I slowly blinked my eyes open as the light from the sun began to seep into the room from a window. There was a little weight on my chest, from Melanie. She had her back to the window, so the sunlight didn't wake her up.
I kissed the top of her head, and a small smile appeared on her face.
"Morning, sweetheart. It's time to wake up." I said softly.Melanie's eyes slowly blinked open, and she sat up before stretching.
"Mmmm…good morning." She said. I took a moment to do the same thing. As I sat up and stretched, she climbed out of bed and headed into the bathroom.
"We've got traveling to do today, heading over to Celadon City. I'm sure everyone's going to be ready to get moving, after breakfast." I said. I didn't catch her response, but I knew she heard me anyways. A soft knock on the connecting door, drew my attention. I picked up my clothes, and put my shorts on, at least for now.
Kaorah was the one that knocked.
"So, how was last night? I can smell her on you, even if you both have showered." I already knew that was coming, just not this early. Still, it didn't catch me off guard any.
"Amazing. We both enjoyed it." I answered honestly.
"Good, but you owe me now, too."
"Of course. We're going to Celadon today. I believe there's a Team Rocket hideout in the city too." I said. Mewtwo's head shot up. He'd been in the middle of meditation when I said that.
"Are you serious? We…need to do something." Mewtwo said.
"Only if they give us a reason. Unlike that black market operation, we can't just barge into this one. It's one of their main bases, so it's likely way more secured."
"Understood." I began the morning routine as our conversation ended. By the time I was done, Melanie had joined the group, with a certain something around her neck. I smiled when I saw the necklace, happy to see her wearing it.
Since we're leaving as soon as we're done with breakfast, I decided to go ahead and pack up everything, then secured the bag on my back. It might be worth finding a laundromat too, or seeing if Pokemon Centers have public laundry rooms. I'm starting to run low on clean things, by now.
Pidgeotto joined us as we were heading to breakfast, having been out of action the previous day. He was still sore from that crash landing he had, during the day before.
"Hey bud, doing alright?" I asked.
"Yeah, they didn't find anything worse than a few bruises and ruffled feathers." He answered. "That was still a bad crash, but I didn't get any breaks or fractures out of it." Or a concussion, for that matter. But he didn't hit his head, either.
He was glad to see the Marsh Badge when I showed it to him, though. It's unfortunate he didn't get to be a part of that battle, though. As we all sat down to breakfast, some people commented on Melanie's necklace. There were some who wanted to briefly congratulate us on yesterday's win, which wasn't a surprise.
Breakfast was about the same as always, delicious, though it doesn't beat anything home-cooked. After breakfast, we departed, starting on our way towards Celadon. Melanie and Kaorah backed off a little ways from the rest of us. I think they still needed to have a conversation, concerning last night's events. I wouldn't get involved unless there was a clear need to.
But from the way they're acting, they aren't getting upset or anything. It's just a discussion they needed to have.
"Zeryph, I'm going to confirm something. I'll catch up in a little bit." Mewtwo's sudden choice to stay back and wait was a sure surprise, but I let him do it, anyway. As we approached the city gate, I saw him approach some other trainers, to see if he could join them on the trip to Celadon. They were also surprised, but seemed OK with it.
The rest of us went through the gate first, and Celadon City was in the distance, didn't seem like it was that far, at all. Maybe about an hour. It's 09:00 hours right now, and I can't think of what Mewtwo's trying to figure out.
As we left the gate, and line of sight, I felt my hands being grabbed at. I smiled and let the girls do what they wanted. Melanie was on my left once again, with Kaorah on my right.
"Hey you two, sort everything out?"
"Mhm." Melanie was first to answer.
"Yeah, we have an agreement. We'll alternate, from here onwards. Not by city, but by each night."
"I think that works perfectly. And if you two have figured it out on your own, I see no reason to make any changes."
"Of course, but…maybe as a special thing, I had an idea…" Melanie started to say.
"You get both of us at the same time." Kaorah finished for her. Well that's, somewhat unexpected. But, I mean, if Kaorah's going to share me with others, then I might as well go with whatever ideas she has in mind.
"She also mentioned the idea of holding hands." Kaorah held up her right claw. "I don't really have any, but we'll improvise. We are right now, even."
"And yes, we know to let go if we see anyone coming. I'll let you know if I sense anyone." Melanie said. The five of us continued onwards to Celadon City, and we reached the gate within the next hour. We sat down and waited for…a surprisingly long time, before Mewtwo caught up, along with his group.
"So, what were you trying to confirm, exactly?" I asked him.
"Tell you at lunch. I declined their offer when they stopped on the way here. We left right after you." Yeah, 12:30, so two and a half hours after we arrived. Yet they left almost as soon as we did. I think I know what he was confirming, now. There is definitely something involved, which allows us to move around between cities, much faster than anyone should be able to, without flight or vehicles. And we don't use teleportation that often anyways.
"I think I figured it out. You wanted to see if there really was something affecting how fast we got around." I said.
"Exactly. Come on, let's get lunch." The rest of the team voiced their agreement. Mewtwo took a moment to thank the other trainers for allowing him to travel with them, even as briefly as it was. We found a restaurant not too far from the gates to sit down at.
[Break]
Following lunch, we went to the Pokemon Center to check in and get our rooms set up for the nights we'd be here. There's no reason to do basically everything on one day, so the plan is to do the Department Store today, then the hideout tomorrow, and the gym on day three.
Of course, if anything else comes up, we'll handle that as it does. A knock from the door drew my attention. I walked over and pulled it open. A Chansey was on the other side.
"Mr. Ketchum? There's a call for you, downstairs." She told me.
"Thanks for letting me know, I'll be down shortly." She left once I told her I'd be down in a moment.
"Who do you think it is?" Kaorah asked.
"Either the Professor, or family, most likely. Come on, you at least should be there." The two of us walked down together, to where the video phones were. I smiled when I saw who it was.
"Hey auntie."
"Zeryph, hey. You haven't contacted me in a while." Delia said. "How are things going for you?"
"Great. My team and I just arrived in Celadon, a few hours ago."
"Where's Ash?"
"A few days behind." I wasn't going to tell her he got left behind on a sinking ship. That…wouldn't go over well. He makes it out of that, at least. Although he's assumed dead at first. The fact Delia didn't seem upset meant that whole incident likely blew over and she didn't even hear of it.
"How did you get so far ahead?"
"Well, it's a tough thing to explain. One of my Pokemon did an experiment earlier today, to see what was going on. Turns out, something…we aren't sure what," System, but anyways, "makes it so that I can get between cities much faster than anyone else. And anyone who travels with me is affected."
"Well, that seems pretty handy." I heard the sound of water boiling in the background.
"Is something boiling, back there?" I asked.
"Oh, yes. I'm making my lunch now." She answered. I saw Mr. Mime poke his head around the corner. We waved at the same time, before he returned to whatever he was doing. Honestly, I'd forgotten about him until now.
"How's Kaorah."
"Fine. Everyone else is alright, too. They're just not here at the moment."
"She says she's doing fine." I gave my starter a pat on the head, earning a soft snort from her. "Everyone else is okay, too. They're still up in our rooms."
"Rooms?" Delia asked.
"Yeah. I've got a team of five now. And there's one of them."
"Hey Zery." Melanie pulled me into a hug. "Who are you talking to?"
"Hey Mel. This is Delia, my aunt. Aunt Delia, this is our newest member, Melanie."
"Wow, she's pretty. Where did you find her?"
"Cerulean City. She, kinda blew herself up. Training accident." Delia winced. "She was fine, other than a few singe marks. I don't know what she was doing here in Kanto." Of course, I did know why she was here. My aunt doesn't need to hear that story.
There was a beep from the terminal, and I pressed a side button.
"Hey, cousin."
"Ash, hey. I was wondering about you." Delia and I greeted Ash when he appeared on screen.
"Hey. We just got into Saffron. Boy, have you missed a lot." The second part was directed at me.
"I bet. You'll have to fill me in on everything, when you catch up." I guess saying a few days behind was overestimating. It's fine, had I known he would've made it into Saffron today, I would've waited a little longer.
"Where's everyone else at?" He asked.
"Upstairs. Actually, here they are now." I stepped aside so the members of my team could greet everyone.
"How do you deal with so many in one space?" I heard Misty off to the side.
"We have it worked out. Everyone, save for Pidgeotto, dislikes their ball, so we have to figure things out based on that. It's surprisingly easy." I answered. "Even with as big as most of us are, we still work things out.
"You know, Ash, you and I never have battled each other." I decided to mention that.
"Huh, no, we haven't. I'm pretty sure you would win that match. You have a pretty big type and speed advantage."
"Better believe it, kiddo. Still, it would be fun, as something to do for training."
"I must admit, I'd like to see that." Delia cut in. "I've never seen either of you in battle."
"Zeryph's definitely the better one out of the two of us." Ash said.
"True. Though I don't really care for boasting. You aren't too far off. As far as badges go, I've got the lead, but I know you're gonna catch up." I flashed the Marsh Badge.
"You got it already?"
"Yup, this pretty lady right here, won it for us." Melanie smiled.
The terminal beeped once more. At once, we all reached to patch in the caller. I couldn't help chuckling at how in sync it was.
"Good afternoon, Professor." I was the first one to speak.
"Good afternoon everyone." My team also shared their own greetings.
"Did you get that report I sent in, a while back? I don't think I ever asked." I said.
"Oh, on Mewtwo? Of course. It's been added into the Pokedex. I must say, for you to discover something completely new, you must be lucky." I suppose so. I'm not even a researcher, but it definitely does help the Pokedex along.
"Oh, if I may, since your team has Pokemon from three different regions present, may I see your Pokedex? Just plug it into the terminal for a moment." I did as I was told, and noticed the stream of text that quickly scrolled across the screen. Now, I do understand computers very well, but even that looked like gibberish to me.
"There you are. Ash, would you do the same, please?"
"I wonder if you can understand any of that." Ash said, as his likely did the same.
"Not without several hours of looking into the code, no." I replied.
"I've just given you both access to the National Dex. As well as the entries for the members of Zeryph's team, should any of you like to read up on those species in particular."
"Hey, thanks Professor." I replied. I could've asked to have it way sooner, sure, but it's nicer when good things happen by chance, especially when it's an amazing thing caused by a high luck stat. Mine's decent, of course, but I like to think it's part of the reason Giovanni gave Mewtwo to me.
The terminal beeped once more, but it was only mine that did. The others didn't react in any way, so I know it's meant only for myself.
"Oh…uh, sorry to cut this short. This one seems important. I'll have to take it on my own." I said. "I'll talk to you guys later." I pressed a button, causing the call to cut out, their faces being replaced by a single one. Mewtwo frowned, immediately.
"Giovanni." I said.
"Zeryph. A pleasant day we're having." He responded. "How is the subject doing."
"I would prefer you not call him that, but you're the one who wanted me to handle his training. He's doing just fine." Mewtwo huffed, crossing his arms and turning away.
"Are you having any problems?"
"None at all. We've made a great deal of progress in fact."
"Excellent. I would like a report when you can."
"I'll certainly…see what I can do." Thankfully, he seemed to be calling from his office in the Viridian Gym, and not his true office, in the base underneath.
"By the way, word reached me about a certain…incident." Of course it did.
"What do you mean?"
"One of my facilities was raided by, a certain, spiky haired young man, and a test subject. You wouldn't happen to know who that was, would you?" I decided to just be honest.
"Yes, that was me. But after what we found out the place was doing, how could I not?" I gave my answer.
"Hmph. I appreciate the honesty. Although, I would prefer you not kill my subordinates." He mumbled the last part so only I would hear it. "Though, if you feel that you must, I suppose I cannot stop you, should they already be taking innocent lives, themselves."
"I shall have a word with those second only to myself. And such a discussion should not be held in a public setting, which you are in currently. Any business not meant to be heard is better handled in person."
"I completely agree. By the way, speaking of business. You know my team's going to hit the hideout here. I can already guess."
"I should figure out how you know of such a place, but I simply won't. I shall…inform them, to not cause you any trouble while you're in the area, if it means you won't have a reason."
"Fair enough." We might still visit it, regardless. The way I see it, so long as Team Rocket doesn't cause us trouble, we won't cause them any, unless we find an operation like the one Mewtwo and I busted, a few days ago.
"I wish you well on your journey. You can take that report to the hideout that may or may not be in the area. They will know who to send it to. Good day." Without another word, the communication was cut.
"Well, that was certainly, unexpected." I said.
"I don't know how you can hold such pleasant conversation after you found out what his organization was doing." Mewtwo commented.
"From what he said, it sounds like he didn't know, either, to be honest."
"That's fair. I may not like him, but I don't see a problem, as long as he does something about it." Mewtwo said. "Still, take extra care when dealing with them, since it's clear that we may not be able to avoid it all the time."
"I know. Well, that out of the way, who wants to go to the department store?" That should provide a pretty great distraction. I then thought about something.
"You know…there's something else we could do, right quick, before we go." I had an idea. This might actually help for a little extra funds in the future, in case it's needed.
"What's up?" Kaorah asked.
"Why not give some Empowerment Seeds to Professor Oak, for research?" I asked. My team fell into silence. I don't think any of them thought of that.
"That…" Mewtwo started to say.
"Sounds like a pretty good idea. So long as we get something for being the ones to retrieve them. We are the only source, after all." Pidgeotto finished for him.
"Yes, I agree." Solais gave her opinion next. "We know what they do, ourselves, but when Melanie used one yesterday in battle, it caught her opponent completely off guard."
"It wouldn't be a bad idea to get the word out about them. But then the issue arises that bad trainers would gain a means to make their Pokemon Mega Evolve." Melanie raises an excellent point, as well.
"Not to mention the fact that, as I previously said, the power could be incredibly addictive." Melanie shifted uncomfortably. "Melanie?"
"I'm…not proud to admit that I've been, uh…sneaking them from the bag, every so often to…train, at night, on my own."
"Did you know about that?" Kaorah asked me.
"She confessed, yesterday. I hadn't even noticed, at first." At least she confirmed they do work outside of dungeons, though. The system never really said anything about that. Nor has there been any opportunity to actually upgrade their Mega forms. Now that I think of it, how exactly do I do that, anyways? The System did say it was possible, it just didn't say how. I guess…it just comes down to how much they use the form, or something.
Mewtwo's the only one who can change at will, once he learns how. He's been working on that, off screen, since the first time he changed. We know that he got the X form, of course. I wonder if there's anything that determines whether it's the X form or the Y form, not counting the Mega Stones. Same for if a Charizard were to eat an Empowerment Seed.
"Hey, speaking of seeds, why don't we do a dungeon later? We have one we didn't finish." That's an excellent idea.
"Great idea, bud. Department store first, though. Come on everyone, let's…" As we started to leave, something very unexpected was brought in by a pair of Blissey, with Nurse Joy an Officer and a Ranger, right by their sides. A Cinderace, very out of place here in Kanto, and she wasn't looking great.
Cinderace
Lexie
Level 12(100)
HP- 01/364
Ability- Libero
Moveset
Pyro Ball
High Jump Kick
Sucker Punch
Bounce
"Good god…what happened to her?" And the hell is she doing in Kanto anyways?
"We aren't sure." Officer Jenny said. "One of the local Rangers found her and brought us all to her. This is the Ranger that let us know.
"Wow, you've really grown, haven't you?" The Ranger asked when she saw me. Huh…I guess it's someone from when I was a kid. "We'll have to talk later, I've got work to do right now." I honestly, don't remember her.
The Cinderace though, was in awful shape. Cuts and bruises all over, and her right leg looked to be badly broken.
"I'll have to take a rain check on that store trip." Melanie said. "In fact, let's see what we can do to help, then we'll go."
"You sure?"
"Yeah. I'm learning healing magic, and I'm much better than…back then. I can help her."
"Alright. Hey, my Gardevoir's offering to help out. Do you mind if we…"
"If you're sure that she can, I don't see a reason to stop you. Come on, we've gotta get her hooked up." Nurse Joy cut me off. They guided us back into the medical facility, and to an emergency room, where they got…Lexie apparently, all set up. Ya know, that name sounds extremely familiar.
[Did the System say what her name was?] Mewtwo had learned the signs for when I was using Observe, from the movement of my eyes alone.
[Lexie, why?]
[Hmm…think it's another System recreation? Think about it. Solais, Kaorah, Melanie…and now Lexie. All very recent team members, as far as the game equivalent to this world is concerned.] Hey…he's absolutely right.
[Yeah, I think I know what you're going for.] Which is…strange. It's definitely not the first time the System has pulled from my memories as far as my team members go. Next thing will be a Lucario that ends up being named Anubis or Madara…or something like that. I'm kidding of course, but it could happen anyways.
Since it seems to have happened three times now, already.
"May I ask for complete silence, and a little space. I must be able to focus." I translated what Melanie said, for everyone. I saw the Ranger smile out of the corner of my eye. Maybe something to do with the fact I can understand Pokemon. We'll see.
Golden light flickered to life in Melanie's palms when she closed her eyes. She took a slow, deep breath, and then gently placed her hands onto the wounded rabbit's body. There was a faint hissing sound as her wounds began to emit faint amounts of steam, likely from any contaminates being burnt off.
And then her leg began to shift, slowly, back into its proper state. Expressions around quickly morphed into that of awe. My team and I had seen her literally work her magic before, but not on this scale.
When her leg was fixed, Lexie's other wounds began to heal one by one, until there were only scars, which then faded. I had been watching her HP steadily climb back up to its maximum. And the moment it reached that point, there was a low groan from her. She reached up to cover her eyes, shielding them from the room's bright lights.
"What…happened?" It's strange to think Pokemon can have an accent, but she definitely does. Hers is English, one that I'd recognize easily, no matter what.
"That's what we'd all like to figure out." I caught Melanie as she began to fall, and helped her to some place to sit. Mewtwo brought some ice water over for her to drink, which she accepted with a nod.
"Who are you people? And where am I, anyways? This isn't Galar. What's going on?" She asked.
"Relax. Nobody here has any ill intent. My Gardevoir nearly exhausted herself healing you."
"Well, in that case…thank you, I suppose. Again though, with exception of Nurse Joy over there, who are you people."
"I'm Zeryph." I introduced myself first.
"Officer Jenny."
"Amanda. I'm the Ranger that found you." Her name doesn't sound familiar, unfortunately.
My teammates were the ones to introduce themselves next.
"Lexie. Say, you wouldn't have happened to see a red-haired girl dressed in pretty much all black at all, would you?" Sounds like the character customization I used when I played Sword.
"No, sorry."
"Bollocks. Well, I guess since my trainer doesn't seem to be around…I might as well stick with you guys, since you've helped me so far. If there's…any room on the team."
"Sure thing." A bit odd that she'd get pulled from her world and dropped in here. I'm pretty sure the game/anime alternate universes thing is still in effect. So maybe her injuries were from her falling. "Wait, do you remember what you were doing last?"
"We were training on the Isle of Armor between championship tournaments." She showed the band on her left arm. "There was a big explosion, and I remember getting knocked backwards by it. I must've hit my head, because I don't remember any other details."
"Unfortunate, but, we'll see what we can do to help. So, you want to stick with us for a while?" She is…EXTREMELY over-leveled, but that's totally fine.
"Sure, but I don't know you yet, and since I've been on a Champion's team, you're gonna have to earn my respect before I do any battling for you." She answered. That's totally fair, makes up for her being at what's basically max level.
"Buuut, any emergency situations that call for it, I'll make an exception."
"We were about to go to the Department Store here in Celadon, before they brought you in.
"Celadon? So we're in Kanto, then."
"Yup. Not the introduction to Kanto that I'd want to give to anyone, falling out of the sky and all."
"So is that what happened?"
"Just a guess, really. From the injuries you had, it's very likely that you fell."
"Has she said anything about what happened?" Officer Jenny asked. I filled in those who couldn't understand Lexie's half of the conversation.
"I see. I'll make a report on this, I suppose. Well, at least we know her injuries were accidental, and not poacher related."
"Poachers?" Lexie asked. That's right, you don't ever have to deal with such a thing in the games.
"Very, very bad people, let's leave it at that. I'll give you a better explanation later, if you really want it."
"I'll get the registration together so that she's listed as part of your team, which means you're at capacity now." Nurse Joy said. That's right, I had planned on getting a Lucario for my sixth spot, and then this happened out of the blue.
"She's not active roster, until I've gotten her respect. She's at max level." I replied.
"Wow, okay. Well, still, I'll have to register her as yours. Normally, you would send her into one of the boxes, or to Professor Oak's lab to stay, but it seems like you're more the kind of person to just have everyone on your team with you." Nurse Joy said. And she's absolutely right. Those I do bring on board, up to a certain point, will always stay with us.
"This was laying there with her, so I think it might be hers." Amanda handed me an Ultra Ball, the first one we've seen so far on this journey.
"Yeah, that's mine. I don't mind staying in it, either, if I really need to." Lexie confirmed that it was hers, and I translated.
"Trust me, staying out is infinitely better." Mewtwo commented.
"You know, my trainer had one of you guys, but he was way paler and the purple was…green, instead." Lexie replied.
"Your trainer had a shiny Mewtwo?"
"I could've been made as a shiny? Would there…be any benefit to that?"
"No."/"No." Lexie and I said, at the same time.
"You just look different. Being shiny doesn't affect your powers or anything, but it does make you a bigger target for all sorts of trainers looking for a rare catch. I remember some back home who mention going through a time loop, or something, until they get one." She explained. Shiny hunters, of course. My first shiny was a Gumshoos, in Ultra Moon. And I had no idea that it even was shiny, until I put it on the GTS.
I needed Dialga so that I could get Giratina to spawn in a wormhole. That trade went through very, very quickly. Never, ever underestimate the value of any shiny, especially in the eyes of collectors. And doubly so for Legendaries.
I would definitely respect anyone that could pull off a legitimate shiny living dex, which is to say, no generated members, though I feel there's a certain exception that could be made for event-only shiny Pokemon.
"Some shiny Pokemon look really good. Some, not so good." Lexie said. "Anyways, I believe we were going to go somewhere?"
"Yes, you're right. Let's go, guys."
"Hey Zeryph, when you get the chance, come swing by the base here. I'm sure a lot of folks would be glad to see you again." Amanda said.
"I'll see if I can at some point." I replied. "Have a good day, guys." My team and I, plus our unexpected recruit, left the Pokemon Center. As we left, Lexie seemed to notice something stuck to her arm.
"Hey, wait a moment, what's this? Some kind of note?" She held it out to me.
I took the note and read it.
--Hope you enjoy the gift, human. From- anonymous.-- Very, unusual writing.
"Gift? I am not some gift. Who the hell even wrote that?" Lexie seemed irritated at being called a gift.
"I…have no idea. The style is very unfamiliar." And unfortunately, she didn't see what kind of portal she went through. If I had to guess, maybe…Giratina, pulling some trickery. I doubt that Hoopa would ever be allowed to do something like that. I know Ultra Beasts can cross between universes…I think. Someone correct me if I got that wrong.
[Break]
When we arrived at the department store, I heard Lexie whistle.
"Don't think I've ever seen a store like that, especially back home." The door slid open as we approached.
"Can't say I'm surprised that there wouldn't be. Still, we're here for a while. Take your time to look around, guys. You see anything that might be good to have, bring it to me, and I'll buy it for you." My team dispersed.
"I…don't really know my way around, so I'll stick with you." Lexie's the only one to not walk off. "Soo…how did you get your gathering of Pokemon?"
"My team?" Lexie nodded. "Mostly, by random chance. The Garchomp, Kaorah, is my starter. Pidgeotto's the first wild one I caught. The rest just got brought aboard by chance, as I said."
"That's funny that the Garchomp is named Kaorah. Exact same as the one I knew. Just, not shiny." I have a serious question about how Giratina, at least I think that's who did this, managed to get her anyway.
"I even have a guess as to who might've sent you here, to us."
"Really? Who."
"Giratina, maybe."
"Huh. I doubt it was ours. Yours, maybe? I know that my trainer had the Creation Trio, and I even knew them personally, so…I doubt one of them did it."
"Most likely was ours. Haven't met him yet, but this is the first time he's directly acted in some way. I have some suspicion that he may be monitoring our progress, through the reflections around us."
"That's…kinda freaky."
"I don't think he's the other one, either. To your left, look without looking." I saw her eyes shift. There, in plain sight to those who knew what to look for, was another hidden legend. The man in blue, who we've seen before.
"Is that-"
"Shh." I cut her off. "Don't call attention to him. I don't want to blow his cover. I'd be surprised if he didn't know my team and I were already aware of him following us. He definitely knows the exact right time to show up, to be at least noticed." Kinda like how the G-man can be spotted in certain points throughout Half-Life.
"Zeryph, I found something. This might help us out, should we have to face any ghost types." Mewtwo caught out attention. I glanced back only to see the man in blue was gone, vanished in the moment that I had blinked.
"What's up? Was it him, again?" Mewtwo asked.
"Yeah." I answered.
"Hmm. I still find myself wondering what interest he has in us." He held up what he had found. "Still, this is what I found. It's a TM for Shadow Ball."
"Good thinking.I don't believe you have that one, yet." I took it over to the nearby counter and paid for the disc.
[TM-30 Shadow Ball]
[Would you like to use this TM? All applicable team members will be able to use the move once learned.]
"Huh, how interesting." I said to myself.
"What is?" The cashier asked, having overheard.
"Nothing you need to worry about." I mentally agreed to use it. The disc suddenly broke up, turning into dust in my hands.
"What just…"
"I used it, alright. I think…though I'm not sure how, it's been taught to everyone on my team that can learn it." I said.
"Oh, well, that's convenient. Saves you from having to buy more in the future." The cashier commented, quickly shrugging off the fact that I'd just done that.
"Yes, yes it does." So basically, everyone besides Kaorah and Pidgeotto just learned it. Which is incredibly convenient, as was just stated.
"Zeryph, I just had a move pop into my head. What's going on?" Melanie asked as she walked up behind me.
"I just used a TM, for Shadow Ball. So, everyone on the team who could learn it and hasn't already, did."
"Oh, hey, I've got an idea of some things to get." Lexie suddenly seemed to get an idea. "Give me a few minutes. I'll make us some supper, tonight. Think you will all enjoy this." She then disappeared into the crowd.
"What do you think she has in mind?" Melanie asked.
"She's from Galar, so, I have a pretty good guess." It would take several minutes before she returned with a cart, containing some sausage, some Tamato Berries, cheese, an some other supplies for cooking. As well as wood, a means to light it, a very large pot, some bottles of water, and some paper plates and plastic utensils.
"Got it all right here." I decided to go along with her plan, because I knew what the end result was gonna be. If you've played Sword and Shield, then you've seen what the curries look like, and some of them look absolutely delicious.
"I may not be active roster, but that doesn't mean I won't do anything for the team. I learned how to cook from my previous trainer, as well as some other things that might help out as we go." Lexie said as I went through buying all the things she'd gathered.
"All you guys need to do, is enjoy it." And I'm sure we will.
[Break]
A few hours later, after a little more looking around in the department store, Lexie took us to a place that was pretty well away from anything that would be disturbed by setting up. She left us for a moment, returning with some large rocks, before setting up a fire pit with them.
"Bird guy." She didn't know what Pidgeotto was, since there aren't any in Galar. "Could you give me some wind for the flames, I'll tell you what to keep them at."
"I'm a Pidgeotto, just to clear that up. I…don't have a proper name, yet." He informed her. "But, sure. I'd be glad to help."
"I'll set up a place to sit down." I started to pull stuff from my inventory to set up.
"How do you carry so much…never mind. Should be used to magic bags of hold anything, or something." Lexie commented. She set up the pot, and the wood to go beneath it. Then, she sparked up an Ember and used it to light the firewood. And then she began to guide Pidgeotto in fanning the flames, until they were at the exact point she needed them to be.
The stuff she'd dropped into the pot, had already started to smell good by the time she began to stir it. Mewtwo returned, and we began setting up a spot to sit down and eat. By the time we had finished, Lexie had already begun serving food.
"Here you all go, dig in. Word of advice, don't eat too fast, unless you want to set your mouth on fire." Of course, the Tamato Berries make it spicy. The cheese should balance that out though.
Everyone dug in, and it was delicious. Though I already knew how to cook, I don't believe I've ever made anything like this. If Brock happens to be around, from us being with the rest of the group, then I at least help out.
It'll be nice having a second set of hands that knows what to do.
"This stuff is delicious." All those times I had seen it on screen and thought exactly that. And trying it for real definitely confirms just how good it looks.
"It's not the only thing I can make, but it's definitely the one I'm the best at." Lexie said. "Still, glad to hear that you think so."
"I usually handle meals for everyone when we're between cities, and we go to restaurants when we're not. Having a second pair of hands is definitely going to help out." I said.
"I'm sure it will. Now, let's eat before it starts getting cold." We enjoyed our meal, and then began working on cleaning up. Lexie had actually made enough for there to be several leftover helpings.
"Hey, I have a means to store what's left."
"Really now?"
"Yeah, watch this." I then grabbed the pot, which was still warm, as was its remaining contents, and then…it vanished.
"What?"
"Personal inventory space. The nice thing about it is, I could leave food in there for years, and it maintains the exact state it was in when I stored it. In other words, I can literally store tons of freshly made food, and it will never get cold or go bad. It always remains freshly cooked until I take it out and leave it for the usual amount of time." I explained.
"Boy, do I wish we had something like that back home. You guys are so lucky." Lexie replied. I saw Melanie's nod at my left shoulder, just out of the corner of my eye.
[Not here, wait for a private setting first.] I said to her, mentally. "Come on guys, it's getting late. Tomorrow, we'll hit that dungeon." I was planning on the Rocket hideout, but so long as there's not a reason to go after them, we won't hit it.
"Dungeon?" Lexie asked.
"Ah, one of the best parts about traveling with us. You'll see tomorrow." Kaorah answered.
We returned to our rooms. Since Lexie was with us now, it was decided she would get the extra bed in Melanie's room. She wasn't too sure about sleeping outside of a ball, until she actually felt the mattress.
"Hey Lexie, before I head in for the night, there's one last thing." It was just the two of us, and Melanie, at the moment.
"What's up?"
"You're part of the team now, which gives you access to certain, extremely private information. Take a look." I decided to just pull my shirt off, since it was gonna be off anyway.
"Why are you ta- whoa. Who did that?" She reached out to the bite scar on my left shoulder, slowly tracing it with a finger. I saw Melanie blush slightly, considering the last time my shirt came off, it was her doing. Still, last night was fantastic.
"That, was Kaorah's doing." I answered Lexie.
"Training accident?"
"Uh, no. It's…a mate mark."
"A what…wait, so, you and her are…"
"Yes, not just her though." Melanie chose that moment to kiss me on the cheek.
"Wow…so, two of them, huh? We…don't really have that back home. At least, not in my version of Galar. I can't say the same about yours." Because your version of this world is very different. Stuff like that would obviously not be in the games.
"So…with that in mind, I can't really judge you. Is there a word for it though?" She asked.
"Yes, it's called Pokephilia. Even a minor relationship without sexual contact can be classed under it, depending on the person…if they really want to be harsh about it. Depending on the region, it's actually illegal. Kanto is one such place where it is. While Kalos and Alola have no problems with it at all." I explained.
"Oh…I…I see. So…it's not a good thing, then?"
"It can be very good, or very bad, for those involved, depending on the people. For us, it's a very sweet relationship we have. In fact, he and I had-"
"Don't need to hear that." Lexie cut her off. "But if everyone involved is happy, I can see the good in it. So long as like…it's not a Pokemon barely out of the egg, or something."
"No, I wouldn't do anything like that, ever. In fact…only members of my team know about the scar. And we keep it very well hidden. If you looked at us from an outsider's perspective, there wouldn't be any signs at all." I said.
"Still, I'm looking to get some rest, we've got a dungeon to do tomorrow, so I suggest plenty of sleep." I turned and shared a quick kiss with Melanie. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
"Goodnight. See you at breakfast, tomorrow morning."
My hand was grabbed by Kaorah as I returned to our room.
"Not going to bed so soon. Remember, you owe me." I couldn't help smiling.
"Enjoy your shower. We'll probably be asleep by the time you're out." Mewtwo said, without moving from his position. Meditation has been a great help for him so far, and it continues to benefit him. He's had much more control over his abilities. And even once mentioned that he thinks it could help him Mega Evolve, without needing one of the seeds, or a stone.
"Alrighty. Goodnight, bud." I had already returned Pidgeotto for the night, and it seems Solais had already gone to sleep.
I let Kaorah pull me into the bathroom, then shut the door and cast the soundproofing.