Getting Wattson used to his new body was somewhat easy as these things go. Electric types have some of the easiest control out of any type of pokémon. Most of how they interact with their power is sorta like dimming a light or increasing the brightness. They then affect their attacks by way of nodes or sharp points on their bodies. Wattson has both his two new tails and the node-thingies (no idea what to call them and Wattson just laughed and said that 'node thingies' was the technical term. The ass.) to control where he wants something to go. Everything else is just a matter of voltage or so he describes it. As if I understand that. There is no real internet here for me to make myself an obvious expert in moments. Glergh.
Zaela was the test subject due to immunity and it was glorious to see. Wattson has such a wide range of physical moves but almost all were perfected before we met. All in all there was a lot of learning the new TM moves for the whole team going on. Toxic was particularly hard for those who got it. Sunny actually did the best. She just channeled 'mean thoughts' and got it down faster than Mars….Who again perfected every other move the fastest. He did give Sunny a particularly long look at that.Which she took as a staring contest and won readily of course. Alarmingly, she added it to a book of counts of things. No idea where that came from.A refrigerated Hyper Beam is all I could have hoped for. Focus Blast has been the biggest issue for Query and to a lesser extent Wattson. Tru of course dealt with the fighting energy attack suuuuuuper easy. Her and Mars started taking over helping the others.Sunny has found a new game with Shadow Ball. With Tru of all things. They basically play dodge ball with lower level versions of it and score points on the most dramatic dodges. Wattson thought it up as motivation for Sunny to learn the attack. My bottle of Sunshine is slowly starting to get more determined in battle because of Wattson. The encouragement he gives and the way he shows her that you can find fun in it are changing her mind even more.He really fits in well.Aurora is getting closer to evolution I think. She's been with us for over a year and my won knowledge tells me the way her trunk is growing and the fins on her head mean she's getting closer. Amaura level slowly but it shouldn't be more than a few more months as I can see. Once she evolves I think Zaela's going to find someone to challenge her in a much different way. It'll be the giant type advantage but still. Query can match her up close and Mars annoys the shit out of her but neither of them hurt her truly as a four times weakness does. I think she's in for a wake up call. Their friendship is still gaining momentum and if Aurora beast my sister it'll probably only get stronger.Zaela is definitely the example of strength for our group. The pinnacle we all push ourselves towards. But Aurora cuts through that feeling and just mothers her in a way Momma never did. Some of it bemuses my starter. Like how Aurora asks how she feels and seeks to understand her but it also is cherished as only really myself treats her in any sort of softer way. Of course she wouldn't accept that from anyone but me until Aurora. Just something about our time-lost girl that sets everyone at ease.Tru is subtly excited for the next gym battle. My Truthseeker has come so far from the prideful girl that I had so much difficulty with in our year of getting to know each other. Patience has become what she's known for and it shows. Wild pokémon have started visiting our camps to talk to her. She settles disputes, helps them figure out a bit of training and heals injuries constantly. I'm extremely proud of her and she can't help but smile at me whenever she feels that.Having lost so much to Mars in the National Park last week my boy has been badgering, as much as he would, Mars constantly for more games against him. Query never really minded losing when we still played video games together with my dad in Blackthorn but something about Mars defeating him while he was using all his brains at once has made my metagross stubborn about a rematch.Mars is still kicking his ass. Zaela finds it beyond hilarious as Mars is utterly indifferent to Query's continued frustration. The few times I wake up in the night and find the ever watchful Query having three of his brains continuously running out ways to beat Mars is darkly amusing. My poor boy. Still funny though.Sunny is Sunny. She's still running around excited with the world. Helping the wild pokémon with Tru was a pleasure to watch. Ursaring known to go on rampages end up following her around to pick berries she can't reach for a giant slushy party she set up on our last day in the clearing we found to train up Wattson. There are no real ice types around here so seeing the faces of these random pokémon light up at the treats Aurora has gotten so proficient at making was a joy. Query says he'll make a sculpture of it later. Since he has perfect recall I'm pretty excited when we have time to let him work.Mars has been pretty focused. I wish he'd have a bit more fun but then again his emotions scream contentment anytime he comes up with an idea for the future. We're going to Alto Mare right after the Gym Battle. He rightly pointed out that flying away from Goldenrod without a reliable teleporter would waste a lot of time to go back towards Alto Mare after we finished our run in Blackthorn.So boat time after the Plain Badge. One last thing before we get to that. Just a bit of life during camp one of the last nights there that eventually leads to some hilarity I hadn't expected later when we do get to the boat."Yes. I know a fair number of stories about the sea. I tend to read a lot." And watched a ton of movies in my last life.""Well come on! Lets hear a few. Good and bad. Its always good to get a tad scared at times.""Wah! No it isn't Wattson! That's the first stupid thing you've said since we met!""Oh Sunny. You're very brave when you have to me. A slightly scary story will not hurt you.""Aurora is right. I doubt Mistress would tell us anything that is likely to occur anyway. Our luck has gotten much better.""Way to jinx us Tru. Mother. I'm curious as well. Tell us a story." Maybe this is an interest I can set into Mars? He's got a good imagination. Maybe I can get him to read stories or make them up to tell us at nights."Fine fine. Sorry Sunny. Wattson asked first so I'm going to tell him what he likes. You are most welcome to go bother Query over there if you don't want to hear it. I won't think less of you.""No! I'm a brave girl. I'll sit and listen!" She immediately covers her eyes with her ribbons and partially hides her body behind Aurora a bit.I paraphrase a lot but Titanic actually comes off well. By the end of it Sunny is leaning forward to hear the sad end, her lip quivering as Aurora struggles not to keep in her laughter at the sight. Mars is actually quite enraptured, probably because I recall telling him stories when he hatched. And sang a bit too. Alright. Ideas for making less of a serious boy."That's so sad! At least she found something else in life later! Sorry Mom. That was a good story. And I was brave! See!" Cue the 'thinking dance' I associate with her thinking hard about a concept. Pacing and such. Sadly whatever she was about to tell us is interrupted by Wattson."That wasn't sad! It was amazing! Bam! Drama! Whoosh! Fist fights! Rawr! Musical idiots going down with the ship! I'm pumped! ZAELA! We're gonna wreck shit!"From then on Wattson badgered me for epic stories. Didn't matter if they were sad or not. Just if they had something he found amazing. Which translated to him having to do something epic in response.Oh boy.The Goldenrod Gym is pretty impressive in its simplicity. I think its different than the one in the anime. Can't remember it too well and I think I'm fine with that. This is my true life. I'm so blessed with joy I can't describe it.Wow. Where did that come from? Tru gave me a wavering smile at my emotion and I returned it.Argh. Back to the gym. Wattson, Tru and Query are set for this due to their experience with fighting abilities. If it is more than a three on three it'll go Mars next, Aurora and finally Zaela. Sunny didn't feel up to fighting today so she's gathered wildflowers to wave around as we battle in support. Its been a while since she's done that so we're kind of pumped.This receptionist recognizes me. Sunny is slowly walking while carefully keeping her bundles of flowers together and Tru just gazes calmly about the cream colored building. None of the Gyms so far have had convoluted puzzles to go through like the games. When I have had to face gym trainers its always been in the main room and they go one by one."Ah. Ms. Mita. Mr. Howard has been expecting you any day. I must say hearing of the thugs you apprehended has set up quite the buzz in the gym. Please let me see your pokédex briefly and you can head on in." Huh. So my name did get around. Makes sense. Gyms are often called on to help with the police. Why waste a source of well trained, powerful pokémon?Tru tilts her head at the man and I wonder what she's feeling. My aura project is still going on until I can't feel the strain of holding it to reinforce my body. Probably a few more months from what Tru and I can tell. Stepping into the main battle room makes me laugh a bit inside. It really is plain.Sunny sets up her cheering section next to the referee who comes in. To his credit he just shrugs and takes his place while doing his best to ignore the usual joy from my sylveon. We only wait a few more minutes for a somewhat tall man with the biggest grin to enter followed by a girl around my age. Whitney. I recognize that hair. Holy shit did she wreck me the first time I played Silver.Some defeats you just don't forget."Hey! Hannah's gal! Hope you don't mind if my niece here watches the fight. I'm Milton Howard." He's got one of those over the top mustaches that looks like it could jump off his face and bark at me. But he's very friendly and Whitney gives me an excited wave I return. Good people. They don't comment on my black and blue eyepatch nor seem to care. Tru-colors today. Oh. I need to get one in Wattson colors as well as the colors of the rest of my eventual teammates. I'll do that before we leave. Or rather order them. Our Joy made the ones I'm carrying with me for borrowing Sunny all those times. Sunny's rewards were her favorite foods."Right! Excited. Got some strong fellows for yah but I have a feeling you'll be earning my badge anyway. Whitney, go on and keep her sylveon company." Whitney just grins and skips on over to make baby talk at Sunny who eats it up and starts showing off the flowers she's brought."This will be a three on three battle between Ella Mita of Blackthorn and Gym Leader Milton Howard. The challenger may substitute only. Begin!"Without me saying anything Tru hops into the arena. Us trainers are in a booth that isn't that far off the floor. Milton releases a mammoth of an Ursaring that gives a near Zaela level of anger roar. Tru pulses determination as she springs forward in Extremespeed and sets up the new combo that she and Query have been working on to bastardize Psi-Fist's second stage for her at least a little. Calm Mind, Detect and Mind Reader mean the first two massive slashes miss her by inches as her eyes close. The dance is magical to watch as she starts weaving around within the giant bear's guard to get the flow of him like she's some xianxia mistress about to slap some faces.She doesn't attack until she knows what she wants and then its her new move. Its not anything she can yet combo with but Ursaring is so enraged that he takes it head on. Close Combat is brutal though and I wince at the impacts. Thick hide and muscle or not the impacts are driven by Query's long history of learning weak spots of pokémon anatomy. He spent a lot of time reading Joy's medical books and taught Tru his methods as best he could.Ursaring tanks it with a giant roar of pain and uses the reckless way Close Combat works to pound my aura partner into the ground before she can react. The impact sounds horrid but not as much as the Counter she uses. Spinning at impact with the floor she kicks hard at Urasring's legs and flips him.He does not appreciate this. Both take a bit longer to get up but he's fuuuuucking pissed. Strategy goes out the door as I pale a bit. Energy I am familiar with from Sunny powers up the bear's fists and then light on fire. In probably the most physically destructive combo I've seen yet Milton's bear uses Fire Punch, Play Rough and Fury Swipes at the same time.My breath hitches as I truly fear for Tru. She starts dodging with millimeters to spare trying desperately to use new combo Reader to not get hit. Sadly its too new and my lucario is slammed across the floor. Tru lets out a cry as she slides into a heap at my feet. My hand reaches to her ball but she springs up a moment later with a harsh groan and clutching an arm. Ursaring is already on his way, hurt, but anger overriding his pain.Tru doesn't panic though and her hand blazes with power as she forces an Extremespeed to the side to dodge. She blitzes across the room two more times to charge her attack which is more than an aura sphere. Ursaring calms just enough to shoot what look like Seed Bombs at my lucario. She dodges barely and just looks unimpressed.Ursaring snaps and his mouth opens in what is obviously a Hyper Beam. It charges faster than any of my team can currently and I get ready just in case. I believe in Tru but I'll not risk her health. I shouldn't have worried.Tru shifts her hurt arm that she's been steadily pulsing Heal Pulse against a small Protect screen in that method she learned from Joy's Lucario all those years ago. Ignoring the pain she Bullet Punches forward and once again is in Ursaring's guard. Showing that she hasn't been slacking the Focus Blast she was preparing tosses the bear into the psychic shields hard enough to make them flicker in distress. The giant bear crashes to the floor a moment later, out.Tru is already falling forward as I return her. Holy shit.Whitney just gapes at the damage to the field and with both she and Sunny hopping up and down, cheering as Milton and I turn to each other with a matching grin. A lopunny is released onto the field and Sunny cheers even louder as Wattson comes out. His words make me facepalm though."Woooooooo! Hell yeah! Allllright!"I shouldn't have told them the story of Aquaman last night.Milton's Lopunny just tilts her head as Wattson crashes his fists together and starts off at his unnatural speed. With how big and bulky he looks its all the bunny can do to dodge a massive cross chop. Wattson just whoops some more in joy and a discharge makes my hair stand on end as he pulses it across the whole field. There's no dodging that so Lopunny takes the damage and hops forwards, two ears jabbing out at my newest family member in mega punches.Wattson tanks them with a laugh of joy and ice punches followed by fire punches and sneaky thunder punches show how happy he is that the bunny chose to stay in close combat. Wattson must have been studying with Aurora as he pulses a surprise thunder wave with a 'hah!' but Lopunny must have limber as it washes right over it. Taking a battering she bounces high and a way to shine with a defense curl and pulses of agility to try to close the speed gap.Wattson just chuckles and tosses out thunderbolts that cause us all to cover our ears. Lopunny takes two with admirable effort and reluctantly, if their face means anything, shifts into a dig.That's a big mistake. Query's trick of negating a lot of the damage earthquake can do has only gotten more effective. Since Wattson is even more vulnerable to it, he and Query have worked on a devastating way to counter ground moves that he can see coming. For dig which is slower than most? I wince ahead of time.Everyone ignores how Milton is yelling something because of how loud things get. Wattson really lives up to the spirit of his name.Chortling in anticipation Wattson causes the lights to flicker as he hits himself with a Thunder with visible ease. Motor Drive activates and his tails spark madly. When Lopunny attempts to come up from behind with a dig enhanced mega punch they take a Motor Drive boosted Focus Punch that shatters the ground. Everyone stumbles as if Wattson used Earthquake and all that can be heard is him yelling out in joy."Get some! Yeah! Who's back and badder than ever! Me that's who! Oy good fight. Shit. Sorry. I might have hit you a bit hard. You! Hairy face! Get this bunny some help stat! I know I kicked ass but your mon needs medical attention!"Face meet palm. Again.Of course Milton is just staring blankly as Wattson carefully extracts lopunny from the crater, vigorously dusting off the pokémon. Milton returns his partner, eye twitching as Wattson crosses his arms and nods in satisfaction."Right. Last one. Then I think we have to repair. A lot."Wincing at that I look to Wattson. He's a-okay and definitely solidified his position as one of my strongest pokémon but he sees my unspoken question and grins. He gives Sunny and Whitney a thumbs up before being recalled.What comes next is what I was hoping for. The titan of destruction. The haunter of my dreams. I was hoping against hope for this. Miltank. The true threat to the world. The true last boss I must defeat. Seriously though I want payback.Query was very amused at my thoughts on this. Thus he requested this fight if it came. I was going to use him anyway. My shiny metagross makes Milton raise his eyebrow and Whitney gasp in delighted shock even as she jumps around more with Sunny. Ribbons no longer have flowers in them. Some of Sunny's flowers are scattered on the long suffering ref but my eye is on the miltank.The moment I saw Whitney I was hoping against hope that her uncle would be the cause of her destroyer of dreams. And he is. The miltank immediately curls into Rollout and Defense Curl at the same time. Query has been training like mad with a certain move just for this fight. Agility is already humming but from the speed Miltank is going at it wouldn't be enough for Psi-Fist to truly make its mark.So Query uses Pursuit, over and over again. The cow of doom is unfortunately (for miltank) not able to outrun my metagross. If Lopunny were out there Query would have a rough time keeping up. Instead the most feared cow is treated to Rock Smashes to lower her defense, psychic spears to push against her momentum and Bullet Punch Meteor Mashes that have almost no loss of attack from shifting mid swing. A brilliant attempt to use Bide to put the hurt on Query is ignored as dual point blank Focus Blasts are switched to immediately. There is very little chance of them missing that close and they don't.Then Query hits Psi-Fist Stage 2. Its finally ready for anyone. Flash has become deadly with stage 2. Not only does he pulse out confusion waves but he starts targeting parts of his body with flash the more likely they are to be in his opponent's face. The reflective nature of his body makes this more brutal as we watch a hulking, fast behemoth spin his dazed, confused and utterly off balance opponent with impunity. The rapid uses of Flash almost match a strobe light going out of control and everyone has to avert their gazes.If that weren't enough Toxic was used in the first Pursuit , hidden by the dark glow of the move's activation. Milk drink is attempted and foiled as Query reverses gravity and then its pounding the poor cow into the floor in a manner I'm certain is going to make my boy famous someday. Its too much damage in an impressively short time. The terror falls. The demon of world's end is finished. Truly the best timeline.Ahem.As Milton recalls his last pokémon I again am amazed at how far Query has come. Even against my King Garchomp he can hold his own in close combat and its just getting better."Well. Crap. That was impressive. Forgive me if I'm a bit lost. Three times I couldn't even speak. Thought it would be a bit more even on the last one. Whitney! We're training hard tomorrow!" Miltank was my nightmare! Deal with it!Milton regains his good humor as he spots his nice with Sunny's ribbons in her hands as they jump about in a circle around the pouting ref. We carefully make our away around the shattered ground and I laugh internally that out of all my pokémon its my electric one that has done the most damage ever save the fight with Momma."I've been training for years and years. Thank you for taking me seriously." Milton just chuckles and tosses me my plain badge."You too kid. Ursaring seemed all bloodthirsty but he had fun. This'll drive him to train harder. The others too. I've gotta go get a crew ready to clean this up. Do me a favor and wreck a few other gyms would yah? Make me feel better."Its easy to nod a promise to that as he passes me. Whitney and Sunny come tearing up as I recall Query who was just basking in his victory. "Oh my gosh! How do you have such strong friends?! You look my age! That was amazing! Your slyveon is so cute! Where did you get a shiny pokémon?"I more or less let her babble a bit until she gives me a chance to respond. "Seems like I've been training since birth along my friends with me. Though Wattson, my electrivire, has actually only been with us about a month. Helps that he was already so strong when we met. The rest is hard work and dedication. Plus my mom is the Blackthorn Gym Leader. I had a lot of advantages."My eye goes to Sunny who is humming a tune she describes as 'mega victory' or rather the FF victory theme I told her meant I won a game. "As for Sunny, she found me and we've never been parted." Cue purring and rubbing against my legs. "Query my big steel guy? Well he did the same. Huh. Happened to a few of my partners. Nice to meet you by the way. Ella."Taking my hand and rushing it up and down makes her even more excited. I cite needing to get Tru to a pokémon center and she offers to take me. Its nice to talk to her. Kind of like a human Sunny. This was a great day.SeaI'm leaving the plotting of course to Mars and Zaela now. Mars might be able to deduce things quickly but Zaela knows where she is at almost always. Direction, landscape. She has a knack for memorizing things quickly. We're not yet confident enough to fly to Alto Mare so the boat it is. Which also leads to some interesting training.I forgot that garchomp can learn surf. So Zaela has been swimming like mad next to our boat for most of the trip. She's no beginner when it comes to unpleasant training but she particularly hated this until I idly told her that tentacruel don't give a shit what they fight and are regularly know to try to attack any boat or creature in the sea. I don't know if she just found it too boring before the idea of possible constant battle, but it was funny seeing my shark (land or not) annoyed at swimming.My shark dragon grinned wide and large though. Wattson joined her in a bonding smack down of asshole jellyfish that had them laughing together about it for hours. Of course all the other passengers were rightfully scared of my giant dragon off the side and the booming laughter of my huge electric type. There were complaints until the captain in the nicest way I've seen someone say 'fuck you' told the complainers that if they'd like to go in the water and drive of the hostile pokémon he'd happily tell me to return my two friends.So yeah. Fun training. Aurora stayed out the most with me besides Zae and Wattson. Tru was still recovering a bit. She strained a few things but would be fine in a few days. The one time she did come out came a moment of hilarity from telling Titanic. Tru went to stand at the front of the boat and you guessed it. Wattson came up behind and yelled 'I'm king of the world!' Tru acted affronted because she got stared at along with him by passengers. The blush in her emotions again said otherwise.Mars took to flying above and enjoying the air while Query was just a bit too heavy for the boat and he can't levitate himself forever. Sunny discovered she gets seasick so I kept the miserable sylveon in her ball. Thus it was Aurora who had never actually been over the ocean that was my companion."So how have you found this new world? I know the last time I asked you were a bit iffy about some things.""True, but I've found that life is life. All the weird technology and customs don't mean that people don't live, eat and die just as it was in the past. What truly matters to me is that its so much easier to be nice."Something on my face must have posed a question because she crooned her lovely chuckle and increased her ice a bit to cause snowflakes to fly backwards across the deck. She likes confusing the passengers."Before it was find food and defend it. The battles I remember were not as brutal as some of the ones you've shown me but they were more desperate. Here I can enjoy fighting to defend our family and because I like it. The look on Zaela's face whenever we fight is intimidating,yes, but I can tell she expects me to give her great joy. How can I not like doing that for her? And we all know what Sunny does to us. Wattson too now. Everyone has their place and I've never been more happy."I stand with my ancient pokémon for the rest of the day in silence, just enjoying being alive.Its ruined a couple times by crackling laughter and roaring, draconic delight. Still great.Alto MareRight. Time to fuck canon. This makes me a bit nervous. I remember the Eon twins being nothing impressive in strength but I only saw the movie once. I'm positive I can find them with Tru but still. Legendaries. The alternative is unacceptable though. With Sunny still a bit under the weather I feel odd without two of my family out so Wattson gets the nod and while he clears the sidewalks a bit with his size his jolly smile and the lucario on my other side ease most people's fear."So why are we here?" Damn. I really have to tell the rest of the team my origins soon. Tru hasn't asked, but she's nice about things like this. My aura is determined to do good and that's all she cares for. Aurora and Sunny don't care where we go as long as we're with each other. Query and Mars both know the truth but Wattson is a curious fellow.I refuse to lie to him but this isn't the place. "I know a bit about some potential allies here. I'll tell the rest of the group the hows and whys later. For now just enjoy the city and let Tru and I do our aura thing to find who I'm looking for."Wattson takes the words easily and leans down to help a child who dropped their ball. Handling it over to the delighted kid with a chuckle makes the tension around us lessen again and we do indeed enjoy walking about. It helps that anytime anyone gives Wattson a look he flexes, 'breaking' his back and acting pained only to miraculously heal himself a moment later and two giant thumbs up. Snickers follow us constantly.The canals in this city are amazing and I long to let Zaela out and surf them, scary as it might be for others. Who doesn't want to surf a giant shark dragon? But alas. Duty.My aura enhancement fades as Tru and I join energies to look for likely Latias flying about the city. Latios was the responsible one if I recall. Latias seemed young but young for a dragon is still likely quite old. It only takes us an hour or so to get a ping of a particularly strong energy that has me smiling. She's curious alright.Kicking Wattson in the butt to get his attention has me laughing at his face. He joins me when he sees I was messing with him and Tru starts leading us to where we feel her exploring. The canals are the key as we wander about.Another reason I have Wattson out is we make quite the sight. Something perhaps an invisible dragon who longs to see new things would want to investigate hmmm? Once we feel her interest we start moving towards a nearby park that is somewhat secluded and patiently wait until Latias comes over to peek out of a canal within speaking distance. I flare my aura in slow pulses of intent and kneel down towards her, obviously seeing through her invisibility. Or at least that's how it appears."Why hello there. You've got a lovely feeling to you. Bright and cheery. Reminds me of one of my family here. Don't be afraid. I mean you no harm." She's spooked but also very, very curious. No one has ever seen her before and the emotions I'm radiating ease her concern. I leave my mind open for her to touch for the most part. Aura helps me protect it very well but I can nudge what I want her to feel far, far easier."How can you see me?" Just her head is out of the water, still invisible."Its not so much sight as it is aura. I can feel yours." Yep. Another waving of aura covered hand makes her even more curious. "Not sure if you've ever heard stories of aura guardians but I'm training to be one."That gets her attention. There is familiarity there and she slowly floats up and turns into a young woman in her twenties or so. I vaguely remember she took the form of a girl she knew in the movie. Probably hasn't been born yet or is a newborn right now come to think of it. Maybe this is that girl's mom? They were caretakers or something. The only humans the Eon Twins trusted."Aura Guardian?! I though there were no more!" Her voice is sweet and breathy. Once Sunny feels better I'm sticking them together and watching the magic."For the most part yes. But I've been able to use my abilities almost from birth. My hope is to find more of my kind and rebuild." My words fascinate her as if she's been waiting forever to talk to anyone."That's amazing. I've been here for as long as I can remember. Have you been many places? What are they like?" She's still a bit cautious but she relaxes quite a bit more as I sit and pat the grass next to me. Wattson's happy chuckle startles her until she giggles in response to his random flexing. Someday I'll figure out what causes this quirk. Tru simply sighs and bows."Since no one is doing the polite thing, I am Truthseeker and this is my Mistress. Ella Mita. Wattson is the Thunderbug right there." Wattson just laughs again and gives Latias a 'Nice Guy' pose. I shit you not. Did I tell him naruto stories? Fuck I did. I don't remember talking about Guy-sensei but here we are….I'm never letting Wattson have a disciple. I don't want to know how anime this world can get.Latias relaxes more and the next few hours are describing my life and about what I want in the world. She listens raptly and makes adorable gasps at the dramatic moments and even sniffles when I talk about how I lost my eye. She's desperate to meet my family after talking about them all but I say its getting late and we can meet up the next day."Oh no! It is late. Brother will be furious. And worried! But mostly furious!" Cue my offer."Would it help if I met him and explained I kept you? Can you get him to come here?" At that she frowns and considers hard. Eventually her face firms and she nods. I've sill only seen her illusion even if I know what her true form looks like. Seeing her eyes glow much how mine do when I'm channeling a lot of aura is pretty amazing."We can share sight. He's seen you and on his way. Uhm. He might be a bit angry and worried. I don't think he'll attack but don't make any sudden moves alright?"Her concern is touching and I just nod. Tru tenses but a look from me relaxes her somewhat. Wattson just looks excited for some drama.I can hear him through the water he's moving so quick. A splash and he's there. Not invisible and spiking anger and worry. Latias' face panics a bit and she steps in front of me. "No! Brother! Don't! She saw me when I was invisible! I didn't approach her until she talked to me! And feel her. Read her. She's nice and just wanted to talk!"Latios flares a bit of his energy in deep worry but calms enough to feel my aura pulsing outwards. You can't lie with aura and he knows that from the way his guard rapidly starts to drop. He's still quite angry but not worried I'll attack his sister."Who are you? What do you want with us?" Yep. Growly boy."Ella Mita. Aura Guardian in training. I've heard rumors of you two and figured I'd come and say hi. Possibly exchange information about issues that might arise and to offer my help in any way I can."I take a deep breath and look back at Wattson with a small apologetic smile that has him confused."Also, if you'd like to read my memories I have seen a future you may want to avoid. It might seem like an odd viewing but I think the location of a certain garden even if I've never been there will convince you."More alarm from the both of them and a gasp from Wattson at that statement. Tru feels as if she's realizing something but her emotions settle immediately. Loyal girl. Then I feel the twins peering in. I don't know what they think about the anime style of my vague memories but Latias starts sniffling as she sees her brother fade and Latios radiates disbelief for a while but can't deny that I know of the caretakers, the soul dew and where the Secret Garden is.There are long moments that follow as they consider things."That...Is very hard to accept. When does this happen?" That makes me think. Ash is not even one. And Johto happened a year or so after his journey began? I think? It was also towards the end of his journey. I believe."In about just under twelve years from now. I think. Time is odd in the way I saw this happen. I've got a lot of other events of similar nature I'm trying to stop. I've toiled and fought since I could walk to achieve my dream. I couldn't leave you to fade like that." That's the absolute truth. Tru puts her paw on my shoulder and Wattson's follows. I owe him and everyone an explanation but his support without it is touching.The Eon twins just stare at each other, one dragon, the other a human. I don't pull up my defenses and my aura still rings true."Alright. How did you want to help?" Gotcha. Smiling in relief I let a bit of the tension fade and relax. They're listening."Sorry to say this but...While you are a legendary, I kind of think you two...Are not that skilled or well trained. I came to offer help with that and in a couple years I'd like you, Latias especially, to meet that boy in my memories who tried to help you."Am I trying to get Ash two legendaries before he even goes on his journey? Yes. Fuck canon. I'm doing my best to be a hero but I'll say it again. He's the chosen one.Latias seems very curious about this and her emotions fill with hope as her brother just thinks hard, even with a bit of resentment. Still, seeing his own death and watching his unprepared sister be left to do his job as he sees it must hit him hard because he sighs and nods a bit later."I'd like to see proof that you can offer us training. As to seeing that boy? Ash was it? Perhaps. In time. Would you require to catch us?" Definite resentment there. And I nod."Yes but not as you think. I have my own family to find. Ones I expect and a legendary as well someday." Wattson makes another surprised sound at that and Tru just nods as if I confirmed something. The Eon Twins show shock. "I'd like you to travel one at a time to a friend of mine in pokéballs. His name is Professor Oak and I tell you with all of who I am that he is a good man that would never take advantage of you."Seriously. Amazing guy. "He'd examine you, help you grow and even teach you when I'm not around. Also I'd make sure he keeps you secret. Plus, yes, he lives near where that boy will grow up. The Professor doesn't know of my future knowledge but in all of it he continues to be an honest and caring person."My conviction is getting to them and I'm so very glad for it. Latias is vibrating with excitement and Latios is relenting. After some time he nods and just rolls his eyes at his sister. "Since you already know about it lets get to the Garden. You can show me your skills there and we'll talk more about being caught. I know Latias has wanted to see the world a bit more so I'm willing to entertain this. Its hard to argue against your own death."Things get a little glum at that and Latias flags before offering me a ride, visibly trying to perk up, as I let them know I don't have a pokémon who can get me there particularly quick. Query could but yeah. Slower. I recall Tru and Wattson with a smile and we're off.I don't know if I can properly describe the Garden. Or the soul dew. It feels...Damn. Everything. Like everything. Brightness is present here in ways that aren't just physical. Don't get me wrong. The view is beautiful. But its the energy that makes me want to stay here and meditate for a year. Nuts.Tru feels the same way when I release her and simply sits down to do just that. Wattson is quite against his nature silent. I ask if I can let out the rest of my family and Latios gives a nod after a moment.Mars looks about and gives a short nod to a suddenly defensive Latios, which increases more at the sight of Zaela. My team's body language shows no hostility though. Query's bright mental hello probably helps a ton. Psychics. Aurora is cooed over by Latias as she floats to examine my beautiful pokémon dinosaur. Then what I expected occurs.We are all blinded. Lost. Nowhere is safe as Latias and Sunny meet. Joy meets Sunshine and all is lost! The cuteness! For real though. They hit it off immediately, not that I expected anything else. Sunny immediately starts to explore the Garden with Latias in excited squeals, happy laughter and bright words. Latios looks dazed and we all start when Wattson laughs so hard he has to lean against a tree."Arceus you all look stupid. So funny. Hah! Come on. We're supposed to show our stuff right? Are we fighting you blue guy?" Latios is a bit put out by Wattson's attitude but his jolly nature gets through and he nods."Yes. Which of you is the strongest?" We all look at him a little weird as we glance to the thirteen foot tall dragon who is suddenly grinning with sharp teeth."...fine. Dumb question." It kinda is. She is better at condensing, if not at Momma's level, but Zaela's presence radiates power. When she wants she can turn it on to an extreme, like a d&d dragons fear aura somewhat."Oh? Shooting for the top blueboy? I like your attitude. We can have a bit of a tussle. Sure your sister will approve?" Zaela has shown a lot of signs that she likes Mars more than just a teammate but I'm not surprised she would consider a legendary dragon someone worth flirting with. Also to try and perhaps make Mars jealous.Sadly he's already napping. He predicted the moment we were in the Garden that the Eon Twins would agree to my request. So of course he's napping."I. What. I. No! Lets fight. Not..Uhm." Saved by the cuteness! Latias and my sylveon are now using her ribbons to run together. Latias holding onto them like Sunny is a horse she's trying, and failing, to control."Fine fine. Whatever blueguy. Got someplace we can wrestle that won't get all torn up? I'm not one for particularly pretty things but even I wouldn't want to see this ruined." Latios feels like his face should be red if that were possible and silently leads us deeper into the garden. Mars, Tru and Aurora hang back while Wattson follows us along. A few minutes later we find a clearing that has a few craters and few plants. Probably where Latios does some self training or such."This will do. Just show me you can defeat me." His tone suggests he doesn't quite believe it. He didn't look over my memories other than the movie. The rest of his time in my head was to read my intentions.Zaela just chuckles and waits patiently for Latios to move. When he doesn't immediately she gives the equivalent of her shrug and Latios is immediately in a sandstorm. He levitates out with a squawk but Zaela is already in the air, judging correctly that he'd go straight up instead of backwards away from her as he should have. Crunch causes Latios to hiss in pain and in her favorite move she pulls him into the sandstorm with her.Flashes of light and the hum of psychic abilities pulse from within the concentrated sand. Zaela has gotten to the level where she can use sandstorm in distinct ways. A savage, localized tornado of skin ripping wind or a widespread area with horribly poor visibility but lower damage. This is the damage part and she tosses Latios out with contempt not that much later.She used bite to interrupt his psychic attempts to flee in a way that disrupts such efforts. A trained psychic finds way around it. Added to that were a near constant set of dragon claws and I'm a bit surprised she let him out so early.I'd be overly proud of her defeating her first legendary but Latios doesn't look too hurt and both Zae and I know he's not anywhere near his full potential. Still. The point is made as the Eon shakily floats back up, Zaela's malice in her dark attacks having cut his levitate."Well that was humbling. I see. So I do have far to go." Latios' mind goes out to me again as Zaela starts repairing the area as best she can. Considering how our group fights she's gotten pretty good at it. Finally his voice carries a bit of resignation and just a hint of relief. "I agree to your terms. For now I'd ask that you let my sister go first. Until she is stronger as you say I'd prefer to be here alone. Even if we can share things through our eyes."I'm a bit surprised at that. I was expecting more argument but I'm not going to look this gift rapidash in the mouth. "Glad to hear it. We'll get this all started in a few days so you can prepare, talk to the caretakers and such. Plus I think if I split up Sunny from your sister right now she'd bite me."His eyes widen as he peers through his sister's vision and I finally hear him chuckle. Its a pleasant sound. "They do seem to be having a lot of fun...Yes. Perhaps this is for the best. Thank you for scaring me silly Guardian.""Of course! I've been doing it to my mom for years. And I'm not quite a Guardian yet." I'm not actually sure when I get to say it. Maybe at the end of the first big part of the plan?"If you say so. Saving me from my fate has me at least honoring the title." Oh. Well. Don't blush!Time goes quickly after that. The caretakers I'm pretty positive are the girl from the movie's parents. I seem to recall her just having a grandfather or something so I give Latios a look and he hums curiosity in my mind. A quick thought and he promises to look after them closer just in case. Its weird having a pokémon other than Query in my mind but the twins are unfailingly kind. Even Latios. Its hard to be mad at how protective he is with all the love he's got for his sister.Do good where you can. I must. The parents, Jordan and Elisa, actually make things easier as they know what my lucario means. The Eon Twins are quite isolated so having the caretakers tell them about how lucario are all inherently good and that they only follow those they believe in did a lot to ease the rest of the fears. Being an aura adept on top of that made them gape and ask me endless questions.Sunny and Latias did indeed bond fast. I may have to consider actually sending my Sunshine off to Oaky's lab to visit with Latias. I always hated the idea of being away from my team but a few days visit at times might not be bad right? Things to consider.Days end and we're ready to start things. As much as it pains me I'm not going to troll Professor Oak with sending him Latias without warning. I'll catch both now but leave Latios' ball with Jordan and Elisa to switch out with the Professor. After the Silver Conference this year I'm going to return and train the Eon twins in earnest for a few months. It'll give my team training against legendaries for the future too. Even if the twins aren't exactly strong yet.Oak's reaction was funny regardless.Ring ring. Hah! So he does answer the wrong way! Classic. "Professor. This way." The way he rubs his head is pretty fantastic. Teasing later. "Got some interesting news.""Is it the electivire that showed up on your ID? They are very rare. But then again not so much for your team." My grin must have got him thinking, and possibly a bit worried, as he just quieted down for me to talk."Nope! I'm going to send you a catch in a few minutes and you have to keep her isolated from the lab assistants. She'll take care of hiding herself except in whatever way you two agree to meet. Let her explore the ranch and if you can get your team to train her some. In return she's agreed to let you study her."Professor Oak's eyes narrow in thought and he rubs his chin. I've sent him regular updates about my team and he's quite appreciated it but this is asking a lot. Still, he nods slowly and holds up a hand before moving away to lock the doors to the lab he's in. "Go ahead and send her over then. Do I need to sit down?""Yes."My lack of snark widens his eyes and he just waits patiently. I come back with Latias in her premier ball. She loves it by the way. She spent at least an hour returning herself with giggles and squees. Sunny found it so funny that they tried to play tag by returning themselves and popping out near each other. I had her unregistered until she was ready to go to surprise Samuel. Hey. I might not be my dad but I can do some stuff. Incidentally if anyone ever caught me doing that I'd be in big trouble.Samuel had some warning right? Yeah that was enough.Waving the ball at the professor I put it in the console. I'd asked the local Joy for a private way to talk to the Professor and she let me use her office for a bit after making sure I was indeed talking to the famous Oak.I can see Samuel waiting for the information to pop up and the look on his face makes me sigh as if I've watched a romantic movie's climax. That's how pleasant it is to me. Idly I register Latios' ball next . He's elsewhere but I've still got his ball here. The second gasp from the Professor isn't as good as the first but just as satisfying."Anyway Samuel. They've agreed to switch off so one of them is always here to protect the city. This is for extra security and they aren't actually mine. I'm a caretaker of sorts like the ones I'll introduce you to later. Jordan and Eliza will keep their balls. Then after the Conference I'm going to come back and help them get stronger."The Professor is gone. He's heard all I've said but the mouse in his brain has fallen off its wheel. "That's all professor! Latias can tell you the rest. Buh byyyyyeeee."His mouth opens to demand some sort of answer and I shut down the call to the picture of Latias hopping out with a mental 'Boo!' ….Okay maybe I did plan to troll him some more. Whatever. Sunny let Latias see all her memories of Professor Oak. I think he doesn't quite know how much the Eon Twins are actually eager to meet him. There's a lot to be said for Sunny's utter approval.The good Mr. Oak would scold me later for trying to give him a heart attack in earnest but ultimately appreciated the laugh. Latias would thrive there I know it.We left the city a few days later. Lots of things to see with the team. Those that wanted to at least. All Zaela did was start Latios' road to hell. She pounded him into the dirt for the entire time we were there...But he is a dragon. And yes, again, dragons and hardship.Wattson and Sunny made it their mission to find every cotton candy stop in the city. Guess its a local thing here? They came back radiating need to run in circles and they succeeded. Tru went with them to talk to people and make sure no one messed with them. I sat down with Jordan and Eliza and went through a training plan I'd been building for the twins ever since I thought of this idea.They weren't trainers but they could help a bit. I also showed them what foods dragons as well as psychic liked and various ways to help growth. They knew some of this but I bent the rules and offered some Blackthorn recipes as well. Aurora wouldn't leave the garden until we had to go. With that and the National Park I resolved to get her a garden if/when we settled someplace.Mars slept. Woke. Planned. Slept. Query kept me the most company. Usually he goes off to find people to play with him in games but he knew I was very happy to have started what I hoped was a major change for good and he basked with me in the emotions I was feeling. Every new emotion causes him to examine it and roll it around in his unique mind. This was different than usual satisfaction and he was fascinated by it. I let my boy enjoy my high.When it was time to leave it was to a hopeful and resolved Latios and his human caretakers waving goodbye. Sunny was already in her ball for the boat ride back and yes, I will be letting her visit Latias at times.Already I could hear Wattson and Zaela roaring in pleasure at another return voyage of stomping fools. Tru just sighs next to me and watches Mars take off to get some exercise. Its Aurora who makes me think again. Boats and her must agree with each other."So this is why you came here? You came from the possibility of anywhere and you chose us to live your life with?" The confession of who I used to be was so utterly anticlimactic. I don't want to cry again. They didn't care. Zaela thought it was awesome I beat death. Sunny was just glad she got her Mom. Aurora had died already once so it wasn't too surprising to her. Tru just smiled and said nothing. Wattson was the most fun in that now he knew how dramatic my life would be. He was excited to learn all the entertainment I knew of my old life.And of course Query and Mars already knew."Yes. This is what I wanted. A family and a way to help this world I love even before it was mine." Aurora isn't very touchy. She radiates care and warmth but she rarely actually touches us. Her leaning into me then meant a lot as she gently nuzzled my side."Thank you then. I'm not sure what my fate would have been if not with you all. Perhaps I would have been revived. Perhaps not. This is where I belong though. Where we all do."Its nothing she hasn't expressed before. I'm very blessed to feel them all care for me. And each other. But seeing Latios there...Tangible proof that I'm changing this world for the better? Aurora's sincere thanks makes the world brighter.More crackling laughter and draconic roars of pleasure don't ruin the moment this time.FirstLiza was beyond excited. Ever since Ella Mita and her family arrived in the valley her life changed in ways she didn't even know to hope for.The answer to her strange ability alone was worth it all. But here, today? Waiting for her first pokémon? A riolu to help guide her and for her to adore in turn? She doesn't know what to do with herself. What's more is she's aware that her Dad is also preparing a charmander for her. Everyone in her family get one.Two pokémon in the same day to start her life anew. Insanity.The Rota examiner was interesting. Funny too. He had a way to sense what you needed to hear whenever she didn't know how to respond. Kind and earnest, she could see how he could get the most from her in the answers he sought.After he left with a smile and a promise to recommend her she couldn't stay still for days. It took helping a few of the charizard work out some steam to get her distracted. She might not like all their anger at times but she adores their will. The burning purpose to be more.Mars' request has taken about as well as she can expect. The charizard she's approached trust her but a future goal not yet in sight isn't exactly that exciting. Charizard live in the moment. She'll succeed though. She knows her path now.Liza never really wanted to travel but she did always want a pokémon. A charmander was the obvious choice and she's sure she would have loved her life without another option.Once she met Tru on the one night that Ella was here though? The way the lucario's voice rang out and sent shivers down her spine? She knew she was meant to have one someday.Aura is amazing. She hasn't been able to activate it fully yet but now that she knows what it is she's sorta gotten able to get the emotions of one of the breeder's pokémon. That led to another day of hard work to get the excitement down.Today though. Today's the day. Ella's dream is fantastic. To help the world. Serve the people. Its like all those stories kids get told about heroes but this is achievable. With pokémon who can understand you? That's an amazing gift. She knows its a hard road that Ella has set before her but Liza has lived with charizard her whole life.She knows hard effort.Her father steps outside with her as they watch the road up the their home. Gently laying his hand on her shoulder, she just smiles up at him. He took her change in dream well. All he did was make sure she really wanted it. And it was easy to see her desire.Again, they live with charizard. Both recognize stubborn resolve.Bouncing on her feet she spots two dots. She wasn't told who would be coming but its obviously pokémon from the way they are bounding up the trail. One tall and one short.As they get closer she can spot the longer ears of the lucario and the dainty feet of the riolu as they leap in graceful jumps upwards. Her eyes focus as intently on the riolu as the riolu does her. There is something in the air that they both feel and without a word Liza steps forward to meet him.The riolu is tall for his kind and rather burly, built more for power than speed. Lucario just sighs and watches the interaction. Typical of his kind, Lucario moves forward to talk to the child's parent. Liza doesn't notice nor does riolu. Aura sings between them."Its obvious that they are meant for each other. You are her father yes?" A slow nod confirms it. "Then I leave you with this advice. Let them grow and fail together. Riolu has a lot of pride but he's a good one, that one. Nothing more need be said. Your daughter is worthy. I can feel it."Nate just stares numbly as the lucario departs. As civilized as they might be lucario are pokémon and his former charge can take care of himself and his new partner. Liza and Riolu don't notice still, so intent on each other they are."Uhm. I'm Liza. I can feel you. Is that weird? We're going to be the best of friends." Riolu just nods his head and his small face splits in a wide grin."Of course we are! I have trained to serve you in our quest to root out evil and grow stronger! Fair partner! None shall stand before the might of our conviction!"Liza blinks. That she can understand him is joyous but did she hear that right? "Sorry. Say that again?""I shall say it as many times as I must for it to drive things forward! A knight I shall be to you, my liege! Aaron and his partner will fall into the past at the legend we shall bring!"As Liza just continues to boggle she fails to notice her father move off to the room he told her not to go into until her pokémon arrived. Even as her new partner regales her of all that he is ready to accomplish with her the footsteps of her father pull her attention away finally."Alright kiddo. Here she is. She's been waiting for you I think. This one is something special just as your riolu. If you're going to go forward with this goal of yours then you need the strongest."Behind him small black eyes peer at her out of a tiny orange face. The charmander shyly waves her tail and looks curiously at the riolu still huffed up behind his new partner."Hello. My name is Charla. Uhm. We're going to be friends right? Mother said you spoke to us. Is that right? I don't like to fight as much I don't think but I wouldn't mind helping protect you...If. If you'll have me."Liza isn't sure what to do. Riolu, finally quieting stands next to her and peers up with bright eyes. "Another comrade! Amazing! Truly I was requested well."More blinking occurs. "You were requested?""Yes! The Princess' Mistress wrote that you'd likely get a rather calm charizard so she suggested to give you the most mighty of warriors! The most bold! I!"Liza can't help it. She laughs just a bit to both her new companions' confusion. This was not what she expected. Not at all. But his earnest heart can't lie to her. She can feel it. He'll stand by her against all the inhabitants of the valley. And her charmander would calm those he could not tame. Turning down to see a tiny claw tugging on her shorts she reaches down to hug both her new partners. A sword and a shield. Maybe Ella's dream wasn't too far away from her fairy tales. She'd stand as a Guardian no matter what."Now! Let us be off to adventure! Come Charla! We shall learn what your strengths are! And if not we shall create them with the courage of our deeds! Forward!""...you're funny."
Getting back to Goldenrod doesn't take all that long compared to the trip away. Zaela now likes the water. Something about surprise enemies to clobber appeals to her. If her life could be a rogue like game I think she'd be happiest. Aurora and I make friends. Children love the way she croons at them and everyone appreciates how she can cool things down. Its a bit warm this time a year. She still doesn't like being touched. Likely because we're so much warmer than her.
Mars has started working on strategies in the sky as he flies along. The way he goes through things looks odd to those who don't know him. Aborted attacks and then a long series of winding flights. Inspired by my training, he's begun dragon dancing as much as possible. Tru is keeping an eye on him and properly chastising him if he overdoes it thankfully.Most of the other passengers are tourists and he gets a lot of pictures taken. I'm not arrogant enough to say we can handle anyone who comes after us but it is quite hard to track us down. We don't follow routes anymore really. The plan is to go back out of Goldenrod towards Ecruteak and make a couple stops. Soon we'll be able to make long distant flights ourselves.First off, there is some training that Mars and I have to do in earnest. I'm still holding the mega stone for a later team mate but we haven't yet tried the charizardite that we found in the Valley. Not sure if its X or Y but I'm very, very excited. I'm a little hoping for Y just because he'll keep his black color but I don't mind the X either.Past that I really want to visit the Pokémon Jujitsu Academy. First off for myself and my own training but also to see if anyone there might want to aid or join the Order. Its hard for me to recruit before I'm at least a bit more known without outside help.Professor Redwood and Oak both came through with a few potentials actually. Redwood even went further and made some serious calls. I've got a list of who are very likely to join, those who will need convincing and those almost sure not to take me seriously. I've sent off the not take me serious to mom. She said to let her know if I needed help knocking heads and while I doubt she'd ever join my Order she will support me in extreme ways if needed. While my own personal strength is something she's being hands off now, connections she will and has helped with. If you count bullying the Stones.Goldenrod ends up being unwelcome to me. I don't hate it. I just miss nature a bit. While the Den and Clan compounds had modern aspects for the most part it was very simple. Bare. Even moreso with myself and my team being with Momma so often. Besides, I get to do something I've been looking forward to since I was reborn.The breeze hits me hard as if anticipating the momentous event about to occur. Everyone is back in their balls as I look at the dock we just departed. This is it. I can't even wait to get out of the city. Picking a random spot with enough space I let my sister go free. While there is no usual roar she sure as hell draws attention as usual.I've learned to ignore the gasps, frightened murmurs and the much more pleasing admiring gazes. Zaela looks a bit confused as I start digging into my storage bag. I'm wearing her eyepatch and put on my clothing that syncs up with her hide near perfectly. When the massively expensive saddle I had made starts to appear out of my Devon bag my sister croons lowly. Her voice is so deep now that it disturbs nearby pidgey and wingulls from their perches. A few people snap pictures but there is nothing but her and I once more. A faint echo of our win over Momma in the air. People hush.Flying Mars is amazing. I'll never tire of it. But my sister and I have been waiting for this for ages. I'm still kicking myself for not remembering to get a saddle done in Blackthorn. The aftermath of the fight with Momma kind of overshadowed everything practical. Putting on her saddle requires me to put on the gloves I use to clean her scales and climb up her body like a mankey.More people gather to watch this tiny in comparison blonde girl missing an eye methodically strap a saddle to a dragon none of them would think likely to listen to me. One larger than anything anyone has seen before. It doesn't matter. Its done. We're ready. Jumping higher than I should be able to is easy. Aura enhancing is exponentially paying for itself. Snapping my goggles on I get strapped in laid along her back and reach up to stroke that place along her jaw that I touch to let her know I love her.Now Zaela roars and damn the consequences. No one is prepared for a dragon's roar in the best of circumstances and mine is a King. People scream in fright and wonder as she leaps into the air. The roar turns into shouts of joy as the air breaks to our will. This is right. Earth bends to us. The water now knows we can defeat it. The air is our home. Zaela soars and I join her.The next few days are dominated by flying. I love Mars immensely but it can't compare to this. Zaela and I are bonded in a way I still won't explain. Its too sacred. What was clunky for her now becomes graceful. Hard turns come with ease and she relishes in taking me into the domain where we can see over all she owns.Whew. Even now I want to go back up.NowhereToday is gonna be awesome. Mega evolution. I had a heavy leather strap made to hold Mars' stone in the week we waited for my key stone to be delivered. Everyone is eager to see what happens and Zaela makes it know (predictably) that there is immediately going to be a battle. Mars is actually showing visible excitement about this.The team is shockingly quiet for once and a bit in awe. Like we're about to see something amazing. Just like Zaela's flight. I'm too blessed sometimes. Making sure my key stone is firmly set in the necklace I had it set onto, I move up to Mars and smack his arm playfully."So excited. You sure you're my son?" Mars just snorts and nudges me gently with his snout, hot breath flashing my face and disturbing the few hairs that get pulled from my bun."For once Mother I am eager to give Zaela a fight. I'm not sure how this works. Does your knowledge cover this?" Oddly enough it doesn't. I think its because the connection between trainer and pokémon is subjective. Depends on the individual. Sure I remember the games and anime, but is it the same here?Shrugging I simply look up at him and lean forward to kiss his jaw. Hah! It may not show but I feel your blush mister. "Lets just try to feel how we make each other better. Isn't that what you want of evolution?"Mars gets that look on his face that tells me he's got it in a second and I sigh. It'll take me a bit more time. I wish I could say I follow his example. The problem is that he is essentially my son. I helped him grow and I want to protect him. Not see him get hurt even if I know we will at times.Its an hour later with a supremely bored group of pokémon that has Query stomp over and nudge me."Heart-voice. Do not focus on protection. You hope he has a better life. Dwell on the person he has become and wish for more of that….then let go. All pokémon seek to surpass what comes before."Sigh. Query always knows what to say. I put aside the idea that on my orders he will kill again. That I worry about him having fun. I channel mom and become his commander. Ironic that my mother is the figure who eases the idea of letting my emotions control me. I'm his trainer. He will give me more, always. Happily. I love him. But I will not limit him. Instead I will dream the world for him.His expression shows me he knows everything I feel and it happens. The explosion of power washes over me enough to make me take a knee. Bright, massive light spreads in a circle as something very close to aura hammers down on us all. Boredom is long gone as my family gaze at one of their own exceed what is possible.Blue flames are the first thing I see. Mars' massive tail is a deep green and supports the hissing flame that warps the air around it. His breath is so hot it almost burns me from six feet away as every exhale spouts more of the flame without pause. Two wicked looking spikes armor his shoulders as the horns on his head and the bone outcropping on his wings grow and turn into more intense weapons.My charizard is silent and moves slowly to get used to his form until he snaps his wings out and takes off with a bang of speed. He doesn't seem faster but the way he turns is insane. So quickly. Moving down towards the ground a bit away he slams into a tree with a simple wing attack and the wood creaks for an instant then the whole thing falls. Coming straight back he lands and examines his wing in earnest."That didn't hurt at all." Considering he couldn't do something like that yesterday? Yeah he's beefier. I'm just grinning like mad and I get closer despite the heat. Turning away he experimentally breathes flame and a massive blue explosion happens at the downed tree. He wouldn't have been able to reach that far either."You're a Mega Charizard X. It means a lot of things get boosted, obviously, but you also are part dragon part fire while this lasts. Any move that you use physically wrecks all that much more." Mars' eyes gleam. He does love his Dragon Blitz technique. Zaela finally can't take it."Yeah you're pretty. We've been waiting fucking forever! Can we fight now?"For once Mars doesn't waste time planning and plotting. He simply flaps back a bit and looks to me. I move way, way out of the way and tug an excited Sunny a bit further with me. Aurora actually seems worried and pulls up some boulders for cover if we need it while everyone else just waits with me. The hum of various screens and shields follow.I nod and Mars is already in the air. Zaela follows in a flash and starts to shoot out dragon breath in droves, her flight already natural. What was a weakness for her has been trained relentlessly into something Mars has to respect. Or he would if he hadn't already turned on his wingtip to dodge. Dragon Claws reinforced by slash race along Zaela's side as she's surprised by his agility. He doesn't stop there and slams into her activating Flare Blitz to shove her towards the ground and out of the sky.Normally this would suit Zaela fine. She likes trapping people in the earth. She savages Mars with crunches and her own dragon claws. He's much smaller than her but his defense seems off the scale. Every single one of her attacks is blocked by his much stronger wings, tail or claws, constantly turning metallic for mere seconds, not letting her burn the temporary weakness. His flames alight with searing heat and Zaela, giant as she is, becomes engulfed in the dragon breath he just realized how to use. Its easily twice the size of hers and that ,maybe more than the damage, makes her roar in anger.Zaela hits the earth with a shattering crash as Mars flips over mid air and slams a dragon tail, using the momentum of his maneuver. He didn't know dragon tail before that moment but the energy of it smacking her into the ground disrupts her just diving in like water, fouling her control of the earth by hitting her with her weakness to dragon. My starter has never been more off balance. With Momma she knew what was coming. The elder Garchomp always just hit you hard. Mars is using an in your face type energy to be subtle. Fuck he's amazing. As if that weren't enough Mars shows how much respect he has for Zaela, who is already tossing stone edges his way and raising her beloved sandstorm. His usual guile fades as a dragon pulse that feels like a hyper beam grinds my sister through her set up and into a nearby hill with overwhelming force. Still giving her her due, Mars doesn't let up, speeding forward as his dragon dance that he's been using without even any visible sign completes.The Dragon Bliz he uses is met with Zaela attempting to use her own Dragon Rush to keep him at bay as I honestly see her panic a little. She could fairly easily put Mars on the back foot yesterday. Never does he hit her directly. Always she would be faced with an insidious plan. Not today.The crash is enormous and I hear scales hit the ground even from where I stand, another echo of the fight with Momma. Normally Mars would fight at range and hit and run with Zaela but the dust clears to see him slamming rock slide to stone edge against her, another move he just picked up to keep her from moving him from melee. Every one of the rock attacks is at an angle. She'll have to spend time either going through the boulders or continue to get pelted. Dragon Claws boosted fully by his dance carve into her and now I hear actual pain.Mars still doesn't stop. Zaela would hate him. Years of losing to Momma made us humble but since we've left Blackthorn nothing has truly challenged my starter. Mars rises today to the peak that is my sister. Zaela finally lets loose. Pushed in earnest one on one. Grinder is not a combo move for anything less than possibly a champion opponent. Taking a slash so she can be pushed back just an instant my starter gets herself back into the proper mindset and earth power floods the ground they are on. She takes another slash to the jaw to get Mars' arm in her mouth and shatters the area with Earthquake, the earth power having made the ground shrapnel that is launched by the quake. And that's just the after effect of the actual point of the combo.We don't use the move lightly and there is a reason its the ultimate in all earth abilities we can conceive that isn't a legendary signature move. Even Fissure doesn't have the potential for collateral damage. Softened strategically by her earth power the ground pillars upwards and starts rag dolling Mars even as he draws his now armored wings about him. The first step finished leads to three different rock slides ping ponging through the chaos and forcing Mars to simply kick off things or risk a shredded wing, armor or not. Its almost a twister of jagged, crushing earth already.Third step are stealth rocks that my sister hid with the earth power before the earthquake under ground. When the earth shatters they were exposed and my ping-ponging green charizard sets them off. Its a brutal, savage sight that ends with Zaela following the last massive stealth rock with her head in the Momma of all dragon rushes. Mars is smote from the sky he was pushed into by the Grinder and lands in a skidding heap of ruin. Of course Zaela is going to toss her opponent back into her element. Huffing hard and long my Mega Charizard slowly stands, barely awake and with one eye swollen shut. Bloodied, battered and utterly exhausted, he points upwards.We all stare at the near twenty ancient power rocks he must have gathered as he was put through Grinder. Zaela's curse is cut off by all of them tossing her into the air much the same as Mars was, homing in like swifts with how accurate they are.My charizard just lets out a low huff of laughter and the bright light of evolution appears again but what I'm left with is a knocked out black dragon. Eyes wide, I look over to my starter and for the first time in years I see her out. Completely. When we trained with Momma she would put Zaela down sure but in a fair fight? This is the first Zaela has ever lost. Tied. Frankly I don't know if she'll consider it a tie.Tru is already running towards Mars to start aid along with Sunny who is very quiet but her emotions read more shock than anything. Query follows me to Zaela's body and I sigh as most everything I see will be gone in a few days of care. Pokémon heal obnoxiously quick."Heart-voice? Would all of us who can evolve that way gain such power?" Its been so silent between my family during the fight that Query's voice makes me start even as I'm pulling aura to heal my sister."More or less. I think you gain the same ability as Mars actually. Which for you would be quite brutal with Psi-Fist. Do keep it in mind that Zaela has a mega stone out there." What would her mega form bring about? What could stand against that? I'm so proud of them both. Some might be concerned at the destruction they just unleashed but I was born with a dragon starter. They exist to find glorious battle.Shit. She's never going to stop going after Mars now. Query just hums at my thought as he often does. I ignore what I feel about the idea. Instead I take care of my sister.Zaela wakes up a bit later with a growl and snort and is about to move quick before Query gently presses her down with a psychic. She relaxes as I enter her vision."Did I lose?" I can't place the tone in her voice. Its out there. Different."Yes. No. Its a tie really but you got knocked out first. Maybe. It wasn't clear. Still, I think you should treat this as a loss." I'm thinking more clearly now. What would motivate her more? What is true? For her that she was taken out is a loss I would think. I'm right when she glares over at Mars' sleeping form. He woke for a moment, looked at Zaela and just went to sleep.Lazy or not he looked beat."That mon is mine. Got it? I'll kill anyone who tries to take him. He was glorious." I laugh and shake my head. I think I know her so well and she surprises me just a bit. I shouldn't be really. Momma took a mate who could defeat her."Don't laugh at me sister. You get to think about how he's your son and I want him. Hah! No blood relation but now you're going to think about that all night. Fuck you. I'm going to sleep now. Hurt all over."…Bitch.AcademyThe aftermath wasn't immediate for the fight. Sunny was very concerned that the hated each other with how brutal the fight was but Aurora just said that some people needed to find love in interesting ways.Sunny said everyone already loved each other and spent the day asking us all if we loved her enough that we wouldn't have to fight her like that. Wattson just told her that no one would win against her so there was no need. That she was so well liked. He then promptly said we would happily do whatever she wanted for the rest of the afternoon.Groans came from that as Wattson, Aurora, Mars and I played out Beauty and the Beast for my sylveon as best we could. Aurora was beauty, I was her Dad for some reason, Wattson played the beast and Mars was the bad guy. No she literally called him 'bad guy'. It was kind of fun. Zaela even liked it for how silly we looked. A lot of my clothes were folded as incredibly poor costumes and hats.Could have done without Query constantly using Flash for lighting.What really came from the fight was more respect for Mars, a bit of humility for Zaela and a bit of an idea of just how strong we're becoming.Our next stop the Jujitsu Academy is fairly hidden from the ground. I think. Who am I kidding. I have two dragons. I'm never walking anywhere again if I can fly. Still, Zaela proves her skill again and takes me pretty darn close to it before we have to circle around, having gone right over it. The Academy is fairly large with a few main buildings and a wall surrounding the whole of it all. Japanese like architecture, or at least it appears to me, form most of the buildings and I direct Zaela to the front gate to land fairly softly actually. We're getting better and better at this.The gate doesn't intimidate me. I could have just flown over it. Hopefully that gives me brownie points. I release Tru and pulse my aura. My eye directs to the two guards I feel tensing on top of the wall until they see my lucario. One moves out of the shadows he was in and yells down. This is more military oriented that I expected. Its one of those odd anime episodes that was a one off. Never seen more than once but I wanted to see if things were possible. In Mars' planning he highlighted a lot of possible places to search for recruits. Here we are."State yourself and your purpose!""To let my lucario enjoy your Academy for a while and to speak to your Master about something important."The guard doesn't quite know what to do about the young, one-eyed girl who rode in on a massive dragon. I'm starting to enjoy this level of confusion. Finally he makes a motion to the other guard who immediately runs off."Forgive our suspicion. There have been a few poachers of late and all who seek entry are to be questioned." Hmm. I suppose so but do they really think that a girl my age would be involved? Maybe if we go bust some heads they'll believe me. That actually sounds good. Tru's desire to seek them out reminds me that this would be something a Guardian would immediately go after."Where are these poachers? Perhaps my team and I can help. We're not without strength." An older voice answers me as the doors start creaking open. Its filled with a bit of humor and deep wisdom. Or at least that's what it sounds like to me. Crowned with grey hair and an easy smile the source steps out of the Academy confidently. Years of Mom and Joy's Lucario teaching me combat make my senses scream that this guy could take me out realllllly quick."Do not worry. Someone has already offered to take care of them and I have full confidence that he will keep his word."Tru just peers at him and gives him the deepest bow I've seen her give besides my Mom and Professor Oak. Well. Hello there."Good to know. My name is Ella Mita and I've some things to ask of you. If you have time Master…?""My name is Tōkichi. Indeed I am the Master of this Academy. Come. Would you enjoy a meal? We just finished ours but I'm certain we could find you something." I shake my head in a negative as he leads me toward what is obviously his home or something similar. My eye tracks various younger trainers in red, yellow or blue clothing and older folks in ropes much like Tōkichi wears."Your lucario may visit as she wishes." Tru speaks up for herself before I can answer."No thank you. Perhaps later. I would speak with you too about what Mistress wishes to say. Also I would very much like to meet this person you sent after the poachers." Leave it to Tru to be happy about someone going about justice.The Master of the Academy simply offers a polite smile as we head inside, not blinking an eye at Tru speaking. Not all lucario can do that trick but I expect this man has met a few in his life. I leave my shoes as is proper. It was a bit hard to get used to some customs that seem to cross over. This world is an odd combination of some traditional Japanese customs, western culture and just oddities. In Blackthorn you always wore shoes or you'd hurt your feet running after dragons.Once we're seated I'm treated to tea and I start my spiel."How familiar are you with Aura Guardians Master Tōkichi?" The man is sharp I'll give him that. Actually every older person I've met in this world is sharp. Hrm. The Master's gaze goes back and forth between my lucario and I before he speaks."Fairly well, actually. I've studied them as most martial artists are inspired by aura. It often is associated with the ki we believe in. Likely one and the same. In fact the man who sent himself after the poachers is more familiar with the subject than I."Oh? A possible recruit? Probably best to wait until this mystery man comes back to consider that. Going for a less showy display I settle into my meditative pose and pull deep of my aura and let it slowly start to expand. Tōkichi practically stands as he feels it. Sharp senses there as well.My single eye opens, glowing with the purple color of my aura and I speak with conviction backed by the aura that cannot lie about my desires. "I seek to restore the Order. Not with just users. We are intensely rare even if I have come across one so far in my journey." Maybe this is Fate poking at me to help?Tōkichi stares at me in amazement and more than a little excitement as he considers my words. I do my best not to peek at his emotions while Tru says part of the pitch."What Mistress has not said is that she wishes for you to help. Slowly. Things cannot change over night and the Order would need support and safe places to rest. We shall utilize both high technology and old ways. Adaptability and cunning shall rule first until we are strong enough to inspire. There is much to be said about honor but first we must gain the strength to defend it."I'm definitely only telling people I trust or I view the aura of until there are more of us. This place teaches combat in many ways. Just free instruction alone is worth the trip even if nothing else is gained.Master Tōkichi just looks thoughtful and nods slowly. "I shall have to bring it up with the rest of the Masters. I think at the least we can offer training if you prove to us that you can find more to join your Order. After that? Maybe more. Danger will follow you and I cannot order my people to follow without good cause and mutual trust."That's more than fair. I'm perfectly okay with that. Its actually incredibly fast but tradition is a strong thing in this world. An aura user coming to you with a lucario at their side is something recognized even to this day as something one should give respect to. Its a start and I hand him Professor Oak's and my Mom's number for if he finds anyone who he thinks would want to join me independent of his Academy. That he agrees to with a smile and a nod."Out of curiosity, do you expect the man you spoke of back soon?" Because this is an anime world, the steady steps of someone down the hall answer my question for me. Tru lets out a bit of a curious noise and I pulse my aura tightly. Whoa. This guy has a lot of physical aura but very little spiritual. Its not bad. Just that he's gotta be built like a brick. It by no means suggests he's lacking peace. In fact his emotions are quite calming."Here he is. Welcome back Bruno. Good news?"Bruno. Yes Bruno walks through the door and gazes calmly at us all. Fucking Bruno. Even the lucario next to me only gets the barest of a raised eyebrow as he bows respectfully to Master Tōkichi. "It is done. They have been detained by Officer Jenny and will trouble your lands no more. Forgive me for intruding Master Tōkichi and…?"I don't let the Master answer and instead stand to offer him my hand. He's in his mid twenties(I think) but looks exactly how he'll look later if just a little smaller. The same haircut and build. He wears a torn gi-like shirt and his hand is hard as a rock as I shake it firmly. Another slight eyebrow raise as he feels how rough my own hand is. He's basically pokémon Ryu. "Ella Mita of Blackthorn. Pleased to meet you Bruno."The stoic young man just nods firmly and turns to look at Tru with a bit more interest now that his duty is done. Tru in turn just stands and moves to leave after nodding Bruno after her. I chuckle a bit and stand up after Bruno begins following my aura partner. Master Tōkichi follows as well. We all know that a fight is to happen now.Once outside I lean against a post and watch as Tru gives Bruno a slow bow and waits until it is returned before flying forward. She's going fairly hard on him, just a bit more than me and has to up the pace almost immediately when Bruno's fist comes in with a clang against her side. A satisfied nod from her increases her speed as she pulls just a bit of a bullet bunch at the future Elite Four.All the punches are dodged or blocked with his packed, compressed muscle and he catches a punch to toss Tru towards the ground, showing he's been training here in jujitsu or already knew it. Tru just rolls with it and shoves herself into a gravity defying front flip that lets her tail slam upwards at her opponent.Bruno dodges, barely, and it puts him just slightly off balance. Tru capitalizes as she comes down, throwing the tiniest of aura spheres to his leg and causes a fall that he does his best to roll away from. Its quick and impressive but Tru has been trying to work on her speed to get in and out with heals as fast as possible. Her paw impacts to the side of her head hard enough to enter the earth and he nods, tapping her forearm to show that he knows he lost the first spar.Tru stands and offers him his paw carefully so he won't accidentally grab her spike and I grin some. "So Bruno. What do you know about Aura Guardians?"Sorry Lance. He's going to train my Order. Pokémon and human alike.After that its surprisingly easy to get him on board in between further testing of my lucario. After showing him my abilities and complimenting him on his own internal aura he sits while I tell him my dream. The gaze on the man is beyond piercing. As if every word I have is judged. I don't leave anything back. I speak of global effort and a want to do good. How I wish to stop disasters of any make. Human, pokémon or natural. The whole time he just sits there, arms crossed and his eyes on my face without a word. Again Tru finishes for me."I do not know if you seek anything but to find a center for your life, Master Bruno. You seem pure in your desire to fall down further into martial arts. This is not an offer to put that off. Simply to share it with those who seek to better everyone. Whatever manner you would aid in that is up to your conscience and sense of self. All I can ask is that you help. But teaching is its own path to further enlightenment. To a sense of self. "At this point I'm holding my breath. Bruno continues his stare and then his eyes soften just a bit. Finally he lets out a sigh and nods. "Very well. I will not stop my path but I shall direct it somewhat to yours. If you wish my help you will have it only if you let me choose the way I train others. It will not be pleasant and I am only training them. They will not be my apprentices. I shall pick the place and if they cannot reach me there then the will not be worthy. Is that acceptable? And I am no Master. I have some skill but I seek no end to my path."My eye shines. This is exactly what I desire. Guardians must have a will of iron. If he's going to bust them down and challenge them right back up? That's perfect. Sorry Liza. You're probably going to be his first victim. "I'm only just now starting. My first recruit is a girl my age in the Charicific Valley. She already has a riolu with her." Bruno's eyes gleam for a moment at me mentioning the Valley."I had thought to use Mt. Silver but the Valley is harsh and unforgiving. A good place to forge will." I'm beaming at him and he offers just a bit of a grin back."She's working on forming a group of charizard to aid the Order. I would imagine they would make good sparring partners for you and your team?" Oh now I've got him. I can see it. Yeah really sorry Lance. No Bruno for you."This has been an unexpected day. I will leave in the morning to the Valley and begin carving a home. At least for a few years. More if it agrees with me. If this girl proves you pick worthy persons I shall devote more to your efforts. Thank you for this. I am excited." At no point does his expression change. But a peek at his aura does tell me that having such a high, near impossible, goal excites him. Even if my dream doesn't pan out he is quite pleased at the idea of training in the Valley.Yeah right Bruno. You're mine. Liza has a heart of fire. She'll surprise you.The Master offers a bit more support after watching Bruno and I talk. Mostly just training scrolls and other combat schools I might visit. I've got a busy couple years ahead of me but I already knew that. I don't stay the night and climb on Zaela's back. Someday I'll return to give all my family a chance to try training here but I do have a time schedule. Thank you Fate. If my people get trained by Bruno? Tempered by the desire to make the world better? Nothing will stop them.New Bark TownProfessor RedwoodDespite how much crap he'd get from his old buddies from the war, Arnold Redwood has to admit he's too old for this shit. Retirement was just around the corner. A nice place someplace warm and tropical to look at pretty folks and be a dirty old man. Not actually do anything but the stereotype is there for a fucking reason.His husband died in the war and no man or woman who followed set his heart aflame. Didn't mean he went without companionship, but he never had that spark after Charlie was gone. Pokémon did it though. Before the Rockets started being a true threat, Arnold was a smart little shit who thought he could change the world with his mind.Well, he is, sort of still, but its the story of it! A dumb ass kid with his head in the clouds. Shy as can be and ready to make a fool of himself. Which he did. Even when he grew angry and upset, he never lost his love for pokémon. Not a once. Not when a scyther took his Charlie. Not when he had to mourn his first lost partner. Not even when he helped the enemy's tortured slaves. Because that is what Rockets did to their pokémon. Made them slaves.Aches flow through his body as he looks over his work. Then past that to work that Blackthorn brat has given him. Fuck. Be honest with yourself Arnold.Work she's inspired in him. Fuck Hannah. That bitch. She knew his history. How much he truly abhorred the war. She served under him after all before he retired from the Rangers. She knew he kept fighting despite his hatred of war. To save as many as he could by ending the conflict.Now he's pouring through people he can draw away from ACE. Support crews that are the backbone of any organized force. Turning all he knows of pokémon care to go beyond that. Foreign species that might help in out of the box thinking.Science and mystic ideas both. Because of Ella's words. Of being a proactive force. Arnold looks over Charlie's photo. Would he still be alive if the rumors of how truly awful Team Rocket was had someone dig into it?The world is objectively quite peaceful. Harmony for the most part is followed by human and pokémon alike. But it seems that when things to bad, they go very bad.For a long while he thought he could change things by being a respected man of science. To educate and help people learn. While he's shit at talking to people, he's pretty fucking good at teaching something to last. Of inspiring people with talent. Not with his own ideals. He's a bitter piece of work after all.Sammy-boy. His old student. Now that man succeeded where he didn't. Pride is a pale way of suggesting the feeling he has for him. And its gone well…But Samuel is old. Not as old as him of course. The former Champion still has a bit of lingering strength.I was content to go off and die someplace. To act like it was the vacation I wish I'd taken while you were still alive Charlie. Then some little girl comes with pokémon that would make my shorts tight in excitement at studying them and tells me she's going to change the world. Oh she did it with nice words and caution but the look in her eyes said it all.Huffing, he lets himself feel it. The possibility of something enduring. Legacy was never a concern for him. All he wanted was a decent life. And he let it become sour. Not completely. But a kid? Is that what is changing him at the end of his days? Growling hard, the Professor looks at the work. Always the work.What would you do Charlie? How would you kick my butt in gear?The answer is easy. He hasn't ever lied to himself. The work is worthy. A threat for those who are a threat. But also a promise. A promise to uplift and protect. To do the things he couldn't.So Arnold shakes his old bones and calls the grandchildren of his original team together once more. Another long night. Another reminder he's the last of his family.Scowling at the last letter the little blonde brat sent, asking if he was eating right, he can't help but wonder if he isn't ready to die just yet.Arceus shit. Why couldn't he have taken a day off when Ella Mita came in with dreams and problems?Sighing, Arnold Redwood walks on to live longer. Totally and absolutely pissed about it.EcruteakElla MitaEcruteak had a lot to see. The two towers I know that legendaries are involved with. The Kimono Sisters that have all the eeveelutions. I'm betting Sunny would love that. And the Ghost gym. Which I am quite nervous about. My tactics are against stronger foes for the most part. To knock things off balance and exploit weaknesses. Even Zaela with her incredible strength does that. Ghosts live that way. Er. Unlive? Whatever.I've got a few ideas to fight them but that'll be later. Sunny had a rough trip at sea and I've been flying mostly lately so time to spoil her a bit. The Dance Theater is surprisingly interesting looking and flooded with music as I take a day (night rather) off to spoil my sylveon. I know the Kimono Sisters are very traditional but when I push inside I see what looks like swing dance going on. Sunny is fascinated."Mom! Look! They're twirling! But very twirling! How do they do that? Its amazing! Can we try?""Its about the way they are moving around each other. Hips and-you know what sure!" Despite my old life being rather...Boring, I did indeed enjoy dancing. About the only thing I could brag about liking physically. I wasn't overly good or decent but I put my all into it. Which is what real dancing should be like.Taking Sunny's ribbons I start guiding her along in an area off to the side as the fairly large crowd dances along. We're in our own world. It must be some sort of community thing as no one stopped me at the door and I see people coming and going. Music that blares to a joyful, happy beat helps me show Sunny nothing she doesn't already know. She may not have formal steps but Sunny was born to dance in glee. Other people and pokémon float about but I'm focusing on her, cherishing her innocent.Time goes by as I just let my little girl have the time of her life. My family are together all the time and that's good but I resolve to take a bit of time with each of my family soon. Zaela got me flying with her and gets that a lot. Mars too but I'm going to do something special for him. The others will come in time.Right now its Sunny's time and she delights in it. My poor self tires first and I just laugh and lead her to where I spy water, her ribbons wrapped firmly around my wrist as we weave through the crowd. There are other pokémon here among all the humans. Mostly humanoid but a fair number of eeveelutions which I expect."Sunny. If you want to say hi to all the eeveelutions I don't mind. Just stay in sight."Her nose scrunches up as she can't decide which is more important. I let her drink some of my water as I kneel and stroke along her fur gently. "You don't have to. Just offering."Sunny pauses and looks out, spotting an umbreon who is curled up against his owner then nods to me."Alright! But don't go anywhere. Aurora says you're helpless without me! Well she said that we all were. So you be good!" She giggles a bit at her teasing of 'Mom' and darts off. The music is just loud enough that I can't hear her words but the umbreon sits up and they start talking friendly enough. The umbreon's human just seems to laugh and goes back to the conversation he's having with someone else.Its good to see her like this .Not worrying about anything. Not that she does anyway but as the music washes over me I can't help but think of the rough times I'm sure are ahead. Will Sunny be able to bear it? My other pokémon all can I think. But Sunny is truly pure. Bah. I'm likely being silly."Your sylveon is so lovely. I can tell you love her deeply." Turning I see the owner of the young voice. A pink haired girl is leaning against the wall next to me. Bright eyes gleam as they match the crooked smile she offers me. She's a Joy, but young. Maybe a bit older than me."Yeah. Sunny lives up to her name. So I have to love her. Ella." My hand goes out. She doesn't comment how rough it is nor at my eye. I'm a little tired of noticing it when it does happen. I shouldn't care right? Be strong and proud of my scar. That's how dragons work...Right."Rose Joy. And yes its a silly name. My sister is named Tulip Joy. Mom is a little odd." Her eyes twinkle at me as she grabs my cup and refills my water. Luckily my inner thoughts aren't strong enough to ruin the mood the dancing gave me. "Are you here to see the sisters?"The Kimono Sisters are a name passed down every generation or so. I forget what age they are in the anime so they could be much older or barely teens now. Either way I nod at Sunny. "Was going to see if she'd like to see more of her line mostly. This was a surprise here so thought we'd have fun."Rose simply snickers a little and watches the crowd for a moment as she tosses her hair back. "They have these things every once and a while. This city can be a bit gloomy with the towers and ghosts so this is a good distraction. Are you a trainer? Contests?"I let my dangerous grin slide over my face for an instance and lean forward so she can see my one good eye glitter. "What do you think?"I get a bop on my nose for that. "I'm a Joy. You'll have to be scarier than that….Trainer." The glitter is back in her eyes as she hops up on the counter nearby and tosses her feet slowly. "Joys heal and heal alone. That doesn't mean we lack strength or get trained pokémon but we all share a love of healing. I must admit I'd love to travel someday. See something spectacular." She pauses and points at me. "Don't think I couldn't. Even if I do want to set up a Center. I could challenge you if I liked." Up goes her nose and she can't hold it. Cackles at herself are pleasant to hear."Oh I believe it. The Joy in my home could bring dragons to their knees." My eye softens and I can't help but let out a sigh. "I really miss her. We were very close before I left on my journey." My eye moves back to Sunny who is sitting next to the umbreon and chatting away. For once she's not overly excited and simply seems to be...Talking. Yes. This was good for her."Where are you from? Maybe I know your Joy?""Blackthorn.""Oh! That Joy! Melanie. She got a lucario! Those are amazing partners. Wish I had one." A bit of her voice is odd speaking of my friend. As if there was relief in something about Melanie Joy. Huh. But I have mischief to give her.I can't resist. Winking I hold up Tru's ball and give her my smuggest of grins. She points at me with a horrified expression and smacks my arm a few times."Evil girl! Making me jealous. I won't get my partner until I choose someplace to settle. And I don't want just anywhere. I want a challenge and something amazing." Wait. This can't be real.I gaze over her slowly and she blushes ever so slightly but then does it right back. Is she...thinking I'm flirting? Am I? I was more or less not interested growing up last life. And as an adult it didn't matter to me. I was so self absorbed. Plus I'm ten, almost eleven, now. Well. I carry myself older I suppose. Come to think of it I do look older than my age. Eyepatch, severe bun. Fit body from all the training. Huh.Back to the girl. "How amazing and how big of a challenge?" Her cheeks twinge a bit as she realizes I wasn't checking her out but does she look the tiniest bit disappointed? I'll let myself be confused about that later. Much later."I've always enjoyed the harder road. Something worth doing. Most Joys are already gone as apprentices now. I've never really fit you know? Itchy feet and a desire to aim high."Yeah. I have to see if she's up to it. Is my base in Johto going to be the Charicific Valley? Yikes. I guess it would be suicide to cause problems there.Standing, I grin at her my most charming grin. I grew up messing with people. She should worry about this smile. The blush is back and I just file that way. Maybe in a few years. "Want to go on a walk? I might have a solution for you."We pass by Sunny and I touch a ribbon to tell her we're going. I wait for her to say goodbye to her new friend. Rose follows me along as I look up at the sky, sighing a bit."I'm building something in the Charicific Valley. Something grand. Would you like to be the Nurse Joy of a bunch of charizard, riolu, lucario and Aura Guardians?" My hand lights up as I form an aura sphere and Rose laughs out loud."Wow. Really? Do you know how dangerous it is there?" I nod."Charizard are very difficult!" Another nod."You still think I could do it?" I just grin."And why should I even try for you, fancy glowing lights or not?"That's a fair question. Fine. Bribery it is. "Well. If you choose this path I can probably request you have a riolu as a partner. The Lucario Kingdom takes my calls so to speak."Her face grows very thoughtful and she moves her head in towards mine so she can stare into my eye. Lips press against my cheek softly and she nods. My face heats in surprise. Just surprise. Nothing else."Alright. I'll go and check it out. That sounds like a place to go and brag about to other Joys. I'm at the Center. Send me all the information. If its what you promise I'll give it a true effort. What an adventure that could be."She backs away with her hands behind her, that glitter back in her eyes as she laughs again. "Thank you Ella. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy getting to scold you if you're always this bold. Inviting a young lady like myself to such a dangerous life. Thank you."Almost skipping away she lets out a happy whistle as I look down at Sunny, my face confused."Are you going to get married? Our Joy always teases Becca like that. Would I have two moms?!"Damnit.GymLast night's weirdness aside I'm ready. This is gonna suck but I have faith in my team. If its more than three on three it will be a bit more difficult but I'm planning to cheat a bit. Well. More like be unfair. Plus Mars says he's got it if needed. He has been going out late at night while we are here for what I presume is training.Aurora is likely first as she hasn't had a fight since the first gym. Tru again cause foresight. Then its Mars. If we come up against something nuts Zaela. I'd prefer not Query as I don't think he's yet fast enough to deal with ghosts and Wattson has mostly physical attacks that he's particularly good at.No way am I sending Sunny out against likely a lot of poison types. Here we go. I'm nervous and excited at the same time. So just like every battle. I got this.The place feels weird already as I walk in. For once I'm alone without a visible pokémon. I don't want anyone to see my lucario just yet so I can get in a little bit of surprise. Though if the Gym Leader has seen my previous battles that's pretty worthless of a gesture. No receptionist so I tap the bell at the counter and observe how high this gym is. Thick walls, likely so ghosts can move around in them. Ideas come and go and I kind of wish the gym leader here will bring in something big.Eventually a rather young looking man comes up in a hurry."Sorry sorry! We're a little short handed! Hi! I'm Morty. Are you here for a gym battle?" Wait. This kid looks around eighteen. Wasn't Morty rather young already in the games? Fine. Whatever. Might just have a baby face."I am. My name is Ella Mita." My pokédex is promptly handed over. Morty hums happily as he brings up my records and nods. "Okay! Since you have three badges we'll go with three on three. I don't really have any gym trainers right now so no need to go through that." He peers at me a bit more and shrugs. "This way!"This seems a bit odd. I follow along through the doors leading into the main gym room and my thoughts are confirmed. Big ol' walls. Yeah. That's gonna suck. "Just out of curiosity have you heard of who I am?"Morty looks over his shoulder and stops. "Hmm? No. I just did take over gym leader duties a year or so ago though. Why? You famous?" He grins then and its a nice one. Okay. So not insulting! Good. I put Zaela's ball away."My mother is the Blackthorn Gym leader. She put out a warning to use a main team around me." His eyes widen at that while he brings his hand up to scratch his chin."Tell you what. We'll try that first. Not that I don't believe you but if I give my main team a cruddy battle they'll never let me live it down. So I'm bringing out the weakest of my main team and you beat them? Then we'll go for the other two."Fine by me! Aurora is getting so close to evolution. "Actually. Do you mind if we wait an hour till dusk? If we do you might see something amazing." Cue Kakashi eyesmile. He looks a bit iffy but shrugs and seems to appreciate my snark."Sure. Though be warned my ghosts are even more potent at night.""Wouldn't have it any other way."Morty goes off to continue what had him busy before I showed up. Myself? I sit down in place and start to meditate. Its odd being alone right now. My team never really is upset to be in their balls but I'm used to at least two constantly around me. I'd release Sunny but I'm not certain she'd enjoy the presence of ghosts.Speaking of ghosts. Their aura is weird. Like an echo. I suppose that makes sense if you think about what a ghost might be but its just...Odd on my senses. As always happens when I meditate time passes quicker than I expect when I come out of it."Ready when you are then, Ella. I'm a bit excited now. I looked you up in more depth while we waited." Morty's voice has a hint of anticipation even without peeking at his emotions.Standing, I grin and tug Aurora's ball free of my belt and hold it ready. Morty across from me looks more composed. He changed his rumpled clothes as well. A tired looking ref comes out to the field and stifles a yawn as we make our way to our positions. The gym is rather plain but the way light hits the craggy looking walls makes it decidedly spooky. Nice."This will be a three on three battle between Ella Mita of Blackthorn and Gym Leader Morty." Huh. No last name stated? Bad stray thoughts! Battle! Morty just quietly tosses out a Haunter that seems to suck in the shadows around it without effort.Aurora pops out with a low cry and she looks curiously up at the creature. Haunter just tilts its head and not its floating hands, not recognizing my ancient fossil pokémon. Neither does Morty. Haunter turns sideways in profile as if wanting to look at Aurora with one eye. Making a joke at me maybe?No orders are told and Aurora seizes the moment. Hail fills the battle arena in thick waves that are joined almost immediately by powdered snow. Its been a while since that first gym and Aurora has put in effort every day to reach the level of the rest of our family. Haunter's mouth grimaces in distaste and a will o' wisp sets himself on fire just a bit or so it seems. Its a bit jarring as the ghost cackles like mad even as he spits out small little flames at my amaura.They bounce off her safeguard as she continues to slowly freeze the area. She was warned about status effects from ghosts and the last week was perfecting safeguard. I bought it as an afterthought from an actual Silph store when I remembered the ghost gym was going to suck.Haunter takes in the block and seems satisfied before finally moving. It was odd until I remembered Morty wanting a good fight for them. Maybe Haunter wasn't convinced until now? He's going under the floor already as Aurora uses probably her favorite move. Magnet rise. While good to deal with ground attacks she likes it more to give her time than anything. And with how she pushes herself with her moves, it leads to odd movement for a relatively stationary style she has….Okay. A big part is because Zaela being a dick under the ground is incredibly annoying, even for my even tempered ice-dinosaur.The rise gives her time to start sending back the shadow balls that just Haunter's hands fling out of the earth. Both of the detached hands start peeking out, not exposing his whole body as she's smacked a few times. All that do hit are returned twice as strong with mirror coat but keep on missing the small part of the ghost that is exposed from the ground. Still nothing we didn't expect.Ancient power is probably Aurora's most adaptable move. Sure, her ice attacks are amazing but something about the richness of the earth makes her ancient power stand above even Mars' application of it. At least until he goes Mega. Simultaneously ripping the ground up to hover ancient power spheres and continuing to use her ability to lower the temperature puts a lot of strain on her. My eye blinks. Too much strain.Her left front hoof is purple. When was she poisoned? Haunter went into profile and pushed his hand down his shadow and into the ground! He poisoned her at the lull and before she safeguarded! Its worse though as I consider my amaura. Every few seconds she winces. Without even a flinch the haunter cursed her too. Fuck. Short time limit."Aurora! Don't be subtle! No time!" My sweet, mothering pokémon just nods firmly as she continues to pull up rock after rock in imitation of Mars' attack on Zaela a week or so ago. Eventually Haunter is exposed and is much slower than he started. The cold already seeped into the ground, powder snow slowing him down considerably as he springs forward, huge tongue out to wrap around my girl and restrict her vision.Someday I want Aurora to be able to put down Zaela in one hit. She has the potential with refrigerate. She's lost this fight already but at least perhaps she can help Haunter lose too. Morty's unfamiliarity with my girl does him in. I expect the tactics are to use disable, lick and mean look to slow her down until the damage tics do her in. Perhaps the annoying as fuck hypnosis/dream eater if the safeguard is disrupted.Sadly, for him, the biting cold makes her not have to worry about gathering energy for the hyper beam she obviously charges. Haunter just keeps speeding towards her and I can feel both the ghost and Morty's confusion as to why this strange pokémon is using a move that Haunter is immune to. Maybe Mega Glalie aren't around yet.The ice-hyper beam hits haunter dead on and carries him into the torn up ground in an instant. Aurora lets her Ancient Power go and the ghost is hit by both attacks in a massive, freezing explosion that makes me shiver hard even as far from is as I am. Through the various psychic barriers as well. Haunter is out but so is Aurora. Or will be in just a few moments. I'm already starting to return Aurora as what I'd hoped for occurs.Aurora always has had the biggest heart out of all of us. Her body expands to match it. Growing over ten feet her legs turn from small saplings into massive trunks. Her neck is corded with muscle meant to keep her steady in a blizzard as her fins draw down the entire length of her upper body. She becomes stocky and immovable. She'll never fit on a simple boat again sadly. Time to go buy tickets for ships.Evolution cures a lot of things but she's still suffering and while she gives me a pleased, soft croon that shakes the place a little I return her immediately even if I'd love to have her explore her new form."What just happened? Haunter didn't feel foresight or anything equivalent that I could tell. Was that a new ice attack?" I just grin at Morty and he lets out a slow, sly one in return."Well! Guess you got what it takes. Prepare yourself. You get to see why I've been given a gym so young."Hey. Weren't the gym leaders at Mossdeep pre-teens? Whatever. Future things! Morty just tosses out a dusk ball and I pale just a bit. Most ghosts are fairly frail. Not Dusknoir. I thought I had the monopoly on rare pokémon here!Tru pops out of her ball and immediately uses foresight before dusknoir can even move. That was absolutely key for our strategy. Despite losing prankster when she evolved, many moves that she practiced to make quicker retain their speed. The ghost just lets out a low moan of amusement and a pulse goes out that Tru shivers at. Imprison. Shit. No shadow ball now and probably a few other things. Tru springs into extremespeed and slams a force palm into the thankfully quite slow ghost. She closes her eyes and relies heavily on Reader as the burly dusknoir pulses confuse rays faster than Query can do his strobe light trick.Tru must sense something as she trades blows with the ghost instead of moving into more dodges. Ice, fire and thunderpunches flow easily from Morty's monster while Tru answers back with the start of Close Combat then jumps away. The edge of gravity hits her and she trips, crashing to the floor as the area she was at explodes in psychic power. When was the future sight set up? Tru uses Regen and eyes her opponent warily before switching to long range. Aura Spheres pelt dusknoir constantly who is thankfully not quick enough to block them all with small bursts of shadow claws. Things look good until the ghost's shadow lances out with shocking speed and suddenly its within melee with Tru again. Shadow sneak and Feint attack at once. Fuck.Tru gets a bit stronger from the dark move and smacks him hard with a High-Jump Kick enhanced by extreme speed but the ghost just chortles and shrieks loud and hard. Pain Split makes the fight even again and Tru struggles under the pressure of Morty's pokémon. She stands with my group of monsters daily but something about this dusknoir's aura is hitting her hard. Desperately she tries to extremespeed away again but a disable leads into an astonish and the ghost's second arm comes around in a massive focus blast it managed to charge at the same time he was restricting her movement.I know Tru. She would have used Endure but it was Imprisoned at the start of the fight just like Shadow Ball. My lucario crumples to the floor and dusknoir floats right on back to his spot across from me. That's the first real loss we've had since Blackthorn. Still, I let my emotions flow over Tru's ball. Pride. Determination to do better. No guilt or disappointment. Never that."Your dusknoir is terrifying. I'm impressed. Well! Suppose we'll see how this goes." I'm excited. I am not sure if Mars' ingenuity and adaptability will help with moves like Destiny Bond and the like but I wouldn't put it past him to find a way. My shiny black dragon emerges with a calm look before lazily taking to the air. Morty's eyes narrow even as dusknoir's shadow is already moving toward Mars steadily boosting form. Dragon dance. All the damn day. Or er. Night right now.Not that he shows the dance easily anymore. Turning Mega did something to make dragon moves that much easier for him to understand. The Feint Attack, Shadow Sneak attack snaps up to close the distance even as I see the sparks of a thunderpunch being charged by dusknoir. That's a mistake. Even a hint has Mars changes tactics. Two Shadow Claws I'm positive he didn't know a few days ago slash out and disrupt dusknoir's approach with remarkable ease. The ghost snarls in pain and starts tossing shadow balls that Mars simply flamethrowers to block. Air cutters rain down as dusknoir tries to hit my son with a disable to drop him to the ground.By now Mars is fully boosted by his dance and begins to compound the issue with ancient powers that batter the ghost. The dusknoir is almost out. Pain split might have helped him a bit but Tru did a fair bit of damage before that. Its still clever though and starts tossing out an intimidating number for will o' wisps at the same time and tries to box Mars into more future sight explosions.Mars simply snots and shocks me again. His air cutters take on a ghostly hue and ominous wind cutters slams down into the wisps. They explode in violent purple smoke and dusknoir is lost from sight. Mars jets high and fast before his claws swipe around him in shadow claws and a crunch as he disrupts the destiny bond that the ghost attempted to bring him down with.Morty just laughs in pleasure and nods at me. "Right. Hope you're ready. This is going to be a blast."A massive gengar appears with a cackle that echoes without any sort of aide from the steadily darkening room. Ghost moves seem to suck out the light, filling the area with intent to cause terror and unease. Morty lifts his hand and bright light fills the air as gengar shifts heavier. Even more giant, the stark white form of Mega Gengar informs me that yes, its shiny.Mars just glances at me and Morty laughs again in delight as Mars is engulfed in the same energy. The Gym Leader's voice is full of reverberating cackles and the pleasant man I first met definitely changes to a proper Ghost trainer.When my charizard X is revealed both pokémon start moving. Mega Gengar begins tossing out shadow balls willed with the eerie glow of ghostly fire and Mars slams an air cutter into his own back to forcibly move him out of the way and exhales a massive smokescreen. Mega Gengar attempts to slam a sucker punch up by detaching one arm but screeches in pain when the smokescreen is found to hold an ominous wind in it as well.Mega Gengar still shoots an attack in, probably aided by the never miss shadow sneak but then desperately hisses with pain. Its entire body disperses, reforming a moment later with his arm returned. Mars emerges from the smoke, trailing blue fire that glows with lingering ominous wind like a protective cloak and chomping at vanishing ghostly energy, signaling the crunch he used against the invading arm. Pulsing waves of spite hit him the moment he emerges and drain some of his ability to use dark energy.He would be pissed if he hadn't tossed a massive blue fire blast at the ground. As Mega Gengar dodges by submerging the still somewhat cratered ground form Aurora's battle, my genius dragon blitzes right after and cracks the earth in a psuedo-earthquake. Rightfully thinking that he can use the previous damage to reach Mega Gengar. Beat up clones follow him down and tear into the dazed Mega Gengar.A massive wave of sludge pools upwards and forces Mars into the air or be hit by the bubbling, acidic mini-lake. The beat up clones don't care though and batter Mega Gengar until spent. More double teams than my entire team can use together fill the gym with white, eerie ghosts but are almost immediately dispersed by the ominous wind that Mars hasn't stopped pushing, his floating, ethereal cape of ghost energy making me think I need to tell him Batman stories. Its not strong enough to cause serious damage but its disruptive to Mega Gengar's attacks so much I can feel the irritation from here. Shadow trap keeps Mars from flying too high but he just keeps on blowing out flame to cover the floor, the sludge wave now on fire and severely limiting any attacks Mega Gengar can do from underground without taking damage. What was once freezing in Aurora's battle is now causing both Morty and I to sweat.Mega Gengar takes to the sky and almost vanishes in speed. A likely psych up to counter heavily boosted genius is worrying for a moment until he flares his tail into a fire spin around him. It doesn't stop the night shade that knocks him around but Mega Gengar again has to pull back his arms.Machine gun like shadow balls follow Mars about the room as he swats the ones he can't dodge with his armored wings and he returns with massive blue flame bursts that explode in area denial that forces Mega Gengar to dodge into yet another fire blast. The formerly near pitch black in places gym is burning with light, weakening the usual shadow movements that ghosts so easily abuse. Indeed, Mars likely has a trap set up for his own shadow past those he's already shown from how his tail is moving steadily. Waiting in predator patience.The stark white otherworldly ghost emerges off center, wary of exactly what my thoughts went to, savage snarl thrums pulses of a promise of pain. A payback hits Mars in the chest with all the malice Mega Gengar can bring. Mars lets out his first grunt of true pain and simply brings two shadow claws down to disrupt hypnosis beams Mega Gengar tried to ensnare him with while suffering the payback. Eating it to make sure he wasn't put to sleep.Then Mars sets off his plan. The burning floor explodes in heat as two massive air cutters feed the flames from snaps of his wings. They explode upwards towards Mega Gengar as the ominous wind my genius has maintained condenses. His tail activates blaze somehow even if he shouldn't have the ability in his Mega form and erases the possible shadow sneak escape for only a few moments. Its all he needs as the flame rises. The result is a pillar of red-purple flame that Mega Gengar wants no part of.Beat Up clones that Mars formed behind the ghost when hit with payback block in his opponent and there is too much ghostly energy in the air to let Mega Gengar safely disperse. The giant ghost does the right thing and tries to rush Mars to get away from the attacks behind him but my boy does one of his favorite tricks and explodes a Flare Blitz behind himself to cause rapid movement. Its where he got the idea for the air cutter boost earlier.Grabbing Mega Gengar with dual shadow claws both fall into the spire of ghost flame Mars created. The explosion creates a shock wave that drives me to my knees to keep from falling ass over head backward. I can barely see Morty's grip on the trainer booth go white to keep himself from something similar.When the dust clears the room is totaled. Near molten rock is all that is left of the floor, light flickering in a much different way than when ghost energy ruled the area. Now all is a hellish, demonic looking fire. Mixed with the ghost wind it feeds on.Numbly, I release Zaela. She looks around in curiosity then snorts in pleasure as Mars is revealed standing over the now normal gengar. He's huffing in exhaustion and has some deep bruises but in an uncharacteristic show of pride tosses his head high, a bright blue flamethrower nearly toching the ceiling to signal his victory, the whoosh of it echoing in the cavernous gym.My starter makes an almost purring sound and uses a low powered surf to start putting out the fires. Before stomping a bit to fix the field so its at least a tad safer. She didn't have to stomp. She's just picking up the lingering excitement and will be pestering me endlessly for the memory of it via Query later.Morty returns what is probably his starter and grins broadly as he makes his way down. Mars powers down then returns himself. Yeah he's gonna nap now. Zaela grunts in annoyance. Without seemingly phased by Zaela's bulk, Morty grins broadly and offers me his hand."That was fantastic. I've learned so much. You too if the way your face changed. You truly connect with your pokémon if they can fight like this without a word. I'd adore to battle you again. And if you ever get a ghost I'd be happy to give you some pointers."Man this guy is different than Agatha. My grin is warm as he hands me a fog badge. I'm definitely going to pick his brain about my Order. Who says we can't have sneaky members? And he totally trolls people for his fun. Nice guy but then cackles like the Joker in battle. Yep. A fellow prankster.The games steadily increased in difficulty. This fight shows that quite a bit. If not for Mars' insane ability to adapt, mega evolution and the unfamiliarity of Aurora's species I would have lost. Which would have been fine. I'm young yet. My team too. My thoughts have changed a bit in regards to getting myself known. Momma already taught me to get stronger through adversity.Even if we adapt. Expand our thinking and methods. One thing will never change.The world is still ours for the taking.HeroLance hated this guy. Hoenn was supposed to be fun and the last step for Clair to come into her own. Last year in Kanto had him winning the Indigo Plateau and losing to Blaine in the Elite Four (Rematch already planned) so he took Clair to Hoenn to find more dragons for his team. Well, that and to help her grow.Even if he was more or less blackmailed to take her.Despite the way he was tricked into helping his cousin she's been an amazing boon. His dragons have learned so much from her differing style and she's gotten pretty funny after she got over the shyness that she displayed when younger.But then this guy. Clair said he was pretty strong when she lost to him in a battle in Rustboro. She found him training there and just had to fight him when she saw how strong his metagross was. Which is good. Dragons have to challenge strong foes to grow.When she lost and got him to try himself he wasn't expecting to have such a close match. He still won but he's not so arrogant to say he wasn't sweating. When the prim and proper bastard asked to come with Clair and him, Lance was all set to say no. Sure. Be polite and thank him for the battle but Clair got googley eyes at the stupid idiots suit and calm voice and said yes before Lance could disagree.You don't fight with family in front of strangers so Lance figured they could ditch him later.Now months later they are still traveling together. Lance really wanted to just fly away with Clair on dragonnite back but the prissy boy had a massively speedy skarmory that could keep up.Its not that having a strong opponent nearby isn't good its just that Clair won't stop...Talking about him.Steven this. Steven that. Fuck Steven. Lance recognizes the look on Clair's face. While he is just now getting interested in girls himself its still too young for Clair. Even a crush. Even if Steven is strong enough to be worthy usually.Damn it. At least the bastard doesn't seem to notice. Or is smart enough not to show he knows in front of Lance.On the other hand he can't imagine anyone in Hoenn would be a rival for him when they fight in the finals this year. That wouldn't be so bad. Destroy him in front of the world and maybe Clair will get over it.And stop making Lance so uncomfortable.A slow grin goes over Lance's face as he watches his cousin and the bastard set up tents. Maybe he'll introduce this idiot to Ella. See how she tears him to pieces. Even if its hard to admit Clair looks up to Ella far more than to him.Which is acceptable with how strong she's become. He wasn't there but the few times he heads back to Blackthorn they are still telling the story of Momma's defeat. Just how tough is Ella now? Tough enough to brutalize Steven he imagines.Then Clair will lay off. Or hopefully wait a few years when he's not there to see it.If prissy boy wants to face more dragon trainers then Lance will give him Ella. That's why he wanted to go with them anyway. Said some bull about seeing a dragon that could put Lance's starter in the ground and keep on going. With Lance and Clair having strong dragons, the jerk said he could use themFine. He said it much more polite than that but Lance doesn't care. The sentiment was the same.Its also annoying how much he appreciated his strength acknowledged like that.Steven's never left Hoenn and Lance knows for a fact that there aren't dragon masters here to write home about. At least that are in the open. Except for Drake. But the bastard said it wasn't him that crushed him.So who was the tough trainer who beat this idiot?Steven just smiled and only said that the dragon trainer was someone he admired.Bah! So frustrating. Whatever. A trip back to Johto and seeing Ella would be nice come to think of it. Its been a few years. She's probably destroying gym leaders now and off on her insane dream.But then he can't really judge. His own goal goes through her. To be the best. She had a head start but he'll overtake her.Well now he's fired up. Lance just laughs at himself. Yeah its good to have Steven around for moments like this."Stone! Get out your team. Time to brawl."Nothing was going to keep Lance from the pinnacle.
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