By the end of their delightful group training, Blue was shooting Water Guns in an extremely close approximation of bullets, Ally had practically mastered the art of reflecting and stopping attacks, and Lizzie had managed to charge up a mega-Ember that was multiple times as powerful as the others, all the while attacking with flurries of smaller, weaker Embers. The mega-Ember, when released, had forced Ally to half of his attention to stopping it.
“Now that’s progress,” Maeve grinned proudly. “One day, guys! Give yourselves a pat on the back! I have the best team anyone could ever ask for.”
Blue blinked proudly, Lizzie looked away, and Ally’s face remained as impassive as ever. Maeve could’ve sworn a touch of pride ran through his eyes, though…
Oh, well. Maeve reached into her bag and pulled out two large blue Oran berries. She looked at Ally and mimed a cutting motion. The bird sighed, but the Oran berries were sliced into halves by an invisible blade.
Blue and Lizzie got one half each while Ally got a whole berry to himself. They chomped down their fruits with gusto and were finished in no time. Lizzie even had small dribbles of juice on her snout, which she licked off with a sweep of her forked black tongue.
Tastes good, Lizzie said wisely. We should eat more.
Blue chortled in amusement. That would be such a disaster for the budget.
Oran berries aren’t disastrous, Maeve argued. It’s the Sitrus berries that are disastrous. The price of one Sitrus berry, I swear…
Conversation cut off as Maeve’s Pokégear dinged, causing her to fish it from her bag. It was a message from Lara.
Lara: Are you still set to have your match on Thursday?
Maeve: Yes, at 2:30
Lara: K. Just wanted to check and make sure
Lara: I’m still at 2, in case you were wondering
Maeve: I was, but I think Blue is keeping track for me
Blue, peering over her shoulder, responded sarcastically, I am, actually. No need to thank me, really.
Maeve: Yep, he is, very smugly I might add
Maeve paused. Wait. When did you learn to read?
Blue shrugged. I find some of your childhood books scattered here and there.
Maeve gasped. Wow, Blue! That’s impressive! No way I could’ve learned how to read from books alone.
Blue smirked pridefully. Yes, well, I am a Pokémon.
Maeve nodded thoughtfully. Yeah. It makes me wonder sometimes why Pokémon bother with humans at all. I mean, a single Pokémon could thrash five humans easily, no problem.
The question was left unanswered as even Blue himself didn’t have an answer. Then Lara responded, and their conversation stopped as Blue spied on her answer.
Lara: I find myself envious of you sometimes
Lara: Telepathy must be so useful
Maeve: It’s a two-way deal, in a way
Maeve: They can hear my thoughts, too, which makes for very nosy Pokémon sometimes
Lara: I suppose
Maeve: It’s worse when they respond, trust me
Lara: Mhmm
Lara: It would be invaluable in battle though
Lara: Enemies wouldn’t know what you’re planning
Maeve: Yeah
Maeve: Quite honestly, though, I haven’t really full-on tested it in battle yet
Maeve paused at the absurdity of her last statement. She was a freakin’ telepath. It was a good idea to actually use her gift before her battle against Roark. Lara seemed to think the same.
Lara: You’re not kidding me, huh? Tomorrow at 11 in the morning. Meet me in the park for some SERIOUS training
Lara: Think of it as training for both of us, especially if I’m ever going to face off against another telepath in the future
Maeve: I shall be there, o honored master of mine
Lara: What did I just do to myself?
Maeve: ^_-
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The next morning, Maeve was up bright and early to a stack of fluffy buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup. Her parents smiled as they made breakfast, but there was obvious worry under their cheerful façade.
“Now, now, Maeve, don’t go running into any more holes,” her father, Logan, laughed before shooting her a serious look that said, Don’t go running into any more holes.
“Yes, make sure you don’t wander into the forest,” Maeve’s mother, Sarah, chimed breezily before pinning Maeve with a stern look that said, Don’t wander into the forest.
“I won’t,” Maeve assured them wholeheartedly. “I have no intention to wander into any more holes in the forest.”
Both parents shot her doubtful looks, causing Blue to ribbit with laughter. Traitor, Maeve harrumphed.
Blue hopped off his seat at the dinner table, crossing several feet easily, and went to wake Lizzie from her sleep that could be more of a hibernation. He didn’t deign to respond.
Ally eyed them all with a critical eye, specifically Maeve’s family, whom he had never met before. He seemed to designate them as low-priority and went back to delicately slicing his breakfast into pieces with his telekinesis before floating them to his mouth, where he ate it up with a snap of his beak. Ally’s appearance and the simple fact that he was, in fact, a Pokémon that was sighted less than fifty-carat diamond rings, seemed to unnerve Maeve’s parents. They glanced over at him periodically with tense, uneasy looks.
“Well, I’ll be gone as soon as all of my team finishes breakfast,” Maeve said, breaking the growing silence. “Lizzie eats like a wolf, so it shouldn’t be too long, even if she’s still snoozing away.”
“To be young and energetic,” Sarah said, flipping a pancake.
“Those were the days,” Logan said wistfully, eyes glazing over at the memory.
Maeve quickly intervened before her parents launched into a full-fledged conversation of the ‘old days’. “Well, that’s all good and great, dad! I think I better go check on Lizzie and Blue to see what kept him so long.” She hurriedly slipped out the kitchen after gulping down one last bite of her pancake.
Dashing to her room while trying to stay quiet, Maeve glanced back on a hunch and found Alaphora floating after her silently, wings folded elegantly in front of himself. Does he ever unfold his wings and fly like a normal bird? Maeve found herself wondering. She swung her head back around to stop herself from slamming face-first into her bedroom door, sliding to a stop on the polished wooden floor and creaking the door open.
“Is there a problem here?” she called, craning her neck to peer inside her room. She slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle an unholy shriek of terror, jumping back onto Ally. Her body stopped mid-air before making contact with the bird, and she turned to see Alaphora’s unamused eyes staring back at her.
“Sorry,” she whispered. “But I’m sort of afraid of insects. Particularly…”
She gulped.
It was too terrifying to think about.
“Arachnids,” she whispered in an even quieter voice. “Scary, scary…” she shuddered, “spiders.”
This is ridiculous, Ally scoffed. Most spider Pokemon are pathetically weak. This human…arachnophobia is ridiculous. He floated into the room haughtily. His eyes glowed with a pulse of his psychic power, and the muffled clamoring going on inside stopped. When Maeve mustered the courage to peek inside, four terrifying green Spinaraks, two of which were unconscious, had been lifted into the air, floating in an orderly line out the window, which had for some reason been left open. Maeve could’ve sworn it had been closed when she’d gone to bed…
Blue let out an exasperated croak from where he was crouched on the bedpost of Maeve’s bed. Next to him, Lizzie was splayed on the headboard, looking noticeably guilty.
This little lizard opened the window. In the middle of the night, Blue grumbled irritatedly, to let in some fresh air for her beauty sleep.
Lizzie looked down, ashamed, as a faint pink crawled across her dark snout. She was blushing in embarrassment. Did not know spiders would come, she mumbled. Room was too…stuffy.
Maeve frowned. “Wasn’t the air conditioning on?”
Blue harrumphed, face breaking into an annoyed frown. Lizzie has royally vexing tastes. Do not question the illogical actions of a female Salandit, only take it and make the best of what you have.
Not true! Lizzie objected. Very not true!
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
You ought to learn more extensive vocabulary than that if you wish to compose a compelling opinion, Ally said, eyes glowing evilly at the outraged confusion on Lizzie’s face.
Lizzie drew herself up, and Ally seemed to pause at the sheer determination on the lizard’s face. I…shall! Lizzie declared defiantly. Just…you wait!
Alaphora hummed mentally. See, you’re already improving in leaps and bounds.
Leaps…and…bounds…, Lizzie muttered to herself.
It means you’re improving very fast, Maeve supplied helpfully.
Lizzie nodded, eyes glinting smugly. Means I am improving very fast!
Ally glared indignantly at Maeve. That is what I would call unsportsmanlike. You are utterly wrecking my fun.
Maeve laughed and put her hand on Lizzie’s head. Don’t worry, Lizzie. I promise I’ll have you speaking like a true queen in no time!
The Salandit preened proudly, shooting Ally a stink eye. Of courses. Queen is me!
Ally and Blue exchanged glances, then burst into uproarious laughter as Maeve sighed. This is going to take a while…
A long while.
Blue jumped to the door, motioning that it was time to leave, as Maeve returned Lizzie and Ally to their Pokéballs. She could still vaguely feel Ally’s amusement from within his Pokéball as Blue chortled, You always did know how to get yourself into the hardest situations.
----------------------------------------
Maeve sped through the house after the Frogadier, finding him crouched at the door with Maeve’s bag in one webbed hand. Maeve took the bag from him, saying a quick thanks, and slung it over her back before crouching to put on her sneakers. A few moments later, Maeve stepped out of the house onto the creaking front porch, taking a deep breath. Cool, crisp morning air cycled through her lungs as she broke into a jog. Blue jumped ahead in longer bounds than he ever did before. When Maeve fell too far behind, Blue would turn and blow her a smug Frubble, teasing, Slowpoke.
It was completely unnecessary, because Maeve was faster than real Slowpokes. The lazy pink Pokémon would laze around all day if they could. Maeve would surely beat them in a race.
The pair arrived at the park in less than ten minutes, though Maeve stopped on the way to stare at a Pidgeotto nest with two just adorable baby Pidgeys.
When they got to the park, Maeve found Lara already there, standing in an empty dirt area of the park. “I had a feeling you would be early,” the other girl said, lifting a Pokéball in her hand. “Let’s battle.” She tossed it onto the field.
The Pokéball popped open, light streaming out of it to reveal the Monferno Maeve had seen the other day, standing there in a deceptively relaxed stance. “Alright, Afi,” Lara said calmly. “Time to show them what you got.”
“You name them?” Maeve asked, surprised. She’d heard Lara referring to Swablu as…well, Swablu in the battle where she first saw the girl.
Lara let out a breath. “You were the one that gave me the idea and motivation. I mean, well, it would be confusing if one of my Pokémon ever went up against another Pokémon of the same type, right?”
Maeve nodded vigorously. “Right! It’s nice to know I’m so inspirational.”
Lara shot her a dry look. “You are…”
She gave up, letting out a deep breath and motioning for Maeve to release her own Pokémon.
“Blue, you’re in the spotlight now,” Maeve called, twisting her neck to see Blue croak in assent, jumping nimbly onto the dirt field.
Ready, he said.
“Is there a ref or no?” Maeve asked.
Lara shook her head. “No, just us for now.” Maeve could practically hear her say, Too many secrets running about.
Maeve nodded. “That makes sense. Alright, Master Lara, if you would allow this humble servant the honor of the countdown.”
Lara’s face visibly twisted in exasperation as she grumbled, “I thought you’d forgotten about that.”
Maeve ignored her and beamed, “Three, two, one…go!”
“Taunt,” Lara called. Afi whooped and hollered mockingly at Blue, jumping around as his body pulsed with a dark aura.
Ignore it, Maeve said, but Blue didn’t need her encouragement. Lick.
Blue’s tongue shot out, and Afi’s taunting was abruptly cut off as the monkey was thrown away.
Press the advantage. Put more power into your Water Gun. Regular Water Gun, not the modified Bullet Water Gun, Maeve ordered. She could feel Blue drawing on his power as Water Gun, twice as powerful as normal, shot out of his mouth and shot towards Afi, who was just getting up. The Monferno's eyes widened, and Afi threw himself to the side as Lara shouted, “Dodge!”
Spray him with bullets, Maeve continued next before adding in amusement, water bullets.
Blue sent her a feeling of amusement as he focused, small, compressed bullets made of water shooting from his mouth at breakneck speeds. Afi yelped in panic as he struggled to spot and dodge them all, tiny pinpricks of pain peppering his body.
“What in the…” Lara muttered before gathering herself and shouting, “Ember, then Flame Wheel! Put them on the defensive!”
Quick Attack dodge and Smokescreen! Dodge any other attacks but stay within the smoke and hit Afi with more bullets, Maeve countered. Blue’s form blurred with Quick Attack’s white aura as he moved out of the way of the Embers, smoke clouding the field. Maeve held back an “oopsies” as she realized she could no longer see Blue. Good thing was, neither could Afi or Lara!
Following her orders to the letter, Blue released another spray of his modified Water Gun.
Try to pack a little more power into them, Maeve sent, squinting to see into the smoke. Sacrifice some quantity for more damage.
The bullets got bigger, and Afi yelped as he started to feel them more. Lara frowned. “Flame Wheel! Clear the smoke,” she ordered, eyes narrowing. “By Arceus is it frustrating to fight a silent opponent.”
Water Pulse to counter Flame Wheel, Maeve ordered. As soon as the impact clears, hit Afi with Quick Attack into Pound.
Just moments after Afi started charging up his Flame Wheel, Blue did the same. The two hit each other in the center of the field, and Maeve had to shield her face from the impact. Afi’s Flame Wheel had vaporized Blue’s Water Pulse, which had also quenched Afi’s Flame Wheel.
Blue was already moving.
Afi hollered in shock and warning to Lara as Blue was upon him, right hand glowing with Pound. A single hit, and Afi stumbled back, dazed.
“I win?” Maeve asked, a single mental message to Blue stopping him from knocking Afi out cold.
Lara sighed heavily. “Cheating telepaths,” she muttered. “Yes, you win.”
Blue ribbited in amusement, sending Afi the faintest of smirks that had the normally-playful Pokémon glaring at Blue, promising revenge. Still, Afi didn’t argue as Lara shot him a stern, knowing look and returned the Monferno to his Pokéball. Blue, still relatively unharmed despite the battle, hopped onto Maeve’s shoulder instead.
“Alright, that’s one battle,” Lara said. “Let’s train on our own for a while, then reconvene at twelve to battle again.”
“As you wish, Master Lara.” Maeve bowed deeply, trying to hide the shaking in her shoulders.
“By the Creation Trio themselves, what did I do to deserve this wicked punishment?” Lara pleaded quietly, rubbing her temples. Maeve shrugged innocently, Blue sighed, and Ally’s Pokéball shook faintly as the two separated, Maeve going to the same forest clearing she had trained in the other day. Ally and Lizzie’s Pokéballs popped open on their own as the two Pokémon appeared, eyes gleaming eagerly. At least, Maeve was pretty sure Ally was excited. It was hard to tell, as his disdainful look seemed to have been carved into his face indefinitely.
With that aside, Maeve set a reminder on her Pokégear for 11:50 AM to remind herself about her battle with Lara. Then she turned to her team and clapped her hands, which was unnecessary, since they were already looking at her. Maeve did it for the suspense.
“Alrighty,” Maeve started. “In case you weren’t snooping around inside your Pokéballs, our match with Roark is tomorrow, and we have a battle scheduled with Lara at eleven. From now until then, we have a couple hours to train, snack, and do more training. Yesterday, we did a sort of group battle to practice specific moves. Today, I’m thinking we’ll continue practicing your moves while I plot out our training schedule. Alright?”
When she received no objections, Maeve continued, “Let’s do a rotation. First, Blue and Lizzie will battle each other, one-on-one. Ally…you can create a barrier to keep their attacks inside, right?”
Yes.
“How much focus does it cost?” Maeve queried.
Ally looked at her disbelievingly. Are you truly asking me that? I could create five shields of moderate strength and still be able to battle. Focus is a non-issue for such a simple task. Such things only present challenges to Abras.
“Kay, I get it,” Maeve soothed, packing the information away just in case she ever needed it later. Ally can create shields easily, got it. Don’t mention it because it hurts his pride. “While you’re maintaining the shield for Blue and Lizzie’s battle, I want you to take one of your favorite moves—Psycho Cut, for example, and brainstorm ways to develop it further. It could be in the simplest ways, like making it glowier, or maybe you’ll figure out a genius modification that turns it into tracking Psychic attacks of death that explode upon impact!” Maeve paused and reconsidered her words. “Maybe that will be a bigger project than a two-hour session.”
Ally was silent. Then he said, You are a strange human, Maeve Kaede, and humans as a species are already very strange.
Maeve grinned. Who wants to be normal, anyways? Not me.
Blue said dryly, Yes, we’d all deduced that from day one.
Maeve nodded wisely. How observant of you!
A fool wearing sunglasses on a cloudy day could deduce that much. I wouldn’t call it observant.
Maeve nodded in agreement. “I’m going to stop this conversation right here because it’s TRAINING TIME!”
The trees rustled as a flock of bird Pokémon left in a hurry, chirping and squawking as if saying, We should probably leave before our eardrums burst from the crazy human’s shouting. From the pained look on Blue’s face, he probably agreed with them. Nevertheless, Blue suffered the pain and turned his attention to Maeve, saying, Would you turn the volume down fifty notches?
Maeve mimed turning a dial. “Got it,” she whispered as quietly as she could.
My ears give you their most respectful thanks, Ally grumbled, air shimmering with a small force field.
Maeve groaned. “You didn’t actually create a soundproof barrier, did you? My voice isn’t that bad.”
No one spoke, and Maeve paused. “Is it?”
A Starly chirped furiously from a nearby tree in vigorous agreement. Next to it, the Starly’s Swablu buddy stood paralyzed with its cloudy feathers sticking up like they had been electrified by a particularly ferocious Thunderbolt.
If possible, look into buying three sets of soundproof headphones, custom-made and of varying sizes, Blue said wryly, quickly backed up by a dazed Lizzie.
Yes! Block sound! Lizzie hissed anxiously.
Maeve sighed. “Fine, I won’t shout so loud again. Now let’s get T—training.”
All the Pokémon gave Maeve their full attention as she started, “Blue and Lizzie, right here.” She patted a spot on the ground, then walked a few yards and patted another spot. The two Pokémon went to their places without complaint as Maeve took a stick, dragging a circle in the dirt that was several feet in diameter. It served as their makeshift arena. As she stepped back, watching her work, Maeve grumbled, “That’s probably going to get covered up by some wind.”
The line suddenly got half an inch deeper, causing Maeve to turn and thank Ally, who looked away haughtily. It was a better choice than letting you spend another five minutes trying to deepen it. A shimmering barrier rose up around the arena, forming a dome-like shape. Blue eyed the barrier, seemingly committing the location to memory, before crouching down in a deceptively relaxed stance, raising one mocking brow at Lizzie before yawning, dramatically announcing her as not deserving of his attention. Even without the actual move in his arsenal, Blue’s taunt worked perfectly fine, as Lizzie hissed angrily, eyes narrowing.
“3…2…1…go!” Maeve shouted excitedly, already anticipating the battle, before realizing she was supposed to be planning their training schedule. With a sigh, she pulled out her Pokégear, checked the time, 10:03 AM, and opened up her calendar. She didn’t have too much planned, though she had signed up for the annual Eterna Forest Pokémon Tournament that was set to start in a couple of weeks. “Hmm. Well, better start planning.…” Maeve ducked her head, glanced through her calendar, and got to work.