Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

On the outskirts of a city north of the region stood a massive stadium. What made the stadium unique was its design, it was shaped like a rose . Inside, time seemed to stand still. Thousands of spectators held their breath as if waiting for permission to exhale. 

On the field stood two figures separated by a swirling cloud of dust and smoke. On one end stood a man with long purple hair and yellow eyes. He wore a black shirt with a blue sword on a red shield on it, white shorts with the number “1” on them, and a black cap adorned with a golden pattern. He was the strongest in the region, a world-renowned Pokemon trainer with a sense of direction rivaling Zoro (I don’t really watch One Piece btw). This was Leon , Champion of the Galar region.

On the other side of the field stood a young man with black hair and green eyes. He wore the usual gym challenger outfit, but he also wore a green hoodie with a turtle shell pattern . On his shorts was his challenger number, 987 . 

The crowd’s eyes were fixed on the cloud of dust between them, waiting for it to clear. As the dust started to settle, two figures emerged. 

In front of the man with the turtle shell hoodie was a giant turtle with vegetation and a whole tree on its back; a Torterra. It was injured, covered in scratches and burn marks, despite the damage, it could still hold itself up.

In front of Leon lay an orange dragon with a flame on its tail; a Charizard. It lay on the ground, not moving in the slightest. Then it started to move, using its arms to lift itself. Leon smiled and the hoodie-wearing trainer grimaced. But Charizard’s arms gave in, causing him to collapse, swirl patterns appearing in its eyes.

A mechanical voice rang out, confirming what the crowd witnessed, “Zzzt. Zzzt. Charizard is unable to battle. Leon is now out of usable Pokemon. The winner is Vedal Johnson.”

The crowd erupted into cheers, everyone chanting Vedal’s name. On the other side of the field, Leon returned his Charizard back to his pokeball and pulled his cap over his eyes. For a moment he seemed upset, until he smiled and threw his cap and shouted, “My time as champion is over … But what a champion time it’s been”

Vedal brought his Torterra back into his pokeball, and both men approached each other at the center of the field and shook hands. 

“Congrats, Vedal, You’ve beaten even the unbeatable champion, making you the new champion of the region, I offer you my heartfelt congratulations!” said Leon warmly, despite losing.

“Thanks I guess,” said Vedal with his Britishness - wait no, Galarness - getting in the way of him accepting the praise. Still a small uncharacteristic smile tugged at his lips as he looked at the pokeball he had in hand.

“Guess that battle was kinda fun,” he whispered to himself, making sure Leon didn’t hear him.

1 year later

Vedal was now the champion of the Galar region, the one who saved Galar during the “Darkest Day” crisis by defeating and capturing Eternatus. But now, he was leaving that all behind to go on a new adventure … in a region he had never been to before: Sinnoh.

As he walked through Hearthome city, he admired how different it was from any other place in Galar. His eyes caught a large building to his right with a giant ribbon over the entrance. Just as he stopped to look at it something collided with him knocking him to the ground.“Ow … You should look where you're walking,” he mumbled in his usual monotone voice.

He then opened his eyes to see who ran into him. It was a woman around his age with long silver hair with pink accents, two eyes of different color, one being purple and the other pink. She wore a single star shaped hairpin and had a blue and purple hoodie that was way too oversized, covering the shorts she was wearing underneath, and white high stockings completed the outfit.

The woman quickly got to her feet and started apologizing,“I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to bump into you. You see, I was trying to get to the contest hall, since I wanted to see how different Pokemon contests are in Sinnoh compared to where I’m from. Again, I’m sorry I bumped into you. I guess I was just rushing and not paying attention to where I was going.”

She then extended a hand to Vedal, who took it, and helped him to his feet.

“It’s fine I guess,” he replied. “But you should seriously look where you're going and not bump into people.” After a brief moment, he spoke again. “The name’s Vedal, by the way, it rhymes with peddle and meddle.”

She smiled, then replied with a cheery voice, “Hi Vedal! My name is Anny .” She turned around to face the contest hall then looked back at Vedal,“Have you ever seen a Pokemon contest before?” she asked. 

He replied,“Nope, never. What’s a Pokemon contest?”

Anny was shocked, and said in an overly dramatic tone, “You don’t know what a Pokemon contest is? Come with me.”

“Wait, what - ?!” was all Vedal could say as Anny dragged him to the contest hall.

Despite being forced into it, Vedal couldn’t help but smile a little as he watched the contest unfold. What a bizarre situation he found himself in, it wasn’t too bad of a situation, though. 

On the stage was a woman in a flowing pink dress and she was commanding a Sylveon to use a variety of moves. Sylveon executed the moves perfectly and gracefully, earning applause from the spectators and judges. The contestant ended their performance with a mystical Fairy Wind causing the stage to sparkle, making the crowd roar once more.

He then thought back to his journey in Galar and looked at the pokeball that contained his first partner, his Torterra that defeated Leon’s Charizard. ‘Guess this is officially the end of our journey through Galar,’ he thought to himself. ‘But this is just a new beginning, the start of whatever we’ll do here in Sinnoh’. 

He turned his gaze from the stage to Anny. She was invested in the performance, watching with awe what the performers and their pokemon were doing mentally taking notes. She looked genuinely happy at this moment. “Look at how she used Fairy Wind to end her performance!” she squealed, I should maybe try that myself!”

“You do pokemon contests?” Vedal asked.

“Yes! I came here to get fresh ideas for my performances in a new region,” she replied excitedly, turning once again her gaze to the stage, waiting for the next performance. 

“A new region … that makes two of us, I guess,” muttered Vedal.

“Did you say something?” Anny quickly asked.

“No, nothing, don’t worry about it” he quickly replied.

“Ok then,” she replied, as energetic as ever. “If you want I can teach you more about contests, but you have to do something for me in return!”

“And what’s that,” Vedal replied in a sceptic tone.

“You have to be my biggest fan and cheer me on every time I perform,” she retorted, giving him a smug look.

Vedal sighed. “I’ll consider it.”

“You better give me an answer soon enough,” she said, grinning.

“Yeah, soon…” Vedal replied, with a bit more warmth in his voice than usual.

Anny smiled and gave him a thumbs up. When the next contestant was announced she quickly returned her gaze to the stage. She was ready to take more notes for her performances. She seemed determined and happy, enjoying this moment and learning from it.

Somehow that was enough to make Vedal smile, which was weird for someone as Galarian as him. But he was okay with being happy with someone for once and not only pokemon. He wouldn’t mind if this moment could last a little longer …

Chapter Text

The great Sinnoh region, famed for its mountains, renewable energy production, and many myths and legends. Like many other regions, in the past 20 or so years it was hit with an influx of trainers coming from different regions. Due to this, many pokemon that originated from other regions found themselves in Sinnoh. At first they were rare, but now they coexist with the local pokemon. Chatots and Squawkabily flying in flocks, Wishiwashi and Fineon swimming in schools, and herds of Tauros of all kinds running across fields.

In south-east Sinnoh rested a small town by the name of Twinleaf Town . A small house stood further than the rest. On the mailbox was the name of the family that lived there - The Johnsons . Contrary to the peaceful atmosphere outside, chaos reigned in the house. An older Vedal, in his late 30s, shouted up the stairs, “Girls, wake up now! Otherwise you’ll be late!” It had been over 20 years since Vedal’s journey came to an end. He sighed and made his way to the kitchen where a warm voice greeted him, just like every morning, “Good morning, dear, your coffee is ready and soon your breakfast will as well.” That was Vedal’s wife, a world renowned pokemon choreographer, with performances that impress even the toughest of crowds - Anny.

“You really shouldn’t be too harsh on them,” she told her husband.

“I know … it’s just that today is an important day, and I only want the best for them,” he replied while reminiscing about when he was in their shoes. 

“We both do, let’s just hope everything goes well and that they’re ready for what lies ahead,” she said in a sweet tone, trying to reassure her husband who was overthinking as usual. She placed a plate with eggs, bacon and a piece of toast in front of him. Just as he was about to eat, chaos arrived

“Daaaaad, Samantha took my socks again!”

“Did not! Look, they're right here! Stop blaming me for everything!”

Those were Vedal and Anny’s twin daughters , the eldest of the two by a couple minutes, Samantha, had long brown hair with bright red ribbons and a silver heart shaped pin in it. She was wearing her usual yellow cardigan with a white shirt underneath and a bright blue bow. She also had a blue skirt and black stockings with one going higher than the other. 

The youngest of the two, Evelyn, also had brown hair with it being a slightly darker tone, she wore similar ribbons, with hers being a darker red, being slightly torn on the edges and having a small skull on them. And just like her sister she had a heart shaped hairpin that was black and had crack marks going through it. She had a similar outfit to Samantha with key differences including the color of her cardigan and skirt being black and the blue bow being exchanged with a bow that matched with the ribbons in her hair.

When the two were together, one thing could always be assured - chaos. Between sibling squabbles and prank attempts on innocent people, anywhere they went would no longer be at peace. Vedal sighed, used to the drama for years, and got up. “Listen, I don’t want to hear it. Just sit down and eat your breakfast quietly and peacefully,” he stretched out and emphasized those last two words. 

“Listen to your father, girls, come eat while it’s still hot,” Anny chimed in with her usual glee. 

The girls obeyed and started eating their breakfast. The peace and quiet Vedal hoped for though didn’t last long. “I’m going to get the best starter pokemon and you won’t be able to beat me Evelyn,” retorted Samantha smugly with an equally smug expression.

“Oh, shut it! We both know my starter will be the strongest, and your pathetic pokemon will be unable to compete with it,” replied Evelyn, who was clearly annoyed. 

“Deep down you know -” started Samantha before being cut off by her mother.

“Stop arguing, you two. Both of you will get strong and amazing partner pokemon. Now hurry up and finish eating. You both have a long day ahead of you.”

“Ok, mom,” the twins replied in unison.

“Thanks for settling this for me. For some reason they never listen to me when I tell them the same,” whispered Vedal to Anny.

“Guess you’re losing your edge, mister ‘Galar Champion’,” Anny whispered back in a playful tone.

Soon after the chaos that was breakfast, the girls started getting their bags ready. Their parents watched them as they excitedly stuffed their bags with items they thought they would need on their journey. They exchanged a glance and walked up to the girls. Without a word they helped organize their bags, since until now they were just stuffing stuff in it with no organization whatsoever.

“You two should organize your bags to be able to have a maximum amount of items and also find them easily,” Vedal told the girls. His hands moved with expert precision, organizing the bags and optimizing space. “Remember to organise your bags in 5 main categories, items, medicine, pokeballs, berries and key items. That way you can easily find a potion, pokeball or even rawst berry you're looking for,” he explained as he helped them showing where he placed all of those. 

He recalled all the times he did this in the past remembering ideal organization for easy access to important items. “And there, your bags should be all set,” he replied in a slightly sweeter tone than usual.

“Oh yeah, one more thing, girls,” Vedal said, causing the twins to turn around and face him with questioning looks. “Your mother and I have a surprise for you since you’ll be out in the wild on your own for the first time,” he told them, a slight grin on his face. Anny then approached the two with mysterious boxes the twins could only stare at with sparkles in their eyes. 

“What’s in them?” asked Samantha, beating her sister to the punch.

“Open it and see,” said Anny.

As the twins opened the boxes their eyes began to sparkle more than a Dazzling Gleam. In their hands they held two new phones. Samantha’s had a blue-ish phone case with some yellow and black on it reminiscent of a Luxray pattern while Evelyn had a phone case that was dark red-ish with black bearing a resemblance to a Zoroark. Vedal then pulled two pokeballs from his belt. “The surprise isn’t over just yet, girls,” as he said that he released the pokemon that were hiding in the pokeballs. They were both Rotoms , after a second a Rotom entered each of the girls phones, bringing them to life. “With your mother we decided that it would be a good idea to give you two Rotom Phones so that way we can call each other and -” just as Vedal was finishing his sentence he was cut short by his daughters.

Both Samantha and Evelyn ran to hug their father in unison and thanked him. He smiled and Anny ever so playfully asked her daughters where her hug was, to which they both left their father to hug her. Soon they would leave the house to get a starter pokemon and go on an adventure of their own.

As the happy family left the house to make way towards Sandgem Town, a town east to Twinleaf Town, Anny and Vedal trailed slightly behind talking between themselves. “I wonder what you were like when you started your journey, dear. I bet you were as excited as them, Mr. Always Grumpy,” Anny told her husband with a mischievous smile on her face.

“Fine, I’ll admit, I was a bit excited, and for your information I’m not ‘Mr. Always Grumpy’ it’s just that I’m a bit more serious,” Vedal retorted. 

This earned a giggle from Anny. “Same old turtle boy hiding in his shell,” she said while giggling.

“Yeah whatever you say dear,” Vedal replied with a small smile on his face. 

Before Anny could say anything Evelyn’s voice rang out, “Can you two please stop trailing behind and kick up the pace.” 

Then Samantha chimed in, “Yeah, we don’t want to be late to get our first pokemon, if we are late and don’t get a pokemon, we’ll be mad.”

The two parents laughed and then ran to catch up with their energetic daughters. “Guess we should focus on getting you two some pokemon then,” Anny said cheerfully. As they made it through the tall grass between Twinleaf town and Sandgem Town Vedal kept making sure he had all his pokemon with him just in case a pokemon were to attack Samantha, Evelyn or Anny. He knew that the pokemon that lived here were only low level Bidoof and Starly but he couldn’t help but worry. 

As they arrived in Sandgem Town, the girls were bubbling with excitement and started rushing towards the lab at the edge of the town, close to where they arrived from. As their parents caught up to them they all looked up to see the entirety of the lab. Samantha and Evelyn, ever so energetic, burst through the front door. All Vedal and Anny could do was let out a sigh and follow them. As they made their way through the lab to meet with the professor Vedal couldn’t help but reminisce about another certain lab in Galar where someone he knew became the head professor of. 

At the end of the lab a 60-year-old man with a fluffy moustache stood near an odd machine which contained 3 pokeballs, his name was Professor Rowan. As he heard footsteps approaching he quickly turned around to face Vedal and Anny. “Ah, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, nice to see you two again,” he said. He then turned his gaze to Samantha and Evelyn, “And you two must be Samantha and Evelyn, you're both here to get your first pokemon and set off on an adventure of your own. Correct?” he questioned the twins. The twins nodded and replied in unison, “Yes!”

Professor Rowan let out a hearty chuckle, ‘How good it is to be young,’ he thought to himself. He then turned to Anny and Vedal, “Did you two give them Rotom Phones?” he questioned them. 

Before any of them could answer Evelyn cut in, “Yeah, look how cool mine is!” 

Samantha, who wasn’t going to let her sister take all the attention, took hers out and started showing it to the professor, “Look at mine, it’s wayyy cooler than Evelyn's," she retorted as if challenging her sister. 

Before this could escalate further Professor Rowan cut in, “Perfect! If you two could just hand me your Rotom Phones for a second, I’ll give them an upgrade.” The twins rushed to give him their Phones as if racing to see who would get the upgrade first. Professor Rowan hooked up the phones to his computer and after a couple minutes handed them back to the eager twins. “There, I installed a pokedex on both of your Rotom Phones, now every time you encounter a new pokemon or catch one it’s data will automatically be registered,” he told them explaining how the pokedex app works.

He then turned to the machine, the twins followed him towards it. Anny and Vedal stayed back watching carefully and letting the girls have their moment. “Here are the choices of pokemon you two have for your starter pokemon. The girls looked curiously as the machine opened and the old professor took out the 3 pokeballs. He released the 3 pokemon at once, red plasma surrounded them as they emerged from the pokeballs. On the left stood an orange monkey with a flame for tail; a Chimchar Next to it stood a green turtle with a plant sprouting from its head - a Turtwig , and finally on the right stood a blue penguin standing proud; a Piplup. 

The two twins stared in awe at the choice in front of them. 

Rowan’s voice rang out, “Now who will you choose to join you on your journey as your first partner, girls?”

Chapter Text

The girls stood there, facing one of the biggest choices they would take in life. The choice of their first partner pokemon. Almost instinctively, they both rushed for the choice they knew all too well, Turtwig. The same pokemon their father had from the start. But in a cruel twist of fate for Evelyn, her older sister got her hands and the prized starter. 

“Ha, I get Turtwig. Soon I’ll have a cool Torterra like dad and I’ll be undefeated,” Samantha told Evelyn with a smug look on her face, rubbing salt in the wound. Evelyn, not willing to stand Samantha’s teasing, decided to go for a tactical choice, Chimchar.

“You know what I think of your stupid Turtwig. I think that it’ll lose to my Chimchar. I have the type advantage over you after all,” Evelyn retorted, challenging her sister.

“Even with a type disadvantage I’ll still wipe the floor with you. And just you wait for him to evolve into Torterra, he’ll show you type advantage,” Samantha replied, only furthering the tension.

“You idiot! Torterra is still weak to fire, ground types don’t resist fire types -” Evelyn started before getting cut off by her father.

“Girls, behave. Now that you are pokemon trainers, instead of bickering like the children you are, have a pokemon battle to settle this. What are words without action after all?” Vedal cut in with a dry tone. 

The twins shifted their gaze from their father to each other. Just as they were about to engage in battle Anny stopped them.

“Girls! Don’t battle in here! You’ll tear up the lab. Thank Professor Rowan for the pokedex app and the pokemon and then battle somewhere outside where you won’t disturb people or break anything,” Anny told them in a firm voice, letting out a sigh at the end. 

Professor Rowan couldn’t help but chuckle at this cute family's antics. ‘Wouldn’t surprise me if they both went to take on the gym challenge together,’ he thought to himself.

The girls quickly straightened up and turned to face the professor. “Thank you for the pokedex and the pokemon Professor Rowan,” they both said as if in a practiced unison. They both gave him a quick bow before turning around. 

The old man’s voice then rang out, “Don’t forget these girls. You were about to run out of here without your partner’s pokeballs. That would put you two in quite the pickle huh.”

The girls quickly whipped around and took the pokeballs from the professor. 

“Have fun you two and good luck on your journey,” said the professor as the twins headed out giving them a friendly wave.

“Thanks, but I don’t need luck,” yelled Samantha as she ran out with Evelyn giving him a quick wave.

The two parents couldn’t help but sigh. “Thanks professor, for giving our daughters their pokemon and installing the pokedex app. And thanks for putting up with their antics and bickering,” Vedal told the professor.

“Don’t worry, I know what it’s like to be young and I’m sure you two remember as well,” he reassured them. 

“We sure do,” replied Anny with a soft giggle. The couple followed their daughters out of the lab to keep them out of trouble. As they headed out they gave the professor one last wave. He smiled then turned back to his research ‘Can’t wait to see what their journey has in store for them,’ he thought to himself.

The girls managed to find a clearing on route 201 where they could battle in peace and not break anything or disturb anybody. Just as they got into a battle stance their parents arrived. 

“Let me be the referee of this match,” Vedal told the girls with authority in his voice. 

“Sure thing, if it means you’ll announce me as the winner,” Evelyn snarkly said. 

“Whatever,” Vedal said, being a tsundere, “Let the match begin!”

The two girls ordered their pokemon forward and they replied with excited cries. This would be their first ever battle either of them engaged in. They had watched countless replays of their father’s battles and even some live ones. They were now ready to experience its thrills themselves. 

They both stood on opposite sides of the clearing with stern expressions on their faces masking their growing nervousness and excitement. The wind blew a gentle breeze, and the twins stood there waiting for the other to make a move first. 

“Use Leer, Chimchar!” Evelyn ordered, breaking the calm stillness. Chimchar’s eye sparkled as he did what his trainer ordered. He then instinctively closed the distance between him and the grass turtle. “Now use Scratch on Turtwig!” Evelyn commanded. 

Just as the fire monkey was about to attack Turtwig, Samantha yelled, “Turtwig use Withdraw!”

Just as Chimchar’s nails scratched Turtwig he hid in his shell, protecting himself from major damage.

“Now follow up with Tackle,” Samantha said.

Turtwig then reemerged from his shell and hit Chimchar square on before Evelyn could order him to dodge. Evelyn, not willing to lose to her sister, started to think of a way she could bypass the turtle’s shell or at least attack it when it least expected. She looked around quickly and got an idea.

“Chimchar, run for the trees on our right,” Evelyn told her pokemon. Chimchar, seemingly understanding her plan, darted for the trees. Samantha, confused, ordered her Turtwig to follow Chimchar. As Chimchar reached the trees he seemingly disappeared. The time the slow turtle reached the forest’s edge there was no sign of the monkey’s glowing fiery tail. As Turtwig was looking around he failed to notice the figure above him.

“Turtwig-” was all Samantha could say as the missing Chimchar dropped on him.

“Now use Scratch. Show them how strong you are,” cheered Evelyn.

Turtwig, who had no hope of escape, took the hit. Chimchar came out of the cloud of dust he made and ran back towards the clearing while laughing. Evelyn was also chuckling.

Then to their surprise, Turtwig came back from the undergrowth still standing.

“I knew he wasn’t going to lose to your stupid tricks,” retorted Samantha. “I’m now going to finish this in one last attack,” she then said with full confidence in her voice.

“Not if we have anything to say about it,” Evelyn told her sister.

“Use Tackle,” , “Use Scratch,” they both said at the same time.

The two pokemon rushed at each other, preparing their attacks, and as they clashed in the center a cloud of dust formed. Vedal, Anny, Samantha and Evelyn all squinted their eyes to see who won the clash in the center. As the dust settled Vedal announced the winner, “The battle is a draw, both pokemon are unable to battle.”

The girls let out a sigh and returned their pokemon into their pokeball. “You did well,” whispered Samantha to her partner’s pokeball.

“We’ll beat them next time,” Evelyn similarly whispered to hers.

“You two fought well for your first battle,” Vedal said with some pride for his daughters appearing. “Samantha, your defensive retreat with Withdraw to reduce damage was a good idea. And Evelyn, using your surroundings to your advantage, an important skill for becoming a great trainer. Well done, you two, and your pokemon,” he said, commenting on their skills. 

Before Vedal could continue going on about what they could do better and did well, Anny cut in.

“Now dear, stop harassing your daughters with all this information,” she said with a sweet smile. “It’s getting late. Let’s go back home and rest. I bet you girls and your pokemon must be tired after your battle,” she told them, patting their heads.

“But mom -,” Evelyn’s plea was cut short by a glare from her mother.

“Fine,” the girls conceded, not wanting to anger their mother. The family walked back to their house in Twinleaf Town as the sun began to set, casting a golden glow as they laughed and talked about all the excitement that day… 

The following morning

Like any good parents, before their kids leave them to go on an adventure, Vedal and Anny kept bombarding Samantha and Evelyn with questions before they left. “Did you make sure you have all your pokeballs?”, “Do you have your spare change of clothes? , “Do you-”. As their influx of questions and uncertainties kept rising, the girls, wanting to leave on their journey, cut them off.

“Yes, we have everything,” said Evelyn, rolling her eyes.

“Don’t worry about us, we have our partners and each other,” comforted Samantha.

“We know, it’s just that as parents it’s our job to worry,” Anny told them.

“Well I guess it’s time for you two to leave the nest,” Vedal said with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

As the family moved outside the twins' excitement was at its peak. After all, they were about to set off on their adventure. As they stood at the edge of the town, they gave their final goodbyes.

“Bye mom, bye dad. Have fun when we're gone,” Samantha said cheerfully

“We might miss you but we’ll be too busy winning pokemon battles for that,” said Evelyn with a hint of timidity.

Anny let out a small laugh. “We’ll miss the both of you two. Have fun on your journey and always remember that if you need us you can call us on your new Rotom Phones or come visit us. After all, we don't plan on leaving Twinleaf Town for now,” she reassured her with her usual warmth  in her voice.

“Good luck on your journey, never forget that pokemon are your friends and allies, not tools, and if you care for them they'll grow strong and stay by your side forever. Being a pokemon trainer is more than battles, it's about the bonds you forge on your journey. Now go, show the world who you are, but stay true to yourselves. And like your mother said, you two are always welcome home if you need to take a break from your journey,” Vedal said. He wished them only the best of luck. He deeply loved his family and would do anything for them, to see the twins leave on their own filled him with worry but he knew their potential and he trusted them.

The twins ran to their parents and gave them a big hug, which they returned. As the twins left they gave their parents a warm smile and a big wave. Soon they set off on Route 201 to start their journey.

As Vedal and Anny walked home, only silence stood between them until Anny broke it.

“I remember the day I set off like this like it was yesterday, guess now I understand how my mom felt,” she said with a reminiscent tone.

“I remember the day I set off to,” Vedal replied thinking back to that fateful day. “I just hope it all goes well and they don’t run into trouble like I did with Team Yell, Chairman Rose, Eternatus and that stuff. I hope they can enjoy a normal pokemon journey without world ending threats,” he then said thinking back to the events in his journey and “The Darkest Day” incident.

“We can only hope and pray to Arceus, I guess,” Anny said, trying to reassure him. “But I have a feeling that our family is inexplicably tied to bizarre and dangerous threats. They might stumble on something more dangerous,” she said half-jokingly, half serious.

As the couple entered the house they both looked around, seeing the mess the girls left behind as they rushed out. As they made it to the living room their gaze shifted towards the mantle of the fireplace. Looking at a photograph of a happy family, there was Vedal, Anny, the twins and a girl who looked slightly older than the twins and resembled them. An unusual silence, usually filled with chaos due to the twins, settled in. A silence they would have to get used to.

Chapter Text

In the town of Postwick, which rests in southern Galar, lived Vedal. He lived there with his mother in a small cottage near the edge of the town, bordering the Slumbering Weald. On a bizarre day, when Vedal was around 12, he had a fateful encounter. He was exploring town and making his way towards Wedgehurst when suddenly something tackled his leg. This caused him to stumble and fall back.

“Ow, that kinda hurt-” Vedal commented, before realizing what hit him.

It was an unusual pokemon he’s never seen before, it wasn’t one of the usual Wooloo, Rookidee, Nickit or Skwovet; this pokemon looked like a turtle. But it wasn’t a Chewtle, which is native to Galar, it was a green turtle with an earthy looking shell and a plant sprouting from its head. 

“Woah, never seen a pokemon like you around here,” said the boy as the creature curiously approached his hand. “What kind of pokemon are you?” he asked.

As he approached his hand, the turtle pokemon tried to bite it.

“Turtwig, wig,” it said, with defiance in his voice, as if daring Vedal to approach it.

“Turtwig? Is that your name?” pondered the kid.

“Turt,” said the pokemon as if confirming the boy’s inquiries.

“Never heard of that pokemon species before, must be from another region. Wait -” he suddenly realized. “If you come from a different region, you must have a trainer, and it must be nearby,” he said, starting to sound panicked. “If they see me, they might think I tried to steal you!” Vedal started grabbing his head and scratching his hair, then hiding behind the hill and shooting a couple glances over it to make sure nobody was around.

Then Turtwig tackled him, and shook his head as if saying no.

“If you don’t have a trainer, then how did you get here?” Vedal pondered. “Were you some sort of stowaway on a ship or something?”

Turtwig then shook his head up and down, confirming the boy’s thoughts.

“Well in that case, there isn’t much we can do I guess,” he said.

Then Turtwig’s stomach started to growl. Due to this, he turned his head away in embarrassment. 

This resulted in a small laugh from Vedal.“It’s alright to be hungry. Wait a second I think I have something in my bag,” Vedal told him.

Turtwig glanced over its shoulder to see what the boy fished from his bag.

“There it is,” Vedal said victoriously. He pulled out some Oran berries from his bag that his mom packed for him just in case he got hungry. He placed two berries in front of the wild pokemon and started eating one himself. “Here, have this, you’re hungry. Don’t worry, they aren’t poisoned or anything,” he reassured the skeptical pokemon.

As Turtwig started eating the berries given to it by the boy, it started to trust him a bit.

This was the first time Vedal was friendly with someone from the get go. It might be because Turtwig is a pokemon or maybe because he saw a bit of himself within it, a lonely being trying to fit in, not fully trusting the world around them. Due to his Galarness Vedal tends to push people away, preferring a solitude where he can study battles to become the strongest. He feared that attaching himself to people might make him weaker, drag him down and decrease his reasoning ability. He especially doesn’t like energetic people due to their unpredictability and them dragging you into situations you want to avoid. But that was his flaw, humans, just like some pokemon were meant to be social creatures, and with his extensive solitude came a certain pain. A pain stemming from not having anybody to share things with, to smile with, to laugh with. But with Turtwig he felt something different, an actual connection like those he avoided so many times, he felt a certain happiness looking at the turtle eat. Maybe connections weren’t all too bad, with pokemon at least.

In the following days, Vedal would visit the Turtwig who found comfort in the hills on Route 1. Their bond grew every passing day as they would play and have fun together until one day where Vedal came with a new item.

“Hey Turtwig,” he said, sitting down.

“Wig,” replied the pokemon in question.

“I have a question for you …” started Vedal.

“Turt? Wig wig?,” Turtwig responded.

“Do you want to be my partner pokemon?” finally asked Vedal as he held out a pokeball.

As Turtwig looked at the boy and the pokeball he had in hand he knew his answer. This boy he met when he was lost in this new region. The one who befriended him. The one who would help feed him. The one who he saw every day for the past month. His answer was clear. This boy proved himself to be kindhearted despite a rough exterior he shows most people. A true friend. The only person he would consider a worthy partner.

Turtwig approached the pokeball and let out a joyful “Turtwig Turt,” as he touched the button, letting himself get absorbed into the pokeball.

Vedal blinked because when he heard Turtwig speak before entering the ball he didn’t hear “Turtwig Turt,” he heard, “Of course, my friend!”

The ball shook once, twice, and a third time before releasing sparkles and a little jingle. He couldn’t believe this. He caught his first pokemon. He now had a partner to join him on his adventure when he finally sets off, he finally has a friend .

He quickly took Turtwig out of his pokeball releasing him in a red plasma that quickly faded.

“Turtwig!” Turtwig said, jumping towards Vedal like an excited puppy.

This caused Vedal to fall back as he was attacked by licks and cuddles from his buddy. “Chill out, Turtwig,” he said while giggling. “I wonder what my mum’s reaction to this will be,” he mumbled to himself. 

When he got home that day his mom welcomed Turtwig with open arms. She was very supportive of Vedal’s choice of having Turtwig as his first pokemon. As time passed the two only grew closer. This brought a smile to Vedal’s mom’s face, to see her son, usually so reclusive and unemotional, be happy and smile with someone he considered a friend. 

As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, it was about time for Vedal to set off on his Journey to become champion. After all, he was now 13.

Vedal had his bag packed, a new Rotom Phone his mother gave him in hand and Turtwig standing next to him.

“Mum, I’ll be off now, I love you. Don’t worry, I’ll message you and give you calls. And yes, I remembered to pack everything I needed; pokeballs, potions, berries, a spare change of clothes, a map etcetera.” Vedal told her.

Vedal’s mom smiled and said one thing as he set off, “Good luck son. I’m always here if you need me. And never forget, you’re never truly alone as long as you have your pokemon.”

“Thanks Mum, I’ll try not to forget that,” he quickly said as he left.

Turtwig gave her a quick nuzzle at the leg and let out a “Turt,” as he left following Vedal’s lead.

As Vedal made his way through Postwick, he encountered the one person he wanted to avoid. One of his neighbors, Hop. Hop was around Vedal’s age. He had dark purple hair shaped upwards, kind of like a spike or pinecone. He had yellow eyes, wore long black pants, a black shirt and an open blue jacket with fur on the edges. He was the younger brother of Leon, the champion of Galar. 

“Hey neighbor, are you also leaving to start your journey?” Hop said energetically as soon as he spotted Vedal.

“No, I’m just heading to town,” Vedal quickly retorted, trying to get away from Hop as fast as he can.

“Aw, man. I really thought you were going to start your journey today. I was going to invite you to join me to visit Professor Magnolia to get ourselves a Pokedex on our Rotom Phones and maybe even get a Dynamax Band. I was also going to ask my big bro for recommendation letters for the both of us as well,” he said with disappointment in his voice.

As soon as Vedal heard the words Pokedex, Dynamax band, recommendation letter and Professor Magnolia’s name his attitude switched.

“That was a joke. I actually am starting my journey today. I would love to join you in visiting Professor Magnolia and I wouldn’t mind getting a recommendation letter from Leon himself to join the gym challenge,” Vedal said, masking his excitement due to the offer, causing Turtwig to look in a mix of disbelief and disappointment at his opportunist trainer.

“Alright! In that case, let’s have a battle. Leon said he would meet us at the train station in Wedgehurst at 12:00. It’s only 11:30 so we have time for a quick pokemon battle before setting off,” Hop said energetically.

Vedal sighed, knowing there isn’t a way out of this situation and gave in. He was a pokemon trainer now after all, getting some early practice with a novice like him wouldn’t hurt. As he reluctantly agreed they both made their way to Hop’s house where a battle court was. As they got on either side prepping for battle, a gentle breeze blew.

“Go Turtwig”, “Go Wooloo,” they both said in unison.

Turtwig walked forward and gave a little battle cry while the round sheep pokemon Hop sent out let out a small baa.

“What’s that pokemon? I’ve never seen one like that before,” pondered Hop

‘I have the tactical advantage here. I’ve seen quite a few wooloo before so I know what kind of attacks it should know. Also he has no idea what kind of pokemon Turtwig is,’ Vedal thought. 

“Turtwig use Tackle, but aim it low,” Vedal commanded.

“Wig,” replied Turtwig, understanding his trainer’s plan, as he started to charge forward head first.

“Wait, you're already starting? Quick Wooloo use Tackle -” Hop started, startled by Vedal’s sudden start but he was cut off by Turtwig’s attack landing.

“Woo loo,” Wooloo managed to say before fainting. This shocked Hop.

“Wooloo is covered in wool, causing it to absorb some attacks better such as Tackle. But by aiming it lower, around the legs and by using the sprout on Turtwig’s head I could do more damage, causing your Wooloo to fall back more due to the impact and defeat it,” Vedal explained.

As he was about to turn around to leave, Hop stopped him.

“Wait, I have one more pokemon up my sleeve, this one was given to me by my brother,” he said as he brought back Wooloo into its pokeball.

Vedal turned back around interested to see what pokemon Leon got his brother.

“Ok fine. This battle isn’t over yet, I guess,” Vedal said.

“Go, Sobble,” he said as he revealed a small blue lizard/chameleon pokemon from his pokeball.

‘Haven’t seen a Sobble before. I know they’re native to Galar though unlike Turtwig. I don’t know much about it though. Seems like we are both in the same situation.’ Vedal thought to himself in an instant, calculating his next move. ‘But I have a type advantage. The only problem is that Turtwig only knows Tackle and Withdraw at this level. But either way I don’t think his Sobble has any concerning attacks, normal type attacks which are common for low level pokemon do neutral damage and Turtwig resists water type attack’

“Sobble, use Pound,” yelled Hop.

Sobble then quickly jumped towards Turtwig with energy surrounding its right hand.

“Turtwig, move back quickly to dodge,” Vedal ordered.

Turtwig jumped back causing Sobble to land right in front of it, kicking up dust. He had fallen to his trap.

“Now use a point blank Tackle,” Vedal commanded, already knowing the outcome of the battle.

Turtwig quickly rammed into the Sobble that just landed it, causing it to fly back and faint.

“Aw man, you beat me. But that was a fun battle,” Hop said with a smile, despite his loss.

“You were too reckless and not wary enough of your opponent. That made this battle easy,” Vedal whispered to himself. 

Turtwig gave a small victory cry and went back to Vedal. Vedal pulled an Oran berry out of his pocket and fed it to his partner as a reward for his battle.

“You did well, bud,” Vedal told him.

“We should start heading to Wedgehurst now,” Hop said, crossing his arms behind his head. “We shouldn’t be too late to see Leon, after all we don’t want him to get lost before we find him. And we want to meet with Professor Magnolia on time.” 

“Sure,” Vedal said while sighing. He would have to deal with Hop until they split ways after talking to Professor Magnolia.

As the two boys made their way in town followed by a Turtwig they felt a glare coming from the Slumbering Weald and heard a crack from that direction. They decided to check it out real quick before heading to see Leon. As they approached the edge of the Weald they saw a broken fence and Wooloo track heading into the mysterious off limits area.

“A Wooloo must have bust down the fence and entered the Slumbering Weald!” exclaimed Hop, concerned. “We must go save it!”

As he ran into the forest Vedal sighed. “Well Turtwig, let’s go help that idiot and the Wooloo. After all they'll need our help to trace their steps and keep safe,” he said.

“Turt,” Turtwig agreed.

The two then rushed behind the dark purple haired boy to keep him out of trouble.

A giant dark cloud covered the sky, Vedal stood facing the shadow above him. Atop Hammerlock stadium he stood, all those he knew that had come up to face the imposing threat lay unconscious, Hop , Leon … He had distracted Chairman Rose so that they could come put a stop to this, but it was useless, all he did was force himself through to face the threat. He was Galar’s final hope, only he stood between the monster and the region. He was alone. Nobody to help him, nobody to rely on. Only himself. As the creature started peering through the clouds he could see clearer the beast, the darkest day itself. It was a giant serpent-like creature , coiled with a weird core thing at its center and a hand as a head. Each finger had a mouth and on its palm were five crystals that got closer or further to each other like another mouth without a hole. 

This monster summoned to fix an energy crisis bound to happen in one thousand years, now has gone rogue beyond what the Chairman envisioned. This pokemon behind Dynamax and Gigantamax caused terror three thousand years ago now returned, but the legendary heroes from back then were long gone. The boy had no hope of victory but yet he would still try to face the monster, after all. If those who lay here unconscious gave it their all to try to stop it, it would be foolish of him to not try as well. It’s either he fights now and falls, or he falls later down the line due to its destruction or chaos, Vedal prefers the former though. He is going to fight to the end to save others. As he stood there he tried to suppress the rising fear within him. ‘Leon is the champion. If he lost, how can I do anything? If I had others like Hop, Bede and Marnie by my side, maybe I could stand a chance. But alone …’ he thought to himself. ‘No, I mustn't let these thoughts get to me; after all, someone has to defeat Ete…’

Chapter Text

As Samantha and Evelyn were making their way to Sandgem town Evelyn and Chimchar got a mischievous idea. When they took a break, Evelyn wrote on some Post It notes ‘Stupid Trainer’ and ‘Dumb Pokemon’, she then passed them to Chimchar who sneakily put them on Samantha and Turtwig’s backs without them seeing. They both giggled together watching the two continue walking in ignorance. Chimchar and Evelyn then gave each other a high five.

“Nice one Chimchar,” Evelyn whispered.

“Chim, chim,” replied her pokemon.

Throughout their journey on Route 201, Evelyn and Chimchar were stifling laughs. As the group approached Sandgem town their laughs grew. Samantha decided to get to the bottom of what her sister found funny. Both her and Turtwig turned around with a frown on their face to face them.

“Alright, spit it out. What’s so funny?” Samantha crossed her arms, tone flat.

“Turtwig Turt,” Turtwig echoed in a voice mimicking his trainer.

“Nothing, just watching your backs,” replied Evelyn, making her and Chimchar laugh even more.

Neuro raised an eyebrow and turned to Turtwig. She then noticed something stuck on his back. As she grabbed the mysterious object, she quickly realized she had been played for a fool.

“If you have this on your back … does that mean I have one too?” she questioned Turtwig as she crouched down, back facing him. She shot a killer glare at the two pranksters laughing their hearts out. ‘This is far from over,’ she thought to herself.

Turtwig quickly jumped on Samantha’s back, removed the Post It and got off. He then handed it to her. She crushed the two Post It in her hand and got closer to Turtwig, whispering something in his ear. The turtle agreed silently. They then called out the two clowns and told them to get going.

Once in Sandgem town, the girls and their pokemon made a quick break. Evelyn and Chimchar were munching on some snacks Anny packed for them while Samantha and Turtwig said they were going to look for something at the pokemart. After their quick break they set off towards Jubilife City, passing through Route 202. Samantha and Turtwig were behind the group this time. They exchanged glances towards each other and from time to time shot a glance towards Evelyn and Chimchar. They both had small grins plastered on their faces that they would hide every time Evelyn or Chimchar turned around.

As they approached Jubilife City Evelyn thought something was off due to Samantha and Turtwig’s silence. Not only that but she knew her sister was the kind to not let things slide and get back at her. But she simply shrugged it off thinking that her sister just forgot about it and let her off. A foolish mistake.

As they started through town Evelyn and Chimchar felt stares on their backs. It wasn’t only from Samantha and Turtwig, but also strangers. As they kept walking the glares felt stronger until one point where Evelyn caved in.

“Ok Samantha, why is everyone staring at Chimchar and me?” she asked reluctantly.

“Char char,” said Chimchar echoing Evelyn’s point.

Samantha and Turtwig looked at each other, let out a laugh, then replied, “Just look behind you.”

This confused the two at first, then they quickly realized. Evelyn took the paper off Chimchar’s back and Chimchar then removed the one on her back. On Chimchar was a photo of a goofy-looking  Mankey with the caption reading ‘Manke’. On Evelyn though was a photo of her sleeping clutching a turtle plush with the caption saying ‘cutipie little sis’. This caused the edgy girl’s cheeks to flush to red. She then crushed the papers in her hand.

“H-hey, how could you do that to me!” Evelyn practically yelled, thoroughly embarrassed. “You could have at least removed it when we arrived in town!”

Samantha and Turtwig just continued laughing. “It wouldn’t have been as funny if I did,” she retorted between laughs.

Evelyn turned away and pouted. “L-let’s just find a pokemon center to stay at for the night,” she said quickly, wanting to forget about the embarrassment her older sister left her in.

“Okay, little sis ~” Samantha replied teasingly as she followed her. 

Even though Chimchar was also kinda embarrassed he quickly got over it. He was kinda impressed how Turtwig pulled off putting the paper on him without him noticing and most importantly, not getting himself or the paper burned. Turtwig just let out a “Wig,” not planning on revealing his secret to the playful monkey.

As the sun started to set in the distance the small group was settling in a pokemon center, putting their bags down in one of the rooms and getting ready for some well deserved rest after a day of walking, playing, pranking and embarrassment for some. Tomorrow was a new day, and they were excited to see what was going to be in store for them.

Chapter Text

The twins set off towards Oreburgh City, but to get there they first had to get through Route 203. As they got out of Jubilfe City and set foot on route 203, the twins were quickly met with a fork in the road. Unsurprisingly the twins started arguing which path was the right one.

“It’s clearly the left path!” exclaimed Evelyn.

“No it’s not, you idiot, it’s the path on the right!” Samantha retorted in a similar tone.

Both Turtwig and Chimchar looked at each other, unamused by their trainer’s antics.

The twins then decided to each set off on their own path.

“We’ll see who’s the dumb one when I arrive at Oreburgh Gate first,” they both whispered under their breaths.

Turtwig and Chimchar gave each other a quick salutation before splitting, going after their trainers.

“Can you believe her, Chimchar?” Evelyn said, “I mean this is clearly the right path.”

“Chim, char,” said Chimchar, reluctantly agreeing with his trainer.

As the two of them continued on their path, Evelyn kept ranting about Samantha, while Chimchar just listened. Suddenly a ruffling sound could be heard. Evelyn stopped what she was saying and hid in the tall grass to observe where the ruffling came from. Chimchar silently thanked the mysterious pokemon for stopping his trainer’s rant. 

As she peeked through the grass she saw a small green pokemon with small stubby legs and some vines that twirled up and met above its head and clasped together. 

She pointed the camera of her rotom phone towards the pokemon, as Chimchar climbed on her shoulder to take a peek at himself.

“Zzzt, zzzt, Budew the bud pokemon, a grass poison type, sensitive to changing temperature, the bud is said to bloom when it feels the sun's warm touch.” the mechanical rang out, loud enough to be heard by the trainer but not the wild pokemon.

“A grass type huh, perfect for the Oreburgh gym. Plus, I have the type advantage so getting it will be easy,” murmured Evelyn.

As she approached the Budew she waited for an opportunity. The pokemon then turned around to face the opposite direction of the girl. Chimchar, curiously awaiting his trainer’s orders, waited patiently.

That was until Evelyn threw a pokeball, hitting Budew square in the back catching it off guard. ‘Remember, catching low level pokemon off guard with a pokeball is a good strategy to try to catch them. But for stronger pokemon try attacking them and surprising them with said attack before throwing a pokeball,’ she recalled her father telling her many times.

As the pokeball landed on the ground it shaked once, then twice, then a third time. Evelyn held her breath, waiting for the moment of truth. Sparkles appeared from the pokeball as it gave its traditional ding.

Evelyn grabbed the pokeball and jumped in joy, seeing his trainer’s joy and also happy to have a new companion Chimchar joined his trainer’s celebration. She then took her new teammate out of its pokeball.

“Come on out, Budew!” she exclaimed excitedly.

The pokemon looked around confused at first but then turned its attention to Evelyn.

“Can’t wait to show Samantha my new pokemon. She’ll be so jealous that I caught a pokemon before her,” Evelyn said with a grin.

This caused Chimchar to sweatdrop. He then turned to the new team member, “Char, Char” he said friendly.

“Dew, bud,” replied the new pokemon, less energetic than her friend.

“Let’s get going you two, we need to make it to Oreburgh Gate before Samantha, not as if she didn’t take the wrong path,” Evelyn told her pokemon snarky.

As they started to set off, Chimchar made its way onto Evelyn’s shoulder while she carried Budew in her arms since it was slow when walking. As the three continued on their path Chimchar let out what could be inferred as mischievous remarks, echoing his trainer’s personality. During this, Budew was trying to get used to these new friend’s personalities and energy, finding her role on her trainer’s team.

Meanwhile…

Samantha and Turtwig were making their way on the path on the right, and just like her sister, Samantha was ranting to Turtwig about Evelyn.

“She better apologize and say I was right when she arrives after me at Oreburgh Gate,” she told Turtwig.

Turtwig was imagining Chimchar being in the same situation as him.

As he and his trainer made way on the path, Samantha was quick to get distracted. She spotted a flock of Starly flying overhead and decided to chase after them as they flew up the path. Turtwig, caught off guard by his trainer’s sudden decision, struggled to catch up. That was until they reached a small prairie on the side of the route.

Samantha, ever so curious, decided to check out the prairie and as soon as she did her eyes lit up. She had seen a pokemon that caught her eye in the center of it. Turtwig, curiously took a look at the pokemon his trainer was eying from next to her. It was a small blue and black pokemon with some yellow accents, it kind of looked like a lion cub.

Samantha pointed the camera of her rotom phone towards it, she already knew what the pokemon was, she just wanted to confirm.

“Zzzt, zzzt, Shinx the flash pokemon, an electric type, the extension and contraction of its muscles generates electricity. It glows when in trouble.”

Samantha then emerged from the tall grass and lunged for the Shinx. This surprised the wild pokemon as the young girl suddenly hugged him. Due to this it let out an electric discharge, shocking Samantha. Samantha was charred and covered in soot, her hair in all directions but not letting go of the pokemon in her arms. 

Turtwig rushed next to his trainer with a concerned look to make sure she’s ok and defend her if necessary. She then shaked her head which somehow got rid of all the soot and put her hair back into place. 

“Not bad, not only are you adorable and fluffy, but you are strong too,” she said cheerfully, causing the two pokemon to sweatdrop.

The pokemon caught in her arms started to take a particular liking to this bizarre trainer that grabbed him out of nowhere and tanked a shock like it was nothing. 

“Now to make you mine,” she pulled out a pokeball and pressed it against Shinx’s head.

Shinx went into the ball and it fell onto the girl’s hands. She watched eagerly as it started to shake, once, Turtwig looked curiously, waiting to see if the pokemon would stay or not in the ball, it shook a second time, a third. Then, sparkles. Samantha stood there a second in disbelief. Soon realization caught her. She jumped up and down in joy.

“YAY! I caught a Shinx! One of my favorite pokemon of all time!” she exclaimed happily. She quickly noticed Turtwig’s glare, “With you, of course,” she quickly said while petting him. 

This earned a happy “Wig wig,” from her pokemon.

“Can’t wait to show off to Evelyn that I caught a pokemon before her and took the right path,” she said mischievously, “Maybe I could prank her by getting Shinx to shock her.”

She then released her newly caught friend. When it came out of its pokeball it let out a mighty roar before going up to cuddle Samantha’s leg. Turtwig, not letting him have any of that, quickly started to do the same. A rivalry could be seen brewing between the two of them, a rivalry for their trainer’s love.

Samantha then picked up her two companions in her arms and snuggled the both of them.

“The three of us will beat the league together. Now let's get to Oreburgh Gate before my sister. Onwards, my cute pokemon,” she said with a voice filled with determination.

Her pokemon decided to put their rivalry away for now to not disturb their precious trainer.

Samantha then started to run, pokemon in arms towards her destination determined to beat her sister there.

Suddenly both twins emerged from their paths at the same time and made it in front of a cave, Oreburgh Gate. They were both out of breath and let themselves fall on a small patch of grass in front of the cave, leaving their pokemon on the ground.

“Urgh, we both made it here at the same time,” complained Samantha.

“Oh shut it,” retorted Evelyn.

As the twins started catching their breath, their pokemon started talking to one another, as if introducing their new friends to each other.

Then Evelyn jerked up and with a smirk told Samantha, “Heh, at least I caught a pokemon on the way here,” not noticing the Shinx her sister caught.

“Wait, you caught a pokemon too?!” replied her sister, as oblivious as Evelyn.

The pokemon were clearly unamused at their antics but knew that they should start heading towards their trainers.

“Look, I caught a Budew. Perfect for the Oreburgh gym,” Evelyn said pridefully, showing off said pokemon like a prize.

“Well I caught a Shinx, look how cute and fluffy it is,” Samantha said with a pout, realizing that her sister was more strategic in her capture.

The twins started talking about how they met their pokemon and how they went about catching them. Soon they would start to get ready as they would make their way to their final destination, Oreburgh City, but first they had to cross Oreburgh Gate. This was going to be a simple task for the both of them now that they had new partners alongside them and each other. With that they set off, continuing their journey.

Chapter Text

The twins just made it through Oreburgh Gate and now stood at the edge of Oreburgh City. While in the cave, they faced random trainers challenging them to battle, wild pokemon attacking them, and each other’s snarky remarks. But now they have reached their destination.

“We’re finally here!” exclaimed Samatha, while spinning in place, holding her two pokemon in her arms.

“Told you that was the right path,” Evelyn replied, rolling her eyes. 

Chimchar, who was perched on her shoulder, giggled to himself while Budew, caught in its trainer’s arms, gave a cheerful, “Dew,” in agreement.

The group then made their way to the nearest pokemon center in town in order to rest up. They had gone quickly through Oreburgh gate, so by the time they made it to the pokemon center it was the early afternoon. As the twins rested in their room they gave their pokemon bowls of pokemon food for them to eat, they themselves were drinking sodas.

As Evelyn was sipping from her strawberry soda, she asked Samantha, “Hey Samantha, do you have a strategy of some sort for the Oreburgh gym?”

Samantha then stopped drinking for a second and thought about it for a second, before giving a simple answer, “No, I’ll just go for it, I guess.”

Evelyn then gave a sigh, “You can’t just go up to every battle and hope it goes well, you need to have some kind of strategy,” she said blatantly.

“Geez, who are you to tell me how to battle, we started our journey at the same time, mind you,” Samantha shot back.

As they finished resting they headed towards their goal, Oreburgh Gym, only to be met with disappointment. 

“What do you mean the gym is closed?” Evelyn said, clearly annoyed.

“I-I mean the gym leader isn’t here right now, she is down in the mine,” replied the nervous league member in the gym.

“Urgh, stupid league member,” snorted Evelyn as she and Samantha left the gym building.

“What are we gonna do now?” Smantha asked her sister innocently.

“We’re going to get that stupid gym leader and drag her back to her own gym to make her battle us!” she replied with fire in her eyes.

Chimchar mimicked his trainer, having the same fire in its eyes.

Samantha let out a chuckle while Turtwig sighed, “I knew you would say that, to the mines then!”

As the two of them made way to Oreburgh mines they saw from afar the Oreburgh museum, known for its ability to revive any fossil brought to it. 

Once they made it to the entrance of the mine they were quickly blocked off by a miner.

“Sorry ladies, this area is off limits at the moment,” he told them in a flat voice.

Evelyn groaned and both her and her sister went around the bend to get out of sight of the miner.

“Time for plan B,” Samantha said slyly.

A Shinx appeared in front of the miner, confusing him. Then suddenly it lunged at him, toppling him over, and then it took his helmet and started to run away. “You rascal! Get over here!” yelled the miner.

Samantha and Evelyn chuckled, then Evelyn lunged for the mines, with her sister staying back to keep an eye on her pokemon just in case. Evelyn made it into the mine with no trouble. Both her and Chimchar took a moment to catch their breath after the sudden sprint.

“Let’s find that gym leader,” Evelyn told her partner as she gave him a thumbs up.

“Chim char,” replied the pokemon with the same determination, returning the thumbs up.

As the two darted through maze-like hallways, dimly lit with faint candle light, a feeling of adventure and unease started to build up, as if they were exploring unknown territory with no knowledge on how to get back. Going deeper and deeper into the earth’s crust they soon heard a voice echo through the walls. They gave each other a nod, knowing they had found what they were searching for.

As they turned the final corner they found themselves face to face with a tall woman with fairly tanned skin and messy blond hair that had some pink accents at its tips, which was messily tied into two ponytails. She wore a bright yellow top and grey sweatpants, a miner’s helmet, and was also wearing a pair of black gloves with pink accents that looked like it was bionic, which it wasn’t. She had a mischievous grin on her face as she was digging into a wall with her pickaxe.

As soon as Evelyn appeared she finished digging and turned around, leaning on her pickaxe.

“Hey there, shortie,” she said in a mocking tone, “What you doing all the way here? You shouldn’t be down here in the mines.”

This ticked Evelyn off, Chimchar could only sigh in disappointment as he waited for the chaos to unfold. “Well excuuuuuuse me princess, it’s not my fault that I needed to come here to drag you back to your gym. After all, how am I supposed to get your gym badge if you’re not even there, Koko .”

Seeing that her taunts seemed to have the desired effect on the young girl, Koko gave a sly smile. “You're a gym challenger, huh? Bet you don’t even have a single gym badge. Don’t worry, I’ll get back to my gym, in fact I’ll go right now, but don’t you go crying after I crush you. Even if I limit my team,” she once again taunted.

“We’ll see about that!” retorted Evelyn.

The two of them quickly made their way back to the surface thanks to Koko’s help. When they made it back, Evelyn saw her sister, holding Shinx in her arms, getting scolded by the miner, who now had his helmet back. Seeing this, Koko quickly figured out how Evelyn got into the mines and told the miner to knock it off. Now with both twins in tow, she led the group to her gym. Once they made it though, she told them to wait a minute before entering to challenge and told them that they could only come one at a time.

“She wants to battle you first,” the league member told Evelyn once Koko was ready. “You’re Evelyn, right?” he asked, to make sure he didn’t mix up the twins.

‘She wants to battle me first?’ Evelyn thought to herself, ‘Well, I did drag her back here and told her I would beat her,’ she recollected, ‘Maybe that’s why’.

As Evelyn made her way through the dark gym towards Koko she encountered a few trainers which she swiftly beat using Budew. Now it was time for her to face the rock type gym leader, Koko.

“You made quick work of my grunts I see,” Koko remarked, “But this ends here,” said with a sneer.

“As if I’d lose to you, now go Budew!” the young girl retorted.

“In that case go, Geodude!” 

In front of Budew stood, or rather floated, a medium sized rock with arms and a face. This was a pokemon Evelyn encountered a lot of in Oreburgh Gate. This caused her to smirk, since she had the upper hand in this battle thanks to Budew, also she had been training her pokemon against the rock types in there.

“Geodude, use Rock Throw!” ordered the gym leader.

“You know what to do Budew, remember the training!” Evelyn encouraged her pokemon. 

The rock pokemon grabbed a large rock from the ground and hurled it at Budew, but Budew managed to dodge off to the side and then started to close the distance. 

“Now use Absorb!” Evelyn commanded once her pokemon was close enough.

A green energy then surrounded Geodude, the energy exited its body in a sphere and went towards Budew. The attack was super effective and caused Geodude to faint.

“Ha, I told you I wouldn’t go down easy!” Evelyn told the gym leader.

Koko just laughed before sending out a giant rock snake, “You think that’s my only pokemon for a rookie trainer like you? I still have my Onix here and another pokemon in reserve.”

“So what, you have a big rock snake and another pebble,” Evelyn replied, her voice dripping with sarcasm, “Oh no!”

“Onix, use Screech!” Koko ordered.

Onix let out a loud roar, scaring Budew, giving it the perfect opportunity to strike, “Now sweep the ground with your tail,” the gym leader followed up.

Onix followed his trainer’s commands, launching Budew against the gym wall.

“Budew!” yelled Evelyn, concerned for her pokemon.

“Dew,” replied her pokemon weakly but with determination, getting up as the dust settled.

“Great!” Evelyn said, her usual self coming back, “Now let’s do this, climb that pile of rocks!”

Budew darted towards Onix. “Not If I have anything to say about it,” interjected Koko, “Onix wipe that sprout from the field again!”

As the large serpent’s tail approached the small grass type it hopped onto its tail and started climbing the Onix.

“Now use Absorb once again!” yelled Evelyn.

Once again Budew used Absorb, dealing considerable damage to Onix and healing itself in the process. Due to its four times weakness, Onix collapsed, fainting, just like Geodude before.

“Heh, now look who’s talking trash now,” the young girl said, taunting her opponent, “What pathetic pebble do you have for us next.”

Koko just laughed, laughed at the situation and the little girl’s confidence. “Hahahaha, prepare yourself to be shocked, you little brat,” Koko told her in a provocative tone, “Now go Mankey !”

A small round, fluffy and angry monkey-like pokemon emerged from the trainer’s pokeball. 

This caused the girl to say in an outraged tone, “You’re a rock type gym leader, you’re not supposed to have anything other than rock types!”

“Too bad kid, I make the rules here, so I can use any, pokemon, I, want!” the gym leader replied smugly, especially stretching that last part. “Now, Mankey, use Low Kick!” she commanded.

The monkey-like pokemon got close to Budew, and before it or its trainer could react, it delivered a kick at the pokemon’s feet causing it to fall over.

“Now follow up with Fury Swipes”

Mankey then commenced scratching relentlessly the helpless Budew. “And finish this off with Karate Chop!” Mankey then delivered a final blow, knocking out the poor Budew.

Evelyn grunted, then returned her fainted pokemon into its pokeball. “You did well, Budew,” she whispered to her pokemon. She then sent out her ace, Chimchar.

This has just turned into a battle of monkey pokemon, but there wasn’t any time for monkeying around. 

“Chimchar, huh? No wonder you opted for Budew this entire time,” remarked Koko. “Now use Ember!” Eveyln shouted.

Chimchar spat out a small ball of fire directly towards Mankey. Koko then grinned. 

“In that case, Mankey dodge that and use Scratch!” she countered.

“Use Scratch as well,” Evelyn ordered.

The two pokemon met in the center and countered each other’s attacks.

“Now keep using Scratch!” both trainers exclaimed.

The two monkey pokemon kept clashing in the center, returning scratch after scratch, some landing on each other, others being countered.

“Now Chimchar, let’s show them the fire within us!”

Chimchar understood the cue and as he kept clashing with Mankey he suddenly opened his mouth and exhaled a ball of fire. This caught both Koko and Mankey off guard, who weren’t ready for the sudden fire attack. Mankey then took the Ember at point blank range, causing considerable damage. Furthermore Mankey stumbled back because of the attack, leaving an opening.

“Now continue using scratch!” Evelyn ordered.

The Mankey was now helpless to the onslaught of scratches from Chimchar, it was ironic, not too long ago Mankey put Budew in the same position. After relentless scratches Mankey finally fainted.

Chimchar and Evelyn took a moment to catch their breath before celebrating.

“We did it!” Evelyn exclaimed as Chimchar ran up to her, giving her a high five, before climbing on her shoulder, “It’s all thanks to you and Budew,” she said triumphantly as she held the other pokemon’s pokeball.

“Well I gotta hand it to you kiddo, you not half bad,” Koko’s voice rang out, admitting her defeat. “But once you get stronger we’ll have to rematch so I can beat you to the ground. After all, I wasn’t using my strongest team,” she then said in her usual smug tone.

“I’ll still crush you,” Evelyn replied with a grin.

This earned a chuckle from Koko, who wrapped her arm around Evelyn’s shoulders. “Take this, it’s the coal badge, proof that you beat me. Now go back to your sister and tell her to wait five minutes before coming to challenge me, that way I have time to set up. But don’t spoil my team, got that?”

“Sure thing,” Evelyn responded as she started going back towards Samantha.

Not too long after Samantha set off herself to challenge Koko she returned with a smile and badge in hand. “Look, I also beat Koko!” she exclaimed

“Not bad,” her sister replied.

“But you could have at least told me she had a Mankey!” she then shot.

“I was told to keep my mouth shut,” Evelyn shot back with a grin.

“Hmph whatever, I guess I won’t tell you if the next gym has a curveball pokemon,” Samantha said, pouting.

The two girls then made their way back towards the pokemon center to rest up after their gym battle and sleep. The sun cast a golden hue as the twins entered the pokemon center, painting the mining town in a new golden light. The twins and their pokemon kept chatting about how their battles went and what happened when they split at the mine. Today marked the beginning of their quest to get all the gym badges, now with the first one in hand, they were ready for the next. But for now they had to rest.

Koko was talking to a mysterious voice on her phone, “I got those ores and metals you wanted ready, finished mining them this afternoon, I’ll be sending them soon,” she said.

“Great! Thanks a lot for your help, Koko!” a female voice rang out from the other side of the phone.

“Oh yeah, a little brat came into the mines when I was finishing up,” she let out a small chuckle, “She dragged me back to my gym so that she and her sister could challenge me.”

“Really? Did they beat you?” the other voice questioned.

“Yeah, they did,” she paused for a brief moment, “They have potential, maybe they'll face you,” Koko said, uncharacteristically thoughtful.

“If you say so,” the voice replied.

“But you better not waste any of the materials I got you! I swear to Arceus, if you blow it up I’ll personally come to beat you up!” Koko then said in her usual snarky tone.

“I’ll try,” said the other voice, “Well I have to go now, see you around Koko.”

“See you around," Koko replied.

As soon as her call ended, Koko received another. “What does he want?” she said as she answered the phone.

“Yes, they beat me. They have potential I’d say, but they have a lot of room for growth. Stop worrying …” Koko’s voice trailed off as she was talking with this mysterious second caller.

Chapter Text

Anny and Vedal were having a picnic by the lakeside. A gentle, soothing, breeze blew as the two were sitting on the plaid patterned cloth. Anny insisted on taking a red and white one like the ones you see in the movies because “It was cuter”. 

The two of them were sitting on the cloth, hands intertwined, as they looked at passing clouds. They were currently on a date at Lake Verity. Their pokemon, all out of their pokeballs, were lounging around them. Anny’s Sylveon rested its head on her lap while Vedal’s Torterra tried to do the same, only to be met with protests from his trainer.

“Are you kidding me, Torterra?” Vedal told him, “No offense, but you weigh like 3 tons, I’m not sure if I can handle that!”

“Tera,” Torterra said while laughing, not paying any attention to what his trainer just said.

“Torterra -” Vedal started before quickly getting cut off by Anny.

“Come on, Ved, just let him. Look at those eyes,” Anny said as Torterra started giving Vedal puppy dog eyes, which caused him and his Drednaw, which was nearby, to roll theirs.

“Fine,” Vedal gave in as Anny joined his Torterra in trying to woo his heart with a pleading gaze.

Torterra then let out a happy, “Era!” 

The other pokemon, intrigued by the commotion, wanted attention from their trainers as well. Anny’s Alolan and Kantonian Ninetales both tried to get a spot on her lap, her Delphox sat down next to her, and her Smeargle and Grafaiai trying to slip in as well.

Meanwhile, Vedal’s pokemon also got closer to their trainer, with Porygon Z and Rotom floating right next to him, Corviknight perching itself on the tree on Torterra’s back, and Drednaw, the least expressive of the bunch (and most Galarian), tried slipping in before giving up and laying down besides Torterra, near Vedal’s feet.

Anny and Vedal looked at each other, before starting to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Their pokemon gave happy chimes in return. As time passed lunch time rapidly approached. The two lovers shook off their pokemon, making sure not to harm them, to start getting their food ready. Vedal got the pokemon food out, placing in bowls the correct quantity and preferred food type of each pokemon. The moment he laid the bowls out, both his and Anny’s pokemon jumped towards him for their food, almost making the Galar champion tumble over, but he caught himself. Witnessing this, Anny couldn’t help but giggle as she laid out the food for Vedal and herself. There were sandwiches, a salad and even some slices of cake for dessert.

Once Vedal sat back down next to Anny she couldn’t help but tease him. “Say aaaaaa,” she said as she was trying to stuff a sandwich in her boyfriend’s mouth.

This caused Vedal to blush madly, “H-hey, I can feed myself on my own just well!”

“Aw come on, don’t be like that,” Anny responded playfully, “Just eat the sandwich”

“Urgh fine,” Vedal reluctantly gave in, earning a happy squeal from his lover.

He opened his mouth half-hesitantly, as Anny gently put a corner of the sandwich in his mouth, as he took a bite he could see a smile growing on Anny’s face.

“So what do you think about the sandwich?” Anny asked.

“They’re pretty good, they can’t beat my mom’s famous curry sandwiches, though,” he replied with a grin, earning a pout from Anny.

“Nothing can beat your mom’s curry in your book,” Anny said while humphing him.

“I’m sure if you ask her she’ll be glad to give you the recipe,” Vedal reassured her.

“Well, I better ask her for it,” Anny replied while giving him a playful punch to the shoulder.

The two lovers just laughed as they ate their lunch, feeding each other from time to time. After eating, as they lay once again looking at the clouds, while their pokemon were taking a nap, Vedal reached for his pocket and took something out of it.

“Hey, Anny,” he started.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“I have a gift for you, since it’s our one month anniversary.”

This shocked her, “What? You really didn’t need to, you don’t have to give me anything,” she started, waving her hands in front of her, as a massive blush started covering her face.

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to,” he told her as he stared off into the distance, before he turned to face her again. “Here, take it. Don’t worry, it’s not like it cost me my wallet or anything. It’s a special gift I hope you like. It comes from Galar, got it during my journey and I think it would be better off with you,” he said, giving her a warm smile as he extended his palm out, revealing a pokeball within it.

Anny timidly reached out her hand and grabbed the pokeball, then throwing it to reveal what was hidden within. From inside the pokeball a small orange fox, with a black, mask-like pattern on its face, and a tail with a black edge trailing on the ground, erasing its footsteps. It was a Nickit, a pokemon exclusive to the Galar region. Anny’s eyes widened as she saw this new pokemon.

“The rascal was a trouble maker, it was stealing scones at a riverside cafe back in Galar,” he explained. “I caught it so it wouldn’t cause any more trouble, but now its thieving days are long gone,” he reminisced as he gave a small chuckle, “Now I give him to you since I just know you two will get along.”

“He is so cute and cool at the same time!” she squealed as she hugged the new pokemon, who nuzzled up to her, “Thank you so much!”

Vedal just smiled, “And don’t think you need to give me anything in return,” he took a deep breath before continuing, “Your smile is enough.”

“I didn’t know you were that corny,” she teased him as she elbowed him.

They both laughed, catching their pokemons’ attention as they started to wake up. As the rest of the day passed, they had fun together with their pokemon, even taking a dip in Lace Acuity for the most courageous. 

“The water is cold,” complained Vedal.

“Aw come on, stop being a baby and just come in already,” Anny responded, with her Sylveon and his Drednaw, who were also in the water, giving a sound of agreement.

Then out of the blue, Vedal was pushed into the water by his Torterra. “Hey! How could you betray me like this!” he yelled dramatically after he surfaced, “I trusted you, you were supposed to be my friend!”

Torterra just laughed at his drenched trainer, soon joined by the rest of the entourage, causing Vedal to sulk as he joined, against his will, the others that were swimming.

As the sun started to set, Anny started to pack up, only to be stopped by Vedal, “Wait, the date is not over yet, there is still something I need to show you, you just have to be patient.”

“Ok then,” she replied, putting the plaid cloth back into place with a smile on her face.

They lay once again on the cloth, hands and fingers intertwined, their pokemon joining them once again just like earlier that day with a new member finding its place on Anny’s lap.

As the sun disappeared over the horizon and as the night crept in, Anny could only wonder what the surprise was, as the glow of the full moon lit up their cozy little corner. Vedal got her Delphox to light some lanterns that they put around their picnic site, casting a cozy glow.

Soon enough stars filled the night sky, then it happened. It started with a few, then it filled the sky, hundreds of shooting stars could be seen soaring in space. It was a beautiful sight. 

Vedal gave a quick glance in Anny’s direction to see her reaction. She was amazed, with similar sparkles in her eyes as she started in awe at the once in a lifetime show. He knew about a meteor shower happening soon so he chose a nice quiet place where they could watch it together at night and have fun during the day. Everything went according to his plan, his plan to make this day memorable and to see her happy.

“I love you, Vedal,” she told him, snapping him from his trance, as she looked at him with soft eyes.

Vedal just smiled and said “I love you too, Anny.”

The two then leaned in for a kiss, their pokemon shifting to let the two of them have this moment. The meteor shower continued unaware of the young lovers, just falling, leaving their bright trails behind.

From the trees behind the group, a small, blue pokemon with two tails tipped with a red gem in them, yellow eyes, and a pink head with pink parts splitting into four at the top of the head and a red gem on the forehead, watched them, hidden from view. It giggled at the group's antics, sensing their strong emotions, before flying back towards its home on the island at the center of Lace Acuity.

Chapter Text

The following morning, Samantha and Evelyn got their bags ready and grabbed their pokemon’s pokeballs. They released their pokemon to have them join them, quickly settling in their usual perches on the sisters, and with that they sprinted out of the pokemon center to go to their next destination, Floaroma Town, a stop between Oreburgh City and Eterna City, where the next gym was located. To reach Floaroma Town, they had to backtrack, go back through Oreburgh gate to get to Jubilife City, and then head north. They were hoping to make it there before sundown. 

“Hurry up Samantha, you're too slow!” Evelyn exclaimed as they were heading towards Oreburgh Gate.

“Oh shut it, it’s not like we’re gonna be late for something,” she wailed in return.

“Just kick up the pace,” she retorted, clenching her fist, before getting cut off by a voice behind her.

“Where do you two think you’re going,” the familiar voice remarked in a familiar snarky tone.

The twins turned to face the voice, only to be greeted by Koko, who was near the cave’s entrance, with her usual grin plastered on her face. “Aw come on, you two couldn’t come over and say goodbye to your dear friend?” she said, being overly dramatic on purpose, “That hurts me, I thought we were friends, pipsqueaks.”

This slightly annoyed both twins, “Only I can call my sister short!” Samantha shot back.

“Hey! Nobody can call me short! Not her and especially not you, Samantha!”

Koko just laughed at their antics, “Well, I just came to wish you luck as you set off towards your next destination.”

“Hmmph, whatever, you’re probably here to curse us so that you can beat us in the future. It won’t work,” Evelyn retorted, not being able to accept the gym leader’s wishes like a certain tsundere family member of hers.

“Don’t mind my sis,” Samantha butted in, shoving her to the side, “Is that all you wanted to tell us?”

“Yeah, that’s about it, and also, you two, especially you Evelyn, better not lose. I want to be the one to beat you two once you come back for a rematch,” she told them, her voice dripping with confidence. “I won’t hold you two back anymore though,” she stated lifting her hands up in the air, “Good luck you two.”

“Thanks!” Samantha said energetically while Evelyn said it under her breath, being too much like her father.

They gave each other a wave as the twins entered the cave.

Not too long after, the twins made it through Oreburgh Gate and were almost at Jubilife City. As the girls entered the city, they felt something was off, like if there was a looming threat. As if there was something going to happen, but they had no idea what it could be. Everything was normal in town, people walking with their partners back to their apartments, a group of kids playing in the park, just the usual.

“Do you also feel that there is something going on?” Samantha asked her sister.

“Yeah, but everything looks normal,” she replied, “Maybe we’re just imagining stuff.”

“I guess so, let’s just continue on our way to Floaroma Town,” she stated, “But first, time for a lunch break!”

Evelyn sighed, their pokemon seemed to be excited at the idea of a lunch break. Then her stomach rumbled, causing red to flush her face, “Fine, let's go eat somewhere,” turning away from her sister.

Samantha giggled, before putting her pokemon down. She then shot one of her arms in the air, “Time for operation lunch! Let’s go look for the best restaurant around to feed my hungry little sis!”

The group then settled at a sandwich shop, sitting on the tables outside. The pokemon were eating food from some pokemon bowls while their trainers were eating their sandwiches. Samantha took a simple olive oil base sandwich with avocado, fried tofu and lettuce while Evelyn took a sandwich with a chili sauce and ketchup base and chorizo, bacon and jalapenos.

Evelyn took a big bite from her sandwich before turning to her sister, “You got any plans for when we reach Floaroma Town?” she asked, her mouth full.

“Don’t speak with your mouth full,” she replied in a condescending tone.

“Oh shut it! You’re no better yourself!” Evelyn shot back, earning a small laugh from the group.

“There is this flower patch I’d like to see at Floaroma Town,” she then answered, tilting her head back, taking another bite out of her sandwich.

“A flower patch, seriously? There’s the Valley Windworks, not too far away from it, that looks way more interesting than some dumb flowers. It’s a wind powered power plant”

“Hey, they aren’t dumb! I won’t make you a flower crown cause you said that,” she told her, turning away and pouting.

“W-whatever,” Evelyn replied, turning away as well, hurt a bit that her sister wouldn’t make her a flower crown.

Meanwhile Chimchar giggled at the trainers’ antics. Budew stayed close to him, but not too close so that she gets set on fire, she just watched helplessly at the twin’s debate. Turtwig and Shinx on the other hand were shooting glares at each other, not forgetting their rivalry, even while eating. Seeing this Budew went up to Chimchar and showed him the other two pokemon. He turned his attention from the trainers to the pokemon and sighed. He went up to the two of them and pulled them in close, giving a nod to Budew to tell it to come as well.

This shocked Turtwig and Shinx, who now found each other extremely close to one another. Chimchar just had a grin on his face as he said “Char, char,” roughly translating to, “Come on you two, get along already!”

This was quickly met by protests from both pokemon, “Wig turt!”, “Shin shinx!”, that roughly translates to “He’s trying to steal my trainer from me!” “That stupid Turtwig keeps annoying me all the time!”

“Dew bud!”, “Char chim!” Evelyn’s pokemon replied, roughly translating to “Nobody is stealing anyone’s trainer, just get along!”, “Yeah look at us, we get along just well. And we share Evelyn’s attention just like you two should share Samantha’s!”

The two pokemon then looked at each other for a moment, they decided they would try to share the attention more, but still didn’t like one another that much. Budew and Chimchar sighed, taking this small victory.

Soon both the pokemon and their trainers finished their lunch, with Samantha and Evelyn finishing some cookies. They made their way north of Jubilife City towards Route 204 only to notice a familiar face. There was a recognizable old man with two people in front of him, there was one boy and a girl, they seemed to be in their twenties and they both had blue hair and a bowl cut . They both wore weird high tech looking outfits with a bizarre G on the chest. It seemed as if they were causing trouble for Professor Rowan.

The twins quickly looked at one another and gave a nod, before returning their pokemon and rushing towards the small group. As they approached they heard the two people’s voices, “Come on old man, just hand us one of those pokedex gizmos”, 

“Yeah do that, or else we’ll use our pokemon to attack you.”

The sisters then butted in to defend the Professor, “Hey who are you two weirdos and what do you want with Professor Rowan,” Evelyn cut in with a serious tone.

“Stay out of this, you’re just kids anyways,” the boy said.

“We’re not just kids! We’re pokemon trainers!” Neuro shot.

“Girls-” started the professor before being cut off by the girl in the tech suit.

“Fine, let’s settle this with a pokemon battle,” the girl said, “And we’ll prove that Team Galactic is superior!”

The small group then got into battle stances, getting ready to fight. “Go Chimchar!”, “Go Turtwig!”, “Go Glameow!”, “Go Stunky!” the trainers exclaimed simultaneously as they released their pokemon. The girl had released a gray cat that had a tail that curled up like a long tail, Glameow, while the boy released a purple skunk-like pokemon, a Stunky.

“Now Stunky, use Acid Spray!”, “Glameow use Scratch!” the opposing trainers ordered

“Dodge now!” the twins yelled in unison. Chimchar and Turtwig narrowly avoided the Acid Spray and Scratches from the rival pokemon. “Now use Razor Leaf!” Samantha commanded.

Turtwig then created a large group of leaves that hit the opposing pokemon, doing more damage to Glameow than Stunky, who withstood the attack pretty well. Unbeknown to the Team Galactic grunts, they had fallen right into their trap.

“Now use Ember on the scattered leaves!” Evelyn’s voice rang out, followed by the monkey pokemon exhaling a small fireball.

Once the fireball hit the leaves, they caught fire. The fire spread rapidly, surrounding and covering the opposing pokemon. The usage of Razor Leaf only furthered the damage of Chimchar’s ember.

Before the fire could go out Samantha ordered her pokemon to use Razor Leaf once again, further feeding the flames and ultimately resulting in the K.O. of the grunts’ pokemon. 

The grunts looked down in despair after their embarrassing defeat, returning their pokemon into their pokeballs, before snapping back at the twins, “We’ll let you off this once! But it’s not over yet!” the male grunt exclaimed, “Yeah, this isn’t the last of Team Galactic you’ll see!” the female grunt chimed in. After their bold claims the two of them ran away, leaving the Professor and the two girls together.

“Thank you both for helping me out,” the old man told them warmly.

Evelyn turned her head to avoid his gaze, “Well you did give us the pokedex app and our starter pokemon,” she started.

“Yeah! And why wouldn’t we help you? I guess this explains the weird feeling we had when we entered town earlier today,” her sister butted in.

The Professor let out a hearty chuckle, “Well I’m glad you two were around, say, have any of you caught any new pokemon that you registered in your pokedex?”

Sparkles appeared in the girls’ eyes as they started showing off their new pokemon and explaining how they got them, causing Rowan’s chuckle to become a laugh.

After talking about their new pokemon for a couple minutes, the girls waved the Professor goodbye as they continued to their destination of Floaroma Town. The sun was still high in the early afternoon, casting its warm and comforting rays on the young trainers and their pokemon as they set off on Route 204, towards Ravaged Path, that would eventually lead them to their final destination.

Chapter Text

7 years before the current events

It was a normal day in the Sinnoh region and a family was going out for a picnic on Lake Acuity. That family was none other than the Johnsons, there was Vedal, the father, and Anny, the mother both in their early 30’s, a pair of young twins, Evelyn and Samantha, who were 6 and their older sister, Nere, who was 8. Nere, unlike her sisters, had inherited her father’s black hair and green eyes. She wore a black face mask that covered her nose and mouth, wore a pair of green ribbons in her hair that was styled like her sisters’ and she wore a black cardigan with a green bow on her chest. She had a short skirt that ended mid thigh, and some black tights that covered her legs. She was the Johnson family’s eldest kid.

The family quickly found a nice spot in the shade of nearby trees by the lakeside. As the parents were setting up the familiar red plaid cloth on the ground, Samantha and Evelyn played with some of their parent’s pokemon while Nere sat comfortably at the base of a tree reading a book about special phenomena that made pokemon stronger, such as Mega Evolution, which she was currently reading. She was quite invested in the various passages explaining how each phenomena functioned and helped. Soon her sisters came to bug her.

“Hey big sis, why don’t you join us instead of reading that boring book,” commented Samantha, while hanging upside down from the tree on Torterra’s back.

“Yeah Nere,” Evelyn agreed, appearing behind Theivul.

Nere sighed, “It’s not a boring book, it’s quite interesting and insightful,” she said, sounding mature for her age. “Can I read a bit more before joining the two of you?” she asked.

“Sure whatever, bookworm,” Evelyn retorted.

Nere giggled and continued reading as her sisters played and her parents finished setting everything up. But soon she felt a presence nearby, as if somebody or something was watching her. She looked around but saw nothing. She shrugged it off but she still felt the lingering sensation. Not too long after, she put her book down and went to join her sisters. 

Nere, out of breath after playing with her sisters, went to sit with her parents on the cloth they set up. She then asked her father “Dad, is it just me, or do you also feel something watching you?”

Vedal just raised an eyebrow and looked around, “I don’t feel anything, how about you, dear?” he asked Anny.

Anny then looked around herself, “No, nothing,” she then replied as Delphox got closer to them.

“I must be imagining it, sorry to bother you,” Nere said looking down.

“Aw, don’t worry, you didn’t bother us at all. It’s ok to tell us if something is feeling off,” Anny told the eldest daughter sweetly, while holding her face in her hands.

“Oh and also, we’ll be having lunch soon, so be ready for when we call you,” Vedal chimed in, before getting elbowed by his wife.

Nere gave a quick nod before grabbing her book from earlier and sitting back down under the tree. As she read she felt the staring sensation grow stronger, like someone was staring directly into her soul. She quickly turned around and saw a small pokemon with a white body, green hair in a bob cut, covering its eyes and a flat pink horn-like thing on its head. It was a Ralts, she had read about it before, a psychic fairy type, categorized as the feeling pokemon.

When the Ralts saw that Nere spotted it, it quickly hid behind the tree. This triggered Nere’s curiosity, as she put her book down and quietly crawled towards the feeling pokemon. When it peeked from its hiding spot again it was face to face with the young girl, startling the both of them and causing them to jump back.

Hearing the noise, Vedal and Anny turned to see what Nere was doing, and not seeing her under the tree they quickly jumped up. He signed to Anny that he was going into the forest and she gave a worried nod in response. Vedal got Porygon-Z and Falinks to come with him, as they were doing nothing and wouldn’t arouse suspicion among the twins. 

Nere got a bit closer to Ralts before asking, “Are you the one who was watching me?”

The pokemon just gave a quick nod before giving a rapid chirp.

Nere then grabbed her book, “Do you maybe,” she paused for a second, “Want to read this book with me?”

The Ralts gave the book a quick glance before giving a timid nod.

Nere then sat down at the base of the tree it was hiding behind and Ralts got on her lap. They started reading together before a man’s voice rang out, filled with concern, “Nere! Where are you?”

Nere perked up and the small pokemon jumped, soon Vedal could be seen with his pokemon. The leader of the Falinks spotted the girl and alerted his trainer. Soon Vedal rushed to Nere and gave her a hug, “Oh there you are, Nere! Your mother and I got worried when we couldn’t see you!” he exclaimed, relieved.

“S-sorry dad,” she quickly apologized, “I- uhhh just wanted to see what was over here.,” she told him hesitantly, trying to hide Ralts, “Then I found this nice corner and wanted to read a bit.”.

Vedal knew she was hiding something, so he peered over her shoulder to find out why his daughter was acting strangely.

“W-what are you doing dad?!” Nere questioned him, as she desperately tried to hide her new companion, only to fail, as her father noticed it.

“Oh, a Ralts,” he started as he looked more closely at it, “It’s said that they don’t show themselves to anyone, only to those with happy feelings,” he recited, as if he memorized this. “You’re lucky to have encountered this little guy and befriended her so easily.” 

Nere looked shocked for a second, about how chill her father was with this. “So you’re not mad at me for being with a pokemon?” she questioned him.

“Of course not, why would I? And it seems you’re less timid around this little Ralts than most other kids,” he half teased but with a genuine voice, Anny had rubbed off on him. This caused Nere to get flustered, as he was right. “But now let’s head back to the picnic, it’s almost time to eat.”

Her shoulders slumped at the revelation, knowing she had to leave her friend, she got up slowly, but carefully, to not hurt the small pokemon and she told her goodbye, as she reluctantly followed her father. The Ralts was sad to see the girl disappear towards the lakefront, so she decided to follow them. 

Anny breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Vedal return with the missing daughter and she started getting the lunch ready. As the family and their pokemon got together to eat, Nere felt the same sensation from earlier, and she turned around, to see Ralts once again behind a tree. She ushered it towards her and it stealthily approached. Nere then gave it a piece of the sandwich she was eating, Anny noticed this and shot Vedal a glance, to which he responded with a light smile and nod, earning a sigh and a slight smile.

On the way back home, unbeknownst to the family, the eldest’s new friend followed them, and in the weeks, and months that followed Ralts would always appear to hang out with Nere. At one point Vedal knew what he had to do, as he was once in Nere’s shoes, so one day, while Nere was reading a book about pokemon ecology with Ralts, he came up to them and sat down next to them. 

“Hey, Nere,” he started, getting the girl and the pokemon’s attention. “I see the two of you have gotten close recently.”

Nere, turned around in surprise, “W-we have?,” she said, concerned. “I didn’t do this on purpose I swear,” she told him, flailing her arms in front of her face.

Vedal chuckled, “That isn’t a bad thing at all!”

Nere then hesitated before continuing, “But I’m not old enough to set off on a journey yet …”

She was cut off by her father’s next words, “Reminds me of when I met Turtwig.”

Both Nere and Ralts raised an eyebrow, curious about his tale.

“I found him on Route 1 in Galar one day, and since that day we would always hang out,” he said, chuckling to himself, as he looked at the pokeball he had in hand. “Then one day after weeks, if not months of hanging out, I knew he was the one, the one to be my first partner pokemon, and my first friend,” he recited to her in a nostalgic tone, before looking his daughter straight in the eyes and handing her the empty pokeball. “Now here, if you think that Ralts here is the one, use it, if not you can keep the pokeball for later,” he told her, giving her a warm smile.

Anny was watching from the kitchen window what was happening, excited to see what would happen next.

Nere was left speechless, she didn’t know what to say. She felt this was wrong somehow, she shouldn’t have a pokemon before setting off, yet her body didn’t listen. She slowly and timidly reached out for the pokeball and took it, taking a moment to observe it, like if it was an ancient relic, before facing Ralts, she had to do the right thing, she had to follow her heart, “Ralts?” she took a deep breath before continuing, “Would you like to be my first partner pokemon?” she asked, holding out the pokeball in her hands, as she hid her embarrassed face, shutting her eyes, too afraid of what would happen next.

Ralts didn’t hesitate for a second and let out a happy chirp, as it touched the button at the center of the pokeball, turning into red plasma and getting absorbed by the contraption. One shake, two shakes, three shakes, and a ding. Ralts was caught. 

Nere peeked out of one eye, then opened the second, took a minute to realize what happened, not believing this moment was real, before jumping of joy, clenching the pokeball against her chest. “I did it! I caught a pokemon!” she squealed, before releasing said pokemon.

“Ra, ralts!” the pokemon said as Nere hugged it and jumped with joy once again.

Vedal just watched, smiling, remembering that fateful day where he and Turtwig became partners. To see his first daughter catch her first pokemon, like he did, and be this happy and excited melted his heart, as he let out a single tear of joy, that he quickly wiped away. Torterra emerged from his pokeball in Vedal’s belt and watched the scene unfold before him, before giving his trainer a quick, playful nudge.

Later that evening a new member joined the Johnson household, Ralts. As expected there were some excited and jealous twins.

“You got your first pokemon already!” Evelyn exclaimed.

“No fair, I also want a partner pokemon!” pouted Samantha.

“Well this is a special case, so be happy for your sister,” Anny told the both of them, in a protective and firm voice, defending the shy sister.

As Vedal looked at Nere and Ralts he could help but see himself and Turtwig in them, hence a psychic and more timid Turtwig but it was a similar case. Unlike him who preferred solitude more as a kid, Nere’s shyness caused her to keep to herself and prevented her from making friends. But like him she eventually managed to make a friend in a pokemon, and hopefully Ralts will help her open up to some more human and pokemon companions, as Torterra once did for him. Was this how his mother felt when he was younger?

The night went on normally, as the family welcomed a new member and celebrated the accomplishment of another. Laughter filled the house at the edge of Twinleaf town as the moon rose up in the night sky.

Later that evening Nere was looking out her window towards the night sky, and Vedal, who was passing by, caught a glimpse of that and approached his daughter. Her pokemon was sleeping on the bed peacefully, unaware of her trainer not being there. He approached Nere, before sitting down next to her, startling her at first, before she realized it was him.

“Oh, it’s just you,” she whispered to her father.

“Yeah, say, why are you up so late, Nere?” he asked.

“Just thinking about stuff …” she told him, trailing off.

Vedal sighed before pushing forward, “What’s on your mind? You can tell me, I’m here to help you no matter what,” he said, voice genuine and true.

“Well … do pokemon count as friends?” she blurted out, surprising her father.

A warm smile found its way on Vedal’s face as he embraced his eldest daughter in a hug, “Of course they are, sometimes they are the greatest of friends,” he started. “But you must also try to make some human friends as well, through adventuring I learned that bonds with pokemon and people are equally important,” this seems to have reassured his uncertain daughter who wasn’t familiar with friendship.

“I see, thanks dad,” she said, returning the hug before heading back to bed.

Vedal gave her a quick kiss on the forehead before heading back out and closing the door behind him.

Through the open curtains of her windows silvery moonlight shone on the new trainer and Pokemon pair, as they slept peacefully through the night.

5 years later, 2 years before the current events

Nere and her Ralts, who was now a Gardevoir, were in an intense battle at Laverre City gym. Both Nere and Valerie, the gym leader, were down to their last pokemon, a Sylveon and a Gardevoir, but Nere’s Gardevoir had sustained quite some damage already. It seemed like they were about to lose, but then something happened. The stone Nere and Gardevoir found, that Gardevoir was holding, started resonating and glowing with the Keystone Nere had embedded on the right side of her mask. They both gave each other a nod of silent understanding before Nere tapped the Keystone. Rainbow tentacles of energy emerged from the Keystone and the Mega stone Gardevoir had, binding to each other, connecting the trainer to their pokemon. Valerie watched in awe as the two were performing Mega Evolution for the first time. Soon Gardevoir was surrounded by a mysterious cocoon before breaking out, creating a weird, twisted DNA symbol in front of her. But this Gardevoir was different, she had a larger poofier dress, the chest “spike” split into two parts that merged at her back, and the small bits of white behind her eyes on both sides that went onto her green hair climbed up and grew, covering a larger portion of her head. She had Mega Evolved into Mega Gardevoir.

Nere then stretched out her arm before ordering, “Gardevoir use Psychic!”

Gardevoir silently agreed as it used its enhanced psychic abilities to grab the opposing pokemon and throw them around the gym, dealing considerable damage. As Valerie’s Sylveon got up, barely standing, she was about to give an order, before being cut off by the young challenger.

“Finish this with Shadow Ball!”

Gardevoir created an orb of shadows before firing, first off a large Shadow Ball, quickly followed by an onslaught of other, smaller Shadow Balls. Soon enough Sylveon fainted, and Nere became the victor over Laverre City gym.

Nere and Gardevoir breathed a sigh of relief, finally beating their opponent. Gardevoir quickly reverted to her normal form once the battle ended, with the mega energy disappearing.

“Nice job, Gardevoir,” Nere told her partner, to which she responded with a pat on Nere’s shoulder and a smile.

Valerie quickly congratulated the two on beating her and succeeding in Mega Evolution for the first time, to which Nere could only sigh, since she wasn’t very social and was still quite timid, unlike Gardevoir who grew out of her timidness for her trainer.

The sun was setting, and Nere and Gardevoir were sitting at the base of a tree, not too far from the city’s pokemon center, but far enough to not be disturbed by the city’s noises and lights. They both stared into the horizon for a bit before Nere pulled something out of her bag.

“Hey Gardevoir, do you remember this?” she asked her partner, showing the book. It was the book about special phenomena and pokemon, the book that they both shared when they met and inadvertently bound them together.

Gardevoir smiled and gave her trainer a nod, causing Nere to smile under her mask. “I remember you were a small Ralts back then, and I was a young girl who wasn’t even a trainer yet,” she stopped for a moment, looking over the horizon, “Now look at us, you’re all grown up and a Gardevoir now, and I am now a pokemon trainer with 6 gym badges.”

Then all her other pokemon emerged from their pokeballs; first emerged a pink and blue humanoid pokemon that had a magician’s hat whose tip connected to a long braid, a Hatterene, moving to stand next to Gardevoir. Then a pokemon that looked like a washed out pikachu outfit with a wooden tail, a Mimikyu, sneaking under her right arm. Followed by a black, fox-like pokemon with golden yellow glowing rings, an Umbreon, standing gracefully in front of her with her rings glowing. Next was a four legged rock like pokemon with a steel x on its face and red eyes, a Metagross, placing himself to the left of Umbreon. Finally a dog-like pokemon with a black body, front legs that looked like bird talons, a large, flat tail that looked like the end of a fish’s tail and a white mohawk that was kind of shaped like an axe, a Silvaly, standing in front of Nere, next to the other two pokemon.

This was the team she built, some of the friends she made as a trainer, and proof that Nere had grown and became stronger. 

Her smile softened further as she held her hands out to her other pokemon, “And don’t think I forgot about the rest of you!” Her pokemon leaped into her open arms as she hugged them, while Hatterene and Gardevoir stood to the side, watching their trainer and making sure the others didn't get too out of hand, before caving in and joining them. The sun disappeared out of sight as the moon timidly made way into the sky, stars started to appear as the group admired them before eventually returning to the pokemon center to rest for the day ahead.

I made an art I made for this chapter (don't expect some for future chapters, this is a one time thing, maybe) but I can't upload it directly here, either try coming to the Neuroverse Fanfic Community to check it out or try this link here.

P.S. I added the Mega Gardevoir drawing I traced the outline of as well to credit the original.

Google drive link

Chapter Text

The twins had made it to Floaroma town. It was a small, peaceful town filled to the brim with flowers. A gentle breeze blew by, picking up leaves. Everything seemed serene in a way, no loud noises, no bright lights, nothing.

“Wow, this place smells amazing,” Samantha held her nose high, sniffing the smell from the flowers.

“No wonder this place is called Flo aroma town. The smell is everywhere,” Evelyn replied.

Samantha was crouched down by a flower pot with Turtwig and Shinx. They were sticking their noses in some roses.

“Guess you’ve seen the flowers you wanted, time to head to the Windworks,” Evelyn started walking away.

“Hey!” Samantha grabbed her sister’s sleeve, yanking her back. “We still have to go to Floaroma Meadow!"

“Urgh.” Evelyn rolled her eyes, Chimchar giggled, and Budew just watched.

The small group made their way towards the north of the town. It didn’t take long before they reached its edge. 

“I know there’s a passage around here!” Samantha scanned the area. “Ah! There it is!” she pointed towards a path in the trees with a sign saying, ‘Floaroma Meadows this way’.

“Oh great,” Evelyn sarcastically said.

As they made their way through the forest path they soon entered a large meadow filled with flowers everywhere. The twins' eyes widened, not expecting the place to be so big. Small beaten paths were around the large groups of flowers to not only separate them, but also let visitors walk through.

As they made their way through roses, tulips and lavender Evelyn couldn’t help but admit this was a nice place. She crouched down, smelling a rose. It’s sweet scent filled up her nostrils, maybe this wasn’t that bad of a detour. Samatha giggled, seeing her younger sister, who was opposed to coming here, actually enjoying herself and smelling some roses. She was for sure going to tease her about this later.

Samantha and Evelyn soon passed a weird tree with goldish leaves. A sweet scent came from it. They both approached it, wondering where the smell came from. Then their pokemon jumped from their hands and rushed towards the tree.

“Huh?!”, “What?!” The twins were both confused. Their pokemon started licking the tree. They both got close to it and saw a glistening liquid all over the bark.

Samantha slid her finger over the liquid before putting it in her mouth. Evelyn looked at her like she was crazy. Sparkles shone in Samantha’s eyes, “It’s honey!”

Evelyn looked at her dumbfounded, shoulders slumping, “Are you serious, why are you licking honey off the bark of trees? That’s not safe.”

A young, high pitched voice rang out behind them, “What are you doing to my tree!” The girls and their pokemon turned around to see a girl, around 6, standing there. She had tears starting to form in her eyes. “I put honey on that tree to feed the Combee that live here!”

As she said that a swarm of Combee appeared, surrounding the group. Everyone except the young girl’s eyes widened as they saw the incoming swarm. They didn’t attack the group, but went for the honey. The young trainers breathed a sigh of relief, slumping down. They quickly straightened up as soon as the young girl started to cry.

“W-wait, don’t cry!” Samantha was waving her arms in front of her.

“We’re sorry about that,” Evelyn was trying to comfort her.

Their pokemon came towards them. They had quickly understood the situation. Chimchar got an idea and with a grin explained it to his comrades. They gestured towards the young girl and gave some happy cries. This caught her attention as she turned towards them. They were all doing funny faces, trying to make her laugh. After a brief moment the young girl started laughing at the pokemon’s shenanigans, instantly relieving the twins.

After a couple minutes the small girl spoke up, “My daddy should be here soon, we’re supposed to meet up here.”

The twins froze. “Y-your dad?” Samantha was shivering.

“Yes! Oh look,” she pointed towards a purple, balloon-like pokemon with a yellow X mouth, “There is his Driftloon!”

“He’s here already!” Evelyn exclaimed.

Soon the balloon pokemon arrived, it was badly beaten, bruises all over. It was holding a torn and burned lab coat which the small girl instantly recognized. “This is my daddy’s lab coat! Something must have happened to him!” concern filled her voice.

Samantha and Evelyn quickly became serious. “Where is your dad right now?” Evelyn asked.

“H-he works at the Valley Windworks.”

“Didn’t you want to check that place out, sis?” Samantha butted in.

“Yes, but it’s not time for that!” Evelyn retorted.

“Right, let’s try to help her dad first!” Samantha corrected herself. She crouched down to face the girl, “We’ll help save your dad. For now, can you show us how to get to where he is?”

The young girl gave a quick nod, before darting off where they came from. “For someone that small she sure is quick,” Evelyn couldn’t help but remark as she and her sister followed her.

After heading east of Floaroma town for a bit they soon entered a windy valley filled with windmills. A building stood not too far away with yellow walls. Once the group stood in front of the doors the girl announced that they were here.

“Urgh, dang it!” Evelyn said,annoyed. “The door is locked!”

Samantha then tried opening the door for herself, “Huh? You’re right!”

“It’s an emergency, so I guess you’re dad won’t mind if we do this,” Evelyn held her arm out as Chimchar ran across it to get in front of the door. “Now Chimchar, bust that door down!”

With a singular attack Chimchar busted the door down, opening the passage into the building. Evelyn couldn’t help but have a smug smile on her face after being the one to ‘open’ the door. This excitement was soon cut short as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the darkness.

“What is this!?” Samantha exclaimed.

Chapter Text

In the shadow of the doorway was a pair of glowing yellow eyes. A ray of light shone on the entity, revealing its circle-shaped metallic body. It had some iron balls around its flat body, which was the size of a plate, and another one in its center, between its eyes. This was a Bronzor, and it seemed like it didn’t like visitors. The rogue pokemon’s eyes glowed purple as objects with a similar purple aura were hurled at the intruders. The girls all ducked, avoiding the attack before countering.

“Chimchar quick! Use Ember!” Evelyn ordered.

Chimchar jumped forward, taking a deep breath, before exhaling a small fire ball towards its target. The attack hit the dead center of the pokemon’s body, causing it to stumble back. It quickly got upright and floated away into the darkness.

Samatha furrowed her brows, “Why attack us then immediately run?”

“Who cares, let’s keep moving,” her sister insisted. The young girl and the Driftloon with them gave a nod. 

The group ventured through the darkened hallways of the power plant. Their muscles were tensed as they were prepared for the Bronzor from before to attack them once again. They followed the balloon pokemon towards their goal, the girl’s father. Quickly they made their way to the end of the hallways and stood in front of a door. 

“I’ll open the door,” Samantha told them. “Stand behind me, just in case.”

Samatha slowly opened the door, peering into the room. Evelyn busted the door open, ruining any precautions her sister had. 

“Evelyn! Don’t just bust down the door like that! What if there was a pokemon that suddenly attacked us?”  

“We have our pokemon with us, what’s the worst that can happen.” Evelyn rolled her eyes.

“Huh?” a male voice said from within the room. Driftloon quickly entered the room followed by the little girl.

“Daddy!” she exclaimed, rushing in.

Samantha and Evelyn exchanged a glance before following them. They found a man sitting behind a computer with a worried look on his face.

“What are you doing here?” he asked his daughter. “It’s too dangerous!”

“We came here to save you!” his daughter told him, with the twins nodding in agreement.

“Quick, get out of here before-” he started before getting cut off by a feminine voice. A figure stood in the shadows of the room, observing in silence until now. She had a weird looking futuristic dress and short hair but that was all the group could see.

“So, you sent your little pokemon to get help. How cute.” The figure started approaching the group. “Your daughter and some friends even came. Listen here,” she faced the kids, “take another step and I’ll take care of him.” 

Evelyn, not one to take orders, took a confident step forwards, “Do you really think we would listen to you?”

A blue bat-like pokemon with no eyes was flying behind the man. “What a shame, Zubat, take care of him,” she said nonchalantly. 

Samantha quickly got Shinx out of its pokeball, “Use Spark!”

Shinx let out a small bolt of electricity towards Zubat, sending it backwards towards its trainer.

“Urgh, just as I managed to get my hands on the electricity.” She seemingly pouted, “Why do some brats have to ruin my fun.”

“You’re stealing electricity?” Evelyn questioned. “What the hell do you need this electricity for, to the point of threatening this man? Why are you doing this?”

“For fun,” was all the figure said. She said it so matter-of-factly, as if it was obvious. This annoyed Evelyn and Samantha even further.

“For fun, you say?” Smantha started.

“It isn’t fun to hurt other people!” her sister continued.

“Oh well, I’m starting to get bored anyways. Time for a change in scenery,” a grin made its way onto her face. “Bronzor, use sandstorm”

Before anyone could say anything Bronzor appeared and kicked up a sandstorm. The building started filling with sand quickly. 

“Quick, grab each other’s hands!” said the man, in an attempt to get them all out of here. “And return your pokemon into their pokeballs!”

He grabbed his daughter’s hand, returning Driftloon to its pokeball. Samantha returned Turtwig and Shinx, before grabbing the girl’s hand and Evelyn did the same, grabbing hold of her sister. The group was pushed by the stream of sand out towards the front door that they had left opened. The river of sand let them go as they spilled outside, into the valley. As the group was regaining their bearings, the voice from earlier spoke.

“Aww, you all escaped. I was starting to have fun.” 

Evelyn shot the darkest of glares in her direction. 

“Oh well, I got all the electricity I was after. Time for me to leave. Purugly.”

A fat grey and white cat appeared, its tough features looking angered. It had a spring-like tail that curved onto its body with a fluffy end wrapped around it. It slashed one of the windmills with one movement and hopped in it with its trainer.

“Till we meet again, maybe next time you won’t be as boring,” she said as the windmill started to fly away into the distance.

The group stood there, frozen in mouths gaping eyes wide. ‘How on earth?’ was what they were all collectively thinking at that moment. Evelyn then got herself together.

“Get back here so I can beat you!” she exclaimed, fist in the air.

“It’s no use,” her sister told her, placing her arm on her shoulder. “She’s already long gone.” She sounded a bit defeated.

“Daddy! I’m glad you’re okay!” The young girl hugged her father who patted her on the head.

“I’m fine now, thanks to you and your friends,” a comforting smile made its way on his face, before he got serious. “I do wonder though, what did she need that electricity for?”

Samantha was still trying to calm her sister down as the father pondered on what the mysterious woman wanted the electricity for.

“I did it boss,” the woman said on her phone. She was still in the air on the windmill. “I got the electricity, but there were a bit of complications. Some girls came in trying to save the worker, but I managed to distract them and get away. I don’t think they got a clear look at me, don’t worry.” A smile crept onto her face, “Soon enough our plans will succeed, we’re Team Galactic after all. And I’m not one of your commanders for nothing.”

Chapter Text

October 2nd, autumn leaves fell in the beaten paths of Twinleaf Town, Bidoof and Ratatas scurried looking for some berries. Sunlight filtered through Nere’s curtains, casting its warm glow on her and her Ralts. They were curled up together in Nere’s bed, sleeping soundly. The rays started hitting their eyes, waking them up. They slowly got up, stretching their arms out.

“Good morning Ralts,” Nere yawned, still half asleep.

“Ra ralts,”

As they were getting ready, Ralts handed Nere her iconic black mask. She smiled as she used her psychic powers to put it in her hands.

“Thanks Ralts,” Nere said, to which Ralts replied with a small bow. 

Today was a very special day. It was her 13th birthday, and soon she would be leaving to start her journey like her parents had when they were her age. She quietly made her way down the stairs into the living room. She was not surprised her family was already waiting for her. 

“Happy Birthday Nere!” they all yelled in unison, including some of her parents’ pokemon. All of them were wearing small black and green party hats. 

Nere smiled, this was her last birthday before she left home for her journey. To her today meant more than any other birthday. “Thank you!” Nere went up to hug her family, while Ralts perched herself on her shoulder. A single tear of joy ran down her cheek as she held them closer. “Thank you,” she muttered.

Like every time this year, Vedal and Anny had decorated the house with green balloons and banners thanks to their pokemon and the twin’s attempts to help. It always warmed Nere’s heart when they showed her what they decorated or made for her birthday.

“Look at the banner? See anything new?” Samantha spoke with her eternal 11-year old energy as she dragged Nere there. 

“Look, we made some modifications to make it cooler! We even added Ralts this time!” Evelyn chimed in.

Nere and Ralts looked at the banner and saw the attempt at a picture of Ralts. It wasn’t the best, but they had tried. They both giggled, “It’s amazing.”

“Ralts!” Ralts chirped, clearly amused.

Vedal stood there with his coffee mug in hand and simply shook his head.

“Aw come on tutel man,” Anny nudged him with her elbow. “Let them get excited, it’s Nere’s birthday after all.”

He sighed, not a tired one, but one of resignation. “I know. Anyways, how about those pancakes you were planning?” A slight grin made way on his face, “How are those coming along?”

Anny’s face paled for a moment, “Oh shoot.” She quickly rushed to the kitchen to finish preparing breakfast. “I almost forgot!” she yelled from her station, making Vedal chuckle.

“Alright, you three,” he said looking at his daughters. “Are you ready for breakfast? Anny made pancakes, or is making some right now. Who wants a fresh stack with butter and maple syrup?”

The girls instantly perked up and rushed to the kitchen.

“I get first dibs!” Evelyn exclaimed.

“Nuh uh! It’s me!” Samantha shot back.

“Isn’t it my birthday, though? I should get the first stack.” Nere retorted.

In the kitchen Anny was flipping golden stacks of pancakes on a stove with the grace of a Swanna. Sylveon, on the other hand, was helping move plates and bowls around with her ribbons. The first plate, naturally, went to Nere, who watched with awe the perfect stack as maple syrup dripped down the sides and the small piece of butter melted. 

“Thanks mom!” she said as she cut a small piece for her pokemon. “Here, some pancakes for you too.”

Ralts chirped and started eating alongside her trainer. The pancakes were perfectly fluffy and just melted in their mouths, the sweetness filling their pallets. ‘Nothing is better than mom’s cooking,’ Nere thought. Ralts just nodded, as she could more or less read her trainer’s emotions.

Eventually Samantha and Evelyn got their heavenly stacks and the family gathered at the dining table to enjoy breakfast together. Vedal sat at the end of the table sipping his coffee, Nere sat next to him with her pancakes, Anny was in front of her, munching on some avocado toast, and Samantha and Evelyn sat next to them, devouring their breakfast. The side wall was opened and revealed all the pokemon in the garden. They were eating bowls of pokemon food that Anny and Sylveon gave them earlier. 

Once breakfast was done and with the table cleaned up, it was time for presents. 

“Let me start first!” Samatha said, lightly shoving Evelyn out the way.

“No! It’s my turn to give her my gift first!” Evelyn pushed back.

Nere simply shook her head. Before she could say anything, Vedal and Anny arrived holding a sleek black box. 

“Here you are, happy birthday Nere,” they said in practiced unison as they handed her the box.

“Wait what?!” “That’s cheating!” the twins exclaimed, outraged.

“You two were too slow,” Vedal flatly said.

Ralts looked up curiously as Nere opened the first gift. Inside was a mask like hers but with a slight difference. It had a special stone embedded in the side of it. It was a perfect sphere, going from pink, to blue, to green, to yellow, with a strange DNA-like pattern on it.

“What’s this?” she asked, lifting the mask up.

“That’s a special stone your father managed to get embedded in that mask,” Anny told her as she shot a glare at Vedal. “Since you’re planning on going to Kalos for your journey I thought I should give you something from there to help you.” She crouched down and patted both Nere and Ralts.

“You’ll learn more about it as you travel the region,” Vedal stated. “Remember, your mother is from Kalos, you can trust her with this.”

“Thank you. The mask is just how I like them. I’ll put it o-” Nere started before getting cut off.

“Why is she getting all this cool stuff for her journey before us!” Samantha complained.

Evelyn just looked at her with a deadpan expression, “She’s older than us dummy. That’s why.”

Before Samantha could respond Evelyn swooped in to hand Nere her gift, as she put her new mask on.

“Here! I hope you like my gift,” Evelyn smugly said as she shot a glance at her twin sister.

“You can’t do that!” Samantha winned.

“Well, I just did,” Evelyn replied, giving her the family’s signature look of superiority.

Nere simply ignored their back and forth and opened the gift. Inside was a small handmade necklace in the shape of a diamond with 5 plastic gems in it, a pink, a green, a blue and a red gem on the corners and a darker green gem in the center. “Wow, Evelyn, did you make this yourself?” Nere’s eyes widened. It wasn’t the best necklace in the world, but it looked nice enough. 

“Y-yeah,” Evelyn’s confidence slowly faded into timidity. “I tried to make something that reminds you of home and us,” she told her as she turned away slightly.

“I love it, I’ll make sure to keep it with me wherever I go,” Nere smiled as she patted the youngest’s head.

“Anyways, my turn now!” Samantha moved in front of her sister and held her gift up. “Here!”

Nere carefully took the box and opened it. Inside was a book called ‘Kalos Myths And Legends’, on its cover was a red bird and a blue deer silhouette. Nere opened the book and flipped through its pages, all filled with old tales about the Kalos region. “This book looks so interesting!” Nere’s excitement was palpable. “Perfect for where I’m planning on going for my journey.”

“I knew my gift was gonna be great!” Samantha states as she puffed up her chest. 

“It is,” Nere told her, stroking Samantha’s hair.

The girls played games outside with their parents’ and their pokemon until sundown. Today had been a good day, but it wasn’t over yet. One final ritual was left before they could say Nere’s birthday was truly complete. Everyone but Vedal was sat around a wooden table in the garden. The trees swayed in the breeze and the pokemon stood eagerly awaiting the surprise. Night had fallen and only the light from inside the house illuminated them. 

‘Arceus, why am I doing this,’ Vedal thought as he slowly got out the house, holding a large cake in his hands. He took a deep breath and started singing ‘happy birthday’, and this was the cue for the others to join in. He set it down in front of his eldest daughter as he continued singing. He was way off pitch but seeing the glow of the candles illuminate Nere’s excited face made it worthwhile. ‘I’m doing this for them I guess.’ A smile formed on his face, ‘What did you drag me into Anny? Oh well, I chose this life, and I don’t regret any of this.’

As the song concluded Nere took a deep breath. ‘Make a wish? What should I wish for? I know.’ She exhaled and blew out all the candles, at the same time a singular star soared across the sky. ‘I wish for everyone to be happy and I wish to make some more friends on my journey.’ 

The night went on and soon enough the girls had to go to bed.

“Aw man!” protested Evelyn.

“I was getting kinda sleepy now anyways,” Nere yawned. 

Ralts later on her shoulder and nodded in agreement.

“But we aren’t!” Samantha complained.

“Too bad,” Vedal said, nudging his daughters back to the house. “It’s time to go to sleep.”

“Your father is right,” Anny giggled. “It’s already late enough.”

Once the girls were tucked in Vedal and Anny stood on their balcony. The silvery glow of the moon and the faint light of their room was the only light they had. 

“Are you sure letting her go so far away to another region is a good idea?” Vedal asked, voice laced with concern for once. “I mean she’s so far away and what if she gets -”

He was cut off by Anny putting her finger on his mouth. “Stop worrying, you do that too much.” She then sighed, “You’re not the only one worrying. But we need to trust her, she can manage herself. And plus, she has Ralts by her side.”

“But what if that isn’t enough? What if someone tries to hurt her? Or…” Vedal turned to face his wife.

“She will make more pokemon friends as she journeys. And they will help her out. Also, we gave her that Keystone for a reason. She’ll figure it out, she’s smart.” Anny turned away from the moon, towards her husband. “Just like you.”

“I guess you’re right, but she also takes her charm and caring side from you.” Vedal’s muscles relaxed and he gave Anny a smug smile.

“Hey! That’s a good thing!” Anny said, poking him.

Vedal held his hands in the air, “Never said the contrary.”

Their laughter drifted across the night sky towards a slightly open window, where Nere was curled up with Ralts in their bed. Today was Nere’s day and she enjoyed it to the fullest. Now she rested, preparing for her voyage ahead. Who knows what surprises were in store for her in Kalos? What pokemon would she meet? And what friends she would make along her journey, no matter how long it was?