When she had imagined her day, this was not how Maeve had expected it’d play out.

Run, run, run! Blue shouted into her telepathic ear. He was crouched on her shoulder, facing towards the grunts chasing after them. Maeve didn’t dare look back at what he was doing, but there was the periodic sound of water and the shrieks of grunts as they were drenched and slammed away.

Lizzie hissed gleefully from Maeve’s other shoulder, sending wave after wave of Embers towards the grunts’ Pokémon. She seemed to be the only one enjoying their mad dash, burning their pursuers with a sinful joy.

Maeve sprinted through even more caves and tunnels, each cave filled with cages and trapped Pokemon. Finally, she lost her pursuers and tucked herself against the wall as two grunts ran by from the other direction. Then she slipped into a small cave with few lights, pressing herself into the shadows. At least there was only one Pokemon here. How bad could it be?

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Free me, and you shall be rewarded, the Galarian Articuno said regally. The beautiful violet bird’s cage was the only one in the cave. The grunts guarding its cage had run off, muttering something about an emergency.

“Oh, dear Arceus, the death bird can talk,” Maeve whispered. “I’m going mad. Slowly turning insane…”

The Articuno perked up. Oh, this one can listen. Now, listen, weak—no, I meant strong, yes, strong human, see where my feather is pointing? That is where the grunts hide the key. Free me, and be rewarded! So many rewards!

No, don’t do it! Blue shouted from where he crouched in the shadows, glaring at the Articuno. The risk is too great! They will find you!

I can’t sit by! Maeve got up from her hiding place, legs trembling, and rushed over to where the bird pointed to. She fumbled around until her fingers found a chink in the wall, reaching in and removing an iron key. She ran over to the Galarian Articuno’s cage and inserted the key into the lock, turning it.

The key and the entire cage glowed, and a robotic voice said emotionlessly, “SECURITY BREACH. SECURITY BREACH. LIFEFORM NOT AUTHORI—”

A feeling of primal dread crawled up inside Maeve, sinking its fangs into her heart. “NO!”

A jolt of energy traveled from her skin to the key, frying it, and the voice cut off. The gate swung open of its own accord, and the Galarian Articuno floated out, staring down at Maeve haughtily with the faintest tinge of surprise. Oh, I did not think that would work. Oh, well. Well done, human! I am free!

The bird’s eyes glowed faintly. And in your debt, it seems.

Blue growled. I have a feeling that that was among the worst of your ideas, Maeve. That bird is not to be trusted.

“THE ARTICUNO IS FREE! THE ARTICUNO IS FREE!” a panicked voice shrieked. A grunt ran through the door, soon to be followed by two more with their Pokémon.

They were lifted into the air. With a sweep of its wings, the Galarian Articuno dropped all of them to the floor, unconscious. Now is an ideal time to run.

Oh, why am I agreeing? Blue grumbled. All three of them burst into action, with Maeve and Blue running full-speed as the Articuno floated along lazily, not even moving its wings. The grunts along their way suspiciously crumpled to the ground, knocked out cold. Maeve tried to ignore them, her feet pounding against the floor. Blue let out a concentrated jet of water at a Budew that appeared ahead, throwing it against the wall.

They made it to a large cavern that Maeve had passed before on her mad dash away from the grunts. A group of Sinnoh rangers, recognizable by their uniforms, were cuffing a group of grunts there.

“Hey, it’s the kid that fell into the hole!” one of the rangers said, staring at Maeve. His eyes slid to the Galarian Articuno floating along behind her. The ranger choked.

I have been through human politics before, the Galarian Articuno sniffed. And I have a debt to pay, so I shall take the easy route. Floating down, the Articuno let itself into one of Maeve’s Pokéballs. The ball shuddered, then went still.

Did the Articuno just…catch itself? Maeve gaped. Is that a thing now? Oh, dear Arceus, I think we’re secretly being mind-controlled by the Pokémon to feed them free food and give them free belly rubs.

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The Galarian Articuno levitated restlessly inside of his Pokéball, breathing erratically. What a disgrace if anyone saw him now! Galarian Articunos were the very picture of grace and dignity, their minds the sharp edge of a gleaming sword. Galarian Articunos did not hyperventilate inside a Pokéball like he was doing now.

What sort of creature is that girl? his mind wondered. Most humans were easy to get a feel for, their spirits weak, dwindling sparks. Some of the stronger ones resembled embers. Not this one, though. Her spirit blazed, like a bonfire. Unlike most Pokémons’ spirits, though, her spirit wasn’t unfiltered, raw power. Instead, it was concentrated into a blazing kindness. It was ridiculous to the Articuno. Her spirit could be the death and terror of Psychics, but instead, she unknowingly turned it into a nuclear hug haven!

He thought and ranted a little more before his self-inflicted…cage? Prison?

His self-inflicted temporary shelter popped open to release him into the world with a flash of light.

“R-right, we’re just going to have to, uh, register your Articuno to the database…” a youthful-looking male human stuttered, staring up at Articuno’s disdainful blue eyes.

“No need!” the girl, who went by the name of Maeve, chirped cheerfully. “Articuno’s a temporary companion, not a for-life one. Lizzie, who’s also not-for-life, is the one I’m registering today! Even if she’s not for-life, I think I should register Lizzie since I’ll be battling with her! Wait, I think I might battle with Articuno, too, even if we’re only temporary companions. You think I should register him?”

Articuno had the sharpest mind of his kind, and even he had trouble following Maeve’s words. The employee at the Pokémon Center stared at Maeve blankly, his brain frying itself trying to process her words.

Maeve turned to Articuno. “You want to get registered?”

He huffed haughtily, waving his wing. I suppose, he communicated. Articuno had stopped trying to hide conversations. It did no good, as the girl could somehow hear everything.

“‘Kay! Then I’m here to register Lizzie and one stellar Galarian Articuno that I haven’t found a name for yet!” Maeve beamed. The boy nodded dumbly, fingers moving slowly over the computer keys. The shrewd-looking Salandit perched on Maeve’s head hissed in laughter at the Pokémon Center employee’s plight. Jon, his name tag read.

“S-so, you have r-registered three Pokémon now,” Jon stuttered, “one Frogadier, one Salandit, and o-one Galarian Articuno.”

“Remember, not for life companions,” Maeve said wisely before breaking into a grin. “Thanks, Jon!”

“You’re welcome,” Jon mumbled, before muttering, “bathroom break” and scurrying off to who-knows-where.

You want a name? Maeve looked up into Articuno’s eyes, not even flinching when looking into his cold, disdainful violet depths.

If Articuno came equipped with a feeble human mind, he would’ve frozen. As he didn’t have a human mind, he simply paused on the outside while his mind raced past possibilities, questions, and a myriad of other thoughts on the inside. Then he spoke, calm and indifferent on the outside but nearly reeling mentally from the energy his brain had used processing that one question. I wouldn’t mind.

Wait, was that too emotional?

Great! I’ve thought of a name, Maeve cackled telepathically, like a harmless witch that loved to name victims. What do you think of Alaphora, or Ally? It does sort of sound like a girl’s name, but…

The newly named Alaphora let out a telepathic huff of amusement. I am genderless, human. I let you refer to me as male to make things simple.

Ah. I see. Maeve nodded sagely. Well, is your name Alaphora now? Or Ally?

I care not. Alaphora swished his tail around, eyes closing in quiet joy for a half second. It would’ve looked like he’d blinked to a human, but the Frogadier on Maeve’s shoulder let out a croak.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

She grows on everyone, the frog, Blue, said, golden eyes masterfully assessing Ally’s every move.

Ally replied, I look at this as more of a…marriage of convenience, as the humans would say.

You would leave as soon as you get what you want? Blue questioned, eyes sharpening into a look of wary hostility.

Perhaps not, Ally said vaguely. In truth, he intended to stay, if only to find out what in the world Maeve’s spirit was.

I see. Blue quieted with an infuriatingly knowing look, and Ally let himself back into his Pokéball as Maeve started moving out of the Pokémon Center, oblivious to her Pokémon conversing next to her. Though she could most likely eavesdrop in the conversation, Maeve was distracted talking into her screen. With a part of his mind, Ally listened to their conversation to review with more focus later.

With a small nudge of his powers, Ally expanded his awareness to outside the confines of his Pokéball, eavesdropping on Maeve, Blue, and Lizzie’s conversation outside. There was the sound of footsteps, too, and a faint sense of direction inside Ally’s Pokéball. Maeve was moving, and from the direction, likely back to her nest. Or, her ‘house’, as she called it.

“Our match against Roark is two days from now, isn’t it?” came Maeve’s perpetually cheerful voice.

I believe so, yes, Blue’s voice replied. Two days ago was the whole Pokémon hunter fiasco, the next day was spent with you being questioned by the authorities and you stuffing yourself with unhealthy amounts of sugar.

Maeve huffed indignantly. “Well, I needed my energy back after, you know, almost dying in a scary underground tunnel network!”

Your energy should’ve recovered overnight, Blue said matter-of-factly. There really was no need to gorge yourself in the sweets shop.

I saved some for Lara! Maeve harrumphed, switching to a telepathic voice. Lizzie, who had recently found a connection to Maeve, let out a hiss. The Salandit’s mind was refreshingly simple, as most Salandits tended to be before evolution, but even that seemed to be changing.

Sugar…not a big priority, Lizzie managed with great difficulty. Crickets…better.

There was a pause and the sound of Maeve’s bag opening before the lizard backtracked. Sugar…so important. Yes, very important.

Bribery is not allowed! Blue cried, sounding outraged.

Maeve giggled triumphantly.

They stopped moving, and Alaphora was released into the outside world in a burst of light. He stared at his surroundings, a large meadow just off the road, within sight of the city.

“Tada!” Maeve waved her arms with a flourish. “The perfect training place.”

Ally looked around. It was actually a decent stretch of empty forest. He could comfortably call it an acceptable place to fight and train.

“Alright, so, we don’t want to burn the forest down,” Maeve started, looking pointedly at Lizzie, “so this is how it’s gonna work. I sort of need to get a basic profile of your strengths and weaknesses, particularly because I just met most of you, like, two days ago. Our match is in two days, so I’m going to go turbo-mode on training. I hope you don’t mind.”

None of the Pokémon objected, Ally included, so Maeve barreled on. “I looked over each of you on my Pokédex this morning. I was thinking we could sort of play, like, modified tag, or, like, Pokémon dodgeball to improve your accuracy and dodging. I have a faint idea of how fast Blue and Lizzie can move, though you, Ally, are a giant question mark. But anyways! Because I am a fierce lover of this forest, Blue, you may only use Water Gun. Lizzie…actually, yeah, you’ll use Ember. Ally…you can probably handle more, right?”

Try me, Ally scoffed before noting his pride and dialing it down a notch.

“Ally, your job is to practice stopping these attacks. You can dodge but you have to find a way to reflect these attacks back to the attacker. Because you can’t always dodge in a battle. Got it?”

The Galarian Articuno was silent for a few moments. That’s…not a bad idea. Yes, I ‘got it’, in human terms. Perhaps I’ll get to practice my telekinesis…

Water Gun only, am I right? Blue questioned. Is this meant to push Water Gun to higher levels?

Well, yes, Maeve said. I might also throw other challenges at you. I’m trying to see how you can adapt, and maybe whether or not the skill can adapt with you, too. But first, I want to push all of your moves to mastery.

Ambitious, Lizzie said slowly. I…like it.

Quite obviously you like it, Ally butted in. It is a Pokémon’s natural instinct to become stronger, to grow.

“START!” Maeve shouted loudly, putting an end to all future squabbling.

The three Pokémon showed not-very-surprising reactions, moving into action immediately. Alaphora practically blurred, distancing himself from the two attackers. Lizzie released a testing trio of Embers at the Psychic bird as Blue fired two short bursts of Water Gun, aimed at Ally’s head and chest.

Ally’s cyan eyes glowed, and fire and water stopped mid-air. Ally’s eyes brightened once more, and the fire snuffed out, the water splashing to the ground in a purposeless mess.

By the time Maeve slapped her jaw back onto her face, five more bursts of Blue’s concentrated Water Gun and a dozen Embers, courtesy of Lizzie, were speeding towards Ally’s violet form.

Maeve took a deep breath. She was a trainer with telepathy, so it was time to act like one. Ally, do you have to stop all the attacks first? she communicated. Try and see if you can just suck the oxygen out of the Embers instead of taking control of the entire thing. Or, get creative and move one attack into the other. There’s two Pokémon attacking with opposite elements—take advantage of that.

Ally was silent, but his eyes glowed, and half of the Embers snuffed out mid-flight. The other half was rocketed wildly to the side towards Blue’s Water Gun. However, the movement was jerky, and the Embers missed. Eyes narrowing as he stopped yet another volley of attacks mid-flight, Ally snapped his beak in frustration as he was forced to revert to his old ways, stopping the attacks individually to neutralize them.

Try again, Maeve ordered Ally. Practice makes near-perfect, after all. Then she turned her attention to Blue and Lizzie.

You two are doing the first half of what I asked, Maeve started. She hated coming off as condescending to her Pokémon, but she felt like a push was necessary. However, you’re using the same old, same old. Blue, I know you can concentrate Water Gun into shorter bursts. Go further than that. Right now, it’s like you’re firing water cannonballs. Right now, I want you to try to make those cannonballs even smaller. Turn them into water bullets that shoot hard and fast, alright?

Blue croaked an affirmative, and Maeve left him alone to practice. She needed to give her Pokémon a direction. That’s what she was there for.

Alright, Lizzetta, she said, trying to make her voice sound upbeat and energetic. We’re working on Ember, am I right?

Lizzie hissed a quick ‘yes’, too busy to sacrifice precious brainpower for telepathic speech. Her eyes were wide with glee as she bombed Ally with barrage after barrage of Ember, all of which were stopped, though with growing difficulty. Alaphora was being put under mild stress as Blue’s Water Gun bursts grew smaller, faster, and greater in numbers.

I believe a major flaw with Ember is, it’s easy to predict, Maeve mused to Lizzie. It’s okay if you stop attacking for a moment to answer me this. When you release an Ember, do you feel any lingering connections to it? Can you control it, so to speak?

Lizzie hissed a negative. No, the Salandit said.

Maeve sighed. That’s what I thought. It’d be too easy. That’s perfectly fine, Lizzie. Can you control the intensity and power of your Embers?

The lizard paused to think before saying, Yes. Takes longer, not as many, but more powerful.

Maeve grinned. Now they were getting somewhere! That’s fine, Lizzie, that’s fine! Can you ever hold an Ember inside you while simultaneously attacking with more Embers?

Lizzie shrugged. Never try.

Well, there’s a first time for everything! Maeve supplied. It’s never too late to start!

Lizzie ignored Maeve’s absolutely wonderful pep talk, closing her eyes in concentration. A faint glow built in Lizzie’s throat before she spat out a glob of fire twice the size of the others. Feels…weird, the lizard grumbled. Unnatural.

Because that’s what moves are, Maeve realized. Natural parts of a Pokémon’s growth. Whereas forging new paths, new moves…goes against it.

Tearing her brain away from the tangled, highly debated, and nonsensical topic of Pokémon biology, Maeve stared straight into Lizzie’s eyes with an unusual seriousness. It’s good to stand out sometimes, Lizzie, she said seriously. Think of how you might stand out if you come out with a brand spankin’ new move in our fight against Roark! You’d be watched, Lizzie. Do people hang onto the every movement of Salandits in the wild?

Lizzie shifted, her brain working overdrive. …No?

No, that’s right! Maeve exclaimed. What if one Salandit suddenly starts bursting fiery bombs out of nowhere?

The Salandit’s eyes narrowed. They…will pay attention.

Maeve nodded. She walked over to Lizzie and lifted her up in her hands. Then she spoke out loud. “Lizzie. Listen to me now. Standing out is good. But you cannot overdo it. There is a difference between something feeling unnatural—” Maeve held up one finger— “and something causing pain. Something hurts, Lizzie, and you stop immediately, alright?” Maeve swallowed hard, then continued. “Bright, bright stars that run themselves to death in the sky are forgotten, Lizzetta. Bright, bright stars that become the brightest of them all are carved into the halls of fame and are remembered by all ‘til the end of the world.”