After Cailie was done panicking somewhat. She was reconsidering this battle a little, Will’s pokémon were unnatural in their ability to her, if not the Snivy and Zorua, then it sure as hell was that Ralts. Thinking how strong she’d be as a Gardevoir is borderline terrifying to Cailie, if he was allowed to battle like he does, he was going to mop the floor with the tournaments. He might give the champion more than a run for their money at this rate.

“I’m not sure I want to continue battling or not...feeling preeetty out of depth…” Cailie thought this battle felt very one-sided. She expected this yes, but that point was being driven home. Just a tad too hard maybe. If this was a duo battle, she’d be feeling a lot better if she had a partner like him. But, this wasn’t a duo, and she was getting her butt handed to her on a platinum platter with a side of horderves. After checking Blue, he seemed alright...for the most part. He wasn’t bleeding which was always a plus in her book aside the singed fur.

She then spoke in a gentle yet encouraging voice while getting out Blue’s ball. “Whatever you think, good or bad, you did great Blue!” Cailie said, a few seconds later. Blue half opened bleary eyes, right forearm half heartedly raised.

“Deeewwwww…” [Yeeaaahhhh…] Blue equally halfheartedly cheered and smiled, in all honesty, he didn’t really know where he was right now or what happened, he was getting praise, he liked praise. And it dulled his pounding headache a little. Cailie smiled back all the way till after she returned him to his ball, then let her shoulders slump dejectedly. This is to date, the most unnerving battle she’s been in, she’s only heard of battles half as unnerving. “Oh god, what will he do to the gangs…” She suddenly thought with wide eyes. As sudden the thought came, it was pushed to the side.

She looked at her two pokémon still ready. “You guys still up for this?” Cailie asked, most of her enthusiasm lost. Basil and Rosey look towards the trainer that’s maybe a little more ecstatic than he maybe should be, then to each other, then looked at Cailie shaking their heads, actually making that ‘mm-hm’ disagreement sound to Cailie’s surprise.

She looked at Basil. “At least you Basil, come on, please…” Cailie pleaded. Basil made that pressed lipped ‘I’d rather not’ face. Cailie had an Idea, she didn’t like this idea. She’s only used it once before on Basil on a whim.

“If you do this, we’ll feast on pizza tonight.” Cailie enticed, she wasn’t sure this time will work. Basil looked at her with a face of shock with a paw on his chest.

[You evil woman! Seducing me with such cheesy goodness to fight one of those monstrous pokémon!] Basil started, then pointed at her surprising Cailie with a side of uncertainty. [If I do this, it’s going to be an ultra supreme from Domino’s.] Basil said with stern eyes, and a note of finality to his tone. Cailie looked at Basil for a moment. “...I seriously need to get one of those translators…” She thought in a deflated tone. Basil looked at her waiting for a reply, he gave her a deadpan, shoulders slumped look with a thumbs up. All the while internally sighing.

“Thank you.” Cailie all but whispered with clasped hands. The sea weasel looked towards the field with an everything but thrilled expression.

[Wish me luck…] Basil sighed, Rosey gave a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.

[This match going to hurt.] Rosey spoke. She knew as did Basil, that this is not going to go well for him.

[Yeeeep...] Basil sighed as he walked to the field. [Alright Basil, you're going to get your fuzzy ass handed to you. But that doesn’t mean you can’t put up a good fight! Okay, you can do this, you can do this, you can do this.] Basil hyped himself as he got into position, he knows he’s gonna be kissing the dirt, but he’s not gonna go down easy. That’s at least what a side of him hoped.

I was taken out of my reverie with Nesi’s patting my leg. I looked at her with a quizzical look seeing what may be on her mind. “Snivy sni sniv snivy sni.” [It looks like Basil wants in on this.] Nesia said pointing over with a smile. She seemed ready for round two. I looked out to the field to see poor Basil’s uncertain face, contrary to what Nesia said, he looks like he really didn’t want to be next. Actually felt bad for him to be honest, If I was him, I’d be noping the hell out.

“Well Nesi, you're top of the round.” I said to her, she looked at me excitedly with a cutely wagging tail.

“Sni!” [Yes!] Nesi said with a fist pump, happy to go again. She could practically feel the excitement coming in waves from her trainer, and just like infectious laughter she was getting more excited as a result.

Oddly enough, Basil was feeling a little more energetic about this, which was strange. Since he’s actually really apprehensive of this fight, but there's glorious pizza on the line. So damn it he’s gonna give it all he’s got!

“Hey Nesi? What do you listen to this time?” I asked with a grin. Oh I was having fun today.

“Sni! Sni! Snivy!” [Oh! Oh! Something bassy!] Nesia said with excited hops.

“Al-right!” I said with excitement, a song coming to mind.

“Is the music necessary…?” Cailie asked timidly with a raised finger. Me and my little crew looked at her with a ‘seriously?’ look.

““Absolutely.”” We said at the same time, Cailie making a faltering expression as I selected Spitfire from Infected Mushroom. Smooth tones at first coming out of my speakers. Basil gave it a curious look of consideration, his head nodding to the song with a smile, quite liking the song.

“Man, I gotta get a music player or something and get some songs from this guy.” Basil thought, getting into a ready stance. He saw that the snivy named Nesia was already hopping side to side, more ready than he’s comfortable seeing.

“Basil, water gun!” Cailie belted out, in hopes in the back of her mind that somehow caught the trainer off guard as Basil shot out a burst of water. That hope faltered as that Snivy blocked it with an iron tail, even redirecting the jet of water to the side.

I only grinned more. “Batter up.” I said, Nesi took her cue and launched an energy ball in the air and jumped after it, somersaulting and slamming the ball of energy back down. Cailie wasn’t expecting something like this as she and Basil watched dumbly. “”You can do that?”” They both thought surprised, however not a second too soon, Basil dodged out of the way with a yelp of terror and a partially singed tail before Cailie could yell out to him. Well shit, he dodged. Oh well. I thought, then grinned at the end. I had another trick I had Nesia try.

“Curve ball!” As Nesia was falling, she created another energy ball and smacked it at an angle, to Basil and Cailie it looked like it went wide.

“Bui!” [Ha!] Basil made the mistake to not pay attention while he pointed and laughed, just enough time for that energy ball to curve right towards him.

“Watch-!” Cailie tried warning, but was just off on her timing as it gave that poor buisel an explosive plastering. “Out…”

“Bui buisel bui bui!” [Ah son of a bitch!] Basil exclaimed while on the ground holding his face.

Ha! Magnus effect bitch!

“Need a moment?” I said while mostly failing at holding my laughter. What with the comedic moment and my sadistic side. I was being sincere though as Nesi looked at me with a curious look. She looked back at me and Basil before it clicked. Before Cailie can speak, Basil gave a thumbs up. I’m an asshole, but, I’m an asshole with courtesy. With that Basil took a minute to lie there then got up. “You good?”

“Bui. Buisel.” [Yeah. I’m good.] He breathed out. He had a look of thought with the tinge of a question on his face. I raised my brow, a closed lipped smile unhindered. [Hey...mind asking my trainer if I can try fighting like your team?]

Switching raised brows, I looked at Cailie. “He wants me to ask you if he can fight like my team.” I translated while nodding towards my other two.

She looked at me with a stunned blink. “Uuuuhhh..” She didn’t know what to think on that one. This was rather out of left field, and she was torn as a trainer to let Basil essentially be free to attack as he pleased. But realistically, what’d she have to lose? Not only did that trainer have the type advantage, but those pokémon are ridiculous! So, with a sigh, it was time for balls to the walls.

“Alright you cheese fiend. Have at ‘em, and if you can beat that snivy. I’ll add another three cheese layer to that pizza.” Cailie said with narrowed eyes, seriousness edging her tone. Basil slowly looked at her, eyes growing wide. This was the best thing he’s heard all day. His lips began creasing upwards into a mighty grin.

He dropped to all fours facing Nesia. [Ooooh...I...will have. My! FIIIIIIXX!] He yelled as he quick attacked, Nesia barely having time to raise up her impromptu shield as Basil shoulder bashed her, Nesia was pushed a good five feet from that attack. He then used his water gun to lunch himself up and away into the air, belting out sonic booms.

Nesia had to resort to using agility to dodge most of the sonic booms, all the while sending off the occasional energy ball. Things have heated up quite nicely, I thought at least, at this rate this will turn out like blue’s fight, except with type advantage and less psychic bullshit. With the last blast, Nesia had brought up her iron tail shield to which she had thus been launched backwards, she recovered with a backflip however.

“Well shit! Basil’s got potential!” I said with delight, after the sonic boom flurry Basil set about launching an ice beam. Nesia however wasn’t having that as she launched another energy ball to stop the attack midway, both attacks contested for their marks for a moment before exploding. Leaving a screen of obscure particles and mist, I always found it odd such attacks made smoke in their representations. But this is a more interesting alternative in my opinion. Given a moment, Nesia quickly formed a leaf tornado that buffeted the particles and mist, surprising Basil. Sadly on his part, he was dealt a significant blow from that one attack as he tumbled off to the left of the field. He recovered with surprising quickness as he got back to his feet, and bolted towards Nesi again, however, Basil didn’t factor in a surprise grass knot to cause him to start rolling uncontrollably.

As he rolled Nesia launched towards him with agility, and that telltale light green glow of a leaf hammer coming to play as it rocketed for poor Basil’s face at the top apex of the roll. Everyone else cringed at the opportune attack. With that momentum altering impact, he backflipped a good fifteen feet before roughly landing.

Everyone was still for a moment to see if Basil was still alive after that hit. Thankfully the poor bastard was, I could at least see him breathing. Oh that’s gonna be one fucking hell of a concussion at best, bunch of fractures and some lost teeth at worst…surprised I didn’t hear his neck snap honestly.

“You think he’ll be okay?” Psycho asked, admittedly concerned.

“If we’re putting abnormal integrity logic from the show, more than likely. ...However, I am seeing blood.” Vlad replied, not so sure.

Nesia was the first one to close in on him to check, though coming closer, Basil made the surprise of the day while still facedown in the dirt, surprise attacking Nesia with a sonic boom hitting the grass snake straight in the mid section launching her about five feet back then sliding for three with a grown, holding her now hurting midsection.

“Sni, sniii vvvyyy…” [Oh, diiick moooove…] She groaned as the Buisel laughed in the dirt for a moment before rolling onto his back, with a bloodied face and profusely bleeding nose. He was indeed missing some teeth. He leaned his head up with also a raised up arm.

[Haha! I got a hit in!] He said as if he’s the victor. [Are ya proud?-...] he added dazzedly before conking out.

Since fighting a bullshit first evo grass type, If I was his trainer I’d be happy he lived through it. I thought, actually being sincere with that thought. “Well good on you Basil.” I commented with a smile. I looked towards Cailie, just staring at him. You know, I think she caught on to what he was saying.

With that, the more compassionate side of me came about as I put away the speakers and went to check on the poor bugger, on the way, Nesi came walking by with a frown trying to ease the sore spot now on her front. “You good?”

“Sni sni. Vvvyyyyy” [I’m good. Ooowww]

“That’s good, both of you did pretty awesome.” I commented with a smile to her. And giving credit where credits due. I knelt down next to the glorified otter with powers and examined him. It was now after a moment of looking over him Cailie finally decided to join in with a fright. I stopped her before she could move him, though the result of that of trying to stop possibly more injury was thus.

“Get out of my way so I can see if he’s okay!!” As she’s pushing me away.

“Can you fucking stop!?” I exclaimed while blocking and deflecting the pitiful hits, thankfully Nesi came to my aid with some vines to pull her off me. “I’m fucking trying to do the same god damn it!” I said glaring at her, “He most likely has a concussion and maybe some skull fracture. Sooo! It’s best not to move him much.” I explained with a valid note of irritation, somehow calming her down, to which Nesi let her loose. Apparently enough for her brain to kick back into gear as she searched and fished out his ball and returned him.

“He’ll still be good for a while, while in stasis.” I noted standing back up. My best guess would be from hours to weeks, yet another thing I have to look into, how lovely that is…

I looked down to Keldra. “Hey Kel, how’d he seem?”

[Emotionally or health wise?] I lightly stare deadpanned.

[He’ll be fine.] I nodded with that confirmation. The more time I’ve had Keldra, the more I was liking the useful psychic attributes. Besides the paranoia of my thoughts being listened to at any given moment.

I held my hand to Cailie, to which she took and was helped up. “Need a ride?” I casually asked with a raised brow, knowing for a fact it’ll be quicker. It was good that she took her pokémon’s health in more consideration than continuing this losing battle. I noticed Rosey coming up behind Cailie’s leg as she took a second to think.

The Roselia had a sort of somber ‘I thought so’ look. “Ro selia…” [Called it…] She said stressing the individual words with that sort of accent to her. Yeah, probably good you didn’t get in on this. I thought, agreeing.

With a sigh Cailie accepted my offer, we then made our way out of the park. Though, not with silence. “Will. I sincerely hope I never have to battle you again.” She said almost tiredly, she honestly didn’t want to thoroughly get reamed like that again. Cailie knows she has a decent team, she has no doubts. But this guy? Just...no, against him.

I couldn’t help the amused, though probably fairly sadistic closed lip smile crawling up my cheeks. I however enjoyed myself greatly. “By the way, gotta say. Basil must be one hell of a cheese fiend if he screamed about having his fix.” I noted humorously.

“That’s what he said?” Cailie asked with a combined look of surprise and ‘Really...?’

“Heheh, yeah when you gave him the go ahead.”

“You have no idea how much of a fiend he is.” She commented with a sigh, shaking her head while brightening up a bit.

“Unhealthily?” I commented amusedly while double checking which pocket I had my ride in. Almost forgot where it was to be honest, I wonder if I’ll get used to this tech. Maybe I might, maybe not.

“Absolutely.” Cailie replied with a smidge of a chuckle. She watched Elora happily trot a few steps ahead of us, when that cheeky little fox wasn’t pretty much kicking pokémon’s faces in, she was pretty adorable with that almost innocent smile of hers. “I can’t get over how strong your team is.” She said while shaking her head, there was an astonished smile that crept up on her without her realising.

“Yeah, I got insanely lucky finding them. Well, I suppose Elora and Keldra could say the same.” I replied, then noted. I could feel Keldra squeeze my right forearm in affirmation, while Elora glanced over with a smile with a small yip. [Yep!]

“I bet.” Cailie remarked. Though, she did wonder about the snivy, because there is no way he got her from a professer. “What about your Snivy?” She asked curiously. This prompted the mentioned Snivy to look at her with a raised brow equivalent.

“Nesi? She found me.” I said matter of factly with a smile. Nesi smiled too, however more cheekily.

“Sni snivy sni sni snivy!” [And scared the crap out of you!] The little asshole on my shoulders laughed.

“Ohhohohoho! I’m gonna get’cha one of these days ya little shit. So help me!” I said while laughing back. Cailie gave me a look, not sure she should be amused or confused.

“There's more to this.” Cailie noted.

I gave an eye roll while riding out a chuckle. “Okay. In the midst of finding me, she scared the fucking hell out of me.”

“How’d she do that?” An errant chuckle escaped her.

“Okay, so! Here I was in a forest, right? Trying to figure out where the hell I was, and in the midst of that, down this cheeky dick comes-”I pointed a thumb to Nesi who was giggling up a storm, remembering quite vividly, Kel was even chuckling. “like a fucking Spearrow onto my shoulder, I almost fall over then look over my shoulder to see her looking at me. I in reaction go-” I let out quieted mock screaming, getting laughs all round. “Ho mah god…!” I voice out while laughing along with a hand over my heart.

“You did not!” Said a laughing Cailie.

“I did! Twice! Just ask the giggle snake layin’ around my neck!” I replied while said snake pokémon almost fell off laughing. Nesia thought it was her best work, which she was nodding away while laughing. It took a bit for all the laughter to come down. “Heheheh...hoooh man...heh so after that it went to me asking her if she wanted to join me, and so here we are several weeks later.”

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“That’s all?” Cailie laughingly asked.

“Well. She did save me from being decapitated from a stray energy ball while in said forest.” I mention rather casually, glancing at her with a smile. Cailie in response gave me a head tilted look.

“Side note. I got all three of them in the same day.” I mentioned with a fairly proud of myself kind of smile. The circumstances weren’t the greatest, but who said they got three rare pokémon while two of them being shinies in the same day. I’d say those odds are in the single digits.

“You’re kidding me.” Cailie said with a disbelieving chuckle.

I looked over my pokémon. “Girls?” I ask. Knowing damn well they’d vouch for me.

Cailie looked in order at the nodding smiles from Elora, Keldra, and Nesia doing a quad thumbs up with the help of her vines, followed by her winning smile. “Okay, hold that for a sec.” I asked Nesia as I dug out my p.g. And turned on the facecam to take a picture of a very amused smile from me and Nesi’s antics. This is one of a very few selfies, that being, I hated the attached stigmas and other stupidity to it, as well finding a severely lacking urge and reason to do so myself anyways. I was not your average social media teen. I lurk more than I spotlight myself.

However, over all that. Loved the picture I got out of it, If ever I got my own place, since I’m not one for the nomadic lifestyle. I think I’d frame this one. My smile gained a more warming nature to it as I looked at the image, somewhere in my mind was saying. ‘This! This is a moment, an actual worth to look back moment!’ This was something I rarely consciously caught. What made this better to me is, I realized that without outside insight. This was quite nice.

Even Nesia was leaning closer to look at the image, giving it an approving smile.

“Yeah, I guess they’d cover on that.” Cailie said after taking a pause composing herself, still shaking her head with a smile. Her comment broke me out of my moment as I perked a bit, blinking a few times as my head sort of stuttered in it’s movement to look at her.

“Don’t see why they’d have to lie.” I remarked, my tone and commental stride unbroken.

“I wasn’t assuming that, but, fair reply.” Cailie replied as we were coming up to the street, she looked up and down the street sort of confused.

“Sooooo…” She drawled out, letting the word hang there for a few second pause. “Where’s your ride buddy?”

I looked at her with a delighted narrow eyed grin, I was loving this part so far as I pulled out the transport mode atv, raising and displaying at shoulder height, laying in my open right palm. She looked at me even more confused as I pressed the activation button and tossed it. Her increasingly befuddled expression pulled a one eighty with changing to widening eyes as the little thin box transformed before her very eyes, parts expanding and shifting this way and that, coming together while changing color. Building back up in seconds the mode of transport she saw yesterday. She unconsciously lifted her arms to it with grasping motions, all while making noises of want. She thought she wanted one before, she wanted one even more now. So much more. I came closer to her and leaned over with a not so quiet whisper.

“And it does so much more.” I said with a sultry slowness. A smile to match displaying on my lips as well. I leaned back as she looked at me with wonder. Silently asking, before she voiced it finally.

“How much more…”

“Well…” I began with a purposeful pause, my head tilting to the right, eyes rolling to the same side. Then I looked back at her with a pleasing smile. “It can run for a whole day straight on one charge and recharge within two hours, it can go over bodies of water like a personal hovercraft. Enough storage for five people, winch, night to day high beams as well able to jump over just over three meters of terrain. Lastly. Can even be used as a generator. All in a collapsible, easy to store package.” I said, giving my pitch of the package I got. She was in a awesomized coma by the end, taking her a second to come back with that look of amazement. She then clasped my shoulders, looking me dead in the eyes. “Where...!” Cailie asks intensely with large eyes.

“Jay’s ATVs and Customs in Snowbell.”

She lulled her head back with a most annoyed groan, she let go of me to turn and walk a few steps away. “We just came from there!” She said to the sky loudly with irritation. She then let out a likewise irritated sigh with slumped shoulders and a drooping head. She looked back at me with a certain look.

“Oh you're fuckin’ funny if you think I’m driving all the way back just for that. I insinuated going to the Pokécenter, earlier. And I’m sticking with that.” I chuckled at the start and finished with an air of sternness.

Cailie slumped again with a defeated moan. She really didn’t want to walk back up that mountain area again… As she was reflecting on an annoying journey ahead, I went and got on my atv, waiting. In the meantime, I dug out my helm from the armrest compartment, looking at the face of it for a second. At this moment Nesia decided she wanted to be in the coat, buddying up with Keldra with both of their heads popping over the zipper above Keldra’s pocket seat. Elora at this point has claimed the spot between me and the handlebars, I imagine she liked the wind in her fur and the view she gets.

“So, we goin’?” I calmly call out to her after deciding to put the helm back in, she looked back at me, letting out one last sigh then came over, awkwardly sliding herself onto her spot. She awkwardly put her hands around my midsection. I could have told her she could hold onto the in-built handles of the arm compartments. But this amused a part of me and pleased another. After she settled I awakened that lovely sounding electric engine that stroked at my love of sci fi, and went off. Though not before she remembered to return her rather quiet Roselia, being glad of the hardly happening traffic, if even it can be called such. It amazed me with how few cars I’ve been seeing, I’d imagine they're entirely electric considering the implied eco-ethics.

Along the way I took notes of shops to maybe explore later, I was rather curious of this “Pokémon Paradise”. Seemed like a shop for Trainer and Pokémon gear, it did make me wonder what all they had to offer, because for all I know I’m either severely lacking in essential things and didn’t know it. Or haven’t found it in my pack yet. I really need to make a day for testing things and digging through that pack. I thought as I pulled up my mental list of things to go over.

“Hey, add being able to go into the backpack on the list.” Psycho commented thoughtfully.

I made a sort of confused yet considering look and head tilt at the idea. And on it, it goes. I replied to the voice, it was an interesting thought I was surprised I didn’t think of. It did have some sort of quantum storage capability, and it didn’t break down organic material. However, that may be different to living tissue. Is there air? If so, then how much? So many goddamn things to figure out. And so little attention span and time.

I contemplated with a narrowed eyed glance to the soft serve shop, I decided at a later time with the next visit. After a while of speeding along the roads we made it to the center, I then pulled up to the curb and got off, then half turning with a held out arm to Cailie. Who took the offer as she grabbed onto my forearm then helped pull her off.

“Thanks.” She says with a tone like she just came out of thought.

I in turn gave her a calm smile. With that I went over and flipped that little switch and watched as my marvelous atv folded and shrank into it’s compact form, to which I pocketed. “You staying in there?” I ask with that same smile to Nesia while standing back up. Who looked up and replied with a smile while nuzzling my chest.

“Sni snivy sni snivy.” [I can see why Keldra likes it in here.]

I gave a small chuckle, shaking my head. When I turned back around I could see Cailie eyeing me hard. And I was pretty sure why. My closed lipped enthused smile grew, in reply Cailie gave a sort of sharp exhale.

“Why must you tease me.” She said with narrowed eyes. I in return chuckle back at her.

“Because it’s funny.” I say with a grin coming out in the open. With that we went inside, as we came in my laughing gaze dulled at the sight of the Joy here. There were small streaks of green in her hair this time. Which oddly made a side of my mind think of strawberries for some reason, then more appropriately watermelon. But the fact of the matter, this was an out of the norm Joy that wasn't here earlier. Shift change? Transfer? I was curious enough to ask as we came to the counter, however I waited to ask as Cailie sorted her current issue. After that was done, I asked my question.

“Transfer?”

She looked up with a questioning hum. “Oh! Why yes I am.” She replied amicably, I noticed a sort of southern accent. Which I was not prepared for.

“May I ask something?”

“Go right ahead.”

“Are those streaks of green natural or dye?” I asked, wholly curious.

She gave me a good natured chuckle. “Well, it’s the darndest thing! Dem little streaks are as natural as can be, strange isn't? And the thing that tickles me pink is some of the trainers call me Miss Melon, because my hair reminds everyone of watermelons!” She replied with a friendly smile and a chuckle. My group chuckles a bit with her.

“I couldn’t disagree.” My god she is southern. I thought in muted shock and amusement. All the while a side of me was just loving this little interaction.

“Now, are you two staying here, or are ya in need of some healin’?” Miss joy asked with that southern bell kindness. For my mind's sake, I’ll refer to her as Melon Joy, which in turn made me think of the Almond Joy bar humorously enough.

“I already have a room here.” I reply politely. Then the next second I sported a ‘wait a sec’ expression, which I shifted my gaze to Cailie. Before I could speak a word as my mouth opened with that raised finger of question, she then states with a light chuckle.

“Yeah, we both spaced on that. Me and Iggy are several blocks across from this one.”

“Well that’s awkward.” I plainly noted. This presented a personal question on my part. “So, town or city blocks?”

“A few city blocks.” Cailie responded with a slight shrug. I deflated somewhat with a sigh and a half narrowed expression.

“Don’t want to just stay over here today?” I ask jokingly with a raised brow even though I’m getting out glorified google maps.

“And be away a whole day away from Iggy? Oh he’d be worried sick!” Cailie replied with a smile inducing sarcasm, with a mock about to faint hand to her forehead. She got a decent chuckle out of me with that. “But really though, I wouldn’t hear the end of it for the next hour.”

“Not too much a fan?”

“He’s a bit much sometimes.” Cailie admitted. She liked Iggy, been friends with him for years. Just sometimes with him, she wished she had days to herself.

“Get your lot healed then we hop on out?” I ask, this honestly shouldn’t take too long.

“Was planning on that.”

“Alrighty.” I said, debating if I should head to my room and watch some youtube, bring her along, or just stay out here and visit. Tough social decisions... That may shift if she asks or not, along with these looks my girls have been making today. Little do they know I’ve been noticing. It wasn’t lost on me that that might end up being a possible multi level issue later on. Then a scenario, one most annoying, dreadful and heartbreaking came up with it’s tar bubbling head.

“Oh fuck, not the choosing scenario…!” Psycho annoyedly moaned.

I dread that day. Preemptively; Fuck that day.

“So hard.”

“Excruciatingly.” Vlad added, knowing just how frustrating that’s going to be.

“Oh to hell with it, I can just go sit and read while I wait.” I thought after a moment of standing there as Cailie was talking away with melon joy as she handed over her pokéballs. I left them to talk, finding one of the surprisingly comfortable seats in the wait area, Elora hopping up onto the seat next to me, adjusting herself so she can lean on my side, Keldra was fine sitting on my shoulder and Nesia, she was still in Keldra’s spot. Slowly drifting into resting with a contented little smile. All the while I had my p.g. out with one of the many tabs on my p.g. open on one of the dungeon stories I was currently reading. It was one called Blue Core, me and Keldra found it a couple nights ago. She read along with me with my wait as I absently scratched behind the ears of Elora, she had delightfully soft, almost velvety fur that my fingers gently stroked.

Me and Keldra were in a good part by the time Cailie came over and told me she was ready to go. I glanced up at her then glanced at the time, noticing about fifteen minutes went by. I thus put my device away and went about waking Elora back up. “Hey El, time to go.” I said as I scratched between her brows, which resulted in her raising her head with a pleased smile at having a spot she didn’t know she liked being scratched at. “Oookay.” The word came out lazily as she got up and stretched.

I got myself up a second after, we were out the door and speeding down the street. While having one of my more classic songs playing, that being Jukebox hero by Foreigner, my head bouncing, tilting, and grooving to the song, silently singing along to it. While enjoying the song I hear Cailie speaking into my left ear.

“For a trainer that’s still starting out, you seem pretty close to your pokémon.” She remarked loud enough for me to hear. She took note of the sudden sound of music when she leaned far enough, she thought she’d ask about that when they got to the Center she and Iggy were staying at.

“Well I’d hope so! I told you how I met the three, if it wasn’t for them I’d’ve had three mental breakdowns so far!” I replied almost matter of factly through my amicable tone.

“I don’t know what that is, but I’ll fight it when it comes around!” Elora said assuredly with confidence, with a small stomp of her paw.

“Oh you precious little thing.” I endearingly said quietly enough the wind muffled the words as I gave her head an affectionate pet, as I shook my head with a smile.

“Kind of sounds a little exaggerated if you ask me.”

“Anxiety and paranoia are nasty bastards Cailie. I can only wish I was exaggerating.”

“Are they really that bad?” Cailie asked kind of taken aback from that comment.

“Varies from person to person, some like me can be real bad! Some even have that delightful fucked off combo to a debilitating level where they’ll think the very air is gonna solidify and choke them to death, or for some ungodly reason their kidney is gonna launch itself out of your gut, and fuck off to the sunset while you bleed out wondering what the hell just happened.” I explained while glancing at some of the buildings. God damn this place is bigger than I thought it’d be.

“Man those are some images…” Cailie spoke a little disturbed. “Yeah, those are really that bad.”

“The last two are the mild ones of the debilitating variety.” I added, sounding a little more chipper sounding then I might have intended. But oh well. I couldn’t see it but both Cailie and my three pokémon had a sort of ‘Oh god it gets worse?’ sort of faces after hearing my comment.

“No wonder his mind is so turbulent.” Keldra thought off handedly. But it didn’t make full sense of why there’s so much more going on from what she can occasionally glance at.

“Another thing, and I don’t mean to offend you if it does. But has anyone told you you're rather vulgar?” Cailie notes as she glances at me then looks at the road ahead of us, seeing the PokéCenter sign in the distance.

“Some have, to which I counter with. Behold my field of fucks!” I say then add with a deep regal voice, making a sweeping gesture to the currently empty road with my left hand. “Harvest is low this year.” I actually got a choked on chuckle out of that as I laughed from her reaction. “Secondly, it is scientifically proven that vulgar people are more honest and tend to be good friends usually.”

“Really?”

“Yes.” I say with an unseen smile under my helmet. Love that traffic is practically non existent. Though, kind of strange considering the would be population density of a city so large. I thought noting the again strange lack of people.

“Could also be that not a lot of people are outside or at an event. Possibly both at the same time.” The more logical voice suggested.

Hm. Likely. Entirely likely. I conceded with a pursed lipped nod. The rest of the ride went into silence amid the music and drive. Soon we finally arrived, I pulled up to the curb of the Center which had a more of a I guess upscaled modern theme? If I wanted to hazard putting it in words. Newer maybe.

“Is this Center newer?” I ask off handedly.

“Yeah actually, it was built several years ago when I checked it’s page.” Cailie confirmed, my mind fixated on the words ‘it’s page’ Like facebook? Something other? Well, time to accentuate my ‘new to this vibe’ as I got off first.

“It’s page?” I voice my confusion while giving Cailie a hand off the quad.

“You know, it’s page?” Cailie reiterated like I knew.

“I don’t.” I say flatly. Very confused.

She stared at me blinking twice by reason of being astounded at how I couldn’t know this, I presumed. “I...how don’t you, you're a trainer.” She retorted, however not annoyed, more surprised.

“Could be the possibility that no one decided to tell me...?” I reveal after taking off my helm, looking at her with a raised brow. Was this a bit of common knowledge I wasn’t privy to? Fucking great, more shit for me to look up. I thought annoyedly.

“Okay, do me a favor and look it up on your pokégear.” Cailie asked. I still had a confused look while I fished it out of my pocket without breaking eye contact till I got to google. With an intensified raised brow I waited for what to do next.

“Look up Pokécenter page. It’s kind of part social media and part forum.” Cailie recited then clarified. Which I thought that was an...interesting mix. Not gonna lie, kind of on board with that mix. But not entirely sure how I feel. I swear to god if this connects to my facebook account…

After typing into glorified google I get several results, clicking on the top result that seems on line to what we’re talking about. Sure as hell, it’s a facebook like site. Conveniently, there was an info icon that I immediately clicked on. And like that I can see when it was built. Which...spawned a question.

...Is it the same year as home…? I think tentatively. I make a new page and type in…’what year is it?’

Several seconds later I get a result. ‘Year: 2016’

...I’m gonna be honest I expected either 3016 or a couple hundred years ahead. Both voices murmured agreement.

“Did you get lost in it?” Cailie jestingly inquired, breaking me of my train of thought.

“A bit.” I responded while looking back up to her. She gave me a sort of smile as she then grabbed something from her pocket. In her hands was a kind of weird device that had me think it must be a regular p.g.

“Oh hey, I was meaning to mention your pokégear? I haven’t seen anything like it, where’d you get it?” Cailie noted then asked.

Shit, was really hoping I didn’t have to explain that. “I can’t remember for the life of me.” I reply, kind of telling the truth.

“Well, that sucks. Anyways...if you do, you can shoot me a message.” I was about to ask how the hell I was supposed to until she turned the screen of her’s to me, with a kind of mischievous smile as the screen displayed a string of numbers

“I..” My brain struggled to process what just happened. This is the fourth time getting a girl’s number in the past two years. Kind of nice I guess. But kind of weird, wasn’t even trying to get it really. More expected to part ways here and maaaybe see her again down the line. But, here I am. But wait, this is more likely a friendly courtesy thing? Or for some reason she’s interested in me? Who the hell knows. “Oooo-kay den.” I replied, sort of stunned.

I dive into the contacts list and being glad this is just like a phone basically, I managed to make the contact. “Do you want your picture for the contact or do you not care if it’s a random picture?”

“Uhh...You know sure, You can make my contact with my face. Um, any specific-?”

“Whatever you want.” I say somewhat slowly with a likewise gesture. She looks at me, then my quad, then back at me.

“I want it while on that.” She informs me, I in turn make a ‘m’kay’ face. She then gets back on then I get in front of it, once in position she makes this face one would when trying out a fast car for the first time, not extending it to go so fast as she’s holding ‘for dear life’, I chuckle while taking the picture. I look back at her with a smile. “Really now?” I mildly laugh.

“Oh, yes.” She smiles in factly. She gets back off. “Well. I should be getting back to Iggy. Guess I’ll be seeing you around Will.”

“Eh, hopefully.” I shrug with a smile. Then a note of poetics flared in my mind as I went to sit back on my ride. “I hope your journey goes unhindered and happily.”

“And I hope yours is prosperous and fun.” Cailie reciprocated with a smile I couldn’t put my finger on. Anyhow, my smile grew a little bigger. Kind of hope I see her again at some point. I put my helm on and went my way back.

“She seems nice.” Elora spoke while enjoying the wind in her fur.

“Yeah, she does.” I agreed in a sort of nicer mood.

“Snivy sni snivy sniv?” [Soft server before we get back?]

I thought for a long moment with narrowed eyes to the road.

“Hm...Yes.”

“Sni.” [Yeah.] Nesi said chimed.

Soon after I was at my quickly becoming favorite small food joint. When I got near I heard the owner’s cheering voice. “Ayy! You're back, how’d the fight with that guy’s girlfriend go? And with you driving off with her, you trying to be mister steal yo girl?” She joked while leaning over the counter giving me an eyebrow waggle.

“My girls steamrolled her team. And that ride was a bit of courtesy for a now new friend.” I replied then corrected with a calm smirk. I casually looked at my watch. Huh, been three hours. Didn’t really eat a heavy meal earlier. Ah what the hell.

“So what can I do? Let me guess, more soft serves?” She says with a knowing smile.

“Why yes, and something to eat.” After another round of delightfulness on a cone and a burger with swiss cheese and sautéed onions. "Man, you're spoiling them." The owner says with a shake of the head smile.

"As delightful as my girls are, they're worth spoiling." I respond with a warm smile. We went back to enjoy the day with some more gaming, first on that list being Distance.

Before going in, I make a shits and giggles pic and share of my ride to my friends. "Check what I got bitches!"