《A Fox Knight》


 Chapter One

    When someone is dying, there is feeling of grim acceptance that crosses their face in a range of differing emotions. Coughing up blood from being stabbed in the chest yet you don''t give up. You stand up knowing that your duty isn''t done, the person in your charge is not yet safe. So, you stand the armor weighing you down growing heavier as you raise your sword. Willing to sacrifice to protect who you swore to protect even if it hurts, or you know you are going to die.


    I know it, because that stabbed knight is me. Breathing causes a burning pain in my lungs, coughing up more blood I spit it out on the marble floor covered in blood. I''ve killed about ten different enemy knights and the last one got me good. God I am so tired. I lift my head from looking at the blood covered floor to another enemy coming down the hall, sword poised and ready for conflict.


    I cough wetly and take off my helmet placing it on one of the marble busts in the hall in which I stand. If this is to be my last fight, I want this knight to remember my last battle. I know I am to die and given the lowering of the enemy''s sword they know it too. Gripping my sword, I point it at him taking up a stance I practiced so much I could do it in my sleep.


    "Your time is nearly up," My vision is starting to narrow I take as deep as a breath as my lungs will allow with my eyes shut. I hear the knight approach and stop. When I open my eyes again the enemy knight has removed their helm as well, showing me the last face I will likely see. "It will be an honor to be your last battle, Knight Commander Fox." I let a smile come to my face as I nod.


    Our swords clash but with each swing I know my opponent is waiting for me after each swing of my blade to right myself. My opponent is humoring me letting me fight until my final breaths. It is the vow every knight takes to fight until their dying breath and when I feel my right leg give out, I knew I wasn''t standing up again. I shifted myself to lean against the wall and press my back to it. I still had my sword in my right hand, but I didn''t have the strength to lift it anymore.


    I look at the younger knight who had humored me then to my sword. "T-take it." I coughed up a lot more blood. "It is yours now..."


    After that, I couldn''t feel much but I watched as my sword was lifted from my hand and I closed my eyes.


    What I didn''t expect was to open my eyes again. I was seated across a table from a grandfatherly looking man. His eyes seemed to twinkle knowingly at me. We both knew why I was here. I was dead and this was likely where I am judged for my life.


    "Welcome my child to the afterlife, where your life and how you lived it is judged." I remain quiet as the old man continues to speak seeing he isn''t done speaking, "Normally you would be sorted by your Karma and be reincarnated into a new world without any semblance of who you were before, but you are quite a special case. Alistar Fox, the Knight Commander of fifty hand trained Knights each one an elite that fought with honor just like their Commander. I come to find the judgement of your soul to be a foregone conclusion for a specific type of reincarnation. One I haven''t had to perform in quite some time. Now, I''m sure you have questions. Ask away my boy, I am an open book."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    I wait for a moment gathering my thoughts but there are some questions I have, "The Knights under my command, did they all die?"


    The old man stroked his beard and shook his head. "I can only say they lived much like you did. They acted as the sworn protectors they were. As their commander they would have made you proud. They became the Royal Fox Knights and were assigned to guard the royal family." A soft hum was all I could manage as I thought back on the faces of each one of them.


    "What is to happen to me now?"


    "That is the question, isn''t it? You see Alistar, you have enough Karma to be reincarnated but into a different species than that of a human. Longer living, innately powerful and sentient. Does that sound appealing to you?"


    I take a minute to really think on what they said, innate power means I will be born with some type of strength based upon whatever I am born as. I can live longer than a human can, and I will keep my intelligence. My gaze wonders from the old man to the rather plain table that separates us. "Could you show me what I will look like?"


    The man nods and a figurine appeared on the table before my eyes. It was a small orange and yellow fox-like creature with six tails. "This is a Vulpix a being that is able to wield fire and has the potential of grasping the supernatural."


    "Vulpix, it looks like a fox. I take it that isn''t a coincidence."


    The old timer chuckles, "No, no it is not. I believe it is only right that you are properly represented, and it seemed appropriate to give you a body that related to your name."


    "This body was created for me. You took time to create it to house my soul. It would be rude to refuse your kindness and be unhappy with it. I appreciate that you chose to link what I am to become with my name. Is there anything I should be made aware of?"


    I was filled in on a long list of things common in the new world I would be going to. Nothing too grandiose, but basic things I''d need to know. Like about how there was 1024 different Pok¨¦mon, and that the world I am to go to will have humans in it that befriend and train Pok¨¦mon to compete against one another in battle similar to spars between teams of Knights. It brought a smile to my face that I could once again be on a field of battle fighting for someone with a far more durable body than my old one.


    Once I was ready the old man gave me a smile and we shook hands. Once my hand left his I closed my eyes. When I opened them, I saw grass and towering trees that reach high above me. The small clearing I found myself laying in was calm and comfortable. I move my body and get a look at what i could of myself. I was a quadrupedal fox, and I had six yellow tails. All four of my paws had a burned orange color to them. I could only assume my eyes were an orangish color like that figurine the old man had shown me.


    It might seem odd but from what I could recall from the old man''s explanation this body had powers I could tap into. Literal firepower, that can come from my mouth. I will have to figure out how to do that, and if what he told me is to be believed then I will have the ability to use some level of psychic power. Another thing I will have to work on but if I am to compete for food and other things. I should find a place near enough to a human town or city, that way I could get a hold of easy food and perhaps even find a human to partner with. Someone I could connect with and protect. As much as I loved the woods in my previous life I don''t plan to stay here long.


    =================


    Along the way following my new heightened sense of smell I got used to my new body. At least well enough to run around. I have yet to figure out how to use my ability to breathe fire, but I assume it will come to me soon enough. After all I got the hang of my body in the past few hours. Perhaps I will need more of an incentive or some type of trigger to do it. The smell I''d been tracking had got really strong and it was even stronger on the other side of these bushes. I am unsure what''s on the other side, but I do hope it''s what I''m looking for.

 Chapter Two

    Now that I''m thinking about it, following an unfamiliar scent in the woods wasn''t exactly my brightest idea. Why? Because I''m being chased by rather angry giant bees! They were not thrilled that I managed to get so close to what I could only assume to be their nest. Not even here for a few hours and I''m moving as fast as my little body can take me. The only bright idea I had was getting a handle on how my body moves.


    Dodging between trees, a few of those giant bee''s huge spike like arms trying to skewer me, hopping over a blue and cream-colored rat looking creature who chattered something I could only vaguely understand with my heartbeat thumping in my ears. I did however hear something akin to a shriek of terror a moment later. I was sorry for that, but I am not yet equipped to deal with five enemies at once and trying to breath fire at a time like this does not sound anywhere close to a great idea.


    Spotting a small opening under a tree, I skidded to a stop and jumped into it curling myself up as small as I could make myself. I took long deep breaths to steady my heart. That was when my nose alerted me to a new smell, it smelled stale though. Like it had been some time since they had been here. Turning my head, I take in the hole I found myself in.


    There were a few things in here with me but as far as I could tell they are various items. One looked like a nearly empty bottle of some blue liquid. I can make out some symbols on the side of the bottle, but I haven''t the faintest idea what it says. A few various other bottles similar in size but with different colors are in here as well one is yellow, one is red, and one is a sky blue. Tapping them with my forepaw I can tell at most they might have a least a bit of liquid by the sound of liquid sloshing inside my ears pick up. The old timer didn''t say anything about these but from what I can tell from smelling them closer they might be medicine of some sort.


    Shaking my head I look over at the opening and perk up my ears listening for the buzzing of the bees. It seems they had lost interest in chasing me now that I disappeared. With a shutter I returned to my investigation of the stuff in here. A broken device that looks like two halves of a ball sits to the side one-half red the other white with what looks like some type of pressable switch connected to it. Either I stumbled on some stash another Pok¨¦mon collected, or I found something a human left here. It would explain why the scent seems older and very faint like they haven''t been here for a while.


    I suppose if I waited around here for a bit it wouldn''t be the worst thing in the world. Perhaps I may get lucky and find a less hostile Pok¨¦mon to speak with or a human to feed me as humiliating as that sounds. I should have asked about what local plants are okay to eat. I should be okay for maybe a day or two without food but that doesn''t change that I''ll need to turn this place into a proper base of operation.


    =============


    Fortunately digging comes naturally, perhaps a bit too naturally. I managed to make myself an actual den under this tree. I shifted the items over by the broken device away from where I dug out my cubby for sleeping. Now that I''m thinking about it more perhaps the fact an assumed human sent was here it''s unlikely another Pok¨¦mon was using this a a home or it would probably smell stronger. Im unsure about that, but I can afford to wait.


    A slight feeling of hunger starts to gnaw at my stomach making me look towards the exit hole. With a sigh I poke my head out of the hole slowly taking a cautious look around starting with up, then to the left and right before stepping out to a reasonably quiet ambience of the wind ruffling through the leaves over my head. I stick my nose up and start working on finding something that smelled like food? I wasn''t sure what I was looking for but something a bit bitter caught my nose. It oddly reminded me of one of my fellow Knights love for chocolate. That bitter stuff never sat well with me, but I would grab some if it was all there was to eat.


    Following the smell and instead of bursting through the bushes I peak out of them to take note of a bush of some kind with a greenish fruit? No seemed too small to be some fruit, perhaps a berry? Well, it smelled edible and from what could see and hear nothing was around but me right now.


    Snatching one of them from the bush with my mouth and diving back into the bush I came from I took a few tentative bites out of it. Yup it was bitter, and I didn''t really like it, but food was food. If I was to keep myself strong then I will need to eat regardless of if I like it or not. I look at the bush and make my way over to it after finishing the berry I had snatched. I should grab a few and take them back with me to my base. That way I don''t have to come here for a while. I pulled a few off the bush and picked them up with my mouth by the leaves managing to pick up five of them but that was the max I was going to attempt to carry back.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    =================


    It had been a few days. I found a pond where some other Pok¨¦mon clearly come to get their fill of water should they need it. Although I do find it odd that I haven''t run into any of them. I managed to find a few other places with different flavored berries, from the different scents I picked up the blue ones that felt like biting into an apple were rather popular with the other local Pok¨¦mon. They had a type of revitalizing effect from what I could tell, as I felt a bit more energetic after eating one. Then there was one that made me wide awake after eating it. I should be careful with that one I remember what a coffee crash feels like, and I don''t want to risk having one of those. Another one was pretty spicy, red with a green vine like stalk connected to the small berry.


    Taking a seat outside my base. I started trying to breath any semblance of fire. I had managed a flew flickers of fire yesterday but that was it. I remembered how it felt but I couldn''t replicate the action again since. Maybe I''m doing it wrong? Getting back up to my paws with a soft grumble I start to train my endurance instead. The winner in a battle of Knights is a mostly a matter of endurance and skill. Since I can''t work on skill right now then I shouldn''t tire before my future opponents do.


    I continued for a few days longer like this, training my body until I felt the familiar aching in every part of me. It felt so good to get stronger and faster each day. The rate at which my new body is adapting is great! I couldn''t have asked for anything better.


    After about two weeks of being out here I saw a human outside the base. They seemed to be young girl, and they had a confused look on their face. A face I had seen countless times on someone who was lost and in need of direction. I called out to the child drawing their attention with a small cry of my species name. The girl''s eyes snapped to me. She seemed a little alarmed at the sight of me and I could smell the emotions coming from her but i couldn''t determine what they were. So instead of getting closer to the child I sat in place and tilted my head and gave another soft call to her.


    The child looked hesitant but slowly approached me and with a shaky hand she let the back of her hand near my nose. It seems that greeting animals by letting them smell you is a common thing here just like it was in my old world. Not that I would have ever done it without a gauntlet on, but things may be different here. Moving my head towards her hand I sniffed it. She smelled strongly of something sweet, perhaps sugar or honey. I lifted a forepaw under the palm of her hand and pressed my nose on it. It was the closest I could think of that was reminiscent of a knightly greeting to a lady. It would be remiss of me to forget my manners, even if I am no longer a human.


    I lowered my paw and bowed my head towards the child before looking up at her. She was giving me a surprised look.


    [Wow, you were just like the Pok¨¦mon in the story books!]


    I straighten my back at the child''s words. Like in story books? So, it seems knights are or were a thing at one point that makes things easier.


    [D-Do you think you can help me get home? A bunch of bullies chased me in here and I can''t find my way back.]


    This couldn''t have been more of a boon. This child''s scent should be easy enough to track through the woods right back to where she came in. Meaning I will know where civilization is as well as preform my duty to help the innocent. Giving a firm nod I get closer to her and familiarize myself with her scent. A bit odd to not use a hound for this but it is a bit convenient to be capable enough to do it myself. I gently bite on her shirt and give it a tug before letting go and leading the way for her to follow. I pause every few minutes or so and look at her to make sure she''s still following.


    This child must have some insane level of athleticism because I''d been following her scent for a straight hour, and we have yet to leave the forest. However, I am hearing different sounds not too far off. Although they are rather odd and not what I know as familiar I hop slightly when I stop to look back at the girl who had been following me quietly. She smiled at my hop and moved towards me.


    [This area looks more familiar to me. I can probably find my way out now if you have to go.]


    I shake my head and point with my nose towards where her scent and the sounds are coming from.


    [Oh, are you saying you want to go too?]


    I nod keeping my gaze locked towards the direction. I really hadn''t to expected to be picked up, but I did my best not to squirm at the action of the child. I didn''t want to risk hurting her. She''s holding me like one would a teddy bear and it''s humiliating, but I swallow my pride and allow the child to carry me. If anything, a child carrying a Pok¨¦mon might be a common occurrence. I remember children carrying cats like this back in my world. The must do something similar here, hopefully this won''t draw too much attention.

 Chapter Three

    Once again it seems I underestimate the reaction of the world around me. A young girl carrying me around like a cat was drawing a lot of attention to the two of us. Why? I had no idea. Other kids were doing the same thing it wasn''t like it was something special. At least I don''t think I was doing anything too peculiar. Yet a lot of people were staring at us at least the adults were. I didn''t like the looks of greed on their faces. It filled me with disgust that grown men would look at a child with eyes like that. Talk about sick, if I were capable of breathing fire they would definitely get a face full of burns. Fortunately, when I focused my gaze on them, they looked away because they were caught staring. I''m thankful this child is at the oblivious age to not realize how filthy the world is yet, but it does make me worry for her. If they are looking at her like that now, it''s only a matter of time before they do something stupid.


    [This is my house.]


    I turned my head towards the house she points at as she sets me down. It was a rather unimpressive building compared to the huge ones we passed on the way here, but it is a lot better than the houses back in my world. It looked far more put together and would likely be something a noble would have as a small summer cottage. However, it seems my assumption on that is wrong as the houses next door look similar yet are painted in a different color. The young girl''s house is a rather garish and tacky shade of pink. Not even the nobility in my old world would wear such a color.


    [I''m sure Momma and Poppa will love to meet you. Come on!]


    Following along behind the girl and when she opened the door we were met with the gaze of one very upset looking adult. Upset adults typically equals problems and that is probably not good for my situation.


    [Just where were you at young lady? Do you have any idea how worried we were when you didn''t come home after school? Your friends said you''d run off into the forest on your own and didn''t listen when they told you not to go inside. What actually went down.]


    The guy''s voice sounded odd. Definitely something about it was wrong in my head, but I couldn''t exactly place it. It sounded colder than one would when it came to a parent addressing their child. Shifting my gaze to the girl she had looked rather guilty about something, but I couldn''t determine about what and clearly the adult in the room didn''t seem to know either judging by the look on his face. The guy sighed and crouched down to her level.


    [I''m not mad Nora. Just tell me what happened so I can make it better okay?]


    Nora hugged who I can only assume is her father figure and started blubbering about how mean the other kids were to her today. From what I could glean from this is that Nora, and her parents haven''t been living here long. The local kids deemed her as an easy target to pick on and were pretty sneaky about it to say the least. I''ve heard of hazing when knights joined an order, but these kids are savages compared to that. Lobbing rocks, putting tacks on her chair, dumping milk in her shoes.


    Good god this girl needed a hug and more importantly protection from those vile savage children. It honestly made me want to hunt down those children and show them what fear truly is. I must have been making a growling like noise because both of them were looking at me now.


    [Did you make a friend in the woods Nora?]


    I shook myself and sat down puffing out my chest slightly like the trained hounds would have back home for ceremonies. I definitely should make a good impression on Nora''s father. I should present myself in a dignified manner. I was doing my duty to bring the young lady home. I lock eyes with him and give him a firm nod. Through a few sniffles Nora tells her father about me, though she added things that definitely didn''t happen like a child would who is trying to get a pet by telling him how cool a stray dog is to convince their parents to let them keep it. It is another punch to my bruised pride to be thought of as an animal like this.


    Through Nora explaining how good I was at leading her back to town and that I let her pick me up and carry me when we got to town the man''s gaze shifted onto me with a searching look. Like he couldn''t believe what he was hearing. I suppose I would be skeptical too if my daughter brought home a fox and said, ''it led me out of the forest can I keep it?'' I however continue to look him square in the eyes not wavering from the spot I am sitting in.


    [That right... Okay, let''s see how well he follows directions. Come closer and lay down.]This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    I tilt my head for a moment looking to Nora who gave me a smile. I got up onto my paws and moved a few steps closer within arm''s reach of Nora and laid down my six tails curling to my right side and I rested my head on my forepaws keeping my eyes locked on the two of them. Nora''s father looked from me to Nora and hummed.


    [Nora, you try telling him to do something.]


    Nora blinked and looked at her father, scrunching up her face thinking for a moment. After a moment she seemed to have thought of something.


    [Could you please close the door?]


    I stood up and turned around immediately looking at the door that was left open and frowned. The door opened outwards so I would have a bit of difficulty doing that. However, I am competent, I would not let the lack of hands or height stop me from closing the door. I pushed the door with my paw to determine how heavy the door was. I could push it, good. I moved my way to a window, pawed the at the manual latch keeping it locked open, leveraged my body against the sill and pushed the window open far enough to get outside. I jump out the window go to the door and push it closed. I move back to the window, jump back up and through the window before pushing the window closed with a bit of effort pawing and nosing the latch closed. Once that was done, I moved right back to where I was laying down and sat there looking at them.


    Nora was practically ecstatic, her father looked surprised and perhaps a bit concerned. I suppose advanced problem solving wasn''t something wild Pok¨¦mon could normally do. Then again, I wouldn''t exactly know too much about that. The only wild Pok¨¦mon I had encountered were really angry bees and a rat looking one that I didn''t really have the time to talk to because of said bees. Heck, I don''t even know if it was possible to talk to them at all.


    Nora''s father sighed softly when Nora turned her hope filled gaze at her father. A more lethal weapon than any blacksmith could craft was unleashed by Nora, the bane to every father''s existence the puppy dog eyes. I could feel the man crack under that look. I internally smirked, the puppy dog eyes were a weapon that felled many knights. I myself was one of them. A child looking at you with those big round eyes, pleading and hoping with all their heart that you''ll say yes. You know it''s a losing battle as well, because if you say no, they look at you like a kicked puppy so sad and hurt that you wouldn''t be able to bare it.


    [I think it''s okay, but you''ll have to ask momma when she gets home. Okay kiddo?]


    The sheer joy that crossed Nora''s face as she attempted to hug the stuffing out of her dad was an endearing sight. It makes me regret not having a child of my own back in my past life. I shake my head before I let my mind wonder into dangerous territory. I shouldn''t worry about how to go about having kids of my own in this life. If it becomes a relevant topic in the future I will think about it. Now is not that time.


    =================


    Meeting Nora''s mother Sherry was an experience. She gushed about how cute I was and that I was something special. It was something I couldn''t wrap my head around until Nora''s father, who I found out was called Tom, seemed to elaborate that my fur was indeed a different color from what is normal for my species. I learned a bit more about how I was different and that the official terminology was ''Coloration Variant'' but the more used term is ''Shiny.'' Supposedly shiny Pok¨¦mon are so rare that people pay exorbitant amounts of money for them to add them to collections.


    I was getting something called a Pok¨¦ball tomorrow and being registered as Nora''s Pok¨¦mon. I could have ended up in some collection instead of here. I kind of wish God had filled me in about this world in more detail. Perhaps that''s why Nora and I were getting so many stares on the way here... It wasn''t because they were sick perverts, okay some of them might have been but it wasn''t for Nora... it was for me and the thought of that made me shutter. I guess this is how the maiden''s feel when being ogled at like an object.


    I was let into Nora''s room and slept on a pillow she had set on the floor for me. This child is so sweet. It makes me wonder why those kids were being so mean to her and how she ended up in the forest in the first place. If she was as nice to me as she was to them then what could possibly possess them to act that way? I should forget it for now. I won''t be able to come up with a solution to those questions now anyway.


    The upcoming morning had me waking up to a really nice smell coming from outside the room. It seemed pretty early in the morning judging on the sky outside the window. Looking to Nora I huff jumping onto the bed and starting to push her shoulder with my front paws. It seemed to work cause she opened her eyes and stared at me. Nora blinked as if confused for a moment before smiling like a kid on Christmas morning. She was definitely excited and I found myself being carried into the kitchen by said hyperactive child.


    The heavenly smell of breakfast was on full blast in here. The smell of batter, eggs and grease of cooked meat that made my mouth water. Gods I really missed bacon. It''s heavenly smell that was a rare treat during the rough times the land had found itself in before I died.


    To my emence joy and happiness I was given some bacon and eggs mixed with this odd bite sized kibble. I wasn''t sure what it was but it tasted a fusion of the berries I found in the woods and something I couldn''t quite place but it tasted alright. I actually licked the bowl I was given clean and upon meeting the eyes of Sherry I bowed my head thanking her for the meal. The woman smiled at me and then glared at Nora who was attempting to sneak me another piece of bacon but did it anyway when she looked away. Such a kind child, I was going to roast those bullies alive. It may sound unknightly but this child is an angel harming her is akin to kicking a puppy or kitten. I''d be damned to hell if I stay back and did nothing about it.

 Chapter Four

    I was carried through the process by Nora. The ball I was to be ''captured'' in was obtained at a blue roofed building with a lot of various things inside. Some of them I recognized as the near empty bottles I came across in the base I made. I was probably correct when I assumed they were medical in nature. Looking at the red and white ball so similar to the broken one I inspected. It was basically a very sophisticated collar, leash, and mode of transportation. A marvelous and if I didn''t know any better, I''d say it was witchcraft.


    I was set down and the ball was given to Nora, some words were said between her and her parents, but I wasn''t really listening. I was keeping my focus on the people around us. A few of them seemed to have several of those balls that Nora has on their belts. Quite a few of them had glanced in my direction in interest but continued on their way. My attention was drawn when Nora called out to me.


    [Are you ready Vulpix?]


    I give her a nod and a soft sound of confirmation. She sets the ball down in front of me and I pick up my paw pressing the button. It felt rather fuzzy, but I felt myself being drawn inside the ball.


    =================


    POV Nora:


    The ball didn''t move a single bit after Vulpix was drawn inside. A soft click came from it, and I picked it up. Looking to my momma and poppa holding the ball in both hands I smiled. "I promise I''ll take good care of him."


    "We know you will sweety. Now you have school to get to." Poppa reached over and patted my head. "Remember Vulpix is smart, and now that you have him, you''re responsible for him."


    "That''s right, now that he''s in a Pok¨¦ball we should check him with the Pok¨¦dex." Momma pulled out her Pok¨¦dex, something that she wouldn''t let her touch, to scan the ball holding Vulpix.


    {Vulpix the Fox Pok¨¦mon. Each tail that grows numbering from one to six, its fur becomes more lustrous with fully grown tail. Vulpix are slightly warm to the touch and are generally docile provided their fur remains unblemished. When enraged, a Vulpix will seek a quiet place to groom their fur to relieve stress and calm themselves. This Vulpix is male and is a Coloration Variant, standing at 2''1" and weighing at 22lbs. It''s moves are Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Ember, Hypnosis, Howl, Rock Smash, Karate Chop, Low kick, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Throat Chop, Roar, Headbutt, Glare, Calm Mind, Detect, Bite, Agility, Dig, Body Slam, Endure, and Sacred Sword.}


    I knew Vulpix was awesome, but I didn''t think it knew so many moves. Momma and Poppa exchanged looks, and I knew that they were talking without saying anything again. I know it''s about Vulpix. I hold his ball to my chest and keep up my smile. I wasn''t going to let Momma and Poppa take him away after saying I could have him as my Pok¨¦mon.


    "I better get to school! Love you, Momma. Love you, Poppa." I ran towards school as fast as I could. I didn''t want to be late after all.


    Pewter City trainer school, where I was enrolled last week by Poppa when I said I wanted to be a trainer like he was. I had hoped to make some friends, but it didn''t go well. I don''t know what I did to make them dislike me so much. Going inside I went to the classroom 3-B and noted that I was the first student here. Taking a seat, I placed my Pok¨¦ball on the designated spot near the top right corner of my desk. Mr. Ben the teacher of my class was at his desk and had yet to look up from the papers he was looking over. He''s done the same thing every day over last week, he doesn''t look around the room until class starts provided no one makes a ruckus.


    Everyone arrived and was in their seats when the bell rang. Mr. Ben did attendance and once everyone was confirmed to be present his normally calm face turned disappointed. "I received a call this morning. It was brought to my attention that several of you have lied to me yesterday. When I had asked the class where Nora was and why she wasn''t in class. I was told she went home due to not feeling good. The five of you who lied will be serving detention with me you know who you are, and your parents have been notified. The forests outside town are dangerous and the Beedrill have been far more active lately. Someone may have disturbed a nest of them recently. You five are lucky that Nora made it home after being lost in the forest for several hours and unharmed due to a Pok¨¦mon in the forest that was docile enough to guide her out. She was incredibly fortunate. Count yourselves lucky she was. If it were up to me the five of you would be kicked from my class and wouldn''t be getting your trainer license in two weeks like everyone else in their third year."


    I could feel several eyes staring into my back, but I did my best not to squirm in my chair clenching my fists under my desk. I look at Vulpix ball and smile at it before looking back at Mr. Ben. Class was a review on the local Pok¨¦mon as well as danger ratings. They are separated by color. Green, Yellow, Orange, Red, and Black. Most Pok¨¦mon in the local area happen to be no higher than yellow accept a swarm of Beedrill classifies as Orange in the danger rating.


    During recess we are allowed to play with Pok¨¦mon if we have them. I don''t have to play with those mean kids now that I have Vulpix.


    =================


    POV Alistar:Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    The inside of this ball is odd. I am laying on a rather comfortable cushion, and I find myself at ease in here oddly enough. I let myself relax for now. It wasn''t too long before I was outside of the comfortable space of the ball. I open my eyes pushing myself up into a seated position my tails flared slightly as I stretched my body by puffing my chest out. A slight breeze ruffles my fur as I breath in my surroundings. I look to Nora only for my eyes to narrow at a group of children that are looking at her in a small group.


    Getting up I move over to stand near Nora who kneels down and starts to pet my back. I stay still and allow her to continue. I watch the other children warily. A person who stands by and allows wrong to be done to another shares the guilt. These brats are guilty of doing nothing while Nora was targeted. It''s irritating but I will hold my temper in check. I snort a small flicker of embers coming from my nose in the action. Ah there it is again! I managed to create fire without trying to. Perhaps it is tied to my emotional state?


    [Oh! Vulpix maybe we could practice your moves a little bit.]


    Moves? Ah, the so-called moves the electronic voice I could hear spoke about. I suppose with some direction I could improve. Nora likely has a unique outlook as someone born in this world would be aware of that I wouldn''t. She stands up and backs up a bit.


    [Okay, Momma''s Pok¨¦dex said you can do a lot of different moves. So, let''s try Rock Smash on that rock over there?]


    I look towards where she gestures to a rock that seems to be about half my size. I approach the rock. Rock Smash? I tilt my head thinking about how to do it for a moment but shake my head. No, it should work the same way as the fire. Don''t think, just feel. Taking a deep breath, I lift my paw and strike at the rock as hard as I can. Felling a change in my body right when my paw makes contact with the rock, my eyes widen as the rock shatters outwards as my paw glides into it. Pulling back my paw I look from the now thoroughly smashed rock and then to my paw. I put my paw down and turn my eyes to Nora. She had a look of awe on her face that made me feel ever so smug. I''m rather pleased with myself even if I was slightly surprised at the result.


    [W-wow.... Um what about Dig?]


    I nod taking a moment to center myself and clear my head. With a deep breath in I jump up and once my front paws touch the ground my body starts moving as if by instinct managing to burrow through the ground like it''s made of soft mud. I dug towards Nora and popped out of the ground next to her and landing right in front of her. I don''t feel dirty either. I inspect my fur for a moment before blinking and wondering why I did that. It shouldn''t matter that I get dirty but then again, I have taken some breaks to groom myself after training when it wasn''t exactly necessary. Maybe my new body has impulses I hadn''t been noticing and just doing without realizing it.


    [Good job Vulpix. Are you feeling up to practicing those two moves for a bit? Maybe use dig to fill up the holes you made?]


    I nodded remembering how my body felt and sealing the hole I just popped from and moving over to the other end and filling it in and packing the dirt. I move over to the remains of the rock I shattered and recalled how my body felt when smashing the rock and started crushing the remaining pieces of rock as small as I could make them.


    [Is that Vulpix using Rock Smash?! It''s a color variant too what a rare find!]


    Snapping my head to the left towards the sound of an unfamiliar voice that of a male. I can''t determine the age, but they seem older than Nora. The guy''s hand shoots to his belt, and he released a sandy colored rodent looking Pok¨¦mon.


    [Sandshrew use roll out!]


    The Pok¨¦mon responded with a battle cry of, "RIGHT ON!" Snapping itself into a ball and rolling towards me. I dodge out of the way lifting my paw and slamming it against the side of the rolling Pok¨¦mon throwing it away and knocking it from roll out. I hear Nora call out.


    [Hey leave my Vulpix alone!]


    I turn my head towards Nora while keeping the rodent in my line of sight. She approached the boy who had this rodent attack me. Wait, I understood the rodent. Good at least that solves the mystery of being able to converse with another Pok¨¦mon if I want to.


    [Your Vulpix? Aww crap sorry about that I got a little ahead of myself. Sandshrew you alright buddy?]


    "Yeah, I''m good! that Vulpix hits like a girl!" I hear the rodent call out, but there is pain in his voice. It stood up and flinched rubbing at a blossoming bruise on its side. I got the bugger better than he''s willing to admit.


    "Hah, you got floored brat. Don''t pretend like you aren''t hurt. You should get that looked at I managed to shatter a rock half my size with similar power behind it." I say sitting down and starting to groom the paw I used to smack that nuisance away from me. The guy moved over and checked on the rodent and I smirked as he was being treated for the injury. The boy dug in his bag and pulled out a familiar spray bottle with blueish liquid in it and started to spray the bruised area. The rodent made a hiss of discomfort but remained still. Over the course of a minute the bruise was gone as if was never there. I felt myself being touched and my body tensed only to relax when I realized it was Nora who picked me up. For some reason the thought of others touching me feels repulsive. I''m going to have to ask myself so serious questions soon.


    [Sorry about that. I was just so excited to see a Vulpix use a move it can''t learn. It being a color variant on top of that made me jump into it without thinking. I''m Terry Winters from Viridian City. What''s your name?]


    [Oh, Vulpix didn''t get hurt so I guess it''s okay. My name is Norielle Carolina, but everyone calls me Nora. I''m from Hammerlocke in Galar, but I live here in Pewter City now.]


    [Galar? Wow that place is really far away. I suppose that is why you got an accent.]


    Galar? Accent? She sounds perfectly understandable to me. Its everyone aside I have trouble understanding well I don''t have much trouble with Nora''s mother but it''s much better than any other words that come out of you people.


    [Yeah, I am new to Kanto. I do want to go back home to Hammerlocke but Momma says that it will be a few years before we can go back cause of some Kanto law Poppa has to follow.]


    [Oh, that kind of sucks you can''t go home. Kanto isn''t so bad though. I''m getting ready for the League Circuit that starts next month. Are you going to be doing it too?]


    [Well, I don''t have my license yet. That''s why I''m going to the trainer school... OH CRACKERS! I got to get back! Recess is nearly over by now. I''ll see you around Terry!]


    Being carried as someone sprints is a bit uncomfortable, but I don''t think interrupting Nora while running to be recalled into the ball would be a good idea while she''s in a hurry. I don''t feel confident in my ability to convey my point. I''m sure she''ll figure it out at some point.

 Chapter Five

    Nora managed to get to class right before recess ended. The look who I could only assume is the teacher in charge gave an amused look but didn''t say anything as Nora took her seat still holding me like a plush toy.


    I blankly started at the teacher observing him. He seemed like the reliable sort. You could tell based on someone''s posture how they held themselves was rather easy to read. He had a tick of tapping his pen on the desk while reading. The bell ringing had the teacher standing up and looking over everything in the room.


    [I have an interesting idea for today''s last class. If Nora and her Vulpix would be nice enough to come up to the front for it?]


    I tilted my head slightly as I felt Nora shifting and carrying me to the front turning to face the class. Looking at the room of children I noticed a few of them are making poor attempts at hiding their feelings. Two of them look rather pissed.


    [We had learned a few weeks ago that sometimes a Pok¨¦mon can be different from normal. Can anyone tell me what those differences can be?]


    A few children raised their hands and a boy with glasses was called on. He stood up looking all superior like. He adjusted his glasses like someone trying way too hard to physically look smart.


    [There is two. Regional Variants like Galarian Ponyta that differs from our Ponyta here in Kanto and Color Variants like the Vulpix in Nora''s arms being different in coloration.]


    [Correct, and can anyone aside from Yoshi how the two Variants differ?]


    A girl raised her hand and stood up when the teacher gestured to her.


    [Color Variants don''t differ from the original other than color. Regional Variant Pok¨¦mon differ in typing, color, size and sometimes evolution differences.]


    [Correct. Now which of the two is more powerful?]


    The kids looked confused, but the nerd kid Yoshi raised his hand again. With a gesture stood again adjusting the glasses on his face again.


    [Variants don''t have more power over the originals unless type weakness is exploited, or they were specifically bred for it. Regional Variants learn different moves from the original in exchange for the moves it could learn originally, and Color Variants only differ in color but learn the same moves as the original. The Pok¨¦mon doesn''t matter in who''s stronger. Experience does.]


    Regional Variants, so some Pok¨¦mon have different typing but are still classified as that same Pok¨¦mon. Perhaps the difference in diet and/or environmental differences caused a change?


    [That is more or less correct. No Pok¨¦mon is infallible. Pok¨¦mon just like us get tired, hungry, and make mistakes. No matter color, region, shape, or size. Each and every Pok¨¦mon no matter how rare they are perceived to be, has a weakness. Be it typing or inexperience, even the Legendary Pok¨¦mon can be beaten but you''d have to be as strong as Champion Lance to even try.]


    The rest of the time in school as spent using me as a reference against my non-color variant counterpart and a white furred and purple eyed regional counterpart in pictures. I absorbed what I could from the class, and I learned quite a bit about my own species. I did growl at the teacher when he reached towards me. He moved his hand back away from Nora and me. I wasn''t sure why I did that. I was lost in thought about it when I was being set down on a desk by Nora when I wasn''t paying attention.


    Apparently, I wasn''t done being examined by the teacher. It was just Nora, the teacher and me in the room. I hadn''t caught the conversation due to being lost in my thoughts.


    The teach who I eventually figured out is the same one I could hear in my ball as Mr. Ben slowly reached out his hand to me and I leaned forward sniffing it before sitting up straight and offering my paw to shake. He grabbed my paw tentatively and shook it.


    The look on his face at my demeanor was filled with curiosity and motivation. I was unsure about the second one, but I could understand being curious. I likely wasn''t like any other Pok¨¦mon he''d encountered. Keeping his eyes on me he moved his hand towards Nora''s face as if to touch her.


    I could feel my mouth shift and pull back showing my teeth a soft growl coming from me. It wasn''t something I was consciously doing that was for sure, but I could keep myself seated even though my body wanted to stand. His hand moved closer and the growl in my chest got a lot louder. This human was testing my patience. No one will touch my Nora. I felt myself standing up and my fur bristling.If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Mr. Ben slowly pulled his hand back away from Nora and I could feel my body relax but I leveled a heated look at him. I was more frustrated about not controlling myself, but he was pushing my buttons. No one will lay a finger on my charge not without their express permission.


    [Vulpix.]


    I move my eyes to Nora, I feel myself relax further and my tails wave slightly. I tilt my head slightly.


    [Mr. Ben is nice. Don''t growl at him.]


    I look down at the desk in contemplation. She told me not to growl at him. Then perhaps I could do something to make him stop without doing so? Looking up I see him moving his hand towards her again and glared at him promising violence with a silent snarl on my face, but I made no sound. The look of shock that crossed his face as he retracted his hand. I manage to recompose myself with a concerning amount of difficulty. I didn''t think that being like this would have such an impact on how my body would act. I like Nora and she''s an innocent child. Is this how the hounds we trained viewed the world? The hounds we raised and trained to hunt protected us with such savage fervor after about a month. Maybe it''s because I am linked to her by the capture device? While I was letting my thoughts swirl on how my situation is setting in the two of them were talking.


    [It seems Vulpix is very protective of you. It''s possible that he''s a previously owned Pok¨¦mon and he was taught a specific command to allow people nearby. He seems immaculately trained. You say you found him several hours in the woods?]


    [Yes. He was quiet, and he greeted me like the knight Pok¨¦mon in my story books.]


    [A knight you say... Nora, I''d like you to give me permission to pat your head. You have to say I have permission to do so. Be sure to say so clearly and without any hesitation. Vulpix might be rather old or the offspring of very old Ninetales learning such customs are exceedingly rare but possible given how old Ninetales can live to.]


    [Vulpix.]


    I move my full attention to Nora as she speaks.


    [Mr. Ben has my permission to pat my head once. Understand?]


    I straighten my back and lift my head watching carefully and dip my head in a nod. Once I nodded the man reached over and gently patted Nora''s head exactly once before returning his hand to his own side. I watched him like a hawk, but the man had a smile on his face. He was giving off a smugness and I really wanted to Rock Smash his face for it.


    [Yup that settles it, he is still watching me to see if I overstep what you''ve given permission for me to do. This Vulpix just might be a descendant of a Pok¨¦mon that may have been a Rota Knight Pok¨¦mon. Said Pok¨¦mon are single handedly some of the most loyal defenders of those they deem worthy of their protection in history. A long living race of Pok¨¦mon like Vulpix and Ninetales could have served a long line of Aura Guardians or human Knights that served the Rota throne several hundred years ago. A lot of those families have died off over the centuries. It''s highly possible that a lesser-known knight family had been aligned with Ninetales had no suitable individuals for to give their loyalty and they left in search of a new lord or lady to serve. It seems that he has chosen you as his Lady to protect and serve. If that is the case, then you are special.]


    [So, does that mean Vulpix is a really special Pok¨¦mon?]


    [Inconceivably so. He will only give you and your family the time of day when it comes to orders. It''s how Knightly Pok¨¦mon work. Your families'' orders are secondary to your own, however.]


    [So, he''d listen to momma and poppa but if I told him not to he wouldn''t?]


    [That''s exactly right Nora. There is only one thing you have to do. His name.]


    [Name? What do you mean Mr. Ben?]


    [It''s a tradition from what I''ve read about. Names hold a very special place to Rota Pok¨¦mon Knights. He likely has a name. You need to figure out what it is.]


    [So, what happens when I figure out his name?]


    [I don''t know. The books I have on the subject never specified but the bond of Lady and knight is complete after that. He''d protect you with his life if he deemed it necessary. He''d follow you to the ends of the world and watch over you until the day he died, wouldn''t you Vulpix?]


    I leveled my gaze with Nora''s giving a slow and deliberate nod.


    [So, I have to find out what his name is. I should think hard about it. Do I have to figure it out myself?]


    The teacher got a look of concentrated thought for a few moments. One of his arms crossed his chest, and the hand that he had used to pat Nora''s head went under his chin stroking the stubble that had grown in over the course of the day. He then pointed at me that infuriating smile on his face.


    [You should be able to, but you could always have him help you. From what I can see he is very smart, and he may be able to help you figure it out.]


    I looked to Nora who had her face scrunched up in thought. She honestly looked adorable doing that. It made my insides feel a bit fuzzy. Such an adorable child must be protected from the filth of the world.


    [Okay, thank you Mr. Ben this should be able to keep my Momma and Poppa from worrying about him.]


    Nora moved to me a look of thought fixed upon her face. I was lifted from the desk, and she hugs me to her chest. I melt letting myself relax fully in her arms I feel my body warm slightly, but I dismiss it as Nora''s body heat. I tilt my head up to look at Mr. Ben and let a rather childish impulse take over. I stuck out my tongue at him. He gave me an awkward look, but I retracted my tongue when he blinked, and his face turned confused. I internally chuckled at that, if I wasn''t going to be able to Rock Smash his face then this was the little petty vengeance I could get away with. It didn''t feel like the knightly thing to do but I suppose I could let it slide this time.


    Nora carried me through town, and I let my nose go to work while I observed the area doing my best to memorize the way that leads to and from her school to where I assume to be home. I don''t know exactly how long it will be useful for, but it couldn''t hurt to be prepared. Never know when it may come in handy.

 Chapter Six: True Name

    Several days have passed in a blur of being home, school, and glaring down snot-nosed brats to keep them away from Nora. She however hasn''t gotten any closer to my name. I attempted to help her by writing my name in the dirt but it only succeeded in making the teacher -who I''m convinced is a whack job- say something about "Unknown script." Whatever the hell that is.


    The urge to Rock Smash his face grows by the day, but I have been incapable of doing so. I''ve been in the ball or in Nora''s arms when close enough to him for it to matter. The ball is a great place for a nap, but it doesn''t beat sunbathing near a window on a nice soft pillow.


    Nora''s mother and father have adapted fairly well to my presence. They ask me for help on the occasion. I''m unsure why they don''t seem to have their Pok¨¦mon help around the house. I know for sure they have them. Each of them has a ball on their belts. I''m curious to meet them but it seems they either aren''t housebroken, or they are too big to move around in the house.


    Today is the last day of the weekend and I was doing as any good knight should, train. I was in the backyard keeping up with my physical training by running laps around the yard to build stamina. I occasionally hop to the left or right and mime the movement of Rock Smash to get used to doing it while on the run. I have noticed when I use a ''move'' it takes stamina. If I want to ensure I have the ability to protect Nora, I must be able to outlast any opponent. Be strong enough to take down anything that puts itself in the way.


    As of now I''ve got a full handle on Rock Smash and I''m confident in my usage of it. I have figured out how to use it in several different ways by angling my paw. Should I angle my paw correctly I can somewhat control how the debris scatters. It may be useful in the future. I can pull a disappearing act if I blind the opponent. If I hit them hard enough when caught off guard, then a quick knock out is assured.


    I''ve learned quite a number of things during the passing days. Primarily what knights call the rules of engagement. In their terms, battle rules and regulations. First battles are done in two styles. Single battles and Double battles. I got the gist of them and how they work by watching them on something called a television. It''s a magic box that has moving pictures and I can watch other people duel while sitting at home. It is quite a spectacular thing. I may have to use some of the things I watched. I''d be remiss to not use a source of knowledge. It''s not as if I can read them out of scrolls anymore. I can''t read the language around here, so I''ll have to make do.


    I skidded to a stop and panted abit going to a bowl I lapped water from. I''d been running for at least an hour, and I can feel the burn in my legs and chest. At least I''m making more progress. I don''t know what peak fitness is for my race, but I''ll be damned if I don''t find out what it is. The body has limits but if you have the will, you can make new ones to push towards. I have a feeling it will be a long time before I hit the top of what this body is capable of.


    I head over to the open window and wince. I can make that jump, I just got to make myself do it. Adjusting myself I leapt up and managed to make it even as my body complains. I make my way to my cushion and flop on it curling up. Taking note of the room Nora is watching something on the television. Some old man is talking about Pok¨¦mon and he''s really making the fire pony he''s attempting to pet rather upset. I''ll give the old guy some credit he''s rather durable. He got a stream of fire to the face and he''s still standing. He looks a little crispy, but he still smiled and spoke about how doing what he did is dangerous and not to do it.


    A few solid knocks on the door drew my attention and Nora got up and checked the window to see who''s at the door.


    [Mr. Ben? Poppa! Mr. Ben from school is here!]


    I grunted and pulled myself up to a seated position even though my body aches at the movement. I refuse to show any form of weakness to that infuriating man. I managed to get myself in the proper position right as Nora and her father, who had come from upstairs opened the door.


    [Hello Mr. Carolina. Hello Nora. I was hoping to get a moment with Vulpix. I think came up with an idea that could have him communicate.]


    [If that''s the case then please come in. Nora go turn off the television.]


    If whatever idea he has actually helps me communicate I will be less inclined to Rock Smash his face. I''m definitely willing to try whatever he came up with. Mr. Ben steps inside the house with two notepads and pen. He made his way to me and sat down. He showed me a note pad and it has my name written on it as I had wrote it in the ground when trying to tell Nora my name. Along with a bunch of other letters I recognize. He flips the pages showing the 26 letters that I am familiar with but in the complete wrong order.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    I tilt my head slightly confused as to why he has it written down if he can''t read it.


    [Alright, so here''s what we are going to do. The letters you used are very similar to what most archeologists call Unknown script. I will be reciting our alphabet, and you need to show me which Unknown script is what I say.]


    I followed along with what he asked of me even if my body was still aching. Nora, bless her adorable soul helped me. We came up with a system of yes and no. When the letter matched, I would press my nose on her hand. If no, I wouldn''t do anything. Once all the letters were gone through, he started writing using the so-called Unknown script and I was able to read it.


    ''If I did this right and you can read this message, place your right paw on this page.''


    The paper was placed in front of me, and I placed my right paw on the paper after reading it. Mr. Ben smiled like a loon and wrote something down and tore it from the notepad giving it to Nora.


    [Quite a lofty name you got there but from what I''ve seen you''ll live up to it.]


    [Alistar.]


    I felt my body warm up as I snapped to attention, my bodies aches and pains from training a bit too hard thrown aside to acknowledge my Lady Norielle Carolina. I bow my head low my nose nearly touching the floor.


    ==============


    Waking up at the foot of Nora''s bed on a plush cushion I look to the ceiling. It had been a few days since Nora had learned my name. I''m happy I didn''t have to lose it. My name is Alistar Fox, and I was raised to be a knight that would honor the name I was given. In my kingdoms custom we are given a name by who teaches us. I was taken in by a man by the name of Arcturus Stonewall. He raised me to be a wise and stalwart knight. A wise defender of man is what he said I would become. I did my best back in my world and I will devote myself to doing the same here. I bow my head letting a small smile come to my face. I wish I could see him again.


    I draw in a deep breath to get control over my emotions. After a minute I look around sweeping my gaze across Nora''s room. A few plush toys sit on a shelf with a few books. One of her shirts is in the middle of the floor along with the rest of her clothes from yesterday. I look to the laundry empty laundry with a huff and get myself off my cushion. I gather her clothes up in my maw and drop them into the basket. Doing another sweep of the floor I nod seeing nothing else laying out of its place.


    A soft beeping noise coming from down the hall drew my attention. It was the sound of Sherry''s alarm clock. In about ten minutes she''d be in here to wake up Nora based on the time Nora''s own clock reading 7:20 A.M. I should begin taking care of Nora myself, at least doing what I can to do so. I move my way to her dresser and with some effort I paw and nose my way into the drawers. Gathering her clothes wasn''t all that difficult. I picked out something cool to wear given that it''s getting warmer outside and if she got cold, she could always pick me up. I''d keep her warm easy enough. With that done I hopped onto her bed and began to paw at her shoulder. After a minute or two of grumbling Nora opened her eyes and sat up rubbing her eyes.


    [What is it Alistar?]


    Nora looked at the clock and smiled petting me. I shifted my gaze to the wall as she got dressed in the clothes I picked for her. I wait until she comes over and picks me up off the bed. I no longer tense when being picked up. I must be getting used to being lugged around like a plush toy. Well, I suppose this classifies as training for Nora. If I remember I weigh somewhere in the low 20''s. If anything, I''m helping Nora build some strength by being carried around like this. Perhaps one day I''ll be large enough and strong enough to carry her around. If it is possible I wouldn''t mind doing so. In fact, I should strive to be able to do so. A Knight''s job is never done so I work towards the future with determination and willpower.


    After breakfast with the family and Nora sneaking me a extra strip of bacon, bless her kind heart. I was picked up and we were off to Nora''s final day of school provided she passes her trainer exams. A few pieces of information I gathered over the past few days was that Nora is actually twelve years old. She is just short for her age.


    I learned this when Nora was being teased by her mother about remaining short if she didn''t eat all of her dinner. I agreed with her. Nora grumbles that it''s not her fault she''s short and that she''ll grow some more when she turns thirteen in a month.


    It turns out that here in this world that people grow rather quickly when they reach specific ages. Those ages are three, eight, thirteen, and eighteen. After that they don''t grow anymore. Kind of odd but I managed to get a look at the family photo album. It was amazing, they were like smaller portraits in a book. I got to see Nora''s baby pictures and by the stars she was such an adorable baby. Such a adorable child deserves the best things. It reinforced my determination to ensure she can remain innocent and enjoy all the best things. Only the best things mark my words.


    I had been getting lessons from that insufferable teacher and I have picked up a few important words like Potion, Heal, Map, Gym, Antidote, Awakening, and a few others for quality of life purposes that will help Nora when she leaves home. Some of them were rather embarrassing.


    Due to the fact I could help Nora cheat I couldn''t be out of my Pok¨¦ball during the test. I can''t even read the damn thing. I just think that insufferable teacher of hers is being petty but there are some things Nora will have to do on her own. Things I cannot do, like take tests and write the infernal scribbles they call a language.


    I curl myself up on the huge cushion I find myself on once in the ball. It has been quite some time since I''ve been in here. The cushion is good but it isn''t as good as mine at home. Nora had said the test will be a few hours long. I suppose a nap wouldn''t hurt.

 Chapter Seven

    Being sent out into a battlefield wasn''t what I expected when sent out, I opened my eyes locking gazes with the opposing Pok¨¦mon. It was a round pink ball that looked like one of the plush toys on Nora''s shelf at home. I believe Nora called it a Jigglypuff. A normal-type Pok¨¦mon that happens to be fond of singing if what I remember from listening in to the insufferable man''s lectures in class.


    [Battle Begin!]


    [Ms. Jiggle use Sing!]


    [Rock Smash.]


    Jigglypuff opened its mouth to begin singing its song, but I had cleared the distance between us with a burst of speed my paw raised glowing with energy heeding my Lady''s orders. Devoid of all mercy my eyes glittered with malice as I struck the embarrassment of a fighter right in the side batting it across the field before rushing towards it again not keen on letting my opponent catch their breath if they were still conscious.


    [Alistar!]


    I skidded to a stop and turned my head to Nora tilting my head slightly confused. Was I not to hit them that hard? That didn''t make much sense. The look on her face didn''t match with anger.


    [You just did a Quick Attack!]


    Nora sounded so excited and the joy on her face made me happy too. I turned my head back towards the recovering Jigglypuff. The strike I hit them with had nearly all my strength behind it. I can see a mark where my paw struck blooming into a nasty bruise. If I were to hit them there again, they''d be done. I was glad she was excited it filled me with determination to do more. I snort flickering embers narrowing my gaze on my target I plant my paws prepping for my Lady''s command.


    [Alistar, Quick Smash!]


    I flicked my ear in acknowledgement blitzing towards the Jigglypuff again I could feel the difference now. My body felt like fluid energy was pumping into my legs as I sped towards them.


    [Protect!]


    I watched the green barrier start to rise as I rushed towards the pink blob. I felt my mind speed up planning what to do. Protect, I remember this move from the television. Instead of smashing into that barrier, I used Rock Smash into the ground making a bunch of dust and rubble to scatter and halting my advance. Using the dust as cover, I took a deep breath and dove under the ground burrowing the rest of the way towards Jigglypuff. I waited a moment so they could wonder where I am. I feel a vicious snarl of a smile come to my face as I popped out of the ground slamming my paw into the same spot I had hit earlier, sending the Jigglypuff careening out of bounds and into the land of unconsciousness.


    I sat down raising my head and puffing out my chest. My first battle was rather disappointing, but I suppose this is the level of challenge I am to expect from school children, but it did still feel good to bring my Lady victory. I stood up and moved to Nora who knelt down to pick me up.


    [You were amazing Alistar. You whooped that Jigglypuff''s butt!]


    I feel my tails wag at the praise. I can see a table of what appears to be teachers conversing with each other. I don''t remember anything like this being mentioned. Was there perhaps a battle examination? I wonder if Nora knew about it or if it was a surprise to her too? I couldn''t say but I hope I did well enough to give Nora a good grade. I could hear a bit of what was being said between the adults. ''A possible prodigy,'' and ''It''s a shame she''s from Galar.'' was all I could hear before Nora carried me out of earshot.


    ================


    It seems I had become the most feared Pok¨¦mon on the playground. Apparently, my showing was enough to get anyone who was supposed to face Nora after that to get a better battle score immediately refused. They didn''t want to fight me. I don''t blame them. It was probably the smartest move they could make. From what I have seen of every other child and their Pok¨¦mon they have yet to have trained seriously even a single day. I have spent nearly every day since I woke up here pushing myself to be better. Stronger and faster than I was yesterday. I work to become a pillar that Nora can always rely on to keep her safe from anyone and anything. The world is dangerous, so I must become even more so to destroy the danger that threatens her.


    [E-excuse me, Nora could I get a second?]


    Nora turns herself and subsequently me in addition towards a boy who looked familiar. Oh, I remembered this boy. It didn''t take much to figure out who this boy was. The slight tensing of Nora''s body and the ever so tightening of her arms holding me whenever this child got near was enough for me to know. This was the ringleader of the group of five that chased my lady into the forest and had picked on her.


    I feel my lips draw back in a snarl, but I didn''t make a sound. I pinned the boy with all the menace I could through my gaze. The look of fear creeping across his face must have alerted Nora to what I was doing because she took a large step backwards. I let my face return to normal, but I kept my eyes locked firmly on him. He is so fortunate I am still incapable of breathing fire, or I would roast his face off.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Apparently, they had exchanged a few words when I wasn''t focused enough to pay attention. Understandable since I was trying to think of several ways to roast the little bastard and how to get away with it. I lifted my paw gestured to my eye and pointed it at him in a silent threat of ''I''m watching you,'' as we moved to find a different place to wait for the results of the battle assessment.


    I listened in to the chatter around us and gathered up some interesting tid bits of info. Turns out that several kids had gone missing on the first year of their journeys over the past three years. The Pok¨¦mon League apparently is scrambling to find answers but with no evidence to follow they have added a battle exam just this year to ensure kids are better prepared for the wild. Not that Nora would have to worry with me to protect her. I''d sooner die then let some kidnappers get their filthy mitts on my innocent Lady.


    The results were posted on the board and while I couldn''t read much, I could spot Nora''s name and next to it are three numbered scores that all were the same. One hundreds across the top, it was a forgone conclusion. She studied hard while I was working myself into the ground outside. Occasionally she would run with me, and I''d slow down to keep pace with her. She never ran longer than twenty minutes or so, but it was really good at the pace she was going at. She should do so for a longer time given she never looked too tired afterwards so maybe she did so to spend time with me. It warms my heart that she does so.


    Ah here comes the insufferable whack job. I wonder what he wants. He stopped about a yard away and bowed a bit before stepping any closer and offering an envelope.


    [As the top scorer this year you have been invited to go to Oak Labs for a possibility at a sponsorship by Professor Gary Oak. It is unlikely you''ll be given a starter Pok¨¦mon given you have Alistar but perhaps you could make some friends to travel with when there. I wish you the best of luck in the future and I''ll be cheering you on Lady Nora.]


    Nora reaches out and takes the envelope from him.


    [Thank you, Mr. Ben. Alistar says so too.]


    I snort a bit of hot air but begrudgingly nod my head. I wouldn''t make my Lady out to be a liar. I''d thank the irritating man if it makes Nora happy.


    [Haha. High praise indeed! Well, as of now you''ve graduated. You can set forth towards Pallet town as soon as your folks give the okay. If you ever need any help, I put my phone number in there. I may not be your teacher anymore, but I always got time to offer some advice.]


    [I''ll be sure to call if Alistar and I can''t figure something out. Right Alistar?]


    I gave a nod with a soft ''Vul'' as a verbal confirmation.


    After saying farewell for now to the guy who gives me headaches out of annoyance, Ben. No need to add the Mister before his name anymore. We meandered our way back to the house at Nora''s pace that gives us both time to look at stuff. The streets were full of activity today. No small amount of people going store to store getting things like portable fire making sticks that smell strange to things like a rather spacious tent. I wondered if Nora had these things already and if she didn''t then perhaps her mother and father are getting them for her? I wondered about it for a bit. By the time I sorted out my thoughts on the matter we had arrived back home.


    ===============


    It seems prep work for our departure was already done and alarmingly fast. There was a burned yellow satchel bag that matched my fur color on the kitchen table accompanied by a note. I didn''t know what it said but Nora decided to read it to me after a big smile bloomed on her face.


    ''Dearest Norielle,


    Your mother and I decided to get you a brand-new bag for your journey that will start as soon as tomorrow. Parents know when their kid is going to do great. As your parents we thought it would be good to save you the troublesome task of packing up what you''ll need out there in the wilds. Take a look inside to get familiar with what''s in each pocket. Organize and have your bag ready to go at any time. You never know when you''ll need to get a move on. Oh, don''t think we forgot about Alistar. We got him a new cushion that''s travel sized. It is not nearly big enough for when he evolves in the future but is about the size of a pillow for his head once he has.


    With Love,


    Mom and Dad.''


    A parents love and care. It makes me miss Arcturus. He was as close to a father figure an abandoned kid like me could have. He died on the battlefield like all knights eventually do. It might be selfish of me, but I hope he is here. Somewhere in this wide world getting stronger just like I am. That old War Bear is probably raising hell wherever he is. I can only hope that is true.


    ============


    Waking up in the morning before dawn wasn''t something I did often. I sat on the windowsill across the room from Nora''s bed looking out at Pewter City. The city is quiet this early in the morning. The sun has yet to rise, and several lights dot the view from various buildings. It seems like I''m not the only one up. A few people wandering the street below accompanied by Pok¨¦mon of all different shapes and sizes. From what I can see nothing walking near the humans are overly big. They range from rodent looking ones to about the size of a dog.


    There is a rare few that are large, but they seem to be canine in nature. They are big fluffy dogs that stand around 6 feet or a bit taller. They are orange with black stripes in various spots with cream fluffy fur on top of his head, chest, underbelly and tail. I believe they are called Arcanine. A fire type Pok¨¦mon, like me. It''s the evolved form of Growlithe called the Puppy Pok¨¦mon and Arcanine is known as the Legendary Pok¨¦mon. It''s hard for something to be Legendary when there are more than a handful of them. I suppose it could be due to a time in the distant past. Watching that old professor on television had its benefits, his name is Samuel Oak. Apparently, he''s a retired Pok¨¦mon Professor who is the grandfather to Gary Oak.


    I look forward to seeing what Oak Labs looks like. If it''s anything like an alchemist lab I will be sorely disappointed. I turn my head to the sound of shuffling sheets. Nora rolled onto her side. Spying the clock near her reading 6:55 I hop down from the window moving my way towards her dresser to grab the clothes that Nora had said will be her traveling outfit and place it on the chair. Sherry would be taking us to Pallet town after breakfast on with her Pok¨¦mon. It seems I was right to assume it was too big to be let out in the house. It''s something called a Corviknight. I find myself looking forward to meeting it.

 Chapter Eight (POV Nora)

    My name is Norielle Carolina and I''m absolutely ecstatic about tomorrow, I can''t even begin! I know I''m bouncing up and down at the dinner table, but I can''t help it! I get to start my journey two years early! Back at home in Galar you have to be 14 to get your trainer license while here in Kanto it''s TEN. I can''t believe how big of a head start they get and now I''m getting. The thought of that makes me pout, I miss home but some of their rules are stupid.


    Momma and Poppa have been oddly quiet and have been doing the thing where they talk without talking again. I don''t think they realize that I know when they do it. Especially when Poppa gets really quiet and doesn''t talk about stuff to fill the silence. I didn''t notice it back in Galar cause during those times I was probably distracted by Grandpa Chase and Auntie Mimi.


    I looked down feeling a tap on my calf. Alistar is there looking up at me. I give him a smile reaching down and petting him. I finish up eating and passing a glance at my still silent conversating parents I turn in my chair so I can use both hands to pet him and scratch behind his ears. His tails wag a lot when I do that.


    Alistar is definitely a strange Pok¨¦mon. He trains in the backyard, running for a long time, practicing moves, and dodging. I''ve never heard of a Pok¨¦mon doing that accept fighting-type Pok¨¦mon. It may have something to do with being a Knight Pok¨¦mon. I''m not really sure about that though. Back in Galar we have knight like Pok¨¦mon. Sir Fetch''d and Corviknight are the first that come to mind. Although I''m unsure if they do what Alistar does. Momma''s Corviknight Galahad likes to go on long flights, but I''ve never seen it train or battle before. Momma said that Galahad got hurt when I was really little and can''t battle anymore but he still takes Momma wherever she wants to go.


    I feel my hands end up lacking contact with Alistar''s fur and a warm nose touching the back of my hand. He gives me a look I can''t describe before moving towards the cushion he claimed for himself in the family room so he can look out the window. He''s done this every day after dinner, I don''t really know why but he always seems so interested in seeing the other Pok¨¦mon passing by the window. I suppose that Pewter City is a lot different from the forest.


    "Nora," I turn my head a Poppa''s voice and look from him to Momma and back. "We wanted to talk to you about Alistar."


    "What about him?" I adjust myself in my chair.


    "We just want to know if he''s been good and hasn''t caused any trouble." Momma just pulled on the ''you can tell me anything'' look. It wasn''t like Alistar has been misbehaving. He''s been a bit growly with certain people, but it wasn''t like he actually did anything bad. He hasn''t secluded himself to groom himself or breathed fire toward anyone either.


    "No, not really. He seems annoyed by Mr. Ben, but I don''t think he minds him all that much. I think it''s cause Mr. Ben pushes his buttons on purpose." Momma and Poppa keep staring at me when I fall quiet as if they are waiting for something else. "Alistar gave Steven a really nasty look when he came up to me today. I don''t want to be anywhere near Steven, he was super mean to me."


    "He may have picked up on that. Was he in your arms at the time?" I nodded confirming what Poppa asked. Poppa sighed softly and ran his hand down his face. "Alistar might cause you no small number of headaches when people approach you in the future. Has he acted like that when anyone else has approached you?"


    I took a moment to think about it, and I shook my head no. Alistar is pretty calm most of the time accept when he seems to be curious or lost in thought. He doesn''t seem to mind others unless they try to touch me without permission or when someone I have told him did me harm approaches me.


    "Alistar doesn''t act all that mean." I look over to where Alistar was last. He''s still there laying down on the cushion his tails wagging as he watches what is happening outside. "He''s just protective. He doesn''t like it when strangers try to touch me without permission." Momma and Poppa shared another look but stayed quiet as I continued. "I think he only made that face because Steven and his friends are bullies, and he wanted him to go away because I don''t like him."


    Poppa drums his fingers on the table thinking and Momma is doing the same cause she''s staring at the table and chewing her bottom lip. I sit there quietly while they do so.


    "Did Steven say why he came to talk to you?" Momma asked. I shook my head no looking at the table. He''s a stupid jerk and what he was going to say doesn''t matter. I''m actually happy Alistar made that face at him. I don''t want to be anywhere near that jerk. I told him to leave me alone and I hate him leaving right after that was said. I might have been a bit mean when I said that, but it''s fair. If someone is mean to you then you can be mean back Grandpa said that it is more than fair if those Kanto brats give me trouble. Momma must not have thought so because she''d yelled at Grandpa saying, ''Stop being a bad influence on Nora.'' Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.


    "No, he''s a jerk."


    "Nora just because someone is mean-"


    "Doesn''t give me a reason to be mean back." I say clenching my hands together under the table.


    "Right, so you know why we are talking about it don''t you?" I look towards where Alistar is before looking back to Momma. "While it wasn''t you Alistar really scared Steven and what you said to him wasn''t okay."


    "How was it not okay? I told him I hate him and to leave me alone." I grumbled angrily. How am I wrong to tell him that? I think he deserves it. He and his friends threw stones at me and put tacks on my chair. How was it not right of me to hate him and tell him to leave me alone? "He''s a bully momma I''m not going to apologize or be nice to him anymore. I tried to do what you said to, and it got me chased into the woods by that jerk and his friends. It didn''t do anything but make it worse by doing what you said to by being nice to them and trying to be their friend. Grandpa''s way would have been better at least I wouldn''t have got picked on."


    Momma fell silent for a moment with a look of frustration on her face. She took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. Poppa has been quiet for a while now but if anything, he looks sad.


    "Why didn''t you tell anyone?"


    "I tried that, and it didn''t get any better. They just got better at hiding it, and with no proof they did it then what could I do? It went from them throwing rocks at me to pouring expired milk in my shoes and small tacks placed on my chair. I got glared at after I told Poppa about everything, and Mr. Ben said something to the class about it. I don''t know what would have happened if I didn''t have Alistar to play with during recess. After he was there it got better, and they left me alone." Now that I am thinking about it, the bullying stopped after I got Alistar. Was it because I didn''t have a Pok¨¦mon like everyone else did? I shake my head, there isn''t any reason to try and figure out reasons for people to be jerks.


    Momma looked to Poppa, and she gave him an angry look, clearly Poppa didn''t tell Momma about it. Poppa grimaced and looked away from her trying to avoid the rage of Momma.


    "I''m sorry Nora, I didn''t have the full story when I received a call from Steven''s mother. You don''t have to apologize to him, and I''ll be sure that his mother knows what he has been doing with those friends of his. Go spend some time with Alistar in your room. Your father and I need some alone time okay sweetie?"


    I nod and get out of the chair grabbing my plate and placing it in the sink before heading over to Alistar. His ears flicked atop his head, and he shifted a bit looking back at me. He dipped his head a bit before returning his gaze outside. I patted his back which got him to sit up and I lifted him into my arms.


    "We can get a better view from my window upstairs." Alistar nods shifting a bit before relaxing in my arms letting himself be carried up the stairs and into my room. I move to the window and sit him down on the windowsill. "How about we play a game?"


    Alistar looked up at me and tilted his head with a soft, ''Vul?''


    "What kind of game?" I repeated somewhat understanding what he said. Alistar nodded, still looking at me questioningly. "Oh, well we can play Type matchup." Another ''Vul'' made me smile as I was pretty sure I understood what he said completely this time. It had been getting easier to understand him day by day. "The rules are pretty easy we need to point out a Pok¨¦mon that beats another one type wise." ''Vul.'' I nodded at his statement, "Yup, that''s right. It is a training game. Knowing what an opponent''s weakness will help you beat them in the future. Grandpa and I used to play it a lot back in Hammerlocke. He always says that a knowing the enemy is only half the battle, but it''s the part of the battle a trainer is supposed to be good at." Alistar closed his eyes and nodded as if he agreed. "Okay then, let''s play."


    We played for an hour or so and Alistar was pretty good at the game. Although he got a few wrong, he seemed to think that Poison types beat Water types and that Steel type beats Flying type but after I explained that it wasn''t super effective like fire was to grass, he nodded as if he understood for the game that wasn''t a correct answer. Although it made me think. If a water Pok¨¦mon was hiding in the water poisoning the water would be really effective. As for Steel and Flying, Steel is really heavy. Flying type Pok¨¦mon would have a hard time trying to damage one.


    It was nearly bedtime when we''d finished playing. I pet Alistar and he kept his eyes focused outside when I changed into my pajamas. Momma said that Pok¨¦mon don''t really care about when people change clothes and continue doing whatever they were doing at the time, but Alistar looks away like he was told that''s what he should do. Mr. Ben said that Pok¨¦mon Knights are special Pok¨¦mon and are taught how to behave by their parents or by the house they serve proper manners. Maybe that was something he was taught to do when someone changed clothes. He is a boy after all, it would be a little weird if he watched me change.


    I headed to my bed and sat down on it. The sound of me doing so got Alistar to move from the window and towards the light switch. With a jump he flipped it making the room go dark, the only light that was coming in the room was passing light from outside. I got myself under the covers and Alistar hopped onto the bed and looked me over checking that I was tucked in and comfortable. He nosed my forehead and moved to his cushion near the foot of my bed curling up on it and closing his eyes.


    "Good night Alistar." I say with a yawn closing my eyes and going to sleep.


    "Good night, Lady Nora."

 Chapter Nine: Oak Labs

    I don''t know if I should be disappointed or not. I wasn''t allowed to fly on the giant metal bird Pok¨¦mon. Matter of fact, I wasn''t even allowed to meet Galahad. Not even to exchange pleasantries. I would assume that meeting the bird would be okay but apparently not. I was not informed as to why but when I was let out of the ball, I was in a rather rural town. The number of buildings was small, and the wide-open plains spread out as wide as I could see. Nora was once again carrying me, although I can tell she''s a lot more tense now. I''m unsure as to why that is but it may be because of the new environment. Just because a place looks peaceful doesn''t exactly mean it is due to the people that inhabit it so I can understand.


    As if the gods were listening to my thoughts, the sound of a commotion up ahead drew both my and Nora''s attention due to her hold on me tightening slightly. I''m glad she finds comfort in my presence, but it is a bit uncomfortable with how tightly she is squeezing me.


    [...ting words. You got enough guts to back that up?!]


    It is far too early in the morning for bravado like this. I snort a bit getting an overview of the situation. It looks like two of the boys are going to fight in the middle of the road. Looking them over more closely it seems that neither of them have the capture balls on their belts, but they are clearly close to Nora in age. Perhaps these two are part of the few coming to the Lab? I''d hope not but it seems like my hopes are not realistic. Thankfully, Nora decided to avoid the two of them and I could only applaud her choice mentally. Those two seem like they will cause no small number of headaches. Is it so bad to wish that there will be a girl that Nora could get along with instead?


    Yes, the Gods truly must be listening and laughing at me. There are two girls outside a rather large building that''s fenced off with what looks to be rather sturdy walls and a metal bar gate. The two of them are glaring at one another. I hang my head. This doesn''t seem like it is going to go well. With my head hanging I spotted a small blue and cream-colored rodent that looked familiar near the legs of one of the girls. I believe the Pok¨¦mon is called a Rattata. The Pok¨¦mon seemed to notice my gaze because they turned their head to look at me.


    "Hey there," The rat''s voice seemed a tad feminine, "It''s a bit rude to stare, but I understand. It''s rare you find a Rattata as beautiful as I am. My name is Sapphire, what''s yours?"


    "My apologies that was a bit rude of me, my name is Alistar. It is nice to make your acquaintance." I respond keeping eye contact with small rat Pok¨¦mon.


    "Huh, you sound a bit stuffy, but you seem like an alright guy. Your girl, what is she like? Mine is great!"


    "Lady Norielle is a wonderful girl."


    Sapphire blinks at me before giving a nod with her eyes closed. "Yup, I know what you mean. My girl Sona is like that too. Super sweet and gives the best ear scratches."


    It seemed while I was distracted talking to Sapphire the tension between the girls had broken and one was talking with Nora, and she put their hand in my line of sight. I blinked up at Sapphire''s trainer Sona. It seems as if I missed Nora''s okay to try and greet me, but it to be the case since Nora hasn''t moved.


    [Hi there Alistar, my name is Sona it''s nice to meet you.]


    I move my head forward and sniff Sona''s hand, she smells faintly of mint and bitter chocolate. She smells quite a bit different from Nora, who smells of honey and sugar. Pulling my head back I dipped my head in a slight bow before meeting her gaze.


    [Can I pet you? You look so soft. Please?]


    [He usually doesn''t let anyone but me touch him. Not even my Momma and Poppa. If he lets you then it''s okay but if he makes any sounds or a mean face, then don''t touch him.]


    Nora to the rescue, though I don''t particularly mind being touched. It is people touching Nora that I''m worried about. Although, it is true that I didn''t interact or allow Nora''s parents to touch me. It''s not that I''d mind if they asked but they never did. I wasn''t living there all that long to be honest. Perhaps they were wary of me? I focus myself back to the present moment. I don''t mind this girl touching me. She introduced herself and asked for permission. It couldn''t hurt to allow it. I enjoyed some light pets and a few ear scratches. It wasn''t as good as Nora''s, but it was nice. She removed her hand and smiled before bending down, picking up Sapphire to pet her.


    The other girl who was sharing a mutual glare with Sona a bit ago didn''t seem interested in pleasantries because she was ignoring the fact Nora and Sona exist.


    "Say Sapphire, what the other human''s deal?"


    "Oh her? Yeah, I''m not real sure about that. She''s been a real ice cube. I mean Sona tried being nice, introducing herself and ice queen over there just blew her off saying she''s not here to make friends. I feel sorry for the poor saps that end up with her as a trainer." The rat Pok¨¦mon explains while being showered with affection form her trainer.


    How disappointing, three out of the four people we''ve encountered today are not in the realm of possible friend material. Sona seems to be a good choice as a potential friend for Nora and I suppose that is better than none.


    I tilt my head as a figure on the other side of the gate catches my attention. His hair is brown and is sticking up in various directions. He is dressed rather nice clothing a tan dress shirt and black slacks. Accompanied by a white lab coat that nearly brushed the ground in length with some sizable pockets.


    [Welcome to Oak Labs.]


    As he was talking the gate started to open up. He had stopped halfway down the path. It seemed like he had some flare for dramatics because he opened his arms out wide and several different Pok¨¦mon came out from where they were hiding. They either flew out from bushes and trees or scampered around playing with one another before vanishing back into the surrounding area.


    [I am Professor Gary Oak, and this is where your journey begins as a Trainer, Breeder, Coordinator, or Professor like me. Each of these path''s hinge on the wonderous and exciting beings called Pok¨¦mon. You all have been invited into this lab to be interviewed and possibly sponsored by me for the duration of your journey to follow your dreams. Come on inside we got a lot to talk about.]Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    I''m unsure as to why but I am getting a good feeling about this one. Gary Oak is quite the character so far.


    I felt Nora adjust her arms shifting me slightly before she moves with Sona and the unnamed girl up the path.


    [Huh... Only three of you? There was supposed to be five.]


    Gary rolled his eyes and muttering something about someone named Ash before shrugging and collecting the three''s envelopes. After a look at what each had inside, he gestured to follow as he headed up towards the Lab.


    ===========


    Gary Oak POV


    Every year there seems to be kids that do what my old rival Ash did, arrive late. I shake my head letting a smirk cross my face reminiscing during the walk into the Lab''s front doors. This was the only room that the kids would see other than an office for individual interviews. Gramps had been so carefree about letting Ash and I go wherever in the Lab. That changed though after what happened to a past student of Gramps. Prof. Elm got his lab ransacked and one of the starter Pok¨¦mon was stolen. They never did catch the thief.


    Turning to face my three guests I smile. One of the three seems to be hugging a color variant Vulpix with a sharp intelligence in its gaze. The second girl has a Rattata perched on her shoulder. The third reminds me of a rival Ashy boy told me about named Paul, a real cold guy. If the girl''s cold demeanor is anything to go off of, she''s going to be the troublesome one of these three.


    "Alright, lets ge-" The door opens up and two roughed up looking boys coming in with disgruntled looks on their faces. The sudden entrance was accompanied with plenty of arguing between them. The bickering couples with the sudden entrance seemed to have triggered the Vulpix who squirmed in the arms that held it to look over the girl''s shoulder at the sudden noise. It was a trained response if I''d ever saw one. It relaxed once it deemed the boys weren''t anything important. Shifting my view back to the boys I clear my throat, catching everyone''s attention. "Okay, come over here and hand me your letters."


    The two boys hustled over and handed over their letters. Looking over the content in each I held in a sigh. It seems as if I was sent over a kid from Unova and one from Hoenn respectively. Each of the kids here would be getting a Pok¨¦mon, that is unless I found anything concerning in the interview. It wasn''t like I''d started the interviews yet anyways.


    "I will be conducting one on one interviews with each of you." I made sure to reiterate for the two that weren''t here on time. Usually, I''d mark it as they weren''t serious about this but if Ash was anything to go off of, I should at least hear them out. "Now," I look to the first to arrive at the gates. "Katherine since you arrived first, you''ll be the first one interviewed." The girl nodded her head and made her way to the door I gestured to with a way of my hand. "As for the rest, you will be called in one at a time. Use this time to get to know one another peacefully. Any fighting in here and you''ll be tossed out." I made sure to give the two boys a narrowed look before going to the room and walking inside.


    This was going to be a long few hours and hopefully by the end of it he wasn''t going to have a migraine.


    ======================


    Alistar POV


    After Nora found a chair to sit in, she finally put me down. She whispered to stay where she could see me was understood and wholly unnecessary. I didn''t plan to move from where I was set down. While I was definitely curious about what the Lab as a whole had to offer there wasn''t much in this room that attributed to that. There was a TV looking device on a desk in the corner, but it looked older, smaller, and less sleek in its design.


    I was musings on what it looked to be connected to before my ears picked up on movement coming in my direction. Swiveling my head to face towards it, I was met with one of the boys from the road standoff coming over.


    [That''s a cool Vulpix you got there. Can I maybe pet him?]


    The boy had some kind of accent that was very difficult to place but I could still understand him although something in his tone definitely rubbed me the wrong way. Plus, the way I was being eyed didn''t make me feel any less wary of him.


    [I don''t mind, but you should ask Alistar first. He doesn''t usually let people touch him.]


    The boy nodded kneeling down and offering his hand at a respectable distance. I looked from his hand and face a twice before sniffing his hand getting a strong earthy scent mixed with ash and soot. This boy smelled of a volcano. I recognize the smell from an expedition I took part in for the throne. I moved my head away and put my paw into his open hand. Seeming to get the idea the boy smirked a bit closing his hand around paw lightly shaking it before letting go. I placed my paw back down and he got up on his feet likely realizing he wasn''t going to be able to pet me.


    [Well, I''m glad to meet him, Vulpix are great fire type Pok¨¦mon. I saw a few back home in Lavaridge Town at the gym. My name''s Hiro by the way. What''s yours?]


    [Nora.]


    I watch their conversation go back and forth for a few minutes before the sound of a door opening got my attention. The ice queen Katherine walked out of the room and pointed at Sona before gesturing for her to go inside. It seemed that Sona was talking to the other boy from the standoff. Sapphire looked to be dozing off in Sona''s arms as she walked into the office and closed the door.


    Shifting my line of sight to Nora she seemed to be growing nervous her hand gripped together in her lap. Her knuckles were nearly turning white with how hard she was squeezing them together. Hiro had shuffled off towards Katherine probably to introduce himself. It was left to me to save my Lady from descending into a nervous panic.


    A sudden feeling that was far too close for my liking made my body move. I lunged forward spinning on a paw to face the feeling, I saw the cause. He was crouched down and caught trying to touch me. He looked surprised that I noticed him and moved. I felt my face turn into a silent snarl and the energy flowing into my paw prepped for Rock Smash. I don''t know how the kid managed to nearly get the drop on me, but I didn''t like it.


    [I was detected?]


    He whispered the words, his eyes locked on me as if I were something extremely interesting. His accent as less jarring than some I''ve heard but it was placeable as easily understood compared to how easily I understand Nora. He started talking in a normal volume though.


    [I''m Yami. Next time I will manage to touch you before being detected.]


    The boy didn''t have a scent, and I didn''t hear him either. Alarm bells are ringing in my head to keep myself and Nora away from him. He''s far too sneaky for my liking and if he was able to sneak up on me then I clearly need to train my observational skills more. He found a hole in them, and it doesn''t sit well with me.


    [Don''t do that again.]


    The ice in Nora''s voice caught both my and Yami''s attention.


    [Alistar isn''t a docile Pok¨¦mon, and he doesn''t like to be touched. Surprising him like that could have got you injured. Trying to touch any Pok¨¦mon like that can end up getting you attacked especially when it''s a Vulpix.]


    Yami simply tilted his head as if thinking about what Nora said before nodding.


    [I understand. I will take your warning into consideration Nora.]


    After saying that he stood up and walked towards Katherine who I caught looking in our direction. We looked gazes for a moment before her gaze moved to Yami. I tilted my head thinking on what she could have been looking at, but I deem it as unimportant the moment Nora reaches down and scoops me off the floor into her lap.


    [The stupidity of some people.]


    Nora grumbled softly running her fingers across my back. I could only nod in agreement at her statement. Some people really weren''t all that bright. Perhaps Yami didn''t go to a Pok¨¦mon school and was recommended by someone? I let my thoughts swirl for a bit allowing myself to be a calming tool for Nora. At least she doesn''t seem nervous anymore. I suppose I can be happy about that.


    The opening of a door and the call of my Lady''s name from Sona made Nora shift how she had me positioned. Once she had her arms around my chest she stood and made her way to the room. I''m curious, just what might this interview entail?

 Chapter Ten

    The office room was a bit larger than I expected it to be. Gary was seated behind a desk in a rather plush and comfortable looking chair. Nora had taken a seat across from Gary after closing the door.


    [Norielle Carolina of Hammerlocke City in Galar. Twelve years old and got perfect scores at Pewter City Trainer school final exams after only going for a hand full of months at least. It''s safe to say you got a good head on your shoulders and a spectacular Pok¨¦mon partner in that Vulpix you''re holding. Now I have a few simple questions that I ask you to answer as honestly and to the best of your ability. Everyone before you were asked the same questions.]


    [Okay professor.]


    [Good. First question, what is your favorite Pok¨¦mon?]


    [Alistar is my favorite Pok¨¦mon.]


    The answer was immediate, and it made Gary blink. I could feel pride swell in my chest.


    [That so? I take it the Vulpix here is Alistar. Vulpix is a good choice for a favorite Pok¨¦mon.]


    [No, Alistar is my favorite Pok¨¦mon. Not my favorite species of Pok¨¦mon.]


    I watched Gary blink again and the smirk he was wearing turn into a smile.


    [I see. Okay then allow me to rephrase the question. What is your favorite species of Pok¨¦mon?]


    Nora didn''t seem to have an answer because she was quiet for about a minute.


    [I don''t think I have one I could call a favorite. All Pok¨¦mon can be our friends. I don''t think it matters what species they are so long as we can become friends.]


    [That''s a very good answer. Definitely one of the best I have ever heard. Next question, what is your goal or reasons for going on your journey?]


    [I don''t really know what my goal is. Mom and Dad were trainers and participated in the gym challenges in different regions. I think Alistar and I will try for the Indigo Pleatu at least while here in Kanto. After that I don''t know. I think maybe traveling around I might find something I want to do after my journey ends.]


    Gary nods writing down something on a clipboard he picked up off his desk.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    [It took me a while to figure out that I wanted to study Pok¨¦mon like my Gramps does.]


    I zoned out a bit due to the questions being asked to Nora seemed rather uninteresting. I kept myself occupied by looking around the rather basic looking space. The walls are a powder blue, and the ceiling is white-ish. The fixture that holds a light source seems to have pieces of wood attached to it, spinning at a fixed slow pace.


    I can''t say I know what it''s called but it is a new thing for me. I can pass the time watching it spin and contemplate how it works.


    ===============


    Exiting the room and sending in the next person Nora seemed more relaxed now that the interview was over. I once again caught Katherine staring at me but I didn''t turn my head to specifically look at her. The cold looks seem to be a mask to his her nerves around people. Perhaps she isn''t what initially perceived but I will restrain my judgement on the matter. I''m sure we will see Katherine again at some point on the way. Talking with whatever Pok¨¦mon she ends up picking later will get me the true character of the ice queen. It is hard to hide oneself behind a mask when with partners and companions that you trust.


    Before I know it both the boys have gone through their interviews. Both had seemingly contemplative looks on their faces. Perhaps some of the questions really poked something in their heads. Perhaps I should have been paying more attention to those? I have been zoning out a lot. Perhaps there is something wrong?


    I snap from my musing upon Nora moving and placing me down on the chair.


    [Stay here Alistar. I''ll be right back. Okay?]


    I dip my head in a nod before Nora pats my head. She moved to join the other four kids in front of a table with five similar capture balls placed on it by Gary Oak who stands on the other side of it.


    [Now, traditionally the Pok¨¦mon given by Oak Labs are known as the Kantonian Royal Three. Charmander, Squirtle, and Bulbasaur. Now while I''d like to offer each of you a choice between all three options however it''s not exactly easy to gather up that many Pok¨¦mon for something like this. This year I was given two Pok¨¦mon from different regions. The choices are Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Charmander, Chimpchar, and Chikorita.]


    I personally have no clue what any of those Pok¨¦mon are but I believe that Nora will make a good decision for a second friend to have along for the ride.


    [Any questions?]


    The kids were quiet for a time before Sona raises her hand.


    [What order are we to go in?]


    [In the order you were called into my office. It''s first come first serve. Like I said I''d like to give you all the options available but it takes a lot to get the Pok¨¦mon let alone ones that are willing to take a partner. Each of them have been looking forward to being chosen and going out to see the world.]


    This is when Yami raised his hand.


    [They have Pok¨¦mon already. Shouldn''t those who don''t have a Pok¨¦mon get to choose before they do?]


    Gary shook his head no.


    [Nope. While that could have been the case provided you two boys were on time, which neither of you were. It was within my right to turn the two of you away. I''m being lenient by allowing you to get a Pok¨¦mon today at all.]


    Yami nodded seeming a bit disappointed by his shoulders slightly slumping but it''s hard to tell not being able to see his face. A minute went by without another raised hand. Gary nodded and clapped his hands together.


    [Alright Katherine, you can start us off by picking one. Choose wisely.]

 ((Vote Confirmation.)) Please read and see Poll and Vote.

    Hey Hey the author here,


    Only 59 votes out of all the readers was slightly disheartening compared to how many readers I have. I''d think everyone would have liked to have a hand in molding the story.


    I''ve more or less reached the point where what I had written sentence by sentence on paper has dried up. So I will be doing everything from scratch at this point onwards. I hope you all continue to enjoy.You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    The winner of the poll was Chikorita followed by Nora choosing none of them.


    Chapter Eleven will be out soon. A thank you for those 59 who voted and made yourself part of the adventure. I have a new Poll down below for you to give a look at. It will run for a while and will be up until I post chapter twelve. I will be sure to inform you all when it closes. Think hard about your choice. Each person gets two votes this time.


    Till next we next meet on the battlefield,


    Absol.

 Chapter Eleven

    I am so excited. I am meeting my destined partner today! One of five to be chosen to embark on a grand journey. I was chosen over my brothers and sisters to become great with who fate has determined for me. The hero of the story, that''s me!


    I was sent out form my ball into a large grassy field. I observed my surroundings taking everything in before they land on a burned yellow fox sitting there with an imperious look on his face. He''s looking right at me like he''s bored or something. By Arceus, his face reminds me of my elder brother who thinks he''s so much better than everyone else. Thank everything above I don''t have to deal with that anymore.


    "Welcome to the team. I am Sir Alistar, Lady Nora''s first Pok¨¦mon." His words were straight forward and matter of fact. I don''t know what it is, but something in my gut tells me this Vulpix isn''t normal. Wait hold on... Did he just say he''s my teammate? I can''t believe this. I was supposed to be their first Pok¨¦mon!


    ===========


    Nora POV:


    I watch as Alistar and Chikorita greet one another. It seems like they are getting along well enough so far as I set up a blanket to enjoy the big grassy fields just outside Pallet Town.


    Digging around in my bag I pull out two bowls and start to fill them with general Pok¨¦mon kibble and some cut up berries. Lifting my gaze to where the two of them are I frown at the sight of Alistar stepping to the side and kicking sand up into Chikorita''s face with a twist of his paw. It was followed by a powerful smack with the other paw into the Grass-type''s side sending them rolling across the grass. I could tell it had power behind it, but it definitely wasn''t anything close to his signature Rock Smash.


    "No fighting you two. Come over here, it''s lunchtime."


    Alistar''s ear flicked in my direction. He sat down, keeping his gaze locked on Chikorita as the Grass-type got itself up off the ground. They might not be getting along, but that will be easy enough to fix. Professor Gary said Chikorita is strong willed and very stubborn. I know I can rely on Alistar to keep her in line, but I hope it isn''t necessary. Chikorita eyed Alistar as she come over to me. I moved a bowl for Chikorita in front of her. As she was eating, I pulled out my Pok¨¦dex and pointed it at Chikorita. A female voice came from the pocketbook sized device as it opened up showing a live image of my Chikorita eating.


    // Chikorita, the Leaf Pok¨¦mon. This species of Pok¨¦mon is named aptly because of the versatility of the leaf atop its head. They can detect even the subtlest shifts in the weather through this and the species docile nature farmers allow wild Chikorita to sunbathe near their farms. The scattering of the Chikorita either means danger or a most likely violent shift in the incoming weather. The leaf itself gives of a rather sweet aroma that has a calming effect and due to this they tend to attract bug types and the occasional Teddiursa. This Chikorita is female, standing at 2''3" and weighing 11lbs. It''s known moves are Tackle, Growl, Vine Whip, Leech Seed, Ingrain, and Counter.//


    While I was distracted listening to the voice Alistar had come up and started eating his food out of the other bowl. I wonder what could have changed over the time I''ve had him. The entry on Chikorita has a few training tips and some more in-depth research notes. They should be useful. Leaf spinning will help with learning Razor Leaf and the more mobile the leaf the healthier the Chikorita. Tips would likely be there for helping me with Alistar as well.


    // Vulpix, the Fox Pok¨¦mon. This species of Pok¨¦mon is born with a singular white tail that as it matures changes color and splits into six separate tails. Its fur over the course of the Pok¨¦mon''s tail growth becomes more luxurious and softer provided they are well fed and active. With its beautiful fur comes its notable temper should their fur be blemished or physically touched by those they do not trust. It is advised to back away from any Vulpix that seems irate and give them space failing to do so will be met with gouts of flame. Several studies confirm that when the tails of a Vulpix raise to a temperature that feels too hot to touch by getting near it is close to evolution. This Vulpix is a male Color Variant, standing at 2''2" and weighing 24lbs. It''s known moves are Sand Attack, Tail Whip, Quick Attack, Ember, Hypnosis, Howl, Rock Smash, Karate Chop, Low Kick, Mega Punch, Mega Kick, Throat Chop, Roar, Headbutt, Glare, Calm Mind, Detect, Bite, Agility, Dig, Body Slam, Endure, and Sacred Sword. //Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    That''s definitely more moves than last time and he got a bit bigger. I close the Pok¨¦dex and push it into my pocket. Alistar is definitely strong and Chikorita isn''t yet. Maybe I should have Chikorita work up to what Alistar can do first? Alistar is physically strong and trains to get even better. If I have Chikorita do it too then she is sure to be just as strong sooner or later.


    "Alistar," He lifted his head from his mostly finished bowl and turned his whole body to face me. "Once you''re done eating, I want you and Chikorita to run to that tree and back like how you trained at home in the backyard." My knight shifted slightly to look at the lazily sunbathing Chikorita and then back to me nodding his head. "Chikorita," the relaxing Pok¨¦mon looked over at me from where she''s taking in the sun''s rays without a care. "Alistar is going to be helping you build up some stamina. I heard from the Professor that you were really eager about battling and getting tough, right?" The Grass-type nodded shifting her eyes to Alistar who just finished eating and began stretching from what I could see from the corner of my eye. He''s nearly ready to get going, I can tell. Chikorita looked back to me and stood up off the blanket and starts stretching too. "I know Alistar will help you get tough enough to handle anything. Since you''ll be running, I want you to work on spinning the leaf on your head. It says in the Pok¨¦dex that the more control and speed you have will have a positive effect when you learn Razor Leaf."


    ==============


    Alistar POV:


    Being put in charge of the new girl''s training made the most sense. I was going to put her through hell to ensure she''s tough enough to handle anything I can think of. Weakness will never be synonymous with any members in this knight unit regardless of gender or species.


    She seemed a bit grumbly about being put under someone like her elder brothers but she kept up for a long while until the twentieth and final lap. She had collapsed half way. I wasn''t going to allow her to fail when she''d almost did something to be proud of. Keeping up with the first part of my three part basic regimen is impressive and speaks volumes on her determination.


    "Get up. Get up and finish. You are almost done. This is the first step to making you better and stronger."


    "I''m tired and my whole body hurts."


    "It''s supposed to. It is a lesson and a goal. Show you how much you have to improve. I do this each and every day I''m able. I do this of my own volition, to be a pillar that Lady Nora can depend on. I won''t make it easy or fair because the world isn''t fair. You have to be tougher and stronger than you are now to make it fair. I think you have the ability to do it. So, if you want that strength and that tough exterior then... Get. Off. The. Ground." I pushed my face near hers and let my voice growl near the end to match the glare I was giving her.


    The look she''s had shifted from nearly exhausted to a determined one. I backed up to give her room. The grass Pok¨¦mon with a growl of her own got onto her shaky legs. A few words of encouragement and belief go a long way to help them reach their potential. Sometimes all that is needed the right motivation.


    It will take time for our new companion to become something great. So long as Lady Nora wishes it so I will ensure that this Chikorita is against the grindstone and sharpened not only physically but mentality as well. Confidence building and pulling her into the correct mindset will take time.


    I internally smile as I watch Chikorita collapse on the blanket in front of Nora, who picks the Pok¨¦mon up and starts praising her. I have a few ideas to make me more effective. It will require me to get rather dirty but it will be worth it. I''ll leave the two of them to get to know one another better. I''m far from a traditional Pok¨¦mon from what I''ve observed from TV and how others interact with humans. Nora having a normal Pok¨¦mon company that isn''t like me would likely be good for her even if that Pok¨¦mon is tired. A tired Pok¨¦mon is a docile Pok¨¦mon at least that''s what that insufferable teacher said.

 Shout out Segment, Questions, Notes, and Suggested improvements.

    Yes, yes, I know it''s not a chapter like everyone expected.


    I was hoping to bring to light someone who was working hard on something great. I was delighted when I was contacted by the Alexander_Layne to bring notice to their work and they will do the same with mine. It is something I found enjoyment reading when I took a look and I plan to read their work from start to finish when I manage to find time between writing and life.


    If you could pop over and give their work at least a look to see if you like it, I''m sure it would mean a lot to them.


    Now on to some comments and notes from me as to the support and great readers you are.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    A great thank you to my comment Grammar Sharks for holding me to a higher standard of writing:


    -Ott043


    -Boristheboar


    -Stefo-Suge


    -tofu salesman


    -Morning star101


    -TrianHard


    -Strictly Worse


    -nathanwe2


    -FOULdragon


    I would like the nine of you to comment your favorite non-legendary, non-mythical pokemon below. Each will be put in a lottery for later. Your pokemon gets an additional tag in that lottery for each of my mistakes you''ve caught for being such awesome sharks!


    You all have been wonderful so far and I appreciate your support. More is coming it''ll just take a bit of time to write and not have it come out as a garbled mess with how my brain works sometimes. Give it at least two more days and I should have chapter 12 finished and ready to read.


    I would like to hear your favorite parts so far, what drew you in, or what you want to see more or less of. I know that I''m the writer but this story may eventually stump me on how to continue. A few suggestions for you guys could help me along if I get stuck with the dreaded WRITERS BLOCK!!! *insert ominous lighting crack here*


    Till I see you on the battlefield,


    Absol

 Chapter Twelve: A Not So Quiet Night.

    We have been traveling for a few days now. Nora seems to be in a good mood. She has taken to talking my and Zinnia''s ears off. I believe a Zinnia is a rather beautiful flower if memory serves. One not native in this region according to Nora. When she got her name, Zinnia began to shout about how she was going to be known as Hero Zinnia and become the best Meganium to have ever been. She wasn''t so keen on opening her mouth for a few hours after making that declaration when Nora left her in my paws for about an hour. She has motivation and determination in spades, what she lacks is the body for her bravado. Hopefully my pushing her will get her there.


    "Say, Alistar." I crack an eye open that I use to look at the Chikorita and hum questioningly. It has become fairly apparent that the younger Pok¨¦mon had questions but never seems to ask them. For the past three nights this has happened, and I hope she spits it out already. Perhaps this is how Arcturus felt when dealing with me when I was young. "Do you think... I can be a hero?" I mull over the question. She has been declaring that''s what she will be this whole time and yet she asks me if she can be one?


    "A hero, huh." I let what would normally be a question come out as a statement. "Do you know what being a hero means Zinnia?"


    "Of course I do. It means doing what''s right and fighting for justice. Locking up the bad guys and saving others." I hum at her view and while it''s right in some aspect, it''s not the complete picture.


    "Being a hero isn''t all it''s cracked up to be." I fully open my eyes and go from looking to her, who''s staring at me intently, to looking up at the stars. "Most only become heroes once they have breathed their last. Either by taking down a great threat at the cost of their own life, or by choosing to sacrifice themselves for one reason or another. Their actions hold sway, over the direction of the world. It is a weight that many would never dare to lift. They take up that weight onto themselves without hesitation." I lower my head to look at her again. She seemed to be taking in what I have said so far. "If you want to be a hero then one thing is certain, you have to be prepared to die like one. To throw yourself into the fire of Hell itself without hesitation. All for the sake of others. Most you will never meet or ever come to know. That is what being a hero is."


    Zinnia was quiet for quite some time, and she had taken to looking at the stars. "How is that different from you?" The question was quiet, as if she was hesitant to ask. It seems what I had to say made her nervous.


    "Knights are different in a few ways. We take oaths for one. Where a hero protects everyone, a knight does something similar but to a select group or singular person. When I became a knight, I swore that I''d protect and serve by any means necessary. I will battle in the arena for their honor. I will stand watch over their home and safety. I will kill to protect their life, even should it cost me my own. It is the Oath my brothers and sisters in arms took. When one swears that oath, they are bound by duty to serve that house, family, or individual with everything they have.


    Zinnia was quiet for a few moments. "That sounds like the hero''s pledge."


    "The hero''s pledge?"


    "Yeah, my mother told me about it. It goes like this, ''As a hero I will honor any foe with my all in battle. I will protect the homes and safety of the innocent. As it is the will of Arceus, I shall strike down all evil that appears before me.'' I want to be a hero. Just by hearing it, a warm feeling rose in me." It is rather similar to my own oath, but it doesn''t determine if the evil is vanquished permanently or not. Nor is evil ever really so cut and dry. I wonder who or what Arceus is to be noted in a pledge, but it isn''t important right now.


    "It is rather similar, but I don''t think I could be considered a hero. A hero is all encompassing where I am not. You will have to become far stronger than I am. That is, if you want that for yourself. I can set you on the path you want. It will be your choice to what it is you want, with the strength you earn. Be what it is you wish to be for Nora. If you wish to be a hero, then be a hero for her and anyone in your immediate reach. You asked a shortsighted question. Do you think I can be a hero? My answer, it doesn''t matter. Nor should anyone else''s but your own. Instead of a question, make it a statement. One that you should wake up and say to yourself. Another that you should tell yourself, before going to sleep." Zinnia leaned in with her head tilted the leaf on her head following the action. "When you wake up recite the hero''s pledge then say, ''I will be that hero today.'' Before you go to sleep recite that pledge again, and say, ''I was that hero today.'' It will remind you of your goal. How to act and make it reality. Never ask permission for your dreams or goals. Make them come true." Glancing at the moon I huff slightly at its position. It''s nearly two in the morning if my estimation is right. "Now get some sleep. I''m going to do my best to run you into the ground tomorrow."The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    I curl myself up on my cushion and after an observant sweep of the surroundings. I have been getting at most two hours of sleep each night since we have left Pallet town towards Viridian City. I''ve been keeping my exercise lighter over the past two days to ensure I have the energy to keep watch at night. I hear Zinnia whispering to herself and I can''t help but internally smile. It seems she is set on taking what I said to heart.


    A soft sound of a twig snapping an hour later had my eyes flashing open. I stayed still focusing on my hearing, I picked up a small hissing sound and I moved slowly towards Nora searching for the source of the sound. It hasn''t reached her yet, but it is getting closer.


    The sound cutting off rang and alarm bell in my head. I leapt over Nora''s sleeping form and was met with a purple snake with a yellow stripe around its neck and a matching raddle on the tip of its tail. My lips drew back in a snarl and a growl rumbled in my throat. It was about a yard away and that was far too close for my liking.


    "This is your only warning... Leave or your life is forfeit." My voice came out in a snarled whisper.


    It gave no vocal response but the lunge and attempt to bite me was the only response I needed. Lifting my paw, I used Rock Smash on the side of the snake''s head. The strike sending it about two yards away. I feel my blood in my body heat up as my heart quickens. I stared at the snake Pok¨¦mon that rose from the ground. My strike didn''t seem to have done much. If that was any indication my attack wasn''t very effective, it would be that. It seemed this one was resilient to my go to attack of choice.


    That however, wasn''t important now. I had to keep it away from Nora. I took a few steps and it''s head swiveled to keep locked on me. I had it''s attention. Good, just like I wanted. It''s body began to coil as it prepared itself.


    It lunged again after a moment. I was prepared to crack it in the face again, but it fell short. I''m unsure exactly why or how it did, but I wasn''t going to look a gift horse in the mouth and pounced. I felt my body become dense as I fell on the snake, before clamping my jaws around what I could of its neck. Keeping some of its body pinned to the ground with my own body. I could taste blood as it thrashed about trying to get free, but I wasn''t about to let go so easily. I could feel its tail striking me, and by the stars it definitely hurt. One of those tail lashes managed to shove me off, and sent me rolling. It managed to get me same spot of the ribs three times. It definitely sucked.


    Getting to my paws I stared it down. I don''t know why, but I could tell it was afraid. It''s eyes had some clarity now. When I took a step forward it flinched. I think that was all the strength it had left. It didn''t move from where it was as I approached cautiously.


    "P-ple... e." I could hear it whimper softly but I couldn''t tell what it said. I got a little closer and realized the sound of it was female. "...Mercy." It seems she is begging for her life. She was still bleeding, and she wouldn''t last too long without help. Nora, should I wake her, no doubt would be able to help this wretched being. Does she really deserve it though?


    I growl internally and I could feel my face scrunch up but I nodded my head. "Remain still and stay awake... I will wake my Lady. Be thankful for what little mercy I have. You will not receive another chance. Should you make another attempt to harm her, I will remove your head."


    I move to Nora and shove my body against her. This will likely make her grumpy, but what am I to do? I have no way to patch the snake up on my own or I would. Most likely to perhaps beat them down again. They deserve to be punished for their attempt. It is not my judgement to determine now that they have surrendered. I would leave the snakes fate in Nora''s hands.

 Chapter Thirteen: Serpent Sensibility(POV Nora)

    The Pok¨¦dex''s voice rings out in crisp clarity.


    // Ekans, the Snake Pok¨¦mon. This species of Pok¨¦mon can dislocate its jaw to eat prey that is many times bigger than itself. This has the downside of being unable to move if the prey is too heavy. It usually is a daytime hunter, due to its primary food source being the eggs of bird Pok¨¦mon such as Spearow and Pidgey. When it is born it has no venom, this however doesn''t take away the fact it''s bite is still very strong but harmless. As it matures not only does it gain venom that grows in potency, but it also grows longer over time. The longest Ekans recorded in the wild was 3.048 meters or exactly 10 feet long. How old it was at the time is unknown but at our best estimates it was at least a decade old. This Ekans is female, at a length of 6''4'' and weighing 11lbs. It''s moves are Wrap, Leer, Poison Sting, Poison Fang, Iron Tail, Bite, and Beat Up. //


    Being woke up before dawn by Alistar wasn''t exactly the top of the list of things that would make me happy but I''m glad he did. He did a number on the Ekans that wondered her way into our camp. She seems very docile when I''m near her. It is unusual due to the level of injury she has sustained but I have a feeling it''s because Alistar is staring daggers into the poor danger noodle.


    Doing my best to patch her up, I used a Pok¨¦ball to capture her. It is for the best that I bring her to Nurse Joy in Viridian City. The wasn''t much my medical kit could do for her on its own. I can see the city in the distance, the light of the sunrise is making it easy to spot. Clipping the ball to my bag I reach down and pick up Alistar to check him over. His muzzle has a lot of this nasty gunk around it, and it doesn''t suit him at all. I don''t think he''s noticed yet, but I can''t have my brave knight not look his best.


    After a few minutes of getting his face all clean he looks up at me and gives a small yip. "You''re welcome." I look to the sleeping member of our group and shake my head. Zinnia must be really tired to have slept through all this. She''s been working so hard to try and keep up with Alistar. I grab her ball and recall her as well. She might need a break. I''ll give her a break and let her rest today.


    Packing up camp took only a few minutes, and I set off. I arrived in town carrying Alistar about thirty minutes later. He was looking around. Just as curious as he was when I had brought him out of the forest into Pewter City. Viridian City is quite a bit bigger than Pewter and it''s very obvious if the Pok¨¦mon Center is any indication. The building is huge and it makes sense considering this place is the home to the eighth gym badge, The Earth Badge.


    The history around the badge is rather checkered. It was run at one point by a mob boss, Giovanni. The guy was a talented trainer and business man. I saw his battle tapes in school, and he was nothing short of intense. He had a Beedrill that took down Lance''s Dragonite. It was odd, but when I watched that tape again with Alistar. He got really focused on the Beedrill for some reason.


    I feel Alistar shift in my arms, and I look down at him. He is looking at the doors Ekans was carted through. He must be worried about her. Ekans was in really rough shape and according to the details brought up from the Pok¨¦dex she was starving and malnourished. Add that on top of the thrashing Alistar put her through.If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    I sigh and take a seat pulling a brush from my bag and start to run in through Alistar''s fur. It would be better to focus on something rather than worrying.


    =============


    Ekans POV:


    I find myself in a particularly terrible set of circumstances. Not only did I lose control over myself, I almost attacked a cute little girl, then proceeded to get my tail whooped by a Vulpix. Now here I am, all healed up after be trounced being fed by the same little girl, who I almost made a meal. Arceus, put me out of my misery. The guilt alone is tearing me up inside. Such a act towards a innocent child is shameful.


    The Vulpix has yet to lift his gaze from me from the girl''s lap. I can tell just by his gaze he is pinning me with he''d be willing to beat me down again if I acted up. It''s hard to look at him, but it''s actually a bit reassuring that he seems ready to stop me should I lose it again.


    "Are you feeling better?" His voice seems so much softer than before. I don''t answer, and he continues to speak. "I would do it again if necessary, but I still apologize for how harshly I treated you. I added to your suffering when you were in pain, but I had to protect my Lady."


    I managed to look at fire-type Pok¨¦mon and shift uncomfortably. "I underssstand. Thank you, for ssstoping me. I was not in my right mind. I hope you and your missstressss can forgive me." The look on the Vulpix face shifted to what I could assume to be thoughtful, with a slight tilt to his head before nodding. His eyes however never left me.


    "I had resolved to forgive your transgression... One can make, poor decisions, when left with little choice. I don''t know how my Lady seeks to handle your debt to her, but what she decides is a choice I can live with." The thoughtful look shifted back to a imperious and hardened mask. It holds so much meaning, and yet so little can be said about it. Cold, calculated, precise, and vigilant. I could feel measures of kindness and malice bleeding from his eyes. I bring myself to wonder, just what has this Vulpix had to survive to be this way.


    ============


    Nora POV:


    I had sat in a chair while Alistar and Ekans talked with one another. Their communication was rather drawn out with occasional soft yips and hisses. It happened after I had fed Ekans. She is fully recovered from her injuries. Still requires rest, plenty of food, and someone to look after her until she can be reintroduced to the wild. It will be a long road for her.


    "Ekans," The snake Pok¨¦mon lifted it''s head to look over Alistar to meet my gaze. I gave her a smile before reaching out a hand carefully in its range of vision. "I''m sorry Alistar hurt you. I found out from Miss Joy that you were really hungry. So hungry it was hurting you." The Poison-type''s tongue flickered out near my fingers. I flipped my hand over and the Pok¨¦mon rested it''s head in my hand.


    "So I want to give you a choice. You can stay here with Nurse Joy until you''re all better, and she will release you back to the wild." I feel Alistar shift in my lap and with a glance down I notice Alistar had got Ekans'' ball off my bag with his mouth placing it on the bed. "Or you can join us, Alistar, Zinnia, and me. I can''t promise much, but I can promise you won''t go hungry ever again."


    I looked down to Alistar to find him looking up at me with what I can only guess to be approval. "It is only fair that I give you this choice." I say looking back to the Ekans who hasn''t moved her head from my hand. "I would be happy to have you with us, but I''ll understand if you want to return to the wild."


    I waited for a minute or so before the snake lowered her head off my hand and opening her mouth to pick up the ball left on the bed before setting it in my hand and hissing before bowing her head.


    I smile, closing my hand around the ball clipping it back to my bag. "I''m glad you want to stay with us." I reach out with both hands to gently take hold of the serpent''s head. I lifted her head, so I can look my new friend in the eyes. "Now, what should I call you..."

 Chapter Fourteen: Power to be Respected.

    Power. It is a quantifiable proof someone exists. The mark it leaves upon someone that has it is clear in how they move, how they speak, and the measures they take when threatened. This Vulpix is powerful, I can sense that much. It is in his presence, like an aura exuded off him. Zinnia, the Chikorita is running herself ragged. Trying to push out just that bit more. All to keep up with a unfazed Alistar, who has lapped her for the eighth time.


    Nora had a majority of my body in her lap. She was insistant on making sure my scales were all healthy and clean. Such a sweet child, and it makes guilt roil in my stomach. It is worse than the feeling of starvation ripping at my insides. I''d almost prefer the feeling of starvation to this. It makes me want to puke up what I have in my stomach. The food Nora had me eat, even if I feel I don''t deserve it.


    We spent the past few days here just outside the city called Viridian. Starting tomorrow, I will be strong enough to join Zinnia and Alistar in training. I will be able to use my strength to repay the mercy and kindness I was given. I lower my head and let it rest on Nora''s thigh. I should rest while I can. I have a feeling Alistar will ensure I can''t feel my tail by the end of tomorrow.


    =============


    Alistar''s POV:


    A soft puff of heat comes from my nose as I stop once again. Zinnia has started flagging, her stamina really is terrible. She''s getting better, but the progress is slower than I''d expected.


    Then again my own progress is much slower than I expected. It''s strange, I felt improvement during my fight with Belladonna. Why am I not improving as fast as before and why is Zinnia not improving like I had? Could our potential be different?


    I let my mind wonder for a minute, as my gaze sweeps to Nora and Belladonna. The snake has been behaving. Nora has spent most of her time getting associated with Zinnia, Belladonna''s treatment, and planning the navigation through Viridian Forest.


    A tired groan brought me back to my previous thoughts. I looked to the source and let a another soft snort of hot air from my nose. Zinnah laying there exhausted, made me remember my time training with Arcturus.


    "Oh, quit your groaning. You aren''t going to be a hero if you aren''t giving your one hundred and ten percent." My words are met with another groan and it made me chuckle a bit. "Come on now. You had just a few more steps to go. You can do that right? Or is this all you have? You are the master of your limits. Get up, and prove to yourself you can do this." I hear her grunt, watch her get up. She manages to get right in front of me before collapsing again.


    "I... Did it."


    "Yes, you did."


    "Hey... Mmnnn... Alistar? You said... this was supposed to get easier."


    "I did."


    "Then, why isn''t it?" Her voice has started to even out as she lays there in the sun. Likely she''s starting to recharge the burned up energy. I have little understanding on how it works, but it is rather amazing.


    "I am not exactly sure. However, I may have a theory but it requires a test."


    Zinnia grumbled a bit, "You''re doing the mysterious knight thing again."


    I roll my eyes and start moving toward Nora. "Right, right. Come along. Also, just because I have an idea as to why, doesn''t mean it''s correct. I''d rather be certain, that way I don''t lead you wrong."


    I glance at the forest not to far away. We''ve been being watched for the past hour. They have been content to watch, but I don''t think they will remain patient much longer. They aren''t exactly stealthy either. I caught their scent during a shift in the breeze. I stop my steps and sigh slightly before rasing my voice. "Are you going to continue to hide? You aren''t very good at it." I turn my head fully towards the trees.


    I could see Zinnia in the corner of my eye, tilting her head in confusion. She looks towards where I am. "Who are you talking to Alistar?"


    A large brown and cream rat came out of the brush. It has a large scar running diagonally down it''s face. It''s abnormally long teeth are oddly shaped, sharp, and follow the line of the diagonal scar. The set of three whiskers on either side of its face are damaged. one on the left side of its face and two on the right. I rack my brain trying to recall what Pok¨¦mon this is. The sound of the Pok¨¦dex rings out as the overgrown rat''s sharp gaze stays locked on me.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    // Raticate, the Mouse Pok¨¦mon. The evolved form of Rattata. Raticate''s body adapted through it''s evolution to be capable of traversing various terrain. It''s webbed hind paws assist with its ability to swim through river rapids and traverse over swampy land faster than other Pok¨¦mon. A lengthened thick tail and whiskers assist with balance. Their large fangs need to be widdled down periodically. This species that once gnawed on trees and bark as a Rattata, now are far harder and require hard stones and/or solid concrete to keep their teeth managed. Wherever a Raticate is, a few Rattata are never far away. This Raticate stands at 2''0" and weighing in at 32lbs. It''s known moves are Tail Whip, Sand Attack, Quick Attack, Bite, Frustration, Rage, Hyper Fang, Facade, Sucker Punch, and Mega Kick.//


    True to the words spoken, a pair of Rattata stepped out from behind the Raticate. Again the voice of the Pok¨¦dex rings out.


    // Rattata, the Mouse Pok¨¦mon. One of the most common Pok¨¦mon in the world. Seeing one is almost a guarantee that nearly forty more live in the area. A cautious Pok¨¦mon full of vitality, boasting a capability to live and nest just about anywhere. It has been proven that Rattata even while sleeping are still aware of what happens around them via their ears. The fangs these Pok¨¦mon use as their primary method of attack need to be widdled down periodically. The widdling is done primarily by gnawing on wood. The harder the material required to widdle there fangs is a notable indicator of how close to evolution they are. These Rattata stand at 1''01" and 0''11", weighing in at 7.9lbs. and 7.5lbs. respectively. Their moves are Tail Whip, Tackle, Bite, Sand Attack, and Quick Attack.//


    "I finally found you, you bastard! I''m going to make you pay for the suffering you caused me." The Raticate spat with a emence level of venom.


    "Zinnia... No matter what occurs right now, don''t get involved. You are too tried right now. Stick to protecting Nora and Belladonna...I will hand this." I feel my heart starting to pick up, blood rushing to my ears.


    ----------------------


    Zinnia POV:


    I don''t think Alistar could have caused anyone to suffer on purpose. The Raticate looks pretty mad and getting myself between the wild Pok¨¦mon and Nora was really all I could think to do. They don''t seem interested in anyone but Alistar.


    I heard Nora and Belladonna approach but stop yard or two away. I turned to look at them and I must have missed some kind of unspoken queue because when I turned my head back the Raticate had sprung into the air has a kick aimed at Alistar.


    The tensing of Alistar''s body was the only thing that I saw before the strike. I blinked and the Raticate had slid a yard away from Alistar. His right hindpaw stretched out, before placing it back on the ground. How did he do that?


    "I don''t know who you are... But I''ll give you once chance to rethink this, before I put serious effort into taking you down."


    Alistar''s words fell on deaf, no unwilling ears because once again the Raticate charged in. This time it was cloaked in the white energy of Quick Attack. Braced and prepared for it Alistar raised his right forepaw and slammed it into the ground in a specific position shifting his body. Raticate connected with Alistar going full tilt. I''m not sure how he did it, but Alistar seemed to spin with the attack as the Raticate barreled into him. Alistar''s left forrpaw was lifted and glowing a concentrated white and it came down hard. Slamming into the Raticate with a brutal amount of force. The cry of pain that came from the Raticate made me wince. It looked super painful.


    [Alistar, jump!]


    I heard Nora shout, and with a firm push off the ground using the Raticate''s prone body he leapt out of the way of the two Rattata. They both had attempted to blindside him with a Quick Attack each. They missed and had the misfortune of slamming into their boss Raticate who was just starting to recover from the bone rattling strike.


    This only seemed to enrage the Raticate, whose teeth gleamed menacingly with a large amount of raw power. This could only be Hyper Fang and while Alistar had been doing things well up to this point he didn''t manage to evade the Hyper Fang. The jagged teeth managed to latch into Alistar''s side in the middle of trying to dodge another tandem Quick Attacks from the Rattata. Instead of the expected pained sound a Roar of rage accompanied by a vicious snap down of Alistar''s own jaws on the spine of the Raticate. The several sounds of snapping could be heard before the body of the Raticate was thrown off and away towards the woods. His eyes, normally pools of calm, held a inferno of something I couldn''t place. He was angry, that is a certainty, but there was more that I couldn''t figure out. The two Rattata field into the woods seeming to have figured out Alistar is far too much for them to handle.


    While I was trying to figure out what I saw in his eyes, Alistar made his way to the unmoving form of the Raticate. Was that... Contempt? No. It''s pity. He is pitying the unmoving form of the Raticate.


    I turned my head to look up at Nora who was stunned with a blank look of shock. At some point she had picked up Belladonna and I shared a worried look with our newest teammate. I moved to her and nudged against her leg to get her attention but it failed. She was just locked on the sight before her.


    I have a feeling we may be staying here for more than a few days longer.

 Chapter Fifteen: Subjugation Bounties (POV Nora.)

    I had reported the incident with the Raticate to Officer Jenny after arriving at the Pok¨¦mon Center. I had to make sure Alistar was okay. I''d never seen him hurt before. I told Jenny what I could about what happened. Turns out the Raticate had been reported a few times. It aggressively attacked multiple Beedrill nests stirring up a whole bunch of trouble. A subjugation bounty had been placed on the Pok¨¦mon a week ago to handle it, but no one had taken the job yet.


    "What is a subjugation bounty?" I ask looking up to Officer Jenny.


    "Ah, that''s right. You are likely new to being a trainer. A subjugation bounty is placed on Pok¨¦mon, like this Raticate, that cause major disturbances to the balance of the ecosystem or attack humans on sight without any reason. These Pok¨¦mon have monetary values or items placed as rewards for removing them by either capture or in serious cases elimination." A slight grimace crosses the officer''s face. "Usually, it is something that requires at least five badges participate in. It is something Fuchsia gym leader Janine or Saffron gym leader Sabrina would tell you about. As your Pok¨¦mon grow stronger, and you seek out stronger Pok¨¦mon for training or adding to your team. Subjugation Pok¨¦mon are a common target for experienced trainers to help keep the balance of nature and gain monetary reward for doing so. If I didn''t know any better, I''d say your Vulpix is a trained subjugator Pok¨¦mon."


    "Really?" I look at the doors where Nurse Joy hand hustled off with Alistar''s Pok¨¦ball. I reached up and patted Belladonna''s head that was resting on my shoulder. She had taken to resting her head there and wrapping herself around me in like a body scarf. Zinnia was held in my arms, the spot usually occupied by Alistar. It felt wrong, not having his warmth pressed against my chest.


    Jenny nodded, "Although, from your Pok¨¦dex information as a trainer with no badges, you shouldn''t be able to command a fully trained Subjugator Pok¨¦mon. Unless you had trained it yourself. No offense, but you don''t seem the type.


    "Alistar is my first Pok¨¦mon. I had him for a little while before I started my journey."


    Jenny nods a slight frown on her face. "From what was investigated before arriving here based on your testimony, you didn''t go looking for it on purpose. The take down as pretty clean all things considered and with minimal suffering on the Raticate''s part. I will be back tomorrow morning with some paperwork for you to read over and sign. Alistar will have to be registered as a Subjugator with an elimination on their record."


    "Is... Is that bad?" I hugged Zinnia a bit tighter to my chest.


    "No, it isn''t bad. If anything, it is like a license to keep track of him. The fact he acted to remove a perceived threat to your safety was a good thing. It may have saved quite a few lives people and Pok¨¦mon alike. While it''s preferred to capture them, it isn''t always possible. Not for lack of trying mind you, but because situations like yours happen even if it is rare."


    "Could you tell me what it means to be a Subjugator Pok¨¦mon? Is there anything they can and can''t do?" I can''t help but feel nervous about Alistar being labeled like this. I felt terrible about what happened to Raticate.


    "This will be in the paperwork tomorrow morning, but I''ll tell you in a general sense what being one will do and the rules for having one." Jenny lifted a white gloved finger and started to lecture. "First thing to know about S.P. (Subjugator Pok¨¦mon) is that they are allowed to be kept on you at all times. Every Pok¨¦mon you have can be a S.P. but they cannot be entered into Pok¨¦mon Contests or into tournaments such as local town events or festival battle events not run by the League officially. There are a few exceptions depending on the region or event, so be sure to ask at the information desks or an organizer for that information." Raising a second finger she continues, "Second, you cannot register a Pok¨¦mon as a S.P. unless they have eliminated a valid bounty or you have five regional badges." Raising the third finger, "Third, once a Pok¨¦mon is registered the registration is valid for life. They must have their registration updated upon evolution." Lifting her fourth finger and final finger, "Last but not least important, a S.P. is registered to you and only you. They cannot be traded or gifted to others."


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    That was a lot, I could only imagine how many rules and such are on registration. "If Alistar doesn''t get registered?"


    The officer''s face turns apologetic, "I would have to remove him from you and put him in the Subjugator rehabilitation program. It is a program that drills and enforces restraint. Once they pass the program they will be returned to you. However, not many pass the half a year program."


    I shake my head no. No way am I going to leave him for half a year. Especially not after he got hurt protecting me. "No... I''ll register him. He''s my knight, no lady should leave behind her faithful knight."


    Jenny covered her mouth and her shoulders are shaking a bit before she cleared her throat. "Right, well... I''ll be by in the morning."


    A few hours after Jenny left Nurse Joy came out and told me I could see Alistar. I couldn''t contain myself and ran all the way to the recovery rooms and searched for him. The third room had my golden Vulpix laying on the bed with his eyes closed. I felt Belladonna nudge me to head inside instead of staring at him through the window, I nodded going inside.


    Upon opening the door Alistar''s eyes snapped open and he stared at me. He started to move to sit up but I moved to him and put my hand on his head. "Don''t. You''re still recovering." I set Zinnia down near him as he obeyed, laying his head back down and relaxing.


    Zinnia, Alistar, and Belladonna started having a conversation with one another. Belladonna had removed herself from me and slid on the bed as well. I sat down in the chair near the bed watching the three of them talk. It would be nice if I understood everything they could say. I imagine that Zinnia is talking about how strong Alistar is and Belladonna is telling him about what officer Jenny said. The only one I can understand a least partially is Alistar and he says so little.


    I sigh softly closing my eyes, and covering my face with my hands. I just don''t understand why. What could have caused that Raticate to be so vicious? It attacked Beedrill not Vulpix, it just doesn''t make sense and it isn''t fair. A wet nose poked against my arm and I peaked out from my hands at the burned orange colored eyes of Alistar. Those eyes giving me a similar look to that of Poppa when he was worried about me. I sniffled a bit, gently taking him into my arms and burying my face into his warm fur. I''m going to have to remember the world isn''t so nice. Momma warned me a few times about it but now I see it. If I want to go where I want to I will have to make myself and my friends stronger. I have to start battling with Zinnia and Belladonna as soon as I can. That way Alistar doesn''t have to fight alone like that ever again.


    I take my face out of the soft fur of my first friend and loyal knight. I left a damp spot and gave him a smile as he just stared at me and tilted his head as if to say, ''Feeling better?''


    "Yeah, I think I''m feeling better... Thanks Alistar, I''m sorry about messing your fur. I''ll make sure to help you clean and brush it later." He nodded and snuggled into my chest putting his head under my chin like he''s giving me a warm hug. Zinnia laid down and yawned a bit and Belladonna coiled up and laid her own head on her coils watching us.


    "Tomorrow, we are going to see if we can find anyone to battle against. I think it would be good to get some experience fighting other Pok¨¦mon and not just physical training every day. When I feel we are ready, we will head to Pewter City through the forest."

 Chapter Sixteen: Playing with Fire (Alistars Burning Resolve)

    Waking up inside a Pok¨¦ball, was odd. I believe it was the first time this had happened. Something I wasn''t too thrilled about. It wasn''t that the ball itself was uncomfortable but something about this felt, wrong somehow. I popped out of the ball and swept my gaze around. I wasn''t in a room I recognized either. I let my nose get to work and I can''t pick up Nora''s scent at all. I feel my face screw up into a snarl before taking a calming breath. I cannot let any rage consume my better judgement right now. First things first, I check myself over and find that I am more or less back to full strength. I paced through some stretches and nod to myself before getting better bearings on this room. I inspect the ball I came out of and notice it isn''t mine. It has an odd design the lid is black, and it has blue star on it. The three others that are attached to a belt are normal looking and had no other identification marks.


    The room is rather bland, but I set to work letting my nose take in scents in the room but to not recognize any of them. The empty bed, not holding any hints neither did the drawers tucked under the bed. Managing to wedge one open I find it''s full of a woman''s... unmentionables. I shake my head pushing the drawer shut before narrowing my eyes at a laundry basket at the other end of the room. I trot to it and sniff at it focusing on finding anything familiar. I huff not getting anything that would give me an idea of who has taken me away from my Lady I knock the tall basket over and look inside. My blood runs cold as I look at what I recognize as a Police uniform. I bite back a snarl of rage pulling the uniform top out and noting everything I can about it. I recognize the insignia is of the Viridian Police department. It is definitely an Officer Jenny uniform.


    So, someone decided that I was worth the risk to attempt to steal, do they? As well as impersonation of an Officer? Well then... I suppose I will have to ensure they regret their decision and feel the gravity of my displeasure. Gripping the belt with the Pok¨¦balls in my mouth I plan to take it with me as evidence. These balls have to be registered to someone and that someone is the thief, or these are victims like I am. Either way it''s a win.


    Smashing my way through the door with Rock Smash was simple enough. Although the noise was definitely something I could have done without, but I definitely wasn''t getting out otherwise. Poking my head out of the door and into a hallway I noted it was empty before looking for a fire exit sign. It would be the perfect way out and it is a picture sign not one full of words I can''t read. Squeezing out of the whole I made in the door the belt of balls tightly clamped in my jaws I scampered down the hall.


    Hoping not to be spotted during my escape was wishful thinking, but I didn''t think I''d be caught so soon. A guy in a black outfit with a red R on his chest and white gloves the go halfway up his forearms, a set of matching white boots that go halfway up his shins. I let my fur lift as my hackles rise a muffled yet menacing growl leaving my throat. His hand going towards their own belt that had two Pok¨¦balls on it was the only action that they had the ability to do. I pounced at him using Quick Attack connecting with the guy''s gut. Landing back on my paws I spared only a glance at the now unconscious guy before speeding off down the hall.


    I have never been so thankful that I kept up with my physical training. I felt my body lighten after a while of using Quick Attack it felt different, but I didn''t have the time to ponder it. This place is huge! Also not finding a fire exit or something similar is due for concern. I subdued two more men in similar uniforms to the first.


    A blaring alarm began to sound making me growl in annoyance. It was bad enough I can''t figure my way through this place, now I will have to deal with more. Sliding around another corner I find myself in an annoying situation. The way forward is blocked by a woman in white with a large black and grey dog like Pok¨¦mon with red eyes and is easily two times my size of not more so. They are in front of a set of stairs going up. That has to be the way out.


    [Oh? A Vulpix is causing all of this fuss? Mightyena handle it.]


    The giant dog took a few steps forward and it began to growl at me. I glanced back around the corner I came from as I backed up a bit, I could see a few others coming this way. I took a deep breath in through my nose, putting all my irritation and killing intent into my glare. I met the Mightyena''s gaze, it froze up and I charged. If it dares to stand in my way, I will show no more mercy.


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    ===========


    POV Belladonna


    It''s been three days since several Pok¨¦mon were stolen from the Viridian Pok¨¦mon Center. One of them, being Alistar. Nora has been devastated ever since. She has refused to meet with the officer or the nurse when they come to see her. Zinnia and I have both done our best to cheer Nora up. Zinnia believes that Alistar is okay because he''s strong. I''m inclined to believe her, but it doesn''t change that he was taken. It makes little sense as to how, because Nora has Alistar''s ball. It was returned to her after leaving the recovery room. Both Zinnia and I saw when she collected it. There is no doubt it''s Alistar''s ball, even the Pok¨¦dex confirmed it to be sure before she took it.


    We can only wait for him to be found or for Alistar to find his way back on his own. From how he was when I was a threat. Then how he reacted when Raticate attacked. He wouldn''t leave when he''s so protective of her, at least not willingly. One of the officers had the audacity to suggest Alistar ran away. A foolish statement, one without merit, but Nora had heard them, and she looked like she''s been struck across the face. What I wouldn''t give to be able to bite that insufferable man for his words.


    I lay myself near the door while Zinnia takes a spot near the window. We aren''t sure when or if whoever took Alistar will be back. One thing is sure in the time I''ve watched that Vulpix there is only one person he listens to and obeys. He will be back, I just hope it is soon.


    ===============


    Alistar POV


    Six days, six. This god forsaken forest is hell to navigate. It would be easier to do so if I wasn''t being chased around by the idiots in black outfits, but I get the feeling I''m getting closer and closer to finding my way back to Nora. My fur is a mess, I''m running on less than an hour of sleep, and I know I''m flagging. I haven''t had time to eat properly or nearly at all more than a berry or two I managed to choke down as fast as I could. Those Green and Blue ones. The ones that I thought would keep me awake came in handy to keep me moving and away from those whack jobs. I had sat down to rest for a minute dropping the belt with the balls I had taken. Bite marks in the belt where my teeth have been littered across it.


    I slump laying my head down next to it trying to stay awake. I really could use one of Nora''s hugs right about now. Her warm hugs are the best.


    I shot upright with a gasp and look around as my instincts scream at me. I lock eyes with a rather familiar Mightyena who I happened to give them a nasty bite wound on their right foreleg. It had been clearly healed with some high-grade potions, but it left a scar where I bit him.


    "Back for more?" I push myself up onto my legs a bit shakily. My previous life and the last stand I had flash before my eyes. I set my legs in position to keep myself upright and with a tired breath in I lower slightly baring my teeth. This is the fifth time he''s found me, but I can''t stay here and fight. "Then come and get me mutt." I snarl out as heat pours out of my mouth. I am so close to being back where I belong, and I won''t let this mutt stop me from that. I feel a bubbling angry inferno in my chest begging to be released and I think it is about time I do just that.


    Mightyena closed the distance quickly sparks of electricity flickering between its jaws. I had got grazed by that when we fought the first time. I don''t think I can dodge it this time. I take in a deep breath through my nose and opening my own maw a condensed ball of fire erupted forth. Mightyena dodged to the right. The ball of fire however upon hitting the ground burst outwards still hitting the hound in the side granting me a window. I once again grab the belt and started to run while I had the distraction. The fire started to spread wildly as it hadn''t rained in two weeks.


    I stubbled and nearly fell on my face multiple times, getting tripped up by roots. That was until I broke from the next bush and rolled end over end into a field of grass. I recognized this field. This is outside Viridian City, which means... I snap my head to the left and pushed my already tired and sore body to keep going just a little longer. I can''t quit when I''m nearly there. Nearly to Nora, nearly to my warm bed, nearly to seeing justice done. I felt one of my hind legs finally give out.


    I had just made it to the street, it was the middle of the night, and the streetlights were on. The light of the Pok¨¦mon Center was just a little farther, I could see it. It was as if it was there mocking me for my inability to make it. No, I do not surrender. They would have to kill me first! I put everything I have into lifting my front paws and dragging myself to the doors a few inches at a time. A knight never surrenders. A knight never fails in their duty. Even in the direst of conditions they persevere. They survive; they return home with no excuses! I will not stop! The opening of the Pok¨¦mon Center''s doors had me lifting my head. I felt my eyes well with tears my nose picking up the smell of sugar and honey. I slumped closing my eyes, I could rest now.


    ''Nora... I''m home.''