The scent of coffee fills the conference room. It makes for a slightly discordant scene as the Gym Leaders and Elite Four are filling their mugs with the black liquid. Volkner is the only one sitting still while the others hold stifling conversations about nothing in particular. He is also the only one without drink.

  His eyes roam over his colleagues, not truly seeing them. Still, their mood registers somewhere in his subconscious and it ticks him off. Finally there’s someone that can provide a challenge to the top of Sinnoh’s Pokémon League and all they do is squabble to hide their fear.

  Someone sits down next to him and he jolts.

  “You good?” Maylene asks, “Want a drink?”

  He shakes his head.

  “I’m fine.”

  Something in her eyes is different. She smirks and gives his shoulder a fist bump. It stings.

  “Looking forward to tomorrow?”

  Oh. That’s what this is about.

  “Yes,” he grins, “Don’t spoil it.”

  “Wouldn’t dream of it. I’m looking forward to your destruction.”

  “I’m not gonna fold over like everyone else.”

  Maylene shrugs.

  “I wouldn’t say we folded over. Well, except Byron maybe? He kinda didn’t try all that hard.”

  He snorts.

  “Sorry, that was unintentional. Anyway, want to run your plan by me?”

  “I think I’m fine.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  She leans back and takes a sip of coffee. Hers is almost white with all the milk and sugar she added.

  The door opens and everyone stops their conversations as Cynthia walks in. Behind her is the President of the League Competition Committee, Charles Goodshow. They greet the room before taking their spots at the head of the table. Everyone else settles down into their chairs as well.

  “This emergency meeting was called by Champion Cynthia concerning this season’s competition,” Mr Goodshow begins, “Champion, I can assume what you want to talk about but please enlighten us to your thoughts.”

  Volkner never liked the man’s flowery words. At least he’s a decent guy otherwise, as long as you don’t expect him to put up a fight.

  “Thank you, Charles. It’s a day early, sorry Volkner, but this was the only time for everyone to get together in person. I am concerned about Miss Crones impact on this season’s competition. We will have to put in some effort to make the Conference worthwhile for the spectators.”

  Gardenia shakes her head.

  “I get it but how?”

  Already given up, Volkner thinks to himself. They aren’t even trying anymore.

  “Let’s start by sharing our impressions of Zoe and her Pokémon,” Cynthia says, “Byron, you matched her just earlier today. What did you think?”

  The oldest of the Gym Leaders sighs wearily.

  “It’s not possible for me to keep up with her. If the top Trainers catch up to her, I’ll have to resign or hand out Black Badges like candy.”

  Cynthia smirks.

  “You wouldn’t be the only one in this room. That’s why we’re here.”

  “Right. Well, I’d suggest more free time to train but I don’t know how we’d go about that realistically.”

  “It’s me and Gardenia that have the majority of first Badge matches,” Roark says, “Everyone else should already have enough time to train.”

  Volkner nods and he notices Maylene agreeing next to him.

  “Alright, that’s one point. We can work with that. Maylene, what do you think?”

  “Ah,” the young woman is a little flustered to be called on the spot, “Well, training is good and all but how much progress do you really make all by yourself? I mean, Zoe has trained with a ton of different Pokémon and people.”

  Volkner scoffs. What can weak Trainers provide? Sure, if Cynthia or the Elite Four work with him he’d be able to improve but other than that?

  “So,” Maylene says, “The top Trainers are already organizing a training camp. Ryan Zhang contacted me to join them and provide training for and against Fighting Types. I’m planning to go. I’ve also got Zoe to agree to sparring whenever she comes back to Veilstone.”

  “What about the battle facilities?” Flint asks.

  “Stark Island?” Cynthia nods, “That could work. They’re more about tourism but we can probably find some good Trainers from other regions there.”

  “I gotta say, I like the idea of having more matches with Zoe,” Gardenia says.

  Volkner looks at her in surprise. She was one of the Leaders destroyed the hardest. And she still wants to go again? Maybe he underestimated her…

  “Right,” Mr Goodshow claps his hands, “So we’ve got training camps with top Trainers, Trainers from outside the region, and matches with Miss Crones. We also have to solve the time constraints of Roark and Gardenia specifically, and anyone else as they come up. Any other ideas?”

  Bertha smirks.

  “How about going out to find some Pokémon of Legend?”

  The rooms breaks out in laughter. Even Volkner has to chuckle. Sure, they all know about what happened on the Red Night but nobody in their right mind would seek out Pokémon like that. It’s impossible to control them.

  Then he notices Cynthia isn’t laughing. A sense of foreboding creeps over his spine but he shakes it off.

  “Tobias does have Darkrai and Latios,” the Champion points out, “Before he started competing, those were believed to be myths and legend. I wouldn’t write that option off, if you have the time to chase after them. But don’t believe they will immediately push you to my level.”

  “Right,” Bertha nods, “You’re insane.”

  Cynthia just smirks.

  “Now then,” Mr Goodshow says, “Let’s get the details hashed out. I would love for a competitive Lily of the Valley Conference, not just this year but for a long time to come.”

  The Leaders and Elite Four nod, some more seriously than others. Volkner doesn’t pay much attention, instead thinking about his upcoming battle. Tomorrow, he will finally have a challenge. Why, he might not need to ask the Elite Four or Cynthia for matches anymore, or at least less often. As long as Zoe Crones is the real deal.

  Sven stares at the screen. He is sitting in the common room in the Pokémon Centre open-mouthed and his brain attempting to reboot. His phone shows a black background and a circular arrow, quietly prompting him to rewatch the video. With a shaking finger, he taps it. Once more, his brain grinds to a halt as the girl he liked the most out of any girl steps into the arena.

  It takes until the third rewatch that he can finally start paying attention to the match. Zoe is fighting a Pokémon. She isn’t just fighting, she’s winning. And not just any Pokémon, a Gym Leader’s personal Pokémon. And then a second one. And a third.

  He gulps. Something in his stomach churns. This wasn’t the girl he knew. The month away had changed her drastically. But the way she stands tall after the match, clothes dirty and punctured from taking moves, she isn’t any less beautiful. No, amazing. Beautiful just doesn’t cut it.

  And she is completely out of his league.

  Sven leans back and lets his head drop on the backrest. He stares blankly at the ceiling, his mind attempting to find a way to connect with his crush. Because that’s what this was, right? A crush? Or was there more? He couldn’t tell anymore. She’s pretty and friendly (most of the time) and apparently insanely strong. He feels his adoration shift away from desire as it grows and grows.

  Then his phone rings and he yelps, almost throwing it into the room.

  With a sigh of relief, he turns it over to see his friend is calling.

  “What’s up, Henry?” he says into the speaker.

  “So, what do you think?” his friend asks.

  “Huh?”

  “Still think you got a chance with her?” Henry aborts a chuckle but Sven can still hear it.

  “Fuck off. Okay, yeah. That was insane. Not gonna push it. But she’s still cute.”

  He can practically her his friend’s eye roll.

  “Right, you and your fixations. But seriously, what do you think? About the match?”

  “… insane,” he mutters, “Didn’t think I’d ever see something like that.”

  “Same. Was she always like that?”

  Sven pauses for just a moment, then shakes his head.

  “Nah. Definitely not. You know how she failed on her first journey. Single Badge? And now this? She’s probably been training in secret. Who knows how long…”

  “True. She probably used the month away for the last bit of training.”

  Sven blinks, then narrows his eyes.

  “Then why didn’t she tell anyone?”

  “What’re you saying?”

  “I’m saying… I don’t know what I’m saying. Is she even the real Zoe?”

  “Oh, yeah. I was freaking out about that but…”

  Henry trails off and Sven can hear someone taking in the background. A moment later his friend returns to the phone.

  “Sorry, gotta hang up. Jane’s done with her shopping. Anyway, check Battle Net. See ya in a bit!”

  The phone beeps as Henry hangs up. With a less numb but still confused mind, he turns to look at his phone again. It takes him a moment to pull up Battle Network with his shaking fingers and when he does, he quickly navigates to the search bar. Then he freezes. There’s a pinned post on top of the page. The poster is none other than Cynthia herself. It’s titled: Regarding Concerns of League Integrity.

  He almost dismisses it but something makes him click. Probably the fact that the Champion of Sinnoh made the post instead of some official League PR account. And as he reads through it, he’s happy he did. Because Cynthia is talking about none other than his classmate Zoe Crones. Or, well, her most recent matches.

  Boards > Sinnoh_League > Announcements

  > Topic: Regarding Concerns of League Integrity

  > HistoryForLife (Champion Cynthia) (History Enthusiast)

  Good afternoon, Trainers of Sinnoh.

  You’ve all had a few days to watch the newest challengers come into their stride and I’ve heard some concerns about the League’s structure and specifically the Gym Leaders’ quality. I am, of course, talking about Miss Zoe Crones and her incredible achievement of gathering seven Black Badges in as many days. Now, let me tell you, I have zero doubts she will get her last Badge tomorrow. Volkner couldn’t expect what she will present him with. Just like I didn’t expect her to knock out my Togekiss with a kick to the back.

  And there you have it. Nobody is really wondering whether Miss Crones will get her Badges. No, people are worried that it was much too easy for her. That our Gym Leaders should provide a greater challenge. And that reflects badly on those who put them in their positions, namely the Elite Four and myself.

  I want you to consider something. Out of all the professional Trainers, how many have more than two Black Badges? How many of you out there have even heard of Black Badges before Miss Crones took to the stage? You can look them up, they’re in the official League database as well as the competitor wiki. To spare you a search, there is no requirement for the Elite Four to have a complete set of Black Badges. If there was, we wouldn’t have enough Trainers to fill the positions.

  It is not our Gym Leaders who are weak, but Miss Crones who is strong. I have personally battled her in a friendly match. Both of us used two Pokémon. It was close. Please remember that before insulting our officials and my ability to discern Trainer quality.

  Now, for those of you who have tasted a hint of strength, I have some good news. Today, the League officials came together in an emergency meeting concerning the Conference. It is a boon that Miss Crones has shown her strength so early. Had she not, she could have swept the competition without any challenge. This way, everyone that wishes to compete has a chance to train like they never trained before.

  For this, the League has decided to open a special training program. Each Gym Leader will host a training camp, potentially more, for anyone that has at least one Black Badge or a full set of Gold Badges. Each Elite Four will do the same for anyone with at least two Black Badges. And I will personally host a training camp for those with three or more. The League website will have a new function to sign up for all eligible Trainers. Once enough have done so, the host will set a date.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  You may also organize your own training camps and invite Gym Leaders or Elite Four members. They will join you on their discretion, if they find it productive. The forms will be in the same spot as the sign up for the official camps and allow anyone to set up training for a group of their strength. This way, we hope to provide a proper challenge for Miss Crones at the Conference, before she has to face me. I am looking forward to it.

  Oh, one last thing. I and Professor Rowan have independently confirmed that Zoe Crones is human, for those who were wondering. The reason she can use Moves is unknown, to us, but she has made the best of it. Please do not harass her. I consider her a friend.

  Stay steady and grow strong, Trainers of Sinnoh,

  Your Champion Cynthia

  Sven halts, then shakes his head and reads through the announcement again. Zoe was able to match Cynthia in battle? That means something has to be wrong. Whatever it is, Zoe is still human. That doesn’t mean she’s the real one.

  Then he smacks his forehead. Of course. There is only one explanation. Something absurd like people using Pokémon Moves is like in the fictional stories you can find all over the internet. It was a dark time when he enjoyed reading that crap instead of training. However, it comes in handy now. There is only one way Zoe could be able to use Moves. A Legendary Pokémon. She had to have met one, maybe even caught one. That special Liligant-like one might be it. Or the secret Pokémon she has alluded to.

  Sven starts scrolling down the comments and quickly turns off his phone. People were being all kinds of weird and saying nothing of importance. He opens his note app and starts writing down some theories. He’d have to double check which of the things he remembers are actual legends that the people of Sinnoh or other regions told and separate them from the fiction ideas.

  Sven hears someone call out to him. He looks up and waves lazily at his friends. Henry and Jane sit down at the table and take out some snacks, releasing their Pokémon to join them. Henry’s Roselia starts chatting up Sven’s Luxio while Teddiursa sits in Jane’s lap and picks at the honey cookies.

  “We got everything now, right?” Henry says, “Cause I don’t want to run out for shopping again. Not until Jubilife at least.”

  “We’re good,” Jane agrees, “I just had to stock up on that dried meat Zoe recommended.”

  “Huh?” Sven turns to look at her and she rolls her eyes.

  “You… Yes, I’m talking to her. Or more like chatting. I asked her about care tips for Teddi and we went out a few days before the season start to look at things he might need. She says he’s close to evolving so I want only the best for him.”

  “Ted!” her Pokémon hums and leans into his Trainer.

  “Wait, you’re friends on Battle Net?” Sven asks.

  “Yes? So what?”

  He sits up, his mind trying to find the right words when Jane shakes her head.

  “Hell no. You got her phone number. Just send her a text, coward.”

  “I can’t just do that!”

  “Yes, you can. She’s a person like any other girl.”

  “Who also beats up Gym Leader Pokémon barehanded,” Henry throws in.

  Jane rolls her eyes.

  “Honestly, boys. Beat ‘em up once and they’re scared to talk to you.”

  Sven aborts a nod.

  “Do you think she’s the real Zoe?”

  “What?” Jane asks.

  “I mean, she was never like that before she… disappeared. The teachers said everything was cleared up but… I’m worried.”

  “She’s different, I’ll leave you that. But she travelled the wilderness. Pretty sure that’s just about to be expected when you go out there.”

  “What do you mean? Did she tell you where she went?”

  “Not in detail.”

  “But she told you before she left?”

  “Nope.”

  “Or she told anyone else?”

  “Um, not that I know of? Her parents were at the school asking if anyone knew where she disappeared to.”

  “And why didn’t she tell anyone? Unless she wasn’t able to?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “See? Isn’t that weird?” Sven waves his arm “She should’ve told her parents’ at least. I know she cares about them.”

  “And the Champion knows where she went,” Henry says “Or at least trusts her.”

  That brings him short. Sven leans back and rubs his forehead.

  “Okay, okay. It can’t be that bad but I’m still worried.”

  “I’m a little worried too,” Jane says.

  “And you still argued?” Sven smirks.

  “A little. Anyway, you guys ready for your matches?”

  They happily take the change of topic. Training and Gyms are much easier to talk about and they only have a few more days before they all try for their first Badge. Roark was always a challenge, though never insurmountable.

  “… young Lady. Have you thought about that at all? The consequences of your actions should be considered before stepping up. Especially like that. And then! I can’t even reach you on your phone! What do you have to say for yourself?”

  “Muuum…” I groan “I’m sorry, okay?”

  I can see her holding back another tirade. The vid call is sadly a high quality with both of us in cities and not travelling. I won’t be able to claim a bad connection and hang up.

  “Yes, I should’ve considered. No, I don’t really care. It’s just a lot of fun, you know? And I’ve been catching up to my old strength really quickly with all the battles around me.”

  “Sweetie,” Mum sighs. The tears in her eyes make my gut churn “I’m just scared for you. Please don’t scare me like that.”

  “I’m sorry, Mum. I… I’ll come visit you after tomorrow’s match, okay? Will you still be in Floaroma?”

  “Yes,” she takes a deep breath “Yes, I will. Thank you, sweetie. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Mum,” I say and give her an air kiss. She smiles and hesitates a moment, then hangs up.

  Mes cuddles into my arms and Lili gives us a hug from behind.

  “Hurt?” my friend asks in my head.

  “I’m fine, Mes,” I say out loud “Just… emotional. Mum had some bad experiences with wild Pokémon I think. She never really told us. Maybe Dad knows?”

  Lili chirps and gently pats my head. The room in the Pokémon Centre is too small to let Lulu out or I’d be sinking in her fur right about know. Instead, I shift us to the bed where our cuddle pile plus blanket slowly helps me calm down.

  I didn’t mean to scare Mum. And now that I know how she feels, I can’t help but wonder who else was scared for me? My friends probably saw the video as well. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that Gym Matches were recorded and available to the public for reference. For a moment, I think about checking Battle Network to see what everyone thinks about me but then I decide against it. I’m not a battler at heart. I’m a researcher. I am going to be travelling with my friends, help them train their Pokémon, and find the time to look for my old friends in between. And maybe some new friends as well.

  Speaking of, I take out Gligar’s Poké Ball and release him. Mes hangs on my neck as I get up to pick up my newest friend.

  “Gli?” he looks up at me. I lift him by his sides and nuzzle the side of his head.

  “Hey, buddy. How are you feeling?”

  He squirms a little and looks away. I hear him mumble and put him down. His claws click on the linoleum floor as I sit next to him. Lili joins us, crossing her legs.

  “Gligar,” I say, “You don’t have to protect me. I have Lili for that. So don’t be worried about being too weak or anything like that. There are plenty of Pokémon in the wild that you could challenge with ease. And you can keep up with Min’s Diglett and Ponyta. They’ve been training for a while. Even Pokémon that live with humans don’t often get as strong as we are. And you don’t have to keep up, you know?”

  His head snaps to me and he snarls, then snaps his jaw.

  “But you want to,” I smile “And I get that. It’s fun to be strong. It feels great when you don’t have to be scared of random Pokémon coming after you because you know you’ll be able to deal with them. But it takes time to get there. It took me a decade. Lili and Lulu also spent years growing stronger. Just to challenge them, you’ll need to put in a lot of effort. You have the advantage of training with us, though.”

  He tilts his head with a questioning “Gligar, gar?”

  “We can help you grow strong quicker. You know how Pokémon gain power by battling each other? That’s something you’ll have to do. But you can also train with someone that’s already strong. Not only can we show you how to better use your Moves, you’ll also be exposed to our energy. Rivalry and competition breed strength like nothing else. So, train with us. Don’t lose hope. You’re our friend and partner and we will help you.”

  Lili chirps in support and pats his claw. Gligar looks between us, then at Mesprit. The little lake spirit floats over to him and pats his head, gently talking to him. I meet Lili’s eyes and we grin at each other. Mes is wonderful at motivating people and especially Pokémon. After all, she’s been through the same emotions many times in her life. The world is always growing, always improving, and so are its Trainers and Pokémon. And yet the ceiling is still so far away.

  I’ve long stopped chasing after the likes of Arceus and Giratina. Their true forms are impossible to surpass. But I still enjoy being able to do things without worrying about lacking the strength to do it. Climbing the Coronet Highlands or exploring Firespit Island is fun. Learning about the Pokémon that live there and how they interact without any humans to guide or control them is incredibly interesting. I really want to explore the depths of Sinnoh once again and see all that’s changed since I returned.

  Soon.

  My friends are still getting their first badges and in that time I’ll be able to take a cursory exploration trip through the area Goopy might have settled down in. Maybe I can show Mum around so she gets used to wild Pokémon a little more? Not before I know the area, though.

  Oh, and I’ll be able to let Giratina out more regularly after the match with Volkner tomorrow. They’ve always enjoyed exploring the region with me, even though their presence is violently disturbing to the ecosystem. A Pokémon with that kind of power makes everyone else realize how far they still have to go. Even if it’s only a part that travels with me. Their true self can only exist in the Distortion World after all.

  There’s a knock on the door and I get up to open it. A nurse Joy greets me with a smile and hands me a letter.

  “This arrived for you in the mail just now. Looks important so I brought it up right away.”

  “Thanks, nurse,” I say.

  She nods and leaves, probably to get back to work. I scan the letter and see the official seal of the Sinnoh Pokémon Laboratory.

  “Must be the paperwork,” I mutter to myself. Mes and Gligar are still chatting. They’re getting along wonderfully.

  I sit down next to Lili on the bed who cuddles into my side. I pat her a little, then open the letter. It’s a pile of pages with something heavy attached to one of them. The first one is written by none other than Professor Rowan.

  Dear Zoe Crones,

  I am happy to hear that you managed to collect six badges. It feels exceedingly strange to write this so early into the season. Usually, new Lab-Trainers take at least six months to fulfil their quota. That said, I did not expect any differently from you.

  Allow me to congratulate you for becoming an official researcher of the Sinnoh Pokémon Laboratory. There are a few steps you need to take before we can start paying your wage, or financing your projects. I hope you remember what we talked about a few weeks ago. Please fill out the corresponding forms. I have attached all of them, in case your decision has changed. There is no rush, so feel free to take your time. Though I would like you to find something you want to work on by the end of this Gym Season.

  Also attached is your new Trainer ID. It replaces your current one and even has the data for your PSIL-ID saved. Keep the latter one on you, though. It will be easier to show, especially when you’re out and about and whoever wants to see it has no connection to the Sinnoh database.

  I wish you the best of luck and am looking forward to your research. Do note that as you are officially a minor, your working hours are limited per week. May you enrich our knowledge of Pokémon in whatever way you see fit!

  Sincerely,

  Sean Rowan, Pokémon Professor

  I smile as I read through the letter. The Professor is a very kind person, someone I can wholeheartedly support. Looking through the rest of the paperwork, I find forms to apply for different positions. I can become a research assistant to an ongoing project, or open up a new project at the lab. I put most of them to the side, only keeping the field researcher form and the independent field project form to fill out later.

  The last page has my new ID attached to the bottom and a generic statement from the Pokémon League printed above. ‘This is your new ID, don’t lose it, you may destroy your old one’, yadda yadda.

  I pry the ID off the glue and turn it around in my hand. It has a photo of me along with my name and date of birth. At the top, bold letters declare: ‘Pokémon Researcher’. The back has a little more information but nothing unusual for an ID. It has a chip-card hidden in the plastic that will tell law enforcement or any other official capacity more about who I am and what I’m allowed to do.

  I replace my previous Trainer-ID that was sitting in a side pocket of my satchel. The old card is just a few weeks old but I just crack it a few times before throwing the pieces into the bin.

  A glance out the window tells me the day is almost over. I get up and get my Pokémon friends together.

  “Let’s get something to eat,” I say “I’ll deal with this paperwork stuff later.”

  Lili and Mes nod happily and Gligar jumps into my arms. I chuckle and give him a hug before shifting him to hang on my back. Lili wraps her arm-leaf around my hand and Mes sits on my head. Together we leave the Pokémon Centre in search of something delicious. Canalave City and its location on the west coast promise some delicious sea food. Lulu leaves her Poké Ball once we’re outside the Centre and we let her nose guide us.

  At first, I barely notice the stares. I was not very well known in the towns and villages 200 years ago but I often travelled with rare and powerful Pokémon by my side. I was used to people keeping their distance and whispering behind my back, or even rushing away to avoid my path. But when the crowds start to close in instead of spreading out, I pay more attention.

  The people are looking curious, more than scared. I think I recognize some faces from the match with Biron earlier today. The whispers are excited rather than anxious. Even the Pokémon around are interested in our little group.

  Gligar is looking around but a glance at his face tells me he’s curious rather than scared. Lili and Lulu walk down the street without paying attention to the people and Mes naps curled up on my head. I meet some people’s faces and smile, getting a few shy waves in return. Then, a kid runs up to me followed by a worried looking mother trying to capture the boy.

  “It’s Cronns! It’s Cronns!” he shouts, arms raised high. Lili lets go of my hand and picks up the kid before he can ram into us. She meets his eyes and chirps sternly. The boy gulps, then shakes his head and starts flailing.

  “Lemme down!” he shouts “Meanie!”

  Lili scowls, then turns to the terrified mother. With another chirp, she thrusts him into the woman’s arms who grabs him tight without letting my friend out of her sight. Lili pats the boy’s head, then steps back to me and takes my hand again. The woman sags in relief and turns to me.

  “I’m so sorry about that,” she says “Robbie saw your matches and he’s become a huge fan.”

  “Robbie?” I ask “Short for Robert?”

  She nods.

  “Huh. My little brother is called Robert, too.”

  I meet the boy’s eyes and give him a smile.

  “Be good, Robert, okay?”

  He nods eagerly, his tantrum already forgotten.

  “Otograph!” he says and holds out a notebook covered in cute baby-Pokémon stickers.

  I blink, then shake my head.

  “You want an autograph?”

  He nods. His mother is still looking at Lili with worry, and at Lulu as well who stopped a few paces ahead and sat down, waiting patiently for us.

  “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I ask.

  “I wanna be cool like you!” he shouts happily.

  I hum, then take out a pen from my satchel and open his notebook.

  “Okay. Then this is for the future of Pokémon research!” I say “May you explore a lot and discover the secrets of Pokémon!”

  “Not battle?” he said.

  “No, Robbie. I’m a researcher,” I take out my new ID and show it off. His mother’s eyes widen and I hear a few exclamations around us “I travel the wild to learn more about Pokémon. How they live and what they do when humans don’t train them. It’s a lot of fun.”

  “Cool!” he shouts again. I smile wryly and give him back his notebook.

  “Here. Be good and listen to your mum, okay? You’ll make it a lot easier for her.”

  The boy nods eagerly. I don’t know how much it’ll help but the mother is looking a lot more at ease, already.

  “Thank you, Miss Crones. I didn’t know you were a researcher. What are you researching?”

  “Pokémon habitats, habits, new forms, whatever is interesting, really. I’m a field researcher. I work in the deep wild.”

  “Oh. That’s so interesting. No wonder your Pokémon are so strong.”

  Lili perks up at that while Gligar shrinks back a little.

  “But don’t you have another Badge to get?”

  “Sure,” I laugh “But I’ll be done with that tomorrow. I’ll finally be able to go out again. Though I’m looking to do some research on the Routes this time around. It’s interesting how the Pokémon live differently even just in occasional proximity of humans.”

  “I see. Well, best of luck to you, Miss Crones. Um…”

  “Thank you,” I nod “And goodbye. Have a nice evening.”

  Finally, the two retreat. There is however a problem. Talking to one person seems to have opened the flood gates and suddenly everyone crowds close asking for autographs and what not. I start walking again while exchanging superficial pleasantries with people that know a whole lot more about me than I’m entirely comfortable with. I guess being powerful in the information age is a little different than it was 200 years ago. I wonder how Cynthia deals with it? Maybe I should ask for some pointers.