—--

After recollecting my Pokeballs from the transporter, I left for the day. Koga had told me to come by tomorrow in the morning, and we would begin.

Honestly it was still kinda weird. It wasn’t unheard of for an older trainer, or even a Gym Leader to take on trainers. Gym Trainers were just that. But I could tell that whatever Koga had planned, it wasn't normal training.

I sighed. I had a feeling I was really going to be pushed. Koga I felt, wasn’t the type of guy that had any chill.

Still I had a day. So I headed first to the Pokemon Center. I wanted to check on my team, and make sure everyone was fed.

Heading inside I claimed a room and released my team one at a time.

Milotic first.

“Miiiii.”

“Oh don’t be down. You did great.” I told him as after releasing him he had grabbed me in his coils and was pouting. Gently stroking his fins I soothed his worries. “We fought really really strong Pokemon today. And we did great!”

“Milo.”

“I’m not lying. We all got too used to winning. It’s good that we lost. We needed to learn what a loss was like.” I tell him as I sooth his mood. It was fine. A little bit of skinship is always important!

I giggled as he breathed out a huff against me, his blow holes? Actually I don’t know what they are called… Maybe I need to go ask a Pokemon Professor? Anyways, his huff blew air up my side tickling me.

“We just have to train hard and beat them next time. Besides he is going to help us train, so we will definitely defeat him before we leave. We gotta collect all those star badges you know? I like shiny stuff.” I tease him, earning a little wiggle of amusement from my fish. Realizing I had him. I bent down and between his Blow holes, and blew him a massive raspberry.

“Mill!” He squealed, wrapping me up entirely to push me away from his sensitive scales. I got a little glare from my partner but my unrepentant giggles earned me a bit of ire.

That stopped when I saw him finish wrapping me up so I couldn’t escape.

“H-hey, Milotic, let’s not do anyTHIIIING!” I squealed as he pressed his blow holes up against my belly and raspberried me right back. My arms trapped at my sides all I had was kicking legs to try and resist my partners betrayal! “Me-Mercy!”

But Milotic had no mercy in his heart that day. He kept doing it until I was a crying mess. “P-pleeeease! I give Surrender!” I cried out trying to breathe before finally my partner accepted my unconditional surrender. Limp as I gasped for air still being held gently in his coils I could do nothing but breath as he looked down at me.

He looked smug!

Oooh! It was on now! I reached down and grabbed my Pokeballs throwing one to the corner of the room.

“Drag?” Dragonite questioned as she appeared looking a little down herself. But I had the perfect pick me up. Pushing my traitor off of me I leapt over to Dragonite and motioned for her to bend down.

Then I whispered my plan in her ear making sure my curious partner couldn’t make out what I was telling his wife.

Dragonites slight gloom at the loss disappeared as I finished my explanation. Looking from me, to Milotic.

Milotic was a very smart boy, because almost instantly he started slowly backing away. Too bad he wasn’t a genius boy, because if he was he would have run when he had the chance. Because a moment later Dragonite sauntered over to him arms wide and pulled him into a tight hug.

Then a moment later she pressed her face between his blow holes, and blew the loudest raspberry I had ever heard.

Of course it was completely overshadowed by the squeal Milotic released.

Dragonite stopped a moment later, holding her squirming eel husband for a moment until he stopped wiggling. Their eyes met, and I knew the face of doom.

“Milo?”

“Dragonite.” She denied instantly, almost sounding husky as her grip didn’t slacken in the lightest. Then she went back on the attack.

It was Super Effective.

—--

An hour later after Nurse Joy came to check on who was dying in my room. I finally granted mercy to my partner who looked worse now than he did after fighting Koga. Laying upside and limp in Dragonites arms after his tort-teasing. I let them both rest in their Pokeballs as I threw out Arcanine.

She was the one I was most worried about.

Her appearance in a flash of light showed I was still a novice when it came to knowing my team. Because Arcanine didn’t look down at her defeat. Oh no.

I almost had to go grab the fire extinguisher that was in every room. Because Arcanine was literally fired up.

“Hey! No fire inside!” I chastised quickly which did thankfully have her reel in her flames, but did nothing to dampen the eager look on her face.

I felt a chuckle break out as I looked at my dog. Shaking my head. What was I worrying about again?

“I accepted an offer by Koga to go through some training. You will definitely get a chance to fight his team again.” I told her which only made her eagerness all the more apparent as her body was practically vibrating at how much she wanted to fight again.

Her eyes were also blazing with fire. Literally.

“Arc! Arcanine!”

It took me a second as I considered what she barked before I got it. “No, we can't charge over there right now and battle him. Seriously Arcanine?”

She whined a bit her tail wagging, as she lowered herself onto her forearms butt up in the air as she hit me with Baby Doll Eyes.

It was not very effective.

“Not a chance. You just got knocked out, we are taking a rest. I am putting some food in you, and we are taking it easy. Tomorrow's training might actually be more crazy than our normal stuff.”

“Aaaarc.” She whined again pleading but I wasn't about to give in to that.

“No way. In fact. Just to keep you from running off…” I trail off noticing the way she stiffened and stopped her tail wagging. Yeah she was definitely planning on doing just that.

I threw out a Pokeball. “Dra? Tini-tini!” He cried out happily as she noticed we were in a safe place and instantly clambered onto Arcanine. She huffed as she settled all the way down letting Dratini climb up his favorite mountain. The little guy settled on her back and started making a nest in her fur curling up happily.

Arcanine puffed up her cheeks before popping it at me, a sign of her irritation with me before she lay all the way down and decided to take a nap.

Silly dog.

I checked in with everyone else. Even Gyarados, although I asked Nurse Joy for access to a larger room for that… And took a bath after.

Everyone got fed, and readied for the next day.

—-

“Hello?” I asked as I walked up to the entrance of the Fuchsia gym. The large wooden door had opened automatically for me last time, but this time. Despite feeling like I was being watched, no one appeared. I knocked a few times and waited.

“Your situational awareness needs work.” The voice directly behind me mentioned startling me enough that I leapt off my feet.

“Don’t do that!” I hissed, turning to see Koga wearing his ninja outfit standing behind me.

“Come.” He offered instead of accepting my reprimand, which made me think I was going to be facing jump scares for the next while. I sighed and jogged along to catch up.

“So what kind of training first?”

“First? We gain understanding.” He offered simply leading me towards the same yard that we had our battle in the day before. It was still trashed, but it was obvious someone with Pokemon had gone through to fix some of it.

There was even grass starting to grow in the blasted out craters.

Cool.

There was also a small table, and tea. What was it with people and tea? I could feel my stomach rumbling already. Stupid leaf water.

“Sit.” He ordered before taking his own seat. I now had tea in front of me. Greaaat. “Release your Milotic first.”

I shrugged doing just that. Milotic blinked at the situation before him as he settled closer once Koga motioned for him. “Your Pokemon are powerful. Well trained even. If not fully trained, but are they willing to put in the effort it will take to face a Champion? To face the Elite Four? The League?” He asked and I nodded instantly.

“Of course.”

“Ah, you speak for them quickly. But we are seeking understanding. Well? Do you have the will to push beyond any normal limits? To fight beside your trainer among the strongest Pokemon in the world?” Koga asked Milotic.

My mouth shut, as I realized where Koga was coming from. Not all pokemon wanted to put in the effort to become that strong. Just like not all humans wanted to go out and run marathons.

“Mii? Milo.” Milotic questions, sounding a little confused.

“You are a good partner for her. But she is seeking to stand upon the very pinnacle of the world. So do you have the will to stand beside her? Or should she find a new partner?”

“Milo!” My buddy denied instantly, sounding offended at the very idea.

“I have seen you battle. You do not give it your all. While you did fight hard, you never push yourself to the limits. As it stands, out of the three Pokemon I faced yesterday. You are the weak link.” Koga spoke absolutely no cushion for his impactful words.

Milotic flinched back at his voice.

“Hey. Milotic always fights for me!”

“Yes, but he has no spirit. You noticed it. That while he stands at your side, he does not seek to improve. He is not happy in battle.”

I flinched this time. “Milotic is very happy! I make sure of it!”

“You do your best. But he does not have the spirit of a battler. Compare him to your Arcanine. One seeks to improve to become the best. The other? Does nothing of the sort.” Koga said his eyes never leave Milotic who was looking stressed out.

I reached up to try and soothe him, but my fingers only made him flinch back.

“Just as your trainer must decide how far she wishes to go. So do you have a choice in this. Because if you are not willing to put in the work, you will hold her back from her future.” Koga answered and I felt myself puffing up. How dare he! Milotic was my buddy! My partner! He was great! I loved him even if he was lazy!

But for Milotic? Koga’s words hit him like a Hyper Beam. I could see in the way he was wavering. I could practically feel his heart breaking.

No way!

“No way!” I instantly denied nearly jumping out of my seat. “Milotic is my partner! I don’t know what kind of relationship you have with your team, but none of us are perfect! If he doesn’t love training as much as Arcanine, that doesn’t make him wrong! He will always be on my team, there is no one else I would want at my side!”

The field was quiet for a moment before I felt a fin wrap around me and pull me close. Milotic snuggled his head into the crook of my shoulder for a moment.

But it wasn’t for comfort. Instead a hiss filled the air as he blew the air out of his blowholes. A rumbling noise more like an engine than a Pokemon.

“Good. It seems you have found your spirit after all.” Koga answered simply after taking in the sight of Milotic for a moment. “That feeling inside you? The outrage? Keep it close. Because you will be tested the hardest by my training. Keep the will to improve going strong, and I will ensure that you are ready to stand at your trainers side. No matter how far she climbs.”

“Mii!” Milotic grunted a harsher noise than his norm as he nearly glared at the Ninja.

I shook my head as I turned to Milotic, pulling his attention to me with a hand on his cheek. “I never doubted that however far I ‘climb’ that you will be with me.” I tell him firmly, which only seemed to fire him up even more instead of re-assuring him.

Oops.

“Excellent. Now, let us speak of the rest of your team.”

—-

Koga didn’t question Arcanine, or Dragonite, simply reaffirming that they wanted to grow as strong as they could. Stronger than any other. Before nodding and accepting their dedication.

But then I pulled out Chansey.

“Chanse!”

“Yes. I have heard about your Chansey. Why didn’t you use her in our battle?”

“Chansey is strong, she loves getting stronger, but she doesn’t like hurting others. She would have fought hard, but I don’t want to hurt her by making her hurt others.” I answered with a shrug.

“I see. Do you accept that? Your trainer believes you to be strong, but has no faith in you, will not force you to battle. Are you happy accepting that?” Koga asked, and once again I was forced to scowl.

“Chansey is my friend. If she doesn’t want to fight she doesn’t have to! She has helped my team so much it’s not even funny, so-”

“That is not what I asked. I asked if she was happy knowing that she did not have your faith in battle.” Koga asked, and I was about to rip into him again when Chansey reached out and put her arm over my mouth. I blinked looking towards her as she looked.

Sad.

Chansey shouldn’t be sad! Chansey was best when she was perky and happy, but her arm was still over my mouth.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“Chansey… Chanse chansey chansey.” She said, sounding… sad. Neither of us were seemingly capable of fully understanding such a long statement, but a moment later Chansey sighed, turning to me, and pushing my cheeks until I was staring into her eyes.

“Chansey.” She apologized holding my face between her flippers. She bent down and put us forehead to forehead for a moment.

Then I was engulfed in a warm hug. Which I instinctually returned.

A few moments later she pulled away and gave me a firm nod. A certain fire blazing in her eyes that I recognized when she was at her most eager for training.

But this wasn’t about training. It was about being willing to be strong. Not just train to get there.

I nodded in return, what else could I do when my kindest Pokemon showed off just how far she was willing to go.

“You want to fight.” I say, not a question but a statement. We both knew.

She nodded her arms pumping once a sign of how firm she was.

“Excellent. Surprising, but excellent.” Koga broke in, giving a small nod. “I am impressed. Chansey rarely accept battling as an option. You have won her over.”

“No. I didn’t do anything. She just… Discovered her own desire, I guess.” I offered. It was what I was feeling from her at that moment. A sense beyond the five. More than intuition.

“Chanse.” She agreed with a final nod before she turned to Koga. Firm.

“Then it is decided. I look forward to seeing what you can do with a firm resolve.” He looked back to me. “You do have two others.”

I wince. “Yeah. I have a Dratini.” I reveal earning another look of surprise from Koga before he catches on.

“The Dragonite, and Milotic?”

“Yep. They are a couple.”

“I see… This is something you should never reveal to anyone you don’t fully trust… No even more keep it in your family. Blackthorne will not react to you catching a wild Dragonite, more than they already did. But if they believe you will start breeding the line. They will not stand idly by.”

I nodded. “I’ll just say I caught another one. I basically did after all.”

“Do so. I have never come up with a training plan for a Dratini before.” He muttered, sounding interested.

“He is too young. He is basically still a baby. He… light training might not be a bad idea. He is a Dragon after all, but that is it.” I interrupt before Koga could come up with something crazy.

He quirked an eye brow. “Have you ever trained a young Pokemon before? One that is recently hatched?” He asked me and I shook my head.

“Let your Pokemon train, even the youngest. It is healthy for even baby Pokemon to exercise.”

I puffed up my cheeks for a moment thinking about it. I didn’t want Dratini to get hurt! He was our happy little camper!

But he probably would like a chance to practice moves…

“Okay.”

“Good. I have a few young Genin that would be suitable for practice battles. Finally, your sixth Pokemon. I haven’t gained any information on it.” He asked, prodding to find out what he didn’t know.

I winced. Which was noticed by sharp ninja eyes.

“You… Fear your last Pokemon?”

“No! It’s not fear… Just… It’s kinda…” Ugh how do I explain this?

Oh right. Just do.

“Okay here. I’ll show you… Just don’t freak out okay? Everything is under control.”

The ninja gave me a quirked eyebrow at my explanation as I backed away from the table… Then thought better of it and backed away even more.

He was a chonker after all.

With a sigh I dragged down my goggles making sure they were sealed around my eyes, and even grabbed my re-breather. Mostly because it would work as a mouth guard.

Then I released my Gyarados.

His roar shook the entire mansion as he came out a wordless roar as always Gyarados weren’t very chatty. More the rampage type.

Of course a moment after his materialization. He focused on me, his eyes focused as they narrowed.

I sighed a little, a whistling sound coming out of my rebreather as a moment later the sun cut out.

Ah. I had made a joke like this before. Gyarados had no mercy. Only slobber.

A moment later I was lifted off my feet, boots kicking in the wind as Gyarados rose back up waving me from side to side.

In happiness.

See Gyarados doesn’t have arms. Like any animal that doesn’t have arms, their mouth tends to act as their hands…

Yeah Gyarados was hugging me, by stuffing me in his mouth.

It was sweet. If not utterly disgusting, fish saliva isn’t like mammal saliva, it was worse. I was in his mouth. So I was basically laying on top of his tongue that was licking me happily as Gyarados did a little dance showing how happy he was.

Of course that was my understanding. I figured most people that would see a Gyarados swallow a girl and then shift around as if he was struggling to swallow her would have a different reaction.

This is why I had hesitated in throwing out Gyarados in battle, well other than the fact he still needed a lot of training anyways.

After a minute or so I patted his cheek. “C’mon pal. Time to let me go.” I call out from around the rebreather.

Unfortunately the thing didn’t really block out the smell, or make it easier to breathe.

Slowly I was shifted down, to be placed on my feet, even if it was obvious my big fish didn’t want to let me go.

Once I was finally released I pulled my hat off, massive clumps of saliva sticking to my entire body as I waved my hand to mostly get it free. My goggles stayed on. But I took off the rebreather, blew my lips a bit as I could still taste the fish saliva. Forcing myself not to gag I did my best to clear out my mouth.

Peeling a chunk of sticky saliva out of my hair and throwing it to the ground in a sticky heap beside me I turned to Koga who had been watching.

I could tell right away, he had in fact been ready to save me. He was no longer sitting but was on his feet with a Pokeball clenched in his hand. But it was his face. Slack and staring other than his raised eyebrows that told me he had eventually realized what was happening.

“Yeah… This is Gyarados he is a good boy… Just a little affectionate. I’m working on that.”

“I see.”

—--

A week into my training. I decided to take a small break.Weekends were for relaxing after all! Up until now I had been staying in a room in Koga’s ninja mansion. Which was meant to help me adapt to ninja stuff. But listen, you can only get trapped in a pitfall you didn’t notice in the middle of the night while walking to the bathroom so many times before you decided you needed some normalcy.

Walking through Fuchsia was interesting. The town felt old. Lots of tiny little streets you would find in cities from before cars were a common thing. Lots of old compounds. And homes that were probably taking design ques from a few hundred years in the past.

It was an odd feeling. Viridian tended to be more of a new town. So I wasn't used to everything looking like it was from the warring states period of Japan.

Well I was being a little overblown with that, but still. It was weird.

Still I wasn’t walking through Fuchsia today to enjoy the architecture. No, I was heading through town to reach something I hadn’t had a chance to really enjoy yet!

As we came down the stone path, my boots stomping through the rocks turning to sand I felt a big grin spread across my face.

The beach! Fuchsia was famous for its beach!

Mandatory Beach episode!

I giggled as I quickly shucked off my boots and raced out onto the yellow sands.

Rushing past the sun bathers and the people running around playing beach games. The day was warm but not too hot, and clouds were out lazily drifting across the sky!

“Perfect day for the beach!” I yelled out to the waves earning a few weird looks from people that could hear me, but what did I care! Beach day!

I had gone shopping the day before for a new swimsuit. Unfortunately Fuchsia really needed better options, for some reason they didn’t have any mature styles of bathing suits in my size. I was stuck with a variety of Pokemon themed one pieces…

I picked the Dewgong style one after an hour of looking them all over. Not a single Magikarp themed one? I was very disappointed!

“Come on out! Beach Party!” I yelled out, releasing almost all of my team from their Pokeballs.

There were a ton of Pokemon on the beach, far distant from the relaxing area we were in, there was even a beach battle zone!

So releasing Pokemon wasn’t unusual, but releasing my team? Yeah that was a bit of a shock to people.

I could hear the distant gasps as people ever curious about Pokemon in this world looked over only to startle at the incredibly rare Pokemon I had just let out.

Men and women, girls and boys all wandering around in their swimsuits, whether swimming in the ocean, sunbathing, or playing games all stopped once they noticed.

That even included the bunch of Pokemon already on the beach. Kanto wasn’t a very progressive region when it came to keeping Pokemon out of their Pokeballs, but a beach was different. Plenty of people would let out their Pokemon to play with. So my team was getting looks from all over.

Not that any of us really cared.

“Mii! Milo milotic mi.” Milotic called out happily at seeing the waves in front of him as he quickly reached over to Dragonite who was looking around, and grabbed her hand with his fin as he tugged her into the waves.

“Preee!” She squealed in happiness as she followed her love.

Arcanine was already off. A blitz of sand was the only thing remaining of her as she raced across the sands.

She hadn’t ever run on sand before! Within moments my pup had the zoomies like crazy and was rushing to and fro kicking up a spray of sand as she passed.

And then my silly ditz of a dog started attacking the ocean. Rushing in as the waves retreated to bite at the sea foam before retreating under the threat of the waves.

She was getting a lot of attention from everyone watching, plenty of the people around us were calling out and pointing at my group.

It was cute.

Chansey though was looking around happily as she took in the whole scene. Since no one seemed to be injured she finally found her focus on a group of beach goers and Pokemon playing Beach Volleyball and wandered over with a quick. “Chansey!” To me as she ran off.

I watched as Chansey approached the group, one of the sides was down a teammate as the trainer looked like they were off to the side resting.

The lone Machoke flexed at Chansey as she approached trying to show off, only to get flexed on when Chansey did the same, and somehow despite being a blob of pink and goodness the Machoke realized he wasn’t the chad between the two. I giggled at his look of shock, but Chansey was invited to the game, only to start with a twenty foot back flip kick to spike the ball straight into the sand.

Really Chansey? Did you have to emasculate the poor Machoke completely? He was crying!

Oh no. He was just worshiping the Goddess of Gains. Nevermind.

I giggled as I turned away leaving her to her fun. I noticed Dratini was following his parents into the surf squealing at the cold water as he played among the waves. I noticed both Dragonite and Milotic were keeping a close eye on him as he played though so I relaxed. I didn’t want anyone to get the stupid idea of trying to mess with him.

With that I was ready. I quickly grabbed my goggles and my rebreather. And pulled up my last Pokeball.

“Hey Gyarados. No flying today okay?” I whispered to his ball knowing he could hear me.

I wanted to keep the whole flying Gyarados thing a secret until the League.

I could feel a nasty smirk spreading across my face as I imagined the faces of all the fools that would challenge my flying Gyarados.

“Hihihihihi!” I giggled uncontrollably for a minute before clearing my throat and readying myself for my overly affectionate blue baby.

“Go Gyarados!” I called as I tossed the Pokeball into the ocean and a moment later in the waves he rose up as usual with a roar.

Funnily enough out of the corner of my eye I had noticed one of the life guards coming over looking obviously fascinated by Dragonite and Milotic. The woman had been walking over with a big smile was now no longer doing that instead backtracking with her butt in the sand as she realized what had just popped into being.

I ignored the screams of shock from the beachgoers, they were just fussing. Instead I focused on my blue cutie!

“Hugs?” I prompted arms wide and ready. Instantly his eyes were set on target as his mouth opened and he rushed forward.

The sun disappeared.

I of course couldn’t tell what the beachgoers were doing at this point. But I could guess. They had just seen a tiny little girl release a Gyarados and then get swallowed by it. I kicked my feet a bit which was the only part of me outside his mouth.

I could feel him wiggling side to side happily at being with me once again. My poor guy got lonely in his Pokeball, but he really was too big to leave out… Now if only his mouth wasn’t full of icky goo. I mean sure, I wasn’t new to this anymore. Gyarados got a morning hug… And a before lunch hug… And of course his goodnight hug. So I wasn’t as bothered by it anymore really. I mean still gross though.

Oh well. We all accept sacrifices for our loved ones. It was gross, but it wasn’t painful or anything so I accepted the hug.

I could faintly hear screams of horror from outside, though. I sighed. “Okay buddy. You gotta let me out early, so people don’t freak out… I don’t want anyone attacking you.” I told him patting his cheek, and I could feel his hesitating since I was ending his hug early. He did bend down and I could feel my feet touch sand as he pulled away.

But not without massive lengths of fish saliva streaming from him to me as he pulled away.

So gross!

Taking off my rebreather I quickly blew across my lips trying to keep the taste out of my mouth.

“Your alive!?” A voice called out and I glanced behind me at a group of four trainers all with Pokemon out looking ready to battle. I blinked. Oops. I guess it was a good thing I had Gyarados let me go. Now how to deal with this? I had just scared a whole bunch of people that were just trying to relax and hang out in the sun…

“Oops?” I offered knocking on my head cutely. Ah yeah that did it. That look of utter incomprehension? Perfect. Once more I avoid all responsibility for my actions by confusing everyone!

I turn back towards my Blue Cutie. “Wanna go explore?” I ask him, earning a roar of happiness as he bent down. I clambered up only stepping on his nose for a moment as I grabbed onto his horn above his head.

“Let’s go!” I called out with a laugh as Gyarados didn’t hesitate. Leaping from the beach spray with massive acceleration only to splash us face first into the ocean.

It was a good thing I was so strong, otherwise I would have been flung off!

But I had my rebreather on once again and I was giggling as I escaped into the ocean! Free of all consequences!

—--

Standing atop Gyarados as we explored the bottom of the ocean was great! We found all sorts of Pokemon to say hi to! Although most ran away as soon as they saw my lonely blue cutie. But that was fine! Because I was here to show him he wasn’t alone!

Even Dratini eventually joined us. We hadn’t gone far from the beach so seeing my little noodle boy swim up appearing almost out of nothing as he blended into the water so well was great. He was soon leading Gyarados and I around to little nooks and crannies that he wanted to explore with us!

It was adorable that Dratini was completely unafraid of Gyarados. They were little buddies! Despite their size. Gyarados was pretty young too. So the two of them got along super well! Watching my tiny little noodle lead the massive noodle around was so adorable Gyarados was always so enraptured in whatever Dratini wanted.

Eventually though it got cold, I had worn a bathing suit and not my wetsuit. So I decided to head back. Plus Dratini had gotten a little too close to an angry Krabby and almost got his little nose clamped, so he was feeling far less adventurous than before.

I guided my little explorers back to the beach. Gyarados’s sudden appearance once more startled the beach goers, but considering I was literally standing on his head that should keep them from freaking out.

“Oh my god!” I squealed loudly as I looked over to my team.

Dragonite and Milotic! They were! They were! Too fucking cute!

I could guess instantly what had happened. Plenty of people were out on inner tubes to rest in the waves. The tiny tubes were definitely too small for Dragonite, but she must have wanted to ride in one!

Milotic was all curled up in a ring with Dragonite sitting atop him. Her little feet splashing in the water as Milotics head rested on her stomach as the two of them floated around.

Ugh! Heart attack!? Is this how I die!? Cute Overload?

Since I was back, Dragonite and Milotic even gave little waves of greeting! Nooo! They were too bright! I covered my eyes which was dumb.

Mostly cause I was ten feet off the ground and holding onto Gyarados’s horn to stay upright… Well I had been holding on. My fall wasn’t very dramatic. I gave a half startled gasp before I slipped sideways off Gyarados as his horn was pretty slick with all the water, and had a short trip to land in the sand with a ‘poof’ that probably sounded worse than it was.

Honestly I was fine. Tripping under Gravity was worse.

Groaning a bit I started to rise up when a hand quickly grabbed my arm and tugged me up. “C’mon!” I was urged on with surprising urgency as I was tugged to my feet spitting sand. I weakly tugged back on the hand as I wiped the sand from my eyes. Finally I could blink away the annoying sand and caught sight of who was tugging me along.

“Officer Jenny?” I questioned noticing her pulling me away and her Growlithe on the beach not far away fur ruffled up and looking like it was preparing for battle.

“That's right. Now let’s move! We need to get away from that Gyarados!” She urged and it was then that I noticed it wasn’t just Jenny rushing away. The entire beach was scattering at Gyarados’s second appearance.

Well that just wouldn’t do.

I put my feet down, and while I didn’t mass anything close to Officer Jenny, I was a strong little girl!

I slowed her with more force than she was expecting, forcing her to finally stop and look back and realize that Gyarados was hovering over me because of course my noodle boy didn’t want to be left alone!

Her surprise gave me just enough leverage to push her hand off my upper arm even as she struggled to reach back out for me. I giggled as I danced back under Gyarados’s shadow.

“Hey! That is dangerous!”

“Say what now?” I question as I reach up to Gyarados who instantly lowered himself letting me clamp onto his entire face.

Despite that fact I was small enough to fit in his mouth I grabbed onto his cheeks and giggled as he lifted me off the sand, his head bobbing a little in a dance at how happy he was to be hugged by me this time.

“This crazy girl! Hey Gyarados are dangerous! Get away from it!”

“For you maybe! This is my Pokemon! Why would I get away from him? You are being silly!” I called down, turning just my head so I could keep holding tight. With a frown I noticed the Growlithe looking like it was preparing a Flamethrower.

“Arcanine! Take control!” I called out. And then in a blur of sand and static noise my girl was there. Standing between Gyarados and the Growlithe.

The Growlithe who instantly hesitated. It’s training of listening to Jenny going against its instincts to listen to an Arcanine.

Thankfully, her sudden appearance drew a lot of attention from Jenny who yelped and landed on her butt in the sand.

“Wha? What is going on here!” She demanded, sounding pretty irritated at the whole situation.

“Don’t know. But you need to stop being mean to my Gyarados! He is a lonely boy with a kind sensitive soul!” I yell down earning a few extra shakes from my noodle as he wiggles happily.

I was just being a little protective, but really if she makes him cry I’ll… I’ll Hyper Beam her police bike! Officer Jenny’s always protective of their bikes!

“I got a report of a little girl kidnapped by a Gyarados!” Jenny yelled up at me looking pretty pissed.

“Kidnapped? Isn’t that impossible? Gyarados is my big sappy boy! Isn’t that right my cutie?” I asked, mushing Gyarados’s face as I squeezed harder.

Which then made him start licking me…

“Ack! No no lick-Blegh!” I whined as I got fish saliva in my mouth!

Gross! So nasty!

“Just… Just come down here… Let me fill out my report.” Officer Jenny demanded with an exhausted noise as she pulled out a notebook.

“Urp! Y-Yeah down is good.” I said face turning green at the taste in my mouth.

—--

“Officer Jenny.” Koga’s voice interrupted the stare off between me and Jenny. She was still pissed about all the calls about a wild Gyarados kidnapping a little girl on the beach that she was still apparently fielding.

Seriously, people need to relax about Gyarados. They weren’t that bad! Just have an electric type if you are so afraid!

“Gym Leader Koga. Now is not a good time.” She offered only turning away from me for a moment as she had been trying to glare me into submission. Unfortunately for her I was a precocious type! Which made me immune to stern glares!

“I am afraid, it is. Victoria is one of my Gym Trainers.” Koga offered, which caused Jenny’s neck to literally snap as she swung back to him with a glare.

“You have got to be-”

“I am not, and I know it is routine to warn trainers about dangerous Pokemon, but Victoria has shown no issues in controlling her team. Even the Gyarados. It is in fact surprisingly… compliant to her whims.”

“You don’t have to say whims. That makes me sound dumb. At least say orders.” I mutter, earning a single look from Koga before he turns back to Jenny.

“I don’t care if she is a Gym Trainer Koga. We can’t have kids releasing Gyarados on the beach! Do you have any idea of how much trouble she has caused? How many hysterical calls we received from people freaking out? It’s a Gyarados!”

“It is a trainer’s Pokemon.” Koga offered with a shrug. “Unless you are saying the Gyarados caused any destruction?”

“No.” She offered with a petulant noise.

“Then did it attack anyone?”

“Unless you count nearly swallowing its trainer… No.”

“Then it appears, Officer Jenny, that people were making unneeded calls to the Police.” Koga offered without any heat, before turning to me. “Do you have your team?”

I patted my hip, where despite wearing my Dewgong swimsuit I had my Pokemon ball belt.

“Then we should be on our way. I am sure Officer Jenny has more important things to concern her time with.” He ordered as he turned away and walked up the stone path back towards Fuchsia. I hopped off Officer Jenny’s Bike that she had settled me on after pulling me off the beach and turned to the red faced officer.

“Sorry Officer Jenny.” I said earnestly before running off to catch up with Koga.

“That was a bit more of a mess than I expected.” I speak at Koga’s back after a minute of silent walking.

“It was irresponsible.” He offered simply without stopping.

But see, that kinda pissed me off.

“My Pokemon were perfectly well behaved. It is not Gyarados’s fault that people are afraid of them, and I won’t punish him by keeping him from activities because people are afraid!” I snap instantly. Having had quite enough of today's nonsense.

Koga actually stilled at my anger as he turned to me. “It is the first duty of all trainers, especially in Kanto to protect the people around them. It is why we are given such latitude, the duty of those on their Journey is to show that they are responsible not just for their own safety, but the safety of their fellow man.”

“Gyarados isn't a threat to anyone! And I also have a responsibility to protect and care for my team! Make sure they are healthy and happy!”

“Your Pokemon are tools. If your use of them causes harm, then that is a failure on-”

“Pokemon are not tools!” I yell cutting him off. I glare at him for a while before shaking my head. “Today. My Gyarados got to spend time with me while he explored the ocean for the first time. He got to play with his friend Dratini, and in the end he had a good time. If scaring people that should know better is the price I pay for his smile. Then I will do so every time.”

“Then you will cause mayhem wherever you go.”

“Maybe. But maybe people need mayhem as a wake up call. There were a lot of people who got to see me interact with Gyarados, who saw that he wasn’t some monster running around trying to destroy but just like every other Pokemon! They just want to be treated well, and have the same relationships that other Pokemon enjoy.” I yelled out heated from all the irritation I had been dealing with over the last hour.

“Your well trained Pokemon is not the same as Gyarados in the wild. You have likely never seen the aftermath of a Gyarados Rampage. I have, many times. People rightly fear Gyarados for a reason.”

“No, that isn't the same thing at all. A lot of those rampages are probably caused by people mistreating Magikarp in the first place! Gyarados are incredibly loyal to people that they love!”

“Every year hundreds are murdered by rampaging Gyarados. Every year. People are afraid of Gyarados for a reason, Victoria. I can guarantee you at least some of the people on the beach today have lost someone in a Pokemon attack, and at least one was likely from a Gyarados.”

“Then they need to see even more that we can be friends!”

Koga stopped talking for a moment. Simply staring at me for a while before sighing. “Friends. I have heard many people say Pokemon are friends in my life, many of them die at the hands of Pokemon.”

“Some Pokemon require friendship to evolve! Saying something like Pokemon aren’t our friends is the stupidest thing I have ever heard!”

“Pokemon do not need Friendship to evolve.” Koga argued instantly, sounding confused at my statement.

I looked him up and down for a moment remembering something from the early games. “You have a Golbat don’t you?”

Koga was quiet at my sudden non sequitur. “I do.”

“But you never managed to evolve him. No matter how much you trained him, or how many tricks you tried. Right?”

“Crobat is a rare evolution. Only a lucky few have ever evolved.” Koga offers blandly, but I quickly cut him off.

“It’s a friendship evolution. Only someone that creates a true friendship with their Golbat will cause it to evolve.” I answer for him suddenly cutting off his dismissal. “If some Pokemon literally need friendship to evolve. What the hell are you on about talking about them like they are tools?” I stomp past him then, leaving him in my dust as I stalk back to the Gym.

I was gonna come back next weekend. Gyarados was going to play on the beach until people realized there wasn’t anything to be afraid of! That their own fear is what was causing those rampages!