Oreburgh is located in a spacious valley in the Coronet Highlands. It extends to the north until hitting another wall of mountains. The area around the Mine is cleared out and flattened. That’s where the city is. A man called Kochika started building the tunnel now known as Oreburgh Gate after I helped him out in securing the area. He wanted to dig up more ore but found the valley just below the Coronet Highlands after a few months of work. That’s why you can now go straight from Jubilife to Oreburgh.

If you go north you’ll get to the Cycling Road built over the valley. It’s a straight connection between Eterna City and Oreburgh. Below, bushes and trees line the path leading to Wayward Cave. I haven’t heard much about it other than to stay away but that was before I was whisked back in time. I never really went deep into any caves in my two decades of exploring so I don't know what it was like back then. The Coronet Highlands with all the peaks and valleys are difficult enough to navigate.

I’m making my way along the roads of Oreburgh to the northern gate. I manage to not look too weird with my satchel used as a belt instead of wrapped around my waist. There’s a decently sized area of mostly grassland and hills with not too many dangers around. The Rangers still stop me for a few minutes until I let Lulu out and tell them I’m just taking her out for a walk. I can see a few of them flinching as she stares them down.

We make our way up north further into the valley before I climb on her back.

“Let’s go,” I say and she zooms off. The wind whips my hair, threatening to loosen the braid but I’ve had enough practice to make one that holds. I spot a few Ponyta looking up as we run past them but we keep enough distance to avoid scaring them. The other Pokémon mostly hide as we pass. I can spot a few Geodude and Kricketot here and there but nothing too interesting.

We find a clear spot and I let out Lili as well. She chirps happily and does a twirl before settling down. I reach for my satchel and take out an empty notebook as well as some berries and water flasks. We dig in as I start to think. Lulu carefully nibbles on her Sitrus berry while Lili squeezes the Oran into her face. There’s a tiny mouth there to sip up the juices. I take a bite of my Leppa and relish the juicy fruit.

“So,” I begin “How are you two doing?”

Lili chirps happily before going back to her snack.

“That’s good. I’m glad you’re getting along with Mum. What about you, Lulu?”

The lioness growls with her head tilted slightly away from me.

“I know. It’s just how things are in a lot of places. We’ll have to get a bigger home for you to spread your legs.”

She meets my eyes and nods.

“Anything else? We haven’t had that much time to see the city but there are some rules about letting out Pokémon inside town. It’s got to do with getting badges, I think.”

I frown.

“We’ll probably have to get a few of them.”

Lulu mrowls a question.

“Yeah. It’s Pokémon battling. The competitive stuff that Akari was getting into. Not like in the wilderness. No fighting to death or capture. We’ll have to adjust our tactics. Know when to stop and all that.”

Lili’s chirp is annoyed. I grin.

“Yes, you too. Mostly. We’ll get a good idea of how far we can go later today. Cynthia is the strongest professional trainer of Sinnoh. We’re going to fight her. Battle her, I mean.”

Lili nods in understanding.

“I want to figure out how strong I am, as well. I’m gonna try to Teleport to Lake Verity. Right inside Mesprit’s cave. You guys just stay here. I’ll come back.”

Lulu growls and places her paw on my knee. Lili chirps and puts down her berry before standing up. She points at the Luxray and then sweeps her arm-leaf. A much softer growl is her answer.

I chuckle.

“Okay, okay. I’ll take you with me. Go get some exercise, Lulu.”

She nods and stands up. I watch her stretch and shoot off, not before giving me another look. Lili stands before me expectantly, holding out her arms. I take them and sit down cross-legged.

“I’m going for it,” I say with a nod.

She chirps.

I take a deep breath and pull on the Legend Plate in my soul. This time, I’m going much more carefully. Slowly, Psychic Type Energy flows into my body. I imagine the cave where Mesprit lives and start channelling the energy. Bit by bit, never running out or filling up, never slowing down the flow. It takes a minute before we start levitating a few centimetres above the grass. Lili’s eyes are closed and I follow suit. More energy flows into the move. Still not enough. I don’t know how long it takes but eventually, I feel it take hold. Lili quickly enters her Poké Ball before we disappear.

There is a silent pop as I waver, then drop to the ground. Hard ground. Rock. Not grass. I open my eyes to near-complete darkness. Only the slight pink glow of my still active Psychic TE lets me see a little bit of my surroundings. Lili pops out of her Ball and looks around before chirping happily. I smile.

“Yup. I did it. How long did that take?”

She tilts one of her arm-leafs back and forth with a few chirps.

“Huh. Really?”

“Yes!”

The voice beamed into my mind is familiar even if the force used to do so makes me stagger for a moment.

“Oops? Sorry!” Mesprit says.

“Don’t worry. I’m not as strong as before but I can take it.”

“Right.”

“So I really took almost half an hour to Teleport here?”

A bright pink orb starts to form above us, showing my friend hovering a few steps to the side.

“You did! I had to hide for so long just so I could surprise you!”

I grin.

“Hey, Mes. Thanks again for tonight.”

Lili chirps at her.

“No problem.”

She twirls. The four pink hair-like growths extending from her head flutter a little in the movement while her two tails trail behind in a spiral.

“So, wanna play?”

I jump up and shoot towards her with a Quick Attack. I’m just fast enough to catch her in a hug.

“A little,” I say “But first, I have some questions.”

Mesprit looks up at me from within the hug. She blinks slowly. I laugh.

“Right. What happened during the Red Night?”

She cringes.

“Wasn’t fun. Cyllene’s great-grandson did a Volo. But he trapped us and forced us to make the Red Chain.”

“Ouch.”

“Wasn’t too bad. Giratina ended up kidnapping him to the Distortion World for a bit. I don’t know what happened after but things got back to normal.”

“Huh.”

“Play now?”

I blink.

“One more thing. You guys never came to meet me before I came back. Was that hard?”

Her face loses the playful grin.

“It would’ve been stupid. Don’t ask stupid questions.”

She’s out of my embrace with a pop and boops me on the head.

“Play now!”

I laugh as she starts zipping through the cave. Lili jumps up and chirps aggressively. She stands two steps in front of me, facing Mesprit. I grin and pull on another set of TE. One of my favourites: Electric. We square off for a few seconds as Mesprit creates some more glowing orbs all around the cave. On an unspoken signal, all three of us start moving.

Lili rushes forwards, Grass TE wrapping her leaves. It charges up slowly as she falls into twirling steps. Fighting TE runs through her body in a Victory Dance. Mesprit has already produced a small orb of pure Psychic TE. I can see it readying to shoot a Psybeam. A Volt Switch propels me in front of the still-dancing Lili and I catch the attack with my right hand. I get pushed back, my feet grinding on the ground. My left hand is extended to Lili as I channel a Light Screen to wrap around her body.

Mesprit scoffs as the Psybeam cuts off. Lili shoots around me, almost as fast as my Quick Attack, and a Leaf Blade lashes out at the floating Lake Spirit. The attack just barely grazes Mesprit’s chest as she pops away in a purple bubble.

I channel more Electric TE in a Charge as I hear her popping up behind me. This time, the orb is a dark blue, nearly black. I roll to the side as the Shadow Ball passes by. Lili slaps it out of the way not even stumbling in her steps. She jumps and connects a Poison Jab at Mesprit only to take a point-blank Psychic. I hear her wail and throw all my energy into a Thunderbolt. The lightning cracks through the cave, impacting my target. Mesprit cries in pain and tries to channel another move but the electricity breaks her concentration. Before Lili can capitalize on the opening, Mesprit pops away in another Teleport.

I whip around and lash out with my arm. I don’t even have time to channel a move, simply slapping her away from my back. It’s not enough. Another Shadow Ball shoots at and then through me and I drop. My muscles spasm in pain. I pull on my Psychic TE for a quick Heal Pulse, just barely getting back on my legs to dodge the second Shadow Ball.

Just then, Lili cries out a challenge. A huge amount of Grass TE swirls around her right arm-leaf and Mesprit narrows her eyes. The stare-off lasts a full three seconds until I break the stalemate with a rapid Thunder Shock. Mesprit just barely manages to pop away in another Teleport but Lili immediately swivels on her heels and lashes out. The Grass TE unleashes as she jumps, the glowing light of the sun momentarily blinding me.

When I can see again, she stands behind Mesprit, the lake spirit hanging in the air upside down. A few drops of blood hit the ground but the psychic lights still glow so I’m not worried. Just as I thought, Mesprit shakes her head and makes a twirl in the air.

“Fun!” she shouts as she holds her head wound.

I shake my head.

“Right. That wasn’t as fun as I thought. I’m a lot weaker.”

Lili chirps.

“Thanks. I guess I’m gonna stick with support until I’m back up to speed.”

“Good! I’ll help!” Mesprit giggles.

I smile as I reach for my satchel.

“Let me get you fixed up.”

It takes only a few minutes and a super potion for each of us to get back up to full stamina. We sit back down, Lili leaning on my shoulder and Mesprit in my lap.

“So, how have you been, Mes?” I ask.

She wiggles her head into my chest.

“Okay. It was boring. But better than before. Shorter.”

“Because you knew I would come back.”

She nods.

“So… you want to hang out with me?”

“Have to train you. Again…”

Lili chirps in amusement. I roll my eyes.

“Not like that’s going to be a problem.”

“You learn slow.”

I sigh.

“Compared to a super brain like you, yeah. But I didn’t forget how to use the moves. I just don’t have the energy. It’s just gonna be exercising to build my stamina up again.”

I feel Mesprit poking me psychically and let her in deeper. She digs through my soul and memories as she has done so often before. I feel her focus on the journey through the Distortion World. The day after that is quickly disregarded.

“I see it. Yes. Exercise. Teleport a lot. Use barriers. Hmm… Telekinesis?”

Lili bops her head and chirps. I nod.

“Yeah, you just want me to focus on Psychic again. It’s a decent idea but we’ve been through this discussion.”

She frowns.

“Visit.”

I blink.

“Yeah. That could work. I’ll come by… every two days? How’s that sound?”

“Every day.”

I shake my head.

“Probably won’t make it, though I will if I have the time. I’m gonna be busy, soon. Gotta go back to school and I’ll probably have to get some badges.”

“Then I visit you. Sometimes.”

I laugh.

“You can come visit whenever you want. I don’t mind.”

She nuzzles back into me and grips my hand. Lili wraps her arms around us and chirps happily. I lean into her and simply enjoy the moment.

I don’t know how much time has passed when we move again but my back hurts a little from the weird position. Mesprit wriggles free as I shift back and forth trying to get rid of the pain. She settles on top of my head while Lili prods around my spine with the tips of her arm-leaves. I groan as my vertebrae pop back into place.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Thanks, Lili,” I say.

She chirps happily.

“So, I think we should go back.”

I check my phone. It’s just past noon.

“Get some food and stuff. See what Lulu has been up to.”

“Slow,” Mesprit says “I’ll bring you.”

“Where we came here from,” I say.

She nods. I feel her rooting through my memories again. When she finds the place it only takes a few seconds and we’re back on Route 206. The Cycling Road no longer throws a shadow on the place. I look around and see a Pokémon holding the remains of Lili’s berry. It must have just found the courage to walk up to it because the juices are still running down its fangs. It has a light-purple, almost pink carapace with two big pincers and two horn-like ears extending from its head. The tail is topped by a large stinger and there are two blue wings extending between its arms and legs. A Gligar.

His eyes carefully observe me before going up to my head and landing on Mesprit. He pulls in his tongue and gulps. Then Lili stands up and his eyes focus on her. I can see him slowly move a leg underneath his body getting ready to run. She moves slowly and keeps her arm-leaves behind her back. There are a few soft chirps and the Gligar’s eyes widen a fraction. He looks around her legs and meets my eyes for a split second. I smile.

“Hello there, little guy,” I say as Lili sits down next to him. She takes the remains of the berry and puts them back in his claws. He looks between them and Lili a few times before swallowing the rest in a big bite.

“Were you hungry?” I ask.

He looks between Lili and me, then nods.

“That’s not good. That you have to go out at day to find food… What happened?”

He shrinks in on himself. Mesprit pats my head.

“He’s starving,” she says.

“I see that.”

That makes him curl up his tail and arms. Lili carefully extends an arm and strokes his back. I hear a few whimpers from the little ball. My hand finds another Oran Berry from my satchel and I crawl over to him.

“Here. Eat.”

He looks up at me, then the berry. One claw carefully extends at Lili’s prompting. Then he snatches the berry and starts nibbling on it. I nod.

“Right. I think we’re all hungry so I’ll just get something for everyone.”

Some rations and a pile of berries later, we’re all full and lying in the grass. Gligar sits a little more open next to Lili. I meet his eyes.

“You could come with us, you know,” I say “If you want.”

His head snaps to me. He looks at Lili, then Mesprit.

“Gli…,” he whispers.

I laugh.

“No worries. You don’t need to be strong. It’s not like I’m aiming to become the next champ… Way too much work.”

“Gligar?” he asks.

“Yeah, no. I don’t care too much about being ‘the strongest’ or something. I just want to… enjoy life. With my family.”

“Gar…”

“No, you’re not my family. But we can become friends. And if it doesn’t work out, you can set out on your own again.”

He rubs his pincers for a moment, then looks up. There is still some hesitation in his eyes.

“Gligar,” he says.

“Alright. Then choose your ball.”

I pull out one of each of my handmade Poké Balls and set them down in the grass. A standard one, a Great Ball, a Hyper Ball, a Gigaton Ball, and a Jet Ball. Gligar blinks at them. He turns to Lili and asks something. Lili answers with a chirp. He nods and points at the standard Poké Ball.

“This one?” I ask.

He nods.

I put the others away and press Gligar’s ball into him. It opens and he is pulled inside. The ball shakes once in my hand before it seals with a few sparks. I flick the lock and he pops back out.

“Gligar,” he says with a nod “Gli.”

“That’s good,” I say “Then, welcome to the team. Just get used to us, for now. We’ll start training tomorrow.”

He frowns.

“Gli!”

I chuckle.

“Well, we already did some sparring and we have a match later today. You won’t be fighting there but you can see how you like our strategies.”

A roar interrupts us. Gligar flinches and tries to jump back to his ball but I put it away with a laugh.

“Oh, that’s just Lulu. Don’t worry about her. She’s with us.”

As if planned a huge Thunder arcs over some trees in the distance. There are some cries that sound like Ponyta and a pained scream. I roll my eyes.

“Mes, can you make sure Lulu doesn’t eat them? I’ve got perfectly fine rations here.”

Mesprit nods and pops away. Three seconds later she returns with a confused Lulu. Gligar flinches as the huge lioness appears. She growls a question and I laugh.

“No, Lulu. I’ve got food right here.”

She whines and I sigh.

“We’ve been through this, sweetie. No eating wild Pokémon unless there’s no other option.”

She yips.

“Sorry. Yeah, our little spar took a little longer than expected. I’m not as fit as I thought.”

There’s a growl and Gligar whines. That makes Lulu finally notice him. She tilts her hand with a question.

“Yes, Lulu. He’s with us, for now. Gligar, meet Lulu. One of my earliest companions. She’s carried me through these lands a lot of times.”

My big cat sits up proudly.

“She’s also got a really soft heart beneath all that bristly fur. You’ll learn to like her, I promise.”

Gligar stands up to his full height. I see his stinger shake nervously as he introduces himself.

Lulu nods at him, a serious expression on her face.

“We found him snacking on the remains of Lili’s berry. He’s been going hungry for over two weeks, now. Something about his nest no longer being safe.”

Gligar shrinks in on himself. Lulu lies down and nuzzles her nose into his chest. She growls softly and he perks up. There’s a nod and they separate.

I clap my hands.

“Good! Now that everyone gets along, here’s some food for you, Lulu.”

We take our time enjoying the rest of our lunch. It’s still just my simple rations and berries but we’re used to them. Gligar is a little off-put by the taste but follows the lead of the older Pokémon. I remember to check my phone when Mesprit points it out and see some more messages from… nearly everyone in my class. They’re all asking questions, some veiled in variations of welcome back, some just straight up ‘where were u?’. I send some non-committal answers and put the phone away as the sound of wings reaches my ears.

Lili is already looking up. Lulu has heard as well but she’s still talking to Gligar. Mesprit doesn’t seem to care. I search the sky and quickly spot a decently large Staraptor. Not alpha-Pokémon size but still big enough to carry two people. Its grey and black feathers form a zig-zagging pattern across the wings which is continued with white and black on its chest. A black-and-red comb reaches out over its beak. And someone is riding on its back.

I wave as I notice them looking my way and the Pokémon swerves downwards. It quickly lands a few metres away. A glance at Gligar reveals him staring suspiciously at the newcomer. The rider dismounts and pats Staraptor’s side. He wears sturdy black leather clothes with a red vest and red boots. The cap shows the symbol of the Sinnoh Rangers. A stylized Poké Ball in gold. Two of those hang on his belt.

The Ranger walks up to us with a scowl on his face, carefully eyeing the Pokémon. Well, mostly Lulu.

“Hello, Trainer, do you have a minute?” he asks.

I nod.

“Sure thing. I’m Zoe and these are my buddies. Lulu, Lili, Gligar, and Mes.”

He blinks at Mesprit but shakes his head and turns back to me.

“I see. I’m Richard, Pokémon Ranger stationed in Eterna City. There was a disturbance around here. A lightning strike, most likely a powerful Thunder. Did you have anything to do with it?”

Lulu gives a soft whine as I chuckle.

“Yeah, that was Lulu. I left her running around and she got a little excited.”

The lioness mumbles an apology. I can see the Staraptor getting ready to jump forward to protect his trainer and get up. I walk over to Lulu and rub the side of her head.

The ranger narrows his eyes.

“Girl, you gotta keep an eye on your Pokémon. I’ll have to see your trainer license.”

I tilt my head.

“Whoops. I left it at home. “

Richard sighs.

“Seriously? Are these even your Pokémon?”

“I told you, right? They’re my buddies.”

“So they aren’t. Please hand over their Poké Balls.”

With barely a sound, Lili stands in front of the Ranger. Her leaf is glowing with Grass TE right in front of his nose. She gives him a clipped chirp with narrowed eyes. Richard blinks, then falls on his butt. Staraptor uses that moment to shoot an Air Cutter from his wings which Mesprit lazily blocks with a Light Screen. Lulu sends a spark of electricity into the ground a few metres away from everyone and growls. Staraptor flinches as Lili swipes a Leaf Blade just in front of his eyes.

“Back off!” Richard shouts “Or you’ll get into some serious problems!”

Lili rolls her eyes and walks lazily back to my side. She kicks his hip as she passes by the Ranger.

“Hey!”

There is fear and anger in his eyes. Well, mostly fear.

“Richard,” I say “I don’t know why you have to antagonize us. I do know not to make stupid demands. Pay a little attention.”

“But…”

He’s interrupted by Staraptor whacking him over the head with a wing.

“You too?”

The bird indicates to Mesprit who is hovering in front of me. I see the Ranger flinch when she connects her mind to his.

“Drop it,” she says “Zoe is good.”

“B-b-b-but… she needs to carry her Trainer license! Everyone knows that!”

“Zoe had a hard time. Let her be.”

My hand lands on Mesprit’s head, rubbing between the hair-like tendrils.

“Thanks, Mes. But I can deal with this.”

She hums in pleasure and sinks into my chest where I hug her. Her tail wraps around my waist.

“Richard, how about you come with us? I’ll get my license and then you can move on.”

“Huh?”

“Or is there some other kind of standard procedure to verify… whatever you need to verify?”

“Uh, well, I…”

He looks confused so I give him some time to think by snuggling with Mes.

“Right. Okay,” he says “Where do you live?”

“Oreburgh.”

“Age and number of badges?”

“Thi… Fifteen and one.”

“The fuck?”

“I didn’t train any of them for the circuit. As I said, they’re my buddies.”

Gligar snorts.

“Well… You can only have up to four Pokémon without at least two badges, so…”

“There’s no issue then, is there?” I grin.

“Right,” he digs through his pockets and gives me a little chip “Take this and give it to the Ranger station in Oreburgh. Make sure to have your license on you. And keep your… buddies from using excessive force.”

Lulu growls.

“No, he’s right. You don’t have to hunt for food. And you know that.”

She yowls at me and I grab her above the ear.

“There’s nothing wrong with my cooking!” I complain.

“Gli…,” Gligar says.

“You too?”

“Dry rations are annoying to eat,” Mesprit says.

I roll my eyes.

“Fine. First thing I’m gonna do with money is get some cooking lessons. Are you happy?”

Lulu yips. Gligar sits up with relief and Mesprit chuckles into our heads. I hear Richard suppress a giggle.

“You understand them well,” he says.

Staraptor pokes his hat.

“What?”

“He says you should learn to do the same.”

“Hey! I’m one of the best Rangers around here at understanding Pokémon.”

Staraptor squawks.

“Only for aggression. That’s no communication. That’s common sense. Maybe I should join the Rangers so I can teach you...”

Richard blinks and looks between me and his Pokémon.

“Was that really what you said?” he asks.

Staraptor nods.

“What the ffff… udge. Sorry. I’ve never met someone like you.”

I shrug and start cleaning up our camp.

“I’m older than I look so…,” I trail off.

“But you look fifteen.”

“Yeah,” I chuckle “Just ignore that…”

“But!”

“Ignore!” Mesprit says. He flinches at the telepathy.

“Fine. If you’re really going to join the Rangers, tell me, okay?”

“Sure.”

“Though you’ll need to get your badges. If you want any interesting work, you should go for the Lily of the Valley Conference.”

“Really?” I frown “That seems like a ton of effort. What about a recommendation from say… the champ?”

“That’s the only person that can actually change things there but I doubt you’ll even get to meet her before the Conference.”

I smile.

“Thanks. I’ll figure it out.”

Richard nods.

“Don’t forget to go by the Ranger station.”

“I won’t. Mes, wanna hang for a bit?”

Mesprit nods.

“Want to Teleport us?”

Lulu growls and I roll my eyes.

“Or not. See you around, Rich.”

“See you.”

He mounts his Staraptor while I recall Lili and Gligar. Mesprit sits in my lap on Lulu’s back and she runs off with a blast of Electric TE. Volt Switch to get a rapid start. Staraptor cries in indignation as we blast past him and I wave as he takes off.

It takes almost half an hour to get back even with Lulu’s rapid pace. I wave to the rangers as I enter the city and they tell me to recall her. Rather than antagonizing them, I comply and make my way home on foot. Mum is surprised when I drop by and I realize it’s almost 2 p.m. I tell her about the Ranger and we look for my license but don’t find it before I have to leave. I'll have to go by the station later... Mum decides to keep looking as I make my way towards Vanilluxe’s Dream. It’s time to meet my old friends. I can’t tell what I’m supposed to feel.