Sceptile looked out upon the grounds surrounding his tree. Well, “tree” was a loose interpretation for his new home, but it seemed appropriate. A two-story building that sat towards the front of nearly an acre of property. Its auburn color surrounded by a light dusting of snow. A Pecha and Sitrus berry tree took up prominence in the backyard though their limbs were bare. Several Oran berry bushes lined the left fence while Sceptile’s favorite Razz berries had their own row on the right. It had been a costly investment for Lee to transplant them, and even then, took two years before they had begun producing. A worthy investment, however, and allowed Lee to do some experimentation on their longevity and whether canning them reduced their effectiveness. It turned out that flavor, texture, and efficacy diminished but the cost savings were well worth the effort. To Sceptile, it hardly mattered as long as the Razz berry jelly kept coming. Absolutely scrumptious spread on whole wheat toast with some Combee honey.
Pride surged throughout the green lizard’s body. This tree was an acceptable replacement for the one that had been felled all those years ago. Now that Master Lee worked days at the lab, Madam Ninetales wrote in her study, the little Miss at school, and that punk Matt being educated at the ranch Sceptile found himself keeping busy with his tree’s upkeep. Sweeping, minor maintenance, and most importantly keeping watch.
Master Lee’s work made him an unfortunate target by many in both the private and scientific communities. His published research had the tendency to invalidate decades of established knowledge and had sparked many an innovation. Sabotage and Espionage was ever present threat to the lab, but sometimes folks would get the notion that Lee kept materials at the family home. Linoones, Purrloins, Thievuls…even once an Inteleon had cased the home. However, between the Madam’s area empathy and Sceptile’s watchful gaze none had managed to get within a hundred yards of the home.
A tinny whistling came from above and behind Sceptile followed by heavy wingbeats.
“Nothing at the lab today. Anything here, lizard?”
Sceptile sighed. While Corviknight’s pride had mellowed somewhat, he was still an arrogant bird.
“Nothing.”
“Hmph. Like a flyer couldn’t sneak up on you.”
“What are you doing here, Corviknight? Run out of dried Pechas again?”
“The cheek!” Corviknight squawked in indignation, “I am here to give my report so you can relay it to the vixen.”
“The Madam will appreciate your report.”
“KEK-hah! Still going on about that Master this, Madam that nonsense? This isn’t a noble house, and you are merely acting the guard lizard.” Corviknight’s eyes narrowed. “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were mocking my history. Has over a decade of service done nothing to prove that I will not run as before?”
Sceptile turned and spat out his twig. “Your pride will lose you your place as Ranch Alpha, bird. I am this Tree’s guardian and Master Lee’s servant. Don’t presume that everything is a slight.”
The two Pokemon glared at each other for another moment before there were twin flashes of white light. Heavy thorned tail met steel feathers and verdant blade met blackened talon as they clashed again and again above the roof.
“You’re slower in your old age lizard.” Corviknight cackled as the pair came to a rest.
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“We were merely sparring. Why tire myself out having a bit of fun?”
Sceptile smirked as he waved a large feather in front of himself before allowing it to spiral gently towards the ground below. He relished in Corviknight’s frown before chuckling as the Pokemon displayed his previously discarded twig in an open claw.
“A fair trade then.”
The pair settled on the roof, satisfied at the draw. Corviknight preened his wings as Sceptile whittled a new twig.
“They’ll be home soon.”
“Yes. I spotted the vixen with her youngest spawn on the way over.”
“Oh, don’t act as if you do not dote on them.”
“Presumptuous! The girl pulls on my tailfeathers, and the boy has yet to be even passable in battle.”
“Is that right…Un-ca Coh-wee?”
Sputtering and blustering caws and squawks came from the metal bird.
“I never…you…that was only…SILENCE!” and with that final retort, Corviknight took to the air again and fled back towards the Ranch.
Sceptile chuckled to himself as he spotted the Tree’s Madam trotting along the path towards the front gate. A lagging and breathless girl desperately trying to keep her pace not too far behind. Picking his way across the roof before landing softly on the snow below, Sceptile approached the gate and opened it.
“Welcome home, Madam Ninetales.”
“Sceptile dear. You know I find the title completely unnecessary. Just Nine is fine.”
“Apologies, but as the Tree’s Madam, I must insist.”
“If you must.” Ninetales sighed, “I should have never introduced you to Downton Absol.”
Sceptile gave the Madam a small smirk in response before slightly bowing at the exhausted girl who had just bounded up.
“And welcome home to you as well, Miss Daisy. It seems that you still have a ways to go before you can win your daily races.”
“Awww, Uncle S! Mom cheats! She’s can use all four legs and I only got two to run on!”
“Of course, Miss Daisy. But today’s effort was splendid. A new record I believe.”
“Really?!” Daisy was all grins, dirt and unsettled hair strewn across her face.
“I do believe that Uncle Sceptile is right, dear. You could even beat your father now.”
“Oh WOW!”
“Now, let’s get you inside and cleaned up. Will Master Henson be long?”
“He stopped at the PokeMart on the way and will be bringing dinner home as well.”
“Very good. On you get, Miss Daisy. To the bathroom with you.”
The fiery-headed girl whirled past, only stopping to give Sceptile a quick hug.
“Everything alright, Madam Ninetales?”
Ninetales sighed again as she shook her head. “What gave it away?”
“Your tails, Madam.”
“The dratted things never do stay when I want them to…it’s been quite the afternoon, Sceptile.”
Sceptile nodded and waited patiently. It was a telltale sign that the Tree’s Madam was upset when her tails flicked like they were now.
“Daisy’s teacher informed us that she is being bullied at school.”
Sceptile’s eyes widened. Bullied? His charge was being bullied? Who dared?
“Some of the students are not taking Daisy’s gift of speech seriously, and her father’s status as Professor has evoked not a small amount of jealousy either. Instructor Turo, that bi-*hem*… Daisy’s teacher has admitted that their pitiful attempts at resolving the situation have been ineffective and rather than actually address the issues…are instead offering Daisy an apprenticeship.”
“Hmm. So that would explain why Daisy had rarely brought any friends to the home.” Distaste coiled around in Sceptile’s mouth and left it dry. Gingerly taking out his twig, Sceptile palmed his chin. “And? What would you like me to do? I can make a…visit or two…if you wish.”
Dark pleasure radiated from the fox before Sceptile before settling into a wry smile.
“While a deep part of me would love nothing more than to visit the homes of these ill-mannered children myself…we must remember that they are still just that. Children. Furthermore, I actually believe that this apprenticeship may be in Daisy’s best interest. Do you remember Gym Leader Kabu?”
“Only briefly, I admit. I was otherwise indisposed during much of our time in Galar.”
“Well, he would be our Daisy’s Veteran Trainer.”
Sceptile recalled what little he remembered of the fire-type Gym Leader. Average height, light complexion. Favored red and black clothing with fire symbols. Whitening, shaggy hair and piercing grey eyes. Kept that unusual bug-type…what was it called again? Right. A Centiskorch.
“Hmph. Could be fitting. He got along with Master Lee well enough.”
“Right. He and his Pokemon were a pleasure to be around. We’ll discuss it tonight as a family, I’m sure.”
Sceptile folded his arms across his chest and looked away. Family. Even after being dubbed as “Uncle S”, it still felt a bit unreal. Perhaps one day he may start one of his own. He shook his head. There was a Bayleef that had tried to court him at one point, but he had turned her down. The Tree came first.
“Is that a little blush I see, Sceptile dear?”
His face reddened further, but Sceptile was thankfully saved from further embarrassment as Daisy called through the door.
“Why are you guys just standing out there? I’m thirsty!”
“Well, you heard her. Let’s go in, Sceptile.”
“As you wish, Madam Ninetales.”