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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Vulpix.]

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

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

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

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

[Yes. He was quiet, and he greeted me like the knight Pokémon in my story books.]

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

[Vulpix.]

I move my full attention to Nora as she speaks.

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

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

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

[So, does that mean Vulpix is a really special Pokémon?]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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