Nova

  —

  "Tinkatuff, you know I'm not going to take any of your metal! Just wait like, ten minutes, okay?! I understand why you rushed your first hammer, you needed one, but you still have a hammer, right? Just wait for us to stop walking and I'll dump all of your metal in one of the Barn rooms, that way you can take the time to make this hammer nice, and not have to work on it for days to fix it up later. Makes sense, right?"

  Tinkatuff's normal face was… angry, honestly. Resting bitch face was absolutely a thing, and Tinkatuff had resting angry face… That was real anger, though. Real anger, and acceptance, as she huffed a little and crossed her arms. Leaf sighed in relief as her Pokemon sullenly returned herself, shaking her head.

  "She's been wanting to do this since last night, but I know she's going to get absorbed in it, and I'd rather she has the time and space to just… work uninterrupted. She knows that, too, and agrees with me… She's still irritated by it, though." Yeah, obviously…

  We were walking down to their house now, Ms. Greenwood and Sabrina still talking about something back at the gazebo. The older Greenwood's were walking behind us, and I didn't miss how nervous they looked, even at their daughters Ranch, a Rescue Ranch where I knew that most were bound…

  "So Erin, did you want to train tod-" Alex's question was cut off by a curt shake of Erin's head.

  "Nah, not today… Today is… kind of a free day, I guess? Mom probably has something planned, though, so we should hang out for a bit after breakfast… Oh, crap, I forgot about that…" She was looking off to the side, towards the forest and pond… Looking at the two large packs of canines headed our way. The unevolved Poochyena and Houndour looked very happy, but even the surly older and Evolved Pokemon were rushing towards her…

  Then the howling began, and I saw various heads rise above the grass, above the rows of crops, from the forest, from the pond.

  Alex grabbed my shoulder and looked behind her at the frozen Greenwood's, speaking quickly.

  "We should go, like right now! They can't hurt you, but they want to say hi to those two, and there's a lot of them!" I let myself get pulled along, the older Greenwood's hurrying behind us. I looked back and saw that Alex was right. They were primarily mobbing Erin, but many of the Pokemon were greeting Leaf as well. I frowned as I saw Erin tear up a little, though.

  It was easy to forget what these Pokemon had probably gone through, but… she had seen it… I shook my head in an attempt to dispel those thoughts. They wouldn't do me any good out here in the sunshine- well, the overcast day that it was, but still!

  As we walked down the path towards their house, I couldn't stop my head from craning around. It wasn't really a… visually impressive Ranch, with… I don't know, huge elaborate domed habitats or something, but it was still interesting. The large Barn with its gigantic door, obviously for Leto, was the biggest structure, but I spied a small warehouse in the distance, a small building with an overhang close to the house, and a smaller building on the opposite corner from the warehouse. Combined with the garden hill and the fields of crops we had walked through, this Ranch must be almost self-sufficient…

  "So, Nova, Wiggles has been better?" I smiled as Alex caught my attention again. I had just been kind of staring around…

  "She has, yeah! She's not so anxious anymore, it seems like. I've been feeding her some Miltank jerky at night, and even though she doesn't enjoy it, she still eats it, so I guess it's working!" I still couldn't believe that me taking too much care of my Pokemon had inhibited her, but… at least I knew now.

  "Any plans for this Circuit, then?" I shook my head as we reached the fence around the house.

  "No, I only have two Pokemon, and no time… I think I'll just be training, maybe seeing if I can find a more… permanent teammate or two." I really needed to, honestly. Most started out as permanent, of course, but… it was another thing entirely to fight at the levels that I demanded. It didn't matter how well I explained it, how hard they got beaten during spars before coming along, to do that over and over was not easy…

  Wiggles almost hadn't made it herself, honestly. Goomy weren't exactly known for being brave, strong Pokemon, and it was only her Evolution into a Sliggoo that gave her the confidence to keep fighting, that had shown her that her efforts had achieved something. Splash… I think that if I had never met him, and he had never met Wiggles, he would have sought out a trainer at some point anyway. He enjoyed fighting, and was good at it…

  For some reason, Alex perked up a little bit.

  "Well, mayb-" Whatever else she may have been about to say was lost as she froze with a confused look on her face, and after another couple steps, so did I.

  I mean… was this real?

  Because the sight of two Hypno stirring a pot large enough that I think it was actually a cauldron of some sort, both on short steps, was not what I expected to see! Not at all! They both grinned at our stunned confusion, waving briefly before they went back to stirring.

  "Alex, hello, dear!" I tore my gaze away from the cooking Hypno and found an old lady standing there. She was even older than the Greenwood's, who almost tiptoed into the backyard for some reason… The old lady was smiling at Alex, then almost frowned at the Greenwood's, before her gaze met mine and she lit right back up.

  "Oh, and you brought a friend!" I didn't even have the chance to respond as Alex sighed.

  "Hi, Mrs. Maple. This is Nova, and we just want to drop our stuff off inside. I assume Leaf's room is taken?" She glanced over at the older Greenwood's, and they nodded, faces red.

  "Yes, we're still in there, for another day or two, at least…" Alex just shrugged, though.

  "Well, it wasn't for me, anyway. Leto probably won't let us sleep away from her, like usual, so we're kind of stuck in Erin's room. Nova, I guess there's the couch, or the… visitor's center?" Mrs. Maple smiled at that.

  "Yes, it's basically the… public face of the Ranch, I guess? Instead of the children stomping through the house every few days, they come in through there, and any residents or adoptees can visit with the rescues that are interested as well." Her face fell slightly as she continued.

  "There's been a few adoptions here in Pallet Town, but mainly the Meowth and a few Rattata. Most are a little too… uneasy to really interact with the majority of the rescues, other than the children of course. Some of their parents have been spending some time here when they drop the children off, so maybe we'll have some more adoptions soon? Some of the older residents- some older than me, even!- try to come over and watch TV with them occasionally, too…" She looked very proud as she continued.

  "Patricia's done an amazing job, though, especially these days... Although… The Skarmory's wake-up cries are a bit much, I will admit…" Oof, yeah, that could not be a pleasant way to wake up. The short cry earlier had been bad enough…

  I turned back towards the huge pot and finally asked my question.

  "So, what is that? Is that even a pot?" It had to be called something different at that size, right? It was like a hot tub! Literally, all three girls and I could squeeze in there!

  She just laughed at me, and the Hypno joined in.

  "Yes, yes… Well, actually no, it's technically a cauldron, but it's also stew! Vegetarian stew, I wasn't about to try and break down a few Tauros legs, and that way I had help for the entire thing." Break down a few Tauros legs?

  What kind of Ranch was this? Most Ranches fed Pokemon nutritious food, sure, but… a giant cauldron of stew? Really? Although… This wasn't exactly a typical Ranch, either…

  Just what had I gotten myself into?

  —

  —

  I hadn't known the half of it when I had that thought earlier.

  The morning was pretty standard, non-standard Ranch aside. We had a late breakfast made by the Indeedee and Hypno, including fresh grape juice from their hill. After that, though, Mrs. Greenwood asked us to stay at the house for a little bit.

  It was more than a little suspicious, but I was apparently the only one who thought that, as the three younger girls simply sighed and shrugged. It hadn't taken very long to figure out why they weren't surprised…

  Dragonite were extremely fast, of course, and still fast with a single rider.

  I certainly hadn't been expecting to meet the Champion today, so when the huge Dragonite lightly landed in the back yard, I was mostly curious. I mean, I had met Midir already, so why be surprised by another Dragonite?

  Then I saw the red hair, and my brain short-circuited.

  I hardly noticed as both man and dragon came inside, the dragon having to duck slightly, and I barely remembered to nod back at the Dragonite as The Champion picked up Ms. Greenwood in a huge hug. I regained most of my wits when he repeated the same with Alex, and even managed to grin when his attempted head-rubbing of the other two was blocked by very fast hands and scowls.

  Then he turned to me with a serious look, and I felt the blood drain from my face at his words.

  "Hi, Lance Blackthorn, Champion of Indigo, First Heir to Clan Blackthorn, and a Dragon Master. Now, tell me-" He leaned in, and those fierce grey eyes did not look warm and inviting. It felt like standing in front of Erin when she got mad, but Erin's… aura, I assumed? It was nothing like this. I think hers was worse, more… brutal, but this? This aura made me feel small, insignificant.

  Weak.

  "-are you a Dragon Tamer?"

  What?

  I couldn't help it.

  Despite the seriousness of the situation, I barked out a startled laugh. He looked so confused by my reaction that I couldn't help it, and started chuckling. He frowned, and before I could irritate The Champion any further I shook my head, waving my hand in front of me.

  "Sorry, sorry, it's just… No? I mean, Wiggles was my first Pokemon, but she's been my only dragon type. I'm… not a specialist, or even a generalist, I guess? Maybe Pokemon that are at least semi-aquatic, if I had to choose something?" He looked so confused now, and Erin started laughing.

  "Don't feel too bad, Lance! Raihan gave Leaf that speech, and it worked really well!" He twisted around to glare at her for a moment before turning back to me with an amused look.

  "Well, that didn't exactly go how I was expecting it to… I was going to offer you some advice and training, but if you don't want th-" I rushed to interrupt him. Training?!

  "No, no, go ahead! I mean, I accept! Uhh, I mean… What am I accepting, actually?" I felt my face practically ignite at the looks on everyone's faces! Luckily Splash was in the pond with Wiggles…

  Champion Lance chuckled a little at my… enthusiastic request, before grinning. It wasn't a very comforting grin, honestly…

  "Well, Nova, you impressed Raihan and Leto, not to mention Erin, so I figured I would offer you some training. Clan Blackthorn has an established process to help outsiders with dragon Pokemon. It's a bit rarer to see it used these days, but there's always a few every year. If you're willing, we could teach you. Not about your dragon, specifically, but how to be a Dragon Tamer, not just a girl with a dragon friend." His eyes grew serious.

  "I don't care how much Wiggles loves you, there is always dominance between dragons, and that is what you must be to command something like a Goodra, or even something like a Dragonite. You can follow a different type's path and achieve something similar, of course, look at Leaf, but dragons almost always respond best to other dragons. You're about to enter a time of decisions that you need to make. Will you have a friend that you command, or a friend that you ask?" He straightened, and I found myself able to breathe again. Huh, hadn't noticed that…

  "So I invite you to visit Clan Blackthorn. Those three back there will be coming as well, but there's really no need to rush the decision. They'll be here at least a week, anyway." The three looked irritated, but they still nodded, and Alex grumbled out some words.

  "We wanted to face Clair last, but we do need some training… We also don't have to fight Clair just because we're there, I guess…"

  I took a moment to really think about the offer.

  On one hand, absolutely not. The Blackthorns didn't have a bad reputation, but they were… traditional. I didn't want to, I don't know, meditate under a waterfall or something insane like that!

  On the other, far more appealing hand, I realized that what I was being offered wasn't just because of Raihan's recommendation, or Leto's, or even Erin's. I was being offered it because I was friends with the insane girls- well, two insane girls and their mostly normal sister-, even if it hadn't been for long. The Blackthorns were also the authority on Dragons in Indigo, and more than that, their main lines were all aquatic! I always tended to favor aquatic Pokemon…

  I could also read between the lines. If I were to become an actual Dragon Tamer, not just a girl with a dragon friend, I could easily find more permanence-inclined teammates there. Dragons generally didn't give up, not even Wiggles when she was a Goomy, the weakest first-stage dragon… Weakest other than Applin, I guess? Either way, if I could rebuild my team with dragons… Next Circuit I might actually get to the Top Four! Maybe… Still, I would be a fool not to seize the opportunity!

  I nodded at him with a wide smile, stretching my hand out to shake his.

  "I gladly accept! In that case, no, I am not a Dragon Tamer, but I will be!" Judging from his wide smile, that had been the right thing to say.

  I didn't like the look in his eyes when he shook my hand, though… He looked like he was anticipating something that he found funny, and I suddenly felt like I had made a… not-so-great deal…

  Crap…

  —

  Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Erin

  —

  I felt kind of bad for poor Lance, honestly. I hadn't told him that much about Nova, not wanting to overshare. Just that she had a dragon, wasn't a Dragon Tamer, and that Leto and Raihan approved of her care for her Pokemon… Although, to be fair, I kind of gave him that impression…

  Still, it had worked out, although Nova looked a bit more unsteady after Lance's look, though… Not that I knew what it meant, but I had some theories… I was looking forward to it, actually!

  Probably too much… nah!

  I could already hear Tinkatuff banging metal together even out here, and I got the feeling she would be politely, yet firmly, asked to move from the Barn… Actually…

  I looked over and found mom just hanging out near the pond, looking down- Oh, she was talking to Dragonair. No surprise there, both mothers. I caught her eye, though, and stretched out my aura. This was about the limit of my range for something like this, a hundred feet or so if I wasn't 'shouting', but it was enough for most arenas…

  'Can you please go make Tinkatuff an open-sided hut- wait, a hut with an open face along the outside wall, facing away from everyone?'

  She didn't bother responding through aura and just huffed and nodded, bending briefly before trotting off. I caught Leaf's eye as we walked down the wall.

  "I asked mom to make Tinkatuff her own little workshop… far away from the Barn." Leaf's tension faded away at that, and I didn't blame her. It was… quite loud, but we weren't about to demand she do it quietly! Not something like her hammer at our own house! She was still loud as hell, though…

  "Thanks, sis… Still, this might suck a little, but I can't wait to see what she makes! She was talking to Dexter for a while last night, too, so I assume she was looking up hammer designs…" I just nodded along, because I was pretty excited, too!

  "She was also talking with Ahab…" I let that thought sit in the air for a few moments, and I really enjoyed the look on Leaf's face at the mental image of Tinkatuff, or Tinkaton, swinging Ahab's anchor like it weighed nothing, or slotting it into her own hammer somehow…

  Still, all good things must end, and Leaf was a bit of a downer.

  "I highly doubt she could swing Ahab and her hammer once he grows again… Is he still in the pond?" I frowned and nodded.

  Ahab had taken some real structural damage, and not just to his anchor. That was already mended, if still very scuffed and damaged, but his wheel… A quarter of it was just gone, and the rest was a fragmented mess held together only by kelp. It was mending, but slowly, considering his Steelworker ability didn't help with wooden wheels…

  Actually…

  "Maybe Ahab asked for a metal wheel? Would… would that even work? Do they need something that was once organic to possess as well?" Leaf shrugged as we finally reached the warehouse.

  "I… don't think I've ever seen it, or heard of it, but I don't see why not? Maybe he did, she likes him, and I think he likes her…" It was a natural point to let a sentence trail off, but it was helped by the sight of the butchering station just inside the doors. Although, it made a lot of sense, considering how much mom butchered these days…

  The fridge was almost worse. I had seen these Tauros, or most of them, fly off mostly whole, but these were not mostly whole anymore. Even for me, that was a lot of raw meat just… sitting there, wrapped in thick paper… There were more in the freezer, of course, and I didn't miss the large plucked and gutted Pidgeot hanging near the door…

  Dang, I kinda corrupted mom, didn't I? Or maybe Maddy did? Leto? All of the above? She had occasionally eaten a few farmed Pidgey breasts before us… Now she was practically Pallet Town's butcher!

  Still, I grew very happy at the sight of Tauros ribs.

  Even if it meant that there would be kids here tonight…

  Actual kids…

  —

  —

  I tried not to think about my own… disappointment that day, but it was hard. I didn't mind losing, I just… didn't enjoy it? I mean, obviously I wanted to win, and had lost before, but… To take a badge I hadn't metaphorically pried from the Gym Leader's hands felt… cheap. I knew that Alex felt similarly, if not as… strongly as me, but Leaf? Leaf was happy to take the lessons and the badge… I was grateful for the lessons, and the training I would get, but…

  I felt like a failure for needing help in the first place.

  Now, was that a stupid idea? Absolutely, and I knew that, too, but knowing didn't stop the feeling. I was not some amazing super trainer after, what, three months fully conscious. I was a little special, but not… cosmically special. My aura was a bit out there, sure, but before that cavern? It hadn't been that rare. After, though? Sure, I was a bit special now, but had I earned any of that? Not really. My previous life had been intriguing, and that thing hadn't intended for me to gain anything out of the ordeal, so that was the only pride I could take in my aura abilities. That I somehow managed to gain something out of that experience beyond what I had agreed to.

  That I had won, at least in some tiny way.

  So what had I 'won' in Saffron?

  Well, I learned a few lessons, yes, but those had been presented to me. What had I won?

  The answer was nothing. If anyone won anything, it was Hecate for taking out such a strong, buffed psychic all by herself, even if he had managed to take her down, too. I hadn't contributed anything to that fight, to any fight aside from 'directing' Cerberus…

  I had come close to winning, sure, and so had Alex… We also didn't play fully into a strategy, but the effect of such a 'handicap' was a bit underwhelming compared to Leaf and her two Evolution gamble. Not that I wasn't happy for them, I really was, but…

  It was a good thing that we would get some training… I just hated that it was necessary…

  "Erin, stop pouting or you'll scare the kids away." I frowned at Alex. I was not pouting!

  "Alex, I don't exactly have the best reputation, or the most kid friendly one, either! I also don't really like kids in numbers greater than, like, three at the most! I don't even have something to distract them with!"

  I frowned, not pouted, at the two of them and their little smirks.

  "What?" Leaf stopped smirking and laughed a little.

  "Erin, they come here to play with Pokemon, so just… let your Pokemon play with them." I opened my mouth for a retort, but closed it soon enough.

  Huh, yeah, I guess that worked? I mean, other than Cerberus, they shouldn't mind. Well, Ahab… possibly? He'd cooled down a lot with the whole 'devour all life' thing, considering he never went hungry for long, so… maybe Ahab would play with kids? I doubted it, though. He would probably stay at the bottom of the pond, anyway, down deep… Really deep, actually, because Gyarados and Kingdra continued to expand it… were they going to run into salt water or something eventually?

  Maybe it wouldn't be that bad?

  —

  —

  It was that bad, but for a different reason than I expected. No, I was popular with the children of Pallet Town, Leaf and I both, because it was our hometown, too! They had so many questions for us as 'Professor Oak's sponsored trainers', too! I assumed most of them didn't exactly care that I hadn't been born here, I mean, most of Pallet Town hadn't been… Like the parents!

  Somehow they were delighted to meet me! I had seen a few of them in passing, during my walks through Pallet Town to regain my stamina, but… I was the kind of person to respond to a greeting with a nod, a polite wave, a smile, and then leaving. I just… wasn't all that comfortable with strangers, I guess? Not that the parents cared!

  No, when Wukong led a procession of children and their parents to the visitors center, I found myself snatched! Well, mine and Leaf's shoulders were grabbed so that we couldn't flee, because of course mom had to show off her 'two crazy daughters'! She looked around in disappointment, too, so Alex barely managed to escape the introductions…

  Also the cooing! It was at me and Leaf this time, sure, and I wasn't about to get… mad like I had with the Rangers, but still! I understood moms desire to 'show us off', I really, truly did! I also knew that she knew how embarrassing it was, too… she just didn't care!

  Either way, Alex managed to escape, but over a dozen children… I was fast enough to evade them after their parents metaphorically set them loose, and so was Leaf, but… even with my new fourteen year old mentality, these were kids… annoying kids, but neither of us just left them behind. That would be mean…

  We did drag them through the Grimer a few times, Grimer and one huge Muk who were, of course, delighted to be a barrier. Artemis distracted a few with tag, as did Seraphina and Hecate, but that was it.

  I was exhausted when it was finally time for dinner and they thankfully went to the visitors center with the Hypno, Drowzee, and some Indeedee. I was really happy to see none of the kids looking fearful of them, and a few even looked happy to be around them! Honestly, good for them. I wouldn't mind seeing some of them just… go live with a family that didn't mind their little dietary requirements. Creepy? Yes, a bit, but… these at least were cool.

  Plus, I mean, I had a giant ghostly anchor that killed things by draining their very lifeforce away as they fought for their lives. Who was I to judge someone for eating something as harmless as dreams?

  It was a bit of an odd meal, though. There was no Professor Oak, but along with mom and Lance, who had hidden from the children inside, the three of us and Nova were joined by Mrs. Maple, along with my two new… grandparents. I didn't dislike them, honestly, so I wasn't bothered by it. It was just… different. New.

  Kind of funny, too.

  "You know, I think that Skitty might like you two a lot, but I can't be sure…" I grinned as my… grandpa went a little red, patting the tiny head in his lap. I got the feeling they were sticking around, so… why not? It'll be a long time before I say it out loud, though, this is just practice…

  "He is… a handful, that's for sure. Very affectionate, though, and not at all happy that we left for a night." Oof, yeah that would do it… Dang, Skitty were adorable, and this one was still obviously a baby, so like, triple adorable…

  Lance smiled at Nova as he put down a stripped rib.

  "So, looking forward to training?" Nova went slightly stiff before nodding.

  "Yeah! I'm a bit… worried about it, but still, it sounds like it'll be worth it in the end…" Lance chuckled a little at that.

  "Let me guess, you also wouldn't mind some dragons deciding to join you? We do have aquatic dragons aplenty at the Aerie…" Nova went a little red at that, but nodded as Splash continued to look nervous in the seat next to her, even through his enjoyment of his food.

  Splash was going to have to come to some sort of compromise with Nova, and she with him, or some hard decisions would need to be made. It was one thing for a non-specialist, non-Dragon-Tamer to have a surly Pokemon, but to command dragons? At least beyond Wiggles? Nova couldn't continue to have a Pokemon that acted like that, contested her authority…

  "Yeah, it would be really convenient, actually. The Goomy line have porous skin, so they prefer sticking close to water, Golduck are obvious, and in the past I ended up with a bunch of aquatic Pokemon, too. I've had a Kingler, a Tentacruel, a Quagsire, even a Poliwrath I helped Evolve once… That one kind of hurt… They just… couldn't handle the battles after a certain point." Lance looked very understanding as he nodded.

  "That's a common issue. Dragons can have it as well, but not often… If any want to go with you when you leave there, that's their decision, but only our main lines. They're plentiful enough, even Dratini these days, that we don't mind some leaving, so long as they choose to. The others, though? Not even I can just walk in there and ask a dragon if they're interested." Huh… Now I was curious.

  "Why not? I assume it's a numbers thing?" He nodded, already stripping another rib of meat. He swallowed heavily and grinned over at me.

  "Well, it's partially numbers, but it's partially that they don't obey anyone. Our main lines that are raised at the Aerie and the compound? They are… Well, they're Blackthorns. Not human, but part of the Clan. We give them the respect they demand, they give us the strength we require. Not every dragon there has that… internalized, I guess, but enough do. Other region's dragons, though? They are here to spread their lines, and are more like… guests, rather than Clan members. They can be, but most are completely uninterested in being a trainer's Pokemon. Their kids are only allowed to leave with their permission, as well…" He focused on Nova, eyes serious.

  "I hope I don't have to say this, but I will anyway. Please don't try to enter the Hydreigon's cave. It is very clearly marked, and she's not… the most violent example of her species, but… She's worse than the Salamence pair, easily." Oooh, I knew where I was headed as soon as we- Crap, stop looking at me like that, Lance! Stop it!

  "Erin, don't harass our Hydreigon." Not fair!

  "Not fair, Lance! I wouldn't harass her, either, and you know it! I just want to say hi!" He sighed heavily, but I didn't let up with my huge, innocent smile.

  "You know I'll be fine, too, and that she'll probably want to say hi, too!" Now he groaned slightly before his head rose, eyes pained.

  "Erin, do not make a scene at- Wait…" I started giggling as he had a realization. A rather important one, too, because…

  "You know the instant I step in there I'll have everyone's attention… Do you honestly expect me to be intimidated by a bunch of dragons, or… startled by some sort of… dragon threat display?" I was being very roundabout about it, because I didn't want to spoil the surprise for Nova and Leaf, but the way his eyes widened slightly let me know I was right. There was some sort of dragon hazing! Hell yeah! Try to haze me, Clan Blackthorn! See who gets hazed!

  Maybe still me, not every dragon reacted to my aura, I didn't care, though! Bring it!

  "Erin, still, you have a Zweilous, don't harass our Hydreigon. I would advise against any more dragons in general, anyway." I chuckled a little at that.

  "Yeah, I already knew that. I'm good with dragons, but… I could use a Flying type, a lot of my team is weak to Ground, but Cerberus will be able to Levitate once he Evolves…" A horrible thought crossed my mind and I glanced at Lance in slight alarm. "They can Levitate, right? When they want to?" He nodded and I sighed in relief.

  "Still, I have enough dragons. The only one that would even slightly improve my coverage would be… I guess a Baxcaliber? Nah, that just adds more weaknesses… Still, four dragons is plenty, even if mom hasn't really gotten to fight yet." She growled at me from her usual corner of the backyard, watching her meat-spit -her meat-spit, the other, older one was the other Pokemon's- turn.

  Lance just nodded, though, grabbing another rib.

  "There's a reason that even most Dragon Masters don't use a fully draconic team, even if they have access to a variety of dragons. You could use a fire, water, or even a steel type on your team, but I wouldn't recommend going beyond nine in your first few years. There's a reason that receiving a sixth badge unlocks nine for everyone, so you and Leaf are up to twelve with your Mastery Certifications, but…" He frowned a little.

  "You need two full teams when you're an Ace trainer, constantly trying to increase your rank, needing a variety of options to counter other people's counters. I'd already have said something to you about your eight Pokemon, but Leto doesn't truly train, and from what I've heard, neither does Stabby?" I nodded a little guiltily.

  Stabby was only just now getting to the point where he wasn't unfair to use, so his participation in training had only recently gone beyond playing the stabby assassin villain to Hope's Gravity villainess.

  "Well, he started very recently, but before now he had been a bit too strong to really use, so no…" Thankfully Lance let that drop, because I already felt kinda bad for my… shortcomings…

  I felt Hecate give me the mental equivalent of a shoulder pat before her awareness faded from my mind again.

  I went back to my plate, feeling… anticipation. I wasn't super happy about requiring some training, but I'd rather get the training than act like I knew best and fail myself and those that depended on me… Totally haven't done that in the past, nah, not at all…

  —

  —

  After breakfast the next morning I left Nova at the pond's edge, talking to Wiggles, Splash, and Dragonair. Judging from her unamused looks at Nova's Pokemon, and Nova herself, they might be in for a bit of a tongue-lashing. I'd heard that Dragonair was a bit… intense, too, and would happily call over a psychic to interpret… Yeah, that would be a Hypno walking over now with a smile of anticipation…

  Glad it wasn't me…

  I tried to relax a little as I walked through Pallet Town. I was back in my original 'iconic outfit' for the most part, royal purple skirt, white leggings, black Tauros leather combat boots, headband with two feathers, and finger-less gloves still the same. I had put on one of my new grey long-sleeve shirts under my jacket, though. It wasn't cold yet, but it was cool enough that it was comfortable.

  I was less comfortable being greeted like I was as I entered the more 'populated' sections of Pallet Town.

  Our house was basically on the opposite side of town from Professor Oak's Lab, so the fastest way to get to the Lab was to just… walk through the middle of town. Not hard to do, right? It shouldn't be, but… I had a reputation… and I hated attention, even if I knew I kind of drew it…

  Still, I managed to respond to the generic greetings I received well enough, waving and smiling, but I kept my pace just slightly too fast for people to think I wasn't in a hurry… Even if I wasn't…

  Damn, I was kind of pathetic, wasn't-

  ""Erin, be nice."" 'Sorry, sweetie… Hey, at least it's been awhile?' I felt her amusement radiate out for a moment.

  Still, I might have kind of rushed through, but Pallet Town was… quaint. Homey, inviting, and I felt myself relax a little bit more as I continued to get smiles. Not that there were a ton of people out and about, but there were enough… and I wasn't hated here in my new hometown, which was nice…

  I was well-known at the Lab by now and I simply walked in, towards the Professor's office. Along the way I passed one large observation room currently occupied by three Goomy, along with some red-tinted mud, and I smiled.

  It had taken Professor Oak awhile to find some Goomy interested in a secret test, but once they were here and the idea had been presented to them, they had been enthusiastic! Not only did they get an easy, cushy life here, they would get training as soon as there was a noticeable effect from the iron, and they might get a very rare Evolution out of the entire deal.

  There was also one being fed the absolute limit of Iron it could safely take, to see if it could be artificially induced, but… that had been one lazy Goomy, so getting him to Evolve was going to be rough…

  I sighed and took a deep breath before I pushed open the door to Professor Oak's office. The man himself was behind his desk at his computer, as usual, and appeared to be very busy.

  Then he looked up and saw me.

  His eyes grew wide as he sprang from his chair. He might be old, but Professor Oak was still spry… something he made clear by rushing around the desk to happily shake my hand.

  "Erin, good to see you! I got your message, obviously, and I've cleared almost my entire day just for you! Thank you, again! Where to start, though…" I didn't even bother trying to respond to his enthusiasm, as he wasn't even paying attention to me anymore.

  Because I was going to help him test out aura, and for longer than a couple hours this time. I knew that the help he gave mom wasn't anything special, especially after seeing the parents last night, but still… He had helped her, and Leaf, out a lot. He wouldn't want a gift, of course, but he would like my time…

  My time, and my aura…

  "Maybe we should start where we left off, with activation speed. I think I still have that aura trigger array set up somewhere…" I sighed. Heavily. Long-sufferingly. A little dejectedly.

  This was going to be such a long day…

  Professor Oak got Leaf tomorrow for some fae tests, though, so lucky her…

  FUCK ICE!

  somehow all for this and still reading a story with trans people in it, go evaluate your life and the choices that led you to where you are right now.