Miky chuckled, trying to make the fire bigger; his speaking skills were getting better. ¡°So many big, big Pokemon outside forest.¡± Holly giggled. ¡°I thought it was a wonderful day; Amber and Serenity had a lot of fun with the river. Oh, and Nova¡¯s getting better at staying in her Glaceon evolution,¡± she whispered, patting Mya on the head. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have some good battles soon.¡± ¡°Mgmgh ¡­ Not for a while,¡± she mumbled, head drooping a little. ¡°We¡¯re not going to battle Misty for her Badge.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that a good thing? Amira thinks it''s a good plan to not waste credits that could put us in a bad bind since if we fought everyone, a single loss down the line could cost so much more than we have.¡± ¡°Mhm! Mhm!¡± Miky grinned. ¡°Little Red is a real smarty-smart! Lori likes Little Red; she¡¯s cool.¡± Mya scratched her cheek. ¡°No, I get it ¡­ Nova and Rhea have talked to me about it but ¡­ Mmmg¡­¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± A sad note came to Holly¡¯s usually cheery voice. ¡°You¡¯re sad you won¡¯t get to battle the next Gym?¡± ¡°I mean, I know it¡¯s a bit selfish ¡­ Alice told me as much, and as much I hate to admit it ¡­ Yeah, it is, but¡ªbut I just want to show I¡¯m better ¡­ That I won¡¯t lose again.¡± Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Me¡¯s understands,¡± Miky mumbled, pulling his stick away from the fire to glance back at his Trainer¡¯s tent. ¡°I¡¯s not been good likes everyone else¡ªme¡¯s not have so many Moves¡ªI¡¯s not want to make Lori sad¡­¡± ¡°Mhm-uh,¡± Holly interjected in the ensuing silence. ¡°I don¡¯t think our humans are sad when they lose now; Rhea seemed okay¡ªAmira was happy to see how Rhea took her loss.¡± ¡°But why,¡± Mya¡¯s tiny fists closed, cracking the wood in her hand. ¡°She was a little sad, but she dismissed it really fast ¡­ I was told I shouldn¡¯t lose ¡­ to protect Rhea ¡­ I don¡¯t want to lose.¡± ¡°Have you talked to Rhea about it?¡± Holly pressed, sliding away from her to float to the opposite log, and curled her tail around to grasp it. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯d she say?¡± ¡°Having fun is better than winning ¡­ It¡¯s not the same when we fight people trying to hurt, Rhea, though ¡­ I can¡¯t lose, or I could lose her.¡± Holly¡¯s eyes fell to the fire with Miky, a somber look crossing the Flower Pokemon¡¯s face. ¡°I get that ¡­ Amira still blames herself for putting Rhea and Lori in harm¡¯s way. Amber, Serenity, and I tell her Rhea doesn¡¯t think that, but she says it doesn¡¯t matter what Rhea feels ¡­ It¡¯s what Amira feels that is the issue, and she can¡¯t just not feel that way.¡± ¡°Is it what you¡¯s feels¡ªlike that?¡± Miky asked, tucking his legs up to his thin chest. Mya slowly nodded, rubbing her arm and looking up at the bright, starry sky. ¡°I guess ¡­ Nova¡¯s supposed to be the next one that fights in a Gym. I get the reason why ¡­ I¡¯m just a bit sad it¡¯s not me ¡­ Selfish me,¡± she sighed. ¡°Then there¡¯s Alice¡­¡± ¡°What about Alice?¡± Her two friends turned to stare at her Trainer¡¯s tent as Mya hissed out a long puff of air through her large, second mouth, a rumble shaking in her throat. ¡°She¡¯s so ¡­ hyper and happy, yet ¡­ she¡¯s focused ¡­ fearless. I used to feel like that, and I thought she¡¯d break down when she had her first loss ¡­ but she didn¡¯t¡­¡± Trying to fight the tears threatening to leave her eyes, Mya shifted to look at her Trainer''s bright yellow tent; Alice, Nova, and Rhea were already asleep. ¡°She didn¡¯t ¡­ unlike me. Does that make Alice stronger?¡± A soft hum vibrated in Holly¡¯s throat, pulling her tail against her cheek to rub it as the sensitive Pokemon rubbed liquid from her own eyes. ¡°I think you¡¯re both super strong¡ªAmira likes to say we all have our strengths and weaknesses. Amber has been kind of down on herself because of how embarrassing she¡¯s been when we deal with water, but Amira always tries to cheer her up. Heh, she¡¯s the only one that can help dry everyone¡¯s hair¡ªAmber likes that.¡± ¡°What can I do?¡± Mya mumbled, looking off into the night. ¡°I¡¯m heavy, so I can¡¯t sleep on Rhea like Alice or Nova. I¡¯m slow, so it¡¯s hard to keep up with everyone when we walk, and I draw more energy from Rhea when I do. I was the only one to lose our Gym Battle ¡­ I put Rhea in the human Pokemon Center ¡­ All I¡¯ve been is a burden on my Trainer.¡± ¡°Me¡¯s feels that way, too,¡± Miky mumbled, picking at the stick he held. ¡°Gabs and Roxie be so big and confident ¡­ Me¡¯s used to be big and confident ¡­ So many bigger Pokemon makes me see me as so small, but ¡­ but Lori loves me and cheers me on. Me not want to disappoint my human ¡­ I¡¯s needs to be strong!¡± Mya smiled at his resolute face, wiping away the single tear in her eye. ¡°I need to be strong, too, Miky.¡± The sound of the crackling fire and wild Pokemon filtered back into focus as they went quiet, but Holly soon broke the silence with a question that made Mya¡¯s mouth tighten. ¡°Do you ¡­ hate Alice?¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I don¡¯t think so ¡­ I¡¯m kind of jealous of her, I think,¡± Mya mumbled, poking at the logs again for one to collapse. ¡°Nova and Alice are close to Rhea in a way I can¡¯t be because of how I was born ¡­ It¡¯s stupid, I know, but I¡¯m stupid. Maybe ¡­ Maybe I admire Alice a little, too ¡­ She reminds me a little of how I was before I lost to Forrest ¡­ I want to feel a little like I did, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know how to.¡± Holly and Miky¡¯s gazes returned to the flames; no one had answers for her, and Mya didn¡¯t expect them to. She was dealing with something she hadn¡¯t resolved yet, which was frustrating when Rhea managed to get over their loss and the incident with Plasma so soon. Tonight was the first time she¡¯d opened up to anyone about it, and it felt good, but she wasn¡¯t ready to do the same with her teammates. Why am I stuck ¡­ I¡¯m supposed to be stronger than this. Ten minutes passed before chuckles sounded above them, drawing Holly, Miky, and Mya¡¯s gaze; five Pidgey fluttered out of the sky, each landing on their Trainer¡¯s tents¡ªall were male. ¡°So, you¡¯re a loser, huh?¡± ¡°Losers will always be losers.¡± ¡°You¡¯re right; she looks so weird.¡± ¡°All of them are ugly.¡± ¡°I kind of like the weird one.¡± ¡°Huh¡ªare you an idiot?¡± the one next to him chirped, smacking him with his wing. ¡°Hey¡ªshe is cute ¡­ I could be her strong protector!¡± ¡°Fool.¡± ¡°Fool.¡± ¡°Fool.¡± Mya¡¯s nose twitched with agitation while rising with Miky and Holly. ¡°Who are¡­¡± She trailed off as a sixth Pidgey fluttered down to smirk at her from the top of Rhea¡¯s tent¡ªfeathers and face showing a few scars¡ªthe Plasma Pidgey that had tried to kill them. ¡°Well, well, well ¡­ long time no see. Remember me?¡± Fists tightening at her sides, Mya¡¯s gut tightened, feeling the strength of the Pokemon; he was roughly as strong as the Nidorino she¡¯d fought. ¡°Why are you here?¡± Rhea! Rhea! ¡°Mmgm?¡± Shhh, don¡¯t make too much noise; it¡¯s the Pidgey that tried to kill us! Alice and Nova¡¯s ears were instantly up, waking as she sent the warning. ¡°My name isn¡¯t you,¡± the Pidgey growled. ¡°What¡¯s my name?¡± Holly¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°How should¡ª¡± ¡°Drew the Great!¡± ¡°Drew the Magnificent!¡± ¡°The Power of the Sky!¡± ¡°Psst, there¡¯s no Drew in there¡­¡± ¡°Oh, Drew, the Power of the Sky!¡± A few of the birds chirped. Alice¡¯s voice came to Mya through their connection to Rhea. ¡°I hear Neville running back from inside the bushes.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea questioned, trying not to make too much noise while looking up at her tent, where two Pidgey sat. ¡°The Plasma Pidgey ¡­ If there¡¯s six of them, then we¡¯re in trouble; I don¡¯t think we can cover all angles. Our best shot is running into the forest to use the trees for cover against their Gusts. Amira and Lori?¡± ¡°I hear them waking up, too ¡­ I think Kekoa is getting his teammates to help¡ªNeville was scouting around and saw the Pidgey eyeing our camp a few minutes ago,¡± Alice said. ¡°I want to punch them!¡± ¡°No, if there are numbers ¡­ Nova¡¯s Glaceon Icy Wind would be the best thing¡ªsorry, Alice, and did you say Kekoa¡¯s Rattata saw?¡± ¡°Mhm! Should I get in my pokeball now?¡± ¡°No, they¡¯ll see the flash of light; wait until we can coordinate¡ªwho¡¯s sleeping with Amira and Lori?¡± ¡°Roxie and Amber¡ªthey can hear what¡¯s happening, I think. Umm, yeah, the Alolan boys are coming with their Pokemon!¡± Mya felt nothing but frustration but knew they were in a tough spot; Drew had ambushed them and taken up a position to threaten all of their Trainers. Miky hissed, glaring at the ones above Lori¡¯s tent. ¡°You¡¯s comes attacks us? What¡¯s do you¡¯s wants?¡± Drew smirked, pulling their gaze. ¡°I¡¯ve been in a rough spot since you killed my human ¡­ I had to fight to get where I am now ¡­ I want revenge, but you¡¯re always around super-powerful people! Hah¡ªbut now I have you!¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Holly cried, spinning in a circle to throw out a burst of wind as Drew lazily smacked his wing toward Amira¡¯s tent, blades of laced wind cutting past her Leaf Tornado to cut several gashes in the Flower Pokemon¡¯s tent, but the redhead didn¡¯t make a sound from inside. Holly¡¯s arms trembled as a few of the embers from the fire floated with the wind; luckily, nothing lit as the sparks settled around the area. ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± ¡°We attack if you move!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± The other Pidgey squawked, lifting their wings threateningly; all of them were at least as strong as Tera, Sam¡¯s Phanpy. Mya¡¯s eyes burned, her stick snapping in her right hand. ¡°I¡¯ll fight all of you at once ¡­ Let¡¯s go to the road, and I¡¯ll¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m not stupid,¡± Drew snickered, glaring at her. ¡°I¡¯ve watched all of you closely over the last two days; I know you care so much for your humans¡ªall of you are guilty!¡± ¡°You¡¯re all cowards,¡± Mya growled. ¡°Are you scared of me?¡± ¡°Why would¡ª¡± A jet of water launched out of the brush, catching Drew in the face, the tent fabric ripping as he was torn away from the rod; he swiftly righted himself, squawking in anger as his fellows took to the air in surprise. ¡°Attack!¡± ¡°Ambush! It¡¯s an ambush!¡± ¡°Where!¡± A green streak launched out of the brush as Mya gathered her own energy, but her lips parted in disbelief upon seeing Haoa, Kekipi¡¯s Charjabug, be thrown into the center of the agitated Pokemon. Golden light shimmered around his frame while laughing. Sparks traced around his rectangular body, and the Pidgey assassins¡¯ attention instantly went to the Battery Pokemon as its steel-like vertical jaws opened. ¡°Freeeeedom!¡± A concussive shockwave of green and yellow energy lit the night in a pulse, engulfing four of the stunned Pokemon, including Drew; two managed to dive out of the way, and one illuminated white as it became a blur, heading for Lori¡¯s tent. Miky launched to the right, hands clapping to generate a dark ring; the Pidgey¡¯s consciousness wavered, forcing it to tumble across the ground. A low growl rumbled from inside Lori¡¯s tent as Roxie tore through the side, electrified jaws forming in her mouth to chomp down on the fallen bird. Thrown back, he swiftly recovered and tried to take off again, but balls of fire shot out from Amira¡¯s tent as Amber leaped out. Happy to take part, brown energy collected around Mya as an unusual discharge of electricity sparked around them from the chuckling Charjabug, falling into the river; a surge of energy filled her Move, causing the four rocks that formed to grow. Launching forward to meet the second Pidgey, diving for Rhea¡¯s tent, she roared, sending a burst of intimidating force to weigh down their opponents as every stone blindsided the confused Pidgey. Cries came from the Flying Pokemon, in utter shambles after their leader was hit by the massive discharge, yet a sudden tornado of wind launched out from the middle of the falling Pidgey; Holly tried to counter it but was quickly overwhelmed. Mya¡¯s jaws tightened as she was carried into the air with Roxie, Miky, Amber, and Holly, tumbling into the atmosphere; she lost all knowledge of direction until striking hard dirt. Her friends landed around her as Mya scrambled to her feet; they¡¯d been tossed back to the road. Rumbles shook in her throat while Mya ran back, cursing how slow she was as Amber and Holly swiftly outpaced her; the Alolan party¡¯s Pokemon had been sent back a ways from the whirlwind, as well. However, Mya slowed, a smile brightening her lips when a shimmering black and white Glaceon jumped out of Rhea¡¯s flap; a whipping tempest surged from the remaining Pidgey, trying to recover over the water, yet Nova took a deep breath, the temperature falling rapidly as Rhea funneled a large chunk of Fortitude to the Ice Pokemon. ¡°Freeze!¡± A rush of frigid wind flung back the wave, icing over the brook and sending three of the flock to the ground, their energy matrix shattered; the rest scattered. Keahi, Heneli¡¯s Mankey, grabbed Mika¡¯ele and swung him around to launch him into the air for a jet of concentrated water to shoot out of the Horsea¡¯s nose, eyes sparkling in the starlight¡ªDrew fell to the grass on the opposite side of the bank¡ªhis minions running in fright. Mya¡¯s gut churned while rushing back into camp with the others, watching Rhea exit, left hand on the dirt and right against her breast as she tried to control her breathing. ¡°R-Rhea! Are you okay?¡± * * * A soft chuckle left Rhea¡¯s tight lungs as she tried to regain control over her thumping heart. ¡°We did it ¡­ Mmgm, yeah, hehe, I¡¯m fine, Mya,¡± she whispered, rubbing the side of her worried Mawile¡¯s raised second mouth, somewhat sinister in the faint light. ¡°I just used a lot of Fortitude in that attack.¡± ¡°Rhea, are they leaving?¡± Amira asked, exiting her damaged tent, and she could see a bit of blood running down her thigh from a small gash. Lori hissed upon exiting. ¡°Woah, I was not expecting an attack out of the blue like that¡ªPlasma¡¯s bird, right?¡± ¡°Hey! What¡¯s up with that?!¡± Heneli fumed, rushing over wearing his swimming trunks¡ªlikely sleepwear. Kekipi¡¯s dark eyes scanned the night, seeing a few of the Pidgey lying unconscious on the ice or across the bank. ¡°You girls okay?¡± ¡°What was that Icy Wind?¡± Kekoa asked in amazement, scanning the frozen ground and water as the river gushed over the ice to find a way across. Amira took a deep breath, adjusting her bathing suit top while following their gaze to the iced-over river. ¡°It¡¯s ¡­ Kekipi, umm¡ªAmber, can you go and help Haoa out of the ice¡ªis he okay?¡± Instant panic-filled Nova¡¯s chest as she noticed the Charjabug frozen inside the blocked river, and she rushed after Amber and the other Pokemon to help. ¡°Eh, heh, yeah¡ªhe¡¯s going to be knocked out for a while, but he¡¯s still got his secondary shield; we were just caught a little off-guard by the level of that attack. How long were you charging that?¡± ¡°Woah! Woah!¡± Rhea held up her hands, a forced smile on her lips. ¡°Uh, we should contact the Rangers first.¡± ¡°Already done,¡± Amira said, holding up her phone. ¡°We can talk about it later¡­¡± ¡°After you¡¯re checked out,¡± Kekipi muttered, noticing her bleeding leg. ¡°How bad is it?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine. It was only a graze; I have medical supplies.¡± ¡°You sure? We have stuff back at our camp, too.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good. Umm, yeah, we should¡­¡± They paused as a large Crobat swooped out of the sky, holding a rod for her partner to hold onto; the Ranger dropped out of the sky to land beside them. ¡°You kids okay¡ªwhat¡¯s the emergency?¡± She turned to survey the scattered camp and frozen river before settling on the fallen Pidgey. Amira was the first to respond as the Platinum-tier Crobat hovered in the air, a deep frown in his red eyes. ¡°So far as my Pokemon tells me, that scarred Pidgey was a Plasma agent¡¯s Pokemon; he¡¯s been stalking us to get revenge.¡± ¡°No way¡ªthe terrorist organization?¡± Heneli asked in surprise. Kekoa hissed, glancing at the fallen Pokemon. ¡°For real ¡­ That group that¡¯s been all over the Kanto news stations?¡± Kekipi was already jogging back across the road to his tent, pulling a few of their gazes. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± The dark-haired woman nodded, shifting to look at the ice as the Pokemon tried to find a way to get the unconscious Battery Pokemon out. ¡°I¡¯ll handle it¡ªare there any more besides these ones?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea said, pointing in the direction they¡¯d gone. ¡°There were six¡ªtwo got away, but their energy matrix is probably low, and I think one was paralyzed from what Nova tells me.¡± The woman put two fingers to her lips and whistled; two Golbat shot out from the treeline, swiftly giving chase. ¡°Alright, heh, and I assume the ice was from your special Eevee, Rhea?¡± ¡°Eh¡ªof course, you know who I am, heh-he¡­¡± ¡°Hard not to when the World Champion puts you under her wing,¡± she laughed. ¡°Still, I¡¯m impressed you girls made it out of a Flying Pokemon ambush¡ªespecially given their strength¡ªgood teamwork from what I¡¯m gathering. Are you okay, Ms. Rocket; do you need anything?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m ¡­ Kekipi, I said I had stuff¡­¡± she muttered as he came jogging back with a medical kit. ¡°Heh, well, you seemed busy, and I had the time,¡± he returned, handing it to her before turning to the Ranger. ¡°Uh, Ms¡­¡± ¡°Mikayla,¡± the Ranger returned, smiling at the young man as he handed Amira the kit. ¡°An Alolan group, huh? I¡¯m glad to see you were close enough to notice something was wrong to help. Uh, let¡¯s see ¡­ Ion, wanna help those guys?¡± The Crobat chuckled, shooting over to skillfully flap his wings to cut out a block of ice and lift it out; Amber and the others rushed under him as the Pokemon set the frozen Charjabug by the fire¡ªAmber¡¯s ears and tail ignited as she began breathing hot steam over the block. ¡°Anything else you¡¯d like to report?¡± Amira shook her head, ruefully turning to look at their tents. ¡°I¡¯d love to file a complaint, but I know this was probably too small to be prevented ¡­ Thanks for responding so fast.¡± ¡°Not fast enough,¡± she sighed. ¡°Sorry about that, but it seemed that Pidgey knew his stuff when it came to Ranger patrols¡ªattacked when my focus was elsewhere.¡± ¡°Figures,¡± Lori snarled. ¡°I mean, he was with Plasma.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯ll call it into the Kanto Ranger HQ; we¡¯ll pull in some more Rangers to scan the area and make sure the route is safe.¡± She waved to the forest for another Golbat to flutter out and hang upside down on a nearby tree. ¡°Eh, I know saying you should get some rest is a bit much, but I¡¯ll leave one of my buddies here to look out for you.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Rhea returned the smile. ¡°I¡¯m actually pretty tired now ¡­ I used a lot of Fortitude in that attack¡ªno, silly, that¡¯s not your fault,¡± she chuckled, bending down to pet Nova as her little girl said she was sorry. ¡°You were amazing¡ªall that practicing has been paying off! Right?¡± The Ranger soon took off, and Lori invited the Alolan boys to hang around; it was 1:04 A.M., yet she couldn¡¯t get back to bed, thinking about Plasma. Amira treated her own leg and insisted that Rhea go back in and sleep; totally outnumbered, Rhea was too tired to fight it and complied. She was a little confused by Mya¡¯s reluctance to join her on the now ruined and deflated air mattress and chalked it up to Alice cuddling against her other side, but in the end, she settled in, snuggling closer together. It was a little uncomfortable on the hard ground, but her mat helped, and Rhea didn¡¯t find it difficult to enter her dreams again; hopefully, this was the end of their little Plasma encounters, but with the Alola party supporting them, it hadn¡¯t been that bad. It was the 30th and the fourth day of the Summer Round Robin Cup¡ªtomorrow was the anticipated day; the 1st was the High Master Battle that would determine the future of the Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez for ownership of the Leader title. B2 — 3. Cerulean Café 9:33 A.M. June 30, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is nearing its climax; 105 Trainers and their Pokemon have battled through the brackets to reach the finals. Tomorrow is the final day of the Summer Round Robin Cup, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and to conclude, the tournament will be the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 21 Days (20 Officially; 21 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea puffed out a long sigh with a groan, shifting her arm to her forehead was the light feeding through her tent to stimulate her mind. Mmgm ¡­ What time is it? She got a few answers from Mya, who apparently hadn¡¯t been the only one to rise before their Trainer; for the first time in the twenty-one days since they¡¯d been bonded, Nova was up and humming to her own beat before Rhea. Alice seemed to have entered her pokeball after Nova got up to let her hang out with Amber. Mmh ¡­ 9:00 Mya ¡­ 9:33 Nova? Uh ¡­ hehehe, thirty-three minutes is a big difference, Mya. The soft laughter of Lori, Kekipi, and Heneli¡¯s voices caused another stream of air to breeze past Rhea¡¯s lips as her Pokemon greeted her. Ugh ¡­ Lori¡¯s up before me? Gah, I still feel a bit tired ¡­ Heh, no, I¡¯m good¡ª Her little Eevee jumped back inside the tent, making Rhea¡¯s eyes open as she leaned against her bare stomach, crying in worry. Wha¡ªno! Nova, you didn¡¯t kill me with that attack¡ªit was a lot of energy, but¡ªhey, no! I¡¯m not going back to the hospital ¡­ C¡¯mon, guys¡­ Rhea chuckled, leaning to the right to pet Nova''s head. We did what we needed to ¡­ That wouldn¡¯t have worked if I didn¡¯t have you in Master Balls, either ¡­ Mmgm¡­ Dropping to her back, she pulled Nova to sit on her chest and stroked her immaculate fur. I¡¯m good ¡­ Morning, by the way, hehehe ¡­ How are the others? Good, huh ¡­ Amira¡¯s leg is healing? Good. Welp ¡­ I should get up and going! No use sitting around in bed all day because I¡¯m a little tired. Rhea lifted her legs into the air, smiling at Nova as her thighs pushed her further into her chest before hoisting herself up to a sitting position with momentum. Cradling the startled Eevee in her arms, she nuzzled her face against the chirping Pokemon. Giggling, Rhea set her Eevee to the side to run out and grab Amber; she pulled her crazy thick and long locks out of its nighttime tie to wrap it into a tight bun for the morning, grabbed her towel, and smiled while feeling it bob left and right. She paused to check the security of her bathing suit and hair before snatching the supplies she¡¯d need for the river and left the tent. Amber sat beside Nova, both tails wagging, yet her bright blue eyes were nabbed by the weaving flames on Fennekin¡¯s puffy fur and burning ears. Amira seemed to be arguing with Heneli about what to put in the pot they¡¯d brought over for a stew; she wasn¡¯t a fan of a few ingredients he was using. All of them were ready to hit the trail by the looks of their outfits and packed bags. ¡°It¡¯s ruined without the berries¡ª¡± ¡°Go ahead, but I¡¯m not going to eat a super sour dish with the amount you¡¯re dumping in that thing¡ªoh, Rhea, umm, how are you feeling?¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t catch a bug last night?¡± Kekipi asked; the black rings under his eyes were gone. ¡°Heard we gotta be careful around Kanto with some of the viruses this time of year.¡± ¡°Naa, she¡¯s good,¡± Lori interjected, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°Just needed a bit of beauty sleep, eh-heh, not that she needs it¡ªright boys?!¡± ¡°Uh, yeah, I¡¯m good.¡± Kekipi¡¯s worry vanished at Rhea¡¯s forced laugh and nod. ¡°Glad you¡¯re not feeling sick, and yeah, I won¡¯t deny all of you are pretty in your own ways¡ªpersonality and looks.¡± ¡°Bro, how can you just come out and say that stuff?¡± Kekoa grumbled, scratching his forehead and digging around his bag for a knife to use on some vegetables. ¡°Woah, Kekoa,¡± Lori smirked, lifting an eyebrow in his direction, ¡°you sayin¡¯ we aren¡¯t hot stuff?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not blind ¡­ Kekipi¡¯s just never had a filter¡ªI don¡¯t get it.¡± ¡°Aye,¡± Heneli flashed his teeth and took a short pose, ¡°ya can¡¯t be leavin¡¯ us out, either¡ªwho¡¯s got the smolder, huh?¡± Kekipi laughed with everyone else. ¡°Dude, you need to gain another thirty pounds of muscle and a few inches to pull that off.¡± ¡°Yo, don¡¯t hate! I got the face of a stud, plus I can cook!¡± ¡°Cooking and looks; the deadly combo!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°Naa, you guys aren¡¯t bad to look at, hehehe.¡± Amira¡¯s full lips tightened upon looking at the pot Heneli was fixing. ¡°The cooking part has yet to be tested¡­¡± Heneli¡¯s eyes sparkled, jabbing his thumb back at the confused redhead while looking at his boys. ¡°Yo, you are that; we¡¯re pretty hot stuff ourselves¡ªwe¡¯ve proved it already!¡± ¡°Huh ¡­ You must be out of your mind; I didn¡¯t say that,¡± Amira muttered as Lori and Kekipi laughed. ¡°No take-backs! Woah, wait¡ªwhat was that dance, Lori ¡­ Check it! Ugh! Yeah!¡± Rhea moved around the boy as Mallory jumped in to set up a short with Heneli to take her items to the river, waving them off with a laugh. ¡°Be back in a bit.¡± Amber followed Nova by her side, and Rhea was a little surprised Mya let Alice take her place for the first half of the morning; today, they¡¯d reach Cerulean City, so they didn¡¯t need to have someone take guard duty. Going a bit further downstream from the crowd, Rhea caught sight of a Golbat, likely one of the Ranger¡¯s friends. Out of view from the camp, she took a little more time to unwind and play with Nova and Alice in the water. Amber wasn¡¯t a fan of being splashed, so she happily watched, waiting for Rhea to finish, and after a minute, she splashed cold water on her face and scrubbed off the morning gunk. Nova and Alice ran back to grab her clothes since she¡¯d forgotten them, and by the time she was done, the pair returned. After recharging, she felt a lot better and returned to the camp to pack up; the food was served shortly after, and Rhea had a fun time with the louder-than-normal environment. It was 10:55 A.M. by the time Amber had finished drying the towel, the area was cleaned up, and they were ready to hit the trail. Jason returned the text she sent five minutes previously, saying he was all for hanging around Cerulean to chill; their party was planning to hang around until the future of the Vermilion Gym was decided. The Alolan group were utterly bewildered by the discussion as Rhea brought it up; they didn¡¯t know much about Gyms and weren¡¯t aware it could flip Leaders and Types. Amira adjusted her bag and braided hair as they moved down the Blue Forest¡¯s uneven dirt pathway, glancing between the various Pokemon surrounding them. ¡°It¡¯s pretty important, actually,¡± she muttered, speaking to Kekipi, but the others hushed to listen. She unclipped her phone to project a holographic image. ¡°Kanto¡¯s Gym Types have remained the same forever ¡­ Practically since the System was implemented, excluding when Blue took over the Viridian Gym.¡± ¡°Wait, huh¡ªthat¡¯s, uh, your grandpa¡¯s Gym¡ªhow¡¯d that happen?¡± ¡°Long story,¡± Amira sighed, fingers tightening around her crystal device. ¡°Back to the topic, though¡ªall of the Gym Leaders have extensive experience in the level of opposition they need to give to a challenger to satisfy the League requirements ¡­ In Vermilion, that might change.¡± ¡°Umm,¡± Rhea cleared her throat, pulling their attention as their Pokemon raced ahead, playing by the creek they walked beside. ¡°I¡¯ve met with Saria; she wants to make it into a Fairy specialized Gym, and she¡¯s pretty strong.¡± A soft rumble shook in Amira¡¯s throat. ¡°Right ¡­ The way I see it, this change is more significant than that. You know her, right?¡± Nodding at the question, Rhea smiled while looking inward at Mya. ¡°Fairy Pokemon have always been my favorite Type; maybe I¡¯m biased, but I got along well with Saria when she¡¯d stop by our village. It¡¯s a small place, so everyone knows when a visitor comes.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira blew up the image of the blonde, blue-eyed woman that had been taken while out in her city. ¡°I don¡¯t know much about her myself, but what I can tell you is that if she wins and changes the Gym, there¡¯s going to be a massive shift in the perception of the Kanto League.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not trying to question you,¡± Kekipi said, leaning in to look at the search results of the woman, ¡°but how is it a big deal?¡± ¡°For one, Fairy Pokemon are the least represented Type, which is deceptive because it¡¯s a phenomenal Typing, although fewer on the number of various Pokemon she could pick. I suspect she''ll be allowed to choose Pokemon with the Fairy Off-Type in Silver and above. Most Gyms require you to only battle with a Primary-Type in Bronze and Silver.¡± ¡°I can see that being troublesome,¡± Kekoa muttered. ¡°Is that all?¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Lori nudged him with a grin, ¡°think she¡¯s cute?¡± ¡°Eh-I mean, yeah, I guess¡­¡± ¡°Bro! She¡¯s like twelve years older than you!¡± ¡°Aye, I don¡¯t know nothin¡¯, okay! You asked if she¡¯s cute¡ªI said yeah¡­¡± Heneli grinned. ¡°Naw, Kekoa, own it, man! She¡¯s cute¡ªmost strong Trainers tend to be, which means all of us are gonna hit the top. Am I right?¡± ¡°Haha, nice one,¡± Kekipi held up his fist for his teammate to bump. Kekoa¡¯s cheeks flushed, trying to ignore his buddies as Mallory smiled at him. ¡°Uh¡ªfor the record, I¡¯m not into older chicks.¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Rhea tuned them out as they fell back a little to joke with one another; Kekipi broke away to join them. ¡°Go on, Amira¡ªdo you think it will change our Gym order?¡± The redhead rolled around her neck and pulled up the matches in the Round Robin between the five participating Masters, showing the bracket. ¡°As you can see, Saria and Visquez haven¡¯t lost once, and from what I¡¯ve been following, each match was a landslide. Both of them have been preparing their whole lives for this chance, and no one has challenged them. ¡°If Visquez wins, so far as I am aware, she¡¯ll keep all the currently employed Gym Aides, and it will basically mean nothing changes, but if Saria wins¡­¡± She trailed off, showing what appeared to be a viral clip of the woman decimating an Ice Specialist 3 vs. 6, using a Sylveon, Whimsicott, and Klefki; being a Masters¡¯ Battle, they could use both On and Off-Type. It was over in a flash. ¡°I don¡¯t even think she¡¯s used her main team throughout this contest because she hasn¡¯t needed to; she¡¯s fairly low-key about her Pokemon, which is surprising considering her father¡¯s fame. I¡¯ve pinned down a Comfey and Mawile as her most popular.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes shone as a picture of the woman in a gym for morning exercise lifting weights with her struggling Comfey beside her. ¡°So cute¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, heh, I agree,¡± Amira smiled and reached up to stroke her Comfey¡¯s head as she floated over to drape around the redhead¡¯s neck. ¡°It doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯ll bring Aides no one is familiar with, and she is a total unknown.¡± Kekipi folded his arms and sighed. ¡°So, basically, everyone¡¯s nervous because Kanto¡¯s Gyms have decades of data and experience for us to use against them, but this is going to be totally new.¡± Amira nodded, but Rhea centered on a different part of the girl¡¯s explanation. ¡°What about the Aides ¡­ They¡¯ll be fired? I didn¡¯t know that, but ¡­ I mean, I guess I understand, but their whole lives would be uprooted? I really want Saria to win ¡­ Is that bad?¡± ¡°Heh, you¡¯re precious, Rhea,¡± Lori giggled, jogging up to rejoin them with the other two after they made a new clip to post. ¡°Gyms have a month guaranteed pay for the outgoing aides; there¡¯s plenty of work for them!¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Amira shook her head, ¡°while true, they will get paid for a month to find work, the same cannot be said about the pay other jobs offer. Gyms pay a large sum of credits, and if they can¡¯t match the new Type to an acceptable standard, the Trainers will need to cut expenses and figure something out, but that¡¯s the job risks of being an aide.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Kekoa hissed. ¡°Yeah, and I bet they thought it would be a pretty sure thing with Kanto having so many long-standing Gyms.¡± ¡°It¡¯s really their own fault if they do end up in a rough spot; the writing has been on the wall, and the match has been in place for over a year''s worth of hype. If they don¡¯t have something set up by now in the chance the Gym Type does change, then they have no one to blame but themselves.¡± ¡°True,¡± Kekoa muttered. ¡°I hadn¡¯t thought about that.¡± Amira¡¯s focus went to Rhea again. ¡°As to your previous question, yes, I believe it will change a lot of things, which is why I suspect many Trainers are going to be stalling in Cerulean ¡­ As you can see, we won¡¯t be able to battle the Gym tomorrow, and we¡¯ve missed the registration for today.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Mallory groaned, glaring at the website the redhead pulled up. ¡°We could have registered earlier, right¡ªwhy didn¡¯t I think of it?¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t matter; I¡¯ve been keeping tabs on things, and the site went down for maintenance yesterday. When it came back up, battle requests flooded in.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You already booked a spot?¡± ¡°I reserved the right to go in and register a spot,¡± Amira laughed. ¡°Gym spots are pretty tight right now with so many challengers in this League; they¡¯re likely going through dozens of Trainers a day. I¡¯ll tell you my thoughts if Saria wins, but Lori and I need to prepare for Misty ¡­ You ready to go over strategies?¡± The purple-haired girl stretched out her back. ¡°Sounds good¡ªmmgh, got any thoughts about Miky¡¯s chances?¡± ¡°Not good?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe, c¡¯mon; there has to be something we can do!¡± Rhea¡¯s thought pulled in as the groups split into different conversations; she could feel Mya¡¯s agitation about waiting for two Gyms before even attempting their next Encrusted Badge, but Amira¡¯s logic was sound. If they wanted to win this, they needed to save as many credits as possible in case they did get stuck and had to restrategize. Throughout the next six hours on their journey to the Water City, Rhea spent much of her time pondering what she should do with Jason; Rhea didn¡¯t want to worry about things she couldn¡¯t control, and this was supposed to be a time for her to relax from all the stress she¡¯d had over the past three weeks. Pulling up her three-dimensional map of the surrounding area, a few things instantly caught her attention, the first of which was the Locked Zones¡ªCerulean Mountain. Unlike Tier-Restricted Zones, Locked Zones were places one needed a League permit to enter; the entire blacked-out area stretched from Cerulean Mountain to the back half of Mt. Moon and Pokemopolis until reaching the Sinjoh Desolation that separated them from Sinnoh. Route 24 had some fun local events dealing with battle prizes and sightseeing on the long bridge walkway built on Cerulean River. It would probably be an excellent spot to eventually go; the area was one of the few locations in Kanto to find wild Abra and lead to Bill¡¯s Lighthouse. She definitely wanted to tour the area, and Katelin posted an image of Sabin having a picnic with her overlooking the ocean that she wanted to experience. Bill¡¯s old cottage was on the way, which he¡¯d turned into more of a tourist spot over the years since he owned much of the land. Cerulean City itself had several locations she was looking forward to, and when they exited the forest to gaze across the rolling hills that lead to the sparkling metropolis, Rhea felt excitement bubbling up in her gut. Cerulean River ran through the metropolis in a curve, showing them a stunning view of a bridge in the distance with busy streets and Pokemon spotted across the horizon as the land descended to sea level. A golf course had been built on the path leading into the city, and people riding Pokemon, boats, or smaller floatation devices could be seen in the water. Tall skyscrapers rose into the heavens in the distant east, yet the north appeared far more centered around the older aesthetic of the city¡¯s past. The river split into three sections through the city, and the center curved around a colossal coliseum that was Misty¡¯s new Gym, modeled after her own desires after saving enough money to finally begin the enormous project. It doubled as an aquarium, performance stage, and Gym. It was breathtaking to see the newly completed structure in person, and Rhea couldn¡¯t wait to explore it. On their path to the city, she peppered Amira with questions, pointing at various locations as the redhead happily answered her questions, and at 6:24 P.M., they made it into the outskirts of the city. Police could be seen on the water, streets, and air as tourists drove, flew, or sailed in; unlike Apple, Pewter, and Viridian, Cerulean appeared to be far more open and relied on the officers to redirect people to the registration area. After checking in, they all split up, Amira saying they¡¯d handle finding a hotel and sending her the coordinates, leaving Rhea to stand with Mya and Nova to spin in a circle to take in the suburb they¡¯d entered. Jason soon messaged her a caf¨¦ they could meet up in, and she followed her GPS to the location. The streets became more rustic as she went north, and when she came to the caf¨¦, her eyebrows rose while stepping into the cozy coffee shop; once the door shut behind her, the sounds of the tourist city faded into relaxing jazz that helped calm her thumping heart. Seeing Jason beside the window, she returned his quiet wave; Rhea had to do a double-take because it could have been his shirt, but he seemed to be filling out more. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s been a while since we talked,¡± Jason grinned, sliding his menu to her while keeping his voice low in the gentle ambiance. ¡°I¡¯ve been keeping up on the details from my sister but wanted to give you some space. Wrong move?¡± Rhea checked her bun for a second as Mya took the chair beside her, and Nova hopped up on her lap. ¡°No, I¡¯m happy with the voicemail you sent. Heh, it¡¯s just been a bit crazy.¡± ¡°Right,¡± he snickered, leaning back to watch Sunny sitting behind him talk to Mya; he seemed a bit nervous, ¡°I won¡¯t try to dig in and ask questions. Eh-haha, Sunny¡¯s been wanting to meet Alice.¡± A sly smirk lifted Rhea¡¯s lips as the rabbit¡¯s ears stood on end at the mention of her name, head darting to her. ¡°Hmm?¡± Hey, Mya, Nova, mind giving Sunny and Alice some time? I know you haven¡¯t been out long, Mya ¡­ Oh, thank you, Nova, Rhea giggled, feeling Mya¡¯s annoyance but at least she wasn¡¯t refusing to be out with the bunny now. Returning the cheery Eevee to her pokeball, she brought Alice out; the bunny and rabbit went to the floor, and off the bat, she figured the pair were talking a mile a minute by Mya¡¯s reserved stare. It didn¡¯t take long for Alice to challenge him to acrobatics, which Sunny happily accepted, taking it to a Pokemon meet and greet area outside that the rabbit guided her to. ¡°Look at them go,¡± Rhea mused, watching the two race out of the door when a customer opened it. ¡°Heh, yeah, I figured they¡¯d get along ¡­ So, figured out what you wanted to drink?¡± Rhea glanced down and sighed. ¡°I should get something that won¡¯t keep me up ¡­ decaf caramel macchiato?¡± ¡°Sounds good to me¡ªeh-I just went with something random¡ªwhat I normally do when we go to places like this since I¡¯m totally lost with this kind of stuff. You seem to know what you¡¯re doing, though.¡± ¡°Mmh-heh, not really,¡± Rhea forced a grin and noticed a single woman coming out to take their order once Jason waved in her direction. ¡°I used to make different coffee drinks with Bi; she taught me most of it.¡± ¡°Oh, nice¡ªI saw the pictures, by the way; how is Bi?¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ I kind of feel like I ditched her, to be honest,¡± Rhea mumbled, her focus turning to the brown-haired attendant as she approached, but Jason pulled both their eyes as his grin strained. ¡°What?¡± ¡°I ¡­ may have thought you¡¯d like to hang out with her since she¡¯s in Kanto for a bit, so¡­¡± ¡°Rhea, Jason!¡± Turning around in mild shock, Rhea saw her dolled-up cousin walk through the door as if waiting on the topic to make an entrance; she wore a blue dress, had her hair pulled up, and was wearing contacts. ¡°Bi?¡± ¡°Yeah, thanks for inviting me¡ªoh, are we ordering now?¡± The waitress stepped back to allow Bianca to sit beside Jason since Mya took the other seat. ¡°Do you need another few minutes; my name is Hailey, by the way, and ¡­ I don¡¯t mean to be rude or intrude, but ¡­ You wouldn¡¯t happen to be the Sinnoh Champion¡¯s daughter and niece, would you?¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± Bianca hissed, glancing at the other residence, but they seemed preoccupied in their own activities. ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s fine. Yes, we are, and we¡¯re just trying to relax after a long day.¡± ¡°Of course! Umm, I¡¯m sorry to be so forward,¡± she chuckled, fidgeting with her apron. ¡°I¡¯ll leave you to browse the menu in peace.¡± ¡°Mhm-uh,¡± Bianca said, pointing at Rhea. ¡°I trust Rhea to pick something good; I¡¯ll have what she ordered.¡± ¡°I haven''t ordered yet, Bi¡­¡± ¡°Oh, umm, okay. Anything look good?¡± Rhea slid her hand to the item she¡¯d selected. ¡°Mmh, decaf caramel macchiato, hmm?¡± Bianca smiled. ¡°Yeah, that works for me. Good choice, Rhea.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll have those put in ¡­ And anything else for you, sir?¡± Jason glanced down at his cup. ¡°Eh ¡­ another hot chocolate.¡± ¡°With cream again?¡± ¡°You know it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get those right now!¡± Rhea let the pressure in her chest ease out, smiling at her cousin. ¡°So, how long are you in Kanto for?¡± The woman folded her arms under her breast. ¡°Urgm¡­¡± ¡°Hehe, basically until Hilbert¡¯s done being tested by all the Legends¡ªthe poor guy probably won¡¯t get any rest.¡± ¡°He loves it, and it¡¯s nice to see him happy,¡± she whispered, and Rhea could see her content smile; the woman was now enjoying her time away from the mountain village. Jason shifted in his chair to be able to face them both. ¡°You left all your Pokemon back home, right?¡± ¡°Mhm. I would have liked to bring them, but it didn¡¯t quite work out that way; they basically kicked my butt out of the village to get here as fast as I could,¡± she tittered. ¡°They were so worried about you, Rhea.¡± ¡°Thanks for coming, and sorry I kind of ditched you ¡­ I was kind of high on emotion and needed to just move forward.¡± ¡°Yeah, that was totally fine, but then you got attacked by that Plasma Pidgey and his lackeys,¡± Bianca groaned. ¡°When are you gonna get a break, girl?¡± ¡°Heh, tell me about it.¡± ¡°Plasma Pidgey ¡­ Okay, won¡¯t ask,¡± Jason held up his hands on his own, stopping himself. ¡°Why don¡¯t we move past the doom and gloom; you have tomorrow off. Right?¡± Rhea sat back and glanced to the counter where the woman was preparing their drinks. ¡°Mmh, at least for most of the day; at six, I want to stop at a restaurant that¡¯s showing the Master Finals for the Summer Cup.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m sure we can do that. So, I was thinking about hiking up Route 24 tomorrow; sound like a plan for the morning?¡± ¡°I like that idea,¡± Bianca smiled, accepting the drinks as Hailey returned and left without prying. ¡°Want to meet here again tomorrow, at say ¡­ 9 A.M.? ¡°Works for me,¡± Rhea grinned, looking across the street to see Alice and Sunny leading a trick challenge battle royal with what seemed to be wild city Pokemon. ¡°I wanted to check out the old lighthouse.¡± ¡°Oh, so romantic!¡± Bianca cooed, sipping at her drink. ¡°He-he, if only Hilbert wasn¡¯t busy, but ¡­ yeah, he¡¯s on Mt. Silver right now.¡± Rhea checked her phone as it buzzed, getting the address for their hotel and the message that they¡¯d signed up to face Misty on the 4th. They had a few days in the city, which was good, and gave her time with Jason and her cousin. ¡°Looks like Lori and Amira take on Misty on the 4th. You guys have already beaten Misty, right?¡± Jason grinned. ¡°Yup, got my Bolder and Cascade Badges; two down, two to go.¡± ¡°Mmh,¡± Bianca leaned forward to study him. ¡°You¡¯ve been pretty mysterious about your new team addition on social media; not going to show us?¡± ¡°Tomorrow,¡± Jason laughed. ¡°He¡¯s sleeping right now, but Misty wasn¡¯t easy, let me tell you¡ªwait, are you not battling her, Rhea?¡± ¡°Nope. Right now, I¡¯m looking at Erika being my first, then probably Janine since Mya has Poison immunity.¡± Her Mawile¡¯s large head nodded emphatically, eagerly licking her lips. ¡°Huh, so you¡¯ve got it all mapped out? What¡¯s the¡­¡± His voice died as the door opened to reveal a soaking wet boy, speaking fairly loudly. ¡°Ugh¡ªdo you have a bathroom I can use?¡± A few patrons snickered, and a man in the back got up. ¡°Yo, I got ya.¡± ¡°Look at him, Joe,¡± his buddy mirrored his friend, ¡°did he fall into the lake?¡± ¡°Swam, actually,¡± the boy groaned, looking down at the water he trailed. ¡°Oh, sorry about this¡­¡± Hailey grimaced. ¡°Could you please not soak my ¡®wooden¡¯ floor and take it to the back.¡± ¡°No need, Hailey,¡± the man said, tossing his pokeball out to reveal a Magcargo; more than a few people straightened as the large, 4¡± tall lava slug¡¯s liquid bubbled, but it seemed to be very capable at controlling its heat because the wood didn¡¯t instantly catch fire. ¡°Kelsey will have ya dry in a snap.¡± ¡°Yo, sweet¡ªthanks, man! My name¡¯s Ari¡ªwoah, that¡¯s some heat!¡± he laughed as a controlled wave of air funneled out of the Pokemon¡¯s mouth to only focus on the boy, acting as a blow dryer. ¡°You could have taken it outside, Joe,¡± Hailey grumbled from the bar. He winked at her. ¡°How could I impress you then¡ªwe still on for Friday?¡± ¡°Only if you don¡¯t burn down my business¡ªI sank my life¡¯s savings into this place.¡± ¡°Look, I¡¯m pulling in more customers; it¡¯s not every day people see a Master-tier Magcargo.¡± ¡°Mhm ¡­ It¡¯s getting a bit too loud, though,¡± she grumbled, glancing nervously at them. ¡°Realy, Joe.¡± ¡°Aye, no problem, Hailstorm; c¡¯mon, Ari, let¡¯s go out and get ya dry!¡± ¡°Uh, sorry, Ma¡¯am!¡± Ari said, rubbing his neck and smiling apologetically. ¡°I¡¯ll get outta your hair.¡± Hailey blushed as Joe called out his pet name for her but kept her composure well, and her face softened when the two left; Rhea could tell she was glad Joe stepped up to help the boy. ¡°Sorry for the commotion.¡± ¡°What are you saying sorry for?¡± Joe¡¯s buddy asked. ¡°You¡¯re an angel¡ªoh, but if ya wanna give me a free drink¡­¡± ¡°You can pay for it.¡± ¡°Aww-he-he.¡± ¡°An odd guy,¡± Jason laughed, getting to his feet. ¡°You want to hang out for a bit before it gets too late?¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Rhea chimed, rising with Bianca. They left the store, noticing a striped Ari in the alley as they passed, only clothed in his swimming trunks; Kelsey was swiftly drying off his shirt and pants, but Rhea caught the glint of an Encrusted Bronze Boulder Badge on the cap he¡¯d extracted from his bag. Wandering around the jazzy Cerulean district, they enjoyed the smooth vibe the sounds impressed and watched a few street performances from Silver-tier Trainers with their Pokemon. A water show was put on at 8 P.M. at the river for the public, which seemed to be sponsored and hosted by the Cerulean Gym¡¯s Master Aides. It was something else, watching ten Gyarados mega evolve to then perform a mock battle in a play between rival kingdoms, and there was even a romance between the conflicting lands that had Bianca in tears as the prince and princess kissed in the end. Jason had been enthralled by the performative and controlled battles, whose attacks a floating Cloyster had blocked to provide a more entertaining show. It looked scary, but that was the thrill of it, and the Moves weren¡¯t nearly at their full power from Rhea¡¯s experience, but the crowd didn¡¯t seem to know the difference. Rhea had to giggle at her bunny and Jason¡¯s rabbit as they spent the whole night getting to know each other; at first, it was about challenges for Alice, yet once things started to quiet down, she began to learn more about his life in Kalos. Her best friend guided the conversation to escorting Bianca and her to their selected hotels as the night came to a close to their amusement; it was something he wanted to do after watching a few old movies, and she knew Bianca had her own headcanon when it came to Rhea and Jason¡¯s friendship. The blonde Master made her thoughts very clear that she approved of Jason some time ago, but Rhea could only see him as her only real friend outside of her family while growing up. Mallory asked quite a few questions about their time out and was a bit disappointed when she learned he¡¯d also invited Bianca. Amira seemed to be sad she missed the show but discovered it would be held again in three days, so she could still see it. After a good day, Rhea settled into bed with Mya and Nova and drifted off to sleep; she could only hope tomorrow would be as good as today had been¡ªexcluding the Pidgey assassination¡ªbut that¡¯s beside the point; she had a wonderful day. B2 — 4. Bonding Requires Balance 6:56 A.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 Officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). A warm pressure eased against Rhea¡¯s back as her mind roused from its deep slumber, causing a low groan to rumble in her throat while rolling to her opposite side to blurrily open her eyes. The first thing that met her vision was the creased, bundled blonde locks she¡¯d pulled together before bed tickling her nose, cheek, and neck before Mya¡¯s big, yawning mouth closed; a small smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips as the Deceiver Pokemon followed her roll, her face burying into her abdomen. Nova was pawing up her left leg to rest her head against her thigh under the half-fallen off blanket that covered her, and by the slight tickle of a rough tongue, the Eevee had just finished yawning herself. Lifting her head a tad to reposition her hair, Rhea puffed out a soft sigh and carefully shifted to her back for the Mawile to use her belly as a pillow. Blindly reaching over to the dresser beside her bed, she was a little surprised to hear soft jazz playing in the bathroom. Amira appeared to have gotten up a tad earlier than usual, but she had gone to bed at 9:30 P.M., and, by the gentle light underneath the door of the bathroom, she figured the redhead was relaxing in a bath. It was the first time she¡¯d seen her relaxing in the morning, but considering the pressure she was probably still feeling, Rhea didn¡¯t want to disturb her. Turning on her phone, the dim light setting automatically activated in the dark room, yet the holographic display still made her wince and blink to adjust to the brightness. It did give her a better view of Mallory¡¯s bare back, and she followed the straps of her bikini before settling on the slightly discolored section across much of her visible skin. Zoning out a little while pondering if it was caused by a fire or was just a birthmark, Rhea found herself staring too long and averted her gaze to look at her phone. Her mother had left her a text: 5:33 A.M. Mom: Hey, my little Swablu! I hope you¡¯re having a good morning. I got your message about the Master Ball thing. Hmm, how should I put this? I¡¯ve been giving my little plan a lot of thought and would like to revisit that discussion if you have some time today. I should be able to pause what I¡¯m doing today whenever you have time to talk. I love you and can¡¯t wait to get your call! ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Rhea dropped her phone onto her chest, causing the light to vanish as she stared up at the ceiling and let her connection to her Pokemon come to the forethought of her mind. Alice was just as dead to the world as her other two Pokemon, cuddled up to her spirit as if she were cold. Today was pretty much a relaxing and fun day with Bianca and Jason before meeting with her team for the big match that everyone in Kanto was anticipating. That her mother mentioned not just her Master Ball question but revisiting the plan she¡¯d had of giving her Pokemon was a bit curious. Still, she was happy her mother wasn¡¯t totally absorbed in the work she¡¯d been called to Sinnoh to participate in; she was still thinking about her, which was nice. There had been times in her life when she wondered if she¡¯d been in her mother¡¯s thoughts that day. Taking a deep breath, she let it go in a steady stream, doing her best to not wake her Pokemon while trying to stretch out her spine. Amira¡¯s slow rhythmic piano, saxophone, and bass sounds in the bathroom helped to mellow out her mind. Rhea hadn¡¯t been a jazz fan or listener, but it seemed so proper when around the redhead. Lori had wild tastes that basically swapped by the hour, but Amira was far more straightforward in her music choices, elegant and refined, a high-class sound that easily painted a picture of the Rockets in Rhea¡¯s mind¡ªwell, maybe not Lyra. It was interesting to get an inside look at the infamous mobster family. The prejudices she¡¯d grown up around didn¡¯t really stick with her, yet that didn¡¯t mean she didn¡¯t have many misconceptions about the Rockets and had judged Amira to an extent by that reputation. Amira was a sweetheart, intelligent, and fiercely independent. Her suspicious mind had been spot-on a few times since they¡¯d started their journey, and now, Rhea had seen the vulnerable side of her new friend. Of course, she¡¯d been a hot mess herself, and Lori was dealing with her own struggles that she still wasn¡¯t comfortable expressing, which was fine. Rhea hoped over time they could get close enough to be open to one another, and she could help her friends. Her focus moved to the bathroom as the sound of shifting water mixed with the jazz sound, signaling Amira getting ready to dry off and relinquish the room for them. There wasn¡¯t any real rush, which meant Lori got to sleep in, and she had nearly two hours to meet her cousin and best friend at the caf¨¦. Deciding it was time to get up anyway, Rhea eased herself out of bed and started her light 15-minute morning stretches and exercises. Nova got up to join her, arching her back under the blankets before nuzzling her way out and hopping to the wooden floor. Amira exited ten minutes into her routine, a towel bundled Amber and shimmering Serenity by her side, and chuckled a little upon seeing her. ¡°I should do mine, as well. Hmm, want to take bets on how long Lori will sleep?¡± Rhea smirked while glancing over at their purple-haired member, lower-half covered by her sheet; Gables and Miky were out tonight, which meant the Frog was draped over her rising and falling side, and the imp was sitting against her belly. ¡°Mmh ¡­ I¡¯d guess 8 A.M. She got to bed at 10, like me, so ten hours seems good for her.¡± ¡°Heh, I had the same number; with that in mind, you¡¯ve been sleeping in lately,¡± Amira commented, brushing out her hair as Amber lightly blew on it. ¡°Are you feeling well?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think so. Hmm ¡­ I do usually get up at 6 A.M., but haven¡¯t you been sleeping in, as well? Heh, think we¡¯re growing lazy? I bet Bi has been up since 5; she used to be an early riser like you.¡± ¡°Pfft, 5¡ªthat¡¯s early for me,¡± Amira giggled. ¡°I used to do martial art training with my mom in the mornings¡ªugh, she¡¯d always use it as an excuse to kiss and hug me.¡± ¡°Sounds nice,¡± Rhea whispered, imagining the redhead and her mother laughing and wrestling in the mornings. ¡°I¡¯d usually go on hikes or other outdoor activities with my dad or brother. Jason, Kate, and their parents would sometimes join, which was fun.¡± Amira rolled her eyes. ¡°You should see my dad when he gets around my grandpa¡ªthey¡¯re super competitive, and my grandma eggs them on.¡± ¡°Hehe, your grandpa, too?¡± ¡°Oh, you have no idea¡ªwell, yeah, you¡¯ve seen him¡ªhe¡¯s about as competitive as a man can get. He works over ninety hours a week, so when he does relax, he has to bring that edge, too.¡± ¡°Wait, didn¡¯t you say when he relaxes? How does that make sense?¡± ¡°You tell me. Heh, I suppose it¡¯s a Master thing, but it¡¯s like they have¡ªheh-he, it¡¯s like watching Alice¡ªthey can go forever at max speed.¡± Rhea giggled while spiritually nuzzling her little sleeping Buneary. ¡°She is pretty hyper; oh, you should have seen her with Sunny yesterday, haha¡ªit¡¯s like a match made in heaven, and he¡¯s totally into her.¡± ¡°I suppose Pokemon do mature quickly,¡± Amira mused. ¡°How long until she starts to look at that¡ªeh-ugh, I should know that since my other grandparents are breeders, too, but that never really interested me.¡± ¡°You too, huh?¡± Rhea grinned, finishing her exercises. ¡°I heard so much about breeding growing up that it came to a point where I¡¯d just nod and say uh-huh to whatever my mom said, but uh ¡­ I think it¡¯s about a month before baby Pokemon start understanding relationships.¡± ¡°Ooh,¡± Amira¡¯s smiling crimson irises drifted to the slightly confused Eevee and still sleeping Mawile. ¡°Nova and Mya are just over three weeks old now. Right?¡± Rhea snickered, reaching down to pick up her happy Eevee and stroke her soft fur as she chirped at the attention. ¡°Yup, in a few weeks, I don¡¯t know how much of a heartbreaker these girls will be.¡± Amira finished drying out her hair and began brushing it and applying some protective products to her locks, eyeing her proud shiny Fennekin. ¡°Tell me about it, Amber got so much attention at the Gym entrance yesterday, and she loved every minute of it.¡± They grinned at the fire fox¡¯s smug smirk as if saying, ¡®I know I¡¯m hot stuff.¡¯ Waving the redhead off, Rhea took her items into the bathroom and had a quick shower before coming out to get Amira¡¯s help on applying a bit of makeup. She taught her a few tricks, and Rhea¡¯s confidence was boosted every time the girl dismissed various products saying she looked better without caking her face. In the end, the redhead showed her how to use even less makeup than she usually went with while using the products to highlight, as she put it, her natural glow, which brought a smile to her lips. Bianca had taught her a few things when they lived together but nothing compared to the meticulous and methodical approach Amira just showed her since they had the time. It was 8 A.M. by the time they finished, and just as Rhea predicted, Lori moaned, stretching out across her bed and smacking her lips while forcing herself up. ¡°Mmgm ¡­ Eh? Woah, Rhea got a date¡ªwhat¡¯s got you lookin¡¯ so pretty?¡± A slight blush touched Rhea¡¯s cheeks. ¡°No¡ªI just thought, well, since we had the time, Amira could explain makeup a bit better to me. Heh, Master Trainers aren¡¯t the best teachers, ironically, so all my guides have come from PikaTube tutorials.¡± ¡°Muk, uh ¡­ Yo, Amira, mind doing a makeover on me next, huh?¡± Mallory laughed, scooting off her bed and coming over to study her. ¡°How¡¯d you get that really lifted look on your cheeks?¡± ¡°Airbrush bronzer,¡± the redhead promptly replied, pointing at the product. ¡°Rhea had the right things¡ªmany things I wouldn¡¯t suggest since it only distracts from her already stunning looks if the proper areas are highlighted, like her pretty pearly blue eyes.¡± ¡°Aww, thanks, Amira! Umm, I was going to grab breakfast at a caf¨¦ with Bi and Jason, but I can go grab you two something while you help Lori.¡± Mallory jumped in to hug her, drawing Rhea into her bosom. ¡°For real, you¡¯re too sweet?! You cool with teaching a Gloom like me, Amira?¡± ¡°Lori, you¡¯re not a Gloom,¡± Rhea muttered, returning the hug before pulling away to glare up at her. ¡°And even if you were¡ªwhich you¡¯re not¡ªErika thinks they¡¯re the cutest things since Cleffa!¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking, Girl, c¡¯mon!¡± Lori snickered, winking at her. ¡°I know I¡¯m a total babe¡ªa Gardevoir with the curves to boast¡ªam I right?¡± she asked, presenting herself for them to smile. ¡°But if I¡¯m that, you¡¯re totally a Lopunny with those toned thighs, Rhea¡ªyou can¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t got leg, Girl! You even got a Buneary to match!¡± ¡°I do have nice legs,¡± Rhea admitted, ¡°and who would Amira be?¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, arms folded under her bust as she waited. ¡°Hmm ¡­ Good question. What would I be, Lori? A Roserade?¡± ¡°Naa!¡± Mallory waved her hand dismissively. ¡°You¡¯re way too elegant to be a showboat like that¡ªmmh, for you, I¡¯d go Meloetta, all the way; Aria and Pirouette! You got the voice to match, too!¡± Rhea cheered with the Unova girl as they got a blush from the redhead. ¡°I ¡­ Aren¡¯t you more of the dancer?¡± ¡°Just because you don¡¯t dance a lot doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t; I saw you the other night with your dad, and as I said, your middle name might as well be elegant because you got it down! Way to make a girl jealous; heh, in a good way, of course!¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°You really are beautiful, Amira, and super helpful¡ªthanks for the tutorial. Umm, what do you two want?¡± Mallory hummed, looking at the nearby caf¨¦ menu Rhea pulled up. ¡°Eh, Mt. Moon Mago freeze-dried decaf looks good¡ªa breakfast wrap looks tasty, too.¡± Amira took the offered phone to scan through it herself. ¡°Cerulean Aguav and Kelpsy smoothie with no sugar looks tempting.¡± ¡°Eh, for real¡ªthe bitter taste with a tiny bit of natural sweetener from the Kelpsy, huh?¡± Lori forced a laugh while looking at it. ¡°Whatever suits you, I suppose.¡± ¡°Right, we¡¯ll be back in a minute,¡± Rhea said, waving them off after getting her phone back and leaving with Nova; she suspected Alice and Mya would be up when she returned. It didn¡¯t take her long to go to the nearby shop, and it wasn¡¯t as busy as she thought it would be; after four minutes, her online order was ready, and she walked back to deliver the items. Lori¡¯s jokes had vanished when she returned, eyes alight like a student studying at the feet of a revered master. Dropping off their breakfast, Rhea had Mya swap places with Alice since the Mawile seemed to have not gotten that much sleep, being excited to see the upcoming High Master battle later that day. Allowing her to rest in her pokeball, Rhea set out through the town, following her previous route from the small shop the day before. The area Amira had found them a hotel at was in the Arts¡¯ District of Cerulean, and she smiled while casually moving between street vendors and shops, displaying their paintings, instruments, or other products for tourists. Still having thirty minutes before the time they decided to meet, Rhea scheduled a small Iapapa and Razz smoothie for her breakfast to be ready when she arrived. Also, figuring Bianca and Jason would get on her about showing a bit more of an appetite, she added a half breakfast wrap to satisfy them; she¡¯d just save it for when they made it to the lighthouse. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. She noticed quite a few looks from people, mostly young men, to her slight embarrassment and delight, but happy they kept their distance and went about their own business. Finally, Rhea decided it was time to call her mom. Activating her phone, she frowned upon seeing a message from Amira saying they would stop by the Center to pick up a package her father and mother sent containing a replacement Trainer outfit. Happy to have her resilient and fashionable yellow dress again, Rhea called her mother, focusing on her rather than the sights as her mother¡¯s smiling face popped up. ¡°Morning, Mom!¡± ¡°Morning! Oh, my! Arceus, you look stunning! Did you finally have a good night¡¯s sleep?¡± ¡°Hmm ¡­ you certainly look a lot healthier than I expected; usually, you¡¯d have bags under your eyes, considering how fast you took off up to Sinnoh. Umm, yeah, Amira helped me with my makeup, too. So, uh, how¡¯s the research¡ªpretty interesting stuff?¡± ¡°You have no idea! You know how I used to read those books to you about old Pokemon variants and the like?¡± ¡°Mhm, like the¡ªoh, heh, what was it called¡ªthe Hisuian Typhlosion that looked like it smoked a bit too much Chesto leaves?¡± ¡°Why do you always remember that one?¡± ¡°It¡¯s funny! He-he, the way he just kind of smiles in the old ink drawings¡ªI like the cool ghostly fire, though. I always thought Ethan would be a lot more chill if his Typhlosion was the old Hisuian kind, haha.¡± ¡°Heh-he, okay, that does make me laugh,¡± her mother grinned, looking back at an empty breakroom. ¡°You actually caught me at a wonderful time; ugh, your aunt is hovering around me like a Beautifly, ready to suck the life out of me if I spend more than eight hours without a break.¡± ¡°Good for her! I¡¯ll have to thank Aunt Cynthia¡ªlet me text that real quick, actually¡ªhehehe ¡­ Thank you, Auntie, for babysitting my self-destructive mother. I know it must be rough. My sympathies ¡­ And send!¡± ¡°Hey, that¡¯s mean¡ªI am basically a Master Trainer¡ªeight hours of work is nothing.¡± ¡°Uh-huh, and if you didn¡¯t have Auntie breathing down your neck, you¡¯d be up for four days straight; I¡¯m glad she¡¯s close enough to give you the stink eye.¡± ¡°Mmh, she does have one of those, eh-heh; anyway, I wanted to get to the bottom of this M-Ball business,¡± she chimed, using the acronym Rhea figured since she was currently in public. ¡°Yeah, and what about the whole plan you had in mind?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see,¡± her mother muttered, leaning against the desk and resting her head against the back of her hand while using her other to flick through some data on her own projected screen. ¡°I was talking with the family¡ªyikes, your grandparents were up in arms after learning what happened¡ªthey feel left out and let me know it. ¡°Umm, I ¡­ do realize it is a bit restrictive telling you not to bond to any wild Pokemon, which wasn¡¯t my intention. I want to send you the strongest Pokemon I can, for the primary reason of making you strong so bad things don¡¯t happen, but also for my own selfish purposes, I won¡¯t deny that.¡± ¡°I figured,¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. ¡°I do love the babies you¡¯ve sent me. Nova¡¯s doing well¡ªoh, show her your transformation!¡± Nova chirped beside her and shimmered with light as she pulled from Rhea¡¯s fortitude to change into her Glaceon form; naturally, she instantly drew eyes and short claps from most of the people present, congratulating her before mutters started to spread that there wasn¡¯t an Ice Rock nearby. Her little Pokemon held her head high, practically prancing next to her while soaking in the attention. ¡°Right, she certainly is beautiful, and it looks like she¡¯s becoming more accustomed to stabilizing her energy over a more extended period ¡­ I want to keep sending you Pokemon for battling, honey, but don¡¯t hesitate to pick up Pokemon that need your help or are struggling. ¡°You know Katelin has an army of cuddle-buddies and finds new homes for many Pokemon that don¡¯t fit in the areas they were born in¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s attitude became somber, causing Rhea¡¯s brow to furrow as she continued. ¡°To be frank, it is a little unfair to expect your friends to keep up with your Pokemon as they grow, even if they can push their limits¡ªstatistically¡ªthey will go through quite a few Pokemon that are unable to cope with the scale, potentially souring their team unity.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that normal, though?¡± Rhea asked, thinking back to the lectures she had in school. ¡°Not every Pokemon you travel with will be able to reach the heights of their Trainer, and not every Trainer will be able to reach the heights of their Pokemon ¡­ It¡¯s the imbalance of it that makes some people angry.¡± ¡°You''re right, but it is a bit more complicated than even that, Honey¡­ Resentment or feelings of Frustration, which is a Move learned through such emotions that is typically harmful¡­ ¡°Mmh, for example, if Alice does not evolve, normally by the end of Bronze-tier¡ªor generally by the time a Buneary reaches the end of a Trainer¡¯s first season with them¡ªAlice will become very agitated, self-conscious, and anxious¡ªit is genetic, which is why they learn the Frustration Move if they have not evolved.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in, slowing to bend down and pick up her adorable Buneary as she looked up at her with big eyes. ¡°I ¡­ I didn¡¯t know that. Is it worse for Alice because she¡¯s already so strong?¡± ¡°Eh, yes¡ªand no,¡± her mother mumbled, playing with her bangs while looking to the left. ¡°All of the Pokemon I¡¯ve bred for you tend to be very competitive because it is easier to project their desires to align with one another to create a unity over time. Naturally, you will see hiccups¡ªI¡¯m sure you¡¯ve already seen some personality clashes¡ªit¡¯s natural¡ªhealthy, even. ¡°What I¡¯m concerned about is that Trainers more or less slow down progression because either they or some of their Pokemon are struggling to match with its peers. A Trainer must understand their Pokemon¡¯s limits and know when¡ªeven if it hurts¡ªto sit down and have a serious conversation about the future. ¡°Remember, you cannot hide your emotions from one another, and that was the initial reason why I wanted to solely provide you your ¡®primary¡¯ team because Alice, Nova, and Mya are special¡ªthey¡¯re built differently¡ªand there¡¯s no getting around it. Yes, almost every Pokemon ¡®can¡¯ reach the Master-tier, yet genetics is a barrier by nature. IVs cannot be changed and make more of a difference than you know when every single level increase becomes taxing on not only your Pokemon but you, as well.¡± Rhea slowed, thinking back to the battles they¡¯d had; they¡¯d faced strong Bronze-tier competitors, and they had excellent Pokemon, yet without a doubt, the Pokemon her mother had given Amira, Lori, and her were on an entirely different tier. ¡°Will ¡­ Could that be different if their other Pokemon were in M-Balls?¡± ¡°Mmh¡ªyes, that is a conclusion I have come to, and as I said before, only terrorist organizations have attempted to do such a thing, but you have proven it is possible ¡­ Only if the Pokemon you are bonded to respect and care for you, which brings me back to my previous point.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes fell to the street. ¡°Resentment that can build between a Pokemon and its team ¡­ You¡¯re saying the open nature of the M-Ball can affect everyone?¡± ¡°Yes, which is why I want to stress that while I agree with the family that you should be able to go out and bond with many Pokemon¡ªmmgm, there is a reason M-Balls are meant for war and not something given to the general public. It was new technology when all the Champions received theirs, which was perfectly fine for Champion-tier Trainers, but as we learned in the Ultra War, it has its flaws.¡± ¡°So ¡­ Are you saying you want to talk to Amira and Lori about receiving more eggs, too?¡± Her mother paused, sucking in her bottom lip and scratching her head. ¡°To be honest, I do want to see if they¡¯ll agree to it because I want these girls to stay with you as you level, and clearly, they don¡¯t want to hold you back after the declaration and pact you all made in Rifure. ¡°As I said, I encourage you to keep an Ultra, Great, or Normal pokeball with you to build friendships with wild Pokemon¡ªheh, it¡¯s a key part of a Trainer''s journey, and you could catch a dozen right now! I dare say you could have four weak Pokemon out at once at this point, you little monster of a Trainer!¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah ¡­ that¡¯s only because of Nova, Alice, and Mya¡¯s influence on ¡®me,¡¯ though the M-Ball. Am I right?¡± ¡°Not all of it is because of that ¡­ but, yes, a great deal. My issue is that if Lori and Amira¡¯s two other Pokemon are going to keep up, they need that bond as soon as possible. Serenity is outpacing Amber and Holly, but luckily, their Pokemon are a bit older, and the influence can even out with work. ¡°I am sorry, my Little Swablu ¡­ Much of this is still experimental, although my data is solid. I can completely understand if you want to take the risks; I¡¯m sure your father wouldn¡¯t want to be anchored down to the machinations of his mother.¡± Rhea had no clue about her father¡¯s side of the family; it was kind of a taboo topic that Sabin and her learned from a young age. She figured they were probably criminals or something, but it didn¡¯t matter too much to her since she had her mother¡¯s side. ¡°I couldn¡¯t say what Dad would do, but to me, I don¡¯t want to hurt my Pokemon¡ªI don¡¯t want to take the chance, and I love these adorable little girls you¡¯ve given me,¡± she giggled, bringing Alice up to nuzzle against her ears. ¡°You¡¯re the expert, Mom, and I trust you. I¡¯ll let Amira and Lori know tonight, but you can send the M-Balls to the Center for us to pick up if they accept them. Umm ¡­ I suppose that answers my question about the M-Balls, and I was thinking about maybe having a leading Battle Team and a Contest Team! ¡°Hehe, maybe I can do the whole Master Challenge stuff later where you go back to the Gym Leaders with Bronze-tier Pokemon and try to build up a new upstart team of fresh, bright-eyed Pokemon to realize their dreams of getting stronger.¡± ¡°Haha, that would be sweet, Dear ¡­ There are so many Pokemon that desire to reach a certain potential, and Gyms do their best to help accommodate those Pokemon but being able to travel around and experience multiple places is a gift many dream of.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that Kate¡¯s whole thing?¡± ¡°She does love to do that sort of thing,¡± her mother chuckled, ¡°and she¡¯s been able to make it to the upper ranks of Platinum-tier so far, even with a rotating team. My concern is¡­¡± ¡°I know, Mom. I know ¡­ It¡¯s not the same because she doesn¡¯t have genetically adorable super Pokemon like Serenity, Roxie, Alice, Mya, and Nova. Thanks for thinking about me, and let the family know I¡¯m happy they¡¯re thinking about me. I¡¯m just about to meet with Bi and Jason.¡± ¡°He-he, right,¡± her mother swallowed, running her fingers through her hair and giving her a soft smile. ¡°I feel like such a screw-up parent sometimes, and I know you¡¯ll tell me I¡¯m not¡­¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea lifted an inquisitive eyebrow while smirking. ¡°You should stop putting words in my mouth, Mom. You¡¯re totally a screw-up, and you don¡¯t take care of yourself, and you work too much, and you¡¯re away so often, but ¡­ I still love you for all your flaws.¡± ¡°Oof¡ªhehe, thanks, my silver-tongued little girl ¡­ You always know exactly what to say to me. Hmm, just like your father. You know, with the little time we had together¡­¡± ¡°TMI, Mom! Gotta go!¡± Rhea blushed and cut the call, figuring her mother was about to say something she thought was romantic but knowing it would probably get to some things she didn¡¯t want to hear about her parents¡¯ relationship. Taking a deep breath, she eased it out while allowing Alice to prop herself up on the arm Rhea held her with to jump down. Pocketing her phone, Rhea reached up to check her bun that led into a braid Amira had crafted as she made it to the street the caf¨¦ was on. Nova eased out of her Glaceon form, many pictures from tourists being taken from a ways back, but Rhea was getting used to ignoring the crowd thanks to Amira¡¯s example. Her gaze drifted to Alice and Nova as they ran ahead to look up at her. Hmm? Oh, the things my mom said ¡­ Yeah, I know you don¡¯t want to get frustrated, Alice, which means we gotta get to know each other more. Right? Her Buneary¡¯s mood lightened at her cheer. Yup, you don¡¯t evolve by level, but how close our bond gets ¡­ Good question; I have no clue how that¡¯s supposed to work with the Master Ball, and I doubt my mom does since she didn¡¯t bring it up. She slowed to reach down and rub Nova¡¯s head, the Eevee¡¯s ears pulling back as she asked her questions; it took a second for Rhea to decipher it. Hmm ¡­ No, I¡¯m not sad, and I¡¯m not ¡®stuck¡¯ with you. Hehe, no ¡­ I love having you guys. My mom just called to let us know that we get to have more friends join the team for other reasons. You guys want to be the strongest there is and beat up all the bad guys like that Plasma dude who tried to attack us. Right? Her two Pokemon nodded fervently, and Rhea took the spiritual grumble from a sleepy Mya to be her own response. Mhm! Do you like battling or Contests more? Battling ¡­ Thought so! Hmm, but Nova, you still want to do Contests like Serenity? How about ¡­ You focus on Single Contests and let the others do more team stuff ¡­ Maybe you can even coach them? That way, you¡¯ll give other Pokemon the chance to shine in the spotlight for the Contests, too? Hehe, but you like the fights, Alice? Both gave her a big grin, and Rhea giggled. You¡¯re such good girls! Okay, ready for some fun? Walking into the caf¨¦, Rhea looked at the big rustic clock above the bar to see it was 8:57 A.M. She was a bit early, and it seemed she was the first one there. Hailey smiled and waved at her from behind the bar; she didn¡¯t seem to be alone today. Behind the bar was a brown-haired teenage boy, probably fifteen or sixteen, that appeared to be working on the holiday since it was the Summer League Finals. The caf¨¦ had a few people with laptops, phones, and even two elderly gentlemen with newspapers on the upper balcony that looked down on the main floor. It really was a lovely little two-story establishment for the woman to own at such a young age. Returning the gesture, her two salt and pepper Pokemon drew eyes as she went to the side counter where Hailey set her ordered items. ¡°I hope you have a wonderful day¡ªoh, by the way, who do you think will win the Title Match for Vermilion Gym?¡± Rhea breathed in deeply at the question and let it out. ¡°I¡¯ve never met Visquez, but Saria came by my house a few times while growing up with her dad, mainly during the war. I know they¡¯re both strong, so I couldn¡¯t tell you; I kind of hope a Fairy Gym comes to Kanto, though¡ªheh, because it¡¯s my favorite Type. Hmm?¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Hailey chuckled sheepishly, smiling for a moment at the two impressed men that had been listening before returning to her. ¡°No, I just wasn¡¯t expecting such a serious answer. Umm, yeah, I know Vermilion overwhelmingly supports Visquez since she¡¯s been such a support for the city while Saria has been traveling around the world, but I¡¯m with you¡ªFairy Pokemon are just so adorable. ¡°By the way, you have amazing taste,¡± she added, leaning over the counter to wave at Alice and Nova. ¡°I hope I don¡¯t sound like a stalker, but I read an article that claimed your Eevee could transform into a Glaceon and back into an Eevee. Is that right?¡± Nova looked up at her, big pink eyes sparkling as more people flooded into the shop that had followed them, finding seats to more or less enjoy looking at her unique Pokemon. Hmm ¡­ You did just transform, but it¡¯s not like we¡¯re going to really battle today, so ¡­ Yeah, it¡¯s okay. Hailey blinked as Nova jumped up onto the stool and then to the counter. ¡°Oh, does she want to show us?¡± ¡°Mhm. She needs to practice maintaining the evolution for a while anyway,¡± Rhea returned, bending down to pick up Alice so she could see. ¡°Rhea! Oh, what¡¯s Nova doing on the counter?¡± Bianca asked while walking through the door; the crowd was captivated by Nova¡¯s sudden transformation, but Rhea¡¯s attention was taken by her cousin. ¡°Bi?¡± ¡°Hey! So, how do I look¡ªI saw this in the window of a dress store and doubled back after you went to your hotel!¡± Her cousin did a little twirl for a draped aqua-colored Chiffon summer dress to flutter around her legs; her shoulder-cut thick blonde hair bouncing with the movement, and her glasses were replaced by contacts, showing her thick eyelashes and light makeup that was more than Rhea had seen on her for a while. ¡°Wow¡ªBi, you look amazing.¡± ¡°Aww, thanks! I¡¯m hoping to¡ªwoah, I love seeing Nova evolve,¡± she swiftly pivoted, sweeping forward to lean against the counter and smile at the posing Eevee. ¡°He-he, I bet Elesa would love to do a photoshoot with her; Nova has the personality.¡± ¡°Eh-heh, she does love the attention,¡± Rhea chuckled. Hailey had her own phone out, taking pictures. ¡°She¡¯s gorgeous! How big will she grow?¡± Rhea turned to her cousin for an answer, causing the Master Trainer and researcher to hum. ¡°Let¡¯s see ¡­ I bet she could probably get as big as my mother¡¯s Glaceon, so ¡­ two and a half meters, maybe?¡± A few people choked at the response. ¡°T-Two and a half meters?¡± Hailey mumbled in shock, watching Nova turn and take various poses Mallory had likely been teaching her when Rhea wasn¡¯t looking. ¡°That¡¯s¡ªwow.¡± Bianca shrugged. ¡°Well, that¡¯s if she doesn¡¯t inherit her mother¡¯s tiny genes, which could be the case¡ªwho can say, but I¡¯d say it¡¯s certainly possible.¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know which I¡¯d prefer ¡­ She¡¯s adorable like this, but a two and a half meter tall Umbreon would be really cool¡ªshe¡¯d probably have glowing pink rings and white fur, too. ¡°S-She can turn into an Umbreon, too?¡± Hailey gasped. ¡°Not yet, but we¡¯re working on it,¡± Rhea chuckled, setting Alice down and taking her items to the corner table. ¡°When you¡¯re done showing off, Nova, come join us.¡± Nova chirped, causing another flurry of pictures for people to post. Alice hopped up to the neighboring chair as Bianca took the opposite side, smoothing her dress out. Hmm ¡­ Oh, yup, Sunny should be here soon to play with you again. A cute smile brightened the Buneary¡¯s folded-down ears; she had a blast playing with the rabbit the other day, and at 9:07 A.M., Jason came rushing through the door. ¡°S-Sorry I¡¯m late!¡± ¡°Hey, catch your breath, Man,¡± Bianca snickered. ¡°What¡¯s the rush; it¡¯s our day off?¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªwoah, nice dress, by the way,¡± he swallowed, noticing their half-finished smoothies and Rhea¡¯s half-breakfast wrap. ¡°If we plan to make it to the lighthouse, we should leave soon¡ªthe bus is going to leave.¡± ¡°Oh, there¡¯s a bus, huh?¡± Bianca asked, getting up with a smile. ¡°Well, lead the way!¡± Rhea chuckled, jabbing him in the arm before gathering her items for the trip. ¡°Leave it to you to be the one that¡¯s late.¡± ¡°I know! I went down the wrong street thinking about stuff¡ªmy bad!¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool. C¡¯mon, where¡¯s that bus.¡± Nova jumped down from the counter, transforming back to her Eevee state and breaking her previous record time as a Glaceon by over five minutes to her delight; Rhea figured it had something to do with the attention and not exerting herself with Moves since that was the only difference. Waving Hilary goodbye, Rhea left the store for her next adventure. B2 — 5. Surprise At The Lighthouse 9:08 A.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 Officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea jogged after Jason with Bianca, dodging around the small groups of tourists and locals. ¡°Hehe, where is this bus?¡± ¡°Over here¡ªhurry, oh, here are your tickets,¡± he hastily added, slowing a tad since Bianca was in a dress and Rhea wore a skirt. ¡°It leaves two streets over in like twenty minutes, but seats are first-come, first-serve¡ªI don¡¯t want to go the whole trip next to a stranger.¡± Feeling a little less pressured, Rhea smiled at her frantic friend before looking down at Alice, Sunny, and Nova running beside them. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we find a good spot.¡± Bianca giggled, slowing to a more reasonable pace. ¡°Wait, Jason, you just went ahead and bought our tickets? That was sweet of you!¡± Rhea¡¯s grin became forced upon seeing her cousin¡¯s twinkling eyes as they moved to her. C¡¯mon, Bi; it¡¯s not like that! Jason pressed the button to cross the street as they approached the intersection. ¡°Well, I mean, Len and Lucian were gonna come with me, but they decided to head to a local Trainer get-together to strengthen their Pokemon.¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow at her cousin. See! It¡¯s not a date! ¡°Ahem, wait¡ªLen and Lucian¡ªlike, Len wasn¡¯t forced or anything?¡± ¡°No, I told you before,¡± Jason yawned, seemingly not getting enough sleep, ¡°Lucian isn¡¯t that bad when it¡¯s just us¡ªhe just gets kind of uptight around Amira.¡± ¡°Still don¡¯t like the guy,¡± Rhea mumbled. The wind picked up, pulling on her bun and making her glad Amira had tied her hair back and braid it; light turning green, a memory surfaced, causing her to change the subject. ¡°Hey, Bi?¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Her cousin¡¯s green irises drifted to her as Jason led them into a power walk. ¡°I remember you used to do these braids when I was a little girl¡ªthe kind without a bobby pin or hair tie?¡± ¡°Oh, hehe, you always did love having super long hair¡ªmmh, yeah, me? Not so much¡ªwhen I was traveling around, it made keeping my bangs in check super easy. Ugh, plus, my hair has to be cut so often because of how fast it grows¡ªcurse you, Mom!¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°I love it.¡± ¡°For real ¡­ I hate haircuts, but every town we stopped in, I¡¯d need to get one done,¡± Bianca growled, fidgeting with her bouncing locks. ¡°Eh, with you having that crazy thick mane our family gets¡ªand full-on¡ªugh, like how ridiculous my mom¡¯s gets, you¡¯d break a lot of hair ties.¡± ¡°Not this one,¡± Rhea grinned, pointing at the tie her aunt had given her. ¡°It just might be useful, and I never learned.¡± ¡°Yeah, my mom¡¯s special brand of tie, hehe¡ªyou know, she gets a commission for selling those.¡± ¡°I bet! She¡¯s always maximized everything she does, but can you teach me?¡± The conversation died down as Jason hissed upon turning the corner. Poking her head around his wide shoulders to follow his gaze, Rhea¡¯s smile became strained. ¡°How ¡­ popular is this tour, Jason?¡± ¡°Ugh ¡­ C¡¯mon!¡± Bianca laughed, walking with Rhea past the gathering crowds since Jason would hold the spot. ¡°It looks pretty popular; I can¡¯t say I know much about Kanto, so this will be fun.¡± Taking out her phone from the purse she¡¯d brought, a hum rumbled in her throat. ¡°I mean, I suppose we are cutting it close¡ªten minutes until it¡¯s time to go.¡± ¡°True¡­¡± Rhea sidestepped those behind Jason to join him, looking up at the blue-themed two-story bus to see quite a few people settled in; it seemed to be pretty packed already, but by the little she could see inside, the seating appeared reasonably spacious. The attendant checking tickets recited a line that he obviously said too many times by his monotone delivery while punching the receipts. ¡°Please be courteous to other passengers¡ªno more than two Pokemon out, each one meter¡ªdon¡¯t hang out of the windows for your safety, and if you need to stop for any reason, please be respectful and give the driver at least a ten-minute notice. I hope you enjoy your tour, brought to you by Cerulean Paper Inc.¡± They soon boarded, the line thinning fairly quickly, and Rhea climbed the steps behind Bianca, Jason taking the rear. Moving down the aisle, her cousin couldn¡¯t find a place for them, so she took them up the stairs in the back to the second level. Near the back were three empty booths, and Bianca selected the furthest left, plopping down with a big grin. ¡°See, we found a spot.¡± Jason grimaced as Rhea sat across from her cousin, both taking the window seats; he glanced at the free booths that the groups behind them were filling. ¡°Wow¡ªwe¡¯re gonna be the last one¡¯s out every time we stop¡ªbut at least we¡¯re together.¡± He sank into his seat beside Bianca, watching Nova smugly take the seat beside Rhea. ¡°Man, finding stuff in cities is so complicated.¡± ¡°We got here, so it¡¯s not that bad,¡± Rhea laughed, allowing Sunny and Alice to jump on her lap to look out of the window. ¡°Hehe, why do you seem so nervous?¡± Bianca shifted to look between them, adjusting her dress. ¡°Hmm-hmm ¡­ I wonder?¡± ¡°Wonder what?¡± Jason cluelessly asked, vision shifting between them. Rhea glared at her cousin¡¯s sparkling emerald eyes, somehow even more brilliant and evident without her red glasses. You¡¯re never going to drop it¡ªI swear, I¡¯ll be married someday, and you¡¯ll still give me that Sprigatito-like smile. Two can play that game¡­ Rhea plotted her revenge as Bianca went on with her analysis. ¡°I certainly can¡¯t blame him; you¡¯d be the same way, Rhea, if you were the one planning everything and trying to make specific times. It¡¯s stressful stuff.¡± ¡°Ugh¡ªtell me about it!¡± Jason grumbled, scanning through information on his phone. ¡°Len and Lucian usually handle all the city planning¡ªI¡¯ve never been so lost in my life the last few days in Cerulean¡ªit¡¯s huge!¡± Knowing this was probably the real reason her best friend was having a hard time, Rhea nodded, following Sunny¡¯s gestures as he directed Alice¡¯s enthralled gaze to the skyscrapers, poking above the nearby buildings in the distance. ¡°Hmm, I guess that¡¯s true ¡­ Amira kind of does that for us, too¡ªshe knows exactly where to go, so ¡­ I guess I haven¡¯t thought about how stressful that might be.¡± Her cousin¡¯s hair bounced a little as she agreed. ¡°You¡¯ll learn¡ªbelieve me! When I first started out with Hilbert, Hilda, and Cheren, Hilbert and Cheren kept us on track¡ªheh, mostly Cheren¡ªHilda and Hilbert were like ice and fire!¡± A big grin spread across Rhea¡¯s lips, finding her attack point. ¡°Hehe, Hilda is more the fire, but I wouldn¡¯t call Hilbert ice¡ªhe¡¯s too clumsy to be slick like ice.¡± Bianca¡¯s defenses were instantly up, steam practically puffing out of her nose. ¡°Hey, why do you always gotta be bashing my hubby like that?! Hilbert can be so smooth¡ªsuper romantic!¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°The keyword here being ¡®can,¡¯ cuz. What do you think, Jason? You¡¯ve met Hilbert.¡± Jason puffed out a long breath, not wanting to get drawn into the conversation as he dropped his phone in his lap but knowing she was looking for backup. ¡°No offense, Bianca, but I¡¯ve seen Hilbert almost trip more than once when I¡¯ve seen him around¡ªhe¡¯s totally awesome; don¡¯t get me wrong¡ªbut yeah ¡­ a bit clumsy.¡± Rhea grinned while stroking Nova¡¯s side, causing the Eevee to chirp. ¡°Heh, even Jason sees it! Wait, hehehe, isn¡¯t it usually when Hilda comes around. Hmm?¡± Bianca¡¯s eyes narrowed. ¡°Hmm ¡­ What are you saying, Rhea? Hilda and Hilbert traveled all around the world together.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not saying anything¡ªjust saying, Hilda trips him up! So, he may be the smoothest guy in the world with you, but whenever Hilda comes up, he falls on his face.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡ªHilda just knows too much about him, so she teases him,¡± Bianca grumbled. ¡°She¡¯s a tease and knows it, but heh, you should see how she gets around N! I¡¯ve seen her walk straight into a pole before! Eh, naturally, the pole took the beating, but her face was redder than Amira¡¯s hair! ¡± ¡°Oh? Do tell!¡± Rhea chuckled, happy to have these kinds of conversations with her cousin again. ¡°I¡¯ve never met him, but I know you¡¯re friends.¡± ¡°N? He¡¯s a pretty smooth guy, too¡ªnot unlike Hilbert,¡± Bianca defended with a proud huff. ¡°You know, he comes from ancient royal blood and is actually Champion-tier.¡± Fixing her skirt with Sunny and Alice¡¯s bouncing movements, Rhea reflected on what she knew about the man. ¡°Hmm, can Hilda and Hilbert beat him?¡± ¡°Eh, well,¡± Bianca smirked, looking to the left, ¡°actually, N beat Alder, Hilda beat N, and then Hilbert beat Hilda ¡­ eh-heh, all in the same day. It was such an insane event that they just named Hilbert the Champion ¡­ Of course, Hilda took it back a week later, but we don¡¯t need to talk about their weekly battles.¡± ¡°Jealous, hmm?¡± ¡°Humph, you know I¡¯m not¡ªGreen, though ¡­ I don¡¯t know about that woman, mmgm ¡­ or what she could be doing to my husband right now¡ªHilda and Hilbert are just best friends and rivals, though.¡± Rhea was also a little leery-eyed at Leaf¡¯s mischievous older sister; she was just too unpredictable. Her attention snapped back to her cousin as she tried to pull her focus away from her husband to a juicer topic. ¡°Besides, Hilda and N have been crazy about each other forever; they¡¯re just too proud to be the first to admit it and take the next step ¡­ Ugh, the number of dates I set up for them that turns into just another training session or date that they refuse to admit is a date¡­¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Didn¡¯t Shauntel write a book about your adventures¡ªlike anonymously as White and Black¡ªand White and the king ended up together?¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Jason asked, glancing between them. ¡°When was this?¡± ¡°A while ago,¡± Bianca smiled, looking into her past. ¡°Some fictional parts, of course¡ªI mean, they aren¡¯t an ¡®official¡¯ couple¡ªbut Hilda has a 1st Edition copy and blushes while rereading certain parts ¡­ hehe, I¡¯ve caught her a few times!¡± Rhea figured there was more her cousin was leaving out by that ¡®caught¡¯ detail and the amusement in her voice but figured it would be best to let Jason¡¯s innocent mind skate by those finer points. ¡°Hmm, that being said, I¡¯ve always wondered why his name is just ¡­ N ¡­ Like, what¡¯s the story behind that?¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s simple,¡± Bianca blinked, ¡°you don¡¯t know?¡± ¡°Nuh-uh.¡± ¡°Is it short for Nathan or something?¡± Jason questioned. ¡°Nope, Natural.¡± ¡°Natural?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze shifted to Jason, both confused. ¡°Eh, as in, his name is Natural?¡± Bianca nodded. ¡°Natural Harmonia Gropius¡ªas in, he is a Natural king, heh, we joke about that¡ªit¡¯s from the ancient royal family, Gropius, but he hates the name, so he just goes by N.¡± ¡°Huh, the more you know,¡± Rhea muttered, sitting back and looking out of the window as the attendant¡¯s voice came over the speakers, preparing them to leave. Conversation dropped, they listened to the instructions and general information the guide gave them as the bus started, slowly taking them on a quick tour around the colossal centerpiece of the city, Cerulean Gym¡¯s new artistic masterpiece. Rhea already saw a good portion of it from the festival performance the night previous from the Gym¡¯s Masters, so she took the chance to catch up on a few things on social media, contact her friends, and party. 9:46 A.M. Rhea: Hey, Amira, so I didn¡¯t ask when I left, but what are you guys up to today? 9:46 A.M. Rhea: Oh, besides the package at the Center. 9:47 A.M. Amira Rocket: Lori wanted to go shopping to find a cheap dress for some party that¡¯s taking place in two days. Casey will be making it here, and she promised to find something in her size ¡­ I think she wants to use it as an excuse to find me something, too. I bet she¡¯s going to go through your clothes before we go to see your size so she can surprise you. 9:47 A.M. Rhea: Haha, it does sound like Lori. I bet she¡¯ll find something suitable. 9:48 A.M. Amira Rocket: Wait, you¡¯re fine with her just going through your bag?! 9:48 A.M. Rhea: It¡¯s not like I have anything to hide? I¡¯ve never really had a problem with that back home. When I was younger, I was pretty lazy and would feel drained all the time, so my brother would take care of my laundry and stuff. 9:48 A.M. Amira Rocket: ¡­ 9:48 A.M. Amira Rocket: Rhea, you¡¯re a little weird. No offense. A giggle shook her stomach as she read her teammate¡¯s response, making Bianca look at her questioningly but return to her own phone to go through some messages Hilbert sent him; Rhea caught a slight blush on her cheeks as she swiftly hid the screen, an embarrassed smile on her lips that made Rhea curious, but she returned to her text exchange. Jason was engrossed in watching Len¡¯s live stream to pass the time, showing Chary battling a Staryu, and winning. 9:49 A.M. Rhea: I¡¯ll take that as a compliment, haha. By the way, I talked to my mom about our Master Balls and asked some questions about using them long-term. I can¡¯t really explain everything that short, but she wants to talk to you guys; could you give her a call through PikaBook and tell me what you guys decide to do? She¡¯s free today, so call any time. 9:49 A.M. Amira Rocket: Sounds good. I hope you have a fun time with Jason and your cousin. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it. 9:49 A.M. Rhea: Thanks! Oh, uh, please don¡¯t let Lori pick out anything super revealing ¡­ I get the feeling our tastes on acceptable public wear are ¡­ a little different. Hehe. 9:50 A.M. Amira Rocket: Yeah ¡­ Just a little. I¡¯ll keep an eye on her. 9:50 A.M. Rhea: I look forward to hanging out together and partying! Eh, not that I know much about that scene. 9:51 A.M. Amira Rocket: Lori¡¯s type of partying? You and me both, Sister. After reading the last word, a smile touched her cheeks, and Rhea swapped to look at her friends¡¯ posts. Sam wasn¡¯t super active on PikaBook, but Hannah and Jade were pretty consistent¡ªJayline, though¡ªtheir newest addition, was on fire. The Alolan blonde was practically documenting their entire journey for her friends and family back home. Fun pictures of the crew partying in Apple City and participating in the alien festivities reminded her of her time with Lori there. Images captured of them winning specific booth prizes and Jade spending way too much on cute accessories for her little Pichu, Hannah dancing with Limru and Star, or Hannah winning an eating contest. It appeared that the Alolan girl was adding a bit of Lori to the group, teaching them Alolan dances or how to cook certain dishes, and it made Rhea excited not to be so stressed about their journey now. This is the kind of stuff I heard from Masters growing up ¡­ It¡¯s a way more emotional roller coaster than they made it seem, though¡­ Rhea¡¯s focus moved to the window, rolling it down to allow the cool breeze to press against her face as they came to Nugget Bridge. She¡¯d seen videos of what it used to look like, but a lot had changed since the Sensational Sisters oversaw the Cerulean City-State. The former Gym Leaders still had performances but had relinquished the title to their youngest sister since she¡¯d officially taken the position after her journey with one of Pallet¡¯s famous grassroots Trainers, Ash Ketchum. Since Misty Williams took over stewardship of the Cerulean City-State, rapid expansion had pushed all the way to Rocket¡¯s old abandoned power plant, which the Gym Leader bought and renovated to provide the city with the extra energy it needed with the help of Vermilion¡¯s specialists and experts in the field. Nugget Bridge was now the real thing, stretching wide to allow vehicles passage while platforms on either side allowed for river battles and a nice scenic view. Nova got up to jump on Bianca¡¯s lap to look out the window as they passed over the shimmering golden spectacle. Her Buneary and Jason¡¯s Scorbunny¡¯s ears trailed to the side from the wind as they stared across the vast lake to see ships in the far distance on the bay to the sea. The beaches were packed with early morning swimmers and battles from various Trainers. Rhea caught sight of Magikarp packs, Squirtle, Psyduck, Poliwag, Krabby, Horsea, and Goldeen; a Trainer was even performing combination moves with a Vaporeon team, trying to work out their routine. Many other Pokemon could be seen battling on the free water stages between Gold-tier Trainers, attracting many spectators as a Politoed generated a confined rainstorm to launch a large wave at his floating Alakazam opponent. She couldn¡¯t help but smile as Nova pointed at a Feraligatr, his Trainer atop him as he refereed the match, surfing on the Pokemon. In the backdrop, near the entrance to the ocean, a big shiny blue bump bowed the waters, pushing them aside and drawing the attention of her starstruck Pokemon¡ªa Wailord from a Master-tier Trainer by the aura Rhea sensed¡ªit was far easier to pinpoint the stronger forces for her, like a bonfire next to a flood of matches. Bianca had a fun time pointing out and talking to her Eevee as they shared a moment, explaining the different Pokemon. After a second, Rhea noticed a ship behind the Wailord; it seemed this Master Trainer operated a towing service, which was probably pretty lucrative. Then again, Wailord required a lot of food and attention, much like many Dragon Pokemon or any that reached colossal scale. The image of Champion Wallace''s Wailord came to her mind, making Rhea smile while thinking about the colossal Pokemon; she liked the artistic and flamboyant man, and he got along well with her grandparents in Hoenn. Sitting back, Jason pulled her attention as he took out a pokeball, grinned at her, and released a triangular Pokemon, making Rhea blink; the temperature around them started to drop a tad. ¡°Rhea, I¡¯d like you to meet Empress!¡± ¡°Empress?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Interesting name ¡­ Oh, I¡¯m not making fun of you!¡± she quickly added as the Pokemon¡¯s small turquoise eyes narrowed, pulling her tent-like hat tighter around her night-black body. ¡°It¡¯s nice to meet you, Empress.¡± Bianca reached down to stroke her head. ¡°A Snorunt, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah, where did you find an Ice Pokemon¡ªdidn¡¯t you guys go into Viridian Forest to get your second Pokemon?¡± Alice, Nova, and Sunny hopped down to greet the shivering Snorunt; according to Nova, she had a funny way of talking, and Alice already wanted to run off and play with her. It didn¡¯t take long for the Buneary to convince the others, motioning for them to join her in exploring and talking to the other Pokemon on the bus. Jason grinned as they ran off, Alice and Sunny leading the way. ¡°Yeah, I was pretty shocked, too, but when we were looking around, we came across this pretty beaten up Snorunt. Apparently, she was considered some kind of ice princess high in the Pewter mountains but was exiled by a rival of hers.¡± Bianca nodded. ¡°Nature is brutal ¡­ Docile Pokemon tend to gather around human areas because it¡¯s peaceful, but the further you get away from civilization, the more competitive it gets.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so sad,¡± Rhea whispered, imagining the little Snow Hat Pokemon struggling through the forest, trying to figure out what to do. ¡°Is she okay now?¡± ¡°She¡¯s a little princess, alright,¡± Jason snickered. ¡°She demanded I call her that because she¡¯ll go back and prove her position; the other Snorunt evidently cheated by ambushing her with a small group.¡± A hum resonated from Bianca. ¡°Was she ¡­ born with Moody? If so, it¡¯s rare for Pokemon in the Wild to have the care needed to survive having their Dream Ability without it killing them.¡± ¡°Yeah, I was talking to Rhea¡¯s mom about that; apparently, one of Rhea¡¯s new friends has a Pichu that had that issue, too, but Empress seems to be one of the special few that can handle it because of her genetics.¡± Rhea smiled, leaning over to see the four talking to a Pikachu, then a second Pikachu, and then a third; to Nova¡¯s delight, two Eevee showed up to chat soon after. The unique color of her Pokemon were drawing pictures and attention, as usual. ¡°I guess she really is a Snorunt princess then¡­¡± Bianca snickered. ¡°You¡¯ll have your hands full when she turns into a Froslass!¡± ¡°Oh, when will she evolve?¡± Rhea asked out of curiosity. Her cousin took out her phone to show them some information on a research site Rhea wasn¡¯t familiar with. ¡°Froslass is pretty rare to see among the major population of Lower-tier Trainers since they live in some of the harshest environments and don¡¯t trust easily. Snorunt are easier to befriend and train up¡ªheh, powerful Froslass have even been known to gather their own cult-like following. Generally, a Froslass will evolve sometime in Silver-tier or earlier if exposed to a Dawn Stone.¡± ¡°Where can I get one?¡± ¡°Eh, those kinds of stones are one use and, umm, pretty outside your budget as Bronze-tier Trainers,¡± Brianca forced a laugh. ¡°How much would one cost?¡± Rhea asked, pulling out her own phone to search it up. ¡°Uh ¡­ Wow ¡­ 75,000 credits for a one-use item?¡± ¡°Yikes!¡± Jason hissed. ¡°Uh, is it good to evolve early because, eh, hehe, yeah, that¡¯s kind of an insane price for me¡ªit cost so much for me to just drop 3,000 on another Protect, and that¡¯s after the Bronze-tier second discount we get for the TM.¡± Rhea sucked in a stream of air. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s how much it costs to go for your first Encrusted Badge, and three times the amount of a normal Gym battle.¡± Bianca put her phone away, a thoughtful look on her face. ¡°Some say it doesn¡¯t, but your mother is in the process of publishing a well-referenced and collaborated study with Professor Rowan on the subject. So far as I am aware, the conclusion is that it does make a difference but early forced evolutions through stones can be challenging for young Pokemon. ¡°However, it does increase spiritual resilience and can be one method of enhancing a Pokemon¡¯s future growth rate; that also includes a Trainer¡¯s personal growth, and will cause strain on their Fortitude.¡± Jason¡¯s mouth tightened. ¡°Mmh ¡­ Where do you find Dawn Stones? I¡¯m pretty sure Empress will be totally game for it, and if we can find it instead of buying it, that would be best.¡± ¡°So far as we¡¯ve been able to tell, Evolution Stones come from the Moon and are created by specific phenomena while passing through our atmosphere, so ¡­ basically, anywhere meteor showers occur. Your best bet would be Evolution Mountain¡ªhike around, have a Ground or Rock-type that can help scavenge¡ªstuff like that, but you¡¯ll need a permit from Pallet.¡± A grin spread across Jason¡¯s face. ¡°Well, maybe I can get my dad, sister, or mom to help me search when we get back in that area and have some time. It would be a fun activity to catch up with everyone.¡± Rhea loved the idea. ¡°That would be awesome! Heh, that is if you can pull your sister away from my brother.¡± ¡°Ugh, no joke! Ever since your brother went to Mt. Silver, she¡¯s been glued to his side; I think she was a little scared about the stories he told her.¡± ¡°My brother¡­¡± Rhea mumbled in exasperation, shaking her head. Bianca leaned forward. ¡°Ooh, do tell; I¡¯m out of the loop!¡± ¡°Bah, it¡¯s nothing new,¡± Rhea waved her cousin off. ¡°Sabin going off and doing dangerous stuff and telling me how he just so happened to almost die by splattering when a Steelix near Mt. Silver jumped him ¡­ Yeah, that¡¯s totally a good thing to tell your little sister or girlfriend, but he thinks it¡¯s cool.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Jason forced a smile and scratched the back of his neck. ¡°I mean, it is kind of cool¡ªI loved the story about how he met Luna.¡± ¡°Not to me,¡± Rhea huffed, her cousin nodding fervently. ¡°I think it¡¯s a boy thing¡ªwell, ugh, no, Hilda¡¯s the same way, but she¡¯s practically a boy ¡­ excluding her princess costume,¡± she snickered. ¡°No, she¡¯s a weird hybrid, I swear! Hehehe. No, but boys are so insensitive. Right, Rhea?¡± ¡°Yeah! What¡¯s with you guys and always telling stories about being close to death all the time?¡± Jason held up his hands. ¡°Woah, when did this turn into dissing all men?! It¡¯s cool¡ªI don¡¯t know what to say¡ªI¡¯m just like, Bro! You¡¯re insane, Man¡ªthat¡¯s so sick! How many people get to go to Mt. Silver at Platinum-tier and get a top-tier Pokemon from there?¡± ¡°Nothing wrong with going there¡ªjust don¡¯t tell us the worrisome stuff ¡­ Ugh, the things Hilbert recently told me that happened when Gold and he went to the Sinjoh Desolation ¡­ Why tell me you saw a mirage of me that tried to lead you into a portal¡ªlike, why?!¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Rhea and Jason asked in unison, their conversation apparently drawing eyes from the other booth. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know¡ªI haven¡¯t been there¡ªall I know is that the place is a freaking space-time disaster zone where funky stuff happens and crazy strong Pokemon show up. All he needs to do is come back like, ¡®Hey, Honey! I had a wonderful time with Gold; we trained really hard, we ate smores by a campfire, met some cool Pokemon, and swam in a lake!¡¯ ¡± She winced. ¡°Scratch that last part ¡­ I don¡¯t want to know what that water might do to them ¡­ Oh, no, now I want samples to analyze and make sure Hilbert didn¡¯t get infected with anything strange.¡± ¡°Mmh-hmm,¡± Rhea slowly nodded. ¡°Well, it must be rough for you, cuz.¡± ¡°You have no idea! Ugh ¡­ No! This is our fun time! Let¡¯s get off this subject about how impossible men are and focus on the tour!¡± The guide had been commenting on their surroundings the entire time, but they¡¯d more or less ignored him, and as they left the Nugget Bridge, a forest of ancient trees surrounded them. However, the guide did not tell Rhea anything she already didn¡¯t know. Cerulean Mountain to their west was blocked off, and scary rumors of certain Pokemon roaming its deep watery caves. The towns to the northwest had been destroyed by the flood of Pokemon from the Sinjoh Desolation event during the Ultra War. Most of the surrounding forest was Silver-tier, minimum, meaning they had to stay on the road, and they¡¯d be passing a Gold-tier area, where they could see powerful, 2nd or 3rd evolution Pokemon. Of course, Gold-tier Pokemon would run away screaming in the place she¡¯d grown up, so none of the events leading to Bill¡¯s seaside cottage really caught her interest. So, instead, she spent the time catching up with Bianca and Jason as her Pokemon grew their own friendship. Her cousin was getting better at cooking and apparently had made plans to stay in the city and meet up with Sam¡¯s group since Jayline promised to teach her some Alolan recipes. The Dream World research she was doing was going slowly, but for her first Dream Journey with her Pokemon, it was an enjoyable experience, especially since they were overprepared; she just needed a little break. Jason swore Lucian was a really good guy; he had some troubles at home and wasn¡¯t great at communicating his feelings, which unwillingly, Rhea connected to Amira. It seemed they both had teammates that had their own issues, yet Rhea would take her amazing redhead any day over the pompous Kalos noble after everything he¡¯d said. If he did want to get back in their good graces, it would take a lot of effort. Len was having a bit of trouble with his Tyrogue not getting along with Chary, so today had been more or less a bonding day where they¡¯d try to work together in Double Battles against Lucian and other Trainers. Lucian was taking part in the standard Gym Challenge since Amira had almost cleaned him out of credits in their bet, so they were on a rampage in the Bronze League, almost hitting the current top rankings for their bracket. Jason was a little surprised to hear they¡¯d met and battled Heneli¡¯s group; the Alolan team seemed to be competing for the top rankings with someone named Ari and his party. Most of the Oak Starters were up there, yet Rhea¡¯s party had dropped quite a bit because of her losses. Still, Amira and Lori¡¯s Encrusted victory pushed them up by a significant margin. To round it all off, beating Heneli¡¯s group put them in the top 2% of Bronze-tier Trainers; the gap would widen by the day as their ranks slowly degraded if they didn¡¯t continually try to push, but Rhea wasn¡¯t really concerned about that now. Ranks only brought a fan club and attention, which her team had enough of. Once reaching the cottage, they filed out to explore the small establishment, and Rhea recalled a hilarious story her mother had told her once about Red¡¯s first encounter with the renowned scientist and inventor¡ªthe time he¡¯d fused with a Pokemon¡ªreportedly, he¡¯d been attempting to master the teleportation system he¡¯d designed for Pokemon and pokeballs for human travel. Obviously, the results were not what he expected. She smiled while recounting the tale to an enthralled group, the tour guide suddenly far more lively as he took notes. Red managed to reverse the results, and ever since then, no breakthroughs had come from the technology. Still, Bill was regarded as one of the leading experts on many fields, and after telling the story, she realized that might not have been the best image the man wanted to get out, but it had been him that told her mother, so maybe he wasn¡¯t too ashamed of it? In any case, it made for a fun break in the tour as they explored the area; the only issue came with the tour guide looking to her for anything additional to add, but she didn¡¯t know a whole lot about Bill other than he was in close contact with her mother or funny blunders that weren¡¯t connected to the cottage. Rhea shared a juicy detail with Jason as they got to the bridge¡ªa structure Bill and his Pokemon had personally made and not for the reason it became famous¡ªthe area was a popular kissing spot, or so she¡¯d heard on Gossip, and the App had a lot of engaging things that allowed her to connect several stories since she was privy to ¡®classified¡¯ information and Master jokes. Gym Leader Misty, the outgoing superstar, had a low-key relationship with the famous Trainer Ash, and they¡¯d use this spot as a secret getaway since they were friends of Bills. It would be a scandalous bit of meat for the Gossip addicts to get a hold of, but she wasn¡¯t about to expose the Cerulean gem¡¯s secret. She wasn¡¯t sure if Misty and Ash were still an item, but it was something to giggle about. Alice, Nova, Empress, and Sunny were playing games with the Silver to Bronze-tier Pokemon, and some seemed stunned at how mobile the quick Buneary was, never getting tagged once ¡­ Unfortunately, the same couldn¡¯t be said for Empress, who pouted in the corner when she was unable to keep up. Nova came to her rescue without a second thought, even before Sunny had the chance, tag-teaming to give the others a run for their money; even Alice was almost caught by the playful Eevee at one point. Finishing at the cottage, they filed back into the bus and followed the road to the old shore wharf where Bill¡¯s lighthouse was, and upon seeing it, Rhea was blown away by the architecture and location. Rhea got out with the others to explore, fascinated by the ancient doors on the structure showing various Legendary, Pseudo-Legendaries, and powerful Kanto Pokemon. She¡¯d already seen pictures of it from her mother, saying that Bill salvaged it from Pok¨¦mopolis. The fact it had a Ditto on the door, among other things, showed that Giovanni wasn¡¯t the first to create the Pokemon, yet they seemed to have all died in the wild since none existed so far as anyone could tell until the Mob Boss had brought back the Pokemon. Taking the stairs to the top and sending pictures of the view with her cousin and Jason, she got a message from her dad that brought Bianca and her friend closer to read it. 1:43 P.M Dad: Oh! You¡¯re at Bill¡¯s old lighthouse, huh? Actually, let me check real fast ¡­ Yeah, you¡¯re in the perfect position to see something extraordinary! Look to the southeast; you should be able to see a small spike poking out of the ocean if you¡¯re looking really close! Bianca will know what you¡¯re looking at! Haha! Happy sightseeing! ¡°What¡¯s he mean, I¡¯ll know what it is?¡± Bianca mumbled, scanning the horizon with Jason, Rhea, and their Pokemon. ¡°Umm, you know how my dad loves to play his spot games ¡­ Wait is that it¡ªover there¡­¡± Like a spear, a single spike created a small ripple effect in its wake, and once noticing it, Rhea¡¯s eyes widened, seeing a massive shift in current that she wouldn¡¯t have noticed unless looking from this height. ¡°Samiya?¡± Bianca whispered in shock. ¡°Samyia is in Cerulean waters¡ªright now? Is Lizabeth here?¡± ¡°Who?¡± Jason asked, but Rhea¡¯s eyes lit up like diamonds. ¡°Samiya¡ªthe underwater temple city for the People of Water my mom told me about as a little girl?! Bi, can we go?! Please, I want to see it!¡± ¡°Eh, heh, I ¡­ don¡¯t know Lizabeth that well ¡­ I know of her, but it looks like the People of Water are going to do a surprise festival at Cerulean and restock here. They¡¯re pretty low-key with their city and don¡¯t allow many people in ¡­ Umm, well, there aren¡¯t that many of them left, but Lizabeth has found a few families.¡± ¡°Please, Bianca!¡± Jason jumped onboard. ¡°Underwater sea temple?! I want in!¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± Bianca hissed, glancing back as a few people made it to the top. ¡°Umm ¡­ I¡¯ll talk to my mom and see if she has any contacts to get us in touch ¡­ I mean, I¡¯d love to see it too ¡­ It¡¯s a sovereign nation in itself, though¡ªa moving sovereign nation.¡± Pumped for what was to come, Rhea sent a message to her family asking for help on getting access or to get in touch with Lizabeth, the current matriarch over the ancient city. They spent the rest of their time exploring the cliff and learned about a myth that on misty nights, you could see a colossal Pokemon¡ªone of the rumored ancient Apex Pokemon¡ªPokemon that had somehow gained immortality like Legendaries, able to live forever. Finishing up the day and enjoying their time, her grandpa messaged her, saying he¡¯d come across the city once and got to know Lizabeth; he¡¯d reach out and see if he could get some details. Excitement rising, Rhea tried to temper her expectations as they loaded on the bus to return to Cerulean for the big finale of the Summer Cup; it was finally time to see the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez for the title. B2 — 6. Mending Heart 5:02 A.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 Officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Saria Surge shot up in bed, nausea rolling through her turbulent stomach as she threw off her sheets, displacing Addie, her Comfey, while rushing to the hotel bathroom to vomit. Sweat slicking her skin, she coughed, tears leaking out of her eyes while trying to ease her thumping heart. Her current team gathered around her spirit, Addie floating after her to drape over her head in worry. ¡°Ack¡ªno, heh, no ¡­ I¡¯m fine¡­¡± Wiping her mouth, she groaned, tight stomach squirming as the hundreds of Pokemon she was bonded to in their virtual world sensed something wasn¡¯t right, but Addie quickly took control and reassured them she was fine. Saria waited for the stress-induced morning nausea to pass, rising and falling chest slowing in its rhythm. ¡°It¡¯s almost time, guys¡­ everything ends and starts today.¡± Breathing out a long puff of air, she flushed the waste, got up, and filled her mouth with water at the sink to swirl it around and spit it out. ¡°Blah ¡­ Hmm¡­¡± Inja, her Gardevoir, exited her pokeball in the other room with Zaneeta, her Mawile. The Embrace Pokemon floated by her to start the bath, making sure the water was cold as she psychically communicated with her. ¡°We¡¯ve practiced our entire life for this, Saria; believe in yourself.¡± Splashing her face with water and trying to clean last night¡¯s half-digested food from her long blonde locks, she accepted the towel from Zaneeta as she offered it but wore a glare so true to her personality. ¡°Hehe, maybe I am a bit stressed¡­ I know, Zaneeta, but it didn¡¯t really hit me until now ¡­ We face Visquez tonight ¡­ Wow, Dad really set everything up¡­¡± ¡°He believes you are ready to realize your dreams, and so do we.¡± She removed her garments and tossed them into the hotel¡¯s automatic combination washer and dryer before sinking into the cold water, her three Pokemon remaining nearby¡ªSaria eased down until it was up to her chin, allowing the chill to soak through her. Her remaining three Pokemon hadn¡¯t been sleeping well themselves; they weren¡¯t among the strongest of Saria¡¯s partners, but she¡¯d concluded even so, they would be needed to face Visquez. Wanting them to have as much time to rest as possible, Saria reassured them and asked that they get some more sleep. Inja connected their minds with her Telepathy, allowing Addie and Zaneeta to communicate freely; she¡¯d always thought her male Comfey¡¯s voice was soothing as he settled at the tub¡¯s edge. ¡°Don¡¯t push it down like you usually do, Saria; talk to us.¡± ¡°Right? She¡¯s so¡ªgragh¡ªoh, look at me, I¡¯m a strong woman that doesn¡¯t need no one. Yuck!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Saria groaned, dull blue eyes drifting to her Mawile, who returned the look. ¡°That¡¯s a low blow, Zaneeta.¡± ¡°Indeed, it was,¡± Addie huffed, crossing his tiny arms. ¡°Why are you bringing up Zack when she¡¯s stressed about the match tonight?¡± Inja sighed. ¡°Because she likes him.¡± ¡°Better than all of the other men you¡¯ve dated over the years, and you¡¯ve ghosted him for two days; not cool, Saria. You¡¯re doing your normal thing, only thinking about yourself and pushing people away. He¡¯s a good guy, and he doesn¡¯t deserve that.¡± ¡°Mmgm ¡­ Can we drop it, Zanny? I¡¯m trying to focus on our match today.¡± ¡°Excuses. If you were honest, I wouldn¡¯t have to bring it up,¡± she grumbled, hopping on top of the toilet seat to cross her arms and bring around her frowning second head. ¡°Peter, Steven, Tyler, should I go on?¡± Addie rubbed his head. ¡°If it is bothering Zaneeta that much, it will probably affect the battle.¡± As her oldest Pokemon argued, Saria had slid further to submerge half of her face, blowing bubbles in minor frustration. ¡°It does bother me,¡± she growled. ¡°You deny it all you want, but you sabotage every relationship you''re in, and I¡¯ve watched you go through depression cycles time and time again. I know you¡¯re thinking about breaking things off again, even though you love him¡ªand I know you do!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that simple,¡± Inja whispered to Saria¡¯s relief. ¡°You know it¡¯s more complicated than that; ever since the end of the war effort, we¡¯ve been traveling non-stop. All of her previous partners just drifted away because they had different goals.¡± ¡°And you know it¡¯s not that simple, Inja; you¡¯re just feeding into her inclination to bury her head! There were plenty of opportunities for her to make things work, and the more I¡¯ve learned about human courtship, the more I see it¡¯s Saria¡¯s problem, yet she keeps getting involved with these men that she¡¯ll just leave¡­ I don¡¯t like it anymore.¡± ¡°Is this really the time, though?¡± Addie asked. ¡°Saria¡ªthe three of us¡ªwe¡¯ve worked for so long to get here. Shouldn¡¯t we be more united than butting heads?¡± ¡°Mmmh¡­¡± Inja¡¯s concerned red irises drifted between them. ¡°Zaneeta feels strongly about this, Saria.¡± ¡°She¡¯s just being herself,¡± Saria mumbled while rising to the surface again and releasing a long stream of air. Beginning to wash herself but reserving the majority of it until after her morning exercise, she figured she had to compromise. ¡°Alright ¡­ what do you want me to say, Zenny?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t want you to say anything; I want you to be true to yourself and not scared¡­ Your dad didn¡¯t teach you to run away and hide; he beat the fight into us. You need to let someone in again; even Inja will tell you you¡¯re not emotionally healthy.¡± ¡°Yes, well¡­ few humans tend to be.¡± ¡°That doesn¡¯t negate my point!¡± A small smile lifted her lips as she washed off the sweat and dead skin from her night terror, the nightmare that she¡¯d lost. ¡°You should know how hard it is for me, Zenny¡ªabout twenty-four years we¡¯ve been together; since I was five¡­ You were there.¡± ¡°We both know Barlo would have wanted you to be happy instead of miserable and make other guys miserable at the same time.¡± Saria¡¯s lower lip tucked under, a shiver running through her frame as she breathed, remembering the sandy blonde-haired young man that had protected her when they¡¯d made a supply run for her father. ¡°I don¡¯t know how long it¡¯s supposed to take,¡± she whispered, legs knotting. ¡°Nine years is a long time¡ªI know I¡¯ve hurt a lot of guys, but¡­ I can¡¯t stop trying.¡± ¡°Yes, it hurt that he died in the war, but we¡¯re here¡­ Zack¡¯s here for you, too ¡­ if you let him in, Saria. Only us and your dad know how much that affected you.¡± Still in the icy water, a hot puff of air passed through her nose as she tried to hold back the tears from the sting in her chest. ¡°What if he says that¡¯s too much¡­ I¡¯m too broken¡ªI should get help or something and just abandon me¡­ I know you won¡¯t abandon me, but ¡­ I don¡¯t know¡­ I¡¯m scared.¡± A melancholy smile touched her eyes. ¡°Heh, I¡¯m about to try and take my dad¡¯s seat¡ªto be a High Master¡ªto hold everyone in Vermilion on my back¡­¡± Addie¡¯s voice softened. ¡°You still feel inferior to your father and like you can¡¯t handle a Gym Leader¡¯s responsibilities?¡± Saria leaned her head against the tub, staring at the ceiling, and recalled all the times men had asked her what they could do to salvage things; this wasn¡¯t new, and she doubted if she could have a relationship while putting the City-State first as a Gym Leader should. Then again, her parents had apparently made it work. So many times, men had rearranged their whole lives to conform to what she needed, attempting to be there or trying to understand the depression she¡¯d go through whenever it was the anniversary of Barlo¡¯s death. She lifted her hands to press against her left breast, the strong image of her father¡¯s stalwart figure in Saria¡¯s mind. Father lost mother¡­ my brothers¡­ everyone but me, yet he stood firm for many years. I didn¡¯t know any of my family, yet he never once tried to hold me back or keep me caged in out of fear of losing me. Soft tears slid into the water. ¡°How is he so strong?¡± Inja¡¯s head lowered, hands held against her own chest as she resonated with her. ¡°You are forgetting the days he left to walk Vermilion, Saria ¡­ I was young, but I felt his pain, mixed with solitude¡­ Even your father feels heartache.¡± Zaneeta¡¯s head and second mouth nodded at the same time. ¡°Saria, I know the stress you¡¯re under isn¡¯t just about achieving the dream you¡¯ve worked so hard for¡­ Next week is the anniversary.¡± ¡°I know you don¡¯t usually bring it up on purpose,¡± Saria whispered. ¡°I¡­ half wonder if my dad purposefully scheduled it to be during the Summer Cup for that purpose ¡­ To see if I was worthy of it?¡± Inja firmly shook her head. ¡°Not to see if you¡¯re worthy¡ªyour father knows you are ¡­ He wants you to prove it to yourself.¡± Unable to articulate a response, Saria allowed her swirling emotions to wordlessly pass through her bond; naturally, the other three couldn¡¯t sleep, given the heavy conversation that they¡¯d walked on eggshells for years around. Her emotions started to ease, yet something else soon arrived to spin things into a cyclone. Inja gave her a sad smile upon communicating the evolving situation and Zaneeta grinned. ¡°What did I tell you!¡± A knock sounded at the door down the hall, Inja connecting their minds. ¡°Zack¡­ Did you have your Claydol transport you into a no Teleport zone? Are you trying to be arrested?¡± ¡°Are you okay, Saria? Kayla said you were in trouble, and I haven¡¯t heard from you in two days ¡­ Eh-heh, did I just cross a line?¡± Saria muttered a soundless curse under her breath at the oversensitive Indeedee that had probably used an all too willing Zaneeta as an emotional tether. He was just being sweet¡ªtheir Pokemon, on the other hand, were the meddlers. ¡°Yup, I¡¯m fine¡ªand no, I think it¡¯s sweet, but eh ¡­ just a little unexpected,¡± she lied, returning Zaneeta¡¯s soundless jabbing finger in her direction. ¡°Heh, you should probably think up an excuse for when the Silver City Police get here to cart you off.¡± This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Eh-heh, yeah, I guess I got a little jumpy with the whole recent Plasma incident; if they managed to get to the Rockets¡¯ daughter ¡­ I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay. Let me know if you need anything.¡± ¡°Mmh-hmm, it¡¯s not like I¡¯m applying to High Master-tier or anything right now,¡± she giggled, feeling a little amused and happy he¡¯d go this far to check on her when he was in the Mid Master-tier. ¡°No, but thank you for checking on me.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll uh, go get ready for the day. Hehe, I¡¯ll talk to Kayla ¡­ What do you mean she¡¯s clearly lying¡­ Kayla, we need to talk about boundaries.¡± Luckily, Inja had cut the Telepathy for Zaneeta as she growled, ¡°No you don''t! Stop gaslighting him and giving mixed signals!¡± Ignoring her for a moment, Saria shifted in the water to glare at her Mawile with Addie. ¡°I¡¯m still getting up; why don¡¯t you¡ªoh, here come the Police, hehe¡ªumm, get everything sorted out, and we can meet up at Noon. Sound good?¡± Zaneeta huffed with a short nod, Inja dolefully acting as the middle woman as usual. ¡°Oh, uh, Noon? Y-Yeah, I was hoping to have some time with you before¡ªuh-oh¡­¡± ¡°On the ground! Pokemon in their balls!¡± Inja projected her thoughts to the onsight Police. ¡°This is Saria Surge. Be gentle; his heart is in the right place.¡± ¡°Are you okay, Ms. Surge?¡± a policewoman shouted in the hallway. ¡°I¡¯m fine; he¡¯s my boyfriend¡­¡± ¡°Even still, he performed an unauthorized Teleport in city limits; we¡¯ll need to take him in for questioning and a write-up of an abuse of Moves.¡± ¡°Understandable.¡± Zack¡¯s voice was barely heard as they escorted her boyfriend out of the expensive hotel her father had booked for her. ¡°I apologize for the disturbance and wasting your resources, Officers.¡± ¡°Yes, it worked!¡± Zaneeta snickered, confirming the conspiracy. ¡°Look what you did¡ªwas it worth it?¡± ¡°I got you to meet him, so, yes!¡± ¡°Ughg¡ªyou¡¯re unbelievable; his Claydol is already in trouble.¡± Getting out of the cold bath, she snatched the towel Zaneeta playfully offered with a bit of force to dry off. ¡°Urcher is one strike away from spending a week in forced solitary.¡± Addie was the one to chuckle this time. ¡°True, but you must admit the two of you had a blast sneaking into that Art Exhibit after hours.¡± ¡°Well, it was pretty romantic and wild,¡± Saria unwillingly confessed, smiling back at the date Zack had set up that ended in him getting carted off just like this; running from the nighttime guards, and he¡¯d even managed to keep her out of the report by using Urcher¡¯s Teleport, which had landed him in hot water. She hadn¡¯t expected the innocent troublemaking from Zack, but he always had a way of making things exciting and fresh. Dressing in her sportswear and tying back her hair, everyone but Inja returned to their pokeballs for her to begin her morning run. The Embrace Pokemon floated nearby as she exited the hotel, waving at the morning staff; Silver City currently had a one Pokemon out rule because of the dense population that the Summer Cup brought. There would be people out at this time, yet not enough to impede traffic. Finding a woodland path that would take her to a nearby hill jogging trail, she inserted her wireless headphones and allowed Inja to control their music like usual, projecting it to the others. Saria pushed herself, trying to moderate her aura and stabilize it to the minor degree she was able; at High-Master, Trainers¡¯ physical aptitude had reached its peak, which opened up a way to use their Fortitude themselves rather than only being able to give it to their Pokemon or sense it. Sweat dripped down her brow as she went, and Saria was only channeling the tiniest amount of her Fortitude that would make her Pokemon roar with laughter; she was practically a baby Pokemon just getting her first taste of a Trainer¡¯s energy. Only thirty minutes into her run, she was leaning against a tree, gasping for air, and taking the second bottle of water Inja offered to rehydrate along their path. She¡¯d easily passed multiple couples and joggers, stunned to see her zipping past them and calling out to her to cheer her on, but Saria was a bit disappointed in herself. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ slower,¡± she growled, rubbing her brow and puffing out a hard stream of air. Zaneeta asked her to take a look at the times for the last few days; the downward trend wasn¡¯t new. You¡¯re saying it¡¯s because I can¡¯t properly stabilize my spirit? Inja hummed softly, psychically returning the empty bottle to the bag hovering beside her. ¡°You have been far more unstable than typical, which is no surprise; the upcoming match and date ¡­ I¡¯m proud to see how much you¡¯ve grown over the years.¡± Hmm ¡­ Still, it¡¯s not enough, Saria sighed, stretching a little and trying to keep her blood flowing. I¡¯m still mad at you, Zanny¡­ but you¡¯re right. Mmgm, I know you love me, and you¡¯re trying to go to the root. It¡­ just hurts. ¡°Ugmh-mgmm ¡­ What am I going to tell him?¡± she groaned. ¡°Tell who?¡± Saria hissed, eyes closing before slowly turning to see Visquez¡¯s gleaming dark skin rounded the last corner and slow to a walk; Mac, her Raichu, jumped up to her shoulders, and her long, braided white hair swung lightly as her light green irises lit with vigor. ¡°Visquez¡­ Out of every path, time, and place in Silver City, how did we meet on the same path for our run?¡± ¡°Hehe, obviously, we were trained by the same man!¡± she laughed. ¡°What¡¯s up; not feeling good? I¡¯d hate to beat you when you¡¯re on the low.¡± ¡°Me¡ªnaa, what could get me down¡ªin a few hours, I¡¯ll be named the new owner of the Vermilion Gym.¡± ¡°Haha, that¡¯s the spirit, Girl!¡± She jabbed a finger to the trail. ¡°Doing some aura control training to better regulate your Fortitude, huh? Mind if I join ya?¡± I¡¯d rather she not, but¡­ ugh. ¡°Sure!¡± Zaneeta rolled her eyes, telling her to be more vocal about her feelings. Nudging her head and flashing her teeth, Visquez started their jog, focusing on efficiency this time in the slow burn rather than the sprint. ¡°Did you really just stumble upon me?¡± ¡°Ha, well ¡­ I was going to run down a different route but heard some people talking about you, so I thought I¡¯d try to catch up and saw you gasping your lungs out by a tree.¡± ¡°I wasn¡¯t¡­ Ugh, whatever.¡± The older woman chuckled, and they fell into silence for several minutes as Visquez slowly increased her pace, more than likely testing her. Keeping up, Saria¡¯s turbulent heart began to even out with her rival running beside her, and after a few more minutes spoke what was bubbling up to the surface of her mind. ¡°How¡¯s my dad?¡± ¡°The Lieutenant General? Ha! Running laps around me every day!¡± Her voice softened a tad. ¡°He talks about you¡ªheh, heard you got crushed by Malva in Kalos trying to take on their Elite Four before she betrayed the League.¡± ¡°Are you trying to pick a fight?¡± Saria growled, glaring at her with Inja hovering beside her. ¡°I¡¯m just playing! Seriously, girl, what¡¯s up with you; were you always this tight before shipping off to Kalos? Hehe, it¡¯s only been two years, and you sound like a bitter woman that¡¯s seen too many glasses of red wine! Where¡¯s that spunky girl claiming she was gonna pound me into the dirt when she grows up?¡± Saria¡¯s gaze fell to the compact ground while pondering her question. ¡°Visquez¡­ What were my brothers and mother like?¡± ¡°Hmm? Uh-heh, yo, Saria, I think that¡¯s a better question to be askin¡¯ the Lieutenant General, but uh ¡­ I don¡¯t know, I was pretty young back then, too, ya know¡ªI ain¡¯t an old lady!¡± ¡°You knew them, though.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡­ I mean, I was just a teenager back then, snot-nosed, undisciplined, and ready to pick a fight with anyone! Ugh¡­ your brothers beat the stuffing out of me more times than I can count.¡± Knowing she didn¡¯t mean literally; it was just the way she spoke, Saria smiled, remembering the pictures in her father¡¯s home she¡¯d seen growing up. ¡°Harsh training?¡± ¡°Oh, you think the Lieutenant General is bad now¡ªthe things he put your brothers through¡ªI mean, he was tough on you, but it was different, ya know? Haha, he can¡¯t strip you naked and throw you off a cliff!¡± ¡°He really did that?¡± Saria laughed. ¡°I¡¯ve never heard that story ¡­ he doesn¡¯t talk about them much.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡­ Oh, but your mom was a stunner, hehe, kind of like you, huh?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon.¡± ¡°Seriously! I hear the talk, girl, don¡¯t deny it; you got suitors lining up in every region lookin¡¯ at that fine tail. Your mom told me she was actually a prisoner of war during the Kanto and Johto war.¡± ¡°No.¡± ¡°Hehe, yup!¡± ¡°Why was I never told this?¡± ¡°As I said, you should ask your dad about this stuff; look, it was a bad time, and they were young, hot, and in a bad spot ¡­ Heh, you know how it is!¡± ¡°Not¡­ really?¡± ¡°Bah,¡± Visquez waved her hand, her Raichu making the same gesture. ¡°If your dad hasn¡¯t told you, it¡¯s because you haven¡¯t asked.¡± ¡°I just¡­ I didn¡¯t want to cause him pain.¡± ¡°Mmh ¡­ So, is that it?¡± Inja¡¯s arms tightened around her core as their jog lagged, sensing the dark-skinned woman¡¯s emotions. ¡°What¡¯s it?¡± Visquez¡¯s eyebrows drew together, arms crossing under her modest bust while giving her a sober look. ¡°Saria, you¡¯re strong¡ªleagues ahead of where I was at your age.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± She glanced at her Gardevoir¡¯s concerned expression. ¡°Thank you?¡± ¡°You definitely have reached into the beginning of the High Master-tier ¡­ We could be evenly matched for all I know, considering what I¡¯ve seen you do in the past matches to get here ¡­ Your dad told me not to underestimate you, and I won¡¯t, but I need to know.¡± Coming to a stop on the dirt hill they¡¯d stopped on, Saria¡¯s gaze shifted to the third-largest stadium in the world towering over the field, one of the few that could handle protecting Trainers from a low Champion-tier battle outside of the Elite Four Stadiums. ¡°Go on?¡± she muttered, left hand pressing against her hip as she slowed her breathing. ¡°My entire life has been dedicated to Vermilion, to the standard your father¡ªthe Lieutenant General¡ªhas raised. Do you know the weight of carrying that badge brings, Saria? Are you prepared to make whatever sacrifice you must for the people you stand as a symbol for because if you''re not¡­ Well, you¡¯ll never beat me.¡± The woman¡¯s electrified aura raged over her, and Saria countered it; she was still new to its release in this fashion, yet it showed she¡¯d broken the High Master threshold, blue eyes illuminating a rosy shade to match Visquez¡¯s bright yellow. ¡°I grew up watching my father make those sacrifices, Visquez¡­ I know exactly what it is I aim for.¡± She smiled. ¡°I hope so because I can¡¯t feel your heart in it right now¡­ I hope that changes.¡± ¡°Is that it?¡± Visquez¡¯s light green irises returned, and she grinned. ¡°I¡¯ll tell you something your father told me ¡­ No one¡¯s ready for the Badge, but when you are, you¡¯ll know. Heh, see you at the stadium, Saria.¡± The woman rubbed her nose and put a fist in the air. ¡°I didn¡¯t see it back when you were that snot-nosed brat, telling your father you were going to beat him with your Fairy Pokemon, but he did. Show me your resolve, Saria, and prove your father right.¡± It took a moment for her to realize what she meant by that. Father¡­ thinks I¡¯ll win? That I have what it takes? Taking a deep breath, she smiled, Inja hovering closer with a smile. ¡°She didn¡¯t have to do that.¡± She didn¡¯t¡ªshe hates everything I want to accomplish¡ªbut that¡¯s the kind of woman Visquez is. Turning around, she felt lighter on the way back to the hotel, smiling and waving to those that called out to her or cheered on her return. Saria stopped at a caf¨¦ to have a light breakfast since she didn¡¯t exactly have anything planned before meeting Zack¡ªhopefully, he hadn¡¯t been locked up¡ªand she wasn¡¯t sure her stomach would last the day. A few people glared at her, muttering about breaking the longstanding tradition of Virmilion¡¯s Electric Pride, but it wasn¡¯t new; change was hard for people, and she was no exception. Her father¡¯s support told her what she was doing was challenging but not the wrong decision; he approved. Of course, Zaneeta was quick to correct her that she should feel strong in herself; they were with her. Returning at 9 A.M., Saria washed and had her Pokemon come out to help pick her outfit for the day that would no doubt be plastered across the internet. In the end, they decided simple and clean was the choice; tight blue jeans, a black blouse, cream overcoat, black-tinted sunglasses, and the charm and earrings Zack had bought her. Inja selected the deep violet-colored purse out of the two she owned, and Zaneeta tied her hair back with a black bow while Addie crafted her bangs. Once done, she smiled, checking her gleaming teeth and breath; Saria rarely used fingernail polish since it was a pain to do in the wild. Satisfied, she thanked her team and went out to meet her dad before seeing Zack. Wow ¡­ I can¡¯t believe I''m only eight hours away from¡­ No, you¡¯re right, Zaneeta; Barlo would have wanted me to be happy! Okay¡­ deep breaths and happy thoughts¡­ ¡°Just¡­ be honest, right? Heh ¡­ yeah¡­ Just be honest. I¡¯m not scared! I can¡¯t be because I¡¯m Saria Surge! People look to me when they¡¯re scared. You can do this! Just¡­ tell Zack and Dad how you feel¡­¡± Her Pokemon were giving her cheers, which made her slump a little. ¡°Guess¡­ this is going to be the hardest thing I¡¯ve ever done. You with me?¡± ¡°Always,¡± Inja smiled, floating in to hug her with the others. ¡°You deserve to be happy, Saria; hehe, you¡¯re lucky Zack¡¯s as patient with you as we are, or you¡¯d be helpless!¡± Addie chuckled. ¡°For once, Zanny, I agree with you¡ªwait¡­ mmgh, most of that. We¡¯re always with you, Saria.¡± Finished psyching herself up, Saria picked up her purse and exited her room with her Comfey setting around her like a headband. I can change ¡­ I can heal ¡­ I deserve to be happy, too! ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve been through war; this is nothing! Don¡¯t wimp out like a Torchic, or I¡¯ll slap you!¡± Zaneeta roared, making Seria giggle at the memory of the time a Torchic had run into a burrow but was too fat and got stuck. Then again, she knew her indigent Mawile really would slap her if she didn¡¯t address this now. ¡°Thanks, Zanny¡­¡± ¡°Someone has to keep you straight! Humph. I love you¡­¡± ¡°Love you, too.¡± B2 — 7. Intertwined Hands 10:02 A.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 Officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Saria exited the hotel lobby, moving to the north, where the League''s military base was located; her father spent much of his time before the semi-annual Cup inspecting the location. In reality, he just loved to spend time with the League¡¯s soldiers, most of which he¡¯d personally trained at some point along their journey. Not everyone made the selection process in the various City-State training courses, and the League paid relatively well, which drew quite a bit of Master Trainers; those attempting to join the military had to pass various tests and make progress, or they¡¯d be transferred off the program. There were options and partial support for those that couldn¡¯t make it to Master-tier, but the jobs below that bar were limited when it came to League security and office work; everyone that worked for the League generally had to be of a certain Trainer threshold in case of emergencies and to make every League location a safe place. Saria smiled at Inja, floating beside her as she psychically removed her wireless earphones so they could all listen to music and cool their nerves. Addie shifted her hair a little for the Gardevoir to insert them, currently hiding himself in her hair and acting as an accessory; since he wasn¡¯t blocking traffic or taking up space, the spirit of Silver City¡¯s current law wasn¡¯t broken. Smelling the scent of pine in the cool, mountainous summer wind as the calming music filled her, Saria was happy to be somewhat inconspicuous as she entered the crowded streets of the city; people were too busy and weren¡¯t paying strangers much attention. Naturally, Inja drew eyes; a pretty Gardevoir like herself drew attention, especially since the Pokemon was very distinctive, having two different genders. All male Kirlia became Gallade while females evolved into Gardevoir. Additionally, both evolutions were extremely critically acclaimed for being among the highest-ranked competitively; Diantha, the Fairy Queen of Kalos, was Saria¡¯s idol. Her son was in Kanto, and she hoped he would be taking the Encrusted Badge so she could face him¡ªwell, if she beat Visquez today. A nervous jitter passed through her stomach again, but she began to feel the anticipation again. Still, Visquez was a veteran in the Gym Game, and Saria may have spent six months in the Laverre Gym with Valerie, which had been¡­ not how she¡¯d expected. She supposed that came from the Fairy specialist¡¯s mannerisms more than anything else. Still, the experience was beyond valuable, and she learned a great deal from the former fashion model and part-time designer, including tips on how to improve her style; of course, the woman had her own ¡®very¡¯ unique style that Saria liked¡­ in moderation. Hands inserted in her coat¡¯s pockets, she took her time in the bustling streets and took the lake-side route that wound through the city. Everyone was out, sightseeing and spending time with loved ones on the final day of the Summer Cup as the last of the Tier Brackets wound down; it was currently the break for the Silver-tier finale before the Gold started at 12 P.M. She chose this time for the purpose of skipping out the paparazzi that would get lost in the crowds; it helped when Inja used a very weak version of Dazzling Gleam that not only pulled eyes to her but somewhat obscured her face. A few people spotted her and pointed as she drew closer to the military base, including on-the-ground journalists, but she dismissed them with the excuse she had places to be and to contact Jewels, her agent, to set something up. Overall, it was a reasonably pleasant walk that stilled her nerves and helped to put things into perspective. Still, now that she was starting to calm down, Saria was beginning to notice how apprehensive her Pokemon were; it was a big day for all of them, and they¡¯d been supporting each other more privately than usual. In the end, whatever came from this upcoming battle, at least they¡¯d be able to get rid of this stress. Upon nearing her destination, she felt a vibration pass through her purse strap and took out her phone with a small smile. ¡°Ooh, Zack?¡± Zaneeta eagerly asked. Mmh¡­ Looks that way, she mused. You think he¡¯ll be locked up for the rest of the day? ¡°He better not!¡± Inja forced a grin. ¡°Eh, that would be tragic¡­¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Addie hissed, ¡°if he can¡¯t meet with you, much less watch our biggest match¡­¡± Mhmm¡­ she sighed, studying his grinning face on the ID. Well, let¡¯s see. Saria answered, and the call transferred to her headphones. ¡°Hey, Zack. So, heh, what¡¯s the verdict?¡± His forced laughter burned her ears and tightened her stomach. ¡°Eh-hehe, well¡­ you see¡­¡± he drew out, causing the girl to stress even more, ¡°I was just released!¡± She released her pent-up lungs and chuckled. ¡°Geez, had me panicking there for a second, stupid! So, it wasn¡¯t that bad?¡± ¡°Meh, a fine, but some of the officers were fans of yours, so¡­ I may have rubbed a few elbows and, heh, told a few stories. You should have heard them laughing at the Lumiose City incident.¡± ¡°Ironic, since we totally broke the law by breaking into that after-hours gala,¡± she snickered. ¡°Lunch?¡± ¡°You know it! What are you up to now?¡± Saria lifted an eyebrow as her Pokemon listened intently. ¡°Umm, going to see my dad since this is the first chance we¡¯ve had to meet since I¡¯ve gotten back to Kanto. Hmm¡­ Are you asking if Urcher wants to go on a date with Inja?¡± she asked in a teasing tone that had her Gardevoir internally panicking at the out-of-the-blue question. ¡°Haha! I mean, he¡¯s been planning some stuff, but I don¡¯t think he¡¯s ready¡ªI¡¯m not throwin¡¯ you under the bus, Bud; everyone knows you two have been talking.¡± ¡°No¡­ everyone?¡± Inja mumbled, blushing a bit and looking away as she hugged herself. ¡°He¡¯s sweet, and¡­ h-he took me to some really nice chocolate stores in Kalos before we left.¡± ¡°Chocolate stores, huh? Hehe, she didn¡¯t even tell us ¡­ Are you guys going steady now?¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Zack hummed. ¡°So that¡¯s what you two were doing when Saria and I were on a date; you should have told us, Bud, we could have double-dated!¡± ¡°Saria¡­¡± Inja cried, face bright red as she hid her face. ¡°I¡¯m just learning how to do the human dating stuff¡­ We¡¯re not very good at it.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t she adorable?!¡± Zaneeta chimed, hugging the Gardevoir¡¯s spirit as she tried to pull away. ¡°She was having such a good time and didn¡¯t even notice us spying on her; imagine that!¡± Telepathy cut as Inja became too flustered, chased around near Saria¡¯s spirit with the Mawile ribbing and poking her. ¡°Sounds like a plan!¡± Zack stated, pausing a second for the sound to cut, likely speaking to someone. ¡°Uh¡ªyeah, great! Umm, I¡¯ve got a few things to do myself. So¡­ push it back thirty minutes?¡± ¡°12:30 it is,¡± she smiled, breathing out more stress as she looked up at the front gates of the military base. ¡°And Zack¡­ I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve been distant for the last few days.¡± ¡°No! No! I totally get it; you¡¯re dealing with a lot, and I want to be here for whatever you need.¡± The saliva gathering in her mouth made it a bit sticky; Saria swallowed it, voice softening. ¡°You have your needs, too¡­ A relationship is a partnership, and heh, I¡¯ve been a terrible partner lately. Let me make it up to you; I can pick the restaurant.¡± ¡°Oof,¡± she could practically hear Zack wince. ¡°I¡¯d take you up on that offer anyway, but you see, uh-heh, I already set things up for your special day¡­ I wanted it to be a surprise, but¡­¡± Saria scratched her head, puffing out a long stream of air, recalling the event her Mawile secretly communicated to her. ¡°I¡¯ll go ahead and make you spill the beans¡­ I should have guessed you¡¯d set something up¡ªyou¡¯re always so sweet like that ¡­ Ugh, I really am a terrible girlfriend, huh?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember saying that?¡± Zack hummed. ¡°Do you? Kayla would totally remember, too¡ªyou know how she gets on you!¡± Saria shook her head, finger held against her forehead before looking up at the bright blue sky, clear of clouds. That nosy Indeedee remembers ¡®everything¡¯ she can use against me. Zaneeta sent an emotional pulse defending the Pokemon, spiritually comforting an abashed Inja as the Gardevoir glared at Saria; Saria had no clue how she became the bad guy when it was Zaneeta that roped Addie into spying on her. Interpreting the Deceiver Pokemon¡¯s intentions, she lifted an eyebrow. Mmhhmm \¡­ And when did you two become such close friends? Last I remember, you were cursing her out three days ago. What¡¯s going on there? The Steel girl gave a casual shrug as if saying they¡¯d found commonalities. You¡¯re trying to change the topic¡ªand can you stop teasing Inja so we can talk ¡­ What do you mean I¡¯m the queen of stonewalling?! ¡°Seriously, Saria, you¡¯re the most driven and caring woman I know! Remember last Valentine''s Day, when¡ª¡± It was Saria¡¯s turn to stumble, face steaming. ¡°Hey¡ªHey! Some things shouldn¡¯t be said on a call in public!¡± Her Pokemon smirked, smelling meat and closing in to nudge her. ¡°Hmm-Hmm? You always have us split off during Valantine¡¯s Day; you were glowing when we all met up. What happened, huh?¡± her Gardevoir teased, glad to be off the focus of attention. Giggling, she set up her Telepathy for the rest of Saria¡¯s team to comment. ¡°I¡¯m curious, as well,¡± Addie mused, and Inja snickered. ¡°It¡¯s rare for me to feel you so flustered; ooh, these emotions are¡­¡± Shhh! Okay! I get it; you get chocolate, Inja! ¡°Awww, no fair! Inja! Tell us!¡± Her other Pokemon roared for details, but the Embrace Pok¨¨mon snickered and sealed her lips. ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm! A bribe is a bribe, but I was shocked when I saw that receipt, and the dry cleaning, too!¡± Inja¡­ ¡°I¡¯m not saying anything!¡± Zack sounded just as entertained as her Gardevoir; it was like the Fairy had suddenly swapped to an Impish nature. ¡°Haha! Love you, Saria, and looking forward to our date! 12:30?¡± ¡°12:30, heh, and don¡¯t teleport this time!¡± ¡°Hey! No promises¡ªI¡¯m just saying¡ªbut uh, yeah, hehe, see you then!¡± He hung up, and Saria sighed, glaring at Inja¡¯s knowing look before putting her phone in her purse. A box from Rosmitos? ¡°Six boxes!¡± That¡¯s extortion, Inja! ¡°Oh, but the payback is so sweet; you should have Volt Switched!¡± Mmgmg¡­ ¡°Tell us!¡± Zaneeta cried, making Saria¡¯s gut tighten. Six boxes? ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm. Six.¡± Deal. Boo! Addie and Zaneeta said in unison. Trying to get her frantic memories and emotions under control, if anything, to prevent her snooping Pokemon from catching any hints into a very personal and ¡®new¡¯ experience she¡¯d participated in, she cleared her voice upon meeting the guards at the gatehouse. ¡°Hello, boys¡ªahem, just here to see my father, and here¡¯s my ID¡­¡± They saluted her long before she arrived. ¡°High Master Saria; it¡¯s an honor, Ma¡¯am!¡± ¡°Heh, I¡¯m not a High Master quite yet,¡± she chuckled, and one almost reverently took her card inside to be scanned. If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. If only they knew my internal problems¡­ ¡°I could tell them?¡± Inja hummed. ¡°High Master Saria, you¡­ look a bit red-faced?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. Hehe, thank you for the concern, Private.¡± ¡°Umm, Ma¡¯am,¡± the man that ran into the guardhouse returned with her ID. ¡°The Lieutenant-General is currently overseeing some of the new recruits¡¯ morning drills in the field.¡± ¡°Thank you. I know the way.¡± Waving them off as they roared their support for her victory, Saria made similar gestures to all the bright-eyed women and men that called out to her. Kanto¡¯s military was somewhat divided, but this base had mostly Johto personnel, and she had more interactions with them through her travels with her father than Visquez that mainly centered in Vermilion. She smiled as she caught sight of her father¡¯s Electivire in the field, leading exercises for not only the recruits but the Drill Sergeants. Naturally, her muscular father was shirtless and wearing sunglasses¡ªsomething she got from him¡ªand for a second, she could still envision her electrifying war hero of a father with his right arm. It hurt a little to see the stump, but he was all smirks. ¡°Keep those butts in the air, Ladies; you don¡¯t get muscles like this overnight. Romiski! You want an up-close look, Son?!¡± ¡°N-No, L-Lieutenant-Gen¡ªGeneral, Sir!¡± ¡°What was that?!¡± ¡°No, Lieutenant-General, Sir!¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my muscles, Romiski?!¡± ¡°Nothing, Sir!¡± ¡°Give me fifty more upside-down push-ups, Romiski; if ya can¡¯t do ¡®em, the whole squad picks up your slack, and I better not see you drop, Son!¡± Lightning from Suzuki, his Electivire, sparked around the scrawny man; clearly, these were newbies he¡¯d been sent. ¡°T-Thank you, Sir! Yes, Sir! Thank you, Sir!¡± he cried, and Saria could feel his pain as the others glared at him. She stopped by the edge of the field; he saw her but waited until the man collapsed at ten push-ups in the impossible task. ¡°What did you just do, Romiski? What did you do?¡± ¡°I¡ªI f-fell!¡± ¡°What did you say, Romiski?!¡± ¡°Sir! I fell, S-Sir!¡± ¡°Ten more for the squad if you can¡¯t do five more, Romiski! Go! Go! Go!¡±¡± ¡°I c-can¡¯t, Sir!¡± ¡°You heard him! Bite those tongues, Ladies, and eat that grass!¡± ¡°S-Sir, no, I¡ªI can do it, Sir!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not seeing it, Romiski!¡± ¡°I-I¡¯m trying, Sir!¡± Quivering arms trying to raise him up, he got five more from the boy. ¡°Alright, laps! Laps! Laps! You have command, Captain Suzuki; whip these boys into shape!¡± ¡°Vvvire!¡± she screamed, chasing after them with sparks dancing at their heels. Saria gave him a half-smile behind her shades as he moved over to join her. ¡°You¡¯re growing soft, Dad.¡± ¡°Haha! It¡¯s a special day!¡± he roared, pulling her into a bear hug that made her wince as he empowered his already rock-hard muscles with his Fortitude. ¡°And look at you, all dolled up!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Heh, not for long if you break me in two!¡± ¡°Not with muscles like yours, Honey! Haha,¡± he slapped her tight stomach after dropping her down and stepping away. ¡°You haven¡¯t been slackin¡¯!¡± Stumbling back a step, she forced a smile while adjusting her shades and catching her dad¡¯s intense blue eyes, poking above his dark glasses. ¡°Got time for an old recruit, Old Man?¡± ¡°Always! Hehe, these Drill Sergeants need to earn their check somehow.¡± ¡°Please, you¡¯ll have Suzuki breathing down their necks the whole time.¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s gotta instill some discipline!¡± They laughed, and he brought her toward the path to the mountain trail the recruits were being driven down; the route looped around the sizeable nearby hill, and they¡¯d be running multiple laps. ¡°Hey, Inja, get in here!¡± ¡°Hehe, it¡¯s nice to see you, Lieutenant-General!¡± ¡°Thanks for takin¡¯ care of my little girl ¡­ So, how was Kalos?¡± he asked, his boisterous voice softening. ¡°Amazing,¡± Saria answered. ¡°Ha, no one looked at me and expected to see a Raichu on my back.¡± ¡°I bet it was fun,¡± he chuckled, ¡°and it looks like you managed to learn something from Valerie.¡± Her pokemon snickered, making Saria glare at her smirking father. ¡°Humph, are you saying I don¡¯t have good fashion sense?¡± ¡°I mean, it¡¯s no surprise; hah, look how I raised you!¡± ¡°So it¡¯s your fault¡ªugh,¡± she hissed, ¡°not that I¡¯m saying I had a bad fashion sense¡­¡± ¡°You know I¡¯m playing with you; I love camo on a woman! Shows she¡¯s got grit! Hmm, Zack good? I met him yesterday; seems like a fine lad.¡± Saria froze mid-step. ¡°Met¡ªyou met Zack? H-He never told me that!¡± Zaneeta¡¯s voice became dry. ¡°When would he tell you? You¡¯ve been ghosting him.¡± ¡°She has a point,¡± Addie mumbled, Inja and her other Pokemon mumbling in agreement. He shrugged, holding his damaged arm behind his back with a small smile, so unlike her father. ¡°How¡¯d ya meet him?¡± ¡°Didn¡¯t he tell you?¡± Saria grumbled, a bit pissed he hadn¡¯t waited for her to introduce him. ¡°Wait¡­ fine lad¡­ Did you wrestle him¡ªwhat¡¯s that about?¡± ¡°He seems to care about you¡­ Said you¡¯ve been looking a bit green lately, and we both know that tan skin doesn¡¯t turn green lightly, haha.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ I¡¯ve just been having a lot on my mind,¡± she whispered, adjusting her purse and glaring at the forest they were entering. ¡°I¡­ met Visquez earlier.¡± ¡°Oh? And what¡¯d she say?¡± ¡°Meh, normal Visquez stuff¡­¡± ¡°Huh. You know she doesn¡¯t hate you.¡± ¡°Just as you always taught,¡± Saria smirked up at him, over a foot taller than her. ¡°Hate the action, not the actor¡­ Soldiers fight for all sorts of reasons, but they¡¯ve always got their reason; respect the commitment and show them yours.¡± ¡°That¡¯s my girl,¡± he said, breathing out a long puff of air before looking up at the trees, filled with Gold-tier Pokemon that enjoyed watching the pathetic humans struggle as their human and Pokemon overlords cracked their whips and forced them on the trail. Silence ensued, and Saria tried to think of something to say to her father; there was so much on her heart that she hadn¡¯t the vaguest idea how to express, but eventually, as she should have expected, he broke the tranquil atmosphere. ¡°Valerie sent me updates ¡­ She gave high recommendations. Heh, of course, I had to wade through all the notes and pictures of the fashion shows you were in.¡± Saria¡¯s eyes closed, lightly biting her lower lip. She didn¡¯t¡­ ¡°I thought they were super fun,¡± Inja interjected. ¡°You did, too.¡± ¡°She¡¯ll never admit that to her dad¡ªSaria? Naa!¡± Zaneeta snickered. ¡°Ooh, you think he saw the pretty Gardevoir one you modeled for Valerie?¡± ¡°Oh, I loved that one! We matched!¡± Ugh¡­ ¡°Is that right? Heh, your daughter finally became a girl, huh?¡± His soft blue eyes flashed as he tilted his head to smile at her. ¡°A woman. Adaline would have been proud of the woman you¡¯ve grown into.¡± Saria¡¯s vision fell to the dirt path at the mention of her mother. ¡°Dad¡­ can we talk about Mom and my brothers sometime? If that¡¯s fine, that is¡ªI know it hurts.¡± ¡°Why would it hurt?¡± She looked up at him in confusion. ¡°But¡­ you never talk about them?¡± ¡°I thought it was a hard topic for you ¡­ Mmh, I still remember you standing in front of those pictures, sometimes for hours, trying not to cry.¡± ¡°Just¡­ when friends would bring up their mom¡­ Sometimes it did get to me,¡± she mumbled. He nodded, a somber atmosphere taking over. ¡°Adaline wanted nothing more than for you to carve your own way¡­ To be your own woman, and you couldn¡¯t have made me prouder ¡­ The things you¡¯ve fought through¡ª¡± Saria¡¯s forehead creased as he sniffed, rubbing his nose and clearing his throat. ¡°Tell me how you feel¡­ Nervous?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ I¡¯ve been throwing up in the mornings,¡± she whispered, playing with her purse. ¡°Cold sweats¡­ nausea¡­¡± Her father came to an immediate stop, making her turn to face him as he muttered. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ pregnant?¡± ¡°What? No! Dad!¡± He puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°Oh-hehe, sorry, but umm, yeah ¡­ My bad. Stress?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Am I pregnant,¡± she scoffed, rolling her eyes. ¡°How should I know? Heh, you¡¯ve ghosted me for basically two years.¡± ¡°Gah¡­ Yeah, my bad¡­ No, I feel pathetic, though¡­ We¡¯ve worked so hard to get here, and I¡¯m so stressed I can¡¯t sleep right ¡­ I haven¡¯t felt this bad since the War.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Yeah, it shows it¡¯s important to you. Visquez has been barfing her guts out!¡± ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Yeah! She¡¯s not immune to stress; I¡¯m not! In fact¡­ I threw up this morning, but for more than just the stress of this battle,¡± he grumbled, wearing a confusing smile. ¡°Time sure flies, my little lightning bolt¡­ I remember when you were surfing on Mino¡¯s tail with him over the ocean¡­¡± ¡°Right, haha, when I was five? Umm, so¡­ Visquez is nervous, too. Huh¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t imagine the dark-skinned tough as nails woman ever throwing up or faltering. ¡°Saria¡­ the Gym life is rough, but not impossible.¡± ¡°Even for a family?¡± she asked, looking back at her childhood. ¡°What are you talking about¡ªof course, you can have a family and be a City-State¡¯s High Master¡ªshould I list the number of Gym Leaders that are happily married? I mean, even Misty got pregnant and tied down recently, heh, not that she¡¯s letting it be public knowledge.¡± ¡°Misty? No way¡­ She¡¯s pregnant, huh? I¡¯ll have to congratulate her soon.¡± ¡°Saria, you don¡¯t need to give up your entire life for the City-State; it¡¯s a part of your life¡ªnot your life. I know I may have been a bit strict, but I didn¡¯t mean to teach you that! No, be who you are, Honey; don¡¯t let anything get in your way of happiness. A ¡®part¡¯ of a Gym Leader¡¯s happiness comes from supporting the City-State; you gotta be rounded¡ªjust like Training¡ªespecially as a Specialist.¡± Saria nodded, looking back at her past as her Pokemon vehemently agreed with the Lieutenant-General of the United Leagues. ¡°What if I lose¡­ What if I win? Will Visquez go to Sinnoh?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ Volkner is officially taking over Bertha¡¯s position in the Elite Four, and she was sent an invitation to try out for the position by the Thunder Cat himself. Hmm-hmm, she turned him down.¡± ¡°Vermilion?¡± ¡°Her hearts with the city ¡­ Personally, I think she puts a bit too much energy into it; she needs to learn a bit of balance. Ha, even Gold found a degree of balance in family life, and that boy¡¯s as focused as it comes!¡± ¡°So¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m saying, don¡¯t worry about the things you can¡¯t change, Darling; you¡¯ve always looked for problems where there aren¡¯t any.¡± He stopped in front of her, large arms folding across his chest as Brisk hopped out of his pokeball to land on her father¡¯s shoulders, black shades in place while repeating his Trainer. ¡°You¡¯ve never held back, so don¡¯t start now¡ªin life and as a Trainer.¡± ¡°Chu-ri-ri-chu! Humph, chu-chu!¡± ¡°Hehe, thanks, Dad, Brisk.¡± Moving in, she hugged him, Brisk patting her on the head. ¡°I¡¯ll give it my all.¡± ¡°I¡¯m always here, Darling, and Visquez may not agree with your dream, but it¡¯s not her dream; may the best Trainer win!¡± ¡°Dad¡­¡± she choked, feeling like a little girl again in his arms. May the best Trainer win¡­ Not the best woman. ¡°It¡¯s time for the torch to pass on, and I couldn¡¯t think of two finer women.¡± ¡°Hehe, when did you get so sappy?¡± she asked, trying not to cry. ¡°My old age, ya said. Heh, right?¡± Spending several more minutes with her father, he promised to share more stories about her brothers and mother when she had time; naturally, he¡¯d stay on as the Lieutenant-General, but he was entrusting the Gym and City-State to them. She parted, feeling lighter than she had in a long time, and at 11:45 A.M., Saria went to meet Zack; her boyfriend sent her directions¡­ to the Police Station. Sighing, she gave Inja a dull look. ¡°Already got reservations, huh? What trouble did he get into this time?¡± ¡°I hope he¡¯s okay!¡± Hmm¡­ Why are you guys so nervous? Saria asked, pocketing her phone in her coat pocket if she needed it again. It¡¯s probably a follow-up thing. ¡°Ermm¡­ I hope so,¡± Addie mumbled. Zaneeta growled. ¡°Why¡¯s he always getting in trouble recently, and today of all days!¡± Hehe, and who was it asking me to give him a chance? Come on, guys. ¡°Okay¡­¡± Saria bypassed the reporters and tried to pull away from the fans that wanted her time, but it still took thirty-five minutes to reach the station. Stepping inside, she grimaced as a woman gave her a forced smile. ¡°Umm, Ms. Surge, if you could, eh, follow me, and uh, can you have your Pokemon return to their pokeballs ¡­ It¡¯s a bit of a delicate matter. Sorry for the inconvenience¡ªespecially today. It shouldn¡¯t take long, Ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure¡­¡± Dully following her to an interrogation room, Addie and Zaneeta entered their pokeballs; she started to wonder if they¡¯d used Zack to lure her in to address her having two Pokemon out. Am I the one that actually got him in trouble? The door opened, causing her to frown¡ªZack wasn¡¯t there¡ªUrcher was sitting in the interrogation chair. ¡°Uh¡­ Excuse me, but what is this?¡± She cast her eyes over the Claydol as he promptly floated over and held out his hand, her Pokemon holding their breaths, and the Policewoman nervously bowing, saying, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡ªand congratulations!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The world spun as Urcher teleported her to a bright room, squinting as the light struck her eyes; Inja transported their Pokemon away until only she remained to support her. ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Zack cleared his throat, her Pokemon exiting their balls all at once, and Saria blinked, swiftly looking around and wondering if they were being led into a trap. Perfect, and on my¡­ ¡°Zack?¡± Her lips parted in disbelief as her focus drifted up her boyfriend¡¯s well-dressed, muscular figure. ¡°Why¡­ are you in a suit? Why are we in some tall¡ªwhy did you teleport me out of the middle of a Police Station!? No, this can¡¯t¡­¡± Saria choked. Zack nervously got on one knee, Kalos accent thickening as he held up a box and smiled. ¡°I know this is sudden¡ªhehe¡ªI really wanted to do this yesterday after talking with your dad¡ªover the Stadium, but¡­¡± Finger pressing against her breast, she shook her head. ¡°Zack¡­¡± ¡°Saria, you are the most beautiful, talented, smartest¡ªheh¡ªand most aggravatingly strong woman I¡¯ve ever met¡ªyou can¡¯t accept help, but that pride is something I love, as well¡­ I want everything you are¡ªflaws and all¡ªand I¡¯m here for you always ¡­ whatever you need, so¡­ will you allow me to win, just this once¡­ ¡°Saria Surge, will you be my wife?¡± World spinning, she wasn¡¯t sure if she was going to faint or not. ¡°Wait¡­ Wife?¡± Inja kept her stable, and all the small events between her Pokemon and Zack¡¯s fell into place; they¡¯d known this entire time and had been keeping it silent¡ªnever had they been able to keep something from her, and for this to be the first time! Her throat constricted as he opened the box to show a brilliant, gorgeous pink stone ring in the Fairy Energy shape she loved. ¡°It¡¯s a bit generic, I know, but it reminded me of how much you love to battle, and¡­ Heh, it just jumped out at me; sappy, I know¡­ All I can say is, Diantha may be Kalos¡¯ Fairy Queen, but you¡¯re mine.¡± ¡°...¡± ¡°Hehe, erm, I guess you know now why Zaneeta was asking to practice tying knots on your fingers last week¡­ Wrong timing?¡± he forced a smile. ¡°No¡­ No, I¡¯m just¡ªI¡¯m a little speechless¡­ Zack, are you sure¡­ Me, a wife? I don¡¯t know what to do¡­¡± Zack¡¯s eyes softened. ¡°Yes, you do¡­ You¡¯ve guided me through these waters of love for so long, and there¡¯s no other woman I want by my side¡­ Will you allow me to be by yours?¡± Liquid touching her eyes, guilt stabbed her gut. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not a good lover, Zack¡­ You deserve better than me.¡± He rose to his feet, arms pulling her in as his hot hands pressed against her back and neck, holding her ear against his chest. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll be alone forever¡­ because I could search for three thousand years and never find another woman like you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m broken, though¡­¡± Zack shifted to take her glasses off, his dark, warm chocolate eyes melting her frozen heart. ¡°Then I¡¯ll fix you; allow me to be your guide.¡± Eyes closed, hot bones trembling, she hadn¡¯t felt more vulnerable in years as Zack leaned in and met her lips; the salt mixed with his saliva, making her chest flutter and clearing her frantic mind. ¡°Saria, will you be my wife?¡± Swallowing and crying, her blurry vision opened as she smiled and nodded. ¡°If you¡¯ll have someone as broken as me¡­ Yes.¡± Saria had waited so long for those words to leave her lungs, and no more followed; against all odds, someone like her was engaged. Inja smiled and left them. She took a step back; his lips pressed against hers before slowly pulling away, a shaky stream of air grazing her cheek. ¡°So, uh, lunch now, or¡­¡± Overcome with emotion, she moved against his chest, instigating a long, passionate kiss while guiding him back. Smiling, he returned her embrace, allowing himself to be drawn in by her momentum before his soft lips moved to her neck, hands curving down her spine. Zack picked her up and carried her to a nearby bed, hand cupping her thighs, his other sliding up her blouse; mind blanking, the fire took her. B2 — 8. The Dream 12:42 P.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Skin on fire, Saria¡¯s lungs pumped, arm resting over her eyes to block out the light as Zack dropped to her side in a similar state; she was practically as breathless and sweaty as she¡¯d been after her jog earlier that morning, yet this time a smile was on her lips. ¡°When¡­ hehe¡­¡± Zack followed her choking laugh, trying to get sticky saliva down his throat. ¡°Heh¡­ a lot more energetic¡­ than last Valentine¡¯s¡ªoof!¡± She slammed the only throw pillow that still remained on the chaotic bed on his face with a giggle. ¡°This time I¡­ hah, wasn¡¯t wearing that ridiculous costume¡­¡± ¡°You loved it¡­ Haha! Hey¡­¡± he grinned, Kalos accent thick; she rolled onto his stomach, chaotic hair draping over him as she pinned his arms above his head to catch his toothy grin. ¡°Oh¡­ round two, My Love?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Chest still heaving from the laborious exercise they¡¯d just done, she gave him a half-smile. ¡°The bed couldn¡¯t handle a round two, and we don¡¯t need you to be banned from another hotel!¡± ¡°We do have two Pokemon with teleport¡­¡± ¡°Zack!¡± ¡°I¡¯m just saying,¡± he snickered. ¡°I can pay for a new bed and fees for a second chance to see you¡­¡± She leaned in and met his soft lips, tasting the blood she¡¯d drawn earlier, legs spreading out while lying atop him, his strong hands around her neck and sliding down her spine to keep her balanced. Tasting a little of her own disheveled hair, she pulled herself off his chest to breathe a heavy puff of air. ¡°I¡¯d love a round two¡­ but I do need to have some energy for later,¡± she whispered, smoothing back her hair and sighing before falling between his legs to stare up at the ceiling. ¡°Do you¡­ Do you really mean it, Zack? What about Kalos?¡± He lifted up her butt and repositioned a bit to not crush the goods, mirroring her to ease the tension in his chest; her fianc¨¦ took a moment to respond, making Saria¡¯s sensitive thighs and mouth tremble a bit as his rough fingers slid down her smooth, slick, burning skin. ¡°Saria¡­ you are all that I need¡­ You are my home.¡± Chill touching her shoulders, she smiled, tears gathering in her already stained and flushed cheeks. Her long blonde hair bunched around her ear, scalp stinging slightly after the rough play. Smile moving to a grin, she looked to the side to see the jewelry box holding her ring¡ªher very own engagement ring¡ªnear the edge of the bed, somehow surviving the torrent of movement that most of the blankets and sheets had not. Reaching over to bring it over her head, she rolled her eyes upon feeling the rising pressure against her rear-end, mischievously working into it as Zack hissed. ¡°Ack¡ªack¡­ heh, punishment now?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm¡­ I said we need to wait for later! I have the biggest match of my life in only five hours.¡± ¡°Five whole hours, My Love! No, hehe,¡± Zack caressed her hips, fingernails leaving a lingering tingle, ¡°I know you¡¯ll be spectacular no matter the results¡­ My future wife is a Mukin¡¯ legend.¡± ¡°Is that right, hehe¡ªlet¡¯s not go crazy here¡ªeven my dad hasn¡¯t reached Grandmaster.¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re a grandmaster at somethin¡¯!¡± he mused, Saria tilting to the side to give him a dirty smile. ¡°I can¡¯t deny my experience, and I promised I¡¯d never lie to you!¡± ¡°Well¡­ you haven¡¯t ¡®experienced¡¯ close to what this ¡®grandmaster¡¯ can do with her hips,¡± she teased, opening the box again to let herself be captivated by the shimmering pink stone. ¡°It¡¯s... It¡¯s beautiful, Zack¡­¡± Once again, needing to shift her lower half because of her impish movements, he streamed out a steaming breath. ¡°It¡¯s the closest thing I could find to match the glamor of a Fairy.¡± ¡°Hehe, you¡¯re so sappy!¡± she giggled, and done teasing him, she flipped off his inguinal region to offer him the box. Excitement twisted her already squirming abdomen, and she felt like a little girl again. ¡°Can you put it on me?¡± Eyes softening, he knelt across from her on the bed and took the ring out to accept her extended hand, her heart thumping against her breast. Zack''s brown irises lifted to meet her expectant gaze, melting her as she felt the ring sliding into place like a burning brand against her chest. I¡¯m a bride¡­ me¡­ a ring on my finger¡­ She blinked as he pressed forward to kiss her out of the shock, returning to the force to not be carried to her back and off the bed; the problem, he practically sucked the air out of her! Coughing a little, she laughed with him and looked between them at her hand. ¡°I¡¯m a bride¡­¡± ¡°My bride¡­¡± Zack grinned, brushing back her messy hair to direct her to his neck, where two hickies were forming, ¡°That might as well be an Impidimp with how often I get bit; channeling that Dark inner side and marking your territory, huh?!¡± ¡°Hehe!¡± Saria blushed, looking down at the ring again before closing her eyes and falling against his muscular chest for him to hold her. ¡°Of all days¡­ I guess even if I lose, there¡¯s something I can look back on fondly.¡± ¡°Hey¡­¡± He lifted her chin for her to be taken in by his gentle, earthy stare. ¡°Maybe it¡¯s just because I¡¯m always a winner when I have you by my side, but I can¡¯t imagine you ever losing something you really want¡­ if this is really what you want, I know you¡¯ll find a way¡­ because my wife is a fighter.¡± Heart stilling, her arms closed around him, allowing his slightly irregular heartbeat to bump against her ear and the heat of his body overtake her. ¡°Thank you, Zack¡­ Maybe¡­ can we just lay here a bit longer?¡± He answered with a low grunt while promptly pulling her over him to hold her in a protective embrace, all her anxieties melting in his arms. Their breathing synchronized over the next ten minutes, permitting herself just a little more time to experience the magical event she¡¯d dreamed of since a budding adolescent, with the fantasies doing nothing to match how she felt in this moment and the pain of the last nine years washed away to reveal a sparkling sky, filled with possibilities of the future with Zack. ¡°Zack¡­ just you and me?¡± ¡°Hehe¡­ our future,¡± he whispered, knowing the statement included their Pokemon that were practically a part of them. ¡°Mmh¡­ I love you.¡± ¡°I love you too,¡± he cooed, kissing the top of her head as his fingers eased down her tingling spine. Giving herself a few more seconds, a short sigh left her lips, and she got up, managing her hair and tittering when her fingers passed over her scalp. ¡°I should, mmgm¡­ get cleaned up.¡± ¡°Still feeling the burn, huh? Hehe. Oh, and lunch? Because, heh, that is quite cold by this point.¡± ¡°No, I¡­¡± she paused, fingers rubbing her tight belly. ¡°I felt queasy not so long ago, but¡­ eh-heh, I¡¯m kind of a little hungry now,¡± she muttered, giving him a forced smile. He held up his hands. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m starved after the workout you put me through, but maybe that¡¯s just me, Ms. High Master!¡± ¡°Oh?¡± She got to her feet, stretching a little while staring at the twinkling pink jewel around her ring finger. ¡°You better load up on carbs for tonight because this was just the warm-up!¡± He laughed, rubbing the bruises on his neck and licking his cut lip. ¡°Keep on like this, and they¡¯ll call you an abusive wife!¡± She winked while gathering her discarded articles across the ground and moved to the bathroom to freshen up. ¡°Only if you tell on me!¡± Starting the shower, she washed off, and a smile lifted the corner of her lips as Zack joined her; he tried to help, but she had to guide his hands to her delight and amusement¡ªsometimes they didn¡¯t want to behave. Once they¡¯d finished, she dried off and wrapped her hair in a towel before snatching her dropped purse to get the items she¡¯d need, such as makeup, and returned to slow at the doorway to smile at her fianc¨¦, now leaning against the doorframe¡ªbutt naked¡ªin a flexing pose to show off and make her giggle. Brushing by him, all the while swinging her purse in a threatening manner, she was impressed that he didn¡¯t flinch once, looking down at her with a smirk as he got what he wanted, yet he wasn¡¯t done, smoothly flipping sides to leave himself full on display for her to see in the mirror. Shaking her head with a smile, she could hear his voice in her head. ¡°You¡¯re missing all of this¡­ The bed¡¯s open for round two, and I¡¯m willing to pay for the damages!¡± ¡°You¡¯re impossible!¡± ¡°I know you¡¯re tempted¡­ these hips move for you! Hmm?¡± ¡°Save that energy for tonight,¡± she warned, applying her light lipstick before smiling at him in the mirror. ¡°You¡¯ll need it.¡± ¡°Challenge accepted!¡± ¡°Now, cover up so Inja can come in and help me with my hair¡­ oh, and order something for them to join us.¡± ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am!¡± He gave her a goofy smile and salute before moving to get things ready, one thought running through her mind as he got back into his suit in the background. I am lucky¡­ Her Gardevoir teleported back with the rest of her team, Zack¡¯s joining them, having remained near officers to have approval, and Saria¡¯s team helped her with the rest of her looks, Inja smoothing out any wrinkles or makeup smudges on her clothing from Zack and her initial engagement. A lot of congratulations and cheers were heard, and Saria learned this had been in the works for some time, which was the reason for her Pokemon being so anxious, not so much the match, which was a perfect smokescreen. She couldn¡¯t help but glare at her Pokemon, laughing that they¡¯d pulled over the surprise of the ages, their perfect hoodwink, and Zack had set up the entire thing. Zaneeta had grown more and more panicked after she¡¯d started ghosting him, and finally, today had blown up and forced things to move along with Kayla. Addie was nervous about the entire ordeal, considering it was a big moment, yet he agreed that, despite Saria¡¯s external protests, she¡¯d find the excuse he was trying to marry her such as the clout of being the husband to a Gym Leader¡ªwell, if she won. Saria wanted to believe she wouldn¡¯t be so scared of commitment that she¡¯d go down that route, but apparently, she was outvoted one to six¡ªit didn¡¯t matter anyway¡ªshe was engaged. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. When the fresh food arrived, much ahead of schedule since Zack had actually ordered for them sometime before entering the shower and posting up at the door¡ªtypical, thoughtful Zack¡ªand by the time she sat down, her future husband was relighting the candles. Glancing left at her laughing and smiling Pokemon, engaged in conversation with Zack¡¯s as they ate their own meal, her gaze drifted to his left hand. ¡°Uh, Zack? What if I want to get a ring for you.¡± He chuckled, teeth flashing while looking down at her hands, fingers still playing with the piece of jewelry. ¡°I would say we could set up a time to do it together, but I know you better than that¡­ I can guess what¡¯s on your mind.¡± Saria¡¯s focus drifted over to her giggling Gardevoir, who shivered at the feel of her spirit before swiftly looking over and shaking her head in protest at her leery eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything, Saria! He¡¯s guessing!¡± Kayla smirked, using her Pokemon¡¯s Telepathy to communicate her slightly deep female voice. ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯s hard to know what Saria is thinking; she¡¯s so predictable.¡± ¡°Am not,¡± Saria huffed. ¡°You¡¯ll see! I call your bluff, Zack; you¡¯ll be surprised.¡± ¡°Ooh, I¡¯m getting tingles¡­ he-he!¡± he teased, pouring a small glass of wine; it wasn¡¯t like she was really an alcoholic, and she could handle it pretty well for a woman of her size, yet she still wanted to keep it light, which he naturally guessed. ¡°I love it when you get determined.¡± ¡°So¡­ should I, umm¡­ announce it at the ceremony?¡± He folded his hands in his lap, waiting for her to start eating first, as usual. ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm¡­ Sure, win or lose, I¡¯m a winner.¡± Blushing a little, she nodded and smiled. ¡°Win or lose¡­ I¡¯m a winner. Hehe, today has been the best day of my life¡­ before the battle¡­ Thank you, Zack.¡± ¡°What good are husbands for, other than making their wife happy! Toast?¡± he asked, lifting his glass. Raising her own, she smiled. ¡°Partners¡­ to each other¡¯s happiness.¡± ¡°I can drink to that!¡± Glass chiming as they met, their Pokemon cheered with the taste of wine on Saria¡¯s lips. Settling in to eat, Saria couldn¡¯t believe it could get better after the emotionally heated exchange earlier; yet again, she¡¯d been proven wrong, and every new moment she shared with Zack put butterflies in her stomach, washing away the fear of the future; she had one, no matter the results. Her time with Zack was slow and sweet, reflecting on the path that had led them to this late lunch, on the day that would determine the rest of Saria¡¯s life, and not once did the security Zack brought leave her. Finishing, Zack left with her, looping arms as they spent the rest of the time she had exploring Silver City¡¯s many attractions, mainly visiting the art district to expose the Kalos native to Kanto creativity. He was far more engrossed in it, being an artist himself, and shared his insights into the crafts; during this time, Saria committed something that she expressly forbade in the start of their relationship¡ªshe would allow him to paint her. Ever since arriving in Kalos, she¡¯d mainly traveled, not having a place of her own to keep such possessions, and she didn¡¯t like to expose herself to artistry¡ªshe wasn¡¯t sure exactly why¡ªit just felt uncomfortable, which led to some awkward conversations in the eccentric art region. However, after today, she felt that inner fear fade, and now, she wanted to share what he enjoyed; to start, she would initiate it by painting him something herself. Sure, it would be embarrassing, and she¡¯d never tried other than as a teenager, but without a doubt in her mind, she knew he would cherish it. A blush touched her cheeks at the thought, which he misinterpreted as her interest in some abstract painting they were looking at; she could be spontaneous and crafty, too, and she¡¯d show him! The hours passed, and eventually, it was nearing 4:45 P.M.¡ªshe wanted to be in the locker rooms and be prepared for her time to walk out on stage¡ªso, she kissed Zack to the flurry of hidden paparazzi; they were newbies that didn¡¯t know such things were pointless with Inja¡¯s Dazzling Gleam effect that would blur her out. Shifting to his ear, she whispered, ¡°Thank you for your courage.¡± A sly lift to her cheeks, she placed a second peck on his cheek before waving him off. Hands in his pockets, Zack¡¯s warm brown eyes followed her exit, a happy Indeedee by his side, and for some reason, her heart started to beat faster the further she got from her future husband, making her fingers close against her breast. He¡¯ll be watching¡­ I¡¯ll win. I¡¯m going to win! Responding to her cheerful Pokemon, Saria ignored the annoying journalists and waved to fans as she made her way to the stadium; it didn¡¯t take long from where they¡¯d separated, and the guards instantly opened the way for her to pass through the VIP section to enter the underground area. She could have accepted many sponsors for the eventful match, yet Saria wasn¡¯t exactly pressed for the credits, and she didn¡¯t want to taint the day by going out and listing off random products. The League would have its own sponsors, and she would get a small cut from their advertisements, which was more than enough for her. So, her cream coat, blue jeans, and black blouse would be the clothing she¡¯d wear for the biggest match of her life; it was something all of her Pokemon had helped pick out, which made it the perfect attire. Sitting on the bench with her Pokemon nearby, Saria took slow, even breaths; it was so strange, not feeling the stress she thought would be tightening her gut, calmly going through their strategies with her trusted companions. However, that all came to a sudden halt when an aura instantaneously appeared down the hall that she¡¯d recognize anywhere, gripping her stomach and making her look at the doorway. Silence took her in the well-insulated locker rooms, hearing the taps of heels soon fill the space for a beautiful dark brown-haired woman to walk in with a soft smile on her light pink lips with a gorgeous Gardevoir by her side. ¡°Grand Duchess Diantha?¡± ¡°Countess Saria, my, you look lovely this evening.¡± The Kalos Champion, renowned actress and fashion model, wore a white coat and scarf with black tights; she seemed to have been somewhere cold before coming here, and if Saria were to guess, Mt. Silver. ¡°What¡­ are you doing in Kanto?¡± She gestured to the bench beside her. ¡°Mind if I sit for a moment?¡± ¡°Sure¡ªyeah, of course¡­¡± Saria stammered, her Pokemon just as flustered as her when the Grand Duchess¡¯ Gardevoir engaged them. Heels clicking against the tile as she sat across from her, Diantha crossed her legs and shifted to face her with a pleasant atmosphere. ¡°Valerie made mention of you during our weekly get-togethers and recommended I meet you if I had the chance. I hope I am not intruding.¡± ¡°No, uh, not at all¡­ I¡¯m just a little surprised. Umm¡­ I suppose you know I am trying to bring a Fairy Gym to Kanto?¡± A soft hum resonated in Diantha''s throat as she loosened her scarf a little. ¡°I didn¡¯t, but it is a wonderful dream. No, the topic of family came up, and I recalled your father was the United League¡¯s Lieutenant General¡­ Mmh¡­ I hope I am not being too forward¡­ I typically do not have much time to discuss things in a more¡­ delicate or prolonged setting.¡± ¡°No, I understand; you are the Champion of Kalos and away from its borders¡­ Umm, I¡¯m just not really following what direction you want this conversation to go?¡± Saria squirmed a little with her role model and idol in front of her; in all her time in Kalos, she barely had a chance to even see Diantha across the region with how busy she was; the woman was constantly being pulled between sets, shoots, speaking events, and still participated in the Battle Chateau, as well as her League duties¡ªtoday truly was gut-wrenching and magical at the same time. ¡°Mmh¡­ It must not have been easy on you growing up¡­¡± she started. The Kalos Champion seemed a little lost for words, which wasn¡¯t something Saria expected from the woman that bordered Legendary-tier in Kalos; there were rumors that she¡¯d already broken into it, which would be incredible given her tight schedule. ¡°As in growing up with my father away and the wars, or¡­ I don¡¯t get what you¡¯re asking of me.¡± Lower lip pulling in a bit, Diantha cupped her right cheek. ¡°Haaa¡­ I suppose what I am looking for is someone that might understand and give me an honest answer. I would not ask this of you during your preparations for such an important match¡­ a chance you have undoubtedly worked much of your life to achieve¡­¡± Her shoulders sagged for her Pokemon to float over and rub her shoulder. ¡°Had my schedule not been so tight after your match¡ªprimarily because Chase is needed for it¡ªI would not have intruded so abruptly. Will you allow me a moment of your time to listen to my concerns and give your honest opinion?¡± Saria settled in, a tad worried by how flustered the typically totally collected woman was. ¡°Of course. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ My son has been a rather independent boy growing up, and I know there is a lot of pressure on him to succeed¡­ hehe, especially considering the¡­ reputation Kalos has in a region like Kanto.¡± Her countenance strengthened as her bright blue eyes lifted to her, motherly worry on her face that took Saria off-guard. ¡°Recently, my son¡¯s travel companion sent me a message¡­ Typically, it would have been filtered through my agents and assistants to summarize in my daily briefings, yet I received a notice from my son that had me looking at my private social media page, and¡­ ¡°Unfortunately, one of my acting roles crossed with my son¡¯s match, and I missed it¡­ Lucian has always been understanding of my work, yet the message his teammate sent suggested otherwise, and if that is the case¡­ for how long? ¡°So, I understand, as coming from a military family, you are raised to be quite strong¡­ similarly to how Siebold and I have raised Lucian¡­ Is it typical for a child to suppress expressing such emotions to their parents?¡± Saria was a little taken aback at the very personal matter being asked of her by her idol; Diantha seemed to know everything when asked by reporters or when giving speeches, yet to be so totally ignorant when it came to children was not something she expected. Swallowing, she slightly shifted her feet, looking down at Addie as her Comfey gave her a melancholy look. ¡°Umm¡­ Grand Duchess¡­ I knew my father had a tough job¡­ I respected him for it more and more as I grew up and saw all the sacrifices he¡¯d made¡­ ¡°However¡­ at the time¡­ When I was a teenager¡­ I hated it, but I¡¯d never tell him because I didn¡¯t want him to worry about me¡­ to look weak¡­ making my dad think I was weak. So I buried a lot of it and acted out in other ways¡­ Heh, my dad saw it and stopped that by the time I was thirteen, but it was rough for me until he took notice.¡± A short silence took them as Diantha looked at her hands, folded atop her lap, a sad look on her face Saria never thought she would cause. ¡°I see¡­ hmm¡­ I suppose the next step will be to address it directly.¡± ¡°Eh¡­ ahem¡­¡± Saria took a deep breath, chest tight as she interjected. ¡°If I may, uh¡­ It¡¯s pretty delicate, and¡­ It¡¯s something you should be in the right place for.¡± The Fairy Queen of Kalos gave her a thankful smile. ¡°I appreciate the advice you¡¯ve given me, Countess Saria; you are as insightful as Valerie claimed. I¡¯ve made my decision¡­ I will be taking a leave of absence from my role as an actor to dedicate more time to explore the relationship I should have built with Lucian long before this point. Thank you.¡± Saria nodded, still in somewhat of a daze as she got up. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m happy I could help.¡± ¡°I will be cheering for you.¡± With a smile and nod, Diantha, the Champion of Kalos, teleported without warning or signal to what Saria assumed was the VIP box, hidden from outside eyes. Licking her lips, a short laugh bubbled up Saria¡¯s chest. ¡°Imagine that, guys¡­ Grand Duchess Diantha¡­ asking me about troubled children¡­ Ha¡­ ha-ha¡­ How much more can I take in one day?¡± Her Pokemon gave her a nod, reciprocating the emotions, and Inja looked like she was about to pass out with her own idol and role model following their match. Well¡­ let¡¯s do our best! This is it, guys! Throat still sticky from her encounter with Diantha, Saria got up and brushed back her blonde locks, puffing out a long stream of air; she took the first step to the exit and waited near the wall until her name was called. She couldn¡¯t hear the announcers or cheers all that well beyond the thumping of her own blood in her ears; it was like it was her first day, stepping into her dad¡¯s Gym to face him for her first Badge¡ªSaria failed to get that Bronze Encrusted Badge¡ªthis time, she¡¯d take the High Master one. Stepping into the booth, it rose to display the colossal stadium, Visquez invisible to her due to the distance, but the atmosphere was clear as day, and to make matters worse, many more auras were now making their appearance as the battle was about to start. On either side of the vast field were eight seats¡ªrepresenting the City-States and Gym Leaders of the two regions¡ªand every one was filled. High Masters Falkner, Bugsy, Whitney, Morty, Chuck, Jasmine, Price, Clair, Giovanni, Blaine, Sabrina, Jainine, Erika, Misty, Forrest, and her grinning father¡ªtheir large, brilliant badges plastered below their private sections¡ªa symbol of all the people they represented. Between them and to the left of Saria was the Elite Four, radiating their imposing pressure¡ªWill, Koga, Bruno, and Karen¡ªwith their current Champion, Chase, at their head, and if that wasn¡¯t enough, the hidden VIP box held colossal auras that made her well aware of why Diantha was among them. An emergency Champion Summit¡­ All of the Champions are here, watching¡­ and if I¡¯m sensing this correctly¡­ Why are Red and Yellow here, as well? I suppose if I win¡­ I might find out. Turning her gaze back to Visquez, she stilled her thumping heart; the only thing that mattered right now was facing down her rival and Electric Specialist. It was time to push forward and go beyond her limits¡­ to achieve her dreams. The announcer¡¯s voice was deafening, yet barely heard by Saria as she fixated on the figure across the field; the music and general hype passed in a blur until finally, it was time. ¡°This is a High Master Gym Challenge¡­ As is customary to the changing of hands, Lieutenant General Surge of the United League has opted to step down from his position as Vermilion City¡¯s Gym Leader; the winner of this match will have the honor of filling his prestigious rank and carrying on Vermilion City¡¯s great legacy! ¡°The Battle Format is ¡®Full Performance¡¯... Solo Release¡­ One minute delay between chosen Pokemon. Ready¡­ set¡­ begin!¡± Having selected her starting Pokemon carefully, Saria expanded her capsule and threw it to the right side of the field; it was time to win! B2 — 9. Whatever It Takes 6:30 P.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªwill begin. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Match start, Minli exited her pokeball to hover over the neutral field of Silver Stadium, bright lights and barriers obscuring the crowd as her shimmering crystals painted small rays of dazzling colors, preparing for battle. She¡¯d been nervous about entering such a Battle Tier, given Saria¡¯s leading team was far more experienced than her, yet her Trainer insisted she would be a star; so, Minli diligently built her strength to be of use for Saria¡¯s expectations for this day. Saria¡¯s voice filled her spirit with courage. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Minli; we¡¯re all here with you!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Zaneeta roared, burning with anticipation. ¡°We¡¯ll be right behind you!¡± Addie¡¯s calming, smooth tone followed. ¡°I know this is terrifying, but remain calm and stick to your training, Minli; Inja and I will pick up the slack. Just focus on your opponent!¡± Conviction setting into her bright blue eyes, Minli¡¯s focus settled on her opponent as Visquez¡¯s own Pokemon exited¡ªjust as Saria predicted¡ªRassha, a Heat Rotom. I¡ªI¡¯ll do my best! ¡°What a shocker! Saria Surge starts the match with a Carbink; first we¡¯ve seen of Minli in Saria¡¯s battles in this tournament! Visquez with a Heat Rotom, likely attempting to counter Zaneeta, Saria¡¯s Mawile! Still, Rotom is a powerful starter; can our little Carbink¡¯s Stats keep up with the top-tier Pokemon?¡± Hoving to the left and leaping into the air with her energy, Minli shimmered, speed sharply increasing as Rassha rapidly expanded, rushing her at incredible speed. Knowing he couldn¡¯t move that fast and having greater distance, she managed to throw up a Safeguard before the Astonish hit, dealing minor damage. ¡°Good, you got the Safeguard! That was the hardest part!¡± Saria praised. ¡°Visquez loves using Status Moves and Hex; it was her only chance at taking you out before Zanny comes in.¡± With her vision blocked by the colossal Rotom, Rassha took advantage to mask his location, now dozens of the Pokemon covering the field to surround her; however, they¡¯d managed to block her initial Status Hex play. Rassha hung back, its clones all glowing as the heat in the area increased; he was powering up in preparation for Zaneeta coming out. If they could take out the Mawile, a colossal threat would be brushed off the field, and it was her job to prevent that. Spinning in a tight circle after Astonish sent her further into the air, hundreds of jagged rocks scattered across the field to damage anyone who tripped the mines, now sinking into the earth; Visquez loved fast battles, and they¡¯d stalled out her rush play, yet it would only increase in pace as they went on. Barriers cycled around the Rotoms, preparing for the physical damage, and smiling as she fell, Minli¡¯s heart blossomed with pride; she¡¯d done her part, and now all that was left was to chip down the Electric-Fire Pokemon as much as possible. Glittering gems sparkled around her for a rain of jewels to spray the doubles in her search for the real Rassha for a sun-enhanced supernova to erupt from the Rotom to meet the jewels. It mitigated some of the gems, given the power difference, yet it also showed her where Rassha was; charging right through the flames, stone body resisting the heat as a screen of light came into being before her to further mitigate damage, an orb of metallic gold spinning in front of her. Rassha¡¯s eyes flashed pink, and as she neared her target, a force shoved her into the air, causing the blast of Rock energy to miss and flatten a large area behind the Rotom; still, she was close to him¡ªuntil she wasn¡¯t. The Rotom faded as if an illusion to appear several meters to her right, eyes closed as a sinister aura flared around him; he¡¯d managed to trick her to prepare for her next entry, knowing he couldn¡¯t do much to her without the ability to Status or change her Stats while having his damage heavily reduced. Unable to get her Smack Down Stomping Tantrum combo, brown rays illuminated the flaring sky for colossal stones to fill the heavens and collapse around them. Unable to block it, Rassha took the brunt and, with him distracted by the vanishing boulders¡ªsolidified energy dissipating¡ªMinli snuck in close for a large box to enclose them, yet just before the slow-acting shell activated, he managed to send a wave of electricity along the entire field. Good luck, Zaneeta! ¡°You did great, Kid! Keep him busy there, and I¡¯ll keep them off your Wonder Room!¡± * * * Zaneeta flew out of her pokeball, electricity dancing around her feet as the timer for the next addition arrived; Drowlo, Visquez¡¯s Magnezone, sparked with energy as he exited to meet her. A smile lifted her lips, and power flooded her veins. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, Zanny!¡± They¡¯ll feel this! Rainbow light exploded around her, growing with the second mouth that split from her first as she mega evolved. Her dominating aura erupted across the field, incredible strength filling Zaneeta¡¯s blood; Hyper Cutter, Sheer Force, and Huge Power¡ªshe was a juggernaut¡ªshe couldn¡¯t be stopped. Zanny¡¯s smile increased as Drowlo utilized Analytic with the support of Electric Terrain and Magnetic Pull to force her into the air and put her at the Pokemon¡¯s mercy; it failed. A radiant pink aura exploded around her to blow the sparking ground away, overpowering most of the field before the Magnezone could try and counter her¡ªFairy Wish¡ªunlike Fairy Terrain, this zone sharply increased her already incredible damage. Zanny was stronger than Drowlo, and being in her mega form, she could overwhelm any Field Effect, especially if she only focused on her immediate area instead of trying to maintain it on a wider area. Realizing he was being overwhelmed, Drowlo shot for the Wonder Room as the Rotom and Carbink continued to battle in their isolated space; Minli was taking a good beating from the the STAB Electric Moves and considering she had to maintain the shell, yet so long as it wasn¡¯t destroyed from the outside, she would be fine. Throwing out her hand, a bright blue sword formed in Zanny¡¯s fingers, and doing what she¡¯d practiced in the Dream World, flames sparked in her jaws while shadows encased her. Appearing above Drowlo, darkness coating her fist and zone overpowering his terrain, she lashed out with both Sun-enhanced flaming jaws closing in on the Magnezone¡¯s sides¡ªit was over. Electricity arched around the Magnezone, pulsing lightning making Zanny wince as the Steel Pokemon launched at incredible speed for Minli¡¯s Wonder Room. Jaws unfortunately missing, her shadowy punch wouldn¡¯t be denied, carrying her a second time through darkness to send the Pokemon rocketing into the earth before reaching her teammate¡¯s walls. Explosions erupted from the crater, Stealth Rocks activating to deal further damage, but Drowlo¡¯s attributes kicked in. Muk¡­ Sparks sent the dust cycling away, the Magnezone managing to tank the powerful hit due to its typing and ability for an enhanced swell of magnetic waves to reach for Zanny; Terrain flipping, pink mist surrounded her as the energy threw her back across the field, and like her, the Pokemon had used two Moves at once¡ªMisty Terrain prevented the paralysis from setting in. Flipping around in her flight, she gathered enough energy to send a massive specter at the Pokemon, breaking through the swirling mist to surprise Drowlo; its beam of charging power collapsed, temporarily stunning its ability to use a Move. Landing on the charred earth, she forced a grin upon feeling the lingering heat lick her defensive matrix, yet took the chance to form a second sword, further increasing her strength. Minli¡¯s strained voice entered her mind. ¡°Z-Zanny¡­ I can¡¯t hold out much longer¡­ His electricity is doing more damage than I thought, and he¡¯s good at dodging my Power Gems.¡± Saria had been giving her advice, focusing on helping the Carbink instead of concentrating on her fight, and their Trainer¡¯s enthusiastic tone put Zaneeta¡¯s heart at ease. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Minli, and you¡¯ve still got some fight in you! Keep up the Safeguard and Light Screen¡ªSand Tomb to dampen his fire and block his sight from the Sunny Day. You can¡¯t dodge a huge AOE Move like Overheat; focus on mitigating the damage.¡± ¡°He keeps dodging my Smack Down! I can¡¯t get the combo on him!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t panic; you¡¯re doing good. Double Team¡ªthe more he wastes Visquez¡¯s energy, the better¡ªMirror Coat, and keep him defensive! Once he gets in close¡ªthere¡ªGravity!¡± ¡°I¡ªI got him! Uh-oh¡­¡± The Wonder Room broke, flames blistering the air and filling the ground with the indignant Rotom; Minli was blown back, smoke rising around her as Saria called the Carbink back to her pokeball. As Drowlo and Rassha prepared for their third member to join them and recover, Zaneeta took the distraction Minli provided to vanish in the obscuring mist as Rassha tried to blow it all away with an Overheat. The Magnezone sent a pulse of magnetic waves to draw her away, but it was too late; her dark-charged fist came down on the fire-illuminated Rotom¡ªa transparent shell surrounded him only to shatter since he¡¯d used it before against Minli¡ªand she pounded Rassha into the earth for the hidden mines to erupt around them. Half into the strike, Zanny was swept away by the forces Drowlo emitted, and when she landed, her team cheered; a beam of red light connected with the Heat Rotom, returning to his pokeball¡ªthe most frightening piece was out of play¡ªone for one. The announcer roared his excitement with the crowd. ¡°Can you imagine it, Folks! A Master-tier Pokemon doing that much damage to a High Master; superb use of Moves on Saria and Minli¡¯s part, stalling that battle out! You did good, Kid¡­ Fighting on a High Master stage as Master-tier is no joke. ¡°She really did,¡± Saria chuckled, watching Drowlo reinstitute the broken Electric Terrain. ¡°Be careful; Visquez probably wasn¡¯t expecting Rassha to go down this early; she will pull out some unorthodox strategy to make up for it.¡± We have our own plan¡­ Right, Brix? The light flipped for their third member to join, and the Klefki shot out of his pokeball next to her to promptly slide into place around the base of her left horn; Zanny had her shield. ¡°I¡¯ve got your back, Lady Zaneeta!¡± This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. Zanny¡¯s lips tightened as Tismra became their next opponent; this would be tough considering her speed¡ªthe Electrode gave her a lifted eyebrow and grin, arcs dancing around her in the Electric Terrain Drowlo maintained¡ªand immediately, the Magnezone began spraying electrified webs all across the barrier, acting as lightning rods to further spread the charge. Light pink hexagrams enclosed Zanny, defending against any Status Moves and allowing her to return to Fairy Zone to break up the Electric Terrain; it wasn¡¯t quite as dominant with the webbing beginning to fill the area, yet would follow her and prevent Drowlo from doing a lot of his annoying magnetic tricks that came with the terrain. Unfortunately, Brix couldn¡¯t use Magnet Rise on them both until the annoying Magnet Area Pokemon was dealt with, which meant they were at a severe speed disadvantage with Tismra in the battle. A red target shone on the Elecrode¡¯s body, Brix marking her to make sure all of his attacks wouldn¡¯t miss, and Tismra rose into the air, lightning arcing around her. ¡°Long time no see, Tismra,¡± Zaneeta grinned, holding up a hand and motioning to her with a smug grin, her other crafting a third shimmering sword to disperse. ¡°Ohh, Girl, you better run, run, run¡­¡± ¡°I can charge for¡ªmmgm, hmm-hmm-hmm¡­ Taunt, really? Come on¡ªpfft, two Steel-Types? You¡¯re practically asking to be thrown away; I¡¯m in no danger so long as I stay close to Drowlo.¡± She launched a thunderbolt, the Magnezone spreading more webs; Zanny countered by throwing a hail of stones across the field, allowing Brix to complete his preparations since he couldn¡¯t launch Moves as fast as them. Rocks exploding into fragments, she smirked as Drowlo groaned. ¡°Ugh¡­ my head still hurts from that blow you gave me before. When did you get so good at dealing with magnetic fields?¡± ¡°Buying time?¡± Saria asked. ¡°I don¡¯t have unlimited energy to keep you in Mega, and Inja needs it, too.¡± Naturally, and I know they¡¯re up to something, but if we can wait for Inja to join, then we¡¯ll be set. ¡°Be careful,¡± the Gardevoir warned. ¡°Yeah, yeah¡­ This is a Stadium battle, though! We need to make things exciting!¡± ¡°Ooh, you¡¯re right, and with Diantha and Aliz¨¦e watching¡­ Let¡¯s do the Chatoyant Quasar Strat!¡± Okay! Are you crazy?! I¡¯m all for a show, but that plan¡­ I¡¯m not with that plan!¡± she gasped as Inja offered her own insane thoughts that put a shiver through Zanny; Inja was a little psychotic sometimes, even if she didn¡¯t look it. ¡°Hmm¡­ No, I think we go with that.¡± Huh?! Uh¡­ Just so you know, I¡¯m against this, Saria! Brix? ¡°I will do my best, Madmoizelle!¡± That¡¯s not what I was asking! ¡°Oui-oui.¡± And that¡¯s not an answer! Oh, please don¡¯t die¡­ Zanny launched forward, spinning in a short circle to dodge a bolt and send a blast of wind in the pair¡¯s direction. ¡°My Lady Electro Ball,¡± Brix¡¯s Kalos accent thickened while clearing his throat and spinning with Zanny¡¯s swift actions. ¡°You may be able to set your Moves in order, yet so too shall we! I would not look down on our Steely appearances, Ma¡¯am! Though¡­ we may not have met as of yet, I have been carefully selected to handle your zippy-speedy tactics!¡± Tismra giggled, easily rolling in the air to avoid Zanny¡¯s distance attacks. ¡°Oh? Well, aren¡¯t we the confident one; my dear, you have yet to even reach High Master¡­ Allow me to show you what that looks like.¡± Webs filling the sides of the stadium, Tismra sparked and became a streak of light, moving faster than Zanny had ever seen the ball manage, charging through the air and using the electrified silk like a spring to blaze a dazzling trail in her wake. ¡°Uh-oh¡­ Brix!¡± ¡°I am trying to lock onto our target, Madmoizelle!¡± Zanny grimaced. Well, in the meantime, ugh¡ªack, can she stop hitting me for half a second! She covered her face and bolstered her defenses. Drowlo did the same with Brix and her being distracted; blows came from nearly every angle, the pair knowing that if she used Special Moves, Brix would counter it. Forget attacking; Zanny couldn¡¯t even follow the Electrode¡¯s actions; it didn¡¯t do much damage, but every collision against her body chipped her shield away little by little¡ªat least Brix¡¯s Reflect was helping. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Saria seemed to be glaring at Visquez. ¡°She¡¯s trying to whittle down my Fortitude before showing her aces; I think Mac will come out next¡­ I wanted to send out Addie, but you¡¯re probably right on needing to pull out all the stops Inja.¡± ¡°I will leave them with quite the dazzling display of sound!¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t a Contest, Inja! Okay! Brix?¡± ¡°I have her!¡± A fearful grin split Zanny¡¯s lips as her defensive shell hit 46%. Perfect¡­ Is it enough? ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Zan-zan?¡± Tismra called out, using Drowlo¡¯s magnetism to further launch herself at increased speed. ¡°So, you¡¯ve prevented a lot of our normal tactics with all those Status shields, but did you really think you could even hold a candle to¡­¡± ¡°Next Pokemon!¡± The announcer yelled. A pillar of lightning beamed out of Drowlo¡¯s panicked body to force Brix to use Mirror Coat, yet shadows took Zanny, carrying the keychain with her to appear above the streaking electro ball. ¡°Gotcha!¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Tismra¡¯s eyes widened in shock as pink chains exploded around them to bind her in the air, Zanny looming over her with a big grin, fist plunging toward her eye with the Klefki spreading more Misty Terrain. A blast of sparks flashed out of the corner of Zanny¡¯s vision before a glowing Raichu¡¯s dead-serious shiny black eyes met hers¡ªMac, moving at incredible speed the second he entered the battle to save his comrade, raging red energy surrounding his fist¡ªFocus Punch struck her jaw, sending her flying back for Zanny to spontaneously be on the grass. * * * Swapping places with Zaneeta, a burst of energy came from Inja as her power skyrocketed, and with both grouped opponents hanging in the air before her, a sweet smile touched her lips. ¡°Too hasty, Mac¡­ I hope you enjoy my fading song.¡± Fairy Zone and Misty Terrain still lingering in the area, and strength flooding her veins, Inja watched Mac¡¯s ears suddenly pull back, realizing the trap he¡¯d just run headfirst into. ¡°Aww, fish sticks¡­¡± he hissed. Light erupted from Tismra, trying to destroy the chains and escape, but it was utterly useless, given all the multipliers Inja stacked, nothing would be left. An effulgence of light and sound flared from Inja as she waved at her opponents¡ªsilence took the stadium as the mist drew into her to detonate into a dazzling swell of all her gathered power, nuking the entire field. * * * Light Screen! Wonder Room! Protect! Hurry! Inja just wants to show off to her idol! Zaneeta cried, running to the opposite corner as her teammate became a living fulmination. ¡°I am building the energy, Madmoizelle! It is¡­¡± Inja¡¯s playful and bright voice interrupted. ¡°Why are you running, Zanny; didn¡¯t you say you could take a fully charged Misty Explosion yesterday?¡± Her heart stopping and gut churning, Zanny saw the whole world tint pink¡ªthe end was nigh¡ªthe flood of destructive force forming behind her like an erupting volcano. ¡°Brix!¡± ¡°Hohoho!¡± Turning her head as the Gardevoir chortled, fear gripped Zanny¡¯s belly as a blast strong enough to level all of Silver City took up her entire vision, and she stood near the edge of the barrier, watching it engulf everything with the insane Fairy Pokemon at its center. ¡°Done!¡± A tight box of squares enclosed her, followed by a layer of screens, and both used Protect for everything to be stripped away, the warm Fairy-Type force embracing them as the shockwave carried Zanny against the barrier. ¡°Ugrmgm¡­¡± ¡°You¡­ okay, Madmoizelle?¡± Ugh¡­ Not when Saria and Inja try to kill us¡­ Gah, my shield was down to 36%... I¡¯m .3% now, and that¡¯s after all the barriers! ¡°It worked!¡± Saria forced a chuckle. ¡°I know it was a little last second, but Inja really wanted to turn into a supernova since you could set everything up for her.¡± Struggling to her feet, Zaneeta examined the utterly annihilated field; they were now over twenty meters below where they¡¯d originally stood, standing on the bottom of the barrier. Even this, one of the most potent barricades technology could produce, was scarred with coral, turquoise, and lilac streaks from the most powerful Fairy-Type Move that rivaled Z-Moves; done fully charged, under Fairy Zone, and with a Mega Gardevoir¡¯s colossal Special Attack¡­ it could overpower a Z-Move. A red streak flew out from Saria to connect to Inja, limply falling to the barrier with shimmering rays surrounding her while returning to her normal state; their Trainer looked magnificent, staring at Visquez across the colossal stadium, yet the strain of that attack had hit her Fortitude. Tismra was nearby, having been blown away with the others scattered in various directions; Zanny half expected Mac to struggle back to his feet with a smirk on his face, but the Raichu seemed to have only barely escaped the fatal blast radius, carrying Tismra with him. Inja had taken out three High Master Pokemon in a single attack in a show that reminded them of the battle style they were forced to use in the Ultra War; they¡¯d used this very tactic at one point to turn the tides of a battle¡ªnot nearly as powerful¡ªyet having similar results. Beams of light went to Visquez¡¯s Pokemon as she returned them to place them in the onsite teleporter that would bring them to a Center for treatment, and Zaneeta lifted her head to see Giovanni, Janine, Sabrina, Blaine, Chuck, Morty, Jasmine, Pryce, Clair, and her father standing, appearing to be clapping as the crowd soon joined them. Saria¡¯s voice was a little melancholy as she looked at her father. ¡°Not every Gym Leader will approve of that tactic, but it is something they teach¡­ We could have really hurt Visquez¡¯s Pokemon had Mac not been swift enough to break Brix¡¯s chains and carry Tismra to a safe distance¡­ ¡°That¡¯s what my father taught us to do, though¡­ We are war tools, and we have to show we can do what it takes to protect those under our care. This isn¡¯t just a battle for honor or position¡­ It¡¯s to show the people we¡¯re looking after that we can make the hard decisions to win on their behalf.¡± ¡°Amazing, Folks¡­ Misty Explosion, and on a level I¡¯ve never witnessed¡ªjust so you know¡ªwithout this barrier, none of us would be here right now! What a dazzling¡ªwhat¡¯s this?¡± Visquez spoke, voice mixed with emotion. ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t think you had it in you, Saria¡­ Not to go that far in an official match¡­ I underestimated your determination. I won¡¯t give up, but you¡¯ve proven that you are not taking this lightly. What do you say to ending this?¡± Walking to the head of the barrier to look up at her Trainer, Zaneeta could tell she didn¡¯t want Inja to do that but accepted it as the best chance they had to overpower Visquez, given she¡¯d saved her Fortitude for her final two; even if taking Inja¡ªtheir strongest teammate¡ªout of play, taking Mac and his strong presence away from the opponent, and on their terms, was a huge victory. ¡°Hehe¡­ Thanks, Visquez. It¡¯s been a ride, predicting what you might do.¡± ¡°Yes, a Carbink¡­ was not something I expected, and I figured you didn¡¯t have anything to answer Rassha with. As much as I hate to admit it, I did take you lightly, Saria, and this is proof. Ready to end this?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been working for this since I was a child, watching my dad from the sidelines.¡± ¡°... I learned a lot about you in this battle. Thank you, Saria.¡± Zaneeta strengthened her mind, turning to face Visquez, far above them and across the vaporized field, its elements melding into the shell with the pressure Inja generated. ¡°Start!¡± the ref yelled. Two pokeballs fell near Brix and her to release Addie and Trox, their Mr. Mime partner; he¡¯d been there as a backup to support Inja when she needed to focus on attacking instead of support. Visquez sent their last two opponents, an Ampharos, and to all of their surprise, a Low-Key Toxtricity; if Visquez had been able to get these two out with the rest of her team, they would have been in trouble. ¡°Plus, Mold Breaker, Static for Ampharos¡­ combined with Minus¡­ with Punk Rock and Technician¡ªon top of being Poison to counter all of you¡­ When did she raise up a Toxtricity? He would have kept you on the ropes while Mold Breaker ruined our own synergy. Heh, she wanted you off the field, Zanny, since you can destroy that Toxtricity¡­ She did plan accordingly but got unlucky I found a counter for her Heat Rotom.¡± Watch out for the Electric attacks, guys, Zaneeta warned, Addie following her statement. ¡°If it hits you, you¡¯ll be locked out of your Ability for a bit. Get ready; here they come!¡± Flowers bloomed around Addie as she healed Zanny, throwing out an endless stream of support with her powerful Ability and spiraling in the air to dodge the rain of thunder that sparked across the field from the Mega Ampharos. Zanny couldn¡¯t dodge those swift bolts, yet she didn¡¯t need to with her floral friend¡¯s healing buds continuing to enclose her, Trox and Brix supporting them, and a Fake Out from the Mr. Mime made the Toxtricity flinch; their numbers simply overwhelmed the pair. Electricity sparked around her with Brix lifting her off the ground and shooting straight for the Toxic Pokemon, eating bolts of electricity while being protected from the Status conditions by the Klefki¡¯s critical Move, and Trox lifted the bipedal lizard into the air to stop it from escaping. The Mega Ampharos tried to use Magnetic Flux to push him away, but without Analytic, it didn¡¯t have the same strength and flipping to the ground, Zanny used raw force to propel past it; Huge Power and Sheer Force disabled by Mold Breaker, she only had her maxed Attack Stat to rely on. Dual Iron Heads came down on the Toxtricity, yet her mouth opened in shock as in that precise moment, Visquez Syncro-Bursted, the released energy shoving them away and bringing the Pokemon to the ground. Electricity discharging around him, he moved at incredible speed to rush past her, globs of poison launching with skillful accuracy at Addie, yet Trox managed to block it. Seconds from bypassing the barrier, the world changed for Zanny to take Addie¡¯s place; the Mawile¡¯s jaws illuminated a silver hue as she fell to meet the Toxtricity¡¯s poison coated hand¡ªa field of gray light encompassed them as Brix used Steel Wish¡ªutterly canceling out the toxin, Iron Head connected, shattering his energy matrix in a single blow as the short reprieve returned her abilities. Swapping places with Addie again with the Floral Pokemon¡¯s swift actions, it didn¡¯t take long to end it with two Play Roughs, enhanced by Fairy Wish; they¡¯d won! Collapsing on the ground as the crowd roared, Zaneeta felt tears coming to her eyes, Addie still trying to restore her energy matrix. We did it¡­ We actually did it¡­ And you¡¯re engaged! ¡°Wow¡­ And, hehe, Zack flashed his aura so I could see him in the crowd¡­ He saw us win¡­ We won¡­ I¡¯m a Gym Leader and a bride¡­¡± Aww¡­ Addie, Zanny, Trox, and Brix closed around Saria¡¯s spirit as she tried to hold back tears. Aren¡¯t you supposed to be happy? Zanny teased. ¡°I¡­ I am¡­ This is just¡­ the happiest day of my life¡­¡± C¡¯mon, you blubber-butt! Zanny mumbled, trying to keep her own tears in check as Addie uncharacteristically broke into tears, returning to his pokeball to not embarrass them. We got a ceremony to do. B2 — 10. A Romantic Ceremony 6:40 P.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best. Currently, the momentous battle to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym¡ªSaria Surge vs. Visquez¡ªhas begun. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea sat on the edge of her seat, food untouched in front of her with everyone else in the battle restaurant Amira had sent her directions to; the match to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym was on the line, and her Pokemon watched the amazing battle in awe. Mya was practically drooling while watching every move the Mega Mawile made, and Rhea thought her adamant girl found a new role model in Zaneeta; she¡¯d been the longest Pokemon to last throughout the battle, showing phenomenal resilience and power. Nova and Alice were currently out, pink eyes sparkling with wonder as Inja turned into a brilliant fulmination that took out all three of Visquez¡¯s Pokemon in a single radiant blast. Gardevoir are so beautiful and powerful¡­ Saria¡¯s focused image took up the screen after showing the scarred stadium barrier, bound blonde locks flowing back in the wind that managed to make it beyond the shell from the pressure; in the silence, almost every Gym Leader rose to give the daring tactic a standing ovation. Rhea had witnessed many Master-tier battles throughout her life, growing up so entrenched in the community, yet hadn¡¯t seen Moves on that level beyond the struggles her father¡¯s Pokemon had against her aunt at the Grandmaster-tier. Yes, it was a one-use and the most powerful Fairy Move, yet that didn¡¯t change the force involved; she¡¯d seen Saria around a few times but never expected this level of performance from the woman, and it showed how much stronger the High-Master had become in the last several years. Lori and Amira were glued to the screen. ¡°Incredible¡­¡± the red-head muttered. ¡°Addie is so powerful¡ªHolly can¡¯t keep her eyes off him, and he¡¯s able to instantly trade places with his teammates while keeping their energy matrix topped off. Protection against critical hits, Stat debuffs, healing, Helping Hand¡ªAlly Swap is so powerful¡­¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea whispered, ¡°and Inja used it, too. I¡¯ve never seen it used at the last second like that and so often like Addie just did to put Zaneeta in a prime position mid-attack.¡± ¡°Mmh, and double-attacks, too,¡± Mallory added. ¡°I¡¯ve seen it in the League Battles I¡¯ve seen my sister does, but not in Gyms.¡± Bianca sipped at her drink as the match closed; Saria was declared the victor. ¡°Mmh-hmm-hmm¡­ That was War Tactics at this stage¡ªdangerous stuff¡ªand I¡¯m not a fan, but I could see why Saria would go that far in this match.¡± ¡°War Tactics?¡± Jason asked, joining them to watch the reruns of the anticipated showdown. ¡°You mean the Ally Swap stuff Amira talked about?¡± Amira shook her head, watching the reruns of the rivalry play out, mainly highlighting the pivotal moment of Inja¡¯s supernova. ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡­ Look at the state of Saria¡¯s own Pokemon, and as we can see, all of the Pokemon stacked defensive barriers to mitigate the damage, yet the energy matrixes of Visquez¡¯s Pokemon were still shattered.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Bianca sighed, playing with her straw. ¡°That level of an attack would have typically been seen as an act of war in almost any other setting¡ªwar crimes¡ªseeing as it could have killed millions¡­ Take out an entire city.¡± Lori whistled. ¡°That wasn¡¯t just hype?¡± ¡°No, quite literally, everyone in Silver City would be dead¡ªmillions¡ªif not for the extra power provided to that shield to contain it; it probably took the same amount of energy the city uses in three months to absorb that blast, stressing the nuclear reactor it uses.¡± They all looked back at the deciding moment, highlighting the radiant, smiling Gardevoir as she waved at her opponents; the Raichu¡¯s pulled-back ears told Rhea all she needed to know about the thoughts running through his head. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± thinking back to her lessons under the various Master-tier instructors, Rhea shifted her arms against the table they were using, hearing the other groups around the restaurant overflow with energy at the match. ¡°I guess Visquez¡¯s Pokemon could have been killed in that Misty Explosion if they weren¡¯t trained to react to that kind of attack.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the point, though,¡± Amira commented, glancing at her smoothie. ¡°Gym Leaders have to be able to respond and perform Moves like that. A weak Gym Leader that couldn¡¯t make that pivotal decision and locks up would only put those they protect in danger¡­ When dealing with threats on a City-State scale, you must be decisive and be willing to take the consequences, just as Saria did, which is why my grandfather gave it a standing ovation.¡± Bianca sighed, folding her fingers to rest her chin on them, glaring at the screen of Saria¡¯s highlights. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong¡­ but it¡¯s so complicated¡­ It¡¯s a problem Unova faced that got Drayden in hot water.¡± Mallory hissed, fingers tightening in her lap. ¡°Plasma in the Opelucid City disaster¡­ Yeah, I remember kids in school talking about how hard it was for their parents to believe they were safe when High Master Drayden couldn¡¯t stop it and gave in to their demands.¡± ¡°He didn¡¯t have a whole lot of options,¡± Bianca mumbled. ¡°Sometimes, you¡¯ll be criticized for any action you take.¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°Why are we talking about depressing stuff? We just saw a great match!¡± ¡°Haaa¡­ My bad, Rhea,¡± Bianca scooted over to hug her. ¡°It just brings back a lot of memories from Unova¡­ It was a hard time, but you¡¯re right! Saria and Visquez put on an amazing show. Oh, and look, I think it¡¯s time for the speech!¡± Everyone quieted down as the screen flipped to the new Gym Leader of Vermilion City, her father¡¯s Electrode coming out to teleport him to his daughter¡¯s side; the platform detached from its base to float into the center of the stadium, Saria stepping aside for her father to take the podium. It slowly spun to Visquez for the Magneton-powered cameras followed his gaze, arms behind his back, left hand closed above what remained of his right wrist as he surveyed the silent throng. Surge¡¯s trademark big grin and glasses in place. ¡°I have looked forward to this day ever since Lieutenant Colonel Visquez and my beloved daughter first made their intentions in life known to me¡­ I couldn¡¯t be happier to see two of the most respected women in my life put their all into achieving their dreams. ¡°Lieutenant Colonel Visquez,¡± he said in the strong voice that characterized the bold military man, and the screen split to show the smiling dark-skinned High Master giving her general a salute, yet it was plain to see the pain of her loss in her light green eyes. ¡°It has been an honor serving with you¡ªthe hardships we shared¡ªyou¡¯ve been my biggest supporter from the day you walked into my Gym.¡± ¡°It has¡­ been my pleasure, Lieutenant General Surge, Sir!¡± ¡°Hehe¡­ you¡¯re one of the toughest women I know, Visquez, and you proved it by adapting to my daughter¡¯s surprise Carbink Starter. It may have been an unfortunate match-up that my daughter won in the selection process, but holding out your aces until the end forced Saria to take such drastic action¡ªyou played your hand well, Lieutenant Colonel.¡± ¡°I will not give up, General!¡± Visquez responded, fighting past the emotion in her voice. ¡°In four years, when the grace period to challenge the Gym returns, I will see your legacy reinstated, Sir!¡± Rhea could feel the heat, disappointment, and desire to see her mentor¡¯s shocking history remain in her home City-State in her every word; the looks on both Saria and Surge showed they expected nothing less from the fierce woman. ¡°I¡¯d expect nothing less from that fiery determination you¡¯ve exhibited, Lieutenant Colonel, but before I move on to my daughter, I¡¯d like to highlight something for everyone to note¡­ the kind of woman you are, and something the cameras and analysts missed.¡± Amira, Rhea, and Lori blinked, looking at one another before shifting to Bianca, who shook her head. ¡°Don¡¯t look at me; I don¡¯t know what he¡¯s talking about.¡± The General turned to the screen. ¡°As you can see in the frame by frame¡­ not only did Visquez show superb commanding forethought regarding the rescue of her Pokemon but tried to minimize the potential damage Saria and Inja¡¯s Misty Explosion caused. ¡°Mac broke Tismra out of her Fairy Lock, allowing her to teleport them both to a safe distance to prepare for the coming devastation, yet they didn¡¯t try to just save themselves¡­¡± Rhea watched in amazement as the screen expanded to show the frame by frame, the General explaining what they saw. Protective barriers were created around each of Visquez¡¯s pokemon before the electrified webs, and Electric Terrain, still active on the field, flashed the instant the eruption sparked¡ªa tsunami of electricity rose to meet it¡ªinstantly being overpowered by the maxed Fairy Move. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Bianca whispered in awe as the former Gym Leader explained. ¡°Inja managed to get a Psych Up against Tismra before swapping with Zaneeta¡ªmaxed Special Attack, Misty Terrain, Fairy Zone, and to top it off, being in Mega¡ªjust like the soldier you are, Visquez, fearing the barrier couldn¡¯t contain such a catastrophic explosion¡­ you acted, even knowing it would endanger the lives of your Pokemon. ¡°They, and you, decided to risk it all to dampen the impact as much as possible¡ªDrowlo and Tismra stabilizing and strengthening the Electric Terrain¡ªMac used Rising Voltage to meet the Misty Explosion, which very well might have stopped the barrier from becoming totally unstable.¡± Surge chuckled, and every Gym Leader was now standing, clapping at the snap decision. ¡°You are an exceptional officer and woman¡­ You¡¯ve done a great deal to gain the respect of your fellow High Masters in that decision, putting peoples¡¯ lives over even your own, and for that, you should hold your head up high¡­ You will make a fine Gym Leader one day.¡± Tears were now in the woman¡¯s eyes, taking a moment to respond. ¡°General¡­ I was not properly prepared to face Saria¡­ Gym Leader Saria. I lost, and I accept that; Saria has shown me her resolve in willing to do whatever it took to represent Vermilion. In four years, I will show her the same determination. Thank you¡­ for this amazing opportunity to see where I was lacking, Sir.¡± Nodding, Surge shifted to smile at his daughter. ¡°Saria¡­ I cannot express how bold and courageous a Trainer you have become since your days on the battlefield. I have had the pleasure of watching you grow into the finest young woman I have ever known¡­ to be the brilliant star you are today, and that glow in your eyes shows¡­ You really are my daughter.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest burned, tears already in her eyes with several others in the shop, just imagining her own father saying those words. ¡°Not every Gym Leader would approve of the tactic you displayed, and you know that well, but it is something we taught you in the Ultra War.¡± Saria¡¯s voice showed just as much emotion as Visquez¡¯s. ¡°Do¡­ whatever it takes to protect the people you serve¡­ Show them the resolve to stand and fight¡ªshield the defenseless¡ªto face threats and win for those who cannot¡­ I serve the people of Vermilion.¡± Taking a deep breath, Surge stepped forward to embrace his daughter. ¡°I¡¯m so proud of the woman you¡¯ve become, Saria¡­ And in the end, it doesn¡¯t matter if Vermilion Gym is Electric or Fairy¡­ A Gym Leader isn¡¯t beholden to their favored Typing, but the people they protect and represent.¡± ¡°Saria¡­¡± he pulled away to take the High Master Encrusted Thunder Badge and hold it out for her to take. ¡°I find you worthy of wearing the pride of Vermilion. Do you accept this honor?¡± Clearly holding back a sniffle, Saria took the pin. ¡°I do, Dad,¡± she answered, placing it on the flare of her cream overcoat. Surge turned to stare at the standing Gym Leaders. ¡°Are there any objections¡­ No? What of the Indigo League?¡± Chase stood to address the question, the display swapping to him. ¡°I did find your use of deadly force distasteful for a competition, Gym Leader Saria¡­ but understand why you did it. The League looks forward to working with Vermilion¡¯s new representative.¡± Finally, Surge turned to those in the stands behind his chair, most of which were from his City-State. ¡°I know some of you had questions regarding my daughter taking over my position, and I hope her performance this evening has silenced those concerns¡­ ¡°It has been my pleasure and honor in serving as your protector¡­ testing our nation¡¯s rising generation to meet the challenges that the future will bring, and we have seen many amazing Trainers come out of our beloved City-State.¡± Rhea could see tears in the eyes of many from his city, showing how much of an effect he had on the hearts of his people. ¡°A new generation is rising up, and I was blessed to see it in the struggles of my daughter; it was a hard road, but now she stands before you a woman¡­ Hehe¡­ A fully grown woman, ready to take on the challenges this world has for our beloved City-State, and this victory isn¡¯t the only thing she will be bringing to Vermilion. Gym Leader Saria¡­¡± This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Stepping aside, the blonde brushed back her left bangs upon changing directions in the wind to look at the people she now served. ¡°Thank you, Dad¡­ I know the shoes I¡¯m trying to fill¡­ hehe, I tried to fit in them quite a few times as a child¡­ I hope I¡¯ll do a better job at it as an adult.¡± Rhea chuckled at the joke, many others mirroring her; this was the new Fairy Gym Leader of Kanto. ¡°I know I haven¡¯t been in Vermilion for a while¡ªLieutenant Colonel Visquez has so much experience I lack¡ªand I have nothing but respect for my rival. I can recall many days as a teenager, challenging her to battles and declaring I would beat her one day¡­ ¡°My first victory against her was tonight, and it was one of the most brutal matches I¡¯ve had. Trying to hide Minli¡¯s existence from the bothersome news stations or journalists that hounded my every step was difficult, but in the end, it was only because of that that I believe I currently stand here instead of the Lieutenant Colonel. ¡°I do not pretend to be able to meet your needs the same as my esteemed colleague and rival, and so I hope to work closely with her in the coming months to meet not only your but her expectations.¡± Applause came at the open invitation to work with her opponent and the humility she displayed in knowing she couldn¡¯t handle everything herself. Visquez smiled up at her. ¡°It would be my pleasure to advise you, Gym Leader Saria.¡± ¡°I did not believe I would be standing here now if I hadn¡¯t given you everything I had. You truly are a skilled Trainer and Commander; your brave and selfless act in trying to contain Inja¡¯s fatal attack¡ªas little as it may have been¡ªshows just what kind of woman you are, and I couldn¡¯t be happier to have you working by my side. ¡°Speaking about being by my side¡­ Zack, could you come up here?¡± Mallory lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Who?¡± Memory triggering from her browsing the Gossip App, Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Zack¡­ is her boyfriend from Kalos.¡± ¡°Ooh! Why would she call him up?¡± Bianca asked, eyes sparkling with the answer she¡¯d already come to, which was on everyone¡¯s mind. ¡°You don¡¯t think she¡¯s going to propose?¡± ¡°Maybe?¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°But¡­ she¡¯s been through dozens of relationships; they never tend to work out.¡± ¡°Oh, my heart¡¯s pounding!¡± A Claydol teleported a dark-haired, handsome man to stand on the opposite side of Saria from her father, Surge wearing a grin, but Rhea got the impression she¡¯d see watering eyes if he removed his sunglasses. ¡°This afternoon, Zack Ellis proposed¡­ and I accepted.¡± Bianca and Rhea gasped, and Lori nudged her with a big smile. ¡°Ooh!¡± ¡°Look at that ring!¡± Rhea muttered as the camera zoomed in on her finger; she hadn¡¯t even noticed it throughout the match or speech, but now it was clear as day. ¡°It¡¯s in the shape of Fairy energy; so cute!¡± ¡°She certainly does look happy,¡± Amira whispered. ¡°Good for her, heh, but I¡¯m sure it will be busy, being a new bride and Gym Leader. Oh?¡± Saria stepped aside as Zack took the stage to address the stunned Vermilion crowd, his Kalos accent thick. ¡°Gym Leader Saria has made me the luckiest man in accepting me as her fianc¨¦ and future husband. I will do my utmost in supporting her in the duties she has taken and hope to get to know the people of Vermilion.¡± He turned to face the new Gym Leader, cheeks slightly flushed. ¡°Saria is the most beautiful, intelligent, and strongest woman I know¡­ I could not imagine a world without her, and I am aware she must put her duties as a Gym Leader first, which only makes me love her more¡­ ¡°I love you, Saria Surge, and I cannot wait to spend every moment helping you in your passion and dream of serving this great City-State you now oversee. I will say it one more time,¡± he repeated, taking her hand, ¡°I love you, Saria Surge, and I look forward to making your every day better than the last.¡± ¡°He¡¯s perfect,¡± Bianca cooed. ¡°Aww, and look at her blush! She¡¯s so cute! They¡¯re so cute!¡± ¡°I ship it,¡± Lori giggled. Amira mirrored her. ¡°I think the ship has already sailed, Lori!¡± ¡°They look so good tog¡ª¡± Rhea¡¯s breath caught as the tall man leaned in. ¡°He kissed her! He just¡ªright after¡­¡± Bianca couldn¡¯t sit still. ¡°Kkkaa! I want to kiss Hilbert now! Gah! Where¡¯s my husband when I need him!¡± ¡°Bold!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Man, and it¡¯s long!¡± ¡°Well,¡± Amira mused, ¡°he is from Kalos¡ªthe region of romance.¡± ¡°Aww¡­ best ending ever¡­¡± Bianca chirped. A voice came on in the background, Champion Chase taking the screen as the pair broke apart, Saria looking dizzy and breathless. ¡°Excuse me for interrupting your moment, Gym Leader Saria, but urgent matters are to be discussed; we¡¯ll begin with the finishing Summer Cup celebrations as the Gym Leaders and League retreat for a recess¡­¡± ¡°Booo!¡± Rhea, her cousin, friends, the restaurant, and what seemed half the stadium mirrored. ¡°Let them have their moment!¡± ¡°Hehe, I couldn¡¯t have asked for a more eventful day with this torch being passed on. Heh, allow me to be the first to congratulate you on your engagement, and I wish you a happy marriage. Now¡­ if you will meet your fellow Gym Leaders in the Silver City Administration Conference Room.¡± Rhea pouted with the rest of the viewers, but a small smile touched their lips as Saria recovered and gave her fianc¨¦ a light peck on the cheek before her father teleported the two of them away; Zack gave a sheepish wave at the smiling crowd before vanishing in multi-hued lights himself. ¡°I loved that ending,¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°She looked so adorable.¡± Lori got up to stretch left and right, releasing a low groan. ¡°Eh-heh, yeah, and the contrast from how she looked like a total boss in the fight to that cute, vulnerable blush she gave Zack. Man, I wanna slug him in the arm, hehe, because he totally killed it!¡± ¡°He does seem sweet and cares for her,¡± Amira agreed. ¡°Proposing before the match was a bold move but shows he¡¯s not in it for any other reason than loving her. I guess it was his last chance to prove that.¡± Jason hissed, not having the same reaction as them. ¡°I mean, bold, sure¡ªbut c¡¯mon, the day she would be competing to be a Gym Leader?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t spoil the fantasy!¡± Bianca huffed, Rhea right behind her in defending his timing. ¡°Yeah! We don¡¯t know the full story, but it sounds romantic, and by the way Saria reacted¡ªthis was magical¡ªa moment I want to experience one day!¡± ¡°Woah¡­ wha?¡± Jason¡¯s eyes widened upon seeing Amira and Lori nodding in agreement. ¡°Is that¡­ really something girls want? I don¡¯t know¡ªseemed so¡­ Yeah, I¡¯ll just be here sipping my drink.¡± Bianca gave them a cheery smile. ¡°You beautiful girls will have that feeling one day¡ªI remember the moment Hilbert proposed to me. Hehe, he took us on this romantic day trip to White Ruins¡ªhe cooked this amazing lunch¡ªand he showed me all the things he was researching there before taking us to Dragonspiral Tower to propose at sunset¡­¡± Face flushing at the memory, Rhea held her breath while listening; even after hearing the story dozens of times, it always hit differently when seeing the look on her cousin¡¯s face. ¡°His handsome smile and light blush in the crimson light filling the sky¡­ just the two of us, and then he gets down on his knee¡ªmy ankles feel like they¡¯re going to buckle¡ªand he holds out the box¡ªArceus, his voice¡ªso smooth and sure that he wants me to be his wife¡­ Butterflies! Kkkyaa!¡± ¡°Sounds special,¡± Amira smiled. ¡°Hehe¡­ My mom was the one to propose to my dad.¡± ¡°I can see it,¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Hmm¡­ So, now that Saria is the Vermilion Gym Leader¡­¡± Amira¡¯s expression fell, a hiss passing through her teeth. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯ll need to look into her Battle Record more closely, but she¡¯ll be recruiting Fairy Masters, and the Gym will be closed for a week as it changes hands. Mmgm¡­ We¡¯ll save it until we at least get to Fuchsia¡ªwe can take a boat back to Vermilion if needed.¡± ¡°Good plan!¡± Rhea chimed. ¡°So¡­ Should we finish up here and plan out your battle against Misty on the 4th?¡± Amira shrugged, already finished with her plate. ¡°I¡¯m fairly prepared besides practical Training, but wasn¡¯t there something you were teasing us about on your way back from the Lighthouse?¡± ¡°Right!¡± Lori¡¯s teeth flashed as she scooted closer to nudge her. ¡°C¡¯mon! Spill, Girl! Did you find a boyfriend?¡± ¡°What¡ªno! Why would you think that?¡± Rhea protested, cheeks reddening. ¡°Totally it!¡± Jason teased. ¡°You should have seen this dude¡ªalmost two meters tall¡ªjacked, with a Shiny Kadabra! I mean, muscles and brains!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Rhea squawked, slugging him as their table laughed, her Pokemon bewildered by the whole exchange, thinking they were fighting. ¡°No¡­ Gah¡ªlet me check my messages¡­ Mukin¡¯ do I have a boyfriend¡ªKadabra my¡­ Oh¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Bianca and Jason leaned in to read her text. ¡°Did Grandpa respond?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Hehe¡­ It looks like he got us a way on¡ªtomorrow!¡± Jasin pumped his arm. ¡°Sweet! Oh, and he got it approved for my team, too? Dude, your grandpa¡¯s the best, Rhea!¡± Lori and Amira gave her blank looks. ¡°What¡¯s¡­ going on, Rhea?¡± the redhead asked, trying to get a better look at her phone. ¡°What are we doing tomorrow?¡± 5:57 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Yo! Lizabeth would be thrilled to show you around Samiya! They gotta keep a low profile, but they¡¯re planning on making their first trip to the city to restock tomorrow morning¡ªaround 7 A.M. before the docks really start filling up¡ªthey said to be there around 8 when they get everything there to pack up! Oh, and be ready to work because ya ain¡¯t gonna freeload! Love you, Little Swablu! 5:58 P.M. Grandpa Drake: Oh, and message me more T_T I get depressed when you don¡¯t give me my weekly Swablu fix¡­ ¡°Samiya-wha?¡± Lori mumbled, scratching her neck. ¡°We¡¯re gonna do manual¡ªwoah!¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Amira leaned across Lori¡¯s lap to look at the screen. ¡°Samiya¡ªlegendary underwater metropolis, Samiya?¡± ¡°Shh!¡± Bianca forced a smile. ¡°They don¡¯t like to advertise their presence until the big announcement about their performance¡ªthe day before they leave¡ªyou know, to make sure no one tries to do anything funny to get into their city¡­ People have drowned trying.¡± ¡°Right¡­ Seriously, though?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Rhea¡¯s heart thumped while pulling up some online pictures to show an enthralled Lori. ¡°We¡¯ll get to have first-hand experience! My mom¡¯s been telling me stories since I was a kid!¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Hype!¡± Lori cheered, taking the phone to look at the information. ¡°Wait¡­ They dance¡ªGirl¡ªoooh! I wanna see them strut their stuff! I can¡¯t wait!¡± Excitement rolling in their bellies and chests, they paid for their food and left to walk the streets as Jason returned to his teammates. Amira, Lori, Bianca, and she found themselves wandering the evening, hearing the High Master match was on everyone¡¯s minds; eventually, they found themselves on the Golden Nugget Bridge, overlooking the bay and watching the matches between pumped Gold-tier Trainers. Mya had been a storm of emotion, which ended with her tossing the Mawile¡¯s ball to an empty battlefield on the lower bridge area to face Amber; it was more of a play-match than serious, and they stayed on the upper level to talk as the pair faced off. Watching the slow Steel Pokemon try to dodge the Embers Amber shot at her made Rhea smile; Alice balanced on the metal railing they leaned against¡ªthat the Buneary and Mawile were out simultaneously said a lot about their enthusiasm. ¡°Mya wants to be cool like her new idol¡­ Hehe, watching her take that big explosion and be the only one standing was like watching a hero rising from the ashes.¡± Bianca giggled. ¡°It was the Klefki that allowed her to stay in.¡± ¡°Hehe. Shhh¡­ Let Mya have her imagination. Saria was amazing, though, huh?¡± A goofy smile touched her cousin¡¯s face. ¡°I just can¡¯t get over that romantic ending¡­ It was so perfect. I mean, sure, the battle was alright, but that look in Saria¡¯s eyes when Zack showed up¡­ Kyaa¡ªit just makes me think of Hilbert¡ªI can¡¯t help putting myself in her place!¡± Eyes soft as she stared across the bay, a rumble came from Amira. ¡°Mmh¡­ So, Samiya is out there somewhere, huh?¡± ¡°Yeah, pretty insane,¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°An entire city underwater, waiting to be explored. Ugh¡­ but we gotta share it with Mukin¡¯ Lucian!¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­ Don¡¯t remind me,¡± Amira grumbled. ¡°I don¡¯t want to spoil my enthusiasm. Maybe we can split off into different groups.¡± Rhea forced a laugh; she didn¡¯t quite have the same aversion as her teammates, yet understood why they held their opinions. Lucian wasn¡¯t Darkrai or anything. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m a bit sad we couldn¡¯t have Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay join us.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Amira asked, looking at her phone as Rhea pulled it out to go to her app. ¡°Where are they right now?¡± ¡°Leaving Apple City, I think. They had a blast last night and were kayaking down the same route we did before stopping off at a rest station to prepare for the match; it looks like they¡¯re having a ton of fun.¡± ¡°Why can¡¯t we have them join us?¡± Lori asked, her big grin confusing Rhea. ¡°How?¡± Understanding dawned on Amira¡¯s face. ¡°Livestream it?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Bianca nodded. ¡°If you ask, I¡¯m sure they can connect you to their network so you can get a signal.¡± ¡°Sweet!¡± Rhea grinned, texting them that they had planned to share something spectacular with them tomorrow; if they could get to a place where their signal was good, it would be awesome for their crew to join them virtually. ¡°Well¡ªwhat¡¯d they say?¡± Lori asked, crowding in as Sam answered. 7:56 P.M. Sam: Hehe. Always so mysterious, Rhea! Hannah¡¯s practically biting her bag strap, trying to figure out what it is. Jay¡¯s excited, too. Wish we could be there, but virtual is cool, too; we¡¯ll catch up! Around 9? Yeah, we should be able to do that. How long? 7:57 P.M. Rhea: Uh¡­ Probably a while! You don¡¯t have to stay for the whole thing; I just thought it would be awesome to experience it with you guys, too. 7:59 P.M. Sam: You¡¯re so incredible, Rhea! Thanks for thinking about us so much; it really means a lot! I can¡¯t wait! We¡¯ll totally be ready, and if you guys are staying in Cerulean until the 4th, if we take the kayak route, we might be able to see you guys off! 8:00 P.M. Rhea: Can¡¯t wait to see you again! 8:01 P.M. Sam: Jay wants to have a triple battle with you guys! We¡¯re super hyped after the Summer Cup match! Saria won! We have a Fairy Gym in Kanto! 8:01 P.M. Rhea: I know! It¡¯s insane!! I can¡¯t wait to see how the Gym will change! 8:02 P.M. Sam: We¡¯re so nervous and excited! Nothing like this has happened like¡­ ever! The Gyms have stayed the same for so long! Anyway, talk to you tomorrow! Peace! 8:02 P.M. Sam: No, Hannah just corrected me¡­ Apparently, Blue had something going on with Viridian or something¡­ 8:03 P.M. Rhea: Yeah, he kind of stomped too many people¡­ Refused to lose¡­ but, ugh, Ethan actually beat him at that time. Anyway, sounds good! TTYL! <3 8:03 P.M. Sam: <3 ¡°They¡¯re such sweet girls,¡± Bianca cooed. ¡°So, are we going to retire early tonight to be ready for tomorrow?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that,¡± Amira yawned. ¡°I can¡¯t believe how exhausted I am after¡­ well, not doing much today. Hehe.¡± ¡°It be that way sometimes,¡± Lori groaned while stretching. ¡°Heh-eh¡­ Rhea?¡± ¡°Hmm¡ªehh! Mya?!¡± Her steely girl was spinning in circles, mirroring her eyes, and dancing with a snickering Amber and Gables. ¡°Amira,¡± Rhea puffed up her cheeks. ¡°Amber can¡¯t embarrass Mya like that¡ªno-ho-ho, Hypnosis¡ªaww, she¡¯s totally going to cry¡­¡± ¡°Eh-hehe¡­ Sorry, Rhea¡­ Umm, Alice seems to have put them up to it¡­¡± Rhea turned her glare to the innocent, cute bunny as she smiled sheepishly, and as she guessed, Mya was holding it back, but there were big crocodile tears in her eyes as she yelled at Alice. Amber and Gables felt terrible, not thinking it would be that big of a deal for the Fairy Pokemon, but Mya was all about looking tough¡ªthis was a nightmare for her¡ªand in the end, Rhea promised to sleep with her tonight to help cheer her up. Alice¡¯s place would be taken by Nova; sadly, Rhea felt the bunny thought it was worth it. What am I going to do with you two¡­ We¡¯re a team! Alice and Mya refused to face each other¡ªthe grudge she thought they were overcoming was now completely reinstated¡ªand with prejudice. ¡°Haaa¡­¡± Amira, Lori, and her cousin gave her encouraging smiles as they went to get Mya ice cream before retiring for the night. Besides cheering her mortified Mawile up, the conversation moved back to the match for Mya to lose herself in her idol, romance filling Bianca¡¯s head¡ªHilbert got a call, a sappy voicemail in there when he didn¡¯t answer¡ªand daydreams of Samiya. Tomorrow would be another magical day! B2 — 11. Addressing Frustration 5:00 A.M. July 2, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will take about a week for the transition to happen before it is open for challenges. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 23 Days (22 officially; 23 since getting Maya and Nova). Mya yawned and stretched out as Rhea shifted next to her, shifting her head for her Trainer to push herself up; in mild surprise, Mya found open air before smacking the ground with a dull thump¡ªshe¡¯d fallen off the bed. ¡°Oof¡­¡± Movement came from the bed beside theirs, Lori groaning. ¡°Hmm? What was that¡­¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm¡­ Mya, you okay?¡± Rhea whispered, blonde braid falling over the side while peering down at her through the darkness. Yeah¡­ I don¡¯t remember being so close to the edge¡­ Nova seemed to be pawing up their Trainer¡¯s leg to walk across her back and look down at her. ¡°Haaa¡­ Mmh-mmh. Is it already time to get up?¡± Their answer came from Amira as the girl exited the bathroom, flooding the area with light. ¡°We¡¯ve got about two hours to be there; no need to rush but probably best to get going.¡± Rhea glanced at Mallory¡¯s bare back, displaying the slight discoloration as she rose with Miky and Roxie to limber up. ¡°Hmm. I can go after if you want, Lori. I¡¯m cool with a cold shower.¡± ¡°¡®Ight! Ugh. How can you guys have so much energy in the morning,¡± she grumbled, grabbing her clothes to slink by Amira. ¡°Wait¡­ We get our new Trainer dresses today, right?¡± Mya¡¯s forehead furrowed, pondering the question; Alice was still fast asleep¡ªthe annoying bunny was either knocked out or bouncing off the walls¡ªand the Mawile was perfectly fine to not have her company. Getting to her feet to drag herself back onto the creaking bed, Mya sat next to Rhea, noticing her Trainer¡¯s sparkling pearly eyes. ¡°It is today! Silver said it would be at the Center?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Amira replied, combing out her hair with Amber¡¯s warm, gentle puffs of air. ¡°We can stop by and grab them on the way back.¡± ¡°Tailor-made clothing¡­ Yes!¡± Lori cheered. ¡°Gah, just knowing something will fit me just right is so satisfying¡­¡± Poking her head back out, she grinned. ¡°Oh, Amira, mind texting your dad for me and giving him my thanks? Your family¡¯s so awesome!¡± ¡°Heh, sure.¡± ¡°Sweet! I won¡¯t be long, Rhea. I can¡¯t wait to see what this Sea Temple will be like¡ªtalk about hype!¡± The door shutting, Rhea scooted to the edge of the bed with Nova to watch her bring her phone out of sleep. What are you doing? ¡°Hmm? Oh, umm¡­ Just seeing if my grandpa had anything else to add, but it doesn¡¯t look like it.¡± Nova put her two tiny paws on Rhea¡¯s thighs to boost herself up to see the holographic screen. ¡°Can I see the temple pictures again!? I wanna see the pretty rings.¡± ¡°What did you want, Nova?¡± She wants to see the pictures¡ªthe temple thing you showed us yesterday. ¡°Yeah, where we¡¯re going. It looks so pretty! Mmgm¡­ I wanna be a Vaporeon already so I can swim around it¡­¡± ¡°Oh! You wanna practice transforming?¡± No¡­ She¡ª ¡°Yes! I wanna transform!¡± Nova cheered. ¡°Can I practice right now?¡± Mya gave them both a dull look, completely moving on from the topic; then again, maybe that really was what Nova wanted, and Rhea read between the lines. I can¡¯t keep up with Alice or you, Mya grumbled, moving to get some water. When she got back, she smiled upon seeing Nova in her Glaceon form, cuddled up on Rhea¡¯s legs on the bed, and they were getting ready to rewatch some of the previous day¡¯s match. Oh! I wanna see, too! Can you go to the part where Zaneeta takes out that Rotom? Nova smiled as she joined them on the bed. ¡°I wanted to see the really pretty glittering rocks Minli made; they were so dazzling and sparkly!¡± Yeah, that was pretty cool. Rhea giggled at their discussion, starting it from the beginning as Alice groaned from inside her pokeball. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Looking at the match again? Oh, I loved the part where the Mawile got pounded by Mac! He was so fast¡ªzoom¡ªright there, and pow!¡± He got blown away easy, Mya defended with a huff. Zaneeta battled like, the whole time, and it didn¡¯t even phase her! See¡ªshe even got hit by the explosion and was back up like nothing! Obviously, Zaneeta¡¯s the strongest! ¡°Nuh-uh,¡± Nova interjected. ¡°Inja was the strongest! She¡¯s so gorgeous and sparkly; she made the whole ground disappear! Isn¡¯t she amazing?!¡± ¡°Pfft¡ªMac went from there¡ªsee¡ªand got all the way over there so fast¡ªyou didn¡¯t even see it!¡± Alice huffed. ¡°They set up a trap for him, and he still protected everyone. He¡¯s the best!¡± No! Zaneeta! ¡°Inja¡¯s the prettiest!¡± ¡°Wrong!¡± ¡°¡°Wha¡ªRhea!¡±¡± all three of them cried out. ¡°Guys, huu-haaa¡­ I¡¯m not going to play it if you all keep arguing. All of them were amazing at different things. Hehe, just like all of you! Alice¡­¡± ¡°Hmm? I know¡­ I shouldn¡¯t have got Amber to make Mya do funny dances¡­¡± Yeah! That was¡­ humph¡­ ¡°I was going to say,¡± Rhea interjected, ¡°you¡¯re going to be waaay faster than Mac!¡± ¡°Yeah! I totally am! I¡¯ll be so fast, I¡¯ll run circles around him!¡± Distracted easily much? Mya smirked. ¡°Says the cry b¡ª¡± ¡°And Mya, you¡¯ll be even stronger than Zaneeta! We¡¯ll get to the point you can Mega Evolve, and¡ª¡± And I can have two horns; I can slam them both on someone like her?! ¡°Yeah!¡± Nova cheered. ¡°I¡¯ll freeze them with my shiny breath¡ªsee, I can blow, and it¡¯s all pretty¡ªand then they¡¯ll be stuck, and you¡¯ll go wack!¡± I can do that! ¡°Oh! Oh! What about me, Rhea?¡± Nova asked, standing to meet eye contact. ¡°Alice will be like Mac¡ªMya like Zaneeta¡ªand me? Hmm?! Hmm?!¡± Rhea stroked back her stiff ears with a giggle. ¡°Naturally, you¡¯ll be like Inja and Minli¡ªputting on a show that will take people¡¯s breath away!¡± ¡°Two! I get to be two?!¡± Nova squealed in awe, making Alice jump back in. ¡°C-Can I be like Mac and Tismra, Rhea? I wanna go bouncing around¡ªpunching and kicking¡ªbeing so fast they can¡¯t even see me!¡± ¡°Of course! You¡¯ll be the quickest little energetic bunny in existence!¡± ¡°I wanna be that!¡± Mya folded her arms. I just wanna be like Zaneeta¡­ She¡¯s the best. ¡°Hehe. Let¡¯s not get into another argument, guys¡ªI know you all have your favorites, but why do you think they were able to do so well in the match?¡± Because they¡¯re strong! Nova promptly shook her head, big ears flapping with the motion. ¡°Nuh-uh, Mya! Rhea¡¯s saying they¡¯re strong together, right?¡± ¡°Yup! If Mac, Drowlo, and Tismra didn¡¯t work together, then they could have died, even if they were really strong; on the flip side, if Saria¡¯s Pokemon didn¡¯t coordinate, they couldn¡¯t have won¡ªthe only reason Zaneeta lasted so long was that she had wonderful friends, like Brix, keeping her safe.¡± I guess¡­ Alice frowned; she honestly didn¡¯t like that Visquez lost because their style was what she wanted to emulate, and Mya was sure to brag about her hero the previous day. The bunny was so wrong, though; obviously, Zaneeta was far superior to anyone on Visquez¡¯s team. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± They all turned their attention to their Trainer as she gave them an inquisitive look. ¡°Nova¡­ I know it isn¡¯t really fair, but I want Alice and Mya out together until they can make up.¡± Alice glared through her pokeball at her. ¡°I don¡¯t wanna be around¡­ her.¡± Me neither, Rhea! It¡¯s not fair¡ªshe¡¯s mean. ¡°You¡¯re the mean one!¡± Nuh-uh! You are! ¡°No, you!¡± ¡°Haaa¡­ I understand, Rhea,¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°But, umm¡­ can we still practice my evolutions when you feel it won¡¯t hurt your fortitude?¡± ¡°Nova!¡± Why aren¡¯t you on my side! ¡°I-I¡¯m not taking sides¡­¡± Mya¡¯s shoulders drooped a little while catching her Trainer¡¯s glare, Rhea¡¯s tone of voice quieting Alice, too. ¡°Don¡¯t take your frustrations out on Nova; she¡¯s the only one that¡¯s been reasonable out of you three. Look¡­¡± Rhea took a deep breath and let it stream out, reaching over to rub Mya¡¯s head as Nova returned to her pokeball for their Trainer to bring Alice out on her lap; Mya was glad to see her ears pulled back, looking sullen. ¡°Mya¡­ Alice¡­ I get that you both started out on the wrong foot; it¡¯s hard getting used to people, and sometimes personalities clash. Still, we¡¯re a team, and I know you all want to get stronger¡ªto help us get stronger¡ªand this is important.¡± She never listens to me, Mya mumbled. I try to give her advice, and she just blows me off¡­ I don¡¯t like that. ¡°Hah! Why should I listen to you?¡± Alice interjected, making Mya¡¯s blood run hot. ¡°All you do is try to boss me around.¡± The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. I¡¯m older. ¡°I don¡¯t care! You¡¯re slow¡ªa total oldy¡ªyou don¡¯t get me at all!¡± Amber tilted her head to look over at them as they vocalized their conversation. ¡°Uh¡­ you two fighting again?¡± Mya¡¯s mouth tightened, vision falling with Alice¡¯s as Rhea¡¯s hands compressed around their heads. ¡°Guys. I get you have your differences¡ªI don¡¯t know why, for the life of me¡ªbut I get you really feel that way¡­ It doesn¡¯t help us, though. We¡¯re a team; we need to act like it, and that means working things out and not letting them go on. So¡­ Until you can get along, you¡¯re stuck with each other!¡± Alice folded her arms and huffed, shifting to look away. ¡°This is so unfair¡­¡± ¡°It is¡­¡± Mya grumbled, making Rhea roll her eyes and shake her head. ¡°Well, at least the two of you seem to agree on something¡­ It¡¯s a start.¡± * * * Rhea got out of bed and began her morning stretches, Mya and Alice attempting to pretend the other didn¡¯t exist; she¡¯d hoped the pair had been moving beyond their differences, yet for some reason, it had returned with a vengeance. She didn¡¯t want to force the two together like this but was running out of options, and recently they were bringing others into their conflict, which was a recipe for disaster¡ªespecially for poor Nova, who wanted nothing more than to be friends with everyone¡ªthe excitable Eevee had been getting stuck between the two, and Rhea didn¡¯t like that at all. ¡°Haaa¡­¡± Amira looked at her through the mirror, a slight frown on her lips while doing her light makeup. ¡°Trouble?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t understand why Alice and Mya dislike each other so much,¡± she muttered, glancing back at the pair trying to articulate themselves. ¡°Normally, I can kind of tell what they want, but recently all I¡¯ve gotten from them is aversion toward one another¡­ to the point I can¡¯t even really tell what they¡¯re trying to say.¡± The pair''s sullen expressions increased after learning about Rhea¡¯s own frustration with the communication barrier. ¡°Amber and Holly could try to smooth things over,¡± Amira offered, returning to her full lips. ¡°Amber¡¯s been worried about them, too.¡± ¡°Thanks, but¡­ I don¡¯t want to make this something that will put a barrier between each of our Pokemon¡ªthey¡¯re having the issue; they should work it out without making everyone involved suffer.¡± ¡°Fair,¡± Amira sighed. ¡°Although, if you can¡¯t understand their arguments as their Trainer¡­ I don¡¯t see it getting better on their own.¡± Running her fingers through her hair, Rhea groaned. ¡°You¡¯re probably right¡­ It happened almost right off the bat¡ªwhen Alice hatched¡ªI just don¡¯t know why they¡¯re always so upset with each other.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Amira backed away to inspect herself, wearing a red and white floral dress she¡¯d picked up the other day; while they had the chance to wear new clothing, it was good to take it. ¡°Why don¡¯t I take Mya down to grab us some breakfast, and you can ask Alice about it in private?¡± Both Pokemon instantly listened and agreed to the proposal¡ªif anything to be apart¡ªand Rhea could see it possibly being productive. ¡°Sure. I can probably talk with her in the shower about it.¡± ¡°Great! Hehe, thanks, Holly,¡± Amira chuckled as the floating Pokemon brought over her phone to pay for the goods. ¡°Lori sounds like she¡¯s almost done.¡± The redhead tapped on the door. ¡°Hey, what do you want to eat?¡± ¡°Yo! I¡¯m starving, Girl! Get me the works; I¡¯ll shoot you the funds when I¡¯m out.¡± ¡°Latte?¡± ¡°Haha! You know I¡¯m not a morning kind of gal¡ªI Mukin¡¯ woke up at five! I¡¯m talkin¡¯ the caffeine, eggs, meat¡ªload me up on the carbs¡ªoh, and make the drink sweet¡ªI can¡¯t stand the bitter Muk you get!¡± ¡°Hehe. Got it. You, Rhea?¡± ¡°Eh-heh¡­ I would just say a medium decaf latte¡­ but then I¡¯d get that look from you. Umm, just something light; I don¡¯t care what it is.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ The more I get to know you, Rhea, the more suspicious I get when recalling that hunger strike story you told because if this is you on a typical day¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Rhea forced a laugh; her Pokemon nodded in agreement that she should eat more, knowing she actively tried to hide her minimalist diet. ¡°I¡¯m not going to drop dead¡­ I just don¡¯t have the same appetite as most people.¡± Lori came out of the shower in her bikini, a towel wrapped around her violet hair. ¡°Everyone needs to eat¡ªyou make me wonder if you¡¯re part Pokemon or something,¡± she snickered. ¡°Yeah, hehe, I used to get that a lot as a kid with how active I was, but I just had a lot of energy¡­¡± Amira¡¯s soft pink lips pulled in, vision narrowing suspiciously. ¡°Mhmm¡­ A lot of energy without a lot of input, hmm? You¡¯re definitely not normal, Rhea.¡± ¡°Ouch! Thanks.¡± Lori returned the grin with a wink. ¡°You know we want our blonde bombshell to be nice and healthy¡ªoh, by the way, check out this song¡ªhehe, what do you think, Amira? Totally our blonde, huh?¡± Rhea threw up her hands in defense as the lyrics went off. ¡°Me? No, I think you¡¯re thinking about our foxy redhead with a vixen! Hehe.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not the blonde,¡± Amira interjected, ¡°and don¡¯t think you don¡¯t have the looks to blow minds, Rhea.¡± ¡°Right?!¡± Lori added, swaying a bit with the beat. ¡°Rhea could totally work a red dress¡ªoh, that reminds me¡ªwe need to hit up a club with Cass! Tomorrow, okay?! I¡¯ll set it up.¡± ¡°W-Wait, why so soon?¡± Rhea muttered with a forced laugh. ¡°Yo! We can call the Alola boys, too!¡± Amira tilted her head a bit. ¡°Hmm. I¡¯m not opposed to that.¡± ¡°Woah! Why are we suddenly making plans to go clubbing out of nowhere, a-and calling the boys?¡± Lori bounced forward to take her hands and bring her into a rhythm. ¡°I¡¯m on my own mission to get you on a date!¡± ¡°What? No, but¡­¡± Amira sat down on her chair to put on her shoes. ¡°Have you been on a date before?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ not really.¡± Lori¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°No way! Not even with Jason?¡± ¡°W-Why would you think that?! No, we¡ªwe¡¯re just friends!¡± ¡°Mmhmm,¡± Lori mused, spinning her around in a circle before giving a light gasp and giggle. ¡°Friends¡­ Wait, does that mean you¡¯re still a kissing virgin!¡± ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t need to make it sound so embarrassing.¡± ¡°So you are,¡± Amira smiled, getting to her feet and crossing her arms. ¡°Interesting.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that interesting¡­ I just haven¡¯t had a boyfriend¡ªit¡¯s no big deal.¡± Amira creased an eye. ¡°Into girls?¡± ¡°N-No¡­ not that I know of¡­ I mean, I like a lot of male actors and singers¡ªC-Curtis is pretty cute¡ªhe¡¯s so confident and outgoing¡­ he leads an interesting life, and mmh¡­ he likes fishing and outdoors stuff¡ªI don¡¯t know¡­¡± ¡°Huh¡ªis that your type?¡± Rhea stepped aside as the redhead motioned for an interested Mya to join her, seemingly trying to distract herself from Alice with the bunny now jumping around with Gables and Roxie. ¡°I don¡¯t know what my type is¡­¡± Mallory gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Hehe! Don¡¯t worry; your girls got you!¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know if I want you to¡­ get me on this? Why are we even talking about relationships¡ªI mean, we need to be Trainers!¡± ¡°We¡¯re girls, too¡ªhuman!¡± Lori sang. ¡°And humans need that connection! Physical and otherwise!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t make me think of embarrassing things!¡± Rhea cried, face turning bright red as her teammates snickered. ¡°I didn¡¯t take you for being so innocent, Rhea,¡± Amira teased, stopping at the door with Mya tailing after her, ¡°and I¡¯d love to continue this, but if we¡¯re going to have time to eat before heading to the docks, I should go.¡± Saved by the time! Rhea thought, forcing a grin and waving as her braided red hair disappeared beyond the closing door. Why do they find such joy in teasing me?! Snatching her items and ducking into the bathroom with Alice before Lori could continue to poke at her single status¡ªthat Rhea pointed out they were all in the same category, which Lori completely brushed off¡ªand Rhea breathed a sigh of relief in starting the shower; the cold water running over her hot face was therapeutic. Gah! I know I haven¡¯t had a relationship like that¡ªJason¡¯s the only boy my age¡ªwho else was I going to date, the boys three years younger than me? All the Masters that are a bit older than me are constantly in and out, too; it¡¯s not like I can just pick some random person that I won¡¯t see for months, if not ever again! Geez¡­ Alice and Nova were giggling at her flustered rant, apparently unaware of what she was so internally frantic about, and it did help her to better see the frustration between Mya and her little bunny; they couldn¡¯t articulate in a way that she¡¯d understand to support them as she should. Still, her first two Pokemon should be hitting their blooming phase in another week. Pokemon and humans didn¡¯t have the same type of relationship norms, but they would start seeing their Trainers as having ¡®bonds¡¯ with other humans. Kneeling down in the chilly water to help Alice wash her ears¡ªto Nova¡¯s slight depression¡ªRhea let her emotions settle. ¡°I don¡¯t want to try and rag on you, Alice¡ªI know it hasn¡¯t been easy to get along with Mya¡­¡± Her little Buneary huffed, rubbing some of the product she¡¯d taken from the dispenser to work into her fur, and Nova commented a little from her pokeball; Mya was a bit too distant at this point to really hear them, even spiritually, but they could track her general direction. ¡°Hmm¡­ It¡¯s Mya¡¯s attitude? What about her makes you so agitated?¡± Rhea sat in the water and slowly helped her little fluff ball make her shiny black and white fur sparkle while attempting to listen carefully to her complaints; in the end, she believed she got the gist of it. Turning off the water and drying off with Alice, she wrapped her hair for when Amber would be back to aid her. ¡°So¡­ to be clear, Mya tried to tell you how to do things, and you didn¡¯t want her advice¡­ She also grew a little embarrassed when you first fought and got thrown around?¡± Alice shrugged, not making eye contact, and Nova whispered a few words that made Alice rub her damp arm. ¡°Hmm. You were a little rude and dismissive of her, too, which also contributed to it? I know she¡¯s not as fast as you, even if she¡¯s older¡ªeh-heh, Nova can only somewhat keep up because of her own Run Away ability; you can¡¯t compare everything to speed, Alice.¡± Her big pink eyes lifted to show her confusion, mumbling a few phrases that came out as her name, but their connection helped translate. ¡°Speed is super important, but can you tell me you can hit as hard as Mya or take a hit like her? Heh¡­ I know not getting hit at all is better than being hit, but you didn¡¯t have to add the insult to Mya in that,¡± she sighed, listening to Nova¡¯s protesting prompt. ¡°You¡¯re right that speed is very important¡ªyou¡¯re very talented, Alice¡ªbut Mya is also very talented in a different area. Do you think Drowlo was important for Mac and Tismra¡ªwho set up the electric webs, Zone, or kept Zaneeta off his teammates¡ªdid he have crazy speed?¡± Alice shook her head, looking a tad bitter. Rhea picked her up to set her on her knee. ¡°All of you are special in your own ways, and just because Mya is slow doesn¡¯t mean she¡¯s useless¡ªand I know she can¡¯t hit you¡ªand you¡¯ve learned how to bypass her Sucker Punch by delay attacking, but as we saw, Zaneeta learned how to counter even that. ¡°It¡¯s not so simple,¡± Rhea smiled, using a hand towel to help get more water out after the bunny squeezed out the majority. ¡°Do you think if you were really fast and could throw your opponent at Mya so they couldn¡¯t dodge, she could end it in one big hit?¡± Getting another shrug, Rhea drew her attention to her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re a team. I¡¯ll talk to Mya about not being so bossy, too. I know you won¡¯t be best friends off the bat, but at least give each other a second chance. Okay?¡± After a few seconds, Alice begrudgingly nodded, saying she¡¯d try her best. Rhea finished their preparations, satisfied with their progress, and when Mya and Amira returned, she took their breakfast on a short walk around the block to speak to the Mawile. She sipped her drink in the time they went around, taking a second to let Mya snack on her meal; Pokemon didn¡¯t need to eat that often, but it did taste good and gave them positive biological vibes that promoted a good mood. So, I talked with Nova and Alice, and she promised to not be so dismissive and make fun of you, but¡­ Her Mawile uncertain gaze lifted to stare at her. You need to let Alice find her own way¡ªI know you have good intentions¡ªyou¡¯re trying to look out for her. Hmm¡­ How should I put this? Looking at the early morning Trainers and their Pokemon as they jogged down the sidewalks, Rhea breathed in and let it go. Alice isn¡¯t someone that likes to be told about what to do in a battle; if you want to teach her, you need to do what Nova does¡ªheh, yes, play with her. She loves to play tag or hide and seek¡­ stuff that is fun, and I know you get left behind in a lot of those games¡­ As I said, she¡¯s not going to belittle you anymore for not being able to catch her or the others. It¡¯s a new start for you, and I totally get it; you¡¯re not going to be best friends right from the go¡­ I told her the same thing, heh, and she gave me the same sullen look like you¡ªyup, the same look¡ªbut we¡¯re a team, Mya. What would you do if you saw a bunch of Pokemon picking on Alice? Mya¡¯s expression tightened while looking down at the sidewalk, mumbling her reply. See? You¡¯d beat them up and make sure she¡¯s okay, because¡­ Right! We¡¯re a team! You care about her, which is why you try to give her advice. I bet Alice would do the same for you. Her Mawile¡¯s lifted brow said she highly doubted it. She would, trust me. I know she picks on you, but you¡¯re like a sister¡ªonly she gets to pick on you¡ªheh, which isn¡¯t the best solution, I know. My point is that she does care; give her a chance to show it. Join in their games instead of sitting out on your own. Can you do that? Just like Alice, Mya begrudgingly nodded, removing a weight against Rhea¡¯s chest. Alright! You ready to go see this super awesome city? It¡¯s going to be Alice and you today! Hmm¡­ Alright! Try to see what she likes¡ªmake her feel good by saying she¡¯s fast¡ªcompliment her, even if it¡¯s hard, and be genuine about what you point out. Returning to the hotel with her feuding Pokemon at least somewhat at peace, Rhea finished her preparations before striking out to the docks; excitement was bubbling in her breast upon meeting up with her cousin. Jason, Len, and Lucian joined them soon after, the Kalos boy remaining in the back with Len, who seemed to have warmed up to him; Lori wasn¡¯t too happy to not have time with him but let it go to talk to what she now called the ¡®Wooloo Girls.¡¯ Hannah balked at the name, but Amira found it somewhat amusing, considering their first encounter with a reporter¡ªif you could call her that¡ªwhich had the girl¡¯s face as red as her hair. Jade and Jay loved the comparison, calling themselves the Floofy Squad, and Sam found the whole thing funny. On the other hand, Bianca was in love with the symbolism, asking for details around the story, followed by Jay¡¯s interest; naturally, the girls sidestepped the topic, and Rhea couldn¡¯t blame them. Their newest member would likely get the tale eventually. Listening to their travels and time in Apple City, the conversation swapped to their own adventures at the Lighthouse, reminding Rhea she needed to get her cousin¡¯s expertise on the bandless braids. On inquiry, Bianca promised to teach it to her later that night, and that promise became unanimous across both parties to her amusement. Lori brought up the conversation of the date tomorrow¡ªnot that Rhea was aware it was official until now¡ªbeing particularly loud to draw Lucian¡¯s attention, she guessed, and to complicate Rhea¡¯s dilemma, Jason was now interested in knowing more about these ¡®Alola Boys¡¯ that Mallory hyped up. Please¡­ stop, Lori! I don¡¯t know if my heart can take it¡ªI might literally have a heart attack! Her internal panic worked, causing Mya and Alice to fear such a result and jump forward to distract the Unova party girl, and the final piece of grace came as they arrived at the dock. On the massive pier was one submarine that instantly caught their attention; neon orange, it stood out like a wet thumb, and a beautiful periwinkle-haired woman was directing men on the docks to load things into an even larger red submarine meant for supplies. Having looked up the woman online, she was instantly recognizable, and most gossip pieces put her around her mid-twenties; supposedly, Ash Ketchum¡ªvery famous in most regions¡ªknew the matriarch of the People of the Water, but the reasons were unclear. Then again, it seemed Ash Ketchum knew just about everyone. Unluckily, every time the Trainer had been in her village, she¡¯d been busy, so they¡¯d never crossed. Making it down to the water level, they moved to meet Lizabeth; their journey to the magical city under the sea was less than an hour away, and Rhea couldn¡¯t wait to see Samiya with her own eyes, considering no new images had been posted for years. B2 — 12. Entering The Sea Temple 6:55 A.M. July 2, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will take about a week for the transition to happen before it is open for challenges. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 23 Days (22 officially; 23 since getting Maya and Nova). Picking up her pace, barely able to contain her excitement, Rhea pushed forward to the pier stairs with the others behind them; Jay, Sam, Jade, and Hannah were still confused as to where they were going. Almost tripping on her way down, she hurried over to the submarines to meet the periwinkle-haired matriarch of the People of the Water. ¡°Lizabeth!¡± she called out, waving her free hand while attempting to keep the stream steady with her other; her cousin, team, and the boys bringing up the rear. The woman turned to give them a soft smile, and Rhea saw the brilliant stone necklace she wore¡ªsignifying the People of the Water¡¯s unique technology¡ªsomething her mother had referenced at one point. ¡°Rhea, it¡¯s nice to see you and a tad early!¡± Lizabeth gestured for the man next to her to continue going through his list without her as she went to meet them. ¡°I¡¯ll go over the list before we leave.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± he replied, leaving to continue checking things off his catalog. Slowing as she neared the large containers that various large Water Pokemon, such as Tentacruel, Feraligatr, and Swampert carried onto the larger vessel, Rhea jumped into the conversation without reserve. ¡°My grandpa said you need help bringing stuff on board, right? Those are, uh-heh, big boxes¡­¡± Amira forced a chuckle. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t think we¡¯ll be able to help move these huge crates.¡± ¡°For real!¡± Mallory mumbled, eyeing the fairly powerful Gold to Platinum-tier Pokemon bustling around. ¡°I have enough trouble carrying my own weight half the time, haha!¡± ¡°You can say that again¡ªI swear you put on a bit since the last time I saw you,¡± Len teased, moving up a little to join her as Jason stayed back with Lucian. Rhea winced, but Lori laughed at the comment. ¡°I¡¯ll burn it off soon enough tomorrow when we go dancing! You¡¯re in, right, Len?¡± she questioned, holding her hands behind her neck with a grin. ¡°Cass said they¡¯ll be making it here around noon tomorrow.¡± ¡°Sweet! Eh-yeah, I guess I can do that¡­¡± he trailed off. Suddenly, everyone went silent as rainbow lights shimmered between Jason and Rhea, revealing a brown-haired woman wearing a fancy white dress with a black bow sash and matching summer hat. ¡°Mother?¡± Lucian asked in shock as Diantha stepped back to view the stunned crowd, a radiant Gardevoir by her side. ¡°Hmm¡­ Am I interrupting something, Lucian? Ah, you wouldn¡¯t happen to be Lizabeth, of the People of the Water?¡± Rhea wondered if anyone else had parents that would just teleport in randomly to visit but then remembered Karen¡¯s surprise appearance in Apple City. Lizabeth seemed as speechless as them. ¡°Grand Duchess Diantha¡­ Umm¡ªyes, I am. I assume¡­ you are here to see your son?¡± ¡°Indeed¡­¡± she smiled, shifting back to Lucian¡¯s confused expression. ¡°I sent a message.¡± Yet, before she could address it, her son straightened, trying to compose himself while stammering, ¡°Mother¡ªI-I apologize for not¡ªmy phone was on silent¡ªit should have notified me if it was you¡­¡± he trailed off while taking out his phone and likely seeing her missed message. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ Did you travel all the way from Kalos?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm.¡± She shook her head, and Rhea felt a little bad for him; he was hiding it, but not well, seemingly devastated that he''d missed her text. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble, Lucian, and I was already in Kanto for an emergency¡­ Lucian?¡± His face paled, and he coughed, clearing his throat as an ill look crossed his countenance; he took a step back, muttering, ¡°I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m sorry, but I need to go to the r-restroom¡­ Pardon me¡­¡± Lucian turned and hastily retreated up the stairs, doing his best to keep an even pace to reach the facilities above the pier. ¡°Muk¡­¡± Lori whispered, and Jason soon hurried after him, waving at them. ¡°I¡¯ll go make sure he¡¯s okay!¡± ¡°I appreciate that,¡± Diantha said, a melancholy tone touching her initially cheery voice. An awkward silence followed, the Gardevoir floating over to rub her back comfortingly. Lizabeth coughed softly. ¡°Umm¡­ I hope he feels better. Were you¡­ planning on joining your son, Grand Duchess Diantha?¡± ¡°My title is not important¡­¡± Turning to give her an apologetic smile, she shook her head, Kalos accent evident. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I do not understand his current plans¡­ as I should, being his mother, and now, I¡¯ve caused him trouble.¡± Len stepped up and held out his hand. ¡°I¡¯m Len, Lucian¡¯s teammate.¡± ¡°Ah, yes, Gym Leader Elesa¡¯s son. I hope I did not ruin your morning¡­ it was not my intention.¡± Amira mirrored Len, followed by Rhea, Lizabeth, and Lori, introducing themselves. After breaking the ice, Len looked at the facility above the rise, Jason beyond sight on the opposite side. ¡°If you want my advice, I think you should join us¡ªwell, if Lizabeth is okay with that¡ªheh, sorry for not asking.¡± ¡°No, it is more than acceptable,¡± she returned, motioning to the crates. ¡°Haha, we¡¯re actually running a little behind on marking off each shipment container, considering I ordered more than usual, so having extra hands helps a lot.¡± Diantha¡¯s lips pulled in, arms folding under her bust, seemingly pondering what she should do as her Pokemon spoke, causing everyone to jump with the voice projecting through the air. ¡°I believe Len is correct, Diantha; Lucian was just unprepared for our visit. He does wish to spend time with you.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ Thank you, Aliz¨¦e. Well, until Lucian comes out so I can explain myself, will you allow us to be of help, Lizabeth?¡± she offered. Mood increasing, she nodded and took out papers from a folder she held. ¡°That would be amazing, Diantha¡ªI can¡¯t say I expected to give the Champion of Kalos a tour of our city, but I am more than happy to show you around.¡± Diantha added a half-smile, tilting her head to look at Aliz¨¦e as the Pokemon as she spoke. ¡°Is it right to assume you wish to be as swift and discrete as possible, Ms. Lizabeth?¡± ¡°It is, and, umm, your name was Aliz¨¦e?¡± ¡°It is. Would you mind leaving the cataloging to us while acquainting with one another?¡± ¡°Us?¡± Rhea could guess what she meant, having experience with how her aunt did things, and a shimmering right of lights surrounded the entire docks, creating an illusion to not draw attention as the rest of Diantha¡¯s Pokemon exited their pokeballs. Overshadowing them all and immediately drawing all of their eyes was the shadow that blocked out the sun¡ªan 11-meter tall Tyrantrum¡ªits colossal figure towered over them as it bent down for Diantha to rub its lower jaw; more than a few of the Pokemon and humans helping to load the submarines dropped to their butts in awe of its intimidating presence. Yet, at the same time, another massive figure soon rose to a height that made them crane their necks to follow his rise¡ªa 15-meter tall Aurorus¡ªand if Rhea was being completely honest, having Diantha and her main team here, she realized the Champion had broken into the Legendary-tier; she was probably a bit stronger than Lyra. ¡°Rex and Castle would like to handle the higher up containers while Aliz¨¦e checks everything off on the list; the others will handle the lower supplies, and once everything is properly accounted for, she can teleport it all inside your storage hold.¡± Rhea forced a laugh with everyone else. ¡°You¡¯re just like my aunt.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Diantha questioned as her Pokemon went to work; her Hawlucha and Gourgeist moved at blinding speed between them, with her giant Goodra becoming goo to slide under Castle, going to further away items. ¡°Hehe, I tend to not have much time in my life, so we try to maximize efficiency.¡± ¡°Understandable,¡± Mallory mumbled, trying not to fall with the rest of them as the colossal Pokemon caused the concrete they stood on to shake; Rhea wondered what the people above the pier thought, yet they simply dismissed it¡ªthe powerful illusion affecting their very minds¡ªand went on. ¡°Uh¡­ So, why are you here?¡± ¡°To be short, I wanted to spend time with my son while in Kanto. Hmm¡­¡± Lizabeth walked to Diantha¡¯s side as the paper and pen in front of her scurried through the items, ticking things off and making notes. ¡°You¡¯re breezing through them¡­¡± ¡°It is simple when I can look through each of my teammates'' eyes, past and future, to identify the labels¡­ Part of the issue you are having seems to be a double shipment. I do not believe you have the proper room to handle the load. Is that correct?¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­¡± Lizabeth glanced at her submarine and sighed. ¡°Probably not in one trip with all of these. Do you know which ones are doubled¡ª¡± She paused as the sheets floated over to her, and Rhea let go of her pen to allow the Fairy Pokemon to use it on more she was going through; Rhea stepped back with Lori, Amira, Len, and Bianca as the Kalos Champion sped through the hour¡¯s-long work this was supposed to be. ¡°Huh, if it¡¯s double our facilities items¡­ Hmm, it¡¯s great, and since you¡¯re saving us so much time, we could make two trips.¡± ¡°Or I could teleport them to your city?¡± Aliz¨¦e offered, glowing eyes drifting to the sea. ¡°Mmh¡­ You can sense it past the barrier?¡± Lori leaned over to nudge her, whispering, ¡°Yo, Diantha¡¯s totally used to taking control, huh?¡± She shrugged, and a sad smile lifted the Champion¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Let¡¯s not overstep our boundaries, Aliz¨¦e.¡± ¡°Eh-hehe,¡± Lizabeth held her hands up, ¡°no, by all means, if you can, it would save a lot of time, but¡­ You don¡¯t know where it should be placed, right?¡± ¡°Hmm. It is somewhat challenging to peer past your barrier, but I can place it on the closest docks to shore.¡± An older gentleman walked around the many crates with a laugh, and by his appearance, it was clear he had a family relation to Lizabeth. ¡°Impressive! I didn¡¯t know we¡¯d be entertaining the Grand Duchess of Kalos.¡± ¡°Dad.¡± He clasped Diantha¡¯s hand as he joined them, and Rhea kept her peace, not wanting to interrupt the group; everything was happening so fast, she didn¡¯t know what to do but wait for things to calm down. Mya and Alice¡ªNova using Rhea¡¯s vision¡ªwere gawking at the colossal ancient Pokemon; the Hawlucha instantly caught the bunny¡¯s notice as she zipped around at lightning speed. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Rhea¡¯s mind went to her team composition, and she couldn¡¯t help but ponder how her Pokemon worked in actual combat; her aunt had some massive Pokemon as well, such as Melina, her Milotic, yet seeing so many on the crowded pier was a little breathtaking. It was the first time she found herself thinking in this way, but it piqued her interest, and Rhea pooled her knowledge on each Pokemon to satisfy her curiosity. Aliz¨¦e was said to be the strongest Gardevoir in existence, being a super-utility and ranged-nuker, with Missiara, Diantha¡¯s Gourgeist, supplying its own unique support. Rhea could only guess the insane tactics with Ally Swap that could be pulled with the Hawlucha speedily getting to their opponents for Rex, the colossal apex predator Pokemon, to appear out of nowhere to lock his jaws around their opponent. Also, if Gables¡¯ battle in Pewter with the Amaura indicated how unusual a battle style the Tundra Pokemon could take, Castle could provide his own type of support and offensive while in the back. Glisra¡ªDiantha¡¯s Goodra¡ªhad a wealth of abilities and styles of attacks; Rhea had seen a few Master-tier Goodra have matches in her village, and she couldn¡¯t imagine how much more the Dragon Pokemon could do at low Legendary-tier. Lost in her thoughts and their ground-shaking steps, Rhea only noticed they had finished when the Pokemon returned to their pokeballs, excluding Aliz¨¦e, who handed Lizabeth the small stack of papers. ¡°I will leave them on the docks you mentioned.¡± Rhea¡¯s focus went to the crates as the Gardevoir went to each group and teleported them away; Len was walking up the stairs to see what was happening with his teammates. ¡°So insane¡­¡± Hannah, Jade, Sam, and Jay were freaking out about how huge the Pokemon had been, somewhat muffled, showing the intricate illusion was only cast on those not in their group, showing her skill and power. ¡°You¡¯re telling me,¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°So, uh¡­ Everything¡¯s basically done. What are we going to do?¡± Lizabeth giggled, shuffling through the papers with a happy smile. ¡°Well¡­ That¡¯s one way to do it; thank you, Diantha.¡± Her father waved to the clustered workers he¡¯d brought, watching the Gardevoir transport all of their supplies away, unsure what to do next. ¡°I¡¯ll go tell the boys to pack everything up; we¡¯ll be heading out soon.¡± ¡°It was no trouble,¡± the Legendary Trainer returned, looking at the submarines while the man jogged to the others. ¡°It has been some time since I¡¯ve taken an underwater adventure. Of course, that depends on Lucian¡¯s decision. Hmm¡­ might you excuse me for a second?¡± ¡°By all means!¡± Rhea followed her gaze to Lucian as he walked out behind the facility to slowly make his way to the stairs with Jason, Len soon joining them, and after a second, the two boys left for Diantha to have a private chat with her son. Aliz¨¦e¡¯s psychic illusion made them utterly invisible to the people gathering at the docks, and it seemed the word about the People of the Water may have gotten out, but after a few minutes of scanning past the invisible submarines and people, they talked with their friends and wandered off. ¡°What do you think they¡¯re talking about?¡± Rhea asked, seeing her cousin step in closer; she¡¯d been oddly silent most of the exchange. Amira shrugged. ¡°None of our business. I am surprised she has the time to spend with him, though; her life is split in so many directions, it¡¯s hard to imagine she wasn¡¯t instantly pulled back to Kalos.¡± ¡°I guess,¡± Rhea mumbled, ¡°but she was here on emergency League stuff¡ªisn¡¯t that weird?¡± Bianca sighed, a deep frown on her lips. ¡°I¡¯d say Lucian¡¯s reaction to his mother is more concerning. Did you notice him clutching something in his pocket?¡± Lori nodded. ¡°Super weird¡­ He looked like he had a panic attack¡­ I¡¯ve had those before¡ªnot fun.¡± ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Bianca whispered, hugging herself. ¡°I don¡¯t think Diantha wanted to do that, but¡­ Just concerning. I hope he¡¯s okay.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t read their red-headed companion¡¯s expression; the two seemed to hate each other to the bone, but she couldn¡¯t see Amira not having compassion for someone struggling like that. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Jason had a big grin on his face as he neared. ¡°Yo! Rhea, you won¡¯t believe it!¡± ¡°What? Is Lucian okay?¡± ¡°Umm¡ªhe¡¯s doing better, yeah¡ªbut it¡¯s crazy!¡± Gathering in their small circle, Len directed a small smile up at Lucian and the Active Champion. ¡°Apparently, Diantha is taking time away from her acting and modeling career to spend more time with her family.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it awesome!?¡± Jason jumped in, flashing his teeth. ¡°We might be staying a few more days so they can catch up; so, Amira, Lori¡ªLen and I can come see your guys¡¯ match against Misty! Serenity and Miky are going to kill it!¡± Mallory forced a laugh, looking down at the Great Ball attached to her waistband. ¡°Eh-hehe¡­ Yeah, I wish Miky felt better about it.¡± Gables and Roxie looked up at their companion¡¯s pokeball, giving him their encouragement. ¡°Huu-haaa¡­¡± Amira¡¯s lips tightened, and Rhea followed her gaze to Lucian and Diantha as his mother hugged him. ¡°Wait¡­¡± Lori squinted at the pair. ¡°Is he crying?¡± ¡°Be cool,¡± Len muttered. ¡°It¡¯s been rough on Lucian; he puts a lot of pressure on himself. This is good.¡± Rhea moved to her best friend¡¯s side as tears gathered in his own eyes. ¡°You okay?¡± ¡°Hmm? Yeah, it¡¯s just¡­ Lucian¡¯s a good guy¡ªhe just puts on this persona to¡­ Yeah, he¡¯s just a better guy than I thought.¡± Len bumped his own best friend¡¯s side as a doubtful hum rumbled in her throat. ¡°You gave Jordan a second chance our senior year; Lucian and you guys had a rocky start, but you know the rep Kalos has¡ªno excuse, I know,¡± he smirked at her lifted eyebrow. ¡°Still, he¡¯s better than you think. Anyway, we¡¯re going to give him some space with his mom, so we can totally hang out today! Wanna learn some of these dances the People of the Water got?¡± ¡°Now there¡¯s something I can agree to!¡± Lori laughed, throwing her arm around his shoulders. ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re so petty.¡± ¡°Hey, you know me; I ain¡¯t gonna just forgive someone when they haven¡¯t owned up to it!¡± ¡°Fair,¡± Jason sighed. ¡°Give him a bit of time. You gonna dance tomorrow, too, Rhea?¡± She gave a weak shrug. ¡°I guess.¡± Bianca scooted over to poke her side. ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm? When did you learn how to dance¡ªbeen taking lessons without me knowing?¡± ¡°N-No¡­ Well, sort of¡­¡± A half-smile lifted Jason¡¯s lips. ¡°No joke. Rhea sucks at dancing! You should have seen how many times she stepped on my toes the last time we tried.¡± Bianca gasped, making Rhea jump in to try and erase the image forming in her mind. ¡°We were twelve!¡± ¡°That long ago, and you kept it from me?! Hehe. Was it the waltz?¡± ¡°We were twelve!¡± Rhea repeated a bit louder than she expected, making everyone laugh, including Sam, Jade, Jay, and Hannah. ¡°Geez! I¡¯ve been, umm, learning stuff from Lori, too¡­¡± Mallory grabbed her hands with a grin and brought her into a rhythm; Amira still appeared to be focused on Diantha and Lucian. ¡°Yeah, Girl, you¡¯re getting some basic steps¡ªsee, she¡¯s doing good!¡± Len snickered. ¡°Because you¡¯re guiding her.¡± ¡°Details!¡± Lori laughed. ¡°It¡¯s all about having fun¡ªtwirl!¡± The heat in Rhea¡¯s face began to leave as Lizabeth returned to clap her hands. ¡°Ooh! You girls like to dance?¡± ¡°Absolutely! I heard the People of the Water love to, as well?¡± ¡°We have dances almost every night!¡± ¡°Gah! Sounds like the dream,¡± Lori groaned. ¡°Yo, Amira, do you think we could stay overnight and check out the whole experience?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, sure. It would be educational.¡± ¡°Boo! Quit thinking about wasted space and get into the rhythm¡ªwe¡¯re going to Samiya!¡± Bianca and Lizabeth got into a conversation about the city¡¯s past and how they had a great many enemies while Rhea was pulled between her friends, all focusing on dances; Sam¡¯s group wanted to join so bad after Lori let slip the place they were heading, and the prospect of a dance, making them want to redouble their efforts in getting to Cerulean. Mya and Alice had found common awe in Aliz¨¦e as their teammates gathered around the Legendary-tier Pokemon several meters away to question her. It didn¡¯t take too much longer for Lucian and Diantha to break apart and make their way to them, and the stuck-up boy seemed far less intimidating with red cheeks; he almost appeared awkward in his mother¡¯s presence¡ªuncharacteristically reserved¡ªand they prepared to leave. Filing in the submarine, Lizabeth connected them to Samiya¡¯s wireless grid network that had been adapted to receive just about perfect reception near anything that dealt with their ancient Sea Crown technology. Lizabeth guided them to their seats, Diantha not wanting to ruin the experience by simply teleporting to the Sea Temple, and buckling themselves in, they pulled away and sank under the waves. Rhea was glued to the window with her Pokemon, practically forgetting about Lucian as she explained to a curious Nova and Alice the various forms of life they saw underwater. Mya was still more impressed by Aliz¨¦e than the sights, interest stuck on the Embrace Pokemon. As they traveled¡ªpicking up speed as they got into open waters¡ªRhea couldn¡¯t help but chuckle at the curious Water Pokemon that swam up to their windows to check them out and see what they were about. Exiting the shelf and twenty minutes into their trip, Rhea got her first live appearance of the ancient water city; it shimmered into existence as they traveled between specific strong currents¡ªthe city¡¯s defenses¡ªto breach the bubble. It was stunning¡ªa spiraling tower at its colossal center and what appeared to be a horn on its left side¡ªthe small metropolis was splendorous¡ªin pristine condition. As if welcoming them to their magical city, a few Manaphy and a swarm of several Phione encircled their vessel, guiding them to the surface and talking to their Pokemon. Aliz¨¦e smiled while moving to watch the Mythical Pokemon. ¡°You have gathered quite the cast of children, Lizabeth.¡± The matriarch chuckled. ¡°Thank you, but really it¡¯s all thanks to our harmony with the Manaphy that we can enjoy our prosperity and bliss. Samiya shares a sort of bond with them and us, as much as our Pokemon do through pokeballs as mediums.¡± ¡°Fascinating,¡± Bianca hummed, waving at the tiny blue Seafaring Pokemon. ¡°And that real bond is brought to life by the Sea Crown I¡¯ve heard about?¡± ¡°Mhm! We don¡¯t completely understand it yet, but learning how to deepen our relationship with Samiya, the Manaphy, and the Phione, is one of our greatest desires¡ªeh-heh, I speak about the People of the Water, that is.¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to see how you¡¯ve grown as a society and learn the challenges you¡¯ve had along the way,¡± Bianca commented, putting her fingers against the glass for a Phione to touch and giggle. ¡°I heard The Phantom has made several attempts at seizing the city.¡± ¡°Yes, well¡­ he is a rather vile man,¡± Lizabeth mumbled. ¡°Ash has always helped us whenever we¡¯ve called for aid, and now that some of our Manaphy are more grown, they can handle most threats.¡± Amira leaned forward a bit, sitting behind the women. ¡°I¡¯m curious; what are some memorable things you¡¯ve seen down here?¡± ¡°Sunken treasure?¡± Jade asked, still able to follow their progress through their phones being connected to the underwater metropolis. Rhea¡¯s ears peaked at that. ¡°Have you?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. Yes, we have found many things¡ªmuch of which is sent to the various Professors and experts, such as your mother, Rhea.¡± ¡°Cool¡­ I wonder why she never shows me any of that stuff,¡± she grumbled. ¡°A lot of the time, it¡¯s all about some word I¡¯ve never heard of involving genetics¡ªmarkers or something¡ªshe¡¯d found and jumping for joy before collapsing from overwork.¡± ¡°Haha, she totally does,¡± Bianca confirmed. ¡°I¡¯ve had to take care of my aunt more than once when doing research with her¡ªoh, I can get so mad when she works herself into a fever, but only my mother or grandma can get her to take a rest.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Rhea sighed. ¡°Gah, I don¡¯t even want to think about that¡ªthis is so awesome, though!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ kind of scary when underwater tides equal to hurricanes happen¡ªyou know, when one of the two Lugia or Kyogre randomly swims by¡ªbrrr¡­ and the temperature changes so fast.¡± ¡°Wait, Kyogre?!¡± Len asked, having been recording for most of the time to send to his mother. ¡°Isn¡¯t he like¡ªlike supposed to be sleeping? If he wakes up, he¡¯ll cause like, the end of the world?!¡± Bianca snickered. ¡°Old fairy tales, hehe¡ªwhile, yes, Kyogre can utterly destroy the world, he¡¯s mostly just chilled since waking up during the Ultra War.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Lizabeth doubtfully mused. ¡°No?¡± ¡°Well, most of the time¡­ If the male Lugia and Kyogre meet, they can¡­ cause a little trouble, but they mostly keep away from each other unless¡ªI don¡¯t know, they feel bored¡ªheh, hard to say?¡± ¡°Interesting. I¡¯ll have to see what my mother thinks about that,¡± Bianca smiled, sending the message. Amira released a slow stream of air at their conversation; they slowly rose to the surface. ¡°Yes, well¡­ Personally, I¡¯d say Argen is just trying to show off to Corrina¡ªhis girlfriend¡ªthat¡¯s the name my mom gives them anyways. He probably stokes the old rivalry flames with Kyogre¡­¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Bianca asked. ¡°Do you know the male Lugia well? No¡­ your mother?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Amira grumbled, repositioning her braid. ¡°It¡¯s something he¡¯d do but not take it too far¡­ he doesn¡¯t like it when my mom is mad at him¡ªhe cares a lot about what she thinks.¡± Lizabeth took them to the surface, momentarily running her fingers through her hair. ¡°Yeah¡ªwell, it causes us a lot of trouble down here¡­ Hehe, maybe we can use your mom¡¯s name to calm things down next time.¡± ¡°For the Lugia,¡± Amira swiftly warned. ¡°Kyogre is a different story entirely¡ªfrom what my mom says, he¡¯s just a little tired and building strength back, but he isn¡¯t above a brawl.¡± ¡°Haha, what an interesting conversation,¡± Diantha chimed in from the back, sitting next to her son. ¡°Perhaps I should spend more time with the other Champions and Legends to hear more about such stories. ¡°Currently, Leon, Red, and Ethan are all training at Mt. Silver¡ªhehe, quite the intimidating aura,¡± she chortled. ¡°The girls are exploring together; you should have seen Blue¡¯s face when Green and Leaf forced him to join them instead of training with the boys¡ªcaught between a rock and a hard place, I¡¯d say.¡± Rhea gave an internal cheer as Diantha used Ethan¡¯s real name instead of Gold, his famed symbol, but all of their conversations died as they exited the submarine to step out onto the temple ground. The entry view was magnificent¡ªvast with coulombs and flowing water everywhere¡ªonly a few people could be seen. On the other hand, it was a Water Pokemon paradise, and the architecture stole Rhea¡¯s breath; everything was so grand. Vegetation and fruit trees could be seen all over the place with shimmering lights that seemed to project the proper UV radiation to feed the growth. Looking down at the ground in awe, she saw uniform brick and stonework¡ªmasonry found few places in the world, according to her mother¡ªand the stunning visage of the motif it painted would have made a painter cry for joy. Unable to speak, Rhea held her camera up to give Sam and the others a full view, taking pictures to post on her Pikabook later¡ªshe had to preserve the memories like this¡ªand now she wanted to do the same of the Articuno underground ice cave when they returned to the area. Pretty¡­ Lizabeth exited and motioned for them to follow her. ¡°C¡¯mon, I¡¯ll show you around!¡± Getting into step behind her, they marveled at the immense size of the Sea Temple; they¡¯d entered a hidden world, only viewed by a few in its complete majesty, and to her shock, something else soon gave her goosebumps¡ªpeople floating through the air about their business, a golden aura surrounding them. ¡°You can even fly here?¡± ¡°Oh, hehe,¡± Lizabeth touched her necklace in a specific manner for the same light to embrace her. ¡°If you¡¯re in the know, it¡¯s pretty easy and makes getting around or moving supplies simple. I know! Let¡¯s get you your own for your stay. This way!¡± ¡°Awesome¡­¡± Rhea breathed, and she wasn¡¯t the only one. B2 — 13. A Day In Samiya 7:48 A.M. July 2, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will take about a week for the transition to happen before it is open for challenges. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 23 Days (22 officially; 23 since getting Maya and Nova). Walking off the docks, Rhea couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the grand scope of the colossal city-temple; images didn¡¯t do it justice, and the vibrance of the colors mixed with the elegant architecture was breathtaking. She couldn¡¯t help but giggle at seeing children running after one another, playing tag while using the flowing water as slides, and they were snappy in keeping momentum to stay ahead of their pursuers. Teenagers flew freely between the temple¡¯s base pillars, giggling while spending time together before school, and a few parents seemed to be teaching their kids the meaning behind the symbols of the People of the Water. Several ducked shyly behind the columns upon seeing them, others grinning and waving. They returned the gestures, spinning around in circles, vision skyward to see the adults and Pokemon going about their business, relocating supplies, or performing weekly maintenance. Rhea didn¡¯t want to think about how much work it took to upkeep the temple, yet these people seemed to take great pride in their underwater sea home. The sunlight peeking through the rippling water overhead cast a rippling shimmer on the shield holding back the ocean; it was truly magical. The hum of Manaphy¡¯s song filled the temple as the metropolis awoke to the morning calls, currents of water changing to their vocal prompts that Samiya responded to. Lizabeth¡¯s accessories were illuminating with the call of the Seafaring Pokemon, and many of the temple¡¯s pools and colors matched the radiance; it was as if the metropolis itself was waking from sleep. None of them could speak as the matriarch smiled at their overwhelmed reaction to the vivid water springs of the place, and she guided them to a staircase that would take them on a path that brought them to an underwater space, the liquid held back by similar ancient technology as the one above. Water Pokemon jumped in and out of the water walls, enjoying themselves; it seemed the entire city was built to accommodate them in the riverways and canals, yet unlike the images Rhea had previously seen, additions had been added to the place to support more permanent living for humans and Pokemon. Samiya had truly become a safe, self-governing nation for the People of the Water to rebuild themselves while living in harmony with their mobile country¡¯s mascot and guardian, Manaphy. On Bianca¡¯s inquiries, they entered new areas of conversation, Rhea¡¯s cousin being fascinated by their science, and Lizabeth went into many things, showing off the construction and rediscovery of their ancestry. For starters, the children they saw running around were taught both the world¡¯s common tongue and language in conjunction with their historical terminology, the latter being their first tongue. Rhea couldn¡¯t believe what she saw¡ªBianca practically drooling for information¡ªas men and women used the glowing stones to create rooms and hallways, grid-like patterns appearing as they manipulated complex weaving symbols they projected. From what Lizabeth described, the entire city was like a giant energy converter, which was why people wanted to get ahold of it; it took its power from the sea itself, and that channeled energy could be used for phenomenal things. Samiya¡¯s powers could make people fly, breathe indefinitely underwater, move enormous objects, or even convert different types of natural energy into matter¡ªessentially, the city itself was a colossal artificial Pokemon¡ªthe Sea Crown. Everything they saw was similar to Mya using Ancient Power to create boulders to attack an opponent. Yet, instead of using that energy offensively, the city converted it into a physical object to be used at will, and that technology had cataclysmic possibilities. It was the inheritance of the People of the Water, and every nation recognized their sovereignty, much like many other kingdoms in the Pokemon world, but unlike most, there was a level of concern regarding the titanic power Samiya could employ. The People of the Water didn¡¯t want to expand their territory of influence, though, as some tried to fearmonger the masses into believing; they had everything they needed, excluding essential trade goods, and between marketing merchandise and public performances they did, the people could live their simple lifestyle. Exotic fish farms and totally sustained agriculture due to their control over their environment meant they could provide for the bulk of their people¡¯s needs, and the ability to access the internet using their unique technology gave them plenty of opportunities to further their market options for young adults looking to make other career options. It wasn¡¯t as if it was all peace and harmony in Samiya either; there was a faction of their people that wanted them to have more of a standing presence in the world rather than isolating themselves, yet Lizabeth believed that would only paint more of a target on their backs, given the power Samiya had¡ªequivalent to a Legendary Pokemon. Besides, they had so many other things to improve on and learn from their ancestors, who had this power and chose to use it conservatively to not provoke or bring trouble. Eventually, they decided to give up their temple so it wouldn¡¯t fall into the wrong hands when another nation attacked, seeking to use it for their own gain. Although Lizabeth disagreed with their total pacifist approach, to the point of allowing most of their people to be slaughtered without a fight, they could undoubtedly exercise wise constraint with the power they¡¯d inherited. In addition, the technology wasn¡¯t uniquely operated by the People of the Water but the unique activator they developed for the unusual method, which meant any bad actor that could get their hands on it could use Samiya to destroy an entire region. If it hadn¡¯t been for Ash Ketchum¡¯s fearless actions when they¡¯d first found the hidden city, one such infamous pirate would have taken control and wreaked havoc; she couldn¡¯t talk about the renown ¡®semi-official¡¯ Alolan Champion without giggling at the classic joke¡ªKetch¡¯em¡¯all, ketchup or catch up, poking fun of him chasing after Red, Blue, or other rivals. Moving into more happy topics as Lori jumped in about dancing, Rhea¡¯s attention wandered to the fantastic underwater vista the temple¡¯s clear waters allowed. If she didn¡¯t know any better, she¡¯d say Samiya was also a purifier for the ocean. That came with the question of where the filtered stuff went, but then again, it could just convert it into light or other such things for all she knew. It truly was a majestic hidden pearl in the ocean. The new hallways of parted water and pillars sustaining the divide kept a similar aesthetic as the rest of the temple, and when they got to a storage room with an attendant, they were surprised by another famous person¡ªMisty. Wearing a light blue and white ruffled dress that fell from her lower bust to her shins, Rhea was a little surprised to see the woman¡¯s new look, given her notorious fashion for tighter swimwear and her light orange hair was loosely braided. Appearing out of shimmering rays with her Ace, Starmie, Misty gave Diantha a toothy grin. ¡°Champion Diantha¡­ Ah, so that¡¯s it¡ªhehe¡­¡± she added, seeing her son beside the woman. ¡°I was a little shocked to feel you teleport to my city and, eh¡­ release all of your Pokemon.¡± ¡°Goodness,¡± Diantha forced a smile. ¡°My apologies for giving you a fright¡ªit must have been exhausting, given your condition, to travel back so swiftly; I admit, I was curious as to your rapid short-range teleports.¡± Misty waved her hand dismissively. ¡°I¡¯m fine, heh; I¡¯m just glad I had the means to penetrate Samiya¡¯s defenses if needed¡ªthanks, by the way, Lizabeth,¡± she added, holding up a turquoise stone necklace. ¡°No problem!¡± Rhea waved as Misty turned to her, a hand going to her hip. ¡°Ah, I see you finally made it to Cerulean, Rhea¡ªare you planning on battling my Gym?¡± ¡°You know each other?¡± Diantha interjected, Lucian¡¯s lips tightening as he hung back. Mallory snickered. ¡°You kidding? Rhea knows just about everyone important in Kanto!¡± ¡°Not everyone,¡± she mumbled, playing with her hands behind her back. ¡°I only met Amira¡¯s grandpa when she introduced us, and he¡¯s arguably one of the most important people in Kanto.¡± She got a small smile from Amira at her comment. Misty chuckled. ¡°Without a doubt, Giovanni is pretty important¡ªchanged a lot since Lyra got involved in his life, but eh-heh, I don¡¯t think I need to say why,¡± she said, catching the redhead¡¯s eye. ¡°As to Rhea¡ªyeah, her dad visits all the Gyms every so often to help keep us in shape, and sometimes we travel to his neck of the woods.¡± Amira slowly nodded. ¡°Ah, okay, that makes sense now. My grandfather?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°Not that I know of¡ªhe¡¯s the only one, but I think it¡¯s probably because he always stays sharp¡ªwell, that¡¯s the impression I got when I met him,¡± she added, blushing a tad at vocalizing her opinion. A half-smile lifted Diantha¡¯s lips. ¡°I¡¯d say your assessment isn''t wrong, Dear; when I saw Giovanni, I had the impression he¡¯s far stronger than most give him credit for.¡± Misty sighed, scratching the back of her neck. ¡°Not wrong; I¡¯ve had the same opinion of Giovanni for a while. He likes to keep his cards close, but uh, getting to another topic¡ªsince you¡¯re busy¡ªI¡¯ll visit your mom to understand how you guys are doing.¡± Lizabeth¡¯s face brightened. ¡°Oh, before you go, Misty, I¡¯d like to congratulate you on the pregnancy! I heard from my mother.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Bianca, Rhea, and most of the girls, including Sam¡¯s group, gasped at the shocking news, and suddenly, her new sense of fashion totally made sense. Diantha winced with Misty. ¡°I believe that was supposed to be a secret, Lizabeth.¡± ¡°Oh? Oh! Uh, hehe, sorry¡­¡± she mumbled, noticing their stunned looks. Bianca¡¯s eyes were sparkling. ¡°Wow! That¡¯s amazing¡ªI won¡¯t tell a soul¡ªhow along are you?¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Yeah, congratulations! Umm, wow, yeah¡­ I haven¡¯t seen anything about it on Gossip or heard anything from the other Masters back home.¡± Lori¡¯s gaze was firmly planted on the ruffles masking her stomach. ¡°Has he kicked yet¡ªdo you know if it¡¯s a boy or girl?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s slow down a little,¡± Amira called, holding up her hands as Misty mirrored her response. ¡°I knew there would be all sorts of speculation about the father and the like, so I wanted to keep it low-key¡­ I don¡¯t like media butting into my personal life¡ªugh, the Muk they spun regarding Daisy¡¯s first marriage and child makes me sick.¡± Amira hissed. ¡°Yeah, I know how you feel¡­ They¡¯re like Mandibuzz when they smell a story, circling overhead to pick clean every bit of meat on your body to get clout or clicks for credits.¡± If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Misty rubbed the back of her neck and smiled at Lori. ¡°Mmh¡­ not to mention a sensationalized group of sisters suddenly abandoned by their parents and left to pick up the pieces of a broken Gym,¡± she mumbled, clearly reliving her past by the melancholy look on her face. Feeling this direction might have to do with her changing hormones and fears the woman might have suppressed below her tom-boyish attitude, Rhea could sympathize with the Gym Leader. Daisy was the oldest of her sisters, having a nine-year gap between them, and had been the one that had taken the bulk of Cerulean City-State¡¯s responsibilities when their parents up and abandoned them, running off together to escape the ruined financial state of the Cerulean due to poorly implemented policies. Being the strongest Trainer in the City-State at mid to borderline High-Master, and having the most knowledge on her home¡¯s affairs, she¡¯d been thrust into the limelight; Violet, the second oldest of the Sensational Sisters, being a year younger than Daisy, had written a best-selling biography about their childhood that Rhea had read when she was fourteen. It had been a terrible time for Cerulean, and to make matters worse, Red, Leaf, and Blue tore up the City-State Gyms in their dominating rise to stardom. With Daisy scrambling to keep the City-State above water financially, correcting many of their parents¡¯ mistakes, and finding people to help her, the Gym was left to Violet and Lily, who were strong enough to act as Gym Aides, but not Gym Leaders. The stress of the pressure placed on Lily, being fifteen when they¡¯d been abandoned, had caused the second youngest to release tension by poking fun at her eight-year-old, youngest sister, which caused a rift to grow between them for a while, and eventually led to Misty running away from home and meeting Ash. Daisy had tried to be a mother figure but was so swamped with keeping things from falling apart for the failing economy of Cerulean and harming countless other families. The result was that Daisy couldn¡¯t be there for her sisters like she wanted, and that came out in ways she regretted. If that wasn¡¯t bad enough, the scandal of her first husband cheating on her, as he claimed she had no time for him, and coming out after she was twelve weeks pregnant, had been a crushing time for the young nineteen-year-old woman¡ªthe media had not been kind¡ªand she¡¯d done her best to keep her child out of the Gym and public eye to shelter her child. Violet tried to be the mediator between Lily and Misty, but some crushing defeats and media coverage had dropped the eighteen-year-old into a somewhat reclusive depression that allowed Lily to act out her frustrations more. It was a terrible situation, Lily harboring guilt that it had been her own fault due to her butting heads with their parents that had caused the abandonment, and according to her, years later, she¡¯d wanted to be the bad guy because she felt like it, yet no one would notice. In the end, it was Misty¡¯s three older sisters acting like nothing was wrong, trying to put on this cutesy act and draw investors into the City-State with their performances to mitigate even a little of the debt they faced that caused her to run away at ten-years-old. What Misty saw Daisy go through in private while putting on a golden smile to the booing public in the stands, doing everything she could to keep herself from falling apart while trying to raise a newborn with only Violet for help and being unable to hire any Aides to support the Gym. Violet had been crushed by putting all her attention into keeping their family together while being there for Daisy, who was drowning in her own collapsed personal life and being torn to pieces by the media and people. Lily blamed herself for the entire situation, and after these 10-year-old Pallet Rookies whipped the floor with her three times in a row, bringing criticism against her older sisters when she was the one that lost, once again¡ªbeing the bad guy overlooked¡ªit hadn¡¯t been good for her mental health. Misty couldn¡¯t handle the internal and external pressures and ran away, which further fractured her barely tolerated standing with her older sisters. It got to the point where the Sensational Sisters abandoned the Gym entirely to focus on the City-State, leaving the door open for Misty to eventually play Gym Leader, and her sisters were just happy to see she was alive and well. According to Violet, they hadn¡¯t seen Misty so animated, vocal, and happy for two years since their parents abandoned them, and unanimously decided the best thing for her was to travel with Ash and get away from the politically charged landscape of Cerulean, which turned out to be the right move. Years passed, and the three sisters grew into the position that had been forced onto them, making a goal that they¡¯d make their home better for when Misty returned, and eventually, a place she¡¯d be proud to remain; the dream was enough to rally the three together and weather the storm. Years later, Cerulean had rebounded due to taking advice from the other Gym Leaders, and finally, the sisters¡¯ vision came true when their youngest sister returned to challenge them for the right to hold the Gym. Rhea¡¯s heart burned with a sense of inspiration while gazing at the laughing red-haired Gym Leader in front of her; throughout all the controversies¡ªincluding a vicious news cycle questioning if Misty wasn¡¯t the biological sisters of Daisy, Violet, and Lily¡ªthe media pointing to the fact the three used wigs to hide their black hair. In the end, Misty stood tall, ready to start a family herself; in a way, it had a similar ring to Bianca¡¯s when her fan club turned on her. ¡°Hehe. No, I haven¡¯t felt any kicks quite yet, but I think it¡¯s getting close to that time. Aura specialists like Diantha could determine the gender¡ªI want to be surprised, though; I¡¯ve looked forward to this for a long time and don¡¯t want to be spoiled.¡± Jason leaned to the side a bit, trying to keep his focus on her face, and for some reason, he looked flustered at the conversation. ¡°Uh¡ªso, when do you need to take a break from the Gym?¡± Misty gave him a sly smirk. ¡°Looking at challenging it when I¡¯m down in bed, hmm?¡± ¡°N-No!¡± Everyone laughed at his protests. ¡°People shouldn¡¯t worry about the Gym; Lily will be coming back to man it while I¡¯m throwing up and, heh, calling for a ref.¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Hannah asked, being the first to pipe up of her teammates. ¡°I would have thought women as strong as Gym Leaders would just pop the baby out no problem?¡± Diantha giggled. ¡°Despite what the public believes, women that are Champions and Gym Leaders are just that¡­ women, and we have our own style of struggles; I was down for almost a month after giving birth to Lucian.¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. It¡¯s the truth! Your father was so sweet, catering to my every whim for every food aversion and ridiculous demand I made of him. In any case, I¡¯m looking forward to seeing more about this city and Cerulean itself¡ªI¡¯ll be spending the next few days here with my son,¡± she explained at Misty¡¯s inquiring look. ¡°That sounds great! If you need anything, don¡¯t hesitate to drop by the Gym.¡± ¡°Naturally, I¡¯ll go to your assistants, Darling, hmm-hmm¡ªyou have quite the load already.¡± ¡°Appreciated. Again, eh-heh, please, keep this a secret.¡± They all agreed without question, and Jade chimed in that they were no fans of the media either; the Gym Leader waved their group off before teleporting away with her Starmie to meet with Lizabeth¡¯s mom. As they continued their tour, Lizabeth got them their own wristbands for the stay, showing the pattern to float into the air; it was another experience entirely, having the warm golden force pick her off the ground. Moving quickly through the halls and getting a better grasp on the layout of the expanded temple, Rhea estimated there were only a few hundred people who lived in the colossal metropolis; naturally, the number of Pokemon far outweighed the people. It was a bit troublesome learning how to navigate while flying, considering it was more or less focusing on where you wanted to go and the city responding; Lori went straight into the water when attempting to dance, yet the energy kept her free to move about as she pleased. Mya was as fast as Alice for the first time, and the two got into a race that saw them disappearing into the water; Rhea let them have their fun, exploring the metropolis since they knew how to get back to her. For Amber, the entire situation was liberating, and the firefox cheered with Serenity as the pair split off with Roxie and Miky to explore themselves. Jason, Len, and Lucian¡¯s Pokemon did their own thing, leaving their groups to split off to enjoy themselves after Lizabeth showed them where they would stay the night; she¡¯d grab bedding and the like for them to sleep. It would be futons for them, and Lizabeth apologized to Bianca and Diantha for the accommodations, yet the two women were more than willing to sleep on the tiled ground if need be, quoting various experiences they¡¯d gone through in their own journeys. Rhea was biting at the bit to explore herself, and, once set free, Bianca, Amira, and Lori joined her on their exploration; as could be expected, the first thing they did was speed through the nearby halls to map out where the local facilities were, including the cafeteria. They spent the day underwater, going beyond the city barrier to study the ocean floor without scuba gear, greeting local Pokemon; the Manaphy kept all the territorial showboaters pacified, showing them little hidden pockets of interesting places along the sea''s bottom. Dazzling displays of wellsprings of natural energy, little bits of treasure that they helped bring back to the city¡ªpart of the revenue stream of the People of the Water¡ªand going on actual treasure hunts was thrilling. Eventually, they lost Bianca in an undiscovered underwater caving system that seemed to be a part of a sunken civilization connected to Pok¨¦mopolis; it had been recently discovered by some of the Manaphy, who knew the People of Water liked such things. At that point, Rhea knew her cousin would disappear in her fascination as a researcher, and she quickly got into the documentation zone, using Samiya¡¯s phenomenal connection to stream the information to other researchers; they weren¡¯t told where it was or why she could spontaneously breathe underwater with this golden glow, but wouldn¡¯t question it given the material discovery. Knowing it would also draw her mom and brother¡¯s attention, who were interested in all things Pok¨¦mopolis related, she contacted them to join the call with her cousin. Jade, Jay, Hannah, and Sam chose to get off a while after, wanting to actually make it to Cerulean to join them in the festival but asked them to record parts and post it on their Pikabook so they could comment and not miss anything. As the morning turned to noon, they met up to have lunch and actually had their first semi-neutral conversation with Lucian regarding the ruins¡ªthey had to be cordial since his mother was there¡ªand shockingly, he wasn¡¯t that insufferable, shy even. And, as was typical, Rhea found herself forced into showing her concerned team she could eat¡­ even if she didn¡¯t want to. Len and Jason joined them after Lori dragged their group, excluding Lucian and Diantha, to the dancing lessons the locals were doing with their teens. The circumstances flipped on their heads to Rhea¡¯s excitement and Lori¡¯s dread; the dancing involved swimming and water. Lori shot a venomous glare at her best friend¡¯s snicker when she was escorted off to take swimming lessons with the children; Amira and Rhea¡¯s gentle and soothing prompts helped to mitigate her shame and fear, but if there was ever a place to learn how to swim, the People of the Water were the experts. Rhea was really impressed by Lori¡¯s resolve, considering her previous near utterly crippling fear of the water; it was a huge step, reminding her that she needed to step up. It felt good to use her well-conditioned muscles¡ªeven if Amira questioned if she even had them¡ªand sure, she may have only looked toned, but beneath that was hidden a wealth of hidden power, which she proved! Even the People of the Water were astonished by how strong her swimming was, and her lung capacity floored them. Proud of herself and having a lot of fun learning the techniques, evening came¡ªshe was forced to eat again, this time by her Pokemon¡ªand Nova got her turn, Alice electing to return and rest after growing tired; she was still young. Lori soon met back with them, face beaming and ample bosom puffed out; Rhea giggled at her beaming rays of confidence. ¡°Hey! You can¡¯t even guess!¡± Amira dabbed at her lips with a napkin, setting down her fork to smile at the purple-haired Unovan girl. ¡°Hmm¡­ learn how to swim?¡± ¡°Not only can I do the breaststroke, but I can also hold my breath underwater for a whole two minutes without freaking out!¡± Rhea clapped. ¡°Wooh! That¡¯s amazing, Lori¡ªand you couldn¡¯t even get in a boat without having a panic attack several days ago!¡± ¡°I know! I mean, eh-heh, I do need to be able to stand in the water¡ªfeel the bottom¡ªbut, yeah!¡± ¡°Progress,¡± Amira said, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°Totally! Oh, you get some cool water dancing lessons?¡± ¡°Lessons? Hmm-hmm. You should have seen Rhea; she was practically right beside the instructors by the end.¡± ¡°No! I still have a ton to work on¡ªI think I need to do more work on those interesting stretches they did¡ªand some of those workout routines could really help strengthen some areas I haven¡¯t put a lot of effort into.¡± ¡°Do you hear her?¡± Amira mused. ¡°It sounds like she¡¯s getting into dancing, Lori.¡± ¡°Yo! For real¡ªI can teach you land stuff, and you can teach me water stuff! Deal?¡± ¡°Heh¡ªI only had one lesson, and it was basic movement.¡± ¡°Eh¡ªyou saw me, Girl¡ªI can¡¯t do a cannonball into the water out of fear I¡¯ll get carried to the deep end of the pool¡­ The pool, Rhea!¡± ¡°I get it! Hehe. Yeah, I¡¯ll be happy to help you with swimming when we get chances; Amira¡¯s super talented, too¡ªshe was keeping up with the teens.¡± ¡°Pfft¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked as the redhead snickered. ¡°Thanks¡ªyou¡¯re here keeping up with the instructors, and I¡¯m back floundering with the teens.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t mean it like that!¡± Lori jumped forward to draw Rhea into a hug. ¡°You¡¯re so adorable! We can¡¯t help but tease you¡ªdid she get her daily meal, Amira¡ªwe gotta take care of our girl¡¯s needs, or she may starve herself!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not anorexic!¡± Several people glanced their way at her shout, making her face turn bright red as she lowered her head to hide behind her thick blonde locks. ¡°Hehe, we never said you were¡ªyou certainly don¡¯t appear that way with how much meat you have,¡± Amira teased, gesturing at her chest and butt, ¡°but you have to admit your eating habits are concerning for a girl when you eat half what I eat¡ªand I watch my figure.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lori released her, holding up her hands, ¡°I swear you¡¯re a Pokemon, Rhea¡ªwhat¡¯d I say, Amira?¡± ¡°That you bet 50,000 credits on it¡­ that you don¡¯t have.¡± ¡°I¡¯m good for it; I¡¯m saying, you know those old stories! Isn¡¯t there scientific proof, too?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°Nothing concrete, but the person to ask would be Rhea¡¯s mother, being the world¡¯s leading genetics expert¡­ Interesting that her daughter would be such a genetic superstar, hmm?¡± Rhea sighed, hanging her head. ¡°I went from part Pokemon to a genetic experiment in like ten seconds¡­¡± They laughed and wandered the city for the remainder of the night with Len and Jason¡ªBianca had checked out, and Rhea expected her Master-tier cousin would be pulling an all-nighter in the ruins¡ªand Nova almost had her transformation down to four whole minutes now, which was a long time in a battle, even if she hadn¡¯t been using Moves during that time. When bedtime came, Rhea got to snuggle up to Mya and Alice, big-sis Nova being the big girl in allowing the two to have more time together, hoping it would rub off. Today was magical; tomorrow, the gut-wrenching plans to dance¡­ with guys! Rhea was kind of freaking out a little, but eventually, she got to sleep. B2 — 14. Conquering Fear Pt. 1 8:00 A.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will take about a week for the transition to happen before it is open for challenges. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). Samiya¡¯s musical note filled the air, rousing Rhea¡¯s dull mind to stretch out on the futon she¡¯d been given for the night; Nova¡¯s paws tightened around her calf, Alice¡¯s ears tickling Rhea¡¯s chin as the bunny threw out her arms between her bust¡ªMya had swapped places with Nova during the night to show she could share¡ªMya taking a big step in knowing both the Eevee and Buneary were huge snuggle-buddies. Blurry vision opening, she smiled at the shimmering light brightening throughout the liquid overhead; the People of the Water had crafted this room to have the sea overhead, and the morning shine of the waking city caused a dazzling display. ¡°Wow¡­¡± Amira whispered, following the radiant beams, some unique material Samiya was made of illuminated the city beautifully. ¡°I can¡¯t believe we all slept in.¡± ¡°Mmgm!¡± Lori pulled off her light blanket, the metropolis keeping a relatively lower temperature of 19¡ãC compared to what they were used to. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about; heh, 8 A.M. sounds normal for me!¡± ¡°If you go to sleep around 12 or 1 every night, I suppose,¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Until this month, I went to bed around the same time every day¡ª10 P.M.¡± ¡°It¡¯s like you¡¯re a little kid¡ªeh?¡± Lori snickered, tossing her pillow at her for Alice to reactively jump off Rhea¡¯s chest, spin, and send a blast of Fighting-Type energy to the fluffy object. ¡°Oof¡­¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Amira and Rhea cracked up as the bunny sent the pillow straight back into the Unova girl¡¯s face, a sleepy Roxie and Miky dully watching it. ¡°Haha!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, guys¡­¡± Lori mumbled, dull violet irises dropping to her stretching Pokemon. ¡°Alice was on point, but you¡¯re all still¡ªdid you just fall asleep again, Roxie?!¡± Miky snickered as the pup sank to her side between Lori¡¯s legs. Rhea threw back her own blankets to bring a chirping Nova up to nuzzle her cheek. ¡°Hehe. Seems Roxie and Serenity stayed up late talking last night. Oh, wanna evolve real quick, Nova?¡± Her Eevee¡¯s bright pink eyes lit up, swiftly nodding as she drew from Rhea¡¯s fortitude before she could set her down; as could be expected, her weight more than doubled, Nova¡¯s smooth white and black Glaceon figure expanding in Rhea¡¯s arms. ¡°Aww, you¡¯re so cute!¡± Rhea grinned, Nova¡¯s two hair-like extensions wrapping around her neck to pull herself into a hug. ¡°Yup, super cute!¡± she reaffirmed at her little girl¡¯s inquiry, blade-like tail wagging. Alice was finishing up her morning routine to limber up and called out to Nova, whatever she said drawing attention from the other Pokemon, including the hovering wild Pokemon in the water observing them above. A little curious as to what they were doing, Rhea got up to stretch herself, Mallory and Amira doing the same while all their Pokemon gathered near one of the water walls. ¡°Oh, creative!¡± Amira complimented as some of the water Pokemon sent bubbles inside for Nova to proudly blow frigid wind to freeze them. ¡°Making balls you can play soccer with?¡± ¡°Oh, nice¡ªheh, even got Roxie up to play,¡± Lori mused, Alice cheerily motioning to Miky to be one of the team captains as she took up the other role. It warmed Rhea¡¯s heart; Miky was having a rough time, feeling less than adequate for Lori when everyone else had so many more Moves than him. Amber and Gables weren¡¯t that far off, but only having four Moves was tricky; although Roxie had the least out of the Pokemon Rhea¡¯s mother had given them, they were strong and diverse. Still, Mallory was super patient and supportive, trying to build up the Impidimp¡¯s confidence; apparently, the other day, he¡¯d been playing with Lori¡¯s phone with Gables and learned from the Pokedex App that it was considered a very difficult starter since it didn¡¯t evolve until mid-Gold-tier, which hurt its already low Move Pool and low stats. Lori reminded him that he was Dark/Fairy, meaning he only has two weaknesses, Fairy and Steel, and there aren¡¯t too many of those Types around. Additionally, he¡¯ll have a killer Attack when he evolves, plus a ton of Physical coverage Moves. He got hung up on what experts argued were his weak points at having low Speed and Defense stats, but Lori countered that everyone had their weaknesses, which is why they were a team; he wasn¡¯t alone. It made him a bit happier, and their Pokemon had tried to incorporate him more into their playtime, even if he played pranks from time to time that exasperated them. Readjusting her bikini after stretching, Rhea watched their Pokemon pick their teams for the soccer, including some of the friendly Wild Pokemon; Miky¡¯s first pick was naturally Nova, Alice selecting an interested Vaporeon, which had her Glaceon fired up¡ªshe so wanted to be a Vaporeon next¡ªand Miky chose Roxie next. In the end, it was a five-on-five. Miky with Nova, Roxie, Amber, and a Squirtle. Alice with a Vaporeon, Serenity, a Totodile, and Horsea. Nova reinforced their ball of ice before Alice kicked off the start of the match, using the open water pillars as goals in the long room. Rhea let them have their fun, heading to the facility shower area in the female guest section to get ready; Bianca hadn¡¯t returned yet, as Rhea figured. Lori was excited to reveal her sister was cool to hit up a dance club, selecting one that didn¡¯t serve alcohol so they didn¡¯t have to sneak in; some of Cass¡¯ party weren¡¯t comfortable with it, and, naturally, Amira was totally against giving the media any ammunition against them. The reminder about dancing in a public club with boys they¡¯d only met less than a week ago made Rhea feel a tad ill, but she¡¯d never chickened out of anything before, and it was a new experience; if it had just been them going to hang out and have fun, Rhea would have been fine with it, yet for this to be her first time, she was petrified. As they got ready, meeting several other teenage girls who used the less-populated area, Lori threw on some music to show them the Unova shuffle dancing that had enthralled the fourteen and fifteen-year-olds. It was faster than what Rhea was accustomed to from her earlier showcases, the purple-haired girl¡¯s body and bound locks a flurry of activity with her rapid footwork. After several minutes of showing them it wasn¡¯t quite as difficult as they thought, she got into a much faster and more intense song to demonstrate a more advanced style, explaining it was about getting into the rhythm of the beat, letting your body freely flow. Rhea began to get it as they went on, increasing her excitement. Laughing as they went through various songs and tempos, Lori demonstrated how to shuffle dance with someone else, assuring them that Cassey had selected a club that had a shuffle night. It was more about getting into lockstep with the person next to or across from you, which was more about getting into sync with your partner. There was also style-oriented where you showed what you had, and the group tried to mirror your flow in the circle, branching out. Rhea and the other teens had fun trying to find new ways to move their bodies, and being a small party, it wasn¡¯t so constrictive or overwhelming. They spent the hour practicing before the teens were forced to head off to classes since it was Friday and they weren¡¯t free; washing their sweat off and heading for the cafeteria to get breakfast, their Pokemon joined them, ending their game, Alice 7 wins to Miky¡¯s 4 wins¡ªgenerally, Alice¡¯s teams tended to win more often than not in soccer. It was the first time Rhea had been so far away from her Pokemon when they drew on her fortitude, and there was a diminishing return for distance that she had to remember. Still, since it wasn¡¯t anything super stressful, their Pokemon mainly used far weaker versions of their Moves to play longer. At this point, it would be a bit before Rhea, Lori, and Amira were rested enough for them to play like that again, but they figured exercising their fortitude like this was a good way to stretch themselves. Meeting up with Len and Jason¡ªLucian and his mother were exploring the city together¡ªthey decided to find new interesting things about the mythical Sea Temple while having the opportunity. Many of the waterways used by Manaphy and other Water Pokemon were slick enough to be used as extremely long slides; a few rebellious teens showed them how to get to the highest point to have the most fun, which their Pokemon thoroughly enjoyed. Lori declined since the end was being dumped into the docking portion of the city, or in other words, the open sea. After having a bit of fun, Rhea secretly went to Lori and offered to help her, breaking away from Jason, Len, and Amira; the redhead was having a shockingly great time learning how to maximize her speed. Ushering Lori off, she took the girl to the training pool¡ªmeant for four-year-old children¡ªand helped Lori further her swimming lessons so she wouldn¡¯t feel left out or embarrassed staying behind. It made Rhea happy to see the nervous girl smile as she swam without touching the ground or bobbing; she¡¯d come so far, and quickly, seeing as the Unova girl had been petrified of anything beyond a hot tub before this. Samiya was the perfect place to help her get over her fears, and it didn¡¯t take all that long to learn how to swim; it was mainly supporting Mallory to get over her fear. By the time lunch came around, Lori¡¯s resolve had firmed, pledging that before they left the underwater metropolis, she¡¯d swim at the docks¡ªif Amira, Rhea, and one of the People of the Water¡¯s Gyarados was nearby¡ªoh, and she got to wear the bracelet to fly out if needed. It was huge; even with all the life-lines, the fact she was willing to put herself out there showed how far she¡¯d come from their first kayak ride. Bianca arrived in the cafeteria for lunch, yawning but still full of life; her cousin set her tray of clam chowder, bread, and vegetables beside Rhea¡¯s, Amira¡¯s group still hadn¡¯t returned from their own split adventure. Rhea looked at her phone as Bianca settled in next to her, a forced smile lifting her lips at Amira¡¯s question hours earlier. 10:25 A.M. Amira: What were the intentions by leaving me with Jason and Len? 10:27 A.M. Amira: Hello? 12:45 P.M. Rhea: Eh-heh, my bad. I didn¡¯t want to embarrass Lori. I went to teach her how to swim more. She¡¯s going to swim at the docks before we go! Right now, we¡¯re in the cafeteria. Bianca just showed up. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Her cousin leaned in to see what she was typing, Lori returning with her second helping of chowder; Miky and Gables were out now, the Rock Pup going back into her pokeball to sleep. ¡°Hmm?¡± Bianca smirked. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Leave Amira to spend some personal time with Len and Jason?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Bi,¡± Rhea sighed, scratching the back of her neck. ¡°Not everything is about romance.¡± ¡°Romance, huh?¡± Lori muttered, plopping down beside her and setting the other two bowls for her Pokemon beside it. ¡°We talkin¡¯ about Heneli and you?¡± ¡°What? No!¡± Bianca giggled. ¡°Aren¡¯t you popular, Rhea? Heneli and Jason. Hmm, which are you going to pick?¡± ¡°No one!¡± she hissed, face flaming as she thought about the two boys. ¡°I¡¯m just friends¡ªI¡¯ve only spent like a few days with Heneli.¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°I¡¯ve kissed boys in less time.¡± ¡°Oh, nice,¡± Bianca grinned, leaning forward to look at the Unova girl. ¡°You are pretty forward, though¡ªI was always a shy girl. I didn¡¯t kiss Hilbert until¡­ Arceus, two years after we left on our journey together?¡± ¡°Your first?¡± Lori asked, eyebrow lifting as she ripped her bread to dip it in the soup. ¡°Yeah! Crazy, huh? I mean, we were childhood friends¡ªgrew up around each other for a while. Hmm-hmm¡­ kind of like Rhea and Jason.¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Rhea groaned, not liking being in the middle of Lori and her cousin. Mallory popped the soaked bread in her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. ¡°Mmh¡ªso good. Anyways, I had my first kiss when I was twelve¡ªMatt Chaffer.¡± Rhea almost choked. ¡°T-Twelve?!¡± ¡°Mhm. He was pretty cute and could dance¡ªI think he turned fourteen a week earlier? Yeah, heh, we didn¡¯t know what the Muk we were doing, but it was interesting. It was a one-and-done thing, but we were friends after.¡± ¡°How can you¡ªwhy is it no big deal for you, Lori?¡± ¡°Eh¡­ well, I mean, hmm¡­¡± Rhea and Bianca leaned forward to see the girl¡¯s lilac irises centered on her bread as she thought for a time, looking a tad melancholy, but she swiftly bounced back. ¡°Heh, eh, you see, I didn¡¯t know how much time I had to do stuff¡ªyou know, life is short¡ªso, I kind of did a lot of stuff to see how it was.¡± Bianca puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°Life is short, huh? Not wrong¡­ Yeah, still, my lips have only been touched by Hilbert, and heh, I don¡¯t know if I should feel proud about that, but I do!¡± ¡°Haha! Good for you,¡± Lori cheered. ¡°It¡¯s nice being so confident you¡¯ve found the right partner. How¡¯d you know, by the way?¡± Glad to have the focus off her, Rhea quietly picked at her food, a tad hungry after Nova and Alice¡¯s liberal use of her fortitude. ¡°Hmm¡­ good question,¡± her cousin whispered, tapping her piece of bread against her bottom lip before biting into it; finishing the mouth full, she shrugged. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ I don¡¯t know. I suppose I didn¡¯t really know, but just like in a relationship, you pull the trigger and make it work¡ªheh, marriage isn¡¯t easy¡ªno, ma¡¯am!¡± ¡°Oh? I, eh-heh, guess I do have some experience with that when it comes to my parents. What¡¯s hard about it with Hilbert, though? Silver and Lyra seem to totally get along, and you have a lot of good things to say about Hilbert¡ªeh, besides him being away. Haha!¡± ¡°Well¡­ mmh, that¡¯s kind of the problem, I guess,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Hilbert¡¯s a Champion-tier Trainer, and you don¡¯t get there without sacrificing a lot¡­ I¡¯m, eh, not trying to sound jealous¡ªmaybe I am a bit, I admit¡ªbut I think he¡¯s spent almost more time with Hilda than me some years.¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t heard this from her cousin before; all she tended to talk about when it came to her husband was how amazing he was, and he went above and beyond to try to make it back for weeks at a time, yet it was true, always competing for the Champion seat with Hilda, and now Iris taking his attention away must have been rough. Swallowing the bread in her mouth and clearing her throat, Rhea shifted a tad to better look at Bianca. ¡°You okay, Cuz?¡± ¡°No, yeah! Of course, I totally understand why Hilbert¡¯s always away, and if I had chosen to continue training with them, I¡¯m sure I would have had a ton more time with them¡­¡± ¡°But you enjoy researching more than Training,¡± Rhea answered. Lori nodded. ¡°Rough. Your work doesn¡¯t take up all your time like Training does, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. True¡­ I try to busy myself with learning more about cooking¡ªwhich, heh, is kind of a science in itself¡ªbut it can get lonely up in the Unova mountains. Still, it¡¯s better than living in a big city where everyone stalks me, and I get harassed.¡± ¡°If you ever feel lonely, you can come and hang with us,¡± Rhea offered, reaching over to hug her cousin. ¡°Seriously, you can leave your Pokemon in Unova to guard the village¡ªor bring one or two¡ªjust if you¡¯re feeling low.¡± ¡°Hehe. Thanks, Rhea,¡± Bianca chuckled, returning the hug. ¡°No, I actually feel a little bad¡ªI, eh, kind of ditched you yesterday, and I haven¡¯t even taught you that lie-less braid!¡± ¡°I can do that,¡± Bianca nodded. ¡°I call it an organic braid.¡± ¡°Oh! Yeah, that sounds awesome,¡± Lori jumped in. ¡°Eh, Rhea, your phone¡­¡± ¡°Amira¡­ she says she¡¯s heading this way with Len and Jason. I guess after they eat, we should prepare to leave and meet up with Cass, right?¡± ¡°Eh¡­ yeah, there¡¯s some stuff we can do before meeting up with the Alola boys; we gotta stop by the Center to grab the packages.¡± Her mother¡¯s previous proposal popped back into Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°Wait, what about the Master Ball thing; what did you guys decide?¡± ¡°Ah, right, right. Amira made a pretty compelling argument regarding it, and she thinks by the time we end Bronze-tier, we might even out level Silver or be on the verge of Gold if we keep at this pace.¡± ¡°For real?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s not that outlandish,¡± Bianca added. ¡°Heh, a lot of Trainers test out of Bronze by the time they get to the League, and even if they ¡®officially¡¯ make it to Silver, they generally are strong enough to test out of it, which most of the final League contestants do.¡± Thinking back on all the Masters¡¯ statements and stories she¡¯d heard in the past, Rhea started to connect the dots. ¡°Okay¡­ Wait, so a lot of the Masters complete all the Encrusted challenges, though¡­ is that why they¡¯re missing some in-between?¡± ¡°You seriously didn¡¯t know?¡± Lori questioned in surprise. Bianca snickered as she shook her head. ¡°Rhea only really follows her brother when it comes to journeys or Training; he¡¯s completed every Encrusted Gym on every tier up to Platinum, many times training up secondary teams to take on the lower brackets to not outclass them.¡± ¡°I just thought he liked to diversify his roster,¡± Rhea mumbled, feeling a tad self-conscious she¡¯d been totally oblivious to the real reason. ¡°Kate likes to help Wild Pokemon that are struggling, and my brother has a ton of Pokemon he trains together¡­¡± Her cousin slid her tray to the side, leaning forward to rest her head against her hand while smiling at her. ¡°Your brother¡¯s really kind¡ªit¡¯s actually to stay pace with Kate¡ªif he didn¡¯t, they¡¯d outpace her, and he doesn¡¯t want to do that.¡± ¡°Aww, that¡¯s sweet,¡± Lori cooed at the real reason. ¡°No wonder he was so strong when he came to our rescue; should he really be Master-tier?¡± ¡°Roughly, yes. He¡¯s breaking into the lower field of Masters. Katelin has a very kind heart and is more of a Ranger at her core, but likes to feel that personal connection to each of her Pokemon to have a more personal approach than what the Rangers do¡ªit¡¯s more centralized for a specific kind of support a Pokemon might need.¡± Rhea stared at her half-finished portion of clam chowder, recalling the dozens upon dozens of Pokemon Kate had bonded with and separated from. She¡¯d heard it was on good terms, but didn¡¯t know it was that deep, showing how much she really knew about her brother¡¯s girlfriend, her rival for his attention, as she¡¯d previously seen it. ¡°So¡­ Kate struggles to keep a balanced team and is always bringing up Pokemon unaccustomed to professional competitions?¡± ¡°Muk,¡± Lori mumbled, processing the implications. ¡°She must be an amazing Trainer if she can turn Wild Platinum-tier Pokemon¡ªtotally unaccustomed to the competitive scene¡ªinto contenders with so little tactical and cooperative experience.¡± ¡°She is very skilled,¡± Bianca chuckled. ¡°So, given how much potential your Pokemon have, and if you continue to train with one another, as you get more experience, very few Bronze-tier Trainers will stand a chance.¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah¡­ we also learned the Gyms have to make our challenge a lot harder because of how strong our Pokemon are. Really¡­ a lot of my success so far has been totally due to how strong these guys are,¡± she said, reaching out to pet her chirping Eevee and Buneary. ¡°I have a lot of growing to do, myself.¡± Lori lifted her hand for Miky and Gables to give it a high-five. ¡°No need to be hard on yourself, Rhea¡ªBronze-tier is all about finding your footing. Right, Bianca?¡± ¡°Mhm! It¡¯s why there are ways to advance beyond Tiers; each one is designed to help you advance certain aspects of your Training¡ªfrom Weather, Field Effects, Stat reduction, teamwork¡­ as you grow, so do the challenges. Bronze is to get you ready for the real stuff.¡± Pulling up their Training record, Rhea grimaced, noticing their Bounty had gone up to 20k again. ¡°Well¡­ the League has certainly made it more difficult for those who are strong,¡± she mused, showing them the credits against their loss. ¡°Competition,¡± Bianca giggled. ¡°I¡¯m personally not for that decision, but it does put a target on your back and shows people want to see you battle¡ªbig matches like that are generally spread on social media.¡± ¡°True!¡± Mallory laughed, showing them a long list of cuts and commentary on their public battle against the Alolan gang a few days earlier. ¡°Almost 300k views in a few days¡ªwe were trending.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t I notice¡­¡± ¡°Haha, because you¡¯re all about that Gossip App,¡± Lori pointed out. ¡°You¡¯re not on Poketub or other social media platforms besides a private Pikabook account!¡± ¡°I just¡­ never really had any friends that used it,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Plus, I was always outdoors, doing stuff with Jason, my brother, or my dad.¡± ¡°In other words, a sheltered mountain girl!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Mmgm¡­ I like to think I was a proactive, outdoorsy girl,¡± she huffed. ¡°I had a lot of fun growing up.¡± ¡°Hehe. I didn¡¯t say you didn¡¯t!¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t make it sound good¡­¡± ¡°Just different! Erm¡­ to be honest, I think Cass might have been better like that¡ªsocial media is cancerous to some people¡­ Anyways, umm¡ªI think Amira should be here soon. Want to take one last tour around this place and head back up to grab our stuff at the Center?¡± Sliding past the comments about her childhood and teenage activities, Rhea nodded. ¡°Ready to swim for the first time in open waters¡ªvirgin swimmer?!¡± ¡°Ooh!¡± Bianca snickered. ¡°On the offensive!¡± ¡°Nice one!¡± Lori laughed. ¡°Ugh¡­ this is going to suck¡­ but let¡¯s do it!¡± Getting up, they met with Amira, Len, and Jason¡ªthey¡¯d been getting a tour of more secret areas by the local kids¡ªand went to the best spots to post various screenshots on Pikabook. Amira was reasonably proficient at finding the right filters, lighting, and positions to take stunning pictures. Apparently, her mother dabbled in amateur photography¡ªan excuse, according to Amira, to force her into participating¡ªevidently, Lyra was the founder of the hashtag Crafty_Mothers_Unite. Lori looked it up to find it shockingly active across regions, and sure enough, Lyra¡¯s social media profile was attached to it; tens of thousands of mothers were sharing memes, funny stories, and advice for aspiring crafty mothers. Having their fun, Bianca told them what she¡¯d found at the ruins as they got things ready for Lori¡¯s big test. It was the entrance of a secret Pok¨¦mopolis research outpost that required some kind of activation to reach the lower levels; interestingly, it was protected against teleportation, much like Samiya¡¯s defenses. There was a passcode of sorts that needed to be used, but there was the possibility of brute-forcing it, and as it so happened, they had one of the strongest teleport Pokemon in the entire world nearby. On request, Diantha promised to help Bianca reach it on the last day she¡¯d be able to stay in Kanto¡ªthe 5th, the day after tomorrow¡ªsince she was here for her son. It would be the day after Lori and Amira challenge Misty; she¡¯d also invited them to join if they so wanted, the Kalos Champion acting as their escort in the potentially dangerous, ancient zone. Excited to find another hidden mystery by visiting the secret, underwater metropolis, they set it on their calendar; the ruins of an ancient civilization¡¯s research center with her cousin? Rhea was ecstatic! Gathering at the edge of the docks, Rhea helped Lori get into the water; the girl¡¯s usual relaxed attitude now shakes and stammers. ¡°S-So¡­ you¡¯ll get me if I go under¡ªand no Pokemon will, you know¡­¡± ¡°No. I got you¡ªsee Jonesy?¡± Rhea reassured, directing her attention to the big, sea snake-like dragon that could easily rise out of the water and carry her to safety. ¡°Mhm¡­¡± ¡°Yup, he¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re 100% okay! We got you!¡± ¡°You¡¯ll do great!¡± Bianca cheered. A big grin came across Len¡¯s face. ¡°If you drown, can I have your guitar?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± ¡°At least a pick¡ªc¡¯mon, don¡¯t be stingy¡ªya won¡¯t need it!¡± ¡°Yeah, sure, whatever¡ªI¡¯ll be dead¡­ Muk! You suck Onix, Len!¡± A few people winced at her language. ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re fine!¡± Getting in beside her, she slowly got the girl¡¯s white fingers away from the dock and into the water. ¡°Calm¡­ slowly¡ªremember¡­¡± ¡°I¡­ I know¡­ I-I think I¡¯m going¡ªRhea!¡± ¡°You¡¯re fine¡ªsee, Jonesy¡¯s below you¡­¡± ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m doing it?¡± ¡°Yup! Just remember to kick with your legs and cup your fingers¡­ Good! Look at you!¡± ¡°I¡¯m doing it!¡± ¡°You totally are! You¡¯re amazing!¡± ¡°N-No, you¡¯re amazing!¡± Lori cried, choking up and getting emotional. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ I¡¯ve never swam like this before¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stop¡ªkeep going!¡± ¡°Y-Yeah¡­ Thanks, Rhea.¡± ¡°Hehe. Now, just don¡¯t leave me hanging with the dance¡ªokay?¡± ¡°Totally¡­ I can swim now¡­¡± Chest burning with pride at seeing how overwhelmed her teammate was at finally conquering much of her fear of water, they spent a bit longer before she needed to get out. It would take time to build up her confidence without having at least some support at sea, but this was big. Now, it was Rhea¡¯s turn to get over her fear of dancing with boys; her own titanic opponent would be showing up soon, and she could use everyone she could in her corner, just like Lori. Saying goodbye to some of the teens and Lizabeth¡ªwho came to see them off¡ªthey returned to the surface via Diantha¡¯s teleport; it had been a magical stay in the underwater Sea Temple. B2 — 15. Conquering Fear Pt. 2 2:49 A.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea blinked as the stomach gripping sensation of Teleport took them to the pier of Cerulean City; the weather was slightly overcast with dark clouds and teasing rain, compared to the relatively sunny morning they¡¯d experienced within Samiya¡¯s controlled environment. Diantha waved them off, her Gardevoir keeping the Champion and her son hidden from view to not attract too much attention. Rhea was a little surprised at how likable the Kalos superstar was compared to her son; then again, he was awkwardly quiet and bashful while in her presence. All of Jason¡¯s hints about him going through his own Muk came up as they said their goodbyes to the mother and son pair. Obviously, Diantha was an extremely busy woman, and, by her admission, it seemed to have severely cut into her time with Lucian. It did make her happy to hear the Champion moving away from acting and modeling for the near future to spend time with her family; in a way, she wished her own mother could have done the same¡ªeven if that wasn¡¯t quite fair to her mom¡ªand it helped Rhea empathize more with Lucian. Looking at the well-dressed Kalos woman next to her suit-wearing son contrasted how she fantasized he¡¯d grown up. Lucian had always been in the spotlight like Amira, and she could see why the two would cause friction with one another. Amira could have a rather pointed tongue, as well, although it was usually in retaliation rather than starting an argument. Thinking about the powerful, Legendary-tier Champion of Kalos, and her explanation as to her visit, brought Rhea¡¯s thoughts to her aunt. Len, Jason, Mallory, and Amira gathered around her to plan their next move as Rhea pulled out her phone to scroll through any updates; Bianca moved to the side to talk to her husband as he called, a giddy spring in her step, possibly excited to inform him of her new discovery. ¡°So,¡± Len began, eyeing the ships loading up to prepare for their voyages, ¡°got any plans, Lori?¡± ¡°Mmh, yeah,¡± she shoved her thumb behind them in the direction of the inner city. ¡°We gotta stop by the Center to grab some packages and do some stuff before meeting up with Cass; I think they gotta get ready¡ªoh, hehe, Rhea, checking on the Alola boys¡ªwhat are they up to?¡± Amira pulled out her own phone to check her messages, glancing Rhea¡¯s way to see what was on her projected hologram as Jason scooted in to watch. ¡°Eh, I did see a message from them, but no¡ªmy aunt¡¯s in the Region¡­ well, she was two days ago; I don¡¯t know if she¡¯d still be here, unless¡­¡± Jason snickered, finishing her sentence. ¡°Unless Gold, Red, or Leon challenged her¡ªwait, didn¡¯t Diantha say something about shopping or sightseeing?¡± The conversation clicked in Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°Right¡­ Yellow, Green, and Leaf dragged Blue into it.¡± ¡°Pfft¡­¡± Amira rolled her eyes. ¡°More than likely, it was my mother¡¯s idea, and I bet Kris is there, too.¡± ¡°Ohh,¡± Lori grinned. ¡°They¡¯re having their own girls¡¯ time out! Champions and Legends need a break sometimes. Am I right?¡± Her eyes suddenly widened with a sparkle. ¡°Wait, does that mean¡ªhehe, is Iris involved in that if all the girls are getting out?¡± Len¡¯s lips lifted into a half-smile. ¡°I mean, my mom¡¯s had her on the fashion strip more than once, and she seems to love it; she had my mom help with the design of her formal Champion outfit, so I can see them having a good time.¡± Recalling images of the current Unova Champion on the Gossip App, Rhea nodded. ¡°Oh, so that¡¯s her official outfit? It¡¯s really cute¡ªshe¡¯s like a dragon princess¡ªand wait, Iris and Leon¡­¡± Mallory and Len gave each other knowing looks. ¡°Hmm?¡± the Unova girl mused. ¡°A gossip addict like you, Rhea¡ªI bet you''re wondering if Iris and Leon are related. Right?¡± ¡°Are they?¡± Jason questioned, glancing between them. ¡°It¡¯s a pretty popular rumor among the Masters.¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, vision momentarily drifting to Rhea. ¡°I thought you would know that answer since your grandfather is such a huge fan.¡± ¡°It¡¯s never really come up in conversation,¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°Is she? I mean, that¡¯d be really cool if the Galar and Unova Champions are related.¡± Mallory pulled up her own Pikabook to show private pictures of the Unova Elite 4 with Iris in the center with Leon behind her wearing his hat; all of them were doing his trademark pose¡ªthere was clearly some embarrassment on some faces. ¡°Yup!¡± She scrolled down to see more photos of Iris and Leon with someone else Rhea didn¡¯t know at all; Iris was a lot older than she looked¡ªthe curse and blessing of high-tier Trainers growing too fast in their youth. Len forced a chuckle. ¡°Yeah, Caitlin can¡¯t really handle the hyperactive cousins¡­ especially when they get together¡ªso, I don¡¯t know if Iris would be with the boys or girls.¡± ¡°Could honestly be either!¡± Lori chortled. Bianca soon rejoined them, looking bubbly. ¡°Oh, talking about Leon and Iris? They¡¯re such good cousins; hehe, but Hilbert kind of has trouble being with them¡ªit always turns into a battle¡­¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Rhea grumbled, ¡°did everyone know but me?¡± Jason and Amira held up their hands in the not-informed party. Mallory suddenly doubled over with laughter. ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, blushing a bit. ¡°N-No! Not you¡ªhehe, it¡¯s just¡ªI remembered this story Iris told me! Eh-heh¡ªthere was this time when they went to the top of the Reversal Mountains together, and Iris said she should have worn pants because it was cold¡ªpfft¡­ Had Leon spitting out his coffee!¡± ¡°Why?¡± Rhea questioned, looking to the others for the punch. Bianca doubled over with laughter, face turning pink. ¡°She¡ªhehe! In Galar¡­ pfft-hehe¡­ In Galar, pants are¡ªare underwear!¡± ¡°Underwear?¡± Rhea mumbled; a smile and laugh soon followed after replaying the tale. ¡°He thought¡­ Haha!¡± Jason forced an awkward chuckle. ¡°Eh-hah, yeah, not something you want to picture on your cousin¡­¡± ¡°Anyways,¡± Amira waved her hand, ¡°we got to hit the Center and get ready for the club; you boys gonna get dressed up?¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t really have anything else,¡± Jason muttered, looking down at his Training gear. ¡°Do I really have to get some stuff?¡± ¡°Yeah, man!¡± Len smacked his shoulder with the back of his hand, drawing his attention. ¡°We¡¯ll be grabbing some new threads; by the way, I¡¯ve been teachin¡¯ Lucian and Jason how to shuffle, Lori.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± She gave them an inquisitive look as Bianca¡¯s face blanked. ¡°Shuffle?¡± Taking the opportunity to tease her cousin as Lori inspected Jason with a smirk, Rhea leaned in to whisper. ¡°Way to get behind the times, cuz¡ªmarried life in the mountains turning you into an old lady?¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Bianca gave her a dirty look. ¡°Old lady, am I? Show me what this shuffle dance is¡ªI¡¯ll have it down in no time¡ªI dance with Hilbert at least once a month.¡± Mallory looked away, clearly not finding that impressive with her track record. ¡°Eh-yeah! We can do some practice while we find a good outfit. Catch ya later, Len, Jason!¡± ¡°Totally!¡± ¡°See ya, Rhea!¡± ¡°Yeah! Lori¡¯s been showing us how to shuffle, too. Want to see who¡¯s better?¡± ¡°Ah, a competition?¡± Jason snickered. ¡°You¡¯re on¡ªamature shuffle hour!¡± Feeling a little better having Jason there to act the fool with her, she laughed as they split apart; Bianca still seemed a bit salty at her jab. ¡°Old lady¡­ Pfft, who taught you the waltz, hmm?¡± She didn¡¯t know why it felt good to tease her cousin sometimes, but it did make her giggle. Stepping closer to her cousin to put her arms around her, she giggled. ¡°I know; I was just playing! What¡¯s Hilbert up to?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ don¡¯t change the subject¡ªeven with my amazing husband¡ªwhat is this shuffle?¡± ¡°Lori?¡± ¡°Well, to be honest,¡± the Unova girl chuckled, breaking into a backward slide, ¡°Shuffling can be mixed into a lot of different dancing styles, such as the moonwalk. There are all sorts of combinations and techniques, but the simple stuff is just the basic step.¡± ¡°Woah¡­ wait, is this the new thing the kids are doing in Unova¡ª¡± she choked at the self-implication. ¡°I¡¯m not old; I¡¯m 26!¡± ¡°Hehe, yeah,¡± Lori mused, sliding around their slow-moving group as Amira played with her phone. ¡°I suppose you could say I have a doctorate in the Unova shuffle, inventing a few popular moves myself!¡± Bianca hissed, taking her phone out of her purse to show them. ¡°It¡¯s the MemeStar thing, right¡ªthe short video social media platform that¡¯s been popular?¡± ¡°Mhm! I¡¯ve posted a few things since our journey started; memes with our battles and the like¡ªsee, this one with Gables and Pewter Gym has 8 million views and 420k upvotes.¡± Rhea reached over to find Lori¡¯s account on her cousin¡¯s phone. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ here¡ªyou can subscribe to her stuff.¡± ¡°Woah¡­ you have 6 million followers¡ªaww, that¡¯s so sweet and funny¡ªyou have hearts over Gables¡¯ head when his opponent is flying toward him; did he like her?¡± ¡°Yeah, eh-heh, at least 10% of them are bots, I bet¡ªI¡¯ve gained a ton since I started posting some of our daily stuff¡ªand totally! In the end, she was a little bashful, which really got his heart thumping¡ªhe hates that one, but it is pretty funny!¡± ¡°Okay, eh¡­ can I do this in a dress¡ªand here you are doing it in a dress¡­¡± ¡°Mmh-hmm-hmm! Yup, it takes some confidence and not being embarrassed¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re telling me! Man, fashion has gotten crazy in eight years¡­ Oh, but you look so cool with this outfit¡ªthis one is cute, too¡­¡± ¡°Bi! Hehe, you¡¯re totally fanning on the clothes over the dance.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t I enjoy both? Woah, you can do those moves on a tall wall like that¡ªhow did you not get freaked out and fall?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, that one was a competition between Len and me to dance across the dam edge when we were 13¡ªhehe, we got it pretty bad from Elesa when she saw it¡ªcalled us just as we finished since she saw the tail-end of the stream.¡± ¡°So reckless¡­¡± ¡°Eh-yeah, we were a bit reckless back then.¡± Amira glanced over. ¡°Obviously, on the side with no water.¡± ¡°Yeah, even more dangerous to not have the water there.¡± ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Amira grumbled. ¡°At the time, I¡¯d take the straight 300-meter drop.¡± Laughing at Lori¡¯s past stunts, Rhea shifted her attention to Amira; the redhead had been texting someone most of the time. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°What¡¯s up, Amira?¡± ¡°Kekipi, mmh?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± the redhead bashlessly admitted. ¡°He¡¯s asking me questions about the Unova Shuffle; they¡¯ve never done anything like that and are interested in learning¡ªI¡¯m just pointing them to your MemeStar, actually¡ªyou have a few tutorials.¡± It was the lilac-haired girl¡¯s turn to blush. ¡°Old stuff, sure¡ªeh, but I guess it works. Man, I should update that¡ªI haven¡¯t done a basic tutorial since I was twelve¡­ I looked so Fletchling¡­¡± ¡°I think you look adorable,¡± Bianca cooed, looking it up. ¡°Hehe¡ªyou¡¯re missing teeth and have pigtails!¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­ I should delete those.¡± ¡°No! It¡¯s wonderful¡ªI bet your mother looked back on them dozens of times and smiled¡ªso many memories can be triggered.¡± ¡°Painful ones¡ªugh¡­ So cringe¡ªno-ho-ho¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, increasing her pace to look around her cousin¡¯s head to see Lori glaring at a video of her at 9-years-old, attempting to sing one of Elesa¡¯s old classics. ¡°I¡¯m trying to hit Amira notes¡ªso bad¡­¡± Instantly recognizing the world hit song and its implications, causing her cheeks to turn red; certainly, she had been guilty of singing pretty inappropriate songs that had a really good tempo, and with someone as skilled at singing as Elesa, it wasn¡¯t hard to see why many little girls would sing it for generations to come. Back when Plasma was seen as more of a benevolent organization¡ªduring its roots¡ªseveral big names, such as Burgh, made headlines and had a cultural influence on people, making waves. Yet, there was one name that stood out a lot¡ªand not in a good way¡ªwhich had an effect on Plasma¡¯s image to the point he had to go underground; in fact, even now, it was a cultural name that parents blacklisted in naming their children¡ªWeiss¡ªsomeone who¡¯s obsessed with a girl. The phrases, He¡¯s a Weiss and Don¡¯t be a Weiss, became popular due to the controversy that Plasma¡¯s PR team went on overdrive trying to suppress to no avail. Amira redirected the conversation with a slight chuckle. ¡°It¡¯s nice that you think I can reach Elesa¡¯s notes.¡± ¡°Seriously, Girl!¡± Lori instantly replied, pulling her attention away from her first post. ¡°I¡¯ve heard Elesa sing more than most, and you can sing!¡± ¡°If you think I can,¡± she dismissed, but the Unova girl wouldn¡¯t let it rest. Pulling up one of Elesa¡¯s old videos, she played it, showcasing the woman¡¯s range. Amira put away her phone with a frown, listening to the compilation. ¡°Those higher notes are whistles, but yeah, she can go quite low, too.¡± Rhea jumped in. ¡°Mhm! You¡¯ve whistled really high like that before when humming songs.¡± ¡°See! Rhea thinks so, too.¡± Voicing her curiosity, Bianca added her own voice. ¡°I want to hear! Did you take music lessons?¡± Amira glanced around with a small frown, likely looking for any journalists. ¡°I did¡­ My grandma made sure I had a tutor.¡± ¡°At what age?¡± Lori urged. ¡°Five?¡± ¡°Six¡­¡± Now wanting to hear Amira sing again to brighten the mood, knowing she would be happy after getting into it, she asked, ¡°Can you sing a song?¡± ¡°Oh, this one!¡± Lori interjected, pulling up another Elesa song. ¡°I love this one so much!¡± ¡°Bliss?¡± Amira hissed. ¡°Just give me one where I have to go high and low, why don¡¯t you¡­ Fine, but it¡¯s going to draw attention.¡± ¡°Bah!¡± Lori waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Who cares what others think¡ªoh, and you should sing at the club to finish out the night!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself,¡± Amira sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll need water if I¡¯m going to sing that song.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll buy it!¡± Bianca said, motioning them to a vending machine. Moving to the location, Amira started to exercise her throat. ¡°Rhea, if I¡¯m going to do this, we need to do it right, which means you¡¯ll need to do the background.¡± ¡°Eh?! I can¡¯t do those super high notes in the background.¡± Lori shook her head. ¡°No, she wants you to do the lower background sounds¡ªyou know, the humming¡ªI can help! It¡¯s like what we did when on the Routes.¡± ¡°No one was around then,¡± Rhea mumbled, now feeling embarrassed, but she¡¯d be a hypocrite if she didn¡¯t participate. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Okay¡­¡± Amira gave her an encouraging look. ¡°A good way to deal with crowd pressure is just to pretend it¡¯s just you; get lost in the music.¡± As she¡¯d expected, Amira was totally into it once pushed. Amira put on the instrumental at a lower volume so she could start getting used to the tempo and rhythm, and after a bit, they were moving down the sidewalk, drawing eyes and whispers as they went through various songs. Naturally, Lori pulled up Elesa¡¯s music to test Amira¡¯s vocals, and just before reaching the Center, they¡¯d attracted the ear of a producer, who eagerly approached them; he hadn¡¯t even noticed it was Amira Rocket until getting her name, which brought a bit of hesitation, yet he pushed forward, giving the redhead his card. They were polite, and when they finished, there were claps from those who followed to listen, compliments being thrown around; Rhea smiled at the embarrassed Rocket girl, not used to receiving such comments from the public. However, once inside the Center, Mallory revealed she¡¯d recorded a part of it with a toothy grin, making Amira¡¯s face drain of color. ¡°You can¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Think about it!¡± Lori pressured, walking backward while playing it; Amira had really been into the song, proved by the fact she hadn¡¯t noticed the Unova girl¡¯s expert timing. ¡°What better publicity and support could Rocket get¡ªI have six million followers¡ªfree publicity! They¡¯ll be swooning over the amazing Rocket girl¡ªthe next Elesa!¡± Dirty! Rhea grimaced at Amira¡¯s pulled-in lips, downcast vision seriously considering it now. You totally know Amira would do anything for her family, even if she¡¯s uncomfortable! Mallory wasn¡¯t backing down, wearing an innocent smile that hid the Impidimp within, and if Rhea didn¡¯t know any better, Miky had been the one to suggest it. ¡°I¡­ suppose it is good publicity, but it¡¯s mainly for me, not my grandfather¡­¡± ¡°I can totally manipulate it with the title and text! Rocket¡¯s hiding a Fire Stone worth of talent like this red-haired beauty?! Conspiracy! Fire Stones come from this Rocket girl¡¯s voice! A voice from Rocket that reaches the stars!¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­ Work in progress¡­¡± ¡°Yes! Let¡¯s make this good!¡± Bianca and Rhea giggled at the pair as they came together, Amira working on a title and texting with Lori to give Rocket free publicity; the snickering, lilac-haired girl playing dirty games to push Amira out of her comfort zone and into the public eye again. Rhea had no doubt it would generate dozens of articles to be written, and worse, they weren¡¯t even asking if she was okay with being plastered in front of millions of people singing! Settling on a conclusion, Rhea saw Casey Delibird it a minute later, which reposted it to her over 46 million followers, causing Amira and her face to go white, and it got worse as it was then followed by their mother¡¯s Delibird to her own 45 million followers¡ªit was beyond viral in an instant¡ªand with the Rocket tag, it was number one on every trending chart. The three of them singing Elesa¡¯s Bliss was getting insane attention, and to make matters worse, dozens of high-profile, verified individuals¡ªElesa included¡ªcommented on the video within fifteen minutes, sparking further Delibirds to reach across the world. 3:39 P.M. Gym Leader Elesa: Masterful, Girls! I look forward to singing with you when you come to Unova; Amira has a natural vocal talent. 3:40 P.M. Elite 4 Drake: My darling is so talented! T_T 3:41 P.M. Pop Idol Curtis: Wow! Amira can hit some incredible notes. 3:42 P.M. Living Legend Leaf: Ooh! I didn¡¯t know you girls could sing! Heavenly! 3:42 P.M. Living Legend Yellow: <3 3:44 P.M. Rocket High Executive Ariana: Lovely, as always, Darling! 3:44 P.M. Champion Diantha: You¡¯d be brilliant in a musical! I can see you have a place in Hollywood in the future; keep up the hard work, Girls! 3:44 P.M. Pop Idol Yancy: So much talent! Your range is phenomenal, Amira! Rhea and Lori are excellent, too! I didn¡¯t know you could not only dance, but sing. 3: 45 P.M. Gym Leader Fantina: Fantastique! 3:45 P.M. Former Champion Lyra: You¡¯re melting your mother¡¯s heart! Your grandmother just tagged me; I¡¯m going to put this as my morning alarm! 3:47 P.M. Contest Idol Lisia: Dazzling! Dazzling! Sooo miraculous! You muuust do Contests! Let¡¯s set up a concert together when you come to Hoenn! It will be sooo spectacular! 3:49 P.M. Champion Cynthia: Lovely, Girls! I look forward to hearing it firsthand soon. ??? So¡­ Does this mean Auntie is going to show up soon? She can be such a tease¡­ ¡°Lori¡­¡± Amira mumbled, vision throwing daggers at the chuckling girl. ¡°Wow! I didn¡¯t expect Cass and Mom to Delibird it out to their own audience¡­¡± Totally unconvinced by her side-long grin, Rhea sighed, and clearly, she knew Yancy somehow, considering she used her nickname. ¡°Well¡­ I guess the world knows us now¡­¡± Trying to not let the notifications blowing up her phone get to her, Rhea put away her phone as Amira and Lori collected their Master Balls and the package for their custom Trainer dresses. They moved to a more private dressing area, but even then, the younger girls that entered further drew them into awkward conversations, enthralled by the viral post their friends shared with them. Miky, Gables, Amber, and Holly transferred to the Master Balls, which required them to do some internal function within the devices to make the capsule their new homes; upon inquiry, they communicated it was a vast improvement, like moving from a house to a castle, according to Gables. Keeping their Training dresses in the packages to be used later, Lori guided a disgruntled Amira and Rhea to the Cerulean Shopping District with an amused Bianca in-tow, watching the video again. ¡°You really are gifted, Amira.¡± ¡°Haaa¡­ I suppose. It feels good when I¡¯m in it, but¡­ this is a bit much,¡± she grumbled, seeing the sparkling eyes of people following them. ¡°It¡¯s as much attention I had when I got into that fight¡­¡± ¡°Totally different!¡± Lori flatly denied. ¡°You see how people are reacting; it¡¯s only been an hour, and look at the reception. You¡¯re a superstar¡ªlike I knew you were! You¡¯ve become the face of Rocket; I bet if you called your grandma, she¡¯d tell you sales are up so high!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point¡­ but yes, thank you¡­¡± ¡°No, the point is perception! Before, everyone saw you as the hothead, beautiful girl that beat up a boy, but now you¡¯re a gorgeous, superstar mascot¡ªas you should be!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not that good,¡± Amira mumbled, cheeks darkening as a group of teenage girls pointed at them and ran over. ¡°Hey!¡± ¡°Amira Rocket, right?¡± ¡°Are you kidding? What other girl has red hair like hers!¡± ¡°Oh, are you going to do a concert with Lisia?¡± ¡°Yeah, I saw she invited you to Hoenn!¡± ¡°Your voice is so pretty!¡± Rhea awkwardly stood back with her thrilled cousin as the redhead stole the spotlight, a few other girls taking these teens¡¯ self-invitation as courage to make their own approach. Amira handled it expertly as expected, better than Rhea would have. ¡°Eh-hehe¡­ thanks. I¡¯m just trying to complete the Encrusted Gym Challenge at the moment; I can¡¯t say for the future.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not a no!¡± ¡°That would be so awesome¡ªoh, and Gym Leader Elesa!¡± ¡°Yeah, she commented that she wanted to do a song with you¡ªwouldn¡¯t that be amazing?!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see, but right now, we have somewhere¡ª¡± ¡°Umm, can I have your autograph!¡± a twelve-year-old girl asked before stopping in her dash, practically bouncing on her toes as her older brother hung back, not making eye contact. ¡°I saw you trending¡ªare you going to be a singer¡ªI want to be a singer, too, but you have such a great voice!¡± ¡°Thanks¡­¡± It took a bit to get away from the throng, and they didn¡¯t make it far before Casey joined them, a toothy grin in place as she was flanked by her two teammates; Inoa seemed to be having a bit of trouble, vision nervously drifting around at the emotionally charged attention they attracted. Bianca couldn¡¯t help but take pictures herself, posting them to Pikabook for the family as she documented their journey and Rhea¡¯s first experience with a dance club; Alice and Nova were alight with activity at the attention they were getting from the people too shy to approach Amira. ¡°Yo, Sis! When did you become a singer? You turned down every offer Elesa gave you for lessons.¡± ¡°Not my thing! How¡¯s it been?¡± Rhea tucked in her bottom lip, not knowing what to do as the pair broke into insults, yet each one was followed with grins and laughter. ¡°Chill. You were on point, Munchlax! Have you added even more weight to that bust?¡± ¡°Stuff your mouth with that Tangla hair¡ªjust how long are you gonna grow that mess?¡± ¡°Hehe! At least I can get rid of mine!¡± ¡°True! Wanna take a few pounds off me?¡± ¡°I think I¡¯m perfectly proportionate, Sis, but ever since I let Ellie manage my social media account like you said, I¡¯ve been blowing up!¡± ¡°Nice! Hate you, by the way.¡± ¡°Oh, totally¡ªgo die!¡± ¡°Eat an Onix!¡± ¡°Haha! I mean, not everyone can have hair like mine!¡± ¡°Says the lawn chair; grown paler, Sis?¡± ¡°What do you mean, heh, I¡¯m totally tanner¡ªugh, maybe not as much as you now.¡± ¡°Been soaking those rays!¡± ¡°Nice! I can tell, and soaking up that meat! Oh, and not seeing all the hate is nice¡ªshe found some awesome comments this morning!¡± ¡°Sweet! Yeah, I saw you passed Mom!¡± ¡°Right?! I literally cried when Inoa told me.¡± ¡°She cried with you?¡± ¡°Naturally, she¡¯s sensitive like that, which was so nice!¡± The Alolan girl blushed at the compliment. ¡°You two¡­ good?¡± Rhea questioned. ¡°Hmm?¡± Casey snickered. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just fun; I¡¯ve been having a blast with Inoa and Ellie¡ªdid you know Ellie is just a Meme expert? Like, she¡¯s a genius, I swear!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen! Memeing on the trolls and fake fans; thanks for helpin¡¯ my sister, Ellie, Inoa!¡± The straight-faced, Galarian girl gave a peace sign that made them giggle, and the Alolan girl twisted her dress with an embarrassed smile. ¡°Cass has been such a supportive friend¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, she¡¯s cool,¡± Ellie stated, giving her a thumbs up. ¡°It¡¯s been fun.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart warmed at the sight of the bonding girls, looking back at the scattered information she¡¯d known about the group; it had been a mess so far as she¡¯d been able to tell, but after Jade and Lori spent time with them, they¡¯d seemed to make up. ¡°So,¡± Rhea cleared her throat, ignoring the photos from those who followed them, some journalists, ¡°we going to get clothes for this dance?¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªI got this awesome place,¡± Casey grinned, motioning for them to cross the street. ¡°Lori and I will get you fitted for an awesome club night! Let¡¯s go!¡± B2 — 16. Starting A Tsunami 5 P.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). On the way to the boutique¡ªone Casey had been recommended by one of her Cerulean fans¡ªthey gained quite the gathering. Yet, despite Rhea¡¯s fears at the number of people surrounding them, the mood had changed dramatically to when the focus was on their three-person team. Casey and Mallory bounced off each other, acting as the center of attention with jokes, posing for walking photos with fans, and creating a fun, active environment that invited people to cycle in and out to have their time with them, showing how accustomed they were to being in public. As she observed¡ªenjoying the positive vibes¡ªRhea noticed Casey may have been the one to bring that energetic mood, but it was her step-sister that acted as the relief, pointing individuals out and motioning them forward to keep the enthusiasm rebounding. She gave everyone time to have their ten or twenty seconds in the circle. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but admire how amazing Lori really was, doing the same interference with Amira, and occasionally with her, yet between their new star of a singer and the famous Unova sisters, Rhea was very outshined by her other friends, and that was just fine by her¡ªshe just enjoyed the atmosphere. A few bad actors would try to instigate¡ªmainly targeting her cousin and Amira¡ªtrying to bring up past actions or controversies to get a gotcha moment, but Lori was quick to call them out, building Casey¡¯s confidence to joke about it. Their attempts became almost pitiful as the two easily turned the court of public opinion on the people trying to ruin the vibe. It soon became apparent the troublemakers weren¡¯t going to turn the crowd against them due to the two sisters instantly swapping between each other with witty comments, pushing the trolls out quick and shutting down their attention-seeking behaviors. One person with a microphone was screeching about something to do with Rocket¡ªRhea couldn¡¯t quite understand their high-pitched calls with the boos mixed into his disruption¡ªand she had no clue what happened to him after five minutes, but by the sounds of it, he¡¯d been pushed to the outside of the throng. It didn¡¯t take long for the deplorables to be trolled or heckled out, and not getting the reaction they came for, they left, causing the interactions to only grow more fun with the people wanting to have a good time. Mya didn¡¯t want to get involved in the massive crowd at all, especially after one such rude, middle-aged woman had laughed at Rhea for losing to Forrest, being Cynthia¡¯s niece, leaving Alice and Nova to soak up all the love and pictures. Rhea could understand why her Mawile was being more reserved after having salt rubbed in that old wound. Even if she was Adamant Natured, she still had feelings, and it was a harsh memory. As pissed as Rhea was that someone could say such things to a baby Pokemon, not even a month old, she also knew if she let it slide, it could turn into a future problem for her sensitive Mawile, who was already going through internal trouble with Alice. Humming to the music playing around them¡ªone small group of amateur shuffle dancers attempting to do a moving dance-off between the two sisters¡ªRhea tried to figure out how to approach her Steel/Fairy Pokemon¡¯s issues. After some inquiry, her heart went out for Mya; it hadn¡¯t just been the Trainers, but a few of the floating Pokemon overhead that Nova and even Alice called out¡ªthe other, stronger Pokemon had also pushed them out, but their comments stuck in her self-conscious Mawile¡¯s head¡ªthat moment had left a big scar on her self-confidence. A smile touched Rhea¡¯s lips as a few twelve to fourteen-year-old girls made it through the crowd, wanting to see her more than the other girls. ¡°Umm¡ªhey! I, uh¡­ I was wondering if we could get pictures with Mya,¡± the older girl nervously asked, trying to be heard past the claps and laughter of the throng nearby. A black-haired twelve-year-old nodded, holding up her phone to show the Pewter battle, shocking Mya at their inquiry. ¡°Yeah¡ªMya was so pretty and awesome! We¡¯ve never seen a black and white Mawile¡ªshe¡¯s just so cool¡ªthe way she never gave up!¡± ¡°Oh! You¡¯re fans of Mya?¡± Rhea chimed, shifting Lori''s package to lean against her other side; the Unova girl had asked her to hold it while she interacted with the dancers or fans looking for pictures. ¡°Mhm! My big sister wants to get a Mawile egg for her first Pokemon¡ªMya just looked so strong!¡± ¡°Totally! I¡¯ve never seen a baby Pokemon as strong as her, and I heard Steel/Fairy is an amazing Type combination!¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± Rhea nodded, Bianca remaining nearby to be her support. ¡°Yup! Incredible offense and defense.¡± ¡°So cool!¡± ¡°She¡¯s gorgeous, too¡ªso¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, can we get a picture with her?¡± See, you have fans too, Mya; it¡¯s not just Alice and Nova. Rhea chuckled internally at her caution. What do you say? The girls were bright-eyed, talking amongst themselves about the battle and how Mya¡¯s last attack looked epic in the replays. Coaxed out and a little nervous, she finally agreed to it with Nova¡¯s encouragement tipping the scale; she swapped places with the Eevee for Bianca to take their phones, acting as the photographer. Squeals came from the teens as her vicious salt-and-pepper cutie came out, slowing for a second to take a few awkward photos that were so adorable that she had them Icyfanged to her. Noticing the Mawile out, a few more of Mya¡¯s fans¡ªmostly girls the same age as the others¡ªcame forward, wanting her to make little scary-cute poses they could post on Pikasnap, to which Rhea was all for. It was only for three or so minutes as they continued to shuffle through the streets, after which she was right back into her pokeball¡ªthe girls seemed to intuitively understand¡ªand to show how much her courage meant to them, the girls and Rhea set the image to be their background. She could feel the positive embarrassment of her little fighter, warming her heart as Nova jumped out to lavish in the hole Mya left, posing for several more herself¡ªher Eevee was a natural at finding the cutest angles and expressions. As expected, by the time their short photoshoot was done, Casey, Lori, and surprisingly Inoa, made the group of nineteen-year-old boy shuffle dancers admit defeat. They were politely turned down to exchange numbers, naturally, having a general policy at it. The ever-growing teens, who idolized the popular Unova sisters¡ªespecially the energy the two brought¡ªand the new Rocket singing superstar, trending on just about all platforms from the colossal influencers that Delibirded their performance out, they didn¡¯t get too far in their slow forty-minute journey. In the end, it took the police to break up the crowd, acting as if it was a concert, drawing more curious people, which only increased the public disturbance; once it was becoming trouble for traffic, the authorities made it clear the throng needed to disperse or be arrested. Waving everyone off as the police escorted them away, more officers showing up to handle the redirection, they made it to the boutique Casey wanted them to shop at; it was nice of the authorities to remain for a while to make sure no one tried to harass them. Thoughts moving away from the unusual flash mob they¡¯d unintentionally caused¡ªof course, Rhea wondered if Lori knew exactly what she was doing¡ªshe began browsing the small shop merchandise. The majority of the outfits weren¡¯t precisely what Rhea expected. Instead of looking at the really fancy stuff, Lori drew their attention to more simple, tighter, and¡ªmost importantly¡ªcheaper clothing that would help them not trip in their inexperience; the most expensive part was the shoes, coming up to 450 credits, or almost half of a normal Gym challenge. Rhea cleared her throat, holding up the orange Rotom Kicks V9, somewhat distracted by the background music, Memories¡ªone of Curtis¡¯ songs; Alice and Nova danced together, Gables teaching their small group of Pokemon. ¡°Are you sure we need to spend money on these when we¡¯re just using them once?¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Casey interjected, giggling at Bean¡ªher Mudkip¡ªattempting to show her own moves to Miky and Ellie, who was recording them for a MemeStar post. ¡°Shoes are the most important thing with Shuffle!¡± Lori jumped in, holding up red Mark 8 Rotom Heats for Amira. ¡°Without a doubt! Everyone¡¯s eyes are on your legwork, which means you gotta have bright colors to draw attention to the style!¡± Inoa hummed, inspecting some Charjabug Skitters. ¡°Kanto has a storage center for foreign Trainers to send stuff¡­ What about locals?¡± ¡°Wait, really?¡± Rhea asked, the first time hearing about it. ¡°I was just going to send them back home¡ªthere¡¯s a PO box we use in the village¡ªeh, does it cost money?¡± ¡°A bit,¡± Amira absently replied, taking her eyes off the shoes to look at nearby black, fashionably ripped pants. ¡°It certainly adds up over time and would generally require budgeting, considering the number of units they need to keep, especially with how many Trainers are currently in Kanto.¡± ¡°Eh, if that¡¯s an issue, you can send stuff to my home,¡± Rhea offered. ¡°Heh, no charge¡ªwell, except for the postal.¡± Alice and Nova swapped pace in their dance, causing Jordi¡ªEllie¡¯s Charmander¡ªand Blu¡ªInoa¡¯s shiny Cyndaquil¡ªto clap as the song changed to Curtis¡¯ Ladykiller; they were becoming interested in the activity after meeting up with Casey¡¯s Pokemon. ¡°That would be nice,¡± Inoa smiled, her Alolan accent coming through. ¡°Sending anything back home is insanely expensive.¡± Amira took the Rotom Heats after hearing Casey¡¯s advice on playing into her fiery look. ¡°You can send them to Rocket if you want; I¡¯ll text Matori to have a storage setup¡ªyou can charge it to Rocket, as well¡ªit can be used as a tax write-off, supporting new Trainers.¡± ¡°Nice!¡± Lori grinned, giving her a thumbs up and doing a quick moonwalk, snatching a hat, spinning and tipping it down to do a swift pose. ¡°Oooh-hoo¡­ It¡¯s like a cheap thriller¡ªshe¡¯s such a ladykiller!¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Seriously, Amira!¡± Casey jumped in. ¡°The more I get to know you, the more awesome you become¡ªLori¡¯s always texting me about how generous you are with the beauty tips¡ªoh, check it, she sent me a recording of the thing you taught her a few days ago!¡± Bianca laughed. ¡°You should start posting those on your Pokebook for her mother.¡± ¡°You were recording me? And please, no,¡± Amira sighed, giving the grinning Unova sisters a forced smile. ¡°If you start doing that, she¡¯ll expect daily uploads; ugh-heh, I swear, you¡¯re better than an undercover reporter at it, though.¡± Casey snickered. ¡°Lori¡¯s gotta be slick to catch our parents! And what¡¯s wrong with daily uploads? My mom¡¯s been commenting and liking all of my stuff recently¡ªI love it!¡± ¡°I saw that!¡± Lori mused. ¡°Mom¡¯s been way more attentive lately, huh?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Sis; you¡¯ve always got a Vise Grip on Mom¡¯s neck, I swear; she¡¯s way better than you give her credit for.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Lori shrugged, reaching out to pull her into a hug, ¡°but I wanna make sure you¡¯re taken care of¡ªso I gotta Slam her every once in a while to keep her on her toes!¡± ¡°Geez, hehe, you¡¯re always so overprotective.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good thing in my book,¡± Bianca smiled. ¡°Rhea¡¯s always had my back when I needed someone and Hilbert was away¡­ Everyone needs¡ªeh, really?¡± she laughed, and they looked up at the speakers as more of Curtis¡¯ catalog played, She Will Be Loved coming on. Rhea knew the song was a soft, bitter-sweet spot for her cousin; she played it on repeat when her fanbase turned on her, doxing her out of the public and how supportive Hilbert had been to her during those rough days. Holding out her hand, her cousin smiled and took it, squeezing to know she was okay. ¡°Ahem¡­ No joke!¡± Inoa forced a laugh, likely sensing Bianca¡¯s internal heart flutter with her Empathy. ¡°So, are we going to get to this dance?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah!¡± Lori chimed in. ¡°Let¡¯s get steppin¡¯! It¡¯s already 6:23¡ªShuffle Night starts at 7 in the parking lot.¡± ¡°Parking lot?!¡± Rhea and Amira questioned in unison. Lori nodded, snatching a pair of white shoes¡ªcomplete with rainbow-colored flashing lights¡ªgiving them to her sister in her size. ¡°Yup! You saw those videos I showed you; the indoor stuff is there, too, but you guys aren¡¯t good enough to jump into the tight-space stuff¡ªthis will be funner¡ªand they got an outdoor DJ to mix things up.¡± Rhea could see Amira holding herself back from telling her that wasn¡¯t a real word as Cassey pointed Rhea to a bright-yellow pair of shoes, gently pulling the orange ones away and putting them back. ¡°You guys should go with colors that match your hair¡ªhehe, especially with hair as long as yours; they won¡¯t know what to look at, your bouncing hair or feet!¡± ¡°Good thought!¡± Bianca added, but Rhea could hear the small note in her voice. Her poor cousin was reliving a part of her past taruma¡ªlikely made worse by the comments from the terrible people in the crowd¡ªnow triggered by the song, and taking her back to that time. ¡°Erm¡ªso, should I go with a yellow, too?¡± ¡°Yeah, match with me, Bi!¡± Wrapping up, they picked a variety of outfits, the sisters choosing more flashy dresses with short-shorts to add more flair to their colorful advanced moves. On their way out, Lori brought up a group she¡¯d started and sent out to her followers, Casey Delibirding it to her own audience; news was spreading online about them going to the Cerulean Clefairy Club¡¯s Moonlite Shuffle Night, and the number of others attending was skyrocketing. Amira gave her a dull look upon countering by showing Cerulean City¡¯s official website, where they posted that due to the flood of people centralizing around Downtown Cerulean, there would be an extra deployment of officers to redirect traffic; the club had caught wind of the influx and informed the Governor¡¯s Office¡ªMisty seemed to be forced to get involved. ¡°Smooth.¡± Lori rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°Eh-hehe, well¡ªI didn¡¯t think it would hit roughly 50,000 that said they¡¯d be going¡ªtypically, we¡¯d be lucky to get 1,000 in this short of a time.¡± Casey snickered, holding up her own phone to show them why it had blown up. ¡°Seems Mom and Dad also said they¡¯d pay a visit¡­¡± ¡°Wait¡­ I didn¡¯t¡­ Dad, hehe¡­¡± To Rhea¡¯s surprise, she saw a meme on the Unova Elite Four¡¯s profile showing the Cascade Badge, a dancer, and Meloetta with a picture of him smirking. ¡°Uh¡­ What¡¯s that about?¡± Amira puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°It¡¯s a style of meme that is typical of Dark Grandmasters; it¡¯s basically him saying he¡¯s taking a pretty lady¡ªKaren¡ªto a club in Cerulean, and with the one we¡¯re going having a Unova Shuffle night¡­ Two plus two.¡± ¡°Did you tell your parents?¡± Inoa asked, giving Bianca a concerned frown after a second; it was probably worse than she was letting on. While the group discussed how crazy things always seemed to escalate over the last few weeks, Rhea took the opportunity to text her aunt and Hilbert, having a feeling she was going to show up at some point tonight or tomorrow. Rhea 6:38 P.M: Hey, Auntie, Hilbert. Bi is having a bit of a rough time; we were swarmed by a group, and people were trying to get a rise out of her, bringing up the past. I know you¡¯re possibly thinking about showing up in the next bit, Auntie, and just wanted you to know. She Will Be Loved kind of triggered her a bit. Putting away her phone¡ªBianca none the wiser at her message¡ªRhea sighed. ¡°So, we meeting up with Jason and the others?¡± she absently asked, squeezing her cousin¡¯s hand to pull her soft, questioning smile. ¡°Umm¡­ Maybe I shouldn¡¯t come, Rhea; this is supposed to be your date night.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lori¡¯s eyebrows pulled together. ¡°No need to feel like a 3rd wheel, Bianca; we can totally all chill together¡ªit¡¯s more of a hangout, really¡ªlike a soft date. We¡¯re just having fun.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Casey interjected. ¡°There will be a ton of people there; we probably won¡¯t even be all that noticed!¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ I guess,¡± Bianca said, unable to say no to people. ¡°Want to dance with me?¡± Rhea asked, knowing being alone was the last thing she needed. ¡°Hmm-hmm. I don¡¯t want to look like a fool alone!¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re right. I guess that¡¯s fine.¡± Reassuring the 26-year-old researcher, they made their way through the streets, and, to her excitement, her cry for help was answered several minutes later. Bianca came to a dead stop as a handsome, tall, light-steely-blue-haired man appeared out of rainbow hues, wearing beachwear, a beautiful, blonde Legend in a light blue summer dress beside him. ¡°M-Mom¡­ Champion Steven Stone?! Eh¡­¡± ¡°Alola!¡± Cynthia giggled, her Porygon-Z spinning above them. ¡°Y-You came all the way from Alola?¡± Inoa asked, stunned by the distance to her home region. ¡°No, no,¡± Steven chuckled. ¡°We were exploring some ruins in the Orange Archipelago.¡± Cynthia strode forward to hug her daughter, Rhea waiting for her turn next, excitement bubbling up in her breast. ¡°We stopped by Mt. Silver to drag Hilbert over, too; he¡¯s just finishing up a training session with Leon.¡± ¡°Hilbert¡¯s coming?!¡± ¡°He said he¡¯d be here soon! Leon¡¯s gonna Teleport him over after he heard you were heading to a club without an escort. Rhea! How¡¯s my little Swablu?¡± ¡°Happy to see you!¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. I think we should probably stop in to see Misty; don¡¯t want her having too much trouble, and it seems a lot of celebrities are showing up and causing trouble in her city.¡± ¡°Good thinking,¡± Steven grinned. ¡°If we¡¯re going to impose, we might as well help her keep things orderly and provide what support we can.¡± Happy to have her aunt nearby, Rhea felt far more confident. ¡°We¡¯re going to a Unova Shuffle event.¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Steven gave the Sinnoh Champion a sly grin, taking off his sunglasses to stick them in his shirt front; Amira eyed them with a slight frown, likely wanting to get replacements of her own. ¡°It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve tried out that style of dancing. What do you say, Cynthia?¡± They all forced a chuckle as the two Legendary Champions¡¯ eyes illuminated with their aura as they gave each other smirks. ¡°I may have lost in our last dance-off, but you best be prepared; Volkner is shockingly good at the style, inventing his own Sinnoh branch to it.¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± Rhea grinned; her aunt always turned everything up to 1000% wherever she went, and the fact she had such a close friendship and rivalry with the Hoenn Champion¡ªbordering on a full-blown relationship to many Gossip article writers¡ªmeant things were going to get crazy. ¡°Lit!¡± Casey cheered, her sister soon following it up. ¡°We¡¯re about to go get our dates. Are you going to join us?¡± ¡°Of course! Hehe, who are these boys?¡± Casey snickered. ¡°Some Alola thugs that Lori¡¯s and Len¡¯s team met. They¡¯re meeting us near Downtown Main¡¯s Center; they¡¯ve been waiting for a good fifteen minutes.¡± ¡°Fashionably late; I like it! Ah, and those boys, huh? I¡¯ve seen them battle Rhea; they seemed¡­ nice,¡± Cynthia mused. ¡°We¡¯ll be talking with Misty before she¡¯s forced to Teleport to us¡ªwant to join us, Honey? Leon is sending Hilbert to us since he doesn¡¯t know your aura.¡± ¡°Umm, yeah! Thanks, Mom!¡± A hurricane as always, her aunt gave Rhea a grin and a wave, disappearing in rainbow lights with Steven and her cousin. ¡°See you in twenty! Oh, and lovely voices, girls; maybe you can sing to end the night, Amira,¡± she winked as they vanished. ¡°Mmh-hmm-hmm¡­¡± ¡°Later, Auntie!¡± Glad to see Bianca¡¯s eyes sparkling again, Rhea took a deep breath, catching everyone¡¯s gaze. ¡°Huh¡ªwhat?¡± Amira slowly shook her head. ¡°Honestly, Rhea¡­ How much attention do you want to give us? Not only is the Kalos Champion here, but Sinnoh, Hoenn, and now the former Unova Champion¡­¡± ¡°Not all of that is my fault,¡± Rhea defended as they continued their journey, now excited butterflies in her stomach, and her phone vibrated, showing a message from Katelin. ¡°Nice! My brother and Kate are coming; they saw your post, Lori!¡± ¡°Wow¡­¡± Ellie mumbled with a straight face, holding up Casey¡¯s phone. ¡°We¡¯ll get some good MemeStar footage.¡± ¡°Is that what you¡¯re focused on?¡± Inoa hissed. ¡°I¡ªI don¡¯t know if I can do this, Cass¡­¡± ¡°Breathe¡ªin and out¡­¡± Casey prompted as her emotionally charged teammate began to hyperventilate, having held the air in her lungs for much of the Champions¡¯ short entrance. ¡°Remember; exposure therapy!¡± ¡°This isn¡¯t the same club night you sold me on¡­ We¡¯re talking about thousands of people!¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s growing bigger.¡± Their attention moved to Amira as she held up Cerelean¡¯s official website again, which showed a big picture of Yancy, the famous Pop-Star. ¡°Apparently, she was performing on the SS Annabel cruise ship that is just pulling into port, and¡ªan event is being set up for tomorrow, too¡ªshe wants to do a surprise concert with me¡­ How is this happening?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t it great?! We battle Misty in the morning and get to hit an Amira and Yancy colab-concert in the evening tomorrow!¡± Lori squealed. ¡°Yancy can DJ, mix, and sing, too¡ªtotal babe and full package; I¡¯ve gone to plenty of her concerts where she does voiceovers live in songs! This is turning into Kanto¡¯s version of Unova Summer Fire Fest!¡± ¡°Ultra hype!¡± Casey laughed, shoving her sister over a little for them to break into a short unified dance skit as they walked, drawing more eyes. ¡°We¡¯re totally here for you, Inoa! Feed off the high!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ never done that before¡­¡± the mocha-skinned Alolan girl fearfully mumbled. ¡°What if I go crazy?!¡± ¡°That¡¯d be great! Let¡¯s all go crazy; Kanto Fire Fest, Baby!¡± Lori cheered. Breaking into a skip, they all got into the rhythm, Rhea was surprised at just how much she enjoyed it. ¡°What do you think, Amira? I think you¡¯d do amazing!¡± ¡°Singing, maybe¡­ I don¡¯t know about DJ¡¯ing or whatever.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she knows that; Yancy¡¯s great with collaborations and working with upcoming artists,¡± Casey interjected. ¡°Are you going to do it?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll probably see her, but¡­ Well, I already promised Kekipi that I¡¯d meet up with him after our match with Misty¡­¡± ¡°Cool!¡± Lori lagged a second to take the redhead¡¯s hands and bring her into a faster-paced dance, Gables using her phone to play music. ¡°Bring him backstage! I¡¯m sure Rhea¡¯s aunt and Steven Stone are gonna be brought into the loop to help put the stage together¡ªmaybe Diantha will get involved, too; Cerulean is the place to be!¡± Casey¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Oh, I should send out the word¡ªwe¡¯re startin¡¯ Kanto Fire Fest today¡ªand more tomorrow! Ellie?¡± ¡°Just¡­ sent it,¡± she replied in her even tone and expression. ¡°W-Wait!¡± Inoa cried, but it was too late. ¡°Do we really want to hype it up even more¡ªpeople will fly in overnight?!¡± ¡°To the moon!¡± Lori shouted, unable to stop her body from moving and drawing Rhea into it next; she kept trying to follow the girl¡¯s movements¡ªthis was actually pretty fun. ¡°The best parties are sporadic!¡± Amira sighed, looking at her phone again to refresh it. ¡°So¡­ Yancy is being set up in Cerulean Stadium¡ªthey¡¯re throwing the cover over the floor, and it¡¯s now been officially announced¡­ Yancy, Karen, Grimsley, Steven Stone, Cynthia, Hilbert¡­ Diantha is also going to make a brief appearance with Yancy¡­ Your aunt and Steven can sing, too?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°She can do anything¡ªliterally.¡± She couldn¡¯t explain the energy flowing through her, and it might have even been Inoa¡¯s influence, but she¡¯d never felt her heart thump like this before; it felt like she was on fire. Having it turn into a soft group date rather than feeling pressured into a single, awkward thing was way better; now, it was time to meet up with the boys and hit the sporadic event. ¡°Makes sense, I supp¡ª¡± Amira choked as a new text message popped up on her screen. ¡°Pfft¡­ My mom and dad are coming now¡ªboth my grandparents will be in the City-State for my match tomorrow¡­ What have you started, Lori?!¡± ¡°A tsunami¡ªand I wouldn¡¯t change a thing, haha! Let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go!¡± B2 — 17. Whats Wrong With Me?! 7:08 P.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). Increasing their pace as seven came around, Rhea chuckled when they neared Mainstreet, the sound of music pumping through Downtown Cerulean only growing. It seemed the celebration was spreading fast, and the local Masters were riding the hype, setting up hubs throughout the area to accommodate the massive influx of Trainers. The crowds were getting so big with teenagers flooding the roads that it made their group practically invisible; Rhea couldn¡¯t believe how different it was compared to Apple City¡¯s alien party. She¡¯d never seen people with this kind of energy. Amira kept track of the rapidly changing atmosphere of Cerulean through the City¡¯s official website, which most Trainers around Kanto¡ªespecially those living in the City-State¡ªfollowed. Every notification was instantly trending with the huge traction every announcement brought, further propelling interaction around the world with so many stars increasing traffic. Yancy called for any nearby band to Direct Message her; she was keen to add to the growing line-up¡ªnow she was working with the Cerulean Planning Committee it would be easy to transform the event into a battle of the bands with open areas for dancing. Masters used Psychic and Electric Pokemon to set up stages across Downtown to accommodate the flash party; if that wasn¡¯t enough hype for the bands scrambling to book a place, Cynthia and Steven¡¯s additions exploded online. Electric Pokemon were now taking to the sky with large displays and cameras to spread the party remotely with speakers to the other parts of the city. The two Champions live streaming their own adventures, Porygon-Z and Claydol floating them through the air to show the two dancing against gravity, it set the inspiration for other participating Masters to do the same. The two cleared out all of the City¡¯s event storage floats and portable stages to begin various moving performances that were swiftly being mapped out, setting up block parties en masse to disperse the clustering people and Pokemon in the flash celebration. Rhea couldn¡¯t believe how many things had come together to make this work as Karen and Grimsley joined the Bay Stadium party; she¡¯d never seen so many people all jumping in unison, flashing lights, Fire Moves, and Mist being used by Trainers to heighten the experience. According to Amira, something like this would bring a huge influx to Cerulean¡¯s revenue to do further city projects; the increase in required goods were being handled by Diantha¡¯s Gardevoir, imported in from surrounding towns as the Pokemon volunteered, leaving the Campion to enjoy her time with her son. Mallory¡¯s hashtag didn¡¯t go unnoticed, and Kanto¡¯s Summer Fire Fest was likely to become a staple for the region; Rhea couldn¡¯t believe how a single social media post could spark such a colossal shift in a city¡¯s daily operation. The media appeared to be flocking to the area with clout chasers, trying to make a fandom with the bigger battles now flooding the various smaller stadiums. The police were reinforced with support from the League, Chase sending Trainers to bolster their numbers in an attempt to maintain peace and stop any bad actors; Will teleported most in, staying to enjoy himself and be present if needed. Festival booths were strategically placed as Masters worked with local businesses to help make the event a success. Rhea had to remind herself that this was only the beginning, as well; every new post saw the event extending as sponsors and celebrities made plans to fly to the Floral Lagoon City. The People of the Water was also announced with the growing festival now that they were setting things in order, and it seemed to have become a week-long party, not that they would be staying nearly that long. The city was buzzing with Pokemon and Trainers, including Wild Pokemon that were curious about the noise and ready to pick clean any scraps left behind. Enthralled by the many lights that were being set up around Mainstreet; keeping the area lit as the sun dipped lower in the sky, Rhea finally caught sight of Len and Heneli¡¯s group. Music exploded from overhead speakers as they neared, forcing Rhea to yell. ¡°Hey, Jason!¡± Rhea called out, teeth flashing as she fed off the energetic environment Lori was drawing them into; she had to repeat it twice more before they noticed them. ¡°Isn¡¯t this crazy?¡± Jason nudged Len, still getting to know the other boys. ¡°Yo, Rhea¡¯s here with Cass¡¯ group!¡± ¡°Aye!¡± Len jogged over to hug both sisters. ¡°Yo, it¡¯s poppin¡¯; they got free water at every booth to keep everyone hydrated! I didn¡¯t expect it to take off like this¡ªheh, way to turn up, Kanto!¡± Lori pointed to a nearby dance circle. ¡°Pfft! Ya know we had to bring a little Unova spirit ta this place; c¡¯mon, let¡¯s show these Kanto Slowpokes what real dancing is, huh?!¡± ¡°Totally¡ªah, and this song hits!¡± Casey was already dragging them over. ¡°Let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go!¡± ¡°Wait,¡± Lori glanced back, pointing at a confused Kekoa, and a big grin spread across her face. ¡°Get over here, Man!¡± ¡°M-Me?!¡± the slightly overweight boy stammered, weaving past a couple to join her. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen this kind of stuff¡ª¡± ¡°That¡¯s the point¡ªhehe, let¡¯s get hoppin¡¯¡ªjust follow our steps¡­ There we go!¡± ¡°Nice, man¡ªjust get into the rhythm,¡± Len urged. Watching them go¡ªunsure if she should join them¡ªRhea caught Amira motioning Kekipi to an alley to get out of the main flow of the crowd, probably trying to inform him about Yancy; they split off so fast, she was left in a bit of a stupor next to Inoa, Heneli, and Jason. The last Alolan boy¡¯s hazel irises shifted between their parties, laughing as Lori took over the vibe as she pulled others into her step. ¡°Unova people are wild! No way, she¡¯s actually getting Kekoa to dance?¡± ¡°I mean, it is Lori,¡± Rhea snickered as the Unova girl demanded attention with her flashing shoes and heated body, starting a shuffle line that kept increasing with people getting into her flow. ¡°You know how to do all of that¡ªwoah, their feet are so fast¡ªKekoa¡¯s actually doing it!¡± ¡°Hehe. Lori and Casey are like pros, and when you have girls as pretty as them setting the example while playing off Len, there¡¯s not much anyone can do but follow their instructions. Oh, how have you been¡ª¡± Jason sidestepped to allow Inoa in, just as lost as Rhea in how they should act in the frenzied teenage environment; twelve-year-olds seemed to know exactly how to jump into the groove, guided around by their big sisters or brothers in their friend groups. However, the chaos faded away as she caught the mocha-skinned Alolan girl¡¯s face. ¡°Wait, Inoa¡ªare you okay?¡± Jason did a double take, leaning in as if he hadn¡¯t heard her properly. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­ It¡¯s just¡ªeveryone¡¯s so¡­ hyper¡­¡± Inoa mumbled; hugging herself, her body seemed to have the jitters. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ So much emotion.¡± ¡°Should we¡­ go somewhere?¡± Jason questioned, looking for somewhere to get away. ¡°I can¡¯t see over the¡­¡± Heneli¡¯s eyebrows furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s up¡ªdoes she not do well in big crowds?¡± Rhea scanned the area, looking for Ellie, but the girl¡¯s teammates seemed to have been pulled away into another circle; she was probably livestreaming Casey¡¯s dances. The hundreds of thousands of watchers around the world were likely further contributing to the internet hype¡ªand those numbers would likely rising into the millions when things picked up¡ªbut Inoa took priority. Jason jumped forward to stabilize the Alolan girl as she stumbled forward, brown eyes spinning. ¡°Woah! Yo, Rhea¡ª¡± ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s go to the Center.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°The Center!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Guiding the stumbling girl to the eight-story building, Heneli following them, the doors slid open to allow them in. Inoa winced and shook her head. ¡°N-No¡ªI don¡¯t want to¡­ I want to have fun with¡ªwith Cass and Ellie.¡± ¡°It¡¯s just for a second,¡± Rhea assured, noticing a Resident making his way over to them. Heneli appeared to be connecting the dots. ¡°Inoa¡­ Hold on¡ªyou¡¯re Kahuna Oliva¡¯s daughter, aren¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Hmm? Did you say something?¡± the girl hissed, rubbing her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s so hard to hear¡­¡± Rhea gave him a nod since the girl couldn¡¯t keep the conversation straight, causing the boy to grimace and rub the back of his neck; he¡¯d probably heard stories in Alola. She went to the girl¡¯s other side to help Jason bring her further into the lobby, the thick walls dampening the outside noise, yet every so often, someone would pass by too close and the doors would slide open to blast the interior. The Resident bent down to look at her face as he neared. ¡°What happened to her?¡± ¡°She¡¯s an Empath,¡± Rhea explained. ¡°All the people are overloading her emotions¡ªwe just need to get her away from the crowd.¡± ¡°Can we go upstairs?¡± Jason pressed. ¡°An Empath? Hmm¡­¡± The medical staff took a moment to examine her before nodding and ushering them to the elevator. ¡°How powerful of an Empath is she? If we go upstairs, it may not help a whole lot; I can have an emergency evac carry her to a less populated part of the city? Is there a threat of a psychic reflu¡ª¡± Inoa choked a bit on her saliva before shaking her head, black braid swinging at her back. ¡°No¡ªno, I¡¯m fine¡­ I just need a¡­ a second¡­ I¡¯m not going to have an episode!¡± Heneli¡¯s lips drew in. ¡°Mmh, I¡¯ve heard she¡¯s pretty sensitive¡ªonce she made her entire class cry for an hour¡ªwhy did you come into a crowd this big?¡± Rhea grimaced. ¡°Heneli¡ª¡± ¡°I said, I¡¯m fine!¡± she snarled, suddenly taking on a more aggressive tone than Rhea had ever heard from the girl as she struggled away from Jason and her. ¡°I¡¯m not a threat¡ªI don¡¯t¡­ need to be carried¡ªoh¡­ No, I¡¯m sorry! I, umm¡­ umm, I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Expression softening, Rhea moved into the elevator as it opened, holding out her hand for Inoa to join her. ¡°It¡¯s fine; we totally get it, Inoa¡ªwell, eh, not the Empath part, but heh, we empathize! Why don¡¯t we cool off a bit upstairs? Heh, I¡¯m getting a bit overwhelmed, too. Mind if I chill a little?¡± Inoa¡¯s jaw tightened, hugging herself and not making eye contact with anyone. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Okay¡­¡± Jason, Heneli, and the Resident entered shortly after, Rhea pressing the button for the eighth floor as they reassured her it wasn¡¯t a problem; the Alolan girl was centered on the floor, holding her left arm and biting her lower lip¡ªclearly embarrassed¡ªshe was likely trying her hardest to not project her emotions onto everyone around her. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Trying not to make a big deal out of it, Rhea sporadically decided to throw herself out there to equalize the playing field for the struggling girl. ¡°Hey, Heneli, want to try to dance on the roof¡ªI can show you the stuff Lori¡¯s been teaching me? I¡ªeh, heh, I¡¯m not that good, but yeah¡­¡± ¡°Wha¡ªfor real?¡± His gaze shot to Inoa before grinning and giving her an awkward smile. ¡°Umm, yeah! I want to learn that sync-step stuff Len was showing us; the rhythm¡¯s so hard to get down,¡± he laughed, and it seemed the other two boys caught her hint, too. Jason made a few weak movements, even though Rhea knew for a fact from his Pikabook profile he¡¯d been learning from Len and was pretty decent himself. ¡°I totally get that!¡± Rhea grinned at Jason, not skipping a beat. ¡°I know! Why don¡¯t you let Inoa show you some stuff, too? It¡¯s so hard to hear down there; this is great!¡± ¡°Woah! Haha, eh-he, hold up,¡± he hissed, scratching his elbow as the Alolan girl shot him a concerned look. ¡°I mean, I guess if it¡¯s Inoa that¡¯s cool, but eh, you won¡¯t try to stunt on me like Len, right?¡± ¡°What? No! No, I wouldn¡¯t do that¡­¡± Inoa whispered, playing with her braid behind her back. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t think I¡¯m a good teacher, though¡ªEllie and Cass are better than me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a relief,¡± Jason breathed out a long sigh. ¡°Eh?¡± ¡°No, I just thought you might start me off on all those crazy combo moves, but if we¡¯re just going to learn the simple stuff, then that could be fun.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The Resident gave them a small smile as the doors opened and they exited. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about anything; stay up here as long as you want¡ªI¡¯ll let Nurse Joy know.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Rhea grinned, waving him off before pointing to the end of the hallway. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± Skipping that way while grabbing Heneli¡¯s arm and guiding him, she half turned to smile at Inoa. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun, too!¡± ¡°But¡­ don¡¯t you guys want to party with Casey, Len, and Lori?¡± Jason chuckled, cheeks red a bit, and Rhea didn¡¯t miss it; Inoa was pretty, and she¡¯d cornered him into a soft date with her¡ªdouble success! ¡°Erm, well, you see, Rhea and I grew up in a place that has less¡­ I know, come here¡ªI¡¯ll show you what I mean!¡± He took her wrist and pulled her toward the door, almost making Rhea trip. Oh, Muk! He actually went for it! Wait, I went for it! She suddenly panicked, letting go of Heneli¡¯s arm as her cheeks colored, trying to hide it by jogging after the other pair. Inoa and his Alolan accent strengthened with their bewilderment. ¡°Huh¡ªwhat¡¯s going on?¡± Heneli asked. ¡°S-Show me what, Jason?¡± ¡°Hehe¡­¡± He threw open the doors and¡ªluckily¡ªthe rooftop was empty, excluding the many Wild, Trainer, or contracted Pokemon filling the skies; the City hadn¡¯t prepared for this, so the number of Pokemon a Trainer could have out hadn¡¯t been restricted. Jason took them to the railing to look down at the sea of people milling around, circles here and there with people going in and out, showing off their shuffle skills. ¡°Holy Arceus¡ªI¡¯ve never seen so many people¡ªnot even in Pallet during the Award Ceremony!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Inoa whispered, wincing a bit as a display held by Magneton passed. ¡°Alola can get crowded like this¡­¡± Heneli chuckled. ¡°Sure, but it¡¯s not as congested as this¡ªit¡¯s wild¡­ I bet there are more people here than all of Poni Island.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm!¡± Rhea smiled as Inoa laughed. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just¡ªhehe¡ªthat¡¯s not a high bar; I bet Akala has more.¡± ¡°Haha! Probably. Feeling better?¡± he asked, leaning his back against the rail. Blushing a bit, she nodded. ¡°A lot¡­ Thanks for not making fun of me.¡± ¡°Huh? Why would I do that?¡± Heneli muttered. ¡°I think it¡¯s pretty awesome! My buddies think so, too.¡± ¡°How is this awesome? It blows Onix.¡± Rhea snickered, her language likely a product of being around Casey; the foul-mouthed girl had probably been influenced by her step-sister, too. ¡°I think it¡¯s a gift to be able to know when people need help.¡± ¡°Sometimes¡­ A lot of times, I just want to mind my own business.¡± Jason puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°I can see that. So, eh¡­ Did you want to¡ªya know¡­¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, you mean¡ª¡± Rhea hopped forward with a finger to her lips. ¡°Shh! Make him say it!¡± ¡°Dude!¡± ¡°Tee-hee! What, Jason?¡± He crossed his arms, choosing to eye her down instead of Inoa. ¡°What were you going to do with Heneli, hmm?¡± Drawing courage from his taunt, Rhea puffed up her chest and nudged a grinning Heneli, noticing Nova and Alice had followed them, dancing themselves. ¡°C¡¯mon, Heneli, let¡¯s leave these two lovebirds to their dance!¡± ¡°Yo! What are you two going to do?¡± ¡°What do you think?¡± Rhea laughed, stomach filled with butterflies as she took Heneli¡¯s hands again; if she was going to do it, might as well go all the way, and Inoa deserved someone to spend some one-on-one time with her friend. ¡°I¡¯m going to be the master to this young Teddiursa!¡± Jason took a second to process her statement, left eye narrowing as if questioning what he¡¯d just heard, yet Inoa smiled at the comparison¡ªcute and cuddly¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t wrong, but Rhea had read online that boys wouldn¡¯t get the link. She gave Inoa a wink, who giggled and waved them off. ¡°I¡¯ll try to teach Jason some of what Cass showed me; have fun!¡± Heneli gave her an amused look as she took him around the hallway entrance to the elevator to the opposite side of the roof. ¡°What does that even mean¡ªTeddiursa¡­ Oh, my skin color?¡± ¡°Maybe! Hmm-hmm. Ready to do some dancing?¡± she asked, paying as little mind to her hot face as possible. ¡°Oh, before that, let me check on everyone real fast and tell them where we are.¡± Taking out her phone, Heneli hovered by the railing to observe the moving throng, partying through the street as new bands took over, answering Yancy''s call. Amira had already messaged her; Kekipi and her went to get the details from the world-famous Unova Popstar herself. Rhea figured as much; the redhead was the type to need all the details so she could prepare herself, and it would give them a chance to spend some time together. Rhea hadn¡¯t expected to be so okay with being alone with Heneli; she didn¡¯t know much about him and wanted to learn more about his experience in Kanto. If she just saw this as more of a fun night, learning more about someone from another region, it wasn¡¯t so scary; she just didn¡¯t need to try to be someone she wasn¡¯t. After telling Lori where they were¡ªand keeping her GPS Team coordinates open in case they needed to find them¡ªshe showed him some of the things showed them that morning. Heneli met her energy, trying to get into sync with her steps instead of the music, and Rhea had to admit it was fun to work her body to the beat; it was like getting into sync with nature when on a walk but just so much more intense. She was sweating by 8 P.M., and growing far more accustomed to Heneli¡¯s presence; he swapped things up halfway through, teaching her a funny Alolan dance that Alice mirrored¡ªNova tried, getting up on her hind legs¡ªwhich had her cracking up. ¡°This can¡¯t be a real dance!¡± Rhea laughed as Heneli showed her the ridiculous movements. ¡°I need what¡ªpom-poms?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± he scoffed, swaying left and right. ¡°You¡¯ve never seen Oricorio dance? These are very cultural moves! Sway those hips¡ªjust like me¡ªwooh!¡± ¡°If you say so! Haha.¡± ¡°There ya go, Alice!¡± he cheered, making her bunny redouble her efforts with a beaming smile as she kept Nova stable. ¡°Oh, now for the Christmas Delibird Jingle!¡± ¡°This¡ªhaha¡ªdoesn¡¯t fit the music at all!¡± ¡°Unova stuff is too fast! We should go to an Alola night dance!¡± ¡°Heh¡ªwait! Are you asking me out to an Alola dance night?¡± ¡°Sure! Why not¡ªwe can get the proper skirts, and I can show you Fire dancing!¡± ¡°Fire-what?!¡± ¡°Fire dancing! I love it!¡± Picturing him engulfed in flames, flailing around, Rhea had no baseline to draw. How is something called ¡®fire dancing¡¯ slower than the Unova shuffle?! ¡°Okay¡­ I¡¯ll take your word for it!¡± Heneli got hungry as time went on¡ªnaturally, she wasn¡¯t all that famished¡ªbut what she did find was a smile when they discovered Jason and Inoa still on the shuffle dance. Giggling, Rhea noticed they were way better at synchronizing than Heneli and her were; the two appeared to have chemistry. Rhea put a hand on her hip as they neared before looking to the edge of the building. ¡°Hey! So, Heneli¡¯s gonna grab something to eat. Did you want us to bring something up?¡± Inoa¡¯s eyes creased, determination set. ¡°No, I want to try to go down again.¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Jason whispered. ¡°You don¡¯t need to push yourself.¡± Heneli crossed his arms and nodded. ¡°It does sound like the initial flood has died down a bit, but it still seems pretty wild down there.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve calmed down,¡± Inoa assured, fingers tightening against her breast. ¡°Can I at least try?¡± Rhea held up her hands, more than willing to support the Alolan girl. ¡°Woah, we¡¯re not holding you prisoner; if you want to give it a go, then let¡¯s do it!¡± ¡°Thanks, Rhea¡­ It means a lot that you guys are worried about me, too,¡± she added, looking between Heneli and Jason. ¡°I may need to rest a bit or find somewhere to relax again, but¡­ Casey is right; if I don¡¯t keep trying, I¡¯ll never overcome this problem.¡± ¡°Training?¡± Rhea asked, reaching out her hand to help her off the vent they were using as a bench. ¡°Heh. Something like that.¡± Heneli stepped forward with a sheepish grin as he held up his phone. ¡°Also, I¡¯ve, eh, sort of been given an order by Amira¡ªthrough Kekipi, apparently¡­¡± Rhea glared at the message, Jason snickering as he caught its contents. ¡°They actually force you to eat?! That¡¯s hilarious! I remember¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t even!¡± Rhea huffed, blonde locks whipping to the side as she went to the elevator with the others following. ¡°I¡¯m generally not hungry! It¡¯s everyone else that¡¯s weird¡ªhow does everyone eat so much?!¡± Heneli grinned as he gave Inoa a look. ¡°Typically, isn¡¯t it a cause for self-reflection when everyone tells you something?¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Jason tried to cover his mouth. ¡°Not when I¡¯m the only one that¡¯s right!¡± ¡°You should have seen her growing up¡ªher mom¡¯s one of the leading scientists in the¡ª¡± ¡°In genetics and breeding! She¡¯s not a nutritionist¡ª¡± ¡°Master Renetisin?¡± ¡°Bah¡ªhe just says whatever my mom tells him to say.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Rhea didn¡¯t miss his lifted eyebrows to Inoa and Heneli. I don¡¯t have negative effects when I don¡¯t eat much¡ªI¡¯ve lived my whole life like this¡ªand overeating is¡­ I don¡¯t feel good when I force myself to eat, and I never know when that is¡ªthat fine line¡ªso I just wait until I am hungry! ¡°My system works! People just don¡¯t believe me¡ªI don¡¯t have an eating disorder!¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t say anything about that!¡± Jason defended. ¡°I just think it¡¯s funny how pissed you can get about it; seriously, sometimes you don¡¯t eat for a week!¡± Hah! If only you knew I hide it better than people think; I can go a whole three weeks without feeling hungry! She hissed as they went down the elevator, drawing the other three¡¯s gaze, and Inoa could see she really was annoyed at the topic. I know I¡¯m weird¡ªI get that¡ªbut I can¡¯t help it, and I hate the way overeating makes me feel¡­ I might be getting closer to it by the day with how much Amira and Lori force me to eat. Ugh¡­ But how do I tell them? The next several minutes were a bit consumed with the thought, but her concern with Inoa put the topic in the back of her head after she began to show signs of struggling. She ordered a small bowl of rice to satisfy Heneli to send the thumbs up to Amira, they spent the next hour and a half wandering between less busy areas. Her mood improved as it went on, and when 9:30 P.M. came, she let Lori and Amira know she was going to head back to the hotel to rest; she actually wanted to keep going, but this time it was Heneli that seemed to be lagging behind. Splitting ways for Jason to take Inoa¡ªalso struggling¡ªto her hotel to rest, Rhea lazily wandered down the rather empty part of the city, Heneli insisting on walking her there, even if it was him that had the energy issue. Still, it made her heart thump a little, and Lori¡¯s past teasing kept playing inside her head as they moved; she didn¡¯t want to be teased again and wanted to have something to tell her friends. Reaching the door, she stopped outside of it, hands behind her back as Heneli leaned up against the door, groaning a little. ¡°Yo¡­ I¡¯m beat; how can you do those really fast feet movements for¡ª¡± Shutting off her screaming brain, Rhea opened the door for Alice and Nova to run in¡ªthey didn¡¯t; anxiously waiting for whatever was bothering her¡ªand deciding there was nothing to lose, stepped forward, got on her tippy-toes, and kissed his cheek. ¡°Woah¡­ Huh? What was that for?¡± Looking down at her cracked door, face flushed and thumping heart so loud she feared he¡¯d hear it, Rhea cleared her throat. ¡°Thanks for spending the night with me¡ªerm, I mean the festival¡­ You¡¯ll show me an Alolan festival sometime?¡± ¡°Yeah? Uh, count on it¡­¡± ¡°Okay, well¡­ Night.¡± ¡°Night¡­¡± Stepping inside¡ªan utterly confused Nova and Alice running in¡ªshe shut the door and slid down the frame, hair bunching around her as her hand pressed against her breast; she couldn¡¯t think, yet that wasn¡¯t entirely right since her mind was on overdrive. I kissed a boy¡ªonly on the cheek¡ªwhat would Aunt Cynthia say; she¡¯s here, so¡­ Is one of her Pokemon keeping an eye on me? No! Will she tease me? Should I have gone for the lips¡ªno, I couldn¡¯t¡ªnever! ¡°Gah! Mmgmm-hmm¡­¡± Does he think I¡¯m too forward¡­ What if he expected more? Is he waiting outside or¡ªdid he go? Why didn¡¯t he say anything about it?! What do I do when I see him again? I didn¡¯t think about seeing him tomorrow! It¡¯s going to be so awkward! ¡°No-ho-ho-ho!¡± she mumbled into her hair as she brought it around to cover her face, Nova and Alice rubbing her leg, trying to comfort her. ¡°I¡¯m so awkward¡­ He probably thinks I¡¯m so weird¡­ Cold shower¡­ I need a cold shower!¡± she hissed, thighs tensing together. Despite her words, it took several seconds to get up, unable to even reassure her Pokemon that she was okay; Alice wanted to know what Move Heneli had done to her¡ªshe was going to punch him when she saw him again. Turning on the cold water, she threw off her clothes to get into the frigid stream, attempting to cool her overexcited mind and body. I kissed a boy¡­ I did¡­ Me! Why did I? I was just¡ªLori and Amira¡­ What¡¯s wrong with me?! Idiot! Idiot! B2 — 18. Mistake 9:24: P.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). Amira eased out a relieved breath as Yancy¡¯s assistant came into the waiting room, ushering Kekipi and her to follow him to the superstar¡¯s temporary headquarters; they were currently in one of the larger privately-owned battlefields in Cerulean City. Finally! It had been aggravating to just get beyond the crowds of people flooding the streets as much of the city¡¯s population scrambled to either profit from or participate in the flash event; to make matters worse, she was supposed to spend time with Kekipi. ¡°Sorry for the wait,¡± the aide chuckled, glancing back at them as they moved around the various bands bringing their equipment through the hallways. ¡°I¡¯m sure it must have been a nightmare getting through the crowds just to get inside.¡± Kekipi was far more patient than her. ¡°It¡¯s no trouble; I¡¯ve been having a good time.¡± Amira gave him a dubious look. ¡°Is that right?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he grinned, vision absently wandering over the various decorations and artwork of past matches in the private stadium. ¡°I¡¯ve been able to hang out with you and listen to you comment on your taste in music.¡± ¡°My taste in music can¡¯t be all that interesting,¡± she protested, trying not to let her agitation leak into her voice. Right. There isn¡¯t a chance, Bud! We¡¯ve been pushing through people all night, looking for some way into the backstage area; how is that remotely categorized as anything close to fun? Sweet, but come on! ¡°Mmh, it was nice for me. Typically, when we were traveling together, Rhea, Lori, or your Pokemon always had your attention, so I could never get the chance to learn more about your interests. It¡¯s been nice hearing your comments.¡± Amira¡¯s thumb plucked at her shorts at the comment, trying not to bite her lip. That was way sweeter than it had to be¡­ I was just rambling because I was frustrated. Muk, I can¡¯t wait to get my new glasses tomorrow¡­ ¡°Okay,¡± she mumbled, ¡°so, maybe you can now tell me a bit about your tastes?¡± ¡°Heh. My tastes, huh? I¡¯ve always just listened to whatever anyone else had on, and Heneli or Malia always have control over the stations when we go out. I wouldn¡¯t say I¡¯m that picky on genres, so long as everyone¡¯s happy.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, you have to give me something¡ªthere has to be some genre you like more than any other; don¡¯t make me pull your teeth trying to find it,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Fair. Fair. Hehe. Eh, let¡¯s see¡­¡± He cast his gaze to examine the various bands. ¡°Mmh¡­ Probably the jazz stuff your grandpa had playing.¡± ¡°Mhmm¡­¡± ¡°No! Really. Heh, I¡¯m not trying to suck up or anything. I¡¯ve only heard it in movies but never something quite like what that band was playing.¡± ¡°Huh¡­ I enjoy jazz, as well,¡± Amira replied, the pressure against her chest lightening a bit. ¡°Maybe we can find a place away from all the noise tomorrow afternoon to talk.¡± ¡°That¡¯d be cool.¡± The smiling aide stopped them in front of a room to usher them inside. ¡°Yancy should be expecting you.¡± Amira nodded, happy to have this be over with as they walked through. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Amira Rocket? Well, aren¡¯t you just the most stunning redhead I¡¯ve ever seen!¡± Yancy giggled, putting away her phone and stepping forward to hug her. She hadn¡¯t expected the bubbly woman to be so touchy but didn¡¯t resist. ¡°I appreciate the compliment.¡± Pulling away, Amira got her first in-person look at the bright-eyed pop singer. She was about as tall as her, with light-pink, shoulder-length hair, and wore a blue and white dress. There was a beauty mark under her left eye, and the woman¡¯s irises shimmered in a way that naturally drew attention. Managing her free locks and adjusting her summer hat, Yancy took a second to study her. ¡°I¡¯m only stating the obvious; you have hair like a Pyroar, and you take such good care of it¡­ As elegant as a Ninetales, the mystery of a Delphox, and the voice of a Meloetta¡ªmhm! I believe you have the entire package to do anything you want!¡± I¡¯ve heard those words from people my whole life¡­ and usually not as a compliment. ¡°That¡¯s really nice¡­ Erm, you wanted to talk about doing something together?¡± Hands finding each other behind her back, her focus went from her to Kekipi, attempting to fade into the background. ¡°I did¡­ I hope I¡¯m not taking all of your time together. Umm¡­ How about this!¡± Taking her phone out, she played with it for a second as she went on with her hypoactive proposal. ¡°I¡¯m sure we¡¯re both very busy women, so¡­ Why don¡¯t we share numbers, and you can shoot me some songs you¡¯re comfortable singing¡ªI can accommodate whatever you want to do¡ªand¡­ we¡¯ll make a spectacular performance tomorrow night!¡± Amira pulled out her own phone to tap Yancy¡¯s, exchanging contact info with the action, and was happy she¡¯d rushed the meeting; she could probably sense her mood in any case; high-tier Trainers, especially in the entertainment business, had an uncanny means of aura control to understand people. Invasive? Sure. Yet, what were you going to do about it? Psychics had the same abilities¡ªor perhaps more powerful; it was just a part of the world they lived in. ¡°I think that¡¯s acceptable,¡± Amira smiled. ¡°I know a few songs you¡¯ve written, which should be fine.¡± ¡°Oh, no!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Vision lifting to see Yancy¡¯s concerned, swaying locks, Amira¡¯s fingers tightened around her phone. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t want to steal the show!¡± she urged. ¡°This is supposed to be your debut, so I want to perform something totally unique to you. If we do one of my songs, then¡ªwell, it just won¡¯t do! I want you to shine the most in our collaboration.¡± ¡°Haaa-hehe. Alright,¡± Amira whispered, shivers running down her arms at the prospect. ¡°Something unique¡­ Why don¡¯t I send you a song I wrote then?¡± Yancy¡¯s face lit up like a starstruck child. ¡°Ooh! Are you sure? I¡¯d love to be featured on one of your own songs! Oh, I know¡ªwhy don¡¯t I set things up so we can release it live and then do a recording studio of it; you can release the single through my label!¡± Amira¡¯s gut tightened. ¡°Mmmm¡­ What kind of contract are we talking about¡ªsigning me?¡± ¡°Not at all!¡± the singer hastily replied, messaging her people as they spoke. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of trying to take advantage of a young, talented star like you¡ªno, I just love to see young flowers bloom. No contract and all the proceedings can go to whatever you like!¡± Her big, sky-blue eyes darted up to her. ¡°Anything you want to do with it in particular? I could have all of it sent to you¡ªwith the foreknowledge of regional tax regulations, naturally?¡± Kekipi lifted an impressed eyebrow. ¡°Woah¡­ So, I could hop online and listen to it?¡± It would be out there for people to meme with, Amira internally groaned. Pondering the unbelievable offer, she knew it could certainly give rise to negative press, as it always did. If this were the first time this world-famous singer had proposed or done such things, Amira would have thought it a trap, but she was just like Lisia in this regard. ¡°How about¡­ Why don¡¯t you send all the proceeds to the Ranger Pokemon Relief Charity?¡± ¡°The RPRC?! That would be a huge PR win for us,¡± Yancy thoughtfully nodded. ¡°Are you sure, though? It¡¯s not against the law to make money from your self-image as a Rookie Trainer.¡± ¡°Mhm. I really don¡¯t need more hate aimed at me,¡± Amira waved off. ¡°I¡¯d be more worried about putting a target on your back.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm! I get plenty of hate and obsessed fans¡ªI actually absolutely loved your performance of Elesa¡¯s Obsessed, which, heh, I can more than connect within my own life¡­ Sometimes it''s like a lot of superfans think you owe them your entire life.¡± A forced smile lifted Amira¡¯s lips at the connection she shared with the song herself. ¡°Yeah¡­ I can relate to that¡ªI¡¯m sure many public figures can. You saw that, huh?¡± ¡°All of the songs you sang today have been making the rounds around Trending.¡± Lori¡­ What storm have you started? ¡°Haaa¡­ I¡¯m sure it has. Umm, my own song kind of follows that same logic of being in the public eye. Is that fine?¡± ¡°Not at all! Arceus, I¡¯m excited! When can you send me the practice material¡ªcan you message me how you want to have me featured?¡± ¡°I can have my mom send me it from home tonight; heh, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll respond instantly, and for your part¡­ Why don¡¯t you add your own lyrics in it, and the beat wasn¡¯t super important to me when writing it, so¡­¡± ¡°Yeah! I can totally make something fresh for it once I get the tempo and theme you want down. Oh, but make sure I don¡¯t steal too much of your time! You should get out of here before it gets too late¡ªgah, already 9:40¡­ So much to do!¡± ¡°I bet. Alright, I¡¯ll send it¡­ over,¡± she paused as the woman jumped forward to hug her again. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. ¡°Thanks for letting me be a part of your personal song, Amira¡ªit means a lot that you¡¯d do that and donate the proceeds to charity? You¡¯re a real Alcremie!¡± ¡°Really¡­ An Alcremie? You¡¯re too much, Yancy.¡± ¡°Hehe. Eh-heh, I do get a little carried away. I can¡¯t wait to get the material!¡± Waving her off as she left with Kekipi, Amira streamed out a long sigh as she let the whirlwind of the hyperactive woman pass. ¡°Well¡­ that happened.¡± Kekipi chuckled as he followed her back through the halls. ¡°She seems really nice. How are you really feeling about this, though? You seemed pretty chill, all things considered.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ tired,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Maybe it just hasn¡¯t hit me yet, but this whole thing has been emotionally exhausting.¡± ¡°I bet!¡± Amira left it at that as she looked internally after the confession. Why am I talking so much about how I feel with him? It¡¯s not typical for me to just speak to someone I barely know about things that bother me¡­ Is it because he¡¯s met the family? He¡¯s pretty laid back¡ªI guess¡ªeasy to talk to, but¡­ ¡°Hmm¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Nothing. Umm¡­ It seems Rhea went back with Heneli not too long ago. Mmgm¡­¡± ¡°Heh.¡± Catching his amusement, Amira scratched her forehead while turning a corner and seeing the exit sign. ¡°I know¡­ I¡¯m not very convincing at the moment.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool. You¡¯ve seemed pretty stressed as we¡¯ve been together, and I know it¡¯s probably not me¡ªat least I hope not¡ªso, I¡¯ve been trying to figure out some way to make things a little more manageable for you¡ª¡± He opened the door for her to go through and observed the bustling crowds; there was a guard on the opposite side to prevent anyone from trying to sneak in through the back from the dozens of fan packs hanging around in hopes of getting a one-on-one with Yancy. ¡°A late-night caf¨¦ might be good,¡± he continued, ¡°but as it stands, I think the best thing would be to walk you home so you can get enough sleep for your Gym match tomorrow morning¡­ Or, heh, am I completely wrong, and you want something to distract you?¡± Good question¡­ I don¡¯t know myself, and I really shouldn¡¯t be this annoyed. ¡°For the record,¡± she shot a half-smile up at him, ¡°no; it¡¯s not you. It¡¯s me, as clich¨¦ and vague as that sounds.¡± ¡°Just another one of those things, huh? So, home or caf¨¦?¡± Seriously debating it, Amira shook her head, and, to emphasize her decision, a yawn came on. ¡°I¡¯d¡ªlove to sit down and have a proper chat, but honestly, I¡¯m exhausted.¡± ¡°Mmh-okay,¡± he nodded without any signs of rejection, which she appreciated with his casual, slow walk and hands in his pocket as his amenable eyes wandered the roads and booths they passed. ¡°So, lunch tomorrow at a caf¨¦, where we can discuss random stuff after your match, or would you like me to pick up something for you and meet you outside of the city to practice your song?¡± Taken aback by his offer, Amira almost tripped. ¡°You¡¯d do that?¡± ¡°Of course. I know practice is important, and if I can make it easier, that¡¯s cool. We don¡¯t have much going; heh, we haven¡¯t even scheduled our Gym Battle yet. I¡¯m free, so¡­ yeah. Grab you lunch and enough coffee to keep you going?¡± ¡°Erm¡­¡± Amira hissed, looking away while rubbing her neck. ¡°Unfortunately¡­ coffee can seriously dehydrate you and, eh, can create havoc with your voice, so¡­¡± ¡°Lunch and some hydration sports stuff?¡± he followed up. ¡°That¡¯d be great. Thanks, Kekipi, and sorry about my attitude tonight.¡± ¡°Glad to be of help, and don¡¯t sweat it; you¡¯ve had a rough day. Hehe. Besides, it¡¯s nice to know you¡¯re super cute when annoyed, too.¡± His half-smile and eye contact threatened to make her cheeks color and turn away. ¡°You don¡¯t mean that¡­¡± ¡°Oh! So, you¡¯re a Psychic now, huh?¡± he winked. ¡°¡®Cause if so, I want a refund!¡± ¡°Haha. Funny.¡± ¡°Score! I got to see a real smile tonight.¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± she laughed, pushing him to the side as he snickered; he¡¯d actually gotten her to start having a good time. ¡°Why¡¯d you choose to hang around me instead of Lori and the party girls?¡± ¡°Seriously?¡± He scratched his cheek, giving her a cryptic look. ¡°I¡¯m looking at the reason.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± ¡°I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t I; how else am I supposed to get to know you?¡± ¡°Am I really that interesting?¡± ¡°No.¡± Lifting an eyebrow at his amused chuckle, he soon clarified. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re an extremely pretty girl, and I¡¯d be lying if I didn¡¯t say that didn¡¯t catch my attention first¡ªcan you blame a guy?¡± ¡°Fair¡­ I suppose.¡± ¡°Like a Volcarona to a flame, you¡¯d attract just about anyone, but as I met your family and learned about your life, I saw there was more to you than just the Burn you leave in passing.¡± ¡°Is that right? I¡¯m a living fire that scorches everything around me?¡± ¡°Eyes? Most definitely! But you don¡¯t see anyone complaining, right?¡± ¡°Pfft-hehe¡­ You¡¯re so corny!¡± Why is he making me laugh?! Feeling better as they walked, he kept ping-ponging jokes and adding to her remarks to heighten her amusement; he was good at turning things around, and she¡¯d rarely looked forward to seeing how someone would twist her words. Twenty minutes later, and almost back to their hotel by taking the relatively empty public transport away from the party, she groaned upon getting a text from Lori, catching Kekipi¡¯s gaze. ¡°Rhea?¡± ¡°Lori¡­ She sees I¡¯m nearby on our tracker and is on her way back with her group; she¡¯ll probably meet us at the next train stop. Your hotel is the stop after, right?¡± ¡°Yeah. Trying to get rid of me?¡± ¡°Heh. We should save some mystery for later.¡± ¡°Good point. I need to read up more on Fennekin tonight to see if I can get Amber to stop shooting Embers at my face,¡± he teased, shooting a grin down at the glaring fox. Amira¡¯s little girl huffed, basically telling him she was keeping her eye on him; he was far too friendly with her Trainer. In reality, she was afraid he would mess their Gym Battle up by distracting her, and this was a pretty stressful match for her since she hated water. Maybe I should have had you take swimming lessons with Lori. Her fire fox¡¯s face paled at the suggestion, flaming ears flickering as she vehemently shook her head, making Serenity and Holly giggle. Turning her attention back to Kekipi when they started to slow at the next stop, she sighed; her time with him had been too short. ¡°See you tomorrow.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be cheering you on in the match.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± She said her goodbyes when the doors opened and met Lori outside, noticing several other parties meeting up. Mallory¡¯s smirk was telling as she glanced around her at Kekipi before the doors closed, carrying him to his own stop. ¡°Mmh? No goodnight kiss?¡± Playful thoughts that had never previously crossed her mind bubbled to the surface as Amira shot her a side-long smirk, taking the lead. ¡°What was that one song again¡­ Don¡¯t Kiss And Tell?¡± ¡°Oh-ho-ho¡­ Aren¡¯t you in a good mood! Hmm-hmm! I¡¯ll let my own imagination work then!¡± ¡°How was your night?¡± Amira asked, a spring in her step she hadn¡¯t felt before. ¡°Have a good time with your sister?¡± ¡°Cass? Totally! Hehe. You should have seen how much work Len had to do to get Ellie to open up; that girl is so stone-faced, but there¡¯s a little girl in there bubbling to be let out¡ªshe has the prettiest smile when you can get her to show it!¡± ¡°Shy?¡± ¡°Ultra shy! She hides it, thinking she doesn¡¯t look pretty, but you should have seen her laughing at Len¡¯s jokes. We couldn¡¯t snap a picture, though; she was on guard, heh, after seeing what I did with your video.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ understandably! Most of my night was spent just trying to get to Yancy.¡± ¡°Oof¡­ My bad, but you looked like you were having a good time when I picked you up!¡± ¡°Picked me up¡­ Uh-huh.¡± ¡°Hehe. So¡­¡± Lori cast her gaze around the nighttime streets, which were more active than typical, with groups now breaking away from the party. ¡°Kekoa got pretty good at dancing¡­ Is Kekipi?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Having put her in the fire long enough, Amira streamed out a long breath. ¡°Anyway¡­ how are you feeling about tomorrow¡¯s battle?¡± ¡°Hsss¡­ Tomorrow¡¯s battle, mmh¡­ yeah¡­¡± she mumbled, playing with her thumbs behind her back. ¡°Gables and Roxie are all fired up¡­ Miky¡¯s going to do fine! He¡¯s just¡­ a bit nervous.¡± ¡°Not the only one?¡± Lori gave her a skeptical look. ¡°Aren¡¯t you a little? No, I guess you are the girl that can do anything, so¡­¡± ¡°Of course I¡¯m nervous,¡± Amira huffed. ¡°I like being prepared and knowing what I¡¯m up against, and is it going to be easy? No. Serenity is prepared to give it a shot, and we are going to do some testing with the Master Balls tomorrow morning to experiment on its draw potential and drawbacks. Want to join?¡± ¡°YES!¡± Lori jumped over to hang on her arm. ¡°Save us, Amira; we need you!¡± Unsure if she was being overdramatic or genuine, Amira took the safer route. ¡°Sure. Sure. We can have Rhea help us, too, since she has all the experience.¡± ¡°True! Yeah, our little blonde bombshell apparently spent most of her time, heh, dancing with Heneli and matchmaking Jason with Inoa, the little Impidimp; she¡¯s got a devil in her!¡± ¡°Really? I wonder who pulled that out of her, hmm?¡± ¡°Guilty!¡± Lori sang, followed by a snicker. ¡°Man, what a great night! Did you see that Celebi in the sky with some girl?¡± ¡°Huh? What Celebi?¡± ¡°No? Huh, Cass swore she saw it, and there are some mentions of it on my feeds¡ªCynthia apparently spirited them away¡ªI don¡¯t know; it¡¯s just a rumor going around.¡± ¡°Weird. Celebi wouldn¡¯t be near a place like this.¡± ¡°Right? Probably just someone posting something for attention. Think our blonde will be asleep?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see. She usually gets to bed at the same time each night¡ªif she can.¡± Walking up the stairs to their hotel, they unlocked their door with their registered Trainer IDs and walked in; Rhea was sitting on her bed, causing the Unova girl on Amira¡¯s arm to hop on the girl as if smelling red meat. ¡°Rhea! I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be awake¡ªoh, take a shower¡ªhehe, I heard from Inoa that Heneli brought you back! Was there a little something extra¡­ Hmm?!¡± Mallory was totally engrossed in her own internal fantasy, but Amira could tell something was off shortly after studying Rhea¡¯s downcast expression and her concerned Pokemon; before Amira could formulate a proper way to address the atmosphere, Rhea answered Lori¡¯s question with a nod and mumble. ¡°Mhm¡­¡± The response promptly popped Mallory¡¯s bubble. ¡°Mhm¡­ As in¡­ yes, there was a kiss? Oh¡­ OH! Uh¡­ you don¡¯t look like you have butterflies, so¡­ was there something wrong¡ªdid he do something¡­ wrong? Was it bad?¡± Rhea¡¯s fingers curled into her palm, and her eyes creased, keeping her focus on her knees. ¡°Amira¡­¡± ¡°Yes?¡± ¡°Why did you send that text to Heneli?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up? Amira, Rhea¡­ What am I missing?¡± Lori hesitantly mumbled; Gables glanced between them with the same confusion as Alice pointed at Amber accusingly, which had her own Pokemon feeling whiplash. Sensing the underlying and the never before heard hostility in Rhea¡¯s voice, Amira¡¯s hands tightened at her back, pressing into her rear; it was a real question, and it didn¡¯t take long for her to realize her mistake, even if it was well-intended. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ sorry, Rhea. I crossed a line that I wouldn¡¯t want to happen in reverse¡­ I won¡¯t do it again.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just that,¡± Rhea added, saliva sticky and making the blonde clear her throat. ¡°You two are always harping on me about eating¡­ There¡¯s a reason I don¡¯t like to eat a lot¡ªand then to have you ask Heneli if I was eating enough like you were my mother¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ I wasn¡¯t thinking¡­¡± ¡°You¡­ weren¡¯t thinking?¡± Rhea asked, jaw tightening and her disbelief more than evident as she got up to brush by them to hover at the door, tears now in her eyes. ¡°I just wanted to have friends that would have fun with me¡­ I don¡¯t need to¡ªto be mothered.¡± The door slammed shut, leaving Lori and her in the whirlwind; Nova seemed to be trying to calm Alice down as she hopped over to the exit to jump up and press down on the handle to follow their Trainer. ¡°What¡­ was that about, Amira?¡± Lori mumbled. With cramps twisting her stomach and guilt filling her heart, Amira unlocked her fingers to rub her tingling neck; it had happened so fast that she hadn¡¯t fully internalized it, but Rhea was right. If the roles were reversed, she didn¡¯t know how pissed she would have been, and for someone as kind and accepting as Rhea to blow up like this, there had to be a pretty big trigger, and that had been her messaging her date to babysit her. I¡¯m the worst¡­ ¡°Ahem¡­ Sorry, Lori¡­ I¡¯ll be back.¡± Knowing she had to try and make it right, Amira hesitated at the half-open door. Should I go after her, though¡ªwhy wasn¡¯t I thinking¡ªshould I wait until she calms down? I wouldn¡¯t want to talk to the person that did that to me¡ªembarrassed me like that¡­ Her nose began to burn at just the thought of what she¡¯d so thoughtlessly done; she hadn¡¯t considered Rhea¡¯s feelings at all but accepted that the girl would just do as she was told. Rhea wasn¡¯t her Pokemon to look after; she was her teammate, and she¡¯d crossed a big line. Swallowing the saliva in her throat, Amira took a shuddering breath and walked out, leaving Lori to puzzle through Rhea¡¯s sudden outburst. B2 — 19. Open Hearts 10:09: P.M. July 3, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 24 Days (23 officially; 24 since getting Maya and Nova). Amber rushed after her Trainer just before the door slammed shut, agitation filling her breast with Holly trying to keep up behind them; the Comfey couldn¡¯t get a word in with the speedy and hot-tempered Buneary¡¯s shouts. ¡°W-What did we do, Amber?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t¡ª¡± She hesitated as Amira looked left and right, searching for the normally cheery blonde. ¡°Where did she go? It was¡­¡± Amber sniffed the air before running left. ¡°This way!¡± Instead of going right to the stairs, she paused at the railing, looking between the bars in confusion. Huh? I don¡¯t smell her going down¡ªthe scent¡¯s older. ¡°What?¡± Amira gagged, using the rail guard to stop, scanning the small hotel yard. ¡°She jumped¡­ Is she that upset?¡± You tell me! I don¡¯t get why she¡¯s crying; all you said was she should eat¡ªeveryone loves to eat! Oh, we¡¯re going down now¡­ ¡°Amber¡­ Are you asking why she even cares? It is my fault, though¡ªI shouldn¡¯t have done that.¡± Whatever. Alice is a lot like Mya¡­ She can get mad about the stupidest stuff. ¡°It¡¯s not stupid,¡± Holly mumbled, managing to loop around Amira¡¯s neck on the way down to keep up. ¡°It means a lot to her.¡± Still stupid! Serenity¡¯s thoughtful tone passed through their connection. ¡°Umm¡­ Why is Rhea crying?¡± Amira jogged left to the street, but Amber stopped her, nudging her head down the back alley. Not that way; she went this way! Leading the charge, Amber gradually got a better understanding of the conflict between them as they ran through the Cerulean backstreets; ultimately, it came down to Amira not respecting Rhea and embarrassing her. Amber still didn¡¯t know why she was so hung up on not eating. Food tasted good; why would anyone not want to eat? Humans were weird. A few minutes into their chase, she halted on a riverside jogging path lined with flowers and trees. Amira? Huffing and puffing, her Trainer put a hand against her thumping chest, Amira¡¯s face already red and slick. ¡°I¡ªI think¡­ How does Rhea do it?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Holly whispered, floating up to try and wipe Amira¡¯s forehead. ¡°You don¡¯t normally get tired this soon.¡± She watched her Trainer¡¯s red braid swing dangerously close to the dirty ground as the redhead breathed, bending over while resting her hands against her knees. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Holly, can you go back¡­ into your pokeball?¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Utterly bewildered now, Amber¡¯s ears converted to flames, flaring outward with annoyance as Amira activated the purple sphere on her waist for the Posy Picker Pokemon to return. What¡¯s going on¡ªfirst Rhea¡¯s like that, and now you¡¯re totally out of energy? ¡°Can you keep going, Amber? Just¡­ a bit slower.¡± Sure¡­ Eyeing Amira out of the corner of her vision, Amber frowned. Just explain it to me¡­ What are we supposed to do about Rhea? You already said sorry; what more does she want? ¡°Yes, please explain, Amira! I want to help Rhea.¡± Amber jumped into a gradual jog as Serenity shockingly connected the missing dots. ¡°It¡¯s the Master Balls, right, Amira? Nova explained that we had to be careful when using your Fortitude.¡± Hold up! Amber growled, turning her head a bit to see Amira still struggling a bit to keep up with her; they were only losing ground at this pace. We haven¡¯t even battled today; that makes no sense. ¡°It does to me,¡± Holly mumbled. ¡°Don¡¯t we naturally take her energy?¡± A short huff made flames flash out of her ears, shooting out and causing a nearby nighttime jogger to jump away in fright. No! Only Serenity does because she requires energy to sustain herself like Nova, Mya, and Alice; we¡¯re perfectly fine! Amira seemed to catch onto their conversation as they crossed a bridge to the opposite side of the large river; Rhea was still so far ahead of them that they couldn¡¯t even see her. ¡°I think the Master Balls are a lot more complicated than we thought¡­ Rhea¡¯s mom told us we couldn¡¯t be sure how it would affect us. It opens up the boundaries between us; I¡¯ve been able to understand you better today, Amber, Holly. I haven¡¯t really explored much of the differences because of how much was going on, but¡­ We need to stop again.¡± Amber flames shot out again as Amira leaned against the bridge guard, chest heaving. ¡°It can¡¯t be this bad¡­ What about our battle tomorrow?¡± Coughing a bit, Amira wiped away some tears that came to her eyes and the sweat from her flushed face. ¡°We¡¯ll¡­ figure it out when we get there. We¡¯ve only been walking today; I need to start exercising in the mornings again, but is Rhea¡¯s Fortitude really that far ahead of Lori and I¡­ No, Lori was doing fine dancing today¡­ It¡¯s just me.¡± See! I told you, it doesn¡¯t make sense; you¡¯re so much more fit than Lori. Are you sick? Amber whispered, hoisting her two front paws on Amira¡¯s legs to look up at her. If we need to reschedule the Gym Battle tomorrow¡­ ¡°No. No¡­ I¡¯ll be fine. Just¡­ give me a minute¡ªack¡­ If you see a place I can get some water, let me know, Muk¡­ I didn¡¯t bring my phone,¡± she groaned, attempting to stretch out her calves. ¡°Did Rhea feel like this the whole time our first week¡­ She didn¡¯t let on at all.¡± Amber was about to respond when a sad voice made her ears prick; looking further down the bridge walkway, she saw Nova being surrounded by the few humans that had broken away from the inner-city party. ¡°I can¡¯t stop¡­ Sorry, I need to go¡ªI¡¯m fine¡­ Yeah, I¡¯m Nova, but¡­¡± ¡°Amber?¡± Amira asked as she darted forward to meet the Eevee, people attempting to pet or talk to her. It¡¯s Nova! She¡¯s like the only reasonable Pokemon in Rhea¡¯s party! ¡°That¡¯s a little mean,¡± Holly whispered as Amber ran around a bicycle and bridge fishers. Serenity chuckled. ¡°It is a little, but Amber does have a point; Alice won¡¯t listen because she¡¯s already assuming what you¡¯ll say, like she¡¯s five sentences ahead in the conversation, while Mya will plant her ground and won¡¯t budge.¡± Right! I¡¯m not wrong. Nova¡¯s the best, though; she always talks them down. ¡°Nova!¡± ¡°Can I get through¡ªI know I¡¯m pretty, but I¡¯m too busy for pictures¡­ Hmm¡ªAmber?¡± Her flaming ears made the humans jump back in surprise as she forcefully inserted herself. ¡°Hey! Nova¡ªwhy is Alice being a total Electrode; what did we do?¡± ¡°Umm¡­¡± ¡°Bah¡­ C¡¯mon¡ªcome back to Amira and away from the paparazzi.¡± She forced a smile as the Eevee followed her through the big parting group of humans surrounding them. ¡°Thanks for getting me out.¡± They picked up their pace to the humans¡¯ sad cries, attempting to snap pictures of them as they ran down the well-lit bridge. I have Nova, Amira! ¡°Oh. Umm¡­ Can you see if Rhea will see us?¡± her Trainer tentatively asked. Give me a second. Holly shifted uncomfortably in her pokeball, brushing up against Amber¡¯s spirit. ¡°Don¡¯t be mad, Amber.¡± I¡¯m not! ¡°Hehe. You do sound mad,¡± Serenity mused. Gah¡­ I¡¯m just annoyed; there¡¯s a difference, she huffed, turning a slight frown to Nova as they ran down the sidewalk. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Nova sighed, slowing a bit and forcing Amber to do the same; she looked at Amira before stopping between the laughing crowd and the redhead. ¡°Not really¡­ Rhea says she doesn¡¯t want anyone to follow her¡­ but she does.¡± ¡°How does that make any sense?¡± Amber rolled her eyes. ¡°Amira said she was sorry already; what more does she need to do?¡± The Eevee sat down, ears falling to the side a bit to stare at the stone walkway. ¡°Rhea looks up to Amira, and it just¡­ It¡¯s not even the biggest issue. There¡¯s just, she was dealing with a lot, and Amira telling someone she doesn¡¯t eat properly¡ªnot that she doesn¡¯t¡ªbut, umm, yeah, it really hurt.¡± Nova¡¯s big pink eyes lifted as Amber¡¯s flaming ears flared. ¡°Humph. What does that have to do with Alice chewing us out? Even if Amira messed up, what does that have to do with us?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not¡­ really. Alice is just feeding off Rhea¡¯s emotional state and trying to release, umm, steam; she blames everyone right now.¡± ¡°Whatever. I¡¯m over the whole thing,¡± Amber mumbled, glaring at one of the boats below them with a crinkled nose; Amira was still struggling with her unruly body. ¡°What do we need to do to get past this¡ªsay sorry again?¡± Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Nova helplessly shrugged her small shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know; Rhea¡¯s never gotten like this before. Her stress has been building for a while, but the kiss really pushed everything over the edge.¡± Amber¡¯s left eye narrowed. ¡°Huh? What does a kiss have to do with Amira and the food stuff?¡± ¡°It¡¯s complicated¡­ I don¡¯t know how humans think!¡± Nova grumbled back, clarifying how much it was bothering the Eevee. ¡°All I know is how Rhea feels, and it¡¯s not good¡­ She needs you guys, but she tells us she doesn¡¯t.¡± Amber''s jaw tightened as the self-destructive emotions Amira felt a little over a week ago filtered back; her Trainer was keeping her thoughts private, yet her feelings were hard to miss. Amira¡­ You think we¡¯ll have to split up? Rhea said she didn¡¯t want to before¡­ ¡°I may have messed everything up.¡± Holly flatly rejected the thought process. ¡°No! Have more faith in Rhea; we¡¯re all friends¡ªwith Star, and Hannah, Sam, Jade, and Jay now, too! Alice and Mya had their troubles, and they got through them! Friends stick together! Amira backed up against the railing to look up at the stars. ¡°Friends don¡¯t do what I did¡­ Rhea was right; I should have known better¡­ I wasn¡¯t thinking, and I should have thought it through before sending that text.¡± Nova followed Amber¡¯s gaze. ¡°Is Amira doing okay?¡± ¡°No¡­ Do you think Rhea will want to leave¡­ go her own way?¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± she vehemently shook her head, big ears flapping back and forth. ¡°No! Rhea loves traveling with everyone¡­ I think Amira should talk to her; oh, I know!¡± ¡°What?¡± Amber mumbled, turning her hard, red eyes to the packs of humans that were now keeping their distance but kept taking pictures. ¡°So annoying.¡± Nova¡¯s now wagging tail distracted her as the Eevee eagerly put forward her idea. ¡°When Alice and Mya were having trouble, Rhea forced them to be together until they could get along! We should force Amira and Rhea together as she did; it worked for Alice and Mya.¡± ¡°Sort of¡­¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s not perfect, but at least they can be around each other now.¡± ¡°True¡­ Will that work with humans, though?¡± Amber asked with a doubtful growl following the Eevee¡¯s fervent nods. ¡°Tell Amira she has to be with Rhea until they make up, and I¡¯ll do the same!¡± ¡°I guess it¡¯s worth a shot.¡± Amber puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°Of course, this had to happen the night before our battle with Misty¡ªand Amira¡¯s having Fortitude problems now.¡± Nova¡¯s lips parted, her eyes widened, and tears spontaneously gathered. ¡°No. That¡¯s horrible! Rhea had a tough time after Mya¡¯s first battle. Is it like that¡ªdo we need to go to the Human Center?!¡± ¡°Huh? No. It¡¯s not that bad¡ªI¡­ hope so,¡± she mumbled, now not so sure. ¡°How bad is it? Rhea will be super worried; I¡¯ll let her know¡ªuh, we¡¯re so far away, though!¡± ¡°Umm¡­ Okay, let¡¯s go with your plan so Amira can get some rest; I¡¯m starting to worry now. Can you take us to Rhea?¡± ¡°Mhm! Make sure Amira doesn¡¯t run away; we need to keep them together for this to work.¡± ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll make sure she gets it,¡± Amber assured; she hadn¡¯t seen other humans use this tactic on each other, but it was worth a shot if it worked with boneheads like Alice and Mya. The more she thought about it on the jog back to Amira, the more Amber realized how much of a bonehead her Trainer could sometimes be; it was so hard for her to forgive herself that it was frustrating to no end to her. It was time for her to train her Trainer because who else would knock some sense into her?! * * * Amira tentatively waited for Amber and Nova to finish talking, scenarios flashing through her mind of how this night could end; Rhea was the binding force of their party and far easier to deal with than Lori, yet she¡¯d messed up again. Why am I always Muking everything up for everyone? I¡¯m so stupid¡­ I thoughtlessly take them to a Platinum area, and now I¡¯m treating Rhea like a little kid after she forgave me. What¡¯s wrong with me? I¡¯m supposed to be smarter than this! Her fingernails dug into her sides as the two Pokemon finished their private conversation to run the rest of the way to her; Amber¡¯s response made her question if she¡¯d heard her right. Trying to ignore the people who, thankfully, were keeping their distance upon seeing her, Amira bent down to address the two Pokemon. ¡°You two¡­ want to force Rhea and me together until we reconcile?¡± Both nodded, hope in Nova¡¯s eyes and doubt in Amber¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not something¡ªno, I get it worked with them, but¡ªhumans are different than Pokemon¡­ It¡¯s¡ªyou¡¯re going to take me to Rhea¡­ Ugh.¡± Stomach queasy, Amira streamed out a long breath while holding it and standing up again; they had good intentions, but the whole problem was her treating Rhea like she couldn¡¯t take care of herself, and if she now got her own Pokemon to treat her the same, it only spelled disaster. Still, nothing could get resolved until they met, and if they walked, it could possibly buy enough time for Rhea to calm down. ¡°Haaa¡­ Okay, but we need to go slow.¡± Nova chirped, tail wagging vigorously; she nudged her head to the side, and Amira uneasily followed. She got several looks from the various Trainers, and with how bad she felt¡ªemotionally and physically¡ªthe pictures people took were not welcome. Unfortunately, it was a public area; throughout her very public life in Viridian, she knew the general law in the City-States was that people could record or take pictures regardless of a person¡¯s personal desires. It was rude but not against the law. Mentally filtering out the throng, she tried to distract herself from her screaming muscles; it was as if she¡¯d passed a threshold when running after Rhea, and it was a steep dive off a cliff to a hard bottom. It probably had something to do with the boundaries taken away from all of her Pokemon and how inefficiently she utilized her Fortitude. It helped when Holly returned to her pokeball, yet the experience told Amira where she lacked the most, and she never would have guessed it was in her physical Fortitude branch with her life-long exercise routine. This proved just how strong Rhea was, as well, and recalling how long the unnatural girl could hold her breath underwater, she was reminded how large the gap was between them. I¡¯m so much further behind than I thought, and Rhea has to constantly sustain three Pokemon. Wait¡­ One particular piece of information Christie told them sparked a fire of thoughts as she focused on the bouncing Eevee and nervous Fennekin. Is it a spiritual reflux? Serenity is projecting her strength onto Amber and Holly through the Master Ball, all cycling through me. I¡¯m the conduit, and I don¡¯t have the throughput needed to sustain it yet. Rhea isn¡¯t just a conduit for them either, but also feeding them¡­ What kind of a monster Trainer are you, Rhea? Amira hugged herself as they followed the path, passively responding to her Pokemon¡¯s inquiries; her mind was on Rhea¡¯s mother, giving her a momentary distraction. Did Christie realize we wouldn¡¯t be able to keep up with Rhea, so she changed her plan? She is one of the world¡¯s leading expert geneticists¡­ Could that also have something to do with her daughter¡¯s insane aptitude and Fortitude? Growing up around all those Master-tier Pokemon likely had an effect, but I grew up near Legendary-tier Pokemon; true, not all my life, twenty-four hours a day, but a healthy chunk of it. Should I even be with her¡­ She is Cynthia¡¯s niece¡­ Losing track of time, her toxic thoughts came to a grinding halt at Amber¡¯s internal shout; blinking as she slowed to stand in the middle of the sidewalk, Amira¡¯s vision lifted to focus on her blonde teammate, taking shelter behind a cluster of thick, well-groomed trees. The soft river breeze was pulling her thick, braided hair against the railing as she glared into the night; her cheeks were still red and slightly puffy, and Amira knew she must have known they were here with Nova. If she didn¡¯t before, Alice certainly made their presence known from Rhea¡¯s shoulder, pointing and chattering angrily at Amber, who growled back several phrases. The Eevee seemed to break it up soon before pushing against the back of her leg with Amber to force her forward with her Fennekin mumbling that they had to be together until they made up. Amira¡¯s fingers twitched at her sides as Rhea¡¯s grip tightened against the guard, her jaw setting at likely Nova¡¯s prompts, and Alice hopped off her shoulders to stand across from Amber, the Eevee mediating. Gathering her courage to face her mistake, Amira fiddled with her tanktop collar, wishing she could do the same with a pair of glasses; walking next to her, Amira couldn¡¯t glance in Rhea¡¯s direction, guilt flooding her tight chest. ¡°Rhea¡­ Is it okay if¡­ I understand if you want me to leave.¡± A shiver ran down Amira¡¯s spine at Rhea¡¯s almost unintelligible mumble. ¡°I¡¯d set a terrible example to Mya and Alice if I said no.¡± Throat sticky with saliva, she tried to clear it, but no words came out; Amira took several agonizing seconds to gather her thoughts. ¡°I never thought¡­ I¡¯d be so bad at being a friend¡­ My mom always made it look so easy.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t answer, yet her eyes glistened again, possibly holding back tears. ¡°I should have trusted you to know your own body¡­ I definitely shouldn¡¯t have brought it up to anyone else but to you in private¡ªno matter my intentions¡ªI don¡¯t know why I¡¯m so stupid and thoughtless when I shouldn¡¯t be¡­¡± Amira coughed, a sniffle bubbling out as her nose burned and vision blurred; she couldn¡¯t stop the emotion in her voice. ¡°I try to do the right thing all the time, but the second I let my guard down¡­ I royally mess everything up¡ªI don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me.¡± In shock, she stumbled to the side as Rhea collided with her body, arms wrapped around her shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me?! W-Why do I have to be so different¡ªa total freak?!¡± ¡°W-What?¡± Amira gagged, utterly blindsided by the embrace; she winced at the more petite girl''s growing strength on her already sore muscles. Almost falling over, Rhea pushed them against the railing, crying into her front, burying her face in Amira¡¯s breast. ¡°I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m always so awkward, and my body¡¯s not normal¡ªeveryone worries about me, and I hate it¡­ I just wanted to be normal¡­ I wanted to have friends¡ªto not be a total nobody loser in the forest that doesn¡¯t know anything¡­ ¡°I want to know how to dance and kiss boys like Lori¡ªto not look like a Jynx¡ªto have a normal mom who is always fighting to be with me like¡ªlike yours¡­ I just want to be normal¡­ Why can¡¯t I be a normal girl?¡± Chest fluttering, and arms shaking around Rhea¡¯s back, Amira couldn¡¯t sniff back her own emotions from bubbling over. ¡°I just want to be a nobody¡­ I don¡¯t want people to always judge me¡ªto have to look good all the time¡ªto not embarrass everyone I love by being stupid¡­ I don¡¯t want to h-hurt my family or make them worry about me¡ªfor evil people to target me to hurt them¡­ ¡°Why do I have to have a good voice¡ªh-have to be strong all the time. Why am I pretty¡ªwhy does everyone want to shove me in the spotlight¡­ I don¡¯t want to be noticed¡ªto be photographed every time I go out¡ªharassed and bullied¡­ Why can¡¯t everyone leave me alone?!¡± Unable to stop, they collapsed to the ground; their Pokemon gathered around them, unsure how to help, ending in the eight bawling together. Nose stuffy and cheeks puffy, Amira choked several times as her heart poured out with her teammate, hidden behind the bushes as the rest of the city partied into the night. It took several minutes to reach a point where they could unwind and huddle, shoulder to shoulder, against the bars, unable to look at anything but the grass at their feet. Amira tried to clear her airway but failed the first time; recovering, she puffed out a hot, shaky breath. ¡°I¡¯m¡ªI¡¯m sorry, Rhea¡­ I don¡¯t want to always screw things up for you; I don¡¯t want to be the bad guy everyone sees me as¡­ b-but maybe I¡¯m just¡ª¡± ¡°You¡¯re not¡­ Amira, you¡¯re not a bad guy,¡± Rhea mumbled, arms pulling her legs tighter against her chest. ¡°It hurt when you told Heneli how abnormal I am¡­ b-but I¡¯m the freak that can¡¯t overeat, o-or I get sick¡­ It hurts so much when I eat what others think is ¡®normal¡¯¡ªit¡¯s too much¡­¡± Amira¡¯s eyes started to water again. ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know it hurt you¡­¡± ¡°I hate it when people find out¡­¡± she sniffed. ¡°Plus, heh¡­ I¡¯m so awkward¡ªLori calls me awkwardly adorable, but¡­ I¡¯m not adorable¡ªI¡¯m just awkward¡­ What¡¯s Heneli supposed to think? I just kiss him on the cheek out of nowhere and run inside¡ªwho does that¡ªa weirdo¡ªI¡¯m a weirdo¡­¡± ¡°What¡­ Is that what¡ªno, did¡­ did you do it because Lori brought up how many boys she kissed?¡± Rhea¡¯s bottom lip began to tremble. ¡°W-Well, Lori¡¯s always so normal¡ªkissing is supposed to be normal¡ªdancing¡ªpartying¡­ I just wanted to¡­ I don¡¯t know¡ªI¡¯m stupid!¡± she cried, burying her red face in her knees and arms. ¡°So stupid!¡± Trying to work through her sore muscles and the lump in her throat, Amira leaned over to rest her ear against Rhea¡¯s back, mumbling, ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re weird, Rhea¡­ I¡¯ve never kissed a boy before.¡± ¡°What? No, but¡­ you said¡­¡± ¡°Eh-heh¡­ I kind of threw you under the Tauros to get Lori¡¯s attention away from me¡ªsorry. Truth is, I¡¯ve never had a hard time going on dates, but trusting people is¡­ hard for me. I care a lot about what people think of me, and¡­ and especially people I get close to, so¡­ I keep my heart guarded. Totally unlike Lori, huh?¡± ¡°Heh¡­ yeah¡ªshe¡¯s pretty amazing, but¡­ she also is always harsh on her looks¡ªit¡¯s like she thinks she¡¯s ugly or something.¡± ¡°If so, she¡¯s dead wrong.¡± ¡°Totally¡­ I¡¯m sorry, too, Amira,¡± Rhea said through a shaky breath as she gently pushed back to rest her head against Amira¡¯s, shifting a tad to play with her bound, blonde locks. ¡°I took out my embarrassment on you.¡± ¡°But¡­ I did embarrass you¡ªI¡¯m the worst.¡± ¡°Yeah, well¡­ I guess we¡¯re both the worst.¡± ¡°What? That doesn¡¯t make any sense,¡± Amira mumbled, plucking at her tanktop again as a prick of agitation stabbed her chest. ¡°How can we both be the worst when I was the one in the wrong.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ because I set a poor example to my Pokemon¡­ because I¡¯m insecure about being a country-girl Slowpoke.¡± ¡°Slowpoke can be cute, too,¡± Amira tried to tease, forcing a weak laugh. ¡°Hehe. I guess¡­ Not as cute as my adorable little Nova,¡± Rhea giggled, pulling the concerned little Eevee onto her lap with Alice jumping up to join her, big eyes asking if she was okay. ¡°Yeah¡­ your plan totally worked, my little superstar.¡± Amira smiled as Rhea rubbed her two girls¡¯ heads, focus moving over to Amber. You don¡¯t have to be so hesitant, she chuckled with Serenity and Holly cuddling around her spirit. Amber promptly jumped onto her lap, flaming ears and tail turning to fur as she nuzzled her hand and spirit. At least thirty minutes passed with little being said as they sat against each other, allowing their Pokemon to smother them with attention. As it neared 11:30 P.M., Rhea got up and held out her hand to help her up, making Amira¡¯s chest burn in a new way. ¡°We should probably get back. Lori¡¯s probably worried about us, and you have your match tomorrow.¡± How can she forgive me after that? If it were me¡­ I couldn¡¯t. Fingers locking with hers, Amber left her lap as she got up. ¡°I¡¯ll do better, Rhea¡­ Thanks for accepting me for my mistakes.¡± ¡°Me, too. I¡¯ve learned a lot from you, Amira; thanks for being my friend.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. That¡¯s my line¡­ Heh, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever cried like that¡ªb-but to my dad and mom. Thanks for being my friend, Rhea.¡± ¡°Friends?¡± ¡°Friends.¡± Returning to the hotel, Nova clued Rhea in on Amira¡¯s Fortitude strain, and they discussed it until arriving to give Lori a quick, somewhat hesitant recap; the Unova girl promised to be more delicate with her jokes, hugging Rhea and her before they got ready for bed. Body aching but feeling lighter than she had in years, Amira got into bed and drifted into her dreams. B2 — 20. Mended Hearts 7:01: A.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). Amira stretched out under her covers with Serenity sleeping beside her; it was the Fish Pokemon¡¯s turn to snuggle next to her during the night and, puffing out a soft breath, she shifted quietly on her bed to lift her up and smile at the cute little black and white Feebas. At first, she wasn¡¯t so sure about her emotionless, big-eyed stare, but with every passing day, she grew more and more adorable. Amira giggled to herself, Serenity had a funny personality that contrasted her blank appearance, which made Amira recall a saying she¡¯d heard in the past, ¡®A Pokemon only a Trainer could love.¡¯ Before the technology era, Feebas used to be seen as a slow, dimwitted, ragged, and tattered pokemon with such a shoddy appearance that people that bonded with them were ridiculed. And while its Milotic transformation had become a symbol for the young teenage girl, taking the place of Butterfree in Kanto, Feebas just took on a new negative tone from the haters. People admitted, partly due to the sensationalization of Champion Wallace and Cynthia, that Milotic was an S-tier Pokemon. Yet, at the same time, the effort to raise one was more than most Trainers could handle, and most would never evolve, even when Trained for a decade or more. Of course, there was the incredibly rare and ludicrously expensive Prism Scale, but since they only came from Feebas or Milotic and their creation was still a mystery, it didn¡¯t help the bad reputation among most Trainers, and if that wasn¡¯t enough, its insanely low Stats and extremely limited Move Pool made Battle Training a joke. Smiling up at her shimmering, unique Feebas, Amira didn¡¯t feel any of that; at first, Feebas¡¯ reputation did intimidate her, yet the more she¡¯d browsed through Pokedex entries, only able to be written by Elite Trainers or researchers, the more starstruck she was by Serenity¡¯s uniqueness. Are you ready to beat Misty and prove to everyone you¡¯re terrific? Her fins'' emotionless up and down motions didn¡¯t do her internal battle cry justice. Good. Hmm-hmm. Holly and Amber still sleeping, huh? Rolling out of bed, she glanced at her phone with a short puff of air, Serenity floating a meter away to look at her. Yeah, we slept in again, but¡­ it did take us a bit to settle down. At least our match isn¡¯t until 10:30. Rhea was resting soundly on her bed in the dull light bleeding through the curtains, and Lori was dead to the world, as usual. I¡¯m sorry you have such flawed teammates, Rhea¡­ Attempting to clamp down on the guilt flooding her tight chest, Amira went to the bathroom to start the shower, Serenity offering her own thoughts from the late-night conversation she¡¯d had with Nova. Her Feebas made a valid point that bothered Amira; Rhea wasn¡¯t the type to hold grudges like her. Amira wouldn¡¯t have been able to forgive someone who stepped across that line, and perhaps that was one of the reasons it bothered her so much. It didn¡¯t help to rationalize it either; she wanted to do something to try and remove the guilt in her own breast, yet there wasn¡¯t something someone else could do in reverse, and there was the issue. I know I¡¯m stupid, she mumbled to the fish while scrubbing her shabby scales. Mom always says I expect too much from people, but¡­ I expect no different from myself, and that¡¯s why this is so¡­ ridiculous. ¡°Haaa¡­ Am I helpless?¡± she whispered upon leaving the shower to look at the mirror; next to her Feebas, she saw a reverse reflection. ¡°Pretty on the outside, and rotten on the inside¡­ What everyone says in the media, hmm?¡± She shot a melancholy smile at her Pokemon as Serenity floated down to slap her hand with the back of her tail. Stupid, am I? Not wrong, Serenity¡­ Not wrong. Why are feelings so complicated? They should be logical; everything would be so much simpler. Puffing out a short sigh, she dressed in her black bathing suit and rogue dress, exiting the room for Serenity to be replaced by a yawning, shiny Fennekin; Rhea was beginning to stir from their noise. Amber gave her a dull look while jumping onto the counter to blow-dry her damp hair, receiving an update from Serenity. Hehe. Stupid is as stupid does, huh? The Fennekin¡¯s ears flared with a blaze of heat as she huffed, telling her to get over herself, apparently using some kind of reference to a new Pokemon-Only Drama series that had just come out of Hollywood in a play to compete with Pok¨¦star Studios in Unova. Mhmm¡­ Finding it hard to look at Rhea in the mirror outside the bathroom as the blonde brushed her fingers through Alice¡¯s fur¡ªthe bunny still curled up on her chest¡ªAmira whispered, ¡°Morning.¡± ¡°Morning¡­¡± There was an unusual note in the girl¡¯s voice as she passively stared up at the ceiling. ¡°Mmh¡­ Amira?¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°What do I do about Heneli when we see them later? Is it going to be awkward?¡± ¡°Probably¡­¡± She paused as Amber grunted something to Nova, who was apparently crawling¡ªstill half asleep¡ªup Rhea¡¯s leg under the sheets, eventually poking her head out in her Trainer¡¯s lap, big ears peeling back with a yawn. Amber. What did you say? Amira scowled, but her Fire Fox returned the look with Serenity agreeing. After a few seconds, Rhea scooted to the back of her headboard with a slow groan. ¡°Amira¡­ Just so you know, I¡¯m not mad anymore; I¡¯m happy you listened to me and said you¡¯d listen about my eating stuff¡­ I¡¯m more worried about the kiss.¡± Amber! She didn¡¯t back down, blowing hot air in her face while sassily flicking her gaze away and imitating her tone, but Rhea forced her attention away from the traitor. ¡°What kind of message did I give him? It¡¯s so¡­ Haaa¡­ frustrating. I don¡¯t want to make meeting them awkward for Kekipi and you or Kekoa and Lori.¡± ¡°Mmgmmm! Girl¡­¡± Lori grumbled, rolling from her back to her side to stare at Rhea in the glow of the half-shut bathroom door. ¡°You know what Amira and your problem is?¡± ¡°What?¡± the blonde whispered, shifting her ponytail around to look at the Unova girl. ¡°You¡¯re both too serious! Muk,¡± she groaned, working around her neck. ¡°Just own it, and it doesn¡¯t, mmgm, matter; it was a peck on the cheek, not droppin¡¯ his pants.¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened, averting her eyes with Rhea at the girl¡¯s crude mouth, but it did silence anything they could say in response as she continued. ¡°I get it¡¯s your first time tryin¡¯ it, and that Muk¡¯s scary, but he¡¯s probably had girls do that all the time¡ªpfft, his cousin has probably kissed him on the cheek before.¡± ¡°T-That¡¯s different¡ª¡± ¡°Not really¡­ If you make it a big deal, it¡¯s gonna be a big deal; when you see him, just say you had a good time yesterday and move past it. If he brings it up, say it was a, heh, country-bum thank you¡ªhah, that will make him laugh¡ªyeah, make a joke out of it.¡± I don¡¯t¡­ know if that¡¯s the best coping mechanism, Amira thought but didn¡¯t voice her opinion. ¡°Easier said than done,¡± Rhea mumbled, playing with her two fluff balls¡¯ fur. ¡°I just¡­¡± Lori swung her legs over the side of her bed with Gables hanging off her shoulder. ¡°Yo, and don¡¯t get it Tangela, I gotta own up to my Muk, too. My bad, Rhea.¡± ¡°F-For¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, you don¡¯t gotta be all clueless¡ªI shouldn¡¯t tease you two like I do with Len; we all got our Muk, like me with water. Heh, by the way, I¡¯m takin¡¯ the shower second; best be expectin¡¯ cold water!¡± She paused by Amira, making her comb linger in her hair as she stared at Lori¡¯s bare belly. ¡°As for you¡­ Gah, can ya stop overthinkin¡¯ every little mistake?! It''s exhausting to watch!¡± The violet-haired girl crossed her arms under her large bust with a light glare. ¡°For real, I get ya want to make all the right moves, but the point of mistakes and losses is to learn, right? If ya can accept Rhea, and my many, many mistakes, then accept it of yourself. Good? Done! ¡°Oh! And I¡¯m really, really sorry about using you to start a Kanto Fire Summer Fest! I wasn¡¯t thinking about how it would put you in the spotlight and stress you out so much. Good?¡± Unable to help a chuckle at her forward charge into the conversation and admiring her courage and fearless bluntness, Amira nodded, rising to her feet to enter her hopeful, open embrace. ¡°Yeah-heh. We¡¯re good¡­ Honestly, I¡¯m nervous, but¡­ a little excited to sing since¡­¡± ¡°Your family will definitely be there?¡± Lori grinned, squeezing Amira against her chest. ¡°Yeah, and I bet my Mom will grab her parents, too.¡± ¡°Nice! My parents will be there, too! Rhea?¡± ¡°I-heh, bet my brother and Kate will show up sometime later today with my aunt.¡± ¡°Wooh! Another party!¡± she cheered, breaking away to enter the bathroom for a second, only to open the door again two seconds later to retrieve her clothes. ¡°So, uh-heh, guess you¡¯ll be getting drinks Amira, since, you know, you¡¯re the first one ready?¡± The pressure in Amira¡¯s chest deflated as if a balloon popped, and she forced a chuckle at Amber¡¯s haughty nod of satisfaction at the tongue-lashing. ¡°Heh¡­ sure. Thanks, Lori.¡± ¡°Tch¡­ What¡¯s a loudmouth like me good for?¡± She winked at Rhea with a grin before disappearing into the shower and shutting the door. ¡°Oh, and what¡¯s up with the two of you and cold water¡ªy¡¯all are weird!¡± A strained look came across the Blonde¡¯s face. ¡°I¡­ use it half and half¡­¡± They giggled, and Lori waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll leave you a little, hehe¡­ maybe!¡± ¡°Lori! I want a bit of a warm shower today!¡± ¡°Should have woken up sooner!¡± ¡°Lori!¡± ¡°Fine! Fine! Muk, you¡¯re too cute with those big blue eyes!¡± ¡°Victory, Nova; we won¡¯t freeze!¡± The Eevee cheered, dancing on Rhea¡¯s palm with two feet, and clearly the instigator behind the request. ¡±Amira took a deep breath while finishing up her quick morning prep, looking at Rhea in the mirror; there was a light, thankful smile on her lips. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯ll say it one more time, Rhea¡­ I¡¯m sorry, and¡­ I know I¡¯ve said it before, but I¡¯ll try to do better.¡± ¡°Haaa. Me, too, Amira. I am self-conscious about all this stuff I¡¯ve never done before. Forget all the growing pains of yesterday?¡± ¡°That¡¯s a pretty accurate way to describe it,¡± Amira mused as Rhea opened up her phone, still in bed. Vision falling to her smiling Fennekin as she resumed blowing her hair, Amira puffed out a long breath of her own; there was something different in the way Lori exposed everything to be resolved all at once that worked, and she couldn¡¯t put a finger on why, but there was almost some kind of magic in how it helped ease the tightness in her chest. Thank you, Lori¡­ ¡°Amira.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She glanced up to see Rhea pointing at the holographic display on her phone. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°Nova¡¯s asking about a show your Pokemon have been hyping up; what¡¯s it called?¡± ¡°Oh, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. It¡¯s starting on the Red Rescue Squad season based on a few popular wordless comics drawn by a famous Smeargle.¡± ¡°Cool. Ah, got the trailer¡­ It¡¯s all in¡­ Are there subtitles?¡± ¡°Nope. Evidently, a lot of Bonded Pokemon feel like they¡¯re in a little club since it¡¯s one of the first movies directed and cast all by Pokemon.¡± ¡°Wow. Really cool. Uh¡­ a Hollywood streaming subscription, huh?¡± ¡°You can use mine.¡± ¡°Really? Awesome!¡± Amira linked her family account to Rhea¡¯s newly created one, finished getting ready, and went to get them coffee. Her journey wasn¡¯t long, and she noticed it probably wouldn¡¯t rain today by the puffy, white, partly-clouded sky, and by the time she got back, Rhea was watching the show with her Pokemon, seemingly enthralled. ¡°This is so good! It has an Eevee main character, too! Nova instantly connected her, heh, and now she wants a red scarf, too.¡± ¡°Haha. I thought you would like it.¡± A bit more time passed as they drank and talked about the show but, eventually, it was about time to get going. Amira had mentioned the possibility of the city¡¯s streets being flooded with freshly arriving partiers in the newly-founded, week-long festival and suggested they give themselves a cushion in getting to the Gym. Leaving the hotel, Amira had Serenity swap places with Amber to get used to actively gauging her Fortitude draw; her nerves were beginning to rise, making her play with her collar, her fingers in search of glasses. Making it down the stairs, she cleared her throat, causing the other two to pause and look back at her as Nova took the chance to get on Mya¡¯s big mouth to practice her balance. ¡°Umm¡­ Can we stop off at a store to pick up some stuff?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow, Miky now sitting on her shoulder with a nervous smile. ¡°What¡¯s up¡ªsomethin¡¯ specific you want?¡± Focusing on the smiling Mawile as she held Rhea¡¯s phone and started the second episode, they could help but smile as Nova jumped up to settle atop her large steel jaws with a cute, eager grin to watch with her as they walked. Amira tucked in her lower lip with their attention off her. C¡¯mon, get yourself together! It shouldn¡¯t be this hard to say I want to get something stupid¡­ ¡°I, umm, want to get¡­ some sunglasses.¡± ¡°That it?¡± Lori smirked, giving Rhea a sad sigh. ¡°Come to think of it, hmm¡­ ours got wasted by that Pidgeot, huh? Yeah, I could go for a new pair, too; got a place in mind?¡± A chuckle bubbled out of Rhea¡¯s throat. ¡°Mhm! I wanted to find a nice brown pair¡ªwith the tint that you know¡­¡± Lori pointed at her. ¡°That you can¡¯t see your eyes¡ªincognito mode, as Cass calls it¡ªpfft, not that anyone can mistake her with that hair?!¡± ¡°Haha! Yeah, the cool look my brother has when he just has that half-smirk in the commercials; I, heh, hated to admit it, but seeing Kate with the same look¡ªback to back¡ªit was pretty cool looking, and, uh, I was thinking we could all pose for like a secret agent photo! I think my aunt would love it.¡± ¡°Oh! Nice idea, Girl! Yeah, let¡¯s get some shades¡ªknow the spot, Amira?¡± Surprised at the enthusiasm her question invoked, she nodded, releasing the tension in her chest. I am being stupid today. The feelings she got from Serenity were the Feebas rolling her tiny eyes, and a pointed prompt by the youngest of her Pokemon made Amira hiss; she¡¯d been way too distracted lately. Setting her GPS location while tilting her head to side for them to follow her down the right street, Amira started their path. ¡°Also¡­ Rhea, I wanted to ask you a bit about your Fortitude draw¡­¡± The blonde¡¯s pearly blue eyes widened. ¡°Wait, was that what Nova was trying to tell me yesterday?¡± The Eevee gave a short chirp below, making her Trainer hiss, true concern swimming in her ocean irises. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Umm¡­ I just¡­ kind of ran out of energy, I guess,¡± she mumbled, ¡°and we didn¡¯t even battle yesterday, but having both Amber and Holly out at the same time seemed to have had a larger effect on me than I thought.¡± ¡°Ooh!¡± Lori nodded fervently. ¡°Only Gables was out during the dance stuff; Roxie, eh-heh, wasn¡¯t liking how many people almost stepped on her, and Miky didn¡¯t like the crowd. Still, uh¡­ yeah, I think I was getting way more tired than I usually do from such a light dance-off.¡± Light¡­ Amira wanted to reply but refrained; she¡¯d seen the social media posts. She flexed her hand a few times, her braid shifting against her back as she shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ never felt that exhausted¡ªever. It was like my chest was on fire, and every fiber of my body was¡­ Is there a way you mitigate the Fortitude draw?¡± Unsurprisingly, Rhea gave a helpless shrug. ¡°I dunno¡­ It was super rough on me when we first became a team¡ªhehe, remember how old I sounded getting up in the morning¡­ Ugh¡­ so sore!¡± she giggled. ¡°When Mya accidentally¡ªnone of us knew,¡± she pointedly stated with a downward glance at the steel Pokemon, ¡°utterly drained my Fortitude, and I ended up in the hospital; I had memory problems, couldn¡¯t even move, and felt like my heart was going to stop at any moment. Did it feel like that?¡± ¡°No, not that extreme. Hmm¡­ I felt a bit of stress when Serenity joined us, but that gradually faded a few days ago. Amber and Holly don¡¯t have the same draw as Serenity since she requires my Fortitude to live,¡± she mumbled, studying the levitating fish by her head. ¡°Did my mom say anything?¡± Lori popped her tongue against the roof of her mouth, swaying a bit to a beat still playing in the distance as they made their way to the train that would bring them into the inner city. ¡°Basically, she said it would affect everyone differently in some ways and not at all in others.¡± ¡°Heh, yeah¡­ typical, Mom. Ask her a question, and she gives a bunch of technobabble that means, I don¡¯t know! Let''s experiment¡­ Are you worried about your match?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Amira moved her hands behind her back to grip her wrist while looking at the party-cloudy sky. ¡°Kind of¡­ Not fully about the match against Misty herself, and more about this sudden change in how I battle with Amber and Holly.¡± ¡°Ah, I think I get it,¡± Lori hummed, shifting around to walk backward as they made it to the station. ¡°You¡¯ve already battled with Serenity in a pretty intense battle with Kekipi and Mika¡¯ele, but you don¡¯t know the effect on how that will change Amber and Holly¡¯s battle style?¡± ¡°Yeah. Huu-haaa. The Encrusted Gym Challenges are meant to be the most difficult battles you can have at your level. Still, between the League Match Program and the High Master¡¯s experience, they typically always leave you with a solution to win.¡± ¡°Wait¡­ why didn¡¯t you say so before?!¡± Lori huffed, crossing her arms. ¡°Hold up¡­ Isn¡¯t that cheating; they know what Pokemon we¡¯ll have, even when it is a blind pick?¡± ¡°Wasn¡¯t that¡­ obvious?¡± Stopping at the boarding area and taking up an empty corner, Rhea¡¯s head tilted to the side, and a slight smile lifted the corner of her lips as she likely thought about her battle against Forrest. ¡°Now that you say that, Amira¡­ Oh, the League Scanner analyzes our Pokemon and then gives them a set of available options they can use. So, in a way, it could be considered cheating, I guess, heh, seeing as they¡¯re so experienced and can instantly know what conditions need to be met with the number of Pokemon available to select, but¡­¡± She grinned. ¡°I¡¯d say it shows why they¡¯re Gym Leaders, and stacks things in the favor of the Trainers; Gym Leaders are first and foremost, instructors on what a Trainer should be.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Is that how Forrest knew Mya could have won with our Move? I thought it was purely Aura Control, but he also has the computer. Huh.¡± ¡°Totally not obvious!¡± Mallory huffed. ¡°Here I was thinkin¡¯ he chose a Rock Pokemon with Electric attacks out of pure coincidence and guessing, but he had a program just pop out a bunch of Pokemon he could be like¡­ ho-ho-ho! How am I going to Muk this girl over this time?!¡± ¡°So sinister!¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°I couldn¡¯t see Forrest doing that.¡± ¡°That¡¯s totally what he does!¡± Amira forced a laugh. ¡°I think you¡¯re¡­ projecting there, Lori.¡± ¡°Muk yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯d be doing; this fool got a Slowpoke? Hehe, I raise you a Houndoom¡ªby the way, LOVE Atreyu, Rhea¡ªyour brother¡¯s Houndoom is gorgeous! Hehe. She thinks she¡¯s gonna get me with her Type advantage; little does she know I got a cheat sheet!¡± ¡°He¡¯s great, but a bit silly! Hehe.¡± ¡°So, hehe, ridiculous,¡± Amira whispered, unable to help herself; Lori had a way of making her laugh that no one else had. ¡°My grandfather doesn¡¯t sit in his chair¡ª¡± ¡°Throne!¡± Lori corrected with a big grin. ¡°Chair¡­ and look down on the¡ª¡± ¡°Plebs!¡± ¡°Trainers¡­ with an evil look¡­¡± she trailed off upon recalling the numerous times she¡¯d seen her grandfather gaze down upon his challengers. Sighing, she remembered his imposing presence silencing the whole stadium as they eagerly waited to see who the legendary Gym Leader would send out to crush his opponent, and Rhea voiced her thoughts. ¡°Her, uh, does have a, heh, intimidating presence, though¡­¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Lori shuffled her feet in what seemed to be a semi-dance-like way to nudge the blonde¡¯s side. ¡°Like a king gazing upon the audacity of the peasants.¡± ¡°He¡¯s not mean,¡± Rhea defended, to which Amira had to rub her temple and sigh. ¡°He¡­ can be mean, but¡­ it¡¯s always in more of an educational way¡­ I think you¡¯ve been reading too much of your sister¡¯s novels, Lori.¡± ¡°Not lately! I boycott that Muk¡ªI¡¯ve been on strike since the start¡ªif she wants me to read it, she has to spend time with me!¡± Scanning their Bronze Trainer pass that allowed them free passage on inner-city public transport, they walked inside, Rhea asking, ¡°Have you finished any of them?¡± The question had a hidden one inside Amira listened carefully for. ¡°Huh? Oh, yeah, I¡¯ve been through all her novels¡­ four times? A deal is a deal, and if she spends time with me, I read¡ªeven if it¡¯s just to talk about her novel¡ªwhich¡­ does happen sometimes,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Stupid loopholes; I think Dad put it to her because she doesn¡¯t think like that.¡± Amira couldn¡¯t help a chuckle, her nerves easing as their team grew more united again; she still felt stupid and a total Garbodor to the Gigantamax¡ªutter Sludge¡ªfor what she¡¯d done to Rhea, but the fact both her friends were willing to move past it made her rethink quite a few interactions she¡¯d had in the past. She used to think everyone had ulterior motives, and she had to watch her back all the time, which wasn¡¯t necessarily wrong, given her lifestyle and place in life, but a new thought started to pluck at the back of her mind. Don¡¯t attribute malice to what can be explained by incompetence¡­ and if I can be so incompetent, as hard as I try, how many more people did I wrongly label? I¡¯m such a Slowpoke. ¡°Ack¡­¡± Amira winced as Serenity slapped her shoulder with the back of her tail. ¡°Serenity?¡± Rhea questioned, drawing a few passengers¡¯ gazes at the hovering Feebas. ¡°Haaa.¡± Amira reached out to pull her little girl in. ¡°She¡¯s, heh, training me. I know, Serenity¡­ Thanks for keeping me on my toes.¡± We all have a long way to go¡­ And I¡¯m not giving up. How could I do that to you guys or Rhea and Lori? We¡¯re in this until the end. Her Feebas happily squirmed in her hands, with Holly and Amber agreeing while cuddling against her spirit, making her heart start beating again. Who am I punishing if I can¡¯t forgive myself when everyone else has, huh? Thanks, Holly. I¡¯ll keep that in mind. Leaving the train, they stopped off at a clothing store and bought relatively expensive sunglasses¡ª235 credits¡ªpre-celebrating their victory; they had their own dreams, and they¡¯d help each other achieve them. Amira waved Rhea off as they separated; the blonde¡¯s brother had texted his sister the seats they¡¯d already reserved. Once in the locker room with Serenity by her side and dozens of other challengers filing into the Gym to roars from the flooded stadium, Amira pursed her lips while checking her phone. Nose burning with her burning chest, Amira took a shuddering breath to calm down. 10:03 A.M. Grandpa: Let them see what I already know. 10:09 A.M. Grandma Ariana: Don¡¯t mind us, Sweetie; you have a fun time with your friends today. Your mother¡­ A heads up, your mother has organized a¡­ somewhat unreasonably large group to cheer you on. I know you¡¯ll be phenomenal; as you know, a win can even be a loss with what is learned, so no matter the results, I know you will always be a winner because you never stop learning. 10:11 A.M. Dad: Don¡¯t think harshly of your mother¡­ She means the best. 10:13 A.M. Mom: Everyone¡¯s here, Little Mew! We have a whole section of Rocket with signs¡ªyou can¡¯t miss us¡ªVeridian¡¯s gonna be the loudest; believe it! Oh, Mom¡­ What have you done? Amira wanted to cry and laugh at the same time. Spending the next several minutes clearing her mind, she slipped on her glasses, opened her eyes, got a nervous thumbs up from Mallory, got up, and walked toward the bright light exit to see the colossal water-themed Gym with its pool and floating platforms. On the large screen floating to her left by a Magneton, she saw the smiling young woman they¡¯d met in the underwater Sea Temple. Still, her focus was snatched by the deafening shouts of a section in the left middle, wholly filled with black shirts with a large red R written on them, her mother in the middle with her Zelri floating thousands of signs they¡¯d more than likely personally made by the handwriting. Mom¡­ ¡°Go! Go! Veridian¡¯s Fire Stone! Go! Go! Veridian¡¯s Fire Stone! Victory! Victory!¡± The personal barrier around the Trainer box she¡¯d entered dampened some of the noise as Misty¡¯s laughing voice carried over the personalized speakers, a left hand on her hip and showing off a bright yellow summer dress that hid the early signs of her pregnancy. ¡°Rocket certainly has changed since you were born, Amira¡­ It¡¯s really something, seeing so many Grunts¡ªeh-heh, employees of Rocket, and not feel threatened by it. I hope you¡¯re ready¡­¡± A twitch from her eyebrow said it all as she forced a smile. ¡°Your team certainly did cause a ruckus in my city, and I¡¯m not gonna let you get away with it without giving you a piece of my mind!¡± ¡°Eh-hehe¡­ Sorry about that, High Master Misty. It really has gotten a bit out of hand.¡± ¡°A little¡­ I have Samiya off my coast, not one, not two, but three ¡®foreign¡¯ Champions in my city¡ªone former in Bianca¡¯s husband¡ªand multiple League members breathing down my neck, and should I start on the celebrities flooding my streets with less than several hours notice? I¡¯m a little stressed, Amira.¡± ¡°Again¡­ heh-he¡­ Sorry. I didn¡¯t mean for it to become¡­ this¡­¡± ¡°Haaa,¡± she ran her fingers through her trademark, messy red hair before giving her a sad smile. ¡°It hasn¡¯t all been bad; they¡¯ve all been sweethearts and helped out. Still, I need to release some of my frustration, and with me hearing from Cynthia herself that you have a little Feebas from her legendary beauty of a Milotic, I can already guess your pick.¡± Muk¡­ Guessing is one thing, but being told by Rhea¡¯s aunt herself¡­ She could now see the mischievous grin her teammate typically portrayed when talking about her troublesome aunt. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ have a chance, though¡­ right?¡± ¡°Always!¡± Misty grinned, showing a twinkle in her eyes that would have photographers going crazy to capture. ¡°Well, I still have a schedule to keep¡ªugh, so busy¡ªso, ready to go, Miss Rocket?¡± Putting Serenity¡¯s pokeball in the slot, Amira¡¯s gut tightened at the playful lift that came to Misty¡¯s lips without even looking at the stat sheet, reaching into the extending tray with the appropriate Pokemon she could use before it fully extended to pluck out a particular Ultra Ball. ¡°Good luck, Sweetie!¡± ¡°Get ready!¡± the announcer shouted over the crowd as the referee swimmers on the side held their hands in unison to start the match, and Amira took Serenity out of the machine; her little fish was rearing to go. ¡°Set¡­ Begin!¡± She threw the ball into the air as Misty tossed her own out, hand still on her hip and an interested smile on her lips as she said, ¡°I rarely get to use such tactics in Bronze-tier; thanks for the opportunity, Amira!¡± The announcer¡¯s voice shook the stadium, and Amira¡¯s face paled as Serenity spun in the air to greet her opponent. ¡°Amira Rocket¡¯s Feebas, Serenity, verses¡­ Gym Leader Misty¡¯s Lotad¡ªStats on the board!¡± Amira¡¯s vision fixated on the number of the Water Weed Pokemon¡ªrated Bronze 5 against her¡ªfar more robust than what they dealt with at Pewter. ¡°Strategize carefully!¡± Misty snickered. ¡°Cynthia and I had fun discussing how this would play out, and we have a bet!¡± Rhea¡­ Can you punch your aunt for me? This isn¡¯t¡­ No! If that wasn¡¯t enough, a bright blue aura birthed off the Lotad to collect into a decent-sized cloud cover at the top of the barrier; their first Weather battle. B2 — 21. Flawed Diamonds 10:31: A.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). Exiting her pokeball, Serenity spun across the surface of the water, spraying sparkling droplets in all directions before hovering over a platform with the crowd¡¯s cheers; she was ready to fight! ¡°Let¡¯s go,¡± she huffed in her annoyingly tempered and unpassioned voice, but inside she was burning to prove her worth. On the opposite side of the colossal swimming pool, her opponent exited his own capsule¡ªthe Water Weed Pokemon¡ªsmoothly landing on the platform, tilting the lilypad on his back to give her a small, one-eyed nod and smile. ¡°The name¡¯s Lenny, Ma¡¯am; might I get a name in return?¡± Serenity shifted to keep an eye on her opponent and Amira as her Trainer¡¯s heart sank and stomach squirmed. ¡°Oh, no¡­ a Lotad; we¡¯re in trouble. No¡­¡± Setting her resolve to be the support her Trainer needed in her time of trouble¡ªable to use both air and water¡ªshe streamed out a long breath through her gills as Lenny illuminated a deep blue that caused the waters around his platform to become choppy. She took the short interlude he appeared to give her to examine the colossal stadium they were to fight in; it looked like it was made for huge Team Battles, and floating platforms were spaced all across it. Long chains kept many of the stages from drifting too far away from their starting location, yet there was leeway for them to be carried a decent distance. On a quick glance, the depth was amazing, numbers on the sides showing over 50 meters, which was a respectable depth from the rivers and fountains she¡¯d played in, but nothing compared to the ocean city they¡¯d recently visited; although, the bottom seemed to have the capability to open up further if needed, now that she was studying it. ¡°Lost for words, Ma¡¯am?¡± the Lotad questioned. ¡°Hmm¡­ My name is Serenity¡­¡± she answered, looking up at the distant, open ceiling, showering the pool in the early morning sunlight with hovering monitors¡ªMagneton attached¡ªdisplaying more humans than she¡¯d ever seen. Lyra began a chant of a song that made Serenity trail off; the lyrics tightened her Trainer¡¯s heart and calmed the panic at being given a challenge by both Misty and Rhea¡¯s aunt. Serenity mirrored the words the crowd sang. I¡¯m not spotless; I have my share of stripes. No one is flawless, but we¡¯re all diamonds! Smiling as she felt Amira¡¯s spirit steady, Serenity made a short gesture at her big redheaded human. You okay now? ¡°Really, Mom¡­ Heh. How is it she always knows what I need? I guess that¡¯s what moms are for,¡± she whispered while following the gusts that whipped up the pool. ¡°You ready to show you¡¯re a diamond?¡± Always. The invisible wind around Lenny picked up glistening droplets in the bright overhead light to form dark clouds that collected above the small sage and cyan-colored Pokemon, the Lotad¡¯s voice drifting along the rippling waves and gathering storm. ¡°I¡¯m ready whenever you are, Love.¡± Liquid lapping over the platforms, Serenity dipped into the water, keeping track of the darkening clouds; she swam against the turbulent current, generated by the expanding Rain Dance as Amira informed her of the trials they¡¯d face in this match-up. ¡°The number one thing you need to look out for is the red beam he¡¯ll shoot out of his mouth¡­ Muk, a Weather match, though¡ªon the plus side, your speed will be doubled under the clouds¡ªyou know what to focus on as I look things up.¡± Serenity curved through the weaving torrents the small storm whipped up as Amira guided her; Lenny only appeared to be able to cover a sixth of the field with the Move, yet the massive whirlpool she¡¯d swam through was the only thing that she could compare it to. Just as Amira warned, Lenny dove into the water to send a ray of crimson light at her; strength filled her the second the black clouds overshadowed her. Slapping her fin to the left, Serenity maneuvered in a tight circle to spiral the continual beam, keeping track of his bill¡¯s angle to continue dodging. Coming up on the mostly stationary Pokemon, Serenity took her building energy and shot a stream of thick, draconic greenish-blue force at the Lotad at a speed she¡¯d never reached, sending him tumbling through the currents. ¡°No paralysis. Find another¡­ are you kidding me?¡± Serenity launched after Lenny as he righted himself to release a veil of mist that swiftly overtook him but not before she closed the distance, flipped to his back, and sent a wave of energy on his lilypad, forcing him further into the murky soup; static sparked across his shimmering, blue glowing frame. What? Yes! ¡°Back up!¡± Huh? Beating her tail to shoot out of the water and enter the windy airfield. ¡°Quick, Haze! The tempest will carry it around the stadium¡ªis this really happening?!¡± Breathing in, she released the dense smog to fill the space, easily dancing around a pressurized stream of water to her left in the obscured pool of white, and soon entered the cloud; she couldn¡¯t fly too high with Levitate, but enough to keep a decent distance away from the water. ¡°We can¡¯t win; I can¡¯t see how! Why would Misty put us against such an OP combination?! What am I missing?¡± Serenity caught a glimpse of the illuminated Lotad in the falling rain slicking her skin¡ªable to see through her own veiling Move¡ªSerenity let him come to her trap instead of entering his. I¡¯m winning¡ªI got the paralysis. What¡¯s wrong? ¡°Rain Dish¡ªMuk, Misty¡ªshe has to know you don¡¯t have the offensive ability to counter the constant heal,¡± Amira cursed. ¡°Absorb, Rain Dance, Rain Dish, and equipped with hide and seek tactics¡ªthis is totally Silver-tier; how can¡ªwait¡­¡± Keeping herself hidden in the haze, Serenity spun into a sharp dive with layers of translucent walls emerging from her expended energy as a spark of hope lit in the redhead¡¯s heart, thinking on the fly and instructing her on the only shot they had in this ridiculous line-up¡ªit was time to be brave. She scanned the swirling mess until a bright tint out of the corner of her vision made her bend back and down, flicking her tail to evade; Serenity didn¡¯t react fast enough, yet managed to reposition the screens to filter half of the damage as the light grazed her side, hitting her defense matrix like a Rhyhorn. It was time to be bold¡ªreckless, even¡ªwhich was her middle name, and, trajectory unaffected by the draining Grass-Type laser, Serenity danced on the razor''s edge of the crimson ray while racing toward its source. Twirling into a sharp up to left spiral, her fins glittered like diamonds as the attack created a cyclone to disperse the haze in a short area upon meeting the Lotad and catching Lenny¡¯s half-smile, she sent a pulse of psychic force to assault his mind. Serenity felt her Trainer wince from the swift succession of Moves, faster than they¡¯d ever practiced, and curved to stop in front of the wide-eyed Lotad. ¡°Swim to the opposite side of¡ª¡± She swiped right to escape a blast of the draining ray as Lenny snapped out of the attack, cirling him to remain at his back. ¡°Keep it up, Serenity; we can do this!¡± Stolen novel; please report. I can¡¯t use Hypnosis again, Amira; it costs too much. ¡°Things we learn on the fly¡ª¡± she hissed as the Lotad shot to the surface to try and counter Serenity¡¯s stalling tactic. A violet hue surrounded her body as she pursued after the Lilypad Pokemon to collect into spheres that rocketed him, exploding into flashing rays just before exiting the water; thrown off course by the stunning Move, Serenity noticed the rippling aura the Lotad released, healing him by the second under the rain clouds. Entering the gentle storm, glistening raindrops sliding past her slick scales, she headbutted the airborne Pokemon, throwing him out of the edges of the tempest to bounce across one of the platforms. She chased after her opponent, not giving him a chance to collect himself in his confusion and colliding with his small body to toss him to the blown-away floatation stages, yet with her reduced speed upon leaving the drizzle, Lenny managed to send a spray of bubbles between his tumbles, creating a minefield. Serenity arched between two but a third, nigh-invisible sphere that was blocked by the others¡¯ shimmer rose right into her face. ¡°Muk¡­¡± she mumbled, mimicking her Trainer. Sweeping her tail and fins to try to graze by it, the edge of her sail connected, and a shockwave of liquid collided with her side, carrying her into a second to ping-ponging back into the semi-murky water. Energy matrix down to 67%, Serenity spun into the tides to evade a ray of crimson light seeking to drain it further, and to make matters worse, Light Screen wore off. Retreating back into the storm, her speed increased, outpacing her pursuer, yet she saw the rain thicken as he renewed the Rain Dance, spreading the clouds to a new area; according to Amira, it was impossible for them to win due to his level and Ability continually healing him while in the tempest. Serenity broke the surface to float between the dying drizzle and the new one, facing Lenny as he settled on a platform; her heart was thumping a million kilometers an hour at the high-speed battle. ¡°Nice trick with the Bubbles.¡± ¡°Heh-he, well, you¡¯ve been doing great yourself, Ma¡¯am,¡± he grinned, only showing one eye again with his down-sloped lily pad. ¡°I admire the effort you¡¯re givin¡¯, but what do ya think you¡¯re gonna do to win? You don¡¯t seem to be usin¡¯ your energy at all in these Tackles.¡± ¡°Good! He¡¯s not getting instruction from his Trainer; this is all him versus us.¡± She tilted to the side a bit for one of her eyes to catch a glimpse of the smiling and thoughtful Gym Leader following the battle behind her. Lenny was likely a strong Silver-tier competitor in training¡ªaccording to Amira¡ªand this was his first real official battle since few Trainers in Bronze would ever face a rain setter. ¡°Your storms don¡¯t seem to last that long,¡± she said, expression and tone emotionless as her tiny pupils lifted to direct his attention to the dispersing clouds above her. ¡°Is that normal?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. You may be elusive, but you¡¯ll run out of energy before you take down my matrix, Ma¡¯am. Go ahead, try; I won¡¯t move.¡± He didn¡¯t sound condescending, which was somewhat rare for most Pokemon that saw her ugly, shabby, white and black scales; in fact, he seemed to be trying to teach her the gimmick Misty had placed as their barrier for her Encrusted Badge. Hehe. You don¡¯t know how smart my Trainer is! ¡°Hmm. I¡¯m more interested in testing out swimming in the rain, so let¡¯s keep this going!¡± Serenity internally chimed, creating another twirling splash of sparkling water before dipping into the pool to enter the drizzle. Speed doubling, she couldn¡¯t help but scream with her swirling stomach as she bulleted in zig-zag motions within the current, taking the opportunity to better orient herself in the stream, and if she could smirk, she would. Lenny blew dozens of bubbles into the tide before blanketing them in his mist; Serenity simply rocketed to the surface to spin and spray shiny droplets in the light rainfall, taking to the air to continue her dance with the music. ¡°I¡¯m not spotless; I have my share of stripes. No one is flawless, but we¡¯re all diamonds!¡± Smog settled over the pool with her wide circles, dodging the jets of water, bubbles, and rays of light for almost a minute before the second drizzle cleared, leaving Lenny huffing and puffing at the center. Doing a reverse front flip in her forward motion to hover across from the Lotad, Serenity chuckled, coming across as robotic¡ªGables¡¯ phrase¡ªin her emotionless voice. ¡°Running low on energy? Hehe. Maybe you shouldn¡¯t have kept using Rain Dance.¡± Amira cheered at the Pokemon¡¯s overestimation in out-stalling her. ¡°It¡¯s time for the finale.¡± Lenny forced a laugh with the crowd on the edge of their seats; she¡¯d only been able to evade the far stronger Pokemon¡¯s attacks due to Amira¡¯s guidance, Alice¡¯s tag training, and the extra speed she¡¯d gained. ¡°You¡­ were trying to make me run out of power, but I don¡¯t need Rain Dance to shatter your defenses, and now you don¡¯t have that bursty speed, Ma¡¯am. What will you do now, because I can drop you faster than you can drop me?¡± Dragon flames leaked out of her big lips as she gathered her energy. ¡°Heh. We¡¯ll see, Big Shot; I¡¯m pretty agile.¡± ¡°Run, run, run, Ma¡¯am; you certainly are a diamond, though.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± He said I¡¯m a diamond, Amira! ¡°Mmh! Getting excited, are we? Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves; we only get one shot at this.¡± Let¡¯s win this! Serenity roared with Holly; Amber was peaking through their Trainer¡¯s eyes behind one paw. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Serenity!¡± ¡°Look out!¡± Hehe. You¡¯re so funny, Amber, she snickered, using her wide field of vision to track Lenny¡¯s beak and dodge the absorbing light to return a beam of her own, reapplying the paralysis he¡¯d shaken off some time ago. It¡¯s time for the gamble! Ducking into the pool to temporarily evade his sight, Serenity fired violet-hued spheres out while he locked up, detonating in his face to confuse him again, and shooting to the surface, she rammed against the Lotad, throwing him to another platform, yet he managed to right himself in the air. Exposed in her trajectory, Lenny opened his mouth, shaky eyes trying to keep focused to fire the crimson ray, and Serenity met it head-on, scales flaring in a rainbow sheen. The absorb was weightless, sapping her defensive nexus as she converted his own Move but, instead of pumping it into her own shield, she gathered it into an attack, mixing in a good amount of Amira¡¯s fortitude. Fighting past the discomfort of allowing herself to be drained, Serenity counted down the damage, waiting for the number Amira predicted was their best shot. 60%... 40%... 10%... No! At 8% Lenny¡¯s focused beam broke, his internal energy collapsing on the ramping attack to send him hurtling to the side in a miniature explosion¡ªConfusion had worked against them¡ªand she hadn¡¯t gathered enough energy to do the needed damage, but it was too late now. Rainbow, light-collecting orb condensing in her mouth, Serenity twisted into a spin to redirect her colorful globe, hurling it two meters to detonate on her stunned opponent. She smiled upon seeing the eruption of sparkling waves in the dispersing force, ending in a glimmering spray that arced into existence. Not missing a beat¡ªfeeling Amira wince at the rapid draw of energy and forcefully enhanced Mirror Coat¡ªshe plunged into the water to dive under the changing tide. Spotting her semi-recovering opponent, Serenity opened her mouth for a draconic pulse to roar into existence and carry the Lily Pad Pokemon into the fading rainbow, shattering Lenny¡¯s defensive matrix¡ªthey¡¯d won. ¡°Whooo!¡± Serenity cheered with the standing and clapping crowd. The announcer laughed, sounding on the edge of his seat. ¡°I don¡¯t know if this was a contest or an Encrusted Gym Challenge, but Amira Rocket brought the show, Ladies and Gentlemen! The victory goes to the Fire Stone of Viridian!¡± * * * Amira could hardly hear anything beyond the blood pumping in her own ears; her knees felt weak, her body heavy, and her armpits slick with sweat as if she¡¯d just run a marathon. We won¡­ How does Rhea handle intense battles so well with a Master Ball? I¡¯m about to collapse! Her attention shot to Misty as she clapped, and there was a soft smile on her face that said she¡¯d hoped for this outcome and, after several seconds of noise, everyone settled down to hear the Gym Leader¡¯s words. ¡°Well done, Amira. How do you think you did?¡± Making me explain my strategy because my family is here? Thanks, Misty¡­ she sighed, collecting herself as Amber and Holly celebrated with Serenity, who was currently helping her opponent return to a distance he could be recalled by his pokeball. ¡°I¡­ ahem¡­ I think I did adequately, but there is certainly much room for improvement. We¡¯d hoped to confuse your Lotad and fuddle with his mind so he wouldn¡¯t catch onto the Mirror Coat, but that backfired a bit. ¡°You allowed your Lotad to battle himself, without giving him pointers and providing him an opportunity to learn how a Trainer battle played out. Correct?¡± Misty put a hand on her hip and snickered. ¡°Indeed. I never expected Lenny to actually face a Bronze Trainer; he isn¡¯t ready for Silver-tier yet but is far too powerful for Bronze. Fortunately, given your spectacular Feebas, it gave me a chance to give him a sneak peek at battling a smart team. I expect you can explain your strategy, but could you explain mine?¡± Amira¡¯s red irises shifted to the stand filled with her family and Rocket workers¡ªmore than likely, her mother had spent a decent amount of the monthly budget on buying the seats herself; it was something she¡¯d do. Swallowing, Amira tried to keep her composure, despite her thumping heart. ¡°It was really a vicious strategy. Lenny had access to Rain Dance and Rain Dish, restoring his defensive matrix to such a degree that Serenity and I would long run out of energy before we could do anything meaningful. ¡°So, to counter that, we had to stall and goad him into using up his much larger energy pool¡ªconsidering his strength compared to Serenity¡ªmitigating as much damage and retaining as much strength as we could for the counter. ¡°To top it off, Absorb was the nail in the coffin; we couldn¡¯t win without risking everything on rattling him to gather enough force in a Mirror Coat to mostly one-shot him, which wasn¡¯t easy considering Serenity¡¯s own defensive matrix, but she was amazing at predicting the attacks and dodging with the added rain speed¡ªSwift Swim¡ªand your forethought, no doubt. ¡°The bubbles were concerning at times, but Serenity managed to evade most¡­ Our confusion cut off the tiny bit more of energy we needed to finish him, but the damage of his Move collapse, the Mirror Coat, and Dragon Pulse managed to barely break his defense matrix.¡± A toothy grin came from the ginger-haired woman as she gave her a thumbs up. ¡°You gave a wonderful performance, Amira, and not only figured out a tough puzzle but managed to execute it. Hold your head high, and treat that gorgeous Feebas of yours to something special, because she was brilliant!¡± ¡°Heh. Will do. Thank you, Gym Leader Misty.¡± Letting Serenity show off a bit more with a few sparkling splashes, Amira recalled her precious little diamond as the crowd started to scream the Diamond chant, and the screen overhead showed her mother being held by her father, sniffing back tears. Oh, Mom¡­ You never change, she internally laughed while exiting for Lori to take her place. No one¡¯s flawless, but we¡¯re all diamonds, huh? I love you, Mom. B2 — 22. Who’s The Dope? 10:47: A.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). Lori sat on the bench as the four nervous Trainers in the locker room remained utterly silent, watching Amira¡¯s spectacular performance, and it wasn¡¯t just her that felt the intimidation of seeing those dark clouds and whipping waves they caused. Miky sent anxious chuckles through their private connection, making her stomach squirm a little; Gables would certainly be their best choice in this match-up, but at the same time, she held firm to the explanation Amira had given before. I know, Gabs would be able to keep up with her Pokemon, but Gym Leaders have to provide a way to win¡­ even in the Encrusted Challenge; it¡¯s hard, but you can win, Miky. Roxie shot positive vibes to them with her little, shiny frog; however, seeing Serenity¡¯s rapid three-dimensional shifts from air to water, and still how challenging it was for her to do anything to the powerful Lotad put a shiver through the Impidimp. He¡¯d been among the top dogs in his little part of Viridian Forest, and the shock of meeting so many other incredibly strong Pokemon had made him realize how tiny his neck of the woods was. The lump in her throat dropped into her stomach as Serenity took her shot, risking it all in the daring charge to return the Lotad¡¯s own energy with her own; it wasn¡¯t enough. She sat at the edge of her seat, air locked in her lungs as they didn¡¯t hesitate, flipping around to suck in Amira¡¯s fortitude to deliver a decisive Dragon Pulse to shatter the Lily Pad Pokemon¡¯s defensive matrix. She won¡­ Lori chuckled, Roxie and Gables cheering, yet her little imp was still too nervous to let such an emotion touch him. Amira actually won. Working down the sticky saliva in her throat, she forced a smile as the other Trainers around her cheered for the Rocket girl. Lori couldn¡¯t help laughing at Lyra¡¯s mood as she jumped up and down, the camera angled to see the all-black-and-red-themed section of the stadium, signs thrown into the air. Nice¡­ Her focus fell to her lap, lips tightening with the realization that her teammate was halfway done with the Encrusted Gym Challenge; Amira really was amazing. We can do it, too, Miky! See. Even if everything was stacked against them, they managed to win. I know you¡¯re not confident about fighting in the water, and I don¡¯t even care if we do lose; the whole point is getting out and shooting our shot! Miky drew a bit of strength from the declaration and his fellow Pokemon supporting the opinion. ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± Just breathe, guys! she said¡ªmainly for herself¡ªas her chest lifted and fell with the repeated action. Calm down and listen to the music like always¡ªdon¡¯t make it complicated¡ªwe¡¯ll just act like it¡¯s any other battle. Despite her words, she folded her arms under her bust to not shake with the adrenaline running through her veins while listening to her teammate explain her thoughts on the battle; as could be expected, the brainy girl had swiftly nailed down that they had no chance of victory without specific conditions being met. We can do that, too. Let¡¯s work together, guys! Plus, I bought that big Pokedex package so we can have all the information to help us figure out our opponent¡¯s strategies. We got this! She gave a few smiles and waves at the four remaining girls in the gender-specific locker room as they walked toward the area that would take them to where her teammate left. ¡°Good luck, Mallory.¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªheh, I hope we don¡¯t have to fight something like that¡ªMisty¡¯s vicious!¡± another girl chimed in. ¡°No joke,¡± Lori returned, pretending like she was totally relaxed. ¡°It¡¯ll be fine; Gym Leaders always have to give you a way to win. So, just look for what that is.¡± ¡°No way; I didn¡¯t know that! You?¡± ¡°No. Thanks for the advice, Mallory!¡± ¡°No prob. Good luck!¡± she said, putting her hands in her pockets to extract the headphones Kate was still lending to her to insert them, but she wouldn¡¯t start the music until the battle started. She¡¯d mainly told the other girls Amira¡¯s revelation to reassure herself, and on her way through the hallway, Lori caught sight of the redhead. ¡°Yo! Nice work, Champ! Intense battle.¡± ¡°Haha. Thanks,¡± Amira whispered, rubbing her bare left arm. ¡°To be honest, I¡¯m still in kind of a daze, and¡­ Ugh. I¡¯m glad we¡¯re not leaving for a few days with how my muscles feel, but¡­¡± ¡°Yeah! Haha. You still have to sing tonight, huh?¡± ¡°Well, compared to this, that will be a breeze. Plus, I can rely on Yancy since it¡¯s a slower song I wrote.¡± Her lilac locks swaying as she danced around¡ªhands held behind her back to grip her wrist to stop the jitters¡ªMallory walked backward to keep Amira in sight on passing the redhead. ¡°Ooh! Can¡¯t wait. I¡¯ll see you in a bit!¡± ¡°Yeah, good luck, Lori; we¡¯ll be cheering you on¡ªhehe, probably all of Rocket, too.¡± ¡°Haha! I bet, knowing your mom.¡± Flipping away as they parted, the pressure hit Lori¡¯s tight chest; her own parents and little sister would be in the crowd, and she pulled out her phone just before exiting, lingering a moment to smile at a photo message her big sister had sent. Shauntal sat in a candle-lit room with various Ghost Pokemon around her, cute smile, wink, and thumbs up in place with the message: Always watching, Lori. Funny memes! ¡°Humph.¡± For an author, you suck at writing, Sis. ¡°Huu-haaa¡­¡± Let¡¯s go, guys! Stepping into the bright light to hear the crowd''s cheers, Lori¡¯s mouth went dry upon taking her position. Misty worked the spotlight like a natural, being a live-drama performer as a member of the Sensational Sisters; her voice was upbeat and welcoming. ¡°What surprise are you going to send my way? Hehe. I half expect you to throw out your little Rockruff for the shock factor alone, being Karen and Grimsley¡¯s kid.¡± ¡°Hehe. We¡¯ll see, huh?¡± Lori returned, adding a forced smile as Roxie roared that she¡¯d gladly face the Water Gym Leader, but this was Miky¡¯s stage, despite the flustered Impidimp¡¯s insistence that if she wanted to take his spot, she was welcome. Hips shifting to the opposite side with her hand, Lori wondered if Misty¡¯s growing baby was causing her internal trouble, but she didn¡¯t let it show in her voice. ¡°Just make sure to have fun! Shall we begin?¡± ¡°Uh-huh!¡± Lori promptly took out Miky¡¯s pokeball, swallowing at the M written on the front before inserting it into the machine. What¡¯s it going to be? * * * Miky tried to follow his Trainer¡¯s example in breathing as she expanded his capsule and placed him inside the scanning machine; it left a bit of a tingle through him while looking through his Trainer¡¯s eyes. The ginger¡¯s smile fell a bit as she glanced at the screen beside her and the tray exited, giving her the options for their conflict, but it swiftly became a thoughtful smirk; it was difficult for him to understand the human, but Roxie helped to translate. What she say? Rox-Rox! What she say? ¡°Hmm,¡± the stalwart Rockruff¡¯s tone stiffened slightly as she examined Misty draw out a Great-Type pokeball through her link with their Trainer. ¡°She said our team is causing all sorts of interesting lineups¡ªwhatever that means.¡± Lori took his capsule out, whispering, ¡°Here we go, Miky. Let¡¯s take it a bit slow at the start to see what we¡¯re dealing with. No need to rush¡± Mi smacky-smack ¡®im to stop the blasty! Miky returned, nervous jitters rolling around his stomach as she drew back her arm with the ref¡¯s countdown. ¡°Like I said¡ªno rush¡ªwe can only use it once in a while, so let¡¯s chill.¡± Miky listened to the music Lori put on, which was far more understandable through her interpretation than all the human mumbo-jumbo they typically played; the soft beat and flow helped to ease the tension he felt. ¡°Three, two, one¡­ begin!¡± Pokeball thrown through the air, he exited the ball to almost fall back in shock; the colossal lake he¡¯d been thrown on was daunting, as was looking up at the vast sky and stadium¡ªhe was accustomed to the enclosed forest. Too big! Too big! ¡°Huh¡­¡± Lori brought his attention to their pink-skinned opponent that exited their own capsule far in the distance, making Miky giggle. Hehe. Hehehe. Mi knows dum-dum! ¡°Mallory Medina of Unova sends out Miky, her Impidimp, verses Dox, Gym Leader Misty¡¯s Slowpoke! Fight!¡± ¡°A Slowpoke, huh, and Bronze 2? Well, we got our slow match,¡± she chuckled, and Miky¡¯s confidence skyrocketed. ¡°Let¡¯s not get cocky, though, Miky.¡± Snickering at the extremely slow-minded and moving Pokemon he¡¯d matched against, he looked to the nearby platforms as the big, pink guy rose up on his hind legs, supporting himself with his tail, and waved to him. ¡°Hi¡­ I¡¯m Dox. Who are you?¡± ¡°Shi-shi-shi. Mi Miky,¡± he shouted back, sticking out his tongue as he ran to the edge of his platform to jump to a nearby one; they seemed to be arranged to allow Pokemon to meet each other. ¡°I come for you! Hehehe.¡± ¡°Miky, don¡¯t get cocky, man!¡± Gables muttered with Roxie''s agreement. ¡°Mhm! This is an Encrusted Match; he¡¯s supposed to outclass you a ton. Remember?¡± He be sooo slow¡ªAlice run circles around ¡®im¡ªI run circles ¡®round ¡®im! I make him stumble¡ª Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Lori¡¯s hiss caused him to almost stumble himself and drop into the water as the dopy Pokemon watched his advance with a dumb smile on his face, still waving at him. ¡°Own Tempo, probably¡­ Out of our four moves, ugh¡ªhe¡¯s immune to Confusion tactics. We¡¯re Super Effective against him with Bite, but the issue is¡­¡± Miky¡¯s cheer dampened as the happy Slowpoke lowered himself to the ground and started walking to the platform''s edge in a casual stroll. ¡°No! No, no! No go in water! Cheating! Cheating!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Dox¡¯s front left foot paused midair, head tilting to the side. ¡°I¡¯m cheating? Hmm¡­ I don¡¯t think so? I just want a little swim¡­ Ohh¡ªc¡¯mon, Miky¡ªthe water¡¯s great!¡± Miky got to his stage, steam practically puffing out of his pointed ears as the pink Pokemon slipped into the pool to flip around and float away with gentle sways of his tail, belly upward. ¡°Cheating! Cheating!¡± he shouted, flailing his fists in the air and storming around with the Slowpoke spraying a small fountain of water up in his gradual swaying swim. ¡°Oh, no¡­¡± Lori sighed, and Miky froze in mid-tantrum as a violet aura enclosed the Pokemon. Smacky-smack! The Slowpoke startled as Miky clapped his hands in the water¡ªducking underwater for a moment¡ªgenerating a pulse that stunned the Pokemon, disrupting his Move. ¡°Great! But don¡¯t get carried away, this will be difficult!¡± Mi Smacky-smack, this be easy. No hard. ¡°Curse¡­ No, Miky, chill a little; this is going to be a long fight,¡± Lori hummed, calmly observing the pink Pokemon as his movements in the water slowed further. Is slow! Is slow dummy! Stupid water! ¡°Miky¡­¡± Gables mumbled, flicking his spirit and making him jump. What?! Mi do no wrong! Roxie¡¯s reasonable voice came through as he watched the Pokemon sway across the surface of the large pool. ¡°You¡¯ll have to go into the water, Miky.¡± ¡°And chill, Bud,¡± Gables prompted as their Trainer scanned the Pokedex App. ¡°I know this is your first real battle, and there¡¯s a lot riding on this, but ya got hit with a nice and slow battle.¡± Dox hummed along to his own tune¡ªapparently not too upset at the failed Move¡ªand it became clear this wouldn¡¯t be like the previous challenge. Frustrated, Miky looked at the rippling waves, teetering at the edge. People laugh¡ªwhy they laugh at mi¡ªno, they laugh at dumb slow-slow! He hesitantly jumped into the gentle ebb and sway of the colossal pool, bubbles floating around him as he blinked, air escaping his lungs once seeing how deep the bottom was. Too big! Lori¡¯s calm and supportive voice held a slightly melancholy tone. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Miky. Breathe¡­ Just breathe.¡± Fighting to the surface, he coughed and sputtered, gasping for air; with his teammates¡¯ soothing encouragement, he stabilized himself on the side of the platform¡ªhe¡¯d never fought in an arena like this¡ªand once his vision cleared, everything seemed twice as big from within the water. G-Gabs¡ªm-mi don¡¯t think mi can do this¡ªGabs¡­ Rox-Rox¡­ he cried. ¡°We¡¯re here, Bud. I know it¡¯s hard.¡± ¡°Focus on the big pink guy,¡± Roxie urged. ¡°Isn¡¯t he a big dum-dum?¡± Yeah¡­ Yeah¡­ Everything be¡ªbe too big! Lori¡¯s spiritual vibes stabilized him with the help of the music. ¡°No rush. He¡¯s off doing his own thing. Feeling better now?¡± Little¡­ Mi still scared. ¡°I got you if you get stuck, Miky; I can pull you back with the pokeball, remember? This isn¡¯t like the wild where you¡¯ll get stuck and drown. Hehe. You know how bad I am with water, right?¡± Heh-he¡­ Lori bad-bad with rivers. ¡°Right! Heh, I know, Miky¡ªI know¡­ Can ya show me how it¡¯s done?¡± Yeah¡­ Mi know how to swim! Building his courage, he cast his vision around, spotting the slow-moving Slowpoke as he became surrounded by a violet aura again after recovering; he¡¯d gotten off a Curse. Although, the Slowpoke was now staring at the bright blue sky with his mouth open in wonder as he watched a puffy cloud coming into view. ¡°Miky¡­ Woah¡­ You see it, too?¡± Gables laughed. ¡°He¡¯s so high! This is great.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Roxie mirrored him. ¡°I didn¡¯t think there were battles like this.¡± Mi have funny time? Miky questioned, making his way toward the floating Dopey Pokemon, and his vision latched onto the gentle sway of his tail. Ooh¡­ Why it look so yummy? Somewhat entranced by the side-to-side motion, he forgot the depth and height of the water he swam through. ¡°That¡¯s it,¡± Lori cheered. ¡°You¡¯re doing it!¡± Mi doing it! Watch, Gabs, watch! Mi swim real good! ¡°Yeah, Bud! All that practice with Lori, right?¡± Mi bite tail! Mi win! ¡°Let¡¯s not get ahead of ourselves,¡± Gables mused. ¡°Lori, what are we lookin¡¯ at?¡± Their Trainer eased out a slow stream of air. ¡°I think even in the water Miky can dodge the Tackles, considering he dropped his Speed, but his defense increased¡­ I think we¡¯re in a Time Battle, Boys.¡± Roxie chuckled, always finding it funny to be lumped into the guys with the term. Mi chomp-chomp! Miky¡¯s sharp fangs glistened as he drew near, peeled back his lips, and gathered a large chunk of power with the swaying white tail in front of him; black force gathered in front of him, and in one swift motion, his teeth closed around the soft appendage. Eyes widening in partial shock at the flavors that exploded in his mouth, he only returned to his senses as he was drawn out of the water; dangling in the air, his gaze met Dox¡¯s blinks. ¡°Oh¡­ Are we in a battle? Oh¡­¡± His head turned left and right, seeing the crowd''s laughter; Lori, Gables, and Lori reflected the action. ¡°Oh¡­ Ouuuch. Hmm. Okay.¡± Halfway through gathering a second Bite, he grunted in protest with the dark fangs growing around his tail to chomp down on it again with the appendage still in his mouth. ¡°No¡ªno, no, no¡­ Eeeek!¡± With a lazy flick, he lost his grip on the tail and was sent screaming through the air to smack, belly-first, onto a platform, making him see stars. ¡°Eh¡ªeh¡­¡± ¡°Oof! You okay, Bud?¡± Gables hissed with Lori. Mi¡­ Mi no like flying. ¡°Roll to the left¡­¡± Stumbling to his feet in a daze, he shook his head and jumped to the right, only to be met by a jet of water that carried him back into the pool. ¡°Ack! Ack!¡± Energy matrix down to 80% from that one attack, Miky floundered a bit before making it to another platform, chest huffing and puffing. Mi¡­ Mi no like water battles! he sputtered. He saw Dox back on his belly swaying between the stages to get back into position to spray more water at him. ¡°Hmm. Hmm. Hmm¡­¡± Lori¡¯s voice finally reached him through his panic. ¡°Scoot around the edge¡ªkeep distance¡­ Oof.¡± Head tilting to the side as he slid into focus, Dox opened his mouth and sent another blast that carried him into open water and dropped his defensive matrix to 62%. ¡°Ack!¡± Refocusing to not get struck by another, he dodged the telegraphed shot and swam behind another platform, hearing the gentle advice from his teammates. Once out of sight, he saw the crowd had an entirely different vibe than it had with Serenity¡¯s fast-paced battle, and tears came to his eyes. Mi¡­ Mi embarrasses you, Lori¡ªmi don¡¯t like this¡­ ¡°We¡¯re all learning, Miky,¡± Lori returned, not a hint of anger in her voice as he¡¯d expected. ¡°If we act the fool, then we can have fun doing it! Hehe. Let¡¯s play into it. Dance around a bit, and dodge the Water Guns. Maybe we¡¯ll make him frustrated. Huh?¡± Yeah! Mi dance! Mi can dance! Pulling himself up, Miky started jumping up and down, waving his hands around wildly while sticking out his tongue and laughing at Dox¡¯s wide-eyed, open-mouthed stare. ¡°Huh¡­ Dance competition? Oh¡­ Wave your tail¡ªwooh¡ªclap, clap¡­¡± Miky snickered at the dumb Pokemon; he didn¡¯t even know they were in a battle! Dox spayed a fountain of water in the sky to rain around them, annoying Miky a little as the wide-ranged rain attack he created dropped his matrix to 61.5%, yet he wasn¡¯t even looking at him! ¡°Come! Come, Doxy! We battle on here¡ªon here¡ªland! Land!¡± He stopped, mouth opening as he looked at him for a moment, hand rising to his head. ¡°Battle¡­ Oh. We¡¯re in a battle!¡± ¡°No! No!¡± Miky shouted as he breathed in and shot more jets of water at him; not one hit. Dodging left and right, Lori chuckled. ¡°Use Confide, Miky. It will lower the damage.¡± Gathering the force, he whispered, ¡°Y-You know we not in battle! We in dance battle!¡± The sprays ceased with his derpy expression as the wave of small white notes made their way to him to gather around his head. ¡°Dance battle¡­ Oh, no. Wait¡­ Are you trying to trick me?¡± Roxie, Gables, and he snickered as a white aura collected around him, dropping his Special Attack. ¡°No! No! Mi no tricky-trick!¡± He tried it again with his ability making its use practically instantaneous, but a third time failed; he wasn¡¯t strong enough to drop it further. ¡°Mmh¡­ No. Misty says we¡¯re in a battle! That¡¯s mean, Miky¡­¡± He shot more blasts of water that missed but Miky was too nervous to go back into the water; a few minutes passed of unsuccessful goading before Lori got him to go back in and chase the Slowpoke, but now he was annoying and keeping his distance. Lori, Gables, and Roxie gave him advice on getting closer, and Miky got close to biting him a few times; he only took part of one weakened jet of water in his platform leaps to close the distance. However, he grew more desperate as the time on the big monitors grew smaller and smaller. ¡°I get you!¡± ¡°Nu-uh¡­ My friends call me Speed Blur the Fabulous¡­¡± ¡°Ggrrgh! No cheating!¡± ¡°I¡¯m not cheating?¡± Lori! He cheats! He no let me bite! ¡°It¡¯s alright,¡± Lori¡¯s soft, resigned chuckle carried through their connection. ¡°We should have practiced battling in the water in Samiya. It¡¯s okay, Miky. We did our best.¡± I not¡­ ¡°Match!¡± Miky blinked in confusion as a red light shot out to return the retreating Slowpoke. ¡°Eh? Eh? Eh?! No! Mi no done¡­¡± Tears formed in his eyes as Lori called him back to his pokeball. ¡°It¡¯s not your fault, Miky. It¡¯s not. Okay?¡± Mi lose¡­ Mi lose¡­ He began to cry as Misty and his Trainer talked. * * * The nervous jitters in Lori¡¯s stomach faded away while watching the battle play out, Roxie and Gables attempting to give their anxious Pokemon advice. It was obvious why Misty had chosen this route to battle her, helping her realize that Miky was far from ready to enter the open stage. Arms crossed under her bust, she followed the imp¡¯s desperate swim, doing his best to reach the Own Tempo Slowpoke while deep in her own thoughts as the results of this challenge became crystal clear. Just like pushing Rhea with dancing and dates¡­ I rushed head first, dragging Miky into a battle he just wasn¡¯t prepared for. Ugh. I¡¯m a terrible Trainer and friend, huh? Roxie seemed to pick up on her emotional state and smacked her spirit with a glare, and Gables catching on, made her giggle as he mirrored her, telling her to get her to quit being depressing. You gotta self-reflect, guys, she returned. Observing the final seconds of the battle count down before telling Miky he¡¯d done his best; after all, the issue wasn¡¯t him, but her, and she had to wonder how Misty knew exactly what style of a match was required to force it into her thick skull. She recalled him, stopped her music, and returned Misty¡¯s sad smile as the Gym Leader asked, ¡°What¡¯s on your mind, Girl?¡± ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± Running her fingers through her hair with Gables and Roxie comforting the sobbing Impidimp, Lori only felt guilt at not reading the signs that Miky wasn¡¯t ready for a Gym Battle. ¡°I think it¡¯s pretty obvious. An expensive lesson, but, heh, I¡¯m grateful for it. I¡¯ll talk to my teammates and see what else I missed.¡± She held up her imp¡¯s pokeball. ¡°I let my team down, and that¡¯s on me. Miky did great, and so did Dox. Thanks, Gym Leader, Misty; I learned a lot.¡± ¡°Hehe. Training¡¯s not easy, Mallory, and we all have to go through harsh lessons sometimes, but I¡¯m glad you¡¯re so introspective.¡± A concerned shift came to the woman¡¯s young face on the display. ¡°Just remember, seeing our flaws is all fine and good, but don¡¯t go making more cracks or pick at them until they become fissures that swallow you whole. ¡°You did good trying to guide Miky through the tough parts where he was panicking, and it seems like you have an excellent team that supported him rather than belittled his inexperience. I look forward to battling him again when he grows a bit more. Sound good?¡± Finding strength in her encouraging words, Lori nodded, wondering if the heavyweight against her chest was what Rhea felt when she lost to Forrest. ¡°I¡¯ll definitely come back to get that Encrusted Bronze Badge. This isn¡¯t where our journey ends.¡± A bright, toothy grin split Misty¡¯s lips. ¡°Glad to hear it. I¡¯ll see you in a few months?¡± ¡°Count on it.¡± Turning around¡ªand feeling better than she thought she would, given their comical performance¡ªLori vowed to do better; she had to if she was ever going to give her Pokemon and teammates what they deserved. Waving and smiling at the nervous girl that exited the locker room to replace her, Lori slowed and let her go by before stumbling against the side of the concrete hallway, unable to hold back any longer. Tears came to her eyes as she clutched her burning breast. I¡¯m sorry, guys. I¡¯ll do better. Miky was now crying harder after she began to tear up, and her two other Pokemon huddled closer to be their pillars. She¡¯d do better; she had to find another way to not be left alone, or Rhea and Amira would be forced to leave them behind, and that would kill the sensitive blonde country girl. B2 — 23. Training Required! 10:00 - 10:45: A.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). Stomach twisting as she moved through the crowded stadium crowd with Nova in her arms, she scanned for the rows her brother texted her; Alice and Mya would come out to watch when she sat down. The seating was hard to get, which meant Bianca and Hilbert had to use the VIP box with her husband¡¯s Former Champion status; the two wanted to have their sappy lovey-dovey time together, and Rhea didn¡¯t want to intrude. Rhea loved having her family so close by¡ªif only her parents were here, too¡ªshe wasn¡¯t sure if her aunt would make an appearance; according to Sabin, she was dealing with something regarding a Celebi that showed up. Rhea walked up the stairs while scanning for the right letter. Right¡­ a Celebi just randomly shows up¡ªjust another average Saturday¡ªtypical Aunt Cynthia¡­ What? She glanced down at her salt-and-pepper Eevee as she chirped, pointing a little up and to their left; a grin came on as Sabin and Katelin came into focus, leaning close to each other whispering. Nice! Heading over to them as forced chuckles came from around the stadium, she paused when the announcer roared overhead. ¡°Drass, Peter¡¯s Caterpie, goes down to Estro, Gym Leader Misty¡¯s Luvdisc!¡± Hurrying to her brother as the ginger-haired woman spoke to the boy in private, no doubt giving him advice, Rhea got to her seat. ¡°Rhea!¡± Kate cheered, being the first to catch sight of her. ¡°You got here just in time; Amira¡¯s about to have her turn.¡± ¡°Wooh! Hehe. I thought I was going to miss it! Hey, Kate, Sabin; what¡¯s up?¡± Her brother got up to hug her, and Rhea couldn¡¯t help but feel her worries melt in his familiar, strong embrace. ¡°We¡¯re good! Heh, look at you, dressed up in your new Trainer gear.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t she look stunn¡ªoh?!¡± Kate interjected but was a little surprised as Rhea went from Sabin to lean down and hug her. ¡°What¡­ did I do to deserve that? Hehe.¡± She caught her brother¡¯s half-smile. ¡°Hold up, Sis! You¡¯re not supposed to like Kate!¡± ¡°Humph. Well¡­ she¡¯s grown on me,¡± Rhea returned, pulling back to flash her teeth. ¡°Sorry I¡¯ve been a bit of a Stunky over the years.¡± ¡°You¡ªa Stunky? Never! Hehe. Well, I¡¯m not the one that said it¡ªbut I totally understand, girl¡ªI kind of stole your only brother away,¡± Katelin¡¯s cheeks brightened while teasingly sticking out her tongue. ¡°Totally not sorry, by the way!¡± ¡°Hah! Well, yeah¡ªI¡¯m just glad you didn¡¯t turn out to be a complete Muk,¡± Rhea mused, sitting on the opposite side of Sabin. ¡°So, umm, what do you guys have planned?¡± They both shrugged, her brother settling in while looking at the colossal pool stadium below. ¡°We¡¯re taking the beginning of this season slow since we¡¯re mostly ready for the League.¡± Kate¡¯s blue ponytail bobbed as she leaned forward. ¡°Oh! You saw my battle against Janine?¡± Rhea¡¯s smile strained. ¡°Uh, yeah¡­¡± The woman¡¯s expression fell. ¡°You¡¯re so bad at lying. Well, I won!¡± She reached over to take the Platinum Encrusted Badge, eyes widening while studying the framed pink heart. ¡°Ooh! The Soul Badge really is nice looking.¡± ¡°Right! I got the Platinum Encrusted Cascade, Volcano, and Soul Badges now.¡± ¡°Know what¡¯s gonna be your¡ª¡± ¡°Shh.¡± Her brother held up a finger to the screen; Amira walked out with her sunglasses on. She didn¡¯t look nervous in the least; a complete natural. ¡°Looks like things are about to begin, and Lori¡¯s later on in the schedule¡ªsee?¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach squirmed again as she nodded, seeing the number of contestants left for the Gym Leader to take; they were ten-minute timed matches. C¡¯mon, Amira, you can do it! Alice and Mya cried to watch, and Nova, ever the humble one, offered to allow them to be out to have the experience as she watched through Rhea¡¯s eyes; it was a different experience to being out and able to focus on what you wanted. Kate made a low hum of excitement with many of the crowd, and only just now did she see the vast wave of red and black bodies when their shouts eclipsed the rest of the onlookers, making Rhea laugh. A sea of signs rooting for Viridian¡¯s Fire Stone filled the sky with the Former Champion¡¯s Pokemon floating in the air with Lyra. Rhea smiled as the enthusiastic woman started a chant about flawed diamonds, which drew her mind back to Gym Leader Saria¡¯s High Master battle with her Carbink. ¡°Serenity, huh?¡± Sabin grinned, question trailing off as Katelin gasped. ¡°No way! Bronze 5¡ªfor her second Gym Battle¡ªand against a Lotad? Yo, that¡¯s not even funny¡­ Rain Dance?!¡± Rhea¡¯s abdomen tightened with fear as she saw Amira¡¯s fingers ball into tight fists while studying the dark clouds forming over the massive stadium. ¡°She can win, though¡ªright, Sabin?¡± ¡°Wooooew, uh, ye-mmm¡­ I¡¯m not gonna lie, Sis; it¡¯s gonna be rough¡­ if she doesn¡¯t play this perfectly¡­¡± ¡°Yeeeah¡­¡± Katelin hissed, watching the little Feebas throw sparkling liquid into the air, using Splash to further enhance her entrance. ¡°This is going to be insane; I know Amira¡¯s a smart cookie, but the fact Misty gave her this challenge¡­ says a lot¡ªa whole lot.¡± ¡°It¡¯s about to begin¡ªMuk, those movements are actually¡­ really good,¡± Sabin whistled as Serenity flipped around the red beams shot her way. ¡°Actually impressed.¡± Muscles tensing, Rhea scooted to the edge of her seat, smoothing out her dress; her thighs nervously pressed together in the evolving, high-speed battle. Alice roared with vigor, hopping around on her armrest as she shouted about how slippery the Feebas was in their games. Mya had gained a new appreciation for this kind of battle and how aggressive Serenity was being, slamming into the Lotad without even using her energy to shove him off-balance. On the other hand, Nova had her paws wrapped around her spirit, hugging it tightly with the anxiety filling her breast that resonated between them, crying out whenever the Feebas took a hit; she wiggled back and forth with her tail inside her pokeball, causing Rhea to feel as if someone was behind her, shaking her at each intense moment. ¡°Nice!¡± Katelin whispered, glued to the screen as Serenity threw him out of the rain storm. ¡°Brilliant; she¡¯s trying to conserve their energy while forcing him to waste his own on keeping up the weather.¡± ¡°Mmh. I¡¯d say it¡¯s her only chance at victory,¡± Sabin returned, somehow remaining in a lax position, resting his head on the back of his hands as he followed the exchange below. ¡°Serenity¡¯s definitely Melina¡¯s daughter with reaction time and aerial Levitate maneuvers like that¡ªit¡¯s in her genes to feel comfortable in the air and sea.¡± ¡°Wait, what?! She¡¯s actually, Melina¡¯s daughter¡ªyour aunt¡¯s Main Team Melotic, Elegant Queen of the Sea¡ªMelina?!¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Yup! She¡¯s got the attitude, too.¡± ¡°Nice¡ªyeah, okay¡­ Bronze 5 Rain Dance¡ªseems legit; let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go!¡± Katelin laughed. ¡°Yo, this has to be it, Sabin¡ªyup!¡± ¡°Confuse Ray to Mirror Coat¡ªokay,¡± Sabin muttered. ¡°Disorient him to not break his Move short¡­ oof! Bad luck.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Rhea choked, unconsciously rising to her feet and making the people behind her groan. ¡°What, Sabin?! She hit!¡± The rainbow sphere collected in Serenity¡¯s mouth to strike the stumbling Lotad, creating a fountain of colors in the explosive spray of water that followed the detonation. ¡°Yup. Bad luck,¡± Kate moaned. ¡°The Confusion diminished her potential one-shot, but¡­¡± Sabin puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°Ugh¡­ yeah, looks like Amira¡¯s gonna feel it after this next attack.¡± Just as confused as the Lotad seemed to be, Rhea hastily sat back down after hearing the mutters of the men behind her, watching Serenity flip around in the pool to launch a draconic blast at the Lily Pad Pokemon, shattering its defensive matrix. ¡°Woooh!¡± She shot back into the air, dress bouncing with her cheerful jumps, everyone else in the stadium doing the same, and she caught Alice as she jumped into her arms, waving her small arms and ears. ¡°They did it! Amira won!¡± Squealing with the rest of her party, she soon quieted down as Misty brought everyone back to the pair, allowing Amira the chance to explain the match. Rhea stood in awe at how controlled and poised the redhead was as she went over how hopeless it looked to her before finding her only route to victory. Wow¡­ Amira¡¯s so good; she¡¯s also so hard on herself, though. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Kate asked, giving her an annoyingly knowing smile. ¡°Haaa¡­ I need to get stronger. Amira¡¯s always so consistent; she knows what her win conditions are and works with her team to get there.¡± Sabin nudged her side with a chuckle. ¡°Sis, you¡¯re got talent in other ways, but you¡¯re not wrong. Hehe. You¡¯d do well to learn some things from Amira.¡± Katelin nodded. ¡°Mhm! She¡¯s got a fire in her that I love when watching her¡ªeven if it looks like she¡¯s super chill, I can tell she¡¯s burning to prove herself.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Rhea played with her long ponytail as she watched her teammate leave in victory. ¡°She¡¯s really something else¡­ and she¡¯s going to sing with Yancy later today.¡± ¡°Speaking of,¡± Kate snickered, shooting an inquisitive look her way. ¡°Have you heard about the gossip surrounding Yancy over the last few days?¡± ¡°No?¡± Settling down a bit as she saw Lori enter the stadium to cheers, Rhea¡¯s turbulent stomach returned; she wasn¡¯t sure about having Miky fight and wondered how her brother would see it. ¡°A, umm¡ªa lot of things happened in the last few days, so I haven¡¯t been able to check what¡¯s trending on the app.¡± ¡°Pictures surfaced with what appears to be Yancy at an amusement park¡ªhehe, trying to keep a low profile and looking cute¡ªwith guess who¡­ Nate!¡± The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Rhea blinked; she was a bit thrown off by the sudden change in topic, but it was a bit attention-grabbing. ¡°The upstart making waves in Unova¡ªthe one that¡¯s friends with Hugh and Rosa?¡± ¡°Mhm! And check this¡ªapparently, there¡¯s some talk about Rosa and Curtis being seen together at the same location! Pretty suspicious, hmm? All of them were dressed pretty nice, too¡­ Double date? Hehe.¡± ¡°It does seem pretty suspicious,¡± she mumbled, having the handsome idol¡¯s face pop into her mind; it would certainly be a hot topic if the two superstar idols were seeing the newest upcoming Unova Elite 4 challengers. Her brother gave them incredulous looks. ¡°What¡¯s up with you two and gossip?¡± ¡°It¡¯s just interesting,¡± Kate mused. ¡°It makes you spin little stories in your head that, heh, can be a bit steamy!¡± ¡°Y-You don¡¯t have to say it like that,¡± Rhea whispered, feeling blood rush to her cheeks. ¡°Umm, Lori¡¯s going to start.¡± ¡°Yeah! You go, girl!¡± Kate shouted. Rhea couldn¡¯t see her family in the crowd, but that wasn¡¯t surprising; it was packed, yet her heart stopped when her teammate actually revealed her Pokemon. ¡°Mmgm¡­¡± Kate and her brother¡¯s faces creased as they watched the little imp hop around the platform with the accompanying difficulty. ¡°Miky?¡± Sabin mumbled in surprise. ¡°She¡¯s not going with Gables?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I was thinking,¡± Kate hissed, watching the laughing Impidimp point at the Slowpoke it faced. ¡°Did you guys practice water battles the other day?¡± Knowing she meant their visit to the underwater city, Rhea¡¯s lips puckered as she shook her head; Lori certainly did her share of battling in the water, but not her Pokemon. ¡°Mmh¡­ Bronze 2 is about right for a strong Pokemon in their second Encrusted battle,¡± her brother slowly said, examining his movements, ¡°but if they haven¡¯t practiced fighting on a water stage¡­ It¡¯s a whole different type of battle.¡± Kate ran her fingers through her hanging blue locks, indicating she was nervous from what Rhea had seen of her tells while growing up. ¡°I think Roxie would have even been a better pick, considering she¡¯s battled in a lake before, but Gables was the obvious choice, given his experience¡­ I don¡¯t know¡ªis she trying to throw Misty off?¡± Rhea hissed as Miky stopped at the platform¡¯s edge, waving his hands in a tiff at the Slowpoke¡¯s lazy escape. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know either. She promised Miky he¡¯d get to have the next Gym before Roxie hatched. Do you think she can win?¡± Her brother sat back and crossed his legs; the energy this match elicited was entirely different than Amira¡¯s. ¡°Misty chose a rather strong Slowpoke for the battle to even their Stat distribution, and a Pokemon that¡¯s clearly a slow starter¡­ Yeah, this is a time cruncher; who can deal the most damage before the ten minutes is up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s my take, too,¡± Kate sighed. ¡°Miky¡¯s not doing well off the go, and it¡¯s shaking up to be a clown show¡­ Misty has to indulge the public somehow since this is also entertainment as much as a teaching tool. Rough.¡± Lips pulling in, Rhea turned her attention back to the screen, and by the look on Lori¡¯s face, she could tell that her friend knew pushing Miky to do this battle had been a mistake. Minute after minute, Miky struggled to even reach the lazy Slowpoke¡¯s casual movements through the pool, and he did get a good Bite in, but it wouldn¡¯t be enough to outscore the Water Guns his opponent got off. It was entertaining to the crowd, but to Rhea, it was an agonizing ten minutes of failed surprise attacks from the panicking Impidimp, and her teammate¡¯s face showed it all¡ªshe was blaming herself already. When the final seconds ran down, her brother¡¯s prediction came true, and the victory went to Misty; their team scored their second Gym loss. Unlike Amira¡¯s public explanation of her strategy, the ginger woman and violet-haired girl had a private conversation that ended with the public announcement that she expected to see Lori in the next few months again. Getting to her feet, she returned a crestfallen Mya and Alice to get to the dressing rooms; her Mawile was reliving her own defeat at the hands of Forrest, yet this had been far more of a devastatingly obvious loss than theirs. Unfortunately, a lot of people were getting up for the short break to go to the restroom or get snacks, blocking her exit. We gotta go be there for her¡­ C¡¯mon! Move! Sabin and Katelin were behind her when she got a buzz from her phone, making her pause just before getting onto the stairs. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± her brother questioned, following her gaze to the holographic projection. ¡°Ah¡­¡± 11:06 a.m. - Amira Rocket: I just talked with Lori. She said we should go on ahead. She¡¯s going to chill with her family today, and she¡¯s sorry she lost¡­ not that either of us cares, don¡¯t worry, I let her know that we have her back. Rhea internally cursed, stepping off to the side to allow others to walk around them as her brother and Kate joined her. What should I do? I can¡¯t force myself into her family time, but I want to be there for her. Nova, what do you think? Her Eevee roared to intrude, with both Alice and Mya wholeheartedly agreeing, which made Rhea sigh. I can¡¯t, guys¡­ because it¡¯s complicated. You know how Amira made me angry¡ªit¡¯s like that¡­ Because it is, Alice, I know it¡¯s hard to understand. Lori wants to be alone with her family for support, and it would be selfish to try and insert ourselves. So¡­ She swiftly replied, looking for more answers: 11:06 a.m. - Rhea: How did she look? 11:07 a.m. - Amira Rocket: Honestly, not great. She¡¯d been crying. Red eyes, puffy. But you know her¡­ she was smiling as if it meant nothing. I asked if she wanted us to join her, but she deflected, saying I had to practice singing with Kekipi and you had your brother. Excuses, I know, but I told her the loss wasn¡¯t the end of the world and we had her back whenever she was good to talk, or not, whatever was better for her. Rhea hissed out a long stream of frustrated air. Why are both my teammates so terrible at expressing emotions! They both hide it all the time! Grrarh!!! Nova, Alice, and Mya seemed to think she¡¯d transformed into a Flareon as she angrily texted back a message that only further confused them: 11:08 a.m. - Rhea: Alright. If that¡¯s what she wants. What are you going to do? 11:08 a.m. - Amira Rocket: My family wants to take me out for lunch with Kekipi. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll¡­ yup, just got a message saying it¡¯s fine if we need to postpone or cancel to be there for Lori. Let me think for a second¡­ 11:09 a.m. - Amira Rocket: I think it would probably make Lori feel worse if we focused on her loss. What do you think about sending her a message about what we¡¯re going to be doing, and that we¡¯ll all redouble our training? We¡¯re here open if she wants to call or chat, but spend as much time with her family as she needs. Thoughts? 11:09 a.m. - Rhea: I was thinking the same thing. Her mom and dad will probably have some good advice for her¡­ maybe? My mom¡¯s advice is always questionable, but my dad¡¯s is always solid. 11:09 a.m. - Rhea: I¡¯ll be hanging out with my brother and Kate. We¡¯ll totally be there for your concert! 11:09 a.m. - Rhea: Oh! Do you want help practicing or time with Kekipi? 11:10 a.m. - Amira Rocket: Lol. I¡¯m fine. Have a good time with your brother. 11:10 a.m. - Rhea: Okay. Congratulations on winning! We¡¯ll celebrate later tonight; I¡¯ll buy a small cake for us. 11:10 a.m. - Amira Rocket: Ooh! It must be a celebration for you to eat something! ;) Rhea giggled, hearing her brother force a laugh at her earlier comment about their mother. 11:11 a.m. - Rhea: I said small! I¡¯ll only be having a tiny piece of Lori and yours. Can¡¯t wait to hear the song you wrote! 11:11 a.m. - Amira Rocket: Haha. Now you¡¯re making me nervous! Don¡¯t be too harsh on me; I¡¯m sure the critics will be all over it. 11:11 a.m. - Rhea: I¡¯m gonna get Lori to spread it everywhere! Bua-ha-ha-ha! 11:11 a.m. - Amira Rocket: You see, Rhea¡­ I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re joking or not, and now I am a little scared. Haha. ¡û nervous laughter 11:11 a.m. - Rhea: Come on! You know I wouldn¡¯t do that¡­ Lori might, though. Lol. We should probably take her phone like Cass¡¯ team! 11:11 a.m. - Amira Rocket: You may be onto something¡­ Anyway, jokes aside, we¡¯ll meet up later to have our own little celebration. We¡¯re far from out of the game. Have fun! 11:11 a.m. - Rhea: You, too! And don¡¯t make out the whole time and not practice! Rhea''s face blushed at the response she¡¯d typed and almost didn¡¯t send it but their fight the other night pushed her finger. 11:12 a.m. - Amira Rocket: Ha. Ha. Ha. I have about as much experience in that department as you, I¡¯m afraid. Later. 11:12 a.m. - Rhea: HF TTYL ¡°Ouch,¡± Sabin chuckled, reading her messages as she prepared one for Lori. ¡°Mom¡¯s not that bad with advice.¡± She gave him a pointed, backward look. ¡°Mhmm¡­ What advice has she given you that was good. Huh?¡± He pointed back at his smirking girlfriend. ¡°Mom told me not to overthink things¡ªgirls are people¡ªand just ask her out. I wouldn¡¯t have had the courage otherwise¡­¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Katelin mused, leaning forward on her higher step to put her chin on Sabin¡¯s shoulder to tickle his ears a little. ¡°Shy lil¡¯ 14-year-old Sabin, coming up to lil¡¯ ol¡¯ 13-year-old me¡ªyou were so cute¡ªand now you¡¯re also a total tease. What happened to my awkward boyfriend who would blush at giving me flowers he¡¯d picked?¡± ¡°I grew up and realized what kind of girl you are,¡± he returned, nudging her with his head a little, and Rhea realized something that made her fingers pause. Why is there a cut on Sabin¡¯s ear that¡­ looks like a bite mark¡ªand he¡¯s wearing a scarf in this weather¡­ Face flaming, Rhea turned her frantic eyes back onto her screen before she could discover any other injury as Mya asked what Pokemon bit her brother. I¡­ don¡¯t think it was a Pokemon¡­ Trying to ignore the bewildered conversation between her partners about why humans would bite one another and what a battle like that looked like, Rhea didn¡¯t know if her interpretation of their discussion was pure fantasy or not, but it quickened her blood all the same. 11:15 a.m. - Rhea: Hey, Lori. I heard from Amira that you¡¯re going to be spending time with your family. I totally get how bad it sucks losing¡­ I lost to Forrest, and you were there for me. Remember, Mya freaked out and ran away! Thanks for being there for me when I was low, and we¡¯re a team. You, Amira, and I. We both want to be there for you like you were there for us when we needed it. Love you, and have a good time with your family! She sent it before anxiety struck her at the mistakes and thoughtless comments, thoughts of her brother and Katelin rolling through her mind. 11:15 a.m. - Rhea: Not love as in love love 11:15 a.m. - Rhea: Sorry! 11:16 a.m. - Rhea: As in, we¡¯re teammates and stuff. Amira and I want to be there for you. 11:16 a.m. - Rhea: Hope things work out! 11:16 a.m. - Rhea: Are you guys going dancing? 11:16 a.m. - Rhea: No. Of course you¡¯re not. That¡¯s stupid. 11:16 a.m. - Rhea: Sorry. Stupid! Stupid! Why am I still texting?! 11:17 a.m. - Lori: Pfffffft!!!!! 11:17 a.m. - Lori: Had to read that chain again. 11:17 a.m. - Lori: Hahaha! Oh, man! 11:18 a.m. - Lori: You¡¯re a gem, Rhea! I love you too! Have a good rest of the day. And I¡¯m good. A bit bummed? Sure. I¡¯m sure my parents will have things to say, and my sister¡¯s helping me laugh it off. Don¡¯t worry about me. 11:18 a.m. - Rhea: Of course I¡¯d worry. We¡¯re teammates. We¡¯ll celebrate your second Gym battle tonight! We¡¯re making progress! All of us. We¡¯ll make it. 11:19 a.m. - Lori: Mhm. Len¡¯s gonna hang with me too. See you at the concert? 11:19 a.m. - Rhea: Count on it! Letting it go, Rhea puffed out a long stream of air. It was the best she was going to get from it, and she figured her family and best friend would know how to break down her walls better than her¡ªsome random girl that had only known her for less than a month. She looked up at Katelin¡¯s concerned frown. ¡°She okay?¡± ¡°Probably not¡­ but she¡¯s going to hang with her family; Amira and I will get her a cake tonight¡­ unless everything¡¯s sold out,¡± she mumbled, looking at the packed stadium as the next challenger faced Misty. ¡°Umm¡­ What do you guys want to do?¡± Sabin¡¯s lips pulled to the side as he crossed his arms. ¡°Why¡­ don¡¯t we grab a bite to go, and we fly you out of the city to do some personal training; Kate and I got some Silver-tier Pokemon that could use some practice.¡± ¡°Oh! I like that idea, Sabin,¡± the peppy woman grinned. ¡°What Gym do you plan to take next?¡± Pondering her options after talking with Amira about their future battles, Rhea¡¯s brow set. ¡°I want to be one of the first to win against Gym Leader Saria! Heh, umm, mainly because I really want to see what she¡¯ll do to the Vermilion Gym.¡± ¡°Fairy, huh?¡± Kate giggled. ¡°Setting the expectations high, but I¡¯m totally with you; in fact, maybe I¡¯ll choose to battle the same day as you! I¡¯ll get the first Encrusted Platinum Fairy¡­ heh, whatever she¡¯ll call it Badge! You¡¯ll get the first Bronze Encrusted?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°I like it, Sis!¡± Sabin laughed, motioning for her to follow him down the stairs. ¡°Fairy, huh? Give me a second to think about it¡­ Who will you probably use?¡± All of her Pokemon roared for their turn, but given everything Amira talked about, there was only one person that wouldn¡¯t have much Gym experience in this cup that the change in selection could help. ¡°I know Mya might be the best choice, but I want to prepare Alice for it since Mya will be perfect against Janine.¡± Her Pokemon mumbled amongst themselves about the decision, but Nova and Mya agreed that letting Alice have a shot would only be fair since the Mawile would likely get Janine and Forrest. Pumped for the training session, Alice exited her Pokeball to jump into Rhea¡¯s arms, shaking with excitement, and, before long, she had to move the bunny to her shoulders to let her jump from side to side, practicing her hop kicks and balance. We need to practice if we¡¯re gonna get on Amira¡¯s level, but we can do it! B2 — 24. A Hero 12 P.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea kept checking her phone while following Katelin and her brother to the In-Gym Center to swap out some of their Pokemon to help the cobalt-haired woman practice; Alice had transferred to the amber-eyed Trainer¡¯s shoulder to practice jumping between them when able. Lori wasn¡¯t messaging anything on social media, and, judging by some of the comments she was getting poking fun at her match, Rhea didn¡¯t think she¡¯d post anything. She was happy to be proven wrong, though, when a picture of her and her family eating at some restaurant. The Unova party seemed to be having a blast, but Rhea had begun to realize how her teammate hid a lot of her emotions behind a mask; the lilac-haired girl was the opposite of her step-sister, who was a hot mess when things broke down. ¡°Everything okay?¡± Kate asked, stopping off at a side shop on their way out of Downtown Cerulean to grab a smoothie; Alice gave her a small frown from her shoulder. ¡°Ack¡­ looking at Lori¡¯s profile? Best not to look at those after a loss; most of the time it¡¯s just no-life losers that want to feel big and tough online to get you to respond.¡± Sabin huffed when his girlfriend turned an apologetic smile his way after ordering, making Katelin chuckle. ¡°You¡¯re so bad with money¡­ Yeah, I got it¡ªand you¡¯re not wrong¡ªclout chases, generally, who just want you to acknowledge they exist; the highlight of their lives, as sad as that sounds.¡± ¡°It is really sad when you put it that way,¡± Kate sighed, probably trying to redirect the conversation, but her brother wasn¡¯t going to let it slide. ¡°Mhm¡­ kind of like a girlfriend who can¡¯t keep above the red?¡± Rhea winced. ¡°Oof. Got ya there, Kate. Hehe. What do you even spend your money on? Don¡¯t you win a ton of battles?¡± Playing with her straw for a second, the woman¡¯s smile became strained. ¡°Eh-hehe¡­ what do I spend my money on?¡± ¡°Pokemon,¡± Sabin replied, pulling out his phone to show her Katelin¡¯s account purchase¡ªmost labeled under the Trainer - TM category¡ªand they weren¡¯t cheap buys. ¡°Many of which you never use.¡± ¡°H-Hey! Don¡¯t go just logging into a girl¡¯s account just because you know my password!¡± Katelin barked, snatching his phone to log out, but Rhea didn¡¯t miss the -23,000 credit debt. ¡°I pay every payment on time¡ªmy credit is flawless!¡± Rhea smirked, looking at her brother. ¡°I wonder how you manage that with an average monthly spending of around 100,000 credits to a 78,000 income, hmm?¡± ¡°Right?¡± Sabin sighed. Katelin came closer to slide her free hand around his waist to lean against his side as they walked, a happy smile brightening her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m so lucky you love me; you¡¯re such a reliable boyfriend!¡± Lifting an eyebrow at her comment, Rhea laughed as Alice jumped to her shoulder. ¡°I¡­ heh, don¡¯t think that¡¯s great, Bro; I didn¡¯t think you were a simp.¡± ¡°Just a simp for me!¡± Katelin mused, hopping up to peck him on the cheek. ¡°Right?¡± Her brother closed his arm around her back, adding a wry smirk while teasing, ¡°You know, Rhea, sometimes I feel like I should put a child lock on her account and manage her money because I have so much trouble with her.¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯m not that bad, and what do you have to factor in; you don¡¯t spend money on anything anyway.¡± ¡°Nothing, huh?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Kate shrugged, ¡°I guess sometimes you buy TMs or Tutoring¡ªheh, you¡¯re so cheap that you¡¯ll have your Pokemon spend weeks learning a Move from a tutor rather than getting a TM, and a child lock¡ªc¡¯mon, babe!¡± ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s see¡­¡± Sabin began counting on his fingers. ¡°I have to factor in savings for hard times, TMs¡ªthat are useful and necessary¡ªfood, clothing, Arceus help me with your taste¡­¡± ¡°You like it when I dress up!¡± ¡°I think you look good in anything.¡± ¡°Aww¡­¡± Way to complement and slap her! Rhea internally snickered. ¡°Where was I¡­ clothing, yeah¡­ Heh, and let¡¯s not forget hotels, gear¡ªthe needs of both our Pokemon¡ªGym Fees and the possibility of losing. We have the eating out budget¡ª¡± ¡°I get it!¡± Kate streamed out a long breath, hanging her head. ¡°I¡¯m nothing but a Leech Life.¡± Rhea smiled as her brother bent down to kiss the back of her head. ¡°Yes! Yes, you are! But¡­ one I thoroughly enjoy.¡± ¡°Hehe. What¡¯d I say¡ªmy simp!¡± she giggled, hugging him tighter and making their journey slow a little. ¡°So, we heading to the Fly Strip?¡± ¡°Yup. You good with flying, Rhea, or did you want to take a taxi out to the woods?¡± A suspicious grin moved Rhea¡¯s eyes. ¡°Did¡­ you go through all that to tell me you want to fly using your own Pokemon because you¡¯re low on funds?¡± Seeing both Kate and her brother¡¯s strained smiles, Rhea shook her head. ¡°You two are really something! Haha. Fine, but I¡¯m wearing a dress right now, so let¡¯s stop by my hotel so I can swap out the skirt for some shorts.¡± Katelin scrutinized her. ¡°Skirt? I thought that was a dress; can it double as both?¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm; top-tier Trainer gear!¡± she proudly displayed, peeling back the folded layers to show them the zipper. ¡°It can be a dress or top.¡± ¡°Spill! Where¡¯d you get it?¡± Kate asked, and Rhea wanted to smirk at her brother¡¯s expression. ¡°Wait¡­ I think I heard Amira say something about the Rocket company?¡± ¡°Hehe. It¡¯s probably pretty expensive since they¡¯re custom made; your bank account doesn¡¯t stand a chance.¡± ¡°Noo! Sabin¡ªI look good in dresses; don¡¯t I¡ªones that are rip and weather resistant¡­ hmm?!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯ll look into it, but no promises. Okay?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Rhea wryly shook her head. ¡°You can¡¯t help yourself¡ªsimp!¡± Laughing and poking at the couple, Rhea discovered a new bit of fun in hanging out with her brother and Katelin without feeling like a 3rd wheel or awkward. They took the bullet train to her hotel to change into the shorts she¡¯d used the day before for dancing before following the two veteran Trainers to the second nearest designated Fly Field; Sabin checked his repaired flight gear at this location. Rhea felt a bit guilty, it had taken a bit of damage during his fight against the Pidgeot when rescuing them; still, it filled her with warmth remembering her brother¡¯s rescue. Rhea wanted to groan upon seeing Rovane¡ªher brother¡¯s Aerodactyl¡ªit had almost been a month since she¡¯d last ridden on him; she doubted he¡¯d improved his riding experience in that time, preparing for a bumpy ride. Katelin pulled out Jace¡ªher Noctowl¡ªto be her own ride, allowing Rhea to stroke his soft feathers and nuzzle her hand. Strapping in, Rhea was happy to see her brother surprise her with an attachment seat for Alice and Nova on the back, leaving the luggage sack behind; sadly, Mya would be a bit too heavy with both her and Sabin riding on Rovane, once again making the Mawile conscious about her weight. Her stomach swirled with Nova and Alice screaming for joy as the amused Aerodactyl took to the sky with Katelin behind them; he flew them north to Route 24. Passing over Nugget Bridge was a different experience entirely than the bus trip they¡¯d taken days before, and if that wasn¡¯t enough, Bianca and Hilbert showed up. Pulling up beside them, the brown-haired Former Champion gave them a grinning salute with his wife floating beside them; Ramus, his Reuniclus, was beside them, apparently practicing his Psychic Flight technique. ¡°Hey, Rhea!¡± ¡°Bi?¡± Sabin laughed, seeing Jace maneuver Katelin to the Champion¡¯s opposite side to catch the conversation. ¡°Yo, Hilbert. Sense us leaving through our aura?¡± ¡°Uh-huh. Bi wanted to make sure Lori was okay.¡± Her cousin¡¯s big green eyes shone with concern as Ramus manipulated the air currents to allow them to speak mid-flight; ¡°Is she, Rhea? I know that must have been rough.¡± Taking advantage of the far more stable flight with the Reuniclus¡¯ support, she adjusted her goggles and position behind her brother. Stolen novel; please report. ¡°Umm¡­ probably not, but she wanted to be with her family; Amira and I are going to get cakes for tonight to celebrate their 2nd Gym Battle. Win or lose, we¡¯re making progress, and I lost first, so¡­ heh, it¡¯s not like she¡¯s the only one.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a good way to look at it,¡± Hilbert nodded. ¡°We¡¯ve all been there.¡± Bianca creased an eye. ¡°Excuse you! You and Hilda have never experienced a Gym loss; you have no idea what it¡¯s like,¡± she defended. ¡°Huh? Hilda and I lose against each other all the time¡ªand didn¡¯t we lose to Iris¡ªwasn¡¯t she a Gym Leader?¡± ¡°Not when she was a Gym Leader; you both fought Drayden for your Bronze and Master Encrusted Badges.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay, Bi! It¡¯s okay,¡± Rhea chuckled, knowing her cousin was quick to try to defend the underdog in any conversation. ¡°We¡¯ll be fine; we¡¯re growing closer as a team.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± she whispered, rubbing her forehead. ¡°Hearing them laugh at Lori really just¡­ set me off a bit.¡± Rhea could see it being rough for her, seeing as her own fan base turned against her when she decided to quit being a Trainer. ¡°Want a hug?¡± ¡°Always!¡± Ramus maneuvered them together. ¡°Thanks, Cuz¡­¡± ¡°Mhm! Now, we¡¯ll have a lot of time together tomorrow in the ruins¡ªoh, are you going to join us, Hilbert?¡± He shook his head. ¡°Nope. Hilda was holding down Unova while Iris was gone, but now that she¡¯s back¡­¡± ¡°Oh! Is Hilda going to come and challenge you here?¡± Sabin asked. Katelin snickered. ¡°Naa! Knowing that girl, I bet she¡¯s pissed Hilbert got some training in with Gold and wants her own chance with the Legends.¡± ¡°On the money,¡± Bianca laughed, making Rhea shoot a grin in the cobalt-haired woman¡¯s direction. ¡°If only that transferred to real credits, huh?¡± ¡°Oh, shut up, Rhea¡ªheh¡ªI¡¯ll be in the positive this week!¡± Kate shot back with laughter. Sabin pointed at her. ¡°I¡¯ll hold you to that, Kate; you know it¡¯s Saturday!¡± ¡°Wait! I meant next week!¡± ¡°You said this week, Babe.¡± ¡°Babe! How am I going to do that unless I bet on matches?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll find ya a challenger,¡± Sabin returned, throwing out a thumbs up. They all laughed at Katelin¡¯s sigh, likely hoping for a chill evening. ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯ll get dinner tomorrow; how¡¯s that, Rhea? I can simp for your brother, too!¡± ¡°Haha. Okay. You get dinner tomorrow.¡± Leaving Bianca and her husband in a positive mood, they waved each other off to continue to the northern forest; Alice and Nova were enthralled by how everything was smaller than them while flying. They landed in a clearing, and Rovane and Jace returned to the skies after their Trainers relieved them of their saddles to practice acrobatics. Their arrival caused a stir in the local Pokemon, seemingly well-adjusted to the tourists and humans passing through the area as they gathered to observe. Alice was already showing off, flipping and jump-kicking the air, yet Rhea was a little confused when Nova looked up at her with big, pink eyes. Kate bent down with Rhea as they stroked her soft fur. ¡°What¡¯s this cutie want?¡± Rhea hummed as Mya settled down next to her spirit to take a nap with a huff; she wanted to fly. ¡°I think Nova wants to practice transforming and get some help with it.¡± ¡°What kind of help?¡± her brother asked. ¡°You talked to Mom about it?¡± ¡°Mhm. Nova can only transform into a Glaceon right now, and the duration is increasing as we practice, but she really wants to have her other forms, too.¡± Kate scratched under the fluffy Pokemon¡¯s chin. ¡°Hehe. Such a greedy lil¡¯ Eevee you are! You know, you¡¯re super special; 99.999% of Eevee only gets one evolution, and here you are mad you don¡¯t have another in under a month of hatching?¡± Nova¡¯s ears drooped, but Sabin¡¯s chuckle brought her gaze. ¡°She¡¯s not saying you¡¯re a bad Eevee; Kate¡¯s just playing with you while trying to put things into perspective. There¡¯s no need to rush things.¡± Rhea reached under her little girl¡¯s arms to lift her up and glare at her internal mumbles. ¡°You¡¯re not defective because you can¡¯t turn into a Vaporeon; don¡¯t ever think that!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Kate growled, mirroring Rhea¡¯s frown. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, and don¡¯t ever think otherwise, but¡­ heh, if you really want to train with Alice too, I don¡¯t think it would be a problem! Sabin?¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s cool. Well, if Rhea¡¯s fortitude can handle it.¡± Hugging the hopeful Eevee to her chest, Rhea gave the pair a thumbs up. ¡°I¡¯ll be good. Who are their opponents?¡± Sabin and Katelin grinned at each other and motioned at their belts, the blue-haired girl starting. ¡°We don¡¯t know which Fairy Pokemon Saria¡¯s Gym will favor, so we went with all the Silver and lower Fairy Pokemon we had; I have four, and Sabin has three.¡± ¡°Hehe, one of the few types you beat me in,¡± Sabin mused, ¡°but I guess it¡¯s not that surprising.¡± ¡°My cuddle buddies!¡± Kate defended. ¡°I need to have someone when you¡¯re always off almost getting smooshed by Steelix in Mt. Silver!¡± ¡°Oof. Never gonna let that go, huh?¡± ¡°Nope! Anyway, ready Rhea, Alice, Nova?¡± Her two Pokemon chirped, and Nova¡¯s vision lit up as Katelin retained her kneeling position, taking out a pokeball with a wink. ¡°I have a special treat for you, too, Nova. I¡¯d like to introduce Tricks to you¡­¡± Rhea gasped as she released a bright, blue-eyed Pokemon with bows, ribbons, and big, fluffy ears. ¡°Ooh¡ªa Sylveon¡ªwow!¡± Nova¡¯s jaw dropped open, squeaking in astonishment. ¡°Mhm!¡± Katelin giggled. ¡°Eventually, you¡¯ll be able to transform into a gorgeous Sylveon yourself!¡± Tricks smiled and waved at her excited Eevee as Alice challenged him to a speed battle. Her brother brought out a Clefairy, Comfey, and Togepi¡ªall High-Silver¡ªto help her hyperactive bunny practice against various Fairy Pokemon. Katelin, true to taste, had her High-Silver Sylveon¡ªmostly meant for cuddling¡ªSilver-tier Alcremie, Bronze-tier Alolan Vulpix, and Silver-tier Galarian Ponyta. Some of them weren¡¯t Fairy-Type yet, since they needed to level to get the typing, but since there were so few Fairy Pokemon, any evolution that would become Fairy was allowed in the Gym format, so long as they had a Fairy Move, be it through Egg, Tutor, or TM. Nova practiced various tactics with Katelin and her brother, who pointed her to various ways she could use her icy breath, the Alolan Vulpix showing a few snow tricks. On the other hand, Alice tried to learn how to dodge various Moves and close the distance with a few tactics the Silver-tier Pokemon used to keep her at a distance. The hours passed, and Rhea felt her fortitude falling near the end, calling it near 4 p.m. to get back to the city; they stopped off at a restaurant, and, naturally, her brother paid, causing Rhea to jab Katelin with more teasing remarks regarding her spending. Looking down at her phone as they finished, quadruple-checking the time via the Events schedule on Cerulean¡¯s website, she was a little sad when only the Hoenn Champion, Steven Stone, showed up to deliver a message that her aunt was required for something else; he would be joining Diantha, Bianca, and her as her proxy to check out the ruins they¡¯d discovered in the morning, though. They returned to the Gym at 7:15 p.m. for Amira and Yancy¡¯s performance, using Hilbert¡¯s connections to get into a VIP box; the vast stadium now had a hovering platform, held up by four Magnezone, and in the center of Amira and Yancy talking to one another before everything started. The Fire Stone of Viridian wore a new, red dress, and couldn¡¯t have looked more natural as she laughed with the superstar; from the schedule, Amira would be opening Yancy¡¯s concert; Rhea wondered what they¡¯d be singing, but whatever it would be, Rocket was full in attendance, and it was a maxed out stadium with Misty having a front row seat from her Gym Leader platform. Hilbert pointed out Lori and her family based on their aura near the front, and she thought she could see the girl having fun with her sister, tossing popcorn at their semi-annoyed mother, and making her fish it out of her semi-exposed bust. However, silence came on as the lights dimmed for the spotlight to come to Amira; she took a deep breath and stepped forward to face the area Rocket stood. ¡°Huu-haaa¡­ I¡¯d like to thank Yancy, Gym Leader Misty, and everyone that¡¯s in attendance. We recorded this song before the show, and it will be available on all platforms; all proceeds will go to the Ranger Pokemon Relief Charity. ¡°I won¡¯t say this is perfect, as Yancy and I were only able to practice a little, but I wrote this about¡­ ahem¡­ about something my mother told me a few years ago¡­ It¡¯s also a tribute to the example she sets for me. It¡¯s, umm¡­ I called it Hero. I hope you enjoy it.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in as she heard the cooing from many women around the stadium, and, once again, she felt a bit of emotion herself at recalling her own brother¡¯s rescue with the Champion showing up to save them from Plasma. Her emotion only grew as another spotlight centered on Yancy at a piano, and a small orchestra of strings began to play that was followed by a drummer; when Amira started to sing, she saw the redhead stepping forward to draw away the Plasma assassin¡¯s attention, drawing the gun¡¯s barrel away from them. The displays hovering around the stadium split, making Rhea¡¯s throat catch as she saw Lyra in Silver¡¯s arms, tears running down her cheeks. Amira performed a song written from her heart, and Rhea could feel it after traveling with her for the past month; a song about finding an inner hero to overcome the challenges of the world. Yancy provided the low vocals from the piano as Amira carried the higher notes, and after the four-minute song, there wasn¡¯t a person sitting; all Rhea heard and saw were tear-stained cheeks and clapping. Amira wore a soft smile as she looked at the Rocket section, somehow managing to keep a clear throat through the whole performance until now. ¡°I, umm¡­ ahem. I know a lot of people feel the same way about my mother. She¡¯s always been my inspiration, and I couldn¡¯t have asked for a better friend and mom. Thank you.¡± More claps followed her exit as she handed off the microphone to one of the backup singers to move to a Magnezone-operated platform that would carry her to the challenger locker room. Rhea sniffed back her tears with those around her as they watched Lyra disappear from the screen, Zelri teleporting them to meet her daughter in the back, no doubt. What a beautiful tribute¡­ Lyra deserves it, though; she does everything for Amira. * * * Mallory couldn¡¯t hold back, sobbing all over Casey as she hugged her sister; as could be expected, her emotional mess of a sister was already blubbering, as well. No one had said anything¡ªthey knew they didn¡¯t have to¡ªshe knew it was stupid to feel sorry for herself, and how idiotic it was to hold onto her mistakes; if it had just been her, it would have been fine, but she¡¯d hurt Rhea and Miky in less than twenty-four hours. Yet, despite all that, she could resonate so well with her teammate¡¯s song; the years of agony from the burn on her back that made her afraid to go out until her little sister, mother, and father set an example to be strong and push into the public. Amira and Rhea were the heroes she wanted to be after the two almost took a bullet for her; they were the example that helped her work through her fear of water, protected her in the ice cave, and no matter what she did, somehow the little blonde always forgave her. It was as if Amira was telling her to buck up, find her inner hero, and jump back in the ring, yet it was so much more powerful than anyone just telling her that. ¡°I¡¯ll do better, Cass!¡± ¡°Me, too, Lori! I¡¯m such a screw-up!¡± ¡°Me, too, Cass¡­ Me, too¡­¡± Her mother got up to draw them in. ¡°Aww¡­ you two¡­ I¡¯ll do better, too!¡± ¡°¡°Mom!¡±¡± When Amira left, it took a bit for everyone to calm down, and Yancy gradually moved the theme of the songs to a more energetic theme as they slowly made their way out of the stadium; typically, she would have stayed for the whole thing, but she had to meet up with her team after a performance like that. Texting Rhea and Amira, Lori asked if they could go somewhere to talk, and Amira returned that she had some plans with her mother, but they could walk the riverside for a bit; she gathered her courage and accepted the offer. I know it doesn¡¯t have to be said¡­ but it does¡­ It does matter¡­ Thank you, Amira. B2 — 25. A Team Supports Each Other 7:23 P.M. July 4, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 25 Days (24 officially; 25 since getting Maya and Nova). The concert went on as Yancy took over; Rhea exited the stadium after getting a text from Amira about Lori and her. Heading off, Sabin and Katelin wished her luck with Bianca and Hilbert as the pair joined them to hang out with her brother. Leaving through the VIP¡¯s private underground area, she was a little surprised to see certain personalities in the section. Agatha and Professor Oak seemed to be on a date on the low, and, if she didn¡¯t know better, a famous photographer, Todd Snap, was moving through the area, taking pictures with his incredibly expensive-looking camera. She slowed a bit on her way out as she passed a green-haired High Master-tier Trainer who stopped to wave at her. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s been a while, Rhea. How¡¯s your dad?¡± ¡°Aya? Yeah¡­ he¡¯s doing okay.¡± ¡°Glad to hear. I heard your brother was here,¡± she mumbled, glancing around the area. ¡°I need to see him about some stuff.¡± Rhea pointed back toward the VIP area. ¡°Umm, yeah. My cousin and brother are back there.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± the Poison-Type Trainer grinned, long braid bouncing as she jogged toward the seats. ¡°I enjoyed your battle with Forrest and look forward to seeing the next¡ªoh, and your performance was adorable, Nova!¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± A little winded with her little Eevee, vision following the woman from Rhea¡¯s arms, she recovered from the random encounter with Koga¡¯s sister and continued out of the stadium. The last thing she heard from the concert was an ad for a sponsor, McCauley¡¯s Potions. Yet, upon reaching the exit, she was halted by another unexpected person¡ªa Rocket employee by the outfit¡ªwearing dark sunglasses. ¡°Oh, you¡¯re Little Boss¡¯ teammate, right¡ªuh¡­ Rhea, right?¡± Chuckling as she scratched her temple, Rhea¡¯s stomach tightened at all the interruptions; plus, this guy was pretty stacked and tall. ¡°Umm, yeah¡­ yeah, uh, I actually need to go meet her¡­¡± He gave a start at her nervous laughter. ¡°Oh, so sorry! So sorry! Umm, I¡¯m Attila.¡± Mya gave an internal huff that said: Didn¡¯t ask, bud. ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Nice to meet you, but¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, sorry, I¡¯m just trying to get in¡ªI ran a bit late,¡± he muttered, eyeing the door she was a hair¡¯s breadth from closing, and she noticed a rather strong scent in the air that told her there was probably a Muk nearby. ¡°I¡­¡± Not having a good feeling from the man, Rhea¡¯s left hand tightened around Nova as she let the handle go, acting as if it was a mistake. ¡°Oh, uh¡­ wait, you wanted to go in?¡± He forced a grin and rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Eh¡­ yeah, heh, my bad.¡± ¡°Umm. No, it¡¯s cool,¡± the blond man laughed it off. ¡°I got a friend that I can call; just thought I could get in without bothering her.¡± Inching around him as Nova and her other Pokemon kept a close eye on him through her eyes, Rhea waved him off. ¡°See you later¡ªoof, eh-heh, I mean¡­¡± ¡°Haha! I don¡¯t know about that, but have a good night,¡± Attila grinned. Hurrying away, she took out her phone to text her brother while Alice mumbled to Mya and Nova how weird that was: 7:56 p.m. - Rhea: Yo, met this weirdo outside of the VIP exit named Attila or something. Dude was wearing sunglasses at night, and I¡¯m pretty sure there was a Muk nearby by the smell. He wore a Rocket suit and talked about a friend letting him in. 7:56 p.m. - Rhea: Oh, and there wasn¡¯t a guard outside or inside. Just really gave me a weird vibe. I don¡¯t know; Nova, Alice, and Mya didn¡¯t like it either. Sending it, she shivered at how surprisingly sparse the area was considering the huge event, but it was an exit meant to attract fewer crowds for VIP guests. It was brightly lit, and it would still be an hour or so until nightfall came, but everything seemed creepy at the moment. She found herself wishing Franky was there to spook away her paranoia as he always did in the forest; the Gengar had always been there for her growing up, and now that she had a shiver in her spine, she wanted something familiar. Mya jumped out of her pokeball to walk beside her, arms crossed as her large head swayed left and right, lips peeled back to show she was on edge; Nova stayed in her arms for emotional support, and it wasn¡¯t just Rhea that felt like they were being watched by unseen eyes. A sigh of relief came when her phone vibrated: 7:57 p.m. - Sabin: Hmm. Hilbert and I can look into it. Cool if I send Luna to chill until you meet up with the girls? 7:57 p.m. - Rhea: Hehe. I may be the paranoid little sister that¡¯s never been alone in a big city before, but yeah, I¡¯m just feeling a bit off after meeting that guy. Thanks, Sabin. 7:57 p.m. - Sabin: No prob! Big bro¡¯s always gonna be there for ya. Luna should be there shortly. Keeping in the middle of the street as she texted, wanting to remain seen and in the open as the few people walked through the flowery park¡ªshe couldn¡¯t be sure if one or two was just her imagination beyond hedges¡ªRhea wore a small smile. If her brother said he¡¯d be there for her, she had no doubt he¡¯d go to the end of the world to make sure she was safe, and her Pokemon were happy to have the support. Mya felt a little annoyed that she wasn¡¯t strong enough to handle bigger threats and wanted to get stronger, which was resonated by her other Pokemon. It¡¯s okay, guys. I know you¡¯re always here for me, too. We just got to realize our location is pretty open, as Amira would say, and some bad guys can make a move. Know our limits, right?! It doesn¡¯t mean we stop training! They agreed it was the right call, even if they wanted to be enough; Rhea stroked Nova¡¯s fur as she remembered Atreyu¡¯s last-minute arrival in the ice caves to save her, with her brother battling the Plasma Pidgeot and the teleporting Cloyster above. Mya, Nova, and Alice were just as relieved as she had been when the Houndoom pounced on the assassin; this was less scary and more fun to look for suspects with the Ghost¡¯s presence, but it brought back the idea that a huge social media presence, telegraphing their position, was probably a terrible strategy for the future. Her Mawile tapped her knee as the Magical Pokemon floated out of the air, waving her big sleeves. ¡°Luna!¡± Rhea cheered. ¡°Magi-mi-mi-gius-mis!¡± The incantation-like speech brought a comforting wave to her heart as the Ghost floated around her in a slow dance before tilting its hat left and right to look into the shadows. Nova and Mya asked her questions while the Mismagius scanned the area. Not feeling too concerned after her appearance, Rhea held her Eevee with one hand as her other texted her brother, confirming that Luna had shown up. 8:02 p.m. - Rhea: Thanks for the support, Big Bro. Luna¡¯s here. I may just be paranoid, but this city is so big. 8:03 p.m. - Sabin: Always! Don¡¯t ever hesitate to text me if you¡¯re feeling a certain way. As to your hunch¡­ yeah, Attila doesn¡¯t have the best reputation in Rocket¡¯s history, so your passive aura sensing must have clued in that there was something off. Don¡¯t doubt it! Love you! 8:03 p.m. - Rhea: Well, you guys would never let me rest with the whole feel your surroundings thing. I just wish it would have been more helpful when the Plasma guy showed up. She sighed, beginning her journey to the park location Amira had messaged them about; the redhead was spending at least thirty minutes with her mother, but it would take that time to reach the location by their hotel, and Lyra could teleport, giving them time together. Luna¡¯s narrowed eyes drifted left and right, vanishing every so often to float into the ground or peek around trees; a few people paused to stare at the Ghost, but everyone knew better than to get involved in a random Ghost-type Pokemon. Only one of several incidents during the Hoopa Disaster¡ªnow over a century ago¡ª caused a gateway to open to a place called the Spirit World, which demonstrated just how frightening Ghost Pokemon could be. Hoopa¡¯s legendary pride and greed caused him to be the domino effect that pushed the boundaries between worlds to fracture, leading the way for Rainbow Rocket to invade almost a century after it was sealed away. Moving to the riverside walkway, Rhea eyed the gentle surf in the orange, falling sun, the sea breeze pulling her bound, blonde hair to the left. She wanted something to distract herself from the unsettling vibes she felt earlier, which probably was her senses telling her the man was bad news¡ªnot to mention way stronger than her¡ªand, to accommodate that need, she told the story of the Hoopa Event to her Pokemon. Luna listened in, seemingly interested in the tale; Rhea had heard it from her aunt when she was a kid, and the Champion would naturally have way more information on it than what was explained in school. Rhea sat Nova down on their slow walk on the running path, staring at the river as they traveled to the speedway nearby; it was a pleasant night once she had Luna¡¯s comforting presence, and she wasn¡¯t sensing anything wrong around her after arriving. Returning to the beginning, she had to preface the story by introducing them to a Legendary Trainer¡ªtechnically the first real Champion of Alola, even if he refused the job. Professor Kukui currently held the position, yet it was by default rather than as the true Champion. Clearing her throat, she chuckled at Nova¡¯s inquiry. ¡°Mhm! The handsome professor we met when we started our journey, and you know who beat him?¡± Mya and Nova shook their heads, but Luna¡¯s hand shot up. ¡°Mi-mi-mi-magi!¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Rhea returned, not actually knowing if she¡¯d guessed it or not, but she had faith her brother had informed her about a lot in the human world. ¡°Ash Ketchum from Pallet Town.¡± She pulled up her phone to show them a picture of the event, the Former Champion holding up his trophy before swapping to another picture of the next young Alolan superstars. ¡°Gossip says the next Champion will be one of these three, so you know! Hau, Elio, and Selene¡ªbut these two have nicknames; Sun and Moon¡ªsaid they¡¯d compete to see who will beat Professor Kukui first by the end of the year.¡± Searching for the right images, she presented the terror of the world¡ªHoopa Unbound¡ªwho had the strange pneumonic event where multiple pictures of him were taken throughout many ages at the exact same spot. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°In a place in Kalos¡ªDahara City¡ªyup,¡± she added at Nova¡¯s inquiry, ¡°the same place Champion Diantha is from! Anyway, in Dahara City, there was a landmark called Dahara Tower. It¡¯s gorgeous, but was made for a kind of¡­ iffy reason.¡± She puffed out a long sigh while looking at the water. ¡°Almost 118 years ago, Dahara City was only a small village, and they had a protector Pokemon called Hoopa. The villagers wanted to test Hoopa¡¯s powers and their own, so they challenged him to battles, which he enjoyed, but one day, he started stealing food.¡± Mya swallowed at the word, glancing ahead at the station they were nearing. ¡°No one even looked to see why, but instead had some sage, or something, seal him away by using Arceus¡¯ power. Naturally, he was furious when he exited, only to find his home turned into a monument to his captor¡­ ¡°To get back at him and show he was more powerful now¡­ he summoned Legendaries and Mythical Pokemon from many other dimensions, forcing Arceus¡¯ hand to intervene, and, with Ash¡¯s help, things were set right, but the foreign Dialga and Palkia caused a lot of fissures before they were subdued¡­ ¡°It looked like the end of the world from the videos,¡± she whispered, swiping through the various gifs and images to show Luna and her Pokemon. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot of conflicting things about Arceus¡­ Not even my aunt knows all the details about the incident¡ªAsh was pulled into the time fracture¡ªand at certain points in time, the ripple effect from the event can still be seen at random, like a Ghost¡­¡± Rhea giggled at Luna¡¯s narrowed eyes. ¡°Excuse the pun!¡± ¡°Mi-mi-magi-mi¡­¡± she grumbled, evidently getting a lot of Ghost jokes from Katelin or Sabin; it was probably the former due to the Mismagius¡¯ rivalry with the cobalt-haired woman. ¡°Umm¡­ so it shows up in Dahara City¡ªeven to this day¡ªoh, yeah, and Ash did all of that 5 years ago¡ªtime-wise¡ªwhich opened the way for a lot of Ultra Hole issues that somehow predate Hoopa¡¯s release, but doesn¡¯t¡­¡± Seeing their confused looks, Rhea''s head bobbed up and down. ¡°No, totally¡ªI don¡¯t get it either, but no one knew what caused all those Ultra Wormhole issues until then, and it was Ash that brought everything to light. The ripples go as far back as 106 years ago, creating all sorts of weird time things.¡± She walked up the ramp to take the bullet train, and, luckily, she was able to board shortly after making it to the gates; she went quiet after reaching a more crowded area, yet everyone kept their distance with the Mismagius beside her. Rhea spent the rest of the trip listening carefully to the Ghost talk to her Eevee and Mawile as Alice relayed questions to the fluff ball to ask. The discussion seemed to revolve around who was stronger, Ash, her aunt, or Red, since they¡¯d heard so much about them. She had to smile when Lyra¡¯s name came up, too, making the Mismagius giggle. Their big eyes moved to her after a while, looking for her input. Folding her arms, Rhea hummed as she thought. ¡°Honestly, I don¡¯t think anyone could beat my aunt, but she¡¯s the one that tells me to remember that everyone loses. Ash is certainly a hot topic, and apparently, the next World Tournament will feature everyone that¡¯s won the previous titles¡­ Although, it will be different from normal.¡± At the questioning looks, she grinned. ¡°Basically, you only get one Pokemon, and you battle in a team of three; it¡¯s to test out a new Battle Style that some of the Leagues are looking at implementing for advancement. Three vs. three, with only being allowed one ¡®Sync Pair¡¯ to compete to see how well you can adapt with your most trusted Pokemon. So, won¡¯t that be fun?¡± They chirped, happy that there would be a ranking, and Rhea was excited to see her aunt potentially go all out; it would be a different format they could be introduced to, and they could swap out their pair between matches, but it was pretty interesting. Exiting the train at their stop, which came sooner than she anticipated, and pulled up her phone as Amira texted Lori and her in a group chat. 8:35 p.m. - Amira: I¡¯m waiting at the bridge. I¡¯m good for the rest of the night. 8:35 p.m. - Mallory: T_T Got lost. I¡¯m coming! Sorry, you¡¯re the one that always guides us through these big cities. 8:36 p.m. - Amira: GPS? 8:36 p.m. - Mallory: I know. I, umm, kind of thought I¡¯d just, you know, hehe, wing it¡­ Looks like I failed again. Hubris? Rhea giggled, but her grin soon turned to a frown as a thought occurred to her. 8:36 p.m. - Rhea: I¡¯m late, too! Had a creepy Rocket dude stop me outside of the VIP area. Gave me the shivers. Sunglasses, blonde dude that was built like a Machoke, and there was definitely a Muk around by the smell. 8:37 p.m. - Amira: Who? Did you get a name? 8:37 p.m. - Mallory: Ewww! Girl, you have the worst luck with meeting people. First, you had that one overbearing chick from Alola that wanted to jump her cousin¡¯s best friend, and now this? Recalling her encounter with the blonde young woman in one of Apple City¡¯s caf¨¦s, Rhea¡¯s lips pulled in as she motioned for her Pokemon to follow her away from the platform; they were pulling looks, but she was happy Luna deterred people from approaching. 8:37 p.m. - Rhea: Hey! Malia is pretty sweet, and she likes Kekipi because he kind of saved her. It¡¯s cute. Her gut tightened after she pressed send, having totally forgotten there was somewhat of a rivalry between her teammate and the Alolan girl. She quickly followed up her post: 8:37 p.m. - Rhea: I mean, Kekipi likes Amira. He helped you practice today, right? I just don¡¯t think Malia is that bad of a girl. She has a nice Alolan Ninetales and Vulpix, too! 8:38 p.m. - Mallory: Gurl, you can¡¯t say anything bad about anyone! Haha! Muk her! Team Amira 100%! Yeeeet her outta here! Rhea honestly didn¡¯t know how to respond to that, causing her brain to lock up. On the one hand, she totally understood the sentiment; she was rooting for Amira, but she also wanted Malia to be happy. On the other hand, Amira spun Rhea¡¯s head into a complete circle: 8:38 p.m. - Amira: Why do you think my dad got her a position in Apple City? 8:38 p.m. - Rhea: Huh? 8:38 p.m. - Rhea: I don¡¯t follow? 8:38 p.m. - Mallory: Yooo! I knew it! He totally sensed it and yeeted her outta Kekipi¡¯s journey by giving her an internship. Sly! Dad¡¯s not all looks, huh? 8:39 p.m. - Amira: Uh¡­ come again? My dad has what? 8:39 p.m. - Mallory: Yo, facts are facts, girl! I mean, your mom got her claws in him for a reason, huh? Aye! Rhea pulled her phone back, wondering if someone had hacked Lori¡¯s phone or if her sister had stolen it; then again, it could totally be the purple-haired, dance-crazed, Unovan girl. She glanced down at her confused Eevee, who returned it. ¡°Is Lori for real?¡± ¡°Maww?¡± Mya asked, tilting her head. ¡°Eh-hehe. I think we¡¯re in weird territory¡­ Lori can be weird.¡± 8:40 p.m. - Rhea: Hold up! Hold up! What are you saying? 8:40 p.m. - Mallory: Did you see her mom and dad dance like a week back? Kyaa! Talk about cuties! How could I not say her dad¡¯s hot when he¡¯s so chill and can cook¡ªthe man can cook! Don¡¯t they seem like the perfect pair? Should we swap to Rhea¡¯s brother and his Aqua girl GF? 8:40 p.m. - Rhea: Aqua? Whaaaa! 8:41 p.m. - Mallory: You didn¡¯t know? Check it! Doesn¡¯t she look cute? [Attachment] 8:41 p.m. - Mallory: Boys be hit by the Water Gun, if ya know what I¡¯m sayin!? Ah-hahaha! Girl got more style than she knows what to do with! Striped stockings, bandana, crop top with that midriff?! You see those abs! She be soakin¡¯ them fires, huh?! Haha! Rhea ran her fingers through her hair as the image came through and swiftly blew it up; sure enough, there was a picture of Katelin, smiling and making a peace sign in a full Aqua uniform, complete with shorts, belt, and gloves. 8:42 p.m. - Mallory: Speechless? Totally speechless! She¡¯s workin¡¯ those abs! I didn¡¯t know she had muscles like that. Those Eeevil leaders know how to design their outfits, am I right?! 8:42 p.m. - Rhea: No way¡­ Was she infiltrating the group? 8:42 p.m. - Mallory: Hmm? Cosplay or a little somethin¡¯ somethin¡¯ that got out! Ya know what I mean! 8:42 p.m. - Amira: Ahem¡­ Getting away from how ¡®hot¡¯ my parents are, or whatever these Katelin pictures are about¡­ How are you doing, Lori? 8:43 p.m. - Mallory: My bad! My bad! I¡¯m just having a bit too much fun. Umm. I¡¯m almost yhere. See you in like 3? 8:43 p.m. - Mallory: There* Muk. How did auto-correct not get that? 8:43 p.m. - Rhea: Yup, I¡¯m almost there, too. I have Luna with me. Sabin sent her to watch out for me. 8:43 p.m. - Mallory: Arceus, I need to find a man like that¡­ Why are all the good men taken?! 8:44 p.m. - Rhea: Wait, what about Kekoa? 8:44 p.m. - Mallory: ¡­ Well, that doesn¡¯t look good, she hissed, still looking at the Aqua image of Katelin she¡¯d brushed off to the side and saved to her photos. ¡°Hmm¡­¡± A small smile tilted her lips as she copied the image and wrote to Katelin. 8:44 p.m. - Rhea: Yo, Kate¡­ What¡¯s this? When did you join Aqua? The response was almost instant. 8:44 p.m. - Katelin: WHERE DID YOU GET THAT?! 8:44 p.m. - Katelin: Did Sabin send that to you? 8:44 p.m. - Katelin: Only I have that photo! Noot evn your brother has it! 8:45 p.m. - Katelin: Lori¡­ I let her use my phone. That Impidimp scrolled through and jacked some of my photos! Rhea slowed as she made it to the bridge, putting on a strained smile as Luna hovered closer to snicker wickedly at the exchange. Uh-uh, guys¡­ I think I messed up. The Ghost gave her an innocent smile and wave as she floated away, seeing Amira leaning against the railing to stare out across the vast river, and, as always, it seemed fate was against her as she winced at her name being called. ¡°Yo, Rhea! Seems we actually got here near the same¡ªuh-oh¡­¡± Rhea swiftly turned to the Unovan girl as she looked at her phone, preemptively apologizing. ¡°Sorry!¡± ¡°Huh¡­ Nice!¡± ¡°What?¡± Thoroughly confused, Rhea jogged over to the grinning girl to look at her phone¡¯s holographic image. 8:46 p.m. - Aqua Ablitious Kate: So¡­ if you are going to steal some of my private photos (bad girl!) you should have stolen the full Hoenn album! Enjoy! [Attachment] 8:46 p.m. - Aqua Ablitious Kate: Cutie, huh? Don¡¯t I look so innocent and FIRE?! Rhea¡¯s jaw slacked in surprise as a few new photos showed up of Katelin posing in a Magma outfit next, complete with a horn hoodie and mini skirt, displaying her thighs and giving off a big-eyed look on the ground, looking helpless. ¡°Really¡­¡± Lori giggled. ¡°I love Katelin! She just gives off that Boss Girl energy. Hehe. She knows what she¡¯s got and works it! Nice.¡± Falling into line with her as she held out her phone to tap them together, transferring the images without asking, Rhea sighed and handed it to Mya to look over. Nova, Alice, and the Mawile were utterly baffled by human behavior. ¡°Why did you even steal Kate¡¯s photos?¡± Lori hummed thoughtfully as she waved at Amira, noticing their approach. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Sometimes I wake up and just swipe through pictures of people I look up to, you know, to give me a bit of motivation to get me out of bed.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ Huh. Is it hard to get up for you?¡± ¡°Have you seen me?¡± Lori snickered, gesturing at herself. ¡°I¡¯m a bed sloth; give me the guilty pleasure of sleeping in, and I¡¯m takin¡¯ it!¡± ¡°Hehe. Sorry, I asked.¡± ¡°No. It¡¯s coo¡¯,¡± she nonchalantly shrugged. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal. Plus, it¡¯s fun to puzzle out the story behind each interesting photo. Hehe. Kate surprised me a lot with her tastes.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea¡¯s intrigue would have to wait as they met up with Amira, waiting with her back against the rails; Holly was out, hanging around her neck. ¡°Hey. So, you wanted to talk, Lori?¡± Stomach tensing at the sudden cut to the chase of their meeting, Lori scratched the side of her head as she moved to fold her arms over the guard, watching the sun dip below the horizon. ¡°So¡­ I lost, guys. I let everyone down¡­ pushed Miky into something he didn¡¯t feel ready for.¡± Rhea placed a hand on her back, but before she could say anything, Amira¡¯s fingers closed over her hand. ¡°Let her finish.¡± Lori chuckled, and she felt the girl¡¯s tense muscles through her top. ¡°I¡¯m not perfect. I¡¯ll be the first to admit that, and I downplay a lot of stuff to get by¡­ Personally, I think both of you are ahead of me in a lot of ways, and that¡¯s pretty inspiring, to be honest.¡± Flipping around, she pulled them against her breast. ¡°I¡¯m a bit of a dunce sometimes, and I¡¯ve got a foul mouth¡­ I, heh, don¡¯t think I can change that much, but I¡¯ll do my best to keep up, girls.¡± Her throat constricted, making Rhea do the same as emotion filled Lori¡¯s voice. ¡°Let¡¯s get a lot stronger. Yeah? Can you help me, so we don¡¯t lose anymore? I don¡¯t wanna lose anymore and make my Pokemon cry.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Rhea swallowed a cough. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s get really strong! So strong we can even beat my aunt!¡± ¡°Haha. Way to overachieve,¡± Amira mused, returning the embrace. Lori squeezed them closer, pressing Rhea¡¯s cheek¡ªbeing much smaller than the tall Unovan girl¡ªagainst her bust. ¡°Also¡­ thanks for that song, Amira¡­ It was so beautiful, and I know it wasn¡¯t for me, but¡­ but it felt like it, so I had to say thank you. Let¡¯s all become beautiful heroines!¡± Amira snorted. ¡°Well, we¡¯re halfway there then. Huh?¡± ¡°Right!¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°We¡¯re totally heroines already!¡± Her teammates¡¯ chests shook with hers as they spent the next several minutes swapping between emotional tears and jokes, with Amira being their anchor. To finish out the night, they went to a nearby late-night store to get a small cake to celebrate their 2nd Gym; even if it wasn¡¯t all positive, at least this cake was. Heading back to the hotel, they prepared for bed, and Rhea learned she¡¯d be the only one going on the archeology trip. Lori gave her a small smirk when asking about Kekoa and just gave her a wink that Rhea didn¡¯t know how to take. It was a bit maddening that she was playing it closed lips. Kekipi had plans to hang out with Amira all day, which Rhea was excited to hear about; what she was not, however, was meeting them and having to deal with the embarrassing night peck on the cheek she¡¯d given Heneli. She¡¯d pretend that didn¡¯t happen as long as she could unless forced on her. Still, having the day with Bianca and the Kalos Champion would be nice, and by the text she got, Diantha would be alone this time; her son was going to hang out with his team. She settled into bed after preparing for the night; Rhea let Nova and Mya have the night with her since Alice had the previous turn, ending the emotional day for a new adventure and a new start in the morning. B2 — 26. Prepare For An Exciting Day! 6:30 a.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea took a deep breath, swallowing her thick saliva and shifting her shoulders a bit before stretching with a yawn. Hot air from Nova grazed against her calf as the little girl wiggled underneath the covers, and Mya¡¯s large jaws lifted up over her head, spreading wide. There was a time when Rhea would have squeaked at the darkly-shaped, sticky mouth and rolled out of bed, but she¡¯d gotten used to her Pokemon¡¯s routine. ¡°Huu-haaa¡­ Hmm.¡± Smacking her lips while closing her eyes to reach over and rub Mya¡¯s smooth, refreshingly cool head, Rhea smiled, settling back in after hearing Amira still in the bathroom. Morning. Alice, Nova, and Mya gave their own mumbled responses and took her relaxed posture to mean they had a bit more time to rest. She suppressed a giggle as her Eevee pawed up her leg and torso to pop her head out of the blankets on her chest, presenting a hushed, cute chirp and smile. Mhm. Today we go exploring a mysterious underwater sea cave! Mya snuggled close to her, still a bit sleepy, it seemed, while whispering something. Nova and Alice¡¯s responses to it helped to narrow down the potential meanings as their emotions triggered their shared spiritual experience. Oh¡­ Yeah, it shouldn¡¯t be anything like the ice cave. Lifting her bun¡ªsometimes super thick and long hair was a pain¡ªto not strain her neck, she repositioned her head on her pillow; Rhea snickered at the drooling Unova girl, resting on the bed beside her. In the dim light cast by the corners of the occupied bathroom, she saw a goofy smile on Lori¡¯s face that Miky and Gables reflected. Good dreams, huh? Want to practice, Nov¡ª ¡°Oof¡­ hehe.¡± She grunted as her Eevee¡¯s ears perked up, and before she even finished her sentence, the girl ducked her head back under the blanket to not wake their teammates and began to grow. Weight increasing against her belly, Rhea tightened it and reached under to see the pearlescent lights fading. There was an instant drop in temperature from the Glaceon¡¯s breath, yet her silky soft fur was warm, and Nova¡¯s tickling paws made her suppress laughter. Excited? Yeah! Let¡¯s see if you can last ten minutes. You¡¯re getting way better. The Glaceon¡¯s two pointed hair extensions poked out to peel back the covers to give her an adorable, pink iris, white pupil glance that said she was making progress. Reaching over to the bedside table, Rhea pulled off the embedded wireless charger to put on a soft song to place next to her head; it was one Lori had shown them the night before bed. Rhea¡¯s head moved back and forth to follow the beat with Nova¡¯s tilting ears as she settled in on her chest¡ªgiving her a chance to train her Physical Fortitude at the increased weight. They relaxed as the song played, and it was nearly done by the time Amira got out of the bathroom, but it was good they were getting back to a semi-normal sleep schedule. Rousing Alice and Mya at 6:39 a.m.¡ªthe rivals had fallen back to sleep¡ªRhea scooted out of bed with Nova to greet the redhead and blinked when she saw her former blue dress Sabin had brought back; the one she¡¯d given to her teammate. ¡°Oh. So, you have those kinds of plans with Kekipi, huh?¡± she asked with a grin. ¡°What¡­ haaa-mhmm-mmh¡­ plans?¡± Lori sleepily mumbled as she stretched out, making Rhea giggle internally. Of course, Lori would wake up just to hear about a date. Amira sat on the chair by the sink mirror to prepare, passively checking on her hair, wrapped in a towel. ¡°He wanted to treat me after my win, and my grandparents are going to meet up with me after to walk around the Arts District.¡± ¡°Rocket side?¡± Lori questioned, picking up Miky to plop the seemingly dead imp on her head as Gables swapped places with Roxie to get a bit more rest. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve met your¡­ your mom¡¯s parents.¡± Rhea blinked, thinking back to the few times she¡¯d seen them on their journey, yet it had always been at a time when they weren¡¯t able to be introduced. ¡°They showed up yesterday, though.¡± Amira picked up a brush with a slight smile that Rhea thought made her go from beautiful to drop-dead gorgeous and showed how happy she was. ¡°They took over my grandparents¡¯ daycare in Johto, so they can¡¯t really leave the Pokemon alone.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve heard mixed things about daycares,¡± Lori hummed, adjusting her bikini. ¡°It¡¯s not like you can have more than six bonded Pokemon out at a time, so you have to willingly unbond for a time for them to practice? I never really got the idea.¡± The redhead¡¯s eyes lifted to Rhea. ¡°What have you heard about daycares, coming from the Masters¡¯ Community?¡± Rhea shrugged, noticing Mya had fallen back asleep on her belly, large mouth drooping over the edge of the bed. Alice was now up and rearing to jump around to release energy, so she swapped them to allow the Mawile to rest. ¡°Mixed things¡ªhmm-hmm¡­ Alice, I love you, too,¡± she cooed as the bunny jumped up to kiss her nose before jumping over to play with Nova, Roxie, and Serenity as her fluff ball turned back into an Eevee to her friends¡¯ cheers. ¡°Oh, nice! Fifteen minutes; you¡¯re on a roll, Nova!¡± The Eevee hopped around excitedly with Alice and Roxie as Serenity sprayed sparkling water over their heads, making them laugh. Returning to the previous topic, Rhea let a low rumble shake her throat while Mallory moved to join her on the bed to watch Amira prepare for her date. ¡°From what my brother told me, it¡¯s mostly for lower-tier Trainers who aren¡¯t serious about battling. As far as I know, it¡¯s got some Training benefits and involves group games, like Alice does, but less competitive, and they use Everstones to stop any evolutions.¡± Lori scratched her neck, careful not to dislodge Miky from her head. ¡°Mmh¡­ see, ya lost me there. It¡¯s like a vacation thing for your Pokemon¡­ that you don¡¯t have the time to be with? Like¡­ what?¡± A slow stream of air shot through Amira¡¯s lips. ¡°Mhm, daycares have a rocky reputation with High-Tier Trainers since they find it easy to build up Pokemon to new levels, but the majority of Trainers will never reach Gold Ranked, yet Pokemon competitive natures don¡¯t just go away. Daycares aren¡¯t just daycares; they host competitions and community events.¡± It started to click in Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°Wait¡­ So, Daycares were never meant for Training but more for maintaining a healthy community?¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lori whispered, getting up to grab her phone to check out more information before plopping back down. ¡°I guess since I grew up in the Unova League, I didn¡¯t have too many interactions with country stuff¡­¡± Finished brushing out Amber¡¯s shiny fur, Amira turned her attention to Holly, who replaced her, helping the Posy Picker Pokemon inspect her flowers and groom her hair. ¡°Hmm¡­ we¡¯ll stop by a shop for you to replace some on the way out,¡± she said as the colorful Pokemon looked at one that was beginning to wilt. A smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips as the Comfey hugged her Trainer¡¯s hand. The redhead chuckled at her Pokemon¡¯s soft chirps. ¡°Oh¡­ you want to make a flower ring for me to wear today, too? That will be cute; yeah, let¡¯s do it. Okay, Amber¡¯s going to help dry my hair now.¡± The Comfey nodded and returned to her pokeball to allow the Fennekin to blow out Amira¡¯s hair, and Rhea noticed a text while they were swapping activities. 6:49 a.m. - Bianca: Morning, Cutie! Just going to be us three girls today; Sabin, Katelin, and my handsome hubby are investigating something to do with the lead you gave them yesterday. We got a bit of a surprise from Koga¡¯s sister yesterday, too. Isn¡¯t she mysterious? 6:50 a.m. - Rhea: Morning! I don¡¯t know about mysterious. She¡¯s pretty nice and straightforward whenever I talk to her. When are we meeting up? Diantha left it kind of vague. Lori read her text next to her as Amira went back to their original conversation. ¡°Ok, so, working-class people¡ªnon-career Trainers¡ªwhich make up the majority of the population that have Pokemon for a lot of different reasons, may battle as a pass time, but a lot of times their Pokemon need other ways to let out their energy. My grandparents help organize a lot of that in their area and facilitate a place for Pokemon to socialize.¡± Thinking back to the many other types of competitions she¡¯d heard about, one of which was quite famous in Johto came to mind. ¡°Like the Pok¨¦athlon?¡± Amira giggled. ¡°My mother loves the Pok¨¦athlon and participates with Kris, Ethan, and a lot of other old friends when she can.¡± Lori forced a laugh. ¡°Uh-heh¡­ is that fair? Are there brackets?¡± ¡°Oh, of course,¡± Amira said, getting up to hang her hair over for Amber to blow on. ¡°Naturally, my mom brings underdogs Wild Pokemon her team finds in their daily explorations¡­ it¡¯s, heh, easy to explore when you can teleport around the region and be back for dinner in an instant.¡± ¡°Haha. I bet!¡± Rhea mused, recalling her father¡¯s daily hour trips to Mt. Silver to train using the same method. ¡°Teleport is such an advantage.¡± Mallory pulled up the Pokedex App as Rhea got a message from her cousin. ¡°Speaking of¡­ Can any of our Pokemon learn Teleport¡­ because that Muk is so useful?¡± Brushing her locks to the right to look at Rhea, Amira smirked. ¡°I checked when our Pokemon hatched, and, so far, none of our Pokemon can, but I¡¯m positive Rhea¡¯s mother will hook her up with one, hehe¡­ which I¡¯ll admit made me start speculating.¡± Rhea blinked; it hadn¡¯t even crossed her mind. ¡°You¡¯re totally right¡­ Uh¡­ Maybe a Butterfree since my dad has one that¡¯s an easy breed candidate?¡± Lori waved her hand in protest while scrolling down the list. ¡°Naa. Your mom¡¯s all about super-stacking you¡ªwe all know it¡¯s true¡ªhmm-hmm, she said it herself!¡± Amira nodded, flipping her hair back to inspect it as Amber¡¯s small teeth clamped around a brush to hand her Trainer. ¡°Mhm¡­ Not to mention it would need to be Type specific to your lineup since she¡¯s been preparing all this for so long, and that should narrow down the candidates a lot.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± Lori smirked, forcing Rhea to scoot over to stare at her screen as their Pokemon gathered behind them, curious about their next potential teammate; all speculation, of course. ¡°What¡­¡± ¡°Gallade or Gardevoir? I mean, it hits the super powerful niche we¡¯ve got going for our blonde bombshell¡­¡± ¡°They¡¯re both super cute and cool,¡± Rhea mumbled, but Amira shot their speculation down. ¡°Powerful, yes, but they¡¯d clash with Mya and Alice too much in a limited 6-team lineup.¡± ¡°Okay, Ms. Beheeyem,¡± Lori grinned, scooting forward a little while flipping through the images for their Pokemon. ¡°Help us Slowpokes out. What¡¯s Rhea¡¯s mom thinking? Ugh¡­ I should get ready for my date, too¡­ but I¡¯m too interested! You have to help me get ready, too!¡± Amira began adding treatment for her hair while brushing it out; she was going all out for this date, and Rhea enjoyed watching her prep, which showed how much she cared about those she¡¯d be spending the day with. Rhea nudged the Unova¡¯s side with a sly smirk. ¡°So I was right! You do have a date with Kekoa. Did he ask you out?¡± Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site. ¡°Something like that,¡± Mallory teased, hiding her lips with her phone for a moment and making the hologram vanish. ¡°Neville¡ªKekoa¡¯s Rattata¡ªwas all shy and asked if he and Roxie could go to a meet and greet together.¡± ¡°That can¡¯t be it,¡± Amira hummed, eyeing the violet-haired girl suspiciously and putting her ideas on hold to address Lori¡¯s unusually guarded secret with Kekoa. ¡°Spill it.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Lori drew out the response, cheeks darkening a little, and Rhea had to wonder what in the world could make the dancing city-girl so flustered. ¡°You know, I¡¯m more used to high-pace parties and hot, blurred nights of movement, but¡­¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Rhea pressed, holding her breath. ¡°Kekoa did what I wanted yesterday, so¡­ he says I owe him an Alola night.¡± Only having a vague clue of what that meant due to Heneli, Rhea¡¯s belly squirming nonetheless at seeing Lori¡¯s nervous smile; it could be something completely different. ¡°Meaning?¡± Amira¡¯s lips pulled in as she turned to give her a knowing look, and there was a twinkle in her crimson eyes. ¡°From the fast lane to the slow tug and pull of a tension-filled night, huh?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lori puffed out a hot stream of air. ¡°I don¡¯t know! I¡¯ve never done any Alolan stuff, but he wants to go to a small Alola beach party nearby to teach me how to do their dances. I¡¯ve never had a boy try to teach me a new dance¡­ and he said there were other surprises. I don¡¯t know! My heart won¡¯t stop beating¡ªkya; I¡¯m infected¡ªfeel that, Rhea?¡± Rhea giggled as the girl grabbed her hand to place against her chest to feel each bump of her thumping heart. ¡°A solid hundred, huh? I¡¯m excited for you!¡± ¡°Gah! I don¡¯t know why I feel this way, and¡ªand I get all sweaty just thinking about it¡­ Why?! Why?!¡± Amira motioned her to the bathroom. ¡°Best cool off then. Cold water for once?¡± ¡°Arceus! I feel like I have to. I haven¡¯t felt this high in so long¡­ It¡¯s maddening¡ªI hate it¡ªI love it! I can already feel his hands on my back or hips¡­ yet I don¡¯t know what his dance is like!¡± Rhea remembered the things Heneli taught her the other night, reminding her about the awkward way they¡¯d ended it. Swiftly dismissing the nerve-wracking sensation, she hummed and felt a little Fennekin light a fire in her. ¡°Hehe. I think I know what it is¡­¡± ¡°You Jinx!¡± Lori laughed, slapping her arm. ¡°You¡¯d do that to a girl? I can¡¯t look it up, you tease! Nice! Hehe. Looks like I¡¯ve been a good influence on you.¡± Glad Lori enjoyed the tease, Rhea rubbed the spot. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to hear the story tonight.¡± ¡°No shot,¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°Lori¡¯s gonna be fried when she gets back. From a hundred to dead in a ditch.¡± ¡°Oh, Arceus, YES! Please!¡± she pleaded, reaching back to pick up Rhea¡¯s pillow to throw at Amira¡¯s giggling back. ¡°Just run me off a cliff. Hehe. You two are the worst!¡± Alice shot forward and caught it before it hit the ground to the others¡¯ cheers at the acrobatics. ¡°Alright, if you want my help getting ready, you should take a shower already.¡± ¡°Okay! Okay! I¡¯m keeping the door cracked, so I can hear you talk about Rhea¡¯s Teleport candidate. Speak loud like this!¡± Laughing and shaking their heads, Rhea waved the rosy-cheeked Unovan girl off as she went inside before returning shortly after. ¡°Forgot clothes¡­ Got ¡®em! Hehe. Wait¡­ Rhea, what type of clothes¡ªyou know the dance¡ªwhat clothes, girl?!¡± She could say she wasn¡¯t that brushed up on the Alolan style when Amira saved her. ¡°I¡¯m guessing he will buy you the authentic cultural outfit.¡± A lump dropped down the violet girl¡¯s throat as her exposed belly tightened. ¡°So¡­ Gah! I¡¯m such a mess¡­ He¡¯s really going to do that?¡± Amira forced a laugh. ¡°It¡¯s my guess.¡± ¡°Good enough for me! Expectations¡­ expectations¡­ Why are you guys giving me such high expectations?! I¡¯m sorry, Rhea! I¡¯m so sorry!¡± ¡°Huh? For what?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry for what I did¡ªI¡¯m so hot¡­ Okay, cold shower it is¡­¡± Bodies quivering with laughter, the girl¡¯s purple locks whipped around the edge of the door; the water began to fall as she yelled back, ¡°Pokemon, Amira! Distract me!¡± Cool as a slow stream, Amira continued to prepare to meet Kekipi, and Rhea glanced at Lori¡¯s abandoned phone on her bed before reading Bianca¡¯s message and listening to the Rocket girl¡¯s thoughts. 6:53 a.m. - Bianca: Umm. Diantha said she¡¯s waiting to find out her son¡¯s plans to see what portion of the day we can dedicate to the exploration. She¡¯s mainly coming to ensure there¡¯s nothing dangerous before I call a bunch of researchers to join us. Plus, I need to know what experts to bring, so¡­ 6:56 a.m. - Bianca: So, she said she¡¯s good to grab breakfast at 9 a.m. There are some calls she needs to make. You good for that? Gives me time to take a short nap. A slight smirk lifted the corner of Rhea¡¯s mouth as she responded. 7:04 a.m. - Rhea: Hubby keep you up late, huh? 7:04 a.m. - Bianca: Mhm. It was nice. 7:04 a.m. - Bianca: WAIT! What are you imagining?! ¡°Hmm-hmm.¡± Seeing her Pokemon give her a confused look, Rhea couldn¡¯t help another silent chuckle as Amira gathered her thoughts, scrolling through Pokedex and talking to Lori; the Unova girl was having more of an effect on her than she thought. 7:05 a.m. - Rhea: What are you imagining? 7:05 a.m. - Bianca: Bad girl! Hehe. I love my husband. Let¡¯s leave it at that! 7:05 a.m. - Rhea: Nothing else has to be said. ;) He¡¯s cute, huh? 7:06 a.m. - Bianca: He really is! Food? 7:06 a.m. - Rhea: ?? 9 sounds good. Have a nice rest. You need it. ?? 7:06 a.m. - Bianca: Maybe I do. ?? Rhea couldn¡¯t help a blush as her cousin went along with her comment, and hearing Lori¡¯s excitement made her want to move beyond this awkward stage she was in with dating¡­ but not today! Her attention centered entirely on Amira¡¯s explanation. ¡°What do we know about Rhea¡¯s team?¡± Lori huffed. ¡°The super Eevee, tanky bruiser Mawile, and speedy Buneary.¡± ¡°Wildcard, Fairy/Steel, and Normal for the end result¡ªthough Alice will also become Fighting eventually during her Mega Evolution¡ªmostly close-ranged to mid-ranged, which all points toward the need for more long-ranged backup. Naturally, almost all Teleport Pokemon are Psychic of some kind¡ªa loaded Typing¡ªmeaning it would most likely fill one of her three slots.¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze shifted to Nova. ¡°What about Espeon?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°Nova is the one who fills all the gaps your other members can¡¯t; I checked, and Ally Switch is one of her TM options, which, as we saw in the Gym Leader match, was huge. Rhea eon¡¯t be a Type Specialist, and that opens things up.¡± ¡°So¡­¡± Lori mumbled from inside the bathroom. ¡°A dual-type that doesn¡¯t have Fighting, Normal, Steel, or Fairy Typings?¡± The redhead shrugged. ¡°I went through them all¡­ and what I came up with? Impossible to say.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea mirrored the Unovan girl. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Hehe. I mean, your mother is so unorthodox that I threw out all the standard options. I bet she¡¯ll surprise you with some genetic wonder or variant that would make us feel silly when she does give you your next egg. I just can¡¯t see her not giving you a Pokemon with Teleport.¡± ¡°True!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Your mom could drop a Legendary Pokemon on you!¡± ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Bet!¡± Rhea¡¯s lips tightened. ¡°I mean¡­ even for my mom, that¡¯s insane. The Leagues would never allow it; they barely allowed Nova and Mya!¡± ¡°Haha. Amira, she¡¯s in denial!¡± Rhea¡¯s huffed at Amira¡¯s helpless shrug. ¡°She¡¯s not wrong, Rhea. Think about it. Your mother is the leading genetics expert in the world and one of the most accomplished breeders; plus, she has contacts with all the villain organizations and their research. I can tell you that my grandfather and great-grandmother had a massive obsession with Mew for a while. ¡°Remember Apple City¡ªthe abductions¡ªshe¡¯s an expert brought in on things like that¡­ warring, alien Pokemon. So¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure she¡¯s got some crazy plan for your last three Pokemon.¡± The part that made Rhea¡¯s stomach squirm was the fact that her teammates weren¡¯t wrong. She had enough attention as it was with the Eevee fandoms always wanting info on Nova¡¯s unique abilities, and as they moved to higher tiers of competitions, she guess she had to expect the attention to grow. ¡°Yeah¡­ huu-haaa, maybe I am being naive. Would she really give me Legendary Pokemon, though? Let¡¯s be real here. My mom has sway, but not that much sway when it comes to the Leagues, which mostly comes in the form of my aunt. I can¡¯t¡­ ugh¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Amira smirked at her from the mirror. Running her fingers through her ponytail as she flipped it around her lap, Rhea grunted, ¡°Okay¡­ yeah, my Aunt Cynthia would have no problem with it. She¡¯s partnered with a ton of Legendaries, but a baby Legendary? Who would let their child be raised by me or let my mom experiment on their eggs? I don¡¯t see it.¡± ¡°Fair,¡± Amira shrugged, dropping the conversation. ¡°So, when are you heading out, Rhea?¡± ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t need to get ready that fast. We¡¯re meeting for breakfast at nine.¡± ¡°Cool.¡± Moving to discuss more of the pros and cons of the various Teleport Pokemon, Rhea had to bring up the comparisons between the different fractions of Champion and above Trainers. Blue primarily used his Alakazam for transportation, yet she noticed for the first time that his Arcanine more than likely had it, as well. Green, Kris, Lyra, and Leaf had their cuties, Clefable, Wigglytuff, or Blissey, yet the High Champion favored her Porygon-Z, much like her Aunt Cynthia. Yet, her aunt also had her Togekiss that could do it¡ªprobably through some manipulation of Metronome¡ªbut that was probably the exception because she hadn¡¯t heard of any others who could do it. Red¡¯s Arcanine was also his transporter. Now that she was looking at it, there were surprisingly few Pokemon that naturally learned the Move, and it was typically very intelligent Pokemon that had the capability of psychically communicating. It was shocking to her that Munna could learn it with TM. Oddly enough, she noticed not a single Legendary Pokemon was listed to have the Move, though most information on Mythical or Legendary Pokemon was restricted to just the name and description, much like the older generation devices; plus, she¡¯d heard instances of them using it from the Master¡¯s Community. Lori finished unsurprisingly quickly¡ªcold water and Lori didn¡¯t mix¡ªRhea laughed a little as the purple-haired girl let out a cry; their neighbors must hate her this morning, but when she exited, her bright red face was beaming as she sat down to allow Amira to help her prepare. Rhea got in next, taking her time to wash Alice and Nova¡¯s fur while accepting Roxie, who was having so much fun with the Buneary that she¡¯d forgotten to join Lori. Getting out, Rhea put on her shorts and Trainer top, unzipping the skirt portion since they¡¯d be going in a place that the more resilient piece would likely do well with. Teasing Lori was fun for a bit, but eventually, her teammates left at 7:45 a.m., prompting Rhea to hit the streets and walk the river with her Pokemon; the city was packed with people, still engaged in the week-long celebration, and she took photos with several excited young Trainers who were enamored by her unique and cute salt and pepper-themed Pokemon. Rhea timed Diantha¡¯s arrival, and punctual as she¡¯d come to expect, five seconds after 9 a.m. came, the radiant Kalos Champion appeared beside her out of rainbow lights, the strongest Gardevoir in the world floating nearby. ¡°My, you¡¯re looking lovely today, Rhea. Yellow top and brown shorts?¡± Nova and Alice chirped a greeting at the lovely Pokemon. ¡°Thanks! Heh. I don¡¯t have many options traveling,¡± she whispered, seeing the woman¡¯s designer black-and-white dress and heels; she didn¡¯t look like she was ready to explore a temple in the least, but Trainers of her caliber could do just about anything in a dress. ¡°Bianca?¡± Diantha held one arm under her bust with a soft, unconcerned smile as she turned to look to the southeast. ¡°In her apartment building still by her position.¡± Aliz¨¦e, her Gardevoir, gave a short chuckle as her eyes brightened. ¡°She appears to have slept in and is rushing to get ready.¡± Rhea rubbed her neck. ¡°Typical Bianca. Hehe. So¡­ where are we eating?¡± Diantha¡¯s Telepathic Gardevoir responded again as the Champion eyed something in the distance with a small frown; it was impossible to know what was on the minds of Trainers at her level since they had such a colossal scope of events at any given moment. ¡°A wonderful little bakery caf¨¦ mix that Gym Leader Misty recommended.¡± ¡°Sounds great! So¡­ after that, we¡¯re checking out the ruins?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Diantha smiled, attention returning to her. ¡°It¡­ would seem your aunt has been held up for quite some time after meeting with that Celebi, and Lyra seems to have been pulled into it.¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth pulled in as she gave a helpless shrug. ¡°I, uh-heh, got no clue about any of that! Sounds like something she¡¯d be involved in.¡± ¡°A shame,¡± the dark-grey-haired woman whispered. ¡°I was hoping to have the chance to tour these ruins with her commentary. I am rarely able to interact with her outside of League meets, and she leads such a fascinating life.¡± ¡°That¡¯s my Aunt Cynthia!¡± ¡°She¡¯s ready, Diantha,¡± Aliz¨¦e serenely notified, waving at Rhea¡¯s excited Pokemon. ¡°Why don¡¯t we have fun?¡± Rhea froze as she heard a cute, young girl¡¯s voice in her mind as Alice hopped around with Nova on two legs. ¡°Yay! We¡¯re exploring.¡± ¡°Wooh! Adventure!¡± ¡°Nova¡­ Alice?¡± It was the first time she¡¯d heard her Pokemon speak to her as if they were humans. Aliz¨¦e giggled. ¡°I¡¯m translating for them so you may all enjoy it equally.¡± Alice and Nova¡¯s eyes widened, and she felt her Mawile slowly waking up. ¡°Can Rhea hear us?¡± Nova whispered, lips parting in a big grin. ¡°Rhea!¡± Alice chirped, jumping all the way into her arms. ¡°I have so much to say! We can talk! We can talk! Oh! You¡¯re so warm at night, and I love it when you scratch my ears and pat my head!¡± Mya¡¯s grumbles didn¡¯t translate since she wasn¡¯t out, but Nova swiftly informed her of what was happening. ¡°Mhm! Mhm!¡± Nova matter-of-factly nodded, big ears flopping. ¡°I feel so safe and warm cuddling against your legs, and it¡¯s dark and quieter, so I don¡¯t hear Mya snoring as much. Sometimes you squeeze me at night with your legs, and it feels so good! I love that!¡± Aliz¨¦e snickered at their enthusiasm as Mya wanted to join. ¡°Let¡¯s not overwhelm your human, girls. Why not formally introduce yourselves now that you have the chance?¡± Rhea knelt to smile at her Eevee; this was way more amazing than she thought it would be. Sure, she¡¯d heard Aliz¨¦e speak before and other Pokemon, but not a Pokemon that could translate all other Pokemon speech. She finally had the opportunity to learn more about her adorable little cuddle buddies from their own minds.
    I just started releasing an old Patreon Exclusive since it''s been a year since I released Volume 1; if the premise interests you, I''d love to hear what you think. I already have the first volume done and will post a chapter once every two days or so. It''s called Soul''s Requiem¡ªsomewhat based on a game I loved with a lackluster story that could have been great¡ªand I''m waiting for the coverart/character art to finish of Clover. Royal Road Link Scribble Hub Link B2 — 27. What If Its Not A Joke? 9:07 a.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea giggled while stroking Alice¡¯s head; the hyperactive bunny wiggled in her arms, unable to keep still but wanting to be held simultaneously. ¡°Oh, is there more of those Pokemon Red Team Adventures episodes? We didn¡¯t finish the last one!¡± Nova nodded frantically by her feet. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! I want a scarf, too, Rhea! Like the Eevee!¡± ¡°Hehe. Okay. Okay. We¡¯ll go shopping tomorrow for it.¡± ¡°I want a pink bow!¡± Alice squealed. ¡°I saw one weird human girl with bows in her hair, and I want one!¡± ¡°That¡¯s rude, Alice,¡± Nova chided as Mya frantically tried to figure out what was happening after waking up. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t call people weird.¡± ¡°She was doing a weird hop, but she wasn¡¯t a Buneary,¡± Alice returned. ¡°She is weird; should I call her bow girl¡­ was she a girl? I¡¯m not so sure now.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but laugh at their conversation. ¡°Is this what you guys talk about all the time?¡± ¡°Mhm! Mhm!¡± Alice returned, pointing down at Nova. ¡°Oh¡ªNova, you should come up, too; Rhea has two arms!¡± Mya balked at having her turn to speak, but Rhea soothed her worries of not getting a chance. Just wait a tiny bit longer, Mya. Nova¡¯s wagging tail didn¡¯t stop as Rhea picked her up in her other arm, and her little Eevee surprised her again, being the mature one of her three Pokemon. ¡°I can go back in my pokeball for Mya so she can talk with you in the caf¨¦ smelly place.¡± ¡°Smelly place?¡± Alice snickered. ¡°If it¡¯s like the place we went the other day, it is kind of smelly.¡± ¡°Too strong,¡± Nova mumbled, crinkling her nose. ¡°And there¡¯s so much of it everywhere.¡± ¡°Huh¡­ I suppose coffee does have a distinct smell. This will have bread, though.¡± Both Pokemon tilted their ears at the word, seemingly not recognizing it. ¡°Well, okay. Nova goes in first. Are we okay taking turns today, Alice?¡± ¡°Aww,¡± the Buneary¡¯s expression drooped. ¡°I wanted to jump around the creepy-dark caves and hear the echoes Nova told me about. Umm. Can I swap with Mya so I can hear them, and she can be in the smelly place?¡± Rhea sighed, catching Diantha and Aliz¨¦e¡¯s soft smiles. Resolving herself to give it a shot since they weren¡¯t going to do any battles today, she set her two Pokemon down. ¡°Hmm. Why don¡¯t we try to have all three of you out for this trip?¡± ¡°Really?!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Rhea¡­¡± Her Eevee¡¯s tail slowed as she gave her a concerned, pink-eyed look. ¡°We don¡¯t want to hurt you, and remember, Amira¡¯s having trouble keeping Serenity out with her other Pokemon.¡± Tucking her lower lip under, Rhea picked at her index finger with her thumbnail for a moment while pondering her Eevee¡¯s concern; she wasn¡¯t wrong, but Amira had only just transferred all her Pokemon to Master Balls. ¡°True¡­ It doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t give it a shot, though. Heh, I¡¯m not going to explode or anything!¡± ¡°You can explode?!¡± Alice gasped, hands flying to her mouth as her ears stiffened before hugging her breast. ¡°Don¡¯t explode, Rhea! Please!¡± ¡°Pfft-hehe! I¡¯m not going to explode.¡± ¡°What if you do?!¡± Nova shot back, even having Mya concerned about exiting her pokeball now. ¡°We don¡¯t know. Last time Mya used all your fortitude, you almost died! Remember? Only one of us could be out for a while.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Diantha¡¯s eyes widened a tad as she listened to their back and forth. ¡°It is shocking that you¡¯re already able to have two Pokemon out at Bronze-tier¡­ and at their strength, yet I wouldn¡¯t consider it unprecedented.¡± Aliz¨¦e gave her Trainer a lifted eyebrow. ¡°If you are speaking about some of the most potent Trainers in Kalos, Diantha, then that would be correct. It is not a standard to be held by all in the least.¡± ¡°You are not wrong,¡± Diantha mused, studying them. ¡°Although, to set your minds at ease, I have never heard of a Trainer ¡®exploding¡¯ due to releasing too many Pokemon. Well¡­ spiritually, I suppose that could be another topic entirely,¡± she hummed. ¡°Huh!? Rhea! Don¡¯t die!¡± Alice screamed, hugging her shin tighter and making Aliz¨¦e sigh. ¡°She is speaking about releasing ¡®seven¡¯ bonded Pokemon, Alice. No need to fret; what would be the worst to happen, Diantha?¡± Rhea listened carefully to Kalos¡¯ Champion with Nova and the terrified Buneary latched around her neck; the Eevee probably just liked hugging her more than the irrational fear of her exploding. Diantha leaned against the railing separating them from the steep decline to the river below, studying her. ¡°Hmm. Every Trainer will experience different symptoms or sensations¡­ they could get unusually cold, hot, or potentially feel claws digging into their chest, attempting to rip out their heart.¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± The Champion chuckled. ¡°I know it sounds scary, Alice, yet I highly doubt your Trainer would suggest it if she didn¡¯t feel as if she could handle the backlash.¡± ¡°Eh-hehe, yeah¡­¡± A strained smile creased Rhea¡¯s pearly eyes. ¡°I know people get really worried, but when I first started with Mya and Nova always being out, it just put some stress against my chest. If it gets too much, they can just go back in¡ªwe won¡¯t know until we try! Right?¡± Alice seemed to be calming down but still had a worried look on her face as she glanced between them; the Buneary was only ten days old. ¡°But¡­ it will hurt you, Rhea?¡± Aliz¨¦e held a hand up to her chin while studying her. ¡°Correct me if I am wrong, Diantha, but Rhea does have a rather unusual psychic signature in contrast to every other human I have sensed; she does not appear to be your typical human, yet not in a normal, psychic way.¡± ¡°Haha. You would know far better than I¡­ Has anyone told you your aura is quite a stunning array of hues, Rhea?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows pulled together at the sudden change in topic. ¡°My aura? Umm, no¡­ I mean, my dad and brother have tried to teach me how to use my aura, but it¡¯s still kind of hard for me.¡± ¡°You can sense aura?¡± Diantha whispered, looking surprised. ¡°If I¡¯m concentrating¡ªoh, but not the colors¡ªjust the feeling of aura!¡± she swiftly protested. ¡°I¡¯m terrible at sensing weaker auras, though; I think¡­ Platinum¡­ yeah, I think Platinum-tier auras and below tend to be where my accuracy rate starts to really dip.¡± Aliz¨¦e giggled. ¡°Rhea¡­ you realize that sensing aura is typically something barely sensed by Trainers ¡®at¡¯ the Platinum-tier?¡± Rhea shrugged; she didn¡¯t see it being that big of a deal since she¡¯d grown up around Masters all her life. ¡°My brother and dad would always play games to try and trip me up, and I always loved to sense my Aunt Cynthia¡¯s Pokemon when they were nearby; I¡¯m pretty sure I¡¯m better at sensing Champion-tier and above; rather than anything lower.¡± Diantha was silent for a moment as she held her knuckles against her nose with a thoughtful expression that her Gardevoir mirrored. ¡°Hmm¡­ What would you say about my aura?¡± ¡°Uh-heh, umm¡­ it¡¯s way harder to tell when they¡¯re hiding it rather than releasing it, but¡­ I used to think you were a mid-tier Champion, but after meeting you in person with your Pokemon and Lyra, I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re roughly as strong as her¡­ maybe a bit stronger even. If you were going all-out, I¡¯m sure you¡¯d be Legendary-tier.¡± She blinked after giving her honest answer, her face turning bright red. ¡°N-Not that I¡¯m saying you¡¯re mid-tier or¡ªor weak!¡± Aliz¨¦e and Diantha giggled as Rhea¡¯s Pokemon tried to follow the conversation, still holding fear for her decision to try three of them out at once. ¡°You need not apologize for an honest answer, Rhea. I am flattered that you believe us to have reached such heights, and Diantha is impressed by the way you were raised.¡± If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The Champion held one arm under her bust while shifting her gaze to the sky. ¡°I have neglected a lot more than I believed in my busy life, yet after meeting Jason, Saria, and you, I¡¯m beginning to see things from a different light. Look at me¡­¡± She gestured to herself while scanning the throng of people moving about their preparations for today¡¯s festival. ¡°I¡¯ve never sat so still. Hmm. Perhaps Lysandre was right in one thing¡­ We should take time to enjoy the beauty in our lives. Beauty fades, but that does not mean we cannot enjoy it¡­¡± ¡°Diantha, we¡¯re stealing the spotlight,¡± Aliz¨¦e whispered. ¡°Oh. My apologies. Hehe. I got a little carried away.¡± Rhea swiftly shook her head, thick, blonde ponytail weaving at her back. ¡°Mmh-uh, It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m thankful for allowing me to talk to my Pokemon, and I¡¯m glad you¡¯re able to spend more time with Lucian.¡± A sad look crossed Diantha¡¯s face as she shifted to stroke Nova¡¯s head, still not finished with challenging Rhea about her plan for Mya to join them, she was sure. ¡°I am sorry for taking your Trainer¡¯s attention away.¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°Umm¡­ You seem sad. What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rhea caught Aliz¨¦e¡¯s hands tighten in front of her dress, and she had the sudden heart-tugging desire to pursue the topic. ¡°Umm¡­ Bi¡¯s probably still struggling to get ready¡ªheh, knowing my cousin¡ªso¡­ did you want to talk for a bit? Is Lucian okay?¡± ¡°How curious,¡± Diantha whispered, her bright-blue irises moving to her as she reached out to see if Nova would mind transferring to her arms; her Eevee looked at Rhea and nodded, allowing herself to be carried into the woman¡¯s gentle embrace. Rhea could practically see the complex emotions swirling inside the Champion¡¯s eyes, and wondered if she wanted Nova just to have something fluffy to hold and pet. ¡°Aura-wise, you certainly have a unique blend of emotional and spiritual shades, Rhea; it is almost entirely white at this moment.¡± She lowered Alice from her neck as the Buneary¡¯s fears began to subside, yet she still refused to leave her arms in case she exploded. ¡°What¡­ does that mean?¡± Diantha didn¡¯t respond for a second; she stroked Nova¡¯s fur¡ªseemingly in an expert manner¡ªas she turned to the path. ¡°It is a lovely day for a walk. Aliz¨¦e?¡± ¡°I will inform Bianca she needn¡¯t rush.¡± She could feel the disappointment from her Pokemon as the Gardevoir teleported away; however, whatever Move the Pokemon used still seemed to be in effect as Diantha guided them along the path. ¡°I¡¯ve only seen similar shades in a few Trainers¡ªsuch as Iris¡ªyet unlike her dark-purple undertone, you have a jade-green that will sometimes shine through, which is pretty since jade can also be white.¡± ¡°What does that mean?¡± Diantha¡¯s eyes softened while studying her. ¡°You are a kind soul, Rhea. What do you think about Lucian?¡± A bit thrown off by the sudden shifts the Champion continued to make¡ªas if she were coming to a conclusion before they finished the previous discussion¡ªRhea shook her head. ¡°Uh¡­ what about him? To be honest¡­ I¡¯m not the biggest fan, but I haven¡¯t really been around him all that often.¡± ¡°Is that right¡­ Interesting.¡± ¡°How so?¡± Rhea questioned, focus darting across as her Gardevoir returned to float beside them. ¡°Hmm-hmm. Lucian seems to be quite motivated by you girls for only knowing you less than a month.¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯d say that¡¯s more Amira¡¯s thing.¡± ¡°Not quite,¡± Diantha hummed, drawing her attention to Rhea¡¯s two Pokemon. ¡°Few Bronze-tier Trainers travel with two Pokemon out, and it puts a lot of attention on you.¡± A shiver ran down Rhea¡¯s back at the obvious observation that had utterly skipped her mind; she thought doing the Encrusted Challenge would be the big one, yet just having two Pokemon out was a huge deal that was always on display. She recalled how Hannah, Sam, and Jade reacted to bonding to their first Pokemon, then followed by Amira¡¯s problems with the Master Ball; not only did she have both Pokemon out after just bonding with them¡ªsuper genetically enhanced Pokemon¡ªbut it was with Master Balls. That can¡¯t be normal¡­ No wonder people have looked at me as if¡­ Some of the comments Amira and Lori had made that morning caused another shiver to run through her mind; she¡¯d had people joke like that much of her life, with her mother being one of the lead genetic experts in the world, which made her dismiss it, but now¡­ Retreating into her mind, her lips parted to ask the question, but who would answer her? Diantha couldn¡¯t; only two people could, and she didn¡¯t know if she could ever actually ask it. Throughout the past month, she¡¯d had some of the highest and lowest emotions she¡¯d ever felt; yet, she suddenly doubted something fundamental within herself for the first time in her life. Interacting with girls her age for more than just a few hours made her acutely aware that her eating habits weren¡¯t normal; despite everything she told herself growing up, like that her brother was just a glutton or others just loved to eat too much. How stunned Amira was as they discussed their athletic feats, such as holding her breath or swimming, and how much longer she could go. Amira wasn¡¯t a slouch; she often woke up before any of them to stretch and do a light workout, yet Rhea hadn¡¯t done that in a while. Now, it was becoming so painfully obvious that she couldn¡¯t deny it with how swiftly she was advancing as a Trainer, and it began to seed a bit of fear in her heart. Am I Mom¡¯s experiment¡­ What if all this is just to see how well I do¡­ Mya, Alice, Nova¡­ Is all of this some kind of genetic and breeding experiment¡­ No! Mom loves me¡­ it¡¯s not just some experiment¡­ but¡­ I could still be an experiment, and she still loves me. I just¡­ started as an experiment¡­. Diantha snapped her back to reality. ¡°Rhea? I hope I didn¡¯t make you feel uncomfortable. I simply wanted to better understand how you have come to push my son. Ah-haha. To be honest, it¡¯s really quite something, but he mentioned you as his inspiration for having both of his Pokemon out.¡± She brushed back her brown hair to look up at the sky. ¡°All I ever wanted was for him to be free to live his own life without my influence, but seeing the difference in how Len and Jason were raised compared to Lucian makes me believe I was wrong to try to have as little influence in his life¡¯s decisions as possible.¡± Trying to bury the itching realization that clawed at her tense chest, Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Really¡ªme? Are you sure it¡¯s not Amira¡­ they kind of have this¡­ hatred for each other, I think.¡± ¡°Really? Hatred¡­ Hmm,¡± the woman¡¯s lips pulled in, and for the first time, Rhea saw true confusion touch her eyes. ¡°Is that what Amira believes?¡± Rhea swiftly nodded, using their last encounter in Pewter as a distraction from her terrifying thoughts; her Pokemon could totally tell something was wrong but didn¡¯t want to interrupt their conversation since they didn¡¯t understand human emotion too well yet. ¡°A, uh, bit of a ramble real quick, heh, but Jason¡¯s kind of my best friend¡ªwe grew up together¡ªand he says Lucian¡¯s not that bad of a guy¡­ It¡¯s just, umm¡­ how do I put this¡­ he kind of turns into a bit of¡­ he gets kind of¡­ mean¡ªwell, when around us, anyway,¡± she managed to say, scratching her ear while fumbling through the admission. ¡°Hmm.¡± She didn¡¯t know quite what to make of the woman¡¯s narrowed left eye and tilted head as she pondered her response; Diantha was his mother, after all, and what mother wanted to hear that her son was a total Muk. ¡°I¡­ suppose I will have to speak to him about it,¡± she said after a time, giving Rhea a reassuring smile. ¡°Is it too much to ask for you to give him a second chance? I know being in a new, unfamiliar region¡ªone that has a particular stigma toward Kalos¡ªisn¡¯t much of an excuse for rudeness, and I am positive you are not the type to push someone away.¡± A bit surprised by the compliment, Rhea tightened her arms around Alice as she listened. ¡°I¡¯m not perfect¡­ but I try to make friends with everyone. Eh-heh¡­ it¡¯s a bit hard when people just naturally seem to try and push you away¡­ like the girls we did a Contest against. I¡¯ll try to give him another shot, though, but¡­¡± ¡°I understand you cannot promise the same for your team¡­ and I know it may even cause a divide between you, which is not something I would like to cause¡­¡± ¡°No! No! Amira and Lori aren¡¯t like that. I¡¯m sure they wouldn¡¯t be put off by me not hating¡ªwell, eh¡­ I never really ¡®hated¡¯ Lucian,¡± she admitted. ¡°I just didn¡¯t like his attitude. Amira, though¡­ yeah, Lucian and her are like oil and fire.¡± Diantha chuckled. ¡°With my son as the oil or fire?¡± Rhea¡¯s mind blanked, not following through with the analogy. ¡°I¡­ wasn¡¯t thinking that deep about it, heh, to be honest. Umm¡­¡± The woman chortled. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Rhea.¡± ¡°Diantha,¡± Aliz¨¦e interrupted. ¡°Bianca appears to be ready.¡± ¡°Right. I apologize again, Rhea, Nova,¡± Diantha whispered, bringing up the Eevee to kiss her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to ruin your mood. There was something I said that has troubled you to a degree I never wished to instill. Is there anything I can do?¡± ¡°No¡­ it¡¯s not you. It¡¯s something else,¡± Rhea returned. ¡°It¡¯s nice getting to know you a bit more, and I¡¯m happy some of the rumors I heard were kind of unfounded and mean¡­ Yeah, I¡¯m kind of mad now¡­¡± ¡°Haha. It doesn¡¯t affect me. When you live in the spotlight, you are bound to receive hate; I am sure some of it is founded. None of us are perfect flowers. Right?¡± ¡°Mhm. Umm¡­ what about letting all three of my Pokemon out?¡± Diantha set an expectant Nova on the ground as they came to a stop. ¡°Are you asking for my advice?¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Hmm. Do you believe you can withstand the pressure?¡± She nodded again. ¡°Then do what you believe is best!¡± she chimed before her cheer dampened a tad. ¡°Are you sure there is nothing I can do to correct the negative emotions you experienced not too long ago?¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ something more personal,¡± Rhea admitted, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°It really has nothing to do with you or Lucian¡­ Can I, umm¡­ get some time to talk to Bianca alone in the ruins¡­ or will it be too dangerous?¡± Diantha turned to her Pokemon for an answer. ¡°I can keep my mind linked with one of your Pokemon to inform Diantha and me if our help is needed. Let us know when you¡¯d like to speak to your cousin, and we will give you privacy.¡± ¡°Thank you. Okay¡­ Heh-ha. Let¡¯s go get something to eat?¡± ¡°Mya?¡± Diantha questioned, with the Mawile mirroring her query. ¡°Right! Sorry, Mya¡­ just a lot on my mind now. Umm. Let¡¯s do this!¡± Pulling Mya¡¯s pokeball off her waist, she activated it and took a deep breath before releasing her; the pressure that hit her chest was a tad more intense than she expected, but it was acceptable for at least a while. ¡°Rhea?¡± Nova fearfully whispered. ¡°Don¡¯t explode, Rhea!¡± Alice cried, hugging her chest. ¡°I won¡¯t let you!¡± Mya seemed to be infected by Alice as she cheered her on. ¡°Fight the explosion! Don¡¯t let it win! Are we winning?¡± Rhea giggled at their overreaction. ¡°I¡¯m fine! I told you, I¡¯m not going to explode¡ªhuh?!¡± ¡°¡°¡°What?!¡±¡±¡± her Pokemon cried in unison. ¡°Achoo!¡± she faked a sneeze and laughed. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± ¡°Gragh!¡± Alice lightly hit her chest with her tiny paws. ¡°Don¡¯t scare me like that!¡± ¡°Sorry! Sorry! Hehe. I¡¯m fine! Sure, it¡¯s a bit of pressure, but I think I can last the meal. Let¡¯s all eat together?¡± ¡°You sure?¡± Nova asked, big eyes watering as she stood on two feet to paw her knee. ¡°There¡¯s a lot of bad stuff I feel¡­ You¡¯re hurting, and scared, and angry, and want to cry, and¡­¡± ¡°Nova¡­¡± Rhea whispered, yet she already expected the Champion to know all about the negativity that entered her aura. ¡°My fix is talking to Bianca. We gotta eat breakfast first, though, right?¡± ¡°Okay¡­ You¡¯ll go to the Human Center?¡± ¡°Haha! They can¡¯t fix this¡­ Bianca can!¡± ¡°Oh¡­ okay. Yeah, let¡¯s go get something to eat.¡± Rhea stroked her Mawile, Eevee, and Buneary¡¯s heads, but deep in her breast, there was something festering; all she¡¯d ever wanted was to feel like the normal girls she saw on TV dramas and online, yet the more she experienced in the real world, the more she was reminded she wasn¡¯t normal. Diantha and Aliz¨¦e gave them a soft smile at how concerned her Pokemon were for her health, and the Gardevoir teleported them to the restaurant before leaving to fetch Bianca. However, Rhea began to wonder if she should truly try to push for her Pokemon to all be out at once, and it only increased the pressure against her heart. On the one hand, she wanted them to enjoy everything together; she also didn¡¯t want to be exceptional or stand out. Exceptional people always ended up alone and isolated in their own little worlds, but that was the Master¡¯s community¡ªher life. B2 — 28. A Cousin’s Support 9:42 a.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea felt the weight of having all her Pokemon out as if Mya had been sitting on her chest all night; sadly, this magical moment of spending time with Diantha, Bianca, and her Pokemon, who could now speak to her, was tarnished by her poisonous thoughts. Sitting with her group in a VIP room on the 3rd floor of some hidden-away caf¨¦, she stayed somewhat quiet while sipping her mixed berry smoothie and listening to her cousin nervously try to ease her stress. She internally kept her worried Pokemon at ease by assuring them that they¡¯d do this test and then cycle between them when in the ruins; it satisfied their curiosity about exploring a new place and their need to make sure she was okay. Rhea tried to respond to her cousin¡¯s worries with a positive vibe, but it was difficult with how heavy and unsure she regarded her place in her family. Bianca would zero in on her being a bit off soon enough, she was sure; her scatterbrained cousin was just so wound up that she¡¯d be the first to initiate an exploration and research team into this new ruin. Diantha knew she was struggling with something, but the understanding woman seemed to realize there was nothing she could do but facilitate a good environment that could bring her to address the issue. The issue was that Rhea didn¡¯t know if it was a problem in the first place. Her vision fell to the side of the table, where a smaller one had been brought up by the staff that tickled her three Pokemon; it had been the first time they¡¯d been given their own little place to sit with chairs and a personal breakfast spread. It made her happy that Alice and Mya could sit across from each other and enjoy it together; to help distract them, she¡¯d put on the latest episodes of their Rescue Adventure TV show that they hadn¡¯t seen yet¡ªthe season was just about over, and it was renewed for another already. Everything was almost perfect. Her Pokemon were starting to get along, they¡¯d survived a Plasma assassination attempt, and Amira and Lori were opening up; plus, they¡¯d survived their first big internal hiccup as new teammates. Sure, Lori and she had lost an Encrusted Match, but it wasn¡¯t the end of the road, and they had enough funds to keep going. The only other problem was her embarrassing kiss, but she didn¡¯t want to think about that. Rhea should have been having the time of her life¡ªshe was¡ªand everything she¡¯d dreamed about being free to explore the world had turned out to be just as magical as she¡¯d hoped. Yet, all the ups and downs she¡¯d experienced throughout the last month couldn¡¯t overshadow the looming shadow of her entire life that was now cast in a shade of doubt. She lost track of time in her thoughts, and before long, Diantha smoothly rose to her feet to draw their attention. ¡°Well, would you like to go to the entrance to discover what secrets this place holds? Steven seems to have already drained much of the water.¡± Rhea blinked at the Hoenn Champion¡¯s mention; she¡¯d completely forgotten he might be joining them. ¡°Oh, yeah¡­¡± Bianca breathed in deeply before rising to scoot over and hug her with concern. ¡°You¡¯ve been having that look on your face for a while, Rhea¡­ How are you holding up? Three Pokemon out at once is next to unheard of for your first month!¡± Forcing a grin, Rhea embraced her back before getting up to stretch out as her Pokemon ran over to question her health, too. ¡°Yeah, are you doing okay?¡± Nova asked, hopping up, pawing her thigh to get her attention. Her Buneary wasn¡¯t far behind, with big, pink eyes looking up. ¡°It doesn¡¯t hurt? You¡¯re not breathing like you usually do¡ªI can hear it!¡± Mya stood off a bit, arms crossed. ¡°Rhea¡¯s tough¡­ I have faith in her. Right, Rhea? You¡¯re doing okay?¡± The off-handed concern of the Mawile made her tight chest worse, making her wince with her short laughter; it had only been a good thirty-five minutes, but she could feel the stress eating at her stamina now. ¡°Hehe. Yeah, this was a good experiment, guys¡­ I know we could have tried it at a better time, but mind returning to your pokeballs, Nova, Mya? Alice didn¡¯t get to sleep with me last night, so it¡¯s only fair she gets her turn first.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Nova chirped, tail wagging after she internally reassured them she¡¯d feel better after talking to Bianca. Alice cheered, jumping around and doing flips to Diantha and her cousin¡¯s amusement, and, after a tight-eyed stare from Mya, the Mawile returned to her pokeball. ¡°Wooh! I get to hear the echoes! What does it sound like hearing yourself over and over and over again? I don¡¯t know!¡± There was something innocent about watching the eager bunny be so excited about something as simple as an echo, but it helped. The moment Nova and Mya were back in their pokeballs, snuggling against her spirit, and using her eyes to experience the moment, it felt like she could fly; she didn¡¯t expect that much weight to lift or how much pressure had been on her. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Bianca cheerily asked, smoothing back her bangs while looking Rhea up and down. ¡°Hehe. I could see that puff of relief. You know, Hilbert and Hilda didn¡¯t try having three Pokemon out for a good three months into their journey. You¡¯re up by a whole two months!¡± Diantha joined them. ¡°It is something incredible. Hmm¡­ there is a short entryway into the ruins before it leads into a corridor with a sealed door at the end. Why don¡¯t you two study the symbols around there while Steven and I examine things further in?¡± Bianca nodded. ¡°That sounds like a plan! I can¡¯t believe Steven Stone will be joining us¡ªkyaa! I used to have such a huge crush on him¡ªoh, don¡¯t tell him I said that!¡± she added, forcing a chuckle that made Diantha and her laugh. Rhea nudged her side. ¡°Hmm? I mean, your mom and him are pretty close, and they¡¯re always hanging out, looking into a lot of legends. Hilbert have some competition?¡± ¡°Rhea! You know I¡¯m not the cheating type,¡± Bianca huffed, making Rhea snicker. ¡°You always love to tease me about him, but he¡¯s just my teenage crush. That¡¯s all!¡± Diantha held her hands behind her back with a secretive smile. ¡°You aren¡¯t the only one who has admired the Hoenn Champion; he¡¯s quite popular in Kalos. Of course, Wallace also has his dedicated fanbase. In any case, we shouldn¡¯t keep Steven waiting too long.¡± ¡°Fashionably late?¡± Bianca grinned. ¡°Cuz, hehe, I don¡¯t think Diantha follows that fashion!¡± The Champion glanced at her relatively simple watch that held a subtle elegance with her outfit. ¡°I am the more punctual type, yet I have been enjoying the amount of time I¡¯ve had to linger as I please over the last few days.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t even feel the typical teleportation queasiness as Aliz¨¦e transported them in a dazzle of lights through Cerulean, ground, and the ocean waves to the secreted-away ruins on the coastal shelf of the Floral Lagoon City. A chill ran across her skin as she breathed the thick atmosphere, and her eyes widened as the grand scope of the entrance momentarily silenced the fears clouding her mind. Parts of the grand, three-floor structure were still dripping water, revealing pictures and scripts Rhea distinctively knew from her mother¡¯s bedtime stories revolving around the ancient and mysterious people of Pok¨¦mopolis¡ªone of the few people that predated the Unown language and developed their own. It was likely over 10-meters tall, and dozens of wild Water Pokemon hung around the entrance; Steven seemed to have convinced to allow them to disturb their home by their curiosity instead of hostility¡ªtypical Champion behavior of working with the Pokemon of an ecosystem. One interesting mural caught all of their attention just above the stair entrance leading out and into the sea. It depicted a rain of colossal meteors raining down on some floating city, yet a blue-tinted glow surrounded the metropolis, protecting it from the deluge of fiery rocks, with five giant, unknown Pokemon at its center, surrounding some more Pokemon Rhea didn¡¯t recognize. ¡°Wow!¡± Bianca whispered, spinning in a short circle to take everything in. ¡°This is¡­ so intact! I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve ever seen a Pok¨¦mopolis structure so preserved!¡± ¡°Unusually late, Grand Duchess.¡± Rhea turned to be surprised not only to see Steven Stone and his shiny Metagross¡ªglowing with psychic energy beside a Porygon-Z¡ªbut also her grinning aunt. Another woman with silvery-gray hair, done in the hime-style, and wearing an elegant, old-fashioned black and white outfit, stood beside the man, adjusting her rose-themed hat while scanning the murals with interest. To their shock, a Celebi floated near the ceiling, examining some scary-looking Pokemon drawings. ¡°Aunt Cynthia?!¡± ¡°Mom?!¡± Diantha chuckled, definitely knowing the Sinnoh Champion would be there to greet them. ¡°We had a lovely breakfast. How was your trip?¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°False alarm,¡± the elegant woman hummed. ¡°Wish we could go back to check this place out when it was still active¡­ Too bad it¡¯s too dangerous for the timeline.¡± Rhea rushed over to hug her aunt with her cousin as Steven nodded at the mysterious figure¡¯s statement. ¡°It would certainly be fun, but archaeology would be pointless if you could just zip through time as you pleased. Hehe. One gem removed from its place in time could destroy an entire world. Shame.¡± ¡°Hmm. Well, I gotta get going. Thanks for the help, Sin-Sin.¡± Cynthia gave her a side-long smirk. ¡°Don¡¯t go getting in over your head again, Virgilia.¡± ¡°Me? I¡¯m invincible¡­ most of the time. Tell Lyra thanks for me,¡± she returned, holding up a thumb as the Celebi circled down with a low hum before creating a helical chain of light, and when it cleared, both were gone. Not even wanting to know what madness that was about¡ªit would probably hurt her head¡ªand having an ancient Pok¨¦mopolis structure to explore, Rhea¡¯s mind returned to what the Kalos Champion had said earlier. ¡°Uh¡­ wait, can¡¯t you just teleport us inside?¡± Her aunt bent down to hug both of them, being far taller than Bianca and her. ¡°When dealing with a military civilization like Pok¨¦mopolis¡­ it pays to be cautious. Right, Diantha?¡± She caught the glint in Cynthia¡¯s eyes that made the Kalos Champion force a laugh. ¡°Yes, well¡­ I could have been a tad more cautious, having Aliz¨¦e psychically scan the facility. I grew a bit too excited, I suppose; this is my first experience with being the forward exploration party of an ancient ruin.¡± Steven rubbed his chin, studying the markings. ¡°Can¡¯t help what¡¯s in the past¡ªheh, ironically, seeing as we just witnessed a Celebi transport someone through time. What did you discover?¡± Aliz¨¦e cleared her voice, smiling down at Alice, who was a bit overwhelmed by the strange environment, keeping close to Rhea. ¡°There is a defensive matrix inside; the resistance was a surprise, but it seems to have weakened over the many millennia. I determined ten floors with great psionic distortions at the center of its last level, making further inquiry impossible.¡± Her aunt patted Rhea on the back and gave her a grin. ¡°Well, half the fun about finding these little treasures is discovering how everything works and the lore behind it! You up to do some translations, Bi?¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Her cousin glared at the smiling Champion. ¡°I know you can just glance at this stuff and know exactly what it says, and you probably know how to open it.¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ I wouldn¡¯t go that far,¡± Steven mused, casting his eyes about. ¡°So far as your mother and I have concluded¡ª¡± ¡°Hold up, Stone!¡± Cynthia interjected. ¡°Well, Bi¡ªwhat do you think?¡± Rhea had to giggle at how well Cynthia knew her daughter; Diantha had a studious look on her face as her eyes wandered between their exchange more than the ruins themselves. ¡°Uh¡­ hmm¡­ Give me a second, Mom! You guys have been here cheating and getting a head start. Let me at least look around a bit¡ªI haven¡¯t even seen this supposed door in the back!¡± ¡°Fair! Fair!¡± Cynthia laughed, winking at Rhea. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll leave you two to explore while we discuss some Champion business. A lot of stuff has been happening lately, and it¡¯s good to get others¡¯ opinions.¡± ¡°Alright, talk to you in a bit,¡± Bianca said as the three Champions waved and retreated into the hallway further into the ruin. Aliz¨¦e motioned to her overwhelmed Buneary. ¡°Why don¡¯t you join me, and we can explore the higher areas with our friends up here?¡± ¡°O-Okay¡­¡± Alice mumbled, stomach probably swirling as a glow surrounded her to join the Metagross and Porygon-Z. ¡°Rhea! Rhea, I¡¯m flying!¡± ¡°Haha. Have fun, Alice.¡± Rhea jogged after her cousin as she took in their surroundings, looking for a place to start. ¡°Umm¡­ Bi?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, uh, yeah, I can explain some of¡ª¡± ¡°No, umm¡­ I just wanted to talk to you about something that¡¯s kind of¡­ bugging me.¡± Her cousin¡¯s blonde eyebrows drew together as she turned to study her instead. ¡°Oh¡­ yeah, what¡¯s going on¡­ That bad, huh?¡± she asked upon seeing her shifting eyes. Taking her hand, Bianca guided her to what appeared to be an ancient bench that was mostly dry. ¡°Okay. You have my full attention.¡± Mya and Nova listened carefully, the envy toward their younger party member fading away. Rhea rubbed her cousin¡¯s fingers in her lap while trying to collect herself; all the emotions she¡¯d been suppressing were bubbling to the surface. ¡°Bi¡­ What if I¡¯m a genetic experiment?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She looked up to see Bianca¡¯s lips pull in, dissecting her question, no doubt. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ going to have to give me a second to process that. Okay?¡± she asked, sincerity making Rhea nod, her heart burning with apprehension. Her cousin wasn¡¯t the type to just brush someone¡¯s concern off, and she took her question seriously, which was why she needed to talk to her about it. The sounds of dripping water and whispering Pokemon started to fill the space with Alice¡¯s thrill at being able to run up walls and upside down. Bianca¡¯s eyes fell to their laps as her fingers tightened around hers. ¡°I don¡¯t know why you asked that out of the blue¡­ but if you¡¯re wondering if it would change anything between us, it wouldn¡¯t. Not that that¡¯s the case, but just to get that out of the way. You were my sister when I needed someone the most; nothing will change that.¡± Her cousin¡¯s compassionate smile brought tears to Rhea¡¯s eyes as she shifted to face her on the bench. ¡°Talk to me; I¡¯m here to listen.¡± It felt like her heart was breaking in two, and she didn¡¯t even really know why. Saliva sticky in her throat, Rhea removed one hand to rub her neck as she tried to work through her feelings. ¡°I¡¯ve heard it all my life¡­ Heh, jokes passed around¡ªyou know¡ªmy mom¡¯s a super-genius geneticist and breeder. I just brushed it off, but¡­ but ever since I started this journey and actually got out into the world¡ªhung around normal girls¡­ well, heh, I guess Amira and Lori aren¡¯t your typical girls¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s memories brought a reminiscent smile that helped to stabilize her ripping heart. ¡°Girls like Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay¡­ I¡¯ve been going to so many new places that I only saw through videos, and¡­ and in the past month, I¡¯ve seen more people in person than I have in my entire life combined. It¡¯s been so overwhelming¡­¡± Bianca supported her with a nod and smile, letting her know she was following along. ¡°Well¡­ You know how I don¡¯t like to eat too much, right?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°I guess I¡¯m¡­ really not normal. It¡¯s only really been my dad and brother¡ªyou for a bit¡ªbut I¡¯ve only really known a few people day-to-day, and I didn¡¯t think much about it; about not eating for a week or two at a time¡ªsometimes three.¡± Her cousin forced a chuckle. ¡°That¡¯s news to me; I just thought you ate at odd times when we were apart, yet you still made food with me to help me cook?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Well, it caused some trouble with my teammates¡­ I know they¡¯re just trying to look out for me, and we got through it,¡± she whispered, casting her eyes around for no particular destination while trying to solidify her thoughts. ¡°I just¡­ started to think maybe I can¡¯t be normal¡­ genetically or otherwise. Mom gave me enhanced Pokemon¡ªnot that I dislike that, but it just¡­¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t help how you¡¯re feeling?¡± ¡°No¡­ it doesn¡¯t. She also gave me these¡­ human evolution stones, and she said they wouldn¡¯t really work on Amira and Lori, so she¡¯d need to kind of tweak things to give to them. Everything¡¯s just kind of¡­ falling into place, and I don¡¯t know what to think. Am I just some fertilized egg¡­ genetically shaped and¡­ and Dad¡¯s not really my dad¡­ I don¡¯t know!¡± Bianca¡¯s arms closed around her as tears came to her eyes, pulling her in to whisper, ¡°Just really confused?¡± ¡°So confused¡­ Why didn¡¯t my mom ever try to deny it whenever people would make those jokes? I¡¯ve thought about it, and she never has¡ªjust lets it slide. Why wouldn¡¯t she tell me if I am? Why hide it¡ªnot telling me is hiding it, right? So¡­ why hide it unless I¡¯d be upset? Are you my cousin? Is she even my mom?¡± ¡°Rhea¡­¡± ¡°I know she loves me¡ªI do, Bi,¡± she sniffed. ¡°I know Aunt Cynthia loves me¡­ I know Dad, Sabin¡­ everyone loves me, but¡­ Who am I then? Why hide it? Was I just a science experiment that she got attached to? What¡¯s going to happen to me in the future? Will I spontaneously turn into a Pokemon¡ªe-evolve or something¡ªdie early? I just don¡¯t know, and it¡¯s ripping me apart!¡± Bianca didn¡¯t say anything, holding her and listening to the pain she¡¯d been bottling up the past hour; it kept running circles around Rhea¡¯s heart and mind, drawing more questions with every new piece of doubt that crept into her chest. Nova and Mya were a mess, hugging her spirit without a clue what they were talking about, and her erratic emotions caused Alice to jump down to run over and jump into her lap, bawling while spiritually asking who she should beat up. The others kept their distance, and Bianca¡¯s pushed-up sleeve wiped away her messy cheeks after a few minutes. ¡°I can¡¯t give you answers, Rhea¡­ but I can love you. If you want me to talk to your mom or get my own¡ªyou know she¡¯d be on your side. You¡¯re, heh, more my sister than my cousin in any case, right?¡± ¡°Bi¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s chest convulsed as she leaned forward to bury her head against her collar bone. ¡°What do I do¡ªhow do I even ask my mom that¡ªhow can I¡­ Could I even hear the answer?¡± Holding the back of her head, she felt her cousin take in a deep, controlled breath before easing it out. ¡°You¡¯re a strong young woman, Rhea¡­ When the time¡¯s right, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll know what to say, and if you need help, you have a whole army here to support you. No matter what, you¡¯re never alone.¡± Drawing back, she saw her cousin¡¯s red and puffy-faced smile. ¡°What if I¡¯m actually an alien Clefairy that she stole and turned into a human?¡± ¡°Huh? Hehe. How did¡ªhehe¡ªhow did you come up with that backstory?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°No, you don¡¯t understand¡ªthere¡¯s alien Clefairy abducting people¡ªor what if I was a human-Pokemon fusion experiment as an egg with DNA, and I start turning into a Pokemon like¡ªlike that story about Bill! Is that why I love Fairy Pokemon so much? I am one¡ªlike that one Kalos Fairy Gym Leader Valerie wants to become¡ªbut I am one!? I don¡¯t know what I should think, Bi!¡± ¡°Rhea¡­ Hehe. I think you¡¯re letting yourself get a bit carried away, girl¡­ Why don¡¯t we stick to the fact you¡¯ll always be my family¡­ no matter what.¡± The dark clouds covering Rhea¡¯s heart cleared at her cousin¡¯s laughter and declaration; it almost seemed silly now, but she still had to know. Anything was possible when it came to her mother, and now that the question was in her mind, she couldn¡¯t just close that box again. A slight grin lifted her wet cheeks. ¡°Even¡­ if I¡¯m a terrible Legendary Pokemon that¡¯s been sealed away in a human body¡ªor an Ultra Beast that came to destroy the planet?! I could suddenly lose control and start causing all sorts of trouble¡ªwhat if I¡¯m the second advent of the Hoopa Event?!¡± ¡°Now you¡¯re just getting ridiculous!¡± Bianca laughed, jabbing her shoulder. ¡°Feeling better now that you¡¯ve been able to talk it out?¡± Her vision fell to her lap to see her big-eyed Buneary looking to be comforted as she rubbed the slightly sore spot; Rhea nodded and hugged Alice to her chest with her other Pokemon surrounding her spirit. ¡°A bit better¡­ Thanks for listening to me and not thinking I¡¯m totally crazy.¡± ¡°Mhm. I¡¯m always here for you, Hun,¡± her cousin reassured, moving in to kiss her cheek and hug her; she squished Alice a bit with the pressure. ¡°Going to ask your mother?¡± ¡°Probably¡­ I¡¯ll think it over and decide by the end of the day. Wait¡­ I think Sam and the others are supposed to be arriving soon?¡± She took out her phone and grimaced as it showed no service; of course, there wouldn¡¯t be service in a sunken ruin. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll check out Pikabook after this.¡± ¡°Cool! Want to help me figure out this puzzle before my mom tries to quiz me?¡± Rhea lifted an eyebrow while scanning the cryptic ruin¡ªor temple, she didn¡¯t know what to categorize this place as. ¡°Bi¡­ My mom told me a ton of stories growing up¡­ but I have no idea about any of this stuff besides recognizing it¡¯s Pok¨¦mopolis¡¯ language. Uh¡­ that one kind of has a Mew appearance!¡± she laughed, pointing at the center of the mural above the doorway. Bianca hummed, studying it with a lifted eyebrow. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­ it does look somewhat similar¡­ if bigger and more¡­¡± ¡°Human-like?¡± Rhea teased, nudging her side. ¡°What if this is where my backstory all began!¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯m glad you can joke about it now,¡± Bianca mused, getting up to stretch and clear her cheeks. ¡°Okay. Want to listen to me try to explain it and tell me if everything makes sense?¡± Rhea followed her example, shooting her cousin a sly smirk. ¡°My answer will be the same no matter what you say¡­ Uh, sure!¡± ¡°Hehe. Indulge me!¡± ¡°Okay! Okay! I¡¯ll try to follow along, Ms. Musharna.¡± Shooting a leery stare her way, Bianca hummed. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you¡¯re calling me a brainy psychic or a sleepy head.¡± ¡°Both!¡± ¡°Hehe. Fair.¡± B2 — 29. A Crazy Discovery 11:32 a.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). The stormy swirl twisting Rhea¡¯s gut drifted away into a deep blue nothingness as she spent time with Bianca; memories of waking up to laugh and play with her vulnerable cousin when she was a pre-teen came flooding back. It had been quite some time since she¡¯d been able to spend so much time with the blonde nerd of a woman; she couldn¡¯t help but smile at the way Bianca would get excited while pointing her way through the stories on the wall, voicing her thoughts. Hands held behind her back, Rhea lost track of time in the damp, underwater research temple, or, at least, that¡¯s what her cousin believed it was. She took her on a grand tour as the Champions disappeared into the background; no doubt the three were investigating the dangerous aspects of the ruins while giving her time to calm down with Bianca. Growing up around Master Trainers¡ªminimum¡ªshe¡¯d come to know that her emotional state would be pretty much on display to most people since they could read Auras. Diantha may not have known why she¡¯d been so unbalanced, but she was sweet enough to try and facilitate a way for her to work past it. Her aunt, though? Cynthia would have zeroed in on how she was feeling and knew exactly what she needed¡ªtime with Bianca. Backing up with her cousin as she drew her attention to various pictures, symbols, and their relation to one another, Rhea smiled, she found more relief in listening to Bianca talk than the topics themselves. Of course, that didn¡¯t mean she wasn¡¯t listening. So far as the researcher could tell¡ªthe ruins being a construct of the Pok¨¦mopolis ancient civilization¡ªthe entrance served as a reminder for those that worked in the facility to refocus themselves. Art was used by the Pok¨¦mopolians to muse and direct their sights on the fantastical possibilities or heights they were striving to reach; it was meant to awe, and it certainly was captivating. Bianca directed her to people in front of what appeared to be a control panel or fortune telling ball with their arms in the air and a gigantic Conkeldurr, providing further evidence to believe the Pokemon was responsible for the ancient civilization¡¯s understanding of creating concrete. Although the powerful, large Pokemon with unique, Pok¨¦mopolian markings seemed to be something her cousin was interested in. Paintings of colossal doors with a mechanical method of opening showed at one end of the room with a Ho-Oh and Lugia inside, which Bianca identified with their own. It was theorized that all Apex Pokemon came from the ancient era, and the markings acted as a tagging system more than giving them mystical powers. The mysterious Dragonite at Bill¡¯s Lighthouse was one such Pokemon. Basically, gigantamax Pokemon that didn¡¯t receive their powers from Trainers or Eternatus, but could internally sustain themselves to such a degree and, in essence, became Legendaries. All evidence of their origins went back to the vast empire of the Pok¨¦mopolians, including the mysterious trap ruins of the Pok¨¦lantis King that Brandon¡ªthe Battle Pyramid King¡ªdiscovered. From the excavation and study of the ruins, it was theorized it was here that the civilization first took their steps beyond enhancing normal kinds of Pokemon to finding a way to control Legendaries¡ªlike Ho-Oh. This caused the powerful Pokemon to grow more distant from humanity for a time because of that betrayal, eventually destroying many of the ancient City-States once freed. The Pok¨¦mopolians dominated the world with their armies, yet the story was always the same; they were killed by their own experiments. Still, it was the Pok¨¦lantians City-State that did extensive research on pokeballs, Fortitudes, and souls¡ªthe combination of body, mind, and spirit¡ªthat current researchers were still puzzling over and that hadn¡¯t advanced much in terms of their understanding of the phenomena. They had somehow even managed to develop a method of sealing one¡¯s own mind and spirit inside of a pokeball, using voice-activation methods in their unusual technology, such as when the King of the old civilization had possessed Ash. Rhea wasn¡¯t sure about all of the details or if much of it was just dramatized, but it certainly did sound like a fantastical tale; she just knew Alice was loving the freedom to run around now that she didn¡¯t need to be there for her Trainer. She hummed when Bianca brought them back to the main mural over the entryway, causing her cousin to puff out a long, depressed sigh that had come out of nowhere. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Her cousin¡¯s lips tightened as she gave her a sad half-smile. ¡°We¡¯re going to be kicked out of here¡­¡± ¡°Huh¡ªa trap?¡± ¡°No¡­ My mom wanted me to figure it out myself,¡± she grumbled, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°Great¡­ I bet she¡¯s already called Aunt Christie.¡± ¡°Mom?¡± Rhea looked up at the Mew-lookalike picture on the ancient wall, thinking back to Diantha¡¯s comment about a powerful distortion at the bottom of the ruins. ¡°Is it that important¡ªbecause my mom¡¯s already in the middle of some big discovery back in Sinnoh or something, right?¡± Bianca shot a look at the three Legendary-tier Pokemon hovering nearby. ¡°Can you call my mom back, Aliz¨¦e¡­ I¡¯ve pieced together the answer to her little riddle.¡± The Gardevoir gave them a weak smile. ¡°Your mother wished for you to have your fill of discovery with the time you had. She seems to care for you a great deal.¡± ¡°That, she does,¡± Bianca sighed, and Rhea jumped when shimmering lights brought a host of unexpected faces, including the man that had encountered just about every special event in the last 25 years. Ash held up a hand with a bright grin. ¡°Yo! Seems we found something big, huh?¡± Green snickered, nudging Red¡¯s side. ¡°Ashy never changes; oblivious while right in the middle of a storm, every time!¡± Laughter came from the most powerful Trainers in the entire world, sparking Rhea¡¯s immediate curiosity; two oddities to the host of Legends were Dr. Fuji and Gym Leader Blaine. Ethan stood beside his wife; Kris was trying to defend herself from Leaf¡¯s rapid camera shots while she studied the area. Yellow stood nearby, and there were Pikachu everywhere¡ªAsh¡¯s wearing his trademark hat that sold like candy at the shops. Chase was staring up at the mural with a deep frown; Elaine, his ex-girlfriend, best friend, and rival, stood behind him with an Eevee¡ªNova¡¯s mother¡ªmaking her little girl squeal to get a chance to meet her. ¡°Looks like you were right, Cynthia,¡± the current Kanto Champion muttered. Steven hummed, rubbing his chin as everyone looked up at the image. ¡°Does this confirm the theory Christie was working on with you, Dr. Fuji, Bl¡ª¡± Ash gasped, running around the group to stand beside Rhea, but his focus was above them at the Pokemon at the mural¡¯s center. ¡°Mewtwo? It can¡¯t be either of the friends I have,¡± he muttered. In bewilderment, Rhea shot a look at her aunt. ¡°Mewtwo¡ªas in, there¡¯s an evolution to Mew?¡± His Pikachu separated from the others¡ªgreeting each other¡ªto jump up his shoulder to look up at the Mew-like Pokemon; the Gardevoir translated the Pikachu¡¯s words; he had a surprisingly strong, reliable voice for a small electric rat. ¡°Should we try and get in contact with one of them?¡± ¡°Hmm. Yeah, we could try, bud, but I don¡¯t know where he¡¯s at right now¡ªif he¡¯s on the planet.¡± ¡°Knew it,¡± Bianca whispered, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°Does that mean what I think it does, Mom?¡± ¡°Haaa.¡± Her aunt forced a laugh. ¡°Ash, you never do catch the hints.¡± Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Oh! Hehe. My bad.¡± Green winked, shooting them a sly smile. ¡°Sorry, huns, but it¡¯s a bit of a National Secret.¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°Okay. Same-old. My mom¡¯s going to come back into the region, though?¡± Ash took the hat that was offered by his Pikachu to put it over his dark black hair. ¡°Eh¡­ not trying to be rude and interrupt, but¡­ should we bring Misty in on this? I¡¯d like to keep her out of anything stressful¡ªfor obvious reasons¡ªbut I¡¯m torn if we should let her in on the discovery because¡­¡± Leaf and her older sister gave each other looks before the younger snickered. ¡°She¡¯ll want to jump in and make sure her City-State has a say¡ªplus, anything dealing with you, she¡¯s on board.¡± ¡°Are ya on the rocks right now, Ashy-boy?¡± Green mused. ¡°Lucky Blue¡¯s holding down Alola, eh?¡± Lost in the whirlwind of Legends and crowd, Rhea didn¡¯t know who to focus on with everyone operating in their own circles and on their own wavelengths. Yellow scooted over to Rhea, drawing her attention as a healthy chunk of the world¡¯s strongest Trainers seemed to play around, tease, and catch up with one another; Diantha, Steven, and Cynthia hung back, muttering to one another with serious looks on their faces. It must have been very important because the chaos happening around them was insane, but that was how the Legends did things. Chuchu¡¯s mature voice engaged them from the pretty blonde¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Sorry for everyone¡¯s behavior; it is a fairly concerning discovery.¡± Yellow nodded, adjusting her straw hat. ¡°Mhm. We only just barely got here. Hehe. So many things are happening to you at the start of your journey; I feel bad! You seem to have our luck.¡± ¡°That¡¯s probably not a comforting thing for them to hear, Sweetie,¡± Chuchu returned in a dull tone. ¡°Oh! Sorry.¡± Rhea giggled, happy to have someone to clarify things; everyone wanted a piece of her aunt for one reason or another as gibberish was thrown around¡ªBianca was listening carefully. ¡°It¡¯s fine! I¡¯m just wondering if my mom¡¯s going to be nearby soon, and¡ªcan I get some private time for Nova to meet her mom?¡± ¡°Oh! Her mom is Elai¡ªI¡¯m sure she¡¯d love it!¡± Yellow chimed, jogging over to draw the confused brown-haired woman over to them. ¡°Hey¡ªuh, what¡¯s up, Yellow?¡± ¡°Rhea wanted to know if you guys can spare some time for her Eevee to meet her adorable mother!¡± ¡°Who¡ªah¡­ Hehe,¡± she glanced at her companion. The Eevee¡¯s cute, high-pitched voice followed. ¡°I¡¯d love to spend some time. Can it wait for later tonight? We can find you.¡± Nova squealed, fully content to wait; Rhea giggled as a sudden swarm of Butterfree filled her belly after realizing her wish had been granted. Thanking the former Champion, she let the woman return to Chase as he waited for them to finish, and Yellow¡¯s golden eyebrows furrowed upon returning to her other question. ¡°As for your mother¡­ are you worried about her?¡± Pulling around her own yellow locks to parse through them and distract herself from the cacophony of voices and tones nearby, Rhea sighed. ¡°A little¡ªin the past month, she¡¯s been pulled from Hoenn to Kanto to Sinnoh, and now back to Kanto¡ªall for super important things, apparently¡­ She already doesn¡¯t do a great job at taking care of herself.¡± Yellow¡¯s smile softened. ¡°I know it probably won¡¯t give you too much comfort, but I¡¯ll make sure she gets enough rest.¡± ¡°Thanks! I¡¯m sure my aunt will get on her butt, too. There¡¯s¡­ just a lot of things going on recently¡ªit¡¯s been kind of hectic.¡± Chuchu glanced at her Trainer as she crossed her arms under her bust before directing her gaze to the others. ¡°Hmm. I think you need some time to just be a Bronze-tier Trainer with growing friendships; you don¡¯t need to be wrapped up in crazy stuff like this.¡± Bianca hugged her from the side, hanging her head on Rhea¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I agree! I¡¯m sure Hilbert will be called soon¡ªI don¡¯t know how much longer I can stay, but I¡¯ll join you if you want¡ªso why don¡¯t you get out of here and call your little girlfriends? Clear your head. ¡± The thought was a good one. Her cousin undoubtedly wished to stay and listen, yet, true to being a genuinely caring person, she wanted to make sure she was okay first. Rhea hugged Bianca and squeezed, picking her off the ground. ¡°Oof!¡± ¡°Hehe. You can stay here; don¡¯t worry about me¡ªyou already helped me get through the rough part.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy to hear it. Are you sure, though?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Thanking Yellow, Chuchu, and her cousin, Rhea went to her aunt and gave her a cheery wave. ¡°Oh¡ªheh, sorry, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°No. I¡¯m fine! Umm. I had a great time with Bianca; thanks for giving us a chance to hang out in this cool place.¡± Everyone quieted down to listen to her with small smiles. ¡°Umm. I get it¡¯s going to be really dangerous and stuff, so¡­ could you teleport me back to the city?¡± Cynthia bent down to bring her into an embrace. ¡°Sure thing, dear¡­ You¡¯re turning into such a beautiful young woman¡ªin more than just looks.¡± ¡°Haha. Uh-huh.¡± Ash waved at her with his Pikachu, flashing his teeth. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to battle you myself someday, Rhea¡ªI keep hearing a lot about you!¡± From who?! Bianca, the Kanto, Johto, Sinnoh, Hoenn, and Kalos Legends all wished her well¡ªAlice running over after conversing with the Pikachu to latch onto her leg¡ªas her aunt¡¯s Porygon-Z teleported her out. Yet, just before exiting, she managed to see Lyra make an appearance with her own Virtual Pokemon. A new Mewtwo, huh? Big deal, apparently. Squinting as the bright noon sun hit her eyes and skin, Rhea forced a laugh; lately, she felt like she¡¯d just been drifting between places and groups¡ªdrift on, drift on¡ªwhich wasn¡¯t terrible. It did give her time to think in-between the insanity. She kissed her aunt¡¯s Porygon-Z goodbye before the Pokemon disappeared, leaving her at the back of some food section in a seemingly empty store. Mya and Nova were a bit sad they didn¡¯t get to check out the ruin, but they were glad to see their old friends again, and she had Alice swap places with Mya to let the Mawile have a bit of time with her. The light of the pokeball brought a curious store employee, shocked to see she¡¯d somehow snuck past him. Waving him off without a word, she guided Mya to a sitting area near the front to sit in a chair and pull out her phone. She needed to slow down¡ªthere was so much happening in the Master¡¯s Community¡ªand if everything was still the same, tomorrow would be the day they hit the road again. Pulling up Pikabook, she saw her four friends had been documenting their trials to get to Cerulean City¡ªand trials they¡¯d had¡ªtheir raft destroyed by a disgruntled Pidgey that Star provoked; they¡¯d washed up on the shore and had to hitch a ride. Those rafters hadn¡¯t told them they were going down the white water rapids¡ªa half-day added trip to the city¡ªand Hannah didn¡¯t do well with the adventure; she¡¯d evidently lost her voice from screaming the whole time. Sam, Jade, and Jay had had a blast; to add to the fun, they witnessed a Gold-tier battle between two of the rafters in the middle of the rapids, sending waves of energy between them in a dazzling show of control and excitement. They¡¯d made a bit of time back and were just now getting into the city. Calling Sam, she waited until the livestream came up, showing the girls¡¯ bright grins. ¡°Rhea!¡± ¡°Saw some of those photos you took of the battle¡ª¡± Hannah coughed, causing Jade to cut off as the red-haired girl rasped, ¡°How¡ªwere the ruins?¡± It was hard to hear her through the broken whisper she was forced to use after losing her voice, making Rhea chuckle. ¡°I had a good time with Bianca. Jay there, too?¡± ¡°Yup! I¡¯m here! Just had a moving battle.¡± ¡°You can do that?¡± Rhea muttered, thinking back to how they¡¯d usually done their matches. Hannah tried to say something before stopping, rubbing her throat, coughing, and hanging her head in defeat. ¡°Hehe. Sorry, Hannah,¡± Sam chuckled, rubbing her back. ¡°Oh, yeah¡ªactually, they¡¯re pretty fun if you set limitations on not using Moves to hurt the road or grass. What are the plans today¡ªI thought you¡¯d be in the ruins all day?¡± ¡°Meh. Things happened. Amira and Lori are out on dates, so¡­ want to go chill somewhere¡ªwe can have a battle or something later, too. Mya wants some action.¡± Mya threw her arms in the air with a roar, sitting beside her in a chair and pulling a few new patrons¡¯ and employees¡¯ eyes in the store. ¡°Date?¡± Hannah choked, seemingly unable to stop herself from jumping back into the screen. ¡°W-Who?!¡± Jay put her arms on the girl¡¯s shoulders to steer her away. ¡°Shhh! Stop hurting your voice, Hannah.¡± ¡°I gotta know!¡± she hissed. ¡°Later! Heal!¡± Jade snickered. ¡°Jay takes good care of us. So, umm. Yeah! We talked with Lori earlier; she keeps in touch pretty often.¡± A little surprised at the news, Rhea looked around the store to see a few eyes on Mya. ¡°Is that right? Umm. So, where do you want to meet up?¡± Sam shrugged. ¡°Anywhere¡¯s good with us.¡± Pulling up the map, a soft smile lifted her cheeks. ¡°Cerulean is¡­ kind of crazy right now. What do you think about going to the city just north of Bill¡¯s Lighthouse? Bianca, Jason, and I went there, but we didn¡¯t check out the northern city.¡± Jay pulled up a map in the background, pointing for Hannah and the others to see the location. ¡°Old Shore Wharf City?¡± ¡°Yeah! I¡¯m pretty sure there¡¯s a train between cities since they¡¯re so close.¡± ¡°Sweet. Sweet,¡± Jade grinned. ¡°Does that mean we get you for a whole day¡ªand one of us gets to battle you?¡± ¡°Eh¡ªheh, I¡¯m a little drained, so probably only a single battle. I want to see how far all of us have come.¡± Sam reflected the same look as her three friends. ¡°Rhea¡­ We know we¡¯ll lose; don¡¯t go easy on whoever wins the rock, paper, scissors¡ªwe need the experience!¡± ¡°Haha. I don¡¯t know; you could win!¡± ¡°Sure!¡± Jay scanned her phone for the fastest path to get there. ¡°We should be able to get to the city in the next thirty minutes. So, are we going to meet up?¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll send you the coordinates.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Ah, got them! Nice. See you soon!¡± ¡°Sounds good.¡± ¡°Later!¡± After parting words, she hung up and sat back, running her fingers through the thick locks running over her shoulder and bunched in her lap. I need to look at more of their battles¡­ Setting her brow, she stood up and held out a hand to help Mya off the chair. No more depression stuff. Right? We¡¯re here to have fun! Mya cheered and flexed her legs; she was ready for a battle. It was time to put all the random stuff behind her and look forward to her Bronze-tier journey¡ªshe just needed to send her mom a text¡ªhow to phrase it, though? 12:45 p.m. - Rhea: Hey, Mom! So, I¡¯m going to hang out with my friends today. I heard you might be coming back to Kanto for some top secret ¡®Mewtwo¡¯ thing. Hehe. You should have told me Mew had an evolution. Uh¡­ btw, am I an experiment and not fully human? Love you! XOXOXO! Perfect! She thought, giggling at her joke that might get her something without causing too much of a ruckus. Send. B2 — 30. Blindsided 12:46 p.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Pulling up her map app, Rhea got up and stretched with Mya, ignoring any looks she or her black-and-white Mawile got as she left the store; music and dancing filled the air as she moved to the nearest train station. Rhea only got to the street corner when her phone vibrated; it was her mother. She glanced down at Mya while answering it, smiling at the Pokemon¡¯s curious looks as she studied the various groups of people and Pokemon enjoying themselves in the festive city. ¡°Hey, Mom¡ªhaaa¡­ you look¡­ normal¡ªwhich isn¡¯t good,¡± she mumbled, seeing her mother¡¯s strained expression and dark eyes. ¡°Rhea¡­ hehe, you just caught me at a bad time. I was about to catch a plane down to Kanto, actually. Umm¡­ so, you were with your aunt a moment ago, I assume.¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Rhea returned, crossing the street as the pedestrian sign lit up and glanced around; no cars seemed to be on course to plow through them. ¡°I bet Bi¡¯s sad she won¡¯t be able to do more with the ruins¡ªoh, I forgot to ask what she¡¯d be doing¡ªmaybe I should text her.¡± Splitting the holographic screen to have her mother on one side as she messaged her cousin. She figured her mother would try to skirt the topic of this Mewtwo, which was fine; Rhea just wanted to talk to her mom to hear her voice. ¡°How¡¯s the research going with that, uh¡­ Hisuian stuff¡ªold regional variants, right?¡± she mumbled, fingers sliding across the projected keyboard. Hey, Bi! I know it probably sucks that Mewtwo thing messed things up for you. I¡¯m gonna hang out with Sam and the girls if you want to join¡­ Mentally going through the message she was typing, she paused after her mother cleared her voice in a way that said she had something serious to talk about. ¡°Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Mhm? Heh, let me guess¡ªyou¡¯re going to be super busy when you get here? I thought as much since you¡¯re dropping that exciting stuff up in Sinnoh with Gran to book it down here¡ªplus, the fact so many Legends are involved from various regions. Don¡¯t worry; I get it!¡± Her mother tucked in her lower lip, vision shifting to the side for a moment, and Rhea saw aircrafts taking off as the flustered woman walked across the runway to get into the Sinnoh League¡¯s private jet. ¡°There¡¯s that¡ªhold on, let this plane go by¡­¡± The concern and frustration on her mother¡¯s face made Rhea move off to the side of the street to lean against a building so as not to hinder traffic. ¡°Is everything okay, Mom¡ªis it, uh, not safe to be in Cerulean or something?¡± After she said it, Rhea reconsidered the question, considering her aunt hadn¡¯t said something, but it was weird that nearly every Legendary-tier Trainer was gathering in one location, including multiple Active Champions. Once the screeching plane passed, her mother puffed out a frustrated breath. ¡°Umm, I¡¯m sure your aunt has things in order¡­ No, I¡¯m calling because of your text.¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°I know! I know! Don¡¯t talk about secret United League stuff; I just sent that to you¡ªI won¡¯t even tell Amira and Lori.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not it, Rhea¡­ Haaa. Maybe I¡¯m overthinking how you worded your message, but¡­ Why did you connect those two subjects in the same text?¡± Sensing her mother¡¯s agitation, Rhea swapped her second screen to her previous text; obviously, she wasn¡¯t talking about her leaving or hanging out with her friends. So, it had to be Mewtwo and her tentative question about not being fully human or an experiment¡ªmaybe if she was an experiment and not fully human? ¡°Umm¡­¡± Chest suddenly feeling heavy as she took a deep breath, Rhea only half let it go. Glancing around real fast, she ducked into a nearby alley behind a store, heart rate increasing as her Mawile jogged after her. ¡°Are¡­ you talking about my question that I¡¯m¡­ not fully human?¡± Nova, Alice, and Mya were all listening intently to her apprehensive question. Her mother¡¯s fingers slid through her messy blonde hair as she boarded the jet, clearly not enjoying how much noise and interference there was in her immediate environment. ¡°I don¡¯t know what you were told about the Mewtwos, but it¡¯s¡ªit¡¯s complicated¡­ Umm, why are you asking this¡ªhas something made you feel not¡­ human?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t answer as she leaned against the wall, processing the sudden turn of the conversation; it didn¡¯t feel real, but the way her mother was acting made it pretty evident there was something to the conversation she found challenging to talk about. ¡°Rhea?¡± Lightly chewing on her drawn-in lips, she didn¡¯t know how she should feel or think¡ªher mind was surprisingly blank¡ªas she slowly slid down to her butt to Mya¡¯s eye level. ¡°So¡­ me not eating for weeks and being fine or feeling sick if I eat like every other girl¡­ does have something to do with¡­ with what¡ªdid you change my genes when I was an egg or something?¡± Her mother sank into a seat with a heavy sigh and rubbed her forehead, closing her eyes. ¡°I know it¡¯s not fair¡ªbut I¡¯d like to talk to you in person about this¡­ I don¡¯t want you to have the wrong impression of yourself or about anything you might have learned.¡± Not looking at her mom, Rhea stroked Mya¡¯s concerned head with a smile she didn¡¯t feel; it wasn¡¯t as if she was sad or angry¡ªshe knew that would probably come in time¡ªbut for now, there was a bittersweet taste that stimulated her spine. She had her answer. ¡°I know you love me, Mom¡­ I¡¯ll wait¡ªtry just to have fun with my friends and save this for when you get here. Umm¡­ Yeah¡­ yeah, I¡¯ll just wait until you get here.¡± Her mother¡¯s voice thickened, drawing Rhea¡¯s gaze to see the concern in her watery eyes. ¡°Please, don¡¯t be afraid of¡ªof I don¡¯t know¡­ I just¡ª¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mom.¡± Rhea forced a chuckle. ¡°If there¡¯s one thing I¡¯ve learned, though¡­ well, heh, since leaving home¡­ I need to face my fears. When will you be here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be in Cerulean at the end of the day¡ªI can have your dad teleport me to you.¡± Mouth tight as her Pokemon hugged her, utterly confused by the conflicting emotions that suddenly hit her, Rhea nodded; it took her a second to answer. ¡°I have enough faith in you, Mom. Love you.¡± ¡°I¡­ I love you, Rhea¡­ So much.¡± ¡°Huu-haaa. Heh. See you when you get here. Bye.¡± ¡°Bye¡­¡± Hanging up, Rhea pulled Mya over to hug, leaning back to breathe out her emotions while staring up at the party-cloudy sky. I¡¯m fine, guys¡­ Not really, but¡­ mostly fine. Hehe. I know I want to cry, Nova, and wanting to cry means I¡¯m not fine¡­ It¡¯s complicated. I¡¯m not normal¡­ and I¡¯ll never be. It doesn¡¯t matter if I¡¯m out in the world¡­ hanging around normal girls and people¡­ I guess I need to accept that. She giggled as her Mawile¡¯s arms tightened around her back. Mhm¡­ I have wanted to feel normal. All my life, I¡¯ve been sheltered in the woods, unable to meet many other kids or leave¡­ and I guess there¡¯s a reason for that after spending time with Amira and Lori. All the little signs she¡¯d let slide, wanting to fit in and not stand out or be seen as weird, began to play through her mind. Her increased physical strength without working out, lung capacity, endurance, eating habits, and Fortitude growth was undoubtedly abnormal compared to her new friends¡ªeven to other girls from strong families, like Amira and Lori. Sabin didn¡¯t have the same habits or unusual behaviors she did, but it had never really come up; her brother had never treated her differently. In fact, the whole Master¡¯s Community treated her like any other normal girl when growing up, teaching her their survival skills or outdoors stuff when she was interested in learning them. She grew to not like battling because it took everyone Rhea loved away¡ªContests were okay since she could enjoy the fashion of it¡ªbut she resisted Training, strategy, and anything else that wasn¡¯t required for basic schooling. Had everyone known she wasn¡¯t totally normal? Rhea sat her phone to the side and rubbed Mya¡¯s back as her Pokemon asked if she was having a battle with her mom. No¡­ It¡¯s more like I¡¯m disappointed, I guess. I never thought she¡¯d keep something like this from me¡­ so it¡¯s just¡­ hard. I feel stupid for not seeing it sooner¡­ Heh, I know there¡¯s a hole in my heart, Nova, but I still love my mom more than anything. Mya pulled back, holding her hand as Rhea smiled at her, happy to have her three Pokemon so close to her spirit to share in the experience and comfort her. I know my mom¡¯s far from perfect, but everything she does is with the best intentions¡­ I know that, but I¡¯m¡­ just in the dark right now¡­ left to wonder why she didn¡¯t sit me down to talk about this when I was eight¡­ ten¡­ before I bonded with all of you¡­ I don¡¯t know. Shifting the Mawile to the side, she forced a laugh as Mya returned to her pokeball so she could have Nova to hold on to during their walk. You three are so amazing. Thanks for being here for me¡­ I¡¯m just processing everything. Rhea wanted to cry but couldn¡¯t at the same time, and with her Pokemon weathering the storm with her, she managed to push it down; she wasn¡¯t a kid anymore. Let¡¯s be big girls and wait to talk it over with Mom. Okay? Her Pokemon chirped their responses as Rhea reasserted the thought before picking up Nova to breathe out the stress. Nova nuzzled her head into her chest as Rhea sniffed and cleared her throat. No need to worry Sam, Hannah, Jay, and Jade. Let¡¯s have a good day with our friends! Holding the fluffy and warm Eevee in one arm, Rhea bent down to grab her phone from the ground and pocketed it. Returning to her previous route, she boarded the train and went to meet her friends a few stops away. Bianca assured her she would be fine; the Legends were only scoping out the area before allowing researchers to come in. They were just being really cautious, which did make sense, considering they were dealing with something as powerful and mysterious as something related to the Mythical Pokemon Mew. By the time her friends got on the train, Rhea was able to push down her vulnerabilities to address them later that night. Rhea beamed and waved at her friends, surprised they each had one Pokemon out. ¡°Hey! So, able to have your Pokemon out all the time now?¡± Sam grinned, showing her slightly crooked teeth. ¡°Rhea! Yeah, we¡¯ve been practicing to strengthen our Fortitude, too, after Lyra gave us that pep talk. So, how have you been¡ªHannah!¡± The redhead grinned and bounced over with Star in one hand, waving his small hand at Nova with a cute chirp; the girl had her phone in hand, ready to snap a photo. ¡°What?¡± Hannah rasped, voice rising and falling after damaging it in their rafting trip. ¡°We gotta document memories! Cheese!¡± Rhea giggled, shifting positions so she could catch a frowning Sam and smiling Jay and Jade in the frame; Poppy, the Alola girl¡¯s Bounsweet, was situated on the blonde¡¯s head, and Orin, Jade¡¯s Pidgey, on her shoulder. ¡°Nice!¡± Jay said, her Alolan accent thick while making a peace sign. ¡°Forward it to us so we can send it to our family, too; heh, my mom¡¯s been loving the pictures you¡¯ve taken, Hannah.¡± ¡°Right? You¡¯re¡­ ack¡ªheh, the one that got me on documenting everything, Jay,¡± Hannah rasped, nudging Sam as she glared at her teammate. ¡°No need to be camera shy¡ªyou¡¯re cute!¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point, and you really should be resting your throat,¡± she returned, rolling her eyes. ¡°You¡¯ve already taken like a hundred photos today.¡± Jade pulled up her phone to swipe through them for Rhea as they sat on a bench; it was at least a forty-minute ride to Old Shore Wharf City. ¡°Oh, check this one out¡ªwe all posed to take a photo by the Cerulean City sign.¡± ¡°Cute!¡± Rhea chimed with Nova, seeing the four taking various poses with each of their Pokemon. ¡°Wait¡­ Jay!¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Hehe. Yup!¡± Poppy jumped to the side, returning to her pokeball before the Alolan girl brought out her new addition, puffing up her chest with pride. ¡°I¡¯d like to introduce Bruce¡ªisn¡¯t he a perfect fit for our Fluff Squad!¡± A fluffy orange canine popped out with a happy bark; cute black stripes marked his fur, and Jay lifted her new Pokemon up to nuzzle his white, silky mane. ¡°He¡¯s soo sweet!¡± ¡°A Growlithe!¡± Rhea grinned, setting Nova down so she could jump down and greet her other friends; Alice and Mya were crying to be next to meet with everyone. ¡°He looks so hugable.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t he?¡± Jade snickered. ¡°I won¡¯t lie; last night, Mimi and I stole him to snuggle with.¡± Her memories of the vulnerable Pichu, afflicted with its Dream World ability and abandoned by its parents, returned, and how her mother had personally treated the Pokemon at her request. Mom really does try¡­ ¡°How is Mimi? Oh, sorry¡ªI also want to know where you got Bruce, Jay!¡± Jay shook her head, telling her she was fine as Hannah pulled up various photos they¡¯d taken of the seemingly happy and bold Pichu as she posed for photos, displaying confidence she¡¯d severely lacked the last time Rhea had seen the electric baby Pokemon. Jade had Orin return to his pokeball to release the sleepy Pichu, who yawned and lifted a hand in greeting as she roused from her short rest. ¡°I keep in touch with your mom¡ªshe¡¯s been checking on her progress every week¡ªsometimes Mimi gets tired in the middle of the day, but she¡¯s stabilizing.¡± Sam reached over to scratch under the happy Pichu¡¯s chin. ¡°We think she may even evolve soon! Mimi¡¯s totally attached to Jade, and Orin takes good care of her, making sure she has good food and rest.¡± ¡°Hehe. Yeah, Orin¡¯s kind of taken on a big brother role,¡± Jade whispered, rubbing behind her Pichu¡¯s ear. ¡°Your mom literally saved her life¡­ Thanks, Rhea.¡± ¡°Yeah! No, I mean, of course¡ªwe couldn¡¯t do nothing¡ªand what¡¯s my mom¡¯s big brain and research for if not to help, right? Oh, what about Bruce?¡± Jay vigorously scratched her Growlithe¡¯s neck, causing his leg to involuntarily rise to mirror his Trainer¡¯s action. ¡°Hehe¡­ so cute. Actually, it was because of Star angering that Pidgey and ruined our raft that we met him.¡± Hannah nodded, and this time it was Sam that pulled out to photos, causing the redhead to groan. ¡°No¡ªack! Don¡¯t s-show her those¡­¡± ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Sam mused, showing their white water rapids detour with the girl screaming at the top of her lungs and clinging onto a Machoke for support. ¡°Wasn¡¯t he sweet, keeping you from falling and supporting you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s not the point¡­¡± Rhea squinted her eyes upon seeing the rapids¡ªif they could even be classified as such¡ªsince she¡¯d done far more chaotic routes with her father. ¡°Yeah¡­ hehe, must have been scary.¡± ¡°Terrifying¡­ I¡¯ve never felt so¡ªack¡­ I can¡¯t¡ªthere aren¡¯t words¡­¡± Sam winked and nudged her back. ¡°It¡¯s okay; we know you have a low vocabulary.¡± She giggled as the redhead jabbed her back. ¡°Joking! Joking!¡± The emotions within her heart receded as she spent time with her four friends, texting Amira and Lori to let them know what she was doing; the songstress simply responded with a thumbs up, while Lori gave a string of emotions. An exploding head, broken heart, skull, lovey-eyes, a Muk, a dancing couple, another skull, Onix, a broken bone, kissing Jinx, and a flaming Charizard¡ªthe seemingly random rush utterly confusing her. Her friends lifted an eyebrow at the response, shrugging their shoulders, and Rhea didn¡¯t want to know what the Muk it was about; there was one image she could be certain about that made her rub her eyes, especially how the Unova girl symbolized Onix. Not soon after, a string of hearts came through, followed by broken hearts and more hearts and fire symbols. ¡°Okay then¡­ Haha!¡± The other four girls followed her laugh. ¡°I think it¡¯s going well!¡± Jay laughed, showing a thumbs up. Putting it in the back of her mind to let the dancer translate the emotes when she got back to the hotel, Rhea enjoyed herself with her friends. She was a little surprised when Jay mentioned that she and Bianca were setting up a time to meet before their group left; it didn¡¯t take long for her to remember the Alolan girl had promised her cousin to teach her some recipes. Alice got her turn out next since Mya would be battling later that night, and they went between stores, gathering light supplies for Jay¡ªthe designated cook of the group¡ªto prepare a dish from her home. Checking into a hotel with a small kitchen in Old Shore Wharf City, she made them Lomi Lomi Salmon, using the rest of the fish to make Lau Lau; Rhea didn¡¯t eat much, as usual, but what she did was divine, and she copied down the recipe on her phone. Next, they moved to see a few of the city¡¯s famous sights and checked out the beach before coming to a battlefield around 7 p.m. Having had enough time to restore her Fortitude, she was confident in having at least one battle. Jay, Hannah, Jade, and Sam entered a game of rock, paper, scissors to determine who would get the chance to face her as Rhea watched. Hannah and Jay were up first: Jay threw out scissors¡ªHannah, paper¡ªthe Alolan girl was going to the semi-finals! ¡°Nooo¡ªack¡­¡± the redhead choked, rubbing her throat with tears in her eyes. ¡°S-Sorry, Star¡ªlooks like luck isn¡¯t in our favor tonight.¡± The Togepi waved his hand that it was fine as Jay¡¯s Growlithe howled with vigor to have his first shot at battling; out of all of their Pokemon, he was best suited to battle Mya. Sam and Jade were next: Sam tightened her fist and slammed the air¡ªrock¡ªJade spread her fingers to close over it¡ªpaper. ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Sam huffed. ¡°Two out of three?¡± ¡°Nope!¡± Jade snickered. ¡°We decided on single-death!¡± ¡°Aww¡­ Sorry, Tera¡­¡± Her Phanpy¡¯s ears drooped; she was probably Mya¡¯s biggest fan, but she accepted the loss. On second thought, Rhea wasn¡¯t sure if Bruce or Tera were Mya¡¯s worst match-up; the Phanpy was a beast, for sure, with High Horsepower. Finally, Jade and Jay squared off, glaring each other down as Bruce and Mimi mirrored their Trainers: Jade threw out her hand, laying it flat as Jay¡¯s fist shot forward. ¡°No!¡± Jay cried, falling to her knees in defeat. ¡°How does paper beat rock?! It makes no sense!¡± ¡°Hehe. Bow before the reality warping paper!¡± Jade roared with Mimi, the Pichu throwing her fist in the air. Rhea¡¯s mouth pulled in at the match-up, eyebrows raised as she glanced between the little Pichu and her overpowered Mawile. Uh¡­ Mya, be gentle with her¡ªwe¡¯re helping her learn here. Mya nodded, lifting up one of her three claws in a thumbs up. * * * Mya walked over to the ring with a small smile as the little Pichu¡¯s cheeks sparked with confidence; all of their friends and their Trainers lined up on the side with a few interested onlookers. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten way stronger than last time!¡± the little rat boasted, puffing out her chest and crossing her arms. ¡°I even learned a new Move¡ªoh, and Jade taught me another one!¡± ¡°Ooh, nice!¡± Mya grinned. ¡°Hehe.¡± Star slapped his head, closing his eyes. ¡°Mimi¡ªyou¡¯re not supposed to tell your opponent your secrets!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The Pichu¡¯s ear tilted to the side in confusion. ¡°You tell people all the time about your super-ultra-impossible Move?¡± An evil grin came across the Togepi¡¯s face. ¡°Hehe. It¡¯s intimidation!¡± Tera gave Star a skeptical look. ¡°I¡¯d hardly call a Metronome Splash intimidating¡­¡± ¡°Ho-ho! You tucked into a scared ball when I threw that Move out!¡± ¡°Humph. It was water¡­ I thought you were actually going to shoot something dangerous at me.¡± ¡°Intimidation! Buia-haha!¡± Mya giggled at the banter and Tera¡¯s blush. ¡°I-I was not intimidated!¡± she balked, nose kicking up sand in agitation. ¡°I¡¯m not scared of water.¡± Star ignored her embarrassment, throwing up his hands with laughter. ¡°I am the unknown in darkness¡ªfear the unknowable Move of doom!¡± Their Trainers jumped as the Togepi began waving his arms. ¡°Observe my power!¡± ¡°Star!¡± Mimi cried, pointing a finger at him. ¡°Stop stealing my thunder!¡± Bruce ducked his head, probably not knowing what would happen as the chuckling Fairy Pokemon suddenly sunk into the ground, throwing up dirt before flying out to land on his Trainer¡¯s head, roaring with laughter. Mya couldn¡¯t stop her stomach from shaking at the look on Hannah¡¯s blank face, sand splayed all over her clothes and hair; all the other Trainers were doubled over laughing, making the Pichu puff up her sparking cheeks. Settling everyone down, Mya stepped forward, drawing Mimi¡¯s full attention as she released her intimidation aura; everyone quieted down at the sharpened atmosphere. ¡°Come at me whenever you want, Mimi.¡± ¡°Haha! Okay, but I¡¯m trying to take this battling stuff seriously¡ªI want to make Jade happy, and she¡¯s happy when we win!¡± Mya was somewhat reminded of herself before her battle in Pewter. Crossing her arms and looking off to the side with a reminiscent smile, she nodded. ¡°I get that¡­ I like to make Rhea happy, too. Just remember, do your best, but winning isn¡¯t everything, and she can be happy even if you lose.¡± The Pichu¡¯s ears pulled back. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Mhm. Our Trainers love it when we grow and try our best, and even if they¡¯re sad right after the fight, they¡¯re proud of us for giving it our all. That being said, we do need to do our best because we protect our Trainers, right?¡± Mimi swiftly nodded, ears flapping. ¡°I shocked that Pidgey that attacked our raft! Ugh¡­ it didn¡¯t fall, though! I was so mad¡ªI¡¯ve been trying hard.¡± ¡°Mhm. Mhm. Okay, show me what you got!¡± Sparks flashed from the rat¡¯s cheeks as she breathed deeply and nodded. ¡°Okay! Here I come!¡± Mya waited for her as the little Pokemon ran forward, kicking up the sand before jumping to the side and spinning in a short circle with musical notes twirling around her body. ¡°Hehe¡ªJade knows you¡¯re super strong, but what if¡ªhuh?¡± Jogging forward to meet the electric rat, the notes shattered into pieces as they met her shimmering body; the back of her large, steel head smashed into the confused Pichu without applying any Move, throwing her several meters away to tumble across the sand. ¡°Nice try, Mimi,¡± Mya smiled, ¡°but I have Hyper Cutter; you can¡¯t drop my Attack. Try again.¡± ¡°Oof¡­¡± Jumping back to her feet with her teammate¡¯s cheers, Mimi growled. ¡°Okay¡­ so, if that doesn¡¯t work¡ªI should paralyze you¡ªJade says I should paralyze you!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t tell them what you¡¯re going to do!¡± Star yelled from his disgruntled Trainer¡¯s arms, keeping him close after his outburst. ¡°Sorry!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Mya chuckled, communicating her amusement to Rhea. ¡°I¡¯m coming¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m fast¡ªI¡¯ll dodge!¡± ¡°Uh-huh.¡± Chasing the little rat around the field, Mya wished Alice was as easy to deal with as Mimi; the Buneary would never listen to her, but the Pichu was receptive. A few Thunder Shocks were thrown her way, but Mya was able to dodge the predictable trajectories, battering the Pichu across the field without using any Moves to not instantly shatter her energy matrix. Mya¡¯s guard went up as the huffing and puffing Pichu changed tactics, blowing a kiss at her as she neared; a heart formed, landing against her head. In the next second, the world flipped upside down, and she was on the ground, eyes spinning. Small shocks struck her body as she struggled to her feet in a daze, and Rhea¡¯s voice entered her fuzzy mind, pink hearts spotting her vision; her defenses weren¡¯t affected too much by the struggling rat. Oh! So, Mimi learned Sweet Kiss? If you use an ability right now, it might collapse and hurt you. ¡°Ah¡­ got it!¡± Mya said, shaking her head to clear it as soft jolts struck her from time to time. Nova¡¯s voice came through their bond. ¡°Aww¡­ she¡¯s trying sooo hard¡ªlook at her.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon¡­ f-fall already¡­ Fall!¡± Mimi cried, voice beginning to show the strain it took to gather her energy. Vision steadying, Mya faked a gasp upon seeing the struggling Pichu, seemingly running out of juice just trying to shock her; she hadn¡¯t expected to be this far above the baby Pokemon since they weren¡¯t that far apart, excluding battle experience. ¡°Oof¡­ I should end this soon.¡± Alice huffed. ¡°Don¡¯t give her false hope. It¡¯s mean!¡± I¡¯m not mean! ¡°Humph. Making her believe she has a chance is mean.¡± Rhea came between them as Mya ran after the tired Pichu, attempting to keep her distance. ¡°Helping her understand there are some battles she can¡¯t win is a good lesson to have if she continues to try. We just need to let her try all the ideas Jade and she have.¡± Yeah! ¡°I would rather my opponent give it their all from the start,¡± Alice returned. ¡°Humph. Not that I would lose to someone as slow as you.¡± Mmgm¡­ Trying to shut out the annoying bunny, Mya focused on the slowing Pichu. ¡°Good try, Mimi, but, eh?¡± The electric rat stopped and gathered enough energy for one last weak pulse of electricity, locking Mya¡¯s body as sparks flared across her body. No way¡ªshe paralyzed me! Eating sand, she jerkily looked up to see the Pichu faint from overexertion, having used up all her power; Alice was giggling at her fall. ¡°Aww,¡± Nova cooed. ¡°She tried her best and got to at least see she had an effect on you before going down. I think this was for the best. Nice job, Mya.¡± ¡°Hehe,¡± Alice hummed, absently playing with her ears. ¡°I still think I would have been a better teacher, but you did okay¡­ I guess.¡± She hadn¡¯t expected the half-compliment from her rival as their Trainers came to the middle of the field with their friends, and sitting down to wait, she had to commend the Pichu¡¯s ceaseless efforts. ¡°You did good.¡± * * * Rhea moved forward to rub Mya¡¯s head, the status effect still occasionally sparking across her body. ¡°Everyone¡¯s different, Alice. Mya did great.¡± Jade forced a chuckle as she picked up her sleeping Pichu. ¡°Thanks for giving us a shot, Rhea.¡± ¡°Mimi did great,¡± Rhea said, reaching over to stroke her fur with the other girls. ¡°She¡¯s got spunk.¡± ¡°Hehe. That, she does¡­ in spades. She¡¯s really come out of her shell recently and even asked me to help her get into battling. The others are playing games with her¡ªheh, we kind of took inspiration from seeing the video you posted of Alice¡¯s training sessions with the others.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Rhea forced a grin. ¡°Alice is a bit¡­ 24/7 on her training; she practices every second she¡¯s out. Want to go get them patched up and grab some ice-cream?¡± The Pokemon cheered at the word, and, giggling, Rhea pulled Mya back into her pokeball to let Alice have her turn to teach some of the others her tag game¡ªon request. Halfway through her cookies-and-cream cone¡ªsharing a bit with Alice¡ªthe dreaded moment came, and her parents walked through the doors of the shop, startling her friends. Her nervous mother didn¡¯t know what to do with her hands, but her father was cool as ice, greeting them with a hardy grin. ¡°Yo, girls, what¡¯s up?! Mind if we steal our daughter for a bit?¡± ¡°H-Huh?¡± Rhea got up and gave a hug to each of them. ¡°Sorry, but I guess that¡¯s my cue to leave; thanks for keeping me company and having that battle¡ªcatch you tomorrow before we leave?¡± ¡°Umm, yeah,¡± Sam muttered, noticing Christie¡¯s apprehensive fidgets. ¡°Uh, do you think we could have a Triple Battle?¡± Vision shifting between the four, Jay swiftly responded. ¡°Oh, we¡¯ll play rock, paper, scissors again to see who stays out.¡± Rhea chuckled and shook her head. ¡°Why don¡¯t we just have a four vs three; it should be a good experience for us, and I can¡¯t see Lori or Amira saying no. Later?¡± ¡°Later!¡± Moving to hug her dad, she followed it up by opening her arms for her mother, trying not to cry from the bittersweet emotions that were beginning to surface. ¡°Hey, Mom. Thanks for coming.¡± ¡°Rhea¡­ of course!¡± Her mother¡¯s hands trembled at her back, and leaving the shop together¡ªAlice hopping off a chair to land on her dad¡¯s shoulder¡ªher father teleported them to an isolated location overlooking a cliff and the sea. Answers¡­ Even if I¡¯m scared. I am who I am, no matter what, and I love my parents. B2 — 31. Hate 8:56 p.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea did a slow spin as she surveyed the area her dad teleported them to with Alice; her ice cream-filled stomach was shockingly calm for the intense anxiety she¡¯d felt earlier that day, but she supposed this was just her being numb until the real answers settled in. The moon overhead lit the rise surprisingly well, with the crashing waves of the evening tide colliding with the rocks below, and the wind was just mild enough not to distract, yet the salted breeze reminded her of home. A forest descended at a gradual slope behind them, but her father¡¯s gesture to the edge of the cliff pulled her attention away from her surroundings; a smooth, slightly curved, rocky incline for safety and crafted backrest for two, with a full view of the sea. It seemed as if this isolated spot had been designed for couples to share personal moments together, and she wondered if her parents frequented the spot whenever they went on dates. Her father leaned over the top of the stone seats, and Rhea had to admire the grass cushioning that appeared to be regularly maintained as she sat beside her uncomfortable mother. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Heh¡­ it¡¯s just¡ªyou¡¯re not like the Mewtwo experiment,¡± she whispered, concern in her voice and eyes. ¡°You¡¯re my daughter¡ª¡± she cut off as Rhea leaned over to hug and kiss her cheek. ¡°I know, Mom¡­ I don¡¯t know anything about this Mewtwo thing¡­ How does it relate to me?¡± Christie paused for a moment, mouth half open, causing Rhea to giggle at her mother¡¯s checked-out brain. ¡°Hehe. Did I cause an error in your programming?¡± ¡°Oh, no¡ªit¡¯s just¡­ oh, uh¡­ I, uh, I thought¡­¡± Her dad ruffled her mother¡¯s messy blonde hair, mirroring Rhea. ¡°Haha. Christie, what did I tell you¡ªyou¡¯re so overreacting, but¡­ you¡¯ve opened up the floodgate in doing so. I don¡¯t think you can close this door.¡± Rhea took her mother¡¯s hand to hold in her lap, tracing her veins to distract herself. ¡°Hehe. I¡¯m so confused right now¡­ Were you so worried because of what I said about Mewtwo or that I¡¯m not human? I¡¯m so lost.¡± Her mother closed her eyes and leaned over to rest her head against Rhea¡¯s, a short, pained chuckle shaking her body. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ so stupid¡ªI¡¯m sorry for being such a hopeless mother¡­ I thought your text was about you finding out about Mewtwo¡¯s past and connecting that to¡ªhaaa¡­ I should just start at the beginning.¡± Linking fingers, Rhea nudged her mom¡¯s head with her own. ¡°Take a breath and get your head straight. I just want to know¡ªwell, no¡­ I do want to know all the stuff that you did to me. The evolution stones, and everything else¡­ why you never told me sooner¡ªnot that I¡¯m blaming you.¡± She swallowed and tightened her grip to emphasize her point. ¡°I know you probably have your reasons, so¡­ take a breath, and start whenever you¡¯re ready.¡± Her dad leaned to the side to hug her with one arm. ¡°What did we deserve to have such a cool-headed, understanding daughter?¡± ¡°Hehe. Loving me and always listening to me complain,¡± she responded, pressing her free hand against her dad¡¯s arm to return the gesture. ¡°I won¡¯t say I¡¯m not scared¡­ even mad, but I just want to know why I¡¯m different¡ªI am, right?¡± Her mother tucked her lower lip under and slowly nodded. ¡°Yes¡­ in some ways, but let me start with Mewtwo since it all starts there.¡± ¡°Okay. Storytime,¡± she snickered, snuggling closer to her mother. ¡°I¡¯m guessing talking about this is totally illegal, too. Hehe. You should have seen the look on Aunt Cynthia¡¯s face when Ash brought it up.¡± A low groan rumbled in her mother¡¯s throat. ¡°Of course, it would be Ash¡­ He¡¯s literally incapable of keeping a secret.¡± ¡°True,¡± her father mused, ¡°but name a Trainer who has more connections to Legendary Pokemon? They trust him for a reason¡ªhe¡¯s one of the most pure-hearted Trainers in the world, with an aura to match.¡± ¡°Doesn¡¯t excuse all the problems he causes,¡± her mother grumbled. ¡°Haaa. Anyway¡­¡± ¡°Mewtwo?¡± ¡°Well¡­ yes, but we need to go back a while to understand where all this begins,¡± her mother whispered, looking across the brightly lit ocean. ¡°It all started with a discovery made by the eccentric, bumbling fool¡­ Bill, when investigating ancient Pokemon¡­ ¡°The egotistical man actually took the door from the ruins he found and tore it apart for answers¡­ He had the nerve to put it on his lighthouse¡ªan ancient door of some historic Pok¨¦mopolis site,¡± she huffed. ¡°You have no idea how much the archeological community hates the man, but his contributions to technology offsets all the crimes he tends to commit.¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Like turning himself into a Pokemon?¡± Her mother clicked her tongue in annoyance. ¡°A glitch¡ªthat should have killed him¡ªbut he didn¡¯t ¡®turn into a Pokemon¡¯... he fused with a Pokemon, causing all sorts of problems for his Nidoran that Red had to fix, using¡­ yet again, an experimental, extremely dangerous method.¡± ¡°I guess he likes to play with fire, huh?¡± Rhea mumbled, plucking at her mother¡¯s uncut, slightly overgrown fingernails. When was the last time she took the time to clean herself up? Mom¡­ Her dad plopped down against the side of the rock they were leaning against, crossing his legs beside Rhea. ¡°You could say that. Hehe. There¡¯s a reason he calls himself a Pokemaniac, and¡­ yeah, he¡¯s worked with questionable people to realize his goals over the years.¡± ¡°Which,¡± her mother sighed, ¡°is how he sparked the whole Mewtwo fiasco¡­ by bringing it to someone who would fund his research¡­ Madame Boss.¡± It took a second for Rhea to realize who she was talking about before connecting the dots with her teammate. ¡°Madame Boss¡­ as in, the original Mob Boss of Team Rocket¡­ Amira¡¯s great-grandma?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the one!¡± her dad chimed in. ¡°Real piece of work, that woman¡ªit¡¯s no wonder Giovanni turned out how he did with a mother like her.¡± Silence took them for a time as her mother gathered her thoughts again, and Rhea listened to the waves; it made her want to laugh that, somehow, whatever her mother did to her was connected to one of the most infamous villains in history. ¡°Mmh¡­ Yes, well, Madame Boss funded an investigation into the mysterious ancient Pokemon, sinking incredible resources into it after everything Bill showed her about the experiments the Pok¨¦mopolins performed¡­ which ended in her disappearance. ¡°Giovanni initially grew curious about the subject because it consumed and took his mother out of his life. Further investigations of Bill¡¯s findings linked it to Mew and Ditto; it took them to a relatively unexplored and wild region, where they obtained a hair follicle from Mew.¡± ¡°Ooh. That¡¯s huge, right?¡± Rhea asked, remembering stories she¡¯d been told as a little girl about the immensely powerful ancestor of Pokemon. ¡°It was,¡± her mother solemnly confirmed. ¡°It was here¡­ that I came into the picture¡ªwith Blaine, Fuji, and Hishen¡­ my mentor in biofusion genetics, who was murdered and replaced by Kasa.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened, gripping her mother¡¯s hand for support. ¡°That¡­ took an intense twist.¡± ¡°Oh, you have no idea,¡± her father returned, staring up at the moon. ¡°Your mother was young and impressionable; don¡¯t judge her too harshly.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Her mother shifted to Rhea¡¯s lap to look up at the heavens, dotted with bright stars and constellations. ¡°I was invited by Dr. Hishen onto the project because I discovered a part of the genetic sequencing they were having trouble with in one of his lectures¡­ ¡°He used his students to try and make headway on what they were missing, and we ate it up. Hehe. I was a thrilled teenage girl who had gained the eye of her renowned professor as he brought me into the secret project. ¡°Naturally, seeing as who my family was, I had to go through some hoops, but¡­ our family wasn¡¯t always so squeaky clean or League related, and there was a lot of corruption back then¡­ I was brought onto the Mewtwo project.¡± After hearing the introduction, Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You¡­ tried to create a Pokemon from Mew?¡± ¡°Clone, at first¡ªwe were on the cutting edge¡ªbreaking new ground every day with Mew¡¯s adaptive genetic code,¡± her mother muttered. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen anything like it to this day, yet it was for that very reason all the clones failed and became ditto.¡± ¡°Woah! W-Wait, what!?¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Ditto¡­ you created Ditto?¡± Her mother¡¯s shining eyes told Rhea she was holding back tears, teeth clamping down on her lip for a moment as she fought to control her emotions. ¡°The seat of all my crimes¡­ What you don¡¯t know about your mother is that¡­ I¡¯m not the hero people paint me as¡­ I wasn¡¯t a spy for the League for¡­ longer than you think.¡± Rhea sat back, taking in the admission. ¡°So¡­ you were a part of the old Rocket?¡± ¡°Wooh¡­¡± Her father hissed out a long stream of air. ¡°Rocket, Plasma, other organizations¡­ Your mother made a name for herself in the underground for her mind, making her an invaluable asset.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not proud of it¡­ especially after reconnecting with your father and having your brother, which¡­¡± ¡°Was when I finally turned her to our side!¡± her father snickered. ¡°Hmm-hmm. Yeah¡­ You were my knight in shining armor that didn¡¯t judge me¡ªwell, not in a bad way¡­¡± ¡°I was gonna say! I was on your butt¡ªtalks in this very spot,¡± he commented, bringing Rhea¡¯s focus to the maintained love nest. ¡°Ironic, since I was a spy myself.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze snapped back to her dad. ¡°For who?¡± ¡°Haaa.¡± Her mother shook her head against Rhea¡¯s lap. ¡°Your father brought light back into this black heart to crush it when the Ultra War started.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Rainbow Rocket,¡± her dad mumbled, swapping positions to lay beside her to stare up at the twinkling sky. ¡°I was sent in advance to scout out the field and sabotage everything¡­ Your brother doesn¡¯t even know this part of our life.¡± Rhea nibbled on her lower lip as she processed the information; her parents seemed to give her time as her Pokemon listened, totally lost but wanting to be a part of the important meeting. It didn¡¯t feel real; her mother was a mad scientist, and her dad was a Rainbow Rocket spy. Everything she¡¯d known and been told throughout her life collided with the image, yet the puzzle pieces didn¡¯t fit the villainous picture they were painting. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ not joking?¡± A sad smile played at the corner of her dad¡¯s compassionate blue eyes. ¡°It was war. You wonder why I never talk about my side of the family or skirt the topic whenever it comes up? It¡¯s because they¡¯re not on this world, nor would I want you to know them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ a lot,¡± Rhea mumbled, now realizing why her mother was so terrified to go over all of this. It was just like her to overanalyze her text as some passive-aggressive statement and overreact, making her laugh. ¡°Haha. Wow¡­ this really doesn¡¯t feel real, Mom, Dad¡­ I can¡¯t see it. The only evil I¡¯ve known is your insane workload, Mom! It¡¯s like¡­ you have some kind of self-hatred¡­ working yourself to death.¡± ¡°Not so much anymore,¡± her mother smiled, drawing around Rhea¡¯s ponytail to play with it. ¡°The light you and your brother brought back into my light helped me through it, and I don¡¯t know if I would have survived without Sabin when your father betrayed me.¡± Again, Rhea couldn¡¯t picture her totally adoring and attentive father in that light; where she¡¯d lacked her mother¡¯s physical presence, she¡¯d had her father¡¯s¡ªonly during the Ultra War were there times where he¡¯d been absent¡ªand now things started to make sense. ¡°So¡­ Dad¡¯s an alien to our planet?¡± ¡°I am! Also¡­ I was a cloning experiment of my mother¡ªour counterpart to Dr. Fuji¡ªwho wanted to bring back her son from the dead.¡± Rhea choked. ¡°What?! You¡¯re¡­ Okay, can we slow down on the Blast Burns?!¡± ¡°Sorry! Sorry!¡± Her mother puffed out a long sigh. ¡°I didn¡¯t want to burden you with all of this, but¡­ If you¡¯re going to understand what I did, then I believe you need to know the reasons why I did what I did. I¡¯m sorry, Rhea; I know this can¡¯t be easy to hear.¡± Rubbing her forehead, Rhea shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not that it¡¯s hard¡­ It¡¯s just¡ªI don¡¯t know¡­ It¡¯s like a fantasy¡ªI just can¡¯t put you and the you you¡¯re describing in the same picture. My dad¡¯s an alien clone¡ªokay¡­ that was sent to our planet to spy on it, and my mom was an evil scientist that did messed-up experiments on Pokemon¡­¡± After a moment¡¯s thought, she grimaced. ¡°Well¡­ alright, I could picture Mom being a mad scientist, but Dad being an alien clone spy?! C¡¯mon!¡± ¡°Hehe. Thanks, honey,¡± her mother forced a laugh, whipping away a tear. ¡°I know, I¡¯m a liar¡­ I¡¯d understand completely if you hate me¡ªI was the one who told your father to keep all of this from you¡ªack.¡± Rhea used the back of two fingers to smack her mother¡¯s forehead. ¡°Shh! I¡¯m thinking¡­ I don¡¯t hate you¡ªgeez¡­ how could I?! I¡¯m just¡­ confused and a little blown away. Ugh¡­ I¡¯m even more abnormal than I thought. Who else has a family like ours? And I know this is just the tip of the iceberg.¡± ¡°Unfortunately,¡± her father returned, reaching over to tap her mother¡¯s forehead in the same place Rhea had. ¡°Ack¡­ I¡¯m trying, Keith¡­ Keith¡­¡± she mumbled as he pulled himself over to kiss her forehead. ¡°I know. Let¡¯s give Rhea some time to process before continuing.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest puffed up before releasing the air trapped in her lungs, thanking Nova and Mya for snuggling up to her spirit to show their support was appreciated; Alice was poised between her dad¡¯s head and her lap, hugging her side. She¡¯d expected to hear more about herself than her parents, yet, now, so many things throughout her childhood made sense; why certain people in the village hated her mother now clicked, too, and why they¡¯d disappear whenever she was around. Rhea could put herself in her mother¡¯s shoes as she nibbled on the information; she now knew why so many criminal organizations trusted her mother with who her family was¡ªshe had a long-established history in the community¡ªat least until Malva broke the news that she¡¯d flipped. ¡°So¡­ Dad¡¯s a clone¡ªdon¡¯t clones die, though?¡± she asked, recalling the history class she¡¯d had and how the process had been outlawed by the United Leagues. ¡°Is it different for the, uh, the other universe?¡± Her dad puffed out a long breath. ¡°Yeah¡­ Well, I¡¯m not completely human, either, Rhea.¡± Rhea sat back, staring up at the moon. ¡°Huh. So, that means Sabin and I aren¡¯t totally human because you aren¡¯t?¡± She was surprised how much it helped, hearing that her amazing father wasn¡¯t entirely human, meaning she wasn¡¯t alone. Her mother¡¯s fingers paused while examining her thick, blonde locks. ¡°There¡¯s a lot more to that¡­ Humans can¡¯t survive the cloning process, so Pokemon RNA was introduced to his system to stabilize the transition and provide the strength to adapt¡­ the opposite of what we did to Mewtwo.¡± Rhea¡¯s skin tingled as the information started to sink in. ¡°So¡­ Sabin has Pokemon DNA in him through Dad¡ªI can get that¡ªbut¡­ the reason you were so upset is that there¡¯s more to it for me?¡± Swallowing the lump in her throat, Rhea took a few seconds to pose her question. ¡°You¡­ introduced a Pokemon¡¯s RNA into my egg?¡± A censured screw dug through her father¡¯s voice as he whispered, ¡°Not exactly¡­ Everything¡¯s my fault, Rhea.¡± Her mother¡¯s hands moved to her stomach as if feeling sick, and her eyes glossed over; dread began to fill Rhea¡¯s chest as she listened to her mother¡¯s story and the hidden past her parents had concealed her entire life. ¡°Your father planned things very carefully and betrayed the United League¡­ I was captured with several others¡ªtaken back to the Rainbow Rocket world¡ªonly days after you were conceived, and, to protect your brother, I jumped¡­ at the opportunity to make myself useful¡­ I offered them my knowledge. ¡°Very few people are alive that know the details about the Mewtwo experiment¡ªand for good reason¡ªmost were killed or had their memories erased by Mewtwo himself after the second was created¡­ ironically, a female, but that¡¯s beside the point. I was given a new task¡­¡± She smiled up at her. ¡°Genetically engineer the strongest Trainer for them to groom, using my knowledge, and I did it without a second thought since it was the only way I could keep your brother by my side.¡± The crashing waves below came into the foreground as Rhea played through the images in her head, seeing her brother in the claws of monsters¡ªone being her own father¡ªand herself, pulled from her mother and placed in a test tube. ¡°Me¡­¡± Rhea choked. ¡°Hmm-no¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s mouth pulled in, tears gathering in her eyes as she shook her head. ¡°No, it was supposed to be Giovanni¡¯s own seed, but¡­ I swapped that embryo for yours¡­ because I knew it would affect your father¡­ and killed Giovanni¡¯s.¡± ¡°It did¡­¡± Cold water dropped over Rhea¡¯s head at the confession as she whispered, ¡°Out of spite¡ªrevenge?¡± She couldn¡¯t breathe as her mother nodded, unable to look her in the face; her father continued since her mother couldn¡¯t¡ªthese people in this story weren¡¯t her parents. Her mother was kind, awkward, and a dork who would jump at any opportunity to do something for her daughter; she was the woman who hounded doctors about her health, fixed wild Pokemon with genetic problems, and did everything in her power to keep her safe. Her father was the most loyal, attentive, and supporting person she knew; he¡¯d spent almost every day of her life making sure she wouldn¡¯t feel lonely and teaching her all about the wild¡ªit meant Franky, Vilora, Jeffery, Frisky¡ªall her father¡¯s Pokemon, who she saw as some of her closest friends, had all known the truth. ¡°It was a punch to my gut when she told me¡­¡± her father whispered, making Rhea choke a laugh as she related. ¡°If¡­ if I revealed it to my superiors, you would have been destroyed,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Every day¡ª¡¯round and around¡ªI saw you as myself, and your mother pressed that knife into my chest¡­ Mom¡¯s not that kind of person¡­ She¡¯s my mom¡­ ¡°When your mother was a prisoner¡­ the discussions between my mother and yours¡­ it killed a piece of me every day; she was Christie¡¯s biggest fan. Heh. Your mother¡¯s understanding of how to actively manipulate DNA with RNA rather than randomly throwing things into the pot¡­ It changed everything.¡± My grandma was the one that oversaw the whole thing? ¡°Mewtwo was made to be the strongest Pokemon¡­ but Rainbow Rocket¡¯s Giovanni wanted the strongest human. As you grew, so did both your mother and my love, and¡­ we both realized the wrongs we¡¯d done.¡± I¡¯m a test-tube baby? This can¡¯t be real. ¡°A few months after you came to term¡­ I found an opportunity to escape.¡± Rhea wanted to throw up; she was more than just some experiment¡ªshe didn¡¯t want to believe she was a cursed child of an imprisoned woman, looking to hurt the man she loved¡ªshe was a tool for war to be manipulated and used. Forcing herself up to walk around her ashamed mother to stand beside the stone seat, Rhea¡¯s mind sunk into the nightmarish past of her parents as Alice clung to her foot, trying to offer her support. She couldn¡¯t imagine her dork of a helpless mother so twisted or her adoring father so cold as to utterly betray her mother and confine his own son to such a world. It was twisted, utterly wrong, and yet somehow, her parents had remained together after all those torturous experiences to be here to explain her origin. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rhea¡ª¡± ¡°Christie¡­ let her process it; her aura connection is going to make this rough.¡± Alice glared at the two, now hugging Rhea¡¯s leg; all Rhea felt was the chill running through her marrow. Out of everything she¡¯d expected to hear, this horror story was not in the same universe. Aura connection? What does that even mean?! ¡°If¡­ If I¡¯m some genetically modified super-human¡­ How am I not like Mewtwo?¡± Her mother¡¯s fist tightened against her breast as she whispered, ¡°You¡¯re our daughter¡ªmy daughter¡­ I¡­ I wanted to make it so you wouldn¡¯t feel as vulnerable as I did when¡­ I¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Heh¡­ right,¡± Rhea sniffed. ¡°I¡¯m not like him because I¡¯m not a clone? Why didn¡¯t¡­ how did you think it was okay to keep this from me¡­ from Sabin?!¡± Her voice cut off, shoulders drooping as tears slid down her cheeks. ¡°No, I know why¡­ because it¡¯s totally messed up. I¡­ need some time to think about this¡­¡± Her father¡¯s hands gripped her mother¡¯s arms, keeping her from moving forward. ¡°We understand. We both hold our own sins, Rhea, but know we love you¡ªnothing changes that. And when you want us to continue, we¡¯ll be here.¡± Rhea slowly nodded, unable to voice the swirl of emotions tainting her heart. Of course, there¡¯s more. Reaching down to pick up Alice as the bunny pointed at her parents, angry tears in her own eyes while telling them off, and Nova and Mya held the same opinion as their teammate. The story was too much to take in without walking and letting it soak in, so she moved along the cliff and the edge of the forest; the picture of her family she¡¯d held close her entire life now had rips in it¡ªher father was right¡ªthis wasn¡¯t something they could put back into a box. Blurry vision wandering across the rising and falling sea, Rhea didn¡¯t know how she should feel or think after her parents shattered the image she¡¯d had of them; it hurt, yet she also could understand why they¡¯d kept it from her and how they made their decisions, which was probably the thing that killed her the most¡ªit fit¡ªand that was what hurt. Would it have been better if they didn¡¯t tell me? What does it really change? It was war¡­ Dad grew up a certain way, and Mom had her own faults, but they still are the parents I grew up with¡­ they¡¯re just more than that now. Mom protected Sabin¡­ by experimenting on me, and I was the reason Mom and Dad grew closer again for him to rescue her, but¡­ it¡¯s still messed up. It¡¯s all messed up¡­ I¡¯m a war weapon, she chuckled to her Pokemon. No wonder they didn¡¯t let me go out and be in the public until now, and I bet the League had to approve it. Hah. Maybe this was a compromise¡­ let me go when I come of age? Does that mean I¡¯ll continue to change or develop more powers¡ªmaybe start dying if something goes wrong? No¡­ I¡¯m sorry, she cried herself as her Pokemon drew on the question, begging her not to leave them. I¡¯m sorry¡­ I¡¯m not going anywhere. She sniffed, knowing her mother was probably dying inside, and part of what made the pain in her chest sting so much was how she could empathize with her parents; the fact her father could be in the same room¡ªthe same planet¡ªas her mother¡¯s family said they¡¯d forgiven him for his betrayal, but it was still fresh on Rhea¡¯s heart. Rhea didn¡¯t know what she¡¯d do if he¡¯d done that to her, and her mother had been utterly blindsided like she was now. Trapped and likely not even on her own planet¡ªutterly alone¡ªand with powerful people¡¯s hands¡ªher husband¡¯s hands¡ªaround her son¡¯s throat, her mother had fought back in the only way she could. The pain of seeing his daughter in a test tube and experimented on had broken whatever programming had been done to him, drawing her father back to her mother, and she was sure it would have been nearly impossible for them to work that out¡ªyet, they had. It¡¯s all messed up¡­ Is that what the Ultra War was like? It¡¯s terrible¡­ No wonder people hate Rainbow Rocket¡­ She could see her grinning grandfather pulling her into a hug while cooing his little nickname¡ªcalling her his lil¡¯ Swablu¡ªand her smiling, cool, yet totally loving grandmother standing nearby to give her a welcoming hug. Her undefeatable and beyond-all-limits aunt, standing beside titans and the message she sent the world about leaving Rhea alone. Her legendary, cute, and kind great-grandmother, who was quick to come to Rhea¡¯s defense on anything and was one of the standing authorities in historical research and languages¡ªalways needing help from her grandchildren to work on her computer. And the thought of her mother suddenly being kidnapped and held hostage with her newly born son and daughter made her heart bleed; she couldn¡¯t imagine how the most important people in her life felt. Rainbow Rocket¡­ Her teeth locked, liquid running from her eyes, and the tightness in her chest strangling her lungs, Rhea felt something she¡¯d never experienced in her life. The kind of people that make incredible people like Blue become an unhinged alcoholic and Leaf a recluse for years. The kind of people to cause my family so much pain¡­ I hate them¡­ I hate them. B2 — 32. From Darkness To Light 9:41 p.m. July 5, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 26 Days (25 officially; 26 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea¡¯s childhood dripped through her veins like the edge of a poisonous knife as she walked beside the cliff with the sound of water against the stone below, eroding her happy past; the bright night helped guide her path, allowing her to focus on the tidal wave of emotion in her tight chest as she looked for a way to keep herself from the pain. Even blaming Rainbow Rocket wasn¡¯t a complete remedy that allowed her to escape the monster her parents revealed. Her Pokemon seethed with Rhea¡¯s internal list of wrongs the organization had done throughout her life as she used it like soil, attempting to bury every fault her parents had confessed. Alice vibrated in her arms, raging at the image Rhea painted: the promises broken due to Rainbow Rocket attacks, waiting for her parents at home, only to be met by another sleepless night with Sabin comforting her, and the lives lost within the Master¡¯s community everyone around her mourned. Mom and Dad did bad things¡­ but it¡¯s all Rainbow Rocket¡¯s fault¡­ They ruined everything¡­ Mom¡¯s shattered heart¡­ Dad feels inhuman as a clone¡­ Him betraying Mom¡­ Mom experimenting on me¡­ They ruined everything¡­ Everything¡­ Resentful, excruciating, spiteful tears burned her cheeks; she had to blame something, and she couldn¡¯t blame her terrified, tortured parents, so her insides screamed at the one thing she could hate. Rhea fell to her knees a ways away from the still visible cliff, where her parents waited, jaw locked and skin tingling as if scalding water had been poured over her. ¡°It¡¯s not fair,¡± she sniffed. ¡°It¡¯s not¡­¡± Dropping to her side, Alice wiggled free to hug her neck as Rhea hugged her shaking body, unable to see the ocean anymore through her blurry vision. ¡°Why did it have to be me? Why can¡¯t I eat like normal girls¡­ have normal girl troubles¡­ have a normal life?¡± She rolled to her back on the grass, moving Alice to hug against her chest. I don¡¯t want to be a super weapon. I just want to be me¡­ but what am I if I¡¯m not totally human? Dad¡¯s a clone¡­ and Mom put Pokemon DNA, RNA, whatever¡ªI don¡¯t know¡ªinto me, so¡­ am I a Pokemon or human¡­ A hybrid? A small smile lifted her puffy eyes as Nova said she was Rhea¡ªher human¡ªand she was her Pokemon, followed by Alice and Mya. I don¡¯t know¡­ I just know I love my parents¡­ I love you three¡­ I love traveling with Amira and Lori¡­ and I hate Rainbow Rocket. Breathing back her tears and emotions, Rhea had one thing bubbling up from the chaos that gripped her soul; some way, somehow, she¡¯d make Rainbow Rocket pay for causing everyone she loved so much pain. It took several more minutes for her to collect herself, but with the help of Alice, Mya, and Nova, she got to her feet and returned to her parents; the weight against her heart hadn¡¯t lessened, yet she knew she wasn¡¯t shouldering it alone. Ascending the cliff, she smiled at her mother and father, seeing the mirrored red and puffy cheeks of her mother. ¡°Hehe¡­ You look terrible.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Rhea¡­¡± Rhea moved forward to hug her. ¡°I love you¡­ I know Rainbow Rocket is really the one to blame.¡± Her father embraced her next, yet his soft words made a shiver run down her spine. ¡°We aren¡¯t blameless, Rhea¡­ We both made our own decisions, including lying to you all this time. Right or wrong, we all lay in our own beds and have to take responsibility for them.¡± ¡°You have!¡± she returned, hugging him tighter; Alice was still holding reservations toward her parents, but Rhea couldn¡¯t see them as villains. ¡°All my life¡ªsince as long as I can remember¡ªyou¡¯ve both done everything you can to help everyone. You saved Mimi when I asked, when the other Pikachu, her brothers, and her sisters¡ªher own parents¡ªabandoned her.¡± Her mother¡¯s lips drew in as she breathed. ¡°A right decision doesn¡¯t make up for a wrong one¡­ I live with what I¡¯ve done, Rhea, and that includes what I did to you.¡± ¡°Heh¡­¡± Rhea pressed her forehead against her father¡¯s chest as he rubbed her back. ¡°You¡¯re not, haaa¡­ making this easy for me. Okay¡­ You did bad things before¡­ but you¡¯re not those people anymore¡ªyou¡¯re the mom and dad I¡¯ve always loved. Is¡­ Does it get worse?¡± Her mother¡¯s gaze lowered, and she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s worse or better¡­ It all blurs together into my nightmares and regrets. Huu-haaa. Do you want to hear what I did to you¡­ the reason I¡¯ve tried so hard to make Training fun or enjoyable for you?¡± Rhea sniffed back her stuffy nose and coughed before guiding them both back to the seat to collapse in it, holding their hands while staring across the ocean; the wind stung her wet cheeks, but it couldn¡¯t match her vulnerable heart. ¡°I don¡¯t think I can stop here. No matter the reasons, I love Alice, Mya, and Nova¡­ I know I¡¯ll love the other Pokemon you¡¯ve prepared, and I¡¯d feel as if I let them down if I didn¡¯t love them¡­ It¡¯s not their fault¡­ I don¡¯t know whose fault it really is, heh, but Rainbow Rocket feels like a good start.¡± Her mother squeezed her hand. ¡°Where to begin? I told you the reason I swapped your fetus with the other Giovanni¡¯s daughter¡­ but¡­ mmgh.¡± ¡°It kills your mother,¡± her dad sighed, scooting closer to draw her against his chest. ¡°In doing so¡­ she put a target on your back.¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s mind as if an earthquake rippled through her bones. ¡°He thinks¡­ He thinks I¡¯m his daughter?! Am I?!¡± she whispered, truly not knowing if she could take another hammer to her heart. ¡°No!¡± Her mother cried. ¡°No¡ªwe¡¯re your parents, period¡ªgenetically or otherwise!¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± she breathed, relieved at least that was cleared up. ¡°So, that¡¯s why you feared for my safety¡ªhe probably still has spies in our world?¡± ¡°We know Rainbow Rocket does,¡± her father mumbled. ¡°We also knew we couldn¡¯t keep you caged and hidden away forever¡­ it wasn¡¯t fair to you¡ªnone of this was fair to you, but we couldn¡¯t let you go¡­¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t let you go,¡± her mother sighed. ¡°The guilt your father feels for betraying us¡­ I selfishly made him promise to never do it again, and he¡¯s pleaded for me to let you out of my protective bubble for years¡­ but then the drama with your cousin happened¡ªI couldn¡¯t let that happen to you¡­ I¡¯m such a failure of a mother¡­¡± ¡°Christie¡­ I know you¡¯ve only had Rhea¡¯s safety in mind.¡± Her mother sank against the stone. ¡°Not only¡­ I couldn¡¯t let you get hurt after everything I did. I used my own daughter out of spite¡­ I know you wanted nothing but to be normal and be free, and it was my own malice toward your father that ruined everything you wanted to have¡­¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± She shifted to hold the back of Rhea¡¯s hand against her forehead. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry, Rhea¡­ I made the League fear you¡­ I made you a target for Rainbow Rocket¡­ I made you the product of resentment¡­ I made you a prisoner¡­ I made your father always stop you from running away when you were little¡­ I ruined your life.¡± Tears leaked from Rhea¡¯s eyes as she swapped for her father¡¯s chest to guide her mother¡¯s to her own, sniffing back the dagger digging into her heart. ¡°Maybe you did¡­ but I still love you.¡± ¡°How¡­¡± her mother shook, crying into her breast, ¡°How can you love me after all I did that unraveled everything I love? Your father betrayed me, and I betrayed you¡­ even your brother¡­ I poisoned everything I¡¯d come to love to burn your father¡­ ¡°I couldn¡¯t believe it¡­ Should I have seen this coming, and were my feelings for your brother, and¡­ and you so little? No¡­¡± Her voice broke. ¡°Nothing¡­ I just saw you as him¡­ I saw myself in his eyes after he opened up to me¡ªthe scars I left on him¡ªand I laughed before realizing¡­ I didn¡¯t recognize who I was anymore. Did it mean anything to me¡­ or nothing at all? I was the monster.¡± The swirl in Rhea¡¯s heart was surprisingly still as she held her mother¡¯s head and stared up at the bright moon with its three overlapping rings. ¡°You¡¯re not perfect¡­ I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do if Sabin, Dad, or you did that to me¡­ I wouldn¡¯t be the same either. I¡¯m sorry you went through so much heartache, Mom¡­ Why does it hurt so much to hear? It hurts¡­ so much.¡± ¡°Aura connection,¡± her father whispered. ¡°Your abilities are unstable right now, as you develop, but you¡¯re able to resonate with those around you through their Aura and understand them on a fundamental level.¡± ¡°How is that helpful?¡± she sniffed, trying to comfort her mother. ¡°It just¡­ hurts, so much¡­ It feels as if Mom is shattering into pieces.¡± ¡°I¡¯m only hurting you more!¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Christie¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± Vilora, her father¡¯s Butterfree, exited her pokeball to teleport her mother away, causing Rhea to feel as if the tears filling her cupped fingers slipped through, leaving her stunned. Drawing her closer, her dad whispered, ¡°I don¡¯t want to make you feel guilty, Rhea, but you can also amplify a person¡¯s aura, which can act as a sort of Mega Evolution to humans, increasing their Fortitude, but¡­ unrefined as you are, it can also draw out the darkness within people¡¯s twisted heart.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea closed her eyes, feeling tired as she leaned against her father¡¯s chest, hearing his soft heartbeat. ¡°Does Mom really hate herself that much?¡± It took a few minutes before her father breathed out his sad emotions. ¡°Your mother lives in perpetual fear¡­ trapped by her own mistakes, doing everything in her power to try and find redemption¡­ when it¡¯s her own self-judgment that keeps her trapped in the house of our past. The shame she feels has always kept her distance, which only renews that vicious cycle of remorse and self-reproach¡­ She tries.¡± ¡°Huu-haaa¡­ I just want us to be happy¡­ Mom, you¡­ I just want to be a happy family. Can we¡­ or is it impossible?¡± Hot air pressed against her crown as her father shifted. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Rhea. I¡¯ve come to terms with everything I¡¯ve done¡ªbeing a part of Sabin and your life for so long, but¡­ it¡¯s different for your mother.¡± Rhea bit her lower lip, eyes stinging while reliving the emotions she¡¯d felt from her mother. ¡°It hurts to be near me¡­ hurts to be apart¡­ It¡¯s not fair. I hurt her no matter what I do.¡± ¡°No, Rhea¡­¡± her father whispered, rubbing her back. ¡°Your mother hurts herself, and she tries¡ªshe tries so hard¡ªbut it¡¯s not you, Rhea¡­ it¡¯s her trauma, and she knows it, which only hurts more. ¡°We just need to be patient and be there for her when we can¡­ It¡¯s my responsibility; I started this cycle by breaking her, and it¡¯s my sin that you¡¯re feeling. Did Rainbow Rocket have a part in it? Yes, but I lived here for over ten years before choosing to side with my mother over my wife, and that decision haunts me every day.¡± Wind and ocean waves filtered into focus as they became silent. She felt her phone buzz in the following minutes¡ªlikely her teammates, wondering where she was¡ªbut she ignored it. ¡°Can we fix things if we¡¯re honest?¡± she squeaked. ¡°Hmm. This has been everything I feared¡­ everything we feared, and it¡¯s why your mother put this off for so long, which only created a bigger monster. Still, I¡¯ll always be here for you, Rhea, and I¡¯m glad you don¡¯t hate your mother, but¡­ if she¡¯s going to heal, I think she does have to feel some kind of punishment.¡± Rhea glared at the grass beside her father. ¡°I can¡¯t hurt Mom.¡± ¡°I know. Hehe. So¡­ punish her your own way.¡± Vision softening, Rhea knew what her father meant; she lifted herself up and kissed him on the cheek. ¡°Thanks, Dad. Is she okay to bring back?¡± ¡°Vilora will bring her back when she¡¯s calmed down.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. ¡°Okay¡­ Can we just sit here and wait?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± She rested her weary and burning eyes, letting the cool ocean breeze, salty smell of the sea, and constant rise and fall of the waves clear her overstimulated mind. Alice had calmed down by her feet, still not happy with her parents and the way they¡¯d made her human feel; it made Rhea happy how protective her Pokemon were of her. Even if she had strange Aura powers¡ªor whatever else her mother did to her¡ªshe had to accept it if she wanted to move on, and realizing why her mother had been so terrified to let her go helped her understand how much her mother cared for her. In her own controlling and trauma-filled way, her mother had modeled her life after trying to correct her mistake, yet she was also trapped in a box that her father couldn¡¯t help her leave since it had to be by her choice. The truth was so painful, but it was also the price of escaping an even more tormenting cage. If I¡¯m going to help her¡­ I have to become strong enough to show her everything she¡¯s done has freed me from her sins. We have to become stronger, Alice, Mya, Nova¡­ I want to free my mom and dad. Will you help me? Mya and Nova had the same reaction as Alice, gaze falling with a glare; it confused them that she wanted to save people that hurt her. Nova was the first to respond that she would, followed by Mya, but her youngest Pokemon was far more hesitant, being the type to hold grudges. Yet, after some discussion between her three Pokemon, Alice begrudgingly accepted it on a trial basis; if she hurt Rhea again, she¡¯d make sure her feelings were heard. Rubbing the overprotective Buneary¡¯s head, she giggled; it was funny that Alice had no issue with being the fastest and strongest, but the disconnect came from the reason. Rhea knew she couldn¡¯t have gotten through this without her three amazing Pokemon always being on her side and close to her soul. I love you. Alice latched onto her hand, holding it against her fluffy, small chest as the Buneary nuzzled her Trainer¡¯s wrist against her cheeks. ¡°You have great Pokemon,¡± her dad whispered, watching the exchange. ¡°I do¡­ Mom made sure I had the best.¡± A few more minutes went by before her mother returned, unable to look her in the face out of shame after losing control of her emotions, even if Rhea had an unconscious effect on her. I¡¯m Mom¡¯s weakness, Rhea internally sighed to her Pokemon as a way for them to understand, guiding the vulnerable woman back down to sit next to her. She¡¯s really taken a beating in this battle. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°Can you make me a promise?¡± ¡°Anything!¡± Her father smiled, settling back in as Rhea took a deep breath and let it go; Alice¡¯s narrowed eyes were watching her mother like a Pidgeot. ¡°I want you to focus only on getting my next Pokemon ready¡ªLori and Amira¡¯s, too¡ªI want you to help me become the strongest Trainer in the world¡­ stronger than Red, Aunt Cynthia, Ash¡­ everyone.¡± Her mother rubbed her forehead and cleared her cheeks. ¡°I will¡­ but do you really want to be a Trainer?¡± ¡°Not just that!¡± Rhea proclaimed. ¡°I¡¯ll be a Contest champion! I¡¯ll beat Chase. I¡¯ll beat Aunt Cynthia. I¡¯ll beat you, Dad, and everyone! Because¡­ I¡¯m your daughter, and you¡¯re my mom, and I wouldn¡¯t trade you for any other mother¡­ even if Lyra is a really cool mom.¡± Her father chuckled with her crying mother, drawing her into a hug while babbling unintelligible things. ¡°Hehe¡­ I usually can¡¯t understand your techno-babble, but this is at a whole new level, Mom!¡± Helping her calm down, Rhea puffed out the hot air in her lungs before whispering, ¡°Can you tell me more about myself now? I¡¯m not mad¡­ I just want us to be honest now. Promise?¡± ¡°I promise¡­ I¡¯ll never lie to you again.¡± Rhea smiled as Alice seemed to be satisfied by the answers and patted her leg to let her know she approved. ¡°Okay¡­ So, I have crazy Pokemon powers¡ªis that why Sabin and Dad always tried to make me guess stuff about Auras?¡± Her father sighed. ¡°It was a game I developed with your brother to hopefully train you in it¡ªmy attempt at helping¡ªand your brother ate it up.¡± Clearing the emotion from her voice¡ªwithout much success¡ªher mother breathed a few times while collecting herself to explain. ¡°Humans and Pokemon share some distant history,¡± she choked, rubbing her throat. ¡°Either through breeding or genetic experiments done by ancient civilizations¡ªlike Pok¨¦mopolians¡ªI can¡¯t say, but it¡¯s more prominent in specific groups of people. ¡°Psychic abilities can be unlocked in just about anyone who does the proper mental training, but Aura is¡­ unique, and while Psychics can be strong, it¡¯s a very diverse range¡­ Aura isn¡¯t that way. So¡­ mmgh¡­¡± ¡°Take your time, Mom,¡± Rhea urged, squeezing her hand to tell her she was okay. ¡°I understand why you did what you did, and I am mad at you¡ªI really am mad at you¡ªbut¡­ I could never hate you. So¡­ tell me how I can use these amazing gifts you gave me to keep myself safe.¡± ¡°Gifts¡­ Haaa. Not all of them are gifts,¡± she whispered, staring up at the stars as she searched them for the words to continue. ¡°Hmm. Only specific Pokemon have the capacity to naturally utilize Aura, such as Magearna, Lucario, Gardevoir¡­ Legendary Pokemon, like Dialga, Palkia, Giratina¡­ Mew, being the most potent of them all, next to the male Mewtwo.¡± Thinking back to Ash¡¯s statement, Rhea leaned back with a short hum. ¡°Aunt Cynthia is looking into this new Mewtwo¡­ Wait, no¡­ it would be the original Mewtwo, created by the Pok¨¦mopolians?¡± A weak shrug came from her mother. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ It seems that way, and the male Mewtwo is one of the most powerful Pokemon¡­ ever¡­ stronger than Ho-Oh and Lugia¡ªstronger than Giratina. ¡°It was that genetic data that I had collected from an old sample I hid away that I used in you¡ªnot the Psychic parts¡ªit would be too unstable, as I explained, it isn¡¯t as constant as Aura.¡± Her father puffed out a long stream of air. ¡°Aura on that level¡­ You¡¯ll be able to read the minds and actions of others, sense things unseen by Aura¡ªthat infuses everything¡ªtrack anything by their Aura, and prevent forms of mind control to not just yourself but those around you.¡± He chuckled, holding out his arm to twist it around. ¡°Grandmasters can enhance their bodies with Aura, sense Moves, and track things from a far distance, but the potency of what your mother has given you is far more robust¡­ ¡°You can create barriers or attack with Aura, and the only other person that can do that is Ash, the last Aura Guardian. You¡¯ll be able to not only read minds, but experience what the other person has and share those memories with others around you, and, in general, do anything a Psychic can¡­ teleport even since it¡¯s more or less a sort of mental copy of the spiritual phenomena.¡± It all sounded like fiction to Rhea. ¡°I¡­ can teleport like Sabrina and Will?¡± ¡°You can,¡± her mother whispered, absently playing with her messy blonde locks. ¡°You¡¯ll probably need to go to Ash to really understand how to train your Aura properly, but there is so much more you are capable of¡­ It isn¡¯t just Mewtwo¡¯s Aura strands I used.¡± Closing her eyes as if in pain just thinking about what she did, her mother shook her head. ¡°Rainbow Rocket went around various universes through the Wormholes¡­ and collected Victini¡­ after they concluded through some of my research notes from Plasma that they could be used as the most potent form of power to use when fusing their Energy Core with another Pokemon.¡± Sadness touched Rhea¡¯s chest as she felt only the surface of how much her mother hated herself; there was nothing someone could do that her mother hadn¡¯t done herself to rip her own heart out. She hadn¡¯t expected her to have gone so far into madness, feeling nothing and doing anything to hurt her father when losing all hope in life. All the videos her mother had shown her when a little girl of the little, cute Victory Pokemon and the look her mother would have returned with the realization she was punishing herself; seeing the joy in Rhea as she saw the playful, blue-eyed Pokemon as she remembered the sins she¡¯d committed. ¡°How many Victini?¡± ¡°Too many¡­¡± her dad mumbled. Her mother shook her head and answered with a melancholy, trembling smile. ¡°Fourteen¡­ Used for different projects, and¡­ six of them I managed to smuggle out when your father freed me.¡± She shifted to hold her hand against Rhea¡¯s breast. ¡°Victini Three¡­ from Universe E93-5B I placed inside you. A little seed embedded inside your heart, which gave you the strength to handle all these maxed Pokemon¡­ and what Giovanni had planned.¡± Rhea swallowed, fingers closing over her mother¡¯s. ¡°I have a Victini in me?¡± ¡°Mythical and Legendary energy, which resonates between your Pokemon and you to awaken it with the strength of the connection of the Master Ball. I¡­ haven¡¯t even told your aunt or my parents about all of this¡­ I¡¯m too much of a coward.¡± The heartbreak of knowing the heinous things her mother had done in the past still hadn¡¯t sunk in, but she knew the inhuman experiments ripped her mother apart worse than anyone else could, which was why she¡¯d dedicated her life to helping Pokemon through everything she¡¯d learned. ¡°That¡¯s terrible¡­ I¡¯m glad you save Pokemon now. I¡¯m proud of you for coming back.¡± A tear slid down her mother¡¯s cheek. ¡°I don¡¯t deserve that, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°I know¡­ but even if two wrongs don¡¯t make a right¡­ you should be praised for doing what¡¯s right¡­ I think you are doing what¡¯s right, Mom.¡± It took some time for her mother to speak again, wiping at her puffy, glistening eyes. ¡°You¡¯re too kind, Rhea¡­ You¡¯re going to make my heart give out. I needed some way to get you interested in Training because if I didn¡¯t¡­ Victini¡¯s Core wouldn¡¯t have had anywhere to expand as you grew, and you¡­ you would have died. ¡°The evolution stone I gave you was meant to help moderate its swelling within you, but¡­ Brock discovered a flaw I hadn¡¯t expected¡­ My mistake.¡± Taking a shuddering breath, she choked a laugh. ¡°My stupid¡­ overprotective nature caused an influx of Aura and emotion that created a strain on your body when you made your new friends and experienced the outside world, which is why the overstimulation created a reflux with Mya¡¯s battle¡­ nearly killing you.¡± Mya was speechless at the admission that she hadn¡¯t been the only reason for putting her Trainer in the hospital. ¡°What does that mean?¡± Rhea asked. ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m growing faster, and it¡¯s stressing my body? Is that why Amira is having trouble with the Master Balls, but I¡¯m not¡­ because of the Victini Core inside me?¡± ¡°Not entirely¡­¡± Biting the corner of her lip, her mother slowly shook her head. ¡°As gifted Amira and Lori are from their own powerful genetic lineage, they¡¯re also being affected by your radial Aura; I¡¯ve had to have a personal talk with Lyra and the others about your unusual Aura¡­¡± She paused and breathed out a long sigh. ¡°It wasn¡¯t enough that Giovanni wanted the strongest human¡­ he wanted someone who could elevate those around them, but¡­ that comes at a price. ¡°I unified Helping Hand with Pressure¡­ to create a permanent Aura that would flex the fortitudes of those around you¡ªI never do anything right, though¡ªand, of course, it would produce an incredible amount of stress¡­ just like a Legendary when someone tries to bond with them.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened. ¡°So¡­ with how often Lori and Amira are around me¡­ Am I killing them?!¡± Her mother shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s not to that extent, but¡­ if I don¡¯t figure out how to regulate it, it could kill weaker people¡­ just like Legendary Pokemon can by their pressure. I engineered you to be a Legendary human of sorts¡­¡± ¡°Ahem¡­¡± They turned to her father as he gave Rhea a small smile. ¡°While you work on your angle, why don¡¯t we ask Ash to try and help Rhea learn how to control it herself?¡± He held up his hands before her mother could respond. ¡°Let¡¯s give Rhea a shot to take hold of her own life and these problems¡ªyou don¡¯t need to put the world on your shoulders, Christie¡ªhave faith in our daughter.¡± Her father¡¯s tender words and assurance warmed Rhea¡¯s heart as she nodded. ¡°Yeah! I can help, too. Mom¡­ what if you don¡¯t sleep and make a mistake because you¡¯re too tired? You¡¯re not alone. Let me show you I¡¯m as strong as you say I am.¡± ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated,¡± her mother hissed, but Rhea could feel she was desperately trying to hold onto control; being useful was the only way she could live with herself. ¡°I know, Mom,¡± she smiled, pulling her into a hug. ¡°I do trust you have my best interest at heart, but you work too hard, and I think it¡¯s hurt things more than helped. What¡¯s the saying? First, make sure you¡¯re safe when going out into dangerous waters to rescue someone? It doesn¡¯t help to have two people needing rescue!¡± Her father chuckled. ¡°I taught you well! Plus, Ash¡¯s already in the area, and it wouldn¡¯t hurt to see if he¡¯d be willing to give our daughter a few pointers. You know Ash, somehow always showing up whenever he¡¯s needed¡ªI doubt Cindy even really invited him, and he just popped up at the right time¡ªAura Guardian and all,¡± he mused. ¡°Well, heh, knowing him, I¡¯m sure he¡¯d be thrilled to travel with you girls to Vermilion City. He has a habit of gathering new people while traveling, and he does have a friend there he could visit.¡± ¡°Eh-heh, we¡¯re actually going to go to Saffron City next¡ªand then Celadon.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ Huh, well, I¡¯m sure he¡¯d still want to chill with you; he¡¯s always up for an adventure. Haha! Also, your mother would be thrilled to have someone like Ash there if anything happens.¡± ¡°True¡­¡± her mother hesitantly mumbled. Happy she had something she could do with her Pokemon, and having a path forward to help redirect her mother out of her terrified glass box, Rhea let a lot of her own fear go. Yes, she was disappointed in her mother after everything she¡¯d heard, but, as flawed as her mother was, she tried time and time again to do what was right. Rhea had lived in her mother¡¯s petrified box for too long, and she needed to learn how to live in this dangerous world; she wasn¡¯t normal¡ªshe had her own flaws¡ªand it was time she stepped out of her mother¡¯s shadow to face the world herself and grow up. ¡°Thank you, Mom¡­ for everything you¡¯ve done for me¡ªfor trying a million times.¡± ¡°I¡­ am so scared, Rhea.¡± ¡°I know¡­ It¡¯s okay, Mom,¡± she comforted, holding her as she broke down for what seemed to be the dozenth time. ¡°It¡¯s okay. I have so many people to help me¡­ to help us. I¡¯m not afraid of what I am anymore¡­ Hehe. I¡¯m sure Amira and Lori aren¡¯t all that normal, either. We¡¯re all little misfits, huh?¡± ¡°Ha¡­ haha¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Comforting and taking care of her distraught mother, Rhea listened to her confessions and guilty conscience into the hour; she texted her teammates, letting them know she was okay and with her parents. Around midnight, her mother collapsed from fatigue, and her father lifted her into a princess carry as Rhea stood. ¡°Thank you, Rhea¡­ I know it probably isn¡¯t easy for you to hear everything your mother did¡­ all her regrets.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°It helps¡ªit does¡ªmore than you know. I know why she always kept her distance now¡­ Why she works so hard. Thank you for being there for Mom¡­ Hehe. She¡¯s such a mess, huh?¡± ¡°Haha-haaa¡­ Such a mess. Do you want me to talk to Ash?¡± Holding her hands behind her back, Rhea shook her head before looking at the sea. ¡°I¡¯ll get Aunt Cynthia to send me his number and give him a call in the morning. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll probably be busy tonight with the other Champions. I love you, Dad.¡± ¡°Love you too, Rhea.¡± She hugged her parents¡ªbeing somewhat awkward in the princess carry position¡ªbefore his Butterfree teleported her back to her hotel room. Taking a deep breath, she went inside to explain what she¡¯d learned to her teammates; she didn¡¯t have secrets with them, and that¡¯s the way she wanted to live. B2 — 33. A New Goal Set 12:07 a.m. July 6, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 27 Days (26 officially; 27 since getting Maya and Nova). Standing in front of her hotel door, Rhea took a deep breath and smiled down at her Buneary. Alice pupped her fist with a determination glowing in her pink irises that made Rhea giggle; she wholly thought that her Trainer had just gone through a human Gym gauntlet, and perhaps she had. Right¡­ Let¡¯s be as honest as we can! We¡¯re a team, so I have to rely on Amira and Lori like we rely on each other. Wait, Nova! Her Eevee¡¯s ears popped up within her pokeball, making Rhea giggle at being able to tell the gut reaction from her Pokemon as she interpreted why she¡¯d called her name. Yeah! We were supposed to meet with your mom tonight¡ªbefore all this happened¡­ plus they have the who Mewtwo thing¡­ Nova chirped her response, and Rhea interpreted it that she¡¯d rather have a fresh day to be able to get to know her mother; she wanted to get to know the woman that birthed her, similar to how Rhea felt about her mom. Texting the Former Champion, Rhea asked if it was possible to reschedule their playdate for tomorrow, apologizing for missing the time; she was surprised by how instant the response was. 12:08 a.m. - Elaine: We¡¯re looking forward to it! Just let us know, and we¡¯ll be right over; everyone is a bit busy today anyways, and your aunt said we shouldn¡¯t bother you after your mother called. Hope you have a fantastic night! Glad it worked out, Rhea returned a smiley face emote and thumbs up; there was never enough time in a day. Nova, Mya, and Alice kept close to her spirit as she brought her phone up to the reader to open the door, yet it clicked moments before reaching the scanner, and Lori¡¯s shining face filled Rhea¡¯s vision as she swung it open¡ªpossibly just getting out of the shower. ¡°Rhea! You have no idea, eh¡ªhave you been crying?¡± She caught Amira brushing back her hair while leaning forward to look past Lori from her bed at the girl¡¯s sudden change in cadence. Amber sat beside her, flicking ears probably the reason they¡¯d known she was outside. ¡°What happened, Rhea?¡± the redhead asked, standing up and setting down her phone. Trying to put on a smile with her tight lips, Rhea shook her head; a weight suddenly hit her chest, making her hesitate. ¡°Umm¡­ mmh-mmh. It¡¯s okay¡ªAlice¡­¡± The Buneary¡¯s ear smacked her thigh, crossing her arms and glaring up at her. ¡°Haaa¡­ Yeah, I know,¡± she mumbled as her Pokemon urged her to move beyond the discomfort¡ªshe didn¡¯t like to start drama¡ªand Amira and Lori had just gotten off dates that seemed to go really well. ¡°Umm. Let me first hear how your guys¡¯ day was! ¡°I know¡ªI promise, Alice,¡± she reassured her beady-eyed Pokemon. ¡°I¡¯m not throwing in the towel.¡± Lori forced a chuckle while pulling her inside and guiding her to the bed while throwing the door shut, causing a commotion. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m totally interested now¡ªwhat has Alice all in a tiff at ya?¡± ¡°She¡¯s holding back her feelings,¡± Amira translated, offering a sad smile as the Buneary, Lori¡¯s Rockruff, and her Fennekin converged to talk. ¡°I have experience there. Everything okay, Rhea¡ªwell, heh, obviously not, but we¡¯re here¡ªdon¡¯t force yourself until you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Seriously!¡± Lori huffed, collapsing back on her bed; she was already in her night bikini, ready to snuggle into bed. ¡°I¡¯m so exhausted¡­ Oh, but you have no idea how insane Kekoa is¡ªhe ate fire from a Marowak¡ªfire! Literally¡ªbone and all; ate it¡ªI was like, what?! Then just brought it back up¡ªoh, but what¡¯s up?¡± Rhea¡¯s belly shook with laughter. ¡°You don¡¯t sound exhausted.¡± Amira held up her hands in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s what I said, and she¡¯s been talking non-stop the entire time¡ªthrough the shower door.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯m sooo tired,¡± Mallory groaned, snatching a pillow before dropping it on her face. ¡°Ahhh! How can it go from so chill to so intense in like¡­ no time at all!¡± ¡°Chill!¡± Amira hissed, glancing at the walls to see if they¡¯d bothered their neighbors. ¡°C¡¯mon, Lori¡­ Let¡¯s put a pin on it for a second. Rhea?¡± The Unovan girl coughed and tossed her pillow off the bed, pulling her violet hair out from under her back to drape across her chest. ¡°Right! Right! Lay it on us, girl! We borrowing your bro¡¯s Mismagius to curse someone tonight?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea choked another laugh. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous, Lori! I¡¯m not cursing anyone.¡± ¡°Aww. No fun,¡± she moaned. ¡°I used to pretend with my sister¡¯s Ghost Pokemon all the time¡ªmostly on her¡ªat least, heh, I think I was pretending,¡± she mused. ¡°I could make a call if you want¡­ Oh, I could call Snicky¡ªDad¡¯s Absol¡ªhe¡¯s always up for a good cursing!¡± ¡°I¡¯m good!¡± ¡°Fine¡­ Seriously¡ªall joking aside¡ªwhat¡¯s up?¡± Rhea growled, scratching the side of her head at the look Alice gave her, and the sensation she got from her Mawile and Eevee was the same after her previous declaration¡ªshe didn¡¯t have this feeling of impending dread before, though¡ªwhat if they thought it was weird having a part Pokemon freak in their group? Nova shot back that she wasn¡¯t being fair; she should have more faith in her teammates as she¡¯s always telling them to have. You¡¯re right¡­ Pulling her golden locks around, Rhea dropped onto the bed next to Lori, staring up at the ceiling. ¡°Just as, you know, theoretical¡­¡± ¡°Wonderful grammar,¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Yes?¡± Lori waved her hand in the air. ¡°Pfft! Get out of here.¡± ¡°Haaa-ha-ha. Umm, so¡­ I found out that I¡¯m¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± Lori pressed, legs rising into the air as she hoisted herself up to look at her. Rhea closed her eyes, relaxing her muscles while letting go of everything and preparing for an impact. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not completely human.¡± Silence stretched for a few seconds before Lori laughed. ¡°What¡¯d I tell you, Amira¡ªtotal Alcremie in disguise¡ªshe¡¯s too sweet to be anything else!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea¡¯s vision cleared as she looked at her smiling teammates, stunned by their back and forth. ¡°Mmh. True, Rhea is super sweet,¡± Amira hummed, ¡°but you can¡¯t discount her nickname. I still put my credits on at least some part Swablu in there¡ªshe¡¯s too fluffy and cute to not¡­¡± she trailed off as Lori winked. ¡°Total Alcremie! I¡¯m telling you¡ªyou know it¡ªfluffy, cute, always friendly, and looking to bring positive vibes. She can¡¯t stand sour atmospheres¡ªbecause she¡¯s made of sweets! It¡¯s perfect¡ªI¡¯ve cracked the code!¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m just saying¡ªSwablu for cuteness isn¡¯t so Farfetch¡¯d, and we have to consider her aura aspect and eating habits, so¡­ Lucario and for eating¡­¡± ¡°Alcremie!¡± Lori sang. ¡°She only eats sweets!¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t just eat sweets,¡± Rhea mumbled, at a total loss with their playful smiles. Lori hugged her. ¡°What¡¯d I tell you! Total sweetheart! You can¡¯t think we haven¡¯t thought your mother didn¡¯t put some kind of Pokemon DNA in you¡ª¡± ¡°RNA,¡± Amira corrected, giving her a small, encouraging smile. ¡°It¡¯s used to modify existing genetic code. Did¡­ you think we wouldn¡¯t like you if you turned out to have some Pokemon in you? I¡¯m not completely convinced my mom¡¯s not part Pokemon¡ªshe¡¯s too much of a Tauros to not be.¡± ¡°True!¡± Lori snickered before pausing as her comparison clicked. ¡°N shot! Your Mom¡¯s a total babe¡ªan adorable Cleffa that must be protected¡ªlike Rhea!¡± she added, drawing her into another hug. ¡°You don¡¯t know how bull-headed and impossible my mother can be underneath all that Cute Charm she fools everyone with,¡± Amira mumbled. Just catching up to the ridiculous conversation, Rhea gently pulled away from Lori. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t think I¡¯m weird¡ªyou thought I was weird for not eating as much as you¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Amira shook her head, eyebrows drawing together. ¡°No. We were worried about your health, which is not the same as thinking you¡¯re weird.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori huffed. ¡°Hmm¡­ Okay, Amira, I¡¯m starting to see the Morpeko in her now.¡± Amira threw up a hand in confusion. ¡°What are you even talking about now?¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re right¡ªterrible comparison¡ªunless it¡¯s eternal Full Belly Mode,¡± she hummed with a thoughtful nod as she settled down, expression becoming somber. ¡°Did you really think we would toss you to the curb for something that silly¡­ After you literally saved my life? Do I come off as that much of a Toxel?¡± Rhea rubbed her arm, falling to the bed again. ¡°It¡¯s not that¡­ I just feel weird¡ªmaybe it¡¯s just me projecting, which is not Swablu or Alcremie¡­ Maybe I¡¯m the Toxel.¡± Amira transferred to Lori¡¯s bed, sandwiching Rhea with Lori on the other side. ¡°It sounds like you¡¯ve gone through a huge roller coaster and don¡¯t know what to think. Why don¡¯t you explain it to us? We¡¯re here for you, hehe, whether we can capture you in a pokeball or not.¡± Lori¡¯s eyes widened as if her brain had exploded at the sudden revelation. ¡°Amira¡­ Galaxy brain! Could we bond with Rhea?! Her Pokemon, and ours¡­ and¡ªwhaa¡­¡± ¡°Shut up,¡± Amira sighed, grabbing the pillow she¡¯d tossed off to smack her face with it. ¡°No, I¡¯m like, freakin¡¯ out here¡ªthat¡¯d be sick¡ªshe could ship herself anywhere!¡± ¡°It¡¯s called a plane, stupid,¡± Amira dryly returned. Rhea chuckled; her dread really did sound kind of silly now. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± She found her watery eyes drying up as Amira rubbed her knee with another encouraging smile; it was as if she was pulling strength from her two traveling companions, and their concern was genuine underneath Lori¡¯s jokes and Amira¡¯s pointed jabs. ¡°What¡¯s really eating you up?¡± the redhead whispered. ¡°It takes a lot to break you down.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori mumbled, shifting to search her face. ¡°I¡¯m usually the mess¡ªwell, Cass, typically¡ªbut you know what I mean.¡± All the stress was pulled out of her as Rhea eased back with Lori and Amira, staring up at the hotel ceiling while explaining everything she¡¯d learned; she glazed over the Mewtwo part to keep her promise to her mom but told them about everything else: The Victini core, legendary and mythical RNA, her parents revealing their past, the damage she could be causing those around them, Ash, and how challenging it was for her to accept what her parents confessed. Their Pokemon cuddled around them as the hour went on, and Nova swapped places to lay on Rhea¡¯s stomach; there were so many things eating her up inside that she didn¡¯t know where to start, so she ping-ponged between topics, answering short questions, but her teammates became relatively quiet besides showing her their encouragement. When she finished, it felt like she was empty¡ªit wasn¡¯t necessarily good, but the pain was gone¡ªnow, she was looking for answers, and her first thought was her brother. ¡°Sabin doesn¡¯t know,¡± she whispered, closing her eyes and breathing a long puff of air. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. ¡°I¡¯m so angry at my parents, but¡­ I get it, but there¡¯s no way I can leave Sabin in the dark¡­ yet it¡¯s not fully my secret either, and I know my parents are scared¡­ I don¡¯t know¡ªI¡¯ve always wanted to be normal¡ªto fit in, and¡­ I guess they gave that to me by not telling me. I don¡¯t know. Haaa. I¡¯m all kinds of messed up.¡± Amira was the first to digest the stream of information, and her voice carried a wistful tone that felt like the cool breeze and waves she¡¯d experienced on the cliff with her parents. ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to have criminals as family¡­ people I love more than¡­ well, heh, more than I can say¡ªand you know¡­ they¡¯ve done terrible things. It took me a while to come to terms with everything I was bombarded with, you know?¡± Rhea glanced over to see her teammate¡¯s sad smile. ¡°Really? You always looked so composed and stunning online.¡± ¡°Oh, I wasn¡¯t going to let them know they were getting to me.¡± Amira rolled her eyes and sucked on her inner cheek for a second. ¡°You have no idea how many times people threw every crime Rocket did at me¡­ like Pin Missiles, and they landed. ¡°Why? I don¡¯t know¡ªthey were hurt or just looking for a reaction from me¡ªclicks¡ªI guess¡­ and it did hurt¡­ a lot,¡± she whispered, puffing out a hot breath and blinking back tears. ¡°I know what it¡¯s like to be treated like an object¡ªpeople looking for a quick credit at my expense or hurting me to feel better about themselves¡­ like they took down Rocket themselves.¡± Rhea bit her lower lip, feeling the indignation in wanting to defend her friend from the emotions in her voice; she hadn¡¯t known Amira for that long, but she knew how hard it was for her to talk about herself since it could be used as a weapon against her. ¡°All I know is my grandpa and grandma, though¡­ Heh. My overprotective and overbearing family¡­ who work to make the world a better place. I don¡¯t know the people in the videos or reports¡­ I just know my classy grandma and grandpa¡ªnot the monsters others tell me I should see them as¡ªit¡¯s not who they are to me, and so¡­ I¡¯m the delusional, pampered, Fire Stone princess¡­ with a throne of corpses to sit on.¡± Lori hummed. ¡°Wow. That¡¯s pretty crazy¡­ People always want to get in your business, telling you what to think or feel. You know, I used to get bullied in school?¡± ¡°You?¡± Rhea asked, unable to believe the tall, outspoken, and social magnet could get pushed around by anyone, yet, at this moment, she could feel a hidden vulnerability the violet-haired girl didn¡¯t show. ¡°Mhm,¡± she mumbled, scooting back to tap her heels against the bed. ¡°I used to take a lot of weeks off from school¡­ and some girls hated how much attention I got since I was adopted by two League members. ¡°Amira may be the delusional, pampered, Fire Stone princess, but I was the parentless, neurotic, big-chested girl that got pampered and always scored low on tests¡ªstupid, big-chested Lori, who was only good at dancing¡­ and getting simps to shill for her. I was kind of a freak.¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°I¡¯d say I¡¯m glad you¡¯re one of us rejects and not a perfect country sweetheart, but I¡¯d be lying, because you totally are the glue that keeps us stable!¡± ¡°Stop!¡± Rhea brushed it off. ¡°Haaa. Grandpa calls me his Swablu because I¡¯m his innocent, puffy cloud in the sky¡ªuntainted by the world,¡± she grumbled. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with that?¡± Lori asked. ¡°The city-fast-life is overrated, overpopulated, and nasty! I think you¡¯re perfect being you¡ªyou don¡¯t need to conform to some image the world has of what a girl should be¡ªincluding us!¡± Rhea gave her a confused frown. ¡°Huh?¡± Amira snickered, nudging her side. ¡°She¡¯s saying, with the whole boyfriend thing and kissing that she was teasing you about.¡± ¡°Yeah¡ªMuk me!¡± Lori huffed, punching the air. ¡°You do whatever you feel natural or want to do¡ªeveryone out there thinking girls are somehow less because they¡¯re virgin kissers or anything else¡ªMuk those judgy losers.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t know if they were joking or not at this point, but it did help; this was the first time she¡¯d had real female friends her age, and it was different than it was with Jason. She knew other girls from various regions and called them friends, but not in the traditional, online sense of constantly talking and hanging out; it was more like my parents know your parents sort of thing, and we can chill when around, but nothing like Bianca and her did¡ªalthough, she wasn¡¯t sure that counted since they were cousins. She didn¡¯t know how to really act around them, so she was trying to learn and adapt as she went¡ªmaybe she didn¡¯t need to, though¡ªshe could just be herself; the only reflection she¡¯d had on what girls did was from online sources and what she heard from Masters, but Master friends weren¡¯t the same thing she saw in shows. If Rhea looked back, she could see there was a fear within her about what she should do with her teammates to fit in¡ªthe fear of losing¡ªholding them back or the projections people on Gossip had toward her group, yet they were girls going through their own problems, too. Heart warming as their words sunk in, Rhea¡¯s daze started to lift; Amira and Lori were her friends¡ªreal friends¡ªand this was what that felt like. She could confide and trust them, but that didn¡¯t mean everything they said was right, such as Lori¡¯s teasing or Amira suddenly acting like her mother, creating a conflict within her chest. ¡°Ha-ha-ha, yeah¡ªMuk, Lori!¡± ¡°Hey!¡± the Unovan girl cried. ¡°Let¡¯s not go crazy¡ªI said I¡¯m sorry¡ªyou know, is that the first time she swore, and about me?!¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, deep in thought. ¡°I¡¯m fairly confident she¡¯s sworn before, but¡­ I can¡¯t think of another time off the top of my head. Huh. Congratulations on the infamy, Lori; the first to get a sweet Swablu to curse.¡± ¡°Ugh! I wave the white flag¡ªI¡¯m so tired. Feel better?¡± Sora snickered. ¡°Mhm. Thanks, Amira, Lori¡ªI¡¯m glad I¡¯m not the only one who¡¯s weird.¡± ¡°No problem,¡± Amira returned, returning to her own bed to sit across from her. ¡°By the way, personally, I think you¡¯re the least weird out of us.¡± ¡°Wait¡­¡± Lori¡¯s eyebrows drew together. ¡°Does that make me the weirdest?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°You sing and dance randomly on the trail¡ªin the street¡­ in the shower.¡± ¡°How do you know?!¡± Lori challenged. ¡°Uh¡­ I can hear the water flying around and deal with the complaints,¡± Amira sighed, running her fingers through her hair. ¡°What? No!¡± she grumbled, rubbing her neck and looking away as Rhea laughed. ¡°Is my voice that bad¡ªyou really get complaints? Mission failed.¡± ¡°Well, when it¡¯s in the morning¡ªno matter how good your singing is¡ªyou¡¯re going to get people annoyed; it¡¯s called being considerate.¡± ¡°True,¡± Lori nodded in guilt. ¡°I am kind of inconsiderate at times¡ªbut you said my singing was good!¡± ¡°Did I?¡± Amira doubtfully hummed, directing a sly smirk her way. ¡°I remember saying ¡®no matter how good your singing is¡¯... not that your singing was good.¡± ¡°Oof. Well¡­ I suppose if we¡¯re comparing, Rhea blows me out of the water, and you¡¯re practically in a different universe. No! I am the weak link!¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Rhea huffed. ¡°I think you sound great in the morning; it gets me pumped, and you listen to so many genres that I find new favorites all the time.¡± ¡°Aww,¡± Lori sniffed, scooting over to hug her. ¡°You¡¯re so precious; I love you¡ªI won¡¯t let anyone have you!¡± Forcing a chuckle as the comment brought to mind another Trainer. ¡°Eh-heh¡­ let¡¯s not go full Green here and want to turn every strong Trainer into her Pokemon.¡± ¡°Ooh!¡± A twinkle brightened Mallory¡¯s eyes. ¡°If I threw a Master Ball at you¡­ Eh?! Alice¡ª¡± Rhea¡¯s little Buneary jumped out of her pokeball to separate them as Nova returned; the bunny hopped up and down while fuming, willing to box as Alice punched the air¡ªall her Pokemon totally rejecting the idea of the Unovan girl taking away their human. Giggling while calming her Pokemon down, Rhea held her bunny against her chest while looking between her grinning teammates. ¡°What about me damaging you two? I¡¯m hurting you¡ªso, shouldn¡¯t we pause things to handle that?¡± Lori¡¯s damp locks whipped left and right with her head. ¡°And leave you to yourself¡ªMuk no¡ªyou can¡¯t get rid of us that easily, girl!¡± Amira nodded. ¡°Didn¡¯t you tell us Ash could help you?¡± ¡°Are you¡­ okay with that?¡± Rhea mumbled, absently playing with Alice¡¯s tufts. ¡°I know it¡¯s kind of last minute, but¡­¡± ¡°You kidding?¡± Lori streamed out a long sigh. ¡°If there¡¯s one thing you suck at, Rhea, it¡¯s that you can¡¯t relax and go with the flow; you¡¯re always so worried about everyone else¡ªlike your brother and us¡ªafter learning all that muck! C¡¯mon!¡± She bent back to grab her pillow to hold up. ¡°C¡¯mon¡ªpunch it¡ªget that frustration out! Oh, or do you want to scream in it¡ªI always like a good scream¡ªAmira?¡± ¡°Punching¡­ or yoga.¡± ¡°Figured¡­ So, what will it be, Rhea?!¡± ¡°I think we¡¯re dodging the question!¡± she laughed but could see their point. ¡°Umm, I¡¯ve kind of been a runner or swimmer¡­ hiking, rock climbing¡­¡± ¡°Mukin¡¯ country girls and their athletic stuff,¡± Lori groaned, pulling the pillow to her own face to fall back and scream into it. ¡°Next thing you¡¯ll be telling me, we need to go rope some Miltank¡­ I¡¯ve never milked a Miltank¡ªI¡¯m scared, Rhea!¡± ¡°You¡¯re impossible,¡± Amira mused, throwing another pillow at the giggling girl. ¡°Haaa. I know you¡¯re scared, Rhea, but I¡¯m just glad I have an explanation as to why I¡¯ve been so weak lately, and¡­ to be honest, I do feel a bit intimidated by your own growth¡ª ¡°In a good way,¡± she added at Rhea¡¯s concerned frown. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt inferior before, which is good for me¡ªI know, it sounds weird¡ªbut it helps me ground myself. Thank you, Rhea.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lori let go of a pent-up breath. ¡°For real. You¡¯re amazing, Rhea, in so many ways. I¡¯m glad we got put into a team¡ªrandom, too¡ªheh, not that I believe that.¡± Amira gave a meaningful nod. ¡°I¡¯ve never felt like a team¡­ or that I could have real friends, but you proved me wrong, Rhea.¡± ¡°What about me?!¡± Lori balked. ¡°Mmh. I¡¯d say¡­ an acquired taste, I guess,¡± the redhead said with an apologetic smile. ¡°Heh, classy way to say I¡¯m terrible! Sorry for being so pushy, guys¡ªI know I can push boundaries too far,¡± Lori mumbled, playing with her bikini strap. ¡°You mean well,¡± Rhea chimed. ¡°I know you¡¯re a good person, Lori. We all have our faults, right?¡± ¡°Right! But we¡¯re totally a team, and we cover each other¡¯s bases¡ªspeaking of¡ªhave you two ever been to a baseball game?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°Not much into the whole sports thing like my brother; I like exploring outside more.¡± Amira jabbed her thumb in her direction. ¡°I¡¯m with her¡ªfishing, rafting, flying¡ªall good activities.¡± ¡°Crazy people¡ªflying?!¡± ¡°Wingsuit flying?¡± Rhea asked with shining eyes. Amira held up her hands with a strained grin. ¡°Okay, I haven¡¯t done anything that crazy, but¡­ I¡¯m not against it.¡± ¡°What even is that?¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°Having a Flying Pokemon carry you around?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Amira returned, brushing aside the topic. ¡°In any case, I¡¯m completely fine with Ash joining us to help you learn how to control this Pressure Helping Hand combo you have; plus, it really is a fascinating and amazing ability.¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t expected that response, catching her off-guard as Lori followed it. ¡°Just call it what it is¡ªawesome! Rhea¡¯s a total blonde babe powerhouse superhero¡ªtotal package, girl¡ªI¡¯m telling you, let me make you some socials, and you¡¯ll have a following that¡¯s insane!¡± Amira gave her a dull look. ¡°Did you forget the part about Rainbow Rocket¡ªand why would anyone want a ton of people hounding them about their personal life.¡± Lori pointed a finger and smirked at the redhead. ¡°Spoken like a girl born to the limelight!¡± ¡°What does that have to do with anything? It doesn¡¯t change the fact people are noisy and toxic.¡± ¡°Facts,¡± Lori agreed. ¡°However, it can also be nice to see a positive comment among the trash; there are two sides to the coin, and you get influence¡ªlook what I did to Cerulean with a single post!¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call that¡­ Haaa, never mind,¡± Amira sighed, smiling at Rhea as she followed the conversation while petting Alice and suddenly realizing the sneaky bunny had stolen Nova¡¯s turn. ¡°I want to be friends with you, Rhea, even¡­ if it means I need to be friends with this social media dance freak.¡± ¡°Guilty! I¡¯m just another degenerate from the streets over here. Also, totally with her¡ªoh, but just between us,¡± she whispered with a smirk, ¡°can¡¯t Amira be a bit of a high-class, snooty Persian sometimes? It¡¯s not her fault¡ªthe poor girl must walk among the rabble.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± Amira huffed, but she was smiling. ¡°I can be a bit of a Persian, but you forgive me, right?¡± ¡°Always!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°You forgive me for being a showy Oricorio!¡± ¡°And me?¡± Rhea asked, happy to join the roast. ¡°A Muk downer¡ªa Skuntank?¡± Amira and Lori looked at each other before the redhead and Unovan girl answered, and both ended in laughter. ¡°I think Lori had it right the first time.¡± ¡°Alcremie to the end!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon¡ªI can be mean!¡± ¡°Girl, I don¡¯t know the definition then!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°If you want a roast¡ªthe best I got is a Sobble, but then you turn into Mukin¡¯ double-o-chill when the heat comes¡ªseriously¡ªyou are the coolest girl I know under gunfire.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t so sure about that, but she was happy to participate in the conversation; she could be a little Sobble¡ªthat was cool¡ªand Sobble was cute, too! Although maybe that wasn¡¯t the best thing. Yet, Persians were pretty, like Amira, and Oricorio were also enchanting, like Lori, so perhaps it worked out. Joking a few more minutes, she noticed it was getting beyond late at 1:42 a.m., and they had a battle with Sam¡¯s group¡ªdubbed the Wooloo Girls¡ªtomorrow. A contest that she hadn¡¯t told her teammates about; informing them, Lori and Amira were completely in favor of the contest. Having overcome all her fears, Rhea set her resolve and finally opened up to the real emotion festering within her chest. ¡°Lori, Amira¡­¡± Her teammates settled into bed as Nova swapped places with Alice and Amber turned off the lights, providing a little with her flames so everyone could get situated. ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I want to make Rainbow Rocket pay for everything they did to my family¡­ I want to get strong enough so I can when they break through again.¡± In the dim light, she saw Lori¡¯s expression tighten, fingers reaching around to rub her back. ¡°I¡­ Yeah, I¡¯m with you 100%... I need to get stronger, too.¡± Amira hummed, staring up at the ceiling from her back. ¡°Rainbow Rocket hurt my family¡¯s image and did a lot of terrible things that my grandpa is blamed for¡­ I hate them, too. I won¡¯t lie¡ªI¡¯m more pissed at Plasma, though, but I¡¯m with you. I have to show my mom I¡¯m strong enough to take care of myself¡­ or she¡¯ll never stop worrying about me.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t sure that was how it worked for mothers, but she resonated with the sentiment. ¡°So¡­ what if I said I wanted to get strong enough that we¡¯re Gold-tier by the next League¡ªbypassing Bronze and Silver?¡± ¡°Wow¡­ big jump, huh?¡± Mallory whispered, swapping to her side. ¡°That¡¯s a huge step from us losing Bronze Encrusted challenges to suddenly doing Gold-tier. I¡¯m all for dreaming big, but¡­ can we do that?¡± A long puff of air shot through Amira¡¯s nose. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ not as impossible as it seems; in fact, it¡¯s fairly on-point for most Champion or Legendary Trainer stories, and Rhea does have the added bonus of this Pressure Helping Hand and Victini core¡­ with her mother¡¯s insane Pokemon support¡ªNova, being an absolute beast.¡± The Eevee chirped from under Rhea¡¯s covers, already wrapped around her leg. ¡°Still, it¡¯s going to be rough, and it really depends on what we can learn from Ash.¡± Rhea smiled, stroking Nova¡¯s fur with her free foot as she recalled everything she¡¯d heard about¡ªas her aunt described him¡ªthe most tenacious and unpredictable Trainer in history. ¡°I have faith in everything I¡¯ve heard about the first Alola Champion.¡± ¡°Wait¡ªI thought no one was the Alola Champion,¡± Lori mumbled, scratching Roxy behind the ears; the Rockruff was making a bed out of the girl¡¯s soft stomach. Amira¡¯s head shifted left and right on her pillow as she positioned her hair for the night; Amber had taken to copying Nova, enjoying the comfort of snuggling against the redhead¡¯s legs. ¡°He turned down the governing position like Kanto¡¯s Legends, but, technically, he is the Alola Champion.¡± ¡°Huh. The more you know¡­ and you really think he has nothing better to do than travel with us?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°My dad suggested it and seems to think he will¡­ I don¡¯t know. All I can do is ask.¡± ¡°I guess so¡­ Crazy. Well, night! I¡¯m beat¡­¡± Rhea was tired but felt a tad guilty about taking up the full night; the world didn¡¯t revolve around her. ¡°What about your dates? Lori¡­¡± ¡°No way she¡¯s asleep,¡± Amira mumbled, lifting up on one elbow to look as Amber poked her head out to light the room, yet all they saw was the peaceful Unovan girl¡¯s chest rising and falling at an even pace. ¡°Unbelievable.¡± Giggling, Rhea pulled her phone off the wireless charger and sent her friends a text, delaying their meet time to noon; she needed the rest and informed Amira so she could change her alarm time. Amira promised there wasn¡¯t much to talk about; it was a pretty standard, enjoyable date, which had Rhea biting at the bit¡ªshe didn¡¯t know what standard even meant in real life¡ªher parents went on dates, but they were Grandmasters, and that wasn¡¯t standard. Unfortunately, she would have to wait, and Rhea gradually let the dream world draw her in; she¡¯d made it through another day. B2 — 34. Cute Travel Plans 12:02 p.m. July 6, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 27 Days (26 officially; 27 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea groaned as she heard Amira rustling in the bed beside her; the redhead was getting up to take a quick shower. Letting her mind slowly rouse, she laid still, feeling much better after a good night¡¯s rest. The events of yesterday already felt like a distant memory as Nova¡¯s back pressed against her foot; absently petting her Eevee while deep in thought, she reminisced. While she wasn¡¯t totally human¡ªand she guessed she had far more than just Mewtwo and other genetics mixed into her with the Victini Core¡ªshe still had family and friends that treated her as normal, loved her, even. Hand finding her breast under the blankets, she tracked each beat of her heart, puffing out a long stream of air; the little, cheery Mythic Pokemon her mother showed her videos returned to mind, and she smiled, looking for a positive look on the disturbing revelation of her birth. Welcome to the team, Victini¡­ Heh, I guess you¡¯ve always been here with me; thanks for looking out for me and keeping me healthy. Let¡¯s live our best life, huh? Opening her eyes to look up at the ceiling, she settled into her mattress, feeling her sleeping Mawile and Buneary stirring; they¡¯d all stayed up later than they¡¯d planned. A slight downward tilt came to her lips as she reached over to grab her phone, hearing Amira finishing up her time in the shower with Serenity; so much had happened since they arrived in Cerulean, and, going through everything ahead of them today, she knew Nova wouldn¡¯t get the time she deserved with her mother unless she did some shuffling. Tapping the side of her crystal phone as the holographic screen projected her contact list, Rhea swiped the names of those she needed to contact to a new, temporary holding window. Mallory¡¯s low moans in the bed next to Amira¡¯s pulled Rhea¡¯s smile and chuckle. She never understood how the Unovan girl could sleep through the night with all her tossing and turning; she currently had Miky and Gables sprawled across her stomach and chest with her lower half completely off the bed, sprawled out on the floor. Focus returning to her phone, she hummed, feeling Nova pawing up her leg to poke her head out with a cute chirp; her teammates hadn¡¯t woken up yet. I know, Rhea whispered, a grin creasing her eyes as she saw her Eevee¡¯s wagging tail under the blankets. You get to meet your mom today! Exciting! Her ears bobbed with her head, and she settled in beside her pillow to stare at her phone, asking what she was doing by tilting her head. Hmmm. Honestly, heh, I don¡¯t really know! I¡¯m trying to decide what to do before Amira comes out¡­ Oh, I know! Fingers skating across the screen, Nova followed her message as she mentally repeated it to her curious Eevee; the first message was to her friends. Hey, Sam! So, I know we were planning on a battle, but what if you guys come with us to the lodge outside of Cerulean? I saw Amira setting it up, and we can have fun traveling a short distance together; Cerulean is a bit of a hornet¡¯s nest and a bit rowdy right now, so I think it would be a good change of pace. Thoughts? She didn¡¯t have to wait long for her friend to respond. 12:09 p.m. - Sam: We¡¯re fine with that! All the noise in the city is a bit intimidating right now, anyway. Hannah¡¯s pumped to ask Amira more about her battle with Misty, and Tera wants to hang out with Mya. Is that cool? 12:09 p.m. - Rhea: Sounds great. Nova¡¯s going to be hanging out with Ambrosia today, so Alice will get dibs on sleeping with me tonight, which she should be good with. 12:10 p.m. - Sam: Ambrosia, as in Former Champion Elaine¡¯s Eevee, Ambrosia?! 12:10 p.m. - Rhea: Yup. She¡¯s Nova¡¯s mom, and she¡¯s psyched to get a chance to know her. They¡¯re going to hang out and do whatever they want. What are you guys up to? Rhea looked up as she heard Amira take off the shower attachment, likely to wash her Feebas and give her some special attention; glad she had a bit more time to set things up for the day, she messaged Elaine while waiting for Sam to get back to her. 12:10 p.m. - Rhea: Morning, Elaine! Haha. It¡¯s morning for me anyway. Are you good to take Nova out with you guys today? It doesn¡¯t matter where you go. Nova just wants some time to get to know her mom. Thanks again, Elaine! It means a lot that you¡¯d take time out of your day to do this for her. 12:11 p.m. - Elaine: Oh, I was just checking my socials! It¡¯s no problem. Ambrosia is hyped, too! Nova¡¯s her only daughter, so she wants to know her as well. For somewhere to hang out? Let¡¯s see. Leaf Jungle has some really good berry spots, and they could end it in Matcha City to visit one of Ambrosia¡¯s favorite ice cream shops. How¡¯s that sound? She giggled as Nova chirped, nuzzling her cheek with anticipation as Rhea read it to her, tail practically generating a gust by its weaving. Hehe. I know you like ice cream¡­ Leaf Jungle and Matcha City, though?! You¡¯ll be halfway across the region. Champion Trainers certainly do have a different definition of a casual day out. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll have a blast, she added, applying pressure against her Eevee¡¯s cheek. 12:12 p.m. - Rhea: Nova would love that! We should be ready in about an hour for you to pick her up. 12:12 p.m. - Elaine: Just shoot us a text. 12:12 p.m. - Rhea: Oh, what¡¯s the news on the ruins? Is everyone still busy with it, or has it all blown over? 12:13 p.m. - Elaine: We¡¯re taking it nice and slow. It was a bit frightening at first, but it turns out we have more time than we thought. Your aunt should be talking to Bianca today to bring her back in. Your parents are here, too! Rhea sighed, seeing Sam reply as she finished her conversation with the brown-haired Former Champion. 12:13 p.m. - Rhea: Yup. I spent time with them. Do you know if Ash is free? 12:13 p.m. - Elaine: Ash, huh? He was spending the morning with Misty, but other than that, I don¡¯t know. Need something from him? I can shoot him a text. 12:14 p.m. - Rhea: I have his number. Thanks. I just wanted to know if he had things planned for today. See you in an hour? 12:14 p.m. - Elaine: Awaiting your text! Lol. You should see how fast Ambrosia¡¯s tail is wagging. <3 She¡¯s so cute. Rhea laughed as Nova chirped, pointing at her own tail. I know! Your tail is wagging, too¡ªyup, you¡¯re totally cute! What do you think we tie a bow around it today? Nova¡¯s pink eyes sparkled, nodding vigorously while pawing her hair. Oh! You want a yellow bow? Another nod made her grin. Yellow it is! We¡¯ll have to tie it perfectly and brush out your fur to make it nice and shiny! The bathroom light hit the wall as Amira exited with a towel wrapped around her hair, Serenity floating beside her, scales looking freshly polished; a smile touched the redhead¡¯s lips as she saw Nova bouncing around on her bed. ¡°Someone¡¯s happy.¡± ¡°Hehe. You have no idea,¡± Rhea returned, getting up and stretching out. ¡°So, I was thinking we¡¯d postpone the battle with Sam¡¯s group to tomorrow morning. Is it cool if they join us on the way to the cottage you were looking at?¡± Amira drew in her bottom lip as she moved to her bedside table to sit and take her phone out of sleep. ¡°There might not be many rooms left, but¡­ if they share a room with two beds, it should be fine. I¡¯ll forward it to Hannah.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea chuckled, scratching behind her ear and watching Nova hop beside the bathroom door in anticipation of their shower. ¡°I didn¡¯t even think about that. Uh, I should really see if Ash is going to be joining us so you can make proper plans. Sorry.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine, Rhea,¡± she laughed, fingers dexterously skating across the holographic image as she multi-tasked between windows. ¡°I know you have a lot on your mind, and this isn¡¯t a huge deal. I already placed a reservation for Ash in another room, and I even charged it to your account since I knew you¡¯d want to make sure he had a place to stay,¡± she winked. ¡°Thanks,¡± Rhea breathed out a long sigh. ¡°It¡¯s really nice having a friend like you, Amira.¡± ¡°No joke,¡± Lori grumbled, throwing out her arms with a yawn. ¡°Man¡­ I slept great. Wait, is it really noon?!¡± Amira snickered, still focused on her phone as Serenity talked with Nova; the Eevee appeared to be complimenting her polished scales. ¡°Thank you, Lori, Rhea. It¡¯s nice to be appreciated. Also, heh, what did you expect, Lori? We went to bed around three¡ªhonestly, more like four.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ I didn¡¯t expect to be so rested,¡± she grinned, twisting her hips left and right to cause a few pops to sound. ¡°Rhea taking the shower?¡± Giving her Eevee an apologetic smile, Rhea shook her head, and Nova nodded with understanding. ¡°I have a few more things to do; you can go first.¡± ¡°Brave!¡± Lori mused, rising to lean left and right now. ¡°Hehe. I¡¯m joking. I¡¯ll leave you hot water for Nova; it¡¯s your big day, huh?!¡± ¡°Pweee!¡± Nove chimed, jumping in circles again. ¡°Aww¡ªyou¡¯re so adorable! I know, you should join Gabs, Miky, and me; we¡¯ll leave your Trainer to do all the hard work!¡± she winked. Rhea laughed and waved her hand to Nova¡¯s expectant look. ¡°I¡¯ll brush you out and get the bow ready for when you get out; Mya can shower with me so she can look clean when hanging out with her friends, too.¡± Nova¡¯s tail was in a frenzy as she followed the purple-haired girl into the shower with her sleepy Pokemon, giving absent greetings. Returning to her phone, she pulled up Sam¡¯s message. 12:13 p.m. - Sam: We¡¯re just hanging out in the Art District, but it¡¯s getting a bit too loud for us with how many people are passing through. People are dancing everywhere, but the People of the Water had a cool morning show. We¡¯re vibing. When should we meet up? 12:21 p.m. - Rhea: I¡¯m still figuring it out. I¡¯ll get back to you as soon as I can. I¡¯m just trying to work out a schedule. I kind of spaced how everything would come together last night, and we got to bed super late. Oh, I had a really fun time hanging out with everyone yesterday, too. Is Mimi okay after the battle with Mya? 12:22 p.m. - Sam: Totally fine! Mimi¡¯s a thunderbolt of energy today; you should see her dance with Jade and the other Pokemon. She¡¯s so precious. We¡¯re free for the day, enjoying the less crowded areas of the streets and art. Let us know what¡¯s up. This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. 12:22 p.m. - Rhea: Will do! Pulling around her ponytail, she fell to her mattress as Amira chuckled, still swiping through various windows as Serenity swapped with Amber to blow-dry her hair. ¡°Feeling overwhelmed?¡± ¡°Hehe. A little,¡± Rhea admitted. ¡°Umm. I want to try and challenge Vermilion Gym when we get a chance, even if it isn¡¯t the most efficient route.¡± Amira crossed her legs, fingers pausing as she sat her phone down and unwrapped her hair to allow her Fennekin to do what she took pride in. ¡°Hmm. Will you use Mya? Her excellent Typing and broad Move Pool would be your best option¡ªwell, unless Nova learns how to transform into a Poison or Steel Type.¡± A half-smile creased her eyes while staring at the ceiling; her little hard-headed Steel girl was waking up with all the positive energy radiating out of Nova between their connection. ¡°Alice, actually. In the plan you laid out¡ªit¡¯s all logical¡ªbut Alice doesn¡¯t get a chance to face a Gym, and I¡¯d like her to have a shot at it.¡± Rhea glanced up to see the redhead considering her desire, working through the change in plans. ¡°If¡­ you want to do that, we could go straight to Vermilion from Saffron¡­ possibly check out Lavender Town and go the Silence Bridge path¡ªRoute 12, huh¡ªrenting some bikes this time to not give Lori a heart attack? The Battle Dome is there¡­ specializing in Silver and Gold-tier challenges. I can get behind that. We can see what we¡¯re aiming for.¡± ¡°Bikes!¡± Rhea cheered, anticipating the sudden change in plans as she pulled out her map. ¡°So¡­ we pass through Blue Forest again on Route 5¡ªoh, right¡ªMeadowview Village with Cerulean¡¯s farmsteads will be nice, and we¡¯ll see the golden fields! I¡¯m totally for that.¡± Amira pulled up her map to look for various places for them to sleep, eat, and compile the expenses by the Sheets document she pulled up beside it. ¡°I¡¯ll work things out, but it might be tight if you lose an Encrusted Battle going forward.¡± Rhea released Mya, not feeling the stress she did the day previous, showing she¡¯d recovered. ¡°Sounds good. We need to do some training on the way, too. If we¡¯re going to get stronger, we need to face a lot of opponents.¡± Mya threw up her arms in a roar that turned into a light yawn, anticipating the battles. ¡°I look forward to it,¡± Amira hummed, releasing Holly, who floated over to grab her brush from the counter and return with it. ¡°Hehe. You should probably finish texting before Lori gets out, by the way.¡± ¡°Oh!¡± Activating her phone, she sent her text to Ash; everything rode on if he¡¯d be willing to waste his time traveling with a bunch of Bronze Trainers. 12:27 p.m. - Rhea: Hello, Ash. This is Rhea¡ªthe blonde girl you met in the ruins¡ªwell, I guess there were a lot of blondes there! Haha. I¡¯m the Bronze-tier Trainer. Cynthia¡¯s niece. I found out some really Rhea paused, mind going blank as she tried to conceptualize what she should say; she needed Ash¡¯s help¡ªshe was actually hurting people by just being around them¡ªthis wasn¡¯t a social call. Deleting her previous message, she rewrote it: 12:31 p.m. - Rhea: Hello, Ash. This is Rhea¡ªCynthia¡¯s niece¡ªI was in the ruins if you remember me. Last night, I found out I¡¯m not completely human, and my mom did a lot of experimental stuff to me as a baby. I need help learning how to control my Aura, and I¡¯m afraid I may hurt my friends. I know this is a long message, but my dad said you were the best person to talk to, and I don¡¯t want to pull you away from your own plans to help some random girl you don¡¯t really even know. I know it¡¯s selfish and inconvenient, but I have to ask if you¡¯ll train me in how to control this ability I have, Aura, or whatever this power is. We¡¯re traveling to Saffron before going to Lavender Town and then Vermilion. My dad said you have a friend there¡­ I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m writing that, but I¡¯m just trying to figure things out. I have a Victini Core inside me that strengthens the Pokemon genetic code my mom put inside me. I don¡¯t know if any of this even makes sense. Hah. Maybe I should have let my dad talk to you instead of trying to do it myself. I know you¡¯re with Misty, and I don¡¯t want to get between that or whatever you¡¯re doing. Sorry for causing you trouble. I understand if you can¡¯t do it. ¡°Haaa.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t even want to voice it to Amira as she sent it; she wasn¡¯t going to come up with anything else more real. She really didn¡¯t like bothering people with things, and if it weren¡¯t for the harm she could do to others, she wouldn¡¯t have even asked. ¡°You okay?¡± Amira asked, glancing up from her screen; Holly and Amber seemed to be taking the initiative in managing her hair without the redhead¡¯s help today. ¡°Not really¡­¡± she groaned, falling back to stare at her insanely long message. ¡°Umm, just so you know, my mom may be sending us our fourth egg soon.¡± ¡°Mmh. Mmh.¡± Amira¡¯s lips drew in. ¡°Right¡­ Well, I suppose we¡¯ll deal with that when it comes; pushing yourself seems to be necessary to grow faster. Eh-he-he. I look forward to seeing what she sends.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± she trailed off as Lori exited the shower, wearing her second bikini and presenting her smiling Eevee. ¡°Look at this adorable, clean fluffball!¡± ¡°Pweee!¡± ¡°Aww. You are adorable,¡± Rhea cooed, getting up to stroke the damp, ruffled fur of her Pokemon. ¡°Alright. Well, I suppose we will wait for a response and get ready! Want to get clean and shiny before hanging out with Tera and the others?¡± Her Mawile¡¯s second head bobbed up and down as she licked Nova, causing the Eevee to try to fend off the slippery tongue with protesting cries; everyone chuckled as Nova complained she¡¯d just gotten clean, obviously not wanting morning breath slobber on her. Taking her change of swimwear to the bathroom, she shined Mya¡¯s steely body, greeting Alice when she woke up and explaining their current plans. Rhea took her time freshening up, exiting at 12:58 p.m. Not wanting to check her phone just yet, she lost herself in fixing up Nova and Mya; she borrowed a yellow ribbon from Amira to tie a cute little bow around the tip of her Eevee¡¯s wagging tail¡ªthe movement making it a bit tough. Mya was far easier as the excited Mawile sat between her legs on the bed, letting her perfect a red bow around the base of her second head. Both of her little girls were all preened and presentable to have a lovely day. As she fussed with her two Pokemon, Amber and Holly worked on her own damp locks; they added specific products Amira instructed them on, dried them off, and carefully brushed them out before tying them with her aunt¡¯s trademark hair accessories. She congratulated them on their work when finished, and at 1:18 p.m., she tentatively collected her phone to check her messages. 12:54 p.m. - Ash Ketchum: Hello, Rhea! I remember you. Haha. Your aunt gave me an earful after you left. Sorry for any trouble I caused; I can get a little excited about things and just rush in. I called your parents to get the details to see if I can help with your situation. I¡¯m happy to report that I¡¯m relatively free! Misty can only handle me for so long. Haha! We had a great time, and now Pikachu and I are looking for another adventure! Going on to Vermilion sounds great, and it¡¯ll be nice catching up with so many people on the way! Rhea couldn¡¯t believe what she was reading; it sounded like he was going to join them. A Legendary-tier Trainer who could be anywhere else around the world, seeking adventure, yet he was content in traveling slowly with Bronze-tier girls? 12:56 p.m. - Ash Ketchum: Ah. So, I just called a few friends, and it looks like Chloe will be free to hang out when we get to Vermilion, too. Sounds like she has a surprise for us! Pikachu and I can¡¯t wait to hit the road again. When should we meet up with you? Got a spot planned? A bit in a daze that he was being so proactive, Lori and Amira caught her expression and moved over to read the open messages. ¡°Wait, no way!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°Ash is actually going to teach you how to control your powers? Sweet!¡± Amira scratched her neck, her brow furrowing as she read through it again. ¡°He hasn¡¯t mentioned anything about training.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Rhea puffed out a long breath while responding back. 1:22 p.m. - Rhea: How can I control my Helping Hand Pressure ability? Can you help me not hurt those around me? 1:24 p.m. - Ash Ketchum: If I understood your parents, it¡¯s just a matter of understanding your Aura, which should be easy enough; it¡¯s something you feel through battle, so Pikachu and I will help ya! Your mom also wants me to explain Buddy Bonding instead of pokeball link for another Pokemon she¡¯s preparing, which is always cool. Buddy Power! Mallory doubled over with laughter. ¡°He makes it sound so easy! Haha. I guess he¡¯s Alola¡¯s Legend for a reason; I heard his Pikachu beat their electric Legendary! That¡¯s unbelievable!¡± ¡°It¡¯s a rumor,¡± Amira mumbled, scanning through articles on Ash. ¡°Honestly, he¡¯d probably lead the most interesting life in the world if even half of what is written about him is right¡ªI¡¯m not seeing much on this Buddy Bond¡ªother than Ranger stuff and Plasma propaganda.¡± Rhea rubbed her forehead. ¡°So¡­ what should I tell him¡ªshould we meet tomorrow morning at the cottage¡ªgive him time to prepare?¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°I can see him being ready any time, considering he¡¯s Legendary-tier.¡± ¡°I guess so¡­ I¡¯d like to learn how to control my pressure as fast as possible so I don¡¯t hurt people.¡± Amira rubbed her back. ¡°Don¡¯t rush it, Rhea; we¡¯ve got time.¡± ¡°We don¡¯t know that, but I¡¯m with her,¡± Lori mused. ¡°I¡¯m trying to be supportive¡­¡± Rhea chuckled, shifting to hug the grumbling redhead. ¡°Hehe. It¡¯s not like you to not be a realist and lie like that¡­ Thanks for trying to cheer me up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not completely wrong. I¡¯m doing a lot better after spending most of the day away from you¡ªheh, not that I¡¯m saying I dislike your company.¡± ¡°Obviously not!¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Okay. Huu-haaa. Let¡¯s just send it.¡± ¡°Always send it!¡± Lori cheered. 1:26 p.m. - Rhea: We¡¯re going to walk to a cottage with our friends and hang out today, and Nova is going to spend the day with her mom as we travel. Oh, her mom¡¯s Ambrosia, Elaine¡¯s Eevee. If you want to join us, that¡¯s cool. You can drop in anytime in like an hour. Thank you so much, Ash! 1:28 p.m. - Ash Ketchum: Sounds good! Gives me time to say goodbye to Misty. See you soon! Breathing out a long sigh, Rhea messaged her Wooloo friends and got up to throw on her Trainer dress. ¡°Alright! Ready to meet your mom, Nova?!¡± She chirped and waved her tail, presenting her bow with pride. Amira and Lori laughed while putting away all their items. Rhea followed their example with her Pokemon helping; it was time to hit the road again. Checking out of their hotel at 2 p.m., Rhea set her GPS to the coordinates to meet her friends and texted Elaine; Nova jumped up, climbing up on Rhea¡¯s shoulder soon after to mirror how she¡¯d seen her mother traveled with her Trainer. It wasn¡¯t long before the brown-haired Former Champion teleported to their location, Ambrosia on her shoulder¡ªas Rhea knew she would be¡ªthey instantly drew eyes as the large Venomoth hovered over the cute teenage girl¡ªshe looked no older than Rhea¡ªbut she had to be in her thirties. ¡°Hello, girls!¡± she grinned, Ambrosia lifting her paw, waving at Nova from her own signature perch. Rhea giggled as her Eevee¡¯s tail beat against her braid. ¡°Pwee!¡± ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°Pwee-pwe-wi?¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe. Pwee.¡± ¡°So cute!¡± Lori cooed. Nova was practically vibrating on her shoulder, making Rhea draw her into her arms. ¡°Hehe. She¡¯s so excited.¡± ¡°So is Ambrosia. Torry will take them on their adventure and remain nearby whenever they want to head home.¡± Amira held her hand behind her back while glancing at the various gawkers. ¡°Were¡­ you planning on joining us?¡± ¡°Oh, no!¡± she chuckled and waved her hands. ¡°No, I made plans with Chase¡ªAmbrosia¡­ it¡¯s not a date,¡± she groaned as her snickering Eevee used her tail to push her hat up. ¡°We¡¯re just catching up¡ªI¡¯m going to challenge him for the title again¡ªhow¡¯s that romantic?! Oh, shush!¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t stop her laughter at the glaring woman and her smug Pokemon; Torry appeared to agree with her teammate. Amira smiled. ¡°I see. I suppose your day will be filled then, and are you going to challenge him without two of your main team?¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened at the connection; it would be a little weird for her to challenge Chase for the title without her full team. ¡°Yeah, is it going to be a four-on-four?¡± Elaine¡¯s cheeks darkened, and she couldn¡¯t hide her strained grin. ¡°Eh-yeah¡ªyeah, a four-on-four¡­ We swap it up every once in a while.¡± ¡°Mhmm¡­¡± Lori hummed. ¡°Have a good Challenge; I hope you both don¡¯t beat each other too senseless. Someone has to run the region, right? Don¡¯t need the only two Champions Kanto has unconscious.¡± ¡°Haha¡­ Why would we beat each other¡ªAmbrosia!¡± she huffed as the Eevee slid her tail across her face and jumped onto her teammate¡¯s back, giving her a knowing look. ¡°Oh, go have your fun mother-daughter date already!¡± ¡°Peww-pew-pew¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got plenty of hydration! Get outta here!¡± The Eevee mirrored Lori before motioning for Nova to jump onto Torry¡¯s back with her, and with waving tails, they vanished in colorful lights. ¡°Geez,¡± Elaine grumbled, crossing her arms under her bust and releasing a long sigh. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we got together¡­¡± Rhea jumped in. ¡°Heh, no need to explain anything to us! I hope you have a good time with Chase.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Elaine grinned, face shiny red as she held up a hand and ran off. ¡°Thanks for giving Ambrosia a chance to get to know her daughter!¡± Once out of earshot, Lori hummed. ¡°I bet she will have a great time with Chase.¡± ¡°Lori, c¡¯mon,¡± Rhea sighed, continuing on their path to meet up with her friends outside the city. ¡°We don¡¯t need to get into their business.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± the Unovan girl nudged her side. ¡°Aren¡¯t you the one addicted to the Gossip App? This has scandal written all over it!¡± ¡°It¡¯s not much of a scandal,¡± Amira returned, wearing a small smile. ¡°There¡¯s always been chemistry between them. Rivals and lovers.¡± Lori rubbed the back of her neck. ¡°Heh. Something my sister would write about.¡± ¡°I think it¡¯s romantic,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°She¡¯s a sweetheart, and Chase seems to make her happy¡­ most of the time.¡± ¡°Oohh! Spill the gossip,¡± Lori cheered. Rhea held her hand against her breast, sensing Nova transport an incredible distance away; it was the first time she¡¯d experienced such a distant bond. For a second, it scared her, being unable to sense all the emotions flashing through her Eevee, but she knew her darling was having the time of her life. ¡°Chase and Elaine are just strong-willed, which causes them to butt heads sometimes, but I¡¯ve always rooted for them. Oh¡­ that was sooner than I thought¡­¡± They slowed to a stop just as they turned a corner to see Misty and Ash walking down the street. There was no way the two powerful Trainers didn¡¯t know they were on a collision course by tracking their Aura; this was an ambush. Then again, viewed from another angle, the end of a date, but the Gym Leader and Legend had always been a mystery to the community¡ªRhea wondered if Ash was the father of her child or not¡ªMisty never let her personal life get tangled into the media, no matter how hard they tried to enter it. Misty chuckled at something Ash said before turning her attention to them. ¡°Afternoon, girls. I expect Ash will be safe in your hands¡­ he¡¯s a bit of a hopeless loser that gets mixed up in¡­ everything.¡± ¡°Pika!¡± the yellow rat snickered from her shoulder as he jumped to Ash¡¯s. ¡°Not fair, Mist,¡± Ash complained. ¡°I just love adventure!¡± ¡°And it loves you,¡± she sighed, releasing her Starmie. ¡°He can be a handle, so keep an eye on him.¡± Lori gave her a salute. ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am!¡± ¡°Hehe. Later, Ash.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t stress the things you can¡¯t control¡­ and she¡¯s gone,¡± he sighed, shaking his head as she winked and vanished in colorful lights. ¡°So¡­ What¡¯s up?!¡± ¡°Pika?¡± B2 — 35. Buddy Bond 2:12 p.m. July 6, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 27 Days (26 officially; 27 since getting Maya and Nova). Recovering at Ash¡¯s sudden arrival, Rhea smiled as Mya held up a hand in greeting Pikachu as Amira and Lori¡¯s Pokemon did the same. ¡°We¡¯re just going to meet my friends. So, umm, what should I do to control my abilities?¡± Ash chuckled, making a dismissive gesture with a pearly smile. ¡°No need to rush things; I¡¯m not sensing that it¡¯s that dangerous at the moment. Let¡¯s have some fun and get to know each other before getting into any of that. Yo, Amira and Mallory, right?¡± ¡°Pika-Pi?¡± Roxy, Gables, Mya, Serenity, and Amber jumped over to meet the yellow Pokemon as their Trainers responded. A grin spread across Lori¡¯s face, holding out a hand to shake Ash¡¯s. ¡°You can call me Lori. First question, can you dance?¡± ¡°Oh, totally!¡± Ash laughed. ¡°I may not be good, but, hehe, I¡¯m not above making a fool of myself.¡± Amira cleared her voice and moved to mirror her teammate, taking Ash¡¯s extended hand. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure. Which way was it to Hannah and the others, Rhea?¡± Realizing she was trying to get them back on track to get away from those that had stopped to stare or take pictures from afar, Rhea motioned for them to follow, feeling better after Ash¡¯s comment regarding her Aura. ¡°This way¡­ Uh, is there anywhere you want to go before we head out?¡± ¡°Nope! I¡¯m just happy to hit the road; it¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve traveled around Kanto like this,¡± he whispered, fondly staring around the streets of Cerulean. ¡°It changes so much every year¡­ You know Pallet was a tiny thing when I was a kid. Rocket¡¯s really changed over the years and contributed a lot¡ªit¡¯s nice.¡± Amira smiled at his compliment. They made their way through the streets, Ash telling them a story about his first time on a boat, which just so happened to be the famous St. Anne; Amira was shocked he¡¯d been on the historic wreck and hurricane that traveled inland, forcing Lance to break it up before doing too much damage. Rescue hadn¡¯t been available due to the surprise storm, nor were the Rangers aware of where it sunk, and she was even more stunned by the sudden mention of three names¡ªJessie, James, and Meowth. ¡°You know Jessie, James, and Meowth?¡± Amira asked with interest. ¡°I used to love to play with Wobbuffet and Meowth as a kid; Jessie used to babysit me.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Ash snickered. ¡°Yeah, you could say I have a¡­ spotted history with the Rocket Trio.¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± the yellow rat sighed, shaking his head. ¡°Who?¡± Rhea asked, enjoying the casual pace and conversation. ¡°Just some goofballs,¡± Amira responded, wearing a fond smile. ¡°They used to come by and dress up for my birthday; they work for my grandpa, but my mom likes them.¡± ¡°Pika-pi-pika!¡± ¡°Haha! Goofballs is right,¡± Ash mused. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯ve got good hearts¡­¡± ¡°Pika¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, and bodies of steel! Anyway, yeah, it was a crazy time.¡± Rhea listened intently to the story of him going through his own Bronze-tier journey; Gyms weren¡¯t the same when he was a kid, but they did follow the basic principle of matching Pokemon strength¡ªit more relied on the Gym Leader¡¯s experience than a device, though. She thought their start was rocky, but Ash¡¯s adventure never seemed to stop, silencing them in awe as they listened to him recount his journey from taking his 3rd Badge¡ªthe Thunder Badge¡ªfrom the legendary war hero himself; Gyms were far more brutal back in those days, and Pokemon could end up in a terrible state, which Lt. Surge was feared for. Pikachu recounted his own epic battle against Mino¡ªSurge¡¯s Raichu¡ªto the other Pokemon to their enthrallment in learning how to channel electricity using his tail. Ash¡¯s next adventure was enjoying a trip on the St. Anne¡ªa luxury cruise¡ªcourtesy of the Rocket Trio, taking them around Vermillion Bay to Maiden¡¯s Peak and its festival; they¡¯d planned on using Route 10 to pass through Gringey City to reach Saffron, but fate had other plans. A little under an hour passed on their journey outside of the city, with them asking about details as they traveled through the streets, and Rhea lost track of time; there was so much depth and vibrance to Ash¡¯s life. Amira questioned his connection to the Rocket Trio; it didn¡¯t surprise the redhead as much as Rhea thought when she learned they¡¯d obsessively stalked Ash to steal Pikachu¡ªshe could see it. What did cause them to hold their breath was when Ash revealed all of them had been trapped in the sunken ship, knocked out by the turbulent storm outside, and how they had to work together to make it out. Their makeshift raft was then swept away by a group of Gyarados¡ªcourtesy of James¡¯s temper¡ªand they¡¯d landed on an island of giant, mechanical Pokemon that Amira recognized as an old Rocket amusement park long since abandoned. Between a mutated Apex Tentacruel¡ªagain, trouble caused by the Rocket Trio¡ªleading an army of Tentacool to finally making it to Maiden¡¯s Peak, they had quite an adventure before having a tearful goodbye with his buddy Butterfree, who found love in a beautiful pink mate. Ironically, they had an experience with ghosts before even making it to Lavender Town, having a brush with death at the hands of a Ghastly¡ªBrock almost had his soul stolen¡ªand there was a legend about a woman waiting for her lost love to return. He hoped they could stop off there again on their journey since it was nearing that time again. Pikachu wasn¡¯t the biggest fan of dealing with spirits, but he agreed it would be nice to finally get an answer if the legend was true or if they could put a rest to the old story as just an unusually powerful Ghastly. On the other hand, Lori wasn¡¯t so hyped to deal with Ghost Pokemon; it was one thing when they were her sister¡¯s, but she knew the dangers revolving around the spiritual Pokemon. Rhea was interested in the reportedly 2,000-year-old story¡ªgive a few years¡ªAsh recounted, involving the woman¡¯s lover who was sent off to war, never to be heard from again. Amira focused more on the timeline, connecting it to the Hoenn and Lental meteor showers and how legend had it, a few Apex Pokemon pooled their power in the latter¡¯s region to create a shield around the whole region, protecting them. She wondered if there was a connection to the war mentioned in the story. Ash didn¡¯t have the answers but was happy to see if they could get answers from a spirit, making Lori shiver; she was used to the Pokemon Type, not human ghosts. Their conversation came to an end before he could finish his story, as they met up with Jay, Hannah, Sam, and Jade. Rhea had to giggle as they took one look at Ash and Pikachu, walking with them, and nodded, just accepting it. Leaving the checkpoint, Rhea kept herself a little distant with everyone talking; Ash was pulled between conversations, discussing various places and people her friends asked him about. She kept her focus on Mya and tracked her connection to Nova, far to the south. Her Mawile seemed to be having the time of her life with Tera and the others, playing a game of kicking a tennis ball Ash produced from his backpack; the electric rat had a lot of skill with the item, and they took turns passing it to each other, seeing how long they could keep it in the air. Mimi, Jade¡¯s Pichu, was enamored by Ash¡¯s lightning bolt and squealed when he began using their abilities to keep the ball in the air, focusing on control and accuracy. Rhea counted each bounce with a smile; naturally, Alice was vibrating in her pokeball, wanting to join the new game; she assured her Buneary that she¡¯d get her chance with Pikachu on their journey. Hands held behind her back, Rhea waved at travelers going the opposite way and saw several battles happening along their journey through the evening. Pulling up her Trainer App, she frowned while looking at their request for a battle screen, being totally empty, despite the many possible contenders in the area. I guess all our recent battles have scared a lot of Bronze-tier Trainers off. I was hoping we¡¯d have at least a few, and I don¡¯t want to pick on anyone¡­ Scrolling through the Trainers, she was surprised to see Sam¡¯s group had won a shocking amount of battles in their first month¡ªover twenty each¡ªand they had an excellent win rate. Her friends had also obtained their Bronze Boulder Badge. Going to their social media feeds, she watched the matches, and Jade noticed, scooting over to comment on her match using Orin, her Pidgey. Throughout the hours, Ash swapped between conversations and parties, making Rhea laugh every time he tried to redirect the teens to talk about their own journey before the girls flipped it back to him. The sun drew lower and lower in the sky, but it was hardly noticeable with the enthralling tales he had; every city and trail had a personal history for Ash. It was hard not to when he seemed to have an endless number of adventures to pull from and people he knew. Just to relieve some pressure from him, Rhea brought the discussion to Apple City and the alien Clefairy, which sparked a whole new discussion revolving around his many brushes with Extraterrestrial Pokemon. The topic of their current path¡ªRoute 5¡ªpulled them into another tale when they¡¯d tried to pass an old rope bridge that snapped¡ªsomething Ash chuckled happened way too often to him¡ªand carried Former Gym Leader Brock into the river below. He pointed to Blue Forest, far ahead of them in the distance and beyond the small rest stop they¡¯d be stopping at as the sun descended; he explained there was a place called the Hidden Village beyond the woodlands, and if they continued on Route 5, they¡¯d reach it in the next few days. Amira was quick to show she knew her history, telling them that the Hidden Village had been renamed Meadowview Village due to the expansion and farmsteads, which had become a huge support for Cerulean¡¯s economy. The farming village was at the fridge of Cerulean City State¡¯s borders, further helping to develop the roads between the various City States that used their produce. Hannah seemed interested in the extra information, but everyone else was waiting for him to finish his story. Ash knew Melanie, the mayor of the area, who ran the non-profit ¡®No Pokemon Left Behind¡¯ initiative, which helped abandoned Pokemon readjust to the wild and function without the Trainer bond again. Rhea latched onto the story, observing all the forest and water Pokemon on their path through the northern field zone before the forest; according to Ash, many were Pokemon that had been released, and they substituted their Trainer bond with a new family support system, helping the many crops of the area thrive. Eventually, the Pokemon would say their goodbyes to Melanie and the other volunteers, returning to the mountains near Cerulean. Rhea had no idea there was such a wholesome effort that took place in the area. Another fascinating development came from Ash revealing Blue Forest was where he¡¯d rescued his legendary Charizard; the area had been notorious for abandoned Pokemon in the past before the awareness regarding the bond addiction was so widespread, and the Charmander had been abandoned by someone named Cross. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Ash paused after mentioning the name, drawing Rhea¡¯s curiosity as he smiled, saying they reconnected later and worked things out; he¡¯d gone through his own rough times and, at one point, almost abandoned Pikachu after losing to Cross. Pikachu ran up his Trainer¡¯s back to pat the back of his head, and Ash pulled around his backpack to draw out a radiant, large rainbow feather that made their eyes grow big; Rhea had flashbacks of Viridian Forest when the Legendary Pokemon shone his dazzling light across all of Viridian City State. He passed it between them, explaining how it showed the heart of those that touched it; it lost its sparkle when those of malicious Aura held it. Rhea cheered inside when it retained its luster between her fingers, and all her friends had similar reactions before returning it to his bag. Amira cleared her throat, drawing their attention as they came to the town. ¡°My mom told me stories that Ho-Oh only gives those feathers to a select chosen¡­ She has one, too.¡± Ash glanced back at their shadows in the fading light with a small smile. ¡°Chosen for what?¡± Rhea giggled as Amira¡¯s face blanked; Ash had been testing her knowledge on their trip, challenging her to exercise her brain, which the redhead enjoyed, but it seemed he¡¯d finally stumped her. ¡°What were you chosen for?¡± Jay eagerly asked. She¡¯d been fangirling the entire journey; being an Alolan girl, seeing as he was one of the few to have beat Royal Mask and was technically the Alolan Champion. ¡°A journey,¡± Ash laughed. ¡°Everything great comes from the journey, not the destination. It always ends too quickly,¡± he whispered, stopping outside the small, walled community with their cottage-like inns and small houses. He turned around and motioned to Rhea, ¡°Mind if we walk and talk real fast while everyone else heads to the Center?¡± They all blinked. ¡°Center?¡± Rhea asked, looking toward the trademark red-roofed building down the center of the road. ¡°Our Pokemon didn¡¯t really battle today.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± Sam questioned. ¡°They played a lot, but why would they need to go to the Center?¡± Ash winked and held up a finger. ¡°Rule one of any journey¡ªif you get a chance, always use the Center¡ªoh, and, as my mom says, make sure you have clean undies! Haha!¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± his Pokemon facepalmed and shook his head, causing them all to chuckle. ¡°Seriously, though,¡± he continued. ¡°You never know when you¡¯ll need to be 100%, and Pokemon always sleep better with a good recharge.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea asked, following Pikachu¡¯s happy nods as their Pokemon questioned the electric rat on how it helped. ¡°Playing and energy use may require more time to restore than their energy matrix, but there are hidden elements and stress that can be relieved through the Center¡¯s restorative technology,¡± Ash counseled. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sold,¡± Lori grinned, moving to slip Rhea¡¯s backpack off. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take it to the inn. Talk to you in a bit! Oh, Amira, do they have a hot spring here?¡± the Unovan girl asked, jogging after their party, waving Ash, Pikachu, Mya, and her off. ¡°Have you seen how small this place is?¡± ¡°True¡­¡± Taking a deep breath, Rhea let it out and followed Ash on a slow walk through the fields; hands in his pockets, the man wore a soft smile as Mya walked beside her. ¡°So¡­ how is my Aura?¡± she tentatively asked. ¡°Hmm.¡± He looked her over. ¡°Well, you certainly have a huge inner amount of untapped Aura, and from what I¡¯ve sensed throughout the day is that your Aura spikes every so often. Can you guess when?¡± Her blonde braid swung with her head¡¯s motion. ¡°It¡¯s dangerous?¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ That¡¯s a complicated answer,¡± he whispered, his vision shifting to the sky with his partner. ¡°You know, you aren¡¯t just affecting your friends with that Pressure Helping Hands combo, and, heh, your Mom told me about your other Abilities, too.¡± ¡°Other¡­ Abilities? No¡­¡± she groaned, not wanting anything else added to her plate. ¡°How stacked did my mom make me?¡± Ash was silent for a minute, drawing Rhea¡¯s gaze; he didn¡¯t appear concerned by the revelation, and there was a calming spirit about his unconcerned attitude. ¡°Is it¡­ not that bad?¡± she tentatively asked. He shrugged as Pikachu jumped down to talk one-on-one with Mya, Alice still seething for a turn. ¡°What do you think Aura is, Rhea? Your aunt is one of the leading practitioners of the art. Have you ever had anything beyond the general application of it?¡± Rhea slowed to a stop, realizing throughout her entire school life, she¡¯d heard what Aura can do but not so much on its base understanding. ¡°I know Lucario are super in sync with their Aura, and it¡¯s like¡­ the essence of all living things, but other than that¡­¡± Pikachu ran ahead and closed his eyes, holding his hands together in a zen-like state as Mya and Alice watched intently; a light blue glow surrounded him as he closed his eyes before motioning for Mya to try to attack him. She¡¯d seen similar exercises done with her aunt¡¯s Lucario, yet never with any other Pokemon; Mya jumped forward, eager to test out the strange power. Pikachu easily dodged her Mawile¡¯s attacks with his eyes closed, dancing around her attacks. ¡°Aura¡¯s not only an offensive tool or even a defensive,¡± Ash whispered, holding up his hand to create a small bead of blue energy. ¡°No way¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, closing in to study the glowing sphere. ¡°My parents said you were an Aura Guardian and that you could use it like Lucario can¡­ Can I do that?¡± Ash chuckled and pushed his hand toward a patch of malnourished wheat; it sank into the soil, producing a radiant shimmer that spread, invigorating the plants and making them grow. ¡°Aura is life¡­ but life is the base shape of all matter.¡± He motioned to Pikachu as the electric rat slid in range of Mya¡¯s lunges, tail striking her chest. A shock ran through Rhea¡¯s connection to her Mawile, making her jump with Alice; they¡¯d all felt it, and Mya froze, falling onto her face as the Aura around Pikachu faded. ¡°What was that?¡± She touched her breast; the tingling feeling of a dead leg branched out from her core to the rest of her being, and the chilling part was Alice and Mya felt it, as well. ¡°You¡­ attacked our spirits¡ªall of us?¡± Ash crossed his arms as Pikachu explained to a recovering Mya. ¡°A pokeball connects you to your Pokemon¡ªespecially a Master Ball¡ªand so, your Helping Hand ability is also spread through them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ insane,¡± she mumbled, shivering at the tingles passing through her nervous system; she paused as a flash of light condensed into a Venomothwith Nova and Ambrosia on his back. ¡°Pwee!¡± Nova cried, jumping to her. ¡°Pwe-pwee?!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Rhea reassured, realizing her concerned Eevee, nuzzling her cheek, had felt the shock all the way across the region. ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Pika-pi.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwee?¡± ¡°Pi-pika-pi,¡± the electric rat reassured, helping Mya up as she rubbed her chest with a low groan. ¡°Mhm. I¡¯m totally fine.¡± Ambrosia and Torry hovered over to speak to Pikachu as they began moving again, Ash taking her to the plants he¡¯d restored. ¡°Aura can be used for just about anything you can dream of if you master it, but you know you¡¯re not alone with Pokemon Abilities?¡± ¡°You?¡± ¡°Hehe. Your father, the League, Champions¡­ Anyone who¡¯s become a Grandmaster unlocks a particular trait that resembles a Pokemon Ability, and, just like Pokemon Evolution, each tier you break through, you gain another unique feat¡­ Aura is unique, though.¡± Rhea recalled what she¡¯d learned from school and her father¡¯s explanation; Sabrina¡¯s words to the world were fairly popular, and she was often quoted. ¡°Anyone can become a Psychic. Not everyone can utilize Aura¡­ but why is that if everything has it?¡± Ash nodded, kneeling to study the wheat. ¡°Mhm. It¡¯s a good question. Psychic power deals with a strength of willpower, while Aura is something far more¡­ fundamental. Think of willpower as a subset of Aura; so, anyone can tap into that element, but diving deeper seems to require a key to unlock that door, which is transferred through Aura.¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°A parent¡¯s Aura to the child?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the theory, but¡­ I don¡¯t buy it,¡± he smiled, rising to his feet to turn to her. ¡°Pikachu and Greninja can use Aura without access to the Move. My theory is that the true purpose of Aura is to bind people and Pokemon together¡ªeveryone¡ªon a level even more fundamental than a Master Ball.¡± He closed his eyes and motioned to Ambrosia and Torry, who chirped and launched toward him, and Rhea¡¯s gut tightened in fear as they illuminated white, attempting to Tackle him; the Low Champion-tier Pokemon were a blur, yet Ash predicted every zig-zag combination attack they did, eyes illuminated a light blue. ¡°It¡¯s not only their minds or actions you¡¯re reading like a Psychic¡­ you¡¯re reading their soul¡­ their very instinctual action that transfers to the rest of their mind and body. Hehe. You wouldn¡¯t believe it, but there¡¯s actually a delay. ¡°Thanks, Ambrosia, Torry,¡± he said, raising his hands to tell them he was done as he spun around another speedy assault. ¡°Faw-faw!¡± ¡°Pwee!¡± ¡°That¡¯s incredible,¡± she whispered; not once in her life had she seen someone dodge Pokemon like that, much less Champion-tier, even if it was only Tackles. Nova waved at her mom, practically bubbling over with excitement to tell Rhea about her day, but restrained herself to allow Alice to join Mya; her Buneary didn¡¯t even wait a second before launching at the yellow Pokemon. Pikachu entertained the hyper-active bunny, doing cartwheels and backflips, using his tail, arms, legs, and even his ears to get around Alice¡¯s six-limbed attacks. Ash watched them, the orange sky fading lower. ¡°My point is¡­ Rhea, Aura isn¡¯t just some trick you learn overnight; it¡¯s something personal that you experience through a shared bond, understanding the truth about reality through resonating with those you care about the most.¡± He reached down for Pikachu to flip onto his arm, escaping Alice before rubbing the grinning Electric Pokemon¡¯s head. ¡°Pikachu has never been fond of pokeballs, and I owe my life¡­ everything to my best bud in the world.¡± ¡°Chu!¡± he reciprocated, using his tail to expertly flip Ash¡¯s trademark hat into the air and land on his head. ¡°Chu-chu. Pikachu. Chuu.¡± Rhea¡¯s vision fell to her two Pokemon, glaring at each other. ¡°You¡¯re saying my ability to control my Aura comes from getting closer to my Pokemon?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not as simple as just being friends,¡± Ash chuckled, drawing them back toward the village as Elaine¡¯s Pokemon returned to their Trainer. ¡°Resonating Auras is what builds your understanding of the principle, which¡­ sadly, pokeballs inhibit¡ªin my opinion.¡± ¡°Wait¡­ but I need my Master Balls,¡± Rhea returned, looking at Nova¡¯s capsule. ¡°If I don¡¯t have them, Mya, Alice, and Nova will die¡ªthey need my energy¡ªand normal pokeballs aren¡¯t enough.¡± ¡°Uh-huh, which, haaa¡­ is something your mother told me,¡± Ash mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°Fortunately, we came up with a solution, but it will be rough on you girls¡­ So, Pikachu and I are going to have to work you girls into it!¡± ¡°Which is?¡± Rhea asked, fiddling with Nova¡¯s pokeball. He motioned to the ball in her hands. ¡°Five minutes before bedtime, release all your Pokemon, and play the game Pikachu¡¯s been teaching them.¡± ¡°Us, too?¡± Rhea questioned, eyebrows furrowing. ¡°Yup!¡± Ash laughed, bouncing the tennis ball with Pikachu. ¡°Feet, hands, head, elbows¡­ whatever! It¡¯s great fun when you get in sync, knowing exactly what your partner¡¯s going to do, and if one fails, you both fail. It¡¯s a total team effort.¡± Spotting the inn that Amira booked, she saw her friends hanging outside of the Center, not that far away. ¡°I¡­ want to grow stronger, and I tried that already, but how does that help me get closer to my Pokemon¡ªwill it allow me to go without their Master Balls?¡± ¡°No. No. No,¡± Ash shook his head. ¡°Pika-pika.¡± ¡°This is only stage one. Master Balls aren¡¯t inherently bad,¡± he added, throwing Rhea for a loop after his earlier statement. ¡°All my Pokemon besides Pikachu use a pokeball, but my bond to them isn¡¯t subject to that¡­ You know, I can have more than six Pokemon out at a time?¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Rhea stopped dead in her tracks; it was such a fundamental reality¡ªsomething pounded into them since children¡ªthat it sounded like a total lie. ¡°How?! Not even my aunt can do that?¡± ¡°Mmh. Not necessarily true,¡± he chuckled, jabbing his thumb at Pikachu on his shoulders. ¡°You can only have six pokeball bonded Pokemon out, but Pikachu and Greninja aren¡¯t bound by that¡­ We¡¯re Buddy Bonded¡ªtechnically, it¡¯s called Aura Bonded, but my name¡¯s cooler¡ªand that is what your mother wants me to prepare you for with your new Pokemon she¡¯s going to introduce to you soon.¡± He halted on the side of the road beside her. ¡°I wanted to talk to you about this one-on-one to let you know what I thought would be the best way forward and that this is a process; it¡¯s not going to happen in just a few days. ¡°Buddy Bonding isn¡¯t like a pokeball, where you spiritually link¡­ It¡¯s deeper and draws out abilities no other type of item or energy can reproduce.¡± Ash tightened his hat around Pikachu¡¯s head with a fond grin. ¡°It¡¯s the type of bond that can even anchor your friend¡¯s spirit to bring them back to life. What do you think?¡± Laughter bubbled up within Rhea¡¯s chest. ¡°Are you kidding me? It sounds amazing! Why don¡¯t you do it with every one of your Pokemon?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t need to,¡± Ash shrugged. ¡°Pokeballs are only an initial inhibitor; they still have a great purpose, but they do make it nearly impossible to find that first initial bond that allows you to tap into not only your Aura but your buddy¡¯s. Once you get that first taste, it¡¯s like riding a bike!¡± ¡°Cool¡­ Can I tell my friends about it, too?¡± ¡°Of course! It¡¯s no secret¡ªat least, I don¡¯t want it to be¡­ eh-heh¡­ the pokeball industry, though¡­ Yeah¡­ I¡¯m kind of censored on all social media platforms, which is why I don¡¯t post to them.¡± ¡°That¡¯s even more insane,¡± Rhea mumbled, knowing Amira would sink her teeth into that one. ¡°You¡¯re one of the most popular and strongest Trainers in the world?¡± ¡°Not when it comes to ones and zeroes!¡± Ash roared with laughter. ¡°I¡¯m just glad my trusty buddy helps me with the technical stuff.¡± Rhea gave a start when a Rotom Phone spun out of his bag. ¡°You have a¡­¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, the whole Galactic-Rotom scandal¡­ Yeah, it sucks, but my buddy here¡¯s been with me forever. Right, Bud?¡± The phone slapped his hand with an electrified chime that made Ash wince and trip, falling on his face. ¡°Pika-pi-pi-pika!¡± the electric rat snickered, hopping off his tittering and laughing Trainer. Rhea hurried to his side, helping him up. ¡°Are you okay?!¡± ¡°What the¡ª¡± Lori and the others ran over upon seeing the sparks that flew out. ¡°Haha. I¡¯m good! Haaa. Takes me back, huh, Pikachu?¡± ¡°Pika!¡± Ash seemed to be completely fine as he joined them in the Center as Rhea filled her excited teammates in on everything the legend revealed; her friends were just as shocked as she had been at the revelation that the legendary Trainer could have more than six Pokemon out at a time. Heading to their rooms, they followed Ash¡¯s instructions outside before heading in to retire, following the electric rat¡¯s lead; it was tough, especially for Amira and her other four friends, but Lori somehow took it like a champ, surprising even the Unovan girl. Rhea saw it like stretching or working out; they were building up some other kind of spiritual muscle. Just to add more stress, she had Nova transform into a Glaceon, which had her staggering and dizzy¡ªprobably not the best move¡ªbut it was a learning experience. One thing was for sure when she got inside, Rhea was more than ready to collapse into her bed and pass out. Shortly after a rushed end-of-night sleep routine, that¡¯s precisely what she did; this was going to be a rough next few days, and tomorrow morning, they had their battle with Sam and the others in a four-on-three. B2 — 36. All In! 6:00 a.m. July 7, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded; Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 28 Days (27 officially; 28 since getting Maya and Nova). Slowly rousing from her sleep, Rhea greeted her little bunny, who got to rest with her since her other teammates were out most of yesterday; her little ears tickled her chin as Alice stretched with her Trainer¡ªwhile Nova enjoyed sleeping between her legs, her Buneary enjoyed snuggling against her chest. Naturally, Amira was already by the mirror, likely having woken up thirty minutes prior with Amber trying to stay quiet while blowing out her hair. Lori groaned from her sideways sleeping position, Roxie and Gables sleeping on either side of her to keep their Trainer from falling off the bed during the night; it was uncommon for her to wake up before 6:30. Rhea greeted the messy, purple-haired girl as she lifted her fist into the air, scratching her belly before reaching over to grab her phone, dully messaging someone; she didn¡¯t miss the smile that lifted Lori¡¯s cheeks. ¡°Who¡¯s that?¡± ¡°Mmgm! Kekoa wished me a good morning. Sweet.¡± ¡°Hehe. You¡¯ve been messaging recently?¡± ¡°Little bits, yeah.¡± A frown creased Rhea¡¯s eyes as she moved to take her cleaned dress from inside the overnight treatment washer/dryer that was standard for Trainer stops. ¡°Did¡­ he mentioned Heneli?¡± ¡°Ooh.¡± Mallory set her device on her stomach and scratched behind Roxie¡¯s ears. ¡°If you¡¯re worried about the whole kiss on the cheek thing, you shouldn¡¯t; I¡¯m sure he¡¯s gone on dates and knows girls can be crazy. Just play off that and pretend nothing happened!¡± Amira sighed, looking at them in the mirror. ¡°If it¡¯s hard, you could do that, but I¡¯d suggest sending a text¡ªminimum. You don¡¯t need to talk about whatever is embarrassing¡­ just let him know you¡¯re not ghosting him, and that should be more than fine.¡± ¡°Right?¡± Lori grunted, lifting her legs in the air to twist left and right to crack her bones. ¡°Don¡¯t make a big deal out of it, and it will be fine¡ªeh-heh, just don¡¯t make it an awkward text¡ªask if they¡¯re planning on challenging Misty soon.¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­¡± Rhea hummed, looking at her phone, still on the wireless charger. ¡°Thanks for the advice.¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Lori hissed, making Rhea pause halfway into the bathroom; Alice was already pulling a towel off the rack and moving inside with it draped over her head, ears attempting to keep it stable. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ we¡¯re doing that three vs. four today, right? Which Pokemon are you going to throw out¡ªwe coming up with a plan?¡± Amira chuckled, getting up and straightening her skirt before checking herself in the mirror. ¡°I think we should allow our weakest party members to have a chance to gain some experience.¡± Her waking Pokemon all started to argue about who was the weakest, making Rhea sigh. ¡°If we¡¯re talking in terms of raw energy, then I think that would be Alice for me; sorry, but you are the youngest¡­¡± Alice poked her pink eyes out from under the towel with a pouty look. ¡°Bun-bun¡­¡± ¡°Hehe. I know you train and play games all the time, but if I¡¯m gauging it purely off how much energy you can use compared to Mya and Nova¡­ sorry, Alice, but it¡¯s¡­¡± she trailed off as Amira cleared her throat. Smiling at the agitated Buneary before continuing her preparations, she whispered, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that mean Alice would get more chances to battle since she needs to catch up to the others¡­ which means more time out¡­ which means¡­¡± ¡°Buneary! Bun-bun.¡± Rhea chuckled as her little puff ball promptly accepted the designation as ¡®weakest¡¯ in the party; not that she believed it, but if it let her have more time out, then she was content with that. Mya balked at the revelation, but Nova calmed her down, saying it was only fair, and Rhea was working on having them all out, putting the pressure back on her. We¡¯ll get there, guys! she laughed. ¡°I like that logic,¡± Lori hummed, ¡°but¡­ I do think Miky needs to get some more experience before we take on Sabrina.¡± ¡°Not a bad idea,¡± Amira agreed. ¡°Holly will be my choice since Serenity has been gaining quite a bit of experience lately, but Amber will need more focus as we get closer to Celadon.¡± The Comfey chirped her acceptance. Nova asked if that was her place to shine. Mhm! Erika¡¯s Grass Types will freeze to your icy breath! Laughing, Rhea¡¯s eyes danced while her Eevee cheered at the thought. As she washed up, dried off, and got ready with her Buneary, Lori decided if they were facing their friends¡¯ group, then the Exp they¡¯d gain was best used on Miky for now; the Impidimp had the least amount of Moves and needed to learn how to fight in Trainer battles better. By 7 a.m., they were out the door and going to the public eating place, where those that had room keys could partake in a morning buffet; there were several Trainers present, but none of their friends or Ash. Swapping between her three Pokemon to give them a chance to have breakfast, it wasn¡¯t for another hour before her friends showed up to eat; Ash seemed to be even worse than Lori, turning off his alarm by accident and sleeping in until 8:15¡ªapparently, Pikachu had to shock him awake. It was time for battle! * * * Sam emptied her lungs as they went outside to battle, Ash, Rhea, and her team following; they seemed totally chill¡ªat least, to her¡ªbut Sam¡¯s stomach was squirming. The whole night they¡¯d been worrying about what strategy they should use against their super-powerful friends. If Mimi¡¯s battle against Mya showed anything, it was how incredibly strong their Pokemon were, and it made sense after Rhea explained her unusual Helping Hand Pressure ability. It was amazing and awesome, yet it did make Sam realize how their lives could have turned out completely different if they hadn¡¯t met Rhea in Pallet¡¯s Center bathroom; they¡¯d been vomiting and looking terrible¡ªtotal wrecks¡ªbut Rhea didn¡¯t let the semi-negative self-defeating comments they made deter her from confronting them about it. Rhea really was incredible, and now she knew their sudden improvement had been helped by them, yet instead of taking full credit, Rhea drew back on Lyra¡¯s lecture; sure, she could be a support system, but their growth was primarily due to their own efforts. It meant a lot to Sam, and she knew Rhea was oblivious to the encouragement she offered them; each of them were nobodies, and Rhea was a member of one of the most prolific Trainer dynasties on the planet. Amira had become a rising star online from her performance days earlier, while on top of having a stunning Gym Battle against Misty and becoming one of the most respected and feared Bronze-tier Trainer with the dominance and skill she showed during her Pewter and Cerulean Encrusted Challenge, yet it never felt out of place talking with her. Hannah¡ªbeing the secret president of the redhead¡¯s fan club¡ªhad her social media page dedicated to her idol blow up over the last few days; Amira was classy, articulate, stunning, and cool, drawing a huge amount of questions from people asking if it was all just a persona. Her days as being defined by being a Rocket seemed to be swiftly evaporating as she made waves, and Rhea, shockingly, was taking on the most mysterious role in their group since she didn¡¯t participate in the Cerulean Encrusted Challenge. Lori¡¯s presence online was a complete mess of competing sides who mocked or adored her; the Unovan Trainer blasted her critics with memes that had people laughing¡ªshe was a master at turning public opinion against her detractors¡ªand her performance in Cerulean Gym was another controversy to her name that overshadowed her loss. It made Sam laugh at how the purple-haired city girl managed to flip the embarrassing loss into a meme and get people questioning online if it was all an Impidimp¡ªusing an Impidimp¡ªdeliberately losing the match to provoke online posts and upset people. They¡¯d drawn a crowd after talking about their challenge against the rising stars of the Bronze League; the Kanto Bronze Trainer Chat Room on the app had a trending topic, asking how Rhea¡¯s team had such powerful Pokemon at the start of the League and if it was even worth trying to battle them. Stopping inside of a small dip in the terrain, which seemed to be a popular neutral battle site for the village since onlookers could sit on the surrounding hilly rise, she glanced at her nervous teammates and whispered, ¡°What we planned last night?¡± Jade grinned and nodded. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! Everything depends on who they choose.¡± Hannah rolled around her neck. ¡°Thank Tera for sitting this one out; he¡¯s our best tank, and I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll be expecting her to take the stage¡ªhe¡¯s our best shot against Mya.¡± Her Phanpy grumbled from within her pokeball; they¡¯d all returned their Pokemon in preparation for the battle, and Tera did want to have a real battle with her idol, but she was content after playing with her yesterday. Sam wasn¡¯t so sure Rhea would use Mya, but if she did, her little pine cone tank¡¯s Counter would be needed against the Steel and Fairy bulldozer; she doubted they¡¯d let Tera charge up her High Horsepower with how fast the Mawile could throw out a Sucker Punch. Ultimately, their plan was to throw out Hector first to handle any physical damage dealers, which their opponents had a decent amount of; Nova and Amber could ruin them, but they had Jay to help with that if it came to it. The Alolan girl cheered. ¡°You ready, guys?!¡± Rhea shouted back from across the field, Ash¡¯s Pikachu acting as referee; they¡¯d already agreed to one Pokemon use, and they¡¯d be going first since it was a four-on-three. Who chose their Pokemon next was whoever had the best counter¡ªthey were taking this seriously. ¡°Pika-pi?¡± ¡°Ready!¡± ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± Sam activated Hector¡¯s Great Ball, having paid for it recently after learning about the better bonding potential they brought. You ready? His determination stilled the thumping in her chest. ¡°Let¡¯s do it; I choose you, Hector!¡± * * * Alice giggled as Rhea activated her pokeball, seeing the Bagworm Pokemon exit. Ooh! They¡¯re thinking, aren¡¯t they? He¡¯s sooo slow, but if I hit him, he can hit me back. Right? Nova¡¯s soft, chipper voice responded; she¡¯d been on a cloud since returning from her date with her mother. ¡°You¡¯ve been listening! See, Mya?!¡± ¡°Humph.¡± I always listen to you, Nova, Alice said, returning the Mawile¡¯s grunt. You¡¯re nice. I just don¡¯t listen to the Slowpoke. ¡°No fighting,¡± Rhea sighed, forcing a chuckle. ¡°We¡¯re supposed to be having fun, guys.¡± Yeah! Let¡¯s have fun. ¡°You¡¯ll have fun,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°At least it¡¯s not Tera; I want to battle her.¡± ¡°See! It works out. You¡¯ll get to battle her next time,¡± Nova tried to mediate. Alice just wanted to spread her legs and ears; Rhea threw her out next, and the second her energy stabilized, she jumped, twirling in the air to land a few meters away from the Pineco. ¡°Hello, Hector!¡± He bounced up and down with his energy, breathing a sigh of relief. ¡°Haaa. Heh. Hey, Alice, I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve been able to have a proper battle.¡± Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Nope!¡± She hopped up, doing a backflip before punching the air. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to start the battle.¡± Their attention shifted to Pikachu as he motioned to them, his reassuring voice carrying to them from the sidelines. ¡°Move back a little, Alice; we¡¯re going to start the battle when everyone is on the field.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± She complied as Orin came out, surprising Alice a bit; she hadn¡¯t seen the Pidgey battle too often. Lori released Miky, who promptly started making a fool of himself by dancing around and making faces to intimidate their friends¡ªnot that it really did anything but make them laugh. Hannah responded by throwing Limru¡ªher Ledyba¡ªinto the mix, who floated into the air with Orin, which made Alice frown; they were using flying Pokemon to try to counter her, and Rhea chuckled at the tactic. ¡°I bet you ice cream Orin is going to lift Hector in the sky.¡± That¡¯s so cheating, Alice huffed, bouncing a little to work out her legs; she¡¯d need good hops in this match. ¡°Not really,¡± Mya scoffed. ¡°What, can¡¯t fight airborne opponents? Weak!¡± No! I can totally do it. You¡¯ll see! Amira released Holly¡ªher Comfey¡ªand to all of their excitement, Bruce came out to finish their opposition; they had only had a short time to spend with Jay¡¯s new Growlithe. I set the pace! Pikachu held up his hands. ¡°Ready. Set. Start!¡± Alice shot forward, ears pulling back as she grinned, large, glowing pink irises centered on the only grounded Pokemon that couldn¡¯t Counter; her eyes flashed white with a short glow that dispersed around her body¡ªBruce¡¯s already slow movements split to show possible future actions, allowing her to predict where he¡¯d move. Faster! She was the first to reach her opponents as everyone lagged behind, and, sure enough, Orin latched onto the pine cone, becoming Hector¡¯s wings, but Alice was engineered for speed, and before they could react to her blurred movements, she drew sharp bursts from Rhea¡¯s fortitude, causing white, orange, and black light to spark to life around her in rapid succession. Faster! Alice may have been a featherweight, but she could chain attacks at the drop of a coin; Bruce¡¯s mouth filled with dark energy, yet her swift clap stunned his mind, ears already leached onto his leg to shift her kinetic energy and swing around to sweep his back legs out. Fists lighting orange, she pounded two blows into the stunned Growlithe¡¯s stomach. Hearing the rapid flaps of Orin¡¯s wings, she tried to use Bruce¡¯s body to block the coming gust, filled with sharp blades of energy, but the Pidgey had shockingly good aim, not hitting his teammate once. She could dodge the cutting blades by flipping side to side as her enhanced perception tracked their trajectory, but it was the closest anything had gotten to touching her fur; she couldn¡¯t dodge the powerful gust throwing her back, but her blows had their effect on Bruce, eyes drooping as her ability forced him to sleep. Orin dropped out of the sky with Hector to protect their teammate as a shell surrounded the Pineco and his friends, using their close proximity to stop Miky¡¯s advancing shockwave. A soft chant came from Holly, creating a cushioning glow around Miky, Holly, and her; their Trainers instructed them on everything they saw and what their teammates were doing to help¡ªthe extra energy funneled into attacks on them would be somewhat mitigated. ¡°Stay away from Hector!¡± Rhea warned. ¡°Wait for Holly to force him away; one Self-Destruct and you¡¯re out, Alice.¡± I can outrun it, but okay¡­ What is that?! A light blue bubble surrounded Bruce from Limru as she floated down, rousing her sleeping friend, and Hector was guarding his recovery; her gut told her she had to advance now or her initial momentum would be ruined. I need to go in! ¡°Just be careful!¡± All in! Shooting forward, she went right for Hector, doing exactly the opposite of what they¡¯d expect; instead of attacking, she jumped over his illuminated white aura, trying to stop her¡ªhe didn¡¯t use Counter, which was a surprise, but she could work with it. Alice twisted around to let her back take the dirt Orin kicked up as she skated over the Pineco¡¯s barrier, closing her eyes. She rolled across the grass, finding purchase with her ears to flip up, dodging Limru¡¯s sonic screech. ¡°She¡¯s always so fast!¡± the Ledyba complained. ¡°Hector!¡± Holly¡¯s vines wrapped around the pine cone as his shell faded, throwing him across the field. ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± ¡°I got you!¡± Orin shot after him as Miky finally made it to Bruce and Limru. Miky snickered as he clapped his hands, lights and sparkling lights flashing around the recovering Growlithe. ¡°You¡¯re so fluffy!¡± Alice reached out to throw the Pokemon away from his teammates; she could handle anyone one-on-one, but his friends kept saving him from her attacks. A radiant aura enclosed the Growlithe, and taking a deep breath as he stumbled to the side, Bruce roared. ¡°Ugh¡­ heh¡ªgive me a break!¡± ¡°Eh?!¡± Alice¡¯s momentum instantly neutralized, somehow making her feel even more weightless than she already was as Miky cried out with her. A flash of light and hot air slammed against her body, forcing her into the air as a massive blow hit her energy matrix¡ªa cone of superheated air threw her back. Yet, moments before the hot rush engulfed them, vines wrapped around Miky and her bodies, pulling them away from the full blast. The grass 6-meters in front of the Fire Pokemon burned with the intense flames that spread across it, and the distance allowed him to shake off his befuddled mind. Holly¡¯s concerned voice carried to her as she touched grass and shot forward again. ¡°You okay¡ªAlice?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Miky¡ªdon¡¯t give them a chance to regroup!¡± Alice boldly yelled, following Rhea¡¯s advice and throwing a spray of mud at the balls of fire Bruce shot at her, but she was forced to cartwheel to the side with the sonic waves Limru sent her way. ¡°Coming! Coming! T-Too fast! Mi trying!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on Miky; he doesn¡¯t have all the Moves you do. Throw Hector at him; Amira thinks they¡¯re trying to save Orin¡¯s Protect for Hector¡¯s Self Destruct to take you out.¡± A plan sparked in her head as she changed directions, drawing from Rhea¡¯s fortitude to enhance her own power; she launched into the air, seeing the Pidgey¡¯s trajectory with her fading Foresight. Hehe. Got it! Flipping around to plant her feet against the small bird and making him squawk, she clapped her hands, creating a glow around Hector. ¡°Encore?!¡± he gasped as she chuckled and latched onto the Pidgey¡¯s wing, forcing them into a dive-bomb; all Hector could use was Protect¡ªhis last Move¡ªthey struck the ground. Doubling down, Alice¡¯s ears held the bird tight as he tried to peck her, spinning him in a sharp circle and forcing him to let go of the Pineco¡ªsending him flying¡ªbefore tossing the Pidgey at Miky to gleefully chomp down on the bird. ¡°Hehe¡ªOi!¡± A blast of flames hit him in the face, peppering the Impidimp. ¡°Stop! Stop!¡± A cyclone of wind and leaves whipped up from Holly, fighting back the Embers, yet Limru carried him out of its path, bringing him into the air to bombard the panicking Impidimp with fireballs as he did his best to dodge. Hector was slow, and without his pair of wings, he wouldn¡¯t be much of a problem for her; she left Holly to help her teammate, doing what she did best and going on the offense with the pine cone locked out of his game-changing Move; if she could take him out, it was basically over. Alice ran at the serious Pineco as he dug himself into the ground and prepared for her assault; she knew he¡¯d rely on his Study Ability to mitigate as much damage as possible to buy time¡ªshe had his bane, though¡ªflames enclosed her fists. She struck the sparkling shell that enclosed him¡ªit held; she flipped to his back, spinning her fire-engulfed ear against the next shield he generated¡ªit fractured¡ªthe blow smacking his side and discharging a small explosion. Dirt was kicked up, and Alice could feel the difference in how much stronger Rhea had gotten, allowing her to use so many Moves; it helped that only she¡¯d been out through the night, and only one of them was out at a time. She loved the rush of energy that real battle flooded her body with. Knowing Encore would be up soon, she used the short kick-up of dirt to change targets, exiting the dust to do a quick, dizzying dance; her white aura connected to the stunned Ledyba, causing her world to spin and taking her out of the air. Bruce shot more Embers at Miky, but the Wily Pokemon sent snickering notes at the Fire Pokemon, lowering his Special Attack, which decreased the size and speed of the fireballs; they struck the Impidimp, but another Confide made the flames manageable. He¡¯d moved to the backline to drop their opponent¡¯s Stats since he couldn¡¯t get close due to the Pidgey and quick Growlithe¡¯s fireballs. Alice¡¯s target was obvious; she darted at the Scout Pokemon. He breathed in, and she recognized the telegraphed attack; totally focused on his mouth after being hit by the super-heated roar before, she knew she could cartwheel out of the way if she timed it right, and a flash of light brought back the outline of her opponent¡¯s movements. The bright red aura collected around his mouth as the Growlithe released the conal blast. Alice dove away from the general direction, forcing him to follow her; unfortunately for him, it was slow and bowed¡ªshe had him. Drawing more from Rhea¡¯s fortitude than ever before, she knew she¡¯d need to be more conservative with her Trainer¡¯s energy after this¡ªa bright flare of orange energy condensed around her fist¡ªshe¡¯d end this in one blow. Alice¡¯s world went white as she heard flapping nearby¡ªshe¡¯d been too focused on Bruce. * * * Rhea forced a chuckle as Alice¡¯s drawn-back ears, and hyper-focused mind drowned out her warning that Orin had picked up Hector, dropping him like a bomb; it was ironic that Alice¡¯s first real battle had ended similar to Mya¡¯s with one exception¡ªshe didn¡¯t win. Hector detonated, shattering Alice and Bruce¡¯s energy matrix and leaving a large crater as the two were sent flying; Orin and Limru used Protect to eat the explosion, making it a two-on-two. The problem? Miky didn¡¯t have much to battle flying Pokemon, and Holly was far more of a support than an offensive powerhouse. The red light of Alice¡¯s pokeball attached to the Pokemon, drawing her in for Rhea to release her knocked-out little girl, stroking her head; it took a few minutes for the Buneary to shiver and start waking up from the temporary reflux of having her first shield shattered¡ªher teammates were holding out. You did good, Alice. Her salt and pepper-furred bun¡¯s ears drooped as she sighed, realizing her mistake as Mya mentioned it, far nicer than even Rhea expected of the Mawile. Mya seemed to be saying it happens, and she accidentally locked out their Trainer¡¯s voice in her first battle¡ªit¡¯s a learning experience. Nova agreed, even though she¡¯d never had the problem. Rhea positioned her in her arms to watch the battle play out; it wasn¡¯t looking good, but Holly¡¯s vines and wind were keeping Miky mobile and in the fight¡ªshe knew it was only buying time, though. Look at it this way, Rhea chimed, stroking her tight-eyed Buneary. They made a super concerted effort to take you out of the match, choosing to sacrifice Hector and Bruce to get you off the field¡­ Know what? Alice looked up at her, lips beginning to quiver; she¡¯d truly believed she was doing everything right and didn¡¯t expect to lose by repeating a mistake her rival teammate had fallen victim to but asked ¡®what¡¯ all the same. I think we need to get you Protect like Nova and Mya have; if you had that, then we could have been riskier. You did amazing! Don¡¯t think otherwise. Okay? Her vulnerable Buneary smiled with tears in her eyes as Rhea kissed her cheek. You¡¯re a real threat, Alice. Plus, all of those Pokemon are a lot older than you and have had a lot more battles as teammates; Sam¡¯s group usually does team battles¡­ Maybe we should do more. Huh? Alice, Nova, and Mya agreed, and they watched the rest of the battle play out. With Holly¡¯s defensive plays and vines, she managed to get Miky in a position to latch onto Limru¡¯s back, and a few Bites broke her energy matrix; Orin knocked the Impidimp out shortly after, making it a one-on-one. The Pidgey was far more agile than the Comfey, and she wasn¡¯t able to land her Leech Seeds or, to Rhea¡¯s surprise, her newly learned Draining Kiss. The fight ended with a well-aimed Air Cutter breaking through Holly¡¯s Leaf Tornado, knocking her unconscious¡ªthey¡¯d lost to Sam¡¯s group. Rhea clapped with Ash, Lori, and Amira; her friends looked utterly stunned that they¡¯d managed to win, glancing at one another with their weakened Pokemon in their arms. ¡°We¡­ won?¡± Jade mumbled in disbelief, welcoming back her battered Pidgey, seemingly having trouble keeping in the air after the lengthy battle against Holly. Hannah blinked. ¡°No way.¡± Amira walked across the field with Holly wrapped around her neck, waving weakly at Orin and talking to him. ¡°You came up with an excellent strategy; taking out Alice was definitely the play since she was the biggest offensive threat, and she couldn¡¯t attack from a distance.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t go easy on us, right?¡± Jayline mumbled, her Alolan accent thickening. Sam chuckled. ¡°You can¡¯t think that after seeing what a monster Alice is, Jay! She was speeding between everyone, throwing our Pokemon away and separating them; it was almost scary, seeing that pink-eyed aftereffect of her super-speeded movements. What was that?¡± ¡°Foresight,¡± Amira answered. ¡°She was predicting your Pokemon¡¯s next action; you did really well using more cone and area attacks like Gust, Air Cutter, Heat Wave, and Self-Destruct since she¡¯s so adept at dodging.¡± Lori bounced forward as the crowd around the field replayed the fight on their phones, recording it and likely posting it to social media. ¡°For real! Jay, that Heat Wave shocked us¡ªBruce is a beast¡ªand that Refresh, Hannah, amazing!¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± the redhead blushed at the compliment, playing with her bangs. ¡°We knew Alice had that insane sleep hit ability, so Limru needed to be ready to cure anyone who she hit¡ªhaha¡ªyou had me sweating when you threw out Alice, Rhea. Limru was the only one who could counter that.¡± Rhea nodded, stroking Alice¡¯s head; she was feeling a lot better after all the praise. ¡°Thanks for showing Alice what a real battle is¡ªyou guys were her first challenge!¡± ¡°Scary!¡± Jade laughed. ¡°She¡¯s so scary!¡± ¡°Bun-buneary,¡± her little girl smiled, hiding her face against Rhea¡¯s chest. ¡°Wha?!¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Ash questioned, finally getting to them after surviving the small crowd that had gathered to ask for autographs or attempt to get his attention with Pikachu on his shoulder. ¡°Pika?¡± Hannah held up her phone to show the end-of-battle results. ¡°67,900 credits¡­ each?! What?!¡± Her teammates hastily pulled out their phones to check their own bank, utterly shocked at the massive credit drop into their accounts. ¡°My sister doesn¡¯t make that in a year!¡± Jade mumbled. Lori snickered. ¡°Yeah¡­ we kind of have massive bounties and a huge reward for beating us in a team battle; congrats on the payout and win! You guys deserved it¡ªfor real¡ªMiky just couldn¡¯t keep up with Alice¡­ We need to work on that, Rhea.¡± ¡°Yeah. Haha. Holly did great adapting and trying to support us. Thanks, Amira.¡± Talking it over, Ash listened to them analyze each other¡¯s strategy and performance, adding his own two-credits with Pikachu as they moved to the Center to heal up their Pokemon. Rhea felt a bit of a drain from all the rapid Moves Alice used, but nothing like it normally was when Mya battled or Nova transformed; the Buneary¡¯s attacks seemed to be far more efficient and meant more for disruption than pure damage. Spending a bit more time with her friends¡ªthe now rich Wooloo Gang¡ªshe saw them off to Cerulean around 11 a.m.; they went over some of the training plans Ash had for them, and the four girls promised that when they fought again, they¡¯d be even stronger. It warmed Rhea¡¯s heart, looking back at when they¡¯d met and how sick they¡¯d been just bonding to their Pokemon to how much her first outsider friends had grown. We can grow stronger, too! B2 — 37. Team Training 4:06 p.m. July 8th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 29 Days (28 officially; 29 since getting Maya and Nova). The next three days blew by like a dream; traveling through Blue Forest with Ash was a casual stroll of enjoyable training and messing around with surprises every day. After seeing their friends off, they moved down the road while attempting to get used to the bouncing tennis ball game Ash introduced them to. To Rhea¡¯s surprise, Amira found it the hardest to get used to, but she suspected it was due to the redhead having other things on her mind. On the other hand, Lori picked it up without a problem, coordinating with Gables, Miky, and Roxie to edge out the top score. Pikachu gradually brought the use of Moves into the equation, yet their Pokemon could only use two each hourly cycle; Ash had them only keep a single Pokemon out on rotation rather than having a single one for the whole day and giving each one a chance to snuggle with them at night as they¡¯ve normally done. The first day was mostly filled with talking and giving each of their Pokemon the chance to play with the electric rat, attempting to keep it up longer than the previous group. It was a different training experience than Rhea expected to have with the legend; he wasn¡¯t too rushed to get to their location and found excitement in simple things that made them laugh, such as catching sight of a rare Chansey or Abra and wanting to get a picture with them to send to his mom. Along their slow pace, Ash introduced the other Pokemon he was currently traveling with, as well; Infernape started them out. The Flame Pokemon was huge, standing nearly 2.4 meters high, and was instrumental throughout the day in teaching their Pokemon how to utilize their unique body types and natural abilities to keep the ball in the air. Amber was enamored by his flame control when Infernape used Blaze to keep the tennis ball in the air without burning it and how effortlessly he used the trees beside the road or branches overhead to smack it back and forth. Alice kept typing to imitate him to little effect, but she wasn¡¯t getting discouraged. Miky loved and seemed to love his jokes, trying to be less clumsy like the flaming monkey. As time went on, Ash let them rest from the game to talk while their Pokemon continued; being a Trainer was less about battling to him and more about growing and having fun with your friends. Of course, he¡¯d always had the dream of being the very best¡ªlike no one ever was¡ªbut catching Pokemon hearts was the real test; training was the best way to build that bond, which was why making the process enjoyable was the top priority. The only lasting thing to keep you motivated on a journey was your friends¡ªPokemon and human¡ªand that was why he always traveled in a group; no one can be alone forever, no matter how strong a person might be, which was why he believed people and Pokemon needed each other. You can cherish those bonds when times get rough¡ªand times always got rough¡ªso the more adventures and fun you had, the more strength you had to pull from within your heart. It was best to have fun in the adventure than rush to the destination. Life was meant to be experienced in the moment with those you loved and not a sprint to some goal that reveals an even bigger, more lonely mountain beyond it to climb; Amira drew into herself, probably thinking about her mother and the Kanto Legends. For Ash, the push to the top should be ingrained in you¡ªto be the best version of yourself you can be¡ªbut if you raced up every cliff without enjoying the extraordinary view with your buddies or had fun along the way, you¡¯d miss the best part¡ªthe journey; the top would always be there, so there was no need to sprint. It was so real and natural to talk to Ash, and his experience came in natural doses throughout the day. The sun passed into dusk sooner than Rhea expected, and all of them were beginning to get the basics of the games, coordinating with one another. Releasing all of their Pokemon at night¡ªfor even five minutes¡ªwas killer with all the Moves they performed every day; after the training throughout the day, and such an intense battle against Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay, Rhea felt like she was dying by sunset, yet it did promote a quicker and deeper sleep after the exhausting exercises. The next morning, Rhea hadn¡¯t expected to feel as good as she did, Mya resting beside her much of the night in their tent, although the tennis ball training was ramping up after eating breakfast and hitting Route 5 again. Pikachu pushed their Pokemon to try and not use their Moves if they could help it; keeping the ball in the air was a big point of the training, and still, Rhea felt like a lead ball attached to each of her partner¡¯s legs while trying to keep up with Alice or Nova¡ªMya was easier, but they didn¡¯t get the same numbers as the other two. In the morning exercises, the electric rat guided them on positioning and teamwork in this ¡®battle game¡¯ that promotes coordination and cooperation rather than pure power or abilities, such as Rhea had mainly relied on; Moves really had limited use in a full day of games without utterly exhausting them. It didn¡¯t take long on the second day into Blue Forest for Amira to guess the next stage would be pitting their teams against each other; Ash winked and said that might be the next part, but they first needed to build up their Fortitude, and their Pokemon had to increase their personal energy reserves to get to that point. Around noon, Ash began their first Aura training session; since Rhea had been taught basic Aura understanding and sensing already, something Amira and Lori¡ªto Rhea¡¯s mild shock¡ªhadn¡¯t fully grasped. The legend had her solely center her attention on counting the Pokemon they were attracting by Aura and without her sight. The exercise was challenging since her father and brother mainly had her focus on individual Pokemon strengths¡ªmainly the powerful kind¡ªor long-distance detection of large-scale Moves. Closing her eyes, Rhea had trouble multitasking¡ªtalking, maintaining an even course, and counting the Auras¡ªand it soon became apparent Ash was having her build multiple aspects at once. She could ground herself by sensing where the Pokemon were and orient her direction by their position to her. The issue? Sensing Auras was like her peripheral vision¡ªdifficult to focus on more than one thing at a time¡ªit was dizzying trying to bounce between signatures, and she had to ¡®squint,¡¯ in a way, to spot the weak Auras of those around her without getting side-tracked by Pikachu¡¯s colossal presence. It didn¡¯t help when Alice, Mya, or Nova were out, doing their game and tossing it between their friend and talking to one another; she was still a part of this tennis ball game. Somehow, whenever the ball was tossed at her, it always hit her in the center of the forehead. She had to wonder if there was a conspiracy passing between her snickering Pokemon at each smack to the face, breaking her concentration. Luckily, Blue Forest was a reasonably flat valley with a gradual descent into the lower half of Cerulean City-State and the upper part of Saffron, which promoted an easy walk along the trail for her to practice a more refined Aura sense. If it wasn¡¯t hard enough, Pikachu upped the challenge by getting the various Pokemon of the forest to join in the fun; most of which were rehabilitated released Pokemon from the ¡°No Pokemon Left Behind¡± initiative. Rhea was a little overwhelmed by the amount of Pokemon Ash and Pikachu attracted on Route 5 by their friendly Aura alone. Word seemed to spread amongst the wild community of the forest about the game because they wouldn¡¯t stop coming. The pair pulled out some of the rarest sighted denizens of the lush forest; in fact, they¡¯d caused such a commotion among the Pokemon that it drew several curious Rangers that thought someone was manipulating them to steal, but such worries were swiftly dispelled once seeing Ash. The men and women spent a few minutes with the Alola League¡¯s first official Champion, and the topic came up in a joking fashion, asking why he didn¡¯t take the position. Just like every other Kanto Legend, Ash had declined the responsibilities of taking over a region¡¯s central government, running after another adventure. Ash¡¯s response was reasonable, though; he loved Alola and its people, but his passion in life didn¡¯t lie in building up a region to reach its full potential. He wasn¡¯t an Alolan native, nor would he do the job as well as someone who truly wanted to serve Alola¡¯s people with everything they had. He knew plenty of other wonderful Trainers that could do that job better than him, and it felt reductive to Alola to just sit there as some figurehead of a region¡¯s power; Alola deserved better, and it wasn¡¯t as if the region didn¡¯t have people it could rely on with Leaf, Red, Yellow, and Blue at the Battle Tree if things really got out of hand. It wasn¡¯t what any of them expected to hear, but more than enough to earn the Ranger¡¯s respect; some even joked he was more like a Ranger than a Trainer with his bond with Pikachu¡ªanother commented that he was the best of both worlds. Seeing them off, Rhea returned her attention to the many Pokemon that gathered, attempting to identify them by Aura shape and type rather than sight. Rattata, Pidgey, Jigglypuff, Oddish, Meowth, Bellsprout, Hoothoot, Snubbull, Pineco, Combee, Growlithe, Vulpix, Shinx, Plusle, Minun, and even Chansey and Abra walked with them, joining in the games with some of their evolutions making an appearance; although the older Pokemon generally watched them play rather than participate themselves. Throughout the second day, it soon became apparent that Mankey were the kings of the ball game, and they had a big match against a whole pack of the Pig Monkey Pokemon after they bragged a bit too much to Mya. Unfortunately, Mya and their side of random wild Pokemon were getting killed, unable to coordinate with all the random wild Pokemon to compete with the synchronized Mankey squad. It was then they got their look at one of Ash¡¯s other Pokemon that he had on hand¡ªSceptile¡ªwho swiftly took charge, and they managed to edge out a victory with Commander Sceptile directing the troops. It wasn¡¯t as if Rhea, Lori, and Amira were exempt from the battle, especially when Pikachu and Ash joined the Mankey¡¯s side to make it fair; Rhea never expected to have so much fun jumping into the mass Pokemon games on their journey through the forest. It was so hard to hit the ball by timing it based on the actions of the Auras around her but so satisfying when she¡¯d actually hit the invisible ball; Ash¡¯s guidance in the unseen action had helped so much. Alice played a critical role in the final stretch, stealing the ball and forcing the Mankey out of their uniform position to chase her through the trees; she passed it to a wild Abra, who timed it just perfectly to teleport. Gables brought it back into their group with his tongue, jabbing it between a Mankey¡¯s arms that shot out of the tree to return it. They¡¯d won against the defeated Mankey gang, yet a surprise challenger came from the heavens; a Pidgeot that seemed to be the ruler of the skies in Blue Forest¡ªwhich meant there weren¡¯t many flocks of Sparrow flying around¡ªand its Pidgey gang showed up to make it a free for all. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. It was total chaos at times and unlike anything Rhea had seen. Ash and his Pokemon took everything in stride, adapting to every new development with ease. Their stop came on the third day¡ªthe checkpoint and near the exit to Blue Forest¡ªwhere Ash showed them the hidden cave off the side of the trail he¡¯d used to save the poor, abandoned Charmander before he could get medical attention at the Center up ahead. Making it to the red-roofed building, Rhea dropped into one of the resting tables with her friends; much of the discussion was on the opened Fairy-Type Gym of Kanto tomorrow, and everyone was expecting it to be a breeze considering it was the Type with the least Pokemon. It was nice sitting down and relaxing after covering so much ground over the last three days; it had been rough training for them, and it was only 3 p.m. After some discussion, they decided to sleep at the Center for the night. Rhea pulled out her phone to check her messages, feeling somewhat spiritually exhausted after all the hyper-focused Aura use but glad they were able to make so much progress in three days. Her mother kept up with some updates about the progress on their 4th ¡®buddy¡¯ Pokemon, revealing a few things that Rhea hadn¡¯t expected. ¡°We¡­ can¡¯t battle with our new Pokemon?¡± ¡°Say that again,¡± Amira asked, scooting over to read the text. ¡°They¡¯re not ¡®battle ready¡¯ Pokemon?¡± Lori hummed, sipping the coffee she¡¯d just recently ordered from the Trainer Lounge attached to the Center; Ash was off talking to his mom on a call. ¡°Ash told us about that one Buddy Bond process. So¡­¡± Rhea nodded, summarizing the lengthy massage chain low enough that the few Trainers around the lobby wouldn¡¯t hear. ¡°Basically, these Pokemon will have, umm¡­ you remember the Victini Cores I told you guys about the other day?¡± Amira¡¯s mouth tightened at the topic; the little, innocent Victory Pokemon that had been murdered by Rainbow Rocket and converted into infinite power spheres wasn¡¯t a casual or light topic to bring up, which was evident in her mother¡¯s careful wording. ¡°Well¡­ my mom was able to smuggle some out, and in order for these Pokemon she¡¯s sending to us to survive, they¡¯re requiring the orb to be infused into their bodies.¡± A soft sigh came from Lori as she looked at Roxie, Serenity, and Nova, each discussing the topic amongst themselves. ¡°Does she say how it makes them feel¡­ Are the Victini just batteries now?¡± Amira shook her head while browsing the studies attached to the message. ¡°From what I understand, the Victini are unable to take on a corporeal form based on the experimentation done by Rainbow Rocket, so, in a way, they¡¯re finally being able to release the painful energy bottled up inside of them by being the silent companion to our Pokemon¡­¡± Placing a hand against her breast, Rhea stared blankly at the phone in front of her. So¡­ you¡¯re just along for the ride, Victini? You¡¯ve been with me my whole life, experiencing it with me, huh? I hope I¡¯m a good bunk buddy¡­ and I¡¯m happy if I can take away your pain¡­ ¡°Do¡­ you think I¡¯ll be able to talk to her someday?¡± Rhea asked, having learned all the Victini her mother had been able to escape with were the female ones since they were kept in the same location. Amira and Lori shook their heads and shrugged their shoulders, indicating they couldn¡¯t guess. ¡°I hope so,¡± Lori whispered. Nova put her two paws against Rhea¡¯s collarbone and nuzzled against her, whispering to her spirit that they wanted to be friends and to talk one day; Mya and Alice joined in. From what her mother said, just like Mya, Alice, Nova, Serenity, and Roxie, these new Pokemon couldn¡¯t survive on their own without something feeding them energy to stay alive, which was why the Victini were required to keep them stable. Of course, there were many other reasons that they¡¯d realize when they showed up, which, upon further inquiry, would likely be when they reached Saffron City. This came with certain risks that they¡¯d need to be aware of; for one, they weren¡¯t attached to their spirits, which meant they wouldn¡¯t know where they were if they got lost or were stolen. Ash chuckled at the concern when they brought him into the discussion; apparently¡ªto Amira¡¯s chagrin¡ªTeam Rocket had been quite the cause for such worries within the Pokemon world. Splinter organizations had taken over the hole Rocket left in the underground business sphere, but nothing like it had been in the old days when the internet wasn¡¯t so widespread. These new Pokemon wouldn¡¯t be able to use their Abilities or Moves very often because of how much stress they¡¯d have already within their energy core, but they could have all of their love and snuggles; the Buddy Bond would gradually help them adapt over time. It would be a long road, and Ash assured them they¡¯d be continuing this journey long after he left their party, yet once they¡¯d mastered it, they¡¯d have a connection with their Pokemon that even something as unifying as a Master Ball couldn¡¯t hope to achieve. Two hours went by, and Rhea was starting to feel a lot better when something interesting popped into her Trainer app; a powerful group of high-ranking Bronze-tier Trainers had just come into range to be challenged. Resting on the Center lounging couches with her team absorbed in their own activities, Rhea studied the trio; they¡¯d started late on during the Summer Cup and were from Johto, Mahogany City. The three were some of the last teams to have earned the Thunder Badge before the Gym had been temporarily shut down for a month; tomorrow was the opening of Vermillion City¡¯s newly branded Fairy-Type Gym. Rhea sipped her water as she scrolled over their data; the team was far too strong to really challenge anyone at this point; they were ranked among the top 200 in the Kanto Bronze bracket. It was the first time she¡¯d felt they wouldn¡¯t be punching down in a fight and could actually challenge someone since they¡¯d already qualified for the Winter Cup. Looking at Chris¡¯ League Card, she hummed; he¡¯d already earned the Encrusted Thunder, Zephyr, Hive, and Rising Badges. The fact they¡¯d beaten Lt. Surge, Falkner, Bugsy, and Clair showed their skill and journey through the regions. ¡°Ash¡­¡± The black-haired man straightened from his losing card game with Pikachu, Sceptile, Heracross, Sirfetch¡¯d, Dracovish, and Infernape, gambling with sweets. ¡°Mmh?¡± Mallory and Amira looked up, noticing the Trainer Card open on her holographic screen. ¡°Umm¡­ Our goal is to be Silver-tier by the time we enter the League, which does mean we need to re-challenge our previous Encrusted Bronze Badges to upgrade them, but¡­ I¡¯ve felt for a while my Pokemon are a bit too strong for Bronze-tier¡ªespecially with all the advantages we have¡­ What do you think?¡± Lori adjusted her skirt and crossed her legs the opposite way to position herself better. ¡°We did just lose to our Wooloo friends.¡± ¡°Eh-heh,¡± Amira gave her a wry smile. ¡°Let¡¯s be honest with ourselves, Lori, Alice was basically one versus four for the first half, and the only reason she was taken out was because of inexperience.¡± ¡°Haaa. True,¡± she sighed, drawing her purple ponytail around her front. ¡°My only issue with that is not all of our Pokemon are at the same level; don¡¯t get me wrong, Miky is trying really hard, but Roxie, Serenity, and Rhea¡¯s Pokemon are just¡­ overpowered¡ªsorry to say.¡± Rhea played with the end of her bangs, watching Mya, Gables, and Holly play their own card game, trying to emulate Pikachu. ¡°I know¡­ I¡¯ve just felt so awkward not challenging anyone because I don¡¯t want to pick on people¡­ It feels like bullying¡­ stealing their credits.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Amira crossed his arms. ¡°I can see your point, and the League encourages bullying, to an extent¡­ Training is a military practice at the end of the day.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t always,¡± Ash mumbled, tightening his cap. ¡°Although that¡¯s debatable if you go back in time. Haaa. Battles should be fun above all else, and wanting a challenge is certainly a part of that. Your one biggest issue has been¡­ well, the Master Balls.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Rhea asked, voice lowering as he scooted closer; most people were giving them a decent distance out of respect and with how large Ash¡¯s Pokemon were. Ash pointed at Gables. ¡°It¡¯s not all that common to have baby Pokemon more powerful than even a Starter from the Oak Institute, and the Master Ball complicates that by allowing your Pokemon to draw energy that isn¡¯t theirs¡­ ¡°It doesn¡¯t promote a proper ¡®Trainer to Pokemon relationship bond,¡¯ meaning they can subconsciously tune out your voice without even noticing it; it¡¯s not that they don¡¯t want to get your advice, but it isn¡¯t ingrained in them like a normal pokeball relationship. A Master Ball is an amazing tool, yet, as I see it, also has its weaknesses.¡± ¡°Which is why we¡¯re doing the Buddy Bonding?¡± Rhea added. He nodded. ¡°It is¡­ but that¡¯s long-term. You girls have a lot of eyes on you, and, as Amira pointed out, your friends battled very well, using strategy to overcome the raw power your Pokemon possess. ¡°Alice has insane instincts and fought to an incredible degree for her age, but without the full access to Rhea¡¯s Fortitude to rush those Moves, she would have had a much harder fight. All that being said, what is your real question about Silver-tier, Rhea?¡± Puffing out a long breath, Rhea glared at her lap. ¡°I feel after going through this training with you, we should start looking for Silver-tier Trainers instead of Bronze; I don¡¯t feel comfortable challenging Bronze-tier¡­ but I totally understand that Miky is having a tough time, too, Lori¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Mallory held up Miky¡¯s Master Ball, rotating it around her hands and probably assuring him it wasn¡¯t his fault; Rhea didn¡¯t like bringing this up because she knew it would be hard for the pair, yet she had to voice how she felt, as well. ¡°I think our problem is the same as you, Rhea; we just need to get better at understanding our strengths and how to battle with what we have; Pikachu has been helping Miky a lot with building his confidence, and Alice is teaching him how to dodge. I think if we can get those two things worked out, then everything else will fall into place.¡± Amira¡¯s hands tightened against each other. ¡°Ironically, I believe my issue actually lies in my own Fortitude; I¡¯ve been the only one affected by it so far¡­¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t expected that admission from the redhead, yet Ash had more to add to that topic, leaning against his chair with a thoughtful grin. ¡°You know what¡¯s interesting?¡± They all looked at him, waiting for the answer. ¡°The three of you each makeup for each other¡¯s Aura weaknesses.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lori asked, glancing between them. ¡°What¡¯s my Aura strength and weakness?¡± ¡°Well, not perfectly,¡± he laughed, motioning to Amira. ¡°It¡¯s true you have the weakest physical Allocation out of your teammates, but it¡¯s certainly not weak; on the other hand, you excel at your mental Allocation and are very strong in your spiritual.¡± Amira tapped her side, full lips pulled in as she pondered the answer. ¡°Mmh¡­ so, if we are talking numbers, I¡¯d be an 8 in mental Allocation, 5 in physical, and 6 in spiritual?¡± ¡°Haha! Funny,¡± Ash snickered, shaking his head. ¡°No, if 5 is the average, you¡¯d be at a 10 mental, 8 spiritual, and 7 physical.¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not that low at all!¡± Lori grinned as Amira reflected. ¡°What about me¡ªc¡¯mon, don¡¯t leave me hanging!¡± Ash turned to Rhea. ¡°Why don¡¯t you gauge her Fortitude?¡± ¡°M-Me?! I can hardly do that for Pokemon, much less people.¡± ¡°Give it a shot,¡± Lori urged, turning her attention to her and making Rhea¡¯s gut churn. ¡°Mmgh¡­ I¡¯ll try.¡± Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath; it always started more as a gut feeling before gradually developing into anything visual. After a full, uncomfortable minute, Rhea shook her head. ¡°All I can sense are Ash¡¯s Pokemon¡­ it fills up the whole Center¡ªpractically the forest¡ªI swear.¡± Ash¡¯s head leaned back to look up at his cutely odd-looking fish. ¡°Keep trying whenever you get a feel for it, but Lori¡¯s a physical 10, mental 7, and spiritual 7.¡± ¡°Oof. Knew I was lower,¡± she sighed, ¡°but for real¡ªRhea and Amira are total outdoorsy physical gods; I¡¯m just a dancer.¡± Amira slowly nodded. ¡°I think that¡¯s the point¡­ You don¡¯t tire out, and without really any physical training, it also shows how large of a difference each scale is. Three points on the scale and I collapse, but you¡¯re pushing along, dancing the night away like it¡¯s nothing¡­¡± They all turned to Rhea, the question obvious on their minds to her discomfort. ¡°Rhea¡¯s a 12 across the board¡ªcalling it now!¡± Lori mused. ¡°And¡­ me?¡± Ash¡¯s expression drew in as Pikachu glanced at him. ¡°Sporadic¡­ due to Victini, you tend to jump between 9 and 15¡­ Off the scales, but mainly in the spiritual department.¡± ¡°Totally called it! Muk¡­ 15?¡± Amira¡¯s left eye narrowed a tad. ¡°Our scores¡­ were excluding her Helping Hand Pressure, weren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Smart!¡± Ash winked. ¡°Yes, which I learned has a greater effect on those she considers friends and wishes to support, which shows in the ¡®Wooloo party,¡¯ heh, as you call them; Rhea, your power is the first thing I¡¯ve seen that actually has a lasting effect on Fortitude.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ It¡¯s not me, though,¡± she whispered. ¡°I think it¡¯s Victini, personally¡­ more acting through me.¡± Ash cupped his chin as his Pokemon nodded in agreement. ¡°That¡¯s a wonderful team-oriented way of looking at it, and it could totally be true¡­¡± After several seconds of thought, he pointed at the Trainer Card she had opened. ¡°If you¡¯re worried about being in the wrong Tier or even pushing past it in the next few weeks, I¡¯ll do what I can to help you get there, but on one condition¡­ beat that team as a team and make it fun for everyone!¡± Rhea¡¯s internal concerns melted away; Ash was right. If they wanted to push to enter the Silver-tier by the end of this and fight where she knew they should be, they needed to set goals. Working as a team was important, and just making Silver-tier wouldn¡¯t be enough; she hated how her Pokemon couldn¡¯t spread their legs and have more time outside. Girls¡­ Alice, Mya, and Nova turned their attention to her. I want to do all our Gym now as Double Battles, so we can work better as a team. Are you with me? Alice and Mya still didn¡¯t quite get along, but they were game if it was for battles, and Nova pulled them both into big, spiritual hugs, drawing them together. ¡°Okay,¡± she breathed in and out, drawing Amira and Lori¡¯s smiles. ¡°Let¡¯s strategize; Amira, you¡¯re our genius, so let¡¯s pull everything we can find on these guys and prepare to win!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Lori cheered, activating her special app to do a broad search on the team. ¡°Uh¡­ Chris has a Sneasel. Is that gonna be a problem, Amira?¡± ¡°Yikes,¡± she hissed, and Rhea figured she¡¯d know all about the Pokemon since her father had one on his main team. ¡°Sneasel is the fastest unevolved Pokemon¡­ and he has a Scyther; Chris could choose either one. Rhea, I think we need Nova to go first to hopefully trip them up, but I bet they¡¯ll know our match history.¡± ¡°Pika-pi?¡± the electric rat asked as her little fluff-tail exited her pokeball to replace Mya in their strategy meeting. Nova¡¯s brow set, wearing a smile; her little not-so-secret Glaceon was ready to enter the battlefield again. ¡°Pweee!¡± B2 — 38. A Rough Fight 5:57 p.m. July 9th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. It will be open for challenges on the 10th. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 30 Days (29 officially; 30 since getting Maya and Nova). Rhea followed Amira¡¯s gaze to the Center¡¯s entrance as the boys they¡¯d been strategizing against walked through the sliding glass doors, silencing the redhead; they sized up the relatively normal-looking seventeen-year-olds. Chris was taking the front as Frazer talked with Lawrence, hanging back a bit; all of them had black hair and brown eyes, but their styles varied significantly. Lawrence and Chris seemed to take care of their grooming much more than Frazer, who had long, scraggly locks that showed a day or two of grease. On the other hand, Chris had bags under his eyes, showing he hadn¡¯t gotten much sleep in the last few days. All of them were at least 170 cm tall, Chris being the tallest of the three. Going by first appearances, you couldn¡¯t tell they were all that impressive, and none of them were particularly muscular, but their battle history was something special. Each of them had only lost a single battle out of over seventy, and the only reason they¡¯d stopped was due to them being unable to challenge anyone lower ranked; Rhea had to expect they were a bit bitter about missing out on the Summer Cup, which was why they were now touring around Kanto, and Lori mentioned it was likely for them to be heading to meet up with another top 100 group in Cerulean. Their Pokemon were top-tier and thoroughbred, meaning they had two to three egg Moves; their dark web expert sniffed out which Moves those were, and it was a pretty intimidating match-up, which Rhea was eager to face. Alice would have been her pick if she¡¯d been more experienced, but they needed the versatility Nova offered with the powerful Pokemon the three had; Mya could have been a good choice, but the speed of this team made her a bad choice. ¡°Ready?¡± Lori grinned, rubbing the back of her neck. ¡°This is going to be interesting.¡± ¡°Haaa. It really is going to be a rough match, but if we can time our strategy right, it should allow us to knock out one.¡± Rhea smiled down at Nova¡¯s pokeball; they returned all their Pokemon before the group arrived. You¡¯ve got a billion Abilities, Nova, and all the Moves to help us survive the initial rush. Are you ready to dazzle them? ¡°Pwee-pwee-pwee!¡± Nova¡¯s internal chirps and confidence welled up within her chest; apparently, the date with her mother had been more than just getting to know each other, and the Champion-tier Eevee helped her understand more about the many Abilities she had. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± she whispered, studying her puffball¡¯s datasheet. Snow Cloak, Frostbite, and Skater from your Glaceon transformation, while you retain Adaptability, Run Away, Eject+, and Hammering Streak from your Eevee base state. It¡¯s tough for anyone to account for your versatility¡­ We just need to learn how to fight with your unique gifts. Rising to her feet with Ash watching them, Rhea took the lead. Lawrence seemed to notice their approach first; it was hard to miss Ash¡¯s colossal presence in the Center since his full team was out. ¡°¡­and the Rhyhorn was like¡­¡± Frazer trailed off, following his teammate¡¯s gaze to them. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Hello!¡± Rhea greeted with a smile, nervously twisting Nova¡¯s pokeball behind her back. ¡°Umm, I know this is out of the blue, but¡­ would you mind having a battle with us¡ªa team battle¡ªoh, heh, after you heal up, of course!¡± she added upon seeing Chris handing Nurse Joy his two Ultra Balls. Lawrence eyed Amira and Lori, who stood a little behind Rhea to not crowd the area; they had drawn a bit of attention by their sudden action in the middle of the Center. ¡°Uh¡­ you¡¯re Champion Cynthia¡¯s niece, right?¡± Amira forced a smile and lifted her hand in greeting. ¡°Rocket girl.¡± ¡°And I¡¯m just a dancer!¡± Lori grinned, throwing up a peace sign. Chris chuckled, turning to join them. ¡°¡­that happens to be connected to two Elite-4 Leagues.¡± ¡°Hehe. Guilty!¡± Lawrence yawned and cleared his throat, shifting a bit to glance between his teammates and them. ¡°What do you think, Chris? They¡¯ve got those OP genetically enhanced thoroughbred Pokemon; could be a challenge.¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­¡± Frazer rolled around his neck, ignoring the mumbles of the people around them while motioning to get out of the line of traffic for others to heal their own Pokemon. ¡°We just pulled a 28-hour walk to get here. Personally, I¡¯d like to save it for tomorrow morning. I¡¯m, yahaah-mgm¡­ beat.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine!¡± Rhea nodded, seeing her companions do the same. ¡°We¡¯d like to have a battle at your best, and, heh, we¡¯re a bit tired from training today. So¡­ 8 a.m. tomorrow¡ªafter breakfast?¡± ¡°I¡¯m game,¡± Chris laughed. ¡°I¡¯m assuming you know we¡¯re currently Ranked Bronze-93, 90, and 87¡­ Team Rank 90?¡± Lori¡¯s violet locks bounced with her bobbing head. ¡°Mhm!¡± ¡°Heh. Just making sure. Yeah, I¡¯m down. Frazer, Lawrence?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lawrence confirmed, crossing his arms and looking down at them quizzically. ¡°Expect us to do our own homework tonight, but I saw that viral battle with your Feebas, Amira¡ªgood stuff.¡± Frazer pulled up the video to play the clip of Serenity shooting out of the water, using Splash to send diamond-like droplets around her exit in a flashy display. ¡°Hehe. I never thought I¡¯d see a Feebas in a Bronze Encrusted. It really was impressive, and we had to take a look at your battles against Forrest for the Bronze Boulder¡­ The Sandstorm was intense, Rhea.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± the redhead graciously responded as Rhea¡¯s cheeks flushed a bit at the callback; they hadn¡¯t won that match, but Mya tried her best. Fingers tightening around Nova¡¯s pokeball, she shifted her weight to her other hip. ¡°It was tough¡­ Can I ask you to do one thing for me, though?¡± ¡°Okay?¡± Chris muttered, glancing at his teammates¡¯ questioning expressions. Quelling the twist in her gut, Rhea set her stance while looking up at the tall boys. ¡°Don¡¯t go easy on us.¡± The three boys smirked, and Lawrence shook his head. ¡°We always go 110%. Catch you tomorrow?¡± ¡°Tomorrow, boys!¡± Lori cheered, stepping back to join Ash as they broke away, leaving them to talk amongst themselves. Rhea streamed out her pent-up air, not realizing she¡¯d been holding it in, and chuckled. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect to move it to tomorrow.¡± ¡°It gives us more time to prepare,¡± Amira returned. ¡°We have to win.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Lori bumped her hip against Rhea¡¯s, bringing her attention to a video of Frazer¡¯s Clefairy and Lawrence¡¯s Yanma. ¡°Do you think they¡¯ll use one of them, eh¡­ or will Frazer use his Ghastly and Lawrence his Ponyta?¡± ¡°We¡¯re baiting out the Ponyta, so¡­ hopefully her,¡± Rhea sighed. Ash flashed his teeth as they neared. ¡°Tomorrow, huh? I guess you¡¯ll have a bit more time to train today! Want to go into the forest and do some practicing with Dracovish? He¡¯s been a bit, hehe, jumpy lately.¡± ¡°Uuda-da-da-da!¡± he cried, wiggling around as if dancing. Rhea¡¯s laugh became strained at the unusual Pokemon; she always thought Dracovish was a bit of an odd one, and there was some questionable ethics involved with their creation, but he did seem like a happy boy. ¡°Yay¡­¡± The training was a living inferno, and by the end of the hyperactive Fossil Pokemon¡¯s team drills, Rhea, Amira, Mallory, and all of their Pokemon collapsed in their beds before groaning at the text Ash sent them to release everyone for seven minutes tonight. ¡°It¡¯s getting longer!¡± Lori cried, tight hand pressing against her chest as the pressure of Roxie, Gables, and Miky hit her soul. ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Rhea actually felt a lot better than usual, but she did have a tiny bit more practice than her friends; sitting cross-legged, she stroked Nova¡¯s fur with one hand while playing a game of finger boxing with Alice, trying to catch the bunny off-guard. Mya appeared to be just as dead to life as the redhead¡ªAmira seemed to be done living; the Rocket girl was lying sprawled out on her bed with Holly, Amber, and Serenity tenderly rubbing their Trainer¡¯s arms, quietly cheering her through it. ¡°Kill me¡­¡± ¡°One minute¡­¡± Rhea called. ¡°Oof¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can do seven!¡± Lori groaned, rubbing her chest and trying to breathe out the stress. ¡°Talk to me, sunshine; how are you doing it?¡± Rhea giggled at the nickname. ¡°What Pokemon do Chris, Frazer, and Isaac have?¡± ¡°You mean Lawrence?¡± Amira grumbled, her voice muffled from her face pressed into the hotel pillow. ¡°Good! Yup. Now, their Pokemon?¡± Lori rubbed between her eyes. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Ponyta, Sneasel¡­ uh, Ghastly¡­¡± ¡°Chris has a Scyther,¡± Amira picked up. ¡°Lawrence, a Yanma, ugh¡­ I¡¯m going to throw up¡­¡± Rhea winced as Amira rolled off her bed and stumbled to the sink to gag at the sink; they hadn¡¯t pushed this hard after so much training yet, but, on the bright side, they were in one of the Center¡¯s underground rooms¡ªit was a new design in the past 10 years that was built with the support of Ground Pokemon. ¡°¡­Six minutes¡­ Seven!¡± Breathing out in a long stream and wiping at their sweaty brows, the girls relaxed as the Pokemon returned to their pokeballs to ease the stress on the Trainers. Rhea wasn¡¯t surprised when Amira passed out on her bed without washing up; the strain on her body was showing itself due to the redhead¡¯s lower physical Allocation. Typically, the Rocket girl was the first to take care of her nighttime routine, yet each night had grown more strenuous for her. Poor Amira, she whispered to her three worried Pokemon; if Rhea could, she¡¯d take some of the stress off her friend, but knew this was all in order for them to get to their goals, and she figured their declaration of Silver-tier to Ash made him up the time. Rhea let Lori take a shower first. Unlike the redhead, the violet-haired girl was doing okay physically; mentally, on the other hand, her brain was cooked after Rhea¡¯s questions. Getting up as Lori entered the water, Rhea carefully helped Amira get into a more comfortable position on her bed, making sure her hair wouldn¡¯t get in the way throughout the night before dimming the lights. Nova was thrilled to join her outside of her pokeball when Rhea said she was fine, and once Lori finished her hot shower, she replaced the Unovan girl, giving her half-raised, confused hand a high-five as she stumbled into her bed without doing her hair. They¡¯re so dead! Rhea internally laughed before hissing out a breath. Ready to push a little harder? Nova fed off her resolve and nodded as light filled the closed bathroom; Rhea¡¯s legs grew weak at the energy leaving her body, but she forced herself to remain up. We can do this much! Okay¡­ ¡°Glashy!¡± Nova chirped, cold body freezing the water as it fell around her and creating a small snow pile. ¡°Shia.¡± Gritting her teeth, Rhea got down on her knees to brush off the flurry, fingers crying for her to reject the frigid substance. ¡°We go first since we challenged them¡­ We got this!¡± Nova rubbed her cool head against her hand; to Rhea¡¯s extreme pride, her little mediator stayed evolved until they settled into bed. Nova groaned tiredly while nuzzling under the blankets to pull herself down Rhea¡¯s left leg. ¡°Hehe. Good night, my little snuggle buddy.¡± The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Pwee¡­¡± Night, Alice, Mya. Her two other Pokemon were already knocked out by this point, resting against her spirit, and it didn¡¯t take long for Rhea to join them. She didn¡¯t wake during the night, stretching out with Nova when Amira¡¯s soft alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. The redhead puffed out a low groan as she greeted Holly. ¡°Feeling better?¡± Rhea yawned. ¡°Define ¡®better,¡¯ ¡± she mumbled, forcing herself up. ¡°You guys already showered last night?¡± ¡°Mhm. Hehe.¡± She giggled as Amira promptly fell back into bed with Holly pulling the light blanket over her head. ¡°Set my alarm for 6:30¡ªwould you, Holly?¡± ¡°Fiii,¡± the Posy Pokemon whispered, rubbing her covered head before moving to the device. ¡°Ugh¡­ no, make it 6:45¡­¡± ¡°Fi-fi-fi,¡± she chuckled. ¡°Mmgm. I¡¯m with you there,¡± Rhea mused, feeling her Pokemon agree with the redhead. Adjusting her thick braid, Rhea changed her alarm and settled back in. When the time came around, Rhea felt a lot better and did some morning work to touch herself up with Lori as Amira washed. Ash met them at breakfast, and they saw their three opponents nearby, but the three kept to themselves until 8 a.m. came around; it was Roxie, Serenity, and Mya¡¯s time to eat outside. Having Nurse Joy top off their Pokemon¡¯s energy matrixes, they went across the road to a clearing that had been made for battles; two more groups were waiting to have a match, so they sat on the log benches to watch the Bronze-tier Trainers. It was more low-tier fights, even amongst their bracket, with both Rattata using Tail Whip and Tackle as the main Moves between dodging; one had Guts, and the other Run Away, which made for a prolonged fight, but the Guts Rattata won. After a Pidgey mirror match, it was finally their turn. Rhea smoothed out her skirt and moved to shake Chris¡¯ hand as her teammates did the same. ¡°Three-on-three, one Pokemon each, and we start, uh¡­ ten-second delay per release?¡± ¡°Anyone can go next?¡± Lawrence questioned. Amira rubbed her left eye, blinking a few times before nodding. ¡°No set order.¡± ¡°Sweet!¡± Frazer stretched out his arms, smiling at them. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see what surprise you have for us.¡± Lori nodded. ¡°Ditto!¡± Walking toward their side of the field, Rhea¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, and she slowed upon getting a social media notification from Jade¡¯s account. She opened the link to see the blue-haired girl¡¯s sister standing with Jay, Hannah, and Sam, grinning ear to ear. Rhea¡¯s pounding heart calmed upon reading the message: ¡°Thank you so much, Rhea, Amira, Lori! My big sister couldn¡¯t complete her Bronze Journey due to running out of funds, but after everything we got from our battle with you, I can now support her after she¡¯s funded my journey! She¡¯s joining our group; we only need one more person to have Jay register with her to make it official. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!¡± Drawing strength from the wonderful news, Rhea couldn¡¯t wait to talk to her friends about the exciting surprise; it had been a few days since they¡¯d won, so it probably took a bit to set up. Let¡¯s do this, Nova, and call our friends with our own good news! * * * Yeah! Are you ready, Alice, Mya? Nova cheered. ¡°You¡¯ll clobber them!¡± ¡°Just be faster, and you¡¯ll always win!¡± Nova internally snickered at Alice¡¯s solution to everything; still, this would be the most challenging match she had had, and Nova couldn¡¯t wait to see how strong these Bronze Allstars were. Rhea took a deep breath as Pikachu raised one red flag to them before doing the same for their opponents; they both said they were ready, and Rhea drew back her arm and tossed her a few meters away. Energy materializing, Nova¡¯s brow set as Chris tossed her opponent at the very edge of the acceptable release range. Pikachu shouted, ¡°Begin!¡± A black-furred Pokemon with a long, crimson ear appeared¡ªFinline¡ªhis white claws digging into the soil before rocketing right at her; Nova¡¯s gut tightened at the Sneasel¡¯s rapid acceleration when the white force enclosing his body brought him right on top of her within a second. A greenish shell encompassed Nova, blocking the bash and stopping Finlin in his tracks¡ªeven with all her enhancements, she might only be tied in speed with Run Away¡ªjumping back, her puffy tail dragged against the soil as she whipped around, sending a wave of sand over him. Finline dove to the left, but the wide attack seemed to hit him in the face, making his sharp eyes squint before spinning in a quick circle, white light gathering into several yellow stars that shot after her retreat; Nova had never fought against someone who could gather energy as fast as her. Following Rhea¡¯s guidance from their training with Dracovish, a sparkle glistened in her pink eyes, allowing her to predict the curve of each star; she flipped around the projectiles in a way where they struck each other, but she couldn¡¯t dodge all of them, taking two to the side. It didn¡¯t do too much damage to her energy matrix, but she hadn¡¯t expected to be unable to escape all of them, and he was right on top of her again, a big grin on the cat¡¯s face. ¡°Good! Good! Eh?!¡± Nova¡¯s momentum flipped instantly as kinetic energy propelled her forward, mirroring his first attack and plowing into the surprised Sneasel, forcing him to redirect his illuminated claws to the soil to shift his rapid trajectory. Amber entered the battle, sending small balls of flame across the field at Finline as he flipped forward toward Nova, refusing to retreat; Penny, Lawrence¡¯s Ponyta, exited her Ultra Ball reasonably close to the direction Nova was heading, making Rhea and her teammates cheer inside¡ªthey were going to use their planned strategy. Picking up speed while running away from the pursuing Sneasel, Nova drew upon Rhea¡¯s energy, evolving as Penny neared, engulfed in a wheel of flame; Finline appeared from shadows at Nova¡¯s back, black-encased claws striking her side with the wall of fire¡ªthe burst of evolutionary energy repelled both Moves, throwing them back. ¡°Ahh, that strat from your third battle?!¡± the Sneasel hastily snickered, recovering with his teammate and sending more stars her way. Drawing in a deep breath, Nova sent a spray of super-enhanced, chilling air from her Abilities and Type, making a veil of mist; the Ponyta tried to counter with another Flame Wheel, but Finline flickered in dark energy, causing Nova to lose track of him. Penny couldn¡¯t break through the gale, forcing her back as Nova skated across the path she¡¯d made to Amber, becoming a blur through the speed multipliers of Run Away and Skater. The Fennekin jumped out of the fog, plowing into Finline¡¯s materialized figure on Nova¡¯s left flank and shoving him back as Nova spun around to breathe another cloud of frost across the ground, tuning out the claps and calls from the onlookers; the biggest problem was the Sneasel wouldn¡¯t give her room to prepare any other attacks, yet didn¡¯t want to put him on his guard. Finline became a white, zig-zagging blur as he used the Move to run around the Fennekin¡¯s slow Embers, claws digging into the sheets of ice to keep him balanced where the Ponyta couldn¡¯t approach so easily. Nova winked, sending a storm of hearts after the swift cat that he expertly dodged through the dispersing mist, but it provided just enough opportunity for them to set everything up as Finline flickered into shadows. Amber drew in deeply before relating a broad wave of super-heated air that vaporized her ice, sending steam in all directions as burning air engulfed Nova and Finline. Just before it struck them, and his darkened claws dug into Nova¡¯s side, a purple aura illuminated the Sneasel, rainbow lights transporting him away as Penny entered the line of fire; Gables exited his pokeball, landing on top of Nova¡¯s back for a greenish shell to enclose them. Penny right in front of her and steam obscuring everything around them, Nova froze over the flaming horse¡¯s hooves and the ground around her, even if only for a moment, as Gables jumped off her back, peppering the out-of-position Ponyta with bubbles. Gables and Nova locked up for a second as dark, red-tinted eyes dotted the field, drawing their attention¡ªTriska, the Ghastly, had entered the battle¡ªchuckling from inside the haze. ¡°Very well executed¡­¡± she trailed off. Appearing nearby with a frown on her face, Triska noticed Amber repositioned in front of Penny, glowing, light pink eyes sending pulses of psychic energy at the recovering Pontya; Penny seemed to try and counter it with her own, yet the Fennekin¡¯s struck first, making the fire horse sway. ¡°Nice!¡± Gables laughed. ¡°Run¡ªakhm¡ªaway from your friends,¡± Amber instructed, coughing from the swift strain the Heat Wave had on her throat as the Froakie landed on Penny¡¯s back, continuing to spray her with bubbles. A purplish aura surrounded Triska, her shadow elongating to knock the frog off his teammate, but Nova had seen Mya use this Move and used another gale of frigid wind against the burning grass to send more mist into the air and disrupt its trajectory, yet she only barely managed to protect Gables as Finline rammed her side. Air leaving her lungs at the massive chunk that was taken out of her energy matrix, Nova slid over a still-frosted area of grass, which was the only reason she managed to keep ahead of the pursuing Sneasel. ¡°Ack¡ªc¡¯mon¡­ give me a break!¡± Nova cried; she didn¡¯t have the luxury of helping Amber and Gables with the speedy Pokemon on her tail. Eyes sparkling, she flipped over his swipe, yet his claws sunk into the grass, twisting him back toward her; Nova only needed a few seconds to land her secret weapon, but he wasn¡¯t going to give her an opportunity, so she took the chance. Setting her ground, her claws sank into the ice, tensing as his claws hit her three times; her energy matrix hit 1%¡ªshe was only just holding on with the small buffer she¡¯d made with her offensive energy¡ªeven after all the mitigation they¡¯d done from their powerful attacks. ¡°Hehe¡­¡± Drawing in a colossal amount of energy from Rhea, Nova forced a smirk as Finline¡¯s fur stood on end; Nova felt weightless as a quivering, multi-hued ripple exploded from within her, ripping up the soil and rattling through the Sneasel¡¯s bones. ¡°I had fun.¡± ¡°Wa¡ª¡± He was thrown into the air, resonating with the energy inside Nova. His energy matrix shattered, and Nova stumbled to the side, light encompassing her as the weakened Eevee¡¯s evolution reversed, yet her focus moved from her fainted opponent to a large, purplish cloud that enveloped her, causing her to feel sick; a red beam connected to her, drawing Nova back into the comfort of her pokeball. D-Did I do good? * * * Rhea called back her drained Eevee as Chris did the same with his Sneasel, wearing a thoughtful expression while observing the fight between Gables, Amber, and Triska; Penny had been taken out after Nova¡¯s speed disruption gave Amber enough time to engage the Ghastly, leaving the frog to destroy the hypnotized Ponyta¡¯s shield. You did incredible, Nova! she assured, knowing her fluffy-tailed Pokemon wanted to be more help for her teammates, but she¡¯d tipped the scale in their favor. We¡¯ll heal you up soon! Even with a two-on-one, Gables only stayed in due to his Camouflage and Mind Reader combo allowing him to escape the stall-disruptor Pokemon; Triska was an absolute monster, having Lick, Mean Look, Poison Gas, Spite, Confuse Ray, Astonish, Haze, and Will-O-Wisp. Triska¡¯s status and stall game was on-point and made for a great backup and chip play that could be used in the background to support her teammates; it was lucky she went last because if the Ghastly went first, Amira wasn¡¯t sure they could win if they were all inflicted by every status in the book, which was why they forced them to go for speed with how unknown Nova¡¯s Moves were, plus the Ice Resistance. Penny could have turned their plan on its head, so they built their whole strategy around taking her out first. The Ponyta had Growl, Tackle, Tail Whip, Ember, Double Hit, Quick Attack, Flame Wheel, and Double Kick to destroy Nova if she didn¡¯t transform; if that wasn¡¯t enough, for her Egg Moves, she boasted Hypnosis, Ally Switch, and High Horsepower. Nova had to spray the field with ice to keep the Ponyta at a distance with her fragile footing, and Amber¡¯s appearance made Penny concerned for her teammate, keeping Penny constantly trying to anticipate when she¡¯d use Heat Wave to swap places with her fire-vulnerable teammate. It was a mirror match, in a way¡ªIce vs Fire¡ªand their only advantage was knowing all their opponent¡¯s strategies through their many battles, whereas Nova still had many mysteries that would keep them on their toes, pressuring her. The fight lasted longer than Rhea anticipated, and, unfortunately, Amber¡¯s Wish couldn¡¯t save her from all the status effects. Luckily, Gables managed to finish it with less than 10% of his energy matrix, ironically ending it with a Lick¡ªsuper effective¡ªsince Bubble was his only other Move that could actually affect the Normal, Fighting, and Ground-Immune Ghost. Cheers erupted around them as Gables landed beside the fallen Ghastly, dropping onto his back and throwing out a thumbs up. The first real team challenge that they¡¯d spent hours and hours preparing for had paid off¡ªthey¡¯d won, and only just barely, but it proved they could stand at the top of the Bronze League and Low Silver if they put in more effort. Recalling their drained and fainted Pokemon, Chris, Frazer, and Lawrence walked over the damaged field as Gold-tier onlookers used their Grass Pokemon to fix much of the damage. Lori laughed, hopping forward to meet them, likely still coming off her high. ¡°That was insane; Triska is such a beast to take down!¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Frazer forced a smile, holding up Triska¡¯s pokeball. ¡°She had a ton of fun trying to guess where he was, making bets with us and stuff¡­ I didn¡¯t expect Finline to drop that fast.¡± ¡°You and us both,¡± Chris mused, crossing his arms and staring at Nova¡¯s disguised Master Ball. ¡°That last attack was insane¡­ Synchronoise. Does your Eevee know, like¡­ every Move? Talk about timing, too; she¡¯s good at predicting and dodging¡­ No one¡¯s dodged our Swift before.¡± Rhea jabbed her thumb at Ash, wearing a sheepish grin nearby as he was once again swarmed by fans, and his Pokemon weren¡¯t faring any better than their Trainer. ¡°We¡¯ve been doing some tennis ball games with Pikachu that has really helped us.¡± ¡°Interesting,¡± Lawrence hummed, popping his tongue a few times. ¡°Mind sharing the secret with us¡ªwhat are your plans today?¡± ¡°Mmh?¡± Lori smirked. ¡°You asking us out after one loss?¡± ¡°No-hehe,¡± Lawrence smoothly protested. ¡°Can¡¯t we hang out and just talk about the battle?¡± Rhea gave her teammate a leery eye. ¡°Yeah, not everything¡¯s about dating.¡± ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Lori winked. ¡°I like forward guys that shoot their shot.¡± Amira chuckled and motioned to the Center nearby. ¡°We should probably get our Pokemon checked out.¡± ¡°True.¡± Chris nudged his head to his teammates. ¡°We can buy coffee; it¡¯s still early, and I¡¯d like to know how you guys came up with that strategy. Gotta learn our flaws, ya know?¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help the positive vibes fluttering in her chest, and she began to see what Ash meant by battling being fun and not all about winning or losing. ¡°I¡¯d love to chat about our Pokemon and how hard it was to devise a plan¡ªAmira actually came up with it.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lawrence asked. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to hear the details because your girls totally read our Ally Switch like we were a book.¡± Leaving Ash to handle the flood of people pining for his attention, they went into the Center cafeteria; Frazer and Lori hit it off since the Unovan girl knew so much about Ghost Pokemon due to it being her big sister¡¯s specialty, which helped them navigate and win the final duel. After an hour of relaxing, they exchanged numbers to battle in the future and parted ways when Ash finally got an inch to escape his ravenous fans; it was back on the road and on to Meadowview Village to meet Ash¡¯s old friend, Melanie, the president of the ¡®No Pokemon Left Behind¡¯ initiative. Rhea wanted to call Jade to see how things were going with her sister, and when Ash discovered the happy news about her friend¡¯s sister journeying with her and needing one more companion, he mentioned he may know someone that could fill that spot. Yet, to her frustrated curiosity, he decided to keep it vague until he could confirm it himself; plus, they were nearing the end of Blue Forest. Rhea couldn¡¯t wait to see the fields of gold. B2 — 39. Kantos Farmsteads 3:34 p.m. July 10th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym, and today is the first day she is accepting new challengers! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 31 Days (30 officially; 31 since getting Maya and Nova). A short shower of rain followed them through Blue Forest as they left the Center, wishing Chris and his teammates a safe journey to Cerulean; Mya loved the rain, so she exited her pokeball to jump in the puddles with Dracovish, Miky, and Serenity, but, to their disappointment, they were soon asked to swap with their Water-Type weak teammates. They¡¯d mainly been traveling through the northern portion of Kanto, which had high elevation and was generally drier, yet Cerulean had been humid; although, they¡¯d been in the city and not exerting themselves all day while feeding their Pokemon their fortitude for their training with the hyperactive Fossil Pokemon. Dracovish had put Amber, Roxy, and Nova¡ªwhose main concern was getting messy¡ªthrough the wringer during the drizzle, which had a slightly higher Water-Type affix to it; the three pushed through the discomfort, following Pikachu and the Fossil Pokemon¡¯s advice on using the environment to their advantage. It was an interesting exercise that Rhea questioned the legend on as she kept her eyes closed, trusting her companions to guide her along the route by judging their Aura proximity; it had gotten much easier since the Wild Pokemon community wasn¡¯t swarming them today, and they were taking a break from joining in the tennis ball game for this new training. According to him, there were times that her Pokemon may get separated from them and the protection of their pokeballs, such as the story he told earlier about the Saint Ann incident. Pikachu, Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur got separated from him when James¡ªthe Rocket Trios¡¯ classic antics¡ªangered a pack of Gyarados, sending them flying after they escaped the sinking ship. Certain Pokemon had a rough time in the wild, which was why most Rock, Fire, and Ground-Types had adapted to living underground, in caves, and volcanos, having ways to escape the Water-Type-infused phenomena that could sweep across the world in the form of rain storms and hurricanes. Trainer Pokemon and especially bred Pokemon who didn¡¯t grow up in a Ranch environment could be left helpless during these situations if they weren¡¯t taught how to handle the harsh phenomena. So, their Water-weak Pokemon had soldiered through the experience, using big leaves and helping to bind them together with the Pikachu and Dracovish¡¯s help, wrapping their feet in them with the help of some Wild Spinarak that he told them to befriend; it was important to make friends with the locals and not come off defensive or haughty, which was hard for Amber. Rhea only had to wear her poncho until 4:14, when the drizzle passed by, bringing the blinding sun that evaporated much of the water, leaving the air humid, but she was accustomed to her home¡¯s seaside humidity¡ªAmira, surprisingly, not so much¡ªthe Rocket girl was groaning and fanning her face, having lived in temperature controlled climates most her life. ¡°What is this bipolar weather¡­¡± Rhea chuckled at her teammate¡¯s grumbles. ¡°It should get better when we get out of the forest; we used to get showers like this all the time on the west side of Pallet Bay. I thought you¡¯d be used to it since Viridian Forest can get super humid.¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s not that bad,¡± Lori hummed, having been passively checking on the news that was happening back home for a bit. ¡°Unova¡¯s got huge riverways that dump water everywhere, so we tend to have a lot of humidity¡ªeven if we live in a kind of a northern region¡ªCastelia City can get pretty humid.¡± ¡°Cool,¡± Amira mumbled, clearly not all that interested in learning at the moment, which showed how annoyed she was. ¡°Umm¡­ Could it be from it having more Water-Type energy fused with it than normal¡ªis it from a Rain Dance?¡± Rhea hummed, looking up at the bright sky. ¡°We are getting near the major crop area of Kanto¡­ and don¡¯t they hire Trainers to do Rain Dance or Sunny Day when needed?¡± Ash shook his head, passively scanning the woods and the curious Pokemon that gathered on the edges of the path to observe them. ¡°Anything involving that is localized and controlled. Plus, the wind is coming from the northeast¡ªCerulean¡ªbut I¡¯d guess it has more to do with Samiya than from the fields.¡± Lori put away her phone to watch Gables, Mya, and Holly doing fake drills with Pikachu and Dracovish. ¡°We¡¯re so far away from the city now, though.¡± A small chuckle shook the legend¡¯s chest. ¡°Part of the reason Samiya is so popular among Water Pokemon is that it naturally purifies and enriches the ocean through the Sea Crown and high concentration of Manaphy; anywhere it goes, it will increase the potency of Water-Types.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cool,¡± Rhea smiled, but it soon fell as she realized it also would cause trouble for other Types of Pokemon, which she guessed was just nature, and why Pokemon congregated around specific areas. ¡°We heard you had a long history with Samiya.¡± ¡°Yeah, I can tell you the story. Heh. By the way, you¡¯re doing great, Rhea; you were even able to focus on us through the energy-infused rain to keep balanced.¡± ¡°Thanks! It wasn¡¯t easy.¡± Her smile returned while sensing a small spike of emotions from her travel companions¡¯ Aura; it only happened rarely, but it showed she was honing her skills. ¡°How long before I can start seeing the world through Aura instead of just living things?¡± ¡°Ho-ho, let¡¯s not get carried away?¡± he laughed. ¡°You¡¯ve still got a ways to go before that, but that¡¯s not very important¡ªthat¡¯s broad perception¡ªthe focused type we¡¯ve been practicing is far more useful.¡± ¡°Awesome¡­ Umm, Samiya?¡± ¡°Right. Wooh, what an adventure that was,¡± he mused, reflecting for a moment before getting into the tale. Amira¡¯s mood improved as he told the story about his venture in discovering the ancient sea temple with Lizabeth and her family; the matriarch of the Samiya had mentioned Ash¡¯s involvement in the rediscovery and protection of the sea temple but left out much of the details. Rhea recalled what Bianca said about The Phantom and his attempts at seizing the city over the years, and Ash grimaced at the name; much like Aqua¡ªthe environmental terrorist group¡ªhe wanted to use it as a means to control Kyogre to extort the regions. Yet, unlike the eco terrorists, the pirate was doing it for more selfish reasons, wanting to be named the Emperor of the Sea and to be free to take whatever he desired; Ash dully responded that he was motivated by the boring trope that most villains fell into¡ªpower-hungry fools who wanted what wasn¡¯t theirs. Rhea¡¯s eyes snapped open¡ªher Aura focus collapsing¡ªas she latched onto one name, which brought out Alice a bit early; Mya was ready for a rest, and, to Rhea¡¯s surprise, the bunny said she would ask the questions the Mawile wanted in the conversation. Her Buneary eagerly questioned Pikachu as Rhea launched into her own inquiries. ¡°You know May Lavent¡ªGym Leader Norman¡¯s daughter¡ªContest superstar?! Her Mawile and Lopunny are Mya and Alice¡¯s mothers.¡± Lori zeroed in on her shining, pearly-blue eyes. ¡°Woah, girl! Hehe. Someone¡¯s fangirling.¡± ¡°She¡¯s so cool, and her outfits are adorable¡ªI¡¯ve seen all her Contest debuts; Brendan and her are so cute together¡ªand Lisia even sponsored her! They¡¯ve been making so many waves recently¡­¡± Rhea paused as she looked up their stats to realize they¡¯d hit Master-tier. ¡°Ooh, yeah¡­¡± Ash thoughtfully nodded. ¡°I thought they had a similar Aura; May likes to act weak to the public to give a lot of Pokemon a chance to compete while doing stronger battles in private.¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow. ¡°How can she fool the Contest System?¡± Amira popped her tongue and shook her head. ¡°The rules are clear¡ªit¡¯s only based on the bond between the Trainer and Pokemon. So long as she bonds to lower-tier Pokemon, potentially using regular pokeballs, then she could theoretically challenge the lower ranks, which makes sense since she¡¯d typically be barred per reputation if she was near Champion-tier¡ªMaster+ only goes to Grandmaster.¡± ¡°I know,¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s why my Aunt Cynthia doesn¡¯t do Contests anymore¡­ No one will face her¡ªthey just drop out. Wait¡­ so her recent Master classification?¡± He winked and pulled up a Trainer Card from Hoenn that made Rhea¡¯s mind blank, connecting the two names. ¡°May and Serena have been going by their actual names for Contests?¡± ¡°Sapphire¡­ the Trainer my grandparents have been posting about recently,¡± she asked, shifting to their social media feed. Wait¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s thoughts slowly connected everything she¡¯d heard about the mysterious group of Trainers who always battled Gyms in private. ¡°If Sapphire is May, then is Ruby¡­ is Ruby Brendan?!¡± ¡°Secrets!¡± Lori squealed, pulling out her phone again to look for more information on the three, but Rhea had heard quite a bit about at least Ruby and Sapphire. ¡°Ooh! They keep battling the Elite-4¡ªthere¡¯s actually a bounty on discovering their identities on some Dark Sites.¡± ¡°No way,¡± Rhea mumbled, realizing that the Master¡¯s community wouldn¡¯t give them away, and if they wanted to remain out of the spotlight for their Main Teams because they enjoyed Contests, then it made her respect the woman more. ¡°So¡­ she¡¯s almost Champion-tier?¡± Ash forced a chuckle. ¡°Think about who Emerald, Sapphire, and Ruby are trying to beat.¡± ¡°My grandparents and Steven Stone,¡± she whispered, realizing how big of a challenge that was. ¡°Umm¡­ Sapphire beat my grandma due to her Fire Pokemon¡­ Her Blaziken?! I can¡¯t believe my grandparents didn¡¯t tell me¡­¡± She grimaced, realizing they probably didn¡¯t even know about their Contest life. Rhea¡¯s mouth dropped open as Ash¡¯s Rotom Phone snickered and showed her a picture of May, Dawn, and Serena in a Contest together in what looked to be an after-show group photo. ¡°They¡¯re so stunning together¡ªdoes that mean Serena is X?! How did she come up with such a ridiculous name? Sapphire sounds cool, but X?¡± Lori and Amira giggled at her stumped look, and the violet-haired girl hopped over to hug her. ¡°You¡¯re funny, Rhea!¡± ¡°No, this is crazy!¡± she hissed, loving the photos of three of her Contest idols that she¡¯d thought had never met. ¡°Dawn keeps winning?¡± ¡°Well¡­ she did kind of get personal training from your aunt, but Steven¡¯s been providing some help to Sapphire, Emerald, and Ruby recently; Diantha¡¯s also supporting X and Y¡ªeh-heh, sorry, I got used to calling them by their pseudonyms out of habit.¡± ¡°One detail about Rhea¡¯s idol!¡± Lori jumped in. ¡°Mmh¡­¡± Ash thought for a second before chuckling. ¡°Okay¡­ Don¡¯t get between May and her food; she turns into a Blaziken whenever meat is involved! Heh, you should see her face when I call her the Chicken Fighter¡ªshe punches¡ªhard! I¡¯d say she has about as much Physical Allocation as you, Lori, but she works it to the max!¡± Lori cackled at the comment. ¡°Cool! Amira, get on me to work out¡ªI gotta pump iron, girl! Oh, maybe we can go to the gym¡ªheh, both gyms¡ªin Saffron, I hear the unofficial one has some beefy guys.¡± Amira had her phone on, looking up more information on the women. ¡°Uh¡­ a single workout isn¡¯t going to get you beefy, Lori; sorry to say. Ash, didn¡¯t you travel with May after the Ultra War? I guess Samiya wasn¡¯t discovered until then, so¡­ yeah.¡± ¡°Man, you can find anything on the internet,¡± Ash mumbled, lifting an eyebrow as she showed quite a few pictures of him with May. ¡°Creepy how obsessed some people are with photographing others¡­ Is that me with Serena? Wow¡­ That festival takes me back¡­¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Amira grunted, shifting her backpack a little before wiping away the sweat from her brow. Rhea did a double-take, unable to believe she didn¡¯t know about the close relationship the Kalos Contest superstar and Ash were. ¡°Seriously, I get why they don¡¯t publicize their Gym Battles now, but what is with the X and Y names?!¡± Ash shrugged. ¡°I think it¡¯s a play on DNA or something¡ªheh, you know, XY for male, and XX for female¡ªI don¡¯t know; Calem came up with it when he tried getting into the Sky Battle scene, attempting to score all the Vivillon patterns.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. At their blank stares, he expanded on the sport. ¡°It¡¯s basically all about battling in the air with your Pokemon; not only do you have to beat your opponent¡¯s Pokemon, but stay in the air while doing it. If the Trainer touches the ground, they¡¯ve lost the battle.¡± ¡°Sounds interesting,¡± Amira hummed. ¡°So¡­ they¡¯re all rivals?¡± Rhea asked; she couldn¡¯t be bothered with training her Aura right now as she learned more about the connections. ¡°Eh-well¡­¡± Ash forced a smile, rubbing the back of his head. ¡°I¡¯d say Dawn is the biggest rival to both of them¡ªWallace Cup was pretty intense¡ªthey¡¯ve been trying to compete with her for years, and, heh, don¡¯t get me started when they¡¯re together¡­ It can get wild!¡± ¡°When was that?¡± Rhea whispered, searching for it online and discovering it took place five years ago in a Platinum-tier competition. ¡°You competed?!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Top 8 with Buizel, baby; we did good! Fun fact, he was bonded to Dawn, but we grew closer as we traveled, and Aipom loved Dawn to death, so we traded. When Dawn was outed as Platinum, May and Serena took time away from Contests to build a new team and focus on Gym Badges.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so sad that it broke up the rivalry and competition between them,¡± Lori mumbled, scanning a few old articles on it. ¡°Will they try to do another Contest at some point?¡± Ash¡¯s teeth flashed. ¡°Hehe. Of course! They made a promise that once they each become Champions of their regions, they¡¯ll do the first Champion Contest.¡± ¡°That would be amazing,¡± she whispered, opening Gossip to see what was happening with May, but something else caught her attention. ¡°Paldea is going to join the United Leagues?¡± Lori scooted closer. ¡°Really?¡± Amira¡¯s full lips pulled in as she pulled up a map of the world. ¡°The region by Kalos with that massive mist zone and school system¡ªwhat was their Champion¡¯s name again¡­ Geeta? Right¡­ they have a League Board rather than the typical League system we have.¡± Lori salivated over a ghostly blade Pokemon that came up in her search. ¡°Okay, you all know I generally don¡¯t like Ghost Pokemon, but Ceruledge is sick!¡± ¡°Wiglett,¡± Amira mumbled, looking as if she¡¯d just spotted the cutest thing ever; Rhea figured she would coo over it since she had a thing for Digletts due to her grandma¡¯s specialty. Rhea had eyes for a little fluffy Puppy Pokemon. ¡°Fidough is so squishy and sweet, heh¡­ but I have my own fluffy babies,¡± she added upon seeing Alice¡¯s huff, jumping up to say she wasn¡¯t impressed. Ash chuckled as they browsed between the region¡¯s Pokemon, discussing how they¡¯d be more available in more areas if they did join the United League. ¡°It¡¯s a discussion going on right now, and I heard that if it happens.¡± Amira drew her attention to another topic that was highlighted on the side of her Gossip App. ¡°Vermilion Gym opened today.¡± ¡°I almost forgot!¡± Rhea opened the Gym¡¯s official website¡ªtheir battle this morning had thrown her for a loop¡ªso many things were happening. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ still undefeated. Fifteen matches today so far, and not one person has been able to beat her.¡± Lori must have seen the look on her face because she snickered. ¡°Still want to be the first?¡± ¡°It would be cool¡­ I look up to her for being the first Fairy Gym in Kanto and for following her dreams,¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°I want to do Double Battles now and at Silver-tier.¡± ¡°Mmmmmh¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s pace slowed at Ash¡¯s tight expression, Alice, Mya, and Nova¡¯s hearts stopping at his hesitance. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t think I can do it?¡± ¡°Haaa. It¡¯s complicated,¡± he hissed, glancing at Pikachu as he began explaining to Alice. ¡°Double Battles is a huge step, even for fully ready Silver-tier; teamwork with your team in three-on-threes is one thing, and Double Battles are another. Pikachu and I have been preparing you for matches as a group, but I¡¯d highly suggest doing a Two-Pokemon challenge¡­ not a Double just yet.¡± Amira sucked on her lower lip. ¡°Mmh. It is sound advice. We can have two Pokemon out, but using Moves, and draining ones, is another thing entirely; having the stress of two out while using Moves is bound to be severely taxing.¡± ¡°Ick, yeah¡­¡± Lori shook her head. ¡°It could land you back in the hospital for Rapid Onset Fortitude Distress.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened when Nova and Mya cried out at the dreaded word that they¡¯d heard from Brock only days after their hatching. ¡°Haaa. I guess you¡¯re telling me that because you know it would be too hard, even if we¡¯re supposed to be pushing ourselves. Okay. We can do that¡­ I just wanted my little girls to get better at working as a¡­¡± Her words died as they crested a hill and were blasted by light. ¡°Wow¡­¡± A colossal field of nothing but gold radiated such an incredible scene that it took her breath away; Route 5 cut a path through the glowing wheat, leading to a settlement far in the distance. Butterfree, Beautifly, Vivillon, and Combee roamed the field, safeguarding the stocks from predators with hordes of Beedrill, who seemed to be the guard for Vespiquen in the area. Rhea had never seen so many pollination Pokemon in one place, but they appeared to have some kind of deal with the Pidgey because they didn¡¯t attack the fields, and in the distance, she saw massive machines preparing to harvest it. ¡°Seems we got here in the nick of time,¡± Ash noted, pointing out the vehicles. ¡°We should reach the village by sundown; there are only like 2,200 people that live here, but without them, Kanto would be in a rough spot.¡± ¡°No kidding,¡± Lori whispered. ¡°It¡¯s like the ocean¡­ it goes on forever, and the wind makes those cool waves?¡± ¡°Yup!¡± Amira answered, going into detail on the products as the humidity began to clear up. Proceeding on the path, Rhea listened to Ash talk about the Hidden Village that used to be here and how little help they got due to being between Cerulean and Saffron¡ªboth not having a surplus of excess funds at the time for various reasons, but now it was one of the most lucrative areas of the City-States due to the production volume. It helped when the rescued and rehabilitated abandoned Pokemon protected the area and took great pride in what they maintained; according to Ash, it was a sort of battle against the elements, and there were random Flying Pokemon flocks that could attack it, if just for fun. There were tunnels underneath the ground that Rocket had been hired to construct by creating rain gardens that brought the underwater rivers to feed the area, helped by High Master Erika¡¯s Green Foundation. Rhea expected to see Saffron from this distance, but all she saw was flat prairie lands across a sweeping valley, and she couldn¡¯t even spot mountains on either side of where the forest ended on the downward slope. They received their electricity from the same source everyone did, including their clean water¡ªfrom the massive hydroelectric dam that created Power Bay¡ªwhere the Power Plant and Treatment Center distributed it. Amira went into detail on how the Storm Conductor System to the east of the plant¡ªsituated on tall mountains¡ªhelped to guide rainwater into Power Bay, causing the water always to be turbulent; it was a hazard zone closed to the public due to the forces that many Pokemon loved, but humans couldn¡¯t survive in. A small town at the end of Route 20 handled most of the personnel that ran the facilities, many of which came from Rocket and Silph, requiring specialists to maintain the grid; the place had Rocket and League protection due to its importance to the entire eastern half of Kanto. Rhea¡¯s attention was pulled away from Amira¡¯s discussion on the history of the place with Ash when she got a notification that Cami¡ªJade¡¯s older sister¡ªhad won her Gym Battle against one of Misty¡¯s aides with June¡ªher Oddish¡ªher first victory in over two years. She felt warm fuzzies reading the story and seeing the picture of Jade and her big sister, smiling while holding up both their badges; even if they got another teammate so she could do the Summer Cup, they wouldn¡¯t separate. Texting Jade to congratulate her and get an idea of what their next destination was, Rhea learned a few things about how things were going between her friends; she kept the news about Ash potentially having someone that could join as Jay and Cami¡¯s third member to herself until it was more solid. To her shock, she learned that the four had been leery about actually using the money since it certainly didn¡¯t come from the 10,000 credit limit of personal bounty, and even more funds had flown into their accounts through anonymous sources throughout the day. It all added up to roughly 84,000 to 92,000 each, and it wasn¡¯t until Lori messaged them to assure them it was legit¡ªwell, a gray area¡ªthat came from Lori secretly added the girls¡¯ Trainer Cards onto the dark web gambling site, which triggered when challenging them; she¡¯d had to do a few tricks to get it to go through without them confirming their identities, but it worked out. Not only had they become the chatter of the dark web community but also the Bronze-tier community¡ªhaving beaten their team¡ªand the next battle Rhea¡¯s group had was coming out on top against the Bronze Rank 90 team earlier today. Some people were outraged, and others were excited to see more from their Wooloo friends. Rhea didn¡¯t really care about all the details; the picture of Jade with her sister, beaming ear to ear, was worth any loss. Upon mentioning the Pokemon initiative of Meadowview Village, Cami said she¡¯d love to adopt a Pokemon that might want to continue battling; as it turns out, she was a huge Ash fan and loved the story about his Charmander. Amira was flabbergasted when the legend reluctantly said the film took some creative liberties, and he¡¯d accidentally signed over all rights to it without knowing what the context of the contract was; shady deals in Hollywood. The redhead said he could totally sue, and she knew who he could call, but he wasn¡¯t all that worried; if it had inspired people like Cami, then it didn¡¯t matter if a few details were off. Rhea partially listened to the discussion as she learned her friends were going down the expensive Rock Tunnel Railway, which had a scenic route that passed underneath Power Bay to see the amazing view of the world¡¯s 3rd largest dam¡¯s stormy underbelly. Tourist¡¯ Legend said that it was a common bathing spot for one of the Zapdos of Kanto; Rhea hadn¡¯t heard anything about it growing up, but Hannah was excited to possibly spot another Legendary¡ªthe first being Ho-Oh. She grinned when her friends mentioned they¡¯d come up with a Legendary Bingo sheet¡ªno bets; just for fun¡ªthat involved how many of them they could spot; to the ginger¡¯s chagrin, Sam was winning, having seen Entei with Rhea, who confirmed it. Rhea would have pulled out her Articuno card if not for her sad story, and to keep the location a secret; she trusted her friends, but they were talking over the internet. They already knew about Manaphy in the sea temple by her pictures. Chatting the rest of the day on their journey through the fields, eventually, they passed the huge machines that went over the wheat, harvesting the grain. It was something else, seeing the two vehicles in lockstep, one gathering and the other holding it. Not everything across this colossal area was wheat, it was only Route 5 that followed the golden road path, which was likely done on purpose. The potatoes, barley, and tomatoes¡ªif they squinted, they could see corn¡ªamong many other products, were spaced across this part of the region; it came as a bit of a surprise to Rhea that they were still a few days out from the outskirts of Saffron City-State. A big part of the industry in this area came during the off-season when they grazed Miltank on what is left of the wheat harvest, providing further funding for the initiative; Rhea couldn¡¯t believe how everything seemed to be used to various degrees, including how about ten percent of the yield went back to the wild Pokemon of the area, which promoted a healthy environment. Arriving at the well-maintained settlement that doubled as the temporary housing for seasonal workers that flew in, they found it a buzz with activity while pulling in the haul; Magnemite provided powered spotlights to light up the area while finishing out every last minute of the day to gather the immense harvest that took place during the summer months. There were many storage facilities between areas that would take in the day¡¯s workload and then be emptied the following day via Flying Pokemon to the processing planets, dropping them into the appropriate machines. Ash took them to a less busy part of town, where the Center was, and after restoring the energy of their Pokemon, redirected them to a reasonable hotel. It was 8:30 p.m. when they dropped off their supplies¡ªfairly exhausted from the day¡¯s fast pace¡ªbut the legend wasn¡¯t having their groans and asked them to freshen up. At 9 p.m., they met him at a large local nighttime rest stop, where many workers and Trainers would gather to unwind when the heavy work was done¡ªmost seemed to only stay for an hour before bed since they started super early. It was a bit crazy to Rhea that some of the overseers worked from dusk to dawn during the harvest, making sure everything was on schedule; then again, when millions of people relied on you doing your job to get them food, it made sense. Spotting Ash, Rhea slowed with Amira and Lori beside her. ¡°Who¡¯s he with?¡± she whispered; he hadn¡¯t seemed to notice them yet as Pikachu laughed at something the blue-haired young woman said. Amira nudged them forward. ¡°It¡¯s Melanie; I saw her face on the initiative¡¯s website¡ªthe one that gave Ash his Bulbasaur.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t hear how he got Bulbasaur¡ªonly that there was a Bulbasaur on the island with Pikachu when they got separated¡­¡± ¡°Rhea, Amira, Lori!¡± Ash called out. ¡°I¡¯d like you to meet Melanie; heh, she basically runs this place.¡± The woman looked a bit young to run such a huge operation, which gave Rhea the impression she was likely a Master and older than she looked. ¡°Ash exaggerates! Hehe. I¡¯m somewhat of an ambassador between the Wild Pokemon and farmers union here. So, traveling with cute young girls again, Ash¡ªhaaa, what¡¯s Misty think?¡± ¡°H-Hey!¡± Ash blustered. ¡°I don¡¯t ¡®only¡¯ travel with girls; you¡¯re just feeding into that stupid rumor online¡­ Ack¡­¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help giggling with the others as Melanie pulled out her phone to start swiping through girl after girl, naming each one. ¡°She¡¯s got you dead to rights!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°How did you get all of these anyway?¡± Melanie shot Ash an impish smile. ¡°Who else would have a total collection of every girl you¡¯ve met?¡± Ash hissed out a long stream of air. ¡°Brock¡¯s Pikabook¡­¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± The electric rat shook his head. ¡°Bingo! Hehe. Brock was with you for a long time¡­ How is Misty? She hasn¡¯t been looking too well¡ªat least, the few times I¡¯ve seen her on the news when giving her monthly address, but that party that came out of nowhere was pretty stressful, I¡¯m sure.¡± Lori sank lower in her seat. ¡°Yeah-haha, we can talk about that later. Actually¡­¡± Ash paused in a dramatic way, drawing their attention as he grinned at Melanie, and it suddenly hit Rhea. Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s going to ask if she can be Jay and Cami¡¯s third member?! She wouldn¡¯t put it past the unpredictable legend, but he threw another curve ball. ¡°I know Rylee didn¡¯t want to go on a Bronze Journey because she feels you need her too much here¡ªand she can get out of it with a farmer¡¯s license¡ªbut¡­ I do know of two girls that need someone else to fill in for their last spot!¡± ¡°Haaa¡­¡± Melanie slumped against the table. ¡°I¡¯d love nothing more than to get her to go out and see the world¡­ You know how stubborn she is, and she hates city girls. I¡¯ll bring it up to her tomorrow, though; I know you wouldn¡¯t bring it up unless you thought they could be a good fit.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t so sure since she¡ªmuch less Ash¡ª hadn¡¯t even met Cami, but she was fine to give it a go, and text her friends to see if they¡¯d be down for meeting her; all it took was Cami hearing that it was a girl recommended by Ash and she was in. She gave Melanie their phone number to video chat tomorrow, and after some more funny stories, headed for bed; Rhea hoped things would work out for her friends. Ash shocked them with the news they¡¯d be helping on the farm tomorrow; they¡¯d be working under Rylee and getting to know more about the adopted Pokemon in the area¡ªPikachu would join them since Ash was helping in other ways with his Pokemon. It was going to be a long day. B2 — 40. Rylee, A Good Fit? 5:45 a.m. July 11th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 32 Days (31 officially; 32 since getting Maya and Nova). Stretching under the sheets as the soft alarm went off, Rhea felt her Buneary shift against her belly; Rhea figured she¡¯d changed to her side, displacing Alice at some point during the night. Cracking open an eye, she spotted the time: 5:45 a.m. Yawning, she worked around her mouth and forced herself up. They¡¯d set their alarms fifteen minutes early since they didn¡¯t know exactly what to expect today after Ash¡¯s declaration last night¡ªnone of them had worked on a farm. Amira was already up and getting ready, as per usual, and, taking her groggy bun to the bathroom¡ªsnatching her phone¡ªshe greeted her other two slowly rousing girls. Getting ready while casually scanning any morning news, she saw that Ash had sent them Melanie¡¯s address around 1 a.m. What the legend was doing up at that time was beyond her, but she supposed it had something to do with the harvest; his team could do a lot of things normal people couldn¡¯t, and if traveling with Ash had taught her anything over the last few days, everyone wanted his attention. She wondered if that¡¯s what it was like for most Champion and Legendary-tier Trainers. It was a lot less of a sprint and competition to have a strong Trainer¡¯s focus back home, but everyone there was at least Master-tier, so that wasn¡¯t a good base of reference. Unzipping the skirt part of her Trainer suit, she put on shorts instead, keeping the far more durable top before allowing Amira to fuss with her hair; she returned the favor, crafting the redhead¡¯s locks, and Lori was next. They managed to be out of the hotel at 6:38 a.m., yet they were far from the earliest risers; dozens upon dozens of men and women were already bustling about the village, bringing out the equipment and finishing up breakfast. Rhea was beginning to feel a little squeamish upon seeing so many Pokemon and people knowing exactly where to go and what their jobs were; she was totally out of her element. ¡°You¡­ don¡¯t think they¡¯re going to have us drive one of those things?¡± she asked, eyeing a colossal machine on the road. Amira giggled and shook her head. ¡°No. You need a license and training just like driving a car. I doubt we¡¯ll actually be participating in any of the main harvest activities.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Lori mumbled, petting a sleepy Roxie in her arms. ¡°Ash did say we¡¯re helping on the farm. Pikachu is going to meet us at Melanie¡¯s house?¡± ¡°That¡¯s what Ash said,¡± Rhea returned, taking out her phone to scan through a few apps. Passively chatting with her two friends as Nova and Alice talked to the other Pokemon, Rhea checked what was tending on the various news stations. Paldea was hitting the majority of the headlines, and there was even talk about the ability for other regions to participate in the University Programs the region had. Unlike the United League, Paldea¡¯s school-focused region came with a focus on Pokemon battles after general education, and the age limit for students to bond to their first was still fourteen years old. From the commentary she was seeing, the major disconnect and conflicting portion of Paldea was its more lax age restriction. Some regional scientists believed they were being anti-science in how they handled the statistics for long-term health problems associated with kids that bonded too early. Yet, when Rhea gravitated toward more of the researchers that she knew worked with her mother, they came with a somewhat hopeful perspective after seeing many of Paldea¡¯s own research findings and program. The University Program incorporated an eight Gym challenge, much like every other, that gave you the possibility to face the League Board, yet that was the qualifier to be seen as a Master within the region. In order to have a place on the Board, it took eighteen Encrusted Master Badges from a rather unusual system the region had created, involving traditional Badges, earning five Titan Pokemons¡¯ respect, and the five regional misfit factions, collectively known as Star, proving to every side of the community you had what it took to lead. Very few ever obtained every badge to challenge the current Champion Chairwoman, and Paldea citizens boasted that Geeta was as powerful as Cynthia, Red, Leon, or any other regional Champion. The claim was met with heavy skepticism. Rhea couldn¡¯t say if it was true or not since she¡¯d never met the woman nor heard much about her within her own Master community. She had heard that the region had some funny business when it came to time, yet it hadn¡¯t particularly interested her to dive into. Similarly, there was speculation on the actual power-scaling and capability of each Gym and these delinquents¡ªwhom some called Skull wannabes¡ªbut that was common across every region. Naturally, each one wanted to believe they had the strongest. Rhea found it interesting that Geeta publicly stated two days ago that they were open to having a number of various other regions involved in the United Leagues put their system to the test; their Battle University was open to all ages over fourteen, and nearly every student exited near Silver-tier, which, if true, could put into question the current scientific consensus. It was a national experiment that had many other regions reject it outright due to the ethical nature of the process¡ªthe futures of kids were on the line¡ªand the professors that spearheaded the region had a lot of questions surrounding their history. The process of organizing each region in accepting Paldea¡¯s challenge would still take a bit of time, but Rhea thought it would be cool to travel to a region she hadn¡¯t heard a whole lot about; she had so much ahead of her that it filled her with excitement. Swapping over to Pikabook, she smiled as more pictures of Jade and Cami popped up, enjoying a night out in the festival. Rhea hoped Rylee would be a good fit to finally make the woman¡¯s dream of completing the Bronze challenge a reality, and couldn¡¯t help but feel it was destined to happen after everything that lined up for her to be with her little sister at this moment. Now, it was time to meet this new girl they¡¯d be spending the day with and who would be their boss in this volunteer effort. They arrived just outside a rather decently sized house that had three levels and came in a more ancient Johto design with its sliding panel doors and aesthetic. Dozens of various baby Pokemon, such as Pichu, Cleffa, Igglybuff, Togepi, and Elekid were playing in the yard. Alice¡¯s ears stuck up as they moved toward the door to knock, communicating that she heard someone out back; however, when they reached it, they found a note taped on the front that said for them to go around back. ¡°Huu-haaa. Guess we missed Melanie, huh?¡± Lori asked as they rediverted to the side of the house. All of the baby Pokemon rushed over to greet their own, causing Miky to hide behind Mallory¡¯s leg, which was ironic, considering he was a bit older than the rest of their Pokemon; he did grow up in a more secluded portion of Viridian Forest, though. Their soft conversation died down upon hearing shouts coming from the back as they rounded the side, and what they discovered made them come to a halt. A girl around their age was wearing a white robe, wielding a Honedge as she made repeated swinging motions; her hair was brighter than her mother¡¯s, appearing almost neon-blue and shining in the faintly lit morning light. Rylee didn¡¯t seem to notice them, and Rhea recalled from her history books a similar outfit worn in the distant past, during Kanto¡¯s Feudal Era. Sweat slicked the girl¡¯s red neck as she yelled, ¡°Four-hundred¡­ forty-five! Four-hundred¡­ forty-six!¡± Lori scooted closer to Amira, whispering, ¡°What¡¯s she doing?¡± ¡°Kendo,¡± Rhea answered. ¡°It¡¯s something Kanto used to do like¡­ a long time ago.¡± ¡°It¡¯s still practiced here and there,¡± Amira nodded, pointing out Pikachu beside the girl; the electric rat was mirroring Rylee with a stick. ¡°We shouldn¡¯t interrupt them until they¡¯re done. It seems like a morning ritual. My mother and I used to spar in the morning¡­ She never let me win.¡± ¡°Oof. Holding onto that, huh?¡± Lori mused, studying the precise motion and form the blue-haired girl took in her practice swings. Rhea smiled. It took a lot of discipline to do something like this, and it was interesting to see other people¡¯s hobbies; the fact she was doing it with a Honedge could also be a part of that story, and she wanted to hear it. In amusement, they watched a bunch of the baby Pokemon run to a nearby pile of sticks to find their own, and Alice joined them; naturally, her Buneary wanted to show that she could do anything, and Nova swapped with Mya when the Mawile asked if she could give it a try. Gables, Miky, and even Roxie ran over to bite a stick to swing around, copying Rylee. It was cute seeing her inspire so many Pokemon to join in the exercise, and Rhea wondered how many she could do. ¡°Four-hundred¡­ fifty-nine!¡± ¡°Pika!¡± ¡°Four-hundred¡­ sixty!¡± ¡°Pika!¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± She paused in her slashes as a bunch of the babies ran in front of her to follow her lead. ¡°Hehe. You guys don¡¯t typically join me for morning practice swings¡­ and who are you five?¡± she asked, loosening her grip on her Honedge to bend down and pet Alice¡¯s head, folding back her ears. ¡°Bun-buneary!¡± Alice shouted, doing really quick and uneven swipes to display her awesomeness. ¡°Ho-ho. Very good, but try¡­ just a little bit slower,¡± she whispered, getting up to accept her Honedge. ¡°Like¡­¡± The Pokemon must have been talking, and Rylee likely heard from the Sword Pokemon that they were standing at the edge of the house because she stiffened and turned around; Rhea felt a bit bad when her cheeks flushed and she cleared her throat. ¡°Yo!¡± Lori greeted, holding up a hand. ¡°Cool hobby. Honedge swinging a typical morning thing?¡± ¡°Ahem¡­ How long have you been standing there?¡± ¡°Not that long,¡± Rhea returned, walking forward with teammates. ¡°Hello, Pikachu.¡± ¡°Pika-pi! Pi-pi-pi!¡± Rhea giggled as he began making quick jabs and feints with his stick, causing the other Pokemon to clap and cheer. ¡°I knew a Master Bug-Type specialist that has also trained in kendo. Master Samurai. Do you know him?¡± She wasn¡¯t quite sure why the girl would be embarrassed about the practice¡ªit¡¯s not like she¡¯d be flustered having people see her taking care of all the plants in her house or going out hiking, yet Rylee sounded a bit flustered going over the topic. ¡°No, uh¡­ only a few online videos. So¡­ you¡¯re here to help with the nursery?¡± ¡°Nursery?¡± Lori asked. ¡°Uh, I thought we were going to be helping in the fields?¡± Rylee sighed, seemingly attempting to hide her flustered cadence with exasperation. ¡°Ash didn¡¯t tell you anything, huh? Typical. We have a lot of Pokemon that require food, and they have a habit of going to dangerous areas if they¡¯re not watched.¡± ¡°Makes sense,¡± Rhea chuckled, crossing her arms and seeing a lot of the baby Pokemon running after Alice as she showed off her speed. ¡°I think this could be fun. We can come up with a lot of games¡ªAlice loves games, heh, as you can see.¡± ¡°She also hates to lose,¡± Amira noted with a sad smile. ¡°We have to make it fun for the rest of the teams, so why not allow her to be the captain of one and Pikachu the other.¡± ¡°Pika-pi-pika,¡± the electric rat nodded. Lori got out her phone and started playing some music. ¡°We can have a dance party, too!¡± ¡°That works,¡± Rylee whispered, clearly trying to dodge anything to do with her kendo; Rhea just wanted to learn more about why she found it so interesting. ¡°We will need to split up, though.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Lori asked, pausing her tunes. ¡°Hold up¡­ How many nurseries are in this place?¡± ¡°Uh, there¡¯s a few¡­ But, well¡­¡± Rylee held up two fingers. ¡°Two of our typical workers at the other nursery locations called in sick, so, if two of you could help cover those locations? I¡¯ll show you where they are and check in when I get a chance¡­ Uh, what are your names?¡± ¡°I¡¯m Rhea,¡± she smiled, holding out a hand. ¡°I guess I can handle this one since Alice seems to be starting games already.¡± ¡°Fine by me,¡± she said, shaking it; the girl had quite a few calluses, showing she worked hard at her hobby. ¡°Catch you in a bit.¡± ¡°I¡¯m Amira.¡± ¡°Lori!¡± Rhea watched them leave, finding her elbow behind her back before turning around to see her companions¡¯ Pokemon run after them. She stared at the hovering Honedge, and he stared back, Pikachu and Alice doing their typical hand-bumping game to decide who would pick the field side in the tag-war game. ¡°Umm. Glad to be working with you.¡± ¡°Edge¡­¡± Breathing in and out, her gaze shifted to the two groups that were forming¡ªnaturally, Mya took Pikachu¡¯s team in the game of tag¡ªand, after a second, they were off. Alice chose the left part of the small field behind the house, having a rather confident-looking Cleffa near the back that acted as a jailor, while Mya¡¯s imposing figure sat at the tail-end of Pikachu¡¯s side. Her bunny dashed after Pikachu, as the electric rate sent some kind of electric bolt that split into a wave to zone the fast Buneary, and Alice grabbed a nearby Igglybuff, tossing her out of the paralytic pulse. It was a zig-zag across the field, utter chaos abounding as Rhea smiled and observed; weak Moves flying back and forth, she wondered if this was okay because the backyard was kind of getting a little messy. Alice raced after Pikachu, his tail wagging left and right in a taunting way that pushed her Buneary to go faster; they ran up the dais and wall, transferring to the rafters, and Alice was forced to evade Pikachu¡¯s reverse leap, somehow creating an electrostatic jump pad midair. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. The Buneary dove under his acrobatic slap, knees sliding across the well-polished floor before using the corner to retreat as the electric rat pursued, sending weak electrostatic balls that curved to follow Alice¡ªshe loved it. Of course, the end result was all of Alice¡¯s child teammates getting left to the terror of the walking calamity that was Mya, chasing screaming and laughing babies around the field before tossing them back for her own teammates to haul to jail. In the end, Pikachu delivered a rather sound, areal twist tail bonk to Alice¡¯s open-mouthed horror, unable to dodge the final strike¡ªround one, Pikachu and Mya! Eyes continuing to wander, she grew a bit curious about what she assumed was a backyard training dojo, similar to what the Martial Artists used, and noticed a wooden practice sword similar to what she¡¯d seen in the history books. A half-smile lifted her lips upon shifting over to the wooden dais to examine the left-out item; it had to be Rylee¡¯s, and it brought her mind back to the eccentric Bug Master. Samurai had long abandoned his name, vowing to bring back the noble tradition of the past to face all challengers with honor. Honedge watched her carefully, but Rhea knew better than to touch someone else¡¯s things, especially something that seemed so precious by its use. The thing that cracked Rhea up was Samurai¡¯s Everstone-given Metapod, who he claimed was the strongest in the world, having every Ability, and made multiple trips into the Dream World, obtaining untapped, unimaginable powers of the highly adaptable Bug-Type. He certainly was a character whenever they had Master parties, boasting his invincible Cocoon Pokemon; everyone else thought he was kind of crazy to not evolve the Pokemon to Mega, but he had his trusty and mighty Syncro-Burst. Then again, people also said the same thing to Ash, Red, Yellow, and Chase about their own Pikachu, and look how incredibly powerful they were. Rhea had grown up in a world rife with the out-of-the-ordinary, and she was part of that herself. Breathing out a soft sigh, she got up and went to her Pokemon, asking if the baby Azurills wanted to try to play hit the human with water; naturally, the mischievous children jumped at the opportunity to soak a human. Honedge watched her carefully as she moved to the place his Trainer had been and closed her eyes, calming her breaths and closing her eyes; focusing her mind¡¯s eye, she let the pulses of Aura each Pokemon released pass through her as they waited for her thumbs up to start the barrage. ¡°Huu-haaa. Huu-haaa.¡± In¡­ out¡­ Remove sound, touch, smell, noise, taste¡­ Feel the spiritual vibrations that echo through the atmosphere. It first came with a sixth sense, knowing others were around her without knowing exactly where, yet with every breath, a clearer picture formed until she could see all the little Auras in a short, 5-meter radius. The thumping of her own heart was the only thing left, slowing bit by bit; she gave the signal when the last beat hit her ears, and the sparkling illumination of the Pokemon energies welled up within the babies¡¯ Auras. She drifted to the side, bending and swaying to the predicted, thin jets of water, in a total state of serenity that Ash had helped her to understand over the past few days. Unlike the ball exercise, where she had to predict where the sightless object would be based on others¡¯ Aura movement, with this, she felt like a flowing brook, smoothly dancing around the Pokemon attacks. It was dazzling, seeing in a 360-degree angle¡ªif in a limited range¡ªable to follow every string of water that arched within her perceptive field; she was in a dream, her body swaying to an unheard melody that directed her in a way to evade the simple jets. Rhea wasn¡¯t sure how long she spun around to the Auras¡¯ pulses, yet, when she opened her eyes, all the baby Pokemon were watching her, and she almost tripped upon seeing Rylee studying her from the side of the house. ¡°O-Oh! Heh, uh¡­ I suppose we¡¯ve traded places,¡± she laughed, cheeks flushing a little and now understanding what it was like on the flip side. ¡°I was just doing a little¡­¡± ¡°You can use Aura?¡± Rylee mumbled in disbelief, short-clipped fingernails digging into her palm. ¡°You were using Aura. Weren¡¯t you? You were sensing where they¡¯d attack¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ I¡¯m still not very good,¡± Rhea rambled, smiling, cheeks rosy as she tried to explain herself. ¡°It takes me a lot of time to get into the swing of it, and way easier to do standing still.¡± Rylee¡¯s mouth became a line, glaring at her before growling, ¡°You can¡¯t be Bronze-tier.¡± ¡°Uh. Excuse me?¡± Eyebrows coming together, she glanced at Alice and Mya, who were trying to decipher their conversation. ¡°I know it¡¯s a bit unusual, but¡­¡± ¡°No. You can¡¯t be. I¡¯ve been trying to sense Aura since I was ten¡­ Ash tried to teach me once, too. He said I¡¯m on the right track, but¡­ but that¡¯s way too advanced for anyone that¡¯s not at least a Master.¡± Rhea forced a smile and shrugged. ¡°Eh-heh. I mean, my dad did start me out when I was five, and I¡¯ve been able to sense Pokemon pressure since like¡­ twelve? It¡¯s harder with weaker Pokemon, but Ash has really helped me bridge that over the last few days.¡± ¡°Days¡­¡± ¡°¡­yes?¡± ¡°Mmgm¡­ Battle me.¡± ¡°Ugh.¡± Rhea puffed out a long stream of air, rubbing the back of her neck; this was not the type of reception she was expecting to get, and, judging by the Honedge¡¯s Aura, he wasn¡¯t exactly on their level. ¡°I suppose Alice could¡­¡± ¡°No, your Mawile,¡± Rylee heatedly interjected. ¡°Wha¡­ Mya, hold up¡­¡± Alice crossed her arms, scowling at the Mawile as she puffed up her chest and licked her jowls, showing a wicked smile. ¡°Are you scared?¡± Rylee asked. ¡°Amira said she was the first Pokemon you battled with, so she would be the strongest. You can¡¯t be Bronze-tier and use Aura.¡± ¡°Why are you suddenly mad at me?¡± Rhea hissed, rubbing her arm. ¡°It¡¯s not a big deal; almost everyone I know can use Aura to some degree.¡± ¡°Not¡­ a big deal? You can¡¯t use Aura! You were just trying to show off or something¡ªdid Ash put you up to this?¡± she mumbled, bewildering her as her confrontational attitude increased her blood pressure. ¡°No! Can we just talk¡­ You¡¯re scaring the kids¡­¡± ¡°Just battle me!¡± ¡°What will that prove?¡± Rhea questioned, truly lost with how them battling and Aura even connected. ¡°Look¡­ Mya could hurt your Pokemon.¡± ¡°Is that what your Aura sense tells you?¡± she challenged. ¡°Yes!¡± ¡°You¡¯re Muking lying!¡± Biting her lower lip, Rhea threw her hands in the air, seeing Pikachu¡¯s sad expression, yet he let it go on for some reason. ¡°Fine¡­ Alice, sorry¡­¡± ¡°Bun-bun¡­¡± Her bunny huffed as she returned to her pokeball for Nova to exit, having more of the attitude to help bustle the baby Pokemon off to the side. ¡°Pew-pew¡­ Pwe?¡± ¡°Pika-pi.¡± ¡°Pweee¡­¡± By the interaction, Rhea got that Pikachu felt like this was something they had to play out, and so she stepped away, crossing her arms and frowning at Rylee as her Honedge came between them. ¡°If you do have Aura, then you¡¯ll be able to predict Knight¡¯s attack!¡± What kind of logic is that? Maybe if he was attacking me, but I guess she doesn¡¯t want to go that far? Mya¡­ don¡¯t put a lot of power into it¡ªlet me give you the amount. ¡°Mawile! Maw-maw.¡± Rhea scratched her temple as the Honedge flickered with shadows, showing Rylee had never been in an actual battle or how it worked¡ªthey hadn¡¯t even said start¡ªbut it didn¡¯t matter. Mya¡­ Shadow Punch. Darkness enveloped Mya, and she appeared behind the Ghost Pokemon, her black fist driving it to the ground and shattering its energy matrix in a single blow, cracking the walking stone he landed on. Silence followed as Rylee¡¯s eyes defocused, clearly not realizing what had just happened. ¡°Haaa. We should probably go to the¡­¡± ¡°I knew it¡­¡± Rylee walked over to her Pokemon and lifted him up, still glaring at her. ¡°You aren¡¯t Bronze-tier. You lied.¡± ¡°Huh?! I can show you my Trainer Card! Why are you so pissed at me¡­ I didn¡¯t do anything to you¡­ I just wanted to be friends. Ugh¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m going to the Center¡­ Watch the babies.¡± She stormed off, face red with anger that Rhea couldn¡¯t understand. ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± the electric rat sighed, motioning that he¡¯d go after her. Breathing out her stress, she walked to the dais to sit at the edge, suddenly depressed. What¡¯s her deal? Sure, Aura is cool¡ªhard to master, though¡­ I¡¯ve been practicing for over twelve years! It¡¯s not something an argument should be started over. Maybe she isn¡¯t a good fit for Cami and Jay. She tried to calm down over the next hour, sending a heated text to Ash about the incident; he returned it, saying he¡¯d talk to her, but Rhea didn¡¯t know how he could smooth things over. Rylee snapped at her for basically nothing at all, and they¡¯d held back to not hurt her Pokemon. After another hour, Alice replaced Mya, and Rhea followed the baby Pokemon into the dojo to find their food; she wasn¡¯t sure when she was supposed to feed them because the girl that was supposed to be guiding them had run off. It had been such a great start to the day, and now it seemed utterly ruined. Thirty more minutes and Rylee returned, Honedge held against her chest; she met Rhea¡¯s gaze before walking to the dais to sit practically on the opposite side. Ten minutes passed before she spoke. ¡°I¡¯m sorry I lost my temper¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s hands tightened against her lap, and tears were starting to form in her eyes against her will; she didn¡¯t want to get emotional, but it had come out of nowhere. ¡°Why did you snap at me¡ªI didn¡¯t do anything¡ªand all I wanted to do was get to know you¡­ I thought the whole Samurai thing was cool.¡± ¡°Like I said¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ Ugh!¡± Rylee fell to her back to stare up at the bright sky, her silence bringing the sounds of chirping Pokemon and distant machines into the foreground. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ Frustrating.¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­ It doesn¡¯t mean taking it out on me is going to do anything but make me frustrated, too. Do you hate me now?¡± ¡°No¡­ I envy you,¡± she grumbled, turning her back to Rhea, staring at the fence surrounding their property. ¡°You grew up in a place where you could have everything you wanted?¡± ¡°Everything I wanted?!¡± Rylee shifted again to look at her at the heat that entered Rhea¡¯s voice. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything about me¡ªabout my life¡ªdon¡¯t think you do! It¡¯s¡­ far from what everyone seems to think¡­ You have no idea how lonely I was¡­ how trapped,¡± she sniffed. ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Rhea turned her own back to the girl, rubbing away her tears as Alice shouted at the neon-blue-haired girl, tears coming to her own eyes as the Buneary connected with her heart, Nova sniffling a bit, too. ¡°Haaa¡­ I¡¯ve tried to learn Aura to help Knight¡­ but it¡¯s really rough due to my genetics, Ash says. I can¡­ He thinks everyone can. It¡¯s just¡­ hard, and it¡¯s not fair others can learn it so easily.¡± ¡°What makes you think it was easy?¡± Rhea huffed, still drying her damp cheeks. ¡°Amazing girls like Amira and Lori can¡¯t do it, either¡­ but they¡¯re so much better than me at so many other things. ¡°Amira has the most beautiful voice, not to mention she¡¯s smart and classy. Lori¡¯s super outgoing and fun to hang out with¡­ she can dance and lighten the mood, plus she has all this dark web stuff down. Aura¡¯s cool, but it¡¯s not something you should start a fight over¡­ Samurai stuff is cool, too.¡± Rylee puffed out a long stream of air, allowing a few more seconds to pass before speaking again. ¡°Knight¡¯s previous Trainer dreamed of being a knight¡­ heh, ironically, he grew out of that stage fast and didn¡¯t really like losing to Pidgey with Knight, so¡­¡± ¡°He abandoned him? That¡¯s terrible¡­¡± Rhea whispered, still hiding her puffy and red face. ¡°So, you¡¯re trying to make his dream come true?¡± ¡°Kind of both our dreams¡­ I guess¡ªit¡¯s complicated¡­ Some of the local girls thought I was silly for liking Samurai Adventures.¡± Catching the underlying tone, in translation, she was bullied for it. ¡°Samurai¡¯s TV series?¡± ¡°Heh¡­ Yeah. He was funny, but when things got serious, he always stood his ground and saved the day¡­ His Blind Aura Slash was always something I wanted to do, and seeing you just¡­ just dodging everything¡­ moving like him just¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± She squeezed out a few more tears while pounding the deck with her fist; Rhea could feel her sincerity melting her heart. ¡°It still hurt that you just attacked me like that,¡± she mumbled, ¡°but¡­ I can start over if you promise not to snap like that again.¡± Rising back up, she smiled over at her, seeing tears in the girl¡¯s own eyes. ¡°S-Samurai aren¡¯t supposed to cry¡­¡± ¡°Hehe. That¡¯s stupid. Didn¡¯t Samurai cry at the end of the 5th season?¡± ¡°You saw it?¡± she asked, looking stunned. ¡°Eh-heh¡­ I saw a meme about it, but my point still stands!¡± ¡°Haha. I suppose it does¡­ but that was a totally different scenario. He lost his best friend and had to bring the evil Ronin, Master Beedrill, to justice. I cried like¡­ for three days straight after that episode¡­¡± she choked, seemingly about to relive the experience. ¡°The soundtrack of Samurai Adventures was the best¡­¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯ll have to watch it sometime. Umm¡­ Can you show me the practice swings you did earlier¡ªhow to do it properly? I know, heh, Samurai got on Jason one time when he tried to mirror him¡­ Something about technique.¡± Rylee gave her a watery-eyed, dubious look. ¡°You really know Samurai?¡± ¡°Yeah! He stops off all the time in my village. He¡¯s a little weird, heh¡­ and Metapod can be a bit of a ham at times with his String Shot, but in a good way.¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± her lifted eyebrow asked her to continue. ¡°Well¡­ heh, he likes to make random art with his silk before Samurai shows his skills and cuts it. It¡¯s generally of Metapod as some kind of hero, mirroring scenes in the show, I think.¡± ¡°That¡¯s true! I thought it was a rumor.¡± ¡°I swear on my life!¡± ¡°That¡¯s so awesome¡­ I wish I could meet him.¡± Rhea took out her phone. ¡°I can send him a Pikabook request to see if he¡¯d be down to stop by.¡± ¡°For real?! N-No¡­ I know he¡¯s busy shooting the 7th season in Hollywood,¡± she flusteredly replied, smoothing back the few loose pieces of her bangs behind her ears. An impish smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips. ¡°You totally want to meet him¡­ Let¡¯s just send a little message¡­¡± ¡°No, wait!¡± ¡°Done! Oh, let me get your number so I can forward it to you when he does reply. It may be a day or two; his account is managed by someone else during weekends¡ªdon¡¯t ask me why!¡± ¡°Eek¡­ I don¡¯t want to annoy him,¡± she tentatively grumbled, scratching her neck. ¡°Bah! He¡¯s generally cool meeting fans, and it will give him something to brag to my dad about¡ª¡®your daughter watches my show!¡¯ ¡± she said, taking on a deeper voice that made Rylee laugh. ¡°Wha-heh. B-But you don¡¯t?!¡± ¡°Hehe. Shh! He¡¯ll think I do since I messaged him, and he¡¯s pestered me about watching it for years. He¡¯s funny like that.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ You do come from a totally different world.¡± ¡°Mmgh¡­ It has its perks¡­ sometimes. Sword lessons?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Do you really want to try swinging around a stick all day¡­ getting sweaty, and messing up your makeup?¡± ¡°I¡¯m, heh, guessing that¡¯s something other girls said to you? Also, I don¡¯t really wear that much makeup, so¡­¡± ¡°Oh? Humble, I see.¡± ¡°Just a fact!¡± Rhea laughed. Rylee got up and began leaning left and right. ¡°It¡¯s not bragging if it¡¯s true, I guess. Okay! Step one, limber up. Oh, and thank you, Rhea¡­ You and your Pokemon for watching the kids while I threw a tantrum.¡± ¡°Self-reflection! I hear that¡¯s pretty good,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Although, you¡¯ll have to get Alice a treat for her to forgive you; she¡¯s a little bit of a stinker.¡± ¡°Bun-buneary!¡± Rhea gave a helpless shrug. ¡°Don¡¯t deny it!¡± ¡°Bun¡­ Bun-bun¡­¡± ¡°Ice cream?¡± She nodded. ¡°Heh. Thought so.¡± Rylee laughed with her, going into their indoor freezer to pull out a big tub of the desert, yet, to Alice¡¯s disappointment, the shares were only a single scoop between all the excited baby Pokemon¡ªthat included her, but Rhea couldn¡¯t compare her to these egglings¡ªshe was so grown up and mature. The hours of the day passed, and Rhea was surprised at how earnest and hardworking Rylee was; she had a bit of a temper, for sure, but the girl was quick to put any bad feelings behind her, which Rhea liked. She was very defensive about Knight, and Speedo¡ªher Slowpoke¡ªhad a rather tragic story about being left in Power Dam; his Bronze-tier Trainer had snuck away from her party one night to skinny dip with some boy they¡¯d battled earlier, only for the pair to be swept below the deceptive waters and drowned. Speedo walked the entire way to the shores and found his Trainer¡¯s body, staying with it until the Rangers discovered them; he felt like he¡¯d failed her, and it had taken some years for Rylee to convince him that he could be bonded with another Trainer¡ªthathe wasn¡¯t to blame. Each of the Pokemon around them had similar tragic stories regarding their Trainers, some heinous, and others due to their Trainer¡¯s spirit being forcefully snatched from them by death. It was hard to think of which was worse, the sudden shattering of their world or the slow fracture of the bond they shared with their Trainers until they were abandoned on the side of the road, forced to separate by their Trainer destroying their pokeball. The whiplash Rhea felt from their earlier conflict faded the more she got to know Rylee and how compassionate she was; she¡¯d worked with and supported hundreds of Pokemon, successfully seeing them return back to the wild. True, she had her own insecurities, but she was self-aware of them and tried to make up for the incident. When 7 p.m. came around, Rhea had gotten the swing of the basic technique Rylee taught her, shocking the girl at how swiftly she picked it up; of course, given whatever her mother had done to her, Rhea figured she absolutely had advantages, yet there wasn¡¯t anything she could do with how she was born. When Jade privately texted her, asking what she thought about Rylee, Rhea had to think about how to respond; the chat Jay and Cami had with her were short, and they were going to chat a few more times throughout the week before she decided to join, but there seemed to be a connection drawn, because¡ªto Rhea¡¯s surprise¡ªCami was also a fan of Samurai Adventures. 7:46 p.m. - Rhea: She comes with some edges but has a heart of gold; she really cares about Pokemon, and so long as she doesn¡¯t feel judged, I think she¡¯d be a great fit. Also¡­ Help her understand the in and outs of Battling because she needs help. 7:49 p.m. - Jade: Haha! Will do. My sister¡¯s so hyped! Thanks for everything you¡¯ve done for me, Rhea. Really! 7:51 p.m. - Rhea: What did I do? You guys are already amazing! 7:52 p.m. - Jade: Maybe we are! BUT! You helped all of us gain the confidence so that we believe we are. Thanks for being our friend. Nose burning, Rhea sniffed and coughed, confusing Amira and Lori as she waved goodbye to Rylee; they¡¯d be returning to the road tomorrow. 7:53 p.m. - Rhea: Thanks for being my friends! You have no idea how much it means to me. Hope you have a fun time on the train!¡± B2 — 41. To Saffron! 9:21 p.m. July 11th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 32 Days (31 officially; 32 since getting Maya and Nova). Just as the previous night, Ash bumped up their training time, having them release all their Pokemon before bed for eight minutes. It was killer, but they were making gains each night, and she was happy to see Amira not wishing for the sweet release of death after. Rhea pressed herself further by having Nova transform into her Glaceon form; she really wanted to make her Eevee¡¯s dream come true of being able to stay in the form as long as she desired. Although she was half-convinced that Nova just wanted to appear older to Mya and Alice. Her Eevee had this ¡®big sister¡¯ vibe she was trying to maintain as the one who took care of her two constantly warring teammates. Rylee was a topic of discussion between them while lying in the dark, and her team couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d been so aggressive at first, but Rhea assured them that they¡¯d smoothed everything over. Rhea wanted to see Rylee off before they continued on to Saffron City, and Amira wanted her shot at swinging around the sword. The redhead seemed to be interested in all forms of self-defense and martial arts. The night embraced them only for heavy machinery to wake them up near 5 a.m., and, unable to get more rest due to the bustling of people shouting about some kind of problem with one of the vehicles, they got ready early. Luckily, the cafe was open 24/7 around key parts of the year, and they were able to get a morning brew in the surprisingly busy public rest stop. They passed the time by browsing news topics and passively moving between conversations. Paldea was still a topic of discussion on gossip, but Rhea wasn¡¯t all that interested in rumors at the moment; she wanted to hear more about Saria Surge¡¯s opening day, and news articles were beginning to come out with complaints on various social platforms. Not one person managed to beat Vermilion¡¯s new Fairy Gym Leader, which was a bit surprising, considering she was brand new to the position. Some articles said she wasn¡¯t experienced enough to adjust her fighting style to the competition, while other commentators countered with the Giovanni and Sabrina win-loss ratio as an example of tough Leaders. The League performed its in-house trials earlier this week, and the blonde Gym Leader passed with flying colors in all Tier categories, which meant if there were complaints, the comments were met with new fans of the Gym posting a picture of the certificate and a crying Jinx emoji. Every Gym Leader focused on particular qualities, and it was up to the challenger to understand what that was when preparing to take on the Gym; it was a test before the Trainer first set foot in the building, and Saria had many interviews and online videos of her past battles to pull from. The challenge only hyped Rhea up more for the competition, and Alice couldn¡¯t wait to get in on the action. On the other hand, when she¡¯d shown Lori the articles, the Unovan girl¡¯s eyes locked on a completely different issue when spotting one name¡ªSabrina. The conversation swiftly swapped to what they could do to help her struggling Impidimp¡ªwho was sleeping at the moment¡ªand they rallied around their coffee, sipping at it while spitballing ideas. Amira pointed out that Sabrina has to provide a win condition, yet the trouble most people had with Sabrina, just like her grandfather, was the Psychic¡¯s conditions were typically very adaptability oriented, like Giovanni¡¯s, which made Amira an expert. Rhea could see the redhead tying a bandana around her head, putting on a military outfit¡ªfashionable, of course¡ªand running the violet-eyed girl through battle drills, which made her giggle inside, but Lori¡¯s eyes were utterly focused as she listened. As for her, she looked up various battle strategy guides on PikaTube, picking the brains of those who had obtained the Soul Badge. Their biggest uncertainty was the possibility of challenging her at Bronze or especially Silver, and how Miky could be prepared for that daunting task. Giovanni¡¯s angle was adaptability, and, like a chess game, there were only so many moves one could make; there were only so many Ground Pokemon, and that first action set the pace of the whole battle. It was a test of wits and how the challenger could adapt. Sabrina¡¯s style was similar but played heavily to the Psychic Type¡¯s strengths of foresight, requiring the challenger¡¯s Pokemon to come up with a strategy to counter someone that could tell what you were going to do next. On the plus side, Impidimp had a major Type advantage that Sabrina would take into consideration, yet it also vastly narrowed down her potential choices; Rhea began to see Amira¡¯s mind was attuned to her grandfather¡¯s, picking apart every move their opponents might make. It inspired Rhea to want to do more research on Saria. Around 8 a.m., Ash made it to their table¡ªhe could sleep through an avalanche, as far as Rhea could tell from Pikachu¡¯s explanation to their Pokemon¡ªand they put their backpacks on when he got his morning burrito and coffee to eat on the go. Mallory voiced her concerns and some of the strategies they¡¯d come up with against Sabrina, asking for the Legend¡¯s opinion. Passively munching on his breakfast as they made their way to Melanie¡¯s house, he thought about it for a minute. Ultimately, he said that if she wanted the Impidimp to be ready for the very edge of Silver-tier¡ªwhich would include his Type advantage¡ªhe¡¯d need to be out most of the time, which meant it was time to draw back a ¡®tiny bit¡¯ on Move use through the day and bring out two of their Pokemon again. Their Pokemon were thrilled at the prospect of having more chances to play, but Rhea noticed the apprehension on Amira¡¯s face. Questioning her, the Rocket girl admitted that her sore body wasn¡¯t fully recovering overnight. Ash laughed, welcoming her to the life of the average person. Growing pains, if done in gradual increments, were perfect; it showed Amira was pushing outside of her typical threshold, which would help her catch up to Rhea and Lori¡¯s natural faculties. Amira seemed to feel better about it, pointing out that Pikachu had been guiding each of their Pokemon through different activities, likely drawing on specific Allocations. The conversation died down as they followed Ash around the back of Melanie¡¯s house, and, this time, Rylee didn¡¯t blush or try to hide her practice swings when they came into view. Naturally, the baby Pokemon were thrilled to see Alice, Mya, Nova, and Pikachu again; they got their wish for doing a quick tag-war game as the Trainers practiced with Rylee¡¯s wooden sword, including Ash. Their visit was far more enjoyable this time, and, to Rylee and her teammate¡¯s surprise, Rhea challenged her to a battle the next time they saw each other¡ªin Cami and Jay¡¯s team or not. She accepted the challenge, and, after shaking hands, they backtracked to Route 5 to continue their journey south to their next destination, Saffron City. Their day was relatively pleasant in the downward slant to the smooth, winding terrain; Rhea wondered if this was what it looked like in Goldenrod City-State¡ªGreenfield¡ªwhere Lyra grew up and Johto¡¯s agricultural hotspot. Ash¡¯s ears practically stood up like a Buneary when she mentioned the area, launching them into another unbelievable tale, yet Amira showed her pictures of what the Legend described¡ªit was all over Johto news at the time¡ªand Rhea couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d never heard about the event. Her eyes widened in wonder upon seeing the pink and violet-hued crystal palace that overtook Lyra¡¯s home City-State before moving to New Bark with her parents; it was beautiful and dwarfed the hills surrounding it. She couldn¡¯t get over that Ash actually climbed it with his Bulbasaur and fought, as he described it, an Unown-created Entei. Lori and Amira had blank looks at the Symbol Pokemon, and to Rhea¡¯s thorough enjoyment, it was her turn to shine as the day went on; she became the teacher, recounting everything her mother had taught her. Nearly every ruin¡ªno matter what Legendary or Mythical were worshiped¡ªhad Unown surrounding it. Her mother got into a crazy fixation with the Pokemon after meeting someone Ash knew from this very event, Spencer Hale, the world expert on the subject. Rhea entailed them with Unown theories, including the thought that they were actually the engineers of the universe from within their unique dimension outside of space-time, while Arceus was the architect. They were social creatures to the extreme, communicating in electromagnetic waves of harmony. The fact Unown had the power to create fully sentient creatures when unifying in specific ways drew many comparisons to the dance they performed while in this reality-warping state. A popular term related to the Pokemon came from a field research paper her mother had titled, ¡®The Dance Of Creation.¡¯ The discussions lasted throughout the day, and Ash prompted her to renew her Aura training, which was hard when trying to also join in the conversations. Eventually, they saw the machines beginning to catch up to them around noon, showing massive trucks that relieved the collectors of their haul. Miky and the rest of their Pokemon began their traveling training regiment, Pikachu taking him through mock battles throughout the day. The Wily Pokemon was learning how to use his Prankster Ability to its fullest to counter other Status Moves. Pikachu had a wealth of experience that all of their Pokemon learned from, and he slowly started building up his confidence again. Finding a good place to rest as night fell, they set up their tents¡ªNova and Alice wanted to do the activity. They settled in and chatted through the night, going over what Miky needed to accomplish before they reached Saffron. If Lori wanted Miky to have a chance against a ¡®very low¡¯ Silver-tier Psychic Pokemon, he had to learn two new Moves by the time they reached their destination, which meant he had his work cut out for him. Ash spit out his water when learning Miky hadn¡¯t even been taught Protect yet, but Lori grinned and said she had a plan for that, even if she was low on funds. Rhea gave Amira a look that she returned; they knew her go-to method for earning cash¡ªgambling¡ªand Saffron¡¯s legal age was seventeen. Just before bed, Amira offered another event they could do before signing up at the Gym that sounded fun, and Ash was all for it; they were going to visit the famous, unofficial Fighting Dojo. According to the redhead, its master¡ªKoichi¡ªhad a rather turbulent history with the intimidating and infamous Psychic Gym Leader. Ash commented that Red had a rather colored backstory with the place. The place had somewhat of a reputation for allowing those that beat it at Silver-tier to obtain a baby Hitmonchan or Hitmonlee; they had the largest gathering of the two Pokemon in the world. It was a cool gimmick and something that seemed to keep them in business, but it wasn¡¯t like any of them were really that interested in the fighting Pokemon, and Rhea already had Alice. Still, it would be nice to have a battle with them as they waited for Sabrina¡¯s challenge day¡ªMonday¡ªto arrive. They wouldn¡¯t make it close to the city by tomorrow, so next week would be the soonest they could schedule it, which made Ash confident Miky had plenty of time to boost himself up. They were in no rush, and Rhea caught a message from their Wooloo friends that they¡¯d be setting off to the farmsteads tomorrow to meet with Rylee. However, unlike them, they¡¯d be cutting to the west to ride the Rock Tunnel Express underneath Power Bay to reach Lavender City; it had recently rid itself of its ¡®town¡¯ status due to its increased population, which only seemed to increase the haunted stories and perpetual misty nights. Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. It seemed to work out since they¡¯d be passing through the area to reach the town near Maiden¡¯s Peak on Ash¡¯s request to see what became of its ghost. Hannah was not okay with anything involving ghosts, but Sam and Jade seemed to bully her into accepting the adventure. Rhea was excited to meet up with her friends again and potentially get some payback for their last defeat; plus, walking around the spooky city and visiting some of the attractions would be fun¡ªLori was not totally on the train with that plan yet¡ªshe may have a dislike for Ghost Types, but she respected the Muk out of them. The next day was filled with more training, as was the following. On the 14th, Rhea laughed as their friends¡¯ took pictures through Blue Forest. They¡¯d somehow landed themselves in the middle of a war between Caterpie and Spinarak, and not the nice kind as the packs of spiders tried to overtake the caterpillars. It was nature, and, fortunately, they were more or less in the way, which came with a local Ranger having to rescue them; the Pokemon wouldn¡¯t hurt humans but, probably from experience, had locked the girls down so they couldn¡¯t help the opposite side. Rhea almost spit out her water, seeing her strung-up friends and their Pokemon in the trees, hair draped down as they swung back and forth; Hannah was cut down first, which prompted a string of photos of her red-faced friends as the Ranger helped them down. To conclude the story, Jade posted a picture of the Caterpie roaring their victory in repelling the Spinarak aggressors; everything was covered in silk, including the girls. Their Pokemon got good experience, defending until the last one was tied up with their Trainers. The trouble could have been worse, but Pokemon generally knew not to harm humans if they lived near well-traveled Routes. If humans stayed out of their business, they¡¯d let them go by. It did make for a funny story, though. Rhea jumped on the group chat they¡¯d formed to complain as they neared camp for the night; the light hurt her eyes a bit since she¡¯d been practicing Aura all day with them closed. 7:23 p.m. - Sam: Of course, it had to be us that hit the random insect war! We lost, like, most the day because of their beef. 7:24 p.m. - Jade: You have to admit it was pretty thrilling! 7:24 p.m. - Jay: Hah! Maybe when we realized they weren¡¯t going to melt us inside our cocoons. You were lucky and got captured by the Caterpie, Jade. 7:25 p.m. - Hannah: Yeah, they even brought us berries for snacks. 7:25 p.m. - Rhea: They cut you guys down and fed you? 7:25 p.m. - Jade: We had to let them tie us back up after, but yeah, they were nice. I was super worried about Cami, though, but Big Boss Butterfree kept us up to date on how things were going and told Mimi they weren¡¯t hurting Sam, Jay, and my sister. 7:26 p.m. - Cami: It was wild! I¡¯ve seen documentaries where Pokemon suddenly go to war to gain more food, but nothing like this. The Ranger said they¡¯d look into it since it was kind of out of the blue¡­ =) 7:27 p.m. - Jade: Sis! You didn¡¯t! 7:27 p.m. - Hannah: ROFL! Out of the blue. Blue Forest. Nice. 7:28 p.m. - Jay: So, on other news, we¡¯re talking to Rylee, and she seems cool. Cami¡¯s stoked to have someone else that¡¯s into that Samurai show. 7:28 p.m. - Cami: It¡¯s the best! Jade has terrible taste in movies¡­ Ghost Mysteries. 7:29 p.m. - Jade: What¡¯s wrong with the Ghost Mystery sub-genre?! Your action romance is so cringe! 7:29 p.m. - Cami: Like your shrine to Weedle? 7:29: p.m. - Sam: Jade¡¯s what? 7:30 p.m. - Jade: Not cool, Cam! I like how it jumps around and dances¡­ You¡¯ve seen their wiggle wars with me! 7:31 p.m. - Hannah: Mmh. Wiggle wars? Do explain. What kind of wiggling? 7:31 p.m. - Jade: Muk off with your perverted brain! 7:32 p.m. - Jay: Okay, how is that perverted? Explain. 7:32 p.m. - Sam: Yeah, explain, Jade! Wiggle wiggle? What do they do with their little hands that you like? 7:32 p.m. - Jade: Do you see what you did, Cami! 7:33 p.m. - Cami: Isn¡¯t it hilarious! C¡¯mon, lil¡¯ sis, no need to be shy with your friends. Haha. 7:34 p.m. - Jade: Oh? Better than a Bellsprout ¡®shrine,¡¯ big sis! I saw those dolls of Tentacool, too, Hannah, so don¡¯t go there with me! 7:34 p.m. - Hannah: You know nothing! 7:34 p.m. - Cami: I do have a fondness for Bellsprout. At least I can admit it ;) 7:35 p.m. - Jay: Can we get back to¡­ Wait. Are all these supposed to be somehow perverted innuendos of some kind? I¡¯m lost. A stitch broke into Rhea¡¯s side as she laughed, drawing confused smiles from her teammates. It was nice to see more interactions from her friends, and the funniest part was them chatting like this on their private social media pages rather than in person. Settling into her inflatable bed and tent with Mya resting beside her and Nova taking the first watch, Rhea went to bed; tomorrow morning, they¡¯d reach Saffron City-State with their swift pace. Her Wooloo friends weren¡¯t anywhere near as fast as them, which meant they¡¯d reach the farmsteads in a few more days. They rose early, cleaning up using the brook that ran alongside the golden wheat; somehow, the machines hadn¡¯t caught up to them after that first day, which meant they were probably doing wide sweeps. Cutting west as the path veered that direction, they saw the ¡®Welcome to Saffron City-State¡¯ sign, marked by many names of people who had graffitied. A person had a ladder, sanding or washing the marks off, which was probably more of a volunteer thing. The 15th went by like every other day on their path through the fields of gold, spotting Pokemon and training, yet one new prospect sent Butterfrees in her belly upon seeing a team within the top 3,000 Bronze-tier rankings enter their vicinity on the app. Sadly, they didn¡¯t want to challenge them, and they waved them by on their way up to Meadowview Village; their battle against the Rank 90 team had spread, even if their battle record was far below the group. She was surprised when Lori spun around and challenged them just before they left earshot¡ªMiky had to gain experience somehow. Discussing it amongst themselves, the opposing girls chose their blue-haired friend to represent them, and she sent out an Alolan Vulpix named Stacy, making all their hearts melt. Miky had his work cut out for him, but he caught the first hit with Fake Out, allowing him to close the ranged gap as Stacy fell to her side in a daze. Flatter further caused the Vulpex to stumble around, having a terrible start with the Impidimp in the zone from being on the training grind the last few days. Rhea clapped after Miky did a different kind of fake out, forming dark energy around his teeth only to release it as Stacy used Disable; Lori had Pokedex open, feeding advice through their bond. Amira lifted an eyebrow at the unusual tactic. ¡°Nice predict, Lori; I might have to mirror that false Move play at some point.¡± ¡°It¡¯s smart,¡± Ash chuckled, catching the girl¡¯s nervous teammates¡¯ notice on his opposite side; they had fangirled a little before the match on the return once noticing who the man was. ¡°Forming a Move and canceling it before it fully takes shape is a great way to bait out a disruptor or Sucker Punch, as an example,¡± he said with a smile down at Mya. Amber, Holly, Gables, Mya, and Nova cheered him on, offering their advice as Pikachu reffed. Stacy locked Miky out of Flatter, but it had already caused its damage as the Vulpix stumbled away from the rapidly advancing Impidimp; it must have been terrifying from her perspective, seeing several images of the Pokemon¡¯s slimy tongue hanging out as he ran toward her from various angles in her befuddled state. ¡°C¡¯mon, Stacy,¡± her teammate whispered. ¡°Hang in there¡­¡± Miky¡¯s dark-infused jaws clamped down on the girl¡¯s tails as she flipped around to defend herself; she performed a swift spin, throwing the Impidimp away. Rhea almost laughed when he landed face first, pointy nose sticking into the dirt and stopping him. The Impidimp danced to the left as Stacy breathed powder his way, and thanks to his training with Alice helping him not to hesitate or delay, he managed to cartwheel out of the way. Stacy spat icicle shards at Miky, landing one with her Confusion wearing off, but Miky was already on top of her again, latching onto her back and biting her as the Vuplix tried to roll and kick him off. Miky wouldn¡¯t budge, however, having learned this tactic against four-legged opponents when play-fighting Nova, Amber, and Roxie. Eventually, her energy matrix fell, and Miky stood over the Alolan Vulpix, exhausted, small chest heaving, but a smile was on his face and tears in his eyes. He¡¯d won his first real battle. Stacy¡¯s Trainer thanked them for the battle, commenting that they learned a valuable weakness they¡¯d have to watch out for with the fake Bite tactic; they¡¯d been aiming to lock Miky out from his only real damage-dealing Move. Waving the team off, they returned to the road, camping out just across the bridge that separated the golden wheat fields from an orchard of fragrant barriers; tomorrow evening, Rhea would get her first look at Saffron City, and restock their food because Ash had run out of his own and been borrowing theirs¡ªhe went through a ton of food each day. Sleeping with Nova as Alice took tonight¡¯s watch, Rhea found a chance to be alone with Miky and whispered that she¡¯d get him a treat for his first victory; she knew it would tickle the Wily Pokemon to feel like he was doing something secret. The night went by without a problem, and they packed up around 6:30 a.m.¡ªLori even got up 20 minutes earlier than normal¡ªexcited to see the golden city beyond the winding orchard. At 5:22 p.m. Thursday, July 16th, Rhea had her first look at the gigantic city edge with its colossal skyscrapers and hundreds of wind turbines and solar panel fields just outside its walls. Amira had a sour look on her face when they went by the fields of bright, reflective sheets. ¡°Why the look?¡± Rhea chuckled. Amira huffed, causing Amber to mirror her; they were likely talking about this very subject through their bond. ¡°Saffron has a deep prejudice against my family, and hate the fact we¡¯re rivaling them in the energy market with nuclear power plants, which are far more efficient and totally safe¡­ no thanks to their fear-mongering.¡± Ash had a look on his face that said he didn¡¯t want to get in on this discussion, scooting off to help Pikachu coach Miky¡¯s sprints with Alice. Rhea hummed, considering Amira¡¯s outlook; she hadn¡¯t thought about how the redhead saw Kanto¡¯s most influential City-State. ¡°I forgot Viridian and Saffron have a huge rivalry.¡± ¡°What rivalry?¡± Amira smirked, leering at the gleaming buildings. ¡°Saffron is dying while Viridian sees colossal growth year-by-year. My grandfather pulls more businesses away from the city by the month, offering them more than Saffron ever did. Silph is the past; Rocket is the future.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t so passionate about the subject, but it did open her eyes on a few things. ¡°Viridian certainly was beautiful, and¡­ Huh.¡± Amira¡¯s focus went to Rhea¡¯s holographic screen as she pulled out her phone, staring at a message from her mother. ¡°Is it about the Pokemon she¡¯s been teasing us about?¡± ¡°Buddy bond friends?!¡± Lori called over, seemingly overhearing their discussion. ¡°Tomorrow?! Tell me she¡¯s going to be here tomorrow! I can¡¯t wait to see what she has in store for us; Pokemon we can¡¯t battle with until we can properly bond¡ªforever snuggles¡ªplease be fluffy like Roxie!¡± She giggled as the Rockruff ran over for her Trainer to hold against her chest. ¡°What do you think she¡¯ll give us¡ªoh, you totally know, Ash!¡± Their focus shifted to the forced smile of the Legend. ¡°Eh-hehe. What do I say, Pikachu?¡± ¡°Pika-pi. Pika pi pikachu!¡± ¡°You¡¯re right! They¡¯ll be so thrown off that I bet one will faint. Who¡¯s your food on?¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth dropped open in disbelief at the sudden bet. ¡°Huh? No way any of us faint.¡± ¡°Pika-pi.¡± Amira¡¯s eyes narrowed as Pikachu looked at her with a big grin. ¡°No way am I going to faint¡­ I nearly did the other day, but that was due to one too many Moves being used before bedtime.¡± Ash snickered. ¡°Amira, huh, bud? Mmh. My food¡¯s on Lori, personally!¡± ¡°I would totally faint if I got something amazing!¡± Mallory laughed, showing not an ounce of shame with her rosy smile. ¡°I can¡¯t wait! Tomorrow, Rhea?¡± ¡°Saturday¡­¡± ¡°Two days,¡± Amira translated. ¡°Let¡¯s make a bet then, Pikachu; if I don¡¯t faint, you must teach my Pokemon something special.¡± ¡°Pika-pi-pi-pikachu?¡± Ash nodded with a smirk. ¡°And what if he wins?¡± ¡°What do you want from me?¡± Amira asked, curiosity in her tone as she fidgeted with her collar where her glasses would normally be; Rhea was surprised she didn¡¯t have her typical pair between her bust. ¡°Pika pika¡­ Pikachu! Pika-pi-pika!¡± the rat said, giving her a thumbs up. A thoughtful look crossed Ash¡¯s face. ¡°Oh? You want her to enter the martial arts tournament that is going to be held at the dojo? We did see that promotion back in Meadowview, and Amira has mentioned she took quite a few classes.¡± Amira¡¯s face blanked. ¡°You want what?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Rhea squealed, wanting to see the redhead kick tail. ¡°My brother told me about this boxing thing, too. Is it like that?¡± ¡°Mixed martial arts, from what I¡¯m seeing,¡± Lori said, somehow already having it on her phone and browsing the information. ¡°Looks like registration ends Sunday, and it starts Wednesday. Cool. I¡¯ve kind of wanted to see Amira throwdown.¡± ¡°Only if I faint,¡± Amira corrected, lips drawing in. ¡°I¡¯ve sparred with my mom and done a lot of various martial arts, but¡­ never in a competition format; I don¡¯t even know the rules.¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°C¡¯mon, you¡¯re so smart; you could memorize it in an hour tops!¡± ¡°Eh-heh¡­ thanks for the confidence¡­ A bet is a bet, I suppose. You¡¯re on, Pikachu. I won¡¯t faint!¡± Lori gave Rhea a sly smirk, whispering, ¡°She totally is because fate wants to see Amira taking some girls down!¡± ¡°Will not!¡± ¡°Will too!¡± Amira rolled her eyes and shook her head, making them laugh; they had some wonderful things to look forward to in the Shining Big City of Kanto. It took them another hour to reach the entrance facility to check in; there was a two-Pokemon limit without a worker¡¯s license within Saffron, which was fine for them, and Ash suggested that they head to his favorite ramen joint in the City-State¡ªKyle Hamm¡¯s Noodle Shop¡ªa friend-owned business. B2 — 42. In Recovery; Aura Bonding 6:55 p.m. July 16th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 37 Days (36 officially; 37 since getting Maya and Nova). Stepping past Saffron¡¯s intake gate, Rhea was the last to meet with her party outside the building, a little blown away by the number of people moving about the massive, modern-looking city. The paved roads and planted greenery gave a totally different vibe with the colossal skyscrapers dotting various parts of the city; it wasn¡¯t quite as open and accessible as Viridian¡ªlikely due to Giovanni¡¯s forethought¡ªnor seemed to follow its grid system, but it was likely over six times the size as the more recently developed City of Evergreen. Although the walking path they were on seemed to go straight through the entire city, an underground rail system appeared to provide the bulk of the transportation around the metropolis, allowing access to anywhere in the city. Joining her friends, she saw Amira with her map out, complaining how annoying cities were when they had random names for every street rather than relying on a numeric grid system like her home. Ash motioned for them to follow him; he¡¯d been to the city quite a few times, and the Gym had been moved to be near the center. They wouldn¡¯t need to head to Sabrina¡¯s haunt until tomorrow to schedule Lori¡¯s match on Monday, and it was a good time to grab some dinner. Rhea fell into line, a tad overwhelmed by the number of people; it looked like Cerulean when Lori started Kanto¡¯s first Fire Festival, just without the noise and dancing. It wasn¡¯t quite as business-like as Viridian, with its high volume of working and middle-class. There appeared to be quite a few tourists that flew in, but that made sense since Sable National Park was to the west and the high-speed train¡¯s primary hub was in Saffron, connecting to nearly every major city as the heart of research and development in Kanto. Saffron City-State covered a massive amount of land, which included Sable and its national park, Lavender City, Silence Bridge¡ªowned and maintained by Saffron¡ªhalf of the Meadowview Village Farmsteads, and the peninsula that covered the Ancient Woods to the east of Power Bay. There was some debate on its borders at Fennel Valley¡ªAmira was convinced it was Viridian¡¯s since her grandfather provided most of its current infrastructure, but that wasn¡¯t the case historically. Saffron had everything, Gyms¡ªincluding non-official¡ªbusinesses of all industries, a world-class Contest Hall, and easy access to everywhere in Kanto; it was a popular spot to live since the train fare had a discount to reach most places in Johto and Kanto, which made it a big retirement location for those who love to travel. The city was also extremely safe, and Rhea could see why with the Gym Leader in charge of its protection being a psychic that could detect threats like bombs or terrorist activity. It was not a popular criminal location due to Sabrina¡¯s zero-tolerance, and the fact she could read minds gave most people the creeps¡ªat least, that¡¯s what Rhea had heard. On their journey along the sidewalk, Amira kept explaining¡ªRhea smiled; it was a bit unlike her to go into so many details. Of course, everything was compared to her home City-State, and it was clear she held pride for her family¡¯s establishment, and that came with contention to this city hub. It was true that Saffron may have a much higher population, the city had been around for almost two centuries, and Viridian hadn¡¯t begun its rapid expansion until her grandfather took it as his base of operations. Fun fact¡ªaccording to Amira, though apparently, they were all fun¡ªRocket originated in Saffron as a gang, under her great-grandmother, before moving its base of operations to Celadon, where it created the first ¡®league-recognized¡¯ gambling ring, which, admittedly, had been a front and sparked quite a bit of trouble in the early days, yet that had been under her great-grandmother, so the redhead waved it off. Lori was certainly interested in the gambling bit, wanting to get in on the activity tomorrow. As Rhea figured, she wanted to rebuild her funds to purchase a TM for Miky, which wasn¡¯t cheap, but if they were going to be competing in Silver-tier, her little Impidimp needed every advantage he could get. A short sigh came from Rhea as Ash prompted her to try and navigate without sight again, relying on her Aura Sense; her practice in Blue Forest, when they¡¯d been swarmed, made it a lot easier to slip into and maintain, especially when not attempting to play the ball game. Ash¡¯s ruthless training regiment seemed to have really paid off because now that she was in another city, she could see quite a few differences compared to what she could perceive before. People and Pokemon had unusual shades of color she couldn¡¯t explain. It wasn¡¯t necessarily a hue; it was more like raw emotion that translated into a general feeling that each color mentally represented to her. The general vibes she received from everyone uplifted her; they weren¡¯t necessarily super happy, but every so often, she felt something more potent that cut past the difficult-to-perceive emotions that tickled her heart like sugar on her tongue. She had to curb herself from filtering everything out to look for it since it was somewhat like a drug; the beautiful part was if she opened her eyes, she could see the small smiles and glow on their faces as they passed. It was like she could gaze into a whole new world that resonated with herself to cause a rush of endorphins. Ash said it wasn¡¯t a natural occurrence, which meant it was unique to whatever combination of abilities her mother had given her. Whatever the cause, her mood improved as she listened and observed the many Auras passing her like smoke before disappearing out of her focused radius. Time passed like a blur as she moved between Aura signatures that each had their own poetry to reveal, yet she couldn¡¯t quite perceive their secrets. After thirty minutes on their journey, Rhea slowed to a stop upon seeing a dark Aura around one person that was like smog, and light touched her pupils as she followed a slow-moving young man that seemed to be lost in his own mind. The blond boy¡¯s clothes were a tad disheveled, as if he hadn¡¯t changed them in a day or two, and the shadows under his eyes. Rhea had the urge to understand why he was different than most of the other people she¡¯d passed¡ªit didn¡¯t feel like he was dangerous. ¡°So my grandfather¡ª¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± Rhea interrupted Amira, forcing a smile and pulling out her phone to tap against the redhead¡¯s to transfer the directions; they were close. ¡°Sorry, but I¡¯ll meet you guys at the restaurant. I¡¯ll be right back.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Lori glanced around, scanning for whatever had drawn her interest. ¡°Caught some deal ya can¡¯t pass up?¡± Ash¡¯s small frown moved from her to the boy, still shuffling further down the sidewalk, going in the opposite direction, and Pikachu¡¯s mouth tightened. ¡°Hmm. Alright. Explore those new abilities you¡¯re coming into but be careful, Rhea¡­ Danger doesn¡¯t always come from outside.¡± ¡°Well, that¡¯s not ominous,¡± Lori mumbled, looking down at Miky in her arms as he nodded. Amira followed the legend¡¯s gaze. ¡°You¡­ sure you don¡¯t want us to join you¡ªdid you sense something?¡± Rhea waved her off and shook her head, backing away with Nova and Alice jogging after her. ¡°I¡¯m good. We can talk about it when I¡¯m done.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Want us to order you anything?¡± Lori shot back. ¡°Whatever Amira gets!¡± ¡°It¡¯ll probably be spicy,¡± Amira returned. ¡°Eh, not too spicy for me, but the same!¡± Turning away from her friends, Rhea repositioned her backpack and darted around the people to enter the opposite flow of traffic; Alice and Nova darted around the feet to reach her, and Rhea bent down to scoop them up. The Buneary transferred to her shoulder, and the Eevee remained in her arms. She caught up to the young man before he turned the corner. ¡°Umm¡­ hey.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± His light-brown irises turned to her, confusion showing within as he shifted his head to make sure she was speaking to him. ¡°Me?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she chimed, holding Nova in one hand while repositioning her bangs behind her ear. ¡°Do you have some time to sit down and talk real fast?¡± He forced a chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as the crowd moved around them; he was probably as old as her big brother. ¡°Eh¡­ is this some kind of school-girl prank? Sorry, but I¡¯m not really in the mood.¡± ¡°Not a prank,¡± she said, Nova chirping after. ¡°Pwee-pwe-pwee.¡± His eyebrows drew together before a forced, half-smile curved the corner of his mouth, but his focus was on her Eevee¡¯s wagging tail. ¡°Hmm-hmm. I guess you wouldn¡¯t be in school if you had two Pokemon, and they do look adorable¡­ Umm, sure. Where¡­¡± Rhea nudged her head to a random business to her left, guiding them toward the sparse office space with a lobby. ¡°We can go in here.¡± ¡°Sure¡­¡± he weakly agreed, puffing out a long stream of air as his gaze returned to the floor. Curiosity budded within her to discover what she¡¯d sensed; she saw a bit of his depression be replaced by bewilderment, though it didn¡¯t do much to help his heavy eyes. Going inside, she sat across from him in an area far away from anyone else; a receptionist gave them a critical stare but didn¡¯t say anything as the door closed. Alice transferred to the comfy seat beside hers as Nova settled in her lap. ¡°Umm, I know this is kind of out of nowhere, but¡­ why did you agree to talk to me?¡± He chuckled and sloughed in his chair, arms folded. ¡°A pretty blonde girl that I¡¯ve seen on the news randomly asks to talk to me out of the blue¡­ I don¡¯t know; I just said yes¡­ Doing a social experiment or something?¡± Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Hmm. He¡¯s seen me on the news but doesn¡¯t really know who I am. I guess that¡¯s why we get looks recently; it¡¯s probably the same thing. People recognize our faces but can¡¯t really place where they¡¯ve seen it. ¡°Nuh-uh. No, I wanted to ask you¡­ are you okay? You don¡¯t seem okay.¡± The young man¡¯s eyes grew a bit wider as he blinked, seemingly fighting tears upon hearing her words, and he slowly shook his head with a cough. He couldn¡¯t get the words out, throat constricting and sniffing as he fought the emotions welling up in his chest. ¡°I¡¯ll listen,¡± Rhea whispered, hand tightening a bit against Nova¡¯s side as her Eevee began to cry; Alice was trying to fight the feelings passing through whatever connection Rhea had established. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do anything, but¡­ I¡¯ll listen.¡± ¡°Hah¡­ Huu-haaa¡­ The time I thought that we¡¯d have¡­ how could it just be taken like that? The things I said that I can¡¯t take back now¡­ and I don¡¯t know how to live with that¡ªsome rare genetic dysfunction¡­ My mom just¡­ just¡­ I can¡¯t.¡± Rhea cleared the liquid that touched her own cheek; it resembled the darkness she¡¯d known from her mother, yet different. She got up, setting Nova down to sit beside him. Rhea held out her hand with an encouraging smile, clearing her own stained eyes. He hesitated, quivering arms crossed, but after a second, he took it, focusing on her hand as if seeing someone else¡¯s. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me? I just¡­ sat there and watched her leave, and how is it fair that I lost Sammy the same week? How could I not let them see that they meant¡­ meant the world to me?¡± The man breathed in deeply, letting it stutter out with a low cry. ¡°I don¡¯t feel anything¡­ I try not to¡ªI was just afraid¡­ How could I have not cried with her that last day when she said she loved me? Why¡­ I¡¯m so sorry¡­ I¡¯m sorry I could never show you just how much of me you held¡­ I¡¯m so sorry, Mom¡­¡± Rhea squeezed his hand, sharing in the man¡¯s sorrow as he confessed his heart to the aether, free fist held tightly against his forehead as he leaned forward and wept. It felt cleansing to Rhea to be able to help him in his time of need when no one saw him breaking down; he¡¯d been near suicidal, yet just having someone there to listen, to hold his hand, and feel that warmth was enough to bring him back. After five minutes, he managed to regain enough composure to whisper how deep the pain was in his hidden bleeding heart. He¡¯d been contemplating going onto one of these skyscrapers to fall off and end the suffering within his soul, which was when she¡¯d approached him. Five more¡ªwith minimal input or words from her¡ªand he cleared his cheeks, coughed, and released her hand, forcing himself up. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Rhea rose and closed in to hug him, making his chest heave a second as he weakly placed a hand against her back. ¡°You¡¯re¡­ too kind. Thank you¡­ Heh, I don¡¯t even know your name¡­ I haven¡¯t even given you mine. How embarrassing.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine. It¡¯s Rhea, and I think your mom and Sammy knew you meant the world to them¡­ You were there for her. Weren¡¯t you? You let her cry on your shoulder, even if you couldn¡¯t let yourself feel at the time; you showed her with your actions, and Sammy knows that, too.¡± Pulling away, he wiped a tear away from his puffy red eye and choked a laugh. ¡°Maybe you¡¯re right¡­ I don¡¯t know. It¡¯s just¡­ so hard to live without them. I just see all the things I thought I could do with them¡­¡± ¡°You can still do it with them¡­ for them,¡± Rhea whispered, lightly pressing her fist against his chest and showing her own puffy-faced smile. ¡°They live in here as much as they lived out here, and you can do those things while carrying their memories with you¡­ they live on in you.¡± Mouth pulling in, he rubbed the place she¡¯d touched and nodded. ¡°Huu-haaa. You¡¯re right. Yeah¡­ I do carry a piece of them around with me. Thank you, Rhea. My name¡¯s Jamison. Thank you for stopping and asking if I was¡­ if I was alright¡­ for seeing me.¡± ¡°No problem. Next time you¡¯re feeling low, I¡¯m sure your mother and Sammy will be there in your memories to cheer you up¡­ I¡¯m sure they want you to be happy, and it would make them happy knowing they¡¯re on your mind.¡± Breathing out, he nodded and gave her a waving smile before preparing to leave. ¡°The world needs more people like you, Rhea¡­ You really helped me. I hope you have a nice day.¡± ¡°You too.¡± Seeing him off, she streamed out a long puff of air before jumping as a hand gently touched her back, and turning, she saw the front receptionist wearing a soft look while offering her two big wads of paper towels, one wet with cold water and the other dry. ¡°That was really sweet to see.¡± ¡°Heh. It just felt right. Thank you!¡± Accepting them, she followed her to a bathroom to clean up before heading to the ramen shop with her Pokemon walking beside her; they felt light as air after experiencing the heavy emotions dispersed from the man like a parting hurricane. Rhea didn¡¯t know exactly what she had said in the moment; it just came out instinctively, and after experiencing the storm firsthand, the emotional state of others¡¯ Auras became somewhat easier to perceive. Her eyes closed as she moved through the city, using her spatial perception to reach the restaurant¡ªit was the first time her senses were so clear and natural¡ªeasily navigating the gradual waves of Aura weaving around her. Every addition brought a fresh note to the musical strum of interactions everyone made when encountering one another; a passing word or glance, recognition of some item that pulled on someone¡¯s heart, each new string plucked carried with it a ripple which changed the picture she experienced. Rhea wasn¡¯t so much reading their Auras to determine anything specific but witnessing an artistic play that washed over her in colors beyond description, and none of this would be possible without Ash¡¯s guidance throughout the last week and a half; she knew she probably looked crazy to everyone else, but she didn¡¯t care for once. She opened her eyes when reaching the restaurant¡ªKyle Hamm¡¯s Noodle Shop¡ªand all of the unexplainable sensations faded with her inner high. Blinking a few times with light dancing before her vision, Rhea used the door as a support before heading inside. The area was half-full, and Lori waved at her as she entered. ¡°Aye, girl, eh¡­ you good?¡± ¡°Eh-heh, yeah¡­ yeah, I¡¯m good. I¡¯m just a little light-headed.¡± ¡°Have you been crying?¡± Amira whispered as she moved to sit next to her; the ramen was already on the table, and it still looked hot. ¡°What happened?¡± Ash forced a chuckle, and Pikachu hopped over the table to pat Rhea¡¯s arm. ¡°She¡¯s coming down from an Aura high, from what I can tell. I sensed that dark Aura beginning to purify with your touch, Rhea; it¡¯s not something you want to do often, but it certainly did help you further adapt to the sense. No more today, okay?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ huh? Oh, yeah! Yeah, heh, I feel a bit off.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll be dead to the world in two hours when the fall really hits,¡± Ash laughed between bites. ¡°We¡¯ll need to find you a decent hotel you girls can afford before you drop, which is where Kyle comes in.¡± ¡°Before I drop?¡± Rhea mumbled, finding it hard to concentrate as Alice, Mya, and Alice spoke their concerns through their bond. ¡°Is it really that draining?¡± Ash shrugged. ¡°Not when you get more attuned to it and build up your Fortitude, but absolutely¡­ Let me see if I can explain what you just did, which, by the way, I haven¡¯t done because that¡¯s not my specialty; you Aura Bonded to that man and, through those feelings, touched him in a way no one else could¡­ ¡°It¡¯s an advanced form of Aura Resonance which I¡¯ve rarely seen done¡ªand never so naturally¡ªeven by Masters in Aura. That being said, it has a drawback in how all-consuming it is because Aura Resonance is generally a fairly simple, fundamental task that you¡¯ve been practicing.¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°When I¡¯m sensing Aura¡­ I¡¯m acting as radar, sending pulses of my Aura out to resonate with the other Auras around me?¡± ¡°If you want to simplify it,¡± Ash mused, finishing his bowl and placing his chopsticks on top of it. ¡°Perceiving the Aura around you at the beginner level requires that kind of interaction because you¡¯re only accustomed to your own, yet as you grow, you¡¯ll be able to sense the Aura of the world, which touches everything, and thereby not leave yourself open when sending out those waves yourself.¡± ¡°So¡­ she did something dangerous?¡± Amira mumbled, shooting a light glare at her. ¡°You didn¡¯t have a second thought about jumping into that, did you?¡± ¡°He needed help,¡± Rhea whispered before slurping up ramen; the spice was very mild, but there were plenty of flavors that tingled her tongue, and she was surprisingly hungry after the Aura Bonding experience. ¡°Progress is progress,¡± Lori grinned. ¡°You¡¯re growing way too Mukin¡¯ fast, girl; we need to step it up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m beginning to see a pattern that Rhea likes to take risks, though,¡± Amira huffed, nearly finished with her own food. ¡°Only if it involves others.¡± Amira¡¯s mouth drew in as her red irises shifted to her. ¡°Sam¡¯s little adventure in Viridian Forest with the Nidorino, trying to get yourself shot to rescue me, and now this? We¡¯ve only been traveling together for a little over a month, and¡­ Haaa. I guess I¡¯m just saying I don¡¯t want to lose you either, Rhea,¡± she said with a forced chuckle. ¡°Aww,¡± Lori beamed with Pikachu and Ash. ¡°You do care about us, Amira!¡± ¡°Heh. I didn¡¯t say anything about you.¡± ¡°Oof! Cold, girl! Haha.¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking, but seriously¡­ take better care of yourself, Rhea¡­ I don¡¯t have many people I can call a friend.¡± Her heart warming at the feelings she got from the redhead, Rhea nodded. ¡°I don¡¯t have many friends either¡­ and I don¡¯t want to make you guys worry either. I don¡¯t want to become my mom¡­ Eh¡ª¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°I mean, I totally get it¡ªI¡¯m with you; look at my parents¡ªbut ouch!¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Yeah, I love my mom, but, boy, does she make me worry about her¡­ Thanks for caring, guys.¡± ¡°Better believe it,¡± Mallory said, reaching over to slug her in the arm. ¡°You can blame the puffy cheeks on the noodles now, too. Hehe.¡± ¡°They¡¯re not that spicy¡ªgood, but not spicy¡­¡± Amira chuckled, finishing off hers. ¡°You told me not to make it too hot. So¡­ we¡¯re burning light; what¡¯s this about a hotel and this shop owner?¡± Ash leaned back and pointed to the counter. ¡°I¡¯ve talked to Kyle; his grandfather used to own the Fighting Dojo before retiring. Some unfortunate accidents happened, forcing Terri¡ªthe previous Master of the Dojo¡ªto temporarily step down, but I can get us two rooms in the place at a cheap rate, and they could use the funds.¡± ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Lori said, stretching her hands over her head. ¡°So, we done once Rhea¡¯s good? Heh, Amira can get a good look at her competition, too! Feeling faint?¡± ¡°Eat a Muk.¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t need a lot,¡± Rhea mumbled through slurps, but that didn¡¯t turn out to be the case; she finished the entire bowl, to her bewilderment, and grabbed a light snack off a street stand on the way out of the restaurant district. She began to feel the drag as they left, eyes becoming heavy luckily though, the dojo wasn¡¯t that far away. Rhea was impressed upon seeing the impressive 3-meter-tall stone walls and 6-meter, open gatehouse. The walkway around the large facility¡¯s grounds was composed of wood, and it appeared to be well-maintained, with greenery neatly placed along the trail. Stairs brought them above the four battle rings on either side of the walkway to the main facility. In the fading light, they were able to see the packs of Hitmonlee and Hitmonchan on either side, practicing their Moves in unison; Ash explained that all of them were unbonded and practiced to be adopted by the Trainers that wanted to go down the route of a Black Belt. Apparently, there was a pretty devoted branch of Trainers that wished to be Fighting Type specialists, spurred on by the image of the Fighting Gym Leaders across the regions, with the paragons that were Bruno, Marshal, Hala, and Masked Royal, among others. Entering the main facility, they were met by Master Koichi, who was temporarily holding the dojo¡¯s Master position until Terri recovered. Ash and Koichi skirted the topic, but once they were alone in a room and preparing for bed, Amira told them about the rumors she¡¯d heard. It was a hushed matter, but there had been a Martial Arts Master that was going around to the various dojos, challenging their leaders, and he¡¯d left Terri in a critical state; rumor was she was currently on life support. Through their trip, Rhea had started to see the pain caused across the region from different causes¡ªboth natural and unnatural¡ªand could understand why people had expressed their frustrations about Ho-Oh only healing those in Viridian; she wished he had gone further, and managed to heal those hearts and bodies that were hurting. Still, the blame was on this Martial Artist Master, but Terri had agreed to the terms¡ªeven to the level that she could lose her life in the competition; it was without Pokemon, which was odd¡ªhe reportedly didn¡¯t have any, and left after without even checking on her condition. It burned Rhea¡¯s heart to think someone could be so cold, but that had been some years ago, which was how Amira had heard about it from her mother, who knew quite a few people at the dojo, having practiced here quite a bit when she was a teenager. She couldn¡¯t reflect on it long, though, because her mind blacked out the second she rested her head on the pillow, unable to even let Nova snuggle below the blanket before all thoughts washed away. B2 — 43. Expanding Aura 11:05 a.m. July 17th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 38 Days (37 officially; 38 since getting Maya and Nova). Tomorrow is the day they get their Buddy Pokemon! Rhea groaned as she felt something hard poke her side, stretching out on the futon provided by the dojo in their rented room; light blinded her, and, rolling to her back, she let her vision adjust until Mya came into view, a concerned frown on her face. ¡°What¡¯s¡­ going on?¡± she yawned, blinking a few times. She followed Mya¡¯s gesture to her empty room, and it took a moment for Rhea to realize she¡¯d slept in; their bags were in the closet, likely with her teammate¡¯s beds. She didn¡¯t feel super rested, but well enough to twist around to crack her bones and force herself out of her light blanket. ¡°I¡¯m up¡­ I¡¯m up¡ªpffooph¡­¡± She spat out her bangs that slipped out of her bun and found their way into her mouth, forced to use her fingers to pick them out. ¡°Bleh. What time is it? Oh, thank you, Mya.¡± Taking the phone her Mawile offered her, she said good morning to her other two Pokemon before her blank mind settled on the time. ¡°Huh¡­ 11 a.m.? Hmm. Wait¡­ I slept for more than twelve hours?! Huh?!¡± She rubbed the side of her head, groaning while resisting the urge to drop back into the bed, and restrained a yawn. ¡°Wow¡­ Aura Bonding is Muking taxing! How are you guys doing?¡± she asked, taking Alice out of her Poke Ball to allow the vibrating bun to bounce off the walls and release her energy. ¡°Bun! Bun-bun!¡± ¡°Maw-mawile¡­¡± Nova hugged her spirit with her little paws; even when she wasn¡¯t outside her Poke Ball, the Eevee snuggled with Rhea in her sleep; apparently, she¡¯d enjoyed the lazy morning, getting more time to cuddle with her. ¡°Ugh. Well, I guess I should get up¡­¡± Rhea paused as she saw a notification; her mother had sent a text that she¡¯d be visiting tomorrow and wanted it to be in private. Rhea had almost forgotten that they were getting their Buddy Pokemon, which showed how draining her Aura Bonding was; she quickly scanned the information, excitement welling up in her belly. 8:21 a.m. - Mom: This may be a bit long, but there¡¯s a lot I need to explain. These Pokemon are not what you expect and will draw attention since they have to be out 24/7, which means you and your Pokemon will have a lot of responsibilities in taking care of them. As I told you, they have Victini Cores inside of them, and they are all female due to the requirement of fusing their genetic-energy structure into a forced helical fusion. They are all very young and will probably be mischief makers; well, at least Lori and yours will be. Amira¡¯s is gorgeous and sweet; I love her! They¡¯re unbonded, so, as I said, you need to be careful and care for them because I went through a ton of hoops to get you this opportunity. Just show them love and welcome them in as a part of the team, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll do great. Ask Ash how to prepare. I¡¯ll be at the dojo to introduce you at 10 a.m. tomorrow. I can¡¯t wait to see your face! <3 8:27 a.m. - Mom: Oh, afterthought; I saw on your social media page you¡¯re going to be pushing for Silver and bypassing Bronze. Your brother has a fire under his butt, or so Kate tells me; he never calls and no socials! I hear he just challenged Kate to bypass Platinum with him and take on the Master challenge by the end of the year! I¡¯m so proud of my little Swablu and Houndour! Big steps! Also, your grandpa keeps liking and commenting on your posts, so show him a little love back. =P I know he never stops. 8:31 a.m. - Mom: After-afterthought! I¡¯m guessing Gables, Amber, and Alice will evolve in the next two weeks with how swiftly you¡¯re progressing. They¡¯ll hit a bit of a rebellious stage, and change a little, so bear with them! Love you guys! Chuckling at how concerned her mother was becoming, Rhea rolled up her futon and slipped on her dress while taking her extra bikini to the in-dojo laundry room to put them in, not spotting anyone in the halls since most of the people were probably outside, training or engaged in other activities. Some of the machines were running, and Rhea swiped her phone I.D. to pay for the service, heading to the bathroom to get ready; Mya and Alice were out for now, and each of them would be swapping places each hour, which Ash and Pikachu got them used to. Rhea liked that the electric rat had helped them get past taking turns and being fair to one another when it came to spending time outside the capsule; they could experience stuff through Rhea, but it wasn¡¯t the same as spreading their limbs and engaging in the world themselves. She didn¡¯t have Amber there to dry her hair, which had Rhea sitting in front of the mirror with her super-dense, soaked hair draped all the way to the tile when wet. ¡°Oh-no¡­ I¡¯ve grown dependent on Amira and Amber,¡± she mumbled with a forced laugh, making her Pokemon snicker as she parsed through her combed-out locks. It took longer than she would have liked to dry and shape it into a bun; she was unsure if she was expected to do any physical training with the other students. It was nice that they let her sleep in, but her friends were caring and thoughtful like that. Checking her hair¡¯s security in the mirror, she flashed her teeth before realizing she hadn¡¯t brought her toothbrush supplies with her; breathing on her hand, she grimaced and backtracked to snatch the items. Finished preparing and twisting to check to see if her dress was alright, Rhea picked up Nova, having swapped a bit ago, and waved with her chirping Eevee, saying good morning to their reflections. ¡°Ready to take on the world, girls?!¡± Her three Pokemon cheered, excited to greet a new addition to their party tomorrow. Wandering through the dojo, they took in the well-maintained estate; the past Grandmasters and students really seemed to put their hearts and souls into building up what they hoped would be the pride of Saffron. Their goal was to be the next Saffron Gym, and, unfortunately, they were up against the final boss and team breaker of Fighting-Type specialists¡ªthe genius psychic, Sabrina. Still, they persevered. The dojo was pretty large, extending far behind the main building and showing other facilities used for things Rhea couldn¡¯t guess at. Perhaps the most critical detail was everyone was training with enthusiasm; this was more than a pastime for these Trainers; it was a way of life. Thirty minutes passed before asking someone for help finding her party; they¡¯d apparently gone out for the day, making her huff and call Amira. ¡°Rhea. I see you¡¯re up. Hehe. Ash thought you might sleep all day.¡± ¡°I probably could. You could have sent me a text to let me know where you guys were going; I¡¯ve been wandering around for a while. What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Oh. Yeah, sorry, I thought Lori texted you¡­¡± ¡°Huh? Aye, I thought you texted her,¡± the Unovan girl shot back, and she heard loud noises in the background that sounded like the casinos from movies. ¡°Yes! Alright, let¡¯s hit the blackjack table, girl¡ªyou can totally make a killing¡ªI swear!¡± ¡°Ugh. I don¡¯t gamble, Lori.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a Rocket! What do you mean you don¡¯t gamble; your family practically invented it, right?¡± ¡°Wow¡­ No. Just, no. My family exploited people who had no self-control.¡± ¡°Ouch! C¡¯mon, Amira. Just a few rounds. I know you¡¯re a pro; you don¡¯t have to be modest!¡± The redhead¡¯s tone became dull, and a sound came from her phone that said the girl had sent her their location. ¡°Save me, Rhea. Ash already blew most of his money.¡± ¡°Eh?! Wasn¡¯t he going to pay us back for all the food he borrowed on the trip here?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Lori¡¯s a bad influence, and Ash seems to have no luck.¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± his electric buddy groaned, probably sitting on Amira¡¯s shoulder; he sounded in pain. ¡°Lori! Lori!¡± Ash called out from a distance. ¡°I need another thousand; I almost had the triple seven!¡± ¡°Bro! That¡¯s like ten grand you¡¯ve sunk from me; I know I win a lot, but give me a break!¡± Rhea forced a laugh, checking the directions real fast before starting on the journey. ¡°I¡¯ll be right there. Lori seems like she¡¯s doing well?¡± ¡°Eh¡­ I expect we¡¯ll get kicked out soon,¡± she leerily mumbled. ¡°She¡¯s cheating somehow and using Ash¡¯s losing streak as a smoke screen to skirt the line. I¡¯m guessing she has a pullout number she wants to get to; Miky, Gables, and Roxie love it.¡± ¡°Haha. Okay. I¡¯m coming. We can hang out a bit while they do their shady stuff. Want to get lunch?¡± ¡°Absolutely,¡± she whispered as Rhea heard Lori cheer in the background. ¡°I expect she¡¯ll be banned from at least three places by the end of the night, but she may subvert my expectations; casinos want winners since it incentivizes others to drop big, and the winners generally keep spending until they lose everything they gain. See you soon.¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°See you soon!¡± Hanging up, Rhea giggled at the photos Amira posted on social media; Ash honestly looked down in the dumps in one and then determined to win the next second. Lori seemed to be feeding an addiction to lighten tensions and rally others up to cause more commotion. Rhea wondered how much she¡¯d come out with at the end and swapped over to her social media page to check on her Wooloo friends. They¡¯d exited Blue Forest¡ªthankfully, considering their humorous involvement in a bug Pokemon territorial war¡ªand were in the golden fields of Cerulean¡¯s farmsteads. They were posting a lot of photos of them battling, faces filled with determination, and Rhea couldn¡¯t help a smile upon seeing their totally changed attitudes from when she¡¯d first met them back in Pallet, down in the dumps and puking out of their minds after bonding to their first Pokemon. Here were her Wooloo friends, making a name for themselves all on their own, and winning battle after battle, climbing up the ranks; Tera was an absolute monster that had a lot of the Bronze slack chatrooms buzzing with stories about the invincible tank. Mya puffed up her chest in pride at her ¡®pupil¡¯s¡¯ success; Tera learned the ways of total destruction well from the Mawile, according to her little snap-jaw Pokemon. Jade¡¯s sister loved the training Ash was doing with them with the ball and rallied their team to do the same; it was fun seeing Hannah¡¯s secretly taken video of Jade utterly failing at the game as her big sister juggled circles around her. For being so close, Rhea was beginning to see they were really competitive toward each other, which was great as travel rivals. Jay had taken a considerable liking to Cami, and they had high hopes for their newest recruit; tomorrow, they¡¯d make it to the village, pick up their new samurai teammate, and shoot east to the train station. Rhea swapped over to Jason¡¯s team¡ªa little surprised she hadn¡¯t heard a lot from her best friend recently¡ªto see them on some kind of ship; somehow they¡¯d gotten a ticket that took them all the way to Fuchsia City, and after scrolling up, she saw Jason post that they¡¯d be attempting to do the Silver Encrusted Challenge, two hours after she¡¯d posted it. Wondering if it was a coincidence or if the competitive Kalos trainer couldn¡¯t stand Amira skipping the League bracket they were in, so he was pushing his party to go on to Silver. Although it appeared Jason was fired up for the task, as well. It made Rhea wonder if they¡¯d meet them in the Winter Cup. She sent a few heart emojis at her grandfather to show him some random love that she knew he¡¯d appreciate before exiting the app. Looking back on the casino pictures Amira texted, Rhea smiled; the violet-haired girl would have to win big if she wanted to have Silver-tier funds. In fact, all of them did. Scanning the rules, she discovered some changes had come to Kanto and Johto outside of the United League Cup; it was a flat rate for each challenge. At Bronze-tier, the cost was 1,000 credits for a regular Gym Badge and 3,000 per Encrusted, yet it didn¡¯t double like it had for the United League they¡¯d entered. After further thought, she looked it up online and saw a petition to lower the price since it was ridiculous to think a Bronze-tier Trainer earned that many funds when typical battles ranged between 25 to 100 credits a win. Luckily, since they¡¯d now be off the United League bracket, their Encrusted Silver-tier would cost 6,000 per challenge, making it a 24,000 total price if winning each of the four Leader battles. Non-Encrusted was 16,000 total. She looked through the many threads online, seeing some of the complaints involved in this Encrusted Cup. Things would likely change in the following United Cup; it was a learning experience. Rhea put her phone away when Amira came into sight. Waving, they went to a sit-in diner to order some food, and she updated the redhead on the plan for tomorrow. Amira asked if she had any clues about what they might be, and she shrugged her shoulders, picking away at the malt she¡¯d ordered, sharing with her three Pokemon as they took turns. Her mother loved to surprise them, and it had to be a Pokemon worth putting a Victini Core into, which likely meant they were super powerful. Rhea giggled as Amira mumbled about her daydream that it would be Maushold, Iron Valiant, or Baxcaliber. Not recognizing the names, she figured the girl had been immersing herself in the recent Paldean region¡¯s Pokemon; sure enough, the Rocket girl reluctantly revealed she¡¯d been getting information from her grandmother. Not many Trainers from the region came to Kanto or Johto, a lot of these Pokemon were new, and Rhea had to admit some were very cool. Rhea wouldn¡¯t mind an Iron Moth or an adorable Flutter Mane, which might make Luna, her brother¡¯s Mismagius, jealous. Having fun daydreaming and going over all the interesting Pokemon on Pokedex. Eventually, they exited the website, paid for their meal, and met up with a hyped Lori and depressed Ash. ¡°Win big?¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°Pi-Pi-Pikachu,¡± the electric rat soothed, patting Ash on the head. The legend forced himself to smile. ¡°It¡¯s no big deal¡­ I just owe Lori like¡­ 40,000 credits.¡± Rhea shook her head with a short chuckle. ¡°Ouch! Haha.¡± Miky held up a peace sign with a toothy grin on Lori¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Shi-shi-shi!¡± The lilac-eyed girl puffed up her chest. ¡°I only made what¡­ 34,000, Ash? We also got a sweet little TM we could cash in at 40% off with the tokens with a protect, total¡ªdrum roll¡ª25,000! We¡¯re doing good, bud!¡± she cheered, high-fiving the Impidimp. ¡°Wonderful!¡± Amira snickered. ¡°I guess you won¡¯t need to borrow any more money from me?¡± ¡°Oof! Yeah, hehe¡­ yeah, we¡¯re good¡­ this time. I do need to go sign up for Monday; we good to hit the Gym before it closes?¡± Rhea glanced between her three travel companions. ¡°I don¡¯t think we have anything else to do today, right; Lori¡¯s got her money and a strategy to take on Sabrina, so¡­ training at the dojo?¡± Ash rubbed the back of his neck and waved them off. ¡°You girls can go set things up. I told Kyle I wanted to check up on Terri; it¡¯s been a while since I stopped by the hospital.¡± Mind flashing back to the former Dojo Master¡¯s tragic story, Rhea¡¯s heart went out to the girl, and making a snap decision, she said, ¡°Lori, Amira, I think I want to go with Ash. See you after at the dojo?¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Lori shrugged before understanding brightened her face. ¡°You know her¡­ Oh, are you going to check her Aura or something? Ash has seen it, hasn¡¯t he? Can Rhea do anything to help?¡± Amira shot a leery, side-long look at the Unovan girl. ¡°Don¡¯t assume random things; that¡¯s a lot of pressure, and what brought you to that conclusion?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± Lori mumbled, her smile becoming strained. ¡°Sorry, I just thought you were testing out all your recent Aura stuff, so maybe this was something like yesterday.¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know if I can do anything, but I just want to be there to support Kyle since he was so kind to us yesterday and helped us get a cheap place to stay since we need to save for the Encrusted challenges.¡± ¡°That¡¯s sweet,¡± Ash said, and Pikachu gave an approving nod with a thumbs up. ¡°I¡¯m sure Terri would enjoy the company, as well; the more, the merrier!¡± Amira¡¯s expression softened. ¡°That¡¯s Rhea¡­ too kind for her own good. We¡¯ll see you after.¡± ¡°Yup, later!¡± Lori sang, breaking away to pull up her map, stop, and walk in the opposite direction as Amira sighed. ¡°Eh-hehe. Wrong way!¡± Rhea watched them go, her nerves tightening her stomach. Lori had been mostly right; she wanted to be able to help, and recalling the discussions revolving around Ho-Oh, and Viridian City-State was still fresh on her mind. Ash put his hands in his pockets, nudging his head to show her the right direction. ¡°Huu-haaa. You want to understand her Aura when she¡¯s unconscious?¡± ¡°Umm¡­ I should really slow down after yesterday, but I¡­ have this feeling. Gah!¡± She fidgeted with her high bun, seeing Alice and Nova studying her from further up the sidewalk as people walked around them. ¡°It¡¯s kind of like what happened yesterday, but¡­ I can¡¯t place my finger on it.¡± ¡°Pi-Pika.¡± ¡°I know, bud¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows drew together as the electric rat shot a tight-mouthed stare at his Trainer. ¡°What?¡± Ash reached up to scratch his partner¡¯s neck. ¡°You¡¯re probably connecting to my own Aura, and the truth is, give it a solid year, and you might be able to bring her back¡­ if you have the proper training.¡± The information hit her like a ton of bricks, and she bent down to pick up Nova and Alice as they began to draw too much attention. ¡°Wait¡­ I could bring people back from a coma?¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that simple. Huu-haaa. I didn¡¯t want to bring this up because you¡¯re far from having the control to repair spiritual bonds, much less consciously restructure someone¡¯s Aura, and even if I have all the knowledge to give you, I¡¯m not a specialist in that field.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea absorbed his explanation, trying not to feel overwhelmed by the fact she could do a miracle and disappointed that she wasn¡¯t skilled enough to fix Terri¡¯s injuries right away. ¡°I don¡¯t get how I can do so many things with my Aura¡­ I get I have insane genes with Mew and Mewtwo and the like in me, but can you tell me what I can¡¯t do?¡± Ash¡¯s cheeks pulled in, and he streamed out another long breath. ¡°Honestly, Rhea¡­ you can Aura Link, Aura Mimic, and Aura Seal at some point¡­ even things far more significant, and I know you don¡¯t understand what those mean, but your mother was forced to design you to literally be a Legendary Human¡­ to rule all Pokemon and humanity.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± It sounded so cartoonish coming from the man, and she deepened her voice. ¡°One girl to rule them all, One girl to find them, One girl to bring them all, and in the Aura bind them; in the one called Rhea, where the Aura Soul lies! I¡¯m a supervillain! Bua-ha-ha-ha!¡± Alice, Mya, and Nova chirped their mirth at her own laughter, and Ash followed her example. ¡°That¡¯s a good attitude to keep! Haha. Stay humble, Rhea. You really do have a pure heart, and I¡¯m glad I get to hang around you. Uh¡­ we¡¯re here.¡± Rhea looked up at the large, fancy-looking hospital Ash had guided them to. ¡°Okay¡­ I hope I can help people like Terri someday.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Ash asked, waving at the excited patients moving about as they noticed the legend. ¡°You can make a difference just by showing up and showing people you care¡­ that you¡¯re thinking of them. We¡¯re helping Terri¡ªand her loved ones¡ª by being there for her¡­ she already lost most of her family, so Kyle¡¯s all she has left. Ready to create some smiles?!¡± ¡°Pika-pi!¡± Rhea nodded, letting her self-depression go from Ash¡¯s infectious Aura. ¡°Yeah! Oh, let¡¯s stop by and grab some flowers, too. You never know, maybe she¡¯ll wake up, and I know I¡¯d be touched if I saw someone had left flowers. Yeah¡­ let¡¯s get some flowers!¡± ¡°Good call!¡± Ash grinned, and they went inside, stopping at the shop to select some lovely red tulips to match the woman¡¯s hair. Entering the room, she saw Kyle sitting by the bed, leaning forward with a blank stare as he watched the sleeping redhead; she was hooked up to life support. A small smile lifted his somber expression as Ash moved in to hug him, saying May sent her regards. He thanked her for the tulips when Rhea handed it to him, unconsciously asking how she was doing; there was no change, and as they sat down, Kyle chuckled softly before going into a few stories that probably just popped into mind after seeing the flowers. They let him talk, and he began to choke up at one point, making Rhea realize he probably was closer to Terri than just a friend; apparently, they¡¯d grown up together, and she¡¯d always been the stubborn type that never backed down. She was the first person to try any new ramen recipe he made, and since her coma, he hadn¡¯t made a new one since. It made Rhea¡¯s nose burn and dab at her cheeks. She couldn¡¯t imagine her mom or dad in this kind of state, feeling helpless, and the pain that it had been caused by someone else made her want to exact justice. After a while, she realized these were probably Kyle¡¯s emotions. So much pain caused by some random guy who wanted to find someone who could challenge him; she wished someone would give him exactly what he¡¯d done to Terri. Kyle may look happy on the outside, but he was breaking year by year. When they left, the sun descended below the buildings, painting the sky orange, which instilled a desire to push her Aura training further. She didn¡¯t want someone like Kyle to suffer anymore, someone who just loved making food people enjoyed. Her teammates were a bit taken aback when Rhea hugged them and cried a little, still sensitive to the scene and fearing that someday it would be Amira or Lori; she couldn¡¯t forgive someone who hurt those close to her, and the hard part was that with her Aura opening up, she could feel close to a complete stranger. Amira and Lori got her into bed and brought back a more positive vibe by talking about their Buddy Pokemon her mother was bringing tomorrow. Nova, Alice, and Mya also tried to cheer her up, wanting to have a great day with their fresh partner. Drifting off to bed, Rhea drifted between dreams, seeing memories of Terri and Kyle on some kind of picnic or vacationing near a beach, where Kyle actually rented a ramen stand to test out a new recipe to Terri¡¯s mild amusement and agitation. The feelings warmed her heart. B2 — 44. Trouble Buddies 5:30 a.m. July 18th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 39 Days (38 officially; 39 since getting Maya and Nova). Today is the day they get their Buddy Pokemon! Yay! The gentle sway of jazz tickled Rhea¡¯s ears as Amira¡¯s quiet alarm went off, making her crack open an eye and reposition on her futon, snuggling closer to Mya¡¯s cool metal body beside her; Nova groaned from around her left leg, wet nose nuzzling her shin. Swallowing the sticky saliva in her throat, she yawned, hearing Amira stretching out with Amber and Serenity; they¡¯d moved on to sleeping with two Pokemon the previous night, which was a lot easier than when she¡¯d first started doing it, and she hoped to make it all three soon. Rhea settled back into her squishy bedding, but around the time the redhead got up, her fuzzy mind was already focusing on something that wouldn¡¯t let her go back to sleep. Too early¡­ Mom¡¯s coming today¡­ with our Buddy Pokemon. Twisting her hips and arching her back, squirming a bit under her light blanket, Rhea puffed out a long stream of air; Nova and Mya were forcing themselves awake with her movements. ¡°Pweee¡­ pwe-pwe¡­¡± ¡°Maw-maaa¡­¡± her Mawile yawned, wiping away sleep tears as she rolled off the futon to stare at the droopy-eared Eevee. Amira had somehow already slipped her dress on¡ªit didn¡¯t feel right to walk through the dojo halls in their nightwear/bathing suits for some reason¡ªand was folding up her bedding. ¡°Did I wake you up?¡± Amira whispered, showing an apologetic smile in the dimly lit room; soft nightlights were placed throughout the facility to allow enough of a glow to navigate, and some of that bled through the paper-wall, sliding door. ¡°I increased the volume a bit since I didn¡¯t wake up last time.¡± ¡°It¡¯s cool.¡± Rhea sat up and rolled around her neck. ¡°I¡¯m excited about my mom coming. Got any guesses on the Type we¡¯ll get?¡± A rumble moved in the redhead¡¯s throat as she performed a few morning stretches, and Rhea got up to join her; her awake Pokemon took the opportunity to mirror Amira and clean up the bedding. Lori and her team were still dead to the world and would likely stay that way for a while. ¡°Well, I think your mom is more than a little savvy when it comes to building a team, and we¡¯re already fairly balanced. If we look at your Typings, you have Normal, Fairy, Steel¡ªeventually Fighting with Alice¡¯s Mega form¡ªand, well¡­ everything else, too, hehe.¡± ¡°Pew-pew!¡± Nova chirped, swiftly lowering her voice as Gables groaned from atop Lori¡¯s exposed stomach. Rhea chuckled. ¡°Yeah, which reminds me, Nova and I need to work on keeping her Glaceon form active for longer; I think I want to see if there¡¯s an Aura solution or trick we can work out,¡± she thoughtfully mumbled. ¡°It¡¯s worth a try,¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°Speaking of Types, have you been looking into the new Terastal phenomenon from Paldea¡¯s news reports?¡± ¡°No? I¡¯m sure my mom will have some stuff to say about it, though.¡± Slipping on her dress, she followed the redhead to the showers, going into her own sectioned-off booth beside Amira so they could continue to talk while getting ready. Their Pokemon happily joined them, and Alice woke up halfway through, wanting to play with the suds Nova was making. They bounced between the topic of their new Buddy Pokemon and the unbelievable news coming out of Paldea that Amira had been privately researching the last few days; she¡¯d mainly gotten on the subject because of her grandmother¡ªAriana Rocket¡ªwho had been in charge of overseeing a possible company expansion into the region. Paldea¡¯s former administration had a massive scandal involving embezzling funds, poor treatment of its students, and extensive overspending when it came to research involving the mysterious crater at the region¡¯s center. Most tried to resign, but the reformist party led by the country¡¯s current Champion, Geeta, had them detained and awaiting trial; currently, the nation was going through a bit of a politically turbulent time, yet it could hardly be called chaotic for the average citizen. In fact, with the recovered tax returning to the school and students, Paldea seemed to be on the up. The recently discovered Paradox Pokemon, as Professor Sada and Turo¡ªthe region¡¯s premier scientists¡ªnamed them, had caused a stir within Rocket¡¯s research department; yet, the nation was using the new phenomenon to its advantage in negotiations with the United Leagues in entering the union. Apparently, Rocket had discovered that whatever this Terastal thing was, it was a method of, in a way, giving a Pokemon a third Type while removing its previous weaknesses and keeping its STAB; the really interesting part was the multiplicative effect it had if used on a Pokemon¡¯s existing Type. Rhea had to admit, it was a fairly insane discovery, and she could see it totally shaking up the meta-game of battling. The ability for any Pokemon to gain the Flying-Type and just fly around sounded pretty cool, even if there was a time limit on it. Unfortunately, it was extremely challenging to combine with Mega, Syncro-Burst, or Z-Moves due to various reasons¡ªaccording to Rocket¡¯s research department¡ªbut there was a lot more coming out about the region. Paldea hadn¡¯t participated in the Ultra War, which was a point of contention among the citizens of the United Indigo League, and every nation had to participate in the Trainer Draft Initiative, which acted as the last line of defense against any world threats. Every region had to prove it wouldn¡¯t become a burden on the whole and had something to contribute to maintaining each other¡¯s peace if called upon. Unfortunately, Paldea had a long history of imperial rule that was spotted with bloodshed and dubious figures within its political hierarchy, causing the League to put up its guard since those within the United League were required to maintain a specific standard. She could see why Amira would be fascinated by world events, considering her upbringing, but Rhea only partially listened to the redhead talk aloud about the events happening across the sea¡ªPaldea was close to Galar¡ªshe was too fixated on their new Buddy Pokemon. Sure, they wouldn¡¯t be able to battle with these Pokemon for a while, but just having a cute cuddle buddy and playmate for all her Pokemon was thrilling; the mystery her mother employed when talking about them and the warnings only stimulated her appetite to learn more. Touching up for the morning, they participated in a bit of small talk with the female dojo martial artists and guests that entered the locker room. Nova, Alice, Serenity, Holly, Amber, and Mya were a hit; to Rhea¡¯s amusement, her Mawile grew too flustered with the attention and returned to her Poke Ball; Nova was more than happy to take the stress off her shoulders as the Eevee replaced her steely companion, soaking up the attention. Mallory was still in bed by 7 a.m. when they returned¡ªspending a bit more time than needed chatting¡ªand they giggled upon finding the violet-haired girl flipped on the opposite side of her futon; she was such a restless sleeper. Gables was hanging off her side now, Miky drooling on her knee. Ash knocked on their door at 7:15 a.m., which made Lori groan and get up, surprising Rhea a bit when the girl grabbed her clothes and trudged off to the locker room without throwing anything over her bikini; of course, her Unovan teammate was by far the most daring when it came to showing skin, which was oddly paradoxical with how she talked about her body sometimes. ¡°Oh, well¡­ okay,¡± Ash chuckled as she slunk past him, throwing up a fist for him to bump in passing. ¡°Haaa¡­ See ya in a bit¡­ I may fall asleep in the shower. I¡¯m coming, hot water¡­ I love big water heaters, and I cannot lie.¡± she said in a slight singing tone. Her two Pokemon followed after her, seemingly just as dead as her, and Rhea started to wonder if she¡¯d been doing secret nighttime training; she and Amira were quick sleepers, so Lori could get up to do some extra work under the moonlight. ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± Ash nodded with a smile, and Pikachu walked in, practically nodding off himself, wearing a nightcap and hugging a thin pillow nearly the size of his body. ¡°We have a few hours before your mom gets here, and I wanted to go over a few things, but, heh, I suppose we should wait for Lori to finish getting ready.¡± He glanced between them, Rhea waiting for something to do, and Amira glued to her phone, no doubt scanning more private information she could access from Rocket¡¯s network. ¡°So¡­ want to grab some breakfast after Lori¡¯s done and talk?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Amira grunted. Rhea held her stomach as it growled, and a curious tilt shifted her mouth as her Pokemon looked up at her. ¡°I¡­ guess Aura training really does take a hit on you; I¡¯m actually pretty hungry.¡± ¡°Great!¡± Ash gave them a thumbs up. ¡°I¡¯m gonna take Pikachu to the showers; he¡¯s a bit¡ªheh¡­ you doing okay, bud?¡± ¡°Pii¡­¡± The electric rat fell forward onto his pillow, drooling a bit. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. ¡°Haha. Well, I¡¯ll get him cleaned up and let him sleep in my hoodie; he likes that sometimes. Catch you in, like¡­ thirty?¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Rhea called back, mind wandering as she tried to figure out how to spend her time. ¡°Oh, Nova, let¡¯s work on your Glaceon transformation, and I¡¯ll look at your Aura while you¡¯re doing it!¡± ¡°Pweee!¡± She jumped up and down. Amira sank down to the floor against the wall; her Pokemon jogged over to watch them. ¡°Good luck.¡± ¡°Thanks!¡± Settling in a cross-legged position and plucking her skirt out to drape over her knees, she placed her hands in her lap, focusing internally as Ash had taught her; it didn¡¯t take long for the blackness around her to light with the five Pokemon around her, including Mya in her Poke Ball. She could understand who they were by their shape, and Rhea was beginning to sense a familiarity that was more instinctual than memory, identifying the Auras she¡¯d already observed. It wasn¡¯t so much as seeing a face and remembering it¡­ More like recognizing the sensation of the wind against her skin. A chuckle shook her chest upon seeing her little Eevee¡¯s tail wagging furiously and sensing the elated emotions swelling within her breast; she loved having personal training sessions with her. Nova¡¯s Aura was fascinating to analyze because it wasn¡¯t like any other Pokemon she¡¯d come across; Roxie would be the closest second, but her Aura shifts happened around specific times of the day. The Evolution Pokemon¡¯s little fluffy tail was so erratic that it was mesmerizing to watch. ¡°Okay, try transforming.¡± Rhea watched closely as her Aura and Nova¡¯s resonated together through the Master Ball, and her Eevee¡¯s chaotic internal waves harmonized with hers; the shock of it caused her focus to collapse. Vision opening, she saw the bright light as Nova took her Glaceon form. ¡°Wow, does that mean¡­ Huh.¡± Amira looked up as Nova moved forward for Rhea to pet her, and the redhead pulled out a pack of gum from her skirt pocket. ¡°Figure something out¡ªoh, do you want some?¡± ¡°I¡¯m good,¡± she returned, shaking her head and stroking Nova along her spine. ¡°I think¡­ Yeah, I think I¡¯m the problem in Nova only being able to become a Glaceon right now. She responds to my wavelengths, not the other way around.¡± ¡°Huh. That¡¯s cool,¡± Amira smiled, crumpling the wrapper to set it beside her and return to her phone. ¡°You¡¯ll be able to do some one-on-one Aura sync stuff with her to figure it out then?¡± ¡°Pwee?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± ¡°Pwee!¡± Nova cheered, putting pressure against her hand with her head. ¡°We¡¯ll work it out. I¡¯m not feeling all the stress I used to, which shows we¡¯re growing.¡± ¡°Bun-bun!¡± ¡°Pwee.¡± ¡°Bun!¡± ¡°Pwee-pweeee!¡± Nova and Alice got permission from Rhea to go to one of the training grounds and practice with her Glaceon¡¯s ice; Amber wanted to join them while Holly remained with Amira. Rhea wanted to give her Eevee a chance to push her Glaceon transformation as long as she could, so she changed positions to sit beside the redhead. ¡°What are you researching now¡ªstill Paldea?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ Did you know Ash went there not that long ago?¡± ¡°No?¡± She looked over to see him grinning, front and center, in front of a huge school photo dated from only three months back. ¡°Huh. Cool.¡± Amira¡¯s eyes narrowed as she growled. ¡°He¡¯s Muking everywhere¡­ I swear he¡¯s a trouble magnet, and we¡¯re going to get swept into some crazy trap in the next few weeks.¡± ¡°Haha. Kind of like us, huh?¡± The redhead¡¯s shoulders drooped. ¡°Haaa. Not wrong. Anyway, what are you thinking about for breakfast?¡± Rhea¡¯s smile became strained as she pulled up her account details. ¡°I¡¯m down to, like, 7.6k credits¡ªSilver-tier is going to be rough. We need to start picking up battles and making some money soon.¡± ¡°True¡­ I¡¯m doing fine due to a few investments, but that can change quickly,¡± the savvy Rocket girl returned, showing 16,855 credits in her account. ¡°Nice. Umm, I was thinking about that ramen place, since, heh, we get discounts with Ash being there.¡± ¡°Fine with me.¡± Rhea talked with Amira until Ash and Lori returned; Nova broke a personal best, staying as a Glaceon for twenty whole minutes. Her awesome Eevee had provided an excellent ice skating ring for Alice to dance across and Amber to crash on¡ªand crash she did¡ªover and over again, trying to train her balance with Alice. At 8:15 a.m., they left the dojo, waving at some of the women they¡¯d met that morning on their way out. The city was lively, and she heard a few passing topics on the way to the shop, which included Paldea, how Sabrina provided a soul-crushing defeat to some Trainers earlier that week, and some excitement around an upstart in this session from Hoenn that was scheduled to face the Psychic Gym Leader this coming Monday. Ordering their meals, Rhea waved at Kyle from the open doorway to the kitchen; he seemed to notice and gave her a soft smile, returning the gesture; she¡¯d had a good visit, listening to his stories about Terri in the hospital the previous day. Ash went right into what he wanted to discuss with them once they were situated, though; Pikachu speaking to their Pokemon on the table beside theirs. ¡°Okay,¡± he grinned. ¡°As you already know, these Pokemon won¡¯t be able to participate in official matches for a while and require a bit of attention. They have the you know what infused in them, which means they¡¯ll need to release that built-up energy at some point and will look for your guidance.¡± Rhea assumed he was talking about the Victini Cores that her mother talked about, but Ash dropped a new surprise on them. ¡°Also, they¡¯ll grow a lot faster than your typical Pokemon¡ªdespite not battling¡ªdue to the Buddy Bond, and you cannot bond normally with them for that reason. Among other issues that you¡¯ll learn shortly, it would hurt you¡­ pretty bad, so don¡¯t ever think about doing it. Any questions?¡± Mallory chuckled and shook her head. ¡°I think we¡¯ll get the gist of it when we see our new little whirlwinds. I can¡¯t wait; you¡¯ve been hyping this up since you first told us! So, when can we battle with them?¡± A short sigh came from Amira. ¡°When we can influence the Buddy Bond. Correct?¡± ¡°Right, as usual, Amira,¡± Ash laughed. ¡°When you can interact with your Buddy Pokemon through your Allocations, you¡¯ll be ready to start gently entering battles; it also means you can ¡®technically¡¯ have seven Pokmon when all is said and done, but¡­ you know League regulations.¡± ¡°So cool,¡± Rhea beamed, sitting on the edge of her seat as their order was called. ¡°Can we eat back at the dojo to wait for my mom?¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m down.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a bit anxious, as well,¡± Amira nodded. Ash¡¯s mouth became a line, making a sound in his throat. ¡°Well, you see¡­ she¡¯s probably already at the dojo, trying to set things up and settle them down; she wanted me to get you guys out.¡± ¡°Hehe. Sounds like something my mom would do. Okay, we can eat here.¡± Rhea brought up a few past events that mirrored this: her mother often had had her dad or brother take her out on a fishing or hiking trip to get the house ready for her big surprise; she fretted over every detail. Eating a lot quicker than she usually did¡ªand a lot more¡ªshe saw her companions do the same, and by 9:12 a.m., they were on their way back to the dojo¡ªa 30-minute walk¡ªhearts thumping with excitement, and Ash had them slow their Ponyta to give Rhea¡¯s mother all the time she¡¯d asked for. At roughly 9:57 a.m., they arrived at the dojo to find her mother standing by the front gate, showing a slightly nervous smile. ¡°Girls! Umm, heh, I had to separate them into different rooms to keep them from bouncing off the walls; they can¡­ get a little under each other¡¯s skin.¡± ¡°Oh? Little Impidimps, huh?¡± Lori snickered with her Pokemon. ¡°I can¡¯t wait! Can we see them now? Oh! Hehe, our redhead should go first!¡± Amira looked a lot more nervous than Rhea expected, hands held tightly behind her back. ¡°Eh-heh¡­ Ash has made me question a lot of things with his responses. I suppose it¡¯s best to meet challenges head-on.¡± ¡°We¡¯re here with you.¡± Rhea bumped shoulders with her, showing a reassuring grin. ¡°Is it okay if Amira goes first, Mom?¡± ¡°Umm. Haha¡­ Sure, but I¡¯m more worried about yours staying in the room, Rhea; I didn¡¯t want them to see anyone but who they would be bonded with first, so¡­ we should hurry!¡± A little taken aback by her mother¡¯s rushed approach, now urging them to follow, Alice and Mya ran ahead with the other Pokemon, seemingly able to hear an unusual sound that caught their attention. Sure enough, they were standing in front of the sliding wooden door of their room, and she suspected their other Buddy Pokemon were in the next two rooms over. ¡°Go ahead,¡± her mother urged the redhead, wearing a strained smile and showing bags under her eyes that spoke of sleepless nights. ¡°Compared to Rhea and Lori¡¯s, yours is a darling.¡± Amira swallowed the lump in her throat as Rhea gave her a reassuring nod, and the girl forced herself to laugh, sounding a bit breathless. ¡°I feel like it¡¯s Christmas at my grandparents¡­ They save the big gift for last and have me search around the tower for it, leaving clues. Huu-haaa. Okay¡­ just open the door, and¡­¡± She cracked it open but locked up part-way through, breath held as she centered on her Pokemon, just out of sight to Rhea, but Lori gasped, on the opposite side of the redhead. ¡°Melelele?¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, hearing a musical voice from within. ¡°Amira¡ªAmira!¡± The girl fell back, hair fanning around her face as Ash caught her fall, gently taking her to the ground as an elegant Pokemon tentatively moved through the door to look at her Trainer with concern. ¡°M-Meloetta?!¡± Lori gasped, dress rising a bit as she dropped to her knees. ¡°She¡¯s so pretty, and that color!¡± ¡°Melo-lelleta?¡± she asked, concerned hand resting on Amira¡¯s leg. ¡°She¡¯ll be alright,¡± Ash reassured, Pikachu nodding. Rhea was speechless; her mother had given Amira a Mythical Pokemon originating from the Unova region, and all the warnings they¡¯d received now made sense. They couldn¡¯t bond normally with these Pokemon because they would cause too much pressure on their spirits. Unlike the typical Meloetta, this one appeared to have taken on specific characteristics of the Victini infused into it; instead of her turquoise-themed hair and the Pokemon¡¯s usual color design, this small Meloetta¡¯s flowing hair was red with burgundy spots. She had Nova and Mya¡¯s salt and pepper theme to her dress and body, sporting piercing light-pink irises. Rhea had to wonder how her mother got her hands on a real Mythical Pokemon, who were far shyer and more reclusive than their Legendary counterparts. ¡°No way!¡± Lori cried. ¡°No way! What about mine? The next room?¡± She darted to the door as Rhea¡¯s mother pointed to it, and flung it open, shouting in surprise as a little red, white, and black ball of fur jumped into her arms¡ªthe adorably cute fighter gave her a leery-eyed, challenging stare that made Lori scream, hugging the Wushu Pokemon against her chest. ¡°Perfect! I love her! I love her! She¡¯s so fluffy? And so ferocious, too! Arceus! Arceus! I love her! Thank you! Thank you!¡± Showing a similar design as the Meloetta, the Kubfu chirped at Gables and Miky as the two greeted their newest companion, and Amira began to regain her senses, having been totally overwhelmed by her new gorgeous Melody Pokemon that truly mirrored the elegant Rocket girl. ¡°H-How is this¡­ legal?!¡± was the first thing out of her mouth, yet everyone¡¯s attention shot to a floating ruby-hued nebula that materialized out of rainbow lights in front of Rhea, wearing a cute smile before releasing a soft, radiant cry that rippled through her bones. ¡°Nee!¡± Rhea¡¯s mind blanked; it wasn¡¯t loud, yet the focused pressure hit her like a wave as her Pokemon obliviously chipped from the floor to welcome their new friend. This darling, cloud snuggle buddy had to be hers, and all she could do was whisper ¡°Cosmog?¡± before the world went black, unable to cope with just the Alolan legend¡¯s greeting. B2 — 45. Hidden Scars 10:26 a.m. July 18th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 39 Days (38 officially; 39 since getting Maya and Nova). Our girls got a shocking surprise with their new Pokemon! Cuties! Yay! Rhea groaned, vision clearing as muffled voices spoke around her; by the soft fabric against her groggy head, she was resting against a pillow, and she discovered her team, mom, and Ash surrounding her. ¡°Welcome back, sunshine,¡± Lori giggled, her Kubfu held in her arms; the Unovan girl jabbed a thumb at the redhead beside her; curiously, her Meloetta was hiding underneath her skirt. ¡°The princess just woke up, too; hah, I wasn¡¯t expecting both of you to pass out.¡± Amira rubbed her forehead with her free hand, the other comfortingly holding the Melody Pokemon against her legs. ¡°It just¡­ messed with my mind for a second; I¡¯m fine. How are you, Rhea?¡± Her attention was drawn to Ash¡¯s forced smile as he pointed at her stomach, where a lump wiggled. ¡°We can¡¯t tell you much about them to help promote the bonding, but give them some time, and they¡¯ll warm up to everyone.¡± Pikachu pointed a finger at Amira and crossed his arms. ¡°Pika-pi-pika!¡± ¡°Haaa. I know,¡± the redhead growled, taking note of her Fennekin and Comfey¡¯s concerned stares. ¡°I¡¯m pushing myself too much and need to rest a bit more tomorrow.¡± ¡°Huu-haaa. Glad to hear you¡¯re okay.¡± Rhea only felt the comforting, warm embrace of her Cosmog¡¯s arms hugging her, and Nova was snuggled underneath the light blanket, trying to welcome their newest member from between Rhea¡¯s legs. ¡°Hehe. I don¡¯t even know what happened.¡± ¡°Pwee-pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Nee-ne-nee.¡± ¡°Pwe! Pwe-pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Ne?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± Alice soon joined in, big ears lifting up the blankets to poke it up a bit; all three of them were keeping Rhea pinned down, making her chuckle. ¡°Bun-bun?¡± ¡°Ne-ne?¡± ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°Buneary!¡± ¡°Ne.¡± Rhea gently rubbed the outside of the blanket, seeing her mom¡¯s soft expression. ¡°It¡¯s okay; you can stay there as long as you want with Nova and Alice.¡± ¡°Pika-pi?¡± the electric rat asked, looking up at them, and Ash breathed out a long sigh. ¡°I think you¡¯re right, bud; we shouldn¡¯t crowd them.¡± Her mother nodded and fussed with Rhea¡¯s long blonde hair to keep it out of the way. ¡°Why don¡¯t you each go into the other rooms and get to know them¡ªname them; it¡¯s important to do it soon after meeting¡ªover the last few days, I¡¯ve played videos of each of you to orient them to your voices and show them your faces. I¡¯ll remain here with my daughter for a bit¡ªheh, I doubt her Cosmog will mind¡ªshe was pretty attached to me because I look like a less cute version of Rhea.¡± ¡°Mom!¡± Rhea protested, shooting up a light glare. ¡°Funny, but you¡¯re super pretty; I hope I grow up to be as beautiful as you and Aunt Cynthia.¡± ¡°What a kind daughter I have,¡± her mother smiled, kissing her on the forehead and nudging her head at Ash. ¡°Do you want to break the news to the other two?¡± Lori let go of her fluffy Kubfu to let Miky and Roxie run out of the room together, following their exit with a creased eye; they started jumping up and down in the hallway, Amber jogging over to join the two. ¡°What news? I think Roxie¡¯s happy about something. Huh?!¡± On the other hand, an unnatural pulse reverberated through Rhea¡¯s bones, making her shiver as an eerie chill tickled her spine; something was nearby that made her want to duck under her covers. Amira¡¯s whole body stiffened as Lyra¡¯s brown ponytail poked around the corner, holding up a peace sign with the woman¡¯s iconic cheery grin. ¡°Morning, My Little Mew! Hi, girls; been having fun?¡± ¡°Mom?!¡± However, Rhea¡¯s focus was on a woman she¡¯d never met before who seemed to appear out of nowhere on the opposite side, wearing a small smile and waving at them. ¡°Dad tells me you have quite the story to tell, Lil¡¯ Sis.¡± Lori followed the redhead¡¯s example, jaw dropping in disbelief as her sister reached down to pick up her new Pokemon; the Kubfu had a dazed look on her face at the woman¡¯s touch. ¡°Shaunny?! How did you escape the League?¡± The purple-haired Unovan Elite-4 member wore a purple and black summer dress that fell to her knees and a pink-themed choker. A giant Drifblim suddenly appeared beside Lori, rubbing against her cheek and making the girl laugh. Rhea couldn¡¯t get over the ripple the smiling woman produced, causing shadows around them to deepen and the faint feeling of an unheard melody in the background to play on her mind. ¡°Mindy?! Seriously, what gives? You¡¯ve been getting challenges like crazy from Rosa and Nate. What about your new book?¡± Shauntal shrugged and leaned against the frame, violet eyes drifting to Rhea; it felt like she was being pulled into them. ¡°I can work on my book anywhere, and I needed a bit of a break. Plus¡­¡± Her gaze narrowed with a small, mischievous tilt to her lips, her voice dropping to just above a whisper. ¡°Ash informed me that you would be stopping by Lavender City¡ªwhat a magical place to visit¡ªand I happened to receive a request from Agatha that provided me the opportunity to escape Unova.¡± Lori gently pushed Mindy away, smooth locks weaving against her back as she shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t even want to know your spooky business! Hehe, but¡­ I¡¯ll definitely take Mindy being nearby if we are dealing with anything spiritual. Oh! Rhea, Amira,¡± she chimed, hopping over to present the bob-cut-haired woman. ¡°This is my big sister, Shauntal!¡± Lori nudged her side with a smirk. ¡°She¡¯s a bit weird and obsessed with the Ghost World, but I still love her.¡± ¡°Aww. Sweet,¡± Shauntal giggled, using one arm to hug her and return her dazed Legendary teammate. ¡°Everyone is going to die someday, and maybe it won¡¯t be the same for you. Right? Hmm-hmm. Maybe I could make you immortal.¡± ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re as creepy as ever, Sis,¡± Lori laughed, but Rhea wasn¡¯t so sure the woman was joking. Lyra¡¯s ponytail bobbed with her head. ¡°I¡¯m right there with you, Shaunny! So many fun things to explore. Oh, I just can¡¯t anymore!¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Amira mumbled as the woman jumped in to hug her daughter and kiss her cheek. ¡°Haaa. We are crowding a bit. Catch you in a bit, Rhea?¡± ¡°Haha. Yeah. Sure.¡± Shauntal gave her a friendly wave, yet there was a chilling prickle in her bloodstream that caressed the back of Rhea¡¯s neck, which reminded her of Franky but far more sinister. ¡°It was lovely meeting you, Rhea. We¡¯ll hopefully see each other again next week.¡± They all waved and filed out, shutting the door behind them and leaving Rhea alone with her Pokemon and mother. Trying to unwind after the unusual Aura the girl radiated, Rhea cleared her throat. ¡°Something felt¡­ off about Shauntal,¡± she admitted when they were alone, looking into her mom¡¯s thoughtful gray eyes. Her mother leaned to the side, studying her Pokemon as they greeted their new, timid teammate, and Rhea wondered if it reflected her Nature. ¡°Shauntal came from¡­ a fairly troubled past, and there¡¯s a reason Agatha would request her specifically. Some of what you saw was an act; the world sees her as a reclusive author, but there¡¯s a far more¡­ troubled side to the woman. Oh! Not that she¡¯s dangerous to you¡ªit¡¯s just, umm¡­ Let¡¯s just say there¡¯s a reason she¡¯s so close to Ghost Pokemon.¡± Settling into her blankets and reaching under to pet her Cosmog, Rhea couldn¡¯t shake the atypical vibe. ¡°Is¡­ she a ghost?¡± Her mom¡¯s head tilted. ¡°Mmh¡­ a little more complicated than that; she¡¯s kind of between worlds, I suppose you could say. Don¡¯t let it bother you too much. Wait¡­ ah, it¡¯s your Aura that¡¯s feeding you those thoughts?¡± ¡°Yeah. Ahem, it was just¡­ strange.¡± ¡°Hmm. Yeah, you would generally not want to get tangled in the things Shauntal is¡­ interested in. Not many have gone where she has and returned. Hehe. Something she once told me was¡­ only in the darkness can you see the stars.¡± ¡°Right¡­ I¡¯ll ask Ash about it later. Huu-haaa. No, I should be focused on this amazing little girl,¡± she giggled, reaching under to carefully draw out the nebula; she felt like a puffy cloud in her hands. ¡°Can you tell me a little about her¡ªhow did you get her?¡± Her mother got down to lay beside her, and Rhea shifted her pillow over to give her space; the Cosmog settled between them, Alice returning to her Poke Ball to allow Mya a chance to meet the Nebula Pokemon. ¡°You remember Lillie?¡± ¡°The professor from Alola¡ªLusamine¡¯s daughter?¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Her mother nestled closer, and Nova transferred between their legs to cuddle her new teammate. ¡°Did I tell you that all Lunala are female?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Rhea smiled, happy to spend this time with her mother since their last disastrous meeting; it was only two weeks ago, but it still hurt to think about it. ¡°All Solgaleo are male, but didn¡¯t you tell me they¡¯re super dangerous since they started the whole Ultra War?¡± If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. ¡°Hmm.¡± Their heads touched as they stared up at the dark ceiling light; the glow from the closed, insulated paper windows was their only illumination, and after the fright Shauntal gave her Aura, she began to notice something else in her mother that sank into her soul. ¡°All Pokemon are dangerous, and the fear around your little girl is valid, but they were used as tools by Rainbow Rocket. To be honest, I sold this to the League by telling them that your little girl could change public opinion. It¡¯s not Cosmog¡¯s fault humans misused their power. Plus, I know you loved all the pictures I showed you.¡± ¡°Lunala are beautiful,¡± Rhea whispered, finding her mom¡¯s hand under the blanket and allowing her Eevee and Cosmog to nest on top of them; complex emotions swirled inside her heart. ¡°I love the red hues and the black look that should be gold; I know she¡¯ll be gorgeous¡­ but I¡¯m also worried about competing with them, Mom.¡± ¡°Haaa. Yeah. I can see that,¡± she mumbled, and Rhea could smell the coffee on her breath. ¡°Legendary Energy is far stronger than your typical Pokemon¡¯s. There¡¯s a reason we said you couldn¡¯t battle with them and why I¡¯m giving them to you as your Buddy Bonded. I¡­ don¡¯t want to tell you the real reason I bred her for you¡­ I also said I wouldn¡¯t lie or hide anything from you.¡± Rhea prepared herself, and Nova communicated that their baby nebula had fallen asleep; Mya didn¡¯t know how to interject herself, likely cursing her larger size. ¡°I¡¯d like to know¡­ if possible.¡± ¡°I know¡­ I know,¡± her mother whispered, closing her eyes and breathing a few times. ¡°I feared Rainbow Rocket would try to steal you¡­ It¡¯s more about when than if, and¡­ I wanted there to be a way for you to escape or have a way back if that happened. Just your paranoid mom¡­¡± Rhea finished her statement. ¡°¡­doing everything in her power to keep her little girl safe. Heh, and giving her absolutely adorable Pokemon to love. I love you, Mom,¡± she added, shifting a little to kiss her cheek. ¡°Thank you, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± She shifted a little, feeling her Cosmog stir and crawl up their arms to poke her head out. ¡°As for you, I have the perfect name. Ready?¡± ¡°Oh! Exciting,¡± her mother chirped as her other Pokemon hovered around them. ¡°Lillie called hers Nebby.¡± ¡°Aww. Cute,¡± Rhea cooed, wiggling her hands free to hold her little cosmic Pokemon up. ¡°She named it after nebulas, but for my little girl, I¡¯ll go with Lulu.¡± Her mother giggled at the cheering Cosmog, her teammates congratulating her. ¡°What an adorable name. Lulu¡ªlunar¡ªthe moon?¡± ¡°Well, heh, Sabin already beat me to Luna with his Mismagius. Lulu fits, I think, and Dad always said it¡¯s good to come up with short names to shorten commands.¡± ¡°Hah. That may be true, but there are only so many four-letter names you can use without recycling.¡± Nova poked her head out as Lulu disappeared in light to remerge near her neck, hugging it. ¡°Huh? Teleport, right from birth?! Really?¡± Rhea squeaked, rubbing her little nebula¡¯s puffy back. ¡°Seriously, Mom, how is this ever going to fly in competitions?¡± ¡°I mean, Abra can teleport,¡± her mother shrugged. ¡°Lulu is a special Pokemon, for sure, and the Victini Core will make her grow fast¡ªeven without battling¡ªand Legendary Energy is typically at least ten times the strength of normal Pokemon. She¡¯ll require a lot of care, and she may be timid, but she¡¯s also a tad too curious for her own good when she starts to get comfortable.¡± Rhea slowly nodded, realizing Lulu had fallen asleep again against her neck. ¡°What about her Moves, Nature, and Abilities¡ªher EVs?¡± ¡°Her EVs are already taken care of,¡± her mother assured, a thoughtful gleam entering her eyes while nudging her. ¡°What Nature do you think she is?¡± ¡°Eh-heh. Timid?¡± ¡°Very good! As for her Abilities, she has Unaware and Quirky++, which is a bit of a rarer one¡ªin short, it¡¯s the highest grade of Quirky that shrugs off Status Effects¡ªand she will slowly gain very powerful Moves as she grows.¡± Shifting on her pillow to face her mother and allow Mya to join Nova between them, Rhea watched her Eevee cuddle around Lulu. ¡°Can Alice play battle games with her?¡± Asking the Buneary¡¯s question. ¡°Mmh. Yes, but she needs to be careful,¡± her mother explained, studying the resting nimbus. ¡°Lulu¡¯s power can spike at times, and it should be very recognizable by her internal glow; it¡¯s her Legendary Energy resonating with Victini. She¡¯ll collapse after releasing all of it. Let¡¯s see¡­ ¡°She has two Moves at the moment¡ªSplash and Teleport¡ªand you want her to use Splash or else¡­¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°She¡¯ll teleport all of us to a random place?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ or maybe accidentally open up a wormhole in space-time¡­ Maybe an Ultra Wormhole. Playing games and learning when to use each Move will certainly help, but think about her Splash being like, umm¡­ Serenity learning Surf and using that.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, picturing a gigantic wave sweeping them away. ¡°So, you¡¯re trying to tell me¡ªheh, a bit poorly, Mom¡ªthat I can¡¯t battle with her when she¡¯s shining really brightly and in her resonation phase?¡± Her mother¡¯s smile became strained. ¡°Sorry. My mind¡¯s just bouncing all over the place.¡± Thoughts returning to her teammates, Rhea pulled in her lips, imagining a sonic boom that shatters a building or a foot stomp that creates a fissure. ¡°What¡­ about Lori and Amira¡¯s Pokemon?¡± ¡°Similar.¡± Her mother moved to her knees, nervous hands pulling her hair up to fashion it into a complicated braid¡ªshe must be worried¡ªit told Rhea she probably only just got the League to allow it. ¡°Meloetta is¡­ quite shy, and, to be honest, somehow¡ªI don¡¯t know why¡ªshe doesn¡¯t like to sing. I thought Amira would be able to help her out of that fear since she has to sing to enter her Pirouette Forme, which then Lori can help with her dancing skills.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart blossomed at the story. ¡°You really are such a softy, Mom. Where did she come from¡ªRainbow Rocket?¡± ¡°Umm. Her DNA did. Pokemon can elicit many biological characteristics from their parents, including temperament, and I think something I cannot detect was transferred from her mother. I did want to give her to you, but¡­¡± ¡°Mmm-uh. Amira was definitely the right choice,¡± Rhea returned, smiling as she remembered the look on the redhead¡¯s face. ¡°She even looks a little like her. If anyone can help her out of her shell, it¡¯s Amira. How can we tell she needs to release her energy?¡± Her mother gently prompted her to lift her head to get a few loose strands. ¡°Her hair and the gem on her forehead will practically become living flames.¡± ¡°Pretty. Her Moves and Abilities?¡± ¡°Serene Grace, Quirky++¡ªlike Lulu¡ªand Power of Six.¡± ¡°Ooh, that sounds interesting. What does that do?¡± Rhea asked, carefully moving Alice and Lulu to rest on her chest. ¡°Basically, for every teammate that hears her voice, your party grows stronger; it maxes at six allies. Her Moves are Celebrate, Round, and Sing¡­ I don¡¯t think I need to tell you Round can cause a lot of damage.¡± ¡°Cool¡ªwell, heh, not the damage part¡ªI can¡¯t wait to sing more. Amira¡¯s a great teacher. Celebrate should be spectacular with all that power. I can¡¯t wait to see it! What about Lori¡¯s Kubfu?¡± ¡°Inner Focus, which is ironic since she¡¯s so focused on her training; I expect Alice and her to really get along. She might be the most trouble, considering she¡¯ll want to get into battles¡­ I couldn¡¯t keep her cooped up in the lab when she¡¯s so active. Hehe. This dojo is probably going to be heaven for her.¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°I¡¯m guessing giving her to someone with as high of Physical Allocation as Lori isn¡¯t a coincidence. Lori always breaks into new dances; she¡¯s pretty fun and always has to be on the move. Oh! Maybe Lori¡­ ack.¡± She quieted down as Lulu stirred at her loud voice. ¡°Maybe Lori will get into martial arts; Amira can teach us some stuff.¡± Her mother¡¯s bottom lip drew in. ¡°Mmh. Amira is¡­ struggling a bit; her passing out was due to her Fortitude more than pure surprise. It¡¯s probably bothering her.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Sitting back and letting her mom fashion her hair, Rhea drew in, pondering what to make of the issue. Amira was really hard on herself, demanding perfection; it reflected in how she made herself look in the mornings and the care she took in presenting herself. Rhea had come to realize it had a lot to do with her family. The redhead didn¡¯t want to make her family look bad¡ªshe hated the prejudice people did throw at her and her family¡ªthen again, Rhea knew Amira wouldn¡¯t deny her grandparents did terrible things in the past. She tried hard to uplift her family name and not be a drag on it; in a way, her goal¡ªevery action she took¡ªwas built around changing the world¡¯s opinion of Rocket. Amira was strong-willed and proud yet reserved and disciplined to the highest degree; the hardest thing for her teammate would be dealing with something she had no control over. A solution slowly bubbled to the surface of her brain. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°Amira¡¯s worst Allocation is Physical, and we¡¯ve been pushing really hard to cover a lot of ground in a day to get to Saffron so quickly. If we slow down a bit¡ªwe don¡¯t have to tell her¡ªwon¡¯t it help her recover?¡± ¡°I would,¡± her mother whispered, sectioning out her locks to twist them together. ¡°Amira can keep on her daily Aura training if she isn¡¯t exerting herself and likely focusing her Aura in meditation, which can act as a booster to her Physical Allocation through her high Mental.¡± Happy to find a solution without hurting her friend¡¯s self-confidence, Rhea patted her mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯ll talk to Ash and Lori about slowing things down; we¡¯re staying until Wednesday anyway¡ªheh, Amira lost a bet¡ªwhich will give her plenty of time for that. We can join, too! Maybe I should enter the beginner competition; that might be fun.¡± ¡°Ooh. I¡¯ll bring your father and brother; I¡¯m sure they¡¯d love to see it. Wednesday?¡¯ ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Sounds great. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you Lori¡¯s Kubfu¡¯s Moves; I¡¯m sure it will bring you girls closer together going over all of it together. Remember everything so far?¡± ¡°Totally remember,¡± she beamed. ¡°My memory was spotty a few weeks ago, but everything¡¯s good now. You said she¡¯d be the most trouble?¡± ¡°Mmh-hehe. You could say that.¡± Her mother forced a sigh. ¡°Her Kubfu has been bred to have both Styles that she can swap between¡­ She has Aqua Jet, Leer, Rock Smash, and Sucker Punch at her base, but any further Style Specific Move will only be able to be used when in that Style, which requires her to meditate¡ªit will come naturally to her.¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Lori got some really cool Pokemon. Roxie can change forms by the time of day, and once an Urshifu, she can change it by meditating. Really awesome Pokemon, Mom.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­ each of them has their own story. When her Kubfu needs to release her energy, she¡¯ll start to develop a flaming Aura that you¡¯ll definitely sense, and it will surround her like a flame.¡± ¡°Like Victini,¡± Rhea whispered, thinking back to the videos her mom showed her as a little girl. ¡°I hope we can give these little girls the love they need¡­ them and the Victini inside them.¡± ¡°Me, too¡­¡± Her mother kissed her forehead and finished tying off her braid. ¡°My only goal has been to raise you right¡­ to not follow in our footsteps, and to protect you from the villains lurking in the shadows. Someday, our sins¡­ all our sins will come to haunt you, Rhea, and I want to prepare you for that.¡± Rhea pulled her blanket over Nova and Lulu, drawing Mya closer against her side, thoughts returning to the cliff where her parents revealed their tragic and twisted past. Rainbow Rocket¡¯s Giovanni believed she was his daughter and she was meant to be his greatest weapon; if she was being honest with herself, there was a taint in her heart that had carried on since that discussion. She wouldn¡¯t admit it to her mother, but there was a festering darkness within her core. The world was much darker than what she¡¯d been shown, and she¡¯d seen the effects the Ultra War had on the Master¡¯s Community. She was built to be a weapon¡ªRainbow Rocket had forced her parents to a cliff¡¯s edge to create her¡ªand there was a hidden desire growing in the deepest part of her soul to return the ¡®gift¡¯ that had been forced upon her. Burying the feelings swirling within her, Rhea put on a smile; she hadn¡¯t realized how much it had grown until seeing her mother again¡ªthe memory of her tear-struck and broken face scarring her heart. ¡°I love you, Mom.¡± ¡°Love you, too. I think I¡¯ll let them rest a bit more. Rest with me?¡± she asked, focusing on the dark rings under her mother¡¯s eyes. ¡°Hehe. Why are you spoiling me? There¡¯s no way I¡¯m passing that up.¡± Rhea let her mom join her again under the blankets; in the back of her mind, she knew exactly what her mother was really doing, and the self-harming waves she felt from her confused her Pokemon, but Rhea understood it. Mom wants to make me strong enough to be free from everyone and everything¡­ She wants to give me the power to do what she can¡¯t¡­ to live without fear. She wants to complete Rainbow Rocket¡¯s project, yet¡­ I don¡¯t know exactly how Mom wants this to end. Does she want me to be her judge? She didn¡¯t know exactly what to feel from it, but with Ash¡¯s training in Aura, she was beginning to learn how to tell things about other people, and her mother wasn¡¯t trying to hide it. One thing Rhea couldn¡¯t deny was that she loved her mother, yet her self-destructive tendencies frightened her. ¡°Night, Mom, Alice, Nova, Mya, Lulu¡­¡± ¡°Night¡­¡± ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°Neee.¡± ¡°Mawile¡­¡± Her Buneary wanted to join the others but allowed Mya this time, which was a big step for her feisty Pokemon, yet there were other things on Rhea¡¯s mind. In the silence, she heard Amira and Lori talk down the hallway, apparently going to one of the dojo halls. The redhead named her shy Meloetta Mariah and was attempting to get her used to play with others¡ªexposure therapy, as she called it. Mallory must have taken Amira¡¯s story to heart and how Rhea talked about her visit to the comatose woman because the Unovan girl called her combat-fanatic Kubfu Terri, making Rhea¡¯s heart soften while thinking about the dojo¡¯s true master. She was sure Kyle would be touched. I¡¯ll save you, Mom¡­ she mirrored her mother, kissing her forehead before settling in to take a nap and clear her heart. Somehow. B2 — 46. Vulnerabilities 10:44 a.m. July 18th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 39 Days (38 officially; 39 since getting Maya and Nova). Our girls got a shocking surprise with their new Pokemon! Cuties! Yay! Lori giggled as Terri followed the various forms of the Hitmonchan in the dojo Training Hall, watching Miky try to emulate the forms; her little legendary fighter had to be Adamant Natured by the seriousness she took in wanting to join in the practice. She knew Rhea¡¯s Pokemon would get along with Terri to a T, especially Mya and Alice, who she could see really bonding with the Kubfu, but it also made her a little nervous about how she was supposed to connect to the battle-centric Pokemon. Sure, she liked to battle, and so did her Pokemon, yet they were largely more of a goofy group of fools. Well, except Roxie, who was right beside their newest member; bless her soul, she was attempting to do the kicks while balancing on two legs, which made her coo. Amira sat off to the side with Amira and Mariah; Amber and Holly were out, trying to help the terribly skittish Meloetta overcome her crippling shyness¡ªit would be a work in progress. A short hum came from her adorably creepy big sister as her mysterious violet eyes studied her very soul. ¡°A book not read is a ghost without a voice. You seem nervous, Mal; what¡¯s on your mind?¡± ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± She tried to let go of the pent-up air in her lungs while turning to her sister, holding her elbow behind her back. ¡°I guess¡­ I feel like Terri would do better with Rhea or Amira more than me,¡± she whispered, seeing Amber¡¯s red and Roxie¡¯s pink eyes move to her. ¡°Fighting is cool and all, but I¡¯m just¡­ haaa.¡± ¡°Not sure you can give her what she needs?¡± Shauntal finished, a cryptic smile playing on her pink lips. ¡°Have I told you the story of ¡®The Hero and the Froakie?¡¯ It¡¯s a classic.¡± Lori¡¯s expression dulled. ¡°Another one of your story metaphors?¡± ¡°Aren¡¯t they the best?¡± her sister snickered, and Dollia, her Chandelure materialized behind them, mirroring her Trainer. ¡°More like obscure¡­ You have to explain the whole thing anyway at the end since I¡¯ve never read any of the stuff you¡¯re into.¡± ¡°I do, don¡¯t I?¡± she mused. ¡°Very well, I¡¯ll cut to the chase. It¡¯s not about how well you get along at the start, Mal¡­ it¡¯s how you find something you can both bond over. Naturally, she¡¯s in a dojo, so she¡¯ll want to do what comes instinctually to her, but it isn¡¯t like martial arts defines Terri; it is a piece of many parts of her soul.¡± A little surprised her sister cut past all the story plots she was probably hoping to spin together to fit that message, Lori smiled. ¡°Thanks, Shanny. I should probably also learn a bit about her interests, too, though. Right?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure she would appreciate it¡­ How would you like to walk? We can visit the Saffron graveyard.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Fine.¡± Knowing she probably wanted to talk about something else away from prying ears, she waved Ash, Amira, and her Pokemon off, internally telling them to watch out for Terri. The bright sunlight overhead hit them as they exited the dojo, moving to the streets of Saffron. ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Shauntal¡¯s gaze drifted back to Lori¡¯s shadow, where Dollia had hidden. ¡°The Tepig and the Absol,¡± she whispered. Lori stiffened at the child¡¯s story and the message it had. ¡°Really? Okay, I¡¯ve been a little down lately, but I¡¯m fine¡­¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Her sister was silent until they were outside the dojo grounds, taking her to the right and away from the main flow of traffic. ¡°I¡¯ve spoken to Mother and Father, who believe you doubt your place inside your team. Have you had any pain?¡± Jaw tightening as Shauntal¡¯s focus settled on her back, Lori shifted her shoulders uncomfortably. ¡°Sometimes it tingles¡­ It¡¯s not why I doubt myself, though. I¡¯m usually the one fixing Cass¡¯ problems¡­ not causing them myself.¡± Gables rubbed her spirit as her sister breathed out a short sigh. ¡°You are not over your embarrassment of losing to Misty, nor the hesitation connected to that in facing arguably the strongest Kanto Gym Leader¡ªand at Silver-tier¡ªin two days with Miky.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not his fault we lost like that,¡± she hissed, arms tightening against her abdomen. ¡°I should have realized he wasn¡¯t ready¡­ I didn¡¯t even do much training with him. It was my fault, and I don¡¯t know how¡­ how he¡¯ll feel if we lose again¡­ I¡¯m scared.¡± Shame made her draw in again as her sister didn¡¯t respond. ¡°I know it¡¯s not fair to pretend everything¡¯s fine¡­ Gah. Gables tells me I should talk to the others about it, and I promise to¡ªevery day¡­ but it just never comes up, and I can¡¯t do it in front of Miky¡­ He¡¯d be crushed, feeling like I don¡¯t believe in him.¡± ¡°But you don¡¯t,¡± her sister softly returned, yet the spiking words drove into her chest. ¡°Neither do you believe in yourself to coach him, which is why you¡¯ve allowed Rhea¡¯s Pokemon and Pikachu to do a lot of the work?¡± A bitter taste entered Lori¡¯s mouth as she realized Ash had told her sister how they¡¯d been training; she couldn¡¯t be sure he¡¯d made all those connections, but Shauntal knew her enough to make them herself. ¡°I¡¯m pathetic, I know,¡± she grumbled, shivering a little for no reason. ¡°Rhea lost to Forrest, but she¡¯s still plowing on. I haven¡¯t really even done a lot of work with Roxie¡­ Ggghgh. Why can¡¯t I shake this slump?!¡± she snarled, asking herself more than Shauntal. Her sister reached over to pull her into a chilling hug¡ªthe atmosphere around her was always spine-tingling¡ªyet there was an unusual warmth in it that calmed her thumping heart. ¡°It is pathetic to not rely on your Pokemon, but you are not pathetic, Mal¡­ you¡¯re the strongest girl I know, which makes it hard to allow others to support you. I know it was so hard for you to live with the chronic pain of those flames all your life, but you overcame that, and you¡¯ll overcome this, as well.¡± Trying not to let the burning in her nose rise to her eyes, Lori breathed while hugging her big sister back. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to shrink, Shanny¡­ to drag everyone down. Amira and Rhea are inspirations¡­ I¡¯m not strong¡­ I¡¯m here turtling¡­ like with the pain. I just push it all down and put on a happy face, and I¡¯m so stupid!¡± ¡°Haaa. You¡¯re worried Rhea will begin to notice now that her Aura is strengthening?¡± Shauntal moved to the side of a park path they¡¯d entered, bringing her into a hug as Dollia exited her shadow to sandwich her in the shade. ¡°I keep m-meeting all these amazing people¡­ strong people, but I¡¯m not growing¡ªI don¡¯t feel like I am. What should I do, Shauntal?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Her big sister stroked her hair and held her close, speaking in the calm and mysterious tone that used to infuriate her; Shauntal always seemed just out of reach, like the Ghost Pokemon she surrounded herself with, yet here she was, holding her when it felt like her world was falling apart. ¡°You¡¯ve learned to be quite the actress, Mal, and I meant what I said¡ªyou are the strongest woman I know, little sister. You believe you haven¡¯t grown, but I¡¯ve seen the changes that few could face so boldly¡­ such as your fear of water.¡± ¡°Ack-hah, really?¡± Lori forced a laugh, chest quaking against her sister¡¯s. ¡°That¡¯s so minor¡­ I froze while Amira and Rhea almost took a bullet for me! I blanked¡­ I felt heat touch my back, and I froze¡­¡± Her sister¡¯s careful hands remained away from the scar on her back, applying pressure. ¡°So¡­ when all that stress was piling up, you felt a spark ignite, and you instinctively locked up to prepare for the burn? Lori, that¡¯s not your fault¡­ The anxiety you¡¯re feeling isn¡¯t about freezing up¡­ it¡¯s that you haven¡¯t told them the real reason why.¡± Tears slid down her flaming cheeks as her throat caught. She didn¡¯t want to show weakness¡ªto be a burden like she¡¯d been on her family most of her life; Lori didn¡¯t want to make people worry about her, so she put on a cheery face and goofed off, breaking into dances and deflecting things to social media. She coughed, fighting back the lump in her throat and quivering lips. ¡°There¡¯s¡­ n-nothing anyone can do¡­ Why make them¡­ make anyone worry? Mom and Dad spent almost a decade looking for a cure¡­ I don¡¯t want to waste anyone else¡¯s time¡­ Not on me¡­¡± ¡°Oh, my baby sister¡­ I wish I were here to take away all your pain once and for all,¡± Shauntal whispered, holding her head against hers. ¡°I¡¯ll find a way to cure this suffering from you¡­ but, for now, quit being so stubborn and allow yourself to be vulnerable with others¡­ even if just a little.¡± ¡°B-But Cass needs¡­¡± ¡°Cass has her own team now, and she¡¯s doing great.¡± ¡°B-But¡­¡± ¡°Mal¡­ you don¡¯t always need to be the strong, happy one¡­ You¡¯re really harming everyone else by not letting them in to support you¡­ Allow yourself the mercy of support from others when I¡¯m not around to see past this mask. Sharing what makes you vulnerable strengthens the bonds with those that reciprocate that trust¡­ Do you trust Rhea and Amira?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Lori sniffed, letting Gables, Dallia, and Shauntal comfort her. ¡°Have they shared some of their weaknesses?¡± ¡°¡­Mhm¡­¡± ¡°Then reciprocate that trust, or else you will lose against Sabrina, and, this time, I fear I will not be able to rescue you from that abyss.¡± Gently pushing her away, her sister¡¯s penetrating purple eyes looked straight through her broken defenses and masks. ¡°Will you promise me you¡¯ll tell them?¡± Chest fluttering, Mallory bit her lower lip but nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ try. Will you help me?¡± Drawing her back in, she felt Shauntal¡¯s silent laughter. ¡°Of course.¡± * * * Amira noted the Unova sisters¡¯ exit, yet her focus was on the shy Mythical Pokemon in front of her, who hardly seemed to want to speak, communicating more in actions, which puzzled her. ¡°Mom¡­ she won¡¯t even look at anyone,¡± she mumbled, allowing Mariah to hide her face in Amira¡¯s skirt as Amber and Holly tentatively tried to make friends with Meloetta. ¡°Can we talk to Rhea¡¯s mom about it? Even for a Bashful Nature, this is¡­ concerning.¡± Lyra played with one of her pigtails, studying the stunningly beautiful Melody Pokemon as Amira stroked her ruby locks. ¡°We¡¯ll have to be Mariah¡¯s support for now¡­ Christie is resting with her daughter. Do you have any ideas, Ash?¡± The Legend sat against a wall beside them, watching Terri with a small smile; Pikachu went to join Lori¡¯s Pokemon in the exercise. ¡°Mmh. To me, it seems like she¡¯s terrified you¡¯ll leave if she doesn¡¯t hold onto you, and someone will take you away.¡± ¡°Right!¡± her mother chimed, and Zelri left her Poke Ball, teleporting away and returning with a giant blanket to drape over them. If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Mom?¡± Amira mumbled as it blocked out the light; Mariah¡¯s soft, red locks and Amber¡¯s flames were the only illumination. Her mother remained outside, leaving just her Pokemon under their tent. ¡°Perhaps we¡¯re exposing her to the world a bit too much right off the start. Why don¡¯t we follow Rhea¡¯s example and rest a little bit; what do you say?¡± Chuckling at the prospect of sleeping on the side of the room where dozens of Pokemon were making sounds and training, Amira took the pillow the Porygon-Z produced from somewhere and slid under the blanket. ¡°Your ideas are insane sometimes, Mom.¡± ¡°Hehe. It¡¯s not because I want to have a little mother-daughter nap, either! Let me just snuggle here next to you, and you keep that darling child close so she can protect you from the cruel world she sees.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira whispered, amusement dampening at her mother¡¯s words; obviously, Ash and her could sense things about the Pokemon she couldn¡¯t. Amber and Holly closed in, chirping softly while cuddling up to them, and she was a little surprised to find her mind drifting a little; it came on suddenly, making her conclude it was her stressed Fortitude. ¡°I¡¯m here, Mariah,¡± she said, shifting to her side and pulling her tight in the dark place; it wasn¡¯t long before she felt Zelri transport them to the room beside Rhea¡¯s, and if she hadn¡¯t been waiting for it, she doubted she¡¯d be able to tell, other than the voices dying out¡ªher mother was just that good. Figuring Ash would stay back to watch Terri, Amira let her mind wander as her mom settled in next to her with a satisfied groan. ¡°Night, girls¡­ I think I¡¯ll get a little shut-eye, too.¡± Mariah slowly eased up, and Amira smiled, able to hear her gentle, whistling breath as her Mythical Pokemon drifted off to sleep with Amber and Holly protectively enclosing her on the opposite side. Mind fluttering a little, her brow furrowed as she released a heavy sigh upon feeling something soft nudging her head a little; opening her eyes, she saw concerned rosy moons staring back at her¡ªMariah, making a worried note in her throat. ¡°Hmm-hmm. I¡¯m still here, Mariah,¡± Amira soothed; her mother¡¯s arms were holding her outside of her bundled prison as if she¡¯d try to escape, as well. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Feeling a bit better?¡± she patiently asked. Expression tightening, she reached out to hug her again, and Amira closed her eyes to stroke her glowing hair. ¡°I¡¯m here¡­ I¡¯m not going anywhere. Do you like your name, Mariah?¡± Hesitantly pulling away, she nodded, pointing at her. ¡°Me? I¡¯m Amira Rocket. You can call me Amira, and, heh, these are your big sisters, Amber and Holly,¡± she presented as they wiggled closer under the blankets, the Fennekin keeping her flames suppressed. ¡°They protect me, and they¡¯ll protect you, too. I¡¯ll introduce you to Serenity later.¡± The little mute songstress¡¯ expression lifted a little as the two nuzzled her, and she waved when they chirped at her, melting Amira¡¯s heart. She¡¯s so adorable and pure¡­ Saffron is going to be really hard for her, but I guess I need to rest tomorrow, so we can take things slow and get her some little earmuffs¡­ Shopping trip? We are in Saffron. Guiding Mariah to nest against her belly with her other two Pokemon, she felt the Meloetta relax, returning to sleep; they all needed to recover, it seemed. Her mother was as clingy as ever, gentle yet unrelenting in her embrace. Drifting in and out of sleep for who knew how long, Amira lost herself in the random thoughts that crossed her mind, letting the bodies of those resting nearby tell her a story. From Amber¡¯s bond and position, she saw her first Pokemon attempting to be the protective big sister, taking Mariah¡¯s vulnerable back and letting her know she was safe with her warm flames, keeping them comfortable. Holly wrapped herself around Mariah and Amira like a reassuring rope to let her know she wouldn¡¯t be separated; her Comfey small head rested on the Meloetta to let her know she wasn¡¯t alone anymore. Eventually, Amira found herself staring at the light ruby glow of her Pokemon, reflecting on this very position as she recalled the first time someone stuck gum in her hair, and she¡¯d curled up to her mother the entire night after, crying; she¡¯d found great pride in her hair from an early age due to the encouragement of her family and looking up to her grandma. Her mother spent the evening painfully removing the sticky wads before comforting her, and she wondered if her mother had felt a little of this helplessness that was rolling within her gut; Amira wanted to take away whatever trauma had hurt this little Pokemon, but this was all she could do. Hours into the evening, she finally convinced Mariah to peek outside of their blanket fortress to meet her cheery mother; she had a certain charm with Pokemon¡ªprobably her Aura¡ªbecause the Meloetta warmed up swiftly to the pigtailed woman. By 8 p.m., Amira was growing quite hungry and convinced her Buddy Pokemon to meet the others of their team to eat if she could hold her the whole time. When she entered the room, she saw a full spread of ramen from Kyle¡¯s shop, having loved to watch the Wushu Pokemon practice. She could see the man being touched that Lori would name the Legendary Pokemon after his best friend, who had dedicated herself to martial arts. From what the Unova girl said, her Kubfu wanted to meet the woman she was named after. They¡¯d seen a few videos earlier in the day of Terri training some of the disciples of the dojo before her coma, which had sparked the baby Pokemon¡¯s interest. Amira was glad to see everything working out for all of them, and Rhea¡¯s Nimbus Legend was now bouncing between groups, studying them from every angle as she familiarized herself with their team. Christie went over the Moves and Abilities of their new Pokemon with Rhea guiding the conversation, seemingly obtaining the information from her mother earlier that day. Amira held her Meloetta closer upon learning the legendary breeder¡¯s reservations regarding the troubled past of Mariah¡¯s mother, involving Rainbow Rocket. Her little girl refused to use her voice, and nothing Christie had done had coaxed her into revealing it; the first time she¡¯d heard the lovely notes was when she¡¯d first met Amira. She decided humming and singing in the mornings¡ªwhen everyone was asleep¡ªwould probably be the best time to ease her into speaking again. However, the conversation turned in another direction as they finished their late dinner, and Lori said she had something important and personal to share; Amira grew concerned when the dancer took her big sister¡¯s hand, looking for support¡ªshe hoped Lori wasn¡¯t announcing she¡¯d be leaving back to Unova¡ªrecently, she¡¯d sensed there¡¯d been something wrong but didn¡¯t want to pry. Ash, Christie, and her mother looked as curious as Rhea; Shauntal gave her little sister an encouraging smile, and their purple-haired teammate breathed out her anxiety before telling her tragic story. * * * Rhea settled in after explaining what her mother told her regarding the Abilities and Moves of their new Pokemon; she sat between her mom¡¯s legs with Alice, Lulu, and Nova in hers. The solemn atmosphere drew her in as Lori began, squeezing her big sister¡¯s hand. Turning around, she had Shauntal unzip the back of her dress to show them the faded scar that covered most of her back. ¡°I know most of you must have wanted to ask about this, and¡­ and honestly, I don¡¯t want to talk about it,¡± she whispered, fingers shifting from her bikini strap to her skin, ¡°but I have to¡­¡± Rhea promptly shook her head as their Pokemon tried to figure out why the mood had changed. ¡°You don¡¯t need to if it¡¯s uncomfortable; we don¡¯t need to know to love you.¡± ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re too sweet, Rhea,¡± Lori chuckled, semi-long fingernails leaving a light mark while stroking the area. ¡°I do have something I have to get off my chest, and, heh¡­ I¡¯m scared¡­ Ash has probably noted, even if he hasn¡¯t said anything.¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± Ash adjusted his hat beside the door exit. ¡°Haaa. It generally comes at night, right?¡± ¡°What comes at night?¡± Amira asked; Mariah scooted closer to her Trainer while reading the atmosphere. ¡°Is it something we can help with?¡± Mallory turned to allow her sister to zip her up, shivering a little. ¡°That¡¯s not¡­ really what I need, I guess¡­ I know I said I was over the whole freezing up thing in that ice cave, but¡­ I¡¯m not¡­ not really, and it¡¯s eating me up.¡± Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°Lori¡­¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Amira interrupted, drawing her gaze. ¡°It¡¯s not something to do with us, Rhea. I think we should just listen¡ªit¡¯s probably not something we can fix¡ªshe just needs to talk.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, okay,¡± she whispered, and her mom¡¯s arms tightened against her belly, offering her support. ¡°Sorry¡­¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. No, you¡¯re golden,¡± Lori giggled, ¡°and not just because of your hair. Huu-haaa. Amira¡¯s right¡­ When I was little¡ªduring the Ultra War¡ªI was burned by something¡­ ¡°Heh. I don¡¯t even remember it¡ªprobably repressed it,¡± she added with a dismissive shrug. ¡°Anyway¡­ The truth is that¡­ our parents were murdered in that battle, and I was left with this scar as a reminder.¡± ¡°That¡¯s horrible¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, trying not to let her Aura sense go out of control, but the painful influxes in Lori¡¯s voice pulled at her already bruised heart; another drop of sodium dripped into the cup that was her hatred for Rainbow Rocket. Shauntal¡¯s chilling atmosphere deepened with her tight, violet eyes that looked haunted by ghosts from her past. ¡°Since then, Lori has dealt with a chronic, mystical flame that nothing has been able to relieve until a few years ago¡­ Thank you, Christie.¡± ¡°Mom?¡± Her mother¡¯s chin rested on her shoulder, sending rumbles through Rhea¡¯s collarbone. ¡°It was more my sister than anything I did. Cynthia was able to convince a Jirachi she knew to use his Wish to stop the pain.¡± Amira¡¯s soft, concerned voice drew Rhea¡¯s focus. ¡°The Wish is failing¡­ Did it happen in the cave?¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s head¡ªLori¡¯s comments about her body, the way she was acting after the incident, and the girl¡¯s boundary-pushing behavior¡ªshe was constantly living with a sword hanging over her head, never knowing when the torment would return. If she¡¯d only found relief in the last few years, then she was dealing with this burn for over half her life, living in unimaginable pain, and it also meant that Ho-Oh¡¯s healing light in Viridian couldn¡¯t cure it. Her fears were answered by Lori¡¯s uncomfortable shifts and downcast eyes. ¡°Just little sparks, like¡­ like a phantom caressing my back. It happened in the ice cave¡­ the worst time possible when we were supposed to handle it as friends¡­ a team, and¡­ I wasn¡¯t strong enough to pull through the terror that it was back¡­¡± Heat rising in Rhea¡¯s face, she got up, handing Lulu to her mom and moving over to hug Lori as she sniffed back her emotions. ¡°Lori¡­ We can figure it out.¡± ¡°Hmm-hehe,¡± the Unova girl whimpered as Rhea embraced her, being careful to put more pressure on her lower back, avoiding the scar. ¡°You¡¯re, heh¡­ such an emotional magnet¡­¡± Amira¡¯s solemn gaze went to Christie. ¡°Could it have been something to do with the Legendary energy in the cave that stimulated it or disrupted Jirachi¡¯s blessing?¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± the researcher whispered. ¡°The more likely answer¡­ is that Articuno is suffering from a similar curse; that energy may have caused a reflux or similar.¡± ¡°What about Suicune, Mom?¡± the redhead pressed. ¡°He can purify curses.¡± ¡°Not this level of curse, or else my friend wouldn¡¯t need to trap herself in a permanent Snowscape to sustain and protect her children,¡± Lyra mumbled. ¡°My guess is¡­ only Arceus, Mew, or the male Mewtwo could do it¡­ maybe Ho-Oh in a concentrated burst, but none of them act so frivolously, or for no reason.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t you convince Ho-Oh?¡± Amira pressed. ¡°Ash and you could.¡± Ash forced a smile. ¡°Uh-heh¡­ Ho-Oh does his own thing.¡± ¡°Pi-pikachu¡­¡± the electric rat sighed, shaking his head, and Lyra fidgeted with her daughter¡¯s braid. ¡°The problem is¡­ there¡¯s probably a reflux curse effect on the burn; Jirachi more than likely put it into a dormant state¡­ a bandaid. It could hurt Ho-Oh, and he isn¡¯t going to risk that for one human he has no attachment to.¡± Lori cleared her throat, getting control of her emotions and patting Rhea¡¯s back to tell her she was alright. ¡°Thanks, Rhea, Amira¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Rhea interjected, turning to Ash. ¡°There¡¯s no way we¡¯ll give up after hearing it can come back! Is there an Aura solution if I get strong enough? I have a Victini in me!¡± ¡°Rhea¡­¡± her mother sighed, rubbing between her eyes as Shauntal¡¯s focus shot to her. ¡°You shouldn¡¯t talk about that so openly. A single Victini can literally be used to destroy the planet¡­ put that into perspective.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± she mumbled, gaze drifting to their Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, who each had a Victini Core inside of them. Lyra winked. ¡°I¡¯m sure Shauntal won¡¯t spill the beans; she¡¯s no stranger to secrets.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. That, I am not,¡± the woman cryptically whispered. ¡°We have not explored an Aura solution¡­ So, that is why you have a spiritual warp in the Ghost Field that makes you impossible to possess¡­ Fascinating. Hehe.¡± Lori rolled her eyes with a short, forced chuckle. ¡°Geez. I don¡¯t need all of you to rescue me¡­ I¡¯ll get strong enough to figure it out myself, which is why I¡¯m telling you all this.¡± The swap threw Rhea off a little. ¡°We¡¯re a team¡­¡± ¡°I know, beautiful,¡± the Unova girl grinned and winked. ¡°We can work on it as we go, and thanks for that thought, Amira; if it is just a resonance from the same energy, then it will fade as we go.¡± Rhea wasn¡¯t so sure; they¡¯d been away from the cave for a while now and were quite a distance at this point, but Shauntal made her mind blank as she flicked her sister¡¯s ear from behind. ¡°It was just¡­ eating me up inside. Ack! Shanny! Shanny?¡± The Unova Elite-4 member¡¯s cold violet stare made Lori shiver with the rest of them, seemingly saying something with it that only the sisters understood. ¡°Okay! Okay! Haaa. Geez, you can be so pushy¡­ I suppose¡­ we could work on it together¡­ It¡¯s just¡­ it¡¯s not a big deal.¡± Shauntal¡¯s ominous aura lifted with a bright smile as she hugged her uncomfortable sister from behind. ¡°I knew you could do it. Be vulnerable!¡± ¡°I¡¯m trying¡­¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but smile, picturing her brother doing the same to her. ¡°Yeah. If I can help, or if we need to run down Ho-Oh and convince him to help, then we¡¯ll be with you. Right, Amira?¡± ¡°What else is my mother good for than exploiting her Legendary friends?¡± ¡°You¡¯re so bad!¡± Lyra hissed. ¡°Mom! No!¡± Amira cried, face going red as she began to tickle her in the woman¡¯s unbreakable grip, and the rest of them laughed. Mood lightening, Lori gradually opened up about her internal doubts, leveling with Miky that she had a lot of growing too, but they¡¯d be ready by Monday with everyone¡¯s support. Rhea¡¯s heart felt like it had gone through a marathon by bedtime; she¡¯d gained a gorgeous Legendary Buddy Pokemon, spent some personal time with her mom with some mixed baggage, and a roller coaster with Lori as she finally opened up to them. Ash didn¡¯t answer her about an Aura solution, which made her think there might be one, but he didn¡¯t want her rushing it. Tomorrow would bring recovery, and Rhea snuggled next to her mom, Alice, Mya, and Lulu, who stole Nova¡¯s place around her leg; it would certainly become crowded with each girl wrapped around her legs when the fluff ball joined the flaming nimbus. She drifted off to sleep with dreams of soaring to the moon on Lulu¡¯s elegant evolved form, exploring the stars with her Lunala. B2 — 47. Family Born Of Love 5:44 a.m. July 19th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League have concluded. Saria Surge has become the new Vermilion Gym Leader, converting it to a Fairy Gym. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 40 Days (39 officially; 40 since getting Maya and Nova). Tomorrow is Lori¡¯s and our group¡¯s first Silver-tier Gym Battle against Sabrina, The Rookie Crusher, of all Gym Leaders! A warm embrace welcomed Rhea¡¯s awakening mind as she lay in the arms of her mother on one side, Mya on the other, Alice pinning her chest, and Lulu holding down her leg underneath the covers. There was a lot she wanted to do today, which was ironic since it was supposed to be a day of rest; still, she¡¯d learned restful mornings like this should be cherished, and this was the best morning she could ask for, so she relaxed and soaked it in for a time. Closing out the world to reflect on the love that surrounded her, Rhea¡¯s thoughts drifted through everything that had brought her to this room in Saffron, and away from her suffocating prison of a village. In a way, there were things she missed from those simpler days with her dad, but she wouldn¡¯t trade what she¡¯d discovered in this bipolar world; the bitter and tender memories made her want to cry a little, and through all of these adventures, she¡¯d learned what she most cared for is her family. It may have only been 40 days since she¡¯d met Amira and Lori, yet they were included in that list; it was crazy to think how far they¡¯d come in that short time. Then again, they had pushed themselves to get here¡ªeven teleporting some of the way, which, now that she thought about it, was technically frowned upon. It was only a cultural frown, though, and there were extreme circumstances. Head tilting left to smile at her Mawile, she recalled their first battle that landed her in the hospital and their first Gym Battle. Their meeting with Tera, where Mya supported the Shiny Phanpy in avenging her mother, sparking light into the broken Long-Nose Pokemon. Now, Tera thought of Mya as her role model, idol, and rival. Rhea could now see Tera¡¯s influence on Mya¡¯s more tempered attitude as she wanted to be a good role model, which was clear from the start when she tried to give Alice advice; they were all growing so fast. Leaning over a tad, she kissed her cheek. Thank you for never giving up and being there when I needed confidence. Nova¡¯s tight grip strengthened around her spirit, nuzzling it as if it were her leg; the fluff ball had been an ideal rallying point for her group and helped to mitigate the strong personalities of Alice and Mya in their initial confrontation until they learned how to deal with each other. Rhea¡¯s mind returned to all the battles the Eevee had in Viridian¡ªher little showy, attention-loving ¡®supernova¡¯¡ªcapable of adapting to each match format and strategy. Nova was sensitive and molded to those she was around to support them, which was her greatest strength, and it was obvious her mother bred the Eevee to hold everything together. The Evolution Pokemon did have her troubles with how she could only take on one form from time to time, but her mother-daughter date made her realize she¡¯d grow into it in time. Their first contest could have gone better, but the loss helped Rhea and Nova be there for their headstrong Mawile teammate. She was such a stinker when people were down on themselves, too, especially her hopeless Trainer, who she thought the world of. Love you, Nova¡­ Thanks for keeping our family together and empathizing so well. On the other hand, Alice was a whirlwind addition to their team and had quite a personality. Obsessed with speed and momentum, she truly would be a little terror as they went on, wanting to be in their next Gym Battle. Each of her girls had experienced a loss, and it made them stronger. On the outside looking in, it may seem like they¡¯d had a really lousy journey and battle record, but Rhea didn¡¯t see it that way in the least. Winning was fun, but a few things from those incidents floated to the surface of her mind from those experiences; each negative experience pulled her Pokemon and team together to support each other, and Forrest¡¯s words pricked her heart and nose. You may have lost, Rhea, but there can be a win found within it. A Trainer should cherish their losses over their victories because it is in a loss that you will find areas of improvement. It was so true, and she was thankful for every loss they¡¯d suffered since; the growth she¡¯d felt since starting her journey wasn¡¯t from winning but from her failures, and she thought she finally started to understand what it meant to love battling. The result didn¡¯t really matter in the end, but the growth they experienced, and the bonds they formed through it¡ªeveryone lost, even Aunt Cynthia told her that¡ªand the Plasma assassination attempt put things into perspective. Carefully wiggling her fingers out from the blankets, she stroked Alice¡¯s fur, making the Buneary nestle closer against her bust and chirp. Mom said you should evolve in the near future¡­ Maybe I should push for three Pokemon out permanently. I want all of you to enjoy being with each other, and while we¡¯re in Saffron, safe from battles, it¡¯s the best time for us to be a family for a while. I can take it. Besides, that way, you can all get to know Lulu together! Settling back in, she thought about her teams¡¯ Fortitudes; she was thankful these Buddy Pokemon wouldn¡¯t be an active draw on their resources, which would have been difficult with their Legendary and Mythical status. Thinking about Amira¡¯s problem, she remembered that it was the Physical Allocation she was struggling with, which didn¡¯t count on Pokemon being out of their Poke Balls since that dealt with their Spiritual Allocation. So long as they didn¡¯t push the redhead to travel faster, then she should recover. Lori could likely deal with an increased physical workload, yet having all of her Pokemon out could hit her harder with her lower spiritual portion. Rhea knew they¡¯d all get there in the end, though¡ªit was only a matter of time and working together! She turned to the opposite side to watch her mother sleep, noticing the tear marks from the night; the rings under her eyes had faded, at least. All the torture, guilt, and depression her parents hid all these years hurt her heart; the emotion caused her Pokemon to stir, slowly waking. Thank you for all the hard work you¡¯ve done, trying to be the best mom you could when so broken. I¡¯ll protect you, Mom¡­ I¡¯ll save you every time, even from yourself. Her mother¡¯s brow furrowed, yawning as Rhea closed in to kiss her cheek. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Rhea?¡± Smiling, the heat moved up Rhea¡¯s chest, and she swallowed the emotion in her throat and whispered, ¡°I¡¯m happy to have been your creation¡­ to have been your child, Mom. I hope that you feel the same¡­ Thank you for everything.¡± Eyes widening and starting to shine, her mother drew in her bottom lip as it began to quiver, and Rhea found her hand underneath the covers. ¡°Of course¡­ I¡­ I love you, Rhea.¡± Sniffing a little and restraining a cough, Rhea snuggled closer. ¡°I just wanted to thank you for all that you¡¯ve given me¡­ for doing the best you could¡­ for giving me a family born of love and not heartache and pain. Thank you. I just want to make you and Dad proud¡­ because I¡¯m proud of my parents.¡± Her mother rolled over to embrace her, unable to respond as Lulu teleported up to hug both of their necks. In the silence of the morning, Rhea held the woman that gave birth to her¡ªmaybe not physically, but that didn¡¯t matter to her¡ªletting her mother¡¯s Aura wash over her; in the ocean of broken glass that was her heart, pieces were mending, causing tears to fall from her own eyes. Rhea had her emotional Eevee exit her Poke Ball to join them, taking on the burden of having all three out on her shoulders with determination. As a family, they cuddled for a time, and after a while, she heard Lyra sniffling with them, having listened in. Her shifting awoke Amira, causing the redhead to groan with her Pokemon. Calming down over the next few minutes, Rhea sat cross-legged on her futon with Amira, Lyra, her mom, and all of their Pokemon huddling around her once she expressed she had something to say. Mallory was still laid out cold, but her sister was absent, bed already folded in the corner; Lyra said she¡¯d woken up two hours ago and went to speak to Sabrina¡ªshe¡¯d be back before Lori awoke, probably. Rhea spoke softly with Lulu wrapped around the underside of her thick locks like a hair tie; it seemed to be her new favorite place to sleep since she nodded off in the position. Nova and Alice shared her lap as she revealed her thoughts on having all three of her Pokemon out to stretch her Spiritual Allocation. Mya was a tad jealous that she couldn¡¯t join the much lighter Pokemon; she was a bit heavier but, more importantly, bulkier than the others. Her Fortitude and Spiritual Allocation were the largest out of their group by far, which should also help in her Aura growth and her support abilities to further strengthen her friends. It was thanks to Ash and her mother¡¯s teachings over the years that she¡¯d come up with this strategy. Amira glanced down at the blanket bundled around her and her shy Meloetta cuddled inside of it, veiled from view. ¡°It is a good plan, and I¡¯d love to have everyone out at the same time, but¡­ just don¡¯t hurt yourself.¡± ¡°Ditto,¡± Rhea shot back with a grin. ¡°I think we should probably drop this whole martial art bet you made since our first priority should be getting to our next Gym Challenge, even if it would have been fun.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Lyra said with a wry smile while poking her annoyed daughter¡¯s cheek. ¡°The reason you did faint is because of your low Physical Allocation, and that also causes stress on your other Allocations, so¡­ rest! Mamma demands it. Spend some time getting to know your other Pokemon, and leave Lori to deal with her hyperactive Legendary martial artist.¡± Rhea giggled as Alice taped her leg, the Buneary¡¯s ears drawn back as she looked up at her from her lap, and she nodded. ¡°Yes, you can stay and help her practice. Lulu will probably be sleeping a lot; we can have one-on-one time with her, too. So¡­ Mya?¡± Mya¡¯s second head bobbed up and down, happy she was considered to be in this tutor session; they¡¯d be able to spend time with Miky, helping him for tomorrow¡¯s Gym Challenge since Gables and Roxie were being supportive by allowing him the most time out of his Poke Ball. Rolling around her neck and stretching out, Rhea let the Buneary jog over to the Kubfu as she started to wake up, and Mya joined her, whispering so they wouldn¡¯t wake the dead Unovan girl; they¡¯d be going through a bunch of the dojo drills today, no doubt. Her focus lingered on Mallory, eyes softening; she had to get stronger so she could help people¡ªthat¡¯s what Rhea discovered she wanted¡ªand that meant they had a long, uphill battle, but she had direction. They were making progress, and finally, she felt a little closer to her Unovan teammate; they were becoming a real team. Nova followed her example, arching her back and hopping off to look up at her as Rhea got to her feet, tugging on her mom¡¯s shirt to rise with her¡ªshe¡¯d slept in yesterday¡¯s clothes. ¡°Okay. Mother and daughter date¡ªoh, and yup, Nova, you¡¯ll get your one-on-one with Lulu today with us. Maybe we can drop you two off at one of the Pokemon parks around here to have fun. Wouldn¡¯t that be cool?¡± ¡°Pew-pew!¡± Nova swiftly shut her mouth, paws rising to her black nose as Miky hissed against Lori¡¯s belly. ¡°Pew-pew-pew¡­¡± she whispered with a strained grin. Her mother¡¯s chest fluttered as she got up to hug her. ¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯re spoiling me too much; your dad¡¯s going to start getting jealous. A Pokemon park? Saffron does have a fairly decent one, I¡¯ve heard, and are we shopping?¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. ¡°I think you¡¯re the one spoiling me by being here,¡± Rhea winked and made her mother¡¯s smile falter at the implication. ¡°Also, I don¡¯t think Dad would be jealous since he loves you; he¡¯d agree with me that no decent daughter or husband would let their mother or wife trounce around the city in what¡­ three-day old clothes?¡± Lyra hissed in the same way as Miky, stiff hand motioning at her throat. ¡°Yikes, girl!¡± ¡°I still take a daily shower,¡± her mother mumbled, sniffing her armpit and giving Rhea the opportunity to kiss her cheek. ¡°Aww¡­ Yeah, I don¡¯t smell.¡± Amira forced a chuckle. ¡°I think it¡¯s more¡­ principle.¡± ¡°True,¡± Rhea snickered, pulling her away to show her the showers. ¡°You can use some of my products since you probably didn¡¯t think to pack anything. Right? Right,¡± she confirmed at her mom¡¯s sigh. ¡°Typical, Mom, but it¡¯s a good thing I¡¯m here to take care of you.¡± ¡°Hehe. Such a reliable daughter.¡± Rhea started rummaging through her bag with Nova to get everything she needed as her mom fussed with putting their futon and blankets away. ¡°What about you, Amira, Lyra?¡± her mother asked. The Former Champion latched onto her grumpy-looking redhead. ¡°I¡¯ll be policing my dear daughter¡¯s recovery; family days are the best days.¡± Terri¡¯s prompts awoke Miky¡ªLori did say they were going to get some final training in¡ªand, as Lyra said, the door to their room was opened by Shauntal as the beaming woman bounced into the room; it was like she was an entirely different person at times. ¡°Morning, sleepy head.¡± ¡°Ehh?¡± Lori sat straight up, wiping away a bit of drool. ¡°Shanny¡­ it¡¯s too early¡­ Rhea and, haaa¡­ Amira haven¡¯t even showered¡­ Way too early.¡± ¡°Imp-pa-pa-imp¡­¡± ¡°Fu-fu-fu!¡± Terri chimed, making a few play jabs that Alice mirrored, dancing around the violet-haired girl. ¡°Bun-Bun!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right!¡± Shauntal answered the girls, pumping her fist in the air. ¡°It¡¯s hardcore training time; I¡¯ve already had a chat with Sabrina and finished a chapter in my next book, so we¡¯re all set for today!¡± ¡°Ugh. Kill me,¡± Lori groaned, falling back to hide in her pillow and making them laugh. ¡°Mgh-he-sha-hmm-gmm¡­¡± ¡°What was that?¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s good to get going in the morning; the day is always full of possibilities.¡± ¡°Like sleeping,¡± Lyra giggled, pulling her daughter back to her own pillow. ¡°Hehe. We get to be bedbugs today.¡± Terri pulled Lori¡¯s pillow away, making her mumble, ¡°Jealous¡­ Fine. I¡¯m up.¡± ¡°Haha. See you in the showers, maybe,¡± Rhea snickered, drawing her mother in that direction as Nova helped her carry some of their supplies. ¡°Have fun doing laps or whatever you¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°Yay¡­ Laps while you go out in the city to have fun and Amira gets to sleep.¡± Rhea caught her mother¡¯s smile, making her happy; it had been a dream of hers at one point to go shopping with her mom and Bianca when she was a pre-teen. Bianca wasn¡¯t here, but she¡¯d had some personal time with her cousin in Cerulean. Heart full and feeling weightless, she washed Nova while chatting with her mom in the opposite shower; she¡¯d have to wear the same garments, but they¡¯d change that soon enough. She hadn¡¯t expected this to be such a magical day, but that was what Pokemon journeys were all about¡ªfinding the unexpected and enjoying every second of it. Lulu untangled herself from Rhea¡¯s hair to bask in the cool water, seemingly enjoying the tingling sensation it left; it was a new experience, washing a semi-corporeal cloud, and sometimes her hand just slipped right through her ghostly Pokemon, making her baby Legendary snicker. She used Splash a few times, spraying water everywhere to Rhea¡¯s amusement. Exiting, she removed the skirt on her Trainer outfit to use the brown shorts she¡¯d gotten in Cerulean, and Lulu watched her with interest. It tickled her when her mother offered to do her hair, and she accepted on the condition she could do the same for her. Using Nova¡¯s special comb and the attached wall dryer to scratch, dry, and clean the Eevee¡¯s glossy fur as her mother did the same for her, Rhea caught more than a few soft faces from the female martial artists that joined them in the female bathroom. Rhea did the same triple-section braid on her mother once finished before going back to their room; Shauntal and Lori passed them on their way out, showing it took a little more effort to get her Unovan teammate up¡ªshe looked dead. Apparently, their Pokemon were already on the dojo floor training. Snatching her phone from their room, she waved Lyra and Amira off, both under the covers, as the brown-haired mom whispered things into the redhead¡¯s ears that made her giggle; Rhea really did love the relationship Amira and her mom had. Leaving the dojo, Rhea chirped with Nova as the hot morning sun beamed down on them from the clear heavens. ¡°Mmgm! Clothes then breakfast, Mom?¡± ¡°Sounds wonderful.¡± Rhea took her mom¡¯s hand as Lulu attached to both, resting between them and scanning every new sight with the curiosity her mother had warned her about. ¡°She won¡¯t just randomly teleport away and get lost¡­ will she?¡± Her mother hummed, using her free hand to adjust her purse strap and rubbing Lulu¡¯s head as they descended the dojo steps to enter Saffron. ¡°Lulu¡¯s mostly a good girl that¡¯s attached to you; she won¡¯t leave without someone to share new experiences with. So, Nova¡­¡± ¡°Pew?¡± her pink-eyed Eevee asked, looking up at them from beside Rhea. ¡°If she does teleport you guys away, then she found something she wants to explore. See if you can help guide her through it and let her know you don¡¯t want Rhea to be sad alone.¡± ¡°Pew-pew!¡± ¡°Ni-ni!¡± Lulu chimed, swinging between their arms in a dance. ¡°Ni-ni-ni!¡± ¡°Pew-pew?¡± ¡°Ni!¡± ¡°Pew-pew. Pew-pew-pew. Peeewww!¡± ¡°Ni!!¡± Her mother smiled at their back and forth. ¡°What are they saying?¡± ¡°Hehe. I think she¡¯s explaining that they are going to have fun at an amusement park today.¡± ¡°Aww. She¡¯s going to babysit, huh? What a nice big sister.¡± Nova¡¯s chest puffed up. ¡°Pew!¡± Lulu grew a bit overwhelmed when seeing hundreds of people once they entered the flow of traffic, crawling up to hide behind Rhea¡¯s braid and acting as a cosmic hair accessory again, with her red, white, and black shades enclosing her locks. The weight Rhea felt against her chest for having all three of her Pokemon out was there, but with her mom and the support her Pokemon offered her, it was more than bearable; they were a loving family, which meant it was Rhea¡¯s job to give them the freedom to express themselves in the open world. She squeezed her mom¡¯s hand when spotting a small boutique, steering her toward it to find a spring dress; they spent at least an hour flipping through options; Lulu and Nova had fun hiding in the racks, playing hide-and-go-seek or discovering something they liked and bringing it over for them to look at. Naturally, both drew an insane amount of attention, but people were generally good at not taking too much of their time, and several women made it a point with the employees to redirect people away from them. It came with the territory of having an ominous Pokemon and Legendary like Cosmog around¡ªnot to mention her unique colors¡ªand Nova had trended a few times¡ªaccording to Lori and her Wooloo friends¡ªon some social media platforms she didn¡¯t use. Her mother was easily recognizable since she did resemble her sister and was the world¡¯s leading breeder and geneticist. Overall, it didn¡¯t get in the way too much and made for some funny moments when people froze upon seeing Lulu; Nova even got her to play into it, jumping out at people to surprise them before giggling and running to their Trainer to hide. Her mom settled on a very ¡®mom¡¯ ankle-length, short-sleeved, and high-v-cut floral dress that highlighted her blonde hair. ¡°Beautiful, Mom,¡± Rhea said, holding up a thumb as she exited the dressing area. ¡°It¡¯s rare I get to see you wearing a dress and not a lab coat.¡± ¡°Hehe¡­ I don¡¯t go to functions often where one is required, and most of my work is done in slack-wear, or, uh¡­ my, ahem, underwear¡­ since I¡¯m usually working alone.¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Way to put that in my head, Mom. What kind of example are you setting for the Pokemon you breed?¡± ¡°Well,¡± her mom mused, taking the tag up for the attendant to scan, ¡°did you know there was a study done in Unova where it was shown Pokemon find humans wearing clothes to be the most bizarre thing, and some Pokemon are believed to even start mirroring human customs, such as Gardevoir?¡± ¡°I guess that makes sense,¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Pokemon really have adapted to human society over the millennia, huh?¡± Paying for the item, her mother smiled and waved at the tenant, who returned the gesture as they left, Lulu riding Nova. The two were really bonding, and the Eevee was getting her to teleport them to high places, so they could be seen. Nova didn¡¯t want Lulu to feel as if she were hated, feared, or ugly, so she tried to play off her own charming looks to alleviate the negative attention they did receive. It was this time that her mother took the lead, guiding her to a small bakery/caf¨¦; she bought them breakfast, explaining that Lulu required a bit more nutrition than her other Pokemon¡ªshe could pack it down for being a ghostly nimbus. Finally, Rhea put in the coordinates for Saffron Pokemon Park; it was modeled to be a smaller version of the famous Pokemon Paradise Resorts. Some allowed Trainers while others operated as Pokemon-only zones, allowing for Trainer Pokemon to socialize with a wide variety of other Bonded Pokemon. It took a bit of explaining to the employee¡ªand his next two tiers of management¡ªuntil they finally accepted that the curious and confused Cosmog wasn¡¯t going to destroy not only the park but the whole City-State; the Ultra Wormhole Pokemon had a very bad reputation after the Ultra War. Getting it all worked out, Rhea put the access bracelet around Nova and Lulu¡ªit took four times for the Nebula Pokemon as she snickered, letting it phase through and causing trouble¡ªbut Nova was able to get her to agree to keep it on. Once that headache was handled, the reality of what was happening punched Rhea in the gut as she stared at the single-day bracelet pass. ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Rhea licked her lip, kneeling to pet her two chirping Pokemon. ¡°I¡­ feel a little¡­¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm.¡± Her mother rubbed her back and joined her as the attendants moved to other Pokemon. ¡°Seeing them go off to this big place without you making you feel sick?¡± ¡°What if someone grabs Lulu¡ªwhat if they¡¯re Platinum-tier, like the Plasma guy?¡± ¡°Will this make you feel better?¡± her mother asked, pulling out an Ultra Ball to release a cute Bellossom. ¡°Vanty can chaperone and watch from a distance.¡± The stress eased a bit but didn¡¯t melt entirely. ¡°It would¡­ Thanks, Mom. I¡¯m just¡­ what if Lulu teleports away¡ªoutside the park?¡± ¡°Pew! Pew-pew-pew,¡± Nova responded, placing both paws on her knee as she promised to be a good guardian. ¡°Hmm-hmm. You¡¯re right, Nova; you¡¯ll be there to keep her safe. Don¡¯t hesitate to transform if you need to. Okay?¡± ¡°Pew-pew! Pew-pew. Pew. Pew-pew.¡± ¡°Something about your mom saying she¡¯d rescue you if anything happens?¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°People really should be scared if Ambrosia the Super Champion Eevee comes running, huh?¡± ¡°Pew-pew!¡± Nova proudly chimed, having total confidence in her invincible and wonderful mother. ¡°I¡¯m glad you had the chance to spend time with her,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°We should set up another date sometime.¡± ¡°Pew!¡± ¡°Huu-haaa. Okay. Vanty?¡± The Bellossom did a short curtsy that said she¡¯d look after them; Rhea had known the Flower Pokemon for a long time, and she¡¯d always been the one to heal her cuts or bruises. Her mother returned with a bracelet for her low Master-tier Pokemon and held Rhea¡¯s hand as Lulu rode Nova into the park for their special time. ¡°It warms my heart to see you so worried about your own Pokemon¡­ It brings me back to how I felt when you left for your journey. Hehe. Did you know¡­ Well, I couldn¡¯t do it without breaking down, so I asked your brother to take you.¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Rhea leaned against her, breathing out her stress. ¡°Nova, Lulu¡­ Alice and Mya¡­ They¡¯re all off on their own¡­ away from me.¡± ¡°Hehe. Rhea, you¡¯ve had them for 40 days, and you¡¯re like this¡­ think 17 years¡­ How I cried that night. Your dad was with me¡­ flew all the way to Hoenn to hold me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Dad¡­¡± Gently, her mother coaxed her away from the facility to walk Saffron, discussing her mom¡¯s research, how she thought her journey was going, and her friends. The hours passed by like a dream, but every so often, her gut would tighten, and she¡¯d wonder how Lulu and Nova were doing. She was able to tell their general direction yet not the emotions they felt, and she found herself imagining the two enjoying themselves on the slides or activities the paid Trainer Pokemon put together. Nova was being the big sister and showing their newest member a good time, which did calm her thumping heart. Lunch and dinner came sooner than she expected, and she bought two Protects for 500 credits each since they still qualified for the subsidize as a Bronze-tier Trainer, and she might as well get it for Lulu while it was cheap; Rhea didn¡¯t have an Everstone-lined box to keep them safe in, so she forked over the 500 credits for both so she could surprise her Buneary when they returned. At 8 p.m., they went back to the park to collect the three Pokemon. Lulu was bouncing around¡ªshe¡¯d lost her bracelet¡ªand they¡¯d been chased around by some of the Pokemon security to the Cosmog¡¯s thrill, but Nova and Vanty had smoothed things over, apparently with a bit of force so they¡¯d listen to the typically very calm and collected Bellossom. It certainly would make for a story that Nova could tell her teammates, and Rhea was happy Vanty had been there to support her Eevee, who wanted to be grown up and take responsibility but still needed a tad bit of support. Returning home, they stopped off at a roadside ice cream shop to get a small box to share with everyone, and ten minutes later, they were in the dojo. Amira looked much better and less stressed after withdrawing her name from the competition; she still wanted to watch, which Lori and Rhea were all for, and Ash gave his seal of approval on her plan to push for three Pokemon out all the time. Pikachu was laughing up a storm at Nova and Lulu¡¯s story as the others gathered around to listen; all of them wanted to go to the park now, and Lyra said all of her Pokemon would love it, too, causing everyone to force a laugh until it really got crazy when Ash jumped on the idea, saying all of his would, too. Heading off to bed, Rhea reflected on a wonderful day. Lori looked far more serious than usual as she jumped into bed early; tomorrow was her battle against Sabrina and their first Silver-tier battle. It went without saying that she felt stressed, but they were a team, and they¡¯d be there to support her in the crowd, no matter the results. Tomorrow would be Lori and Miky¡¯s day in the spotlight. B2 — 48. It Will Be Okay 4:50 a.m. July 20th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: Rhea and the girls have decided to push toward Silver-tier instead of the Bronze Bracket they¡¯re on. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 41 Days (40 officially; 41 since getting Maya and Nova). Today is Lori¡¯s and our group¡¯s first Silver-tier Gym Battle against Sabrina, The Rookie Crusher, of all Gym Leaders! Lori lay awake through the night, Miky draped over her stomach, with Terri nestled against her side as she stared up at the dark ceiling; Roxie and Gables kept silent company¡ªthey could sense what was coming¡ªit hurt, but everything told her the heartbreaking truth would happen soon, no matter today¡¯s results. Shauntal rested beside her; aggravatingly, her spooky, dorky, and bookworm sister had been right¡ªshe couldn¡¯t sleep. They¡¯d had a talk about her concerns the day before with Ash when Amira and Lyra watched Terri; this wasn¡¯t the way she wanted her journey to go, and part of the fault was hers. I¡¯ve made such a dumb mistake, Lori whispered to her Pokemon, rubbing Miky¡¯s head, and the two offered her their support. Miky¡¯s pulling away¡­ and if he stays with us, he¡¯ll continue to doubt himself. I can¡¯t do anything right¡­ A tear fell down her cheek as she breathed out the hot stress in her chest; it hurt, but everything she was trying wasn¡¯t working; it wasn¡¯t up to her in the end. She¡¯d opened up to Rhea and Amira about her traumatic past and a bit about her doubts regarding the battle with Sabrina, yet there was always something else to eat her up inside¡ªall she wanted to do was hit a club and dance away her emotions¡ªshe couldn¡¯t do something that selfish, though. What really struck her little Impidimp was the battle with their Wooloo friends¡ªit was everything¡ªHolly saving him time and time again, the amazing speed devil that was Alice, and returning to the battle against Misty with the laughter from the crowd. It wasn¡¯t as if anyone made fun of him or was down on him for his performance; they didn¡¯t need to since Miky was watching and comparing. Trying to strengthen him up by having him out all the time¡ªthe sacrifice Roxie and Gables made in allowing him to be out on his own¡ªwas crushing his little heart. He didn¡¯t want to be the one holding his team back¡­ something Lori resonated well with, something he picked up on. Gables sent her a gentle spiritual nudge, asking if there was anything else they could do, and a melancholy smile crossed her face, sucking in air. Like what Ash and my sister told me, the best thing we can do is give Miky a spectacular parting that he can be proud of¡­ So, I¡¯ve put everything into this battle. Miky will be able to hold his head high, having earned our first Silver Encrusted Badge against one of the hardest Gym Leaders in history. Miky will be the reason we make it to the League¡­ He¡¯ll set our foundation, and then we have to let him go¡­ Becoming restless, Lori got up at 4:56 a.m., before Amira even stirred, and her sister awoke like the ghost she was¡ªnever truly sleeping, Lori swore¡ªand offered her an encouraging nod. ¡°Want me to watch Terri and Miky while you go take a shower?¡± ¡°Thanks, Shanny¡­ I¡¯m working through it,¡± she whispered, trying not to let the fire rise to her nose as she carefully transferred the imp and legendary to her sister¡¯s arms. ¡°Does it always hurt like this when you feel your spirits drifting apart?¡± Shauntal stroked Miky¡¯s head. ¡°The fact he¡¯s trying to hide how he feels from you tells you that he¡¯s grown to love you¡­ and sometimes, splitting up is the best thing for both parties¡ªit¡¯s because you love each other that you go your own ways¡­¡± She reached over to rub her knees. ¡°It¡¯s never easy to walk away¡­ Let him go. It will be alright. It¡¯s going to hurt for a bit of time, but nothing heals the past like time. It¡¯s just a part of growing as a Trainer, and yes¡­ we are human and make mistakes. It¡¯s your friends who you¡¯ll need when the time comes, so let down those walls¡­ It¡¯ll be okay, Mallory. It will be okay.¡± Getting up while trying not to cry since it would wake up the others, Lori nodded, unable to speak, and took her clothes that were laid out beside her bag to the bathroom, drawing her trembling bottom lips. Entering the showers, she played a song from her phone in the corner and sat against the corner of the enclosed space, letting the hot water run down her as she let go of the tears so they wouldn¡¯t crush her later that day. The music pulled the liquid from her eyes, letting the tingles and fire break through the cracks in her walls. All the extra attention she¡¯d given Miky had only served to make him feel more inadequate, and she was lost as to what she was supposed to do; Gables and Roxie tried their best to cheer him up and let him know he was a part of the team¡ªit just wasn¡¯t working for some reason¡ªand it kept Muking with her head. Ash said Miky loved the experience, but he wasn¡¯t a battle-loving Pokemon; he was simply a big fish in a small Pokemon community, and it took this journey with her for him to understand this wasn¡¯t the life he wanted¡ªhe opened up to Pikachu about it, and the part that hurt the most was that he hadn¡¯t come to any of them. She knew Ash was just trying to ease the torment he could see in her Aura, which was sweet, yet she knew the real reason. In a way, Miky felt betrayed that she hadn¡¯t prepared him for the battle against Misty¡ªthe humiliation¡ªand, if she were being honest with herself, she did take it too lightly compared to Amira. The most painful part was that Miky didn¡¯t even stir from her emotions, which showed how far he¡¯d already pulled away from her; not only did she not prepare enough, but she¡¯d transferred her ability to mask her emotions to the Impidimp. Knowing Amira would likely get up soon, Lori prepared to exit the shower, staring at the wall as her two Pokemon comforted her; if he¡¯d told Pikachu he didn¡¯t really feel like continuing on with them would be the best decision for her, he¡¯d already made his choice. She couldn¡¯t help feeling a little betrayed, as well, and she hated it; Lori grew up with people talking behind her back in school regarding her medical leaves from school, and never wanted to make someone feel like something was wrong with them. We have to be strong! Lori internally repeated more for herself than Roxie or Gables; she was glad and sad that her Aura shield that Ash said she¡¯d naturally cultivated to not worry her parents hadn¡¯t been broken through by Rhea yet. I¡¯ve done everything I can to prepare for this battle¡­ We have to win. Freshening up by the time the redhead came into the showers with a few early risers from the dojo, she hesitated before going out as Amira asked, ¡°Do¡­ you need some help developing a plan?¡± Lori chuckled and shook her head, feeling the needles digging into her heart as her sister¡¯s previous words hit her in the face with Gables¡¯ jab to her spirit. ¡°I came up with a¡­ On second thought¡­ Sure. Heh. Mind if I tell you what we did while you shower¡ªI know some people are kind of skittish about talking to people while bathing.¡± ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± Amira responded, taking her second bikini in with her to swap out with the one she wore. ¡°I figured you had something in the works since you did all that gambling. Haha. I was a little interested in¡­¡± ¡°Little Mew?! Are you in there¡ªMariah and you together?¡± Lyra called, bouncing in with her unbound brown locks. ¡°Oh! Hey, Lori.¡± ¡°Mom. Chill,¡± the redhead ordered, much to a few of the women¡¯s amusement. ¡°You can sense our Aura, so sit tight and don¡¯t think about coming in here!¡± ¡°Aww. Okay¡­ I¡¯ll wait my turn. Good luck, Lori; I know you¡¯ll do wonderful! My little Mew loves to help in her own way, so don¡¯t be too hard on her.¡± ¡°Mom, don¡¯t be a Zubat¡­¡± ¡°Going!¡± she sang. ¡°Conny¡¯s making breakfast sandwiches.¡± ¡°Go!¡± ¡°I¡¯m gone! I¡¯m gone!¡± Lori couldn¡¯t help but laugh at their relationship. ¡°Lyra really is always happy, isn¡¯t she?¡± Amira forced a groan. ¡°She¡¯s¡­ special, I¡¯ll say. Anyway, I apologize for the interruption,¡± she said, getting into motion to wash Amber, Serenity, and Mariah in her unusual habit of only using freezing water. ¡°You were going to say?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ umm. As for my plan¡­ Miky learned two new Moves from being out and all the help everyone did in powering him up: Fake Tears and Bulk Up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s excellent,¡± Amira congratulated. ¡°Heh. I know the cold water is hard, Mariah, but I promise it will feel wonderful once you get used to it¡­ That¡¯s it. It helps set the mood for the morning. Ahem. Sorry. What about the TMs you were going to buy¡ªProtect?¡± ¡°Bingo!¡± Lori chimed. ¡°I made about 60k credits through the gambling¡ªI actually tried, heh, really hard to balance things to not get kicked out¡ªand felt leaving with the 60k I earned would be too much.¡± ¡°Which is where Ash comes in,¡± Amira finished with a short chuckle. ¡°You fed his losing streak and eventually gave up, looking frustrated when you lost half your earnings. Right?¡± ¡°Yup. 30k credits got me enough for what I saw on the cheapest TM website I could find in Saffron¡ªmost sell it for 50k, but I got it for 24k with a 40% overstock discount¡­¡± Lori explained her plan, going over her new TM, and how she wanted to use it. Amira couldn¡¯t believe the luck of finding such a powerful TM for that cheap and offered a few more points of advice that, as usual, was solid, yet, of course, the redhead discovered what she¡¯d left unsaid. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Leaving the shower while squeezing the excess water out of her thick crimson locks, Amira¡¯s critical stare told her she wasn¡¯t happy. ¡°You only had 31k total when you left that gambling trap¡­ 24.5k for both TMs and 6k for Silver-tier Encrusted Badges¡­ Lori, if you lose¡­¡± ¡°Hehe. I won¡¯t!¡± she laughed, brushing it off. ¡°I can always make money, remember? Gambling dens are my scene!¡± Amira bit her lower lip and studied her. ¡°Hmm. I get the feeling you¡¯re not telling me everything¡­¡± Discharging another sigh as Roxie jabbed her spirit, Lori closed her eyes and leaned against the wall. ¡°Miky¡¯s¡­ going to head to Melanie¡¯s when we¡¯re done¡ªit¡¯s what he wants¡ªAsh has already talked to her, and we talked yesterday that we¡¯re going to have one big last party to send him off by beating this Gym and celebrating.¡± The color drained from Amira¡¯s face, making the emotions in Lori¡¯s chest stir, and some of the women getting ready in the area paused to reflect on their own complex feelings about parting ways with Pokemon; it was this kind of reaction that Lori didn¡¯t want. Still, she had to face it, or else she¡¯d never shake what festered inside her heart. Not saying anything in the following silence, Amira processed the information and then moved to hug her. ¡°I know you love him¡­ You¡¯ve tried to make it work. You have Gables, Roxie, and Terri, but just know we¡¯re here for whatever you need, too, Lori. It¡¯s a solid plan¡­ It¡¯s solid.¡± Chest fluttering a little, somehow she had a few more tears in her shriveled heart, and she returned the hug. ¡°Thanks for that, Amira¡­ I¡¯m, heh, so scared I¡¯ll mess this up again. How can I win when I feel like he¡¯s pulled so far away from me? It¡¯s only the Master¡ªour Poke Ball that is keeping things functioning.¡± ¡°Lori¡­ Share your heart with him, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make it through today,¡± Amira encouraged, whispering in her ear. ¡°It¡¯ll be alright, and I¡¯m sure¡ªlook who it is.¡± Pulling away, she found Rhea standing in the doorway with all four of her Pokemon out like the amazing Trainer she was; she seemed to have connected the dots from what she¡¯d heard, and Nova came over to nuzzle her leg, offering her own support. ¡°I¡¯m sure it hurts a lot,¡± she said, breathing to control her own tears and giving a confused Lulu to Amira so she could hug her. ¡°Miky¡¯s tried hard and must be hurting, too¡ªwe¡¯ve all seen him trying¡ªwhatever we can do to help. I know it¡¯s not much, but know that we love you both.¡± Lori sniffed and choked, feeling Roxie and Gables breaking down from the outpouring of love between their teammates. ¡°You¡¯re all¡­ too nice. Thanks. I think it¡¯ll be okay,¡± she said, repeating the propaganda of her sister. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay¡­¡± Gathering herself, she thanked them again and cleaned up her cheeks, Lori told them she wanted some time to process things with Miky out in the city; they should save all their energy for after the battle because they were going to win. Practically oozing empathy, the blonde super-trainer let her go with another teary hug, and she went to collect Miky and Terra to wander the city. As always, Shauntal wordlessly knew her plans, handing Terri to her as the little fighter woke up, fairly groggy after training so hard the previous day with the whirlwind of a Buneary and brick wall of a Mawile who shockingly ran the Kubfu out of energy. Leaving the dojo with a few parting words to Christie and Lyra to walk the park path Shauntal and she had taken the previous day, Lori smiled down at her resting Legendary Victini-themed Wushu Pokemon in her arms before looking at Miky, trudging along beside her. ¡°Miky¡­ I know it¡¯s been a rough journey for both of us this last month.¡± He forced an awkward grin, scratching the back of his head. ¡°Imp-id-imp¡­¡± ¡°Hmm. I¡¯m sure it is a lot different than Viridian Forest,¡± she said, swallowing the lump in her throat and dagger in her chest. ¡°You liked some of the Pokemon around the Farmsteads?¡± ¡°Im-dimp,¡± he shrugged, his face turning into a frown while turning to the joggers and their Pokemon using the path they were on. ¡°Impidimp¡­¡± Gables and Roxie reached out with their spirits to offer their own words, and their emotions let her interpret him better than she¡¯d been able to for over a week. ¡°I know you don¡¯t hate being with us,¡± Lori mumbled, shifting a sleeping Terri to scratch her tingling arm. ¡°Are we sad you want to go? Of course, but¡­ we also know you want to try something else. I want to give you the best send-off, though,¡± she chuckled, trying not to let her voice break. ¡°Sometimes Trainers and Pokemon don¡¯t¡­ connect, and it doesn¡¯t mean we don¡¯t like each other¡­¡± Not going how she wanted, Mallory cleared her throat and paused to kneel to his level; he wouldn¡¯t look at her, feeling as if he¡¯d failed them, and she knew she couldn¡¯t do anything to fix how she¡¯d failed him for that¡ªtheir defeat to Misty had been too much¡ªand his sad and teary eyes remained on the dirt. Lori reached out to rub his head, letting it sink in as reality; he was moving on, even if she didn¡¯t want him to walk away. ¡°It¡¯ll be alright, Miky. Huu-haaa. We love you, no matter where you go, you¡¯ll be in our hearts, and it¡¯ll hurt for a bit of time¡­ but it will be alright. Will you give me the chance to show you that you are more of a champion than you think¡­ one more time before you go?¡± He looked up at her and nodded, liquid falling down his cheeks as he said he¡¯d trust her, and that was the real trouble; she¡¯d betrayed his trust in putting him against Misty, and there was no repairing that, but at least she could help him leave on a positive note. ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll win¡­ I promise,¡± she choked, bringing him into her other arm to hug him against her chest. ¡°Let¡¯s give it our all one last time. I know you¡¯ll find what you want to do after this¡ªand it¡¯ll be okay.¡± ¡°Imp-imp¡­¡± Heart spilled, she went to the city to show Miky around Saffron and have a good morning one last time with her 500 credits, draining it to less than 70 on food, games, and giving Gables and Roxie 50 credits to find something to give him as a parting present. Terri didn¡¯t quite understand what was happening or why Miky was going to be leaving but enjoyed all the activities they did. Gables came out to tie a red ribbon around Miky¡¯s neck that he bought¡ªit was cheap, only 15 credits¡ªbut was what he most wanted to get his teammate, and the Impidimp seemed to like the fashion statement as it fluttered in the wind as he ran. Roxie chose a simple red gem that made the Impidimp cry a little, and Lori learned through her Rockruff that he¡¯d talked a lot to her about his awesome Sableye leader back in Viridian Forest, and she knew it would make him happy. Miky hugged both of his teammates, thanking them for both the gifts and how much he loved being with them; Lori promised to give him hers when they won, exciting the Pokemon, and he hugged her, making her choke up when Roxie and Gables communicated that he was trying to say he did love her for his name and the experiences she¡¯d given him. Finally ready to face the truth, Lori let it settle in her heart and promised him to make this a battle he wouldn¡¯t forget¡ªin a good way¡ªand if he trusted in her one last time, she¡¯d give him something he could have to show his friends back in Viridian Forest. He nodded, and she returned him to his Poke Ball; Terri jumped down to walk beside her, big eyes taking in the colossal size of the city. Lori wanted to put a lot of love into her new baby legendary, and she knew she¡¯d need the fluffy fighter to help heal, but right now, she had to put everything into this match. Making her way to the stadium near the city¡¯s center, she looked down at her phone as she went through the unread messages throughout the day from more people than she thought would make contact. 7:23 a.m. - Mom: Ugh! I¡¯m stuck at work with all the paperwork from the Plasma Muk. Shauntal¡¯s been keeping me updated. Life sucks, and nothing hurts more than a bond breaking down¡­ for both parties. Let me know, and I¡¯ll kidnap Will to have him teleport me down if you ever need a way to break into a party, but I¡¯m sure Cass will have you covered there. I love you, Lori. You¡¯re strong, but you''re allowed to be weak sometimes. Love, Mom. 7:45 a.m. - Sam: Yo, Lori! We¡¯re all watching. Sabrina?! Insane, girl! You¡¯ve got more Steel than us. Miky¡¯s going to kill it! Uh¡­ it¡¯s going to be Miky, right? We all think he¡¯s gotta be your choice. He¡¯s just the perfect fit! Can¡¯t wait to see him shine! 7:56 a.m. - Len: You always were ballsy, Lori, but Sabrina, off the cuff? Heh. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s going to be a party. I know things are rough right now. Give me a call sometime tonight. Cool? I¡¯d say good luck, but let¡¯s be honest, you were never the type to lose twice in a row¡ªgambling or not! Catch you soon. 7:56 a.m. - Rhea: We¡¯ll be going into the stadium early since Amira¡¯s afraid someone might steal our seats. Apparently, some group has been forging tickets, and it can cause a headache if we don¡¯t get there to make sure things are sorted. We¡¯re a team. We¡¯re here for you no matter what! I wanted to say I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t see how hard you were struggling (<-- deleted that a few times wondering if I should say it). I know you¡¯d hate me saying that since you don¡¯t want me to blame myself, but we are a team, and it doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m here for you! I didn¡¯t see it. It¡¯s a fact. I can¡¯t fix that. So, I¡¯ll do better! <3 Amira¡¯s telling me to keep it short, but I can¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry¡­ You¡¯re my friend, and you¡¯ve been through so much pain. I want to take some of that, like¡­ Pain Split, or something¡­ I want to share it and help you. Great. I¡¯m crying again. Sorry. I suck¡­ Haha. Gah! Just stop¡­ Stop¡­ I probably shouldn¡¯t write this when emotional. You¡¯ll win! Amira didn¡¯t tell me which secret weapon TM you spent a fortune on, but it was super-solid! We¡¯ll prepare a big party for Miky tonight! Lyra is setting up a big party, she said. Aaahh! I said I would stop! Stopping! Send! 7:57 a.m. - Rhea: dksjoeks 7:57 a.m. - Rhea: Miss-click! Sorry! 7:59 a.m. - Amira: Rhea¡¯s a hopeless mess, as usual. What are we going to do with her? I don¡¯t think I need to say anything you haven¡¯t told yourself. I¡¯ve bet 5k on your win. That last part made Lori choke up a laugh; it was probably the best thing the redhead could have told her, being so against betting and how tight she was on money¡ªshe trusted her. 8:11 a.m. - Shauntal: You have a very fun group, Lori. They¡¯re good for you. I¡¯m an expert at fighting Psychic Specialists¡ªas you know from my many losses to Caitlin. I sent your plan to her¡ªjust an FYI¡ªand she sent back this¡­ 8:03 a.m. - Caity: Your sister is evil, is all I have to say. Sabrina will see through it, but she is facing the woman in Silver-tier? She can¡¯t give her Pokemon too much advice, so¡­ as the de facto ¡®Psychic Legend¡¯ as Alder likes to say¡­ Sabrina is doomed, and she¡¯ll love the forethought. Cheers. Haha. Isn¡¯t that something? I love Caity. I¡¯m just surprised I found her not lost in the Dream World! Isn¡¯t that something? Oh, I need to call her! And¡­ she¡¯s probably sleeping again. Typical. Bottoms up, as Dad says, Sis! Love from your big sister! I¡¯ll be crashing the party in the ceiling; hope Sabrina doesn¡¯t mind! She rolled her eyes; it was so typical of her unpredictable ghost-fanatic sister to take her plan to the strongest Psychic in the world¡ªand probably the only one who was Sabrina¡¯s superior. The last two messages hit her the most, though. 9:07 a.m. - Cass: Hey, Sis! So, guess what? I already took a flight to Saffron! Tonight¡ªafter whatever you have going on¡ªwe¡¯re really going dancing! I know you haven¡¯t been clubbing for over a month, and that KILLS me inside! It¡¯s like you¡¯re not even my sister! Also, the whole Cerulean thing was NOT what I¡¯m talking about. Also, help me ambush Shanny! We¡¯ll get her dancing this time! Oh. And turn that uptight priss of a Psychic to Muk! Love you! 9:21 a.m. - Dad: Shauntal¡¯s been doing her part in being the family spy, as you figured, I¡¯m sure. Has she roped you into a two-hour discussion on her next book? She won¡¯t stop bouncing ideas off me, but she does know how to puff me up with her characters. As we say¡­ When no one cries, it wasn¡¯t love. When one cries, it was love. When both cry, it is love¡­ Bottoms up, (dance in your case) let¡¯s forget tonight; it¡¯s never easy to walk away, but let him go¡­ it will be alright. Lori wanted to curse at how many people were saying it would be okay, but it touched her every time she heard it. She wanted to tremble and hide¡ªbut all the words and support brought her closer to the Gym. She couldn¡¯t fail him¡ªnot again¡ªand the pressure wouldn¡¯t ease; her bottom lip trembled when she felt Miky draw a little closer, tears falling from his own eyes when reading her father¡¯s message. Sometimes, things just didn¡¯t work out, despite how they felt about each other, their paths through life had split, and that was alright. Standing before the Gym, she breathed out a sigh and smiled. Give me one last battle to end your career on a high note, Miky¡­ It¡¯ll be okay. B2 — 49. The Smallest Spark 9:29 a.m. July 20th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: Rhea and the girls have decided to push toward Silver-tier instead of the Bronze Bracket they¡¯re on. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 41 Days (40 officially; 41 since getting Maya and Nova). Today is Lori¡¯s and our group¡¯s first Silver-tier Gym Battle against Sabrina, The Rookie Crusher, of all Gym Leaders! Entering the gym¡¯s front doors to check in, Lori slipped her headphones out of her pocket, heart thumping; music was her release, and her Pokemon had grown to resonate with the rhythm and beats that reflected the pulse in her spirit. Miky was closer than he¡¯d been to her in a week, which helped, but she knew it didn¡¯t change the results; tonight, they¡¯d be parting ways, and she had to make sure it was on a positive note¡ªshe owed him that for putting his trust in her again. Terri¡¯s big eyes darted left and right as she held onto the bottom part of Lori¡¯s skirt, following Miky¡¯s advice so she didn¡¯t get lost; it was sweet that he still thought of himself as a part of the team, despite his own doubts. The front attendant scanned her Trainer Card to confirm her identity and appointment, explaining to her the rules; due to this being her first Silver-tier Badge¡ªencrusted or not¡ªthere was a leniency policy that allowed for the use of one Pokemon, as to the standard Bronze-tier rules, but any after would require two in either a Doubles or Consecutive match. Lori had a hard time concentrating due to the pressure piling up¡ªa part of her wondered if Sabrina¡¯s psychic powers would totally turn everything she¡¯d thought of on its head. A small smile and relief came upon rereading her big sister¡¯s message; Shanty knew her too well, predicting she¡¯d run herself into the ground overthinking things after failing so spectacularly to Misty. Caitlin was somewhat of a big sister figure to her, as well, always offering support in dealing with her isolationist sister¡ªwhenever the woman wasn¡¯t totally comatose¡ªand to hear her praise the plan she¡¯d made with Amira, who¡¯d proven herself to be quite the strategist over the past month, put her nerves at ease. Let¡¯s face this storm and rolling thunder, she whispered, humming to her song before the baggage in her heart became too heavy; today had to be a positive day, even if she had to force herself to be happy for her Pokemon discovering a different path he wanted to follow. The locker room was dead silent, and there were eighteen girls waiting for their turn; Sabrina had already started her decimation of the competition since 9 a.m. A few looked like they either wanted to throw up or already had; anyone who¡¯d seen Sabrina¡¯s matches would feel the same with how untouchable her Pokemon seemed, and it wasn¡¯t only the Trainers that felt ill. Lori redoubled her resolve, keeping a smile that actually wasn¡¯t a mask; when it came to today, this was the least stressful part, ironically. She had her plan, and now all they had to do was execute it; the real beast threatening to make her cry would come later. A short, green-haired girl came out, breathing deeply with her head held low; Bronze-tier went first, followed by Silver, and Lori was scheduled first at 10 a.m. The crushed Trainer had a melancholy look on her face while staring at her normal Poke Ball. Several of the others swarmed her as the arena was restored by the Gym staff, asking her what her thoughts were after battling the psychic; all of them had seen the battle from the locker room TV. ¡°Hehe. What was she like? Brrr. It was like she could read our minds¡­ I felt like a Ratatta in a cage, unable to do anything against that Galarian Slowpoke.¡± Miky shivered from within his Poke Ball at the mention of the pink Pokemon, getting flashbacks of Misty. It¡¯s okay, Bud. We¡¯ve got a plan; Ash and Pikachu helped us get ready for it. Remember our talk during our casino fun? Gables and Roxie comforted him as he calmed down, drawn back to his talk with the electric rat, and a black-haired girl posed a question to those listening that Ash had mentioned. ¡°What if we¡­ you know, go in on instinct rather than thought¡ªshe couldn¡¯t read that, right?¡± ¡°True!¡± another grinned. ¡°Just go in and go wild? My Mankey has Rage, which could help him resist Hypnosis.¡± ¡°Oh, that¡¯s a good strategy!¡± ¡°Wait¡­ isn¡¯t Mankey Fighting-Type,¡± a blue-haired girl mumbled doubtfully. ¡°Yikes, that¡¯s¡­ not a great match-up, Tesa.¡± ¡°I know. I know. We did okay against Misty¡¯s Gym and even got the Cascade Badge. See? Henric and I can beat anything after we jumped the entire way here today!¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Good luck with that.¡± Lori caught two of the girls whispering to each other as the group split into smaller pairs to discuss things together. ¡°She¡¯s so dead.¡± ¡°Does she even know Fighting-Types suck against Psychic?¡± Ignoring most of the gossip and groans, Lori kept to herself, moving off into a corner. More than a few eyed her, yet kept their distance for some reason; it was either due to her reputation being devastated by Misty, or they didn¡¯t feel comfortable talking for some other excuse¡ªhonestly, she was somewhat of the third-wheel in her party. Roxie jabbed her spirit, followed by Gables and then Miky, causing her to rub her chest with a sad chuckle while sitting on her lonesome; Terri looked up at her with concern upon seeing her Trainer¡¯s strained expression. I know. Not happy thoughts. I mean, that bombshell blonde of ours has more losses than all of us, yet she¡¯s pumping forward with that ridiculous heart of hers. ¡°Haaa.¡± What did I do to deserve such an awesome team? You guys keep me on point, she internally whispered, trying not to tense as the embers along her back tingled; Lori wasn¡¯t sure if it was her imagination or not, which was always the worst whenever she was stressed. I can learn from Rhea and Amira¡­ The peppy country girl and the sophisticated mafia chick¡­ Moving Terri to her lap and adjusting her skirt, she swapped to the next song, closing her eyes to lean against the wall. Hmm-mmh-hmm. Got my heart feeling stone cold; match the ice ¡®cause they¡¯re both frozen. Gotta watch for the ¡°no-shows¡± who come around when it¡¯s in motion. Gotta stay on my toes when I¡¯m out on the road, ¡®cause I know that they¡¯re plottin¡¯. You notice, it¡¯s unspoken, and we¡¯re riding like the whip is stolen. Took a shot¡ªI need four more¡ªwon¡¯t stop, seeing slow motion. Got my heart feeling stone cold, so it doesn¡¯t get broken. Switchin¡¯ ain¡¯t no option, and we came up from the floor¡ªtryna break through the door¡ªme and my brothers stay mobbin¡¯. I don¡¯t give a single Muk; I¡¯ve been rocking double G¡­ Her eyebrows drew together when Terri tugged on her skirt, trying to get her attention, breaking her out of the rhythm she was trying to lose herself in. ¡°Hmm?¡± Vision clearing, she saw the girl with short black hair that had mentioned one of the tips Ash gave her; although, he didn¡¯t recommend it to anyone below Platinum-tier. She gave a weak wave, several of the others focusing on them; most were on Terri, their phones open, and likely realizing she was a Legendary. Releasing a long stream of air, she watched the Mankey Trainer go off for the next fight while taking out her headphones. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Yeah, sorry to bother you¡ªumm, Mallory, right¡ªyou¡¯re on Amira Rocket¡¯s team?¡± ¡°Mhm?¡± Lori returned in a tone that asked what she wanted; she wasn¡¯t in the mood for catty locker room chats. ¡°You¡­ mind if I sit? Uh, heh, and is that your Kubfu?¡± Lori sighed and shrugged. ¡°Sit where you want. I¡¯m a bit occupied, though.¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± she mumbled, nervously brushing back her bangs but sitting anyway. ¡°I¡­ was wondering if I could get your advice. I saw you sign up for the Silver-tier Encrusted, and¡­ heh, I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised with how powerful your team is that you¡¯re going to skip Bronze¡ªit actually made me breathe a sigh of relief.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Sitting up a bit straighter, a curious tilt came to her mouth. ¡°Why¡¯s that? Rhea being the niece of the World Champion and Amira being the infamous Kanto Mob Boss¡¯ granddaughter a frightening prospect in the League lineup?¡± ¡°Not just that,¡± she laughed, possibly trying to talk to her to ease her own nerves in her upcoming battle. ¡°It was actually your battle against Forrest that got me, eh, somewhat pumped to do the Encrusted Challenge. Misty was a real beast to take down, for sure, and Forrest beat me, but I didn¡¯t give up because of Rhea¡¯s example.¡± A bit shocked at the sudden topic, Lori watched her fidget a bit and realized she had a Unovan accent. ¡°You¡¯re a part of the United League program?¡± She nodded, becoming less agitated as they spoke. ¡°Yeah. Umm, heh, I always envied you a bit¡ªthe partying and everything¡ªit¡¯s a bit embarrassing and stupid, but¡­ a few years ago, I wanted, eh¡­ never mind,¡± she chuckled, scratching her temple. ¡°I just wanted to say I¡¯m a fan¡ªand the party in Cerulean looked so much fun¡ªI only got to fly in for the tail end of it. Thanks for helping me push out of my comfort zone¡­ I know it¡¯s selfish to, heh, dump all this on you¡­ I, uh, actually¡­ my first Pokemon¡ªwell, she wants to meet Gables¡­¡± Lori¡¯s chest shook with laughter as she realized both Trainer and Pokemon hyped each other up to approach them; she knew it took guts to talk to someone you admired¡ªeven if she never had that problem¡ªso, how could she say no? Gables popped out of his Poke Ball, doing a flip to land on her shoulder and give a two-fingered salute in a way that said, ¡®Yo.¡¯ This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Eyes sparkling, she brought out her own Froakie, who looked to be having a troublesome time talking to her Shiny buddy; he eased her into a conversation as the girl stammered, seemingly asking for advice on how he should handle Sabrina, according to the vibes Roxie sent. Miky was totally focused on the girl as Terri and he became the topic of their conversation. ¡°My name¡¯s Quinn¡ªheh, not that you asked¡ªbut, umm¡­ I can guess you¡¯re going to use Miky to fight Gym Leader Sabrina. I know he¡¯ll do amazing! It was a bad match-up against that Slowpoke; we saw that match against those rising Bronze-tier stars¡ªuh, Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay, I think?¡± ¡°Yeah. Haha. Actually, they¡¯re friends of ours.¡± ¡°Oh! That makes sense,¡± she mumbled, apparently stunned at the information. ¡°They¡¯re rising so fast in the ranks¡ªit¡¯s pretty incredible. Miky was so good with Holly and Alice¡­ Everyone on your team is so amazing, and you almost won a three versus four! Miky distracting them and keeping Holly away from danger was so sweet and brave.¡± Lori didn¡¯t see their battle like that, and neither did her Impidimp, but he wasn¡¯t going to discard the compliment; it was a different perspective, and she just kept going, talking fast due to her nerves, no doubt. Gables stood with his arms crossed, showing a thoughtful expression while speaking to Quinn¡¯s Froakie, and she was as excited and animated as her Trainer; they discussed some of the things they were thinking about doing. ¡°Thanks. It means a lot to Miky that you admire all the work he put in,¡± Lori translated, hearing lifting now that Miky was gaining more confidence. ¡°And you even have a Legendary with you now¡ªhow¡ªare you going to battle Gym Leader Sabrina with her? Everyone¡¯s talking about it.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± Lori mused, noticing quite a few girls look away when she cast her gaze around the room. ¡°No. Terri isn¡¯t going to be battling; you were right the first time.¡± ¡°Miky¡­ Haaa. Terri really is beautiful¡ªI love her unique colors. Is she Shiny¡ªcan I pet her?¡± ¡°Not Shiny. She¡¯s just super unique and a battle fanatic, heh, like a little Buneary I know,¡± she mused. ¡°Are you going to use your Froakie?¡± ¡°Mmh. Yeah, Clara is my only partner,¡± she said, shooting a soft smile at her Pokemon, still enamored by Gables. ¡°So, you¡¯ll be using Miky after all, huh? I guess you would have a Dark-Type considering both your parents are Dark specialists. I¡¯d be great if Clara was a Greninja. Hehe-haaa. Yeah.¡± Quinn¡¯s shoulders drooped a bit as her bottled-up emotions came to the surface, spotting the Mankey Trainer get taken out by a Drowzee Hypnosis and Pound combo. ¡°Mallory, umm¡­ I¡¯m kind of a little scared after all the rumors I heard about Gym Leader Sabrina. If we don¡¯t win this¡­ we¡¯re out. Encrusted Challenges are Muking expensive. Haha. What should we do¡­ We just kind of signed up on the spur of the moment when we saw your team doing it on Saturday. We read online if you go by instinct, you can bypass the mind reading stuff.¡± Leaning back, a tingle shot through Lori¡¯s body, seeing her thoughtless decision to fight Misty in the same light; it was just the next Gym Battle she needed to win like Forrest, but they¡¯d had every advantage in that first challenge¡ªMisty showed her this wasn¡¯t something to take lightly. ¡°Yeah. I guess you could say Sabrina is like Drayden or Elesa is for us in Unova¡­¡± She caught the tight expressions from a few of the girls that were pretending not to listen. ¡°Heh. I know, I should be respectful and call them by their title, but it¡¯s not easy when you know them personally! They don¡¯t really care anyway. Hmm¡­¡± Pondering her predicament, she said, ¡°I talked with Ash¡ªyes, the ¡®official-unoffical¡¯ Champion of Alola,¡± Lori added to Quinn¡¯s expression. ¡°He told me the instinct strat only works when your Pokemon can act on instinct, and you train extensively to combat Psychic-Types. The best strategy for us is to come up with a tactic where even if they know what we¡¯ll do, they can¡¯t really do anything about it. Give me your Moves, and why don¡¯t we see about preparing while you still can?¡± ¡°Really?!¡± Quinn asked, eyes lighting up more than they had any right to; this was Amira¡¯s department, after all. It had taken her over a week to develop her own plan. ¡°Thank you so much!¡± Several of the girls glared at Quinn, likely jealous for whatever reason, and Lori rolled around her neck, catching the calm vibes from her Rockruff. Miky was now floating above the ground with the confidence Quinn gave them; in a way, Lori felt a little indebted to this fan for that, and if she could help, then she¡¯d do her best. ¡°Let¡¯s look at this¡­¡± ¡°You have a Pokedex sub? So nice,¡± the girl whispered, fixated on her holographic phone. ¡°Really awesome stuff¡­ Where can I get one like that?¡± ¡°Silph, I think?¡± Lori returned with a helpless shrug. ¡°Rhea¡¯s mom got this for us, so¡­¡± ¡°Gotcha. Thanks again¡­ so much, Mallory.¡± Using what little time she had left, Lori discovered Clara had the Camouflage and Toxic Spikes Breeding Move, showing phenomenal breeding, which made the Timid frog blush when Gables complimented her. In addition, she had Bubble, Pound, Growl, and Quick Attack; she also had a very rare Ability called Big Wave that increased her Water Moves if done in combination¡ªamazing later, not so much now¡ªwhich the girl was excited about. Her best shot was to stall it out with poison, making use of Camouflage and clearing her mind. Gables helped her learn how to meditate, which Lori didn¡¯t know how well it worked by the peeks she snuck of the Shiny Froakie. Finally, it was time for the girl to go in; she¡¯d been the last competitor for Bronze, and a few of the Silver were now showing up, looking just as sick as their Bronze counterparts. Gables returned to his Poke Ball, and they watched her battle as a team, Terri punching the air when the referee started the match; it helped to have someone else in the same position she¡¯d been in, and the hope budded within Lori that they¡¯d be able to help someone through a similar mistake she¡¯d made¡ªthe difference, Quinn realized she¡¯d gotten over her head. Clara¡¯s opponent came out, making Lori¡¯s stomach tighten¡ªa Wynaut¡ªwith Astonish, Counter, Encore, and Safeguard; the Shadow Tag Ability totally locked out their Camouflage strategy, providing the Bright Pokemon a perfect knowledge of where the Froakie was, no matter the strategy, but Quinn showed her resolve, not giving up. The battle appeared hopeless, and it was clear the girl felt the stress, yet Clara did wonderfully in dodging and blocking the Astonishes, laying out the Toxic Spikes to hopefully eventually break past the Safeguard since it had limited ranged attacks. She used the warp pads on the floor to her advantage to escape when it got close, memorizing where they lead to; eventually, she landed the Poison, slowly ticking down the Wynaut¡¯s energy matrix until, nearly exhausted on energy, Clara stood victorious as the only Bronze competitor to win against Sabrina that week. Sabrina offered a soft smile and only a few words after, everyone was on the edge of their seats. ¡°You persevered, even when your strategy was in shambles, using our limited range to your advantage to make it a battle of attrition. Well done in memorizing the warp panel locations.¡± ¡°T-Thank you! Honestly, though,¡± Quinn swallowed, voice hoarse, ¡°it was only some of the advice another Trainer gave me that got me through it¡­ I almost cried, heh, when you threw up Safeguard and saw through our Camouflage.¡± Lori felt Gables puff up his chest with pride at being the one to give her advice on keeping her cool if her cover was blown and using what¡¯s available because there¡¯s always a win condition in a Gym Battle; it was good to keep in mind for themselves because Sabrina saw through Quinn¡¯s strategy in an instant. The girl came walking back into the locker room to cheers; everyone was thrilled to see the infamous Gym Leader¡¯s psychic abilities weren¡¯t impossible to beat, but Quinn looked like she was about to faint, and her short black hair was a tad messy from running her hands through it. She stumbled forward and smiled at her. ¡°Hehe¡­ We did it. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me, Lori,¡± she said, eyes beginning to water and making Lori¡¯s chest tighten; the relief she felt at coming through the intense battle flowed into her. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Opening her arms, Lori let the girl come in for a hug¡ªRhea must be getting to her. ¡°That was a great inspiration, Quinn. Okay¡­ I think it¡¯s our turn. Wish me luck?¡± She pulled away, sniffing back her tears and nodding. ¡°Mhm! We¡¯ll be cheering you on!¡± Lori puffed out a long stream of air and picked Terri up; her Kubfu patted her on the shoulder, showing a serious expression that was translated to support by her other three Pokemon. It¡¯s time. Leaving the clamoring throng, she drew out her phone with a short giggle upon seeing a last-minute text from Kekoa. 9:56 a.m. Kekoa: Shoot! I thought Sabrina was tomorrow! We wanted to catch up with you guys to watch, but we¡¯re still a day out. Apparently, I¡¯m the only one who didn¡¯t know we were behind schedule. Silver-tier, too? C¡¯mon! Amira has Kekipi all fired up to skip Bronze-tier, too, which means Heneli¡¯s burning a fire under my butt. Ggaaah! Haha. I know you¡¯ll win, and show me how your Alolan dances are coming along tomorrow¡­ if you¡¯ll still be there? Call me! Boys¡­ Lori internally snickered, shaking her head. I suppose I can swap things up for Cass and throw everyone for a loop by taking us to an Alolan-themed club tonight. After all, I need to practice. Gables, Miky, and Roxie laughed, knowing how much she¡¯d enjoyed her night out with the slightly chubby island boy; he¡¯d shown her going at a slower pace could be enjoyable in its own way from her typical fast-paced Unovan-style. Making it to the stadium, it rose up, and Lori placed Miky¡¯s Poke Ball into the machine to be scanned as a full stadium;cheers greeted her for the start of the Silver-tier Event. ¡°All the way from Unova, ladies and gentlemen,¡± the announcer called out. ¡°You¡¯ve seen her ups and downs through this Bronze League, yet, as a surprising twist, Mallory Medina has chosen to perform a Rank Advancement to move up to Silver-tier by facing the Rookie Crusher and Psychic Prodigy, Gym Leader Sabrina, who has accepted the task of evaluating the young rookie¡¯s aptitude to skip to the next Tier! What a way to kick off this week!¡± Feeling oddly calm, she saw Sabrina on the screens overhead, showing a light smile while studying her, and Lori saw a pink gloss overshadow her blue irises for a moment. The chants, shouts, and words around them faded as the woman¡¯s voice came to her private box and the field to protect them came into existence. ¡°It¡¯s rare someone chooses me to act as a measure to evaluate their strength, Lori,¡± she said, and if she didn¡¯t know any better, the woman was speaking directly to her mind. ¡°Your Kubfu is quite an amazing child, and the latent power within her is¡­ alarming. Christie certainly does shake things up for the League and cause trouble.¡± ¡°Haha. Thank you¡­ Do you think we have a chance?¡± ¡°Always,¡± she returned as the compartment next to her revealed six Poke Balls she could choose from, and her hand hesitated over one, a small frown touching her lips. ¡°Hmm-hmm. My, what a troublesome opponent you will be in the future, Lori¡­ ¡°Your resolve is firmed by your sister, that troublesome Sinnoh narcoleptic that moved to Unova, and the budding Trainer before you, who drew her own strength from the conversation you had¡­ You can trust yourselves, Miky, Lori; I am left with such limited options. It truly was a masterful strategy.¡± Selecting a Poke Ball, it lifted out of the case, seemingly on its own. ¡°All that work you¡¯ve put in has paid off¡­ win or lose. I sense great things in your near future.¡± The referee checked if they were ready, and Lori pulled Miky out of the analytical machine; she had to wonder what the Psychic would do to throw a wrench in her careful plotting because, despite the praise, this was far from over. However, one odd thought crossed her mind as things were winding down, and she cast her gaze at the crowd, hopelessly looking for her team in the sea of people and Pokemon. How can I be more real to strangers than my own team¡­ Shanty¡¯s right; I need to do better, guys. ¡°Both opponents are prepared? Here we go, ladies and gentlemen; Silver Rank Advancement. One verse one Knockout. Three. Two. One. Begin!¡± Lori threw Miky¡¯s ball at the edge of the acceptable range¡ªthe warp gates were randomized every match but were also impossible for Dark-Type Pokemon to use, so it didn¡¯t matter for them¡ªand their opponent came out, making Lori shiver. A bipedal, yellow Pokemon with closed eyes hovered in the air¡ªSabrina¡¯s Ace Pokemon species¡ªAbra appraised her laughing Impidimp, already running toward the Psi Pokemon while building his energy. This Abra was likely on the cusp of evolving¡ªtoo powerful for Bronze-tier and just not enough for Silver¡ªthe perfect middle ground to determine if they could make it in the next bracket, and Lori just knew it would have Inner Focus to counter their Bite Flinch; Sabrina could see through everything, even if she was at a severe disadvantage, she¡¯d make this a challenge nonetheless. No backing down! Lori internally shouted, knowing her teammates were watching from the stands and cheering her on. Taunt was worth the price, with Prankster, and your Typing making you immune to their stupid-powerful Psychic attacks¡­ You¡¯ll get us through this battle; no Teleport today, Abra! Don¡¯t plan, Miky¡ªjust use it whenever¡ªit¡¯s your stage, Bud! Fake Out, Flatter, Confide, or Taunt¡ªkeep me guessing, and you¡¯ll keep him guessing! Let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go! B2 — 50. Stacking The Deck 10:01 a.m. July 20th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: Rhea and the girls have decided to push toward Silver-tier instead of the Bronze Bracket they¡¯re on. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 41 Days (40 officially; 41 since getting Maya and Nova). It¡¯s time! Lori¡¯s first Silver-tier Gym Battle against Sabrina, The Rookie Crusher, of all Gym Leaders! Miky let his stress go, listening to Lori¡¯s music through their bond to drown out the crowd; he didn¡¯t like the big audiences, but if he just focused on the single Pokemon in front of him, the pressure against his chest went away. Exiting his Poke Ball, he laughed, happy there was nowhere the Pokemon could escape to; they¡¯d gone over dozens of possible outcomes, including this; Abra was Sabrina¡¯s Ace Pokemon, so it was a natural opponent to plan for. Time slowed to Miky as he ran forward, building his energy for his first attack as Lori explained what he should expect. Bite and Fake Out probably won¡¯t Flinch on this one bud; it¡¯ll do damage, but Inner Focus will keep his mind focused. ¡°So tricky-tricky!¡± he snickered, clapping his hands and splitting his swiftly drawn power from Mallory into his voice. ¡°Me thinks you will be a strong one, yellow paws!¡± A pulse shot through the air, colliding with the Psychic Pokemon¡¯s mind¡ªit may not cause his focus to collapse, but it would damage¡ªand Prankster allowed him another attack as Flashing spotlights and colorful confetti sparked around the seemingly sleeping Pokemon; two attacks off the cuff. Multi-hued lines shifted around him¡ªTeleport¡ªbut his attacks landed, causing him to wobble in the air as he swapped locations. Miky wanted to giggle as he vanished to appear three meters to his left, falling to one knee and cracking open a narrow left eye while trying to stabilize himself. ¡°Confusion? Hmm-hmm. How ironic,¡± the sophisticated Pokemon mused, single open eye rising to show Miky a small, upward tilt to his mouth. ¡°Playing tricks certainly is on-brand for an Impidimp.¡± ¡°Why so talky-talk?¡± Miky mused, closing the distance; his running practice with Alice was paying off as he neared. ¡°Scared?! Scared?!¡± Strength welled up within his breast, flooding his body with power and resilient force, yet, the Abra seemed too calm; Lori saved him as Abra shook off the status effect, straightening as he approached. ¡°Close your eyes!¡± ¡°Flash!¡± Roxie¡¯s young voice translated. Stupid fast Pokemon! Miky internally cursed, vision going black as the Abra¡¯s narrowed gaze illuminated a bright white; he managed to blind himself, but moments later, three fingers were closed around his arm, pulling him off the ground and tumbling over the Psychic Pokemon. ¡°Huh?!¡± The world opened up, and he saw it go upside down as his feet left the ground; he struck the stony field, landing hard on his back, yet it did no damage to his energy matrix. Fist glowing white, the Abra pulled it back to strike him, flashing his razor teeth to show a thrilled smile. ¡°My name¡¯s Jack, by the way.¡± Swiftly rolling out of the way on instinct, his body being conditioned from all the dodging drills Alice put him through, with the addition of times he¡¯d evaded Mya¡¯s frightening blows throughout the last few weeks; he pushed himself up, spinning out of range once clear¡ªhe hadn¡¯t expected this, but a slugging match was something he was accustomed to in Viridian Forest¡ªthe blow struck the ground, creating a small discharge of force. ¡°Seismic Toss?!¡± Lori cried. ¡°Wait, no¡­ Okay, this dude¡¯s not normal! That was just martial arts¡ªlike what we saw at the dojo¡ªwatch out, Miky; he probably has some hand-to-hand training. Ugh. Sabrina is just floating there, smiling. Don¡¯t panic, bud, we¡­¡± Me fine! Me fine! Miky laughed, shaking himself out and jumping around the calm Psychic Pokemon, keeping his slitted eyes on him, sizing him up. Me like this! ¡°Hello, Jack! I¡¯m Miky. You do the punches and kicks in the mornings like Alice?¡± ¡°As Master Sabrina teaches,¡± he returned, setting a defensive stance, ¡°one must not wholly rely on one¡¯s innate talent and psychic abilities. I can see she has planned on this being a lesson for us both.¡± Miky motioned for him to bring it on as three shimmering walls appeared in front of him. ¡°Hehe. Bring it on, budd; mi best fist bitter mi know!¡± ¡°Reflect¡­ Heh. Seems he got it off before the Taunt, but now he¡¯s locked out of everything but Attack Moves¡ªno Teleport games¡ªa straight slug-fest!¡± ¡°You got this, Tricky!¡± Roxie cheered, using her nickname for him. Gables followed it up with a short chuckle. ¡°I like your odds. Show him what you got, Miky; he can¡¯t hit as hard as Mya, and he¡¯s not as fast as Alice. Also, Reflect only works if the Move passes through it.¡± Thanks, Rocky and Gabs; mi likes simple fights. Mirroring some of the Hitmonchan he¡¯d seen at the dojo, Miky made a few jabbing motions and jumped forward; cartwheeling to the side, mirroring Alice, he kept his distance at the swipes and punches, staying just out of his striking distance. ¡°You scared to come after me? Hehe! You¡¯re scared!¡± he taunted, reapplying the Move while spinning around to show his backside. ¡°Mi seen better punches from Terri!¡± ¡°Well,¡± Gables forced a laugh. ¡°Terri is a Legendary, bud, even if she¡¯s a newborn.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a newborn, and I could punch better!¡± Roxie huffed. The Abra kept his composure, watching his movements while keeping his defensive position, continuing to face him. ¡°Strong mind, strong body¡­ Against an opponent that seeks to break one¡¯s concentration, be the stream flowing undisturbed.¡± ¡°Huh? You speak funny,¡± Miky snickered, snapping his jaws and sticking his tongue out, yet, nothing he tried got Jack to get out of form. ¡°Okay! I come to you.¡± Running forward, he opened his mouth, sharp fangs glistening as darkness gathered, and slid under the Abra¡¯s glowing jab, yet, to his surprise, the Pokemon used the momentum to flip into an aerial flip above him, tail lashing out to throw him off balance. Move collapsing as he stumbled, attempting to keep his balance, Miky did a few summersaults to get away, but the Abra retained his position. ¡°Is that all, Miky?¡± Jack asked, closing his eyes. ¡°Your dodging skills are a cut above most of those I¡¯ve fought, and your Trainer¡¯s strategy is on-point, but I¡¯m not quite impressed by your offensive¡­ Another Bulk Up?¡± Miky snickered, completing the Move, and he raced toward the Pokemon. He didn¡¯t need an attack to win; as Lori instructed had instructed prior, he only had to attach himself to the slippery Abra. ¡°Mi thinks your very good! Mi not win if you zippy-zappy teleport everywhere!¡± Completing the third Taunt, Miky could sense Lori¡¯s energy dipping low; it was an unfamiliar Move, and they¡¯d only just recently learned it. Their stalling strategy worked¡ªBarrier dropped¡ªand all the Scratches and Pounds he¡¯d managed to evade were making Jack hesitate. The Pokemon gritted his teeth, spinning to whip him with his tail, which landed squarely in Miky¡¯s jaws; unempowered, he chomped down, not letting loose. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Ugh¡­ Really?¡± Jack growled, starting to lose composure; he scratched at Miky¡¯s face, only to be met by a protective, greenish barrier as he used Protect to solidify his hold, latching onto him¡ªhe wasn¡¯t going to let him go. ¡°Hehehe.¡± The Abra no doubt had many ways of dealing with him¡ªall non-damaging Moves; all blocked by Taunt¡ªand, naturally, there would come the point where his poise would fracture. ¡°Nice!¡± Lori cheered. ¡°It¡¯s over!¡± Barrier dropped, but he¡¯d found his way through it regardless¡ªLori would have run out of energy if he¡¯d used Bite repeatedly when Jack could dodge most¡ªbut if he bided his time and found a sure way to land the Super Effective attacks, they could win. ¡°Your tactics are rather¡­ annoying, Miky,¡± he said, spinning in a circle to shake him off; it was ineffective; Miky was totally focused on biting the living Pinsir out of the Abra, though. Jack¡¯s claws struck out, and he took it to the face and back, bolstered by his +2 Defense; sucking in Lori¡¯s remaining fortitude, Miky¡¯s dark-laced fangs sank into the Abra¡¯s tail, causing a shiver to run up his spine. For all the entire setup, it only took two before Jack¡¯s energy matrix shattered, leaving Miky somewhat stunned when Lori cheered. ¡°We did it! We totally did it! We beat Sabrina!¡± Miky swallowed as a red beam connected to his collapsed opponent, drawing him back¡ªit was too easy¡ªeasier than any of the intense fights he¡¯d seen from his other friends; an overwhelming victory¡ªhim? It didn¡¯t connect, yet the human announcer called it. ¡°Haha. Ladies and Gentlemen, what a show of strategy! As a Dark-Type, Miky is immune to all Psychic Attacks, including Hypnosis! Huh? Is this¡­ Gym Leader Sabrina!¡± the man swiftly introduced, giving the floor to the woman as she rose into the air. Psychic aura enclosing her, Miky¡¯s stomach twisted with uncertainty as she hovered down to him, wearing a thoughtful smile, and her voice filled the stadium, which instantly silenced once she took the stage. ¡°I will say I have not seen such forethought in strategy for over a year, Mallory and Miky; I have looked into your past and seen all the effort the two of you put in to face me, which there is no greater honor a Gym Leader can experience¡­ You did wonderful, Miky. Be proud of your accomplishment here today with your Trainer.¡± Miky¡¯s eyes grew big as the intimidating human landed next to him and patted his head; all he¡¯d been told was how impossibly scary this woman was, yet she had such a soft smile. ¡°You should understand how much your Trainer loves you in devising this win for you. Ordinarily, Jack would have been able to shut down a Dark-Type completely; Foresight, his disciplined martial arts training, and Status Moves, combined with Teleport would easily have seen his victory. ¡°Yet, your Trainer put her everything into giving you a very expensive TM that utterly nullified all those countermeasures. Taunt is often overlooked, not to mention banned in Contests due to it cutting away from the total content and artistry a contestant can display to the world¡­ In strategy and true-to-life combat, it cannot be underestimated.¡± She broke away, rising into the center of the stadium, and tears started welling up in Miky¡¯s eyes as he surveyed the stadium, hearing claps instead of laughter. I¡­ I did it? We won? ¡°You did it, bud,¡± Gables congratulated. ¡°You beat the world¡¯s scariest Psychic Gym Leader!¡± ¡°Woooh! We get to party tonight, too!¡± Roxie cheered. ¡°We get sweets and lots and lots of ice cream!¡± He couldn¡¯t stop the liquid from falling down his face; maybe he wasn¡¯t so powerless, and he just needed to be smarter; like Sabrina said, Lori really did put her all in for him. His teammates were heartbroken that he was determined to go another route, but he couldn¡¯t have asked for a better Trainer to show him what the bigger world was like. Thank you, Lori¡­ I¡¯ll love you forever¡­ * * * Lori breathed a sigh of relief, wanting to melt into a steaming hot spring to relax a little before tonight; Sabrina¡¯s wry smirk drew her attention, though, directing everyone¡¯s questioning look to the ceiling. ¡°How long are you going to be skulking in the shadows, Grandmaster Shauntal?¡± ¡°Lori!¡± Mind blank, she was met by the sudden appearance of her sister¡¯s crushing embrace, materializing from shadows with Minxy, her Frostlass giggling nearby, releasing a chilling mist around them. ¡°Shanny?!¡± ¡°That was so smart! I recorded the whole thing to show the rest of the League!¡± ¡°Uh¡­ You know it¡¯s recorded by the Gym already?¡± she dryly returned, allowing herself to be smothered by her sister¡¯s arms as she pulled her against her chest. ¡°No¡­ Sissina¡­¡± she groaned as her sister¡¯s Cofagrigus exited the shadows from the opposite side to draw them both into her coffin to wrap them in shadowy hands within. This is so embarrassing¡­ she internally groaned to her Pokemon; she was trapped in her sister¡¯s arms inside of a Cofagrigus; how many other girls had their family randomly show up just after a competition to disrupt everything? Still, she hugged her back. ¡°C¡¯mon, Sis, we¡¯re holding up the Gym¡­¡± ¡°No! Sabrina wants to talk to you more,¡± Shauntal protested. ¡°She¡¯ll swap around the schedule, which tells you how amazing you are! Okay, Sissina, I just needed to get my kiss in,¡± she cooed, pecking her on the cheek before pulling away. The Cofagrigus released them from her void-like interior, and her big sister spun away, waving with a wink before fading away with her ghosts. ¡°I¡¯ll see you in the locker room!¡± Doing a quick sweep of the grinning or confused crowd¡ªthe cameras were all focused on her¡ªLori cleared her throat. ¡°Yeah, well, heh, sorry about that.¡± Sabrina shook her head, straight black hair weaving with the motion from her hovering position ahead of her; it certainly wasn¡¯t the reaction she¡¯d expected, but the reasoning soon became clear. ¡°This was your attempt to bypass Bronze-tier to Silver, and I had to see exactly at what level you and your Pokemon could perform at.¡± She shifted a bit to the side as Lori called Miky back to his Poke Ball, releasing him again to listen; she was a bit sore due to the stress of the Master Ball, but it was manageable. ¡°Yeah¡­ We won. I¡¯m sensing a but, though?¡± Sabrina drew her attention to one of the monitors above, showing a replay of the match, reminding Lori that this was being viewed around the world. ¡°Does Miky belong in Silver-tier? As well as he performed¡­ No. It was only due to your extensive forethought and strategy that he managed to beat Jack.¡± Miky nodded his agreement, rubbing his arm and accepting a hug from Terri, who jumped up and down while holding his hands, peppering him with questions about the match. ¡°That being said,¡± Sabrina continued. ¡°I may sound harsh in saying this, but it says a lot about you as a Trainer, Lori, that you were able to take a Pokemon that should be above average in Bronze-tier, and give him the ability to compete in borderline Silver when your last Gym Challenge was such a crushing defeat.¡± A sad tilt came to Lori¡¯s mouth as she picked up Miky, freeing him from the enthralled Legendary, excited about future Gym Battles, no doubt, and hugged him close. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong¡­ I took Misty far too lightly, and I hurt Miky because of it.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. Indeed,¡± Sabrina mused, studying her. ¡°Misty is far more brutal than people seem to believe, given her cute, peppy, tomboy attitude, and she won¡¯t hesitate to show someone where they¡¯re lacking if she sees something. ¡°You did well to learn from it instead of giving up like many others might have. Loss is inevitable to even the greatest of Trainers¡­ Look at Ash, for example,¡± she chuckled, pointing her to the middle stands, right where her team was, and causing the cameras and lights to fixate on the group, wearing forced smiles. ¡°To be honest, your battle against Misty and then me mirrors his battle against Saffron Gym when he went for his Bronze Encrusted Badge; isn¡¯t that right?¡± It clicked in Lori¡¯s mind why she was taking time out of the Gym¡¯s set schedule to deliver this show; Sabrina was using her to inspire others. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter if you¡¯re a Legendary-tier Trainer or a Bronze-tier; failure is inevitable, even for a psychic prodigy like me¡­ I have many failures I must contend with, and that is the key that has unlocked your path into Silver-tier, Mallory. ¡°You faced your failure and overcame it rather than blaming others, or even yourself, to an extent. No one can progress while doubting themselves; what do you have to say after your victory?¡± Not having anything planned, Lori spoke from the heart, bringing her little Kubfu into her other arm. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have done it alone,¡± she said, trying not to choke up. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have without my team, family, and friends¡­ My Pokemon are always supportive¡­ Heh. You should see the texts I got before coming. I¡¯d like to say it was my victory, but the list of people attached to that is way, way too long! Thank you, everyone¡­ I couldn¡¯t have done it without you.¡± Sabrina clapped, and, a little surprised, she saw a glint near her, and Miky reached out to snatch it out of the air, studying the Silver Encrusted Marsh Badge; the golden sheen with its two concentric golden circles gleamed with the silver ring around its edges. ¡°We¡­ passed?¡± ¡°You did,¡± Sabrina smiled, motioning for her to the locker rooms. ¡°Your teammates must go through their own examination, but you have shown yourself capable of competing at the Silver-tier. ¡°Plan carefully, as you did today because out of the ten Moves Jack knew¡ªand yes, he did know Confusion from birth¡ªyour strategy locked out eight of them, leaving him with Pound and Scratch; I believe he¡¯ll evolve later today due to this very match, and it will be one he is not soon to forget. Do not put all your eggs in luck, Lori.¡± Knowing it was a call back to her fight against Misty, Lori nodded, and her legs suddenly felt weak. ¡°Thank you, Gym Leader Sabrina¡­ I won¡¯t take future Gym Leaders lightly.¡± Turning to leave, Lori¡¯s heart pounded in her ears from the standing ovation that she got on her exit; it wasn¡¯t due to the flashiness of her match, but the accomplishment of impressing Sabrina due to her tactics. Taunt had stopped Teleport, Confuse Ray, Flash, Reflect, and Foresight, while Confusion and Hypnosis were nullified due to the Dark-Type; in essence, she¡¯d turned it back to a newborn fight. It wasn¡¯t something she could often do¡ªshe couldn¡¯t make saves by making that much money gambling¡ªbut, in this case, she¡¯d proven to Miky¡ªand to herself¡ªthat they weren¡¯t useless. Amira was her inspiration when it came to research, and Rhea, her golden bundle of hope. We got our first Silver Badge! B2 — 51. Parting Ways 10:19 a.m. July 20th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event) Events: Rhea and the girls have decided to push toward Silver-tier instead of the Bronze Bracket they¡¯re on. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June¡ªshe¡¯s been a Trainer for 41 Days (40 officially; 41 since getting Maya and Nova). Lori¡¯s first Silver-tier Gym victory, even if it is a bittersweet moment in her life! Exiting the stadium to claps and highlights of Miky¡¯s battle against the borderline Silver-tier Abra, Mallory held Terri in her left arm and her stunned Impidimp in her right. Lori had to brush off the crushing reality that compressed her heart after their victory, which marked the end of her bond with Miky. A blue-haired boy passed her on his way to battle the legendary rookie crusher, looking somewhat hopeful while saying something to her; she wasn¡¯t listening, offering the best encouraging smile she could muster. All the emotions she¡¯d suppressed rising to the surface. She tried to salvage what she could with Miky, and the hard part was that he acknowledged her efforts, yet it didn¡¯t mean she could repair what had already been broken. Now, she was left rearranging her heart and mind, trying to determine how she should act, and there was the problem¡ªshe had always known what mask to wear¡ªshe wasn¡¯t sure now. Lori could tell Miky that she was happy he was moving on to other things¡ªshe wasn¡¯t¡ªbut she could tell him that, and he wouldn¡¯t even know it was a lie since he¡¯d drifted away from her soul; the thought hurt, and the next few minutes went by like a blur. Shauntal stood inside the locker room, surrounded by young and old Silver-tier Trainers, attempting to gain any bit of advice possible from the Unovan Elite-4 member, totally oblivious to how stuck Lori was in her skin. Roxie snuggled next to her spirit, offering what support she could, and Gables left his Poke Ball now that the battle was over, spending time with Miky while giving Lori a chance to catch her breath after everything sunk in. We won¡­ but it doesn¡¯t make it easier¡­ When will it get easier? Releasing the tension in her chest with a slow sigh, Lori wasn¡¯t exactly sure when they left the locker room. Shauntal took the brunt of the throng, answering questions before using one of her many ghost tricks to allow them to slip away. Now in the nearly empty hallway, everyone watching the next match, she rubbed her shoulders as chills came on. Miky was ahead of her with Terri and Gables, recreating the battle with the Froakie; he was asking the Impidimp what he thought of the overwhelming win¡ªLori couldn¡¯t even begin to decipher Miky¡¯s answers, to her sorrow. ¡°Sinking in?¡± Shauntal whispered, bumping their hips to snap her out of her melancholy thoughts. Lori forced a smile, knowing Amira, Rhea, and Ash would be joining them soon, most likely. ¡°Tell me it gets easier¡­¡± ¡°Mmh¡­ Sure, in time, but any bond that failed to solidify will generally have that same effect on one party,¡± her sister said, finding her fingers to squeeze them. ¡°Casey¡¯s going to be here tonight, right?¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± was all she could reply, mind oddly blank yet heart filled with questions. If she¡¯d done something differently, would she have been able to repair what she¡¯d broken? If only she¡¯d treated Miky better. Was this for the best? Should she try to push harder? Was Miky thinking about it, as well? Did he want her to ask him to stay? Was she being selfish? Could she be selfish? She didn¡¯t know what she could lose, and it was killing her to know it was her fault, and this win didn¡¯t wipe away Miky¡¯s little broken heart that she¡¯d shattered. Filled with regret, she used her free hand to twist around Miky¡¯s Master Ball, watching him laugh and play with Gables and Terri. The memories they¡¯d shared were breaking her in two, and it felt like she was being cast away; why couldn¡¯t he see that, or could he? What about the Plasma incident they shared? What about the time they¡¯d spent together over the past month? They hadn¡¯t been apart since meeting, yet now he was leaving her to pick up the pieces. She was being selfish. Maybe that was okay; maybe it wasn¡¯t. Still, she knew he would be happier on a different path than the one Roxie, Gables, Terri, and she was on. He didn¡¯t want to hurt her, even if the pain in her chest told her to find someone to blame. She had to internalize that it was over, and ignoring it wasn¡¯t going to help this black hole inside of her. ¡°What do I do with his Poke Ball?¡± Lori mumbled, feeling powerless and lost as her sister guided her through the halls. Shauntal pressed her shoulder against hers. ¡°Do you want to do this now?¡± ¡°I promised him,¡± she numbly said, looking at him several meters ahead of them, trying to keep up with Terri as she used the wall to do flips and tricks for some reason; it was painful, not knowing what they were doing. ¡°Melanie will be here to pick him up around six.¡± Her sister was silent for a moment, gauging what to say next, no doubt. ¡°Christie is here, and Poke Balls can¡¯t be reused; she is licensed to handle Master Balls, so she can handle the deactivation process. I think Miky would like to spend a bit more time with his friends and live out this high while he can, though.¡± Lori¡¯s pace slowed as her sister¡¯s words sank in, and Roxie nuzzled her spirit in agreement. Trying to keep the heat from rising up her face, her focus went to the smooth, polished floor; she didn¡¯t like the way this story had been written, and all her mistakes replayed on repeat in her mind, searching for the missing pieces to fix everything. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I¡¯m letting my own emotions ruin it for everyone,¡± she swallowed, streaming out the air trapped in her lungs. ¡°I know he doesn¡¯t hate me or everyone else¡­¡± ¡°It hurts. I know,¡± Shauntal soothed, pulling her closer into a hug. ¡°I know you want it to be over, and don¡¯t, and it¡¯s all confusing.¡± ¡°So confusing,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Can we change the ending of this story? You¡¯re the writer.¡± ¡°Hehe. I wish it were that simple, Lori. It¡¯s just a part of learning life¡ªpeople and Pokemon¡ªare complicated. You think you¡¯ve prepared yourself, but it always comes in waves. Look at Miky¡­¡± Lori followed her prompt, seeing the grin on his face as he ran after Terri; he looked so free, experiencing none of the weight compressing Lori¡¯s heart, and her sister squeezed her shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re too trapped blaming yourself, Little Sis. Miky never did want to be a champion; he wanted to have fun with friends, and you gave him that. You showed him the world and how big it is. He may not remain your Pokemon, but he will always be your friend, thankful for what you¡¯ve given him.¡± A small smile lifted her cheeks, spotting Amira, Rhea, Ash, Christie, and Lyra turning the corner. ¡°It¡¯s perspective, huh? Thanks, Shanny,¡± she whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve always been a bit of a blockhead.¡± ¡°We¡¯re all vulnerable in our own way,¡± her sister reassured. ¡°I know it¡¯s hard when you let someone inside that walled heart of yours, and even harder to forgive yourself. For what it¡¯s worth, Miky¡¯s forgiven you¡ªso you don¡¯t have to pull away, even if it hurts to remain close. Love hurts sometimes.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ It¡¯ll be okay.¡± Letting the reality sink in, Lori greeted her team, noticing all of their Pokemon congratulating an embarrassed Miky on his win, and the negative feelings melted away. Speaking to Roxie, if anything, to get it off her chest, she whispered, I¡¯m really going to miss him. Her Rockruff¡¯s tiny arms enclosed her spirit, pulling her into a hug no one but Gables could see as she whipped away a tear, knowing Miky did truly enjoy their time together. Rhea¡¯s beaming face drew Lori out of the pit she¡¯d sunk into; the blonde couldn¡¯t stop talking about how she and Miky were amazing, and she could see how much it meant to her Impidimp when the girl¡¯s powerful Pokemon congratulated him on all the hard work she¡¯d put in had paid off. Lyra swept them away to a restaurant to celebrate¡ªice cream for the Pokemon, food for the humans¡ªnot that Lori could get into the mood. It was all a whirlwind to Lori as she studied Miky¡¯s reactions. It was becoming easier to accept, and she had to take pictures to remember the day, especially when Miky pinned his Silver-Encrusted badge on the red ribbon around his neck. She caught him eyeing himself in the windows they passed as they walked the city, likely to reassure himself it wasn¡¯t a dream that he¡¯d won such a big competition. The more Lori watched him, the more she became convinced the decision to part was right, and Lyra shared several stories about her own experience that solidified the feeling. We¡¯re advancing too fast, she told Gables and Roxie as they browsed a store; Amira and Rhea¡¯s Pokemon wanted to get their own gifts to the Impidimp, who didn¡¯t want to cause trouble, but they insisted. Holding a sleeping Terri in her arms and brushing off the many questions or glances she got from possessing a Legendary, she noticed a few differences and challenges between the reactions their group was getting. Rhea¡¯s Cosmog acted like a repellant; most people were terrified of the possibility that she would open an Ultra Wormhole and cause chaos to unfold around them. Yet, the Pokemon was totally oblivious to the cold shoulder of the Pokemon around the city, playing with her team, and Nova seemed to take on the bulk of the babysitting responsibilities as the Nebula Pokemon rode the Eevee around. Amira¡¯s Mythical Pokemon was the opposite, drawing packs of people to fawn over the gorgeous, uniquely red-haired Aria Forme Meloetta¡ªcomments about the pair being gorgeous twins were thrown around¡ªand everyone wanted a picture with the elegant Rocket girl, which was totally not something the girl was used to, yet she handled it like a natural celebrity. Of course, Lyra¡¯s massive, cute Pokemon drew a lot of attention away from her daughter, as well, which was likely calculated. The mother seemed to know just when she needed to draw people away so her daughter wouldn¡¯t be overwhelmed. Terri was a hit among the healthy martial arts community of Saffron, and several almost looked like they would burst into tears upon learning her name, showing Saffron Dojo¡¯s Master had left a big impact on the city before her coma. It had been her passion to bring the dojo and martial arts back into the limelight after psychic schools popped up everywhere around the city. She¡¯d succeeded in keeping the spirit of the school alive through her short, but powerful legacy. Rhea made a few odd expressions whenever Terri¡¯s name came up, yet Lori didn¡¯t push the observation. Overall, between all the interactions they had throughout the hours, the truth of what Miky really felt began to solidify, and she couldn¡¯t believe she¡¯d been so blind to it before. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. Christie obviously has an agenda when it came to her daughter¡ªan understandable one, given what the blonde shared with them about her parents¡¯ past¡ªand it revolved around making her daughter the strongest Trainer in the world to spare her from the nightmarish trauma her mother had lived through. Lori could empathize with the emotion; she felt powerless when it came to the burn on her back, and Christie had worked her entire life to make sure her daughter wouldn¡¯t feel that same helplessness she¡¯d felt when she had been a prisoner of Rainbow Rocket. Christie had minimized the chance that Rhea could feel betrayal by keeping her in a little bubble, surrounded by a very few select kids that were involved in the Master¡¯s community. At the same time, while Lori understood the reasons for it, she also couldn¡¯t have forgiven her parents if they¡¯d done the same to her. Then again, she¡¯d been given a healthy degree of freedom to figure things out for herself growing up. It still made Lori somewhat jealous about how caring, selfless, and bright her golden-locked teammate could be. Rhea was always trying to support everyone else, which was her real superpower¡ªand her weakness; Lori wanted to protect her from herself at times when so many people swarmed her, and she never turned them away. It made Lori wonder how her teammates would handle the situation she was in. Would they have as much trouble as her? No, they¡¯d never be in her situation. Maybe that wasn¡¯t true, but she told herself that nonetheless. Sitting on a park bench with her sister, she watched their Pokemon play as they took a short break to cool off after all the attention they got while in the heart of the city; Zelri, Lyra¡¯s Porygon-Z, could manipulate light in a way that made it challenging to focus on them, giving them relief. When it came down to it, Miky saw exactly what Lori saw, but Lori hadn¡¯t connected it to how her Pokemon felt, which was yet another mistake on her part. She¡¯d seen Amira and Rhea¡¯s rapid progress like a shining star; naturally, her own Pokemon would see the same with their own teammates. Terri was asleep in her lap, having used up all her energy throughout the morning; she didn¡¯t appear to have the most endurance yet, showing she was still growing, and her focus went to Roxie as she broke away to join her, letting Holly and Alice have their time with Miky. ¡°Huu-haaa.¡± ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Shauntal asked, drawing her attention as her Rockruff jumped up to let her sister pet her, with Gables settling next to her spirit. Lori followed Nova and Lulu with her eyes as Rhea threw the ball for them to chase. ¡°I¡¯m an idiot.¡± ¡°At least you¡¯re self-aware,¡± her sister snickered, nudging her thigh. ¡°C¡¯mon, be specific.¡± ¡°Ouch. Hehe,¡± Lori smirked, shooting a light glare at her grinning big sister. ¡°Rhea and her Aura training. Amira, with that insane brain of hers¡­ Their Pokemon just keep growing stronger, and what did I do? I had Miky out all the time, trying to catch up when all he saw was himself holding Roxie and Gables back. Do you feel like you can¡¯t keep up, Gables?¡± Her Froakie crossed his arms inside his Poke Ball, showing her that he was taking her question seriously, and Roxie yawned on her sister¡¯s lap, telling her that she didn¡¯t feel inferior; of course, she was genetically bred and engineered to be powerful, which was part of the problem in their team balance that she was coming to realize. Gables gave her an answer that surprised her, though, looking at Rhea; it took a few minutes of silence to interpret his answer properly, yet his emotions fed through in a way she hadn¡¯t considered. ¡°Figure it out?¡± Shauntal asked. ¡°Want to share with the class?¡± ¡°Heh¡­ Mukin¡¯ Rhea,¡± Lori sighed, rubbing her tight neck. ¡°Gables is telling me it doesn¡¯t matter because Rhea¡¯s Aura is designed to support all of her friends, as she told us, so¡­ it¡¯s stupid worrying about things when all we need to do is believe in our friends.¡± ¡°A wise starter you have,¡± her sister whispered, rubbing the shiny blue Pokemon¡¯s head. ¡°Do you remember chasing me out of your room whenever I¡¯d stay too long, and you told me I couldn¡¯t focus on writing while worrying about you?¡± ¡°It was true,¡± Lori grunted. ¡°It wasn¡¯t like you hanging out around me all the time, worrying I¡¯d burst into flames was doing any of us good¡­¡± ¡°See? Hehe. You can¡¯t let people worry about you because it makes you feel guilty. Tell me I¡¯m wrong.¡± ¡°Meh. I mean, sure,¡± she said, shifting uncomfortably. ¡°All I remember growing up is Mom and Dad spending so much time and resources trying to fix me. It¡¯s not fun feeling like a¡­ Oh¡­ Gah! How many things am I missing lately,¡± she grumbled, looking at Roxie. Shauntal let go of a long stream of air. ¡°Obviously, my point.¡± ¡°Which is?¡± ¡°Miky isn¡¯t confident in himself, which festered until it reached a breaking point. Trust in yourself, Lori; look what you were able to accomplish when you put your mind to it. Even Caitlin and Sabrina were impressed by the strategy you came up with.¡± Lori shrugged. ¡°Sure, it only cost me 30,000 credits to execute¡ªon a steal. I can¡¯t do that every time. Amira wins all her battles without resorting to the pay-to-win approach of buying the TM she needs to make it easier. I¡¯m just taking another shortcut,¡± she mumbled, rubbing her arm. ¡°Victory is victory, Lori,¡± her sister returned. ¡°There¡¯s nothing wrong with using everything at your disposal to make the battle easier, or securing a win before the match begins, which is what Sabrina tries to teach those that face her Gym. ¡°You have to go into a seemingly impossible match and find a way to win. You did it. I don¡¯t see Rhea and Amira jumping to face Sabrina. Yet, you did, and you heard Sabrina¡¯s comments at the end. You are Silver-tier. Take pride in that, Little Sis¡­ because I¡¯m proud of you.¡± ¡°Aww. Thanks, Shanny.¡± She leaned over to hug her, feeling a bit better. ¡°What am I going to do in the future, though? I don¡¯t want to make Pokemon lose their confidence like with Miky¡ªeven if unintentional¡ªwe¡¯re on track to advance to Gold-tier. It doesn¡¯t help my team if I¡¯m down one Pokemon.¡± ¡°I might be able to help with that¡ªsorry, I couldn¡¯t help but overhear.¡± Lori turned to see Christie approach, possibly having read their Aura or had some other means of knowing what they were talking about, she guessed; the woman had likely been looking for the right time to bring up the topic after learning about Miky¡¯s departure. To Lori, it was logical; it was another opportunity to strengthen her daughter¡¯s overall team. The blonde woman cleared her throat, displaying a forced smile. ¡°I don¡¯t want to seem insensitive when Miky hasn¡¯t left yet, but it would be quite challenging for your average Pokemon to keep up with your growth, even with my daughter¡¯s Aura ability, as Amira is learning.¡± Gaze going to the redhead, who was currently arguing with her mother about not using teleport to grab them snacks, Lori¡¯s fingers tightened against her thighs, focus falling to the sleeping Legendary in her lap. The comment reminded her that Amira was going through her own struggles. ¡°I¡¯m guessing you want to bring the topic up later tonight with Amira and Rhea, which is another reason why you stopped by to observe how much progress we were making.¡± ¡°You really are quite observant, dear,¡± Christie chuckled. ¡°Yes. I generally have many reasons for the things I do, which can appear callous at times. I have many Pokemon that want nothing more than to find a home that you can provide, and I¡¯m not trying to say as a replacement for Miky¡­¡± ¡°I understand,¡± Lori sighed, scratching above her left ear. ¡°Maybe not tonight¡­ Can we talk about it in a few days? I am thankful for the help you¡¯re offering, and it does make sense. It¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Christie whispered, looking at her daughter. ¡°Rhea¡¯s been growing into such an amazing young woman with you two as examples. I¡¯m grateful that you two ended up as her travel companions; it¡¯s been a huge relief to see her fitting in¡­ I was worried I ruined her chances of making new friends by being too overprotective.¡± ¡°Hehe. Rhea¡¯s too good for me, to be honest,¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°She¡¯s always harping on me about being kinder to myself¡­ I should be thanking her for the total support she gives us, and she never asks for anything in return.¡± Her sister pinched her leg. ¡°Ack! Shanny?!¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. Of course, she asks for something in return, silly,¡± her said, leaning into her. ¡°She asks you to be her friend¡ªto trust her¡ªas she trusts you. For being so observant, you¡¯re really quite dense sometimes, Lori. You know, her biggest fear is probably hurting her friends, pushing them away because of her Aura powers. So, what is she doing?¡± It clicked in Mallory¡¯s mind. ¡°Why she¡¯s been pushing herself so hard to learn from Ash¡­ She doesn¡¯t want to hurt us.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Rhea,¡± Christie sighed, arms tightening under her chest. ¡°It¡¯s my fault in the end¡­ and she has to pick up the pieces, yet she never complains. I don¡¯t deserve such an understanding and caring daughter.¡± Shauntal¡¯s cheery voice fell a few octaves, drawing Lori¡¯s gaze. ¡°You can play the game of life, but you can¡¯t make the rules¡­ It¡¯s cruel. If the world¡¯s a stage, then we all play the fool. It¡¯s so¡­ cruel. All we can do is play our turn and hope we make the right moves. Gravity hurts, and things fall apart, yet we must make choices nonetheless or be trapped in ruin.¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Writing aloud again, Big Sis? Hehe. It¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve heard you monologue your thoughts like that.¡± A sheepish smile lifted her sister¡¯s gloomy expression. ¡°Hehe. Oops. My bad! Well, I should get back to the dojo to write a¡ª¡± ¡°No, you don¡¯t!¡± Lori growled, latching onto her arm and making Terri stir. ¡°We¡¯re all going dancing after dinner! Also, I¡¯m going to shock Cass by taking us to an Alolan-themed club.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Her sister¡¯s eyes lit up unexpectedly. ¡°Cynthia taught me a few of those dances the last time I stayed at her villa; I didn¡¯t think you were into the slower vibes.¡± ¡°Eh-heh, yeah¡­ I may have been introduced to it a week or two ago. Wait, is that what you guys do in Undella Town during those secret retreats to Cynthia¡¯s place?¡± Shauntal shrugged. ¡°She generally enjoys business and vacations to be handled together, so when she¡¯s over for League stuff, Caitlin, Elenora, Iris, Elesa, Skyla, Roxie, and I can stop by, and, heh¡­ it¡¯s a really nice seaside estate she lets us use rent-free, so long as we keep it clean.¡± Christie forced a laugh. ¡°Yes, my sister mainly opened it up to the girls of the Unova League and Gyms so she wouldn¡¯t have to upkeep it or hire people to handle maintenance.¡± ¡°It¡¯s smart!¡± Shauntal noted. ¡°I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll use it when you head back home since Rhea will probably have a key. We can have a little party and invite everyone¡ªElise can DJ.¡± ¡°Right¡­ Well, not changing the subject, but you¡¯re not getting away from tonight¡¯s clubbing!¡± ¡°Haha. Fine! Fine! I just enjoy more private retreats than crowded clubs,¡± her sister mumbled, rubbing her arm uncomfortably, which wasn¡¯t usual for the Unova Elite-4 member. ¡°Wait, is that¡­¡± Lori¡¯s gut tightened as she saw a blue-haired woman in a summer dress stop to talk to Lyra. ¡°Melanie¡­ She¡¯s a bit early; it¡¯s only 4:40¡­ How¡¯d she even know where we were?¡± A confused crease came to Christie¡¯s brow. ¡°I thought Rhea told you she had to push up the time due to some business with the harvest?¡± Mind going blank, Lori shook her head. ¡°Maybe she did¡­ I¡¯ve been in a bit of a daze today. So, this is it?¡± Her legs felt weak as she got up, not prepared to let go, but knowing she¡¯d probably never be. Terri climbed up on her shoulder as she rose, and her sister found her hand. ¡°You good?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­ but it¡¯s his decision.¡± Christie kept silent, following them over to the group as everyone huddled around Miky. He was hugging himself, looking at all of his friends, saying their goodbyes, and Roxie returned to allow Gables the chance to hug him one last time, saying he was going to miss his prankster buddy. Lori got on her knees to pick up the sniffling Impidimp, hugging him tightly; she didn¡¯t want to let him go. ¡°I¡¯m going to miss you, Miky¡­ I¡¯ll visit when I can. I promise.¡± ¡°Imp-Imp¡­ Impidimp,¡± he returned, doing his best to hug her while held against her chest. ¡°Impidipmp¡­ Imp-Imp.¡± ¡°I know it¡¯s been a journey this last month and a bit, bud. I know you¡¯ll have a lot of fun figuring out what you want to do back home, too, and I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll all want to hear about your¡­ your journey,¡± she choked, coughing a little. ¡°You¡¯ll always have a place in our hearts.¡± ¡°Impidimp¡­¡± ¡°I love you too, bud¡­ I love you too¡­¡± Letting him go with a bit of effort, she let Melanie pick him up, and Christie took the Master Ball Lori hesitantly offered; opening it up, she performed some kind of action inside of it before going to Miky and asking him to leave his home, which the Impidimp paused in, taking one last look at Lori. ¡°It¡¯s okay¡­ I want you to be happy, Miky.¡± Miky sniffed back his tears and gave her a thankful nod, holding his hand against the flashing red indicator of the Master Ball, and the light faded with his connection to her soul as the bond between them dissolved into pieces. Trying not to let the hurt show on her face, she waved him off with a teary smile, but her legs wouldn¡¯t support her once they were out of sight; Miky was gone. She cried for a time, held by her sister and Pokemon before Casey showed up with her team. Lori didn¡¯t have an appetite, but she forced herself to eat a little. Her silver-haired sister was thrown off her game when it came to the Alolan-themed club, which helped a bit, being the teacher. The slower pace was different than the frenzied Unovan dances she was accustomed to, but it helped to ease her throbbing heart, and, sometime past midnight, Lyra brought them back to the dojo. Tears came to her eyes again as she laid down to sleep, rubbing her side, where Miky would usually rest at night. I hope you do find what you¡¯re looking for, Miky¡­ They¡¯d spend another two days in Saffron before heading to Lavender City, and Lori wasn¡¯t sure what to think about Christie¡¯s coming speech about providing them Pokemon to match their growth; she still had to think about it. Settling into bed with Roxie and Gables snuggling against her, Lori¡¯s emotionally spent mind drifted into oblivion; she¡¯d made it to Silver-tier, but the path to get there had been more than she bargained for, and now she had a lot of training to do to prepare her two Pokemon for the challenges to come. ------------------------ The End of Volume 2! Now, it''s time for Silver-tier, Baby! B3 — 1. An Impish New Teammate 9:14 a.m. July 21st, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 42. A soft groan rumbled in Rhea¡¯s throat as she shifted underneath her covers, her foggy mind rising out of the sleep-induced veil that obscured it; the night before had been filled with so much chaos she still felt in somewhat of a daze. Lori had taken them to an Alolan-themed club to dance the night away, and between Casey and her purple-haired teammate, she hadn¡¯t sat for hours. She wasn¡¯t quite sure what time they came back¡ªlate, for sure¡ªsince Lyra transported them back. It had all been a bit overwhelming to her since she still wasn¡¯t accustomed to being around such a loud and packed area; the energy and Auras assaulted her on all sides, pulling her into a swirl of madness that Ash helped her through. The ¡®Legendary Loser,¡¯ as Blue called him, had used the opportunity to further break through barriers involving her own defensive measures when flooded by the sensations invisible to more than 99% of the world¡¯s population. Her current issue wasn¡¯t sensing Aura, but filtering it out whenever opening herself up to it. Puffing out a long stream of air, Rhea stared at the ceiling, not wanting to move; another problem she was beginning to experience was over-Aura stimulation. The stress of accessing her Spiritual Allocation so often, especially in this manner and when still quite young, was taking a toll on her physical and mental faculties as they weren¡¯t isolated from each other, as Ash explained. Rhea instinctively knew Amira would be up¡ªshe was always the first one up¡ªand she expected Lori would sleep in as long as possible after breaking into tears just before bed; Casey and Shauntal held her until she¡¯d passed out. At some point, Rhea had done the same; last night was all a blur after the club. She smiled when Nova and Lulu cuddled next to each other, monopolizing both her legs under the blankets, and she could feel her Eevee¡¯s wet nose pressed against her calf. Alice took her usual spot on her chest, pinning her down, yet her warm¡ªa little too warm¡ªears had found their way around her neck, acting as a scarf. The far too energetic Buneary was having a blast being out all the time, not being stuck to roll around in circles around her Poke Ball. Of course, when she crashed, she was out like a log¡ª¡®play hard; sleep hard¡¯ seemed to be her philosophy. As for her right side, Mya¡¯s warm, squishy metallic body was pressed against her, second head lying above her pillow; the Mawile was engaging more with Alice in a positive way to help Lulu fit into the group. Returning her gaze upwards, Rhea saw the morning sheens of light illuminate her mother¡¯s blonde locks beside her; they had two blankets over them since her mom tended to steal one in her sleep through the night, and she¡¯d done it again, bundled up like a Cofagrigus. Contenting herself, knowing she wouldn¡¯t be getting up any time soon, Rhea smiled and closed her eyes; she wanted to practice her Aura, but Ash had told her to let her Fortitude rest for a few days. Instead, she listened to the soft sounds of breathing throughout the room, trying to identify who was still asleep by their positions. Casey¡¯s teammates had been just as emotionally spent as she was by the end of the night, and Rhea was a little surprised to learn that Ellie¡ªKabu¡¯s granddaughter¡ªhad trouble with compact places like clubs. Rhea couldn¡¯t hear her or her Charmander to the left, but she did seem like the type to get up early, like Amira. On the other hand, Inoa was breathing a bit heavily across the room, likely cuddled up to her Galarian Meowth or Cyndaquil; she didn¡¯t have one empathic episode the previous night, which was a huge deal for the girl. She called Olivia¡ªher mother¡ªto tell her the exciting news just before bed. Rhea couldn¡¯t hear Shauntal, but she was practically a ghost¡ªfiguratively and literally¡ªseemingly capable of vanishing at any given moment; Rhea wasn¡¯t entirely sure it was her Pokemon spiriting her away, either. Naturally, if Amira was gone, so was her mother; she figured the pair were probably up having breakfast or chatting, and Ellie was likely with them. Casey and Mallory were definitely still sleeping in each other¡¯s arms. Reflecting on all the chaos that had taken place over the past month and a half, Rhea had to appreciate how close she¡¯d become to her new friends; as it turned out, she may be a little odd and have a few problems, but she didn¡¯t hold a monopoly on issues. They could support each other when those vulnerable moments came up. Lori showed them they could push into Silver-tier, even if it had been a bitter-sweet process, and now they had to move forward. Rhea didn¡¯t have time to concern herself with her friends falling behind with her ability, yet she did have to manage it right, which was why Ash was there to help guide her. Head tilting to the side, she opened her eyes to study her sleeping Mawile, unable to lower her chin to look at her Buneary; her Pokemon felt like a true part of her soul now and being able to feel them, even from half a region away¡ªsuch as when Nova went on her mother-daughter date¡ªwas such an amazing sensation. She was never truly alone. Everything everyone told me about being bonded is an understatement¡­ It really is life-altering. Her mind drifted into a strange thought, pulling her thoughts into a weird place. Not everyone can bond with Pokemon¡­ There has to be a way for everyone to enjoy it. Is that another one of Mom¡¯s reasons for all the research? Her mouth tightened upon shifting the opposite way to watch her mother sleep. No¡­ Mom¡¯s only goal since I was born has been 100% on me¡­ partially out of guilt. Oh, mom, what am I going to do with you? All I can do is get stronger, but if I do that¡­ will she start to question if she¡¯s even needed anymore? Shifting a tad to give her mom a peck on the forehead, she smiled as all her Pokemon gripped her tighter as if saying ¡®settle down; we¡¯re still using you as a pillow!¡¯ You¡¯ll always be needed, she thought, blowing a little morning breath at her mom and silently giggling as she got a crease from her mother¡¯s nose. Hang in there, Mom. I¡¯ll show you you¡¯re worth saving, and I know I¡¯m not alone. Leaning back, her expression fell, pondering something that had been on her mind over the last week from time to time. We need to tell Sabin about the whole Rainbow Rocket problem. When, though? I guess I¡¯ll have to bring it up with Mom. Rhea lay sandwiched between her Pokemon and mother, deep in thought for another thirty minutes until her occasional shift roused Lulu; her Cosmog brought the chaos by sleep-teleporting onto Sora¡¯s face, and she must have been dreaming about Alice because her puffy arms were swinging, pattering the blindsided Buneary¡¯s cheeks. Alice¡¯s hair stiffened as she shot straight into the air, eyes flying open; all of a sudden, she was cartwheeling against the wall, breathing heavily the moment her ears touched the ground, using her mom as a springboard. Without her snuggle buddy, Nova¡¯s paws tightened around Rhea¡¯s calf, groggily rousing from the chain reaction of noises sounding off from Lulu¡¯s harmless punches. Mya¡¯s steel-like head flipped over the opposite way at Alice¡¯s hiss, causing a rumble in the floorboards as she struggled up, thinking they were under attack, and everyone else began to stir. Rhea sat up with a short giggle, bringing Lulu to her lap to pat her cloud-like head as she yawned, pink eyes cracking open. ¡°Hehe. Morning, guys.¡± ¡°Bun-Buneary! Bun-bun!¡± she cried, chest pumping as if she¡¯d run thirty laps, looking for what had awoken her. ¡°Bun?¡± ¡°Mawile¡­ Maw¡­¡± ¡°Pew-pew? Pew¡­¡± ¡°Buneary!¡± ¡°Pew-pew¡­¡± Nova¡¯s ears poked out of the blanket, a happy chirp in her voice while moving to nuzzle Lulu, totally oblivious to the chaos she¡¯d caused, enjoying the attention. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Alice bouncing off the walls?¡± her mom asked, shifting her night braid; it would be wavy when she undid it, which looked nice on her. ¡°Maybe a bit too much sugar?¡± ¡°Buneary¡­¡± ¡°No,¡± Rhea chuckled, seeing Alice¡¯s slight pout. ¡°Blame yourself, Alice; all the stuff you¡¯ve been doing with Lulu has her training in her sleep. Aww, I love you, too,¡± she whispered as the Nebula Pokemon rubbed against her cheek. ¡°You guys ready for the morning?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Lori grumbled, pulling her blanket over her head as the others in the room struggled to get up. ¡°Give me another two hours.¡± ¡°Ditto,¡± Casey groaned. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t have snuck some of those drinks for us¡­¡± Rhea blinked. ¡°Wait, what drinks?¡± ¡°Heh. Nothing,¡± Casey mumbled. ¡°Mmgm. Shanty¡¯s gone? Figures¡­¡± ¡°Let her do her creepy stalking stuff; we¡¯ll be around later,¡± Lori replied, opening the blanket up for Casey to join her under it to escape the light. ¡°Life sucks¡­¡± Figuring she was just speaking in general to release stress, Rhea got up to arch her back, feeling the burn; Inoa¡¯s black hair was a bit of a mess as she rose, yawning and showing a bit of drool on her chin that she quickly wiped away. ¡°Where did Ellie go?¡± she asked with her Alolan accent thick in her morning grogginess. ¡°Probably up with Amira and Lyra. Want to get ready and head out for some breakfast?¡± The dark-skinned girl¡¯s face brightened. ¡°I¡¯d love that, Rhea. Is your mom joining us?¡± Rhea shot an accusatory smirk in her mother¡¯s direction, taking a note from everyone else that had pestered her all her life. ¡°How else am I supposed to know she¡¯s feeding herself?¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯d enjoy having a morning coffee and muffin¡­ or two.¡± ¡°Sounds good! Catch you later today, Cass, Lori.¡± ¡°Coffee¡­¡± ¡°Lots of sugar and shots¡ªall the shots.¡± The two girls groaned in response underneath the blanket. Cleaning up their futons and night supplies with Ellie, her mother, and her Pokemon, Rhea picked up her dress¡ªusing the skirt portion today¡ªand threw them on to head to the bathroom; it was a good thing they¡¯d done some shopping for her mom since she¡¯d be staying for a day or two. Rhea brought her phone into the shower, overseeing her Pokemon clean each other and giving pointers while letting the lukewarm water ease her muscles; she caught up on all the messages she¡¯d let slide for a while replying to a few¡ªthe holographic screen had to be out of the direct spray. 10:24 p.m. - Dad: Morning (because I know you¡¯ll probably space everything with what your mom texted me)! How is your mom, by the way? She sounded much better than normal, but you can never tell with her. Anyway, throw me a text when you get a chance. 11:45 p.m. - Jason: We got delayed on the way to Fuchsia due to boat troubles. We fought the Kanto Bronze Rank 60 team¡­ They trounced us! Haha. Yeah, Len and Lucian are PISSED about it. We could have totally worked better as a team, though. On another note, did you know Lucian follows Amira¡¯s fan club page? He has some heated debates with this one user that runs the page called Red Hot Tamales; she¡¯s a super-fan of Amira¡¯s, so that goes well. Haha! Congrats on the first Silver-tier Badge! Len and Lucian are totally pushing to go beyond Bronze to compete. I think it may have to do with Amira, and, surprisingly, Lori for Len¡­ Lucian does NOT want her to beat him to Silver-tier. Don¡¯t know how we¡¯re going to do it, but it¡¯s why we¡¯re heading to Fuchsia. Wish us luck! This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. 11:48 p.m. - Jason: By the way, saw Sabin a minute ago¡­ Yeah, he flew to the boat! I think he¡¯s doing some intense training with my sister. She sends me a lot of crying emojis lately. Know what that¡¯s about? Rhea could take an educated guess that he wasn¡¯t giving her the attention she wanted; it seemed their push to Silver had lit a fire under a lot of people¡¯s butts. Checking out the other Oak Starter Award contestants, she saw some were a little peeved that they were winning the race to the League when their team swapped up the meta by getting an Encrusted Silver-tier Badge. Amy, Olivia, and Isabella¡¯s speedrunning team had just gotten their fourth badge and, even if they didn¡¯t message her, it was clear they were keeping track of them because they had just publicly announced the new meta to the community¡ªit was a race to Silver-tier¡ªthe stakes had increased. Rhea swiped out of it with a small smile¡ªhonestly, she didn¡¯t really care about any of that¡ªshe just wanted to have fun with her team. She texted her dad back first, knowing he¡¯d be up long before now, wondering what he did to occupy his time now that she was out of the house. 9:32 a.m. - Rhea: Hey, Dad! <3 you and good morning! I¡¯m making her eat out for breakfast after getting ready; she¡¯s doing great, and we even went shopping! She¡¯s down on herself sometimes, but I get on her for it. Btw, send daily pics! I¡¯m curious to know what you¡¯ve been up to now that I¡¯m gone. Maybe give Franky the phone, so he can record and take photos. I¡¯d love to see them! Knowing that she was looking forward to it, Franky would definitely light a fire under her dad¡¯s butt to post some stuff. She figured it was likely battling other Grandmasters, but he¡¯d know she also wanted the daily fun bits, too. Swapping to Jason, she tapped her phone against her mouth a few times, leaning against the cool tile wall as the spray gradually got colder; Alice used Mya¡¯s head to get up to the lever to turn up the heat on her own, taking a rag to polish the top¡ªshe really just loved the suds she could make. 9:34 a.m. - Rhea: That¡¯s crazy about Lucian following Amira¡¯s page. Guess he¡¯s pretty smitten by her, but who isn¡¯t at this point, right? Haha! After her performance in Cerulean City, her song has become an overnight hit. I¡¯ll have to tell her, though. Maybe she can tease him about it when they see each other again? Hmm¡­ Maybe I shouldn¡¯t, on second thought? But it would make her smile¡­ I¡¯m going to tell her! Sorry! As for Silver-tier¡­ Just have fun. We¡¯re having a good time lately. No pressure. I¡¯m more focused on my Aura training than badges, honestly. It seems like the more important thing, but my Pokemon also want a good challenge. Let¡¯s have a battle when we see each other! We¡¯re going to go to Lavender City next. Maiden¡¯s Peak is north of it. Ash and Shauntal need to check something out there¡­ spooky. I¡¯m excited! It isn¡¯t scary when you have one of the strongest Ghost Trainers in the world with you and a Legendary-tier Trainer like Ash. He¡¯s goofy but reliable. Vermilion¡¯s after that for my first Silver Badge! Meet up there after you¡¯re done with Fuchsia? Good luck with the Gym! Sending it, she set her phone to the side and finished getting ready, cleaning off her soapy Pokemon. Her mom and Inoa were waiting for her out front; they tossed their old, wet garments in the treatment machine before heading out to the city. They did a quick check of the dojo but didn¡¯t spot Amira, Ellie, or Lyra; texting the redhead, Rhea smiled when she got the reply as they entered a bakery for breakfast. 10:09 a.m. - Amira: We¡¯re running the Saffron jogging routes; it¡¯s been a while since I¡¯ve done some exercise, and I feel like I need to work on my Physical Allocation more. Mariah is so cute; she tied a ribbon around her hair and is mirroring us; naturally, Amber had to get her own accessory. Getting back into a daily routine is good, and after the first three miles, it feels amazing. And, before you text, I did rest quite a bit the last few days. Catch you for lunch at 12? Texting that it sounded like a plan, Rhea felt the urge to get a bit more active, as well, wondering if they could go a little off-trail on their path to Lavender; she always enjoyed finding new little spots in Pallet Forest or the coves near the village. Calling Ash as they got in line, she noticed people talking about Lulu, and not in a good way; most people gave them space, afraid the nimbus cloud resting on Nova¡¯s back would open up a gateway straight to Rainbow Rocket. At the very least, it acted as a deterrent from people swarming her. Her brow creased as a Pokemon answered: ¡°Pika-Pi? Pi-Pi-Pikachu.¡± ¡°Hey¡­ uh, is Ash available, Pikachu?¡± ¡°Pika! Pi-Pi¡± Dozens of loud voices could be heard on the other end, making Rhea¡¯s eyebrow lift. ¡°I needed shredded garlic five minutes ago, George! Trista, watch the oil! Ash, how goes those onions?¡± ¡°Almost done, Head Chef!¡± he called back. ¡°Oh, uh, Rhea¡ªsorry, a bit busy¡ªin the pan?¡± ¡°Toss ¡®em in, man; don¡¯t be shy! Turn up that flame, Pikachu!¡± ¡°Pika-Pi!¡± Laughing at the ridiculous situation Ash had probably found himself in, Rhea gave her confused mom and friend a helpless shrug. ¡°Alright, call me back when you get a chance.¡± ¡°Pi-Pika!¡± He hung up, and Rhea sighed, wondering how Ash had landed himself in a kitchen with a full-blown chef. Passing the time by hearing about Cassy¡¯s travels and struggles with her team while eating three muffins¡ªAura control made her appetite ravenous¡ªRhea listened to Inoa¡¯s chatter. Their team had been doing a lot of off-trailing, it seemed, and were on the lookout for their third Pokemon. Inoa¡¯s Galarian Meowth was becoming a monster on the Bronze Leaderboards, jumping up to the 3,000s in the overall ratings for their division. Unluckily, her Cyndaquil, Blu, had run up against some bad matchups and taken a few losses; he was determined to catch up to his teammate, though. They appeared to have a healthy, competitive relationship. Casey¡¯s Mudkip, Bean, and Noble, her Mime Jr., had hit it off; a budding relationship was growing between them. On the other hand, Ellie¡¯s Charmander, Jordi, and her Tangela were always fighting, but it was more like Mya and Alice¡¯s type of team bonding. Ever since their Viridian Forest adventure¡ªit felt so long ago, yet it was only five weeks¡ªCasey and Ellie had been really considerate of Inoa¡¯s empathic abilities. It made Rhea happy to see them getting along since the Viridian trip and the Cerulean party. Bumming around Saffron with her mother, they walked through the shopping district, mostly looking, but her mom bought them each a pair of earrings they could have to remember Saffron; it was small enough not to burden them and fit in their bags when needed. Near noon, they met with everyone, including Ash, at the ramen shop they¡¯d first eaten at; they got discounts, and Saffron was very expensive compared to the other cities they¡¯d been to. Apparently, Ash had somehow been mistaken as an apprentice by this elderly chef with bad eyesight¡ªa bit ironic¡ªand pulled into the kitchens when he just wanted to thank the chef for the excellent food. ¡°Aww,¡± Lyra giggled, nudging the laughing Legend. ¡°You¡¯ve always been too nice, Ashy! You just couldn¡¯t let them go one man down, could you?¡± ¡°I couldn¡¯t! You can¡¯t tell me I¡¯m too nice with how many things you get involved in, Lyra!¡± Ash shot back, and Rhea snickered when Amira gave them a nod that said it happened way too often. ¡°It¡¯s just another adventure!¡± she cheered, high-fiving her bouncy Wigglytuff, who was eating at the table with them. ¡°Crazy storytime! Okay, did you guys know that one time Greeny and I accidentally put an entire city to sleep when we were drunk, betting each other?¡± Amira choked. ¡°Ack! You mean, The Mystery of the Viridian Sleep Day was caused by you, Mom?¡± ¡°Oh, no, no, no, no!¡± Lyra waved her hands, scratching her neck, and looked to the side. ¡°That one wasn¡¯t me¡­ It was actually Elaine when I¡­ might have gotten her drunk when out on a girl¡¯s night¡ªGreeny said she couldn¡¯t do it¡ªit¡¯s not my fault¡­ except for egging her on. Hehe.¡± Amira glared at her trouble-making mom. ¡°The amount of stuff you get away with by just teleporting everyone away.¡± ¡°Hey! I¡¯m the best for a reason!¡± her mother returned, showing an innocent smile that could do no wrong. ¡°Everyone can use a little more sleep, and we made sure no one got hurt; it¡¯s not easy, even for Legendary-tier Psychic Pokemon, to prevent all those accidents across a whole city.¡± Ash groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°That reminds me of this insane Jigglypuff that would always follow us around and draw on our faces.¡± ¡°She sounds adorable,¡± Lyra mused, getting up to get another drink. ¡°So, we¡¯re just going to hang out for the next few days¡ªyou doing okay, sweety?¡± she asked Lori. Lori puffed out a long breath, rubbing her forehead and possibly still experiencing a hangover from whatever Casey illegally stole last night; Rhea couldn¡¯t believe she hadn¡¯t noticed, but she was kind of drunk on Aura. ¡°Umm. It still hurts, but I can¡¯t keep living in the past, and we gotta keep going¡ªno one can replace Miky¡ªit¡¯s not about that. So, what I¡¯m trying to say is¡­ Christie, if you, umm, have a Pokemon that wants a team¡­¡± Christie gave her a soft smile as Lyra paused to listen, and everyone glanced between the Unovan girl and the breeding legend. ¡°Miky clearly wanted you to do well, Lori; I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be cheering you on. As for a new Pokemon, I do have one, actually, from my Galar Lab. One of my assistants is going to send her over tomorrow; she¡¯s, heh, a little Impish, which I figure you¡¯ll appreciate.¡± Rhea felt warm and fuzzy inside as a wry smile lifted her teammate¡¯s mouth; as could be expected, her mom was the queen of stringing them along, giving them hints but always leaving it for them to guess. ¡°What¡¯s her Typing?¡± Amira asked, opening up her phone to likely put in a calculator to identify strengths and weaknesses with their team. Christie shot Lori a thoughtful hum. ¡°I do love a good surprise expression, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love her; she¡¯s a few weeks old now, and has also seen Leon battle live. So, I¡¯m sure she¡¯s burning to have her own human partner. What hint do you want me to give?¡± All eyes went to Lori as the researcher sat back, lips drawing in as she thought. ¡°Hmm¡­ Steel¡ªhehe, Primary or Secondary-Typing, I wonder?¡± ¡°You Impidimp!¡± Lori laughed, likely thinking about Miky. ¡°Tell me a little more about her! C¡¯mon!¡± ¡°Alright, alright,¡± Christie mused, sipping at her coffee and looking at their Pokemon at their own big table across the room, having their own discussion. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ She¡¯s tough like Mya¡ªhaving that Steel grit¡ªbut still a little speed-devil like Alice. I¡¯m positive she¡¯ll be a great fit for pushing Silver-tier; Terri and her should get along.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sold!¡± Lori said, pulling up her phone. ¡°I can hope for another Dark-Type, even if I know Mono-Typing is a terrible strategy¡­ I just love Dark-Types, so don¡¯t ruin my fantasy! Wait¡­ Oh. My. Arceus! Bisharp is such a stud¡­¡± she drooled, now looking up pictures of the Pokemon; Rhea figured she was trying to distract herself so she wouldn¡¯t cry again. Her mother had a twinkle in her eye that she rarely saw, and Rhea tried to get her to let her in on the secret the entire day without success; her mom¡¯s lips were sealed. They went to bed early to wake up to the newest member of their squad, Lulu causing trouble before bed by teleporting them into the boy¡¯s locker room for some unknown reason, but she was sure it was Alice¡¯s plot since she was cackling as they rushed out, red-faced; luckily, no one was taking a shower, but there were a few men at the stalls. She chatted with Ash through text before snuggling into her mattress with her mom watching next to her; he was all for them going a bit off-trail, which could gain them time instead of using the winding path that swung south to small towns. The night went by without problems, and when they awoke, they swiftly got ready before heading to the Center; Jason and her dad sent a few texts that she responded to, but the one that caught her attention was the one from her brother. Passing by the early morning joggers on the sidewalk, Rhea stared at the message before pulling her mother to the back of the group to talk, catching Amira¡¯s thoughtful glance. ¡°Mom¡­ Sabin wants to have dinner when we reach Lavender City. Can I talk to him about¡­ everything? I just don¡¯t feel right with him not knowing.¡± Her mother¡¯s mouth drew in, and Rhea knew she was probably not expecting to have this conversation right now. ¡°Huu-haaa. I do want to do it myself, and I am worried he¡¯ll feel¡­ betrayed, even if unconsciously. He¡¯s always been strong and independent, wanting to look out for you since I¡­ kind of pushed him into that role to have a big brother nearby when you became a trainer¡­ I know I¡¯m terrible.¡± ¡°Mom¡­ I don¡¯t look at it like that at all, and I don¡¯t think he does, either. My big brother is amazing¡ªhe¡¯d never hate you¡ªyou just can¡¯t think of anyone loving you, which is the problem,¡± she huffed, nudging her as Nova mirrored her on the ground. ¡°Sabin¡¯s way more understanding and cool-headed than me. Trust him¡­ Trust me to explain it.¡± ¡°Oh, Rhea,¡± her mother groaned, rubbing between her eyes and likely suppressing a panic attack. ¡°I¡­ can¡¯t say no to that.¡± Licking her lips and biting her lower lip, she sighed again. ¡°Can I come to listen? I don¡¯t think I can talk, but¡­¡± ¡°Of course! Have Dad bring you. I¡¯ll do all the talking, and he can ask questions after. Trust your kids¡­ We¡¯re more grown up than you think,¡± she giggled. ¡°Plus, we both love you guys more than the world.¡± ¡°Hehe¡­ I¡¯m going to cry¡­¡± Her mom swallowed, fanning her face and blinking. ¡°I¡­ know nothing lasts forever, and you are growing up to be¡­ such an amazing young woman. It hurts¡­ sometimes. I just want to hold you¡ªprotect you from this cruel world. It¡¯s so hard to breathe sometimes¡ªack¡­¡± she choked. ¡°You are,¡± Rhea whispered, bringing her closer in their slow walk. ¡°Nova, Mya, Alice, Lulu¡­ All the work you¡¯ve done to keep me safe¡­ I love you, Mom.¡± ¡°I love you¡ªso much, Rhea¡­ So much¡­¡± Comforting her mother through the emotional spike, she managed to regain control by the time they made it to the Center, and, after some cooling off in the lady¡¯s room, she exited, going to the PC to reveal their new Pokemon. Their group drew attention with some taking pictures, and her mother entered her personal account number to access the box. ¡°She¡¯s been placed in the, ahem, appropriate Poke Ball already, and the first person who touches it will initiate the bond¡­ Lori,¡± she said, gesturing for her to come up. Gables and Roxie were out, holding their breath while jumping forward with Mallory; Terri stood on her shoulder, staring at the machine like it would grow legs to become their new ally. ¡°We¡¯re ready!¡± Rhea¡¯s hands tightened at her back, and her mother activated the retrieval process, causing the Master Ball to materialize in a flash of light. Lori reached out her hand, fingers closing around the sphere. She stiffened for a moment and then smiled. ¡°Well, hello¡­ Why don¡¯t you get properly acquainted with everyone?¡± Gables waved and returned to his Poke Ball, allowing Roxie the chance to meet her new companion first, as Lori released her new Pokemon. The energy materialized into a small, pink-eyed, black-and-white bird that ruffled her feathers before chirping. ¡°You¡¯re so cute!¡± Lori squealed, getting on her knees to meet her Pokemon. ¡°A Steel-Type?¡± Amira snickered. ¡°Sly trick; I admit, you had me. Rookidee, the poster bird of Galar, and rival of Skarmory¡­ A Flying-Type that evolves into a Steel-Type.¡± ¡°She¡¯s perfect!¡± Lori gasped upon seeing the image of her fully evolved. ¡°Corviknight. Oh, we need to come up with a cool name for you¡­ How about Zyra?¡± Zyra chirped with pride, fluttering up to land on her head and show off, making everyone laugh; they had their newest member, and Rhea could feel Mya was thrilled to have another Steel-Type in their team. B3 — 2. Sgt. Flutter And Lt. Bubble! 8:43 a.m. July 23rd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 44. Events: Rhea and the girls are now on a mission to get into the Silver Bracket, pushing many others in Bronze-tier to follow their example. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June. Lori earned her first Silver-tier Gym victory¡ªgiving it to Miky to take as her parting gift¡ªeven if it is a bittersweet moment in her life, they¡¯re still pushing forward; now she has Zyra, her impish Rookidee! The next two days flew by for Rhea as they got to learn more about their new Pokemon and relax; Amira and Lori were still struggling to keep the three of their Pokemon out like her¡ªexcluding their non-bonded Buddy Pokemon¡ªbut they were managing to do it for an hour a day, plus while they slept, not wanting to push their Fortitude too much. Rhea was concerned they were pushing themselves too much, but they assured her they were being careful. Zyra took to the party without an ounce of shyness, drawing Roxie into a bit of trouble by playing pranks on Lori and her, but Amira, for whatever reason, seemed to be ignored in that regard. Rhea believed it might have been due to the Rookidee trying to befriend Mariah, curious to hear her sing after learning how timid she was, or not wanting to cause too many problems. Her quirky little Cosmog was the most curious Pokemon Rhea thought she¡¯d ever met, and she could generally be found riding atop Nova when adventuring and Mya when sleeping; the Legendary had done wonders in repelling anyone attempting to stop them every block to talk. Rhea had to look at it in a positive light, even if it made her sad the innocent fluff ball was looked upon with scorn and fright. Terri, Alice, and Gables were getting really close over the last two days, with them following the bunny¡¯s lead as they played off each other in various playful competitions. Amira¡¯s Fortitude was stabilizing, and she hadn¡¯t fainted again, which relieved Rhea; she¡¯d already been to the hospital once and didn¡¯t want to see the redhead in the same condition she experienced on their first day as a team. Shauntal kept Casey and Lori from going too crazy. Mallory was keeping up a brave face, but Rhea could tell she was still hurting with how active she was with wanting to be out in the city from morning to dusk, yet she returned to join them for the martial arts competition, playfully poking fun at Amira for not joining in. The Rocket girl jabbed back that if she wanted to keep her word, they could go for a more in-team competition, which Lori promptly refused after seeing the first match; her body didn¡¯t bend like that. After Lyra offered to show them some self-defense moves, Rhea was hooked, all for learning more, however. On the other hand, her mother said she would not be joining when the bright-eyed former Champion offered, she reasoned that she was a researcher, and her husband handled any of that business. Rhea knew her mom was just really sensitive to pain and physical labor in general; they had to take rests¡ªa lot¡ªon the rare occasions they went hiking, which was ironic since she was a Low Master-tier Trainer. Rhea was excited about the martial arts fights, following each match with interest as Lyra and Amira chatted about the various skills of the people competing; it was more for beginners and to draw a crowd to gain more members, as Amira pointed out, and it would have been unfair if she entered at the level they were seeing¡ªnot that she was trying to brag. Lyra appeared to be having a blast hanging out and even went for a ¡®moms¡¯-night-out¡¯ after the competition. They were laughing and acting like best friends when they came back, drawing Rhea¡¯s curiosity, but the brown-haired, sunshine of a borderline Legendary-tier Trainer had a way of getting along with anyone, it seemed. Rhea had no clue what they¡¯d chat about since Lyra put a finger to her lips, winking and saying it was a secret, but she couldn¡¯t help imagining what the two might get up to; the topics would probably be their daughters, she figured, since it was the big thing that they both could connect on. Suddenly, Rhea felt her face go red, wondering what embarrassing topics the pair had shared; she may have even talked about her going on a hunger strike at one point or her obsession with Lance when she was nine, asking for a cape for her birthday. In any case, it was nice to see her mom not cooped up in her lab and finding a friend; her mother typically kept a lot of people at a distance, never going beyond work associates with other scientists or breeders, in part so they wouldn¡¯t steal her methods, and, given her past, Rhea could see why. It was later that night that she double-checked with her mom to make sure she was okay with her bringing Sabin into the family secret, showing her the message and getting a promise that she wouldn¡¯t flake out and would be in Lavender City next Monday when they¡¯d likely arrive. Her mother nodded and gave her a hug as they got into bed together; they were the first to turn in for the night. She whispered, ¡°It may surprise you a bit, but I talked with Lyra about it, and she agrees with you¡­ We talked about a lot of things.¡± Rhea settled in, resituating Alice and Lulu on her chest, already fast asleep and the main reason they were heading to bed. ¡°You talked about the war? I didn¡¯t know Lyra was in it.¡± Her mom¡¯s face and voice turned melancholy. ¡°Honestly, she shouldn¡¯t have, but there are things she can do that no one else can, and¡­ it was probably a mistake, but your aunt still believes it was necessary. War is¡­ hard, and it did affect Lyra as much as it did me. It hurts and helps to talk to people who went through similar experiences¡­ I¡¯m okay, though; don¡¯t worry about me, or I¡¯ll cry,¡± she chuckled, reaching up to stroke her cheek. ¡°You say that,¡± Rhea mumbled, ¡°but you know I can¡¯t help but worry about you.¡± ¡°Heh. I remember the hunger strikes.¡± ¡°Oof¡­ I knew you told her,¡± she grumbled, cheeks burning. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have to if I had a mom that would think about herself every once in a while.¡± ¡°I¡¯m that troublesome of a mother, hmm?¡± she sadly snickered, playing with Rhea¡¯s bound hair between them. ¡°I¡¯m happy I got to spend these last few days with you¡­ It¡¯s been magical in more ways than I can count, and it helps me realize you really are turning into a woman¡­ It¡¯s scary for a mom, you know¡­ The anxiety sucks.¡± Rhea smiled at her mom using words she typically didn¡¯t. ¡°It¡¯s not like your mind isn¡¯t filled with other things¡ªyou¡¯re a researcher and breeder, so you¡¯re always surrounded by Pokemon¡ªpeople, not so much. Hehe.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ you¡¯d be shocked how much of my time is spent worrying about you instead of those random topics,¡± she whispered. ¡°Crying into my pillow about how terrible of a mom I am for not being strong enough to be at home¡­ I know I¡¯m stupid Huu-haaa. That¡¯s the dark thoughts that tear me apart at times, though. I want to be a good mom¡­ I do¡­¡± ¡°You are!¡± Rhea reassured, pushing in to kiss her forehead. ¡°You do suck a lot at times¡ªlike a lot of the time.¡± ¡°Heh. Thanks! I needed to hear that,¡± her mother mused, still focused on her hair. ¡°Why did you never cut your hair?¡± A bit thrown off by the random redirect, Rhea made sure to close the previous thought. ¡°That being said, I¡¯d never trade you for anyone else, not that I could, but if I could, I wouldn¡¯t¡­ You¡¯re amazing, Mom, and you¡¯re beyond strong, so don¡¯t ever say you¡¯re not. Okay?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± she sighed, lightly chewing on her bottom lip. ¡°I was expecting a, heh, thanks for ruining my life, Mom, but hey, you¡¯re not the worst person in the world¡­ just pretty low on the totem pole.¡± ¡°Not even close,¡± Rhea returned, finding her mom¡¯s hand. ¡°You know¡­ I¡¯m really glad we can talk about this stuff now. Thank you for ruining my life, Mom, and making it the greatest I¡¯ve ever known; I wouldn¡¯t trade the self-inflicted hungry weeks or childish tantrums about being a prisoner for the most normal life I could imagine¡­ because I love you, for all your faults.¡± ¡°Aww¡­ don¡¯t make me cry,¡± she whimpered. ¡°I don¡¯t want to sleep on a soggy pillow.¡± ¡°Too bad; I¡¯m evil. Hehehe. Love you.¡± ¡°Love you¡­¡± Mya rubbed her back and Nova nuzzled her leg under the blanket, both listening closely to their conversation; a few more words and they prepared for the night to take them. Rhea¡¯s thoughts went to her absent Aura teacher, who had been MIA the last few days as she went under; he¡¯d been busy helping out the restaurant owner, who was extremely embarrassed once realizing he wasn¡¯t the absent assistant. The Legend didn¡¯t seem too worried about showing up to assist him, though, saying it was great training since he usually wasn¡¯t the one that cooked on his journeys, and he¡¯d been meaning to learn for a while now, but tomorrow, they¡¯d be leaving Saffron. Her dreams drifted between each city they¡¯d gone through on their journey over the past month and a half; so many memorable things caught her fading brain, causing her to reflect on the moments as they entered a clouded wonderland. She¡¯d gained her first Pokemon forty-four days ago, and already, so much had happened. It made her smile in her sleep, just thinking about how she¡¯d made her first friends outside the Master Community in a Pallet Center¡¯s bathroom, confronting their preconceived opinions about her after fawning over Nova. Sam, Hannah, and Jade¡ªher Wooloo squad¡ªhad become wonderful rivals, and were even drawn into their troubles by being roped into an unwilling interview with a scummy journalist; her friends had come so far from their Viridian Forest trip. You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Her first battle with Mya and meeting these new girls¡ªgirls with a rather colorful reputation¡ªthat would be her team going forward, and trying to keep an open mind. Feeling indignant at the uncalled-for bullying of Amira when Lucian singled her out¡ªturns out he probably liked her, as Rhea had come to believe¡ªbut her redhead teammate refused even to consider the possibility, which always made Lori snicker when it was brought up. Rhea¡¯s opinion of Lucian had somewhat changed due to the things Jason texted her about the young man, along with meeting his amazing mother, who was trying to make up for time lost. It made her realize everyone had complicated family dynamics and pasts that they had to overcome, and it wasn¡¯t so easy to remedy. The Rocket VIP treatment the redhead had shown them with her bubbly, uber-powerful mother that continued to take every opportunity to butt into her daughter¡¯s life, unable to fully let go. Her intimidating grandparents¡¯ party they¡¯d thrown them, in part to celebrate their survival of the Plasma incident, but also to get to know them better and to show their support for their granddaughter¡¯s first Encrusted Badge. Then there was their first Contest, which ended in disaster, but did teach Nova and her a valuable lesson; they still needed to participate in another, and the opportunity was there when they decided to go to Vermilion. Her own teammates had gone through their own fair share of self-doubt and troubles since they¡¯d known each other, and she couldn¡¯t imagine how strong Lori was to deal with the constant threat of the burn on her back rekindling, yet pushing forward. Still, she did wear a mask that was hard to peer through, and Rhea was thankful she¡¯d finally opened up to them. Amira¡¯s guilt for causing the Plasma incident¡ªeven if not really her fault¡ªhad almost made the redhead leave their team, yet they¡¯d also managed to work through that. Their first Gym Battle had been a rough one, as well¡ªat least for her¡ªand it was wonderful to have people there to support Mya and her, including her amazing older brother, who also came to her rescue like the stories she¡¯d been told at night. The feeling of relief upon seeing Atrayu when the terrorist fired his gun left her sleepy body with tingles. The fear of learning about the scientist abductions by space Clefairy, and how she¡¯d projected that into anger at her mother; the constant worry she had of her self-torturous mom had been a thorn in her heart for years, yet now they were healing and talking¡ªgetting closer, as she¡¯d always wanted. At last, they were hitting their stride, and the awe-striking times they¡¯d spent in Cerulean as she experienced her first large festival¡ªan embarrassing first kiss she wanted to erase from memory¡ªand spending time in the fantasy-like city of Samiya. The horrific and heroic dualistic match of Lori and Amira against Misty that broke the Unovan-girl¡¯s heart but made her a better Trainer; Rhea had to wonder if the famous Water High-Master knew what her strategy would do for their team. Ash¡¯s addition to their party and the growth she¡¯d experienced from developing her Aura and learning about her parents¡¯ traumatic past brought them to the golden fields of the farmsteads, and through Lori¡¯s crafty understanding of underground bets, Sam managed to make her older sister¡¯s dreams come true by joining her on her journey. She¡¯d used the bets on them and their bounties to give the teens more money than they knew what to do with. They¡¯d made it to Saffron, where she¡¯d helped a man through something that might have driven him to suicide, learned of a tragic past of the dojo, and gained Lulu before Lori obtained their group¡¯s first Silver Encrusted Badge from the notorious psychic rookie crusher, Sabrina. Now, they were onto their next challenge, Silver-tier. They were entering a new chapter on their journey, and Rhea¡¯s mind finally drifted into oblivion. * * * Zyra¡¯s wings puffed up as she heard someone groan and roll over across the room. Her pink eyes opened, peering into the darkness to spot the rustling sounds that had awakened her slumber. As she¡¯d done the night before, Zyra stood guard on one of her Trainer¡¯s mounds. She had to make a few adjustments throughout the night whenever Lori would toss and turn, but she discovered if she perched on one of the two big bumps on the human¡¯s chest that it kept her pinned to the spot¡ªa weakness she¡¯d made sure to exploit. Roxie had been keen to hear Zyra explain her findings as she researched her new Trainer, wanting to know everything she could about their depressed human to help her rest deeply; her current plan was working wonders since they¡¯d only made three shifts tonight instead of the six the night before. The fluffy Rockruff was lying on her belly just below Zyra, between their Trainer¡¯s mounds where she could be held; Lori seemed to enjoy having a hand on Roxie, keeping her close throughout the night because her breathing evened out when they¡¯d taken this position. Success! To further keep the human pinned down, Gables was sprawled out on Lori¡¯s belly; it was perfect! Now, something was threatening to wake her Trainer up, and so she squinted in the dark room to discover the cause. Two small flames illuminated a fox as Amber yawned, stretching while rising to sit up and dully stare around, licking her pointed mouth. Ah. The red songbird has awakened! Zyra monologued to herself. Interesting. It appears to be around the same time as yesterday. We¡¯ll have to make a note of that. Should I follow them again? I do need to see if they sing in the showers to mark it as a habit¡­ Interesting. Interesting. Maybe she will get Mariah to sing. I can¡¯t wait to hear it! Lightly hopping on the squishy mound, Zyra¡¯s eyes darted between her resting Trainer and the drooling Rockruff; it seemed Roxie enjoyed being cuddled with at night, as well¡ªa double win. ¡°Psst. Psst. Lt. Gabby. Lt. Gabby,¡± she softly chirped, carefully descending her perched position to wag her tail across the Froakie¡¯s nose. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Mmh?! I¡¯m up¡ªI¡¯m up¡­¡± ¡°Shhh. No need to wake up the whole sky,¡± Zyra returned. ¡°I¡¯m off to ¡®Operation: Spy On Chirpers; take over the field position.¡± ¡°Mmh? Oh, yeah, yeah¡­ Huu-haaa. What time is it? Oh¡­ Amber¡¯s getting up? Must be around 5:30. Alright. I got it, Sgt. Flutter. Count on your officer,¡± he said with a lazy salute, flopping to his back and closing his eyes. ¡°No one is going to sneak up on us¡­¡± ¡°May the winds be with you,¡± she said, giving him a slight salute. ¡°Oh, and I¡¯ll be back for the morning feather alarm and Operation: Bubble Up.¡± ¡°Go with care, Sgt. Heh. I¡¯ve got Private Roxie.¡± Spotting the vixen¡¯s amused gaze as she helped her Trainer clean up her cottony sleeping nest, Zyra ducked behind her Trainer¡¯s bulky body, using her bound hair as a rope to hop onto the pillow and creep around Lori¡¯s head to spy on the small group. Note¡­ Amber may have better hearing than I initially gave her credit for; operational silence will be key in the future. I¡¯ll have to hang back and make them think I¡¯m staying to keep watch¡­ What secret songs will they be doing today? Why do they keep them hidden from us? Suspicious. Carefully maneuvering along the floor, she chuckled to herself as she passed the easily teased blonde, extending her time by tugging out the ribbon that kept her hair bound; Zyra carefully wrapped it around the thin area between Mya¡¯s head and slobbering horn, looping it back around the girl¡¯s braid. Ho-ho. What chirps will they make? Performing a slight tug, she made sure it was secure enough to loosen just enough so it wouldn¡¯t hurt her Trainer¡¯s golden companion but enough to make her sing. She did a short check on her other Pokemon, tickling the bunny¡¯s nose until her ear flopped onto her Trainer¡¯s nose, making it twitch as she groaned. Perfectly done, Sgt. Zyra! she self-congratulated, spotting Terri had somehow found her way underneath their Trianer¡¯s left leg; she hadn¡¯t seen her. Mmh. Failure, Sgt. Zyra; note, be more observant! Taking to the sky, she internally cheered when she realized Amira had left the door open a crack; a foolish mistake that she would exploit! Going high, she spun into a spiral dive, slipping through the opening at just the right angle before unfurling her majestic, small wings and gliding along the floor, using a low draft that carried across the hallway; she could practically feel the current of air that came from the red songbird opening the locker room door. Silent as the night, she kept herself low, tucked under claws hovering just above the floorboards as she entered¡ªthe opening shut¡ªit was a trap! Cover blown! Mayday! Mayday! Requesting backup! ¡°Oof!¡± Amber giggled by the sliding door, seeing her big eyes as she lost control, tumbling across the tile ground. ¡°What are you doing, Zyra?¡± She hopped up, glancing around the bright space in a panic, eyes spinning; this wasn¡¯t supposed to happen! She was a professional. ¡°Umm. Umm. I was¡­ getting water, uh, to¡­ spray on my Trainer to wake her up! Yeah. What are you doing? Preening yourself and your Trainer with the hot air? Eep!¡± Her focus snapped to Amira as the large human brushed back her unbound hair to kneel beside her; she was surrounded! ¡°Haha. Do you want to join us, Zyra? You can perch on the shower head; it seems like a good place to collect water to clean yourself. What do you say? Is it okay if she sings with me, Mariah?¡± The shy Meloetta poked her head out from behind her Trainer, voice barely audible. ¡°If I don¡¯t have to sing¡­ I like hearing your voice. Are you good at singing, Zyra?¡± ¡°I, umm¡­ I like to sing a little,¡± she mumbled, hopping a bit away. ¡°Not that you caught me! No, I let you all see me.¡± ¡°Mhm,¡± Amber snickered, giving Holly a look as the Posey Pokemon hovered over to shake her wing. ¡°We haven¡¯t been able to spend much time together! Can we be friends?¡± ¡°Umm. I could¡­ use more Privates¡­ If you want to be recruited into the Army of Mischief?¡± ¡°Sounds exclusive,¡± Amber said, crossing her paws as she fell to her belly to be on her eye-level. ¡°What do you think, Serenity?¡± ¡°Hmm? Oh, I¡¯m just enjoying the water¡­ What are we talking about?¡± She looked up to see the floating fish in a sink, letting a stream of water drench her. ¡°Haha. You¡¯re fine,¡± Amber said, pointing her tail to the shower. ¡°You aren¡¯t scared of water, are you, Sgt. Flutter?¡± Code Red! She knows my code name¡ªcover blown! No. No, this is perfect. I just need to flip her to the side of mischief! ¡°Of¡­ course not! Hehe. Lead the way!¡± She hopped onto Amira¡¯s finger as she held it out, allowing the human to put her on the highest position, which made her chest fluff up with pride at being given such an honor, but then she started to wonder why. Was this another trap? Such thoughts melted away when she began to hum to a song, and she found herself swaying happily with the sounds the human made; Amber had no musical talent, though, but she wasn¡¯t going to say anything so she wouldn¡¯t wake up with her tail-feathers on fire. Enjoying herself more than she would have thought upon being discovered, she let the human preen her; she was very good and careful with her fingers and nails. The hot air Amber blew felt like she was melting into something soft and squishy; she loved that feeling. Once the cleaning ritual was done, Zyra felt like a new bird, and when they returned to the room, she chuckled to herself when seeing her trap hadn¡¯t been set off yet. Swiftly going to her lieutenant, she tickled his nose again. ¡°Hmm? I¡¯m up¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s time, Lieutenant Bubble.¡± ¡°Ah, hehe. Mischief making time?¡± ¡°Mischief making time!¡± Rising to a cross-legged position across their Trainer¡¯s belly, he breathed in deeply and puffed out a large bubble, and, to Zyra¡¯s utter thrill, the red songbird appeared to be on her side! The big, wet, and wiggly bubble hovered above their Trainer¡¯s head, and Zyra lightly guided it right for her Trainer¡¯s unsuspecting face. Pop! ¡°Guagh! Ack¡ªhuh?!¡± Roxie shot up as their Trainer coughed and sputtered with the water soaking her hair and face; Gables and she laughed, and the extra seed on the ground was the yelp from the blonde as her hair was pulled up with the Mawile¡¯s swift rise, trying to figure out what was happening¡ªthe string unwound before it yanked too hard, as she¡¯d expertly planned. ¡°The operation is a success, Lt. Bubble! Mischief rules!¡± B3 — 3. To Lavender With A Surprise! 9:54 a.m. July 23rd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 44. Events: Rhea and the girls are now on a mission to get into the Silver Bracket, pushing many others in Bronze-tier to follow their example. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June. Lori earned her first Silver-tier Gym victory¡ªgiving it to Miky to take as her parting gift¡ªeven if it is a bittersweet moment in her life, they¡¯re still pushing forward; now she has Zyra, her impish Rookidee Sergeant! The morning went by faster than Rhea would have liked; she kissed her mother goodbye on their way out of the dojo, nervous about the text they¡¯d formed together to send to Sabin. Ash and Pikachu were waiting for them outside, apologizing for having been so busy over the last few days, not that he needed to feel bad for helping out the restaurant. Casey and her friends would be staying in Saffron for a few days since they also wanted to come up with a plan to beat the legendary Psychic Trainer and would be doing more training at the dojo to prepare for their own Silver-tier jump. Walking beside Lori and Shauntal on their way to one of the city¡¯s east gates, Rhea flipped through the general Bronze-tier discussion board; only those that were officially registered in the bracket could log into the large forum. Trending right at the top was the topic: Push For Silver! Lori¡¯s chuckle drew Rhea¡¯s attention to a large news board that showed their current phones. ¡°Looks like it got leaked; it still blows my mind how many contacts your mom has in, like, every field¡ªspace stuff, breeding, technology¡ªshe has her hand in everything.¡± Rhea shrugged, focus returning to her phone, not particularly interested in the topic. ¡°Cutting-edge breeding techniques and genetic engineering take a lot of technology, so¡­ yeah. Anyway, what do you think about so many people trying to get to Silver-tier after the trend you set?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t say I started it,¡± the Unovan girl mumbled, glancing down at her device before watching Zyra talk to all of their Pokemon. ¡°Ugh¡­ I don¡¯t know if I can keep them out the full hour¡ªit¡¯s so weird¡ªsometimes I can go longer, and other times way shorter.¡± Ash¡¯s head tilted back and he slowed to allow them to catch up, leaving Amira to lead the way, engrossed by the open map on her phone. ¡°The reason for that is Rhea¡¯s ability. It fluctuates¡ªthink of it like working out¡ªthe muscle needs time to rest and push itself.¡± Shauntal walked silently beside them, seemingly plotting her next book as they walked, and Pikachu jumped down from Ash¡¯s shoulder to join the other Pokemon gathered around the redhead. Lyra went back to Viridian¡ªbut not before surprise-teleporting Silver to the area to have a family picture¡ª claiming she had to kidnap her husband for a date. Rhea sighed. ¡°I haven¡¯t been using my Aura for the last few days like you told me¡­ It almost feels uncomfortable after doing it so often on the way to Saffron. I really can¡¯t use it all the way to Lavender?¡± ¡°Afraid so,¡± Ash confirmed, studying her with a frown. ¡°You can get too absorbed in Auras and lose touch with reality if you spend too much time in that state, and you can start reading too much into other people¡¯s emotional state or personal lives. It¡¯s good to sort of, heh, detox yourself.¡± ¡°I guess I can understand that,¡± Rhea mumbled, trying to pull her mind away from the urge to enter the hyper-focused spiritual state and the unique world it opened up to her. ¡°We need to do a lot more training on the way, so¡­ we won¡¯t be pushing super hard, right?¡± Ash gave her a cheery nod and thumbs up, reading between the lines; Amira was still having trouble with her Physical Allocation. ¡°We¡¯ll be going off-route most of the way, but it¡¯s not that hilly; plus, we¡¯ll be able to see part of Saffron¡¯s eastern grasslands above Route 8. If we¡¯re lucky, we might be able to see some Abra, Growlithe, Chansey, and Vulpix packs.¡± Shauntal hummed, smiling impishly while absently bumping into her little sister. ¡°Agatha told me there is an old ruin hidden somewhere in the grasslands that ghosts haunt and safeguard. A good place to get some story ideas, hmm? Oh! I can¡¯t wait for tonight; we can tell ghost stories around a campfire.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow, focus drifting to the Elite-4 member¡¯s unburdened back. ¡°Where¡¯s your stuff anyway, Sis?¡± The woman snapped her fingers and pointed above them, causing their heads to lift to see a trendy Haunter-themed backpack floating high in the air. ¡°Figures¡­ Uh, as to your question, Rhea¡­ What was it again?¡± ¡°Everyone shooting for Silver-tier?¡± she restated, frowning while seeing a new thread pop up involving Lori¡¯s match against Sabrina; the emojis next to it said it all. ¡°Bah. It¡¯ll blow over like any trending topic on the forum. The speedrunning fad was there for a while, then the Contest craze, and now everyone¡¯s freaking out about being left behind since they wasted the first month instead of battling or doing Gyms. I¡¯ve seen the posts. Heh, have you seen the seventh-ranked?¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth tightened as she scrolled up to click it; photos of them out in public from multiple people loaded, yet almost all of them had Lulu in focus, and she recalled Lyra¡¯s words regarding the societal pressure of being famous. Isaac Collins - Rank 56,532: How is this even legal?! Colette Wooten - Rank 23,332: FR! It¡¯s a Muking Cosmog! Not only that, but the Rocket diva has a UNIQUE Meloetta! How?! Just¡­ How?! I want a darling like that, but no, Rocket and League corruption! They have FOUR Pokemon! C¡¯mon! We¡¯re Bronze! Rosie Scott - Rank 462: Okay, I was starting to like Amira, but Muk that! One online viral song with a superstar, and she now owns the world. Connections. Me and my Pokemon work our butts off, and these Master-Kids get everything handed to them! Jayden Kramer - Rank 1,565: Is it any surprise? Do you know who is in that Muking photo? That¡¯s Rhea¡¯s mom¡ªyou know, Christie, Best Breeder and Geneticist in the world¡ªthey¡¯re in a different league, guys. Don¡¯t even try. It¡¯s all about birth. Tommy Clark - Rank 8,523: Troll! Did any of you see Rhea¡¯s battle against Forrest or Mallory¡¯s against Misty? What about that 4v3 battle against those absolute legends? They¡¯re far from invincible, guys. Keep crying. Jayden Kramer - Rank 1,565: @Tommy Clark Hah! Quit simping, bro; they aren¡¯t going to date you. Chris Sexton - Rank 95: She¡¯s not battling with it, right? I don¡¯t see the issue with having them if the League allows it, which, clearly, they are. Plus, her team¡¯s trying to jump out of Bronze. Chill, people. Jayden Kramer - Rank 1,565: @Chris Sexton Unblock me, coward! When will you finally accept my challenge? Wait! Hah! You totally fell for them after losing, didn¡¯t you? So embarrassing! I see you¡¯ve at least been able to climb up a few ranks after that loss; what¡¯s your team rank now? 97? You fell off, bro. Tommy Clark - Rank 8,523: And blocked. Back to the original topic; I do wonder how they can even bond to Legendaries, even babies¡­ Is that some kind of secret training technique to boost them up? Alyssa Hancock - Rank 4,324: Idk about the Cosmog, but where can I get a Muking Eevee like that?! .> wink-wink. BTW, she said she¡¯d be scheduling her Encrusted Badge with me, but she¡¯ll need to register today to hit the Friday block. What¡¯s up? 8:08 a.m. - Sabin: Oh, snap! She totally forgot, but I¡¯m down to see both of you be the ones to break Saria¡¯s spotless record. Yeah, we can put a cap on the training. We just got back into the grind, but I want to see you crush it! 8:09 a.m. - Kate: TY! TY! TY! More time to bum around as a couple. Kisses! Recently, you¡¯ve been the most incredible wing-girl a woman could ask for! See you soon, cutie. We¡¯re booking it down there; if we rush, we might be able to get there by 8 p.m. to sign up. <3 Gotta fly! Smiling, she almost forgot about Lori¡¯s deviant thoughts while reflecting on how her relationship with her brother¡¯s girlfriend had changed over the last few months. It was amazing to see how well the woman helped to balance her brother¡¯s rash and obsessive training regiments. Getting out of the car and going through the machines the professor had set up to collect data for her mother with her Pokemon, Rhea¡¯s thoughts went to her past. Sabin never used to be so intense with Training, but over the past year, something had changed; his drive had gotten a bit extreme, and the only person keeping him from disappearing for months on end was Kate, forcing him to take breaks. It said a lot that even Kate was having a hard time recently; Rhea had to think it was connected to her starting her journey and what had happened thus far. If Sabin hadn¡¯t been strong enough to shut down that Plasma agent, then we wouldn¡¯t be here now¡­ He has to think about that and kick himself for not being quicker. Just seeing how Lyra shut everything down when she showed up and how much of a gap there was¡­ Maybe I¡¯m reading too much into it. After finishing the tests, Professor Cerise told them he¡¯d drive them to the Eevee Evolution Lab himself after reviewing a few notes and discussing a few things with his assistants; he¡¯d already sent her results for Christie to look at. Lori got Amira involved in her fan fiction regarding Ash and his love life, and the redhead promptly pointed out how deteriorated the girl¡¯s mind was becoming; of course, that didn¡¯t dissuade the Unovan party girl, who swapped to the topic of which potential partner was the best dancer. Rhea had no clue about some of the dances she mentioned, but, by Amira¡¯s face, some were of the more¡­ erotic kind. She was happy to be in her own little world, looking back at her brother¡¯s recent changes and reviewing some of Gym Leader Saria¡¯s match history. The more she looked into the High Master¡¯s matches, the more concerned she got; Fairy Pokemon had the least number among the Types, which meant they could use Main and Secondary Typing, and that made for a rather challenging battle with the diversity of tactics she could use. Another point of contention was that unlike most Kanto Gym Leaders, who generally used Pokemon more native to their region, Saria was the first to have a wide diversity of regional-specific Pokemon in her Gym. If that wasn¡¯t enough, she hired Gym Aides from every nation, including a recent addition from Paldea that had applied, which sparked some controversy since they weren¡¯t a part of the United Indigo League yet. Still, Rhea couldn¡¯t help but coo at the adorable Fidough that the aide used in yesterday¡¯s matches. She sat a little straighter upon seeing her single Platinum-tier battle; it included a Pokemon called Tinkaton that had Mya gasping at her giant hammer, and the Hammer Pokemon even had the reversed Typing as the Deverver Pokemon. Paldea has some really cool and cute Pokemon, she internally whispered to her team. It could be our next destination. People seem to think they¡¯ll be brought in¡­ Wait, their Champion¡­ On their way to the car, Rhea saw something that had only just hit Gossip and the news channels. ¡°Hey, Amira, check it out¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori scooted closer, reading the headline aloud as the professor listened. ¡°Paldea Champion issues a challenge to the United Indigo League¡­ Woah, so this Geeta woman thinks she can prove her region won¡¯t be a leech by having the Champions test her strength?¡± ¡°Bold,¡± Amira whispered, taking out her own phone as they watched and texting her mother the information. ¡°Ironically, despite all the Legendary-tier Trainers associated with our region, our Champions are the weakest in the UIL. My mom would be interested in this, I¡¯m sure.¡± Lori grinned. ¡°I like the brass to challenge the UIL.¡± A low note resonated in Rhea¡¯s throat, eyes creasing at the comment. ¡°I¡­ really can¡¯t see her standing up to my aunt.¡± Lori and Amira lifted their eyebrows while looking at her. ¡°Pfft. Muk, girl, go straight to Death Mode. Naaa. They wouldn¡¯t send your aunt to test her¡ªthat¡¯d be too harsh¡ªlike, as much as anyone loves to see your aunt battle and stomp, they don¡¯t want to cause an international incident by embarrassing Paldea.¡± Amira nodded. ¡°Yeah¡­ I think Chase or Elaine would be the prime markers since they¡¯re the minimum the League has set¡­ maybe even ask Hilbert or Hilda to test them. Although¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea and Lori asked in unison. ¡°Eh¡­ It has to be someone everyone respects¡ªoh, no¡­¡± A smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips as a new text popped up on Amira¡¯s phone. 11:49 a.m. - Mom: That sounds really interesting! You know, I¡¯ve been interested in going to Paldea recently with all the hype your grandfather has been talking about, expanding Rocket¡¯s reach to the nation and all. Your dad has booked us a flight, so maybe I¡¯ll speak to the League and volunteer! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Sweetie. You know, now that I¡¯m thinking about it. Riga has been talking about evolving into a Farigiraf recently, and maybe Geeta can introduce us to someone who will tutor her on the Move required to make that happen. I¡¯m getting excited; I really wanna see how strong she is now! <3 You! Thanks for the idea! LOVE the pictures, by the way. Keep them coming! Lori laughed with the professor as they piled in the car, the Unovan girl settling in front now since her legs were cramped due to her height on their way over. ¡°Way to go, Amira! I can see the news titles in the next few hours or whatever¡ªa challenger comes out of nowhere, Former Champion of Kanto and bubbly mother of the year, Lyra Rocket, blasts off to Paldea to answer its challenge! Lyra vs. Geeta! Hype!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Mom just can¡¯t stop¡ªif she texted me this, she¡¯s already set it up. I bet she¡¯s been going stir-crazy in the house since I left home; she¡¯s going through a midlife crisis.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t see it at first, but the redhead made a valid point that she wasn¡¯t the type of woman to sit in one place for too long, and all the stories Amira told had them always traveling around Johto and Kanto since she could literally teleport across the continent in the blink of an eye. They joked about it the remainder of the trip, Amira nervous about her mother making an international incident and causing their family troubles, but it was official and hitting almost all networks by the time they stepped out at the Eevee Evolution Lab. Lyra appeared to have gotten all the Champions on a group call minutes after Amira¡¯s text and hashed out the date to be the end of the Summer Indigo Cup in Paldea; major news organizations were now making public claims to be reaching out to both Champion-tier Trainers to get interviews. Rhea couldn¡¯t believe how things had escalated; Lyra was at the very tip of reaching Legendary-tier, and if she did evolve one of her Pokemon, it could put her over the scale. Although, such a match would be held outside of a stadium, considering there was no barrier strong enough to handle the clash. News agencies were clamoring to get interviews with both in the coming weeks, trying to build hype to likely get the public to pressure the women into discussing the event. After waving the professor off, they drew away from the topic, and Rhea got a thank you from her mother for entertaining her. Feeling a tad guilty, she called her on the way into the facility, apologizing for how she had acted the previous day; she knew her mother was just trying to look out for her. Rhea said her goodbyes to allow her mom to review the findings as they neared the front, spotting Eevee and Eeveelutions of all kinds roaming the facility and interacting with each other. Yet, they couldn¡¯t make it to the front doors before they were entirely surrounded by the Pokemon, all staring at Nova, who kept very close to Rhea, nervous at the attention she was drawing. A few researchers came jogging out to see them, looking shocked. ¡°Rhea Everhart, uh¡ªwhat brings you to the Eevee Evolution Labs? Umm, sorry, it¡¯s just¡­ so unexpected! Umm. Professor Pinery is being notified that you¡¯re here. Can you follow us?¡± Rhea sighed, bending down to scratch Nova¡¯s neck and pick her up. ¡°I thought having Nova interact with other Eevee might be good. To be clear, I¡¯m not here to spill any secrets or feed some research experiments¡ªI just want Nova to see how all of the other Eeveelutions act.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± The man and woman gave each other sad looks before motioning them toward the facility again. ¡°Still, I¡¯m sure Professor Pinery would love to meet you. All of Nova¡¯s recorded battles are being dissected frame by frame¡ªshe¡¯s amazing!¡± ¡°Pwee?¡± Nova looked up at her, ears laid back; she liked the attention, but these people were a little too obsessed with her, and apparently, some of the Eevee and the other evolutions weren¡¯t thrilled at the attention she was getting. ¡°We¡¯ll only be here for a short visit,¡± Rhea reinforced; she¡¯d expected it to be a lot less tense, but Nova was basically the goddess of Eevee, and after this, she didn¡¯t want her nervous little girl to leave her side. ¡°Like I said, we won¡¯t be long¡­ We need to go get lunch anyway.¡± A light flipped on in the pairs¡¯ eyes. ¡°Is that so? I¡¯m sure Professor Pinery would be happy to take you somewhere nice to talk and pay for the meal¡ªshe¡¯s been dying to meet Nova.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± B3 — 14. Registration 12:27 p.m. August 5th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 56. Events: It¡¯s time to register for the Vermilion Gym and Rhea¡¯s first Silver-tier Encrusted Badge. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (122 days away). Nova got her new evolution, and Gables and Amber evolved, too! Rhea didn¡¯t know if it was her mother¡¯s warning or something else, but she couldn¡¯t help the tense pressure against her chest as she followed the facility¡¯s employees into the lab. There were several groups of tourists and school kids that pointed her out with all the Eeveelutions crowding around their party. She held Nova against her stomach since Lulu was occupying the inside of her front, once again resting; the Cosmog felt a bit warm against her skin, but she didn¡¯t know if it was due to her elevated heart rate or the Pokemon herself. Amira took over talking with the man and woman, likely sensing she was uncomfortable. They took them through a coded door and into the research portion of the building, leaving Rhea to scan the faces they passed. Almost every person seemed to notice her. Rhea wanted to breathe a sigh of relief when they brought them into an empty office and asked them to wait for Pinery. Lori sat down and yawned. ¡°Why did you want to come here again? I¡¯m getting the vibe you don¡¯t want to be here.¡± Glancing down at Nova, who was sitting in her lap and looking up at her, Rhea scratched her ears. ¡°I wanted to see if Nova could get some help learning how to better use her Vaporeon form¡­ maybe get a few tips, but I don¡¯t know now. You okay?¡± ¡°Pwe? Pwe-pwe.¡± Nova pressed against her hand with a smile. ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°What?¡± Thinking she¡¯d heard wrong as Amira and Lori got delayed responses from their own Pokemon, Rhea asked to make sure she¡¯d interpreted her Eevee correctly. ¡°You want to hang out here and meet the other Vaporeon?¡± She nodded in response, shifting to tap Mya¡¯s Poke Ball. ¡°You and Mya? Umm. Do you really trust them after all of that?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t quite understand the complex response she gave, but the answer was clear enough; she wanted to chill with the others. ¡°Do¡­ you want me to stay?¡± Nova¡¯s head tilted to the side, pondering the question, which told Rhea probably not; she got the impression she wanted to spend the day here to prepare for their future Gym challenges and get better acquainted with not only her Glaceon and Vaporeon forms but all the future transformations she would eventually get. Rhea wasn¡¯t sold on the idea, yet Pinery¡¯s arrival put a button on the conversation for a moment, and her appearance made Nova gasp; the blue highlights and the way the woman did her dark blue hair resembled a Glaceon. ¡°Rhea,¡± she said as they rose to their feet, the woman holding out a hand to greet them. ¡°You two must be Lori and Amira. Please, take a seat; I don¡¯t want to take up too much of your day.¡± ¡°Mm-hmm,¡± Rhea returned with tight lips. Sitting down, they covered a few of the basic topics to break the ice, including the general things she¡¯d expected, such as if Nova could transform into any other Eeveelution. After a few minutes, she got to the meat of her hesitation and Nova¡¯s desire. Pinery folded her fingers in her lap, her smile drawing Rhea¡¯s gaze to her dark pink lipstick as she hummed. ¡°Let¡¯s see¡­ I can hardly discount your mother¡¯s warnings; Eeveelution research has hit a long-standing roadblock, despite the funds funneled into it. Some of us hope the opening of Paldea might bring more material with a few of their region-unique phenomena, but, if I¡¯m being honest, I¡¯m doubtful.¡± She closed her blue eyes and leaned against her chair, appearing to be reflecting on something as Rhea waited for her to answer her questions. ¡°I won¡¯t say Nova doesn¡¯t tempt me, which means my staff must be buzzing right now about what your visit could mean¡ªrumors flying everywhere¡ªyet I have worked with your mother in the past, and I have to conclude there are very troubling things we would discover when studying her¡­¡± Vision opening, she sat straighter. ¡°I would be happy to have Nova spend the day here learning all about Eevee culture! In fact¡­¡± She opened up her lab coat to take a minimized Poke Ball from inside and release a larger-than-average Glaceon. ¡°Shimmer can make sure no one from the research department bothers her, and I¡¯ll make an announcement about it to the staff. Would that be okay? I¡¯d still love to treat you girls to some lunch and talk.¡± Rhea played with her hair, drawn over her shoulder; she knew the woman was after something else and wanted to let things settle to pose her question. She felt more at ease when Nova jumped off her lap to greet the older Pokemon. ¡°Mmh. We can, I guess¡­ Nova, when do you want us to pick you up?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± ¡°Glaceon.¡± ¡°Pwe¡­ Pwe,¡± she concluded with confidence, tail wagging. ¡°Around¡­ seven? Kate and Sabin will be here later tonight so that we can register with them after.¡± Amira released Amber and Lori, Gables, to join Nova; the two insisted they wanted to hang out, which eased her stress that her Eevee wouldn¡¯t be alone. Her Eevee chirped at her friends, getting into a circle, Mya joining them. Rhea got up to split their separate ways, but, once out of sight, almost felt like she had a cramp; it was tough, but she had to have faith in her fluff ball. Nova¡¯s grown up so fast¡­ It wasn¡¯t that long ago she was terrified of mud, but I guess someone had to take on the big sister role in the party, and she stepped up. Pinery shed her lab coat to show a light blue sleeveless shirt and teal pants before adding some dark sunglasses. The woman pointed at Amira¡¯s own pair as the redhead put them on to counter the bright sunlight. ¡°I bet your first thought of me was, Jolteon, this woman has huge eyes! Hehe. For some reason, I was born with eyes that always look like I¡¯m opening them as far as they can go¡ªheh, a little self-conscious.¡± Lori snickered, following her out of the facility and into a parking lot to take her car. ¡°What a conversation starter¡ªhey, we all got things we want to change, am I right?¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°I¡¯m very happy with my body, but maybe I¡¯d be happier if I didn¡¯t always assume the worst out of people. Where are we going to eat? I¡¯d prefer somewhere not messy or greasy at the moment. You, Rhea?¡± ¡°Mmh. Maybe some soup and salad; are there any good places nearby?¡± Pinery motioned them to her car as they neared; it unlocked when she grabbed the lever to open the door, and they piled in, Rhea taking the back with Amira. ¡°I know a decent place nearby. Umm, I guess you know why I wanted more time with you, and I won¡¯t say I don¡¯t have ulterior motives¡ªI just want to know if it¡¯s possible¡ªcan Eevee evolve further¡­ have new Types, perhaps Mega Evolve?¡± Leaning back now that they were alone in her car, the woman puffed out a long stream of air, hands in her lap; a depressed note entered her voice. ¡°Just¡­ tell me that. I¡¯ve dedicated my life to facilitating a place where Eevee lovers can gather to find answers. I¡¯ve secured funding and garnered interest around the world, but I can¡¯t keep personnel since, well¡­ Rocket or many other organizations poach my best talent. ¡°I¡¯m sure breakthroughs have been made¡ªNova shows just how much there is left to be explored¡ªyet because of my open and unguarded approach, I¡¯ve shockingly hit so many roadblocks¡­ I¡¯ve got support from everyone except for the ones that matter¡­¡± Rhea hadn¡¯t expected this as the woman leaned forward to fold her arms across the steering wheel and hide her face. ¡°I can¡¯t help but feel like a failure¡­ Ever since you started your journey almost two months ago, Rhea, and the world got a taste of Nova¡¯s potential, I¡¯ve been pulled in so many directions, yet I don¡¯t have answers to give. Sorry¡­¡± She sucked in air and puffed it out in a short laugh before adjusting her glasses and starting the car. ¡°I don¡¯t have many people I can complain to¡­ too many people look to me for answers I can¡¯t give¡ªeven the League called me earlier today about your battle yesterday¡ªI¡­¡± Shaking her head, Pinery backed out and started their drive. ¡°Sorry to make this awkward. Heh. I didn¡¯t mean to just unload like that.¡± Rhea felt bad for her; it felt sincere. She had no clue how much her journey would affect other people¡¯s lives. Pinery put on a happy face and cheery personality as a defensive mechanism when, in reality, she was drowning in the flood of eyes looking to her for answers. Not having much to say to her melancholy rant, she sat back, noticing Lori and Amira¡¯s gaze on her. ¡°I really don¡¯t know a whole lot about what my mom did with Nova¡­ but she probably can change into every Type, at least¡ªwell, eventually,¡± she reasoned, thinking back to the evolution stones her mother gave her and what they looked like. Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site. Tension easing, Pinery forced a smile. ¡°Well, at least I know there is more to be learned. Your mother is brilliant but very guarded¡­ I don¡¯t know why, when she could help advance our understanding of genetics so much. Sorry! Complaining again. You don¡¯t need to hear my frustrations¡­ Was yesterday the first time Nova evolved into anything other than Glaceon?¡± Rhea caught Amira¡¯s gaze through her rose-tinted, circular glasses; she hadn¡¯t missed the implication or phishing inquiry that Nova could transform into any other Eeveelution, but it didn¡¯t matter to her. ¡°Yeah, the first time. Nova was actually pretty angry with herself that she couldn¡¯t evolve into anything else. She had a playdate with her mother a few weeks back, and apparently, she helped her through some blocks.¡± ¡°Ambrosia, huh?¡± Pinery whispered. ¡°Hmm. Well, thank you, Rhea.¡± ¡°For?¡± she asked, unsure what she was referring to. ¡°Despite my agitation at your mother¡¯s refusal to so much as answer my calls¡­ You¡¯ve shown me there is hope for my life¡¯s work, and it¡¯s not just a dead-end, as some have called my research. So, I¡¯ll say it again¡­ Thank you. I want every Eevee to someday be able to enjoy being whatever they want to be at any moment. She brings hope to a lot of Eevee.¡± Lori¡¯s left eye creased. ¡°Mmh¡­ I don¡¯t know¡ªit looked more like jealousy and envy to me.¡± ¡°Perhaps on the surface,¡± she returned with a smile. ¡°It¡¯s hard to look at someone you see as perfect and not feel envious, but from what little I saw, I don¡¯t think Nova¡¯s the type of girl to rub people¡¯s faces in how amazing she is. And she is amazing. I look forward to following your journey, Rhea, and seeing where Nova goes from here.¡± She turned them onto the road and into traffic. ¡°Hehe. I even heard bets down the hall this morning. Nova went from Normal to Ice. Now she has Water, so some think Fire is next while others are saying Umbreon.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± Rhea mumbled, less nervous after hearing the woman bare her heart. ¡°Maybe she¡¯ll surprise us all with something new.¡± After a few seconds of silence, Pinery whispered, ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be a wonder to behold?¡± Making it to the restaurant, they ate and chatted a bit about their journey. A lot regarding their brush with Plasma was kept secret from the public; however, Gossip had released a recent post linking the Legendary Trainers¡¯ involvement due to Lyra. Adding in photos of them just after the incident around the lakeside town they¡¯d been teleported to surfacing, and things were getting dicey. Lori changed the topic to pull up obscure sites about a secret underground fan group tracking their movements and taking bets. Rhea sighed; she had no clue how the Unovan girl discovered the strange websites. Conspiracy theorists and enthusiasts online were gradually piecing their journey together in an attempt to predict where they¡¯d go next, and people were making bank off of it. Pinery cheered up and appeared to have a good time with their lunch discussions. They opted to browse the streets near the restaurant, waving the woman off to return to her work; she assured her that Nova would be in good hands with Shimmer. Casually walking the streets with her team, Rhea passively observed the Pokemon and city life of Vermilion. It wasn¡¯t nearly as crowded or bustling as Veridian or Saffron, yet the sea breeze and beachwear of the citizens eventually drew them toward the beach on Lori¡¯s prompt. Braiding each other¡¯s hair, they released the rest of their Pokemon to join them in some volleyball games, kicking up sand and laughing at how try-hard her Lopunny was against Terri. Eventually, they tired out and left their Pokemon to continue the fight. Laughing and taking pictures, a topic that came up throughout the evening was the date between Ash and Chloe, making Lori snicker. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think we¡¯re going to be seeing much of them anytime soon. Oh, do you think she¡¯ll pull him behind some stand at the amusement park to make out?¡± Amira crossed her legs and leaned back, playing with her phone to post a few of their pictures together. ¡°Do you really see Chloe being that bold after what we saw this morning? Not unless she gets hyped up by Soleil, and even then¡­ Oh, bad memories, Rhea? Sorry.¡± Rhea laughed and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m over it now. Ugh. I haven¡¯t even addressed it yet¡ªactually, whatever happened to Kekoa, Lori?¡± ¡°Ah, yeah, I chat with him sometimes.¡± She and Amira gave the girl a look. ¡°Cap?¡± Rhea questioningly said, mirroring one of Lori¡¯s phrases. The redhead chuckled. ¡°Seriously, I haven¡¯t seen you talk to anyone, and we¡¯re always around each other.¡± ¡°Text?¡± Lori muttered, pulling up her phone and showing a string of emojis with short phrases that went back weeks. ¡°We play a little game. Heh. One person starts, and the other has to add onto it.¡± ¡°Cute.¡± Rhea smiled. ¡°Hmm. Oh, we should probably head back to get the girls. Alice, Lulu, we¡¯re¡ªhehe, Lulu!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± The cloudy nimbus grabbed the ball¡ªplaying on Alice¡¯s team¡ªand vanished in light to smack her in the face with it. Deflating the item and checking it back in, Rhea was happy they didn¡¯t pop it since, reportedly, it often happened to the company. They charged heavily for it, but it wasn¡¯t like they could keep a ton of useless items in their limited backpacks. Bringing the discussion up on the way back, Amira had something to pose that drew their attention. ¡°I got a message from your mom, Rhea¡ª since you weren¡¯t answering her texts¡ªwondering if we still wanted to try the prototype bags Silph¡¯s developing that somehow incorporate Poke Ball technology to inanimate objects. Still interested?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Lori instantly shot back. ¡°How does that even work? You, heh, catch your shirt or something? Go, size-eight yellow shoes¡ªI choose you!¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± ¡°No,¡± Amira smirked, shaking her head as they boarded the flying taxi she¡¯d rented. ¡°Well, not entirely, from what I¡¯m aware; the items have to be tuned for it, so there¡¯s a limited roster of goods thus far, but the basics we¡¯d need as Trainers. No more bulky, little tents. We can get more quality, larger items since they fit in tiny capsules.¡± Rhea mirrored Lori¡¯s impressed expression. ¡°I¡¯m game. Rhea?¡± ¡°Sure! I haven¡¯t gotten any texts from her, though¡­ She probably sent them to someone by accident. When would we get that?¡± Checking her phone, Amira flipped it around to show them. ¡°It should be ready at the end of next week if we opt in for the beta testing phase. We¡¯ll need to send in weekly reports with our experience with them. Is that okay?¡± They nodded, and she replied that they were interested. The flying taxi dropped them off out front of the facility, waiting for their return since they wouldn¡¯t be long; she¡¯d felt Nova transform twice, which did put some pressure against her chest with the previous day¡¯s trouble, but it was manageable. Nova was beaming as she jogged with a horde of Eeveelutions, everyone wanting to say goodbye to the little salt-and-pepper Eevee. Rhea grinned, she appeared to have made quite an impression on them. Gables and Amber smiled while waving off a few specific Flareon and Vaporeon. Rhea got distracted from a text as they prepared to leave, seeing it was Kate. 7:18 p.m. - Kate: We just flew in! I think our training is lowkey, like¡­ really paying off! We got here sooner than we thought. Want to meet us at the Gym to register before getting dinner? Your brother¡¯s treat, naturally! Tee-hee. 7:19 p.m. - Kate: Are you hungry, or have you eaten? I know sometimes it¡¯s up and down for you. 7:19 p.m. - Rhea: Starved! Ever since Aura training and my Pokemon started battling stronger opponents, my body has been craving food. I might get a belly! 7:20 p.m. - Kate: Pfft! Don¡¯t even. You¡¯ve always had muscle, girl. I had to start watching my weight a little lately, but I think it¡¯s stress eating from worrying about your brother. Whatever! See you soon, and thanks for having my back! Laughing at the woman¡¯s comments, Rhea got in the taxi with Nova, leaving the Eeveelutions to watch them enter the orange sky. Mya and Nova seemed to have worked more out because the Mawile was a lot cheerier while observing the city from the air. Thankfully, it didn¡¯t take long for them to land at the Gym. Kate and Sabin were standing out front, hands in their pockets and wearing basically matching clothes of shorts and t-shirts. Her brother called out to her as they neared, warning her as she moved in for a hug, with a quick explanation as to the smell. ¡°Watch it, heh; Kate and I haven¡¯t showered in, like, three days.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± the blue-haired girl snarled, cheeks going pink. ¡°I put on deodorant¡ªbut yeah, mind if we stop by a hotel before grabbing something to eat? We got here as fast as we could.¡± ¡°Yeah, no problem!¡± Rhea snickered, now spotting the signs of the mess the two were in; Kate didn¡¯t seem to notice she still had dried mud on the back of her arm and neck that showed sweat stains. ¡°I¡­ think we have some time. Want to use the Gym showers?¡± ¡°Ooh! Nice call, Sis,¡± Sabin nodded, but Kate wore a scowl. ¡°What?¡± ¡°To just jump back into our dirty clothes? Men¡­ No, let¡¯s grab something new real fast from a nearby store¡ªI could go for a simple summer dress!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ You mean, I can pay for a new summer dress,¡± he said with a strained smile. ¡°And you¡¯ll love every minute of me in it!¡± she chimed with an innocent grin that made them laugh. ¡°I mean, you¡¯re not wrong, Bae,¡± he mused, thumbs sticking out of his pockets as he took them to a nearby outlet. ¡°You do look good in a summer dress¡ªtan?¡± ¡°Mmh. I¡¯m thinking yellow¡ªwe¡¯ll see what they have!¡± Kate chose a yellow, knee-length dress and returned to the Gym to register for Friday¡¯s Encrusted Badge. Once it was official, they waited in the locker room, chatting with the blue-haired Platinum-tier Trainer as she told them about her grueling week¡ªSabin was trying to prepare them for Master-tier, but Kate just wanted to get her second-to-last badge she needed to compete in the Summer Cup. Cleaned up, they hit a local Unovan-style restaurant for dinner and caught up before heading back to the Cerise residence at nine; Ash and Chloe weren¡¯t back as the family Yamper whimpered at the door, causing them to give one another looks. Nova communicated that the yellow Pokemon wanted more time with the girl since she was leaving soon. Telling Chloe¡¯s interested parents about their day, they got ready for bed and passed out, setting an appointment with her brother and Kate to bum around the city tomorrow. The following morning, Nova discovered via Chloe¡¯s Eevee that Chloe had chickened out of asking what his relationship to Misty was when she had the opportunity and had been beating herself up over it through the night. Apparently, today would be different, though! Power to you, girl! Rhea thought with a laugh. Ash and the lovestruck girl were already going out to meet up with the other couple by the time they reached the kitchen. Her mother wore a knowing smile that only a mother could, warming Rhea¡¯s heart. The test results that were sent to her mother would take a few days to properly go through and analyze to see if Nova and she weren¡¯t having issues, so they had the run of the city. Kate and her brother showed her around various locations, taking pictures and posting them on their profiles. Grandpa Drake went crazy at the images of her next to an Altaria and Swablu, getting hearts from most of her family. The 6th flashed by like a dream, and without stress, thankfully. Ash and Chloe were out late again, which prompted a round of snickers from her team. Kate cared for Lulu most of the day and enjoyed every minute of the quirky baby Legendary. The latter half was filled with strategies and fun conversations around the potential Pokemon the Gym Leader would throw at her. Once making it back to the house, Rhea felt lighter than she could remember when hitting the sack. She breathed a long breath, internally preparing herself for her first Silver-tier Gym Battle, despite the nerves. Tomorrow¡­ we get my first Silver Encrusted Badge; let¡¯s give it a hundred percent, girls! Nova nuzzled her leg under the covers as Alice and Mya cuddled closer on either side; she couldn¡¯t help but giggle with the tickling sensation Lulu left against her neck as the cloud hugged her. Good Night¡­ ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°N-ne¡­¡± ¡°L¡­ Lopunny.¡± ¡°Maw-maw.¡± B3 — 15. The Fairy Dance Pt. 1 11:50 a.m. August 7th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 58. Events: It¡¯s here! The Vermilion Gym battle and Rhea¡¯s first Silver-tier Encrusted Badge are just up ahead. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (120 days away). Nova got her new evolution, and Gables and Amber evolved, too! Waving her team and brother off with Katelin beside her forty minutes before her scheduled time, Rhea made her way to the locker rooms. Her heartbeat increased as the door came into sight, but her Pokemon were jumping at the gun to take on the new Fairy Gym. Kate hummed while opening the door for her. ¡°Nervous, huh?¡± ¡°Heh. I guess you could say that,¡± she mumbled, rubbing her tingling arm while proceeding inside. ¡°A lot has happened since our last Gym Battle against Forrest. I want to think we¡¯re ready for this, but I can¡¯t help but think about the other day.¡± The blue-haired girl sighed, following her to a less populated area as the final Bronze-tier contestants that went through the Gym that morning prepared to exit; Silver-tier was about to start. Quite a few of the other girls in her previous bracket gave her considering stares in passing, perpetuating whispered rumors to one another in passing. Rhea didn¡¯t pay them much mind after Amira¡¯s continual example of ignoring the idle chatter of crowds. The redhead had been a big help in showing her how to handle the limelight she¡¯d stepped into. Thinking back to her first time stepping into Oak¡¯s lab with all the other Starter Award Trainers, she was sure now the selection wasn¡¯t random like they¡¯d told them, and she was glad. She couldn¡¯t imagine going through everything they¡¯d had with another group of girls. They all supported each other in different ways, and Rhea was happy to contribute. Now, it was time to put her game face on because she¡¯d need to be on her A-game since this new Gym Leader was currently undefeated even five weeks after being open; it almost felt like an eternity ago that they were in Cerulean. Sitting on a bench a little out of the way from everyone, she heard the announcer inform the crowd that there would be a thirty-minute respite between the Bronze and Silver competitors. The break allowed Saria time to mentally prepare for the next tier of opponents. Releasing her pent-up lungs, Rhea gave Kate an encouraging grin. ¡°I¡¯ll be okay. Alice brought something up this morning, though,¡± she mumbled, playing with her skirt as the woman sat next to her. ¡°What did the floppy-eared cutie have to say?¡± she asked. Rhea released the bunny to rest her sad face on her knees, looking up at her while wrapping her ears around the back of her legs. Rubbing her head with a soft expression, Rhea sighed again, knowing it was really hard for her Lopunny. ¡°After we watched all those battles Saria had in Silver-tier, she¡¯s worried she isn¡¯t up to the level of Nova and Mya¡­ She doesn¡¯t want to hold us back, which is hard for her to admit.¡± ¡°Lop-lop¡­¡± she mumbled, chin still on her knee. Kate leaned over to join her in scratching the fluffy bunny¡¯s ears and neck. ¡°Mmh. Due to evolving, I¡¯d say she¡¯s closed a huge gap due to increased stats alone, but if she¡¯s feeling nervous about being younger than Nova and Mya, then maybe save her for the next Gym?¡± A low grumble mixed in Rhea¡¯s throat. ¡°We planned to go to either Erika or Janine¡¯s Gym next, depending on how things shake up here in Vermilion.¡± ¡°Ahh.¡± Kate¡¯s thick ponytail bobbed with her head movements. ¡°Yeah, Mya¡¯s typing is really good, and Nova¡¯s versatility in Glaceon and now Vaporeon is huge¡­ Still, I think Alice would do great with the Speed, evasion, and status meta Janine enjoys.¡± Rhea blinked, Alice¡¯s attention being snatched by the thoughts. ¡°Lopunny?¡± ¡°Janine would be good for Alice if it¡¯s focused on speed, and Mya¡¯s typing counters the poison.¡± Kate shrugged and leaned back. ¡°I¡¯d use Alice for Janine, and while Mya is immune to poison, don¡¯t think for a second Janine doesn¡¯t have a thousand counters to that as a Poison expert, including changing Mya¡¯s typing to allow for poisoning. Higher tiers get way tougher¡ªusually not in this tier, though. She should work on her maneuverability and coordination with teammates to cover her weaknesses.¡± She winked at the hopeful salt-and-pepper bunny. ¡°I¡¯m sure Alice would be happy to help Mya learn how not just to be a meat shield. There are some tricky things I¡¯ve seen some Mawile do with their Moves to get their tails into gear.¡± Alice snickered at the comment, likely saying Mawile didn¡¯t have tails, but Rhea was glad to see her speedy girl not so depressed after Kate¡¯s encouragement. ¡°Thanks, Kate.¡± ¡°Of course! What¡ª¡± She paused as a voice entered their minds, making the older woman¡¯s hand swiftly go to her waist and Poke Balls before the Psychic identified themselves. ¡°Apologies for the intrusion, girls; this is Inja, Gym Leader Saria¡¯s Gardevoir. Would you two mind stepping out into the stadium hallway that leads to the stage? Thank you.¡± Giving each other confused looks, Rhea got up with Kate and followed the instructions. Alice was by her side, communicating with her teammates through their shared bond as they discussed the sudden redirect. ¡°Well, this isn¡¯t scary,¡± Kate giggled. ¡°I guess maybe I¡¯m in trouble for being too early? Platinum-tier shouldn¡¯t be taking up space in the locker rooms until five. Eh-hehe. Ugh.¡± They drew attention from the gathering Silver-tier competitors, a few pointing Kate out over Rhea, which surprised her, but the girl was somewhat famous. Though, as Rhea recalled from one rather prickly Gossip article she ¡®used¡¯ to like, it was more for being her brother¡¯s girlfriend than as a standout Trainer. Looking back, the young woman was probably just jealous since her brother rejected her advances. She¡¯d heard Kate fuming about it when Sabin told her that the Gossip reporter had tried to set up an off-the-side fling with him. At the time, it was amusing to her, but not so much anymore after allowing herself room to get to know the strong and kind blue-haired woman. Rhea forced a smile as Saria came into view with her gorgeous, poised Gardevoir. She always loved the elegance the Pokemon displayed, yet the online ¡®fandom¡¯ did make her uncomfortable, and a tad disturbed, whenever she tried to look up backgrounds for her devices. ¡°Hello, Gym Leader Saria! It¡¯s, eh-heh, a pleasure¡ªsorry for being early,¡± Kate said, jumping right into the conversation. ¡°Hehe. It¡¯s no issue, Katelin,¡± she returned. ¡°By the way, you have an adorable Pikabook profile. I love the cute, sleeping Sylveon profile picture. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re able to be here to support Rhea. Actually, I¡¯m here for her.¡± ¡°Me?¡± Rhea asked, hands tightening at her front. ¡°Is¡­ something wrong with the registration¡ªwas it too soon after going into Silver-tier?¡± ¡°Oh, no, no. No need to fret,¡± she laughed. ¡°I just wanted to ask for your autograph for my fianc¨¦¡ªheh, well, there¡¯s more than that, but he¡¯s become a big fan of yours since seeing you forfeit the Battle Dome match the other day.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Utterly confused, Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed while trying to work through the statement. ¡°He¡­ was a fan of me giving up?¡± Kate leaned in to nudge her. ¡°No, silly. Hehe. She¡¯s saying he¡¯s a fan of your forethought with the Spite dilemma you found yourself in.¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Saria confirmed. Inja smiled beside her Trainer, hovering a few inches off the ground. ¡°It was very mature. It shows you are not simply, eh¡­ as one of my closest friends might say, throwing your face against the wall and hoping it sticks inside of it.¡± Alice giggled at the saying, likely thinking about Mya. Rhea hesitated as the charming blonde held up a paper and fancy fountain pen. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ never given my autograph before, but¡­ I guess there¡¯s a first time for everything. You saw my matches in the Battle Dome?¡± Saria¡¯s expression became forced as Rhea took the items and moved to the wall to sign the paper. ¡°That is also another reason for contacting you. It¡¯s rare that Gym Leaders get to know the Trainers they¡¯ll be facing. However, your team has been a topic of great discussion amongst the other Gyms with the Pokemon your mother has gifted your group. There has been a soft restriction the League wanted the next Gym Leader you faced to discuss with you.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened as she finished the signature, handing it back to her. ¡°What kind of restriction?¡± ¡°Outside of Gym Challenges, at least for the time being, the League would like Nova to refrain from transforming multiple times in a battle.¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Kate grinned, pulling out some gum from her back pocket to extract a piece to chew. ¡°So¡­ all is fair when it comes to battling Gyms¡ªwant a piece?¡± Saria gladly accepted the offer, and after a second¡¯s thought, Rhea did, as well. ¡°Thanks! Yup. You should thank Giovanni for that. He was very against any restrictions, saying, heh, Kanto needed to toughen up. I¡¯m more on his side, which surprises me. Anyway, I also wanted to make you aware that I did plan on using an Alolan Vulpix against you.¡± ¡°Ack!¡± Almost swallowing the gum, Rhea rubbed her throat, face going red. ¡°They get Spite really early; it¡¯s the biggest threat we can face from Fairy Pokemon!¡± ¡°Did, being the keyword,¡± Katelin interjected. ¡°You¡¯ve changed your mind?¡± Inja nodded. ¡°It was before we saw your match in the Battle Dome. Actually, it was Giovanni¡¯s suggestion in our last meeting; I suspect he wanted to show you a weakness he¡¯d predicted, but now that you¡¯ve already discovered it yourself, we don¡¯t consider it necessary.¡± ¡°Plus,¡± Saria breathed out a heavy sigh, rubbing her neck and looking away. ¡°I suspect if we did do that, we could put you in the hospital, and what kind of an image would that be for the new Gym?¡± She grimaced and showed a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯ve got enough heat as it is turning it Fairy. I expect you¡¯re still working out strategies. Well, I¡¯ve got to grab a power bar or something before our battle¡ªI¡¯m starving! I can¡¯t wait for tonight. I¡¯ve got an amazing home-cooked dinner from my man waiting for me and hours of work ahead. Haha. He¡¯s too good for me. Ugh. See you soon, and give it your all.¡± ¡°Yeah, see you¡­¡± A little dazed at the quick meeting, she mirrored the pair¡¯s gesture as Inja teleported them away. ¡°Uh¡­ that was something.¡± Kate laughed and guided her back into the locker room. She didn¡¯t know what to make of the revelation that Amira¡¯s grandpa had suggested Spite when it could have just as easily put Amira in the hospital. Then again, maybe that was just a part of being in the Rocket family, and the redhead wouldn¡¯t see an issue with it. Time went by in a flash, and her name was called for the opener for the Silver Bracket. Kate rubbed her back as Rhea debated making a short run to the bathroom to throw up. She hadn¡¯t felt this nervous in a long while, and after Forrest and Lori¡¯s battle against Misty, she didn¡¯t want to mess up. Still, she stepped into the hallway, pink lights focusing on her and lighting up the arena. People generally didn¡¯t get their own songs until Platinum-tier, so the Gym theme music played. Peach Dream, which was upbeat and filled with strings and flutes; it seemed to be something Lori would like to dance to in a club. She listened to the music on the way up to the stage, the words making Rhea remember that Fairy-Type Pokemon weren¡¯t all cute and cuddly but had a history of trickery. ¡°Never see you in the daylight, only in the twilight. ¡°Keep me on the down low. Love me in the moonlight. ¡°Baby that¡¯s alright. ¡°Ya, I don¡¯t really mind, as long you keep comin¡¯ round; I¡¯ll be yours for the night¡­¡± Taking her place, Rhea put her Poke Balls in and let the announcer hype up the battle; she couldn¡¯t see many people with the light on her and darkness taking the stands, but she knew her brother and friends were there. Supposedly, Ash came, as well. Saria was in a radiant dress that sparkled in the pink overhead lights, and Rhea¡¯s mind went into a short daze as spots flashed across her vision. No! Focus! she yelled to herself, puffing out a long breath as her thoughts snapped back into gear with the countdown already started. Things were going too fast, but she acted on instinct, pulling out a Poke Ball. The green orb lit up, and she threw it into the center of the stadium. Lulu climbed up to her head to cheer them on, holding up her puffy arms like pom-poms. ¡°Ne! Ne! Ne!¡± We can do this! * * * Nova exited her Poke Ball, ready for a fight, as a bipedal, maiden-like Pokemon exited his own capsule, making Rhea curse. Yet Nova was already jumping into combat as her Trainer informed her of their opponent. ¡°Kirlia! Muk, that¡¯s at least mid-Silver, and¡­ Trace?! Watch it!¡± The Kirlia¡¯s eyes widened, completely locked onto her, vanishing in rainbow bars. Nova knew this Move all too well due to her Quirky teammate¡¯s antics, knowing they always went to a blind spot. Pivoting to flip to the side in a half-twist, Nova saw the male Kirlia¡¯s eyes light up with his body; pulses of psionic energy pulsed out to hit her, but the Psybeam was larger than the ones she saw at the Battle Dome. ¡°He¡¯s copying your Adaptability, Nova; if you get hit, it will hurt a lot! Saria is countering our adaptability with her own. He will swap to multiple of your Abilities to make use of each, so no Vaporeon or they¡¯ll become immune to all Water-Type Moves.¡± Got it! White energy surrounded Nova, a pulse of speed flooding her limbs as the world stretched and she surged forward in an instant to evade the quick-moving circular waves. She passed right through the flickering Pokemon as multiple copies shot out of him, swiftly surrounding her. ¡°Right for the throat,¡± the boy chuckled. ¡°Quick, but how good are your dancing skills? Dance for me!¡± Nova laughed, her energy dissipating in the air with a sparkle lit in the corner of her eye. The Kirlia released a song that vibrated the air around her, but his double swiftly faded away as she saw past his trickery. ¡°Better than you might think!¡± she shot back, flipping around to land on the ground, Run Away strengthening her legs as she zig-zagged to evade the Disarming Voice that kept close to her tail. She dodged it two times, swapping directions each time but it wouldn¡¯t let up. He sent two more her way¡ªno matter¡ªshe twisted between them, tail whipping her around to pass right through a hoop, causing them to cancel each other out. Finding a second to stand still, she added a charming smile at the Kirlia several meters away, as he prepared his next Move. She held a paw to her mouth and patted it with a yawn. ¡°Mmh¡­ How the tables turn; I think you should take a nap.¡± She sent a few puffs of clouds at the laughing Kirlia, yet he elegantly stepped around them; unfortunately, they were only a distraction. Batting her eyes, Nova held a paw to her mouth again with a hidden smirk as pink, twinkling lights encompassed her. ¡°Oh. If you keep looking at me like that, I might think you want something different. Not going to turn away? Bold.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ hehe. You are terrifyingly pretty,¡± he muttered, dodging the last Yawn as his face tightened upon her Captivate. Nice! Rhea cheered. If he needs to keep locked onto you to maintain Trace, then we can use that to our advantage. Two Special Attack stages down! He split into multiple copies again, making her giggle and use Detect again. ¡°The same thing¡ªoh, well, that¡¯s not good¡­¡± She got on all fours as the duplicates were surrounded by a black aura, and their eyes flashed red¡ªpressure hit her from every angle¡ªhe¡¯d baited out her Detect again to use Disable. Quick Attack broke her out of the weight against her body, accelerating her to jump around the dozens of energy-charged vocal rings; she couldn¡¯t tell which was real, so she used up the Move just to escape the barrage. It would have been great to have Haze right now, she internally complained to her team as she thought back to what the Vaporeon at the lab had shown her. ¡°Huh?!¡± The world went wild, and before she knew it, she was tumbling across the ground. ¡°Confusion! He hid inside his Double Team to launch it since you couldn¡¯t detect it¡­ Smart. You good?¡± I¡¯m great¡­ Nova growled, diving to the left and rolling to dodge a pulse of psychic waves. Just seeing triple¡­ of, like, dozens of people. A light blue shell surrounded her, taking the multiple Moves that he¡¯d chained to hit her at once, cracking the barrier, but it held; it was hard not to stumble and drop the Protect¡ªit couldn¡¯t take much more punishment, and it was the first time she¡¯d used it in what seemed forever since she favored Detect. She blinked and all of the clones faded away, seemingly a product of her confusion more than the Move itself now. Shaking her head, a rock dropped into her stomach as the Kirlia appeared right in front of her, dark purple eyes wide and all-encompassing¡ªa beam brought her back into her Poke Ball. * * * Mya grinned as Rhea recalled Nova and shouted, ¡°Mya, you¡¯re up! Nova needs a break.¡± Exiting her Poke Ball, a ghostly aura surrounded her, projecting giant fangs that closed around the Fairy and Psychic Pokemon, teleportation collapsing; locked out of gathering his energy, Mya released a sweet scent throughout the field from her mouth. She ran at him with a grin, radiating her Intimidation Aura to make him flinch as he tried to swap his Trace to her; his actions were becoming sluggish in the haze she spread around, making it difficult for him to react and dodge¡ªSweet Scent was something she¡¯d found that worked on Alice. Darkness flared in her jaws, tongue reaching to pull the dazed Pokemon into their embrace; a red beam took him away from her snapping jaws. A short explosion of Dark-Type energy detonated as her teeth came together, and Mya landed. ¡°Nice job, Mya!¡± Nova cheered, regaining her senses. ¡°Ooh! So, close!¡± No snack, though, she grumbled, keeping her back partially turned to the Gym Leader with her sticky mouth opening to show its thick, intimidating teeth. What¡¯s she doing? Rhea answered her. ¡°A momentum shift. She¡¯s waiting the several seconds allowed between releases to bring things back into her favor.¡± ¡°Cheap trick,¡± Alice huffed. ¡°She should just throw out her new Pokemon and let them turn the tides in an instant.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s smart.¡± Nova hummed with interest at the delay. ¡°Oh, here it is! She¡¯s probably giving them advice or a plan.¡± Mya flexed her fingers; dark-brown energy surrounded her, pulling away to form four stone rocks. She directed them at the smiling pink ball-like Pokemon that materialized. It easily sidestepped them with cartwheels as Rhea groaned. ¡°A male Clefairy¡­ and probably with Magic Guard and Cute Charm. You can¡¯t use Sucker Punch or Bite¡ªno contact Moves, Mya, which will be hard for you¡­ Ugh. Gym Leaders always have counters!¡± ¡°Hello,¡± the Clefairy cheerily greeted, waving and showing an amiable expression. ¡°I like to take things more slow-like, personally. You?¡± Mya slammed her fist into her palm with a grin. ¡°I like to take my time! Haha. Well, my mind can go soft by hitting you a few times; the solution is simple¡­ Hit harder!¡± Fist lighting with raging orange energy, her Attack increased while slamming it into the stone, creating a small impact. Flexing her fingers, she hummed, gathering more from Rhea to further increase her power. ¡°Hit a lot harder¡­¡± The Celfairy forced a smile. ¡°Eh-heh. I¡­ know someone just like you.¡± Striding forward as the crowd cheered and a sword appeared in her hand, Mya felt power flood her body. ¡°I hope you¡¯re good at dodgeball, buddy¡­ I wouldn¡¯t want to kill you! Haha.¡± ¡°Are you even listening to me? Haaa. Yeah, just like someone else I know¡ªyou¡¯re just a lot prettier,¡± he mumbled. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s slow dance, girl!¡± B3 — 16. The Fairy Dance Pt. 2 12:34 p.m. August 7th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 58. Events: It¡¯s here! The Vermilion Gym battle and Rhea¡¯s first Silver-tier Encrusted Badge are just up ahead. Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (120 days away). Nova got her new evolution, and Gables and Amber evolved, too! Mya kept her distance, waiting for her opportunity to strike. She kept her mouth open, releasing the sweet scent that hazed her opponent¡¯s mind, delaying their actions. However, the Clefairy had his own plan as he took a deep breath before singing and hopping around the ring. ¡°In the pink glow of the stage, there is a lovely brute that falls asleep¡ª¡± ¡°Misty Terrain!¡± Rhea hastily countered. The sweet scent instantly changed to the shimmering cloud, guarding both of them against status conditions. Mya had grown fond of the Move since it countered Alice¡¯s sleep on contact Ability. Unfortunately, the Clefairy¡¯s Cute Charm Ability wasn¡¯t affected by the mist, so she still had to be careful when making contact with him. ¡°I don¡¯t think so, bud!¡± she laughed, jumping in the air and twirling; Fairy Wind dispersed the sparkly haze. She landed in the mist, obscuring her from view, yet she¡¯d learned how to spot her opponent through the haze. ¡°Got anything¡ªack. C¡¯mon!¡± She grunted as the Clefairy sent a pulse of sonic force at her, Disarming Voice honing in on her through the veil; it didn¡¯t hurt that much, but the Move was so annoying. ¡°If he wants to infatuate you, counter it, Mya!¡± Mya grinned as Nova and Alice agreed, building the Move; it was the first time she¡¯d used it, and the Eevee told her what to do. Yet, in the next instant, all her sweet scent and Misty Terrain were blown into the corner of the massive stadium with a cutting wind that shoved her back. ¡°Copycat! He used your Fairy Wind against you, or wait¡ªno, he has the Move, too. Agh,¡± Rhea growled. ¡°Do your best to stay in the Terrain to counter the sing.¡± Keeping focused, the second the prancing pink Pokemon touched down, she showed him a charming smile. ¡°Nova tells me Mimicry is the best flattery. Thank you!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The Clefairy¡¯s eyes dilated as hearts shone around her, and he almost tripped. ¡°Oh, you¡­ pretty, clever girl¡­ Why not a kiss?¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Mya¡¯s confidence faltered as he skipped forward, lips glowing; a heart formed, rushing right for her. ¡°Eek!¡± Mya was shocked at her own high-pitched cry while diving to the side; she¡¯d seen what this Move did on the Pokemon Rescue Squad show, and she was not going to become a mindless drone! Rolling away, Mya panicked as he neared, seeking to kiss her again. Jaws closing around his body and energy flooding her mouth, Mya flung him across the stage. She didn¡¯t want to touch him and get infatuated, but she didn¡¯t have a choice; luckily, it didn¡¯t trigger. A force sent him smashing into the stone, but he flipped into a spin, landing on the side of the barrier to launch back at her. ¡°Don¡¯t be so shy! No, but I love it when you throw¡­ How about an Encore?!¡± ¡°Ugh! Stop!¡± she cried. Brown light collected around her to throw four stones at the Pokemon, battering him away just as he clapped his hands. Spotlights shone around her, confetti showering from the Move that locked her into her last Move. She barely managed to get the Ancient Power out, by pulling hard from Rhea¡¯s Fortitude. ¡°Ack¡ªack¡­ Why so¡ªoh, you¡¯re so lucky!¡± the Clefairy mused, somehow managing to spin away from the barrage of rocks she threw at him. ¡°How about this?¡± A surge from deep within her bolstered all of her Stats, yet a flash blinded her, and when Mya¡¯s vision cleared, he was nowhere to be seen; luckily, her mist was starting to fill the area again. Where¡¯d he go?! ¡°Minimize!¡± Rhea explained. ¡°He¡¯s really small, Mya; prepare Metal Burst and wait for my call. His goal is to infatuate you so he can go to town on you with Double Slaps¡ªwait, is that¡­¡± Okay! What?! Fist closing, she scanned the mist, licking her lips as a resounding drum beat from somewhere to her left. Even with the ominous noise, she couldn¡¯t see him at all. ¡°I think that¡¯s¡­ Belly Drum! Increase Intimidate!¡± Wha¡ª Doubling her dampening aura, it spread only moments before the attack came. Mya¡¯s world spun, feet leaving earth as she was suddenly upside down, another blow smacking her face and sending her into the air. All the while, she had no idea where the Pokemon was. He was as fast as Alice, and her mind hazed pink as the handsome squishy pastry appeared in front of her, making her drool. ¡°So¡­ beautiful. Uck!¡± ¡°No, Mya, snap out of it!¡± Nova called. Donut¡­ ¡°Huh? What did she say?¡± Alice mumbled. ¡°Donut?¡± The soft dessert smacked her across the cheek for a third time, doing significant damage to her energy matrix. Metal Burst collapsed as she lost focus, and suddenly the dreamy pastry turned into a Pokemon, igniting a fire in her belly. ¡°Y-You made me¡ªI¡¯m hungry!¡± It was the Clefairy¡¯s time to look confused. ¡°Hungry?¡± Bringing around her grinning mouth around, her sticky, black tongue slid out as she salivated; just in time, as the puffy pink blob turned into a sweet pastry again. ¡°So tasty! Get in my stomach!¡± ¡°Ahhh!¡± Lovestruck, she ran after the crying pastry, attempting to escape her snapping, sparking jaws; she had to paralyze this escaping bundle of sweetness to savor her meal. ¡°Stop running!¡± ¡°Abort! Abort!¡± A red beam connected to the pastry, pulling it away from her and making her snarl and fall to her knees. ¡°Noooo! Wait¡­ No-ho-ho.¡± She hid her face in embarrassment with Alice and Nova rolling around their Poke Balls. ¡°You were i-in love with food!¡± Alice roared. Nova was laughing her tail off. ¡°Of course, it had to be sweets!¡± S-Shut up! I need to focus¡­ Her large mouth twitching with agitation, she opened it to hiss at the Kirlia that replaced her previous pastry dream; even the Feeling Pokemon was snickering at her. ¡°Wow! You are in love with sweets, huh?¡± He¡¯s taunting me! ¡°I don¡¯t think he has that Move,¡± Nova mused. ¡°Misty¡ª¡± Already ahead of you, Sis! The fog exploded from her jaws as a shimmer brought the Kirlia in front of her, eyes wide and releasing waves to put her into a trance; Amber¡¯s favorite trick. ¡°Woah!¡± Mya reached out and snatched him into a hug, holding him close to her body. ¡°Teleport now, bud!¡± Leaping high into a front flip, she collected the energy around his tiny frame and flung him into the stone floor, making him wince. A kinetic force rushed into her feet, shooting her toward the ground to stomp the recovering Pokemon. ¡°Got yo¡ªI hate Teleport!¡± She passed right through his shining form to leave an imprint on the ground and spinning her head in the air, she used its weight and momentum to twirl away from the circular psychic waves he sent her way. ¡°That¡¯s it, Mya!¡± Nova and Rhea cheered in unison. You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Mya refused to back down. She would not make Rhea lose another Gym Battle. Disable hit her, attempting to lock her in place, yet the dark light gathering in her hand broke her free, shadows carrying Mya high into the sky. The Fairy Pokemon¡¯s panicked gaze searched for her in vain as she appeared in his blind spot after his teleport, making the crowd gasp. ¡°I¡¯ve got my own teleport!¡± ¡°Well p¡ª¡± The Kirlia reflected a pulse of Attack dampening force that was torn to shreds by Hyper Cutter. Risk-Taker activated with her Sword Dance and Power-Up Punch enhanced Sucker Punch. Her knuckles collided with the side of the Kirlia¡¯ face, shattering his defensive matrix, and potentially close to destroying his secondary shield. He struck the barrier right in front of the Gym Leader, eyes rolled back and mind dead to the world. A beam connected to him, bringing the Feeling Pokemon back into his Poke Ball before he fell, and the Celfairy was back on the field the second Mya¡¯s feet touched ground. ¡°You¡¯re amazing, Mya! It¡¯s Nova¡¯s turn, now.¡± Good luck, fluffy tail! * * * Nova giggled as Rhea returned Mya to her Poke Ball just as the Celfairy shot forward to try and break her teammate¡¯s already heavily damaged energy matrix; her Trainer copied Saria¡¯s earlier stall tactic, tossing her Poke Ball up and down several seconds with a smile. ¡°We gotta be careful, Nova. Mya took out the Trace Pokemon, but that Sing might be trouble.¡± I¡¯ll be ready for it! I know you¡¯re running low on Fortitude, too. Good job on watching how much you used, Mya. ¡°Heh. Thanks for the pep talk. I needed a good tail slap.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go! Let¡¯s go!¡± Alice groaned with Lulu, still cheering from atop their Trainer¡¯s head and calling Nova¡¯s name. ¡°Go, go, Big Sis Nova! Fluffy-fluff spinny attack!¡± Hehehe. She¡¯s so cute. Let¡¯s do this! Rhea threw her Poke Ball as another flash minimized the Celfairy; the battle was on. Yet, when Nova materialized, she simply sat on her butt, inspecting her paw with a small, disinterested smirk that made the crowd ¡®ooo.¡¯ ¡°Two can play the evasion game, bud.¡± A rush of jade hues collected around her, increasing her Special Attack, and a twinkle in her left eye brought her attention to her left, spotting the tiny Fairy launching from the ground to strike her. ¡°Too easy.¡± She hopped back, twisting to blow him away with a spray of sand. ¡°Oof! Ah-heh. You¡ªack¡ªguys are way stronger than the normal entry-level opponents we¡¯ve fought,¡± the Celfairy mumbled, squinting to find her, but it wasn¡¯t hard when rainbow rays surrounded her. Nova¡¯s tail flattened, widening at the end, ears growing with two locks. Her sleek fur tightened against her frame, turning black as she shook out her body. The announcer and crowd went wild as she held her head high with a short chirp. ¡°Shall we really begin?¡± ¡°Nova evolves into a black and white furred Glaceon! I think our Gym Leader is in trouble now!¡± The Clefairy sent a sound wave of Fairy energy at her that Nova blew away with a long stream of icy wind, crystalizing the ground. Jumping forward, she glided across the thin sheet to the retreating Pokemon, speed accelerating with the Skater Ability. He leaped into the air to escape her, taking a deep breath to let loose a hypnotic song, but the hearts that formed around her frame made the male Pokemon hesitate; she could use their Captivate game against them. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t hurt me, would you? Heh.¡± ¡°N-Not so fast¡­ Oh, no.¡± A barrier formed around him, blocking the debilitating Move, yet her follow-up blast of frigid air launched him further into the sky, leaving him utterly defenseless; the blue shell flickered and vanished. She got confirmation from Rhea to end it. The crowd was on the edge of their seats as Nova drew carefully from her Trainer¡¯s Fortitude, resonating with their bond while converting the remaining energy her Glaceon transformation had. Reverting back to her Eevee stage, Nova¡¯s claws dug into the ice to keep from slipping, the panicking Clefairy falling closer and closer to her illuminating base form. A golden radiance erupted around her, and Veevee Volley propelled Nova¡¯s twinkling body to meet the Fairy Pokemon. Carrying them both higher and higher to the stadium shield overhead, Nova sandwiched him between her volcanic burst of kinetic force and the wall, shattering his energy matrix and sending him rocketing back to the stone floor to tumble into an unmoving slump. It was over; they¡¯d won. ¡°Clefary is unable to battle; Rhea Everhart takes the victory!¡± The victory song exploded through the speakers as Nova did a few flips and landed on her feet, all lights on her. ¡°¡®Cause it¡¯s one, it¡¯s one, one for the money. ¡°Two, it¡¯s two, ¡®cause two is for the show. ¡°Three, it¡¯s three, three, get ready, ¡°Are you ready Cleffa-lovers? Are you ready? Let¡¯s go!¡± * * * Rhea was partially in shock, breathing hard and legs feeling a little weak after Nova¡¯s last push, but it had been worth it. We did it! We actually did it! Saria wore a small smile, giving her a soft clap after returning her Pokemon to his Poke Ball. The announcer was still going crazy with the crowd. ¡°Rhea Everhart has become the first Trainer to not only receive the Silver-Encrusted Fairy Heart Badge, but the first Encrusted Badge, period! And what a show it was! It was like we were watching a Contest instead of a Gym Battle, and that last Move¡ªdazzling! Ten! Ten across the board from the judges!¡± Rhea¡¯s throat went dry as the screen showed a pink, gem-like, five-pointed star inside of a sapphire Butterfree-shaped setting; the edges were encrusted with silver to illustrate her victory over the Gym¡¯s leader. Our first Encrusted Badge¡­ We¡¯re actually Silver-tier! she squealed to her Pokemon, somehow revitalized with the excitement that bubbled up within her fluttering stomach. We¡¯re Silver-tier! Lulu floated down to hug her neck and hopped on the console shortly after, cheering her big sister on. Nova, Mya, and Alice were all cheering and hugging her spirit. At last, she knew for a fact this was where she belonged. After their struggles in Bronze-tier, Rhea felt liberated. Saria¡¯s gentle voice brought her back to her senses as the music died down with the crowd. Nova¡¯s tail couldn¡¯t be stopped from its wags as she sat front and center, attention on the blonde Gym Leader. ¡°Well done, Rhea; you used Misty Terrain and Sweet Scent perfectly to counter the sleep tactics, while not being afraid to swap out your Pokemon. I¡¯m impressed that your Pokemon could hold themselves back from physical contact for most of the fight and were able to zone mine, even with Teleport and Minimize at play. You earned your victory.¡± ¡°Eh-heh. The Trace really threw me for a loop at the start,¡± Rhea returned with a short laugh. ¡°It totally made me panic there for a bit since Nova has so many Abilities it could copy, but I figured out that you wanted me to use Mya against the Kirlia since her Abilities wouldn¡¯t help the Kirlia at all. You really gave me a puzzle to solve on the fly.¡± ¡°And you did it excellently.¡± Rhea shook her head and wiped away some perspiration that was beginning to show on her forehead; her armpits were already wet, so she opted to keep her arms at her side. ¡°I can¡¯t take all the credit. Amira, my teammate, has taught me so much about how to prepare for Gym Battles; she really is a genius. Lori let me in on some tricky combinations she thought up, too, and our Pokemon train together a lot. I think, heh, I¡¯m probably the least person that contributed to this win, if I¡¯m being honest!¡± Saria¡¯s gaze shifted to a particular part of the crowd. ¡°Humble. I see¡­ So, this was a team effort, then? And you¡¯ve found a good group of friends?¡± ¡°The best!¡± Rhea beamed. ¡°You¡¯ve also inspired me with your Silver Conference battle. You have no idea how much Mya looks up to Zaneeta. She thinks your Mawile is the greatest warrior in the world.¡± Mya groaned, nudging her spirit to stop; she was embarrassing her. ¡°Is that right? Well, then she¡¯ll be happy to know that Zaneeta told me she¡¯d like to watch Mya¡¯s future battles. We¡¯ll be subscribing to your Trainer tag.¡± Her Mawile started freaking out, unsure if she should cry, scream for joy, or hide in embarrassment as Alice teased and poked her. ¡°Haha. We¡¯ll do our best!¡± ¡°Good. Now, I¡¯m sure you have some celebrating to do. You¡¯ve earned it.¡± Waving the Fairy Gym Leader off, Rhea was in such a daze that she had to double back to return Nova to her Poke Ball. Her Eevee was rolling with laughter at her pink cheeks as she hastily retreated back to the locker rooms to the crowds¡¯ snickers. Sabin, Kate, and her friends met them in the hallway, the Unovan girl a blubbering mess as she tackled her. ¡°The best friends?! Y-You¡¯re too sweet, Blondie¡ªway too sweet! You did it!¡± ¡°I know! Aah! We got our first Encrusted Badge!¡± Amira moved in to give her a hug, calm as ever, and wearing an entertained grin. ¡°Easier than you thought?¡± ¡°No! I swear, I thought we were Ghosts a few times there. Thanks for all the advice and help, Amira.¡± The redhead rubbed her back before pulling away. ¡°Of course. Should we grab lunch before Kate¡¯s battle?¡± ¡°Yes! I¡¯m starved,¡± Rhea groaned, swapping to her brother¡¯s arms as Kate lingered nearby with a shining smile. ¡°Did I do good, Sabin?¡± ¡°Pfft! You kidding me? You saw that crowd eating up Mya¡¯s finisher, and that blitz combo that Nova did was heavy metal, Sis! I got lunch, okay? Let¡¯s stop off and get your badge real quick, though! I wanna see this beauty, and you know Dad is going to frame that Muk after you reach Gold-tier.¡± ¡°He was watching¡ªwait, when I reach Gold-tier?¡± ¡°Naturally,¡± he mused, messing up her hair a little and making her growl. Her friends laughed at the dirty glare she shot her big brother. ¡°You¡¯re hitting the top, Sis. Oh, and of course, Dad would be lurking. You don¡¯t think he and Franky would miss this, do you? I¡¯ll text him and get his butt out of hiding. Let¡¯s get you some grub! Got a place, Kate?¡± ¡°Already booked, Bae! Let¡¯s hit the beach sand bar to play some volleyball, too; we all got our swimsuits. Girls vs. boys!¡± Her brother did a double take. ¡°What? I get my Pokemon then!¡± ¡°Only if the girls are on our team, too! Luna and I need some bonding time, right?¡± ¡°C¡¯mon, Kate,¡± her brother pleaded with a strained voice. ¡°I have Felicity with me.¡± ¡°I know! She loves beating you into the sand. It¡¯ll be great!¡± Rhea giggled with her teammates. By her innocent, toothy grin, this was most definitely punishment for something her brother did. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun!¡± Lori¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°Oh, I got new nicknames for us! Check it¡ªRhea is Honey since she¡¯s just too sweet!¡± ¡°Aww.¡± Her brother nodded in agreement. ¡°She¡¯s also got a Beedrill¡¯s sting, too, if ya know what I mean.¡± ¡°Sabin!¡± she huffed, punching him in the arm. ¡°See!? Haha. What did I tell you?!¡± They laughed, and Lori pointed to Amira. ¡°Then we got our Strawberry surprise! I mean, she¡¯s also got those plump red lips to go with the hair, so we could go Cherry, too¡ªno, Raspberry since she can be spicy. Thoughts?¡± ¡°Mmh, raspberries spicy?¡± Amira pulled a loose strand behind her ear. ¡°I don¡¯t know about that.¡± ¡°Well, I¡¯d say more tart, but, heh, I didn¡¯t want to say it¡ªoops! That won¡¯t go down well for me in the future, right?¡± Lori laughed, ¡°So, c¡¯mon! What¡¯s mine?¡± Amira looked at Rhea with a small smirk, adding her circular, rose-tinted sunglasses as they stepped out into the warm sea breeze. ¡°Velvet, short for velvet cake since you can leave a sharp edge on my tongue.¡± ¡°Ouch! Nice.¡± Rhea laughed, ¡°How many nicknames are you going to give us, Velv? Blondie, Sunshine, and now this?¡± ¡°As many as it takes! After all, we¡¯re besties now, right!?¡± Kate jumped in to inquire more about their travels and what fun they¡¯d been having with Ash as she guided them to the sand bar she¡¯d already called. Rhea felt like she was walking on clouds; the day had only just begun, beating her brother at volleyball, and now her dad was even going to show up. There was so much more fun ahead. B3 — 17. Everyone Needs A Break 4:02 p.m. August 7th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 58. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on a solid track to jump into the Silver League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (120 days away). Rhea couldn¡¯t stop laughing as Kate dragged her brother by the arm to the beach bar. It had been a long time since she¡¯d seen her brother smile like this; it touched her heart, to see his sapphire-haired girlfriend poking fun and setting all sorts of unreasonable rules for the upcoming volleyball game. If Kate wasn¡¯t enough, Lori was a bundle of energy, as well. The two extroverts bounced off each other in ways Rhea had only seen the Unovan girl do with her little sister. Amira basked in the background, rosy sunglasses on, with Amber by her side. Rhea marveled at the matching pair since the Rocket girl had somewhere in the last few hours obtained a set of rounded shades for the fox to enjoy with her. The cool, salted breeze, the lively ambiance of Vermilion¡¯s beach partiers, and the heated sun overhead radiated a strong sense of freedom. It made Rhea fall into a reflective state, hands held behind her back and watching the Wingull and Pidgey going about their flocks. Their Pokemon ran around them, playing tag and causing laughter from the casual throng on the wide sidewalk adjacent to the sandy shore. It wasn¡¯t all that populated, but several friendly battles or games were being played that occasionally caught her attention. Everything about this moment felt liberating. She¡¯d beaten Saria and obtained a Silver Encrusted Badge¡ªthe first one period. It was hard, but they did it, and they did it as a team. Rhea¡¯s gaze drifted between her two friends, Pokemon, brother, and, at this point, she considered Kate as practically her sister-in-law. Life had been so chaotic over the last two months, but they¡¯d gotten through it. What more could she ask for? Grabbing a swift snack before the fun, Kate got them the ball for the game, and her brother bought them all frozen lemonade cups to enjoy; large, of course. Rhea didn¡¯t recognize the name Felicity in her brother¡¯s Pokemon archive, but the moment she came out, she couldn¡¯t help but snicker as Kate tossed her the ball; the woman knew what she was doing. Just over two meters tall, the female Superpower Pokemon flexed her four arms with a roar at the upcoming game, making her brother force a laugh. ¡°Eh-hehe. Don¡¯t be too rough on me.¡± ¡°Machamp!¡± Lori cackled next to them, holding her stomach as if it hurt. ¡°It¡¯s over, ref! Call it! Call it! Haha!¡± Pulling off their clothes to reveal their bathing suits and placing their outer apparel off to the side to not get caked in sand, Kate marked out positions for them in the sand. Rhea got into place with the others, grinning at her brother¡¯s side of the field as he chuckled, resigned to his fate. Felicity was passing the ball between her arms by flexing, making Sabin¡¯s male Pokemon look at him in a way that asked what the Muk he did for them to be roped into this. Luna had her sleeve up to her mouth, floating beside Kate as the girl held up a hand for the Ghost to bump; it seemed the two had found some common ground. Rovane, her brother¡¯s male Aerodactyl took up the rear, Snee-Kee, his Klefki, doing his best from the middle as Atreyu, his faithful Starter Houndoom, took the opposite side. That was all her brother had, while their side had taken from him Luna, Felicity, and, to his chagrin, Bethanie, his Kangaskhan. It was a slaughter. After her brother got done cleaning the sand off his bright red face, having taken several direct hits, they laughed about the first few rounds. They continued a short while after, waiting for their Pokemon to return with their order of slushies, only this time with more of an even team. Kate and Luna were now on Sabin¡¯s side, presumably keeping close to the man to sabotage him for Rhea. Of course, it could be just to make more skin contact, Rhea concluded by the woman¡¯s ¡®suddenly clumsy¡¯ antics. Her brother appeared to be enjoying the distractions, though; men being men, as Lori put it. As 5 p.m. came about, they packed up and made their way to the showers to get ready to leave, washing off the sand. Amber showed off her wand skills by drying their clothes in a flash, and to Lori¡¯s alarm, Amira made an impressed comment about the Braixen not turning their swimwear to ash; Rhea couldn¡¯t help but follow that up with a joke about the man. Dressed and ready to impress with the redhead¡¯s skill in crafting braids, Kate led the way back to Vermilion Gym for her fated battle. Rhea felt sore after all the exercise, combined with her tough battle earlier, but her spirits couldn¡¯t be higher. Gables made her giggle as he jumped off the side of the nearby walls, spraying bubbles for Amber to expertly shoot out of the air with Embers. They toned it down whenever others came near, but the pair were getting awfully close as of recent, and Rhea wasn¡¯t the only one to see the two Shiny Pokemon try to impress each other. Naturally, they couldn¡¯t say anything without a glare from the fox and a smirk from the frog. Amber was shockingly shy about it, it seemed, which made the girls snicker. Mya and Alice clapped, oblivious to the two flirting in their own way. They were taking it easy on their own Moves since Rhea was stressed as it was. Nova opted to rest in her Poke Ball after taking turns during the games with her teammates. Luna was doing surprisingly well with Lulu, and her little cosmic cloud had taken a shine to the mischievous Ghost, who had tempered shockingly fast since their visit to Lavender. Then again, maybe it was the city itself that brought that out of the girl. Enjoying the heat with her second helping of frozen lemonade, Rhea was a little surprised to see the world suddenly tilt, spots flashing across her eyes. The next thing she knew, her brother was holding her near the ground. ¡°Rhea?!¡± ¡°Yo, girl, what¡¯s up?¡± Lori asked, concern on her face. The back of Amira¡¯s hand was already on her forehead. ¡°¡­She feels a bit hot, but we have been in the sun for a¡ªis that?¡± Her brother¡¯s phone went off, and slipping it out of his back pocket with his free hand, Rhea had to blink as she saw double; everything was moving a tad slow. ¡°Ash,¡± her brother said. ¡°He must have sensed something¡ªhey, my sister just collapsed. Rhea?¡± ¡°I¡¯m, uh¡­ No need for alarm, heh, just seeing double¡­ triple? Spots are a good sign. Right?¡± ¡°Maw-maw?!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°Ne-nee!¡± ¡°I can call an ambulance,¡± Kate hesitantly offered, taking out her phone. ¡°Should I?¡± Her little cloud teleported onto her front, hugging her as if she¡¯d soon disappear. Nova was calming her teammates down, telling Mya to do the same for the teary-eyed Cosmog. Ash¡¯s voice came on over the speaker as Rhea¡¯s head started to clear. ¡°Her Aura is erratic. No need for real concern at this stage¡ªif she rests, that is. She shouldn¡¯t force herself to do anything else today after that battle. It has to do with her enhancing abilities being overloaded with a few compounding factors; I¡¯ll talk about it with her later tonight.¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m fine,¡± Rhea protested, pushing her brother away while blinking rapidly and forcing herself up to encourage her scared Pokemon. ¡°No more double vision. See? I¡¯m total¡ªwait, okay, maybe not,¡± she mumbled as her muscles suddenly started to lose strength, and she tilted to the side. ¡°Help!¡± Vision washing out, the last thing Rhea¡¯s fuzzing brain heard were other people on the street rushing over to see if she was okay. Groaning, she smacked her dry lips, feeling drool gurgle out of her mouth as she shifted on top of something soft and squishy. Rhea cracked open an eye, haze clearing up to find her team and brother standing over her in a dimly lit room. Her vision soon cleared up, recognizing it as the guest room of the Cerise household. ¡°Ugh. What¡¯s, umm, huh? Hey, guys, I really gotta stop doing this.¡± Strained laughter came from her friends and brother as they leaned a bit closer to check on her condition. Her Pokemon were all in their Poke Balls, hugging her spirit tight and crying that they were happy she was okay. Lulu had cried herself asleep inside her shirt front, likely to hear her heartbeat. Guilt started to settle in with what she put her team through. ¡°Headache?¡± Lori questioned. ¡°I always get headaches after I pass out from partying too hard.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that just the alcohol?¡± Amira chuckled, making Rhea smile. ¡°Probably the alcohol.¡± Lori huffed, arms crossing. ¡°I¡¯m not like my sister! I generally don¡¯t drink underage, and Cass only does it to get attention; she hates the taste and barfs every time¡ªalways off-screen. I¡¯m the one that usually has to take care of her sick butt. You good, Lemonade?¡± ¡°Pfft¡ªack!¡± Rhea choked up a laugh, making her brother close in to rub her back with concern. ¡°A-Another nickname?! You¡¯re funny, Lori¡ªheh, I mean, ack, Velvet!¡± ¡°Haha. Glad I can make you laugh. Good?¡± ¡°Yeah, just stupid sore¡­ I feel like¡ªlike everything was squeezed and twisted by Felicity. I, umm¡­ Really?¡± She groaned as her stomach roared like a Tyranitar. Lori laughed and pushed herself off the bed to give her a wink. ¡°Girl, you are so high maintenance!¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± her brother laughed, ruffling her hair and making Rhea shoot a glare at him, but it soon turned into a more affectionate touch. ¡°I¡¯m guessing if you can joke, you¡¯re on the up.¡± ¡°Yeah. I probably should have taken it slow back there rather than force myself up too quickly. My bad.¡± Amira finished sending a text as they spoke, nudging her head to the side at Lori. ¡°I texted your mom, Rhea, and have been keeping her updated. Lori and I will go down and get your dinner. Mrs. Cerise was quite worried about you when we brought you back; she¡¯ll be glad to know you¡¯re recovering.¡± ¡°Thanks, Amira,¡± Rhea whispered, settling back onto her pillow as her brother brushed back her bangs that he¡¯d messed up in the first place. ¡°Can you thank her for me, too? Sorry to be a burden.¡± ¡°Girl,¡± Lori grunted, lightly slapping the side of her blanket-covered leg, ¡°if you don¡¯t get outta here with that attitude!¡± ¡°It¡¯s really no trouble, Rhea,¡± Amira said, walking around the bed with the Unovan girl on her tail. ¡°Also, what do you mean by ¡®high-maintenance,¡¯ Lori? Rhea hasn¡¯t asked me for money once, and this is what, your fourth time borrowing funds?¡± ¡°You know I¡¯m good for it! When haven¡¯t I paid you back?¡± she shot back, exiting through the doorway and making Rhea¡¯s belly hurt from silent laughter. ¡°You¡¯re an addict, Plum. Stop it. Get help.¡± ¡°I¡ªwait a minute, what imagery are you giving me with that nickname, Amira? Spill!¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze drifted to the other door, her clearing mind catching the sound of running water. ¡°Is¡­ Kate in the shower; what time is it? Oh, no! Did I make you miss Kate¡¯s big match?¡± Her brother streamed out a long sigh, showing a sad smile as he shook his head and leaned against the bed with his folded arms. ¡°Sis, you¡¯re the definition of hopeless. Is it impossible for you to think about yourself even once?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Rhea defensively returned. ¡°Look at Kate as an example, or Mom!¡± He tilted his head to the side, as if saying ¡®debatable.¡¯ ¡°Kate, I can see, if we¡¯re talking pre-Trainer Rhea, but Mom? Naa. You¡¯ve always been more concerned about her health than it being selfish.¡± ¡°Nu-uh,¡± Rhea grunted, snuggling closer to her Pokemon against her spirit, and stroked her sleeping Cosmog¡¯s head, poking out of her shirt front. ¡°Shows how much you know your little sister. I¡¯m very selfish. You don¡¯t even know.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure¡­ Heh.¡± ¡°Seriously!¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Okay, Dr. Serious,¡± he chided, resting his chin on his arms. ¡°Let¡¯s not pass out again. It¡¯s 9 p.m., and yeah, I missed Kate¡¯s match, but don¡¯t think for a second Kate is bitter about that. Don¡¯t put that evil intent on her; she¡¯s worried about you.¡± ¡°She didn¡¯t have her head in the battle then?¡± Rhea asked, biting her lower lip and knowing how focused a person had to be after going through an Encrusted Match herself. ¡°She lost?¡± The door next to them opened, releasing steam and showing the blue-haired young woman. ¡°Okay, Ms. Martyr. Hehe. Yeah, we lost, but it was close, and I¡¯m not hung up about it. Our downer doing well, Bae?¡± Rhea swapped her glare to the woman. ¡°You know, Lori calls me a bag full of sunshine.¡± ¡°For everything but yourself, Sis,¡± Sabin tiredly mused, gently tapping her forehead. ¡°Don¡¯t blame yourself, alright?¡± A strange hue wrapped around her brother¡¯s form, making Rhea¡¯s stomach twist as her vision bugged out for a second. Frustration, self-rage, and disgust burned inside her core, making her gag for a second. Blinking rapidly to reorient herself, she saw Sabin and Kate standing over her. ¡°Rhea?¡± ¡°Sis, what¡¯s wrong?¡± ¡°No. Ack! No. I¡¯m, eh¡ªI¡¯m fine, umm, Sabin, why did I just get this sudden, uh, Aura flash? It felt l-like you hated yourself or something¡ªwhat is this weird color around you?¡± she mumbled, seeing the warp happen. Kate¡¯s lips drew in, eyes tightening as they lifted to her brother. Sabin hissed, rubbing the back of his neck and looking away. ¡°Ash¡­ said your Aura would be acting up a bit, so¡ª¡± ¡°Don¡¯t bury that, Sabin,¡± Kate demanded. ¡°I¡¯ve sensed it for weeks now. Something is going on that you¡¯re not telling me. If Rhea¡¯s seeing it in your Aura, it¡¯s getting serious. Don¡¯t shut us out. You¡¯ve been acting really reckless lately, and I don¡¯t know why.¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Rhea growled, shifting on her bed and following the woman¡¯s lead in her semi-haze since it felt right. ¡°What¡¯s going on, Sabin? Don¡¯t, eh-umm¡­ cap. Yeah, don¡¯t cap!¡± she barked, imitating the word Lori often used. Her brother got up to half-sit on the side of the bed, sliding to the backboard to lean his head against it. As if on clockwork, Lori and Amira opened the door, both holding items for her, but the moment they saw their expressions, the redhead turned around and shut the door. ¡°I got your¡ªcall us when you¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Huh? What¡¯s going on, Rosy?¡± When the door closed, Sabin streamed out a long breath, working around his jaw and seemingly looking for the right words. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ hard to really¡­ define in words,¡± he eventually mumbled. ¡°Try,¡± Rhea pushed. ¡°I¡¯m just as worried about you as you are with me. What¡¯s eating you?¡± Sabin rubbed his elbow, tongue pressing against his left cheek. ¡°Mmh. It¡¯s a lot of things. Thinking about Dad and Mom¡¯s past, the Plasma attack on you¡­ feeling like I should be stronger by now. I don¡¯t know.¡± He looked down at his lap, swallowing as his voice went hoarse. Rhea sunk deeper in her bed, gaze shifting to her brother¡¯s legs. ¡°I¡¯ve had this¡­ nightmare, I guess you could say.¡± ¡°About me¡ªwhen the Plasma guy attacked us?¡± ¡°Not always you,¡± he eventually said, and Rhea noticed the goosebumps on his forearm. ¡°When I showed up to rescue you, there were so many factors that could have prevented that¡ªso many things that could have made me dismiss the feeling that something was wrong. What if that Plasma grunt had his full team? Why didn¡¯t I sense something was wrong sooner? Atrayu was a split-second on time to stop that bullet from killing one of you¡ªkilling your friend, possibly you¡­ Sometimes Kate¡¯s in your place. It¡¯s stupid. Hah. Kate can take care of herself.¡± Kate¡¯s fingers tightened against the bed, closing around the edge of the blanket. ¡°Obviously, subconsciously, you feel otherwise¡­ I get it. I haven¡¯t been as focused on training lately, and when that grunt attacked Rhea, my team wasn¡¯t ready for it¡ªyou did have to save me with that Tailwind. I know it¡¯s true.¡± ¡°Kate,¡± Sabin lightly hit his head against the headboard, eyes closed. ¡°I know you¡¯re strong. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m experiencing this fear¡ªit¡¯s not even that¡­ I¡¯ve had these kinds of nightmares since my Mt. Silver trip¡ªthat Steelix that almost killed me. Everything else has just kind of¡­ exacerbated since then.¡± Reaching over to pull Kate and her brother¡¯s hands closer to embrace on the top of her stomach, she forced a laugh. ¡°Sis?¡± ¡°Hehe. You know what I think, Sabin?¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°You need a real vacation to relax and unwind. You keep twisting yourself over and over¡ªyou¡¯d do it all the time when we were growing up. What did Dad use to do when he got back from the front lines?¡± ¡°Heh. Camping trip. Just us and nature for days, teaching us all sorts of things.¡± ¡°He distracted us from everything at home¡ªeverything we saw with the injured people coming back and hearing their cries. Kate keeps telling me she¡¯s worried about you pushing yourself too hard; we¡¯re both afraid of losing you, too. So don¡¯t be stupid! Seriously, take a real vacation together. I¡¯m fine! Haha. I have Ash Mukin¡¯ Ketchum traveling with me. Who else besides Red or Auntie is a better bodyguard?¡± ¡°Haaa. That¡¯s kind of the point,¡± her brother growled, rubbing his forehead with his free hand. ¡°I should be here for you¡­ for Kate when she needs me.¡± Rhea forced their hands tighter together with a huff, making her brother look up into his girlfriend¡¯s sad smile that said he was missing the whole point. ¡°She needs you now, stupid!¡± ¡°Your sister has a point, Bae.¡± ¡°Hah! I win. And I need to know my brother isn¡¯t losing his edge by worrying about stupid stuff. Take a vacation; sister¡¯s orders!¡± ¡°Fine¡­ Haha. I have been eyeing a certain little mountain hot spring paradise in Johto that happens to be a magical place to heal and revitalize the spirit. And I happen to know someone that could get us in last-minute¡­¡± Kate¡¯s face sparkled like the stars. ¡°No! Mount Quena? You know that place takes over a year to get into! It only accepts limited guest numbers. Who?¡± ¡°A certain girl named Tessa that¡¯s a part of your fan club.¡± ¡°Tessa! Oh, I could kiss that little Vulpix! Lucky these lips are only made for you,¡± she winked, making Rhea want to die. ¡°Okay, Luvdiscs, get outta here and let me rest!¡± Sabin chuckled with his blushing girlfriend, likely imagining all the trouble she¡¯d get him into on this vacation. He bent down to kiss her on the forehead. ¡°I love you, Rhea. Thanks for punching your stupid big brother in the gut.¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s gotta do it, and Kate can follow up with a few good jabs.¡± ¡°You know it, Sunshine! Let¡¯s get to flying, Bae; we can take the Saffron Bullet Train tomorrow. Ahh! I can¡¯t wait to slip into those private spas, and the best part¡­¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Rhea interrupted, knowing exactly where she was going with the ¡®exclusivity¡¯ of the spas and having heard all about the ¡®couple package¡¯ from Gossip articles. ¡°Enjoy your break, bro, but leave my mind out of it. I don¡¯t need nightmares, too.¡± Grinning, they both laughed, cutting the previous tension to shreds. They exited shortly after a few more teasing jokes Rhea did not appreciate; still, she felt a more healthy Aura from her brother now, which helped to ease her troubled heart. Kate really was good for him. Sinking back into her bed, now somehow feeling more exhausted than ever, she glanced over at her team as they entered with her tray, Pokemon following behind them. Lori wore an interested grin, while Amira was as amicable, passive, and poised, as was usual. ¡°Is it just me, or did Kate look like she just had her first kiss again?¡± ¡°Not our business.¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, Red! You have to be a little interested. Rhea?¡± Even through the fatigue, Rhea forced her arms up into an x sign. ¡°That¡¯s an N.O. I¡¯m all about gossip but not when it involves my brother. Ick.¡± ¡°Mmh. Maybe my family is just different,¡± Lori mused. ¡°Did I tell you about Shanty¡¯s first fling? He was dead!¡± ¡°Cap,¡± Amira smoothly interjected, setting Rhea¡¯s food down beside the bend while helping her get ready to eat by offering her a towel to not spill on her clothes or the mattress. ¡°No cap! I heard everything across the room. She was fifteen. I still remember all that cringy poetry. Gag!¡± ¡°Something tells me you were too young even properly to remember that. What were you, five?¡± Amira commented. ¡°Is this fine, Rhea?¡± ¡°Yeah. Thanks, Amira. I¡¯m on her team, too. Shanty is like ten years older than you.¡± ¡°Mmm. Maybe you¡¯re right. Hehe. It still makes for a good story! Want to hear about the ghost my sister dated?¡± ¡°Meh.¡± Rhea shrugged, stomach growling, and accepted the bread Amira offered her as the redhead followed up. ¡°I don¡¯t have much else going on, and Nova¡¯s interested.¡± ¡°As a side note,¡± Amira interjected. ¡°I¡¯m good with us leaving tomorrow for Fuchsia.¡± Confused, Rhea glanced her way. ¡°Can you get us a ticket?¡± ¡°Wait, what about your health?¡± Lori questioned, settling down a bit with a frown. ¡°Ash told Sabin that they would be good to travel tomorrow and also to congratulate Rhea on her victory.¡± Amira absently answered with a neutral tone, pulling up her phone to browse services and prices to compare. ¡°I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll want to say more when we¡¯re heading out. I just wanted to hear it from Rhea. Hmm. Boat should be the best option, do you think? At least you¡¯re better with the waves now, right, Plum?¡± ¡°Plum!? Again? You gotta let me in, Cherry! What¡¯s the scoop?! Ack, yeah, I don¡¯t love the idea of a boat, but I can hack it, though.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Rhea sighed with a short yawn. ¡°Okay, what¡¯s your very tinted version of these ¡®very real¡¯ events, Lori?¡± ¡°You haven¡¯t even heard it, and you¡¯re doubting me? Ouch! Haha. Okay, let me dim the lights¡ªeh-heh, it started on a chilly October night!¡± Letting Lori pull her attention into the very weird world that was her mind and vision of her Ghost-loving sister. Of course, after meeting the Elite 4 member, she had to admit, she could see some of it, even with Lori¡¯s embellishments. At 10:25 p.m., Dawn made it to the house, greeting the family before making her way to them. Ash and Chloe had yet to return since this was the last night before the young woman would leave for Paldea. ¡°Come in!¡± Rhea called as she walked down the hall, waving Chloe¡¯s parents off in the front room. Dawn poked her head past the door with a bright smile; her blue hair was slightly darker than Kate¡¯s, and she looked to be around their own age, maybe a bit younger, even if she was only a few years below Ash. ¡°Hello, Rhea, girls¡ªI heard you had a bit of trouble.¡± She wore a sleeveless, high-neck pink blouse with high-waist riding pants that matched her hair color. Rhea¡¯s eyes quickly took in her hair clips, wrist accessories, diamond amulet, and pink heels to match her top; she was just as fashionable as Rhea remembered. ¡°Dawn, it¡¯s been a while! How¡¯s my Auntie?¡± ¡°Haha. You know her,¡± Dawn giggled, moving in to take a chair Amira had unfolded by the bed in preparation for her arrival. ¡°She¡¯s got the energy of ten new Trainers on an adventure, the class of a Roserade, and the ferocious aura of a Garchomp and Lucario combined!¡± ¡°That¡¯s her! So, delivering some stuff?¡± ¡°Mhm! I saw your brother on the way out. Caught them in the air on their way to Saffron, and Kate seemed to be on Cloud Nine; nothing could overcast her night.¡± ¡°Eh-heh. Yeah. They both needed a vacation.¡± Dawn crossed her legs and turned her attention to Amira and Lori, showing an apologetic smile. ¡°Sorry to ask for some privacy after only just arriving, girls, but I had a chat with Ash, and he wanted me to convey a few things to Rhea since he¡¯ll be busy for much of the night.¡± Lori¡¯s eyes widened, face saying there were some juicy questions to bite into regarding that topic, but Amira pulled her out with a forced laugh. ¡°Don¡¯t mind us.¡± ¡°Aww. I really want to know what they¡¯re doing! It¡¯s killing me! Why are they out so late, hmm? Are they going to be out all night?¡± ¡°Not our business.¡± ¡°Amira¡­¡± Dawn laughed as they exited, turning to give her a gentle smile. ¡°Is it that bad?¡± ¡°Mmh. Not necessarily. You just need to be careful when around a large group of people and feeling competitive.¡± ¡°Hah, is this about me, or Ash and Chloe?¡± ¡°Oh, shush, you. You¡¯re on Gossip way too much! We¡¯re focusing on you here!¡± ¡°Ugh. Way to dodge the question like a ¡®Champ.¡¯ The volleyball game with a bunch of Platinum-tier Pokemon and Trainers count?¡± ¡°That sounds fun! Eh¡ª¡± ¡°Maybe we can make time for one more game with Ash and Chloe to join us tomorrow, hmm?¡± ¡°You will not let up!¡± Dawn sighed with a forced laugh. ¡°Hmm. Honestly, it sounds magical. But not for the direction your Gossip-corrupted mind is going! It¡¯s mainly a product of compounding issues, according to Ash.¡± ¡°Ooh. Double-speak?¡± Rhea mused, figuring she was using the ¡®compounding¡¯ part to refer to her relationship with Ash. ¡°Haha. Ugh. Teenagers.¡± ¡°Ah! I¡¯m offended,¡± she joked with a grin. ¡°Besides, you look pretty teenagery yourself, Dawn.¡± A twitch came to Dawn¡¯s eye that said she¡¯d hit a nerve. ¡°Ah-ha. Ha. Ha. Ha. It¡¯s good you can joke, Rhea. Aaanyway, Nova¡¯s new form, you participating in Silver-tier, supporting your teammate and others in better tuning their Fortitude¡­ It has a lasting effect.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Rhea asked, her brow furrowing and getting a bit more serious at the topic of her friends. ¡°You mean Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay are still being affected by me?¡± Dawn shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s a refinement and tuning that you¡¯re doing for their Fortitude. It is stronger when in your presence, but you are gradually fundamentally restructuring how their Fortitude and Aura function. Ash is torn on it, honestly, but I see no problem with it. Heh. Of course, I¡¯m not an Aura Grandmaster, but I¡¯m proficient enough, I think. I don¡¯t think I¡¯d do anything differently in your place, subconsciously or otherwise.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut-twisting feeling eased at her comforting words; Dawn always knew what to say and was always so positive and straightforward. In a way, it was similar to her aunt, but the woman had been mentored by her, after all. ¡°Thanks, Dawn. So, what should I do¡ªLulu?¡± ¡°Ne-ne? Neee!¡± Her Neblua Pokemon poked her head up, chirping and tearing up again while swapping directions to hug her neck. ¡°Aww. She¡¯s adorable,¡± Dawn whispered, leaning forward to gently take the Legendary after she confirmed Rhea was okay. ¡°Opening yourself up to the Shamanistic side of Aura has caused some stress and friction. Ash is consulting some people he knows on the topic. For now, just rest and relax. Should I tell you some stories about how things are going in Sinnoh?¡± ¡°Yes!¡± Rhea chimed, settling in again for some stories she was really interested in. ¡°How¡¯s Granny, and can Amira and Lori join us?¡± ¡°Absolutely! As for Professor Carolina¡­ Haaa. She¡¯s always having computer trouble. I¡¯m half convinced she plays it up to get more time with your aunt.¡± ¡°Haha! It does sound like something she¡¯d do, and she¡¯d never admit it. She loves emojis and stickers, too. It¡¯s like she finds a new one for every post.¡± ¡°You noticed that, too?¡± Dawn mused. ¡°Yeah. She¡¯s a fun lady. I¡¯ll call Amira and Lori back in. Just to clarify, there are some minor concerns regarding the Shamanistic aspect of this awakening in your Aura, but it isn¡¯t alarming at this very moment. Ash is working on a solution.¡± ¡°Got it.¡± Dawn fetched her team and broke into some of the most insane tales regarding these new Pokemon variants and details they were uncovering from Sinnoh¡¯s past history. It didn¡¯t take long for Rhea¡¯s eyes to betray her, though, and by 11 p.m., she slipped into her dreams. Tomorrow, they¡¯d be on another adventure, and the last thought she had was of calling her brother to confirm he was on his way to his couple¡¯s retreat. It would do good to drill it into his thick skull; even he needed a break. B3 — 18. More Than Friends? 6:01 a.m. August 8th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 59. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on a solid track to jump into the Silver League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (119 days away). A fluffy cloud nestled against Rhea¡¯s cheek as her mind drifted in and out of sleep, hearing the gentle tapping of rain. Emotions of a happier time lifted her into a sea of memories, memories not her own. She drifted in a swirl of light colors, seeing the smiling face of a maroon-haired child in a swimsuit and her family. Rays of sunlight broke through the partially veiled, dark clouded sky with spotted showers sprinkling over a much less developed cityscape. From her taller position, she saw the girl playing with a Pidove. The bird was playing tag with the green-eyed child, occasionally dropping water on her in the backyard. Rhea could see her glasses-wearing father at a grill under a patio, cooking lunch. A sense of longing to return to those simpler times pained Rhea¡¯s chest when she¡¯d been so close to her daughter. When she hadn¡¯t struggled to find her place and deal with conflicting emotions, yet Rhea knew her daughter had to stumble through on her own. There would be heartache, but that was a part of life. Rhea tensed as a jolt shot through her body, making her groan and shiver. Something warm and soft nuzzled closer to her face, making a gentle chirp that made her eyes crack open. ¡°Nee¡­¡± Mind breaking away from the conflicting dream, Rhea was careful not to shake the bed too much. She shifted to her back and brought Lulu up to her chest; her little nebula yawned and settled against her sternum. Lying in bed, she felt Nova between her legs, Mya on her left, and Alice on her right; it was always like this as of late, her Pokemon trapping her on all sides in the morning. As Rhea had come to expect, there was light under the door of the room¡¯s guest bathroom. She felt a lot more rested, but, at this point, she knew better than to push things for a few days. It wasn¡¯t like they needed to be all that active anyway, and she¡¯d already made soft plans with Dawn through their jokes the previous night. Giving herself the chance to relax in bed, Rhea stifled a yawn and reflected on her fading dream. Now that she was awake, she suspected the memories had been the product of her unstable Aura and an intrusion into one of the Cerise family¡¯s dreams, probably Talia. A lot of the feelings she¡¯d experienced slipped away from her the more she thought about it, but she knew it had been about Chloe. Rhea didn¡¯t want to pry into things that she shouldn¡¯t; gossip and poking fun to get details were one thing, but invading someone else¡¯s spirit was another. Rubbing Lulu¡¯s head, Rhea let go of a long sigh. She figured it had something to do with her awakening Shamanistic side that Dawn and Ash had talked about. Aura dealt with life force, in general, but her new powers dealt with the spirit. After a few minutes, Amira exited the bathroom, shutting off the light before opening the door so as not to wake Lori or her. Dull light was already peeking through the curtains, giving Rhea a silhouette of the redhead and her Braixen; the Fox Pokemon¡¯s flaming ears had solidified into tufts not to illuminate the space. ¡°Hey,¡± she whispered, causing Amira to pause beside her bed. Amira turned to squint through the darkness at her, Amber¡¯s ears glowing with faint orange hues to brighten the area. ¡°Morning. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Brai-xen-xen?¡± ¡°Better. Lori take the futon?¡± ¡°No, I did.¡± Amira sat at the edge of her bed, being cautious not to cause too much nose. Nova¡¯s ears were poking up the sheet soon enough, though; the Eevee making a chirp that the Fox Pokemon answered. ¡°I was worried about Lori¡¯s back acting up. Hmm-hmm. It may be stupid since she¡¯s slept in sleeping bags for over a month already, but it felt right anyway.¡± ¡°That was sweet,¡± Rhea mumbled, shifting Lulu¡¯s hands to scratch the side of her neck. ¡°What time does the boat leave?¡± ¡°We still have four hours until we need to board. No need to rush.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­ Hehe. What should I do to get these sleepy heads up? Nova¡­¡± Her Eevee poked out from under the sheets and hopped onto a startled Alice and Mya before tackling Lulu into a hug and rolling off the bed. ¡°Pwe-pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°L-Lop-lop?!¡± ¡°Mawile?!¡± ¡°Neeeeee!¡± Amira chuckled while watching the fluffy Eevee disappear over the edge with the squealing Legendary held protectively against her chest. Lori sat straight up in bed, mouth half-open with drool down her chin and displacing her Frogadier. Terri did a front flip, ready for action as she landed on the edge of the bed, the Kubfu¡¯s mouth drawn in and in a stance to engage any threat. Roxie and Zyra simply flopped onto the bed beside their startled Trainer, having dealt with her many restless movements at this point. ¡°Eh?! What¡¯s up¡­ there¡¯s a bomb threat at the club¡­ Mukin¡¯ Plasma¡­¡± Her eyes rolled back, and she collapsed at the foot of her bed again, a groan close to her lips. Lori¡¯s Pokemon mostly didn¡¯t even blink an eye, settling against her belly or back. Amira walked over to her phone and opened it, carefully turning the holographic display to her grumbling teammate; it unlocked via facial ID. ¡°Let¡¯s let her sleep in a bit more; she hasn¡¯t been sleeping well.¡± ¡°Why not?¡± Rhea asked, greeting her Pokemon with head pats or pets. ¡°Nightmares. She doesn¡¯t want to bother you. At least she¡¯s talking about it, though.¡± Rhea frowned, but Amira was right. She didn¡¯t want to get Lori wrapped up in every struggle she was having with her family, and if she could talk to Amira about it, then it worked out. ¡°She¡¯s okay?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Amira assured, moving to help Amber and Holly put away the futon; Mariah and Serenity came walking out of the bathroom to join their teammates. ¡°She says it¡¯s something that occasionally comes back¡ªa lot of fire and pain.¡± Rhea scooted off the bed to look at Lori¡¯s peaceful expression, her rocky and feathery Pokemon nestled against her. Terri couldn¡¯t go back to sleep like her teammates, and Gables got up to be with the baby Legendary, releasing a wide yawn. Apparently, the Mythical and Legendary Pokemon took longer to mature than your average Pokemon. ¡°That¡¯s sad,¡± she sighed, moving her bound hair around to her front and pulling off a night headband that kept her bangs out of the way; Dawn had probably put it on. ¡°I wish there was something I could do for her¡­¡± Amira returned from the closet and gave a sad shake of her head. ¡°You always need to help people¡­ I suppose it came from supporting all those Masters that would return hurt from the battlefield.¡± ¡°Huh¡­ I hadn¡¯t thought about that,¡± Rhea admitted, motioning for her Pokemon to the shower. ¡°I guess it does make sense. It was hard seeing so many people I grew up with injured. Rainbow Rocket¡­¡± ¡°Let¡¯s keep a positive vibe for the morning,¡± Amira said, gesturing to her Braixen as the fox waved and smiled at Gables, wishing him good morning. Rhea¡¯s Eevee was already acting as Lulu¡¯s mount to bring her into the shower. ¡°Amber will stay behind with Terri and Gables to dry you guys off when you¡¯re done.¡± Rhea knew better as she watched the frog make a gesture and say something that had the fox giggling and smoothing out her fur. Terri was rolling her eyes and pestering Mya to train as her slow-moving Mawile trudged to the bathroom. Alice got the light, forcing Rhea to duck inside before it could disturb Lori. ¡°Thanks, Amber. Be out in a bit.¡± Once again, Rhea had to slip out just before making the mistake of getting into the shower. Amira was gone, but Amber was already pulling her bag over so Rhea could extract her clothes, showing an amused smile. ¡°Hehe. It has become a habit,¡± she sheepishly whispered. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Xen-xen.¡± She returned to the bathroom just as Braixen proudly presented her wand and started showing it off to Gables; Terri joined them in the shower since the Legendary wanted to play with the others. Rhea figured the Fighting Pokemon would be out like a sleepy Litwick once Lori got up. Giving special treatment to all of the Pokemon, her heart swelled upon seeing Lulu try to mirror her seniors in helping Terri clean her fur; it ended in a large pile of suds that hid them both, but that was a part of the fun as they played hide and seek in the bubbly. Amber took care in drying them off, motioning for them to stay very still. Rhea hadn¡¯t had the flashfire drying experience yet and was happily surprised when the flames warmed her skin and evaporated a perfect amount of the water from her hair. Amira had trained her well. She took her slept-in garments to the quick washer/drier the Cerise family had in the laundry room near the guest room; Amira¡¯s had finished in the time it took her to get ready, and she gave it to Amber to put away, adding her own to the swift-cycle. Walking into the front room, she heard Professor Cerise and Talia in the kitchen, speaking softly to Amira. She understood the low tones when spotting Dawn in her blue-striped pajamas on the couch, and Ash passed out in an armchair across from her. Rhea smiled and took a picture of Pikachu and Dawn¡¯s absurdly powerful Piplup, back-to-back, sleeping near her feet. It seemed the four had talked well into the night, catching up. Nova gave a soft chirp, pointing up the stairs as the rustling that came down the hall; it seemed Chloe might be getting up. No one else would be up there. Reflecting on what little she recalled from her dream, Rhea sighed while turning away from the stairs. Poor Chloe. I guess she was fairly late to the party to travel with Ash. Bypassing the sleeping pair, Rhea slipped into the kitchen to see Talia and her husband at the stove, just about to start cooking bacon, potato, and cheddar hash with spinach-mushroom strata on the side. Excitement bubbled up within her belly at the hefty meal, and she wondered if Ash or Dawn let the two know she needed something filling. ¡°Morning,¡± Professor Cerise said, cutting up the last potato for his wife to throw in the pan as she added oil and other ingredients. ¡°We have a large table today. All the side dishes are cold in the fridge.¡± ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re spoiling us,¡± Rhea laughed, sitting next to Amira at the bar. ¡°We won¡¯t want to leave if you keep cooking like this.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Amira nudged her with a small smirk. ¡°I remember when you chewed us out for wanting you to eat more, and look at you now, drooling over a big meal.¡± ¡°Yeah, heh, times really have changed.¡± She rubbed her growling belly; it really was crazy how many things could change. ¡°I can¡¯t wait.¡± She only made small talk for a short bit before an Impidimp idea came to mind and she snuck into the front room to snap photos of Dawn and Ash to tease with later. Chloe¡¯s loud noises upstairs were probably deliberate, but the bumps and creaks made the two rustle around 7:20 a.m. Lori got up shortly after, holding a sheet around her body as she trudged into the front room, hair a mess and looking like the walking dead. ¡°You okay?¡± Rhea hissed, moving closer. ¡°Mmgm. I had a nightmare y-you two left me behind,¡± Lori yawned, smacking her lips and then dully heading back to the room; she almost tripped on the sheet. ¡°I thought it was stupid¡­ You¡¯re too much of a lemon drop to do that.¡± Lemon drop? Rhea thought in utter bewilderment as she vanished inside, her Pokemon calling her to join them in the bathroom. Aren¡¯t they like¡­ bitter or something? She¡¯s totally zoned. She hurried out of the front room as the upstairs bathroom door swung open, and Chloe got ready to come downstairs. Dawn was stretching out on the couch, her nightshirt creasing to show her lightly muscular abs and making the Pokemon at her feet nearly roll off the cushions. The others seemed to notice Chloe¡¯s descent and waited in silence; the young woman lingered by the stairs. ¡°Morning, Dawn,¡± she said in a bright tone. ¡°Ugh. Morning, Chloe. What time is it?¡± She fumbled for something on the floor, Pikachu and her Piplup greeting Chloe¡¯s Eevee and the family Yamper. ¡°7:27? Esh. Ash had us up ¡®till like¡ªfour,¡± she yawned. ¡°Hey, Psyduck¡­¡± ¡°Oof. Huh¡ªwhat¡¯s up, Dawn? Oh, Chloe. Morning already?¡± Rhea smiled, imagining Dawn throwing a blanket at the man. Chloe had a dubious hum in her throat as she leaned against the back of the couch. ¡°What did you and Dawn do until four in the morning? Suspicious.¡± That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying! Wait¡­ Okay, this is kind of sus¡­ Dawn yawned again, voice becoming strained while stretching out. ¡°Next time you want to test Aura stuff on me, can we not do it after I fly across nearly three regions straight? I¡¯m so dead right now¡­ Pikachu, can you zap him for me?¡± ¡°Woah, woah! I¡¯m awa¡ª¡± ¡°Chuuuu!¡± Rhea gave Amira a look that she returned; they¡¯d gotten used to the Legend¡¯s Pokemon attacking their Trainer from time to time by this point. Although, the Aura comment and Dawn, of all people, being sore as a borderline Legendary Trainer herself made her want to pursue the topic. Chloe was quiet for a bit, but her mood had definitely soured a tad as she entered the kitchen with a fake smile. ¡°Oh, looks good, Mom. Quite the send-off feast.¡± ¡°Got everything packed for Paldea?¡± Her mother gave an encouraging smile that Chloe looked away from, dropping into a stool beside Rhea and her. ¡°Mhm. Hey, Dawn, what are your plans? Got time to hang with me, or has the Garchomp got you on a short leash?¡± Rhea almost choked at the comment; she wasn¡¯t sure if it was biting or not, but having her aunt referred to as a Garchomp made her want to laugh. ¡°Haha. I¡¯d love to, Chloe. Ash has asked for my help, though, and Rhea¡¯s aunt wanted me to check on her, too. I can see if I can join you after, though; I¡¯ve been interested in Paldea. Oh, let me take a shower real fast. Hot water?¡± ¡°Probably gone,¡± Rhea shot back. ¡°Lori¡¯s in it right now, and she turns that up to the max.¡± ¡°Meh. That¡¯s alright. I just need something to help with these sore muscles. Not cool, by the way, Ash! I get it¡¯s for Rhea, but no need to be so rough. Gah¡­ It¡¯s like you punched me all over the place. What even was that?¡± Chloe¡¯s face became more sullen by the word, but the experience certainly didn¡¯t sound all that enjoyable to Rhea. Amira acted like it was none of her business, browsing sites on her phone, and Professor Cerise didn¡¯t seem to want to jump in. Talia entered the ring, though. ¡°Are you okay, dear? We have a Fire Pokemon heating unit if someone wants to accelerate the process. What¡¯s this about an Aura experiment?¡± Amber happily hopped off her seat beside Amira, and the Yamper joined her to show the fox where the heater was. Ash stepped around them upon entering the room, hair sparking with static and without his hat. The two Buddy Pokemon appeared to have gone with Dawn to wait for Lori to be done with the shower. ¡°Yeah, Ash,¡± Chloe pressed, scowling at Ash¡¯s strained expression as he lingered in the hallway. ¡°What did you do to poor Dawn after I went to bed, hmm?¡± ¡°Haaa. Well, it¡¯s complicated.¡± His gaze shifted to Rhea. ¡°All of our Allocations do have a correlation to our Aura, and there are quite a few branches of it. I¡¯m not too versed in the Shamanistic side since it¡¯s more of a specialized area. I know you had an experience last night.¡± Everyone¡¯s focus shot to her, and Rhea folded her arms on the counter to hide her face; Amira changed positions to braid her straightened hair as they talked. ¡°I guess. I don¡¯t remember much, but I think I connected to Mrs. Cerise¡¯s dreams or memories. It was sprinkling¡ªkind of like it is right now,¡± she mumbled, tilting her head to stare at the brightening kitchen window. ¡°There was a barbecue, and Chloe was a child.¡± ¡°Incredible,¡± Talia whispered, serving the dishes onto the plates as her husband got the other items out of the fridge. ¡°I did have a dream about the past last night.¡± Ash ran his fingers through his hair and folded his arms, hands tucked under. ¡°Rhea¡¯s bracelet is helping to stabilize things after the Ghost of Maiden¡¯s Peak enchanted it with her spiritual force. ¡°We need to find someone who can suppress it, and I think I have someone near Fuchsia that can do it. I was trying to understand the Shamanistic portion of Aura better. I can do it, I¡¯m just not the greatest at it, and Dawn paid the price, which is why I wanted someone else strong in it to test some more advanced stuff out.¡± Chloe played with her food when her mother placed the plate and fork in front of her. ¡°Strong enough, huh? Dawn¡¯s always been pretty strong.¡± All of their attention went to Ash as he laughed and walked over to join them. ¡°Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Cerise; it looks fantastic. I know you¡¯re struggling, Chloe, but Dawn had to grow a lot, too. Her mother is always worrying about her¡­ Man, it takes me back,¡± he reflected, gazing into the past. ¡°What was Dawn like?¡± Amira spontaneously questioned, finishing Rhea¡¯s bandless braid. ¡°I¡¯ve only heard stories from my mom; she said you two were really close.¡± Ash¡¯s face went red, pounding his chest as he choked and his voice going hoarse. ¡°Eh¡ªack-ack! D-Don¡¯t believe anything your mother tells you,¡± he rasped. ¡°That woman is a menace!¡± Amira giggled at his reaction, making everyone, including Chloe, smile and look at the Legend for more context. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m well aware of my mother¡¯s antics and proclivities. You three traveled together, correct?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ you could say that,¡± Ash muttered, accepting a glass of Aguav Berry and lemon mix from Chloe¡¯s mother. ¡°Thank you. Ahem. Yeah, Brock, Lyra, Dawn, and me¡­ Heh. Kind of like Goh, you, and me, Chloe.¡± The maroon-haired girl¡¯s cheer dampened a tad. ¡°Yeah, but I wasn¡¯t with you the whole time¡­ You and Goh went off on adventures¡ªno, that¡¯s in the past. Umm, yeah, so why did you laugh when I said that about Dawn?¡± Ash hummed, dismissing the previous atmosphere at the drop of a hat. Lori came strolling in not long after, interest flaring as he sat to eat and listen to the man. ¡°You know Dee Dee¡¯s motto, Rhea?¡± ¡°Pfft! Haha. I know Dee Dee is her nickname¡ªDiamond Dandruff, right?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the one!¡± ¡°Aye!¡± They instinctively ducked as Dawn¡¯s voice carried down the hall. ¡°I know you¡¯re not talking about me while I¡¯m not there, Ash!¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it!¡± ¡°I swear, if you say¡ªhey, Piplup, where are you taking those? C¡¯mon! Not you, too, Pikachu¡­ Come out from under there! Bleh¡ªnow I¡¯ve got hair in my mouth¡­¡± ¡°Pfew,¡± Ash rubbed his forehead. ¡°They¡¯re running interference. Heh. Anyway, could you imagine going on your journey with a full-sized suitcase?¡± Lori snorted. ¡°No way.¡± ¡°Yup! That was Dawn. Her mother packed her bag and flatly told her to leave the suitcase behind. She¡¯s honestly such a Tepig.¡± ¡°Oooh.¡± Lori gave him a look. ¡°Them be fightin¡¯ words, boy. Careful!¡± ¡°Haha. You have no idea,¡± he said with a fond look in his eyes. ¡°A Grandmaster Coordinator and High Champion Trainer, Dawn worked hard to get where she is, and she started out a lot like me¡ªa total mess! But she puts her heart into everything she does, and has the brightest smile¡­ but she struggles inside¡ªa lot. It¡¯s inspiring, really.¡± Chloe became melancholy, playing with her fork and starting at her half-empty plate. ¡°Dawn was the only one that came to watch your final battle with me when you did your first World Cup. She really is amazing and always smiling¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯s also headstrong and overconfident, which can land her in hot water,¡± Ash sighed. ¡°Kind of like someone else I know,¡± he said with a self-reflective laugh. ¡°She takes good care of her health, Pokemon, and is responsible¡­ Dawn helps keep me grounded. Haha. I love it whenever she says, ¡®No need to worry!¡¯ I think it¡¯s why Lyra and her get along so well.¡± ¡°I see¡­¡± Chloe sighed, shoulders drooping. ¡°You¡¯ve known Dawn for a long time.¡± ¡°I have,¡± Ash nodded, the fond look on his face making Rhea want to cry for the maroon-haired girl, yet just as Chloe was about to put her plate in the sink and probably leave, Ash said something insane. ¡°I think Dawn¡¯s the little sister I never had.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Chloe¡¯s wide eyes showed the confusion everyone else reflected. ¡°Sister?¡± ¡°Yeah! Dawn always knows what to say to cheer me up and get me going again. She can just talk to me without all the clutter¡ªpunch me in the arm¡ªtrash talk me, and tell me to flip my hat around and buck up. Haha! She¡¯s like the tougher side of Brock¡ªgirl¡¯s got brawn. Man, those were great times.¡± ¡°Brawn, huh, Big Bro? I remember it a lot differently,¡± Dawn chimed, her damp, dark blue hair wrapped in a towel and wearing a pink blouse and white skirt. ¡°Looking back, I was so embarrassing. You were the best mentor I could have asked for, which is probably why my mother nudged me to join you in the first place since she was worried I¡¯d get kidnapped or something.¡± Ash threw up his arms. ¡°Hey, you did get kidnapped¡ªeven when you were with us! How many times?¡± ¡°I know! Haha. We always got out, though. And you showed me the real world as the ¡®famed¡¯ Orange Island Champion and all!¡± ¡°Okay, go on, mock me,¡± Ash chuckled. ¡°Thanks for making the flight when I asked, Sis.¡± Dawn walked by Chloe and nudged her with a wink. ¡°Ash will be Ash. You learn how to handle him after a while. Don¡¯t get too discouraged.¡± ¡°Eh-heh¡­ Yeah.¡± Ash went for seconds with Rhea. ¡°I remember someone who would make these quite threatening comments¡­¡± ¡°Oh, shut up, Hatless. Did Pikachu hide it again?¡± ¡°Pika?! Pika-pi!¡± The electric rat came to a screeching halt as he entered the kitchen with Piplup, turning to question the blue Pokemon. ¡°Pika?¡± ¡°Pip-pip-pip!¡± The Piplup laughed as Pikachu gasped, chasing him around the house with a few of the other Pokemon joining in; it seemed they were now on to a treasure hunt. Standing at the bar to eat rather than sitting, Dawn shot a glare at the two as they led their party out, laughing together. ¡°He can get so rambunctious around Pikachu. So, Rhea, you mentioned a volleyball game?¡± ¡°Yes! Oh, but what about your muscles?¡± ¡°Bah! Fun over pain! Let¡¯s go, girls. Actually¡­ what about a girls versus boys match, hmm? We gotta have some fun before Chloe leaves, and I¡¯ll get back to you on joining the adventure, girl. Sound good?¡± Amira was at the sink, taking dishes to wash from people. ¡°We already did it yesterday to Sabin, but I¡¯m fine with another round. Most of Ash¡¯s Pokemon are male, right?¡± ¡°Mmh. Half and half,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m down, though. You sure you can handle it with those weak ankles, Dee Dee?¡± ¡°Oh, you did not!¡± Dawn snarled, eyebrow twitching. ¡°Okay, it¡¯s on now!¡± ¡°I get Piplup and Pikachu!¡± he laughed. ¡°It¡¯s on!¡± Energy sparking from the two, Rhea now saw a lot of similarities between Sabin and her with the pair. That didn¡¯t mean Dawn didn¡¯t potentially have feelings for him, but Rhea was left to wonder how naturally she could joke and play around with the man. She could see why Chloe would get flustered around Ash¡¯s old female companions. Getting ready, they went to the beach to play a few games; it was only due to Dawn¡¯s relentless and ruthless coaching that they managed to beat the Legend and his Pokemon. Ash¡¯s Dragonite and Gengar were a nightmare to face. Chloe was laughing and showing off a new bikini that had Lori snickering and whispering to them about the outfit. The young woman really was trying; however, the results of it were inconclusive. She did get a compliment from Ash for it, yet he also gave it to Dawn, so Rhea wasn¡¯t sure what to make of the man¡¯s actual feelings. The Vermilion girl¡¯s parents and doppelganger met them at the airport after they got cleaned up. They hugged their teary-eyed daughter as Soleil gave her a pained smile that said they¡¯d tried. Rhea still wasn¡¯t sure if Chloe had been able to confess to Ash or not as they waved her goodbye; the mystery persisted. Perhaps they¡¯d get better info from Dawn in the coming days? Dawn and Ash really did play off each other like brother and sister, knowing what buttons to press and how to make the other one laugh. On their way to the boat, the two got their lunch, surprisingly, on the Sinnoh League card, which turned out to be pretty fancy. Rhea did recall her aunt complaining one time that Dawn could get a little spendy if she were left unsupervised, not that she or her Pokemon were complaining. She did expect a call from her aunt when she saw the bill, though, which she was looking forward to. The sea breeze pulled on her braid as she shifted her backpack to a better angle and looked at the big ship they would be taking to their next big city. She breathed in the salted air, thinking about all the fun she¡¯d had thus far. Sabin was right to find joy in her journey instead of dwelling on all the hardship and darkness. There were so many new experiences to enjoy. They boarded the five-day boat ride to Fuchsia, spotting a message from Jason that his team would be there. Hopefully, when they met up, it wouldn¡¯t be as confrontational as their last meeting. Plus, now they had Dawn with them to bring a bright new personality to their group! Exciting times were ahead. B3 — 19. Kantos Soul 5:37 a.m. August 12th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 64. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (114 days away). Lying on her cramped bed, meant to be used for single use on the ship Amira chartered for them, Rhea twisted around her Silver-Encrusted Fairy Heart Badge in the dim light. There was always a little light in the cabin, allowing people to navigate on the swaying ship. She¡¯d woken up more than two hours prior, unable to fall back to sleep. Her Pokemon were snuggled up all around her, which helped with the cool atmosphere. They¡¯d had a lot of time to talk and discuss plans over the last five days at sea, taking in the ocean sights and shore, whenever it could be seen. It had been fun seeing the sibling dynamic between Ash and Dawn as they joked around, poking at each other. Pikachu and Piplup got into all sorts of trouble on the ship, and their Pokemon tagged along. On the third day, they¡¯d been called into the captain¡¯s cabin to request they not cause so much commotion since it was disrupting some of the more grumpy passengers. Ash and Dawn occasionally had these cute reflective moments whenever she¡¯d spot them alone together at the back of the ship or not being crowded by fans. Recalling the discussion she¡¯d had with the cobalt-blue-haired women in Vermilion, she could see why she¡¯d say their relationship was complicated. How he acted around Dawn was a lot different than how he did around Chloe: there was an understanding and comfortable vibe they shared. It made Rhea see why Lyra might ship the pair; they honestly did have a lot of chemistry, and the possibility for something deeper was certainly there. Then again, the two also had massive differences in how they approached her to talk about her Aura or hang out. Dawn was very forward, cheery, and positive in coaxing her into walks along the side of the ship to discuss things the pair had been theory-crafting and testing. She always complimented something about some change in fashion each day, showing how much the woman paid attention to details and tried to build up everything she was around. Ash was far more focused on the technical side, informing her about potential dangers and risks while also pushing her to be aware of them but not frightened. He was always calm and collected, showing a wealth of experience and maturity one second before it was shattered like an illusion when his Pokemon teased the Legend. Above all, the two extremely powerful Trainers could always pull out a smile in them with their poke-and-prod antics toward one another. Dawn seemed to draw out a part of Ash that Rhea hadn¡¯t seen thus far in their travels together. He was far more energetic yet laid back; Rhea figured the man just had a broader emotional spectrum when Dawn was present. It could be him making fun jibes at her fashion choice for the day to get some prickly comments back or telling her she was killing it. Then there was Dawn, stealing his hat and daring him to take it back as she ran away, even while wearing a dress and all, somehow getting his entire team to traitor on him. Of course, Ash knew exactly how to bribe her Piplup to stab his Trainer in the back, as well. Almost nothing seemed off-limits for the duo, and that was part of the fun mystery behind their ¡®complicated¡¯ relationship. Rhea had to wonder if things could escalate if the two had the chance to just be alone together instead of in a party. She could certainly see it, though her thoughtful daydream date made her feel a little guilty toward Chloe. After seeing Dawn and Ash¡¯s deep understanding and bond, and only for five days at that, Chloe and Ash really seemed more like a mentor thing. The poor girl had fallen for her mentor. It must have been hard for Ash because he wasn¡¯t the type to embarrass someone, but then again, maybe Ash was just that dense. She doubted it, but, at the same time, she had to wonder. She puffed out a sad sigh, glancing to her right through the bed¡¯s half-drawn curtain as the bed across from her creaked. Amira slid out of bed, a yawn close to her lips as her Pokemon trudged after her toward the female facilities area to get ready for the day. Rhea was a little taken aback when they¡¯d boarded the old and less-than-standard-class passenger ship. It was the type of place she couldn¡¯t imagine the classy and well-educated redhead ever stepping foot in, but that also proved to Rhea that she still had some kind of internal biases. Amira really was one for efficiency above all, followed closely by her own self-image. So, if that meant dressing up like she usually did on this subpar vessel to reach their destination sooner, then so be it. Her self-image wasn¡¯t determined by what others thought but by how she viewed herself, and Rhea admired that about her friend. The redhead took failure worse than anyone she knew, and not because she cared what standards others put on her, but because she held herself to a higher standard. Rhea sighed as the door shut, leaving them to the dull sounds of the waves through the hull. In contrast, she cared too much about how the world viewed her ¡®country bumpkin¡¯ innocence. It reminded her of Lyra¡¯s story, how she felt the same way growing up in Johto, unable to make solid friends, despite her outgoing, energetic personality. Her very first ¡®normal¡¯ friends outside of her little village had been Sam¡¯s group. And that had worked out, yet what if it had been another team? Would they have gotten close or reacted the same? It could have gone a lot differently with most other girls; she hadn¡¯t been too confident in her social skills back then, to begin with¡ªheck, she was still working on it now. Lori told her all the time that people would take advantage of her and that she had to put up boundaries¡ªthat she was too trusting. Amira countered the pessimistic Unovan girl with the thought that Rhea could be unconsciously interacting with and trusting people due to her Aura sense. Lori gave some ground for that, but Rhea could also see her point. Just the teasing peer pressure, Lori pressed on her in Cerulean had made her jump into something she really wasn¡¯t ready for. She still hadn¡¯t taken her advice in talking with the Alolan boy about the embarrassing ¡®date¡¯ and kiss. Then again, she thought she was getting better with how she handled herself in Meadowview Town when Jay¡¯s new teammate confronted her. Carefully leaning around Alice¡¯s ears, currently draped over her face to block out the light, Rhea peeked behind the curtain to where Lori lay on the bunk above Amira¡¯s. Dawn was above Rhea, and Lori took the top since she was the tallest and could reach it better. Four people for a room wasn¡¯t something she expected from a passenger ship, but at least they didn¡¯t have some randos like Ash, who was dealing with two heavy snorers. Amira was pragmatic and rather neutral toward others while having very strong opinions that made her somewhat inflexible in her opinion. Others could believe whatever they wanted, but they wouldn¡¯t impose their thoughts on her. Lori was far more energetic, outgoing, and carefree when it came to social interactions but, ironically, was rather pessimistic about them. She had a lot of negative experiences with social media regarding her family and their effects, which made her subtly bitter. She was an opportunist that would make use of what she could to have a good time¡ªthough remaining guarded¡ªstill somehow making herself the center of attention. It was such a strange contradiction of emotions. Her guarded nature upset Rhea a bit, though, even if she could understand how she¡¯d come to live that way. At the same time, her heart went out to her teammate. She wanted to help her. Again, something Lori always poked at, yet she felt they were gradually seeing the real girl underneath, and it made Rhea want to cry. Being in constant pain throughout her childhood and always afraid it would come back. Being betrayed by childhood friends as a young teen and talked about behind her back regarding her adoption and orphan status. Having to protect her troublesome mess of a little sister from her many millions of followers taking advantage of her. It had taken a toll on Lori, and maybe she even saw a bit of Casey¡¯s naivety in her that sparked her protective instinct. Amira could be vicious when angered¡ªshe¡¯d seen it firsthand with Lucian. But Lori, Lori would stoop to any level to utterly destroy anyone that crossed her: making memes to humiliate them on social media to her millions of followers was only the surface. Thinking about their first meeting, Rhea couldn¡¯t have imagined how complex the two girls were under all their layers, their family dynamics, and the social stigmas that would follow their group. Lori had so much social and cultural power combined with her family members and their connections, which was a double-edged sword; the girl had literally flooded Cerulean with partiers with a single post. Amira¡¯s family connections to the business world and high-status upbringing made her such an asset. Her work ethic, advice, personal responsibility, and poise had been an inspiration. Yet, all of those traits almost crushed her when she believed she¡¯d almost killed them during the Plasma incident. Rhea, on the other hand, was still dealing with the uncertainty that she was helping or hurting her friends with her inability to control her Aura. Mixing her team up with her family¡¯s messed up past, not to mention the level of danger just being associated with her put on them from Rainbow Rocket, had kept her up at night over the last few days. She wanted just to have fun and take her brother¡¯s advice to put it all behind her at this point in her life, but it was hard at times when she was in her own head. It made her wonder if she doubted or didn¡¯t trust her family to take care of it enough, putting her into a spiral. Rhea¡¯s gaze shot to the bunk above her as Dawn groaned and stretched out. It wouldn¡¯t be long before she crawled down to get ready for the day. Gingerly moving Lulu to Alice¡¯s neck to snuggle up against, Rhea did her best to untangle herself from her Pokemon, and, for the first time, despite the most crowded bed they¡¯d shared, she managed not to wake a single one. It was a small victory that uplifted her troubled heart. Looking up as she straightened, she saw Dawn dressed in her tracksuit pajamas. Lying on her side, the Sinnoh High Champion supported her head with her hand and smiled at her. She winked and put a finger to her lips. Rhea returned the expression and pointed at her Pokemon, prompting Dawn to nod. They quietly got their clothes together, Dawn selecting a white top and faded blue-white hanbok with star and spade designs. Rhea was jealous at how many outfits the woman was able to travel with and buy. She was probably selecting this fashion since they were arriving in Fuchsia today. Her mother¡¯s idea about beta testing the storage capsules Silph was making couldn¡¯t come soon enough. Plus, Nova¡¯s little mother-daughter date should be coming up. She¡¯d have to contact the current Champion of Kanto to make sure they could still take the time out of their busy schedule in the next few days. Meeting the redhead in the somewhat cramped showering area, Rhea was glad they came early. Two days ago, there was an actual line to get into the place; Lori would probably want to get woken up when they got back. She made small talk with the two, skirting the topic she really wanted to discuss until Amira finished and went to get Lori ready. Their Pokemon could keep resting since they¡¯d done a lot of ship battles over the last five days. Rhea had taken it somewhat easy, but Ash wanted to see firsthand how her Aura fluctuated in live combat. Much to Dawn¡¯s excitement, Amber dried them off in a flash before Amira crafted their hair into matching buns with contrasting accessories; after that, they dressed in their typical Rocket-designed Trainer top and skirt. Rhea was happily surprised when Dawn nudged her head to the deck to burn time; nodding, the redhead waved them off. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Want to watch the sunrise together? I kind of got the feeling you wanted to talk. Don¡¯t worry; when we hear a loud racket, we¡¯ll know our Pokemon are up.¡± Rhea chuckled and went up the stairs to the top deck. Despite the cramped accommodations, the vessel was large, showing that they were trying to cram as many tickets and people as possible. Amira had commented the day before that the captain probably had shady connections to get it to pass inspection since it was full of dozens of hazards waiting to happen. She waved all that off due to Dawn and Ash being with them, and this was the quickest ship to get them across Vermilion Bay. The strong sea breeze pulled at their bound hair and skirts as they made it up the stairs and leaned against the railing to look across the choppy ocean. Dawn stared at the shandy shoreline in the distance as the outlines of many Water and Flying Pokemon followed their ship¡¯s path came into view with the brightening horizon. ¡°I doubt we¡¯ll be able to tour the Safari Zone since you¡¯re on the Badge grind, but maybe you can come back when you get the ones you need. The experience is worth the trip¡­ Fuchsia is such a lovely area to visit.¡± Rhea had only seen pictures and videos, but it was a very popular cultural area in Kanto. Unlike most of the region, it had kept enough of its old roots, and one particular event drew her interest in the catalog Amira gave them. ¡°The Safari Zone would be interesting, but isn¡¯t it supposed to be the Kelpsy Blossom festival in August; Fuchsia is famous for its four-seasons blossom festivals, right?¡± ¡°It is,¡± Dawn whispered, turning her gaze to the Flying Pokemon that had hitched a ride on their boat, taking roost on the rails to stare at them. ¡°It¡¯s one reason why certain Pokemon migrate to Fuchsia during specific times of the year. Parts of the forest will soon be filled with bright blue blossoms¡­ Have you ever thought what it would be like if berries didn¡¯t grow on trees?¡± ¡°Haha! No. Weird thoughts,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°What would they grow on, bushes?¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t that be a sight to see? Hmm.¡± Flipping to rest her back against the rail, Dawn eyed her. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go shopping to get you girls your own hanbok and enjoy the festival tonight? Janine doesn¡¯t take Encrusted challenges until Saturday anyway. We have a few days of fun.¡± Online videos of festivals flashed across her mind, lifting Rhea¡¯s spirits. ¡°I¡¯d love that! Although, heh¡­ I¡¯d probably need to ship it back home unless Amira¡¯s capsule thing comes soon. I can¡¯t take your money, though¡ª¡± Dawn flashed her teeth. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it; it¡¯s not my money! Hehe. Your aunt gave me her card when we left, so¡­¡± ¡°Ooh. That¡¯s bad!¡± Rhea snickered, now realizing why she was being so liberal with buying things. ¡°Wait, are you using me as an excuse to tell my aunt that you bought stuff for me so she won¡¯t look too closely at the purchases?¡± ¡°All of the above! She likes seeing you spoiled, and you know it.¡± ¡°Haha! I thought that was more my grandma¡¯s thing.¡± Dawn hummed, looking up at the sky. ¡°Cynthia wishes she could see you more, and this helps her feel like she¡¯s at least doing something. She¡¯ll love the pictures.¡± ¡°Then we have to take a lot,¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Umm¡­ so, can I talk to you about something?¡± ¡°Lay it on me, Sunshine. Oh, I do like these nicknames Lori¡¯s giving you.¡± ¡°Hehe, yeah¡­ I don¡¯t feel much like sunshine, though,¡± she whispered, swallowing and rubbing her left elbow. ¡°I¡¯ve been¡­ having these thoughts and feels¡­¡± Explaining all the trouble she¡¯d been experiencing over the last few days, Dawn listened quietly, giving her full attention. When Rhea stopped, the woman was quiet for a short while, turning her focus to a pair of squawking Spearow as they argued with some Pidgey. ¡°From what Ash tells me, Amira was struggling for a time when you guys were in Cerulean, and it affected her all the way to Maiden¡¯s Peak, but it was a compounding issue that has slowly been resolved. You aren¡¯t the cause. In fact, you¡¯ve helped her by improving her mood.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea followed Dawn as she pushed off the rails to wander the side deck with more people waking up. ¡°You and Ash told me my Aura has been interacting with my environment more, but the supernatural aspect is too erratic to pin down yet¡­ I don¡¯t want to draw up bad memories for Lori and her big sister, or something she hasn¡¯t told us about Ghosts. Dawn reached over to put her arm around her shoulder and pull her in. ¡°Aww, always thinking about others. The danger is you delving into it. Have you?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± ¡°Then you¡¯re fine! Hehe. If you¡¯re feeling down, it will also transfer to others with your Aura.¡± A small smile lifted Rhea¡¯s mood. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s why you¡¯re all pro festival?¡± ¡°No way. I¡¯m pro festival because they¡¯re fun! Hehe. I love the Sinnoh Cherrim blossom festivals, and this is like that but Kanto-style. I¡¯m missing that up north right now, but you¡¯ve got your own version of it here. What do you say? Want to spend the mornings studying, shopping, and battling while the evenings are reserved for festivals and fireworks?¡± ¡°Sounds wonderful¡­ We do need to sign up for the Gym today, though.¡± ¡°Of course! No worries! We should be reaching the port in the next two to three hours. We have the whole day. Let¡¯s explore!¡± Rhea sighed when not two minutes later, the same team that lost to them four days in a row challenged them again. The young women were nice and cheery, though, which made their encounter a lot easier compared to the other sour groups that blamed ¡®genetically enhanced Pokemon¡¯ for being the reason they lost. Sure. Fair enough. Her Pokemon were very talented and strong. But Sam¡¯s group had managed to win against them in Bronze-tier a few weeks ago. So, Rhea didn¡¯t fully buy it. If they prepared enough with their very public roster and the Moves they¡¯d already shown, then her team wouldn¡¯t have obliterated the Sinnoh Trainers. Mya and Nova were blowing off steam from her internal feelings, though. Since it was only Rhea up on the deck, she did a single, asking them to wait for her Pokemon to get there. She felt the four following her scent via Nova¡¯s sharp nose ten minutes ago as they circled the deck the long way to get to them. The young woman cursed when Rhea sent Alice in to give her more experience; the Trainer had three Pokemon, and they were somewhat impressive, but still low Silver-tier. It made her laugh thinking about that when a few months ago they were in a life-and-death situation against a low Silver-tier Nidorino. She had noticed these Sinnoh Trainers looked more at Dawn when challenging them than her. Dawn was a huge star, and more than likely the next Champion of their region, so it made sense. Plus, Rhea was the niece of their current Champion. They wanted to prove something, and the nice part was they had Potions and other items to heal all their Pokemon, despite the results. Kimie sent out her female Luxio with Rivalry and Intimidate to try and counter Alice. Unfortunately, her bunny had been training almost every moment of every day since their Fairy Gym battle, not wanting to be left out of the challenges due to level again. It was a good strategy, with Shock Wave able to counter Alice¡¯s evasion, but it took too long to power up without support. Alice still took at least 45% damage to her energy matrix before shattering the Luxio¡¯s. Rhea didn¡¯t want to embarrass her in front of Dawn, so she didn¡¯t hold back and had Alice jump back to her side. They drew a crowd, and her teammates soon joined them, having heard about the battle from the excited youth running through the halls. Everyone loved a good free match, and people generally paid to see Silver-tier battles. Her teammates hissed, nudging Kimie as Rhea sent out her next Pokemon before she selected hers; Nova sat down with a cute smile, but everyone knew how much of a terror the Eevee was. Between her Normal, Water, and Ice transformations, she could cover so many weaknesses. Rhea already knew her opponent¡¯s two remaining Pokemon, though. It doesn¡¯t matter what it is. You know what to do, Nova. Monferno or Sudowoodo, she doesn¡¯t have a chance. Nova chirped, energy leaving Rhea¡¯s body as a bright light turned her into a black and white Vaporeon. Kimie¡¯s head drooped, and she waved her hand from across the deck to signal her forfeit; they were losing quite a bit of money and ranks in these challenges, but obviously, they didn¡¯t care. Some Bronze-tier competitors tried to keep the crowd going by announcing their own challenge to their ¡®rivals,¡¯ spirited on by their battle. Half of the crowd walked away, though. Kimie already healed her Luxio and made her way over to talk to them. Maybe this final day would be the day they actually told them why they kept challenging her when all of their Pokemon could be countered now that she had a solid grasp on their lineup and tactics. ¡°Ugh¡­ I really hoped Yarnie would be able to win with a few Shock Waves. Is it just me, or is Alice getting faster by the day?¡± Kimie asked, bending down to scratch her Electric Pokemon¡¯s head. ¡°Was there anything I could do to win?¡± Dawn looked at her as her teammates chuckled. ¡°Uh¡­ I know you don¡¯t think your other Pokemon have a shot at touching Alice, but maybe you should have tried Tommy since he has Fighting Moves and can use the ship infrastructure to his advantage? He feels like he has better Stats than Alice, despite Alice¡¯s breeding; she¡¯s still young and hasn¡¯t been in a ton of battles.¡± Rhea posed it as a question, glancing at Dawn for confirmation. Dawn held her hands behind her back and gave a bright nod. ¡°You girls don¡¯t give up! Rhea¡¯s right, which shows you¡¯ve been thinking about how they can counter you. Hehe. What would you do if they started doing that?¡± ¡°Mmm. My only option would be Nova as a Water-Type, but Tommy would still have the acrobatics advantage. Although, Nova is very good at swapping between Detect and Protect while using other Moves to block her opponent¡¯s Moves. Alice can also try to stick in the fight with Foresight. My Pokemon just have a ton of options. Sorry.¡± Amira lifted her eyebrow, the rising sun shining off Amber and her rose-tinted glasses. ¡°Impressive, Rhea. You¡¯ve been thinking lately. I have an idea. Anyway, now that the battle is over, want to take advantage of the free breakfast menu before we dock, and it¡¯s taken away? Care to join us, ladies?¡± Kimie and her team¡¯s faces brightened. ¡°Absolutely!¡± ¡°Thanks for inviting us!¡± Clearly, they¡¯d been waiting the entire five days to be invited to have some personal time with them. Lori snickered. ¡°You¡¯re always a cheapskate, Amira. You are the most tight-pursed woman I know!¡± ¡°Pfft.¡± Amira snorted, tilting her head to give the girl a look. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t have to be if my teammate wasn¡¯t such a gambling addict and always borrowed money.¡± ¡°Oof. Okay. Fair. Fair. I¡¯ll get you back the 8k credits today, though; you said there was a festival, which means¡­¡± ¡°Gambling,¡± Rhea finished with a sigh, shaking her head. ¡°You really are an addict, Lori.¡± ¡°I keep telling her to seek help.¡± Amira sounded half-defeated. ¡°I might just have to cut her off soon.¡± ¡°Woah! Woah! Heh. Let¡¯s not do anything drastic!¡± Lori laughed. ¡°I paid you two days ago¡­¡± ¡°And borrowed 8k the very next day because you lost everything you gained, including the winnings from the wins against their team. You¡¯re hopeless!¡± The other three girls and Dawn laughed. They met Ash and the rest of their Pokemon in the cramped dining hall. Getting a chance to talk to Kimie more one-on-one, she learned the three had watched her match against Saria. They¡¯d been blown away that Rhea succeeded where they¡¯d failed. The three thought it was because of Ash or Dawn¡¯s training at first, then her overpowered Pokemon, but now believed she was strong all on her own. Rhea had to credit Amira for teaching her how to use Pokedex properly and Lori for buying them their subscriptions. It really upped their game and taught them all sorts of useful tips regarding each Pokemon. Having a good time talking with the 25-year-old women, Rhea was surprised to learn the three had originally given up on reaching Gold-tier after losing most of their money in Sinnoh, bashing their heads against a wall on the Gyms. They¡¯d saved enough money doing their other jobs when the United Indigo Cup challenge was announced and decided to fly down to Kanto and try their luck here. It was much the same, and they were about to go home and rage quit after Misty, but a victory against Forrest brought them to try out Kanto¡¯s newest Gym Leader. Once again, they were beginning to feel discouraged when they saw her match. Kimie felt terrible upon remembering Alice still hadn¡¯t had her energy matrix recovered and quickly brought out a potion. Rhea waved her hand in protest and said they¡¯d be by a Center soon enough and to save it. When they finished their food and the ship neared the dock, Rhea waved goodbye to the gang, adding them to her personal social media profile with limited view to the rest of her family; Lori showed her a few tricks to modify what they had access to. Promising to follow their progress and offer her support, they parted ways below deck. Dawn didn¡¯t want them to ruin the moment by viewing it on the deck and experiencing the city by walking down the docks. Rhea moved Lulu on top of her head to feel tall and look around, but she soon teleported to Lori¡¯s head since she was the tallest. Not long after, Terri was on Lori¡¯s head and Lulu on Terri¡¯s, making them laugh at the stacking Legendaries. Pikachu and Piplup followed their example, getting on Ash and Dawn¡¯s head; the Penguin Pokemon even used the woman¡¯s bun as a seat, making them snicker. Looking to her left at the blonde Sinnoh girl she¡¯d battled an hour before, Rhea smiled. I guess you never know who you inspire¡­ I¡¯ve been inspired by a lot of people. It seems we make more of a difference than we know. Why have I been so down? Maybe it¡¯s just my fluctuating Aura or this cramped ship when I¡¯m used to the open woods and roads now. Let¡¯s have fun! Her Pokemon chirped by her feet, Alice and Mya holding on to either of her hands. ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Pun-pun!¡± The doors opened, and Rhea squinted, eyes going wide as she saw the shimmering petals of the Kelpsy trees weaving in the gentle ocean breeze. The sun showered the old Kanto-style buildings that resembled many of Johto¡¯s architecture. Exiting onto the dock, she saw more than 80% of the people wearing old kimono clothes or other traditional outfits. Classical music from their early days was played by street performers¡ªkoto, taiko, shakuhachi, hichiriki, biwa, and many other instruments¡ªwelcoming them to the city. Paper lanterns and other decorations filled the cobblestone streets. She¡¯d seen videos online, but nothing could prepare her for the scale, vibrance, and energy of the tradition-loving province. They¡¯d entered Fuchsia City-State; the Gem Encrusted Soul Badge could be seen flying from flags with many other ninja clans and old nations she¡¯d seen online: this was the soul of Kanto. B3 — 20. Festival Curiosity 10:42 a.m. August 12th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 64. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (114 days away). Entering the bustling dock with Ash, Dawn, and her team, Rhea¡¯s troubles melted away at the vibrant energy of the bustling city. Everyone was so taken in by their own festivities that their very well-recognizable party didn¡¯t so much as draw a second glance. Shimmering azure petals occasionally drifted off the Kelpsy trees to sparkle in the light of the rising sun. It was a beautiful day, and stalls selling traditional goods of Kanto¡¯s historical culture lined the streets. The smell from the many food stands made Rhea¡¯s mouth water, even after she¡¯d already eaten on the ship. Amira took the lead to where she¡¯d booked their stay; Rhea was a little curious due to the redhead¡¯s mysterious silence on the topic as they wove through the complex streets. Rhea was already lost, but Amira seemed to know exactly where she was going. Dawn and Ash appeared to be growing more nervous as twenty minutes passed, and they started to leave the general bustle of Fuchsia. They came to a path that paralleled an enclosure comprised of Razz wood and stone walls; running water, tall, maintained trees, and sharp-eyed Bird Pokemon seemed to patrol the divide. Resituating her backpack, Rhea¡¯s attention was caught by a sign as they turned a corner; they were now right on the cusp of leaving the city for Route 18, where the hidden Fuchsia Gym was somewhere located, and Rhea¡¯s gut tightened. Oh, no. The cheap and cramped ship ride across Vermilion Bay¡­ Are we sleeping outside? I mean, it¡¯s a nice area, and the open forest is fine and well, but I wanted¡­ Her thoughts trailed off as they came to a fancy-looking gate entrance in the quiet neighborhood on the corner of the city. Rhea was speechless as Amira marched them into it without a moment¡¯s hesitation, three traditionally dressed men and women bowing their heads to her as they proceeded through a lush and well-maintained garden. Lori¡¯s violet eyes lit up as they saw the vibrant establishment and old wooden Kanto-style facility nestled at the foot of a nearby hill, lush with vegetation. Two separated streams could be seen further up, one naturally heated and the other a pristine brook, weaved on either side of their path. ¡°No way! Is this a spa? This place looks top-class, Cherry! I thought we were on a budget. Oh¡­¡± Lori trailed off as they entered and saw the Rocket family picture on the covered inner wall, surrounded by many awards given to the spa. Amira sighed. ¡°I figured this would be a good way to make up for the terrible boat ride; I could see it was demanding on you, Rhea, and Lori was having stomach issues.¡± ¡°How did you know?¡± Lori groaned, rubbing her stomach. ¡°I thought I did pretty well hiding it.¡± ¡°Dear,¡± Dawn said with a strained smile. ¡°When you spend three hours a day on the pot, it¡¯s not that hard to spot.¡± Ash walked off to the side, getting a call from someone. By his frown, it seemed to be something important, and Dawn watched his exit as Piplup and Pikachu explored the pretty front garden with their Pokemon. Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah, if it makes you feel any better, I didn¡¯t notice¡­ because I was too busy feeling cramped. I think our last boat ride and the Sea Temple really altered my perception. Thanks, Amira, so¡­ You own this place?¡± Amira giggled, stopping them in front of a part of the garden as one of the attendants went inside, probably to inform them of the Rocket princess¡¯ arrival. ¡°My grandmother enjoys Fuchsia and used to spend quite some time here when Koga worked under my grandfather, managing Rocket affairs. And don¡¯t get your dirty mind elsewhere,¡± she warned, sharp red eyes darting to Lori, who held up her hands with an innocent smile. ¡°What?! I wasn¡¯t thinking anything¡­ Who¡¯s Gym Leader Janine¡¯s mother again? Hmm. Hey, hey! I¡¯m joking!¡± she cried as Amber¡¯s ears flames flared out near her hand. ¡°I mean, it¡¯s gotta be sus, though. C¡¯mon! Honey, back me up with your Ph.D. in Gossip!¡± Rhea snickered at the nickname and shook her head. ¡°No gossip there, Velv; they come from a noble ninja clan, so they¡¯re really secretive about family relations. No one knew about Janine until she took over her father¡¯s gym, not even the Master community. Oh, speaking about gossip, I did meet Aya back in Cerulean.¡± Lori¡¯s face blanked, but Amira nodded. ¡°If I recall, she was there to speak to your brother. I suppose everything worked out in the end, but it doesn¡¯t really concern us. As something that does concern us¡­ How does a full spa and salon treatment from some of the best experts in the field within Fuchsia sound?¡± ¡°Divine!¡± Dawn drooled. ¡°I want to melt like butter. Shopping in the morning, classy lunch here, hit up the Gym registry for Saturday, and then back here for a full-service makeover before enjoying the nighttime festivities? Yes!¡± Rhea¡¯s mind went back to their Kanto spa day, but this time it was the total package with room service to boot. Jumping forward with Lori and Dawn, Amira tried to fend off their hugs. ¡°Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!¡± Their Pokemon soon jumped in, making Amber run away from Rhea¡¯s grinning Mawile as her teammates gladly accepted the hugs and jumps of excitement. Serenity was as oblivious to the affections as ever, but Amira said she was dancing inside to enjoy the waters. Rhea was more blown away when they were guided to their own private rooms¡ªall of them¡ªthat had a personal spa, a deck to overlook the forest, and a more modern interior with a sitting area, TV, private fridge, and a line to the kitchen to order whatever they wanted. Amira ordered a massage, manicure, hair treatment, and the total service package that came on the house due to the Rocket family having a large stake in the establishment. A fancy meal would be waiting for them at 2 p.m. after they finished their shopping. After the energy of the festival, they could unwind in the silent and serene atmosphere of the spa and private stone-laid trails around the hill outside of town. Rain was forecasted for Friday and Saturday, which had Dawn bummed, but that meant they could focus on training those days with their teams. Rhea sent a message to Elaine to confirm the mother-daughter date with Ambrosia and Nova, hoping they would have enough time this week. The woman¡¯s response was as swift and on point as usual, answering within a minute of sending the message. 11:19 a.m. - Rhea: So¡­ about Ambrosia and Nova. Can they get together this week for some family time? I get you must be busy with the United League and Paldea stuff going on. We can reschedule if you need to. 11:20 a.m. - Elaine: Absolutely not! Ambrosia would bite my ear if I tried to reschedule! Lol. She¡¯s excited. Friday morning should be good for us. She wanted to do a little exploring with Nova in some¡­ mystery location. I¡¯m not allowed to know because I¡¯d spoil it. Can you believe her? Not trusting her Trainer >.> I was the one that dealt with hair in my mouth every night for three years because someone always crawled onto my face as a pup! We¡¯re golden! Stomach shaking at the random bit of info at the end, Rhea had no clue what that had to do with the trust part, but it looked like things were on the up. 11:22 a.m. - Rhea: I don¡¯t know how you type so fast! I suppose you¡¯re not just the Kanto Champion but the speed-typing champion, too. Isn¡¯t it supposed to rain on Friday? Nova can deal with it since she¡¯s an official Water-Type now, but what about Ambrosia? 11:22 a.m. - Elaine: Wet Paws says no worries. She has it all covered. It¡¯s so cute seeing her excited to be a mom! She promised to take pictures. I got her a Rotom Phone. That¡¯s right! It¡¯s back on the market and legal. Your aunt even personally vetted the new owners. All the homeless Rotoms will be happy again! 11:24 a.m. - Rhea: Gossip News Breaking: Elaine, Champion of Kanto, has been converted into an AI to text teenage Trainer upstart Rhea, a.k.a. Honey Pot! An investigation is pending if AIs are allowed to retain the title. 11:24 a.m. - Elaine: LMAO! I have to be fast at typing. There¡¯s too much to see and do. Gotta go-go-go! Chase is calling for a battle date. <3 from the Champion seat! Let¡¯s hope it¡¯s not that seaweed place again *blah!* I was in the toilet for hours! He even laughed at my weak stomach! I¡¯ll make him pay tonight. Ho-ho. He will pay dearly! Muahahaha! 11:25 a.m. - Rhea: Yikes! GL, and don¡¯t die! Or, uh, catch a case after just becoming Champion. Nova doesn¡¯t need to visit a prison mama! 11:26 a.m. - Elaine: I¡¯ve already been locked up four times! I¡¯m a vet, Honey Pot! Trust! Catch you Friday. Kisses and hugs, Babe; date night calls my lonely heart! Ack! Ambrosia bit my ear! Time for a tackle match! Giggling at the woman¡¯s wholesome and odd antics, Rhea grinned; the fact she typed out ¡®ack¡¯ said a lot about her fun personality. She had similar energy as Lyra, which made her appreciate just how wide her circle had grown over the last two months. Rhea swapped to her mother¡¯s texting history to message her as Dawn took them to find their new outfits and headed out of the resort. 11:28 a.m. - Rhea: Hey, Mom. I guess since you still haven¡¯t called me, then you¡¯re working on my results or the next Pokemon or something. Just wanted to see if you had an update on those cool capsule backpacks, or whatever, that can store specific items. Love you! Putting her phone in her skirt pocket, Rhea got into the rhythm of the girls as they went out to shop for their hanbok for the festival. Ash had some people to meet, saying he would find a store and dress up as a surprise before running off with Dawn¡¯s teasing remarks nipping at his heels. Rhea laughed with Lori at the comments she made about him not looking good in black and wearing something more ¡®him.¡¯ The blue-haired woman then directed them on a mission to impress; price wasn¡¯t an issue since they were using her aunt¡¯s card, and just to be a little cheeky, she sent the Sinnoh Champion a text as they entered the first store. 11:51 a.m. - Rhea: Hey, Auntie! Just wanted to say thank you! 11:54 a.m. - Aunt Cynthia: ??? She didn¡¯t respond, getting three more question marks after eight minutes; she knew it would play on her aunt¡¯s overactive mind until she broke down and called. That call came when Rhea was trying on a pretty white base and turquoise-themed hanbok with white patterned flow designs and a similarly designed belt to wrap under her bust. Dawn was helping her learn the steps in putting it on when the ringtone went off. Answering the video chat, she added a bright smile while holding out her arms, Dawn presenting her with a grin. ¡°Surprise! What do you think?¡± Her aunt blinked, taking a second before her confusion softened. ¡°You¡¯re beautiful, Rhea. It¡¯s almost like I¡¯m seeing my little sister before all the worry lines conquered her face.¡± ¡°Mean!¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Dawn said the white and blue would go well, and I¡¯m loving it. This pink undergarment that adds the V-shape is adorable and really draws the eye to my neck.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm!¡± Dawn puffed up her chest. ¡°What did I tell you? You three will look stunning in these. Pictures all day. I know the drill,¡± she said with a wink at her master. Cynthia¡¯s lips curled. ¡°I see you¡¯re trying to skip the details, Snowflake. Who is footing the bill on this purchase?¡± ¡°S-Snowflake?!¡± Dawn balked, likely a nickname similar to the one Ash used regarding her ¡®hair trouble.¡¯ ¡°I haven¡¯t had dandruff problems since I was a teenager!¡± ¡°So you think,¡± her aunt smugly smirked, eyes tilting to the side in a way that could infuriate everyone. ¡°Have you stopped using that special product I put you on when you came crying to me as a little girl?¡± ¡°I-I¡¯ve been trying something new lately,¡± she whispered, darting left to look at herself in the mirror. ¡°Oh, you are evil! I¡¯m not a snowflake anymore.¡± ¡°Powdered sugar can be sweet, though. Remember, one time you got top Contest marks and¡ª¡± Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. ¡°Nope! I blocked that out of my memory¡­ Not listening!¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help laughing at the teasing remarks. Cynthia had been Dawn¡¯s role model growing up, and she was living her dream of being mentored by her idol. Snapping a few pictures and trying to fight back on Dawn¡¯s behalf, Rhea told a few embarrassing stories her mother revealed to her about her aunt as a teenager. Dawn particularly enjoyed the part about the burnt hair story on her first attempt at using a curler or the stray mascara mark on her cheek she hadn¡¯t noticed during a Contest. After waving her off and finishing her outfit with a floral hairpiece for her bun, she exited to her Pokemon and team¡¯s claps. Lori got Dawn¡¯s attention next as Amira searched for her own outfit, plucking between styles in the diverse store. Mallory¡¯s became more galaxy themed with a pink top mixed with yellow, white, and black; she even added little star bobbles to her sash. Amira, independent as always, wanted to try her own fashion, so they all waited outside since she knew how to step in dressing in the traditional way. The redhead came out with a yellow top that showed parts of the white undergarment in the sleeves, belly, and near her neck. A pink tie was used near her bust to keep it together instead of a sash or belt, and it was surprisingly plain compared to the designs Rhea or Lori had. Still, the maroon skirt went well with her more free-styled hair that framed her back, and she¡¯d tied her bangs into a braid around the back of her head to keep the long locks in place. As always, Amira had a way of stunning them with her fashion choices, intricate or simple. A swipe of her aunt¡¯s card later, and they were out and in the festive spirit. Lori couldn¡¯t help but sample a few of the food carts on the way back to the hillside resort, and Rhea smiled as she got a text from her best friend. 1:40 p.m. - Jason: Hey, cute pictures! You¡¯re actually in Fuchsia, then? We were just about to leave, but we had to hit up the Safari Zone. Want to hang later tonight? It¡¯s been a while, and Sunny is slapping my leg to see Alice again. Haha! Len wants to chill with Lori, too, and, umm, hear me out¡­ kind of an odd request, I know, but Lucian wanted to talk to Amira. Rhea¡¯s eyebrows came together, lips drawing in as she glanced left at the redhead before looking back at the message. Pewter had been a disaster. Cerulean, they didn¡¯t even talk. Now he wanted to have a random chat? Sure, she¡¯d liked his mom and all, but a nervous itch scratched in her belly. 1:43 p.m. - Rhea: I don¡¯t know if that¡¯s a good idea. I¡¯m cool to hang, I mean, but Lucian and Amira? That¡¯s an Explosion waiting to happen that will blow up in all our faces. 1:47 p.m. - Jason: No, I get it! I¡¯m just the messenger. He just wants to know if she¡¯ll make the time. It ¡®sounds¡¯ like he doesn¡¯t care if she accepts or not, but yeah. He wants to say something, and he¡¯s been acting kind of weird lately¡­ Not so much of a Pinsir when her song comes up on the radio. Yeah, he listens to the radio. Weird, I know. Lowkey, I think I heard him listening to the hit she made not that long ago. You didn¡¯t hear it from me! Just for context. Not sure how to bring it up, Rhea nudged Amira as they turned the corner to the spa area. ¡°Hmm?¡± Lori and Dawn slowed a bit as she cleared her throat, now having everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°So¡­ Jason¡¯s team wants to know if they can hang.¡± ¡°Hold up!¡± Lori pulled her phone out of a bag that held her Trainer outfit. ¡°Len didn¡¯t tell me he was still in Fuchsia. That punk! Yes, I want to hang!¡± Dawn looked between them, clearly bewildered by who they were talking about, but Rhea plowed on, knowing by Amira¡¯s scowl and crossed arms she knew what the unspoken Mamoswine was. ¡°It would be nice to see Jason again. It¡¯s just¡­ Here, read it yourself.¡± At a total loss, with Amira¡¯s red eyes burning into hers, Rhea broke down and held up her phone to show her the message. Lori and Dawn pushed in to read it with her. Dawn¡¯s head tilted to the left. ¡°Lucian is Diane¡¯s son if I recall. By that face, I¡¯m guessing there is some history between you two, Amira?¡± Lori snickered. ¡°A bit more than that. The guy¡¯s a total Slowpoke. I¡¯d blow him off if I were you, Red.¡± ¡°Normally, I would,¡± Amira returned as she handed Rhea¡¯s phone back, nibbling on her bottom lip. Amber¡¯s cheeks were puffed out and her trainer¡¯s hands were on her hips as they communicated privately. ¡°I¡¯m curious, though. Why would he reach out?¡± Rhea shrugged. ¡°Another battle? He could be listening to your song to hype himself up for it or something.¡± ¡°Innocent Rhea,¡± Lori teased, poking her cheek. ¡°You need to think of the darker side, Sunshine! Lure Amira into a compromising situation to embarrass her? Sounds like something a humiliated guy would do or something more sinister.¡± Amira pulled out her own phone, increasing their pace to reach their scheduled lunch on time. ¡°I think you¡¯re a little too dark, Lori. We have to take into consideration him being in a new region that already sees Kalos unfavorably, mixed with his team¡¯s influence and events that have transpired since our last meeting.¡± Dawn whistled. ¡°You really are a thinker, Amira. You¡¯re going to meet with him?¡± ¡°Why not? I¡¯m curious.¡± A small tilt came to her full lips as she glanced toward each of them, phone tapping against her chin. ¡°Plus, why dispense with an opportunity for more ammunition? Keep your enemies close.¡± Rhea laughed at the unusual glint in her ruby eyes; there was something she wasn¡¯t quite getting. ¡°So you think of us as your greatest enemies, huh? Do you think he might be developing feelings for you?¡± Lori lifted an eye and bent down to pat Mariah¡¯s head. ¡°I mean, have you seen this Meloetta? Hehe. Who wouldn¡¯t? And I¡¯m not talking about our shy girl here. Do you have any idea how many people are demanding I make Amira start a MemeStar account?¡± ¡°I get enough attention in the media as it is,¡± Amira whispered, wearing a cryptic smile Rhea had seen before but couldn¡¯t place. ¡°The cold shoulder is something expected from our last encounter¡­ But to swallow his pride to share a festival night with me? Hmm. Isn¡¯t that puzzling? By the looks of it, she¡¯d gotten Lucian¡¯s number from Len, yet after a second¡¯s thought, she put her red crystal device away. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ give him an answer after lunch.¡± ¡°Absolute savage!¡± Mallory¡¯s teeth flashed as she skipped forward to the entrance of the spa gates. ¡°I swear, Red, I gotta learn that Sharpedo instinct because you¡¯ve got teeth, girl!¡± Rhea¡¯s mind was blank. ¡°Wait, how does answering him after lunch make her a savage? Wouldn¡¯t not answering at all and ghosting him be more?¡± She groaned internally at the look Dawn and Lori gave her; Amira didn¡¯t seem all that interested in their reactions, seemingly looking inward. ¡°What am I missing?¡± Dawn giggled and bumped into her as an attendant gestured for them to follow him to their dining area. ¡°It¡¯s a game, Rhea. Lucian asked Jason to put the question to you instead of calling Amira himself. It¡¯s a shy and unsure move that shows his insecurity.¡± ¡°Mhm-mhm!¡± Lori chimed. ¡°Len will totally let that Slowpoke know Amira asked for his number¡ªbro code as teammates¡ªand Amira¡¯s gonna make him strew in a boiling pot for the spice! That¡¯s our red-hot chili pepper!¡± ¡°Hehe. Quite the image there, Velv.¡± Dawn¡¯s expression demanded more details. ¡°Boys break down shockingly fast in the right pressure cooker. What kind of dish are we making, girls¡ªsoftening the meat up for a tender late-night meal, or is it more of a snack?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s not hope it¡¯s too soft,¡± Lori winked, making Rhea¡¯s face burn; this was not the kind of conversation she had had growing up with her brother, father, or best friend, but it almost seemed natural to the girls. ¡°I mean, I¡¯m a total Heatran if a boy burns me¡ªscorched earth¡ªbut Amira¡¯s far more of a lady than me, so¡­¡± Luckily, Amira reigned the Unovan girl and conversation in. ¡°I have no expectations. Isn¡¯t that the best way to be happily surprised? In addition, if he causes my opinion of him to drop further, Lucian would have to have real talent.¡± ¡°Ouch! What did this guy do to you?¡± Dawn asked, taking off her shoes at the appropriate place as they followed her lead. ¡°Spill the details.¡± Lori and Dawn got into a discussion on the whole history, but Amira¡¯s attention was on her as they took their seats to be served. ¡°You met his mother, Rhea. What is your opinion on Lucian overall? I recall you telling me that you talked to her about some of the troubles we had.¡± Rhea only remembered glazing over their time together at random points in their journey, so something in that must have sparked the redhead¡¯s interest. She went over her discussion with the Kalos Champion and what she¡¯d learned from the experience. Dawn and Lori jumped in as they ate, looking for more spicy points to liven up the conversation. It was a joke to the Unovan girl, yet Rhea got the impression that Amira was truly interested in learning everything she could about Lucian. Of course, that was the redhead¡¯s strategic brain, so Rhea tried her best to articulate her time with Diane. The meals brought to them made Rhea want to die because she knew she wouldn¡¯t be able to eat this way very often; Amira was spoiling them. It also made Rhea realize that the Rocket Girl could adapt to almost anything. She was perfectly comfortable in a cramped passenger ship that should be condemned or a five-star spa. Gossip painted her teammate as a prissy and conceited rich girl, held up by her infamous family, but that couldn¡¯t be further from the truth. Amira was quite conservative and shockingly caring in her own assertive and opinionative way. Rhea couldn¡¯t imagine her journey without the responsible and well-educated redhead¡¯s guidance. Out of everyone in her life¡ªthe Masters, Champions, and Legends¡ªAmira had been the mentor she looked to for answers. The redhead always had an answer or would work with her to find it. Sure, she was cautious and guarded, but Lori was helping to break down those walls while trying to help Rhea put up her own boundaries. Once again, she was reminded of how amazing her teammates were. Instead of having an uncomfortable and spiteful lunch conversation about how stupid and rude Lucian was, it was lighthearted and inquisitive. Ash joined them partway through, wearing a Pikachu-themed dark blue kimono; when he grinned and pointed at the color and Dawn¡¯s hair as they matched made Rhea¡¯s heart burn. It was crazy how cute Ash could be. Settling in to eat after some adorable banter with Dawn, he let them know he¡¯d found someone to help her that could temper her Shamanistic side to allow her to grow into it more naturally. They¡¯d set up an appointment tomorrow night, so the rest of the day was clear. Lori was already on the phone with Len, making plans for everyone. Apparently, they were splitting up into groups: Ash and Dawn. Rhea and Jason. Lori and Len. Amira and Lucian. Rhea giggled at the ¡®really¡¯ look that the redhead gave the snickering violet-haired girl. Still, Amira went along with it, making Lori even more curious as to what she was plotting, but she¡¯d already put them in their own groups. Freshening up a bit after lunch, they got their full spa treatment before Ash guided them to the Gym registration building in the city, enjoying the energy of the locals. The Gym itself was outside of town, and buses brought people to the private location of the ninja school. It wasn¡¯t so much a secret as it was an off-limits zone. Waiting in line, she was happily surprised when Lori and Amira signed up with her. They¡¯d all have a matching badge, and hopefully, this would be better than Pewter went. Rhea was determined to win this battle and obtain her second Encrusted Badge. The hours of the day went by, and eventually, the time came for their meetup. Rhea couldn¡¯t wait to spend more time with Jason; it had been weeks since she¡¯d last seen him, which was something unheard of growing up. Rhea had to take pictures of Alice as they went to an accessory shop, and she pointed at a pink bow and red flower to put on. She was trying to copy what she saw humans did when they went out together, which was so cute. Sunny would be blown away by her gorgeous evolved bunny. He was so overwhelmed, in fact, that he surprised all of them. * * * Checking her outfit and hair in the Center bathroom as they waited for the boys to arrive, Amira chuckled at Amber, mirroring her. A few other ladies were doing the same or fixing their traditional outfits; some of the locals were being nice and helping the tourists that didn¡¯t tie their knots right. Going on a date with Gables, hmm? ¡°Xen-xen. Braixen,¡± she hummed, combing out her ear tufts and trying to find a cute position to place her wand in her tail. ¡°Braixen?¡± Hmm. Yeah, a little to the right works, and having it sway will draw eyes, but you don¡¯t want it to fall out. That would be embarrassing. ¡°B-Braix-xen?! Xen-xen!¡± she worried, shaking her head and securing it more. ¡°Braixen?¡± No, you don¡¯t need to trim your side fluff. Don¡¯t be self-conscious. You¡¯re cute, and he probably won¡¯t even notice. He¡¯ll be too focused on your ears or tail. ¡°Braixen¡­¡± Hehe. Yes, boys do have a fixation on certain things that you think are weird, but just try it. Move your tail a little away and watch him notice. Hehe. Let your ears fall back a little when looking at him, and he¡¯ll trip on his face. He acts all cool, but I¡¯m telling you, you have more power over him than you think. Amber smiled, turning to the side and bobbing her purple tail, and letting her flaming tip flicker left and right. ¡°Xen-xen¡­¡± She looked down with a short sigh. Yes, of course, you¡¯re pretty. I know you¡¯re a little self-conscious because you¡¯re Shiny and don¡¯t look like the other girls, but that¡¯s a good thing. And you can¡¯t compare yourself to the rest of the girls. You¡¯re you, and you¡¯re gorgeous. Is Gabs looking at them? ¡°Braixen¡­¡± she whispered, swallowing and getting closer to the mirror to brush her fur. Right. He is always sneaking peeks at you. Why¡¯s that? ¡°Braixen.¡± That¡¯s right! Because you¡¯re fine. Shake that tail fire and watch him melt. ¡°Bra-bra-bra,¡± she giggled. Plus, it¡¯s not just your fur, silly. He likes that attitude and sass. Be yourself. He likes you for you. Okay? Everything about you. Amber nodded, confidence and determination filling her red eyes. Good. Pikachu is going to hang with everyone else, so you don¡¯t need to worry about Mariah. Have a fun time. Okay? ¡°Braixen.¡± Her teenage fox turned to hug her, making Amira kneel down to touch her up and fix the bow tied around her neck. ¡°I want to hear all about it later. Let¡¯s go.¡± Going outside of the bathroom, she saw Lori had already skipped out on them with Len, taking to the streets to dance and party with her bestie. Dawn and Ash waved at her and went to the door, but they paused as a commotion came from where Rhea, Jason, and Lucian sat. Amira¡¯s gaze was instantly snatched by Alice and Sunny, Jason¡¯s Scorbunny, as the stunned bunny looked up at the grinning, much larger Lopunny; eyes wide and practically stupified, his fur exploded with light. Jason choked, fumbling with his phone and dropping it, but Rhea was swift to start the recording as Sunny evolved into a Raboot. What was the first action anyone took? Alice jumped forward with a cheer to poke and explore her bouncy friend¡¯s new evolution. Naturally, Sunny¡¯s face turned bright pink, and he jumped away, pulling up his scarf. Unfortunately, he ran right past them into the girl¡¯s bathroom by mistake. Alice chased after him as if they were playing a game. Rhea and Jason ran after them, Pikachu and the rest of the gang in pursuit. Amber hissed next to her, calling after Sunny, but his mind was already steaming by this point. Gables hopped over to join them, showing a strained smile and complimenting her nervous fox; at least Sunny¡¯s embarrassing scene had helped to calm her nerves. So, there was a small bright side. Poor guy, Amira sighed, shaking her head with a sad chuckle. Lucian stood in the same spot she¡¯d seen him in when exiting. A small smile lifting her cheeks, she went to meet him, expecting quite a fun night of poking and prodding to see what the boy¡¯s intentions were. Amira didn¡¯t like to waste her time, but this was a turn of events she hadn¡¯t expected, and that made her curious. ¡°Braixen?¡± her unsure fox whispered, watching her leave. Amira had an unusual jitter in her stomach she hadn¡¯t experienced in a while; cautious anticipation for the unknown. You know, Amber, they say curiosity kills the Skitty, but oddly, I can¡¯t seem to help myself. Standing in front of Lucian, her head tilted to the right as he put his hands in his pockets and turned away a bit, not looking at her; she figured he was roughly six inches taller than her. He had even dispensed with the usual suit for the festival. Okay. You reached out. I¡¯m here. Well, the ball¡¯s in your court, bucko. Upside down and inside out, all you have to do is not disappoint me. Still, I won¡¯t make this easy on you. What roller coaster ride are you here to take me on? B3 — 21. Brutal Honesty 7:02 p.m. August 12th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 64. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (114 days away). Amira waited patiently for Lucian to talk to her, letting him squirm in silence with several people in the Center discreetly taking pictures of them; she was used to the attention in Kanto, and usually, she saw it as annoying, but at this moment, it only added to the entertainment. I¡¯m not going to make it easy on you; what story will the gossip outlets tell? Lucian cleared his throat and glanced down at her, trying to act casual. ¡°Should we walk, or do you want to talk here?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Holding her elbow behind her back, Amira leaned to the side, observing the whispering groups in the large space. Sunny¡¯s evolution had drawn everyone¡¯s attention, but that had swiftly shifted to them. ¡°Up to you.¡± She snickered inside at his tight smile; he was not enjoying her sudden meekness. Amira had guessed right that he would expect her to come off strong and cold, yet here she was, casual, on her lonesome, dressed up, and letting him lead. Phase One: Disorientation, complete. What next, Kalos boy? Don¡¯t make me take control. Taking one last glance around the area, he nudged his head toward the door. ¡°Have you eaten?¡± Predictable. She shook her head amiably, knowing it would throw him off. ¡°Only lunch. I¡¯m not particularly hungry right now, though.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ I know a decent spot, then. Follow me.¡± Amira was a tad impressed as he walked toward the doors; she¡¯d expected him to stumble and start getting frustrated. Unsure what move he¡¯d make next, she caught up to his slow pace. Entering the loud festive streets, she grew even more curious when he took her to a jinrikisha. Amused, she climbed on the two-seater transport. ¡°It¡¯s at the edge of the city¡ªthe South Grove district.¡± ¡°Yes, sir,¡± the driver chimed, pulling them out into the slow-moving crowd of wagons. ¡°It would be faster to reroute to some of the side roads. Will that be okay?¡± Lucian nodded. ¡°That would be excellent.¡± She focused on his pocket as he took out what looked to be a mint can and popped it open; they certainly weren¡¯t mints, though, by their size and label. He swallowed one as Amira smirked and went for the throat. ¡°A jinrikisha ride during a festival; are you trying to make people think we¡¯re dating? This is more of a couple thing.¡± ¡°Ack!¡± he choked, face going red. ¡°A couple? No. Jason and I¡ªahem, traveled this way all week.¡± ¡°Mmh!¡± Amira giggled and gave him a side-long look that made their runner glance back with lifted eyebrows before trying to ignore them; he was probably wearing a grin, though. ¡°So, you and Jason are dating then, huh? What will your boyfriend think, taking a girl out like this?¡± ¡°Cut it out,¡± Lucian grumbled, crossing his arms and scooting further into the side of the jinrikisha as she inched a bit closer, giving him an impish look. ¡°Ugh. I¡¯m not like that, okay? Not that there¡¯s¡ªugh. You¡¯re impossible!¡± He looked away, cheeks turning pink from her soft laughter. It was so easy to tease him. Although, his behavior really was odd. He was being rather fidgety and defensive. Amira wanted to strike at the chest and confirm a few things after what Rhea had told her about her time with Diane, yet she could be patient. It was his job to entertain her since he¡¯d called her out. A few minutes passed in silence as she waited, watching the other jinrikisha with their couples, laughing and enjoying each other¡¯s company. The shimmering lilac petals of the trees around them were placed in a pattern mixed with the three other tree types that bloomed during the other seasons. She hadn¡¯t been on a jinrikisha since she¡¯d been eight, visiting Fuchsia with her grandmother. Not a lot had changed, but it had certainly grown since the time just after the Ultra War. Parts of the city showed more modernization, yet the majority still conformed to the city¡¯s traditional architectural style. Amira¡¯s focus drifted to the water channels they passed over, spotting a bridal boat with the brides carried toward the ocean for their wedding; Fuchsia was a popular site for the momentous occasion. Cheers came from those observing above, Pokemon, friends, and family of the union following their path. The boats took the canals to the sea to their south, where large vessels were set to welcome the brides to meet the grooms for the ceremony. After which, the couples would be taken on a cruise to the Sevii Islands. Lucian¡¯s gaze lingered on the brides, dressed up and trying to look dignified as photographers took photos of their journey. When they entered a more quiet part of the city, he took a deep breath and finally broke the silence. ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow; there wasn¡¯t any heat, agitation, or conflict in his voice. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to be specific. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re apologizing about. Honestly, I wasn¡¯t sure the word was even in your vocabulary.¡± Instead of fighting her, he sighed and sat back, hands dropping limply into his lap. Lucian still refused to look at her, keeping his focus on the lanterns and local decorations the city occupants had hung up. ¡°That¡¯s fair¡­ I am a bit of a Pinsir, as Len likes to say. I don¡¯t mean to be rude, but I don¡¯t even know why I say what I do sometimes. It just¡­ comes out. Kanto¡¯s so¡­ different.¡± ¡°How so?¡± Amira asked, scooting away to give him a bit more wiggle room; his relieved sigh made her smile as he tried to loosen up. ¡°Do other cultures make you hot and bothered? I thought people from Kalos are supposed to be very open about their emotions.¡± A lump dropped down Lucian¡¯s throat, shifting at her statement, his Kalos accent thickened. ¡°You¡¯re not wrong. Unfortunately, it has been rather¡­ challenging for me to, ahem, open up to people. It is a bit different for those in the royal courts. My mother is the Grand Duchess¡­ and I can¡¯t put a negative light on her.¡± ¡°Heh¡­ Hehehe.¡± Lucian¡¯s face scrunched up as he looked down at her gentle laughter. ¡°What is so funny? Jason said you would understand. I don¡¯t know what to do¡­¡± Amira couldn¡¯t help herself; she¡¯d considered every angle and anticipated his every action, yet she could not have seen this coming. It was so bizarre. He must have hit his head somewhere because she could see his heart on his sleeve. ¡°Pardon me,¡± she wheezed, taking a deep breath and wiping at the corners of her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m just a little surprised. Haaa. If you wanted to make a positive impression on your mother, then why did you call out Rhea, the Muking niece of one of the few women that eclipses your mother, not to mention call one of the biggest social media stars, and I quote, ¡®club trash.¡¯ ¡± Their runner hissed, glancing back with a, ¡®no, he didn¡¯t¡¯ look on his face. ¡°And, if that wasn¡¯t enough, you basically called every redhead in the room ugly¡­ in front of everyone. That¡¯s Isabella, turning Hoenn against you, Kale, turning Alola against you, and Victor, turning Galar¡¯s members against you. Probably your largest failing was pissing off Lori, who is so protective of Casey, petty, and vengeful that she turned the entire Starter roster against you. ¡°I mean, one strike? Sure,¡± Amira grunted. ¡°But four, and back-to-back while doubling down every time? No. The smart move would have been to sit back and figure out everyone¡¯s personalities like I did. What was the goal?¡± Lucian drew in his lips, closed his eyes, and he shook his head, seemingly at a loss; he sounded exhausted and beaten. ¡°No, you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t know what I expected¡­ Teh. No. I wasn¡¯t thinking at all, I guess. Looking back, what I saw was¡­ I saw Rhea there, surrounded by people trying to kiss her feet, and I just acted.¡± He shivered and scratched his arms, goosebumps running down their length. ¡°Casey challenged me. I don¡¯t even remember what I said to her; I just didn¡¯t want to battle her. And then I saw you, acting like royalty, sitting at the back, above everyone else, scowl on your face, and acting cool¡­¡± Amira¡¯s smirk vanished as she looked away, arms folding under her bust. ¡°I wasn¡¯t trying to act better than anyone¡­ I was nervous. I didn¡¯t know any of you. And what do you mean? Isn¡¯t your mother the golden icon in Kalos? My family are infamous mobsters, well, excluding my sparkling Butterfree of a mother, that, by the way, you called my ¡®only redeeming quality.¡¯ Heh, except I didn¡¯t get anything from her. Humph. Just admit it, you singled me out because I was supposed to be hated and an easy target to redirect the charged emotion to.¡± She settled in, looking over at him. ¡°You made the miscalculation of targeting and focusing on my looks instead of my attitude or family ties. Obviously, the other girls would have drawn their own comparisons and put themselves in my place, but the real nail in the coffin was insulting Casey, thereby making Lori get in the ring to make every other girl feel insulted as if personally attacked.¡± ¡°Teh-heh. Wow. I really am stupid, huh?¡± Lucian snorted and laughed. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s the scowl I remember¡­ Why are you the prettiest girl I¡¯ve ever seen? Ugh.¡± Amira¡¯s body tingled as cold water was dumped over her head. ¡°Excuse you? Do you, heh, really think that simple redirect is going to work? You, what, targeted me because I was pretty?¡± Lucian¡¯s chest puffed up and eased out while staring at some crowds of locals dressed up and making their way to the main festival area. ¡°Not necessarily,¡± he meekly said. ¡°It wasn¡¯t just that you were gorgeous¡­ You¡¯re intimidating. I first targeted Rhea, but she was like a baby Kangaskhan with an army around her. You were alone, yet didn¡¯t back down. Also, there¡¯s a difference between pretty, beautiful, cute, and gorgeous.¡± ¡°Hehe. Okay.¡± Amira crossed her legs, shifted slightly to look at him, and folded her hands on her lap. ¡°I¡¯ll bite. What is your game? I didn¡¯t anticipate being at a complete loss, but bravo. I¡¯m practically speechless. ¡°First, I am nothing but an ugly mobster thug. Next, you try to beat me with wits and strategy, saying I¡¯m weak. Then you ghost me and spend¡­ at least two weeks here in Fuchsia doing what, self-reflection? Now, I¡¯m suddenly the prettiest girl you¡¯ve ever seen. Conclusion. Mmh-hmm-hmm. You¡¯re high.¡± Lucian sucked on his bottom lip as he shifted to fish around in his pocket to take out the can of mints; he hesitated before handing them to her to examine. ¡°Do I take drugs? Yes. I have high anxiety; I have since I was a kid. I hate it, but sometimes I just¡­ get so wound up that I act out, and I can¡¯t stop. Haaa. It¡¯s the worst. Len and Jason are pretty patient, but yeah, I know I¡¯ve been a total Muk. I¡¯m sorry.¡± Amira scrutinized him, searching his face as the sun dipped lower in the sky. ¡°I¡¯m not amused anymore. Everyone does something for some kind of gain. Did your mother make you do this as some kind of attitude over-correction because I¡¯m a little uncomfortable? Jason, Len? What do you even want from me? Someone has put you up to this, and my gut is telling me it¡¯s all a ploy.¡± ¡°Maybe,¡± Lucian mumbled, running his fingers through his blond hair and looking up at the sky filled with Flying Pokemon. ¡°About a month ago, I talked with my mom¡­¡± He swallowed, taking a deep breath and choking a bit, seemingly trying to hold back his emotions. ¡°She, umm, she told me that she was pregnant again, and she¡¯s retiring from acting to be home more¡­¡± ¡°That¡¯s¡­ nice?¡± Amira whispered, thinking back to everything Rhea said about the Kalos Champion feeling somewhat like a failure of a mother. ¡°You¡¯re not happy about that?¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Lucian bit his lower lip, and Amira gave him back the pill box as he took another one out to swallow it; his face was red, and he wiped back a tear that Amira had never expected to see. ¡°Eh-hehe. Ahem! I don¡¯t know¡­ I don¡¯t know. Hey, here¡¯s fine for us to stop.¡± ¡°Yes, sir. Thank you for the business, sir,¡± the man bowed, showing a sympathetic and encouraging smile as Lucian held up his phone to the man¡¯s to pay for the ride. ¡°Have a good evening, sir, ma¡¯am.¡± He bowed and left as Lucian walked toward a small shack a little down the way that led to a paved walkway; there was a shack near the end of what seemed to be a biking trail. They¡¯d arrived at the edge of town, where a massive berry farm was located, showing a wealth of colors from the various fruit trees. Hands back in his kimono, Lucian sniffed back his emotions. ¡°My mom asked me to be more honest with my feelings¡­ It¡¯s taken me a month to work up to it, role-playing with Jason and Len. It¡¯s humiliating¡­ embarrassing.¡± Amira held her right wrist as she walked beside him, traditional wooden geta clicking against the sidewalk as wild Pokemon watched them. She was beginning to realize this wasn¡¯t a huge gotcha moment; it was too real. ¡°So¡­ this is you being honest? Why are you telling me all of this instead of your mother if you¡¯re trying to be more open about it?¡± Another shiver ran down Lucian¡¯s frame, elbows tucking in as she looked up at him, unsure what he expected of her. ¡°Again, I don¡¯t know¡­ I can¡¯t talk about this with Len and Jason. Maybe it¡¯s because you already hate me. Ugh.¡± Left hand coming out to scratch his forehead, he groaned. ¡°I don¡¯t know. I want to be happy for my mom¡ªto have another sibling, even if I¡¯ll be eighteen years older than them¡­ It¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t she change and stay home for you?¡± Amira finished. ¡°Yeah! I just¡­ Why wasn¡¯t I worth it?¡± he choked, nose going red and trying to fight back tears again. ¡°It¡¯s stupid. I know it¡¯s not like that, but¡­¡± ¡°It still hurts?¡± ¡°¡­It does,¡± he breathed. ¡°And I don¡¯t want to make my mom feel more guilty than she already does¡­ but I also want to be honest with my feelings¡­¡± He opened his mouth, yet no words came out, so he shut them, likely unable to form what was on his heart as he rubbed his red eyes. It said a lot to Amira that he¡¯d be willing to talk to her, someone he saw as hating his guts and would ridicule him for weakness over his mother. Then again, maybe he knew she wouldn¡¯t attack him like Lori certainly would. Silence came over them as they walked, Lucian trying to reign his emotions in as the shack grew closer. All the stories she¡¯d heard from Rhea started to bubble up, and, for some reason, a level of guilt ebbed its way into her heart. Her mother had given up everything to be with her; the Championship, traveling with friends, and all of her Pokemon supported the life of nurturing her. The only time she¡¯d been left alone was during specific and brief moments in the Ultra War, and she still had her other family members; family was everything to the Rockets. On the other hand, it did make her feel sad whenever she¡¯d hear Rhea worry about her mother being away, and then to learn the guilt Christie had toward her daughter, causing a mess between them. All the trouble Rhea went through to get her mother¡¯s attention, from running away to hunger strikes while growing up in her tiny village. Amira had been surrounded by a completely stable lifestyle that fostered her to be responsible, loved, and given a broad view of the world through travel and higher education. She truly did have a blessed life, despite the slight annoyances that came with her overprotective and cuddly mother; she really tried her best, though. ¡°Amira?¡± Lucian¡¯s concerned, watery blue eyes stared down at her as she sniffed and rubbed her nose; fire shot up her throat while recalling the time she¡¯d spent with her weeping mother and friends just after the Plasma incident. ¡°I apologize. No, I can see why you¡¯re conflicted. It¡¯s not fair, but she¡¯s trying, and that¡¯s what is causing you the most trouble. It¡¯s too late, and your mother probably realizes that, too. It¡¯s hard not to feel like you¡¯re being replaced. It must feel like your heart is ripping in two.¡± He looked ahead at the shack, throat constricting and lips drawn in. ¡°Mmg-hmm. Yeah¡­ something like that¡­ Do you want a snow cone? I never had one until Len showed me this place. He¡¯s somewhat of our local restaurant guru, while Jason¡¯s our cook. I feel kind of useless since I should know more¡­¡± Lucian trailed off, and Amira didn¡¯t pursue the topic. ¡°Sure.¡± Letting silence embrace them again, Amira glanced left at the taller man; it was as if she were talking to a completely different person without his fancy suit or his uptight personality. Yet, with the sudden transparency¡ªwell, it had taken him a month to build up to it¡ªshe could see there were a lot more layers to him than she initially thought. He was almost the exact opposite of Kekipi. The Alolan Trainer was cool-headed, reliable, caring, fearless, self-confident, and easygoing. Lucian had an inferiority complex, intense anxiety, self-worth issues, and felt lost; he put up a shell to defend himself and feared disappointing his parents or making them look bad. She resonated with that last part, and though she had a solid foundation of self-worth, her recent part in her team had caused a fracture to appear in that rock. Amira could devastate Lucian; she could deliver a blow at this point that would destroy him. Yet, she was guarded and feared letting people too close, as well, but in the face of Lucian¡¯s honesty and vulnerability, it felt wrong to reject him. Her morality deflated all that ire and hate she¡¯d developed for him. He purchased a snow cone, and the woman behind the counter glanced between Lucian¡¯s red and slightly puffy cheeks and her down-cast eyes; the woman¡¯s expression asking what she¡¯d done to the poor boy. Not a word passed between them, simply pointing at the flavors they wanted; Amira chose Iapapa and Lucian, Mago. Proceeding onto the upper-cliff trail, Amira glanced at Lucian and forced a smile. ¡°So, you were intimidated by me and called me ugly when I¡¯m really gorgeous. Hehe. What¡¯s the boy¡¯s definition of all these types of girls? I¡¯m curious. And is this universal between Jason and Len? Is that what boys do when on the route¡ªrate which girl is the hottest?¡± ¡°Right,¡± Lucian said with a strained laugh, scratching his head and taking a bite of his snow cone to buy himself time. ¡°I really stuck my foot in my mouth with that one. Umm¡­ Well, if we¡¯re talking about girls, in general, Rhea¡¯s this mix between cute and beautiful. She¡¯s kind of in that in-between phase, I guess, as Jason pointed out.¡± Amira snickered. ¡°Ooh. Giving me all the juicy secrets, hmm? Does Jason have a thing for his childhood best friend? That¡¯s a storybook romance waiting to be written.¡± Lucian winced. ¡°Yikes. Uh-heh. Hey, can we keep this between us? I didn¡¯t mean to say that; I¡¯m just nervous.¡± ¡°Hehe. Wow. I¡¯m that intimidating, huh?¡± Amira asked, giving him a side-long smirk while hoping a step closer to make the much larger man jump away. ¡°Haha!¡± ¡°Tch. C¡¯mon!¡± ¡°Sorry! Sorry! I¡¯m just a little surprised. You¡¯ve got like eighty pounds on me, but you¡¯re terrified. Mom said beauty is the deadliest blade, but I didn¡¯t quite get it until now. My lips are sealed,¡± she said, drawing his gaze to them as she zipped them shut. ¡°Go on! So, Rhea¡¯s the sweet blooming beauty. I can see it. What makes her beautiful, though? Definition!¡± ¡°Ugh. I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d be so interested in this topic,¡± he mumbled, rubbing his arm and keeping at least a meter between them as if she were a Sharpedo ready to take a bite out of him. Amira gave him a look. ¡°You¡¯re stalling.¡± ¡°Umm. Okay. Okay. Muk. Uh. Cute is like¡­ pretty or endearing¡ªlike an Eevee. Umm. Beautiful is just a lovely person to be around, who¡¯s happy all the time, is kind, thoughtful, and fun. She¡¯s trustworthy and can brighten your day¡­ ¡°And very attractive?¡± Amira pressed with lifted eyebrows. ¡°Eh-heh. Yes, and very attractive, like a Ninetales.¡± ¡°What about Lori?¡± ¡°Eegh¡­ Jinx?¡± Amira¡¯s stomach rolled with laughter at Lucian¡¯s grunt and twisted nose as he looked away. ¡°What¡¯s with that? Lori¡¯s very pretty! Sure, she¡¯s super forward and outspoken, but you can¡¯t deny she¡¯s hot.¡± Lucian lifted his eyebrows. ¡°A good word, I suppose¡­ A hot mess. No, Casey is ten times Lori when it comes to a hot mess, but they¡¯re both more on the sexy side of things. Outspoken, overly opinionated, gets a ton of attention from dudes online, and spiteful little Jinxes.¡± ¡°Hey, everyone has their opinion,¡± Amira mused. ¡°Personally, it sounds like someone else is just spiteful and intimidated, but I will admit that Lori does have a hard personality. Plus, that part about dudes online may apply to Casey, but Lori is never affected by the opinions of her followers. She¡¯s a little Murkrow.¡± ¡°I guess that¡¯s one way to describe her¡­ No, but it doesn¡¯t matter. I just don¡¯t like her.¡± Amira shrugged, taking a bite of her cone and savoring the sour flavor while studying a rather fun-looking ramp down the cliff that allowed riders to do tricks on an ocean rail system. ¡°The feeling is mutual, I¡¯m sure. Okay, no more stalling. Gorgeous. Actually, let¡¯s see what others say about the word,¡± she mused, pulling out her phone from a fold in her hanbok. ¡°Gorgeous¡­ ¡®splendidly or showily bright or magnificent¡­¡¯ ¡®amazing-looking, stunning, lovely¡­¡¯ ¡®provoke a strong positive, emotional reaction¡­¡¯ Basically, everything opposite of what you said about me. ¡®Time stops around the girl, and you think she¡¯s illegally hot.¡¯ Hmm.¡± Amira gave him a dubious look. ¡°Okay, I know I¡¯m beautiful, but I¡¯m not ¡®time-stop¡¯ beautiful,¡± she said, putting her phone away with a light chuckle. ¡°Hahaha!¡± Lucian¡¯s laugh caught her a little off-guard. ¡°That is so funny! I mean, isn¡¯t beauty in the eyes of the beholder anyway?¡± ¡°Beauty in the¡­¡± Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened, and she looked away. ¡°Shut up. I can¡¯t take you seriously. In any case, this honest you is¡­ off-putting. I think I liked it better when you were plotting my downfall every chance we met. I heard you were going to get your first Silver Encrusted badge to keep pace with us?¡± Lucian settled down and looked across the cliff-side ocean, spotting several large parties on the beach in the distance. ¡°¡­I¡¯m probably going home to Kalos.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Amira¡¯s hair whipped to the right as she turned to stare at him. ¡°You¡¯re giving up?¡± He worked around his jaw, but there was a smile on his face. ¡°No. I do want to spend a bit of time with my mom, though, and I¡¯ll probably work toward Gold in Kalos my own way. Len and Jason agreed to join me.¡± Unsure how to take the sudden shift in dynamics and plans from the boy group, Amira ran her fingers through her hair to straighten it out in the slight ocean breeze. ¡°Wow, umm, that¡¯s actually pretty shocking.¡± ¡°Hehe. Yeah, who in their right mind would want to hang with me.¡± Amira gave him a scowl. ¡°I know. Haha. I get what you meant. No, I, umm, just had to work things out with myself and, well, tell you I¡¯m sorry for what I did and how I acted. I was blown away by your voice in Cerulean, and I hate how perfect you are¡­ That first time I saw you, do you know the word that came to my mind?¡± He stopped by the rail to lean against it and stare down at the beach along the crescent ridge. Amira stood next to him, following his gaze to the falling sun, the wind pressing her skirt against her shins. ¡°She¡¯s perfect?¡± Amira asked with a soft smile. ¡°It¡¯s not true. I am very flawed.¡± ¡°No¡­ She¡¯s loved.¡± Amira¡¯s eyebrows drew together as she looked over at Lucian¡¯s tight mouth, a sad tilt to it. ¡°The, umm, the first time I saw you was actually in Kalos when your mother and father were there on some Rocket venture. I was in Coumarine City, and you were there in a cute sailor outfit, probably fourteen, wearing this, heh, adorable little hat that you didn¡¯t want to keep on, but your mother kept wanting pictures with it. The annoyed look on your face, yet I could tell you were enjoying your time together¡­ ¡°That¡¯s what made me lash out, I think¡­ I wanted that¡ªto be annoyed about being loved. Heh. Stupid?¡± Amira shook her head. ¡°No. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s stupid¡­¡± ¡°Right¡­ Haaa. Well, I don¡¯t expect you to forgive me, feel bad for me, or anything of the like. I¡¯m just grateful you let me get all of it off my chest¡­ Ever since I came to Kanto, I¡¯ve been trying to get my mom to pay attention to me, and now that I have it¡­ I don¡¯t know. ¡°I¡¯m mad at her. I love and admire her more than anyone, probably followed closely by your example. It¡¯s just that picture of you, and the way you carry yourself. It¡¯s not really what you say¡­ it¡¯s more about the actions¡ªit¡¯s hard to explain. ¡°I¡¯m terrified I¡¯ll be a screwup as a big brother. I¡¯m scared about our age difference. I¡¯m scared of so many things, but this¡­ conflict between us, I guess you could call it, has really helped me learn a lot more about myself.¡± Drawing in his lips, sucking a deep breath, and turning to smile at her, he nodded. ¡°I just wanted to say thank you, Amira. I¡¯m not the guy I want to be¡­ I¡¯m not proud of myself. I¡¯m scared to go home. But I¡¯ve found a reason to pull myself up and step past it. Thanks, Amira. Maybe we¡¯ll see each other in Gold-tier.¡± He turned away and nodded. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s all I wanted to say. So¡­ Yeah.¡± Amira didn¡¯t know how she felt about the confession; she¡¯d probably be sorting through the convoluted emotions for weeks, but that was then, and this was now. Giving him an incredulous smile as he shifted to walk away, she barked, ¡°Hold up.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Half-turning, his hands in his pockets, confusion swimming in his light blue eyes; it wasn¡¯t the hopeful look for more or an expectation of something ¡®extra,¡¯ but genuine bewilderment. ¡°Let me get this straight. You took me on a ride all the way from the center of town to these boonies, and what¡­ you¡¯re just going to leave me here stranded? That¡¯s rather selfish.¡± ¡°Huh? Wha¡­ What do you want?¡± Amira walked forward with a soft glare. ¡°What I was promised. A night of fun. So, what¡¯s next, Kalos boy?¡± ¡°Eh-haha. Ugh. Not going to just let me walk into the sunset, huh?¡± ¡°It¡¯s a lot less cool from this side of the screen,¡± Amira whispered with a pained grin. ¡°If you¡¯re going back to Kalos, then show me what you¡¯ve learned about Fuchsia and impress me. You¡¯re on the clock. Tick-tock. We only have a few more hours before I need to head back before Lori thinks you¡¯ve pushed me off a cliff.¡± ¡°Haha. She wouldn¡¯t¡­ No, you¡¯re right. Haaa¡­ she definitely would,¡± he admitted. ¡°Have you¡­ biked before?¡± Amira gestured at her hanbok with a lifted eyebrow, making him hiss. ¡°Right¡­¡± She walked past him toward the bike station further down the road. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Amira turned and winked at him. ¡°There¡¯s a clothing shop next door. You wanted to bike, and I need something to bike in, so¡­ I need something else to wear.¡± ¡°Uh, right. Umm¡­ I can, uh,¡± Lucian stumbled over his words, but Amira wasn¡¯t going to help him as she put a hand on her hip, waiting for him to work through his words. ¡°I can buy you something s-since I wanted to bike¡ªis that too creepy?¡± ¡°Mmh. Creepy? No. Thoughtful? Yes. Thank you!¡± she chimed. ¡°Now, we¡¯re burning daylight, and I still need to show you how Kanto girls bike. Snap, snap. We only have an hour before the sun goes down, and we have to move to an actual park with lights or the back streets.¡± Lucian seemed totally taken aback and somewhat in a daze, making her stomach hurt with laughter; she was even feeling a little frisky from the sudden shift in tone. ¡°Actually, why not break into the local animal zoo after? I haven¡¯t seen the tiger exhibit since I was a kid, and I heard they have new pups. Endangered species are so interesting to learn about. Did you know most of them were extinct before the Ultra Wormholes?¡± Forcing a laugh, he jogged after her. ¡°I don¡¯t know what a tiger is¡­ I¡¯m not sure if you¡¯re joking or not. Wait, what?!¡± Her hair whipped to the side as she smirked at him. ¡°You do remember I am the granddaughter of a mob boss? Just try not to get left behind. Let¡¯s have some fun!¡± B3 — 22. Something in the Air 9:42 p.m. August 12th, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 64. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (114 days away). Holding the small Mankey plushy Jason had won her at the hand-slapping contest, Rhea glanced at his red and slightly cut hand on her way back to the spa. It hadn¡¯t taken her long to think about a certain incident they¡¯d had together when thirteen years old involving Mankey. Over the last few hours, she¡¯d had a blast going through the game stalls, losing a bunch of Jason¡¯s¡ªand her own¡ªcredits on competitions, and enjoying the Fuchsia energy, yet a somber vibe tickled her stomach on their return. It almost felt like he¡¯d slapped her in the face again. She did her best to filter out all the laughter, lamps, and groups of friends or couples, who were going about their own business. ¡°So¡­ when are you leaving Kanto?¡± Jason ruffled his cobalt-blue hair and adjusted his kimono. He¡¯d grown a lot and filled out more over the last two months they¡¯d been on this journey; even his voice had become deeper. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­ Probably in the next few days, but if you¡¯re battling Janine on Saturday, then I¡¯ll be there. Bet on it. You okay?¡± he asked, amber eyes drifting down and spotting her gaze on his red and slightly bleeding hand. ¡°I should be asking you that,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Hey, let¡¯s stop off at a store to get a bandage; this plushy wasn¡¯t worth getting hurt over¡­¡± ¡°This?¡± He held up his hand with a strained smile. ¡°C¡¯mon, don¡¯t say that. You can¡¯t tell me it doesn¡¯t bring back memories¡­ You, of all people, know this is nothing!¡± ¡°Hehe. I guess so,¡± she sighed, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a convenience store to find something to wrap his hand in. ¡°That was a long time ago¡­ I¡¯m still shocked you¡¯re leaving Kanto, and for Kalos? Wow¡­ I, umm, I thought we¡¯d end up battling in the Silver Conference.¡± Jason didn¡¯t resist as she drew him toward the medical section. ¡°Honestly¡­ I want to, and I don¡¯t want to let you down. Heh-haaa. I¡¯ve had a lot of time to think lately, and after spending time with Lucian¡­ Bah. It¡¯s complicated,¡± he groaned. ¡°I can¡ª¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhea brushed back her braided hair after selecting a bandage and ointment, placing the plushy under her arm while taking them to the counter. ¡°You got me this cute little Mankey, so I¡¯ll get you bandages.¡± ¡°Haha. Fair.¡± The clerk gave them a cheery smile, complimenting their outfits and making a few positive comments about Rhea¡¯s Vermilion Gym battle. Being polite, Rhea waved him off as they left, Jason putting on the items she¡¯d bought. Once outside, Rhea¡¯s thoughts lingered on his redirect, looking into her plushy¡¯s adorable red eyes and pink nose. ¡°What did you mean about spending time with Lucian? I, umm, I¡¯m worried we¡¯re growing further apart,¡± she whispered, feeling an unusual pain in her chest after learning about his travel plans. ¡°Haaa-haha. Ever the honest one,¡± Jason said, bumping into her and making her stumble a little to the side before snatching her arm to help stabilize her. ¡°Oops! I forgot how much bigger I¡¯ve gotten recently¡­ Sorry.¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. No, it¡¯s fine,¡± she lied, throwing her hip into him to much less effect. ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯m serious, though. And I get we¡¯ve been really busy¡­ So busy. It used to just be us against the world, though¡­ You know?¡± ¡°No, I get it.¡± Jason rubbed the back of his bandaged hand with a short chuckle. ¡°We used to dream about being out here in the world¡­ going on adventures and beating up every Master that upset us growing up. Haha¡­ We really were mad teens, weren¡¯t we? Hey, look, some weird sweets! Want some?¡± Rhea gave him a leery stare. ¡°I can go for some sweets, but what¡¯s up with that angry teen statement? We had a ton of fun!¡± She laughed, reflecting on their childhood and teen years. ¡°Remember that underwater cave we found when we were fifteen?¡± ¡°Pfft! Haha. You mean the time when I competed with a baby Squirtle squad to see who could spit the furthest? Good times¡­ Two of whatever that thing is,¡± he said to the stand owner, pointing at two chocolate glob-like things¡ªmixed with berry paste and other toppings, no doubt. ¡°Right away, sir!¡± Rhea crossed her arms and smirked up at her best friend. ¡°It was that spitting contest that led to us becoming friends with the squad, and they boogie-boarded us around all summer, showing us secret ocean spots. I still hold the record for jumping waves. Jason¡¯s eyebrows drew together with a questioning grin. ¡°Excuse you, Ms. Two Meters?¡± ¡°Oh, shut up! Are you still arguing that?¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°You cheated by getting their dad to show off for his kids. My two-meter jump still stands. I¡¯d beat six meters if I had a Wartortle partner, but his wife hated me.¡± ¡°Hmm? I wonder why, Ms. Rudeturtle?¡± ¡°Hey! How was I supposed to know offering to wax her shell was an insult? I was an innocent thirteen-year-old wanting to make a good impression.¡± ¡°Naaa. Not buying it¡ªthank you,¡± he mused, taking the items he¡¯d ordered and handing her one. ¡°You were just Mukin¡¯ pissed I beat your score and wanted to shove it in my face, Ms. Petty.¡± ¡°What is with everyone and nicknaming me¡ªhalf of them are insults, too?! Mmm. This is really good!¡± Rhea huffed before taking a bite of the creamy and thick chocolatey sweet. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ sad you¡¯ll be gone¡ªit¡¯s just really sudden.¡± ¡°I know¡­¡± Jason folded his arms and looked around the lively city, music filling the night; there was a wistful crease on his face. ¡°Despite all this open and awesome world¡­ there are some things I miss from our little isolated village. I miss Friday adventure night¡­ Mankey Queen.¡± Rhea glared at him past her sweet, chewing the crunchy and tangy berry bits inside. ¡°Mmhmm. I knew you did that slap contest to make fun of me. My face was black and blue for weeks! Puffy chased you around the forest because of that Monkey Dance incident.¡± ¡°Haha! That Jigglypuff that followed you around when we were thirteen? Haaa. That brings back memories, and you started the whole thing!¡± he shot back. ¡°You have no idea how much trouble I got in because of that Friday adventure.¡± ¡°Humph.¡± Rhea reached up to rub her cheek upon recalling the heavy blow. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to slap me that hard, Mankey Lord. I thought I lost one of my teeth. Mankey slap contests are brutal. I cried when I got home; I didn¡¯t tell you, though.¡± He grinned and rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°Hey, I won that grass crown fair and square, but I was far from a king when I returned home¡ªand you don¡¯t think I knew you cried; the look on my big sister¡¯s face when she saw your black and blue cheeks¡ªboss music!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks darkened at the memory, remembering how bruised her face was afterward and the embarrassment. ¡°Kate hated me back then since I hated her. My dad was so pissed at me; we were grounded for a week.¡± ¡°Eh-heh. All I remember is the beating my sister gave me,¡± he muttered with a strained smile. ¡°She almost killed me; on my life!¡± ¡°Huh? I don¡¯t remember that,¡± Rhea muttered. ¡°We were grounded, but five days later, we were sneaking out to swim¡ªhah, when you got tail slapped by a Poliwag for resting in his spot; poetic justice! Why would Kate beat you up, though?¡± she asked, truly confused. ¡°You kidding me?¡± Jason groaned, running a hand down his face. ¡°My sister was mortified when she saw your face and what Sabin might think that her little bro slapped his sister¡¯s face black and blue for a contest.¡± Rhea¡¯s head tilted to the side; she didn¡¯t remember this part of the story. ¡°B-But I started the contest? You definitely didn¡¯t have to slap me that hard, but it was fair game.¡± ¡°Haha! I know. You thought you could outlast me. Big mistake! Still, I got the stuffing beat out of me,¡± he winked, pointing down at her plushy and making her chuckle. ¡°Mine wasn¡¯t even the worst; those Mankey were brutal! I had to get back at them for you.¡± ¡°Right¡­ Mmmgm,¡± she hissed, finishing off her small treat. ¡°Turns out, being slapped by Mankey hurts¡­ a lot. Oh, wait, I guess I did leave out how it started, and you took the blame?¡± ¡°Bingo!¡± he said with a laugh. ¡°What¡ªwhy?¡± ¡°Who knows,¡± he shrugged, seemingly laughing at himself as they left the crowded streets. ¡°I was a thirteen-year-old boy, and I didn¡¯t want to see you get in trouble¡­ Haaa. Yeah, I miss those days¡­ ¡°Sneaking out at night to dance with the Bellsprout and Oddish¡ªteaching some of the local Meowth to ride a mountain bike and exploring caves with unfriendly Zubat¡­ Singing with Jigglypuff. Haha. You learning how to do makeup on wild Abra and Snubbull! I¡¯ll never forget that adventure when we were ten.¡± ¡°I had to,¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Franky wouldn¡¯t let me practice on him, and Bi suggested we do it with her. All that powder you used on that poor Plusle and spilled my red nail polish on that Shinx¡¯s tail; I swear you used half the products my mom sent me.¡± ¡°The other half was stolen from my sister,¡± he laughed, doubling over and gasping for air. ¡°We were such troublemakers. Remember watching online grooming tips to pimp up that Rattata for his Vulpix crush?¡± ¡°Aww. That was cute.¡± ¡°My sister almost strangled me since I emptied out her hair tie drawer and forgot to bring them back.¡± ¡°Why¡ªthe Combee swarm! Right, right. Haha. Wow. We really did have fun¡­ Riding wild Pokemon, waterfall caves, underwater spelunking, surfing, and rock climbing¡ªhah, that time you got a cold when our parents took us skiing and snowboarding for a winter surprise, and you did the splits! Remember?¡± ¡°Ack! Don¡¯t remind me. Eesh¡­ I remember you making me a mean hot chocolate, though! You took good care of me.¡± Rhea¡¯s smile saddened as she looked down at her plushy; they were nearing the final stretch to the spa. ¡°I¡¯ll miss you¡­ When do you think you¡¯ll be back¡­ Why are you leaving?¡± Jason¡¯s voice softened as he looked away. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­ got to get my head straight, I guess. All of this has been like a dream, and¡­ I¡¯m starting to realize some things about myself that are just¡­ confusing.¡± Not wanting to pry too much, Rhea could feel an unusual twist of emotions through his Aura. ¡°Okay¡­ What are you going to do?¡± ¡°Heh. Train, probably¡­¡± He wore a thoughtful smile as they reached the gate, and they moved to hug each other; Rhea squeezed as hard as she could, making his chest shake with laughter against hers before they pulled away. ¡°That can¡¯t be it!¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re right,¡± he sighed, shifting a little before meeting her gaze. She felt like crying for some reason; it felt like he was leaving her. ¡°Lucian is going to show us around, and we¡¯ll probably go for Gold-tier, just like you¡­ Maybe I¡¯ll buy you a ticket and fly you out to show you around.¡± The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°I¡¯d like that,¡± Rhea sniffed, rubbing her nose. ¡°I¡¯ll pay for half, though. Okay?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see¡­ I¡¯ll keep in touch. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll send updates.¡± Rhea nodded and hugged him one more time. ¡°You better!¡± ¡°Haha. I¡¯m not gone yet! I¡¯ll stay for your Gym match. Promise, and then we can hang a bit longer¡­¡± Pressing her head against his chest, Rhea didn¡¯t want to let go; it felt like she was losing something that had been a part of her she¡¯d had her whole life. ¡°As rockheaded and bright as a Diancie¡­¡± Pressure squeezed something deep within her core, and what felt like the wind tickling her ear brought the words into her soul, making Rhea tense. ¡°What was that about me being a Diancie?¡± ¡°Hmm? I didn¡¯t say anything. I mean, you do have that Diance rizz, though!¡± Jason whispered, pulling back and pointing at her flushed cheek. ¡°Next time we see each other, how about that slapping contest again? Promise I¡¯ll be gentle this time!¡± ¡°Jason!¡± Rhea huffed, lightly punching his chest and making him laugh. ¡°Joking! Joking! See you tomorrow?¡± ¡°Sorry,¡± Rhea groaned, pulling away and trying to keep her emotions in check; it was like she was on a roller coaster. ¡°Ash is taking me somewhere.¡± ¡°Shame,¡± Jason said, puffing out a sad breath. ¡°Another man got to ya first, huh? Too bad. Guess I¡¯ll have to wait until Saturday to have my time with the Aura Princess.¡± ¡°Princess? No, you can¡¯t just walk away after calling me that¡ªJason! Agh.¡± She glared at her best friend as he laughed, waved back at her, and jogged off. ¡°You¡¯ll kill it Saturday! Can¡¯t wait to see the girls in action.¡± Rhea drew in her lips as he disappeared around a corner, her focus drifting to the small Mankey plushy he¡¯d won for her. A small smile brightened her face; she¡¯d remember that terrible Mankey Dance memory in a whole new light now. ¡°Whatever you¡¯re looking for¡­ I hope you find it, Jason.¡± Entering the lobby, she heard Lori¡¯s suspicious voice first, seemingly speaking to all of their Pokemon. Something about Amira still not coming back and Lucian being a total Dracovish reject that was sure to make Ash¡¯s Fossil Pokemon depressed. Rhea opened the door and noticed Alice looking a little down; she¡¯d probably gotten the same talk about Sunny leaving. Nova, Amber, and Gables were on babysitting duty, and Rhea was about to go over to relieve them when Lori spotted her. The Unovan girl practically pounced on her when she entered. Apparently, the redhead had messaged her to say she probably wouldn¡¯t be back for another hour and a half. It was a little surprising for Rhea, but Amira could handle herself, and she didn¡¯t have the same diabolical view of the Kalos Trainer as Lori. Most of the conversation was pulled into the conspiracies the violet-haired girl spun; Rhea almost choked and had to intervene when Lori pulled out her phone to message Lyra. There was no way Amira would want her overprotective mother brought into Mallory¡¯s madness. Convincing the Unovan girl to join her for a nighttime spa treatment to relax, she released her own tension in the hot waters while caring for Mariah, Terri, and Lulu. Her cute little puff ball and the shy Meloetta bonded a bit while Rhea taught them how to use the spa products. Terri was still attached to Alice, Mya, and Zyra as the bird tried to cheer up the depressed bunny. It didn¡¯t take long for the Lopunny to sit in Rhea¡¯s lap, big ears playing with Lulu as Nova took Mariah to pop the bubbles she blew as a Vaporeon with Serenity. I know it¡¯s sad, Rhea soothed. You were just getting to know Sunny, and now he¡¯s going away for a bit. Did you have fun? ¡°Pun-pun¡­¡± That¡¯s good. We¡¯ll be able to say goodbye on Saturday. ¡°Pun?¡± Alice asked, looking up at her with big eyes. Mhm! Jason promised me. Okay? ¡°Lopunny.¡± Rhea held her tight and nuzzled the base of her ear, making Alice giggle and squirm. ¡°Lop-lop!¡± ¡°Nee-nee? Neeee!¡± the cosmic cloud cheered as Alice tossed her into the air to fall into the water, splashing Amber and Gables, earning a leery glare from the fox as the frog laughed. When Amira got back, Lori practically fainted after listening to her story. The redhead sat at a mirror in the changing room, fixing herself for bed as Lori hovered nearby. ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s all water under the bridge? No shot! What did he do? Hypnosis¡ªRhea, call Lyra! She has to be hypnotized!¡± Amira¡¯s crimson eyes narrowed. ¡°Don¡¯t you dare, Lori! My mother would be here in a second, then the city ninjas come, followed by the police, Janine, and then the Champion or your mother, Lori. I swear, you love causing drama.¡± ¡°Cap!¡± Lori¡¯s arms crossed under her bust while glaring at her. ¡°You cannot tell me that this is normal? You hated his guts this morning, and now everything is good? What, because he¡¯s running back to Kalos like a coward, dragging Rhea¡¯s best friend and mine with him? I knew Len was acting funny,¡± she snarled, biting her nails; it truly seemed to have gotten under her skin. Rhea cleared her throat, trying to remain neutral. ¡°I mean¡­ Amira is very reasonable. If he apologized, then it should be fine. Right?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t buy it!¡± Lori huffed and stormed out of the room. ¡°I¡¯m going to see Len and beat it out of him. No way you broke into a zoo, he apologized, or bought you clothes to bike without hypnosis being involved! Nope! I¡¯m calling Trubbish. Something shady is going on here, and there¡¯s no way I¡¯m clocking out when I¡¯m this worked up! Catch you two in the morning.¡± ¡°And¡­ she¡¯s gone,¡± Rhea sighed, watching Gables and her other Pokemon follow after their Trainer. ¡°You really broke into the zoo?¡± Amira brushed out her hair with a small smile, unbothered by Lori¡¯s outburst. ¡°I did, and it was a blast. Maybe we should visit it before we leave. You like biking, right?¡± ¡°Mhm! Really cute skort and top, by the way. ¡°Should we have a fun day on Sunday before heading out?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that. You¡¯ll have to show me this plushy, too. A slapping contest?¡± ¡°Hehe. No, that was the Mankey one when we were thirteen. This was a hand-slapping one¡ªhe literally bled for it! I don¡¯t know if it was worth it¡­¡± ¡°Hmm. I suppose it was for him,¡± the redhead whispered. ¡°How cute. So, Ash is taking you somewhere tomorrow?¡± Yawning, Rhea rubbed her hot forehead; it was hard to focus on anything since her thoughts kept returning to the Diancie comment. ¡°Yeah¡­ Hey, Amira?¡± Amira glanced her way before taking a comb to Amber¡¯s fur to straighten it out. ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°What does it mean when someone calls you a, and I quote, As rockheaded and bright as a Diancie?¡± She was quiet for a moment as Holly, Amber, and even Mariah chuckled at something their Trainer had probably said to them; Serenity just stared at her with that deadpan look Feebas were known for. ¡°It really depends on the context,¡± she said, finishing her work on Amber and moving to inspect an excited Holly as she showed off her flowers. ¡°I think we¡¯ll probably see them in Gold-tier¡­ After all, they have a reason to meet us there.¡± Not quite sure how that connected to her question, Rhea chalked it up to the boys all going through something personal, and it had just flown right over her head. If there were hints, she wasn¡¯t grasping what they were putting down. ¡°Haaa. I just wish he could have been more open about it,¡± Rhea mumbled, getting up to go to her room. ¡°It¡¯s so weird because Jason was never really scared to talk to me about anything¡­ I feel like we¡¯re pulling apart, and I don¡¯t like it. What am I supposed to do?¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± Rhea glanced at the chuckling redhead as she gave her a sad smile. ¡°Don¡¯t think too hard about it; you¡¯d be surprised how wrong and right you are. It is both simple and complicated, and I won¡¯t say another word about it until Sunday.¡± Rhea¡¯s mood brightened at her confusing response. ¡°You will tell me on Sunday¡ªif I don¡¯t get it, though?¡± ¡°Well, heh, I can¡¯t tell you outright, but I¡¯m sure I won¡¯t need to. Here¡¯s to hoping Saturday will clear things up. Now, let¡¯s head to bed.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s hope¡­¡± Happy to at least have some kind of answer to look forward to in this murky realm of weirdness that had overtaken her best friend, Rhea went to her room to get some sleep. She expected Lori would be sleeping most of the morning tomorrow. Rhea drifted into sleep with her Pokemon cuddling her, as was usual; this time, Lulu had the Mankey plushy to cuddle on her chest. Only the world she entered was anything but normal as she floated through a bubbly dream of memories with Jason. The cloud of marshmallows brought her to all the trouble they¡¯d gotten into growing up, trying to get attention. Through all her changes in hobbies, Jason had been right there beside her, enjoying every new experience. Drawing, building mud forts, and competing to see who could hold their breath or swim the longest. There were memories she¡¯d totally forgotten, having clarity that put her into a daze, such as the first batch of cookies she¡¯d made for Jason to test out before her brother got home. When he¡¯d helped her cut carrots for a dish she and Bianca had made, trying to support her lamenting cousin in her hardships. When they¡¯d been swimming in the ocean, and a Krabby stealing Jason¡¯s shorts, among other embarrassing or ridiculous events that happened throughout their lives. Some she didn¡¯t remember being there for at all, such as him eating lunch; she¡¯d had a lot of extra ingredients from her baking session with Bianca that she¡¯d secretly put in his backpack. And so many times when she¡¯d given him the rest of her food due to her weak appetite. It wasn¡¯t the memories that lingered with her but the emotions within them: Jason¡¯s thankful heart, joy, and laughter. He was always there for her when she needed him, and there were moments when he¡¯d taken the heat for her stupid plans without her ever being made aware. Every dream bubble gradually popped as her mind floated to the surface, cracking open her eyes to the dull sunlight as Nova crawled up her belly to pop her head out of the covers. ¡°Pwe, pwe?¡± she whispered, tail brushing against her thighs. ¡°Mmgm¡­¡± Trying to stretch without waking up Lulu, still holding the plush against her chest, Alice to her left, and Mya to her right, Rhea yawned. Excited for the date tomorrow? she sleepily asked, carefully scratching her neck before swapping to Nova¡¯s fluffy neck. ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°Maw-maw¡­¡± Mya grumbled, drooly tongue hanging off the bed. Rhea chuckled at her Eevee¡¯s amusement at whatever Mya had said in her sleep; food would be a safe guess. Having told her Pokemon that she¡¯d be gone for a bit with Ash and that they should enjoy themselves, Rhea crawled out of bed; Mya was going to watch Lulu for the morning. Nova clearly wanted to come since she hopped off to join her in the shower; Ash sent a message that he and Dawn would be in the lobby whenever she was ready. Dressing in her normal Trainer skirt and top, she went to join them with Nova. Ash wore a white t-shirt with a blue jacket and shorts, showing a similar fashion that he typically went with; one surprising addition was the Mr. Mime wearing beachwear beside the Legend, wearing sunglasses. Dawn was as versatile as ever, likely charging her aunt¡¯s card for the denier, rocking a white tank top with a Honchkrow pattern, bracelets, an open black leather jacket cut off at the shoulders, and purple shin leggings that matched her tennis shoes. ¡°Mornin¡¯, Sunshine!¡± Dawn chimed, Piplup holding up a small mirror so she could adjust her hair clips and low ponytail. ¡°Hehe. We¡¯re going to have to shop a little on the island. We got time. Right, Ash?¡± ¡°Haha. No clue. I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re wearing that when we¡¯re going to the Orange Islands.¡± ¡°Bah. It can get breezy there this time of the year. Ready, Rhea?¡± ¡°Uh. Yeah,¡± Rhea said, focusing on a black nylon necklace cord around Dawn¡¯s neck. ¡°Where did you get the ring from?¡± Ash looked away, forcing a laugh and rubbing the back of his neck as Dawn teasingly nudged his side. ¡°He found it in the forest when we were traveling together and gave it to me, braided the cord and everything when we found a shop to dazzle out!¡± Suspicious¡­ ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Nova hummed, holding her paw up to her chin. ¡°Why did you even bring that?¡± Ash asked as the Mr. Mime hopped forward to shake her hand. ¡°Mime!¡± Dawn rubbed the ring with a small smirk. ¡°Why not? It¡¯s a piece of jewelry, and I don¡¯t go anywhere without something to wear. Plus, hehe, I knew it would bring back some memories!¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Yeah, you and fashion, haaa¡­ You, Serena, and May have that in common.¡± ¡°Already talking about Serena and May, huh?¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Ash growled, shoving the snickering woman away. ¡°You are relentless. Yes, I know they called to wish us a happy Starter¡¯s Day. I¡¯ll be getting calls all day.¡± ¡°Pika-Pi!¡± the electric rat chimed from his shoulder, waving celebration fans. ¡°Oh, and this is Mimey, Buddy Bonded to me and my mom; kind of crazy, but he¡¯s one of my only Dual-Bonded Pokemon.¡± Dawn bumped into him with a grin. ¡°Who was first, though, hmm?¡± ¡°The woman who power slammed me out of bed!¡± Ash roared, causing a few of the early-morning tenants to break character and giggle. ¡°Pika-Pi-Pika!¡± ¡°Good times! This isn¡¯t just for Rhea; it¡¯s Pikachu and your big day, too, so let¡¯s meet up with Melody now. It¡¯s been ages since I¡¯ve had the pleasure of touring the Orange Archipelago,¡± the blue-haired woman laughed, putting on some sunglasses and snapping her fingers at the Psychic Pokemon, who mirrored her. ¡°Okay, Mimey, let¡¯s roll!¡± ¡°Mime!¡± Rhea was a little taken aback by the revelation; shimmering rainbow colors enveloped them, and they were suddenly in what appeared to be a tiki bar. A song was humming in the background as Dawn took Rhea¡¯s hand and spun her around, laughing and swaying to the music with Mimey joining them; there was something in the rhythm and lyrics that pulled her back to her happy dream. She chuckled at the surge of energy and unpredictability Dawn brought to the day, causing her to forget all of her worries. ¡°Welcome to Shamouti Island; let¡¯s all have some fun!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± Nova sang, dancing with Pikachu and Piplup. Ash soon got into the groove, unable to hold a scowl at his best friend, as Dawn winked at him and spun Rhea to Mimey to enter a dance with the man. ¡°I¡¯m always up for some fun.¡± B3 — 23. Two In One 8:52 a.m. August 13th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 65. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (113 days away). Rhea giggled as the man behind the beach bar shooed them off, considering she wasn¡¯t of age yet. Ash and Dawn took either side of her, Pikachu, Mimey, and Piplup talking with Nova as they stepped on the beachside walkway. Apparently, they were two hours ahead of Fuschia, and the daylight and night hours were fairly even, like Alola; sunrise was around 6 a.m. and sunfall at 6 p.m. when most businesses closed. The bustling shore showed how important the morning was to the island residents, and tourists were active in their groups. The cool ocean breeze carried the puffy white clouds across the sky, Pokemon flying in swarms and populating the town streets. Buildings had unique designs that revolved around the mask and feathers resembling the Legendary Birds. Dawn pointed her toward what appeared to be the main entrance to the town from the docks, where a giant statue of Lugia was carved with a boy and Pikachu riding on its back, a glowing orb of fire held in his hand. Rhea had to do a double-take. ¡°Is that¡­¡± ¡°Ash and Pikachu?¡± Dawn laughed, reaching back to push the pink-cheeked man as Pikachu ran ahead, telling an enthralled Nova some grand story that Mimey played out with him. ¡°Yup! See that redhead girl that¡¯s not Misty they¡¯re flying to?¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Leaning over a little, Rhea caught sight of a young girl wearing a red-trimmed white dress, sandals, and an orange headpiece. Her eyes were closed, standing on a cliff while playing an ocarina; above them flew three of the Legendary Birds. The answer clicked in Rhea¡¯s head from history class. ¡°Wait, was this the time when the strongest Articuno, Zapdos, and Moltres fought and almost destroyed the world in a massive storm¡­ Or am I thinking about the other massive storm that happened the year before that?¡± Dawn snickered. ¡°Ash does have a way of getting involved in world-ending storms, don¡¯t you?¡± ¡°Teh-hah. Like you can talk,¡± Ash snorted. ¡°You have a problem with time travel and dimensional rifts.¡± ¡°That you were mostly there for!¡± she shot back with a smirk. ¡°Anyway, a long time ago, Ash discovered he was the chosen one, which would become a recurring theme.¡± ¡°Hey!¡± Ash threw up his hands, making Rhea chuckle. ¡°I never wanted to be the chosen one, but I just ended up at the right place at the wrong time¡­¡± ¡°Pka-pi?¡± his best bud asked, turning to give him a lifted eyebrow. ¡°Eh, yeah¡­ it does happen a lot. Haha-haaa.¡± Dawn bumped into her with a wink, nudging her head back to the statue. ¡°Anyway, the saving the world part is whatever¡ªit¡¯s like a monthly occurrence for Ash and Pikachu¡ªbut you wanna know the juicy bits! Right?¡± Ash adjusted his hat, giving her a dubious stare that Rhea loved; it was fun being with the two best friends as Dawn unraveled the powerful and mysterious Legendary Trainer. ¡°It¡¯s not a ¡®monthly thing¡¯ at all¡ªit¡¯s a most semi-annually.¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah, don¡¯t care¡ªboring!¡± Dawn dismissively waved, skipping ahead to the statue to spread her arms and make dramatic gestures. ¡°No, you want to hear the reward he got for risking his life dozens of times that day, heroically braving the ice sheets with the strongest Legendary Birds in history battling overhead, a Lugia that could split the sea with a flap of his wing taking them all on overhead, and battling an obsessive collector with an air base and magical ring barrier technology entering the mix!¡±. ¡°Huh? I didn¡¯t hear anything about an air base or magical ring barrier technology in history class?!¡± ¡°Mhm-mhm!¡± Dawn nodded, matter-of-factly, as Ash crossed his arms and looked away as if it wasn¡¯t a big deal. ¡°A coverup by the International Police. They do that a lot; not interesting. No, the reward is what¡¯s important.¡± Ash rolled his eyes. ¡°I didn¡¯t get a reward because I didn¡¯t want one.¡± Dawn winced, smile becoming strained. ¡°Oof. You didn¡¯t say that!¡± ¡°Ash!¡± He smiled as a feminine voice called out to them from an open eating pavilion, and he raised his hand and waved at a redheaded girl in her late teens, wearing a flower crown, blue belly tank, and white skirt. ¡°Melody!¡± Dawn leaned in and whispered. ¡°Ash, how can you say getting your first kiss wasn¡¯t a reward? Melody would be crushed.¡± ¡°Dawn!¡± Ash choked as the redhead ran forward to meet him, wearing sunglasses. ¡°How did you¡ªM-Melody, it¡¯s been a few years!¡± The islander gave him a dubious look. ¡°Were you talking about me? You look flustered, and we talked yesterday on the phone.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, but, hah, we haven¡¯t met up and chatted s-since you told me about training with High Guardian Maria at Snowpoint Temple.¡± Dawn¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°You trained under Maria as a priestess?! I¡¯ve heard a lot about you from Ash and Misty, but not that little detail. I love visiting Snowpoint Temple; Cynthia and I try to get there quite often. You must have frozen to death, growing up in this heat!¡± Rhea studied the laughing girl; her hair was darker than Misty or Amira¡¯s but not quite maroon. Attached to her belt was the same ocarina as the young girl on the statue. ¡°You have no idea; Maria is Muking ruthless!¡± Melody said, hugging Ash while talking to Dawn. ¡°She insists we wear dresses and acclimate to the chill. And the hikes! Haha. Kill me!¡± ¡°We¡¯re about to go shopping. Want to join us? My treat!¡± Rhea shorted and gave her a look. ¡°You mean my aunt¡¯s treat?¡± ¡°Haha! True. I¡¯m pretty bad,¡± she grinned, ticking out her tongue. ¡°She did the same thing to me on her Hoenn trip to fake-see your mom.¡± ¡°Huh? Fake-see¡­ Oh, Steven!¡± Rhea said, snapping her fingers. ¡°Yeah, she always says there¡¯s nothing happening there, but Gossip says otherwise,¡± she thoughtfully whispered. Ash¡¯s chuckle brought their focus. ¡°Something funny to share?¡± Dawn eagerly questioned. ¡°What¡¯s the news?¡± Rhea remembered the first conversation she had with Dawn when she showed up in Vermilion. Despite her ¡®teenagers¡¯ comment, the woman was just as much of a degenerate as any of them when it came to gossip, just not when it pertained to herself. Ash rubbed his chin. ¡°I may have overheard Alder flirting with Cynthia at one point.¡± Melody gave him the same dull look that Dawn and Rhea leveled at the Legend. ¡°What?¡± he asked defensively. ¡°Is that not news?¡± ¡°Ashy,¡± Melody snickered. ¡°Former Champion Alder is a very well-known flirt that will shoot his shot at any woman. My big sister caught his eye one time, you know?¡± Ash forced a laugh. ¡°Coral? No way. Did she go out with him?¡± Melody¡¯s mouth twitched with humor while taking a phone out of her purse and guiding them toward a tourist shopping district. ¡°As you can see¡­ Coral had fun on his dime, touring Castelia City, talking about me and you, funnily enough, since he wanted to hear a first-hand account of the event. She says he was a blast to hang around, loud, funny, and witty.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Alder,¡± Dawn smiled. ¡°He can pull people out of their shells fairly easily¡­ Eh-hehe. Look at Iris; she went from a Fire Fang to a raging G-Max Blast Burn!¡± Rhea looked down, recalling the support Alder gave Bianca and how highly her cousin talked about the Former Champion. ¡°Alder really helped my cousin and her husband. Wait, how did we get on this conversation topic?¡± The three adults laughed and shrugged, Melody and Dawn taking the lead in guiding them into some of the local clothing shops. The two women instantly went to the bathing suit section, debating over styles with Rhea enjoying the energy and experience; she learned a lot about fashion from the two. Ash was caught in the mix with her, trapped in the impossible situation of being the tie-breaker between them as they battled over polka dots, stripes, and various cuts or styles. Rhea was stunned when the two opinionated women agreed on one for her, and she liked it. Dawn held up the one-piece, front-twist bathing suit. ¡°Olive-green is a yes!¡± ¡°Agreed!¡± Melody chimed. ¡°Olive-green is a great compliment to your blonde hair; the deep-green color brings out the gold tones in your hair and will make your skin look glowy!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Rhea asked, scanning the item with a smile. ¡°Amira says red looks good on blondes, and Kate told me blues are good¡­ Hehe, which so happen also to match their hair color¡ªwell, Kate says sky-blue, to be fair when her color is more cobalt-blue.¡± Dawn flipped through a nearby rack of bikinis and plucked out the two colors to hold them up. ¡°They¡¯re both not wrong; red makes you stand out, gives off that confident vibe, and looks best on blondes with pale skin, and you¡¯ve been getting a lot tanner since you started your journey, girl!¡± ¡°Have I?¡± Rhea asked Nova. Ash lifted an eyebrow, hands on his hips as he looked between the items. ¡°I mean, I don¡¯t know; they all seem like they¡¯d look good on her. Rhea¡¯s just a beautiful girl.¡± ¡°Aww, how sweet and totally worthless of you!¡± Dawn teased, making him roll his eyes and Pikachu laugh. ¡°Girls with darker skin can pull off red, but it might not be the best color¡ªfashion is a science, Ash.¡± ¡°And you have a Masters, huh?¡± Melody gave Dawn an impressed nod and caused the blue-haired girl to point at her for emphasis. ¡°More like a Ph.D. from what I¡¯ve seen.¡± ¡°Kate¡¯s suggestion of sky-blue is a great option for blondes who want to wear a light color; it¡¯s flattering on all skin tones and hair colors. If you have pale skin, the sky-blue swimsuit will make you look like you have a summer glow! Every girl loves a good summer glow! Black is a classy and chic choice, too, but is better for darker skin tones, so¡­¡± ¡°The tanner I get, the better black is!¡± Rhea finished. ¡°Such a quick study!¡± Dawn cooed. ¡°What do you say¡ªa one-piece? Bikini?¡± Rhea took the olive-green one-piece to claps from one of the female store attendants, Melody, and Dawn. She went in and changed, hearing more banter between Melody, Dawn, and Ash; the two outgoing women really pulled out Ash¡¯s talkative side, and it was entertaining to see them put the Legend into awkward social positions he¡¯d have to find a way to slip out of. Dawn went for a solid black one-shoulder bikini, while Melody selected a yellow one with the opposite shoulder as Dawn¡¯s to contrast the Sinnoh woman. Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. On the way toward the beach, they bought a beach ball to play with and a matching blue pair of sunglasses for Nova and her to share; Pikachu and Piplup had somehow procured their own from seemingly nowhere. The light-blue tint to the scenery cooled her mind as they played, and Melody got to know her better; she could feel the woman analyzing her Aura throughout the day, which was the primary reason they¡¯d come to her. Rhea learned that after Ash, Pikachu, and she had saved the world, Melody had grown to really love her island¡¯s culture and history. The redhead began to take her priestess duties seriously, exploring more about the mysteries surrounding her islands that reportedly was the origin of all waters and life itself. She took them to the Shamouti Island Shrine after lunch, where Rhea dared them to jump off the point into the shimmering ocean below. Dawn didn¡¯t hesitate to pick Ash up and throw him over, Melody bumping into her right after and making her scream on the way down before diving after the pair. Rhea was right behind them, laughing as she dove off. The rush of the warm waters was met by a rich ecosystem of sea life, both Pokemon and fish. Nova transformed into a Vaporeon on the way down with Piplup and Pikachu; her Eevee was thrilled to act as her underwater transport for the first time, and Rhea hugged her warm body as Nova carried them through the ocean currents to join Ash, Dawn, and Melody. A vibrant coral reef teemed with wild Pokemon met them, swimming over to communicate with Nova; her beauty apparently drew a crowd of Squirtle, Poliwag, Seel, Politoed, Octillery, Tentacool, Slowpoke, and Vaporeon. Two large Gyarados exited a cave to see what the commotion was about, and Dewgong watched from a distance at the packs of Seel circling them. It didn¡¯t take long for an excited swarm of Wooper, Mantine, and Marill to join their path through the pristine reef. A cute and energetic Totodile exited his Poke Ball from Ash¡¯s belt as he pointed at Dawn with a smiling glare. Piplup and Dawn¡¯s entertained laughter died in chokes at the surprise reveal, the little Penguin Pokemon shooting at his trainer; they took off with Ash in pursuit. It was water tag, and the race was on! Melody waved at one of the Politoed, who broke away from the sidelines to act as her shuttle. Rhea was impressed as Dawn and Piplup rocketed out of the water, flying up several meters for the woman to catch her breath and flip around to attack the pursuing Totodile and Legend. Laughter came from Ash and Dawn, Pikachu riding a Mantine after the pair. ¡°You¡¯re done, Dawn!¡± ¡°Only if you can catch us, Slowpoke; let¡¯s do it, Piplup!¡± ¡°Pip-Pip!¡± Dawn held Piplup against her belly, facing Ash as the little guy released a Hydro Pump he had no business releasing at his tiny size to engulf Ash. ¡°Nice try!¡± Ash roared. His Totodile didn¡¯t even flinch, muscles flexing as his body illuminated a bright orange and accelerated them after the two. The aura seemed to deflect the vast spray of water, displacing it only for Pilpup to shine a bright blue. ¡°Not bad, but don¡¯t lose your hat!¡± A huge portion of the ocean below launched into the air, the reverse Waterfall bringing the excited ocean Pokemon into an aerial loop. ¡°Let¡¯s take this to the sky, shorty!¡± Rhea was not used to this kind of spiral, anti-gravity swirl of water as she entered the upward tide, following the pair. Melody grinned and gave her a thumbs up; Nova wasn¡¯t going to get left behind. Ash and Dawn had other plans, though, as they became a blur, Aqua Jet carrying them both to the end of the sky-bound waterfall in an instant to fly into the air, Dawn trying to escape the Legend and his Totodile. Nova rode the cyclone with determination to see how far they could go. Rhea was flabbergasted at how Dawn had managed to make such a crazy Move work that allowed Gyarados to climb with them from an unevolved Starter; the ocean Pokemon were enjoying the ride. She had to imagine this was what it was like for her aunt and other Legendary-tier Trainers that got together; it also showed the power Buddy Bonding had. When the water started to lose momentum, already a bit above the cliff they¡¯d jumped off of, Nova shot away, prompting her to hold tight, and she drew in her energy to blast the ocean with a Water Gun to slow their descent; it wasn¡¯t nearly as effective as Ash and Dawn, blasting through the sky and making rainbows and changing the weather over the island, but it worked. Melody landed next to her, shaking with laughter. ¡°Ash is not going to let that wrestling throw go! Haha! I think he¡¯s had enough of Dawn¡¯s antics. She seems to love pushing him¡­ It¡¯s nice to see someone who can keep up with him¡­ I don¡¯t see this side of him often.¡± Resting on Nova¡¯s back in the choppy waters as rain fell over them with the sun starting to fall in the sky, Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°It has been fun seeing Ash and Dawn together¡­ So, umm, how is my Aura?¡± Melody hummed, looking into the sky, where Ash and Dawn still played in what most people would describe as a Championship match without releasing any dangerous Aura or pressure, which was probably even more impressive; this was them having fun. ¡°¡­I think they¡¯ll be a while, so why don¡¯t we take a short break.¡± She unstrapped her instrument from her side and made a few beautiful notes; Rhea felt a gentle reverberation in the Aura-laced music. ¡°Why don¡¯t we sunbathe and chat a little about it?¡± ¡°I¡¯d like that,¡± Rhea grinned, stroking Nova¡¯s side. ¡°Want to have some fun with the others¡ªeh-heh, is Pikachu surfing¡ªwhere did he get the board?¡± ¡°Pika-Pi!¡± the electric rat cheered, wearing his sunglasses; they¡¯d left theirs on the cliff, but he seemed to have somehow gone back to get them. ¡°Pikachu!¡± ¡°Vap-vap!¡± Nova called. ¡°Vap?¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze fixated on a dark shape that swam under them, and a large Lapras exited the water to nuzzle Meldoy. ¡°Hehe. Our ride is here. Yeah, it¡¯s been a while!¡± Rhea swapped over to the large Pokemon¡¯s back, wide enough to allow both of them to comfortably lay down and stare up at the sky. Melody used her instrument again to call a few Pidgey to grab their sunglasses. Mimey appeared to be doing his own sunbathing on the cliff. Blue shades in place, Rhea used the product Melody gave her and relaxed, letting the falling sun¡¯s rays kiss her skin. It felt so nice, and she couldn¡¯t believe how free being a Legendary-tier Trainer seemed. Ash could teleport anywhere he wanted in an instant and had Pokemon that could carry him around to the most interesting places on the planet. He was probably one of the most well-traveled people in the world, like her grandfather, and he seemed to have so much fun. Rhea sighed, looking up at the blue sky; maybe she should have brought Alice, Lulu, and Mya because today had been fun, but she was sure Amira and Lori had shown them a good time. A rumble came from Melody¡¯s throat. ¡°Ash tells me you¡¯ve had trouble with the Shamanistic side of Aura and that you¡¯re out of balance¡­ He can¡¯t tell me your experience, though. What do you think?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ It¡¯s weird, I guess,¡± Rhea whispered, letting the waves and sounds of ocean Pokemon cleanse her thoughts and soul. ¡°I¡¯ve gotten these weird vibes since Lavender City. Walking with ghosts in dreams, speaking to an ancient Shrine Maiden, looking for her lost lover, and hearing a voice that confuses me¡­¡± ¡°Confuses you how?¡± Melody questioned, flipping to her back and untying her bikini. ¡°Mmm¡­ From what I¡¯m sensing, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s your Shamanistic side of the thing that is giving you trouble. I¡¯m a Priestess of Balance, which is a fancy way of saying I¡¯m an Aura Synergist specialist¡ªheh, maybe I have that backward¡ªbut it means I focus on the balance of things. You aren¡¯t in balance, but that talisman you¡¯re wearing is supporting your Shamanistic side.¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Rhea followed the woman¡¯s example, flipping over to rest her head against the shockingly soft shell of the Lapras; she¡¯d read they could change its texture to provide an incredibly comfortable riding experience. ¡°I heard my childhood best friend¡¯s thoughts yesterday like a Psychic, which was confusing. Is that important?¡± ¡°Mmh, I don¡¯t think it was your friend¡¯s thoughts.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea¡¯s head lifted to look at the relaxing and smiling woman. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t him, then who would it be? No one else was around, well, except for my Pokemon.¡± Turning her head the opposite way and pulling her braided hair to the opposite side, Melody aimed a thoughtful look her way through her yellow-tinted glasses. ¡°I¡¯ve never sensed anyone quite like you, Rhea¡­ It¡¯s like you have another soul inside of you, and this one is ridiculously powerful. Oh, don¡¯t worry, though; she¡¯s trying not to hurt you. ¡°You also don¡¯t need to tell me about it if you don¡¯t want to or don¡¯t know. I can help a bit, I think, but it will only be a patch. If I knew more, then maybe I could recommend something, but¡ª¡± ¡°Victini¡­¡± Rhea whispered, making Melody¡¯s eyebrows come together. ¡°I have a Victini Core inside of me. Could she be the one that said that to me¡­ Can you speak to Pokemon because¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°A Victini, huh? Well, that explains the power¡­¡± ¡°Is she in pain?¡± Rhea pressed as Melody tied her bikini and swapped to her front again. ¡°My mom has been looking at some stuff over the last week, trying to isolate something with my bond, I think¡­ I¡¯m getting a little worried she hasn¡¯t called, actually. Umm. What about the Victini?¡± Melody adjusted her glasses and pushed her lips to the side. ¡°There¡¯s frustration there, for sure, but not animosity, like something you might feel from an evil spirit. I¡¯m still reading the Aura waves inside of you because it is stronger than I am, so it may take a few more hours for me to grasp the proper procedure.¡± She pushed herself up and took off her sunglasses, flashing her teeth and nudging her head toward Pikachu and Nova, sharing a surfboard as the electric rat showed her how to do tricks in the waves with the Gyarados using Surf to stir up the water for them. ¡°Why don¡¯t we have some fun, and we can talk about it later tonight over ice cream? I¡¯ll get a better read on it as you go through ups and downs throughout the day.¡± ¡°Sounds good,¡± Rhea smiled, checking the security of her braid before thanking the kind Lapras and jumping into the ocean with Melody. Enjoying herself for the rest of the evening, Ash and Dawn came flying out of the sky before wrestling underwater with their Pokemon cheering them on. Rhea sat on the sidelines with Melody, placing bets on who would win; she didn¡¯t factor in Dawn¡¯s propensity to fight dirty, though, and a twist in the right place had his lungs filling with water. Not long after, Ash was lying dead on the beach with Pikachu pumping liquid out of his lungs, Dawn¡¯s chest heaving but laughing nonetheless. ¡°I win! Haha¡­ 35 to 32, and still the reigning¡ªack, champion!¡± she roared, foot on the man¡¯s chest as he choked out water. ¡°Happy Starter Day!¡± ¡°Pika-Pikachu!¡± the electric rat cried, begging him not to die. Rhea¡¯s stomach hurt at their antics; the two really were insanely compatible. ¡°Festering darkness is buried deep within her soul¡­ Living in a hollow, isolated by dark secrets she cannot share with anyone, and she cannot take it. She hates herself. All she wants is to be honest¡­ But she can¡¯t.¡± Wringing out her wet hair, Rhea froze as a somber emotion whispered inside her core¡ªmore feminine now that she was looking for it¡ªwhich caused Melody¡¯s eye to snap toward her. Rhea¡¯s gaze drifted to Dawn, face red with laughter, and all she could feel from her Aura was unmitigated joy and happiness, yet there was this chilling undertone she couldn¡¯t understand that rippled from a 3rd source within Rhea¡¯s core; the haunting projection had to have come from the Victini inside her. ¡°Phew¡­ Haha! Well, we good for ice cream now?¡± Dawn asked, wiping the tears away from her eyes and breathing heavily before collapsing to her butt. ¡°Ugh¡­ I¡¯m so sore! Ash is so rough with me.¡± ¡°Ugh! Who¡¯s rough with who?¡± Ash huffed, swapping to his side to support his head, and smiled at his best friend with a few coughs. ¡°Ack¡ªyou are ridiculous. I¡¯m good with ice cream¡ªand it¡¯s still 34, Champ; you cheated.¡± ¡°I¡¯m the Mukin¡¯ worst!¡± Dawn grinned, holding out her hand and helping him up. ¡°You know I always cheat against you; 35, baby, and I won¡¯t accept anything less! Let¡¯s go¡ªeh, where¡¯s Mimey? My card¡¯s gone!¡± she mumbled while going through her purse. ¡°That trickster! If he was going to take someone¡¯s card, it should have been Cynthia¡¯s¡­ Everything okay, Rhea?¡± Rhea tried to smile as she gave her an innocent look. ¡°No, yeah¡­ Umm. Check your phone. Maybe we can find out where he¡¯s at by what he¡¯s buying?¡± ¡°Good plan!¡± Ash grunted, brushing sand off him and bringing Pikachu up to his shoulder. ¡°Ice cream?¡± ¡°Ice cream,¡± Dawn sighed, checking her account. ¡°Got the location, Mel?¡± Melody squinted at the name and laughed. ¡°Only the most expensive ice cream store on the island.¡± ¡°Great¡­¡± Rhea picked up Nova, back as an Eevee, and looked at her with concern. Ash seemed to notice something was wrong but distracted Dawn on their way to the area to allow Melody to talk to her. ¡°What was it this time¡ªthe voice again?¡± Rhea rubbed her arm and looked at Dawn, snickering and teasing Ash as he retaliated with his own verbal assault. ¡°You said the Victini is really strong, right? Can she¡­ sense things better than me or share my abilities or something?¡± ¡°It¡¯s possible,¡± Melody hummed. ¡°I think I can create a bridge for you two to meet for a bit, but you¡¯ll be down for probably most of tonight and tomorrow once I start the process. Think of it like¡­ two planets being brought into orbit that spins faster and faster until they collide and break apart again.¡± Melody rubbed her instrument and frowned. ¡°Will it fix the problem? No. But you will have a better idea about what you¡¯re dealing with so Ash can better fine-tune your Aura training.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwee?¡± Rhea squeezed Nova, held against her chest as she pawed her wrist and looked up at her. I know you¡¯re worried. You don¡¯t feel it like I do, right? Nova shook her head, ears drooping. No, it¡¯s not bad that you can¡¯t. This is something¡­ between Victini and me. Lulu will probably go through something like this in time, too, which means I need to know how to help her, too. Umm. I think I¡¯m going to do this. Don¡¯t do something crazy like not go out with your mom tomorrow. Just explain things to Mya, Alice, and Lulu. Okay? We¡¯ll talk about this tomorrow night when we start training for the Gym Battle. She nuzzled her arm, telling her she trusted her. Breathing out the stress in her chest, Rhea nodded at Melody. ¡°Let¡¯s do it tonight, after ice cream. Thank you for helping me, Melody.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she whispered, rubbing her back. ¡°I take my job as the upcoming High Priestess of the Orange Archipelago seriously. Spending time between each of the islands with Zapdos, Articuno, Moltres, and Lugia¡ªwhenever the two love birds decide to stop by¡ªhas taught me a lot about harmony and balance. It¡¯s nice playing a part in helping them work through their differences¡­ Hehe. There are ages of grievances to work through.¡± ¡°Sounds exhausting!¡± ¡°Mmh. It¡¯s actually more beautiful once you bring the four in unity¡­. They could be the next greatest support we have whenever the Ultra Wormholes open again. It¡¯s not all destruction and hatred; unity brings an enlightening I can explain.¡± ¡°Hopefully, I will find that at some point,¡± she whispered, shifting Nova to hold a hand against her chest. ¡°I¡¯d like to get to know the Victini inside me.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Haha. Yes, Nova, I know you want to meet her too.¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± Making their way to the ice cream shop, they found Mimey dancing around a table filled with sweets, sampling each. Dawn¡¯s face was livid, making the Mr. Mime quake and put up a barrier, gather up the goods, and teleport away. Dawn hung her head and sighed, apparently too tired after the battle with Ash to go after the Pokemon. She curbed her depression through sweets, and Melody explained what she¡¯d discovered to the two. Ash promised to get her back to her room to rest when they started, and an hour later, Melody took them to her home to perform the synchronizing process. Closing her eyes on her bed with Nova cuddled up on her chest, the redhead played her song, and Rhea felt the soothing Aura waves pull her mind inward, directing her toward a place far, far away, yet closer than anyone had ever been to the truth hidden somewhere deep inside her soul. Rhea drifted into warm, welcoming darkness until she entered a realm of comforting flames. A hot voice pressed against her entire being, lifting her mind out of the haze. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve talked. Hello, Little Ember.¡± B3 — 24. A Mother’s Secret 7:30 p.m. August 13th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 65. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (113 days away). Nova rested her chin on her paws, lying atop Rhea¡¯s chest as Melody played her flute; her Trainer¡¯s spirit pulled inward, leaving Nova restless. Rhea went limp, making Nova¡¯s fur bristle as she shot up, looking at Pikachu. ¡°She¡¯s slipping away!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± he urged, showing an encouraging smile. ¡°As we explained, only a Buddy Bonded Pokemon could follow her to where she¡¯s going.¡± Nova¡¯s ears pulled back at the comment. ¡°We¡¯re not close enough¡­ I hoped I would at least be able to follow a little by now.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Dawn whispered, sitting on the bed to stroke her back as Melody continued to play her lovely song. ¡°Rhea will be just fine. I know it¡¯s probably hard for you.¡± Piplup nodded from his Trainer¡¯s lap. ¡°Mhm-mhm! It takes a long time to Buddy Bond with your Trainer; Dawn and I have been together for decades. You¡¯re doing great! What are you feeling right now?¡± ¡°Just sad,¡± Nova sighed, settling down on Rhea¡¯s chest again while studying her resting face. ¡°Rhea¡¯s struggling so much with this Aura stuff, and we can¡¯t help her¡­ She¡¯s kept us alive with her own energy, and all we do is take from her.¡± Pikachu reached up to pat her side. ¡°C¡¯mon, we all know that¡¯s not true. It¡¯s a partnership. What did Rhea say you could do to help her?¡± Nova inched forward to nuzzle Rhea¡¯s nose, worried as Rhea¡¯s spirit practically disappeared, leaving a hole inside her; she knew Mya and Alice would be freaking out right now. ¡°She wants me to help the others understand and to have a fun time with my mom¡­ I¡¯ve never felt her slip so far away, though. It¡­ doesn¡¯t feel right.¡± Piplup jumped off Dawn¡¯s lap to walk around and stand beside Rhea¡¯s head to manage her ponytail. ¡°I know it¡¯s scary. Being so close with a Master Ball for as long as you can remember¡­ This must be terribly uncomfortable. This will help her, though.¡± Taking a deep breath, Nova tried to rebuild her courage; she had to be strong for the others. Mya would instantly think it was her fault. ¡°Okay. Can you guys take us back to the spa place?¡± Mimey gave her a soft smile and thumbs up. ¡°Ash needs to talk to Melody once the song is done, but it will be quick.¡± ¡°Alright¡­¡± Nova laid down to listen to Rhea¡¯s heartbeat, figuring Lulu would soon steal the spot. Watching Piplup and Totadile play around today had shown her how amazing every Pokemon could be with the right, caring Trainer. She wanted that kind of closeness with Rhea, and it had only been a few months since she¡¯d hatched, but it felt like such a long time; Nova didn¡¯t know what else to do, though. The song continued for a few minutes before it came to a gentle end, and Rhea sank into the depths of an ocean that rejected Nova. She¡¯d thought they were so close now since they could do her mother¡¯s Friendship Move, but her mother had said there were many different levels to it. Please, be careful, Rhea, Nova internally pleaded. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯d do if anything happened to you¡­ Releasing the tension in her lungs, Nova glanced at Ash as he returned with Melody. The redhead knelt down beside her to scratch her pulled-back ears. ¡°Rhea is having a wonderful chat with her mysterious guest. My song is called ¡®The Power of One,¡¯ which helps Auras unify. Rhea will be just fine. I promise.¡± Feeling a little better now that it was in progress, Nova tried to let her nerves go as the other Pokemon surrounded her. ¡°I just¡­ don¡¯t want to mess it up; I want to share the weight on Rhea¡¯s heart.¡± She looked at her Trainer¡¯s peaceful expression. ¡°I really want to help¡­ To make her life easier, not harder, but¡­ No. I just need to keep trying.¡± ¡°One step every day will take you where you want to go,¡± Ash whispered, scratching behind her ear as everyone gave her kind looks. ¡°We¡¯ve all seen how hard you try to support Rhea.¡± Pikachu nodded. ¡°Who is the first one to take care of Lulu when Rhea¡¯s busy?¡± ¡°Me¡­¡± ¡°Who¡¯s the first to help Mya when she¡¯s feeling down?¡± ¡°Me.¡± ¡°And who is there to calm Alice down when she gets too rambunctious and provide cuddles when Rhea is feeling down?¡± ¡°Me¡­¡± ¡°See?¡± Piplup chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re doing great.¡± Taking strength from their reassurances, Nova licked Rhea¡¯s cheek. ¡°Thanks. I¡¯m okay now¡­ I¡¯m ready to go.¡± Lights surrounded them as Mimey returned them to Rhea¡¯s spa room in Fuchsia, waving Melody goodbye; the redhead told them to visit again. Appearing inside the cool room, Dawn tucked Rhea into bed as Ash left to talk with Amira and Lori. Alice and Mya rushed through the halls to reach them upon feeling them return; they couldn¡¯t feel Rhea so much as Nova, causing them to burst into the room in a panic. As expected, Alice was the first one to reach Rhea¡¯s side, Mya trailing behind with the confused cosmic ball hanging onto her neck. ¡°W-What happened?!¡± Mya cried. Lulu teleported onto their Trainer¡¯s chest, tears in her eyes. ¡°Rhea?! Rhea?! Don¡¯t die, Rhea!¡± ¡°D-Die?! Rhea can¡¯t die!¡± Alice sniffled, beginning to hyperventilate. Nova nuzzled Lulu before doing the same to the shaking Lopunny. ¡°Rhea¡¯s not dying.¡± Alice¡¯s ears and hands were fidgeting while pressed against Rhea¡¯s arm. ¡°I can¡¯t feel her, though!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she reassured. ¡°Let me explain¡­¡± Lulu quickly swapped from Mya to their Trainer¡¯s neck, crying and a little frustrated, thinking everyone was upset because of her; it took a little time to convince all three that it wasn¡¯t any of their faults, but they managed it after several minutes. None of them wanted to leave Rhea¡¯s side when all was said and done. Lulu quickly fell asleep, exhausted due to the emotional stress. She took their Trainer¡¯s chest to be close to her heart, as usual; they all allowed it since the Cosmog didn¡¯t have the same spiritual connection to snuggle her spirit, so her heartbeat was the next best thing. Mya listened closely as Alice continued to ask Pikachu, Piplup, and her questions, not that the electric rat or penguin had much more to tell other than offering their assurances that she¡¯d be fine. Ash, Lori, and Amira came in shortly after, the redhead suggesting that Dawn help her to get Rhea ready for bed if she was going to be out for the night. Ash took that as a sign to leave, and Lori went with him to get more details about what would happen after the synchronization. Once Rhea was changed into some Eevee-themed pajamas Dawn had secretly purchased, the two human girls left them to cuddle their Trainer. Nova nuzzled under the covers, as was usual, to hug Rhea¡¯s leg, but it wasn¡¯t the same with how distant her spirit felt. Nova tossed and turned throughout the night. She felt cold and empty without Rhea¡¯s spirit in easy reach to snuggle or squeeze; it felt wrong. There was a hole in her, yet they all took comfort in the trickle of energy she continued to provide them with to stabilize their lives. Eventually, she slipped into sleep, but dreams didn¡¯t meet her; Nova¡¯s ears poked up as Mya¡¯s grumbles pricked her mind. Blinking, she glanced around the warm, dim space under the covers. She felt somewhat rested as she crawled over Rhea¡¯s leg to peek out of the blanket. The gentle light from the window showed the sun rising. A little stunned by the sudden transition from falling asleep to waking up, Nova saw everyone deep in slumber; Alice¡¯s eyes were red, showing she¡¯d cried a little bit during the night. I didn¡¯t dream¡­ Why didn¡¯t I dream? Nova¡¯s ears twitched with agitation; she still didn¡¯t like the distance Rhea was from her, but during the night, she¡¯d pulled a little closer. A lump formed in her throat when bright rainbow lights brought her pretty mother and Torry, her tough-looking Venomoth buddy, into her room. ¡°Morning!¡± she chirped, eyes and ears lowering upon seeing her. ¡°Everything okay, Sweetie; is Rhea okay?¡± Perking up, Nova shook her head and hopped off to join her, trying to remain quiet not to wake up her teammates. ¡°She¡¯s doing something with her Aura right now. Umm¡­ Yeah, it will be alright. Thanks for worrying, Mom,¡± she whispered, her mother returning a nuzzle as they came together. ¡°Of course. Are you sure you don¡¯t need to reschedule?¡± she asked, moving to hop up on the bed to study Rhea, Torry silently hovering nearby. ¡°How¡­ can she reach such a deep meditative state at her age? It¡¯s really impressive. Is there another spirit inside of her?! Should I get Elaine?¡± Nova jumped up to rub against her mother¡¯s fine, caramel coat for comfort. ¡°No, Ash and Dawn are helping her. We¡¯re fine. I can explain a little later. Umm, so we¡¯re going to do some hard training today? I¡¯ve been excited.¡± Ambrosia hummed, head tilting to the side as she observed the resting human. ¡°Hmm. Okay. It will take two teleports, but I think I¡¯ve thought of a way to help you with your transformations. Is it¡­ okay to evolve?¡± The question made Nova freeze before jumping off the bed and jogging to the door. ¡°Uh, I¡¯ll go ask. Umm, can you¡­ Thank you.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Torry floated over and opened the door for her. The two followed her down the hall as she followed Ash¡¯s scent to his room. It was locked, so Torry teleported them inside. Ash was sprawled out on his bed, snoring, while Pikachu sat in a chair on the outside deck, the door ajar. He watched a shishi-odoshi fill with water outside, creating a tap as it emptied and hit a rock. Pikachu sipped a cup of coffee, speaking softly as they entered. ¡°Morning. It¡¯s been a while, Ambrosia, Torry.¡± Her mother nudged her forward with a chuckle as Nova reoriented herself after the teleport. ¡°Good morning. Still haven¡¯t kicked the habit?¡± He smiled and looked over at them as they approached. ¡°Third failed attempt. Oh, I see someone¡¯s been powdering their wings.¡± ¡°Thanks for noticing,¡± Torry whispered with a smile and fluttered her wings. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying a new diet.¡± ¡°It shows,¡± Pikachu complimented, taking another sip of his coffee. ¡°Now, what can I do for you before your big adventure, Nova?¡± ¡°Umm¡­ Can I evolve, or will that mess up Rhea¡¯s thing?¡± ¡°Hmm. Honestly, you might want to evolve a bunch to release some stress for Rhea; the Victini will flood her with energy, so that could help to balance things.¡± Nova¡¯s tail began to wag; there was something she could do to help. ¡°Thanks, Pikachu!¡± ¡°Shhh,¡± her mother scolded with a short giggle as Ash groaned and flopped to his stomach. ¡°Sorry,¡± she hissed. Pikachu snickered, cheeks sparking as he gave his Trainer an appraising look. ¡°She¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll zap him up soon; he needs a good kickstart to the day once a week to keep on his toes.¡± Nova giggled with Torry and her mom. ¡°Sounds good. Thank you again.¡± The Venomoth shimmered with colorful light, and gravity shifted; suddenly, they were on the Pokemon¡¯s back, a strong ocean breeze hitting her fur. Nova blinked as an endless expanse of blue stretched out around her. ¡°Huh?!¡± Her mother pressed closer, licking her ear. ¡°M-Mom! Heh. It tickles!¡± ¡°Aww. I don¡¯t get to see you often, so I gotta get my licks in where I can! Ready for the final jump, Torry?¡± The large Venomoth shivered. ¡°I swear, you use me like an all-terrain-vehicle¡­¡± ¡°Haha. It¡¯s just like you to negotiate when we¡¯re halfway; I know you¡¯re a wreck right now,¡± her mother mused, bumping Nova¡¯s tail with a wink that made her giggle. ¡°Two puff packs and a trip to Alola to see a certain Slowbro to ease the nerves?¡± ¡°How? Even you can¡¯t make Elaine drop everything to make an Alola trip,¡± Torry huffed, antenna quivering. ¡°We¡¯re too busy with League stuff.¡± ¡°Four words,¡± Ambrosia whispered, bending down to whisper into the moth¡¯s ear. ¡°Chase, ring, pre-paid hotel.¡± Torry gasped. ¡°He didn¡¯t?! How can you be sure? He isn¡¯t!¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got a certain little rat in my ear,¡± Ambrosia laughed, looking to the side with a smirk. ¡°He was so cute, asking for permission.¡± ¡°Ahhh! Finally! Done! So done!¡± Torry sang, space sparkling around them to drop them off at the top of some giant mountain surrounded by water. ¡°I¡¯ve got to get a new coat, and¡ªwait, how long have you been sitting on this news, you wing-biter?!¡± ¡°Not important,¡± her mother dismissively replied, hopping off the dancing Venomoth with Nova. ¡°Best keep it a secret. We need to get Elaine throwing up or fainting; my bet is throwing up.¡± ¡°Hehe. Yeah, she really can¡¯t hold her stomach when stress hits her,¡± Torry mused. ¡°What about¡ª¡± Ambrosia smirked and walked to the edge of the steep cliff to observe the small range of mountains on the island. ¡°To be precise, a single slap to the face, panic gasp, run a few meters, puke on the side of the road, stumble, and race for the nearest bathroom.¡± ¡°You know Elaine too well,¡± Torry snickered. ¡°Poor Chase is going to be so confused.¡± ¡°And we¡¯ll get it all on camera,¡± she sang, nudging Nova with a giggle. ¡°For posterity!¡± ¡°For posterity!¡± the Venomoth returned. ¡°Tell me you saw the ring! Ahh. That look he gave when we left!¡± ¡°Ring?¡± Nova asked, glancing between the excited older women as they jumped around as if they¡¯d just won a Gym Battle. ¡°Are Chase and Elaine entering a Contest together in Alola? Rhea was really nervous when we did our Contest.¡± ¡°Aww, you¡¯re such a goodie!¡± her mother said with a rosy smile as she nuzzled her again. ¡°Growing up is kind of spooky; I remember when I was such a cute, wide-eyed Eevee.¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m growing up really fast!¡± she huffed, pulling away to puff up her chest. ¡°I¡¯ve been helping Rhea a lot.¡± ¡°Aww. We really should have brought Rotom with us,¡± Torry whispered with a grin. Her mother¡¯s face softened as she closed in to cuddle next to her while looking at the sunrise. ¡°Elaine has been waiting to lose this battle for a long time¡­¡± ¡°Huh? Why would she want to lose? I don¡¯t get it. She can¡¯t win?¡± ¡°Not a chance,¡± Torry said, looking far into the past. ¡°It¡¯s funny because Elaine keeps teasing Chase about how off-and-on they¡¯ve been.¡± ¡°What kind of Contest is this?¡± Nova mumbled, unable to see a fight her awesome mother couldn¡¯t win. ¡°You¡¯ll lose?¡± ¡°Me?!¡± Her mother¡¯s body shook with laughter as she danced. ¡°No, no. This is Elaine¡¯s battle alone; I get a certain little rat! But this is a battle we¡¯ve all been having for so, so long¡ªone she¡¯s been, heh, ¡®Chasing¡¯ and running away from for¡­ ever. Elaine can¡¯t help but run; I get to nibble her ear and tease her until she breaks down and goes back to end the Chase, giving him his well-earned victory. It¡¯s going to be so sweet to see her fidget and stammer. It¡¯s the last battle called ¡®A Proposal.¡¯ ¡± ¡°Ooh. Proposal¡­¡± Nova whispered, ears falling back. ¡°Scary. The last battle¡­ Umm, will Rhea have to do a Contest like that¡­ And we have to battle our own Trainer until she throws up or faints? That sounds terrifying!¡± ¡°Haha. It¡¯s amazing, actually,¡± her mother returned. ¡°Anyway¡­ Pick us up at 8 p.m., Torry?¡± ¡°Got it! Wait, when is this supposed to happen?¡± ¡°Tuesday. It¡¯s the earliest Chase was able to set everything up.¡± ¡°Yes! I got time for molting. See you at eight!¡± She vanished, leaving Nova¡¯s mind a nightmare involving a ring, humans slapping each other, puking, and tormenting her Trainer by biting her ears; it truly must have been a Champion-tier Contest. Her thoughts were shattered as her mother tackled her. ¡°Eh?! M-Mom?!¡± Rolling to a stop with her mom on top, hugging her tight, she cuddled closer. ¡°Mmm! You¡¯re growing up so fast. I¡¯ll tell you more in two weeks. Okay! Ready to test out my theory and talk?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Now alone with her energetic, teasing mother, Nova got up to follow her to a small trail to a small waterfall, emptying into a small forest below. ¡°What are we doing here?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve been watching your battles. You¡¯re getting so good at retaining your evolution! I¡¯m so proud. You used my Move!¡± Nova paused at the word. ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Of course, silly tail! Oh, look at this¡­¡± Fire crawled up Nova¡¯s chest as she stopped by the falls, noticing clear blue crystals lodged inside the rocks with bubbles inside them; a strong energy radiated from the area, making Nova¡¯s mouth open in wonder as she felt a gentle tug from it. ¡°Water Stones?¡± ¡°It is! We¡¯re at a place called Stone Town. We¡¯re going to try to see if all these stones will help you get closer to evolving into any other form. Want to explore, meet new Eevee friends, and have some fun?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Nova grinned as her mother did a backflip down the side of the steep cliff. ¡°Follow the leader; we¡¯re moving fast!¡± ¡°Right behind you, Mom!¡± Nova did a front flip, feeling light as air as her mother cheered at her landing. They went from cliff to tree branches, her mother encouraging her to take risky jumps and overcome her fears. When they came to a big waterfall, a big Poliwrath challenged her mother. Her mouth dropped open when her mother held up a coin for the Area Boss to see, tossed it in the air, and spun in a circle to swat it with her tail; it bounced off the strong Tadpole Pokemon¡¯s head, making his eyes roll back as he fell into the water. The stunned Poliwag jumped in to see if their boss was okay as all the river Pokemon gathered in awe at the superpowered Eevee. Her mother used the attention to pull in some Vaporeon, though made sure to tell her that she made a much cuter Bubble Jet Pokemon. A swimming contest ensued, with Nova transforming to jump in the water to have fun with them. She couldn¡¯t believe how fast her small mother was in the water as she kept up with them. The moment the Poliwrath woke up, he was begging his mother to take him under her wing and take over the area. Her mother politely declined and asked him to help her meet some of the other Area Bosses. Nova giggled at the look Ambrosia gave some of the Pokemon that approached her, asking if she was new to the island, especially the many male Vaporeon. However, no one wanted to challenge her mother after her Iron Tail parted the entire river without disturbing the bottom. The Poliwrath took them to an elegant male Ninetales that guided them to a deep cavern with a pack of excited Growlithe, Arcanine, Flareon, and Vulpix. Her mom spent the journey teaching them how to utilize her Quick Attack better to run up the cave walls, jump off opponents without triggering the Move, and reposition. She grew more excited as they reached a bright cavern of molten lava, filled with glittering stone that pressed in all around her. All the Flareon surrounded her, flames rising off their fluffy fur and dancing around her, expecting her to join them. ¡°No pressure,¡± her mother chimed, tail wagging as swirling fire kept the other Pokemon that followed them at the entrance. ¡°You can feel it?¡± Nova held a paw against her chest, closing her eyes and feeling the heat resonating within her core; it helped mitigate the hole she felt from Rhea¡¯s absence as the memory of cuddling up to her Trainer¡¯s leg at night filled Nova¡¯s chest with happy memories. ¡°It¡¯s like¡­ Rhea¡¯s hugs. How I feel when she rubs my belly and nuzzles me¡­¡± She smiled as her mother¡¯s cool nose rubbed against her cheek, sparking something hot inside her, and Rhea¡¯s spirit came back in a rush that made the air seize inside her lungs. The energy spinning around her rushed through Nova¡¯s body as the flames flooded in and flared out; her tight fur became dark as night, snow-white fluff flowing out as she grew in size, and embers sparked from her mouth¡ªand then, she was small again, blinking up at her mother¡¯s grinning face. ¡°You did it!¡± ¡°Huh? D-Did I?¡± ¡°You were so pretty!¡± one of the Flareon said, crowding in with the others. ¡°I haven¡¯t seen Umbreon with that dark of a coat!¡± ¡°Such soft-looking fur!¡± ¡°Why did you turn back?!¡± Her mother chuckled while dispersing the anxious Flareon, hopeful she¡¯d evolve again. ¡°Give her some space! It¡¯s okay. You did amazing! You remember the feeling you had? Nova?¡± her mother whispered as her eyes started to water. ¡°No, it¡¯s not bad you turned back!¡± She shook her head and moved to hug her mom, taking her to the ground. ¡°Rhea¡­ I feel, Rhea! I-I think she¡¯s coming back¡­ I was so scared¡­¡± ¡°Hey,¡± her mother whispered, licking her pulled-back ear. ¡°It¡¯s okay. Go ahead and cry¡­ I¡¯m here with you.¡± ¡°Ahem¡­ No, I¡¯m a big girl!¡± she said, puffing out hot air that sparkled with lingering embers. ¡°I want to try again¡­ I want to surprise Rhea!¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Her mother squeezed her before rolling upright. ¡°You won¡¯t be able to keep it stable outside of this Fire Energy-rich environment for long¡­ but if we wait just until we leave, then you should be good to do it for a short burst. Would that be fun to surprise her with?¡± ¡°Mhm! I want to make her faint like Chase will make Elaine faint in the Battle of Proposal!¡± ¡°Hehehe! You really are such a goodie!¡± ¡°M-Mom!¡± Nova cried as she tackled her again and started licking her face. ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing¡­¡± The other Flareon giggled as her mother refused to let go, no matter how hard she struggled; she was trapped in her mother¡¯s Iron Paw Grip attack, followed by her infamous Endless Lick attack. Nova couldn¡¯t stop laughing from her nibbles and tickles. ¡°Say you love your mom!¡± ¡°N-Never!¡± ¡°Say it!¡± ¡°Okay! Hehe! Okay! I love you!¡± ¡°I love you, Mom!¡± she squeaked. ¡°I, heh¡ªI love you¡ªstop! I love you, Mom!¡± ¡°Hehehe. Never!¡± ¡°Mom!¡± B3 — 25. Imbalance 8:30 p.m. August 14th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 66. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (112 days away). Comforting flames embraced Rhea as she sank deeper into an endless void of energy, busting out of some core within her. The hot, feminine voice of her Victini weaved through her like a needle through fabric, infusing into her mind. The spark ignited a sea of rubies, breaking the haze and pulling her up before releasing her into an echo of memories from her childhood. She fell into a seat of fire, a bright ball of limitless power floating in front of her with the glittering ocean of dazzling gems circling her. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time since we¡¯ve talked. Hello, Little Ember.¡± ¡°Who¡­¡± Rhea looked down to see she was but a little speck of light compared to the brilliance spinning around them; visions of her past twinkled in each gem, bringing back moments she¡¯d forgotten as a little girl. ¡°Little Ember,¡± she repeated, having heard the nickname somewhere distant in her past. ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t the first time we¡¯ve met?¡± The sphere lowered to her level, mature voice a gentle flame. ¡°It isn¡¯t. In order for you to be free, I needed to let go of you, and I felt you slip away. Though I wanted to fight to hold on, clinging to each dreaming second where I¡¯d still have someone to talk to, I knew you wouldn¡¯t survive.¡± Images of her little five-year-old self talking to a little star exploded around her. It was followed by her lying in a medical bed, her father and mother hovering over her as her frustrated mother worked with medical equipment. ¡°But you would always disappear back into the shadows, leaving me alone to float through this void. Now, you¡¯ve slowly drawn closer.¡± The blinding orb dispersed, showing a Shiny Victini with a melancholy smile. ¡°You¡¯ve been drawing more of my power than you can handle, channeling it to spread out to those around you.¡± Rhea sighed and sat back, air freezing in her lungs as she fell through space to land on a fluffy bed, where a name flashed into her mind. ¡°Huh¡ªugh¡­ V.¡± V floated down, a caring smile touching her face as the Victory Pokemon hovered above her. ¡°Yes¡­ It¡¯s nice to see you haven¡¯t completely forgotten about me. Thank you for saving me, and providing a place for me to heal. Now, you should heal¡­¡± Her little claw touched Rhea¡¯s nose, and she drifted into a flaming ocean haze. Memories of when she was young and sickly flowed through her with the current, remembering her dear friend that helped her overcome some deathly sickness. In this internal world, she¡¯d played with V, and the Victini had tended to her during the coma she¡¯d entered. She couldn¡¯t even recall the experience before this point, but now it was so vivid and real. V had kept her company, taught her, and comforted her when stuck in bed. Giving into the warmth, she sank into the riptide, allowing her to the stream of living energy that flooded all that she was; the more she gave, the more she received, filling her heart with a loving sensation of gratitude and hope. Her eyes opened when she came to a stop; Victini once again floating in front of her. ¡°Now, you¡¯ve seen the lights¡­ Don¡¯t fight for the heat; embrace it openly, and I will give it freely. There is no need to take what is freely given. Your strength will naturally grow, so don¡¯t try to force it, or you will hurt everything you love.¡± Tears came to Rhea¡¯s eyes as she felt the infinite love radiating out of the Victory Pokemon, along with the loneliness she¡¯d suffered in order to allow her time to mature, fighting the temptation to pull her close and pull her into this nexus of unimaginable heat. Instead, V tolerated the crushing pain to give her spirit a chance to expand on its own. Yet, it had been Rhea that had been the one rushing things by pushing her Aura Training further than Ash had wanted. Now, she was out of balance, and Melody was attempting to set things right. Lifting her hands above her head to relax into the cozy bed, she smiled up at her guardian and friend. ¡°Thanks for reassuring me, V; I¡¯ll relax more and have fun with everyone. A lot¡¯s happened since the last time we talked¡­ Want to hear it?¡± V¡¯s big eyes softened as she closed in to hug her neck. ¡°You are not the little girl I once knew; I would love to hear your stories.¡± ¡°Let me tell you¡­¡± Rhea laughed, tumbled, cried, and slipped her way through all the crazy things that had happened throughout her childhood and teenage years. V¡¯s emotions were so close to her heart that Rhea could feel every twist and turn that resonated with the Legendary Pokemon, feeding her with encouragement, comfort, and strength. After a time, she asked the Victini about her life and time within her, but V shook her head. ¡°My life is nothing but sorrow, but it has only improved while by your side. As we gradually grow closer and your Pokemon synchronize with you better, I will be able to reach out to support them.¡± A sad crease came to Rhea¡¯s eyes. ¡°V, you¡¯re not just a tool I want to use¡­ I want to share your pain and help you, as you¡¯ve helped me. Eventually, I¡¯d like for you to regain your body; I want you to live again.¡± ¡°Such hope and dreams¡­ Hmm-hmm. One day at a time,¡± she whispered, reaching down to tap her nose again. ¡°Try your best; I am here to take the fall. Thank you for your love and kindness, Little Ember.¡± Rhea fell through the bed, yet it fell like she was falling in reverse. She didn¡¯t like how V had phased it as if she was being hurt by supporting her, and she was okay with it. A groan rumbled in Rhea¡¯s throat as her eyes cracked open to a blurry mess. Her fuzzy mind filtered back, feeling Mya, Nova, and Alice around her; Lulu¡¯s weak presence was the last to return since she wasn¡¯t bound by a Poke Ball. Weight suddenly slammed against her breast, making her choke. ¡°Ack¡ªw-what?!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°N-Nova?¡± ¡°Maw-Maw?¡± ¡°Neee?!¡± ¡°Lopunny?¡± Her three concerned Pokemon crowded around her, Nova and Lulu sharing her chest and nuzzling her face. ¡°Eh-heheh. I¡¯m okay!¡± ¡°Pika-pi.¡± ¡°Pwe? Pwe-pwe!¡± Nova hopped off, easing the pressure as Lulu cuddled closer, hugging her neck. A soft chuckle came from Dawn, sitting at the foot of her bed, dressed for comfort in a robe and clearly coming from the spa by her flushed shiny face. ¡°Welcome back to the land of the living, babe! They were really worried about you.¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Haha. Oh, and Nova wanted to show you something.¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Okay,¡± Rhea grunted, pushing herself up to the headboard and giving each of her Pokemon a little scratch attention as Nova did an excited spin. ¡°What have you got for me; did you have a good time with your mom?¡± She nodded fervently, pink eyes sparkling. ¡°Pwe! Pwe! Pwe?¡± ¡°Almost ready,¡± she said, pulling Alice to her opposite side as Mya snuggled next to her; Lulu plopped down on her lap, leaning left and right, patting her thighs in anticipation of the surprise. ¡°Okay, we¡¯re all set! Oh?!¡± Her lips parted with a smile as she felt a burst of her energy transfer to the puffed-up Eevee, wrapping her in a bright, colorful light. She grew, white fur turning black and her mane reflecting a snowy luster mixed with light streaks of bright red hues. ¡°Flareon?! Oh my, Arceus; you¡¯re so¡ªhuh?¡± Before Rhea could reach out to stroke the divinely soft-looking fur, she reverted back to her base state with a strained grin. ¡°Oh¡­ You can¡¯t really maintain it for long?¡± ¡°Pwe¡­¡± ¡°Not at all?¡± Rhea interpreted, reaching out to pull her onto her lap; she heard movement from the hall as Amira and Lori¡¯s voices came from the distance. ¡°Pwe-pwe,¡± she added, rubbing against her hand. ¡°Ah. It¡¯s something you¡¯ll work on, though? Your mom figured some stuff out, did she? That¡¯s good.¡± ¡°Mawile?¡± Glancing over at her steely girl, Rhea grinned. ¡°Yup! I met the Victini inside me; her name is V, and she¡¯s super nice. She said she¡¯ll be able to see you guys eventually, too, as we grow closer together.¡± ¡°Lop-Lop?¡± ¡°Hehe. I don¡¯t know if she¡¯s fast, but I imagine she is.¡± ¡°Ne-ne?¡± ¡°Umm¡­¡± Rhea glanced at Nova, who translated through their bond; it still wasn¡¯t easy to catch exactly what they were trying to convey. ¡°Oh, umm, yeah, I¡¯m feeling okay, Lulu. Thanks for being worried about me.¡± Comforting her four Pokemon, Dawn leaned over to rub her shin. ¡°You feel a lot more at peace, and, uh, I think your phone might have gone off,¡± she said as the door opened, her teammates coming through while Pikachu ran off with Piplup to do something. ¡°Hey, girls. Good day of training?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Lori grinned, holding up a V-sign with a giggle. ¡°Amira and I have been crunching numbers, going over strategies, and looking over all of Janine¡¯s matches to see what tricky stuff the poisonous chick throws at challengers.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Amira walked over with her Pokemon flooding in, crossing her arms and glancing back at the Unovan girl. ¡°She somehow paid me back and made a good 35k credits today on bets to prove to me she had Janine pegged¡­ Only to lose sixty percent in three failed bets at the end; the gambler¡¯s fallacy. I had to force her to stop.¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. I did catch a lot of good calls, though,¡± she defended. ¡°So, what¡¯s up, Sunshine? Oh, and we brought Mya and Alice into the training, too. Girls are monsters!¡± Rhea laughed at the pride that filled the pair¡¯s chests. ¡°I bet they are.¡± ¡°Maw-Maw!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°Nova changed into a Flareon for a second, too!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°Nice! Wait¡ª¡± Lori gasped. ¡°That can change up the whole dynamic of what we planned!¡± Rhea shook her head, putting a hand on Mya and Alice¡¯s heads. ¡°These two lovely girls will be my choice. Nova¡¯s happy to sit this one out¡ª¡± ¡°Ne-ne?¡± Lulu teleported onto her head, bouncing up and down. ¡°Hmm? Oh¡­ Hehe. Not yet, Lu. We still need to bond before you can join an official match.¡± ¡°Ne¡­¡± she sulked, lying out across her head. They all giggled, and Amira got into a few of the strategies as Rhea reached over to snatch her phone. Checking her texts, she passively responded to her teammates and Dawn¡¯s inquiries; it didn¡¯t take her long to address the texts, though. 8:00 p.m. - Elaine: Hey, cutie! Ambrosia came back and was dancing! You should have seen her chatting away, bragging about her daughter. Three forms already! Becoming a mom has been the best thing for her. (meaning: she¡¯s not biting me as much anymore or kicking me in the butt to get work done!) 8:00 p.m. - Elaine: Ambrosia has become so pushy lately! I swear, she¡¯s rushing me to get stuff done. Something Magikarp is up, I tell you! She gets this way when there¡¯s a secret appointment I have to keep. I¡¯ll sniff around. 8:54 p.m. - Rhea: Nova loved it, too! Can¡¯t wait to do it again. Let us know when you got some time. <3 Nova¡¯s fur stood on end as she jumped up and down nervously, stopping their conversation; Rhea was a little confused when she asked her to call her mom. All the other Pokemon became serious as Pikachu and Piplup returned with food for Rhea, making her stomach roar. ¡°Thanks, guys,¡± she said, accepting the dinner as the serving staff entered to drop off more trays for her. ¡°Oh¡ªeh-heh, I guess I have a pretty big appetite right now. Thanks.¡± The staff nodded silently with serene smiles and left with a light bow. ¡°So¡­ what¡¯s up Nova?¡± she asked, as Pikachu and Piplup listened to the anxious Eevee with all the other Pokemon; Nova¡¯s paw swiped the holographic display on her phone to the Pokevideo App to select favorited clips and chose one Rhea had selected back in Carnelian City. ¡°She¡¯s freaking out a litt¡ªuh, what about Saria¡¯s League battle for the Gym? I¡¯m¡­ not getting it.¡± ¡°Pip-pip-pip!¡± the penguin chirped, giggling and making gestures toward Dawn, who lit up like a firework show. ¡°No!¡± ¡°Pip-pip!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Okay, what¡¯s up?¡± Lori asked with an interesting smile. ¡°Gabs is grinning, so it¡¯s gotta be good.¡± Dawn puffed out a smirking breath. ¡°Seems Chase is finally moving to tie the knot, and Nova¡¯s worried she¡¯ll discover the secret; she wants us to run interference. Don¡¯t worry, Nova, I got ya!¡± she winked, getting up to call the Kanto Champion. ¡°I¡¯m the queen of distraction¡ªhey, El! I hear Ambrosia had a thrilling time with her daughter¡­ Yeah! Yo, you doing anything tomorrow evening? I was thinking about stopping by for a warmup match. Game?¡± Rhea¡¯s brain worked through the reveal as she talked, leaving the room. Amira smiled and went to the deck to prepare the private spa for Rhea to get in to soak, no doubt. ¡°It was only a matter of time with how their rivalry has been. Come soak for a bit before we go to the main treatment area, Rhea.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ C¡¯mon, guys. Wait, is this happening like¡­ soon, Nova?¡± Nova nodded emphatically, jogging after her to join her in the spa, Lori and Amira sitting on chairs outside. ¡°Huh. We¡¯ll have to try and make some time to attend. Your mom¡¯s Trainer is getting married,¡± Rhea said, splashing Mya, who started a little water fight with Alice and Lulu. ¡°Uh, let¡¯s see¡­ My brother texted me, too¡­¡± 2:22 p.m. - Sabin: Kate and I had a magical time at the retreat. We¡¯re going to make sure to be there for your big match tomorrow. Everyone wants to celebrate with you when you win! I know you¡¯ve been dealing with a lot. Hope everything¡¯s good. Dad¡¯s coming. Don¡¯t know about Mom yet. Dad¡¯s looking into it. You know how she can be when she gets going. Amira¡¯s brow furrowed as she looked up from her own phone to study her. ¡°Is something wrong, Rhea? You look concerned.¡± ¡°Your brother okay?¡± Lori asked, tossing her device on the nearby table for Gables to use. ¡°He was in Johto, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, no¡ªSabin¡¯s fine,¡± she mumbled, swapping to her dad¡¯s contact data. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ my mom; she¡¯s been pouring over the data I sent her all the way back in Vermilion. Plus, there¡¯s the whole storage capsule tech from Silph she was going to get going for us, and our big Gym Battle coming up tomorrow¡­¡± ¡°But she hasn¡¯t contacted you for a while?¡± Amira asked, leaning against the side of her chair to rest her nose against the back of her hand. ¡°That is odd¡­ What do you want to do? I can see if my mom or grandfather can do some sniffing around.¡± Lori perked up. ¡°Oh, yeah, umm, my sister is in Hoenn right now to spend some time with Phoebe. I can get her to poke around Sootopolis; she has a lab there, right?¡± Rhea drew in her bottom lip, gut-twisting but also not wanting to put out a whole SOS just because her mother hadn¡¯t contacted her in like two weeks. ¡°Umm. No, I think I¡¯ll just text my dad and let him know I¡¯m worried. Thanks, guys.¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Amira said, twisting her phone around with one hand while looking at her. ¡°We look out for each other; we¡¯re a team. Just let us know if you need something.¡± ¡°Uh-huh!¡± Lori gave her a thumbs up. ¡°We got ya, Sunny!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows knitted together as she resituated in the spa and composed her message. ¡°I¡­ just realized that is also the nickname of Jason¡¯s Starter¡­¡± ¡°Right,¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°Sunshine is much better. What¡¯s next on the agenda, Lemonade?¡± 9:09 p.m. - Rhea: Hey, Dad! Mom¡¯s been a bit MIA for a while and I¡¯m a little anxious. Her cover was blown, and she¡¯s been more active and in the open recently, visiting me. So¡­ I just thought she¡¯d call me by now. I was a little agitated when I talked to her on the way to Vermilion¡­ Let me know what you find! Rhea deleted the latter part and forced a laugh at Lori¡¯s continual nicknames, shaking her head. ¡°Let¡¯s go over some of the strategies you two figured out. I don¡¯t want to be unprepared tomorrow. What about you two, Alice, Mya?¡± ¡°Lopunny.¡± ¡°Mawile.¡± The two answered at the same time; they wanted to train on the hill with some of the other Pokemon while they chilled in the spa treatment center and discussed strategies. Letting her two battle Pokemon run off with the others, Rhea got out to join Amira, Lori, Amber, Gables, and Nova. They made their way into the hall, catching Dawn and Ash discussing something private; they broke away with smiles and laughter when they entered the walkway. It was suspicious, considering their troubled expressions, but the pair were tight-lipped about it, and, true to her earlier statement, Dawn had them on wedding dreams soon enough. She swiftly pivoted to training advice and info on Poison Pokemon as they began their nighttime treatments; they had to look stunning for tomorrow¡¯s Gym Battle. Her father texted her shortly after they arrived, and even Lulu, Meriah, and Terri got in on the massage treatment, melting in the hands of the specially trained Machamp. 9:28 p.m. - Dad: I¡¯m on it! Telling them about V when she got a chance, without explicitly revealing the Victini was inside her with the spa employees treating them, Rhea kept things vague enough not to give it away. It seemed like half her. She was outputting too much energy, which was hurting her. Dawn had no reservations about talking with the staff there, probably because they didn¡¯t have enough context to grasp the specifics, and added to the discussion. Apparently, according to Melody, some deeper issues were revealed once the balancing started; it wasn¡¯t important now, but they were looking into options. Lori, naturally, was the one to voice that she¡¯d rather know all the details as they researched things, but Rhea was fine trusting the two to know what was best. She knew she couldn¡¯t have handled all the darker aspects of her family when she was younger; if it wasn¡¯t worrying enough to talk about right now, then she was fine being blissful. After an hour and a half of butter-melting treatment, Rhea wished her teammates a goodnight and went back to her room to get a good night¡¯s sleep. She didn¡¯t get to do all the training she wanted to do, but V¡¯s comment was bugging her, and she wanted to discuss it with her mother, the only one who could give her proper answers. Lulu and Nova cuddled next to her, Alice and Mya still off on the hill training. She tried to close her eyes to sleep, but it didn¡¯t take her long to realize it was going to be a challenge. Her soft puff ball and nimbus cloud were catching z¡¯s in only seconds, however. Rhea didn¡¯t know why she reached for her phone, but it was in her hand soon enough, and she was opening up her messenger. 11:19 p.m. - Rhea: Hey, you still up? 11:20 p.m. - Jason: Yeah. 11:20 p.m. - Jason: What¡¯s up? Her fingers hovered over the holographic display, unsure what to say; there was a complex bag of emotions stewing inside of her that she didn¡¯t understand. V¡¯s meeting had been so comforting, yet now she felt this pulse that something wasn¡¯t right. Maybe it was just her, or maybe it was Dawn and Ash¡¯s hushed discussion. Her gut just wouldn¡¯t settle. 11:24 p.m. - Rhea: Was a bit of a rough day, I think. It¡¯s just kind of weird. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying. I¡¯m just worried about this Victini inside me, and my mom¡¯s not responding. 11:24 p.m. - Rhea: I can¡¯t sleep¡­ 11:24 p.m. - Jason: Victini? Wild. Want me to come over to talk? Rhea¡¯s fingers hesitated over the display, her throat sticky as strange emotions welled up within her. Why did she want to cry? Maybe it was the stress. Nova grumbled underneath the sheet at her emotional turmoil, and she felt Mya and Alice returning. 11:25 p.m. - Rhea: Sure 11:26 p.m. - Rhea: nO, i¡¯M FINE. Muk! 11:26 p.m. - Rhea: Caps lock. 11:26 p.m. - Rhea: No, really, I¡¯m fine. Thanks, Jason. 11:27 p.m. - Jason: Uh-huh¡­ That was a fast ¡®I¡¯m fine; just go away, Jason! I don¡¯t need your boy-koodies all up in my fancy spa.¡¯ Well, excuuuse me, Princess! Lol. Rhea tried to suppress a snort, trying to stop her laughter as she shifted on her mattress. 11:27 p.m. - Rhea: Stupid 11:27 p.m. - Jason: Pre-Gym Butterfrees? 11:28 p.m. - Rhea: Something like that. Thanks for making me laugh. Catch you tomorrow? 11:29 p.m. - Jason: What do you mean? I already got my shoes on and out the door. 11:30 p.m. - Rhea: Bad, Jason! Down! Hsss! Back to bed! Hsss! 11:31 p.m. - Jason: Oh. Okay. I guess going out for a midnight snack is a no, Mom. Sorry! Not the water bottle, Mom! I¡¯m sorry! Stupid, thinking I¡¯m coming out for you? Pffft! What kind of best friend would do that? Noooo. Feeling her low lifting with a smile, she settled back in. So stupid¡­ 11:32 p.m. - Rhea: Thanks for being¡­ you. 11:32 p.m. - Jason: Haha. Who else would I be? My Sis impression isn¡¯t great; we both know that when I put on that wig and put on her makeup to tease her. 11:33 p.m. - Rhea: Lol! You really did look great in those heels, and you nailed that waving gesture she used to do when pissed. Oh, that was a great time. 11:33 p.m. - Jason: It was¡­ Hey, I¡¯m already going out for something to eat. Just saying. I¡¯m out here. Waiting to get kidnapped¡­ You know, IF you wanted to talk. *Look into dark alley suspiciously* I¡¯ll¡­ totally be fine alone. Have a good night! Feeling better but not better, Rhea groaned as Mya and Alice jogged into the room, and she let out a hot puff of air. She was all ready for bed and settled in. ¡°Ugh¡­ Hey, Alice,¡± she whispered as the bunny tried to quietly close the door. ¡°Pun?¡± Scooting out from Nova¡¯s sleepy grip, she pawed the back of her leg with a protesting groan. ¡°Can you stay with Nova and Lulu while Mya and I go meet Jason? I just don¡¯t want to leave them alone and take off without someone telling them where we went.¡± ¡°Lopunny,¡± she chipped with a happy smile. ¡°Lop?¡± ¡°Maw-maw,¡± Mya nodded, saying she¡¯d take care of her. Rhea sighed and glanced down at the PJs Dawn had bought her. Muk it. Snatching her phone, she slipped on her socks and shoes before leaving the room with Mya in tow. She did want to talk about it with someone, and Jason was the closest person she had, other than family, even compared to her team. ¡°We¡¯ll only be gone for a bit,¡± she whispered, knowing Alice¡¯s sharp ears would hear her. 11:39 p.m. - Rhea: omw 11:39 p.m. - Rhea: DON¡¯T SPOOK ME! 11:40 p.m. - Jason: lAME. Rhea giggled as he mocked her earlier caps lock slip-up or slipped up himself; he really was so stupid. B3 — 26. Flying Into Battle 12:03 a.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Creeping through the quiet spa resort with Mya by her side, Rhea gave the front tenant a strained smile and wave on her way out to meet up with Jason. She felt so alert and awake for some reason; maybe it was the stress, but she knew she couldn¡¯t fall asleep. Entering the cool breeze that came from the nearby sea, she breathed in deeply, feeling the gentle pull against her pajamas. The sidewalks were fairly still, considering the activities that had been going on all day; perhaps it was celebration fatigue, and everyone would be back when noon came around. The streets were quiet, with even the Pokemon settling in for the night, giving the place a peaceful vibe that contrasted the eerie stillness of Lavender City. It had been a long time since she¡¯d snuck out and just walked the night to settle her nerves. Rhea took her phone out of her pocket and smiled as Jason¡¯s GPS data linked to her map app and guided her to his location. Slipping it back inside her pajamas, she rubbed Mya¡¯s bouncing second head, getting a smile from her steely girl. She knew Alice would have loved to spend more time with Sunny, but the poor guy probably needed some time to work up the nerves to hang around with her rapidly maturing Lopunny. The next time they did meet, Alice would probably be an adult. Taking in the night, she slowed as an officer slid by in his police car; he flipped around and rolled down his window. Rhea kept her pace, talking to the one in the passenger seat. ¡°Out late tonight, ma¡¯am. Can we help you with anything?¡± Mya glared at them, but Rhea knew they were probably just checking to see if she wasn¡¯t drunk or couldn¡¯t find her way home, among many other problems; it was a common thing in movies. ¡°I¡¯m doing fine. Thanks for stopping to check on me. I¡¯m just a little nervous about my Gym Battle tomorrow and can¡¯t sleep. I¡¯m meeting up with my best friend to talk and get a late-night snack.¡± ¡°Oh.¡± The older man¡¯s eyebrows rose upon getting a clearer look at her under the street lamps. ¡°Rhea, right¡ªChampion Cynthia¡¯s daughter?¡± ¡°Niece,¡± the driver piped up. ¡°Grandmaster Keith¡¯s daughter¡ªSabin¡¯s sister¡ªyou know, the one that was the first to beat the new Fairy Gym at Silver-tier?¡± ¡°Right! Haha. Keep up the good work; you¡¯re going places,¡± he said, glancing over at the computer screen to likely confirm she was registered for a match at the Gym. ¡°Just give the station a call if you need anything, and we¡¯ll have to check out your match tomorrow.¡± ¡°Will do!¡± she chimed, waving them off. ¡°Have a good night, ma¡¯am.¡± They nodded and pulled away; it made her feel a bit better knowing the streets were well-patrolled, keeping things in order. Rhea watched them pull around the corner. ¡°They were nice.¡± ¡°Mawile.¡± ¡°Haaa. I do like the air here better than Saffron,¡± she commented, continuing on their path to the convenience store. It was a warm night, despite the cool breeze. She spotted several drunk partiers being helped by the active police force patrolling the roads, including intoxicated Pokemon that needed to be moved off the road upon reaching the side routes. Surprisingly, there was only a little trash littering the city after such a massive festival. It took nearly thirty-five minutes to reach an open store between their hotels, and Rhea spotted Jason standing inside the window with his Galarian Zigzagoon resting on his shoulders; Lori would occasionally comment on the Pokemon whenever they¡¯d watch some of Jason¡¯s matches, drooling over the Dark-Type raccoon. Just like her, he wore his sleeping outfit: shorts, a white tank, and flip-flops. She slowed on her path to the front door, studying him browse through some of the local magazines. He really has filled out a lot since we started our journey, she whispered to Mya, likely not knowing exactly what she was getting at. He¡¯s glowing up. ¡°Hey, Jason!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± He lifted his head with his Zigzagoon, a half-smile lifting his lips. ¡°Well, someone looks comfy. Want to grab some snacks and hit up a nearby park for a late-night picnic? I brought our emergency tarp!¡± he sang with a grin while pointing at the item. ¡°Hah. Sure. That sounds nice.¡± Going through the store, they got a few healthy and not-so-healthy snacks and hit the sidewalk, bags swinging in their hands. Mya helped to carry some stuff, wanting to be useful while chatting with the sociable Zigzagoon. Jason had one hand in his shorts pocket and the other holding most of the bagged goods; he glanced down at her, elbow lightly nudging her as they came to a stop, waiting for the pedestrian sign to flip on. ¡°I saw the post on PikaBook. Nova had a good time with her mom and evolved into a Flareon. Talk about awesome. Alice and Mya have been training hard, too?¡± ¡°Maw-Maw!¡± ¡°Haha! Yeah, I see those muscles,¡± Jason grinned as Mya held up her arm to flex. ¡°You¡¯ve been going hard! Have¡­ you been going a bit too hard, Rhea? I¡¯ve seen you being kind of hot and cold recently. My sister says Sabin seems a bit off, too, and suddenly he¡¯s zipping her off to some super-ritzy spa retreat. I¡¯m worried about you guys.¡± Rhea puffed out a long sigh, looking up at the half-moon in the sky, feeling surprisingly relaxed with Jason walking beside her. ¡°True. A lot¡¯s been happening¡­ Gyms, raising Legendaries, family secrets, the jump to Silver¡­ my mom vanishing. Ugh. Then I have this Aura training stuff and problems with my Aura¡­ Remembering the Victini inside me. Haha-haaa. Where to start?¡± Jason sucked in his cheeks and nodded as the pedestrian sign flipped on. Continuing across the intersection, he parsed through the baggage she¡¯d dropped, selecting what one to tackle first. ¡°What¡¯s going on with your mom? Hah. I know she makes you pull your hair out a lot, but from all those things¡­ it sounds like that is what¡¯s bothering you the most. What is she wrapped up in now?¡± ¡°Pfft. How should I know?¡± Rhea grumbled, scratching her forehead. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ usually someone knows where she is or what she¡¯s doing. I don¡¯t know, it just feels like everyone else is left in the dark, too¡­¡± ¡°And Malva burned your mom¡¯s cover,¡± Jason finished, reaching up to scratch his raccoon¡¯s head. ¡°She¡¯s got a lot of enemies, and she¡¯s been coming around a lot more often, broadcasting her presence since you¡¯re a pretty public figure right now.¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Rhea fumed. ¡°Mmgm¡­ You know, in Apple City, she told me she could be kidnapped by aliens¡ªlike that was supposed to make me giggle inside learning aliens were real!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he hissed. ¡°That would be something your mom would do. It¡¯s not like you¡¯ve worried your entire life she¡¯d get kidnapped by some random criminal organization, and now you¡¯ve got aliens to add to the threat list.¡± ¡°How come she can¡¯t get that?¡± Rhea grunted, rolling her eyes and glaring at the street signs as Jason led the way. ¡°She¡¯s so stupid. How is Kate?¡± Jason¡¯s brow rose at the redirect. ¡°Uh¡­ no, like I said, my big sis has been on a roller coaster with your brother recently. One minute they¡¯re training like there is no tomorrow, and the next second he¡¯s back to his chill vibes, taking her on a dreamy date. She¡¯s either calling our mom to let off steam or drooling over how sweet and amazing he is. My mom couldn¡¯t get anything from your dad when she called, either.¡± ¡°So¡­ he hasn¡¯t told Kate yet¡­¡± Rhea thought back to the chat she¡¯d had with her big brother and how he doubted if he could be as strong as their dad in holding it together for Kate. ¡°Family secrets part, huh?¡± he asked. ¡°Well, if Sabin¡¯s not coming clean to Kate, I don¡¯t expect an answer. Just know I¡¯m worried about you.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t respond for a few minutes. The problem was that Jason and Kate¡¯s parents probably did know a lot about their parents¡¯ past; it would be why their mom would go to her dad instead of her mom. It was just they didn¡¯t know all the details or that it was the problem. ¡°Hey,¡± she whispered, hazing across the half-lit park as they arrived. ¡°Are you sure you¡¯re okay with talking to me about this Muk? I don¡¯t want to just dump a ton of Garbador on you when you¡¯re dealing with your own stuff¡­ I know it must be scary going to Kalos.¡± ¡°Are you kidding me?¡± Jason laughed and moved closer to pull her into a one-armed hug. ¡°I¡¯m here, aren¡¯t I? You want to talk, I¡¯m here. If not, we can vibe. I¡¯m here for you.¡± Resting her head against his chest, she puffed out a hot breath and smiled, feeling a lot of the stress in her chest go with it. ¡°Option three.¡± ¡°Both?¡± ¡°Both.¡± A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°I¡¯m down. Take as much time as you need; hey, Kite, you good with showing Mya some of the skills you learned?¡± ¡°Zig-za! Zig?¡± ¡°Mawile¡­ Maw-maw.¡± Her steely girl hugged her leg, letting her know she was here for her, too, before jogging after the slippery raccoon. Sad tears fell down her cheeks rather than the hard, uncontrollable kind, and Jason pulled her into a full hug; her bag fell from her lip grip as his arms pressed against her back. ¡°I¡¯ve got you.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t know for what reason she was crying; it just came out, and it felt good to have someone she trusted to be here to hold her. She wasn¡¯t bothered being puffy-cheeked and teary-eyed in front of her best friend; it was nothing he hadn¡¯t seen before, and he¡¯d been the cause of it more times than she could count, including the Mankey fiasco they¡¯d been a part of. Eventually, she calmed down and pulled away, laughing at their time together a few days back, when he¡¯d gotten her the Mankey plushy to remind her of that eventful memory. Somehow, he always managed to make her laugh, no matter how deep she felt in the Muk. She pulled him to a greeny spot that gave them a full view of Mya and Kite as they went through mock battles, and she helped Jason set up the picnic, giving him a teary-eyed, smiling glare when noticing the napkins he¡¯d somehow snuck into the bag from the convenient store bathroom. ¡°Do I know you, or what?¡± he asked with a wry smile, rubbing away the water threatening to leave his eyes. ¡°Mind sliding me one of those? Seems I got something stuck in my eye.¡± ¡°Of course you did. Hehe. Thanks for asking me to come out.¡± ¡°Thanks for accepting! To be honest¡­ I was having trouble sleeping, too.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Rhea asked, accepting some of the overpriced and low-quality sandwich supplies they¡¯d bought from the late-night store. ¡°You never had trouble sleeping when we were growing up. Is it going out of Kanto?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± He leaned back, dabbing at his eyes and watching her make their sandwiches, knowing she liked to do something with her hands to keep busy. ¡°I think that¡¯s a part of it¡­ Haaa. I¡¯m just realizing a lot now that I¡¯m committed to going¡ªI¡¯ll miss a lot¡­ Being close to my parents, my sister¡­ you. It¡¯s just kind of¡­ settling in.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll miss you, too,¡± she whispered, spreading the condiment packets on the vegetable sandwiches. ¡°You leave¡­ well, tomorrow night since it¡¯s Saturday.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± he mumbled, following their Pokemon before spotting a few other people, mostly duos, making their way onto the walking trail around the park. ¡°It¡¯s harder than I thought¡­ but I know I need to do it to figure some things out¡ªkind of like a self-enforced ultimatum.¡± Rhea handed him his sandwich and started on Mya and Kite¡¯s. ¡°Thanks.¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ So, do you want to know what¡¯s crazy?¡± ¡°A Victini inside you?¡± he asked between bites. ¡°¡­I¡¯m not completely human.¡± Jason¡¯s chewing stopped. ¡°Okay¡ªyou¡¯re going to have to explain that one if I¡¯m going to understand that bomb drop. Don¡¯t tell me, breeding experiment by your mother; nightmare-inducing terrors? I can see Sabin going through these mood swings if you somehow got hurt. He¡¯d freak if something happened to you.¡± ¡°Haaa. That is my big brother,¡± Rhea mumbled, calling the two Pokemon over to get their own snacks. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ complicated. Outside of the family, I don¡¯t think anyone other than Amira and Lori knows what I¡¯m about to tell you.¡± ¡°Okay.¡± He settled in, taking on a serious expression. ¡°You¡¯ve got my full attention. Whatever it is, it isn¡¯t going to change my opinion of who you are. Just don¡¯t tell me you can shoot Hyper Beams out of your eyes. ¡®Cause that¡¯d be awesome, and I¡¯d be jealous!¡± Rhea giggled as his serious tone fractured at the end. ¡°You¡¯re hilarious. I might, so you better watch out!¡± ¡°Point taken, Ms. Laser Eyes! Lay it on me.¡± Rhea cooled her thoughts and told Jason everything she¡¯d been struggling with; he read the mood and helped her laugh when she needed it or cry when the stress got too much, scooting closer to hold her hand or pull her into a hug. As it neared 2 a.m., Mya and Kite came back to sit beside her, the Zigzagoon, cuddling up in her lap and looking up at her with sympathetic, big eyes. Rhea wondered if Nova might get jealous or suspicious in the morning when she smelled his scent on her pajamas. Jason was quiet most of the time, letting her talk and express what was in her heart. She needed someone to talk to about all the insanity that had gripped her since going out on this journey, and he was there to listen and support her, as he always had. By 2:40 a.m., she¡¯d expelled all her secrets and stress, suddenly feeling exhausted after the roller coaster of emotion, but Jason looked as solid as ever. ¡°So¡­ that¡¯s it,¡± she sniffed, using her sleeve to wipe her wet cheeks after using all the tissue. ¡°Isn¡¯t my life a mess? Ugh. Great. My eyes are getting heavy.¡± ¡°A total mess,¡± Jason agreed with a gentle smile, squeezing her hand comfortingly. ¡°I¡¯m on your side 100%, and I want to talk about it more with you, but maybe we should save this for tonight or tomorrow. What do you say; walk you back?¡± ¡°Heh. That¡¯s like¡­ triple the time for you.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± he flashed his teeth, eye creasing as he gave her a stare, ¡°I¡¯m not the one swaying and complaining about keeping my vision straight; you¡¯ve got to get up for the Gym Battle tomorrow, too. I can sleep in a bit. So¡­ up we go! Mya, Kite, mind cleaning up and catching up with us?¡± ¡°Zig-Zig!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Awesome. Okay, let¡¯s go, Rainbow Princess; we need to get you back to the dream world!¡± ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re way too good of a friend¡­¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Jason pulled her up and pulled her in the direction of the spa; her body suddenly felt so weak. ¡°That¡¯s why I¡¯m the best friend.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t remember the full walk back to her room, but she was sure Jason was there, keeping her laughing and positive that she¡¯d kill it at the Gym. And when she awoke to Nova nuzzling her nose, she felt surprisingly rested and clear-minded. Glancing to the side, she smiled upon seeing a sticky note attached to a blue-shelled, pinkish fruit-like berry by her phone; Nova or Jason must have disabled the alarm to give her more time to sleep because she¡¯d slept through it, and her other Pokemon didn¡¯t know how to operate it all that well. She reached over to look at the note, reading it aloud as her other Pokemon yawned and closed in to wish her good morning. ¡°A Chesto Berry just for you, Sunshine Princess. I¡¯ll see you kick some ninja tail in the stands, Jason, a.k.a¡­. The best friend with the muscly chest? I did not say that!¡± she choked, face going red. Mya snickered and nodded, making Rhea die inside while falling to her back to hold up the berry. ¡°Ugh. Well, I guess it is kind of true. He must be working out in the morning with Len and Lucian. He did have a lot of self-improvement stuff on his PikaBook profile?¡± The door slammed open with a bang, making her bite her tongue as Lori came skipping through. ¡°Morning, Sunshine! Oh, am I not the first one that mentioned that?¡± she asked with an impish smirk and lifting eyebrows that said she¡¯d read her beside note already. ¡°We best get ready before the last bus leaves for the Gym for our time bracket. Snap, snap, Lemon Drop!¡± Nursing her smarting tongue, Rhea had a few choice words for Lori that only made the Unovan girl giggle and comment about how wonderful of an influence she was. Amira was finishing up her final preparations after partaking in some of the spa luxuries while going over their notes and strategies. She jumped in the shower, the redhead leaning against the wall outside to review some of it as Lori went to get her some of her missed breakfast. It seemed she¡¯d slept until 10:40 a.m., and they were scheduled for 1 p.m. since more Bronze Trainers applied than normal, pushing back the time bracket a bit until after the lunch break. All of which was fantastic since she got to sleep in for a few hours. Getting out, Dawn appeared, swapping out her Trainer outfit for a new classy black summer dress that had a crocheted appearance, black aviator glasses, and dark brown two-strap low heels. ¡°Gotta be looking good when in the limelight!¡± the woman sang, her Piplup mirroring her approving smile. ¡°After that quick tan at the Orange Islands, you can pull off this like the sunny Spectrier you are, Goldilocks!¡± ¡°She¡¯s a yellow-maned dead horse with bad hair? Great pep-talk, Dawn,¡± Amira mused with a smile, making Rhea laugh. ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon! She¡¯s a ¡®drop dead-dead yellow-maned horse,¡¯ thank you very much! Heheh, and who doesn¡¯t like the mysterious shaggy-haired beauty hiding behind her locks? Her aunt pulls it off great in a few of that younger magazine cover she did when going through that Gothitelle phase.¡± ¡°Gothi-what?!¡± Rhea balked. ¡°No way, Auntie Cynthia went through a Gothitelle phase?¡± Dawn looked to the side with an amused twinkle in her impish eyes. ¡°She¡¯s done her best to eradicate the magazine issue of that seventeen-year-old phase of hers, but I got my hands on a pristine copy of that ultra-rare special edition copy. I could send you a scanned copy of it if you win!¡± ¡°I¡¯m winning!¡± Rhea snickered, unable to see her glamorous yet simple aunt going through a Gothitelle phase. ¡°Let¡¯s get to the bus stop!¡± Now fully motivated, she stuffed down a simple breakfast with the Chesto Berry Jason gave her, spiking her with a hit of energy and making her want to dance. It wasn¡¯t hard to get into the easy rhythm with Lori showing her some of her Unovan Side Glide moves and basic footwork; Lori was an expert, helping her learn how to shuffle in heels. Dawn, Ash, and even Amira joined them in the fun, gliding across the sidewalk to the rhythm and style Mallory showed them, their Pokemon getting in on the action. It was easier after all the practicing they¡¯d done since Cerulean. Some reporters seemed to have caught up with them, but they didn¡¯t interrupt them, instead opting to write an article about them being together rather than getting a comment about why they were dancing. Rhea went through some of the texts during their breaks at the bus stop, and when it stopped off, she got on; the windows were blacked out with their driver being a ninja, which totally went with the theme. The Fuschia Encrusted Gym Challenge was done at the Ninja Dojo rather than the standard Gym. She was happy to see all the support of her family flooding in as an army of messages popped up with the time drawing near. Rhea would have her second badge; she needed to win so she could confront her amazing aunt and see her reaction. 11:18 a.m. - Sam: We¡¯re heading for Vermilion right now but stopped off at a Center to catch your big match! We know you¡¯ll kill it! 11:44 a.m. - Dad: Got your mom! She¡¯ll be with us for the celebration dinner after; we¡¯ll be in the crowd. 11:47 a.m. - Grandpa Drake: Yer Gran and I just sailed inta port, Lil¡¯ Swablu! We be flyin¡¯ ta the Gym soon. Blasted place is hold-up more than a markless map hidin¡¯ sunken treasure! Lance ¡®as got us straight sailin¡¯. Show ¡®em the Dragon¡¯s Breath, Love! 11:48 a.m. - Sabin: Yo, did I just see Gramps ship docking on my way over? Kate says he didn¡¯t post he was coming on PikaBook. Is Grams with him? 11:51 a.m. - Bianca: Hey, Rosy Cheeks! Hilbert, Hilda, and I should make it for the after-party. We got held up over Hoenn >.> the weather, can you believe it? 11:54 a.m. - Sabin: SNAP! Yeah, Grams is with him! Almost got sniped out of the sky so she could give me a kiss on the cheek and a hug. Haha! I love Grams. In other news, Kate¡¯s too thin and needs to put on some more weight. Lol. She wants to die. Oh, and did Dad let you know he found Mom? They¡¯ll be a bit late but should catch your match. 12:07 p.m. - Jason: Figured you¡¯d be up by now. We¡¯re over here with front-row seats! I think Amira¡¯s parents bought out the whole row? Yup. Lyra just showed up with signs¡ªand she handed me one for you. Nice! Hope you¡¯re ready to go. Janine looks like she wants to be on top form, and uh¡­ your grandparents just showed up on a Mega Alteria¡­ with Lance? That¡¯s not just for show, is it, Ms. Swablu? Haha! 12:09 p.m. - Auntie Cynthia: Hey, Honey Pot. I might be a little late, but I heard your grandparents are planning on making a surprise visit. Wish I could be there, but Bi is going to wave a flag for me and record it so I can hear the family cheering you on. I hope Dawn hasn¡¯t infected you with her hair troubles. Love you! Letting all the messages feed her flying heart, Rhea felt ready. She was a Silver-tier Trainer; her family was all here to support her, and, thanks to Jason, she felt light as air. You ready, girls? She asked, giggling at Lulu¡¯s cute warcry. Yeah. Me too. B3 — 27. A Toxic Strategy 12:23 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Amira sat on the bus seat next to Rhea as she got a flood of messages from her family and friends. Lori was still pouring over their spreadsheets and data points they¡¯d gone over in the seat beside them with a nervous Gold-tier competitor. Her parents had already sent their messages, so she spent the time with Mariah while her other Pokemon were inside their capsules, hyped for the battle. Using a brush from her bag to comb out the Meloetta¡¯s hair in her lap. After several minutes of whispered chatter from other people on the bus, Lori leaned over and giggled. ¡°It would be pretty simple to find this place just by using your phone GPS, right?¡± A small smile lifted Amira¡¯s lips as she turned Mariah around to look at her and give the shy Pokemon a thumbs up. ¡°Sure. The question isn¡¯t about finding it, but what would you do once you did? In this forest filled with ninja Pokemon and spies in every tree, how far do you think you¡¯d get before getting sniped by a Spinarak?¡± ¡°True¡­ Yeah, I can¡¯t see why you¡¯d want to sneak in anyway,¡± she whispered. ¡°What would they have that¡¯s worth stealing?¡± Amira shrugged, not particularly interested in the topic, so Lori roped the guy next to her into spit-balling ideas to pass the time. Throughout the thirty-minute, bumpy ride to the dojo, Amira talked with her Pokemon and went over their strategies; she wouldn¡¯t be made a fool in front of most of her family, especially her grandfather and father. When the bus came to a stop, she took a deep breath before nudging and smiling at Rhea. The blonde returned the look, but Amira could see her nerves rising with so many people there to cheer her on. Lori seemed to be as carefree as always, a defense mechanism Amira had noticed in her teammate. ¡°You¡¯ll both do great,¡± she encouraged, getting up to file out with the passengers. ¡°Our Pokemon have been practicing together for weeks, and we went over a ton of Pokemon Janine can use.¡± Rhea tried to show a toothy smile. ¡°Yeah¡­ I feel like we kind of got off easy with my last badge because she was planning on using Spite but decided against it after seeing my Battle Dome match. No! We did good. Umm, yeah, we just need to believe in ourselves.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, Lemonade!¡± Lori cheered. ¡°We¡¯re going to kick¡ªwoah¡­ Is this place for real?¡± The bright overhead sun momentarily blinded Amira as she got out, prompting her to put on her sunglasses; her nerves were starting to get to her. When the red-tinted landscape came into focus, she was met by a vibrant, hilly area spotted with the old-fashioned and traditional architecture of Fuchsia¡¯s past. Ninja facilities and towering castle-like structures poked out of the woods at various heights, and Poison-Type Pokemon filled the trees, roofs, bridges, and air. Fully clothed students of the dojo sat everywhere, and some even hung upside down on branches or the overhanging roofs; it was like they were the show. ¡°Crazy,¡± Lori mumbled, scooting closer to them as a female ninja called for them to group up and follow her into a nearby building. ¡°How can they defy gravity like that? It has to be a trick. Right?¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°The other day, I saw Ash and Dawn play tag across the sky with pre-evolution Pokemon, and I met a Victini inside my soul.¡± Amira followed the blonde. ¡°Right, totally a trick. It¡¯s not like we¡¯ve seen Psychics, Ash getting hit by a Legendary-tier Flamethrower, Ghosts, an underwater sea temple¡­¡± ¡°Okay. Okay! I get your point,¡± Lori muttered. ¡°It¡¯s still cool. I want to learn this Ninjitsu stuff.¡± ¡°Do it!¡± Rhea encouraged. ¡°I want to see you disappear in a smoke bomb and breathe fire like Amber.¡± Amira smiled at her Braixen¡¯s internal sniff that Lori could never match her beautiful flames. All of their thoughts and jokes faded away as they entered the building to be met by a staircase that descended deep into the earth. Everyone¡¯s chatter died except for a few people who made comments, reacting the same way their first time. They entered an underground world, lit by bright beams that were focused into the giant hidden ninja village; Amira quickly spotted the stadium at its center and the path, rope bridges linking the vast network of trees and buildings. The female ninja guiding them took them onto an elevator that swiftly descended to a travelator, powered by a rushing river and watermill. ¡°As you can see, our village founders took our secrecy quite seriously in the past, protecting the Fuchsia City-State from the shadows of our forest. The lunch break will conclude shortly, so if our competitors will move to the travelator to our right coming up, then that would be wonderful; if you are late, then you will be disqualified¡ªMr. Dallim, you are not a competitor,¡± she chided as a man stepped with them to the right as the split came up. ¡°Oh, eh-hehe. Right, my mistake,¡± he grumbled, returning to the other side as more ninjas appeared from the shadows atop the mill. ¡°I thought you meant for us to go to the right¡ªand how did you know my name?¡± ¡°This is your second attempted infraction, Mr. Dallim.¡± The female ninja sighed. ¡°A third will have your citizen ID blocked from returning. Now, pictures are allowed¡­¡± Lori chuckled with the rest of them as they spit off from the main group. ¡°Guess he saw himself as a ninja until the real ones showed up.¡± Amira took pictures with the rest of the ten Silver and Gold-tier competitors that had waited until the last bus like them. They were taken right to the locker rooms, and a screen on the wall showed who would go in order, making Amira laugh. ¡°I guess I don¡¯t get time to rest.¡± Rhea¡¯s shoulders drooped. ¡°Sorry for sleeping in, I just¡ª¡± ¡°No need to explain,¡± Amira returned, cutting the blonde off with a tight hug before pulling away. ¡°Let¡¯s just do our best. Mind watching Mariah, Rhea?¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± Bending down to pick up the Meloetta, she kissed her forehead and gave her to the blonde. Lori bumped her fist as Amira pushed her glasses up and stuffed her bag into a locker. Her name was called, and she waved her friends goodbye before going to the hallway; it was time to knuckle down and get her first Silver Encrusted Badge. Chest pounding, she wished she would have drank some more water as her mouth went dry. Walking up the platform, a bright light shone down upon her from the natural mirrors the ninja manually moved, and cheers flooded the stadium. She was a little surprised to hear her hit song playing in the stands and see people wearing fake Rocket shirts that had her Pok¨¦mon themed in the design. Of course, on the right front row, she found a whole line of very influential figures; even Lance was there, seemingly having to guide the Hoenn Elite-4 couple to the underground location. And just as she saw the signs her mother and her Pok¨¦mon threw into the air, bouncing up and down, a chilling thought slapped Amira in the face. Taking the stand, her gut turned upon seeing the opposite platform; unlike most Gyms that shared the space with many other aides, this stadium was meant for only one person¡ªJanine, the Ninja Grandmaster. In a kneeling position, the purple-haired Gym Leader had her eyes closed, meditating on something as the crowd went wild. She looked to be about as old as Amira, and a swirl of purplish cloud-like energy circled around her figure. Chakra, Amira thought, taking in the sight and remembering some of her martial arts lessons on the ninja style before glancing at the powerful Grandmasters, Champions, and Legends on the right side of the stadium. This isn¡¯t just another challenge; Janine can¡¯t allow herself to look weak¡­ She¡¯s not going to hold back. Silence took the stadium as traditional drums started playing from the ninjas that appeared atop the walls, followed by wooden instruments that clapped and clattered. Amira placed her Pok¨¦mon in the scanning device, skin tingling with the rhythm of the Fuschia sound. She saw the neutral look on her grandfather¡¯s face, staring right at her. Muk. You knew Janine couldn¡¯t treat me like any other competitor if you showed up. This is to prove to the world I¡¯m up to the challenge of Silver-tier. Her Pok¨¦mon fed her their support; they¡¯d trained and strategized for this moment. This private ninja stadium wasn¡¯t like all the other Gyms they¡¯d fought, though, and even if the stage was neutral right now, the environment wouldn¡¯t stay that way for long. The drums stopped, and Janine¡¯s figure seemed to slip away like fog vanishing from sight. A soft voice spoke behind her, making Amira flip around, but there was no one there. ¡°Be calm and reevaluate. Though it may look impossible, there is a solution to every problem.¡± Smoke exploded around Janine¡¯s side of the platform, and when it cleared, she stood at the edge and spoke unto the hushed atmosphere. ¡°The Silver Contest has begun. Two Pok¨¦mon. Singles. May you shine like noonday in the serenity of the still pond.¡± The drums and wood beats picked up again as the floor between them slid back to show a dark abyss, the sides descending in layers that showed various environments, and the one that slid put a tremor through Amira¡¯s tight chest. Rising up out of the depths, a wide pond bordered by lush greenery emerged; an island with a tall platform was at its center, ropes branching out to link to the small trees surrounding the water. Unlike Misty¡¯s Gym, there were no floating squares for a Pok¨¦mon to use, but there were a few dead logs that probably wouldn¡¯t support a lot of weight. Cursing inside, Amira did start to panic as the potential options hit her chest like a ton of bricks. Poison-Water Types¡­ This is probably our worst matchup. A section of the floor beside Janine lifted, giving her a small selection of Pok¨¦mon she could choose based on the three Pok¨¦mon Amira listed as her potential picks. Amira removed the only option she could make as an opener in this environment, Janine choosing her own. The drums stopped, anticipation mounting as the natural light filling the stadium tinted red as a tinted glass slipped over the mirrors. Yellow soon followed. And when the green shade overcast them, they threw their Pok¨¦mon into battle. The instruments picked up again as the announcer joined the frenzy, with flower petals now falling from the heavens to signal the start of Silver-tier. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. This is going to be our hardest fight yet, but it¡¯s our time! * * * Serenity flew out of her Poke Ball, the green tint of the overhead light returning to its normal color as she dove into the pond. The muffled voice of the announcer rose into an uproar with the booms of the drums; she hadn¡¯t felt Amira this frightened since their fight for their lives against the Plasma terrorist. Amber¡¯s voice hissed through their bond. ¡°Water! Why do they always choose water?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s only twice¡ªMisty and Janine now,¡± Holly chimed. ¡°I think we¡¯ll do great!¡± ¡°Says the flower that would be lunch for a Poison-type?¡± Amber groaned. ¡°Why are you never upset you don¡¯t get a turn in Gym Battles?¡± ¡°Because I love cheering you guys on! Wooh! Go, Serenity!¡± Serenity let them talk in the background, filtering them out unless they had something useful to say. Amber was mostly wonderful at giving advice, well, unless she got flustered. ¡°Here we go, ladies and gentlemen! Amira chooses Serenity, the Feebas, and¡ªoh, this is nasty¡ªGym Leader Janine sends out Toxic, the Mareanie! Our Rocket is about to meet a toxic wall!¡± ¡°Muk!¡± Amira and their Fire Fox snarled in unison. ¡°Against you, it should have Recover at this stage. Muk. There¡¯s no way we can punch past her defenses!¡± Serenity curved left, shooting through the pond in search of her opponent around the small island. We can do this, Amira! Janine said we need to adapt. I¡¯ll buy us time! ¡°There you are!¡± she said, blank eyes fixating on the starfish-like Pokemon, her ten tentacle headpieces slowly pulling her up to the shore; the purple and teal-colored Pokemon turned, showing a wicked smile. Drawing on Amira¡¯s energy, five golden barriers surrounded her. ¡°Toxic Spikes!¡± Amira cried. Instantly pivoting, her small, pink pupil fixated on a camouflaged spike ball that materialized in front of her; it detonated in a spray of toxic barbs, peppering the area. Serenity spun in a circle, wide field of vision allowing her to dodge the spray as Toxic drew in a clump of sand, beginning to twinkle with a faint white light. ¡°Stockpile¡ªokay, let¡¯s do this then, Janine,¡± Amira laughed. ¡°This is evil, but we can do this¡ªHaze and switch!¡± Got it! Serenity flew to the surface to jump out of the water and launched for the sky; the bright light overhead made the reflective surface blinding on both sides. Haze worked against all parties, the dispersing vapor shattering her shining light screen. A red light streaked across the field to connect with her, yet not before Serenity saw another beam enter the water below her, carrying Toxic away from her Haze. Muk. * * * Amber steeled her thumping heart as Amira launched her Poke Ball to the ceiling as hard as she could to reach the center island, Holly jumping up and down in her own capsule. High hopes, girls! Holly yelled. Exiting her Poke Ball, Amber soared over the water; she wouldn¡¯t make it to land, but Amira had accounted for that. Paw snatching the rope on her descent, she flicked her tail to twist around the taunt tether, and Amber swung to a line below. Barely catching her wand as it threatened to fall into the water, she breathed out a stressed sigh. She shot forward, racing across the rope, her flaming ears leaving a trail and the end of her stick sparking to life as Amira became her second pair of eyes. ¡°To your left!¡± Amber twisted into the air, barely spinning out of the way of a jet of water that followed her fall behind a low wooden barrier fixed to the sandy beach; the spray dispersed in a light cloud above, making her hiss as the mist did a tiny bit of damage to her defensive matrix. ¡°Nice try, girl!¡± she called out with a laugh, only to wince a few seconds later. ¡°Amira surprises us with a Braixen! Amber seems to have evolved, and what¡¯s this¡ªGym Leader Janine reveals a Skrelp¡ªthe poisonous dragoness Selkie has entered the fray! Amber, what a maneuver! What¡¯s this?!¡± Eyes sparkling a bright pink, Amber tapped her chest to stop the tingles from spreading further as a crack of thunder came from the lake; a field of psionic energy erupted from Amber¡¯s body as a sharp wind whipped up the sand. ¡°Psychic Terrain and Rain Storm; we¡¯ve got a match, people!¡± Droplets hit Amber¡¯s nose as the radiating psychic field underneath her feet pulsed with sparkling light. Twirling her wand to mirror the force, she shot out from behind the wooden wall, the field launching her further and providing a boost to her movement. A hail of fire-dampening droplets emptied from the expanding dark clouds above them, the lake kicking up in the storm, and Amber¡¯s wave of magical light erupted out of her wand, only to hit a shimmering toxic seahorse as he melded into the environment. ¡°Oh-no. Camouflage?!¡± I know how to handle¡ªoh-no¡­ He¡¯s Psychic-Type now! Amber danced back as a black ball shot out of the water, detonating a smoke bomb in the sky to sweep over her with the wind and rain. It only lasted a few seconds before she managed to use the wooden rise on the island to reach a higher rope, but it was enough for her to lose sight of where he¡¯d gone. Ears twitching and scanning the choppy waves, she sucked in a sharp breath and howled into the storm, filling the massive ninja-city cavern with her voice. Power flooded her veins as she repositioned, leaping onto the center platform to use a wall for cover. The twinkling light of her field filled the zone, heightening her senses and lightening her body for swift action. She grimaced as her ears and wand flames dimmed, dampened by the oppressive rain. Amira, should I stop the Terra¡ª ¡°Jump!¡± ¡°Switch!¡± She launched up as a glob of purplish liquid melted through the wall, eating through the wooden floor where she¡¯d just stood. Amber shot three small balls of flames against the water, exploding into steam as a red light connected with her, carrying Amber back into her Poke Ball. * * * Serenity entered the cloud her teammate created, diving deep into the sparkling pinkish field infused inside the lake as a mist flooded the currents to obscure the waters in a gray veil. Learning from her sea battles against Gables, she zipped through it, searching for the sign of something disrupting her fog. The thunderstorm activated Swift Swimming, doubling her speed as she scanned for her opponent, only to be met by a counter veil of dark smog and shiny bubble mines that slowly exited the blackness. Smart, she hummed, hearing the chuckles from inside the smokescreen. But I can just do this¡­ Drawing in a large amount of Amira¡¯s energy, Serenity easily moved around the bubbles; both of them were obscured from the other, but she had a somewhat hax Move that followed its prey. Preparing to launch the devastating, extra-charged Move, Amira groaned. ¡°She recalled Selkie; Janine is going to use the smokescreen and storm to set up Toxic Spikes.¡± Good. Dark purplish force gathered in Serenity¡¯s mouth as she screamed her draconic roar, releasing a dragon-shaped, jagged bolt of energy into the darkness. It dispersed the smog, searching for its target, and Serenity beat her fin, spinning around the Dragon Pulse until she saw the wide-eyed Mareanie¡¯s shocked face, unable to get advice from the Gym Leader at Silver-tier. Toxic tucked into a ball, a blue bubble surrounding her as the scary draconic force opened its mouth to chomp down on the starfish. The second it lifted, Serenity was hovering right in front of her, large eyes shining pink with Psychic waves pulsing into the Pokemon¡¯s mind; Toxic¡¯s tense body loosened. ¡°Hide from your trainer,¡± Serenity said in her monotone voice. ¡°Hypnosis¡ªnice!¡± Serenity and Holly screamed as she spun behind a fallen log, twinkling with a medium glow. ¡°She can¡¯t switch now!¡± ¡°Move to the shore on my Trainer¡¯s side of the beach.¡± Toxic spun in a cartwheel, kicking up sand as she repositioned into a dangerous position, and Amira recalled her. * * * Releasing a loud howl as she exited her Poke Ball, Amber further increased her Attack as she ran across the rope; she kept her body low and used her tail not to get swept off by the medium gusts, fire from her ears, tail-tip, and ears trailing after her with Psychic Terrain empowering her swifter pace. A grin spread across Amber¡¯s fox-like face as Toxic exited the water, fingers twirling her wand as it glowed and sparkled. The Mareanie froze in place, snapping out of the mental attack, yet Amber had already charged her enhanced, focused blast as she soared through the fire-dampening rain, pointing her stick at the starfish. A massive beam of Psychic energy erupted from the illuminated point, enhanced by the Terrain and hitting a critical weak point as Toxic opened its veil for the blast to hit her square between her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t let up!¡± Amira shouted. ¡°We can¡¯t let her Recover!¡± Sand exploded in an array of wet clumps that Amber pushed through. Landing in the crater, Amber spun her wand again, pursuing the confused Pokemon in its tumbles across the stormy shore and sending more hypnotizing pulses at Toxic. Her spinning eyes went wide, mouth hanging open as Amber continued her assault. Twisting in a sharp circle, her tail whipped the Pokemon up for her foot to pin it against a thick platform support beam; one foot on the sand, the other holding the Brutal Star Pokemon in place, Amber pointed her glowing wand at Toxic¡¯s drooling face. Pink light condensed at the point, and a brilliance blinded the area as she discharged it at point-blank range. The support beam cracked and chipped away in the Psybeam burst, the radiance chewing through the Marenie¡¯s powerful defenses; Toxic snapped out of her Confusion and Hypnosis partway through, white light gathering to Recover as she hissed in pain, but it was too little, too late¡ªToxic¡¯s energy matrix shattered. Easing up on her flood of energy, the light faded with the Rain Dance and her Psychic Terrain; her fur sopping wet, Amber let the unconscious Mareanie fall to the sand. Chest heaving, Amber forced a short chuckle, swallowing and feeling somewhat drained, which showed how bulky this living thorn had been. Cheers erupted from the stands as Amber looked up to see the replay; Serenity flushed Toxic out and brainwashed her to go into a compromising position that Amber could have never gotten the Mareanie. After that, she just had to keep the heat up and zero in on the Poison/Water Pokemon¡¯s weakness to Psychic Energy under Psychic Terrain. Good job, Serenity, Amber sighed, holding a hand against her chest and waving at Amira¡¯s mother, father, and their Pokemon, waving their signs in a frenzy. One down¡­ one to go. Sticking her wand in her soaked tail fluff with a bit of effort as the sun filled the area again, Amber picked up Toxic and jogged around the island to let Janine recall her. Amber¡¯s heart froze, fur rising in alarm as the sand in front of her erupted upward to reveal a spiky ball of poisonous death; she¡¯d messed up. ¡°Son of a Jinx¡­¡± Hands full with Toxic, surprised, and with her wand in her tail, Amber tried to hold up the Mareanie in a panic, unable to be harmed by her own spikes. A red beam yanked the starfish out of her hands at that very second; she tried to activate Protect but didn¡¯t make it. Without a defensive shield, an eruption of toxic fog hit her dead in the chest. ¡°Amber!¡± Barbs peppering her, Amber was sent tumbling into the surf; Amira¡¯s own lifeline was too late, carrying her into her Poke Ball, but the poison was already spreading. * * * Amira recalled Amber too late, cursing as Janine showed an impressed nod at their blitz combo; they¡¯d worked on versions of it the previous day. The toxic Gym Leader wouldn¡¯t let them rest, though; Selkie came out, forcing her to throw Serenity into the fight. Amber was their heavy hitter since Serenity¡¯s offensive Stats were extremely low, even when pumped to their max genetically. Janine had managed to get two sets of spikes down, doubling their potency as they fused, but something wasn¡¯t right: Amber¡¯s energy was diminishing far too fast in her Poke Ball, even for what she¡¯d read about deadly poison. Serenity, I think Poison works based on tainted energy metabolized, which means¡­ Our Master Ball connection is more than tripling the infection rate! We have to get a Haze down to dampen it to normal Poison! We¡¯re on the back foot now¡ªall she has to do is stop us from getting that Haze out! B3 — 28. Not So Serene 1:17 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Serenity materialized in the air, the booming voice of the announcer and roaring crowd meeting her as time slowed in her descent; the weight of what now rested on her fins hit her like a Take Down, with the tension feeding through Amira¡¯s connection. The dispersing Rain Dance overhead and humid atmosphere left a misty rainbow over the island at the stage¡¯s center, the turbulent lake splashing against the sides of the stage and tugging at the chained logs, the current pulling them underneath the surface. In her descent, she saw Lyra and Silver jumping up and down with their teams. Beside them sat Ariana and Giovanni, legs crossed and hands in their laps while studying her. Serenity could feel Amber chastising herself for letting her guard down, struggling with the deadly poison infecting her system while Holly comforted her. They had an answer for this that made Amber a decent fit for this Gym, despite the Water disadvantage Janine had pulled on them, but it seemed the ninja had covered her bases because Deadly Poison blocked their strategy. The new Ability Amber got upon evolving could only do so much, and even if she managed to get a Haze out to cleanse Amber, it was still only a chance she could recover. Her attention shot to the Skrelp on the other side of the field as she caught it dip below the surface, shimmering and melding into the environment. She had time to act before it got to the opposite side of the stage. Serenity breathed in deeply, drawing upon Amira¡¯s Fortitude, and filled her side of the field with the dark Haze that trailed after her diving into the pool; Rain Dance could sweep it away, but Field Moves had a delay that they could use. Flipping around in the pond to fly up again, she released more of the dense vapor in the water to provide them further shelter. Levitate carried her into the air again, fully ready to be returned to her Poke Ball. I¡¯m rea¡ª ¡°Wait, something¡¯s not right,¡± Amira hissed. ¡°Why is Selkie waiting for us to swap? He could have attacked from a distance.¡± Coming to a stop in the veil that slowly floated over the lake, Serenity scanned the stilling atmosphere, the excitement of their previous blitz settling with the calming currents. Silence took the crowd as the rush turned to tense anticipation for the next surprise upset. Aren¡¯t they just buying time by making us paranoid? she asked, puffing out another cool blanket of ink to keep herself hidden. Her gut twisted tighter with every quiet second that passed, each movement on the hazy surface of the murky pond making her heart pump faster. Why hadn¡¯t he used Rain Dance yet? ¡°No, they¡¯re waiting for us to switch.¡± Serenity could practically feel Amira¡¯s fingernails tightening against her palm while studying Skrelp¡¯s Pokedex info. ¡°They¡¯re going to pounce the second I release you, and the areas I can release you are really limited. You might not even get the chance to stabilize.¡± Her energy matrix is draining really fast, though, Serenity shot back, not liking this sudden ghostly atmosphere that had taken the pond with the swirling smog. We have to! ¡°There are some scary Moves Selkie could know and hasn¡¯t shown us. Janine could have used a weaker Skrelp with more Moves rather than a stronger one with less. Amber, I don¡¯t know if I should send you out yet¡­ It doesn¡¯t feel right.¡± The announcer¡¯s whisper through the speakers hushed the gentle chatter further. ¡°Selkie creeps through the water like a ninja, stealthily stalking his prey and preparing for the devastating, critical attack. Meanwhile, for some reason, Amber¡¯s matrix is swiftly declining! This is putting pressure on the challenger to smoke out this elusive seahorse. Why does Amira not take this opportunity to reduce the Deadly Poison to its standard potency? Who will act first?¡± Dozens of options came to Serenity¡¯s mind: She could Confuse Ray Selkie the moment he jumped up. Dragon Pulse into Hypnosis probably wouldn¡¯t work a second time, but it could find him for her to land a surprise Mirror Coat for whatever he had planned. Dragon Breath paralysis could give them the chance to pull off a combo. They had to do something! Amber force chuckled. ¡°Amira, I think we only have one option left. I¡¯m down to 70% of my energy matrix already, and it¡¯s only ramping up. I know I got careless, but I can do this.¡± ¡°I know. I just hate that I didn¡¯t see this coming,¡± Amira snarled. ¡°I know you don¡¯t want to rely on my new Ability since it¡¯s iffy, but if we don¡¯t go, then we¡¯re back at Serenity needing to clutch the victory anyway. As Gabs likes to say, let me cook! At the very least, I won¡¯t go down with a whimper.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Holly cheered. ¡°I know it will work!¡± Drawing in Amira¡¯s energy, Serenity huffed, releasing more dark clouds and hating how she looked on the display, just floating in the darkness with a dumb look on her unresponsive face. I can smoke him out for you. ¡°Don¡¯t think I need it,¡± Amber giggled. ¡°He¡¯ll be on me like Combee on Bellossom when I jump out. Best save Amira¡¯s energy for when it¡¯s your turn again. I have my own, after all.¡± Fine, and you could never go out with a whimper, Amber. You¡¯re too loud. ¡°Rude, as always!¡± Amber giggled. ¡°Put me in, Coach, I¡¯m at 67%, and it¡¯s only been a minute.¡± Serenity beat her tail, floating through the air to shoot out of the Haze; the red light of her Poke Ball connected with her spirit, drawing her back in as an eruption of noise hit her mind; she didn¡¯t see what it was as Amber came out. * * * The Deadly Poison made Amber feel like puking as Amira returned Serenity, Selkie making his move right as the Feebas returned, and making their Trainer curse. She threw her Poke Ball as hard as she could in the opposite direction of the toxic seahorse as a sharp gust of wind swept her bound red hair to the left. ¡°Twister?!¡± Amber burst out of her capsule above the blackness, unable to see the rope inside it but knowing where it was from its connecting points to the island platform and outer trees. Wand gripped in her hand, out of the corner of her eye, she saw the approaching black cyclone as it picked up speed, sucking in the Haze. Dipping into the murky water, she gathered her energy, feeling her increased Attack reset to zero, and with it, the potent toxic force infecting her spirit, reducing it to its first stage. A grin lifted her mouth as the noxious infection gnawing at her insides was pulled into the swirling haze. The dark vapor was stripped off her a second later, a towering tornado of charged water, smog, and draconic energy seeking to sweep her up. She knew she wasn¡¯t going to win this battle, but she¡¯d bet her tail she wasn¡¯t going to just lie down and take the L without a fight. Okay. Let¡¯s go! The cyclone loomed near, revealing the rope as the winds picked up, and deep orange flames ignited from her feet. Amber landed on the rope, setting it ablaze as time slowed, and she launched forward in the flash of fire that engulfed her. Flame Charge carrying her toward the island at an accelerated dash, Amber jumped into the air, the blaze directing her forward with Selkie in hot pursuit; the branch the rope was tied to was ripped away in his passing. She twisted backward, stick trailing flames with her ears and tail while twirling it to shoot embers at the dying twister; it blocked Amira¡¯s sight from her, preventing any recalls. Steam exploded from the impact, breaking it apart for a grinning seahorse to fly out, eyes locked onto her. An enormous burst of white light akin to Nova¡¯s ridiculous Super-Move carried it right to her face; Protect encased her, only for Amber to force a surprised laugh as it shattered on impact, giving her just enough time to cover her face. ¡°Take Down?!¡± ¡°No sh¡ª¡± Air locked in her lungs, Seklie propelled her half across the field through Protect while being blasted back a short way into the water. She was down to 56%, but the barrier took the brunt of it. Mind a little dizzy, she flicked her tail to stabilize her fall, spotting a log in her rapid descent several meters to her right. Flame Charge slightly changed her trajectory to land on the log, and steam exploded from the water as they were both carried under the surface. Coughing and holding onto the log as it surfaced, her ears flared with fire, fur soaked and squinting back at her side of the field, where storm clouds were gathering, the rain getting denser again. Muking monster! Ugh¡ª ¡°Ack!¡± She cried out as her momentum was interrupted by the brace and chain holding the log in place broke part of the wood, carrying her further toward Janine¡¯s shoreline. Breathing deeply, a smile brightened her face as her Stabalize+ Ability activated, curing her Poison. The only issue was her positioning and 53% energy matrix. Floating on her log in the middle of nowhere land, she found most of the ropes on Janine¡¯s side had been cut at some point. She was stranded, but Amira sent her some good news. ¡°Psychic Terrain only changes ¡®Camouflaged¡¯ Pokemon. If he attacks you, then it breaks the Psychic-Typing he gains!¡± Perfect. Her hair rising with the liquid around her, Amber sent a burst of psychic energy in a wide area, causing the water to start lifting into the air. Jumping off her log, she ran across the shimmering surface as a twister kicked up to disrupt her field, Selkie trying to zone her while carrying the rain storm with him. Amber had enough of that, though; leaping into the air and creating a wide, flaming circle with her stick, she directed a massive chunk of her energy to her wand and stuck it through the center. A wide burst of superheated air erupted in a wave that ignited the atmosphere and met the toxic seahorse¡¯s advance. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. The explosion of steam detonated in the center of the field, blowing away the twister and Rain Dance. It also broke her own Psychic Terrain into pieces and swept it into the surf, which was exactly what she wanted. Amber rode the large waves and diminishing psychic terrain, moving in the rush of hot vapor and foaming water to the outer left shore of Janine¡¯s side of the field. She jumped off the fizzling force when she neared the edge and dodged Selkie¡¯s jet of water that pursued her, hiding behind a nearby tree. Chest pounding and still soaked, Amber ran out, shooting a few Embers back at the repositioning Skrelp. It cut through the balls of fire with its water stream, hitting her shoulder before she was able to dive behind more cover, her teammates cheering her on. I know I need to use Wish, but I can¡¯t stay in one place too lo¡ªanother Twister?! Amber snarled and ran along the edge of the stadium as Selkie jumped out to send a smaller cyclone toward her. Sucking in air, she howled, increasing her Attack again; the center stage was filled with Poison Spikes, so she had to keep to the edges. Fire lit at her feet again as the twister neared, and she dashed forward, Flame Charge igniting the grass in her wake. She outpaced the cyclone, yet when the attack dwindled, she saw something small, dark brown, and wreathed in dark and purple light strike her in the face. Her jaw locked not to get dazed, and stinging poison entered her body again while tumbling into a tree. Amber ducked, eyes going wide as a bubble popped where her head had been; dozens more followed. ¡°Muk!¡± Tail flashing white, she used it to clear a path as the Skrelp pursued in its tiny hops on land, far slower but more than deadly with its host of Water and Poison Moves, and another Twister could send her back into the water. ¡°Using the Twister, Selkie launched himself forward to get ahead of Amber! He followed it up with Faint Attack to catch her unaware, Poison Point reapplying the toxin. What beautiful combinations! Can Amber Stabilize this one?¡± Matrix being eaten away again, Amber showed her teeth while flipping around the streams of water and bubbles he was trying to catch her with. She wouldn¡¯t last much longer like this, and it was pretty clear, Selkie wasn¡¯t going to let her get back to Amira¡¯s side. With her diminishing personal energy and energy matrix, continuing to be on the defensive wasn¡¯t going to get her anywhere. She had to give everything she had now before he got back to the water. Gritting her teeth, Amber stopped dodging. A cloak of fire launched her toward the surprised Skrelp, parts of it being blown away by the bubbles that exploded against it; her increased Attack helped to counter most of it. She twirled around the Water Gun to punt him into the air; knowing what came next, Amber didn¡¯t have time for Psychic Terrain, her wand sparkled with light as she projected a psionic blast at the floating seahorse, and a white flare of energy launched Selkie into it. Amber locked eyes with him as he slowly powered through her Psybeam, and just before reaching her twinkling stick, a blue barrier surrounded her; Take Down cracked her shell as the recoil sent him into a nearby tree. Personal energy falling low, Amber had to draw from Amira, and she shot forward to deliver a fatal blow, sparkling light dancing at the end of her spinning stick. I have to end it now if¡ª Her jaw slackened as all the energy she¡¯d gathered from Amira rapidly diminished, the world blurred, and she stumbled. Hitting the wet soil, her wand fell from her grip, fingers numb. The wobbly image of Selkie appeared somewhere above her, a bubble floating to pop against her tingling face; Stabilize+ hadn¡¯t saved her a second time. Not bad¡­ * * * Amira felt proud in her hot-tailed fox as Selkie struggled to hop to the water, carrying Amber on his tiny back; she would have been mortified if conscious, but she¡¯d held her own against a poisonous water dragon when everything was stacked against her. Cheers and claps followed her exit off the stage. ¡°Amber falls after a tough battle! What an example to show young, aspiring Braixen, or any young Fire Pokemon. Oh, and Selkie even has her wand in his mouth! What a sport. I can¡¯t think anyone saw the Fire Fox doing this well, but she held on tooth and claw until the poison finally got her. That¡¯s a Champion, ladies and gentlemen.¡± That¡¯s my sassy fox, Amira whispered, knowing she would be so embarrassed when she and Gables rewatched it tonight; he¡¯d done such a good job helping her overcome her fear of water, but a cute boy could do that to a girl. Her attention shot to Janine as the Gym Leader spoke to her through the console, probably wearing some kind of earpiece by how she was holding her ear; she wore an impressed smile. ¡°Amber was smart to keep to the edges rather than return to the center, and she handled herself well when everything was falling apart, isolated behind enemy lines. She found a way out of the lake, even using Heat Wave to disrupt not only Selkie¡¯s Rain Dance but her own Terrain to get her to shore and stop his momentum. ¡°Selkie seriously had to try with how fast Flame Charge made her, and she made getting close a risk he had to take, getting in range of a Psybeam in order to land another poison. He knew if she got back in range of you, being pulled out of combat would plummet his chances of winning. And somehow, Amber looked elegant the entire way through, twirling her wand.¡± Holly, and even Serenity, gave their unconscious teammate a spiritual hug on the back as Amira returned her to her Poke Ball and placed her in the transport device to be sent to the Center for treatment. ¡°Thank you for the compliment,¡± Amira whispered, rubbing the capsule before it was carried away. ¡°I can say this has been the hardest battle we¡¯ve had. I suppose it has to end soon,¡± she said, looking up at the frozen clock that had hit 15 minutes since their match began, nearing the 20-minute limit until a judgment was made. Janine grinned and gave her a salute, the drums of the ninjas picking up again. ¡°Good luck!¡± ¡°And let the battle resume!¡± the announcer yelled, and Amira threw Serenity into the field. Let¡¯s finish this. Full force! * * * Serenity¡¯s scales glistened in the overhead light as she entered the choppy lake; much of the stage was in disarray by the weather, but Serenity¡¯s goal wasn¡¯t to buy time or dance around playing hide and seek like before. This ninja seahorse was hers. Selkie was back on his side of the field for the start of the match since Amber had to be pulled into a position to be returned, resetting the battle. Now, they flew around the island to find each other, and Serenity knew he would be trying to fake her out by going in the opposite direction. Rain Dance was only detrimental for him against her, so that wasn¡¯t going to be the play. She had to pull him out into a slug-fest. Drawing in Amira¡¯s diminishing energy, she flipped around and reversed course, letting out a draconic roar. The purplish energy dragon launched out, zig-zagging through the choppy lake as it sought out the camouflaged seahorse. Unable to hide from the Dragon Pulse, Selkie spun into a Twister, riding its rise into the sky as Serenity and her snarling companion entered the vortex to pursue; her energy matrix hit 90%. Speed increasing with the cyclone¡¯s current, she spotted the Skrelp high above, sending bubble mines to pepper them and stop the guided Move, but Serenity sprayed them away with Brine. Selkie flew over the field as the Twister ended, falling right for the Poison Spike minefield. Protect cushioned his landing and ate the weakened Dragon Pulse as it chomped down on him. Hot on his tail, Levitate allowed her to fly right for him with her accelerated momentum, while Amira kept issuing advice in her mind. ¡°Confuse Ray!¡± A spiral ball of ghostly light spun from around her illuminated figure, reaching him just as the Protect shattered; Selkie wobbled into the surf and dipped in after him. Spikes shot out of the muddy ground, shooting barbs at her, but Levitate gave her 360-degree maneuverability, her wide field of vision allowing her to glide around them. Black smoke filled the area as Smokescreen attempted to blind her; Serenity cut past it with a draconic ray, grazing the tiny target. He spun away, globs of Acid spread out to trap her in a net, but she went right through it, Mirror Coat casting a multi-colored aura around her. Water Gun changed his trajectory, making her miss her mark; the ball exploded against the floor, spraying dirt everywhere. Selkie forced a dizzy chuckle, shimmering before blending in with the murky water. ¡°I don¡¯t think so!¡± ¡°Confuse Ray again!¡± Spinning in a sharp circle, Serenity used Iron Tail to propel herself faster rather than using it as an attack and swiped hard to generate a strong current that shot the cloud away; she saw the tumbling seahorse in the rush of debris and shot another ghostly sphere that curved to flash in front of his eyes. Nearing Selkie, psychic waves flew from her eyes, only to hit a shadowy mirage. Her tiny pink pupil saw the spiked tail coming to her left; it hit her blue barrier, but Serenity¡¯s tail shone a bright gray as she spun to hit him square on the head, punting him into the dirt. Yet, a moment later, he was twisting into a cyclone that carried them both back into the air. ¡°Not a single Confusion hit!?¡± Amira snarled. ¡°C¡¯mon!¡± Holly was bouncing around her Poke Ball. ¡°Keep up the pressure!¡± Launched out of the lake, she scanned the dispersing globs of water falling around her for Selkie, only for the camouflage seahorse to appear at her back. A flare of white light made Serentiy¡¯s gut twist, her shimmering blue barrier shattered around her as it failed. ¡°Game ov¡ª¡± The glow collapsed, Selkie¡¯s massive spike of energy falling in on him to chunk his matrix, and sucking in air, Serenity used the last bit of energy Amira was safe to give her to deliver a ray of draconic breath into the Skrelp¡¯s face, sending him crashing into the center platform. He hit the barrier, but his matrix held; the clock hit 19:34. Muk ¡°Muk!¡± ¡°Moo Milk!¡± Serenity cursed as he struggled up, wobbling and turning to enter a twister; Selkie got partway to her before fumbling it. His matrix shattered, sending him through the air to land on the devastated beach. ¡°No way!¡± Amira sounded spent, and she knew without looking the redhead was probably soaked in sweat with how fast and hard they¡¯d used Moves. ¡°Confuse Ray for the win¡­ I guess it hit when it counted.¡± ¡°Ice cream party!¡± Cheers erupted from the stadium as Serenity floated in the air, totally spent. She was a fish out of water, looking totally dumb while turning to see all the screaming onlookers; they¡¯d won their first Silver Encrusted Badge. ¡°What an end!¡± the announcer cried. ¡°I don¡¯t know why Amira named her raging Feebas Serenity because girl has no chill! Look at that pressure, ladies and gentlemen! I guess when you have a team leader like Amber¡¯s hot tail, then her heat is bound to rub off! What a way to start off this Silver-tier. Wow! Let¡¯s watch some of those air maneuvers again.¡± Serenity scanned the clapping, chatting, and fist-pumping crowd; it somehow felt even better than her win against Misty. Levitation beginning to fail her, Amira called her back to her Poke Ball as exhaustion caught up to her fins; she¡¯d taken some of those turns a bit too sharp. Holly¡­ ¡°Mhm?!¡± I think I need to join you for morning stretches¡­ I hurt. Ugh¡­ * * * Amira brought Serenity back and placed her in the transport capsule to get treated; Holly was hugging her groaning fish the second she returned to them. Good work, Serenity. Wow¡­ I¡¯m kind of afraid for Lori and Rhea no¡ª ¡°Ahh!¡± Amira jumped back, letting go of a choked cry and almost tripping as Janine appeared out of a small cloud of smoke in front of her. ¡°J-Janine?!¡± ¡°That¡¯s a cute scream,¡± the woman giggled. Amira¡¯s cheeks darkened with embarrassment as the crowd returned their attention back to them; she grabbed the towel on the side, dabbing it in a small pool of water from a side compartment that slid out to tab her hot face. ¡°Ahem. Sorry, I, uh¡­ You¡¯re the first Gym Leader to just¡­ show up like that.¡± Chuckles came from the stands as she dropped into a sitting position on the very expensive table, perfectly situated around the poky parts. ¡°I like to have chats one-on-one when it¡¯s like this,¡± she chimed. ¡°I¡¯m happy you were able to show your stuff in front of your family. Well done! It¡¯s matches like this that make me happy that the League banned items. There¡¯s nothing more annoying than a Trainer that just spams Potions, Antidotes, and Revives with not a Lick of skill,¡± she dully grumbled. ¡°Anyway! I am thoroughly sure you are Silver material, heh¡ªwith a weeping Silver father,¡± she snickered, pointing over at the front row. Her father was crying in her mother¡¯s arms. It was a first for her, and for it to be in public? Embarrassing. Her grandparents wore cool smiles, holding each other¡¯s hands. ¡°You¡¯re something special, Amira. Don¡¯t lose that determination and tactical mind. I¡¯ll know if your teammates learned from your example soon enough, so go back, hit the showers, grab your healed girls, and join your family for the show.¡± She winked and pressed a button next to her to project her voice to the crowd. ¡°I¡¯m changing up the order of the matches. Every team will be substituted with another to allow them a chance to watch and cheer on their friends. Let¡¯s get the next exciting match underway!¡± Holding two fingers in front of her in a ninja sign, she gave her a peace sign with her other as a puff of smoke carried her away; her lingering voice whispered in her ear. ¡°Best meet your parents somewhere secluded not to make a scene; I know a little something about an embarrassing family.¡± Amira¡¯s nerves settled as she smiled and looked at the left end of their ¡®family row,¡¯ where the whole Elite 4 were situated, Karen nudging Bruno with a grin as Koga and Aya held up their own supportive signs for the Gym Leader. Wow¡­ This must be insanely stressful for Janine. I should warn the others¡­ Turning around, she let Holly smother her spirit in love and comfort while returning to pick up her shy Meloetta and unwind a little. She¡¯d won. She¡¯d proven to herself that she wouldn¡¯t hold back her team. Hopefully, she wouldn¡¯t faint on the way back because that would make the news channels and reporters¡¯ day. B3 — 29. An Uphill Battle 1:30 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Lori sat on the bench next to Rhea, legs crossed as she went through the spreadsheets they had made for the bad, worse, and worst-case scenarios that could trip them up. The pressure was squeezing the life out of her thumping heart when she looked up to see the replays of the redhead¡¯s match. Somehow, Janine had devised a scenario that had punched a hole right through all their planning. Still, Amber managed to clutch it out with some risky plays, and Amira helped her adapt on the fly for Serenity to make the final push. It was more than a little close, though. If Amira was struggling and drenched in sweat after all her planning, then they were in real trouble. She¡¯d put so much effort into Miky and beating Sabrina that her other Pokemon had lagged behind. Over the last few weeks, they¡¯d done everything in their power to catch up, including sneaking out to train at night whenever possible. Would it be enough? Gables had stayed close to Amber¡¯s level, which primarily came down to the fact they were always together whenever out. Gables having an advantage over the fire fox also gave him an edge when they trained together. Zyra and Roxie made great strides, pushing to the edge of Bronze-tier, but she wasn¡¯t sure if the two could do a regular Gym Battle, much less an Encrusted Battle. This was Roxie¡¯s stage, though. Rockruff resisted Poison, making it hard for her to get infected, like Amber had. A small smile came on as she saw the moment Amber¡¯s Heat Wave blew away the Twister and both terrains, the waves carrying further into enemy territory. Gables was sitting so close to the screen that some of the other Pokemon watching from the side asked him to move; she could feel the tension punching his chest with every highlight reel. It had been worse when the fight was still going. Getting up with Rhea, she nudged the blonde with a grin. ¡°What did I tell you; Amira was going to clutch it out, like always.¡± ¡°That was so intense, though,¡± Rhea hissed, trying to breathe and release stress. They saw the next nervous Silver Contestant walk out on stage as Amira left, a blue-haired boy a year or two older than them. ¡°Twister and Rain Dance is insane. Plus, the Toxic Spike minefield at the center¡­. At least we get some time between matches. How are you doing?¡± ¡°Pfft! Me? I¡¯m totally good, girl!¡± Lori laughed, reaching over to brush back Mariah¡¯s hair as they went to meet their teammate in the hall; the mythical songstress hummed a charming song after her Trainer¡¯s victory. ¡°I¡¯m lying, but yeah. No. I¡¯m totally freaking out. I¡¯m fine, though.¡± ¡°Uh-huh. Wha¡ªLulu!¡± ¡°Neeee!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t teleport ahead!¡± Lori streamed out a hot puff of air, looking down at Terri and Gables as the pair joined her. Her little battle champ of a Legendary was jabbing the air and talking excitedly to Gables; naturally, the frog was talking up his poofy-tailed girl. Apparently, Amber had grown a little self-conscious about her shiny purple fur recently, but Gabs was all over it. Her throat went dry as Amira came into view, looking like she¡¯d just got off a ten-kilometer run. ¡°Yo¡ªack. You good, Red? Amber at the Gym¡¯s Center?¡± A tired smile lifted the redhead¡¯s face. ¡°Yeah. She¡¯ll probably be there resting for a bit¡­ I need a cold shower. Rhea?¡± ¡°Hey, Amira!¡± Rhea jogged past, handing off Mariah as Lulu teleported further up the hallway with laughter, and Nova exited her Poke Ball to run on ahead. ¡°Lulu¡¯s a bit anxious¡ªLulu!¡± ¡°Pwe! Pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°Ne-ne! Neee!¡± Gables waved after them as they watched Lulu take a wrong turn to the left instead of right to the stadium entrance. ¡°Gadi-froga. Fro-fro-fro!¡± ¡°Kub-Kub?¡± He patted Terri¡¯s head as she looked up at him, asking if they should help. Gables shook his head, hopping back to join Amira and her, following them to the shower area. ¡°Gadi.¡± Lori¡¯s attention was back on Amira, taking it slow and regaining her composure by the time they entered the locker room again; congratulations and support ensued. The redhead was graceful as always, giving short comments as she went to the locker to get her supplies. Lori didn¡¯t have to probe to know Amira was struggling to stand; out of all of them, her Fortitude was shockingly the weakest, and it had been a demanding battle. It wasn¡¯t until they went to the shower area that Lori talked, sitting outside the cubical on a bench. Now in private, she asked her question while staring up at the ceiling, Amira out of sight as she unwound. ¡°How tapped are you? I saw how fast the poison was acting on Amber. Another weakness of the Master Balls?¡± She heard the redhead throw her weight against the back wall, cold water spraying her. ¡°Haaa. I would call it more of a double-edged sword. It makes sense that the more energy your Pokemon metabolizes, the faster they¡¯d intake the poison. I just didn¡¯t think of it¡­ Amber and Serenity really went above and beyond.¡± Gables jumped up to give her a sober stare, and Lori nodded with a grimace. ¡°Don¡¯t sugarcoat it for us¡­ How bad is it out there?¡± She saw Amira¡¯s arms rise above the wall as she stretched out, forcing out a laugh. ¡°Ugh¡­ Bad. Almost the whole Elite-4 is here, including her father. My family, Rhea¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°And mine,¡± Lori groaned, rubbing her face. ¡°Basically, Janine is going to pull out all the stops, and that is pumping up the crowd further¡­ Haha! I bet she¡¯ll make bank off it. Hey, if she used Skrelp and Mareanie on you, then she wouldn¡¯t want to use the same Pokemon so close in a row, right? Roxie¡¯s safe from them.¡± Amira was silent for a few seconds, twisting the knife in Lori¡¯s gut as she looked for the redhead¡¯s advice. ¡°Except¡­ she is spacing out the teams now. She could use the same Pokemon against one of you and still hype up the crowd by showing something new they can do.¡± ¡°Hssss¡­ Lie to me, girl!¡± Lori groaned, running her fingers through her hair as Gabs held up his fist and her other two Pokemon gave their own support. ¡°I thought Sabrina was going to be my hardest fight, but Janine¡¯s out here lookin¡¯ like a whole goddess Arceus, ready to deliver divine punishment!¡± ¡°Heh.¡± Amira eased against the wall again, voice muffled as she rubbed her face. ¡°It was the most intense battle I¡¯ve had yet¡­ All I can say is expect the same. Janine is clever, and she likes to combine her ninja lifestyle with her battles. I guarantee you she planned for Amber to be hit by those Toxic Spikes the moment we let our guard down.¡± A shiver ran down Mallory¡¯s spine, recalling the calculated stare the purple-haired woman had given Amira before smoke-bomb teleporting, or whatever she¡¯d done, right onto the redhead¡¯s console to speak to her. ¡°How? We¡¯re in Silver-tier. She can¡¯t give almost any advice to her Pokemon.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t need to,¡± Amira whispered, almost too soft for Lori to hear behind the door and pattering water. ¡°Janine oversees their training and knows the favored tactics of her Gym Pokemon. She¡¯s calculated every angle¡­ and she knows our Pokemon.¡± ¡°Great¡­¡± Lori got up and loosened up. ¡°What¡¯s the play? She¡¯s not going to make it easy on Rhea or me, but wasn¡¯t this your Sabrina moment? She had to really test you. It¡¯s a fact that my team isn¡¯t as strong as yours. We¡¯re not too far behind, but your crew is above mine, for sure. Janine has to drop it down to our level.¡± Amira sighed, shutting off the water. ¡°You entered at Silver-tier. It will be Silver-tier. Yes, there has to be a victory condition, but there is a big difference between a five percent chance of victory¡­ and a point-five percent.¡± Lori sat in silence as Amira finished cooling off. Tucking in her lower lip, she punched her thigh, turbulent mind returning to that giant pool of water, a slow-moving Slowpoke lazily swimming around a platform. Sabrina was supposed to help her get over that embarrassing loss, so why was her mind returning to the torment that followed her since then? Gables reached out to hold her trembling hand, Terri taking the opposite side as they looked up at her. With no one looking, her breathing was increasing, her heart thumping with anxiety about what could happen again. Roxie and Zyra huddled around her spirit, but it was them that she was stressed about; she hated that they knew that, as well. It wasn¡¯t the laughter at Cerulean Gym but what happened when everyone else moved on. The trauma it left on Miky, the pain it caused her other Pokemon, and all the emotional energy it took to get through those moments when the Impidimp thought he¡¯d be called to battle again. Lori¡¯s throat caught, chest knotting as she recalled going back to school again after her extended leave due to her back. All the rumors and biting comments that followed, the girls¡¯ laughter in the bathroom, and the isolation she felt. Len had saved her from all that, getting her to skip class and go dancing to get her out and lose herself in the music. Squeezing Terri¡¯s hand, she strained a smile that said she would be alright and pulled out her wireless headphones to let the music steady herself. How could the heat in her chest already be making her sweat when she hadn¡¯t even gotten on the stage yet? Luckily, by the time Amira¡¯s rosy cheeks exited the shower, Lori had managed to chill out enough to reapply her confident mask. ¡°Oh! Rocking that new black summer dress, huh? Super cute, not to mention stunning, as always!¡± Amira rolled her eyes and went to the mirror to bind up her damp, butt-length locks into a bun. ¡°Classic misdirect from you to mention looks when something is eating you up inside.¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°Haha. It works most of the time,¡± Mallory groaned, looking up at the ceiling as they announced the next Silver contestant¡¯s turn; thankfully, it wasn¡¯t her yet. ¡°Girls like specific compliments, and it works so much better if it¡¯s true! The black and red really stand out on you. Maybe we should get you some combat boots with the summer dress. What do you think?¡± ¡°Uh-huh. Sure.¡± Amira looked to be doing better as she touched up her hair and face, ruby eyes momentarily darting to her in the mirror. ¡°I mean it, Lori. It will fall apart. Whatever we planned. Although, pieces of it will work. Don¡¯t be afraid to do something crazy¡ªhumph¡­¡± The redhead smirked, applying some lotion. ¡°Who am I kidding? Isn¡¯t that kind of your brand? You¡¯ve thought about it a lot, which is unlike you. Now¡­ don¡¯t think about it. Just do. Okay?¡± ¡°Just¡­ do,¡± Lori repeated, giggling as Rhea joined them, a light scowl on her face with her little troublemaker dead to the world, sleeping in her shirt front. ¡°Goldilocks!¡± ¡°Did I miss¡ªhmm?¡± Dancing forward to bring the alarmed blonde into a tight hug, Lori lifted the smaller girl off the ground to spin in circles. ¡°I¡¯m so nervous! Amira thinks I should throw out all logic and just bust in there like a Mukin¡¯ mama Kangaskhan out of a Rocket¡¯s net.¡± Amira dropped her lotion lid, flipping around. ¡°What?¡± ¡°What?¡± Lori innocently repeated, setting down the dizzy blonde. ¡°Wooh! We got this. Right, Rhea¡ªdid I squeeze too hard?¡± ¡°Uh-yeah¡ªwait, what?¡± Blue eyes finding them, she stabilized. ¡°I¡¯m so confused! Koga found me in the hall.¡± Lori froze. ¡°He did?¡± Amira turned back to the mirror, now cleaning the inside of her wet ears. ¡°It was inevitable. The Elite-4 have probably been trying to figure out what to do about us with the Master Balls and the Pokemon your mother gave us. What new rules are there?¡± Rhea held her left arm and sat down on the bench, shaking her head. ¡°No, he told me my dad and mom got held up somewhere¡­ They¡¯d be here but just a bit later. Sabin was with him, and he told me everything¡¯s fine¡­ which means it probably isn¡¯t, but he doesn¡¯t want me to panic.¡± Moving to sit down beside her, Lori put her arm around the conflicted blonde. ¡°Muk¡­ when are you going to get a break from family drama, girl? I swear, you go through more Garbidor in a week than most people in their whole lives! Anything I can do?¡± Amira flipped around to lean against the sink, crossing her arms under her bust. ¡°If it was serious, they would have canceled the battle and taken you there. Your grandparents are here, as well. All I¡¯m saying is that whatever it is, it¡¯s handled.¡± ¡°I¡­ guess you¡¯re right.¡± Drawing Rhea in tighter against her side, Lori snickered as Rhea forced a grin. ¡°When you see her later, you can tackle her and wrestle her into submission as punishment for making you worry! I do that all the time to Cass¡ªor my mom, but, uh-yeah¡­ I don¡¯t win those ones,¡± she grumbled. ¡°Thanks, guys,¡± Rhea giggled. Amira sat beside her and rubbed her knee. ¡°Of course¡ªoh, it feels like Amber¡¯s waking up. I should go get her.¡± Rhea nodded, standing with her to give the redhead a hug. Amira rose with them and gave her excited frog a smirk, accepting their embrace; she could feel the Butterfree in Gables¡¯ belly at the mention of his girl. ¡°Hey, Amira,¡± she said as the redhead gathered her clothes in the cubical, making her turn. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°You know that moment Amber did that upward tail swipe and held that Mareanie against the post with her foot?¡± Gables gave her a narrow-eyed glare as Amira¡¯s studious stare looked between them. ¡°Mhm?¡± ¡°Eh-heh. I think it-uh, awoke something in Gabs. Amber was a spitfire out there, drenched and skating across the water. She¡¯s come a long way from being skittish on your kayak, afraid to fall in¡­ And her tail fur has really, ahem, puffed¡ªack, eww!¡± She hopped back as Gables¡¯ stinging tongue slid over her calf, numbing her skin and making her hop to the bench. ¡°Gab!¡± ¡°Froga!¡± A soft smile lifted the redhead¡¯s face as she exited, and Rhea giggled as Lori glared back at her Starter. ¡°Hehe. Yes, Lori, Amber has grown¡­ Her legs are longer, her dress fur is well-trimmed, and her tail has become quite thick. Why do you think she¡¯s always adjusting her wand and looking for the best angle on it? You should have seen her in front of the mirror the night after she first evolved.¡± The redhead paused in the doorway to look back with an entertained smirk. ¡°I¡¯ll just say it¡¯s not all for herself to look at and enjoy. She¡¯s now looking for the best angle to sit on her thick tail, biting her stick. Keep an eye out, Gables; there¡¯s a mischievous fox behind that innocent smile.¡± Lori¡¯s grin returned as Gables turned a rare shade of red for the ¡®cool¡¯ frog. ¡°Hear that, Gabs; biting her stick, those flaming red eyes looking¡ª¡± She snorted as he returned to his Poke Ball. ¡°Hey, she¡¯ll be awake to see the match, I think.¡± Feeling better with her Frogadier¡¯s ears probably releasing as much fire as his crush, she saw Rhea giving Gables¡¯ Poke Ball a cute smile. Their focus was soon drawn to the ceiling as the intercom came on, breaking the adorable spell. ¡°Mallory Medina, please proceed to the field.¡± ¡°Haaa. Well,¡± she chuckled, ¡°that¡¯s me¡­ Wish me luck?¡± Rhea held up her thumb. ¡°Good luck, Lori. We¡¯ll be rooting for you.¡± ¡°Thanks.¡± Butterfree returning, she put Gables¡¯ Poke Ball back on her waist, laughing as the bundle of sunshine hugged her again. It was nice having a hugger on the team. Leaving for the stadium, she passed by the girl that had gone before her, seeing the teary-eyed smile that resonated with Lori. She held up a fist, the girl tucking under her lip and nodding while returning the gesture. It was rare for people to pass these Encrusted Battles, and it was such a big stage that it could really leave a lasting effect; she¡¯d learned that hard lesson from the pregnant Water Gym Leader. The pressure mounted in her chest as she rose up the ramp to the bright light that announced her, the sound of drums pounding in the background, and standing tall atop one of the floating digital displays was the cute, purple-haired Gym Leader. The screens showed the woman¡¯s appraising smile, a hand on her hip, and showing a perfect, poisonous look between pretty and deadly. Laughter came from the announcer as she came on stage. ¡°Our Ninja Goddess seems unable to keep still, moving about the stadium and keeping the camera crew on their toes! If you¡¯re out in the woods, good luck running from Violet Shadow; to date, not one ninja from the clan has been able to so much as detect her presence. Well, excluding Grandmasters Koga and Aya! What poisonous strategy are we going to see next? Run, run, little bugs, but you can¡¯t escape The Spider of Fuchsia!¡± Lori reached down to scratch her tingling leg, where Gables licked it, and hissed as she caught sight of her family, standing at the railing; her mother had kidnapped Casey and somehow got Shauntel and her father to be here. Muking losers didn¡¯t even let me know they were showing up¡­ Her focus darted to the screen as they went wild again, looking for Janine, only to settle on her at the Gym Leader platform, and the rocky field, filled with holes and burrows, dipped into the ground. Dozens of other field types were seen below, shuffling and reorganizing. Lori breathed, feeling a bit unsteady as she placed her three Pokemon in their slots; she drew strength by seeing Terri jump onto the console to Leer at the image of Janine above them. This was it; somehow, the twinkling, purple-eyed stare of the Ninja Goddess hit her harder than the infamous Psychic of Saffron. In the steam and shifting gears of the shaking stadium, Janine¡¯s soft voice bled through the speakers as she spoke just loud enough for her to hear. ¡°I quite enjoyed your battle against Sabrina. I hope to see a different side to you¡­ Battles can be quite toxic.¡± Lori increased the sound of her song, but the weight against her chest only increased as the lights dimmed, the display lingering on Janine¡¯s illuminated violet eyes, a hunger in them that silenced the noisy crowd. A chilling atmosphere fell across the onlookers as a new set of drones zipped out of the shadowy underbelly of the massive cavern village, and a misty forest rose from the depths to lock into place. A hiss breathed out of the steam as the announcer spoke in the silence, the drums, onlookers, and Pok¨¦mon waiting to see what kind of battle this would be. ¡°This is a Single, Two Pok¨¦mon Battle. Fifteen-minute time limit. Trainers, at the ready!¡± Mallory frowned as the Rank 1 Encrusted Silver Contest showed on the display. Sure, her Pok¨¦mon weren¡¯t the strongest, but Amira¡¯s had been Encrusted Silver Rank 3. Janine was locked into the lowest possible tier of Silver Pok¨¦mon. Would it be that bad, then? ¡°Three, two,¡± the announcer called out, the light going red, then yellow, and Lori pulled out her first pick; she caught a glance at her mother, noticing a nervous look on her face that she¡¯d rarely seen. ¡°One. Begin!¡± The light turning green, Lori threw her Poke Ball into the sparse, misty forest. Roxie materialized before her Poke Ball shot back to her hand, and looking up at the display to catch a glimpse of what they were up against, Lori¡¯s heart iced over. ¡°Mallory releases Roxie, her genetically perfect Rockruff! A strong pick with her Poison Resistance, diverse Moves, and multiple Abilities¡ªwhat¡¯s this?!¡± Croagunk, Lori cried, shaking fingers pulling up Pok¨¦dex¡¯s website on the console as it connected to her private account. Why¡­ Why would you do that to me?! Gables¡­ ¡°It¡¯s Juliair¡ªthe Orange Cheeked Kunoichi of the Western Forest¡ªand she is hopping today, folks! Juliair has just reached Silver-tier this month, but she¡¯s well-known in Bronze, as many of you know. Little Roxie is in trouble now as she enters the misty forest of shadows; it will be challenging for Mallory to recall her in such a vast forest!¡± Her frog would have been as white as her, had he been out of his Poke Ball, but Roxie shot into the misty terrain to find the Toxic Mouth Pokemon. Gables coached the pup as Lori looked up the female Croagunk¡¯s info, spotting the semi-cracked skin of the poisonous toad. No, no, no, no¡­ Dry Skin. Gables, I can¡¯t send you out. Roxie, you have to buy time¡ª Amira¡¯s advice hit her in the face. No, come back¡ªMuk! Muk! How is this worse than my absolute worst-case scenario?! Feeling the unease of her Pok¨¦mon, Mallory cursed and held up Roxie¡¯s Poke Ball as the pup jumped out of the fog. Protect surrounded her from Gables¡¯ swift call, and a streak of silvery light launched through the white, Jiliair¡¯s Steel-wrapped figure parting the mist; she¡¯d jumped across the entire forest in an instant. Bullet Punch wasn¡¯t aimed at her little girl, though; the toad cleaved through a branch, flipping in the air to kick it at the Rockruff. Red light zigzagged from her Poke Ball as the brush fell over the pup; were they going to be taken out in the first fifteen seconds? Roxie¡¯s Protect had been baited out early. This was a nightmare. Red energy flashed to life around the Croagunk, Fighting Energy propelling her down in a Low Kick, only for a streak of white to burst out of the brush, Roxie a beam of light that bounced off of a nearby trunk to tackle the poisonous toad. The poisonous Pokemon caught midair, Quick Attack carried Roxie up as fast as the Croagunk¡¯s Bullet Punch to hit her target. Juliair¡¯s tight-eyed smile lifted in the camera, and her leg tilted, throwing her off balance in a wild flip and carrying her into a new trajectory; Roxie sailed right past the toad, momentum failing as now she was stuck in the air. Juliair¡¯s Low Kick dispersed as she tucked under to roll. Silver light slowed her tumble as she prepared Bullet Punch to deliver a critical, super-effective Steel blow to Roxie¡¯s chin. The Ruckruff¡¯s Protect shattered, making Lori¡¯s heart cramp as it failed to form, and Juliair rocketed toward the Rock Pup. A red beam connected to Roxie just as the Croagunk passed through the afterglow; she¡¯d bought just enough time for the rescue. Nonetheless, Juliair used the Move to ping-pong back into the misty forest, seemingly well-accustomed to using the Priority Move for maneuvering rather than straight attacks. Lori put a disgruntled Roxie back into the slot, trembling fingers hovering over Gables¡¯ Poke Ball, Terri giving her a serious look. Water Moves heal her, she resists Fighting and Rock, she has a Steel Move, is trained as a ninja, and knows this territory¡­ This is Encrusted Rank 1?! No, no¡­ Her matrix should be weaker than Gables¡¯¡­ I only have one option. Lori looked up at the poisonous, cute smile Janine gave her, showing a testing stare that made Lori¡¯s jaw lock. Fine. You don¡¯t know us¡­ Sorry, Gables. Taking out the Poke Ball, Lori felt the surprise of all her Pokemon as she pulled back her arm and threw it as hard as she could into the air. Zyra exited high above the field, sparking excitement as she revealed her Sergeant Flutter for the first time on a grand stage. Ready or not, Zyra, we¡¯re in it now. I dare her to choose something to freak us out again. She doesn¡¯t know just how awesome you are. Tailwind! Let¡¯s show her how toxic we can be and get rid of her fog cover! B3 — 30. A Gambit to Heal 1:45 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Zyra burst out of her Poke Ball into the brightly lit forest stadium, mist obscuring the interior; she immediately charged Tailwind at Lori¡¯s prompt, catching the vast cavern¡¯s upward wind to carry her further into the air to buy her Trainer more time. Her sharp eyes scanned the field and stadium, spotting Karen looking up at her with a smile; Lori¡¯s family was watching. A jagged red beam caught Zyra¡¯s attention as Janine recalled Juliair, and a burst of wind at her back brought her into a steep dive, Mallory speaking to her spirit. Defog! We¡¯re on the back foot here since she gets to choose the counter. Keep sharp, soldier! ¡°On it!¡± Zyra chirped, wings folding in to accelerate toward the forest with her building energy ready to cut through the mist. Keeping her eye on Janine in her rapid descent, the woman recalled her Croagunk as it jumped out of the fog, slapping the Poke Ball into the case and moving to the bottom right to swiftly pull out another one. Twisting to keep momentum, she launched it into the veil. Light blue light gathered at her wings as she spread them, a gale of charged wind sweeping through the forest to disperse the vapor. Accelerating in the gathering tailwind, she rushed toward the place her next opponent landed. Vision penetrating the departing fog, a bright, green glow brought her into a spiral as she entered the canopy. ¡°Pin Missile; evasive maneuvers!¡± Gables shouted. Five emerald spikes shot for her, and Zyra sped up, twisting around the homing rockets; the crackle of Bug-Type energy grazed her back as she tilted her wings to spin around the first. Beak illuminating a light blue, she charged through the second, using Peck to break through the third following it; it was like cutting butter, telling her it was Super Effective, but the third disrupted the Move and made her pivot around the next two. She winced as the fifth grazed her belly; her matrix dropped to 94%, despite her resistance and barely getting touched. Zyra cut through the remaining fog, spotting her next opponent as the announcer yelled it. ¡°And Alenia, the Snipe-Ninja Skorupi, comes out!¡± The pale-purple Pokemon¡¯s slanted eyes fixated on her from a tree branch, pincered tail held threateningly above her head. ¡°Our Rookidee may have an advantage, but she¡¯ll need it due to their strength difference!¡± Lori cursed as Zyra spun around a nearby tree to gain cover as dark energy surrounded both of them, and she spotted the shine touch Alenia¡¯s claws and stinger; at the same time, her talons shone. Her vision sharpened with her hooked feet; just like her, the Skorupi would be far more accurate with her attacks. ¡°Double Hone Claw, folks! Our girls are getting their nails out to fight!¡± ¡°Blind it! We can¡¯t miss our big attack. It probably has the Sniper Ability with how accurate it is!¡± That¡¯s annoying, Roxie huffed from inside her Poke Ball. Oh, it¡¯s weak to Rock, too! Yes! I can fight it, too! We got this, Private! Zyra screeched, twirling around a branch to see toxic spikes explode across the forest ground. Muk, they love these mines! ¡°You can get rid of it with Defog.¡± Lori hummed. ¡°She probably didn¡¯t see us use it before she came out. Let her waste her ener¡ª¡± Pushed forward by her tailwind, Zyra darted for the poison-spreading scorpion, wings glowing white as she expelled a burst of sand-laced wind. Yet, panic flooded her chest when a shimmering chain shot out of Alenia¡¯s tail, the Skorupi cackling as it struck her chest. ¡°What the¡ªugh!¡± The tether went taut, pulling her the opposite way when her opponent latched onto the branch and yanked her tail back; practically fished out of the air, Zyra spiraled to the ground, and her Sand Attack missed its mark. ¡°Shackle!¡± the announcer cried. ¡°A rare Ability of Skorupi that keeps their prey close!¡± ¡°Muk! Really, Janine?!¡± Lori snarled. ¡°Get back up to the sky if you¡ªZyra!¡± Zyra¡¯s eyes widened as she spread her wings when she neared the ground, tailwind looping to help her stabilize, only for a ball of spikes to rise out of the soil. A light-orange aura surrounded her enhanced talons, and she launched at the ground. I don¡¯t think so! She slammed against the ground, Rock Smash causing an eruption of dirt to explode around her as she took cover in the ground; toxic spikes peppered the soil around her, but her manhole saved her from the deadly barbs. Alenia fell out of the tree, green-shimmering tail lurching toward her, chain pulling her in for her pincers to ensnare. ¡°Run and hide, little bird, but you¡¯re not getting away!¡± she snickered. ¡°That¡¯s what you think!¡± Zyra tweeted. Flapping her wings against the loose soil to create an enhanced Sand Attack, the dust rushed up to meet the airborne Skorupi. It struck Alenia in the face, making her eyes snap shut. ¡°Ack!¡± Given a bit of slack, Zyra hopped out of the way of the deadly pincers and spread out her wings; wind catching them, she beat them as hard as she could, taking her into the sky. The chain cut, dropping Alenia toward the forest floor as Zyra reapplied Tailwind. Twisting around, light-blue light gathered on her wings as she rode the wind, twisting around to rid the battlefield of the Toxic Spikes. Pride filled her small chest at the cheers that met her upon successfully escaping the scorpion. She may be a lot weaker than these Pokemon, but she had options, and good ones at that. Emerald missiles shot out of the canopy, but Zyra was ready for them, weaving around the projectiles and preparing to engage the Skorupi again, with Lori in her mind guiding her. Janine had chosen two Pokemon that had weaknesses to Roxie and her to make it a fair battle. It wouldn¡¯t be easy to win, despite that advantage, and with how strong they were compared to her, most of her Super Effective attacks would only do normal damage, if that. All of her Moves were close-ranged, but she had one that her teammates had grown cautious of since the Battle Dome. A violet aura trailed after Zyra as the ghostly energy pulsed within her, and a devilish glint sparked in her eyes when spotting the scorpion. The ominous, invisible pulse projected toward Alenia, firing another Pin Missile. It veered off-course as Spite¡¯s ghostly claws sank into the Skorupi¡¯s energy, chewing at it and making the girl seeth when she expertly dodged her missiles again. ¡°Spite lands, ladies and gentlemen! Zyra¡¯s Keen Eye and Hone Claws have given her a sharp advantage in Accuracy. Tailwind keeps her mobile, giving her the speed to evade those deadly missiles! What a combination of Moves and that Sand Attack really did a number on Alenia¡¯s vision. Our little bird can¡¯t get cocky, though¡ªand what¡¯s this?!¡± Zyra swooped in for another Sand Attack; she needed it in order to land her finisher. She chirped angrily when Alenia¡¯s tail disappeared inside a tree hole, making her fly around it. ¡°Get out of there!¡± she cried, blowing sand into the opening. ¡°Geez! Leave my eyes alone!¡± A flash of light from within made Zyra a little nervous as she backed away a little, staring at the opening for when the scorpion exited. Nothing came out. Gnawing sounds came from inside, and Alenia burst out of the back of the tree, blocking her Leer. ¡°Who¡¯s running¡ª¡± Her chirps died in her throat as the Skorupi appeared right in front of her with a grin, and she barely dodged the chain that nearly attached to her wing; the upward gale carried her away just in time, spiraling to dodge the poisonous sting of her tail. Despite the wild lash, half-blinded, the Move and Ability almost landed with how close she¡¯d managed to get. ¡°How did you get so fast?!¡± ¡°Agility!¡± Gables answered. ¡°Throw me in!¡± Roxie barked. ¡°I can do it with your Tailwind!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Lori shouted. ¡°We need to see if she¡¯ll swap to Croagunk, and we want to save your finisher for a sure shot.¡± On it! Zyra flapped harder, flying through the trees toward her side of the field, Alenia hot on her tail, jumping from branch to branch. She groaned inside when she felt her Defense drop; back turned, she couldn¡¯t return the Move, so she reapplied Tailwind for Roxie before sweeping the field with another Defog as she shot out of the canopy. Emerald projectiles chased after her, slightly more accurate than before, telling her the Skorupi managed to get another Hone Claw. Watch out, Private, she warned, getting in range of Mallory. My Defog should remain up across most of the field for a while, but when the wind ends, she¡¯ll place more mines! ¡°I got this!¡± Relief came to Zyra as the red beam of her Poke Ball came out to connect with her, but her friends¡¯ cries twisted apprehension into her belly; eye shifting away from her Trainer, out of her peripheral, she saw a sinister, grinning black streak of dark energy. It was too late. * * * Roxie tensed up in her Poke Ball as Zyra¡¯s destabilizing form was hit by the heavy blow mid-return, dropping her matrix to 51% in a single attack. Mallory¡¯s stomach twisted upon realizing the mistake they¡¯d made. ¡°Pursuit?! It¡¯s almost guaranteed to hit if they bait us into a switch¡­ Roxie, we have to blitz her down! If she swaps back to Croagunk, it¡¯s going to be bad. Don¡¯t let her get back to the other side of the stage!¡± Out of their Trainer¡¯s eyes, Roxie glared at the falling Skorupi, snickering as she entered the forest again. A blaze set in her spirit as Lori threw her into the ring. I¡¯m on her tail! Landing on the soft soil, she shot forward; a burst of energy shot her into a rapid sprint as she took a note from Juliair. Quick Attack and a rush of wind carried her through the forest, Roxie¡¯s keen eyes spotting the scuttling scorpion in her retreat. Alenia flipped around as she neared, leaping from tree to tree to stop her escape. Emerald spikes fired out to buy her some time, but Roxie wasn¡¯t going to let her run away; liberally pulling in Lori¡¯s Fortitude, shadows enveloped her, carrying Roxie above the Skorupi to land a Dark wreathed fist into her back. Sucker Punch stopped her momentum in its tracks, drilling the surprised Pokemon into the soil. Inspired by Amber¡¯s blitz, Quick Attack carried her back to the floor as the scorpion tried to counter-attack, poisonous barbs seeking her side. Using the nearby tree as a springboard, she leaped back, slamming the Scorpion Pokemon against a trunk. She¡¯d end this early, a light brown aura erupting from her paw with rocky talons growing out of her claws to land a deadly strike; Alenia giggled and blurred, her swipe taking a large chunk out of the bark. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Agility!¡± Zyra called out. A muddy glow detached from her body as Roxie jumped into the air, back feet kicking the forming stone as she aimed right for the speeding Skorupi; it smashed into Alenia, unable to see the attack with her back turned and throwing her against a tree, pinning her in place. ¡°Ack! Not bad¡­ It¡¯s heavy!¡± Roxie growled as the mist started to gather again, and spiked barbs shot out of the pinned Pokemon to bury into the ground. Forced to retreat, Roxie kicked another Rock Throw at her before Quick Attack brought her to the opposite side to square off against the bug. Skidding to a stop, she guarded her side of the field, leer landing against Alenia as she finally freed herself from the rock; the Skorupi wasn¡¯t unharmed, shaking herself off with a short laugh as she dodged her third Rock Throw. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re at a stalemate, pup!¡± Roxie shook out her mane and hopped between the Pin Missiles sent her way, using a tree to block the last three. ¡°Humph. You¡¯re the one trapped! Hah. And don¡¯t think you¡¯re safe.¡± ¡°Oh-no¡­¡± She blurred, dozens of Rockruff spreading out as Double Team carried fragments of her energy around the zone. Taking the gamble, Quick Attack carried her through the minefield, weaving around the spikes as Alenia tried to escape. Her clones triggered the Toxic Spikes, peppering the area with barbs, but Roxie¡¯s speed, sharp vision, and resistance allowed her to evade most and eat a few of them without issue. ¡°Run, run!¡± Roxie laughed, making the stronger scorpion flee up a tree. ¡°Where are you going?¡± Pursing the speedy scorpion to the top, she cursed as Alenia spread more Toxic Spikes in her retreat, forcing her to jump around the trunk and meet her in the air. Fire blazed in her jaws as they both broke through the canopy, her fangs latching onto the Skorupi¡¯s tail just as a red beam destabilized Alenia and robbed Roxie of her win. Jinx! Roxie snarled, dropping back into the forest. A light-blue shell surrounded her to protect her from the deadly poisonous darts erupting from the minefield Alenia created in her exit. Landing on the ground, her pink eyes narrowed as a grinning, blue toad blurred in front of her, Steel-laced fist rocketing for her face. ¡°Hi, Rox!¡± ¡°Juliair¡­¡± Darkness surrounded Roxie milliseconds before the toxic Pokemon¡¯s Super Effective hit landed; instead, her dark-infused paw slammed against the side of the Croagunk¡¯s dry and cracked cheek, punting the toad away. ¡°Muk!¡± Lori snarled. ¡°Even with Tailwind, you only just barely outspeed her with a priority Move. Get back, and well¡ª¡± Let me cook! Roxie shouted, Quick Attack accelerating her after her prey. Pounding into the tumbling Croagunk, Roxie¡¯s jaws sparked with flames, and she pounced on Juliair as they struck a trunk; an eruption of fire seared the Croagunk¡¯s arm, making her hiss. ¡°Ack¡ªthat hurt!¡± Roxie yelped as an orange-covered fist struck her face, the force propelling her away. Determined not to get snowballed, a blue shell stopped Bullet Punch from following up, but both attacks lacked in strength. ¡°She¡¯s burned! Nice cooking, girl!¡± ¡°Some hot jaws, Roxie,¡± Gables congratulated. Zyra¡¯s squeals followed. ¡°Don¡¯t get cocky, Private! Counter! Counter!¡± Roxie didn¡¯t have time to think due to Tailwind ending soon; eyes glowing red, a rush of energy flooded her as her vision tinted, and power erupted within her. A giant Croagunk jumped out at her from within the brush, but Roxie didn¡¯t care; she charged forward, mauling it before spotting the surprised toad swiftly changing directions. ¡°Thrash!¡± the announcer screamed. ¡°Roxie eats an Astonish and doesn¡¯t flinch! She¡¯s chewing and running through trees in pursuit of the Juliair; our Rockruff has turned into a juggernaut, eating attacks in a relentless chase!¡± All Roxie saw were the running toad, breaking branches and trunks, as she devastated the shrubbery, her energy slowly dwindling; she took a few hits, but her strong offensive force dampened most of them, Burn further mitigating the damage. It didn¡¯t take long for her to start seeing three or four Juliair, though, and she tripped, tumbling into a tree. ¡°Uh¡­ where¡­¡± Eyes spinning, her teammate¡¯s voices shouted in her mind as her vision cleared, seeing a slightly dirty Croagunk¡¯s poison-dripping fist coming for her snout. ¡°Double Team!¡± She used the energy sent to her, rolling to the side and barely escaping the blow, but a Low Kick followed, arching her back, and throwing her into the air. ¡°Ack!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s end this!¡± Roxie tucked into a ball, drawing from her offensive energy as much as possible as a powerful, Steel-laced fist hit her under the jaw, sending her flying; her matrix and energy pool hit critical levels. ¡°Endurance keeps Roxie in the fight! Things look rough for our Rockruff! What will¡ªis that what I think it is?!¡± Roxie¡¯s entire body felt bruised, muscles telling her to stop, and her mind fading, but a laugh bubbled out of her throat as Juliair loomed in front of her. Juliair¡¯s eyes widened with the bright golden aura that radiated out of Roxie, her fist hitting a massive star that came between them. Mid-attack, there wasn¡¯t time for Protect, leaving only enough time for the Croagunk to acknowledge what Roxie said. ¡°Last Resort¡­¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± On contact, the star engulfed the area in a brilliance that matched Nova¡¯s unique lineage super-move, and Roxie¡¯s mind drifted into oblivion; the last thing she smelled was cooked toad, making her drool. Mya would be proud. * * * Mallory¡¯s white fingers gripped the edge of the console as an effulgence of golden light erupted at center stage, blowing apart a large chunk of the field and leaving a crater; all of Roxie¡¯s secondary matrix shield expended in the last-ditch effort to take out their biggest threat. She kept her eyes trained on the monitor as the dust settled and the drones flew closer. Roxie¡¯s unmoving, totally drained, and ragged figure came into focus in the 10-meter-wide crater, dirt still raining from the sky. At the edge of the blast radius, Juliair came into focus, shaking and holding her burning arm. Breathless, silence filled the stadium as she swayed and fell to her side, tumbling down the loose soil to lay at the center. Cheers shook the cavern as Janine giggled and clapped. Lori puffed out her stress in a stressed laugh, spotting the smile on her family¡¯s faces. Amira was holding up a new sign with her Wigglytuff that said, ¡®Go, Roxie, Go!¡¯ She seemed to have given Shauntel and Cassey one because her sisters had signs of their own in hand, waving the positive message. You did it, Roxie, Lori sighed, watching the drones fly down to lift up both unconscious Pokemon to bring them over. It took everything you had, and then some, but you cooked, girl. She felt more than a little tired after that flashy end, and it was only half-time. Last Resort used a Pokemon¡¯s secondary protective matrix, meaning all of Roxie¡¯s energy was spent, and any damage done to her would be permanent against her actual body. Swiftly recalling her Rockruff and putting her into the transport pod, Lori felt only pride upon seeing both Roxie and Juliair¡¯s pictures fade on the display. She took out Zyra¡¯s Poke Ball, looking up at the highlights of her swift-moving pup, and all the work she put in to edge out a victory that was so difficult to reach. Her adamant Kubfu stood on the console, arms crossed and nodding in respect as she watched her senior send the final, star-shaking attack at the Croagunk. ¡°Roxie showed more heart than most¡ªliterally giving everything she had¡ªfolks, who could have imagined she would have such a devastating Move?! Roxie came in with a vengeance at the end, and said, ¡®If I¡¯m going down, I¡¯m taking you down with me!¡¯ ¡°Last Resort is something you rarely see outside of war due to its raw destructive power, and the danger to the Pokemon themselves. A simple fall could break their legs or crack their head when falling on stone. ¡®Eye on the prize,¡¯ that¡¯s what Roxie said it took to take this battle, sacrificing everything for her Trainer. Beautiful. What will she follow it up with? Do we continue, Gym Leader Janine?¡± Janine tossed Alenia¡¯s capsule up and down, appraising the devastated center field, a reflective smile on her face and probably thinking back to her own uses of the dangerous Move. Her voice was soft and without disapproval. ¡°Encrusted Battles are made to be as challenging as possible to simulate war-like conditions. Endure into Last Resort is a war battle tactic that has been used to change the tides throughout history. What battle do you think of when seeing it, Mallory? Do you have one?¡± A shiver ran down Lori¡¯s spine as she held her arm, and thought about one of Unova¡¯s darkest days. ¡°Plasma¡¯s attack on Opelucid City¡­ when Drayden and Iris tried to stop them¡­ and were overwhelmed¡­ When Iris¡¯ Emolga used it to destroy the Plasma Frigate¡¯s ice beam before Kyurem¡¯s power spread to all of Unova, sacrificing herself.¡± A somber atmosphere overtook the stadium as they recalled the losses of one of the most devastating terrorist attacks in history and during the Ultra War. The act had scarred Unova¡¯s history books and its current Champion, only a young ten-year-old Gym Leader, at the time, just off her journey with Ash. ¡°A dark day, indeed, and one that shows the practical use of such a powerful Move¡­ A Move that generally does not come out with a happy ending. You are aware that it is typically a non-sanctioned Move for friendly battles?¡± Lori swallowed and nodded. ¡°Only permitted in Encrusted Battles, Silver and up.¡± ¡°Very good. Roxie will not be well for some time,¡± Janine said with a small smile. ¡°So, I suggest you treat her for her bravery when she wakes. The courage to give everything for their Trainer is not something every Pokemon can do, and in a competition, no less. Pokemon are very vulnerable without their secondary matrix. Now, are you ready to continue?¡± ¡°I am,¡± Lori said, knowing there was nothing else she could say as she rubbed her sore shoulder; they had to be careful how they used their energy going forward, or she¡¯d end up like Rhea when she went to the hospital. Last Resort was permitted, and it was the only way they both thought they could get rid of the far stronger Croagunk. Janine likely expected her to swap again. ¡°If I changed to Zyra, I was sure Juliair would have had Pursuit, just like Alenia did. You were punishing swapping with Toxic Spikes and Pursuit, forcing us to get creative. It was a desperate Move because Zyra and Roxie aren¡¯t fully ready for Silver¡­ We realize that, but you forced us into it by sending Juliair, a perfect counter to Gables. We¡¯re trying, and this is how far we¡¯re willing to go to show it.¡± Janine was silent for a time before she nodded and threw her Poke Ball into the stadium. ¡°Noted. You have excellent Pokemon, who are bred for perfection. Don¡¯t take them for granted, Mallory¡­ Despite what people think, Pokemon are so very fragile and trusting. Take your team to victory, and make Roxie¡¯s determination and trust worth the risk.¡± She didn¡¯t feel good that she had to rely on Last Resort, but during the fight, the fire inside Roxie refused to let her recall the Rockruff again against the toad; Roxie hadn¡¯t wanted to give up the fight, especially on her first debut battle. She had to prove to herself that she could hang with her friends and teachers. Roxie was determined, calm, and adamant in believing she could overcome any challenge, instilled into her by Mya. Zyra, she whispered to her team. Are you ready? Her bird chirped in response, telling her she wouldn¡¯t give up so long as Lori believed in her. They were a team, and they could do anything; the wind was beginning to change, and she could see their night turning to day. Fingers moving to her back, they flinched as she touched the burn, steel setting into her heart. So long as her Pokemon believed in her, then she¡¯d go as far as it took to show her trust in them. We¡¯ll get back up, no matter the pain. Throwing Zyra¡¯s Poke Ball into the stadium as the ninjas beat their drums, they entered the final round. We¡¯ll win in the end. We got this! * * * Zyra exited her capsule, Lori¡¯s tension hitting a peak as she sent the last bit of energy they could afford, rising high into the cavern to the ceiling. ¡°This is it! Before Alenia tries to wall us! We sweep for the victory! Tailwind!¡± Hone Claw beginning to fade, she beat her wings, spotting Alenia near the crater, far below her, trying to find her among the dark ceiling backdrop. Time was running out for them. The wind caught her wings, and she put everything into her next Move, pausing only a moment before tilting into a nosedive, the fatal words resonating with her soul. ¡°Sky Attack!¡± Speed tripling, pressure squeezed Zyra¡¯s tiny frame as a blazing sky-blue light embraced her, the last bit of Lori¡¯s Fortitude flooding her veins. Wind whistling past her, Zyra passed the treeline, aura curving into a spear-like point at her beak, tailwind carrying leaves and bending the tops of branches in her passing. Alenia¡¯s still-blurry eyes squinted up, sand still clouding them, and a light blue shell surrounded her widening vision upon seeing her glorious dive and war screech. ¡°Where are¡ªeep!¡± ¡°Aaaah!¡± Striking the barrier mere moments after it formed, her beak tilted up. The shield cracked, and Zyra carried them both into the sky, pushing harder, fighting through the pressure and pain that squeezed her body. Protect broke, and she hit the shocked Scorupi dead in the face, shattering her matrix in one fell swoop. Her opponent spun away after taking the hit, making her curse. Almost all her energy spent, Zyra twirled left and shot toward the falling Pokemon. Grabbing Alenia¡¯s wiggly, limp tail to stunned claps from the audience and shouts of the announcer, Zyra did her best to stabilize and keep them both from tumbling to the field below. No red beam connected to Alenia¡¯s body to relieve her as Janine watched her struggle to set the scorpion on the treetops. ¡°Sky Attack! The strongest Flying-Type Move, and boosted with Tailwind! Hone Claw faded before the strike, but with how low Rookidee¡¯s Attack is, and the power difference, to think it could punch right through a Silver-tier Protect is incredible! Lori set up the Sand Attacks in advance and didn¡¯t even give her opponent to play her games. Let¡¯s watch that again! Lori and her team are risk-taking gamblers, alright!¡± We did it! Ugh¡ªI¡¯m going to throw up¡­ * * * Lori recalled her swaying bird, sick from being so low on her personal power; they¡¯d won, but she was covered in sweat. Zyra saw stars from using a Move she really shouldn¡¯t, and Roxie was passed out in the hospital, totally drained. We did it¡­ Janine appeared in front of her in a puff of smoke, making her cough and back up, free hand waving at her face to blow it away; Zyra¡¯s Poke Ball was held in her other hand. ¡°Ack-ack!¡± ¡°Risky, risky, risky,¡± the woman sighed, resting her chin against her knee before tilting her head to look at the stands. ¡°You do your parents proud, I¡¯m sure¡­ By those grins, they didn¡¯t expect anything else. Luck is on your side, Lori. I can tell you¡¯ve been through a lot to not even hesitate to do whatever it took to win, and your Pokemon resonated with that.¡± Lori¡¯s fingers tightened against her breast, looking to the side as she recalled all the torment she and her Pokemon had internally gone through since Misty; she¡¯d hidden it, hoping to find some way to move past it, but Sabrina was for Miky, not her, and it didn¡¯t help. It brought back the torture of her past. All the fear of her burned back, redoubling with the fear of hurting her Pokemon by losing again. She was shaking, tears coming to her eyes. They couldn¡¯t lose again. The price was too high for them to pay if they lost again, and Janine had made them earn this victory in blood. Her muscles locked as suddenly someone was hugging her, and she looked down to see the small ninja woman¡¯s arms around her. ¡°You don¡¯t need to be so scared of losing, Lori¡­ You are strong. So don¡¯t push harder than this¡­ I know losing here would have been crushing, but you don¡¯t know the price of losing a Pokemon until their soul is ripped away from yours. It¡¯s okay. You¡¯re loved. You¡¯re strong. It¡¯s okay to be vulnerable.¡± A dam broke, fire running up her throat to her nose, and Lori couldn¡¯t hold back her tears. They¡¯d done it. They could keep up with Rhea and Amira. She wasn¡¯t dumb or weak. She could stand with her Pokemon. They stood with her. No matter what, they had each other¡¯s back. Hugging Janine back, her family was soon surrounding her, and Lori felt the wounds left from Cerulean healing. She could move forward with her Pokemon. B3 — 31. The Price of Honesty 1:37 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Rhea wore a smile as her teammates split ways, watching Lori go off to her battle as Amira went to check on her adorably love-struck fox. It was cute to see Gables and Amber getting closer together as a couple; apparently, it was a human-taught trait that was introduced into the wild. For the most part, Pokemon tended to be fairly open with relationships, but by introducing spiritual bonding with teammates into the equation, things could go a lot deeper. It made Rhea think back to her first experiences with dating and hanging out with a boy other than Jason in Cerulean. Closing her eyes, Rhea leaned against the wall, soaking in the chatter of the room. People were more focused on their own match than talking to an overhyped pseudo-celebrity like her. She still felt guilty for not even so much as sending a text after embarrassing herself that night of partying. Every time she went to write one, she deleted it; text would be a terrible way to explain herself anyway, but so was ghosting him since then. Rhea wanted to scream, and the little terror on her head wasn¡¯t making it any easier. Trying to shove it out of her thoughts, she turned her attention back to the discussions the other girls were having around the locker room. Everyone was stressed after seeing how brutal Janine was this week. At least it kept her isolated and alone to think. Still, she had a natural Repel named Lulu, now bobbing up and down on her head, chirping with Nova about how she had the high ground, or something like that. Her sweet Eevee had come out to help handle the hyperactive puff cloud after her teleport shenanigans. For some reason, Lulu was being such a stinker right now, literally bouncing off the walls. Zyra¡¯s been such a bad influence on her, Rhea sighed, causing her three Pokemon to giggle as Lulu pulled her braid up and began whipping it around like a lasso to catch Nova. She¡¯s got too much energy! More than usual. ¡°Nee! Nee! Nee-nee?¡± Reaching up to pull the squishy Legendary off her perch, Rhea held Lulu up to study the galaxy cloud with a critical eye; her reddish hue was stronger than normal, and a short Aura check confirmed the girl was burning up with energy. ¡°So that¡¯s it¡­¡± ¡°Ne-ne-neee!¡± The Cosmog giggled and tried to tickle her with the end of her braid. Chuckling at her childish antics, Rhea set her to the side and pulled up Nova¡¯s Poke Ball. Her bunny offered to swap places with Nova. Legendary Pok¨¦mon seemed to take much longer to mature than your average Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Auntie Alice wants to play. Don¡¯t bother people. Okay?¡± ¡°Nee? Nee-nee! Ne-neee.¡± Lulu fake settled down, putting on a halo with her innocent smile, telling her she would be good. Alice hopped out, scooped up the squealing Cosmog, and took off to play in the less crowded showering area. Lulu held up her little puff hands from within the Lopunny¡¯s ears, cheering for her to go faster. Fixing her hair, Rhea closed her eyes again to lean against the wall, trying to ease out the stress eating her up inside. ¡°Pwe?¡± Eye peeking open, she glanced down at Nova, who was sitting in front of her Poke Ball, looking up at her with worry. I¡¯m doing my best to keep calm. Ugh. After Amira, I¡¯m pretty sure Janine is going to punish us¡­ hard. ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± Rhea groaned, vision going black again as Nova hopped up to press her paws against her thigh, Mya spiritually reflecting the Eevee¡¯s concern. No, I know that¡¯s not what you mean¡­ My whole life, I¡¯ve been afraid of what might happen to my mom. Growing up, my dad was always there to comfort me, but ever since learning how bad this world can be¡­ It¡¯s just challenging not to imagine the worst. A weak smile lifted her frown as Nova nuzzled her hand, and Mya hugged her spirit tighter. Thanks for being here for me, guys. I¡¯ll be okay¡­ Hmm? Mom¡­ Phone vibrating beside her, Rhea picked it up as a text came through. No¡­ Jason? 1:42 p.m. - Jason: Just wanted to wish you luck again! My sister just told me your parents just got in. I¡¯m sure your mom will come talk to you. Kate said everyone was pretty relieved to hear she was found. You know how she is. By the way, yikes! Janine is terrifying today. These battles are wild for Silver! Lyra¡¯s teleporting us in some signs to make support messages. You¡¯ll kill it! Your girls Thrash, so only stress a little! Lol. Rhea smiled and looked up at the screen, where hissing girls clustered. It swiftly turned into a grimace upon spotting the fast-moving Croagunk zip right up to Roxie, and almost took out the pup in a single round of blows. Shocked and having flashbacks of her battle with the Nidorino, Rhea sat a little straighter as Lori brought out Zyra instead of Gables; that wasn¡¯t the plan they¡¯d talked about on the bus. Swapping to Pokedex, she looked up the poisonous toad, and her mouth went dry upon seeing its ability that made her not choose Gables; this toad countered all Water-Types. No way is Croagunk that insane¡­ How many Abilities can it have? Wow¡­ more than nine possible Abilities. There¡¯s no way! Focus returning to the display, Rhea shivered as Janine swapped to a new Pok¨¦mon that launched Pin Missiles at her. I¡¯m glad Lori¡¯s the one fighting those monsters and not us¡­ Poison and Fighting would be hard to beat¡­ That speed, too. Nova softly chirped and nodded. ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Stomach twisting, she pulled up her spreadsheet and started glancing over it again. Nova and Alice were both weak to Fighting, and even Mya¡¯s insane Fairy-Steel-Typing was neutral to it. Mya would be the best choice they had, at least, but the speed could get to her if it was like this one Lori fought. Glaceon was too slow, and Vaporeon into Dry Skin Croagunk was suicide. ¡°Rhea?¡± ¡°Eep!¡± Practically jumping out of her skin, she slid left, knocking Nova¡¯s Poke Ball off the bench; her mother was somehow right next to her. ¡°M-Mom?! When did¡ªw-what happened!¡± she cried. ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± Nova was about to jump down to collect her Poke Ball when she noticed the horrifying sight. ¡°Pwe?!¡± Her mother gave her a sheepish smile, wearing a full-length, long-sleeve blue dress. She sported a black eye, light bruising on her wrists, face, and neck, with several patched-up cuts. ¡°I, uh¡­ grew a little careless. It looks worse than¡ªack! Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Fine, hmm?!¡± Rhea slid up her sleeve to see a lot more bruising and patched gashes hidden underneath. ¡°You should be in a hospital! What about your legs¡ªI knew you were wearing a dress to hide more¡­ Mom, what happened to you?¡± she lamented, causing a bit of a commotion that pulled the attention of the other Silver-tier Trainers. ¡°Oh, my¡ªshould we call 499?¡± ¡°Who could have done that to her?!¡± Her mother was holding back tears as Rhea continued her inspection, glancing toward the horrified Silver-tier Trainers. ¡°It, umm¡­ Let¡¯s go somewhere a little more¡ªmmgm¡­ Rhea, please,¡± she cried as Rhea carefully touched her back, making her arch her spine and lock air in her lungs. ¡°I¡ªI told you I¡¯d be¡­ I¡¯d be honest with you¡ªyou are practically an adult now¡­¡± Glistening blue eyes glaring into her mother¡¯s, Rhea cursed her for allowing herself to get into this kind of trouble; her mother was always putting herself in dangerous situations! Rhea tried not to let the fire that suddenly gripped her chest rise up to her nose or eyes; out of the corner of her vision, she saw her father¡¯s Butterfree sticking to the ceiling above them. ¡°Haaa¡­. I¡¯m trying to be calm, Mom, b-but look at you! Okay¡­ I¡¯ve never seen you¡ªwho could have¡­¡± Rainbow lights took them to a private, traditional wooden guest room with mats and a table, somewhere in the ninja village, no doubt. Hot cups of tea were already prepared for them, but Rhea ignored them, scooting closer to be more careful in examining her mother¡¯s condition. ¡°Mom, just tell me it¡¯s not worse than it looks¡ªbecause it looks bad¡ªreally bad!¡± she sniffled, now unable to fight her tears. Her mother didn¡¯t fuss, allowing her to gently pull her dress back, and Rhea¡¯s tongue logged in her throat; her mother¡¯s back was discolored and marked in ways she¡¯d never seen¡ªa back shouldn¡¯t look like this¡ªparts of her skin were peeling off and a sticky salve coated it. ¡°Mom! W-What is¡­¡± ¡°Acid,¡± her mother whispered with wince, cheeks flushed as tears fell, and she puffed out a pained breath. ¡°You need a hospital! Vilora, take us to a¡ª¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± her mother interjected, making her stiffen and stop to look at her. ¡°Rhea¡­ Vanty has already healed the worst of it, and Brock is flying in to further prepare an appropriate treatment plan for me¡­¡± Rhea drew away, now trembling because she couldn¡¯t even hug her mother. ¡°The worst of it? Sabin said¡ªhe said you were fine¡­ This isn¡¯t fine! Who dumps acid on someone¡¯s back?! Who did this to you, Mom?! Is this because of me?¡± ¡°No!¡± Her mother¡¯s watery eyes looked up, blinking as she gingerly rubbed them. ¡°No¡ªNo, sweetheart. This is because of me¡­¡± She took a few deep breaths, motioning to Vilora that she was alright as she whispered from above them. ¡°Ghetsis, the Unova terrorist, escaped prison¡­ using some experimental Ditto, and he found me by¡­¡± She swallowed and cleared her throat, obviously in pain. ¡°He got to me by impersonating your cousin.¡± ¡°Bi?¡± Rhea¡¯s world began to crack. ¡°No, she is okay,¡± her mother reassured, making the pressure compressing her chest ease, if only just a little. Her mother sniffed back more tears. ¡°She is torn up about it¡ªeven though it¡¯s not her fault in the least, but¡­ she¡¯s like you in that regard.¡± ¡°No!¡± Rhea growled, heat now burning her chest. ¡°No, this is your research¡¯s fault! You always put yourself in danger¡ªalways! It¡¯s not fair to Dad, Sabin, and me¡­ It¡¯s not fair¡­ Someone poured acid on your back, Mom!¡± ¡°I know¡ª¡± Unable to speak for a few seconds, her mother¡¯s cheeks puffed out before she coughed and grabbed some tissues from the table to blow her nose. ¡°I know¡­ and I know you don¡¯t want to hear me say I¡¯m sorry. This was bound to happen, though. I do know a lot of dangerous stuff that people want.¡± Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Her heart rate elevated, Rhea¡¯s nails dug into her thighs; she couldn¡¯t speak or do anything. If this was the worst of it already healed, then she didn¡¯t want to imagine what it looked like before. ¡°It was, umm, Hilbert and Hilda who first realized something was wrong and found me after I told them I was coming with Bianca¡­ since Bianca was with them.¡± Throat stuck for a moment, her ravaged mother dabbed at her bruised cheeks again, handing her the box. ¡°I¡¯m on some pretty powerful painkillers, so¡­ it doesn¡¯t hurt much if I leave things alone. Umm¡­ On the bright side, all of this kind of stuff can, heh, be healed, so¡­ I¡¯ll be okay after a few weeks, sweetie. I¡¯ve been through worse¡ªeesh, yeah¡­¡± ¡°¡­Like I want to hear that,¡± Rhea sniffled. ¡°No¡­¡± her mother sucked in a quick breath and nodded, ¡°you¡¯re right. Everything isn¡¯t fine. But it is fine. Come here, hah, just be, eh, careful of my back,¡± she said through a pained chuckle, crawling forward to hug her. ¡°Why would Ghetsis do this to you?¡± Rhea whimpered as her mother drew her against the side of her head. ¡°Is Aunt Cynthia going to go after him? Did Hilbert get him? He¡¯s not still out there; please, tell me he¡¯s not still out there!¡± ¡°Your Aunt is¡­ busy with Galactic right now, but she is fuming as much as you, I¡¯m sure¡­ Hilbert and Hilda didn¡¯t come alone. N and Iris are hunting him right now, and if there is anyone who wants him dead more than you, it¡¯s Iris.¡± The terrorist attack on Opelucid City came into Rhea¡¯s mind when Iris¡¯ Emolga sacrificed herself to stop the ice cannon before it froze all of Unova. These were the kinds of people they were up against, the same people who tried to kill her mother. It was no wonder Lyra was here where her daughter was after learning Ghetsis was here. Ghetsis murdered millions, so it made sense why so many high-profile people were in Kanto now. The Unova terrorist boss was willing to do literally whatever it took to achieve his goal, whatever it was. ¡°If he¡¯s not scared of Aunt Cynthia, then¡­ what will he do next? Will he come after you again?¡± Her mother pulled away to sip at her tea, likely to ease her raw throat by her tone. ¡°Ahem¡­ It¡¯s possible. I only gave him half of what he wanted¡­¡± A tormented, small smile moved her lips as she wiped away another tear. ¡°I¡­ never used to be the type to give something up to people like that, but¡­ No. That doesn¡¯t matter.¡± She smiled and reached over to squeeze her hand. ¡°He was after something that he and Kasa are working on.¡± Rhea recalled the name; she was a terrorist boss from the Oblivia region who was a master at changing her appearance. She didn¡¯t care about any of that. All she wanted to know was that it was over. She wanted her mother to be safe. Rubbing the back of her mom¡¯s hand, Rhea tucked in her trembling bottom lip and smiled down at Nova, who was crying with her. ¡°I don¡¯t want¡ª¡± ¡°Neee!¡± ¡°L-Lopunny?! Lopunny!¡± Alice and Lulu suddenly teleported onto the table, spilling Rhea¡¯s cup on the opposite side as the puffball flung it away to jump into her arms. ¡°Nee! Nee!¡± Now feeling a bit of guilt from what her Pokemon told her upset the Cosmog, Rhea breathed and patted her weeping nebula cloud. ¡°No, I¡¯m not abandoning you because you¡¯re hyper¡­ It¡¯s okay, Lulu.¡± Her mother¡¯s chest shook with pained laughter as she smiled at her. ¡°Lulu has become quite attached if she¡¯s able to follow your spirit here.¡± ¡°I guess so,¡± Rhea swallowed, reorganizing her thoughts and using the tissue to rub her cheeks. ¡°Mom, I want you in the hospital. Watch on TV if you want, but I-I don¡¯t want you at the stadium¡­ Or Dad, or Grandma, or Grandpa, or Hilbert, or Hilda, or Bianca¡ªI want them with you¡­ Okay?! I need you to be safe¡­¡± ¡°Oh, Rhea¡­ If that¡¯s what you want, then that¡¯s what you¡¯ll get,¡± she sniffed, blowing her nose again. ¡°Haha. Maybe we¡¯ll¡ªwe¡¯ll get another miracle! Crystal went to talk to Ho-Oh about locating Ghetsis since he¡¯s so hard for us to find with the Ditto. And, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°What?¡± she asked, dreading some new piece of bad news. Her mother pushed forward to gingerly hug her again. ¡°I¡¯m proud of you¡­ I wanted to do this alone to¡ªto show you that I do trust you with the truth. I¡¯m trying, s-so hard to¡­ to not hide things from you. I¡­ told your dad not to tell Sabin about how bad it was¡ªI¡­¡± Her lip quivered, and she swallowed the lump in her throat. ¡°I¡¯m going to him next. I hate that I had to tell you this before your big match¡ªI¡­ don¡¯t know if it was the right thing to do¡­ I¡¯m¡­ I¡¯m¡­¡± Rhea squeezed her hand, one of the few places she could, and touched foreheads. ¡°Thank you for telling me, Mom¡­ It¡¯s not easy to hear. I¡¯m upset¡ªso upset! But I¡¯m so happy you told me¡­ If no one is there at the stands, then I¡¯ll be sure to win¡­ because I¡¯ll know they¡¯re keeping you safe. Deal?¡± ¡°Hah-haha. Deal.¡± Her mother started to tremble again. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry for being such a failure of a mother, Rhea¡­ It¡¯s not supposed to be like this!¡± ¡°I know¡­ I know, Mom,¡± Rhea returned, fingers beginning to cramp. ¡°Just¡­ heal. I¡¯ll come to the room after the battle. Okay?¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Comforting each other, their Pokemon huddling around them, Rhea slowly let her mother go to rest. She looked at the Butterfree through blurry, red eyes, and Vilora nodded, saying she¡¯d take care of her. The Pokemon left for a few seconds before returning with Koga, and the Grandmaster didn¡¯t say a word; he simply nodded and transported her back to the locker room. Vilora took her mother back to her father, where she¡¯d lay down Rhea¡¯s ground rules; she was to be under hospital arrest. Teleported into a private shower stall, Rhea held Lulu in her lap as her other Pokemon surrounded her. She had no clue how Lori¡¯s battle went or what became of Amira, but she could guess that she¡¯d been scooped up by one of her family members. Her mother was okay, so now it was time to steel her gut and press forward. Anger lit in her heart as she breathed, glaring at the tile floor. First, they tried to murder Lusamine to start a gang war, then they tried to set Lyra off by murdering us, and now they kidnap and torture my mom?! Plasma is evil! We need to get stronger¡­ Why am I so weak?! There has to be a way to get stronger and faster¡­ Ash and Dawn should know a¡ª ¡°Pwe?¡± Snapping out of her own mind, Rhea looked down at Nova¡¯s laid-back ears and big eyes. ¡°Pwe-pwe. Pwe. Pwe¡­¡± ¡°Lopunny.¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Fighting back tears, hot air rushed out of her lungs as she hugged her Pokemon, feeling their emotions; their raw emotions brought a memory and feeling to her heart. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ I am sounding like Sabin. And I don¡¯t want to make everyone worry about me, too. Still, there has to be a less extreme way¡­ I don¡¯t want to feel helpless like this¡ªI hate this feeling.¡± Comforted by her four little girls, Rhea rubbed her eyes and went to the sink to splash cold water on her hot face. Breathing for several minutes, she went out to see most of the girls in the locker room gone, and the last two pointed her to the order image on the display by the door, showing she¡¯d been moved to the final fight in Silver. Lori had already left with her family to sit in the stands and wait for her battle, and Amira hadn¡¯t returned. Massaging her sore chest, Rhea¡¯s heart hurt. It was so hard to contend with these emotions. She hated Rainbow Rocket, but now Plasma overtook even that after seeing the harm they¡¯d done to her mother firsthand. Her entire journey had been marred by Plasma¡¯s terrorist agenda. A reckoning had to come, and if not from her, then Iris would certainly be the one to see it through. Relaxing the final three battles from the two girls and boy who were left in the Silver Bracket, Rhea¡¯s emotions settled into cold steel; her mother was taken care of, and this was the only way she could let out her frustrations right now. Rhea got up when her name was called to end the Silver challengers, entering the hallway as the announcer hyped up the last battle before the next break; she felt much different than when she¡¯d entered the locker room. She had to release this pressure in her chest, and her Pokemon resonated with her. ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Amira walked out of the locker room, happily drained; she loved these matches that pushed them to their limit. It told her they were making progress. So many amazing things had come from this journey. She actually had friends, for one, and imagine that the Lofty Princess of Viridian, that Cold Ruby Beauty, and Ethereal Flame, had friends. Can you imagine that, Holly? she asked her sole Pokemon left in her possession as she walked down the long paper wall hallway, following the signs to the Center. Look how far we¡¯ve come. You used to always be looking for new friends in Viridian Forest with Star, weren¡¯t you? The Comfey chirped while spinning down to wrap around her neck and spot her hair with flowers. Mariah returned the call, smiling from Amira¡¯s arms. Despite rarely getting to see battles like Serenity and Amber, her Comfey was always a bundle of flowery sweetness. It wasn¡¯t as if she shunned training either, constantly working to improve herself with their other teammate¡¯s Pokemon. Yeah, I think Lori will do great. She¡¯s been so hard on herself since Misty¡­ I wish there were something I could do other than just give her battle advice. Hmm. She likes sweets. Maybe we should buy her a box of chocolates; what do you think? ¡°Fe-fe!¡± ¡°Now¡­ what flavor, though?¡± She pondered it for a few minutes before Holly came up with a brilliant idea. ¡°Ooh! We trick her with one Aguav treat mixed in with a ton of Mago Berry chocolate surprises. I like it. I like it.¡± ¡°Mello?¡± Amira smiled at her shy and devious little girl. ¡°And what¡¯s your suggestion?¡± ¡°Mel-mel, leee¡­ mel, mel?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± She waited for Holly to translate, turning a corner and giggling. A passing ninja gave her a curious stare as they passed, but she ignored him. ¡°Amber¡¯s been a good teacher, helping you learn how to read.¡± ¡°Meloetta!¡± she sang with pride, cheeks blushing slightly. ¡°She¡¯s been teaching you about berries so she can learn them, too, huh? We should get Lori some Razz Berry treats to capture her easier,¡± she giggled. ¡°I like it. Maybe we should get Lulu some Nanab Berry treats to give Rhea a break and settle her down. What do you think?¡± ¡°Fe!¡± ¡°Melo!¡± ¡°Yeah, I like that, too. Hopefully, they have a good sweets shop here for the viewers¡ªah, there¡¯s the Center,¡± she chimed, seeing the glowing sign as she turned. ¡°Let¡¯s go see how Amber and Serenity are doing.¡± Sliding the door open, she saw a masked female ninja standing guard beside the door, and even Nurse Joy wore the colors of the clan. Maybe the woman was also a ninja, Amira thought with silent laughter, having all the stress roll off her shoulders after winning. ¡°I¡¯m here to see Amber and Serenity.¡± Nurse Joy showed a rosy smile and gave her a nod. ¡°I¡¯ll go check on their conditions. Amber required a lot more attention due to an unusual weakness to being poisoned. I¡¯m still conducting tests to be sure she is stabilizing; Poison is my specialty, and I¡¯ve only seen this happen during wars. How strange¡­ Please, have a seat; it shouldn¡¯t be long for me to see how they¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°Thank you for being thorough,¡± Amira said, waving her off as she went to the back with her Chansey. Breathing out a short sigh, she turned to give the ninja a cordial smile before sitting down, setting Mariah in her lap, and looking up to see Lori still engaged in her battle against Janine. It was a rough battle, but the Unova girl was doing good. ¡°Zyra, huh?¡± Amira whispered. ¡°It¡¯s a risk she has to take, I suppose.¡± ¡°Comfey¡­¡± ¡°Hmm. Yes, I think she¡¯ll¡ªexcuse me?¡± Amira scooted to the left side of her chair as the ninja guard walked over and sat next to her, crossing her legs in a comfortable gesture. ¡°Can I help you?¡± A soft, feminine voice held a short laugh as the woman reached up and removed her mask, revealing a mess of thick ruby hair. ¡°It¡¯s been a long time, my little Fire Fang. How¡¯s your father treating you?¡± Amira¡¯s red eyes widened at the nickname only one person ever called her by, and a grin spread across her face as she lurched over to hug the fake ninja. ¡°Aunt Mars! What are you doing here?!¡± ¡°Hey, shhh. Hehe. Let¡¯s keep it down. I¡¯m dressed like this for a reason, Little Flame. How¡¯s my edge lord of a wimpy brother?¡± She giggled, spotting Mariah hide her face from the new pretty lady who was suddenly so friendly with them. ¡°Dad¡¯s doing fine. Are you doing something for Grandpa?¡± ¡°Yeah, something like that,¡± she whispered, nudging her with a frown as her glinting eyes displayed the nasty edge Amira rarely saw. ¡°I heard about the Plasma hit on you¡­ Not a fan. Are you okay?¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, that was a while ago,¡± Amira urged. ¡°A lot has happened since then¡­ I love being a part of my new team. Rhea and Lori are wonderful to me¡­ and wonderful for me, I think. I haven¡¯t met girls like them before.¡± Mars¡¯ cold gaze softened, and she reached over to hug her again. ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it. Actually, umm¡­ mind giving your grandfather a message from me? It¡¯s hard to sneak around in this place without getting noticed.¡± Amira gave her an accusatory yet impressed stare. ¡°It is literally a ninja fortress, and you¡¯re kind of wanted, Aunt Mars.¡± ¡°Wait, am I? Huh,¡± she looked to the side, pursing her lips a tad. ¡°And here I thought I was sneaking around in the home colors to support the cause.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly!¡± her aunt snickered. ¡°So, can you tell your grandfather this, and this exactly?¡± Amira sat straighter. ¡°I¡¯m listening.¡± Her aunt reached over to pull her in and kiss her cheek. ¡°That¡¯s my favorite niece.¡± ¡°Only niece,¡± Amira corrected with a shake of her head. ¡°And both hold true!¡± she chimed. ¡°Tell your grandfather, ¡®Plant the Kelpsy Tree beside the Haban Tree, where the Iapapa roots still grow. An Aguav seed will fall and sprout into a Mago Tree, and then the harvest is ripe.¡¯ Can you remember of all that?¡± Amira smirked. ¡°You two and your secret codes. I got it,¡± she said, repeating it back to her. ¡°Perfect!¡± Mars chirped, leaning in to give her another hug and kiss. ¡°I loved your battle, by the way. Give your parents my love!¡± ¡°Aunt¡­ Haaa.¡± Slipping her mask back on, she held a finger to her mouth and walked out of the Center area as if she¡¯d been born here. Not thirty seconds later, a confused ninja entered to take her place, likely swapping shifts. Nurse Joy soon entered, wearing a soft frown. ¡°It might be a while before she¡¯s ready to leave, dear. I learned the problem and am taking steps to mitigate it.¡± Meaning: she found out I use Master Balls by checking further into my private Trainer profile and getting League access. ¡°Thank you. Can you give my number a call when they¡¯re conscious?¡± ¡°Of course.¡± Heading for the stands, Amira took out her phone, feeling Butterfree after seeing her aunt again after so long. 1:55 p.m. - Amira: Hey, Grandpa, you¡¯ll never guess who I just ran into. I¡¯ll be there soon to fill you in. We have Berry Trees to talk about. She giggled at the weird topic that her grandfather loved for some reason and sent the message. Gaining a spring in her step, she saw on a passing monitor that Lori had won her match; they were on the rise! B3 — 32. A Need For Speed 2:38 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Walking through the hallway, Rhea sharpened her focus, and even Lulu wore a serious face; she could feel the support from her Pokemon inside their Poke Balls. She¡¯d studied what she could of her teammates¡¯ battles, which wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to see Janine wasn¡¯t holding back. It wouldn¡¯t be like Pewter, though; they¡¯d grown from their mistakes. The lights of the vast ninja stadium centered on her as Rhea walked out of the tunnel to the frenzy of drums and flutes. Squinting as the roar of the crowd deafened her, she set her resolve. If she wanted to step into the shadow of Legends, then she couldn¡¯t do the minimum; all of the Legends had beaten every single Gym Leader before entering the League: four Encrusted Badges was a cop-out. Ascending the ramp to the console, her Pokemon resonated with her as she looked above the giant hologram displaying her entrance, where Janine stood tall. The Poison Gym Leader was like a giant in Rhea¡¯s vision, and the thumps and yells of the throng faded to the blood pumping in her ears. Janine¡¯s frayed and tattered scarf fluttered to the right with the shift in air pressure of the ninja cavern village, a host of Ariados spinning their webs near the cave ceiling in preparations for something involving Gold-tier. Rhea could feel the pressure rise as she put each of her three Pokemon into the machine to read their levels, and when she looked up, the Poisonous Gym Leader had her arms folded against her console, wearing a sad smile. The crowd went wild at her ninjutsu feats, but the girl¡¯s voice was soft and understanding while ignoring the hype the announcer was building. ¡°I¡¯m sorry to hear about what happened to your mother. I¡¯m told Brock is with her now, and Doctor Anna is flying in from Johto to offer her expertise.¡± Trying to maintain her resolve, Rhea nodded stiffly. ¡°Thank you for giving me some time with her¡­ I know you aren¡¯t going to go easy on me. I told my mom if she remained in the hospital with our family, I¡¯d win.¡± A hum rumbled in Janine¡¯s throat as she pushed herself up. ¡°I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯ve found your poison¡­ just make sure you don¡¯t prick yourself with it. I am rooting for you.¡± Shrill cries made her look up, and a swarm of Zubat flew overhead. When she looked down again, Janine was gone, yet her voice rang out across the stadium, and none a second later, a smoke bomb exploded at the Gym Leader box, where the woman appeared. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen,¡± she cooly stated, hand on her hip and looking over her audience. ¡°As a ninja, we often have to adapt to the unexpected and carry out impossible missions that make it unlikely we will see home again. We walk through the shadow of the moon, disguise ourselves in broad daylight, and might just be your new neighbor or a friendly face at the store.¡± Her smile drifted to Rhea, making her fingers tighten. What challenge was she going to receive? ¡°Sometimes¡­ we are given all the information needed, and sometimes we are not. Today, we have seen the discipline of many young men and women, from Bronze to Silver, who have come to sample my poison. Now, at the close of this bracket, there are things I wish to teach future challengers: learn from those that have gone before you.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut knotted as the gears of the stadium spun, and steam hissed, cycling the stages until an old pyramid-like structure rose out of the dark abyss. Pillars were erect along its length, displaying various poisonous Pokemon, and stairs led up to the flat battleground at its summit. She just wanted it to start already, tingles prickling her arms as she stared at the smiling purple-haired woman across from her. They were in Silver-tier, and it would only get progressively harder for her; they had to go above and beyond. Her hand moved without a quiver as a red light centered on Janine and her, yet unlike the announcer before, a new referee appeared out of smoke at the center of the stadium, sitting at the edge of a Weezing fountain, spewing toxins. ¡°Select your Pokemon.¡± The masked man¡¯s voice was a raspy hiss. ¡°Poison and berries are hidden throughout the stage.¡± Rhea¡¯s hand, hovering over Nova, swapped to Mya; this was her stage. We¡¯re going to give it our all. The light flipped yellow, and her Pokemon settled in for a brawl. Plucking out Mya¡¯s Poke Ball, Rhea pulled back her arm as the ninja¡¯s snake-like voice hissed, ¡°Start.¡± Green bathed Rhea before the stadium exploded with light, and the ninja vanished in a puff of smoke. Feeding as much strength as she could muster into her arm, she launched it as hard as she could to land near the top of the pyramid to give her access to it; the Pokemon on top would be out of recall range, but so long as she stayed off of it then it would be fine. Rhea accessed her Pokedex, looking toward the screen to see what Janine chose, and a wry chuckle shook her chest as the familiar toad Pokemon materialized, his skin flaky dry. It was deadly to Nova and Alice, but Mya could easily handle the toxic toad. ¡°Gym Leader Janine releases Tarn, our poisonous Croagunk fighter, ladies and gentlemen, and Rhea¡ªwhat is this?!¡± A red beam connected to Tarn as Mya hopped up the stone steps of the pyramid to reach the top, making Rhea¡¯s fingers pause over the Pokemon¡¯s face to search its profile. Janine wore an impish smile that said this was the plan from the start, slotting Tarn mere seconds after the battle started and plucking out her second. Lost as to what the Gym Leader was doing, Rhea instructed Mya to halt, watching Janine select a new Pokemon from a box that opened under the six that had initially activated. The woman¡¯s voice silenced the audience and announcer alike as she tossed the Pokemon all the way to the top of the pyramid, showing incredible accuracy and power. ¡°What do you do when there is no good option?¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth went dry as a wicked-eyed, white-bodied salamander hopped out, licking his black jowls as the pattern running down his lower back to the tip of his slim tail illuminated a bright red, and Rhea knew how much trouble they were in as the announcer went wild. ¡°Salan the Salandit, ladies and gentlemen! Look at this speedy lizard crawling across the arena; our Steely girl is about to learn what Poison tastes like!¡± Corrosion, Mya¡ªreturn! Now! ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Alice¡¯s ears pulled back in her Poke Ball as Rhea¡¯s serenity faltered, examining the data sheet for the Salandit that had replaced the Croagunk. Mya¡¯s eyes went big as the black-headed Pokemon peeked over the edge and released a wide spray of ominous purple gas that cascaded down the steps, corroding the stone into pools of liquid poison. ¡°Son of a biscuit!¡± Mya snarled. ¡°This is like the WORST! I dropped his Attack¡ª¡± ¡°Fairy Wind!¡± Rhea ordered. ¡°Push it away!¡± ¡°On it!¡± Jumping down the steps with the advancing smog, Mya spun in a sharp circle, gust cleaving through it and dispersing the gas outward, yet Salan simply pulled back over the edge to escape the attack. ¡°Send m¡ª¡± Nova barked, but Rhea shot her down. ¡°Can¡¯t.¡± ¡°Why?!¡± ¡°Salan is deadly against Steel and Ice¡ªMya¡¯s not fast enough to keep away from him in this environment.¡± The red beam connected to Mya before further poison could overwhelm her Fairy Wind. ¡°Croagunk¡¯s Fighting-Type, which counters Normal and Ice, and Dry Skin counters your Vaporeon,¡± Rhea mumbled, her emotions settling down. ¡°Amira and I talked about it.¡± ¡°They counter ALL of my transformations?!¡± Nova asked in dismay. ¡°That¡¯s cheating! What do we even do then?!¡± A short chuckle shook Rhea¡¯s chest, and Alice shivered as their Trainer¡¯s fingers slid over the surface of her Poke Ball. ¡°If there is no good option, then we work with what we have. Alice, you have the counters and speed¡­ Don¡¯t let Sala get back to his side! It¡¯s on you, little bun. You¡¯ve got the Evolution boost to close the distance in power.¡± Huh?! Really? It¡¯s my turn in a Silver battle?! Nova nudged her, sending positive vibes. ¡°You got this, Alice!¡± ¡°Weren¡¯t you freaking out a second ago?¡± Mya snorted, lightly punching Alice¡¯s spirit. ¡°Well, if Rhea thinks Alice has it, then I have total faith. She¡¯s worked really hard to catch up to us.¡± ¡°True. Knock that fire lizard out for me, Speedy. Show ¡®em that tail you¡¯re proud of.¡± Excitement bubbling up in her chest, Alice could hardly contain her excitement as her Poke Ball left Rhea¡¯s hand. It was her turn to shine. Rhea¡¯s voice echoed within her chest, trust she hadn¡¯t experienced yet from her Trainer flooding her with a wealth of energy she never had full access to. ¡°He¡¯s trying to escape; use the new Move you just learned to beat him back. You¡¯ve got this, Alice. Show them what you¡¯ve got.¡± Materializing on the steps, Alice hopped up and down for a second, her bright pink eyes looking up at the top of the pyramid as she took in Rhea¡¯s fortitude. Fur bristling, time seemed to slow as all of her training flashed across her mind, and a white glow illuminated her frame. ¡°Rhea retaliates with Alice, her Lopunny, and you know, the bunnies are a terror in the Bronze and Silver Bracket, and we all know this sweet thing is a destroyer by that unique white and black fur color!¡± You have no idea! Alice snickered to herself. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Knees bending, she rocketed into the sky, sailing over the swirling smog to crest the top of the pyramid and spot the crawling away lizard. Bright twinkling stars materialized around her, and shooting stars shot toward Salan. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you!¡± she chimed, greeting him as she landed and broke into a sprint. ¡°I¡¯ll be a Mankey¡¯s uncle,¡± the lizard hissed, trying to dodge the projectiles. ¡°A fast beaut¡¯, ain¡¯t¡ªack!¡± The stars wouldn¡¯t be denied, bowing around to intercept and pepper the Pokemon. A pink streak followed her eyes with her rapid maneuvers, Foresight showing her where the Pokemon would move, and Rhea¡¯s suggestion made her giggle. Tumbling back toward her, Salan flipped up and breathed out a sickly sweet mist. ¡°Not bad, fluffy ears! Ain¡¯t no wa¡ªwooh, how can you be so¡­ pretty?¡± Alice winked at the lizard, offering a cute smile and wink that sent an arrow through the Pokemon¡¯s heart. ¡°Can¡¯t you let me be the star today, big daddy?¡± ¡°Ack-ack!¡± he choked, mist catching in his throat as his thin eyes went wide with infatuation. ¡°I-uh-I¡­¡± ¡°You like getting hit, right, poison cheeks? You wouldn¡¯t hurt me, though?¡± ¡°I-I don¡¯t¡ª¡± Charging her next Move in quick succession with her superior speed, Alice jumped forward, snickering inside at how ridiculous she must look in the lizard¡¯s mind, likely skipping toward him. He shyly offered his own hand as she came to a stop in front of him, making her ears tilt left with her head. ¡°I-I¡¯ll provide all the food you could ever eat!¡± ¡°Aww, that¡¯s so sweet; you¡¯re Mya¡¯s perfect man!¡± ¡°Who¡ªwhaaa!¡± Retracted claws coming out to latch onto his held hand, Alice giggled as a bright orange aura surrounded her, and she spun him in a sharp circle to throw him into the sky. ¡°Sorry to tell you, big daddy,¡± Alice sang, gathering Fighting Energy into her left fist, ¡°but I¡¯m just playing!¡± Bending down, she watched the spinning Pokemon descend before catching him under the chin with the powerful uppercut, taking them both back into the air just as Rhea¡¯s warning came. ¡°He resists Fighting Moves, Alice! Use your elemental punches¡ªwell, Thunder Punch is the only one he doesn¡¯t resist¡ªand disorient him with Status.¡± Got it¡­ Her brow furrowed as his energy matrix didn¡¯t shatter, and she supposed it was due to his higher level and resistance; usually, fights were long over by the time she¡¯d landed this many clean-cut Moves on an opponent, but she¡¯d never fought strong Silver Pokemon. Still, she was on the offensive, as always. All she needed to do was keep up the momentum. Orange light gathered at her leg as she did a front twist upon evening out, aiming the Low Kick to take him back to the ground; it would be a waste to just dispense of the Move since it was already being formed. The lizard¡¯s eyes rolled back, and it struck her that the Pokemon was asleep after the last hit. Yes, I can end th¡ª ¡°Huh?!¡± Alice¡¯s vision went wide as a giant greenish glow encased Salan¡¯s tail to the shock of her internal cheerleaders, and slammed against her illuminated leg, breaking her attack and throwing her into a spiral. ¡°Eck!¡± Grunting at the weight and sudden acceleration, Alice cursed herself for not using Protect, as nearly 40% of her matrix took the brunt of the surprise blow. Throwing out her arms and legs to stabilize herself, sparkling water spun out with Splash, using the showy Move to get back into alignment. Alice just managed to slow her spiral to see the edge of the stadium nearing, making her mind go wild. Using Defense Curl as a Quick Move, she broke most of her fall with the extra support, yet the leg the lizard struck gave way, making her wince. Ears and arms slowing her in her acrobatic deceleration, Alice winced, drawing in her bottom lip as she came to a stop. Breathing heavily, she studied her slightly sprained leg in disbelief as the announcer and audience went wild. ¡°Just when you thought it was over, folks, a Sleep Talk Dragon Tail sends Alice into a nearly thirty-meter drop! Haha. It looks like our sleeping lizard isn¡¯t done making trouble yet!¡± Vision rising, Alice cursed as the lizard choked out poisonous clouds, dropping onto his back in a tangled heap and groaning in his sleep as if in a nightmare. Soon, the top of the pyramid was covered in the toxic smog. How did it hurt me past my matrix? Alice growled, rubbing her stinging leg. Rhea breathed out a long stream of air. ¡°I messed up¡­ I should have been ready to bring you back into your Poke Ball; Dragon Tail¡¯s damage needs to be mitigated before the energy sinks in. Ugh. Sorry, Alice.¡± ¡°Is this even legal?!¡± Nova huffed. ¡°That¡¯s a TM Move, and so is Sleep Talk. How many can they have?¡± ¡°A lot, apparently,¡± Mya mumbled. ¡°We are unorthodox Pokemon, so I guess that loosens the rules a lot, and Alice has a ton of Moves. What about that, umm, one Ability you¡¯ve been trying to do?¡± I don¡¯t know how to make it work properly yet, Alice groaned. Uh-oh, I think he¡¯s waking up. I need to get back up there! Gritting her teeth, Alice ran for the stairs; luckily, her ankle didn¡¯t actually seem to be sprained, but her thigh was heavily bruised. She should have just Copycat the Move and sent it right back at him, but it was too late now. Stars shone around her body, and she launched them at the salamander, jumping to the pillars to evade the poisonous fog and angling the attack to hit him out of the side. It struck, sending the dazed Pokemon tumbling down the layers. A white aura followed Alice¡¯s dance, yet for the first time, it failed. Not feeling so alive and flying after having her momentum utterly demolished, Alice¡¯s gut cramped as Salan blinked and popped his head up in confusion, looking around to orient himself. Swift woke him up, but Teeter Dance failed to entangle his brain. Preparing another Attract as she hopped down to meet him, her mouth tightened when he refused to meet her gaze, forcing her to swap tactics; he was learning about all her tricks and countering them. ¡°Hey! Sorry about all that¡ª¡± ¡°Eh-heh. You do have pretty fur and eyes, but a man¡¯s not a sucker twice,¡± he said, spewing out more toxic fog to hide in. Foresight widened her vision and helped her spot the lizard, building up something big within the smog. She sniffed at him hiding inside his cloud; it would be easy enough to kick him out of it, but Rhea had a good idea to get back the swagger in her tail. Her Fighting Moves weren¡¯t effective against him, which meant she had to swap up her tactics. Stopping on the steps outside of the purple mist, she sat on a step and massaged her leg, working out the knot in it. If he was going to give her time, then she needed to use it to get her leg in better shape. ¡°What are you doing in there, and why were you hiding that ridiculously strong Dragon Move? It hurt¡ªeek!¡± Rhea¡¯s warning sent her diving to the right as the smog exploded outward, flames pushing it in all directions with a superheated wind that ignited the toxic fumes. Finding cover behind a pillar, her heart beat like a drum against her ribs as the eruption passed by, the fire burning out the poison and scorching the stone. A little scared to get close after that explosive show, Alice fought through the discomfort, breathing in deeply and holding it. Darting out, she skipped past the pockets of blazing fire to see the lizard coughing and recovering from the attack that would most certainly have taken her out if she hadn¡¯t found cover. Time slowed with her shimmering eyes, showing her where the Pokemon would go, but it didn¡¯t matter at this range. Alice stopped right in front of the surprised salamander, making Salan lean back and brandish his tail for another draconic burst, expecting a slap, punch, or kick. Yet, all Alice did was chapped her hands and say with an upbeat voice, ¡°Encore!¡± Salan froze as lights shone over him with a spray of party decorations; Dragon Tail failed as he was locked into Heat Wave, his last Move. An evil twinkle lit in Alice¡¯s eyes as she drew back her fist, electricity sparking through her wrist fluff and across her fingers. ¡°Lights out!¡± Slamming it against his face, lightning erupted on contact, jolting the Salandit into the air, and right into a red beam, making Alice¡¯s ears droop; she¡¯d gotten him too close to Janine. ¡°Come back, Alice!¡± Almost instantly, a Croagunk materialized a distance away; Alice jumped to a pillar as he drew back his fist and struck the air. In the next instant, Alice was off-balance, confused as nothing had hit her, yet her ears were now ringing, and a sudden gravitational pull sucked all the momentum out of her, carrying her toward the toad. ¡°Tarn hits Alice with a Super Effective Vacuum Wave, bringing the poor bun away from her side!¡± Flipping around, Alice tucked into a ball, a blue light surrounding her as a light orange aura enclosed Tarn¡¯s fist, and the glowing fist broke right through to connect with her jaw. ¡°Rock Smash?!¡± Rhea cried as Alice was sent flying away again. ¡° It didn¡¯t hurt all that much since her barrier took the brunt of it, but it still wasn¡¯t supposed to happen. He was predicting her based on how she¡¯d fought his teammate. Tucking into a ball, cosmic rays cycled around her, further increasing her Defense and pushing her Special Defense up. Feet touching the ground, she sprung into a back flip, seeing the impact with Foresight moments before feeling the invisible force fracture the ground. Still, it tried to pull her back to the spot, even though she dodged it; it was better than toward Tarn, at least. Alice¡¯s face softened as she looked up, rosy eyes going big as she locked vision with the Croagunk. ¡°Stop! Please¡­¡± ¡°I¡ªugh¡­¡± Yes! He made the mistake of making eye contact, befuddling his heart as her visual-projected energy seeped into his body, twisting him up inside. Gaining a moment to breathe, she recalled the exact way the toad had gathered his energy, and Copycat activated. Punching the air, a wave emitted from her fist at the struggling Croagunk, yet her blow barely made him flinch; luckily, he was still pulled forward her, and fire ignited her fur. She did it! Fist racing at the accelerating toad, Alice could taste victory, and then the toad became transparent red. ¡°No! No, no, no! Ahhh!¡± Seething in frustration, her Fire Punch met empty air as Janine saved the infatuated toad, and the salamander jumped back out; fighting on the opponent¡¯s side of a field this big was cursed! Salan breathed a stream of sickly, sweet mist to disorient her like Mya used to do before she¡¯d discovered that she could counter it. Colorful light embraced her as she ran at the lizard, leg feeling slightly better after some time, but again, Janine pulled the paralyzed Pokemon away from her attack! Gnashing her teeth, claws flexing, she looked up at the smiling Gym Leader as she tossed out the toad again, but this was Mya¡¯s opponent, and she managed to get a pillar between them this time. Alice danced back, Foresight helping her stay ahead of the rather fast Croagunk, and she managed to make it back to Rhea¡¯s side of the field with 17% of her matrix in-tact, but her Trainer threw her a strange order once in range to return for a rest. ¡°Endure!¡± Jumping into the air, from the pyramid¡¯s side, the shell of offensive energy her Trainer gave her encompassed Alice just as the beam of red light connected, and abruptly, a surge of dark power slammed against her body, making her wince. Had it not been for Rhea¡¯s quick thinking, her matrix would have shattered. ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Yes! Rhea cheered as her gamble worked, and the mid-return Endure guarded Alice from getting taken out by the Pursuit. We¡¯re going to have to thank Lori for helping us see that return tactic coming. Leaving Alice to rest, Rhea took out Mya¡¯s Poke Ball, raring to go; Salan was still a problem, but Alice had discovered some of their trump cards and done enough damage for the Steely girl to clean up. Seeing Janine protect her Pokemon by swapping them out and repositioning them made her realize how needed Moves like Pursuit were. We really need that Move! Mya, she¡¯s probably going to swap back. Are you good? Her Mawile¡¯s confidence was through the roof, yet there was a healthy degree of caution. Good. We¡¯re going to win this! Wait, are you kidding me?! Hahaha. Rhea¡¯s fingers pressed on the console as she lightly tossed Mya onto her side of the field, near the edge under her, the announcer roaring with mirth. ¡°It seems our little Salan has been poking around for food and found himself a Cheri and Lum Berry! He¡¯s back and ready for a fight!¡± Alice was rocking back and forth with anger at the toxic Pokemon and their tactics. It was a good test for them, though. Mya¡­ Buff up. Use that smell of yours to find some Berries yourself. And let¡¯s finish this battle! And don¡¯t be salty, Alice. You did wonderful! We know what we¡¯re up against now, and that¡¯s all thanks to you. After all the pain and heartache she¡¯d gone through with her mother, feeling her Pokemon rally together around her bun helped to mitigate the depression and anger she felt. Yes, she had to release this tension somehow when this was over, but this kind of match that made her use her head and heart was just what she needed. Lulu was also an adorable bundle of energy still, puffy hands acting as pom-poms as she cheered them on, and Rhea reached up to put her on the console so she could dance around more. ¡°Nee! Nee! Nee!¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but giggle at the cosmic cloud¡¯s unique dance moves she¡¯d learned from Zyra, meant for a bird, while Mya came out of her Poke ball and began to sniff the air, looking for what tasty snacks were in the surrounding foliage; if there was one thing the girl was spot-on about, it was food. B3 — 33. Everyone Fails Once 2:48 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won her Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). The bright lights of the stadium hit Mya¡¯s eyes, making her squint as the thump of drums and whistle of flutes filled the air. Screams and shouts echoed through the giant ninja cave village, and the rocky stage of Pewter came back to her. On the screen above, it looked like she was glowing, metallic sheen sparkling. Vision lowering to the sparsely wooded area at the bottom of the pyramid, still open enough to allow onlookers and cameras to see her, Mya streamed out the stress in her lungs as her gaze fixated on Salan. The Salandit looked better after finding the berries. Fist clenching, now that she was at the bottom of the field, the scent of berries wafted through the cavern¡¯s cycling air stream. Rhea¡¯s instructions fed through their linked spirits, and her teammates¡¯ support filled her with strength. Tasting the air, she jogged to the right, second mouth opening as her saliva thickened with the thought of food. A light blue glow closed around her hand, taking the shape of a sword and boosting her Attack up by two stages before dispersing. The poisonous fire lizard would discover she wasn¡¯t an easy target, and Alice wasn¡¯t the only one with a diversity of Moves. ¡°Mya, look for ovoid-shaped berries that smell spicy, or one that is bright green that smells sour.¡± She chuckled, catching a whiff of something hot. I don¡¯t know what an ovoid is, but I smell something spicy! Digging around in a nearby bush, she saw a little box with two berries inside. Jaws swinging around to champ on them, Rhea stopped her. ¡°Wait! Eat it while using Fire Fang. It will increase the potency, according to Pokedex.¡± Okay? Mya jumped inside the bush as she saw Salan come around the side of the pyramid, scanning for her. She liked most types of food, but spicy wasn¡¯t her favorite. Hopefully, it would be worth it. Drawing in the energy to do a weak Fire Fang, her jaws sparked with light as her tongue slid out to pull it in, and chomped down on the berry. Immediately, her face turned red at the heat that practically turned her into a Fennekin; there was a tiny sweetness, yet that was barely noticeable. ¡°Ack!¡± A soft red shimmer surrounded her body, mixing with her energy matrix and adapting with the berry¡¯s attributes. ¡°Blah¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s worth it, Mya. You¡¯re now neutral to Fire Damage for a time. Are you ready to get back in this fight? He¡¯s coming down to find you.¡± Let¡¯s do this! she choked, throat a bit raw and trying to fight tears. It¡¯s so hot! Tongue feeling a bit numb, Mya wore a smile as she walked out of the bush, staying in full view of the salamander. Saliva thick and dripping out of her mouth, her oppressive aura shot across the field, lowering the Pokemon¡¯s Attack. She wasn¡¯t scared; however, her confrontation with the Sandstorm Onix had taught her a healthy degree of caution was useful to cultivate. Setting her resolve, Mya boldly pointed at the curious salamander as she made her declaration, a light pink brilliance shining around her frame. ¡°You want me? I¡¯m not running anymore. So come get me if you can!¡± Salan¡¯s eyes grew big, captivated by her gusto. ¡°Wow! You really are a bold girl. I like it,¡± he laughed, chest puffing up as he launched three small balls of fire at her, yet they passed through a shadow. Quick Move activating, Mya traveled through the darkness, opening up to the Shiny Salandit¡¯s confused stare. Her shadow-wreathed fist slammed into the top of his head, driving Salan into the stone. ¡°Surprise!¡± ¡°Esh¡ª¡± Mya hissed, jumping back as a cloud of poison choked out of the Pokemon to cover him in a haze. Rhea had a counter, though. ¡°Misty Terrain!¡± Taking a deep breath, she released a thick, light blue mist that dissipated the poison on contact, combating the Move as the twinkling fog veiled her. ¡°Here he comes!¡± Instead of retreating, Mya jumped forward and tackled Salan down the steps as a greenish-purple light enclosed his tail to swat her away. Tumbling step by step, Mya released more mist while wrapping her feet around his tail to keep the thrashing thing away from her. Poison could be handled; fire was still trouble, even with the berry. He¡¯s too wiggly! Muk! A heavy weight struck the side of her leg, making her grit her teeth as the draconic Move sent a burst of kinetic propulsion into her body, dislodging her and punting her down the pyramid. Despite the Move¡¯s power, her matrix took no damage due to her Fairy nature; however, she still felt the force of the attack, crashing through stone and cleaving a line down the side as a red beam connected to her. ¡°Alice, find a berry. If they¡¯re going to use this stall tactic, then we¡¯ll recover a little, too!¡± ¡°On it! Mya, Rhea, I have an idea. Do you trust me?¡± Let¡¯s do it, Speedy! Mya hissed. ¡°You have a plan you want to try? Okay, Alice, let me know when to return you.¡± ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Alice flew out of her Poke Ball, a hair¡¯s breadth away from her matrix from shattering as Salan recovered from Mya¡¯s Sucker Punch and blew away the Misty Terrain with a Heat Wave. I am not going to let him just recover his matrix after everything I did. No berries! ¡°What?!¡± Nova cried as Alice dashed right for the pyramid and lizard. ¡°Alice, anything could take you out of this fight at this point! You need to find a berry!¡± ¡°Let her cook,¡± Mya grunted, making Alice¡¯s heart warm and pushing her to move faster. ¡°Bad choice, pretty bun,¡± Salan chortled, spewing himself and the whole area in poisonous gas, melting the steps and turning them toxic, yet something unexpected silenced the crowd and them. ¡°You can¡¯t¡ªeh?!¡± A tremor shook the ground as a large pipe was revealed underneath the temple brick, corroded by the poison. The announcer laughed, shouting, ¡°A water pipe has been exposed!¡± An explosion of liquid fountained out, throwing back the Salandit, and Alice shot through the spray, a multi-colored ripple surrounding her fur, protecting her from the gas. Salan¡¯s noxious fangs shot through the dwindling geyser¡¯s mist, purple-laced mouth spewing toxic fumes to taint the water and air. For the first time in her life, Alice didn¡¯t dodge, entering the haze, and all of the poisonous energy was sucked into a cyclone, absorbed into the light, turning it purple. Salan¡¯s thin eyes grew to the size of a plate as she grinned, claws closing around his thin throat. ¡°Wha¡ª¡± Fur drenched, light erupting from around her frame, Alice grinned and giggled, her matrix a flick away from breaking. ¡°Wrong choice.¡± The haze bathed the salamander in his own corrosive-enhanced smog. ¡°The tables have turned! Magic Coat! Magic Coat, ladies and gentlemen! Alice has done the impossible, shoving Salan¡¯s poison back into his own mouth, and our adorable bun isn¡¯t finished. Circle Throw!¡± Spinning the Pokemon in a sharp twist by the neck, Alice¡¯s charged attack threw the ill salamander into her Trainer¡¯s side of the field, as high as she could throw. Now! A red beam connected to Alice, carrying her back into her Poke Ball. ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Mya materialized in the sky, right above the bewildered lizard, drawing in sharply from Rhea¡¯s dwindling energy to form a second bright blue sword. Twisting in the air, she caught Salan in the gut with the solid forming rays before they dispersed, rocketing him to the ground, and Rhea gave the next Move to end the toxic Pokemon¡¯s match. ¡°Punishment!¡± Eyes flashing black, followed by a malevolent aura that launched her toward her opponent, Mya spun as the shadowy force gathered at her horn. Salan hit the stone steps near their base, a blue barrier protecting him, yet pulverizing the temple and creating a dust cloud that Mya shot into. Protecting too early, it shattered as she traveled with the Salan another two meters into the pyramid to crash through it and into its inner chambers. His matrix shattered, Mya lifted her large, salivating jaws in the plume that encompassed her, internal cameras flipping on and recording her as she stood over her unconscious opponent. What a Mukin¡¯ legend, Alice, she laughed, hearing the resounding cheers as slow-motion replays happened above the announcer¡¯s shouts. ¡°What a combo! Mirror Coat into Circle Throw, a swift swap of teammates, a second Sword Dance to disorient, and to end the show, a +4 Attack Punishment to the face! What teamwork! How long have they been practicing that one, folks?! Look at that replay in slow motion¡ªthe precision from Pokemon and Trainer¡ªnow that¡¯s a combo worth an Encrusted Badge! Mya didn¡¯t even need the Occa Berry!¡± I can still feel it on my tongue¡­ Breathing out the tension, Mya snickered while slinging Salan over her shoulder, looking up at the blinding light of the opening they¡¯d created into this interior. If only they knew it was all on the fly. Uh, how do I¡­ Oh. A strong vibration made her stumble back as the side of the pyramid opened up, and she jogged out to praise. She winced as the light hit her, and the stadium of fans made her slow to a stop; a ton of small groups of people she didn¡¯t even know were holding up the words, ¡®Go, Mya, Go!¡¯ and ¡®The Steely Wonder!¡¯ Choking up for some reason, Mya fought back tears while jogging to the opponent¡¯s side of the field. People didn¡¯t see her for her Pewter loss. Strangers were rooting for her to win. She wasn¡¯t a burden on Rhea, even though she¡¯d hospitalized their Trainer in her first two days of hatching and lost them their first Gym Badge. The thing that made her bite her tongue was the vibes she got from her speedy rival. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°That was amazing, Mya¡­ Maybe we should work together more often.¡± ¡­I¡¯d like that. A red beam took the Salandit back as Janine stared down at her with a thoughtful smile, holding Tarn¡¯s Poke Ball, and the blazing lights leering at her from their lofty heights warmed Mya¡¯s skin. Meanwhile, the announcer was speaking through the crowd¡¯s chants. ¡°I can say it all¡­ then again, it would take all week to tell you how these stadium lights can build you up or burn you down. This is what it¡¯s about, my young Trainers! This is the circuit where you walk on empty roads into a jewel-encrusted headstone, and the path you take might be your own, but you also mark that road for the next generation, and tonight¡­ tonight, you prove to yourself and the world that you walk on streets of gold!¡± Janine chuckled, her words echoing through the cave as she spoke high above the ground. ¡°Show Fuchsia your inner flower and soul for its badge. Will you burn bright or burn out? Show me your fire.¡± Mya set her brow, a silence overtaking the atmosphere as Tarn was thrown on the side of the pyramid to face her. The toad flipped out and landed on his feet, smiling smugly and making a taunting gesture that spiked into her chest. ¡°Show me what you have to offer.¡± Rolling around her neck, Mya stretched her jaws, displaying her glistening fangs and returning the dirty look. ¡°Let¡¯s dance.¡± A ghostly aura lit around Mya as it mirrored in the Croagunk, their double Astonish meeting between them to a clash of darkness. Tarn leaped through the cloud, fist pulled back to send a Vacuum Wave her way, yet Mya met him in the air, a grin and light gray shroud encompassing her. The blow struck, dropping her matrix to 81% and pulling her in, yet a part of the energy used transferred into a steel ball in Mya¡¯s overhead, gaping jaws. Pulled right to her prey, she was right where she wanted. ¡°Metal Burst!¡± Tarn tried to lean back to dip under her in a flip; unfortunately for him, she could direct the projectile. It struck a half-shell of blue light that was too fast to be Protect as they sailed past each other. ¡°Quick Guard!¡± Landing on the ramp leading inside the pyramid¡¯s interior, a brown glow condensed into four rocks that she sent after the toad. Dancing around two of them, he made a swift jab, an invisible wave shattering the other two and forcing the resulting dust to obscure the Croagunk. ¡°Not bad,¡± Mya grinned as Rhea swapped tactics. ¡°Bye!¡± A blast of kinetic force parted the dust, only for a red beam to safely carry her away; waiting for them to use a Move before returning made Pursuit unlikely. Get him, Speedy! ¡°On it!¡± ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Alice exited her Poke Ball; she wouldn¡¯t be caught off-guard again. Swift met the Vacuum Wave as she jumped into the hole Mya made, entering the pyramid. ¡°Catch my tail if you can!¡± she sang. The announcer¡¯s bewildered voice followed. ¡°What is Rhea doing? Isolating your hyper-weakened Pokemon away from safety? Is there a plan here?¡± I think I can do my new Ability. I¡¯m feeling it! ¡°If you can survive,¡± Mya chuckled. ¡°You do have those dodges, though.¡± Pink eyes flashing with an afterglow, Foresight slowed the world around her as the Croagunk jumped after her, sticking to the ceiling with its webbed feet to look down at her. Holding a small piece of rock, Alice¡¯s brow set as she tossed it up and down; the cameras flew inside, watching them face each other. ¡°What kind of trap are you setting here?¡± Tarn questioned, likely not committing to any Move to keep his Protect available. ¡°You obviously have some plan, but what are you going to do all the way down there, send a bunch of stars at me? Come at¡ª¡± Her gaze drifted over the smaller arena ring that made up the pyramid¡¯s interior, three claws holding onto the rock. This would do. ¡°I don¡¯t think so,¡± she snickered, clapping her hands with a bright smile, head and ears lilting to the left as she interrupted his taunt. ¡°I quite enjoyed that last Move you did. Do it again!¡± ¡°Jinx¡­¡± he cursed, making her scowl. ¡°And here I was, the prettiest bunny in the world only a moment ago. Catch!¡± Throwing the stone, time slowed as Alice concentrated, focusing on it. I am the rock¡­ I am small¡­ I am in motion¡­ I am a GODDESS¡­ Trade places and¡ª ¡°Huh.¡± Alice¡¯s mouth opened in shock as her amazing, awesome little stone she¡¯d carefully selected poofed into dust in her foresight vision, which was so utterly unexpected that her mind totally blanked. ¡°My rock¡­¡± ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Mya slapped her face as Alice put so much focus on the rock she was trying to trade places with that she¡¯d totally forgotten about locking the Croagunk into Vacuum Wave. Not in a million years did the bun seem to think that the toad would just destroy her rock and attack her. Through their Trainer¡¯s eyes, and on the large screens, she watched her rival¡¯s stupified face get hit full blast by the invisible force, sending her into a full, double backflip to land on her back. Silence overtook the crowd as the announcer tried to make sense of what just happened after the previous amazing combo they¡¯d done. ¡°Well¡­ Alice throws a rock at Tarn¡­ and then is¡­ paralyzed by¡ªdid I miss something, folks? Alice was making moves¡ªEncore to lock the toad down, a stone thrown to¡­ distract, maybe, and then¡­ I don¡¯t know. Rhea will need to clarify that post-battle because I¡¯m at a loss. Alice is out!¡± Rhea forced a laugh as she recalled their hyperactive bunny; Tarn carried her out. ¡°Let¡¯s tell Alice he just got a surprise jump on her¡­ It¡¯s her first real Gym Battle, and it¡¯s super stacked against us.¡± I don¡¯t know if she¡¯ll believe that, Mya laughed, glad to feel Rhea doing better after the meeting with her mother. Alice could have dodged, but she was so shocked that he actually destroyed her rock. That¡¯s rich! I can¡¯t wait to tease her over it. ¡°Mya!¡± Nova growled, nipping at her spirit. ¡°We need to be supportive. Remember your first Gym Battle?¡± I know! I know! Mya said, brushing off her ruffled teammate. I¡¯m just playing. Alice really did do great. It¡¯s just funny how she froze. I get it! It¡¯s just funny. Like Lulu! ¡°Auntie Alice! Don¡¯t die, Auntie Alice!¡± the puff ball cried, hopping forward to hug Rhea¡¯s hand, holding the bunny¡¯s capsule. ¡°What a meanie! He can¡¯t do that! Kick his butt, Auntie Mya!¡± Rhea had trouble putting Alice in the Center transport slot, so she tossed Mya out while comforting the fuming Cosmog. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Lulu. She¡¯ll be okay!¡± Reforming near her side of the field, Mya hopped up and down like Alice usually did, knowing the bun would likely insist on rewatching the fight. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lulu. I¡¯ll get ¡®em!¡± Her first Sword Dance was fading, and Mya knew Rhea didn¡¯t have the fortitude to renew it. She had to end it soon. Taunt was gone, as well, giving her more options. Nova was looking at the Pokedex info as the Croagunk leaped down the broken stairs to meet her; it was bold to come onto her side of the field, showing his confidence. ¡°Sucker Punch might fail against his Vacuum Wave, Mya. If he¡¯s faster than you, then¡ª¡± No, she confidently said. We¡¯re bred to the max, fluffy tail. I got this. As I said¡­ ¡°Let you cook. I got it! Cook away, Ms. Ice Cream Breath. Just remember, Alice¡¯s recipe was a bit of a disaster there at the end.¡± Not the first time. When I bite, I don¡¯t let go. Balling her fingers into a fist, Mya watched the Pokemon intently, knowing he had Quick Guard to counter most follow-up Moves, but that didn¡¯t apply if she already had him in her jaws. ¡°Mya and Tarn square up from across the field! We know this Steely girl can get to her opponent at any time if she times it right; the question is¡­ will she?¡± Tarn worked around his jaw and fingers, and lights flashed around Mya, making her grimace as his energy-laced words sank into her body. ¡°You¡¯ve done an amazing job thus far. I¡¯m impressed.¡± Seeing double of the toad as Flatter hit, she blinked, trying to keep her mind straight; Rhea¡¯s comforting voice cut past the confusion. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mya. Just listen to my command¡­ He increased your Special Attack by two stages; we can use that. I¡¯ll get you close. Do you have it from there?¡± I¡¯ll cook a cold dish for him, she snickered. Let¡¯s Mukin¡¯ go! ¡°You¡¯ve been listening to Lori and Zyra too much¡­¡± Trying not to sway, time went in slow motion as the toad jumped into the air. ¡°Wait¡­ wait¡ªugh, I¡¯m getting low on energy, Mya¡­ He¡¯s stalli¡ªSucker Punch!¡± Darkness wrapped her into a blanket, and she appeared over the falling toad, suddenly seeing three; she had a one-in-three chance to hit after beating the Move speed contest thanks to Rhea, and Mya could afford to miss the initial attack. Her fist passed through the center as a mirage before Mya¡¯s jaws closed in around the left one¡¯s side, tasting the nasty flavor of the poisonous toad¡¯s dry skin¡ªshe locked in¡ªshe had him. Vacuum Punch struck her gut, making her wince as they were carried to the floor, yet she refused to let go as her matrix hit 61%. Cool mist hissed out of her jaws as Tarn snarled, pulling back to deliver a critical hit; her grapple to pin him was unsuccessful, making her bite down harder as the strike came. ¡°Let¡­ go! Brrrr¡­ Are you trying to¡­ freeze me?!¡± Tumbling down the lower steps, ice coated his core as she fed the energy; her matrix hit 37%. A second Ice Fang locked up his arms, her chilling snicker followed while locking in his side, her repeated arctic bites now further feeding the frigid energy entering his system. ¡°I¡­ I can¡¯t feel my arms¡­ Muk¡­¡± ¡°Tarn can¡¯t break free¡ªrepeated Ice Fangs, cooling his system and slowing down his responses! Mya¡¯s taken heavy damage by sticking to him, but it doesn¡¯t look like Tarn can Move! Oof! Confusion hits Mya¡ªMya refuses to let go! Another, and¡­ is this¡ªTarn is frozen. It won¡¯t last for long! How will she capital¡ªArceus!¡± Mya broke herself free, chilled air streaming out of both mouths as she stood over the Pokemon that was somewhat stronger than her; it was a wonder Alice could do anything to this powerful Silver-tier Pokemon. A lot of Moves and Abilities gave a huge edge, though, with their maximized Stats. A wicked grin lifted the corners of her mouth as Risk-Taker and Steely Resolve activated, and the world righted itself, muddled mind-clearing. ¡°Nothing personal,¡± she muttered, jaws closing around his thawing frame and flooding his system with weighty energy before launching him high in the sky; this was everything Rhea could safely give her. ¡°I¡¯ll be taking this chicken dinner, though, because I¡¯m going to eat after this W!¡± Dancing in a sharp circle, a gust of Fairy Wind carried the heavy Pokemon further up, increasing the gathering weight of his fall. Spinning her steel second head like a bat, preparing for its ball, Mya didn¡¯t have to wait long until lashing out with the brilliant white light that exploded from the impact, shattering the ice along with his energy matrix. ¡°Did I just see a Risk-Taker and Steely Resolve boost there at the start?! Seismic Toss, enhanced by Fairy Wind keeps him airborne before a supercharged Slam launches Tarn right over the pyramid. It¡¯s over, folks! Mya takes the win, and look at that smile!¡± ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? ¡ª ? Rhea let Mya wave to her fans, legs feeling like jelly. Janine wasn¡¯t going to let her rest, though; in a flash of smoke, the woman was leaning against the side of the console with a gentle expression. ¡°Well done¡ªoh?¡± ¡°Ne-ne-ne-ne!¡± Lulu flew over to the Gym Leader to start slapping her head with her puff cloud hands. ¡°Ne-ne! Neeee!¡± ¡°Lulu,¡± Rhea chuckled, saving the Poison Gym Leader from the harmless little girl¡¯s teary rage at seeing her auntie knocked out. ¡°Alice is going to be okay.¡± Knowing what to expect after seeing how four other Gym Leaders ended their match, Rhea held the huffy Cosmog against her chest, likely telling the High Master she was lucky Rhea saved her. As expected, the amused ninja laughed with the crowd and asked her questions. ¡°I don¡¯t want to take much of your time; we can talk privately later tonight, so let¡¯s get this part out of the way.¡± Janine reached over to press the audience intercom button. ¡°I can honestly say that you performed far better than even I expected. What would you say you learned from this battle, Rhea?¡± Rhea hugged Lulu tighter against her chest before using one hand to send a beam to return Mya to her Poke Ball. Releasing the victorious Mawile beside her with Nova, she answered, letting her pretty and unique Pokemon draw attention from the crowd. ¡°Honestly, we probably wouldn¡¯t have won this without the extra time given to study my teammate¡¯s battles and had a fair bit of luck on our side. I know we won by our own strength, though we did have to improvise and were forced to go outside of our comfort zone. We have a long way to go¡­ I couldn¡¯t be prouder of my little girls, though.¡± Tears came to her eyes as she felt the emotion in Mya¡¯s chest, regaining the pride she had before Pewter, only with the experience of humility to pair with it. Kneeling down to hug her three conscious girls, she pulled them up to the console to deliver their own teary words to the masses of Pokemon watching. ¡°Maw-mawile! Maw-maw.¡± ¡°Neeee! Ne-ne. Nee. Nee?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± Nova chimed, nuzzling the giggling puff ball before sniffing and looking up at the camera while no doubt thanking her mother. ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Mawile! Maw-maw!¡± Janine chuckled. ¡°Nova, your Trainer, and Ash¡¯s Pikachu really helped you. Is that right?¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°That¡¯s beautiful to see how far you¡¯ve come since Pewter, Mya. I expect great things from all of you in the future. Now, let¡¯s get you where you should be¡­¡± Koga walked out of the nearby shadows, causing a stir amongst the crowd; it seemed nobody knew the ninja grandmaster was there as his Venomath appeared from shimmering light to take her to see her family. Pressure returned to her chest as she remembered the state of her mom, making her lips pull in. I guess¡­ the roles are reversed this time, she whispered to her Pokemon, thinking back to when she¡¯d just started her journey. This has to stop¡­ The world spun as the loud chants and cries of the stadium faded away. She had to get stronger, and two people immediately came to mind. If she couldn¡¯t have her aunt, then two others were nearby with just about as much experience. Ash and Dawn can help us¡­ We need to train. B3 — 34. The Art of Comforting 3:01 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won another Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Colorful lights faded away as Koga teleported her, and Rhea¡¯s tired eyes lifted to see a waiting room, where much of her family waited, yet only her family was here. A little surprised not to see her teammates, it suddenly struck her that she hadn¡¯t even looked to see if Amira, Lori, Jason, or anyone else was cheering her on during the battle. She¡¯d been so focused on the match at hand and her mother¡¯s condition that it was like she was wearing blinders once she saw her grandparents and brother no longer in their seats. Thinking back now, maybe her friends were there with signs; she couldn¡¯t be sure, though. ¡°Aye, Lil¡¯ Swablu,¡± her grandfather whispered, white mustache rising as he was the first to pull her in. ¡°Ya did good with yer team¡­¡± ¡°Ne-ne-ne!¡± ¡°Who¡¯s this puff cloud?¡± he asked with a chuckle as Lulu jumped up to pound his chest in defense of her. ¡°Spirited young lass, ain¡¯t she.¡± ¡°Hey, Grandpa,¡± Rhea whispered, trying to hold back the emotion in her voice while moving closer to squeeze the surprised Cosmog between them. ¡°Hmm-hmm. I¡¯m¡­ not great, but holding in there. Where¡¯s Dad?¡± Her brother met her with her grandma, showing his supportive smile, as always, but his Aura was boiling. ¡°He¡¯s in with Brock and Mom. We don¡¯t want to crowd them as he figures out what to do. We saw the win,¡± he said, hugging her and pulling away to point at the screen, Koga silently retreating to the corner. ¡°Alice was clutch.¡± ¡°Yeah, she did good. Grandma¡­¡± Glacia swooped in to pull her into a comforting embrace, Aura waves radiating a warmth that made her bottom lip quiver. ¡°It¡¯s okay to cry, Sweetie. I¡¯ve done some myself¡­ No mother wants to see their daughter in that kind of shape.¡± ¡°Mmm¡­ Mmm-hmm,¡± she choked, sniffing back the fire crawling up her throat. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ trying to figure out what¡¯s happening. Mom¡¯s going to¡­ She¡¯s going to be okay. Right, Grandma?¡± ¡°Of course, she will¡­ Your mom¡¯s gone through worse, and it wasn¡¯t any kind of special energy type that can¡¯t be cured. That doesn¡¯t mean this isn¡¯t rough for all of us.¡± ¡°Mmhmm.¡± Accepting the handkerchief her grandmother handed her, she looked over at the door, spotting Lance sitting in the corner, arms crossed and deep in thought as he tried to give them space. Scanning the area, she couldn¡¯t see her blonde cousin. ¡°Where¡¯s Bi?¡± Sabin took in a deep breath and pointed at the room next to them. ¡°She went to the, umm, bathroom a bit ago¡­ She¡¯s not taking it well. She ran Hilbert and Hilda off to look for Ghetsis with everyone else.¡± Sucking in air, Rhea puffed it out in a controlled stream and rubbed her wet cheeks with the handkerchief before finding her internal strength. ¡°Okay. I¡¯ll talk to her. Umm, what about Ash and Dawn?¡± Her grandfather showed a solemn smile, but Rhea could tell he wanted to be out hunting for the people who hurt his daughter more than anything. But he was here to support them, trusting the younger generation to handle the legwork. ¡°Your aunt¡¯s been chewin¡¯ ¡®em out, runnin¡¯ them black and blue ta find answers since she¡¯s stuck in Sinnoh. Ghetsis made a lotta enemies, but that Mukin¡¯ Ditto has got him practically invisible. Iris put a fire under everyone¡¯s tails, though. We¡¯ll get ¡®im, Darlin¡¯.¡± ¡°I know¡­ Hey, Mr. Koga?¡± He nodded silently, waiting for her question as everyone looked between them. ¡°Can you pick up Alice and Mya when they¡¯re recovered? And, umm, what about my teammates?¡± Her brother came in for another hug, strong arms squeezing her tight. ¡°Mom and I didn¡¯t know what you wanted to tell them. I haven¡¯t even told Kate¡­ Lyra and most of the big shots already know Ghetsis made a move, but not all the details. She wanted to wait until you decided what to do.¡± Lips drawing in and thinking about her cousin and everything her teammates went through with Plasma already, Rhea was thankful they¡¯d waited. ¡°Tell Kate and Jason¡­ I¡¯m sure she already knows something¡¯s wrong. But, umm, maybe it would be better if¡­ Amira and Lori have been through a lot already. I¡¯ll message them.¡± ¡°Thanks, Sis¡­ Yeah, Kate could tell something was wrong. She¡¯s so Muking perceptive. Haaa¡­ You never think this kind of thing can happen. You know?¡± She gave him an encouraging smile this time, half wondering if he was saying that to help her rather than himself; it would be like her big brother. ¡°Tell Jason I¡¯ll be back when I can. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s worried about Mom almost as much as we are¡­ Be back in a bit.¡± Waving them off, she paused at the door upon realizing she didn¡¯t have her phone, yet a flash of rainbow lights, and Janine popped up with a supportive face, handing her the device. ¡°On a break between brackets and figured you probably didn¡¯t get it. Let us know if you need anything.¡± Laughing at how ridiculous the situation was, she accepted it. ¡°Thank you, Janine, for the battle and for being so accommodating to me and my family. I know you¡¯re probably dealing with all sorts of security stuff right now.¡± ¡°You have no idea!¡± she giggled, showing a strained smile. ¡°All that is beside the point. Things will get better, even if it¡¯s rough right now¡­ Aaaaaand, I sound like a total loser who doesn¡¯t understand how you feel.¡± She shook her head, thinking back to her speech and everything she¡¯d seen as a kid during the Ultra War. ¡°No, I think most Masters know how I feel¡­ I¡¯ve seen too much of it as a little girl.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ I hear ya,¡± Janine said, opening her arms welcomingly. ¡°Want another useless hug from an almost complete stranger?¡± ¡°Haha. I won¡¯t decline.¡± Feeling the weight on her shoulders being shared with every embrace, Rhea thanked her, waved at her family for strength, and slid the wood door open. She entered a hallway, seeing many doors with plaques clearly indicating each room¡¯s purpose; the bathroom sat near the end of the corridor. Closing the waiting room door, she breathed a few more times, rubbing her phone as Lulu floated down to land on her head and hug her. Nova was resting next to her spirit, providing her own comfort. Halfway down the hall, she leaned against the wall and brought up her contacts, hovering over her friend¡¯s numbers, but she clicked on the one below Amira¡¯s. Fixing her hair and dabbing at her cheeks again, the ringer didn¡¯t sound more than four times. ¡°Rhea, how are you doing?¡± said a concerned, motherly voice. ¡°Hey, Lyra. I¡¯m figuring it out. How¡¯s Amira?¡± ¡°Very happy and excited, actually. Apparently, she had a surprise visit when she went to the Center. Right now, she¡¯s talking about your matches with her grandfather a bit ahead of me. We¡¯re going to the Center to wait for you.¡± A pause came as Rhea found her elbow, a battle raging in her heart, and the brunette¡¯s soft voice interpreted it before she could respond. ¡°You¡¯re sweet, Rhea. Amira will be mad if you don¡¯t tell her, but I know you don¡¯t want to bring up bad memories. Do you want me to run cover for you and let her know you¡¯re going to have a private family gathering tonight?¡± The band compressing her chest eased up at the kind mom¡¯s gentle offer. ¡°Thank you, Lyra. Amira got her first badge. Maybe you could see if Lucian can join you guys or something,¡± she said with a wry smile, knowing the suggestion would certainly distract the redhead. ¡°Amira and he seemed to make up, and haha, I know she sounded like she enjoyed their private time out the other day.¡± ¡°A date, huh¡­ With the infamous Kalos boy? Why didn¡¯t she tell me?¡± Lyra hummed with sudden interest that made Rhea nervous she might have done an oopsie. ¡°I, uh, I mean, I don¡¯t know if it was a date. They just broke into the zoo to see the tigers, as well as did a few fun things that didn¡¯t seem like Amira.¡± She wanted to bite her tongue as Lyra¡¯s voice became even more enthralled; Rhea could practically see the mother¡¯s shining eyes fixated on her daughter¡¯s back through the call. ¡°My daughter¡­ broke the law with this boy? First Kekipi, and now Lucian. Hmmm¡­¡± I¡¯m sorry, Amira! I didn¡¯t mean to¡­ ¡°A-Anyway, thanks, Lyra. I want Amira to have a fun night; she doesn¡¯t need to feel down since there¡¯s nothing she can do, and I¡¯ve got my family here. I¡¯m not fine, but I¡¯ll be fine.¡± Lyra sighed, voice lowering. ¡°I knew you were a good match to be my daughter¡¯s friend, Rhea. I¡¯ll say it again, though: Amira¡¯s going to be upset when she eventually finds out. She¡¯s a smart girl and will also understand after some thought. I¡¯ll have my phone if you need me.¡± ¡°Thank you.¡± Hanging up before she put her foot in her mouth again, Rhea hovered between two names next. Mother or father¡­ Big sister. Sliding down further, she clicked the contact, and the woman¡¯s chipper voice came on, laughter heard in the background. ¡°Rhea, can I guess you¡¯re calling me to run interference with my little sis because you want her to celebrate her victory and not worry about something she can¡¯t fix?¡± ¡°H-How did you know?¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Mmm. I wrote a story about a character like you once: very sensitive about other¡¯s feelings, trying not to be a burden, and feeling like the odd country bumpkin that doesn¡¯t know anything about the world. You¡¯re more like Lori than you know; you¡¯re just a lot braver than her to show it. Unfortunately, I¡¯ll need to skip our family party and meet Iris soon to search for Ghetsis in my own way.¡± ¡°Thanks?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t know if she was dissing her, complimenting her, or what she was trying to get across. ¡°Should I call one of your parents?¡± ¡°No, I can tell them,¡± Shauntel bluntly replied. ¡°Honestly, I doubt Lori will last the next few hours before she collapses after all the fortitude she used in her battle, and I bet Len and Cass will take all of her attention until she turns into a Ghost. She¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ll probably see you later tonight, though. Stay strong.¡± A little thrown off by how happy the Ghost Grandmaster sounded, Rhea pulled her phone away from her ear as Shauntel hung up, an emoji of her hugging a ghost with a heart rising out of it soon arriving. I guess Ghost specialists are kind of in their own little world¡­ Lori does kind of hide her feelings. The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Huh¡­¡± Emotions thrown for a loop by the strange call, Rhea smiled, figuring it was the woman¡¯s own way of helping. ¡°Okay.¡± Building herself up, Rhea felt some of her internal strength somehow returning as a hot flame lit somewhere within her, feeding her power and comfort. Fingers tightening against her breast, her smile softened as Lulu moved down to hug her neck; she could practically feel the words welling up within her core. ¡°I¡¯m here to offer what aid I can.¡± Thank you, V¡­ Rhea swallowed the sticky saliva in her throat, feeling well enough to release Nova after the spike. Her Eevee promptly turned around and hopped up on her hind legs to hug her. ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Ne! Ne-ne-ne!¡± Bending down, she set her phone on the ground to pet Nova and pat Lulu. ¡°Thanks for always being by my side, girls¡­ We need to be there for my cousin right now, though. Mom¡¯s safe, and she¡¯s getting care. We can¡¯t see her until Brock is done, and I need something to put my energy toward¡­ Care to smother Bi in love with me?¡± Both her Eevee and Cosmog set their hearts with a nod. ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± ¡°Okay¡­¡± Taking one deep breath, she puffed it out in a rush. ¡°We can do this.¡± Striding forward, Rhea didn¡¯t need to use her Aura; she¡¯d just let her heart speak for itself as she opened the girls¡¯ bathroom doors to enter the inner rest area. A lump formed in her throat as she saw her blonde cousin, hair all wild, huddled in the corner, hugging herself and shivering¡ªreminding her that, despite being a twenty-six-year-old and married adult, Bi had her Gengars, too. ¡°Bi¡­¡± Rhea whispered as the blonde¡¯s chest quaked upon seeing her shiny, green eyes breaking into tears again, her glasses broken beside her. ¡°R-Rh¡­ Rhea, I¡¯m so sorry!¡± she cried, burying her face in her arms. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± Nova and Lulu flew over to hug her, Rhea moving slower to give her cousin a bit of time to process her presence. Sliding down beside her, she scooted in to lean against her shoulder, not wanting to go too fast and make her run away. Bianca was super sensitive, especially after she was bullied by her own fans, which caused some self-esteem issues when she was a teenager. She didn¡¯t say anything, letting her cousin let go of her own internalized guilt that no one was going to dispel but herself. Be it cooking, research, battling, or anything else in life, Bianca wasn¡¯t listening to anyone but her own inner nightmares at this stage, and she just needed her to be nearby when her emotions started to settle. Bangs bunching against her ear, Rhea leaned against the woman¡¯s side, letting her presence be felt while not going overboard. She forgot how often they¡¯d sat like this when she was a little girl, snuggled together in bed, off in the forest against a tree, or her favorite hideaway spot, the wild Pokemon food shed near the edge of town. Worse, she probably felt like she¡¯d not only failed her but her mother, as well; her mom¡¯s impossible station and legacy were always hanging over her like a guillotine. It was Rhea¡¯s mom that Bianca most connected to as a researcher rather than a Legendary Trainer, which probably made her beat herself up even more. After a time, Bianca sniffed back her tears, choking a few times. ¡°I failed her¡­ How could I let Ghetsis get close enough to me to steal my memories and DNA? It¡¯s my fault she¡¯s in there¡­ She told me where to pick her up to¡­ to see you, a-and now she¡¯s¡­¡± Not knowing the details, and not needing them right now, Rhea scooted in closer with her Pokemon, relying on her cousin¡¯s own Pokemon to eventually coax her out of her internal, self-destructive loop. ¡°I was the weak link¡­ I¡¯m always the weak link¡­ I¡¯m never good enough¡­ Why isn¡¯t anyone mad at me? Why can¡¯t I do anything right? I¡¯m not a good wife, I¡¯m not a good Trainer, I¡¯m not¡­ I¡¯m not a good daughter, I¡¯m not a good researcher¡­ I¡¯m useless¡­¡± Reaching around to pull her head against her chest, Rhea coughed and took a deep breath. ¡°You¡¯re a good cousin. Who always helps me when I¡¯m feeling down?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not good, though,¡± she protested. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ Look what happened to your mom b-because of me! Aunt Christie¡¯s always been good to me¡­ always. And now¡­ now¡­¡± ¡°She¡¯ll be okay. We¡¯ll all be okay¡­ It¡¯s okay, Bi. It¡¯s okay,¡± she whispered, knowing she needed the reinforcement as she pulled her tighter to give her a stronger sense of support. ¡°Grandma said it¡¯ll be okay, and you know Grandma never lies. Ah-hah. I don¡¯t think she can¡­¡± ¡°Haaa¡­ I¡¯m sorry, Rhea. I¡¯m so useless¡ªnow you¡¯re worried a-about me, and everyone¡¯s¡­ I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± Holding her cousin for a time, Rhea tried not to cry¡ªunsuccessfully, but sometimes it helped Bianca to calm down as the tables reversed. Lulu and Nova wept with them, and the few women that came into the restroom let them be once seeing them huddled together in the corner. Eventually, Bianca leaned into her, letting Rhea know she was doing better. ¡°I know¡ªit¡¯s not my fault,¡± she mumbled, swallowing the lump in her throat. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­ the fact he used me to get to Aunt Christie¡­ hurts. His unique Ditto can also copy its victim¡¯s memories to some extent, and¡­ and just knowing I shook hands with him¡­ thought he was some friend in the town¡­ It scares me.¡± ¡°That is pretty crazy,¡± Rhea said, finding her hand to hold it and making her cousin¡¯s puffy cheeks lift into a pained smile. ¡°He can really turn into anyone?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ It¡¯s, umm, some insane project your mom was working on with Rocket. Apparently, it was the whole reason for the Skull and Plasma stuff back when you were in Viridian. It¡¯s scary to think that all of that was going on when you were there¡­ You could even be him, and¡­ and¡­¡± ¡°Bi¡­¡± Rhea soothed, pulling her in. ¡°We¡¯re okay. My mom¡¯s going to be okay. Iris, your husband, Ash, Dawn¡­ Everyone¡¯s out looking for him. Without you, Hilbert, and Hilda, we wouldn¡¯t have even known something happened to my mom. Thank you, Bi. It¡¯s thanks to you that she was rescued!¡± ¡°No. No, no¡­ It was Hilbert and Hilda¡­ I was just with them¡­¡± ¡°Which is the whole point,¡± she said, lightly bonking heads with her cousin. ¡°Blame Ghetsis! I blame Ghetsis. He used you, and that¡¯s not your fault. He¡¯s the bad guy, not you! I love you, Bi¡­ You¡¯re practically my big sister. So comfort me, okay!¡± ¡°Hehe¡­ You¡¯re too nice,¡± she sniffed, hugging her back. ¡°Alright. Buck up, girl! Be the grown-up! We¡¯ll get Ghetsis, right?¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°He¡¯s the villain!¡± ¡°Yeah! Get mad!¡± ¡°I am mad!¡± ¡°Then get madder!¡± ¡°Grrr!¡± ¡°Grrr!¡± Meeting heads, they smiled at each other through their tears, Lulu and Nova mirroring them. ¡°That¡¯s it! You ready to call your Klutzy husband and let him know you¡¯re okay now?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ And he¡¯s not a klutz! He is dorky, though, and I love him for it. Humph.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the proud and delusional wife I know!¡± Rhea snickered, catching another light headbutt that made her stomach shake with mirth. ¡°I¡¯m going to go back and tell everyone you¡¯re ready to kick Ghetsis¡¯ tail while you talk to your hubby. Mad?¡± ¡°Furious!¡± ¡°Grrr!¡± ¡°Grrr! Haha.¡± Hugging one last time, she broke away and went to the mirror to splash cold water on her face and give her cousin a thumbs up. ¡°We good?¡± ¡°We¡¯re good,¡± she said with a rosy grin, returning the gesture. ¡°Only¡­ fix that hair. You¡¯re a mess! It¡¯ll worry your mom.¡± ¡°Haha. Okay, Mom!¡± Giggling, she motioned for her cousin to get over to help her, and she let the fragile blonde fuss over her a little. Once done, they embraced, and Rhea went back to the waiting room. She hardly got through the door when Jason was all over her. ¡°Rhea, are you okay?! Is Bi okay?! What can I do?¡± ¡°Woah, woah!¡± she laughed, trying to fend him off with held-up hands as she circled around him. ¡°Not jump me like that! Sheesh. Bi¡¯s okay now,¡± she reassured, directing it to her other family members. ¡°She¡¯s calling her dork husband r¡ªDad?¡± She cut off, throat catching as she saw her father and Brock sitting just outside the private room. Choking up, she walked into his open arms as he smiled and came to meet her. ¡°Mom, is she¡­¡± ¡°She said to send you in when you got back. I¡¯m sure Bi will get a stern talking to when she gets in. You know how hypocritical your mother is. Only she can blame and beat herself up. Am I right?¡± ¡°So right! Haha¡­ Thanks, Dad¡­ Thanks for saving, Mom.¡± ¡°Such a troublesome woman, huh?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± ¡°But we love her, so¡­ what can we do?¡± ¡°Beat her up!¡± Rhea responded with a huff. ¡°Ground her for life! Lock her in the house and never let her out!¡± Her grandparents chuckled with her brother and Kate, holding hands and being cute in the corner. Koga wasn¡¯t there anymore, likely waiting at the Center for when her Pokemon would be ready to come back. Guiding her away, her dad gently pushed her toward the door. ¡°Go tell her the bad news; she¡¯s been put on house arrest for the foreseeable future.¡± ¡°For the whole future,¡± she grumbled in response, getting a thumbs up from Jason that she returned; it was so nice to have family here to support her. She couldn¡¯t imagine losing any one of them. ¡°Be back in a bit.¡± She slipped through the door, surprised to see Lance, Elaine, Ash, and Dawn inside, standing around her mother¡¯s bed as they whispered to one another. Ash had his hat off, running his fingers through his hair as she entered. ¡°So, Mewtwo did create some kind of shield around you to block anything from breaking into your mind, and that¡¯s why he couldn¡¯t use the Ditto¡¯s¡ªoh, Rhea!¡± ¡°Pwe.¡± Nova¡¯s eyes widened as her mother poked her head around Elaine¡¯s leg. ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± Rhea felt relief and comfort come to her Eevee as her Champion jogged over to nuzzle her, Lulu getting in on the action. Ash looked from the greeting Eevee to nudged his head to the others. ¡°Let¡¯s give them some space. You got anything to say, Cynthia?¡± Dawn held up a phone, showing her aunt¡¯s somber, pain-filled smile on a video chat. ¡°Rhea, I¡¯ll make sure this never happens again. I¡¯m so, so sorry I can¡¯t be down there right now.¡± Holding up two thumbs and hoping it didn¡¯t come off as exaggerated, she forced a laugh. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Auntie. I know you would be here if there was any way possible, and Dawn¡¯s here! That¡¯s lucky, right?¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± The blue-haired girl gave her an encouraging gesture as the others did the same, filing out after her. ¡°We¡¯re here for you if you need us, Rhea. We¡¯ll just be in the other room.¡± Rhea motioned at Ambrosia that she could stay to support Nova, who could also use her own lifeline. She walked over to sit beside her mother, seeing a somewhat exhausted smile that put a nail into her gut. ¡°I know you¡¯re probably sick of sorries. So, I¡¯ll settle with, I¡¯m doing better than I was.¡± ¡°I¡¯m calm now.¡± ¡°That¡¯s good¡­ How is Bi? You¡¯re the only one she¡¯d listen to, and she¡¯s so hard on herself.¡± ¡°Dad¡¯s right¡­ You¡¯re such a hypocrite,¡± she sniffed, glaring at her depressed mother. ¡°The sins of the mother and father¡ª¡± she dramatically said before Rhea sharply tapped two fingers against her forehead. ¡°Ouch! I¡¯m injured,¡± she grumbled as Rhea took the initiative to rub her smarting head in her place. ¡°Which is why I¡¯m doing this,¡± she whispered, taking a seat next to her and finding it hard to keep her emotions after seeing all the bandages around her mother¡¯s wounds. ¡°I know you need to rest¡­ Are you comfortable?¡± ¡°As much as I can be,¡± she softly chuckled. ¡°Oh, Lulu. Hello.¡± ¡°Ne?¡± the Cosmic Pokemon lightly chirped, trying to fix her blankets. ¡°I¡¯m doing better. Thank you for your concern. Haaa. Bianca? Your aunt¡¯s worried sick about her.¡± ¡°She¡¯s doing okay now,¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°Bi will probably call her after Hilbert. Umm¡­ So, if Ghetsis didn¡¯t get what he wanted from you because of the psychic shield thing¡­ is he going to come back for you?¡± she squeaked, heavy blue eyes staring into her mom¡¯s. A long sigh left her mother¡¯s split lips. ¡°I don¡¯t know, Rhea¡­ I don¡¯t know. All I know is that he wanted information on the first dragon and my findings when uniting the DNA from Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem. I¡¯m not the only one with that information, but I seemed to be the easiest to get to¡­ ironically. The others are being put in witness protection.¡± Seeing the look on her face, her mother held open her hand for Rhea to take. ¡°Hey¡­ no one wants to see Ghetsis get what he wants. Giovanni says his top scientists have just put together a prototype device that will destabilize the Ditto in a radial area. Is it tested? No. But, it is something and looks promising¡­ at least from my unqualified eyes on the subject.¡± It got a strained smile from Rhea. ¡°Funny. Mom¡­ I know I say it a lot, but¡­ but please, please take better care of yourself. I can¡¯t lose you.¡± ¡°I know. I know¡­ Umm, onto another subject,¡± she said, settling back in. ¡°The Victini inside of you is going through some kind of metamorphosis due to your bonded Pokemon, Aura training, and¡­ as Ash pointed out, the primary contributor is probably the shamanistic side you accidentally dabbled in at Lavender. You met V, huh? Ash told me.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°You know V¡¯s name?¡± ¡°Haha. Yes, well, I wasn¡¯t sure if you were making her up as your imaginary friend due to the stories I used to read you or were actually communicating with her as a child, but I¡¯m sure it was the latter now. Want to tell me about it before I give up the Ghost? You can tell me a bedtime story this time.¡± Wanting to jab her mother¡¯s forehead again, she restrained herself for her health. ¡°It¡¯s not long, but okay. It started when you went MIA, and Ash was trying to figure out my Aura troubles. We had a vacation in the Orange Archipelago, where I met this nice redhead and another contender for Ash¡¯s girlfriend list.¡± ¡°Hehehe. Go on. I see you¡¯ve gone down the Buneary hole that is Ash¡¯s love life.¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°It¡¯s a deep and windy one.¡± ¡°Oh, Sweetie,¡± her mother said with a pained whisper, ¡°you have no idea¡­ V?¡± ¡°Back to V.¡± Rhea¡¯s fear melted away as she spent one-on-one time with her mother, and something felt different between them as her battered and beaten mom listened and laughed with her, asked questions, and engaged with her story. Despite the circumstances, she was starting to enjoy it. B3 — 35. Flaming Skirt 6:08 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won another Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Rhea smiled as her story about meeting V came to a close, and her mother¡¯s limp hand fell away; she¡¯d fallen asleep a bit ago, unable to keep her eyes open, but it was nice being able to feel her touch. Bending down, she held back her bangs to kiss her mother¡¯s bandaged forehead. ¡°Sleep well, Mom¡­ I love you.¡± Ambrosia and Nova nuzzled her leg as she pulled back to watch her mother¡¯s peaceful, resting face. Lulu had fallen asleep during story time, crawling into her shirt front, as usual, to be close to her heart. Nova jumped onto her lap, Ambrosia taking the opposite side to settle in. Passively stroking their smooth fur, Rhea closed her eyes and sat back to sit in the silence. Her mom was going to be okay. Things like this were happening all across the world. Life really was cruel and harsh. Ultra Wormholes could bring enemies across space and time. Aliens visited their planet to kidnap professors and researchers. Organizations spread their own ideals across the globe¡­ and it was only the imposing figures of Legendary Trainers¡ªTrainers like her aunt¡ªwho kept chaos from consuming them. Walking along Viridian, Saffron, and Vermilion City streets, it was easy to see the order and peace that their current system brought. Yet, they didn¡¯t realize the weight it put on the Masters¡¯ Community to maintain that security. Opening her eyes, she breathed out her stress in a long stream. If all of this could still happen when someone as strong as Ash, Red, Ethan, and her aunt were around, then was it even possible to create a world where something like this would never happen? Probably not. She didn¡¯t have an answer. Then again, if she did, she wouldn¡¯t have the power to see it through. Rhea swallowed and rubbed under Nova¡¯s chin, which sent positive waves back to her that said her Eevee loved it. Plasma wanted to destroy that connection she shared with Nova. They really were evil. All she knew right now was that she didn¡¯t want to feel powerless. Ghetsis was on the run, but not because of her; Iris was hunting him. Power wasn¡¯t everything, and she could realize that¡ªobviously, her aunt had that in spades¡ªan answer to how to prevent heartache wasn¡¯t so easily solved through force. Still, power was needed for everything. A short chuckle shook her chest, and she rubbed her forehead. Rhea could see why everyone chased power, yet it was useless fuel without a vehicle or destination to put it to use. ¡°I have so much to think about¡­¡± Nova and Ambrosia got up as she prepared to rise while Mya and Alice¡¯s spirits instantly drew closer, which meant Koga had returned with them. Giving her mom one last kiss goodbye, she tucked her blanket in and went to the waiting room. Almost everyone was gone except for Koga, her grandparents, and Jason. She accepted the two Master Balls from the Elite-4 member as Jason got up to join her, leaving his Galarian Zigzagoon curled around what appeared to be a t-shirt. ¡°Where did everyone go?¡± she asked, releasing Mya and Alice to join Nova; they immediately jumped forward to hug her, the bunny hanging around her hips. ¡°Mawile¡­¡± ¡°Lop-Lopunny¡­¡± ¡°Aww. I¡¯m okay now,¡± she soothed, preventing Lulu from falling out of her shirt as she bent down to stroke her Pokemon. ¡°I know you were worried.¡± The pressure of having her three Pokemon out was there, but V¡¯s spike of energy had helped to replenish what she¡¯d lost during the battle with Janine. She should be dying on the floor, yet the Victini¡¯s warm strength sustained her like an enveloping, comforting flame. Koga cleared his throat, and Rhea¡¯s stomach twisted with excitement as he held up a Silver Encrusted Soul Badge. ¡°You earned it.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± she breathed, taking it and squatting to let her Pokemon see it. ¡°Here, Mya, Alice! Hold on to it for me, will you?¡± ¡°Loppuny!¡± ¡°Maw-Maw¡ªMawile!¡± ¡°Lop-Lop-Lop!¡± Rhea giggled as the bunny snatched it and danced away, taunting the Mawile to chase her. Jason folded his arms and glanced around before chuckling at her troublemakers. ¡°Sabin and my sister went out to train¡­ probably. You know how Sabin can get, and I said I¡¯d hang with you. Lance is out doing Lance things, Elaine left to support Iris, and your dad is talking with Bi now. You really okay?¡± ¡°Huu,¡± she held her breath a second. ¡°Haaa. Better. What about Brock?¡± ¡°Conference with a few other doctors. They¡¯re discussing more treatment options, as far as I know.¡± Rhea¡¯s light-blue eyes shifted to her grandmother as she rose to approach them. She opened her arms, and Rhea welcomed the hug. ¡°Grandma¡­¡± ¡°Hmm. Your Spiritual Allocation feels full, Rhea, but your Mental and Physical could use a little treatment. Why don¡¯t you go force yourself to eat something with Jason?¡± ¡°Haha. Knew I¡¯d say I wasn¡¯t hungry, huh?¡± Rhea softly laughed. ¡°Alright, if you insist, Grandma. And full disclosure, I have been eating a very healthy amount since starting my Aura training.¡± Glacia drew back to fuss with her hair and clothes. ¡°I do. And that is what a grandmother loves to hear. We¡¯ll be with your mother as long as it takes.¡± ¡°Thanks, Gran.¡± Stepping away, Rhea grabbed her elbow as she saw one of the signs Jason must have been waving during the battle move a little. Alice noticed, too, because she jogged over to check it out, peering behind it. ¡°Lop?¡± ¡°Rab¡­¡± Alice jumped back as Sunny jumped in the opposite direction, sticking his hands in his fluff and looking away. ¡°Rab-Raboot.¡± ¡°Lopunny?¡± Jason chuckled with Rhea as her Pokemon surrounded the rabbit, Mya pointing at what was in the shirt the Zigzagoon was wrapped around. It seemed the Raboot hadn¡¯t gotten over his shy streak around the bun. Nova chirped at her mother as she nuzzled her and ran a short distance away; it soon became apparent they were saying their goodbyes when a Venomoth came to pick up the current Kanto Champion¡¯s Ace. Staring at the shirt, Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed as she saw the rounded end of something poking through the collar. ¡°Is that¡­ a Pokemon egg? Yellow and black?¡± Jason nodded, hands going in his pocket as he nudged his head to the door. ¡°We can talk about it on the way to the Ninja Restaurant District. Care to leave everyone to tease Sunny?¡± His Raboot gave him a look that said he¡¯d been betrayed as Alice and Mya giggled, jumping forward to poke at the shy rabbit. ¡°Ra-Raboot!¡± ¡°Lop-lop-lop!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± Nova¡¯s tail wagged as she snuck up behind him and tackled the boy, currently in the middle of backing away, making Rhea snicker. ¡°That¡¯s evil, Jason. Three girls vs. one boy. He¡¯s going to get eaten alive. Let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Raboot?!¡± he cried in desperation, hand outreached to his Trainer as Mya and Alice dragged him toward Kate¡¯s discarded bag, no doubt to raid the woman¡¯s accessories and makeup, Nova bringing up the rear with a wagging tail. Jason held up his fist as his Zigzagoon teammate chirped, waving his tail and ever the sociable one. ¡°Good luck, Bud!¡± ¡°Rabooooot!¡± Leaving him to the machinations of her three girls, Rhea giggled and was about to follow Jason out when her grandmother tapped her on the arm. ¡°Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Moving between Jason and her, Glacia showed a soft smile while looking down at her chest, where Lulu¡¯s puffy clouds could be seen poking out. ¡°I¡¯ll take care of Lulu for you while you¡¯re out.¡± ¡°Oh. Thanks, Grandma,¡± she laughed, seeing Jason turn his back to her, rubbing his neck. Was his ears red? Carefully extracting the sleeping gas cloud, she couldn¡¯t help a smile as the Legendary groaned in protest, clinging onto her hand. ¡°She likes to hear my heartbeat. It calms her down.¡± ¡°I completely understand,¡± her grandmother whispered. ¡°In that case, mine will have to do.¡± Rhea was a tad surprised when her elegant and proper grandmother lightly pulled back her dress front to allow Lulu to crawl inside and snuggle in. The Cosmog relaxed, allowing her poofy clouds to float freely. It seemed she¡¯d taken a liking to her grandmother. ¡°I¡¯ll leave her in your care then. Thanks, Gran.¡± Moving in to kiss her on the cheek and hug her, she broke away to grab Jason¡¯s hand and prompt him forward. ¡°Let¡¯s hope the food isn¡¯t as poisonous as everything else here.¡± ¡°Eh-hah. No joke. Thanks, Mrs. Bliss.¡± ¡°Just relax a little. We are here.¡± From the corner, her grandfather held up his fist, and Rhea did the same as they exited, seeing a look she hadn¡¯t seen before on her grandparents¡¯ faces. It almost seemed nostalgic, but a little different. Whatever it was, the Aura vibes were nice. Entering the hallway, she let go of Jason¡¯s arm and turned to smile up at him; he really had grown in the last few months. ¡°And what is up with that egg? Is it from my mom? She hasn¡¯t told me anything about giving you an egg.¡± Jason hummed and showed a half-smile. ¡°Probably because I asked her not to mention it.¡± Rhea¡¯s head tilted to the side, bangs falling in front of her right eye. ¡°Why?¡± ¡°Because I was insecure.¡± His laughter fell with a sigh. ¡°Rhea, you¡¯re so stupidly strong¡­ it has everyone worried. It¡¯s a lot of pressure. I¡­ don¡¯t want to be left behind, ya know?¡± ¡°I¡­ didn¡¯t know,¡± Rhea whispered, brushing the loose lock behind her ear as they walked past the bathroom she¡¯d comforted her cousin in. ¡°I guess Lori and Amira were kind of concerned about that, too. I don¡¯t want to cause people stress. I just¡­ want to get stronger so I don¡¯t make everyone worry about me.¡± Jason bumped into her, but it was lighter than it was the previous night. ¡°It¡¯s not something you should be fretting about. You know, I¡¯ve kept in contact with most of the other Starter Award Trainers.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea found her forearm behind her back, not looking where they were going since Jason probably knew the way. ¡°How are they doing? I should be checking up on them, but everything¡¯s just been¡­ No, I¡¯ve had time, I guess. I¡¯ve seen stuff from Casey; that¡¯s easy since she¡¯s my teammate¡¯s sister, though.¡± Her thoughts jumped to the day she¡¯d officially become a Trainer when she¡¯d met Jade, Hannah, and Sam. The two girls who sat with her so she wouldn¡¯t be alone came to mind. Girls she¡¯d known due to their mothers interacting with her aunt in Sinnoh. ¡°How¡¯s Olivia and Amy? I heard something about the speedrunning competition thing?¡± Running his fingers through his blue hair, Jason chortled. ¡°They were set to win, but now they upped the game. It¡¯s the first to get all Silver Badges now; there¡¯s a Bronze to Encrusted Silver speed run that your team is leading. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. ¡°I¡­ had no idea,¡± she said with a depressed laugh. ¡°Aww. I should message them¡­ I saw that we started this big push to get from Bronze to Silver, but I didn¡¯t know it was getting that big. I just want to get stronger now¡­ after everything with Plasma.¡± She looked up at Jason as he moved closer to press their elbows together, his hands still in his pockets; he was still wearing a small smile. ¡°I get all of that just flies right over your head with everything that¡¯s happened. Uh¡­ You know where we are?¡± He paused as they exited the labyrinth-like hallways to a wooden bridge at least fifty meters above the watery depths of the cavern floor. Rhea walked to the edge to peer down, noticing teenage ninjas running along the thin, tiny sticks poking out of the gently moving lake or massive river; whatever it was, it was impressive, nonetheless. ¡°Haha. No clue,¡± she said, feeling oddly better than before despite the conversation. ¡°I had no idea from all the videos that this Gym was actually inside this crazy ninja village. It¡¯s like¡­ it¡¯s its own city down here¡­ Look at the trees, buildings, and bridges¡ªit¡¯s crazy.¡± ¡°It is kind of pretty,¡± he said, glancing around the vast cavern space. ¡°You don¡¯t think all of this is natural, right? Do you think Koga¡¯s past clansmen built this with the help of Pokemon?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± Rhea nodded, sliding her fingers across the well-polished and worn wood railing. Above them were packs of flying cave Pokemon, and below there was everything from Mankey to Squirtle following the ninja Trainers as they went about their daily lives. ¡°It seems to be thriving. Uh, maybe we should use the signs?¡± Jason pointed at a split in the wide walkway, further down the bridge as it descended a level, showing a few wooden signs. ¡°I guess we can start there.¡± Rhea nudged him as they continued their path. ¡°You were the one that was supposed to be good with directions.¡± ¡°I was, wasn¡¯t I? Haha. Hey, Rhea¡­¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± She turned her gaze from the black ceiling, high overhead, natural light from mirrors or openings in the cave bringing glistening waterfalls that spread a light mist over areas to look at her childhood best friend. He wore a tight-mouthed frown ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± ¡°I wanted to talk to you privately tomorrow, but¡­ who knows what will happen between now and then.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes fell to the uneven steps as they descended them, which was probably a design choice. ¡°Right¡­ you¡¯re leaving for Kalos tomorrow to support Lucian. It might be half a year or more until we see each other again.¡± ¡°Yeah, probably,¡± Jason mumbled, vision shifting to a lift to their right that went down to a little island beside the signs. ¡°Looks like the mess hall is to our left. Want to grab the food and come back here to eat down there?¡± Rhea tried to add a positive smile and nodded. ¡°I¡¯d like that. Oh, is there a bench down there, too¡­ and did that guy just use a Blastoise to swim up that waterfall?¡± ¡°Wait, where?!¡± Rhea pointed the pair out, where a group of student ninjas rode Squirtles, attempting to do the same, and quite unsuccessfully at that. ¡°Muk, education here is rough! Haha.¡± Laughing with him, Rhea started listing all the things they did out in the wild growing up for fun rather than training: who could hold their breath the longest, mountain climb the fastest, or jump between the most tree branches. She started to enjoy herself more as they talked about their past adventures again, continuing the conversations they¡¯d had over the past few days. It made her realize how much of her life Jason had been growing up, and part of her wondered if Kate had hated her a bit for stealing all her little brother¡¯s time. Rhea gasped, a lightbulb flashing off in her mind as they waited in line behind a ton of ninja students who gave them questioning stares; clearly, word spread that they could be there, though. ¡°Jason!¡± ¡°What?¡± he asked, glancing around at the ninja, eating upside down or in other weird ways as they practiced their art, even during their ¡®downtime.¡¯ ¡°Yeah, the wall sitting is impressive.¡± ¡°No! No! Do you¡ªdo you think Kate got close to my brother to spite me, and¡­ and they grew closer together because I took all of your time when we were kids? Did I cause them to get together?!¡± Jason gave her a blank look as he took one of the two rice balls from a tray. ¡°Come again? Are you serious?¡± ¡°No, think about it!¡± Rhea chimed, getting into her head now. ¡°I¡¯d always sneak out and throw rocks at your window to come down and play during the Ultra War, and she was always harping on us not supposed to go out alone, so she got my brother to go with us, so¡ªno, she was trying to get me in trouble all the time by calling my brother!¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Jason¡¯s left eye creased as they got their food and walked back to the lift they¡¯d seen earlier. ¡°I think you underestimate my sister¡¯s infatuation with your brother. You know that class picture we do when we¡¯re thirteen?¡± Rhea¡¯s head bobbed as she bit a chunk out of an apple. ¡°Uh-huh.¡± ¡°Well, yeah, you do realize she blew that up a ton and literally cut out everyone else in it so she could put her and Sabin together? She had this whole thing in her room where she¡¯d cut Pokemon and them out to have the perfect little family and poke-pals.¡± ¡°No way!¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°That¡¯s so cute.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ more like creepy,¡± Jason snorted. ¡°It¡¯s why she wouldn¡¯t let you or anyone else in her room. I snuck pictures of it, and when I was fourteen, I threatened to show Sabin them if she told our parents that I ate all the ice cream. I thought I had her pinned as my slave for life!¡± ¡°Ooooh!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes grew big. ¡°What did she do?! She was seventeen then, right? If my brother did that¡­ nope, I can¡¯t see it. You¡¯re just a total Muk of a brother,¡± she snickered, looking off to the side. ¡°Did she beat you black and blue?¡± ¡°No!¡± Jason forced a laugh. ¡°It was actually pretty scary because she actually broke down. She was acting so panicked, and I never expected to see my brute of a sister collapse into tears that I deleted it on the spot¡­¡± ¡°And then she beat you black and blue!¡± Rhea said with a big grin as they descended the lift. ¡°I remember the result but not the cause. Hehe. I guess a guy would kind of see that as creepy, so I can understand why now.¡± ¡°I didn¡¯t at the time,¡± Jason grumbled, sitting down on a bench on the lone island to stare across the underbelly of the ninja village, which had a shocking amount of secrets to hide. Interestingly, all the pipes were mostly hidden in wooden covers that followed the support beams. ¡°I thought I was an awesome brother for being so kind to my sister and destroying the blackmail. Haha. I was so stupid.¡± ¡°You really were!¡± Rhea agreed, biting into one of the rice balls. Silence fell over them as she swung her legs on the tall bench, barely unable to touch the grass. Her heart had stilled by quite a bit since leaving her mother, and she didn¡¯t laugh like this when she was with her teammates. Sure, she had fun with the girls, but it wasn¡¯t the same when she was with Jason. Her mind wandered back to Pallet Town when she¡¯d first touched down on her brother¡¯s Aerodactyl outside of the city, nervous about meeting all the other Starter Award Winners. Never in her wildest dreams would she have thought her first time away from home would be like this, or that she¡¯d be here with her best friend, inside a ninja cave, sharing a meal. Jason finished his food before her, but she did grab almost double his since she needed the extra intake due to her Aura burn. He wiped his mouth and took a sip of his bottled water before scanning the orange light that was cast from the falling sun, reflecting into the cave. ¡°Rhea, you know¡­ my sister used to always tease me a lot.¡± ¡°Pfft! I know; she was a total bully to you,¡± Rhea mused, looking back. ¡°I mean, you did deserve it a little, from time to time.¡± ¡°Yeah, hah, I guess I did¡­¡± He sucked in the corner of his bottom lip. ¡°She said I¡¯d start noticing a lot of hidden things about you as I grew older.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea asked, giving him an impish grin and lifting her eyebrows. ¡°And what secret things have you discovered? My stress acne suddenly going away as my Aura increased?¡± He nudged his head to the side, lifting his own eyebrows. ¡°I mean, that one was pretty obvious, but you never had bad acne to begin with.¡± ¡°Liar! I had it soo bad when I was thirteen.¡± Jason held up his hands and wiggled them. ¡°Oh-no! I have one pimple on my nose for picture day!¡± ¡°It was picture day! It¡¯s immortalized!¡± Rhea defended with a glare. ¡°Totally!¡± His smile softened, and he reached up to pull around her long braided hair. ¡°I know that Bianca did your hair and added a little makeup to hide the fact you¡¯d both been crying.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes creased while looking down at the shiny sheen of her bound locks. ¡°Bi always did love fussing over my looks¡­ She was the one who taught me about dressing nice before Amira¡¯s advanced courses.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Jason whispered, holding up her hair for her to study again, ¡°she¡¯s done an amazing job because I¡¯ve never seen your hair look this golden and bright. You always had beautiful hair, but it¡¯s on a whole new level now.¡± ¡°Thanks¡­¡± He let go, letting it fall across her front as he looked straight into her eyes, making her swallow when staring into his amber irises; she¡¯d never noticed how bright they were. A pressure spontaneously hit her chest as his hand closed around hers¡ªadaptive, strong¡ªand the cool cavern breeze tickled her neck. His touch was like fire and ice sliding across her skin, locking air inside her lungs as she saw the warm light touch his tanned face. What¡¯s happening? This can¡¯t be¡­ Jason¡¯s breath felt hot and cold at the same time against her cheek as he sighed. ¡°Rhea, what I wanted to say to you was¡­ I think I really like you, and¡­ I have for a while now.¡± Heartbeat picking up, thoughts going wild, all the cave¡¯s sounds faded away as she focused on his serious eyes and determined voice. ¡°H-Huh? No, w-what¡¯s there to like about me?¡± she asked, throat feeling as if a Froakie was lodged inside it, yet Jason¡¯s hand tightened around hers before she could pull away. ¡°What¡¯s there to like? Heh. What¡¯s there to not? You¡¯ve got a glow that I haven¡¯t seen in any other woman, and I¡¯ve looked¡­ When I look at your hand, I want to hold it. When I see your hair, I want to feel it, and your lips¡­¡± Feeling as if the world abandoned her, Rhea gulped, gut untwisting, and it felt like her heart had stopped working. ¡°What about my lips?¡± Jason swallowed, drawing her gaze to his mouth as he spoke. ¡°It¡¯s just, your pink lips really drive me crazy sometimes¡­ I know this is out of the blue for you. Heh. You can be a bit dense, which is something I love¡­ Can I kiss you?¡± Rhea was sure she said yes, but she didn¡¯t recall it as her brain was pulled into the clouds as he scooted closer. His blazing hand left hers to slide around her waist, drawing her closer as his other moved toward her face, gentle fingers caressing her skin to hold the right side of her head, just below her ears. Eyes closing, fireworks lit in her belly as his lips met hers, soft and magnetic, the warmth sucking the air from her lungs with the sweet taste of apples on his breath. World whirling as he pulled away, Rhea felt a restless sea rush into her tight chest, and she pushed forward to kiss back, the world melting away. It could have lasted forever, the rush of electricity that sparked from her back and tickling hair from his caring hands, yet in a rush of icy-hot air, she drew back, feeling breathless. A meek smile lifted her tingling lips as Jason mirrored her, chest shaking with weak laughter. ¡°Wow¡­ that was¡­ like a Tyranitar fighting for territory. No prisoners, huh?¡± Rhea blushed, but a grin split her lips. ¡°You¡¯re the one that started it, dummy! Did we really just¡ªeep!¡± Jason went in for another peck, making her bite her tongue and cough. ¡°Ack! Not fair! Ouuuu.¡± Jason snickered, bonking heads with her before pulling back. ¡°I can kiss it better!¡± ¡°Stupid!¡± Rhea laughed, wiping away tears and punching his hard chest. ¡°Geez! Is¡­ that what kisses are supposed to be like? Ack. Haaa. Let me breathe!¡± ¡°Right?¡± Jason said, scooting closer to lean against her as she turned away and fixed her skirt; if she had pants, they¡¯d be on fire as she tried to make herself small, not that it was hard with her ¡®best friend¡¯ looming next to her. Her throat caught again as he grabbed her hand and guided it to his thigh, holding it there. Stupid! Stupid! Calm down, girl! she internally scolded, legs and thighs locking together. Lori, help! What is even happening?! Why is he nibbling his lips like that? Was I a bad kisser? Of course I am! I¡¯ve never kissed anyone¡­ not like that¡ªwait, how the Muk is he so good at kissing?! Rhea looked up at him with a suspicious frown that got a laugh out of him and broke her scowl, imagining him walking down the street with a line of girls waiting to be kissed. ¡°Stop looking at me! Gah¡­¡± ¡°Haha! You¡¯re so shy compared to how you normally are!¡± ¡°Shut up! Mmmgm¡­¡± She forced down the sticky saliva in her mouth, forcing herself not to touch her still-tingling lips. Her body was burning up inside; she blamed V. ¡°Do you¡­ really like-like me? Why¡­ wait until now? It¡¯s kind of a douche move since you¡¯re leaving,¡± she grumbled, shooting another glare up at him. ¡°Since how long?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. No, you¡¯re right,¡± he whispered, being a total jerk and distracting her by tracing the back of her hand with his free fingers. ¡°I¡¯ve been trying to figure out if¡­ I do love you, and¡­ and after that kiss, I think I do. It¡¯s just¡­ that simple, and so I went for it.¡± Rhea leaned against him, resting her head against his shoulder like she¡¯d done dozens of times before, yet now, it felt different. ¡°Honestly, I¡­ don¡¯t know if I can say I love you the same way. That kiss was¡­ everything I ever dreamed a kiss would be like¡­ and more,¡± she said with a weak laugh. ¡°I¡­ think I might like you, but¡­¡± She felt his silent chuckle through his muscular arm as he puffed out a short sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not saying you need to love me back. I just needed to be sure of my own feelings, and now I¡¯m sure. I know I suck for doing it when¡­ everything is happening, but I was scared I wouldn¡¯t get another chance, ya know?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes drifted to the rippling water, a new kind of pressure banding around her chest. ¡°No, I get it. After everything I¡¯ve been through since we left home, I get it. Right now, I¡­ think I do want to explore this more. Heh. That is if no Kalos Lass gets her claws into you. Hmm? You are pretty handsome now, after all.¡± ¡°Wha¡ªnow? Haha. Was I just some dorky kid that was smaller than you growing up all this time?¡± ¡°I mean, facts are facts,¡± she giggled, squeezing his hand. ¡°Aww. Now I¡¯m thinking about Alice and Sunny. Hmm. Jason¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± He tilted to look down at her as she pulled his hand onto her thigh, reversing the tables and tracing the veins. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Her voice lowered, cheeks darkening. ¡°Thank you for punching me in the face¡­¡± Jason breathed and added a strained smile. ¡°I mean, it was a competition! I got you that plushy to make up for it.¡± ¡°Jason!¡± She smacked the back of his hand and glared up at him. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about the Mankey Slap Contest!¡± ¡°Hahaha! I know! I know! You¡¯re just really cute when you get that look on your face, and I¡¯m not talking about the black and blue look.¡± ¡°Mmgm!¡± She headbutted his shoulder. ¡°Be careful out there¡­ I¡¯ll look at your posts every night¡­ Promise.¡± Jason gulped before leaning in and kissing the top of her head. ¡°Talk about pressure to succeed. Don¡¯t want to look like a loser in front of the girl I love. I guess I will have to get stronger than you, huh?¡± A half-smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips as she rubbed the spot he¡¯d pecked. ¡°Fat chance, buddy. You have your work cut out for you if you think you¡¯ll beat me and my team.¡± ¡°Haha. I sure will, but¡­ hey, I¡¯m not gone yet. Want to wander and get into trouble before heading back and checking up on your mom?¡± ¡°Sounds like fun,¡± she said with a grin. ¡°Where to first, Mr. Raboot?¡± ¡°Why not enjoy the mystery, Ms. Lopunny?¡± he chuckled, pulling her up and interlocking their fingers. ¡°Right this way.¡± Letting herself be guided around the ninja hideout, Rhea found a new sense of happiness with Jason that she hadn¡¯t experienced before, which was a nice contrast compared to how things had been the last several hours. Whatever this feeling was, she liked it, but there was that nagging feeling in her gut that he would be leaving tomorrow. It was something she¡¯d have to address before he did board his plane. Did she enjoy what she considered her ¡®first kiss?¡¯ Without a doubt. That didn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t have a bitter aftertaste that she would let slide. B3 — 36. The Numbers, Jason! 8:28 p.m. August 15th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 67. Events: Rhea won another Silver-tier Encrusted Badge after a tough battle! Now, our girls are on their way to getting their four Encrusted Badges for the League. Onward! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (111 days away). Butterfree still fluttering their wings, Rhea held her childhood best friend¡¯s hand, exploring Fuchsia¡¯s hidden ninja village and letting go of all the stress that had eaten her up over the last several hours. Somehow, Jason made her feel like everything would be okay, and that wasn¡¯t new, but this was different somehow. Rhea¡¯s fingers squeezed his as they followed the random maze of bridges and caves until they arrived at what appeared to be the back of a large, silky waterfall, too thin to climb like the others. Benches and faint green lights dotted the private room, and beyond it, a fuzzy picture of the village could be seen. Jason¡¯s free hand glazed over the back of her wrist, Rhea mirroring him as it left a line down the gentle stream. ¡°Cool place¡­ We haven¡¯t seen anyone for a while, have we?¡± ¡°Ninja hideout,¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°I bet there are a dozen or more somewhere here making sure we don¡¯t do anything we shouldn¡¯t.¡± ¡°Invasive peepers, huh?¡± Jason returned, guiding her to the bench that faced the smooth, rippling water as the secret city lit blazing fires to illuminate key areas during the night. ¡°Hey, you doing okay?¡± Rhea sat and adjusted her skirt, lips pulling in as she breathed and scanned the distorted buildings below; they¡¯d climbed quite high through all those tunnels. She¡¯d cooled down from the chemicals rushing through her veins to think clearer. ¡°Kind of¡­ but not really.¡± Her focus shifted to the tall boy; no, maybe Jason was becoming more of a man now. Scanning his attentive face, she felt the same bitter spur that came from the knowledge that he¡¯d be ducking out to Kalos in the morning. ¡°I want to think I like you, Jason¡­ I want to think what I¡¯m feeling is real, but I¡¯m also not sure¡­ And you¡¯re leaving. That¡¯s a Toxic Move, man.¡± she grumbled. Jason sighed, chest puffing up before deflating and looking away. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m¡­ kind of pulled between staying and going, to be honest. I did kind of rush into this to be sure of my feelings¡­ when you haven¡¯t had the chance to process anything through that thick skull of yours¡ªeesh.¡± She snorted, nails digging into his skin before pulling away, standing, and crossing her arms to look down at him. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to be that girl that holds you back¡­ Actually, I have a better idea!¡± Rubbing the area she¡¯d left an imprint on, Jason sat back and gave her a curious smile. ¡°I¡¯m listening, Boss.¡± Internally snarling at the crease his eye made, highlighting his half-smile, she screamed, Stupid! Why is he suddenly so handsome?! Get your head in the game! Shifting her weight to hide her sudden jitters, Rhea cleared her throat and glanced at the corner of the cave, hoping her face wasn¡¯t too red. ¡°If you¡¯re serious about this ¡®bro journey¡¯ thing, then I¡¯m going to need some proof that this is something you¡¯re totally on about¡­ If you do like me, I don¡¯t want to play second fiddle to a bunch of helpless guys who are only dragging you along to be their cook. Okay?¡± Jason¡¯s chest shook with quiet laughter. ¡°Wow, Rhea, way to frame my homemaking skills. I mean, I was the one who always cooked when we went out camping, too.¡± His mouth became a line as he tilted his head to the side. ¡°To be fair, when you got on that cooking thing with Bi, you got better at it.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks darkened with her glare. ¡°Really? I¡¯ll have you know I¡¯m the best cook in my team!¡± ¡°Oof. Not selling Amira and Lori well there, My Lil Swablu.¡± ¡°Oh, shut up!¡± Rhea growled, slapping his arm and shaking her head at having her cooking skills being brought into question while her grandfather¡¯s pet name came into the equation. ¡°Just because you¡¯re an amazing cook doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m bad.¡± Jason grinned and waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Different cooks, different standards. Haha. No, I¡¯m up for anything, Rhea. I am serious about getting stronger as a team with Len and Lucian. What hoops do I gotta jump through for a prize, Master?¡± ¡°Eh-heh. You¡¯re ridiculous,¡± she snorted as he gave her a cute chime at the end. Somehow, her bangs had slipped out of place, forcing her to brush it back and take on a more serious tone. ¡°Jason¡­ I¡¯m serious about wanting to get stronger. I¡¯m going to ask Ash and Dawn to help me push hard¡­ I learned what we¡¯re up against in Silver from Janine.¡± Fingers sliding through his ruffled, cobalt-blue hair, Jason nodded, leaning back to support himself against the bench. ¡°I saw how serious you were¡­ I got a rundown on the whole Buddy Bond thing you have going on with Lulu, too. Ash has really spurred your Aura training, hasn¡¯t he? I¡¯ve been feeling it radiating like an actual flame over the last two hours. What do I need to do?¡± Rhea¡¯s face softened as she released her stress and sat next to him again. ¡°I want you to show me you¡¯re serious. I want you to reach Gold and beat me at least once. We¡¯re not going to go easy, too, and I know this is probably going to be hard for Sunny since I¡¯ll use every advantage, including his feelings for Alice.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Jason scratched his neck. ¡°You might be surprised when I get back, and my shy rabbit makes your little bun hide behind your fine legs.¡± ¡°You¡¯re hopeless,¡± she whispered, thighs tingling at the compliment as she elbowed him. ¡°Come back and join us in Gold. Oh! And beat me once,¡± she swiftly added. ¡°If you can¡¯t do that, then I know you weren¡¯t giving it your all.¡± ¡°Hmm. Wooh.¡± Jason folded his arms and shivered, looking up at the distorted light passing through the holes in the cavern ceiling. ¡°Tall order, Goldie. Tall order¡­ I know I¡¯m not strong enough right now to fulfill it¡­ but I will because you asked me to.¡± Mouth suddenly sticky with saliva, Rhea¡¯s gut squirmed, and she tightened her legs together, playing with her feet. ¡°You do sound pretty serious¡­ You know how strong I¡ªJason?¡± He took her hand, drawing her widening eyes as he leaned in and planted another kiss on her lips, making her tense up. Pulling back, his hot breath pressed against her neck and cheeks, a nod and smile breaking Rhea¡¯s concentration. ¡°Thought so¡­ sweeter than Mago berries. I think I¡¯m addicted, so¡­ I don¡¯t think I have a choice. Consider your challenge accepted, Sunshine.¡± Pulling in her lips, attempting not to lick them, Rhea cleared her throat and swallowed whatever was in her mouth to save her desert-like throat. ¡°You¡­ play dirty,¡± she accused, feeling like he¡¯d pulled the air out of her lungs again. ¡°I don¡¯t have a choice when I¡¯m up against the legendary Rhea.¡± Bending in to kiss her forehead this time, he chuckled and stood up, sticking his hands in his pants. ¡°I¡¯ve got a goal to reach, so I better get going, but maybe next time we meet, it¡¯ll be cold, and I can hold your hands in the sleeves of my sweater?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea¡¯s prickling thighs were soon overshadowed by the man standing over her, arms open. ¡°What kind of fantasy are you imagining right now¡ªus walking down a snowy beach together?¡± Nonetheless, she got up to be drawn into his chest, feeling a new kind of warmth than everything she¡¯d felt previously; it was like the world itself was a freezer, and Jason a welcoming fire. It had to be the stupid imagery he¡¯d put in her mind. Momentarily hearing his heartbeat with her ear against his chest, his voice transferred in a low rumble to her. ¡°Sorry to say, Rhea, but I¡¯m just a man, and we¡¯ve got our weaknesses like any other Pokemon, and mine happens to be Alcremie.¡± ¡°Stupid.¡± She smiled, now imagining herself in the cream Pokemon¡¯s butter; that didn¡¯t last long until other thoughts turned her face a bright cherry. ¡°So stupid!¡± Almost falling as she stumbled back, skirt a raging inferno again, she held her tight fighters against her belly. Jason only laughed, seemingly oblivious to her train of thought as he rubbed his neck and glanced at the now dark ninja city. ¡°Not wrong¡­ You know what I think I like about you the most, Rhea?¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, blowing the hot pressure welling up within her; she couldn¡¯t handle any more compliments, and it was probably something like her athletic build, chest, or something every boy thought about. ¡°You already said my, eh-heh, ¡®fine leg,¡¯ so I know where your eyes are going.¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± His gaze fell to her legs, making her want to curse her own tongue, but they soon returned to her face with a slight shrug. ¡°I mean, you are super beautiful overall, including your legs, and your hair certainly does make you stand out as a bundle of sunlight, but¡­ it¡¯s your smiling blue eyes and lips that I most want to look at.¡± That¡¯s it, Rhea internally relented. He¡¯s trying to kill me. No way he just said that¡­ Who says that?! He said it was my lips that drove him crazy¡­ Stupid! Stupid! Get out of your Muking head! He¡¯s leaving you for a bunch of boys¡¯ nights, idiot! Gluping, her fingers found her elbow, and she smiled. ¡°You mean that?¡± ¡°I do.¡± ¡°You do, huh?¡± Rhea asked, screaming at her bangs as they slipped out of place again, forcing her to brush it back. ¡°So¡­ what now?¡± Jason kept his distance now, hands in his pockets again when he should have them on her face. No, he should keep his distance! He was being too handsy already! But it would be nice to feel the tingles to see if they would return again. Where was her brain taking this?! Her mind snapped into focus as Jason sighed. ¡°To be honest, it¡¯s too cold in this world without something warm to snuggle or hold, so¡­ can I at least get some photos of the fun you have each week to keep me from freezing in Kalos?¡± S-Snuggle?! Rhea internally screamed; her hair should have been the color of Amira¡¯s at this point. Someone to hold? Where is he coming up with these lines? Where does he want them to go? Focus! Focus! ¡°Eh-hehe. Sure¡­ Umm. So, I guess I should head back and see my brother¡ªMom, I meant Mom.¡± Muk! ¡°Yeah, so¡­ I guess I¡¯ll¡­¡± ¡°No, yeah¡­ uh, you know the way?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± Rhea turned to look down the tunnel. ¡°Are we lost?¡± ¡°Hssss-haha. No, I can figure it out¡­ probably. Another adventure?¡± ¡°Another adventure.¡± Walking beside him, she kept her hands to herself this time, holding them behind her back as they traced the path they¡¯d taken. Jason offered a few more conversation points, yet her brain was already long past cooked, and by the time she was standing in the waiting room, she couldn¡¯t say one thing they¡¯d talked about on their return. ¡°Sis, you good?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Blinking, she turned to see Jason giving her a strained smile, egg in his hands, and waving before leaving; Sunny slunk after him in a defeated walk, fur gleaming, bobbles adorning him, and an absolutely atrocious makeup fiasco caking his face. ¡°Where¡¯s he going?¡± Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Kate snickered as she joined them, scrutinizing her. ¡°What happened to you two?¡± ¡°Pwe-Pwe?!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Pun-Pun!¡± ¡°What¡ªnothing!¡± Rhea hastily protested as her Pokemon swarmed her, peppering her with questions and no doubt wanting details to the emotions burning her up inside. It took all Rhea had not to remember the sensation or taste of his lips on hers. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­ Where did Jason go?¡± Her brother hummed and looked at the closed door before spotting her hyperactive, enthralled Pokemon jumping around her. ¡°He said he had a lot of work to do to reach stage one of his goal. Was he okay? He knows Mom is going to be okay?¡± Cheeks flushing at the introduction of stages, Kate looked at her closer. Her Pokemon were now discussing her deflections and moved to try and be a distraction as Nova tugged on Kate¡¯s dress. ¡°R-Right! No, he totally knows¡ªit¡¯s umm¡­ yeah.¡± ¡°It¡¯s, umm, yeah, huh?¡± Kate repeated with a small smirk, kneeling down to scratch under Nova¡¯s chin, melting the Eevee; it was total defeat. ¡°Well, color me curious, Babe. What¡¯s with that face, hmm? Something happen to you two while you were¡ª¡± ¡°He¡¯s just going to train. Oh, are, uh, Ash and Dawn back? They are! What happened?¡± Framing her chin, Kate nodded with a twinkle. ¡°Topic changer. Big! Yeah, they got in a bit ago, totally exhausted for some reason. Cute, aren¡¯t they?¡± Rhea pulled out her phone and walked around her brother to take a picture of the pair, her Pokemon tailing. Leaning shoulder-to-shoulder, resting against each other, the two sleepy-heads were passed out, Pikachu and Piplup snoozing in their laps. ¡°What happened to them? And¡­ where¡¯s everyone else?¡± Kate stood beside her brother, joining her and keeping her voice down. ¡°They¡¯re talking in private. Mom¡¯s still asleep, though. We¡¯ve been officially kicked out. Bummer, huh? I think they found Ghetsis, but he got away with just a blown-off arm or something.¡± ¡°You okay, Sis?¡± Retreating to another wall to sit, Rhea experienced a sudden rush of fatigue. Nova jumped on her lap, Mya and Alice holding onto her knee and staring up at her. ¡°Haaa. Just¡­ drained. I think I¡¯ll close my eyes for a little, too.¡± Kate¡¯s gentle hand rubbed against her shoulder. ¡°Yeah, just relax for a bit. Today must have been draining. An intense Encrusted Challenge, and then the Muk with your mom.¡± Keeping the details to herself, Rhea snarled inside. And my best friend randomly asked to kiss me out of the blue before flying off to a whole new region. No, he kissed me twice, and made me imagine all sorts of insane things! The stupid idiot. ¡°Yeah,¡± she grumbled, ¡°you could say a lot happened all at once. I just need¡­ a little sleep¡­¡± She barely got the words out as the warm energy V sent her dwindled, and she slumped against the arm of the chair. Heat caressed her body, bringing her into a safe embrace, and when her eyes cracked open again, she was lying in a bed, a familiar Bellossom scent wafting around her. ¡°Mom?¡± ¡°Mmm. Hello.¡± Her mother¡¯s arms pulled her closer, making her panic a little. ¡°Mom, your burns¡ªthey¡¯re¡­ gone?¡± Rhea got a mouth full of her mom¡¯s big, thick, blonde bun as she pulled her back in, and she saw her Pokemon surrounding them. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Rhea. I¡¯m okay¡­¡± Settling in, she allowed a half-sleeping Alice to snuggle closer, catching Mya as the only outlier, unable to get in on the action due to her weight and steely body. Nova was cuddled next to her mother¡¯s Bellossom at the foot of their bed, between their legs, and Lulu was nuzzling against her mom¡¯s chest this time. She examined what little of her mother she could see, trying to pluck strands of hair from her mouth. ¡°Blah¡­ How?¡± A horror movie situation put a spike through her now thumping heart. ¡°How¡­ long was I sleeping?¡± Her mother stroked her head and chuckled before directing her to a half-empty bottle on a table. ¡°A few hours since you were brought in. My rapid recovery is thanks to¡­ that. Doctor Anna, Brock, and so many others worked hard to prep me, while Ash and Dawn went to Mt. Quena, and found the real Clarity Lake, where Mewtwo had moved it.¡± Looking over the smooth, unblemished skin that had severe chemical burns among many other lacerations only hours ago, heat rose in Rhea¡¯s nose. ¡°Wow¡­ that¡¯s¡­ Why don¡¯t we have a store of that stuff since it works so well? Are you really okay?¡± ¡°Yes, Sweetie. I¡¯m doing much better.¡± ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay, Mom,¡± she mumbled through her tears, hugging her tightly. ¡°Eesh¡ªwell¡­ mostly okay!¡± ¡°Sorry¡­¡± Her mother puffed out a hot breath and kissed her forehead. Resting against her, she nuzzled closer. ¡°Clarity Lake is something very important to Mewtwo¡­ Amira¡¯s grandfather once tried to steal the miracle water in order to turn a profit, and it was those waters that saved him from the special machines Giovanni used to weaken him¡­ Mewtwo hasn¡¯t had the¡­ best track record with humans¡­ Either of them.¡± Finding her mother¡¯s hand, she squeezed it. ¡°Ash is friends with him, though, right?¡± ¡±Mmm. Friends is a¡­ strong word and not one Mewtwo takes lightly,¡± she whispered. ¡°From what I hear, they had some trouble convincing him to allow them to bring some back, but they did manage to convince him, which shows how amazing Ash truly is, because I doubt your aunt would have been able to go that route.¡± She discovered a new sense of respect for the Legendary, former World Champion, having currently lost it to Red in their last conflict. Although her aunt told her once that Ash had beaten her, Rhea, being a little girl with an invincible aunt, didn¡¯t believe her, but now she was seeing just how phenomenal the ¡®Hopeless Kanto Failure¡¯ was. ¡°So, how long will you be in here?¡± Her mother carefully reached for a remote on the side table. ¡°I¡¯ll be in bed for at least another few days; your father will make sure of that.¡± Nodding in agreement, Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed while staring at the screen as it lowered automatically from the ceiling; it was a VIP medical room, after all. ¡°Good. And¡­ what¡¯s this?¡± ¡°Hehehe.¡± ¡°Mom¡­ why are you giggling?¡± Rhea slowly asked, fear now twisting her gut as the TV flipped on. ¡°No-ho-ho.¡± A close-up shot of her walking hand-in-hand with Jason came into view, shot in top-quality definition, and at a range that made her want to scream and pull her hair. ¡°How?¡± Snickering came from behind them as a puff of smoke revealed Janene. ¡°Kid, did you really think you¡¯d escape the young kunoichi girls doing what they do best? Romance is a hot topic, and they go to great lengths to escape their peers¡¯ eyes. You just flaunted it right in their faces.¡± ¡°Mmgm-hmm-hmm-hmm,¡± Rhea cried, sinking into oblivion as Jason took her down to lift. ¡°You have to destroy this. Mom, have you seen this yet?! No, of course, you did with that look on your face. Kill me!¡± Her mother wiggled closer. ¡°Oh, I think it¡¯s adorable. And the way you told him you couldn¡¯t say you loved him when I knew you were hot and bothered tells me all I need to know. I called it when you were twelve. Your dad and I have a running bet.¡± ¡°No!¡± Janine leaned against the side of the bed with a silly grin. ¡°I liked the part about the legs. You know one of the kunoichis actually put a ¡®leg, butt, and chest-glance counter¡¯ on her recording. Curious as to the tally? Hehe. You¡¯ve got the whole village in a buzz.¡± Nova¡¯s ears rose with her head as she looked between them. Rhea was trying not to look; her body temperature was already rising beyond normal levels. ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Pun-Pun¡­¡± Alice grumbled, nuzzling her arm. Mya was still dead to the world. Rhea rubbed between her eyes. ¡°Mistakes have been made. You need to destroy this! Full purge!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon,¡± her mother said with a rosy smile as she nudged her. ¡°You¡¯ll love this in the future. Oh, that look of you melting inside his gaze, fingers closing around your neck¡ª¡± ¡°Mom!¡± ¡°Okay. Hehe. Okay. I¡¯m sure the ninjas won¡¯t let it get out, right, Janine?¡± Janine¡¯s purple eyes shifted to the side with a strained chuckle. ¡°Well¡­ we also teach our ninja to be industrious¡­ proactive¡­ anything for the mission, so¡­ No, of course, they¡¯d be discrete,¡± the woman laughed off. ¡°I haven¡¯t been supervising them, so I¡¯ll go see how they¡¯re doing.¡± ¡°Janine!¡± A rush of smoke and the High Master of Fuchsia escaped. ¡°This¡­ cannot be happening. Mom¡­ what do I do?¡± ¡°Enjoy being young and getting your first Butterfree kisses! You felt the swarm. Don¡¯t lie to me; a mother knows.¡± ¡°Haaa.¡± Sweeping back her bangs, she stroked Nova¡¯s fur as she crawled up to nuzzle her hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know what I felt. It doesn¡¯t matter; he¡¯s leaving tomorrow.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s glare shot to her mom. ¡°Well, what? He didn¡¯t leave tonight. He left tonight, didn¡¯t he? I can¡¯t believe him!¡± ¡°Sweetie,¡± her mother giggled, ¡°you told him to show you how serious he was, and he has a lot of training to do if he¡¯s going to keep pace with you, but¡­ he has some advantages in his favor. A boy on a mission for his heart is not one to underestimate!¡± ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous,¡± she moaned, using her pillow to beat her laughing mother. ¡°Mmgm. I guess¡­ it is good he left before I had a chance to change my mind,¡± she admitted, hugging the pillow against her chest as Nova wiggled under it, tail wagging as her little black nose poked through. ¡°I don¡¯t trust my stupid mouth not to ask him to stay¡­ I¡¯m thinking about it now.¡± Pushing herself up to rest against the headboard, her mom pulled her head against her lap. ¡°Hey¡­ I know you¡¯re confused. That¡¯s a good thing. It means you¡¯re not rushing into things. I bet he kicked his team into gear to leave because he didn¡¯t think he could leave if he waited.¡± ¡°Boys¡­¡± Rhea snickered, letting her mom refashion her hair. ¡°Total lack of self-control, making girls¡¯ lives a nightmare.¡± ¡°You preach, Sweetie! Still, I am a bit disappointed I wasn¡¯t able to hear the story from you first. Are you going to tell the girls or your brother?¡± Directing an incredulous look up at the blonde, Rhea snorted. ¡°Amira and Lori¡­ maybe. Sabin? Most definitely not, and I don¡¯t know if Kate would stab me or tease me for the rest of my life.¡± ¡°Stab you¡ªokay, what¡ªwhy would Kate stab you?¡± Rising up and rubbing her arm, Rhea hissed. ¡°Yeah, Mom¡­ you don¡¯t know the things I know about Sabin¡¯s girlfriend. Kate¡ªI love her; she¡¯s good for my bro¡ªbut she¡¯s crazy, Mom¡­¡± she mumbled, recalling the bites, scratches, and lip cuts on her brother; even Jason got bullied growing up, but maybe he deserved it. ¡°Like, super crazy.¡± Dodging questions from her suddenly protective mother, Rhea eventually was able to get free. Her mom needed rest, and she needed to check in with her teammates. Returning her Pokemon to their balls and moving the sleeping Cosmog to her shirt front, Rhea kissed her goodnight; on the other hand, her mother was now totally determined to get into Sabin¡¯s love life. Mom stuff. Smug at successfully rediverting her mother¡¯s attention, Rhea made a promise to herself to corner Ash and Dawn tomorrow for training. Rhea waved her goodbye, and Koga teleported her back to her super-fancy spa inn¡¯s pirate room. It was dark, and the Poison Grandmaster¡¯s flash of rainbow lights temporarily blinded her, making spots blink across her vision. ¡°Haaa. First, pajamas¡ª¡± Rhea¡¯s heart stopped as a light flipped on from the large suite room¡¯s entertainment area, where Amira and Lori sat, legs crossed. ¡°Oh, uh¡­ Hey! You, umm, waited up for me.¡± Amira swung her remote to the expansive TV and flipped it on; a still-frame shot of Jason and her first kiss flipped on, making a rock drop into Rhea¡¯s gut. If that wasn¡¯t enough, in the corner was a counter, instantly diverting her frozen mind. Legs: 42 Chest: 37 Butt: 57 Lori wore an Impidimp grin. ¡°I didn¡¯t know you and Jason starred in a romance flick. Care to explain this juicy film, Sunshine? Amira had to pay 10,000 credits for this original.¡± ¡°Amira¡­ Lori¡­ I¡¯d, uh¡­ rather not explain¡ªwhat, 10,000 credits?! Amira!¡± Staring at the counter, Rhea was floored. There is no way he looked that often! How did I not see it? And my butt¡ªI mean, it¡¯s not flat, but nothing special? Perv¡­ Wait, has he been looking for years?! He totally has! Was legs his code¡­ for butt?! The redhead had calm and warm eyes. ¡°I expected you wouldn¡¯t want these circulating, so I asked my mother to discreetly collect them all and utterly destroy them. If you don¡¯t want to talk about it, then that¡¯s fine, but if you have something to get off your chest, then we¡¯re here.¡± The purple-haired Unovan girl held up a thumb with a forced smile. ¡°Me, I¡¯m mainly here for the hot and steamy parts! C¡¯mon, spill! How is he that crazy good of a kisser?¡± Rhea¡¯s hesitation melted away as she walked forward to join them. ¡°Right?! Like¡­ for real. Wait, is he good? I thought I was just super inexperienced.¡± ¡°Ho-ho,¡± Lori scratched her head, giving their kiss a side-long view. ¡°Girl, I¡¯ve got plenty of experience, and that move would have made me blush. Woooh! Boy¡¯s got moves. No wonder you were seeing stars. He¡¯s definitely got his eye on that Ninetales, if ya know what I mean! I bet he didn¡¯t even know his slow, wandering eyes were lingering like that. Hehehe. Boys be boys.¡± Amira gave her an encouraging smile. ¡°Personally, I don¡¯t think that is all that much for the time they spent together; I¡¯d like to know the time looking at her face rather than a momentary glance at the rear. Also, Lucian texted me when they got on the plane. Boys are stupid?¡± Rhea rolled her eyes. ¡°So stupid!¡± B3 — 37. Lori; Stir, not Shaken 8:02 a.m. August 16th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 68. Events: Having made it through the rough part with her mother, now Rhea has to face the bittersweet experience of her first kiss with Jason. He¡¯s gone to Kalos with the boys, leaving her wondering about her own feelings. It¡¯s time to put all that confusion into training! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (110 days away). Not setting her alarm clock, Rhea wasn¡¯t surprised when she opened her eyes and glanced to the right that it just hit 8 a.m. Her Pokemon were clustered around her in a way that made getting up impossible. Lulu around her neck, Mya on her left, Alice on her right, and the fluff ball that was Nova jailing her leg; she was totally stuck, which was fine with her. Lying in cozy comfort, she stared up at the ceiling, processing the chaos that was yesterday. Lori had channeled her inner Impish Nature, poking and asking questions as Amira smoothed things over and kept her leashed, to an extent. She loved both of their approaches to things for different reasons. Sure, the Unova party girl could make her uncomfortable, but she brought a perspective that made her think about things and pushed her to confront certain feelings. On the other hand, Amira offered a much more balanced and moral support kind of approach, letting her say what was immediately on her mind and heart. She was positive that her mother would still be holding onto one of the recordings, and she had the original copy that Amira had bought for her. Naturally, she¡¯d have to come up with the money to repay the redhead; despite her protests, Rhea knew how much Amira valued her resources, which made it all the more touching that she¡¯d pay so much for it. Rubbing her eyes and releasing a low groan, she reached under Alice¡¯s floppy ears to snag her phone from beside the bed, scratching their base after. ¡°Pun-pun¡­¡± the bunny mumbled, snuggling a bit closer and making her smile. ¡°Ne-ne¡­¡± Lulu grew a little restless from her movements but settled in again when she didn¡¯t get up. Activating her 3D interface, Rhea looked through her messages, frowning upon seeing Jason had sent her a private video recording; it just came minutes ago. The vibration must have contributed to her waking up. Muting the audio and activating the automatic captions to read what was said, she breathed out a semi-frustrated breath, yet she couldn¡¯t help a small smile upon seeing her best friend. They were in new clothes, and he filled out the plaid jeans, high-neck brown shirt, and cream jacket well. He made a quick circle, showing her a full view of a beautiful city, lined with perfectly trimmed trees and grass patches, with a giant tower looming in the distance. She read the text in the mind, adding emotion to his animated gestures and movements. Morning, Sunshine! It¡¯s nearly 5 p.m. here, and we just touched down at Lumiose International Airport less than an hour ago. You won¡¯t believe the number of fashion stores, cafes, and galleries! Lucian¡¯s going to take us to his dad¡¯s restaurant for dinner. Maybe I¡¯ll learn some fancy recipes to cook for you next time we meet. Rhea¡¯s stomach rumbled at the offer, and she felt her pulse rise a bit. He was a good cook, yet the next text washed the feeling away in a huff as Jason flashed his teeth and gave her a thumbs up. I know you¡¯ve got the appetite of a Snorlax now! Haha! I¡¯m sure when we see each other again, you¡¯ll be so starved from all that Aura Training that I¡¯ll have to buy out half the store to satisfy you. I mean, you¡¯re eating for two, right? Rhea choked, making Nova rustle and Lulu sleepily rise up to pat her cheek. Framing, idiot! It¡¯s a good thing I didn¡¯t play it out loud. Lori cannot see this! ¡°Ne-ne?¡± ¡°I¡¯m, ahem¡ªI¡¯m okay, Lulu.¡± Alice nuzzled her ear, resting against her shoulder, as Nova crawled up to roll between the bunny and her, resting on her back to look up at the phone. Lulu was quick to settle down on her chest to do the same, expecting to see the Eevee¡¯s favorite Pokemon show. ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Nene?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Neee.¡± Rhea unpaused the video, letting it finish out and turning up the volume a little bit for them to listen. ¡°Missing you already, Sunshine,¡± Jason said with more of a sad voice than she would have caught over the text. ¡°Maybe after you win the Silver Conference, we can spend a week here or something. I can show you around then. We¡¯ll see. Anyway, have a good breakfast. I can say that now, right? Haha! I remember you were so self-conscious about it growing up. We¡¯re¡ª¡± Rhea sat a little straighter as a very pretty and fashionable blonde in dark sunglasses took Jason¡¯s attention; she took her shades off to fit atop her dark pink summer hat, showing sky-blue eyes as she interrupted his recording. ¡°Jason, right? Ash told me you guys would be arriving here.¡± Biting her bottom lip, Rhea paused the video, vision darting from her gold hoop earrings, rogue lipstick, well-groomed sandy locks, and dressy appearance. She had to be wearing a designer, sleeveless dress; the black collar and belt looked expensive, and her pink hat, purse, and pendant all matched perfectly. She¡¯d followed this woman¡¯s career for a while, and, of course, Ash would know her. Out of everyone that Ash could have contacted to meet him, why had it been this fashion and Contest idol? ¡°Umm, yeah¡ªSerena, right? Yeah, Ash said you would guide us around the Kalos Gym Challenge. We still need to register¡ªoh, Rhea, I got to go. Love you!¡± Serena showed a sweet smile, waving as the video ended. Rhea dropped the device onto her stomach, groaned, and rubbed her eyes with a yawn. ¡°He was always a bit of a tease, but not like this. Ugh. Serena¡¯s gorgeous! And if he¡¯s already into blondes¡­ No! No, she¡¯s probably into Ash, like every other girl around him¡­ Mmmgm.¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Uh-huh. Oh, I know¡­ if he¡¯s going to be making videos like that, saying ¡®he loves me¡¯ and all, then I have to punch back! Right, Nova?¡± ¡°Pwe! Pwe!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± ¡°Mawile¡­¡± ¡°Lop-lop? Punnnn¡­¡± They giggled as Alice opened her eyes for a second before slipping back to sleep. Plucking her phone back up, she tried not to think about the fashionable Kalos superstar touring Jason¡¯s group and swiped between social media feeds. She found photos of Lori and Amira¡¯s day yesterday with their families, which was a good distraction. Funnily, from Amira¡¯s secret snapped photo, their purple-haired teammate had been passed out for three hours before they had ambushed her after her ¡®jaunt¡¯ with Jason. The recording no doubt gave the Unovan party girl the drama-induced kick to get up. She figured Mallory would be out for another few hours after yesterday. Rhea¡¯s thoughts were pulled to the warm sensation that had sustained her through the trouble yesterday, reaching up to rub her chest. It looks like our connection is getting stronger, V¡­ Thank you. Eating for two¡­ Muk! Why did he have to make me think about that?! So stupid. Wait¡­ ¡°Pwe?¡± Nova tapped her tail against her leg, asking what was wrong as she paused over Jade¡¯s feed. The blue-haired girl was with her gang at an ice cream store, seemingly depressed and trying to cheer each other up. Swapping to her own feed, she saw all cheers and congratulations from the two groups. ¡°Hmm. Did something happen with the girls?¡± Looking back on their feeds, she saw some scattered comments about heading to Saria¡¯s Gym in Vermillion. ¡°Did they lose a Gym Challenge? Hmm.¡± Calling Sam, she saw the girl in bed, brown hair around her and a little morning acne showing she hadn¡¯t gotten up yet to clean up. ¡°Hey, Rhea! We watched all of your guys¡¯ battles. Wow, Janine¡¯s tough, huh?¡± ¡°Cut the Trubbish,¡± Rhea huffed. ¡°What happened?¡± She grimaced and looked to her left, where Hannah¡¯s bed was, the redhead face down on her pillow; Jade seemed to be in the shower. ¡°We suck!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, it can¡¯t be that bad.¡± Rhea forced a smile. ¡°You guys beat us, remember?¡± Sam came back into view, showing a pained grin. ¡°I think you¡¯re forgetting it was a four-on-three, and we had all the prep. Yeah, we¡¯ve had some really good wins in Bronze¡­ Bronze sucks, though. Fighting you guys compared to everyone else is, uh, yeah. It¡¯s not the same, Rhea.¡± Rhea pivoted to the redhead since Sam was stalling. ¡°Okay, Hannah, tell me what happened?! You guys went to fight High Master Saria? She is really tough. I still think she went easy on me because of the Spite incident. I¡¯m here to listen?¡± Hannah rolled to her side, plucking at her nightgown and propping her head up with her pillow. ¡°You know how you sparked that whole push to Silver-tier?¡± ¡°Uh-huh?¡± Rhea nodded. Sam decided to speak up next, scratching her temple and closing her eyes. ¡°Basically, High Master Saria wanted to give everyone in Bronze a chance to see what it was like to jump to Silver. There was an unofficial kind of mock showcase event she put on, and it was a slaughter!¡± ¡°Is that Rhea?¡± Jade¡¯s voice came through as Sam tilted her camera to the bathroom, showing the blue-haired girl¡¯s head wrapped in a towel, Mimi, her unique Pichu, held in her arms. ¡°Hey, awesome battles! Janine¡¯s super scary; like, I¡¯ve seen a ton of her battles, but it¡¯s different since I know how strong you guys are.¡± ¡°Haaaa¡­¡± Rhea smiled at the Wooloo Gang, licking their wounds and trying to remain positive. ¡°I think you¡¯re all being too hard on yourselves. Hmm. Okay, get all dressed up and ready!¡± ¡°For what?¡± Sam asked, sitting up and brushing her bangs behind her ears. ¡°Don¡¯t get us wrong; we totally know it¡¯s unrealistic to try and keep pace with you guys, but we were just on a bit of a winning high. You don¡¯t need to do anything.¡± ¡°I want to do anything!¡± She grinned and scooted back to the headboard. ¡°Let¡¯s be fair and say that I want to do something because we¡¯re friends. I want to see you guys succeed, too!¡± ¡°Aww. You¡¯re too sweet, Rhea,¡± Jade whispered, plopping down on Sam¡¯s bed to get in the frame. ¡°My big sis is trying to get us off our butts, saying it¡¯s not even that bad. We just got big heads thinking we were hot stuff in Bronze, but Bronze isn¡¯t Silver.¡± Hannah chuckled and scooted to the edge of her bed. ¡°I don¡¯t think we¡¯re going to convince Rhea not to do whatever she¡¯s thinking.¡± ¡°True,¡± Sam said with a pained sigh. ¡°Rhea isn¡¯t the type to back down when she gets something on her mind. So, we should get ready?¡± Rhea nodded, showing a beaming smile; this was just the distraction she needed. ¡°Talk to you soon.¡± Hanging up, she messaged a few of her family that were asking if she was alright. Thankfully, her dad showed her a video of him picking her mom up to take her home, giggling as he literally swept her into a princess carry. Her grandparents were staying at their house to ensure that she didn¡¯t try to wiggle out of her ¡®timeout.¡¯ Apparently, Seven and Wallace were picking up the slack in Hoenn in their absence. Grandpa Drake was laughing at Sidney¡¯s joking jabs on social media about retiring already; of course, her grandmother wasn¡¯t so keen on being told she was, as she saw it, falling off. Obviously, Phoebe was all high hopes and well-wishes. She shook her head upon seeing her brother and Kate had gotten Hilbert, Bianca, and Hilda to train with them. Everyone was pushing forward, and so should she. It was time to take things to the next level. Texting her targets and team, she went to get ready; however, Amira messaged her to join her in the spa salon. Her Pokemon were a bundle of excitement at the top-tier treatment, joining their friends in the Pokemon area while Rhea met her teammates for a morning massage. First, they had to soak in the spa, and surprisingly, when they were changing into their bathing suits, Lori showed up to join them. All of it seemed to work out when Dawn texted her back, and once again, the Legend had questionable phrasing. 8:45 a.m. - Dawn: Ash and I are still recovering from last night. It was a rough one! We¡¯re just relaxing at the beach right now. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Rhea smirked and showed Lori, causing the snickering Unovan girl to snatch her phone and return a message as they soaked in the spa. 8:47 a.m. - Rhea: Wow, Snowflake, what parts are sore? Is Ash really that rough? Have you asked him to give you a massage to loosen you up from all that exercise you two were engaged in? I¡¯m sure he¡¯d love to make you feel better. He¡¯s a nice, attentive guy! At the hot beach, too? Please, tell me you brought your bikini and sunscreen! 8:48 a.m. - Dawn: Lori, don¡¯t you put that image in my head! There¡¯s no shot that this is Rhea! I didn¡¯t mean it was rough like that! I¡¯m recovering from the battle Ash and I had with someone else, so 8:48 a.m. - Dawn: Muk! I hit send instead of delete¡­ Don¡¯t take that out of context! 8:49 a.m. - Rhea: Oh, already done, Dee Dee! I hope you don¡¯t have dandruff after all that stress because it sounds like you really got hit in this threeso¡ªI mean, triple battle! Hehehe.¡± 8:50 a.m. - Dawn: I swear, this generation¡­ Give the phone back to Rhea, you deviant. Ash and I will be fine to chat around 1 p.m. for lunch. Lori¡¯s treat! Lori giggled and handed the phone back. ¡°Worth it. So, we¡¯re really doing this?¡± Rhea sunk further into the spa, studying the background picture of her family, including Kate and Jason, who had been around the week before she¡¯d started this journey. ¡°I didn¡¯t take being a Trainer seriously going through school¡­ I¡¯ve been out of touch with all of this, and I¡¯ve been trying to catch up.¡± She shifted to smile at her two teammates in the private section of the spa. ¡°You both have taught me a lot since we¡¯ve started, and I¡¯ve learned a lot more about myself. I know what I want to do now.¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit, Honey Pot,¡± Lori whispered, nudging feet. ¡°So, we¡¯re going to take time away from the Kanto spotlight and let a bunch of others take the stage?¡± Amira had her phone out, red eyes scanning through messages and data. ¡°Each of us needs to focus on our individual weaknesses when it comes to what we lack. For me, that is my Physical Allocation. In talking with my mom, Green, Crystal, and Leaf, our Pokemon do have an effect on our growth, but that is limited. We need to train ourselves, as well. And¡­¡± She set her device to the side and shot a light glare at Lori. ¡°What?¡± ¡°We need money for TMs. You can¡¯t be gambling away everything. We need to buckle down and work hard and smart.¡± Lori¡¯s cheeks puffed up as she looked away. ¡°You can gamble smart. I was the first one to get the credits to buy TMs, if you remember, Cherry.¡± ¡°And how much money have you borrowed from me since?¡± Swimming to the opposite side to sit across from the redhead, she gestured to Rhea. ¡°Where does Amira even get her money? We¡¯ve battled some, sure, but somehow, she¡¯s been getting a lot more funds than makes sense. Some Rocket slush fund?¡± ¡°True,¡± Rhea hummed. ¡°You always do seem to have money, but Amira wouldn¡¯t rely on her family for it. What¡¯s your secret?¡± A half-smile lifted Amira¡¯s lips as she picked up her phone again to show them a merchandise site. ¡°It seems being attached to you, Lori, has increased my social networking and online presence skills because I had the idea to sell a few simple items.¡± ¡°What¡ªno way!¡± Lori leaned forward to look through the products. ¡°You sell T-shirts, mugs¡­ An Amber keychain?¡± ¡°Actually, one of my best sellers,¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°I reached out to a plushie site that will be making one for each of my Pokemon as a collection. They seemed quite thrilled at the prospect, and I give them a healthy chunk of the returns since they¡¯re handling all of the distribution.¡± ¡°Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were doing this?!¡± Lori mumbled, swiping through the catalog. ¡°We could get in on this kind of stuff.¡± Amira crossed her legs under the water before adjusting her swimming suit. ¡°I wanted to make sure the companies were legit and wait for the first return profit before bringing it up. Most of my first month¡¯s check went to purchasing that video, but it was precisely enough for what I needed. It isn¡¯t quite as consistent as other forms of sales or battling, but a small bump in monthly income is always nice.¡± Rhea tapped on the Serenity keychain. ¡°And¡­ buy! I gotta show support.¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow. ¡°You know¡­ she could probably get you one for free?¡± ¡°No, I cannot,¡± Amira promptly returned, taking back her phone. ¡°If I did, then it would be out of my own pocket. You can pay like everyone else.¡± ¡°Ever the businesswoman,¡± Lori sighed, scooting over to follow Rhea¡¯s swipes, browsing the items. ¡°Oh, Rhea, give me your phone.¡± ¡°Okay?¡± ¡°Scoot! Scoot!¡± ¡°What are you doing?¡± Rhea mumbled, following the Unovan girl¡¯s hip bumps to get closer to Amira. ¡°No, Lori!¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Holding it up, she snapped a picture of the three of them in the spa. ¡°Say, Moo Milk! And¡­ send to the boys¡ªlook what you¡¯re missing!¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks flushed at the angle Lori knowingly took it, and she tried to snatch it before she could send it; she was too late. ¡°Lori! T-That¡¯s so embarrassing!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon,¡± she snickered, smirking and pointing at the heart, blush, and thumbs-up emoji that came from Jason. ¡°Bet. He¡¯s going to put that as his background, and who¡¯s he going to be thinking about every time he opens his phone? You¡¯re welcome!¡± she sang. Rhea¡¯s brain cooked at the thought that Jason was putting her on his background; then again, he was on her background, but that wasn¡¯t the same. It was with her family! It wasn¡¯t the same. ¡°W-We¡¯re in our bathing suits, a-at a spa!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, Sunshine!¡± Lori laughed, nudging her thigh before tapping her photos app to scroll back a week. ¡°You don¡¯t think he didn¡¯t save those pictures of us at the beach in Vermillion? They¡¯re boys! You¡¯re too innocent, Goldie! I love you! Never change.¡± Amira wore a small smile. ¡°You do have a way of taking provocative pictures, Lori. It isn¡¯t bad. Rhea¡¯s blushing panic is adorable.¡± ¡°Not you, too!¡± Rhea groaned, sinking to her nose in the water to glare across the pool; these weren¡¯t the type of pictures she thought Jason wanted when he said he wanted updates. Then again, she didn¡¯t think he was looking at her curves all that much, either. Maybe she was too innocent and blind. Amira rubbed her arm comfortingly. ¡°Haha. Lori showed me that pretty blonde that was with them. You can¡¯t tell me you aren¡¯t a little worried, even though you shouldn¡¯t be. You know you shouldn¡¯t be. But you are.¡± She responded by blowing bubbles and looking down at her hands, clasped against her tight stomach. It was more like if there were so many pretty girls in Kalos, and Jason obviously would have his ¡®type¡¯¡ªshe wasn¡¯t that innocent¡ªthen he was sure to find other gorgeous blondes to awaken something within him. Pushing herself up a bit, she mumbled, ¡°I just don¡¯t want to give my hopes up before figuring out how I feel¡­ Am I being stupid?¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Water dripped off Lori¡¯s body as she got up to squeeze out her hair, marinated enough for the massage. ¡°Girl, you¡¯re too trusting! Boys are animals. Why do you think I¡¯m launching missiles at him with that picture? You gotta punch him in the eyes every so often if you catch my drift. I got you!¡± ¡°Haha. Thanks, Lori¡­ Haaa.¡± Amira got up to join Lori. ¡°Be patient with our Honey Pot, Violet; she¡¯s doing amazing considering the whiplash Jason left her with.¡± ¡°Oh, no, I¡¯m totally shocked at your game, girl!¡± Lori said, getting out and grinning down at her. ¡°You pull off the cute bombshell blonde look like a weapon! Combee to Honey! You work it with the way you use those assets.¡± ¡°M-My assets?¡± Rhea stammered, getting up to join them and doing her best not to blush. ¡°What do you mean the way I ¡®work it,¡¯ Lori?! What am I doing?¡± Amira held out a hand to help her up. ¡°It¡¯s the way you carry yourself and how attentive you are when talking to people. You¡¯re very caring, and the way you talk to people makes them feel like they¡¯re important. You uplift people, and sometimes, you¡¯re actually quite assertive.¡± ¡°Right!¡± Lori pointed at her as they went to the next room to lie down on the massage beds. ¡°She doesn¡¯t even realize it half the time, I swear. She¡¯s all cute, big-eyed, and curious one minute, being a bundle of sunshine. The next, she¡¯s timid, sweet, and quiet, pulling you in, and then, she¡¯s jabbing a finger in your chest, telling you to treat yourself better or complimenting you. You¡¯re a natural, Rhea.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Lying on her back, she saw three big Machoke enter the room, their touch a lot gentler than their muscles suggested; gradually, they became firmer as Rhea loosened up. ¡°I don¡¯t try to do anything weird¡­ I don¡¯t want to be weird.¡± Amira shifted her head the opposite way with a soft puff of air. ¡°Mmm. She¡¯s not saying you¡¯re weird, Rhea. You¡¯re naturally a wholesome, true, welcoming, and encouraging person to be around. Yes, you have your flaws¡­ such as letting Lori boss you around at times.¡± ¡°Hey, I¡¯m pulling back,¡± Lori defended. ¡°Wait, yeah¡­ Okay, I can see what you mean with the whole pushing the photo thing. I¡¯m trying to help.¡± Rhea smiled. ¡°Thank you¡­ both of you.¡± ¡°Any specifics?¡± Amira asked, showing a gentle face as they stared at each other. ¡°What praise have I earned?¡± A weak laugh shook her frame. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know, maybe spending 10,000 credits and getting your awesome mom to save me from a life of embarrassment? Maybe for teaching me a lot about things most girls learn from their moms. Maybe coaching me through battle strategy, which helped us win against Janine, and so, so much more¡­ For being my friend.¡± ¡°Awww. I¡¯m crying,¡± Lori sniffed. ¡°I want to smother you right now and never let you go!¡± Amira¡¯s lips became a line, looking toward the floor as the Machoke worked out their tense back muscles. ¡°No one has ever been a real friend to me before I met you, Rhea. There are very few people I trust¡­ but I do trust you, and that¡¯s earned, not given. Thank you for being my friend, Rhea.¡± Rhea held back her own tears, throat too thick to respond. ¡°What about me?!¡± Lori sniffled. ¡°Am I just the 3rd wheel in this friendship duo? I can leave you two the room.¡± ¡°Oh, shut up,¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°You¡¯re our problem friend that has a dirty mind, always gets in gambling debts, corrupts Rhea, and has a mouth that can¡¯t be filtered.¡± ¡°Aww, you do love me!¡± Lori giggled. ¡°I¡¯m going to make Rhea an absolute terror for the male population! Wait¡­ she¡¯s already stealing Jason¡¯s soul with the way she flips that skirt when she walks.¡± ¡°I do what?¡± ¡°Hehehe! Oh, Rhea, you¡¯ve still got a lot to learn. You¡¯re troubled waters, girl! I¡¯ll show you how to curve that little spine with a checkered skirt and thigh-highs, Babe. It¡¯s all about the game, and you can flaunt it! Jason¡¯s wandering eyes prove that. You¡¯ll be a Nidoqueen with Rivalry when I¡¯m done with you!¡± ¡°H-Huh?!¡± ¡°Machoke¡­¡± ¡°S-Sorry,¡± Rhea squeaked, trying to loosen up again as Amira and Lori snickered. ¡°You¡¯re the worst, Lori¡­¡± ¡°Guilty! Oooh¡ªthat¡¯s the spot,¡± she hissed as the Machoke began working on her neck. ¡°Eeesh¡­ I am sooo stiff. So, on another note, hehe, Ash and Dawn went at it rough late last night, huh? Anyone up for spotting bruises?¡± Rhea hung her head, knowing the truth about the matter. ¡°Lori¡­¡± ¡°Haha. Seriously, Dawn¡¯s framing is always deviant! She has to know what she¡¯s doing. There¡¯s no way she doesn¡¯t. Woman¡¯s got it hot for Ash. I¡¯m telling you. She can say they¡¯re ¡®friends¡¯ all she wants, but there are obvious benefits there. You know it, Amira!¡± ¡°She¡­ does make some dubious comments from time to time, but it isn¡¯t our business.¡± ¡°Boooo. Bring the drama! I bet there is bruising. You¡¯ll see!¡± Rhea kept quiet, face red and trying not to think back to Kate and her brother¡¯s physical relationship. Lori really was a completely different breed to the female Masters she¡¯d grown up around that only talked about Pokemon battling. Still, she did have insights that she had to ponder. This was a whole new world she was being introduced to. She dodged a lot of the questions and implications the Unovan girl made throughout the hours they spent at the spa. By 12:45 p.m., they were on the sidewalk, making their way to the cafe Dawn had pinged, sharing their location. Her Pokemon ran around on the beach walkway, getting attention from joggers and a lot more food than they normally got; it seemed a lot of the Fuschia residents carried treats for Pokemon they liked. Mya was enamored by the city residents, who had seen her battle the previous day. Making it to the seaside cafe, she let Nova and her teammates¡¯ lead Pokemon chaperone the rest of their gang as they went to the sand to play; they¡¯d gotten plenty to eat on the way here. Lori¡¯s eyes were all over Dawn, giving her an eye when the woman groaned with a pained smile upon being hugged by the taller girl. Amira smoothly sat as Rhea went in for a gentler hug. Ash appeared less bruised, but Pikachu was snoozing next to Piplup in a chair, totally exhausted still from their battle against Mewtwo. ¡°Hey, Rhea¡­ Eee-mmmgm. Yeah, my back is¡­ yeah. Ack.¡± Lori lifted her eyebrows, taking visual note of her red bikini. ¡°Yeah, your neck, too, huh?¡± ¡°Mmm-hmm-hmm-hmm.¡± Dawn¡¯s eye twitched as she sat, and Lori leaned in to whisper. ¡°She doesn¡¯t seem to be a biter by Ash¡¯s visible skin; girls typically do it to show ownership, ya know. Territory won by mark.¡± ¡°And what are you whispering about?¡± Dawn asked with a suspicious glare while smoothing her bangs behind her ear. ¡°Hehe. Nothing!¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Rhea forced a grin. ¡°Eh-hehe. Anyway, umm, Ash¡­¡± ¡°Hmm? Yeah, what¡¯s up?¡± He turned off his phone and set it down. ¡°Sorry, just checking up with Serena if she met up with Jason¡¯s team. They asked for a tutor in Kalos who could push them, and Serena¡¯s a brute! She¡¯ll get them whipped into sh¡ªouch! Dawn¡­¡± The woman smacked Ash¡¯s arm with a dirty look. ¡°Don¡¯t call her that! Serena is so lovely and caring and dropped everything with Calem to help you, so be nice to her.¡± ¡°Wha¡ªI am nice?¡± he defensively mumbled. ¡°Serena is a brute in battle. She plays dirty and uses so many attraction-based moves.¡± Dawn smirked. ¡°That¡¯s strategy! Pikachu is just a sucker for elegant Pokemon.¡± ¡°Pika-Pi!¡± the rat weakly protested, groggy head lulling to the side. ¡°Pip-pip!¡± the penguin chided before both fell back asleep. ¡°Say what you want, Bud,¡± the Sinnoh woman laughed before working around her stiff neck, ¡°but you and Pikachu know your weak hearts. No, the true brute is Iris. Muk, I forgot how much of a Dragon she can be¡­ Oh, sorry, Rhea. You were saying?¡± ¡°Yeah, umm, Ash¡­¡± Everyone zeroed in on her as she took on a more serious tone. ¡°I want to really start training. How long do you think it would be before we¡¯re fully ready for Silver?¡± Ash sat back, slinging his arm over the chair to give Dawn a thoughtful look. ¡°Two months¡­ probably, but not for Silver. You should be pushing yourselves to be ready for Gold.¡± Dawn sat straighter. ¡°Ash is right. You should always be aiming above your weight class. Growth comes from pressure. Do you really want us to push you? I¡¯m guessing you also are speaking about your Aura Training¡­ All three of you?¡± Rhea shook her head. ¡°Not just us. If possible¡­ can we also include my friends?¡± Ash scratched his neck, gaze wandered to their Pokemon, playing in the surf. ¡°Hmm. The two teams we met in Lavender? They have potential, and should be on a good trajectory after your Helping Hand¡­ but if you want them to reach Silver, then¡­ they¡¯re going to have to work twice as hard as you girls. It¡¯s up to them, and I won¡¯t say it won¡¯t be dangerous. It¡¯s going to require risk.¡± Rhea set her ground. ¡°I¡¯m willing to do whatever I need to. Can we at least give them the option?¡± Dawn¡¯s focus drifted to Amira and Lori. ¡°You two feel the same?¡± They nodded, making her sigh. ¡°Well, if that¡¯s the case, then what do you feel about an Orange Island Challenge, Ash?¡± He drew in his bottom lip and slowly nodded. ¡°Mmm. Challenges they need to complete on each island, individually and as teams. Initial guidance and then let them figure it out? It will build their confidence, coordination, and bonds. It could be just what their Buddy Pokemon need,¡± he whispered, gaze centering on Lulu as she teleported a big chunk of sand over Mya¡¯s head, Alice spiriting her away from the pursuing Mawile. ¡°Yeah. I can see it. Although, Rhea, the first part is all on you for your friends. Jason had the benefit of you refining his Aura throughout his whole life. Your friends have had you by their side for months now. It¡¯s going to be rough and solitary for the first week as your friends get ready. Are you okay with that pressure?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Yes.¡± ¡°Okay. We¡¯ll start after dinner¡­¡± Amira stood to order some lunch for them. ¡°Why dinner?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Mimey has housework to do on Sundays,¡± Ash said with a short hiss, ¡°and he¡¯s very big on housework. My mom and he do a deep clean of the house each week. My mom¡¯s always been like that¡­ Ugh. It was part of the reason why I was late to Professor Oaks when I first started my journey¡­ So many chores.¡± B3 — 38. A Fire Inside 1:18 a.m. August 16th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 68. Events: Having made it through the rough part with her mother, now Rhea has to face the bittersweet experience of her first kiss with Jason. He¡¯s gone to Kalos with the boys, leaving her wondering about her own feelings. It¡¯s time to put all that confusion into training! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (110 days away). Rhea sat back and pulled out her phone to message the gang to have everything packed up to ship out by dinner as Amira left to order them lunch. She had to giggle at how ridiculous it was to travel with Legendary-tier Trainers, who could just teleport across whole regions in the blink of an eye. 8:49 a.m. - Rhea: Hey, be dressed to get down in the mud because we¡¯ve all turned into Hippopotas! Heavy duty! I¡¯m talking vine swinging, cave spelunking, mountain climbing Muk! So, don¡¯t be bringing anything fancy to Half completing the message, her fingers paused over the hologram keyboard as Ash scooted over to talk to her. Lori was Obstagooning Dawn about the photo of Ash and her sleeping against each other, which she¡¯d swiped off her phone when they were in the spa. The blue-haired woman was actually in love with it more than angry, wanting a copy and taking the wind out of Lori¡¯s sails. Rhea¡¯s attention was focused on the dark-haired man next to her, though. ¡°Hey, Rhea.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Following his gaze to her teammates, she sat her phone in her lap as he continued. ¡°You want this to be about growth, right? You want to get as strong and as Aura stable as possible. Correct?¡± ¡°Mhm? We have 110 days until the Silver Conference. How long do you think this will take? Is it unrealistic?¡± Ash shook his head. ¡°No. To get where you want? I think it is very realistic. However¡­ it will come with some sacrifices. I get you want to bring in all the girls and push hard. Maybe you think your Helping Hand will do a bunch of heavy lifting for your friends, but here¡¯s the problem¡­ You get too distracted when together.¡± Rhea looked down at her lap, fiddling a bit with her fingers. ¡°We¡¯ll need to do our own individual training? How long?¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Lori paused her next angle of attack against the ¡®Snowflake Princess¡¯ to jump into the discussion. ¡°You¡¯re breaking up the dream team? Aww¡­ C¡¯mon, man! Some people need coffee. I need that and my hit of Sunshine every morning. Work with me here!¡± Rhea laughed, suddenly realizing how dull it might be without the casual, loud, assertive, and debased Unovan girl around. And the redhead¡¯s return with menus in hand made her realize how much she¡¯d come to depend on the Rocket girl. In just 68 days of knowing each other, they¡¯d become pretty close. Of course, that would happen with the experiences they¡¯d shared together. ¡°What was this I heard about separating for this training?¡± She passed out the menus before taking a seat. ¡°I can see the benefits of it, but the logistics are concerning. Wouldn¡¯t that mean you¡¯d need to leave us on our own in the wilderness? Should we be packing supplies for long-term survival?¡± Ash rubbed his chin and breathed out a heavy sigh, taking off his hat for a second to rub his forehead. ¡°Kind of. I already have a place picked out for each of you, and your Pokemon will need to go on their own bonding adventure, leaving you with your Buddy Pokemon to rely on each other.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s gut twisted at the prospect of running into another Pokemon situation, like what happened in Viridian Forest, and only having baby Lulu to count on. ¡°I guess Pokemon do grow up quickly due to the spirit bond, but doesn¡¯t nurture by the Trainer¡¯s other Pokemon help that, too?¡± Dawn leaned against the table, blowing up the image of Ash and she cuddled up in adjacent chairs after whatever challenge Mewtwo gave them. ¡°I think I can guess where Ashy is going with this. He¡¯s got contacts all over the Orange Islands with individual specialists, so I wouldn¡¯t worry too much about total wilderness survival. It¡¯s more about growth as a Trainer.¡± The Sinnoh woman began playing with different filters and effects as she continued. ¡°From time to time, it¡¯s good for Pokemon to go out and experience the wild as a party, without their Trainer. Usually, for Masters, that time is them entering the Dream World, but that doesn¡¯t mean it¡¯s not good to do it in the real world.¡± Ash threw an arm over the back of his chair and swung his foot up onto his knee. ¡°Look, I told you it is going to be hard¡ªvery hard¡ªon all of you. I¡¯m thinking¡­ fifty to sixty days.¡± Rhea¡¯s throat went dry, and she looked at her teammates. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ almost as long as we¡¯ve been together. And won¡¯t that leave us fifty or sixty days before the Silver Conference to get the rest of the Encrusted Badges?¡± Amira flipped open her paper menu to browse the contents. ¡°It¡¯s certainly more than doable, and with some time to spare, if we use the Magnet Train or first class flying taxis.¡± ¡°That¡¯ll be expensive, though,¡± Lori countered, her own phone out and scanning many sites with her weird, custom app. ¡°Well, I suppose it would work fine if we win all of our Encrusted Challenges, which is the whole point of doing this.¡± Rhea went to her home screen, hologram projecting up from her lap; she looked at her parents, Sabin, Jason, and Kate, with her somehow ending up in the middle. ¡°We aren¡¯t doing this for a vacation or break¡­¡± she whispered, drawing everyone¡¯s gaze. ¡°I want to get strong¡­ really strong. I want to see Amira beat her grandpa,¡± she added, giving the thoughtful redhead a small smile. ¡°I want to see Lori tackle Misty¡¯s Gym without a problem, dropping her in the water¡ªpregnant or not!¡± ¡°That¡¯s the spirit!¡± Lori grinned. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m with Ms. Shooting Star; let¡¯s blast off into space, Ms. Rocket!¡± Amira gave her a slightly dirty, dull-eyed stare, making the Unovan girl giggle and hold up an alien sign. ¡°It will be oh so difficult being away from you, Violet, but it would be nice to reevaluate myself in more of an isolated setting again. It is incredible how much you can change in a short time.¡± Ash waited for each of them to accept it before dropping cold water on Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°Great. So, I¡¯ll be taking Rhea first since she¡¯s going to be going to the northwest peaks of the Sinjoh Mountains while you girls all get the Orange Island treatment. Feeling the hair rise on the back of her neck at the mention of the frigid, icy, and extremely dangerous region reserved primarily for Champions, Rhea choked on her tongue. Not even the rangers patrolled the area. ¡°H-Hold up! Ack. I¡¯m going where; the Sinjoh Desolation?!¡± she exclaimed, her throat suddenly dry and voice rattled. ¡°The place where time, space, and dimensions are all sorts of wonky and messed up?¡± Lori whistled, leaning back with a grin. ¡°Have fun freezing your tits off while we enjoy the sun, Sunny; maybe you¡¯ll melt the place. Haha! Maybe you can take Dawn¡¯s title of Snow White.¡± Amira rested her fist against her cheek, vision drifting to their Pokemon, still playing on the beach. ¡°I¡¯m sure Dawn will have fun with your training, Lori. And he said the Sinjoh Mountains, not the Desolation, Rhea.¡± Lori¡¯s grin became strained at the tempting gleam in Dawn¡¯s eyes. ¡°Truce?¡± ¡°Ah-hehe. Oh, we¡¯ll have fun.¡± ¡°Yikes. Wait, and I¡¯m paying for this meal, too? Ugh¡­¡± They chuckled as the purple-haired girl sank to the table, and Ash nodded. ¡°Amira¡¯s right. It¡¯ll be easier to show you. Anyway, why don¡¯t you girls go out shopping for something warm for Rhea, and I¡¯ll go make a few calls to set all this up.¡± Rhea didn¡¯t totally feel better at the prospect of her frigid training environment, but she was sure he had his reasons. Giving him a thankful smile, she turned to face the casual Legendary Trainer. ¡°Ash¡­ you¡¯ve been so amazing to us. And I know it¡¯s not fair to all the other Trainers in the world, but I am grateful for everything Pikachu and you have done in teaching us. You are really an inspiring guy, and not just for training.¡± Lori¡¯s joking demeanor fell into a true smile. ¡°I¡¯ve never been around a guy that¡¯s so chill and, eh, I guess the only word for it is honorable. I expected to feel uncomfortable at least a few times around some old dude traveling with us, but it¡¯s been the total opposite.¡± ¡°Wow,¡± Dawn snickered. ¡°Well, obviously, you didn¡¯t know him when he was younger because he could be a real brat! Man, that time when you blamed me for making poor Pachirisu sick because of my pancakes when everyone ate them and said they were great. Ooor, that time you made me miss a cute Buneary and said I was stupid. I mean, the nerve!¡± Ash lifted an eyebrow. ¡°I remember you starting that argument by blaming me because I gave him a bath. And you have to admit, you were a kind of a snotty, arrogant twerp back in the day. I mean, the head on you was bigger than Piplup¡¯s.¡± ¡°Pip-pip¡­¡± the Pokemon protested against Pikachu, sleepily waving a fin before sinking back into his dreams. Dawn shot to her feet. ¡°Twerp?! Big head?! You didn¡¯t just use Blue¡¯s nickname for you on me! I wasn¡¯t overconfident; I was optimistic! I totally became a Top Coordinator¡­ eventually, just like my mom and Cynthia¡ªnow, if only I could beat May.¡± ¡°Well, you have the edge in battling,¡± Ash slowly answered. ¡°It¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Performance. Ugh. But¡­ yeah,¡± her anger died as she sank back into her seat with a soft smile. ¡°No, that¡¯s one thing no one can deny.¡± She shook her head and gave him a helpless grin. ¡°Say what you want, Ash Ketchum makes every girl that meets him a better woman. I couldn¡¯t have done any of it without you pushing me, and surprisingly, you were the more mature out of the two of us.¡± ¡°Hyperbolic much?¡± Ash chuckled, shrugging and showing a reflective smirk while glancing at his sleeping yellow buddy. ¡°Plus, I was older. I¡¯ve got my flaws, too. I¡¯ve always been pretty reckless, which is why we usually always end up in sticky situations. I never could say no to an adventure or something new.¡± He laughed sheepishly and gave Dawn a look that even melted Lori¡¯s heart, leaving the violet-haired girl cooing at the cuteness. ¡°I couldn¡¯t have asked for a better friend. You saved me so many times, even in the last crazy adventure we went on.¡± Dawn sat back, not a blush or nervous edge in sight as her soft smile met his. ¡°We make for quite the pair, don¡¯t we? Your recklessness and my overconfidence. Two troublemakers that can¡¯t keep our heads down¡­ It¡¯s been fun traveling with you again.¡± Ash held up a fist for the woman to bump. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s nice having someone that can watch my back again, eh?¡± ¡°Haha! Shut up. You didn¡¯t block it because you were too busy rushing in, and I thought I could take it¡­ Stupid, overconfident me.¡± ¡°Stupid, reckless me,¡± Ash returned. ¡°The Calamitous Duo!¡± Dawn doubled over with laughter, shocking the three of them as tears came to her eyes. ¡°I forgot about that nickname! Brock was always having to mediate, wasn¡¯t he? What a wholesome, hopeless guy, but he got his woman in the end, and I¡¯ve never met a more dutiful husband.¡± ¡°Yeah, Brock¡¯s great,¡± Ash whispered. Amira nodded and cleared her throat. ¡°Brock was there for Rhea and her mother at the drop of a hat. He really does have the heart of a true doctor. As for you, Ash, I echo my teammates. Your guidance as a friend and mentor has been more than exceptional. I see why my grandfather respects you so much.¡± Ash rubbed the back of his neck. ¡°No joke? Ol¡¯ Giovanni thinks highly of me, huh? Man, that takes me back to the Rocket Trio.¡± ¡°Which one?¡± Dawn snickered, leaning against her chair to stare at their sleeping Pokemon. ¡°No, I know which ones you¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± He reached over to rub Pikachu¡¯s cheek, making him chirp with pleasure. ¡°The good ones¡­ I can¡¯t believe we attended their wedding.¡± ¡°Right?!¡± Dawn¡¯s stomach shook as she covered her mouth, trying to suppress her mirth. ¡°And they tried to steal Pikachu and Piplup during the flower throwing¡ªso stupid.¡± ¡°Ahh. I love them,¡± Ash sighed. ¡°And flipping Meowth, gold, and donuts.¡± Dawn rolled her eyes as if that was supposed to mean anything to them. ¡°Meowth¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s mind snapped into gear, gut-twisting as she remembered something. ¡°Oh no!¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Everyone turned to give her a questioning look, but Rhea was already scrolling down her contact list, depression hitting her belly as the man¡¯s info wasn¡¯t in her phone. Amira shifted in her chair to get a better look at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Rhea?¡± Swallowing, Rhea looked at the beach, where her dutiful Eevee was playing, currently a Vaporeon; she knew this would mean something to her cuddle ball. ¡°Does¡­ anyone have Chase¡¯s numb¡ªno,¡± she redirected as a new plan came to mind. ¡°Does anyone have Janine¡¯s number?¡± Ash pulled up his phone and typed in the name, and several came up, all with different regions or indicators of who they were. He pressed the High Master Ninja¡¯s grinning picture, taken with him in the photo, where several more popped up. ¡°Uh¡­ yeah?¡± Getting the digits without explaining, even her teammates looked bewildered since no one knew about what was going to happen in two days. Janine picked up on the first ring, well, probably vibration for the kunoichi. ¡°Yo! What¡¯s up, girl; everything okay?¡± Rhea tried not to focus on everyone else looking at her. ¡°I know this may sound a bit¡­ weird, but obviously, you teach your students a lot of things, so¡­ Can I like¡­ hire you?¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Lori¡¯s head tilted to the side. ¡°Huh? Why do you want to hire a master kunoichi? And, like, do you know how much that would cost, Sunshine? She probably gets offers in the millions.¡± ¡°Oh. Shoot. Uh, yeah, sorry to bother you,¡± Rhea groaned, not having thought this far ahead. ¡°I¡¯ll figure something else¡ª¡± ¡°Woah, woah!¡± Janine giggled. ¡°Hey, if it¡¯s important enough to give me a call, then lay it on me. I might be interested enough to do it pro bono. What juicy thing does the great Rhea want from a humble young girl like me? What dirty secrets do you want brought to light? Jason¡¯s secret collection?¡± ¡°His what?!¡± Rhea sat straight up, tingles running up his spine. ¡°What secret collection?!¡± The others around the table gave each other questioning looks, the phone not on speaker. However, the kunoichi pivoted away. ¡°Oh. So you didn¡¯t know. Yeah, never mind! What¡¯s up?¡± Now really wanting to know about that detail but forcing her panicked brain to heel, Rhea returned to the original topic. ¡°Champion Chase is about to propose to Champion Elaine in two days, and I wanted to be there, but I can¡¯t. Pikachu managed to translate it for me. So¡­ I wanted someone to record it so Nova can see it. She¡¯s excited over whatever her mother told her.¡± Everyone around her looked floored by the news. Ash gave his rat the stink-eye. ¡°He didn¡¯t even give me a hint! That¡¯s big news.¡± ¡°No joke,¡± Dawn snickered, messaging someone. ¡°I bet Green knows; she kind of sees them as her pupils.¡± Amira snorted, halfway through taking a drink and choking a little. ¡°Pupils?! Ack-ha-ha. More like her adorable Pokemon. Hehe. My mom is more her pupil.¡± A low hum moved Janine¡¯s tone. ¡°Well, color me most interested! Spying on a Champion, both of which likely have some measure of Aura Sense¡­ A tall order. I¡¯ll take the job! What juicy details can you give me?¡± The table quieted, all centered on her as Amira tried to recover. ¡°Umm. Well, Ambrosia told Nova that their teams were setting it all up with Chase, and they¡¯d been extremely secret about it. I don¡¯t know where, but it is going to happen on Tuesday.¡± ¡°Mhm. Mhm!¡± Janine chimed. ¡°More than enough of a timeframe for me to snoop out the rest! It looks like I¡¯m back in the game! Hey, Asuka, call the girls to the Room of Shadows¡ªwe have a job to plan. Eh-hehehehe. Thanks for the tip, Rhea! I¡¯ll leave it with Dawn when it¡¯s done.¡± She hung up, and Rhea dropped the phone from her ear, looking up at the cobalt-haired woman as she rubbed her chin. ¡°Elaine is so funny when it comes to cute, stressful moments. And¡­ yup! Green messaged back¡­ She knew, and she wants to know where the leak was. Hehe. I better respond before she teleports in and kidnaps me.¡± She scooted out and walked away while tugging on her red bikini to adjust it. ¡°I¡¯ll be right back.¡± Rhea figured Janine and Green would connect without her mentioning anything, and the atmosphere toned down as Ash gave them a wave, moving off himself to make calls for their training. With nothing else to do, she ordered a healthy lunch¡ªall at Lori¡¯s expense, of course¡ªand chatted a bit with her team about her exile to the snow-verse. It took a decent amount of time before Dawn returned, practically bouncing on her toes after the call with the infamous Kanto bad girl. ¡°Green gets so personable yet defensive when things like this happen. It was the same when Blue and her little sister got together, Red and Yellow, or your mom and dad, Amira.¡± Lori finished her soda, flipping through a data sheet. ¡°Probably because she¡¯s the only one that never married out of her friend group. I¡¯ve seen it happen to a few Gym Leaders and Masters back in¡ªouch! Amira, what was that for,¡± she hissed as the redhead pinched her. Rhea stiffened at the looks and sudden atmosphere that came between her two teammates, Amira showing real anger. ¡°No need to be mean about it,¡± she huffed, surprisingly aggressive about the topic and showing she took it far more to heart than any of them would have believed. ¡°Green has trouble connecting with people, and she¡¯s sensitive about it¡­ It¡¯s because of what happened to her when she was a little girl.¡± Lori rubbed the tender area, scooting a little away from her. ¡°Well, not like I¡¯d know. Geez. I was just speculating from what I knew¡ªyou know me. No need to get physical. Ouu.¡± Amira took a deep breath, heat falling as she looked between them and rubbed between her eyes. ¡°Sorry, Lori. Green, Leaf, Crystal, my grandma, and my mom have all been women I really look up to¡­ I grew up around them, so I¡¯ve seen them during their highs and lows. It can feel personal sometimes. Again, I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s cool,¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°Water under the bridge. Man, you¡¯ve got a strong pinch, though. Muk¡­ I¡¯m even bleeding a little, Ms. Nails.¡± Amira drew in her bottom lip and reached for the small purse she¡¯d bought. ¡°I have some bandaids and ointment.¡± ¡°Yeah, okay,¡± Lori said, nibbling on her bottom lip and clearly holding back from biting back. ¡°I get Green¡¯s like an aunt to you. I didn¡¯t mean it to be mean; I was just talking¡­¡± ¡°Ahem,¡± Rhea broke in. She paused for a moment when a former promise the Sinnoh show girl made came to mind that might just put them in a more positive mood. ¡°Dawn¡­ didn¡¯t you say you had these super-secret images of my aunt wearing a Gothitelle style?¡± An impish grin brightened the woman¡¯s face as she scooted in. ¡°Okay, here¡¯s the goods. By the way, I have way more than that, but you girls impressed the Cubchoo out of me. Check it out¡­ young, teenage fashion model on the rise, Pre-Legendary Cynthia in all her short skirt, garters, and tights glory! The tattoo under her right eye is painted, of course.¡± ¡°Hot!¡± Lori snickered, tapping phones to get a copy as Dawn made it available. ¡°She¡¯s that innocent Gothitelle chick. Haha! I can see why she couldn¡¯t let these get out.¡± Amira smiled, getting her own and passing the bandaid to Lori. ¡°In her younger, less mature years, no doubt. I can see my mother doing the same.¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Yeah¡­ you have no idea how petty and immature my aunt can be at board games. She cheated against me when I was a kid all the time! She made up her own rules on the spot, not that seven-year-old me would know the difference. Even Bi does it sometimes¡­ Aww. She is pretty adorable, though.¡± ¡°Maybe to you!¡± Lori giggled. ¡°Those thighs would crush boys¡¯ hearts and brains! I¡¯m telling you, girl, they¡¯re on that Muk. Oh, hehe, you should send this to Jason! No, your own Gothitelle fashion shoot. I¡¯m sure Amira could set it up.¡± Rhea rolled her eyes, not falling for it. ¡°Uh-huh¡­ I¡¯m not going to blush, so cut it out.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get you, My Sunny!¡± Her thoughts went to the cute, little, awkward rabbit of Jason¡¯s. ¡°Sure you will. I¡¯m going to put that on my background slideshow; I¡¯ve been collecting some pictures. Okay, Dawn. We¡¯ve got to pack and get me some thermal gear, right?¡± ¡°You girls finished?¡± Dawn asked, passing over a few more with longer skirts or tiered dress variants, all with her aunt¡¯s signature hair ties. ¡°If so, let¡¯s get the giant here to pay for us and hit the strip mall!¡± ¡°Right¡­ I¡¯m paying,¡± Lori groaned, pushing the plate away and sinking to the table. ¡°Kill me! Wait, Fire Head over here already did. For real, though, what is up with that Pinsir force, girl? I thought I was supposed to be the one with the Physical Allocation buffs. Geez.¡± Her off-handed joke made them smile; Lori could be very mean if she wanted to, but things seemed to have smoothed over, which was a relief to her. They got up and called back their Pokemon, leaving Ash to his calls in the corner of the sand bar on the phone as Dawn went to throw on a summer dress over her swimsuit. Soon enough, the four of them were strolling through Fuschia with their Pokemon, visiting stores with a toothy-smiled Dawn flashing her aunt¡¯s black card. The woman made a few joking pokes about cashing out the TM shop that Lori went along with, but Rhea didn¡¯t like spending other people¡¯s money. It was something she didn¡¯t really think about in the Master Community; Amira had influenced her in a lot of positive ways, and it was for that reason that Rhea was so surprised about her reaction to Lori. Amira was always the level-headed, cool girl who thought things through, was rational, and could be relied upon. She¡¯d seen the redhead break down and cry, but anger like that was something shocking; to have actually physically pinched Lori hard enough to make her bleed was on a whole different scale for the girl. She updated her friends in Vermilion while shopping, keeping an eye on Amira and Lori¡¯s interactions throughout their trip, and holding their bags on their way back to the spa, she saw her two teammates getting along again. The pair were talking and even passing a few light jokes off one another, which was nice to see. Things were on the up. There were still sides to her friends that she didn¡¯t know. Why would she think she did? It had only been sixty-eight days since they met. Rhea didn¡¯t even have a full recollection of what had triggered Amira since she usually tuned Lori out when she got into her Impish phases. It had been something connected to Green and the two lovebird Champions, their wedding, or the proposal, but Amira took something very personally because Amira wasn¡¯t usually prone to physical violence. She was very respectful about where her hands were, which was something Lori and she could take note of. Looking back at the video with Jason and having gone over it with her teammates last night for the play-by-play, she realized how often she¡¯d touched Jason. Had she always been like that? She¡¯d slapped, punched, and poked him quite a few times. He never seemed to mind or protest it. Did he like it? No. That was stupid; not commenting about something didn¡¯t mean they enjoyed it. Maybe he just didn¡¯t mind since he was such a big guy? Then again, why did she do it in the first place? Was he just used to her being physical like that? She was a hugger, for whatever that added to the topic. In Saffron, she¡¯d comforted that suicidal man, and she¡¯d been physical there, too. There¡¯s a pattern, she internally groaned. I am touchy-feely. Is that due to my nature or genetic engineering, though? What if¡ª ¡°Space to Rhea, your shuttle left!¡± ¡°Eh?¡± She blinked and stopped just before running into a grinning Lori, towering over her. ¡°Did you say something?¡± Amira had an understanding smile. ¡°You have had a lot going on. Need some time in the spa to unwind? You may regret not taking the chance once you¡¯re in the mountains.¡± ¡°True,¡± she sighed, scratching her elbow as her thoughts brought on an itch. ¡°That might be good. I am feeling a little tight. Umm. Thanks, Amira.¡± Walking into the fancy spa¡¯s front gates, she waved at her friends and went to her room to get her stuff mostly ready. ¡°I probably will only be in for a little bit to process everything. See you for dinner soon. Thanks, guys.¡± Her Pokemon clustered around her, their social high coming down as they questioned what was wrong. Rhea didn¡¯t know quite why she felt somewhat depressed. It just kind of came all at once. Dressing down to let herself cook in the steaming water of her private spa area, she breathed. Her Pokemon were playing inside it, Lulu floating around like a boat. As the clock ticked, she became more focused on what she was about to do; everything else could be paused. Right now, she was going to give this her all, and Ash promised it was going to be challenging, so she had to be in the right mind state. As 4:30 p.m. came around, she got out and donned her winter wear, excluding her jacket, which she tucked under her arm. Backpack thrown over her shoulder, at 5:21, she marched out to meet everyone. Ash was in the spa public lobby, Mimey with him and her team around them; only her Wooloo Gang wasn¡¯t present. ¡°Umm, hey!¡± ¡°Yo!¡± Lori snickered, eyeing her up and down. ¡°Well, that¡¯s a new look!¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Rhea snorted. ¡°You were the one that picked it out.¡± ¡°I know! I¡¯m the best!¡± Amira snagged her attention as she held up her Encrusted Badges. ¡°Hey, I had an idea to turn them into jewelry pieces for us. I¡¯m in contact with a jeweler, and he says it¡¯s more than possible, and actually a popular choice for female Trainers. Lori wants some.¡± ¡°Muk yes, I do!¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, absolutely!¡± Rhea agreed, digging them out before looking between them and getting to the real topic she wanted to bite into. ¡°So¡­ Where¡¯s Sam, Jade, Hannah, and Jay¡¯s group?¡± Ash gave her an apologetic grin. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯m going to have to pick them up after taking you. It¡¯ll just be easier not to get bogged down in a reunion. Sorry.¡± ¡°Haaa. No, I get it,¡± she said, seeing Dawn¡¯s similar expression. ¡°I¡¯m going first since I¡¯m all the way up north.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Dawn tilted her head. ¡°Not all the way Sinnoh north, but north, yes. I love the woman you¡¯re going to train with. She really lives a special life, surrounded by myths. Ash and I met her on one of our adventures when we were with Brandon¡ªyou know, the Frontier Brain Chief of the Battle Pyramid. It was quite an adventure. Anyway, you¡¯ll see!¡± She hopped up and down with Piplup. ¡°Exciting!¡± ¡°Mime?¡± Ash held out his hands, Dawn taking his other as Mimiey stood at the center, still wearing an apron. ¡°Ready?¡± Rhea hugged Lori and Amira goodbye, her Pokemon doing the same with theirs before returning to their Poke Balls, with Lulu slipping into her jacket front. ¡°Ne-ne!¡± ¡°Ready.¡± A flash of light and the feeling of the world giving way sent Rhea¡¯s stomach to her throat; she¡¯d never traveled quite this distance in a single jump. When the light faded, she winced as snowflakes peppered her nose. Blinking, she got her first look at a veil of white outside of a giant stone door, lined with carvings of Pokemon so clear that it appeared new. The whole place was at a scale that made her belly squirm as her gaze wandered up to the massive pillars and ceiling overhead. ¡°It¡¯s been a while, Ash, Dawn. How are you?¡± Rhea almost jumped out of her skin at the soft, womanly tone that came from behind them. Flipping around, she saw a pretty, black-haired woman, wearing robes as white as the snow outside; the three large, ornamental aquamarine stones on her robe were only slightly brighter than her eyes. Dawn jumped forward to hug the proper woman, who somewhat reminded her of her grandmother. ¡°High Priestess Maria! How¡¯s Sinjoh Temple? No troubles with Regigigas since we left?¡± ¡°Hehe. No, Dawn,¡± she said, hands returning to her front as she broke away to give Ash a nod and turned toward her. ¡°Rhea, I can feel the presence of a Victini inside you, waiting to release her flames. I was told you don¡¯t want to be idle, so¡­ would you join me in the storm? We have some chores to do, and it is best to make use of every moment of the day, routine tasks or play.¡± Teeth beginning to chatter as she looked outside at the raging blizzard, the sudden chill of likely below-freezing temperatures bit into her lungs. Had she made a mistake? Because this was insane! Forcing a laugh, she rubbed her shoulders as Lulu cried out that she didn¡¯t like the cold, crawling further into her layers. ¡°Nothing ventured, brrrr¡­ eh-heh, nothing gained. What am I going to be doing?¡± Maria pointed at her chest with a totally sane look for what shouldn¡¯t be a sane statement. ¡°We are going to break past some of those spiritual barriers you unconsciously put in place over the years to protect yourself from Victini¡¯s power. I¡¯m going to turn you into my heater. Won¡¯t that be useful?¡± ¡°¡­Yay me¡­¡± Ash, Dawn, and Mimey gave her a wave and left her to become a popsicle. She was doomed to be a chunk of ice for all eternity, bringing her mind back to the cave they¡¯d hid from the Plasma agent in, and she made herself a promise. If I survive this¡­ I¡¯m going back. I think we need to go back. Taking her first step, she followed the High Priestess of Regigigas into the flurry, her Pokemon jumping out to join her. * ¡ª * ¡ª * [60 days later¡­] [7 a.m. October 15th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event. Day 128.] [The Winter Indigo Cup starts on December 5th, 50 days away.] * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea breathed out a hot stream of air as the blizzard passed, taking in the morning rays as she stared across the snowy mountains high above the world. A light red film dissipated from around her body, only covered by her bikini, as sweat dripped to the tip of her nose, only to turn into steam. Maria sat beside her, wearing a gentle smile¡ªher stable feature¡ªand Nova was lying in front of her as a Glaceon, chin resting on her paws¡ªher Eevee glad to be returned to her, now resting after an exciting reunion. ¡°You¡¯ve improved. How do you feel?¡± ¡°My butt and neck hurt. I¡¯m dehydrated¡­ dizzy,¡± Rhea coughed, reaching up to rub her throat as Lulu floated down from her head, in a similar meditative-like posture; she could feel her little puff ball¡¯s emotions without a Poke Ball¡ªthey were starting to bond. ¡°Haha. And¡­ there¡¯s the cold¡ªeeesh. Focus. Focus! Gah! I get too hot with clothes, and too cold without them! Mmg-hmm-hmm-hmm. Make up your mind, body!¡± A soft throb came from within her heart, making her breathe out a sigh. ¡°Haaa.¡± Thanks, V, she internally soothed. No, it¡¯s not your fault. I¡¯m just¡­ overcompensating. You¡¯re doing great. I didn¡¯t know how amazing you were. The woman put a hand on her knee, drawing her gaze as the biting, subzero gust made her jaw lock together; she was now just a girl who was nearly naked. ¡°Rhea, I don¡¯t think you need to push yourself more today. I have somewhere to take you before you leave me. Let¡¯s go inside and get you cleaned up first, though. I¡¯m sure water will help you feel better.¡± Not my butt, Rhea grumbled inside, rubbing the sore area for how long she¡¯d been sitting. ¡°Cramps! Cramps!¡± she hissed, trying to ease out her legs. ¡°Ack! Ack! Ack!¡± ¡°Good! It seems you did put your all into it,¡± Maria chimed. ¡°You made it through the storm. It was rough, but you maintained a somewhat reasonable output.¡± Rhea eyed the totally unbothered priestess; not once had she seen the woman sweat or shiver in all sixty days. In any case, she was happy to not need to go ¡®full heater mode¡¯ anymore and settled for a personal, inner warmth that calmed the thumping in her chest. ¡°Sounds great. Honestly, I like the spas here better than the one back in Fuschia. Hopefully, I don¡¯t evaporate a ton of it this time¡­¡± She chuckled and motioned her to follow. ¡°You are far more skilled than you were when we first started this inner spiritual journey. You know the road; now, you need to keep on it and not fall into the lava below.¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. Thanks for the reminder¡­¡± Getting up, Nova chirped brightly, congratulating her on the progress. Mya and Alice were off on some cave adventure, doing something that had them growling and limping back home each night. They had gotten stronger, and she was confident in herself now. It was time to see her team again! Well, after whatever torture the evil and deceptively kind High Priestess had in store for her final trial. She prayed it wouldn¡¯t be as bad as last night¡¯s crucible. She could only hope. Entering the top of the very deep Snow Temple¡ªapparently, all reconstructed by this beast of a woman¡ªRhea steeled herself for what was to come. B3 — 39. A Storys End And Beginning 7:05 a.m. October 15th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 128. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (50 days away). Walking behind Maria, Rhea couldn¡¯t help but admire the grand temple of Regigigas that the priestess had literally built around the Titan Pokemon. She¡¯d only been to the first few floors of the structure, yet on the fifth was a colossal open view of the hollow mountain, where the white and gold giant could be seen hibernating. Her gaze wandered between the first-floor murals the priestess had personally etched, depicting the battle that took place in the distorted and reality-warped region, the final fight during the Ultra War when the real heavy hitters all got involved. Regigigas was the first, awoken to hold the line when the Supermassive Ultra Wormhole opened up, flooding their world with its energy, villains, and Ultra Beasts. Her aunt had been here, Blue, Red, and even Ash. So many had died during this conflict; she remembered those days of mourning back in the village as a little girl. ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± Rhea blinked, looking down to see her Glaceon had become an Eevee again, asking to jump up into her arms. Lulu was swift to plop down on her head, nestling in with a few chirps. ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Adjusting her bikini strap, Rhea giggled, knowing her Cosmog would have been happier nestling into her shirt front, but her head was a close second. She had this idea that she was the navigator, and that navigation just so happened to be wherever Rhea went; she was quirky like that. When they reached the second level, Maria¡¯s pace slowed as she allowed her to catch up. ¡°Now that we¡¯re out of the cold, how do you feel about your progress?¡± Rhea looked toward the square pipes that lined the walls¡ªperfectly fitted with the stone¡ªcirculating heat throughout the levels. It had something to do with Regigigas¡¯ natural energy and the volcanic vents near the bottom he stood in. Pokemon flitted about, many of which were Grass Types who helped sustain the greenery that lined the inner mountain. It was a frigid ice shell on the outside, a green garden of plenty on the inside, and all spurred on by the Titan¡¯s gentle, thrumming pulse of energy. Scratching Nova¡¯s ear, she sighed. ¡°I¡¯m a lot stronger. I can feel it. Hah. Oof¡ªand I need to lower my internal body temperature again,¡± she winced, starting to sweat. ¡°It¡¯s crazy being able to do that, and it¡¯s just the simple stuff I can do with barely a thought. It¡¯s almost like I¡¯m a Pokemon myself.¡± Maria took them down the next flight of stairs, hands held at her front while keeping pace. ¡°In a way, you are. Are you aware that you would die if the Victini within you was extracted? She is linked to your very DNA and spirit at this point, which is how much of this is possible.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so insane,¡± she whispered, shifting Nova in her arms to press her fingers against her breast to feel her heartbeat. ¡°I can actually feel a spiritual thump there now¡­ V is a part of me¡­¡± Lulu hopped to her shoulder to nibble on her ear. ¡°Haha! Yes, you are, too.¡± ¡°Ne-ne! Ne?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe,¡± Nova returned, wiggling closer to lick the giggling nimbus cloud. Rhea reflected on her time with the robe-wearing woman, studying her on their journey as the priestess spoke to the various Pokemon that ran up to talk to her. Maria really was an amazing lady. Apparently, she and her newlywed husband had been among those who first answered the call to arms; they hadn¡¯t even had a chance to celebrate their union when all chaos broke loose. Tragically, as Rhea expected from so many stories, her husband died protecting her, and just before they were overrun by the Rainbow Rocket¡¯s advanced force, Regigigas¡¯s colossal hand exploded out of the earth, devastating the entire company. Maria had long watched over the sleeping titan, yet it had only awoken once for her grandmother and once for her when Ash and Dawn arrived at the temple. However, this time was different. The Titan Pokemon had answered her heartbroken, spiritual cry for aid, awakening from its deep sleep to act as her personal guardian; the roles had reversed. Rhea had enjoyed listening to the priestess¡¯ bittersweet stories throughout her training. It had helped to pass the time, at least, since she was totally off the grid. She¡¯d learned a lot from the dedicated woman since she shared a similar special bond with Regigigas; it wasn¡¯t the same, but close enough to offer her guidance. When they reached the sixth floor, Maria guided her to a place where she evidently came quite often since there was a meditation mat. Offering it to her, the priestess turned to look down at the colossal Pokemon inside the mountain, illuminated by a soft white light. ¡°Sit and resonate with Regigigas. Few can take such pressure from Victini¡¯s radiant core; he is one of those who can. Now that you have unlocked the first gate, you can find your balance on the road through this without the harm of opening anyone else up to the dangers of it.¡± Forcing a laugh, Rhea dropped to her butt on the mat and stared down at the big, dormant eyes of the titan. ¡°I thought I wasn¡¯t supposed to do any more work today?¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Lulu agreed, crossing her arms. Nova simply curled up on her lap, resting her chin on her knee while looking across the gap to the other side. Maria sat beside her, rubbing her arm. ¡°You¡¯re not on trial or having to work to do anything. After last night, this is like releasing the shackles holding you down. You will understand once you begin.¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Nova, Lulu.¡± Her disgruntled Pokemon grumbled, knowing they couldn¡¯t be near her when she did this. Lulu transferred to Nova¡¯s back, teleporting her to the floor above them to hit the spa first. Maria calmly waited beside her, closing her eyes and connecting to Regigigas for support. Rhea breathed out a heavy breath to calm her heart, and clearing her mind, she opened up her spiritual walls. Fire radiated within her, pulsing in waves of heat as she let her inner core flood out. Bliss filled her with the freedom of being unrestrained, and she felt something neutral respond, meeting her fire like a wall that reflected it back. Suddenly, a path opened up, and her eyes opened to a radiance that struck her eyes like the sun, only it was herself. She was momentarily dazed by the thumps of superheated pulses that beat out of her gold-illuminated body. ¡°Why¡­ is it yellow?¡± Maria smiled next to her, a white aura protecting her from the flaming waves. ¡°You¡¯ve found your medium; the color suits you. Don¡¯t worry about the environment; it will hold. Just take some time to understand this balance. This is what all the training has been for. From here, you can see all the gates that need unlocking. Only choose one. Which will be your first?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t even hesitate, pressing a hand against her chest. ¡°Lulu, of course¡­ My Victini Core needs to resonate with hers. Even with the Buddy Bond, it won¡¯t be enough unless I can harmonize with the Victini inside her¡­ Hopefully, I can spark her back to life.¡± A sad look came over the priestess. ¡°It was regrettable to learn how damaged the Victini Core is inside of Lulu. Still, there is hope for a recovery. Alright, if that¡¯s your true desire, then you¡¯ll naturally be drawn toward the entrance to that path. There¡¯s nothing more I can teach you at this time.¡± Closing her Core again, Rhea got up to be surprised by a hug from Maria. ¡°Woah! You¡¯re not a hugger?¡± ¡°No. But it seems appropriate,¡± the dark-haired woman replied, pulling away with a proud look on her face. ¡°Your other Pokemon should be joining us shortly, victorious in their own competition.¡± Rhea snickered, relieving a scratch under her arm. She was a little confused but thankful that her bathing suit had remained unburned; the mat hadn¡¯t been so lucky. ¡°I¡¯ve been flooded so much with V¡¯s energy that I haven¡¯t even felt them using my Fortitude. I probably shouldn¡¯t be tapping into it in everyday life.¡± Maria shook her head as they began their journey to the 4th level spa. ¡°Regigigas is what you kids might call a ¡®cheat code¡¯ for you. Typically, doing this without the supporting resonance of another Pokemon to apply a return Pressure would cause you to spiral out of control. That rebalancing we just did shouldn¡¯t be attempted outside of this temple. You could hurt yourself and others.¡± ¡°Understood!¡± Rhea chirped, stretching out. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go freshen up and eat a little before Ash shows up. I¡¯m starved!¡± Laughing with the woman, Rhea thanked her as they parted ways. By the time she¡¯d made it to the spa, Nova and Lulu were chilling inside the Pokemon area with a few friends they¡¯d made. Some happy chirps and light conversation later, and her remaining two Pokemon made their appearance. Mya gave her a grinning thumbs up, supporting a battered Alice, who gave a similar weak grin. Rhea rushed out to check on them. ¡°What happened to you two?! Is your primary matrix down, Alice? Bad bunny! Let me get the medical herbs¡­¡± ¡°Lop-Lop! Pun-Pun?¡± she protested, looking to Mya for help. ¡°Mawile!¡± Rhea gave the two indignant pair a look. ¡°I get you two are proud of overcoming your big goal, but I don¡¯t even know where you three go down the mountain.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe,¡± her Eevee said, holding a wet tail to her nose with a wink that said it was a secret. Alice and Mya mirrored her with a giggle. ¡°Whatever. Did Nova win before you two?¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± Mya and Alice glared at the tail-wagging Eevee. ¡°Mawile¡­¡± ¡°Lopunny¡­ Lop,¡± she huffed, turning her head away. Helping her team clean up, Rhea got back in the spa to soak with her Pokemon. A good thirty minutes passed before she got out to wash off and dress. It sort of felt weird to wear clothes again. Much of the last six weeks had been spent in her bathing suit due to the heat she¡¯d been unable to restrain. Now, she had almost perfect temperature control. Although that didn¡¯t mean it didn¡¯t have its occasional short circuits, those were rare these days. Halfway through a healthy green meal, Ash popped up with Mimey, wearing his signature black shades. ¡°Wooh! I can feel the heat!¡± he joked, throwing up his hands and backing away. ¡°Maria¡­ Ah. Okay.¡± ¡°What?¡± Rhea asked, glancing at the empty seat where the priestess should have been; the woman often told her to eat alone if she wasn¡¯t there. ¡°She¡¯s probably in the spa or something. I got out a bit ago¡­ Will you pass the green bowl, Sunflora? Thank you!¡± Ash fell onto the mat the woman used for chairs, eyeing her closely. ¡°You really took it out of her, huh? I¡¯ve never felt Maria so taxed before. The resonance must have been tougher on her than I thought it would be.¡± Rhea¡¯s fork paused over the bowel. ¡°What do you mean? Is she okay? I never saw her sweat once. Meanwhile, I¡¯m over here gushing water like I¡¯m using Waterfall!¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Oh, yeah, absolutely,¡± Ash reassured with a weak shrug, watching Mimey sit to join the meal. ¡°She went above and beyond to help you come into unison with V. Melody started the process, and Maria completed the training stage. Now, you need practical experience.¡± Feeling a little bad about putting the priestess in bed, Rhea renewed her resolve, setting her gaze on the Legend. ¡°Is everyone else ready?¡± Ash nodded, adding a grin. ¡°Yup! I hear it¡¯s about to be Lori¡¯s birthday in the next few days. Your friends want to keep everything on the low. You ready to return to the gang?¡± Setting down her bowl, Rhea stood and walked to a small platform and cleared her throat. All the Grass Pokemon stopped what they were doing to look at her. ¡°I just wanted to say, ¡®Thank you for having us.¡¯ ¡± Her Pokemon ran up to mirror her. ¡°Pwe-Pwe-Pwe.¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Pun-Pun.¡± ¡°Neeeeee!¡± They laughed as Lulu went around to each Pokemon, shaking their leaves or patting their heads as she thanked them for their hospitality. Not so soon after, Mimey was teleporting them hundreds of kilometers, and Rhea blinked as she found herself in front of a familiar, alien-themed tower. ¡°Apple City?¡± Rhea asked, recalling the extraterrestrial talk she¡¯d had previously. ¡°What are we doing here?¡± ¡°That would be my suggestion,¡± said a relaxed, refined, and familiar voice. Flipping around, a beaming grin coming on, Rhea jumped forward to hug the smiling redhead. ¡°Amira! Wait, you got your badges made into jewelry,¡± she squealed, spotting the Boulder Badge necklace and her Cascade and Soul Badge earrings. Cute!¡± ¡°Yours should be arriving tonight,¡± she commented, directing her to the fountain, where Serenity and all their gang were posted up. ¡°I also got the package from your mother for our new Silph camping equipment¡ªyou know, the one that acts like Poke Balls?¡± ¡°No way! I want to hear everything. Oh, but first¡­ I want to make a quick detour before we start tackling all these badges,¡± she added as the Rocket Girl guided her to the others, Ash trailing behind. ¡°I wanted to go back to that ice cave, where all the insanity began.¡± Amira slowed to a stop, a frown touching her lips; her hand went to her glasses at her front, telling Rhea that it was still a sensitive topic. ¡°We can. I expected we¡¯d be at a crossroads, so Apple City is a great place to go in whichever direction we want¡­¡± she trailed off as Jade spotted her. ¡°Rhea! Oh, Arceus, I swear you somehow got prettier, and it¡¯s only been two months. Look! Look! Mimi can control her electricity now.¡± She smiled as she saw the little Pichu showing off to Pikachu and the others, tail sparking as she tapped it against the stone fountain; Pikachu mirrored her, seemingly playing a game of MOVE, where the Pokemon who had the least Moves failed. Obviously, the bigger electric rat would come out on top against the majority of the world in this game, considering his Legendary status. ¡°Nice!¡± Getting into the rhythm and meeting with each of her friends and teammates, Rhea saw a recurring pattern between the two Wooloo gangs. She decided to ask directly. ¡°You¡­ all want us to go in blind, huh?¡± Sam¡¯s lips parted, showing her crooked smile. ¡°Yeah, we kind of agreed that you¡¯re going to be our rivals! So, we¡¯re not going to look at your matches, and you don¡¯t look at ours. We¡¯ll just send texts if we win one. When we get to the Silver Conference, we want to prove to ourselves that we can fight you on even footing!¡± Hannah leaned over to whisper, ¡°We don¡¯t actually expect any of us not to follow each other, but the point is to give it our all. Sam just wants to be mysterious and cheat since we already know a lot of your Pokemon.¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± Sam huffed, brushing back her brunette hair. ¡°Geez. What¡¯s wrong with a little mystery? Hey, Jade, your big sister got a new Pokemon like us, right?¡± Her impish eyes turned to her. ¡°Pokemon we won¡¯t share with our friends because we have our own secret weapon!¡± Laughing at all the cloak and dagger, Rhea wondered who the girl had trained with to end up like this. ¡°I¡¯m totally fine with that. So, we have time for a quick snack, or¡­¡± ¡°No can do, Sunshine,¡± Lori said, slinging an arm around her. ¡°The girls aren¡¯t taking fast transit, so they¡¯re on the clock. Meanwhile, we travel like queens.¡± Jade stuck her tongue out at the Unovan girl. ¡°Make sure you don¡¯t get fat and lazy from not walking, Ms. Queen!¡± ¡°Oh, I¡¯m fat,¡± Lori reminded her with a grin, reaching down to pinch her thighs. ¡°Fat in all the right places.¡± ¡°Booo!¡± Hannah and Jay called out. ¡°Justice for the small girls!¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Sam cut in, ¡°are you guys going to Forrest or Misty? Forrest only battles challengers on Wednesday, so¡­ if you do Misty first, then we could meet up. It will take us two or three days to get there, and we¡¯re doing the normal challenge since we don¡¯t have time to wait for the Encrusted. Want to meet up there and chill?¡± Rhea giggled with the others and nodded; everyone seemed to have gotten bolder since she¡¯d last seen them. ¡°I¡¯m good with that, but at least let me give you all a hug before you Bounce. You¡¯ll probably beat us to renting a kayak, so we¡¯ll catch you Saturday or Sunday before we head off to our next destination. Wait, water¡ªLori¡ªoof!¡± Lori lifted an eyebrow and snorted as the girls closed in to embrace them. ¡°Girl, you know I¡¯m over that Muk! I bet I could beat you swimming now.¡± ¡°Cap,¡± Amira interjected. ¡°You and that fat can make you float like a whale, but it takes more than buoyancy to win a race, Sugar Plum.¡± ¡°Haha! Ouch,¡± the violet-haired girl chortled. ¡°Love the new nickname, by the way. Wait, why are we kayaking again?¡± Rhea finished saying goodbye to her friends, spotting the three Poke Balls on their waists or backpack straps that indicated that they¡¯d made the jump to Silver-tier. Things were moving fast. If that wasn¡¯t enough when Dawn showed up, sadness came over them to learn the woman needed to return to Sinnoh, and that wasn¡¯t the only disappointing news. ¡°Sorry, girls, duty calls,¡± Dawn said, pulling them into tight hugs, which included a slightly surprised Ash. ¡°Girl?¡± the dark-haired man asked with a confused smirk. Dawn lifted a testing eye. ¡°Oh? You can¡¯t tell me you don¡¯t remember the¡ª¡± ¡°Yup! Yup! Haha.¡± Ash jumped forward to put his hand over her mouth, causing a glint to appear in it. ¡°No need to repeat that incident.¡± ¡°Or that other time¡ª¡± ¡°I get it, Dawn!¡± Ash laughed, drawing their curiosity. ¡°Those were for certain¡ª¡± The cobalt-haired woman put a finger to her chin. ¡°Wait, Misty mentioned to me that time with Erika, too.¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s head, making her double over. ¡°Haha! Wait, was that when Erika was going through that bad breakup and banned all men from her Gym? Gossip brings it up every once in a while. I heard rumors that guys would crossdress to get in the door.¡± Lori¡¯s face lit with entertainment. ¡°Shut up! The future World Champion was almost thwarted by a no-boys rule? Comedy gold! C¡¯mon, what color wig did you use,¡± she asked, sliding forward to nudge his side. ¡°Red?¡± Dawn shook her head and pointed at Rhea. ¡°No, think more¡­ bright. Red was a different time. There was also the black wig, and the green one¡ªwasn¡¯t there a purple one in there somewhere, or was that the dress I was thinking about?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Ash jabbed his thumb at Mimey behind him, ¡°I guess that¡¯s our time to¡ªMimey¡­ Where did Mimey go?¡± Amira pointed down the street. ¡°I think he was chasing a food truck.¡± ¡°Oh, no¡­ Mom has him on a diet¡ªMimey, don¡¯t do it!¡± ¡°Pika-pi?!¡± Ash broke into a run, Pikachu trailing after him, leaving them in stunned silence at how ridiculous things got when the Kanto Failure was around. Dawn rubbed the back of her neck, face softening with her bestie gone. ¡°Anyway, Ash has somewhere to be, and your aunt has me jumping through loops, Rhea. It¡¯s been fun traveling with you, but I think it would be best to do the rest on your own now that you¡¯ve found your feet.¡± Lori swooped in for one last hug. ¡°Really, Snowflake, thank you for all you¡¯ve done for us. You¡¯re a real Mismagius at times, but you¡¯ve got the heart of a Nidoking!¡± ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know how to take that,¡± Dawn mused. ¡°I suppose I¡¯ll take it as a double-edged sword from that tongue of yours. Have fun and battle hard! Wait¡­ Ash was my ride¡ªMimey!¡± They giggled as the Sinnoh girl slipped off her heels and ran after the boys. One thing was for sure: the Legends knew how to have fun. Rhea glanced toward her friends and motioned to the tidal area they¡¯d visited months ago. ¡°I know the water will be chilly, but I think I¡¯ve got you all covered. Want to make one last pitstop before going full-on Gym Mode?¡± Lori put her hands on her hips and puffed up her chest. ¡°No fear, ladies! Want to try and race this time with our Pokemon as assistance since we all have a Water Type now?¡± Amira gave her a dirty look. ¡°Are you trying to get us smoked by Rhea? Maybe if we weren¡¯t tying down our Pokemon, it would be a good race, but no shot you think we¡¯ll beat Nova.¡± Lori stretched her arms high over her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know, we¡¯ve been doing a lot of surfboarding the last few months. I¡¯m a pro!¡± ¡°We¡¯re surfing then?¡± Rhea asked with a widening grin. ¡°We¡¯ll get boards instead of kayaks then. I haven¡¯t surfed with a backpack since I was fifteen. Jason and I used to go to this island and camp out to escape the village; it was our little retreat spot.¡± ¡°Cute¡ªack!¡± Lori started before it ended in a choke. ¡°Hold up! I didn¡¯t think about adding backpacks.¡± ¡°Too late now,¡± Amira said, already taking them in that direction. ¡°Let¡¯s see how good you are, Ms. Surf Girl.¡± ¡°Gables, mistakes have been made!¡± Teasing the floundering Unovan girl on the way to the rental place, Rhea wouldn¡¯t back down; instead, she made a bet that if they could make the full trip in a single day and make it back to Apple City, then they could leave their main pack in a hotel. Lori¡¯s mood brightened at the prospect, and forty minutes later, they were in the water. Unfortunately, the smug party girl hadn¡¯t considered the temperature differences between the Orange Archipelago and the northern Kanto mountain range. Rhea laughed the whole way to the Teleporting Cloyster¡¯s territory; Amira actually fell in near the end, shivering as she kicked to the surface. Lori teased her a little, but Rhea had a solution. Sitting on her board, allowing her legs to soak in the chilly waters, Rhea motioned for Amira to swim closer. ¡°Serenity, help her over.¡± ¡°Brrr¡­ Haha. I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d be the one to fall in,¡± Amira mumbled, teeth chattering. ¡°I¡¯m starting to wonder why you told us we wouldn¡¯t need wet gear. I suppose Amber can¡ªRhea?¡± Taking the redhead¡¯s hand, she expanded her Aura as she¡¯d been taught, and a light golden hue coated her body, transferring to Amira. The moment it embraced her, the girl¡¯s shivers ceased. ¡°Better?¡± ¡°Woah!¡± Lori almost fell in herself as Gables dragged her board over. ¡°When did you get even more superpowers?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not cold?¡± Amira whispered, using one arm to crawl back onto the board. ¡°Will it leave if you let go?¡± Rhea nodded, directing Serenity and Nova to take them on a casual pace the final distance to the rocky island between the rapid riverway. ¡°I can do it in an area, but that¡¯s a bit harder than simply extending my Aura to a single person like this. Basically, I¡¯m flooding your body with a tiny bit of V¡¯s energy. Once we¡¯re in the cave, I can evaporate the water.¡± Lori snorted. ¡°Muk! Here we¡¯re working on simple Aura stuff, and our Sunshine here is literally becoming a sun! Geez. Girl¡¯s practically a Pokemon.¡± ¡°Haha. I kind of am, aren¡¯t I?¡± Rhea said, spotting the area where they¡¯d camped the last time they¡¯d been here. ¡°Well, let¡¯s go check out this cave!¡± Amira gave her a thankful smile and let go of her hand. ¡°I¡¯m fine with a little cold water. Are we leaving our boards where we left the kayaks last time?¡± Lori sped forward. ¡°Sounds like a plan¡ªcheck this move out¡ªhop and a twist! That¡¯s the play! Wooh, I¡¯m fire! C¡¯mon, show me your moves, Goldie!¡± Rhea stood up and balanced again, Nova bringing them into a rapid speed before hitting the turbo with a Quick Attack. Hitting a slight dip in rougher waters, Rhea soared into the air to do a full 360, holding the back corner. ¡°Something like this?¡± ¡°Wha!¡± Lori¡¯s mouth dropped open. ¡°How did you plan that up in Snowville?!¡± Doing a few more tricks she¡¯d learned with Jason, they dropped their boards off at the spot and dove into the cold waters. Rhea calmed her breathing and sent out a fiery pulse that gave her teammates a stable temperature as their Pokemon carried them through the whirlpool to the hidden cavern below. Once on the icy floor, she increased the output, causing her golden outline to brighten; her friends looked at each other in astonishment as steam billowed around them, yet her Aura also came with fire resistance buffs, which was convenient. Now snuggly warm and still only dressed in bikinis, Rhea led her party through the frosty cave, only keeping the heat at a minimal range. Upon entering the main chamber, they stood in awe for a time, studying the gigantic Articuno, self-trapped in order to hatch her next generation. ¡°She really is majestic,¡± Rhea whispered. Amira glanced from her to the Ice Legend. ¡°You still want to save her?¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure I can once I get stronger. Maria said I can purify things, but that¡¯s down a different path than I¡¯m going right now. I just wanted to come and see this place again¡­ We¡¯ve gotten stronger.¡± Lori crossed her arms, her narrowed, solemn gaze on the side cave where her brother¡¯s Houndoom rescued them. ¡°We have changed¡­ I just hope it¡¯s enough.¡± A soft smile came to Rhea as Lori sniffed and rubbed her eyes. ¡±I don¡¯t want to be the one that hesitates. Thanks for sticking with me through Miky, this, and all my Muk¡­ Thanks for accepting me.¡± Rhea closed in with Amira to have a group hug. ¡°I think we all have our own things to work on, but we¡¯re a team. Promise that we¡¯ll always stick together. No matter what. We¡¯re in it to the end.¡± ¡°I promise,¡± Amira said, cheeks rosy and shivering as Rhea¡¯s hold slipped a bit, ¡°but, brrr, could we turn up the heater a little?¡± ¡°Seriously, Sunshine?¡± Lori snickered through tears. ¡°Where¡¯s the fire? No, of course, I promise. Let¡¯s go all the way to the top!¡± ¡°Okay!¡± Rhea glanced up at the floating nimbus between them, feeding her with all the energy their current bond could muster. ¡°Lulu, let¡¯s get started.¡± ¡°A what now?¡± Lori asked, red eyes lifting to the grinning puffball. Amira¡¯s fingernails tightened a little around Rhea¡¯s shoulders. ¡°What¡¯s she doing, Rhea?¡± ¡°Ne-neeeee!¡± Rainbow light surrounded them, taking them all the way back to their surfboards¡­ or, at least, that was what was supposed to happen. Instead, they found themselves 3-meters above the icy lake. Screaming on the way down, they smacked the water in a daze, Lulu panicking above them. Yeah¡­ maybe we should have practiced doing it with more people¡­ But hey, it worked! Go us! B3 — 40. A Team Again 2:05 p.m. October 15th, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 128. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (50 days away). Giggling as her friends hurriedly swam closer to her, Rhea spread out her heat to them, ducking underwater to see a malicious-looking Cloyster not two meters away. She smiled and waved, figuring he¡¯d remember then if he recalled Amira the first time they¡¯d come to the spot. Swimming upwards, Gables and Serenity helped their Trainers stabilize, the redhead clutched her sour-mouthed Meloetta in her arms as the Feebas helped them ascend. On the other hand, Lori¡¯s Kubfu was seemingly cheering on her Trainer as her frog supported her, pumping her fist toward the spinny-eyed Unovan girl. Nova floated nearby, tail waving at the ominous Shell Pokemon while scanning the others to see if they needed help. Doing a quick take of the Shellder and ice covering the bottom of the small lake, she saw more than a few shells were now curious about the frantic, floating puffball flitting left and right above the surface. Rhea sent a comforting pulse to Lulu to let her know they were okay. She got a thumbs up from her teammates as her projected heat Aura embraced them, easing their muscles, and they kicked to the surface. ¡°Blaah! Haha. You guys okay?¡± Lori coughed, squeezing her nose and blowing it out. ¡°Ack-ack! Not¡ªcool, Sunshine! Blah. My nose burns now¡­¡± ¡°Kub-kub!¡± ¡°No, Terri. I don¡¯t wanna race right now,¡± Lori said with a pained laugh. ¡°Brrrr.¡± Amira held Mariah up to take in some air before nudging her head to the limited shoreline, where they stored their surfboards. ¡°Let¡¯s get¡ªack-hah. Let¡¯s get out and dry.¡± ¡°Sorry! Sorry!¡± Rhea repeated, keeping their body temperature regulated as they swam to the rocky bank. ¡°Ne-ne! Neee!¡± Lulu followed their progress, apologizing and asking if they were okay. Naturally, Terri was already out, pumping her fist in victory. Rhea took a deep breath, pulling herself up and laughing when Lulu flew out of the sky to tackle her face. ¡°Haha! No, it¡¯s okay, Lulu,¡± she said, pulling her braided hair to the side to wring out. ¡°We¡¯re okay.¡± Lori sank to her back beside her, breathing hard. ¡°Speak for yourself! My heart¡¯s going a million kilometers an hour here. Warn a girl next time you¡¯re about to teleport her to a totally new place¡ªand over a freezing, icy lake! Brrrr. I want to go back to the Orange Islands.¡± ¡°Pori-pori?¡± Nova asked, poking out of the water beside Serenity as the redhead dropped to her back on the opposite side of Rhea. ¡°Melo,¡± the Songstress Pokemon huffed, glaring at Lulu while wringing out her own hair. ¡°Meloetta.¡± ¡°Feebas¡­¡± ¡°Ne-ne! Neee¡­¡± Amira blew out her cheeks before releasing the air. ¡°Well¡­ that was unexpected. Hah. At first, I thought you were pranking us, but I¡¯m starting to think this didn¡¯t go to plan.¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Rhea sighed before pulling herself up with a groan. ¡°Let me dry us off again. Hold still¡­¡± Closing her eyes and releasing the tap on her Aura, she allowed a trickle through to vaporize the liquid on their skin. A light fog swirled around them from the rotating heat, pulling the cloud upward. Mallory sat as still as a statue until it was done. ¡°Phew! My skin¡¯s all hot and tingly¡­ I was afraid you¡¯d give us sunburns or something.¡± Rhea forced a laugh. ¡°Well, I gave myself enough when I was first learning how to do this. It¡¯s, umm¡­ harder to do it multiple times a day.¡± ¡°Are you okay?¡± Amira asked, standing up to check herself. ¡°My bikini isn¡¯t as dry as the first time you did it, and my hair is a little damp still.¡± ¡°True!¡± Lori let go of a disappointed huff while standing and extending a hand to pull her up. ¡°B-minus, Honey Pot! I expected better from our portable Flamethrower. I still think you¡¯ve made Amber obsolete.¡± The Fire Fox exited her Poke Ball with a sniff, nose upturned and tail raised in defiance. ¡°Braixen-xen.¡± A short chuckle came from Amira as she unbound her braid to reapply it. ¡°Amber says then you can use the blowdryer in the mornings, and Gables can warm his own toes.¡± ¡°Gadier?!¡± the Bubble Frog Pokemon protested, no doubt wondering why he¡¯d been lumped in with his Trainer; he jumped out, trying to reason with the haughty fox. ¡°Frogadier-gadier¡­¡± ¡°Braix-xen-xen. Brai.¡± ¡°Frogadier¡­¡± ¡°Aww. You know I was joking!¡± Lori tried to laugh off, bending down to pet the grumpy Braixen, who turned her fluffy tufts to flames and made Lori withdraw her hand. ¡°C¡¯mon! You know you¡¯re my favorite blowdryer, Silky Tail. I always like that little flame whip you do!¡± ¡°Braixen.¡± The fox¡¯s tail tip ignited as she turned her back to the frog and his Trainer, arms crossed. Rhea smiled and moved to their surfboard to lay atop it; the sun was still hot enough to warm them, and they were protected from the wind in their current position. ¡°It looks like Gables and Amber are getting along. Did you guys meet up and train together at all?¡± Amira laid beside her on her own board, putting on her sunglasses and lying down to soak up what was bound to be some of the last bit of sun they¡¯d get in this northern part of Kanto. ¡°A total of about¡­ four days? Gables and Amber went off on their own to enjoy themselves every sec¡ªouch!¡± The redhead winced as Amber flicked out her wand and smacked her Trainer lightly on the forehead. ¡°Braix!¡± Mariah clutched at her chest. ¡°Melo! Melo-melo¡­¡± ¡°What? It¡¯s not a secret,¡± Amira grumbled, taking the surprised fox¡¯s wand out of her hand and tapping her own head with it. ¡°I thought we talked about no more wand smacking?¡± ¡°Xen-xen.¡± The girl huffed, snatched her wand, and stormed off a bit away, Gables hot on her heels. ¡°Melo¡­¡± ¡°Let her be,¡± Amira sighed, settling back in and pulling Mariah in to lay against her chest. ¡°She¡¯ll cool off.¡± A tad shocked at the sudden outburst, Rhea glanced from Lori, who was settling in beside her, and the redhead. Lulu mirrored her from atop her belly as Serenity and Nova caught up; their other Pokemon soon exited to figure out what to do about the fox. ¡°Did I¡­ miss something? Amber was usually always so connected with you. What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Jealousy and your recent buffs, Sunshine.¡± Smoothing out her bound violet hair across her front, Lori put on her own sunglasses and used her small travel pack to prop up her head. ¡°Am I right?¡± Amira puffed out her frustration, sounding tired. ¡°Amber is feeling like she¡¯s losing her place as my Starter since I¡¯ve spent so much time with Holly and Mariah recently, and the diversity of Serenity¡¯s Move Pool has been getting to her when they do mock battles.¡± Mallory nudged Rhea¡¯s side, drawing her attention. ¡°It doesn¡¯t help that one of the few things Amber took pride in, you¡¯re able to do now, and so efficiently¡­ as a human¡ªoof! Terri, stop using me as a trampoline!¡± she growled as the fluff ball jumped on her stomach. Rhea held up Lulu with a gentle smile; they didn¡¯t have any such issues. ¡°I bet it doesn¡¯t help that I dumped you guys in the water¡­ You know, we wouldn¡¯t have made it without Amber¡ªback when we were in that cave, running from that Plasma dude.¡± ¡°Facts,¡± Lori whispered, watching Roxie jump out to chase Terri around. ¡°Without Gabs, Serenity, and you two¡­ I¡¯d be dead. I was screwed without your help since I couldn¡¯t swim at the time, and yeah, the shrimp-fox¡¯s fire was a lifesaver. So¡­ we¡¯re really jumping through the full Kanto Silver League, huh? You two ready for that Muk?¡± ¡°I think so,¡± Amira returned. ¡°My goal is to have Mariah battle-ready for the big matches at the tournament. They may not be as bonded to us without Poke Balls, but I talked to my grandpa, and he said that there aren¡¯t any rules about not using Legendary or Mythical Pokemon, so long as they meet certain criteria, which we do.¡± Snuggling her puffball, Rhea giggled with Lulu. ¡°Hear that, Fluff-Butt? You might be able to show your stuff soon enough.¡± ¡°Nee! Nee!¡± Rhea sank into a restful state for the next twenty minutes, letting their Pokemon talk to Amber and catch up. When it neared 3 p.m., she started to get worried about returning to Apple City. ¡°Umm. Shouldn¡¯t we start heading back soon?¡± she asked, staring at the sun as it sank across the heavens. ¡°Pfft! Muk, no,¡± Lori grumbled, resituating on her surfboard. ¡°I called a cab to pick us up like ten minutes ago. Just because I can doesn¡¯t mean I want to get back in that freezing water. I¡¯d rather twist an Onix. No, I¡¯ll wait comfortably here. Besides, I made some good bets while in the Orange Islands. Hehe. I¡¯ve got some slush funds.¡± Amira held her fist in the air. ¡°Wooh. I guess that means dinner is on you again?¡± ¡°Aww¡­ Garbodor,¡± Lori groaned. ¡°I should have kept my mouth shut. Know what? Sure. If I get to pick the place.¡± ¡°Deal!¡± Rhea chirped. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t have any more cash than what I had when I left. I haven¡¯t really even touched my phone¡­ which reminds me!¡± Lifting her legs up in the air, she threw them down to hoist herself up and snatched her device to take a group picture. ¡°Say Alcremie!¡± Her teammates hardly moved, holding up peace signs from their lying positions. Laughing at their dead attitudes, she figured they¡¯d probably been training extensively over the past sixty days. Flipping on her social media profile, she first uploaded all the pictures she¡¯d taken while at the temple, which wasn¡¯t much, but not nothing. Next, she scrolled through all the posts on her feed. Her toes tightened against each other as she saw all the photos Jason had sent¡­ many of which had one particular gorgeous blonde in them; there were an uncomfortable amount of women posing with her best friend. Stupid boys¡­ She snarled and rolled to her side, Lulu hopping to the side of her head to pull her braid out of the way. Why is he hanging out with Korrina and Viola on the beach? Viola has a sister? No, chill, they¡¯re, like, a decade or two older¡­ but who are the other girls with him? Why¡¯s Drasna there?! Isn¡¯t she retired? Wait¡­ ¡°Hmm?¡± She stiffened as Lori hummed over her shoulder, chin coming down on her arm to look at the holographic pictures. ¡°What¡¯s with all the chick pics? Someone¡¯s trying to get someone jealous.¡± ¡°Pfft! No,¡± Rhea scoffed, catching Amira¡¯s lifted eyebrow as she sat up to see her feed. ¡°Isn¡¯t Viola a professional photographer? Lucian sent me a message that Viola and Grant ended up getting engaged.¡± ¡°Wait, what?¡± Eyes widening, she choked as a particular event punched her in the nose. ¡°Chase and Elaine! Janine was supposed to¡ª¡± Amira held up a thumb. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I have it. We can watch it later tonight.¡± Lungs deflating, Rhea swapped to her back again, prompting Lori to pull back and prop up her head with her hand. ¡°I¡¯m so disorganized. So¡­ we¡¯re going to go back to the city, get snacks, and watch an adorable proposal before maybe¡­ checking out a movie?¡± ¡°And ice cream after!¡± Lori squealed. ¡°Yes! Wait, are we going to watch a sap-flick?¡± She grinned. ¡°I¡¯m all for it¡ªI¡¯m just sayin¡¯ that I need to prepare myself because I¡¯m a crier.¡± ¡°I¡¯m up for that plan,¡± Amira said, allowing Mariah to lay down on her chest to stare up at her phone as she browsed Apple City¡¯s theaters. ¡°Oooh. What about a horror romance?¡± Rhea tensed up, lips drawing in. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ not good with horror stuff. Uh, but I¡¯ve never watched a romantic horror, so¡­ what¡¯s it about?¡± Amira¡¯s red eyes lit up as she read the synopsis. ¡°It¡¯s set at Maiden¡¯s Peak! We were there not too long ago, too. Spooky stuff, remember?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. I¡¯m trying not to!¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Although, the actual ghost maiden was kind of romantic¡­ waiting for her lover for over a thousand years¡­ Okay, you¡¯ve got me sold,¡± she said, scooting closer with Lori to see who was acting in it. ¡°Basically,¡± the redhead went on, ¡°it¡¯s set about fifty years ago, before technology really started popping up, and this Trainer comes to the town and meets a local girl who hasn¡¯t left Maiden¡¯s Peak. There are a bunch of mysterious murders, and the locals think it¡¯s him, but she believes him, and they get closer together, tracking down the true murderer¡­ Cute! It looks like she has a Braixen. Amber will love that, but, heh¡­¡± Lori forced a laugh. ¡°And he has a Typhlosion¡­ Gabs would be salty about that, but I¡¯m sure Amber would love to wave her tail at him about it, which¡­ could be good to help her mood, which my boy would like. Hmm.¡± Rhea was already thinking ahead. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me they actually got the Braixen to evolve during the movie? That would be insane timing.¡± Amira shrugged. ¡°Apparently, it¡¯s got quite the twist and a lot of good reviews. You up for the early Trick-or-Treat fright-flick?¡± ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Lori said, pulling up her own phone. Rhea nudged her with a scowl. ¡°No spoilers! Let¡¯s enjoy it together. Yikes, I¡¯m kind of scared at what kind of horror stuff is going to be in it¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll find out soon, Our Shiny Ampharos!¡± Rhea got up as she saw a notification on Lori¡¯s phone, telling them their ride would be at their GPS location within ten minutes. ¡°Sorry to tell you, Violet, but Kate loves Ampharos, which is why her ace is one, and why I know their Shiny color is a mix between dark violet and darkish blue.¡± ¡°Huh. The more you know,¡± Lori mused, scrolling down some posts. ¡°Apparently, they¡¯ve got another movie out about one that can¡¯t revert back from its Mega Evolution¡­ Yeah, let¡¯s go to the spooky one.¡± Amira seemed to have already purchased the tickets, though, because her phone was down, and she was at the edge of the pond, where Nova and Serenity were. ¡°Hey, girls, can you go tell our friend Mr. Cloyster that someone will be coming to pick us up and not to blow them out of the sky?¡± ¡°Vap!¡± ¡°Fee-Fee.¡± Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. The pair ducked underwater, leaving them to talk and discuss what was to come. Amber soon returned, still somewhat ornery, but some kind words and Rhea reassuring her that she could not just do this kind of stuff all the time put her in a brighter mood. In the interval, they threw on their Trainer tops and skirts. When their ride finally came, Rhea sucked in the corner of her lip and lifted her sunglasses to glare at the Unovan Trainer. Lori grinned back, showing a helpless shrug. ¡°What? I chose the cheapest option that would work for our location. I¡¯m trying to be thrifty!¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think this counts as thrifty,¡± Amira mumbled, studying the sky taxi that was composed of two Pidgeottos and four Pidgeys. ¡°But¡­ if they were able to get their license, then they have to be at least proficient enough to get us to our location¡­ hopefully without too many breaks or we may miss our show.¡± Unlike their previous flights, they had to recall all of their Pokemon to decrease the weight, and their rental surfboards didn¡¯t help with the weight limit. Evidently, Lori had somewhat downplayed their expected carry weight. Even the taximan was a bit uncertain once spotting the surfboards, but Lori played it off with a wave, holding up a Poke Ball. ¡°We¡¯ve been waiting for this moment?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyebrows rose as she remembered there had been one Pokemon she hadn¡¯t seen since joining back up with her team. ¡°Zyra, she didn¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Come on out, Lt. Flutter!¡± Lori yelled, throwing the disguised Master Ball into the air to release a white, gray, and black-themed Corvisquire. ¡°Cor-cor!¡± she cried, flying around in circles as their Pokemon clapped. The taximan was less impressed, looking at her with a deep frown. ¡°If I let your Pokemon join my flight team, and something were to happen, then we both would be liable. I¡¯m afraid it is highly frowned upon in the industry, insulting to our Pokemon, and against company policy. I¡¯m going to have to mark you as failing to supply our company with the appropriate weight expectation.¡± ¡°Aww. C¡¯mon, man!¡± Lori urged, trying to put on a cute smile that wasn¡¯t going to fool anyone. Plus, she was a good four inches taller than the guy; little and cute didn¡¯t work for the tall, curvy girl. ¡°Zyra¡¯s so pumped to try and carry people. Can¡¯t you make this one exception? Don¡¯t you know who we are?¡± The man¡¯s face didn¡¯t budge. ¡°No. And no. Please, enter the vehicle and buckle up. We may need to take a break for a safe flight. A surplus will be charged to your card for a breach of contract and failure to notify of any changes to the service.¡± ¡°What?! No way you don¡¯t know us.¡± Lori crossed her arms and glowered down at the man as he shook his head. ¡°As I said, please, return your Pokemon and get in the vehicle, Ma¡¯am.¡± ¡°Muk¡­ It¡¯s not even a big deal. Fine. C¡¯mon, girls¡­¡± Rhea gave an apologetic smile and waved at the man as she returned her Pokemon. ¡°Umm. Sorry, but¡­ these three don¡¯t¡­ have Poke Balls.¡± The man¡¯s mouth became a line, dull eyes darting to Lori again, now ignoring him. ¡°Two Legendaries and a Mythical Pokemon? You must be important people¡­ Joy. Watch me get sued for her issues.¡± Amira nudged Lori as they entered, Mariah on her lap. ¡°Strap Terri in.¡± ¡°She doesn¡¯t like seat belts,¡± Lori grumbled, begrudgingly complying. ¡°How can one dude ruin a day? Oh, I know; Zyra will just fly on her own then. Humph.¡± ¡°Lori¡­¡± Rhea sighed, sensing the negative Auras coming off of the man and his Pokemon. Lulu was tucked in her top front, hiding from all the conflict. ¡°I get you wanted to show Zyra off, but let¡¯s just drop it and try to focus on some positive stuff. What place do you want to eat?¡± ¡°Hehe.¡± Amira was on her phone as Lori buckled up a disgruntled Kubfu. ¡°Watch, Lori lost her appetite.¡± ¡°Huh? No, I have not,¡± the purple-haired girl shot back. ¡°Mmgm. Yeah, I¡¯m a little pissy right now, but would it kill him to bend the rules a little? Bah. Whatever. No, let¡¯s go check out some Alola places. Kekoa sent me a few places to check out.¡± They lifted off the ground, and Rhea tried to zero in on the Alola boy¡¯s party to get her in a better mood. ¡°Wait, you and Kekoa aren¡¯t dating now, are you?¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Lori ran her fingers through her hair and leaned against the side of the box, staring at the scenery below through the glass. ¡°It¡¯s not like we¡¯re going steady or anything. We¡¯ve got plans for some dates once the Silver Cup comes around. He promises he and the boys will be ready for us. They¡¯re going down the same route as Sam and Jay¡¯s group, knocking out the Gyms again. Have I shown you a picture of them recently?¡± ¡°No,¡± Rhea mumbled, taking the girl¡¯s offered phone. ¡°Wow! Kekoa¡¯s lost some weight, and, Amira, you didn¡¯t tell me Kekipi is getting more muscular.¡± Lori snickered, taking it back. ¡°I mean, when could we talk? We¡¯ve been out of touch for, like, two months, Blondie. I¡¯ve been sending him video guides on dances I like, and he¡¯s been hoppin¡¯ like a Ludicolo! Muk¡­ I¡¯ve been a bit of a Jinx, haven¡¯t I?¡± she suddenly growled, rubbing her forehead. ¡°Just a little bit,¡± Amira cooly responded, legs crossed and looking up Apple City¡¯s Alolan cuisine. ¡°Something¡¯s got you on edge, and it¡¯s not the taximan.¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Rhea asked, searching Lori¡¯s face and trying not to intrude on her Aura. ¡°Is it¡­ me?¡± ¡°Haaa.¡± Lori reached beside her to rub Terri¡¯s ears, making her show a rare smile. ¡°It¡¯s not like it¡¯s you-you, Rhea. It¡¯s just a bit depressing seeing how insane your abilities can be. Sure, I learned a ton and did a lot of Aura stuff with Dawn, but it¡¯s not Flip Turning flaming Aura-level Muk.¡± Her purple-haired friend breathed out another sigh and gave her a sad smile. ¡°Honesty is key in a team, and truth be told, I am a bit jealous of you, girl. I¡¯m not saying it to be mean, but just get it in the open. Teleporting with Lulu and basically becoming a Victini yourself? Yeah, you¡¯re incredible. We¡¯re not gonna lose, though! Okay?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t know how to respond to that, so she sat back and nodded, concerned gaze shifting to the redhead, who chuckled. Amira looked up and showed the graceful smile she always could put on. ¡°Just like Lori, it is hard to see how amazing you can be, Rhea. It does motivate us to push harder. Amber doesn¡¯t want to get shown up by a human. That being said, we love how humble and friendly you are, Rhea. It¡¯s truly an example to learn from.¡± Lori pointed at her. ¡°Yeah, what the Rocket girl said.¡± Feeling a little better with how her more eloquent teammate put her feelings, Rhea nodded and looked down to rub Lulu¡¯s head. ¡°Thanks for juicing me up, but it¡¯s not easy for me to do this Aura stuff¡­ It can be really dangerous, which is why Ash had me go to the temple alone, I¡¯m sure. Doing what I did is basically as much as I can do safely in one day, and without battling. I¡¯ve got other, far more dangerous things for emergencies, but I¡¯m not comfortable using them.¡± ¡°Good to know,¡± Amira said with a return nod. ¡°I¡¯m glad we can count on each other in our own unique ways. Now, let¡¯s quit being somber Cubchoo and get excited to spend the day together as a team again. Who¡¯s with me?¡± The redhead put her hand between them, prompting Rhea to smile and place her palm on top of hers. ¡°I am.¡± ¡°I make three!¡± Lori sang. ¡°Let¡¯s order a ton of food; I want to drown my feels in calories, protein, and lots and lots of sweets!¡± ¡°Kub-kub!¡± Terri roared, holding out her tiny hand and making them giggle before leaning in to let her join. ¡°Melo?¡± ¡°Ne-ne?¡± Soon, their Buddy Pokemon were all in accordance, with the rest of their Pokemon spiritually extending their hands; they were a team again. The ride back wasn¡¯t as bad as they thought, and the taximan seemed to want to be rid of this job because they appeared to push to Apple City. Once touched down inside the Alien-obsessed metropolis, Lori offered a sincere apology to the man and offered him a generous tip for his troubles. It was dinner at 6:15, horror-romance at 7:00, snacks and ice cream at 9:00, and discussing the flick on the way back to the hotel for Chase and Elaine¡¯s proposal video to end the night. The Alolan restaurant had an upbeat vibe, with the decorations and murals of the region brightening up their mood. Rhea had no clue what half the things on the menu were, but Lori and Amira seemed versed enough to help her get some good fish that was prepared a special way with the islands¡¯ unique ingredients. Mya gorged herself on it, Nova scolding her for not even savoring the flavor. Meanwhile, Alice was busy talking with Zyra throughout the meal, discussing some new combos, or something along those lines. When they left, Rhea wasn¡¯t sure she¡¯d have enough room for dessert. No, that was a lie. There was always enough room for dessert. She contented herself to feeling sick in the morning from overeating since she was having a lot of fun with her friends; if it happened, it happened. She took pictures during the meal and outside of the theater next to the poster, showing an attractive young actress in her twenties and the male lead in his early thirties. Their Pokemon standing back to back, with nine long shadows curling around the two pairs, cast on the beach of Maiden¡¯s Peak. Rhea was glued to the screen, watching Ralish, the Typhlosion, and Maybell, the Braixen, as the Pokemon leads, while Jessica and Dennis were the humans. She hardly touched the popcorn that Lori scarfed down, and even Amira consumed a healthy portion, sipping on her zero-sugar soda. When it was over, Rhea had to laugh, suppressing a shiver when the credits rolled. ¡°That was crazy!¡± she whispered, getting up, but Amira grabbed her wrist, looking at her phone. ¡°Wait, what¡¯s up?¡± Straw dropping from Lori¡¯s lips, she choked through a laugh. ¡°Ack¡ªno, there¡¯s an after-credit scene? Don¡¯t tell me there¡¯s going to be a sequel! How?¡± Amira smiled and nodded. ¡°Apparently, there is.¡± Rhea plopped back down on the seat, Lulu fixated on the screen, head poking up out of her shirt front. ¡°Seriously, how? No, I guess we¡¯ll see,¡± she said, accepting the final scraps of the popcorn. ¡°I can¡¯t believe her dad was the killer¡­ and a Ninetales who used the murders to break his curse! Doesn¡¯t that mean she has powers¡ªno way that¡¯s a coincidence with my situation, right¡ªAmira?¡± Amira¡¯s big bun bobbed side to side as she shook her head. ¡°I had no idea about that twist. It¡¯s not that uncommon a story plot, though. What I found spectacular was that scene where Maybell evolved into a Delphox at that exact scene to cast Magical Fire to save Ralish, and their teamwork in protecting her Trainer from her own ghostly-fox father¡­ Impressive. It wasn¡¯t CGI, either.¡± ¡°Braixen!¡± Amber cooed, sniffing and reaching over to take one of the tissues Gables offered her. ¡°Brax-brax?¡± ¡°Frog¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth pulled in. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know. Do you think Ralish died when he protected Maybell from that crazy curse her father was going to place on her? He was sent over the cliff into the water¡­ and as a Fire Pokemon¡­¡± ¡°B-Braixen!¡± Amber cried, eyes going big as she looked up at the screen. Amira reached over to rub the upset Fire Fox¡¯s hand as Gables held her other. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Amber, I¡¯m sure Ralish isn¡¯t dead. He still has to get together with Maybell, right? And we don¡¯t know if Dennis will wake up from the sleeping curse that Jessica¡¯s father put on him. She has to be the main protagonist in the sequel with Maybell, but what¡ª¡± ¡°Braix!¡± she nodded, fingers clutching her wand against her chest as she used her big tail to wipe at her eyes, abandoning the tissue. ¡°Braixen¡­ Braixen?!¡± Rhea looked up at the screen, the crowd¡¯s buzz hushing as the rush of waves filled the room, and she found herself holding her breath. A Typhlosion¡¯s claws dug into one of the rocks, with a ghostly, purplish flame rising out of the surf as he crawled out of the ocean. Words popped up before the screen faded to black. ¡°To be continued¡­¡± Rhea said, now feeling antsy. ¡°What was that?!¡± Chatter filled the theater as the lights came on, and Rhea got up with her team, Lori on her phone. ¡°Yooo! Check it out, Rhea, look at this!¡± Rhea took her phone to see the cover of a news article where her mother and great-grandmother were featured. ¡°Evidence of old¡­ Hisuian forms discovered in Sinnoh? Right¡­ Mom was working on something up there before everything got crazy. Wait, there¡¯s a regional form of Typhlosion? No¡­ Fire and Ghost?¡± Amira threw their popcorn bag in the bin on the way out. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ll say that I¡¯m interested in the sequel. I want to know how they had the idea of this Hisuian Typhlosion.¡± Lori finished off her drink and threw it in the next bin, still searching the web. ¡°Apparently, he¡¯s a Sinnoh native, and he was inspired by old tales his grandmother used to tell him about the land when it was just being settled. There are still artists¡¯ works that show the Hisuian variants, but everyone thought they were just made-up myths. Cool! They have a Hisuian Zoroark that looks so sick. I need to put it on my Christmas list to send Santa Christie.¡± Rhea almost spit out the last of her soda, choking and laughing. ¡°Santa Christie? Oh, I¡¯m going to have to text that to her.¡± Leaving the theater for the ice cream store, they chatted about the jump scares and dark twists in the story, such as Jessica¡¯s mother being dead for years and only an illusion or her best friend getting cursed with the sleep charm of the Ninetales. There was so much to speculate about. When they got home, stocked up with goodies, Rhea jumped onto the foot of her bed and opened a bag of chips to munch on, blown away by how much she¡¯d been able to eat. Then again, using her Aura like that did burn a lot out of her¡­ literally. Lowering the lights, they all sat side by side, watching Janine wink at the camera and seemingly teleport from shadow to shadow, following the two Champion Trainers. Chase played it cool, not giving anything away until the sun was setting, when they were on a terrace, and he got down on his knee. They almost choked as Elaine lifted a questioning eyebrow and got down with him, brushing back her brown locks to scan the ground. ¡°What, did you lose something again? Haha. You always lose things in your pockets; it would help if you wouldn¡¯t get nervous and poke holes through them.¡± Beside her Trainer, Ambrosia¡¯s smacked her own face. ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Chase¡¯s Pikachu snickered across from the Eevee, getting on his own knee and making Nova gasp, jumping down to hop up on the dresser to get a closer look at the TV. The man cleared his throat, a weak chuckle following as he met the woman¡¯s confused, totally oblivious light-brown eyes. ¡°Elaine, we¡¯ve known each other since¡­ forever. I practically grew up in your house, getting chewed out by your mom for stealing cookies¡­ for you.¡± Elaine snorted, reaching up to brush back her bangs behind her ears. ¡°Weird pivot, but yeah, we used to hide behind the counter and wait for her to go in to watch her soap operas. Oooh! Is that what we¡¯re doing? We¡¯re hiding behind the railing, looking back at our adventures. C¡¯mon, Chase, what did you lose already? Don¡¯t be shy!¡± she grinned, cheeks rosy. Chase rubbed the back of his neck and reached into his back pocket to take out two small boxes, handing one to his partner as Ambrosia waited, tail wagging. ¡°I put it in my back pocket so I wouldn¡¯t lose it in the front because those are, heh, inoperable right now!¡± The brunette¡¯s cheer vanished as she saw the jewelry box. ¡°What¡ªa, hah, a new necklace or something? What¡¯s up with the¡­¡± ¡°Elaine,¡± he cut off with a half-smile that said she was the stupidest woman on the planet, ¡°you probably have the thickest head I¡¯ve ever known, but I¡¯m ready to take on that challenge every day of my life¡­¡± ¡°Pika-Pi.¡± ¡°Elaine, will you¡ª¡± Palm met cheek, Elaine going stiff as a board while letting go of a shrill shriek. Then a second one came, followed by her stumbling back, looking at his tight-jawed smile, seemingly expecting it as he coughed and blinked. ¡°Ahh! You¡ªAhh! No! No, no, no, no! You are not doing¡ªno!¡± Elaine ran inside whatever restaurant they were in, Janine flashing inside in an instant to get every angle of the red-faced, spinning-eyed brunette as she slipped and fell down the stairs and landed in a teary-eyed mess, right into Green¡¯s arms. The woman giggled as she took the current Champion in a princess carry to the girl¡¯s bathroom for a breather, currently acting like she¡¯d been hit with Stun Spore, her cooked brain trying to catch up. Once in the bathroom, Green set the brunette on the tile and got a set rag to cool her flushed face. ¡°Breathe, Eli¡­ breathe. It¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°W-What? Green?! No, it is not okay! I think¡ªam I dreaming? I must have slipped into the Dream World¡ªa Plasma plot¡­ yeah¡­ There¡¯s no way¡ª¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Ambrosia put her front paws against her Trainer¡¯s knee. ¡°What do you mean it¡¯s not a dream?! Ambrosia, you¡ªyou¡­ Oh, Arceus¡ªI slapped him!¡± ¡°Twice,¡± Janine giggled, stepping out of the shadows and shaking the camera, further making the Champion¡¯s face pinken. ¡°Yup! I got the whooole thing! For posterity, hehe.¡± Elaine coughed and swallowed, holding up a finger. ¡°I¡¯m cutting funding from Fusica Gym. Nope! You don¡¯t get anything! Why?! Why now? What did¡­ Oh, no¡­ What do I do?¡± she wept, burying her face in her tucked-up legs. ¡°I¡¯m the worst!¡± ¡°There, there, Eli,¡± Green soothed. ¡°Haha. You don¡¯t think Chase knew you¡¯d slap him?¡± ¡°Twice?!¡± she cried from inside her arms. Green tilted her head to the side. ¡°Well, maybe not twice, but hey, you keep him on his toes! We¡¯ll consider that another Champion win under your belt! Hey¡­ Are you going to go out there and say yes, or are you going to leave the man you love to nurse his bruised cheeks on his lonesome? He needs some tender fingers to soothe the hurt, hmm?¡± ¡°Ooh! I like that angle,¡± Janine chirped. ¡°He booked the entire restaurant, and you just thought it was a normal dinner. You¡¯re so funny, Ms. Champion.¡± ¡°Mmmgm¡­ How was I supposed to know?¡± she sobbed. ¡°I slapped him. No-ho-ho! Gah. And if our kids see that¡­¡± Janine gasped. ¡°Kids?! Already thinking about kids? My, you¡¯re super down bad for him! Where is your mind, woman?¡± Elaine¡¯s head lifted, with a look of disbelief that the Gym Leader had said that. ¡°Janine, that¡¯s¡ªthat¡¯s¡­¡± ¡°100% true,¡± Green snickered, nudging the crimson-faced Champion¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Now get that tail out there and give him a proper answer before I return you both to your Poke Balls! Git¡ªthat¡¯s it! Git!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t kick me in the butt, Green¡ªouch¡­ Ambrosia¡ªack! My ear! Stop!¡± ¡°Pwee!¡± ¡°Fine! I¡¯m going¡ªnot my ankle! Stop!¡± Ganged up on by her Pokemon and ¡®Trainer,¡¯ Elaine was nipped back to the top floor, where she fidgeted, unable to look at the man in the face. Clearing her throat, Janine now fully in the open recording, the Champion of Kanto asked, ¡°Do¡­ you want to¡­ start over?¡± she asked with a wince. ¡°Sorry.¡± Chase only smiled and got back down on his knee, rubbing his flushed cheek and working around his jaw. ¡°Elaine, I¡¯m proud to say that the woman I love has the meanest right hook I¡¯ve experienced. If I hadn¡¯t used Aura, I might not have a jaw.¡± Janine and Green snickered, making Elaine groan. ¡°Chase, stop¡­¡± ¡°Haha. I can¡¯t, Eli, because you¡¯re just the kindest, most adorable, and upbeat woman I¡¯ve ever known. I¡¯d say you give Lyra a run for her credits in that department.¡± The brunette¡¯s face softened, cheeks showing more blush now. ¡°So, I¡¯ll ask you again today, and if that doesn¡¯t work, then I¡¯ll ask you tomorrow because I know that you are the woman I want to grow old, wrinkly, and totally gross with because you are the woman I love.¡± Elaine rolled her eyes, but there was a smile on her lips. ¡°We¡¯re Champions, Chase; I don¡¯t think that is coming anytime soon, but¡­ yes. I would like to grow old, wrinkly, and gross with you¡­ as my husband,¡± she said, finally meeting his eyes. ¡°Will you have me, and all my slapping flaws as a wife?¡± ¡°Only if you¡¯ll have my nervous hands, always breaking my pockets, as a husband.¡± ¡°Pika-pi. Pika.¡± ¡°Pwe.¡± Janine sniffed as Green scooted between them as Pikachu brought out a shiny red ribbon, gilded with gold. ¡°Then, by the power invested in me by my right as a Legend that can do whatever she wants,¡± Green proudly stated. ¡°I bind you as husband and wife! You may kiss the girl.¡± Rising up after putting on her ring, Chase leaned in for a long, passionate kiss, the Pikachu sweeping Nova¡¯s mother off her feet to lean her back and do the same, ribbon tied around her tail. With that, the recording ended, leaving Rhea feeling all warm and bubbly. ¡°Well¡­ what a magical way to end the night.¡± She clapped with Amira and Lori, knowing they¡¯d probably have a proper wedding after, ¡°Congratulations.¡± B4 — 1. A Redheads Scandal 12:25 p.m. October 16th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 129. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (49 days away). Waking up early in the morning to catch the flight to Cerulean City, Rhea was somewhat intimidated when Amira guided them not to the Pokemon landing strip but to the literal small airplane boarding facility to the north of Apple City. Lori giggled at her reluctance upon seeing the small passenger planes that would be the fastest and most cost-effective way to get to their destination. Amira and Lori had traveled on planes extensively throughout their lives, but this would be Rhea¡¯s first. It kind of felt like the roles were reversed as the Unovan girl coaxed her onboard, reassuring her that it would be fine. She felt a little better that the pilot and co-pilot had Flying Pokemon in case anything went wrong, but there were a million other things that could go wrong. At least Lori held her hand most of the way, and she even found the courage to peek over with Lulu to see a few sights on their journey over Clefairy Valley, Rifure Village, and Blue Forest. The constant buzz of the plane, the rattling that met her quivers, and the whirring blades made her stomach sick throughout their five-hour flight. Amira pointed out the Misty Mountains to the north of Mt. Moon, where a vast area was totally veiled by the milky soup. Legend had it that it was all an illusion and the Forest of Origin lay within and that if the barrier was down, then you could see the Tree of Beginning, but it was fiercely guarded by all the Pokemon in the region, who didn¡¯t welcome any outsiders. Rhea recalled her brother and Kate had been in that area exploring the Pok¨¦mopolis ruins, to the southwest of the Misty Mountains. Rhea had to admit that the calming, classical music that Lori fed into the headphones she¡¯d given her helped to soothe her turbulent belly. Once passing over Blue Forest, Amira pointed in the far distance, claiming that there was a valley where people still lived without any technology called Origin Town. Apparently, they still venerated and held great respect for the Tree of Beginning, and the whole area was zoned off as a religious area, closed off to tourists. She started to feel better upon spotting the skyscrapers and vast cityscape of Cerulean as their plane lowered, coming into the southwestern airfield. The trip reminded her of how far they¡¯d traveled on foot, or mostly on foot, from when they¡¯d first started her journey in June. Exiting the vehicle, Rhea released Nova to walk beside her, taking turns with the rest of their team to comply with the city¡¯s more restrictive laws after Lori sparked the flash festival. Evidently, it had caused an enormous boom in the local economy, and things were only just now starting to calm down after the initial hype started to settle. Still feeling slightly squeamish, Rhea was a little disgruntled when Amira suddenly broke away to pursue her own objectives, leaving her to offer to tag along. Amira needed to check on a few deliveries she¡¯d placed, make a few calls regarding her own products being sold, and pick up the jewelry pieces she¡¯d made out of their badges that were supposed to arrive the previous night. Plus, there was some art piece from local muralist legend Painter Celina that had sparked her curiosity. Rhea wasn¡¯t all that interested in artwork, and sitting around waiting for her to go through a ton of delivery orders or whatever else the redhead had planned didn¡¯t sound too appealing. It would be fine just to hang out with Amira, but the redhead mysteriously wanted to make the trip alone. Figuring that it had to do with whatever happened in the past sixty days, Rhea waved her off. Amira had already reserved their spots in the Silver-tier Challenger¡¯s lineup earlier this morning. She reassured them that on her way to the art exhibit, she¡¯d show up personally to verify that they were in the city since it was a part of the process. She half wanted to stalk her, but knew Amber would easily sniff her out. So, left with her taller, more city-versed companion, Rhea offered a bright grin that soon fell as Lori gave her a similar strained smile. As it turned out, the Unovan girl would be checking out a ton of sales for TMs across the city, which was something she couldn¡¯t do on her current budget. It was a shopping day for Lori as she figured out some last-minute strategies against Misty for tomorrow¡¯s battle. If that wasn¡¯t enough, the purple-haired girl was also planning on challenging a few people around the Seaside Battle Zones to sharpen up. She also had some secret meetings that would happen between the two activities, and not wanting to get caught up in whatever shady business deals she was plotting, possibly with black market TMs, Rhea let her off the hook instead of forcing her to try to come up with other excuses to ditch her. Standing in the center of a nearby park, outside of the airfield, Rhea puffed out a long sigh as her violet-haired teammate disappeared behind some brush to hail a cab. ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± Nova mumbled from beside her, Lulu riding on her back. ¡°Nene¡­¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Rhea mumbled. ¡°Yeah, we were a team, and now¡­ we¡¯re on our own again. Hmm. Let¡¯s figure out what we¡¯re going to do.¡± Moving to a nearby bench, she took out her phone from the small purse she¡¯d gotten in Fuschia months earlier for city use and set it by her side. Nova and Lulu were just as curious as her other Pokemon, watching her bring up Cerulean¡¯s map, but Rhea¡¯s mind was totally blank. ¡°Maybe we should have made some plans like they did,¡± she said, glancing up to see all the Pokemon and humans going about their own tasks or enjoying themselves in the park. ¡°I kind of expected Lori or Amira to take the lead like usual and have a place where we can all hang out, but I guess we¡¯re still coming off that training mentality.¡± She flipped through the various districts of Cerulean, not seeing anything particularly interesting that stuck out to her. Then again, the fish farm facility and all its exhibits, showing tons of endangered breeds that had been hunted out of the wild by Pokemon, could be fun, and they even had samples of some for humans and Pokemon to try. ¡°Hmm. Maybe we could do some tourist stuff, sample more of the local cuisine, and maybe¡­ have some battles near the sea ourselves? You girls would like that, right?¡± ¡°Nenene?!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe,¡± Nova said with a chuckle while patting the disappointed Cosmog, telling her that her ¡®time¡¯ hadn¡¯t come yet. ¡°Nee¡­¡± Alice and Mya roared their support for having a good battle. It was true that Rhea hadn¡¯t seen everything they¡¯d learned from the trips outside of the temple. Sure, she¡¯d seen a few things they¡¯d shown off, proud of their growth, but she did need to see it all in action. ¡°Alright! Let¡¯s go have some fun,¡± Rhea chimed, plucking up Nova and Lulu to transfer to her head, the Eevee wrapping around her neck to rest on her shoulders. ¡°Why don¡¯t we see some of the fish exhibits before grabbing a bite to eat?¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ne!¡± Getting approval from her girls, Rhea used her GPS to track them in the right direction; only it soon became apparent that it would take longer when she kept getting stopped by people who recognized her and wanted to know where they¡¯d been. Rhea ducked inside a Golett-themed clothing shop after the fifth interaction, plucking out a hat and taking out her aunt¡¯s hair ties that were too recognizable. Nova was well enough hidden lying across the back of her neck, and Lulu hid in her shirt front; they had to go incognito if they were ever going to get to the fish farm slash museum. Putting on her sunglasses, she continued their journey, feeling far less eyes on her. However, it was hard to escape all attention, considering how thick her typically thigh-length hair was. At least she wasn¡¯t being stopped on every street with more people being drawn into each discussion. The breeze was still somewhat warm during the fall since the southern air currents swept in from the south, but the cool mountainous gales from the western and northern mountains could quickly plummet the temperatures during certain parts of the day. Adjusting her hat and looking up at the clear sky, she counted her luck. It would be a good day for a battle when they were done with this. Standing outside the modern facility, it shows a live exhibit of weird fish with smooth, transparent, or puffy cheeks. One with a huge nose made her giggle, and Alice swapped places with Nova to press her face against the glass and make faces at the fish, who didn¡¯t react. ¡°Look at this,¡± she whispered to Lulu, poking her head out to see the plaques with information written across the front. ¡°Some of these fish look like Pokemon. Some people think Pokemon took on their shape to hunt them, or maybe fish took on Pokemon shape to not get eaten. Crazy, huh?¡± ¡°Ne¡­¡± ¡°Lop-lop!¡± Alice chirped, jumping up and down as a few fish followed her motion. ¡°Haha. I bet they do get a lot of Pokemon and people staring at them, so they¡¯re not scared.¡± Walking inside after Mya swapped out to have her fun, Rhea paid for the day pass at the receptionist¡¯s desk, snagging the premium pass¡ªit was only 10 credits more¡ªthat allowed her to bring out all her Pokemon since they were inside the size limit. She put away her sunglasses but kept her Golett-themed hat on. Her Pokemon ran through the dimly lit walkways, vast tanks of water on all sides, showing various fish interacting. Old wildlife scientists spoke over television sets, explaining various facts about the Preservation Act that was enacted by the United Indigo League to save the endangered species of animals that were dwindling around the world. Crazily, she learned that fish actually ate one another, too. She¡¯d supposed they only ate algae or the smaller insects, much like many other Pokemon did in the wild, but there were concerns globally about a decrease in the normal insect population. Pokemon were so dominant and untouchable with their energy matrix to animals that they didn¡¯t stand a chance. Rhea¡¯s gut tightened when she saw a lazy Whiscash rise out of the seabed, trailing mud as it entered a pack of clustered fish and produced an electrified field; dozens of the creatures locked up before floating belly up to the surface, where the Pokemon swallowed a few before moving on, leaving the rest to be cleaned up by other Pokemon. ¡°Nene?¡± her cosmic girl asked, pointing up at the wide-eyed fish. Rhea slowly shook her head. ¡°No, they can¡¯t go to a Center, Lulu¡­ It doesn¡¯t work like that for animals. Remember the Nidorino and how it threatened me? When I was in the hospital after our first battle, I was lucky¡­ It¡¯s a cruel world, and everything wants to survive.¡± ¡°Ne¡­¡± Mya hugged herself as the puffball settled on her head, the steely girl frowning at the floating-away Electric Pokemon. Moving on, they went through the deep-sea exhibit, where Pokemon like Relicanth swam. According to the information, typical deep-sea fish didn¡¯t have the same adaptability as the Longevity Pokemon to live beyond its habitat. A model next to it showed something called a Coelacanthus, which had a similar frame as the Relicanth. From octopodes to squid, there were all kinds of creatures that looked like but weren¡¯t Pokemon. Everything she was discovering reminded her of her mother, laying in bed with her whenever she was home to teach her something new about the world, history, or Pokemon. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Nearing the end of the tour, she couldn¡¯t help but call her mom. It rang for a time before her mother answered. ¡°Our Little Swablu! I was wondering when you¡¯d finally call your old mother,¡± she laughed, sounding a tad tired, as was typical for her hopeless mom. ¡°I heard you unlocked quite a few special abilities from my chats with Ash. I saw the plane ride and Lori¡¯s posts. How are you doing?¡± Mouth becoming a line, she swiftly pulled her phone away to flip to Pikabook to swap to her teammate¡¯s profile; she¡¯d totally taken secret pictures of her, talking about how cute she was, terrified of planes. That is¡­ totally on point for her, Rhea internally sighed while keeping up with her mom. I wasn¡¯t ¡®terrified,¡¯ but it was scary. ¡°I was a little scared, but I¡¯m fine now. Actually, we¡¯re at the fish museum in Cerulean; Amira and Lori had their own things to do today.¡± She bent down to rub between Alice¡¯s ears before the hoppity girl jumped up several meters to reach a ledge she could use to look at the fish from a different angle. ¡°I heard you¡¯re doing a lot of big research with the old Hisuian stuff in Sinnoh. I saw the article with Granny and you after seeing that new horror/romance movie yesterday. It was good. Do you think the next part will be accurate?¡± Walking toward the joint, fancy-looking fish restaurant beside the farm, Rhea was a little worried about the price but wanted to give her girls a treat after all their training. ¡°Oh, you saw that movie?!¡± her mother chirped at the news. ¡°Actually, the director has been consulting with Celest College of Archeology in Celestic City on accuracy for the next part. I had a sneak preview with your father a week before its release. What a twist! Am I right?¡± her mother excitedly exclaimed. ¡°I loved the reveal that Jessica¡¯s father was Maybell¡¯s great-grandfather as well! That he was the sealed Ninetales of legend that was forced to take on human form and lock away his powers is a story as old as time, but the relation, and¡ªoh, that poor girl¡¯s mother,¡± she sniffed. ¡°She was seduced by that devious fox before being used as the first sacrifice to unlock his illusion powers.¡± Rhea pushed open the doors to the bright sun overhead, returning Nova and Alice to their Poke Balls. ¡°She was dead for years; I know! Ugh. I thought it was super tragic with that sacrifice and want to punch that director in the nose for that cliffhanger! The Ninetales was wounded by the opening Ralish made for Maybell, but his Trainer is cursed, and both Maybell and Jessica have to handle the fallout.¡± ¡°Mhm! Mhm!¡± Her mother huffed, making Rhea smile as she shifted her purse to put on her sunglasses again. ¡°Tragic?! Maybell evolved into a Delphox to save our heroic Typhlosion, only for him to save her from the Cursed Shadow Ball, throwing him over the cliff. My heart goes out to Jessica and Maybell because they need to save their men, and the whole town now thinks that they¡¯re just like her father. What will happen?!¡± ¡°Right?! It¡¯s like, the worst place you can leave us! Ugh. Anyway, I¡¯m going to eat at this fancy fish place,¡± Rhea said, standing outside of the doors into the luxurious doors and giving a few formally dressed couples a strained smile. ¡°We¡¯ll have to watch the next one together.¡± Her mother¡¯s voice softened. ¡°I¡¯d love that. Have a good meal. I¡¯ll give your dad, aunt, and granny your best. I¡¯m glad to see you have such a healthy appetite, too!¡± ¡°Bye, Mom!¡± Laughing and hanging up, she smiled as Lulu popped out of her shirt front to sit on her head. ¡°Hmm. Well, I¡¯m kind of underdressed, but what is up with this place?¡± she asked, examining the fancy restaurant next to a fish museum and fish farm. ¡°I guess it would be the best location since the farm is right here¡­¡± Pulling up her account balance, her mouth became a line. ¡°I mean, we can splurge a little if we¡¯re going to have some battles today. We just need to get some high-betting Trainers¡­ Yeah, we¡¯ll go with that!¡± Nova gave her an internal nudge that said it wasn¡¯t a good idea to put their faith fully on not only finding decent Trainers but also ones that would be willing to face them. There was also the possibility that they¡¯d lose. Mya and Alice roared in protest, Lulu joining after getting one of their rare connection moments where they were in unison. Rhea wanted to try it out, though, so she opened the doors and let Mya proudly walk through. The carved, wood-themed interior had artwork designed around the unique fish that the museum showcased, and the floor was glass, showing the aquatic creatures swimming underneath them. It was all very extravagant, with hired-on Pokemon maintaining the habitat below. If that wasn¡¯t enough, veins of water channels lined the ceiling, providing a passageway between various other tanks throughout the eight-story structure. Stepping up to the front desk, Rhea tightened her cap and cleared her throat, but the well-dressed man on the other side had long already noticed her. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know if we need a reservation, but, eh, we¡¯d like a table for just me and my Pokemon¡ªumm, let me get them out so you know their size¡ªsorry,¡± she said, stomach squeamish at how awkward she was being, but Amira usually handled all this kind of stuff. Nova and Alice hopped out, giving cute chirps to the man as Lulu waved from atop Rhea¡¯s Golett hat. The seater only gleaned at them before pressing a few places on the digital screen in front of him. ¡°Of course not, Ms. Rhea,¡± the man stated, suddenly showing a fake, business-like smile before gesturing for her to follow. ¡°Naturally, your name comes up on the VIP listings; you are always welcome at Sea Delivuor. Please, this way.¡± Lips pulling in as she did as directed, Rhea gave her team a shrug; she expected this kind of treatment for Amira, but not her. Then again, her aunt was the Champion of Sinnoh and a former World Champion. Entering an elevator she was brought to, she caught quite a few stares from the 1st-floor diners before she met a classy and handsome blond boy inside who gave her a slight bow as they rose to the top floor. ¡°Do you have any seating requests?¡± Rhea shook her head, holding her fingers behind her back so they wouldn¡¯t fidget. ¡°No. I was just hoping to get some good fish to eat. I, umm, don¡¯t know anything about it, so¡­ can you just do something you like?¡± The man chuckled. ¡°My apologies, but I am not your server, Ma¡¯am. I can let them know.¡± ¡°Oh. My bad,¡± Rhea mumbled, cheeks coloring as Nova giggled and bumped her leg with her tail. ¡°Thank you.¡± ¡°Umm¡­ Ma¡¯am?¡± he asked as Lulu floated over to squish his cheeks to see his full lips pucker. ¡°Lulu! Don¡¯t touch other people¡­¡± she hissed, snatching her out of the air. ¡°Sorry! Sorry!¡± ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. No problem. Please, take any seat you desire.¡± When the doors opened, her eyes widened; the area was a hallway that led into the aquarium itself, where thousands of fish of all colors swam. It must have been on the private top floor of the museum, and she concluded the two must have a shared business. ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Rhea whispered, walking inside the nearly empty place as he motioned to a door opposite them that no doubt led to a private, top-floor kitchen. ¡°The server will be out shortly to take your beverage order.¡± Stepping onto the reinforced glass, Rhea looked down at the amazing variety of fish that swam around the large box, making her way to a more private area where wooden barriers were placed to provide a solo eating area. It was unnaturally quiet, and the businessmen in suits across the area rose to leave, having just finished their meal after shaking hands and signing a few papers on their table. She sat at the corner booth, where a silvery veil kept her hidden. Breathing out a heavy sigh, she scooted inside with her Pokemon, muttering, ¡°This is totally an Amira place.¡± ¡°Maw-Maw,¡± Mya returned, smugly taking her own chair with Alice beside her. Lulu floated down on the table between them, face pressing against the glass to look at all the shiny colors that glittered in the faint light shining through the aquarium. Nova took the chair beside the glass, as well, so she could follow their progress; Rhea could practically see her drooling to sink her teeth into them. Alice was less into meat, being more of a vegetarian herself, but Mya was all about the fishy diet, and Nova¡¯s tail wagged, probably going back to hunting with her mother. Lulu had never had anything but the more vegan diet at the temple, so this would be new to her, and Rhea wasn¡¯t sure if she¡¯d like it or not. When the black-haired young male server¡¯s voice came from outside of the veiled booth, she jumped, turning to see his charming smile. ¡°What can I get you for your drinks, Ma¡¯am. We can supply anything you might desire.¡± ¡°Uh¡­ water. Yeah¡­ water works,¡± she hastily repeated. ¡°We¡¯ll all have water.¡± ¡°Of course. And am I right to think that you¡¯d like the chef¡¯s choice?¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Sure,¡± she nodded, gulping as the man slid the menu and small device with a button onto the table; his fingernails were perfectly groomed, which was odd to notice, but something she did. ¡°Excellent. If you have any more desires, then please press the button to be served. We will start with a mixed mushroom medley appetizer. I will be back shortly.¡± ¡°Uh-huh.¡± He left them for a few minutes, the silence closing in around them as she began to lose herself in their little window into this seemingly endless void. From their position, it made it look like they were dining in a mystical underwater sanctuary at the bottom of the sea with rich plants dotting various areas before things faded into black. She was starting to get comfortable when their server returned with a plate of what she assumed were plates of folded crackers, inserted with ingredients. Biting into one of the crunchy, warm treats with her Pokemon, even Alice found it delicious. She had eaten fish before, but nothing like this, and the mushrooms, cheese, and various other things brought a unique flavor to her tongue to enjoy. Enjoying herself while the chef prepared their appetizers, her nerves settled, only for a new voice that entered the VIP section to make her almost choke. ¡°Haaa. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m up for eating right now, Brock. I¡¯m just¡­ stressed. Ugh. I can¡¯t believe he showed up now, and why did Daisy have to call him, huh? Now I feel like he¡¯s seeing me as a responsibility.¡± The strained laughter of a doctor¡¯s voice she¡¯d come to know followed. ¡°C¡¯mon, Misty, you know Ash isn¡¯t here because he feels responsible. Why would he? He¡¯s here because Lily¡¯s worried about you not giving her the reins of the Gym while you¡¯re what¡­ seven months pregnant now?¡± ¡°Oh, she can shove her fake pink wig down her throat,¡± Misty snarled, dropping into a chair. ¡°She¡¯s just pissed that she can¡¯t have the Gym Leader title when she¡¯s been training to replace me. Sure, they kept the Gym afloat when our parents ditched us, but I¡¯m the one who brought it up to its current level.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t mean that the way it came out,¡± Brock groaned. ¡°See, your recent battles have been a bit more¡­ intense and snappy than you usually are. They¡¯re just worried about you with the stress¡ªit¡¯s not good for the babies.¡± ¡°Ugh. Taking their side? Where¡¯s Holly? She¡¯d understand. My sisters have always been jealous¡­ Muk, I was jealous of them before¡ªnever mind. Mmmgm. She¡¯s standing straight as a board! Ack! Leave my spine alone,¡± she whimpered, making Rhea wince. After some back and forth, Misty cooled down. ¡°Haaa. That¡¯s better, and get me some cold water,¡± she said to the server, who jumped to comply. ¡°The only reason why they want us to have this ¡®remembrance¡¯ journey is to get me out of the City-State because they don¡¯t think I¡¯m fit enough for the Gym. Bah. I could do it if I had triplets!¡± Brock laughed. ¡°Well, you have twins, and it is funny how you can tell which is pressing against your spine.¡± ¡°She¡¯s a little monster!¡± the woman groaned. ¡°My little boy is an angel compared to her. Ack! It¡¯s like she can hear me¡­ And what if I accidentally let it slip, Brock? What then?¡± The man sat back, voice becoming more serious. ¡°I mean, it¡¯ll get out eventually, I¡¯m sure. All of you conspired together on this when Christie said she¡¯d obtained the donation. What I¡¯m shocked about is how he hasn¡¯t asked once.¡± Rhea¡¯s arm prickled at the information. This cannot be happening right now, she internally cried to her Pokemon, but she didn¡¯t want to interrupt them or make it awkward; then again, it would be even more uncomfortable if the server came to her table. Misty groaned, and by the sounds of it, she slumped to the table. ¡°Serena, Iris, Melody, Anabel, Miette, Dawn, and the others agreed that if he ever found out, we¡¯d own up to it, but he can¡¯t be mad since he was the one that donated it to science¡­ Iris is weird, though, talking about a harem. You were the one that put him up to it in the first place.¡± ¡°Harem?¡± Brock snorted. ¡°Not me; I was joking! Iris took that Muk and ran with it, but you know how territorial she is. Hahaha. I mean, he came to me about getting fast cash, and Christie was looking for samples from Champion-tier Trainers and above. It paid well, and it was a Muk of a lot more than donating plasma. I think it¡¯s great that he hasn¡¯t been like the Mandibuzz outside, spamming you with questions about the father.¡± ¡°Mmmgm. Yeah, and just like that, I¡¯ve lost my appetite. Let¡¯s go to that little snow cone place by the Old Wharf Lighthouse; it reminds me of sneaking out as a kid¡­ Maybe we should call Violet to join since she was the deviant who would get me to go with her.¡± ¡°Haha! You and your sisters.¡± They stood and walked toward the elevator, yet their voices could be easily heard in the glass box. ¡°You love, and you hate. I swear you fight with them more than Ash or Serena.¡± ¡°Oh, shut your face,¡± the redhead snarled. ¡°Besides, Serena and I have come to a more reasonable position. Everyone else besides Dawn is insane. Fine. I¡¯ll do this little ¡®reunion trip¡¯ in two weeks if Holly¡¯s there to help me and your ¡®doctor¡¯ skills can be of use¡­ Ash better not piss me off, though. I¡¯m already annoyed by that look he gives me.¡± ¡°Maybe that should tell you something deep down,¡± Brock muttered, making Misty balk and start down another topic that had nothing to do with what he¡¯d said. Rhea let a heavy stream of air pass through her puffed-out cheeks, her throat sticky as she gulped down the lump. Misty had gotten the sperm from her mother during a research project?! And if that wasn¡¯t enough, she all but confirmed that Ash was the father and that he didn¡¯t even know. What kind of crazy, catastrophic gossip scandal did I just stumble onto?! she internally cried. Does that mean that every one of these girls who have a crush on him has a sample? But Chloe and Lillie weren¡¯t named¡­ Poor girls. Trying to wrap her head around the news, she felt queasy upon thinking about her teammates: The purple-haired gossip girl in a black outfit with Impidimp ears popped up on one shoulder and wanted her to babble it to her friends. On the other hand, the level-headed, graceful Gardevoir of a redhead appeared on the other side, telling her not to let that information see the light of day for as long as she lived. A battle took place inside her, and she didn¡¯t know which side would win out. B4 — 2. Shaking Off The Dust 6:07 p.m. October 16th, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 129. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (49 days away). In a bit of a daze after the Egg Bomb she¡¯d just heard, Rhea fought the two voices on either side of her ear for the better part of an hour, eating the fancy fish meals that the server brought her. Her brain was so out of touch that when the bill came, she almost choked. Thanking the handsome and quite attentive young man who had been serving her as he left the booklet on her table, dread filled her gut upon opening it. Alice and Nova looked at the number without any understanding, and Rhea slowly flipped it close, forehead sinking to the smooth, glass table top. It¡¯s over, she cried to them through their link. 10,350 credits for a single meal; it¡¯s almost as much as a Gold Encrusted attempt at 12,000. I have 26k since winning my two Silver Encrusted gives me 12,000, plus the money I put down in the attempt, but I¡¯ve also used a lot of credits between traveling, and our food bill goes up a ton with more Pokemon, not to mention my own increased appetite. Breathing out a sad sigh, she scanned the QR code on her phone that linked her bank payment processor to the establishment¡¯s own account, their ID popping up to verify it was the right business. Ritzy places like this didn¡¯t deal with cash credit or have employees handle the funds. A pack of gum costs three credits, and I¡¯m here paying over three thousand times that for a single meal. Amira¡¯s going to scold me. At least it was amazing, fresh, and I can say that gossip was worth the price, she tried to reason to her Pokemon as Nova lightly butted her calf with her head when sending the payment. It just means we need to go get back the funds¡­ and try not to scare people off. She took one last look at the incredible area she¡¯d dined at, liking the ocean ripples and filter that the lights in the aquarium cast down on them. It probably was super expensive to upkeep this kind of place, so you weren¡¯t only paying for the experience or food but also the conservation of the fish population, and she could get behind that. Then again, they were most definitely subsidized by the Indigo League. She tried not to think about that. An attendant came out of a door inside the hallway to guide her to the front, asking how her experience had been and what most caught her palate. Rhea was happy to make some small talk while returning her Pokemon to their capsules, and she honestly did like the quiet, isolated sensation of the environment they¡¯d created. As for a dish, her favorite was the Crimson Snapper, which was oily and moist while having a mild, flaky texture, and its sweet taste was enhanced by the various seasonings. Her chat with the man didn¡¯t last long before she was outside of the building and on the Cerulean streets. Lulu was now riding Mya¡¯s head as they wandered east, toward the Nugget Bridge, where many Trainers would be using the public battlefields, but she paused when scanning her Trainer App. No random guy is going to want to battle for over 1,000 credits, even in Silver-tier. No¡­ I need to go to the hustlers and players in the private battlefields. Browsing a few of the nearest ones on her app, she posted an open request on the Cerulean Battle Forum, starting with minimum acceptance fees of 5,000 credits. The highest open requests on the forum for Silver was 2,500 currently, so she¡¯d wait for potential bites until making it to that particular arena. On the way there, Rhea plucked out a floss pick from her purse and cleaned her teeth. There really was much more to consider when thinking about tomorrow¡¯s Encrusted Challenge than she¡¯d first thought; Brock had even said that the orange-haired Gym Leader was more hostile in her matches. Swapping to Gossip, she saw all sorts of information surrounding the seven-month-pregnant woman, most of it positive and a buzz of curiosity. Theories ranged from Ash to Red or Brock cheating on their wives to some crazy ones involving Tracy Sketchit. However, not a single post was negative toward Misty, talking about how empowering it was to see her keeping up with all her duties while trying to be a mother. Although, people mostly just wanted to know who the father was. She sighed and put away her phone, only for it to buzz just as it was halfway into her purse. Someone had accepted the 5,000 credit challenge, and it couldn¡¯t have come at a better time because she wanted to cry as 10,350 and 6,000 credits were deducted from her account; Amira must have just finished confirming their battle at the Gym. She was below 10,000 credits in her account, which wasn¡¯t somewhere she wanted to be in Silver-tier. Directing her challenger to the nearest arena to her, she went inside, getting notifications from Amira¡¯s private Pikabook as she posted her pictures. Rhea returned Mya to her Poke Ball and set Lulu on her head while waiting, doing a quick check on the man¡¯s previous match history; it was positive but nothing spectacular. On closer investigation, it seemed he was a high-risk Siver Trainer who threw smaller matches and would win most of his larger bets. Amira had warned her at one time about these types. It was fine, though, since her Pokemon were theoretically getting closer to Gold-tier if they were fighting at their best, and they weren¡¯t trying to show off quite yet. She rolled Alice¡¯s capsule around her fingers with an impish smile as two more challengers took the bait and marked the request as fulfilled. As Lori says, we won¡¯t be in the black, but if luck is on our side, we will be by tomorrow night. Show me a bit of what you learned. Remember, though, we don¡¯t want to show off everything. We¡¯ve gotta keep some tricks up our sleeve for the Silver Cup, after all. Her Pokemon chirped in response as she hashed out rules with the woman and two men who had accepted the bet. The sandy-haired man and the brunette woman were fine with a one-v-one, but she was a little annoyed when the final guy would only go forward with the battle if she were handicapped by it being a one-v-two. Nova would take him. Wanting to get the battles over with as quickly as possible, she took the stage, feeling surprisingly good; this helped to take her mind off her insane dinner. A crowd was swift to take the seats and lean against the overhead railings on the upper levels, and she had no doubt recordings would be made. The light turned red, and Rhea activated her Poke Ball with her opponent. Yellow lit up, the clock overhead set for ten minutes, not that they¡¯d need that long. She pulled back her arm, and when green flashed, she threw Mya into the center of the arena. She chuckled to herself when a flaming pony exited on the opposite side, fire gathering in a tight circle around her body as she charged her Mawile. He knew his odds were good with a Fire-Type since I¡¯d likely save Nova for the last battle. Nicely played. What you got for me, Mya? The horse was fast, shooting forward and far faster than her steely girl, but a rush strat wasn¡¯t going to work on Mya; a light blue bubble surrounded the grinning Mawile at the last second, Protect blocking the Ponyta¡¯s attack and making her trip. Even as the Fire Horse tumbled, Mya flipped around with a shimmering sword that appeared in her hand. Gasps were heard when a brown aura was expelled from Mya, condensing into stones that rocketed after the Ponyta, only for a pinkish light to hasten the pony, allowing her to dodge the four stones and get right on top of the Mawile. Fire erupted around the horse, ready to deliver an Agility-empowered Flame Charge, multiplying its Speed modifier, yet it was already over. Locked mid-charge, at the last moment, darkness enveloped the laughing Deceiver Pokemon, appearing by her face to deliver a crippling Critical Sucker Punch. The Ponyta instantly changed directions, tumbling across the field to hit the stone, reinforced wall, shattering her matrix. 5,000 down, 10 more to go. Thanking the man for the battle, she was a little surprised how quickly a fight could go down when not in a titanic stadium, like the Gyms had, allowing far more adaptability. She recalled Mya and released her for a moment to give her a high-five; she could hardly feel the Quick Moves, and her Mawile¡¯s timing had improved a ton since before their training. Rhea stuck Mya¡¯s Poke Ball back on her skirt waist strap and selected Alice next, smiling at the nervous brunette woman as she took the stage. ¡°Wow,¡± she said with a forced chuckle, ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that heavy of a strike from a Quick Move, but I suppose it was a Critical Dark Punch, and did Ancient Power also increase her Stats while also baiting out the Agility to prevent her opponent from having the time to use Protect? Incredible. I hope to do a bit better, but, hehe, I¡¯m now doubting my chances.¡± ¡°Anything can happen!¡± Rhea chimed, spotting the scared Bug Catcher she¡¯d be battling next on his device, no doubt scrolling through all of her battle history. ¡°I can guess you¡¯re going to use your Farfetch¡¯d and not your Meowth or Delcatty.¡± The woman sighed, tossing her Poke Ball up and down, no doubt actually a Great Ball with a skin to make people think it was a normal version. ¡°And you are going to use your Lopunny, despite having another excellent counter since your Glaceon will be used against your one-v-two. Good luck?¡± ¡°Good luck!¡± she returned with a bright grin as the light flashed red. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun.¡± It turned yellow. ¡°Hard to have fun with so much money in the balance while now feeling as if I made a mistake.¡± Green lit up, and they threw their Poke Balls. ¡°But let¡¯s do this Fluff-Fluff!¡± Rhea pulled up the Wild Duck Pokemon as Alice hit the stage and blurred, an orange aura encasing her as Mach Punch shot her forward, only for her to cancel the attack moments after the match started. Using her ears and hands to flip into a cartwheel, she launched up, electricity now sparking around her fist. Yet, the Farfetch¡¯d blurred, a green light emanating from the bird as he met Alice¡¯s Thunder Punch with a First Impression, canceling each other¡¯s Moves out. The automatic cameras kept her in focus for the audience, enthralled as the pair were blown back, only for white light to erupt from them at nearly the same time. Quick Attack brought them together again, the sharp eyes of the Farfetch¡¯d trained on the narrow-eyed bun. Another flash of white streaks and Fluff-Fluff was behind her puffy-tailed bunny, going for a sure shot with Aerial Ace. Alice held her hands against her chest, pink eyes going big as she turned to look pleadingly at the male Pokemon to stop. The hearts struck just in time for the bird to pinwheel around Alice¡¯s twirling away figure, large ear grabbing the infatuated bird in passing to swing him into an upward Circle Throw. Icy mist expelled from the bun¡¯s fist as she jumped up to finish the match, but Fluff-Fluff wasn¡¯t out of the battle yet. A honeycomb shell surrounded his frame as the Farfetch¡¯d righted himself, vanishing a second time to try his luck at another Aerial Ace to land the STAB hit. This time, it was his turn to hit the blue shield, and Alice¡¯s lightning-embraced fist met the bird¡¯s beak, sending him tumbling across the stone ground. Skipping forward, the fluffy bunny wasn¡¯t done, taking the momentum in the battle as stars fanned out from her to intercept, circling to pelt the bird back into Alice¡¯s Sky Uppercut, shattering his matrix. 25 seconds in, the battle was decided, causing claps to be heard from the onlookers. ¡°Thought so,¡± the woman laughed, recalling her Farfetch¡¯d, ¡°but it did show us how important Move versatility is. Thanks for the high-intensity fight, Rhea.¡± ¡°No problem! You did really well playing into Alice¡¯s game; speed is just something she¡¯s never been outmatched in.¡± ¡°I can see why!¡± she laughed, pointing at the screen to see the replay of the start of the match, where Alice basically tied a +2 Priority First Impression with a +1 Mach Punch into a Thunder Punch. ¡°Insane speed. I saw online that people were speculating that her Run Away Ability is one of those rare reversed types. Interesting to see in action.¡± Waving her goodbye and having a positive experience thus far, she opened her arms to welcome Alice as she jumped all the way out of the stadium to embrace her. ¡°Pun-pun?¡± ¡°Mhm! You did amazing, Alice!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± her cosmic cloud chirped, latching onto the bun¡¯s neck. Letting the Cosmog congratulate her teammates, Rhea glanced over at the leery-eyed Bug Trainer, who was now taking the stage. He was getting jeered by some of the onlookers, calling him a coward for doing a one-v-two, but he was going for the bag, so she doubted he cared much about their opinions. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. ¡°Broken Pokemon,¡± he muttered with a short grunt. ¡°And people call me a hustler. From what I read, your busted Eevee can¡¯t evolve more than once in a non-Gym battle according to League stipulations. Talk about privileged.¡± ¡°Jealous much!¡± the brunette that had battled her yelled from the stands to laughter and more jeers. ¡°Quick stalling and trying to throw a pity party, Jeff; no one feels bad for a sore loser like you!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°Booo!¡± ¡°He stole 500 credits from me last week in that stupid handicap match!¡± ¡°Loser!¡± Rhea was surprised to have the crowd on her side for having super powerful Pokemon, but her girls were eating it up. Deciding it wouldn¡¯t do any good to leave it a mystery, she threw out Nova¡¯s Poke Ball, releasing her attention-loving Eevee to soak in the love and attention she got. Everyone seemed to adore her showboating and beautiful salt-and-pepper Eevee. Apparently, Breeders had to register the lineage of their Pokemon, and someone from the Breeding Association had leaked Nova¡¯s lineage. It put her on the map big time since Ambrosia was her mother, and Vee, Red¡¯s Eevee, was her father. It didn¡¯t help that one parent was the Ace of the current Champion, not to mention her Trainer was getting massive news coverage due to the wedding. ¡°Humph. Typical,¡± Jeff grunted, taking out one of his four Pokemon; this man had already qualified for the Silver Cup and had eight Badges between Kanto and Johto. ¡°Keep acting high and mighty, but you¡¯re far from invincible.¡± ¡°Projecting much?¡± Rhea snickered, taking a page from Lori¡¯s book as the light turned red. ¡°I think I can guess what your first Pokemon will be; you seem to be a fan of webs.¡± Nova held her head high as the light flashed yellow, and when green struck, he threw his Poke Ball far to the right of the arena, beside the wall. Dan, his Ariados, exited, climbing up the wall and looking up to spray a thread at her Eevee. Not one to get her fur dirty, Nova didn¡¯t even move as twinkling light brought out stars to eviscerate the webbing, continuing onward to pursue the skittering away spider, yet a red light connected with the Pokemon just before they struck, making the crowd boo. It was a good tactic that she¡¯d used against Janine, but he¡¯d purposefully handicapped her so that she couldn¡¯t mirror the leeway the return tactic brought. A Scyther exited next, wings flapping to propel him toward her smug Eevee, who hadn¡¯t even moved from her sitting position. Nova held a paw to her mouth and yawned, sending a puff cloud to strike the fast Bug Pokemon, yet its blades swept it away in a single slash, spinning to cut her Eevee in two. ¡°Scyther!¡± A sparkle twinkled in Nova¡¯s eye as she lazily lowered her body to the ground, ears going flat and tail remaining still. The attack swept right over her, and her paw illuminated a light brown, throwing up a glob of mud into the Scyther¡¯s eyes to blind him. The bug almost tripped, flipping around in a sharp circle to right himself while passing the Eevee in his swift strike. ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Green light embraced her fox pup, enhancing her Attack and Special Attack by one stage as, yet again, red light connected to the semi-blinded Scyther, returning him to his Poke Ball. ¡°Cheeky Eevee,¡± Jeff snarled as her girl showed an unconcerned smirk, still in the same place she¡¯d been at the start of the battle. ¡°We¡¯ll see if you¡¯re laughing next¡­¡± Releasing his Ariados again, bright blue light condensed around her pincers for a sword to appear, enhancing her Attack by two stages. Rushing forward, legs beginning to glow a light purple to poison her prey, the spider used its legs to trample and overwhelm her Eevee. Unfortunately, Nova was very accustomed to fighting fast, rusher-type opponents due to Alice always wanting to spar, and she didn¡¯t even need Detect for the slow spikes. Maintaining her cool, Rhea cheered on her Eevee as she tilted her body left and right, only taking a side step to jump up and slap the underside of the Ariados with her tail, Eject+ throwing the spider back as if hit by a Whirlwind. Flipping through the air, the Ariados managed to shoot a spray of the sticky web at her pup, but Nova had enough; it was time to get a little serious and show one of her new tricks. Brilliant light exploded from around the Eevee, making the crowd stand on the edges of their seats. The web disintegrated from the radial burst of energy, and Rhea was starting to feel the burn of her Pokemon using her Fortitude. ¡°No¡­¡± Jeff mumbled in horror. ¡°You¡¯re kidding me!¡± ¡°So pretty!¡± screamed a few girls, taking pictures from the sidelines that would no doubt be trending by the end of the day. When the light faded, a salt-and-pepper Flareon sat where her Eevee had been. Her fluffy white fur and sleek black skin were striking as she smiled. The spider seemed to gulp and took a step back as her new fluffy girl chirped. ¡°Flare-Flare,¡± Nova greeted in a manner that said, run. Channeling her inner Amber, fire machine-gunned out of her mouth, Embers peppered the retreating arachnid as she tried to escape. Ghostly shadows embraced it, the spider sinking into the stadium for a dark shape to weave swiftly along the ground toward Nova, but a twinkle in her eye helped the Flareon easily evade the Shadow Sneak, dodging the ghostly-wreathed arm to land a point-blank-range Critical Ember. The red streak of Jeff¡¯s Poke Ball failed to connect in time, a second barrage shattering the spider¡¯s matrix and leaving her comfortable Eevee looking like a total queen, having hardly moved. ¡°Cheap Muking trick,¡± the man growled, throwing out his Scyther. ¡°Try to dodge this now!¡± His Scyther exited, Double Team spreading out the hazy bug, yet Nova had dealt plenty with this, and Detect was one of her specialties. The Mantis Pokemon was a lot tougher than the Ariados, sporting Technician and being able to attack from any angle while defending with Quick Guard; sadly, his Counter Move was hardly a threat against a Flareon, and Nova¡¯s Run Away, experience, and double protection Moves allowed her to outlast the bug easily. Two minutes of playing around and showing off, and she was sitting on top of the unconscious manis, spraying a light jet of fire into the air to cheers from the crowd. Jeff didn¡¯t even offer a parting insult; red-faced, he returned his Pokemon and stormed out of the building. Grinning at the enthusiastic welcome back she was receiving with her Pokemon, Rhea messaged her friends that she had something big to show them, knowing they¡¯d probably hear about the Flareon reveal and think it was that. And boy, would they be surprised. Her two internal opposing purple and red-haired sides had come to an alignment: she¡¯d tell her teammates only if they promised to keep it secret since this could affect their match tomorrow. She politely declined her new fans¡¯ offer to hang out and buy her Pokemon treats since it was nearing 8:45 p.m. and slipped away to return to their hotel. As Amira often advised them, she took a few detours so as not to let any stalkers find out where they were staying, adding another twenty minutes to her journey before she was satisfied she wasn¡¯t being followed. Lori and Amira texted back that they¡¯d be back around 10:30 p.m. since the redhead was finishing up her art exhibit and her violet-haired teammate was kicking butt at the Nugget Bridge arenas. Having some downtime, she bought the new season of ¡®Pokemon: Red Team Rescue Adventures - Season 2¡¯ for her girls to sit down in front of the TV and watch since it had just been released, their tails wagging. Nova got out her red scarf to put on like her hero on the show. In the meantime, she caught up on where her family and everyone were at while passively messaging the Wooloo Gang. They sent back a thumbs-up regarding their victory over Forrest¡¯s Gym, and that they¡¯d unfortunately be in Cerulean on Sunday, so they¡¯d only be able to hang for a bit. Rhea wasn¡¯t concerned, though, since they could just take the Magnet Train or some other means of transportation and sleep on the ride, so most of Sunday would be used to chill with the gang. Kate and her brother were off on some Saffari Zone adventure in Johto¡¯s park, fully dressing up for the part. Her dad had kidnapped her mother from her research in Sinnoh¡ªto her granny¡¯s semi-annoyance at the disruption¡ªand took her to the Great Ruby Lakes to see the Gyarados migration and mating dance; it was her mom¡¯s kind of romantic thing. Now that things were settled down in Kanto, her grandparents were back in Hoenn, accepting challenges from May and Brandon. Rhea paused for a time, swiping through the pretty pictures the brunette Trainer posted of Alice¡¯s mother. As for Jason, she smiled when she saw he¡¯d hearted every post she¡¯d sent. Returning the gesture, she felt happy that he was taking the time to look at her pictures, and she took a few more of her girls, wrapped up in a daring adventure to save a shiny Magikarp from his evil father, who happened to be the king. At least, that was what she got from it. Her stomach swirled for some reason when Jason hearted her pictures moments after they were uploaded, somehow beating out her grandfather. However, all of that went out of the window, and she swiped out of Pikabook as Lori flung open the door, wearing a beaming smile. ¡°Girl, I hope you enjoy the holidays early because I got some presents for you!¡± ¡°No way,¡± Rhea laughed, swinging her legs off the bed to follow her to the table, where she dumped out several TM cases. ¡°How in the Muk?! Where did you get these?¡± The Unovan girl waved her hand dismissively, Mya pausing their episode to see what was going on. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about the small details! You owe me 4,500 for this baby, though; I saw that viral clip that hit my feed!¡± Rhea almost choked when she saw the name on the TM box. ¡°F-Flame Charge?! There¡¯s no shot you got it for 4,500, Lori!¡± ¡°Synergistic Moves! Woooh! I saw this post where it can proc Flash Fire. First Physical STAB Move, Honey Pot; I know, I¡¯m awesome! Oh, and I got connections; you know me,¡± the girl defended with an innocent smile. ¡°A little promotional goes a long way when you got social media numbers like me¡ªyeah, don¡¯t give me that ¡®illegal, Lori¡¯ look! Red gave me that same stare. C¡¯mon, where¡¯s the trust?¡± ¡°Can you blame us?¡± Amira said, entering through the open door and setting down a few wrapped boxes. ¡°You do have shady circles, and that¡¯s coming from the granddaughter of a Mob Boss.¡± ¡°Compliment taken!¡± Lori giggled, quickly handing a wrapped box to Gables as he held out his hands. ¡°Oh! Oh! Gabs wanted to give Amber a present,¡± she sang, causing the Fire Fox to lift an eye at the frog¡¯s outstretched gift. ¡°Well? Well?¡± ¡°Braixen?¡± she hummed, a smile growing on the fox¡¯s face as Amira sat on her bed. ¡°That was thoughtful of him.¡± The fox nodded, Gables shifting a bit with a half-smile at the thanks she gave him. ¡°Xen-xen.¡± ¡°Fro-fro.¡± Amber opened it to hand her Trainer the box to read. ¡°Xen?¡± Amira¡¯s eyes narrowed as she glanced up at their teammate¡¯s grin. ¡°Sunny Day? Lori¡­¡± ¡°Hey! Hey! It¡¯s Gab¡¯s gift to his girl. You¡¯re not going to deny him that joy? C¡¯mon!¡± ¡°Haaa. You can be ridiculous sometimes. And what else did you get for your Pokemon? One has to be Rain Dance with you giving me Sunny Day.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a secret, but let¡¯s just say it¡¯s as hot as your hair,¡± she returned with a wink, dragging the other boxes into her bag. ¡°Anyway, how was the exhibit, Red¡ªoh, and that fish place, Blondie?¡± Amira held Amber open the box to use the TM; the frog and fox were anxious to try it out. ¡°It was a lovely show. Although, I was a little surprised to hear you went to Sea Delivuor, Rhea; it is a fairly expensive establishment.¡± Rhea winced, remembering the five-digit bill. ¡°I learned the hard way¡­ but listen to this,¡± she said, excitement picking up as Alice closed the door. ¡°Brock and Misty showed up, and I overheard some wild stuff¡ªjust promise this only stays between us! Okay?¡± Lori sat straighter, and Rhea could practically see her drooling for the scoop. ¡°Cross my heart and hope to be Pin Needled by a thousand Beedrill! Spill the sweets! You know who the Dad is, don¡¯t you? It¡¯s Ash! It has to be Ash! You should have seen the guilty face she gave me once when I brought it up!¡± Amira got up with a sigh. ¡°I¡¯m not super interested in¡ª¡± ¡°Dawn¡¯s involved, but it is worse!¡± Rhea hissed in return to Lori. ¡°Much, much worse.¡± The redhead paused halfway up, eyebrows drawing together. ¡°How do you mean¡­ worse? We aren¡¯t saying alcohol or any other mentally inhibiting substances were involved, are we?¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± Rhea took a deep breath and let it out. ¡°Try this: Ash was semi-tricked into giving away his sperm for my mom¡¯s research project, where she gave samples to almost every girl that likes Ash¡­ He doesn¡¯t even know!¡± Silence came over them as they processed the mic-drop. Lori shivered before collapsing to her bed and shaking with laughter. ¡°That¡¯s even more insane than I¡¯d ever thought! I guess Misty was the only one brave enough to go through with it right away! That¡¯s wild! There¡¯s no way he doesn¡¯t know, though; he¡¯s an Aura Grandmaster!¡± Rhea¡¯s mind blanked. ¡°Wait, I hadn¡¯t thought about that¡­ Would he be able to tell?¡± Amira pulled her braid over her shoulder and fell to her back. ¡°Haaa. Well, I¡¯ll admit, that caught me entirely off-guard. Still, it is entirely legal, if a bit in the gray area. Good for them for finding a way to make things work between them. I also doubt it since I¡¯ve heard Auras are sporadic and developing within the womb, but I would bet that he will become aware of it as time goes on. Lori¡­¡± ¡°No need to take that tone with me, Hotty!¡± the Unovan girl snickered. ¡°I know when to keep my mouth shut, but¡­ just hear me out¡ªthe credits we could get¡­ Hey, hey!¡± she laughed as Rhea got up to punch her in the arm. ¡°Not a peep! Hehehe. You two are hilarious.¡± ¡°It¡¯s super serious, though,¡± Rhea defended with a frown. ¡°I¡¯m just kind of worried about Lillie and Chloe since they weren¡¯t named explicitly, and Chloe was trying soo hard when we were at her house to get Ash to notice her.¡± Lori settled in, hair bunched around her head. ¡°Such is the life of the shy girl. Well, unless you have a childhood friend that just sucks your lips off out of nowhere! Kidding! Kidding!¡± she squawked as Rhea got up to tackle her. ¡°Ouch! Don¡¯t pinch my sides¡ªthey¡¯re called ¡®love handles¡¯ not ¡®torture fluff¡¯¡ªRed, help!¡± Amira snorted, pulling out her phone as their Pokemon returned to their show. ¡°She¡¯s, like, 20 centimeters shorter than you, Ms. I Have High Physical Fortitude. You¡¯re 180 centimeters tall; a giant compared to her.¡± ¡°Rhea¡¯s a monster, though! Plus, we have a little dynamic going on; I¡¯m 180, you¡¯re 170, and 160¡ªbig sister, middle sister, little sister!¡± ¡°A monster that has learned your ticklish spots!¡± Rhea roared as the violet-haired girl curled into a ball, and she hugged her from behind, searching for her Super Effective points. ¡°Flexing your belly isn¡¯t going to help you, ¡®Big Sis!¡¯ ¡± ¡°Haah-haha-haha! S-Stop! Gah¡ªI can¡¯t breathe!¡± ¡°Promise you¡¯ll not leak it!¡± ¡°I promise! Stop¡ªI¡¯m getting a stitch¡ªou-ou-ou! Hahaha!¡± Torturing Lori for a bit, Rhea felt much lighter as the night drew to a close. She wanted to keep Lori¡¯s mind off the battle with Misty tomorrow because this would be the biggest hurdle her teammate had faced yet, and if she lost, it could cause huge problems, but she trusted her teammate. B4 — 3. Fighting Ghosts 8:35 a.m. October 17th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 130. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (48 days away). Lori pressed her pillow against her face with a groan as her snoozed alarm clock went off a third time. Amira and Rhea had gone out to get her breakfast; she hardly remembered their conversation whenever the two had left. Roxie, Zyra, and Gables were snuggled up to her, whereas her fluffy Kubfu was off with the gang, no doubt. Scratching her exposed belly, her dull purple eyes drifted to the bed stand, where two amazing-looking breakfast burritos had been placed with a cup of coffee; she was grateful for the calories, these last few months of training had shown her just how big an appetite she could get. Not to mention, sleep had not been welcoming the previous night, and she¡¯d tossed and turned through most of it. She roused her Pokemon with a groan, stretching out and scooting to the headboard. Placing her pillow behind her back as her Pokemon mirrored her, she noticed small Pokemon cups beside her breakfast: some morning treats for her gang. ¡°So Mukin¡¯ thoughtful,¡± she mumbled, bending over to snatch a burrito as Gables rolled off the bed to help Roxie. Zyra merely fluttered to the table to start dipping her beak into the creamy treat. ¡°Last night was crazy¡­ I can¡¯t believe all the girls got the goods,¡± she said to her team with a laugh. ¡°Dawn¡¯s so busted next time we see her!¡± ¡°Froga,¡± Gables said with a small smirk. ¡°Bah!¡± Lori rotated her shoulder and took another bite of the still-warm item. ¡°I know I promised Rhea¡ªI¡¯m just playing. Haaa. Ash really has 99 girl troubles, doesn¡¯t he? Lucky dude, hehe; I bet other guys are jelly. Ooh, jelly donuts sound good right now, don¡¯t they?¡± Her Pokemon chirped in response as she activated her phone to browse through her messages. Her burrito fell to her lap as she saw the text from her teammates. 6:55 a.m. - Honey Pot: Hey! I hope you get some good rest. We¡¯re going to grab you breakfast. Amira wanted to show me some of the morning jazz caf¨¦s to chill out and talk before the battle with Misty today. Rest up! 7:29 a.m. - Honey Pot: We just dropped off your goodies. Lol. You look so out of it with Gables poking his feet against your nose. I couldn¡¯t help but take a picture. I¡¯ll attach it. We¡¯ll probably be at a jazz caf¨¦ when you get up, checking out the Art District, or some of the Painter Battles Amira was telling me about. Catch you later! She had a few more messages from her family, wishing her well, and unluckily, her little sister was currently bumming through the Safari Zone. They were recording it and posting the videos of them getting spooked by every random noise or overlooking gorgeous valleys with Inoa¡¯s placid face, holding up a peace sign, or Ellie¡¯s over-emotional screams as the darker-skinned teen fell into a pond. Her lips lifted at seeing her baby sis grow so much in the past 130 days. Before their journey, she couldn¡¯t imagine her club-trashing, wreck of a social media legend little sister anywhere close to the wilderness, yet here she was with video proof, making her fans go wild. From telling ghost stories around the campfire to conspiring with Inoa to prank Ellie, they seemed to be doing great. Lori almost fell off the bed when she saw a weird top comment on one of the videos of the spooky ghost story night, and clicking the linked time stamp, she burst into laughter upon seeing Shauntal randomly poking her head out from the brush with a cheery smile before slipping away into the mist. None of the girls noticed, but the fans sure did. Scrolling through the videos and pictures, her chest burned upon seeing her parents drop out of the sky to spend a night with them, Ellie¡¯s own mother surprising her with an appearance. Unsurprisingly, most of the comments were from thirsty guys repeating how stunning her fashion model of a mother and Olivia were in their camping outfits. The three of them had already qualified for the Bronze League and were now testing their skills to go for Silver to see if they could skip it all together; it seemed to be a common trend amongst the Oak Starter Award winners. Everyone is doing good, she said to her team, getting up to throw her arms high over her head and tilt left and right. ¡°Mmgm! Wow. My flexibility is increasing so much with all those stretches Dawn had me do. Let¡¯s get to it, gang!¡± After finishing some light morning exercises, Lori went into the bathroom to freshen up for the day before texting her friends that she was up. She took her food on the go at 9:15, munching on it while following her team¡¯s sent coordinates to the Art District. Due to it being a Saturday, there were a lot more kids in the street, which meant Roxie got mauled by the adoring children, all wanting to pet her salt-and-pepper Rockruff. Zyra took more of a sky approach, keeping a bird¡¯s eye view and reporting back to Gables. The law said you were only supposed to have one Pokemon out right now, but whatever, her frog and bird could keep their distance. Plus, it was more of a ¡®guideline¡¯ than a hard rule; at least, it was in her book. Buying her team jelly donuts and a new coffee, she grinned at her bank balance while biting down on the sweet treat. Even with her purchases yesterday, with the battles they¡¯d won at the Nugget Bridge, she was looking at 12k credits¡ªdespite the 6k hit from today¡¯s challenge. Puffing up her cheeks, she let it stream out. ¡°Just breathe, haha. No stress,¡± she reassured her cramping stomach. ¡°Everything is going to be fine. Rhea, Amira!¡± Catching sight of her teammates in the crowd that was surrounding two painters, she fell silent with the others while glancing between the two. Ahead of them was a classy-dressed, black-haired woman who held a Shiny Psyduck. The painters¡¯ brushes were a blur as they made stroke after stroke against the canvases they were working on, battling to see who would complete their work the quickest, with the set amount of time they were given. One went for more of a blurred background, choosing to focus on the human and Pokemon, while the second performed a more abstract art piece. Amira leaned over to explain the process as whispers from the crowd pointed at each one, basically talking gibberish to her unrefined ears. Apparently, both art pieces would be put up for bid at the end, and whoever managed to get more for their work won. It was less of an official thing and more of a community-driven form of art. Lori had no clue why someone would spend so much money on it, but maybe it was more for taking part in the experience. When all was said and done, the blurred background painter won due to a last-minute transformation to the piece: he¡¯d portrayed the woman and Psyduck into a gloomy, Cerulean sky, cast between the dark shadows of the towering buildings. It sold for a ridiculous 60,000 credits, and for less than 30 minutes worth of work. Making their way toward the Gym after the show, Lori laughed as she browsed Misty¡¯s last week¡¯s matches, playing them on mute. ¡°I had no clue art dealers could be such swindlers. You can make bank off that if you¡¯re getting that hourly. Why are we Trainers again?¡± Arms crossed under her bust, Amira chuckled and picked up their pace to get across the street as it was about to change colors. ¡°It is very rare that you can sell something at that price. Part of it is showmanship and the ability to impress upon the viewers their place in the painting within this moment in time, but also, the clientele that can throw that kind of credit at art is quite rare. No artist is counting on that kind of sale more than one or two times a year, though it is plenty to live off of, and a decent living at that.¡± Rhea chimed in, probably repeating what the redhead had already told her. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! Many aspiring artists make it due to this street-side, speed-painting strategy to advertise their work. That¡¯s how Celina first made her debut, wasn¡¯t it? When you were a little girl, your grandfather was walking with you around the district, and she painted you two?¡± A fond look drew the redhead¡¯s gaze into her past as they turned down another road to reach the public train. ¡°It wasn¡¯t only her painting but her personality that attracted my grandfather to her work. Certain elements about an author or how they visualize things can impress upon their craft. I¡¯ve had her painting in my room since I was seven. Did you notice it when you came to my house?¡± ¡°Sorry, but not even a little,¡± Lori laughed. ¡°You, Sunshine?¡± Rhea looked sad as she shook her head. ¡°I wasn¡¯t really interested in the artwork. I was mainly focused on your mom and how amazing she was.¡± Amira didn¡¯t seem put off by the admission. ¡°It¡¯s quite alright. It doesn¡¯t need to mean anything to anyone else, which is the beauty of artwork: one man¡¯s trash is another¡¯s treasure. You valued your time with my mother, which I can completely agree with, despite our own personal differences.¡± ¡°The pains of a smothering mom,¡± Lori snickered, bumping into the redhead with a grin. ¡°I¡¯m impressed she¡¯s been able to let you be after everything that happened.¡± ¡°She¡¯s growing,¡± the redhead whispered affectionately, getting in the line for the train as it neared. ¡°In part, I think, due to the wonderful teammates I have to rely on that she can trust.¡± ¡°Aww!¡± Lori bent down to lift her into a Ursaring hug. ¡°You and Honey Pot are too good at making people feel amazing! I don¡¯t deserve you two¡ªget in here, Goldie!¡± ¡°Ahh! Hehe. Watch my hair¡ªoof¡­¡± Holding them tightly against her chest, Lori felt heat rising in her throat out of nowhere. ¡°I mean it¡­ Thanks, girls¡ªyou two mean the world to me.¡± Rhea choked out a laugh, tapping her arm. ¡°My neck! I give! I give! I¡¯m the little girl here!¡± She laughed and let her go to bend down and give the blonde a more gentle embrace. ¡°Our little ray of sunshine¡­ It meant a lot waking up to the food and whatever that brown mud was that you call coffee.¡± Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Eh-hehe. I thought you liked that kind¡ªwait, no, that was Amira¡¯s bitter style. My bad!¡± Joking around for a bit as they boarded, Lori felt her nervous jitters subsiding, despite getting closer and closer to the Gym. It meant a lot since, when she checked the line-up, she¡¯d been the first of their team to be scheduled on the Silver-tier match-ups. They took the train all the way to the Gym, loading out with the majority of the occupants; the Gym Challenges were an all-day thing, and Bronze had the majority of challengers every year, which lasted until just after noon. It didn¡¯t help that Cerulean got the prime Encrusted Match for revenue on Saturdays, sharing it with Janine and Giovanni, making it a huge crowd. Complaining to her Pokemon, she groaned. Why couldn¡¯t it be Monday, like Sabrina, or Friday, like Saria? Forrest has it on Wednesday, for crying out loud. Why do Gyms have it on the same day and compete with each other¡¯s viewership? Why not do Sunday, like Erika¡ªno, that might be even bigger¡­ What about Tuesday, like Blaine?! Thursday doesn¡¯t even have a Gym day in Kanto! Oh, no¡­ Cramps twisted her belly as she stood in front of Cerulean Gym¡¯s back entrance, Amira handing them their personally issued cards to swipe. It was really happening. Her lips pulled in as she got flashbacks of that stupid Slowpoke, swimming in lazy circles around Miky with the crowd¡¯s laughter. Gables rubbed her leg, making her gulp, and put on a somewhat nervous smile to hide her real feelings. ¡°Let¡¯s do this! I guess we should do some more, umm, planning, huh?¡± ¡°Lori¡­¡± Rhea, likely using her x-ray powers of super emotional detection, took her hand and fed her with a warmth that she literally felt from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. ¡°It¡¯ll be okay. Janine went super hard on us, and we still won. We¡¯re strong!¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she said, sounding more breathless than she would have liked as she squeezed the blonde¡¯s hand for reassurance, Roxie rubbing against her shin. ¡°Come here, you little stinker,¡± she said to Teri, letting go of Rhea to pick up her frowny-faced Kubfu. ¡°We¡¯re going to do it!¡± It actually helped a lot when Amira didn¡¯t remove her glasses, showing the redhead¡¯s own nerves were getting to her; the art trip was probably more for her thumping heart than anything else, and Rhea got her strength from helping others, which brought breakfast to her in the morning. They were doing okay. She was going to be okay¡­ Yet, time seemed to flash by in still images. Before she knew it, her name was called, and she was standing in front of a very familiar, colossal pool of water with over ten thousand people watching. It will be okay, she repeated to herself, mouth dry and holding her elbow to curb any potential shakes. When did I put you all in your balls again? The hidden scars along her back itched, making her breath catch as Misty¡¯s image came over the television above, but it wasn¡¯t harsh, as Rhea warned, which threw her for a loop. The orange-haired woman was sitting in a chair rather than standing, her belly well pronounced after seven months pregnant. ¡°Lori, I¡¯m glad to see you returning to face me after our last match and that I got to challenge you before I leave next week. Congratulations on the victory over Sabrina. I watched it, and both you and Miky certainly showed phenomenal improvement. I¡¯m sure you two did your best¡­ How do you feel?¡± Figuring the woman was referencing Miky leaving their party and how they¡¯d done their best to keep it together without screaming the story to the world, Lori was thankful for the tact; guilt about even joking to Rhea about revealing her secret twisted her insides as she responded. ¡°At first,¡± she mumbled in the silent hall, in front of thousands live and even more digitally, ¡°I, umm, I thought you were way too hard on us¡­ and I was resentful. But really, I was angry at myself for subjecting Miky to that kind of battle when¡­ when I hadn¡¯t prepared him for it, and it¡­ hurt to admit that.¡± Swallowing, she puffed out a long breath as Teri held her hand, the Legendary Pokemon¡¯s fluff tingling her skin. It was hard to hold in her emotions from going out of control when she needed it most here. Her supportive Pokemon helped her get what was corroding her heart. ¡°I did take¡­ take your challenge lightly¡ªthinking it would be as easy as, hah, Gym Leader Forrest¡¯s battle was when¡­ when it hadn¡¯t been easy, and despite our advantage over Rock-Types, we still came close to losing. I can¡¯t undo the pain I caused Miky, but I can make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again.¡± Firming her voice, she looked up at the smiling woman, nothing like the horrific figure she¡¯d seen in her nightmares. ¡°I¡¯m here to challenge you for the Silver Encrusted Badge, Gym Leader Misty, and while I failed to obtain the Bronze Encrusted Challenge, I won¡¯t choke this time. We¡¯re ready to move forward¡­ I¡¯m ready to move forward.¡± Heart beating like a Buneary, she puffed out the tight air that compressed in her lungs. The ensuing silence was deafening as Misty studied them from across the giant gap, with the only sound coming from the sloshing of the water against the sides of the pool, and suddenly, clapping was heard. Misty¡¯s action was soon followed by the crowd, and looking to the sidelines, Lori almost choked upon seeing her family there: her father, mother, and two sisters joining in the applause. She fought tears from leaving her eyes; the Muking losers, including her little sister¡¯s teammates, had posted online videos on a delayed schedule to sneak into the crowd. I hate you guys¡­ she lied, swallowing the lump in her throat as Misty addressed her again with the dying sound. ¡°Your team has been through a hard road, Mallory, and I¡¯ve heard all about it from Ash. He wanted me to let you girls know that he thinks you¡¯re ready to stand on your own feet. He respects you, and through what you just showed me¡­ I respect you. Now, show me what that brainy, blue-haired dandruff machine up north has taught you.¡± Lori couldn¡¯t help a snort, practically seeing Dawn¡¯s appalled gasp at the thrown shade. ¡°It¡¯ll be our pleasure! Don¡¯t go easy on us.¡± Misty¡¯s fingers dipped into the compartment that opened when she placed her three Poke Balls into their slots. ¡°I was considering a Gyarados, actually.¡± ¡°A what?!¡± Lori gagged, biting her tongue and making her hiss. ¡°Haha! I was considering,¡± she repeated, placing one back into the box. ¡°Your Pokemon are powerful, Lori, and the Gyms serve to offer challenges of the appropriate degree¡­ and perhaps a tad stronger.¡± Selecting another out, she looked toward the ref, having politely waited until the orange-haired woman was done. ¡°Show me your growt¡ªack! Mmmgm¡­¡± she cried, tears coming to her eyes as she shot straight up in her chair. ¡°You¡ªlittle monster! Argh¡ªack-ack¡­ One second¡ªone second¡­ Just¡­ give me a second.¡± ¡°Y-Yeah, sure¡­¡± Lori said with a wince and forced laugh. ¡°Everything¡­ okay?¡± ¡°Just¡­ something I should have expected from the¡­ genetics,¡± she said with a tortured smile. ¡°Once a pain¡­ always a pain. Go ahead, Kassie.¡± ¡°Ahem. Right, Ma¡¯am. And we¡¯re kicking off the Silver Bracket with a bang, Ladies and Gentlemen! Our challenger is the daughter of two Active Elite 4 members¡ªin fact, they¡¯re in the crowd tonight¡ªGrandmaster Karen and Grandmaster Grimsley! We even have Grandmaster Shauntal with them! This is sure to be an intense match, so let¡¯s get down to the brass!¡± The woman hovered in the middle of the arena on her gravitation lift, holding up two flags. ¡°This is a Silver Bracket Encrusted Challenge. Singles. Two Pokemon. On one, the battle begins. Pick. Your. Lead!¡± Lori plucked out Gables¡¯ ball and tossed it in the air, the jitters now totally gone. We ready? she internally asked her Pokemon. They cheered, Gables stretching left and right in his capsule as they stared at the recovering, pregnant woman in her booth, currently twisting on her chair to find a more comfortable position. We can do this¡­ We¡¯ll win. Gabs, you¡¯re leading this, but we may need to swap to Zyra if it¡¯s a bad matchup. And I¡¯ve learned¡­ it¡¯s always going to be a bad matchup when you¡¯re facing a Gym. Let¡¯s Muking go! ¡°Set your stance¡­ And three¡­ two¡­ one. Match Start!¡± Lori hurled Gables¡¯ Poke Ball across the stadium. It was time to face her fear. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Gables kept his mind and heart steady as he landed on one of the platforms near their side of the open stage. There wasn¡¯t much room for cover or mistakes; of course, that wasn¡¯t the same for the rich coral reef down below, but up here, dodging would be critical. Now, who was their opponent? Tingles ran down his back as he saw a blue-eyed, pink, frilly Pokemon that hovered above the water, showing a charming smile, and the announcer cried out the matchup. ¡°Lori chooses Gables, her Frogadier, which is a solid Starter, able to move swiftly in the¡ªand Misty counters with Trista, her female Frillish! Are we about to see some aqua acrobatics between these Water Pokemon?¡± A nervous twitch came from his Trainer as she pulled up Pokedex. ¡°Gabs, we¡¯re looking at a possible Water Absorb match, just like that Muking Croagunk fight we had against Janine. Watch out for Absorb and Poison Stings.¡± Got it! he shouted back, shooting into the water as she dipped below the surface to meet him. ¡°Hello,¡± she chimed from across the pool, frills weaving in the water as she spun in a small circle. ¡°You are quite the cute frog with that shiny hue. Why don¡¯t we have some fun¡­¡± ¡°Why don¡¯t we?¡± Gables grinned, blending into the water with Camouflage as he prepared Mind Reader. ¡°Let¡¯s make a splash¡­¡± he trailed off, slowing to a stop in the slashing pool as Trista glowed a faint blue and disappeared into the water. Silence took the oppressive pool, only the muffled vibrations of the onlookers breaking the still atmosphere. His opponent had her own form of invisibility. Floating in the swaying current, he scanned for any sign of her, only to start seeing slow-moving Bubbles coming his way; she was an ambush hunter like him. Well, this is new, he mumbled to his team, Lori giving him the update. ¡°Watch out for her, Gabs; she has Acid Armor, which increases her Defense and makes her invisible inside water for a short period of time. It¡¯s not as permanent as your camo, though. Water Moves may not hurt her if she has Water Absorb, but it will break her out. In fact, bring the noise!¡± Gables¡¯ camo faded as he sucked in water, and sent a low rippling sound through the water in a wide-ranged attack, popping the Bubbles and causing the flickering pink jellyfish to appear several meters away; somehow, she had accurately judged where he was. A grin split his lips as he sucked in Lori¡¯s energy, mixing it with his own for a Quick Attack; too bad for her, he had speed Moves. ¡°Slick Move, girl, but I¡¯ve got priority!¡± White light embraced him, and his body rocketed toward the still-smiling pink Pokemon as he canceled the Move just before connecting with the girl, an orange glow erupting from his fist to strike her. ¡°Let¡¯s danc¡ªeh?!¡± Yet, the red outlines of her eyes shone, as she showed a ghastly grin. ¡°Hehe, that won¡¯t do, pretty. Not at all!¡± Gables was at a loss for words when his punch didn¡¯t appear to phase her in the slightest, choosing to back off instead, only for her delicate hand to rise, illuminated a toxic purple as she tapped him on the forehead. Mouth tightening as the force shot him back, the jelly giggling as she followed, a green ball forming to connect with him, making him kick around to launch out of the water as Lori hissed an apology. ¡°She¡¯s a Ghost-Type, Gabs! Normal and Fighting Moves won¡¯t hit her! You¡¯ve only got Lick or our new ace-in-the-hole! Water Absorb and a Ghost?! Muk, I would have preferred a Gyarados!¡± ¡°Oh, gorgeous, why are you leaving? You¡¯re not scared of pretty little me, are you?¡± ¡°Heh, sorry, girl, but I got someone already waitin¡¯ for me, and she¡¯s got more fire than you¡¯ll ever have!¡± ¡°Haaa. Rejected again,¡± the Pokemon wistfully whispered, fading into the water. ¡°No one can escape once I get my arms around them¡­ You¡¯ll see. Hehehe.¡± Narrowly missing the Absorb and thoroughly perturbed, Gables landed on one of the platforms, scanning the lapping waves of the pool; she was gone again. Rubbing his smarting forehead, glad the poison didn¡¯t take effect, he decided to swap gears. If water made her invisible, then he had to take this to the land, where his camouflage still worked. ¡°You want to play games? We can play games¡­¡± Melding into the surroundings, he jumped from platform to platform before sitting on one and easing his heart rate. He had a way of finding hard-to-see targets; Piplup had taught him a little secret about Mind Reader, and he had his own secret Moves he¡¯d been practicing. It was time to go Ghost hunting. B4 — 4. An Unconventional Victory 1:32 p.m. October 17th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 130. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (48 days away). Sitting cross-legged, Gables closed his eyes, camouflaged into the scenery as the gentle sway of his platform rocked with the pool¡¯s movements. The sounds of the stadium pressed in on him, yet he kept his focus while ever-so-slowly drawing in Lori¡¯s Fortitude. During their training, Dawn and Pilup had shown them an advanced technique that not even many Master Pokemon could do on demand. It wasn¡¯t like he could either, but given some time, he could make it work; he just needed to find the proper balance. In the calm that came over the battle, the announcer took a quieter tone to hush the crowd as Lori and his team provided more information that he could use to fight their new opponent. ¡°And our battle winds down as our ambush predators take to their element, Trista using her Acid Armor to meld into the water as Galbes relies on his Camouflage to blend into the background. What tactic will they use to find their opponent? Will we see an upset to this fight that favors our ghostly girl?¡± Lori¡¯s brooding tone came through clearer with the world blotted out. ¡°Frillish is a Water/Ghost Pokemon, which means Fighting and Normal Moves are totally useless against her, on top of Water Absorb, which allows her to heal passively¡­ Muk, this is a hard one. Heh. Well, it would be two months ago.¡± ¡°Get her, Gabs!¡± Roxie barked. Mind expanding in a five-meter radius, he funneled Lori¡¯s energy into Mind Reader, yet he wasn¡¯t honing in on one area. A twist came to his mouth as the feminine voice of the Floating Pokemon popped into his head in sporadic pulses, providing him with just the location he needed. Eyes flying open, shadows embraced him as he swiftly pulled in energy; sinking into the darkness, he phased through the platform, weaving left and right around the bubble minefield to appear right behind the invisible ghost, lashing out with supernatural force as Shadow Sneak made contact. The Frillish flickered into view, wincing as she was batted through the water, yet an ominous power rippled through Gables¡¯ hand to the rest of his body, locking him in place; not only couldn¡¯t he twitch a muscle, but he suddenly couldn¡¯t recall what Move he¡¯d just used. Lori hissed as the announcer went wild. ¡°Mind Reader into Shadow Sneak, only to hit Trista¡¯s Cursed Body! Did our Unovan Trainer think she had Water Absorb, or was she hoping for a one-shot victory? How soon until Gables can shake off the Disable? And I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll¡ªwhat¡¯s this?!¡± ¡°Zyra, buy us some¡ªoh, c¡¯mon, Misty! Really?!¡± Out of the corner of his eye, Gables saw a red beam shoot toward him, only to be met by a shimmering, rainbow box that exploded from around Trista¡¯s body, locking them inside. ¡°Trick Room! Trick Room, ladies and gentlemen!¡± the woman shouted. ¡°A Move generally only seen in Gold-tier or above, showing how versatile our challenger is to allow such wiggle room in the Silver Bracket!¡± The pink jellyfish swayed toward him, showing a charming smile as she cupped his face, green energy surrounding them both, making his Matrix drain into her. Worse, her curse strengthened with the deadly touch, any thought of what he had tried before actively diminishing. ¡°I told you, pretty, no one escapes once in my arms.¡± ¡°Gmmgm!¡± He grimaced as the emerald light embracing them strengthened; her cold hands felt like spikes digging into his flesh, leaving his body exhausted. ¡°You are¡­ way too clingy, girl¡­¡± Lori¡¯s sober voice made his smile return. ¡°All in!¡± The green energy intensified, but not from the confused Frillish; the crowd went silent as Gables fought past the curse, sending all of Mallory¡¯s sent Fortitude into a growing glow of jade-colored power. ¡°What are you doing?!¡± Trista asked, panic now showing on her face as she tried to swap to a new Move; it was too late. ¡°Don¡¯t be mean to¡ªack!¡± Shoving a fist of Grass-Type energy into her face, the explosion detonated on impact, sending her flying and breaking the Trick Room. Yet, oddly, instead of feeling lighter after the Move, a heavy weight pressed against his limbs. Breathing heavily, he tried to recover, still feeling weak despite the jelly girl¡¯s hands no longer caressing his cheeks. ¡°Heh, you¡¯re not the girl I want to touch me, fishy! I don¡¯t want to see no flaming ears and stick if I¡¯ve been hugged¡ªeven against my will!¡± ¡°Trista has Gables in a stranglehold! The infamous Cursed Body, Frillish Death Touch, uses Absorb to drain all of her opponent¡¯s defensive matrix! This special Floating Pokemon even carries Strength Sap to lower his ability to fight back. Many of you may have seen this in the Frillish mating rituals on documentaries as the males attempt to court¡ªwhat is this?! Trailblaze! I don¡¯t believe this! Trailblaze¡ªa 200,000 credit Paldean TM in Silver?! Trick Room is down, and Lori recalls Gables as Trista recovers!¡± A red beam connected with Gables, carrying back into his Poke Ball. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Lori swiftly placed her Frogadier¡¯s Poke Ball in the machine and took out Zyra¡¯s; Misty sat at an angle in her comfy chair, legs crossed and showing a small, Impish smile that grated against her nerves. Misty¡¯s such a Jinx! Making us think she was mirroring Janine¡¯s Water Absorb strategy only to flip it on us with Cursed Body?! We could use Water-Type attacks, but she resists them, and Trick Room makes Trailblaze reduce your Speed instead of raising it, Gabs! Gah! Buy us some time or look for an opening for a single one-shot takedown, Zyra. Throwing out her Corvisquire, Lori almost bit her tongue when, not two seconds later, Misty casually returned Trista. Zyra squawked as she exited her capsule, flying in sharp circles around the outside of the ring, drawing claps and pictures to be taken from the stands at the white-and-black Raven Pokemon. Misty¡¯s orange ponytail swung left and right as she seemed to be playing a game with herself to decide which of the five remaining options in her available Pokemon she should send out. The woman appeared to be enjoying herself way too much. The announcer chuckled. ¡°And, as usual, our Gym Leader is playing eeny, meeny, miny, moe to determine how hard she wants to be on our challenger! Oh, it looks like we have our final contender! On Mallory¡¯s side, we have Gables, the Shiny Frogadier, and her Starter, supported by Zyra, her genetically advanced Corvisquire Super-Pokemon, against our Gym Leader¡¯s ghostly Frillish gal, Trista and¡­ Arceus! Light comes into the pool, folks; it¡¯s time to get electrified!¡± You¡¯re Muking kidding me, Lori mumbled to her Pokemon. Tailwind, Zyra! Don¡¯t get too close to the water, and Hone Claw or try to lower his Attack with Screech¡­ A Muking Chinchou, Misty?! What are you playing? Gulping as she pulled up the Angler Pokemon¡¯s Pokedex sheet, she winced as Zyra sent a panicked signal, and a brilliant flash of light put spots in her vision. Blinking rapidly, she saw the bluish angler¡¯s radiant bulbs poking out of the water, his plus-sign eyes fixated on her blinded bird as she fell out of the sky, unable to tell which way was up or down. At the last second, she course-corrected, Tailwind¡¯s speed working against them and almost sending her right into the pool. Spreading her wings, the bird skimmed across the surface, only to be met by a face full of water as Light spat a spray of liquid over the Corvisquire. ¡°A rapid Illuminate takes Zyra out of the sky to be hit by Soak, weighing our bird¡¯s feathers down, disabling her STAB Flying Moves by turning her into a Mono Water, and countering her Tailwind! This is one aggressive angler, ladies and gentlemen!¡± Electricity sparked between Light¡¯s two bulbs, prompting Lori to shoot a warning to her recovering bird. Spin in a sharp circle and shoot up with another Tailwind, Zyra! She complied, the Soak being blown off with the rapid movement and outdistancing the Thunder Wave that followed, the wide spray of energy dissipating just before touching her tail feathers. ¡°A narrow escape from Zyra, but¡ªclose your eyes, folks!¡± Lori mirrored the announcer, arm flying in front of her face as the effulgence erupted from the ground; the worst part was that it was an Ability, allowing it to use it in conjunction with his Moves. She had known, even with their training, that this fight would be challenging and that they¡¯d be on the back foot since that was the name of the game when it came to Encrusted Gym Challenges, but Misty was Toxic Spikes incarnate. She thought Janine was bad, but Misty took it up to a whole new level! Zyra sent a spray of sand from her wings to the pool below, only for Light to duck under the waves to avoid the spray. A jet of water rocketed out of the surf as Zyra easily evaded the aggressive stream, claws shining white as she increased her Attack and Accuracy. Focus returning to Pokedex as her Pokemon tried to help Zyra keep ahead of the barrage of Electro Balls and blinding rays sent her way, Lori looked for a way out of this trap Misty had laid for them. We¡¯re totally countered, and of course, Misty would use a Pokemon with Trick Room in Silver-tier against us. Why wouldn¡¯t she? No, Light is really aggressive, she concluded, eyeing the Electric Angler launch attack after attack at her nimble bird, no longer tricked by his flashing rays. It was a strong surprise start, and they have a lot more Moves than the typical Trainers we face, but we can¡ª Her thoughts froze as a ball of ghostly light swirled out of the deep, attempting to detonate near Zyra, yet the bird twisted her back to it and dove, dodging the burst. Nice evading that Confuse Ray! We¡¯re baiting out all their Moves¡­ Swallowing the lump in her throat, Lori gauged her own Fortitude; they honestly hadn¡¯t used that much of it since they¡¯d mostly been evading and trying to bide their time to feel their opponents out. It was time for the gamble. We¡¯re going to have to do something risky, Zyra. He may resist Flying, and Gabs can deal so much damage to this guy, but if I swap you out, she¡¯ll swap back to Trista. Eventually, if you stay in, he¡¯s going to land an attack on us that we can¡¯t dodge; he¡¯s waiting for just the right moment, so let¡¯s give it to him. You know what to do! Operation Screaming Eagle! * ¡ª * ¡ª * Stolen story; please report. Zyra twirled at an angle to curve above two Electro Balls, lightning sparking between the cycling spheres, her hyper-sharp vision quickly spotting every twitch the Chinchou made below her; Keen Eye and a double Hone Claws gave her all the focus she needed to keep ahead of the game. Her feathers were still a tad wet from his first combo, but it didn¡¯t really affect her flight anymore, and Lori¡¯s call to action filled her with glee. Rodger that, Big Mama, Operation Screaming Eagle is a go! Spiraling into a nosedive, she tilted up at the last second to a light spray of water as she skimmed along the surface of the pool, wings tilting left and right to glaze the tips. ¡°Finally coming in close, birdy?¡± Light laughed, bulbs lifting and flashing at just the right brightness that indicated he was going for a Thunder Wave instead of his Illuminate; he couldn¡¯t do both simultaneously, and she¡¯d noticed how every Move had its own tell from observing the trigger-happy angler. ¡°Try not to get wet!¡± A wide, flat pulse of energy rippled across the surface as Zyra lifted her wings high and beat hard, tucking them close to her body while tilting her beak to the sky. Shooting up at a sharp angle to escape the rapid wave across the pool, she unfurled her wings and screamed a war cry. ¡°You will see the sky soon enough, my flashy foe!¡± Her Screech landed as Tailwind curved her back toward the so-slow-moving Electric Pokemon. Her already enhanced Speed tripling and pressure squeezing Zyra¡¯s frame, a blazing sky-blue light embraced her, and an enormous amount of Lori¡¯s Fortitude flooded her veins; it wasn¡¯t nearly as bad as it was the first time she¡¯d used this deadly attack. The sound of the crowd dying as the wind whistled past her, Zyra plummeted toward the water¡¯s surface, splitting it like butter as her aura curved into a spear-like point at her beak, air kicking up a spray of liquid in her wake. The raw power of her strongest Flying-Type Move cut through the water to meet Light, the angler¡¯s body spontaneously igniting with electricity. Her beak clamped together as they met, and sparks encased her, yet Zyra didn¡¯t let the electrifying pressure break her concentration. Light¡¯s bulbs flailed at her sides as she carried him upward, drilling deep into his defensive matrix. Only, halfway up, her muscles locked, and all the energy Lori had given her dispersed as a jolt of lightning disrupted her Move. ¡°H-Huh?!¡± A pained smile came from an incredibly battered Light, gradually coming to a stop with her near the display boards, showing her paralyzed; she couldn¡¯t move. Bulbs illuminated with sparks passing between them, a ball of lightning grew with Light¡¯s grimace as they started to fall. ¡°Ugh¡ªthat might be too much. But I won¡¯t be the only one to lose!¡± Unable to even twitch a wing to shift her angle, all Zyra could do was watch the ball grow bigger in her eyes¡ªa beam of red light connected to her, saving her from the deadly sphere. ¡°Not today,¡± she managed to say with a weak laugh. ¡°Every good soldier needs to know when to retreat.¡± ¡°Nooo!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Lori breathed out her stress as Zyra¡¯s Poke Ball connected in time to destabilize her and bring her back to the safety of her capsule, the crowd going wild at the last-millisecond return. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, what a play by our challenger! Double Hone Claws, Screech, with a Tailwind-enhanced Muking Sky Attack¡ªplus-two Attack, Accuracy hyper-enhanced, there was no way she was missing¡ªyeah, even with the advantage in Typing, Light couldn¡¯t hack that, folks! And that save was beautiful!¡± Inserting Zyra¡¯s Poke Ball and seeing the Status symbol on her heavily drained Corvisquire¡¯s health display, Lori bit her bottom lip. A quick glance at Misty showed the pregnant woman fighting with her unruly babies but still managing a tortured clap, or maybe she was just pleading with the Impidimp inside her belly. ¡°That being said, Mallory didn¡¯t come out of that unscathed; Zyra is paralyzed and took a beating with that Spark she took head-on¡ªit looks like a Critical Hit, as well. Our challenger isn¡¯t out of the fight yet! Out comes Gables to try and take this home!¡± Lori gulped and pulled her frog¡¯s capsule out of the machine as Teri jumped forward with her hands outstretched and a serious look on her face. Be prepared for anything, Gabs. I know¡ªheh, sure, Teri. She laughed with her Pokemon as the Legendary Fighting Pokemon accepted the ball to throw into battle, wanting to feel like she was a part of the team. Your Speed is still down one stage, Gabs, so we need to get that back up, even if it¡¯s a hard Move for us to pull off since we don¡¯t have much practice with¡ªTerri! Why did you¡­ Haha-haaa¡­ * ¡ª * ¡ª * Gables ran his palm over his head and smiled as Roxie nudged his shoulder. ¡°Good luck, Boss, and maybe try not to let that fish get her fins all over you this time. You know how Amber is with that wand of hers. She¡¯ll have you begging on your knees with Hypnosis.¡± I hope so! He laughed, feeling his ball pass to Terri¡¯s paws. At least then I don¡¯t have to do anything and she can release stress herself by puppeting me around. Plus, it¡¯s not that bad. Hehe. ¡°Uh-huh,¡± Zyra snorted, trying not to let her lowered Matrix get to her pride. ¡°I doubt she¡¯ll be that easy on you. I can see her back and up-turned tail already, smacking her wand against her palm.¡± Oh, you girls have no idea. I¡¯ll have her melting in my hand when this is¡ªTerri?! Girl, c¡¯mon, we know you¡¯re strong¡ªbut c¡¯mon! The Kubfu took a stance, tossed his Poke Ball in the air, and palm-struck it, sending him flying across the stage and almost right next to Misty¡¯s podium. ¡°Kub-kub!¡± she shouted, screaming her warcry to fight. ¡°Kub?!¡± Gables breathed a sigh of relief as he materialized, with Misty having recalled Light to, twisting and turning in her chair to find a better resting position. He released a strained laugh to his teammates. Maybe Misty¡¯s sisters were right to try and force her to take a break from the Gym. Is she really that stubborn? Dipping underwater, he loosened up, waiting for his time with the Ghost jelly again; Lori went over her possible Moves, and a grin split his lips as a plan came from her Trainer. It was time to reveal one of their other tricks up their sleeve. Several seconds later, Trista was meeting him with her creepy smile as she floated down, and the match continued. ¡°Hello, pretty! That was quite the rude thing to do to me when all I want to do is love and hug you. Can¡¯t you accept my affection? I don¡¯t mind sharing with your fire friend!¡± ¡°Yikes!¡± Gables hissed with a pained grin as he gathered a large amount of energy from Lori. ¡°You are really down bad, girl. I¡¯m sorry¡ªyou¡¯re cute, really¡ªbut, uh, not¡­ really my type. I¡¯ve got a spitfire, fluffy-tailed fox goddess to wrap me up nice and warm at nights, so I¡¯m going to have to say no.¡± A sour pout came to the jelly¡¯s face. ¡°Why are all the pretty boys taken? You¡¯ll think differently when limp in my arms. I promise!¡± She started to melt into the water as Gables sent a massive pulse of energy into the water; the current changed, and dark clouds spiraled upward while pulling in water. Spreading his arms wide, he activated one of the two Abilities he¡¯d gained when evolving and launched forward as fast as he could swim. Rocketing through the water, he used the downpour and Big Wave to curve in a large circle, bringing parts of the crowd to their feet as he generated a makeshift whirlpool. His charged wave forced the shocked jelly into the maelstrom, unable to escape the current his Ability made. It carried him along, increasing his speed even as Trailblaze activated, doubling the boost, drawing from Zyra¡¯s playbook. He swam around the whirlpool as a blur, spotting her flailing ripples in the water, yet just a colorful box expanded outward, instantly cutting off his combination Move and significantly dropping his speed. ¡°Gah¡ªthis is such a cheap Move!¡± he snarled, Big Wave breaking and causing the pool to slosh side to side as the two of them spun around the big box, Trista now giggling and fading into the water. ¡°Back to the mind games¡­¡± ¡°That was super impressive!¡± Trista chimed. ¡°I like you even more. Why am I so unlovable?¡± ¡°Aww, you¡¯re making me feel bad,¡± Gables groaned as Trailblaze failed, camouflage making him transparent; he slowed his motion so as not to cause any ripples she could detect. ¡°If I could, I¡¯d be on the doorstep of every girl who needed a shoulder, but a fox already has her teeth in my heart.¡± Gables blinked in confusion as Trista became visible a few meters away, spotting shiny tears in her eyes and looking right through him; she¡¯d found him but hadn¡¯t attacked. ¡°Why won¡¯t anyone love me? All the boys belong to someone else¡­ no matter how much I try.¡± ¡°Gabs?¡± Lori mumbled. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Figuring camo wasn¡¯t doing him any favors as the announcer tried to figure it out herself, Gables canceled the Move; Misty took the mic to explain that Trista was having a hard week. ¡°Hey,¡± he said, tentatively swimming closer as the jelly sniffled. ¡°Let¡¯s put a pause on this for a second¡­ Talk to me. I¡¯m here to listen.¡± Trista hugged herself and looked away. ¡°I know this is really unprofessional¡ªbut Misty also feels really¡­ emotional, and it¡¯s hard¡­ We just want to be loved. Why is it so hard to find with¡­ with the right person? It sounds like you really love this fox girl¡­ I didn¡¯t even know what love was until I joined the Gym Roster. Maybe it¡¯s just not meant for me. Heh. Sorry! I shouldn¡¯t do this¡­ We¡¯re here to fight!¡± Puffing out a sad sigh, Gables gently swam over to float in front of the Frillish, spotting a similar broken smile that Lori sometimes saw on Dawn when they were training. ¡°You¡¯ll find love, Trista. Haha! Forward girls are kind of rare, and I bet you intimidate a lot of guys. You¡¯re pretty, okay? Don¡¯t doubt that.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Trista asked, pink figure brightening slightly as her fin came up to wipe away her tears. ¡°You¡¯re really kind, Gables. Hah. I¡¯m a jealous jelly of your fluffy fox. I hope she knows how good she has it to have a guy like you to love her. I just try¡­ so hard, and¡­ and I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me.¡± Fighting past the fear of her Cursed Body, Gables reached out to take her hand and squeeze it comfortingly and hoped this wouldn¡¯t come back to bite him in the leg. ¡°I¡¯m not the only guy in the sea, Tris. I¡¯ll be your friend, but I can¡¯t be anything more. When this is over, we can chat, and I can give you advice or be an ear you can complain to about all the terrible guys. But if you need to feel beautiful, just give me a call. Okay? Friends?¡± Trista sniffed back her emotions, her tiny mouth lifting into a thankful smile. ¡°Okay. I don¡¯t have any ¡®guy¡¯ friends, and¡­ most of my girl friends all say I¡¯m too much, a-and just laugh at me.¡± ¡°Then they¡¯re not your friends,¡± he returned, seeing real vulnerability inside the Frillish that likely stemmed from temporarily connecting to the temperamental Gym Leader. ¡°I¡¯ll have my Trainer give Misty her number so we can chat sometimes. You¡¯ll find your love. I¡¯m in your corner! You just need to work on your, uh, approach. Haha.¡± Small mouth pulling in, Trista looked down at his hand in hers, swallowed, and let go, holding her fins against her chest. ¡°You are very different from many other male Pokemon I have met, Gables. I cannot say I am not still very much in pain, but you have given me something no one else has¡­ You have made me feel loved, heh, although not in the way I had hoped. Thank you.¡± Feeling the positive vibes, the announcer seemed to have noticed all the emotional responses from the Pokemon in the audience, and he was shocked to see a Lapras beside Misty, translating everything to the crowd with her Hidden Ability Telepathy. With that, Trick Room faded, and Misty stood up with a bit of effort, addressing his confused Trainer. ¡°Congratulations, Lori, you¡¯ve won in one of the most unconventional methods available in a Gym Battle¡­ negotiation. Trista no longer wishes to continue. You are the victor.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Lori¡¯s lips fell open. ¡°Huh? She¡ªcan she do that?! Is¡­ I¡¯ve, like, never heard about that rule! You can win by convincing the other party not to continue. Is it a forfeit¡­ from a Gym Leader?¡± Whispers flew through the crowd at the turn of events as Misty chortled and recalled Trista. She released the Frillish and rubbed her cheek as the Pokemon held her fins at her front, floating in the air. ¡°Winning in a straight battle may be the most straightforward way of victory,¡± she said with a fond look at her suddenly shy Pokemon, ¡°but there are many other ways of obtaining an Encrusted Badge in our personal rule book¡­ Ultimately, it is our choice to give it to someone. Think of it like this: ¡°It is often said that Gym Battles simulate real combat¡­ challenging combat. And one of the most challenging things one can do in a war is make the other side choose to lay down their arms and seek peace. Part of the blame does lie with me since I am connected to her, and¡­ quite emotional at times, for obvious reasons, yet that is also true of subordinates under any leader¡¯s command.¡± She gave her a gentle look that was very unlike the videos she¡¯d seen of the spitfire of a woman in the past or their first intense encounter. They¡¯d lost embarrassingly the first time, yet now they won due to Gables being a total sucker toward broken girls. ¡°Wow. Well, I learned something today! My boy¡¯s an absolute stud!¡± ¡°Haha!¡± The ginger held her stomach, body shaking as she winced and went to sit down again. ¡°It was a gamble that Gables took and one that arguably was very dangerous, given Frillish temperament, yet he followed his instincts, and those turned out to be correct. Trista grew up outside of a Frillish school in a river and didn¡¯t have the best of environments before I found her. Thank you for helping her grow. I am happy to say it is my loss. Enjoy your victory.¡± Lori felt tingles cascade down her spine, her knees suddenly weak as everyone in the stadium stood and started to clap. She¡¯d won. Zyra had won her battle, if just barely, and Gables had somehow totally swooped his opponent off her feet to the point of giving up. ¡°I, uh-heh, I guess I¡¯ll need to give you my number so they can keep in contact. Thank you, Gym Leader Misty¡­ I really have learned a lot from you¡­ hah, despite the growing pains. I guess¡­ I¡¯ll go! Huh¡­¡± Recalling Gables, she left in somewhat of a daze, hoping her legs wouldn¡¯t fail her. She¡¯d won. It wasn¡¯t the way she¡¯d envisioned, but she doubted she¡¯d ever forget this victory. Now, it was time to celebrate with her friends and watch her teammates go about their own battle against the Water Specialist. Good job, Gabs! Way to man it up out there! I think you¡¯ve got a building fan club to make your princess¡¯ tail fire up. Hahaha! B4 — 5. The Fanclub President 2:12 p.m. October 18th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 131. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (47 days away). Hannah breathed a sigh of relief as Cerulean City came into view, and she turned around to see Rylee right behind her, followed by Sam and Jayline. Unsurprisingly, Jade was beside her big sister¡¯s side, the older blue-haired girl panting and wheezing at the pace they¡¯d set. ¡°You okay, Cami?¡± she called back, smiling at her newly evolved Ledian, hovering behind the woman and carrying her backpack. ¡°We can take a five-minute break, but we need to make it to the city if we¡¯re going to catch up with Rhea and the gang before they leave and figure out how their Gym Battle went.¡± Cami puffed out a groan as she dropped onto a nearby bench at the rest stop, other Trainers giving them smiles and waves as they passed. ¡°My heart is¡­ pumping so hard!¡± she gasped between sips of the water her little sister handed her, hand pressed against her chest. ¡°How¡­ can you make me feel so old when I¡¯m twenty?!¡± June, her Oddish, looked up with supportive eyes, patting her arm as Jade dropped down to comfort her sister; she¡¯d gone through similar training as them with Ash and Dawn, but the woman didn¡¯t have all that much time with Rhea to get the same Aura Spike, or whatever their blonde friend had done to them. She could certainly feel the boost, though, comparing it to the time they were vomiting in Pallet¡¯s Pokemon Center. Jay dropped onto the bench, too, offering her own water to her red-faced teammate. ¡°You¡¯re doing great, Cami! You and June got an amazing victory against Amara! She was a tough Master, too. Poppy and I almost lost against her Lileep.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t give me that!¡± Cami said with a forced smile. ¡°You and Hannah were so awesome; I can¡¯t believe Poppy evolved into a Steenee and Limru evolved into a Ledian in your battles! The whole crowd went crazy.¡± ¡°Ste-ste,¡± the Fruit Pokemon comforted, resting her chin on Cami¡¯s lap to smile up at her. ¡°Stee?¡± ¡°Aww! You¡¯re absolutely adorable!¡± she chirped, reaching down to stroke her hair-like leaves and making her Oddish puff up her cheeks. ¡°Odd-Oddish!¡± Giving her Pokemon a sweet smile, she moved her onto her lap. ¡°I¡¯m not forgetting about you, June. You were amazing¡­ We actually beat a Silver-tier Gym. Do you remember when we couldn¡¯t even beat the Gym Masters here?¡± she asked, gulping and looking up at the sparkling city in the distance. ¡°Oddish¡­¡± Hannah crossed her arms, glancing to her right to see Rylee once again engaged in her sword swings, using her Honedge. They¡¯d had almost no difficulty in Forrest¡¯s Gym, which made sense with how active the girl was in her training. Sam had her phone out, texting Rhea about a meet-up location. ¡°Yeah, Limru was pretty awesome, getting Barrier Bash+ right when we needed it to smash through that Reflect and score that Critical Mach Punch. I can¡¯t wait until she gets Iron Fist! But, heh, that¡¯s not until the Dream World, so, yeah¡­ Jay¡¯s got the Rapid Spin combination with Razor Leaf down!¡± ¡°We practice!¡± the Alolan girl chimed. Rylee sighed, letting go of Knight to allow her Honedge to float beside her as she joined them. ¡°Yeah, we did pretty good against Pewter Gym, but that was only our one-on-one, easy intro into Silver-tier. We can¡¯t grow complacent because we¡¯ve got our Silver Boulder Badge. It only gets harder from here.¡± Sam brushed back her brown locks as the wind picked up, having grown out a bit since the start of their journey. It had been cold in Pewter with a light layer of surprise snow, but the chill was far less here; the trees were mostly losing their leaves, though. ¡°No one is getting complacent, Ms. Crystal Samurai.¡± She lowered her tone with a smile and wink. ¡°Samurai rule one: always be prepared!¡± The girl fidgeted with her own neon-blue hair as her cheeks darkened. ¡°What¡¯s wrong with having a code you live by?¡± Jay grinned and tossed Rylee a power bar. ¡°Then why are you the one who never prepared enough food?¡± ¡°I work up an appetite!¡± she defended, not denying the snack. ¡°I thought we weren¡¯t going to talk about our Gym Battles with Rhea and her team until we fight at the Silver Cup, not that we haven¡¯t heard gossip from other Trainers on the way here¡ªblah! Peanut Butter?!¡± ¡°It¡¯s all I have left after someone ate my other flavors!¡± Jay snickered. Hannah pulled up the FanClub.pika site of Amira¡¯s page, swiftly scrolling past the linked video to her idol¡¯s battle against Misty. She so wanted to click it and see some of the highlights their Flying Taximan had spoiled on their way out of Pewter; they hadn¡¯t been game to trudge through the snowy route since it would have put them back a day and missed this meet-up. ¡°We promised not to watch each other¡¯s battles to figure out tactics and stuff, not that we couldn¡¯t talk about it with one another. Didn¡¯t you want to get a Fire Stone for Bruce, Jay?¡± The golden-haired Alolan girl¡¯s eyes sparkled as she knelt down to pet her fluffy Growlithe as he left their new Pokemon¡ªone of which drew far too much attention with her icy coat¡ªTera, Star, and Mimi¡¯s game of ¡®ball hopper,¡¯ attempting to keep it up as long as possible. ¡°I wanted to until I saw the price; our goal is to have the credits saved up by the time we finish all the Gyms. Isn¡¯t that right, boy?! We¡¯re going to grind hard!¡± ¡°Row-row!¡± he barked, licking her cheeks and making the girl giggle. Mimi came swooping out of the sky on Orin¡¯s back, the Pichu and Pidgeotto landing on the bench. ¡°Pi-pi?!¡± Jade let her electric rat hop onto her lap to stroke behind her ear. ¡°Mhm! I bet you¡¯re super close to evolving, too! You¡¯ve been doing so good, learning how to control your electricity, and you¡¯re doing great, too, Orin. Teamwork makes the dream work!¡± ¡°Cringe,¡± Sam snickered, getting smiling glares from all of them. ¡°Anyway, let¡¯s go see our friends, and remember¡ª¡± ¡°No talking about our new Pokemon,¡± Hannah repeated with a small smile, returning her Cubone to his Poke Ball. ¡°Ready to go, Cami?¡± ¡°The spirit is willing, but my legs and heart say no!¡± she cried, forcing herself to her feet. ¡°Can we get a taxi when we get into the city? My calves are killing me!¡± ¡°Sure thing,¡± Sam encouraged. ¡°In fact, I¡¯ll order it right now and set it for thirty minutes.¡± Cami gulped, looking down the road to the city in the distance. ¡°Thirty minutes¡­ Oh, you girls are evil!¡± Hannah joined her other four friends in verbally supporting the woman to put one leg in front of the other. It was rare for a Trainer who dropped out of the league to return, especially after three years away, yet Cami and June had pushed so hard to keep up with them throughout their whole training arc; the last 60 days had been torture for the pair. Moving at what she¡¯d come to accept as a gradual pace at this point, she swiped through the photos they¡¯d taken together whenever they¡¯d had group sessions in their Orange Archipelago adventure. One thing was for sure: their tan had certainly improved since their first days, and she had to giggle at spotting Sam¡¯s first sunburn, showing the girls to their amusement. Jay, as an Alolan native, had super easy-to-tan skin, while they, as native Kantonians¡­ did not. Almost every picture saw one of them baked in red and slathered in ointment due to their harsh days under the unforgiving sun. They¡¯d gotten their third Pokemon during their training; well, all of them but Cami and Rylee, who had yet to fill their last slot for Silver. The pair were still having a little trouble with their second always being out. Hannah¡¯s smile grew as they made it down the steep descent and to the bridge that brought them to the outskirt towns of Cerulean. It was 2:39 p.m., and Rhea promised they had midnight tickets on the brand-new underground railway, Digglet Express, which utilized the old Diglett and Dugtrio tunnels to provide a competitor to the Magnet Train. Only, it wasn¡¯t quite as extensive yet. Climbing into the cab Sam had called, they directed him to the restaurant Amira had selected in the Arts District. It was more expensive to call an SUV taxi to fit them, yet more cost-efficient as a party if they pooled their funds. She rested against the cushioned leather with a relieved sigh; their ride from Pewter to Apple City and then to Rifure Town hadn¡¯t been anywhere near as comfortable since they¡¯d taken the cheapest options, which meant they¡¯d been cramped. After that, it was a swift hike through the chilly, mountainous Autumn breeze of Blue Forest until they arrived at Cerulean proper. ¡°Hey, girls,¡± Cami mumbled while massaging her calves, ¡°how about we do a little battling here in Cerulean and not kill ourselves on our next trip to Saffron? We need to sharpen our skills against Water Trainers anyway, right?¡± ¡°True,¡± her little sister hummed, holding June in her lap as her Trainer tried to loosen up. ¡°We could take the route we did last time to get to Lavender and then take a flying taxi to Saffron from there, which would be a lot cheaper¡­ or spend one to two weeks hiking down Route 5 at our previous pace.¡± Cami¡¯s mouth became a line as she swiftly shook her head. ¡°Please, no! Not again! Last time, we got mixed up in a local territorial war in Blue Forest. We were kidnapped! I get I need to work on myself, but we¡¯re also trying to save time, heh, right?¡± she winced. ¡°I remember,¡± Sam chuckled, ¡°I was there.¡± Rylee huffed, leaning against the window and looking out at the glistening skyscrapers they were now passing. ¡°I keep hearing about this bug war, but if I¡¯d been with you, then I could have talked them down.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Hannah snorted. ¡°You mean like how you ¡®talked down¡¯ that Crystal Onix in Sunburst Island? You almost got yourself swatted down a waterfall!¡± ¡°That¡¯s different,¡± she mumbled, looking away. ¡°And, that worked out since I got Tissa¡­ I didn¡¯t know how much attention I¡¯d draw from her, though. I hope Rhea doesn¡¯t get spoiled on it, so maybe I should just tell her.¡± Sam sucked in her lips. ¡°Mmm. I mean, we should have expected it with how much love and hate Nova gets online¡­ She¡¯s not quite ready for Silver yet, but I think you¡¯re really pushing it with a Crystal Onix; you can hardly keep her out for more than half the day with how much pressure she puts on your spirit.¡± ¡°I¡¯m training,¡± Rylee defended, having been fairly self-conscious about not having a third Pokemon yet. ¡°Rhea¡¯s mom and Ash said that she¡¯d be an absolute monster; it¡¯s just¡­ yeah, I didn¡¯t expect the attention. I¡¯m glad we got out of Pewter before those sketchy guys asking to buy her went for a more forceful approach. No, I know it¡¯s not your fault,¡± she whispered, keeping her voice down while likely talking to her second Pokemon. Jade leaned over to talk to them in the back seat. ¡°Her 1st Stage Ability is insane, for sure; well, if she can evolve at all, and if she can, wooh! I bet Amira would faint if she knew. What do you think, Club President? She¡¯s a titan, and twice as big as normal Onix her age. How¡¯s your funds? Do you need to borrow anymore?¡± Hannah could see worry now on her teammates¡¯ faces as they focused in on Rylee, fidgeting with her bedazzled Poke Ball. They hadn¡¯t expected the huge increase in food some of their new Pokemon would have on their budget. ¡°No¡­ No, I¡¯m good. Thanks for offering, Jade.¡± ¡°On the bright side, if you do tell them, then you¡¯ll be able to get support¡ªactually, taking a picture with Nova may end up deterring a lot of people from pestering us,¡± Sam thoughtfully mumbled. ¡°In fact, let¡¯s just say screw it and show off our new Pokemon!¡± ¡°Really?¡± Hannah asked, stress melting away. ¡°I think that¡¯s fair since we know all theirs,¡± Cami chimed. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to show off my handsome Gligor! He¡¯s such a tease; I love him.¡± Jayline nodded, taking out her own showy Poke Ball, glistening green and black. ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Filing out of the SUV, they waved the driver goodbye; he¡¯d likely only heard half of their conversation due to the music he¡¯d been blasting. They were just another random customer, after all. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. Hannah turned to look up and down the street, where rich vines grew over rails and flowers, trees, and artistic displays were set up. Her focus was drawn to the murals of Pokemon on some of the walls, showing all sorts of styles. Amira certainly knew how to choose a cool place to have a dinner date. Trying to ease the sudden tension she shouldn¡¯t have for meeting a friend, Hannah took out a makeup mirror to check her face and hair. Amira was always the picture of perfection; just by watching her, she¡¯d been able to find all sorts of fashion tips for redheads, from her outfits to how she did her hair. ¡°Hurry up, superfan,¡± Sam called back, making Hannah jump upon realizing her friends were already at the door to the restaurant. ¡°You look fine!¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± she hissed, embarrassment rising at the looks some of the passersby gave them. ¡°You can¡¯t tell me you¡¯re not excited to hang out with Rhea again.¡± Sam flashed her slightly crooked teeth. ¡°I am, but I know Rhea isn¡¯t the type to think about how I look, which is fine! You don¡¯t need to¡ªwait, your hair¡­¡± ¡°My what?!¡± Jay and Jade snickered as she took out the mirror again. Cami huffed. ¡°Don¡¯t be mean, Sam; your hair is perfect, Hannah! Oh, Rylee¡­¡± ¡°Is already inside,¡± Hannah grumbled, Star jumping out of his Poke Ball to materialize on her shoulder. ¡°Prrrri!¡± ¡°I know, I know,¡± she chuckled, catching the ball as it expanded and shot to her hand before minimizing it to put on her belt. ¡°You¡¯re excited to see your bestie, Holly. Let¡¯s do this!¡± Setting her resolve, she entered the grungy brick establishment, going for more of a fashionably old look with its rustic, polished wooden tables and brownish-themed design. Plants grew from various places, and the fresh smell of coffee, baked bread, and meat filled the air. She looked up with the others to the second level, where Amira sat at a table, offering them a perfect smile and waving to let them know where they were. At first sight, Hannah knew that Amira was exactly who she wanted to be: cool, sophisticated, smart, and beautiful. Why did she make it look so easy? Panic made her stumble a little, but her teammates didn¡¯t even seem to notice as they went to the stairs. Stay calm, Hannah! It¡¯s cool. Be cool and not weird! I¡¯m just having lunch with a girl who sang with Muking Yancy and has a top-chart song¡­ She even donated all the proceeds. Heart thumping, she made it to the second floor and spotted the three gorgeous superstars who should never be friends with average girls like them. However, there was a surprise; Casey, Lori¡¯s half-sister, was beside the purple-haired social media star, taking pictures with Inoa and Ellie, her teammates. Rhea¡¯s golden smile lit up upon seeing them, her Legendary nimbus cloud waving from atop her head. ¡°Hey, girls! How was the trip?¡± Sam initiated, as usual, taking one of the chairs on the long table they¡¯d reserved. ¡°Rough. It¡¯s snowing in Pewter, by the way. I bet we left a foot of powder behind us.¡± ¡°Ouch!¡± Lori returned. ¡°Hey, Cass, scoot down a little so we have room, fatty.¡± ¡°Someone¡¯s projecting!¡± the silver-haired girl returned, poking the side of her sister¡¯s bust with an unabashed grin. ¡°Is it just me, or have you been working on those love handles? Kicked up a few hundred calories a day, Sis?¡± ¡°You know it! Alolan boys like a little meat on their girl. You know what I mean, Inoa, Jay!¡± The black-haired and dark-skinned empath choked on her bread as Jay sat next to her. ¡°W-What?¡± ¡°Hey, I feel like that¡¯s a slight against all thin women like me,¡± the blonde Alolan girl laughed. ¡°Not all Alolan girls have the beef, but we sure can eat it!¡± ¡°Then eat away, fatties!¡± Lori cheered, holding up her glass of juice. ¡°Meals on me today since we¡¯re standing on Victory Hill, baby!¡± Jade sat on Lori¡¯s other side. ¡°We heard about some upsets on our flight out of Pewter. The guy wouldn¡¯t stop talking about the change in format and difficulty spike for Silver¡ªare those the badges?¡± she asked. Hannah settled in next to Amira, noticing a shimmering, silver-outlined teardrop hairpin that kept the redhead¡¯s locks in a fashionable bun. Why do I suddenly feel so dirty¡­ We should have taken a shower before coming. She gulped as a server came with menus as the other girls got into their own discussions, each of them flipping open their handed booklets to scan the dishes. Rhea was pulled every which way as their ¡®known¡¯ Pokemon exited to take another table to chat. Electricity flashed down her spine as Amira gave her undivided attention in the chaos of words. ¡°You seem nervous, Hannah. Is everything okay?¡± All she saw were shimmering rubies in her idol¡¯s locked eyes. ¡°Umm¡­ Yeah, no, it¡¯s just¡­ eh-heh, I feel like we¡¯re a bit underdressed,¡± she half-lied, looking down at her shorts and tank top. ¡°We¡¯re good to talk about our Gym Battles, right? We¡¯re just, uh, not¡­ watching them?¡± Stupid! Stupid! She internally slammed her face on the table. What kind of pivot was that? Way to totally look like an idiot, stumbling over your words like some anti-social stalker! Not that I¡¯m a stalker¡ªno, we¡¯re friends, and I don¡¯t follow her anywhere¡­ except social media¡­ Her cooked brain must have increased the heat in her face because Amira¡¯s full lips drew in ever so slightly while studying her. ¡°I think you pull off the tank and shorts combo well; it¡¯s simple, cute, and practical. Plus, I love what you did with your hair; the double-linked braid down the back is one I¡¯m fond of.¡± ¡°Thanks! Umm, I really like your bun, too. The Silver Encrusted Cascade pin is really cool. Did it cost a lot?¡± Amira reached up to feel the smooth surface. ¡°Not as much as you might think. I can give you the details of where to get it done if you like.¡± Butterflies swirled in her stomach. ¡°I¡¯d love that.¡± Amira brought up her phone to send her the contact info, showing a graceful smile. ¡°I planned for us to go to the beach after this to have some fun, and the shop is on the way. Here¡¯s the location. As for our battle with Misty. Yes, it was quite the Shell Smash.¡± Getting more comfortable in her chair, Hannah¡¯s hands knotted in her lap as she crossed her feet. ¡°Misty changed it to a Double Battle, right? You had signed up for Singles. That must have been such an¡­ uh, a scary moment,¡± she pivoted from saying something crude. Her redheaded idol scratched her arm with a short chuckle. ¡°It was unexpected¡­ I led with Holly, and Misty countered with a Qwilfish¡­ Luckily, it wasn¡¯t a Hisuian variant, which, apparently, she¡¯d recently gotten from the Sinnoh League to test.¡± Hannah¡¯s gut tightened at the news. ¡°Wait, I heard about some Gym Leaders getting some of these new Hisuian variants; a lot of Silver and Gold-tier Trainers are complaining about it on the public forums since it¡¯s not technically a Water-Type. Isn¡¯t that the Dark/Poison one? Wouldn¡¯t that be a crazy counter against Amber¡¯s Psychic Moves and Typing?¡± Amira crossed her legs and folded her arms under her bust. ¡°Sharp thinking, Hannah. It wouldn¡¯t be just Amber, though. We¡¯ve used Hypnosis a lot in battles, and Dark Types are immune to it, which put us in an awkward spot. However, Misty decided to turn it up to eleven and give us our first taste against a Gyarados.¡± ¡°No way¡­¡± ¡°The crowd was on their feet. Honestly,¡± the redhead mumbled, ¡°it was a tough pill to swallow. Holly¡¯s Helping Hand, Lucky Chant, and Leech Seed were some of the only ways we were able to win since Serenity has such small Attack Stats; well, that and Status Moves gave us the opening we needed.¡± ¡°Mmmgm!¡± Hannah sat back and tried to control her ping-ponging thoughts, trying to figure out how Amira had won. ¡°I want to ask more, but I feel like I shouldn¡¯t since I shouldn¡¯t be trying to pry into your tactics.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it,¡± Amira smoothly returned, picking up her coffee to wet her throat. ¡°I¡¯m not all that concerned about the condition we made. To be frank, I¡¯d rather we drop it since I¡¯d like for us to support one another. Rhea, Sam¡­ what do you girls think?¡± Rhea hummed, looking at the brunette beside her. ¡°I thought it would be cool at the time. Now, it does seem a bit too restrictive, though. I want to see your awesome victories, get excited, and congratulate you.¡± Sam nodded and took out her last remaining Poke Ball. ¡°If that¡¯s the case, then allow me to introduce to you Shelly the Abra.¡± The snoozing Pokemon exited her capsule to hover above the tablecloth. ¡°Funny name, huh? She chose it herself since she lived around a lot of Shellder. Bit of a sleeper, but she¡¯s super reliable.¡± Hannah took her newest Pokemon out and tossed him to the other table to meet the others. ¡°Bond is my awesome Cubone. He¡¯s a total champ at the ball-bouncing game you guys got us into.¡± ¡°My turn!¡± Jay sang, revealing her narrow-eyed green bird. ¡°Meet, Nut the Natu! He¡¯s been catching up to Poppy fast.¡± Lori¡¯s teeth flashed as she pushed against the table¡¯s support to lean back and get a better look at the spot where their Pokemon were mingling. ¡°I saw you¡¯ve got some evolutions under your belt, girls! Nice. Nice. That Poppy smile on your Steenee is infectious, Jay!¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± Poppy cheered, doing a cute curtsy that had all the other Pokemon clamoring, especially Rhea¡¯s Legendary puff ball. ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Nee!¡± ¡°Ne-ne-neeee?¡± The cute pair jumped up, pressing hands together as Poppy¡¯s leaf-hair beat to lift them both off the ground temporarily. ¡°Steenee-nee!¡± ¡°Nee!¡± Nova was chatting it up with Limru as the Ledyba told her about her epic fight against a Larvitar. Meanwhile, their other Pokemon were quickly getting into their own tales. Tera jumped up and down, swinging her trunk in a circular motion to Mya¡¯s impressed nods. ¡°Hmm-hmm!¡± Jade smirked and held up her Poke Ball. ¡°If you thought Shelly the Abra was good, then you should meet Shela the Shellder!¡± She released the Shiny Clam Pokemon with pride, showing off its glistening, golden coat to their claps. ¡°I thought about Goldie or Mustard, but she didn¡¯t like those.¡± The clam stuck out her tongue at her Trainer before retreating into her shell and making the cobalt-haired girl laugh. ¡°She¡¯s a little Timid.¡± Rhea rocked back and forth, shining with excitement. ¡°So cool! You¡¯re all growing so fast! Oh, what about you, Cami? Sam said you had a secret weapon, too.¡± Jade leaned in to elbow her big sister¡¯s side. ¡°Yeah, Cam, show us your definition of cute.¡± ¡°Oh, shush, you!¡± she returned, reaching over to mess up her sister¡¯s hair. ¡°Woah! Woah! Not cool, Sis!¡± Chuckling, her sister took out her Poke Ball and tossed it to the ceiling for a familiar winged Pokemon to spread his arms and latch onto the ceiling beams. ¡°Meet, Devlin! I¡¯m aware that you met a similar little Scorpion when facing Janine, Lori.¡± Lori clapped. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me¡­¡± ¡°No!¡± The older blue-haired woman chirped. ¡°No, he doesn¡¯t have Shackle; he¡¯s got Block Shot, which has a chance to stop ranged Moves.¡± ¡°That¡¯s not cheap,¡± Lori laughed. ¡°I like it! I like it! And you¡¯ve been kind of quiet, Rylee; what¡¯s up, girl?¡± Sweeping her neon-blue locks across the back of her chair, she cleared her throat. ¡°This place is a bit too¡­ small for my Pokemon. Is there an outside eating area?¡± The server returned in time to hear the request and spoke up. ¡°Absolutely. Would you like me to move everything out back? There¡¯s a private banquet area that hasn¡¯t been reserved until 5 p.m.¡± ¡°Yes, please,¡± Rhea said, scooting out. ¡°I think all of us have our orders, right?¡± Hannah gulped, eyes darting to her menu. ¡°One second! I haven¡¯t read through it yet.¡± ¡°No rush,¡± Amira said, getting to her feet and motioning for their Pokemon to follow the server. ¡°Will the cost for the reservation go up?¡± Rhea choked, probably not even thinking about it. The server shook her head. ¡°No, think of it as on the house, Ms. Rocket. Please, this way.¡± Tingles shot up Hannah¡¯s arms at the statement; Amira was just too awesome. Yet, the redhead didn¡¯t seem all that pleased for some reason as they moved to the back. Walled off on all sides, the area was being prepared for a banquet, it seemed, and the wind didn¡¯t really bother them due to the barriers. On the way, Amira sighed and continued their previous topic. ¡°As for my battle with Misty, it was tough trying to avoid the Barb Barrage, but they managed it by working together, and the Gyarados was mostly just there to Intimidate and apply cover, trying to make us lose our nerve since he only had a few Moves.¡± ¡°I bet it was tanky as all Muk, though,¡± she said, wanting to bite her tongue as the curse slipped through. ¡°Haha. It really was tanky as all Muk,¡± Amira returned, surprising Hannah. ¡°Rhea¡¯s was arguably far harder, though.¡± Hannah glanced at the blonde ahead of them, engaged in hearing Sam¡¯s fight against one of Pewter¡¯s Masters. ¡°What happened?¡± ¡°Basically, a Gold-tier battle.¡± She almost missed the last stair and caught herself on the railing. ¡°Shut up!¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Misty only does Stage Changes for Gold-tier and above, unlike Janine, and she turned it into a swamp for Alice and Nova to face a Quagsire and Lombre.¡± ¡°Nooo,¡± Hannah gasped, spotting the prancing black-and-white Eevee slip outside. ¡°Nova¡¯s worst nightmare: the mud.¡± ¡°Oh, she was a champ,¡± her idol whispered. ¡°She swapped between Vaporeon and Glaceon to handle the bog, and Alice was a ninja in the trees, using the environment against them. It was pretty intense, and Rhea won by time and judge¡¯s ruling.¡± ¡°Ahh. I want to see it,¡± Hannah groaned. ¡°Misty¡¯s so mean! I used to watch my dad¡¯s battles all the time going to bed, and his Gold-tier Gym challenges against the Masters were so intense. I can¡¯t believe Rhea can actually fight at that level!¡± Amira¡¯s smile softened. ¡°I bet you¡¯ll be there before you know it, and your dad will be taking time off to see you battle.¡± ¡°I hope so,¡± she mumbled, quieting down as the server got their table all ready. In truth, her father had called her a few times to tell her how proud he was, but he¡¯d been working extra shifts to pay for a lot of the debt he¡¯d recently discovered they owed from her deadbeat mother. A deadbeat mother who randomly showed up on their doorstep out of nowhere when she¡¯d seen her in some gossip article with Rhea. She wanted to strangle the Leech Life that was her mother for putting more stress and debt on her father since, technically, they were still married. Letting the sour feelings drift away, she tried to enjoy the moment as Rylee revealed her new Pokemon. Silence fell over everyone in the area as a ten-meter-long Crystal Onix exited her Poke Ball. Rylee cleared her throat. ¡°Umm. Meet Tissa, my amazing little girl¡­ who people keep trying to put a price tag on for me to sell her. She has Filter as an Ability, and that¡¯s got a lot of businesses in Pewter going Mankey over her when we fought in a small High Bronze-tier tournament before our flight.¡± Amira took a deep breath and let it stream out beside her. ¡°Rylee, you are legitimately in danger when this hits the wider market¡­¡± The Samurai rubbed her arm. ¡°I mean, Rhea¡¯s been kind of fine¡­ right?¡± Lori snorted, snapping a picture with her sister as Tissa leaned down to nuzzle her Trainer. ¡°Rhea¡¯s stacked with scary family, girl. You¡¯re boned.¡± Rylee rubbed the top of the Crystal Onix¡¯s head. ¡°What am I supposed to do? We bonded while I was challenging her dad all the time¡­ She even sat under the waterfall with me and trained! How can I keep her safe?¡± Everyone turned to Amira, making the redhead sigh. ¡°I¡¯ll¡­ put in a call to my father to draw up a contract for a research proposition; if people publicly know Rocket is involved with this Crystal Onix, then it should keep the scum away from you¡­ hopefully.¡± Hannah¡¯s heart heated at the concern and offer to protect the awkward Samurai-loving girl; Amira was too perfect! Her fingers instantly went to her phone, but she had to restrain herself; this was one story about her idol that she couldn¡¯t share with the fan club. She sat down with her teammates and friends to eat as the employees gawked at the giant, shimmering Rock/Ice Pokemon. She had to enjoy this time with Amira and learn more from the elegant Rocket star while she had the chance. From dining etiquette to learning how totally outclassed she was in physical sports, such as volleyball at the beach or holding her breath, as the day went on, Hannah had the time of her life. She knew Amira wasn¡¯t a monolith or truly perfect, but she was as close as it got in her eyes. One thing was for sure: she¡¯d have a ton of things to report on how phenomenal Amira was to the rest of her fan club. B4 — 6. Worth The Fight 11:21 p.m. October 18th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 131. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (47 days away). Nearing the time they had to catch their train, Rhea said her goodbyes to her Wooloo friends, hugging each of them outside of the Cerulean Diglett Express Station in its southern transit district. They stood out of the way so as not to block the traffic, people mostly entering the shiny new building with Diglett and Dugtrio images on the front. Cami broke away, the blue-haired young woman taking a step back to return to her little sister¡¯s side, suddenly fighting back emotion. ¡°Rhea, Lori¡­ I can¡¯t thank you both enough for everything you¡¯ve¡­ you¡¯ve done for Jade and me. Thank you for spending so much time with me today, Rhea. I, hah, can guess why you singled me out a lot when we were at the beach.¡± Lori flashed her teeth and held up a thumb. ¡°It¡¯s only money, and Our Sunshine is thoughtful like that; you¡¯ll be telling your little sis to kick her tail into gear soon enough!¡± ¡°Only money,¡± Hannah repeated with a chuckle, leaving Amira¡¯s side with notes on her phone regarding the redhead¡¯s favorite hair products. ¡°You made it possible for all of us to make the jump into Silver-tier with that bet. I can¡¯t believe you bet against yourselves! Wasn¡¯t that a huge gamble?¡± Amira chortled. ¡°You do know who you¡¯re talking to, Hannah?¡± ¡°True! Lori has a problem.¡± ¡°Yo, chill!¡± the Unovan girl snickered. ¡°You¡¯re going to make me blush, girl! As I said, it¡¯s only money; it wouldn¡¯t mean a Muk without Honey Pot over here,¡± she boasted, throwing an arm around her shoulder, which was pretty easy given their height difference. ¡°We¡¯ll watch your battle in Cerulean Gym, so send us a link to what challenge block we need to purchase.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± Jay said, shooting a weak glare at Rylee as the Samurai finished her fifth bag of chips. ¡°You have become a total food hog!¡± Rylee shrugged while sucking the powder off her fingers. ¡°Slap me, it¡¯s not like I want to be eating all the time¡­ No, that¡¯s a lie,¡± she chuckled, looking off to the side at her Honedge. ¡°It¡¯s Tissa¡¯s fault, I swear; she¡¯s always feeding off my Fortitude like a buffet. Besides, Rhea¡¯s eating just as much as me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s Rhea,¡± Jade snorted. ¡°I guess when you have a crazy strong Pokemon, it can be rough. I can¡¯t believe you became friends with a baby Crystal Onix.¡± ¡°Ahem.¡± Amira stole everyone¡¯s attention, redirecting the conversation as she pointed to her phone time. ¡°It¡¯s best to be early to time-sensitive transit options you¡¯re unfamiliar with.¡± ¡°Solid advice as usual,¡± Lori chimed, releasing Rhea and bending down to allow Terri to hop onto her hand and jump to her shoulder. ¡°You girls should hit up a club and dance the rest of the night away, maybe catch a few boys¡¯ eyes, hmm? We got you all dolly-looking, so don¡¯t waste it!¡± She slid closer to bump hips with Sam, winking at the brunette while the Unova girl added a seductive hum. ¡°Nothing beats sleep after the high of heavy dancing and some hot lips on yours, some dirty whispers touching your flaming mind and ear! Kiss-kiss!¡± ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable!¡± Sam laughed, and Rhea saw a few of their cheeks color at Lori¡¯s comment and provocative twist away, hands drawing attention to her curves. ¡°Maybe one day we¡¯ll be as bold as you, but you¡¯re a special breed, Lori.¡± Amira¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter. ¡°Don¡¯t mind her; she¡¯s just down bad for a certain someone.¡± ¡°Mean!¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Or¡­ I can just show you around the game when we get to Silver City,¡± she offered, stretching her arms high over her head with a giggle, purposefully catching quite a few glances from the passerby. ¡°Alright, whatever you girls do, have some fun and live a little! Later.¡± ¡°Later!¡± Rhea mirrored her while bumping into Lori¡¯s side as they made their way into the building, making her smirk and bump back; Len would have trouble competing with Kekoa because he¡¯d somehow enchanted the purple-haired dancer. Amira paused at the front, shifting to look across the street and taking a picture of the establishment across the street called Miracle Cycle. It was then she noticed the giant bike superstore, a few pictures blown up on the side of the building with Ash, Red, Yellow, Misty, and several other famous Trainers or celebrities advertising their products. ¡°Sending it to Dawn?¡± she asked, proceeding inside with her teammates. ¡°Mhm,¡± Amira whispered with a small smile. ¡°Dawn likes to collect all the advertisements Ash does to show him and laugh about it. He¡¯s so terrible with his money that, at one point, she took over his finances. My mom was the same way¡­¡± She sent the picture and looked down at her. ¡°Have you ever heard of the League Parental Support Program?¡± Rhea¡¯s ponytail weaved at her back as she shook her head. Lori seemed to tune out as she scanned through Kekoa¡¯s posts, silently flipping her phone around to show his Mudbray taking out his Lileep opponent with a Double Kick in Pewter Gym; it looked like they¡¯d gotten their second Silver-tier Badge, doing the normal challenge rather than the Encrusted. Returning her attention back to Amira, they followed the crowd through the automatic check-in area, scanning their tickets. ¡°What is it?¡± Amira slowed on the other side as Lori got stuck with her crumpled ticket, having to swap to her phone in frustration to find the code. ¡°When Trainers were sent out at a much younger age, there was a program that the League instituted that allowed parents to take a cut of every battle their kid won, providing an emergency fund for them to spend wisely.¡± ¡°Can you still opt into it?¡± Rhea asked, following the redhead¡¯s sad gaze to their cursing Unovan teammate. ¡°It sounds like it could still have its uses¡­¡± ¡°Got it!¡± Lori cheered, scooting through the bars that gave way as she pressed against them. ¡°Why are these stupid things so low? Short people,¡± she answered with a grin at her. ¡°What are we talking about?¡± Amira shook her head with a short chuckle. ¡°Nothing. Let¡¯s make sure we get on board. Oh¡­¡± They paused in front of a large banner across the top of the stairs leading into the earth, announcing big news. ¡°Diglett Express purchased Rock Tunnel Railway, bridging the tracks? Huh.¡± ¡°What¡¯s that mean?¡± Rhea asked as they waited for the remaining few minutes before the train made its entrance. ¡°It¡¯s supposed to be here at 11:45 p.m., right?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Amira was scrolling through the Express¡¯ website, scanning down the information as their Pokemon stayed close by. ¡°One second.¡± Lulu was burning out the last of her energy atop Nova, yawning as she hugged the Eevee¡¯s neck. Terri was as alert as ever from atop Lori¡¯s shoulders, keeping everyone around them at a distance with her tight-eyed stare, looking out for danger with Zyra on Lori¡¯s opposite shoulder. On the other hand, Amber and Mariah were using the phone their Trainer had purchased for them to look up products they wanted to buy for their hair and fur. Rhea¡¯s mouth drew together at seeing the Fire and Mythical Pokemon creating a shopping cart. She¡¯d thought about getting one for her girls, too, but only Mya and Alice really had the digits to carry one, and she¡¯d probably need to get a good case; it was a gift to consider. Amira hummed and put away her phone as the digital display signified that the train would be arriving shortly, adding a countdown. The crowd grew excited; the new railway was becoming a buzz for Cerulean since it would connect parts of the region the Magnet Train didn¡¯t cover. ¡°It looks like my dad was right. Will it work, though?¡± ¡°About?¡± Rhea felt a soft breeze rush through the large opening as the noise increased in the large boarding area. ¡°Are they competing with Rocket?¡± The redhead shook her head with a smile as the fancy-looking bronze-themed train came to a rather quiet stop, making Rhea realize it was also using magnets. ¡°Rocket couldn¡¯t get certain building rights on Western Kanto due to a rival business making deals and our reputation, but my dad speculated that the company was trying to build the infrastructure and sell it back to us at a premium. They might be trying to push for a merger with the Magnet Train Corp that Rocket owns. It would bump up both stock prices a fair bit, but could also be blocked due to a monopoly.¡± Rhea had no clue what she was talking about, so she just smiled and nodded. The doors slid open, allowing them to board, and Amira guided them to their private cabin. It was a 24-hour express that extended from Cerulean all the way to Fuchsia, apparently, and by the instruction pamphlet they¡¯d been given when getting on, the seats in their economy class section could fold down into beds. You¡¯d have to share with the other occupant, and it was only four per cabin, but it was fairly spacious. She was fairly impressed by the technology put into the space. However, Amira had purchased a 4th, empty ticket to have the cabin to themselves. The cabin doors only opened for those who had their unique ticket key, and there was even a mini-fridge and a cart that would come down with refreshments or full-on meals if you ordered it. She didn¡¯t think the ride would host much of a view, yet, according to the pamphlet, there were many natural caves and underground habitats that they¡¯d fashioned for the Pokemon that allowed the train to run through their territory; there was an emphasis that all wild Pokemon had agreed to the building project. Putting their backpacks in the overhead luggage compartment, Amira laid out one of the beds to get some sleep as the train pulled away. Lori settled in beside her, holding her phone up to finish browsing several sites before retiring. Still a little wound up, Rhea curled up on the other couch, using Lori¡¯s earbuds to listen to soothing music as she stared out the window. After twenty minutes¡ªwith Nova and Lulu nestled in her legs¡ªthe large pane of glass showed a neon display of teal-colored lights that lined the cavern they passed through. They entered a vast underwater lake, reflecting the colors as Pokemon floated around the alien scene. Pillars maintained its structure, and Diglett maintained the area for the many Pokemon that lived in the zone. The train would take a roundabout way to Saffron, curving west to HopHopHop City, and Dark City, then it would curve back to Gardenia City and pass Fennel Valley. Sable City was next, and from there, it was a straight shot to Saffron around Sable National Park. The entire journey would take roughly six hours, including stops, which would give them enough time to rest. Rhea leaned back to sink into her pillow, not bothering to pull out the bed as she listened to the gentle music, closed her eyes, and drifted into her dreams. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. * ¡ª * ¡ª * The gentle strum of the smooth waterfall in Fuschia¡¯s ninja village swayed at the corner of her drifting mind. It was as if she could feel the cool breeze against her skin, Jason¡¯s half-smile and laugh playing on her thoughts as he bent in to kiss her¡ªopen air met her as her eyes flew open. ¡°Ah-ooof!¡± Coughing and rubbing her head, smacking her lips, and trying to right herself, she dizzily looked up to see Lori peeking over the edge, massaging her own head. ¡°Son of a¡­ Yo, Amira, what¡¯s your head made of? Acgk¡­¡± ¡°Not a pillow, apparently,¡± she grumbled, lifting herself to look over the edge of the bed. ¡°You okay, Rhea?¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Nee-nee?¡± ¡°Fu-fu!¡± They looked up, their other Pokemon trying to catch up with the situation as Terri stood by the window, pointing outside; they weren¡¯t moving, a blushing wave illuminating the tunnel that flowed one way in rippling patterns. ¡°Did we¡­ hit something?¡± Rhea asked, crawling back to her seat as the conductor spoke over the intercom. ¡°My sincerest apologies, passengers, but we were given minimal warning; everything is under control. Champion Elaine and Champion Diantha have informed me that we will need to remain stationary for at least an hour. In the meantime, please, remain in your cabin, and the attendants will bring complimentary refreshments. We at Diglett Express thank you for your patience and will keep you updated.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe-pwe!¡± Nova chirped, hopping up next to Terri to press her face against the glass. ¡°Pwe?¡± Rhea rolled around her sore arm, having landed on it. ¡°Yeah, I bet your mom would be with her¡­ Wait, did he say Diantha was here, too? Isn¡¯t she like¡­ 3 months pregnant?¡± Lori reached into the fridge to take out some ice cream to hold against her forehead. ¡°I can¡¯t think right now¡­ Amira killed me.¡± ¡°It wasn¡¯t exactly pleasant for me, either,¡± Amira mumbled, rubbing the side of her head that would probably see a bump grow. ¡°For a moment, I thought you thought I was Kekoa and trying to slobber all over my face.¡± The Unovan girl grunted and shot a look at Rhea. ¡°Naa. I think I dreamed I fell off a dam when dancing, but that could be the abrupt stop talking¡­ Hehe. Rhea¡¯s drool-cheeks say she had a good dream. Back with Jason on some beach, playing strip volleyball? Hehe. Did you win?¡± ¡°What kind of imagination and games do you play with Len?¡± Rhea shot back with a light glare. ¡°Strip volleyball? You haven¡¯t played that before.¡± Lori snickered, catching the pillow she tossed at her. ¡°No, but I almost did; the dude chickened out since I was sixteen and he was eighteen. Guys got no Voltorbs, girl. I was even willing to let him win once or twice to see what he¡¯d do!¡± ¡°Don¡¯t put dirty thoughts in Rhea¡¯s head,¡± Amira sighed, scooting to the edge of the laid-down couch to look out of the window. ¡°She¡¯s not a deviant like¡­¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± Nova jumped up and down as a fluffy ball of fur latched onto the glass, somehow staying stationary as Ambrosia chirped to her daughter. They fell silent as they stood up to look down, spotting an elegant Gardevoir floating near the crystal-like floor; there was no doubt in Rhea¡¯s mind who this stunning female Pokemon was. ¡°Aliz¨¦e,¡± she whispered, hearing the world¡¯s strongest Gardevoir¡¯s voice in their minds. ¡°I would say good morning, but it is a tad too early for that. Ambrosia wishes to show her daughter something.¡± The Eevee was psychically pulled away from the glass, showing a slightly puffy-cheeked frown at the Emotion Pokemon, and Rhea heard Nova¡¯s mom¡¯s mature, deep female voice for the first time. ¡°Don¡¯t pretend like I¡¯m the only one that wants them to join us, Aliz¨¦e. Diantha and Elaine wanted them to experience it when their Auras drew near. C¡¯mon! I heard you can teleport now, Lulu.¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± ¡°Wait, Lulu!¡± Rhea gagged as her Cosmog vanished outside without them, rainbow lights bringing her right to older Eevee to latch onto her neck, making them all giggle. ¡°Aww. You¡¯re adorable¡­ Huh?¡± She blinked, not even recognizing she¡¯d been teleported before she was hovering above the blue crystal of the cave with her team and friends; Aliz¨¦e¡¯s smooth voice followed. ¡°Pardon the kidnapping, girls, but we can¡¯t be sure when it will be over.¡± In the next second, they were in the middle of a neon-colored field of rainbow colors, illuminated minerals brightening the vast cavern they¡¯d been transported to. A 30-meter-deep chasm opened up below, and the two Champions were sitting at the edge, staring down at something; the train was nowhere to be seen, but the tracks were to their right. Elaine¡¯s face brightened in the magical space. ¡°Girls, come here. You don¡¯t see this very often.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Rhea asked. Closing the distance, she looked for what the brunette was pointing to. The Champions¡¯ other Pokemon were spread across the cave; it told her how massive the place was with how small Diantha¡¯s Tyrantrum and Aurorus were, which were actually giants, poised in the distance as they studied something in the disturbed waters. Diantha remained quiet as they joined, and she spotted the fashionable woman¡¯s normally tight belly somewhat pronounced; she was somewhere around twelve weeks along. Yet, her attention was snatched by movement below, making her squint, and suddenly, she saw wiggles coming from all over the cavern. Her lips fell open when the little green cell poked its green head out and started inching up the wall; dozens more were now crawling over the track. ¡°Zygarde?¡± Rhea mumbled in disbelief and apprehension, gut tightening. ¡°Why are they gathering? Doesn¡¯t that mean¡­¡± Amira gulped. ¡°A disastrous threat is coming.¡± Diantha pulled up her knee to rest her chin, smoothing out her dress. ¡°Typically, yes, that is the case. Danger isn¡¯t the only reason Zygarde Cells gather, however. Elaine noticed them gathering and asked if I would make a trip here with Professor Sycamore and Professor Oak. They¡¯re on the other side right now, observing from a different angle.¡± ¡°Why are they here, then?¡± Lori asked, inching forward to study one of the cells crawl onwards as if she didn¡¯t exist, making their way to the tracks, where they were gathering. Elaine shrugged. ¡°The Professors don¡¯t think it¡¯s in response to any dangers on a level it would typically gather for. He¡¯s probably analyzing the new tunnels and system that the Diglett Express Company has made.¡± Diantha nodded. ¡°It¡¯s best to stay out of Zygarde¡¯s way whenever he is determining if something is acceptable or not, and it¡¯s important to study what he decides since he is basically the voice of the planet that balances life and death. Apparently, the change to the Kanto underground is enough to warrant this reaction.¡± Amira hummed, wincing as she rubbed the bump on the side of her head where Lori had struck. ¡°Stocks will probably take a hit, and the company could face some pushback from activist groups¡­ I¡¯ll have to tell my dad; it could be a good opportunity to swoop in and purchase it.¡± The fashion star laughed silently, looking over to study the redhead. ¡°I did not expect you to be the type of girl my son would fall head-over-heels for. I heard about your illegal break-in at the Fuschia Zoo.¡± Rhea held her breath as Lori gave her a look that said that was trouble. Amira settled in beside the idol and smiled while taking out her phone to record the event, all of their Pokemon gathering around Ambrosia and Aliz¨¦e. ¡°Lucian thinks the world of you. I should have expected that he¡¯d tell you everything¡­ How is he?¡± Elaine tucked her knees up to her chin and motioned for the two of them to join her, patting the stone ground as they watched all the shimmering Zygarde cells link and combine, little by little. Pokemon were tentatively exiting their hiding places to observe, and the Champion pointed up at the ceiling, where green energy ran across it like veins, collecting over the tracks. Rhea passively watched with Lori as Amira and Diantha talked. The Kalos Champion sighed, goosebumps crawling across her forearm that she rubbed away. ¡°Lucian is doing better since I retired from the acting and modeling scene¡­ Unfortunately, I can¡¯t quit being a Champion so easily. I¡¯m hoping that Serena or Calem will grow strong enough to take over soon so I can dedicate all my time to him and the baby¡­ they¡¯re so close to beating Siebold.¡± She ran a hand over her belly with a small laugh. ¡°Although, Calem is currently a bit preoccupied with Shauna, and Serena is invested in supporting my son since Ash asked her to¡­ Even the most dedicated of Trainers fall flat on their faces in front of love. Yet, it can also spur them to break past limits they couldn¡¯t otherwise¡­ It was that way for Siebold and I.¡± Diantha turned her gaze to the redhead, apprehension in her voice. ¡°Does¡­ my boy have a chance?¡± Rhea didn¡¯t want to breathe, feeling pressure she shouldn¡¯t as she listened to the open and blunt conversation. Maybe this was what Kalos women were like because Diantha had been the same way with her when discussing her failings as a mother. Even Lori gulped as Amira took several seconds to respond, and when she did, it was with a bit of humor. ¡°¡­You know, my mother knew exactly who she would marry the moment she saw my father¡­ I¡¯m not my mother. I have very high expectations of myself and anyone I associate with, including my team¡­ which is why I can sometimes feel inadequate against my better judgment,¡± she chuckled, looking over at them with a sigh. ¡°That being said¡­ and again, against my better judgment, Lucian has impressed me. Does he have a chance? I¡¯d say he¡¯s earned his right to it if he keeps on the same trajectory of growth. Although, it¡¯s not like he¡¯s the only boy trying to hold my hand, and in anything, there is always competition,¡± she concluded. ¡°I bet there are quite a few girls after your son back home.¡± Diantha¡¯s mouth lifted as the glow of the green veins intensified again, casting them in a lime hue. ¡°You have the mind of a Rocket, yet I think you may underestimate how much of a romantic you are from your mother. Hmm¡­¡± She gracefully rose to her feet, prompting the rest of them to do the same as the redhead and Champion faced each other. The woman held out a hand, confusing Rhea a bit. ¡°In short, be someone worth the fight, and, as he told me¡­ you are a polished jewel. Your parents should be proud of the woman they raised.¡± For some reason, those words struck something inside of Rhea, and heat suddenly shot up her nose, making her tear up and sniffle. Lori and Elaine cooed in unison, taking her hands to squeeze it supportingly as Amira took Diantha¡¯s hand, features softening. ¡°And you¡¯ve turned my opinion of you as a mother,¡± Amira returned. ¡°I can resonate with what it is like to lose yourself in life¡­ My grandmother and grandfather lost their ways as parents for a time, but they found their way back into my dad and aunt¡¯s lives.¡± ¡°That¡­ means a lot,¡± the brunette whispered. Rhea expected many hugs, but the two didn¡¯t embrace, breaking apart instead. ¡°I now owe clarity to both Rhea and you for helping me see what is truly important in my life. No matter how strong we may become, there is always something new to learn from others.¡± She turned to give Elaine a teary-eyed smile. ¡°Thank you for this opportunity to express my heart. I found it challenging coming up with an excuse to journey to Kanto.¡± Elaine quickly waved her free hand with a giggle. ¡°I¡¯m always up for my senior Champions stopping by to offer advice and help! Plus, this happy accident gave Ambrosia more excuses to spoil and spend time with her daughter; Nova is her only kid, and it¡¯s really starting to mean a lot to her.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart softened as she saw the two Eevee jumping around the cave with all of their Pokemon, leading the pack to explore. However, the comforting hand Elaine had offered suddenly became crushing, making her yelp as she saw the Champion¡¯s smile become impish. ¡°And I heard from a certain little ninja that I owe a certain little blonde for that spy recording!¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. I had to get it for Nova!¡± she defended as the woman laughed and pulled her into a hug, pressure instantly dying. ¡°I¡¯m playing! I love the thoughtfulness. It¡¯s so embarrassing watching it with Chase, but also so heartwarming¡­ We¡¯re having our private official wedding after the Silver Cup. Would you girls come?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Rhea instantly replied, cheeks turning rosy. ¡°I¡¯m so happy for you two! We¡¯ll have to¡ª¡± They all paused as the whole cave lit up a stunning green, looking to where the Zygarde had been gathering, where a large, green hound now stood. 10% Zygarde swept the hushed cavern for a moment before vanishing. Lori¡¯s hair whipped around as she searched for it. ¡°Where the Muk?! That wasn¡¯t Teleport, right? Just pure Muking speed?!¡± Diantha breathed out a long breath and pointed in some random direction. ¡°He went to the north, potentially the Tree of Beginning or the Sinjoh Desolation. I guess you have your work cut out for you, Elaine. I can check out the Forest of Origin.¡± ¡°Oh, yeah, totally!¡± Elaine stated, brown eyes flicking to the woman¡¯s belly before meeting her gaze again. ¡°I don¡¯t expect you to go into the Sinjoh Desolation with all that unstable energy while pregnant. We¡¯ll split up then. Mind if I bring Sycamore? Oak will deny it, but he¡¯s uh¡­¡± ¡°Getting old,¡± Diantha chortled with a nod. ¡°I understand. Anyway, Aliz¨¦e will return you to your cabin, girls. Thank you for the talk, and I hope you have a wonderful journey to the Silver Cup.¡± Waving her off, Rhea studied the ceiling, now imprinted with the dazzling green veins of Zygarde¡¯s combination. How did she end up in these situations? Teleported into the train, none of them could sleep after that encounter, so they pulled up Sabrina¡¯s latest battles to buckle down and study; the Encrusted Marsh Badge was their next target, and a hard one to boot. Lori was the only one exempt from the challenge, thanks to Amira finding out the League would provide a replacement, even after giving it away. It now adorned the violet-haired girl¡¯s neck¡ªa memory encased. It made for an amazing gesture and parting gift. It also didn¡¯t change the fact Lori had beat Sabrina, and if Miky had died, just as if a Trainer¡¯s Pokemon died, it wouldn¡¯t void their accomplishment. Miky¡¯s Badge¡ªspecial as it was¡ªwasn''t an issue as once he¡¯d left her team, it wouldn¡¯t be recognized if another Trainer bonded with him. Rhea felt the pressure of this upcoming challenge; Sabrina was arguably the hardest Gym besides Giovanni, and they had to come up with a real plan to deal with her Psychic prowess. Settling in with Amira on the bed, they lay shoulder to shoulder, playing with their phones and discussing strategies for the rest of the trip. If she won this battle, she¡¯d have four Encrusted Silver Badges¡ªSoul, Cascade, and Fairy Heart, and, if she won, Marsh¡ªwhich would guarantee her a spot in the Silver Cup and a path into Gold-tier. Her only wall was Sabrina, the Psychic prodigy. B4 — 7. The Rookie Crusher 7:25 a.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls have had an eventful 60 days of hardcore training! What¡¯s changed? What new things have the squad uncovered? Let¡¯s find out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). Rhea groaned as Amira¡¯s voice called her out of a lovely dream, where she and Jason had been hiking up an endless mountain and taken shelter in a waterfall cave. The swirling mist against her cheeks and welcoming cries from the army of cute Carbink were replaced by the yawning redhead as she motioned above the window at the clock. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ just about to arrive at Saffron.¡± ¡°Oh, okay¡­¡± Stretching out on the folded down, cushy train seat, she found all of her Pok¨¦mon bundled around her with the exception of Mya, sleeping on the floor; the steely girl probably rolled off during the night, making her chide herself for not putting up the safety rail. ¡°What are we doing first¡ªcheck in at the Gym?¡± She scooted her back against the semi-cushioned wall, Alice and Nova stirring next to her and at her feet. Lori seemed to have rolled over to where Amira had been sleeping, back turned to them with a low grumble; her Pok¨¦mon seemed to be in their own little world, as well, with the exception of Terri. The little fluff ball of adamant energy was at her Trainer¡¯s back, gently jabbing the purple-haired girl¡¯s shoulder blade to get her up. ¡°I¡¯m up, I¡¯m up¡­ just five more minutes, Ter¡­¡± Rhea giggled before fishing out her sleepy puff ball, nestled in her usual spot inside her shirt front, where the little cloud could hear her heartbeat. Amira showed her phone tabs as an answer to her previous question, displaying a picture of the Gym, the hotel she¡¯d booked to freshen up, and the ramen store that was owned by Ash¡¯s friend for a late breakfast. ¡°Got it,¡± Rhea whispered, giving her a thumbs up and shifting her ponytail around to her front before kissing Lulu¡¯s head. ¡°Morning, girls.¡± ¡°Ne-ne?¡± ¡°Pwe¡­¡± ¡°Lopunny? Lop-lop.¡± The bun used her long ear to tap Mya¡¯s snoozing second mouth, making her jerk and peek open an eye. ¡°Maw-maw?¡± Slowly rousing, Rhea greeted each of her and Amira¡¯s Pok¨¦mon in the somewhat cramped space with them all out, but it didn¡¯t take them long to return to their Poke Balls. She pulled up the blinds on the window to see the natural rocks lining the tunnel that illuminated the space in dazzling colors; the Diglett really did try to make the place nice, which was probably a point of pride for the Pokemon. Lori forced her butt awake once they stopped, throwing on her backpack and cleaning up the cabin with them before trudging out and into Saffron Diglett Express Station, located at the edge of the city. The crowd mumbled to one another about the strange stop they¡¯d experienced earlier that day that had delayed their arrival by an hour or so. No one had a clue what the reason was, but the local breaking news stations were talking about it on the station¡¯s TVs. The building was connected to the city entrance, so they checked in and walked into the bustling, giant, business-oriented metropolis. They took a moment to take in the view; it was a bit chilly, with storm clouds coming in from Power Bay, which wasn¡¯t totally surprising since the Storm Conductors were also meant to provide a decent amount of rain to Meadowview Town and its farmsteads. That being said, Rhea had somewhat forgotten how active the rather cramped place was, taking her back to how much better Viridian¡¯s city planning had been executed. Towering skyscrapers loomed overhead as they walked through the morning bustle to one of the public bus routes. Boarding it as the gloomy morning storm swept over them, they pulled out their umbrellas from their backpacks for when they left the bus. Rhea leaned against the window to look at the sea of umbrellas outside on the sidewalks, Flying Pokemon taking shelter wherever they could near the businesses and porches. Most Trainer Pokemon had their own umbrellas, and Fighting Pokemon from the dojo were out in mass from the dojo, doing odd jobs to increase their skill set. They passed by the hospital that cared for Terri, making Rhea sigh and hold a hand against her heart while remembering her visit to the comatose woman¡¯s bedside. It made her glance to her left, where Lori and her Kubfu listened to music together, the Wushu Pokemon sitting on the girl¡¯s lap. It made her smile, remembering how touched Lori had been about the sad story that she¡¯d named her Legendary Pokemon after the Dojo Grandmaster. She felt the warm flame of V light within her as the hospital went out of view. Maybe we can do something now that we¡¯ve opened the First Gate¡­ I won¡¯t know unless I visit and see how she¡¯s doing. We need to focus on Sabrina¡¯s Badge before anything, though¡­ It¡¯s going to be hard. It took them a good thirty minutes to reach the Gym, arriving at 8:40 a.m. Unfurling her umbrella as she stepped off the bus, she heard the pattering of light rainfall and the wet mist that was swept up by the moderate breeze. Rhea breathed deeply to take in the muggy scent before following Amira and Lori. Lulu rested on her head, bouncing up and down while poking at the see-through umbrella to watch the droplets slide off. On the other hand, Melody and Terri held their umbrellas, held in their Trainers¡¯ arms. They didn¡¯t get much interaction from the crowds that flocked to the giant Gym since prep was already underway for the Bronze Tier category. Fortunately, they still had a good three hours before Silver started; plus, Amira and her were near the end of the lineup, around 1:30 p.m., so they had time to relax and unwind from their overnight trip. Parting away from the giant packs of people to reach the private check-in station designated for challengers, Rhea was glad the Gyms had different desks for other departments since the line was huge to purchase tickets. Naturally, all the good spots were sold out weeks in advance, which meant Lori would be near the top rows. Once checking in, they left the Gym and entered the storm; their hotel wasn¡¯t far from the stadium. Rhea didn¡¯t feel the chill as the cold October wind swept over them, making Amira and Lori shiver. ¡°You okay?¡± she asked, stepping closer to the pair when entering the throng. Lori hugged Terri close to her chest. ¡°Haha. It¡¯s gotten Mukin¡¯ colder, I swear. Is it going to snow, Amira?¡± ¡°No,¡± the redhead chuckled, picking up their pace through a crosswalk as the timer indicated the light would change soon. ¡°It¡¯s rare that it snows in Saffron, even in winter. Usually, it¡¯s carried a bit north due to the wind currents and funneled into Sable National Park before thinning out and melting. It travels along Meadowview River. Thunderstorms are common during this time of the year, though.¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Lori grumbled, glaring up at the dark sky. ¡°I hate the snow. We turn into Mukin¡¯ Snorunts in the Greater Castelia Metropolitan Area during winter¡ªthe Vanillite capital for weeks¡­ Oh, I know; maybe you can use your Victini magic and fix the whole world into a summer paradise.¡± Amira snorted at the plan, drawing their smiles. ¡°Haha! When did you go full Aqua and plot to flood the world by melting everything, Violet?¡± ¡°When I become a snowman, Cinnamon Bun!¡± she shot back, bumping into the redhead. ¡°Sure. Sure. Let¡¯s just make most Ice Pokemon go extinct. I¡¯m sure that won¡¯t cause anyone problems. Besides, how much power are you giving Rhea here? You plan on her becoming the boss of the next big bad syndicate?¡± Lori¡¯s eyes brightened as she swapped Terri to her shoulder, turning down a street Amira pointed them to. ¡°Ooooh. Yeah, I can totally see the evil leader Ms. Honey Pot, plotting to spread sunshine around the world! Wait¡­¡± Her mouth became a line as she looked up at the storm. ¡°If Magma succeeded and awoke Groudon¡ªeven if their previous attempt was a failure and they¡¯re still at it¡ªthen wouldn¡¯t that dry up the oceans?¡± Rhea chuckled. ¡°Uh, yeah? That¡¯s the plan. Gotta get more real estate for expansion and connect regions.¡± Amira rolled her eyes and took them into a hotel to pick up their key cards. ¡°Like a desert planet is so much better than one with water. Let¡¯s not forget all the rivers that would dry up and the greenery that would die.¡± ¡°Now who¡¯s Team Aqua?¡± Lori laughed, getting in line behind the sole group in front of them for the desk and getting weird looks from them. ¡°I knew you¡¯d come around! Join the dark side and become a mermaid with us! Rhea can create an underwater kingdom of boiling water fish people.¡± ¡°What?!¡± Rhea¡¯s sides hurt as she doubled over, Lulu mirroring her. ¡°This is getting wild. First, I¡¯m supposed to eradicate snow, and now you want to flood the world so I can rule a¡­ boiling sea?¡± Lori shrugged as Terri hopped off her shoulder to put away her umbrella. ¡°It¡¯s a work in progress. We can sort out the details later. Oooh. I wonder how it would be to dance with a long tail¡­ Nova, we¡¯re going to have to figure out some underwater dance moves for you. We¡¯ll need the instruction when our new blonde overlord starts the new boiling ocean world empire.¡± ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous,¡± Amira giggled, stepping forward to check them in as Lori settled down. ¡°Well, on the bright side,¡± Rhea jumped in, ¡°we¡¯ll be heading down to Vermilion next, and it should be decently warm. How long is the train ride on the Diglett Express, Amira?¡± The redhead signed the document the man produced, still listening to them, and to be fair, a couple of teenage girls with Legendary or Mythical Pokemon wasn¡¯t probably the most comforting conversation to hear when talking about world domination. Amira handed her pen to Mariah as she tried to write her own name below her Trainers. ¡°Probably two or three hours at most since it¡¯s a direct path. You¡¯re getting so good at writing your name, Mariah! If we keep going at this rate, then we¡¯ll get you speaking our language soon. Meowth¡¯s new language program seems to be working.¡± ¡°Mel-mel!¡± the songstress chirped, handing the pen back to the sheepish man with pride. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go drop our stuff off.¡± Lori started on the opposite ridiculous evil organization-building strategy from the Magma side as they went up, going over Rhea¡¯s dominance in the wastelands of the Great Viridian Desert, and how they controlled the oases with a shining smile that would blind anyone on first look or her golden hair striking fear in the hearts of marauders. Going into their rather nice three-bed hotel room, Amira took the first shower since she was the quickest and used cold water. Rhea sat on the edge of her bed with Lori standing nearby, making extravagant gestures at her fantasy of them riding atop a colossal Groudon as they battled the Wooloo girls, who were on the side of justice¡ªyeah, apparently, she was the bad guy, which had her laughing. It didn¡¯t take long for Amira to swap out for her since Lori took the longest and hottest showers. On the other hand, the Unovan girl took the least time getting ready, doing almost no after-shower maintenance other than swiftly brushing her hair and applying lotion. Stolen story; please report. Ready to take on the day at 9:40 a.m., they left their packs in their room, extended their umbrellas, and walked to the nearby ramen shop. Lulu decided she wanted to try holding the umbrella and was almost swept away by the wind before Rhea managed to catch the rod. ¡°Nee-nee!¡± ¡°Haha. Maybe we should hold it together.¡± Her cosmic puff cloud nodded earnestly, settling into her blouse front to hold the rod at an angle with her, letting the pole rest against her collarbone as they walked. ¡°Ne-ne?¡± Lulu chirped at their other Buddy Bonded Pokemon, looking for recognition from them. ¡°Meloetta.¡± The Melody Pokemon waved, showing a small smile from Amira¡¯s arms. Terri vigorously pumped Lori¡¯s umbrella up and down from her shoulder, making the Unovan girl balk. ¡°Kub! Kub!¡± ¡°Terri, stop! You¡¯re flinging water all over my skirt¡­ What do you mean, it¡¯s all for training? Muk¡­ that doesn¡¯t even make sense! I don¡¯t want to have a wet butt.¡± The Kubfu roared with vigor, and Rhea had to wonder what her mom was thinking when sending Lori this hyperactive Fighting girl to Buddy Bond with. Arriving at the restaurant, Rhea waved at the man behind the counter. ¡°Hey, Kyle, how¡¯s business?¡± The black-haired owner¡¯s lips parted at their entrance, boisterous voice pulling quite a few looks from his other customers in the fairly packed shop. ¡°Girls! I was wondering if this would be the day you showed up. I saw the match in Cerulean! Intense battles. I can¡¯t believe she used Trick Room on you. Are you scheduled for the Saffron Gym today against Sabrina?¡± Whispers flew around the restaurant as the groups at tables glanced their way before opening up their phones to scan for further information about who they were. It wasn¡¯t hard for their names to be passed through conversation with how much media coverage they¡¯d gotten from their unique Pokemon, travel with Ash, and the hype revolving around their family and jumping into the Silver Bracket. Rhea was first in line, holding her elbow behind her back as Lulu floated above her, attempting to fold in the umbrella. ¡°Mhm. Amira and I will be some of the last to battle during the bracket. Quite a few Bronze challengers but not a lot of Silver that I saw.¡± Kyle finished serving his current customer before turning to her with a nod. ¡°Yeah, there was a big influx last month of Bronze Trainers attempting to follow in Lori¡¯s footsteps, but Gym Leader Sabrina squashed that like a Bug.¡± ¡°Discrimination! Bugs rule Psychic!¡± cried one of the Bug Catchers off to the side; it got a few laughs and jokes passed between him and a few others near his table. ¡°Just you wait; we¡¯ll show you the true power of the insects!¡± the Bronze Team boasted. ¡°Oh?¡± asked a fashionable woman nearby, resting her fist against her cheek with a smirk. ¡°We hear Bug Specialists say that Muk all the time, but tell me, why are you here instead of facing Gym Leader Sabrina? Not confident enough in your Bugs to go for the Encrusted?¡± Figuring there might be a bit of a bias in Saffron against Bug Trainers due to Psychic Pokemon being weak to them, Rhea tuned out the banter between the visiting Trainers and locals. ¡°Huh,¡± she whispered, pointing at the menu behind the boisterous owner for the bowel she wanted. ¡°I was thinking about stopping by and visiting Terri before leaving. Do you mind texting me a time when I can visit?¡± A warm smile lifted the man¡¯s eyes as some of the chatter quieted down at the mention of the orange-haired former Grandmaster of Saffron¡¯s dojo. ¡°I¡¯m sure she¡¯d like that. Yeah, I¡¯ll call the hospital and send you a time. Tomorrow?¡± ¡°That would be wonderful,¡± Rhea chimed, gesturing at the enthusiastic Kubfu on her teammate¡¯s shoulder. ¡°I think Lori wanted to visit the dojo for her Terri, as well. So we should be mostly free tomorrow, and hopefully, we won¡¯t need to stay around for another week for round two with your Gym Leader.¡± Kyle threw a thumbs-up as he slid her bowl over the counter. ¡°I look forward to the battle. We¡¯ll be watching,¡± he said, pointing at the TV, already showing the Bronze Bracket challengers getting destroyed by the Rookie Crusher. ¡°A lot more Bronze Trainers have been winning since Lori¡¯s victory¡ªwell, those that stayed in Bronze-tier. I think you girls have sparked a Trainer resurgence. Hype is building after all your battles this circuit.¡± ¡°Glad to hear.¡± Rhea took her giant bowl upstairs, intending to share part of it with her Pokemon. She was a bit hungry but didn¡¯t want to overdo it. Soon after, Lori and Amira joined her, and they began finalizing their strategies. It went without saying which Pokemon she¡¯d lead with. Talking things over and getting two more helpings of ramen as her appetite grew, she left the establishment around 12:10 p.m. to give themselves an hour¡¯s prep inside the locker room. The storm had broken, leaving the pavement wet, with the moderate sun¡¯s rays gradually evaporating the liquid. Lori waved them off at the private challenger¡¯s entrance and wished them luck while running off to take her high-rise seat. It was finally time to get her fourth Encrusted Gym Badge, and, of course, it had to be against Sabrina, the Rookie Crusher. ¡°Mmgm.¡± Now starting to feel the stress of the upcoming battle, Rhea rubbed her stomach, seeing the exact same look on the other girls in the locker room. ¡°She seems even more scary now than she did last year,¡± a girl whimpered, hugging herself and staring at the display as the black-haired woman floated in the air, locks hovering off her shoulders. Dressed in a red leather-themed outfit, there was a small smile on her lips as she engaged in sewing a doll of herself with psychic energy in the middle of a battle. If that wasn¡¯t enough, she was gradually spinning in a circle, gravity seemingly unable to touch her. ¡°Does she have to spin all creepily like that?¡± a woman groaned, arms crossed tightly against her chest. ¡°No one has won a single battle yet¡­ and it¡¯s my turn.¡± Spontaneously, the giddy Galarian Ponyta was levitated up to the Gym Leader¡¯s box to be gently set on the ground; the pony jumped up and down below the Psychic Grandmaster, waiting with anticipation for her gift. Sabrina lowered herself to the ground to present the doll to the happy pony, a smile brightening Rhea¡¯s face at seeing her making the toy for her Pokemon. The doll floated onto her back to ride around with the happy Unique Horn Pokemon as she jumped through the door to exit Sabrina¡¯s private box, likely to play with it in the Gym Leader¡¯s personal room. Amira returned with a bottle of water, handing it to her as she sat and crossed her legs to see the crowd¡¯s reaction to the adorable replay. ¡°That was cute. I heard Kanto got a new influx of Gym Pokemon from Galar. I guess she¡¯s welcoming them into the family in her own unique way. Nervous?¡± ¡°A little,¡± she admitted with a strained laugh. ¡°Our battle against Misty showed me that the Gym Leaders are willing to seriously bump up the difficulty to match our gains. I¡¯m afraid she may just throw me right into Gold or something.¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Amira drew her braid over her shoulder, glancing at the many Gold-tier Trainers entering the locker room; all of them looked ill, as well. ¡°I doubt any of the Gym Leaders will force you into a full Gold-tier match since then they¡¯d need to change the full bracket format. What they can do is exactly what Misty or Forrest did to you and add elements of the higher Tiers.¡± Rhea nibbled on her bottom lip, watching the last battle before hers started; the previous Galarian Ponyta had been near the upper echelon of Silver-tier, having a few Breeding Moves that had done a killer combo with her Hypnosis and Horn Drill. ¡°I guess Sabrina will have already seen through our tactics and just wants to know how well we can handle a seemingly impossible battle¡­ Man, Encrusted Challenges are brutal.¡± Amira showed a soft smile as she nudged shoulders. ¡°They¡¯re meant to be, but we¡¯ve done a lot of training. Sure, it¡¯s going to be tougher. It also means we get to put what we¡¯ve learned to the test. I should be the nervous one because Sabrina counters my style of battling the hardest.¡± ¡°True¡­¡± Rhea gulped as she took a sip of her water while watching the remainder of the current challenger¡¯s battle. She led with a Pinsir, which was a strong start against the Gym, only to be met by a Mind Zap Musharna with Daze. If that wasn¡¯t enough, Yawn, Psybeam, Confusion, and a Rock Slide TM Move totally dominated the poor Bug. Her Butterfree second Pokemon didn¡¯t fare much better, making Amira wince at the 4x Weakness to Rock as the butterfly had its mind hammered by psychic waves that disrupted him and forced him to the ground. Sabrina didn¡¯t even have to reveal a second Pokemon to handle the challenger; the girl tried to overcome the Mind Zap and Daze combo with a Sleep Powder to put the Musharna to sleep¡­ but it was a Musharna, and a Sleep Talk ended the battle with rocks materializing out of the air to flatten the poor butterfly. Not feeling the most confident, Rhea bumped fists with Amira and set her resolve. Saria had been her entry into Silver-tier, which was kind of like a middle ground between Bronze and Silver. Her battle against Janine had been brutal and showed her what they were up against with the corrosive salamander that could even Poison Steel Types. Misty came in hot with an intense fight that had her wondering if it was just due to her pregnancy hormones or if Sabrina was about to turn it up to 20. Fiddling with her chosen disguised Master Ball, Rhea took a deep breath as Lulu cheered her on from atop her head. She passed the teary-eyed girl on her exit, giving her an encouraging smile; it was probably the most dominant battle of the day, which made her want to hug the woman with how humiliated she must have felt. It made Rhea remember how Lori felt after her first match against Misty. Rhea paused just before reaching the spotlight, turned, and jogged after the girl to give her a hug. ¡°H-Huh?¡± ¡°Hey, it¡¯ll be okay,¡± she said, boosting herself up by trying to help the spiraling woman. ¡°It isn¡¯t the end of the world if you lose. I lost to Forrest in my first Gym Challenge, and it was sooo hard. Just look back at this fight and see what Sabrina was trying to teach you because there was a way to win, and if you find it, then next time you will win!¡± The blue-haired woman that could have been her mom laughed as she returned the embrace. ¡°I wanted to prove to my daughter that Silver-tier wasn¡¯t so bad, but¡­ I forgot how harsh Gym Leaders could be. Thanks for the encouragement, Dear. I¡¯ll review it with her, and we¡¯ll come up with a plan together. Good luck. Hehe. And good luck to you, too,¡± she said as Lulu patted her on the head. ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Breaking away, Rhea swallowed her fear, spun around on her heels, and marched up to the elevator that would bring her to the platform, the spotlights now shining down upon her. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen! We have two more Silver Challengers attempting to claim the prestige of the Silver Encrusted Marsh Badge. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve seen their faces plastered on nearly every gossip and news station over the past few months. Champion Cynthia¡¯s niece and the spark that ignited the wildfire in the Bronze Bracket, our next challenger is none other than Rhea Everhart!¡± Rhea stood tall as she inserted her Pokemon inside the machine, Lulu taking the spotlight and dancing around with her poofy arms. ¡°Greg, am I seeing things, or is that a Cosmog dancing around Ms. Everhart?¡± ¡°Haha! Have you been living under an Onix, Ted? Our challenger¡¯s whole party has its own unique Pokemon mascot! Her mother is the legendary breeder, Christie Everhart, and you wouldn¡¯t expect anything less than the best for her little girl. We¡¯re in for a treat tonight, folks, because her battle against Gym Leader Misty and Gym Leader Janine has become the talk of the circuit!¡± Poor Saria, not getting mentioned, Rhea internally sighed, a lump forming in her throat as she saw the Challenge Rank flash on the screen above, a psychic-outlined Sabrina floating high into the air to cross her legs and look down upon her with a curious smile. ¡°Hot Muk¡ªam I seeing things, Greg?¡± Ted mumbled. ¡°Silver-8, folks! Silver Eight! We¡¯re dealing with a Max Rank Silver Challenge, Greg!¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, Ted, and if I¡¯m not seeing things, there¡¯s a + at the end of that! Silver-8+, ladies and gentlemen. Ho-ho-ho. We¡¯re in for a battle tonight! What¡¯s this?! Is Gym Leader Sabrina¡¯s microphone floating up?!¡± A hush fell over the stadium as the mic hovered in front of the dark-haired beauty, ribbons on her boots weaving with her power as her soft, feminine, and deep, commanding voice overtook the crowd. ¡°I have been looking forward to this battle, Rhea. Misty and Ash spent the morning with me, speaking to your growth and potential. Your name has passed through the League and City-State meetings almost weekly, be in limitations on Nova or your cute Legendary cheerleader. I anticipate the day she finally takes the stage¡­ Show me what you¡¯ve learned.¡± Holding out her index finger, she gently lifted it for an Ultra Ball to exit the box that opened, and a second rose out of it, showing she¡¯d already predicted how this match would go. Illuminated pink irises gleaming from the high-detailed monitors locked on her, the psychic¡¯s lips curled into an impish smirk. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun.¡± Greg¡¯s hoarse voice was a whisper as the lights to start the match flashed purplish, showing the Gym Leader had taken control over them. ¡°This is an Encrusted Silver Challenge for the Marsh Badge¡ªSingle¡¯s Format, Two Pokemon.¡± Ted followed him. ¡°The battle will begin in three¡­ two¡­ one. Throw your Poke Balls!¡± Sliding out Mya¡¯s Poke Ball, she drew back her arm, stomach tightening as dozens of Warp Pannels cycled off the ceiling to hover around the stage; they wouldn¡¯t be stationary as they¡¯d been for everyone previously. She threw the capsule near the center of the ring to give her steely girl the chance to attack immediately¡ªSabrina chuckled and did the same, flicking her finger to land mere meters away from Mya. Her Adamant girl exited her Poke Ball with a serious glare as her shiny, pink-skinned opponent materialized in front of her. Goosebumps crawled over Rhea¡¯s forearm as Greg shouted; this was going to be rough. ¡°Maw-maw!¡± ¡°Wooooobbuffffeeeeeeeet!¡± ¡°Mawile vs. Wobbuffet, folks! Let¡¯s get to it!¡± B4 — 8. Slugfest 1:40 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). The colossal stadium opened up around Mya as she exited her Poke Ball, hearing the shouts of the crowd and announcer overhead. Lights shone upon her, ready to engage the Psychic opponent that would try to batter her mind with attacks; she was ready for some tricky teleporting menace or Confusion-based foe that would attempt to befuddle her senses. ¡°Let¡¯s go!¡± she roared, power building inside her as she drew upon Rhea¡¯s Fortitude and expelled her intimidating pressure to collide against her rosy-skinned, sparkling combatant. Both of Mya¡¯s jaws slackened upon seeing the male Wobbuffet salute her. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Greetings, my sweet fanged friend. My name is Tim, and I hope to have a lovely joust this fine afternoon!¡± Mya¡¯s second mouth swung around, lips peeling back to snarl at the nice introduction the Gym Pokemon gave her. She¡¯d expected a straight rush into combat like the other Gym Battles they¡¯d done, yet Tim only continued to smile at her, eyes closed and salute in place. ¡°What game are you playing, bud?¡± A light blue sword materialized in her hand, boosting her Attack; she held it up to use as a club. Tim didn¡¯t move, giving her that same derpy smile that made her nervous. Rhea had gone over a ton of Pokemon that they could face; this one hadn¡¯t been much of a focus, but Rhea¡¯s emotional state said this was really bad. ¡°Don¡¯t attack, Mya!¡± Huh? What do I do, then? Lower his Stats? Her sword vanished, and she wasn¡¯t sure if Rhea wanted her to retreat or stay at a close range. A growl rumbled in her throat, sound waves focusing on the derpy Pokemon to lower its Attack further, yet she jumped back when a light blue field surrounded the Wobbuffet. ¡°He¡¯s a Counter Pokemon like Hector, only totally built for it! He¡¯s weak to Sucker Punch, but we can¡¯t use it since he probably has no attacking Moves, only counters. He might have Astonish as an Egg Move. It¡¯s not likely, though. I think¡­ I think we have to bite the bullet on this one.¡± What do you mean¡ªwhat¡¯s he doing?! ¡°Hey!¡± she shouted, teeth gleaming as he waddled forward. ¡°Keep your distance, bud!¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm! Hmm-hm-hmm,¡± he hummed, holding up his fists as if trying to box her. ¡°C¡¯mon, put ¡®em up, tough girl!¡± Tim made a few jabs, hopping left and right while drawing near at a very unimpressive speed. ¡°Show me a good right hook, sweet fang!¡± Rhea?! ¡°It¡¯s fine¡­ He can¡¯t actually do anything. Unless¡­ Muk.¡± Mya held up her arms to defend herself, nervous jitters in her gut as the pink boy came in, ducking left and right. She had Protect ready, only to not have to use it upon receiving a non-charged, totally powerless jab to the front of her steel jaws. He danced left, performing an uppercut, right for a jab, and tried to fake a left haymaker before tripping and falling on his face to roll across her shadow. A sudden shiver ran up Mya¡¯s frame as a red beam connected to her, yet she wasn¡¯t pulled into her Poke Ball, a ghostly film coating her frame. ¡°What?¡± Flipping around to look up at Rhea, she saw her blue-eyed trainer glaring up at the smiling Gym Leader. ¡°Shadow Tag¡­ This is mean, Sabrina!¡± ¡°Yeah! I got you on the ropes!¡± the Wobbuffet chimed, spinning in circles on the ground to flip upright, weaving his hands wildly in what Mya presumed was supposed to be some kind of threatening way. ¡°Am I coming from the left? No, the right! The ol¡¯ under the chin knockout! Aaaahhh! The crowd goes wild!¡± ¡°Uh¡­ What is going on?¡± she mumbled, somewhat stunned as Rhea mumbled through their connection about the trap Sabrina had sprung on them. ¡°Do you¡­ have any Moves? Why aren¡¯t you trying to lower my Stats? Not that lowering my Attack will do anything in the first place,¡± she mumbled, considering she had Hyper Cutter. ¡°Oof¡ªthe counter trip!¡± Tim choked, falling on his face again while trying to advance and getting laughter from the audience and announcer. It was like Miky¡¯s fight against the Slowpoke, only it felt very different as he taunted her, yet did absolutely nothing. ¡°And he¡¯s back on his feet! What will Tim the Turner do next?! His opponent is shaken, trying to retreat, but the Tuner Tim has prevented the recall! Aaahhh! The crowd goes wild!¡± Out of everything Mya had expected from this intimidating battle, this was not one of them. She looked up at the clock, seeing the timer counting down, second by second. They couldn¡¯t win this in a draw; none of them had actually done any damage to the other. What was this kind of battle? ¡°Fu-fu-fu. My sugar tooth friend, why would I want to dampen your flaming passion?! Let us have the dazzling show of perpetual blows until we both go down in a blaze of glory! Wait, who are you? Hello, pretty lady of fangs!¡± Mya mirrored his cocked head, and confused expression as another aura of light surrounded him, only this one was white. The announcer overhead snickered, excitement turning to humor, which somewhat agitated her. This was supposed to be her awesome moment! ¡°Tim uses Safeguard and Amnesia, preventing any Status shenanigans while throwing off his opponent without even using Status Conditions! Haha. He boosted his Special Defense, which is an¡­ interesting Move against a Mawile. Haha! Wow. What a match, Greg! Rhea seems flustered, and who can blame her? What do you think?¡± ¡°Mya¡¯s Intimidation, Sword Dance, and Growl combo is certainly a heavy opener, Ted. Tim the Turner is sitting at -2 Attack while Mya is +2, but we¡¯ve seen this strategy from Tim before. Rhea couldn¡¯t have come up against this kind of strategy on the open circuit; Shadow Tag is such a tease at Silver-tier, when most Gyms are trying to teach Trainers to swap Pokemon during hard match-ups. ¡°Not wrong, Greg. You have to admit it¡¯s a perfect counter for Mya! Hehe. Literally! Tim just loves a good ol¡¯ Slugfest and is discouraging Special Attacks. Look at Tim move! I think our Mawile¡¯s had enough, though!¡± She breathed out a low growl as the Wobbuffet hopped up to her again to send more powerless jabs to taunt her. Jaws opening wide as he neared, the Wobbuffet froze when her teeth clamped over his head, though without its usual energy, and lifted the squirming Pokemon in the air, tail and feet squirming. ¡°H-Hey! This is no sporting way to do a proper joust! Aaaahhh! The world is spinning¡­¡± She twisted him in circles, dully waiting as Rhea confirmed the absolute disaster of a match this was; the red beam of her capsule once again failed to bring her back. Mya wasn¡¯t particularly concerned about returning, but Rhea seemed agitated by it. ¡°Mya¡­ I can¡¯t change your position or save you from any surprise attacks by swapping you out. Sabrina has basically forced you into a Null Round. You need to surprise Tim by swapping between Attack and Special Attack Moves. Ugh. Safeguard stops the slow Burn route, as well. And I bet he¡¯ll have Encore. Dodge what you can, but expect to be taken out with him. I¡¯m a little scared of what she has in store for Nova.¡± A small smirk brightened Mya¡¯s face as she flung the pink Pokemon into the air, watching a red glow encompass his body; he¡¯d expected her to use Seismic Toss. The joke was on him. A light brown glow lifted off her frame, collecting into four rough stones that she sent rocketing at the falling Pokemon. Got it, Boss! Leave it to me. All four rocks peppered the Patient Pokemon, sending him further into the air and making the crowd hush. Yet, Mya could be patient, too. Holding her hands behind her back, she smiled while skipping forward, watching Tim roll across the floor without much damage. As expected, he lifted his hands above his head, laughing and clapping them together. ¡°Oof! Oof! Hehehe. The ol¡¯ trap card, sweet fangs!¡± Mya¡¯s smile didn¡¯t falter as she looked up at the spotlights that appeared above her head, confetti streaming down around her that twinkled into oblivion; all her Moves were locked out, excluding Ancient Power, and that was fine. Coming up to the recovering, grinning Wobbuffet, she held out her hand with a charming grin. ¡°So, you¡¯re the type of guy that never punches first, huh?¡± ¡°Oh! Thank you,¡± he chirped, taking her hand. ¡°Yes, I try my best to¡ªeh?¡± Power flooding her limbs, Mya flipped him over her head to slam face-first into the stone, making the crowd wince. ¡°Okay! Let¡¯s have some fun. Hehe.¡± Throwing him into the air, he surrounded himself with a multi-hued light to repel her follow-up Special Attack. Instead, she twirled in a sharp circle, the blunt side of her steel second mouth catching him full in the chest to punt him halfway across the stadium and making the announcers wince. ¡°Ack! Ack! W-What are you doing?!¡± Tim asked, tumbling to a stop to lie on his back. Rhea¡¯s excitement grew, fear tumbling away. ¡°Nice, Mya! If you don¡¯t use any more Moves, we could win based on score in the end¡­ but we might be disqualified if we don¡¯t use a Move within a minute for inactivity. Bite is your best Move against him!¡± Greg snickered as the rainbow light around the Wobbuffet dispersed. ¡°I think Tim is getting a taste of his own medicine! No way he¡¯s going to overpower a beefed-up super-Mawile, and if she¡¯s going to play ping-pong with him, what can he do to stop the bullying?¡± Mya had no intention of letting a Move go unused within a minute, though. She just had to fake him out. ¡°You know, I have this friend named Hector that uses Counter,¡± Mya said conversationally as she slowly skipped after Tim. ¡°Tera, my other friend, always complains about it, but she also told me a few tricks she¡¯d learned to deal with it. Mirror Coat is a rough one, though, but I¡¯m used to Alice using Magic Coat, and she¡¯s sooo much faster at using it. You¡¯re super slow.¡± ¡°Ho-ho! Is that a challenge?¡± Tim asked, picking himself up and puffing out his chest as she neared. ¡°Are you afraid of my Counter?¡± Rhea gave her a new strategy, making Mya¡¯s eyes narrow with glee as she flipped her mouth around to peel back her gums to lick her glistening teeth. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°You may be fast at reacting to close-range attacks, Tim the Turner, but, hehe, I think you have trouble with Special Moves. What happens when you can¡¯t see them coming?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Tim¡¯s face blanked, head cocking to the side, moving around in a seemingly random pattern as twinkling pink fog began to froth out of her gullet. ¡°What were you saying?¡± Ted hummed over the speakers. ¡°Our Wobbuffet aggravates with Splash! It may not be a Taunt, but it looks like he¡¯s having fun! Meanwhile, our Mawile spreads Misty Terrain across the battlefield. Is Mya looking for a surprise attack? She slipped into the fog! What is our little Deceiver Pokemon up to? It is a solid Terrain here in Saffron Gym, countering Sleep and Confusion tactics.¡± Slipping through the sparkling haze like a ghost, Mya moved around the derpy pink blob; the big eyes of the Wobbuffet¡¯s black tail, his true body, scanned the mist, trying to find her. The fog changed to a light-blue color at times before shifting to yellows, greens, and purples, mixing with other shades the more she released. Drones spun down from the ceiling to filter past her haze, projecting her movements on the big screens that only the audience could see. Tim didn¡¯t appear all that confused, though, and Mya¡¯s smile brightened when Encore faded, allowing her to use other Moves. Yet, she chose another Special-based Move, spinning in a sharp circle to project a cyclone of Fairy Wind at the Patient Pokemon; a rainbow coat caught it, returning the blast of wind at twice the size and scattering her mist into a swirling mass. Mya winced as she took the hit, but it wasn¡¯t a ton of damage, which was perfectly fine; her terrain was spreading due to the action, preventing him from locking onto her with Encore. ¡°Hmm. Interesting tactic, Ms. Fangs,¡± Tim mused, hopping left and right, trying to spot her. ¡°I expected you to be blown off your feet with that kind of wind. Impressive. Impressive.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± she returned, quietly jogging around him to reposition. She swapped mists; Sweet Scent entered the fog, camouflaged by the twinkling haze. Typically, it would cause the Pokemon to get a little lightheaded, but she learned against Alice that it made her opponent relax instead under the effects of Misty Terrain, providing her with an opening. She figured it would be super effective against a Pokemon already patient and calm like a Wobbuffet. ¡°You got that Mirror Coat out a lot faster than I thought you would. Hehe. It¡¯s weird getting hit by my own wind. I wonder if you can catch this?¡± Darting forward, she saw the Wobbuffet¡¯s black tail eyes dart to her as her wide jaws exited the mist, moving to close around his frame. She snickered when a red aura encircled him. Putting him in a vice grip, she twisted him upward and let go, throwing him into the sky and spinning in another sharp circle. ¡°Huh? I swear I saw you charging¡ªuh-oh¡­¡± Mist and Fairy-enhanced wind carried him toward the ceiling, obscuring him in the fog so he couldn¡¯t see her to counter with Encore. A light brown force lifted off her frame, condensing into rocks, and Tim predicted it, rainbow light coated his body, yet she wasn¡¯t going to hit him with the Fast Attack. Surprisingly, she hit the 10% chance, Stats boosting, which was a welcomed surprise, and Mya was preparing something else for his descent. Taking a deep breath, she focused a large amount of Rhea¡¯s energy into her next attack, with Tim waiting for her next long-range strike as he fell. Rhea was right that Bite would do Super Effective damage and have a luck-based chance to Flinch the Counter, but she had a much stronger Move against the Wobbuffet in her kit. +3 Attack, and +1 of everything else, due to Ancient Power, she felt the power welling up within her as the mist spiraled in a circle; this was it. He¡¯d just used Mirror Coat, he shouldn¡¯t be feeling all that threatened due to the Sweet Scent, and she¡¯d only used Special Attacks up to this point to throw him off. Tim exited the upward rush of Fairy Energy, spotting her; darkness erupted from her frame as she threw every last ounce of strength she¡¯d gathered into this decisive blow, aiming right at the big-eyed black tail. Mya grinned as Tim¡¯s gaze sparkled with a devious glint¡ªhe had no idea how strong this was¡ªa sinister, shadowy aura surrounding his entire frame that transferred to her the second she struck; on contact, she felt the punching bag¡¯s defensive matrix shatter, her Dark force entering his body to be amplified by his enhanced Stats. ¡°Game Ov¡ª¡± Her heart froze as a ghostly presence dislodged from her own body as an ominous cloud around the Wobbuffet dispersed into a dark cloud before shooting right to her core like a nail lodged into her chest. All strength left her body. Tim launched all the way across the stage to hit the force field, falling limply on the stone floor as Mya sank to her knees, the world going hazy as a chilling hand gripped her heart and squeezed all warmth from her core. Greg was on the edge of his feet. ¡°Fairy Wind carries the mist and Tim to the ceiling! A misread from Tim brings out a premature Mirror Coat¡ªa +2 Punishment with +3 Attack! It¡¯s over¡ª¡± ¡°Destiny Bond!¡± Tod shouted in unison. ¡°Tim gets a last-second Destiny Bond! It¡¯s over, folks! We have a draw for the first round! What a combo from Mya, though, and all those fake outs, trying to trap Tod into the wrong Counter.¡± How did he use a Move so fast? I was doing so well¡­ * * * Rhea leaned against her console with a sharp growl, hitting her head against her forearm as Mya took a colossal amount of damage from the cursed attack. The crowd was on their feet, watching Mya¡¯s combination of attacks and deceptive tactic of using Misty Terrain as a smoke screen that she had to use against Alice¡¯s fast-paced style. Sorry, Mya. I can¡¯t believe he managed to get that in the last second¡­ No, it can¡¯t be a coincidence. She lifted her head to level a scowl at the smiling black-haired woman across the stadium, showing an entertained tilt to her mouth. Her hovering Ultra Ball activated on its own from beside her, flying further into the arena to recall Tim, who had fainted right under Rhea¡¯s platform. She did the same for Mya, mouth tight as her Pokemon seethed at her internal thoughts. It had been a bit too easy for a Gym Battle of Sabrina¡¯s reputation, despite the puzzle and problems the Wobbuffet posed to Mya; they hadn¡¯t even used the teleportation tiles still floating around the stadium. Perhaps that was just a showy ploy to hide the true challenge of this battle. Pressing the button to speak over the intercom, Rhea tried to keep the bitter note out of her voice. ¡°You were giving Tim commands, weren¡¯t you? You¡¯re showing me how things can go wrong when everything should have gone right¡­ because you have more experience and can turn a bad situation around.¡± Mumbles and excited whispers passed through the throng as all eyes went to the large display, showing the cross-legged Psychic smiling down at her. Looking as poised as an evil queen, Rhea could see why so many movie studios sought after Sabrina for that particular role in films. ¡°Hmm-hmm-hmm.¡± Sabrina¡¯s illuminated pink eyes narrowed as she directed Tim¡¯s ball into the transporter to receive Center care. ¡°I only had to give him one command at the end in the tiny gap you left for him to counterattack. Would you believe that the Ancient Power Stat increase was the reason for our draw in that particular strategy?¡± Rhea¡¯s fingers clenched at her console, and she sucked in her bottom lip, feeling Nova and Alice burning with a desire to jump into the ring. Lulu had taken control of Mya¡¯s Poke Ball, huffily taking it to the Center care machine while sticking her tongue out at the Psychic Grandmaster. ¡°It¡­ caused Mya¡¯s Fairy Wind to push Tim higher than we anticipated since we don¡¯t use the Move that often when +1. Haaa. Yeah, I can see why that slight miscalculation made a difference. And us battling you at Rank 8+ means you can bring in Gold-tier elements. Hehe. That was a dirty trick, though, Gym Leader Sabrina. A Wobbuffet, really?¡± Sabrina shifted her legs to the opposite side, leaning against some invisible force while resting her cheek against the back of her hand. ¡°How often do Trainers face an opponent that will not attack first? It is very rare. Also, for Trainers to know that if they do attack, there could be extreme consequences in retaliation, which makes them freeze up and make mistakes. You handled it¡­ decently compared to others whom I have given this particular challenge.¡± She lifted her other hand to direct her toward the still active clock, now down to 7 minutes left from their 15-minute given time. ¡°It is not very often that I lose¡­ and even rarer that I have a draw in a match. So, congratulations there, Rhea. Your next opponent could choose to be challenging, yet as I have heard through the grapevine, your brother has been working on using this particular strategy as of late.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± Rhea felt as if she¡¯d been punched in the chest, the crowd now getting excited. ¡°Sabin¡­ is trying to break into Master-tier! What kind of strategy is he working on that is still Gold-tier level?¡± A sly twist came to the beautiful woman¡¯s face as she directed her Poke Ball to hover at the ready. ¡°I¡¯m sure Nova will find this battle particularly interesting. You best be cautious of your time, Rhea; in war, your opponent will not give you leeway to analyze your mistakes and refocus. Begin.¡± Locking her jaw at the woman¡¯s foresight that she¡¯d use Nova, Rhea took out her jumpy Eevee and prepared to throw her into the arena. She could still feel Mya¡¯s disbelief and frustration; her Mawile could never get a break or clean win in a Gym, and it was her fault for not preparing for something cheesy like a Wobbuffet. ¡°We¡¯re going to win, Sabrina!¡± she shouted, aiming Nova a bit further back than where Mya had exited. ¡°No matter what you¡¯re plotting or have foreseen, we¡¯ll adapt!¡± Sabrina¡¯s low, feminine voice was almost a whisper in her ear, making her shiver. ¡°I look forward to it.¡± * * * Nova materialized out of her Poke Ball, raring to go as she instantly drew upon Rhea¡¯s energy to form bright yellow stars, firing them right at her opponent. Only, Nova¡¯s resolve momentarily faltered, and she almost tripped on her face as she got her first look at the pretty, lilac-furred, split-tailed cat that solidified. Almond, purple eyes creasing with amusement, a twinkle shone in one of her pupils as the stars raced toward her, and she gracefully slipped under or between each projectile. They curved around, yet the split-tailed cat elegantly slipped by them again before a burst of white energy rocketed the Sun Pokemon right toward her. ¡°Oh, this is practically Gold-tier at this point, people!¡± Greg yelled, Tod following. ¡°Our graceful Espeon, Istar, vs. our unique evolving Eevee, Nova, folks! This is sure to be a hype match, with them sharing so many abilities and Moves, but Istar has her ace Ability! Istar dodges the undodgeable with Detect, with Swift still in pursuit as Quick Attack takes her right on top of our young superstar!¡± Nova felt stunned at the show; even she couldn¡¯t dodge every Swift star with Detect. She activated her own Move, a twinkle coming to her eye as her senses expanded and the world slowed, yet panic flooded her breast when Istar¡¯s entertained smirk met her everywhere she looked. She couldn¡¯t find a good direction to escape after her slight hesitation. A burst of energy erupted out of her as flames overtook her form, tapping into the fire within her core to ignite her unstable genes. A blunt force collided with her transforming form, making her wince; it was so much stronger than most attacks she tanked by using her evolution, yet no one had broken through it so far, and Istar was no different. ¡°Ooh. Hehe. Quite the defensive play, Little One.¡± Nova smiled as the Espeon¡¯s motherly voice flipped over her, using half of the momentum she¡¯d gained from the Quick Attack to keep herself mobile while Run Away allowed her a swift retreat. Her mouth fell, fur bristling as she saw her own pursuing stars coming right for her; Istar had put her right into their path. She only managed to dodge two before three more peppered her back; it hurt a lot more than other people¡¯s Swift, making her curse her own Adaptability. Yet, the most mind-spinning part was the calm Espeon looming over her as she flipped upright. Protect activated, her heart now racing at how ridiculous this woman was, and all Istar did was direct a pretty smile at her before blowing on her protected nose with a short giggle. ¡°It¡¯s good to find momentum but try not to feel overwhelmed, darling. I¡¯ll give you a little space, but no more freebies,¡± she winked, dancing back as Nova did the same. Swallowing the lump in her throat, Nova tried to calm the rapid thumps in her chest. Yeah, this was a whole different level than what they were facing in the other Gyms; Rank 8+ was no joke, and it showed what awaited them in Gold-tier. She let the rapid exchange calm as the announcers settled down, talking up her elegant opponent, who was apparently well-known for her predictive nature; she hadn¡¯t lost once in over two years. That being said, some commenters thought she¡¯d grown cocky due to her dominance since she was often cited to be quite helpful in giving comments to her opponents. If that was the case, Sabrina had placed them together to teach her something very important. Showing a strained smile, Nova puffed out her stress, releasing a bit of flame as her tail flickered with a bit of fire and her fluff poofed a little. ¡°I hope to be a good student who will be the first to beat you.¡± ¡°Aww. You¡¯re so sweet, cute, and adorable!¡± Istar chimed. ¡°I must thank you for having a good attitude about our battle. It is uncommon for me to find positive opponents, especially someone more talented than myself. Hmm. We only have about five minutes, which is sad, so let¡¯s make the most of it!¡± Rhea¡¯s cautious voice entered her mind. ¡°She has a Gym Ranking, Nova¡ªa real reputation¡ªbut the Gyms censor any online data about their Pokemon to challenge Trainers. I don¡¯t know what she has, but people who fight her get super pissed. Ugh. I should have looked up more matches to try and see her battle.¡± Nova set her ground, preparing herself as Rhea gave her the gut-tightening news. ¡°She¡¯s strong, Nova.¡± It¡¯s okay, Nova reassured. I¡¯m strong, too! Istar probably was nearly as gifted as her in genetics and had far more experience. She had to listen to Rhea¡¯s advice carefully and watch how Istar fought because even if she did lose, she could already tell there was a lot she could learn from this elegant Espeon, and it made her want to evolve into one as soon as possible. ¡°Let¡¯s have some fun!¡± B4 — 9. V For Victory 1:50 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). The sounds of the crowd and announcers faded into the background as Nova¡¯s focus centered on the older Espeon, her pretty lilac coat gleaming in the spotlights centered on them. Her rapid heartbeat pounded in her fluffy ears, while her white poofy tail fur and the hair around her neck felt so stiff as the world floated by in slow motion. Istar¡¯s graceful poise as the Sun Pokemon readied herself to launch into an attack reminded her of her mother and all her lessons on her own potential transformations. It wasn¡¯t just the motherly, instructive tone Istar had but her poise and undefeatable presence. She was testing her. I can match her! Just watch her carefully and test out where we differ in Stats and style. Rhea will feed me updates as we fight. Five minutes. I can do this! A surge of Normal Energy launched the Espeon forward that Nova mirrored, Sprint further increasing their speed; they became blurs, yet Istar¡¯s confident smile deepened as she lowered herself in the last second, sliding under Nova¡¯s butting head, ears pulled back, and nose lifting up to catch her chest. Nova¡¯s teeth clamped harder as she felt her force slide right over her lilac fur and arched back as Istar¡¯s attack grazed her belly, throwing her into an aerial spiral. Attempting to stabilize herself to land on her feet, she didn¡¯t feel that much of a hit to her defensive matrix as Perception told her why; she¡¯d purposefully redirected most of the blast at the last second. Flying a few meters over the hard floor, she was a little stunned to spot a floating teleportation title directly in her path. How was her Perception Ability so much more acute than hers to have such a good grasp on her environment? There was no way she had this much environmental awareness without the Ability. Legs glowing with light orange energy, she struck out mid-flip, back foot catching the edge of the tile and throwing it against the stone floor. Using Double Kick¡¯s downward momentum to change trajectory, she shot down and touched the ground. Front paws pivoting with her second strike, the teleportation square bounced off at an angle, spinning it upward again for her back foot to send it right at Istar. Sliding in a half circle as her Quick Attack faded, Istar smiled and flicked her tail to redirect the projectile at another teleportation tile. It vanished to appear all the way across the stadium to skid across the ground. Greg¡¯s voice filled the stadium. ¡°Our Eeveelutions are feeling out their competition! What a recovery from Nova. And it¡¯s about to heat up!¡± Not skipping a beat, fire flickered in her mouth as she took a deep breath and launched three superheated spheres at the Espeon, now near the edge of the arena; Adaptability resonated with the element, almost doubling their size. Istar¡¯s tail illuminated and casually swept to her side, kicking up a large plume of dust, her patient smile becoming hazed as the fireballs entered the sand cloud, the heated air pushing parts of it aside; Nova¡¯s eyes widened when she vanished. Where¡¯d she go? Lulu¡¯s sporadic connection to Rhea activated, bringing the worried Cosmog¡¯s voice into her mind. ¡°Behind you, Big Sis!¡± Detect activated, making the fur on her back bristle as she felt an attack coming from above her; Run Away fed strength to her legs, and she shot into a sprint, Perception giving her a wider view as she tilted her head to the side. You¡¯re kidding me! Nova internally screamed, feeling so slow. How does she know where every one of these pads goes? The lilac-furred feline was several meters in the sky, materializing through a teleport tile, the red gem on her forehead erupting with light. She barely dodged left as a multicolored beam zig-zagged from the stone, projecting Psychic Energy that barely missed her tail; it didn¡¯t end there, though. Trying to pick up speed with Run Away and Sprint, she cursed as it closed in on her, and she wasn¡¯t positive if the Espeon had Adaptability. A blue shell embraced her, and the ray sank into her shell, making her set her ground, the light dispersing over her Protect. Istar chuckled while landing on the ground, showing an impressed smile. ¡°You are certainly difficult to pin down, Nova. Of all the opponents I¡¯ve faced, few have been able to recover and evade me so well.¡± Nova couldn¡¯t help a shiver as the intense back and forth came to a momentary pause. As the Espeon seemed to want to reflect on it, she tried to find her breath. ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re so slippery! Alice is fast, but no one has ever made me lose track of them so much or can change attack positions so rapidly¡ªnot even the Ralts I fought that had Teleport. How did you get to that pad so fast?¡± Istar stretched out her back as the commentators went over their last exchange. ¡°That is for you to find out, Dear. I¡¯ve battled in this arena almost all my life, and I¡¯ve purposefully held back my growth, training very little in the conventional ways to increase my PP and internal strength. I enjoy Silver and Gold-tier competitions.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon,¡± Nova urged, fluffing out her fur a bit more and adding a pleading expression, ¡°give me a little hint. Rhea already told me you have Instinct, Sprint, Perception, and Detect, which makes you super hard to hit¡ªespecially Instinct¡ªbut what do you want me to do?¡± ¡°Hahaha!¡± The graceful woman held a paw to her mouth as she looked up at the clock, showing three minutes and thirty seconds left on the clock. ¡°As it stands, I will win based on points for a timed match. I want to see you explore your forms more rather than rely on your base Eevee Feats, so I guess I will need to be a little mean.¡± ¡°Mean?¡± Nova asked, ears pulling back as she forced a smile. ¡°You haven¡¯t been mean yet? This feels a lot like a Gold-tier Battle.¡± Istar showed her a charming smile. ¡°You could make this more of a Gold-tier match for me if you rose further to your potential. So, let¡¯s raise the stakes a little. One last tip¡­ Espeon are quite fast on our feet, so Sprint and Run Away will only delay the inevitable. You won¡¯t win without being creative. What would your father do?¡± ¡°My¡­ dad?¡± Nova asked, thrown off a little by the subject. ¡°I¡¯ve never met him.¡± ¡°A shame. Vee is quite the charmer,¡± Istar winked, implying she knew her father, which ruffled her fur. ¡°If I had so many evolutions at my disposal, with the permission to use them, I¡¯d be using them fully to my advantage. Let¡¯s speed this up!¡± White light encircled the Espeon as she darted at her; she didn¡¯t have much time left to react at the distance Istar had launched from, and, for the first time, she didn¡¯t trust Detect to get her out of the sticky situation. There wasn¡¯t a lot of time left to tilt the point system in her favor; she had to come up with something fast! Fire embraced her as she went for her biggest Move in this form, cloaking her in flames and pushing her forward. Rushing to meet the blurred Espeon, she tried to follow her movements while building what little momentum she could, Speed increasing a stage. Istar pounced left and right, leaving a trail of white light and threatening both sides to break her Flame Charge. Quick Attack made her fast enough to target either side, but if she could just predict where she¡¯d be, her enhanced Fire Attack would definitely win the exchange. Nova¡¯s spinning mind came to a screeching halt as the glow around Istar broke just before they collided. She had canceled Quick Attack? Back legs bending to feed them power, Istar jumped into a front flip, allowing her back to be grazed by the flames and twisting partway through to land behind her. Flame Charge mostly missed the elegant Pokemon, leaving Nova to twist around in confusion as her Speed increased just enough to spot Istar chasing her lit tail tip. Her fire cloak dispersed, replaced by a blue shell as Nova somewhat panicked, yet the motherly Espeon stopped right outside of her barrier; she¡¯d fallen right for her trap! ¡°Let¡¯s see how well you do when limited,¡± she chimed. ¡°Two minutes. I¡¯d come up with a strategy fast to impress us!¡± Her eyes grew big as Istar¡¯s split tail swung around to create a waxy seal that she hadn¡¯t seen before, and her link to Rhea was flooded by terror and hopelessness. Knowing something dangerous was coming, her eye sparkled the moment Protect broke, attempting to dodge the waxy seal, yet Istar countered her Detect with Instinct. ¡°No! Nova! We can¡¯t win if that hits you! No!¡± Nova never felt so dominated as Istar tackled her to the ground, the woman¡¯s paw against her chest and pinning her on her back while lying on top of her. Nova¡¯s tail writhed as she tried to wiggle free, but she¡¯d never been in this position before. ¡°H-Hey! Stop!¡± ¡°Sorry, Sweetie!¡± she said with a pained smile, the lilac-furred Pokemon grappling her against the stone as her tail burned the waxy seal into her side; she tried to use Quick Attack to fly away, only for it to fail, and chains seemed to lock almost all of her Moves the second the seal met her side, driving her mind into a frenzy. ¡°We¡¯re running out of time, and I want to see¡ªoof!¡± ¡°Get off!¡± A cloak of flames erupted around them as Flame Charge exploded from within Nova¡¯s core, more than ten times stronger than normal, and launched them into the sky. Istar winced, managing to finish her initial attack and activate her Protect just before the fire erupted, carrying them upward toward the top of the stage barrier in a dazzling plume. The heat radiating from her mixed with Rhea¡¯s fear, blooming an internal fire that she¡¯d experienced back in the Sinjoh Mountains during their training: Victini¡¯s power transferred through her Trainer. Istar¡¯s barrier shattered halfway up, but she hadn¡¯t been hit by the full charging built-up of the explosive attack before being thrown off to the side. Feeling a little light-headed with the dissipating inferno that engulfed her entire being, Nova saw spots as she looked down from near the rafters. Everything moved in slow motion as streaks of excess flames rained down on the stage, leaving patches of fire burning across the field. It looked like something Sabin¡¯s Houndoom might do in the videos Rhea had shown her, and Nova wondered if she was dreaming as she slowly fell. All of her Moves were unsealed, ready to be used. * * * Rhea¡¯s throat constricted, and her vision hazed as a volcanic eruption burst out of her core and into her chest, spreading to every fiber of her being. The whole world flashed with colors as a floodgate cracked open, passing between her and Nova, separated from her other Pokemon. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. The surge was so fast that she didn¡¯t have time to process what was happening, and spontaneously, Nova flew into the sky in a wave of flames. She spotted Istar¡¯s Protect shatter the moment her vision cleared, yet the Espeon managed to spread out her legs and land on one of the teleport pad¡¯s edges to stabilize herself; it coasted through the air to a stop against the barrier while streams of pure Fire Energy arched out of her Flareon. Sweat started to gather under Rhea¡¯s armpits from the surge of V¡¯s power that flared out, heating the platform she stood on. From the corner of her eye, she saw the large overhead display focused on her, radiating a wispy red aura that she hadn¡¯t meant to use; she hadn¡¯t managed to use this ability without Maria¡¯s support. Why had it activated now, of all places? It was far too dangerous! Nova was in a semi-loopy state from the surge of Legendary Energy that had been transferred to her, multiplying her attack as if it was a Z-Move. Rhea¡¯s skin tingled as if every cell was pushing her to take to the sky and fly. Twitching into action, she was about to recall Nova before the Flareon hit the ground, knowing she wasn¡¯t stable enough to link the red beam, but Istar shot into action to save her opponent from the potentially damaging fall. The Espeon tilted the tile she hovered on, illuminated tail flicking it as she jumped off, using the barrier as a platform to redirect her momentum to the stage, still being peppered with flames. The teleport pad launched toward Nova, hitting her partway down and transporting her to another one of the floating squares. Istar landed on a cleared patch of the arena, between the patches of red, orange, and yellow fire. Greg and Ted went crazy, the crowd jumping to their feet at the display typically seen more in High Platinum-tier. ¡°Imprison! There it is, folks! Istar has Nova pinned under her; she¡¯s not escaping, Ted!¡± ¡°One of the most dreaded Moves in Gold and above, folks!¡± ¡°Nova is going to have to¡ªwhat the¡­ Flame Blitz? Istar¡¯s Protect shatters!¡± ¡°No!¡± Greg shouted. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be Inferno Overdrive!¡± ¡°In Silver-tier?! Muk, that¡¯s intense¡ªIstar managed to recover, but our star inferno is still¡ªwhat a good sportswoman! Is this not planned? Istar redirects a teleport pad to save Nova from a harsh fall into a pool of supercharged flames!¡± Greg looked up at the countdown. ¡°Did the time stop? Gym Leader Sabrina?¡± Rhea gulped as she saw the pink-illuminated, narrow-eyed stare Sabrina gave her through the display; without a doubt in her mind, the Psychic had instructed Istar to action. That one Move could have actually killed the helpful Espeon, someone she felt Nova had come to respect and admire. Her fingers paused over the button to connect her voice to the stadium speakers as Sabrina¡¯s voice entered her mind, unheard by everyone else. ¡°Don¡¯t forfeit.¡± She curled her fingers to dig her nails into her palm, biting her lower lip as the Grandmaster continued their silent conversation. ¡°This was what I really wanted an answer to¡­ Ash wanted me to push you and Nova since her unstable genetics, mixed with whatever your mother did to you, could cause a resonance that drew out some inner power¡­ I have my own suspicions at this point, and you needn¡¯t reveal the truth.¡± Sabrina¡¯s voice came over the intercom as the microphone rose to float in front of her, and Istar was pulled back into her Poke Ball. ¡°We will take a fifteen-minute respite and continue the match. Two of the Gym Masters will have a light match for your entertainment. At its conclusion, Ms. Everhart and I will resume our battle with five minutes on the clock.¡± ¡°Go to the first room on your right. I will meet you there shortly.¡± Hand pressing against her chest, Rhea tried to ease the rapid thumps that pounded against her ribs. She swallowed the lump in her throat and returned Nova to her capsule, only now returning to her senses to look down at the blackened stone across the stage. Lulu jumped onto her shoulder and hugged her neck, unsure what was going on. Nova¡¯s concerned nudges followed as Rhea pressed the button to be lowered to the walkway back to the locker rooms. No, Nova, she sighed, wiping the sweat from her brow; it felt like she could run a marathon rather than being exhausted. It¡¯s not your fault¡­ I¡¯m supposed to be the one mediating and balancing all of us. Sucking in her bottom lip as she passed one of the Gym Masters that ran by her to entertain the crowd, Rhea felt confusion twist her gut. She put pressure against her cuticles as she tried to help Nova understand what they¡¯d just done and process it herself, shock still gripping her. No, it wasn¡¯t a Z-Move, Alice, she internally mumbled, opening the door to what looked to be a small conference room with a bridging door that led somewhere else. It¡¯s a lot stronger than that¡­ and I¡¯ll feel it later. She sank into a seat and hugged herself, suddenly feeling cold as a shiver ran through her spine. Icy tingles cascaded up her frame, followed by hot needles. In reality, she really could run at full speed for hours with this kind of energy surging through her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it since she didn¡¯t know how to start it in the first place. We unlocked a pathway to synchronize with V, but it¡¯s different than how you perform a Z-Move because of the type of energy and the level of link that is required to do it. My whole Fortitude nerve system was activated for a brief second, at least, that¡¯s what Maria said¡­ She was a little surprised when Sabrina opened the opposite door and closed it behind her, wearing a small smile Rhea hadn¡¯t expected, and Rhea instantly blurted out an apology. ¡°I¡¯m sorry!¡± The dark-haired Psychic flicked back her long black bangs as they floated behind her, a chuckle shaking her chest as she moved to sit cross-legged in the chair across from her. ¡°It was no trouble, Rhea; please, do not think I am angry. I am sure ratings and this fight¡¯s sales will soar through the roof with that performance. Bring Nova out so that Istar can have a chat with her; she¡¯d like to get better acquainted with your gifted beautiful Eevee. On a different note, I am concerned about your body, though, which is why I postponed our battle.¡± A tad taken aback, Rhea mechanically released Nova as her somewhat singed, lilac-furred opponent exited her own floating Poke Ball to show an encouraging smile at her suddenly shy and ashamed Pokemon. It only took one look at Istar to see that her energy matrix had taken a decent hit from the Legendary Energy-enhanced Flame Charge. ¡°It¡¯s¡­ a good thing Istar is so good at dodging and had her Protect up¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, tears suddenly coming to her eyes as the pressure from the incident suddenly struck her chest. The weight doubled upon watching Nova worriedly nuzzle her older opponent, asking if the woman was okay. ¡°I could have¡­ killed her. I don¡¯t know what came over me¡ªI saw the battle Sabin had with Kate¡ªI knew we might lose if it connected, and¡­ it just¡­ happened.¡± Sabrina showed a lot more emotion as she leaned against her knee, face far more animated than her stoic public persona. ¡°Ash specifically warned the League it might happen at some point. From my own Psychic senses, I would say it had something to do with a sense of hopelessness and dread that was the catalyst.¡± Rhea¡¯s slick, coral-blue eyes widened as it clicked in her mind: Victini was the Victory Pokemon. V resonated with her need for support when she¡¯d lost all hope due to her brother¡¯s warning about the Move just before she started her journey. Rather than using the knowledge to fight against it, she¡¯d let herself believe she was fighting her own brother and knowing she couldn¡¯t win. Sinking back into her seat, Rhea rubbed her face with a low groan. ¡°I wasn¡¯t even desperate¡­ I can¡¯t believe I lost faith in Nova¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry, Nova¡­¡± ¡°Flare-flare?¡± She sniffed back her tears as Nova hopped up to press her paws against her knee and nuzzle her face with her wet nose. ¡°Flare!¡± Fighting back her emotions, face flaming and probably more than a little puffy, Rhea pulled Nova up onto her lap as Alice exited her Poke Ball to comfort her, too, while Lulu latched onto her neck. ¡°Lop! Lop!¡± ¡°Nee? Nee-nene-nee?¡± her cosmic cloud asked, wanting to know where it hurt before glaring at Sabrina. ¡°Nee! Nee-nee!¡± Sabrina¡¯s smile softened as she leaned forward to pat her head. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Rhea. Hehe. Do you know how much trouble I got into with my powers growing up? I turned my parents into dolls¡ªdolls! I did some horrible things, but Ash saved them, and my parents got me the help I needed by seeking Olympia¡¯s support in tutoring me. That and a lot of social skills training in Rocket; that period of my life was a trip! I totally understand the struggle to control your own abilities.¡± Rhea tucked in her bottom lip, taking comfort from the woman¡¯s gentle touch and words; the scary, rookie-crusher Gym Leader was totally a softy when outside her hard Gym persona. She¡¯d never heard about this side of her, even through the Master circles. ¡°What should I do? I was supposed to go to Maria to stop myself from becoming unstable and blowing up or something¡­ What if that happened to someone that isn¡¯t¡­ isn¡¯t¡­¡± Sabrina winked and sat back with a short chortle. ¡°Isn¡¯t a Psychic Grandmaster who can see what will happen before it happens and prepare my Pokemon for it?¡± Vision falling to the woman¡¯s red boots, she sighed. ¡°Yeah¡­ ¡± Leaning to the side of her chair and resting the back of her hand against her cheek, Sabrina¡¯s pink eyes turned blue as she quit using her psychic powers. ¡°It¡¯s simple, really. Have faith in your Pokemon.¡± ¡°Flare!¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± Rhea forced a teary smile as her Pokemon hugged her. ¡°Is¡­ it really that easy?¡± Sabrina gave a weak shrug. ¡°Keep in mind I am not an Aura Grandmaster like Ash, but from my perspective, that small, well-hidden consciousness buried deep within you responded to your loss in hope. Why did that happen once you saw Istar use Imprison? If you can discover the cause, then you can work out a solution.¡± ¡°Ah-heh. You kind of sound like Amira,¡± Rhea whispered, stroking her Pokemon to let them know she was going to be alright. ¡°My brother showed me how strong that Move was just before I started my journey, and¡­ I had this stupid idea that maybe it was Platinum-tier because of that¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Sabrina hummed, smiling gently while leaning into the back of her hand. ¡°You really admire and look up to your brother?¡± Rhea quietly nodded, and Sabrina glanced down at Istar, engaged in licking her fur to clean off the dirtied patches. ¡°Your mental instability appears to be calming down, and you have an answer as to how to prevent that from happening again. Do you think your brother would believe in you to overcome this Gym challenge?¡± ¡°Probably,¡± she smiled, wondering if he¡¯d secretly infiltrated the stands to watch; it would be like him. It was like that for most of her family. ¡°I kind of feel really silly now. I have a plan to beat Istar, and I think it¡¯s what you wanted us to do all along.¡± Sabrina¡¯s dark hair shifted with her head movements as she directed them to the preening Espeon. ¡°All of this was Istar¡¯s idea. She really looks up to Nova¡¯s parents, and she wants to help her get stronger¡­¡± ¡°Espeon,¡± she purred, looking up at her apprehensive Eevee. Whatever she said put a dazzling grin on Nova¡¯s face. ¡°Flareon.¡± ¡°Hmm-hmm. Yes, she has already exceeded expectations for being so young.¡± The Espeon paused as Sabrina¡¯s eyes illuminated and the cat was floated up to be nuzzled and stroked by the Psychic. ¡°You¡¯ve been a naughty kitty and trying to ruin my reputation! I¡¯ll have to punish you with love when this is all over.¡± ¡°Esp-esp¡­¡± ¡°Hehe. Yes, I know I am hopeless. Are you ready to begin where we left off, Rhea? I know there will be a harsh backlash to your Fortitude after what you did, so don¡¯t push yourself if that is the case. The minions should have cleaned up the fire by now.¡± Feeling better after Sabrina¡¯s pep-talk and caring tone, Rhea moved her Pokemon off her lap, linked her fingers, and stretched her arms high overhead with a low groan. ¡°I feel absolutely on fire right now, but give it a few hours to fizzle out, and I¡¯ll be dead to the world with aches and pains in places that make no logical sense. Minions?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t envy.¡± Sabrina snickered. ¡°And yes, I call them my minions. A habit from my Rocket days. It¡¯s nice having people do the dirty work while we can laze about. In addition, the burst of psychic energy they released from the stress you put on them was thrilling; it isn¡¯t easy to follow up your fireworks display! Sure, they¡¯re Masters, but a Silver girl shooting off a Platinum-tier Move makes waves.¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯ll have to apologize. What do we say about it?¡± The Psychic giggled, finger held to her lips. ¡°And why must we say anything? Let people speculate and stew in the mystery,¡± she said with an impish gleam in her pink eyes. ¡°It can spark some interesting conversations in the future, I¡¯m sure. Nova will need to start the battle with an Imprison on her due to your powers erasing it since that was cheating.¡± ¡°Understood.¡± Rhea pursed her lips to the side, now leery-eyed. ¡°What have you foreseen?¡± ¡°Do you know what is fun about having such potent foresight?¡± Sabrina asked, floating up from her chair instead of standing as her cat lay in her lap. Rhea shook her head, her Pokemon trying to pester Istar for the answer. ¡°Teasing people?¡± ¡°Perfectly stated! See you soon, Fire Starter,¡± Sabrina said with a mysterious twinkle in her illuminated eyes. ¡°Show Istar a good time. She deserves a treat despite all her bad behavior.¡± ¡°Esp! Espeon,¡± the cat huffed, looking away with a pout as the Psychic kissed her gem and floated them out of the room. ¡°Espeon.¡± ¡°Flareon!¡± Nova¡¯s tail wagged as Rhea returned her girls to their Poke Balls, and Lulu hopped on top of her head, now excited for the battle to continue. Rhea looked down at her Pokemon, thinking back to Mya¡¯s previous fight and how hopeless that was, as well. Sabrina really had set all this up to test them; the Gym Leaders personalized every challenge to the individual, and she was starting to see how amazing they really were. Let¡¯s win this! It¡¯s too bad Mya missed all of this; she¡¯s going to be Muking pissed! Hand tightening around Nova¡¯s capsule, she exited to finish out her match against one of the most feared Gym Leaders in all of Kanto and Johto. She couldn¡¯t have pulled this strategy off before her training under Maria, but now, she was sure they could do it. Nova, you really are a menace. I can see why the League restricted us. B4 — 10. The Marsh Badge 2:05 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). The roar of the announcers didn¡¯t seem to mesh with the crowd as the Master aides finished up their show; the last blows of the match made the saliva in Rhea¡¯s throat thicken as her fingers left the knob of the door to look down the long corridor. Blood pounded in her ears, skin tingling as she took her first step toward the bright lights welcoming her to the battle finale. Lulu growled from atop her head, trying to act fierce and cute to help her smile, and it certainly did help. She reached up to pat the puff ball¡¯s head, hearing the more sophisticated sounds of string instruments begin to play while Greg dismissed the Masters and started hyping up their resuming match. We¡¯re going to give it our all, she repeated to her Pokemon, left hand tightening around Nova¡¯s Poke Ball. We¡¯re going to celebrate at a fancy place after this¡­ because we¡¯re going to win! Pressure wrapped around her chest as the Master emerged out of the bright light, leaving the stadium and showing her a strained smile. ¡°Good luck! The crowd couldn¡¯t wait for us to get off the field. I think our match ratings doubled during the break, too.¡± ¡°Thanks for the gut check,¡± Rhea weakly laughed, sounding somewhat breathless and making him wince in passing. ¡°My bad! I didn¡¯t mean it like that. You¡¯ll kill it!¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± Rhea reached up to check the security of her ponytail and shifted her hair clip to better hold back her bangs before taking a deep breath and stepping into the light. A lump formed in her throat as the noisy throng went silent, the atmosphere becoming tense as the last scene from their postponed match replayed for all to see. The screen split, showing her slow walk onto the platform while the other showed her crimson, wispy aura that had embraced her in the build-up to Nova¡¯s blooming inferno. A close-up shot showed her coral-blue eyes, only, they weren¡¯t blue. Instead, a bright, sparkling ruby met her, and flecks of maroon streaks ran through her golden hair. She hadn¡¯t realized the intense physical change that had come over her at the time, but it had quickly receded as she¡¯d shut the floodgates; now she had to deal with the mass of excess energy V had given them. Ted chuckled, causing needles to cascade down Rhea¡¯s spine as she rose to the challenger¡¯s position. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a lot of things in my day commentating, Greg, especially in a Psychic-themed Gym, but this is a first! What is that power our little firecracker just put out?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know, Ted,¡± the man mumbled. ¡°That wasn¡¯t your typical kind of Psychic or Aura-based explosion, was it?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t think so¡­ and at the age of seventeen? Something is up, which is why Gym Leader Sabrina pulled her aside. I know I¡¯m interested to see how this will go down because that last attack¡ªwooh, that was deadly! I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve seen an out-of-pocket Move like that since before the Tier System was implemented; am I wrong?¡± ¡°Not any Gym history I know of,¡± Ted mumbled in return as Rhea tried to ignore the talk. ¡°I¡¯m just glad Istar was the one chosen to go against that Supernova. From a Silver to a Platinum Move in a split second is wild! That has to be a fluke, right? What was that aura around her? Is she secretly Platinum?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ no! It has to be that fire she radiated; she¡¯s registered Silver, and Gym Leader Sabrina hasn¡¯t made any changes to her card or marked her as using anything illegal¡­ Well, we¡¯re about to see where this is going, folks!¡± Oh, Arceus, she internally cried, half-laughing inside when the theatrics began as if this were a pay-per-view match. What is she planning?! Both men hushed when the floating devices overhead took the spotlight off her, and the gut-tightening drum, ominous hums, and strings introduced the Gym¡¯s matriarch. It would have set Rhea¡¯s hair on edge, but she knew that the Psychic was pulling eyes and minds away from her while setting the haunting and intimidating atmosphere her reputation brought. Instead of going to the Gym Leader box, the lights lifted into the air, where the strobe-like effect illuminated the stunning, dark-haired woman, hovering in the air; somehow, she¡¯d managed to find the time to change into a black dress. Her bright pink eyes cast a hypnotic spell throughout the stands, and the sudden clicking of clocks set every viewer on edge as drums pounded in the background and pulses of Psychic energy changed her location with every flash. Rainbow lights embraced Sabrina, multiple teleports bringing the Psychic to a floating throne, where she lightly sat cross-legged, hands held in her lap as the crescendo abruptly faded to a cello¡¯s somber strum. A small smile played at the corner of Sabrina¡¯s lips as she leered down from her lofty position, showing off the lower half of her long legs and black lace heels. ¡°Today, you showed me something unique, Rhea, so I must act in kind. I must amend the rules that I placed on Istar¡­¡± She let the statement hang as she summoned a black fan from seemingly nowhere, spreading it out to the weeping hum of the instruments, the sound dying in between her words. ¡°Istar is typically strictly held back from many of her Moves¡­ Now, I only forbid one¡ªPsychic Terrain. Nova will be subjected to Imprison and all other restrictions will be lifted for a special Armageddon, five-minute match. Do you accept or forfeit this challenge?¡± Rhea gulped. If this had been how Sabrina came out from the go, her knees would have given out, but all of this was to match the energy of her last explosive display; it was making the battle something to be remembered, and not just from the weird show of power. The woman was making it clear to onlookers that she hadn¡¯t done anything wrong and giving them something to talk about for years to come. Gaining strength from the secret side of Sabrina she¡¯d just chatted with, Rhea flashed her teeth and fed into the play; it was like she was in a movie! She held up Nova¡¯s dazzling, custom-sleeved Master Ball toward the Psychic, the bright spotlight on her as she strengthened her voice. ¡°Nova and I accept your challenge, Gym Leader Sabrina; we will show you the power we¡¯ve cultivated in the borderlands of the Sinjoh Desolation!¡± ¡°Ho-ho-ho. How bold,¡± she softly mused, vision narrowing as floating Poke Balls spun around her in sweeping streaks of Psychic energy, and she held her open fan near her face, projecting final boss vibes. ¡°So, you¡¯ve been training hard these last two months in that frozen wasteland to face me? It seems you have come prepared¡­ Will it be enough?¡± Nova¡¯s nerves steeled, readying herself as Lulu and Alice cheered her on, and the cosmic cloud jumped onto the console to point a defiant, poofy hand up at the Grandmaster. ¡°Nee! Ne-ne. Ne. Ne-ne¡­ Neeee!¡± The crowd was dead silent as Sabrina¡¯s lips curled, leaning her cheek into the back of her hand as the red-trimmed fan moved to cover her mouth, illuminated vision narrowing. ¡°Is that right? We shall see if your big sister has what it takes to be called the Daughter of Champions.¡± Clicking clocks plucked at the tension, intense violins replacing joining the cellos as the overhead light turned red and fingers coiled around Rhea¡¯s pounding heart. This was it; Sabrina had put on this entire show for them to spark a mystery that would follow them throughout their whole career. This was not a time to hold back. Feeling the swell of V¡¯s lingering power still coursing through her veins, Rhea breathed out a long stream of air as the light flipped yellow, and she drew back her left arm, Sabrina¡¯s imperial gaze upon her, commanding to be impressed. Nova¡­ we¡¯re all in¡­ We owe her that. Unlimited energy! Go! * ¡ª * ¡ª * Fur bristling within her Poke Ball, Nova calmed her racing heart as she focused on the fight to come. Rhea threw her into the center of the stadium to come face-to-face with the elegant Espeon, who looked totally renewed by her sleek lilac coat; the golden light, indicating the match was about to begin, had yet to change green. Pressure built in her breast as the motherly Pokemon gracefully pranced forward to circle her in the spotlight, the five-minute clock waiting to be activated with her slow, methodical steps. The waxy seal materialized at the end of her split tail, the Ghostly aura surrounding Istar and putting Nova¡¯s fluff into disarray. Her soft tone held a cunning undercurrent that made Nova¡¯s claws flex out. ¡°Careful, Nova, if I¡¯m able to unleash all I have but Psychic Terrain, then it might get troublesome for you without Protect or Detect. Use that overwhelming power you¡¯ve tapped into¡­ or it might be over too quickly.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll see,¡± she countered, throat a bit sticky as the Espeon stopped in front of her, tail sliding between her front legs, below her mane, to press the seal against her chest, locking almost all of her Moves. It was so restrictive; they only had fourteen Moves at their disposal. ¡°Please, don¡¯t get hurt¡­ I¡¯m going to try my best.¡± ¡°Hehehe. I expect nothing less¡­¡± Walking a few meters away, she tilted her body to sit at an angle, amethyst eyes fixated on her, waiting for the clicking clocks, violins, and cellos to stop; the Gym Leader¡¯s activating words would start their match. Mane ruffling, Nova¡¯s pink eyes narrowed, ready to move. Istar held a completely lax posture, looking entirely unbothered as the sounds of the music hit its conclusion, and Sabrina¡¯s low, feminine voice broke the stillness. ¡°Begin.¡± A cloak of flames erupted from Nova as she shot forward, the inferno spreading out a meter from her body. Time moved slower with every step, Speed increasing and feeling the surge of lingering Legendary force that was mixed into Rhea¡¯s Fortitude seep into every fiber of her being; it wasn¡¯t as strong as it had been when the floodgate was open, but more than twice her typical power. ¡°Increased Speed, and using Flame Charge as a form of Protect? Not bad, Nova,¡± Istar said with a slight smile, violet eyes illuminating pink, ¡°but try not to get Confused¡­¡± Sharp teeth locking together, Nova tried to jump to the side to prevent the sphere of Psychic force from hitting her, yet a slight swish of Istar¡¯s hand sent it right back into her path; she couldn¡¯t get around it at this Speed. She winced at the weight that slammed against her mind, making her see triple of the Sun Pokemon as she wobbled in her trajectory; her energy matrix went down to 85%. However, a smile narrowed her eyes as she came to the Espeon, and a flash of brilliant light interrupted her Flame Charge. ¡°Hmm?! Tricky,¡± she chuckled. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. Double-vision fading, Nova grinned, fur now pulled tightly against her body; frost streaming out of her mouth as she took a deep breath and released a focused gale of Icy Wind at the graceful Espeon, her opponent¡¯s eye twinkling. Speed increased, Nova darted after the cat. She danced away, and both of their paws slid across the broad, icy surface she was creating. Istar was too slippery, though, using the ice herself at times to show off her graceful moves. Greg shouted with excitement, the instruments still swaying in the background. Ted followed, now standing on his feet with many of the onlookers, staring up at the display or watching them run around the stage. ¡°Imprison locked out of most of Nova¡¯s Moves. Flame Charge increases her Speed to match the quick Espeon, but Confusion hits Nova¡¯s mind hard!¡± ¡°Will she be able to hit¡ªEvolution! Flareon becomes Glaceon¡ªNova¡¯s going for the -1 Speed on her elusive opponent. Adaptability-enhanced Icy Wind! Detect and Instinct keeps Istar dancing around the blast, but for how long?!¡± ¡°Nova uses Skater to glide across the ice, picking up pace; Istar¡¯s running out of room¡ªhere comes the barrier?!¡± Using her flat tail to maneuver on the frigid sheets she created, Nova used it as a platform to leap over the spray of sand that Istar flicked up with her own tail to blind and make her trip. The Psychic Pokemon used the momentum to jump onto the side of the barrier and make it to the floating teleportation tiles. Nova landed on the ice as the dust passed, spinning in a circle before her paws left it to follow the cat, her forehead glowing a light blue. The gut-churning sensation of teleportation hit her as she appeared two dozen meters above the arena, with Istar flipped around on another platform. A flare of white light launched her forward in the blink of an eye, yet Ice Shards were already spraying out of Nova¡¯s mouth to intercept, peppering the speedy cat, and an explosion of icy force exploded mid-air. Nova cheered inside as Istar exited the misty cloud, one eye closed and showing a small smile as she fell. ¡°Not bad¡­¡± Another gale of Icy Wind erupted from her mouth, only for Perception to make her aware of a spinning teleportation tile heading right for her side; the crafty Espeon must have smacked it with her tail just after exiting¡ªher tail was longer, though. Batting it away, she let loose the whirlwind of frigid air to sweep over the falling lilac-furred cat; a blue shell encompassed Istar, and the gale carried her to the ground, where the bubble broke her fall. Nova huffed an impressed stream of misty air through her nose as Istar giggled and sat down to look up at her; a green light increased her Special Attack by one. The Espeon really was so much more experienced than her. An effulgence overtook her, tail extending to flare out into a fin as Istar winked and waved, creating hearts that flew toward her, attempting to lower her Attack. Jumping to a nearby square to escape, being careful not to touch the teleport activator, a cyan hue shrouded Nova in a gray film, casting a misty fog over the field from above. A silent chuckle shook her frame at the hype the announcers were spreading from her continued evolutions and Moves. Her Speed fell back to zero with Istar¡¯s Special Attack, but that was fine because now she was invisible. She smiled down upon the narrow-eyed Espeon, scanning the fog for her shadow in the ever-shifting, hovering teleportation platforms. Taking a deep breath, she let it out in a low Yawn and released the cloud to mix into the haze; Istar didn¡¯t have that particular Eevee Breeding Move. Expectedly, Istar wasn¡¯t going to let her do as she pleased; twinkling light brought golden stars rocketing into the void to search for her, the Espeon running after them¡ªnot before her subtle cloud struck the Psychic Pokemon. Finally, she¡¯d managed to get something past Instinct. The stars rose into the sky to strike, and Nova angled the platform to the side to act as a wall, an eruption of light changing her tail to a puffy mass of fur. ¡°You¡¯re doing really well¡­ Oh, Rattata! When did you¡­ Yawwwhhh.¡± Istar smacked her lips, becoming a little sluggish. Touching the tile trigger at the last second, Nova swapped to a hovering square far higher than she¡¯d anticipated; the stars exploded against the one she¡¯d been on, destroying it and deactivating the tile she¡¯d changed to. ¡°Hehe! I totally got¡ªeek!¡± A ray of Psychic Energy cut a line through the clearing haze; Psybeam hit the underside of her square, breaking it apart and colliding with her belly just before the swaying cat fell to her side, entering her dreams. ¡°Ah-ahhh!¡± Nova¡¯s legs flailed as her energy matrix took a 35% hit, taking her to 50%; thankfully, she fell near another platform to latch onto. The problem? It started to tilt down the second her claws latched into it, making her legs flail to find another landing pad. ¡°C¡¯mon! C¡¯mon!¡± she hissed, wild eyes spotting the ground far below her and Istar peacefully snoozing on her side. ¡°Eesh¡­ Just¡­ a little more¡­¡± Trying to time one of the floating squares as it lined up while listening to her Trainer and teammates¡¯ advice, Nova took a drop of faith. She landed on the trigger, sending her to a much more reasonable distance to the ground and allowing her to hop off. Heart pounding, she held her hand against her breast and studied the seal as things started to calm down; it was starting to crack, and the time above had fallen to two minutes and thirty seconds. She had to make this one count; Wish was the safe play to keep in the match, but it wouldn¡¯t win her this battle. No, she had one big Move that was her only shot against the incredibly graceful Espeon. Taking a deep breath in the tense silence, she released a giant cloud of purple smoke to fill the stadium, enhancing it as much as possible with the practically unlimited energy Rhea opened up to her. Istar inhaled the dark smog, doing little damage but filling her body with the toxic force; the woman could easily deal with it if she woke up, which was why she had to force herself into a position where she couldn¡¯t cure it. One of the silver linings of Imprison was that it gave Nova a perfect understanding of what Moves her opponent had. A brilliant shimmer flattened out her poofy tail into a frigid blade, sideburns extending and forehead fur tightening into a crown. Ears twitching with the limited time she had left for her plan, Nova darted forward, breathing in deeply and skating across the icy sheet she created to get into point-blank range of her rousing opponent. This was her last shot; she knew she couldn¡¯t catch Istar off-guard again, and Rhea had given her the perfect combination to put the graceful woman in a perfect storm of panic. Naturally, Istar¡¯s first priority would be to reapply Imprison; of course, their plan didn¡¯t even rely on that falling off. Unlucky for the awesome Espeon, a fully genetically unlocked Glaceon had some rather nasty Abilities. Ominous shadows embraced Nova, dropping her Speed and increasing her Attack and Defense as the Curse took effect. She tackled the groggy Espeon, taking the bewildered and alarmed woman to her back to press her paw down on her chest, reversing their earlier position of power. ¡°No Synchronize, huh?¡± ¡°Huh?! I¡­ Mmmgm! Am I¡­ Poisoned? Nova?!¡± ¡°Do you have Eject+, like me? No? Shame!¡± Nova chirped, cyan light embracing her as Istar¡¯s wide, lilac eyes centered on her illuminated mouth; her close proximity radiating a biting chill that put a quake through the Espeon frosting fur. ¡°You don¡¯t look very warm!¡± A whirlwind of mist and cold air bathed the confused and shivering woman as she woke from her pleasant dream; she tried to fight her off, but her movements were sluggish, and her limbs locked up under the harsh arctic stream. Blue light tried to form to encase her in a defensive shell¡ªher first mistake¡ªit shattered due to her close proximity, and the Quick Attack tried next was interrupted by the ice creeping over her figure, Speed dropping to -2 from her continual barrage; the second gale increased in power, projecting the ice and mist in a spray of fog that encompassed them. ¡°Nova was once defenseless and under Istar¡¯s paw, but now tables have turned and the older woman is against the spikes!¡± Greg shouted. ¡°Is that Frostbite, Ted?! How rare is that in Glaceon?! Radial Freeze if she can keep opponents in close proximity!¡± Ted punched his arm into the air. ¡°STAB! Adaptability! Hammering Streak building with every Icy Wind, Istar is Frozen in place! Our spunky, unique Eevee has fought back tooth and nail to get this advantage!¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s Frostbite; I¡¯m sure of it! I can see why the League put a forced restriction on this Legendary Eevee because she¡¯s swapping forms like her dad, Ted! Incredible! What¡¯s this?¡± Mist exiting Nova¡¯s parted mouth, chest heaving with the amount of pressure she¡¯d put into her last Move, she lifted her paw off Istar¡¯s chest, leaving an icy imprint. Already cracks were appearing in the thin shell around the Espeon, and she jumped into a low front flip, tail lashing out while tapping into one of her Abilities. ¡°Eject+ sends Istar flying across the stadium! What is our Legend¡¯s next Move?!¡± Nova landed on her feet, but her legs were shaking; her body was starting to become too unstable. She¡¯d never channeled so much of Rhea¡¯s energy in such a short time, not to mention the Platinum, Legendary-enhanced Flame Charge she¡¯d used before. Her Trainer¡¯s worry filtered through their connection as she looked up to see Istar slowly shaking off the ice; it hadn¡¯t been enough to totally Freeze the stronger woman. She was starting to see double, and pain bloomed as Rhea¡¯s voice filtered through her mind. ¡°Nova! I think¡­ I don¡¯t think we can do the rest of what we planned. You can¡¯t change into Flareon, or there might be a big energy backlash that could really hurt you. It¡¯s now or never!¡± Closing her eyes, Nova released the air in her lungs in a long stream and released her form. ¡°What next, Greg?!¡± ¡°Nova transforms into her¡­ Base Form?¡± Memories flooded Nova¡¯s mind, passing between Rhea and her in a rebounding loop: the first time she¡¯d broken out of her egg to snuggle next to Rhea¡¯s leg, the battle for their lives against Plasma¡¯s assassin, their defeats and victories, leading up to their time in the Sinjoh Mountains. A golden radiance illuminated Nova¡¯s vision as it opened, the world moving in slow motion with an aurelian glow erupting around her. Stars twinkled around her in a dazzling display, and she caught the Istar attempting to shake off the ice. Greg and Ted¡¯s noises faded into empty space, and all she saw was the slowly recovering Espeon in front of her, Rhea¡¯s voice lifting her into outer space. ¡°I love you.¡± I love you, too, Rhea¡­ ¡°Now, show them what it means to be a supernova!¡± Taking all the emotion and energy she could, she turned into a comet, the world moving at a snail¡¯s pace as she flew right for the Espeon; a twinkle sparked in Istar¡¯s violet eye, muscles tensing to dodge, but she was moving so slow, and she only continued to gain momentum. Istar¡¯s face showed a proud smile that melted her heart. Launching forward, Nova embraced the most wonderful foe she¡¯d ever faced dead in the chest, and her vision washed into oblivion. I¡¯m sorry, Rhea¡­ ¡°Well done¡­¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * ¡°Nova!¡± An explosion of gold blinded Rhea, forcing her arm up to shield her eyes; shards of rock peppered the barrier where they¡¯d collided, and when it cleared, she saw a trail of torn-up stone from where Nova had charged. She hadn¡¯t expected this level of damage from the attack; it was at least a high Gold-tier attack, which could have severely hurt the Espeon. This wasn¡¯t their normal power output. It was all because of her stupid Legendary Energy currently infused into her Fortitude that was causing such a weird imbalance within Nova and her. Had her fear hurt Nova or ruined their chance at the Marsh Badge? Istar and Nova were motionless on top of each other, leaving a small crater near Sabrina¡¯s side of the stage that bounced around in what must have been their tumbles. Greg was stunned, leaving Ted to shout out the results. ¡°Veevee Volley¡­ Nova launches an intense Veevee Volley¡ªChampion Ambrosia¡¯s signature Move¡ªboth Pokemon are down! Start the count!¡± Rhea felt numb as the cameras spun around the unmoving Eevee and Espeon, Istar on her back, arms wrapped around her teary-eyed opponent. ¡°One! Two! Three! Four¡­ We have movement!¡± Her shoulders slumped as Istar shivered and blinked open her eyes. Silence filled the stands, and the Espeon glanced around before centering on the Eevee in her arms. She took a long sigh before smiling and licking Nova¡¯s cheek. ¡°Esp.¡± ¡°Istar is the¡ª¡± Clapping came from the floating final boss above the stage, hushing the announcers, and a flash of rainbow colors brought Sabrina¡¯s throne to the floor. Unfolding her legs and rising from her seated position, Istar tilted her head back from her lying position to sheepishly look up at the Gym Leader. Sabrina¡¯s hand lifted, bringing both of the girls into the air and dislodging them from their stuck position inside the stone floor. ¡°Rhea, you¡¯ve certainly shone brightly during this battle¡­ You¡¯ve raised a partner to be proud of.¡± Heat crawled up Rhea¡¯s throat at the Psychic¡¯s broken character, a smile on her black lips. ¡°The things you¡¯ve gone through as a team must have strengthened both of you for this power to be magnified between your emotional connection¡­ Nova has shown great restraint. You are the victor.¡± Cheers erupted in the anxious crowd as Rhea felt her legs about to give way; luckily, Sabrina floated her unconscious Eevee into her for Lulu to smother because she felt like a total wreck; she didn¡¯t even know if she could remain conscious¡ªlet alone upright¡ªif she let go of the console. We won¡­ We actually won. B4 — 11. Sweet Like Combee Honey! 2:12 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). The roar of the announcers and crowd as the pair went over her incredibly tough Silver 8+ battle left Rhea in somewhat of a daze as she sent Nova to the Gym¡¯s Center to recover with Mya. It felt like a dream, Lulu and Alice jumping around her with excitement as the warm, loving flame of V simmered within her chest. By all accounts, they should have been disqualified, yet Sabrina had given her another chance to overcome their inadequacies. A soft smile moved her eyes as she wiped away a thankful tear, knowing she¡¯d treasure that short conversation she¡¯d had with the Psychic behind closed doors. Instead of being scolded and humiliated, she¡¯d tutored and guided her, and now, she felt so silly, thinking that they¡¯d get her Trainer License revoked and dooming her Pokemon to a life outside of the Battle Scene. Gym Leaders¡¯ whole purpose was to be a wall and show challengers where they lacked, but also to cultivate their talent and help them grow. Thank you, Sabrina¡­ Her wet, pearly eyes lifted to see Amira walking down the hallway, Mariah walking beside her, and a proud smile on her lips. ¡°That was incredible, Rhea. I doubt they¡¯ll want me to enter the stage for another minute or so to calm down and go over the match.¡± ¡°It was hard!¡± Rhea admitted, trying to hold back the emotion in her throat. ¡°I¡­ thought we¡¯d be labeled too unstable for normal battles. I, hehe¡­ I feel like I¡¯m about to faint! Weak sauce, huh?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Amira soothed, bending down and holding back her thick braid while giving Alice and Lulu some attention, scratching behind the bunny¡¯s big ears. ¡°Mel! Mel!¡± ¡°Nee! Ne-ne. Ne. Nee!¡± ¡°Lopunny! Lop-Lop!¡± Glancing between the three Pokemon, she watched them greet each other for a second, whispered, ¡°Tell me how you¡¯re doing after that accidental surge of V¡¯s power¡­ Don¡¯t try to sweet talk or lie to me,¡± she said with a slight frown as her concerned ruby irises lifted to study her from her crouched position. Arms folding and trying not to let the internal jitters that passed through her entire frame get the better of her, pushing her to move, Rhea strained a grin. ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯m going to crash hard later, but right now, I¡¯m ready to climb a mountain!¡± ¡°Good. We¡¯ll plan for dinner early then before letting you collapse in bed for a well-earned 16-hour beauty sleep; you¡¯ll be Lori¡¯s best friend!¡± ¡°Hehehe. True,¡± Rhea giggled, knowing the Unovan girl would love nothing more than to just drool into her pillow to enter sweet dreams on a beach, dancing with her Alolan sorta-boyfriend. ¡°Good luck, Amira; you¡¯ll kill it!¡± Jumping forward to hug the redhead as she straightened, Rhea got a much stronger return embrace than she anticipated. ¡°You okay?¡± Amira¡¯s hot breath passed by her ear in a long stream before laughing and pulling away, showing a bit more worry than she had before. ¡°Honestly, I am really nervous. I¡¯m kind of in a cyclone right now! Who wouldn¡¯t after a show like yours? It was crazy, which makes me excited and anxious.¡± ¡°I think I can relate,¡± Rhea sighed, scratching her temple and looking away. ¡°It feels like I fell from clouds and landed in the desert¡­ thunder inside my chest, looking to be set free.¡± The redhead giggled and hugged herself, shivering a little. ¡°Like a Rapidash, racing the rain with the finish line in sight past the veil. Thanks for making me want to push myself to be the best I can be, Rhea.¡± Rhea felt a warm swarm of Butterfree take flight, making her feel weightless as her friend opened her arms for one more supportive hug. Skipping forward, she was once again reminded of how good it felt to have girlfriends her age to share experiences with¡ªsomething she¡¯d longed for in her mostly isolated village life. It wasn¡¯t until her journey that she realized how much she¡¯d missed these kinds of interactions with other girls. Yes, Jason was her best friend, but she didn¡¯t know how different it was to have female friends from male. ¡°Thanks for always keeping me grounded, Amira¡­ Thanks for being my friend.¡± ¡°Of course! And thank you for seeing past the ivory tower princess with an attitude that the rest of the world sees and treating me like a normal girl. It¡¯s been a dream come true to travel with Lori and you.¡± ¡°Same! Although Lori can be a bit much at times, I know she has our best interest at heart.¡± Rhea laughed, Amira joining in. Drawing away, Amira wiped away a tear that fell from her own eye as the announcers started the introduction for the last Silver-tier battle of the day. ¡°Say what you want about Lori, she¡¯s the first one to throw a punch and stand up for her friends; even if she struggles with herself for that Plasma incident, we all know she¡¯s got a tender heart of gold.¡± ¡°She really does¡­ Okay!¡± Showing a dazzling grin, she spun away to allow her teammate to go show her stuff. ¡°I¡¯m going to head to the Gym Center and cheer you on! Go show Sabrina that sweet Rocket determination your mom radiates!¡± Amira snorted, doubling over and holding her stomach. ¡°That makes me think of all the times my dad teases her¡­ Sweet like Combee honey, smothering like Vespiquen Pressure, and sharp like swarming Beedrill; a fluffy paradise in the eye of a Hurricane. In fact¡­ maybe I can do something to follow up your battle.¡± ¡°Oooh?¡± Rhea gave her a curious half-smile as she flipped around to walk backward, winking at her. ¡°Mysterious! What are you planning?¡± ¡°You know I do most of my songwriting in the mornings when you two are asleep, and I have had a song about my dad and mom on my mind for a while now. So, hurry up to the Center to hear it; I know my parents love it when I write how I see them, and singing actually helps me calm down.¡± ¡°Mel! Meloetta,¡± the Songstress Pokemon chirped, doing a few skips and twirls after her Trainer with a melodic hum. ¡°We better hurry, then; make sure Sabrina records it! I want all of your songs, and I know your parents will want them, too.¡± ¡°Haha. I¡¯m sure! Hurry up.¡± ¡°Going!¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± her cosmic cloud shouted, jumping onto Alice¡¯s head and pointing them onward like a commander, sending her troops to battle. ¡°Neee!¡± Jogging after them, she did a quick spin to wave at her nervous teammate, trying to hype herself up and exercising her voice a little before entering the stage. Bursting into the locker room, she almost tripped as she realized she¡¯d taken the wrong doors and stumbled into the men¡¯s area; the Gold-tier men gave her lifted eyebrows as she jogged through, face turning scarlet. Luckily, the showers were separated in another area, and the most she saw was a few shirtless dudes. ¡°Sorry! Sorry!¡± ¡°Lop! Lop-Lop!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± Bursting through the other side, punching herself for not just backtracking to the girls¡¯ section, she ran to the Center area, being more self-conscious about her skirt after the embarrassing accident; she¡¯d seen it happen in shows but never thought it would happen to her. I really hope Lori and Amira don¡¯t hear about that¡­ It was only, like, several seconds, right?! No one probably even knew who I was¡­ except they were watching my match. Muk! Chill! Chill! It¡¯s no big deal! I hope¡­ I am never talking about this! Throwing open the Center door and making Nurse Joy jump behind the counter as she ran in, Rhea huffed and puffed while dropping into a chair. ¡°Eek! Uh, are you okay, sweetie¡­ Your face is flushed, and¡­ Is there a problem?¡± ¡°No! No,¡± she hastily returned. ¡°I just didn¡¯t want to miss my teammate¡¯s battle! Oh, I think she¡¯s on¡­¡± Nurse Joy used a remote behind the desk to increase the volume, a small smile brightening her face. ¡°Maya should be ready to join you shortly, Ms. Everhart; Nova will still take a bit of time.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Turning her gaze to the TV, she listened carefully, calming her thumping heart, only for her concentration to shatter when rainbow lights brought an unexpected guest. ¡°Mom?! Dad?!¡± ¡°Hey, Sweetie!¡± Her mother wrapped her into a hug, now looking totally healthy and without injury. ¡°We were in the stands, and it was sooo hard to not¡ª¡± ¡°Shhh. Christie, Amira is about to start her battle.¡± Her dad¡¯s Butterfree flapped her wings rapidly a few feet away as Nurse Joy sighed, seemingly used to people teleporting in since Sabrina probably did it all the time. Typically, it was illegal, but Sabrina was so powerful that she could enforce who could teleport and who couldn¡¯t since she could sense it across her entire City-State. ¡°Preee!¡± the Pokemon chirped, hovering forward to get a hug from her. ¡°Hehe. Thanks, Vilora. Mom, sit on the other side! Amira¡¯s going to sing a song about her mom and dad.¡± ¡°How sweet!¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes shone with life Rhea hadn¡¯t seen for years; it appeared some one-on-one time with her dad was precisely what the doctor prescribed. ¡°She has such a nice voice. I loved her last song.¡± ¡°She has really strong morals, as well,¡± her dad whispered, taking Rhea¡¯s hand as her mother took her other. ¡°I¡¯ve been spotting Jason¡¯s posts, as well. What¡¯s going on there?¡± ¡°Shhh!¡± her mother chided, making him chuckle as they settled in. Silence fell over the stadium as Amira took the stage and looked up at Sabrina, still dressed like a villain and leering down at her final Silver-tier opponent. Mariah stood gracefully on the platform, a rare sight of determination and boldness on the shy Pokemon¡¯s face. ¡°Thank you for accepting my challenge, Gym Leader Sabrina. I was inspired by your battle against my teammate. I understand you are running behind. However, if you¡¯d permit it, I¡¯d like to dedicate a song from my father to my mother; Gym Leader Elesa gave me permission to use one of her unused beats.¡± Sabrina leaned against the side of her throne as the crowd seemed to stir into a buzz about yet another surprise to tonight¡¯s Gym entertainment. ¡°Hmm. Only if you provide a little more context to this song¡­ Sell it to the audience, and I will accept their decision. So¡­ make your case.¡± Rhea¡¯s gut tightened as a light pink outline overtook Amira and Mariah, making the two lock up for a second before loosening up. From the outside, it looked pretty tense with the Gym Leader putting them in the spotlight, but Rhea knew better now; she didn¡¯t doubt that the Psychic was inside Amira¡¯s head, supporting her, which was almost proven when Amira started walking across the backside of the teleport pads that gathered under her to provide a stage. Amira stepped onto her floating arena, the Psychic outline fading and a microphone flying to the Rocket girl. She took a deep breath and smiled at the crowd, the spotlights shining down on her flaming red locks as she walked in a circle to address the crowd. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°My mother is in the crowd¡­ She denies it every time I ask, but, hehe, she¡¯s the worst liar, as I¡¯m sure many of you have seen during her media interviews.¡± Laughter came from the throng as Amira pulled them in, making Rhea giggle at how good she was at public speaking. The redhead¡¯s buttery voice and charm were projected like a weapon. ¡°If you¡¯re wondering how I know you¡¯re there, Mom, it¡¯s because Dad was the Rattata in my ear, but!¡± She paused, holding up a hand in the air, quieting the Pokemon and people. ¡°Before you go hunting for his cinnamon head, I wanted to remind you of all the things he¡¯s said about you¡­ the things that have stuck with me through the years from all your stories. I wanted to dedicate this song from my father to my mother¡­ because these are his words.¡± She showed a devious smirk while looking high to the dark upper stands. ¡°You tell me, Saffron, do you want to hear a romantic song written through a lifetime of ups and downs from a young Rocket Mafia Admin to a Pokemon Daycare, country-raised crazy girl who couldn¡¯t take a hint?¡± Rhea giggled as cheers and excitement raged from the throng, but the air in her lungs froze when the screens shifted to a scene that melted her heart. Lyra looked like a Meowth caught in the act of stealing something, sitting in the upper stands, Silver behind her like Officer Jenny catching a crook; the roles were reversed! He showed a handsome smile down at her daughter before his Magnezone teleported them away to a place undisclosed to listen as a couple. ¡°This is for you, Mom,¡± Amira said, standing in the middle of the stage. ¡°Thank you for allowing me to calm down and give this to my parents, Gym Leader Sabrina.¡± She used her phone to send the track to what Rhea assumed was the stage crew; Rhea could see Sabrina was eating up the interruption to her schedule. Honestly, she¡¯d probably already seen that this would happen. Sabrina¡¯s illuminated eyes softened, totally not feeding into her villain vibe. ¡°Boldness like this should be encouraged amidst the rising generation. You¡¯ve proven yourself a world sensation with your vocal prowess, and one¡¯s talents should be shared; it is impressive that you have demonstrated this from a young age, going so far as to donate all of your proceeds to charities. It is something to make note of. Begin when you are ready.¡± The lights faded over the crowd, centering in on the floating platforms Amira stood on, silence overtaking them as Mariah hummed a soft tune in the background. Rhea caught a look between her parents as they leaned closer, arms looping around her back before Rhea brought their hands together on her lap with a smile. Amira took a deep breath and looked into the darkness, all eyes on her and not showing a hint of the nervous chills she¡¯d shown beforehand. ¡°I think it might be appropriate to call this song ¡®Rocket Money,¡¯ because Rocket and that green money was what brought you two together¡­ I love you, Mom and Dad.¡± Opening her mouth, she brought them into a dream of a man trapped in the hypnotic and magnetic pull of the captivating, sweet, and intense love of a country girl. Rhea was drawn into a waking vision of scenes from her own life, watching the give and take from her parents, her father always bringing her mother back home to be welcomed in with gentle, loving arms. She could also see the Rocket couple throughout their ups and downs from what she¡¯d heard from Amira and Gossip articles. How Lyra¡ªhis bundle of sunshine¡ªhad pulled Silver away from the life of crime and into another dimension of Pok¨¦athlons, picnics, and beach games with the Kanto and Johto Legends. Somewhere along the line, Silver¡¯s romantic side bled through, sweeping Lyra off her feet and into a whole new world as he fought for his parents to accept her. Feeling warm and gooey with positive energy between her parents as Amira finished her song, Rhea leaned over to kiss them on the cheeks and hug them. ¡°I love you, Mom, Dad! Thanks¡­ for everything you went through for Sabin and me.¡± Her dad swept back his blond hair with a short chuckle while shifting closer to kiss her mother, making her cheeks color a little; yeah, her dad was totally the romantic in their relationship. ¡°I think you have it backward, Honey; we¡¯re the ones who are lucky to have you and your brother.¡± ¡°So true,¡± her mother whispered, throat thick and making googly eyes at her dad that made Rhea giggle; yeah, forcing her mom on house arrest was the right call. This song could be about you, heh, ¡®Sweet like Combee honey.¡¯ ¡± ¡°What was that, Mom?¡± ¡°Huh? Oh, nothing! Hehe.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She looked between her parents with a sly smirk. ¡°I know Dad has blond hair, but ¡®Sweet like Combee honey,¡¯ Mom? You¡¯re so sappy!¡± Her dad showed a half-smile, nudging heads with her. ¡°I mean, when it¡¯s true, it¡¯s true. I can melt like honey in your arms, my little storm cloud of butter.¡± ¡°Awww¡­¡± ¡°Mom! Dad! Okay, not when I¡¯m between you!¡± Rhea laughed, stomach hurting as she shot up to let them come closer together; she spotted Nurse Joy peeking out at her parents with a smile from the back window. ¡°I¡¯m going to grab Mya real fast. Try not to actually become puddles of butter and honey while I¡¯m gone!¡± Her own body was all warm and fuzzy while looking up at her incredible teammate, soaking in the standing ovation from the crowd, the announcers playing back the recording they¡¯d made that was bound to cause a buzz on social media; once again, their team was set to trend and make people hate them, but that came with the territory at this point. Way to go, Amira. Now, kill it and take home the March Badge. Getting Mya out of her capsule to join Alice and Lulu, she was pleasantly surprised when Istar came prancing from the back to join them, having finished her treatment. Rhea settled down with everyone to watch Amira return to the challenger platform, the hype building with the announcers introducing the redhead with her previous match history. You can do it! Rhea was on the edge of her seat as Amira opened up with Holly, the Comfey, meeting Vincent, the Solosis. The Posy Picker Pokemon spun into action immediately, using Leaf Tornado as a launching device to rocket high into the air, the haze of generated leaves obscuring the field; her Moves had become so much more powerful compared to the last time Rhea had seen her use the attack. The Cell Pokemon remained still, multiple screens forming to defend itself from the radial chip-damage. Seeds spread out from the swirl of leaves, peppering the Solosis, yet they didn¡¯t sprout. Instead, a shimmering sparkle surrounded Vincent¡ªit had Magic Guard, preventing damage from anything but attack Moves. A pink aura encased the Solosis before a jagged ray of Psychic energy cut through the veil to strike Holly; a red beam connected to her just before it struck, yet the blast wasn¡¯t aiming for the Comfey. Rhea cursed inside as the Psyshock disrupted the return and shifted in a sweeping line to glaze her. Holly twisted in a long backbend, circling it, but she couldn¡¯t get her tail out of the way, taking a slight hit to her energy matrix. They endured an exchange of Moves, the Psychic Pokemon pursuing the Comfey through the air as she tried to use Leaf Tornados to veil the field and use the teleportation panels to escape. Rhea hissed as Vincent predicted the teleportation¡¯s location and spun in a sharp ball, rapidly increasing its speed and striking Holly while encased in Steel force. She winced but managed to get a kiss on the attacking Pokemon while taking heavy damage and being thrown across the field. Vincent spun out of control, hitting teleport panels and coming to a dizzying stop on the ground as Holly tried to recover; she was on Sabrina¡¯s side of the field and too far to recall, yet Amira maintained her cool under the scrutiny of the tense onlookers. Holly pushed herself up and spun to propel herself to the middle of the field, spreading more slow-falling leaves throughout the air as the Solosis snapped out of his confusion. A yellow outline sparkled around Holly, but a flash from Vincent¡¯s eye made the Comfey lock-up, and Holly canceled the Move at the last second, making the Snatch fail. A red beam connected to Holly, carrying her to the safety of her Poke Ball, and Amira didn¡¯t waste a second, hurling her second partner near the Psychic Pokemon, Mariah cheering her teammates on. Sabrina¡¯s smiling eyes narrowed as the Poke Ball near her shot a beam to return Vincent, only for a barrage of fireballs to shoot out of Amber¡¯s materializing wand, one interrupting the red light; the five other spheres curved to pepper the Cell Pokemon, his screens softening the blow and putting him in a backward roll. Amber¡¯s ears and tail ignited and flared as she launched after the Psychic Pokemon, wand twirling in her hand. Jumping over the Pokemon, Vincent spun into a sharp circle to tackle the fire fox, yet Amber¡¯s lips curved into a smile, her puffy tail illuminating white and smacking the Pokemon into a flying comet toward Amira¡¯s side of the field. Yeah! Rhea internally shouted. They can play the no-return game, too, Sabrina! Sprinting at her opponent, Amber twirled her wand, creating a flaming vortex that landed over the stunned Solosis and trapping him in a Fire Spin, blocking his escape while carrying him up the inner cyclone. Stopping a short distance away, a sharp red outline came over Amber as she pointed her wand into the sky; bright rays of sunlight illuminated the field and stands, radiating heat and making the announcers go crazy. And when the Solosis exited the increasing inferno in a ball of steel, Amber batted him into the corner with another Tail Whip before peppering him with more Embers. A Psybeam ripped out of the smoke, and Amber met it with her own Psychic force, the damage equaling out and causing an explosion that the fox ran toward. Just as the haze cleared, Amber¡¯s illuminated eyes met Vincent¡¯s, putting him in a trance, and, as if timed perfectly, Light Screen faded. Amber showily spun her wand into the air, gathering a huge amount of Amira¡¯s Fortitude, jumped into the air, caught it, and swirled it in a circle. A supercharged wave of heat focused onto the Solosis in the corner, leaving a trail of cracked earth and shattering its energy matrix. Before Amber could carry him over to be returned, Sabrina psychically sent the Poke Ball over to continue the match, and Amira swiftly recalled the fire fox. Holly came out just as a Spoink materialized to bounce onto the arena. Yes! Nice Amira! You predicted the Thick Fat strategy you thought Sabrina would use against Amber. It¡¯s Holly¡¯s turn, and Sunny Day is still up! Nice! Nice! You¡¯re doing so good! The sunlight condensed around Holly, restoring her health as the Spoink coiled up and started ping-ponging around teleport panels. Rhea stood up, unable to sit upon seeing Amira lightly bite her lower lip: they hadn¡¯t planned on it being able to use the transport blocks to get around. C¡¯mon, Holly! You can do this! Her father and mother chuckled from behind her, her mom now sharing a chair with him. ¡°Are you worried about Amira?¡± her mom asked. ¡°She¡¯s doing really well.¡± ¡°Surprisingly well,¡± her dad commented. ¡°Holly should have been knocked out by now if she hadn¡¯t done those fancy maneuvers with Leaf Tornado, blocking Vincent¡¯s view.¡± ¡°No, I trust Amira will win. 100%! She¡¯s got this!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± She smiled as Nova jumped onto the counter, Nurse Joy bringing her into the waiting area. ¡°Espeon!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Rhea was pulled in two directions as her Pokemon greeted their recovered teammate. ¡°Nova! Come here!¡± ¡°Pweee!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Uh-huh! We¡¯ve got four Encrusted Gym Badges! We¡¯re guaranteed Gold and a spot in the tournament!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± She danced around for a second with her excited team, Mya crying a little with Nova at the road they¡¯d gone down to make it to this point; sure, they were going for the other four badges, but they¡¯d overcome the biggest hurdle and made it into Gold-tier. All of their future battles would probably be Silver 8+, yet they were ready for it! ¡°Oh, let¡¯s watch Amber and Holly win¡ªhuh?! Dad, what happened?!¡± She panicked upon seeing Holly wrapped in vines and the Spoink going crazy on the teleport platforms, shooting Psybeams and Confuse Rays at the Comfey. ¡°Hmm. The trouble came from a last-second Magic Coat prediction on the Spoink¡¯s part that reflected Holly¡¯s Leech Seed. He¡¯s wearing her down and not letting her get it off; she¡¯s hit him with a few good blows, Lucky Chant is keeping her from being crit, and Synthesis is keeping her up, but she isn¡¯t going to last long. Sabrina really punished Amira¡¯s use of Leech Seed in this battle; I¡¯d say she¡¯s telling her to throw strategy out and brute force it.¡± ¡°Mmmgm! C¡¯mon! Nice Magic Leaf! And now the Vine Whip to carry her to a platform¡ªno! Mmm.¡± Rhea glanced at her dad as the Spoink hit Holly¡¯s back with a Future Sight, the blast catching the Posy Pokemon off-guard. ¡°Can Amber win if he has Thick Fat?¡± Her mother giggled. ¡°Even I can tell you she can.¡± ¡°Well, you are a Master, honey,¡± her dad snickered. ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short just because you put most of your effort into research. Just watch and believe, Rhea; Amira is a smart cookie, and I¡¯m guessing she¡¯s realized what Sabrina wants from her by now.¡± ¡°Yeah, Amira¡¯s awesome! Holly wore him down enough; they¡¯ve got this.¡± The Braixen returned, ready for action as she used Fire Spin to gather the teleportation panels and spit them out all across the stage¡ªthe Bouncy Pokemon was no longer able to do acrobatics with the tiles on the ground to catch weird angles. Flame Charge carried her into a speedy blitz to the bouncy Pokemon, dancing around his beams, a confident grin on her face, no doubt thinking of the frog watching her. It nearly took the full ten minutes, but when the time ended, a huffing and puffing Amber stood victorious over the Psychic pig. Rhea glared at Sabrina as she explained exactly what her dad had: sometimes you just needed to brute force your way through a challenge and not give up heart. Thick Fat on a Psychic Pokemon against a Braixen was mean, and Magic Coat didn¡¯t help, but Amira had won. Her teammates were three out of four Encrusted Badges down; if they won their next Gym, all of them would be semi-officially Gold-tier. The only difference was where they placed amongst the upcoming Gold-tier competitors in the Silver Division¡¯s final lineup from the best Silver had to offer in the Kanto and Johto Cup. Now, it was time to celebrate hard and crash hard for the day! ¡°Mom, Dad, want to join us?¡± Her mother answered with a beaming smile, getting a giggle from Rhea, now wondering if Jason had seen her match and heard Amira¡¯s song. ¡°Absolutely! Lyra¡¯s treat! I need that on my phone, by the way. Do you think Amira would give me an autograph?¡± ¡°Maybe if you ask nicely, but you did give her Mariah, so I¡¯d say yes! Let¡¯s meet up with everyone and get something to eat; I¡¯m starving!¡± A Change In Writing Schedule Due to life schedule changes, I will get straight to the point about the schedule and talk a bit later in the post. I know these posts can come with some dread. I hope you understand. o7 Monday: 1. Write The Oscillation. 2. Give The Oscillation to editors to edit through the night. Tuesday: 1. Go through TO edits made through the night & day. 2. Release The Oscillation in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. 3. Write Pokesync. 4. Give Pokesync to editors to edit through the night. Wednesday: 1. Go through Pokesync edits made through the night & day. 2. Release Pokesync in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Write A Tail''s Misfortune. 4. Give A Tail''s Misfortune to editors to edit through the night. Thursday: 1. Go through A Tail''s Misfortune edits made through the night & day. 2. Release A Tail''s Misfortune in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Write Undying Empire. 4. Give Undying Empire to editors to edit through the night. Friday: 1. Go through Undying Empire edits made through the night & day. 2. Release Undying Empire in the afternoon (12 p.m. to 5 p.m. MST). 3. Do edits that need to be made that have been pointed out throughout the week by patrons/public readers. See the Patreon Message for further details ---> Here <--- B4 — 12. This Is My Power 2:40 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away). Using her mom¡¯s phone to text Lori and Amira, having the pair meet them in the Gym¡¯s Center, Rhea tried to keep her thumping heart under control. A fire ran through her veins, making her want to do something active: V¡¯s power went beyond drugs since it touched every fiber of her being. Things started to settle down as Saffron¡¯s audience filed out of the stadium, and for that reason, she stayed with her parents behind the closed doors of the Gym¡¯s private clinic, not wanting to get swarmed by reporters or curious viewers. Everyone was going out for lunch in the hour break between Silver and Gold; of course, the Gold-tier Trainers would be in the locker room, mentally preparing themselves to face Sabrina. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her mom on her phone messaging back and forth with Lyra; from the moment her dad had allowed her mom on his lap, she¡¯d refused to budge, enjoying his arms around her stomach. It was calming to see them acting lovey-dovey with one another, and she could tell her dad was enjoying every minute of his wife¡¯s attention. For once, she wasn¡¯t rushing off to the next research project and just relaxing with her hubby. ¡°Hmm. And what are you thinking about, Honey Pot?¡± her mother asked with a chirp and smile that made her crease an eyebrow. ¡°Uh-huh. And obviously, Lori¡¯s texting you to see if you¡¯re using one of her many nicknames for me. Hehe. How long until Amira gets here? Did she say she¡¯d bring my stuff?¡± Focus returning to her phone, her blonde mom leaned back a little with an impish look in her blue eyes as she teased her dad by tickling his nose with her high ponytail. ¡°You didn¡¯t give her the code to your locker, eep¡ªKeith, d-don¡¯t tickle me¡ªI-I can¡¯t, hehe, I can¡¯t type!¡± ¡°Then say you surrender!¡± he shot back, having endured her playful actions for the last few minutes now. ¡°What, you can¡¯t handle the Ariados crawling up your belly? Where¡¯s it going? Uh-oh. It¡¯s found an opening!¡± ¡°Keith¡ªnot my armpits, hehe¡ªstop!¡± ¡°Rhea, she¡¯s trying to escape! Double Team!¡± ¡°On it!¡± she giggled, hopping up to sandwich her mother against her dad. ¡°Go for the kill shot¡ªand I totally gave her the pin, you liar!¡± ¡°R-Rhea! I-I can¡¯t breathe! H-Help! Nova, Lulu!¡± ¡°Neee?! Nenene? Ne?¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Neeee?!¡± Her puffball floated up in a panic as Nova hopped up on the chair beside them, Mya taking the other side to lick both sides of her mom¡¯s cheeks; her fits of laughter were accompanied by tears, phone dropping from her hands, which Rhea promptly snatched and retreated. ¡°That¡­ that wasn¡¯t even¡­ Not fair,¡± her mom wept, collapsing on the carpet in front of her dad as he went down after her, allowing her to wrestle him to the side and sit atop him. ¡°Hah! Nova, Mya, get his arms¡ªwho¡¯s on top now, Sweetie¡ªand I¡¯ve researched every weak point on your body!¡± ¡°Christie, not my sides! Hahaha! Where¡¯s my backup?¡± Brushing her ponytail over her shoulder while plopping down in their warm seat, Rhea¡¯s cheeks hurt from smiling, now taking over her mom¡¯s phone. ¡°We were double agents the whole time! Yes, she got my purse. Wait¡­ Sabrina messaged you, Mom?¡± She looked up to see her mother fall over her dad in a fit of teenage-like hiccup-giggles, breathing heavily and skin bright red. ¡°Wow¡­ that¡ªwhen was the last time we did something like that?¡± ¡°673 days¡ªmmm!¡± ¡°Oh, shut up,¡± her mother laughed, pressing her lips against his to quiet him down. ¡°Haha. Sorry, Honey, I know you must feel so embarrassed. Ugh¡­ My face must look horrid right now¡­ Why am I so tired?¡± ¡°Aww. I can make it all better,¡± her dad whispered, pushing himself up to kiss her again. ¡°And, yes, Rhea, Sabrina sent us a telepathic message, asking if we had plans to go anywhere. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s half-business, half-pleasure; she needs to do a follow-up after your Aura Burst. There! Now you look perfect,¡± he said, showing a lipstick-stained smile. ¡°Cool.¡± Rhea leaned to the side to let Alice and Mya lick her cheek and sit next to her as Nova and Lulu returned to their conversation with Istar. ¡°I can see if Nurse Joy has a room in the back for you, Mom. Hehe. Do you need a change of clothes, too?¡± Her mom flipped to her back against her dad¡¯s chest to look up at her with a pouty glare she¡¯d rarely seen directed at her throughout her entire life; it brought a swarm of Butterfree that made her want to tease her mom even more. ¡°No, I do not need a change of clothes, but I was dangerously close to needing new garments, thanks to a traitorous daughter. Haaa¡­ Hehe. Now I¡¯m a little embarrassed; I completely forgot where we were¡­¡± Scooting off her dad and using him to push herself up, her blushing mom straightened her blouse and pulled up on her pants, which had slipped down a little in the tussle. ¡°Umm. Yeah, I¡¯m going to have to go to the locker room or something to fix my hair and face. I¡¯ll be back¡­¡± She moved around the employee barrier and gingerly opened the door to the back, knocking on the wood. ¡°Hello, Ms. Joy, umm, sorry to be a bother and causing trouble, but¡­ could I, uh¡­¡± The pink-haired nurse giggled from further inside the clinic. ¡°Of course, Mrs. Everhart. It¡¯s at the end of the hall on the left. I was actually wondering if I could get your quick opinion on a few cases. One of my cousins from a long-lost branch in Paldea sent this strange file to me¡­ It has a rather unusual genetic map.¡± ¡°Of course! Just give me a moment.¡± Rhea flipped through the messages sent by her teammates and Sabrina, noticing how often her Aunt Cynthia kept in contact with her mom; there wasn¡¯t a day that they hadn¡¯t talked for a few minutes or sent a few texts to check up on one another. She was half-tempted to snoop through her mom¡¯s photos further when her dad picked up Mya to sit down and place the steely girl on his lap. She quickly locked her mom¡¯s device and dropped it on her lap. ¡°What¡¯s up, Dad?!¡± ¡°Hehe. Well, that voice brings back memories.¡± ¡°What¡­ voice?¡± she slowly asked, showing an innocent smile. He leaned over to kiss the side of her head with a chuckle. ¡°The voice that says I¡¯m thinking about doing something I shouldn¡¯t and don¡¯t want to get caught, which is better than the aggressive, ¡®I¡¯m not doing anything¡¯ voice you have when I knock on the door, and you¡¯re on your computer, deleting steamy Gossip or drama fanfiction tabs.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes narrowed, one name seething from her lips, ¡°Franky¡­¡± Her dad laughed and took a comfortable position, fixing parts of his own outfit that her mother had pushed out of place in their tickle war. ¡°I¡¯m impressed with how well you were able to hide things from a Ghost growing up. I suppose you would learn ways to bribe or distract him. It was always funny to come home and see him licking an ice cream cone, telling me you were up to something.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s head tilted to the left, thinking back on her mischievous deeds of sneaking out with Jason or looking into steamy Master gossip she really shouldn¡¯t have been embarrassed following. ¡°I was so¡­ stupid, thinking you didn¡¯t know a thing; that would be super sus. He probably finished the ice cream or candy and¡­ That¡¯s how you always caught me when I ran away. Wow¡­ I¡¯m special.¡± Her dad joined her laughter, leaning over to pull her head against his shoulder. ¡°You¡¯re my special girl¡­ I¡¯m surprised you haven¡¯t asked me more about your outburst. I know you¡¯re practically bouncing off the walls inside, wanting to move¡ªyou never were a foot tapper.¡± She groaned as he tapped her bouncing right knee. ¡°I guess I just want to run rather than think right now, which¡­ is probably a weakness, now that you bring it up. I could be in a battle and charge head-first into danger without thinking.¡± Letting her dad¡¯s touch focus her mind, Rhea hugged herself as a shiver ran down her spine. ¡°Dad¡­ do you think I can heal Terri?¡± Silence stretched for a few seconds as her father pushed his mouth to the side, processing her question. ¡°Terri¡­ As in the Fighting Dojo Terri? You¡¯ve never met her. How did this get into your head?¡± She shrugged, moving the phone onto the other seat and pulling Alice onto her lap, not really having an answer to give. ¡°Ash got us in contact with Kyle¡ªthe ramen shop guy¡­ Do you know who he is?¡± A hot puff of air shot through her dad¡¯s nose, a somber sheen passing over his eyes. ¡°Yes¡­ Kyle went to just about every Grandmaster Trainer in Johto and Kanto, looking for a cure for Terri¡¯s¡­ condition. Despite everyone¡¯s efforts, none of us had the unique talents needed to grant his wish. He cares a lot for Terri.¡± Rhea¡¯s bottom lip tucked under, feeling cold as she reflected on what she felt from her newly awakened Aura Sense when with the man in the hospital room with the comatose ginger. It¡¯s so much worse than that¡­ Deeper. The doors to her heart pricked with fire, experiencing the numbness and fake cheer he put on to the rest of the world; it was so similar to the hopeless man she¡¯d comforted only a short time before learning about Terri¡¯s story and Kyle¡¯s feelings. He¡¯d sacrifice his dreams¡­ his restaurant¡­ cooking¡­ everything to see Terri wake up and smile. Kyle¡¯s Aura was screaming out for help, to help him feel something again after his sense of taste and the vibrance of color faded into a numbing void upon seeing the woman he loved comatose in a hospital bed. ¡°There are sometimes people I can just¡­ connect with¡­ understand.¡± Heat rose up her throat, burning her nose as she fought back tears. ¡°Certain people just¡­ hit me so much harder than others, and it¡¯s like¡­ like¡­¡± Her dad¡¯s arm tensed against hers, his voice low. ¡°Like you can do something to bring someone back to life¡­ to offer a hand and change¡­ everything they are. It is a gift and a curse that your mother is terrified of¡­ for what it might do to you.¡± A lump slid down her throat, a quake running through her frame. ¡°What is it¡­ My Helping Hand ability?¡± He shifted to press his head against hers. ¡°That, among other abilities interacting with it¡­ When you saw her in the hospital bed, you weren¡¯t just sensing Kyle¡¯s Aura, but things from Terri, as well, which resonated between their spiritual connection¡­ How are you feeling right now?¡± Her tight muscles melted like butter as she closed her eyes to search her heart. ¡°It feels like¡­ When I stayed at the dojo¡­ walked around the city¡­ when I went with him to see her in the hospital¡­ I just¡­ It feels like this one thing could change so many people¡¯s lives¡­ Can I do it?¡± Looking up into her dad¡¯s amber irises, gazing off to the side, taking her question seriously, she waited for his verdict. After a few seconds, he sighed and ran his free hand through his ruffled blond hair. ¡°From your match against Sabrina¡­ it¡¯s clear your Aura does have the capability of breaking past seals¡ªsuch as Imprison¡ªwhich would require¡­ Well, let¡¯s just say it¡¯s not a common ability, and you could also possibly heal in unconventional ways. The issue is¡­ Honey, you don¡¯t have nearly the control to be able to accomplish it without burning Terri¡¯s soul to cinders.¡± ¡°Oh. Well¡­ hehe¡­ I don¡¯t want to do that. Okay¡­ Haaa. It¡¯s possible, though, so that¡¯s awesome. It will just take me a lot longer to do it. I just¡­ I think it¡¯s the right thing to do right now,¡± she mumbled, cheer dampening a bit as she played with Alice¡¯s fluff. ¡°I learned so much from Maria at her temple¡­ It¡¯s so frustrating when I know I can do something¡­ I just can¡¯t do it right.¡± Pressure squeezed her shoulder, her dad pulling her in closer with a gentle smile. ¡°When did I say it wasn¡¯t something we could accomplish?¡± ¡°You said I couldn¡¯t¡ªwait¡­ We?¡± Goosebumps ran across Rhea¡¯s skin, and she sat straighter, excitement budding in her chest. ¡°Can we do it before we eat? Please, Dad! I want to do it while I have V¡¯s power inside me. You really mean it?!¡± A low, feminine voice interrupted them, rainbow lights bringing Sabrina into the room, who promptly sat on a chair and crossed her legs; she was in a red sweater dress that fell to her thighs, and black leggings covered her lower half. At the same time, another flash of colors brought the Rocket family nearby, Lyra holding up a V-symbol. ¡°Hello! What a victory, Rhea, Nova. Oh, and I can¡¯t forget you, Mya!¡± The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Maw-maw!¡± ¡°Pwee!¡± The Grandmaster Psychic wore a sweet smile that contrasted her stage persona. ¡°Hmm. Aren¡¯t you two having an enthralling conversation? By the way, Erika is in the city for the opening of a flower-themed four-star hotel; they have a rooftop restaurant. She wanted to know if we wanted to join her. Interested? What do you think, Lyra?¡± Lyra snickered, holding onto her husband. ¡°I think you¡¯re using this as an excuse to see your best friend. Her husband isn¡¯t along to steal her attention, right? I loved you channeling your inner villainess from your ¡®Mystery Doors of the Magical Land¡¯ role. Now you¡¯re dressed to have a fun day with friends, despite only having an hour and a half free. You¡¯re really pulling out all the stops today!¡± Sabrina chuckled, pulling her straightened black hair over her shoulder. ¡°Poor Erika is at the whims of her narcolepsy, which means she often has trouble in group settings. It¡¯s been a few months since we¡¯ve been able to find the time to have fun together like when we were in our twenties¡­ back when we had so much less responsibility.¡± Rhea got up to meet Amira, Alice hopping off her lap to join Mariah and Serenity. A small smile lifted her sore cheeks as she added her own thoughts on the subject. ¡°Plus, her daughter is out of the house now, on her own journey. I saw on Gossip that Kalayna wasn¡¯t even in the region, which is crazy. She went to Galar? Thanks, Amira,¡± she said, taking the offered purse. Her dad got up and stretched as Mya raced to join the other Pokemon. ¡°Mmm! Yeah, from what Erika told me, Kalayna wanted to go somewhere she hadn¡¯t gone before and spread her wings. I¡¯m fine with a more exclusive spot. If we¡¯re going to give Terri back her life, we need to do a little legwork, which should be more than possible with so many teleporters here. Thoughts, Boss?¡± he asked the blue-eyed Gym Leader. ¡°You¡¯re the one on the clock.¡± Sabrina¡¯s irises flashed pink, her hair rising and dress fluttering slightly, no doubt peering into the future. Rhea held her breath, hugging her purse against her chest as Amira gave her a supportive smile before slipping into the back to see how her Pokemon were recovering. ¡°Hmm¡­ I see¡­ Your idea is to use Lyra¡¯s potent Aura Control and innate attributes to provide guard rails for Rhea, while I stimulate her psyche and protect her mind. An interesting plan¡­¡± Her gaze shifted to the brown-haired borderline Legendary-tier woman, cheerily bobbing her head left and right. ¡°Can you handle the Aura surge, Lyra?¡± ¡°Easily!¡± the brunette chirped. ¡°All I need to do is contain the radial force and keep it from damaging anyone nearby while funneling it into Terri. Yours will be the toughest job, Sabrina, since you need to stimulate her brain and link all the damage done to her brain, which makes me think¡­¡± The Psychic nodded, making Rhea¡¯s heart sing; this could make so many people happy. ¡°We¡¯ll need to co-opt Erika since her Pokemon are the most suited to restore Terri¡¯s damaged brain tissue, allowing me to act on a deeper level¡­ I can¡¯t see how it will turn out due to the complexity that this will require, but¡­ Yes, Rhea, it might be the best odds Terri has had for a full recovery¡­ if you can break past the supernatural barriers chaining her spirit.¡± It felt like freezing ice water was dumped over her head. ¡°Supernatural barriers? I¡¯m¡­ not following.¡± ¡°Not following what?¡± Lori grumbled, slipping through the door with her competitor ID card while trying to escape the horde of reporters following her. ¡°I had to Mukin¡¯ fight my way out of¡ªoh, uh¡­ What did I miss?¡± she whispered, spotting their teammate and Rhea¡¯s mom slip through the doorway, Poke Balls in the redhead¡¯s hands, and the blonde woman cleaned up. Her dad was the one to answer, his warm hand rubbing her back and drawing her gaze up to his soft amber eyes. ¡°The biggest block to Terri¡¯s soul¡ªand the real issue¡ªhas to do with the spiritual seals preventing Aura recovery and locking her into a nightmare that the Shadow Martial Artist cast on her¡­ A curse. It would require a powerful Spiritualist to remove it even to begin the complex recovery process.¡± The hair on the back of her neck prickled while recalling the spiritual sensations she¡¯d experienced from the Spiritualist in Lavender and at the Shrine of Widow¡¯s Peak. Her fingers moved to brush against the bead bracelet she¡¯d bought back in the ghostly city, which the Ghost of Maiden¡¯s Peak had touched. It wasn¡¯t so much that the news frightened her than shocked her. ¡°Okay¡­ What do we need to do?¡± Amira asked, showing a supportive smile as determination welled up within Rhea¡¯s core. ¡°Can we do it and go out to eat after? Not to be the downer, but it kind of feels like having our cake and eating it, too,¡± she laughed. ¡°I¡¯m also worried Rhea might faint on the spot, and she won¡¯t eat anything after.¡± ¡°Power bar!¡± Rhea shouted, digging one out of her purse to hold it up like a weapon as her stomach growled. ¡°I¡¯ll just refuse to pass out! Watch me.¡± They all chuckled, and Lyra broke away from her sharply dressed husband to pull her into a strong hug. ¡°You¡¯re going to have to open up that dangerous gate again, Sunshine, but don¡¯t fret because I¡¯ll keep you golden!¡± Pulling away with an energetic zeal in her voice as she took command, she pointed at the pink-eyed woman. ¡°Sabrina, you¡¯re on best friend duty! Kidnap our sleepy flower lady and sweep her off her feet. Hehe. Make her feel young and not in control again! You can blame it all on me.¡± The Psychic¡¯s chest shook with laughter, arms held against her belly. ¡°It¡¯s so surreal to see how different you are when angry or happy, Lyra.¡± ¡°Ho-ho! He-he-he. Not so, Ms. Dual Personality,¡± the brunette stated with her hands on her hips. ¡°It¡¯s how different I am when I¡¯m livid and when I¡¯m a beaming summer day! I¡¯m not so different when I¡¯m just mad or happy. Right, My Little Cherry Pepper?¡± she sang, dancing back over to her husband. ¡°Of course, Sweetie.¡± Rhea suppressed a giggle as he shook his head in protest to his previous words when outside her sight. ¡°See, straight from the Crobat¡¯s mouth! Now, Sabrina: best friend kidnap duty. And Keith: kidnapping the ramen cook duty! I¡¯m breaking into the target¡¯s room with the gang. We¡¯re now criminals again, boys and girls, so channel that inner Rocket, crew; we got a job to do!¡± ¡°Again?¡± Rhea mumbled as Sabrina gave them a wave, rainbow light carrying her away. ¡°Let¡¯s hope she¡¯s not asleep, or I might need to give her a dream scare.¡± ¡°Nothing too scary!¡± Lyra shouted as the woman vanished. ¡°Sabrina can be scary¡­¡± Excitement welled up within her as her mom moved around the groups to pull her into an embrace. ¡°We¡¯ll go prepare Kyle for the spiritual surgery; understandably, he¡¯ll be a mess. See you soon.¡± Breaking away to be welcomed into her dad¡¯s arms, a motherly look on her face, Rhea¡¯s heart swelled, feeling light as air as colorful light twinkled around her parents. They didn¡¯t have to say anything more as her dad¡¯s Butterfree teleported them away; her parents were proud of her. Without warning, Zelri spun out from behind Silver, the Porygon-Z teleporting all of them into a faintly lit hospital room. Rhea¡¯s burning chest made her throat lock up, pressing her fist against her lips as she studied the sleeping woman. She wasn¡¯t sure what happened for a time, feeling the world flash by in a daze of emotion with the support projected to her upon spreading out her Aura. It was so much more colorful and vibrant than when she¡¯d first started training with Ash, just out of Cerulean. If someone told her that she¡¯d be practically Gold-tier a few months down the line, Rhea wouldn¡¯t have believed them, yet here she was with four Encrusted Silver Badges, qualifying her for the Silver Cup. Her thoughts were pulled through the past as she sat beside the ginger-haired martial artist, the noises and weight she¡¯d felt before melting away. How far had she come in the last four and a half months? From bonding with Nova and Mya to their first battle against Jason. She giggled, thinking about how different things were between them in such a short amount of time. Now, he was traveling around Kalos, shooting to get strong enough to beat her. Her best friend for as long as she could remember had kissed her and confessed his feelings before taking off on a boy¡¯s trip. He¡¯d messaged her, but this wasn¡¯t the time for that kind of distraction. The initial days with her teammates and her Wooloo friends, learning how to interact with other girls and how amazing Amira and Lori were. Well, how amazing Amira was. Lori was just a deviant dance fanatic with a penchant for making Rhea question herself. The time she¡¯d spent in the woods with Sam, where they¡¯d almost died from a murderous wild Nidorino. She picked up Nova as her paws pressed against her knee, recalling their first Contest together. It had been an embarrassing loss. They would¡¯ve had to do a few more if they had time before the Silver Cup. They deserved their redemption arc. Her heart was still as Mya hopped into a seat beside her, trying to escape her hyperactive rival. They¡¯d come a long way since her steely girl had put her in the hospital. From being a metal-headed elitist to being crushed against Forrest and building herself back up again, her Mawile really grew. Then came their bouncy bunny, obsessed with speed and starting off with bad blood against her senior. Now, Alice had more than proven herself to their teammates and even helped Nova out with babysitting their quirky, fluff galaxy cheerleader. Amira and Lucian¡¯s beef that came to a head in Pewter had been tense, which spilled over into Cerulean, with his Champion mother showing up. It was insane how that had played out with their Fuchsia date and his confession. Apple City¡¯s alien threat still made her nervous, which, as was typical with her mom, she thought would be cool to reveal. Her mom was so disconnected. She sat back, stroking Nova¡¯s fur as she curled up on her lap. Why wouldn¡¯t she be upset with the possibility of her already very absent mother being kidnapped by extraterrestrial Clefairy? The Plasma incident had been a total mess, but it had solidified them as a group and brought forward a lot of their insecurities that they could support one another with. Cerulean City had been mostly magical with the Summer Indigo Cup¡¯s finale, Sea Temple visit, and insane dance party that Lori had summoned. She¡¯d blacked out her first kiss. Was it even her first kiss? Who remembered that? Not her! Yet, Lori¡¯s high was crushed when they¡¯d battled Misty, who could easily steal the Rookie Crusher title, with how brutal that match with Miky was and the trouble that followed it. Her gaze drifted to the purple-haired Unovan girl, listening to music in the corner with Pokemon Terri. It had been a rough journey to Saffron, but they were better for it, and Miky seemed to be in a better place outside of battling. She¡¯d spotted the girl looking at pictures of him again, which probably signaled that they¡¯d be making a short pitstop up north before moving on. That journey, she¡¯d been totally checked out, though, since Ash was teaching her how to unlock her Aura. It was there that a whole new world opened up to her. It made sense, thinking back; Saffron had been when she¡¯d really first bloomed with her Aura. It would have left an impression on her. Lavender City-State certainly left an impression, from its creepy vibes to going out to eat with her family and her personal talk with Sabin, learning about her brother¡¯s insecurities. The Ghost of Maiden¡¯s Peak, and her expanding senses into the supernatural, was something she was still a little nervous about. Then again, their Battle Dome performance had shown them that they could perform at Silver-tier, leading her to Vermilion Gym to face the new Fairy Gym Leader. It tickled her to think that she had been the first Challenger¡ªSilver or not¡ªto win the badge. She suppressed a giggle when thinking about Ash¡¯s love life as Dawn and Cloe came into the picture. Lori¡¯s ceaseless teasing of the very likely future Sinnoh Champion was always fun to watch. However, the secret the many girls around Ash held close to the chest was certainly one that had Rhea at the edge of her seat. Fuchsia had been a total change for them, leading up to their two months apart as a team, when she¡¯d gone to the frozen death trap to the north to train under a tyrannical priestess. Their reunion and all that had come from that. Finally, she felt like she¡¯d accomplished something great¡­ something that had meaning. A flame lit in her chest as rainbow lights brought her parents into the room, Kyle¡¯s cheeks already swollen with tears, his Aura radiating a deep fear to allow hope into his heart again. Nova hopped off, allowing her to get up and open her arms, no words needed as she nodded. He moved forward, body shaking as Rhea welcomed him in, letting the man express bottled-up pain that had tortured him for years. Doctors hovered at the corner of the room, holding their breath in anticipation as Sabrina returned with the graceful, old-fashioned, and classily-dressed Grass Specialist. The woman smoothly sat in one of the free chairs, taking out a Master Ball and releasing a sparkly Roserade, radiating a wave of healing force. Everything got quiet as the presiding ¡®Legend¡¯ over the procedure broke away from Silver, gently pulling Kyle off to the side to join Rhea¡¯s parents. Lyra took a deep breath and held out her hand for Rhea to take. ¡°Ready?¡± Rhea nodded, not feeling the stress she thought she¡¯d be experiencing; inside, she was a tranquil brook. Sabrina floated above the bed and crossed her legs, a dense Psychic force surrounding her, the pink hue condensing around the comatose woman. Erika¡¯s Roserade closed his eyes and held out his arms for illuminated rose petals to cover Terri¡¯s head, an intricate restorative power feeding through them in a focused stream. Rhea¡¯s fingers closed around Lyra¡¯s, and abruptly, it felt like she was on the beach of a colossal ocean that stretched off into eternity, the brunette mother giving her an encouraging smile. ¡°Feed the force through me, and I will direct it, sweetie. Don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Lori shut off her headphones and stood up, rubbing her lower back with a bit of discomfort. Amira stood next to her father, arms crossed and watching intently. And, just to be safe, all of her Pokemon entered their Poke Balls, and her mother held Lulu in her arms. With all eyes on her, she released the tap she kept sealed tightly shut and threw open the safety valves she¡¯d created with Maria. Immediately, her vision washed into a sea of darkness, followed by a rush of intense heat, but she hadn¡¯t passed out. In more of a place between subconscious and conscious, she felt V stir within her Core, a surge of the Victory Pokemon¡¯s warmth fueling her abilities to push them beyond any normal limits, and suddenly, a giant beam of power erupted out of her and into the invisible ocean she stood beside. Immediately, Lyra directed the current, funneling it into an intricate thread that wove into oblivion. Rhea¡¯s gut tightened when the darkness before her vision dispersed, unveiling a shadowing glass prison trapping the ginger-haired woman. Chains bound her to its sides, keeping her suspended and incapable of moving, a blindfold over her eyes and a gag in her mouth, keeping her locked inside an impenetrable shell. A soft, feminine voice snatched her attention. ¡°A Ghost¡¯s curse¡­ A strong one.¡± She looked to her right, where V hovered, watching the thread Lyra crafted melt through the shadowy shell to weave into patterns. It dipped into the chains, gag, blindfold, and every other piece of the prison. She felt the negative pulses of the curse attempt to latch onto the intense wire drilling into it, trying to corrupt it, only to be repelled by V¡¯s power. Can we destroy it? Rhea asked, starting to feel the intense pressure closing in around her neck like a vice. I¡­ can¡¯t keep this up for long¡ªV? V smiled and floated over to tap her on the forehead, making her wince. ¡°Of course, we can. Whenever we¡¯re working together, we can¡¯t lose. That¡¯s my promise to you.¡± Twirling a little, she held up a single, small claw before tapping the wire Lyra was crafting. The thread illuminated like the sun, blazing down the pattern Lyra made and evaporating the darkness in a blaze of glorious flames that wrapped around Terri in a comforting blanket, sinking into her spirit to amplify everyone¡¯s efforts. The Victini turned with a wink. ¡°Eat, Rhea¡­ A lot.¡± Her internal vision popped like a needle touching a bubble, reality rushing back in a spray of colors as she stumbled back. Lyra choked, catching her before she fell. ¡°Ack! Well¡­ that was a bit more punch than I expected! Hehe. I haven¡¯t felt knocked off my feet like that since I bonded with¡­ oh, you okay, Rhea?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­¡± A lump lodged in her throat before she could continue, spotting Terri shiver, eyes cracking open as the Roserade cleared them away, making her squint. ¡°Where¡­ Kyle?¡± ¡°Terri! Terri¡­ you¡¯re wake!¡± Kyle cried, lurching forward and unsure where to put his hands as the ginger chuckled, somehow finding the strength to push herself up a little. ¡°You¡¯re awake¡­¡± ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be, stupid? Woah¡­ why am I in the hospital¡­ Mmm¡­¡± she trailed off, blue eyes going big and glossy as she looked at him. ¡°I¡­ was in a coma. I¡¯m sorry, Kyle¡­ I shouldn¡¯t¡ª¡± ¡°No! No, you have nothing to be sorry about¡­ I¡¯m just glad to have you back,¡± Kyle interrupted, pulling her into a hug as they both began to weep, bringing tears to Rhea¡¯s eyes, and one of Amira¡¯s unreleased songs filled her mind. No one is flawless, but we¡¯re all diamonds¡­ I think this is where I have to accept it. I think I¡¯m half-Pokemon, and that¡¯s okay¡­ I¡¯m okay. This is what my powers should be used for¡­ This is what I want to use them for. B4 — 13. Make Me Feel Again
    4:01 p.m. October 19th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 132. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (46 days away).
    Rhea felt like she was floating through a dream, vibing with the overwhelming emotional and spiritual waves coming from Terri and Kyle. The ginger woman couldn¡¯t speak, yet her puffy-eyed smile was more than enough as Lyra gently grabbed everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°I¡¯m sure you have more than enough to process right now, Terri, Kyle. We¡¯re all happy to have you back, and you have Ash¡¯s young Aura prot¨¦g¨¦ to thank for it. Now, let¡¯s leave you to process and rest. Everyone¡­¡± ¡°Wait¡­¡± Terri choked, holding Kyle¡¯s hand and looking far less affected by her coma than she should have. Lyra chuckled. ¡°Of course, Dear. Take your time, and don¡¯t force yourself.¡± The noodle chain owner mirrored the woman, supporting her as she tried to find the internal strength to work through her words. Her parents stood off to the side, with Erika and Sabrina, as Lori and Amira stood closer to Silver and the stunned medical personnel. In the ensuing silence, the doctors¡¯ whispers behind them came into the foreground, making Rhea¡¯s ears burn: ¡°What was that heat and light¡­ Aura?¡± ¡°A procedure that required a Legendary-tier Trainer, Psychic Grandmaster, and a specialist in Pokemon to human healing¡­ That energy the teenager released, though. Isn¡¯t she the girl that¡¯s been making waves this Trainer Circuit?¡± ¡°Rhea Everhart, I believe¡­ Uh, should we document the process? It could save others that have the same symptoms, but¡­¡± They quieted down as Terri cleared her throat and took one last calming breath, her focus moving past the brown-haired Legend. ¡°I assume you are Christie and Keith¡¯s daughter, Rhea¡­ The last time I saw you, you were a little girl, and we were just coming out of the Ultra War. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say¡­ other than sorry¡ªI mean, thank you,¡± she corrected, fighting back tears again. ¡°All I felt was¡­ darkness¡­ wandering through numb darkness for what seemed¡­ years¡­ I was just looking to feel something¡­ anything besides the senselessness.¡± Kyle tucked in his bottom lip, the inadequacy and the helplessness of being unable to free the woman he loved from her prison sooner digging at his heart. Yet, Terri wasn¡¯t wallowing in her bitter emotions but expressing the brief moments of a tender, sweet sensation that drew Terri¡¯s violet eyes away from Rhea and to the dedicated man weeping beside her. ¡°And I wanted to give up so many times, but without fail¡­ like a single heartbeat every day¡­ I felt my nerves wake up with the warmth of skin against my hand or wrist, and that kept me going¡­ You kept me going, Kyle¡­ I know it was you, holding me and whispering in my ear that you¡¯d save me¡­ Thank you, Kyle.¡± Fire crawled up Rhea¡¯s nose, a floodgate opening in her eyes as Terri pulled him closer, her lips meeting his before pulling the shaking man against her body to feel what she¡¯d missed for eternity. ¡°Stay, Kyle¡­ please, don¡¯t leave me. I just¡­ I need to feel you nearby. Will you stay with¡­ Will you stay with me forever?¡± ¡°Yes, of course! I¡¯ll never leave you, Terri¡­ I¡¯ll always be by your side. I just¡­ I should have done more¡­ found another way¡ª¡± ¡°Stop talking!¡± Terri aggressively growled, practically forcing him on top of her and planting another kiss on his lips as she began to quake again. ¡°Just¡­ hold me¡ªI¡¯m afraid this is all a dream¡ªI¡¯m so numb! Just¡­ bite me, kiss me, hold me, hurt me¡ªshow me you¡¯re here¡ªshow me you¡¯re real¡­ Make me feel something!¡± Rhea¡¯s heart couldn¡¯t take it, her fingers pressed against her chest as her blood raced through her veins; it was such a sweet proposal, and she¡¯d been the one to ask. Like he¡¯d say no after everything he¡¯d been through to get her back. Her dad moved to pull her away, everyone¡¯s noses and eyes crimson and slick with tears. ¡°Well, I think this is a good point to leave it in Kyle¡¯s hands¡­ Sabrina.¡± The Psychic¡¯s gentle blue eyes illuminated a bright pink, and all of them, including the doctors, gained an aura of the same color before rainbow lights carried them away from the newly engaged couple. Clearly, the medical staff had been moved outside since they weren¡¯t with them when Rhea regained her senses. They were in front of a giant mansion on the upper east side of Vermilion by the view of the city, and Sabrina gestured to the front door. ¡°Please, go inside and freshen up. I¡¯ve informed the managers at the restaurant that we will be having dinner there shortly, and they are preparing a spread for us. You know your way around, Christie?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± Her mother puffed out a hot stream of air and was the first to the doors, swinging it open. ¡°Keith and I will go to the upstairs bathroom. There are multiple on the first floor and basement, as well. It shouldn¡¯t be hard to find! Woah¡­ what a nose biter, huh? I might cry again just thinking about it!¡± She paused and jumped back down, arms closing around Rhea. ¡°How are you, Honey? I know you¡¯re probably still processing everything¡ªmy, your heart is racing like Rapidash!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± she gulped, giggling and rubbing her tears away with her mom¡¯s shirt. ¡°I did it, though! Yes! I did it, Mom!¡± ¡°You did!¡± her mom cheered, their hair bouncing as they jumped up and down together. ¡°You¡¯re growing up so fast¡ªtoo fast! Haha! You¡¯re scaring me!¡± ¡°I¡¯m scaring myself!¡± Rhea cried, sniffing and hugging her mom tighter. ¡°I¡¯m Gold-tier¡ªwe got four Encrusted Badges¡ªa-and I¡¯m bonding with Lulu, and¡­ and everything¡¯s just going so fast!¡± ¡°Hey! Hey! It¡¯s okay¡ªyou¡¯re okay¡­¡± her mother soothed, being mindful of her skirt as Rhea¡¯s legs gave way, taking them to the ground; she stroked the back of her head, gently holding her. ¡°You¡¯re going to be okay¡­ It will pass. I¡¯m here, Honey. I¡¯m here¡­¡± The world melted away in her mom¡¯s hot, buttery embrace, caring fingers holding her fast. All she could feel was the desperate desire to be held¡ªto feel someone¡¯s skin against hers¡ªnot to feel alone and numb. After a while, her thunderous heart and boiling emotions simmered, bringing her down to hiccups; her dad had pulled both of them near to sandwich her at some point, and Lyra seemed to have ushered the others into the house. Lulu and the rest of her Pokemon had snuggled in everywhere they could to wrap her in warmth. It was the pulse within her breast; somehow, she was still somewhat connected to Terri, the unstable link gradually fraying and snapping away. It wasn¡¯t cold; she would have welcomed the cold. It was a total loss of all sensation and sight, the terrifying sense of nothingness that made her seek anything, bitter, painful, or sweet. Gulping down the lump in her throat, she rubbed her mom¡¯s back and dad¡¯s arm to let them know she was doing better. ¡°I¡¯m okay, guys¡­ I know why Terri couldn¡¯t talk¡­ How can you describe that¡­ what she lived through for years? Who would do that to someone?! Who did that to her?¡± Slowly untangling themselves, her parents made room for her Pokemon to cuddle her, worried spirits responding to her desire to be held. Her dad puffed out a long stream of air, his fingers finding her mom¡¯s, wearing a supportive smile. ¡°During the Ultra War, some of the leaders in Rainbow Rocket released all sorts of unknown threats from across the multiverse on our world to draw our attention away from them. This half-ghost Pokemon and half-human martial artist was one of those¡­ problems they hoped would draw our attention. It disappeared shortly after its fight with Terri.¡± She caught a nervous vibe in her parents¡¯ Aura with her senses being pushed into hyper-sensitive mode, creating an unsettling puzzle in her mind that wasn¡¯t hard to fit together. Allowing Alice to wrap her in her fluffy ears as Lulu tried to get as close to her heart as possible, snuggling into her front, Rhea stroked Nova¡¯s back; Mya was practically her chair back with her stalwart posture, hugging her from behind. ¡°You¡­ think he¡¯ll know that Terri is free and will return? I don¡¯t like that¡­ Haaa. Alright, I guess I should go get ready for dinner; I promised V. Thanks, Mom, Dad.¡± She laughed and hugged each of her Pokemon. ¡°And you guys, too!¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± ¡°Mawile?¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± ¡°Punny?¡± ¡°Mhm! I¡¯m doing better. Thanks for the cuddles.¡± Getting up and taking a box of tissues her mom had somehow found next to her¡ªlikely Sabrina¡¯s doing¡ªshe cleaned her hot cheeks. Her dad wasn¡¯t done with her yet, nudging her foot with his. ¡°Hmm?¡± His confident smile somehow settled her thumping heart before he even spoke. ¡°I know you¡¯re worried about Terri and Kyle, but think about it this way¡­ If we are right, then it means we can set up a trap to finally stop this guy, and that¡¯s all because of you. You are the reason Kyle and Terri can move on with their lives¡ªand that is what you should focus on.¡± ¡°Aww, Dad!¡± Dropping to be welcomed into his arms again, she got a kiss on her ear from her mother. ¡°Thanks for being such amazing parents¡­ for caring so much about me. Don¡¯t make me cry again!¡± she threatened, getting laughter from the pair. ¡°Just keep acting all lovey-dovey and cute¡ªI¡¯m eating it up!¡± Her dad chortled, releasing her to kiss his pink-cheeked wife. ¡°Oh, your mom can be very lovey-dovey, so don¡¯t you worry. You could say¡­¡± ¡°Don¡¯t!¡± her mom warned with a cute glare. ¡°Keith.¡± Rhea held her breath, excitement budding as she watched her dad return it and say, ¡°¡­she has it down to a science!¡± ¡°Keith!¡± Her mother lurched forward to tackle her dad to the grass, Rhea unable to help herself from falling to her knees with laughter as they wrestled again, blonde hair flying everywhere; her Pokemon were pumped, cheering on their favorite party in this ¡®battle¡¯ of weak tickle points. Despite the ups and downs, she was sure today would be in her top 10 favorites. She was in Gold-tier, she¡¯d saved a woman from a prison worse than death, and her parents were closer than she¡¯d ever seen them¡ªher mother was healing from her own trauma. Eventually, she found her nerve to get up and head inside, leaving her parents to fight it out; naturally, her mother would somehow manage to edge out a victory, Rhea was sure. Her dad was such a sucker for her mom, well, unless she wanted him to win; the scenario played on her mind and brought thoughts she¡¯d never considered about their relationship. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Oddly, it was now cute instead of gross, but maybe it was just seeing their googly eyes at one another. Her parents loved each other, and she loved that. Entering the house, she found Sabrina and Erika by the living room to the right of the entryway, where the Psychic pointed her to a closed door just to her right. She opened up the empty bathroom and started the sink to cool off her face; a few colorful rags were in a rack for use with a small laundry basket under the sink. Slipping off her small purse, she got the items out to freshen up. The two Gym Leaders¡¯ conversation came into focus as she cleaned her face; Erika spoke as if in a dream, her Aura serene and glowing, and Rhea scooted over a bit to get a better angle in the mirror to see them. ¡°What a start to my vacation week. Kidnapped by my best lady friend from an event and roped into a rather sudden operation. And here I thought you would be too busy to welcome me to your city since this is your Battle Day.¡± Sabrina chuckled, leaning against the wall. ¡°I had planned to surprise you, but the future is ever-changing due to the actions of those in the present. How is your daughter faring in Galar? I know Kalayna has had a bit of a rough time recently¡­ She talked about it when staying with me during the summer. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Poorly,¡± Erika sighed, sweeping back her bangs. ¡°I can understand why she blames me for her narcolepsy¡­ It¡¯s spiritual-based, which means all my children would have it, and there was nothing physically genetic about it¡­ I just didn¡¯t believe my parents. It¡¯s why she remains an only child¡­ which she also blames me for.¡± ¡°I sensed as much¡­¡± Sabrina whispered, and Rhea¡¯s gut tightened as she saw the Psychic pull her into a hug. ¡°She¡¯s a teenager, Erika, who hates falling asleep on dates and always needs to have someone she trusts nearby to care for her. Of course, she¡¯d feel embarrassed and self-consciously shy.¡± ¡°Thank you, Sabrina, but no, I¡¯ve sheltered her too much,¡± Erika mumbled, a sad smile on her face, ¡°as my parents did with me¡­ The pent-up emotions and aversion to men I had as a teenager were due to them only allowing women around me. Not that that didn¡¯t cause its own¡­ problems. It¡¯s because of you that I managed to come out of my isolated world¡­ I just want Kalayna to find someone she can trust.¡± ¡°We both were looking for that,¡± Sabrina said, arms crossing under her bust, ¡°which is why you suggested to Kalayna that she leave the region¡­ to force yourself to let go and put it out of your hands. Stop lashing yourself over it¡­ Relax a little. You¡¯re here to have fun.¡± Erika pulled away and hid her mouth as she giggled. ¡°For as long as I have you, that is. You are as busy a woman as I am, after all, which is why we can find so little time to spend together. You only have thirty minutes left before your break is over. Sabrina¡­ what did you do?¡± she asked, eyes narrowing as the woman smirked and looked Rhea¡¯s way, making her eyes snap back to the mirror to dab at her cheeks with the wet rag. ¡°Due to Rhea¡¯s performance, it gives me enough of a smoke screen to have the analysts go over the battle for a good thirty minutes. I¡¯ve made the staff aware that I wouldn¡¯t be back until 5:30, giving us around fifty minutes for dinner and to chat. We¡¯ll talk over wine later tonight. I know you have a lot to get off your chest, and I¡¯m here for you.¡± Erika¡¯s green eyes creased. ¡°You¡¯ve always been¡­ Mmm.¡± Rhea¡¯s vision snapped to the pair as the winter kimono-dressed Gym Leader trailed off and sagged to the side. A pink outline stopped her from collapsing on the tile, lifting her into the air as a pillow and blanket flew out of a nearby room to settle under her head and bundle Erika up. ¡°Is she okay?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Sabrina replied, keeping the Grass Specialist floating beside her as she moved to face her. ¡°Erika has these sleep spells often, sometimes ten times a day, which come on sporadically, without her notice. It isn¡¯t really medical narcolepsy but something deeper, and it can last from several minutes to many hours.¡± ¡°It sounds so¡­ tough to live with,¡± Rhea mumbled, wondering if she could even fix that at some point and feeling bad for Kalayna. ¡°I heard that sometimes her Pokemon take over during Gym Challenges when that happens.¡± The pink-eyed woman smiled and studied her face. ¡°I heard Jason thinks you¡¯re pretty when you cry because it makes your eyes even more blue, and yes, that is me redirecting the conversation.¡± ¡°Haha. Wait, really?¡± Rhea¡¯s gaze returned to the mirror, leaning closer to look. ¡°They¡­ are a lot more blue. Why have I never known that?! And¡­ Jason likes that color? Hmm. Does that mean he doesn¡¯t like my normal eyes?¡± Sabrina¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter. ¡°Perhaps it is on a grading scale from nine to ten rather than like and dislike.¡± Fine with allowing the previous topic to get swept away and truly interested, Rhea followed Sabrina into the front entrance to wait for everyone else to join them; it seemed Amira and her parents were talking while Lori joined Roxie and Terri¡ªher Kubfu Terri¡ªin their slide fun that the Psychic had to the basement for some reason. ¡°Who told you about this preference?¡± she pressed, narrowed eye falling to her phone to read the message her ¡®semi¨Cout-of-region-boyfriend¡¯ had sent. ¡°Was the first time he thought that when we did the Mankey slap contest? Suspicious.¡± A bewildered smile lifted Sabrina¡¯s face, which was probably a feat on her part; few things would probably get that reaction from the woman, which was a win in Rhea¡¯s book. ¡°You¡¯ve been a hot topic amongst the United League¡¯s weekly meetings. Your aunt and Elaine have been talking a lot recently since the topic of Nova, and you can easily cross. Everyone wants to know what insanity you¡¯re involved in each week, and Diantha hears things from her son.¡± It was Rhea¡¯s turn to be shocked as she mentally linked all the webs. ¡°How¡­ many people are talking about me across regions? Do they even get any work done?!¡± ¡°You sound like you¡¯re in high spirits,¡± Amira said, descending the stairs with her parents. ¡°Are we ready to go, Gym Leader Sabrina? I know your time is¡­¡± she trailed off upon seeing Erika snoozing in her floating cocoon. ¡°Are we changing plans?¡± ¡°Not in the slightest,¡± Sabrina said, lifting her hand. A squeal came from down the hall as Lori came flying through the air with her Pokemon to be set down on their feet. ¡°If Erika wakes up, then she will join us. If not, then I will deposit the tub of lard in a bed with water dripping on her nose until she wakes up.¡± ¡°Mean; I love it!¡± Lori snickered, ruffling her violet hair and shaking it out. ¡°Why the Muk do you have slides in your house?¡± ¡°For fun, of course,¡± the Psychic casually returned. ¡°I loved slides as a little girl; there¡¯s something about giving away your freedom to gravity and letting it guide you to the bottom of your destiny.¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­ A Psychic thing, I guess,¡± Lori mumbled, hugging herself and pushing up on her bust. ¡°Cool. Cool. So, we eating? My boobs are going to eat themselves at this point; I¡¯m starving! You with me, Honey Pot? Hehe. We need to keep our honey for our future honey, ya know!¡± Amira rolled her eyes at their crass teammate. ¡°The world laments your loss. Can we not in front of my parents?¡± Lyra¡¯s cheeks turned rosy, chiming, ¡°I don¡¯t have enough honey as it is! Eat or riot!¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!¡± Lori roared. ¡°Ms. Everhart, when will we get a boob growth serum?! Justice for boobs!¡± she cried as Rhea¡¯s confused parents walked down the stairs. ¡°Mom¡­ don¡¯t encourage her¡ªand like you can talk, Lori.¡± ¡°Hey, Len says the bigger the meat bags, the better!¡± the Unovan girl chirped. ¡°I don¡¯t get the appeal, but I guess that¡¯s just because I¡¯m a girl; Muk is so¡­ annoying sometimes. Ugh-hehe. Seriously, though, I¡¯m starving!¡± ¡°Then eat we shall,¡± Sabrina said, pink outline collecting around them, and in a flash of rainbow light, they were standing atop an open restaurant overlooking the Saffron skyscape. ¡°Mingle and enjoy.¡± Rhea took a moment to reorient herself, holding her purse against her belly. The crowd wasn¡¯t as large as she¡¯d thought, and most of the people in attendance were Masters that she¡¯d seen fly through her village from time to time. Of course, there were other movie stars from Viridian¡¯s Hollywood and titans of industry, but it appeared to be a reasonably exclusive party. Lori immediately went to the very long table of food, where wind barriers were set up to prevent the breeze from tossing anything around, and Flying Pokemon seemed to be on security to prevent any troublemaker from causing a scene as some Flying Pokemon flocks loved to do. On the other hand, Amira mainly remained by her parents, having what appeared to be a lovely conversation about her progress and her thoughts about their journey. They were about to make a significant milestone as a team, and while loading up food, Rhea¡¯s gaze wandered to Sabrina and the recently rousing Grass Gym Leader. Erika would be the challenge their team had to face in order to properly be seen as a Gold-tier group, and her Battle Days were Sunday, giving them almost a week to prepare. Lori decided she¡¯d use a day or two to travel north to the farmsteads to visit Miky; she wanted Zyra to meet the Impidimp since they were both troublemakers. The Unovan girl also had plans to do a bunch of video calls with Kekoa to chat. The Alolan guy had lost quite a bit of fat on Lori¡¯s unofficial ¡®dance weight loss program¡¯ and filled out surprisingly fast in the last two months from the photos she¡¯d proudly shown them. It was nice seeing Lori excited, and despite her crude tongue, Rhea knew the purple-haired girl was very self-conscious about her body due to bullying and the burn scar on her back. She sat next to her parents, passively eating as her mind wandered between topics; her dad ran interference if anyone tried to approach them. Rhea was a tad shocked when spotting Istar with Nova still; she¡¯d forgotten the Espeon had been with them through the insanity that had unfolded. Her thoughts returned to Terri¡¯s situation. Once again¡­ Rainbow Rocket came back into the picture. They caused so much pain throughout the whole world¡­ It pisses me off. Tingles ran down her arms as she took a deep breath and let it out to calm down. I have to get stronger¡­ much stronger. Her dark, brooding thoughts were dispelled as her phone vibrated, and she saw Jason¡¯s return message. He¡¯d seen her match¡ªhe¡¯d seen all her matches¡ªand since he¡¯d been mean and didn¡¯t send her links to his, she¡¯d been in the dark. However, this time, he sent her three videos to watch when she was alone. It was accompanied by a rather impressive shot of him bare-chested and in trunks on the beach, sneaking to dump water over Lucian¡¯s head as he sunbathed with another of him posing in front of a colossal garnet-pink crystal shard inside a lake.
    5:05 p.m. Mankey Butt - A celestial greetings from Anistar City, Ms. Topaz! Yes, you sparkled like topaz with that blinding finisher, Sunshine! I bet Ambrosia was strangling Elaine with a mother¡¯s zeal at seeing her daughter using her Move on the big screen. I loved that burst of power. Guess what? We have our own surprise!
    Rhea¡¯s toes curled against her shoes as she crossed her feet under her chair and leaned forward with a smile. His next picture showed a crazy-looking Silver-Encrusted Badge with purple pearls attached to its cloud and moon-like design. Two more followed, Butterfree taking flight to tickle her belly.
    5:06 p.m. Mankey Butt - That¡¯s right! We¡¯ve got the Silver Encrusted Voltage and Fairy Badges, and JUST got the Psychic, just like you. ?¡ä???`?_V
    Didn¡¯t I tell you that I¡¯d keep up? You may have one badges up on me, and I may be a sucker for your G-Max Sweetness, but I¡¯m not going to give in, even if you beg me to!
    5:07 p.m. Mankey Butt - Yes, I¡¯m ensnared by your Electroweb, Lady Joltik, but I¡¯ll win with my Thousand Arrows¡ªI don¡¯t miss, Miss¡ªso you best hit me with that 10,000,000 Volt Thunderbolt because even though I¡¯ll win, I¡¯m aiming to see a victory in those pearly eyes!
    Hiding her laugh and blush from her parents, Rhea did a quick search online to pull up the cute, little electric spider Pokemon, cheeks bunching to the side. Wait¡­ victory in my eyes? Oh, boy, are you saying ¡®you¡¯re¡¯ the catch, Mr. Z, and my victory is getting you? Humph. So presumptuous! Hehehe. And I¡¯m a tiny electric bug that has you strung around my fingers and zapped your heart, huh? ¡°Mmmm!¡± Why would you put that image in my head?! Now, I have you strung up and helpless, waiting for the Thunder Fang! Stoooop! she internally groaned, her abs starting to hurt from the laughter. And what, is that your new nickname for me, Mankey Butt? Topaz and Lady Joltik. Heh. So stupid¡­ They¡¯re adorable, though¡­ and yellow, like my hair¡­ big blue eyes¡­ And I what, evolve into a giant scary spider. Rawr! Watch out, little Caterpie, my fangs are sharp! He¡¯s so stupid, like my grandpa¡­ I love it. Leaning back, she resigned herself with a heavy sigh. I¡¯ve got it bad¡­ Why¡¯d he have to leave? Jason¡­ you¡¯re so mean. If your plan was to make me miss you¡­ then it¡¯s working. Her phone clattered onto her mostly eaten plate of food as it slipped through her fingers, the world washing away; all the power she¡¯d felt kicking her to be up and going drained out of her in a rush, and she weakly fell to the side into blissful slumber. B4 — 14. A Warm Awakening
    2:25 a.m. October 21, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 134. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (44 days away).
    Warmth radiated around Rhea, the gentle rustling of something fuzzy laying across her. Eyes cracking open and smacking her dry lips, a familiar dim room filtered into focus. She had a hard time moving her arm up to smile at Alice, the bunny¡¯s big pink eyes looking at her, lying against her heavy chest. ¡°Hey, girls¡­¡± she dryly whispered, spotting her mom sleeping next to her, snuggled against her left side. ¡°Shhh.¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± ¡°Mawile?¡± ¡°Rhea?¡± The deep male voice put her mind at ease as the big black shape rose out of a nearby futon. ¡°How are you feeling?¡± She yawned and puffed out a weak laugh, feeling totally spent as her Pokemon tried not to wake up her mom, drooling a little onto her pillow. ¡°I¡¯m awake¡­ but I don¡¯t know for how long. What happened? Is everyone okay?¡± Her dad shifted to his side, propping his head up with his hand; the faint light passing through the paper doors hardly illuminated his face, yet his tone told her he was relieved she was awake. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you know what you¡¯re talking about, but everyone is doing great. Terri and Kyle have been recovering, and the whole city is in an uproar over her waking up. We forced Lori to go up north to see Miky while you slept, and Amira¡¯s been spending time with her parents.¡± Snuggling further into her mother¡¯s comforting chest, she made the effort to pull her mom¡¯s arm over Alice and her. Nova was naturally between her legs, licking her calf to welcome her back to the world of the living, and Mya had her opposite side sending worried impulses through their spiritual connection. On the other hand, her cute puffy nebula was fast asleep near her heart, nestled near her heart and holding Alice¡¯s ears over her like a blanket. All in all, everything seemed as it should be, allowing her heavy eyes to slip shut. ¡°Mmm. I feel really tired still¡­ hungry, but tired,¡± she mumbled, stomach growling beneath her layers of Pokemon and blankets; the words she heard were like poofy clouds, swirling into oblivion. ¡°Where¡¯s the jelly donuts and powdered sugar¡­ coco¡­¡± ¡°Coco?¡± her dad gently returned. ¡°Coco¡­ Jelly coco with honeybuns and spinach¡­ Sabin ate my donut, Dad¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure he did, Sweetie. Just go back to sleep, and I¡¯ll have some for you when you wake up. Do you see the dreamland welcoming you to explore?¡± ¡°Sugar plums? Nova¡¯s tickling my legs¡ªfluffy-fluff¡­ drowning in fluffy-fluff¡­ mmm.¡± Sinking like a stone into a deep, squishy pillow, Rhea¡¯s wobbly mind drifted into oblivion. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Gulping as blinding light struck her eyes, Rhea squinted and sucked in a sharp breath, which soon evolved into a yawn. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Mom?¡± ¡°I¡¯m here, Honey. I¡¯m here. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Mmm?¡± Blurry vision coming into focus, she saw the sun reflecting off her mom¡¯s shining face, golden hair pulled back into a loose bun and practically glowing. ¡°Mom, you look so pretty. What¡­ time is it?¡± ¡°Not too fast,¡± she ordered, her firm hand on her shoulder keeping her down. ¡°You ate a lot, but not enough before passing out. You need a bit of time to kickstart your system. Your dad should be back soon with some food.¡± Still feeling somewhat weak, she shifted in her futon, stiff muscles crying out from not being worked for some time. Her Pokemon were huddled around her, Lulu¡¯s big eyes now blocking out everyone else as she squished her cheeks. ¡°Nee-ne? Nee?¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯m okay, Lulu. Mmgm. I have an itch on my side¡­ thanks, Mya. I guess you could tell from our bond.¡± ¡°Maw!¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Pun?¡± Releasing the pressure in her chest, Rhea let her eyes close, and her head sank into her pillow. ¡°I¡¯m a little light-headed and sore. Other than that, I¡¯m doing okay. Mom?¡± she asked, hand rising. She¡¯d barely asked when her mother¡¯s fingers slipped into hers. ¡°Mhm! I¡¯m here, Rhea. Do you know where you are?¡± Blinking a few times, she squinted at the surroundings. ¡°We¡¯re¡­ in the dojo¡ªthe room we stayed in the first time we went through Saffron. Umm. Did I dream that Dad told me Lori went to see Miky and Amira was hanging out with her parents?¡± Lying next to her and showing a reassuring, warm smile, her mom squeezed her fingers. ¡°We had to practically chase them out of the room. They were really worried about you, and we promised to keep them on hourly updates¡ªwhich reminds me, the next check-in is coming up. Are you feeling strong enough to talk to them yourself?¡± ¡°Mhm. Just give me a few minutes,¡± she mumbled, her slow brain gradually spinning up again. ¡°How long has it been?¡± ¡°About¡­ two days¡ªit¡¯s 1 p.m., Wednesday. Sabrina took the week off after her battles on Monday to hang out with her best friend, if you¡¯re wondering, as well. Don¡¯t worry, Erika will be back in Celadon on Saturday for her Challenge Day on Sunday.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ almost 48 hours,¡± she chuckled, sliding her free hand from out under her blanket to rub her hot forehead. ¡°Will I be okay to battle on Sunday?¡± ¡°Without a doubt,¡± her mother chimed. ¡°You¡¯ll spring back quickly after getting a ton of calories into you. V burns a lot when she gets involved; you¡¯re just not running on any fuel after V¡¯s energy surged through your veins. Your phone has been blowing up recently, too. Lots of messages from Jason.¡± Butterfree swelled up within her belly, but her dad came to the rescue, rainbow lights bringing Vilora and him into the fairly empty room. ¡°Did someone call for a donut and hot chocolate delivery¡ªI¡¯ve got plenty?!¡± he exclaimed, holding up a few boxes as a few styrofoam cups floated in the air, supported by the Bug Pokemon. ¡°How¡¯s my little girl?¡± ¡°Ready for sugar!¡± Rhea chirped, deliberately leaving out the ¡®Dad¡¯ part she was about to say. ¡°I¡¯m so hungry!¡± A mischievous gleam came to her mom¡¯s eyes as her dad dropped to his butt, ready to distribute the late breakfast. ¡°You know what Lori might say?¡± Recalling her ¡®big-boobed¡¯ teammate¡¯s response about ¡®meat bags¡¯ and ¡®boob growth serums,¡¯ Rhea nipped that in the bud quickly. ¡°We only need one Lori in this world, Mom! Haha. Ugh. Serious, though, two days?¡± she asked, biting into the warm, sweet, and powdery pastry her dad handed her, the delicious tart flavor of jelly punching her tongue. The thick chocolate and cream of the hot chocolate was just hot enough not to burn her mouth, as well. ¡°Mmm! I feel like I actually accomplished something huge! Go us!¡± ¡°Us?¡± Her mom asked, lifting an eyebrow and sipping at her own coco. ¡°I was¡ªack¡­ sugarless?! What is this, Keith?! What kind of abomination is this¡ªhot chocolate without sugar?! What are you trying to say, hmm?¡± Rhea snickered as her dad held up his hands. ¡°You¡¯ve had enough sugar over the last few days, Hon! You can get a little too feisty when you get too wired. I¡¯m just saying, it¡¯s best to cut down on caffeine and sugar for a day. And, of course, go us¡ªI mean, your mom is quite the cook if I do say so myself.¡± ¡°Mmmm. Don¡¯t you try to flatter me when I know my cooking¡ªyou¡¯re not talking about my cooking, are you?¡± She dully responded, glancing down at her belly as Rhea giggled. ¡°Ha-ha-ha. I¡¯d say that cooking was a team effort, which means¡ªhow are you getting me to blush when I want to be mad!¡± ¡°Sucks to suck, Mom,¡± Rhea teased through a stuffed mouth, knowing she had powder on her cheeks and just accepting it. Her Pokemon were now digging in, as well. ¡°You know, now that you mention it, Dad, Mom does get super aggressive when she¡¯s hyped up on sugar and caffeine.¡± ¡°Okay. Okay,¡± her mom swiftly defended, lifting an eyebrow and glancing between her judge and jury, ¡°hear me out¡­ Is it really that bad if I¡¯m a little aggressive? I mean, really, Keith¡ªdoes it?¡± ¡°Mom! No-no,¡± Rhea shot down, seeing her dad look up at the ceiling with a slow, considering nod. ¡°No bribing the judge with veiled lewd stuff! I swear, when did this side of you even exist?! Who are you?¡± ¡°Oh, Honey,¡± her dad breathed, rubbing the back of his neck, ¡°your mom really is a scientist who likes to figure out which methods will yield the best results, and she knows perfectly how to push boundaries. She¡¯s got me wrapped around her finger.¡± ¡°Not even!¡± her mom heatedly returned, showing more of that feisty side while pointing a finger. ¡°Don¡¯t you give me that Muk, Keith; you¡¯re the master manipulator. Don¡¯t you think I know that the sugarless hot chocolate was the plan? I know the plan!¡± ¡°Oooh.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks hurt as she finished another bite, feeling much better as her parents went to war. ¡°I hear battle music. What¡¯s the plan, Mom? Give you no sugar and then a little treat later?¡± Her dad lifted a finger with an impressed nod. ¡°Nice suggestion, Rhea; your mom is a little Vulpix, waiting to be doted on and given treats for good behavior. We even had a star system at one time.¡± ¡°No! No, Keith¡ªwe are not bringing that up!¡± ¡°Aww, Mom, did you lose a star one day?¡± Rhea mused. ¡°What did you do? Forget to come home one day and get lost in your work?¡± Her dad gave another big nod. ¡°True story!¡± ¡°Why am I getting Double-Teamed?¡± her mother complained, bottom lip dropping into a cute pout while sipping at her sugarless hot chocolate. ¡°Maybe I did like coming home and seeing a new shiny gold star next to my name. Maybe I would like to go back to that, and I get to add my own stars for good behavior.¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach shook with silent laughter at the look her dad gave her that said, ¡®What did I tell you; she¡¯s a little Vulpix, seeking praise.¡¯ ¡°Alright, Alright! Back to me because I¡¯m sooo important.¡± ¡°Yes, you are, Sweetie,¡± her mom laughed, the play mood lightening as she settled down. ¡°To keep things simple, Amira is heading back to Viridian for a day or two with her parents to fix you girls up with new Trainer outfits. She wanted to surprise you, but her mom pointed out that not telling you would also make you worry because that¡¯s like you.¡± The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Ugh. I guess it kind of is,¡± she mumbled, knowing she¡¯d probably have wondered if maybe her Aura stunt had done something to draw a wedge between them. ¡°That¡¯s cool. I guess we¡¯ll be heading to Celadon on Saturday, so we have a few days to relax¡­ Mom, Dad.¡± They both gave her their full attention, her mom handing her a wet wipe to clean her face, and Rhea took it before smiling at her wonderful parents. ¡°I¡¯m Gold-tier¡ªwell, practically Gold-tier¡ªI¡¯ve got four Silver Encrusted Badges!¡± ¡°I know!¡± her mother cheered, bouncing a little. ¡°And in only 134 days since starting your journey! I¡¯m so proud of you!¡± Getting hugs from her parents, she melted in their arms, feeling the heat rising up to her nose as it all fell into place. All in all, everything from here to the Silver Cup was more or less training and fun for her. Although, there were some things she had to handle, such as facing down Forrest again. Lori and Amira also needed one more badge to join her in the winners-win category. After a time, Rhea drew away to continue eating, sitting on the futon and examining the Jigglypuff pajamas her mother had no doubt changed her into; it was a comfortable favorite of hers back home. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan for today? Amira¡¯s off doing designer stuff¡ªoh, and apparently, she¡¯s recording a few songs in the studio,¡± she mumbled between bites, activating her hologram phone next to her bed and sliding through her messages. ¡°Wait, she¡¯s setting up a travel fund for us? Geez, she¡¯s too good! Like¡­ I¡¯d like to do something, ya know?¡± Her dad swapped out her now first empty hot chocolate cup, pulling out a small bag of marshmallows to Rhea¡¯s excitement to fill the top with. ¡°Says the girl that literally just broke a Ghost¡¯s curse and saved a woman¡­ who then proposed to the guy on the spot.¡± ¡°Talk about a Reversal,¡± her mom snickered, casually reaching for the bag of fluffy goodies Nova was investigating, only for her tyrant of a husband to lightly smack her hand. ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon! Just one¡ªone!¡± ¡°Yeah, just one, Dad, please!¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°What harm can it do?¡± Her mom¡¯s bun bobbed up and down with her head movements. ¡°Mhm! Mhm! What harm, Dear? I¡¯ll give you a kiss for every marshmallow.¡± Rhea choked. ¡°Pfft! Give an inch, and she takes a mile! Bad, Mom! No bribes!¡± ¡°But, Rhea¡­¡± her dad groaned, watching his wife smirk as she smelled blood and opened her purse to extract lipstick. ¡°We can¡¯t just leave her the non-sugar donuts and eat all of this in front of her.¡± Freezing, her mom glanced down at the box her husband had strategically slid over to her. ¡°Non-sugar donuts? There¡¯s no such thing! They taste like¡­ No, artificial sugar? Keith!¡± ¡°Hey, throughout our marriage, you never noticed once,¡± her dad innocently grinned. ¡°I¡¯d like to think I trained you like a Growlithe to like it because you shy away from the other types!¡± ¡°That¡­ was pretty clever,¡± her mom mumbled, opening her pocket mirror to clean her mouth and applying the glossy lipstick across the moist skin. Popping them, her eyes narrowed in an evil way while unclipping her bun to shake out her locks. ¡°So¡­ do we have a deal, Handsome?¡± Her dad¡¯s big, puppy-dog eyes shifted to Rhea, making her laugh. ¡°You two are so weird; I swear¡ªthe weirdest parents! Mom really does get aggressive on sweets. Just go make out already. Geez. Quit dragging me into this sweets war. I¡¯ll just go over my messages.¡± ¡°Welp!¡± Shooting to his feet, her dad straightened his semi-wrinkled shirt and held out his hand to bring her mom up. ¡°We¡¯re going to go get you second breakfast, Honey, so you just wait right here, and we¡¯ll be back in a bit.¡± Not looking up at her helpless parents, Rhea took another bite from one of her sprinkled donuts. ¡°Mmmm. I doubt you¡¯ll be right back, but you two have a fun time, and be sure to come back before nine. I don¡¯t want to sick Mya on Mom.¡± ¡°Me?! Why me?¡± her mom huffed. ¡°I¡¯m not the dubious one here! I¡¯m just looking for a little sugar¡­ Okay,¡± she admitted, tilting her head to the side and giving a sheepish laugh at the stares she got from them. ¡°I know how that sounded, but did I say anything wrong?¡± ¡°Sugar is sugar,¡± her dad agreed, big hands looping around her mom¡¯s waist to pull her close. ¡°Plus, there are a few favorites your mom has, so I¡¯ve gotta narrow down which one she¡¯s craving. Thanks for the support, Sunshine,¡± he winked. Rhea shook her head, spotting her mom¡¯s flushed cheeks as her dad cradled the woman against his body, rainbow lights taking them off on a short adventure. He wasn¡¯t talking about this interaction but forcing her mother on a vacation after the total nightmare she¡¯d gone through. Nibbling on her sugary breakfast while flipping between feeds, she breathed out her stress; already, she was feeling better. Her parents needed a break, in any case, and it was actually pretty fun seeing a resurgence of their love for one another. There was so much darkness in their past, from Rainbow Rocket to the experimentations her mother was involved in. She just wanted to see her parents happy. The dojo was surprisingly quiet for past noon, and a stillness came to her when her helpless mother and father left to tease one another. Nova, Alice, Mya, and Lulu gathered around her to observe her read the messages left for her.
    7:23 p.m. Mankey Butt - So, I heard you¡¯re going to be out for a while. Possibly days! So lazy. Huh. I mean, what kind of girl breaks an unbreakable curse and then plops her big butt in bed for a few days? Hoping I¡¯ll fly back to feed you, Ms. I¡¯m Too Weak To Eat? I will! Don¡¯t tempt me, Honey Pot!
    Oh, you Impidimp! Rhea internally growled, wearing a smirk as her face colored a little. Lori¡¯s nicknames and their implications are too graphic, I swear. She¡¯s corrupted honey! And that ¡®big butt¡¯ comment, buddy. You aren¡¯t aware of the kunoichi glance counter, are you? And what is this photo thread called ¡®Beach Day,¡¯ huh? Are you¡ª ¡°Ack-ack!¡± She spat her hot chocolate across Mya¡¯s dull face as the images popped up, and her Pokemon gathered around to see why she was suddenly dying; Jason was in a changing room, taking pictures, but they weren¡¯t of other patrons. ¡°Are you serious?!¡± she choked, nose burning from the milky liquid running out of it.
    12:23 p.m. Mankey Butt - We¡¯re out here at the beach, and Serena wanted us to pick out some new swimsuits. Len bet Lucian and me 3k credits to whoever went out in the most embarrassing outfit. I think a speedo is a bit too much, huh? I mean, I¡¯ve tried white, red, blue¡­ tan colored, but that blends into my skin too much, you think? What about Camo Commander style?
    ¡°The Muk are you sending me,¡± Rhea giggled, her hair whipping her face as she nervously glanced around to make sure her parents weren¡¯t back. ¡°I¡¯m kind of scared to see what the other albums are¡ªsorry, Mya, ack! Thanks, Nova,¡± she said, accepting the paper towel sheets she¡¯d brought over. ¡°Mawile¡­¡± ¡°Lopunny?¡± ¡°Neee-neee!¡± ¡°You¡¯re right!¡± Rhea steeled her tight belly, heart thumping as her gaze kept lifting to the spread-out pictures of the first album. ¡°Why has he gotten so ripped?! How strong are his hands now¡­¡± she shivered and sat straighter. ¡°Fortune favors the bold!¡± she declared. ¡°We dive!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Jason, you¡¯re evil!¡± she cried, a rosy smile on her face and cheeks hurting as she scrolled down the fashion show, all done inside the changing room with different funny poses. ¡°Pfft! You¡¯re so evil!¡±
    12:54 p.m. Mankey Butt - Sparkle swim trunks? They¡¯re a bit tight, but I think the glitter really brings out my skin when it¡¯s wet. What would you say if your boyfriend wore these out, huh? Dancing around a bonfire¡ªHonchkrow hat¡ªhips swaying and dazzling the crowd with my sparkly core? No. No! We can do better than that. The one-shoulder mankini, baby! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about¡ªgo, full zug-zug strong man! Can you imagine me picking you up with one arm and carrying you around like a princess to your beach throne? Haha! Maybe I should get one of those fans to keep you cool or hold a mirror to show you how pretty you are. It sounds about the right thing to do for such a cute Joltik that has me strung up in her web¡­ Mustard-themed?
    ¡°Stop!¡± Rhea wept, sides hurting and body flaming as he showed off various flex poses in the bright yellow one-shoulder mankini. ¡°You¡¯re seriously going to kill me! No way would I let you go out in public like that! Privately¡­ I¡¯d roast you, and I bet you¡¯d love it! Hehehe! No, there¡¯s more! Dawn, help me! Wha¡ªc¡¯mon, no, no, no, Jason¡ªJason, no!¡±
    1:21 p.m. Mankey Butt - So, I found this weird black scrap of cloth beside the woman¡¯s section¡­ Weird, it¡¯s like a girl tossed it over, but hey, it¡¯s in the men¡¯s section. What is up with this cross-design? It¡¯s a, uh, little tight in some areas¡ªis that normal? How are you even supposed to tie this behind your neck if you can¡¯t see what you¡¯re tying? You women are magicians! I think I¡¯ve got it! It¡¯s so tight around my hips; I swear it¡¯ll rub my skin raw, and I¡¯d need to lather up¡­ you wouldn¡¯t be able to help with that, right? What is up with this belly window and strap below my belly button? Is it for stability? Don¡¯t want anything to slip! Joking! Joking! No way I¡¯d let other girls catch me dead like that! I¡¯m not that insane. I¡¯ve got a vicious little electro bug back home ready to zap me if I don¡¯t stay in line, ya know? Did I make you wonder, though? Did I? Hehehe. Naa, I¡¯ll just go out with Kanto flag trunks and get booed repping the region. Represent!
    Playing with her toes and biting her lower lip, Rhea¡¯s chest felt tight as she fixated on a specific combination of words. No way I¡¯d let ¡®other girls¡¯ catch me dead like that¡­ So stupid. I¡¯m not like the other girls, huh? And¡­ save to hidden folder! Yeah, we¡¯ll come back to those at a later date. However, his next message made her nose burn, and tears gathered in her eyes:
    3:07 p.m. Mankey Butt - So, I saw your parents¡¯ post to the family and friends that you¡¯d be fine. I¡¯m so proud and excited! You¡¯re growing so fast! Gold-tier. Impossible Aura stuff that has Serena squealing. Yes! My sparky spider is spreading her legs to become a powerful (and totally not terrifying) cutie! Oh, is that the wrong word? No¡­ no, I think that¡¯s the right one. You¡¯re so amazing, Rhea. I love you so much, so I¡¯m going to push extra hard¡­ because I want you to be proud of me, too. Now, to beat Len again in beach ball! He¡¯s so mad, but how can I lose when I grew up with a partner in beach ball crime like you? <3
    ¡°Now you¡¯re making me feel like I¡¯m lacking, sending pictures and stuff,¡± she whispered; her heart was so full that it felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. ¡°If there is something you going to Kalos has shown me¡­ it¡¯s that I think I might love you, too. Why has it taken me so long to see it?¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Lop-lop?¡± She sighed and rubbed her Pokemon, giving them a bit of attention. Ever since she¡¯d left her little village, the world had definitely left a mark on her, and in such a short time. If someone had told her that she¡¯d be Gold-tier by the end of the year, she would have thought they were crazy, yet here she was¡ªGold-tier. Yet her mind was stuck daydreaming of a boy in Kalos. Amira¡¯s recent message made her tilt her head and smile, though; perhaps the redhead had a plan that could take her heart off her annoyingly good best friend.
    9:57 a.m. Singing Ruby - I¡¯ve finished recording and prepping our new outfits. It¡¯s been long enough for us to get new ones, and I¡¯ll bring back some design thoughts for Lori and you to look at. I doubt she¡¯ll be back until Friday. That being said, I saw a Contest happening that Sabrina and Erika will be guest judging. Lori already made it clear that she isn¡¯t interested in Contests, but you seemed to be into the idea at the start of our journey. I know that was rough, and I don¡¯t want to push you if you don¡¯t want to join me. It is a Rank Advancement Contest, which means we could rank out of Rookie to Normal Contests if we win. It takes place tomorrow, and your parents said you should be fully recovered by tonight, so I thought I¡¯d make the offer to see if you¡¯d like to join me. If you¡¯re interested, it is a Special Event¡ªa Double Rookie Performance¡ªwhere we could earn our first Bronze Key. Yes, we¡¯d be performing together, which I would love, and before you go thinking you don¡¯t want to let me down, I could find another partner. I have to register before 5 p.m., so that is my deadline. Naturally, you¡¯re my first choice, so let me know! Serenity will be my choice.
    Rhea let out a short chuckle and glanced down at Nova and Alice, tails wagging and looking up at her with big eyes after she read it to them. Compared to almost getting killed by Plasma, learning I¡¯m half-Pokemon, and the Muk Maria put me through inside that icy mountain, that first Contest is nothing! Now that we¡¯re 100% guaranteed to get into the Indigo Silver Cup, I think it¡¯ll be good for us to branch out more¡­ I can only choose one of you, though. Nova and Alice frowned, looking at one another, both wanting to try it out. On the one hand, Nova had the experience of losing in a Contest and would combine with Serenity splendidly. Then again, Nova had her spotlight against Sabrina already, and Alice needed the experience. It wasn¡¯t like she was afraid of losing either; this was supposed to be a fun time coordinating with Amira. ¡°Okay, girls, gather up¡­¡± she chimed, placing a hand on Nova and Alice¡¯s head to pet them. ¡°How about this: Nova combines really well with Serenity, but she also got the Gym with Sabrina, so why don¡¯t we have Alice and Mya battle Erika as a compromise? We¡¯ll make it work because that is part of what it means to be an adaptive Trainer and Pokemon!¡± Alice¡¯s eyes lit up, more than willing to give up a Rookie Contest for the big Silver Encrusted Battle Stage. ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°And you, Nova?¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe,¡± she chirped, saying it was more than fair. ¡°Mya?¡± she laughed, getting an instant nod as Lulu randomly agreed, too. ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Neee! Ne-ne?¡± ¡°Hehe. Yes, Lulu, you get front-row seats with me. In fact, I think we¡¯re almost at the point of us starting to train you up for battle, Sweetie!¡± ¡°Neeeee!¡± Her cosmic cloud bounced around, happy tears gathering in her eyes as her teammates congratulated and danced with her. ¡°Nee-neee-neeee!¡± ¡°Pwe! Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Lop!¡± ¡°Maw-maw!¡± ¡°Neeee!¡± ¡°We¡¯re getting stronger,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°Soon, we may be giving Sabin a run for his money¡­ We¡¯re doing good. I¡¯m doing good.¡± B4 — 15. A Friend Date
    1:26 a.m. October 21, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 134. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (44 days away).
    Throwing out her arms and feeling the pleasurable burn stretching brought, Rhea twisted left and right with a short grunt. Her Pokemon mirrored her, making her giggle. It felt like a massive weight had been taken off her chest; they were in the Silver Cup and guaranteed Gold-tier. Well, the absolute baby-of-the-barrel Gold-tier, but that was huge. The blood-pumping pulse of having plans feeding her, she snatched her phone off her lap and messaged Amira, letting her know that she was ready for something new. A giggle shook her chest as she quickly changed her name; it only showed for her, but it still made her smile.
    1:26 p.m. Honey Tree - I¡¯m feeling great! I can¡¯t wait to chat and get an update on what you¡¯ve been up to. Recording a new single, too? Ahhh! Exciting! I can¡¯t wait to hear it. A Double Rookie Performance sounds super fun. Sign us up! My team and I decided Nova would join. It feels a little weird only going with one Pokemon after all the Two Pokemon battles we¡¯ve done. When can we talk about it more?
    She switched to her parents¡¯ phones, linking them both to the message, but Amira responded shockingly fast. The notification pulled her eyes up. It was short and filled her with anticipation.
    1:27 p.m. Singing Ruby - I¡¯ll be in Saffron in 10 minutes. Have you eaten?
    Glancing at the boxes of donuts around her, she forced a laugh as her stomach rumbled, feeling less like a Munchlax and more like a starved Snorlax.
    1:27 p.m. Honey Tree - Not nearly enough! I need to get ready, so don¡¯t rush. Give me like 30 minutes. 1:27 p.m. Singing Ruby - Wonderful. Take your time, too. Let¡¯s make it 45 min. 1:28 p.m. Honey Tree - Sounds like a date! I¡¯m so happy to have a friend like you. You¡¯re the best, Amira. 1:28 p.m. Singing Ruby - That¡¯s a two-way street, sister. Why not give our Pokemon a chance to hang at the PokePark since we¡¯ll be primarily focused on Serenity and Nova? Amber wants something to distract her from Gables being away; she¡¯s been a bit of a moody teen, and Holly wanted to spend time with your girls.
    Rhea glanced between her bright-eyed Pokemon as they read the message, snuggling next to her; well, Lulu was perched on her head, which she wasn¡¯t always going to be able to do, so Rhea was happy to accommodate her. ¡°What do you girls think? Remember the park you went to last time with Lulu?¡± ¡°Nee-nee!¡± ¡°You remember?¡± ¡°Nee! Nee-ne!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a yes,¡± she said, holding up her finger for the puff cloud to grab it, jumping up and down. ¡°Alice and Mya?¡± ¡°Lop-lop.¡± ¡°Mawile.¡± ¡°Alright, you three have fun, and make sure you include Mariah and Lulu. They¡¯re getting old enough now to play some of the older games you big girls do. And you know how shy Mariah can be.¡± The Mawile, Lopunny, and Cosmog nodded emphatically, and Rhea turned her focus back to her phone.
    1:29 p.m. Honey Tree - They love the idea. I¡¯ll see you around 2:15.
    She looked up to see Nova digging around a new shoulder bag, which made Rhea¡¯s eyebrows pull together before it clicked in her mind; the Silph project her mother had been teasing for some time. Nova took out a capsule, carefully nudging it over with her head, tail wagging. ¡°Pwe. Pwe-pwe,¡± she insisted, nudging it forward. ¡°Oooh. Looks like someone was already spoiled on the surprise! What do we have here¡­ Portable closet? Interesting¡­ Is this the real reason Amira went to get us some new clothes? Hmm.¡± Sliding her fingers over the name printed across the larger capsule that was about twice as large as a Poke Ball, Rhea looked at the bottom, where instructions were clearly printed. It wouldn¡¯t activate unless it sensed that the space was able to hold its contents, and setting it down, she pressed the button and stepped away. A small sensor popped up, did a small scan of the area, and then a light blue pulse of energy shot out of it, revealing a metal, rectangular box with a sliding door. Curiosity piqued, Rhea pulled it open; it was fluid as oil, and her eyes widened upon spotting many items from her own home wardrobe, including the kimono she¡¯d gotten in Fuchsia. ¡°Wow¡­ It isn¡¯t massive, but more than enough to hold a few dozen outfits, if properly spaced¡­ It even has adorable little shoe places,¡± she squealed, dropping to her knees to study the button on the back that would retract the portable closet into the capsule, built into the design. ¡°A small accessory box, too. Yeah, this is going to go big. It¡¯s like I have unlimited bag space, like a game!¡± ¡°Mawile?¡± Her steely girl poked around it and tapped the side of the sturdy item. ¡°Maw-maw.¡± Rhea pushed her lips to the side, flipping through the pants, skirts, and blouses inside to pick out something suitable for going out with the classy redhead. A knee-length black dress seemed like a good option¡ªwith sandals and tights since it was a bit chilly. ¡°This changes so much,¡± she whispered, pulling out the items. ¡°And, yeah, Mya, I know it¡¯s not unlimited, but it¡¯s a lot. It has a ton of safety stuff, too; it can only destabilize specific types of fabrics and materials¡­ Oh, yikes.¡± She chuckled upon looking at the side where Alice was trying to read the blocks of text. ¡°If someone tries to hide inside, it won¡¯t take the person but will strip off all their clothes. Maybe we can get a certain someone to test things out¡ªyou know, for science! Although¡­ it can also cause a glitch that makes you lose all the items inside. Hmm. Worth! Hehe. I guess it is still in beta testing. Mom¡¯s awesome for this, though. Well, let¡¯s get ready!¡± Rhea made a mental note as she spotted a dirty laundry hamper built into the back left side. She texted her parents as her Pokemon went on ahead to prep the shower. Carrying her chosen items, some of which she hadn¡¯t seen since she left home, she smiled; she felt so happy.
    1:35 p.m. Honey Tree - Don¡¯t come back! I¡¯m going to spend the day with Amira; we¡¯re going to do a Contest tomorrow. For today, you two are grounded from doing boring stuff. See a movie, have dinner, and have fun. I don¡¯t want to see you tonight! I¡¯m an angry teen. Grrr! I¡¯ve got friends I want to be with, and my parents are LAME. (Jking! Jking!) P.s. I love the wardrobe surprise, Mom. Sorry, I opened my present early! I blame Nova! I want to see smiles on your faces tomorrow! I want to have happy parents.
    Leaving the towels since she could use the dojos, Rhea felt Butterfree in her belly as she made a quick adjustment to her Jigglypuff pajamas around her hips and pulled the hood over her head. Meeting her Pokemon in the bathing area, she saw a notice pinned to the walls. There were a few people in the training area, but most of the students seemed to be out, partying with their awakened Grandmaster since today was her first time back to address everything. It was so nice to hear that Terri was up and doing better. Apparently, the pair had gotten married hours after she¡¯d awoken, and the party was planned for a later date. It still made her heart warm, remembering the bittersweet moments just after Terri came out of her curse-induced coma. She needed Kyle, and Kyle needed her. The redhead wasn¡¯t about to let any moment pass her by after her years trapped in darkness. She hummed with her Pokemon in the shower, washing out her hair and spending a bit of time on her girls since they weren¡¯t in a rush. Nova¡¯s fur was gleaming when they exited, the Eevee prancing around as Lulu swapped between combing her and Alice; her showy girl was excited to enter another Contest. Donning her black dress and sandals and only lightly blowing out the liquid in her hair on the cold setting of the wall-attached dryer, Rhea tied her locks into a long Kalos braid. She¡¯d noticed it on a few girls in the beach photos Jason had sent her. A muscular woman who had just finished her martial arts workout entered the room as she was just finishing, a big Machoke beside her, wearing a pink bow around her throat. ¡°My, don¡¯t you look like you¡¯re ready for a fun day? Are you heading to the party at Kyle¡¯s noodle shop? It¡¯s free food all day. Hehe. I heard Grandmaster Terri and Kyle are cooking together.¡± Rhea beamed as the woman started the sink to splash water over her sweat-slicked face, her Machoke heading for one of the showers to start it. ¡°It sounds really cute! No, I¡¯m just going out with a friend, but I¡¯m delighted to see everyone so thrilled about Terri¡¯s recovery. Like¡­ no one is here!¡± ¡°It¡­ really is a special day,¡± she whispered, using a hand towel to dry her face, eyes going distant. ¡°From what I hear, some mysterious girl showed up and healed her without asking for a thing. It¡¯s just¡­ really comforting to know there are people like that out there, ya know? There¡¯s so much suffering after the Ultra War, but there are still people willing to do good.¡± Rhea¡¯s throat constricted, trying not to tear up as the martial artist gave her a casual wave before entering the shower adjacent to her Machoke, hanging a duffle bag on the hooks inside. ¡°Anyway, have a good day¡ªRhea, right? I heard you crushed it against Gym Leader Sabrina. You¡¯re an inspiration, too. My cousin told me she joined your fan club. Keep killing it, babe! You¡¯re changing lives.¡± ¡°Uh-huh¡­ Thanks.¡± The tightness around her chest was different than a lot of other times she¡¯d felt pressure squeezing her lungs throughout her life. Not having a place to put her Poke Balls on her dress since it wasn¡¯t designed with an invisible Trainer line¡ªmaking it far cheaper¡ªRhea folded them into her slept-in pajamas and returned to her room. On her journey, she felt the Aura pulses of several martial artists that passed her, joyful greetings and positive words resonating within her. From her parents to everyone else in Saffron, it was scary how one action could spark such a change on such a large scale, but probably the more terrifying thing was that she¡¯d felt like this would happen. Going somewhat silent in the following minutes, her Pokemon gave her bewildered looks, trying to decipher her complex emotions. She tried to comfort them while cleaning up and checking her phone. Her mother was the one to respond.
    1:39 p.m. Loser One - Are you sure you want to subject your father to me, Honey? He¡¯s asking for help because I¡¯ve had a lot of sugar, and I don¡¯t know what I might do to him. Do you really want that on your conscience? I¡¯m a real villain, Sweetie! I don¡¯t think you understand what I can be like if I¡¯m not engaged in science.
    Picturing her mom growing Impidimp ears and trying to act sus and mischievous made her want to roll her eyes more than feel frightened. A smirk lifted her lips as she leaked her mom¡¯s DMs to her father, hearing the boss music already starting to play for her unsuspecting mother.
    2:11 p.m. Honey Tree - Agent Smooth, Mom seems to think she¡¯s a hot Vulpix, coiling you around her finger. It¡¯s time to take her off easy mode. Remove the limiters. 2:12 p.m. Loser Two - Captain Swablu! I don¡¯t think our little Teddiursa could handle that; her heart is already weak as it is! You have no idea how fragile her ankles are; she¡¯ll trip and break! Are you sure about this? She could be off her feet for a week with the whiplash. ??? A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
    Rhea¡¯s inner Impish Nature slid through, and she channeled the spirit of Lori as her fingers skipped across the hologram keys, swapping her parents¡¯ nicknames.
    2:12 p.m. Honey Tree - I gave my order. Operation Melted Heart is a go. 2:13 p.m. Agent Smooth - Baking sweets, whispered talk while dancing, and wine it is¡­ I hope to see you on the other side, Captain. o7 2:14 p.m. Innocent Victim - Rhea! What did you tell your father? I¡¯m
    Her imagination sparked to life as the message cut off, obviously preemptively sent, and she could see her dad closing in: His dangerous eyes brought the apprehensive blonde¡¯s tongue to the roof of her mouth, throat thickening as he made her feel small. His strong hand slid up her arm, the heat rising as his other hand looped around the back of her neck, trapping his stun-locked wife. He locked their ocean-blue eyes, drawing the unsuspecting woman into his tide, and his lips melting against hers to share the sugar still on them before diving further into the abyss¡ªmission accomplished. This is exactly what Mom needs. She needs to forget about everything but herself for at least one night. Be careful looking into the abyss, Mom¡­ because it has eyes, too! Mua-hahaha! Rhea¡¯s evil smirk lifted as rainbow lights brought Amira and her bubbly mother outside the room, a knock coming from the door. ¡°Can we come¡ªMom¡­¡± ¡°Hello, Rhea!¡± Lyra slid open the paper door, showing a blinding smile. ¡°Oh, you look so pretty, and I love that deviant Aura you¡¯re releasing. Hehe. What¡¯s the story? C¡¯mon, it¡¯s not every day you give off those vibes!¡± ¡°Nosy much?¡± Amira complained, rolling her eyes and showing off what had to be the sapphire-blue dress-based outfit she wore to the recording studio to record her song; her hair was curled and flowed down her back, highlighting the large ruby earrings she currently wore. ¡°You look great, Rhea,¡± she smiled, studying her. ¡°Ready to go out and have some fun?¡± Rhea chuckled, accepting her small purse¡ªwhich her Pokemon had filled with their Poke Balls¡ªplacing her phone inside. ¡°Thanks! I¡¯m so excited to go out and have fun again with friends. As for my smile, I bought us an uninterrupted night away from my parents by sicking my dad on my mom. She needs a night not thinking about anyone but herself.¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow, red eyes darting to her mom. ¡°Sounds like the prescription that someone else should take. Dad obviously wants to spend time with you, Mom. You know how he gets.¡± It was Lyra¡¯s turn to show a dubious, Impish smirk, holding a finger to her chin while looking to the side. ¡°Mmm, oh, I know, Sweetie. I know just how much string I need to give to wind him up. I¡¯m getting Butterfrees waiting for the drop. He¡¯s good at creating the perfect, unsuspecting moment. Don¡¯t you worry, I¡¯m already a target,¡± she whispered, twisting away with a wink and holding up a finger to her lips. ¡°I¡¯d watch out, Rhea. I¡¯ve heard rumors; juicy ones! Have a fun Contest.¡± ¡°Rumors? So mean,¡± she laughed as the brunette woman vanished in rainbow lights, her Porygon-Z taking her to her tense battle. ¡°Do you think our parents are normal?¡± ¡°Each of them is one of a kind,¡± the redhead chortled, putting a hand on her hip and showing a dazzling smile. ¡°Well, I¡¯m starved after all the work I¡¯ve put in today. Ready to have a friend¡¯s day out and talk about the Drama: Improv Style Contest we¡¯ll be doing?¡± Tingles shot up Rhea¡¯s arms at the name, images of her aunt¡¯s performances flashing through her mind. ¡°Drama: Improv?! Okay, that is a little scary; I¡¯m so excited! It¡¯s not a Battle Style, then? What¡¯s the theme? C¡¯mon, tell me everything!¡± Amira¡¯s smiling eyes drifted between their Pokemon as they met, discussing their own adventurous plans for the day. Naturally, Serenity and Nova were dancing around each other, the emotionless Feebas likely projecting a ton more emotion than her lifeless eyes insinuated. ¡°It¡¯s in the Star League category, judging us in coolness, beauty, cuteness, cleverness, and toughness; the theme is castles, nobility, knights, and commoners. They¡¯ll have props and things available that will be added to the scenes as we introduce the characters our Pokemon will be playing, and two other team pairs will be performing with us.¡± Slinging the purse over her shoulder, Rhea walked out of the room with her friend, positive vibes lightening her steps as their Pokemon followed. ¡°So, it¡¯s that kind of Contest? We need to adapt to the good and bad that the other teams throw into the mix and come up with a comprehensive story that meets all the category goals. That¡¯s Muking insane! I guess this is a Bronze Key Contest. A battle of wits and presentation!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Feebas.¡± Amira held her elbow behind her back, vision wandering between the architecture choices of the dojo on their path toward the front entrance. ¡°I thought it sounded fun and challenging. No one knows who gets to start the improv session, but they¡¯ll be able to shape the initial setting. We make a character, and the initiator sets the stage for us to follow up in our own turns. We have two interruption points to insert a twist, which will be judged carefully. Haha. I¡¯ve been thinking about this a lot over the last few days if you couldn¡¯t tell.¡± Rhea shivered when they entered Saffron¡¯s cool Autumn breeze, looking up at the bright sun and cloudless sky. She didn¡¯t use her Aura since she wanted to also maintain her mental fortitude to deal with temperature changes without her powers; Maria was firm on mental strength being the biggest skill she needed to cultivate. ¡°I¡¯m kind of spinning all sorts of ideas, too. They can¡¯t just kill us off early, or else that wouldn¡¯t make for a compelling story, and they¡¯d get poor scores. We need to make the crowd invested, which, hehe, is kind of your thing, Amira. You can turn the hearts of crowds like nobody¡¯s business.¡± ¡°Mmm. I suppose,¡± Amira hummed, taking them down the steps and waving at the martial artists that greeted them. ¡°Don¡¯t ask me to get people to show up, though; that¡¯s Lori¡¯s department. No one likes a pretty, spoiled rich girl who talks and ¡®shows off¡¯ too much, rubbing it in people¡¯s faces. A promise of a fun time, though? Yeah, Lori can get a crowd.¡± ¡°Maybe to riot!¡± Rhea snickered, recalling the giant Cerulean rave she¡¯d sparked. ¡°Also, you¡¯re wrong about the ¡®talks too much¡¯ part. You don¡¯t talk; you just take the stage and do Muk, which makes people notice you by your actions alone. Sure, you¡¯ve got a Meloetta, with a voice to match her, but you¡¯re, like, my idol!¡± ¡°Low bar, but I appreciate it,¡± Amira giggled. ¡°There¡¯s so much more to life than being an idol, songstress, actress, or being rich¡ªit¡¯s about character.¡± She pulled back her bangs behind her ear and looked her way. ¡°To me, an amazing person is someone who makes the most out of the opportunities they¡¯ve been given and never stays down when failure comes. That is the type of character Serenity wants to play tomorrow.¡± Digging around her purse, Rhea pulled out her phone. ¡°Okay! Can you say that again, so I can record it and send it to your fan club because they¡¯d die?! Why don¡¯t we have Rotom Phones?!¡± Chuckled at her enthusiasm, Amira took out her own crystal-like device, projecting an advertisement with a half-smile on her full lips. ¡°You¡¯re in luck. The first rollout of the rebranded company just hit the market, backed by Rocket. I have a free promotional voucher for three company Rotom for our phones if you want.¡± Rhea gave her a dubious smile. ¡°Totally not planned.¡± ¡°Totally not. Haha. Want to go there before or after we eat? Honestly, I¡¯m a little famished right now, so I¡¯d prefer after.¡± ¡°Ditto!¡± Rhea hopped over to hug her friend, receiving a short embrace in return as they walked. ¡°Thank you for always thinking about us, Amira.¡± ¡°Again, that goes both ways,¡± she said, taking them onto Saffron¡¯s busy city streets, alive with what appeared to be a City-State-wide celebration taking place from Terri¡¯s recovery. ¡°It¡¯s a little hectic after Sabrina¡¯s speech about Terri. I know you don¡¯t do well in crowded places, so we can go to less populated areas if you want.¡± Her blonde bun shook as she relished in the joy that radiated throughout the people of Saffron; it was like sugar on her tongue. ¡°Maria helped me with parts of my Aura that were making me uncomfortable around large groups. It helps when they¡¯re mostly positive, too. Where did you want to eat?¡± Amira forced a smile and pointed at a big skyline restaurant disk hanging over the other buildings. ¡°Somewhere less noisy and where we can have some privacy. I¡¯ve made enough to treat you. We need a quiet place to discuss our strategy anyway.¡± ¡°Aww! You¡¯re the most amazing friend ever,¡± Rhea cried, hugging her again. ¡°So, we drop everyone but Nova and Serenity off and have a chill day hanging out together?¡± The redhead shrugged, guiding her to the right to reach the Poke Park that they¡¯d patronized the previous time they were in the city. ¡°You know I am not a clubbing person; that¡¯s Lori¡¯s scene. A fun time for me is stimulating conversation, a classy environment, and a good meal. Is there anything you¡¯d like to do? I know you¡¯re more of an outdoorsy person.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks heated as she played around with her phone, a somewhat nervous giggle shaking her chest. ¡°Uh, actually¡­ I wanted to ask you about some things¡ªyou know, about Jason, and some of the things he sent me. I¡­ don¡¯t really have anyone else to talk about it with, and, uh, Lori will totally cook my brain, so¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m a good middle ground,¡± Amira smiled, now showing a curious twinkle in her ruby eyes. ¡°I have an idea about a few things you may have received. ¡°You know, the song I recorded was written about two boys fighting for attention in my heart?¡± Rhea¡¯s lungs practically jumped into her throat at the secretive twist in the redhead¡¯s glossy lips, and the mental picture of two tall and handsome boys smacked her brain, one blond and from Kalos, the other raven-haired and from Alola. Her heartbeat quickened upon seeing the classy-dressed girl between the two competing boys. ¡°I¡­ think I¡¯m scared to hear it. Do they know?¡± Amira¡¯s giggle and backward glance made Rhea gulp; yeah, they knew she was recording a song, but who it was about would be left ambiguous, and, by the sounds of it, the redhead had woven both into it somehow. ¡°Interested?¡± she asked, pulling out wireless earphones from her black and blue-themed purse. ¡°Some boys need a little¡­ guiding to find the right places to touch.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re evil!¡± Rhea laughed, the earphones already finding her ears as she snatched them out of her hand. ¡°Teach me, My Oshi!¡± ¡°Using words that my fan club uses now, are we? I think you¡¯ve been talking with Hannah too much,¡± Amira mused, pulling up her music App. ¡°Although, yes, I am sure they¡¯ll make this song trend everywhere¡­ Fans can be terrifying with what they ask of you, but can you blame them when they hear something like this?¡± she asked, showing a far more knowing and villainous smile than Rhea had seen on the Rocket girl. The taps of the piano came from the background, and the air in Rhea¡¯s lungs froze as Amira sang in a lower, luring tone than she¡¯d done in the past:
    ¡°Heartbeat racin¡¯ ¡°I¡¯ma put you through these paces ¡°Be the best you ever tasted ¡°Gon¡¯ stay on your mind ¡°Come back every time¡­ ¡°Baby, I¡¯ma keep you cravin¡¯ ¡±
    Goosebumps slid down Rhea¡¯s spine as the beat and Amira¡¯s voice picked up, drawing the listener down a dark corridor, the walls closing in on them. And all of a sudden, she saw herself in Amira¡¯s place, guiding Jason into the darkness, one step at a time. Yeah, Amira had a gift. Shivering as the song ended, she handed the earphones back, feeling a lot hotter now, combatting the chilly wind that pressed her dress against her frame. ¡°You¡­ are bold, Ma¡¯am! Wow. And I thought Lori was the deviant.¡± Amira held up her hand, refusing them as they crossed a street. ¡°Oh, I recorded a song for Lori, don¡¯t you worry.¡± ¡°Should I dive into the abyss?¡± Rhea chuckled, putting them back in. ¡°A dance song?¡± ¡°Maybe¡­¡± Rhea laughed as the beat and seductive vibes started; yeah, it was totally Lori:
    ¡°This the way that Arceus made me ¡°I¡¯m a Lopunny in a dress on the dance floor, maybe. ¡°My-my-my mind ¡°Was running in circles the moment I met you ¡°Don¡¯t lie-lie-lie ¡° ¡®Cause once you go under, I know you¡¯ll be hooked too. ¡°I¡¯ma be your new type ¡°From one hit, one look at my body ¡°Boy, I¡¯m changing your life ¡°Bet that you didn¡¯t see it coming.¡±
    Rhea handed the headphones back, accepting the transfer of the songs as Amira tapped her phone. ¡°You really are talented. I bet she¡¯d be tickled that you made a song for her.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think I¡¯m not cooking up one for you, as well, Sunshine,¡± the redhead said, picking up their pace as they entered another street¡¯s traffic flow. ¡°So, want to talk about how Nova¡¯s a princess and Serenity is the commoner? What kind of story should we tell? Let¡¯s go over all the possibilities and how things can take a turn. I think we can have a fairly unique backup plan with Nova¡¯s transformations. Care to theorycraft and predict what our peers will do? One girl and three boys will be in our performance; I can¡¯t be sure about their Pokemon, though.¡± ¡°Umm. Yes! Let¡¯s do it!¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± ¡°Hmm. She may try to go the princess or queen route then¡­ Whatever it is, let¡¯s kill this Improv Contest. Let¡¯s craft our characters!¡± Dropping off their Pokemon at the park to have fun for the rest of the day, Amira guided them further to the fancy restaurant she¡¯d selected. On the redhead¡¯s insistence, she ordered everything she wanted, which apparently would be written off on Rocket¡¯s music label account since this lunch was offered on their dime. Rhea had to give it to her teammate; she was always so good at making use of any opportunity. Nova and Serenity were bouncing on their chairs with the backstory and characters they were crafting with the multiple avenues it could be twisted. Were they going to be villains or heroes, perhaps something in-between? Whatever it was going to be, she knew that this was all for fun and not actually to win. If they managed that, then they would win regardless. Concluding their very long, complimentary ¡®lunch¡¯ near 9 p.m., Rhea felt stuffed, ready to go in any direction tomorrow. Thanking the attentive staff and leaving a healthy tip that had some of the employees crying, Amira took them through the night, sharing an earphone and singing with her on their way to pick up their Pokemon. Rhea most enjoyed days like this, where she could hang out with a girl her own age; it really was so different from spending time with Jason, and she could talk about things she couldn¡¯t with her childhood best friend. Plus, it helped that Amira was just so versatile and cool, making her feel special at every turn in off-handed ways that didn¡¯t even sound like compliments. Lying in bed with her Pokemon snuggled around her, Rhea closed her eyes, welcoming tomorrow to be even better than the last, mumbling, ¡°Amira¡­¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± The redhead shifted next to her, bundled up with her own Pokemon and a sleeping mask on to keep out any light. ¡°Thank you for being my friend¡­ You really have helped me, I don¡¯t know¡­ grow? Everything you do makes me want to do better.¡± ¡°Haha. You can be so dramatic and emotional, which is something I love. You¡¯re always so honest and determined. You bring out a side of me that I like. So thank you, Rhea. Let¡¯s do our best tomorrow and just have fun as friends.¡± ¡°Mhm! Thank you for asking me to be your partner. It means a lot¡­ Like, a lot. Night.¡± ¡°Night.¡± Turning over, she nestled in and let her mind drift into sweet dreams, seeing cute little moments that her dad and mom shared. They could be real or her own imagination; either way, it melted her heart. Life was getting so much better. B4 — 16. A Dream Come True
    Adaptive Time. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    Waking up at her normal time of 6:00 a.m., Rhea quickly got ready with her Pokemon, anticipating the Drama Improv Contest that started at 4 p.m., after the day¡¯s Battle Contests. Amira was already up and grooming Serenity for her role, using the Hollywood makeup she¡¯d ordered overnight to make Serenity even more drab, meticulously going over her white-and-black colors to make the Feebas appear more like the Fish Pokemon normally looked; at least in part to show a contrast that could be removed during the performance. Rhea was impressed when she made it out of the shower with her Pokemon, Nova maintaining her Vaporeon form to get in character. Sitting down on a chair next to Amira as she worked, Amber moved one behind her to hop onto it, using her comb and breathing on her damp locks to straighten her hair. She looked over Serenity¡¯s brownish coat with a smile; Rhea had to marvel at how amazing Amira was at everything she tried; her makeup skills were on another level, but she had had the best tutors in anything she showed interest in while growing up. Serenity was starting to look like a normal Feebas with each detail the redhead painted. Her black scales were now tan, gleaming alabaster speckles a drab brown, and her glossy white fins a tarnished blue. Amira set her paintbrush aside, pulling out light-pink lipstick to go over Serenity¡¯s white lips. She¡¯d even ordered special contacts to change her pink eyes to brown, which was the best she could find. Nova pulled Rhea¡¯s attention as she sat in front of her, her slick black skin glowing after the shower, her long tail wagging. ¡°Mhm! You look absolutely amazing. Now we just need to rent some outfits, and it is a good thing that Vaporeon are so popular because it means you have a ton of awesome choices.¡± ¡°Vaporeon?¡± Rhea blinked, lips pulling to the side as she took out her phone in response to her inquiry. ¡°Umm. I can text Elaine to see if your mom can come and watch. Oh, Lori messaged me¡­ a recent one from Jason, too?¡± A small smile lifted Amira¡¯s full lips as her crimson eyes momentarily darted to her before returning to her work. ¡°Oh? What does Lori have to say? I texted her yesterday that we¡¯d be taking part in a Contest.¡± Not sure Lori was the reason for Amira¡¯s sudden interest, Rhea leaned her neck back a little as Amber began trying different hairstyles with Lulu flipping through a princess magazine she¡¯d swiped from the dojo lobby area, asking if the fire fox could match their styles. ¡°Uh, let¡¯s see¡­ Holy! Lori was up super early, considering her typical mornings.¡± The redhead giggled, having Serenity float up so she could inspect her bottom half. ¡°From what I¡¯ve heard, she¡¯s volunteered to help out around the Farmstead with Miky. She¡¯s been documenting it on her social media account, and people are loving the overall country-girl theme she¡¯s got going on. She¡¯s been in the top 10 trending daily with her videos and photos. She¡¯s been promoting our plushies through it, too. You should check your account.¡± ¡°Huh. Really?¡± Rhea tried to ignore Amber¡¯s styling actions, reading Lori¡¯s message. ¡°I haven¡¯t checked my accounts for a while since, you know, I¡¯ve been isolated in the Sinjoh border for a while.¡±
    5:39 a.m. Big Boob - Waking up before the crack of dawn and helping the Farmstead is kind of relaxing! It¡¯s not all fast-paced like the city, and Miky¡¯s hilarious. He¡¯s been great. You know he wears his Silver Encrusted Marsh Badge around his neck? It¡¯s so cute! He wears the ribbon every day, too. He¡¯s so much happier being out of the Battle Scene, but he doesn¡¯t regret it, which is nice.
    5:42 a.m. Big Boob - Speaking of farmwork, have you seen my sweaty, country-girl collection on Pikabook? I think I found a new meta! It can get hot under Sunny Day with this shovel and pick, ya know? Yeah, we don¡¯t use those for actual work, but the viewers don¡¯t know that! You know I be thirst trapping for those views! Modest, right?
    Rhea shook her head with a laugh as she swiped through the attached pictures. Lori¡¯s definition of ¡®modest¡¯ was one for the urban dictionary because, while she might not be showing skin, her clothes were quite tight, and with her proportions, it certainly did give an excellent mental image of her body shape. The blue denim overall shorts and semi-sweaty white shirt with her flashing teeth and straw hat made for quite the picture beside stacks of hay. She really was working with the other Pokemon, lifting up the bails and placing them on trucks to be delivered. Lori really did know how to bait views, looking for something more on a very public figure like herself.
    5:44 a.m. Big Boob - Do you think I should get an overall bikini with short-shorts? Oh, maybe a denim jacket I can tie under my bust? I think that might be cute. I love the black-ribbon straw hat, though. Arceus, you¡¯d look good in some denim, too! We should get matching sets for the next time we go to the beach. Thoughts? I know a certain guy would be sweatin¡¯ more than usual, huh? Don¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t have assets to show off, girl!
    Rhea held up her hand questioningly as if the Unovan party girl could see her objection, continuing to scroll down their deviant teammate¡¯s random messages. ¡°What is Lori even saying? She¡¯s talking about how cute Miky is, then how hot she is, and now how hot all of us can be at the beach¡­ Now she¡¯s talking about money?¡±
    5:46 a.m. Big Boob - That being said, you got no idea the orders on YOUR plushy! Have you seen the new one Amira designed when you were unconscious? Girl¡¯s got the market on fire! Anyway, I¡¯m sure this Contest is going to sell out with you two on the list. Your going to be target number one, for sure! Your battle against Sabrina is EVERYWHERE! 5:46 a.m. Big Boob - You¡¯re* I hate when I do that. >.< 5:47 a.m. Big Boob - Gotta get back to work! I need to find a good tractor to post up on for a photo with Miky. Hehehe. You think if I paywall it, people will get curious? Free one with one strap off, light sweat, and the paid one totally modest with my tongue out? Troll the thirst! I might just try that! 5:47 a.m. Big Boob - Later, Honey Pot! The boss caught me again!
    ¡°Ahh. She was hiding and slacking off. That makes sense. Uh¡­ Amira, what is she talking about? A plushy you designed for me?¡± Rhea backed out to the shopping app that Amira was using to sell their products, spotting the item in question. A smile brightened her lips, accompanied by goosebumps as the image came up, showing a cute blonde plushy of her, holding up a V-sign while encircled by fire. ¡°This¡­ is so cute! You designed this?¡± ¡°I only did the rough sketch that the company fleshed out,¡± Amira absently shrugged, touching up places on Serenity¡¯s scales. ¡°I thought it would be a fun gift to give you to keep in your room at home. They send us one of each of our products directly to our home addresses, so your father should be piling all the boxes in your room.¡± ¡°Awww. You¡¯re always so thoughtful and just brush it off,¡± Rhea chided, reaching over to nudge her thigh. ¡°Thank you. I love it.¡± Amira¡¯s slight smile grew after blowing on a few places to dry the paint. ¡°From what your dad told me, you are quite the artist yourself. And you still have one more message to get through.¡± Rhea shivered as Nova licked her ankle, pink eyes staring up at her expectantly and making her chuckle. ¡°Right, right. I¡¯ll see if your mom is free. Umm. Yeah, I tried a lot of things instead of looking into Training since that was like¡­ what everyone wanted to do around me, and I guess I was rebellious. I liked to do art, but mostly I did outdoor stuff¡­ And send! Muk. I forgot to send where it was, uh¡­¡±
    6:46 a.m. Honey Tree - Hey, Ms. Champion! Nova is going to be doing a Drama Improv Rookie Contest today with Serenity, and we were wondering if Ambrosia would be free to watch. 6:46 a.m. Honey Tree - It¡¯s in Saffron, btw. Sabrina and Erika are judging it.
    ¡°There. And Jason¡¯s message, heh, has a photo attached. Hmm¡­¡± Rhea strategically tilted her phone to the side and away from Amira in case it was anything suspect since he¡¯d been sending a few steamy bathing suit photos recently. However, when the message and photo came up, her dubious smile fell, and after a few seconds of study, her phone dropped to the wooden floor, drawing everyone¡¯s attention. ¡°Huh? No way¡­¡± The image projected up, allowing her Pokemon to see Jason in the dark, faintly lit backdrop, wearing a backpack and proudly displaying four Encrusted Silver Badges on the strap. A Pikachu was on his left shoulder. Only, the background was Saffron¡¯s Fighting Dojo. Lyra¡¯s mischievous smirk and her teasing, mysterious rumors slapped her across the cheek. He¡¯s here?
    6:29 a.m. Monkey Butt - I took the first flight I could, and Lyra got me here in time. I tried to time it to your sleep schedule, and I succeeded! I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ll need to wait, but I¡¯ll be out here through rain or snow! I¡¯m excited about the Contest Amira texted me. Looks like I came back just in time.
    ¡°Amira, you Muking suck!¡± Rhea shouted, launching to her feet; Amber just managed to finish her boho bubble braid, causing her wavy locks and skirt to bounce as she ran out of the room, her Pokemon tailing her. ¡°Jason¡¯s back!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * The chill of the early morning of late fall caused a shiver to run down Jason¡¯s frame as he rubbed his hands and moved them under his armpits; it wasn¡¯t the cold that was making them clammy, though. He looked around at the changing leaves of the trees around the dojo front in the faint sunlight that was starting to touch Saffron, a soft smile pushing up his balmed lips; they¡¯d gotten dry the second he stepped off of the plane. He was back in Kanto. Rhea was inside the building in front of him. Nervous jitters ran through his tight muscles as he waited, his heart thumping as he anxiously watched for her. Maybe she slept in? I was hoping she¡¯d run out in her pajamas, hair messy and barefooted so I could carry her back inside. I guess that¡¯s probably out the window. What do you guys think? Did I make this too big of a deal? The Rushing Pokemon on his right shoulder licked his ear. ¡°Lin-linoone.¡± ¡°Pika-pi,¡± Bolt soothed, the salt-and-pepper Pikachu rubbing his head; Christie had given the Buddy Bonding rat to him just before he¡¯d confessed to Rhea, and he¡¯d been invaluable to his team. Plus, having a white-and-black-furred Pikachu was a great conversation starter. ¡°Bre-Breloom,¡± Maru agreed, his long tail rubbing his leg as the Mushroom Pokemon¡¯s big black eyes followed the various martial artist Trainers leaving the dojo. ¡°Breloom?¡± Yeah, maybe I jumped the gun, and she still hasn¡¯t sorted out her feelings¡­ She didn¡¯t send a ton of pictures, even though she liked all the ones I sent. Looking grim, boys. ¡°Rab-Raboot. Boot-boot.¡± Oh, shut up, Sunny, Jason chuckled, glancing down at his rabbit, hands stuck in his fluff and trying to look cool. Your tail and left ear are twitching. You¡¯re scared to death to see Alice, so I wouldn¡¯t talk, my man! ¡°Raboot¡­ Rab?!¡± A quake ran down Jason¡¯s frame as the Raboot¡¯s ears flew up, eyes going big and swiftly pulling up on his scarf to hide his mouth; they were on their way. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. ¡°Okay. Be cool, everyone.¡± He cleared his throat and shook himself out, Bolt jumped down with his teammate, letting him loosen up. Suddenly he felt cold chills running up his arms and down his spine; Sunny was freaking out a little from whatever he was hearing. ¡°Should I give the chocolates from Luminose City that I bought her right now? Do you think she¡¯ll be mad?¡± Bolt and Maru gave him comforting pats, their sociable Linoone patting a very nervous Sunny, practically quaking. Guilt flooded Jason¡¯s chest as he went through every negative thought that had punched him in the gut while in Kalos. What if she hates me now because I left her? I should have tried to get the badges faster. Should I have gone at all? Does she really believe I chose to go to Kalos over her? I went there to try and keep up with her¡­ Excuses. Only excuses. I know I would probably hate me if I¡­ ¡°Rhea! I, uh¡­¡± he trailed off as the gorgeous blonde ran out of the open doors, looking like an absolute princess with her thick, curled locks bouncing behind her. Her blinding smile numbed his tongue and throat, her shining blue eyes filled with delight, and before he could release the air in his lungs, the small beauty launched at him. ¡°Jason, are you Muking serious!? I Muking hate you!¡± ¡°I missed you.¡± Stricken, he could only get three words out before she Tackled him with such force that he stumbled back, the small blonde taking him to the ground, and he felt the weight tying him to the ground vanish as her soft lips met his. He didn¡¯t feel the ground hit his back or the chill anymore as Rhea laid on top of him, lips melting into his and igniting a fire within him. His arms closed around her back, keeping her stable as she giggled and lifted her head a little to give him a teary-eyed, accusatory smile that looked like she wanted to cry and scream at him. Her curly locks tickled his nose as they trapped him in a veil of glowing gold, her coral eyes drawing him in. How could he have ever left this goddess alone or feeling lonely? ¡°How did you get four Encrusted Badges in Kalos before Amira and Lori when we were ahead of you? Haha. You got a lot more tan, too. I¡¯m jealous. I¡¯ve been¡ªoh!¡± The spell she cast over him popped with his soft laughter as her cute face turned bright pink, and she tried to pull away, stumbling over her words. ¡°I-uh, I¡¯m sorry! I just kind of¡ªof went for it¡ªI wasn¡¯t thinking!¡± Jason¡¯s right arm strengthened against her tense back, and his left hand slid through her hair, gently pressing on the back of her head. It was the way she looked, her smile, her zeal once she saw something in front of her that she wanted, her everything; Butterfree in his belly set free, reminding him of how hard he¡¯d fallen for his best friend. ¡°I said I¡¯d be back for you, didn¡¯t I? You¡¯re perfect.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea suddenly felt the fire roar from her face, down her chest and thighs to the tip of her toes as she lay on top of her best friend, feeling his strong chest rise against hers, their hot foreheads touching; his stunned face, framed by her hair, made the air lock in her lungs. She hadn¡¯t thought at all! Yet, as she tried to pull away, his arm wouldn¡¯t let her, and his words applied pressure against her thumping heart. Jason¡¯s fingers tickled the back of her neck like electricity, his amber eyes drowning her in warmth and blue hair taking her back to all the memories they¡¯d shared as he flipped her over. For the first time, she felt small and trapped in a web underneath him. His hot breath was like oranges as he recovered, the air pressing against her hot cheeks, and his gentle, strong hands supported her head as he stared into her watery eyes. She couldn¡¯t look away. ¡°I missed you, my little, blue-eyed Joltik; you¡¯re so beautiful.¡± She shivered as his electrified lips met hers¡ªall strength left her body¡ªyet it wasn¡¯t rough, and the long kiss made her relax, not that her heart complied; she could taste the citrusy tingle against her tongue as he finally pulled back, leaving her chest heaving and feeling like a led anvil was pressed against it. Rhea lost all track of her surroundings, deaf with the exception of his voice and blind to everything but Jason¡¯s slightly flushed face. She couldn¡¯t breathe, unsure where she was anymore. Everything turned into smoke before slowly coming back into focus when Jason shifted to brush her hair out of her face and prompt her up. Finding her breath again, Rhea sucked in air, puffing it out and wondering if they were floating because it certainly felt like it. ¡°Wow, uh¡­ that was as intense as I remembered. Umm¡­ yeah. Are you okay?¡± she mumbled, fumbling with her skirt to hide anything embarrassing before internally screaming at herself. Are you okay?! What kind of stupid question is that? Are you okay after kissing me, or I kiss you? I¡¯m so stupid! Stupid! Stupid! How is he so gentle and strong at the same time? I couldn¡¯t move! Jason forced a laugh and sat in front of her, their Pokemon surrounding them. ¡°No. I think you¡¯ve charmed me and snared me good in your web. You have no idea how hard it is not to go in for another¡ªin fact, just a little bit more¡­¡± ¡°Eh?!¡± Rhea tensed as he swooped in for another peck on her burning lips, feeling far too dry now to be kissing anyone, yet he sampled the taste he¡¯d taken from her lips upon retreating all the same, making her heart thump a little harder. ¡°Mmm. I was hoping to taste midnight slobber and bad morning breath, but I guess minty toothpaste and Figy Berry chapstick¡­ spicy!¡± ¡°Stupid!¡± Rhea blurted, reflexively punching his steel-like chest with a glare. ¡°I would have used Mago had I¡ªnever mind¡­¡± she blushed, looking away and brushing her messy bangs to the side; Amber wouldn¡¯t be happy after all her work. ¡°No, please, continue!¡± Jason chimed, rubbing his shoulders as goosebumps ran down them. ¡°I¡¯ll say your lips are sweet enough to counter the heat, though. No, maybe it even enhances the flavor!¡± ¡°Jason,¡± she pled, feeling as if she¡¯d spontaneously combust, ¡°what are you doing here?! Where is Empress?¡± she asked, trying to redirect him from her flushed face since he wouldn¡¯t look away; she couldn¡¯t see the Snorunt anywhere. ¡°Who¡­ are your new Pokemon? I see the egg my mom gave you was a Pikachu¡ªnice!¡± His chest shook with silent laughter, making her die inside as he slowly got to his feet and held out a hand to help her up. ¡°We can talk inside. I think we¡¯re drawing some attention.¡± ¡°Eh?!¡± Rhea¡¯s hair whipped left and right as she scanned the front training area, where martial artists snickered and whispered to one another; she¡¯d been so focused on Jason that she hadn¡¯t seen anyone when exiting the dojo. ¡°Ack-ack! Yeah, let¡¯s go inside,¡± she coughed, throat suddenly feeling raw. ¡°Lop! Lop!¡± She drew strength from Alice as she saw her hyperactive bunny jumping around with a quite embarrassed Raboot. Hang in there, Sunny! I feel your pain! Jason is too good. I swear he¡¯s doing this on purpose! Can I ever fluster him? Arceus! Trying to calm down, she took his hands, and he easily lifted her up, making her stomach do somersaults again. She looked up at him, remembering that the boy was actually a tad taller than Lori, and far more muscular and broad. Once again, her cheeks were flaming as her mind took her back to the moment when he¡¯d overshadowed her against the grass. Brain thoroughly cooked, she absently took his hand, and he guided her back inside like a child. What am I supposed to do? Can I even do this Contest if Jason is watching? I don¡¯t want to lose if he¡¯s watching! I don¡¯t want to cry¡­ I don¡¯t want him to think I¡¯m weak. He¡¯s been training non-stop to catch up to us¡­ and he¡¯s Pre-Gold-tier like me¡­ Does this mean we need to battle now? Swallowing the lump that formed in her throat, she stared at the big hand holding hers; goosebumps ran up her arms as she sensed the heat they radiated, and they were quite a bit rougher than she remembered. What¡¯s he been doing in Kalos? Why didn¡¯t I follow his path through it more closely? Did I just¡­ not want to think that he was away? Does he hate I didn¡¯t send him more photos? Stupid! He kissed you, idiot! He said he missed me¡­ A strained smile lifted her lips as they entered the heated portion of the dojo. ¡°I missed you, too, and¡­ I have something else to say.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± She slipped her fingers out of his grip and clasped them against her turbulent belly, but she bravely looked into his waiting amber irises when he turned to give her his attention. Nova and the rest of their Pokemon were on their tail, quieting down to listen. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± A half-smirk twisted his mouth, quizzical eyes scanning her firm posture. ¡°Let me guess¡ª¡± ¡°No, you will not!¡± Rhea flatly denied, feeling a bit breathless as she stared into his eyes and said what was on her heart. ¡°I was mad that you left me for Kalos¡­ and I¡¯m still a little hurt that you¡¯d drop that on me and just bounce off to a boy¡¯s adventure, but¡­ but I do think that I love you, too. I don¡¯t know when, but after you kissed me, I¡¯ve been thinking about all the stuff we did growing up, and yeah¡­ You¡¯re my best friend¡­ more than my best friend.¡± Jason¡¯s throat constricted, hands folding under his armpits as he gulped and looked away. ¡°Just¡­ throw me off a cliff with that one. Wow. You¡¯re the most beautiful girl I¡¯ve ever seen, and you like me¡­ I don¡¯t know why someone as gorgeous and amazing as you would like me, but¡­ Yeah, that throws me for a loop.¡± Rhea¡¯s bottom lip tucked under, trying not to cry. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ No, Amira is way more beautiful than me¡­ Lori¡¯s so much hotter, too. I¡¯m just¡­ cute. Jason?!¡± He stepped forward, eyebrows furrowing as his finger curled to cup her chin and turn her head left and right with a studious stare, causing her heart to flutter with sudden pressure that collapsed against her chest. ¡°Hmm¡­ Okay, I can see you as a cute Morpeko with that big puppy-dog stare. You¡¯re as sweet as honey, glow like the sun, and are as stunning as a certain Jolteon¡­ but you¡¯re forgetting about Fuchsia City.¡± His finger lowering, Rhea felt like there was gravel in her throat. ¡°W-What about Fuchsia?¡± Jason took his phone out of his pocket and showed her the lock screen; it was her, next to the falling blossoms of one of the many trees in the city, showing a toothy smile while dressed in her pajamas. He swiped it, showing her in front of the same tree on an earlier day, dressed up in her kimono. ¡°Not only are you the most beautiful woman on the planet on the outside¡­ but radiant on the inside. Who is this pretty girl who snuck out in the middle of the night to talk to me?¡± Unable to hold back her tears, Rhea sniffed and choked before mumbling, ¡°Me¡­¡± ¡°You,¡± Jason whispered, bending down to deliver a sweet kiss, despite her wet, puffy cheeks. ¡°You¡¯re my Sunshine, and you know how I love sunny days. So, no¡­ Amira can¡¯t compare to you. At least, not in my eyes. Not even close, Ms. Joltik. So spin me in your web because I¡¯m not leaving.¡± Rhea felt a warmth she¡¯d never felt before as she reached up to wrap her arms around his neck and bring him into another kiss. It was different. She felt different. And when she pulled away, she laughed through her tears. ¡°That¡­ that means a lot. Well, ahem! Good¡­ because this Joltik isn¡¯t letting you go. So don¡¯t go disappointing her.¡± He pressed his forehead against hers. ¡°Never. Now, I think you¡¯ve got a Contest I need to help my girlfriend with. Is that something boyfriends can help with?¡± ¡°Yes. Yes, they can,¡± she giggled, tingles cascading through her body, ¡°but you better win our battle tomorrow¡­ because you¡¯re currently in debt and need to crawl your way out of it. You have to beat me once, hah, because it won¡¯t happen again. So¡­ just remember that, Champ¡ªstupid nickname¡­ I¡¯ll find a better one,¡± she promised, breathing hard and glaring at him. ¡°Just¡­ remember that! Drawing away, he held out his hand for her to take. ¡°Understood, Ms. Joltik. I know you¡¯ve got quite the appetite these days, but I¡¯ve brought all the food I can. Now, what can I do besides ruin your pretty hair? Am I about to get tongue-lashed by a certain redhead with mob connections?¡± Rhea snickered, squeezing his hand and walking the rest of the way to the room Amira and her were using. ¡°Not the one you might think.¡± Amira only gave her one, very small and short Impish look when she entered the room with Jason before returning to her task. Amber¡¯s mouth dropped open in horror upon seeing her messy hair and puffy face. ¡°Hello, Jason. Good of you to join us. I assume you¡¯re the only one that returned since you couldn¡¯t keep away from your Sunshine.¡± Rhea¡¯s fingers tightened around Jason¡¯s. Was she somehow listening, or was that just a guess?! ¡°Haha. Lucian has something to do before coming back with Len. Kalos¡¯ rules are different than Kanto¡¯s. Technically, I¡¯m already Gold-tier and don¡¯t have to compete in the Kalos Silver Cup.¡± ¡°That is true,¡± Amira hummed, allowing Amber and Holly to fashion her hair into flower-laced braids, ¡°but it does stunt your potential brand deals and financial recognition. I guess¡­ someone was more important than that.¡± Her mischievous ruby eyes made Rhea¡¯s cheeks color again, and Jason just rolled with it, though. ¡°Absolutely! So, what can I help with? I¡¯d like to pay for Rhea¡¯s rented outfits you were talking about, so are we going store shopping to grace me with a blonde bombshell¡¯s fashion show?¡± ¡°Stop it!¡± Rhea laughed, rolling her eyes as her stomach squirmed with delight. ¡°You really need to stop!¡± ¡°Uh-huh!¡± ¡°No, really!¡± ¡°I said I would, didn¡¯t I?¡± he laughed in a totally believable way. ¡°Finally,¡± Amira sighed, rising to her feet to check her hair in a hand mirror, ¡°someone who can make Rhea feel as beautiful as she looks. Bravo.¡± ¡°Amira! I¡¯m a total mess right now¡ªdo you see me or your reflection¡ªbecause there is only one beautiful lady in this room?! Oh, human, human!¡± she corrected at Amber¡¯s glare. ¡°Oh, Rhea,¡± Jason said, shaking his head as if he had a long hill to climb. ¡°What are we going to do with her, Amira?¡± Amira snapped her mirror shut and turned to scrutinize her, looking like a total babe. ¡°We stick her in front of a mirror and give her clothes until she says she¡¯s beautiful. By the way, it says a lot that you got two Encrusted Badges in two days after learning that Rhea was unconscious from breaking Terri¡¯s curse.¡± ¡°Huh?!¡± It connected in Rhea¡¯s head that he¡¯d sent her those pictures when she was knocked out and that he¡¯d rushed two Gym Leaders to get to her faster. Jason shrugged with a chuckle, guiding her stunned butt to a chair for Amira to dab at her cheeks with a towel that Nova soaked. ¡°I had motivation.¡± Amira¡¯s Impish gleam returned. ¡°I¡¯m sure you had fifty-seven.¡± Rhea choked, coughing and laughing as the redhead referenced the number of times he¡¯d looked at her butt on the Kunoichi video. ¡°Fifty-seven? I¡¯m¡­ not following.¡± Getting a hold of herself, Rhea waved him off, having a hard time breathing through her laughter. ¡°Inside joke¡ªinside joke!¡± ¡°Am I wrong?¡± she asked, tilting her head to give her skirt a smug stare. ¡°Maybe you could learn something from Jason.¡± ¡°Amira!¡± Jason¡¯s entertained and confused smile made Rhea¡¯s face turn crimson again, wanting to die, but he was too sweet for this underhanded conversation. ¡°Okay, why don¡¯t I tell you the romantic story about Empress, and how she decided to go with another team, which is where my buddy Maru comes in after I begged your mom for a Shroomish that she bred.¡± Settling down, Rhea sat back and let Amira fuss over her as her new boyfriend took her through his adventures. It continued when they hit the Contest rental shops, bringing her into the mind of her best friend. As time went on, Rhea¡¯s heart only grew fuller with every mention of a dream her boyfriend had had of her or moments when he¡¯d wanted to fly home. She had no idea he was struggling so much; it looked like he was having fun, but he¡¯d been longing to be by her side. Ambrosia returned the text herself since, apparently, Elaine was passed out in bed still; Nova was expectedly thrilled to have her mom in attendance. Rhea sat in front of a mirror inside the dressing room, Amira and Jason outside as she studied herself in the mirror, a genuine smile on her face. She turned left and right, examining the gown Amira and Jason had both agreed would suit her, showing off her curves. Maybe I have more than I thought¡­ Lori¡¯s right; it really does fit my size, and¡­ Jason thinks I¡¯m beautiful. I am beautiful. B4 — 17. Head Over Heels
    12:15 p.m. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    On Cloud Nine as she examined herself from different angles in the dressing room mirror, Rhea made up her mind on it; dresses would not do, as Jason commented that she already had an outfit worthy of the Contest. Stepping out in her blue-and-gold-themed Water-Type kimono and unfurling her matching paper umbrella, she showed a dazzling smile to her small audience in the Contest store. ¡°Well, what do you think?¡± she asked, adjusting the black Altaria-cloud scarf that she¡¯d added from the shop. ¡°Oooh!¡± a few women cooed, gathering closer to study her gray stockings and geta, which had extravagant golden flowers and fan designs on the dark blue outfit, trimmed with the aquamarine undergarment. ¡°That is one of the most gorgeous kimonos I¡¯ve ever seen! Where did you get it?¡± ¡°Fuchsia. Nova learned to evolve into a Vaporeon, so it really caught my eye¡­ I¡¯m pretty sure it was uber expensive, but my aunt paid for it. I think Dawn might be a bit too liberal with my aunt¡¯s money.¡± ¡°Nonsense,¡± Amira chuckled, unfolding her legs to get up and join the others in examining her. ¡°Clothing like this can last you your whole life for special occasions. It could be a wedding gown with how stunning it is. Don¡¯t you agree, Jason?¡± ¡°Amira!¡± Rhea choked, making the other women giggle. Her face turned bright red, which probably didn¡¯t help with the blue theme; Jason¡¯s thumbs up and grinning nod only deepened the shade. ¡°I, uh¡­ what about the fluffy black scarf, though? I really like how it looks.¡± ¡°Absolutely agree, Ms. Swablu!¡± Jason immediately replied. ¡°Which¡­ is why I¡¯ve decided to buy it with a bit of extra money I had. Your grandpa is going to love it! Pictures,¡± he sang, taking out his phone and flipping it on its side. The other girls scattered for a second for him to snap it before they came back in like the rise and fall of the tide, showering her with questions and compliments. ¡°Can you actually walk with geta?¡± one asked. ¡°I¡¯ve never tried them myself.¡± ¡°Ooh, yes! Heels are one thing, but geta always intimidated me, especially with how limited your movement is in such an extravagant kimono like that¡­ not that I¡¯ve ever tried one. Maybe I should drop some hints to my husband¡­¡± ¡°Do it, girlfriend!¡± Once again, Jason came to her streaming brain¡¯s rescue, overstimulated with so many women fussing over her appearance; he was such a good boyfriend, and it helped that he knew almost everything about her life. ¡°When she was little, Rhea used to try to dress up like her aunt during her big performances; Bianca used to help her when she lived with them. She, uh-haha, took a few tumbles down the stairs in geta when she was twelve, but there was always a dutiful Ghost there to catch her. Klutz much? Wait, you do have a Lopunny!¡± he joked with a grin as he caught her accusatory glare. ¡°Jason, you don¡¯t have to go into that much detail, geez, and Alice doesn¡¯t even have Klutz, for your information. My mom bred it out of her for a reason.¡± Amira came back into view with a sly smirk, her beggar¡¯s outfit in a bag beside her. ¡°Naturally, we wouldn¡¯t want two klutzy girls on the same team.¡± ¡°Oh, ha-ha!¡± Rhea shot back with a small smile. ¡°I mean, sure, compared to the dancer and superstar on our team, I could be the klutzy one. I¡¯ll own that! So, should we¡ªwait, Jason, you bought this scarf?!¡± Jason gave Amira a lifted eyebrow. ¡°Took her long enough. ROFD?¡± ¡°Too soon!¡± Rhea playfully huffed, crossing her arms and making Amira laugh with the other girls. ¡°Rhea,¡± Amira smiled, moving around her back to check on her bound locks. ¡°It¡¯s been months since the Rapid Onset Fortitude Distress. Maybe we should have your mom do another checkup on you since Brock is¡­ occupied with other engagements.¡± ¡°Why am I the punching bag right now?¡± Rhea snickered, her stomach beginning to hurt from her boyfriend and the redhead taking shots at her. Although Amira¡¯s comment made her wonder how Ash, Misty, Brock, and Holly were doing on their travels. ¡°What do you think, girls?¡± Nova, Mya, Alice, and Lulu bounced up and down on the bench, totally missing the question and saying she looked pretty. ¡°Vaporeon!¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± ¡°Lop-punny-punny!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± Rhea forced a smile as the other women moved around to comment on her hair, done up into a bun. When down, her hair typically reached her lower calves, and with how thick it was, the blonde locks needed a lot of attention. Thankfully, Jason had done her hair a ton when they were out camping or doing outdoor activities, and he knew more styles than her, which was kind of funny and sweet now that she thought about it. Her aunt¡¯s trademark hair ties did wonders with hair as thick as theirs. ¡°I so wish I had hair like yours. Sure, it¡¯s probably a pain sometimes, but how does it not hurt your neck with how much it must weigh?¡± ¡°Natural Fortitude and genetics, I bet,¡± another laughed. ¡°It¡¯s so unique and gorgeous! Can you tell me what products you use? And what is this crazy portable closet that¡¯s like a Poke Ball? You have so many cool things, Rhea!¡± Amira came to her rescue this time, giving her time to slip back into the dressing room to change out of it. She sat against the wall for a second, heart thumping like a drum and feeling the warmth of support Jason and Amira were offering her. That¡¯s it, girls¡­ We have to win this! I can¡¯t lose if Jason is watching¡­ I don¡¯t want to lose while he¡¯s watching. Let¡¯s have fun, but let¡¯s also win! Her Pokemon chirped outside the door, and she opened her eyes to look at herself in the mirror, the still-open umbrella making the area somewhat cramped. I do look really elegant and beautiful like this¡­ like Aunt Cynthia. Tingles ran up her arms and down her spine as her smile grew, anticipation welling up within her breast. Nova, we¡¯re going to get you a kimono, too, even if the insurance and fees for ruining it will be high. ¡°Pori! Pori-vap-vap,¡± her transforming girl barked, telling her that she¡¯d make sure to take care of it. Yeah, well, our opponents might not be so gracious. We have to play the part, though, and we¡¯re Kanto princesses today! ¡°Vaporeon!¡± ¡°Fired up, I see,¡± Jason called from outside, probably wearing a dazzling smile like she envisioned he was, making her chest hurt a little. ¡°No fear! You¡¯re too beautiful and strong to let anyone get in your way. My princess takes no prisoners!¡± Stupid! Rhea silently giggled, finding it hard to undress with her boyfriend cheering her on. I take no prisoners¡­ except maybe you! You¡¯re too good, Jason, but I¡¯m not going to lose, either. Just you watch, boy; this girl has her own weapons! Dancing on the inside and humming as a new song came on over the speakers, she changed out of her kimono and carefully put it on the special hangers and protective bags to be placed inside her portable closet when she exited. Donning her black dress again, she exited the room, where Jason was standing, still discussing things with some of the enthralled women, and Rhea felt a new fire rise within her chest. She wasn¡¯t afraid anymore, and she didn¡¯t like holding back when she wanted something. ¡°¡­No, Rhea is totally an outdoors kind of gal; you should see how long she can hold her breath under¡ªRhea?¡± Skipping to her boyfriend¡¯s back, dress bouncing a tad against her thighs, she tapped his back, causing him to turn. Showing a happily confused smile down at her hungry and rosy smile, he chuckled, ¡°Done already? I thought it would¡ªhuh?¡± Hands untangling behind her back, she reached up, arms looping around his neck. She pulled him down and kissed his lips. Chocolate swelled in her mouth as she tasted his hot chocolate-laced tongue, hinted with a bit of honey and cinnamon. Fire lit down her belly and tickled her spine as his slightly surprised hands closed around the back of her neck, her hair still done up in the bun he¡¯d done for her. After a few seconds, she pulled back, cheeks rosy and licking her lips with satisfaction as she looked right into his stunned amber eyes. She spotted a lump drop down her boyfriend¡¯s throat before he cleared his hoarse throat. ¡°What¡­ was that for? Wow.¡± Rhea felt fireworks go off in her chest at being complimented for her kiss when he was the expert on the subject, but she¡¯d just wanted to do it for herself, well, and reward him a little for all his effort, but that was secondary. Flashing her teeth while staring up at the recovering boy, the other women giggled at one another, but Rhea didn¡¯t feel embarrassed in the least; she went for what she wanted. ¡°Do I need a reason?¡± she asked, playfully patting his chest while moving around him to join her visibly impressed teammate. ¡°A Joltik just needs to keep her prey on their toes, Mr. Squirtle. Now, let¡¯s get Nova a kimono.¡± Amira bumped her arm as she joined the redhead, their Pokemon following. ¡°What changed?¡± she whispered as they left the tall, red-faced boy to find his brain, the other women jogging after them to help in the search. ¡°You¡¯re like a whole new woman.¡± Rhea paused as they reached the doorway out of the dressing rooms, half turning to smile back at Jason, the warm Butterfree taking flight on her insides. ¡°No, I¡¯m still the same embarrassed, awkward blonde you¡¯ve known¡­ Well, I am a bit different after spending time with Maria in those icy mountains, but it¡¯s just different with Jason, and now it feels real to me.¡± Jason sucked in his cheeks, throat constricting a second as he coughed, his tanned face somehow turning even more crimson. He tilted his head in acknowledgment, a shiver running down his frame before smiling and walking after them. ¡°I don¡¯t know who you¡¯re calling awkward or embarrassed because that isn¡¯t the outgoing, spunky blonde I grew up with who would enter a Manky slapping contest, but I¡¯d like to get to know that side of her.¡± It was Rhea¡¯s turn to blush again, but she managed to keep it in check as she held out her hand for him to intertwine. She guided him into the Pokemon area, leaving the cooing women to whisper behind them as Amira went back into the dressing room for some reason. It didn¡¯t take her long to realize she¡¯d forgotten to put away her kimono or portable closet, which truly was embarrassing. Rushing back to help Amira, she left Jason to search for an outfit with Nova and her other Pokemon. About halfway through packing up the expensive articles, a commotion came from outside, causing both of them to jog out to see what was happening. They hadn¡¯t even made it to the doorway before they saw the big Eevee tackling her dressed-up daughter and rolling around the floor with her. ¡°Pweee!¡± ¡°Pori-pori! Vaporeon!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe-pweee! Pwe-pwe. Pwe!¡± Rhea giggled as she saw a messy-haired Elaine¡ªthe current Champion of their region¡ªlooking as if she¡¯d been kicked out of bed, brown hair a mess, and her groggy-faced fianc¨¦ glancing around, trying to figure out where they were. ¡°Huh? Picture, Ambrosia?¡± Elaine mumbled, patting down her Snorlax pajamas. ¡°I-uh, forgot my phone¡ªChase?¡± ¡°Uh, yeah, umm¡ªhere. Oh, hey, Rhea. Woah, a black-and-white Pikachu? Cool,¡± he yawned, handing the phone to his fianc¨¦e. ¡°Pika-pi!¡± his Pikachu chirped from his shoulder, jumping off to meet Jason¡¯s Pikachu as the pair rubbed cheeks and greeted each other. ¡°Pi-Pika?¡± ¡°Pi! Pikachu!¡± Rhea giggled and jogged forward to help the two groggy pair, who seemed to be on a totally off-beat schedule. Ambrosia was now on top of her daughter, licking her face and making Nova giggle, her tail thrashing with the fluffy dress that was too poofy for the performance. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Hey, Chase, Elaine! Here to drop off Ambrosia?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Elaine rubbed the sleep from her eyes and showed a cute smile, still having a bit of morning breath as Rhea came near, Amira beside her. ¡°No, Champions have residences in every major city, so we¡¯re going to get ready and join Ambrosia for the performance. We can¡¯t miss her girl¡¯s first Drama Contest and Improv at that! Ambrosia loves Contests, being High-Master+ Contest Champions ourselves. Chase is only Master, hehe!¡± Chase snorted, which progressed into a yawn. ¡°Because¡­ someone always enters my competitions and gatekeeps me. Hmm?¡± ¡°No! We¡¯re just having fun competing against each other, and I can¡¯t help but see you all cool and dressed up,¡± Elaine innocently grinned, latching onto his arm and giving them a peace sign. ¡°We¡¯re going to get ready, ladies, and I¡¯m sure you girls have a bunch to do, too! See you soon. We need to prettify after all the work last night!¡± Work, right¡­ Probably the same work as someone else I know, she mused, finding it adorable how things were progressing with so many couples. Elaine and Chase seem to be doing well. ¡°Speak for yourself,¡± Chase mumbled, leaning to kiss her cheek and making her giggle. ¡°You¡¯re the pretty one here.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re more pretty than you think. Why do you think I did the Chase?!¡± ¡°Cute. Cute,¡± the man chuckled, cracking his neck. ¡°I believe I¡¯m the one with the battle scars of chasing you, Sweetie. You¡¯ve got a mean slap!¡± ¡°Just a love tap,¡± she said, winking at Rhea, who knew the truth of the event. ¡°And you told me that you loved it. So¡­ hehe, I¡¯ll take that as I will. Okay, bye-bye!.¡± Rainbow lights carried them away, leaving the shop buzzing and drawing attention away from them for at least some time. Rhea smiled as her phone buzzed inside her purse, and she pulled it out; it was the picture Elaine had just taken. Another fun surprise was the missed text from her father.
    11:37 a.m. Pappa Ursaluna - We¡¯ll be at your Contest in the stands to cheer you on! Well, hopefully. Your mom is looking a little tired, but I have a ¡®little¡¯ sugar here to spike her up and get her going! I can¡¯t believe she found out about me limiting her sugar intake. You have no idea what kind of woman your mother is when she¡¯s all hyped up! I don¡¯t know if you know it, but your mother actually does love to dance when she gets a little sugar and wine. Well, she tries to dance! Hahaha! Love you, Lil¡¯ Swablu!
    Rhea shook her head. Her parents were becoming so much more alive than she remembered growing up. Then again, it was during the Ultra War, and there was a lot of turmoil both of them were suffering through that she¡¯d been in the dark about. Now, she was out of the house, everything was out in the open, and they were starting to heal. It was only right they spent more time together.
    12:53 p.m. Honey Tree - Is Mom happy?
    12:54 p.m. Pappa Ursaluna - Oh, you¡¯re alive! Yes, she is very happy. I have her waking up with coffee and plenty of honey¡ªI mean, kisses, many kisses! Oh, she¡¯s trying to get up. I don¡¯t want her to stumble and hit her head, so I gotta go! Talk to you soon. I¡¯ve grounded her from her phone, by the way, so now¡¯s the time to text her. Haha. Loves and kisses from Mom and Dad!
    12:54 p.m. Honey Tree - Cute. <3
    Rhea saved the texts to her pictures to add them to a folder. It was so good to see her mom taking a break from research to work on her own happiness. Typically, she used science and work to hide from her problems and insecurities. She was truly lucky to have a husband and kids who cared so much about her because she would be in such a mess without them! Laugh a lot, Mom, and have fun with Dad. Don¡¯t isolate yourself again and hide from us. Nova seemed to find a Vaporeon kimono she liked that was more fitted to her size and allowed for easier movement, but Rhea¡¯s fingers had to type one last thing to her mother before putting her phone away.
    12:55 p.m. Honey Tree - Mom, I¡¯m proud of you. You¡¯re the best, so let Dad be the best to you. So I just want to say¡­ let yourself be happy. Don¡¯t punish yourself because I¡¯m great! Sabin¡¯s great! Dad¡¯s great ¡®when¡¯ he is with you! You¡¯re my perfectly imperfect mother, and I love you so much. I want to see you smile and really be happy. Oh, and Jason and I are dating now, and I made him blush by kissing him. Your daughter is winning! Ttyl!
    A smug look crossed her lips as she hit the send button, feeling the devious warm fuzzies tickling her heart. Putting away her device, she knelt down to congratulate her salt-and-pepper Vaporeon as she waited to be praised. Nova¡¯s tail was wagging as her mother stood nearby, pride in her posture; Rhea held up her phone to take a picture. ¡°You¡­ are beautiful!¡± ¡°Pori?¡± ¡°Mhm!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± Alice, Mya, and Lulu seemed to have gotten lost in their own little area, trying out their own fashion show. Jason stood nearby, his chest puffed up with pride as he presented them. ¡°Well, of course, she¡¯d reflect her beautiful trainer. What do you think? We found quite the kimono that fits your color scheme since she¡¯s not your average blue Vaporeon¡­ which means it comes at a discount! In fact, it¡¯s so unpopular that they offered to sell it for a bargain. Thoughts?¡± Rhea tilted her head to the side while looking over the pretty Vaporeon-designed kimono, which was made blue to blend into an actual Vaporeon color scheme. It was probably only used by shiny Vaporeon, which was rare. ¡°How much?¡± ¡°6,000 credits.¡± Rhea choked. ¡°That¡¯s the cost of a Silver Encrusted Battle!¡± ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon, it¡¯s not that expensive if you¡¯ve been budgeting and battling often¡ªwell, and winning,¡± Jason added, as if that went without saying. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me your appetite has destroyed your bank like it did my sister¡¯s because¡­ my sister is a glutton!¡± ¡°Jason! Don¡¯t be mean to Kate,¡± Rhea huffed, lightly slapping his chest and making him laugh. ¡°I totally get it when you can¡¯t control how much you need to eat because of Aura and other stuff. Maybe Kate just has an Aura imbalance thing or something¡ªwho knows.¡± He held up his hands with a bemused smile. ¡°I still can¡¯t get over you defending my big sis. She was on your hitlist for like¡­ our entire lives, and suddenly, you¡¯re jumping in front of bullets for her. Ugh. Kate can be the worst, though! She¡¯s an ear-grabber in fights! Like, really?! Kate can get super physical, ya know.¡± Rhea gulped and looked away, thinking back to the bruising and other things that she¡¯d seen on her brother¡¯s skin. ¡°Yeah, uh, no comment. Umm. Kate¡¯s¡­ Kate, I guess.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± her boyfriend grunted, shaking his head and totally oblivious to where her mind was on that ¡®physical abuse.¡¯ ¡°Like I said, she used to beat me black-and-blue when I, admittedly, was a little Impidimp to her. Media makes girls out to be these delicate things, but Muk, Kate beat that out of me. Anyway, that¡¯s another topic, umm, so are we ready to head to the stadium? Amira¡¯s just in the dressing room area.¡± ¡°Oh, Jinx, I forgot we were putting away my kimono! Sorry, Amira!¡± Amira walked out of the dressing room with her little capsule and handed it to her to put in her purse. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it. It¡¯s a good thing we went back to get it because it came in handy. I am in love with these devices. It¡¯s like having a huge bag space like they do in games. Can you imagine trying to carry around 999 Poke Balls or Potions? This could change medical personnel and rapid response teams.¡± ¡°My mind didn¡¯t even go there,¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°I just saw an unlimited closet that I can take around the world¡­ Speaking of closets, Jason,¡± she said with an innocent smile. ¡°We should do some¡­ experiments later tonight with the closet after I take everything out to¡­ organize it.¡± Amira¡¯s red eyes snapped to her suspiciously, no doubt having read the warnings about what happens if someone tried to hide inside it while it dematerialized. Jason was totally oblivious, though! ¡°Oh? Sure. I¡¯m cool to help my girlfriend out with her, haha, closet issues. I don¡¯t know how good I¡¯ll be at organizing them, though. Wait, does that mean¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s mind froze as she saw Amira wave her stiff hand over her throat, telling her to abort before tapping her head, telling her to think. If I have him help organize stuff¡­ then he¡¯ll be handling and seeing my underwear¡­ ¡°Never mind!¡± she swiftly interjected, cheeks turning pink as she pulled him toward the register, Nova and Ambrosia in pursuit. ¡°Amira can help me. Let¡¯s purchase some stuff. 6k, you said? Yeah, that¡¯s fine¡ªonly a Silver Encrusted Badge¡ªand the girls have been selling some products of ours, so my bank should be¡­ Oh.¡± She slowed to a stop at the back of the line, holding her crystal holographic phone. After it scanned her face and fingers, her banking information came up, making her blink. 76,460 credits?! There¡¯s no way. And this month¡¯s paycheck hasn¡¯t even arrived yet? Jason whistled. ¡°Wow. Okay, well, dinner on you, Ms. Joltik?¡± ¡°Eh-hehe. I guess plushies¡­ are a legitimate business. Yeah, let¡¯s go somewhere nice after to celebrate, and I¡¯ll already be dressed up, so¡­ yeah!¡± She moved her fingers to Jason¡¯s muscular arm and pulled him down to kiss his cheek, whispering, ¡°I pay, so you pick the place.¡± A sly smirk creased his amber eyes, and the smell of chocolate, cinnamon, and honey on his hot breath tickled her ear; she giggled as he kissed it. ¡°I think you¡¯ll be surprised then. I know the perfect spot. It¡¯s a date.¡± ¡°I¡¯m excited! What, Amira?¡± she asked, giving the redhead a light glare at her side smile. ¡°Just admiring how much happier you seem every day. You really are becoming a ray of sunshine. I¡¯m sure Lori is going to be so very mad that she missed this little development of her Honey Pot.¡± ¡°Tease me all you want,¡± Rhea laughed, puffing up her chest and pulling Jason¡¯s arm tighter against her side, ¡°but I am not going to be embarrassed by something I¡ªJason, wait¡­ Ack!¡± A firm finger cupped her chin, tilting it up for warm, milky lips to press against hers, drawing the air out of her lungs. Her tongue popped, and her thighs felt weak at the surprise attack, his other hand caressing up her arm as the finger under her chin moved to tickle the back of her neck, sending pulses down her spine. ¡°Ack! Not¡­ fair,¡± she choked as he broke away, her tongue tingling. He wasn¡¯t done with her, though, winking and giving her a peck on the forehead before straightening and moving up in the line. ¡°I can hold my breath for¡­ for like 16 minutes underwater, but I can¡¯t last ten seconds with you! I don¡¯t get it!¡± ¡°Magic,¡± he softly whispered, resting his chin against the top of her head and making it prickle as more feelings welled up within her belly and chest. ¡°Besides, you stole my breath with what you did earlier, so I had to retaliate. You¡¯re more dangerous than I thought, Ms. Joltik.¡± Amira was even a little pink-cheeked as they moved up in line, looking away with a small smile on her lips and her bag held against her stomach. Rhea was too spellbound to pay full attention to her, though, as her mind fixated on her next plan to win this war her boyfriend had started. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she could feel this way, much less about Jason, yet she felt high as a kite. Going through their purchases, Rhea had the store do a bit of cleaning on Nova¡¯s outfit, which only took about 30 minutes before they were on their way to the stadium; Chase and Elaine showed up during the wait, all dressed up and ready for a fun day by their chipper attitudes. They picked up the frowny-faced Eevee to join the stands. The whole city looked different with Jason, more vibrant¡ªno, she was buzzed on something. It made no sense to her, but when their fingers broke contact at the Contest stadium¡¯s contestant back doors, it felt like a warm hand around her heart was pulled away, causing an aching in her chest to feel it again; it was hard to breathe, yet Amira seemed to notice and took her hand to guide her away. Jason¡¯s flashing teeth and smiling wave with his Pokemon went out of sight, and Amira bumped shoulders with her. ¡°You need to chill, Sunshine. Haha. You are falling way too fast and hard. I get I¡¯m probably sounding distant right now, and your ears are popping, but take a second to breathe. You okay?¡± Rhea puffed out the air locked in her lungs, the pressure still not leaving. ¡°Uh-hehe, I don¡¯t know. Have you ever felt this¡­ this lightheaded thing¡ªlike you¡¯re dreaming¡ªand ugh, this pain¡ªbut it¡¯s not pain¡ªin your chest? It¡¯s just so¡­ so tight, hot, and¡­ and my stomach!¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Amira giggled, pulling her further into the locker room, where a few dozen women were getting ready for their part in the drama with their Pokemon. ¡°You¡¯re head-over-heels. Maybe I haven¡¯t felt it nearly as strongly as you apparently are, but it makes sense; your whole life is entangled with Jason, and you¡¯re exploring something new. Just¡­ cool down a little. Okay?¡± ¡°Haaa. I¡¯m trying!¡± she cried, her Pokemon helping her out and Lulu patting her head while resting on her bun. ¡°I¡¯m cool. I¡¯m cool. Alright¡­ let¡¯s get into our initial character. We¡¯ve got a Contest to win, girls!¡± Amira helped her into her outfit, expanding the portable closet inside the shower area and causing a bit of a stir. The women preparing with them would be joining the cast in whatever story they, as the Contestant Main Stars, came up with. This was a part of their work-based training in the industry, specializing in Improv Contests; they had to work their way up from the bottom to become professionals with their Pokemon. It was all a part of the show, not that the humans would be getting much air time, but at the end, they¡¯d all be shown. Most of these aspiring actresses and actors were stuck at Bronze-tier, and wanted to make it as at least background cast in their chosen careers. The hours flew by until it reached 3:45 p.m. Dolled up in her kimono, Nova by her side, she breathed out her stress as the Contest Hall set the scene and applied the stage props that would be used in the show. Amira was taking deep, calming breaths with Mariah supporting her and Serenity by her side. With the Feebas¡¯ half-painted ugly side, she looked like a dead alien fish out of water, fulfilling her role as society¡¯s reject. For some reason, though, Rhea wasn¡¯t feeling so stressed. A fire was burning within her¡ªpotentially V¡ªtelling her that they were winners. The two other teams stood nearby, waiting to take the stage to introduce their beginning template characters before all of them played off each other. A man and woman in their mid-twenties, a Raticate by the woman, and a Noctowl by the man were her first opponents. The Bird was sitting on a bag, and the rat was dressed ladylike, in what Rhea took as a robe for upper-level servants of nobility. On the other side were two boys, one dressed as a knight, the other a prince, by his kimono. Naturally, the Escavalier¡ªwhich totally wasn¡¯t intimidating¡ªwas the knight, and an imperial-looking Steenee, which made Rhea gulp. Two princesses? Uh-oh. She totally reminds me of Poppy, too! I bet Sam and the others are watching. We¡¯re going to win this, though! We knew this was a possibility. She straightened as they were called to enter, the two opposing groups on either side giving her encouraging smiles. Erika¡¯s elegant, soothing voice came through the speakers. ¡°For the moment we have been waiting for, our Rookie Improv Drama. I am so looking forward to what these amazing and elegant young ladies and gentlemen will come up with to pull us into their fantasy world. Will our cast come out and introduce their characters to the story they will be generating for us on the spot? Hopefully, I can stay awake long enough to judge.¡± Her comment caused a swell of laughter as Rhea took her first step forward. ¡°Any predictions, Gym Leader Sabrina?¡± asked an elderly gentleman. ¡°You don¡¯t typically join these kinds of Contests.¡± Sabrina¡¯s calm and deep voice left the crowd in a hush as they listened. ¡°Oh, I wouldn¡¯t say that; I rather enjoy Improv, personally. The chaos of it all that can be brought into harmony is a thrilling challenge; I watch the Master¡¯s Circuit weekly.¡± ¡°Splendid!¡± ¡°As for prediction¡­ None that would ruin the surprise.¡± ¡°For the best, I suppose. The show will go on!¡± B4 — 18. The Dynasty of Vaporeon
    3:57 p.m. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    Goosebumps cascaded down Rhea¡¯s arm as she walked down the hallway and into the bright stadium. A platform was raised off to the side, allowing them to see the stage and their Pokemon. The cheers that erupted from the crowd made her heart skip a little as she saw a few big posters of Nova in her various forms spaced across the sea of people¡ªthe stadium had roughly 5,000 seats, and all of them were filled. Rising up the stairs beside Amira, surprisingly, she didn¡¯t feel apprehensive or any nervous Butterfree. If anything, she was excited to see what they could come up with in the randomness of this mostly impromptu battle of characters; they had a theme and their own created persona. The Trainers wove the narrative, and the Pokemon acted out the scene. If one Trainer said she was supposed to lose, then she had to lose the fight, but she could choose how that was done. The elderly gentleman in the judges¡¯ box clapped his hands as the curtain surrounding the inner stage was pulled back, showing a small Kanto-style Pokemon castle¡ªthey¡¯d made the right call not to go with the Kalos-style¡ªwith a miniature town for the other Pokemon to occupy. Drones silently zoomed around it, giving multiple angles on the displays around the main monitor, showing their entrance. ¡°Welcome, welcome, our young stars of this Rookie Contest, and don¡¯t think I¡¯m forgetting about the silent supporting cast, as well! I¡¯m sure many agencies will see your work here today. I am Mr. Raoul Contesta, Chief of the Pokemon Activities Committee, and I have the honor of starting off this wonderful event.¡± He adjusted his black bow tie as the side monitor showed him sitting beside Erika and Sabrina. ¡°This is a Themed Improv Contest Night, with the Saffron Special Props Company generously sponsoring it with their fantastic services. Starting us off at Rookie and working our way up to our Super Contest Impromptu Stars! ¡°That being said, do not think that these Rookies will not surprise you! For our first 30-minute showing, our Rookie Contestants will have the opportunity to show us their raw talent; all of them are within the Silver Battle Bracket, and some are already qualified for the Indigo Silver Cup. This is sure to be a firecracker showing, and I can already see fans in the crowd!¡± Raoul shifted to the side to smile at the dark-haired and well-mannered woman beside him; Rhea heard her name among a few others being chanted, yet the man plowed right on. ¡°Lady Erika, would you lay out the rules for our fine lads and ladies? We have three teams, each comprising two members.¡± Erika¡¯s soothing and whimsical voice drew in the noise of the stadium, hushing the audience to listen to the Grass Specialist as Rhea reached her designated place in the spotlight. ¡°It is a Partner Star League Contest, which means we will be judging them both individually and as a group based on the six standard categories: coolness, beauty, cuteness, cleverness, toughness. More specifically, how each team is able to work off one another to provide a tense and enjoyable drama that they will unfold to captivate the audience¡¯s hearts.¡± ¡°Excellent explanation,¡± Raoul nodded, looking to his left to where the Psychic Specialist sat on air, outlined by a light pink glow. ¡°And Gym Leader Sabrina, do you have anything to add?¡± The woman eyed them for a moment in the ensuing silence, a small smile playing at the edges of her lips. ¡°I hope to see an individual touch from our Contestants. Each person will be given a chance to briefly elaborate on their own actions in the story in order of their introduction. Why don¡¯t we let them introduce themselves? Play nice and mean.¡± ¡°Fair enough! We will start from Group One to Group Three. Begin!¡± The lights dimmed, and a flash of white cast down on the man and woman beside Amira and her, allowing the pair to step forward as the drones projected them across the screen. Behind them, the silent cast waited to direct their own Pokemon into whatever scene they¡¯d craft. The woman in her mid-twenties went first, dressed in an orange and tan-themed kimono. She took a deep breath, smiled, and presented her gown-wearing rat. ¡°It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance; I am Kate, and before you is Lady Julia Sinister, 1st daughter of the Lesser Noble House of Ratatouille. She has been bullied by her peers growing up, due to her middle name, implying she is a schemer and is not to be trusted. Yet, she has worked hard for her declining family, and is trying to support them as they are on the verge of losing their nobility status.¡± Her smile turned more devious, tilting her head to the side to brush her loose bangs behind her ear as Julia put off a cute, lady-like vibe. ¡°Could there be something behind these rumors involving her family being up to something? We shall see.¡± Rhea¡¯s hands tightened at her front, her stomach squirming as she edited Nova¡¯s story to the girl¡¯s introduction. I guess Kate is a popular name. And it looks like you have a lady-in-waiting! The woman¡¯s partner came next, showing a sweeping bow as his Noctowl mirrored his action atop his bag. ¡°My name is Harvy, ladies and gentlemen, and my poor bird has led a rather sorted life among the streets in the Dynasty of Vaporeon; water may be plentiful, but its restrictions due to royal decree limit its use.¡± As he rose from his bowed position, his golden eyes twinkled, and a rumble came from below as the background stage crew shifted the environment from underneath. Sections of the stone floor sank, and water filled them to create a small river that ran through the miniature town. It seemed they were already on the offensive in this drama, his framing making Nova frown. ¡°It is due to the strict edicts of the nobility that Adam Becker grew his name in the darker circles of the kingdom, providing things that are not easily¡­ or legally obtained. In the dead of night, Adam¡¯s silent wings carry him through the night on his jobs for the criminal underbelly. Could there be more to this Noctowl, though? Not everyone is rotten to the core.¡± The spotlight darkened before momentarily blinding Rhea as the glow fell on her. Without skipping a beat, she stepped forward with Nova; her geta clicked against the tiled platform as she held her hands at her front and showed her best charming smile while blinking rapidly to adjust to the brightness. ¡°I am honored to have this opportunity to entertain you all. I am Rhea, and this elegant Vaporeon before you is Princess Nova, the sheltered heir to the Dynasty¡¯s Coral Throne. Having grown up in isolation, excluding the nobility allowed to interact with her, Princess Nova has never had the opportunity to leave her oppressive castle grounds.¡± Nova held her shiny black head high. Her white fins and spine sails fluttered a little with her big ears, and she chirped cutely while being introduced. ¡°A little socially awkward around new people, Nova longs to make friends and see what her kingdom is like. Ever since the previous war against the Dynasty of Flareon, which took her eldest brother¡¯s life, she has been a prisoner in her own home. ¡°Often, she will sit by her tall tower window to overlook the kingdom and pretend she¡¯s down there, mingling amongst the bread-makers and whatever else the average citizen did¡­ because she doesn¡¯t know how they live. Her only stories come from her dutiful lady-in-waiting, Lady Julia Sinister Ratatouille.¡± She saw a curious smile come from Kate in the dark next to her as she finished, allowing everyone to see Amira¡¯s ratty red hair¡ªa wig¡ªand her modest rags; she¡¯d even smudged a bit of dirt and dusted herself up a little. Serenity¡¯s half-unique and half-normal Feebas paint job flashed across the screen with her. ¡°As I am sure everyone is aware, I am Amira Rocket, and this trodden-upon River Pokemon has been kicked out of her home to wander the streets of the Vaporeon Dynasty. ¡°Many of the Feebas she knew died in the war instigated by Flareon, and she has no one to rely on but herself. Without the means to pay for the yearly Coral Tax, all of her family possessions were repossessed, and now she works in the Coral Mines to provide for herself. ¡°Known in town as the Ugly Fish, Serenity pays them no mind; knowing her own intrinsic worth from the teachings of her deceased mother and father, she dreams of someday showing everyone how beautiful she really is and not to be judged by her tarnished scales.¡± Whispers passed amongst the crowd as Raoul spoke up, ¡°What a cast we have so far, ladies and gentlemen; the scene is being set; we have a princess and her lady, a criminal, and an outcast in a water-based dynasty of coral, war, greed, and fear! What will our final two pieces add to this puzzle?¡± The dainty Steenee and her prince-like Trainer took the stage with a dashing smile as the princess gave a short and imperial nod to the crowd. His colorful and fancy kimono was themed a flashy lime green and purple to match his Fruit Pokemon; she radiated a sweet scent as she showed a dazzling, bubbly smile. ¡°Salutations, my subjects; I am Prince Isoroku Yamamoto, and this lovely bowl of fruit is the 2nd Princess of the Vaporeon Dynasty, Stella Vaporeon, being a child from King Vaporeon¡¯s 2nd wife. Having a somewhat turbulent relationship with her older sister, Princess Nova Vaporeon, because of how neglected she feels, Princess Stella spends much of her time with her fellow nobles. ¡°Having a desire to be loved due to her mother¡¯s death from illness leaving a hole in her life no one was able to fill, she seeks to please those around her. She is sweet to everyone, and tries to do everything in her power to stand out to her father and step-mother¡­¡± He paused, his tone lowering a tad as he moved closer to the mic he spoke into. ¡°Unfortunately for Princess Stella, no matter how hard she tries, her father refuses to see how amazing she really is. It has gotten to the point where her own lady-in-waiting was taken from her by her older sister¡ªthe one person she thought would never betray her.¡± Rhea gulped as the story went on; this plot was putting a lot of pressure on her little Eevee, but she knew it probably would if they took the princess position. There was more to this story, though. ¡°After year after year of fruitless attempts to gain her father¡¯s approval, someone else has approached our young princess with a new plan. Who could it be, and what do they want? Can Princess Stella finally achieve the love she so desperately needs and not pointless platitudes from the nobles around her?¡± Finally, the last member of their drama took the spotlight. The tall, brown-haired man had a five-o¡¯clock shadow and a somewhat disheveled knight¡¯s appearance. His Escavalier had makeup on to mirror his Trainer, and the intimidating Cavalry Pokemon floated up to be viewed by his yawning Trainer. ¡°Greetings, I guess¡­ I¡¯m a soldier by trade, Sir Something-Or-Other¡ªdoesn¡¯t matter¡ªand this is Captain Argenti of the Dynasty Knights. Argenti¡¯s best friend used to be in his very position¡ªone that was forced upon him when she died during the war. No one knows why the war happened, which bugs Argenti because he doesn¡¯t know what the point of Captain Valier¡¯s death was. ¡°He does the bare minimum, and his neglect puts a lot of pressure on his subordinates, who cover for their comrade, who saved many of them during the war. Yet, he couldn¡¯t save his best friend, and that haunts him. He is often drunk, disheveled, and sleepy. ¡°The most annoying person in Argenti¡¯s life isn¡¯t Lieutenant Shiva,¡± his eyes darted to his right, sweeping their silent supporting cast, ¡°an Alolan Sandshrew who is constantly and respectfully harping on him to finish his work. No, the most agitating person in Argenti¡¯s life is Princess Nova.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Rhea felt an indignant flare of emotions pass through their connection, yet the explanation was even worse, causing the heat in her chest to expand and threaten to turn her into a Flareon to spark this Dynasty War all over again. It was an option, Rhea playfully teased to her Eevee. ¡°Argneti hates the spoiled and confined princess because his task is to safeguard her and prevent her from harming herself by sneaking out into the city, where her naivety and minimal battle experience would most certainly lead her to being kidnapped or killed.¡± Nova internally growled, making Rhea giggle inside. I know, he¡¯s trying to make you weak, so you can¡¯t defend yourself. Just play along. I know you could kick his butt. Raoul chuckled as the characters and some backstory were revealed. ¡°And the opening is set! We will now give our cast five minutes to prepare their places. Send in your Pokemon!¡± Rhea and her other girls internally cheered as the curtains lowered to veil them. Lulu popped out of her kimono¡¯s front to peek out and wave at her teammate as she zipped down the stairs with the other Pokemon, chatting to one another as they went. Behind them, the silent cast¡¯s Pokemon darted below the stage to the props and costumes provided, getting into the various roles presented, including the minor side character, Lieutenant Shiva, nobles, and the current king and queen. They only had a single other female Vaporeon, who took the king¡¯s role since no one would know the difference, and, apparently, a Krabby hilariously took the spot of Nova¡¯s mom. Rhea leaned against the railing next to Amira, smiling as she saw the rush of Pokemon dispersing around the faintly lit center stage beneath the veil. ¡°It was pretty mean to make Nova not know how to battle.¡± Isoroku chuckled as he joined them by the rail, arms folded in his kimono sleeves. ¡°You should have mentioned her hobbies or something in her opening. Interesting touch with the war stuff, coral economy, and background. Does that imply we¡¯re near the ocean, as well?¡± ¡°No spoilers,¡± Amira playfully returned, chuckling as Serenity searched for a good alley to make her home. The prop team finished filling out the area with things they¡¯d described, coming in from hidden entrances in the stone floor. ¡°Let¡¯s let the judges do the speculations.¡± The redhead glanced at her with a half-smile. ¡°Keep in mind, Rhea, Sir Something-Or-Other was only speaking about what he knew of Princess Nova. Who is to say she doesn¡¯t have any secrets he doesn¡¯t know about?¡± ¡°Good point!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * With her tail and dress weaving behind her, Nova paused for a second at the bottom of the stairs, seeing the Steenee taking a far less rushed approach. ¡°We only have five minutes to get into position. Shouldn¡¯t we run?¡± She giggled and gave her a graceful smile while hopping down the final few steps. ¡°We are already dressed up and know our positions. I will take one of the room windows in the castle, and you will take the highest tower. Five minutes is plenty of time.¡± ¡°Oh, okay¡­ Umm. What made you choose to go into Improv Dramas?¡± she asked, wanting to get to know the people she¡¯d be competing against as they walked toward the gatehouse leading into the small castle courtyard. ¡°Did you always want to do this?¡± ¡°This? No! No!¡± she protested, waving at Argenti while the knight floated to a guard position at the gatehouse. ¡°You probably smell it, but I was born with my Hidden Ability, Sweet Veil, which has caused me¡­ trouble sometimes when doing serious battles. Isoroku has been very supportive, and we even managed to place 4th in the Indigo Bronze Cup a few years ago, but battling all the time is hard on my body, so this works out for me.¡± ¡°Wow¡­ I wouldn¡¯t have even guessed by looking at you,¡± Nova whispered, feeling bad after hearing her story. ¡°You look so cheery and happy, but you¡¯ve had a really hard life. It¡¯s cool that you managed to place so high in a tournament, though. I know a Pichu who had that problem, too¡ªshe has Lightning Rod, and would always shock herself.¡± The Steenee¡¯s leaf-like hair drooped a little. ¡°It was Mimi, right?¡± Nova¡¯s ears flipped out in surprise as they passed Argenti, being actually pretty cool and wishing them luck as they passed. ¡°You know Mimi?¡± Stella shook her head, hands rubbing together before hugging herself. ¡°Not personally, but she¡¯s on a forum where Pokemon with Hidden Abilities post to support one another. It¡¯s amazing that she was able to find someone who was able to help her¡­ Most of us aren¡¯t that lucky. It¡¯s¡­ pretty common to have your parents abandon you in the wild, so it helps to have other Pokemon you can talk about it with that understand the hurt. Still, I can have a fun life like this!¡± Nova¡¯s heart melted as the girl leaned over to hug her as they entered the small castle¡¯s rather simple interior design. ¡°Let¡¯s have an awesome performance, Nova!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± ¡°Whatever story our Trainers come up with, know that I¡¯m not trying to be mean to you on purpose! It is all a part of the show. I think you¡¯re gorgeous and cool, personally¡ªwell, from what I know from news stuff and meeting you right now.¡± ¡°Thanks! And understood, Lil Sis,¡± Nova chirped, bringing her tail around to salute her co-princess. ¡°Let¡¯s fluff their tails up!¡± Breaking away to jog up the spiral staircase leading to the fourth level, she noticed a lot of the walls were missing so the drones could spot them. Entering the room that looked very princess-like, she saw Julia already sitting in one of the small chairs a bit away from the window. ¡°Hello!¡± she greeted, slowing to a stop at the open wall to stare down at the city, where Pokemon bustled about, getting into place or finishing the prop setup. ¡°How many Contests have you been in?¡± ¡°Quite a few,¡± she said with a strained smile, showing her big front teeth. ¡°Not a lot of people think Raticate are all that beautiful, but I¡¯m determined to win a Beauty Contest at least once in my life! I¡¯ve¡­ only won a Coolness Battle Contest, but it was kind of scuffed. Umm. Yeah, so, we saw this was going on, and we decided to shoot our shot! And¡­ then your team joined at the last minute. I think it¡¯s fair to say you¡¯ll win, hands down.¡± ¡°Aww, don¡¯t say that,¡± Nova frowned, glancing over at the rodent as the rat fidgeted with her dress. ¡°I lost my first and only Contest. We just have to give it our best!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ I try,¡± she mumbled with a weak smile. ¡°Adam has won a ton of ribbons; he says we¡¯ll do fine, and I shouldn¡¯t worry, but I still kind of want to hide my teeth¡­ I know they¡¯re not the most shiny or white.¡± Nova glanced over at the dressed-up Raticate, trying to release the tension in her chest. ¡°Personally, I think you look cute in that dress. Sure, the elegant Pokemon probably have an advantage in Beautiful Contests, but you take good care of your fur, and it looks like your Trainer gives you plenty of berries because you smell nice, too.¡± Julia blushed and shifted a little in her chair. ¡°You really think so? I mean, this is me at my best¡­ I just didn¡¯t really think I was princess material, so I went with the lady-in-waiting angle. Thanks for hyping me up.¡± ¡°Not all hype,¡± Nova reassured. ¡°Amber tells me almost all of it is confidence! We can only do so much about our looks, but how we present ourselves is 100% on us. I think we¡¯re all winners; we may not win all the time, but we¡¯re all winners¡ªbecause winners try and try again!¡± ¡°I guess that makes sense,¡± Julia whispered, sounding better as she put on her noble facade again. ¡°I will play my part to the best of my ability, Princess Nova. It is an honor to serve you.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s just do our best to make this the best performance we can!¡± Nova chirped, bouncing over to hold up her fin for the Raticate to slap; the countdown started. ¡°Ready to get in character?¡± ¡°Uh-huh! Thank you for cheering me up, Nova.¡± ¡°I think we all need to be happy to be a part of this if we¡¯re going to make it good. Let¡¯s get lots of claps and cheers!¡± Retaking her position, Nova tried to get into the mind of who she was playing; in a way, it was kind of how Rhea felt growing up. She put on a longing mask, watching the small town of bustling Pokemon going about their daily business. The curtain lifted, the drones descended, and Julia¡¯s Trainer started the story. ¡°It was a cold November night in the Vaporeon Dynasty, and a light veil of snow fell over its land, but the chill didn¡¯t bother Princess Nova since she was accustomed to it as a Pokemon who could survive in chilling waters.¡± Powdery flakes floated down from above, blanketing the area in a soft sheet of white as the scene played out. Nova, however, could feel the cold; it wasn¡¯t like she was in her Glaceon form, and now she was wondering why she hadn¡¯t gone that princess route as she tried not to shiver. ¡°Lady Julia¡¯s fur helped to combat the frost, but the biting cold made her huddle in her chair. Princess Nova often forgot that others didn¡¯t have her resilience to the weather, and Lady Julia didn¡¯t want to upset her; after all, she hadn¡¯t known or been in Princess Nova¡¯s service for long. ¡°Princess Stella had a sharp aversion to the elements, so Julia would usually be making hot chocolate, tightening up the windows, and bundling up the leafy princess at this time. She had not expected to be sitting in an ice-cold room, waiting to be of service as the princess stared out of the wide open window.¡± Great, Nova internally sighed, I¡¯m weak, neglectful of others, and kind of a Jinx¡­ Help, Rhea! Sadly, she still had one more person to get through before her Trainer could counter the narrative, and Harvy¡¯s suspenseful voice pricked Nova¡¯s ears as the Noctowl¡¯s Trainer spun his angle. ¡°Adam shivers in the Icy Wind, gliding through the chilly early night to reach his client¡¯s house, silent as the falling snow. The streets are nearly empty, and only the silhouettes of guards patrolling or the shadows that slunk through the alleyways gave movement to the silent city. The snow would decrease demand and lower the guard of the soldiers¡ªa double-edged Honedge¡ªbut Adam could adapt to the volatile market during this time of the year. ¡°Water could be melted from the snow without risk of getting caught stealing pure, life-giving liquid from the Royal Riverway. The polluted stream, where most of the poor drank, would be a prime spot to find potential informants desperate to make a sliver of coral. Of course, tonight, he wasn¡¯t aiming for the riverway; his eyes were set on larger prey.¡± Adam touched down on one of the bigger houses in the small, makeshift town as his Trainer directed him. ¡°He taps his claw in rhythm, four times, then three¡­ It was returned in reverse, and the shutters open, allowing the bird to silently swoop inside, where a small Espurr waits¡­ ¡° ¡®Do you have the letter?¡¯ he softly asks, keeping an eye out for any trap. The broker didn¡¯t know the details; if he did, things could get complicated. ¡°The broker looks at the bag he¡¯d set beside him, greed glinting in his big purple eyes as he licks his lips with anticipation of the coral payment; it was Adam¡¯s life savings, but he trusted his source, which was rare for him. Then again, when they had so much skin in the game, trust could be assured through mutual destruction. ¡°The broker takes out a letter from a drawer, saying, ¡®Open the bag and show me, then we¡¯ll trade. It¡¯s not easy getting unfiltered letters out from the castle these days¡­ not cheap, either. I still have plenty of contacts, though, if you need a letter slipped inside¡ªa bundled deal.¡¯ ¡° ¡®That¡¯s what we agreed on,¡¯ Adam muttered, spreading out the bag to show the glinting, colorful coral inside. ¡®Top grade,¡¯ he said. The letter? ¡°The broker grinned, holding it out, saying, ¡®Straight from Lady Julia¡ªI recognize the handwriting on the front.¡¯ Adam¡¯s eyes narrow as he accepts the item. ¡®What could someone like you possibly have going on with the failing Ratatouille family? I could become a partner¡­ if it turns a profit.¡¯ ¡± Nova caught Julia¡¯s tightening hands at her front as she waited to be given an action. ¡° ¡®No need,¡¯ Adam gruffly muttered, ¡®and I pay for discretion. Also, it could be from Princess Nova, for all you know¡­ Best keep your eyes where they should be, no?¡¯ With that, he fits the letter between his beak, and takes off into the night.¡± Rhea¡¯s voice was like cake on Nova¡¯s tongue as she wove her own tale into the story. ¡°Staring into the white, Nova patiently waited for the glint that would tell her that the way was clear¡ªa signal she¡¯d only recently made with her new friend in the city. ¡°Her nerves were getting the better of her as she glanced over at Lady Julia, realizing that the Raticate might be feeling the weather by her huddled posture, trying not to be a burden or draw attention to herself. She was a little worried that her new lady-in-waiting was getting suspicious of her activities. ¡°Illiana had been sent off to the north after someone told her parents she¡¯d been secretly training her in military arts at night, and Julia was a kind soul, from what she¡¯d seen thus far. Everyone thought Nova was a ditzy princess, but she was sharp, and always paid attention to what everyone did around her home¡ªshe made a game out of it as a kid since she didn¡¯t have much to do or any friends. ¡°She knew the Ratatouille Family was struggling, and it was a big deal that a Lower House¡¯s daughter was selected to cater to her. She had to wonder if her little sister had something to do with it since Julia had been her lady-in-waiting before. Tonight, she¡¯d find out how loyal Lady Julia was. ¡°A glint in the corner of her vision snapped her eyes to the source¡ªSerenity¡ªthe kitchen staff would be leaving soon, and she could slip out behind them if she timed it right. ¡°Turning to her lady-in-waiting, she told her what she was about to do¡ªthat she was sneaking out¡ªand wanted to know if she¡¯d help her, or betray her trust. Lady Julia had to make this decision for herself¡­¡± Julia¡¯s eyes widened at the news¡ªshe really looked like she¡¯d just been told something crazy¡ªand after a second¡¯s thought, she nodded and got up. Moving to a drawer, she rummaged through it to find a cloak in the back and draped it over Nova. ¡°Unsure if she was being genuine or not, but wanting to have faith in the girl who had served her little sister, Nova thanked the Raticate and slipped out as the guards changed shifts. Argenti was too drunk during this time of night to fully notice how many people were exiting during the snowfall¡ªshe was trained now¡ªor so Nova thought. Little did she know, he was just letting her sneak away to figure out how she was getting information on her escape routes because they had been improving as of late¡­¡± Nova let her excitement show a little as she carefully jogged down the stairs with a cloaked Julia. Passing through the snow, she was careful with the guards¡¯ positions, who purposefully turned their backs to her as they went about their changing shifts. ¡°All of it was an elaborate plot¡­ but for what?!¡± B4 — 19. A Kingdom In Peril
    3:08 p.m. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    The biting powder fell around Nova as she was pulled into the drama; with the props, Pokemon, and developing scene, it wasn¡¯t hard to get lost in her role. Her bulky cloak dragged along the snow as she slipped behind the cooking staff, with Julia hugging herself while shuffling along. Her lady-in-waiting looked nervous as they followed behind, following Rhea¡¯s plotline. Nova peeked out from under her hood at Captain Argenti on their way past the officer, yet Princess Stella¡¯s Trainer had his own plans cooking. Isoroku¡¯s strong voice came from above the white veil blanketing them. ¡°Having felt the chill coming on due to her low Ice tolerance, Princess Stella had her new lady-in-waiting prepare the fire. Standing beside her closed window, bundled in her peasant¡¯s cloak, she gazed upon her kingdom. She didn¡¯t like to go out during this season since it could weaken her constitution, yet tonight was an exception¡­ Tonight was when everything came together. ¡°She noticed the cooking staff exiting, done with tomorrow¡¯s breakfast preparations. Among them, she knew her older sister would be hiding, and it was laughable how easy it was to spot her former serving lady and the bulky shape of a Vaporeon. ¡°Lady Julia¡¯s failure to report her sister¡¯s illegal activities solidified Stella¡¯s suspicions and anger. Not because the lesser noble Raticate girl had failed to report her sister. No, it was her loyalty that angered Stella because, once again, her older sister stole something that had been hers. This further cemented what Lord Ruby had told her¡ªeveryone was trying to sabotage her life. ¡°She smiled when Lieutenant Shiva exited the guard house to kick Captain Argenti in the rear and make him do his job. Chuckling to herself at how lax and degraded her kingdom had become under her depressed parents¡¯ rule, Princess Stella left for her underground meeting. With her sister¡¯s escape pulling attention, it was time to act. Finally, she¡¯d get her chance.¡± Nova suppressed a growl as she saw the slim Alolan Sandshrew open the door and stomp out with a cute scowl on her face while stomping over to them. Argenti cracked open an eye when they walked up to the gate, absently waving one of his lance-like arms for them to continue without checking them. ¡°No! What are you doing, Captain?¡± Shiva growled, icy spikes bristling at her back and making the cooking staff quake a little, pulling their cloaks around them. ¡°You have to do a check on the staff! It is a part of our job. What if they stole something or the princess is sneaking out¡ªwait, did the Head Cook hire new staff?¡± ¡°Ugh¡­¡± Argenti¡¯s exhausted and dull voice made the Sandslash pause, and the two soldiers beside the captain had a look on their faces as if Mom and Dad were fighting; Nova had seen shows like this on the Pokemon series Rhea let them watch every so often. ¡°Lieutenant, why would any staff endanger their own family like that? And the Flareon I know if there are new staff? Look, they¡¯ve done a hard day¡¯s work; let the staff be, Shiva. Go on! And Blake, get me another dream of Honey Brew.¡± ¡°Captain! No, Blake, don¡¯t¡­¡± ¡°Lieutenant¡­ Eh-hehe. It¡¯s the captain¡¯s orders¡­¡± ¡°Haaa. Captain¡­¡± Nova hustled after the cooking staff with Julia, leaving a trail in the snow behind her as the staff looked back at them. This made both of them lock up; nothing was said about the staff realizing there were more people behind them. ¡°What do we do, Princess? They¡¯ll notice if we¡¯re stopped outside the gate,¡± Julia gulped, glancing back at Shiva and Argenti, still pulling the other guards¡¯ attention in their heated fight; well, ironically, the Ice Pokemon was the heated one, and the Knight Pokemon was unenthusiastic, further flaring Shiva¡¯s temper. Showing a pleading expression, Nova didn¡¯t have to wait long as Argenti¡¯s Trainer went into the next scene, smoothly solving the issue. ¡°Princess Nova, knowing that their cover would be blown the instant further scrutiny came, visually pleaded with the cooking staff, asking them to just keep going. Luckily, Argenti saw the trouble, fending off Shiva¡¯s nagging and gesturing to the cooks to keep going; this wasn¡¯t a show for their entertainment, further aggravating his 2nd-in-command.¡± Nova puffed out the stress she¡¯d genuinely felt as the Frillish strained a smile and waved his arm for the others to follow him, and they entered the sidewalk of the main street, moving further away from the argument. Sir Something-Or-Other wasn¡¯t done with adding his Pokemon further into the scene. ¡°In the bitter cold, Argenti¡¯s heart remained cold while he watched the excited princess go, passively responding to Shiva¡¯s concern. He knew she truly cared for him, and her true fear was what might happen to him if the king or queen grew tired of his laziness. She was a sweet woman who had done her best to be a friend after he¡¯d lost his wife in the war. ¡°Unknown to her, Argenti did find this particular event interesting. Figures crept within the shadows of his kingdom; he hardly cared at this point. Would he give his life for the kingdom? He hoped to, and soon, because living in this icy world was torture at this point. ¡°Rising out of his chair, he lifted a hand and floated away from Shiva, making the Sandslash¡¯s blue cheeks turn red with embarrassment and anger. With a few dismissive words, leaving her in charge of the shift if she felt that strongly about it, he was going to find a drink at the local tavern. ¡°Shiva watched him go, shaking with rage, but that was soon replaced with pain that ripped at her chest while watching the dynasty¡¯s war hero leave her¡ªlike he always did. Why was he running away? The man she knew never ran from an argument or fight but faced it and proudly declared his own perspective. Now, she was fighting with a shell. ¡°Sitting in his warm seat, silence fell over the uncomfortable guards, trying not to look at her as she fought back tears. She¡¯d tried everything to thaw his frozen heart back into the kind, warm, and loving man she¡¯d trained under¡ªthat she¡¯d grown to love¡ªand he¡¯d started to show signs of loving her back before Valier¡¯s death. Yet, her attempts to coax him out of the isolating box he¡¯d closed himself into were as fruitless as her ice-cold body¡¯s ability to comfort him. ¡°Where had the man who had welcomed her into this kingdom while she was a foreigner¡ªa threat¡ªgone? He¡¯d taken her under his wing, protected her, and taught her to love the people of this dynasty. She couldn¡¯t stand seeing Argenti tear himself apart, believing he¡¯d failed his best friend by not protecting her. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t he let her in¡ªjust as a friend¡ªwhen she¡¯d knocked at his door every night? Maybe she was naive or too dense to realize they¡¯d never been friends. No, she couldn¡¯t deny her own feelings. Yet, when Valier died, her only friend and mentor did, as well, and she didn¡¯t know how to fix it¡ªshe didn¡¯t know how to bring him back to life because she obviously wasn¡¯t enough.¡± Nova was crying inside as she ducked into an alleyway, trying to remain in character. She made an internal plea for Rhea to save Shiva from her heartache¡ªshe deserved justice! She wasn¡¯t able to focus on it for long as it returned to Kate¡¯s spotlight, allowing Julia¡¯s Trainer to further add to their progress through the snowy alleyways. Kate¡¯s voice bled through the snowfall, directing them. ¡°Oblivious to the pain and history behind her, Princess Nova prowled through the snowy streets, breaking away from the cooks to enter the alleyways where her friend would be waiting. Little did Princess Nova know, their cloaks left an easy trail for Captain Argenti to follow; Lady Julia Sinister knew, though, but she refrained from mentioning it to the princess. ¡°Lady Julia scanned the shadows for dangers, waiting for a dagger¡¯s glint and half-hoping her fears would not come true; it was no accident that she¡¯d been selected to replace the princess¡¯ lady-in-waiting. Yet, a clump of snow in a corner made her jump as it quivered, revealing a rather ugly fish.¡± Nova giggled inside when Serenity shook off the power covering her, giving her that dead-eyed stare she was so good at as Kate kept the story going. ¡°Oh, Nova,¡± the Feebas chimed; her voice was upbeat, despite her expression. ¡°I was just pretending to be underwater. Umm. Who is this girl with you? Where are we going tonight?¡± Julia¡¯s eyes went big as she glanced between them. ¡°Wait, wait, wait! This is who has been helping you sneak out, Princess?¡± Nova cringed inside. ¡°Julia! She didn¡¯t know¡­ Ugh¡­¡± ¡°Princess?!¡± Serenity gasped, floating back into the wall. ¡°You¡¯re Princess Nova?! I thought you were a myth the nobility told people about.¡± Julia stared incredulously at Nova, gesturing at her as she shifted uncomfortably and slid back her hood. ¡°Hold up, you thought¡­ a black-skinned, shiny Vaporeon was just¡­ some random citizen?! You can¡¯t be that dense? What are we even doing here, Princess?! You could, ack¡ªyou could be kidnapped!¡± she choked, sounding nervous. Serenity tilted to the side. ¡°Hmm. I don¡¯t look at people like that. I just judge them based on how they treat me, and Nova was kind to me. I guess I¡¯m friends with a princess. Huh. Cool. So¡­ do you want to check out the bakery¡¯s trash? The old goods should be thrown out now, and it won¡¯t be as crowded due to the¡ª¡± ¡°Trash?!¡± Julia gasped, looking mortified. ¡°Princess, please¡ªplease, let¡¯s go back to the castle before you¡¯re spotted¡ª¡± ¡°Oh, too late for that, love.¡± The sound of sharpening claws and snickering came from above them, pulling their gaze skyward. Half-obscured in the veil of snow, a black-furred figure sat on one of the prop buildings, sharpening his fingers¡ªa Sneasel. ¡°Well, well, well¡­ What do we have here, boys? A princess and her lady. We were comin¡¯ to squeeze out some Coral from the ugly fish, but instead, we¡¯ve hit the jackpot.¡± Nova backed into Serenity¡¯s corner, her gut tightening. She cursed that she couldn¡¯t defend herself in the current narrative when they¡¯d actually fought one of these Pokemon before. Julia put herself between them, quaking as the Sneasel dropped down. A Mankey and Croagunk joined from the neighboring building, cutting off their escape. ¡°You cannot think that attacking the princess will lead to anything but a swift execution! It is not too late to back down.¡± Serenity sighed and floated down to dig through a pile of goods beneath her snow clump. ¡°Okay, okay, Roger. I¡¯ve got my alley tax. No need to cause trouble for my friend¡­ Twenty pieces?¡± The Mankey whistled, using the walls to jump between them and snatching the tossed items out of the air to count them. ¡°Been holdin¡¯ out on us, Ugly! Wow. 5x the typical rate for the whole week, Boss.¡± The Croagunk snickered, holding up a poison-coated arm and licking it. ¡°Obviously, she¡¯s trying to bribe us. It¡¯s gotta be her life savings. What do you think, Roger?¡± The Sneasel accepted the coral, holding one up to inspect in the darkness. Nova wanted to act, but apparently, she was too petrified to speak; Rhea¡¯s turn was coming up, though. ¡°Hmm. I think¡­¡± He dropped it on the snow-covered floor and stamped on it. ¡°A princess is worth a Muk of a lot more than twenty coral.¡± ¡°Is that right?¡± All of them froze as a tired, familiar voice came from behind them. The thieves spun around to see shimmering red in the lamplight that made it into the alley. ¡°Argenti!¡± Nova cried, actually happy to see the captain with the story that was being spun around his character. ¡°These guys are trying to kidnap me and steal all of my friend¡¯s coral; arrest them!¡± The man yawned and scratched his head with his left lance-like arm. ¡°You know, I think I¡¯ll be arresting everyone here¡ªall twelve of you¡­ Wait, that¡¯s not right.¡± Roger flexed his claws as he cautiously spread out with his boys. ¡°The disgraced war hero drunk, eh? Heh. I hear you¡¯re all washed up. I¡¯d be very careful where you stick your nose, Catapin,¡± he mocked. ¡°You don¡¯t seem all that sober, and I don¡¯t like your odds¡ªone drunk, and three killers in an alley?¡± Nova¡¯s insides twisted. She could own these losers, but she had to act weak and timid. Even Rhea was playing a bit into it now. The reason soon appeared, making her heart melt. ¡°Correction. A drunk and his babysitter against three fools¡­¡± Shiva materialized behind the captain, half transparent in the falling powder and leaving no footprints in the snow as she walked forward to stand beside the Escavalier. ¡°I figured you weren¡¯t just out bumming around taverns, Captain.¡± If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Argenti sighed, his vision narrowing and not moving off the tense thieves. ¡°You never could shake that habit of creeping through the snow, Shiva, could you? I¡¯ll leave the toad to you, try not to kill everyone.¡± ¡°Where¡¯s the trust?¡± Shiva chuckled, scraping her long claws together and making the thieves step back. ¡°You¡¯re the one who trained me.¡± ¡°Which is why I know you have a nasty habit of ending a battle with barbs everywhere when you¡¯re rolling around.¡± ¡°But I have faith in you to protect them,¡± Shiva countered, looking more excited than afraid. ¡°Looks like I¡¯m up!¡± Roger darted between Julia and her to put his claws against her throat. ¡°You have no idea how fast I! I still have your¡ªwhat?! What is that¡ªUgly?!¡± Argenti slammed his lances together, creating a burst of red light before jabbing one pointed arm toward the corner they were in. A crimson honeycomb barrier formed up its length, separating them from the fight. Roger slammed into it, grunting as he lost all momentum; worse for him, a burst of draconic energy erupted behind Nova, Amira ordering her Feebas to display her hidden power! Dark-violet energy illuminated the dark alleyway, the aura Serenity emitted collecting into the roaring head of a dragon that phased through the red barrier to lock its jaws around Roger¡¯s body, carrying him through the wall. Shiva jumped into the air, illuminating a bright white and ripping up the stone ground; she launched forward, gaining speed as Icicle Spears jetted out of her spiny combination attack¡ªthe woman was definitely Gold-tier with that attack. Time slowed in Nova¡¯s thumping heart, finding a new perspective being on the ¡¯protected¡¯ side of a fight behind the Quick Guard. Roger was carried through the wall by Serenity¡¯s Dragon Pulse, crashes coming from inside with shrieks from the actors inside. Argenti blurred, energy outlining him while sliding under Shiva¡¯s icicles to bat the Mankey out of the air as he tried to escape. Ice peppered the Croagunk before Shiva bounced off the wall to tackle the Poison Pokemon, carrying him into the building Nova and Juila huddled against. In a matter of seconds, the whole fight was over. The barrier fell, and Argenti sighed, rubbing the side of his head while using one arm to lift up the gurgling Mankey, seeing stars. ¡°Well, I think it¡¯s about time we get everyone back to the castle for a thorough investigation.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll handle the cleanup,¡± Shiva chortled, throwing the unconscious Croagunk out of the hole she¡¯d made while apologizing to the residents inside. ¡°Sorry, sorry! I¡¯ll come back with some guards and help patch things up later¡ªagain, sorry!¡± Nova¡¯s tail wagged as Serenity floated next to her. ¡°You okay, Princess?¡± ¡°I am. Thank you, Serenity!¡± Nova hugged the fish. ¡°You¡¯re so strong! Where did you learn to fight like that? I just froze, and you just¡ªblam! Out of nowhere, you blasted him!¡± ¡°Yeah¡­¡± Serenity mumbled. ¡°I probably shouldn¡¯t have done that¡­ Now I¡¯m going to be asked questions that I really don¡¯t want to answer. Still, I¡¯m glad you¡¯re okay. What about you, rat tail?¡± Nova grew anxious as Amira¡¯s turn was about to end, but they still had some time left. Julia put a hand against her chest and forced a smile. ¡°I¡¯m fine! We should really get off the streets. I, umm, Princess, there¡¯s¡­ something I should tell you¡­¡± Frowning, Nova pulled away from Serenity to stare at the nervous Raticate. ¡°What is it, Julia? Oh! I¡¯ll take full responsibility¡ªI made you do it¡ªI threatened you!¡± she swiftly said, connecting the dots that her family was in trouble of being dissolved as nobility. ¡°You had no choice!¡± ¡°No!¡± Julia pleaded. ¡°We need to get off the¡ª¡± ¡°Right,¡± Argenti groaned, glancing around at the devastated alley; icicles stuck throughout its full length, providing a look inside the interior. ¡°What did I tell you, Shiva? This is why I hate bringing you on patrols. No restraint.¡± ¡°Eh-hehehe. I¡¯ve gotten better, Captain!¡± she said, cheeks turning pink as the Alolan Sandslash moved to the hole to get Roger. ¡°I¡¯ll go collect their leader¡ªCaptain!¡± Nova blinked as what looked like black balls soundlessly fell out of the sky. A dark, silent shape emerged through the veil. An explosion of smoke engulfed them, making Nova cough and hold her throat as she pretended that the world went hazy before falling to her side. The curtains fell, giving them two minutes to reach the next scene location. The crowd leaned in to whisper to one another, and the judges commented on the drama¡¯s midpoint and what had transpired. Nova was too focused on her next part, though, and jumped up with Serenity. ¡°Great performance so far, guys!¡± Shiva chimed, pushing herself up and staying put since she would be staying in the alley. ¡°I¡¯m enjoying this role.¡± Only Argenti, Julia, and her jogged away, leaving Serenity, the thieves, and Shiva to their own part, waking up with powder blanketing them. ¡°I can¡¯t believe he sleep-gassed us,¡± Argenti snickered, saluting her as they zipped down the streets, Ice Pokemon brushing their footprints away. ¡°Things are getting exciting, girls. Nice work so far for being Super Rookies.¡± ¡°Super Rookies?¡± Serenity asked. Argenti waved his lance as a pair of Mankey opened the door for them to enter the house, designed like a basement; the drones flew after them, and Adam, the Noctowl that had gassed them, flew through an open window, shutting it behind him. ¡°Just a name we give new actors that haven¡¯t done any performances, and on this big stage, you¡¯re killing it!¡± ¡°Aww. Thanks,¡± Nova grinned. ¡°You¡¯re so much nicer than the girls I went up against in my only Battle Contest. Thanks for being so supportive. Oh, we¡¯re about to start¡ªplay dead in the cages?¡± she asked, slipping inside a straw-lined cage that one of the stage crew Mankey shut and placed a lock on. ¡°Asleep,¡± Adam said, tilting the light to a more sinister angle while checking himself in a mirror one of the Mankey held. Others shifted things around in the environment to suit the scene. ¡°Wonderful performance so far, Julia¡ªthat¡¯s it, just sit in that cage¡ªunlocked, and I love the guilty face, girl!¡± ¡°To be honest, I do kind of feel bad about how things are turning out,¡± Julia chuckled. ¡°Oh, shift your kimono a bit, Nova, to look like you¡¯ve been moved.¡± ¡°Okay!¡± she complied, careful in how she shifted it around. ¡°Like this?¡± ¡°Uh-huh! I¡¯ll fix it in a bit¡ªprobably¡ªif I have leeway.¡± ¡°Got it!¡± ¡°Here we go, people!¡± Adam shouted, slapping his wings together. The Mankey and other stage crew disappeared into trapped doors or inside closets as the red light on the drone turned yellow, indicating they had five seconds before going live. Nova settled into her straw bed, her cloak half pulled off to show her partly messed up kimono. The light flipped green. Nova cracked open an eye, acting dizzy as she shifted a little, hearing Julia speak first. ¡°This¡­ isn¡¯t what we bargained for when¡ª¡± ¡°Shhh. They¡¯re waking up,¡± Adam growled. ¡°It looks like someone had a few too many drinks, Captain.¡± ¡°Ugh. Sleep Powder-filled gas bombs? Mmgm. What a night¡­ Princess, are you hurt?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Nova stumbled to her feet, shaking her head. ¡°Umm. A little rattled,¡± she choked, ¡°and my throat is dry. Julia?¡± ¡°I¡¯m¡­ okay,¡± she rasped, fake coughing. ¡°Umm. Who are you?¡± ¡°That¡¯s my question,¡± Argenti grunted, squinting in the faint candlelight. ¡°Wait¡­ I¡¯ll be a Jinx¡¯s mother¡ªAdam Becker. Scum of the underworld.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you face to face finally, War Hero,¡± Adam hooted, reaching up to tip a big hat he was wearing. ¡°To be frank, this is better than I originally planned!¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Argenti tapped the bars. ¡°Pure red coral¡­ practically indestructible. Pricy, too. Why do I get the ¡®I¡¯d win¡¯ treatment? I¡¯m just a washed-up officer.¡± ¡°Ho-ho-ho. I think we both know that isn¡¯t true, Captain,¡± Adam mused, his face sly. ¡°Dense as Steel, you may be, but I can chalk that up to your loss¡­ Who else knew that Valier was your long-lost mother?¡± Argenti slammed against the cage, tipping it over. ¡°Careful, assassin! The lock isn¡¯t red coral. Where did you get that information?¡± ¡°No, it is not,¡± Adam laughed, ¡°but blue coral is hard enough¡­ for as long as I need it to be. And I make it my business to know everything happening inside this kingdom, Captain, which is how I know that precious little student of yours is infatuated with you. It¡¯s sad, really, seeing how hard she tries to make your life easier, yet you just wallow at the bottom of your cup¡­ but that doesn¡¯t bother me.¡± His voice turned poisonous. ¡°No, what bothers me is how all these secrets in this kingdom have affected me. And do you know what affects me? Its collapse into civil war!¡± ¡°Civil war?¡± Nova choked, hopping up to put her paws against the bars. ¡°What are you talking about? I know things are bad, but are they really that bad¡ªJulia?¡± ¡°Worse¡­¡± the Raticate whispered, reaching up to remove the lock and pushing open her cage so she could step out. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Princess Nova, but¡­ I can¡¯t follow Princess Stella anymore. She was so kind, and¡ªand then the duke poisoned her mind. She learned the truth that your parents hid¡­¡± ¡°Hahaha.¡± Everyone turned to Argenti, who glared at them as he sat against the bars. ¡°So, a runaway princess, a disgraced noble girl¡ªwhose family is on the verge of collapse¡ªand the most vile assassin in the kingdom walk into a pub¡­ and talk about revolution? This has to be a joke.¡± ¡°Rich, coming from you,¡± Julia shouted, fire lighting in her voice as she stormed over to his cage. ¡°You have let all of this happen out of this suicidal feeling of guilt! You could stop all of it¡ªyou had the power to save the king and queen, but now they¡¯re dead!¡± ¡°What?!¡± Argenti floated up, voice sobering. ¡°Don¡¯t play with me, girl¡­ You¡¯re accusing Princess Stella of murdering her¡ª¡± Adam tossed a paper through the bars, and bells rang throughout the stadium, shouts coming from the street. ¡°The king and queen are dead! The duke¡¯s men are sieging the castle! To arms! To arms! It¡¯s a coup!¡± ¡°What?¡± Argenti looked stunned as the paper landed on the floor close enough for Nova to read it. ¡°How can that¡ªno! What is this garbage?!¡± he shouted, poking the letter and lifting it up to fling at the Noctowl. ¡°Let me out, or I will let myself out; I need to get to my men!¡± Adam laughed and ruffled his feathers, a few falling to the floor around him. ¡°It may not be my place to say, but would Valier really want this for you or for you to pick up your lance, fight what she died protecting, and find a nice girl¡ªmaybe Shiva; she seems willing to put up with your Muk, bless her¡ªand settle down, maybe fill a cup for her at the bar instead of using her as an excuse to fester in guilt?¡± Nova¡¯s body felt exhilarated at what she read; Rhea had written it. Finally, it was her time to shine. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ half-Flareon? My mom was a princess of Flareon?! That¡¯s Duke Tessar¡¯s seal¡­ My sister killed our parents?¡± Argenti snarled, pointed arm jabbing into the lock and snapping it like a flimsy piece of wood. ¡°You expect me to believe this garbage? You have two seconds to show me the proof before I run you through!¡± Julia walked over to a drawer and pulled out a Fire Stone from a drawer, lined with various Evolution Stone props. Shuffling back as Argenti flung open the cage, ¡°The truth is¡­ my family was chosen to care for Queen Flareon in secret while she was pregnant with you¡­ your real mother. The duke used his power to devastate my family for our loyalty, forcing us away from your side, but not all the nobility are aligned with the duke and your little sister¡­ This is proof.¡± She held out the stone through the bars, and when it touched her forehead. A blast of draconic energy ripped through the door, and Shiva rolled through, landing beside Argenti. ¡°Captain! We followed the feather trail that¡ªhuh?!¡± Serenity zipped forward to spin around her cage. ¡°Princess?!¡± Nova drew in Rhea¡¯s Fortitude, causing rainbow light to flood the room, and her smooth, dark skin sprouted obsidian fur that bloomed out of her tail and neck. Fire flared around her as she activated Flame Boost, causing her white fluff to weave with red whisps of energy. Ears twitching, fire embraced her, making Flame Charge shatter the iron bars holding her in as she stepped out of her cage. A little stunned, she lifted her paw and flicked her tail to the left, leaving a trail of fire. ¡°I am¡­ a Flareon¡­ and a Vaporeon?¡± Serenity tilted to the side again. ¡°I¡¯m¡­ lost. Umm. I think we have problems outside, though.¡± ¡°Captain?¡± Shiva whispered. ¡°The king and queen¡ªthey may still be alive¡ªthe duke¡¯s men are spreading the news that they¡¯re dead. It may not be true, but we need to get to the castle!¡± Argenti stared at her in disbelief, backing away as if seeing a monster and bumping into the wall. ¡°No¡­ No, that can¡¯t be¡­¡± ¡°Captain!¡± Shiva shouted, jumping forward to clasp him on both sides. ¡°We need you! I need you to be the hero I know you can be! Lead us into battle; the castle is under assault!¡± Nova set her ground. ¡°I¡¯m coming, too! I¡¯ll get through to Stella. She¡¯s my sister! It¡¯s the duke¡¯s fault. I have to save her!¡± Serenity floated higher. ¡°I¡¯d rather not lose the only friend I¡¯ve ever been able to make, so¡­ I guess I¡¯m coming, too. I can fight; you¡¯ve seen it.¡± ¡°Mhm! We can do¡ª¡± ¡°No!¡± Argenti shouted, silencing them and making Julia cower a little bit as she moved to stand between him and her, thinking he might attack her now that she was a Flareon. Yet, he placed a hand on Shiva¡¯s shoulder and floated toward the door. ¡°You will remain here, Princess. I¡¯m going to the front. Lieutenant¡­ Scum,¡± he growled at Adam, ¡°keep Princess Nova safe. If the king and queen are dead¡­ she¡¯s the next in line for the throne. I¡¯ll deal with the traitorous duke¡­¡± ¡°Captain, wait¡­ Captain¡­¡± Shiva¡¯s shoulders slumped, and she stepped aside as she saw the bloodlust in Argenti¡¯s eyes. He blurred, shooting through the broken doorway and into the night at an incredible speed. Serenity floated over to the drawer that Julia had used, pulling out various stones with her small flippers to smack Nova, hitting her on the forehead and making her wince. ¡°Hey! What are you doing?¡± ¡°This is how she turned you into a Flareon, right? Well, then it makes sense that¡ªfigured.¡± She gasped, huddling in as she, once again, pulled from Rhea¡¯s Fortitude, and returned to her Vaporeon form. ¡°Cool. So, we¡¯re totally not listening to the drunk knight, right? Don¡¯t you have to follow the princess¡¯ orders first, knight lady?¡± Shiva blinked, still in shock, it seemed. ¡°Uh¡­ I¡­ guess so?¡± Nova grinned. ¡°Good! Put those two stones in a bag, Julia. We¡¯re going to save the kingdom! Are you with us, Adam?!¡± Adam¡¯s feathers ruffled slightly, leaving more to litter the ground. ¡°I hate it when I molt¡­ No.¡± ¡°Excuse me?¡± Nova mumbled. ¡°No?¡± ¡°No.¡± He jumped to the window. ¡°I work alone. I have my own agenda. Have fun, Princess. Our business is concluded, Lady Julia. My debt is paid.¡± With that, he took off into the night, leaving a whirlwind of feathers. Nova only paused for a second before smiling at the unsure knight, her first friend, and her loyal lady-in-waiting. ¡°Muk him! Let¡¯s go save our kingdom! Charge!¡± ¡°Time.¡± Nova froze with everyone around her as Sabrina spoke through the speakers, and boos were heard throughout the stadium, making Erika giggle. ¡°Unfortunately, you have hit your performance limit, contestants. I am happy to say that I managed to remain engaged throughout the entire impromptu script! I am enthralled by this development. It could be a movie.¡± ¡°Indeed, indeed!¡± Mr. Raoul Contesta added, nodding vigorously as they exited the building to look up at the screens; the veil of snow cleared up, and Sunny Day quickly warmed the stadium. ¡°In fact, I believe we may be able to have this picked up as a movie deal! We¡¯ll have to discuss it later. In any case, let¡¯s give a round of applause to our contestants! Please, take the stage! Once we have recognized our wonderful talent, we will deliver our verdict!¡± B4 — 20. Impromptu Verdict
    3:43 p.m. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    Rhea felt a little apprehensive as the Psychic Grandmaster floated into the air. ¡°I believe this performance deserves a proper exit. Please make your way down to the stage.¡± They descended their side platform as pink outlines enclosed the whole set, spreading it apart and providing a stage for them to be seen. Sabrina¡¯s illuminated figure drew eyes as she spoke, lifting the platform with her powers to allow the audience a full view of them. She stepped forward with the other contestants, Lulu bouncing on her head and waving. When Mr. Raoul called their names, she joined them in bowing or curtsying. Serenity and Nova hopped forward with them, mirroring the other Pokemon, who performed their own unique gestures. ¡°¡­And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen,¡± Erika chimed. ¡°Let¡¯s hear it for our stars, background cast, and stage crew. Oh, dear, we can¡¯t forget, Lieutenant Shiva, Sabrina. I am most interested in hearing your thoughts on the performance and the choice to so heavily push a background character into a more prominent role. This is my favorite part in an Improv Drama.¡± ¡°Indeed, indeed, Lady Erika!¡± Mr. Raoul cheered, the spotlight shining over the smiling Alolan Sandslash and her grinning Trainer, waving at the crowd as Sabrina lifted them out of the background crew. ¡°What a fascinating choice, Rhea. You dedicated quite a bit of your time to developing that plot point while setting up your big transformation, and Amira supported the direction¡ªeven Argenti and Sir Something-Or-Other fed into the direction choice.¡± Sabrina chuckled, pulling the audience¡¯s eyes as she leaned against her fist in her air chair. ¡°Rhea knew that all the restrictions piling up on Nova throughout the drama were going to severely limit Nova¡¯s actions, and so she pushed the narrative into a side romance and redemption arc for Argenti. It was a clever move. It also gave her the time to come up with that final scene. Bravo. I¡¯d expect no less planning from the girl who obtained my Encrusted Badge.¡± Rhea felt Butterfree swell within her belly at the praise, Nova squealing inside and asking if she thought her mom liked their performance. Rhea couldn¡¯t see through the tinted glass box of the VIP section, where her parents and the current Champion watched, but she was sure Ambrosia was strangling her Trainer with excited glee to get her paws on her daughter. Erika giggled and teasingly nudged her best friend. ¡°Surely there is no bias there. Let¡¯s be objective. Personally, I thought Princess Stella and Prince Isoroku Yamamoto were an excellent pair, spinning their side of the story in the background of the main conflict. Although Nova is an integral part of this narrative, Rhea¡¯s work setting up a major shift in the second act was quite engaging near the end.¡± Mr. Raoul¡¯s chest shook as the Steenee curtsied, and the princely-dressed man bowed at the comment. ¡°But of course, but of course, Lady Erika¡ªno bias as the Grass Specialist Grandmaster of Kanto. Surely not! Go on, contestants, give us your opinions on your performance, and your thoughts on the directions your opponents and co-stars took in this engaging drama. I must say that I adored Shiva¡¯s performance and the longing, divide, and desire that was played between her and her captain!¡± He looked up at the online voting boards as the audience¡¯s thoughts on certain aspects of the performance were counted. ¡°It seems we can start with one of the fan favorites,¡± the judge said, the spotlight shining over the slightly nervous young woman. ¡°Lady Kate and Lady Julia Sinister, 1st Daughter of the Lesser Noble House of Ratatouille! Give the audience your voice.¡± Kate held her tight hands at the front of her orange and tan-themed kimono, sounding a little nervous at all the attention; Rhea wasn¡¯t quite sure, but Nova really liked this woman from whatever her Raticate had said. ¡°In truth, I had planned on betraying Princess Nova at the start of our narrative, and that she would be kidnapped as a part of some elaborate plot that Harvy and I came up with before the play, but as time went on and Rhea wrote me, uh, hehe, this letter, proposing something¡­ really cool, despite us being opponents. ¡°Julia really started to connect with Nova and liked the idea of her house being part of this big conspiracy to cover up the former queen actually being a Flareon. It really sparked questions about the war and how it started or ended.¡± She glanced over at Rhea, and Rhea smiled and waved. ¡°It was¡­ really brave and daring of Rhea to give me the direction she was trying to go since we could then sabotage it. To be honest, it wasn¡¯t a lot that she suggested, but it was enough that I thought it would be a better direction for the performance than what I had planned, so I played into it¡­ admittedly, restricting Nova to a more delicate position than Rhea wanted to let Julia shine more.¡± ¡°High praise for your opponent,¡± Erika clapped. ¡°I did find the twist that Princess Stella knew the truth about her sister and felt threatened, partly due to prejudice and fear of Fire Pokemon¡ªbeing a Grass-Type¡ªand the dynamic that played was a fascinating choice for you all to play into. It was an angle of manipulation the nobles could use against the princess to turn her against her half-sister. It was adorable when you had Nova say she would save her sister at the end. Very wholesome how I see this story ending.¡± ¡°Once again, back to the Grass-Type,¡± Sabrina mused, getting a light glare from her best friend. ¡°Princess Stella certainly did have a few wonderful scenes involving her mother and father, and it is not all wholesome and rainbows since she froze and is uncertain about her path after the duke killed her parents. ¡°That being said, Julia was very attentive, and the nervousness in her acting was genuine. She truly did feel the responsibility for protecting Princess Nova and struggled with what it would mean to tell her the truth about her mother. The conflicted emotion of how the princess would take the news or believe her at all. The guilt she felt for plotting to kidnap her charge, and how she couldn¡¯t be 100% certain that she could trust the infamous Noctowl.¡± Mr. Raoul nodded emphatically. ¡°Mmmh-Mmh! Speaking of the Noctowl, what were your thoughts on the Improv Contest as a veteran in the scene, Harvy, and Adam Becker? While you didn¡¯t have much time in the scene, your narration was top-class. How did you see the play in its progression?¡± Harvy and Adam were brought up to take Kate¡¯s place, and he held out a hand for her to high-five on the way down, getting attention from the crowd and making Rhea smile with the warm fuzzies. He cupped his chin, staring around at the crowd, the cameras, and finally settling on the judges. ¡°It was excellent, in my opinion, Mr. Raoul. Adam and I attempt to enhance every performance we are a part of, whether playing a background role, as the primary star, or perhaps the villain; we go where the wind takes us. ¡°I thought the direction of a typical, and, to be frank, quite dull princess kidnapping to hostage situation would have been quite anti-climatic, which is why a solid impromptu cast can take that motif and build upon it in grand fashion. I was not disappointed in my co-stars. We each enter the stage with a basic understanding of the setting and branch out into dazzling new paths. ¡°I will fully admit that I do not believe our performance in the drama was particularly noteworthy. I took on a supporting role for Kate and Julia. We were happy to allow her the spotlight to show her inner spirit because this was her sole big act before she was forced to retire for financial reasons. While she is limited, I have plenty of Contests ahead of me.¡± Kate and Julia stiffened at the comment, no doubt not expecting her partner to talk about that, which could be very embarrassing¡ªher pink cheeks showed it¡ªbut Harvy moved right along, though, giving his unfiltered thoughts. ¡°That being said, Serenity and Lady Amira Rocket displaying the hidden powers the Feebas showcased were quite compelling, narrative-wise,¡± he added, glancing down at the graceful redhead next to Rhea. ¡°I can only imagine where she was going with that angle, but I can see a few rather compelling twists, and there were already a few excellent twists revealed. I would certainly love to see this story through.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a way to tug at the heartstrings and prompt crowdfunding for a movie,¡± Erika chirped. ¡°There were a lot of potential twists that I could see happening, but I am intrigued by this romance angle you took, Rhea. With Nova being so heavily restricted in the scenes, you chose an angle I haven¡¯t seen too often in Improv Contests¡­ You shone a spotlight on the developing drama itself rather than your Pokemon.¡± Rhea winced as the light fell over her, and she took Harvy¡¯s place, Nova swapping to her Flareon form in a dazzling rainbow glow to the claps and cheers from the crowd. They glanced down at her competition and teammate with a real smile, flashing her teeth. She felt more alive and nervous since she was happy with their performance, regardless of the outcome. ¡°Personally, I entered this Contest mostly because I wanted to have fun. Our first Contest was¡­ eh-hehe, a bit rough, as some viewers might have seen. We¡¯ve come a long way since Gardenia City. We came into this drama wanting to be princesses, and we got that dream, so we wanted to make the story as good as we could! ¡°Nova really liked Julia, and she felt so bad for Shiva, so¡­ she kind of forced me to really put a lot into that romance drama since I think she wants justice for Shiva.¡± She giggled and knelt down to rub Nova¡¯s fluffy neck, making her chirp. ¡°Nova going from a shut-in princess kind of resonates with me a little since I was so cooped up growing up. Having the princess sneak out and meet new friends was kind of a childhood dream of mine that I pulled from, and now I have amazing friends! Shiva being added to the scene fit so well, and she was so good at the part that I had to see her get her guy¡­ Maybe I¡¯m just a sucker for romance right now because I¡¯m in a relationship.¡± ¡°Cute,¡± Erika whispered, yawning and causing everyone to look at her with concern. ¡°False alarm. I¡¯m awake. I¡¯m awake.¡± The Psychic¡¯s eyes narrowed with a smirk. ¡°The drama you can cause, Erika. Hmm-hmm-hmm. I don¡¯t know if that is the best thing to announce over television, Rhea, but it certainly is cute. Your letter to Kate and the one you added to the scene from the duke set a lot in motion. The unique colored Vaporeon and Flareon, with the ability to swap between forms, made for a twist unlike any other the Contest Scene has seen. Excellent use of your gifts.¡± Mr. Raoul leaned forward, excitement on his face as he held a hand to his ear, listening to something on his headset, yet didn¡¯t expand on it. ¡°Very true, Lady Erika and Grandmaster Sabrina. Hmm. I can see the talent that all of you possess! ¡°Lady Amira! When I saw your name on the contestant list, I was not expecting this kind of character portrayal. The ugly, poor orphan, who has hidden powers and a mysterious past that she doesn¡¯t want to reveal. How did she get this confidence in herself? What is she hiding¡ªthis mysterious coral miner who keeps her head down until the need arises? I did enjoy the bribe attempt, which showed more of her character and personality. She isn¡¯t stupid.¡± Amira stepped forward, Mariah in her arms and Serenity by her side. Her rags swayed with her movements, and she came to a stop after bumping elbows with Rhea in passing. They¡¯d done great, despite how little they¡¯d been able to show off their Pokemon due to the restrictions the others placed on them in the narrative. ¡°There isn¡¯t much for me to tell. Serenity is a mystery, and she will remain so unless another narrative demands that I reveal her secrets. How she met Princess Nova, who her family was, and why they lost everything during the war is shrouded in the mists she can bring. I will leave it to your imagination.¡± Sabrina¡¯s glowing eyes glittered in the overhead display. ¡°The enigma with layers to be extracted and molded. A wonderful character within the narrative to provide a new angle when required. Bravo.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Erika¡¯s left eye creased. ¡°Yes, Serenity¡¯s actions showed us that she is not to be taken lightly¡ªdraconic powers, a sharp mind, and an understanding of the streets, while also being loyal to those who are loyal to her. However, what of your narration itself, Lady Amira? You cannot deny that Rhea only had the chance to expound and guide this story because of your additions. If it had not been for you, the final scene might not have happened for Nova to transform.¡± Amira shifted her head to the side, a thoughtful note in her throat. ¡°Perhaps not, but, as was said, this is a team competition. Our goal was to create a compelling story, not to show off our individual Pokemon and their sole acting ability. It is a drama of twists and turns. I think we each covered weaknesses that the other hadn¡¯t foreseen, including our opponents. After all, the story and its active scenes come first before the struggle to stand out.¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Well said,¡± Raoul roared. ¡°Now, what about our sole performer in the castle and the dark underground tunnels beneath it, Prince Isoroku Yamamoto? By the way, I love acting out your character as a prince to match your princess! Her jealousy and the nobles¡¯ clear manipulation, with the added spectrum of her remaining a redeemable character, was a nice touch.¡± Isoroku cleared his voice and held his hands behind his back while glancing down at Nova and her. ¡°Princess Stella and I had hoped for her to be the sole royal in this competition, but we were pleasantly surprised by Princess Nova¡¯s introduction. I am only saddened that we weren¡¯t able to see the full drama unfold because we were getting excited about the upcoming acts. We had a twist for the duke¡¯s actions and the reasons behind them that would have been breathtaking. That is all I will say since we didn¡¯t really interact with the other contestants all that much.¡± ¡°Fair evaluation,¡± Mr. Raoul nodded, his grin widening. ¡°That being said, you cannot downplay the background motif you shifted into place for the coming scene. There is so much to expand upon in this world you have all created. Obviously, one of our judges was impressed by Princess Stella¡¯s solo act within the castle catacombs and the character she manifested for us.¡± Erika tilted her head to the side, a small smile lifting her painted lips. ¡°There was certainly room for improvement for everyone, regardless of my own enjoyment of the play. That being said, the true joy surrounding an impromptu play made into screenwriting is the ability to refine the base material. From what you were given, it is quite impressive for a Rookie Contest, even a ranked one. And, Rhea, I am also quite enthralled by the romance aspect. What of our Captain and his Trainer?¡± Sir Something-Or-Other stepped forward, showing a dashing bow. ¡°The story of a fallen knight¡¯s redemption is a story classic. The strong female love interest who is willing and able to fight alongside her man is one that resonates with us. I will wholly agree that Rhea¡¯s attention to Shiva really brought Captain Argenti¡¯s tale to life. Personally, I¡¯d like to see the princess and Serenity help our Lieutenant past her troubled heart to rescue her captain, bringing back the man she loves to face the villain behind the scenes with the others supporting him.¡± Whispers swept the throng as they discussed their various ideas and insights, and Sabrina ended the discussion. ¡°A splendid play. We will discuss amongst ourselves for a minute and decide our rankings¡­¡± The minute felt like an eternity as the three judges spoke silently within the limelight, making hand gestures and tapping the screen in front of them, where they each adjusted the ratings they¡¯d give them. When they finished, Erika delivered the final verdict. ¡°Hmm. A hard decision on some aspects, and potentially a controversial one,¡± she chuckled. ¡°As the viewers know, this is a team competition, and one meant to support and complement one another. Therefore, all participants will be given the rank of Bronze to Gold, and at the end of the night, all Silver-tier Improv contestant performances will be graded in like-fashion.¡± She showed a pained smile as the lights flashed on Kate and Harvy, making the woman¡¯s shoulders slump. ¡°In Bronze, we have Kate, Julia, Harvy, and Adam. Yes, you had a wonderful story, and Julia performed well in her parts, but your continual push to put more restrictions on your opposition rather than focus on the story itself decreases your score. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, dears, but Harvy¡¯s support was only given near the end and was more of a solo act to help your story and character, Kate; it just wasn¡¯t enough to offset the negative aspects of trapping the princess in a box during the narration, pushing Julia to the forefront. A focus more on your competition¡¯s character than the impromptu story itself.¡± Kate¡¯s throat constricted as she tried to hold it together, making Rhea¡¯s heart break. She remembered her own experience in Pewter Gym and Gardenia City. ¡°That is¡­ entirely understandable. I was¡ªno, that¡¯s perfectly understandable. Thank you for this opportunity.¡± Harvy didn¡¯t blink at the verdict, seemingly expecting it, or he was just a lot more accustomed to dealing with a stage like this. ¡°It was fantastic to work with the other talents. I hope to improve upon my next Contest.¡± The light faded, showing over both Rhea¡¯s and Isoroku¡¯s groups. She held her breath, knowing both men had done quite a bit for the story, from inventing the Flareon War to filling out their opposition and villains to creating compelling characters in the narrative, while Argenti had a lot of story importance. Mr. Raoul breathed out a laugh. ¡°It was fairly challenging to determine who would receive gold in this performance and have a shot at the Bronze Key at the end of the night. However, objectively, in this narrative, one Pokemon is instrumental in its progression, yet chose to play a more supportive role in the first act in order to build a more powerful story¡­ Rhea and Amira, you will move on to the final evaluation of this Improv Rookie Contest to be eligible to receive the Bronze Key.¡± The light over Isoroku¡¯s group faded, and the two men sighed as needles cascaded up Rhea¡¯s arms. When the drama ended, she had not expected to win, but the possibility kept rising the more the judges explained their reasons and judging criteria. Clapping was heard across the stadium, yet Rhea saw sour expressions. They no doubt thought there was bias at play because of who she and Amira were. Sabrina¡¯s words addressed the controversy, though, as the lights over Isoroku¡¯s group reignited. ¡°While you did not put so much emphasis on restricting your competition over the Contest drama and plot, much of your narrative substance came from Rhea and Amira. It was a close vote between us, and both of your stories have a lot of intertwining future potential in the tale itself. That being said, it was not Nova¡¯s transformation at the end that decided it, but the note that was added by Rhea, which provided so much potential to the duke, nobility, war, and royal family storyline. That is our verdict.¡± Isoroku nodded as the microphone floated to him. ¡°Completely understandable. I doubt Rhea and Amira would have won had they not had the unique advantages of their Pokemon, but that is also a part of the impromptu format¡ªto make the best of what you have to create an enticing story. I suppose you could say that it was a skill issue on our part for not outshining their narratives. A valuable lesson.¡± Sabrina didn¡¯t seem convinced he understood her point by the smile she gave him. ¡°We are each entitled to our opinions.¡± Sir Something-Or-Other took the handed-over microphone and chuckled, shifting around his armor as his Calvary Pokemon floated next to him. ¡°I don¡¯t even mind losing because of the fun Argenti and I had in this tale. It really did resonate with us, and can I just shout out Shiva for being such an amazing actress for a background character. She really stepped up to the stage and made it her own, getting on Argenti¡¯s back to man up and take responsibility. I liked it.¡± With that, Rhea was directed off the stage, and cheers followed them as Sabrina¡¯s voice entered all of their minds, including their Pokemon. ¡°Excellent work, all of you. As a bonus, it seems a director in Hollywood was in attendance. He is a fan of my work in Unova and has constantly been asking for me to do a movie for him.¡± All of them almost tripped as they made their way into the locker room. ¡°He wants to work out a deal with you to acquire the rights to use your creative property since your work here is protected under copyright. Well, if I agree to join the cast¡­ and I have. He is waiting for you in the second room on your right. Good luck. Nothing moves forward until you all give your permission.¡± A movie?! Us?! she asked her Pokemon in shock, Nova practically jumping for joy as Lulu spun around her neck. No way, does that mean¡ªoh, she¡¯s not in our minds anymore. Rhea¡¯s gaze shifted to Kate as the woman held her stomach, her Raticate comfortingly rubbing her leg. It didn¡¯t take long for Nova to swap legs and talk to the rat, their connection transferring concern. Sir Something-Or-Other¡ªwhatever his name was¡ªand his partner were chatting excitedly, but Amira wore a frown she¡¯d seen all too often on the redhead; she was expecting a catch, and the Rocket girl had experience in these kinds of circles. The truth came when they entered the room to three men, each in their mid-40s. The person she assumed was the director jumped forward, but only to shake Amira and her hands. ¡°Girls, girls, wow, what a show! What a story! Imagine this, Nova¡ªthe brilliant star of a kingdom divided, her past heritage unknown, and staring in a production with her father! Vee and Red have already agreed to it if Nova were to sign on. I¡¯m talking a budget in the hundreds of millions of credits¡ªprominent stars from across the scene¡ªthe best actors and actresses in the business!¡± ¡°W-What?!¡± Rhea choked. ¡°Hold up! Hold up! Vee¡ªNova hasn¡¯t even met her dad yet. This is really a lot to¡ª¡± ¡°No need to rush! No need to rush! We can have dinner and discuss it¡ªmy treat,¡± he swiftly interjected. The other four contestants all gave each other looks before shuffling off to the side as he just pushed forward. ¡°Naturally, having Rocket¡¯s connections will push it to the moon! Of course, Serenity will have the exact spot in this play. We can storyboard later! Anyway, what do you say? I have the contract already being drawn up,¡± he asked with a toothy grin. Amira placed a hand on Rhea¡¯s arm and pulled her back a little, taking the conversation. ¡°I think it sounds like a wonderful initial offer, Mr. Ayn Rand. I can contact my lawyers to get in touch with your own after we iron things out. We will reschedule with you for, say¡­ Friday?¡± She showed a sweet smile. ¡°We have plans already to dine with Champion Elaine, among other prominent figures that we cannot move for this.¡± Ayn blinked as she shut him down, and Rhea cleared her voice, trying to keep up. ¡°Also, I won¡¯t join the production unless all of us are invited, especially Kate and Julia. We do it as a team!¡± She saw the older woman¡¯s throat constrict and eyes water, and she held back tears as her Raticate held her leg, trying not to shake. Her other two opponents looked entirely taken aback by her insistence. However, Harvy promptly canceled his role in the play. ¡°I¡¯d be happy to sell my shares in the title for an acceptable payout. I have other goals than becoming a Hollywood star.¡± ¡°Naturally¡­ naturally,¡± Ayn muttered, not looking so thrilled now as he considered a few things. ¡°Their acting roles could be quite¡­ demanding for their talents when there are already very renowned actors and actresses that can take the roles. You would be voicing your own Pokemon, after all¡­¡± Amira took out her phone and began scrolling through her contacts. ¡°Which is why you will generously offer lessons for them, as you would for us¡­ at least when everything is drawn together. Productions like this take time to get the ball moving. We can work on the complete storyboard through email and texts. In the meantime, we have places to be. We can exchange our numbers and work out a proper deal on Friday with my lawyers present.¡± ¡°Sounds quite reasonable, Ms. Rocket,¡± he quickly returned, adding a fake smile. ¡°If that is the case, then¡­ Mr¡­.¡± ¡°Harvy.¡± ¡°Mr. Harvy, why don¡¯t we dine at the newly opened gourmet restaurant nearby and discuss your share in this creative work?¡± Amira guided them out and toward the divided locker rooms without much more communication between them. Although, the moment the door shut, Rhea jumped on the redhead. ¡°That was¡­ crazy!¡± ¡°Flare-Flare!¡± ¡°He really got Red and Vee on board¡ªNova¡¯s dad?¡± she asked, spotting Kate white-faced and trying to remain on her feet at the opportunity that just struck her in the face. ¡°Of course, he didn¡¯t,¡± Amira chuckled, her ruby eyes sparkling. ¡°Ayn Rand is notorious in Hollywood. Yes, he produces huge movies that hit the box office with massive numbers, but most of his films never make it off the ground because of how many promises he makes. He wants my grandpa¡¯s support because it is a sure shot for the ridiculous funding he needs. It¡¯s business; he doesn¡¯t care about the movie. He cares about the names it could bring, including your mother, Nova, the current Champion¡¯s Ace.¡± ¡°Flare¡­¡± Nova huffed, spewing a few flames from her mouth at being used to get to her parents. ¡°Flareon?¡± Rhea rubbed the back of her neck as they paused in front of the divide between the female and male locker rooms. The two men listened intently to Amira¡¯s expertise in the scene. ¡°So, he¡¯s going to try to cut out everyone but you and me?¡± Amira tilted her head to the side while giving Kate an apologetic frown. ¡°Sorry to say, Rhea, but it¡¯s business. It has a far better chance of getting views by having names people recognize, and your family stands at the top of the Trainer world while mine stands at the top of business. It¡¯s a sure-fire bet that it will pull numbers. ¡°No offense, but Kate is a nobody. This kind of shot is¡­ one in a billion, and only you are going to be able to make that happen, Rhea. So, be prepared for them to try to pay you off, Kate, or¡­ maybe even darker tactics to get you off the project. Something like this¡­ a lot of money is on the line. That¡¯s the best I can do to warn you.¡± The redhead turned and put a hand on her hip, giving that confrontational look that said she was about to say something she didn¡¯t think Rhea would like. ¡°I¡¯m dubious to think this will even work for us, Rhea. I don¡¯t plan on giving up the Gym Challenge or becoming a Trainer to be an actress. Yes, that is privilege talking,¡± she bluntly stated. ¡°I could be an actress whenever I want; I can get a role on almost any set. It isn¡¯t a big deal to me, and that¡¯s the truth. I don¡¯t care about money or fame. I enjoy traveling with you and exploring while we grow as Trainers. I am not going to give up Training for something like this. I have your back, Rhea, but I can¡¯t say the same for Kate. This is on you to make it work if you want it to move forward, and I know Lori will be in the same boat as me.¡± Rhea set her ground and nodded as the redhead smiled at her and gave a parting wave, entering the locker room to contact her lawyer, leaving them outside. The men looked at one another, considering Amira¡¯s words before thanking her, exchanging numbers, and going to their own locker room. Kate fidgeted with her hands, looking as if she were about to vomit. ¡°Umm. Thank you for sticking up for me¡­ even if I tied Nova down so much in the Contest. Being an actress¡ªin Hollywood? I, umm¡­ It¡¯s a dream I¡¯ve had¡ªbigger than Contests even¡­ I¡¯ll have to think about it, though, because¡­ Yeah, he doesn¡¯t want me. He wants you.¡± Rhea held back her own tears and opened her arms, making the girl force a laugh and accept her hug. ¡°Hey! I¡¯m all about making dreams come true. Nova likes Julia and wants to help you guys. Plus, no sleazy director is going to force me into having her lady-in-waiting be anyone else but the person Nova is connected to! So, trust. I¡¯m on your side. Okay?¡± ¡°Okay¡­ Thank you, Rhea. I think I¡¯m going to join your fan club,¡± she cried, unable to hold back her tears any longer. ¡°This is like¡­ the worst and best day of my life! I thought¡­ I thought it was over for us.¡± ¡°Good things happen to good people!¡± Rhea comforted, hugging her tighter. ¡°Even if we were opponents, Julia was nice and encouraging to Nova, and we needed that after our last Contest. Friends?¡± ¡°Hah! Like I¡¯d say no after what you just did for me? Thank you, Rhea¡­ I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m a mess!¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay! Want to go to dinner with us? I¡¯m sure Sabrina will get in contact with us if we win; she¡¯s actually a softy,¡± she winked. ¡°But, shhhh. You didn¡¯t hear it from me!¡± Laughing with the crying woman, Rhea followed her inside past the next contestants, who had fear on their faces and were no doubt wondering if it had really been that brutal of a Contest. Rhea felt on Cloud Nine, though. She had another friend, a Contest friend who would soon enter the actress scene. B4 — 21. Surprise Party!
    4:23 p.m. October 22nd, Thursday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 135. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (43 days away).
    Getting cleaned up with Amira and Kate, Rhea passively texted Jason and her father about what had happened. It would still be a few hours before any results were called for the winner of the Contest Bronze Key. She chatted with Kate as they changed into more casual clothes, and Amira continued setting up tomorrow¡¯s meeting with the Hollywood director. Apparently, she¡¯d made it to the Bronze League Cup when she was eighteen and placed eighth, which wasn¡¯t bad. Yet, she and her Pokemon found more joy from Contests than straight battles, so they¡¯d tried to transition. Making money in Silver-tier by betting against teams dedicated to the Battle Scene was tough for them, but they¡¯d managed to scrape by on a strict budget until six months ago, when they finally had to start taking out loans. A Trainer could only make it long-term in the Battle Scene at Gold-tier, and they weren¡¯t close to that. All of that was about to change with this actress role, though! If she managed to get into a movie like this, besides other huge actors, even as a supporting role to the main lead princess of the film, then her career would be set. Flipping out her hair from the back of her dress, she did a final check in the changing room mirror, adding some chapstick, and smiled. ¡°Done! Lulu¡­¡± ¡°Nee-ne!¡± The puffball took the chapstick before she could return it to her small purse and smeared it over her mouth, mirroring her. ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Yes, yes, we¡¯re beautiful,¡± Rhea giggled, accepting it back and putting it away. ¡°This isn¡¯t meant to make your lips stand out, though. That¡¯s lipstick or lip gloss.¡± ¡°Nee¡­¡± Rhea zipped her purse closed as the curious Cosmog stared down at the items inside before she could get any ideas. Exiting the stall, she finished putting her expensive kimono away inside the portable closet, several fascinated women observing and asking her about the item. During the process, she saw Nova and Julia talking off to the side; Amira¡¯s Pokemon were locked in conversation with Alice and Mya, discussing food, or so she gathered from their connection. Once everything was packed up and they were ready to leave, she texted her parents and boyfriend to let them know they were coming out. Jason decided to surprise her, though. Rhea tilted her head to the side as she stopped in front of Kate and Amira, staring at his message. ¡°Huh. Not what I expected for a celebration dinner.¡± ¡°What is it?¡± Kate asked, still looking somewhat nervous to be joining her group. ¡°Is there a problem?¡± Amira lifted an eyebrow as she scooted over to read the holographic display. ¡°A popular high-end karaoke restaurant downtown? I¡¯m not opposed. It¡¯s more than just a bar and less than a full formal experience. Why would Jason choose this place, though?¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach spun at the redhead¡¯s leading question and thoughtful stare. ¡°He¡­ wants to sing a song with me? That could be fun! We¡¯ve been singing a lot, and I¡­ don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever heard Jason sing before.¡± ¡°That¡¯s cute,¡± Kate whispered, playing with her cuticles and clearing her throat. ¡°I¡¯m not¡­ terrible, but I¡¯m no professional. Mmm. I probably should start practicing if I¡¯m going to start acting, right?¡± ¡°It wouldn¡¯t hurt,¡± Rhea agreed, tapping on the restaurant link to see the classy, small rooms inside the restaurant. ¡°He booked a pretty cool room. Oh, do you think he¡¯s secretly super good, like you, Amira?!¡± Amira chuckled as they exited through the back hallway to escape any traffic and notice. ¡°Like me? No. I¡¯ve had professional lessons since I was young from the best vocalist instructors in the industry. I can see him practicing while in Kalos, though. If I remember right, I thought I heard a comment somewhere about Serena enjoying karaoke.¡± Rhea found her elbow behind her back, excitement bubbling up in her chest. ¡°Probably from my random Gossip comments when we were traveling.¡± She got an entertained side look from the redhead as she held the door open for her to proceed into the Contest Hall¡¯s clean back alleyway that would take them to the Saffron streets. ¡°You do like your gossip, despite being featured in it quite a bit recently.¡± ¡°That must be fun,¡± Kate said, glancing back at their Pokemon, tagging behind them. ¡°Don¡¯t we need to recall some of them to not clog up the sidewalks? Sorry, I can¡¯t really afford to get a fine.¡± ¡°It¡¯s a fair point,¡± Amira nodded, recalling Serenity and Amber as Holly floated up to wrap around her Trainer¡¯s neck. ¡°Rhea and I can¡¯t recall Lulu and Mariah, though. How long do we have until we¡¯re supposed to meet them at the restaurant?¡± Double-checking her messages as Mya and Nova returned to their Poke Balls, leaving Alice to walk beside her, Rhea shook her head. ¡°About thirty minutes, so not much time. Why?¡± Amira shrugged as they entered traffic. ¡°I needed to stop by a store to restock on a few items, but it isn¡¯t that important. We can go with Lori when she returns tomorrow. She¡¯ll be happy we¡¯re going to warmer places for the next week or two. By the way, is Jason going to be coming with us, and are you planning to have your battle with him tomorrow before or after the meeting about the movie?¡± Rhea slowed, her mind slowly integrating everything that was happening tomorrow. ¡°Right¡­ I told Jason he had to beat me tomorrow. Lori comes off her farming thirst-trap mission with Miky, the movie Muk, and we need to get ready to travel to Celadon City for Erika¡¯s Badge.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need to stress,¡± Amira soothed, looking up at the partially clouded sky as the cool Autumn breeze swept by them. ¡°I¡¯m sure we could catch a teleport to Celadon with Erika since she¡¯d need to go back on Saturday. I¡¯ve already messaged Sabrina about it, and she said it wouldn¡¯t be a problem; it also saves us money.¡± Rhea laughed, lightly bumping into the redhead. ¡°You¡¯re so good at helping us save money. I don¡¯t know where I¡¯d be without you. What are you going to do, Kate?¡± The quiet pink-haired woman scratched her neck and looked off to the side. ¡°I was going to move back home with my dad and find a job to pay off my debts if I didn¡¯t win¡­ but now I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll be doing if I get this acting job.¡± Amira pressed the button at the crosswalk at an intersection as they waited for the light to change. ¡°I do. Your Pokemon and your lives will become a living nightmare, and you¡¯ll be flying back to Viridian tomorrow night. You will have zero time to yourself, be on a strict diet, and be engrossed in over six months¡¯ worth of insanity-inducing study of the trade.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest felt the weight of every point like a nail being hammered into her chest. ¡°It, eh-hehe, can¡¯t be that bad, right?¡± she asked, seeing the lump drop down Kate¡¯s throat as she envisioned the future the Rocket-girl laid out. ¡°You think so?¡± Amira smirked and shook her head as they followed the crowd across the street. ¡°I¡¯m downplaying it, by the way. I know Ayn is full of it, but we¡¯re still talking about a production with up to hundreds of millions of dollars sunk into it¡ªof my Grandfather¡¯s money, no less¡ªand you don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be micromanaged down to the shoes you were out in public? Image is everything to idols and actresses¡ªeven more than males. And the hate¡­¡± ¡°Hate?¡± Kate mumbled, now sounding nervous as her Raticate jumped into her arms to listen to the sobering reality they were stepping into. ¡°I do remember seeing a lot of hate articles about you growing up.¡± Rhea¡¯s lips drew in, thinking back to all the Gossip articles she¡¯d read about Amira¡¯s life before the laws changed and she became basically blacklisted on news sites without threat of being sued. There were ways that they got around it, not mentioning her by name but calling her ¡®The Rocket Girl¡¯ in some kind of loophole. Amira rolled her eyes and pulled Mariah up to nuzzle her cheek as they turned onto the long street that would take them to the downtown restaurant. ¡°I¡¯m not talking about publications. You¡¯re not going to be in a star role. Rhea will take that spotlight. No, I¡¯m talking about the wealth of women you¡¯re cutting the line on¡ªwomen who have been working for this kind of role their entire careers for you¡ªa nobody¡ªto get in on recommendation.¡± She directed a cautionary look at Kate. ¡°You will not enter the scene with any friends and many enemies. The director will be indifferent to you, so you will need to grow a backbone and fight for what you want. This is a cutthroat industry, which is why that smart boy who backed out decided to use the leverage Rhea gave him to shoot for something more realistic.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Kate hugged Julia close, clearly stressed by her Aura and making Rhea a tad stressed just listening to what Amira described. Her experienced teammate was one to lay it on heavy at the start before smoothing things out, though. Amira¡¯s expression softened. ¡°That being said, it is a life-changing opportunity that will put gold in your name for agencies to want to pursue you. You just need to learn the delicate art of shutting up and letting go of what others say. Let your success be your weapon. I will give you a few agencies I¡¯m favorable toward to get in contact with.¡± The woman¡¯s blue eyes widened. ¡°You¡¯d do that for me?¡± Rhea giggled. ¡°Amira is the best!¡± ¡°Not¡­ exactly,¡± the redhead denied. ¡°I didn¡¯t say I was going to recommend you, but at least these agencies are less predatory than the ones you¡¯re bound to get wrapped up in otherwise. If you are going to make it, you can¡¯t attach yourself to Rhea¡¯s name or else you will be brushed to the side the moment she isn¡¯t involved. You have to make a name for yourself out of this, and that is going to be a living nightmare at the beginning.¡± ¡°But¡­¡± Rhea chirped, trying to find the silver lining. ¡°If she can make it through the tough parts, then her dream will come true, right? Right?¡± Amira¡¯s lips became a line, looking forward and taking a few seconds to respond. ¡°¡­She¡¯ll have a chance to break out from your shadow if she puts herself out there. I can¡¯t say anything more. You will need to do a lot more work, as well, Rhea, unless¡­ Hmm.¡± Rhea jumped on her teammate¡¯s random thought like a triple-stack ice cream cone. Kate had become totally self-absorbed. ¡°Unless! C¡¯mon, you¡¯re the expert, Amira. What are you thinking?¡± Shifting Mariah in her arms, she glanced down at Alice, paying close attention to the discussion. ¡°If¡­ you want Nova to have a chance to get to know her dad and mom¡­ as a team, and a family, then¡­ you may need to let her leave your party for a while. It also depends on where we go for our next region. You might have the sway to change the shoot locations, as well. It¡¯s a lot of maybes, but worth bringing up.¡± A frown touched Rhea¡¯s mood, now considering the actual reality of what this meant for her team. Nova would be away from her for a while, and using her Fortitude; she was strong enough now to survive on her own, but that would leave an empty spot in her team for a bit. Still, she wanted Nova to have a chance to get to know her parents, and she loved the Pokemon Adventure series. Maybe this could jumpstart the possibility of her appearing on some of her favorite shows. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. What do you think, Nova? Her Eevee nuzzled her spirit, projecting her tentative emotions. She wasn¡¯t resistant but cautious, and as Rhea interpreted it, her growing-up little girl wanted to get to know both her parents more intimately. Ambrosia and Elaine were very accommodating, as well. The Champion wouldn¡¯t be on the set for most of the time¡ªAmira was positive they¡¯d try to use Nova to get her mother involved¡ªand with Will or her own Pokemon involved, teleporting long distances was possible. Would you be okay spending a few weeks at a time away from us? A worried pulse came from her that Mya quickly shot down; Lulu seemed to be tapping into their connection since the wiggly girl was now still as a statue on her head. No! I know you are having fun with us. You want to explore having a relationship with your parents, and I totally, totally get that! I¡¯m sure my mom has more Pokemon to give us now that we¡¯re reaching Gold-tier, as well, so don¡¯t think you¡¯ll be leaving us hanging. We gotta let the newbies get their time to shine, too. She grinned at Nova¡¯s next wave of emotion, and Rhea had a suspicion. You want to see if you can learn any new special Moves from your mom, and if your dad can help you better understand your multiple transformations. A training arc for you, disguised as a movie production, huh?! I love it! ¡°I¡¯ll talk to my mom about it tonight,¡± she said as the restaurant, far down the road, came into view. ¡°Nova seems open to it if we can make it work.¡± Pulling back her straightened hair, a warm smile brightened her cheeks as she looked at the woman who was quickly becoming her new best friend since Jason was moving out of that category and entering the boyfriend circle. ¡°Thank you, Amira.¡± Amira gave her a thumbs up. ¡°Just do what comes naturally to you, Rhea. You¡¯re a natural at interacting with people¡­ even if you don¡¯t even realize what you¡¯re doing, and you think you¡¯re awkward.¡± ¡°Haha. Thanks!¡± Sliding over to give the redhead a one-armed embrace, she fell silent the rest of the way to dinner. Kate seemed too preoccupied with everything Amira had told her, which was fair since it was a pivotal movement in her life. For Rhea, it was more like a means to an end¡ªgiving Nova a chance to finally meet her dad and be smothered in her mom¡¯s cuddly hugs. Arriving on time, she followed her boyfriend¡¯s instructions and entered the room to exactly what she¡¯d expected¡ªa surprise party. However, there were more surprises than she¡¯d expected, as the cheers and praise showered her. ¡°Congratulations, Our Little Swablu!¡± her rosy-cheeked aunt greeted with a beaming smile. ¡°I loved the performance.¡± ¡°Aunt Cynthia! No way!¡± Rhea gasped, running forward to jump into her aunt¡¯s powerful embrace. Her parents chuckled nearby. ¡°You were watching?! When did you get into Kanto?! Is Dawn or Granny with you?¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid not,¡± the Sinnoh and Former World Champion chuckled. ¡°Dawn is holding down the region, and your grandmother is swamped with Hisuian research since your mother bailed out on her to cuddle close to your dad.¡± Her mom looked up at the ceiling and shook her head. ¡°Sure, Sis, it¡¯s not like I was literally tortured by a terrorist organization and needed to¡ªoh, we¡¯re not alone!¡± she said with a strained smile as Kate nervously hovered by the door as Amira closed it. ¡°It¡¯s fine, Mom,¡± Rhea vouched, noticing her mother¡¯s Aura was practically glowing compared to before; her dad was a Magician. ¡°So, why are you here? It can¡¯t be for my Contest since I didn¡¯t even know I was going to do it until yesterday¡ªAmbrosia?¡± Her gaze fell to the tiled floor as the Champion-tier Eevee hopped up on her hind legs to paw her thigh. The mother¡¯s eyes sparkled with excitement and pride. ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± Obviously asking for her daughter, Rhea giggled with everyone else as Nova exited her Poke Ball. She didn¡¯t even fully materialize before her mother tackled and rolled her across the floor. ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe?!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°Neeee!¡± Lulu teleported on top of the pair, squeezing them in a hug and wanting to join the fun. She let the pair reconnect as all of their Pokemon left their Poke Balls to speak to the others. Kate sat in a chair, a distance away, trying not to intrude. Rhea wanted to pull her in, but her family had no mercy. Her attention was instantly drawn to a few sealed letters on the center table, and balloons congratulating her floated around. Chase was the one to answer her previous question aimed at her aunt. ¡°Cynthia and Elaine had some regional business to discuss, and it could be done over dinner.¡± ¡°Oh, that is not the reason I came,¡± her aunt mused. Sitting down next to her sister and crossing her legs with an Impish smile, Cynthia¡¯s devious gray eyes drifted between her and Jason. ¡°Your mother has been keeping me updated on the¡­ developments you¡¯ve had on your journey. I had to see the growth for myself. I am not disappointed.¡± ¡°Aunt Cynthia!¡± Rhea groaned, cheeks turning pink as Jason laughed and waved. ¡°Can we just¡ªoh, aww, you guys got me cards? What if I lost?¡± she asked, reaching down to pick one up. ¡°It was a close Contest.¡± Jason flashed his teeth, sitting next to Chase and Elaine. ¡°Changing the subject? You¡¯ll find a winner¡¯s ticket inside.¡± Her parents were totally silent, soaking in the atmosphere as Ambrosia showered her struggling daughter in love. Franky floated out of the wall to grin and take a seat next to her dad, but Rhea was too preoccupied with everything else to acknowledge the Ghost. Amira smoothly joined her smiling parents in their booth seats. Rhea gave her boyfriend a dubious stare as she broke the seal. ¡°Oh? Again, what if your girlfriend lost?¡± Jason reached into a bag beside his foot, winked, and waved a second sealed letter. ¡°Same message, different outcome. I have to cover my bases, after all.¡± ¡°Oooh. So you thought I might lose,¡± Rhea teased, her smile growing as she slid out the contents of her ¡®winning¡¯ letter. A small, home-crafted ticket was inside the folded paper. ¡°Cute. A stick-figure child¡¯s drawing of me and you in this room, on stage singing.¡± Her boyfriend shrugged as everyone chuckled. ¡°I never said I was good at art. That¡¯s more your department, Sunshine.¡± ¡°True, true¡­ You made some mean mud paintings when we were six, though,¡± she giggled, unfolding the bottom part to read the message, written in crayon. ¡°I love you enough to make a fool out of myself¡­ Aww! And a free boyfriend coupon to sing anything I want, huh? Bold to give me my choice in the opening song!¡± ¡°Brutal!¡± Jason laughed, leaning forward and resting his elbows against his knees. ¡°I¡¯ve got a tough crowd to please. What a shock will it be, Ms. Joltic?¡± Her mother chortled, speaking for the first time. ¡°Don¡¯t be too hard on him, Sweetie. He set all of this up himself. By the way, those other cards are also from him.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes narrowed, a devious smirk lighting her lips. ¡°So, what I¡¯m hearing is that Jason wanted to sing to me.¡± ¡°Or hear someone else sing,¡± Amira said, entertained by her tone as her mother snuggled closer to enjoy her daughter. ¡°Go for the throat, Rhea. He put himself in this position, after all.¡± Jason puffed out a breath, showing a bit of stress now. ¡°Oof. Uh, well, I will say that Len loves karaoke places¡ªprobably since his mom¡¯s Gym is practically one. Serena loved it, too. Between them, I¡¯ve learned a lot about music over the last few months.¡± As she moved to sit between her mom and aunt, Rhea knew exactly what she wanted: ¡°Okay! Before we order our food, answer me this: I want to hear a specific song I cannot know. It is a song you know well. I have played it with my own fingers, yet I don¡¯t know what it sounds like. What song do I want to hear?¡± Lyra clapped. ¡°Ooh! I love riddles. What is it, Jason?¡± Rhea felt like she¡¯d failed to hide it well enough through the soft, heartwarming smiles everyone gave her. Jason hung his head, breathing out a long stream of air. Running his fingers through his cobalt hair, he stood up. Bolt, his salt-and-pepper Pikachu, jumped off his shoulder and excitedly cycled through the selection to find it. He took the stage, silence taking them as Silver reached behind him to lower the lights around the outside of the room. Rhea¡¯s stomach squirmed with anticipation, finding it hard to release the air in her lungs as a hand gripped them. Jason¡¯s half-smile was aimed just at her as he took the microphone. ¡°A song you can¡¯t know, a song I know well, a song you¡¯ve played with your own fingers, yet never heard. What is it? The song you play in my heart¡­ The song I connect most with when thinking of you.¡± Rhea¡¯s thighs tightened, and her hands knotted in her lap, as Bolt hit the play button. A slow guitar strum and a smooth drum beat hit the speakers. Jason bobbed his head to the tempo, and her family and friends cooed and whispered to their loved ones. ¡°You know, Rhea, you really are a little Joltik, trapping me in your web,¡± he laughed, looking only at her. ¡°Len showed me this song, and the artist may not be all that popular, but it really resonated with me while I was in Kalos¡­ away from Kanto¡­ away from you. By the way, an interesting fact, the drinking age in Kalos is seventeen. ¡°I¡¯d embarrass myself for you,¡± he winked, making her smile as he started, surprising her a little with how good his low, smooth voice sounded¡ªmaybe it was just her own biased brian and elevated emotion, though. ¡°Oh, na, na, na-na, na, na-na, na¡­ yeah¡­ I used to spend my nights out in a bar-room¡­ liquor was the only love I¡¯ve ever known, but you rescued me from reachin¡¯ for the bottom¡­ and brought me back from bein¡¯ too far gone¡­ ¡°You¡¯re as smooooth as Couriway whiskey¡­ You¡¯re as sweeeet as Mago wine¡­ You¡¯re as warm as a glass of brandy, and Honey, I stay Charmed on your love all the time¡­ You¡¯re as smooth as Couriway whiskey. Oh no, no, no, no¡­ as Couriway whiskey¡­¡± Rhea felt hypnotized, a thick sensation in her throat as she watched every word leave his lips, aimed directly at her. The song wove into her heart the struggle he¡¯d gone through when away from her, regions away in a distant land, as he fought to become strong enough to meet her expectations. The night flew by as a dream as she enjoyed the company of her boyfriend, family, and friends. She swore there was some kind of tension passing between her dad and Silver as to who would pay at the end of the night, but her aunt swooped in at the last minute, snatching the booklet the server brought them and inserting her card before anyone could object. She felt a little bad for Kate, but Amira and her mom pulled her into their circle¡ªmostly Lyra¡ªand made her a part of their little musical number. She waved her goodbye before breaking away from Amira and her family to have a chat with her mom. Her aunt went off with her dad, Chase, and Elaine to have a bit of a fun battle, which meant they¡¯d be gone for a while. Franky joined them in the shadows, the cool Saffron night breeze pulling at her skirt and unbound hair as Jason walked on the other side of her. Her mother guided them to a park that was surprisingly empty, or it felt that way on their path through the trimmed brush and trees. ¡°So, what did you want to talk to me about, Honey?¡± Rhea played with her fingers behind her back, glancing ahead at Ambrosia, Nova, and Lulu, playing with each other as Nova chased her mom¡¯s tail and the Cosmog rode atop the older Pokemon. ¡°I told you about the movie deal, and I think I¡¯d like Nova to get a chance to get to know her mom and dad. She could be gone for weeks at a time¡­ maybe months¡ªI don¡¯t know how movies go. I¡¯m all for it, even if it might be hard on both of us¡­¡± ¡°¡­And you¡¯d need spots to fill in your team,¡± her mother finished, cupping her chin and glancing over at Bolt and Jason. ¡°Hmm. You plan on battling Jason tomorrow morning, right?¡± ¡°Well, he is going to win against us tomorrow, right?!¡± ¡°Right!¡± he laughed. ¡°Interesting take on having Nova leave for a bit,¡± he commented, rubbing Bolt under the chin. ¡°You¡¯re growing so fast, and it isn¡¯t like she¡¯ll be slacking with her parents. It¡¯s a solid move, I think. She¡¯d get the best advice and guidance in basically the world between Vee and Ambrosia. Your mom was talking to me earlier about our fifth Pokemon, actually.¡± ¡°Theoretically, it is¡­ possible for you to bond to another one at Gold,¡± her mother hummed, her mouth creasing while scanning the dark woods and lamp posts around them. ¡°Now that V has been becoming more active, it may actually help mitigate the excess energy by feeding them, but¡­ there could be mutations I can¡¯t account for with V¡¯s energy given to a newly hatched Pokemon.¡± Squeezing her hand, she smiled and said, ¡°Tell you what! I¡¯ll call some other specialists and talk it over with them tomorrow. I have a few colleagues from Galar who are delivering some of my projects from a lab I had over there. The next Pokemon I had planned for you will require some¡­ special attention, I suppose you could say. I¡¯ll tell you more tomorrow night. I may even have her egg for you!¡± She pulled away from Jason¡¯s hand to hug her mom. ¡°Thank you! You really are the best, Mom. Does that include Jason, too?¡± ¡°And Amira, and Lori!¡± her mom chimed. ¡°It will be at least a few months before they mature and hatch¡ªprobably not until after the New Year¡ªbut it would be best to allow them to get accustomed to your developing Auras at this stage. Things are moving along!¡± Positive emotion showered Rhea at finally being able to have time like this with her mom, and Jason next to her was a bonus treat. She spent another hour with her mom and boyfriend, flipping between topics and learning more about what they¡¯d been up to, which, for her mom, had been her father spoiling her with awesome date after date¡ªJason was probably taking notes, as he should be. When they finally made it back to the dojo, it was 12 a.m., and Amira was already asleep in bed. Waving her boyfriend and mom off to have their own mysterious chat, Rhea was as quiet as she could be while getting ready for bed. Ambrosia was sleeping over, and it was interesting having two Eevees snuggled together between her legs under the blankets. They didn¡¯t get a call from Sabrina, so it meant they probably didn¡¯t win, which was fine. Her thoughts were elsewhere than the Contest anyway. With her Pokemon surrounding her, she drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow, she hoped she lost because, for once, she didn¡¯t want to win. B4 — 22. Dads Plot, Too!
    6:01 a.m. October 23rd, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 136. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (42 days away).
    Yawning as the first rays of the sun peeked through the paper walls of her room in Saffron¡¯s dojo, she snuggled further under her covers. The fluffy arm fuzzies tickled her arms and belly with Nova wrapped around her leg and Ambrosia having unconsciously crawled up to her stomach during the night. Alice hugged her right, and the shockingly warm hug Mya gave her was firm. To crown it all off, Lulu rested on her chest, her puffy arms spread out. Totally trapped by the snuggly Pokemon, she smiled and settled in, taking it easy in the morning since she had a decent amount to do in the afternoon. It didn¡¯t take long to slip back into her dreams, knowing Amira would wake her up eventually. However, it was her hyperactive bunny that nudged her awake an hour later, her paws holding up her phone with a beaming smile. ¡°Pun-pun?¡± ¡°Mmm? Oh. I got a message. Let¡¯s see¡­¡± Yawning, she felt her other Pokemon rousing and Ambrosia wiggling down to bite her daughter¡¯s ear. ¡°Pwe?!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe! Pwe.¡± Rhea giggled as the mother clamped down at the back of her daughter¡¯s neck and dragged her out of the blankets, heading for the shower. ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± she asked her other Pokemon, seeing if they wanted to join them in getting ready. Nova seemed paralyzed until her mom let her go and licked her cheek. ¡°Pwe-pwe.¡± ¡°Pwe. Pweee!¡± She jumped forward, tackling her mom with a sly smile, only for Ambrosia to easily flip her daughter around to land on top. The mom had a smug look that said, ¡®It¡¯s a few decades too soon for you to be winning me, sweetie!¡¯ ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°Maw-maw!¡± Her Pokemon dove forward to support their teammate, only for each of them to end up on their backs and Ambrosia to continue showing her dominance. Lulu jumped in soon after, wanting to get in on the wrestling match. Opening her camera, she recorded it to post on Pikabook; Elaine would probably get a kick out of her Ace playing with her daughter and her friends. It didn¡¯t take long before the mother had the gang lined up like soldiers, and she marched them off to get ready. Rhea¡¯s belly hurt as she flipped to her belly, bunched her pillow under her chin, and went through her messages. It was already turning out to be a great day.
    5:55 a.m. Mankey Butt - Figured you¡¯d be up soon enough. I¡¯ll be hanging with your dad for the next few hours. He wanted to catch up with me and do some white water rafting. Your dad can get extreme, and I¡¯m here for it! We¡¯ll have to go again sometime soon. Sound like a date? Catch you around 12 p.m. for our big battle! We¡¯ll be ready to kick you off your web throne, Ms. Joltik!
    ¡°Oof!¡± Rhea smirked and pulled her tied-up hair to the side as she flipped to her back, holding her phone up. ¡°Guess Dad is taking our relationship seriously. He knows Jason, though! It should be fine¡­ right? Yeah. It¡¯ll be fine! They¡¯re just¡­ white water rafting. Yeah¡­ I¡¯m starting to see Joltik in a whole new light.¡± She swapped to Pokedex to pull up the Attaching Pokemon, wondering if there was some kind of double meaning Jason put to it. Blue eyes, cute, yellow¡­ Compound Eyes. Ooh. So I¡¯ve got some sharp eyes to catch my prey, huh, lover boy? Unnerve. I just charge right ahead! Swarm¡­ Her thoughts returned to when she¡¯d tackled her tall boyfriend, cheeks coloring with a smile. Yeah, I can be a little overwhelming at times, sure. Mega Boost fits. I can supercharge myself! Sequence, huh? Well, I guess when I¡¯m around other girls like Amira and Lori, my attacks get stronger! Wait¡­ but don¡¯t they want to lower my attack? Hmm. We¡¯ll shelf that one for now. Bringing her phone down to tap her chin with it, Joltik¡¯s last Ability played on her thoughts. Sponge, hmm? I can attach a tether to my teammates and absorb some of the damage they take, restoring my defensive nexus. Theoretically, I should be able to do that, but that¡¯s some scary stuff! I could absorb other people¡¯s Fortitude. Not exactly the same. Bah. She flipped back around and kicked her legs in the air. Still, fun to think about! And I get straight Paralyze when I evolve, huh? Watch out, boy! I¡¯m a scary yellow spider, waiting to wrap you up in my web¡ªwhat am I thinking?! Squealing a little, she giggled and pushed herself up with another yawn. I¡¯m getting way too into this! I¡¯m just his cute little electric bug. Stop with that image! She tapped her phone against her head with a laugh, Butterfree in her belly. You better win this battle! How does he really see me? I wish I had a mirror I could just look into and see what he sees¡­ I want to see what he sees in me. Who am I when no one is watching? I still don¡¯t know myself that well after unlocking my Aura¡­ so, how does he see me? Thoughts taking a turn, her vision faded out while pondering the unusual question that filled her chest. After a bit, she looked up and scanned the neat and tidy room. Amira was gone and had left her a text, her Pokemon were off getting ready for the day, and in a rare moment these days, she was alone. Hologram deactivating, she looked at her reflected face in the crystal device. She held up the device, studying her own bright coral eyes, more green than blue right now since it swapped colors at times, usually only when she cried, though. Jason loves this¡­ loves me. But who am I really? He wants to be around me, and Amira and Lori like being around me. What is special about Rhea? Mmm. Other than unique Aura stuff, I don¡¯t know if I¡¯m all that interesting. I do like to do outdoor stuff, but I haven¡¯t been able to do much of it in the last few months. Amira and Lori are so much more interesting than me. Falling to her side, she played with her toes, her left eye creasing in the reflection. Weird thoughts. If I want to know what Jason likes about me, then I should just ask him. That song last night, though¡­ Smooth as Couriway whiskey, sweet as Mago wine, and warm as a glass of brandy. Something tells me that song is more Serena¡¯s favorite. She probably played it over and over again, thinking about Ash, and it just got stuck in Jason¡¯s head. Let¡¯s check her social¡­ Yup! She raves about the song. I knew I saw it somewhere. She is a drinker, but that¡¯s most of Kalos. Bad influence! I bet she got Jason to drink. How is Jason when drunk? Interesting. Interesting. Her focus shifted to her dad¡¯s message before Jason¡¯s, and she frowned, her lips creasing. Oh, no.
    5:25 a.m. Pappa Ursaluna - Heya, Ms. Joltik? That¡¯s a new one! Jason has an intriguing new nickname for you. I¡¯m going to have to ask him about that. So, I¡¯m thinking maybe I should take Jason on a camping trip. You know, catch up and hang for a bit as men! He¡¯s grown up a lot over the last few months. He¡¯s drinking now! Wow. Crazy. I only told him we were going whitewater rafting, but¡­ I wanted to make sure you were okay with it. I know you have this big battle thing planned, but now that your mom is doing better, I¡¯m comfortable leaving her with you to spend a little one-on-one time with your new boyfriend! I never thought your mother would be right, and she kept teasing me about it all night! It¡¯s been on my mind, I guess you could say. Thoughts?
    ¡°Yikes.¡± Rhea hissed, closing her eyes and rubbing her cool device against her forehead. ¡°Camping trip with Dad? Yeah, everyone knows what that means. Jason¡¯s known Dad all his life, though. Hmm. I guess this was eventually coming, knowing how protective Dad and Mom are toward me. Would Mom have pushed for it? No. Well, maybe with all the teasing, knowing what Dad would do. Mom, Mom, Mom¡­¡± Sighing, she swapped to her belly again, mouth bunching to the side. I could say yes and warn Jason¡ªget ahead of it early, which is probably for the best. Dad¡¯s all hyped up on it, too, and it wouldn¡¯t be good to stonewall him when he gets something on his mind. I can also tease Jason about not beating me yet! Ooh. I can get behind that. Maybe he¡¯d buy me a surprise breakfast and challenge me out of the blue! That¡¯d be exciting. ¡°Cool down, girl!¡± She chided, unable to restrain a rosy grin from the internal scene she was now playing inside her head. ¡°I¡¯m totally invested, though. New plan! How will Jason respond?¡± she cackled, writing out a text to her boyfriend first.
    7:23 a.m. Honey Tree - So, about that rafting trip. Change of plans! My dad sent me a text and wanted to have some personal time. I think that¡¯s great! You know, one-on-one with you! It¡¯s been forever since you guys went out, and you can challenge me any time you want, but my dad¡¯s time is limited. I¡¯ll hang with my mom today so she¡¯s not lonely. Good luck! I can¡¯t wait to hear about it.
    A smirk lifted her eyes as she hit the send button. Her devious thoughts came to a halt when he responded before she could finish her message to her dad.
    7:23 a.m. Mankey Butt - I love it! Also, what happens on boy¡¯s night stays at boy¡¯s night. Kisses. ;) Enjoy the day babysitting Mom, Little Spider! We¡¯ll be out here scaling mountains. Love from the peaks of victory! <(£þ¦á£þ)>V 7:24 a.m. Honey Tree - Great! We¡¯ll have a girl¡¯s night! Girls gotta have their secrets, too. (????? )? Have a fun time hiking, rafting, and sightseeing!
    Puffing out her left cheek, she gave her phone a sour pout; it really did sound like fun, and her mom would not be up for physical stuff since she was a lab enthusiast. Jason wasn¡¯t finished teasing her, though.
    7:25 a.m. Mankey Butt - I¡¯ll bring back a souvenir for you to study and go crazy about, wondering the story behind it! Hehehe. Maybe you should spend some time with my mom next week? She can be in Celadon City in minutes!
    Rhea froze, suddenly starting to sweat for some reason, even though she¡¯d known Annila all her life. The blue-haired woman¡¯s school classes flashed across her mind, and for some reason, the Grandmaster Water Specialist took on a whole new frightening image. What would Annila even want to do with me? Videos¡­ home videos. Oh, no. I¡¯ve awakened a boss fight! It¡¯s too late to back down now. He expects me to trip, but I can meet this challenge! Yikes, I can see where Kate gets some of her personality, though. Annila can be terrifying. No going back!
    7:27 a.m. Honey Tree - Amazing idea! I can¡¯t wait to see your mom again. You set it up? Well, first, we need to figure out our schedule. We may be flying to Cinnabar by that time. Play it by ear? 7:28 a.m. Mankey Butt - Doesn¡¯t matter where! My mom can find us anywhere! You should read some of the texts she¡¯s been sending me recently. My mom can be wild! You know her. Haha!
    Rhea gulped, mysterious texts now rolling through her brain. Apparently not enough! What texts, Jason? What texts?! Head in a tizzy, she internally screamed at her boyfriend, wanting to strangle him. Why is he so much better at teasing than me? I need help! Swapping to Lori¡¯s number, she hastily typed:
    7:29 a.m. Honey Tree - When you get back tonight, I need lessons! Stat! How to tease your boyfriend lessons! Help! I¡¯m losing! I¡¯m not good at this stuff, and my mom is a total sucker for my dad¡ªshe¡¯ll be no help¡ªshe has no game! My mom¡¯s jokes are lab jokes! Only my dad loves them because he can tease her about them, and she totally eats it up! She¡¯s a SIMP. I need help! 7:30 a.m. Big Boob - ??? I got you!
    Relief flooded her system as her forehead plopped onto her pillow with the Unovan party girl¡¯s rapid response. Her head lifted as her boyfriend responded.
    7:31 a.m. Mankey Butt - Picture this: Me, an amazing sunset view of Sable National Park, and a warm body by my side. Breakfast for dinner, hot chocolate, and a toast to the beautiful world below us. I can¡¯t wait for that warm body to be yours. ;) Have a fun day with your mom! I know I¡¯ll have a great time with your dad.
    Rhea choked. At least she had a team that had her back because, as it stood, she was doomed! Fanning her hot face, she pushed the message away to view Amira¡¯s message.
    6:17 a.m. Singing Ruby - I¡¯m guessing you want to sleep in a bit. Alice said she¡¯d wake you up in an hour. I¡¯m going to take care of some morning errands. Text me when you¡¯re up, and we can meet up for breakfast. I can hold off until you join me. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. 6:19 a.m. Singing Ruby - Actually, see if Kate wants to come. It would be good for her to hang out and cool off before our meeting with Ayn Rand. Give me a time to shoot him. The ball is in our court. He is trying to pull our talent. Use that to our advantage. He needs us. We don¡¯t need him. Cheers.
    Her heart melted like a marshmallow as she reread Amira¡¯s sweet texts. I have such amazing friends. She¡¯s waiting to eat until we can meet up and helping me make Kate¡¯s dream come true¡­ Well, Nova¡¯s dream, too. Great! Let¡¯s get ready for the day. Getting up, she activated her portable wardrobe and pulled out a nice black and blue dress for the meeting. Halfway through selecting her outfit, she cursed and hurriedly messaged her dad that the camping trip was on, wishing them a good time. Excitement budded within her as today¡¯s activities started lining up, and she messaged her mom on the way to the shower area in the dojo, waving and smiling at the martial artists who passed her.
    7:40 a.m. Honey Tree - Hey, Mom! Dad¡¯s taking Jason camping, which¡­ I bet you know already. You¡¯re so mean, putting Dad up to it! Lol. We¡¯ll talk about the mess you¡¯ve started, Ms. Stinker! Anyway. I¡¯m going to have breakfast with Kate and Amira before heading to our meeting with the Hollywood people. We can connect after that and have fun if you want. Want to do anything?
    She swapped to Kate¡¯s number when her mother didn¡¯t reply and invited the young woman to join them.
    7:43 a.m. Honey Tree - I hope you¡¯re excited about the meeting today! Want to join Amira and me for breakfast? My treat! Some of my plans changed¡ªDad stuff¡ªso I¡¯ve kind of got the morning open. No pressure¡ªthe opposite! I just want you to feel comfortable around us.
    She didn¡¯t get a response before joining her Pokemon, just finishing their shower, having played around during much of it. Getting ready, she even added a light touch of makeup, as Amira showed her, mainly on her eyes and lips. Debating between a few hairstyles, she decided on a fishtail braid in the end. Updating Ambrosia and her Pokemon on their change of plans, she learned that the Eevee mom wanted to take her Pokemon out on their own adventure today. Rhea was all for it, but Ambrosia had to use her phone for a minute to call Elaine for a taxi ride. It was on that call that she learned that the Champion was currently skipping out on duties, in her pajamas, and bumming the morning away with her husband on the couch. It should have surprised her to hear her aunt in the background, munching on popcorn, but she connected the dots from similar events in her past¡ªthey were watching an old Champion classic that her aunt always watched with new Champions. It just took a while to get to with her busy schedule. ¡°Hey, Aunt Cynthia!¡± ¡°Morning, Ms. Joltik! I heard about your dad kidnapping your boyfriend. Going to rescue him?¡± ¡°Auntie! What are you even asking me to do¡ªcrash the camping trip?¡± ¡°Hehe. I¡¯d do it. Wait, can only Jason call you Joltik? Fair, fair.¡± ¡°No, it¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Weird coming from other people?¡± Elaine pipped up with a snicker. ¡°I totally understand. Anyway, I¡¯m totally for Ambrosia taking the crew on a little day trip to Mt. Silver.¡± Rhea coughed, throat feeling a tad dry. ¡°Mt. Silver?! I didn¡¯t hear anything about that!¡± she said, spotting her Pokemon jumping up and down with excitement. Elaine waved her hand dismissively. ¡°Ambrosia likes to explore there from time to time. All the Area Bosses know her. It¡¯s fine. No one wants the smoke with her.¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± Rhea mumbled, looking down at the little Eevee as she puffed up her chest. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re okay with it. Have a fun day watching that 14-hour marathon.¡± Chase choked, spitting out his popcorn. ¡°14-hours, Cynthia?! I thought¡ª¡± Rhea hung up with a chuckle; it was her aunt¡¯s favorite series, and it was hard for her to watch it with people who didn¡¯t understand the complexities of the amazing battles shot in it. Waving her Pokemon off to have a fun time at Mt. Silver¡ªMuking Mt. Silver¡ªRhea couldn¡¯t help feeling a little nervous as Elaine¡¯s Butterfree teleported in to take them to the towering mountainous zone. ¡°See you later tonight, girls.¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe!¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Nee-nee-neee!¡± Her Cosmog was bouncing between their heads, thrilled at being invited to the big-girl party. She was getting older, and in only a few months, the Legendary would be capable of joining official Gym and League matches since the experienced Leaders could compensate and were experienced against Legendaries. ¡°Have fun!¡± Rainbow lights carried them away, waving her goodbye. Now alone, she puffed out a long stream of air as all of her Pokemon drew very far away from her spirit. It almost induced a small panic attack as she breathed and let their absence settle in. It was always hard when she didn¡¯t have any Pokemon nearby; she couldn¡¯t believe how different it was compared to when she wasn¡¯t bonded to any Pokemon. After quickly checking her hair, outfit, and makeup, she nodded. Everything is in place; let¡¯s have a good day! Purse slung over her shoulder, Rhea exited the dojo at 8:35 a.m., letting Amira know she was on the move and any time before noon would be fine to meet with the Hollywood people. The redhead shot back a message with GPS coordinates to a little caf¨¦ not that far away from the dojo. She chuckled as Kate sent her a frantic text, responding to her while entering traffic.
    8:39 a.m. Lady Raticate - I¡¯m so sorry! I couldn¡¯t sleep and passed out at some point! I¡¯m throwing on some clothes now. Sorry! I¡¯ll be there as soon as oi can! 8:40 a.m. Lady Raticate - No! I¡¯m crying right now. I forgot to swap my clothes to the dryer last night. I have to wait for them to dry out a bit. I¡¯m so sorry! 8:40 a.m. Honey Tree - Don¡¯t sweat it, Kate! How long do you need? 8:41 a.m. Lady Raticate - 30 minutes, probably. I can wear them if they¡¯re a little wet. I¡¯ll take a quick shower and tidy up. Why did I leave such a mess yesterday? I need to be out of the hotel in less than 50 minutes. I¡¯ll do my best to be there in 40 minutes. 8:41 a.m. Lady Raticate - Oh, that¡¯s a little far from me. 48 minutes work?
    Rhea¡¯s smile turned to a depressed sigh. Is she that strapped for money? Does she not have a place to stay after today?
    8:42 a.m. Honey Tree - Don¡¯t wear wet clothes! Take your time, get ready, and meet us when you¡¯re able. We have all the power in this deal! We choose the time. You¡¯re fine. Take a breath, slow down, and put a smile on your face! Today is your day. See you when you¡¯re done. No rush! 8:43 a.m. Lady Raticate - Thank you, Rhea. See you soon.
    She put away her phone, and it wasn¡¯t until she neared the caf¨¦ that she got another message that vibrated her purse; it was her mother.
    9:03 a.m. Innocent Victim - Oh, your dad is already gone? I¡¯m such a heavy sleeper, I swear. How did I not hear him singing in the shower? He always sings in the shower. I must have been super exhausted after all that singing and drinking yesterday¡­ Aww. Your dad is so sweet. He cleaned up the whole hotel room.
    Rhea¡¯s left eye creased as she looked off to the side, one thought on her mind. And why was it so dirty, Mom? I got you home at like¡­ midnight. You did drink a lot of wine¡­ And there¡¯s my mom.
    9:04 a.m. Innocent Victim - You¡¯ll really spend time with your old mom? I¡¯m crying! It¡¯s good you¡¯re hanging out with your friend in the morning. I¡¯ll get this old body dolled up and ready for a wonderful day! I have emails to get through and texts to answer anyway. How about we go to an amusement park? I had this dream of going to one with you! I was always just too scared when you were a little girl. Care to fulfill a mom¡¯s dream?
    Joy heated Rhea¡¯s heart as she responded.
    9:05 a.m. Honey Tree - I¡¯d love to. We can talk about the eggs while we explore! I don¡¯t know much about amusement parks here, so I¡¯ll let you handle that. 9:06 a.m. Innocent Victim - On it! Love you!
    Rhea returned it and changed her mother¡¯s nickname to ¡®Wrinkles¡¯ after her comment. Her mom was so melodramatic; people would mistake her mom for her sister since she was a Master-tier Trainer. Her fingers hovered over the keys after she confirmed the nickname change. Wait¡­ at this rate, I¡¯ll reach Master in the next year or two¡­ I guess looking 18 or 19 for most of my life is better than Yellow, looking like a teenager. ¡°Huh.¡± Entering the building, she greeted Amira on the 2nd level, taking a seat and ordering a cup of hot chocolate after Jason¡¯s earlier text returned. She chatted with the redhead about her ¡®boy troubles¡¯ until Kate arrived. In short, Amira¡¯s advice was to just be herself. Jason didn¡¯t need a witty comeback; he liked her responses, whatever they were. Sure, learning how to banter wasn¡¯t a bad idea, but she shouldn¡¯t think Jason needed it. Rhea needed it, though! When Kate ran through the front door, Rhea sighed, spotting her red face and ragged breathing; she seemed to have jogged the whole way there. Ordering some pastries, coffee, and fruit for their breakfast, she felt for the slightly older Trainer as Kate tried to be as conservative as possible with allowing her to purchase her breakfast. She managed to coax the woman into getting what she wanted with a few prompts. Kate kept looking around, self-conscious about the whispers and pointing fingers that followed them. Rhea had learned to ignore it at this point; Amira and her did draw attention. Fortunately, few people were brave enough to actually interrupt them to ask for photos or say any snide remarks. The serving boys brought them their food when it was ready, and Rhea probed to learn a bit more about Kate. She felt a little bad about leaving the woman to Amira¡¯s family during her surprise party¡ªnot that it was her birthday for another three months. She had to question if it really was her birthday, though, since she was born in another world. After a second¡¯s thought, she realized she was an alien! She was born in an artificial womb in another world as a science experiment, mixed with Pokemon DNA. Yeah, maybe she was pretty unique, after all. But no, Jason started to like her long before he knew about her alien status¡ªher dad was an alien! No, an alien clone! Her family was pretty complicated. The two girls with her gave Rhea confused looks as she silently laughed at her internal thoughts. After eating, Amira took them to a local fashion show, totally not being the helpful redhead she was and pointing out various things to a studious Kate. Rhea was sure Amira had added another girl to her fan club by the end of it, and Kate started to open up and ask questions. The fancy restaurant Ayn Rand had set their meeting came next, and it was 11:36 a.m. when they finally walked through its doors. Amira¡¯s sharp-looking lawyer in his three-piece striped suit was already present, scanning a stack of papers that a slightly overweight woman handed him¡ªRand¡¯s lawyer, who looked to be under the hot seat by the look on her face. Amira smoothly sat as the attendant directed them to the spacy and fairly private eating area on the 36th floor of a skyscraper. The other two men in their Contest seemed to have taken whatever deal Rand had offered because they were the only ones present, and their names were on the signature list. Rhea ordered dessert, bringing Kate into the selection since Rand and his lawyer were engrossed by Amira¡¯s legal council. He had a copy of the contract highlighted, seemingly having gone over it throughout yesterday and this morning, making amendments. Halfway through her Choux Au Craquelin¡ªa fancy Kalos dish of ball-shaped, crispy cream puffs¡ªRand forced a laugh and turned to them. ¡°Your man is a Sharpedo, Ms. Rocket! The amendments will be drawn up¡­ as we¡¯ve signed the confirmation contract he brought for the revisions. I had not expected Ms. Everhart to take a step back and allow her Eevee to participate without her. And¡­ as for Ms. Goodfellow, is this still a non-starter without her participation in her role?¡± ¡°It is!¡± Rhea said without hesitation. Kate gulped and looked more than a little nervous; hopefully, she wouldn¡¯t vomit, but her hands clasped at her stomach wasn¡¯t a good sign. ¡°I¡¯m not super close to Red, but Blue does owe me more than a few favors, and he¡¯s Red¡¯s best friend. I can put in a good word, and I¡¯m positive a lot of my family and their friends will come to the opening. I have other connections that can help a lot, as well.¡± She cheered inside as Amira gave her a small, proud smile. Rand sighed, rubbing the back of his neck and glancing down at the stack of papers in front of him before turning his attention to the fidgeting woman. ¡°Basically, make Ms. Goodfellow a star and give her every possible advantage, and you¡¯ll pull in the heavy hitters for me. Well, Muk¡­ I had plans for her actress¡­ and not a Raticate, but I suppose in the grand scheme of things, it isn¡¯t a huge deal breaker. I am concerned about the asking signing bonus and royalties¡­¡± Kate¡¯s wide eyes shot to her, but Rhea had no clue what he was talking about as he slid out a paper to tap at the circled number; this had to be Amira¡¯s plot. ¡°We can do the 850,000 credit sign-on and the 3,500,000 payout for the project¡¯s completion if Rhea will be transferring her funds to her. However, we¡¯d need to cut Nova¡¯s 2% royalty to 1% and give Kate the other 1%.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes bugged out at the numbers he was throwing around, but she responded without thinking. ¡°That¡¯s fine. If Mr. Lawyer here is fine with the contract, then I¡¯m good to sign it. Oh, but Nova is kind of, hehe, indisposed,¡± she said, taking the contract the frowning director handed her; he hadn¡¯t been able to swindle them with Amira involved. ¡°She¡¯s kind of having an adventure with her mom on Mt. Silver right now.¡± Rand¡¯s brow furrowed as he mouthed the word, and his smile returned, no doubt remembering who he was acquiring for this movie and who her parents were. ¡°Excellent! You can take this with you¡ªI have an express delivery envelope prepared here¡ªjust have her sign her paw print¡­ here when she¡¯s back, and mail that in!¡± He pulled back, spreading out the documents and sliding separate sheets to each of them. ¡°I think we¡¯re done¡­ Well, after you three sign. I¡¯m sad to hear that you won¡¯t be joining the product yourself, Ms. Rocket.¡± Amira had been going over the contract notes her lawyer had made herself and set them down before signing her name in elegant cursive. ¡°It isn¡¯t in my taste. Music is the most I¡¯ll do on stage, and I primarily do that for my own enjoyment. I¡¯ve selected the charity to put my portion of the royalties toward. It was our pleasure, Mr. Rand,¡± she said, smoothly rising to her feet and shaking his hand. ¡°I look forward to speaking to your grandfather when his schedule frees, Ms. Rocket.¡± The redhead chuckled. ¡°You may be waiting a while, Mr. Rand. My grandfather is a busy man, and his schedule is generally filled months in advance. I wish you luck. Rhea, Kate. They will bring a box,¡± she said, looking toward the attentive servers, who were already producing a plastic container. Rhea stood at the prompt; it all happened so fast as Amira¡¯s lawyer shook Rand and the female lawyer¡¯s hands. After a few more bits of information passed between them¡ªsuch as Kate¡¯s banking info¡ªthey left. As she expected, the young woman had to stop by the bathroom to empty her stomach. Amira waved her off to meet her mother as she got a text that she was on her way toward her GPS¡ªher mom was one of the few people who would have access to that¡ªand Kate reassured her that she would be alright. Once again feeling a little bad, she left the stomach-sick girl in Amira¡¯s hands now that everything was over. That being said, her heart sang, knowing that Kate would have a place to stay tonight, and she wouldn¡¯t be left without a roof over her head from here on out. Amira really was an amazing woman; without her, Rhea knew she couldn¡¯t have gotten this far. Skipping through Saffron¡¯s streets, she met up with her mom, a beaming smile brightening her face upon seeing her radiant mother. Looking bright and colorful with her reddish-orange knee-length dress and wedged heels, her mother adjusted her straw hat and closed in to hug her. ¡°There¡¯s my little girl!¡± ¡°Mom! You¡¯re looking cute. I like the topaz pendant. I haven¡¯t seen that one before.¡± Her mom winked. ¡°Your dad got it for me after we told you about our past as a reminder of our little topaz! I heard down the grapevine that Nova and the girls are exploring Mt. Silver. It¡¯s a big step for them, seeing all those dangerous wild Pokemon. It will help with their growth. So, want to talk about what I¡¯ve learned in regard to your team¡¯s future Pokemon? I may have a few extra little girls that need adopting in the future, too! Have any friends?¡± she asked. Rhea couldn¡¯t help but pull her mom down to kiss her cheek and hug her tight. ¡°Maybe not too soon since they¡¯re still struggling to get through Silver, but you¡¯re the best, Mom!¡± ¡°And your hugs and love are the best payment a mother could ask for! I¡¯m just so happy that my work can finally help you¡­ that we¡¯ve moved past all that pain in our past.¡± She held out a hand. ¡°So, ready to bum around an amusement park with your old lady?¡± ¡°My old lady who looks like maybe my twin sister!¡± ¡°No, don¡¯t make me blush and cry¡ªyou¡¯ll smear my makeup¡ªbad daughter!¡± she chortled, swinging their intertwined fingers as she guided her toward the place she¡¯d picked out. ¡°Let¡¯s talk about your future girl because there are a few things you should know about her!¡± B4 — 23. Moms Need Hugs!
    11:21 a.m. October 23rd, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 136. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (42 days away).
    Walking with her mom along Saffron¡¯s streets, her mom¡¯s fingers intertwined with hers, Rhea wanted to have a more serious conversation about her team¡¯s future Pokemon. Unfortunately, not soon after they started their journey, street journalists, fans, and haters started interrupting them from time to time. Rhea glanced ahead at the amusement park as they neared, leaving a disgruntled group of teenage boys who had lost money on her win against Sabrina. It didn¡¯t really bother her that much, but she could see her mother getting a little frustrated with the interruptions. It had been the fifth attempt to broach the topic. Squeezing her mom¡¯s hand, she felt shockingly calm for the variety of people who had tried to get their attention. Rhea let the subject die for later and switched to hearing about the wonderful time her mother was having with her father as they came to the line leading into the park. ¡°Okay, Mom, what has life been like for you without disappearing into your cave to hunch over a lab desk all night?¡± Brushing back her loose blonde locks behind her ear, her mother gave her a little pout. ¡°I¡¯m not some hunch-backed old woman with skin as white as snow from staying inside all day.¡± ¡°When did I say that?¡± Rhea giggled, leaning over to give her a peck on the cheek. She saw girls with their boyfriends or friends chatting around her, but she didn¡¯t feel out of place at all with her mom. ¡°Didn¡¯t I just say not too long ago that you could be my gorgeous older sister? Don¡¯t be self-conscious! You¡¯re beautiful, Mom.¡± ¡°Aww. I don¡¯t know what has come over me recently,¡± she mumbled, looking ahead at the slow-moving line. ¡°I look in the mirror and see a pretty woman just barely hitting her twenties, and then I wake up feeling like a grandma and wonder if my mom feels the same way. I don¡¯t usually have these thoughts!¡± Rhea had an idea why she may be feeling a bit older recently, which actually put a smile on her face. ¡°So, Dad has been able to spend a lot more time with you? You look better.¡± ¡°Do I?¡± Her mom hummed, a short chuckle following as a baby started to cry ahead of them in line. Curious, Rhea nudged her. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Oh, nothing¡­ I¡¯m just remembering how challenging it was to get your brother to stop crying when he was young. During the Ultra War, it was hard, but¡­ your father was my hero,¡± she whispered as the woman¡¯s husband took the child and began bouncing the baby. ¡°I feel so bad for missing so many wondrous years of you growing up, Rhea. So¡­ I cherish the chances you give me now to spend with you.¡± She pulled her closer, nuzzling her cheek. ¡°Why don¡¯t we wait to talk about this egg business until the end of the night?¡± ¡°I¡¯m game for that!¡± Rhea hugged her mom, feeling her satisfied sigh while returning the embrace. ¡°If you¡¯re going to keep changing the subject when I ask about you, then how is Dad doing now that you¡¯re stuck to his leg and out of the lab?¡± Breaking apart, her mother giggled, her cheeks darkening a little as she fidgeted with her reddish-orange knee-length dress. ¡°I think your dad wants to push me off the bed sometimes¡­ I¡¯m always so hot and cold, but I can¡¯t say no when he lines up that dopamine kiss, his hot hands pulling me in, making me feel safe and secure¡­ I¡¯m such a sucker.¡± ¡°You really are!¡± Rhea laughed, bumping hips with her. ¡°Hey! You¡¯re supposed to be nice to your mom,¡± she cried with a weak laugh. ¡°He¡¯s just so¡­ infuriatingly good! Playing songs we used to listen to when we were traveling together, pulling me into a dance, mmm, the way he pulls me into his body and holds me while we move together¡ªhis smell.¡± ¡°Mom! Haha. Okay, I get it¡ªjeez, and who thinks they¡¯re too old?¡± Rhea protested, finding her hand again as they neared the front. ¡°It sounds like things are going well, huh?¡± Her mother¡¯s eyes fell to their linked hands, her voice a tad distant. ¡°In many ways, it is¡­ and in others, not so much. It¡¯s like¡­ I¡¯m not used to my brain being so unoccupied, and that can allow¡­ other things to creep in. Which¡­ is why I enjoy these times that fill me with more and more dopamine I don¡¯t deserve! Tickets for two, please!¡± Rhea¡¯s smile fell a little as her mom bought their tickets and gave them a wristband for the day. Something was eating her mom up inside, and she felt it in her Aura¡ªa trap she built herself, feeling helpless and frustrated with herself. Entering the park, Rhea pulled her mom toward the food area instead of the rides. ¡°Let¡¯s get something to eat. I burn ridiculous calories these days!¡± ¡°Absolutely!¡± her mom chimed, yet it didn¡¯t last long. ¡°I¡­ should have made a packed lunch or something.¡± ¡°Mom¡­ you¡¯re forcing yourself!¡± she accused, shooting an unhappy stare her way. ¡°I don¡¯t want to bring it up, but I feel like I have to¡­ What¡¯s wrong? I know you¡¯re happy, but then something just brings in this¡­ I don¡¯t know, Ghost?¡± Her mother¡¯s mask slipped, showing a pained smile as she almost pulled away from her hand before catching herself. ¡°Mmm. I¡¯m sorry, Rhea. I¡¯m trying to¡ªit¡¯s like I¡¯m losing several steps every time I have a good few strides¡­ it¡¯s strange. Where has my mind been lately?¡± she asked, free fingers sliding through her hair as Rhea guided them to a bench to sit. ¡°I don¡¯t know. Tell me about it,¡± Rhea offered, now worried. Yes, her mother was loads better compared to when they¡¯d discussed their family¡¯s past, but this was something else, something related to it. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Her mom¡¯s drawn-in blue eyes lingered on her hand as she brought it to her lap and played with it a bit. ¡°I¡­ pull away sometimes¡ªlike what I almost did to you¡­ It matters. It matters to your dad¡ªI know it does. Hah!¡± Her throat suddenly thick, and wiping back a tear, her mom puffed out her emotions. ¡°I don¡¯t know what¡¯s wrong with me, Rhea. I¡¯m just¡­ broken, I guess. What kind of conversation is this for a mother to have with her daughter?¡± she asked, her face turning red again with shame. ¡°Hey! Hey¡­ Mom,¡± Rhea leaned closer to hug her. ¡°An important one! I¡¯m here for you, okay? Talk to me. Don¡¯t bottle it up.¡± Her mother choked a laugh, pulling her head in to hug her as a tremor ran through her body. ¡°I¡¯m trying¡ªI think I¡¯m trying¡­ and other times¡­ I feel like I¡¯m not trying enough. It¡¯s so stupid. It¡¯s only chemicals in my brain¡ªimpulses that are battling to punch me in the gut¡­ And it hurts. I hurt myself. Why do I do that?¡± Rhea could feel her mom¡¯s helplessness seeping out, partly because she could not do much to mitigate the mixed baggage of responses they¡¯d gotten on their way here. She was a scientist, someone who strived to understand the universe and unlock its secrets, yet she was paralyzed by her own trauma. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Mom¡­ It¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not, though. I¡¯m a mother¡ªI¡¯m supposed to have everything together¡­ to be stable, but¡­ all I¡¯ve done is pull away, break, shatter, and wait for your dad to try to put back the pieces. You deserved so much better than what I gave you¡­ Why didn¡¯t I feel safe enough to take you to one of these places when you were a kid¡ªnot to isolate you? I¡¯m¡­ horrible.¡± ¡°Oh¡­¡± Rhea followed her watery eyes, speckled with green when tears hit them. Her mother¡¯s focus was on a skipping little girl with her mom, playing in the nearby water park water sprayers together. ¡°Mom, we don¡¯t need to spend time here. Are you¡­ punishing yourself?¡± ¡°No,¡± her mother wept, bringing her hands up to her forehead. ¡°I want this to be happy¡ªbut I¡¯m crying¡­ and I can¡¯t stop. Why did I think this would be a good place¡ªno, I wasn¡¯t thinking¡­ I¡¯m an idiot. Stupid¡­¡± ¡°Mom, please¡­ stop tearing yourself apart. I know you don¡¯t feel worthy of love right now, but that¡¯s not how it works! I love you.¡± Her mother didn¡¯t respond, eyes downcast, hiccuping, and totally lost. So Rhea breathed out the stress in her lungs and just remained close, silently making her love known. If she pulled away, she knew it would matter to her mom. She had to wait for her to bridge that gap. Rhea ignored the looks they got from the parents, teens, or elderly couples that passed them, not that her mother could escape them. She felt her mother projecting their judgment onto her¡ªher overly active mind, no doubt, causing a sudden song of her mother¡¯s generation to surface in her brain. Whether it came from Aura or past memories of her depressed mother when she was a little girl didn¡¯t matter. She recalled her mother sitting in the dark one night, arms over her face, her father gone on some mission, and a bottle of wine by the couch. The words made a whole lot more sense now. It wasn¡¯t her kind of music, but she knew it would connect with her mom¡ªher mom singing to her alter ego. Swallowing the lump in her throat, she whispered, ¡°I would swallow my pride, I would choke on the rinds, but the lack thereof would leave me empty inside¡­¡± ¡°What¡­ Rhea?¡± her mother mumbled through her tears, shifting on her shoulder to look up at her. ¡°You don¡¯t listen to¡­ to depressing songs like that. Where did you¡­¡± Rhea just continued, rubbing her mom¡¯s hand. ¡°I would swallow my doubt, turn it inside out, and find nothing but faith in nothing. I want to put my tender heart in a blender, watch it spin around to a beautiful oblivion¡­ Rendezvous, then I¡¯m through with you¡­ ¡°You used to sing that to yourself when I was a little girl, dad was gone, Sabin was off with Kate, and you had a headache¡­ You¡¯d turn the lights out, and I¡¯d watch you from the doorway. I didn¡¯t know how to help you, but I knew you were in pain.¡± Her mother shifted uncomfortably, blinking rapidly while her white hand gripped her wrist. ¡°I¡­ thought you were with Jason. I only did that three times¡­ I really am a failure of a mother.¡± ¡°No,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°No. You¡¯re not a robot, Mom. So cry. Be mad and curse if you want¡ªMuk, I¡¯m not a little girl anymore¡­ I do know how to help you. I¡¯m here for you¡­¡± She held her tighter and chuckled before singing, ¡°I burn, burn like a wicker cabinet, chalk white, and oh-so-frail¡ªI see our time has gotten stale.¡± Her mother forced down the lump and whimpered through the next lines. ¡°The tick-tock of the clock is painful, all sane and logical¡­ I want to tear it off the wall. I hear the words in clips and phrases¡­ I think sick, like ginger ale¡­ my stomach turns, and I exhale¡­ ¡°Why am I so illogical for a scientist, Rhea? I make no sense! I¡¯m¡­ broken¡­ useless.¡± ¡°Because you¡¯re human, Mom,¡± she said, smiling at Vanty, her 2¡¯1¡± Bellossom, as she exited a Poke Ball on her mother¡¯s waist to hug her from the other side. ¡°What really is it, Mom? Talk to me.¡± A few seconds passed as her mom got control of herself, allowing her to pull her up to rest against her chest. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re useless, Mom. Broken? Maybe a little. But you¡¯re broken in a perfect way for Dad and me¡­ because we love you. I¡¯m here to help you get back on track because you helped me.¡± ¡°Hah! When? It¡¯s always been your dad who has come to our rescue¡­ When have I ever done anything good other than run away?¡± Her smile softening, Rhea fixed her mother¡¯s hair, whispering, ¡°I can think of four little girls who would disagree with you, Mom. Let¡¯s be honest, Mom. Look at all the good you¡¯ve done¡­ Look at Mimi and Jade¡ªher little Pichu wouldn¡¯t be here right now without you. And I¡¯m happy, Mom. I¡¯m happy that you¡¯re my mom.¡± Bottom lip trembling and body shaking against her chest, Rhea pulled her mother in closer as she broke down again, but this time, it wasn¡¯t in despair. ¡°That¡¯s right, Mom. Just memorize in your heart these words, ¡®Whatever I think about myself, my daughter loves me. My daughter thinks I¡¯m beautiful. My daughter thinks I¡¯m strong. My daughter thinks I¡¯m the best mom in the world.¡¯ Because¡­ it¡¯s true, Mom. Dad and you are my heroes,¡± she finished, leaning in to kiss her head. ¡°I love you.¡± Cradling her vulnerable mom in public, Rhea sighed upon seeing a few people taking pictures from a distance. Whatever came from it would come. For now, her mom¡¯s mental health was her total priority. ¡°I know you can¡¯t forget the past, Mom. Just memorize in your heart that you¡¯re beautiful to me, okay? All of you. You¡¯re my mom. And you¡¯re my responsibility, too. We take care of each other because that is what family does. I¡¯m here for you always, so just breathe. I¡¯m here.¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Pulling up her legs onto the bench, Vanty helped manage her dress as Rhea moved her half-folded straw hat to the seat beside her. She shifted a bit over to allow her mother a bit more room for comfort, reassuring her mother as she lay in her lap. Her mother¡¯s thick voice drifted between crying and a whimper as she watched the world pass them by. ¡°Sometimes I just¡­ get stuck in the past. Mmgm. When your dad and I were young, when everything was so simple¡­ before all the cross-dimensional politics when your dad betrayed Rainbow Rocket, and we had to fight each day for our lives. Before the lies¡­ the pain. Ghetsis couldn¡¯t do anything that wasn¡¯t done to me by Rainbow Rocket. When everything spun out of control.¡± Rhea felt tears coming to her eyes as her mother spoke, her heart radiating open wounds with the honesty burning her mom¡¯s throat, making her cry. ¡°Haha. I usually don¡¯t think about this stuff¡­ I¡¯m too busy! Work just¡­ fills my mind, but now¡­ now it just comes and grips me by the chest and throws me down the stairs. All the hopes and dreams I¡¯d given up on¡­ how terrible I was as a mother when I¡¯d dreamed of it as a teenager¡ªhow absent I was in Sabin and your lives.¡± Palm coming up to rub away her wet cheeks, she cleared her throat while weakly taking Vanty¡¯s hand as her watery-eyed Bellossom tried to comfort her Trainer. ¡°I gave up, Rhea. I lost¡­ Was defeated by that pain. I ran away from everyone¡­ I failed. I hid. I shut out everything that could hurt me¡­ and that hurt your father so badly. I know it did. So¡­ why didn¡¯t he leave me? No¡­ he couldn¡¯t¡­ I made it so he couldn¡¯t because you needed me.¡± Rhea wanted to slap and smother her mother to death in hugs, telling her to stop being so hard on herself, but she knew she needed to let her mom¡¯s heart bleed to heal. It did hurt hearing her mom speak her darkest thoughts. It hurt. But it hurt her mom so much more. ¡°I haven¡¯t dreamed in so long¡­ I haven¡¯t allowed myself to dream,¡± she mumbled. ¡°Now, I see everything I missed¡­ everything I threw away to protect myself¡­ and now¡­ now all I feel is shame. No matter what I do, it¡¯s never enough to make up for my failure. Why am I so weak? Why can¡¯t Keith be a little weaker¡­ just a little weaker¡­ Why am I the only weak one?¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± Her mother slowly shook her head. ¡°Some nights I told myself lies¡­ I would say I don¡¯t love you, I don¡¯t need you¡­ research is my true love, and things are perfect like this¡­ I¡¯m okay with just seeing you every once in a while¡­ All lies. Lies that kept me alive when things grew too hard. And then¡­ I¡¯d imagine your dad sleeping alone, and I couldn¡¯t sleep¡­ so I kept working¡­ I kept working to not think about it¡ªto not feel.¡± Rhea rubbed her arm as her mother quaked against her, and now she knew the truth behind the dark bags under her mother¡¯s eyes. She hadn¡¯t been chasing research all these years to remain one of the top scientists in the world¡ªher mother had been running from the nightmares she¡¯d see when she allowed herself to slow down. ¡°Now¡­ all I do is feel, and it hurts, Rhea¡­ It always hurts! When I see a child on the street, on TV¡­ I feel like something is ripping out of my soul. When I see your brother off with Kate¡ªI don¡¯t know anything about Kate¡­ How is that possible? Your dad can tell me everything, though! I don¡¯t know many of your interests, Rhea¡­ I don¡¯t even know if you like amusement parks. I don¡¯t know anything¡­ and I¡¯m scared. I¡¯m scared.¡± ¡°I¡¯m here, Mom. I¡¯m here¡­ and I¡¯m not going anywhere,¡± she repeated, attempting to smile through her tears. ¡°I¡¯m not scared¡ªwell, maybe a little,¡± she laughed, clearing her cheeks so she wouldn¡¯t cry on her mother. ¡°I¡¯m excited to get to know more about the cool, dorky side of my mom I never knew!¡± Applying a little pressure against her mother¡¯s cheek to bring her watery eyes to hers, Rhea reached over to squeeze her hand again. ¡°Maybe we can¡¯t go back into the past, but what we can do is leave those memories there, and make new ones to overshadow them in the future. What do you say about going to get a big lunch? Crying takes a lot out of you! Right?¡± Her mother strained a laugh, trying to smile past her assaulting emotions. ¡°Crying really does burn calories¡­ but not as much as you might think¡­ only like¡­ 26 for a 20-minute sob session. Another twenty minutes, and we¡¯ll break 50!¡± Chuckling, Rhea leaned in to kiss her cheek as her trembling arms tried to push herself up. ¡°There¡¯s my dork of a mom. I love you.¡± ¡°I love you, too¡­ Thank you for putting up with your stupid¡­ heh, beautiful mom.¡± ¡°I always have,¡± Rhea said, bringing her in for a strong embrace. ¡°When the world¡¯s crashing down on you, and your husband is out interrogating your daughter¡¯s boyfriend, you still have your baby Swablu to cuddle, right?¡± ¡°And cuddly she is,¡± her mother sniffled, kissing her cheek and then her forehead before pulling away, looking truly glorious for a cryer, and Rhea knew she must look the same. ¡°Maybe we should go to the bathroom to freshen up before getting a giant lunch.¡± ¡°Sounds like a plan!¡± ¡°Bellossom!¡± They laughed as the flower Pokemon jumped up to hug both of them. ¡°You can join us, too, Vanty,¡± she chimed. ¡°Thanks for always being there to take care of my mom when we¡¯re not around.¡± ¡°Bell!¡± ¡°She really does,¡± her mother fondly commented, rubbing the girl¡¯s cheek and making the Pokemon giggle. ¡°Vanty has been with me since I was five. She knows me too well. Well! Let¡¯s have a wonderful first mother-daughter outing at the amusement park.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s!¡± Rhea held out her hand, allowing her mother to march them past the nosy public and journalists. There was a new strength growing in her mom, a rebuilding confidence in herself. It was slight but significant. The rest is up to you, Dad! After cleaning up and getting something to eat, Rhea laughed and joked with her mom about what kind of article would hit the Gossip market. The heavy atmosphere lifted, and she found herself enjoying every minute with her mother, telling her about her teammates and Jason. It didn¡¯t take long for the dreaded subject to come up. Sitting at a secluded table near the back of a rather tasty restaurant, hosting ice cream parfaits with juicy berries added, Rhea spread out her hands in disbelief as her mother laughed. ¡°Jason really countered the camping trip with your dad by saying you could spend some personal time with his mom? Brilliant! From everything your brother and dad tell me about Kate, he may be more like his sister than he thinks.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what I¡¯m saying!¡± Rhea groaned, sinking into her chair as Vanty giggled, passively listening while devouring her dessert. ¡°What do I do, Mom? Annila is totally terrifying!¡± ¡°Oh, believe me, I know, Sweetie,¡± her mother chortled. ¡°Remember, she hates me¡­ and not for the wrong reasons. Her judgment is valid.¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m better!¡± she promised, shooting a soft smile her way. ¡°I¡¯m just saying, I haven¡¯t set a good example or impression. Annila¡¯s not the type to take out her personal grudges on others, though. She was your instructor for many subjects. Did she hate you in school? Keith¡ªeh, your dad always said your instructors were fine with you.¡± Rhea bunched her lips to the side while shifting in her chair. ¡°Mmm. I¡­ may not have been so¡­ attentive in my Pokemon courses because, well¡­¡± ¡°You were a rebellious teen?¡± her mother asked with a sad smile. ¡°A rebellious teen who ran away from home, went on hunger strikes, and, in general, spent a lot of time outside of the house, exploring with her best friend?¡± Cheeks turning pink a little while thinking back at all the time she¡¯d spent with Jason, Rhea puffed out her cold cheeks, sampling the caramel on her tongue. ¡°Uh, sure. I mean, she was always nice to me when I stopped by her house, but Jason always wanted to be out of his house, too, so¡­ yeah. She was strict and demanding when we were in class¡ªI don¡¯t know.¡± She threw her hand in the air. ¡°All I have to go on are TV dramas, where the boy¡¯s mom hates the new girlfriend and thinks she¡¯s going to ruin her son¡¯s life but he¡¯s blinded by her beauty.¡± Her mother beamed. ¡°Ooh. He does seem smitten from what your dad and I saw last night, Honey Pot.¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± ¡°Facts are facts, and you do take after your parents,¡± she winked, making Rhea¡¯s face burn. ¡°Plus, I kind of did genetically modify you, so you can¡¯t deny you¡¯ve got a lot stacked in your favor, Little Swablu! Oh, wait, hehe, Ms. Joltik?¡± ¡°Mom!¡± ¡°What? It¡¯s cute! I love it,¡± she chirped, reaching out to play a little with her bundled blonde hair. ¡°I adore all the nicknames your teammates and boyfriend are giving you. You¡¯ll always be the family¡¯s little Swablu, though. So¡­ what do you think about him?¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± ¡°And what¡¯s with that response, hmm?¡± her mom teased, rubbing her flaming cheek before retreating with a giggle as she brushed her hand away. ¡°He has gotten a lot more handsome lately. First thing on your mind? C¡¯mon¡ªgo!¡± ¡°Uh¡­ he¡¯s gotten a lot taller and bigger¡­ Mmmgm!¡± She leaned forward in defeat as she remembered tackling him to the ground before he¡¯d flipped her onto her back, pinning her to the floor. ¡°Stop, Mom!¡± ¡°What am I doing? It¡¯s all in your head. I wish I could get a sneak peek. You¡¯re so cute.¡± ¡°Can we get back on the subject of his mom kidnapping me, tying me to a tree upside down, and interrogating me? What am I supposed to do!¡± Her mother lifted an eyebrow. ¡°Is¡­ that what you think is happening to Jason right now?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen movies,¡± Rhea mumbled, taking a bite of her parfait and evading eye contact. ¡°Why¡ªwhat do you think is happening?¡± ¡°What do I think is happening?¡± Her mom sat back with a fond look. ¡°A lot of guy-talk.¡± ¡°Descriptive¡­¡± ¡°Maybe some fishing for food and his time in Kalos.¡± ¡°Yeah, probably.¡± ¡°And¡­ likely a lot about you!¡± ¡°Exactly!¡± Rhea pulled her spoon out of her mouth to wave at her mom. ¡°Eeexactly! A lot about me¡­ with ropes and Bullet Seeds involved.¡± ¡°Hahaha! I can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re being serious or not,¡± her mother said, doubling over and wiping away a tear. ¡°How long has your dad known Jason?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ forever.¡± ¡°Mhm.¡± Her mother nodded patiently, scraping out the bottom of her glass and popping it into her mouth. ¡°And¡­ how many times have you all gone out camping or doing other activities?¡± ¡°¡­A lot. What are you getting at, Mom? Dad is super protective of me!¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± her mother repeated, a warm and annoyingly knowing smile on her lips. ¡°Your father knows Jason, and knows his character¡­ probably a lot better than you since he¡¯s a guy¡­ because the male psyche is a strange place to navigate.¡± ¡°Tell me about it,¡± Rhea huffed. ¡°Why is he so fixated on my butt? Like, I get that I have one, but why the butt?¡± ¡°Mmm.¡± Her mother¡¯s answer confused Rhea as she paused, glancing off to the side while tapping her lips with the back of the spoon. ¡°The butt, hmm? And you¡¯re this little thing pinned down by him? Interesting.¡± ¡°And?! Go on. What, Mom? And what is with that p-pinned comment¡ªI didn¡¯t say that!¡± ¡°Did you not? Hmm. Oh, just thinking about several studies, don¡¯t mind me.¡± Rhea¡¯s shoulders slumped, a glare in her eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not going to tell me.¡± ¡°Hehe. The mysteries are what make it fun, Sweetie. Enjoy them while they are slowly peeled back. A study won¡¯t give you the full picture and could give you the wrong idea. People are complicated. Boys are very complicated, yet extremely simple!¡± ¡°Great advice, Mom. Basically, don¡¯t even try. Can we get back to the Annila situation? Give me some good motherly advice! What do I do when her mom leaves me on an abandoned island to try to survive, like Ariana did to Lyra when she first started dating Silver?¡± Her mother¡¯s left eye creased as she tried not to laugh. ¡°I¡­ wouldn¡¯t try to compare your relationship with Jason to Lyra and Silver¡¯s, Honey. That¡­ is a wild one to unpack. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve heard stories from Amira. Honestly, I think the Rocket Family wanted Lyra dead at the start, so¡­ yeah. Just be yourself, Sweetie!¡± Rhea¡¯s throat constricted as her mother leaned in to fuss with her clothes, the most motherly look she¡¯d seen on her mom¡¯s face silencing her. ¡°Show Annila why her son is so infatuated with you¡­ Show her why her son is lucky to have caught your eye. Because he is lucky to be in your heart. Don¡¯t overthink it. Just be you. She¡¯ll love you.¡± ¡°Fine¡­ I¡¯m still afraid that I won¡¯t be good enough for her¡­¡± ¡°We all feel that way,¡± her mother said, giving her a comforting look that made Rhea not feel so alone. ¡°Just know that if you¡¯re not good enough for her, you are to him.¡± Her stress eased a little with those words, making her reflect on the songs she¡¯d sung with Jason the previous night. ¡°I guess you¡¯re right. Thanks, Mom. So, uh, what about the eggs?¡± ¡°A topic I can turn my brain off for!¡± her mother cheered, her chest shaking with mirth as she settled in. Her mom breathed out softly, turning to stare at the Ferris wheel in the distance. ¡°¡­Do you remember your 10th birthday theme?¡± ¡°Fairy-themed,¡± Rhea nodded, excitement budding within her. ¡°I already have Mya, though.¡± ¡°You do,¡± her mother said, an enigmatic tilt to her mouth as her gaze returned to her. ¡°I¡¯ve been experimenting a lot with genetics throughout my life, Rhea. A phenomenon in Paldea I hadn¡¯t had the pleasure of researching has recently been a hot topic since they opened their borders and expanded their schools to other regions.¡± She shook her head, sighing. ¡°I¡¯m getting ahead of myself. Do you want me to tell you what the Pokemon are or let you discover them when they hatch? Because yours, at least, might be sooner than I anticipated after getting in contact with my assistant, who is shipping her over.¡± Rhea set her glass down and crossed her arms, pondering the potential revelation. ¡°How soon?¡± ¡°Days.¡± Rhea smiled, scooting closer. ¡°Can you show me a picture of it? I think it might be fun to let all the girls try to guess which Pokemon it will be.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± her mother laughed, reaching into her bag and producing her phone. ¡°Naturally, it will look different since it is white and black-themed, but¡­ do you recognize this?¡± Her eyes widened when she saw the two-thirds black bottom and the one-third white top, with thin horn-like pink bumps on the back and front. She knew exactly what this egg was. ¡°No!¡± Her mother grinned. ¡°You always loved them, and you¡¯ve already met her mother! Lori, Amira, and Jason¡¯s eggs will be arriving from Galar in about two weeks¡ªthere were some delays. Your little girl will require some special care, though, and I have a package for you to feed her. She will be similar to Roxy and Nova, but hers will be far more¡­ sporadic, and there is the possibility I¡¯ll need to run a few follow-up procedures later. She will be the first of her kind, and her Nature can be¡­ volatile. Just a heads up!¡± ¡°Totally worth it!¡± Rhea cheered, ready to welcome in a new member of the family. ¡°She¡¯ll be here soon?¡± ¡°When you arrive at Celadon tomorrow. I wanted your group to have more¡­ defensive Pokemon for your next region¡ªyou know, just in case. Well, excluding yours since she¡¯s¡­ kind of coming soon! Plus, I had to fulfill your 10th birthday wish.¡± ¡°Perfect! Aww. Mom! I¡¯m so excited!¡± she squealed, hugging her mom and getting up. ¡°Ready to continue our date?¡± ¡°Absolutely! Ferris wheel?¡± ¡°Let¡¯s do it!¡± Returning her glass to the booth, she skipped off to spend the rest of her magical day with her recovering mom and Vanty. It was magical, and she saw her mother opening up and revealing more dorky quirks¡ªsuch as her mom¡¯s inability to aim a toy gun or fish out a Wishiwashi with a paper net to save her life¡ªand she loved every new experience. She opened up about her anxiety about Jason battling her for ¡®the right¡¯ to date her; well, she was anticipating it but was also scared, which was stupid, but true. Her mother chuckled, reflecting back on their earlier experience, softening Rhea¡¯s heart. Jason would pick a good time, and she hoped there would be a fun twist. With the sun lowering in the sky and the amusement park closing, she walked with her mom back to the dojo, talking about the amazing date. She wanted to do it again. Waving her off at the front, she went inside to meet Lori and Amira. Tomorrow, they were teleporting to Celadon City with Erika and would battle her the next day. B4 — 24. An Emotional Day
    8:33 p.m. October 23rd, Friday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 136. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (42 days away).
    Entering the dojo with a high, Rhea squealed as her Pokemon ran out of the hallway to jump into her arms. Laughing at their chirps, and spotting Lulu already half-sleeping around Alice¡¯s neck, Rhea carefully allowed her little girl to transfer to her. ¡°Shhh! Shhh¡­ It¡¯s getting late.¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± ¡°Maw-maw! Maw¡­¡± ¡°Lopunny,¡± her bunny giggled, handing off the sleepy cloud. ¡°Pun-pun?¡± ¡°Mhm. I had a great time with my mom. We¡¯re getting ready to leave tomorrow, so¡­¡± she trailed off while waving at a few martial artists who were going out for a late-night run. One redheaded young woman instantly caught her attention. ¡°Grandmaster Terri?¡± The redhead smiled and nudged the woman next to her. ¡°I¡¯ll catch up with you in a second, Vista. I¡¯ll only be a minute.¡± ¡°Got it, boss. You have a lot of training to get back into shape, so don¡¯t sneak off with your hubby,¡± the blue-haired woman winked. ¡°You have all of next week for the honeymoon.¡± Terri strained a laugh. ¡°And who is the one who runs the dojo?¡± ¡°Not you for the last several years, sleepy head!¡± The others laughed with the recovering redhead, and figuring the woman wanted to talk, she lingered as the others jogged out of the large open front doors. Terri opened her mouth, only to be interrupted by a roar from the hallway. An energetic Kubfu dashed out of it, jumping in the air to land in Rhea¡¯s surprised hand. ¡°Terri? Eh-hehe. Lori¡¯s Terri,¡± she corrected as the fluffy fighter lightly jabbed her cheeks with her hands. ¡°I guess that means Lori¡¯s back.¡± ¡°She wanted to join me for a run,¡± the redhead whispered, scratching her neck. ¡°I¡¯m honored that a Legendary has my name¡­ Can we talk for a second, Rhea? Don¡¯t worry, Ter,¡± she added at the Pokemon¡¯s furrowed brow. ¡°Why don¡¯t you go meditate outside and stretch out? I¡¯ll be there in a second.¡± ¡°Kub!¡± Wiggling free from Rhea¡¯s grasp, Lulu lifted a sleepy hand on her shoulder, wishing her friend goodbye. ¡°Ne-nee.¡± ¡°Kubfu!¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe-pwe-pwe.¡± Rhea smiled as Nova called her other two teammates to join her, running back to their room to likely inform the others that she was back. Lulu simply snuggled closer to her neck, sliding down to her bust to eventually settle in for a restful night¡¯s sleep; she¡¯d have to move her when changing clothes for the night. Once they disappeared into the hallway and the little Kubfu went to meditate out front, Rhea turned to Terri, waiting for her to find the right words. The woman sucked in her cheek, playing with the strings on her shorts while looking after the Kubfu. ¡°So¡­we¡¯ve been kind of too busy to catch up since¡­well, you saved me. So, yeah.¡± ¡°You okay?¡± Rhea asked, expanding her Aura senses to analyze the martial artist¡¯s turbulent emotional state. ¡°I get the feeling you¡¯re¡­struggling.¡± Terri sighed, rubbing her neck and looking at her with a far more confident expression, though her Aura showed a shaky foundation. ¡°When you lose several years off your life¡­you tend to think about a lot of things¡ªthings you might have done differently¡­the time you lost. And, Rhea¡­I felt weak¡­ I hadn¡¯t really felt like that, and¡­and I¡¯m going to need a lot of therapy,¡± she said with a stressed laugh, her mask dropping slightly. ¡°I just wanted to thank you for what you did for me¡­for Kyle and me. There¡¯s a lot that I need to work through, but you gave me the chance to work through it.¡± Her emotions brightened slightly, and Rhea knew the woman wasn¡¯t well or okay, but she was on the mend. ¡°I¡¯ve lost a lot, but I¡¯ve gained a lot, too. I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything¡ªanything at all, then just give me a call. I owe you more than my life¡­so much more.¡± Crossing her arms before thinking better of it and opening them up, Rhea welcomed a hug from the cracked and healing redhead. ¡°I didn¡¯t do it for any payment. If anything, I want you to live the life you want to have¡­and spread the love¡ªoh, but be careful of Lulu.¡± Tears welled up in the woman¡¯s watery eyes, fighting down the heat in her throat as she moved in for a gentle hug; her muscles were surprisingly solid for how she looked. ¡°You¡¯re more like your aunt than your mother¡­but I can sense the strength you got from both of them. You certainly got your father¡¯s charm, though,¡± she snickered, getting an awkward grin from her. ¡°Thanks, Grandmaster Terri.¡± ¡°Just Terri is fine.¡± The woman puffed out her red cheeks and rubbed away the liquid falling down her cheeks. ¡°Just know¡­know that there¡¯s a woman crying tonight, and her whole life has changed¡­and that is because of you. It¡¯s hard to sleep¡­but I can sleep. Thank you for making my life right, Rhea. You¡¯ve made me a believer.¡± ¡°A believer?¡± Rhea asked while pulling away, trying not to get caught up in her radiating Aura and emotions, threatening to destroy the dam behind her eyes. ¡°A believer in what?¡± ¡°In this life,¡± Terri whispered, showing a true smile as she hugged herself and looked out toward the front. ¡°Vista¡¯s son died this week¡­ She¡¯s struggling, and I can¡­I can be there for her because of you. We are all the same¡­human and Pokemon¡ªour pain and need for comfort. And maybe we don¡¯t know what we¡¯re all searching for¡­but so long as we can build bonds with one another¡­I think we¡¯ll be okay. Thank you, Rhea.¡± Rhea sniffed, her hot nose burning a trail all the way to her eyes to light the fuse and blow open the dam. She moved in for another hug, her throat far too thick as she mumbled, ¡°I¡¯ll be here if you need to call and talk. If you¡¯re feeling down, then just call. I know every day is a struggle¡ªI feel it¡ªbut I feel so many other Auras connected to yours like a chain, holding you fast.¡± Terri choked a laugh. ¡°Sometimes this world is too much¡­but it is those bonds that kept me going in that eternal void¡­Kyle¡¯s warmth, unwilling to let go of my hand. Thank you for bringing us back together. Thank you for caring enough about a random woman, lost in darkness. You changed my life, and I want to help others now. I want to make things right in this messed up world.¡± Unable to reply for several seconds, Rhea held the trembling, powerful martial artist, broken down to a crying little girl in darkness over years of senselessness. Overwhelmed, now that she was free of her torture. ¡°Ne-ne?¡± Her chest shook with Terri¡¯s as Lulu popped up to latch onto the woman¡¯s neck, sending her own love and asking where it hurt. ¡°Neee?¡± ¡°Aww. She¡¯s adorable,¡± Terri wept. ¡°Maybe you could change public opinion of Cosmog with this fluffy cheerleader.¡± ¡°Nee!¡± After a few more minutes of Lulu acting as a doctor, fussing over the emotionally shattered redhead, Rhea got the cosmic cloud back to her shoulder. ¡°I mean it,¡± she repeated as the woman moved to leave. ¡°If you need me again, I¡¯m sure Sabrina would be willing to teleport me back to Saffron. Call if you need to chat.¡± Terri¡¯s expression softened, brushing back more tears with a pained smile. ¡°I¡¯m always open for a new link to keep me grounded¡­ I wasn¡¯t sure I¡¯d get a chance to tell Kyle I loved him. You gave me that. So, I don¡¯t want to miss any more opportunities like that again. Thank you, Rhea. And I meant it, too. If you need me for anything, I¡¯m here for you.¡± ¡°Definitely! We help each other.¡± ¡°Your mom must be so proud to have a daughter so lucky¡­so strong¡­so kind.¡± Throat glued shut, she blinked rapidly to keep from crying and waved off the Grandmaster; it was the hardest thing she could do after those words, especially after the day she had with her vulnerable mom. ¡°¡­Have a good night¡­and a great life with Kyle.¡± She stood in the silent dojo for a minute, fighting the quakes that ran down her frame. Terri¡¯s open heart was bleeding from so many cuts, yet she had a solid group of hands supporting and mending her wounds. Even Grandmasters could have trauma and break down. There was a hole in her chest that was slowly being filled with love. ¡°Ne-ne?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she whispered internally to her Buddy Bonded Legendary cloud. ¡°Yeah, it hurts¡­but it¡¯s a good hurt. We¡¯re golden!¡± Flipping on her heels and keeping a smile on her face to carry on the positive vibes, she had a skip in her step while heading to their dojo shared room. She paused just outside of it as her phone vibrated, and she took it out, her heart melting as Jason¡¯s name popped up:
    8:53 a.m. Mankey Butt - When darkness turns to light, my Sunshine wishes me good morning with every sunrise. When a bright yellow little spider snares your heart, there is no escape from her gentle zaps that keep it beating. You¡¯ve stolen my heart, Little Joltik, so keep it safe for me. Sleep well, sleep well, sleep well¡­ Sleep well.
    Rhea cupped her mouth, fighting back the pressure in her chest as the song Jason linked played¡ªa song he and her father sang by a campfire played in a valley backdrop. It hit her throat like a Thunder Punch, and her cheeks burned as if hit by a Double Slap. It was a KO. It took a few seconds before she could respond with similar quotes from the song he¡¯d used, and longer to type it out. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
    8:55 a.m. Honey Pot - Just the right kind of sappy. I¡¯ve got Thunder Fangs, so don¡¯t think I won¡¯t bite your heart while you sleep! She¡¯s a merciful jailor, though, so be nice, and maybe she¡¯ll offer you a Sweet Kiss. One can dream! Our dreams assured. So dream. Sleep well¡­ Sleep well.
    Rhea¡¯s heart felt like it was going to Explode as she put away her phone, a smile on her lips as she rubbed Lulu¡¯s head and entered the room. Lori and Amira talked inside, the redhead sounding like she was getting ready for bed as Lori was trying to show her the thirst trap photos she¡¯d taken. ¡°¡­Yeah, so there are these boys that are obsessed with feet! Check out this engagement¡ªit¡¯s crazy¡ªand look at this one where I used a filter to blow myself up like a big balloon!¡± ¡°I¡¯d rather not, Lori¡ªmmgm. It makes my stomach queasy. How many shades did you use?¡± ¡°Uh, all of them. Duh! I had to see what one hit the most. The big belly blow-up with the blue Rawst Berry filter hit something different. There is a small but super-invested group here¡ªHoney Pot! Welcome back! Woah, okay¡ªwhat did Jason do?!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea lied, trying to act innocent as the tall girl hopped up and practically tackled her, picked her off the ground, and swung her around. ¡°What do you mean? I¡ªoof!¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t front on me, girl!¡± When she set her down, Rhea stumbled back, catching Amira¡¯s critical stare and making her a little self-conscious. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re hiding something, Rhea,¡± the redhead noted, taking out her nighttime preparation kit to take to the bathroom. ¡°That glowing red face, goofy grin, and puffed-up cheeks. Normally, I¡¯d say it¡¯s not my business. Not this time. Lori showed me your text.¡± ¡°Wha¡ªLori!¡± ¡°What? You need all the help you can get, girl! You¡¯re a total mess! Forget falling head over heels; you¡¯re practically strung up in the stratosphere right now¡­ Gotcha!¡± the purple-haired girl defended, scooping up Nova as she tried to dart around her. ¡°Hehe. You¡¯re sooo snuggly!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ruff-ruff!¡± Lori strained a laugh as she set Nova back down to hide behind Rhea, Roxie chasing her. ¡°No, I know you¡¯re fluffy, too; you just have some sharp edges sometimes. Aww. C¡¯mon, you can¡¯t be mad at her.¡± ¡°Rockruff!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s brow furrowed at the pair darting around her, the Rock Pokemon trying to tackle her Eevee. Mya and Alice stood off to the side, arms crossed with conflicted expressions. ¡°What¡¯s going on with Roxie and Nova?¡± Amira pulled out her nightgown and slung it over her arm. ¡°Valid question, but dodging the previous subject.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll get it out of her!¡± Lori reassured, bumping hips with Rhea before bustling over to get her own night items. ¡°Short version, Roxie¡¯s peeved that Nova is leaving for a while to do star work with her parents. She looks up to Nova and sees her as a rival.¡± ¡°Ruff-ruff¡­ Ruff!¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe-pwe. Pwe¡­¡± ¡°Rockruff¡­¡± Rhea breathed out the stress compressing her lungs with a laugh. ¡°She¡¯s not going to be gone permanently. Oh, and, uh¡­my mom is going to bring my next Pokemon egg over on Sunday, after our battle with Erika. Your guys¡¯ are probably Galar Pokemon, but they won¡¯t be ready for a few weeks.¡± ¡°Another topic change,¡± Amira said, putting her hand on her hip as Serenity floated beside her and Amber giggled with Gables in the corner. ¡°Still, some good ones, Rhea, I¡¯ll give you that. We can talk about it in the bathroom as we get ready for bed. Erika leaves early tomorrow if we want to catch a ride with her. Now, what is happening with Jason?¡± ¡°And your mother-daughter date!¡± Lori squealed, jumping up and down. ¡°I¡¯m totally not jealous¡ªtotally not! I tried to get my mom to thirst trap with me on the farm, but she had stupid League duties. Cass hasn¡¯t posted anything in like¡­a week, which is huge for her. Her fans are starting to worry she died, though¡­ Yeah, they¡¯re pretty parasocial already; I texted her to post an update so as not to have anything crazy happen¡ªyou know, when you have tens of millions of followers, things can and will get crazy if you stop posting.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take your word for it,¡± Rhea sighed, moving toward her own bag as Lori danced around her, taking Mya by the hands to spin around with the Mawile, the girl no doubt needing to keep her body moving with the energy she currently had. ¡°My visit with my mom was super emotional and great¡­then my time with Terri was super emotional¡­followed by Jason¡¯s nighttime text capping it off. Where should I start?¡± Amira and Lori looked at each other before diving into questions as they made their way to the bathroom. The Unovan girl knew that Terri was with Human Terri, and Rhea figured it was the hyperactive Kubfu¡¯s latent power that was making Lori need to keep in motion; their special Pokemon did affect them in unique ways. Amira seemed to be in a humming mood, as well, matching pitches with Mariah. By the time they¡¯d washed their faces, changed, and finished their nightly routine, she¡¯d gotten through the major points of the day. Obviously, she left certain details about her vulnerable mom out since that was private between them. She also got an update on what adventures Ambrosia had taken their Pokemon on in Mt. Silver. The Champion took them on a day trip, exploring the lower mountainside. They¡¯d met a bunch of Ursaring, who let them play with their children in some hidden mountain obstacle course¡ªonly Nova, Gables, and Amber managed to edge out a win. Alice insisted they cheated, but Nova shook her head behind the pouty bunny when Rhea looked for confirmation. Jason came up when they settled into bed and turned out the light, and Lori naturally chewed into the subject. ¡°Okay, girl, that message is gold.¡± ¡°Which once?¡± Rhea mumbled, taking the device back and holding it up for her Pokemon to look at. ¡°And is Terri going to be okay out there training?¡± ¡°Oh, absolutely!¡± Lori laughed off. ¡°She¡¯s having the time of her life. Terri and Terri hit it off instantly. Plus, I figured the woman needs a little minion to take her mind off stuff.¡± ¡°Minion, huh?¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°Terri is a little minion¡ªa minion of terror! She is so active lately, and it bleeds over to me. I need a certain boy to come back so I can release some of this tension. Ya know what I mean?!¡± ¡°Dancing, I hope,¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°My message?¡± ¡°Oh, Jason and you are just adorable together,¡± she replied, shifting to her side and bunching her pillow under her head. ¡°My opinion? I think your dad wanted to get you two apart for a bit and let things cool down after that show Amira recorded and sent to me.¡± ¡°Amira!¡± Rhea hissed, frowning at the dark side of the room as Alice snuggled closer to her under the blanket, Nova nuzzling her leg. ¡°You took a video of Jason and me singing together?¡± ¡°Of course. How are you feeling with him gone?¡± Rhea groaned, pulling her blanket up a little more as Mya settled in. ¡°It¡¯s so¡­weird. So much is going on, but when my brain has time to idle¡­he just pops into my head. What is he doing right now? Is he thinking about me? Stupid stuff like that. Do you guys feel that way?¡± Amira¡¯s soft laughter bled through the darkness. ¡°That¡¯s normal, Rhea. I bet I¡ªuh, Lori doesn¡¯t have it as bad as you right now, but this is your first major relationship. I was just worried you were jumping into too many physical things too quickly. Sappy messages and cute flirting are good for you. Sometimes, when you really fall on your head for a guy, and he falls for you, then you both drop into a pit that can be¡­not good.¡± Lori sank back with smirking eyes as Amira pushed herself off her bed to look at Rhea with a small smile. ¡°I hope you don¡¯t feel like I¡¯m trying to get between you two. Things are really intense with your first relationship. I almost got into trouble with a boy when I was fourteen¡­ I did get into a little bit of trouble.¡± ¡°What¡ªyou?¡± Lori asked, lifting an eyebrow. ¡°I mean, me, totally, but you, Red? What happened to him?¡± Amira rested her arms behind her head while staring up at the ceiling, a reflective look on her face. ¡°His parents got shipped off to Galar on a big promotion¡­ Yeah, he was the son of a grunt-level employee I met when my grandpa wanted me to work at the base level to understand the business. I¡¯ll say, I didn¡¯t do much work for a couple of weeks during that time, sneaking away with him to the back to make out.¡± ¡°Bad girl!¡± Lori praised. ¡°Who knew Amira was a little deviant like me? And here I thought you were the perfect little princess growing up.¡± ¡°Oh, I was,¡± Amira replied with a short giggle, pulling Amber closer to snuggle. ¡°Well, I was, for the most part. I¡¯ve always been bold and a little rebellious, but that boy made my parents and grandparents do a backflip with how my attitude changed¡­starstruck love will do that to a girl, and I hated my grandma for shipping him away¡­for a few weeks, at least. Now, I can see why they did it.¡± Lori jumped in after. ¡°Not that she¡¯s saying you two should take some time or anything.¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s not what I¡¯m saying,¡± Amira quickly clarified. ¡°I just think that you should take a few months and feel it out slowly because you already have so much of your lives tied together that it could be a little confusing. It¡¯s a new dynamic between you two. Explore it slowly instead of crashing and burning bridges that might not need to be burned. Enjoy the little things together.¡± Feeling better after her friends talked out their concerns, and surprised at Amira¡¯s fourteen-year-old crush that definitely didn¡¯t hit Gossip because it would be front page, for sure, Rhea yawned. ¡°Thanks, Violet, Ruby¡­you two are amazing. I have a lot to process with my abilities, our Gym grind, and exploring the world with you guys. I want to pursue this relationship with Jason, too¡­ Do you think they¡¯ll join us?¡± Lori pulled Roxie onto her exposed belly to pet, not using her blankets recently. ¡°Len and the boys? Mmm. I don¡¯t know about Len. I think after Kalos, he may go back to Unova. He¡¯s got this thing about proving himself to his mom, so I think he¡¯ll want to find a new team there. I don¡¯t know about Lucian. What do you think, Amira?¡± The redhead was silent for a moment before breathing out a long stream of air through her nose. ¡°¡­I can¡¯t tell you. Lucian really wants to spend time with his mom and dad¡­ Things are starting to change for his family dynamic, and I don¡¯t want to rob him of that or make him choose between joining us or them.¡± ¡°Ouch,¡± Rhea whispered, playing with Alice¡¯s paw under the blanket as a shiver ran down her spine. ¡°I didn¡¯t think about that¡­that¡¯s rough. Doesn¡¯t he have to make that choice, though? He hasn¡¯t shown up yet. Wow, that¡¯s insensitive. I¡¯m not trying to be mean or blame him, sorry,¡± she quickly added. ¡°You¡¯re fine, Rhea,¡± Amira softly chuckled. ¡°Life is full of surprises, and seasons are always changing. I won¡¯t blame him either way. It¡¯s not like it is the end of the world or he¡¯s closing any doors. It just might not work out, and that¡¯s okay. Anyway, we have an early day tomorrow. Night, Rhea. Night, Lori.¡± ¡°Night¡­¡± ¡°Night,¡± Lori chimed. ¡°Don¡¯t let the Impidimp bite your boob!¡± Rhea¡¯s head lifted off her pillow. ¡°Huh?¡± Amira giggled, drawing Amber closer still. ¡°Speaking from experience?¡± ¡°Yes, actually!¡± Lori mused. ¡°I could show you the marks; I¡¯ve still got them. Want to see my battle scars from the farmstead? I¡¯ve got this weird cut on my butt I got from sitting on this weird metal thing when I was posing¡ªwell, cut is an exaggeration¡ªmore like a deep impression. It almost looks like a Geodude, I swear! I took a picture on my phone. Oh. I should have shown you when we were in the bathroom! Tomorrow?¡± ¡°Yeah, I¡¯ll pass,¡± Rhea laughed. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯re so back.¡± ¡°Correction,¡± Amira snickered, ¡°you mean Lori is back.¡± ¡°Muk, yes, I am! Night, ladies. I can¡¯t wait to hit the casino tomorrow! The biggest in Kanto and Johto¡­ I¡¯m drooling tonight. Oh, and my birthday is in three weeks¡ªeighteen, baby. I¡¯m glad I waited a season for this whole Kanto thing. Waiting and starting Unova would have been a drag without my girls! Mmm. Jackpot¡­¡± ¡°Aww,¡± Rhea cooed with Amira, letting the subject drop at that wholesome ending. Rhea closed her eyes and leaned back, letting her brain relax from all the emotions that had utterly destroyed her throughout the day. Lori was absolutely shameless, and she hadn¡¯t even told them her birthday was coming up. Also, apparently, Amira had gone further than making out with a guy when she was fourteen. What was that about¡ªsecond base? There was still so much she didn¡¯t know about her new best friends. It was nice her teammates were worried about Jason and her relationship, though. She had good friends. Fading into her dreams, warmth spread through her body as her fingers closed around Jason¡¯s, overlooking a big valley of beautiful, dying leaves. She wasn¡¯t jealous of her dad. No, she was jealous. She¡¯d get her turn with her boyfriend, though, and she knew it would be special. For now, she needed to focus on their battle coming up against Erika. B4 — 25. A New Best Friend
    6:03 a.m. October 24th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 137. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (41 days away).
    Rhea got ready with Amira at 5 a.m., letting Roxie wake Lori up at 5:30. It seemed her teammates were on the train to up her game for Jason¡¯s return on his extended camping trip because the redhead was talking a lot about it. Although she did sense something else stirring below the surface, she didn¡¯t want to intrude on her Aura. So, she left it alone for now. Her dad and Jason were having a blast somehow, and that wasn¡¯t just coming from her dad, which made her nervous about the idea of spending time with Jason¡¯s mom. The woman was a picture fanatic, and she had no clue what she would want to do for their private outing. Some of the videos and pictures her boyfriend and dad sent to her melted her heart, though. Some of that was dampened by a rather strong radial Aura she couldn¡¯t ignore from an older woman who entered the locker room to get ready for the day¡ªenvy was on her heart, and it was directed at her. They didn¡¯t interact or say more than passing greetings, but it did linger on her heart. On their way back to their room, her joy returned a little upon passing Lori. The Unovan girl had gotten up 15 minutes later than she was supposed to, trudging through the halls like a dead woman. Waving her off with laughter, she and Amira continued to their room. She packed up her things with the redhead, waiting for her to approach whatever was eating her up inside. Lori was still in the bathroom when they finished, trying to wake up with the steaming hot water, no doubt. Likely fogging up the locker room mirrors something fierce as she always did. Rhea set her pack against the wall and dropped down next to it. She activated her phone as Amira joined her, wearing a matching blue skirt and white blouse. It was fun to match outfits now that they had big wardrobes. ¡°What time are Erika and Sabrina supposed to be here?¡± Amira flipped through a few messages, pausing on one Erika had sent while they were in the locker room. ¡°Mmm¡ªoh, it looks like Erika has a few free room vouchers for Celadon Hotel. It should be in about 10 minutes, but I told them that Lori might be 20 more since she isn¡¯t really a morning person.¡± ¡°She really isn¡¯t!¡± Rhea snickered, recalling how the violet-haired girl had somehow rolled out of her futon and been using Mya as a pillow when they¡¯d woken up; her Pokemon had learned to latch onto their Trainer due to her restless movements at night. ¡°Didn¡¯t you already book a hotel for us?¡± ¡°No, I didn¡¯t think we needed to since Rocket owns a large condominium in the city for traveling employees. I¡¯d rather not intrude on the staff and cause them a headache, finding us room if Erika already has a place for us¡­and as nice as Celadon Hotel is, it¡¯s not something I¡¯d turn down.¡± Rhea frowned while petting Lulu, sleeping in her lap. Her other Pokemon had gone to the training area to participate in the morning exercises of the dojo. They could pull them back with a spiritual tug, letting them know they were ready to go. ¡°Aren¡¯t we taking away a place for someone else, though? I don¡¯t want to get special treatment.¡± Amira gave her a look. ¡°Rhea¡­we will always get special treatment. It isn¡¯t something to be ashamed about. It is something to be aware of and thankful for. There will always be people less fortunate than us.¡± ¡°I guess you¡¯re right,¡± she sighed, swiping through some of the images her boyfriend sent of him exploring Sable National Park with her father; he seemed to be giving him some private lessons and training, which made her excited for their coming battle. ¡°Sometimes I wonder about how fair things are¡­ I could feel it in one of the women in the locker room¡­ Jealousy.¡± ¡°Of course, there are people jealous of us,¡± the redhead whispered, responding to Erika¡¯s text. ¡°Acknowledge it, offer help where you can, and live your life shame-free. Life isn¡¯t fair, Rhea, and denying reality by believing in some unnatural order of equity will only ruin your life because it is an impossibility¡­at least with free will involved.¡± She smiled and glanced over at her, brushing her ponytail over her shoulder. ¡°You should find joy in what you have rather than what you don¡¯t. At least, that is what I believe and what my mother taught me. There is so much beauty around us to enjoy without being envious of others. You have qualities I desire, but I don¡¯t fault you for that or let it ruin my mood.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Rhea hummed, crossing her legs and shifting to study her new, budding best friend. ¡°And what qualities do I have that you want? My Fortitude?¡± Amira tilted her head to the side with a short laugh, stroking Mariah¡¯s hair as she slumbered in her own lap. ¡°That is low-hanging fruit. You didn¡¯t even try! Obviously, I am a little self-conscious about my lacking Allocations compared to Lori and you. I¡¯ll admit that it is hard to feel positive when you two are super athletes, and I consider myself very athletic¡­only to have you two smoke me. I counter that by admiring you two and using that feeling as a way to help me push out of my comfort zone.¡± Her red eyes shifted to her with a small smile. ¡°I want to have your enthusiasm and trust in people. I¡¯m a natural pessimist who tries to be positive, and it¡¯s an effort, but you make that easier, which is amazing for me. My mom agrees!¡± Rhea giggled, thinking back to the karaoke night they had, remembering the hyperactive song Lyra had pulled Silver into. She hadn¡¯t expected the serious businessman to be so animated, but when dancing and singing with his super active wife, he seemed to come out of his shell. ¡°Your mom is so fun¡­ I really want to go on a camping trip with her. I feel like she¡¯d be the best person to go exploring with, always bouncing toward the next horizon with a smile on her face.¡± Amira¡¯s left eye creased while studying her, shifting Mariah in her lap to swap to her side against the wall, tucking her legs to the side. ¡°Now that you mention it¡­you really do have a lot in common with my mom. No wonder she was so ecstatic about us being on the same team. I think she can somewhat live her dream of coming on a journey with me through you.¡± ¡°Aww. That¡¯s so sweet of you to say,¡± Rhea beamed, her smile falling a little as she looked at her half-off sandals and played with her toes. ¡°I really respect your mom. In fact¡­I¡¯m a little ashamed to admit, but there were times in the last few months that I kind of wished¡­she was my mom, but I really do love my mom. She¡¯s just¡­¡± ¡°Frustrating?¡± Amira chuckled, vision drifting to the floor as she looked into her past. ¡°Yes, I can relate to that. We all have our problems with our parents. And we all love them for their flaws, even if they aggravate us to no end.¡± Her ruby eyes lifted to stare into her coral blue. ¡°It¡¯s rare for a team to stay together longer than one or two tiers. Jason and his team are being drawn into their own directions. I¡­was a little afraid we might go down that route when you started talking about taking part in the movie for Nova.¡± Rhea hummed, using her hand to scoot up, straightening her spine against the wall. ¡°You thought I¡¯d leave the team?¡± ¡°Not necessarily,¡± Amira said with a small smile, resting her head against the wall. ¡°I just thought we might be moving in that direction. And I totally support and understand why you might want to do something that would allow Nova to connect with her parents¡ªit¡¯s something she wants. I just¡­find it hard to trust people, I suppose you could say.¡± Nodding, Rhea rubbed Lulu¡¯s cheek as she yawned and latched onto her finger, mumbling in her sleep. In essence, Amira didn¡¯t think it would be easy for her to find another team if they went their separate ways. Instead of frowning, she grinned and met her gaze again. ¡°That¡¯s probably the best compliment you ever gave me. Thank you, Amira. That isn¡¯t what you¡¯re really worried about, is it?¡± Closing her eyes and shaking her head, Amira let a short chuckle shake her frame. ¡°Is it your Aura sense telling you that? If so, it¡¯s right. It¡¯s just¡­something I don¡¯t want to broach¡­and is uncomfortable for me.¡± Rhea could already guess what it was by the redhead¡¯s earlier topic, which would have rolled into it. She could see why it was tough, too. Amira thought about every angle when trying to approach sensitive discussions, and, as she said, she was more of a recovering pessimist. ¡°No Aura sense. You can say it. I¡¯m not going to be offended. Have a little more faith in my faith in you to know you¡¯re genuine. It¡¯s Jason, right?¡± Amira breathed out a sigh that made her nose crease with agitation as she opened her eyes to stare at the floor. ¡°I feel like a hypocrite¡­and I hate that feeling. I¡¯m happy that you¡¯re taking your relationship with Jason to another level¡­but I do fear that maybe you¡¯d need to choose between our group and him eventually¡­ It¡¯s difficult since I already rely on you¡­a lot,¡± she said, gaze lifting to hers, making Rhea choke at the intensity. ¡°It may sound out of nowhere¡­but you are the closest friend I¡¯ve ever had¡­likely my only friend.¡± She puffed out a hot, frustrated breath. ¡°Lori?¡± Rhea instinctively asked. Amira lightly tapped her head against the wall. ¡°Lori is¡­fun and sporadic, but she¡¯s just¡­ Ugh. How do I describe it? Mmgm. No, it¡¯s stupid. Ack! I wouldn¡¯t want to hear this¡­but, mmm¡­but you¡¯re like my mom. I hate myself,¡± she snarled, rubbing between her eyes. ¡°But¡­but you¡¯re not her, and that means a lot for some reason,¡± she admitted. ¡°I admire my mom¡ªmore than anyone¡­and I feel like crying right now just saying this, but¡­but I feel like I may be mixing these feelings into trying to give you advice¡­and I have to expose myself for any hypocrisy I may have¡­¡± She paused, trying to find the right words. ¡°I know you enjoy being around us, but you light up when you read his texts, and I know it¡¯s not healthy, but I don¡¯t want to lose your company. I¡¯ve never had a friend like you before¡­ Someone I know I can trust¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve¡­mmgm¡­ I¡¯ve rarely envied anything, which is ironic considering the start of this conversation¡­but I can admit that I am not perfect. I have¡­possessive tendencies to things¡­like my mom¡­ I thought it could just be because of her status, but you¡¯ve made me aware it¡¯s friends, too. I understand if you hate this side of me¡­ It¡¯s a flaw¡­I¡¯m flawed.¡± Amira swallowed the lump in her throat, making Rhea¡¯s heart go out to her friend as she struggled through her emotions. She couldn¡¯t interrupt her after she was working so hard to express what was weighing on her chest. So Rhea gave the redhead her full attention, sending her encouragement and understanding. Cutting off, Amira shook her head again, scratching her arm with agitation. ¡°I don¡¯t even know what I¡¯m saying anymore,¡± she said with a pained laugh. ¡°It makes me feel sick to my stomach. I feel like I¡¯m burning you, and it¡¯s killing me, thinking I¡¯m trying to hold you back from pursuing something you should¡­ I just hope I¡¯m not burdening you. Hah. We¡¯ve only known each other for, what¡­four and a half months? I¡¯m pathetic.¡± Rhea shifted to the side to face her friend against the wall, giving her a non-judging smile. ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re anything remotely approaching pathetic¡­if anything, the opposite! Here, I have some things I¡¯d like to get off of my chest, too, so¡­here I go! ¡°It¡¯s been the best four and a half months, Amira. You¡¯re not burdening me with anything, and I think you¡¯re right. There¡¯s a reason my dad pulled Jason away for a few days. I was kind of jumping in really, really fast. I don¡¯t want to make you or Lori feel like you¡¯re taking a back seat, too¡­ Hmm. Actually, I wonder if I made Len and Lucian feel that way by putting so much pressure on Jason. Umm. Amira, can I be honest with you?¡± This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Amira was still fighting back tears, but she nodded as Rhea opened her arms, welcoming a hug. A bright smile lifted her cheeks as she said what she¡¯d been feeling for a bit now. ¡°Now that Jason¡¯s moving into boyfriend territory and out of the best friend category¡­I¡¯ve had an open spot, and you¡¯ve kind of filled it. Too much?¡± Swallowing the lump in her throat, Amira pulled in her lips and shook her head, shifting Mariah to scoot closer and welcome the embrace. Her hot skin and breath made Rhea¡¯s face soften as her arms closed around her back, pulling her in. ¡°No¡­not at all. I¡¯ve just¡­ Except for my family¡­I¡¯ve never had these feelings before¡­like I can completely trust someone. Thank you for being a true friend, Rhea. Thank you for not judging me like everyone else.¡± ¡°Thank you for being a rock we can always count on¡­ You¡¯ve taught me so much. Hah. Maybe you¡¯re more like a big sister than a best friend¡ªboth?¡± Amira laughed, her chest shaking against hers as she fought through her emotions. ¡°I have always wanted a little sister, and¡­I think I¡¯m older than you.¡± Breaking apart, Rhea rubbed her eyes, likely as red as Amira¡¯s at this point. ¡°Mhm! You just barely missed the season date, right? Your birthday is on the 8th of December¡ªI know because Gossip always talks about your birthdays!¡± ¡°Of course they do,¡± Amira chuckled, accepting a tissue Mariah gave her, having woken up from their thick voices no doubt tickling the music Pokemon¡¯s ears. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I don¡¯t know yours. I should have asked sooner.¡± ¡°The 1st of January,¡± Rhea chimed. ¡°We¡¯re all pretty close, aren¡¯t we? Lori¡¯s is November 13th. What are we going to do for her eighteenth birthday?¡± Amira dabbed at her cheeks as Mariah made a few musical notes, pointing at the door. ¡°It looks like she¡¯s done and just in time. I¡¯ll text you some options, but first, we need to figure out which city we¡¯ll be in, and that could be a little tricky if we lose any Gym Challenges.¡± Rhea puffed up her chest. ¡°Yeah, I think we¡¯ve been doing pretty good so far. Sure, we¡¯ve had some setbacks, but we¡¯re basically already fighting entry-level Gold-tier at this point. We¡¯ll kill it!¡± ¡°I hope you¡¯re right,¡± Amira said, shifting her back against the wall and fixing her skirt position while crossing her legs. ¡°We¡¯re getting closer to Viridian¡­ I¡¯m getting a little nervous.¡± ¡°Nervous?!¡± Lori came skipping through the door, wearing sunglasses, a tank top, shorts, and sandals. Her Pokemon were dancing with one another. ¡°What¡¯s there to be scared of? We¡¯re poppin¡¯ off, girls! Wait, what¡¯s up with the red eyes? It¡¯s casino day, ladies! It¡¯s time to party, dance, and explore the best city in Kanto¡ªthe City of Games, baby!¡± Rhea got to her feet as the violet-haired girl hopped over to pull her into a dance. ¡°I think it¡¯s actually called the City of Rainbow Dreams.¡± ¡°One and the same to me, Honey Pot!¡± Lori sang. ¡°I heard half of it is Sin City, and the other half is a tranquil garden of meditation¡ªor some Muk like that. I can see why your dad didn¡¯t want Mr. Smooth going with you! Hehehe. You¡¯re as smooooth as Couriway whiskey¡­ You¡¯re as sweeeet as Mago wine!¡± ¡°Lori!¡± Giggles ensued as the party girl bumped hips with her, getting them into the party mood. It didn¡¯t take long for Erika to message them that they were out front, and their Pokemon sent them a spiritual tug to confirm. Strolling outside, they found the two dark-haired Gym Leaders beside each other. Sabrina was about thirty centimeters taller than the shorter woman. Erika wore her typical, traditional Kanto kimono with its gradient reds and greens, her hair band keeping her bangs out of her face. On the other hand, Sabrina wore a more casual outfit today with her blue jeans and loose red top, clearly going to do some shopping in the neighboring city with her best friend. ¡°Ready to go, girls?¡± Erika asked, her amber irises showing the typical serenity the Gym Leader put off. ¡°We can drop you off at the Celadon Hotel to drop off your goods real fast before taking you to the Shopping District to get your groceries for the next few days.¡± Lori frowned, obviously wanting to get right to the Gambling District, but Amira answered before her as they joined the pair; their Pokemon were already gathered around Sabrina¡¯s large Alakazam, floating beside the women. ¡°We¡¯d appreciate the invite, Sabrina, Erika. I¡¯ve been around the city a few times since Rocket has a few significant assets and property there. You needn¡¯t chaperone or worry about us once we are in the Shopping District. I know you still have the rest of the day to enjoy yourselves.¡± Sabrina smiled down at the Grass Specialist. ¡°Erika needed a week off to rejuvenate after the last month she¡¯s had. Battling you girls tomorrow will be the icing on the cake.¡± ¡°Mmm. We should grab some cake at the University sweets shop. One of my students told me that they have a few new Berry products that are trending.¡± ¡°Sounds good!¡± Rhea said, suddenly having the urge to eat some as she adjusted her backpack strap. ¡°So, we leaving right now?¡± Sabrina¡¯s eyes flashed a light pink as she turned toward the dojo¡¯s front entrance. ¡°In a moment¡­ We¡¯re just waiting for our last passenger.¡± ¡°Oh, who?¡± Rhea asked, following her gaze with the rest of their party as the sounds of the morning martial arts shouts started. Her mind blanked when a blonde woman came jogging down the path, looking a little frantic and holding a small handbag. ¡°Mom?!¡± Erika giggled and hid her mouth with her sleeve. ¡°She didn¡¯t tell you she was going to Celadon to partake in the University Hyper Professor Exam Round Table Conference¡­the UHPERT. They usually have weird names like that.¡± ¡°Oh, hey, girls¡ªeh?!¡± her mom chimed, Rhea fearing she¡¯d trip as her heel-toe struck a slightly lifted stone. A light pink aura saved her from the tumble, bringing her over to them without incident and turning her mom¡¯s cheeks pink. ¡°Eh-hehe. Thanks, Sabrina.¡± ¡°You always were a klutz, Christie, depending on your husband to save you.¡± Rhea snickered. ¡°Yeah, I can see why she wanted to breed it out of Alice to find a way to cure herself. It didn¡¯t seem to work, Mom.¡± ¡°Haha. Jokes. Jokes. Yes, I¡¯m a klutz,¡± she admitted, clearing her throat and adjusting her shoulder strap. ¡°Maybe I shouldn¡¯t run in heels. I¡¯m totally not here to hover over you, Rhea! I¡¯m just here for¡ªRhea¡­¡± Her mother¡¯s nervous voice softened with her expression as Rhea walked forward to hug her. She held her mom tight as if protecting her from the storms of the world. Her mom had such a vulnerable, tattered heart that it needed all the love it could get to mend the damage she¡¯d done to it herself over years of self-hate. ¡°Mom¡­would you have time to hang out later? I¡¯d love to take you out dancing! What do you say? Lori¡¯s been teaching me a bunch.¡± Bottom lip trembling, her mom¡¯s arms strengthened with her voice, and Rhea could practically feel the boom and clap of her mom¡¯s heart as Rhea let her love be felt. ¡°I¡¯d love that, Honey¡­ I¡¯d like that a lot. I¡¯m pretty old school, though, so you¡¯ll have to be the teacher to this old woman.¡± ¡°Oh, you¡¯re not that old, Mom!¡± Rhea giggled, feeling light as air upon seeing the excitement budding in her mom¡¯s picture-perfect blue eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll have to go shopping to pick out some dresses, too! Will you have time?¡± ¡°Always,¡± her mom said, practically glowing as Rhea felt her mom¡¯s hands heating up in hers. ¡°The conference is twelve p.m. to three, but I¡¯ll be free the rest of the day.¡± Lori jumped in, seemingly unable to hold back anymore. ¡°Awesome! Do you gamble, too, Ms. Everhart? We¡¯re going to hit a few casinos, and I saw some more tame ones¡ªdancing-wise¡ªif you wanted to have a more classy environment! It¡¯s more expensive, but they¡¯ve got some cool events.¡± Her mom shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid I¡¯ve never been lucky at gambling, but Keith was always a pro at it. I look forward to losing money while having a fun time with you girls.¡± ¡°Awww! Rhea, your mom is too wholesome!¡± Lori cried, hopping forward to wrap her much smaller mom into a tight embrace. ¡°We¡¯re going to have such a fun day!¡± Amira simply waved at her as the Unovan girl broke away. ¡°I look forward to your company, Ms. Everhart.¡± ¡°Girls! Call me Christie,¡± she beamed. ¡°So, where are you girls staying?¡± Sabrina floated off the ground, her smile turning mischievous. ¡°Here¡­¡± Multicolored lights gathered around them, and in the next instance, gasps were heard as they appeared inside a luxury hotel lobby. Above them hung a shimmering waterfall of dazzling white crystals, spaced around the lights in a vast, magical chandelier. A tiered ceiling showed hidden bulbs that further cast a twinkling vista on the light gray ceiling. White and black marble covered the polished floor, golden parallel lines tracing a pattern around its vast, open space. Matching leather couches and armchairs were placed before the long, open fireplace to the side of the lobby, and dozens of well-dressed people and even Pokemon walked around the area. Her mother blinked and cast her gaze around the ritzy lobby. ¡°Celadon¡­ Hotel? This is where the University booked me¡­ Erika, you gave them the Gym rooms, didn¡¯t you?¡± The elegant woman chuckled and waved at the Grass Pokemon attendants who waited to be of service, and Rhea caught sight of several greenery themes mixed into the fancy design of the lobby. ¡°The rooms are free for the next three days. I don¡¯t expect the girls to stay longer since they are trying to get all the badges before December 5th, so it is a waste to leave them empty. I¡¯ve already informed management. These lovely Pokemon will take your packs to your rooms.¡± A Chikorita, Bellossom, and Tangrowth hopped forward to take their packs, vines wrapping around the straps as they offered them. ¡°Chika!¡± ¡°Bellossom.¡± ¡°Growth-growth.¡± Their Pokemon waved them off, Rhea still too distracted by the cool lobby to catch what came next, but she caught the tail end of Erika¡¯s sentence. ¡°¡­So, why don¡¯t you give us a better view of the city, Sabrina?¡± In the next instant, a strong wind brushed by them, and she was floating over Celadon. The early morning sun peeked over the horizon, casting its glow across the giant, divided city. ¡°Wow,¡± Rhea whispered. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen it from the air¡ªonly the streets from daily life blog videos¡­ It¡¯s so much bigger than I thought.¡± Erika folded her arms in her long sleeves, looking upon her city with fondness as Lori fixated on the casino area. ¡°Celadon is divided into two parts¡­the forest area to the south, and the city area to the north.¡± She nodded toward the northeast, where sectioned housing was spaced. ¡°Much of the Residential Section for the citizens is in the north, but the far more sparse and controlled housing for smaller residences is in the southeast, where Celadon Hotel is. ¡°In the heart of the city is the Riverway, Arts, and Casino Districts, which I¡¯m sure you are most interested in, Mallory.¡± Lori nodded eagerly. ¡°Look at those designs and how big they are! Eh-hehehe. Is it too late to go to one of the casino hotels? Wait, I see the P1 Grand Prix! We have to see at least one show!¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid so,¡± Amira chortled. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Lori, you will get your gambling fix, and we¡¯ll check the schedule. We¡¯re fairly busy as it is.¡± ¡°Aww. I know. Celadon is like¡­the place I most wanted to visit in Kanto, though¡­¡± ¡°Haha. We¡¯ll talk about it,¡± Amira reassured. Their Pokemon were pointing at various things and asking the hovering Alakazam questions as they spun around the air, Alice trying to chase Lulu. Rhea followed her mother¡¯s finger to the far western center, between the forested area and bustling city, where a large campus was positioned beside an even larger park with a colossal fountain at its center. ¡°The University is one of the largest in all of Kanto and Johto. I¡¯m asked to speak here often and look over research, but I rarely have time. They caught me on a rare lull,¡± she laughed, giving Rhea a nervous smile while brushing back her bangs. ¡°Sorry.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Thoroughly confused, she quickly realized what had prompted her mom¡¯s apology. ¡°No! Don¡¯t think I¡¯m trying to restrict you from research or science stuff, Mom¡­ I just want you to take it slower¡ªto have fun with me.¡± ¡°Right, right! Sorry.¡± Rhea gave her mom a playful glare and pout. ¡°And¡­don¡¯t say sorry. I¡¯m sorry,¡± she repeated with a more cheery smile this time that made Rhea laugh. ¡°Good. We¡¯re going to have a fun time together! And, umm, is that northwestern district the Shopping District?¡± ¡°Very good,¡± Erika clapped, moving their gaze to the southwest. ¡°And that big, beautiful campus of flowers is the Celadon Gym District. It is far more than just a Gym. I host a girl¡¯s only private school amongst a few other little projects I have to help support young girls find their own way in our world of Pokemon. It would mean a lot if you stopped by there to speak to some of them if you get a chance.¡± Rhea blinked, realizing she was talking to their group instead of her mother. ¡°Oh, us¡ªtalk about what?¡± Amira chuckled. ¡°My guess is more of a question and answer session¡ªfairly free-form. We are becoming celebrities for a lot of young women and little girls. I¡¯d expect questions about our unique Pokemon and probably that stunt you pulled in Saffron against Sabrina. I think we might be able to swing it if you¡¯re asking, Erika.¡± ¡°Wonderful!¡± Erika chirped, clapping her hands together with sudden excitement. ¡°You have my private number, so feel free to text me at what times best suit your schedule. It would be even more amazing if you could defeat me tomorrow and do it later that night so it is fresh in their minds.¡± Sabrina floated over to nudge her best friend¡¯s side. ¡°We haven¡¯t even let them really walk on Celadon¡¯s streets yet, Moss Brain. Let the girls enjoy their day without so much pressure. You can drill them tomorrow.¡± ¡°Oh! My apologies¡­haaa¡­ I think I¡¯m getting sleepy.¡± ¡°And that is our cue to drop you off and take Ms. Princess here to her bedroom. I¡¯ll have breakfast ready when you wake up, Erika.¡± ¡°Mmm¡­ Sorry to be a burden, Bestie,¡± Erika said with a thankful smile, eyes drooping. ¡°You¡¯ve always saved me¡­¡± Sabrina¡¯s eyes brightened, sending the woman into her covers at home, no doubt. ¡°Always and forever, Bestie. Alright, I¡¯ll drop you girls off at the Shopping District and you at the University, Christie. Also, don¡¯t let Erika bully you, too. She can get a bit pushy when she gets excited.¡± With that, Rhea blinked, and they were suddenly on the sidewalk before a gigantic mall, several citizens jumping away in shock at their teleportation. Nova hopped into her arms, and Lulu flew out of the air to land on her head, escaping Lulu¡¯s hopping grab. Amira and Lori smiled at her, and Rhea led the way inside. ¡°Let¡¯s have a fun day before our crucible tomorrow!¡± B4 — 26. Fun in Celadon
    6:43 a.m. October 24th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 137. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (41 days away).
    Rhea¡¯s jaw slackened as she walked into the biggest shopping mall in all of Kanto. Overwhelmed, she had to stand at the entrance in shock while scanning the ten floors that rose in a tiered crescent shape. Waterfalls cascaded down the middle and sides, showing dozens upon dozens of Water Pokemon playing and having fun. Her focus darted left and right as the large groups of people and Pokemon moved about their errands. Elevators, unlike any she had seen before, rose on their sides up the levels, their glass walls allowing the occupants to look down on the shoppers. The ceilings of each floor were unusually high, enough to allow Flying Pokemon to travel through the air in their own lanes. ¡°It¡¯s¡­so big!¡± she mumbled. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect so many people so early. Where do we even start?¡± Lori scanned the place in a somewhat impressed hum. ¡°It¡¯s big, but I¡¯ve seen bigger in Castelia City. Still, the wide, open layout is cool. Where do you want to start, Ruby? We¡¯ve got a while to chill.¡± Amira motioned them to the far left, looking totally comfortable and like she knew where they were going. ¡°It¡¯s bigger than the international airports, so stay close; it is easy to get lost. We¡¯ll take the escalator system to reach the Restaurant Section since¡­¡± ¡°Oh! Are we getting breakfast? Perfect timing!¡± Rhea jumped with the rest of her Pokemon and friends as a very familiar, very unexpected voice crept up behind them. Spinning around, she saw an elegant blonde giving her a mischievous grin. ¡°Auntie Cynthia! What are you doing here¡­and I don¡¯t often see you dressed like this! What happened to the 14-hour marathon? How much sleep did you get?¡± Jumping forward to hug her legendary aunt, Rhea relished the embrace as she heard her chuckles reverberate through her chest. The fine fabric of her aunt¡¯s high-neck, sleeveless crop top tickled her nose, and her sapphire pendant was cool against her collarbone. Her aunt pulled away to get a good look at them, placing a hand on her hip and showing off her ripped blue jeans, matching shoulder purse, and black heels. ¡°Five or six hours, so I¡¯m still a little bit loopy. Aren¡¯t you girls looking cute today?¡± Waving her hands dismissively, she shifted to the side to present her giant Togekiss and Porygon-Z, keeping her hidden from the public with her illusions. ¡°As for the marathon, I left Chase and Elaine entangled on their couch, snoozing away. I also brought someone special!¡± ¡°Pweee!¡± ¡°Pwe-pwe?!¡± Ambrosia jumped off the Togekiss¡¯ back to meet her jumping daughter in the air, taking the smaller girl to the ground and rolling across the tile. Their Pokemon eagerly surrounded the Eevees, greeting the mature Evolution Pokemon. Her aunt winked and held up a finger at the excited group of Pokemon as her 8¡¯11 Togekiss flew over to join them. ¡°Micky wanted to get to know your Pokemon while we¡¯re here. I hope I¡¯m not interrupting something special for you girls, but my schedule is always pretty busy, so I find it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. Would you mind?¡± ¡°Not at all. Are you guys fine with it?¡± she asked, seeing their Pokemon were already jumping around the big Togekiss. Amira swapped her arm behind her back to grab her elbow and shook her head. ¡°Actually, I¡¯d love your company, Cynthia. If we have the time, it would be great to go over your thoughts on the strategy I¡¯ve thought about against Erika tomorrow.¡± ¡°Yes, tips would be nice,¡± Lori openly nodded, her purple bangs floating up and down with the movements. ¡°So, we hang, talk about how to crush Erika, and casually shop for the morning?¡± ¡°Sounds good to me,¡± Cynthia snickered. ¡°Seriously, though, I don¡¯t know how much help I can be. I¡¯ve been running on two days of sleep, caffeine, and energy drinks for the past week. I¡¯m feeling a little loopy,¡± she said with a dazzling smile that showed nothing of the like. ¡°Yeah, we know you¡¯re superhuman, Auntie,¡± Rhea laughed. Skipping back a bit and taking out her phone, her teammates smiled and closed in as she held up the device for a selfie. ¡°Picture! Say, Garchomp!¡± ¡°Garchomp!¡± Snapping it, she promptly shared it with her social media and boyfriend. She was totally going to get a disappointed emoji from her grandpa that he wasn¡¯t there and a cute text emoji from her great-grandma. Her Aunt Cynthia waved off their Pokemon with them as Micky teleported them somewhere mysterious; by the distance they felt to her spirit, it was still inside the mall. ¡°I was sure you¡¯d bonk me on the head for neglecting my sleep like you do with your mom.¡± Rhea huffed and put her phone away as Amira led the way to the escalators; her Porygon-Z spun above them in broken parts, continuing to glamor the Legendary Trainer so they didn¡¯t get swarmed with fans. She¡¯d become used to it with Diantha, and it seemed it was a normal thing for super famous, top-tier Trainers. She just never experienced it since she¡¯d never left her tiny village. ¡°Oh, believe me, if you looked like my mom usually does, then I would be,¡± Rhea said, jogging ahead a tad to flip around and walk backward to talk to her aunt. ¡°You know she¡¯s talking at the college today?¡± ¡°I do!¡± the blonde Champion chimed, brushing back her half-pulled-up hair and semi-loose bangs while scanning the giant shopping district. ¡°I promised her I¡¯d make it, so I¡¯ll have to ditch you girls around noon, but we have four or five hours to catch up. I look like a big, scary bodyguard to everyone, so don¡¯t worry about us being interrupted,¡± she said, pointing up at her cycling Pokemon. ¡°Convenient!¡± Lori mumbled, rubbing her chin and glancing at Rhea. ¡°So¡­do you know what Pokemon your sister is teasing us about¡ªthe Galar Pokemon? Rhea is getting her new Pokemon tomorrow, right?¡± ¡°Are you?¡± Cynthia shrugged, her head bobbing a little to the rock music playing over the speakers. ¡°That¡¯s cool. Christie doesn¡¯t typically talk to me about that stuff, which is sad, but I think she just doesn¡¯t want to bother me. You¡¯d have to ask our granny or mom for that kind of info.¡± ¡°Grandma Glacia knows?¡± Rhea asked, thrown off by the news. ¡°I didn¡¯t know Mom talks to Grandma about that stuff.¡± Her aunt¡¯s silver eyes didn¡¯t linger on anything, darting around the environment and vibing to her own rhythm; Rhea was sure it was her need to be completely aware of her environment and dangers, but she made it all look like positive interest in everything around her. ¡°Mom¡¯s always tried to be in our lives as much as she feels is acceptable. It¡¯s hard for her sometimes, I know. Being regions apart is tough, but she¡¯s looking at retiring soon to spend more time with the family.¡± ¡°Retiring¡­really?¡± Amira whispered, brow furrowing as they slowed behind a small group that hurried forward onto the escalator as the blonde Legend neared, making them a tan nervous. ¡°I know Drake and Glacia have been pillars in Hoenn for a while, and with how¡­free-spirited Champion Steven is.¡± Rhea winced at the pause Amira made, but her aunt and Lori laughed at the shade the redhead threw, and Rhea paid close attention to the subject as they stepped onto the moving floor. There were a lot of rumors surrounding the Champion of Hoenn and her aunt; if they only knew half of the stories she knew about the pair, then they¡¯d be even more suspicious, but her aunt never really talked about her love life. ¡°Free-spirited is one way to describe Steffy,¡± she said with a fond tilt of her head while staring at the apprehensive people who traveled on the other escalator, going in the opposite direction. ¡°The man has the balls to call me ¡®Nubers¡¯ without a second thought.¡± ¡°Oh?! Oh?!¡± Lori chirped, practically bouncing on her toes. ¡°What¡¯s the story behind that nickname? Share the juicy details! I¡¯ve heard you two are totally dating.¡± Rhea¡¯s heartbeat seized, the air in her lungs compressing to punch her in the chest. Lori! You can¡¯t just come out and ask that¡ªnot to my aunt! That¡¯s like¡­suicide! No one asks that¡ªnot even my mom! A small smirk lifted her aunt¡¯s lips as she leaned against the moving rail guard, resting the back of her hand against her cheek while studying the eager violet-haired girl. ¡°I can¡¯t go a week without some headline chasing that angle. Chris never misses a chance to tease me and ask how things are going between us.¡± Rhea¡¯s brain stopped working. ¡°Huh? You¡­are dating¡ªand Mom knows?! Why haven¡¯t you told me?!¡± Her aunt¡¯s eyes drifted to the ceiling, a somewhat deviant smile playing at the corner of her mouth. ¡°Well, I can¡¯t really call it a ¡®relationship¡¯ if neither of us really is looking for one. And how can I tell my little niece, who looks up to me, that I randomly hook up with a guy from time to time? I think you¡¯re old enough now to get it, though,¡± she said with an unabashed grin. Rhea felt like her brain had been cooked, and she¡¯d evolved into a Braixen. Yeah, there was probably fire coming out of her ears as she envisioned the pretty and handsome blue-haired stud and her aunt spending time together in a dark, undercover club. ¡°Mhm!¡± she managed to squeak as Lori giggled and bumped hips with her. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. ¡°A girl has needs, right?! Haha. Wow. What¡¯s the story behind that nickname, and so, uh, are we talking every month, or so¡­every year¡­week?!¡± Why are you still talking, Lori? Week?! Rhea cried, almost choking. Yeah, her cheeks were already turning pink at the hot topic situationship her aunt was in with the poster boy of the bachelor of the century. And suddenly, she was having a daydream of their wedding. Stop, stupid brain! ¡°What a topic to get into, girls!¡± her aunt chortled, shifting her posture to study her teammate. ¡°If we¡¯re going to play gossip, then I expect to get my own shots in. So be prepared!¡± ¡°So prepared!¡± Lori gulped, now looking excited. ¡°Come on; spill the juice!¡± Rhea even saw Amira perk up at the information, her ruby eyes locked onto her older woman. Honestly, she truly wanted to know, as well, because now, every time Steven had stopped by their house with her aunt, it took on a whole new meaning to her. One particular encounter, where the pair had sat on their couch, with a mischievous look on her aunt¡¯s face and uncertain side-long stare from Steven in the awkward silence. It filled her mind with Impish fantasies. Her aunt folded her fingers at her front while glancing between them. ¡°Our schedules are too busy to spend time together weekly, but I¡¯ll say I haven¡¯t gone without teasing him at least once a week. Take that however you will. Hmm? And where are your minds going, I wonder?¡± she snickered. ¡°Oh, to be young.¡± Lori¡¯s cheeks even reddened at the comment as she held up her thumb. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve got my deviant sweet fix for the day; thank you!¡± she giggled before pausing. ¡°Wait, is he a good kisser?¡± ¡°Lori,¡± Amira groaned, rubbing her hot forehead, but her frame locked up as the Legend responded. ¡°Oh, his tongue is like chocolate melting in your mouth¡ªthe best! So, how is Jason, Rhea?¡± ¡°Ack-ack! Eh¡­umm, really good?¡± she whispered, wondering if the words came out at all as her body felt like it was about to combust spontaneously. Her aunt¡¯s smile softened while studying her nervous fidgets. ¡°As if it would be okay if you were to die in his arms?¡± ¡°Auntie!¡± Rhea groaned, glancing left and right as the people giving them space glanced their way at her loud voice. ¡°Do we have to¡­¡± ¡°I did reveal my little secrets, so it¡¯s only fair,¡± her aunt countered, pushing away from the wall to bring her into a warm hug. ¡°I¡¯m just happy to see you growing up. It¡¯s fun to tease you and see you bloom. Bianca was the same way, but I guess you two are somewhat like two peas in a pod¡ªtoo old of a reference?¡± Rhea sighed and tightened her arms around her aunt¡¯s soft body; she felt safe in her embrace. ¡°So¡­you made fun of Bi, too?¡± ¡°Hehe. Does that make me a bad mom? Bianca was pretty independent for a bit of her journey and pushed me away to be her own woman. So, I just want to enjoy a little bit of what I missed.¡± She combed back her bangs, gentle fingers grazing Rhea¡¯s cheeks while looking into her eyes. ¡°He makes you happy, though?¡± ¡°Mhm¡­he does¡­ And really mad sometimes.¡± ¡°Then everything is how it should be,¡± Cynthia mused. ¡°I¡¯m glad it was Jason who swept out your feet and made you see stars.¡± ¡°Auntie¡­¡± ¡°It makes me feel safe¡­because love can hurt, My Fluffy Little Swablu¡­ Love can hurt like nothing else. So, cherish it when it is sweet and pure because nothing else can compare.¡± A sobering hush fell over them as Rhea clung to her vulnerable aunt. She knew there were very deep scars in her heart from some mysterious past, but she didn¡¯t know and didn¡¯t want to bring it up since she couldn¡¯t dream of hurting her amazing aunt. It scared her a little, though. Her parents¡¯ relationship had been enough of a ground-shaking revelation; she didn¡¯t know if she could handle her aunt¡¯s. ¡°Well, enough of the auntie¡¯s obligatory teasing and check-ups,¡± the blonde whispered, pulling away to give her a calming look. ¡°Let¡¯s get some caffeine in us and do some shopping for you beautiful girls. Besides, we still have some fun to poke at Lori!¡± ¡°Oh, bring it on, Ms. Champion!¡± Lori boasted. ¡°I¡¯m an open book.¡± Stepping off in the Restaurant District, Rhea couldn¡¯t help shaking her head as her aunt promptly took them to the ice cream shop¡ªshe was such an addict. After some sweets and a nice noodle-based breakfast, they went to the mall¡¯s TM shops and talked strategy. Halfway through, her aunt jabbed a fast topic on Lori regarding her relationship with Kekoa. She took notes as the savage Champion taught her lessons on how to dismantle the Unovan girl¡¯s mind; it wasn¡¯t about going after the deviant things, but the sweet, endearing stuff that got a blush and stammers from Mallory. Rhea had to hold back her tears, her heart melting as they slowly walked along the riverway that cut through the mall. Lori talked about the Alolan boy¡¯s poetry that he wrote her every night, sent with the latest dances, in the second person as if Lori was dancing with him. They had this whole back-and-forth that now made sense to Rhea with how Zyra had been handling her phone when recording. Amira was more aloof about romance, but Rhea knew she was still talking with both Kekipi and Lucian. She had the impression she was internally struggling with what to do about the two boys who were going after her heart. They diverted away from the topic, going instead to strategy and Erika. However, her aunt discussed more about their Pokemon rather than Erika¡¯s, which frustrated Lori a bit. Browsing around the seemingly endless stores as noon approached, Rhea doubted they¡¯d seen a quarter of the place, even after checking out stores selling Evolution Stones, Pokemon accessories, Poke Balls, recovery items, outdoor activities, and so, so much more. Things came back to their Gym Challenge tomorrow as her aunt¡¯s time with them nearly came to an end. ¡°¡­Mmm. Ultimately, girls, you can study your opponent all you want and still lose. Personally, my advice is to just¡­be strong. Simple and clean. Strategy can overcome great odds,¡± she said with a grin while browsing through the discount section of the TM shop they were in, ¡°but sometimes, no strategy can save you from raw, bold power.¡± Amira frowned at the advice, no doubt running counter to everything her grandfather taught her. ¡°At a certain point, sure¡­but the whole point of the Gym Challenges is to force you to strategize and overcome an impossible battle¡ªit¡¯s about forethought¡­ You¡¯re known as the Queen of Strategy.¡± ¡°I am, aren¡¯t I¡­but is that the reason for the Gym Challenges?¡± the silver-eyed Legend asked with a soft laugh, sliding her fingers over a slightly discounted label of Flamethrower. Rhea tilted her head to the side while scrutinizing the list next to it, showing all the Pokemon that could use it. ¡°I kind of beat Sabrina¡¯s challenge through raw power¡­but not really because I lost¡­¡± ¡°No. You won,¡± her aunt chimed, showing a rosy smile while straightening to look at her. ¡°At the end of the day, it doesn¡¯t matter if you win.¡± Lori scratched the side of her head. ¡°Okay, I¡¯m lost.¡± Her aunt breathed in and let it out in a long stream. ¡°Lose, win¡­it doesn¡¯t matter. All that matters is that you come out alive and well¡ªthat you survived¡ªwell, Ash would add, ¡®having fun¡¯ in there, too,¡± she giggled and shook her head. ¡°No, all I¡¯m saying, girls, is that at the end of the day, you shouldn¡¯t think too hard about the Gym Challenges themselves. Your forever 10-year-old mentor would agree with me. Sometimes, the simplest answer is the best one¡­ You can lose¡­just don¡¯t be defeated¡­ Don¡¯t give up; survive, and you¡¯ll win in the end¡­be it a fun battle¡­or war. Oh! Look at the time.¡± Rhea pondered her aunt¡¯s words as the blonde pointed at her shiny, stone-encrusted watch¡ªSteven¡¯s gift, she assumed. ¡°Huh. Thanks, Auntie Cynthia, I had a lot of fun.¡± ¡°Me, too, girls! I should get this lunch over to your mom before she collapses from the dreaded daughter¡¯s worry disease,¡± she added, holding up the meal she¡¯d grabbed thirty minutes prior. Amira¡¯s confused frown turned upside down as she nodded. ¡°Thank you for the advice, Champion Cynthia. I¡¯ll remember it. I hope you have a lovely time with your mom, Rhea. I¡¯m so proud of the little Honeypot young woman you are becoming.¡± ¡°Am I ever going to escape that nickname?¡± Lori snickered. ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Her aunt gave her a sly wink, though. ¡°Make it one word, sweetie, and see how it changes your opinion¡­because I use it as one word for you.¡± Rhea¡¯s sour face softened as her aunt vanished in rainbow lights, returning their Pokemon and causing another slight stir amongst the shoppers when the glamor faded. Her focus was on her phone, though, looking up the word her aunt had used. A very attractive girl¡­ Honeypot. Thanks, Auntie. Lori threw an arm around her to bring her into a hug. ¡°You have the nicest family! Ugh. Adopt me! All I have is a spooky big sister, a little sister that I always worry about, and deadbeat, gambling parents!¡± ¡°Uh¡­you¡¯re a gambler, Lori,¡± Amira mumbled. ¡°That¡¯s not the point! Humph. My mom hasn¡¯t even been by since when, huh? Apple City? That time a few days ago doesn¡¯t even count! Half the time, she was off doing stuff in the farmstead and getting mobbed by fans. She is Muking close enough to teleport in every day! What a loser¡­ Maybe I should text her and tell her she can see me now.¡± Rhea gave Amira a look that the redhead returned; she was having withdrawals, and it hadn¡¯t even been that long ago since Karen had spent the day with her daughter. Patting her friend on the back, Rhea countered the purple-haired girl and took the initiative to bump hips this time; she¡¯d learned Lori liked the contact, and it made her feel loved. ¡°Message her! Tell her she better not miss her mother-daughter date tomorrow after you get your fourth Encrusted Silver Badge.¡± ¡°Mmm. But what if she¡¯s busy¡­¡± Amira bumped shoulders with the physical-loving Unovan girl as they made their way to the front of the mall to reach the subway that would bring them to the Gym. ¡°Chase and Elaine don¡¯t appear busy right now. Surely, they can spare some time to give your mom a break.¡± ¡°Mmm. You¡¯re right; I want a gambling day with my mom while we¡¯re here! Let¡¯s do it!¡± Rhea felt light as air as they poked fun at each other and talked about their time with her awesome aunt. It took them an hour to get to the Gym and check in for tomorrow¡¯s battle, and instead of waiting for her mom to finish her speech, they attended the last hour. She knew it was the right move when she saw her mom¡¯s teary-eyed babble after the show concluded, and they met up. Her aunt gave them a parting goodbye, hugging her emotionally stimulated little sister before returning to Sinnoh to relieve Dawn. They shopped for some good dancing clothes. Her uncertain mother took Lori¡¯s recommendations, which was a little suspect in the modesty department for her mom¡¯s tastes, but Rhea had to take a picture and send it to her dad when she exited the dressing room.
    3:37 p.m. Honeypot - Look at ALL this you¡¯re missing while camping in the woods! Mom¡¯s all dolled up and ready for a fun night of gambling and drinking with the girls. It sucks to be you, loser! Bua-hahaha! Maybe you¡¯ll have to take me out another time so I can spoil you. I have Mom all to myself, so keep your grubby hands in the dirt! Get Splashed!
    She passed her phone to her mom, and she handed it back, giggling with her as they each took their own sentences. Sending the somewhat nonsensical message, they went to one of the fancy clubs, and Rhea had a fun night dancing and partying with her mom for the first time¡ªthey lost 25,000 credits¡­of her dad¡¯s money. She won 2,500! And then her mom lost 2,300 on her account. Still positive! Making it back to their hotel on a high, Rhea saw her very drunk mom off to bed, enjoying every bit of her mumbled, loving words. ¡°I love you¡­so, hicc¡­much, Rhea¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry¡ªI love you, hicc¡­¡± ¡°Good night, Mom.¡± She kissed her forehead, her heart being battered by a Mach Punch when her cosmic puff cloud drifted down to snuggle next to her mom. ¡°I love you, too. Night. Take care of her, Lulu.¡± ¡°Ne-ne¡­¡± she yawned. Tucking her into bed with her mom¡¯s equally as drunk Pokemon, she smiled at her adorable mother¡¯s whispers before slipping away into her own room, snuggling around her little girls. Lori is more nervous than she¡¯s letting on. Let¡¯s be supportive of her tomorrow. We¡¯ve got this! Erika is going down. B4 — 27. Stress Melts Like Butter
    6:57 a.m. October 25th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away).
    A cold, wet nose nuzzled against Lori¡¯s armpit, making her groan and flip over in bed. ¡°Five more minutes, Roxie. I¡¯m¡­ack!¡± ¡°Ruff-ruff¡­¡± Flipping right off her fancy queen-sized bed to eat a face full of fluffy carpet, she puffed her lungs and deflated them in a long stream while twisting onto her itching back. She tried to ignore it like she usually did in the mornings, staring up at her Pokemon. They leaned over the bed, looking down at her with impish grins¡ªonce again, she was looking at the foot of her bed. ¡°You guys suck¡­ Terri!¡± ¡°Kub!¡± The Wushu Pokemon jumped high into the air, striking a pose and doing a twist before launching a full-blown Body Slam! Well, without the Energy. She landed squarely against her squishy stomach, making Lori giggle and pull the Kubfu up to rest against her chest. Returning the energetic Pokemon¡¯s serious staring contest, she didn¡¯t blink. ¡°What am I going to do with all of you?¡± ¡°Kubfu!¡± Terri reached up to squish her cheeks and used her feet to try and tickle her belly. ¡°You are the worst cheater! I¡¯m not going to laugh¡­ I¡¯m not!¡± ¡°Kub?¡± ¡°Ruff-ruff!¡± ¡°Squire-Corvisquire!¡± Lori knew without a doubt the Impish bird had put the martial arts Pokemon up to it, and she had been getting Roxie wrapped up in her deviant behavior recently. Zyra was becoming a real master manipulator at getting the other Pokemon to cause trouble with her. Miky had absolutely adored the bird when they¡¯d hung out together. ¡°Bah! You win.¡± ¡°Kubfu!¡± Terri cheered and pushed against her chest to flip into a backflip, land on her stomach, and give her a peace sign. ¡°Fu-fu-fu! Kubfu?¡± ¡°Oof¡ªhaha. Sorry, little girl, but you can¡¯t enter the Gym Battle yet,¡± she soothed, rubbing her head. ¡°Fu¡­¡± Her cheer dampened, thinking she¡¯d get a pass for winning a battle against her, no doubt. The innocent and earnest Legendary was really getting anxious, and it was beginning to spread to Lulu. It had to be Jason¡¯s cute Pikachu¡¯s influence. The smooth man¡¯s electric mouse had really sparked a fire in their Buddy Pokemon since he was already battling Gyms. ¡°I know. I know,¡± she soothed. ¡°We¡¯ll see. You¡¯re just too strong! Your Rock Smash literally pulverizes giant rocks with your Legendary Energy. It¡¯s why we spent so much time learning moderation while training with Dawn; we need to be careful.¡± ¡°Kubfu.¡± Lori saw the sad faces of her two other Pokemon as Terri hopped off her stomach, head low. ¡°Hmm. Tell you what¡­why don¡¯t we give it a shot today? The worst that can happen is that we¡¯re told no, and it¡¯s against Erika, right?¡± ¡°Fu?! Fu-fu?¡± Terri questioned, jumping over to hug her arm. ¡°Kubfu!¡± ¡°I can¡¯t promise it will happen.¡± ¡°Kub-kub!¡± She rubbed her hyped girl¡¯s head as she communicated that she knew it was a long shot. ¡°Okay¡ªeesh.¡± She hissed as she tried to push herself up, only to have her head jerk back since her fat butt had landed on her hair. ¡°Ugh. What a way to wake up¡­ The Ruby Overlord said we could sleep in today, though. Our Battle Time is 4 p.m., and¡­it¡¯s 7 a.m.¡± She shot a pouty look at her suddenly preoccupied Pokemon as Roxie went to dig out her Trainer Closet to set up for her to pick out an outfit. Lori got up, stretching out her chest, arms, and tingling back before tipping over to fall on the bed with a grunt. ¡°Mmgm¡­ Two more hours. Please? I¡¯m still feeling a little blah after sneaking some of that alcohol last night. Hehe. No one even guessed! Mmm.¡± She frowned, breathing into the silky sheets of the bed as Zyra landed on the back of her head. Rhea¡¯s shining smile, dancing and joking around with her mother, smacked her sluggish brain, and a bit of guilt ebbed into her heart. ¡°Why doesn¡¯t it feel good to break the rules?¡± she complained. ¡°Corvisquire?¡± ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t know,¡± she grumbled, making the bird flutter to her breast as she flipped over to snatch a pillow, covering her face and blocking out the sun; it reminded her of the wholesome blonde duo again while Zyra hopped around her front, asking what was wrong. ¡°Cass and I used to get into so much trouble¡­but she¡¯s off having a fun time with her team¡­¡± ¡°Rockruff?¡± Letting her arms collapse against the bed, she felt Terri and Roxie jump up on either side to poke them until she answered their inquiries. She was not trying to broach that subject, though. It was starting to feel too real. ¡°¡­Hey, can you guys let up for a second?¡± ¡°Squire¡­¡± ¡°Kub-kub?¡± ¡°Roxie, can you get my phone? And no, I¡¯m not mad at you guys. You know it¡¯s something else¡ªit¡¯s stupid¡­¡± A few seconds later, she felt the rectangular crystal device drop into her hand. Pulling off the pillow, she saw her concerned Pokemon clustered across her chest, hugging her. ¡°It really is stupid, guys¡­really dumb.¡± A sad smile lifted her lips as she brought the device out of hibernation, and the hologram display of her notifications popped up. One quite cute and developing photo came on screen. ¡°I can always count on Kekoa to message me in the morning¡­ He¡¯s really growing out of that teenage fat. His dancing is improving, too. It¡¯s crazy he¡¯s grown to be as tall as me now¡­and he may still grow an inch or two in the next few years. I¡¯ll¡­respond to him later.¡± She sucked in her semi-chapped bottom lip while looking through her other messages. No text from anyone in her family. Rhea and Amira said they were getting ready for breakfast to bring back to Christie since she was knocked out snoring when Rhea had checked on her. It was super cute and wholesome. When she switched to social media, her inbox was blown up with notifications¡ªthat was the usual when you now had over eight million followers. She was nowhere near her other family members, but she didn¡¯t post all that often like they did. Once again, nothing from her family, but their feeds came up. She hated the sickening twist she got while scrolling through her sister¡¯s history. Ellie, Inoa, and Cass seemed to be having a blast with one another. They were on their way to Viridian City to obtain their last normal Silver Badge to qualify for the Silver Cup; the trio hadn¡¯t taken the Encrusted Challenge like them. ¡°Cass hasn¡¯t called me in a while¡­ That¡¯s weird. Shauntal has been pretty busy with her writing and League stuff, too. Why¡­am I so stupid? Am I really the clingy one, girls?¡± she asked, shifting to her side to let her puppy nuzzle her hand. ¡°Len¡¯s off doing his own thing. I thought he¡¯d come back with Jason¡­you know, hang in Celadon and get into trouble with me. Huh.¡± Rubbing her prickly arm, Lori wasn¡¯t particularly feeling up to sleeping more now. ¡°Know what we need?! We need a pick-me-up! Right? C¡¯mon, girls, let¡¯s get ready¡ªand what¡¯s this?¡± A wry tilt came to her lips as she noticed a folded piece of paper that left a badly spelled and written letter. She picked it up with a fond vibe touching her depressed heart. ¡°Ello, Wiwi, fluff tail jump off water board firer tail. Stick tail take long tongue. Kidnap randsom nothing.¡± ¡°Kub?¡± ¡°Ruff-ruff?¡± Zyra shrugged as the pair looked at her. ¡°Cor-Cor.¡± Clearing her throat, Lori translated the questionable random letter, with some creative liberties, of course, for her confused Pokemon. ¡°Ahem! Hello, sleepy butts! It is I, the most beautiful and shiny fox in the world! During your restless tossing and turning, I have taken the long-tongued stud with the hypnotic powers of my ruby eyes¡ªjust like my gorgeous Trainer!¡± ¡°Kubfu?!¡± Terri gasped at learning their frog had been taken without any of them knowing; she still hadn¡¯t figured out it was Amber. ¡°Kub!¡± Roxie and Zyra glanced at each other with smirks. ¡°Rock-rock.¡± ¡°Squire.¡± ¡°Kub?¡± Lori went on, keeping herself afloat. ¡°I have imprisoned the smooth frog in my tail of fluffy fire, and he will never want to leave! There is no need for ransoms because I already have what I want¡­his long tongue!¡± ¡°Kub!!!¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking!¡± she laughed as Terri jumped onto the bed and threw his fist in the air for vengeance, calling them to go after the girl who would dare take Gables¡¯ tongue. ¡°I¡¯m joking, little bear! Amber just kidnapped him for a date. She¡¯s a pretty aggressive fox, after all.¡± ¡°Fu¡­¡± The Kubfu plopped down on the bed with a huff. She was all wound up, and Lori could feel the legendary energy within her building with all her excitement. Her girl was ready to bust down a door and get to business. ¡°Alright¡­enough playing around here. Let¡¯s get dressed for the day and go check out some tables! Gamble at night and gamble in the morning, baby; so what if we lost 15k last night? We won 14k! Rhea should have kept going when she was up¡ªshe had lady luck on her side!¡± Lori waved off the concerned looks her three Pokemon gave her; it wasn¡¯t like she could explain herself. A quake ran down her mostly bare back, and she adjusted her bikini top that she usually slept in before reaching around to run her fingers across her slightly bumpy skin. Her throat constricted, fighting dark things from resurfacing in her mind. When had the pressure mounted her chest and pressed down? She fought back tears while moving to her expanded wardrobe with a laugh, yet when she saw herself in the mirror, all she saw on her face was disdain. Biting the inside of her cheek, she couldn¡¯t help but let her gaze slide down her too-large curves, the slight bulge at her sides, and her too-long legs or thin fingers. She had such a deformed body¡­it made finding clothes a nightmare. Look away, stupid¡­don¡¯t look at it¡­ She cursed while lifting her fingernails, seeing they needed a little attention. Amira¡¯s are always perfect. I should wear gloves today¡­ Yeah, I should wear gloves, and why do I have such weird elbows? Stop it! Lori turned around, stumbling a little with her Pokemon hugging her; it was hard to keep the thoughts from running rampant in her brain, though. Her thoughts weren¡¯t weaving together right, taking her back to her middle school days, where people talked¡ªpeople talked way too much. She didn¡¯t want to, but she found herself on her bed, pulling up pictures of her and her teammates. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Side by side, she felt the walls breaking, closing in around her while zooming in on their faces, legs, feet¡­everything. Stockings would be good to cover my legs and feet. My thighs are okay¡­what is up with my neck, though? If I wore a choker like Amira sometimes does¡­would it make it look too fat or long? ¡°Mmmgm!¡± Throwing her phone to the side, she pressed her nails into her thighs, breathing heavily and trying not to leave any marks. ¡°Why do I care?! I shouldn¡¯t¡­ Why is this coming back? I¡¯m over this¡­I¡¯m over it. No one but you thinks you¡¯re ugly, so¡­shut up brain!¡± ¡°Ruff?¡± Lori only partially heard Roxie¡¯s voice and her nudges, catching herself in the mirror again, red-faced, tear-strained, and sniffing back snot. I¡¯m such an ugly crier¡­ I can¡¯t cry in front of anyone. Muk! Why am I thinking like this again¡­ It¡¯s all lies! Lies I tell myself¡­ It has to be lies¡­ Does Kekoa think I¡¯m pretty¡­or is everyone just telling me that like they did in school? Arceus¡ªget over yourself! You¡¯re not in school; I didn¡¯t feel this way yesterday! Just¡­stop. You¡¯re beautiful¡­you¡¯re beautiful¡­ Is my burn coming back? Getting up, she shifted to the side to look at the slightly discolored grafted skin just above her fat butt to her shoulder blades. It looked smooth¡­but it didn¡¯t feel smooth to her. She could still see the burning embers infecting her soul itself, always returning, always igniting the pain. ¡°Kubfu!¡± ¡°Lori?¡± ¡°Squire-squire!¡± ¡°Guys, I just¡ªcan I get a little quiet right now¡­¡± ¡°Lori, are you crying?¡± Electricity ran from the tip of her toes to the crown of her head as her blurry eyes darted to the headboard, where her phone had landed. Roxie was playing with it, and a supermodel¡¯s face was projected out of the crystal¡ªher mother. The sounds of stage crews and sets of men and women came from the background. ¡°Roxie!¡± Lori choked, stumbling forward and hanging up on her mom¡¯s confused face, which was quickly rising degrees of concern. ¡°Why did you do that¡ªthat¡¯s¡­that¡¯s not what I wanted!¡± ¡°Ruff, ruff¡­ Rockruff.¡± ¡°Corv-corvisquire.¡± ¡°Kubfu!¡± ¡°Muk, no, I get you didn¡¯t know how to help,¡± Lori cried, her body beginning to shake as everything came crumbling around her. ¡°She¡¯s¡­she¡¯s not going to call back, though¡­ I can¡¯t handle her right now¡­ What am I supposed to do?¡± Curling in, her arms closed around her sides as tears fell down her cheeks, and just as she expected. Not several seconds later, rainbow lights danced across the walls, bringing her gorgeous, adopted mother into the room, a well-dressed masked man beside her; without staying more than a few seconds, Will was gone. Not a word was passed between them as her mother studied her for a moment, sat down next to her, and leaned against her shoulder so as not to stimulate her back. Lori averted her eyes, and Lumica, her Umbreon, exited her Poke Ball, closing the dresser to block off the mirror. ¡°¡­I¡¯m fine, Mom. It¡¯s just¡­a phase.¡± Her mom rested her head against her arm, being much shorter than her. Lori tried not to look; she didn¡¯t want to see the half-revealing model outfit she¡¯d been doing shoots for that would remind her how beautiful she was. ¡°Even so, I¡¯m here for you, Mallory. As long as you need. You¡¯re not alone.¡± Fingers curling in, Lori tried not to cry, but she couldn¡¯t dam off the heated geyser rising up her nose and into her eyes. ¡°I just¡­try too hard. I¡¯ve already been over this with the doctors in Unova. It¡¯s just an episode¡­¡± ¡°Mhm¡­ I know. I should have been here sooner. I may not know exactly what you¡¯re going through right now, sweetie¡­ I know I should as your mom, but I don¡¯t¡­ I¡¯m here for you, though. So¡­when you¡¯re ready, I¡¯m here¡­¡± Gradually, Lori unknotted her right hand, allowing her mom¡¯s fingers to close around hers. ¡°¡­Aren¡¯t you busy?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯m busy with my daughter,¡± she softly replied, and Lori felt happy to at least have Lumica nearby, helping to calm down her Pokemon. Her mom was as honest and blunt as ever, which brought a smile to her lips. ¡°I¡¯m ashamed to admit it, but I forgot you girls were skipping the train and just going to teleport to Celadon. Where¡¯s Gables?¡± ¡°Having his date ruined by his Trainer,¡± Lori huffed. ¡°That note over there¡ªAmber stole him during the night to have her way with him. He¡¯s probably running back to check up on me¡­ It feels like it.¡± ¡°Okay,¡± her mother whispered, applying more pressure to their joined shoulders. ¡°I¡¯ll send Lumica over with your girls to provide defense. We don¡¯t need his wet kisses, huh?¡± ¡°Haha. No, but he makes for a killer tear cleaner¡­¡± Her mom chuckled as her Umbreon led her Pokemon out to tell Gables she¡¯d be fine. She would be. No, she was fine right now! She just needed a few more minutes¡­hopefully. ¡°¡­Why is my brain on the fritz today? It¡¯s totally the worst time. I¡¯m supposed to fight Erika today¡­ I guess the doctors would say I¡¯m trying to avoid something, huh?¡± She felt her mother¡¯s shrug. ¡°Maybe. How are you feeling?¡± ¡°Humph. Icky¡­stupid¡­ Not your daughter because I¡¯m too ugly.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Her adopted mom twisted her hand, squeezing it lightly. ¡°I felt ugly growing up, too. You know I was bullied¡­Will, Green, and I were.¡± ¡°Hah! Yeah, when you were kidnapped and grew up under the Masked Man¡¯s Assassin School. Sure. Real normal life there, Mom. The guy who got away!¡± Her mother didn¡¯t speak for a bit, rubbing her thumb with hers. ¡°¡­I eventually did discover who he was and closed that story in my life. At least¡­I thought I did. In reality, it took some years later for me to reconcile with all of it. Every girl goes through their own personal hardship. You¡¯re not alone, Lori. So, when you¡¯re ready, I¡¯m here to listen.¡± Puffing up her cheeks, she let it blow through her lips, trying to find some form of inner peace. Just looking at her mom right now made her see more imperfections in herself. ¡°¡­I¡¯m broken, Mom¡­something¡¯s wrong inside of me¡­¡± She shifted to her side on the bed, and her mother changed her posture to lay down next to her, managing both of their hair with one hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m thinking about this stuff¡­ I know I¡¯m pretty. I have a boyfriend who thinks I¡¯m beautiful. I have millions of followers that tell me that¡­I don¡¯t even see more than a few bad comments. It¡¯s just¡­ I looked in the mirror, and¡­it just¡­happened.¡± Her mom brushed her bangs back, and Lori could feel the love in her mom¡¯s silvery-blue eyes. ¡°I know you know you¡¯re beautiful. I should have seen the signs when you started posting all those thirst trap videos¡­ You¡¯re my beautiful little girl¡­on the inside and out,¡± she said, scooting closer to kiss her on the forehead. ¡°Stress can bring back tough things¡­I bet your back is troubling you, too. Am I right?¡± She swallowed the lump in her throat, smiling as her mom took both her hands instead of wrapping her into a hug. Her mom really was the best¡­well, when not a total mess. ¡°Mhm¡­ Lately, I¡¯ve got this¡­anxious feeling in my chest when I lay on it or wake up. Maybe it¡¯s that¡­this is it. Today¡­mmmm.¡± ¡°The Encrusted Silver Badge,¡± her mother nodded, encouraging gaze telling her she was following. ¡°Yeah¡­ Rhea¡¯s already basically Gold-tier, and seeing Miky again¡­ It reminded me that I need to¡­to not let that happen again. I know he¡¯s fine! I¡¯m just¡ª¡± ¡°I know. I know. You can explain if you want, but I know you¡¯re happy to see where Miky is.¡± Lori pulled up her awkwardly long legs to play with her toes. ¡°I am. He¡¯s so¡­supportive. Haaa. I don¡¯t want to let Rhea or Amira down. Obviously, Amira is going to get it¡­ I mean, obviously¡ªshe¡¯s Amira¡­ She¡¯s amazing. And I¡¯m the trashy Unovan girl who corrupts a ray of golden sunshine like Rhea and is just a fiend for dopamine¡­¡± ¡°And I¡¯m sure they love you for who you are, sweetie¡­ Want to spend the day with me?¡± ¡°What¡ªhaha, no way! You¡¯re too busy with League and other job stuff¡ªMom?¡± Warm, slim fingers slid through her hair as her mom cupped her face and looked directly into her eyes. ¡°¡­Never think that the League, social media attention, or your own father is more important than my children, Lori¡­¡± A tear slid down her cheek. ¡°You¡¯re my little girl, Lori¡ªmine! I may worry a lot for you girls. I may question if I smother you too much or too little at times. I may be the trashiest celebrity mom in the world¡­but I will always answer my darling girls¡¯ cries. You girls are my first love¡ªmy first priority¡­always. So if you need to cry, baby, then cry¡­because I¡¯m an ugly crybaby, too,¡± she said with a watery grin. ¡°Mom!¡± Throwing her arms around her, she pulled her in as tight as she could with a weak laugh at her mom¡¯s careful hands. ¡°It¡¯s okay to hug me, Mom. I love you¡­ I love you so much!¡± Melting into her mom and staining the sheets with their tears, Lori spent the hour confessing everything she¡¯d bottled up inside. How she felt like Casey was pulling away and finding her own friends. How she wasn¡¯t good enough for her Pokemon and teammates, who seemed so much closer with each other than her. How she wanted more time with her moms¡ªher and her dead mom, and everything in between. She just needed to cry. When everything was spent, she lay next to her puffy-eyed mother, feeling as if everything would be alright. ¡°Thanks, Mom. Haha. Did I talk your ear off? Maybe I should listen to your troubles.¡± Her mom winked at her, which looked funny with her tear-stained cheeks. ¡°Oh, I have my own shoulder to cry on when I get Muk drunk and insane¡­ Your father never misses a chance to let me cry on his chest. What I want to do right now is run these hands through some deck of cards with my daughter and win some big prizes! And then¡­watch you claim your big prize by making it to Gold. Is that okay?¡± Clouds parting, Lori pulled her mom in again. ¡°I want to push you off a cliff! Let¡¯s run our cards until there¡¯s nothing left, so line up that dopamine, Mom! We¡¯re going in!¡± Her mom got to her feet and went to the wardrobe, throwing it open and extracting a nice, bright yellow summer dress. ¡°It may not be the season, but you can¡¯t go wrong with yellow darling! You ready to let Celadon know we are in their city?¡± Getting up, Lori took the dress and held it up with her best smile. ¡°I am cute.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t be modest!¡± her mom balked, knocking hips with her and making her giggle; she really did take a lot after her mom for not growing up around her that often. ¡°Own what you own, baby! You ready to make your boyfriend so jealous he flies down tonight?¡± ¡°Teach me the ways, Mom!¡± ¡°Then armor up; we¡¯re on the prowl!¡± Having the morning of her life with her mom and Pokemon, she welcomed Gables back after his date, teasing him for details. She let Amira and Rhea know she¡¯d been kidnapped by her mom, her cheeks rosy upon seeing all the emojis and encouraging excitement that came from her teammates. It was her time to have fun with her mom. They hit the salon, day spa, and gambling halls, spending another 15k and earning 20k. The anxious feeling she had that morning evaporated with her mother. It made her realize that fussing over her whirlwind of a little sister had usually kept a lot of her negative thoughts away. Cass had her insecurities, and so did she, but their family helped each other. Finally reaching the Celadon Gym grounds, she entered the most gorgeous botanical garden. Holding her mom¡¯s hand, she walked along the colorful path and plant arches that lined it. The cool, running river fed the greenery, perfectly trimmed to perfection. Once making it to the front of the giant facility, she remembered that Erika had wanted them to give a talk¡ªno, that was Rhea¡¯s commitment. She was here with her mom today. They stopped by the Challenge Desk and logged Terri; only Erika could say if she was gym-capable, though. The long-haired woman behind the desk was certainly excited. Going inside, she saw her mom off with a hug and kiss, texted her boyfriend a positive message, and met her teammates. Gables was with them, jumping over to give her a hug; he was a good guy who had to practically be restrained by the rest of their team to keep from breaking off his date with Amber to make sure she was okay. Rhea tried to tease her¡ªbless her heart¡ªbut it all came out too adorably to land anywhere else but Lori smothering the honeypot in hugs. She was first, and she had a plan. No, that wasn¡¯t entirely true. She had a few plans she¡¯d developed when at the farmsteads. However, a few were amended for one particular hyped Kubfu. When her name was called, Lori gave her beautiful teammates a thumbs up; they were all beautiful in their own way. ¡°I¡¯d say wish me luck, but I¡¯ve been feeling it all day. Even if she says no, we¡¯re still going to win.¡± Rhea held up a hand. ¡°Wait, wait! I got you¡­this!¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± Lori¡¯s nose burned as the cheery blonde extracted three bracelets with a V charm on it. ¡°V, for your little victory girl inside you¡­¡± ¡°Inside us all!¡± Rhea chirped, sliding it around her wrist. ¡°I know we¡¯ve all been feeling a little down about some things. We¡¯re a team, though. Apart or together, we¡¯ll always be a team. You can count on me.¡± She held her left hand out with the charm on it, looking between them. Amira chuckled and extended her hand to join Rhea¡¯s, making the blonde¡¯s face light up like the sun. ¡°So that was what you were doing with your mom. I love it¡­you even got matching colors for our hair.¡± ¡°I thought it was cute, and my mom agreed! I was thinking about chokers since Amira likes them, but I also didn¡¯t want to make you choose between the ones you already have and this one.¡± ¡°You¡­are too good, Honeypot,¡± Lori whispered, placing her hand on theirs to complete the trio. ¡°My world¡¯s on fire, girls. How about yours? Let¡¯s get our game on; it¡¯s time to get paid!¡± Cheering with her redheaded perfectionist and bubbly sunshine teammates, Lori felt as if she was glowing while turning around and heading for the stage. She passed through the fragrant hallway, lined with a vibrant art piece of flowers. Once making it onto the stage, she rose up to look across the grassy stadium, the greenery regrown from the previous battle that had involved a challenger with a lot of Fire Pokemon¡ªhe¡¯d lost. Sitting on a giant cushy pillow, Eirka¡¯s dreamy eyes centered on her across the stage. Lori charged right in with a grin, placing her Poke Balls in their slots and lifting Terri onto the platform. She pressed the speaker button and shot her shot. ¡°Gym Leader Erika, I¡¯ve logged Terri¡­ Can I have the option of using her?¡± Erika¡¯s gentle hum hung in the air as a hush fell over the crowd, and Lori felt invincible upon seeing her mom sitting in the nearby ring-side seats. However, her hopes were dashed by the Grass Specialist, only¡­not in the way she¡¯d anticipated. ¡°No¡­but that can change by the hour.¡± Lori blinked. ¡°You mean¡­she can enter Gym Battles now¡ªincluding Rhea and Amira¡¯s?¡± ¡°Kubfu?!¡± Erika lifted a cup beside her, presumably a special mixture to help keep her awake during the pivotal day of the week for the Gym Leader. The crowd¡¯s reaction was mixed, unsure if she was saying she could but shouldn¡¯t or if there were some other conditions. Lori wanted to know herself as the people mumbled to one another. ¡°Mmm.¡± The black-haired woman set her cup down. ¡°When you logged Terri, she was within the bracket of Silver 8+, similar to Nova due to Terri¡¯s raw legendary energy. That being said¡­currently, she is sitting at Gold 2. She is unstable. Therefore, only usable within Encrusted Gym Challenges and only when within the proper bracket, so I would suggest not solely relying on your Legendaries as a crutch of your strategy.¡± Her smile warmed. ¡°That being said, I will be the first Official Gym to authorize you to use your Legendary and Mythical Pokemon, should they meet the proper League standards. I look forward to the added depth of your challenge, but you must also accept the higher bar to victory. Are you ready, or will you choose to wait for next Sunday¡¯s change?¡± ¡°Kubfu! Kub-kub-kub!¡± Terri jumped up and down before leaping into her arms with tears. She could finally show her stuff, even if it weren¡¯t meant to be for today¡¯s challenge. ¡°No. Thank you, Gym Leader Erika¡­ And you¡¯re going down; let¡¯s do this!¡± Lori¡¯s hand was already moving to Roxie¡¯s Poke Ball as the lights flashed and dimmed in a rainbow display, and Erika selected her own champion for this battle. The female announcer¡¯s deep voice spread throughout the hyped stadium. ¡°This is a Singles Format, Two Pokemon¡­ Ready¡­ Set¡­ Release your Pokemon!¡± Pulling back her arm, Lori launched her rocky girl into the air; it was Roxie¡¯s day to shine. Let¡¯s show Mom how far we¡¯ve come! This Week Chapter News; No Public Chapters I felt like this was a bit less formal and short for my response upon waking up and reading it. So, please allow me do this over again! *Ahem* Dear Readers and Patrons, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and encouragement. Your generosity and enthusiasm have been instrumental in fueling my creativity and dedication to writing. Many of you DM me on Discord and provide ideas, feedback, and proofreading, which has not only helped keep me motivated, but also shows me how invested you are in the stories I craft. As a token of my appreciation, I''m excited to announce that I will be increasing the number of advance chapters available on Patreon. This week, instead of releasing public chapters, I will be focusing on providing you with even more content. That means the new advanced chapters will be: Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
    +1 for A Tail''s Misfortune (5 Weeks Ahead) +1 for The Oscillation (5 Weeks Ahead) +1 for Undying Empire (5 Weeks Ahead) +1 for Pokesync (11 Weeks Ahead) +1 for Winter''s Rebirth (5 Weeks Ahead)
    Thank you for your continued support and contributions (including input) to my worlds. I hope these additional chapters show you how much I appreciate you! I also want to thank the Public readers and recognize that not everyone has the means to contribute. I hope you continue to enjoy the free content I put out. o7 Thank you all for reading and enjoying my stories. B4 — 28. Plants Are Vicious
    4:01 p.m. October 25th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away).
    Roxie jumped out of her Poke Ball and darted to the right, the spotlights overhead making the field of pink flowers glow. Determination welled up within her chest; Gables and her were weak to this Gym, but that didn¡¯t mean they were down and out. She swiftly took account of the sparsely situated trees and rocks that she could hide behind throughout the vast zone. The flowers and grass could almost completely hide her if she lowered her tail. It was kind of hard to see all the way across the slightly uneven field. Leaping onto the nearest boulder, she let loose a loud howl that cut through the chants from the humans and Pokemon dotting the stands. The power in her body spiked, and she tried to filter out the distractions. ¡°Hello, friend; let¡¯s have a fierce battle! Friend?¡± She blinked, glancing around the still field of flowers, looking for her opponent in the short interval that had passed since the start of the match. Above, Erika knelt on her comfortable-looking cushion, sipping her tiny cup with an amiable smile as the female announcer introduced them. ¡°The battle just started, and we¡¯re already playing games, folks; Roxie the Rockruff versus¡­Sunla the Sunflora! Roxie gets a strong boost at the start, increasing her Attack one stage, but where is our elusive Sun Pokemon?! And I think we know what this shine is!¡± Lori¡¯s words pressed against her spirit. ¡°She¡¯s in the flowers, Roxie! Look for the yellow one, near the center of the stage¡­ Muk.¡± Roxie¡¯s Keen Eyes immediately spotted the unique color from her high vantage point. Yet, at the same time, the singular yellow flower illuminated and created a bright yellow ball. The pretty flower lady¡¯s solar sphere rocketed into the sky and exploded in a wave of heat that made Roxie¡¯s fur bristle. A weather battle, huh? Sunla showed a bright smile while rising to her full height and waving at her. ¡°Hello, beautiful; I hope we get a chance to fight a bit!¡± ¡°Sunny Day! Our little sunflower is bringing the heat, and our Rockruff¡ª¡± Power surged through Roxie¡¯s body, a bright white aura launching her forward. Racing along the terrain, the blades of grass and flowers bowed or were blown out of the way on her rapid path to reach the Sunflora, only for a red beam to snatch her away at the last second. Return games?! she groaned, feeling Lori¡¯s strategy changing by the second; Roxie swiftly jumped back to their side of the field on her prompt. I just got here and now I need to swap?! ¡°Haha! I know, I know, Roxie, but you¡¯ll be the star. I promise!¡± Erika looked calm as a summer breeze as she minimized Sunla¡¯s Poke Ball and placed it in her kimono sleeve. Pulling out another one that she¡¯d placed at the start of their match. She expanded it and lightly tossed it onto the field, somehow showing superhuman strength by sending it sailing over halfway to Roxie¡¯s position. The world momentarily went black as her own red beam carried her away from the battle. Setup strategies Muking suck!
    Zyra exited her Poke Ball in a swirl of hot wind, feeling the pressure welling up in her chest as she flew right for her target. A cute male Pokemon materialized below her, the yellow flower on top of his head glowing bright gold as he soaked in the sunlight and wiggled his ears to float into the air. ¡°I know, Roxie, but we gotta do some setup,¡± Lori called out. ¡°Be fast!¡± Wings brightening a light blue, she flapped harder, pulling in Lori¡¯s given energy and maintaining her blitz. A sharp breeze cycled at her back, and she saw the same force gathering around their opponent, his ears lighting up the same color. ¡°Our two Pokemon for this match were revealed early! We¡¯ve got Jippy the Skiploom, and Zyra the Covisquire! And what¡¯s this? Dual Tailwind, folks; we¡¯ve got ourselves some speedy Pokemon¡ªand Zyra pulls a fast one!¡± Spinning around the air-cartwheeling Cottonweed, Zyra smirked, twisted to a stop, and shook her tail feathers, directing a white pulse of agitating energy into the Pokemon. ¡°You wish you could fly like me!¡± ¡°What?! That¡¯s rude!¡± he huffed, his smile fading as Jippy¡¯s next boost failed just before activating. ¡°You locked me out of my Status Moves.¡± ¡°Good luck against the puppy!¡± Jippy¡¯s cheeks puffed up before firing a spray of power-infused seeds at her shaking backside, only to phase through the red beam that connected to her. They¡¯d been practicing their swap plays, and they had a lot of combinations under their belt now.
    Roxie grinned as her paws touched grass again, the sunlight and hot wind pressing against her fur. The competing gales created small cyclones around the field, whipping up flowers and grass as she dashed right. Bullet Seeds peppered the ground, ripped up dirt, and was getting close to hitting her heels. Jippy was momentarily disoriented by the swap but still faster than her. Lori kept her updated on their strategy and her opponent¡¯s possible moves, leaving her to decide how to react in most cases. ¡°No doubt, he¡¯s got Chlorophyll; it¡¯s a speed battle, baby girl! He¡¯s still more than double your Speed, despite our Tailwind. Haha! Pulling out that trick already, huh? Nice one, Roxie!¡± Flipping side to side, her wide pink eyes tracked the trajectory of the Bullet Seeds, and she sucked in Lori¡¯s provided Fortitude. Speed was nothing she wasn¡¯t used to with Alice, and the super-bun was a Muk of a lot more aggressive. Jippy¡¯s frame illuminated a light blue, launching forward in a zig-zag motion that left after-images as she closed in at an unbelievable speed¡­to phase right through Roxie¡¯s hazed body. Dozens upon dozens of copies of her spread out throughout the field. Jippy spun in a circle, generating a focused pink wind that swept in an arc, attempting to destroy her Double Team. Roxie snickered as she created more and more clones, Tailwind increasing the speed at which she gathered Lori¡¯s energy. Despite Jippy¡¯s higher speed, she couldn¡¯t keep up with the hundreds of Rockruff that soon filled the stadium; she was buying time, and this wasn¡¯t actually that draining of a Move. Plus, she¡¯d developed this particular combo with Nova when her idol had mentioned doing it in a possible Double Contest match. The Skiploom spun in a circle, high in the air but the whirlwinds of their dual Tailwind was making it hard to maneuver, even with his rapidly fluttering ears. Jippy scanned the stage, filled with her running every which way, and suddenly, Roxie stopped. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. The crowd hushed before jumping to their feet in a roar as she activated her ¡®useless¡¯ Move¡ªat least, according to the Silver-tier forums. Her dozens of clones twinkled, and a single golden coin materialized between her teeth, tossing it into the air, it was copied by every one of her doubles. Time seemed to slow in Roxie¡¯s eyes as she watched it flip up and came back toward her. Jumping into the air, she smacked it with her tail, sending it flying into the sky. Hundreds of small coins were thrown upward, shimmering off the glowing solar orb overhead, and then the coins expanded to fill the stadium sky below the shimmering globe. Jippy looked up in utter bewilderment and fright as the sound of clinking coins split the air, and hundreds of thousands of glittering pieces of gold showered the grassy field, casting a new glow and veiling them in raining glitter. ¡°Arceus!¡± the announcer choked in awe. ¡°Happy Hour, folks! Are we on the Casino floor right now? Multiple Double Teams and Happy Hour bring a hurricane of coins raining onto the stadium¡ªI can¡¯t see a thing. Where is Roxie? Is Jippy cut off from Sunny Day by this curtain of gold?!¡± Jippy turned left and right, squinting through the glitter, bewildered, just as Roxie had planned. A pink glow encircled him, attempting to use Fairy Wind to carry him above the shower; he wouldn¡¯t make it, though. Able to see past her own illusionary Move, darkness coated her paw. Shadows enveloped her, and Roxie appeared above the overwhelmed Pokemon, seeing his slight panic. Her blow connected; this was the fruit of her training with all her senior Pokemon teammates. ¡°Tag!¡± Batting him toward the edge of the stadium, the shimmering field of coins dissipated into a single pile of false coins that would soon disappear. Jippy winced, his light body making it easy to slam him against the stadium barrier, further breaking his concentration and making him flinch as he was once again sent tumbling over the flowers¡ªon their side of the field¡ªno escape. A brown aura split off from her frame, creating a large stone in the air; doing a side twist, she punted it with her back foot at the Pokemon just as the sun faded overhead. A blue shell enclosed the Skiploom, shattering the stone into shrapnel that peppered the earth around him. ¡°Sucker Punch against the barrier, followed by a vicious Rock Throw that Jippy prevents with Protect! It¡¯s generally not a good sign to be the first one to use a defensive Move, people! Taunt should be running its course soon. Our salt-and-pepper Rockruff is going in for the finish!¡± Quick Attack launched her forward midair to once again touch grass, and it took on a brown hue as Rockify activated, infusing the Normal Energy with the earthy attribute. A blue shell once again surrounded Jippy, and Roxie slammed against it. All momentum instantly negated, she winced as it held¡ªunlucky. Meanwhile, Jippy breathed in deeply¡ªTaunt had dissipated. Lori warned that he was about to do his planned combo¡ªJippy was ever-so-slightly faster than her, even with maxed Speed EVs, IVs, and Tailwind at her back. Claws unsheathing, they extended in long, rocky talons as he sent a lung¡¯s worth of powder into her face; she held her breath, but it would sink into her body shortly. Lashing out with the Rock-infused attack, she felt his Defense lower just before ripping through much of his matrix and throwing him across the stadium¡ªhe still hung on by a thread. Cursing her luck, Roxie threw caution away; the wind at her back dissipated. A burst of speed instantly pushed her toward the Skiploom, but she¡¯d thrown him too far away to reach him in time. Jippy was close enough to be recalled, yet out of the corner of her eye, she saw Erika merely snacking on a few pieces of cheese and crackers while observing them. Running through the powder storm in the dispersing gale, she saw her vision going blurry, and strength was leaving her body. Rockify didn¡¯t activate this time; it didn¡¯t need to. She just had to land her blow. Muk! Sorry, Lori¡­ I was so close¡­ ¡°Roxie, not so far¡­¡± She pushed with everything she had and connected, shattering Jippy¡¯s matrix, but not before another burst of wind spun around the field. Vision going black, she tumbled across the field, body going numb. She¡¯d won¡­but she¡¯d lost.
    Lori sighed, gut twisting as she tried to recall Roxie, only for the beam to fizzle out just before touching her spunky girl. Jippy lay motionless several meters away with a gentle cyclone circling the Cottonweed Pokemon. The announcer showed far more grace all of a sudden. ¡°Ahem. Jippy is unable to battle, and Roxie is out cold¡ªSunla returns to the field.¡± Erika smoothly placed the Skiploom¡¯s Poke Ball in her sleeve as the Rockruff continued to slumber, drooling a little in the angles the cameras caught. Lori kept hoping and nudging the puppy¡¯s spirit with the rest of their Pokemon. Yet, despite their efforts, she didn¡¯t wake. Expanding her Poke Ball, Erika elegantly tossed it into the field, her gentle voice like a cool brook on a hot summer day as the Sunflower Pokemon reignited the sun in the sky. ¡°It is often believed that Sleep Powder is a dream-inducing Move only when breathed. In reality, inhaling the powder and accepting one¡¯s fate is the swiftest way to counteract its effects.¡± Erika¡¯s smiling green eyes showed a hidden vicious gleam. ¡°The worst thing to do is take a concentrated dose when in close range to allow its full effects to seep into your Pokemon¡¯s nerve system, guaranteeing its full effect.¡± Muk. We need to learn from that! Sorry, Roxie¡­ She watched helplessly, horror rising in her chest and lips dropping open in horror as a deep green aura spread out from the Sunflora¡¯s roots, sinking into the soil. A light-green ring pulsed out of her roots, a sense of serenity passing over the super-heated field as twinkling green stars illuminated the grass and trees. ¡°You have to be kidding me,¡± Lori mumbled in disbelief, the crowd¡¯s excitement growing as they finally understood the game Erika was playing. ¡°This is Silver-7?¡± Erika¡¯s soft chuckles reverberated through the stadium as she lifted her small cup to her nose, closed her eyes, and breathed in the aroma. Her poisonous eyes opened, a slight smirk on her painted ruby lips. ¡°It takes some time to set up and is easily prevented¡­ Flowers can be very pretty, Lori¡­and very deadly. You must understand, in beauty, there is poison.¡± Gulps could be heard throughout the stadium, and her low voice lightened with a giggle. ¡°Not that I¡¯m using poison¡­this time, at least. Janine already covered that base.¡± Fear now strangling Lori¡¯s chest, her fingers pressed against the console as the announcer chuckled from her floating platform, leering down at the stadium like an evil villainess. ¡°Roxie slumbers just out of reach from safety while the roots close in to strangle her. Wrapped in the warm embrace of a Sunny Day, the grasslands sing with the rich energy of Grassy Terrain, and the flower spreads her legs, soaking in nutrients for her Growth¡­ The winds of fortune at her back, photosynthesis brings life¡­and if one is not careful, it can also bring death.¡± Staring at her little puppy, lying defenseless, unable to so much as activate her Protect, Lori had to make a decision. Staring into Erika¡¯s thoughtful gaze, waiting to see her decision, an ominous chill swept through the stadium as Sunla¡¯s petals grew brighter. Memories of all her time with Roxie, training and honing their bond with Dawn returned in that short interval. Her battle against Misty gripped her soul, along with the trauma that it had caused Miky. This was different, though. She didn¡¯t underestimate Erika. Amira¡¯s words throughout their journey resurfaced in the deceptively peaceful hush that overtook the stadium. Gym Battles were meant to simulate real combat¡­and Roxie¡¯s life was in danger from this kind of attack. However, in a real combat situation, she didn¡¯t have the option of surrendering¡­she had to trust in her Pokemon. Firming her resolve, she sent her Fortitude to Roxie, trusting her girl would hear her heart and wake up. Trusting her to rise to the challenge Erika was placing on them. The Gym Leader¡¯s soft voice was gentle, yet colder than a Blizzard as she maintained eye contact with her across the stadium. ¡°Solar Beam.¡± Protect!
    Ears jolting upright, Roxie¡¯s eyes flashed open. Hearing the firm voice of her Trainer in her soul, a blue shell flowed around her. Vision blurry, she stumbled upright, only to see a colossal wall of golden light larger than a human car. Lori? ¡°Roxie!¡± In utter shock, she watched the honeycomb light surrounding her crack, piercing light shining through, and it shattered. The last thing she remembered was searing heat, and her matrix broke.
    Smashing her fist against the console, she cursed as the giant beam carved down the field, ripping up dirt, vaporizing rock, and rising straight over her in an upward arc; the platform barrier activated, protecting her from the blast. If this had been a real battle, if Roxie was all she had left, they both would be dead. The light faded, leaving a smoking line, and Roxie was near her side of the field, lying motionless on the laser¡¯s path. Erika¡¯s calm, collected gaze made her want to shout at the woman. She¡¯d wanted to see if she¡¯d forfeit, as Rhea had done in a previous battle, and if she had, she was sure she would have given her a failing grade¡ªthat was way too real, though! But¡­that was Encrusted Matches. ¡°Roxie is unable to battle. Her secondary energy matrix is almost depleted, as well. Sunla is the winner. Prepare your next Pokemon, Challenger Lori. The plants cry for nutrients. Hehehe.¡± Lori really was starting to not like this brown-haired young commentator lady; she was probably new¡ªmaybe. Recalling Roxie, she didn¡¯t even try to whisper good job to her little puppy before shoving her Poke Ball to be taken to the In-Gym Center; her victory over that life-threatening situation would be filled with as many sweets and food as the pup wanted when this was done. ¡°Kub! Kub!¡± Zyra¡­ Let¡¯s kick her petals off! We¡¯re not going to let that slide. Her Pokemon roared for vengeance as Terri jumped up and down, fuming at the audacity they had of hurting her big sis. Across the field, Erika remained a picture of serenity, daring them to lose their cool and make another mistake. These Gym Battles were getting more real, but that was because they were getting close to entering Gold-tier¡­the tier drafted for war. B4 — 29. Victory? 4:07 p.m. October 25th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away). Zyra burst from her Poke Ball with a sharp cry, her dark feathers gleaming in the intense glow overhead. She immediately took to the air, her keen eyes momentarily locking on the Sunflower Pokemon across the stadium. The Sunflora actually looked somewhat apologetic; it felt mocking for the courage Roxie and Lori had shown, even if it wasn¡¯t meant to be. Determination raged within her as she caught sight of the devastated streak of still-smoking earth that had nearly killed Roxie. Erika¡¯s elegant figure remained in her composed, lady-like position, observing with a curious smile. The smell of vaporized mud and flowers still hung in the air. It was up to her to avenge her fallen teammate. Soaring high above the arena, she took careful note of its changes, the crowd settling in for the final round. The flowery battlefield was a deadly, vibrant spectacle with its glowing greenery and beautiful floral display, well excluding the long scar that marred its center. The serene peace was a stark contrast to the rest of the flowery meadow, representing the fierce combat that Roxie had survived. The sun blazed unnaturally bright below the monitors, casting a golden hue over everything. The field itself was a lush, flower-strewn expanse, the grass thick and rich, teeming with life and power¡ªproviding Sunla with life and power. Drones hovered in the air, capturing every moment for the enthralled audience, and Lori¡¯s voice filled her soul. ¡°Honestly¡­I don¡¯t think Erika wants us to win this one, Zyra. This is going to be rough. She¡¯s testing how much of a beating we can take. We should be prepared for some shady Grass Specialist tactics.¡± I¡¯m on it, Cap! Zyra huffed. We¡¯re not giving up after that gamble! ¡°Just know that Roxie will be okay¡­if barely. Erika calculated it perfectly.¡± Sunla stood serenely near the middle of the meadow, her petals absorbing sunlight, giving her an almost ethereal glow and ruffling Zyra¡¯s feathers and igniting panic. The picture of calm, Sunla drew in air, her head following her movements in the air. All the more reason to¡ªis she preparing another Solar Beam?! Oh, Muk! Muk! Muk! Muk! Zyra instantly pivoted, a light-blue glow illuminating her drawing-back wings. A surge of air gathered around her, creating a gust that rippled the atmosphere in her wake. Tailwind enveloped her, and she became a blur in the sky, diving toward the ground. A beam of superheated light cleaved a line through the air;unfurling her wings, Zyra used the gale at her back to swiftly dart in the opposite direction. Hot air pressed against her belly as she sucked it in, barely missing the blast. Only¡­it slid right past her and struck the barrier right where Lori was, making her talons clench. She baited me to attack you; what is this battle?! Lori¡¯s voice sobered. ¡°Okay, I think Erika is showing us what is to be expected of Gold-tier battles since I asked if Terri could join the fight¡­ This is what she¡¯s saying we have to account for if we want to go higher. We aren¡¯t only being judged by how we battle, but how we respond to immediate dangers¡­ We¡¯ve already dealt with this back at the Articuno cave; she¡¯s just¡­reminding us.¡± Sunla¡¯s eyes glinted as she opened her mouth to launch a barrage of bullet-like seeds. They shot toward her like the machine guns she¡¯d seen on Lori¡¯s phone, forcing Zyra to bank and weave to avoid the onslaught. The barrier sparked and flashed colors with every pod that exploded against its surface. Zyra cursed as the hail of bullets grew more intense, the Skiploom¡¯s Tailwind still enhancing Sunla¡¯s energy generation and quickness. ¡°How much energy does she have?!¡± Lori growled. ¡°Is she drawing it from outside sources?¡± They had to break past her aerial defenses, but that was a tall order with so many buffs empowering the Sunflora¡ªSunny Day, Grassy Terrain, and Growth. Also, if they gave her room to breathe, then she¡¯d only continue to increase her power. If Sunla continued to build her Special Attack, then there would be nowhere on the battlefield she was safe; Solar Beam would eventually melt through the giant boulders if she tried to hide. Zyra became a black-and-white blur as she darted through the sky, narrowly avoiding the seeds with Keen Eye keeping close track of the trajectory the flower spat. She could feel Lori¡¯s pounding heart through their shared connection. They had to take a gamble to get close enough for her to attack. Twirling around the offensive, she closed in on the shimmering flower, her wings flowing white, ready to stir up a blast of sand from her projected energy. Yet, as Zyra closed in, Sunla¡¯s demeanor shifted. Ceasing her relentless assault, she stood in place, swaying slightly as if confused¡ªthis was her chance! ¡°No!¡± Lori called out. ¡°It¡¯s a trap¡ªit¡¯s gotta be!¡± I can¡¯t stop; we have to risk it! Wind propelling her forward at a blinding speed, she dove in to spray sand across her opponent. She landed it! Only¡­as her wings unfurled to spread the haze, vines shot out from Sunla¡¯s mouth, spraying tiny barbed seeds that sent ice through Zyra¡¯s soul¡ªLeech Seed. Lateral roots sprouted, wrapping around her and taking her out of the air to tumble over the grass. Immediately, her energy began to be siphoned off, slowing the speed at which she could gather it. On the other hand, a whirlwind of dust exploded over the Sunflora, making her cough and sputter. Working around her wings and body, she forced her wings out of the sprouting vines. Her beak glowed as she Pecked at the more restrictive areas; it grew back, using her own energy, but so long as she made it where it didn¡¯t hamper her flying, then it would be fine. She should have predicted the flower Pokemon would try this eventually. Zyra hopped a few times, flapping her wings with a few Bullet Seeds whizzing by her; Sunla was now squinting and teary-eyed. ¡°Ack-ack! Nicely done,¡± she coughed. ¡°It¡¯s hard to see you now, so¡­¡± ¡°Take cover, Zyra!¡± Still somewhat hampered in her movements, Zyra used what little mobility she had to make it behind a nearby boulder on Erika¡¯s side of the meadow. She flinched as the sound of chipping stone hit her ears, and a storm of razor-sharp leaves peppered the barrier, cutting lines across it in the shotgun attack. ¡°We need to rethink our strategy, and you have to get that Leech Seed off you! She¡¯s blinded, and I don¡¯t think Erika will guide her actions much since we are still in Silver¡­ A Muk of a Silver match, though¡­ Create a distraction and try to fly into that nearby tree!¡± Acting without hesitation, she picked up a chunk of stone that had been cut off of the boulder and tossed it into the air before kicking it high into the air. The Razor Leaves followed it, dicing it to bits, and Zyra stayed close to the flowers, disappearing inside of them to hop over to the tree. Once behind it, she used its thick trunk as cover to make it into the obscuring branches, and Lori announced the happy news¡ªthe Skiploom¡¯s Tailwind had faded, which meant the Sunny Day, Growth, and Grassy Terrain would likely end soon, as well. ¡°We¡¯re not out of this match yet, Agent Black,¡± Lori joked, clearly trying to lighten her mood; in the meantime, Zyra studied the accursed vines sapping her energy matrix. ¡°Maybe it would be good for a fresh restart. It¡¯s not like we¡¯re lacking in sustain. Work on that Leech Seed while I look more into this flower.¡± Hidden amongst the dense foliage of the tree, Zyra took a moment to regain her composure. The Leech Seed only grew and wrapped tighter when someone attempted to remove it; Dawn¡¯s Pokemon had taught them how to deal with it. The only chance you had was to find the energy store point and attack that. It wasn¡¯t hard when she didn¡¯t have to avoid curving leaves sharp enough to cut stone or a hail of bullets. She swiftly found the small glowing section near her chest, and with a swift peck, it shriveled and died. Zyra made sure to catch it before it fell to the ground, though, carefully draping it over the branch so as not to alert the recovering Sunflora. She shook out her feathers, having to catch a few that fell away before they drifted to the ground. The announcer seemed to be pulling the audience into the suspenseful game of hide and seek as Sunla crawled over to the nearby rock to check if she was still there. ¡°The battle reaches a slow point after an explosive beginning,¡± she calmly stated, kneeling on her platform and accepting some tea another employee brought up to her. ¡°Mmm. It is fair to conclude we are bound for a reset. Sunla has used quite a lot of energy already. Does she have some other means to regain what she lost?¡± Lori hissed, providing the answer as the Sunflora began to glow, pulling in sunlight, but this time for a different Move. ¡°Solar Power¡­ She has Solar Power. It drains her own HP and regenerates a bit of her natural energy so long as there is sun. What an overpowered Ability, but¡ªthere it is¡­I thought so. Morning Sun restores her matrix.¡± Two can play that game, Zyra chuckled, carefully swapping branches to get behind the trunk again and out of eyesight. Illuminated feathers cascaded around her, the projected attack force revitalizing her matrix. I think I need to go in for a bigger one-shot, right? Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Knowing her Trainer couldn¡¯t perfectly understand her, she was a little frustrated when she went a different route. In the end, it did make sense, though. Flexing her talons as they glowed and sharpened, she took a deep, deliberate breath. Her eyesight became more focused and clear, and strength resonated throughout her body. Hopping higher to a better vantage point, she saw Sunla reapply Grassy Terrain, and a devious smile lifted her heart; Lori was right. Channeling her darker emotions, a haunting aura lifted off her frame, her violet-hued eyes sent her negative feelings toward the Sunflora, invisible since all it required was eye-contact with her target. A ghostly cyclone swirled around the cheery flower, cutting her offensive energy. Sunla¡¯s serene smile returned as she weaved her leaves and loosened up, soaking up the empowering force within the earth, its lush vitality once again renewed. The flowers around her bloomed even more vibrantly, providing a fresh boost to her strength and vigor. The solar globe overhead was the real problem, and Zyra sighed as the yellow flower turned her way, identifying her hiding place¡ªit was probably the increased wind activity. ¡°Taunt isn¡¯t worth it. We want her to waste her energy on her big Moves. With Roost, we can outlast her. Just don¡¯t get hit by Leech Seed again!¡± Releasing a loud cry and with a powerful flap of her wings, Zyra burst from her hiding spot, diving straight for the sunflower. The shrill sound made Sunla shut a single eye, sharply lowering her Defense, as she closed in before she could recover. Moving with increased accuracy and ferocity, her beak gleamed as she aimed right between Sunla¡¯s eyes. I have her! Muk¡ª Zyra¡¯s concentration shattered like glass when a shimmering protective barrier enclosed the Sunflora at the last second. Zyra¡¯s beak met the barrier with a resounding crash, the force of her momentum flipping her into the tumbling somersault over the shell and deflecting the attack. You have to be kidding me! she seethed, struggling to push herself upright and gain enough momentum to take into the air again. Tailwind barely managed to push her into the sky to dodge the wide spray of razor-sharp leaves sent her way as the barrier flickered and dissipated. Rather than retreating, Lori¡¯s strong voice brought her flipping around. ¡°Go in for the strike!¡± Bearing down on the plant, her beak met her forehead¡ªa critical hit, the blow left Sunla reeling. Now vulnerable, her roots dislodged from the ground, Zyra¡¯s claws closed around her stem and brought the flower airborne in her passing. ¡°Got you!¡± she cackled. ¡°Hehe¡­or do I have you?¡± Zyra cursed and dropped her into the crater as she took a deep breath. This time, she managed to dodge the Leech Seeds due to the angle she¡¯d thrown the Sunflora. The intense sunlight began to fade as its effects wore away, and her opponent struck the part of the field not enhanced by her energy. She felt success upon seeing the sunflower looking less serene inside the blackened scar, however, she could feel her own energy reserves draining. If she wasn¡¯t careful, she¡¯d faint due to exhaustion before her matrix was depleted. Somehow, this Sunflora was turning out to be a wall instead of a glass cannon. Sunla¡¯s frame shimmered again, restoring her strength and matrix, making her look visibly more robust. The artificial sun faded, casting longer shadows across the battlefield. They needed to go for a one-shot. As the field settled into a momentary stillness, the crowd appeared to hold their breath, eager for the next exchange of blows. Lori¡¯s next gamble made her a little uneasy. ¡°We can¡¯t let her get Sunny Day up again. We want her to use Grassy Terrain, not Sunny Day. Keeping Solar Beam and Morning Sun off the menu is a must for us. She used Protect, which is perfect for us. Spite forced her to soak up more sun than she planned, and it¡¯s not a perfect system to rebuild her strength¡­ We might need to go for a high-blitz.¡± Zyra spun in the air to dodge the Bullet Seeds Sunla spat out, steadily making her way back toward her vibrant side of the meadow. ¡°Sure, but¡ªwhat the!¡± The plant suddenly jumped into the air and grabbed her feet with her mouth, becoming a cartwheel that spun in a rapid circle. Rollout carrying her toward Grassy Terrain. Beak gleaming, the wind at her back, Zyra easily outpaced the rolling ball and met it head-on, overpowering the Move and sending the Pokemon tumbling back into the crater. It hadn¡¯t been a clean blow, further depleting Lori and her offensive energy pool. ¡°Razor Leaf!¡± Gables growled. ¡°Read the flow of the wind to weave around them.¡± Good thinking! ¡°Go higher!¡± She darted through the air, spinning around them to reach higher into the heavens, preparing for their big move. And then, a rush of heat made Zyra¡¯s heart sank; the moment they gave the sunflower room to breathe, her petals brightened, and a radial pulse fluctuated out of the plant as a bright globe grew from her mouth. They had to make a choice: full-out Plucks to force another Protect, risking Leech Seed again, or allow the Sunny Day, and go for their most powerful attack. Sunla hadn¡¯t even used Mega Drain due to her speed and distance, which allowed the beam to be easily dodged. In that slowed moment in time, Zyra blinked, her sharp vision moving to Erika, only to see the woman peacefully dozing in her cushioned seat. This was their shot. Then again, Erika was supposed to be at the Grandmaster Rank, or at least close to it, since she hadn¡¯t officially taken the title. There was no way that she hadn¡¯t predicted every possible outcome¡­and she realized at the same time as her Trainer that there was always going to be only one way this was going to end. Zyra¡¯s eyes widened upon realizing how well Erika had picked apart her Trainer¡¯s battle style. Many of Dawn¡¯s Pokemon lectures returned at that short interval. Of course, this was all planned out. Encrusted Battles were designed around the individual, which was why only Gym Leaders were allowed the wiggle room they had in this structured setting. Once again, they were forced to make a potentially life-threatening decision, only¡­it really wasn¡¯t. Zyra¡¯s eyes met Sunla¡¯s, and for a brief moment, time seemed to stand still with the growing orb growing in her open mouth. Both of them had maintained their defensive matrix to their maximum. However, she knew with the renewing style Sunla utilized, it was hopeless in a drawn out fight. If this was Silver-7, it was just barely below Silver-8¡ªRoxie and her weren¡¯t quite there yet like Nova was, and this proved it. Lori hesitated, but Zyra didn¡¯t. Wings glowing, she lifted them high into the air, urging her Trainer to trust her this time¡ªthe response came in the flood of energy sent to her. Wings beating down, she launched into the rafters as the dying wind at her back was renewed with sharp ferocity, and Zyra condensed everything they had into this last attack. Hanging high overhead, Zyra saw the blinding sun launch into the sky, and she angled to dive right through it. Just before dipping into the solar sphere, she caught Sunla¡¯s raised petal brightening with light. However, it also stopped in a salute, filling her trembling heart with courage. After witnessing what happened to her teammate, she couldn¡¯t help but feel a touch of fear embedding in her brain, yet her heart pushed her forward. Wind erupted around her, fiercer than she¡¯d ever felt in practice, as she poured her heart and soul into this final gambit. Launching in a reverse rocket, Tailwind accelerated her into a blur as a light-blue aura flared off her in a dazzling radiance. Plummeting toward the ground, the world seemed to stand still, all sound dying. Just before her glowing beak touched a flower, the force guiding her shot her at a sharp angle. Leaving an airstream in her wake that ripped up flowers and dirt alike, she blazed across the field, carrying the shimmering heat of the Sunny Day she¡¯d passed through that superheated the atmosphere. Aimed right at the slow-swaying Sunflora, Zyra didn¡¯t blink as the rainbow illumination around the sunflower reached a radiant crescendo, and an effulgent wall of light blinded her. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Her white fist shaking against the console, Lori tried to control her breathing as sweat slicked her brow, dripping into her eyes, but she refused to blink. Her body felt as weak as it had under Dawn¡¯s brutal training while funneling everything she had into Zyra to protect her little mischievous bird. The calm girl providing commentary was no longer sitting as she spilled her cup onto the battlefield and jumped to her feet. ¡°Hone Claw and Tailwind in effect! Zyra launches into the sky and dives through Sunny Day¡ªshe¡¯s a blur¡­ Sky Attack! Sky Attack meets an enhanced Solar Beam!¡± All the strength in Lori¡¯s legs failed her as she leaned against the console, watching Zyra¡¯s bright, streaking figure meet the wall of radiant light. Her bird charged through it to tackle the Sunflora¡­only, she was no longer conscious, and her power fizzled out. ¡°You have to be kidding me¡­¡± Lori sighed, feeling the stress press against her chest as a camera angle showed off one of Sunla¡¯s extended roots in the fading Grassy Terrain, three meters away¡ªIngrain had allowed her to suck in a small amount of its energy to tip the scale. ¡°¡­We lost.¡± Excited chatter rather than cheers filled the stands, and Lori forced herself up to recall her brave bird. Sunla had managed to catch her inside her comforting leaves, and the Pokemon looked taxed herself; it still wasn¡¯t close enough of a victory to be proud of. Yet, Lori was proud of her girls. Terri tried to help stabilize her as she returned Zyra to her Poke Ball. They¡¯d done their best, and Erika had killed her five times over¡ªliterally, if this was a real combat scenario. Don¡¯t be mad, guys¡­ We have a long way to go. The crowd quieted down with the announcer¡¯s commentary when Erika¡¯s face appeared on the screen, taking the place of the replay. She seemed to be just waking up from her short nap, and it only took a moment to lock eyes with her from across the damaged meadow. Her voice was sweet as the flowers she cultivated and completely sincere. ¡°You lost, and in a flashy way from what I¡¯m seeing on screen¡­ I apologize for missing the exciting conclusion. Hmm. To be perfectly clear, Sunla is qualified to battle in the Gold-0 bracket with a partner for Double Battles. She is accustomed to being with a supporting partner. With that said, by handicapping her with a temporary support that is at the Silver-tier, her rating drops to the very limits of Silver-7. So¡­what do you think of your performance, Lori?¡± Placing the device into the slot to be sent to the Center, Lori showed a proud smile and found strength from her Kubfu, who held her hand and glared at the Gym Leader. ¡°The difference between Gold and Silver is huge,¡± she laughed. ¡°Not that this was Gold! It¡¯s just¡­you were showing us how a Gold battle would be judged, and how real battles get once you¡¯re Gold-tier. It reminded me of that Plasma assassin that came after us at the start of our journey¡­ I was scared, Gym Leader Erika¡­ You scared us,¡± she admitted with a forced smile. ¡°I think it¡¯s something I¡¯ll remember.¡± Erika finished her sip of tea as she spoke, lowered it from her mouth, and showed a warm expression. ¡°Very few Trainers manage to accelerate as quickly as your team has, Lori. It is essential to realize what responsibility comes with the power you gain as Trainers. One cannot look at the world the same way when one has the ability to influence it, if on a small block level to the scale of a City-State or region. ¡°Loss¡­is inevitable in this world, Lori. Gambles and risks are necessary. And you showed a willingness to put your vulnerable heart on the line¡­ Not for this silly badge that is lined with Silver,¡± she chuckled, gesturing at the rainbow gem-encrusted item attached to her chest front. ¡°You gambled your heart against what this badge represents¡­ You¡¯ve grown, Lori. Believe in yourself.¡± Heat smacked Lori in the nose as her eyes began to water in the understanding look on the Gym Leader¡¯s face. She¡¯d been wrong¡­so wrong. This hadn¡¯t been about proving she could push through tough and life-threatening situations. It was about her feelings in that ice cave, a gun pointed at Amira, and Rhea being the one to tackle her out of the way¡­ It was about her fear of death, and the death of her Pokemon. Erika folded her hands in her lap and pressed a button near her kneeling position, and the flashing screen overhead read six letters in green. ¡°You have passed my test, Lori. You may pick up your badge at the front. I hope to see you continue to grow as you reach new heights. Many can learn from your example¡­ It is a hard one to follow.¡± Feeling her shirt stick to her drenched back, Lori left the stage with a confused Terri, Gables pondering the lesson Erika had imparted to them. Gold would be a whole different dance, and they needed to be prepared for it. Still, they¡¯d won¡­even though they lost. B4 — 30. I’m Here For Some Fun!
    4:01 p.m. October 25th, Saturday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away).
    Rhea sat on the Celadon Gym¡¯s cushioned bench and stared around the locker room. It was a blend of functionality and elegance that reflected Erika¡¯s taste; in fact, all the Gyms she¡¯d entered had their own unique style. It was probably a point of pride for the Gyms. She could see it was designed to cater to both the high stakes of intense battles and the relaxation needs of Trainers and their Pokemon. Classy wooden lockers lined one wall, polished to a gleam, reflecting the soft, ambient light from above. Across from Amira and her were benches with plush cushions that provided a comfortable spot to rest or prepare, easily in sight of the current match. Unlike Saffron City¡¯s fairly modern and sleek design, the flowery doors leading out of the main locker area to the showers were bright and welcoming, with far more privacy options. There was even a steam room and massaging area that a few girls were making use of. Erika really went all out. Rhea released a small sigh, her legs crossed as she idly stroked Lulu. Beside her, Amira methodically checked her notes on Pokedex, her Pokemon gathered around her, studying the data intently. She giggled inside when spotting the Braixen intensely examining the information, tapping her arm with her wand; it reminded her about the ransom note Lori showed them before going out. Mariah was on Amira¡¯s lap, looking a tad concerned. However, the moment Lori engaged Erika and they prepared for battle, every eye snapped to the large TV screens across the locker room. A bucket of cold water was dumped over Rhea¡¯s head as Lori asked a question that affected them all¡ªthey could start using their Legendaries and Mythical Pokemon in Gyms. ¡°You have to be kidding me,¡± Rhea whispered, and several girls leaned in closer to gossip across the room, looking their way. ¡°I can use Lulu?¡± ¡°Ne? Ne-ne-ne!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Lop-lop!¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± Her Pokemon gathered around their excited puffball, throwing her into the air with congratulations. Beside them, Mariah¡¯s reaction took on a whole different form, looking like she was about to throw up. Her teammates¡¯ tried to comfort the nervous Meloetta. Rhea didn¡¯t miss the conditions that Erika laid out, though, and she glanced over at Amira, now conflicted. ¡°Are¡­you going to give that a shot? Don¡¯t they need a little practice in real combat before making it to the League¡­ I guess we don¡¯t even know if we can use them in the League, either. This could be their only way of learning.¡± Amira gently stroked her nervous girl¡¯s hair, the mythical songstress getting stage fright. ¡°Hmm. It could be a good experience for them. Erika is tough, but from my research, she¡¯s fair. I¡­don¡¯t think Mariah is quite ready for this. Maybe in the upcoming Gym with some more prep.¡± She smiled while looking over at Lulu¡¯s gaseous form, shimmering with anticipation, her pink eyes twinkling with curiosity. ¡°Your team has involved Lulu in all sorts of training exercises, though. I mean, don¡¯t let my opinion sway you¡­but didn¡¯t you tell Alice that you¡¯d give her this battle? Wouldn¡¯t it be better to have Nova be with Lulu for her first battle? Actually, I think a Double Battle would be most appropriate.¡± ¡°I did promise her,¡± Rhea calmly said, rubbing her suddenly worried bun. ¡°I don¡¯t see why Alice can¡¯t be Lulu¡¯s teammate. All of them have worked really hard together. Isn¡¯t that right, girls?¡± All of her Pokemon chirped their agreement, and Rhea felt a fire rising up within her. ¡°Nova did have a big show against Sabrina and the Impromptu Contest, as well. I think we need to share the love. Remember, girls, this is just a possibility. If Lulu is too amped up with power and breaks Gold-tier, then she can¡¯t participate.¡± ¡°Ne-ne.¡± Her Quirky cosmic ball lifted her hand in adorable acceptance, making Rhea coo and nuzzle her giggling Cosmog. ¡°Then Mya will join Alice if Lulu can¡¯t. I¡¯ve already gone over all your known Moves, too, Lulu. Remember everything your big sisters and I taught you. Even if we lose, we can always start again. We¡¯ve been making decent money with Amira¡¯s business plan of selling plushies of you girls!¡± ¡°Ne!¡± Lulu gave a serious and cute salute to each of her masters before jumping up to hug her neck. ¡°Ne-ne-ne.¡± Amira nodded, looking a little more nervous now as she turned back to her Pokemon. ¡°It isn¡¯t just them. Your plushie is selling off the shelves, Rhea. Your collection, with you and your four Pokemon, are sold out until February in the store.¡± ¡°That¡¯s so crazy!¡± she laughed. ¡°You really are the business queen. Oh¡ªLori¡¯s battle started! Roxie first¡­and a swap to Zyra. Uh-oh¡­a Sun Battle? Grassy Terrain?!¡± Rhea¡¯s throat became dry as every eye fixated on the TV, watching the live broadcast and the insane battle that took place. ¡°Solar Beam¡ªat that strength?! It will kill Roxie!¡± ¡°No,¡± Amira swallowed, ¡°not if she wakes up and¡ªyes, Protect! It shattered the Protect and her defensive matrix¡­¡± ¡°Uh-hehe. Amira,¡± Rhea said with a strained laugh. They watched many of the other Silver-tier girls, now ashen-faced, with two walking out to resign after the deadly show. ¡°I thought you said Erika was usually pretty fair¡­this looks like she was trying to kill Roxie¡­and now Zyra has to fight.¡± The redhead pressed her knuckles against her nose while scrutinizing the replays on another monitor, third-party commentators going crazy, jumping up and down in their chairs. ¡°Gym Leaders personalize every match to the individual¡­ Lori¡¯s mom is in the crowd watching. I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a coincidence.¡± Rhea shook her head, holding Lulu tight as her little girl watched with big eyes. ¡°Lori¡¯s a gambler, sure, if that is what you¡¯re saying. This is borderline illegal, though! That Solar Beam totally could have killed Roxie, and look at how powerful those Razor Leafs are under Grassy Terrain¡­ Hang in there, Lori!¡± She sat on the edge of her seat as the final clash between the black bird and sunflower came to a head, white-faced with everyone else in the room¡ªEnhanced Sky Attack vs. Enhanced Solar Beam¡­and the Solar Beam won. ¡°No way¡­¡± Rhea slumped into her chair, feeling as if slapped across the face. After Lori sacrificed so much and called every bet, in the end, she¡¯d lost. The Unovan Trainer quickly recalled Zyra to send her to the hospital, and Rhea¡¯s nose burned upon seeing the frustration and sweat on her brow. ¡°That looked so¡­brutal.¡± Amira held up her hand. ¡°Let¡¯s hear the explanation¡­ I thought so. It was about our Plasma encounter.¡± It clicked in Rhea¡¯s head, recalling everything Lori had told them in the past few months since the incident. She¡¯d frozen under a life-and-death situation, and that had been killing her inside. Rhea¡¯s focus snapped to Karen as the silver-haired supermodel got up from her feet and moved. Had her mother said something to Erika? All attention returned to Erika as the Gym Leader said, ¡°You have passed my test, Lori. You may pick up your badge at the front. I hope to see you continue to grow as you reach new heights. Many can learn from your example¡­ It is a hard one to follow.¡± Vision widening, Rhea¡¯s determination set as she glanced toward her cosmic cloud. We¡¯re going to give it everything we have! ¡°Rhea Everhart, please report to the stage.¡± Amira scooted over to hug her. ¡°You¡¯ll do great. Just keep calm, and don¡¯t doubt yourself.¡± A small smile lifted Rhea¡¯s eyes as she returned the embrace. ¡°I learned that lesson against Sabrina¡­or to doubt my Pokemon. I guess that is something Erika was teaching Lori. Erika and Sabrina are BFFs, so it makes sense.¡± ¡°Something¡­I hope we can become over time,¡± Amira hesitantly whispered, her cheeks flushing a bit in embarrassment. ¡°I know a few months isn¡¯t going to cut it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not about time,¡± Rhea giggled, squeezing tighter before letting go, flashing her teeth, and standing up with her team. ¡°In my book, we¡¯re already BFFs. Now, I¡¯ll leave our sweaty and exhausted troublemaker in your capable hands! Don¡¯t let her leave without cleaning up¡ªmaybe take a quick nap!¡± Her thick golden braid bounced behind her as she jogged toward the exit, recalling her Pokemon to their Poke Balls on her way. ¡°I¡¯m following my aunt¡¯s advice to have fun! Battles can¡¯t be serious all the time. You gotta have a balance, right?¡± She loved seeing the relief and smile on Amira¡¯s face upon exiting. Gym Battles were all about learning and growing; if you didn¡¯t have the heart to grow or face the walls the Gym Leaders saw blocking your way, then you weren¡¯t ready for the next stage. Over the last few Gym Challenges, she¡¯d learned that there really was a stark difference between the tiers, and they were nearing the War-tier: Gold. No, there was a big difference now since they needed four Encrusted Badges to be considered Gold. From here, the Gyms would be much less forgiving, and they had to adapt, but that didn¡¯t mean they couldn¡¯t have fun. Lulu bobbed up and down on her head, cheering her on. It was time to go to battle; it was time for Lulu to taste real combat! ¡°Neeeee!¡± Her dress bounced as she jogged down the hall, bumping arms with her tired violet-haired teammate in passing. ¡°Show them the sunshine, Honeypot,¡± she tiredly laughed. Rhea skipped backward, pointing at her. ¡°And you take a shower and let Amira fuss over you; your mom can wait!¡± ¡°I doubt that. She¡¯ll be in the locker room to fuss over me herself. Bet.¡± Rhea held up her thumb and slowed down upon reaching the blinding spotlight. She winced as the light hit her, and the large holographic displays above the stadium brought her front and center. Her bright golden locks gleamed under the rays, shimmering under the radiance. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. She blinked, a little surprised by how bright her coral-blue eyes were on the big screen, bringing her back to Jason¡¯s text that she¡¯d got just before entering the locker room. A smile came on just thinking about it:
    3:45 p.m. Mankey Butt - Just texting to remind you, your coral-blue eyes are like the sun breaking through the clouds on a rainy day, illuminating everything around you with their breathtaking brightness and warmth. They hold the depth of the ocean and the sparkle of the clearest summer sky, making it impossible not to get lost in their mesmerizing beauty.
    It came with an attached picture, her pouty, accusatory face, still in her pajamas with ice cream on her nose¡ªa moment in the time she¡¯d snuck out in Fuchsia City to talk to him when he asked her to meet him and talk. He¡¯d been the one to bump the ice cream he¡¯d bought her into her face to snap this photo; now it all made sense. He was planning this from the beginning! The sappy message followed by the slap in the face. He¡¯s such a Jynx! Walking onto the platform, the gate locked behind her before it lifted her over the grass-themed stadium. She couldn¡¯t help but blush as the female announcer rang out compliments. ¡°Would you look at her! I think we know who taught this young lady how to fashion because that soft blue fabric brings out the hues of her eyes and contrasts that beautiful hair like Water and Thunder Stones! Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce your entertainers this fine afternoon¡­¡± Erika knelt gracefully on her comfortable-looking cushion, sipping delicately from a tiny cup. Her amiable smile exuded a serene confidence, a stark contrast to the vibrant energy that filled the stadium. ¡°She needs no introduction; the grace and elegance of the flowers in her night-black locks could swallow the stars¡­ The Grandmaster of Grass-type Pokemon, Erika, Gym Leader of Celadon City-State. ¡°Facing her today is Rhea Everhart, the famous upstart with her unique Eevee, who can transform into multiple Eeveelutions. What will she show us today? Oh, there has been a discussion throughout the Gym today. Flareon, Vaporeon, no¡­maybe Glaceon seems more likely, or perhaps another form yet to be unveiled?!¡± Rhea chuckled internally, feeling her Pokemon joining her. None of the above. Right, girls? The mirth was soon diminished by Alice and Mya¡¯s playful glares directed at Nova, who felt a bit embarrassed about being singled out. Lulu was still waiting to see if she¡¯d get her debut. The announcer continued, her voice laced with humor and admiration, making Rhea¡¯s cheeks redden further. ¡°And let¡¯s not forget Rhea¡¯s impressive lineage! With an aunt who is the Pokemon World Champion, a mother who leads the world in genetics and breeding research, and other powerful family members, she¡¯s certainly one to watch!¡± What, Rhea internally cried, did someone pay her to glaze me for five minutes before the battle? What¡¯s the deal?! Calm down! Breathe¡­ Just place Lulu on the device, and move on¡­ ¡°I¡¯ve recently joined her fan club to see what new surprises she drops, and you can¡¯t make some of this stuff up! You should see the recent photos Lori posted on their social media. The relationship she has with her mother is one to be envied; mother-daughter goals!¡± I mean, my boyfriend is one thing, but what is up with this lady! Say what about my mom?! What is going on inside her headcanon? Trying to cool her frantic mind, she cleared her throat and put Lulu on the scanner device beside the platform before placing her Poke Balls into the slots. ¡°Excuse me, Gym Leader Erika. Can I ask a question?¡± The noisy announcer finally shut her mouth as all eyes went to the serene lady across the stadium. Her light-green eyes lifted on the digital display in front of Rhea to look at her. ¡°Ask away.¡± ¡°Can I use Lulu in this battle?¡± she asked, her voice steady despite the anticipation thrumming through her veins. A gasp rippled through the audience, and the announcer¡¯s excitement spiked. ¡°Are we going to witness the first-ever official Gym Battle with Legendary Pokemon since the mysterious Tobias? The only one I¡¯ve ever witnessed in battle was Inspector Joy¡¯s Latias when she tested Lady Erika¡¯s aptitude last year!¡± The stadium fell into a hushed silence as everyone awaited Erika¡¯s verdict. The Gym Leader set her cup down with an elegant motion, her eyes calm as she studied the board. The device analyzing Lulu¡¯s data, in conjunction with her other Pokemon, flashed across the display: Gold 3. Rhea¡¯s heart sank, but Erika pressed a few buttons on the console built into the floor on her platform. One of the three unknown Poke Balls on the display vanished, and the rank changed: Silver 8+. ¡°I will allow it on one condition,¡± Erika said, her voice serene yet carrying a hint of challenge as her smiling irises met hers. ¡°But it may be more difficult than you realize. The only reason it is Gold 3 is due to the potential combination of Lulu and Nova, with your Eevee¡¯s unique transformations. If you take Nova out of the lineup, it would be acceptable.¡± For real? Rhea internally mumbled to her shocked Pokemon. Nova plus Lulu is Gold 3? I guess that makes sense. Their synergy could be terrifying, with the support Lulu can provide through her Legendary Pokemon abilities¡­their power. Her mass Teleport alone could be broken due to its abilitiy to snatch opponents, as well. Nova¡¯s voice echoed in Rhea¡¯s soul, reassuring, and she spoke her team¡¯s answer. ¡°We¡¯re fine with that.¡± Erika¡¯s expression grew more serious as she slowly straightened on her cushion. ¡°There is a lot of wiggle room when it comes to Silver 8+, Rhea, as you learned when facing Gym Leader Sabrina¡­and she went far more easy on you than you may realize. You saw what Lori faced at Silver 7. Are you prepared to lose?¡± Rhea could practically hear the audience¡¯s gulps, mumbling to one another. She caught several people who were on their way out, probably to the restroom, pause and wait with bated breath. Yet, she couldn¡¯t help a short laugh that rolled through her stomach. She reached out to allow Lulu the chance to climb onto her hand and hug her wrist. ¡°I mainly want to help my Pokemon gain battle experience. Of course, I want to win, but I¡¯ve already secured my place in the Silver Conference with four Encrusted Badges¡ªnot that I¡¯m trying to brag! It¡¯s just¡­ Now, it¡¯s about making my little girls as strong and ready as they can be. And if this is the only way Lulu can gain that real battle experience, then I¡¯ll gladly accept a loss.¡± Erika¡¯s smile returned, a gentle acknowledgment in her tone. ¡°I will give you this warning then, Rhea, revealing a Pokemon you intend to use¡­in addition to excluding one of your remaining three Pokemon is a significant risk, giving your opponent room to plan a counter. You accept that?¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach twisted a little at the ominous warning. ¡°Something tells me that you¡¯re saying that to have the chance to bump up the difficulty further¡­ Still, I accept that risk.¡± She held up her little, proud puffball to the world. ¡°I know Cosmog don¡¯t have the best look around the world¡­but my little Cosmog is the best!¡± ¡°Neeee!¡± Rhea could see smiles and laughter come from some of the crowd at her little space cloud¡¯s adorable roar. Erika placed a hand against her chest and released a soft sigh before pressing a few more buttons, and the Poke Ball selection on her left side retracted before revealing a new lineup. ¡°Very well, Rhea. I accept that challenge. The stage has been reset, conditions locked in, and an outcome decided. Let the countdown begin.¡± Lulu puffed herself up, but Rhea winked at her and placed her on the console. Not yet. One of your big sisters is going to start things off. Her Cosmog nodded emphatically, hugging the Poke Ball and kissing it for good luck, making Alice¡¯s heart melt. She had to show a good battle for her little sis. The announcer¡¯s voice rose in excitement as the crowd cheered, not a soul leaving for bathroom breaks, snacks, or otherwise. The atmosphere was electric with anticipation, and Rhea¡¯s heart raced, but a calm fervor settled over her¡ªa drive to have fun. This was their moment, a chance to prove their growth and strength, even if they lost. As the countdown began, the lights flashing red, Rhea felt a surge of confidence from her Pokemon, their bond tightening. She was ready. They were ready. The battle was on! The anticipation ignited the air as almost palpable as the stadium lights flickered, transitioning from red to yellow, and then, green fell over them. The woman over the speakers tried her best to remain calm, but it was obvious how enthralled she was with the upcoming match. ¡°Trainers, ready your Pokemon. Battle¡­start!¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes sparkled with determination as she threw her Poke Ball into the field of violet flowers. Her bun burst out of her capsule, her salt-and-pepper Lopunny emerging with a graceful leap. She landed lightly on her feet, her fur glistening in the spotlight. Alice spun in a circle, kicking the air with agility and precision, hyping herself up. ¡°Look at that form and unique color!¡± the woman exclaimed, her voice filled with envy. ¡°Alice, the Lopunny, known for her speed and agility, is ready to take on the Gym!¡± Across the field, near Erika, a big pumpkin appeared in the air, its big blue eyes glowed with delight. ¡°Booo!¡± The announcer quickly identified her. ¡°And you locals will know him well! Facing Alice, we have Cherry, the Pumpkaboo, Gym Leader Erika¡¯s little trickster!¡± A collective gasp erupted from the audience and Rhea leaned forward in confusion as the snickering ghost slipped into the shadows of a nearby tree. Well, Muk, Rhea internally hissed, all the memories of her prankster babysitter growing up flooding back. A Ghost-type is tricky, but at least you¡¯re¡­wait. Her eyes widened as flickering white flame formed from within the darkness within the tree¡¯s shadow, the images of jack-o¡¯-lanterns and laughter whipping up a haunting wind around it. Trick-or-treat! Rhea shouted, but multiple white ghosts released from the sphere and flew toward Alice; it wasn¡¯t the type of Move one could easily dodge, even for her quick bun. Two of the three ghosts slipped into the ground with wicked cackles. Rhea felt as if she¡¯d been struck by Confusion as her gaze darted to Pokedex, the site¡¯s information popping up. If a Pumpkaboo had blue-colored eyes, then it had Insomnia¡ªits Dream Ability. Just like Mimi, this Pokemon was born with an Ability it shouldn¡¯t have. Alice¡¯s Sleep Charm was useless against him. There was hope, though: Alice also had Cute Charm. ¡°Our Super Sized orange ghost is playing his games!¡± Alice¡¯s eyes glinted, leaving a trail of light as she launched into a blur, easily evading the approaching white ghost. However, the second emerged from the ground as she neared the tree¡¯s shadow. Alice leaped into the air to dodge it and land against the trunk, only for the final one to reach out and hug her surprised bun. They had no experience fighting Ghosts, and Rhea could tell it was hard for her big bunny. The only way to stop it is to break the caster¡¯s concentration! It gains more ghosts the stronger it gets¡ªthere¡¯s probably three¡­ I was too slow. Sorry, Alice. ¡°Cherry just raises the stakes, folks¡ªTrick-or-Treat lands! How quickly can Alice learn to fight like a Ghost?!¡± Her Lopunny tried to kick off the trunk, only for her now ethereal feet to slip right through, and she tumbled down to the grass. For the first time in her life, the ground wasn¡¯t solid for her, and the pumpkin¡¯s shadowy form detached from the shadows behind Alice with an ominous laugh, the bun still trying to recover. Protect! The shell surrounded Alice, taking the brunt of the Super-Effective attack. Within the first few seconds of the match, Alice was now weak to ghost-type moves, Trick-or-Treat cutting through her Normal immunity; things couldn¡¯t be worse. Yet, a smile lifted Rhea¡¯s lips, her heart pounding with anticipation. We¡¯re not out yet, Alice; let¡¯s have some fun and learn from this! Get out of the shadows fast! You okay? ¡°Lop!¡± Alice seemed to find her feet, a burst of momentum and white light launching her away from the tree, Quick Attack taking her away from the darkness in an instant to recover. The haunting pumpkin¡¯s rapid shadow halted at the edge of the shade; his ghostly abilities were limited, and Rhea knew that well from Franky. We got this! ¡°Our elegant Gym Leader knew exactly what she was doing¡ªNormal vs. Ghost, but there is no telling how things will end up. What surprises will Lady Erika pull from her second Pokemon, I wonder? Let¡¯s find out!¡± Rhea swiftly scanned over the immediate information on Pokedex: Given it¡¯s Silver 8+, I wouldn¡¯t doubt we¡¯re dealing with a Pokemon with Breeding and TM Moves, maybe a second Ability. Pickup or Frisk¡­ No, Swap+ or Risk-Taker, probably, since its genetics are on the mutated side. Oh, no¡­ Destiny Bond and Disable. That¡¯s a scary combo¡­ Rhea felt the anticipation Ash and her aunt talked about before. We¡¯re not out of this yet. Let¡¯s show Erika what we have! ¡°Neeee! Ne-ne-ne!¡± Lulu threw her arms up in the air, cheering on her big sis as Alice tested her new ethereal form away from the shadows. It would take some getting used to the new weight distribution and random ghostly abilities that could pop-up, but they could use this to their advantage, too. Rhea had seen Grandmasters use this Move, after all. Thanks, Franky, your tricks growing up are going to help us beat this pumpkin! Alright, girls. Even if this looks scary¡­ Let¡¯s have some fun! B4 — 31. The Villainess Is The Heroine!
    4:16 p.m. October 25th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away).
    Alice could feel the ghostly energy infusing her body, making her limbs feel lighter and her movements more fluid, yet also unnerving. A light red trail escaped from her enhanced eyes as she saw the Pumpkaboo¡¯s big, blue eyes cast a faint glow through the darkness, unable to hide from Foresight. Air rushing past her fur in her retreat, feet yet to touch grass while soaring over the field; she watched the Pumpkin Pokemon breathe deeply in slow motion, preparing his next assault. Rhea¡¯s steady voice was filled with excitement and encouragement, informing her of the Pumpkaboo¡¯s Moves and Abilities. ¡°We got this, Alice. Stay focused. You¡¯re lighter than air. You¡¯ll be faster and jump further. Take your time to adapt; keep your distance.¡± Lulu¡¯s young, cheery zeal followed. ¡°I¡¯m right here with you, Big Boss; I¡¯ve got your tail!¡± A small smile lifted Alice¡¯s mouth; she¡¯d been so focused on catching up to Nova and Mya that she¡¯d lost some of her enjoyment in battles. She needed to reignite the dancing flames within her thumping heart again. Landing in a patch of grass, she skipped backward, twisting in the air, sharp eyes carrying her out of the trajectory of the seeds that launched out of Cherry¡¯s mouth. Bullets zipped past her pulled-in arms as her ears extended to change her direction, only to sink into a shadow that a drone above cast¡ªnot only did she have to worry about normal shadows, but also those cast by the floating cameras. A bullet aimed right between her eyes came into focus, a second before it would land; she didn¡¯t have enough time to touch the ground or gather enough energy to escape, and Protect this early was a horrible plan¡ªshe flickered, and the seed exploded against a floating flower head. ¡°Swap++,¡± the announcer cooly stated, ¡°a potent Ability, but not one she should be able to use often.¡± Appearing on the ground, Alice cartwheeled behind a boulder, being careful not to position herself in the shadow. Explosions came from the other side of the rock, a rush of flower petals being carried on the rush of wind. Wow, this is rough, Rhea, Alice chuckled, her eyes darting around what she could see of the stadium, with the shadows of the drones overhead and moving lights, I can¡¯t keep track of every¡ª Her thoughts were cut as Cherry¡¯s illuminated eyes rose out of the boulder¡¯s shadow to her right, a flash of ghostly light projected from his vision. She¡¯d been too focused on the drones; it hit her just as she was about to use Quick Attack to escape¡ªher body locked up¡ªshe couldn¡¯t move: Disable. In the next moment, a ball of ethereal energy flowed out of Cherry¡¯s mouth, his voice a ghostly snicker. ¡°Don¡¯t feel bad; most Silver-tier Pokemon can¡¯t deal well with Trick-or-Treat.¡± Alice¡¯s vision swam, her energy collapsing and reversing to eat at her own energy matrix. ¡°Disable into Confuse Ray. Our elusive bunny seems to be out of her element when unable to control her own body, and the shadows play tricks on the mind.¡± Alice stumbled to the left, seeing triple, yet a grin lifted her face as a red beam connected to her, pulling her away from the next spine-tingling force that reached for her neck. Yeah, Erika had really read her like a book and exploited a weakness she didn¡¯t even know she had. ¡°It¡¯s okay! We¡¯ll wait it out. Lulu, your time is now!¡± Good luck, Little Dust Cloud! Alice giggled, her teammate¡¯s words a jumbling mess in her mind. Why do I still see triple inside my Poke ball? I¡¯ll get your back, short stack¡­ * ¡ª * ¡ª * Lulu¡¯s soul pounded with a mixture of excitement and determination to make her big sisters and mom proud. Rainbow lights carried her to the middle of the stadium, high over the field to stare at the bully who had made her Big Sister stumble and feel bad about herself. The announcer¡¯s voice cracked with excitement, the air electrified with anticipation. ¡°Here we go, ladies and gentlemen! A Legendary Pokemon has graced our arena! I¡¯m sure you all saw the awe-striking power of Ho-Oh a few months ago, and now we have the Pokemon the world fears before us¡­the fearsome salt-and-pepper Cosmog! It¡¯s like the villain Darkness has escaped her cartoon to attack our Gym!¡± ¡°Yes, fear me, mortals!¡± Lulu roared from high above, wiping her puffy hand out extravagantly, repeating her favorite cartoon Cosmog hero. ¡°I am the Darkness! I am the moon¡¯s shadow upon the weak! Tremble before my mighty cosmic form! Know that no light can hide in the black¡­ I see you!¡± Her grin widened upon feeling Rhea¡¯s entertained laughter at her terrifying entrance. In response, the Pumpkaboo rose into the air, unable to hide from her all-seeing vision. She¡¯d trained under the awesome power of Master Luna and the Ghost Sages of the Lavender Department Store. Her orange opponent increased in size, becoming a giant flying up to her. ¡°Ho-ho-ho! Foolishness!¡± Lulu roared, fanning out her fluff like a fan over her mouth like the awesome heroine Strange Lady. ¡°I have seen your tricks before.¡± More rainbow lights surrounded her, carrying her away in an instant to appear beside Cherry, the rush of wind flowing against her puffy form as she attempted to look regal, like Nova in her performance. Cherry chuckled, eyes shifting to her with a flash. ¡°Those are some quick Teleports, Ms¡ªwhat?¡± Lulu giggled as rays of hues carried her effortlessly to the Pokemon''s back; teleporting had become second nature to her. The blast of paralyzing force from her opponent¡¯s attack didn¡¯t even come close to touching her. ¡°Such arrogance, young one,¡± she sneered. ¡°I¡¯m way older than you!¡± he retorted with a playful grin. Dodging Cherry¡¯s attacks with ease, Lulu yawned and fanned herself, mimicking the haughty demeanor of Sabrina¡¯s twin. She refused to let Cherry use his deadly Trick-or-Treat Move on her, especially after witnessing its devastating effects on her Big Sister. ¡°¡­So boring. Where is that overwhelming power you were so proud of?¡± Cherry¡¯s forced smile faltered while ducking into the shadows. ¡°It¡¯s almost like you don¡¯t have to gather energy to teleport at all; not even Sabrina¡¯s Pokemon I¡¯ve trained with are that fast¡­ Erika was right: you are a little menace. This is good training.¡± ¡°To compare me to anything but myself would be a sin,¡± Lulu chortled. ¡°Perhaps I should show you what real power looks like.¡± Cherry¡¯s nervousness was palpable as Lulu played out her favorite heroine vs. villain scenario in her mind; she practiced it every morning in the mirror. ¡°Oh?¡± he stammered. ¡°Why not show me your biggest Move? Do you have one?¡± Lulu tilted her head up with a devious smirk and snapped her fake fan closed, just like the Strange Lady; she was perfect! A strange tug came from Rhea, but she was too in character right now! She had to show him the truth. The villains were always so easily beat up by the heroine in the shows before the pesky villains powered up and always found a way to win in the end. This was real life, though, and the heroine always won! Lulu channeled the confidence of her fictional heroines; her cosmic fluff twinkled under the bright light, her soft laughter projected over the stadium. ¡°How bold of you, my adorable little puff-ball.¡± This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Cherry¡¯s mouth dropped open, eyes going big. ¡°Huh? Puff-ball? Are you¡­quoting Mystery Doors of the Magical Land 2?!¡± ¡°Foolish children!¡± Lulu proclaimed dramatically, her cosmic body twinkling with energy. She drew upon Rhea¡¯s Allocations, feeling a surge of exhilaration as she unleashed her most potent Move yet; she almost choked at the tingling pleasure that erupted within her from the open floodgates that exploded from her Trainer. ¡°You believe you know what it means to hold real power? Such arrogance!¡± A sinister aura enveloped her as she summoned dark energies, her eyes glowing with a malevolent torrent. The shadowy force swirled around Lulu as she appeared in the sky, transforming the atmosphere into one of foreboding. A haunting pulse erupted within her breast, surging out in a haunting wave of black clouds and pressure that swirled around her in a cycling vortex. ¡°What is that?!¡± the announcer exclaimed, voice trembling with awe and fear, as villains should when the heroine reveals her true strength. ¡°That¡­is not a normal Night Shade!¡± Drawing upon the teachings of the spectral beings she had encountered in Lavender Town, Lulu loomed over her petrified opponent with an eerie calmness. Her voice resonated with an unearthly depth, echoing with the power of the unknown. ¡°Beg not for mercy, for I have seen your world¡¯s end¡­¡± Lulu intoned, her words carrying an ominous weight. ¡°Behold, the blackening skies.¡± As the deadly clouds swirled and converged, a malevolent torrent of ghostly energy erupted from Lulu¡¯s eyes, uniting with the fog and engulfing the fleeing Pumpkaboo. The ethereal tendrils snaked around the hapless Pokemon as he tried to escape behind the boulder Alice had used, trapping it within their righteous embrace. Lulu¡¯s manic laughter echoed through the stadium as the darkness intensified with the elation Rhea¡¯s Fortitude brought, casting eerie shadows across the ground. Cherry¡¯s blue eyes were wide with fear as the shadows converged in a cyclone around his makeshift barrier, locked in by the rays that had escaped her eyes. But the power of Lulu¡¯s heroine arc was on full display, and it knew no bounds; a honeycomb-blue barrier formed around the trembling ghost, breaking the bindings, but also sealing him within a prison of his own making. Her voice mixed with the harrowing maelstrom. ¡°Against mine chaos, even the gods will fall from the heavens. Join the shadows and despair!¡± Pride welled up in her breast as the dust settled and the echoes of her proclamation faded, the stadium left in utter silence at her awe-striking performance. The air crackled with the remnants of her extraordinary display of shadowy heroism, soaking everyone in the awe of her awesomeness. Lulu blinked, feeling a sense of disbelief that washed over her upon seeing the actual result of her showy Move; it was supposed to be strong, but not that strong. Had she truly unleashed such overwhelming force? No, of course, she did! ¡°Mia-hahaha! Behold the strength of justice!¡± she roared, spotting the villain lying motionless in the center of the devastation, the boulder and surrounding flowers turned into a spooky crater fit for a graveyard. ¡°Who dares challenge the Lady in Black?!¡± ¡°Cherry almost loses his life¡­ Lulu is the victor.¡± A stillness followed, reverence for her righteousness! And then¡­ ¡°¡­We surrender.¡± ¡°What?¡± Lulu fell from the sky to plop down on the grass, looking up at her sweating and shaking Trainer, a strained smile on her face. ¡°Oh, no¡­ Did I do a Big Sis Mya?!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea tried to comfort her worried cosmic galaxy as she teleported onto her head, hugging her tight and crying. ¡°Nee?! Ne-ne-ne? Ne!¡± Having trouble keeping herself stable, Rhea comfortingly patted the little girl. ¡°It¡¯s okay. It¡¯s okay. I made sure to let Erika know that I¡¯d call it off once I really started running low. You got into the mood¡­ It happens. It¡¯s okay. This was your first real battle.¡± She puffed out a long breath, closing her eyes and reaching out to the First Gate within herself as Maria had taught her. A short burst of V¡¯s energy revitalized her soul, rekindling her stamina. Her heart rate increased dramatically, bringing on more sweat, but at least she wasn¡¯t feeling weak anymore¡­just dehydrated. Opening her eyes, she saw a quick replay of the act, her body being momentarily encircled by flames before fizzling out; she was getting good! She held a guilty Lulu against her neck while looking at Erika¡¯s soft expression in the holographic display. A rush of cheers came from the stands, and Rhea let herself calm down. Luckily, it took several seconds for the throng to settle down, giving her time. ¡°¡­Well, that was quite the surprise,¡± the Gym Leader said, looking up at the frightening display. ¡°Legendary Pokemon are named such due to their amplifying attributes. A normal Move can be transformed into something otherworldly with their unique energy, and mix that with a potent Trainer that has a high reserve of Fortitude¡­ We get this stunning display.¡± Rhea strained a smile. ¡°To be fair, Nova¡¯s little show against Sabrina was also pretty powerful. Was this at Platinum-tier, as well?¡± She didn¡¯t add the fact that V and Legendary Energy had been involved there, as well. Erika was quiet for a few moments as she studied the replay, everyone hanging on her words. ¡°To be frank, Rhea, I was close to stopping the attack myself, but due to Lulu¡¯s desire to put on a flashy show, she wasted much of the actual damage on the vortex. ¡°The actual damage was within the Gold-tier, but had it been properly channeled and directed, it could have been in the Master-tier. Lulu¡¯s energy spiked within the match, pushing her into Gold-tier. Such is the power you can wield due to your unique circumstances.¡± Rhea reassured Lulu that she was fine and not in trouble. She understood the hidden meaning behind Erika¡¯s explanation, though. Just like Master Balls, Buddy Bonded Pokemon had the ability to draw in far more energy than the typical capsule. Ash had warned her about it, and that warning had come true. I wanted to see you do your best, Lulu, she comfortingly whispered. I wanted you to have fun. So that resonated between us, as it often does with Pikachu and Ash to super-charge their Moves. It¡¯s an additional amplifier unique to Buddy Bonded Pokemon. Mix that with your Legendary Energy, while sucking up all of mine in a single attack¡­ Boom! An awesome Move. Erika looked a tad troubled while returning her Pokemon and placing him in the transporter to be healed. She considered what she was going to say next before speaking again. ¡°I am the first to allow your use of Lulu¡¯s power in order to get a proper read on where things stand. I suggest you and your team work on restraint. There is room for them to take part in your Encrusted Gym Battles, but I think you understand the risk of what that brings now.¡± Rhea slowly nodded, swapping Lulu to her head again and telling her to be proud. ¡°It¡¯s a race against the clock. Even Lulu¡¯s Teleports were noticeable chunks from my Fortitude when she blitzed Cherry with them. It puts a lot of strain on our souls, so it¡¯s not likely to win any kind of stall strategy, which I¡¯m sure your second Pokemon was more than capable of.¡± Erika took out an Ultra Ball from within her sleeve with a devious smile. ¡°Indeed, she is quite the wall. On the bright side, it is heartwarming to see you wanting to have more fun in battling. Cherry will be fine. Now, I think it would be best if you go cool off in the showers¡­ I¡¯m sure you will feel a decline in a few hours.¡± Rhea laughed and waved her off, knowing she meant the boost V gave her and its effects when wearing off. ¡°Thank you for allowing Lulu a chance to gain some experience. We¡¯ll be back before the Silver Conference for that badge!¡± ¡°I look forward to the rematch.¡± Holding her head high and feeling happy for the first time after a loss, Rhea went back into the locker rooms to take a shower. Amira was next, and she was sure the redhead would kill it. She brought Lulu down to grin at her teary-eyed puff-ball. You¡¯re amazing, my little villain! A spike of protest came from the frowning galaxy, her light spiritual nudges telling her she was the heroine, not the villain. Cosmog were always villains in the Pokemon cartoons, and she just wanted to relate to someone who looked like her. Awww. I know you are. Rhea¡¯s heart went out to her youngest teammate, who was struggling with the guilt and energy coursing through her. We¡¯ll get better, but in the meantime, that was awesome! Flashes of light broke out of the Poke Balls on her waist, expanding on their own before minimizing and revealing her supportive girls. Alice still had her ghostly attribute, crying out the second she touched the shadow and started sinking into it; her other Pokemon gasped in horror, likely thinking she¡¯d sink to the middle of the world. Lulu jumped down to land on the Lopunny¡¯s head, begging her not to leave her as Nova and Mya tried to pull the panicking bun up. Kneeling down, Rhea simply lifted her up to hold against her chest, Lulu clinging to her neck now. It¡¯s okay! It will pass soon. Haha. Maybe we should call in some help from back home to see if a certain ghost can help us learn how to deal with that Move. What do you think? Her girl¡¯s pink eyes lit up at the thought of training with the infamous Grandmaster Ghost of her childhood, making Rhea smile. She had to shift Alice in her arms as Amira came out last, bumping fists with her. ¡°Good luck, Red!¡± Amira chucked, adjusting Mariah in her arms to rub Lulu¡¯s cheek. ¡°I¡¯m ready for it. I see you¡¯re taking what your aunt said to heart¡­ After this, no matter what happens, we¡¯ll be qualified as a team for the Silver Conference. Thanks for pushing us this far, Rhea. You really have been an inspiration.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart glowed as they split apart. ¡°We¡¯ll be watching you!¡± The redhead shook her head with a light, back-turned glare. ¡°You hit the showers. We can go over the details tonight before bed¡­ Really, get some rest. You¡¯re getting your new egg after this, and you need to save some energy for our celebration after.¡± ¡°Okay! Okay! I promise I¡¯ll go take a shower,¡± Rhea said, trying to hide an impish smile; Amira really was putting off confident vibes. ¡°I know you¡¯ll kill it!¡± Giggling to herself as she ran off, Amira¡¯s distrustful stare on her back, she whispered her plan to her girls, making them laugh. Thanking all the women who commented on her performance as she jogged through the locker room, Mya grabbed the bag she¡¯d brought from the locker and met her in the showers. We¡¯ll watch her from my phone while we wash up; we didn¡¯t lie! As the battle started, she turned on the water, and she got a little distracted by the intense match-up. In the end, as she¡¯d expected, Amira won. Rhea knew she probably scared a few girls with her squeal from inside the shower. They were set for the Silver Conference. Everything after this was training and preparing for Gold-tier. B4 — 32. A Mother’s Advice
    4:44 p.m. October 25th, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 138. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (40 days away).
    Rhea leaned against the cool wood of her locker, still trying to catch her breath after being ambushed by all the other women the moment she got out of the shower. Her heart still pounded from the intensity of the battle, and a soft smile played on her lips. Amira had come in not that long ago after winning her intense challenge, which had broken up some of the attention on Lulu and her. It didn¡¯t last long since the redhead wasn¡¯t one to entertain such chatter and politely excused herself to clean up; yes, she¡¯d won, but it had taken a lot out of her Fortitude. Alice and the rest of her Pokemon stirred close to her spirit, still congratulating Lulu. The Cosmog¡¯s cries and worries had faded with all the words of comfort she was getting from her teammates. Alice didn¡¯t even need to go in for more than a quick boost at the Gym Center, and was feeling perfectly fine. You did amazing out there, Lulu, she thought, her words carrying a warmth and pride that seeped through their spiritual connection. From within her shirt front, a small, fluffy head poked out. ¡°Nee-nee. Ne. Neeee!¡± Lulu chirped happily, rising a little to nuzzle against her cheek. The little cloud fluffed up with excitement, her tiny eyes sparkling with the thrill of her first major battle. Rhea chuckled softly, gently stroking Lulu¡¯s head as the Cosmog ducked back into warm safety upon catching interested glances from some of the other girls in the locker room. You showed everyone just how cool and awesome you are, Lulu. I¡¯m so proud of you. Yes, she laughed, your Move was really flashy, like Nova¡¯s. I know you¡¯re not used to so much positive attention, but it will get easier the more you battle. ¡°Neee,¡± Lulu cooed, her voice a soft, soothing melody from her favorite hiding place. The little puff-ball gave one last affectionate whisper before seeking dark comfort from the overwhelming chatter of the locker room. As Lulu nestled against her, Rhea felt a wave of contentment. She settled onto a bench again, letting herself finally calm down. The bustling energy around her gradually quieted as other Trainers celebrated, cried, or reflected on their own battles. The room buzzed with a mix of excitement and exhaustion, voices overlapping in animated conversations. Rhea''s phone buzzed in her bag, pulling her attention. She retrieved it, reading through the messages with a fond smile. A certain famous silver-haired mom had kidnapped Lori for some mother-daughter bonding time, and a few more followed. Each message brought a sense of connection and warmth, a reminder of the support that surrounded her. Mya exited her Poke Ball to cuddle up beside her, leaving the comforting to Nova as Alice felt a little sleepy after their battle. It had been a little emotionally draining for her. Don¡¯t worry, guys, Rhea thought, her heart swelling with affection. We¡¯re just waiting for Amira to finish her shower, then we¡¯ll head out. You were both stars today, Alice and Lulu; you two deserve all the rest you need. Rhea sat on the soft cushions of the Celadon Gym¡¯s locker room bench, feeling the gentle hum of satisfaction coursing through her while holding Mya¡¯s hand. Her steely girl kicked her legs out, looking at the other Trainers walking by and giving them waves, some embarrassed and seemingly too shy to approach. The functional and elegant locker room reflected Erika¡¯s refined taste, pulling her gaze as they waited. She liked the classy wooden lockers, polished to a gleam, reflecting the soft, ambient light from above. The bench plush cushions, providing a comfortable spot to rest or prepare, easily in sight of the current match, were a whole lot better than Sabrina¡¯s bare design. The faint scent of flowers from the nearby botanical garden drifted in, mingling with the crisp, clean aroma of the gym¡¯s facilities, bringing a positive vibe, as well. The gentle hum of the air conditioning was a constant background noise, while potted plants strategically placed around the room with mist dispensers added a touch of greenery and tranquility, their leaves softly rustling in the artificial breeze. Yeah, this is totally a trap! Rhea giggled to Nova and Mya, her other two girls now resting. Erika looks all innocent, elegant, and inviting¡­and then her sharp, poisonous barbs snap around her prey! Mya pulled around her own hidden jaws, giggling and snapping them for emphasis. Yes, yes, I know you¡¯re a little sneaky girl, too, Mya! You need to work on that a bit instead of being so bold and just running straight at your opponent. Maybe try to lure them in since you aren¡¯t the fastest. ¡°Mawile. Maw-maw,¡± she responded, impressing on her spirit that she was talking about that with Nova, Amber, and Gables. Sounds good! I can¡¯t wait to see your next battle¡­ Rhea glanced at the large TV screen mounted on the wall across the room, watching Erika finish another Silver-tier battle against the next combatant. The Gym Leader¡¯s serene demeanor and grace with which she conducted herself were inspiring, and it made Rhea think about the path she was on. Erika¡¯s movements were fluid and precise, every action deliberate and meaningful, a stark contrast to the chaotic energy of the battles themselves. Every one of the Gym Leaders acts totally differently in their battles compared to how they act outside of combat. Hmm. I should have noticed it growing up around so many high-tier Trainers, but maybe that¡¯s why I shied away from it so hard when I was younger. Auntie Cynthia was just an exception due to her Contest Battles, which were different¡­not as intense. ¡°Mawile?¡± Interpreting her question, Rhea shook her head. I don¡¯t know¡­ Breeding and powerful Pokemon were what took my mom away from me when I was a little girl. My dad would leave me with Sabin or other village friends when he went to have day-long battles at Mt. Silver, keeping up his edge. I can see the need now¡­after everything I know about their past. Back then, though¡­ I was a little girl who felt lonely and shoved off to the side for Pokemon research and Pokemon battles. ¡°Mawile¡­¡± Aww, no; it¡¯s okay, Mya, Rhea reassured, pulling her in closer against her side. I didn¡¯t hate Pokemon for taking away my parents. I was just a angry little girl who didn¡¯t understand why her parents were leaving her, and my dad was almost always with me, which was why I felt it even harder when he wasn¡¯t. When I got into my teens, I started seeing things a bit differently. ¡°Wile? Ma-ma?¡± Bunching her lips to the side as the visual impression of Bianca popped up through their bond, Rhea held back a surge of emotion. Just thinking about the years Bianca had spent with them filled her with heartache. It was a dark time for her cousin, but also a happy time for her. Mhm. Bi really changed things when I was little. She was like my super cool older sister who could do anything, like my big brother. She found her way and got her dorky husband, though, and he makes her happy. Her smile returned when there was a slight shift of a small lump inside her shirt front; the Cosmog¡¯s tiny, soft breaths were a comforting rhythm against Rhea¡¯s chest. She gently patted the little Pok¨¦mon, feeling a wave of affection for her brave little warrior. Lulu had given it her all, like Bi had done in helping her during those tender years when she was longing for a mother figure, and Rhea couldn¡¯t be prouder of them both. The memory of Lulu¡¯s joy and how bright Bianca had looked when Hilbert had come to get her somehow mixed together, lightening her heart. Lori, Bi, and we are doing our best! Lori will probably be in the Center for a bit, considering the state her Pokemon were in. We still have a long way to go, but, at the same time, if we look down at the bottom of the hill, we¡¯ve climbed a good way already. Her mom¡¯s probably with her right now¡­ Rhea¡¯s phone buzzed with a new message, but she opened it without reading it to once again look at Lori¡¯s, or she should say Karen¡¯s text from her daughter¡¯s phone:
    4:35 p.m. Big Boob - Hey Rhea! Just a heads-up, I¡¯m kidnapping my daughter for some much-needed bonding time since she can¡¯t respect her mom and keeps throwing Night Shade! ;-) Don¡¯t worry; I promise to return her in one piece¡­maybe a little broke! Enjoy your evening, and give Lulu and your mom a hug from me! She gave a great speech at the college.
    Rhea chuckled at the message, imagining Lori¡¯s reaction to being spirited away by her energetic and high-maintenance mother. Lori¡¯s mom was a whirlwind of activity, and Rhea could picture Lori rolling her eyes but secretly enjoying the attention. There had been something that didn¡¯t feel right about their teammate for the last few days. The thought of Lori¡¯s mom¡¯s vibrant personality and Lori¡¯s playful complaints about the ¡°kidnapping¡± made Rhea¡¯s amusement grow. They¡¯d totally be gambling it up, her Pokemon running the slot machines or Gables playing cards with shades on. She sent a reply:
    4:46 p.m. Honeypot - Have fun! Tell Lori I said hi, and I¡¯ll see her tonight¡­or tomorrow if we need to get ransom money. It might be too late to stop by the banks when we get around to it, so make sure she eats well since she¡¯s eating for four buns! I¡¯m talking about her Pokemon, of course! Hehe. Wait, one of those is a Buddy Bonded. My point still stands! Thanks for the heads-up! Tell her she¡¯s beautiful, and Lulu sends her love too!
    Next, she opened a new message from Jason, and the first line had her own buns clenched and cheeks turning pink:
    4:45 p.m. Mankey Butt - Hey, my little Galvantus-butt, just letting you know I¡¯ll be back tomorrow from an amazing outing with your dad. I can¡¯t wait to see your red-hot face, blinding hair, and sparkling eyes! I waited to watch your match with you so I could experience it for the first time with my sparky bug! Hope you¡¯re doing great!
    Her heart did a little flip at the thought of seeing Jason again, but did he always have to mention her backside?! Immediately, her thoughts returned to the Kunoichi video, her thighs pressing tighter together and lips feeling chapped with the memory of their first kiss in the ninja secret village. Don¡¯t think I don¡¯t know Galvantula are known for their big butts, mister! Now I see a whole new picture; how did he do that?! I¡¯m a cute little yellow bug with blue eyes, but now I¡¯ve got¡­this other image! Ahhhh! You¡¯re the worst! Her face turned an even brighter shade of red, flames shooting out of her ears upon locking onto her given nickname for Jason. No¡­ I didn¡¯t. How far back did I change his¡­ ¡°Rhea?¡± ¡°Eeep!¡± Pressing her phone against her belly to disrupt the hologram and practically falling out of her seat, Mya latched onto her with a bit of panic as Rhea cast her gaze around. Half the locker room was now looking at her as a slightly concerned redhead came into view. ¡°Amira! Y-You¡¯re done¡­¡± Left eye creasing as her expression transformed to mild curiosity, Amira¡¯s sharp, ruby gaze drifted to her phone. ¡°Got a message from Jason¡­ Was it another photo?¡± Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°W-What? No! Wait, when did I tell you he sent me photos?¡± she asked in slight panic at the thought of her hidden folder being discovered with Jason¡¯s dressing room pictures. ¡°Does you-know-who send you pictures?¡± She choked. ¡°I, eh¡ªuh¡­ Either one¡­ I¡¯ll shut up.¡± Rhea wanted to crawl in a hole and die at the looks several girls were now giving her. Amira¡¯s smile softened while holding out a hand to help her up. Lulu was now wiggling a little in her own hiding spot, probably due to her increased body temperature and thumping heart. ¡°You¡¯re lucky it¡¯s me and not Lori who heard you slip. And you could give Amber a run for her money on flames with how much fire is coming out of your ears. Are you ready to go?¡± Holding back tears, Rhea nodded. ¡°Yes. Thanks, Amira. No, wait, give me one second¡­¡± She typed a quick response with a few choice emotes, her fingers flying over the keys:
    4:49 p.m. Honeypot - Jason! When you get back¡­ ??¥Ø??
    His response was almost instant:
    4:50 p.m. Mankey Butt - What¡¯d I do?! Why the Dead Monkey Face?! What did I do wrong?!?!?! ?T¥ØT? Crying Monkey Face!
    She couldn¡¯t help a smile, and finally, a message from her mom popped up; she¡¯d let him stew on that. It was so rare she actually got a win:
    4:50 p.m. Big Honeypot - Hi, Sweetie! Are you girls almost ready? I¡¯m waiting in the back of the Gym¡¯s private Trainer exit area. I¡¯ve found the perfect restaurant for dinner. Can¡¯t wait to hear all about your matches and share your new little girl with you! Love you!
    Rhea found her inner equilibrium again after her mom¡¯s mending, rediverting force took her mind out of the deviant spiral it had been nearly sucked down. She could imagine her mom¡¯s excitement as she waited, swiping through pictures of her on social media. They were becoming so much closer lately, and she loved every minute of it. The thought of a cozy dinner with her mom, discussing the highs and lows of the battle, filled her with warmth and anticipation. She quickly replied as Amira packed up the goods she¡¯d taken out of her small bag to freshen up:
    4:51 p.m. Honeypot - Can¡¯t wait to see you! The match was incredible, and Lulu was a star. See you in a bit; love you! Oh, and Dad is coming home with Jason tomorrow. He called me Galvantus-butt! 4:52 p.m. Big Honeypot - ??????
    Amira split away from her in order to get her badge from the front desk, telling her to wait with her mom and she would be there shortly. With Mya and Nova walking by her side, they made their way to the private Trainer exit, feeling much better. Rhea stepped outside the Gym, the cool evening air brushing against her flushed cheeks. The evening sky was painted with hues of pink and orange as the approaching winter chased the sun faster across the sky every day. Yet, in the more temperate floral city, it cast a warm glow over the city as they stepped outside, ready to embrace the night and their newest teammate. There, waiting by the railing, was her mom, with a big case beside her. Mya¡¯s eyes lit up at the sight of the case, an urge to be useful surging through their connection as she eagerly ran over to help. ¡°Mawile!¡± she exclaimed, reaching out to carry it. Christie chuckled softly, bending down to show her where to hold it as her Bellossom came out to lift the other side. ¡°Be careful, girls. It¡¯s quite heavy and has your future teammate inside. She¡¯ll be shaking to get out of her shell soon.¡± Rhea smiled, watching the interaction before her mom turned her curious gaze on her. ¡°So, what did you mean by your dad calling you Galvantus-butt? That sounds like something he¡¯d say to me, not our little honeypot daughter.¡± ¡°I was talking about Jason, Mom!¡± Rhea balked, her cheeks turning a shade pinker. ¡°How did you get Dad from my text? And¡­Dad¡¯s commented on your butt before? That¡¯s Jason and my thing¡­ When did that become a thing for you two? He usually calls you coffee-breath and tangle-hair and crybaby.¡± Her mom giggled but gave her a playful glare. ¡°Really, you have to mention the negative endearing ones? Every one of those has its story, Sweetie, and you¡¯d be traumatized at the coffee-breath one.¡± ¡°Yup, don¡¯t want to hear it!¡± Rhea said with a strained smile. Leaning against the rail as a cool wind fluttered her floral dress, her mom brushed back her loose bangs behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯m sure you will tonight when you get curious. No, but your dad thought Joltik was a really good nickname for me since, as you¡¯ve mentioned to me, we could be sisters with how Master Fortitude practically stops aging. It was a good one from Jason he stole for me. He thought you would have liked it if he called me Galvantus-butt, but Jason beat him to that nickname, I guess, so¡­¡± Christie trailed off, her eyes glinting with genetic sequencing calculations and mathematical formulas before an impish smile lifted the corner of her lips. ¡°This wouldn¡¯t happen to have anything to do with that Kunoichi video counter, would it?¡± Rhea blushed, crossing her arms defensively. ¡°Kind of, but kind of not. I mean, I know Jason likes big butts. Boys are like that, sure¡­¡± Her belly tightened as she saw the same look on her mom¡¯s face that she got when discovering some new genetic anomaly. Her blonde locks shifted while joining her by the railing and touching shoulders. ¡°No one is around if you want to talk about it,¡± she started, but paused as the doors opened, and a group of three boys left, pausing to compliment Rhea on her battle with Lulu before walking off, laughing and joking about their own loss. Once they were alone again, Christie continued, ¡°Is there something you want to talk about, Sweetie? What made you all hot and flustered about his text?¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks burned a little as she glanced down, shifting her feet and fidgeting with her clothes. ¡°Is it¡­right for girls to like a bit of a butt on a guy, too¡ªor¡­or that they¡¯re a lot bigger and can kind of cover you like a blanket? Wha¡ªMom!¡± Soft laughter bubbled out of her mom¡¯s chest as her body shook against her shoulder. ¡°Sorry, I really am! It¡¯s just¡ª-of course, it is, Sweetie. Everyone has their preferences and attractions. Where did that come from? Haven¡¯t you heard girls talk¡­ Oh.¡± Rhea¡¯s embarrassment deepened as her mother¡¯s smile faded. ¡°What, no! I didn¡¯t really have anyone to talk about this growing up. Bianca was gone, and I couldn¡¯t talk to Sabin or Dad about it. I just¡­didn¡¯t know.¡± A sad smile touched her mom¡¯s lips, her nose turning a tad red, and she looked over at her with a touch of melancholy. ¡°You¡¯re right, Rhea. I should have been there for you as your mom and talked about this stuff long before now. I just¡­assumed maybe you¡¯d already gone through a lot of this since you never really brought it up to me in our talks.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea whispered, pressing in closer, ¡°but you¡¯re here now, and that¡¯s what matters.¡± Christie¡¯s smile grew warmer, and she wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pulling her close. ¡°And I¡¯m so proud of the young woman you¡¯ve become. Yes, Rhea, maybe this is a bit much coming from, you know, your mom, but yes, Jason has a really hot body.¡± ¡°Did you have to say it like that, Mom?¡± ¡°Hehe. Apparently so. You should hear the way your aunt and I talked about your dad when we were younger. He had this way of squeezing my neck that just¡­¡± ¡°Mom! I don¡¯t tell you about my stuff like¡ªnot that there is stuff to talk about! I, uh, I just wasn¡¯t sure, okay?!¡± Rhea panicked, feeling her brain steaming now as her mom hugged her tighter. ¡°Geez!¡± ¡°Aww. You¡¯re so much more innocent than your aunt and I, Sweetie. You¡¯re old enough to explore and spread out a bit¡­ Not too much! But to explore a bit, nonetheless. I bet you and Jason have your secrets. Your dad and I had our own.¡± ¡°Mom¡­¡± she groaned, feeling like her body was going to cook Lulu at this point. ¡°This is just your inexperienced mom doing her best,¡± she whispered, kissing her on the side of the head. ¡°I love you. I want you to have fun and learn what it¡¯s like to be a young girl in love. It¡¯s better to make mistakes when you¡¯re young to learn from them and build a solid life as you grow with your partner than to be trapped by fear. These are important milestones as a teen. I want you to be open with me and not feel scared to talk to me about this stuff. Okay?¡± Rhea groaned, unable to help a smile at how far they¡¯d come in their relationship over the last few months. ¡°Thanks, Mom. It really means a lot that you¡¯re here with me. Yeah, Jason¡¯s kind of hot. There, I admit it! Eh¡­¡± A couple of girls exited the Gym, two showing off their Encrusted Silver Badge to their somewhat salty four friends. Rhea waited until they left with the next group of boys who were close behind. ¡°As I was saying,¡± she mumbled, shooting a light glare at her mom as she held up her phone to catch her embarrassing moment in a picture before lowering it with an excited smile. ¡°Ahem¡­ Yeah, I think he¡¯s kind of cute when he tries to make me laugh, and he¡¯s silly, but I know he¡¯ll be there if I need him¡­ That he can slap a girl without holding back if she¡¯s giving me lip,¡± she said while remembering her first Contest if Jason had been there. ¡°Like, yeah,¡± she gulped, her throat dry. ¡°I think he¡¯s good-looking¡­but it¡¯s more than that.¡± ¡°Just an added bonus?¡± her mom chimed, snapping another picture to no doubt embarrass her at a later date with her flaming face. ¡°The cherry on top¡­well, that¡¯s actually in a different place, but I suppose it does go on top somewhere¡­¡± ¡°Mom! NO! Bad! Go to jail!¡± Rhea screeched, doing her best not to imagine the picture her mom was painting. ¡°There¡¯s no way Auntie is as bad as you!¡± ¡°Oh, darling!¡± her mom snickered, trying to fend her off. ¡°You have no clue the deviant mind your aunt has. Has she told you about Steven?¡± ¡°I can¡¯t, Mom! I literally can¡¯t!¡± she cried, trying not to connect the thoughts. Luckily, her red-haired knight exited the Gym at that moment. ¡°Umm. Am I interrupting something?¡± ¡°Nope! Nothing,¡± Rhea said, sure her face was the same shade as the Rocket girl¡¯s braided locks. ¡°Let¡¯s go have that dinner and celebrate your victory! We¡¯ll have to have a second party for Lori another time since we¡¯re all in the Silver Conference now.¡± Trying to cool off after learning about a new side to her impish mom and aunt, Rhea redirected the conversation to Sabin. If there was something she could do to distract her mom, it was talking about her son. They made their way to the fancy restaurant her mother promised to get the tab for, which happened to be close by in the flowery Southern District. Apparently, Sabin and Kate had actually been sent over for a trial period to test out the Gyms in Paldea before Lyra and Geeta had their big battle. Her brother was taking it slow and enjoyed it as an expense-paid vacation, and Rhea knew that her brother was probably enjoying that bit a lot since Katelin had a very healthy appetite that extended to her Pokemon. Hearing the stories he¡¯d shared with their mom and the pictures of them made Rhea think this was some kind of honeymoon. She wouldn¡¯t doubt her brother was getting close to that point, and after what she learned in Lavender Town, she made a bet with her mom that Kate would be the one to propose first. Once they made it to the restaurant and were taken to a private booth, they ordered their food. Left with nourishing Berry juice for drinks, her mom had Mya put the box on the table and started the process of opening it up. Her tone became more serious. ¡°Have you figured out what your newest member is based on the photo I showed you?¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach squirmed with excitement at the black and white shell that was revealed, and her mother lifted it out of the slowly depressurized container to hold the warm, smooth egg. ¡°Thank you for breeding me a Ralts, Mom¡­ I¡¯ve loved how elegant Gardevoir are since I was a little girl watching Auntie¡¯s Contests, and Diantha¡¯s Shiny Gardevoir is so gorgeous in person¡ªI can feel her wiggling inside! Here, Amira, feel it¡­¡± ¡°She certainly has energy,¡± the redhead chuckled in return. Christie sat back down and took out a bag full of items from the carrying case. ¡°I expect she¡¯ll hatch tonight. Just like before, sleeping with her will better help her bond with your team. Waking up in a warm, quiet environment, surrounded by protective big sisters, will help boost that initial connection.¡± Rhea felt a ¡®but¡¯ coming as her mom leaned forward, elbows resting on the table and holding her chin up with the back of her bridged fingers. ¡°You said she would be more difficult?¡± ¡°Not necessarily difficult,¡± her mother whispered, ¡°but higher maintenance. It will be a bit, like with Alice, before she can catch up with your other Pokemon. Her genetic structure is more unstable compared to most Pokemon I¡¯ve bred. I¡¯ve incorporated similar elements as Roxie and Nova in hopes of tapping not only into her Gardevoir line but potentially making her the first female Gallade, able to swap forms. Will it work as simulations predict?¡± She shook her head with a sad sigh. ¡°I don¡¯t do these experiments unless the simulations show 100%, but in reality, it is more like 50%. Nova¡¯s genetic sequencing has been a success so far, but her parents already genetically matched the results I sought. Roxie and your Ralts were the next stages of my Eeveelution Project. ¡°Since you¡¯re nearing Gold-tier, Roxie should evolve soon, and if that¡¯s a success, then your Ralts¡¯ success rate would realistically jump up to about 78%. It¡¯s more than good odds¡­the best I could get, but there are challenging differences in each case since this is cutting-edge genetics.¡± Rhea accepted the egg back, holding it close to her chest as Lulu yawned and crawled out to hear what all the commotion was about. ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°That¡¯s okay, Mom. No matter what happens, she¡¯ll be a valued little sister to me and my girls¡­ Lulu, meet your new little sister. She¡¯ll be hatching tonight.¡± ¡°Neee!¡± Lulu hopped out to hug the egg and nuzzle it with her fluff. It didn¡¯t take long for the rest of her team to come out and do the same. Soon, they¡¯d have their 5th teammate, and come what problems there may be, she¡¯d be loved. The dinner with her mom went smoothly, and Lori wasn¡¯t back when they eventually retired to bed; she texted them that her mom had yet to get drunk, and it would probably be another few hours before that happened with her ultra-high tolerance as a Grandmaster-tier Trainer, capable of using her Aura to keep the buzz without the effects of the alcohol¡ªit was some kind of ritual they had, whatever that meant. She messaged back that they¡¯d see her in the morning and got confirmation Lori herself wasn¡¯t drinking since she had to babysit her mom. Rhea didn¡¯t know if she should believe her or not since the girl had a thing for breaking rules. Rhea settled into her fancy bed and held their newest teammate against her belly while sleeping on her side. Nova, Lulu, Mya, and Alice were positioned around her, welcoming in their newest teammate. Tomorrow, they¡¯d be on their way back to Vermilion for Amira and Lori to get their 5th Encrusted Badges. She¡¯d already gotten her Fairy Badge, which meant it was more of a vacation for her. ¡°Night, girls¡­ Sleep tight.¡± B4 — 33. Fifth Girly
    6:02 a.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    Rhea floated through a serene dreamscape filled with lush fields of wildflowers and gently swaying Berry trees. Pok¨¦mon of all kinds danced and played around her, their joyful cries creating a symphony that made her heart soar. Butterfree fluttered past, their wings shimmering in the sunlight, and a group of playful Eevee bounded across a meadow¡ªNova was with them, showing off her fluff. A sharp prick on her arm jolted her from the dream. She jumped awake with a yelp, her heart racing as the comforting cloud she was on dissolved. Alice, Nova, Lulu, and Mya stirred beside her, blinking sleepily and chirping in concern. Throwing back the covers with a little effort due to Mya¡¯s big head, Rhea blinked. There, resting against her nightgown, was a black-and-white Ralts, blended seamlessly with her nightwear. The little Pok¨¦mon yawned, her tiny pink eyes closing a second before sleepily opening with curiosity as she looked around the fancy hotel room. Alice, the first to bounce around, picked up their surprised new teammate to nuzzle. ¡°Pun-pun,¡± she chirped softly. Nova wiggled out, ears poking up as she crawled over to her arm, licking the spot the sharp egg-edge had poked. ¡°Pwe, pwe?¡± ¡°No, I¡¯m fine,¡± she said, stroking the Eevee¡¯s head as her girls yawned and gathered around. ¡°Don¡¯t hog her all to yourself, Alice. Let her meet everyone.¡± Mya stretched her jaws and looked around, still searching for whatever made her yelp, her foggy brain probably not even seeing the eggshell on the bed. Lulu floated closer, her cosmic-like body shimmering as she squished the Ralts¡¯ cheeks and hugged her. ¡°Maw?!¡± ¡°Nee! Ne-ne. Ne-ne-ne,¡± the Cosmog greeted, pointing out and naming all of her big sisters. The little girl was likely thrilled to finally be a big sister herself. ¡°Neeee!¡± ¡°Ra-ra?¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe,¡± Nova chirped, licking her cheek. Rhea smiled fondly at her Pok¨¦mon, her heart swelling at the warm welcome. She gently petted each of them before rescuing the slightly overwhelmed Feeling Pok¨¦mon, murmuring reassurances. The newly hatched Ralts, now fully awake, gazed up at Rhea with wide, trusting eyes. ¡°Aww. You¡¯re such a cutie,¡± Rhea cooed, stroking the Ralts¡¯ soft head. ¡°We need to find you a name, don¡¯t we, girls?¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * The world was a blur of colors and sounds as Ralts emerged from her egg¡ªthat¡¯s all she knew about herself from the voices she¡¯d heard in her protective shell¡ªher mind still foggy from the dream she was in. Not long after, a yelp made her jump and movement jostled her around. The next thing she knew, blinding light hit her, and she saw a big, weird-looking face staring down at her with what she took for a gentle expression, full of curiosity and warmth. It was a human, she knew that, but not much more. Is this my new Trainer? she thought, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness as the blur of voices she¡¯d heard in her egg meshed together. The ground she found herself on was soft, too soft, and the room around her was vast and unfamiliar. Ralts¡¯ tiny heart pounded in her chest as she looked around, trying to make sense of everything with the rush of Pokemon that surrounded her. She felt a gentle nudge and turned to see a Lopunny with bright pink eyes and a pretty smile that picked her up to nuzzle. ¡°Welcome to the team, little one. I¡¯m Alice, your big sister now!¡± ¡°B-Big sister?¡± Ralts repeated, her voice so much smaller. ¡°I¡¯ve never had a sister before¡­ What¡¯s a big sister?¡± A soft chuckle came from a fluffy Pokemon who poked her head out of the blankets to lick the human¡¯s side. ¡°You¡¯ll have lots of sisters here. I¡¯m Nova! We¡¯re all family, and we¡¯ll take good care of you. Are you okay, Rhea?¡± Ralts¡¯ eyes widened as she looked at the other Pok¨¦mon gathering around her. Each one was unique and beautiful, and they all radiated a sense of belonging that made her feel a little more at ease. A sparkly and puffy cloud floated closer to squish her cheeks. ¡°I¡¯m Lulu! We¡¯re going to have so much fun together. I can show you all the best hiding spots and tricks¡ªoh, we play a lot of games. I¡¯m a big sister! Woooh! I¡¯m a big girl! Oh-oh, we can do so many pranks!¡± A big steely Pokemon beside Alice yawned, blinking sleepily before giving Ralts a short pat. ¡°I¡¯m Mya. Don¡¯t worry about them, you¡¯ll get used to everything here. Just ignore most of them if they start getting on your nerves. It¡¯s a bit overwhelming at first, but we¡¯ve all been through it. I¡¯m still tired¡­¡± Ralts took a deep breath and nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll try my best.¡± The human girl, Rhea, she assumed, which was the name of the human she belonged to from the voices she¡¯d heard in her safe little shell, smiled down at her, eyes full of kindness. ¡°You¡¯re such a cutie,¡± she cooed, gently stroking Ralts¡¯ head. ¡°We need to find you a name, don¡¯t we, girls?¡± As Rhea began suggesting names, Ralts felt her nervousness ebb away, replaced by a growing sense of excitement. She shook her head at each suggestion, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction in being able to communicate her preferences. ¡°Lola?¡± Alice instantly suggested. Nova shook her head. ¡°No. That sounds more like a Buneary name, don¡¯t you think?¡± ¡°Is she a Buneary?!¡± Lulu piped up. ¡°She doesn¡¯t look like she has big fluffy ears¡ªoh, your hair is so soft!¡± Mya snickered and patted Lulu¡¯s head with a small smirk. ¡°Not a Buneary, short-stack. We could make you a Buneary if we fluffed up your clouds a bit.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not a Buneary, Big Sis! I¡¯m a Cosmogolist!¡± ¡°You sure are! Oh, Rhea¡¯s suggesting some.¡± Rhea hummed, setting Ralts in her lap so everyone could see her. Ralts shifted a little at all the attention, feeling a little shy. ¡°How about¡­ Lily, or is that too close to Lulu?¡± ¡°What¡¯s wrong with my name, Rhea?¡± Ralts slowly shook her head, not feeling like a Lily. ¡°Can I have something different, please?¡± ¡°Okay,¡± Rhea nodded. ¡°How about Lyla? No? Too many Ls, Nova? Hmm, maybe Bella? Still no¡ªhaha, I guess that does have a lot of Ls, too, Alice.¡± She thought for a moment, her big coral eyes twinkling as one seemed to strike her like a lightning bolt. ¡°What about Shae?¡± Shae¡¯s eyes lit up with delight, and she nodded eagerly. ¡°I like Shae.¡± ¡°Shae it is, then,¡± Rhea laughed, bending over to kiss her head. ¡°Welcome to the team, Shae.¡± Shae¡¯s tiny heart swelled. She had a name now, and a family who cared for her. As Rhea started reading messages aloud, Shae glanced around at her new sisters, feeling a little abashed but also excited to be part of this wonderful group. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Nova asked, settling in beside her. ¡°You aren¡¯t cold, are you?¡± Shae nodded before quickly shaking her head, her voice soft. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­happy. Oh, no, I¡¯m not cold. It¡¯s a lot to take in, but I¡¯m really happy to be here. To, umm, to be a little sister,¡± she mumbled, rubbing her hands at her front. ¡°Aww. You¡¯re adorable!¡± Lulu floated closer, her eyes sparkling. ¡°You¡¯ll love it here, Shae. We go on all sorts of adventures, and Rhea is the best Trainer you could ask for¡ªI even got to fight in a Gym yesterday! I was so awesome, even if we lost¡­but I showed this giant black cloud that swoooosh! Blam! Pow! Plus, plus, we get to meet so many other Pok¨¦mon and see amazing places. I can teleport you to meet everyone else!¡± Alice smiled and pulled Lulu in to hug her. ¡°Hold on a little there, I¡¯m the one that¡¯s supposed to be jumping into things. And don¡¯t worry if you feel a bit lost at first, Shae. We¡¯re all here to help you. Just stick with us, and you¡¯ll be fine.¡± Shae felt a wave of gratitude while glancing between her big sisters. She was still a little timid, but everyone seemed nice. ¡°Thank you,¡± she softly mumbled. ¡°I¡¯ll do my best to keep up.¡± As the conversation continued, Shae listened intently, soaking up every bit of information about her new world. She watched Rhea with admiration, feeling a strong bond forming between them, which deepened when she pulled out something called a Master Ball. This was her new life, and she was ready to embrace it with all her heart. Rhea placed it in front of her, with everyone watching her intently. ¡°This will connect you to my soul, where it will become like, uh¡­your own personal home, I guess you could say. Do you want to make a happy home with us, Shae?¡± ¡°I-I do¡­ I just¡­poke it?¡± Nova nodded, becoming red energy that shot into her own capsule before exiting it on her own. ¡°Mhm! See. It¡¯s like opening up the front door to your own little home. Well, I guess you wouldn¡¯t know about human homes yet, but it¡¯s like this big room here, only your own little space to get away from the scary big world.¡± ¡°That sounds nice¡­¡± Lulu bunched her mouth to the side. ¡°I don¡¯t get one because I¡¯m a Buddy Bonded Pokemon¡­ I can kind of visit, though! I just need to, uh, connect with you guys through Rhea¡¯s spirit¡ªit¡¯s just something I do. I don¡¯t know how. It¡¯s fun, though!¡± Smiling, Shae shied forward and lightly tapped the button. A warmth unlike anything she¡¯d experienced in her short life bonded to her whole being, and in the next second, she was in a cute room with pictures of her Trainer¡¯s life etched on the walls¡­impressions of her spirit passed along to her. She was connected to something more than herself, a family. Feeling the presence of her other big sisters, Shae projected her soul through their connection, holding her hands against her chest. Thank you for accepting me¡­ I¡¯m happy to be here and be of help. I¡¯ll do my best! * ¡ª * ¡ª * ¡°Lop! Punny?¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe-pwe?¡± ¡°Nee!¡± ¡°Mawile,¡± Mya shook her head, patting the Cosmog and making her cheeks puff up. ¡°Ne.¡± ¡°Wile-wile.¡± Rhea hummed, setting her in her lap so everyone could see as she began suggesting names. ¡°How about¡­ Lily, or is that too close to Lulu?¡± ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Ralts,¡± she said, shaking her head and making her Pokemon look thoughtful. ¡°Okay,¡± Rhea nodded, cycling through more names, each one meeting a cute shake of the Ralts¡¯ head. ¡°How about Lyla? No? Too many Ls, Nova? Hmm, maybe Bella? Still no¡ªhaha, I guess that does have a lot of Ls, too, Alice.¡± She thought for a moment, her eyes twinkling as one struck her like a lightning bolt. ¡°What about Shae?¡± The Ralts¡¯ eyes lit up with delight, and she nodded eagerly. ¡°Ralts!¡± ¡°Shae it is, then,¡± Rhea said with a laugh, bending over to kiss her head. ¡°Welcome to the team, Shae. Now, why don¡¯t we see if Mom remembered to send me all her notes because she didn¡¯t manage to do it when we went to bed last night.¡± Her Pokemon continued to give the salt-and-pepper Ralts attention, but she seemed to be liking it more now. Retrieving her phone from the bedside table, it automatically unlocked when the camera caught sight of her. ¡°Oh, sure enough! Looks like Mom did send us some messages, and I got a few more, too¡­ 6:07 right now, huh? We¡¯re doing good today! Should I read it aloud?¡± she asked, glancing between her girls. Excited chirps followed, making her giggle. ¡°Okay! Okay. Let¡¯s see¡­¡±
    11:22 p.m. Big Honeypot - Hey, Sunshine! Sorry, I spaced it and sent this last night. Make sure you eat a good breakfast today. Feel free to sneak into my room and Tackle me awake¡ªjust no Nightmares! Hehe. Love you!
    Rhea tapped her phone against her chin with an impish smirk while looking between her Pokemon. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll take her up on that. Wait, Jason sent me one¡­ Ahem! From Mankey Butt,¡± she stated, bringing a smile to her face.
    11:22 a.m. Mankey Butt - A celestial greetings from Anistar City, Ms. Topaz! Wait, wrong message; where am I? I had this dream that you were with me last night under the stars, sharing extra-chocolatey smores. Yes, you sparkled like a Thunder Stone! Actually, did you fly out of space and bonk me on the head? Is that why I¡¯m so spacy right now? And then there was that blinding finisher, the Sunshine! Morning brings new life, and so does my shocking little Joltik. From your space-man, searching for you in the stars!
    Rhea paused in her reading, heart fluttering, and she couldn¡¯t help a rush while imagining him saying it with the picture he painted. She finished the message with a warm smile. ¡°Why do I feel this pressure around my chest from that? I¡¯m hopeless¡­ It¡¯s so sappy! Aww¡­ Pictures of the sky¡ªis there really a yellow star there?! Wow. Leave it to Jason to point it out¡­¡± He was coming back¡­but there was something she felt like she was forgetting. Tossing the feeling away with her sheets and energized after such a good morning digital wakeup kiss, Rhea glanced at her Pok¨¦mon, who were all eagerly watching her. ¡°Jason¡¯s coming into the city tonight which means more parties! Wait, are we flying out today? I think we are, so he may need to play tag.¡± ¡°Lop!¡± Alice chirped, her tail flicking with excitement. ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ne-ne!¡± Lulu added, her sparkly body shimmering with happiness. Mya laid back down and tried to go back to sleep. ¡°Mawile¡­¡± ¡°Ralts?¡± Shae asked, curiously following Lulu¡¯s example and poking the tired Steel Girl. ¡°Ra-ra?¡± ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°Raaaa!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± Mya jumped up in play fury and ran after the two Pokemon. Nova and Alice scooping them up to play tag. Rhea¡¯s soft eyes watched them play for a second before going to her portable wardrobe, fiddling with her phone. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings. Rhea¡¯s heart fluttered with excitement as she composed a response to her mom and Jason, her fingers tapping on her phone with anticipation. Let¡¯s see if we can out-sap Jason¡¯s message, she thought with a giggle to her Pokemon. First up, Mom!
    6:12 a.m. Honeypot - Hey, Mom! I hope you¡¯re already getting ready because I¡¯m totally coming for you! Tackle, Nightmares, and all is small-time¡ªI¡¯m coming strong with the Mega Kick. Love you lots, Big Honeypot, and please don¡¯t die!
    Cackling to herself, she paused in front of her expanded wardrobe, carefully crafting her response to her cobalt-haired boyfriend.
    6:17 a.m. Honeypot - Hey, Mankey Butt! I heard you wanted a battle. Your message made me blush like a shy little Minccino. My tail is wagging, and my big ears are quivering to be scratched. I promise my fur is soft! Oh, and you know Joltik is known as the ¡®Attaching Pokemon¡¯ so I won¡¯t be letting go once you start petting. *wink, wink, kisses* I¡¯ll be your star in the sky, sparkling brighter than a Starmie¡¯s gem, so hurry back! These ocean-blue eyes want to stare into your comforting muddy-brown. Maybe you could cover me with a little dirt to hide me from danger? Can¡¯t wait to bonk you on the head with my kiss. See you soon, space-man! <3
    ¡°Aha-hahaha! I¡¯m an evil genius,¡± Rhea boated, getting her Pok¨¦mon to mirror her. She hit send, feeling a rush of satisfaction. She glanced at her hungry Pok¨¦mon, who were all watching her with expectant eyes. She had one last thing to do for her newest little girl, though. Walking to the bag her mother had given her, Rhea extracted the Master Ball and placed it on the bed, positioning her others around it. Nova chirped at the timid Ralts, explaining it to her while going into her capsule. Rhea tried not to interrupt too much as her Pokemon bonded. Shae nodded at their explanation, and Rhea¡¯s heart ached at her trembling fingers while reaching forward to press the button. It wasn¡¯t long until she exited with a grin, now feeling her projected happiness. ¡°Like it?¡± ¡°Ra-Ralts!¡± ¡°Nice! Alright, girls, now that we¡¯ve got our newest soldier, here¡¯s the mission: Operation Let¡¯s Get Some Revenge On Mom For That Message is a go!¡± Flexing her bare toes against the cool floor, she rummaged through the small drawer in her closet. She found her silky sleeping shorts to be a bit too much for traveling the hotel halls. Slipping something more suitable on and grabbing her mom¡¯s room card from the counter, she prepared for war. ¡°Alright, troops, follow me. We¡¯ve got a mission to complete.¡± Her Pok¨¦mon chirped and squeaked in agreement jogging after her. She led them out of the room, tiptoeing down the hallway two doors like a stealthy Meowth on a nighttime prowl. The hotel was quiet at this hour, and Rhea¡¯s grin grew the closer she got. Reaching her mom¡¯s room, she turned to her Pok¨¦mon, putting a finger to her lips. ¡°Shhh, we need to be quiet, and just when we get within striking distance we engage the Battle of Hotel Tickle.¡± Mya, Alice, Nova, Lulu, and little Shae all nodded, the Ralts¡¯ eyes big and ready for her first big mission. Rhea slowly inserted the card and opened the door with a soft click. She crept inside, her heart pounding as she spotted her mom still asleep in bed, stretched out, blue button-up nightshirt half-pulled up to show her exposed belly. Target locked! she directed, making a signal to advance on the blissfully unaware woman. Circle her, troops. On three, we strike with deadly accuracy. Hold her arms, Mya; Nova and Alice get her legs. Shae and Lulu, with me! With a silent signal, Rhea and her Pok¨¦mon positioned themselves around the bed. Then, with a gleeful shout, Rhea pounced, landing on the bed and launching a tickle assault on her mom¡¯s Super Effective point¡ªit was a critical hit! ¡°Gotcha, Mom!¡± ¡°Wha¡ªahhh! R-Rhea, no, haha, stop!¡± Her mom woke with a start, unwilling laughter shaking her frame as they wrestled across the bed, her adorable mother, bless her soul, trying to fend off her expert-like tickling fingers. ¡°Rhea! No fair!¡± she gasped between giggles. ¡°Mya, you have to save me! Reverse, reverse! Hehehe. Code: Sweet-Five! Code: Sweet-Five!¡± ¡°It¡¯s too late, Mom. I¡¯m in control of this, huh¡ªno! Mya, what are you¡­ Mutiny! Hehe. Everyone is turning on me,¡± she cried, tears coming on with fits of laughter as the rest of her Pokemon smelled blood. ¡°Traitors! Hehe. The lot of you!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Shae¡¯s eyes darted around the room as Rhea launched her tickle attack on her mom. The energetic chaos felt overwhelming yet exhilarating. Her heart pounded in her tiny chest, each rapid beat resonating with the laughter and playful cries filling the air. ¡°I-I just nuzzle her neck with my hair?¡± ¡°Nice!¡± Nova chirped. ¡°That¡¯s it; no prisoners!¡± ¡°Is this normal?¡± Shae asked, her voice barely a whisper, still trying to grasp the dynamics of her new family. ¡°She¡¯s crying now.¡± Mya¡¯s eyes softened as she pinned down the woman¡¯s arms. ¡°Oh, this is nothing. You¡¯ll get used to it. Rhea and her mom are always like this lately. Just join in and have fun. They¡¯re happy tears! Ooh, the code word!¡± ¡°Reversal!¡± Lulu roared, launching at their Trainer¡¯s face. Nova jumped after her, freeing the woman¡¯s legs to twist and swap positions to now be atop her daughter. ¡°Traitors!¡± As the tickling intensified, Shae noticed Mya¡¯s half-asleep form and cautiously approached her, seeking some grounding in the whirlwind of emotions. She reached out a tentative hand, poking Mya¡¯s side. Shae giggled, feeling a surge of joy while poking Rhea¡¯s exposed belly. ¡°I can do this!¡± She poked Rhea again, this time, her Trainer¡¯s laughter growing. Rhea¡¯s mom eventually called a truce, and they all collapsed in a heap of giggles and panting breaths. Rhea turned to Shae, her eyes shining with affection. ¡°You did great, Shae! Welcome to the family.¡± ¡°Thank you, Rhea,¡± Shae chimed. ¡°I¡¯m happy to be here.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * The room filled with laughter as Rhea was pinned underneath her grinning mom for a second time¡ªa surprise attack, initiated by Shae of all! They struck with deadly accuracy while sliding up her nightshirt to do a pincer attack against her tight stomach. Her traitorous Pok¨¦mon joined in, their cheerful cries adding to the chaos. Shae, still new to the team, was put front and center, following Big Sister Lulu¡¯s battle cry to never give in, poking her tiny hands against Rhea¡¯s squirming sides. ¡°I give! I give, Mom¡ªI¡¯m sorry! You win!¡± ¡°Victory, girls!¡± her mom gasped, holding up her hands for her own Pokemon to slap. ¡°Little did you know I¡¯d planned this out more than a week in advance, bribing your soldiers with sweets,¡± she boasted, puffing up her chest. ¡°You¡¯re at my mercy, daughter. Never forget the cunning and forethought of¡ªahhh!¡± Grabbing her mom¡¯s leg, she found a favorable position and rolled with her mom across the bed until they both fell off of it in an unceremonious crash of laughter. After a playful tickle war, they finally calmed down, all of them breathless and smiling. Rhea helped her mom sit up, brushing back her wild hair with a fond smile. ¡°Good morning, Mom. Ready to get up?¡± Her mom¡¯s face was probably as red as hers at this point, a grin on her face. ¡°Good morning, Sweetheart. You certainly know how to wake an old woman up. If I did that to my mom, I¡¯d be frozen for a week!¡± Rhea grinned. ¡°Oh, no way I¡¯d do that to Grandma! You¡¯re a pushover, though, and I have to keep you on your toes. You know, just doing my duty as your little girl. Now, let¡¯s get ready and go down for breakfast. The hotel¡¯s morning food is supposed to be amazing!¡± ¡°Ugh. Well, only if you help a mom pick out a cute outfit! It¡¯s not like I¡¯m brushed up on fashion. Your dad usually dresses me when we go out.¡± Rhea playfully slapped her hands over her mouth. ¡°Mom!¡± ¡°Wha¡ªoh, shush, I didn¡¯t mean it like that!¡± she returned, finding a pillow to throw at her. ¡°You are as bad as your aunt!¡± ¡°Compliments!¡± she snickered, catching it and peeking out with a devious smirk while lifting her eyebrows. ¡°I heard Dad¡¯s coming home tonight. Ooh l¨¤ l¨¤! Wine and dinner?¡± Her mom seemed to call her bluff with a return smile and creased eye. ¡°Do you really want to know what your dad has planned for me? Here, let me read the message¡­¡± An emotional note she¡¯d rarely heard from her mother made Rhea¡¯s heart tingle with delight as she sat on the bed, seeing the love in her mom¡¯s eyes as she read, her throat becoming thick with sap, Rhea was sure. ¡°Well, it¡¯s been a while, and I¡¯ve been alone. And you¡¯ve been the only thing I¡¯ve known that keeps me stable. Picture it now, down the road. Oh, just say the word, and I¡¯ll come. Wherever you are, whatever the cost, you are the one I care for the most¡­. ¡°The nights may be long here, but the stars are brighter. Remember the night we slept on the roof. Well, I didn¡¯t sleep much to tell you the truth. You pulled me close, held me tight through the night. Now we¡¯re the sand, caught in the tide. Born two worlds apart, yet we built one world together. ¡°We could be anywhere you want, so cover my skin with your sun-kissed light, My Sunshine. There¡¯s a bonfire burning tonight. We could be all right, Christie¡­ I know you¡¯re alright with our daughter. Just know¡­tonight, you are about to embark on the most wonderful experience of your life. I will not explain at this moment how and why it works; I don¡¯t have time¡­it just does. Trust me.¡± ¡°Aww! You win,¡± Rhea cried, happily admitting defeat as she hopped up to hug her. ¡°I¡¯m so happy for my adorable, sappy dad because you needed him if you were going to survive in this cold world.¡± ¡°Oh, more than you know, sweetie. To answer your question. Yes. I know your father is coming back¡­ For the first time in a long time. My ankles get weak just thinking about it.¡± She kissed her cheek and squeezed tighter. ¡°And you¡¯re the reason for that, our precious little daughter. You¡¯ve brought back something I¡¯ve missed for¡­forever.¡± ¡°I¡¯m happy for you, Mom¡­¡± Spending a few more minutes together, Rhea eventually broke free to find her mom something that wasn¡¯t a lab coat. Together, they helped each other get ready, Rhea chatting about their plans to head to Vermilion City for Lori and Amira. Her mom listened with a smile, seemingly enjoying the morning routine. Rhea¡¯s Pok¨¦mon flitted around them, adding their own excited commentary while showing Shae all the cool things in the hotel. Once they were all set and Rhea had added a pretty red bow around Shae¡¯s neck, they made their way down to the hotel¡¯s breakfast area. The smell of freshly baked pastries and brewed coffee greeted them, making Rhea¡¯s stomach rumble with anticipation. They found a cozy table by the window, the morning sunlight streaming in and casting a warm glow over the room. Rhea loaded her plate with a little bit of everything, her eyes wide with delight at the variety of food. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Shae¡¯s eyes sparkled with curiosity and excitement as she watched Rhea and her mom enjoy their small pastries. The morning sun cast a warm glow over the table, making everything look extra inviting, and the greeny smells with the sweet breakfast made her mouth water. ¡°This is all for us?¡± Shae asked, glancing around at her new sisters. ¡°This smells amazing! Can I have a little?¡± Lulu dipped her fluff into some jam and held it up with an eager grin. ¡°This is the best! Try this! Try this! Oh, and this is the best too¡ªand this one!¡± ¡°Mmm! It is really good¡ªblah, that one¡¯s tart¡­¡± ¡°Tart is good! And this one¡ª¡± ¡°Spicy!¡± As they all settled in and began eating, Shae tried a bit of everything Rhea and her other big sisters offered her. The flavors were so different from anything she¡¯d ever experienced in her short life. She nibbled on a piece of toast, her eyes widening at the taste. ¡°This toast is so crispy! It¡¯s like biting into a crunchy cloud,¡± she said, earning a few amused looks from her sisters as Lulu hugged herself. ¡°Don¡¯t eat me, Little Sis! Hehehe. I taste too good and fluffy!¡± Nova giggled, nudging Shae with her nose. ¡°Wait until you try the pancakes. They¡¯re like fluffy pillows of sweetness¡ªlike biting into an actual cloud.¡± ¡°Big Sis! You do nibble me at night sometimes!¡± ¡°Do I? I don¡¯t remember that!¡± Nova grinned. ¡°Maybe I¡¯m just trying to clean you up.¡± ¡°Nu-uh! I¡¯m not falling for that again!¡± Shae took a bite of the pancakes, her eyes lighting up even more while staring out at the sky, seeing the comparison. ¡°Wow! It really is like eating a cloud covered in sunshine! How do humans make this stuff?¡± Alice laughed softly, her pink eyes twinkling. ¡°Humans have their ways. Rhea¡¯s mom is a horrible cook, too, so not all humans are blessed with hands like Rhea. We¡¯re lucky to have such a great Trainer and family.¡± Shae felt a warm glow of happiness as she listened to her sisters talk. She was starting to feel more at ease, her quirky side bubbling up as she made a joke. ¡°Do you think if we eat enough of this, we¡¯ll float like, uh, like that big purple Pokemon? ¡°A Drifloon?¡± Nova giggled. ¡°Maybe!¡± Lulu floated closer, her cosmic body shimmering with laughter. ¡°But be careful, Shae, or we might end up floating away and getting lost in the big milky sky of sparkle dust. We¡¯ll need a string to keep us grounded; I¡¯ve seen them!¡± Shae giggled, feeling more at home with every passing moment. She turned her attention to Mya, who was lazily chewing on a piece of fruit. ¡°Mya, do you think if we eat this fancy food every day, we¡¯ll become super fancy Pok¨¦mon?¡± Mya smirked, shaking her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know about fancy, but we¡¯ll definitely be happy and healthy. That¡¯s what matters most. Plus, we¡¯re already super pretty. You¡¯ll hear it a lot, but don¡¯t get a big head about it. A humble pretty girl who knows she¡¯s pretty is a good pretty girl¡­ Nova!¡± ¡°Wha! Don¡¯t even start with me, Ms. I¡¯ve Got Big Teeth!¡± Shae smiled as they got into a playful argument that ended with Mya tackling Nova to them rolling around under the table. Her eyes twinkled with mischief while inching over to their plates. ¡°I guess we should eat a lot, then. You know, for science!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Amira joined them not long after, seemingly distracted by someone mysterious she was texting. Not wanting to be nosy, despite her curiosity, she let the redhead do her thing. Lori was dead to the world, and probably would be until noon after the night she had with her mom. On the other hand, her Pok¨¦mon got to pick out their favorite sweets for breakfast, and soon, their table was filled with delicious treats. As they ate, Rhea felt a sense of contentment wash over her. Everything was perfect. She was surrounded by her family and Pok¨¦mon; she couldn¡¯t think of a better way to start the day. The adventures ahead were exciting, but these small, joyful moments were just as precious. ¡°So, Mom,¡± Rhea said between bites of a fluffy pancake, ¡°what¡¯s the plan for today after breakfast?¡± Her mom hummed, sipping at her sugarless coffee. ¡°Well, we¡¯ll see where the day takes me, but from what Annila texted me, I thought you¡¯d be going out with her for the next few days. She sounded pretty excited to spend some one-on-one time with you.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea¡¯s world cracked, soul vacating her body while remembering the battle the photographer had overseen between her brother and Kate before she¡¯d started her journey. ¡°Say that again¡­ Jason¡¯s mom messaged you?¡± Amira lifted her brooding eyes from her muli-windowed hologram phone with a small frown. ¡°She sent me a text about it, as well.¡± ¡°How did she get your number?!¡± Rhea balked, totally blindsided as she handed Shae some cooked greens to munch on; suddenly, everything had been tipped on its head. ¡°You guys aren¡¯t pulling my leg?¡± ¡°No?¡± the redhead responded, swapping to the message to show her. ¡°I thought you saw it when you were swiping through your DMs on Pikabook last night.¡± Rhea gulped, realizing it was probably the one she accidentally swiped archived before silently reading the message Jason¡¯s mom had sent her teammate.
    7:32 p.m. Annila - Hello, Ms. Rocket! This is Annilla, Jason¡¯s mom. He sent me your number since he tells me you¡¯re kind of the group planner. I just wanted to be sure that it would be okay if I kidnapped Rhea for a few days. I have this cool trip planned to go to the Stonehead Woods by Fuchsia City. Jason tells me the city is pretty special to him now, and I wanted to have an excuse to stop by for a little bit. Spending time with Rhea will give me that¡­with an excuse to take a ton of pictures! Lmk! I sent her a message already. I just wanted to check in. 7:47 p.m. Amira - It¡¯s my pleasure, Ms. Annila. Rhea has seemed a little overwhelmed lately due to everything we¡¯ve gone through. I think a small break will be good for her. She already has the new Vermilion Encrusted Badge, so that won¡¯t interfere with our journey. If it is fine with her, then I don¡¯t think it will be a problem. 7:48 p.m. Annila - Perfect! I¡¯ll plan on picking her up at noon. Jason says she already told him that she¡¯s excited to spend time with me! I can¡¯t wait to have some one-on-one time with her again. Dear, I think the last time I spent camping with her was as her teacher! Maybe we¡¯ll have to do some throwbacks. Hehe. Thank you, Ms. Rocket!
    Rhea sank against the table. ¡°I¡¯m doomed!¡± Shae took a break from sampling Nova¡¯s food to pat her on her arm, sticky honey coating her small hand. ¡°Ra-Ra. Ralts. Ralts.¡± ¡°Aww. I know you¡¯re with me¡­ First, we need to clean you up!¡± Her mother and Amira chuckled as if she was making a joke, but this was very serious! She was going on a camping trip with her boyfriend¡¯s mom, who was a photographer, teacher, and had a hidden military super soldier hidden under her sweet, smiling face. On the bright side, her mom gave her Shae¡¯s data sheet, with her Moves. Maybe they could get a little bit of fun training together. Please don¡¯t tie me up and leave me on top of the mountain like Maria did! I literally became a human snowball that Mya had to rescue! Please, never again! Ralts:
    Name: Shae Nature: Quirky (Neutral; Slight Timid Gene) Average IVs: 31 EVs: 4 HP // 252 Def // 252 Spe
    Abilities:
    Synchronize Trace Prank - Prank can sometimes cause the opponent to use their disruptive moves prematurely. This might mean using a move like Protect or Detect when it¡¯s not necessary, wasting it and leaving the opponent vulnerable on the actual critical turn. Requires the Pok¨¦mon to set a trap in advance and the Pok¨¦mon to step near the zone the trap is. Share - Share allows a Pok¨¦mon to link with a friendly Pok¨¦mon , changing Share to the Ability of its teammate. This Ability can cause problems and issues with certain Abilities that don¡¯t connect well. Instinct - Instinct allows a Pok¨¦mon to react almost automatically to threats and opportunities in combat. It appears to grant an almost precognitive sense, enabling the Pok¨¦mon to anticipate and counter enemy actions with minimal conscious thought. Perception - Perception enhances a Pok¨¦mon¡¯s awareness of its surroundings to an extraordinary degree. This ability allows the Pok¨¦mon to notice and understand details in the environment that others might miss, effectively making it more difficult for opponents to catch them off guard.
    Move Pool:
    Ally Switch Confuse Ray Destiny Bond Disable Disarming Voice Encore Growl Grudge Knock Off Mean Look Memento Misty Terrain Mystical Fire Pound Shadow Sneak Skill Swap Synchronoise Will-O-Wisp
    B4 — 34. Ambush!
    9:12 a.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    Breakfast concluded with an energetic buzz of conversation and clinking silverware. Rhea¡¯s heart still fluttered with the anticipation of the day ahead, her mind and heart swirling with thoughts of her upcoming adventure with Jason¡¯s mom. Shae, happily munching on the last of her toast, had settled into her new family with surprising ease. As they prepared to leave the table, the door to the outside breakfast area swung open, and in walked Annila, dressed in a casual yet practical outfit perfect for a wilderness adventure. The thirty-eight-year-old wore a pair of sturdy hiking boots, khaki cargo shorts with plenty of pockets, and a lightweight, breathable jacket over a fitted T-shirt. Despite her age, the Grandmaster looked no older than twenty-five. An expensive camera hung from her neck like a battle ax in Rhea¡¯s eyes, and her amber irises sparkled with excitement. Her thick blue hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she exuded an aura of boundless energy. ¡°Rhea!¡± she called out, her voice filled with warmth and a skip in her step. ¡°I¡¯m here to whisk you away for our camping trip. Are you ready for some fun?¡± Rhea smiled and waved, resigning herself to whatever would come. Ready for war, Girls? I know I¡¯m probably being overdramatic, but this is a big deal! Stomach knotting, which was not a good feeling after eating, Rhea cleared her throat and jumped up. ¡°Hi, Annila! I¡¯m ready. Just need to grab a few things. You¡¯re, uh, a lot¡ªhuh?¡± Before Rhea could say more, Annila turned her attention to Christie, who was just finishing her coffee. To everyone¡¯s surprise, Annila moved forward and enveloped Christie in a warm hug. Rhea could see the shock on her mom¡¯s face, her cup frozen halfway to her lips. ¡°Annila, this is¡­unexpected,¡± she mumbled with a cautious smile spreading across her face. ¡°But more than welcome. It¡¯s good to see you.¡± Annila laughed, stepping back and placing her hands on her hips. ¡°I know, right? I¡¯ve had a bit of a change of heart. I had a talk with Jason, Kate, and your overly forgiving husband recently, which helped open my eyes on a few points. I¡¯m sorry for being a Jinx to you all this time, Christie. I should have forgiven you earlier. The Ultra War was hard on everyone, and you sacrificed enough. Plus, it¡¯s awkward to stay bitter when both of our children are dating. Isn¡¯t that weird?¡± Christie¡¯s surprise melted away as she shot a look toward Rhea, making her turn away on instinct; it wasn¡¯t like she did anything wrong! ¡°I¡¯d agree it was unexpected. Keith called it when they were kids, you know. He always said they¡¯d end up together.¡± Annila chuckled, catching Amira¡¯s gaze as she glanced up from her phone. ¡°My best friend always was the smartest one in the group. And he was right. I¡¯m sorry for holding onto that for so long.¡± A bit of relief came to her mother¡¯s voice. ¡°Apology accepted, Annila. It¡¯s nice to be on speaking terms again. Now¡­does that mean I¡¯ll be allowed to join you for the surprise show?¡± Rhea¡¯s mind buzzed. I can¡¯t believe this is happening! Mom and Annila making up? Jason¡¯s family is really¡ª ¡°Hold up!¡± she choked, spotting Amira¡¯s twinkling smirk; something nefarious was afoot! ¡°What do you mean, ¡®does that mean you can come,¡¯ Mom? First, Annila¡¯s super early, and now you¡¯re coming? What in the spooked Tangla am I missing?¡± Nova nudged Rhea¡¯s leg with her nose, tail wagging and looking between her mom and Jason¡¯s mom. No! she internally growled. You knew what they were planning?! Alice, you, too? Mya and Lulu looked as stunned as she was. The impish bun¡¯s smile said it all as Alice jumped up and down beside Annila; she no doubt heard it with her big ears at some point and filled Nova in on it. The air outside the breakfast area felt cool against Rhea¡¯s flushed cheeks as she looked between her mom and Annila, trying to piece together the surprise they were hinting at. Shae sipped her berry drink, her eyes wide with curiosity as the two women exchanged knowing smiles. Annila turned to Christie with a playful grin. ¡°Shall we reveal what Keith has been cooking up after hearing Jason¡¯s story? The place is empty right now,¡± she said, glancing around. ¡°We¡¯ve still got a bit of time before the clock strikes for our prince and princess to meet.¡± Rhea''s heart pounded in her chest, her mind racing with possibilities. What did Dad plan? Was this some plot to get Annila and Mom to make up? It would be like him¡­ She shifted on her feet, glancing between her mom and Annila with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. ¡°Okay, okay, can you guys stop drawing it out? What''s the surprise already?¡± Her mom clapped her hands, clearly happy she could join, a wide grin spreading across her face. ¡°Well, Sweetie, before you head out on your trip with Annila, your dad wanted to make sure the air was cleared. So, he set up a surprise battle between you and Jason. We¡¯ve heard about the bet.¡± Rhea''s stomach flipped. ¡°A battle¡ªnow?! Why didn¡¯t he just tell me directly? Jason texted me like¡­this morning!¡± Annila giggled, holding up her camera with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. ¡°Because my son doesn¡¯t know! Your dad wanted all the cards stacked against him. A surprise for both of you! A victory for the parents!¡± She snapped a picture, capturing Rhea¡¯s swirling eyes and shocked expression. ¡°This one¡¯s for the scrapbook¡ªthe day ¡®The Battle to Date Rhea¡¯ took place! Get ready, girls. Battle hard and make my son prove he¡¯s got what it takes because Rhea, you have him wound up tighter than a Spoink trying to impress his crush!¡± Rhea¡¯s face burned, her chest tightening and her belly cramping with the sudden pressure. But at the same time, a smile tugged at her lips. This was exactly what she wanted¡ªa chance to see how powerful Jason had become¡­ How powerful he¡¯d become for her. She picked up Shae, cradling her newest teammate against her chest; the Ralts¡¯ pink eyes peeked out from her thick bangs. ¡°Looks like you¡¯ll get to have your first fight, Shae¡ªand the same day you hatched! None of your big sisters even did that. How do you feel about your first big battle?¡± Shae blinked up at her before smiling, jumping out of her arms, and landing on the grass to chase Alice around as if she were a monster. ¡°Ra-ra! Raaaa!¡± ¡°Nee! Ne-ne-ne!¡± ¡°Lopunny! Lop!¡± Alice cried in fake fright as the two quirky girls joined forces to play their own game. Rhea could feel their anticipation, though. Nova and Mya slapped paws, joking with one another about the battle to come. It would be four versus four. ¡°Pwe-pwe,¡± Nova boasted, puffing up her chest and flicking her tail while winking up at her. ¡°Pwe.¡± ¡°Mawile. Maw-maw,¡± her steely girl returned, slamming her fist into her palm and making Amira chuckle. Rhea frowned, her brow creasing as she interpreted their response. ¡°No, not five versus four. It¡¯s four versus four¡ªLulu can¡¯t battle. Erika made that pretty clear.¡± Lulu paused in her chase, eyes going big as she turned around to stare up at her, the rest of her Pokemon following her plea. ¡°Neee?¡± Rhea hesitated, but Annila placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder to draw her attention. She took a few quick pictures of her girls and said, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Rhea. If things get too intense, Franky will be there to stop anything bad from happening. When my son talked to me, he said he wanted you to give it your all, but he was worried you¡¯d have too big of a heart for that and wouldn¡¯t want anyone getting hurt.¡± She pulled her camera away, pulling Rhea against her chest into a strong hug. ¡°My son¡¯s serious about you, Rhea, and I can see why¡­ So don¡¯t meet him halfway.¡± Upon drawing away, the Grandmaster Water Specialist gave her the most motherly look she¡¯d seen on the woman. ¡°I want to see the young woman my son sees rather than the troublemaking little lonely girl I watched grow up. So give it your all.¡± Heart swelling at the encouragement, Rhea set her brow and nodded. ¡°Alright. I¡¯ll do my best. You heard that, Lulu? Let¡¯s show Jason what we¡¯ve got!¡± Lulu teleported onto her head, cheering loudly. ¡°Let¡¯s go grab our backpack. Uh, how are we supposed to get there?¡± Annila winked and took out a Master Ball before tossing it to the side to reveal a two-meter-tall Starmie that spun in the air. ¡°Stella will get us there just fine, so don¡¯t you worry. It may take us four jumps, unlike Ms. Rocket¡¯s monster of a mother who can teleport across the region in a single Move, but don¡¯t underestimate a Grandmaster!¡± Amira chuckled and set down her cup of tea. ¡°I¡¯m sure my mother would love to hear you call her a monster. She enjoys playing on her reputation and acting silly. Don¡¯t worry about me and Lori, Rhea. It will be a good opportunity for us to grow closer. So make sure to put Jason through the crucible.¡± ¡°Sure thing!¡± Rhea chimed, turning on her heels to run upstairs to gather her pack and leaving her mom, Amira, and Annila to chat. ¡°Be right back!¡± Today, she¡¯d finally see how powerful Jason had become...for her. Rhea dashed up the stairs to her hotel room, her heart pounding, her nerves causing Butterfree to swarm in her stomach. Her Pok¨¦mon followed close behind, their enthusiasm palpable. Alice bounced with each step, her pink eyes gleaming with determination. Nova kept pace, her ears perked up and tail swishing with every chirp. Shae, new to the team but eager to prove herself, rode on Nova¡¯s back, her pink eyes wide with adventure while looking at everything. Mya, ever the stoic and adamant one, jogged along with a steady gait, while Lulu floated effortlessly beside her, her cosmic body shimmering with excitement. As they entered the room, Rhea¡¯s gaze swept across the space, taking in the luxurious surroundings. The plush carpet, the elegant furniture, and the large windows offering a breathtaking view of the Gym section of the city reminded her of how blessed she was. She quickly gathered her backpack, stuffing it with essentials and double-checking her supplies. Her mind buzzed with thoughts of the upcoming battle against Jason. She knew his Pok¨¦mon well enough at this point: Raboot, Buddy Bonded Pikachu, Breloom, and Galarian Linoone. Each had its strengths and weaknesses, and she needed to strategize carefully with what little time she had if she was going to give her boyfriend what he wanted¡ªwell, maybe they¡¯d break up because he lost? Rhea had to sit down on the bed as her stomach knotted. Don¡¯t think about that! Just do what he asked¡­ Breathe. Trust he¡¯s planned everything out¡­ But against Lulu? Freaking, Lulu, who just did that insane Night Shade against Erika¡¯s Pokemon? Yikes¡­ Focus! You can do it, Jason! Show me what you¡¯ve got! Sunny is quick and versatile, and his Pikachu has some nasty tricks with being a Buddy Pokemon, having so many Moves and Abilities¡­ Yeah, Ash¡¯s Pikachu is his dad, so that¡¯s not concerning. Breloom is strong with those fighting moves, and depending on his abilities. Mmmgm! Yeah, that could be rough. His Galarian Linoone is a speedy menace¡­crafty, too. Who will he start with? She pondered, mentally reviewing her options. ¡°Maybe he''ll start with Sunny to get an early advantage with speed; plus he¡¯s Jason¡¯s Starter,¡± she mused aloud, her Pok¨¦mon listening attentively. ¡°We need to counter that. Mya, you¡¯re our tank, but Fire is not the best match-up there.¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it. ¡°Mawile!¡± ¡°No, I know you¡¯ve been training to bait out Fire Pokemon like Amber, but that¡¯s with Alice as your support in Double Battles. Nova is the best choice since you¡¯re the most versatile. Flareon, Glaceon, and Vaporeon give you some good swaps.¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± Her Eevee hopped up on the bed beside her, a calculating, thoughtful look in her eyes. ¡°Pwe-pwe?¡± ¡°Ooh. Yeah, I don¡¯t know,¡± she mumbled in return, rubbing her chin and looking at her bag between her legs. ¡°Can you swap to multiple forms? If he¡¯s looking for us to go as hard as we can, it should be allowed, but¡­we also need to consider our energy use.¡± ¡°Nee¡­ Ne-ne.¡± Rhea forced a smile and rubbed her droopy cloud Pokemon. ¡°I¡¯m not trying to tell you not to join because of what happened against Erika, puffy-butt. I¡¯m saying we have to be careful because Jason knows we¡¯re a powerhouse to be reckoned with. He also knows you girls take a lot of Fortitude to keep in the game. I don¡¯t think multiple evolutions is going to be the play for Nova is all I¡¯m saying. As much Fortitude as I have, multiple swaps get costly.¡± ¡°Pwe. Pwe.¡± ¡°Mawile?¡± Nova nodded. ¡°Pwe. Pwe?¡± ¡°Lopunny.¡± Lulu and Shae watched their three big sisters go back and forth, and Rhea sighed while listening intently to their intentions and concerns. She crossed her legs and dropped back onto the made bed to stare up at the fancy curved ceiling. ¡°Mhm. Vaporeon to counter Sunny would get slammed by Bolt. We could bait out Bolt with it to bring Bolt closer to our side, swap to Alice, and keep him pinned on our side of the field so he couldn¡¯t return. Mmm¡­ Even with Quick Moves, Alice should be able to match him in order to lock him down. Yeah, the start is going to be a¡ªwait.¡± She pulled her hair to the side as Shae climbed onto her chest to look at her, pointing at herself. ¡°What can you do? Hmm¡­ Maybe I should start with you, Shae. It could throw Jason off since he doesn¡¯t even know about you. You¡¯ve got killer Abilities to dodge¡­ A Double Battle! Yeah, we should make it a Double Battle since you have Ally Switch!¡± she chimed, an idea forming in her mind as she grinned and pushed herself up. ¡°Ralts?¡± Her Pokemon giggled at her question. ¡°Yes, you can do that, Shae. Disable, Destiny Bond, Confuse Ray, Will-O-Wisp, Mean Look¡ªMisty Terrain for Mya! Yeah, and Shadow Sneak for a quick escape to attack at someone¡¯s back¡­ You¡¯re a menace, Shae!¡± The little girl threw her hands in the air with a cute cry. ¡°Raaaa!¡± ¡°Haha. I know you don¡¯t know much about battles, but I like your enthusiasm. What was my mom thinking when breeding you¡­ And, of course, your mom is Aliz¨¦e, Diantha¡¯s Gardevoir. Encore, as well?¡± Rhea brought her up to nuzzle her face, making the Ralts giggle. ¡°You¡¯re going to be an absolute legend. Jason better watch out because just because you¡¯re a newborn doesn¡¯t mean you can¡¯t cause a lot of trouble for him.¡± ¡°Ralts!¡± Her Pokemon cheered their newest baby sister, causing the girl¡¯s face to light up. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s see if we can stop by a TM store real quick before we leave because we need to get you Protect! Hehehehe. Jason better be ready, because he¡¯s about to get everything he¡¯s asked for, and the best part, Shae¡­is that your Moves are so weak right now that they¡¯ll hardly cost me anything. You¡¯re our secret weapon!¡± ¡°Raaaaa!¡± Getting up and placing the roaring Feeling Pokemon on her head, she threw on her backpack and left the hotel to meet with her mom and Annila. Amira had already left for mysterious places when she made it back, and to her excitement, Annila agreed to stop off at the giant mall they¡¯d visited last week. After that, it was time to meet her knight, only she¡¯d take a note from Sabrina in the Mystery Doors of the Magical Lands¡ªshe was the villainess of this story! * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jason stood at the top of a rocky mountain cliff, gazing out over the breathtaking expanse of Sable National Park. The lush valley below stretched out in a tapestry of vibrant greens, the dense forests interspersed with glistening streams that wound their way toward a massive lake shimmering in the distance. Flocks of Pidgeotto and Fearow soared overhead, their calls echoing through the crisp morning air. The sight of a majestic Dragonite and packs of graceful Butterfree added to the beauty of the scene, and he couldn¡¯t help but snap a picture, knowing his mother would love it. He took a deep breath and lowered the camera she¡¯d given him after their personal talk yesterday, savoring the thin, cool air at this elevation. I¡¯m trying, Mom. I know it¡¯s a little weird that your kids and your best friend¡¯s kids are dating, but what can I say¡­ You were the one who always teased me about having a cute blonde going out with me all the time, having fun in the woods. It¡¯s your fault! Well¡­at least a little, but maybe I¡¯m just saying that to tickle her¡­ I always saw how beautiful she was¡­ In every way. He scratched his cheek, feeling the scruff that had built up over the days, and took out his phone to stare at Rhea¡¯s grinning, pajama-wearing background. She¡¯d actually come out to talk to him and help settle his thumping heart in Fuchsia. Rhea really is too perfect. A shiver and lump formed in his throat upon remembering the moment they first kissed, which linked to the moment she¡¯d tackled him to the ground and draped him in her golden hair to lock eyes with him. I have to win¡­ It¡¯s not a want. Rhea could never be a want¡­ I need her. His Pok¨¦mon were gathered around him, each taking in the view in their own way. Sunny stood with his arms crossed, trying to look cool but failing to hide his twitching ear, Attempting not to think about Alice. The cute and teasing bun had been poking his brain lately, which had Blitz snickering. The black and white-furred Galarian Linoone was patting his team captain, passing a few snickering words to him, which soon had the Raboot raging. It wasn¡¯t long until Sunny was chasing his buddy across the cliff. Bolt was perched on his shoulder, his salt-and-pepper Pikachu trying to groom his own ears, his strategic and cool-headed mouse¡¯s tail flicking with excitement. He had a little ritual he did in the morning, and if his tail tingled when he stuck it in the air, then luck was on their side. Maru, their Breloom powerhouse, leaned against a nearby rock, his eyes closed as he soaked in the sun. He was all chill until the battle came, and then he was a whirlwind. His team was growing so fast that even Kate was sending him messages to stop, or he might catch up to her, and she didn¡¯t want to be a lame big sister who couldn¡¯t beat her annoying little bro. Jason tossed a purple Poke Ball with an M on it up and down in the air, a small smirk on his lips while internally speaking to their newest Gentle-natured member. Kind of Christie to give me the honor of bonding with you, Serenade. It¡¯s nice having two Pokemon with parents from Ash. It makes it easier for a reunion! Rest up a bit longer. I know it¡¯s been a rough few days of training. Jason''s thoughts wandered to the hiking and camping trip he''d just finished with Rhea''s dad. The older man had been a tough but fair mentor, pushing him to his limits while offering invaluable advice and support to crush his daughter, which was kind of funny when he thought about it. After days of grueling training and intense battles, Jason felt more confident than ever. He glanced over at Keith, the blond man was packing up their tent with practiced ease, a small smile playing on his lips. Franky, Keith¡¯s Gengar, was floating in the air, his wide, sinister grin aimed at him as if keeping a deadly secret. He caught Jason¡¯s eye and gave him a knowing wink, his laughter fading away with his shadowy body. Franky will be Franky¡­but that looks. He thinks he¡¯s slick, but something¡¯s going on. ¡°Pika?¡± Yeah, try to get it out of him, Bolt. ¡°Pika-pi! Pika?¡± Jason grinned at the obvious question, his eyes shining with hope. ¡°Yup. I¡¯ll get you your own unique cap when we get to Celadon.¡± ¡°Pika!¡± He hopped down to find Franky, and Jason turned his attention to Keith as he pulled out his hair band to retie his man-bun. ¡°Thanks for all the pointers, Keith. I feel like I¡¯ve learned so much in such a short time.¡± Keith straightened up, his gaze shifting to the Master Ball in Jason¡¯s hand. ¡°You did great, Jason. I¡¯m glad your dad was able to join us for a day. I swear, your mom almost took my head off when she saw the state I had you in!¡± ¡°No way,¡± he scoffed. ¡°She was all snickers and jokes when I talked with her, but I can believe she¡¯s a raging Tauros when she sees red. How do you think I did overall? Do I stand a chance?¡± The man stretched out and yawned while observing the magnificent view below. ¡°You¡¯ve got enough potential to keep up with Rhea with how hard you¡¯ve pushed your Fortitude, and she¡¯s focusing a lot on her internal Aura aptitude, which is fine and all. It does give you a chance to show her what serious pure team training can do, though. Your newest member there is a good girl, as well.¡± Jason nodded, his grip tightening around the Master Ball. ¡°I will. Let Christie know that I¡¯m grateful for all the support she¡¯s given me¡­for trusting me with her. I know eggs from Legendary-tier Trainers¡¯ Pokemon are beyond priceless. She¡¯s so calming, as well. She makes Sunny act a bit more like a captain,¡± he said with a laugh, shifting to see his rabbit squeezing the life out of Blitz in a headlock. Keith¡¯s expression softened, and he walked over to clap a hand on Jason¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ve earned it, man. I don¡¯t think Rhea suspects that you asked me to train you myself. And remember, it¡¯s not just about power. My daughter certainly is a monster when it comes to her Fortitude, but her Pokemon require a lot of it in return. It¡¯s about the bond you share with your Pok¨¦mon, as well. That¡¯s what makes the real difference.¡± Jason looked around at his Pok¨¦mon, feeling a surge of affection and pride. They had been through so much together in Kalos, and they were more than just his team, they were a part of his family. He took another deep breath, the thin air filling his lungs and clearing his mind. ¡°Ready to head back down?¡± Keith asked, slinging his backpack over one shoulder and pointing at a large clearing beside the vast Sable Lake below. ¡°I¡¯ve got a bit of a surprise waiting for you down there, and conserve your strength. It¡¯s the final test before you¡¯re free of me.¡± Jason chuckled, a determined smile spreading across his face. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s do this¡­ I¡¯ve put my everything into getting stronger over the last few months¡­ To reach Gold-tier. Thanks for pushing me the extra mile.¡± Keith looked at his raised hand for a moment before shaking it, his face showing a tad more emotion than usual. ¡°It¡¯s for my daughter, right? How can a father refuse that?¡± Jason took a deep breath, steeling himself for the descent. The path down the mountain was steep and treacherous, but the crisp morning air and the breathtaking scenery provided a sense of calm and focus. His Pok¨¦mon followed closely, each step bringing them closer to the clearing Keith had pointed out. The blond led the way, his movements sure and steady. Jason¡¯s mind twisted with anticipation, every step increasing the weight of the final test. Keith was always unpredictable, so this had to be tough because yesterday, he¡¯d left him halfway up the side of a cliff and was told to reach the top for dinner. His Pok¨¦mon returned to their Poke Balls when they reached the bottom, conserving their energy for whatever challenge lay ahead. The path was lined with towering trees, their leaves a mix of vibrant autumn colors. The ground was covered in a thick carpet of their fallen soldiers, their bodies crunched under their boots. The scent of pine and earth filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of wildflowers. Jason kept his gaze fixed on the distant lake, its surface sparkling like a thousand diamonds in the morning sun. They¡¯d hiked quite a distance through Sable National Park to reach what he assumed must be a sacred spot for seasoned Trainers. After what felt like an eternity, they finally reached the clearing. The rocky lakeside stretched out before them, the massive expanse of Sable Lake shimmering under the sunlight. Keith stopped and turned to face him, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Is the final test going to involve water?¡± Jason asked, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of a challenge. ¡°I can see why it would.¡± Keith chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°Not exactly, but you¡¯ll see soon enough.¡± He checked his phone, then his watch, and looked up at Jason with a half-smile. ¡°Your final test isn¡¯t with me.¡± Jason¡¯s heart skipped a beat, his mind racing with possibilities. ¡°Is it going to be Mom again? She¡¯s always got a knack for surprise endings¡ªand immortalizing the shock with a photo,¡± he laughed. Keith¡¯s smile widened, and he pointed to a distant raised rock, its surface catching the light. ¡°That¡¯s your position. You¡¯ll be battling from there.¡± Jason squinted, spotting another similar raised rocky surface about the distance of a full Gym away. His heart pounded in his chest, the realization dawning on him. It was a battle, but if not with Keith, who? His father? Rhea¡¯s father was always the unpredictable type. Stretching out, Jason tried to hide his nerves. ¡°I had a sneaking suspicion it wasn¡¯t going to be you who was my final test after my parents showed up. Wait¡­ Did Kate come back from Paldea without me knowing? Sabin?!¡± Keith¡¯s expression remained inscrutable as he took a few steps back. ¡°You¡¯re right. It¡¯s not me, and definitely not my son or your sister, with the good time they¡¯re having together overseas. But I think you¡¯ll find this challenge quite fitting.¡± Jason¡¯s words died in his throat as a flash of rainbow lights erupted beside them on a small rise, the colors swirling and converging into a single point. His breath caught in his chest as the light faded, revealing a figure he wasn¡¯t prepared to see. Gold caught the sunlight like a halo on the opposite rocky platform, a flowy blue dress pressing against her legs and a thin belt wrapped around her thin waist showing her ready Poke Balls¡ªhis coral-eyed girlfriend was his final test. Her determined gaze locked onto his with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine, bringing him back to the time she¡¯d laid atop him. However, this time her cadence was totally different¡ªconfident, poised, and ready for battle. She looked like a warrior goddess, ready to cast judgment. The sight of her took Jason¡¯s breath away. No, this wasn¡¯t fair! He wasn¡¯t ready! She was everything he had worked so hard for, everything he had trained to reach, yet the universe often struck when you least expected it. His heart swelled with a mix of pride, love, and a rekindled resolve. This was the final test Keith had prepared for him¡ªa battle with the person who mattered most. Rhea raised her hand in a wave, a sweet yet vicious small smile playing on her lips that his girlfriend had perfected. ¡°Ready to see what we¡¯re made of, Monkey Butt? I sure am!¡± Jason¡¯s lips curled into a grin, his nerves giving way to a surge of excitement. ¡°Always, Honeypot. Let¡¯s give it our all.¡± He could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he stepped onto his designated rock, her doing the same. His mother, father, Christie, and Keith stood off to the side, Franky¡¯s sinister frame floating out of the rock between Rhea and him. Jason¡¯s Pokemon were bouncing on their toes in their Poke Balls, and Bolt rested on his shoulder, sending his strength through their bond. This was it¡ªthe culmination of everything he had worked for. He would show Rhea just how far he had come, and he would fight with everything he had to prove himself worthy of her. ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± he called out, his voice echoing across the clearing. Rhea¡¯s smiling voice returned his call as Lulu roared atop her head¡ªa challenge. ¡°Give me everything you¡¯ve got, Jason. I¡¯m not holding back¡­ I¡¯m not holding back anything!¡± ¡°Lulu and Nova¡¯s transformations, huh? Good.¡± The air crackled with anticipation as they prepared for the battle of their lives, and he could feel the bond between them growing stronger than ever. He didn¡¯t need to date or see other women to know this was the girl he wanted to spend the rest of his life with¡­ No one else could ever compare. B4 — 35. Fire And Lightning
    12:17 p.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    The rocky lakeshore stretched out before Jason, the expanse of Sable Lake shimmering under the bright sun. He took a deep breath, feeling the crisp air fill his lungs, the scent of pine and wildflowers mingling in the breeze. He couldn''t help but smile as he saw Rhea on the opposite rocky platform, her golden hair catching the blazing star like a halo. Doesn¡¯t she look like a goddess? he whispered to his team. Confident and poised, ready for battle. His heart pounded in his chest, his palms slightly sweaty as he adjusted his grip on Sunny¡¯s Pok¨¦ Ball. This is it. Everything we¡¯ve worked for¡­ I have to prove myself, not just to her but to myself, too. Bolt¡¯s tail flicked excitedly, perched on his shoulder, cheeks sparking with energy. ¡°Pika-pi!¡± Keith gave him a reassuring nod from the sidelines, while his own parents watched with pride in their eyes. Christie held up a thumb, making Jason¡¯s chest shake with silent laughter; for being Rhea¡¯s parents, they were shockingly against their daughter with how much support they¡¯d given him. The atmosphere was electric, charged with the upcoming battle¡­or it could be Bolt¡¯s charged Aura. Jason¡¯s phone buzzed in his pocket, and he quickly pulled it out. A holographic image of Rhea appeared, her coral-blue eyes sparkling with mischief, her hair tied back with her aunt Cynthia¡¯s signature hair ties. ¡°Ready to lose and beg for a rematch, Monkey Butt?¡± she teased, her voice playful yet challenging. Jason couldn¡¯t help but laugh, his nerves easing slightly. ¡°In your dreams, Galvantula-butt. Let¡¯s see what you''ve got from freezing your hair off in the Shojo Mountains.¡± Rhea¡¯s twinkling eyes narrowed. ¡°Oh, you want me to show you everything I¡¯ve got, huh? Are you sure you want that smoke?¡± ¡°Bring it on, Honey Lips.¡± A triumphant smirk lit his face upon getting a blush from her. ¡°We¡¯ll see how confident you are when I show you why there¡¯s a v in Victory! Good luck¡­ And don¡¯t hold back on me.¡± ¡°Never.¡± He raised his voice, his tone confident. ¡°I know you got a new Pok¨¦mon, Rhea. How about we save our baby girls for a special showdown later?¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°And how did you know that?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve got my sources,¡± he shrugged, catching the blonde shooting a light glare toward her waving mother. ¡°Well, okay, then. I¡¯ll save Shae for her own little fight. At least tell me her name.¡± ¡°Serenade,¡± he responded, pulling up the Master Ball to show her. ¡°And she¡¯s quite mature for her age.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see her!¡± Rhea chimed as the cosmic fluff cloud came into view. ¡°A four vs. four, then? You better be careful of Lulu!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± ¡°Pikachu!¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Jason agreed, rubbing his sparky boy¡¯s head. ¡°How about we make it a double battle?¡± Rhea nodded, her grin widening. ¡°Ooh! Now that¡¯s interesting. I¡¯m fine with that. Let¡¯s give it everything we¡¯ve got.¡± Franky floated out of the stone between them, his sinister grin stretching wide as he raised his hands to signal the start of the battle. His mom lifted her camera, ready to capture every moment. Keith, Christie, and his dad watched from the sidelines, waiting for things to start. ¡°Geng-geng. Gengar! Geng?¡± The blonde held up two disguised Master Balls, a stunning smile uplifting her mesmerizing voice. ¡°We¡¯re ready, Franky!¡± Jason took a moment to admire Rhea, her aura of confidence and beauty almost overwhelming, even from the hologram. She¡¯s absolutely gorgeous. Today, I have to win to meet my goddess on equal ground¡­ ¡°Pi!¡± As the hologram faded, Jason took a moment to steady his breathing, feeling the weight of the moment settle over him. He had to win, not just for himself but for the girl who had captured his heart. He looked across the rocky landscape, the small rock formations providing cover and obstacles. A storm seemed to be rolling in, dark clouds gathering on the horizon, the wind picking up and rustling the leaves of the giant trees in the distance and pushing the water into light waves. It added a dramatic edge to the scene, heightening the tension in his breast. Jason loosened up, looking at his goal smile at him, longing, determination, and the deep desire to prove himself resonating within his chest. The brightness of your sun keeps my path lit, Rhea¡­ My shining star I¡¯d be blind without. I can¡¯t wait to take my prize for this one. So let¡¯s not hesitate, boys. And remember, we¡¯re not fighting Gold-tier here¡­ Fully unleashed Rhea? We¡¯re looking at low Platinum¡ªminimum¡ªif Lulu¡¯s charged up. ¡°Pika!¡± His other Pokemon reflected Bolt¡¯s warcry. He shook off the introspective moment, focusing on the seemingly impossible wall before him. This was his chance to show Rhea just how far he¡¯d come, to prove that he was worthy of standing by her side. He took out an electric pin from inside his pocket and handed it to Bolt. His Pikachu pushed it through his pierced tail end, unlocking one of his plethora of secret and extremely rare abilities. Jason could practically taste Rhea¡¯s curiosity at the action. Bolt had fifteen abilities constantly active, being the son of Ash¡¯s Pikachu; however, to make use of his many hidden abilities, it required some kind of bonded item, and Bolt got to choose them. They¡¯d only discovered three so far. This one was Mind Zap; targeted Moves could cause their opponents to flinch. ¡°We¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Pi!¡± ¡°Gengar!¡± Franky slipped into the rock, and Jason threw his yellow mouse into the air, followed by his partner. ¡°Let¡¯s do this, Bolt, Sunny. To victory!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Bursting free of his capsule, Sunny¡¯s heart raced as he locked eyes with Nova and Alice, the stunning Lopunny¡¯s beauty making him gulp down the nervous lump in his throat. Stay cool. Alice may be cute, but she''s still an opponent. He shook off the thought, centering his focus. She¡¯s bad news. I have to match her speed. Time to show her what we¡¯ve got. Jason¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, charging him up with energy and guiding them on everything they¡¯d researched to go against Rhea¡¯s team. Sunny darted forward, maneuvering around the rocky terrain; his movements became swift, his body light, and his footsteps precise as a white glow surrounded him, Alice instantly blurring to meet him. Bolt, Nova is going to block whatever we throw at her with an evolution¡ª ¡°I¡¯ve got it; just draw them in for me!¡± Energy infusing his body with speed, Bolt and Nova slowed to a crawl, yet Alice was still racing to meet him at a rapid pace. Her pretty pink eyes illuminated, leaving a trail of red as she moved¡ªForesight. Sunny restrained a grin as he flipped around, barely dodging a quick double jab, only keeping ahead of the swift bun through his Agility. He kept Alice between Nova, Bolt, and himself, waiting for the signal and trying to dance around the Lopunny, only for Jason¡¯s voice to interrupt them as Alice moved to clap her hands. I can¡¯t hold her off for¡ª ¡°Encore; cover your ears and eyes!¡± Jumping into the air and following instructions, Sunny stuffed his paws into his big ears and snapped his eyes shut. Bolt¡¯s voice transmitted to his spirit milliseconds later. ¡°Quick Attack!¡± White light surrounded Sunny, a wall of force launching him in a random direction. Eyes cracking open as he soared through the air, flipping around to land on his feet and come to a stop, he saw the electric mouse launch into the air. Sparks danced around him as a wide wave of electricity passed toward Alice and Nova, both in its path. ¡°Oh, c¡¯mon!¡± Alice cried, eyes going big and flipping into a backflip to land in front of Nova, light surrounding her. ¡°Nice try, boys.¡± Just as he¡¯d expected, Alice was swift enough, and had the foresight to see the attack coming. Quick Attack carried her back before the pretty bun cut the Move early, a blue shell surrounding her and using her Protect to guard Nova from the paralyzing wave. Bolt landed on a rocky outcrop, his eyes sharp and ears twitching with anticipation. He quickly scanned the battlefield, noting the positions of Nova and Alice. Agility quickened his body, matching Sunny¡¯s upgrade, only the electric mouse was much faster than him. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. With a quick, fluid motion, Bolt surged forward, using Thunder Wave to send a wave of electricity toward Alice. She dodged gracefully with a cartwheel to the side. Nova''s icy form shimmered with a haunting elegance, her fur a mesmerizing blend of black and white, like shadows dancing across a frozen lake. Her eyes brightened as she summoned a gust of cold air, Icy Wind swirling around her to meet the waves of electricity, overpowering them with Nova and Rhea¡¯s raw strength. The cold air of Nova¡¯s projecting wind swept across the rocky terrain, carrying flakes of frost that glittered in the sunlight. The cold breeze swept across the battlefield, causing the rocks to glisten with frost and passing over him and Bolt, slightly slowing them both. Alice accidentally got grazed by the gale, catching her off-balance. Wow, this isn¡¯t going as well as I¡¯d hoped! Sunny growled, yet a glimmer of hope hit him upon seeing Nova¡¯s frosty form. You good, Bolt? ¡°Golden! I got Alice, I can keep up now. Get that popsicle!¡± Alice closed the distance between Bolt and her in an instant. Her movements were a dance of elegance and precision, and her eyes gleamed with determination. The Pikachu matched her speed, only taking minor chip damage from her glancing blows, yet a wrong move could put him to sleep. With Agility still surging through Bolt¡¯s limbs, it allowed him to blur to meet the bun¡¯s rapid assault. He zipped around the battlefield, using the rocks and boulders for cover to buy time. Alice tried to keep up, her streaking red eyes narrowing with concentration, but Bolt was now faster, darting in and out of her reach. Sunny launched at Nova, with flames carrying him forward at a rapid pace. The fire danced around his body, licking at the icy ground as he sped toward her. Nova¡¯s eyes flashed, and she summoned a shimmering barrier, absorbing the impact. Bolt, seeing an opportunity while using his smaller size to slip under a small arch, used Lucky Chant to empower them, sending a wave of positive energy toward his partner. Alice caught up to Bolt, her movements fluid and precise. She struck him with Quick Attack, her speed matching his, and followed up with an icy fist. Ice Punch connected with Bolt, but the protective aura of Lucky Chant mitigated the damage. Sunny¡¯s eyes narrowed as he dashed towards Nova, the heat from his body creating a shimmering haze in the air. His paw crackled with dark energy as he vanished in shadows, throwing a surprise punch to catch Nova off guard. She staggered back, ice cracking under her feet and gathered around his fist from the force of the hit¡ªFrostbite iced over his hands. Nova quickly regained her balance and shot a glare at him. ¡°Rude! That¡¯s Mya¡¯s Move¡­¡± Focus on support, Bolt. Keep Alice busy. Jason¡¯s voice echoed in their minds. Sparks flew around Bolt as he zigzagged across the rocky terrain, evading Alice¡¯s relentless pursuit. She was agile, her movements a graceful dance as she leaped from one rock to another, her gaze never leaving him. Sunny couldn¡¯t focus on his partner too much, though; Nova was their true target. He passively sensed Bolt focusing his energy, dark plots racing through his mind, increasing his Special Attack. He used the environment to his advantage, darting in and out of the rocky outcrops to keep Alice on her toes. Nova, meanwhile, slid elegantly across the ice, carried away from him by Ice Skater, her form a blur of black and white. ¡°You are way too fast without Agility, girls,¡± he said with a forced laugh. ¡°Run Away and Ice Skater is too much!¡± Her speed increased as she generated another gust of icy wind, the cold air chilling the surface of the lake. The water began to freeze while she glided over its choppy surface, creating a slick, frosty arena that would hinder Sunny¡¯s fiery momentum. She shot a triumphant look at him. ¡°I¡¯m something special. How about a projectile battle?¡± Sunny¡¯s eyes flicked to the frozen lake, a smirk forming on his face. He launched small Embers at Nova, flaming balls flickering towards her. She retaliated with sharp shards of ice, the hail of fire and ice slicing through the air. Just as effortlessly as Sunny evaded the long-distance attacks, Nova sidestepped them, being careful where his fire struck on her frozen platform. Nova¡¯s ice-skate-like feet made her movements fluid and effortless, allowing her to glide across the ice with ease. Jason chuckled, his voice deep and filled with more affection than it should be in their battle. ¡°Clever, Rhea. Very clever. I didn¡¯t expect you to keep with Glaceon this long, but the lake helps keep Sunny at a distance.¡± ¡°Oh, we¡¯re not done yet!¡± she laughed. ¡°I¡¯m just about to get warmed up.¡± ¡°Watch out!¡± Sunny noticed Alice flying toward him from the corner of his eye. Bolt¡¯s urgent warning echoed in his mind, and he pivoted to meet her head-on. Channeling energy into his legs, Sunny met Alice¡¯s powerful Fighting-enhanced kick, which collided with Sunny¡¯s own, their movements blurring with the force of the impact. He used the momentum to backflip away, avoiding another barrage of ice shards that Nova launched his way. Bolt, perched on a rocky ledge, focused on preparing for the inevitable big confrontation. Alice closed in on Sunny again, and he darted away, using every bit of Korrina¡¯s training to evade the Lopunny¡¯s raw instincts¡ªshe hadn¡¯t even trained with Fighting Pokemon like him! ¡°Sunny, I¡¯ll finish the job if you can hold them off just a little bit! All or nothing?¡± Bolt roared through their connection, Jason agreeing. Easier said than done! Sunny returned, Protect blocking a hail of ice and an unreasonably strong, focused punch that almost shattered his blue barrier. Alice¡¯s Speed with Focus Punch is busted! When she gets Agility, she¡¯s going to be a menace¡­ But she¡¯s so pretty. Alice, growing frustrated, lashed out with powerful kicks and punches. ¡°Even predicting your movements, how are you this much faster than me? Teeter Dance!¡± ¡°Eh¡ª¡± Nova, gliding effortlessly on the ice, launched another series of ice shards at Sunny. He dodged nimbly, but the icy ground made it difficult to gain traction. Flames flickered around his body as he countered with another burst of heat to force Alice away. However, Sunny tripped in the odd swaying motions the fluffy bun made, taking an Ice Shard to the face that shattered into a million sparkling fragments. I¡¯m getting destroyed here, man! ¡°Hang in there, Cap!¡± Bolt said, focusing his energy and sucking in Jason¡¯s Fortitude. ¡°I have a Wish up behind that rock to my right¡ªfifteen seconds!¡± Sunny dodged another icy barrage from Nova, the frozen ground making every step a precarious balancing act. He needed to buy more time. His eyes flicked to the rock Bolt mentioned, a flicker of hope sparking within him. Alice was relentless, her kicks and punches creating a flurry of blows that Sunny could barely keep up with; she was somehow getting faster, more precise, her streaking red eyes zoning in on him. His heart raced, every impact sending vibrations through his body. He had to keep moving, keep dodging, but Alice¡¯s graceful yet powerful assaults were proving too much. He tried to focus, summoning energy for another burst of speed. Pushing Agility into overdrive, he worked to counter Nova¡¯s previous Icy Wind,, his movements becoming a blur as he dodged left and right, trying to stay out of Alice¡¯s reach. But her pink eyes were locked onto him, determination radiating from her every move¡ªhe misjudged a feint, her ear striking out. He saw hearts, Alice¡¯s Cute Charm taking effect. Suddenly, her slowed, graceful movements made her appear as if she was falling from the clouds, a thunderstorm raging inside of his chest, telling him she was his lover for life. Her determined gaze, the way her bright pink eyes looked at him. Hearts seemed to float around her, his resolve weakening. He tried to shake it off, but it was getting harder to focus on the battle. Meanwhile, Bolt had taken a moment to set up their strategy as Alice inserted a key into his heart and turned it, sending him into paradise inside her sweet eyes. The ground around him crackled with electricity as a powerful surge electrified the battlefield¡ªhe¡¯d gotten Electric Terrain out. The rocks and the very air hummed with energy, boosting his electric power. He followed it up with Charge as Sunny retreated, unable to do anything other than tear his heart apart and evade her love punches. The electrified ground beneath Sunny¡¯s paws hummed, the energy coursing around them, but he was still struggling with the beautiful bunny in front of him, welcoming him to swim in her arms. She was relentless, her speed and precision making it difficult for him to catch a break. Only Jason¡¯s orders kept her from locking him out of his Moves and away from certain knock-out. If she used Quick Attack, he matched it, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to dirty her fluffy coat. He passively caught Nova seeing the shift in the battlefield; she wasn¡¯t going to ignore Bolt, just like they¡¯d planned. With a determined glint in her eyes, she reverted to her Eevee form, and fire erupted around her, transforming the star into her Flareon form. Her fur fluffed up, flames dancing along her body. The heat radiated off her, creating a shimmering haze in the air and starting to melt the ice she stood on. Something changed in the atmosphere, Jason¡¯s emotions swelling and pulling Sunny¡¯s love-struck gaze to Rhea, catching a Double Hit to the face. It was worth it, though. A red outline formed around Rhea, an aura of intense energy surrounding her. It sent a shiver down his spine, or maybe it was Alice¡¯s Cute Charm affecting him too. Rhea¡¯s power surged through Alice, further increasing every Stat of the bun, boosting their energy and strength beyond reason. Sunny felt the effects immediately. He was taking a beating, every punch and kick he deflected still shaving away his already near-zero energy matrix. He needed to reach the Wish, but Alice was in a frenzy, locked-in. Feeling his buffed speed fading, he used another Agility in an attempt to keep up with the beautiful bun, desperately trying to outmaneuver her. Finally, he saw his chance. He darted towards the rock where Bolt had placed the Wish, the healing energy enveloping him as he reached it just in time. The Infatuation faded, clarity returning to his mind. He felt rejuvenated, his energy matrix restoring a decent chunk as the force flowed through him. He caught their plan execution just in time as his first Agility faded, yet even the +2 helped him outpace the baseline, Reverse Run Away-enhanced bun. Bolt, now fully charged and empowered by the Electric Terrain, rushed to meet Nova. The Flareon¡¯s Adaptability and Sprint-enhanced, V-empowered, STAB Flame Charge made the girl a comet of flames, ice instantly melting in her passing. A blazing blur, Nove rushed to meet Bolt, but the mouse hadn¡¯t slacked off. Bolt was faster, Agility and Electric Terrain boosting him to incredible levels. He became a lightning bolt, his body crackling with electric energy as he launched into a powerful STAB Volt Tackle. Sunny felt his body slammed by Alice''s Power-Up Punch, sending him flying back, yet, thanks to the Wish¡¯s recovery, he managed to recover mid-air, landing on all fours with a determined grin. He shouted to Bolt, ¡°Give it your all!¡± His own gathered energy transferring from him, through Jason, and into their roaring electric mouse. He activated a Move he¡¯d learned in Kalos from Korrina¡¯s Pokemon. Bolt¡¯s electricity intensified, sparks flying around him. They both screamed out their battle cry. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jason¡¯s fist was white as the two Pokemon collided. ¡°Pika-pi!¡± ¡°Flareon!¡± They met, their opposing elements creating a massive explosion of fire and electricity. The impact blew a stone and steam into the air, sending debris flying and creating a shockwave that shook the earth. Nova and Bolt were thrown back through the expanding cloud, landing hard on the rocky ground. Alice instantly reacted, redirecting her momentum by kicking Sunny away with a powerful strike. Sunny skidded across the rocky terrain, groaning from the impact. Quick Attack carried Alice into the sky as she leaped into the air to catch Nova, now in her Eevee form, before she could fall into the lake. Jason held up his phone, his hand now shaking. Rhea¡¯s stunned expression came through the hologram, clearly not expecting Nova to lose out in strength. He chuckled, seeing the cute bewilderment on her face as Sunny and Bolt recovered, the electric mouse showing damage but holding a thumbs up to his teammate. ¡°Roboot?¡± ¡°Pika-pi¡­¡± ¡°Wondering how I managed to overpower a V-strengthened Nova?¡± he asked, proudly flashing his teeth at his Buddy Bonded mouse and feeling strained from the amount of energy it required. ¡°You look a bit flustered.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes narrowed as she returned Nova to her Poke Ball as Franky waved a red flag, floating out of the ground. ¡°Yeah, that was way stronger than I calculated it to be. How did you do it?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll tell you after the match,¡± Jason replied, his tone far more confident now that the deadly pup was out of the match. ¡°Lucky Chant certainly helped, though. Our goal was to take out Nova first. She¡¯s just too versatile. ¡°Forcing her into Flareon was the plan from the start since she couldn¡¯t sustain Vaporeon or Glaceon long-term with Bolt or Sunny on the field. You wouldn¡¯t want Mya on the field with Sunny,either. We were worried she¡¯d use Ambrosia¡¯s special moves, so we had to get Nova out before she had the chance. Those moves are far too dangerous.¡± Bolt looked beat up, but he did a few stretches and some jumping jacks before giving a grinning Franky a thumbs up, showing he could continue. It was Rhea¡¯s turn to send out her third Pok¨¦mon, her red outline intensifying and fire burning in her glowing eyes. ¡°Okay. Let¡¯s clear the field then.¡± ¡°Uh-oh¡­does that mean¡­¡± ¡°Lulu! Time to show them what a true villainous heroine is made of.¡± ¡°Neeee!¡± Rhea¡¯s intense, fiery aura amplified, and she looked like the villainess, not her Pokemon as radiating pulses heated the wind. She was literally going as hard as she could. Boys¡­ Defense! Super defense! We have to outlast her, not knock Lulu out! Get ready to run! B4 — 36. Taking Control!
    12:24 p.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    Bolt¡¯s eyes flicked to the new challenger as rainbow lights brought the Legendary Pokemon into the air over them. Lulu hovered above with an almost divine presence, and Bolt¡¯s stomach squirmed as Rhea¡¯s flaming aura of heat intensified, steam rising up around her from the damp rock. He felt Jason¡¯s command reverberate through his spirit, urgent and strong. ¡°Foolish villains!¡± the ominous cloud proclaimed. ¡°Tremble and fear, for darkness appears! I shall call you Black Lightning and Fluffy Foot!¡± ¡°Defense, boys¡ªall about defense now! Interrupt her, block, and lock her out!¡± Pink eyes widening, time slowed in Bolt¡¯s eyes as Quick Attack launched him forward, +2 Speed pushing him into a blur. Energy pulsed over the stony surface, electricity trailing him with the lightning-imbued rocks. ¡°I¡¯ve got Alice¡ªack!¡± Sunny shouted through their bond. ¡°Just stop that cloud!¡± Jumping right for the imperial Cosmog, he cursed as her eyes flashed pink, her puffy hand inching toward him. Bolt was far faster, even when needing to close the distance; he clapped his paws just before her psychic force surrounded him. ¡°Disappear¡­ Ack?!¡± A pulse of disruptive energy rippled through the showy Cosmog, Fake Out collapsing her Move. Lulu¡¯s eyes widened, but she didn¡¯t falter. Her cosmic aura pulsed, and she remained steady. Bolt¡¯s ears twitched in surprise. No Jynx! She¡¯s strong¡­ Really strong. ¡°Rhea can forcefully break Interrupts and Lockouts, like she did in Sabrina¡¯s fight. It¡¯s temporary!¡± Sunny¡¯s drowsy voice fed through their connection. ¡°I¡¯m losing strength¡­¡± Maru cried out from within his Poke Ball. ¡°Watch out, Bolt!¡± Alice appeared in his peripheral vision a distance away, entangling her ears with Sunny¡¯s and flipping around the drowsy rabbit to aim a punch through the air. Bolt reacted on instinct, activating Block Shot. A sharp burst of force ejected from his side, meeting the Mach Punch moments before it hit. In a matter of milliseconds, Sunny was airborne, the larger bun throwing the sleeping rabbit into the air¡­on Rhea¡¯s side of the field and outside of Poke Ball range. She moved with a grace that almost seemed unfair, her red-trailed eyes locked onto Bolt. Really?! First, she gets Cute Charm on you, now Sleep Charm?! Bolt shouted, preparing to defend as Alice¡¯s intense gaze fixated on him; she was taking him seriously, and it showed; Jason could predict her next Move combination and was feeding him info, though. ¡°It¡¯ll be a Quick Attack to get to you, followed by Circle Throw to distance you from Lulu. Foresight and Unaware make Double Team useless. She can affect you with Status Conditions using physical attacks, so her first goal is to close the distance, get you away from her powerhouse, and give her a chance to obliterate everything. Tank it and get the guaranteed!¡± Sunny hit the ground like a ton of bricks as Alice shot toward him, a master of redirection by being a constant threat on the battlefield. Bolt delayed his Move, waiting to time it just right with the electricity charging the ground sparking through the air and along Alice¡¯s fur in her dash; she appeared beside him in an instant. ¡°Hello, beautiful!¡± Bolt grinned, watching the bun¡¯s narrowed eyes widen as Foresight told her what was about to happen while grabbing his fur to hurl him to the ground. ¡°You look cute with your fur all puffed up. I bet that¡¯s why Sunny¡¯s been struggling so much.¡± ¡°You lured me in to save him,¡± Alice mumbled, static surrounding them and further puffing out her fluff. ¡°Best not to grab an electric mouse!¡± Cheeks sparking, a wave of energy rippled over the close pair, sending Paralyzing force into their bodies. Gravity pulled Bolt into a whirlwind before he was launched into the stone; his energy matrix took a heavy hit as he tried to recover by slipping into a hollow point in the rock, likely created by Diglett. ¡°Ahh! I¡¯m all¡­poofy!¡± Lulu cried. ¡°Humph. You think you can hide from justice, villain?¡± Lulu¡¯s voice was both mocking and powerful. ¡°The Strange Lady sees everything¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s aura blazed stronger as Bolt peeked out, spotting Alice wincing as she touched the stone and fell to a knee, her Speed cut in half with energy sparking around her as Electric Terrain faded. Lulu¡¯s fiery glow intensity, her presence now larger than life while enshrouded in flames, energy pouring into the Pok¨¦mon. Bolt felt a chill run down his spine. ¡°Are you trying to kill us?!¡± Lulu began to channel dark energy with melodic, dark cackles, the shadows around her growing and twisting into a malevolent force. ¡°Night Shade,¡± Jason mumbled in dread. ¡°I don¡¯t know how to block this, boys. Sunny, you¡¯re back! If you two can survive this, it will take a chunk out of Rhea¡¯s V-supported power!¡± ¡°Ugh¡­ Bolt! Use Wish and prepare to Protect!¡± Sunny¡¯s rousing voice rang out, filled with urgency. ¡°I¡¯ll handle the rest!¡± Bolt could feel the oppressive power building, ready to be unleashed, with Lulu laughing overhead about how weak and insignificant villains were, like tiny Caterpie. Trusting his rabbit friend and leader, twinkling light surrounded him in the hole, determination renewed by Sunny¡¯s confidence. He focused, summoning the soothing energy to surround him. A soft glow enveloped him, a promise of healing to come. He then readied the strongest Protect he could muster. Alice clapped her hands, spotlights and confetti appeared over Bolt, but he ducked further into the hole, dodging the searching light and evading the Encore. Sunny charged right toward him, the battlefield a whirlwind of motion. Bolt¡¯s ears lowered in shock as Lulu laughed, her voice echoing with an eerie timbre. The Cosmog looked down on them like insects, her eyes becoming the abyss itself. Bolt¡¯s body became numb as malevolent energy began to radiate from her small, floating form. The atmosphere darkened, shadows coiling around Lulu like living serpents. Bolt felt a cold sweat break out along his fur. It was unlike any Night Shade he had seen before. The swirling darkness seemed to blot out the sun, casting the battlefield into a chilling twilight. Lulu¡¯s voice was a haunting melody, taunting and powerful. ¡°Foolish children! Tremble and despair, for darkness has come to claim you for herself!¡± A cyclone of black fog erupted outward from Lulu, the shadows swirling and growing, reaching out with tendrils of darkness. Bolt¡¯s muscles tensed, fear gripping his heart, yet he had to time it right. Sunny was already moving, positioning himself between Bolt and the encroaching shadows. ¡°Protect!¡± Sunny shouted, his voice strained with effort. A shimmering, translucent barrier formed around himself, blocking the first wave of shadows as it enshrouded them. Bolt quickly followed suit, summoning his own blue shell. The swirling darkness crashed against their barriers like a storm, force unlike anything he¡¯d experienced gripping him. It was as if a massive monster¡¯s claws were closing around them to crush everything into paste, the impact resonating through his bones. To Bolt¡¯s horror, Sunny¡¯s barrier began to crack under the relentless assault. Sunny¡¯s expression was one of grim determination, his eyes locked onto Bolt¡¯s as he hugged his Protect. Sunny! ¡°I¡¯m good, Bud!,¡± he chuckled, the twinkling light of Wish resonating brighter. ¡°Just finish things up for me!¡± Just as the barrier shattered, a thick white outline surrounded Sunny¡ªEndure. Bolt watched in disbelief as Sunny braced himself, taking the brunt of the attack, funneling all of his remaining offensive energy into his defensive matrix. The shadows enveloped them both, a cold, suffocating blanket. Bolt could hear nothing but white noise, the world around him becoming a blur of darkness. His own Protect started to falter, cracks spider-webbing across its surface. As the barrier finally gave way, he felt a sudden surge of energy counter the thinning tendrils of shadows coiling around him¡ªWish. The healing energy filled him, pushing back the encroaching darkness. When the abyssal veil finally receded, Bolt felt Sunny¡¯s limp body fall over him, Wish¡¯s fading rejuvenating force also touching the rabbit. Spinning vision glancing around at the devastation, he found them lying in a massive crater, the ground around him shattered and broken. Water from the nearby lake was rushing in, filling the depression and sliding over their fur. Dust and debris settled around them, Sunny¡¯s hot breath pressing against his face; he was alive! The Wish had restored some of Sunny¡¯s energy, but it hadn¡¯t been enough to wake him. Bolt¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief at the extent of the damage when the dust was swept away. The battlefield had been utterly transformed, their Trainers holding their hands in front of their faces. I survived, but Sunny¡­ Franky floated out of the filling ground, a sinister chuckle escaping his lips. ¡°Sunny is unable to continue,¡± he declared, his voice dripping with amusement. ¡°Congratulations on surviving a Legendary Pokemon¡¯s fully-developed attack. Momentary break to swap Pokemon! Best get that little puff-ball out of the action.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Jason surveyed the battlefield, his stomach churning at the sight of the devastation. The massive crater was now forming a small, growing pond. The rocky terrain around it was torn-up and showed imprints of the tentacle-like tendrils that had crawled across it, creating a sense of eerie unease from the lingering Ghostly force. It practically split the field in half and turned it into a partial lake stage. I underestimated Rhea¡¯s maximum output, he whispered to his awestruck Pokemon. The raw power of Lulu¡¯s Legendary Energy, mixed with V¡¯s enhancing abilities, is¡­ insane. He held out Sunny¡¯s Poke Ball as Bolt pushed his buddy up with the water rushing in, recalling the rabbit to a well-earned rest. Sorry you couldn¡¯t show Alice more, but I¡¯d say you showed off plenty, man¡­ Leave the rest to us. He glanced at the hologram of Rhea, noting the sweat beading on her forehead and the heavy rise and fall of her chest. Her strained smile was a mix of exhaustion and pride. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Wow! That was a rush¡­ I thought Franky would stop us,¡± she mumbled, her voice breathless yet laced with admiration as the fire around her nearly went out. ¡°I guess you really have gotten strong if you managed to survive our ultimate attack.¡± Jason¡¯s gaze shifted to Alice, who was holding a confused and dazed Lulu; the Cosmog looked drained, her previous divine presence now diminished as she clung to Alice for support. It was far from over, though. Bolt swam toward their side of the field, less than a quarter of his energy matrix remaining, which was a miracle only possible due to the mid-attack Wish. He saw his father running over to him with a Hyper Potion in hand, a Revive in the other to restore Sunny¡¯s secondary energy matrix. ¡°That was awesome, Son! I was even nervous for Sunny, but he handled that like a real champ!¡± ¡°Thanks, Dad,¡± he said, handing the Poke Ball to him. ¡°It¡¯s not over yet, though.¡± He then looked out across the filling crater, its size sinking in. It was a testament to the sheer power Lulu had unleashed. A smile tugged at his lips, sensing Bolt¡¯s thankful heart, but his Pikachu was a little shaken up. ¡°For the record, Rhea, that was way stronger than the one Lulu used against Erika. But that might actually help me in the end,¡± he grinned, still doing fine on their fortitude reserves. ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for Sunny¡¯s quick thinking, we would have been done for.¡± Rhea took a calming breath as her flaming aura finally died. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you can handle the rest of my team, then. Lulu might be a little drained now, but Alice is far from done, and just you wait until Alice gets Limber! Mya¡¯s ready for a strong fight, and she¡¯s been rearing to go! Can you even survive Lulu¡¯s normal attacks before Mya comes out?¡± Jason¡¯s focus sharpened. ¡°I guess we¡¯ll see. Bolt, come back and take a rest.¡± ¡°Pika?¡± His yellow mouse¡¯s ears tilted to the side, shaking off the dirt and wet from his white and black coat. ¡°Pika-pi!¡± Rhea blinked, steadying herself and putting a hand on her hip while looking out across the vast field, seeing her parents clapping. ¡°You¡¯re calling back Bolt? If that¡¯s how you want to play it, then Lulu, return, as well. It¡¯s time for the Steely and Speedy girls to tag-team this to a victory!¡± Jason knelt down to pick up his damp Pikachu, giving him a cute chirp and rubbing cheeks. ¡°Haha. We¡¯ll see about that, Ms. Joltik. We¡¯re no slouches ourselves.¡± Pulling out his two last Poke Balls as his dad tended to Sunny in the background, he tossed them both in the air before catching them. ¡°Blitz, Maru, I know this is going to be a rough one, but we¡¯ve been training hard in Kalos for this day¡­and we¡¯re not about to lose! Day after day, Serena put us through the ropes. We¡¯re ready.¡± He threw his two Pokemon onto the altered field, and the pair burst out of their Poke Balls as Rhea tossed Mya onto the stone to join Alice. Maru and Blitz slapped tails together as Mya bumped fists with Alice, likely throwing a little playful shade at each other. ¡°Breloom!¡± ¡°Zig-Zig.¡± ¡°Mawile. Maw.¡± ¡°Pun-pun¡­ Lopunny!¡± ¡°Gengar¡­¡± Franky floated out of the now-filled pond, the surface not even rippling at his presence as he pulled out two big flags from inside his abyssal body and raised them up. ¡°Gen¡­gar!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Maru¡¯s pink eyes flared as the battle resumed. He jumped into action from his vantage point, atop a chunk of rock that had been dislodged. He surged forward, every detail of the chaotic terrain etched into his mind. Still in motion, he glanced at Blitz, right beside him. It¡¯s all or nothing, Bud! Let¡¯s make this a fight to tell the others! ¡°I can just imagine Len or Lucian¡¯s Pokemon running in circles after seeing Lulu¡¯s attack, screaming at the top of their lungs! I can¡¯t believe we¡¯re actually in the battle after Training so hard for this. Let¡¯s do this!¡± Gathering energy, Maru darted from rock to rock on the side of the field, currently the only way across the gaping hole. His small arms flexed as his powerful feet found sure purchase and his tail waved behind him for balance. Blitz¡¯s gaze locked onto Alice and Mya, standing on their side of the grounds, stretching out and smirking at them, waiting for them. However, they weren¡¯t going to play their game. Mist swirled around Mya, creating a milky and cosmic cloud to obscure and empower her. Alice pulled into a ball, strengthening her Defense and trying to wait out the Paralysis. Ready, Blitz? Alice and Mya are close-range fighters, so why play their game on their side of the field? ¡°Right?!¡± Pausing just at the center point, Maru sucked in air and drew in Jason¡¯s Fortitude. He released it in a spray of seeds, causing Alice to shove Mya out of the way with a short laugh, elegantly maneuvering around the pellets. Fur spiking up, Blitz sent a hail of needles after the pair, forcing them to attack them; they¡¯d practiced to face Mya and Alice together. Just as they¡¯d predicted, Maru¡¯s attack finished first, and Mya zeroed in on the Galarian Zigzagoon; shadows enveloped her to escape the spray, allowing the Mawile to pop out from Blitz¡¯s blind spot¡ªit wasn¡¯t blind to Maru. Drawing back his small fist, Maru drew in a large amount of Jason¡¯s Fortitude, launching toward the materializing Steel Pokemon as a colossal amount of Fighting Energy enveloped his hand. Mya¡¯s eyes grew big, yet, they hadn¡¯t expected her response. Canceling the Sucker Punch, Mya¡¯s whole body illuminated a silvery color as her Misty Terrain began to cycle around them. Focus Punch hit Mya right in the jaw, launching her into the sky and over the large pond. She flipped through the air, stabilizing herself and opening her second mouth, where all the force he¡¯d sent to her was absorbed and channeled. A sphere of pure Steel Energy grew inside her wide, frightening jaws and shot right at him. Alice was almost right on top of them, the Metal Burst incoming. ¡°Not bad!¡± Blitz chimed. He threw up a Protect and jumped in front of the ball; it cracked his shell, but it held. ¡°Maru!¡± ¡°Got it, Bud!¡± Shaking his mushroom head, he threw a veil of Sleep Powder ahead of them to zone Alice. Mya yelled at them while falling into the murky water. ¡°That was uncalled for; I suck at swimming¡ªblgrrr!¡± Maru threw a Mach Punch to match Alice¡¯s, canceling each other out. ¡°We can¡¯t win in a fair fight! Oh¡­ Well, I didn¡¯t see that coming¡­¡± he mumbled as a cyclone of water exploded out of the pond to sweep them out of the field and wash away his Sleep Powder. Mya stood at the bottom of the pond, a tornado of Fairy-laced wind sending a spay of rain around them as she jumped out of the hole to land next to Alice. They¡¯d taken the strip and pushed them back onto their side of the field. ¡°You can¡¯t get rid of me that easily,¡± she grinned, her slick metal frame glistening in the sunlight. She held out a hand, forming a glowing sword. ¡°Let¡¯s get a bit more serious, boys.¡± Alice jumped up and down as her Paralysis passed. ¡°There we go¡­ No need to keep up, stink breath. I¡¯ll bring them right to you,¡± she said with a dark chuckle. ¡°Sounds good,¡± Mya chimed, swinging around her illuminated sword as it absorbed into her body. ¡°Show us what you¡¯ve got, boys! We expect to be wowed.¡± Blitz sent a wide spray of needs at the pair, Alice easily dancing around them through the sparkling mist as Mya was swallowed by shadows. Maru darted to the side, every muscle coiled and ready. His fist glowing with Fighting Energy as he swung, countering the Sucker Punch aimed at his teammate. Maru kept his focus on Mya, dancing around her reaching jaws, frothing with icy mist to freeze him. His tail struck a rock, charging it with his Ability and landing it under the surprised Mawile¡¯s chin, throwing her into the air. Blitz was keeping Alice busy, kicking up sand to blind her and focusing on weakening her with stat-reducing Moves. The Zigzigoon had a special surprise for Alice¡¯s Sleeping punches. Maru had his full attention on the steely powerhouse, though; her empowered Sucker Punch had totally countered his Focus Punch, and a single hit at the right area could instantly take out Blitz. Part of the trouble was the Mawile¡¯s Attack couldn¡¯t be lowered with Hyper Cutter; it was just something they had to deal with. Alice didn¡¯t have the same protection, though, something Blitz was taking full advantage of by giving the bun his Baby-Doll Eyes. All he needed was a good one more, powerful, critical Focus Punch to land since Alice¡¯s Attack was getting lowered into oblivion. Mya had a counter for almost anything he could throw at her, but there was something they¡¯d concluded she wouldn¡¯t be ready for; it was a gamble, though. A brown aura surrounded Mya, splitting out into four large stones as she recovered in the air, and she threw them at him with a vicious smile; luckily, he was Resistant to Rock-Type damage. Grinning in return, Maru¡¯s body shone with green energy, and he shot several small seeds out of his mushroom head around them. They struck Mya, sinking into her skin¡ªit worked! Bracing himself, rocks broke over his body. He peered through the smoke and sparkling clouds, obscuring Blitz¡¯s battle, but Jason and him were keeping him updated through their bond. Mya struck the ground in a full body slam, her eyes spinning and breathing heavily as panic gripped her mind. Maru swiftly took a deep breath and puffed out a cloud that floated toward the Mawile. ¡°Eh-wha¡­what did you do to me?!¡± she stammered, jumping and swinging at shadows within her own mist; the cloud hit her trashing arm, absorbing into her skin, raising her Attack further to +4, and making her eyes spin. ¡°Why are there more¡ªI¡¯m not scared! Grrr¡­¡± Maru breathed a sigh of relief as Worry Seed and Swagger took effect. Obscured in the mist and away from Alice with her mind a total mess, Mya was totally vulnerable. Now, to see if the gamble worked. He winked at the charming Mawile, sending a heart her way. It struck, lowering her Attack to +2: Insomnia had replaced Hyper Cutter. Grinning, he aimed one more at the panicking Mawile, too confused and frantic to properly use any of her Moves. Adapting on the spot now that he had the advantage, he was about to charge up a Focus Punch when Blitz sent a panicked message. ¡°Maru, she Copycatted my Hone Claw¡ªoof¡­ I need to Rest!¡± Jason made a quick decision, interrupting. ¡°I know it doesn¡¯t look good, but Maru, you have to take out Mya now! If you don¡¯t, and she gets back up, she could take either of you out in one hit! Rhea gave us the most favorable matchup since Nova is out and can¡¯t heal Mya. If Mya gets ramped up and Worry Seed fades¡­ We won¡¯t get another chance. Hold out, Blitz!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll try! Ach¡ªshe¡¯s so fast and accurate now¡­ It¡¯s like she¡¯s increased her Speed, but it¡¯s just her Accuracy and Foresight!¡± Mouth tightening, Maru darted forward, ready to take a hit from Mya, whatever it was to deliver the final blow against the powerhouse of a Mawile. Pushing as much of Jason¡¯s Fortitude and his own energy into his fist, he charged at the slowly recovering Mawile, jumping at shadows¡ªshe locked onto him. Unlucky¡­ Power through! Fire sparked in Mya¡¯s maw, her anger and confusion clearing up as she jumped at him, large jaws closing around him. Maru¡¯s fist connected with her chin, launching her once again into the air and causing her flaming teeth to glaze against his body, the energy still eating deep inside him with the Super Effective Fire Fang, but¡­her energy matrix shattered. Maru dropped to his knees, less than 10% of his energy matrix left after a single glancing blow from the super-powered Mawile. The mist dispersed and Mya landed on the ground beside her. Alice came into view, hugging an unconscious Blitz in her arms, his tongue hanging out and eyes spinning. ¡°Well, Muk,¡± the bun muttered with a sad chortle, staring at her unconscious teammate. ¡°She¡¯s going to be so mad¡­ You were totally ganging up on her, though. Some of Blitz¡¯s Stat drops were aimed at her. Hey, I actually survived almost the whole match!¡± she grinned. ¡°Mya really should get more love. I almost feel bad with how little she was in the battle. I can totally see her perspective now.¡± Maru forced a smile as he strained himself, guessing Alice was still above 70% of her energy matrix. ¡°When you spend most your life dedicated to dodging, I guess you¡¯ll last a long time in a fight.¡± ¡°My thoughts exactly!¡± she chirped as Jason returned Blitz and Franky called the two knockouts. ¡°We were really worried about him dropping my Attack so low since it¡¯s a visual attack and not easily dodged, but I¡¯m liking Hone Claw,¡± she commented, showing her sharp talons. ¡°You¡¯ve had some good tactics! Rhea¡¯s impressed. Is Bolt coming back?¡± ¡°Yup! Hey, Alice.¡± ¡°Hey, Bolt!¡± she said, waving and looking far more lighthearted now. ¡°Oh, and you¡¯re awake, Sunny! Great job with protecting Bolt. Super impressed. You were super cool!¡± Maru glanced back with a snicker as Sunny tried to act cool, pulling up his neck scarf over his mouth, looking away, and shoving his hands into his fluff. ¡°Yeah, you were pretty cute¡ªeh, cool, too.¡± ¡°I am pretty cute!¡± she returned with an unabashed grin. ¡°Thanks for noticing. Uh, by the way, yeah¡­¡± She glanced back at her Trainer across the field, bending over and looking to be struggling. ¡°Rhea says she¡¯s kind of running low on time and energy. She¡¯s never used her Fortitude like this and it looks like it¡¯s going downhill pretty fast, so¡­she wants to handle the match results with our new baby Pokemon.¡± Maru breathed a sigh of relief as Jason¡¯s laughter echoed through their link. ¡°Rhea overexerted herself, boys. Taunting her to use all she¡¯s got worked with the defense strats! Yes! Now¡­all of it comes down to this, Serenade. Are we ready for our debut?¡± The calm, deceptively sophisticated, and feminine voice of their newest teammate came through their bond. ¡°I have been watching and taking notes. I look forward to showing the fruit of my labor over the last few days. I should have the advantage since I am a few days older.¡± ¡°Not like they need to know that,¡± Bolt said with a sly chuckle. Sunny rubbed his nose and bumped Bolt¡¯s fist as he neared Jason with his father, talking out the details and congratulating them all on how far they¡¯d come in only a single Battle Season. Maru jogged over to Jason¡¯s father and took the Revive off him before going to Mya and spraying her once with it. The Mawile jolted and cracked open her eyes with a dull look at the clouds. ¡°I¡­lost, didn¡¯t I?¡± ¡°A tie!¡± Maru said with a jolly tone, holding out his tail to help her up. ¡°You were just too scary to let you do whatever you wanted on the battlefield.¡± Mya smiled at that and accepted his offer. ¡°I am pretty strong¡­ Thanks! So, what¡¯s going on?¡± Bolt jumped down to dance with Lulu as the Cosmog teleported over. ¡°It¡¯s the final fight! Oh, you¡¯ve got some good moves, Lulu, and you really are the heroine with that kind of power!¡± ¡°You think so! I practice every day in the mirror!¡± ¡°Twist and slide¡­ Hands up! That¡¯s it!¡± Maru chuckled, happy to have the intense part done with. Now, it was all up to their newest members to bring their Trainers together. It all came to a head as Jason walked over to meet with Rhea so she didn¡¯t have to walk around the field, his voice filled with anticipation, anxiety, and hope. ¡°We¡¯re almost to the finish line. My golden-haired Joltik goddess is almost mine.¡± B4 — 37. Your Wish Is My Command
    12:30 p.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    Rhea¡¯s legs trembled beneath her as she looked out over the battlefield, the scene from their last bout vivid in her mind. She could barely hold herself up, feeling every ounce of exertion from the intense battle. I can¡¯t believe I''m still standing, but V¡¯s power helped a lot with keeping me going after that Night Shade and all the Stat Boosts¡­ Her tired eyes focused on the hologram of Jason. Despite the sweat dotting his forehead, he appeared calm and collected, ready for the next round. How does he do it? We threw everything at him, and he''s still standing¡­ He really has come so far since Kalos. She couldn¡¯t help but smile at the thought as her Pokemon returned the sentiment. Sure, we went all out, but he managed to survive it all. Taking you out at the start, Nova, really threw us for a loop. That means his training in Kalos was worth it¡ªfor both of us. ¡°Hey, Jason!¡± she teasingly called out over the hologram. ¡°You ready to call it a day, or do you still have some fight left in you?¡± Jason grinned, wiping his forehead. ¡°Oh, I''m not done yet, Rhea. You might need a break, though. Those legs look like they¡¯re about to give out. I wouldn¡¯t want to be accused of abuse.¡± She laughed while stretching out her stressed muscles. ¡°Yeah, yeah. Don¡¯t worry about me. I¡¯m still good for one more round for our babies¡­ I¡¯m shocked you managed to survive all of that abuse, though. I haven¡¯t gone this hard against anyone¡­not even the Gym Leaders. I¡¯ve literally used everything I had.¡± Her heart ached as she saw an uncharacteristic break in her boyfriend¡¯s demeanor. Lips pulling in and nose flaring, as if trying to hold back hot emotions, he cleared his throat and rubbed his cheek, releasing a long breath. ¡°¡­Well, we¡¯re not done yet, and I have yet to claim my prize.¡± Rhea somehow felt twice as light from that statement, the words repeating in her mind. Yet to claim his prize? He really thinks I¡¯m a prize worth fighting this hard for? Even to fight through a literal Legendary Pokemon¡¯s fully empowered attack¡­that could have killed his Pokemon¡ªnot that Franky would allow that. Still¡­ I¡¯m worth it, huh? With a flick of her wrist, she recalled Alice and Mya as they returned to her side of the field. Lulu teleported onto her head, looking a little tired but still cheering on her teammates. ¡°Neee!¡± Rhea activated Shae¡¯s Poke Ball, taking a deep breath and willing her heart to settle. Months of tension had built up to this moment, and she was waiting for her sweet release. She looked at her long blonde hair, fluttering to the side, her cheeks turning red while recalling the moment she¡¯d tackled him when he¡¯d returned, lying atop him with her unbound locks veiling them in their own little world. If we continued like we were, I might be in trouble with my Fortitude. Jason could have pushed it and made me surrender. His Pokemon were stalling me out, but instead, he accepted the draw and hinged everything on our baby Pokemon¡­ If I¡¯m the star for him, he can be my anchor. Looking up, she prepared to release Shae as she exchanged a glance with Jason through the hologram. Her heart was full as she recalled every interaction they¡¯d had since that first kiss that had sent her to the moon, yet one incident returned¡ªone that was so¡­them. ¡°Hey, Jason,¡± she whispered, only loud enough for him to hear while holding up her device, ¡°remember that time you texted me to sneak out in Fuchsia and we walked around, talked, and got lost¡­ending up in that convenient store?¡± she asked with a smile. Jason chuckled. ¡°How could I forget? The contrast from dazzling goddess in a kimono to a pajama queen. You were teasing me that the guy behind the counter was hitting on you, offering you those discounts.¡± ¡°Hey, he totally was! And you were too busy stuffing your face with chips to notice.¡± ¡°Oh, I noticed! I just wanted to see what you¡¯d do. The skittish, awkward comments, trying to get out as fast as possible¡ªcute.¡± They both laughed, the memory easing the tension of the moment. Their parents watched from the sidelines, their expressions a mix of pride and amusement. It was a little embarrassing, but right now, she was just sharing a moment with her old best friend as they moved on to something better. Jason nodded, his expression turning serious but warm. ¡°Alright, you done stalling and ready to finish this?¡± ¡°Oh, shut-up! Shae is ready to show you what she has. And if you win, you get one wish! So make it count,¡± she whispered, unable to believe she actually said it. She giggled inside as it took a second for her boyfriend to respond. ¡°Well¡­I can¡¯t lose now. Let me turn that around on you. If I win, I¡¯m your servant for a day. I¡¯m yours, so make this last one a battle to remember.¡± Ahhh! Rhea screamed inside; he just couldn¡¯t let her have a win without pulling the uno reverse. I¡¯ll make you regret that! Rhea took a deep breath, calming her free-flying Butterfree, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. ¡°You too, Jason. Let¡¯s make this one to remember.¡± She threw her Pok¨¦ Ball, and as her final Pokemon emerged at the edge of the giant, water-filled crater Lulu had created. The battlefield was set for their ultimate showdown. * ¡ª * ¡ª * Shae emerged from her Pok¨¦ Ball, her Quirky Nature evident in the way she twirled upon appearing. The battlefield was vast, a giant crater filled with water from Lulu¡¯s previous attack, glistening under the sun¡¯s blinding lights. Shae¡¯s pink eyes sparkled as she took in the scene, feeling the residual energy from the previous battles. Wow, this place is huge when outside of your Poke Ball! So much space to play! ¡°It sure is, kid,¡± Mya said with a short chuckle. ¡°Try to stay focused, though¡ªwhat is that, Rhea?!¡± ¡°A Lapras,¡± Nova responded. ¡°We saw one on the Rescue Squad show, remember?¡± ¡°Right¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t remember,¡± Alice yawned. ¡°I¡¯m more interested in battling than kids TV shows.¡± Shae giggled as she heard Nova¡¯s low growl. ¡°Are you trying to say my favorite show makes me a kid?¡± ¡°No¡­¡± the bun mumbled unconvincingly. Her thoughts were quickly turned away upon seeing Lulu wave at her from atop Rhea¡¯s head. ¡°You¡¯re the best, friend! Jump and twirl to show dominance!¡± ¡°Yeah!¡± Shae cheered, following instructions, her black-and-white body twinkling in the sunlight. ¡°We¡¯re the best!¡± She spotted Serenade¡¯s calm and pretty sparkle reflected against the water as Jason¡¯s Lapras glided gracefully across the water. ¡°Hi there, Serenade!¡± Shae called out, her voice bubbling with excitement while hopping forward to the water¡¯s edge. ¡°Ready for some fun?¡± Serenade nodded, a serene smile on her slim face. ¡°Of course, Shae. Might I add that you have a lovely shine to your black hair?¡± ¡°You, too! I like your white shell and shiny black skin. The white stripe on your neck and lower fins is really, uh, what is the word?¡± ¡°Elegant!¡± Lulu chimed. ¡°Yeah, elegant!¡± ¡°How sweet. Thank you,¡± the tempered girl smiled. ¡°It looks like our Trainers are about to start.¡± ¡°Mhm! Ready.¡± Shae¡¯s heart raced with anticipation for her first battle, having watched closely how everyone fought. What should I do first? I don¡¯t know anything. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s show them what we¡¯ve got!¡± Rhea internally soothed as Nova and Mya repeated her inquiry. Shae tilted her head, confused. ¡°Oh! Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll tell you what to do. Just try to remain calm and have fun!¡± Okay! Franky floated up from the pond, between Serenade at its center and her on the shore. ¡°I want an eerie and spooky match,¡± he snickered, his big white teeth gleaming. ¡°On one, begin¡­ Three, two¡­one!¡± He vanished, and Shae¡¯s eyes widened, the world coming more in focus as Perception activated, heightening her awareness. She could sense Lulu¡¯s cheers and movements at her back as Rhea sent her first encouraging command. ¡°Let¡¯s start with Mystical Fire; use it on the pond to make steam, heat up the water, and block her view!¡± Rhea commanded, her voice filled with encouragement. Roger! Shae started to jog to the side, as Nova suggested, drawing in Rhea¡¯s sent energy for the first time; it felt as if flames were welling up within her whole body, filling her with delight. Holding up her right hand, sparkling purple, blue, and crimson fire twinkled into existence, leaving a trail of color. Conjuring the burst of magical flames, she pulled it close to her chest before projecting it across the water to skid over the surface toward the Lapras. The dancing flames flicked through the air, their enchanting glow momentarily captivating Shae. I did that? So pretty¡­ ¡°Eh?!¡± her toe hit a rock, making her tumble and roll to the ground as a thin beam of rainbow light cut through the mist, passing right over her to leave a thin smoking trail of burned stone. ¡°Aa-k! I¡¯m okay!¡± Hopping upright with another twirl, she noticed Lulu shaking Rhea¡¯s head band and forth with her gasps, clutching her hair. ¡°She dodged! She dodged!¡± ¡°Aurora Beam? Well played to sweep away the mist, Jason,¡± Rhea mused. ¡°We¡¯re going to have to¡ªDragon Dance?! What do you feed our Pokemon, Mom?!¡± Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°Impressive, Shae,¡± Serenade calmly complimented as the veil was swept away by the cut-through wind. ¡°But let¡¯s see how you handle this?¡± ¡°Quick, Shae, Confuse Ray!¡± A soft hum began to emanate from her, resonating with the natural rhythm of the water. She closed her eyes, a pulse of navy-blue energy radiating from her body, causing the water beneath Serenade to ripple, responding to the surge of power building within the Lapras. Slowly, Serenade began to sway, her long neck moving in graceful arcs. The air around her shimmered with an ethereal glow, a mixture of blue and violet light that pulsed in time with her movements. Each sway and turn became more fluid, more intense, as the dance progressed, increasing her Attack and Speed according to Nova¡¯s explanation. ¡°Focus, Shae! I know she¡¯s cool, and her dancing looks fun, but don¡¯t let it distract you in battle!¡± Shae watched in awe at the water¡¯s edge, her lips following open, mesmerized by elegance of the dance but she swiftly jolted out of her revere, building the eerie force within her. Sorry! The energy around Serenade intensified, forming visible streams of light that spiraled around her as Shae¡¯s eyes flashed purple. The pond¡¯s surface was pulled into a mesmerizing vortex of light and water. As she continued to dance, almost gliding over the water, the light enveloping her grew brighter, her body absorbing the power and channeling it into every fiber of her being. Shae extended her small arm, channeling the ghostly power into a single, concentrated point. A swirling orb of ghostly light formed, flickering and pulsing with a hypnotic rhythm. With a swift motion, she sent the shimmering orb hurling toward the Lapras, cutting through the ethereal glow of the Dragon Dance. With a final, powerful turn, Serenade¡¯s eyes opened and tried to dodge by jumping into the air with a blaze of fierce, draconic intensity. Yet, she didn¡¯t manage to escape; the orb hit, making the Lapras squint and try to stop herself from swaying. ¡°Nice!¡± Rhea roared. ¡°She¡¯s disoriented and seeing stars!¡± Serenade let out a melodic yet commanding roar, the sound reverberating through the air and water, sending waves rippling outward toward her. ¡°Not bad¡­Shae.¡± ¡°Now¡¯s our chance; use Shadow Sneak!¡± Shae slipped into her shadow, moving with lightning speed as a black shade upon the rippling waters. Connecting to Serenade¡¯s shadow, Shae leaped out of it to land on her hard-shelled back, striking at it with her shadow-infused fist. The attack landed, but Shae¡¯s eyes widened upon seeing the thin outline appear on impact¡ªSerenade¡¯s sturdy shell armor had absorbed most of the impact. ¡°Woah! You¡¯re so tough¡ªuh-oh, I¡¯m in the middle of the water, and I don¡¯t know how to swim!¡± ¡°Nice try, Shae,¡± Serenade said with a light chuckle, shaking off the confusion to look at her back with a small smirk. ¡°But you¡¯ll need more than that to penetrate my defenses.¡± Serenade retaliated by breathing in deeply, and Shae¡¯s vision widened as the world seemed to slow, and multiple outlines of the Lapras¡¯ attack flashed across her mind¡ªInstinct kicked in. Shae danced forward, using Serenade¡¯s long neck to slide around and stay ahead of the chilling, dry beam; everything it touched froze instantly, including a part of her own shell that easily broke away as the Lapras moved. ¡°Great job, Shae! Now, let¡¯s use Encore! That¡¯s a heavy Fortitude Move that will put pressure on Jason. Try to dodge¡ªwait, you Traced?¡± Shae clapped enthusiastically while landing back on her frosty shell, sending out a wave of compelling energy. Lights flashed over them, causing Serenade¡¯s eyes to widen, forced to repeat her last Move. Eyes focused on Serenade, a new Ability came into her arsenal, and not a moment too soon. The Freeze-Dry attack continued, but Shae was ready this time. Jumping off her shell, Shae¡¯s toes barely touched the rippling waters, a new type of energy flowing through her, allowing her to skate across the waves as if ice. Riding the waves, Shae laughed, Butterfree swelling in her belly as she spun and twirled around the beams of ice, swapping to the frozen paths when available. ¡°This is so much fun, Serenade!¡± Serenade smiled, her calm demeanor unshaken. ¡°Well played, Shae. It seems we can both dance across the waves now. But I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.¡± Shae¡¯s Perception and Instinct kept her agile and unpredictable amidst the blasts of freezing breath, while Serenade¡¯s calm and collected nature waited for the Encore to pass, only using Freeze-Dry to block line of sight and keep Shae moving across the surface. It didn¡¯t take long for Shae to see something new, though¡ªSerenade, much smaller than a fully grown Lapras, dove into the pond. This is so much fun, and I¡¯m learning so much! Shae projected to her teammates. I could do this all day! Shae¡¯s eyes sparkled with determination, her Quirky Nature never allowing her to stay still for too long while Perception helped her track Serenade under the waves. Wow, she¡¯s so fast underwater! What¡¯s the plan? Nova¡¯s voice echoed in her mind. ¡°Stay agile and use the water to your advantage. You can keep up with her. Just remember, she¡¯s not just calm but tough. Don¡¯t let her throw you off balance.¡± Got it! ¡°Alright, Shae, let''s keep it going!¡± Rhea¡¯s voice cut through the intensity of the battle, filled with unwavering support. ¡°Misty Terrain!¡± Stars and mist swirled around Shae as she gathered Rhea¡¯s intoxicating energy, creating a film of fog to hide in while skating over the waves. Serenade surfaced gracefully, her eyes meeting Shae¡¯s with a serene smile as she peered over the mist. ¡°You¡¯re quite the little dancer, Shae. But let¡¯s see how you handle this.¡± ¡°Uh-oh. Those look dangerous!¡± A brown aura projected around the Lapras, forming into large rocks that launched her way. Shae remained mobile, trying to follow the trajectory of each one, but when she jumped over one, the one behind it was aimed just right to slam into her body. Shae winced as her energy matrix took a heavy hit, and using Wave Rider to give herself purchase, Shae gained a burst of speed to dodge the remainder of them as the stones created more waves for her to use upon striking the pond. ¡°Nice try,¡± she laughed, ¡°but I¡¯m fast enough with your ability to get away from most of those! Now, take this!¡± Mystical flames erupted from her outstretched hand, mixing with the sparkly mist. The vibrant inferno skidded across the water towards Serenade, licking over the surface and creating steam that engulfed Serenade. Shae couldn¡¯t even look down in time to see the thin, multi-colored ray pierce the water at an angle below her, hitting her square in the chest and throwing her into the air¡ªAurora Beam. Serenity had dived below and countered. Shooting through the superheated air and steam to tumble over the ground, Shae coughed. Serenade¡¯s head slid through the surface, her voice still calm, yet her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°Impressive Moves, Shae. But let¡¯s get a bit more serious.¡± Shae struggled to her feet, having never taken a hit before like that; the single Ancient Power rock couldn¡¯t compare. It felt like she was close to collapsing. ¡°Wow! You¡¯re pretty strong, Serenade. It¡¯s like you¡¯re actually a lot stronger than me¡­¡± ¡°Use Disarming Voice, Shae!¡± Serenade breathed in and let out a jet of water, while Shae released a melodious cry, the sound waves cutting through the air and meeting the stream. The focused sound displaced the jet, sending water raining over them and canceling each other out. Shae winced as the charged droplets fell over her; it was hardly strong, but her energy matrix was already super low. ¡°Again, not bad, Shae. But it¡¯s time to turn up the heat.¡± Shae acted on instinct, clapping her hands while absorbing Rhea¡¯s energy as the Lapras paused just as cobalt energy began to gather around her and spotlights struck her, preventing another Dragon Dance. Shae¡¯s heart pounded. That was a close one! What next? ¡°Nice, Shae!¡± Rhea cheered. ¡°Watch out!¡± Much slower on land, Shae tried to run away from the jets of water the Lapras launched at her, the pretty girl looking amused. ¡°What do I do? What do I do?!¡± she cried. ¡°Agghghh!¡± Pushed further back onto the land by the fast-moving liquid, Serenade swam closer to pursue as Shae felt her energy matrix getting dangerously low. It felt like the Lapras was so much stronger than her for some reason when they were supposed to be newborns. Rhea¡¯s guiding voice answered her. ¡°Shadow Sneak! Get back into position.¡± A Water Gun flew over her as Shae fell into her shadow, weaving across the stone and water as Serenade¡¯s blasts tried to predict her jagged movements. She darted across the battlefield with incredible speed, emerging from the Lapras¡¯ shadow to deliver a swift strike infused with shadow energy. The attack landed, but Serenade¡¯s sturdy shell absorbed most of the impact yet again. She gulped as Serenade¡¯s bright pink eyes were inches away from her, showing a satisfied smile. ¡°You did good for your first battle. Unlucky for you, this is not mine.¡± ¡°Oh¡­that makes sense.¡± Bluish white energy steamed off Serenade¡¯s skin, rising into the air. A dense fog swiftly formed above the battlefield, pulling Shae¡¯s gaze skyward as the heat of the sun was blotted out. The energy coalesced into a towering cloud that hovered ominously, its size and intensity growing within seconds¡ªthere was no escape. Mya gasped. ¡°No way! It¡¯s that big?¡± Nova gave her an option, though. ¡°Avalanche?! Use your biggest Move against it!¡± ¡°Good luck,¡± Serenade winked, diving under the waves as the air chilled and snow appeared around them. ¡°You¡¯ll need it.¡± Shae hardly had time to jump onto the waves and touch the surface, sparks forming at the tip of her hand. Yet, at that moment, the cloud unleashed a torrential downpour of snow and ice, charged with Ice-Type energy. Her hand rose, flames erupting to combat it, but her quick and unstable Move was overwhelmed by the sheer force of the Avalanche, burying her in a field of white that collapsed around her in a massive, crushing wave. Everything went black as she sank below the waves. Yet, she landed on something incredibly soft and warm, a melodic voice whispering into her ear. ¡°Don¡¯t cry. It was an excellent battle. I look forward to our next¡­¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea scanned the battlefield, now a tranquil scene of settling snow over the frozen pond. She watched as Serenade¡¯s horned head broke through the surface, Shae resting on her back, the melodic voice of the Lapras whispering comfortingly to the unconscious Ralts. Pride thumped in Rhea¡¯s chest, mingling with the exhaustion that made her legs feel like jelly. She¡¯d given it everything¡ªevery ounce of strength and strategy¡ªalthough also been reckless with their energy. Despite the risky tactics they¡¯d taken, he¡¯d won. Jason had come out on top. Although, it did shock him how powerful their genetically enhanced Pok¨¦mon could be if higher-tier Trainers fed them their Fortitude. He really did it, she internally whispered to her Pokemon. They survived Nova¡¯s versatility in a surprise upset. They managed to keep Alice busy and match her speed. They mitigated Lulu¡¯s ultimate attack, empowered by V. And finally¡­they bypassed Mya¡¯s Hyper Cutter to lower her Attack and kept her confused¡­ Jason really is strong. I bet he¡¯s nearly tapped, though. Rhea¡¯s heart swelled with gratitude and pride as the Lapras carried Shae to the shore so she could be recalled. Holding up her Pok¨¦ Ball, the beam connected to her, returning the fainted Ralts to her new little home to rest. Across the field, Jason went to the edge of the pond and did the same with Serenade. A warm, sunny light began to spread across the field as Franky sent a solar ball into the sky, clearing the ice. Rhea hung up the battle chat and started walking around the edge of the devastated zone to meet Jason. Their parents kept a respectful distance, but Rhea could see their glowing faces. We¡¯re not a show! Jeez. Jason met her on the grassy field beside the rocky lakeside. His warm amber eyes sparkled as they locked onto her coral irises, his lips pulling into a gentle smile. ¡°You look like you could use a break,¡± he teased, his voice soft. Rhea chuckled, pretending to trip as she reached him. ¡°Maybe you should catch me with those shaky legs of yours,¡± she shot back, her legs truly feeling weak as he caught her, steadying her against his body. ¡°Maybe you should catch me,¡± he countered, his grip firm despite his own obvious exhaustion. ¡°That was probably the last Move Serenade and I could do, so I wanted to make it a wide-ranged one you couldn¡¯t dodge. You had me scared there for a bit¡­ You¡¯re no simple shock, little Joltik.¡± She laughed, sounding light and free to her own ears while staring up into his eyes. ¡°You actually won¡­ What did that mean again?¡± she started to ask, only to shriek a little as his legs gave way, taking her with him as he landed on his back, her on his chest. ¡°You did that on purpose,¡± she accused, breathless and lightly smacking his shaking chest as he laughed, the reverberations transferring to her much smaller frame. ¡°Didn''t you fake fall, too?¡± he mused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. ¡°Isn¡¯t retaliation fair game?¡± Rhea couldn''t help but smile, looking into his tired face. ¡°That¡¯s fair.¡± ¡°Is it, though?¡± Jason brushed back her bangs, his touch gentle and fingers rough. ¡°So, what did winning mean again?¡± She shook her head, her heart fluttering. ¡°You''re hopeless. Amnesia already? Let me remind you.¡± She leaned in, her lips meeting his in a long, tender kiss. Her heart soared, every worry and exhaustion melting away in that perfect moment. She felt the warmth of his lips, the electric connection that sent shivers down her spine. It was like the world faded, leaving only the two of them, wrapped in their own universe. Pulling back, she saw the soft glow in his eyes. He chuckled, one strong hand steading her against him. ¡°I missed that. What did we do again? Do you think I could get another example?¡± Rhea snorted, knocking her forehead gently against his. ¡°You''re the worst.¡± He pushed himself up just enough to meet her lips again, tickling her nose before pulling back and touching foreheads again. ¡°Correction, I¡¯m the best because I have the best girl in my sight.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks flushed, a warm, contented glow spreading through her. She looked into his eyes, her heart full. Yeah, he really is the best, but I¡¯ll never tell him that! He¡¯ll get too big of a head, and then who will keep me grounded? ¡°One more,¡± she chimed, forcing him down and running her fingers through the back of his hair. ¡°And another one after that.¡± ¡°Your wish is my command.¡± B4 — 38. Hone Claw, Mom Edition
    12:45 p.m. October 26th, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 139. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (39 days away).
    Rhea rolled off of Jason with a bit of reluctance, knowing they had an audience. Her legs still felt like jelly, but her body was hot as magma. She breathed a small sigh while forcing herself to sit up and look out over the battlefield. Her trembling arm could barely hold herself up, feeling every ounce of exertion from the intense battle. The devastation and crater from their last bout were vivid in her mind. ¡°I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m still standing¡ªwell, conscious¡ªafter all that,¡± she whispered, Jason joining her with a low groan, his face still bright red. ¡°I remember in our first battle, just a few Sucker Punches and a Sword Dance from Mya put me in the hospital four and a half months ago.¡± Jason bumped shoulders with her, electricity sparking through Rhea¡¯s arm to her thumping heart as his large hand overshadowed hers. ¡°And now you¡¯re blowing apart stone to create ponds. We¡¯ve both grown a lot.¡± Rhea brushed back a loose strand of hair with a short chuckle. ¡°Yeah, using the First Gate of V¡¯s power while further enhancing it by using Lulu¡¯s Legendary Energy didn¡¯t have much to do with it¡­ You won, which means¡­¡± ¡°I get to be your servant for a day,¡± he snickered, flashing his teeth. ¡°I¡¯m a servant if I win or lose; the only difference is¡­I get the choose to the day, Ms. Joltik.¡± ¡°Now I¡¯m scared,¡± Rhea hummed, giving him a dubious stare. ¡°What occasion and setting will you choose to cater to my whims?¡± ¡°Wait,¡± he glanced up with a slight frown. ¡°Isn¡¯t that every day?¡± ¡°Cut it out!¡± she huffed, playfully knocking her head against his shoulder. ¡°I¡¯m more interested in the reverse, and since I¡¯m a generous girlfriend, as a hidden prize,¡± she whispered, vision creasing with intrigue while seeing the amber-eyed boy gulp, ¡°you have a day of servitude from your ¡®golden goddess.¡¯ Interested?¡± Rhea almost cringed at the nickname, yet she felt Jason¡¯s hand turn up a degree or two atop hers with his flushed face. She was winning the heart rate war! Now, to dig the dagger in deeper. Crossing her legs and plucking at her skirt, she leaned to the side to look up at him intently, doing her best to keep her breath steady and not fold. ¡°So¡­what kind of tasks would you have me do, Master?¡± ¡°Ahem¡­ I¡¯ll have to get back to you on that, but¡­having a little Yamper following me around wouldn¡¯t be so bad.¡± Rhea¡¯s eyes widened at the comparison, now seeing an internal image of herself dressed up as a Yamper while chasing after Jason¡¯s heels. ¡°You wouldn¡¯t dare!¡± she choked, face burning and now seeing Annila hiding in the background snapping photos of her all dressed up. ¡°I won¡¯t do that!¡± ¡°What¡ªhey!¡± Jason cried out as Rhea found enough strength to punch him in the arm. ¡°What did I say? Wait,¡± his left eye creased with curiosity while retreating and trying to defend himself from her flushed cheeks. ¡°What are you imagining because whatever I was wouldn¡¯t have elicited that reaction? Where is your mind, Honeypot?¡± ¡°Nowhere you¡¯ll be finding soon,¡± she smiled, ¡°but maybe Bi will be. She likes to do that kind of stuff from time-to-time.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Rhea giggled at the totally lost look on her boyfriend¡¯s face and decided to pivot as their family looked to be growing restless. ¡°Well, in any case, I¡¯ll be with your mom this week,¡± she said with a strained laugh, glancing over at the blue-haired woman as she snapped picture after picture. ¡°I¡¯m already terrified.¡± ¡°You¡¯re terrified?¡± Jason creased an eye while glancing between the water-filled crater and her, regaining his composure. ¡°You obviously haven¡¯t faced an electrified Honeypot because that Muk had me sweating worse than any Gym Battle I had in Kalos. I swear, Bolt and Sunny thought Lulu was the incarnation of Arceus, casting Judgment on them.¡± ¡°¡­I¡¯m worth it, though, huh? Well, in any case, I look forward to delivering both your prizes,¡± she said with a real smile that seemed to give him a heart attack as she leaned in and kissed him one last time on the lips. The connection sent a jolt through her mouth and made the tips of her hair tingle. Upon pulling away, she asked, ¡°Where will you be going while I¡¯m gone?¡± Jason¡¯s voice was soft as he rubbed the back of his head and looked her straight in the eyes. ¡°Probably Cinnabar Island since that¡¯s likely where you¡¯ll be by the time you¡¯re done with my mom. Amira and Lori will probably have fought Saria Surge in Vermilion by then and gotten the Encrusted Badge.¡± ¡°Fingers crossed,¡± Rhea chimed in, Lulu pumping her arm nearby. ¡°Nee!¡± ¡°Mhm. And my mom¡¯s got some stuff she wants to do with me there¡ªfamily picture stuff. I¡¯ll wait for you there with my dad, okay?¡± Rhea nodded, a warm smile on her face. ¡°You better be there. We¡¯ve got more battles ahead of us.¡± With a final hug that felt like she was butter, Jason turned and walked toward his parents, leaving her with her thoughts and the echoes of their battle playing through her mind. She felt a mix of pride and hope for their future, ready for the next steps in her journey. He went to Kalos and was pulled back by my gravity¡­ Way to give me a big head! she internally cried, watching him walk away again, but, this time, it felt totally different. Lori, Amira¡­thank you for helping me get this far¡­for pushing me out of my comfort zone. Her father and mother made a few light comments in passing while moving to join her. Lulu teleported onto her head, swinging down to hug her neck before perching on her shoulder. Franky floated up nearby with a tissue box, blowing his nose and crying like a proud parent watching his little ghostling growing up, making Rhea smile. ¡°Well?¡± her mother engaged, hand held in her father¡¯s. ¡°That looks a lot more steamy and romantic than I thought I¡¯d be comfortable with, but my heart was melting watching you two.¡± ¡°Really, Mom?¡± Rhea huffed with a playful, accusatory glare. ¡°I saw that look on your face, and I bet you¡¯ll be in Annila¡¯s next scrapbooking gathering with those pictures she took.¡± Her father nodded with a deep chuckle while pulling her close. ¡°Oh, no doubt, she¡¯s got some new favorite computer backgrounds she¡¯s going to blast out to the family. You should thank Annila for not sharing them yet, or else your phone would be going crazy right now.¡± ¡°I bet,¡± Rhea whispered, thinking about how her family would react to her first public kissing pictures since her first ¡®real¡¯ kiss in the Hidden Ninja Village was still private. ¡°He really beat me, Dad¡­ Hah. With help from you and Mom! Conspiring against your own daughter,¡± she accused, making them laugh. ¡°Are we, though?¡± her dad mused. ¡°Some losses are worth it, no?¡± ¡°Oh, I like that!¡± her mother snickered. ¡°I¡¯m totally stealing that for a scrapbook headline. So, how are you feeling? A little better now that you¡¯re not using your Fortitude? I still can¡¯t believe how much control you have over V¡¯s power.¡± Rhea shivered on instinct, recalling the nightmarish snow temple training. ¡°You¡¯d know how I gained that much control if you knew how insane Maria the Evil Priestess is! And yes, I¡¯m feeling a little better, but I probably shouldn¡¯t release any of my Pokemon until I get a chance to sleep¡­ It¡¯s nice knowing Lulu can¡¯t channel her Legendary Energy that much before she¡¯s tapped out herself,¡± she said, reaching up to pat the cloudy girl. ¡°We can work on that.¡± ¡°Neee.¡± ¡°So¡­ I think it¡¯s about time I head off with Annila,¡± she sighed, watching the cobalt-haired woman break away from her son to join her. Her mother quickly moved in for a hug before breaking away, her father opening his arms for her to enter them after. With a few more parting words, they turned, hand-in-hand, to rejoin Jason and his father. Annila arrived with sparkling amber eyes. ¡°Ready for a little adventure, Rhea?¡± Rhea breathed in deeply and puffed it out in a long stream before flashing her teeth in a stressed smile. ¡°A little frightened, to be honest. Where are we going?¡± The woman winked. ¡°It¡¯s a surprise. But let¡¯s just say it¡¯s a place to relax and get to know each other better.¡± Rhea did a once-over of her ponytail and a casual, yet practical outfit perfect for a wilderness adventure. Her sturdy hiking boots, khaki cargo shorts with plenty of pockets, and lightweight, breathable jacket over a fitted T-shirt spoke of a forest or jungle venture. She held up her expensive camera, strapped around her neck, as Stella, her Starmie, exited her Poke Ball to spin around her. She blinked as Sunny came jogging over with her backpack, making a few comments to Alice, still in her Poke Ball. Rhea giggled as he looked like he had a heart attack, tripping once on his way back. It helped Rhea smile without looking nervous as Annila snapped a photo of them, lowering it with a beaming expression. ¡°It seems Sunny finally worked up the courage to ask Alice out on a date next Sunday. Ready?¡± ¡°Aww. That¡¯s adorable,¡± she said, feeling the excitement from her dancing Lopunny, getting congratulations from her teammates. ¡°I¡¯m as ready as I¡¯ll ever be¡­¡± ¡°To adventure!¡± Annila chimed, holding up her camera with a sly smirk as a flash of rainbow lights enveloped the area from Stella, spinning above them. Rhea felt the familiar, tingling sensation of teleportation wash over her as she materialized on the Razz Wood bridge. Rhea blinked as the rainbow lights faded, revealing the familiar surroundings. She looked up as a sharp breeze pulled at her bound locks, her mouth parting in disbelief. The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over what appeared to be a festival. The bridge, crafted from the rich, reddish-brown wood, stretched across a wide, gentle stream that whispered beneath her feet. Above her, Cydonia and Amagi trees stretched their limbs, their golden-red and bright-red leaves creating a fiery canopy. Petals drifted down like gentle rain, catching the light as they fell and casting a mesmerizing dance of colors around her. Each petal seemed to shimmer with its own inner glow, painting the scene with hues of autumn. Vibrant stalls lined the streets, their colorful canopies swaying gently in the breeze as Flying Pokemon soared through the air. The atmosphere was thick with the mingling scents of Kanto traditional foods, while the soft strains of classical Kanto music played by street performers, creating a lively yet nostalgic scene. Annila, ever the picture enthusiast, stood a few paces away, her camera clicking rapidly as Rhea slowly turned in a short circle, capturing the moment she¡¯d arrived on the bridge. The soft flutter of petals around her added a surreal touch to the moment. The water flowed gently beneath the dark, Razz Wood bridge, the sunlight glinting off its surface, enhancing the much more tranquil fall festive ambiance than she recalled in late summer. ¡°Fuchsia?¡± Rhea whispered, taking in the moment to absorb the scene. Annila¡¯s excited voice broke through Rhea¡¯s reverie. ¡°Hold that pose, Sweetie! The light is perfect right now.¡± Rhea turned slightly, her coral-blue eyes catching the light just right, and gave a soft smile at the woman¡¯s fervor. Annila¡¯s camera clicked again, capturing her thrilled shock in time. The paper lanterns swayed overhead, their gentle light adding to the warm glow of the festival. People in traditional kimonos moved about, their laughter and chatter blending with the music. The entire city was similar, yet totally different from the summer vibe she and Jason had shared together. It seemed to pulse with a gentler life and tradition, a testament to the cultural heritage of Kanto. As Rhea hoisted her backpack over one shoulder, she began to move to the edge of the bridge to look down at the small boats. It carried a fall wedding couple, their caravan in-tow to their ocean or beach-side ceremony. The petals continued their descent, swirling around them in a gentle embrace from the flapping Bird Pokemon as the season gradually turned toward winter. She walked towards the heart of the festival, each step resonating with the fire-like memories of where she¡¯d first struggled through her love for Jason. The bridge behind her was framed by the cascading petals, and remained a picturesque memory of her arrival. Annila silently followed behind her, letting her soak in the atmosphere. The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. The festival-goers greeted her with warm smiles and nods in passing, clad in vibrant kimonos and yukatas strolled along the cobblestone streets, their garments a tapestry of colors and patterns, each more beautiful than the last. It made her want to break out her own traditional outfit. Traditional games and performances dotted the streets, reminding her of some of the games she¡¯d played with Jason. Children laughing and adults reminiscing brought a calming energy to her tired body as if she were soaking it in and using it as fuel. The atmosphere was infectious, and Rhea found herself immersed in the celebration. Annila continued to snap photos, capturing not just her but the essence of the festival itself. Each click of her camera was a moment frozen in time, a testament to the vibrant life of Fuchsia City. The falling petals, the golden-red leaves of the Cydonia trees, and the bright red leaves of the Amagi trees created a scene straight out of a painting, and Rhea was at its heart. Rhea glanced around, taking in the sight of Fuchsia City dressed in its autumn finery. The Cydonia and Amagi trees added their own splashes of color to the landscape, their leaves a riot of gold and red that complemented the fading azure petals of the few lingering Kelpsy trees. ¡°You¡¯re a natural,¡± Annila whispered, adjusting her angle to get the best shot of Rhea amidst the falling petals. Rhea smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest that had nothing to do with the sun overhead as she turned and paused for Annila to be finished and join her. She felt a sense of peace and belonging, as if Fuchsia itself was welcoming her with open arms. The city had a special place in her heart; the festive atmosphere, the beauty of the natural surroundings, and the memories of the memories made here lingered in her heart, ones she would cherish forever. Annila lowered her camera, her face breaking into a soft smile. ¡°You look amazing, Rhea,¡± she said upon joining her. ¡°I think we¡¯ve got some real gems here.¡± Rhea giggled, a light, joyous sound that blended perfectly with the music and the murmurs of the crowd compared to the anxiety she¡¯d felt minutes before. ¡°Thank you, Annila. It¡¯s all so beautiful here. I¡¯m glad we came¡­but this is just a short stop before the real camping sight, right? I thought we were going camping.¡± Annila chuckled, her amber eyes twinkling with mischief as she looped arms with her and guided her down a very familiar road Amira had previously taken her. ¡°I said that to throw everyone off. I really wanted to get away and relax with you rather than do some old-fashioned camping trip, although I know you like them.¡± ¡°No, this is wonderful,¡± Rhea whispered, feeling the cage around her heart open to new possibilities in the liberating city. ¡°I thought so¡­ This place holds a lot of memories for you, right?¡± she asked, turning down a stone wall to take her in front of the spa Amira had booked for them last time. ¡°Especially with my son. I thought it would be the perfect spot for us to connect on a deeper level and for me to better understand how you feel.¡± Rhea felt a wave of pleasant surprise and gratitude wash over her. ¡°That sounds¡­wonderful, Annila. I¡¯d love to spend some time here and get to know you better. Are we just going to explore Fuchsia the whole time?¡± Annila smiled warmly, wrapping an arm around Rhea¡¯s shoulders while directing her toward the front entrance of the spa. ¡°Great! I thought helping you relax after that battle in a restorative spa might also help alleviate your nerves and fatigue. As for the future? I¡¯m not locked down by anything in particular.¡± A siren filled the air, and Annila strained a smile while hurrying them into the spa. ¡°I¡¯ll probably have to leave you to soak for a bit alone and handle my illegal teleportation fee into the city. I don¡¯t have the same privileges as some of the other Trainers, despite being a Grandmaster. Fun fact, I tried to take the Cerulean Gym from Misty a few years ago¡­ I lost. It was embarrassing. You¡¯re the first person to know that besides my husband and Misty herself.¡± Rhea giggled, happy to learn more secrets about the strict and intimidating instructor she¡¯d had growing up. ¡°I look forward to hearing the details. If I can get a good hour or two of rest, then maybe I can let my Pokemon out to explore with us¡­ Thank you. I really am looking forward to this.¡± Annila¡¯s face showed a mother¡¯s smile. ¡°It¡¯s me who should be thankful to you for allowing me to get to know you better¡­ I¡¯ve let my bias toward your mother cloud my judgment of you for too long, and yes, there was some overlap, I¡¯m sure, that was unfair to you. I¡¯d like to correct that¡­ Mmm.¡± The blue-haired woman trailed off as rainbow lights brought five tough-looking police officers around them, Stella floating nearby with an Imprison seal on her. One of the men sighed, glaring at the smiling cobalt-haired mother. ¡°Sorry, Hank, it was for the perfect moment! I had to catch her face and reaction at the perfect spot.¡± ¡°And that¡¯s why you had Stella lead us on a wild Diglett chase across the city?¡± ¡°Exactly! I couldn¡¯t have you ruining my shot,¡± she explained as if it was the most obvious and understandable thing. ¡°I¡¯m happy to say, there are more than a few gems in my collection now. So¡­will it be Jenny or Janine this time?¡± The man sighed, rubbing his neck as the other four Master Officers chuckled. ¡°Gym Leader Janine since Constable Jenny is currently occupied with her family.¡± ¡°Phew!¡± Annila laughed. ¡°I¡¯ll be back within the hour then, Rhea. I¡¯ve already checked us in, and they remember you. Be back soon. Then we can explore and talk. I want to hear all about your time here with Jason. I want to understand how you feel and experience it first hand.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart welled with new-found affection for Annila, unable to help an entertained chuckle as she was carted off by the police. ¡°I¡¯d like that a lot. Thank you for doing this.¡± Lulu chirped with excitement to soak in the relaxing waters again as she turned to enter the inviting front doors. She recognized a few of the attendants, who waved and smiled at Lulu¡¯s energetic greetings, hopping between employees to hug each person¡¯s neck. ¡°This place is just as beautiful as I remember,¡± Rhea whispered to her Pokemon while looking around. ¡°Amira, Lori, and I had such a good time here. And Jason¡­¡± She shook her head as she was guided to her room, which was a double-bed, shared room, no doubt for the mother to talk with her late into the night. ¡°Jason is a total Tepig, having me sneak out and hang out with him¡­ I had such a great time here.¡± Expanding her portable closet, she put her clothes in the hamper and donned the included robe that had been given to her, her size profile still within the spa¡¯s database. Lulu bounced on her head as she went to the larger, more public female spa area. Doing the pre-spa routine, she felt her tired muscles starting to complain again just as she found a secluded area with a sleeping spot. She made sure to place her Poke Balls nearby when she recharged enough for her other Pokemon to join her. The warm liquid marinated her skin as she let herself relax in the steamy atmosphere. Her mind drifted back to her time with Jason in Fuchsia City, their first gravity-defying kiss that had left her breathless, the exciting thrill of sneaking out to meet him at night and hang out, and the moment he¡¯d told her he was leaving after awakening something new in her heart. This place really is magical, she told her patient little girls. I can see why Amira chose it for us last time. Jason and I made some great¡­and bitter memories here. Eventually, her drifting mind fell into an oblivion, and it wasn¡¯t until a soft splash a distance away that it was pulled out of the darkness. Opening her blurry eyes, she saw a woman a distance away settling in, Annila soaking inside the water beside her, eyes closed. The older woman was stunning for being in her late thirties, practically ageless in her mid-twenties now for life due to being a Grandmaster. She wore a stylish one-piece bathing suit, her blue hair pulled up into a high bun. ¡°Did you have a good rest?¡± Annila asked, eyes still closed, her voice soft and inviting. Rhea breathed a relaxed sigh, noticing her released Pokemon floating nearby, and a smile spread across her face. ¡°I did. This place is just as amazing as I remember. Thank you for bringing me here, Annila. I feel about 20% recharged.¡± Annila returned the smile, her amber eyes twinkling with warmth as they half-opened. ¡°I¡¯m glad you¡¯re enjoying it. I thought this would be a perfect place for us to relax and get to know each other better, away from the crowd and chatter.¡± Rhea felt a flutter of nerves but also a sense of adventurous exploration at getting to know the strict woman she remembered growing up; she seemed so much different now. ¡°I¡¯d love that. It¡¯s been such a whirlwind lately. I could use some downtime.¡± They settled into a comfortable silence, the sound of the bubbling water creating a serene backdrop. After a time, Annila turned to her with a curious expression. ¡°So, tell me about your time here with Jason. How did it feel? I¡¯ve heard stories about a video but your mother won¡¯t share it with me without both of your permission.¡± You¡¯re amazing, Mom! Rhea internally cried. Remind me to get you some caffeine and sugar. Sorry, Dad, but she deserves to be a little Impidimp for that! Rhea took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. ¡°It was¡­amazing, to be honest¡ªshocking. He jokes about me being the Joltik,¡± she mumbled, ¡°but he¡¯s the one always stealing my breath away and Thunderbolting me¡­¡± ¡°Oh?¡± Annila¡¯s chest puffed up before releasing a prolonged sigh. ¡°I can¡¯t say I was the most thrilled mother, watching how close Katelin and Jason got with your family¡­despite how much I adore your father. He was my best friend growing up, and I made peace with his side of things, but your mother¡­ It¡¯s complicated. ¡°I couldn¡¯t do anything about Kate since she was the one that went after your brother,¡± she groaned, rubbing between her eyes and making Rhea¡¯s brow furrow. ¡°Yeah¡­ I hated Kate growing up to be honest¡­ It felt like she was stealing my brother. I only had Sabin, my dad, and Jason. When Sabin started spending all his time with Kate, then left on his journey, Bi went off to do her career, leaving me with only my dad¡­ Jason was all I felt like I had. My mom was all but absent, so Jason and I did everything together.¡± ¡°You two were inseparable¡­¡± Rhea rested her neck against a squishy cushion, looking up at the black sky and rustic-hued trees in the gentle spa lights. ¡°To be honest¡­I never looked twice at Jason like that. He was just my best friend¡­and then, he took me on a walk in the ninja dojo and asked to kiss me.¡± She smiled as she felt the quake run down Annila¡¯s frame through the water. ¡°So¡­he asked you first, huh? I always told him to be direct, but I didn¡¯t expect that.¡± ¡°I don¡¯t even remember if I said yes or no,¡± she admitted with a weak laugh. ¡°I was totally blindsided¡ªit was intense,¡± she whispered, lifting a hand to touch her tingling lips while recalling the citrus flavor that popped in her mouth. ¡°I was so confused. After that, he took me on a walk to confess to me how he really felt. It was so¡­visceral, real¡­honest. And¡­I said I didn¡¯t know how I felt, but I did feel excited¡­a lot of pressure all over my body, like electricity shooting through my muscles.¡± Annila straightened her back against the wall, resting her arms over the edge while staring across the steaming pool. ¡°I can relate¡­ My first kiss was like that, too. So, how did he respond?¡± ¡°He was understanding¡­ He texted me late at night to get me to come out in my PJs to go bumming around Fuchsia, which was amazing and magical. We explored the city, talked about our dreams and fears, and just enjoyed being together. It was one of the first times I felt truly connected to him on a deeper level.¡± Annila listened intently, her expression thoughtful. ¡°It sounds like you two have a special bond already, built up through years that was able to quickly blossom. I¡¯ve seen how he looks at you, Rhea. He cares about you¡­a lot.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± she gulped, her lips becoming a line. ¡°We shared a lot of laughs and some pretty intense moments too. We played games and went on a date of sorts, him just wanting to hang out a little¡­and then he told me he was leaving.¡± ¡°Booo.¡± ¡°So booo,¡± Rhea grumbled, lowering herself to dip half her face underwater to glare at a rock for a moment to collect her feelings. ¡°...I¡¯d just start to figure out that I might like him, and then he just ups and leaves. But¡­at least he was sweet about it, telling me that it was to try and keep up with me.¡± Rhea felt a warmth in her chest at Annila¡¯s earlier words, mirroring them. ¡°I care about him a lot too. He¡¯s always been there for me, even when things got tough. Our short relationship has had its ups and downs, sure, but I feel like I¡¯ve grown so much since¡­starting whatever this is. I think that¡¯s what makes it special.¡± Annila nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of understanding and curiosity. ¡°Relationships are always a journey. What have been some other challenges you¡¯ve faced?¡± Rhea hesitated for a moment, playing with her toes under the water, then decided to be honest. ¡°I¡¯ve¡­struggled with self-doubt a lot, which is something I didn¡¯t really have until I started my journey and got out into the world. I felt¡­lacking compared to Amira and Lori especially. ¡°Sometimes I feel like I¡¯m not good enough for him, or that I was holding him back when he was in Kalos. But Jason has always been supportive¡ªthe pictures he sent me are¡­ Let¡¯s just say he took after you in some departments,¡± she said with a strained laugh, definitely not willing to show her some of them. ¡°Amira and Lori had to tell me to cool it when he got back because I just¡­dove in. Anyway, umm, he believes in me, even when I don¡¯t believe in myself¡­¡± Annila¡¯s gaze softened while shifting her head to look at her, and she reached out to squeeze Rhea¡¯s hand. ¡°It¡¯s normal to have those feelings, especially in a relationship where you care so deeply. But from what I¡¯ve seen, you and Jason complement each other. You bring out the best in each other.¡± Rhea¡¯s face reddened, feeling a surge of gratitude she didn¡¯t know she needed until now; it felt like approval. ¡°Thank you. It means a lot to hear that. I¡¯m still figuring things out, but I¡¯m grateful to have Jason and all the support from our friends and family.¡± They continued to talk, sharing stories and experiences. Annila opened up about her own journey, her struggles, and triumphs. Rhea found herself feeling more connected to Annila, appreciating the chance to see her as more than just Jason¡¯s mother or her former instructor. As the evening wore on, they eventually left the spa and enjoyed a quiet dinner together. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, filled with laughter and heartfelt conversations. Rhea felt a growing sense of belonging and acceptance, grateful for this time with Annila compared to the terror she¡¯d felt before. Over the next week, Rhea and Annila spent their days exploring Fuchsia City, visiting familiar spots, and discovering new ones that she wanted to bring Jason to next. They enjoyed the local cuisine, participated in traditional games, and even took part in a few cultural battle festivals while Annila coached Nova on some tricks she could do with her Vaporeon form. Each day brought them closer, their bond strengthening with every shared experience. Rhea felt herself opening up more, sharing her dreams and fears with Annila. In turn, Annila shared stories of her past in the Ultra War, her hopes for the future, and her deep love for her family. Although, she refused to get into the details regarding the feud she had with her mother. Not wanting to pry or sour their week together, Rhea let it go unanswered for now. Annila kept her busy with some personal training, as well, further creating new memories that Rhea knew she would cherish forever. Annila was more than her childhood instructor and the scary mom of her best friend, now boyfriend. She¡¯d been a teenage girl once, and had more than twenty years more experience and baggage to carry, which helped her put some things revolving around her own mother into perspective. By the end of the week, Rhea felt a profound sense of connection with Annila. She had gained a new perspective on her relationship with Jason and a deeper appreciation for the people who supported her journey. She felt¡­accepted. As a bonus, Lori and Amira had won their Encrusted Fairy Heart Badges and were on their way to the islands. Jason was already there, and Rhea¡¯s legs felt weak thinking about what he had planned for her since it would take another day for her teammates to reach Cinnabar. Rhea hugged Annila tightly after being teleported outside of the city¡ªthe mother not wanting to get picked up by this Constable Jenny for some reason¡ªfeeling a mix of gratitude and affection. ¡°Thank you for everything, Annila. This week has meant so much to me,¡± Rhea said, her voice filled with emotion as she held up her phone. ¡°I can¡¯t believe we took over five thousand pictures.¡± Annila smiled, her amber eyes glistening with tears. ¡°It¡¯s been a pleasure, Rhea. I¡¯m so glad we had this time together. Remember, you¡¯re always welcome in our family.¡± As Rhea watched Annila leave, she felt a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper understanding of herself and her relationships. The challenges ahead weren¡¯t just the last few Encrusted Badges she planned to get, and she knew there had to be more fights with Jason that would arise in the future, but, for now, things were perfect. She knew she had the love and support of those who mattered most. Now, it was time to have a date that would hopefully end with a playful battle. Looking at the city, built on the outskirts of the blown volcano, Rhea creased an eye as her Pokemon exited their Poke Balls to get their own look. ¡°Now, if I was a dubious boyfriend, preparing to surprise my girlfriend, where would I be? We¡¯re on the hunt, girls! We have a boyfriend to slay.¡± Her Pokemon cheered, getting into the game as they began their journey, and just for extra killer energy, she was dolled up in her kimono, having a personal makeover from her boyfriend¡¯s mother. ¡°Game on!¡± Hard News On Pokesync I may need to stop writing Pokesync. I''m just not making enough money. I need another $600 a month. I have to choose something to stop to add more work hours to my schedule. Potentially get another part time job. I don''t want to do it but I''m just not making it. I want to continue writing Pokesync. It''s a passion project. Wants don''t make money, though, and I can''t make money on Pokesync like I can my other projects, so it''s the hard choice. I''ve written consistently for over five years every week. This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. I try as hard as I can, but I''m just not making it anymore. Some of you know I only eat generally once a day. I''ve tried cutting expenses and pushing myself but it''s to the point I just need to find more work if i can''t make the minimum. I need to make my decision by the end of November. I''m sorry to all the fans of it if I end up having to ax it. It''s not something I want to do. =( B4 — 39. Sweet Bliss
    9:22 a.m. November 1st, Sunday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 145. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (33 days away).
    Rhea stood on the edge of the docks of Cinnabar City, taking in the sight after Annila dropped her off. The salty breeze of the open sea tousled her long blonde hair, and rising ahead of her was the rebuilt metropolis of Cinnabar Island gleaming under the midday sun. She let herself be taken in by the moment; it contrasted the hazy memories she had heard from older Trainers traveling through her tiny village about the island¡¯s turbulent past. Once ravaged by a catastrophic volcanic eruption, Cinnabar had risen from the ashes like a Moltres, reinventing itself as a vibrant hub of tourism and natural wonder. The ferry horn blared behind her as it arrived to drop off visitors, signaling their approach to the bustling port. Lulu looked left and right atop her head, enjoying the vast sea view and welcoming city. As the vessel docked, Rhea adjusted her backpack and turned to join the tourists that exited, guides directing them. It was a different experience to Fuchsia, and she¡¯d need to check in with customs. She felt the familiar flutter of excitement mingled with anxiety when getting in line¡ªa sensation that had become a constant companion since the start of her journey. Once again, she was somewhere new and exciting, only this time alone. Unlike the more vibrant, traditional vibe of Fuchsia City, where she had just spent a few magical days exploring with Annila, Cinnabar exuded an energy that was both electric and warm. She smiled when a buzz came from her phone strap, Lulu floating down to take it out for her with a smile; the Cosmog was already causing whispers and making people give her space. She sighed when a few went to some of the Cinnabar Police and pointed her out. ¡°Neee!¡± Yeah, don¡¯t worry about them. You¡¯re on my Trainer record and registered, so they can¡¯t do anything about it. Plus, maybe we¡¯re not so alone, she mused while spotting Jason¡¯s text to call him when she got inside. Ignoring the looks others gave her, she looked at her teammate¡¯s Pikabook pages to see them smiling and showing off their Encrusted Badges. The Silver Cup was drawing near, but they were already capable of registering, and that was Amira¡¯s job. Seeing the familiar badge, she recalled her first Silver-tier Encrusted Battle against Saria Surge and her Ralts. Now, she had her own little girl to grow with. Rhea looked up and saw the sign that said she could have two Pokemon out, which also included Lulu, so that meant her girls would have to take turns unless they were in a zone that allowed more, like the beach. Shae, looks like everyone wants to give you a chance to explore and experience the world. She took off her Poke Ball, catching the sharp eye of the city guards. What do you say? Want to ride on my shoulder? I¡¯ll take that as a yes! The quirky girl exited her Poke Ball to materialize on her shoulder with a chirp. ¡°Ra-ra!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± Her two Pokemon chatted with one another, more people now noticing her unique Pokemon with Shae out. Rhea even heard her name passed around with a few comments about her previous matches, primarily against Sabrina and talk about Nova, which wasn¡¯t a surprise. Activating her hologram screen on her crystal phone, she sent a few group messages to Mallory and Amira as she waited; it didn¡¯t take long for them to respond while moving up in the long line:
    9:35 a.m. Honeypot - Just made it to Cinnabar, and I can¡¯t wait to explore it today! I bet I¡¯ll see a ton of teens on the beach around since it¡¯s the weekend. Something tells me Jason has something planned for the beach. Anyway, I heard about the Fairy Heart Encrusted Badge! I look forward to watching the match with you both so you can break it down for me. I saw the pictures you posted last night at the club, too! Super cute. 9:36 a.m. Big Boob - Hey, Sunshine! You have no idea how scary Saria is! Wait, you did battle her, so you would know. Haha! Man, you totally missed out, girl. Kekoa flew in, and we had a blast, hitting club after club. What did Amira do? Boring stuff. She went by herself to an art show hosted by Saria¡¯s fianc¨¦. Like, really! 9:37 a.m. Big Boob - New text for egg info! Yooooo, girrrrl, your mom is crazy! You won¡¯t even believe what she gave me. Yeah, I cheated and looked it up. =P I¡¯m not the patient type. Hey, we should do a double baby battle tomorrow. Me and Amira on either your team or Jason¡¯s team since you two have stronger babies right now. LMK! I¡¯m hyped! 9:38 a.m. Honeypot - Lol! I¡¯ll run it past Jason if you run it past Amira. I look forward to seeing you. Safe trip on the ship. We don¡¯t want to do an Ash. 9:39 a.m. Big Boob - PFFFFT! Girl, made me spit out my milk. It¡¯s coming out my nose. Ewww! I¡¯m so gross! That story he told us, though. Wild! And getting blown away by a ton of Gyarados, only to end up on Rocket¡¯s mega-robot Pokemon island? 9:41 a.m. Honeypot - Wait, that was Pikachu, wasn¡¯t it? 9:42 a.m. Big Boob - Whatever it was, it was crazy, and Amira CONFIRMED it! Like, what was her grandpa thinking, making giant Pokemon robots? Rocket has weird investments, man. Anyway, Red just got out of the bathroom. I¡¯ll bring it up to her. Later! 9:43 a.m. Big Boob - Wait, is my nickname still Big Boob on your phone >.< Amira snitched on you, girl! 9:44 a.m. Honeypot - WHAT?! Absolutely not! Noooo! That was ages ago¡­ 9:45 a.m. Violet - Hmm. I¡¯m watching you, Honey Pot. I¡¯m watching you. O_O
    Rhea giggled while swiftly renaming her purple-eyed teammate, still a little surprised Amira of all people would tattle. She¡¯d have to get back at the redhead somehow.
    9:47 a.m. Fire Stone - I just was updated by Lori. If you lost the QR code to the hotel room I sent you then let me know. It is a bit more costly, if you¡¯re wondering when you look at your account, but it¡¯s worth it for the location. Jason asked me to give him your hotel and room number, and I thought it would be fine. Other than that, I am happy to enter a double battle tomorrow. Have fun with Jason and stay out of trouble. (?? ~ ? ) 9:48 a.m. Honeypot - I see someone has been reading my Great Grandma Carolina¡¯s posts online if you¡¯re using text emojis. 9:49 a.m. Fire Stone - Lol. I thought you might notice. She¡¯s really cute with how she messages your aunt for help all the time with technology. Her research papers are phenomenal, though. Catch up with you tomorrow. Have fun. 9:50 a.m. Honeypot - You too! I¡¯m just about to get to the front of the line¡­to get inside the building! They¡¯re packed here. Pro-tip, bring sunscreen. 9:51 a.m. Fire Stone - Always.
    Rhea breathed out a long sigh and put away her phone as she got inside, noticing an extra section being opened up, which allowed for more people to wait for registration to enter the city. She took a ticket and sat down, swapping Shae out for Mya as the Ralts grew sleepy. Lulu had slipped into her shirt front to hide from all the looks she got and snuggled in to rest, as well. She gave Mya a leery-eye as her Mawile sat next to her, kicking her feet in the air and looking around with interest. Did Lulu and Shae stay up late talking again last night or exploring that alleyway to find that thief Ghost Pokemon? Mya looked away, whistling and shifting a bit as Nova answered her with what felt like a strained laugh. It took Rhea a second to interpret it. You¡­joined them to make sure they¡¯d be okay? Something tells me you were the one who wanted to explore, Nova, since you¡¯ve been watching those Detective Pikachu episodes. I knew it! Her Eevee sheepishly impressed on her that they¡¯d made some headway, and talked to some undercover Ninja Pokemon that were also looking into it. As long as everyone¡¯s safe. We aren¡¯t ¡®officially¡¯ Gold-tier yet, though, and we need to take some courses and get some licenses for that. We can work on that later. She felt her fluffy girl practically glow at the offer. However, she already had a full schedule with the upcoming movie she was supposed to star in with her dad and mom. Rhea glanced at Mya, amiably happy to be out and sitting next to her. The Mawile was far more battle focused rather than doing Contests, movies, or detective work. She was sure Nova could convince Mya into it if it meant she could chase down bad guys, though. Alice could do some Contests, or anything really; the bun was just trying to discover herself. Of course, Lulu was a natural disaster villain in the making, who thought she was the heroine, which was a tad concerning, considering her power. Now, Nova and Lulu were pulling Shae into their trouble. Her thoughts were interrupted as her ticket was finally called at least forty-five minutes after getting into the building. A short check-in with some scowling eyes on Lulu, and she was allowed inside the city with a two Pokemon out limit for city use, and, naturally, that didn¡¯t include poor Onix or Snorlax¡ªit was probably rough for Tissa, Rylee¡¯s Crystal Onix. Sending a text to her Wooloo friends to see how they were doing, she was a tad surprised they hadn¡¯t responded to her text sent last week. A quick check showed little to no activity on their social media either. A pin jabbed her gut while thinking about what might have happened to them, considering Hannah was so active on social media. Deciding to swap targets to Cami, Jade¡¯s older sister, she did notice a recent post showing off her Oddish¡¯s recent evolution into Gloom, her Skorupi, and her Exeggcute. Apparently, she was working toward both a Leaf Stone and a more difficult-to-obtain Sun Stone , which would be expensive. Sending her a message to check-in to see if everything was okay, Rhea turned her sights to the cityscape with a smile. It was a dazzling blend of modern architecture and lush natural tropical beauty with its strategically placed palm trees. Sleek hotels and resorts lined the shoreline, their facades reflecting the shimmering waters. In the distance, the iconic Cinnabar Park loomed, its design a tribute to the island¡¯s fiery history with motifs of flames and lava flows etched into its exterior. The actual Cinnabar Gym was located on Blaine¡¯s own private island off the coast, where a boat brought viewers and challengers daily¡ªthe Encrusted Challenge day was Tuesday, which gave them two days. Rhea breathed in the scent of the ocean mixed with the hint of smoke from a nearby barbeque stand. This is incredible. She felt a thrill of independence while proceeding through the streets with Mya by her side. Her Mawile twirled with delight, her large jaws snapping playfully at the air. It was less intimidating than she¡¯d feared, even as a solo traveler for the moment. Her Pok¨¦mon shared her excitement, and Nova finally got her turn after Mya finished the ice cream she¡¯d bought for her. Nova perched on her shoulder, flicking her ears at the cacophony of sounds from the bustling nearby supply harbor¡ªcalls of sailors, laughter of tourists, and cries of Wingull swooping overhead. Before heading to the ¡®fancy¡¯ hotel, Rhea decided to call Jason. It brought back memories of exploring around their small forest on the opposite side of Pallet Bay and their hikes through the mountains together. However, that image soon shattered as his teasing voice came through the phone, crackling with the energy of the seaside. ¡°Hey, Rhea! Guess what? I¡¯m hanging out with a really cute girl at the beach¡ªplenty of them here on Cinnabar. You should join us!¡± Rhea laughed, rolling her eyes while hearing this ¡®cute girl¡¯ on the other end. ¡°Lapras!¡± ¡°Ra-raboot?¡± ¡°Oh, really? Should I be jealous? And is that Sunny asking if Alice can come play because she¡¯s been saving her time out today for some reason.¡± She could picture his grin, and it made her heart flutter while recalling their last encounter the previous week with the taste of his lips. ¡°Jealous? Never!¡± Jason scoffed. ¡°I mean, you have some blackmail on me, babe, so I¡¯ve got to play it safe, ya know?¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth twitched as the memory of her boyfriend¡¯s locker room fashion show bubbled to the surface. ¡°True. I hold a lot of power here. I might just let it go to my head¡­but you can always tell me to delete them as your slave for two whole days.¡± ¡°And why would I do that? I¡¯m not ashamed of those cream masterpieces. Actually¡ª¡± ¡°Jason, is that your girlfriend?¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth tightened as a real girl¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Yeah, is it, Jason?¡± ¡°Haha! Yeah, Lesley, it¡¯s Rhea. She just got into the city.¡± ¡°Awesome! Me and my girlfriends are setting up a volleyball net right now. We¡¯d love to have you two join in. They¡¯ve got some of their boyfriends coming, too. There¡¯s a beach party on the southside tonight, as well. It¡¯s a local thing. You two should come! I play a mean guitar.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll ask¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s stomach did flips, her heartbeat rising. Our first couples outing?! ¡°Yes! Yes, we¡¯d love to join!¡± Rhea instantly replied before Jason could ask. ¡°I¡¯ll be over as soon as I drop my stuff off in the hotel and change.¡± If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Yeah,¡± he chuckled, his voice deepening slightly. ¡°She said she¡¯d love to, and she¡¯ll be here in like¡­thirty, forty minutes?¡± ¡°Sounds about right!¡± ¡°Great! Hehehe. We¡¯ll get our warm-up in so we can kill you guys on the first serve! See you soon, Rhea.¡± The young woman broke away, leaving Jason to lower his voice. ¡°They were actually asking about you a lot. I¡¯m pretty sure they¡¯re in your fan club and noticed me in a few of the public pictures of us together in Saffron. They¡¯re hardstuck Gold-tier but wanted to see if we¡¯d do a double battle later against them¡ªI¡¯m pretty sure Couples Battle Night is what they¡¯re talking about.¡± ¡°Cute! I love it. We¡¯re a package deal.¡± She looked over at Nova on her shoulder, who chirped, ready for battle. ¡°My Pokemon are up for it.¡± ¡°Oh? Can I get a bow with that? You know I¡¯ve got a nice neck, and a red bow could bring out my eyes, ya know? You can tie it!¡± ¡°Jason, you¡¯re incorrigible,¡± she teased back, shaking her head as she walked along the bustling street, taking in the lively atmosphere; she felt so liberated, as if she was an adult. ¡°Maybe I¡¯ll come to save those poor girls from your terrible jokes.¡± ¡°Hey, my jokes are classic!¡± he protested. ¡°And they love it.¡± ¡°Pika!¡± ¡°Breloom.¡± ¡°What? Haters. But honestly, it¡¯s great here. You¡¯ll love the beaches. We can have a picnic or maybe go surfing after a few games.¡± ¡°Surfing? Are we talking Squirtle because we know what happened last time,¡± Rhea snickered, imagining him trying to keep his balance as she bumped into him. ¡°Well, if someone didn¡¯t have a huge butt, then it wouldn¡¯t be a problem, would it?¡± ¡°Oh, shush!¡± she giggled, the heat in her face rising. ¡°Facts are facts, babe. I¡¯ve been practicing, and you¡¯re rusty, so I¡¯d say I¡¯ve got a good chance! The waves are perfect. You have to try it with me. It¡¯s a date.¡± ¡°Alright, alright. But don¡¯t get caught off-guard and throw on me if you get blinded by my hair off the sun again.¡± ¡°One time!¡± ¡°More than enough! But you owe me a sundae if I wipe out.¡± ¡°What¡¯s with that lopsided bargain? Uh, deal! Now I have an excuse. Love you, bye!¡± ¡°Eh!¡± She pulled the phone away from her ear with a light glare. ¡°You win this time.¡± The ended call left Rhea with warm fuzzies as she navigated the streets, absorbing the vibrant energy around her. She was changing, and she liked the girl she was becoming. Soon, she reached the hotel Amira had mentioned, placing her hands on her hips and looking up at it with her salt-and-pepper Eevee. It stood tall and elegant, overlooking the ocean, with a rooftop terrace that boasted breathtaking views of the sunset over the sea. Don¡¯t tell me this is another Rocket front that Amira got us into because there¡¯s no way this place costs as much less than 1,000 credits a night. As she entered the lobby, Rhea marveled at the sleek, modern design, a harmonious blend of luxury and comfort that resonated with the island¡¯s fiery aesthetic. It really reflected the island¡¯s Fire Pokemon theme with its reds, yellows, and blues. A soft chime announced her arrival as the automatic doors whooshed open, and she stepped inside, feeling the cool air conditioning brush against her skin. The receptionist greeted her with a small smile, offering a welcome drink infused with Occa Berry flavors. ¡°Welcome to Cinnabar Shores Resort, Miss Rhea. We have a reservation for you and your team tomorrow. Is there anything you¡¯d like to arrange in advance? Our resort does its best to accommodate any request of our patrons.¡± Rhea considered for a moment, glancing at the digital brochure on a nearby screen. It showcased various activities¡ªsnorkeling, volcanic tours, and Pok¨¦mon-themed events. ¡°Yes, actually. Can you arrange for a scuba diving guide for us at 2 p.m.? I¡¯d like to surprise my boyfriend later today with it.¡± ¡°Of course! Consider it done,¡± the receptionist replied, tapping swiftly on the screen. ¡°Anything else you need with your rooms, don¡¯t hesitate to ask.¡± ¡°Thank you, but I should be fine,¡± Rhea said, appreciating the smooth efficiency of the service. As she rode the elevator to her room, Nova snuggled against her neck, curiously eyeing the digital panel that indicated their floor. The anticipation of the coming days bubbled within her, a mix of excitement and the subtle nervousness of exploring a new place with Jason and her team. Only, all of that went out of the window with her brain as the door swung inward. Rhea scanned the room with wide eyes, her heart fluttering as she absorbed the thoughtful details Jason had orchestrated for her arrival. The room was bathed in a warm, golden glow from the setting sun streaming through the large windows. A small table near the balcony had been elegantly set up with a bottle of sparkling Berry Juice and two glasses, glistening under the soft light. The air was filled with the sweet, delicate fragrance of Pallet Razz Berries, which were scattered artistically across the room. On the bed, a neatly arranged selection of her favorite snacks sat waiting, alongside a handwritten note from Jason, resting against a plush, Eevee-shaped pillow. Rhea picked up the note with a tender smile, feeling her cheeks warm as she read his familiar handwriting:
    Hey, my little Joltik, Surprise! I hope this makes you smile as much as you make me smile every day. I can¡¯t wait to see you at the beach! P.S. I thought you¡¯d like a taste of home with the Razz Berries. Enjoy! Love, Jason
    Nova nuzzled against her cheek, as if sensing her emotions and sharing in the moment. Rhea let out a soft laugh, hugging the note to her chest while taking in the atmosphere again. The gesture was pure Jason¡ªthoughtful, considerate, and just a bit cheeky, given the nickname. Mya had already made herself comfortable, exiting her Poke Ball to munch on a Pok¨¦ Puff from the tray, while Lulu floated around, examining every corner of the room with her usual curiosity. Shae peered from her Pok¨¦ Ball, excited by the surroundings but unsure if she should come out while Alice remained patient. The details made Rhea¡¯s heart swell with gratitude and affection. Jason always knew how to make her feel special, even from afar. The anticipation of meeting him soon added to her excitement as she twirled around the room, letting herself bask in the happiness of the moment. With a deep breath, she gathered her things and changed into a fresh outfit, perfect for the beach. She picked out the olive-green one-piece with the front-twist that she¡¯d gotten with Dawn before throwing over it a light, flowing dress that matched the vibrant colors of Cinnabar Island. Snatching her sandals and perching aviator glasses over her eyes, she smiled, feeling the Butterfree. She lingered a moment to admire the view from the balcony, looking down where Jason was probably setting up more surprises below. She watched the waves crash against the shore as the sky continued to brighten as it drew closer to noon. This was exactly what she needed¡ªa reminder of the joy and adventure that awaited her beyond the challenges she¡¯d faced throughout her journey. With a renewed sense of confidence and happiness, Rhea grabbed her small carrying bag, checked her phone for messages from her friends, and headed out the door, ready to embrace the vibrant life of Cinnabar Island with Jason by her side. Meeting Jason on the beach, she couldn¡¯t help but smile at his enthusiasm, showing off his larger and more muscular frame in Kanto-themed shorts, repping the region. ¡°Ready to hit the waves, Joltik?¡± he called out, jogging over to meet her with his Pokemon. ¡°Only if you promise not to laugh when I¡ªmmh?!¡± she quickly lost her train of thought when his arm wrapped around her lower back, pulled her in, and kissed her. ¡°You just can¡¯t not, huh?¡± ¡°Nope.¡± he grinned, pulling back and breathing into his hand with a dubious hum. ¡°Wait, do I¡­ Nope, Berry breath. Nice.¡± She laughed as he guided her to meet a larger group of people than she thought, all of them paired up as a couple and ready for a beach day of fun. It was something new Rhea had never experienced, and it wasn¡¯t long until she was tugging off her dress to get dirty in the sand with her boyfriend, diving for beach balls with their Pokemon absolutely killing it. By the time their side won¡ªhandedly¡ªit was nearing 1 p.m. She took a moment to catch her breath, lying back on the warm sand with the sound of the waves crashing nearby. Nova curled up beside her, the Eevee¡¯s fur slightly damp from the ocean mist. That was so much fun! she thought, her heart still racing from the excitement of the games and how it felt to be on a team of couples with Jason. Jason flopped down next to her, grinning widely. ¡°I knew you¡¯d be our secret weapon!¡± he said, his eyes twinkling with pride while lightly kicking sand over her ankles and making her giggle. ¡°You were amazing out there!¡± Rhea cheeks flushed, electricity sparking through her limbs. ¡°You weren¡¯t too bad yourself, Mankey Butt,¡± she snickered, nudging him playfully with her elbow. Their childhood dynamic was something Rhea was growing to cherish deeper every day, a reminder of the playful and supportive relationship they shared growing up, only more now. As the group slowly dispersed, some heading off for snacks or a dip in the sea, Rhea took a moment to appreciate this new aspect to her life that she didn¡¯t know she¡¯d been missing. Jason made it feel natural, like a perfect summer day, filled with laughter, competition, and the promise of more adventures to come. Of course, the occasional touch or kiss always helped liven things up. Sitting up, she glanced over at Jason, who was busy untangling Sunny¡¯s bright red ears from a stray piece of seaweed he¡¯d gotten caught with in his tussle with Alice. The bun was nearby watching carefully so she could help him out next time. Naturally, if it were up to the rabbit, it would never happen again, but that was a missed opportunity in Rhea¡¯s book. ¡°So, I have something else on our agenda¡ªa surprise,¡± she said, playing with her toes. ¡°After that we can do some Squirtle surfing.¡± Jason looked up, brushing sand off his hands. ¡°Oh? Color me intrigued. What¡¯s on the books for our next adventure? Some food first, I hope, because I¡¯m starved.¡± ¡°Well, yeah, I was thinking we could grab some lunch, but I kind of have a scuba diving guide reserved for two, as in, two p.m.,¡± she off-handedly shrugged. ¡°Ooh! I like it. And it¡¯s nice that I have reservations at this shack for two already! A quick bite to eat, and then we¡¯re off on a new date. We¡¯re on the same wavelength,¡± he laughed. Rhea raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. ¡°Oh? Look at you, all organized and romantic,¡± she teased. ¡°I''m impressed, including the room.¡± ¡°I was wondering when that would come up!¡± he sighed, rubbing his neck and getting up to stretch out. ¡°And, hey, I¡¯m just trying to keep up with you, Miss Legs. Can¡¯t let you down on our first real couples¡¯ outing.¡± She snorted, glancing down at her tanned legs. ¡°I think you¡¯re thinking about Lori or Amira with that comment, not me.¡± Stretching his hands over his head and releasing a low grunt, he chuckled. ¡°I said what I said, and I mean what I mean. What, you didn¡¯t catch it with the arachnid comments?¡± he asked with a wink, making her smile. ¡°Ready to go?¡± ¡°So, I¡¯m still a spider sticking you to my web, huh? Wait¡­Joltik have short legs. And, yup. Lead the way.¡± ¡°Cute legs,¡± he corrected, holding out a hand to help her up. ¡°And I think your legs are just perfect.¡± Rhea felt a flutter of butterflies at his words, the sincerity in his voice making her heart skip a beat. ¡°You¡¯re doing great so far,¡± she sighed, allowing him to help her up and feeling somewhat lacking. ¡°I¡¯ll get you one of these days.¡± ¡°Keep trying, babe, but we both know who is the real victor here.¡± ¡°Can you stop!¡± ¡°No can do,¡± he laughed, pulling her against his side before holding her hand. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want you to get lost.¡± As they gathered their things and headed towards the beachfront caf¨¦, Rhea felt a sense of contentment settle over her. The simple joys of spending time with someone who understood and supported her. The caf¨¦ was a charming little spot, nestled between palm trees and offering a stunning view of the ocean. They were seated at a cozy table by the window, where the gentle breeze carried the salty scent of the sea. Nova and Sunny settled at their feet, the rest of their Pok¨¦mon seemingly content to relax and enjoy the ambiance. Over plates of fresh seafood from local fish farms and tropical fruit, they chatted about everything and nothing. Rhea shared stories from her travels, keeping the time she¡¯d spent with his mom private since he could see the results of that in photos that they could go through together when available¡ªmore couple stuff. Jason took the lead in recounting his latest training escapades and what he¡¯d been through in Kalos, which was some intense stuff. Although, not quite as tough as Maria was on her. The conversations were easy and comfortable, and as they laughed over shared memories, Rhea realized just how much she valued these moments¡­how much she loved him. After lunch, they wandered down the boardwalk, stopping to admire the various stalls and street performers on their way to the scuba diving area. Rhea found herself drawn to a booth selling handmade jewelry, her eyes catching on a delicate bracelet woven with tiny seashells that would compliment her Ghost channeling wrist band she¡¯d gotten from Lavender. ¡°See something you like?¡± Jason asked, noticing her lingering gaze. She nodded, tracing the intricate design with her finger. ¡°It¡¯s beautiful,¡± she softly said, imagining how it would look paired with her favorite outfits. Without hesitation, Jason stepped forward and purchased the bracelet, holding it out to her with a smile. ¡°Consider it a souvenir from our date,¡± he said, fastening it around her wrist. Touched by the gesture, Rhea smiled warmly. ¡°Thank you,¡± she said, admiring how it caught the light. ¡°It really does help me remember all the times we went searching for shells on the beach back home¡­ Oh, we should go, or we¡¯ll be late!¡± Jogging through the streets, they made it just in time. On the dive to lower depths of the shelf to see all the Pokemon in their natural habitats, with Swimmers trying to befriend local Pokemon to join their teams, Rhea noticed how active the sea really was¡ªfar more than what it was like back in Pallet. It was the holding hands underwater as they swam that stuck with her, though, with Nova in her Vaporeon form swimming around with Serenade. As the afternoon wore on, they eventually made their way back to the beach, where the group had reassembled for a friendly surf competition. Rhea watched as Jason expertly navigated the waves, his laughter carried on the wind as he encouraged her to join him¡ªit was a couple¡¯s activity, after all. Despite her initial reservations, she found herself caught up in the excitement, the rush of adrenaline as she balanced on the local Squirtle¡¯s back and rode the waves alongside him. It was exhilarating, freeing, and as she caught Jason¡¯s eye, they shared a look of mutual triumph as they took third place, which was big for country-surfers who had never done it at an island. Later, as the sun began to dip below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange, Rhea sat beside Jason on the sand, their hands intertwined. The day had been everything she could have hoped for and more¡ªa celebration of their relationship and the adventures that lay ahead. She¡¯d conquered her fear of Annila, gaining her approval, and Jason had probably done the same with her dad, or so she liked to think they had similar experiences. With a contented sigh, Rhea leaned her head on Jason¡¯s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin against hers. ¡°I''m glad we did this,¡± she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Jason wrapped an arm around her, his thumb tracing gentle circles on her arm. ¡°Me too, and I know this is just kind of a ¡®today¡¯ thing. You¡¯ve got your team to do things with. I don¡¯t want to come between you and your journey. Plus, I need to get stronger, too,¡± he gently replied. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t want to be anywhere else¡­but I¡¯m wondering if I should go back to Kalos to finish up their Silver Cup. It starts soon, and I want to be back for yours.¡± Rhea felt differently this time. It wasn¡¯t him saying he was going, but more like he was trying to figure out her feelings and his own. ¡°I think that¡¯s a great idea. You¡¯ve proven to me you can keep up, and I¡¯m not so clingy that I need you here all the time now that I know how I feel¡­ So, tomorrow you should get a ticket and meet up with Len and Julian again.¡± He was quiet for a moment, head leaning in to rest against the top of hers. ¡°Did I tell you how much I love you?¡± ¡°Only like fifty times today,¡± she snickered. ¡°Not enough then¡­ Oh, what about ¡®you¡¯re beautiful?¡¯ ¡± ¡°A little less, but that¡¯s because the ¡®love you¡¯ part was substituted,¡± she laughed. ¡°What a lacking guy, I am,¡± he mused. ¡°Rookie numbers, I need to boost those up. Anyway, tonight, I¡¯ve still got you all to myself, and I did it without using my daily slave coupons. Score.¡± ¡°Pfft!¡± Rhea lightly pulled her head away to lightly bonk him. ¡°Loser. Well played.¡± As they sat there, watching the sun set over the horizon, Rhea felt a profound sense of happiness and peace. It was a day she¡¯d remember for a long time, a cherished memory that would always bring a smile to her face. This was what her mother was telling her about¡ªthis was love. Eventually, the cool evening air prompted them to gather their things and head back to the hotel. Rhea felt a pleasant exhaustion settling over her when standing with him in front of her door. His amber eyes stared into hers and they shared a long but simple kiss, the warmth, softness, and emotions transferred through it in a way she hadn¡¯t felt before that moment. ¡°Night, Mankey Butt.¡± ¡°Sweet dreams, Beautiful¡­ Catch you on the flip-side.¡± Watching him go, Rhea breathed out a long, satisfied sigh. And there it is¡­ A perfect day. Back in her room, she took a moment to reflect, her heart full of gratitude for the experiences they¡¯d shared that she would cherish for the rest of her life. Eventually, she prepared for bed, looking forward to the future, to the adventures and challenges that awaited them. Tomorrow was a day with the girls. Her brain suddenly jolted as Shae slowly walked across her belly and chest to poke her in the nose. ¡°Ralts?¡± ¡°Oh! My bad!¡± She reached over to snatch her phone to call Jason. He answered on the third ring. ¡°Already missing my voice, huh?¡± ¡°Haha. Sure, Mr. Humble. Umm, can you delay that ticket a bit to have a Baby Double Battle? Amira on one team and Lori on the other? They wanted to show off their new Pokemon, too. Lori was being cryptic about it.¡± ¡°Haha. Absolutely. I¡¯ll change it for a night flight. See you tomorrow for the final showdown¡­ Night.¡± ¡°Night, babe,¡± Rhea mumbled, feeling her cheeks heat at the name and she quickly hung up after using it for the first time. ¡°Yes! Progress¡­¡± Snuggling under the covers, with her Pokemon snuggled around her and Shae chirping sleepily, Rhea closed her eyes, a smile still playing on her lips. She knew that whatever came next, she had Jason, her team, and her Pok¨¦mon by her side, and together, they could face anything. With that comforting thought, she drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with the promise of new beginnings and the unbreakable bonds of friendship and love carrying her into sweet bliss. B4 — 40. I Haven’t Even Had Coffee Yet
    9:22 a.m. November 2nd, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 146. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (32 days away).
    Warmth surrounded Rhea, a comforting cocoon of soft fur and gentle breathing that grounded her in the present moment. As her eyes fluttered open, she found herself snuggled deep into her luxurious bed, her Pok¨¦mon curled protectively around her. Nova was, as usual, nestled between her legs. Lulu hugged her neck and Alice was draped across her chest with one large ear tucked under her pillow, the other cupping Shae against Rhea¡¯s side. Mya was sprawled out against her left side, her large mouth lazily hanging over the side. Yesterday was perfect¡­ The thought drifted through her rousing mind, bringing a gentle smile to her lips. She let herself sink back into the pillows, savoring the memory of her day with Jason. Everything about it felt surreal, like stepping into a dream she never wanted to end. He really does love me¡­ Is this how Mom feels with Dad? A flush of warmth bloomed across her cheeks as she recalled the way he had looked at her throughout the day, his amber eyes full of unspoken words that still sent shivers down her spine. Her gaze shifted to the small basket sitting on the side table¡ªJason¡¯s welcoming gift. It made her smile widen, a soft giggle escaping her as she thought about Amira¡¯s playful meddling. Of course, she¡¯d be in on it. The Impidimp. Isn¡¯t that Lori¡¯s game? She stretched, careful not to disturb her Pok¨¦mon too much as she somehow managed to slip out of bed without their notice. It was a first, and an accomplishment to her developing ninja skills! Not that she had any, but she could dream. The unusually cold early-morning air for the tropical island nipped at her skin, but she ignored it, her mind already racing through the plans for the day. Her first course of action was to open her portable wardrobe and examine herself in the full-length mirror inside. Not bad! I do have a bit of a glow, don¡¯t I? I¡¯m growing more pretty than cute, I think, she hummed, twisting left and right while focusing on specific areas. Now, what to wear for our second date? She quickly decided and grabbed a cute summer dress from her wardrobe: something light and fun, perfect for hanging out with friends later with, as well. The pastel colors were cheerful, and underneath, she slipped on a stylish swimsuit, just in case the day took them near the water. Can¡¯t go wrong being prepared, she thought with a smirk while applying a tiny bit of makeup in the fashion Amira had taught her with the redhead¡¯s newest song humming in her throat, likely partly inspired by the Plasma attack. Yet, somehow, it helped to calm her singing it. Anxiety, got me in a headlock. Holding me, slipping into shell shock. Hard to breathe; I don¡¯t know how to get out. I¡¯m paranoid, and I¡¯m paralyzed, scared of the outside, guess I¡¯m just scared to die¡­ As she moved to the bathroom and her Pokemon began to rouse, her phone buzzed with a message from Jason. The simple text made her heart flutter.
    6:20 a.m. Mankey Butt: Morning, Sunshine! Is the sun up? It is when you¡¯re around! Breakfast at the caf¨¦ downstairs? Can¡¯t wait to see you. Smoothies waiting!
    Rhea bit her lip, the excitement bubbling up inside her as she quickly texted back.
    6:20 a.m. Joltik Butt: You have to stop this! I¡¯ll expect it every morning at this point. <3 See you soon. Make sure to get something for my girls, too. I¡¯ll get you back. 6:21 a.m. Mankey Butt: Who do you think I is? I¡¯ve got a rabbit that would strangle me if I didn¡¯t get something for a certain fluffy-tailed bun. >.> He spent half of yesterday trying to figure out her favorite flavor for this moment. Dude has stood in front of the mirror for the last ten minutes trying different products to make his fur shinier¡­when he IS shiny! 6:22 a.m. Joltik Butt: ROLF! She¡¯s just getting up, so no spoilers here. Can¡¯t wait. See you soon, but I¡¯m just about to get into the shower. I spent a bit longer in bed. 6:22 a.m. Mankey Butt: Good! My Spider Queen needs her rest, or else she builds up static, and we know what happens next! Zap! Zap! Zap!
    Rhea choked out a laugh and responded with a long string of electric emojis and a leery-eyed emoji to finish the conversation. The thought of seeing him again so soon made her stomach do a little flip, the kind of excitement she used to read about but never quite believed. But this was real, so much better than anything she could have imagined. Stepping into the shower, the water cascading over her in warm rivulets, she let herself daydream about the possibilities the day held. She only had this last day with him, and only half of it, so she had to make it count. Her thoughts were interrupted by a new message notification on the outside counter. She¡¯d get to it later. After drying off, she finished her after-shower routine, drying her hair with cold air before carefully tying it back in a loose ponytail that left a few strands framing her face. Just like Auntie Cynthia! Perfect¡­ Why¡¯d I have to get the rare short genes in the family¡­ Bah. Jason likes it, I think, and it¡¯s nice when¡­ She cleared her throat and tried to cool off as her face turned bright red, her mind taking her back to the time he¡¯d pinned her to the ground when just returning from Kalos. Mind out of the gutter! Cool it! It was cute¡ªjust cute¡­totally cute. A light touch of makeup later, just enough to enhance her natural features, as Amira showed her, and she was ready. One last look in the mirror, and she felt a rush of confidence fill her that she rarely experienced like this. Beautiful! Let¡¯s do this. She wiped the moisture from her crystal-like phone to activate the hologram, spotting a message from both of her teammates. Amira¡¯s would be more serious, so she tapped that one first.
    6:41 a.m. Fire Stone: Docking at 3 p.m. Might be later before we enter, as you found out; the lines are crazy. Already booked Viridian Gym. We can pull out 3 days before if needed. ;,-( Rand leaked some info regarding the movie this week, so I¡¯ve been getting a lot more people approaching me¡­ My name was brought up as a contributing writer for the script.
    Rhea chuckled, imagining the redhead dealing with the crowds of people already asking about her family, battles, or lowkey music career. Now, she was a movie script writer. She glanced down at Nova as she exited the shower after shaking herself off, the girl¡¯s fluff all puffed up with Alice beside her, brandishing a comb like a samurai.
    6:42 a.m. Joltik Butt: Keep strong! Nova¡¯s really excited for it. If it makes you feel any better, I feel much better with you looking over the script and making suggestions. Thanks for all your hard work, Amira. You¡¯re the best. Always plan ahead! Right? 6:43 a.m. Fire Stone: Thanks for always being positive. It helps more than you know. See you soon, Sunshine.
    Her grin only widened when she saw Lori¡¯s next text with an image attached, showing a sleeping Amira, Amber sprawled across her body upside down, her tail across the redhead¡¯s face. The caption on it read:
    6:45 a.m. Violet: And y¡¯all think I¡¯m the restless one! Girl¡¯s about to get her face burned off by a fox!
    Rhea giggled, shaking her head at the mental image. Lori never misses a chance to make me laugh. Heading back to her room, she packed up and let Mya know they were getting something to eat to wake the sleepy girl up. Nova¡¯s tail was wagging as she pranced next to her, Lulu riding atop her, ready for a beach adventure. However, as she made her way out the door, her phone buzzed again. Frowning, she pulled it out of her belt strap and grimaced upon seeing the caller ID: Ayn Rand. She paused in the hallway, debating if she should answer it or not, but Nova¡¯s eyes grew big at the name¡ªshe was looking forward to this movie to spend time with her family, after all. What could he want? Rhea internally groaned, scratching her temple while glancing up and down the empty hotel hallway. Amira should be handling a lot of that stuff. Rhea hesitated for a moment, her thumb hovering over the accept button on her phone. The unmistakable, swirling mix of emotions that had become all too familiar with the name made her want to hang up. Nova¡¯s ears perked up, no doubt sensing her unease as Lulu peered up at her with questioning eyes. The Eevee nudged Rhea¡¯s leg with an encouraging bump of her head, making Rhea chuckle. Alright, let¡¯s get this over with. She tapped the screen and lifted the phone to her ear. ¡°Hello, Mr. Rand,¡± she began, keeping her tone as neutral as possible. ¡°Rhea! I¡¯m so glad you picked up,¡± his voice boomed through the speaker, carrying a level of enthusiasm that made her shoulders tense. ¡°I¡¯ve got fantastic news! We¡¯ve secured an incredible budget and some of the biggest names in the industry for Nova¡¯s debut! This is going to be huge, Rhea¡ªbigger than anything we¡¯ve ever done before. And I¡¯ve done some big productions.¡± Rhea forced a smile, even though he couldn¡¯t see it. ¡°That sounds¡­exciting. This is about the movie, then?¡± ¡°Absolutely! And guess what? I¡¯ve been hearing nothing but glowing reviews about your friend Kate and her Pok¨¦mon. She¡¯s turning out to be quite the hidden gem with the acting coaches. You have a good eye!¡± Buttering me up, or genuine¡­ I¡¯ll never know, Rhea grumbled to her Pokemon as he continued. ¡°We¡¯re gearing up to start everything in two months¡ªtwo months, Rhea! We¡¯ll be ready to shoot at the beginning of the year.¡± Rhea sighed to herself. At least it will be after our birthdays and the Silver Cup. ¡°That¡¯s great,¡± she replied, trying to sound as enthusiastic as he did, mainly for Nova¡¯s sake, but it did mean one of her Aces would be MIA for a while. There was a knot in her stomach that refused to untangle due to that. ¡°You mentioned working with Amira behind the scenes on the script. She¡¯s been busy, though¡­ You are really calling because you want me to talk to her, right?¡± Rand¡¯s laughter echoed through the phone, a sound that made her wince. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve been trying to reach her, but she¡¯s not answering my calls lately. I figured, since you two are so close¡­ You know, teammates and all.¡± Rhea sighed, rubbing her temple with her free hand. ¡°So, you want me to convince her to give you a call?¡± ¡°Oh, Rhea, this is all for your little girl¡¯s debut on the big screen! Her parents are going to be in it, her best friend, everyone¡ªAmira¡¯s Feebas, what¡¯s her name again?¡± ¡°Serenity,¡± Rhea corrected, her voice slightly sharper than she intended. And ¡®best friend¡¯ is a strong word to use, she internally muttered. We hardly know Kate and her Pokemon¡­but they are nice, and we are friendly. ¡°Right, Serenity! She might play a role, too. This movie is going to be the biggest release of the year when it comes out. And if we start shooting in January, we¡¯ll have a trailer ready to premiere at next year¡¯s Pok¨¦mon World Tournament! It¡¯s perfect timing, don¡¯t you think? We may even be able to do a December release if we¡¯re efficient about it!¡± Rhea leaned against the wall, closing her eyes. ¡°That¡¯s¡­that¡¯s great, Mr. Rand. Just keep trying Amira. We¡¯ve got a lot on our plates right now with Encrusted Gym Badges and everything happening on the side. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll get back to you when she can. Bye.¡± She ended the call before he could say more, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she let out a long breath. ¡°Sorry, Nova,¡± she murmured, glancing down at the eager Eevee at her side. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to be so cold, but he just¡­rubs me the wrong way. Amira knows what she¡¯s doing. She¡¯ll handle it.¡± Nova¡¯s tail wagged, and she gave Rhea an understanding look, her warm eyes reflecting trust and support. Rhea reached down to scratch behind Nova¡¯s ears, smiling at the soft purr that rumbled in response before moving to the sparkly-eyed, poofy villainess riding her. I¡¯ll make it up to you, I promise. As they made their way out of the hotel, Rhea¡¯s phone buzzed yet again. This time, it was Kate, though. Grinning, she quickly tapped the screen. ¡°Hey, Kate! How¡¯s it going? I heard you¡¯re quite the developing talent. I¡­assume Rand just called you?¡± ¡°Rhea!¡± Kate¡¯s voice was bright, but there was a hint of exhaustion beneath it. ¡°Uh, yeah¡­ I¡¯ll just say I gave it my best shot. Sliding past that, uh, I¡¯m doing alright. Just finished another round of training with the acting coaches. They¡¯re really pushing us hard, but I think it¡¯s paying off. I¡­like what I see when I look in the mirror now, so¡­thank you.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. Rhea chuckled. ¡°I¡¯m sure it is. And, while that¡¯s awesome, just know you¡¯re beautiful regardless of what stage you¡¯re on. Keep it up.¡± Kate laughed, though it sounded a bit strained. ¡°Thanks. I know it¡¯s kind of stupid to say. It¡¯s just¡­I never thought I¡¯d go this far or be training with such high-quality coaches. It¡¯s¡­ Again, thank you, Rhea. Yeah, I¡¯ve heard from a few people about Rand¡¯s trouble with Amira. She really does know how to handle him. He can be¡­overwhelming, honestly. But I¡¯m trying to stay grounded. How about you? How are things on your end with the badges?¡± ¡°Busy as always. Lost my last one, but I had fun, and we¡¯ll beat Erika next time! Just trying to keep up with everything. That being said, don¡¯t let Rand push you around. Speak up and know you¡¯ve got people at your back.¡± Kate sighed softly. ¡°Wow, that¡¯s¡­mmm. You really are something else, Rhea. Yeah, it¡¯s a lot to handle but you really do make everything easier every time I talk with you. Don¡¯t worry! But I¡¯m hanging in there. Thanks for cheering me up when I needed it, Rhea. It means a lot. Good luck.¡± ¡°Of course. We¡¯re in this together, remember? Nova¡¯s all about it, so I¡¯d like it to be a great production and for her to get a chance to spend some quality time with her parents. We¡¯ll have to¡ª¡± Just as they were about to wrap up the call, Rhea¡¯s phone buzzed again with an incoming call. ¡°Umm, hey, Kate, I¡¯ve got another call coming in. Oh¡­ It¡¯s from Cami¡ªJade¡¯s sister. You wouldn¡¯t know her, but I need to take this. I¡¯ll catch up with you later, okay?¡± ¡°Sure thing. Take care, Rhea.¡± Rhea switched to the new call, her voice softening with a hint of worry touching it as she greeted Cami. ¡°Hey, Cami, what¡¯s up?¡± ¡°Rhea¡­¡± Cami¡¯s voice was quiet, almost melancholic. ¡°I can¡¯t talk long. Just know that we¡¯re okay. We had to make an emergency stop at one of the Seafoam Islands. Our boat was attacked¡ªthey say it was a war between two rival Gyarados factions fighting over territory that we happened to get into the middle of.¡± ¡°Oh, no¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, but we¡¯re fine,¡± she gulped, not sounding like she was fine, ¡°but it¡¯ll be a few more days before we can make it to Cinnabar, probably Wednesday.¡± Rhea¡¯s heart skipped a beat. ¡°Really, is everything okay? ¡± ¡°The two Masters onboard were able to handle most of it and get us out. There were some¡­problems, though. We can talk about it if you¡¯re still in Cinnabar¡ª¡± Before Cami could answer, Rhea heard Jade¡¯s voice in the background, calling out, ¡°Cami, have you seen Rylee?¡± ¡°No, not since Hannah and Jay were with her. Why? Did she disappear again?¡± Cami replied, sounding distracted. ¡°Sorry, Rhea, I¡¯ve got to go. We¡¯ll be in touch soon.¡± The line went dead before Rhea could ask any more questions. Frowning, she quickly sent a text to Sam, Jade, Hannah, Rylee, and Jay, asking what had happened and asking if everyone was alright because she was worried they had to stop at one of the Seafoam Islands. I hope everything¡¯s alright¡­ Trying to shake off the worry, she continued her walk to the caf¨¦, now recalling everything she knew about the samurai-loving Trainer who had joined the Wooloo Crew. Rylee disappeared again? I hope nothing really bad happened. She¡¯s pretty tough with her Honedge, Slowpoke, and Crystal Onix¡­two of which can swim really well. If anything she¡¯d be the main support with her Crystal Onix being able to carry all of them in the water. Her mouth creased, recalling her Slowpoke Rescued Pokemon and how his previous Trainer had died. Speedo¡¯s previous Trainer drowned before he could get to him, and he stayed with his Trainer¡¯s body until the Rangers got to them¡­ If they got thrown overboard, I can see him having some anxiety over maybe Rylee drowning since it took her years to convince him to bond to another Trainer¡­to her. No, don¡¯t go drawing conclusions! Just wait for the truth. Her thoughts drifted back to Jason as she approached their meeting spot. Trying to refocus wasn¡¯t hard when her heart fluttered with anticipation to see her boyfriend. Alright, Rhea, deep breaths. You¡¯ve got this. Don¡¯t fall for his jokes and blush! You have to win this battle. He¡¯s got too many Ws already. I can make him blush! You got this, girl! Crush his Geodudes! She internally cheered, doing her best Lori impression before making herself blush. Too far! Why do you put these thoughts in my head I¡¯ve never had in my life, Lori?! Taking a second to linger outside and cool off, she squared her shoulders and walked through the door. Jason was already there, waiting outside the caf¨¦ with a smile that made her heart skip a beat¡ªall prep went out the window. His soft eyes sparkled with warmth and something deeper that always seemed to tug at her insides. He had that effortlessly cool look about him¡ªcasual yet put-together, with a confidence that radiated from him like the sun. How does he always manage to look so good? Rhea couldn¡¯t help but wonder as she approached, her cheeks may have been burning slightly; she truly didn¡¯t know at this point. ¡°Hey, Sunshine,¡± he greeted her, his voice low and smooth, like the gentle breeze on a warm day. ¡°You look amazing. Ah, did you hear about the Articuno that flew by this morning¡±¡± Rhea felt her smile widen as she reached up to brush a stray lock of hair behind her ear and sat across from him. ¡°You don¡¯t look so bad yourself. And no, I haven¡¯t heard about the Articuno. It makes sense, though, with how chilly it was this morning.¡± He flashed his teeth, looking down at his flashy Alolan-style shirt, sunglasses hanging off the partially unbuttoned top. ¡°Hey, I gotta dress to impress when seen with a blonde of your caliber. By the way, I saw your GPS tag nearing so I ordered your favorite smoothie; it should be out shortly. I bet they can¡¯t make it like you can, though. Remember when you blew up that Razz smoothie all over the kitchen, and Franky cleaned it up by the time you got the towels?¡± Rolling her eyes, Rhea shook her head. ¡°I was ten, and it was my first time using the blender. I cried my eyes out and Franky was so sweet. He even showed me how to do it after.¡± They exchanged a few more playful quips before their drinks arrived, the air between them charged with the kind of easy, comfortable chemistry that made everything feel right. It was the same as it had been back home, only somehow deeper and more meaningful. Whatever it was, it made her feel good. As they continued, Rhea found herself studying Jason more closely¡ªhis strong, defined features, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled at her like she was something priceless, the warmth in his gaze that always seemed to be directed solely at her. This was paradise. She felt special while lost inside his piercing eyes, like he¡¯d walk through fire just to look at her, that she was worth everything. He¡¯s perfect¡­ absolutely perfect. And for a moment, everything else faded away¡ªAyn Rand, the movie, the worries about her friends. All that mattered was this moment, here with Jason. Rhea¡¯s heartbeat fluttered with every twist and turn Jason made, his eyes locked onto hers, but something in his gaze shifted once they finished their drinks, just slightly, as he leaned forward, concern edging into his smile. ¡°You seem a little distracted, Rhea,¡± his voice softened, pulling her from the clouds and grounding her in the moment. ¡°What¡¯s bothering you?¡± Rhea blinked, taken aback by how well he could read her. Was it that obvious? Am I that obvious? She felt the familiar warmth of his studious look wrapping around her like a safety net. Her fingers unconsciously tightened around the fabric of her dress, twisting it as if to find stability in the soft material. Jason¡¯s eyes didn¡¯t miss the motion, and his brow furrowed slightly while looking at it as she gathered her thoughts. ¡°You only do that when you¡¯re worried about your mom,¡± he added, his tone gentle but probing. ¡°What¡¯s up? Is it me going tonight?¡± She hadn¡¯t even realized she was fidgeting so much, so lost in their conversation and the joy of being with him that the edges of her anxiety had blurred into the background. Still, the worry resurfaced with his words, nudging its way back into her consciousness. Rhea sighed softly, her gaze drifting to the finished Berry smoothie in front of her and trying to relax. ¡°No. No, it¡¯s not that. My friends had to make an emergency stop,¡± she admitted, her voice quieter than she intended. ¡°I¡¯m just¡­worried about them, I guess. They¡¯re not responding to my messages. It¡¯s probably just anxiety since I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on.¡± Jason¡¯s frown deepened, his fingers drumming lightly on the table as he considered her words. ¡°If they¡¯re keeping things quiet, there¡¯s probably a reason for it,¡± he said after a moment. ¡°It¡¯s not something they¡¯d want to talk about over the phone, maybe. Not that they¡¯re trying to shut you out.¡± Rhea nodded, acknowledging the truth in his words, but the knot in her stomach remained tight. She sipped what little of her smoothie was left, hoping the cool, sweet taste would distract her from the unease gnawing at her insides. Trying to steer the conversation away from her worries, she said, ¡°I guess they¡¯ll let me know on Wednesday. Anyway, how do you think the Kalos Silver Cup will be? I¡¯d like to be there to cheer you on.¡± Jason¡¯s response was immediate, cutting off her train of thought. ¡°You can¡¯t, Rhea. Nope. I won¡¯t have it! You¡¯ve got four badges to get in a month, and, uh-ahem, how long has it taken you to get four Encrusted Badges so far?¡± he asked, left eye playfully crinkling. ¡°Just under, uh, five times that amount of days you have left?¡± Rhea pouted, her playful spirit bubbling back to the surface despite her earlier concerns. ¡°Sure, but we¡¯ve been enjoying ourselves! Besides, I¡¯m here to have fun on this journey now, remember?¡± She tried to inject some lightheartedness into her voice, but there was still a lingering edge of anxiety that she couldn¡¯t quite shake. ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to come to at least some of your matches? I¡¯m sure I can squeeze in the time for a day or two if Amira plans it in.¡± Jason chuckled, shaking his head. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to stress about it. Besides, Sunny would be too embarrassed. He wants to ¡®beef up¡¯ before Alice comes to see his big show.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t help but snicker at the image of Jason¡¯s Starter balking inside his Pok¨¦ Ball, with Alice rolling around in her own giggling. By ¡®beef up,¡¯ she internally explained to her bun, he means evolving so he isn¡¯t shorter than her anymore and can look cool. Alice¡¯s feelings echoed through her soul, sweet and affectionate while insisting that he was plenty cool already. His cute, shy moments help his case in her eyes, too. She seemed to like him just the way he was. Rhea¡¯s heart warmed at Alice¡¯s loyalty and honesty. That¡¯s sweet, Little Bun, but try not to bash his dream, too. He has to be confident in himself, and if he¡¯s trying to get stronger for you, then we should support him, she added. Alice¡¯s agreement came swiftly, and Rhea¡¯s smile softened at the cute dynamic between Jason and her party. She tried to steer the conversation back to the present. ¡°So, what do you want to do now that we¡¯ve got a few hours before Amira and Lori arrive? We¡¯ve got some time to kill.¡± Jason¡¯s eyes lit up with the spark of a new idea. ¡°First, we should find a Beach Battlefield to rent and book it for our Baby Double Battle¡ªour BDB!¡± he said to her snickers as he continued. ¡°It might be hard to find one later on. After that, how about we walk around and talk? We can have a picnic for lunch and maybe¡ªoh, what about we do a little shopping now that we¡¯ve got that portable wardrobe?¡± he thoughtfully added. ¡°We could pick out each other¡¯s outfits¡ªwhat you like on me, and what I like on you.¡± Rhea¡¯s brow creased as she considered his suggestion, a playful curiosity sparking in her eyes. ¡°What kind of clothes are you thinking of?¡± she teasingly asked, intrigued. Jason grinned, leaning back in his chair with a teasing glint in his amber eyes. ¡°I mean, we could go straight to bathing suits right off the cuff, but why not work our way up to the fun bit, huh? Fashion show shopping stuff, of course. And we¡¯ll pick out stuff for our Pok¨¦mon, too.¡± She laughed, the sound light and genuine while feeling her Pokemon perk up at the offer, the weight of her earlier worries lifting just a bit; he was too good¡ªthe best. ¡°Alright, fashion show shopping it is!¡± The morning unfolded in a series of playful banter and laughter as they explored the shops, trying on outfits that ranged from the stylish to the outright silly¡ªshe got plenty of pictures to add to her secret folder. They shared jokes, made each other blush with teasing comments, and picked out a few items that emphasized each other¡¯s best features. She had to admit that a man did look good with a bit of a well-defined trunk, and showing well-defined abs wasn¡¯t half bad. And by the time of their picnic, their arms were laden with bags, and Rhea¡¯s heart felt like it rested on a cloud. As they strolled hand in hand, sharing the load, Rhea¡¯s thoughts drifted back to her friends, the knot in her stomach tightening once more. She squeezed Jason¡¯s hand, finding comfort in his steady presence beside her. They only left for the dock after getting the text from Amira that they were nearing the end of the exhaustive process. When they reached the dock, Lori and Amira were just getting out, breaking away from the crowd and looking slightly annoyed. Lori was complaining about the wait time, as usual. ¡°Finally free!¡± Lori grumbled, Gables and Terri scanning the area nearby while the violet-haired girl marched up to them. ¡°I thought we¡¯d never get through that line. Oh, you two look adorable! Picture! Snap. Snap. I¡¯m ready to go! You two didn¡¯t have too much fun without us, did you? Because you look like you¡¯ve been dating for years!¡± Jason smirked, sharing a knowing glance with Rhea. ¡°Eh. Not far off. If you¡¯re up for it, we¡¯ve already booked a battlefield for 5 p.m. Turned out to be the right move to set it for later, too¡ªit¡¯s nearly that time. And what time did you get in?¡± ¡°Three¡­¡± Amira sighed, shaking her head. ¡°It¡¯s done, though.¡± Lori grinned, a competitive gleam in her eye while nudging the redhead. ¡°I called teaming with my Sunshine! Amira¡¯s been talking smack all morning, saying she and Jason were going to roast us, Rhea!¡± Amira rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. ¡°I heard about Jason¡¯s battle with you, and Lapras is a beast. But it¡¯s time to put your money where your mouth is, Lori, because you¡¯ve got 500 credits riding on this.¡± Rhea arched an eyebrow, giving Lori a skeptical look. ¡°That¡¯s the weakest bet I¡¯ve ever heard you make. Huh?¡± Lori burst out laughing, throwing her hands up in surrender. ¡°Red¡¯s as scary as the real Red, I swear¡ªyour man¡¯s scary, okay, girl? I¡¯m confident, but not that confident! I still placed money on it. That¡¯s like¡­a month of food, okay!¡± ¡°In this party?¡± Jason snickered, glancing between them as Rhea and her two teammates gave her boyfriend a light glare. ¡°That won¡¯t last two meals!¡± ¡°A tad exaggerated,¡± Amira mumbled, looking off to the side with slightly red cheeks, ¡°but we all know how much calories we burn when our Fortitude is growing so fast. We¡¯ve mostly maintained our weight, I¡¯d say.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Lori flashed her teeth, catching Rhea¡¯s eye with a twinkling smile before looking at a few key areas, ¡°with some exceptions for Rhea in ways I don¡¯t think you mind, lover boy.¡± ¡°Lori¡­¡± Rhea groaned, making the girl snicker. ¡°Facts are facts, girl! You didn¡¯t eat at all when growing up, so it only makes sense now that you¡¯ve become our resident cute Munchlax! Hey, I didn¡¯t get these curves fasting, you know!¡± she boasted, taking a pose that would make Rhea die inside to do in public. ¡°Where was that battlefield again?¡± Jason asked, looking away and making them laugh. Their voices filled the air as they made their way to the battlefield, the excitement building with each step. As they took their positions, Rhea couldn¡¯t help but feel a surge of anticipation. A crowd had already started to gather, possibly after seeing their names and team listed on reserving it. Some were even recording, and others were chatting excitedly on their live streams. It seemed that no matter where they went, they attracted attention¡ªand today was no exception. Rhea took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest as she reached for Shae¡¯s Pok¨¦ Ball. The countdown began, and with a flick of her wrist, she released her Pok¨¦mon onto the sandy, beach-side field. Serenade emerged opposite them, her energy allowing her to hover slightly over the sand, looking regal and composed. However, Rhea¡¯s attention was immediately drawn to her teammates¡¯ new Pokemon. Lori¡¯s Pokemon exited in a rush of energy, only to plop onto her belly. The patterns immediately stood out to Rhea. Normally, she would have had a yellow tail and head with a bright pink body. Yet, instead, the Slow Pokemon followed the same unique black and white pattern of all her mother¡¯s uniquely colored Pokemon. Jason whistled. ¡°A Slowpoke, huh? Nice!¡± ¡°Galarian, baby!¡± Lori shouted with a grin. ¡°Ready to lose?¡± ¡°Sloooo.¡± ¡°Ra-Ralts!¡± Shae greeted, jogging over, only to trip onto her face to roll to a stop beside the Slowpoke, eyes spinning while looking into the reddening heavens. The crowd chuckled at the reveals, talk already spreading about their newest Pokemon. ¡°Ralts?¡± Rhea¡¯s thoughts were sent back to Misty¡¯s battle against Miky and Lori before her mind turned to the story Rylee had shared about her Slowpoke¡¯s rescue. Mom¡­was this on purpose, and Amira¡¯s Pokemon¡­ Wow, that¡¯s a tough pick, she smiled beside her at the redhead, no doubt silently coaching her black-and-white spiked baby. ¡°A Ferroseed, Amira? Well, this is an interesting match-up. Are we ready?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t cry when we win, Lori, Rhea,¡± Amira called out. ¡°I know you hate losing bets.¡± ¡°Hah! When have I ever cried about losing a bet?¡± the violet-haired girl scoffed. ¡°You¡¯re about to get burned by the sun, baby girl!¡± ¡°Oh, your big sister has a few stories to tell,¡± the redhead shot back, making Lori wince. ¡°You¡¯re bluffing! No way, Shauntel would talk about that¡­ No, she¡¯d totally talk. Shoot. I was fourteen and got busted for illegal gambling! I was scared. You can¡¯t hold that against me! Besides, I¡¯m not going to lose! Let¡¯s go, Red.¡± Rhea sent her internal message to her young little Emotion Pokemon, getting back to her feet and patting the Slowpoke to see if she was okay. This is going to be interesting¡­ We are going for the win, Shae. Trace, and steal Serenade¡¯s Wave Rider again. We¡¯re taking this battle to the sea! B4 — 41. One Step Toward Greatness
    5:01 p.m. November 2nd, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 146. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (32 days away).
    Shae materialized on the beach, feeling the warm grains of sand beneath her tiny feet as she took in the battle stage before her. It was a lot harder to move compared to the last rocky area she¡¯d fought on, and this time, she had two opponents! The sound of waves lapping against the shore filled the air, and the salty scent of the ocean was refreshing. Humans and Pokemon of all shapes and sizes were gathering around the outer edges, taking pictures and talking to one another. She wanted to hop over and get to know what they were talking about, but she focused on the task at hand¡ªRhea¡¯s voice echoed through their bond, reminding her of the battle that was about to unfold, keeping her grounded. Okay, Shae, time to show our team what we can do! Get to know your new friends. Serenade, Jason¡¯s Lapras, momentarily glided over the sand with her own energy, reaching the lapping waves to sit on the wet sand, water foaming around her. She looked as regal and graceful as the last time she¡¯d seen the big Pokemon. Her reflective pink eyes swept over the scene, taking in every detail with a serene smile. Shae¡¯s eyes widened as she saw Amira¡¯s new Pok¨¦mon, a Ferroseed, exited her Poke Ball across from them, a determined, brave energy radiating from the female spike ball. Lori¡¯s Galarian Slowpoke plopped down on her belly with a dopey smile. ¡°Hello!¡± Shae chirped, waving to the newcomers and jogging over to her teammate to greet her, trying to keep her voice confident despite the Butterfree in her belly.¡­only to trip on her face and roll across the sand. ¡°I¡¯m Shae. What are your¡ªack!¡± The Lapras released a musical chortled, head curling in slightly before rising to look at their much smaller frames as Shae tried to pick herself up. ¡°Careful, Shae. Serenade is my name, and it is my pleasure to make your acquaintance.¡± The Ferroseed blinked with her wide eyes, the spikes on its body gleaming in the sunlight as she responded with a curt, steady nod. ¡°Tess. I look forward to supporting you, Serenade. That lump of lard over there is Melon¡­the lazy tail on a log.¡± ¡°Aww. Chiiiill, gurl. No need to be like that, Tess,¡± Lori¡¯s Galarian Slowpoke lazily yawned. ¡°I just like taking a more relaxed approach. One minute, let me roll into the water¡­round and round I go.¡± Shae giggled while patting her on the head before shuffling out of the way and moving to help the bigger Pokemon spin over the sand to reach the foaming sea. ¡°I can help you get around, don¡¯t you worry!¡° ¡°Ooh. I like that,¡± Melon said, sighing with satisfaction as the water met her body. ¡°Mmm. That¡¯s the cool stuff. Oh, hi, big lady. What was your name again?¡± she asked, looking up at the Lapras across the battlefield shoreline as Shae jogged back to stand across from Tess. ¡°Big Lady is fine,¡± Serenade smiled. ¡°Now that the introductions are out of the way, shall we begin? We are building an anxious audience.¡± ¡°I¡¯m ready!¡± Shae chimed in, raising her small hand and hearing Nova¡¯s snickers to Mya through the Nexus. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got quite the team here.¡± The Mawile returned an interested hum. ¡°A Brave Ferroseed and a Relaxed Galarian Slowpoke. I don¡¯t know how Miky would take the idea of a Slowpoke being on Lori¡¯s team. She seems fun, though.¡± ¡°We¡¯re in this together,¡± Rhea reminded them, readying for the fight. ¡°Just follow my instructions, and you¡¯ll be fine. But don¡¯t feel bad to branch out and do something on your own. Often things happen too quickly for me to tell you everything to do without us being way behind. You need to learn how to navigate the battles on your own in the heat of the moment. I¡¯ll support and provide you with information from the sidelines.¡± Understood! ¡°You got this, Shae-Shae!¡± Lulu called out to her, bouncing atop Rhea¡¯s head and cheering her on. ¡°By the power of Queen Bellelba, Mysterious Lady of the Magical Land, you have dark justice on your side!¡± ¡°Dark justice!¡± Shae roared before getting into character, just as her big sister taught her, taking on a regal air and placing a hand on her hip, pulling her opponent¡¯s confused stares. ¡°Beware, foolish villain MCs, for I am here to show you the true path of darkness. I am the Gatekeeper to the Strange Lady¡¯s Palace, Princesses, and you have trespassed onto my glorious shadowy homeland. You will know despair for your crimes!¡± Tess looked back and forth between her and Serenade. ¡°What is she on about?¡± ¡°Woooow,¡± Melon said, rolling onto her back to rise up and down with the surf. ¡°I¡¯m a princess? Cool. What¡¯s a princess?¡± Shae blinked, glancing at the Slowpoke. ¡°Wait, no, no, no! You¡¯re not a Princess. Princesses are the bad guys. We¡¯re the good guys, the Gatekeepers.¡± ¡°Ooh. Got it. Got it¡­ What¡¯s a Gatekeeper?¡± Serenade¡¯s body shook with silent laughter before taking on a more playful tone, making Shae bubble with joy. ¡°Oh, evil Gatekeepers, you have much to learn about the power of unity that Princess Tess and I share. We will overcome your evil.¡± ¡°Ho-ho-ho! Such arrogance,¡± Shae boasted, holding her head to peek out underneath her thick bunch of white hair. ¡°Be prepared for oblivion, intruders. Ooh! I¡¯m already having so much fun! Sorry. Sorry. Just excited!¡± she squealed. ¡°Ready?¡± ¡°Ready,¡± Serenade said. ¡°No need to read too much into it, ladies. We¡¯re here for a good battle.¡± ¡°Right!¡± Tess said, eyes becoming serious. ¡°Let¡¯s do this!¡± Melon released a long stream of air and flipped back over, stretching out her long tail. ¡°I guess it can be fun. You ready to go, Gatekeeper Shae?¡± ¡°Ready to go, Gatekeeper Melon!¡± They stared each other down, waiting for their Trainers to give them the signal. Rhea was already providing her with information and tactics, following some strategies from their previous battle against Serenade. Shae felt the tension surge through her tiny frame as the referee¡¯s voice echoed across the beach. ¡°Begin!¡± A pulse of energy rippled through her bond with Rhea, encouraging her to take the first step. Raising her hands, Shae quickly conjured the purple and crimson flames around them, feeling the warmth radiate through her with Rhea¡¯s potent energy feeding it. With a twirl, she flung the fire toward the weak Grass Pokemon, only for it to be intercepted by a blast of freezing ice by Serenade. The field erupted in steam, blocking the Ferroseed from view¡ªthey¡¯d need to handle Serenade if they were going to have a chance to get at Tess. In the next second, with the Grass Pokemon obscured, Serenade¡¯s graceful form spun into a dance. Ooh, it¡¯s so pretty! She¡¯s doing the princess dance! ¡°Remember last time, Shae! Focus! We need to take care of Serenade before we can sight Tess for a Shadow Sneak.¡± Serenade¡¯s silhouette emerged from the steam, gliding across the rising surf with ease. The Lapras¡¯ eyes sparkled as she began to sway rhythmically, her body glowing with a soft, ethereal light. The Dragon Dance had begun, and Shae could feel the energy building within her opponent. Each movement of Serenade¡¯s long neck was mesmerizing, the air around her shimmering with violet and blue hues¡ªshe wanted to be that elegant. Shae, Confuse Ray¡ªnow! Rhea¡¯s urgent voice cut through her awe as Melon rolled onto her back and began patting her belly, creating a booming sound that paused all of them but Tess. The thorny girl¡¯s body illuminated a light-brown before spiked stones erupted around the field, burying into the sand. Why is it so hard for me to focus sometimes?! ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Nova soothed. ¡°Just take your time and don¡¯t panic. You¡¯ve got this.¡± ¡°Sorry, sorry!¡± Shae squeaked, quickly raising her tiny hands. Ghostly-purple energy swirled around her, forming into a twisting beam of dark light that shot toward the cautious Serenade, probably receiving guidance from Jason as Melon pounded away to her own tempo. The Lapras attempted to dodge at the last second, her graceful form gliding to the side, but the penumbral light struck true, enveloping Serenade in a disorienting cloud of confusion. Serenade¡¯s movements faltered, breaking Shae¡¯s vision of the graceful lady. Her once fluid dance became erratic as she tried to regain her balance. Shae¡¯s heart raced with excitement as she saw her chance. Okay, this is it! Time for Shadow Sneak! Slipping into the shadows, Shae¡¯s body melded with the darkness, her form shifting into a quick-moving blur across the ground. Her heart leaped into her chest when spiked balls shot out of the ground to explode as she went by, but her blurred speed outstripped their detonation just barely. She darted left and right, Trace working to mimic the Ability she needed. Her fixated gaze on the Lapras paid off as she glided over the water¡¯s edge, Wave Rider taking effect. She used the lingering cover of the mist and steam to her advantage, slipping into the haze. With a swift leap, she emerged from Serenade¡¯s shadow, aiming a strike at the Lapras¡¯ soft underside. Her darkness-wreathed fist hit a solid blue shell, leaving her exposed. ¡°Uh-oh¡­¡± ¡°Taaag me in, Gatekeeper!¡± Shae winced as a purple light illuminated around her and abruptly felt like her weight had tripled, a strong force pressing her down and flattening the sand underneath her. Her feet sunk into the wet mess, trapping her in place and canceling Wave Rider. ¡°Not so fast,¡± Tess laughed, a pink glow brightening her eyes. ¡°Who was it who was going to be in despair?¡± Shae smiled as she saw another bright-pink aura surrounding Melon. Serenade spun out onto more open waters, gaining distance as rainbow lights intensified in her open mouth. In a flood of Rhea¡¯s Fortitude, Shae was enveloped in a twinkling array of colors¡ªthe world shifted, and she almost lost track of the battle as a wave of salty liquid flooded her mouth, causing her to panic a little when the tide tried to pull her out to sea. ¡°Ehh¡ªbllrrr?!¡± While she almost got pulled into a watery riptide, Melon entered the Gravity field, only a blast of potent Psychic energy exploded around her frame, launching her right at the retreating Lapras. Serenade sent a beam of concentrated rainbow light at the missile-like Slowpoke, only for Melon to charge right through the laser. At the last second, the Lapras managed to shift her angle for Melon to strike her shell. An eruption of water fountained over the area as both of them were carried out to sea by the kinetic force. Crawling back onto dry sand, spitting out water, Shae took a moment to reconnect to her teammates. ¡°Shae!¡± ¡°Little Gatekeeper!¡± ¡°Look out, Tess is¡ª¡± ¡°Dive! Dive!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± She blinked as a bright-green seed struck her chest when she struggled upright, immediately growing to pin her arms to her side. She winced when her matrix began to be sapped. Looking up, she didn¡¯t see Melon or Serenade nearby, likely taking their battle underwater, and Tess¡¯s center thorn was glowing bright-green¡ªshe was about to launch a big Move. ¡°Protect!¡± A blue shell surrounded her just as a bomb of Grass-Type energy shot toward her, exploding and kicking up sand all around her. Coughing as her barrier faded, she instinctively followed Rhea¡¯s instructions, cupping her bound hands at her front and molding her Trainer¡¯s sent energy. Magical flames flared out, eating away at the vines sapping her defensive matrix and freeing her arms. Putting more strength behind the Move, she lifted her hand over her head and hurled it through the dust, only to see the rolling spike ball closing the distance. Panicking as the flames soared right over the gleefully-eyed Thorn Seed Pokemon on her approach, Shae clapped her hands together, seeing the outline foresight of a toxic aura surrounding Tess. Spotlights bathed the stunned Ferroseed in light, confetti falling around her, Encore collapsing her building Move. ¡°Huh?¡± ¡°Ahh! Oh. Oh, you scared me!¡± Shae cried out, hand going to her chest and breathing a deep sigh while looking into the confused Pokemon¡¯s face. ¡°I¡­I can¡¯t use my Move?¡± Following up with Rhea¡¯s next Move-choice, Shae extended her hands, shadows swirling around her. ¡°Disabled and Encored, foolish princess!¡± ¡°Eh?! Now I can¡¯t move! This is cheating!¡±Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. ¡°Ho-ho-ho,¡± Lulu called out from atop their Trainer¡¯s head. ¡°You know not the ways of darkness, oh spiky one!¡± ¡°For the queen of darkness!¡± Shae shouted, more magical flames collecting in her upheld hand. ¡°Use your Protect, Princess, and let utter despair¡ªahhh!¡± A frosty beam blindsided her, throwing her off-balance and creating an explosion of steam from her smothered flames. Lower body partly frozen, she came to a stop face first in the sand, flipped around, and sat up to see Serenade on the beach-line, looking a bit worn out. However, floating in the surf a little ways away was a spinning-eyed Slowpoke, foaming at the mouth, energy matrix shattered. ¡°Oh¡­ Well, shoot. Curse you, Princesses of eeevil!¡± Serenade smiled as Tess continued to struggle to understand why she couldn¡¯t twitch a finger or use any of her Moves. A giant ball of water gathered above the Lapras. Shae prepared her Protect, but at that moment, Rhea called in the towel. ¡°I think that¡¯s enough,¡± she laughed, ¡°it¡¯s been good enough practice for the babies.¡± Serenade¡¯s big pool collapsed to rain down over her head as Jason walked over to give his girl some love. Rhea was soon scooping her up, examining the ice covering her lower body. ¡°You did great, Shae, but we really need to work on your focus troubles. I think it¡¯s also hurting you from utilizing your Instinct and Perception Abilities to their potential.¡± ¡°Sorry, she¡¯s just so big and pretty,¡± she mumbled, rubbing her hands together as Lulu patted her head. ¡°I want to dance like that. Why don¡¯t I have Dragon Dance?¡± ¡°Aww. You¡¯re the best Gatekeeper,¡± Lulu chirped. ¡°Don¡¯t be down on yourself. The evil heroines always cheat. We¡¯ll get them eventually.¡± She looked to the side, spotting Tess tearing up a little as Amira lifted her up with a smile. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Amira¡­ I tried b-but I just couldn¡¯t do anything. Why couldn¡¯t I do anything? I-It was like I was totally frozen and, and I couldn¡¯t use any Moves, or pull from your Fortitude¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s okay. It was your first battle,¡± the redhead soothed, shooting a slightly dirty look at Rhea. ¡°That was a nasty combo. Encore into Disable? We couldn¡¯t even use Protect if we wanted to. It¡¯s lucky Jason and Serenade managed to handle Melon.¡± Lori came walking over with a small smile. ¡°Aww. There goes my bet, but dang, girl. Yeah, that combo was crazy. Shae¡¯s a little monster! Awesome execution on that Ally Swap, too. Melon tried for a Swap++ but I think we¡¯re going to need training from Alice to get that Ability down. Your boyfriend is a beast, though, Sunshine! Serenade ran circles around us.¡± Rhea giggled while looking toward the ocean, where Jason was congratulating his happy Lapras, licking his ear and nuzzling his cheek. ¡°Yeah¡­he really has gotten strong. Also, Serenade has more training than all of our baby Pokemon, probably combined. She was training with my dad and his other Pokemon over the week.¡± ¡°Sure,¡± Amira mused, soothing her upset Ferroseed, ¡°but didn¡¯t his mother help train Shae and you this last week?¡± ¡°Uh¡­yeah. Sure¡­¡± Rhea forced a laugh, looking off to the side and thinking back to all the relaxing and fun things they¡¯d done over the week in Fuschia. ¡°We did some training.¡± ¡°Some, huh?¡± Jason laughed, joining them with his proud Lapras by his side. ¡°Honestly, you did a great job distracting Shae and Rhea, Amira and Tess. Great strategy. You bought us enough time to finish off Melon, but woah!¡± He shot an impressed look at the violet-haired girl. ¡°That Belly Drum, Ally Swap, and Zen Headbutt combo was insane! If we didn¡¯t have Shell Armor, Serenade would have been out right there. You smashed right through our second Protect, too. I thought we¡¯d used it too early. Awesome battle, ladies.¡± Rhea¡¯s cheeks brightened with her face, not paying the audience any mind. ¡°Yeah! We all did pretty good. So, how about we stop by the Center, get our girls checked out, and then¡ªhmm?¡± All of them glanced down at her phone as it began to buzz, and the ref walked over to them, clearing his voice. ¡°Excuse me, but do you plan to continue with your block or leave it for free entry? Your remaining time will be deducted from the price of the reservation by 50%.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure,¡± Jason mumbled, his brow furrowing as he saw the name on her caller ID. ¡°You need to take that, right?¡± Amira and Lori¡¯s lips became a line while glancing between them. ¡°Why the serious tone?¡± Lori chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s just Rylee.¡± Amira brushed her braid to her back with one hand, following them off the field to the nearest Center as Jason recalled Serenade. ¡°Did something happen to them?¡± ¡°Yeah, about that¡­¡± Rhea let Jason help Shae with her frozen legs, already starting to melt as the energy that created it quickly dissipated. ¡°There was a Gyarados attack.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rylee sighed, lying on the wood floor of the dojo she¡¯d practiced her swordsmanship in since she was five, staring up at the ceiling where a poster of her hero, Samurai, was pinned. Sweat poured down her body, and she tried to calm her breathing. Why can¡¯t I make any progress with my Aura? Am I just not talented at all? Ash helped awaken me to it¡­ I should be amazing¡­but I¡¯m not. I¡¯m just¡­below average, at best. Knight floated over to look down at her, the concerned Honedge being one of the rescue Pokemon her mother had brought in. A few other Pokemon huddled on the sidelines, used to seeing her train at this time every day while munching on berries and talking to one another¡ªprobably making fun of her. ¡°Sloooow.¡± Her eyes dulled as a pink lard of a Pokemon came waltzing onto the floor and lightly butted heads with her. ¡°Slow?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine, Speedo,¡± she sighed, the Pokemon asking her not to die and leave him, as he always did. ¡°I¡¯m not dying. I¡¯m just tired and sad.¡± ¡°Hone?¡± ¡°Slow.¡± ¡°Hone-hone.¡± ¡°Poke?¡± ¡°Edge.¡± ¡°Pooooke.¡± ¡°Oof! Hey, what are you doing?¡± She gasped as the fat Pokemon climbed onto her chest to plop down and give her a hug, pinning her to the floor. ¡°I said I¡¯m fine¡­but let me breathe, fatty!¡± ¡°Slowpoke.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­I know you care about me,¡± she soothed, stroking his head and recalling all of the times he¡¯d followed her and everyone else around to check up on them. She wanted to say not everyone would end up like his last Trainer, but she couldn¡¯t do that to him. ¡°I¡¯m fine. It¡¯s okay.¡± ¡°Poke.¡± Knight floated down to join them, making her groan. ¡°I don¡¯t need more weight! Ack. It¡¯s hard to breathe, guys¡­¡± Suddenly, she jolted awake, placing a hand on her chest and chuckling at the weight she still felt there. Smiling, she looked at her dutiful Slowpoke, curled up at her feet, looking dead to the world. Due to her size, she didn¡¯t have the chance to bring out Tissa that often, so she tried to navigate toward areas that allowed her big crystal girl a chance to stretch her ice. She reached down to affectionately rub his head. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯ve been through a lot, bud. Look at us now, though. I¡¯m doing so well with my Aura now¡­ So why are my nightmares all about me failing in the past? Whatever. Stress, I guess? ¡°Hannah thinks our boost is Rhea¡¯s doing. Maybe. I don¡¯t know. She certainly lit a fire under our butts¡­ Stupid hacks. She¡¯s so strong. Hmm¡­ We can catch up, though.¡± She glanced at the opposite bunk to her as the ship they were on tilted, making the lazy redhead groan and press her face against the guard rail. It made Rylee giggle inside. Yeah, she¡¯s going to wake up with more bar-prints on her face and freak out. How does she always somehow press her face against something hard when she sleeps? And¡­there¡¯s Cami¡¯s snoring. Above them, Jade¡¯s older sister breathed heavily, mumbling in her sleep every so often. This morning, it seemed to be about them being tied up and captured by a bunch of Spinarak¡ªtrue story. Tissa woke up as she settled back into her bunk and pulled out her phone from the drawer; it was 5 a.m. on the 1st of November. Hmm. I could get some extra practice in. You up, Knight¡­ No, I know you¡¯re up, Tissa, she laughed, the Crystal Onix asking if she could explore the ocean today. It¡¯s a storm right now, so I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a wise idea. Maybe when it breaks. Dropping the railing, she saw her Honedge¡¯s eye snap open, and he floated up to look at her. The dim lights of the cabin provided just enough light for Rylee to see as she threw her arms over her head and scratched her exposed belly, examining herself¡ªthis bikini fit a lot better than her old one that would always threaten to slip out of place when she slept. Plus, it was a fashionable blue, which matched her hair. Let¡¯s get dressed and do some light training. Now, did I wash my tank top last night¡­ Eesh, I forgot, she dully said, staring at the item on the floor. It was kind of a mess with six girls staying in one cabin for a few days. The cheap price meant a cramped space, too. Being as quiet as she could, Rylee got up and sorted through some of their tousled together piles to find a pair of dirty shorts she could get wet and wash later. No use in using something clean if I¡¯m just going to get soaked on the deck. We need to practice our balance, and this is the perfect time to do it! Tissa groaned through their connection as Speedo blinked and lifted his head, slow on the uptake. Rylee scratched her neck before pulling up her shorts and buttoning them. I know it¡¯s dangerous, Tissa, and I¡¯m not letting you go into the ocean, but you way overestimate your ability to swim in these currents. You¡¯re used to really tranquil, high mountain cave lakes¡­ Hmm? No, I know you want to get better at rotating and swimming. Speedo still holds the record for the fastest lap¡­ Yes, and you took up like half the pool length. You¡¯re just getting past your clumsy stage. You¡¯re still a little girl. You¡¯re doing great, Tissa. ¡°Slooow.¡± Rylee smiled at the supportive Dopey Pokemon as he yawned and got up to follow her out. She made sure to put a finger to her lips to keep him quiet, though. Shhhh. We need to respect the girls¡¯ sleep¡­or they may try to stop me again. She did a quick double check of the five other girls in her squad. Luckily, Cami¡¯s snoring had made all of them heavier sleepers over the last few months. The woman¡¯s Exeggcute and Oddish snuggled up against the messy-haired woman. It was cool that Jade¡¯s older sister hadn¡¯t given up on her dream of Training. She went from hardstuck Bronze Two, to Silver Six with them in one season, which was Master-children-tier in her book. We¡¯re doing awesome! Sam was kind of their unofficial leader. Cami, as the oldest in their party, had more leadership qualities in Rylee¡¯s eyes. However, Jade¡¯s sister willingly took a back seat to the brunette, letting her make most of the decisions, only offering advice when asked. It was a bit weird to Rylee, but she could respect it. Their brown-eyed leader had really come into her own recently, standing up to her big sister back in Pallet, who never missed a chance to tease her. Sam actually worked up the courage to challenge her mouthy sister, Dai, to a battle when they passed back through her hometown. The young woman¡¯s Metapod and Kakuna had recently evolved, and she didn¡¯t believe Sam was Silver-tier. Sam appeared to be fine with letting that go on, which was a bit suspect to Rylee and her code of honor. Still, she didn¡¯t know Sam¡¯s background with her ¡®diabolical¡¯ sister. She acted like they had a somewhat-rocky but loving history. Still, battling a newly evolved Butterfree and Beedrill with her beast of a Pineco, Phanpy, and Kadabra? It would be a slaughter. Hannah was the secret final boss of Amira¡¯s fan club, idolizing the celebrity Rocket girl and running interference at every turn, weaponizing her growing fan club to stop any slanderous or unsightly things online, such as the gross content some were now making of Viridian¡¯s superstar. In Rylee¡¯s opinion, she was a bit obsessive, but that was how some girls were of their idols, and she couldn¡¯t talk with how she idolized Samurai. Jade and Cami together were a riot; the sisters were either pulling one another¡¯s hair to get a rise out of the other or being the most wholesome sisters on the planet. Mimi, Jade¡¯s Pichu, was doing wonders now and actually showing a lot more power than she should, but, being one of the rare-born Hidden Ability Pokemon, she fell outside the norm. Lastly, Jayline, their bronze-skinned, brown-eyed, and blonde-haired Alolan mascot, was a bundle of energy. Poppy, her Steenee was still charming but maturing into a rather¡­dominating personality as time went on. Bruce, her Growlithe, did everything the affectionate lady wanted. She caught his tail wagging on the top bunk across from her, curled up beside Jay¡¯s feet. Poppy lay right next to her Trainer. It looks like I can now comfortably have two Pokemon out at all times. Next goal, three. She took one last look at the resting girls, internally thanking Rhea for introducing her to a group that could actually put up with her antics. Wow¡­ I¡¯m such a hard person to live with. How do you all do it? she sighed, asking her Pokemon on the way out. Time to make them worry again! Off we go to train. Onward, soldiers! Marching out of the room, she was careful to close the door as quietly as possible. The boat tilted left and right under the heavy storm. The seas were often like this, she heard, due to powerful Pokemon like Lugia or other Legendaries¡¯ actions across the globe that caused butterfly effects. It was just something they had to deal with. To Rylee, it was an opportunity, though. Forcing open the thick metal door, she braced herself as the sharp gust nearly yanked it out of her hands. Speedo took one look at the black skies, howling wind, and cracking thunder that rippled through the ship, and lightly latched onto her ankle with his mouth, prompting her to go back inside. ¡°Sloooow.¡± ¡°It¡¯s fine!¡± Rylee reassured him, standing a bit clear of the door in case it whipped back on them as she bent down to pet the frowning Slowpoke. ¡°The guard rails are good and high. Plus I have two Pokemon who can swim¡­well, one that can basically float,¡± she chuckled, feeling Tissa¡¯s grumbles about practicing. ¡°We have to face our fears!¡± ¡°Slow?¡± The pink Pokemon let go and looked up at her with big eyes, wanting to trust her. ¡°Slowpoke?¡± ¡°Mhm! I know you¡¯re afraid,¡± she giggled, stroking his head and jumping a little as the door slammed shut on them again. ¡°Arceus! Haha. You¡¯re afraid of me getting into a swimming pool! Remember the water park? I was fine, right? We had fun.¡± ¡°Slowpoke.¡± He frowned and looked her in the eyes, and Rylee could see him struggling with how his previous Trainer died, years earlier and before she¡¯d met the cautious Pokemon. ¡°Yeah. I¡¯m strong. You¡¯re strong, too. In fact, you¡¯re the strongest one on our team¡ªeven more than Knight! We couldn¡¯t have made it this far without you, bud. This is just another challenge. We practice as a team. Are you ready to join me?¡± He nodded slowly. ¡°Poke. Poke.¡± ¡°Mhm! If it gets too bad, then we¡¯ll return back inside. Plus, there¡¯s probably a Master on each side of the ship, making sure everything is fine. It¡¯s their job.¡± ¡°Slow.¡± Speedo convinced, she took a deep breath and moved out onto the wide side deck, leading to the front. She held her arm in front of her face, fighting the wind and slick floor to reach the top with Knight and Speedo beside her. ¡°We¡¯ve got this,¡± she yelled through the gales, already soaked several seconds after stepping into the tempest. ¡°We¡¯re almost there¡­ Tissa, you¡¯re up!¡± Taking out her Poke Ball upon reaching the wider, reinforced deck, she released the giant Crystal Onix, spotting a Master who appeared to be in his early twenties watching her from a higher deck in the dark. The early-morning storm made him hard to make out, though, but she recognized his Alolan-style outfit from the Masters introducing themselves before they boarded. Immediately, the gale was mostly curbed as her giant crystal snake took the brunt of the wind. ¡°Nice work, Tissa,¡± Rylee grinned, holding out her hand for Knight to enter. ¡°Now, hold down the right side; that way, I¡¯m less likely to get blown away and hit the railing. Good! Keep it up! Now for sword swings. You with me, Speedo?¡± ¡°Slow!¡± The Slowpoke turned his back, lifted his stiff tail and swung down with her sword motion. ¡°Slow!¡± ¡°That¡¯s it! Open up the way, Tissa. It¡¯s training time. One¡­ Two¡­ Three!¡± Firming her balance, they led them through the practice as the storm went on, and an hour later, it broke, her sides hurting with the strain on her body as she finished her daily practice. ¡°One-thousand and ninety-eight! One thousand and ninety-nine! Two¡­two thousand!¡± Hands trembling, the wind started to die down, and the rising sun broke through the darkness, bathing the Master who had been watching them in a warm, early glow. He hopped down with a smile on his face, slicking back his drenched hair and wearing flip-flops that somehow didn¡¯t squeak while he walked¡ªher clothes gave off an ungodly amount of noise as she recovered, rubbing her dry throat. He tossed her a water bottle he¡¯d obtained at some point that she hadn¡¯t noticed. ¡°Quite the routine there, young lady. I¡¯m impressed. Rylee, right?¡± ¡°Hmm? You know me?¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen some of your recent battles.¡± He nodded his head toward Triss as Rylee sipped at the water, not wanting to chug it too fast and upset her stomach. ¡°Can¡¯t say I¡¯ve seen a Crystal Onix in a Gym Battle before. Interesting stuff. Anyway, if you¡¯re free later today, maybe I can give you a few pointers for your next battle with Blaine.¡± He gave her a thumbs up and turned to swap places with a female Master in her late twenties who exited the cabin area, still looking sleepy. ¡°You¡¯ve made me a fan with that dedication. You¡¯re Master material, for sure. Jasmine! You look terrible, woman. Off to clean myself up and get some sleep. Yo, why take a sea job when you get seasick?¡± ¡°Oh, shut up, kid, I could trounce you any time, any place¡­ Blah. I just had a bit too much wine. Ugh. My stomach¡­¡± Rylee giggled as he gave her a helpless shrug and Jasmine lurched toward the railing to vomit. Butterfree were swarming in her stomach, though. Well, I guess even Masters have their weaknesses¡­ Us, Masters? No way a Master just said that to us, and he wants to give us some pointers! I knew training in the storm was the right call. We¡¯re making it! We¡¯re getting stronger¡­ I¡¯m getting stronger, Mom. B4 — 42. A Friend In-Need
    6:09 p.m. November 2nd, Monday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 146. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (32 days away).
    Silence. The crushing depths of the ocean pressed in from all sides, suffocating Rylee as she sank deeper into oblivion. Her body was heavy¡ªunresponsive¡ªlike it wasn¡¯t hers anymore. Darkness swallowed her. The cold seeped into her bones and stole her breath as her air escaped her lungs in slow, desperate bubbles. No¡­ no, not again! Sinking, always helpless. Wake up! Please, make it stop¡­ She half felt her body twitch and turn under the thin blanket, the sweat that slicked her hot skin. The current had her in its grip, pulling her further away from consciousness, despite her efforts to push upward toward lucidity. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, too fast, too shallow. I can¡¯t breathe¡ªI can¡¯t see¡ªI can¡¯t¡­I can¡¯t think! Panic set in. But it wasn¡¯t just the ocean that terrified her. She could see the flashes of memories now¡ªof what she had done, what it had done. Its long, plated blue body massive. And its mouth¡­its horrifyingly large fangs. The power. The destruction. And then the aftermath¡ªthe regret, the shame that made her stomach twist even as she fought against the phantom waves. Why? Why is this happening to me? Her chest constricted as if the ocean¡¯s crushing weight had reached her heart, squeezing it dry. She couldn¡¯t move, couldn¡¯t flee from the horror. The water was a cage, a tomb, and even in her sleep, she knew there was no escaping it. No! Don¡¯t come¡­ I¡¯m not worth it. Then, from the abyss, she heard it. A voice¡ªwarm, strong, and filled with a heroism that should have comforted her. But it didn¡¯t. It only made her sob harder, the tears leaking out from beneath her closed lids as she writhed. Not again. Not again. Never again¡­ Never again! The current shifted, and suddenly, she was rising, fleeing the oppressive water, reaching for the surface, for air as a pink blur stole the attention of the lone serpentine monster in the darkness, shimmering crystal carrying her to the surface. Her hand stretched out, down into the dark void beneath her, trembling with sorrow, regret, and a strange, aching longing. This isn¡¯t how things were meant to be. He doesn¡¯t deserve this¡­ Why wasn¡¯t I better? Rylee jolted awake, gasping for air, her body slick with cold sweat. The tears were still fresh on her cheeks, and her heart pounded so hard it felt like it might burst. She sat up, clutching her head with trembling hands, her breaths ragged and shallow as Cami fell off the bunk with a grunt, getting up while rubbing her head. She climbed onto the bed and held her tight. ¡°Ouch! Rylee? Oh, hey¡­ It¡¯s okay¡­ Just breathe.¡± ¡°I can¡¯t¡­I can¡¯t do this,¡± she whispered, choking on the words. A calm that felt like mockery after the terror of the nightmare of the previous day. She couldn¡¯t stay here. She couldn¡¯t be trapped on this boat, surrounded by water. The panic surged again, tightening around her throat like a noose. ¡°I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t. I can¡¯t¡­¡± Her teammates were quick to get up as Cami held her, crawling over to help comfort her¡­but she didn¡¯t deserve it. Her Pokemon tried to cuddle her spirit, but she couldn¡¯t help the guilt from sinking in. I¡¯m to blame¡­ Speedy¡­ I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry¡­ * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea stared at her phone as Rylee¡¯s name flickered across the screen, her heartbeat quickening. There was a part of her that had anticipated this call, a part that had felt the ripple of dread all afternoon, even through the adrenaline of their recent battle. She glanced at Jason, who was already watching her with an unspoken question in his amber eyes. Why do I feel like this is bad? Cami sounded sad, but she said they were alright, she thought, pressing the answer button. She lifted the phone to her ear, forcing herself to keep her voice steady. ¡°Rylee? Hey, going on? Are you okay?¡± The silence on the other end was thick¡ªheavy, like the pause before a storm. Then, Rylee¡¯s voice came through, so faint and brittle that Rhea almost didn¡¯t catch it. ¡°I¡­ I took a plane¡­¡± Rhea¡¯s brows knitted together. ¡°You took a plane? But¡­weren¡¯t you supposed to be on the boat with the others? Where are they?¡± There was a shaky breath on the other side of the line. ¡°They couldn¡¯t afford it, but my mom bought it for me. Umm. I couldn¡¯t¡­ I just couldn¡¯t be on that boat, Rhea. I¡ªI couldn¡¯t¡­¡± Rhea swallowed hard. There was something hollow in Rylee¡¯s voice, something that made Rhea¡¯s stomach clench with unease. Her mind immediately flashed to the Plasma incident and after being told about her family¡¯s past¡ªthe raw emotions. She pushed that fear down, keeping her tone soft, steady. Maybe this really shook her up, like it did for Lori. ¡°It¡¯s okay, Rylee. You don¡¯t have to explain right now. Where are you?¡± ¡°At the airport¡­ I got here early. The others couldn¡¯t afford the ticket since it was an unscheduled flight¡ªa Master¡­ Did I say that already? I just¡ª¡± Rylee¡¯s voice cracked, the sound of her unraveling emotions bleeding through. ¡°Rhea¡­ I¡¯m sorry.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest tightened. Sorry for what? But she didn¡¯t ask that. Not yet. ¡°It¡¯s alright, Rylee. We¡¯re coming to get you. Stay where you are, okay?¡± she asked, looking at Jason. ¡°The airport, right?¡± Jason had already pulled out his own phone, typing quickly as he nodded to her. ¡°Nearest airport¡¯s about ten minutes away. I¡¯ll call an express Pidgeot cab now.¡± ¡°Thank you,¡± Rhea mouthed to him, then turned her attention back to the phone. ¡°Rylee, we¡¯ll be there soon. You don¡¯t need to say anything else if it¡¯s too hard. Breathe with me, okay? In¡­out.¡± For a long moment, Rylee didn¡¯t respond, hopefully following her prompts. Then, a quiet, shaky ¡°Okay,¡± whispered through the line. ¡°I¡¯ll be on the side of the road. Sorry, it¡¯s¡­it¡¯s hard to talk.¡± Rhea¡¯s mouth became a line as Rylee hung up, her thoughts spinning. She knew that hollow feeling. She¡¯d felt it after her mother had told her the truth about her birth or when she was home alone, staring up at her ceiling when both her parents were gone during the Ultra War, thinking they¡¯d died. The look her mother often had when the past was brought up. Whatever Rylee was going through, it wasn¡¯t something that could be easily fixed with words. Sure, she didn¡¯t know Rylee as well as the others in Sam¡¯s party, but she was a friend. Amira and Lori were already beside her, their expressions mirroring her concern. ¡°Is she okay?¡± Amira asked quietly, brushing a strand of red hair behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯m not seeing much from the news online other than that there was an attack, but the boat is safe, and repairs are being done on it.¡± Rhea shook her head slightly. ¡°I don¡¯t know. She¡¯s at the airport. Jason, the cab? She couldn¡¯t stay on the boat, she said. The others are waiting for the repairs, I guess.¡± Jason nodded. ¡°It should be here within minutes by the notification. A driver was nearby.¡± Lori¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°That¡¯s not a good sign, Rhea. Her mom paid for it? You think¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think,¡± Rhea admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. ¡°But whatever it is, I¡¯m sure we can handle it. I¡¯m just worried that she hung up on me¡­ I hope she¡¯s still there.¡± The Pidgeot cab arrived within minutes, its large wings stirring up the sand as it descended. Jason opened the cab door for them all to climb into it, and soon, they were soaring above the coastline. The salty air whipped through Rhea¡¯s hair as she tried to push back the growing unease in her chest. She focused on the rhythmic beats of the Pidgeot¡¯s wings, on the steadying presence of her boyfriend and friends beside her. Amira, Lori, Jason¡ªthey were all with her, and that gave her strength. Something felt off, though. It was something in her voice that made her thoughts return to moments during the Ultra War, hearing the way Masters talked to one another after a loss. The airport came into view, and they descended quickly, landing with practiced ease on the designated platform. Rhea was the first one out and jogged toward the terminal, her eyes scanning the crowd. Then she saw her¡ªRylee, standing by herself near the curb, her arms wrapped tightly around her middle as if trying to hold herself together. Her neon-blue hair sticking out in the throng, pulled back into a messy bun. Exhaustion was etched into her face. Her eyes were red, black rings were under them, and her shoulders were hunched, as if the weight of everything was pressing her into the ground. Rhea¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She wanted to say something, anything, but the words tangled in her chest. Before she could even think, she closed the distance between them and wrapped Rylee in a tight hug. Rylee stiffened at first, but then her body collapsed into her arms, the blue-haired girl¡¯s breath coming in ragged gasps as her chest convulsed with sobs. ¡°Rhea¡­ Rhea¡­ I¡ª¡± she choked out between cries, her words dissolving into the air. ¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± Rhea whispered, her own voice trembling now. ¡°We¡¯re here. You don¡¯t have to talk if you can¡¯t. You¡¯re not alone. We¡¯re here.¡± Jason, Amira, and Lori caught up and stood around them, offering silent support as Rylee cried into Rhea¡¯s shoulder. Rhea gently stroked her back, trying to soothe the shudders that racked her friend¡¯s body, even as her own mind raced with worry. What had happened? What had driven Rylee to this point? Something had to have happened¡­but what? Minutes passed before Rylee¡¯s sobs began to quiet, though she still trembled in Rhea¡¯s arms. She pulled back slightly, wiping at her tear-streaked face with shaking hands. After a short pause, she said, ¡°There¡­ There was an accident,¡± she managed to whisper. Her voice was raw while stumbling through the next parts. ¡°When the Gyarados started to rampage¡­ The Masters, they were dealing with it in the front¡­ I, umm, was helping people¡ªtrying to get them inside¡ªto safety, but¡­but I got knocked over the railing by this panicking woman¡­¡±If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. Rhea¡¯s heart clenched. She could hear the panic creeping back into Rylee¡¯s voice, see it in the way her hands shook. ¡°The current was so strong¡­ I couldn¡¯t¡­ I couldn¡¯t swim against it, Rhea¡­ I tried, but¡­¡± She broke off, her breath hitching as fresh tears welled up in her eyes. Rhea gently cupped her friend¡¯s face, forcing Rylee to meet her gaze. ¡°Hey. Hey, Rylee. You¡¯re here now. Okay? You¡¯re safe.¡± Rylee shook her head, her hands clutching at her chest. ¡°No¡­ no, Rhea, you don¡¯t understand. I¡¯m not¡­ Speedy¡­ He¡­¡± The realization hit Rhea with cold chills running down her arms, knocking the air out of her lungs as she whispered, ¡°Speedy¡­didn¡¯t make it?¡± Rylee¡¯s sobs returned, fiercer now, as if speaking the words had shattered something inside her. She collapsed against Rhea again, her body trembling violently. ¡°He distracted the Gyarados with a Flash¡­ He saved me, Rhea, but¡­but he didn¡¯t¡­¡± Rhea closed her eyes, holding Rylee as tightly as she could, heat rising up her nose and sniffing back her own tears. Her thoughts returned to how lucky they¡¯d been when the Plasma assassin had come for them, how her brother had come to her rescue when it could have turned out so much worse. Feeling her Pokemon pressing around her spirit, trying to understand, Rhea knew she couldn¡¯t take away even a fraction of her friend¡¯s pain. She knew from hearing it during the Ultra War, when losing a bonded Pokemon was common. There was no fix for that hole but time. No words could bring Speedy back. Amira stepped forward, placing a gentle hand on Rylee¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯re here, Rylee,¡± she said softly. ¡°You¡¯re not alone.¡± Lori nodded, her usual light-hearted demeanor replaced with quiet determination. ¡°Yeah¡­ Maybe we should go to a less crowded place. I know you probably don¡¯t want to eat, but¡­you probably should. Is your mom flying in? I imagine she is.¡± Jason stood nearby, his expression grim but supportive. ¡°I¡¯ll look for a quiet place we can sit in¡­ One second.¡± Rylee¡¯s sobs gradually softened as the weight of their support surrounded her. She pulled back from Rhea, her breath still hitching, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes¡ªsomething that hadn¡¯t been there before. It wasn¡¯t hope, exactly, but it was a spark. A small, fragile spark that told Rhea that maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthey could help her heal from this. Sam and the others must be worried sick about not being able to be with her¡­ Private flights like that, especially with storms in the area, are expensive. If they could, I¡¯m sure they would have been here¡­and Rylee probably wouldn¡¯t let them pool their money and hurt their journey finances. Rhea offered a small, encouraging smile. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s get you somewhere safe. We can talk more when you¡¯re ready. Jason¡¯s pretty good at picking out restaurants.¡± Rylee nodded weakly, her grip on Rhea¡¯s arm tightening as they guided her toward the waiting cab. As they settled into the seats, Rhea kept one arm around her friend, feeling the subtle tremors that still ran through her body. She didn¡¯t need to say anything. Rylee didn¡¯t need to hear words right now¡ªshe needed to know that she wasn¡¯t alone. The restaurant Jason found was quiet, tucked away in a peaceful corner of the island city, with an open garden that had winding stone paths leading through patches of flowers. It was a tad more expensive for even entry, but pooling their funds, it was more than enough¡ªespecially with the plushie sales. Jason was cute, offering to pay for half¡ªhe had made a killing in Kalos through all his battles. Tissa, her Crystal Onix, was stretched out on a large, smooth boulder near the garden¡¯s edge, sunlight glinting off her shimmering scales. Even as Rhea watched all of their Pok¨¦mon interact with each other, supporting one another, she couldn¡¯t ignore the tension that radiated from Rylee. They had settled at a large table outside, the garden providing a serene backdrop that contrasted sharply with the turmoil in Rylee¡¯s eyes. Amira and Lori flanked her, their expressions soft with concern as they finished delivering their orders. Jason had taken the seat opposite Rhea, his presence comforting and grounding. It was the kind of place that usually brought her peace. But every now and then, Rylee would murmur, ¡°I¡¯m sorry¡­¡± out of nowhere, her voice barely audible over the soft breeze. It was a reflex, almost like a tic, and every time she said it, the weight of her guilt seemed to press down even harder on her slender shoulders. Rhea bit her lip, glancing down at her barely touched drink as her mind whirled. How do I help her? I¡¯ve been through my own share of darkness, but this¡­ this is different. I¡¯ve never felt what it¡¯s like to have my soul-bonded Pok¨¦mon ripped away from me. How would I respond¡­ Nova nudged her leg under the table, his large pink eyes filled with worry. Rhea reached down, scratching behind her ear, grateful for her supportive presence for Rylee¡¯s Pok¨¦mon , especially her young Crystal Onix. Knight, her Honedge, had grown up with a lot of Pok¨¦mon in similar situations, so he seemed to be taking it as a rock, trying to be there for his Trainer and teammates. Rylee suddenly spoke up again, voice wavering, ¡°I just¡­ I keep thinking¡­if only I¡¯d done something differently¡­ If I was with everyone else instead of outside.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to say anything,¡± Amira gently interjected, leaning closer to Rylee. ¡°Speedy did this for you because he loved you. Didn¡¯t he? He reacted to you being in danger¡­ He cared for you, like we do. Can you tell us a little more about him?¡± She nodded, though her eyes remained distant and she breathed in deeply before puffing it out in a long stream. ¡°He¡­was a really slow guy¡­until you saw him in the water. Speedy hated the water, though. Well¡­he used to. I started getting him to go to some of the water parks in the cities we went to¡­ We made a game out of hitting every one, even if for only a few hours. Tissa liked it because there were places she could show off¡­ Why wasn¡¯t I stronger? I¡¯m supposed to be stronger¡ªI can use Aura.¡± Jason reached out, his hand hovering just above Rylee¡¯s trembling one. ¡°You¡¯re not alone in this, Rylee. Speedy started liking the water, huh?¡± The girl strained a smile. ¡°Yeah, well¡­if we raced. He used to race all the time with his old Trainer¡­ My mom is putting together a funeral for him. Something small. It, umm¡­ It should be in two days or so,¡± she mumbled. Rhea watched as Rylee swallowed hard, her gaze flitting to Jason before dropping to the table. She nodded again, more to herself than to anyone else. Her fingers curled into tight fists, knuckles turning white. Wanting to offer whatever support she could, Rhea glanced from Amira to Lori, who nodded. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll be there. Count on us.¡± This wasn¡¯t going to be solved overnight. Rhea knew that. She had seen the aftermath of trauma before, had lived through her own fears and anxieties. But seeing it now, in Rylee, twisted something deep inside her¡ªa mix of helplessness and determination that made her chest ache. Excusing herself after making sure Rylee had enough support, Rhea slipped away from the table, her phone already in her hand as she made her way to a quieter part of the garden. The fresh air helped clear her head, but her thoughts still spun as she dialed Cami¡¯s number. The line clicked after a few rings, and Cami¡¯s voice came through, filled with relief and exhaustion. ¡°Rhea? Is she¡­is she there?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Rhea replied, leaning against a stone wall, her gaze drifting over the tropical flowers. ¡°She¡¯s with us now. We¡¯re taking care of her.¡± There was a pause on the other end, followed by a heavy sigh. ¡°Thank Arceus¡­ We¡¯ve been so worried, trying to figure out how to get there, but every flight is either booked or way too expensive, and now with this storm rolling in¡­¡± Rhea smiled, though there was a touch of exasperation in it. ¡°Why didn¡¯t you call me sooner? Seriously! You all treat me like I¡¯m glass or something.¡± ¡°I did,¡± Cami admitted, her tone sheepish. ¡°But Sam and Jade¡­they didn¡¯t want to feel like we were using you. You know how they can be¡ªstubborn.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, I didn¡¯t know them as well as I thought I did, I guess, but we are kind of newer friends,¡± Rhea said with a soft chuckle, though the seriousness of the situation wasn¡¯t lost on her. She took a deep breath, her thoughts turning over a solution. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about finding a ride. I grew up in a community of Masters, remember? Hold on for a second.¡± ¡°Rhea¡­¡± Pulling the phone away from her ear, Rhea quickly opened Pikabook and navigated to the Master Community message board. Her fingers flew over the screen as she typed out an SOS, detailing her friends¡¯ situation. As soon as she hit send, a lump formed in her throat. She knew what it was like to feel that crushing weight of responsibility¡ªto want to help, but feel powerless. It took forever for her mother to finally open up to her. Within seconds, responses flooded in, and Rhea blinked back the sudden rush of emotions. Masters from all over were offering their help, empathizing with Rylee¡¯s plight in ways that only they could understand. She quickly thanked them and sent the nearest one to the island Trainer ID. Bringing the phone back to her ear, Rhea cleared her throat. ¡°Cami? You still there?¡± ¡°Mhm. Yeah, uh¡­ I¡¯m just in the bathroom right now, collecting myself. Should I get the others?¡± ¡°No, no. It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve got someone coming to pick you up. I¡¯ll send you his Trainer ID so you can connect and activate the GPS lock to meet up. You¡¯ll be here in a few hours.¡± There was a moment of stunned silence on the other end, followed by a choked laugh, as if the cloudy sky had broken to a stream of sunlight. ¡°You somehow solved everything¡­easy as that,¡± Cami said, her voice thick with gratitude. ¡°Lori helping me become a Trainer again with her crazy Black Market bets¡­ Getting Champion Lyra¡¯s attention to help my sister, and now¡­now this. Thank you, Rhea¡­ Thank you.¡± ¡°Not all of that was me!¡± she laughed, her voice softening. ¡°And you¡¯re welcome. Whatever Rylee decides to do from here, I know she¡¯s in good hands with you guys. And tell Sam, Hannah, Jade, and Jay not to stonewall me. Got it! We¡¯re friends, and this is the least I can do.¡± ¡°I will,¡± Cami promised, the shadow cast over her voice lifting. ¡°I¡¯m about to reconnect with them. I¡¯m sure they¡¯ll send you a ton of messages once they hear everything. Don¡¯t¡­you need to get ready for the battle with Gym Leader Blaine tomorrow, though?¡± Rhea¡¯s smile grew, warmth spreading through her chest. ¡°Good. I¡¯ll be here, and I look forward to seeing you all soon. And prepare for Blaine? You¡¯re way more important than that, and not to mention we¡¯re already qualified for the Silver Cup. This is just for fun and practice.¡± ¡°¡­You¡¯re something else, Rhea. My friends back home would never have gone this far.¡± As she ended the call, Rhea took a deep breath, letting the tension ease from her shoulders as progress was made. The world felt a little lighter now, despite the circumstances. She returned to the table where her friends were waiting. Rylee was still quiet, her eyes downcast, but there was a little more color in her cheeks now¡ªa sign that maybe she was starting to feel a sliver of hope through the endless darkness. It made Rhea remember her talk with Terri after she¡¯d been rescued from her ghostly curse of eternal senselessness. Rhea slipped back into her seat, offering Rylee a gentle smile. ¡°Help¡¯s on the way. Sam and the others will be here shortly. We¡¯ll figure this out together.¡± For the first time since they had picked her up, Rylee met Rhea¡¯s gaze, and though her eyes were still filled with pain, there was a flicker of gratitude there, too. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was a start. As the day went on and her teammates reconnected, Rhea felt like things were on an upward track by the time they split apart, allowing Sam and the others their chance to support her. She got quite a few apologies from Sam and Jade to Hannah and Cami¡¯s approving nods. She figured Sam was having trouble trying to figure out how to repay her for getting her mom involved with Mimi. For Sam, she had no idea why she¡¯d be so hesitant to ask for a favor. Discussing things with Jason as darkness fell and she found herself alone with her boyfriend on the road to the airport, Rhea squeezed his strong hand for support. ¡°You were amazing today, Jason¡­ Thanks for being there for my friends, even if you really don¡¯t know them.¡± He smiled and pulled her in closer, hand gripping her side to pull her against him on their slow journey. ¡°That is more than enough reward for me. Honestly, I didn¡¯t do it for them¡­ I did it for you because I know it meant something to you. Everyone wants my Sunshine, and I can¡¯t steal your warmth all to myself, ya know?¡± Rhea giggled and knocked her head against his shoulder, enjoying the proximity. ¡°Whatever the reason, you did everything I needed without me asking once. Thank you¡­ Do you really need to go?¡± He laughed and leaned over to kiss her forehead. ¡°I think I do. You¡¯ve got a goal to keep, and I¡¯m a distraction¡ªa happy distraction¡ªbut a distraction nonetheless¡­for us both! All I can think about is what to do to make you happy when I¡¯m with you¡­to see that perfect smile and steal a kiss. But¡­ I need to think about the future, too. And if I¡¯m going to be who I want to be, then I need to sacrifice, too. I need to get stronger¡­¡± Pausing as they reached the airport, he pulled away and held her hands. Rhea couldn¡¯t help a giggle upon seeing Alice and Sunny beside them, having their own talk and holding hands, possibly following their example. Jason¡¯s hot breath against her cheek pulled her attention, though as he looked deep into her eyes, he was the one that seemed lost in them, as if he were swimming into eternity. ¡°I don¡¯t know how this is going to come out or across¡­but I don¡¯t want you to think about Sabin when you¡¯re in trouble or need help¡­ Not your dad or mom¡­ I¡¯m that selfish¡­ I want to be on your mind.¡± ¡°Jason,¡± she whispered, but he shook his head with a smile instead of a frown. ¡°I want that because it¡¯s you I¡¯m thinking of, Rhea, and I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll think about you every morning¡­ It¡¯s the time I¡¯d most think about you when I was in Kalos. I want to be your hero¡­because you¡¯re mine. So, keep an eye on me, Babe. Because when I come back, I¡¯m going to knock you off your feet again.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t get a word out as he leaned in and met her lips, drawing the air out of her lungs. Once again left with stars, she balked as he spun away. He grabbed the hat Bolt tossed him from the ground, fitted it on as he flipped around, and accepted the bag Maru, his Breloom, had been carrying. Jason gave her a two-fingered salute before saying, ¡°Catch you on the flipside, Sunshine. And the point goes to the boyfriend.¡± ¡°You¡ªoooh, we¡¯ll see how many points you get when you come back!¡± she shot back, crossing her arms and giggling as Sunny tripped while trying to mirror his Trainer. Alice jogged forward to help him up, giving him a kiss on the cheek and making his red face go even more cherry colored. Bolt waited at the door, giving him a smug smirk. ¡°Lop-pun-pun.¡± ¡°Ra-raboot¡­¡± ¡°Pika-pi?¡± ¡°Raboot!¡± ¡°Pikachu,¡± he called out with a teasing grin. Pulling his scarf up, ears pulled back, he spun around and jogged after Bolt and his Trainer, practically floating. Maru gave a sigh and shook his head from beside Alice. After a second, he gave a start and ran after Jason, Bolt, and Sunny, his powerful tail wagging behind him. ¡°What a bunch of guys,¡± Rhea said with a long puff of air. ¡°Ni?¡± Lulu poked her head out from inside her front, yawning. ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Yup. You missed them.¡± ¡°Ni¡­¡± Rhea found her elbow behind her back, feeling oddly light all of a sudden as she whispered, ¡°Catch you later, Mankey Butt. Now, it¡¯s time to get ready for Blaine. Tomorrow, we get our fifth Encrusted Badge.¡± B4 — 43. Distances Bridged
    6:00 a.m. November 3rd, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 147. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (31 days away).
    Rhea stirred beneath the soft hotel sheets, the unfamiliar stillness of the room waking her before the light streaming through the curtains could. She stretched, feeling Mya¡¯s cold, smooth head nestled beside her under the covers, the Steel-type¡¯s breath coming in soft grumbles as she slept. Naturally, Lulu and Shae were nestled against her chest, cuddled up together while Nova hogged the space below the blanket, wrapped around her leg. Rhea spread out a little, enjoying the light burn it left and smacking her somewhat dry lips before puffing out a long stream of air. On her other side, Alice made her smile, the bun sprawled out, her growing frame taking up more space than seemed possible. Hopefully, the Lopunny wouldn¡¯t follow Lori¡¯s sleeping habits. Rhea chuckled quietly, careful not to wake them, as she carefully reached over to grab her phone from the nightstand. As she unlocked it, the screen¡¯s brightness momentarily blinded her, and she hurriedly adjusted it, turning down the glow to a softer hue. The latest update had added a feature where the hologram display could reflect back into the crystal screen¡ªuseful, but it caught her off guard sometimes. It is new technology, I guess, she thought, swiping through her messages. The first notification that caught her eye was from Sam and Rylee, sent late last night:
    12:12 a.m. Wooloo Sam: Yesterday was rough, but Rylee¡¯s mom is flying in this morning. Don¡¯t worry about Rylee¡ªor us! We¡¯re in good hands as a group. Thanks for bringing us to Cinnabar to support Rylee¡­ I know I should have called. That¡¯s what friends are for. Again, sorry. We¡¯re figuring things out, so you focus on getting that badge! We¡¯ll probably make it. Rylee was talking about it. I bet she messages you when she settles in for bed. It means a lot what you¡¯ve done for us, Rhea. More than you can ever know.
    Rhea smiled softly at the message, the small weight of worry in her chest easing slightly. Swiping to the next message, she opened it with a soft rumble in her throat upon seeing a group picture of the six young women posing together in the hotel room Amira had gotten at the last minute, holding up a handcrafted sign saying, ¡®You¡¯re our heroes!¡¯
    12:44 a.m. Wooloo Rylee: Honestly, Rhea, I can¡¯t thank you enough. I¡¯ve kind of been really jealous of you ever since we first met. Your Aura talents, your attitude, your looks¡­ It felt like you had everything and didn¡¯t have to work for it. It felt really unfair and I feel icky just writing this after today, but I wanted to be honest with myself after everything.
    Settling back into her pillow, Rhea couldn¡¯t help but let another long sigh pass through her nose to relieve the pressure in her lungs while going to her next message. She could imagine the neon-blue-haired girl struggling to type out her heart last night, battling everything swirling around her soul with a massive hole in it.
    12:58 a.m. Wooloo Rylee: I keep typing things out and deleting them. I don¡¯t know what else to say, but I want to say more. It¡¯s frustrating and I¡¯m trying not to sleep. It¡¯s hard. I promise you, I¡¯m doing better, though. My mom is flying in. I got to not think about things since she¡¯s doing some of the harder stuff. I wanted to see your battle but I think I need to be with my mom to set some things up. I don¡¯t know. I know you don¡¯t know me as well as the others. 1:12 a.m. Wooloo Rylee: I think I¡¯m just trying to say thank you, Rhea. You made me feel like I am one of the girls, and that isn¡¯t something I¡¯ve felt a lot growing up. I know I¡¯m difficult. I don¡¯t try to be. I just need to work on myself more, I guess. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯m saying anymore. So, thank you. I guess I should just listen to Samurai¡¯s saying¡­ It takes a mighty fall to learn to walk. Because life is too short to take it as it goes. So stand up tall, and let the whole world know what you stand for. I can see why Lori calls you her Sunshine. The happy days, the hard days¡­you find a way to make things easier for everyone around you. Thank you.
    Rhea tapped out a response, feeling the warmth burning in her heart, recalling how much Rylee admired the famed Samurai:
    6:20 a.m. Joltik Butt: The way I saw it best growing up during the Ultra War, Speedy¡¯s life should be celebrated. Even when you¡¯re lonely, know that you¡¯re not alone. Just focus on yourself for now with the girls fussing over you, and let your mom take care of you, too. We¡¯ll catch up when possible. Speedy is in your smile because that is what he saved. And of course you¡¯re one of us, Rylee. We¡¯re standing beside you as friends.
    She hit send and felt a small sense of relief, knowing Rylee was growing stronger. Yes, losing a Pokemon was devastating, but if she learned anything from all the Masters growing up, it¡¯s that their Pokemon should be honored by living your life, not hiding from it. You¡¯re not alone, Rylee, she thought, swapping to photos she¡¯d taken in the past at the Cerulean Farmsteads to find a picture of all of them together as a group. Ash was in the middle with Melanie, Rylee¡¯s mom, beside him. My friendship circle keeps growing¡­ That was my real dream growing up. I can¡¯t believe how many people and places I¡¯ve been able to go since starting my journey. Her mind briefly wandered to her own mom and the complicated mix of feelings their relationship always stirred up. No, Mom¡¯s doing good. Dad and her are actually doing fantastic. Somehow we managed to get mom on a vacation away from locking herself away in her labs for months on end. Everyone is recovering. Her thumb hovered over the next notification¡ªJason¡¯s name stared back at her, and she hesitated before opening it. The sigh that escaped her was heavier than she expected, and she frowned slightly as she realized how much she missed him already. Stupid. He¡¯s only been gone for less than twelve hours, and you already want to call him. Chill! Don¡¯t be the stereotypical over-clingy girlfriend. Play it cool. Everything is fine¡­even if it doesn¡¯t look like he¡¯s doing that great¡­ The photo he¡¯d sent was from a layover lobby, his usually neat hair messy and tired circles under his eyes. He¡¯d clearly tried to sleep, but the exhaustion was still evident. The sight made her chest ache in a way she didn¡¯t fully understand. He couldn¡¯t sleep? Was he missing me? Was I keeping him awake? Should I say sorry? Why does this make me feel so¡­off? Stupid thoughts, but I have them. Relax! He¡¯s just had a bad flight because of me¡­ Rhea shifted uncomfortably, brushing a lock of hair out of her face as she zoomed in on the picture. He looked so tired, and it was her fault. He¡¯d been thrown off schedule, supporting her with Rylee¡¯s situation, and the guilt gnawed at her. He¡¯s always doing that¡­putting others first. I wish he¡¯d take care of himself more. Wait, is that what others say about me? Hmm. She didn¡¯t know how to put her feelings into words, so she settled for typing out something simple:
    6:20 a.m. Joltik Butt: I¡¯m glad you can¡¯t see what my nickname for myself is right now. Get some rest when you can, okay? You look exhausted. Thanks for everything you did for Rylee. <3 Don¡¯t make me worry.
    She hesitated, then added:
    6:20 a.m. Joltik Butt: I miss you.
    Dropping her phone to rest on her neck with a low rumble in her throat, she glared up at the dark ceiling. I miss you? Really? Is that what he wants to hear after he just left? What am I doing? Is¡­that the first time I¡¯ve actually said¡­or rather typed those words to him? No, I think I said it back, but when he said it¡­it felt different. Her memory of when he¡¯d first returned, surprising her¡ªthose were the first three words out of his mouth before she¡¯d tackled him. I missed you¡­ I missed you, my little, blue-eyed Joltik; you¡¯re so beautiful. Fire flowed up her chest to her throat, surprising her as tears welled up in her eyes. Did I really not say I¡¯d miss him yesterday when he left? Why does that seem so important now? Why am I getting so emotional all of a sudden? I¡¯m so selfish¡­ awkward, flawed. But all he sees is¡­is something way better than I am. Cheeks warming with the heat flaming her face, she sent the message, fighting back tears she didn¡¯t fully get were trying to punch her in the eye. Quickly locking the phone and tossing it onto the bed before she could second-guess herself, Rhea puffed out several streams of air to relieve the pressure rising in her breast. Ugh, why does he do this to me? The kisses, the way he touches my hand, and looks at me¡­ Can I actually see myself the way he sees me? She buried her face in her hands, feeling like a hot mess of nerves, but her thoughts and emotions wouldn¡¯t leave her alone, making her shift under her blankets. ¡°Nee?¡± ¡°Ra?¡± Her Pokemon started to stir as she struggled with the battle she was losing to her own body. Mya awoke beside her, and Rhea felt the Steel-type¡¯s familiar presence soothe some of the tension as she rolled up to pat her on the head as if she were a toddler. ¡°Ma-ma. Mawile.¡± ¡°Lopunny?¡± Alice asked with a yawn, rubbing her eyes and glancing around. ¡°Mawile.¡± ¡°Pwe?¡± Nova crawled up her body to poke her head out of the blankets. Rhea reached out, stroking the yawning Eevee, her ears pulling back before doing the same with her other Pokemon. Mya¡¯s head gently swayed with bliss, enjoying the return head pat. The Mawile grumbled something unintelligible while dropping back onto the bed, half-asleep but clearly enjoying the attention. Carefully settling back into her bed with some of her curious Pokemon crawling closer to snuggle against her and read with her. Rhea shifted slightly, picking her phone back up. She opened the messaging app again, scrolling through the list of contacts until she found Sabin¡¯s name. It had been a while since she¡¯d checked in with her big brother. Rhea leaned further back against the pillow, her eyes still a bit hazy from sleep. Her phone was warm in her hand as she opened Pikabook. Sabin¡¯s profile picture smiled back at her¡ªa candid shot of him with Kate in Paldea, both of them grinning ear to ear as they stood on a cliff; the tagline said it was called the Great Crater, and he talked about exploring its misty mysteries. The next shot showed the vibrant colors of the region outside the crater, making her long for the call of adventure, hiking, and the fresh air of a new place. I¡¯ve basically been through most of Kanto now. Sure, there are a lot of places I could go and see, but I¡¯ve seen a lot of amazing things around home. Maybe we should look at a new region for shooting to Platinum. I see they¡¯re having a lot of fun in Paldea¡­ Lyra is supposed to battle their Champion soon, too, to see if they¡¯ll join the United Indigo League. A pang of wistfulness tugged at her while thinking back to the first time she met her team, spotting Amira with her unfriendly face, getting out of her limo back in Pallet. Meeting Lori and her sister in that award room where Lucian had turned everyone against him. It felt like forever ago. Rhea swapped to a map of her region, and a small smile brightened her eyes as she followed their journey from Pallet to Viridian, its forest, Dark City, her Contest fiasco, Pewter, and so much more. She went through their journey from major city to major city with all the insanity and fun they¡¯d had. My journey really has been everything everyone said it would be and more¡­ I can¡¯t believe how close I¡¯ve gotten with Amira and Lori in such a short time. I¡¯ve met so many people and stumbled on some crazy secrets¡­ Ash and his harem, as Iris calls it, which is crazy coming from her! Mom and Dad, our past¡­ So many things.Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. The familiar ache of missing her brother bubbled up as she swapped to past photos of them, and she soon found herself typing out a message.
    6:30 a.m. Joltik Butt: Good morning, Sab! At least, it¡¯s morning here. Paldea looks amazing! How¡¯s training going? Are you finally ready to beat up your little sister? ;) Jking! Jking! I¡¯m catching up, though, bro!
    She sent it, then paused, fingers hovering over the screen before adding:
    6:31 a.m. Joltik Butt: Also, tell Kate hi for me! You both look great together. Maybe you¡¯ll have to show us around after we finish the Silver Cup. I¡¯m almost legally a professional Trainer at Gold-tier, you know!
    Rhea smiled softly as she sent the message, imagining Sabin¡¯s mock indignation at her playful taunt. She could almost hear his laugh, the one that always managed to lighten the mood no matter how bad things got. He¡¯d probably make some joke about how he¡¯s already a Grand Master while she¡¯s been playing around and doesn¡¯t need to prove it to his little sister. Her thoughts shifted to their last conversation. He¡¯d been so focused on his training, pushing himself to the limits, but Rhea could tell he was happier where he was at now. Paldea seemed to be challenging him in ways he hadn¡¯t anticipated, and from what she¡¯d heard, Kate was a big part of pushing him to try something new. Sabin had always been the strong one, the one she could lean on. But lately, she¡¯d felt like she needed to stand on her own more, to be someone he could be proud of too, and he was giving her room to grow. Her throat dried up as Jason¡¯s words popped back into her head at the worst time, making her heart thump harder. I don¡¯t know how this is going to come out or across¡­but I don¡¯t want you to think about Sabin when you¡¯re in trouble or need help¡­ Not your dad or mom¡­ I¡¯m that selfish¡­ I want to be on your mind. Brain cooked, Rhea had a challenging time getting those words out of her brain. Trying to distract herself, she quickly flipped to her mom¡¯s profile. Her mom and dad seemed to be having a cute time traveling through Johto, the latest update showing them in Goldenrod City. The picture was a snapshot of the two of them in front of the Radio Tower, their arms around each other as they smiled for the camera. Her mom looked relaxed, her blonde hair slightly tousled by the wind, while her dad had his usual confident grin. Despite the distance, I bet they¡¯re planning to drop by Blaine¡¯s Gym later today, Rhea mused, a small smile tugging at her lips. Stealth pictures for the family, probably teasing me for my battle stance or something. If Blue comments on my throwing technique one more time, I¡¯ll block him¡­ Rhea¡¯s thumb hesitated over the screen before she decided to leave a quick comment.
    6:34 a.m. Joltik Butt: Looking adorable in that blue dress, Mom! Don¡¯t forget to get me something from the Goldenrod Department Store. My girls need some sweets. ;) And I¡¯m not talking all about my Pokemon!
    She chuckled to herself, imagining the teasing she¡¯d get in return. Her mom was really coming out of her shell, and Rhea looked forward to a bit of a break after the Silver Cup to see how much her mother had really changed. Next, she scrolled to Bianca¡¯s profile. Her cousin was as lively as ever, currently in Unova with Hilbert. They were attending some big event¡ªsomething about a new research facility in Nimbasa City. The latest photo was a candid shot of the two of them mid-laugh, Bianca¡¯s face glowing with excitement. Hilbert was beside her, his arm casually draped over her shoulders, and the two of them looked like they were having the time of their lives. Her brow furrowed when spotting a reflection in a window, and she zoomed in, spotting a certain green-haired man beside Hilda, the picture taker. It seemed those two were back on speaking terms. She shook her head, thinking about all the stories she¡¯d heard about the hot and cold pair. A frown touched her mouth upon spotting a rare piece of Gossip her cousin had reshared. Scandal uncovered! New potential upstart Champion, Rosa, who managed to beat Elite Four Member Grimsley last month, was seen on a date with TV game show superstar Curtis, also known by his screen name, Christoph! Female fans up in arms, demanding an apology! A shiver ran down Rhea¡¯s spine. Unova fangirls are crazy. They might actually try to stab him¡­or her. I hope he¡¯s a Master because at least Rosa should be able to defend herself. She started to type a message but paused when a notification from Amira popped up.
    6:35 a.m. Fire Stone: Morning. You coming out with us for breakfast? We don¡¯t need to be at the docks until 12:30, and the Bronze challengers have the gym until 3:30. Yes, there are a lot of them now that we¡¯re getting down to a month before the Silver Cup. We¡¯ve got some time if you¡¯re up for food. If not, I understand after yesterday.
    Rhea bit her lip, the weight of the previous day¡¯s events pressing down on her chest. She glanced around the room at her mostly attentive Pok¨¦mon. ¡°It¡¯s a new day. What do you girls think?¡± ¡°Nee!¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Ralts!¡± ¡°Pun-Pun. Pun?¡± ¡°Maw?¡± The smile grew as Mya rolled off the bed and bounced up as if nothing happened, asking what was going on. Alice was the one who needed a response, though, as she held up her phone. ¡°Oh? You don¡¯t want me to take a picture right now and send it to Sunny? Why wait until after a shower?¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± the bun cried out, rolling off the bed and ducking under it as Rhea aimed the deadly device to capture her overly puffy ears and messy hair. ¡°Lop!¡± ¡°I¡¯m joking!¡± Rhea snickered, stretching out as her other Pokemon giggled. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s get ready. Today, we beat Blaine! Gotta keep this body moving, right girls?¡± They gave a cheer, probably hyping each other up over breakfast berries as Rhea responded:
    6:36 a.m. Joltik Butt: More afraid of my brain when alone than with you guys. It has been wild and out of control today. I¡¯ll be out soon. Just reflecting. See you at breakfast? Send coordinates?
    As she sent the message, Rhea swung her legs over the side of the bed, careful not to step on Alice as she poked her head out. ¡°Lop?¡± ¡°Yes, it¡¯s safe to come out¡ªor is it!¡± she roared, aiming her camera like a weapon and making the bunny duck back under the bed for cover. ¡°Lopunny!¡± Giggling, she felt a small surge of resurgence as she tied back her hair in a quick bun to do some morning stretches, her feet sinking into the soft carpet. Today was going to be a big day¡ªa challenge in more ways than one. And she wasn¡¯t going to face it alone. She had her team, her girls. ¡°Alright! Time to get ready. We¡¯ve got a day to conquer!¡± She took a deep breath after her workout, feeling the familiar flutter of nerves in her stomach, and headed for the shower. The others would text her when they got a chance, she was sure. Right now, she needed to dress up and take a picture to send Jason to stop his restless nights. She had her own job to do in this relationship! And that was to help him not worry about her or feel lonely. Rhea lingered by her portable wardrobe after expanding it, fingers brushing over the soft fabrics of her neatly folded or hung-up clothes. Jason¡¯s message replayed in her mind, the image of his tired eyes and the faint smile that followed his words. She wanted to send something back that would ease his exhaustion, something that said she was doing just fine. But what would he like best? Rhea bit her lip, turning back to the mirror as she pulled out a few options, her Pokemon making suggestions. She was spending way too long in front of her reflection, staring back at her with a critical eye that went to every flaw she knew she had. No. He doesn¡¯t see you through your stupid eyes! He sees something more like¡­this. She smiled, took a step back, and tried to see through his eyes, which left Butterfree in her belly, a canvas waiting to be painted with an impression that would stick with Jason through the long hours apart coming clearer in her mind. Swapping to another item that snatched her eye, her hand hovered over a cute, floral sundress¡ªsoft, light, something she¡¯d wear on a carefree day out with him. It was the kind of dress that whispered relaxation and easygoing charm. I know Jason will like anything I send¡­but I don¡¯t want it to just be anything. He¡¯s tired, stressed, and missing me¡­ He needs something that tells him I¡¯m doing it for him¡­like his dressing room antics, she mused, cheeks coloring slightly. Cute isn¡¯t enough, and swimwear¡­ He¡¯s already seen that, she thought, moving the sundress aside. She then eyed a sleek, dark blue outfit¡ªelegant and poised, something that spoke of maturity and confidence. Beautiful, without a doubt, and it does catch the eye with those sparkly flakes. Is it too polished for me, though? It¡¯s more like an Amira look, and I don¡¯t want to create space between us; I want to bridge the gap. The next option was a vibrant red dress, bold and striking, one that Amira had once said looked stunning on her¡ªyes, a very Amira dress. The color was a statement all on its own, demanding attention and exuding confidence, just like the redhead. It was the type of dress that made her feel powerful, like she could take on the world. From elegant to bold¡­ Still too much? she wondered, now thinking how she¡¯d also look at the Fire Gym. I want to be strong¡­and it is in theme with the Gym, but I also want to be warm, approachable¡­ Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Alice yawning beside her, the Lopunny stretching before glancing curiously at the array of outfits she¡¯d laid out herself. Rhea smiled softly, reaching out to stroke Alice¡¯s ears. ¡°Hmm. What do you think, Alice? Should I go with something pretty, something that shows I¡¯m okay? Or something that¡¯ll remind him of why he fell for me in the first place¡ªshorts and a dirty tank top?¡± she laughed. Alice tilted her head, considering the choices before hopping onto the bed, eyeing a soft yellow ensemble that Rhea hadn¡¯t given much thought to. It was a simple yet elegant dress with a flowing design that accentuated her natural features without being too overpowering. It was also a striking contrast to her blue eyes and matched her blonde hair. The color brought out the warmth in her complexion, and the style was a blend of cute and mature, delicate and strong that made her head tilt to the side while pondering the option. Cute with the right hairstyle, elegant with my figure, and warm with the right touch of makeup to color my cheeks, maybe? It checks the boxes. Rhea could see the appeal. It wasn¡¯t too flashy, but it wasn¡¯t dull either. It had a subtle grace to it, the kind that made you take a second look. She held up a thumb to her Lopunny. ¡°Maybe this is it,¡± she chimed, pulling the dress off the bed and holding it up to herself in the mirror. Alice gave a pleased nod, her other Pokemon chiming in, and Rhea felt a sense of calm settle over her. This was the right choice¡ªnot too much, not too little, and good enough to send a text. It was her semi-dressed up for a public battle, and that¡¯s what she wanted Jason to see. Not grungy or depressed but a bright, vibrant star¡ªhis bright sunshine, as he saw her. She wanted him to remember the girl who was standing strong, even when he wasn¡¯t there to hold her hand. Perfect, she thought, taking the dress to the shower with a few other key items for the outfit. She got ready as quickly as she could, messaging Lori and Amira that she was sorry for taking so long. Once finished, she slipped into the dress. As the fabric settled around her, Rhea could feel her confidence budding. It wasn¡¯t just about looking good for herself anymore, and that had a different feel that settled over her¡ªa good feeling. The warmth of the material against her skin in the steamy room was comforting, and she could already imagine Jason¡¯s smile when he saw the picture. Heading for her room, she set up her wardrobe in a new spot to catch the light and pose in an inviting way, unable to stop a true smile from lighting her cheeks upon seeing herself in a new light. I really am beautiful and not just cute¡­ Thanks, Jason. Opening the blinds to the ocean view, she handed her phone to Alice to take the picture with her Pokemon acting as supports. Alice was brimming with excitement for her turn, as well, looking all pretty; it had only taken them an hour to find the outfit and get ready. After taking a few shots of each of them, she saw Amira¡¯s return text.
    7:16 a.m. Fire Stone: No rush. Lori is dragging her feet, complaining about her back, and not her burn. She just wants to sleep another thirty minutes since she was up late texting Kekoa.
    Rhea shook her head, lips bunching to the side and probably reading too much into the text. Amira never talks about how things are going between Kekipi or Lucian. Maybe I should bring it up because I don¡¯t want things to build up pressure that doesn¡¯t need to¡­ Amira is pretty private, though, even to us. Trying to put it out of her thoughts, if only for the moment, her smile returned while messaging Jason the photos with captions on it, showing her in a few poses, some of which were thoughtful and playful:
    7:29 a.m. Joltik Butt: Well, hello there, pretty stranger. Weird how you got my number, but¡­would you please be mine? Tell me, what¡¯s on your mind when you see this? What do I look like? Don¡¯t be shy. ;) Just thought you might need a little sunshine today. DMs always open for you, Mankey Butt, so don¡¯t be a stranger.
    She attached the picture and hit send, a small smile playing on her lips as she imagined Jason¡¯s reaction. He¡¯ll probably tease me about the dress with some smart comment¡ªmaybe call me his little stardust princess or something cheesy like that, she thought, chuckling softly. Her heart thumped as she waited for his reply, but she knew he was probably passed out cold right now. Forcing herself away from her room, she returned most of her Pokemon to their capsules and left the room somewhat of a mess, with outfits slung around to clean up later. Rhea¡¯s thoughts drifted to their relationship on her way to meet with her team and how much they¡¯d grown together over the course of their lives. We¡¯ve been through so much¡­ The Ultra War was a hard time for us as kids, but there¡¯s so much more ahead. She glanced at Lulu, riding atop Nova, alight with laughter. They¡¯ll return one day¡­and I¡¯ll be ready. We¡¯ll be ready. No, let¡¯s not think about that! Her eyes sparkled at the looks others in the hall gave her; it seemed Alice¡¯s choice was spot on, yet her thoughts were directed toward the boy flying across the ocean. I can¡¯t believe I¡¯m dating my best friend¡­ Life is crazy. Oh?! Waiting outside the elevator, Rhea¡¯s phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. Jason¡¯s reply made her heart flutter with his tired but far more relaxed expression with the return photo. Most of all, though, it was the love she could see in his welcoming amber eyes.
    7:34 a.m. Mankey Butt: Way to make me feel like the luckiest man on the planet. Wow. You look¡­like something that could warm me up during dark, cold nights. You always know how to make my chilly day cozier, Sunshine. Miss you, too. <3 Strong and beautiful. The perfect combination. Blaine won¡¯t know what hit him. Stay safe, Electro Bug. You¡¯re zapping my heart, always.
    Her eyes softened, warmth flooding her chest as she felt the connection between them strengthen, even from this distance. He really is too perfect with words. Rejuvenated for the day and ready to take on anything Blane threw her way, Rhea set her sights on a blazing battle this afternoon. We¡¯re ready. B4 — 44. Is It Envy?
    1:14 p.m. November 3rd, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 147. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (31 days away).
    The ship rocked gently beneath Amira¡¯s feet, the salty breeze teasing loose strands of her fiery hair as she stared into the endless blue. She had slipped away unnoticed from her bombarded teammates, or so she hoped, to address something that had been eating her up inside. Lori and Rhea had become the center of attention, the Trainers, tourists, and Gym enthusiast crowd swirling around them with excited questions about Rhea using Lulu during her last Gym Battle and if they¡¯d use their Myths or Legends in all the future Gym battles. It gave Amira the perfect excuse to melt into the background unnoticed. Only, she didn¡¯t quite understand how to address what was pressing against her heavy heart. Why do I feel so off lately? It doesn¡¯t make sense. I have everything I¡¯d ever need¡­ I have the perfect life. Don¡¯t I? She crossed her arms, gripping them tightly against her chest. Then why do I feel this anxiety¡­ I¡¯m not nervous about Blaine. I¡¯m not even that close to Rylee or the others. It¡¯s not like I¡¯m incredibly invested in their problems¡­ It¡¯s sad. That¡¯s it. They¡¯re more Rhea¡¯s friends than having anything to do with me. I don¡¯t have friends¡­ So, is it that I¡¯m just selfish? I¡¯m comfortable being selfish. Then why do I feel so¡­flawed? Saliva thickening in her mouth, she pulled out her phone from the belt strap she wore and flipped to her back. Unlocking the device, she bit her bottom lip upon seeing two unanswered texts: Kekipi and Lucian. Kekipi blissfully tells me about his latest training sessions and Lucian¡¯s awkward attempts to check in on me after my last Gym battle¡­and I can¡¯t respond. Why can¡¯t I respond? She glanced down at Serenity, who was the only one who was with her after she¡¯d dismissed her other girls to go have fun on the ship; Amira practically had to chase them off to let her handle her dysfunction her own way. I look at their messages, and my thoughts instantly go to Jason and Rhea¡¯s cute antics as a couple¡­ Kekipi and Lucian would drop everything to see me if I asked. As bad as it sounds in my head, I could have both of them to feed me attention anytime I wanted. I¡­don¡¯t want to waste their time, though. But I think about Jason and Rhea¡¯s moments together¡­ Flipping back around with a low groan, she leaned forward to lightly tap her forehead against her folded arms on the railing, staring at the deck. Her breathing became momentarily difficult. What¡¯s wrong with me? Am I depressed? What am I not satisfied with? It¡¯s not about Jason, Kekipi, or Lucian, though¡­ It¡¯s Rhea. I don¡¯t want to be around her. That¡¯s so¡­wrong. And after what I said in Celadon? Why have things changed since we talked in the Gym? It¡¯s not logical! ¡°What¡¯s wrong with me, Serenity?¡± she mumbled, feeling a wave of guilt and frustration that made her nose burn. ¡°Fee?¡± She shook her head, lifting herself up to stare across the waves, looking for answers that were buried in the little things Rhea did or said. ¡°No, I¡¯m not exactly sad¡­ I looked it up, and it¡¯s different from depression. I could talk to a therapist, but¡­I don¡¯t want to.¡± Serenity floated up a tad to nudge her shoulder. ¡°Feebas.¡± ¡°I know that¡¯s not like me,¡± she mumbled, her stomach tightening up. ¡°It¡¯s why I¡¯m so¡­agitated. It¡¯s more like a constant itch under my skin¡­ This unsettling feeling that leaves me¡­hollow and restless all at once.¡± She shifted, leaning her elbows on the cool railing, staring at the ocean below. The water reflected the bright morning light in its v-like pattern from the ship¡¯s wake, but its surface was deceptive. Beneath, it was deep, dark, and unknowable¡ªjust like her thoughts. ¡°Amira!¡± The sound of her name made her muscles lock up, though she immediately softened her features before turning around, adding a fake smile. Rhea had found her, a concerned look in the blonde¡¯s bright blue eyes. She smiled, but there was a knowing glint behind it that Amira couldn¡¯t ignore. Rhea had an innate sense for Aura that made hiding things difficult, but Amira had practice with her mother. ¡°Lori¡¯s running interference for me,¡± Rhea said with a small laugh, catching up to her. ¡°Hey, Serenity!¡± ¡°Bas.¡± Rhea nodded as Lulu jumped out of her dress front, no doubt hiding from the attention she was getting. ¡°Lori¡¯s got them distracted for now. But I was¡­worried. You¡¯ve seemed off since this morning. No, maybe before that?¡± Of course she noticed. I guess Jason could only distract her as long as he was here, and now that he¡¯s gone¡­ She¡¯s so open¡­so willing to reach out to others¡­ Is that my problem? Why does that bother me so much? Am I¡­jealous? No. It¡¯s something else. Amira¡¯s stomach twisted with guilt as she stopped herself from playing with her rose-colored glasses attached to her blouse front. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she lied, far too smoothly for her comfort, showing a perfect smile she¡¯d practiced for years. ¡°I just need to focus before the Gym Battle. I want to be ready, and my grandfather¡¯s Gym is next, so¡­¡± It wasn¡¯t entirely false¡ªBlaine¡¯s battles would be tough, but they weren¡¯t the reason she wanted to be alone. And something about mentioning her grandfather made the hand wrapped around her heart grip tighter. Rhea nodded slowly, but the concern didn¡¯t leave her face. ¡°I get it. But, if there¡¯s anything else¡­you know you can talk to me, right?¡± Amira¡¯s heart tightened at the sincerity in her voice, making nails dig into her chest. She wanted to believe that, wanted to open up about the whirlwind of emotions inside her, but the words just wouldn¡¯t come. Instead, she offered a light chuckle, shrugging as if to brush off the weight of the conversation. ¡°I know, Rhea. I never doubted that for a second. It¡¯s something a bit more¡­.personal.¡± Rhea hesitated for a moment, making Amira¡¯s breath catch in her lungs. Don¡¯t push it. Please. The blonde eventually gave a small nod and backed away, showing an inviting smile. ¡°Well, okay. I know you also have your Pokemon. I¡¯ll go try to rescue Lori¡­if I can make it there. We¡¯ll see, but it¡¯s a battle in there! Take your time.¡± I¡¯m so easy to act like a Torkoal in my shell¡­ Stupid. Amira waved her idol away, feeling dirty but unable to speak her mind for what felt like the first time in her life. Her blonde friend turned and was quickly snagged by a pair of young teenage girls who wanted to learn more about Lulu since all they knew about Cosmog was from school and how dangerous they were. Amira let out a breath she hadn¡¯t realized she was holding and sniffed, turning to rub away a tear that fell down her cheek. It¡¯s how easily Rhea can do it¡­ How she has this way of inviting people into her life¡­ How she effortlessly builds connections without a worry in the world. Why am I so¡­weak and afraid? She turned back to the sea, her reflection rippling in the water below. It wasn¡¯t that she felt neglected¡ªRhea was always there for her, always offering support. She loved that about her friend. No, it was something else, something deeper that churned inside her. Do I feel¡­inferior? The word hit her like a stone dropping into her stomach. I¡¯m inferior. Have I ever felt that way before? Am I capable of a real relationship like Rhea? I¡¯ve been successful at everything I¡¯ve done in my entire life¡­but I can¡¯t let anyone in like Rhea can, and I don¡¯t know why¡­ Serenity? Her shock dissipated as her Feebas tapped her leg with her fin. Bending down, she picked her up to hold and look after the blonde as Rhea was pulled away to meet the teens¡¯ parents. Nova was now in one of the girls¡¯ arms, who was squealing about how pretty she was. Amira clenched her jaw. Emotions aren¡¯t supposed to be this complicated, this irrational. Yet¡­I feel like I¡¯m standing in Rhea¡¯s shadow, but she keeps pulling me into the light. She introduces everyone new to me and tries to bring me into the group. Without her and Lori¡­I¡¯d be alone and isolated. I can¡¯t let anyone pass a certain wall¡­ Stupid. It¡¯s stupid. But I¡¯m afraid. Moving to walk around the upper deck, she spoke to Serenity to have someone in her mind, listening, and not be so alone¡ªsmall steps. Rhea has so many people in her life now¡­ I know a lot of people. I have a ton of connections. But it¡¯s different. Serenity gave her a small nudge, making her chuckle and shake her head, already feeling slightly better. Maybe Rhea¡¯s comment about her Pokemon had been on point, as she always somehow managed to be. No, you know I¡¯m totally confident in myself. I¡¯m so confident in myself¡­but I can¡¯t trust others. I rely on myself. I always have. I pride myself on that. Rhea used to be so insecure when we started, despite how amazing she is, and maybe I did help show her with that. Well, I can¡¯t take all the credit. She looked down on the front middle deck upon reaching it, a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth upon seeing Lori gathering everyone to make a Pokestar dance short. Lori¡¯s got a few problems similar to mine. I am flawed. I find it hard to trust people. And maybe I do envy that in Rhea a bit. I bet she felt the same way about me in some ways¡­ Well, she¡¯s actually told me she has. I guess I should take the advice of my own unreleased song. It is one of my mom¡¯s favorites for a reason since she inspired it¡­ She inspired most of my songs. No one is flawless, but we¡¯re all diamonds. She glanced down toward the crowd and saw Rhea again, this time swarmed by another group of girls, all of them asking about the movie they¡¯d heard rumors about, by the sounds of it from their loud voices. Some seemed to have noticed that one actress with a major role was played by Kate and wanted to know that story. Amira watched with a bit of budding pride as Rhea handled the attention with a grace she wouldn¡¯t have believed when they¡¯d first started their journey, that easygoing smile never faltering. Yet, she wasn¡¯t careless either after all their run-ins with the press. She¡¯s never alone, is she? Wait¡­is that it? The realization settled over Amira, heavy and suffocating the warmth she¡¯d just felt.Stolen novel; please report. It¡¯s not that I feel neglected or envious¡­but I feel small, like I can¡¯t measure up to the effortless way Rhea connects with the world. I feel¡­hopeless. I can¡¯t change. We¡¯re so similar in our upbringing, yet so different. Amira looked down at the blonde, laughing and enjoying the questions rather than feeling obligated or annoyed. They¡¯d both been isolated as children¡ªtheir upbringings, their overprotective families, had ensured that. But no, that wasn¡¯t right. Her family had always supported her branching out and making new connections. No, she¡¯d done this all on her own¡ªclosed herself off, keeping people at arm¡¯s length even when they tried to get closer¡­because she didn¡¯t want to be hurt. She didn¡¯t even know when it started. Maybe¡­I should talk to my mom about this. It¡¯s not something Rhea can or should help with. She¡¯s done enough by helping me see it, but I don¡¯t think I can choose between Lucian and Kekipi until I sort out my own flaws¡­ I need to be open enough to tell them that. I don¡¯t think I can without my mom being there, and as lame as it sounds¡­ I think I need to do it over a call. I don¡¯t know how to let someone in besides my family¡­not really. The thought stung, and she bit her lip to keep the tears from welling up. I¡¯m stronger than this¡­but I¡¯m not. I couldn¡¯t even let Rhea see my fear¡­if it is a fear. I don¡¯t know what it is anymore. Can people like me¡­for me and not just for who I am? Does that even make sense? I know people like me, that Lucian and Kekipi like me¡­but can I return those feelings? I don¡¯t know. The waves below offered no answers, only the constant rhythm of their rise and fall. Yet, a purple-haired Mankey hopped up on the railing to jump and latch onto the upper deck, punting Amira¡¯s mind out of its spiral. ¡°Lori?! What are you doing¡ªthereare stairs!¡± she cried in bewilderment as the tall Unovan girl hoisted herself up with impressive strength to hop over the railing. ¡°You¡¯re in a dress! Everyone will see your¡ª¡± ¡°Butt? Lucky them!¡± Lori snickered, Terri making the jump up with her Trainer, despite her short stature. ¡°Nothing people don¡¯t see in my beach pics online. Well, I¡¯m wearing pink today, I think? It might trend if anyone captures a shot. I just threw something on. I didn¡¯t give that much thought to it. Anyway¡­¡± Posting up beside her while flipping her braided hair out of the way, she gave her a critical stare. ¡°What¡¯s up with you, girl, all dark and broody. I keep seeing Rhea look up at you with that face like she wants to help but hasn¡¯t figured out how to put feelings into action yet.¡± Ruby eyes returning to Rhea, she saw the blonde grin up at her and wave, causing a few more fangirls to grow more excited. It wasn¡¯t long before they were pointing out Gables, Mariah, Amber, Melon, and Tess beside the pool, her Ferroseed floating in the water. It was obvious what their question was: ¡®Would the Mythical Meloetta be battling today?¡¯ Ignoring their hype, even if she planned on giving Mariah a chance to compete, she realized Meloetta might be channeling more of her own internal conflict than she thought. The Meloetta was extremely shy and closed off, not liking to interact with new people when, generally, they were known to be quite extrovertive and social butterflies in lore. ¡°Hey, Lori,¡± she whispered, keeping her tone low and making the tall girl lean closer. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Hugging Serenity tighter against her chest, Amira set her heart but knew she needed a little push. ¡°Can you¡­make sure I send a text but don¡¯t look at it?¡± Lori¡¯s eyebrow lifted as she turned and put a hand on her hip. ¡°That looked painful to ask. Uh, sure? If that¡¯s what you need. C¡¯mon into the shade. Too many Wingull around her, squawking for food. We¡¯ll let Rhea swim with the Sharpedo for a bit. She¡¯s bright enough to distract them anyway. Are we sure her hair doesn¡¯t have Flash infused into it because that glare when the sun hits it!¡± Amira chortled softly, yet she knew the pressure in her chest wouldn¡¯t ease until she made the text. ¡°It wouldn¡¯t surprise me.¡± Moving into the shaded zone, Amira pulled out her phone, isolating herself in a corner as she let Serenity hover down to the planks. Lori watched her retract the hologram screen onto the crystal device and hold it up to block her view. The message was short and as truthful as she could manage at the moment. Just as she feared, when finished, her fingers hovered over the button, and intrusive thoughts flowed out of the void within her mind. Do I really need to do this? I can just ask in person later. It¡¯s not like she¡¯ll understand¡­ What if she freaks out? It¡¯s just like her to do that¡­ ¡°Ms. Ruby!¡± Lori chimed, snapping her fingers to get her attention with a big grin. ¡°Moon Stone to Fire Stone. You¡¯re stalling! Woah, you good? Amira?¡± Swallowing the lump in her throat, a quake running down her frame, Amira pressed the send key; immediately, she felt a wave of relief wash over her as she sank down to her butt. ¡°It¡¯s done.¡± Lori knelt down and tugged her dress over her knees. ¡°Yo, I¡¯m one thing, Red¡ªI¡¯m always a mess¡ªbut you nearly flashing people? Naaa. Something bad¡¯s going on. You good? Like, really. Are you okay?¡± she asked, her voice becoming a whisper. Shoulders sagged, she chuckled. ¡°I am now. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be getting the other badges with you. Not that I¡¯m dropping out,¡± she quickly added at Lori¡¯s shocked expression. ¡°Oh, good! Because I was about to call your mom and sound the SOS. You¡¯re, uh¡­staying in Viridian until the Silver Cup, then? What¡¯s going on? Should I get Rhea?¡± ¡°No, no. I¡¯ll tell her,¡± Amira interjected with a real laugh, feeling somewhat free¡ªliberated. At least, more free than she¡¯d felt in a long time. ¡°I¡¯ve done everything I wanted in Silver-tier except for getting the Encrusted Earth Badge. That¡¯s my goal. I have to get it.¡± Looking down at her phone, she smiled while reading the text.
    12:39 p.m. Amira: Mom, if you¡¯re free, I need to spend some time with you when we get to Viridian. I¡¯m going to beat Blaine. I bet you¡¯ll be watching. I¡¯ve got some problems I need to sort through. Personal problems. I can¡¯t talk about it with anyone else¡­ I¡¯m scared, Mom. I¡¯m alright right now. Just, when I get home. I need your help.
    The response was almost instant.
    12:39 p.m. Mom: I always have time for my baby girl. If it¡¯s hard for you, then consider me the pesky yet adorable Snubbull nuzzling you to open up. I¡¯ll be waiting. Love you. 12:39 p.m. Amira: Love you.
    Pulling herself together, she puffed out a long breath of air and stood up, closing in to hug the surprised Unovan girl. ¡°Thanks, Lori.¡± ¡°Okay, yeah, you¡¯re sick as a Cubchoo! You¡¯re freaking me out, Red!¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine!¡± ¡°Says the Sinistea to the Mimikyu!¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Rhea frowned while breaking away from the throng to meet her friends on the next level. Their Pokemon followed as a horn blew, announcing that they were nearing the island. When she found them, Lori was blocking Amira in the corner, a stubborn look on her face. ¡°Woah! What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Sunshine! Help me pin her down. I¡¯ve got a killer tickle game to get it out of her.¡± ¡°I know melodrama is your thing, Lori, but give me a break,¡± Amira sighed, rolling her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m missing home a little. Can we go over our strategy for Blaine now? A little help, Rhea?¡± Focusing her Aura, Rhea pulled the suspicious and forward Unovan girl away, eyeing Amira like she was an imposter. However, from what she felt, Amira¡¯s heavy spirit had lifted dramatically. It was a good sign. She held out her hand, flashing her teeth. ¡°She¡¯s doing better, Lori. I can tell. People are wondering if Mariah is going to battle.¡± ¡°I¡¯m sure they are.¡± Lori¡¯s scowl didn¡¯t falter. ¡°Girl, you¡¯re so full of it, but sure¡­ I¡¯m just worried. You¡¯re like a brick wall when it comes to depressing Jinx, so it¡¯s scary stuff, ya know? Are you not feeling up for Blaine this week? We can chill and train.¡± Amira waved her hand dismissively while reaching down to pick up her salt-and-pepper spiked ball with an affectionate smile. ¡°It¡¯s not about the battle. No, I¡¯m pretty confident. Amber is quite capable of handling Fire Pokemon.¡± ¡°Braixen-xen,¡± her haughty fox said, puffing up her chest, but Rhea noticed the look Amber gave her Trainer. ¡°Braixen?¡± ¡°Mhm. We¡¯re just about to dock¡­¡± Rhea smiled at Lori to let her know that everything would be alright. The cloud that was hanging over Amira seemed to have dissipated, even if it hadn¡¯t been due to their actions. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s buckle down and get this badge!¡± Rhea stepped off the ferry, her shoes sinking into the hardened volcanic soil as she absorbed the sight of Fire Gym Island. The jagged, black rock cliffs loomed against a backdrop of bright, cloudless blue, and for a moment, Rhea wondered if she¡¯d accidentally stepped into a scene out of a legendary Pok¨¦mon movie straight out of Hollywood. It had a stark, almost otherworldly feel with its fenced-off magma pools and Fire Pokemon roaming all over the place; the island¡¯s entire aesthetic screamed ¡®volcano,¡¯ from the red, orange, and black decorations to the cleverly placed Pok¨¦mon standing sentry. Small groups of Charmander, Growlithe, and Vulpix roamed freely, their puffed-out flames and dramatic showings adding a wild glow to the place. It was all an act. But the giant stadium at the heart of the island stood as a reminder¡ªthis was no natural volcano. Even the brochures stressed that, loudly proclaiming, ¡®No Actual Volcanic Activity.¡¯ It was flashy, a manufactured facade for tourists, and yet somehow Blaine had made it feel real enough to leave her belly squirming a little. Rhea blinked away her wonder, walking beside her teammates with all of their Pokemon out and flanking them, staring around with interest. The redhead¡¯s fiery hair matched the island¡¯s light as if it belonged in the flames themselves. The redhead gave a small wave, snapping Rhea out of her thoughts. Lori, grinning and bumping hips with her as if the stress of the boat ride had been a distant dream. ¡°You¡¯re totally using Nova. That girl¡¯s been dying for some action.¡± ¡°Pwe!¡± the Eevee roared from their feet, running around them with Mya, Lulu and Shae on their backs. ¡°Pwe!¡± ¡°Neee!¡± ¡°Wile!¡± ¡°Ra-ra!¡± ¡°No, you¡¯re right. She is the best choice, and Alice¡­¡± She paused with a giggle, seeing Amber and her locked in a speed and hand-eye coordination training, the fox trying to poke the bunny with her stick as the bun dodged. ¡°Please don¡¯t poke her eye out, Amber.¡± ¡°Lopunny!¡± she protested, saying to have some faith in her. ¡°Brai? Xen-xen!¡± the fox proclaimed, intensifying her jabs. Amira reached down to stroke Amber¡¯s head, momentarily interrupting their training. ¡°Just be careful, girls.¡± ¡°Braixen¡­¡± ¡°Pun-pun.¡± ¡°Pretty wild place, though,¡± Lori noted as they regrouped, pushing her sunglasses up onto her head. ¡°You¡¯d think they were trying to convince us we¡¯re about to battle in an actual volcano. Cool vibes. You could make an awesome music video here.¡± ¡°I think that¡¯s the point,¡± Amira said, her voice flat as she gazed toward the stadium and split off from the tourist group to follow the signs to the competitor locker zone. ¡°Though Blaine¡¯s always been a showman from memory¡­ He did a lot of work with my grandfather.¡± Rhea nodded, recalling the controversies the renowned scientist had been a part of. ¡°Yeah, growing up, whenever he¡¯d come to the village, he was always coming down in some kind of Fire Spin. I¡¯ll admit, it was impressive when I was a kid. It¡¯s like this trademark. I wouldn¡¯t expect anything less from him, to be honest. This whole island is his stage.¡± The path leading up to the stadium was lined with torches, Fire Pok¨¦mon standing beside them as if guarding the entrance of the cave they were about to enter. Trainers and tourists alike split off into the appropriate sections, the air already humming with excitement. As they walked the winding path down into the depths of the earth, glowing magma flowed safely from a distance across the dark underground cave they¡¯d entered. Rhea glanced down at Nova, who bounced along beside her, the little Cosmog on her back glittering with delight. For a second, she wondered if she should give Lulu another shot but rethought it when considering the potential spike in difficulty and Blaine¡¯s personality. ¡°Think you¡¯re ready for this?¡± she softly asked, glancing between her Pokemon. Nova let out a cheerful chirp, her fur bristling, waiting to transform. Alice, on the other hand, did a few flips into the air, Amber chasing after her while jabbing her stick, looking for its mark. Her fierce eyes were lasered in and sharp with focus. Rhea smiled at the contrasting responses. We¡¯re ready. They followed the signs pointing toward the gender-segregated changing area, and most of the group of Silver-tier competitors around them seemed a lot less impressed by it than them. Then again, most of them had probably already gotten the Bronze Badge in the volcanic-themed Gym. ¡°I¡¯m glad we came early,¡± Amira said, scanning the locker room and finding a good spot to sit and observe the Bronze competitors. ¡°This place is going to be packed by the time the main event starts, and I have a feeling you¡¯ll likely kick off the Silver challengers, Rhea.¡± Lori nodded, dropping into a cushy seat beside her and taking note of the nervous girls around the space, some of which were moving to the bathroom to throw up. ¡°Makes sense. Lulu¡¯s viral battle will no doubt drum up a lot of ratings with Rhea¡¯s name being listed. I bet you or I will be swapped into the middle and end since we¡¯re linked to Rhea.¡± Rhea sighed while watching the current match, a Charmander facing off against a Pidgey. The Flying Pokemon had some good maneuvers, but Blaine¡¯s Charmander¡¯s sheer intensity was impressive, keeping the bird in constant movement with its peppering Embers. ¡°That¡¯s Blaine¡¯s style,¡± Amira commented, folding her arms. ¡°Even his weakest Pok¨¦mon move like they¡¯re in a life-or-death situation. ¡®Full gas, full time¡¯ is his literal motto¡­ I¡¯d thought a renowned scientist would have come up with a better one, to be honest.¡± Rhea¡¯s chest shook with silent laughter. ¡°Yeah, my mom¡¯s kind of the same way. They¡¯re too busy thinking about their projects than what they¡¯re actually called. Well, whatever Pokemon we face, I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll be fun.¡± B4 — 45. A Flower Descends
    3:25 p.m. November 3rd, Tuesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event). Day 147. Events: Rhea and the girls are on a Badge Hunt, trying to get all the Kanto Encrusted Badges before time runs out! Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June, and the end of registration for the Winter Indigo Cup is December 5th (31 days away).
    Rhea steadied her breath as she left her teammates and passed through the locker room doors, leaving behind the buzzing hum of conversations and trainers¡¯ nervous energy. Blaine had been hyping something up for weeks now that she¡¯d been unaware of, what with everything happening in her life. The black-themed hallway stretched before her, illuminated by dull-red lights that cast a surreal glow along the walls, occasionally dimming, making her pulse quicken. TVs embedded into the walls showed intense scenes from previous battles, literally reshaping the whole stadium from the explosions of Platinum and Master-tier challengers or the magma plumes caused by Blaine¡¯s Pok¨¦mon. She could hear the faint murmur of the crowd above, an anticipatory thrum that seemed to vibrate through her bones. Rylee¡¯s watching. I need to make this flashy to help uplift her spirit, shouldn¡¯t I? Can we do it? she asked Lulu. The cosmic cloud on her head floated next to her, shaping her puffy hand like a fan and chuckling in response. ¡°Ni-ni-ni-ni.¡± The villainess will rise and destroy the protagonists, huh? I like it. We know a lot of our limits now after Erika and Jason¡¯s battle. So¡­we should be able to pace ourselves. Alice sighed, knowing she¡¯d had her own chance to battle recently, and Mya had, as well. Lulu had limited opportunities to show her stuff. Plus, if Amira chooses to use Mariah today with an upset, then we could totally steal the show. Shae? She paused, feeling her Ralts nudge her spirit with a questioning pulse as her Pok¨¦mon rallied around her. Oh. Yeah, you¡¯ll get your chance as you grow. Maybe during the Silver Cup if you train hard with the girls. Each step echoed in the hall, the sounds of her footsteps bouncing off the black, metallic walls, as if the volcano itself was waking up to their approach. Rumbles lightly shook the ground, making her belly tighten reflexively at the unpleasant sensation. Blaine always was a showman¡­ Ahead, the bright light at the end of the tunnel drew closer, and as they neared the exit, the roar of the stadium exploded into life with the explosion of heavy guitars. Rhea squinted as she stepped out into the blinding sunlight from the open ceiling, blinking rapidly to adjust to the sudden shift and tempo. The sheer size of the volcano-themed stadium hit her like the blast of heat that rushed past her from hidden vents near the door. Jagged rock formations jutted out along the edges, and large magma pools bubbled, fenced off but close enough to radiate warmth. The sharp scent of smoke filled the air, rising from unseen vents below the rocky field, giving the entire arena a foreboding, primal feel. Her gaze lifted toward the massive, curved rock formations, where lava flows streamed down artificial crags toward the battle platform, creating an almost ritualistic ambiance. Flames periodically shot up from the sides with the cry of the singer, their roar of riding through the fire and thunder storm meeting the crowd as they sang along to the Gym¡¯s theme, introducing the next tier of challengers. Above it all, a giant scoreboard flashed images of previous battles with the famous rock band playing live earlier that week, alongside her last battle against Erika, replaying in a quick montage. As she entered the platform and it started to rise, the music faded, and the announcer¡¯s voice boomed over the stadium speakers. ¡°And through the fire and the flames we carry on, ladies and gentlemen! Here we have the rising star, Rhea Everhart, flying through Bronze to shatter expectations, fresh from her battle against Celadon¡¯s Gym Leader, Grandmaster Erika! A battle that will not soon be forgotten with that Legendary finisher! Now our Kantoian, golden-haired rising star faces the infamous Fire Master: Gym Leader Blaine!¡± The platform she stood on jolted beneath her, extending outward with a rumble as she approached the center stage. Fire exploded overhead in a brilliant arch, the heat making her squint as the lava below churned violently, and Rhea couldn¡¯t help a smile as a flash of rainbow light brought the bald old Grandmaster to the center of the stage, a massive Arcanine letting loose a colossal Fire Blast that rose into the sky to erupt in a fountain of flames. ¡°The Mad Scientist! The Showman! The man who walks through the fire and flames, carrying on a legacy that will last generations! Will she be able to withstand the heat?¡± ¡°Whew,¡± Rhea muttered, wiping her brow as sweat began to gather. ¡°They really went all out with this one, didn¡¯t they?¡± The crowd cheered louder as a plume of smoke rose from the other end of the field, and the rock underneath Blaine began to glow in a jagged circle. Fire seethed out from within the fiery depths, slowly ascending the Gym Leader and his hound to Rhea¡¯s eye level. Blaine was dressed in a sleek black and red suit that almost seemed to shimmer like hot coals, his bushy mustache fluttering under the rising air pressure. His bald head glistened under the sunlight, and a pair of mirrored sunglasses caught the glowing orb overhead as his grin shone from every TV. Rhea could feel the intense heat from here, reminding her that Grandmasters had Aura control that allowed them to do superhuman things in their own niche. Suddenly, the ground beneath Blaine trembled, and Rhea¡¯s breath caught as the stone below the Gym Leader began to fissure and glow. With a deep rumble, the pillar of fire his platform lifted on began to melt. The crowd roared in approval, the theatrical display a signature of Blaine¡¯s flamboyant style. At the peak of the rise, a microphone dropped from above, and with practiced ease, Blaine caught it mid-air, flashing a cocky grin for a man of his age. ¡°Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the Fire Gym Island!¡± His voice echoed through the stadium, amplified by the hidden speakers. He turned, addressing both Rhea and the crowd. ¡°Today, we have a special guest¡ªRhea Everhart, the rising star who has earned the respect of many with her victories so far. But! Will she be able to handle the heat here on my island¡­or the opponents our special guest has brought me?¡± The stone beneath him began to crack, lava spilling through the fissures. Before Rhea could react, the entire platform Blaine stood on exploded in a burst of flames, sending molten rocks flying toward the stadium¡¯s protective force field. The crowd gasped in excitement, a few stray pieces of debris clattering harmlessly against the invisible barrier. Smoke billowed around Blaine, but as it cleared, he was gone. Rhea¡¯s heart raced. Where did he¡ª A flash of smoke from his platform snapped every eye to the rising box, and in an instant, Blaine reappeared, gracefully standing atop his Arcanine. The crowd erupted into applause, clapping at the spectacle, and Rhea couldn¡¯t help but grin despite the Butterfree fluttering in her stomach. He¡¯s a showman, that¡¯s for sure¡­but I didn¡¯t come here for a show. I came to win. What special guest is he talking about? As Blaine jumped down to his elevated platform, the smoke swirling around him like the embers of an ancient fire, he raised the microphone to his lips, his grin widening as he locked eyes with Rhea from the hologram that showed him standing in the air before her. ¡°Rhea,¡± his voice boomed, echoing across the stadium, ¡°you¡¯ve fought bravely to get here, but this is where the real test begins. You¡¯ve fought through the fate of destiny in Saffron, danced in the shadows with ninjas in Fuchsia, stumbled your way through the grassy terrain in the fields of Celadon, but now¡­now you face the fire.¡± The crowd fell into a hushed silence as Blaine¡¯s voice took on a more dramatic tone. He pointed toward the molten lava flowing in the background, its fiery glow casting a harsh light on the battlefield. ¡°Out there, across this field, through the flames of this volcano, the path is perilous. But,¡± he smirked, ¡°if you¡¯ve got the courage to carry on, if you can weather the storm of heat and fury, then maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªyou¡¯ll earn the right to stand victorious.¡± He paused for effect, the stadium¡¯s ruby lights dimming slightly as the tension thickened and black clouds expanded over them, blotting out the sun and drowning them in darkness. Meteors rained down from the darkness, peppering the shield that surrounded them in a scene right now of an apocalypse movie. ¡°Though the blackest flames burn around you, the fire¡¯s wrath will rise, and the burning pain will test your resolve. We rise through the fire, Rhea. We press on, even when the night is long and the heart grows weary. Will you stand tall and carry on, or will the flames consume you? Only the heat and pressure will tell if you¡¯ve got the strength to stand as one with your Pok¨¦mon, as we face the challenges ahead. Will you melt or be tempered in the blaze?¡± Blaine¡¯s Arcanine howled, his eyes burning with intensity as a sharp gust exploded around the stage. The Gym Leader lowered the microphone, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a final taunt. ¡°Through the fire and the flames¡­can you carry on, Rhea?¡± The crowd hushed with the firestorm raging around them, all eyes on her as goosebumps cascaded down her arms. She could feel her Pok¨¦mon bristling with the intensity of the introduction. Focus remaining unshaken, she pulled the microphone to her mouth and said one word. ¡°Yes.¡± A sharp gale parted the dark heavens, bathing them in sunlight and calming the turbulent scene. Blaine lifted the microphone high as the Gym theme rang out. The music finally faded, leaving only the pulsing thrum of the crowd¡¯s excitement. Rhea adjusted her stance, trying to keep her heart steady, but the anticipation was palpable, thick in the air as Blaine stood before the packed stadium. He took a deep breath, his head turning to scan the audience, his chest rising as if he were drawing in their energy. A hush fell over the throng as he lowered his microphone, breaking the moment with a warm but controlled smile. ¡°I¡¯d love to take this inferno and blaze straight into the battle,¡± he started, his voice booming and confident, ¡°but today marks a special occasion.¡± He paused, letting the words sink in, the murmuring curiosity following. Rhea swallowed a lump that formed in her throat, a tiny flicker of doubt creeping in. She placed her Poke Balls into the slots in anticipation of the kick-off battle; this felt more like the Silver Cup than your typical Gym Battle, but that was the Fire Gym Leader. Special? What¡¯s Blaine up to? He knows I can use Lulu. And she¡¯s sitting on the scanner to be added to the team lineup. She caught the flicker of a knowing smile on his face through the hologram, and instantly, she understood¡ªhe was doing this for a reason. This wasn¡¯t just about the battle. The League had a hand in this.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Is Aunt Cynthia involved? She was here two weeks ago for some big thing¡­ Or¡­Ambrosia? Her fingers tightened on the edge of the platform, the thought making her pulse quicken. Blaine lifted a hand, pointing toward the sky, where the dark clouds were slowly beginning to part, as though something otherworldly was about to descend. A blue light shone from above, a subtle gleam at first, then growing stronger, painting the stadium with a soft sheen. Her heart skipped a beat as she realized what was happening. No way¡­not here¡­not before my battle. Why? In the center of the sky, a massive blue flower descended from the parting clouds, its petals shimmering like crystal. A Pok¨¦mon she¡¯d never seen before¡ªhuge and bloomed in full splendor. The glowing petals spiraled gently downward, their metallic gleam reflecting the sunlight, casting ethereal light across the stadium. And at its center¡ªRhea¡¯s breath caught. She knew the figure instantly, even from a distance. The poised, statuesque woman standing tall, her flowing black hair streaked with violet and gold, fluttering gently in the wind. The crowd gasped in awe as Blaine¡¯s rich voice rose again. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor to introduce our very special guest to Kanto, someone who needs no introduction¡­ Not just some Top Champion but the Champion of Paldea¡ªChampion Geeta.¡± Rhea felt her heart slam in her chest. Champion Geeta. What¡¯s she doing here? What does this have to do with my battle with Blaine because it has to deal with some kind of United League initiative¡­but she hasn¡¯t battled Lyra yet. It¡¯s set for the Silver Cup, so¡­why here? Has Paldea already initiated some partnership with Kanto? Why announce it here when the Silver Cup is nearly thirty days away?! The unknown, giant Pok¨¦mon descended gracefully, lowering Geeta to the bubbling, magma-filled stage. Her figure was bathed in light, her violet eyes shimmering with a golden intensity. She moved with elegance, walking forward across the flower¡¯s sparkling petals. Rhea could feel the power radiating from her¡ªcalm, measured, and absolute. It feels¡­as strong as Lyra. Her Aura is massive but her presence is so¡­refined. It¡¯s like Amira¡¯s Aura mixed with her mother¡¯s. Geeta raised her hand in greeting, her voice as smooth as the finest glass. ¡°Citizens of Kanto, esteemed Trainers, and visitors from all corners of the world,¡± she began, her words deliberate and clear, ¡°I am honored to stand before you today, a guest in your land and representative of my beloved Paldea, welcomed by your League.¡± She paused, her gaze sweeping the stadium. The people, the lights, the excitement and uncertainty; it was electrifying. ¡°Paldea has long admired the strength and tenacity of Kanto¡­ You hold some of the strongest Trainers in history¡­ Red, Ash, Green, and Blue to name only a few of the profound pillars your region boasts. ¡°Today, I have the privilege of addressing you all, not only as the Champion of Paldea but as a representative of our deep-rooted connection to this shared passion we all hold for Pok¨¦mon. It is my hope and dream as someone who loves her region dearly to share it with the world¡­starting here, in Cinnabar City-State.¡± Rhea¡¯s grip tightened as Geeta¡¯s words washed over her, calm but powerful. She¡¯s here to solidify the League¡¯s cooperation. It makes sense now why Aunt Cynthia was here. Essentially, the battle between Lyra and her is only for hype. Paldea is already a part of the United League, and she¡¯s going to make the rounds to promote her region. The mysterious petals shimmered in the Pok¨¦mon¡¯s slow spin, Geeta stepping across it with sure grace, the flower¡¯s surface sparkling under the sunlight. ¡°Our regions share much in common¡­a terrible war two thousand years ago. But it is a new age. Much has changed. Our love for Pok¨¦mon, our determination to grow stronger. We have both faced unique challenges. And yet, we rise. Today, I stand here not to overshadow your event but to celebrate this collaboration between us as sister regions.¡± Rhea couldn¡¯t take her eyes off the woman. Every movement was deliberate, graceful, but beneath that elegance was an undeniable power¡ªone that could only come from a Champion who had fought through countless battles and shaped an entire region to stand at its helm. Geeta paused before presenting the Pok¨¦mon she stood upon. ¡°Paldea has many secrets and unique Pok¨¦mon you will not find anywhere else. It is for this reason that I stand before you today. I have convinced many Pok¨¦mon around Paldea to journey to other regions to test their might and learn from your cultures. Today, Cinnabar Gym has adopted Paldean Pok¨¦mon, ready to showcase the strength of their homeland.¡± Rhea¡¯s hands balled into fists as her Pok¨¦mon stirred, sensing the tension building in her spirit. Lulu¡¯s soft chuckle echoed in her mind, a knowing nudge as she hopped up to fan her face, saying she was ready for the challenge. ¡°Ni-ni-ni.¡± We¡¯re going up against Paldean Pok¨¦mon¡­ No wonder Blaine did such a fancy introduction to kick off the Silver Challengers. This is where the bar starts. Geeta¡¯s violet gaze briefly flicked to Rhea, and for a heartbeat, their eyes locked. A shiver ran down her spine from the pulses of Aura the Champion radiated, as if Geeta knew exactly what was going through Rhea¡¯s mind. There was a subtle nod from the Champion. Then, Geeta turned back to the crowd, her voice as composed as ever. ¡°Kanto¡¯s trainers are known for their strength, their resilience in the face of adversity. It is my hope that we will continue to learn from one another. It is my hope that we push the boundaries of what it means to be a Pok¨¦mon Trainer¡­ And it is my hope to nurture the precious bonds we all share.¡± She smiled, a genuine expression that softened the stern lines of her refined face. ¡°Together, we can elevate our skills, our bond with our Pok¨¦mon, and ultimately¡­reach new heights. Thank you. I leave you in the capable hands of your Gym Leader.¡± The applause that followed shook the stadium as she retreated to the center of the flower, its pedals wrapping in before rising into the heavens. In a swirling sandstorm that sparkled like diamonds, the Pok¨¦mon vanished, leaving a twinkling light in its wake that Rhea recognized from Contests¡ªDazzling Gleam. Rhea could barely hear the chants, though. Her focus was razor-sharp, locked on the spot the Champion of Paldea had been. This wasn¡¯t just some speech but a call to action. This was a challenge to test the might of Paldea¡ªsomething her brother had been called to¡ªeven if it wasn¡¯t stated outright. Geeta was asking if she¡¯d test her region next. Blaine reclaimed the stage with his usual flamboyance, raising his arms high, fire erupting around the stage. ¡°Well, I think that sets the tone for today, wouldn¡¯t you say, Kanto? Let¡¯s see if the fire in the hearts of these Paldean Pok¨¦mon can match the flames of Cinnabar!¡± His words reignited the crowd, the energy surging again, but Rhea was already deep in her own thoughts. Her battle against Blaine was no longer just about earning an Encrusted Badge. It was about setting a tone for Paldea itself, and choosing her to start wasn¡¯t by accident. She plucked out Nova¡¯s Poke Ball, clenching it in her hand, feeling the familiar energy of Nova bristling within. Geeta¡¯s watching, she thought, catching a glimpse of the VIP section far above. She¡¯ll be looking to see how Kanto reacts to Paldean Pok¨¦mon, won¡¯t she? The weight of Paldea¡¯s Champion observing the battle added a layer of pressure, but it also sparked something inside Rhea. This is our chance to show Paldea what we¡¯ve got since they¡¯re likely watching this across their whole region. Let¡¯s set the tone for the rest of the Gyms getting Paldean Pok¨¦mon. ¡°Ni-ni-ni!¡± Blaine¡¯s platform lifted higher, towering above hers, giving him a vantage point that fit the role of a seasoned showman. The Gym Leader grinned down at her, sunglasses gleaming with his fiery Aura. The referee stepped forward, his voice booming over the stadium speakers. ¡°Silver-tier Encrusted Battle! Single Format, Two Pok¨¦mon each! Rhea Everhart versus Gym Leader Blaine!¡± The red light on her side blinked to life. Rhea took a breath, the clamor dying down as the atmosphere thickened with anticipation. You ready, girl? Rhea asked, feeling her bond with the Eevee vibrate with electricity as she responded with a surge of confidence. The red light turned yellow, signaling the start of the countdown. ¡°Three, two, one¡­¡± The light flashed green. Flicking her wrist, Rhea launched Nova into the air, soaring to the midpoint of the molten-themed field. It hit the ground, and the brilliant, silver flash of light formed into her Eevee, who stood confidently at the center of the rocky terrain. From across the field, Blaine tossed his own, his smile never fading. ¡°I hope you¡¯re ready, Rhea! This one¡¯s a scorcher!¡± A flash of light hit the opposite side of the field, and a strange figure emerged. Rhea blinked, momentarily confused by what she saw. The Pok¨¦mon had a dark-green body, with what looked like two heads¡ªone red, one light green. Both heads snarled and snapped, and as it moved, it seemed to sway with a fiery energy. ¡°What the¡­?¡± Rhea¡¯s breath caught as her gaze locked on the strange, monstrous Pok¨¦mon. I¡¯ve never seen that before, Nova. This is unknown¡ªhuh. Pokedex flashed on the display beside her, pulling up information, but instead of an answer, she was met with crossed wrenches flashing on the screen. ¡°Pok¨¦mon data currently being compiled. Please try again later.¡± Rhea¡¯s jaw clenched. It¡¯s not on Pokedex?! Later? I need it now! Oh, no¡ªNova! Blaine¡¯s voice cut through her frustration, answering her. ¡°This here is Scovillain! Welcome to the firestorm.¡± * ¡ª * ¡ª * Nova bounded into the sweltering heat of the arena, the sharp scent of molten rock and charred air creasing her nose. Rivers of lava gurgled in the distance, their fiery tongues licking the edges of the rocky battlefield. Smoke drifted lazily above, mixing with the swirling tension in the air. Wow. This reminds me of the place my mom took me to help me evolve into a Flareon. Fire everywhere¡­perfect. Her fur bristled as her keen eyes locked on the Scovillain, Perception giving her warning as the strange dual-headed Pok¨¦mon emitted an orange, noxious fluid that sprayed through the air. She had just a split second to react as the wide arc of the liquid surged toward her. Instinctively, she crouched, eyes narrowing, yet Rhea¡¯s confusion about the Pokedex locked her in place, momentarily unsure what to do. It¡¯s too wide¡­ Rhea? Shoot. I can¡¯t dodge it! Its scent burnt her nose. Wincing as the liquid splashed against her fur, Nova felt a surge of energy¡ªher Attack sharply boosted¡ªbut at the cost of her Defense. Her own protective barrier peeled away, leaving her more vulnerable to whatever the Scovillain had planned next. Muscles tensing, Detect activated, the world sharpened, and time seemed to slow as she saw the outline of leaves flying out of the Scovillain¡¯s body to swarm her. Nova, he looks like he¡¯s Fire/Grass, but he¡¯ll probably go for a Fire Move first. Go Vaporeon. Mind racing ahead of her movements, Nova¡¯s breath hitched. I can¡¯t! Not yet. I¡¯ve got this, Rhea. Trust me. Disobeying Rhea for the first time, light surrounded her, flames igniting as leaves swirled around her silent opponent, locked in and ready to take her out early. Heat surged through her body, burning and swelling in her chest as she made her choice. Her form shimmered, her fur rippling in waves of molten energy. In an instant, her body erupted into flames, and the warmth wrapped around her like an old friend. Nova¡¯s eyes flashed pink as her transformation completed, her fur shifting into the fluffy fur of her fiery transformation. She opened her mouth, fire igniting within her throat. Flareon? Razor Leaf?! Guilt flooded Nova¡¯s chest but abruptly, she sensed her Trainer¡¯s confusion turn to pride as the leaves whirled toward her, sharp and deadly. However, Nova was ready. Her maw opened, and fireballs burst from her mouth, each one colliding with the leaves in mid-air. The burning leaves scattered, the flames consuming the attack and pushing the Scovillain back with such force that the Pok¨¦mon was knocked off balance, tumbling backward with a surprised snarl. ¡°Woah! Woah¡­ How in the Blaze did you evolve?!¡± Rhea¡¯s soft words soothed the uncertainty rolling around Nova¡¯s core. ¡°Don¡¯t be sorry. You did the right thing, Nova. I¡¯m glad you trusted your instincts. You¡¯ve got this!¡± The tension in Nova¡¯s chest eased, and she puffed up slightly, a quiet satisfaction spreading through her as her confidence returned. ¡°We¡¯re in unknown territory. I need you to keep doing what you¡¯re doing¡ªtrust yourself. I¡¯ve got your back. Don¡¯t let up. Give it everything you¡¯ve got! If he¡¯s Fire and Grass, we at least know his weakness¡­which doesn¡¯t help us much. Flying, Poison, and Rock¡­ Nice! Flareon was the right choice. We¡¯re in for a fight, girls! I trust you.¡± Nova breathed in deeply and released a noxious cloud of black smog at the mention of Poison, obscuring her as the Scovillain used its own head to right himself, its red bulb snapping at the green. ¡°Idiot! Get your head in the game.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t snap at me! Snap at her!¡± ¡°I will¡­¡± Nova grinned as the darkness overshadowed him. ¡°Bring it on!¡±