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

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

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

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

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

"Alistar is my first Pokémon. I had him for a little while before I started my journey."

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

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

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

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

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

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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