Several days have passed in a blur of being home, school, and glaring down snot-nosed brats to keep them away from Nora. She however hasn't gotten any closer to my name. I attempted to help her by writing my name in the dirt but it only succeeded in making the teacher -who I'm convinced is a whack job- say something about "Unknown script." Whatever the hell that is.

The urge to Rock Smash his face grows by the day, but I have been incapable of doing so. I've been in the ball or in Nora's arms when close enough to him for it to matter. The ball is a great place for a nap, but it doesn't beat sunbathing near a window on a nice soft pillow.

Nora's mother and father have adapted fairly well to my presence. They ask me for help on the occasion. I'm unsure why they don't seem to have their Pokémon help around the house. I know for sure they have them. Each of them has a ball on their belts. I'm curious to meet them but it seems they either aren't housebroken, or they are too big to move around in the house.

Today is the last day of the weekend and I was doing as any good knight should, train. I was in the backyard keeping up with my physical training by running laps around the yard to build stamina. I occasionally hop to the left or right and mime the movement of Rock Smash to get used to doing it while on the run. I have noticed when I use a 'move' it takes stamina. If I want to ensure I have the ability to protect Nora, I must be able to outlast any opponent. Be strong enough to take down anything that puts itself in the way.

As of now I've got a full handle on Rock Smash and I'm confident in my usage of it. I have figured out how to use it in several different ways by angling my paw. Should I angle my paw correctly I can somewhat control how the debris scatters. It may be useful in the future. I can pull a disappearing act if I blind the opponent. If I hit them hard enough when caught off guard, then a quick knock out is assured.

I've learned quite a number of things during the passing days. Primarily what knights call the rules of engagement. In their terms, battle rules and regulations. First battles are done in two styles. Single battles and Double battles. I got the gist of them and how they work by watching them on something called a television. It's a magic box that has moving pictures and I can watch other people duel while sitting at home. It is quite a spectacular thing. I may have to use some of the things I watched. I'd be remiss to not use a source of knowledge. It's not as if I can read them out of scrolls anymore. I can't read the language around here, so I'll have to make do.

I skidded to a stop and panted abit going to a bowl I lapped water from. I'd been running for at least an hour, and I can feel the burn in my legs and chest. At least I'm making more progress. I don't know what peak fitness is for my race, but I'll be damned if I don't find out what it is. The body has limits but if you have the will, you can make new ones to push towards. I have a feeling it will be a long time before I hit the top of what this body is capable of.

I head over to the open window and wince. I can make that jump, I just got to make myself do it. Adjusting myself I leapt up and managed to make it even as my body complains. I make my way to my cushion and flop on it curling up. Taking note of the room Nora is watching something on the television. Some old man is talking about Pokémon and he's really making the fire pony he's attempting to pet rather upset. I'll give the old guy some credit he's rather durable. He got a stream of fire to the face and he's still standing. He looks a little crispy, but he still smiled and spoke about how doing what he did is dangerous and not to do it.

A few solid knocks on the door drew my attention and Nora got up and checked the window to see who's at the door.

[Mr. Ben? Poppa! Mr. Ben from school is here!]

I grunted and pulled myself up to a seated position even though my body aches at the movement. I refuse to show any form of weakness to that infuriating man. I managed to get myself in the proper position right as Nora and her father, who had come from upstairs opened the door.

[Hello Mr. Carolina. Hello Nora. I was hoping to get a moment with Vulpix. I think came up with an idea that could have him communicate.]

[If that's the case then please come in. Nora go turn off the television.]

If whatever idea he has actually helps me communicate I will be less inclined to Rock Smash his face. I'm definitely willing to try whatever he came up with. Mr. Ben steps inside the house with two notepads and pen. He made his way to me and sat down. He showed me a note pad and it has my name written on it as I had wrote it in the ground when trying to tell Nora my name. Along with a bunch of other letters I recognize. He flips the pages showing the 26 letters that I am familiar with but in the complete wrong order.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

I tilt my head slightly confused as to why he has it written down if he can't read it.

[Alright, so here's what we are going to do. The letters you used are very similar to what most archeologists call Unknown script. I will be reciting our alphabet, and you need to show me which Unknown script is what I say.]

I followed along with what he asked of me even if my body was still aching. Nora, bless her adorable soul helped me. We came up with a system of yes and no. When the letter matched, I would press my nose on her hand. If no, I wouldn't do anything. Once all the letters were gone through, he started writing using the so-called Unknown script and I was able to read it.

'If I did this right and you can read this message, place your right paw on this page.'

The paper was placed in front of me, and I placed my right paw on the paper after reading it. Mr. Ben smiled like a loon and wrote something down and tore it from the notepad giving it to Nora.

[Quite a lofty name you got there but from what I've seen you'll live up to it.]

[Alistar.]

I felt my body warm up as I snapped to attention, my bodies aches and pains from training a bit too hard thrown aside to acknowledge my Lady Norielle Carolina. I bow my head low my nose nearly touching the floor.

==============

Waking up at the foot of Nora's bed on a plush cushion I look to the ceiling. It had been a few days since Nora had learned my name. I'm happy I didn't have to lose it. My name is Alistar Fox, and I was raised to be a knight that would honor the name I was given. In my kingdoms custom we are given a name by who teaches us. I was taken in by a man by the name of Arcturus Stonewall. He raised me to be a wise and stalwart knight. A wise defender of man is what he said I would become. I did my best back in my world and I will devote myself to doing the same here. I bow my head letting a small smile come to my face. I wish I could see him again.

I draw in a deep breath to get control over my emotions. After a minute I look around sweeping my gaze across Nora's room. A few plush toys sit on a shelf with a few books. One of her shirts is in the middle of the floor along with the rest of her clothes from yesterday. I look to the laundry empty laundry with a huff and get myself off my cushion. I gather her clothes up in my maw and drop them into the basket. Doing another sweep of the floor I nod seeing nothing else laying out of its place.

A soft beeping noise coming from down the hall drew my attention. It was the sound of Sherry's alarm clock. In about ten minutes she'd be in here to wake up Nora based on the time Nora's own clock reading 7:20 A.M. I should begin taking care of Nora myself, at least doing what I can to do so. I move my way to her dresser and with some effort I paw and nose my way into the drawers. Gathering her clothes wasn't all that difficult. I picked out something cool to wear given that it's getting warmer outside and if she got cold, she could always pick me up. I'd keep her warm easy enough. With that done I hopped onto her bed and began to paw at her shoulder. After a minute or two of grumbling Nora opened her eyes and sat up rubbing her eyes.

[What is it Alistar?]

Nora looked at the clock and smiled petting me. I shifted my gaze to the wall as she got dressed in the clothes I picked for her. I wait until she comes over and picks me up off the bed. I no longer tense when being picked up. I must be getting used to being lugged around like a plush toy. Well, I suppose this classifies as training for Nora. If I remember I weigh somewhere in the low 20's. If anything, I'm helping Nora build some strength by being carried around like this. Perhaps one day I'll be large enough and strong enough to carry her around. If it is possible I wouldn't mind doing so. In fact, I should strive to be able to do so. A Knight's job is never done so I work towards the future with determination and willpower.

After breakfast with the family and Nora sneaking me a extra strip of bacon, bless her kind heart. I was picked up and we were off to Nora's final day of school provided she passes her trainer exams. A few pieces of information I gathered over the past few days was that Nora is actually twelve years old. She is just short for her age.

I learned this when Nora was being teased by her mother about remaining short if she didn't eat all of her dinner. I agreed with her. Nora grumbles that it's not her fault she's short and that she'll grow some more when she turns thirteen in a month.

It turns out that here in this world that people grow rather quickly when they reach specific ages. Those ages are three, eight, thirteen, and eighteen. After that they don't grow anymore. Kind of odd but I managed to get a look at the family photo album. It was amazing, they were like smaller portraits in a book. I got to see Nora's baby pictures and by the stars she was such an adorable baby. Such a adorable child deserves the best things. It reinforced my determination to ensure she can remain innocent and enjoy all the best things. Only the best things mark my words.

I had been getting lessons from that insufferable teacher and I have picked up a few important words like Potion, Heal, Map, Gym, Antidote, Awakening, and a few others for quality of life purposes that will help Nora when she leaves home. Some of them were rather embarrassing.

Due to the fact I could help Nora cheat I couldn't be out of my Pokéball during the test. I can't even read the damn thing. I just think that insufferable teacher of hers is being petty but there are some things Nora will have to do on her own. Things I cannot do, like take tests and write the infernal scribbles they call a language.

I curl myself up on the huge cushion I find myself on once in the ball. It has been quite some time since I've been in here. The cushion is good but it isn't as good as mine at home. Nora had said the test will be a few hours long. I suppose a nap wouldn't hurt.