Erin

  —

  The process of catching my team was a bit of a mad rush, but that wasn't a surprise to me. They had all wanted one, especially my poor little Hatenna, who had slammed into the Pokeball before I could even offer it. Everyone wanted a Pokeball like the Tyrantrum, though.

  After I broke her Pokeball I re-caught her, enjoying the look on Raihan's face as she easily went in, not even shaking the ball this time. The rest were smiling as they entered the Pokeballs, eager to be gone, as well as officially on my team, and I suddenly realized I had no way to store these, even shrunk. I wasn't trusting my Pokemon to a damn hoodie pocket.

  Luckily, Raihan was a nice guy with surprising foresight, and presented me with a bandolier strap for gear, one that had six prominent clips proudly displayed in the middle. He had meant to actually wrap the present before giving it to me, but Looker was moving too fast.

  I actually hugged him in relief as I clutched the Pokeballs tightly, before realizing that I could feel which Pokemon was inside. According to Raihan, the Pokeball established a psychic connection between the holder and the Pokemon, and everyone knew what was in a Pokeball by touch.

  Huh. You learn something new every day. Neat…

  Kinda weird, honestly, but I guess it made sense? How else would this insanity even work? Maybe I could still get some stickers or something, personalize them? The Tyrantrum would probably want a trophy on hers, though…

  As I got my outfit and team arranged, the furs tied up in a neat bundle, Looker popped back in, looking impatient.

  "Let's go, kid. Where's it going to be?" I almost got irritated, but this man was dealing with a lot right now, and the look on his face made me think better. Even if I wasn't a kid… mentally. Instead I adopted a hopeful expression.

  "Do… Do you think I could go to Pallet Town? And meet Professor Oak? I know he met Celebi, so something like my situation…"

  My face was burning with embarrassment as I squeaked that out, but I really wanted to meet Professor Oak, okay? Maybe redo the hundreds of journeys I've taken, this time for real. Maybe I would go through the regions in order of release? He was the starting point, in my mind.

  Looker actually smiled at that, his exhaustion falling away for a second as he spoke.

  "I'll bet, you burned out that cartridge of 'Pokemon Red'!" His face fell again as the mirth left him. "I think I can arrange that. I don't know him personally, but the Professor has dealt with some… interesting things before, as you know. He can handle it."

  I couldn't help the little squeal of joy I let out. I felt some of the Pokeballs rattle as my Pokemon celebrated my happiness.

  He reached out a hand and I turned back to the others. We'd already said our goodbyes and exchanged contact information, so I just waved at them as I grabbed Looker's hand. In a blink we were standing on a small, private airstrip in a valley who knows where. A tiny plane sat there, and two large figures stood off to the side.

  Two huge Dragonite's, both obviously Alphas, stood off to the side cuddling together, and even as I began to coo at the sight I stumbled for a second as a massive red light sprang up before me. Contrary to my expectations, she didn't come out roaring in fury. Instead she took a few steps forward and stared for a few seconds, then nodded and returned herself. The Dragonite's looked completely unbothered by the whole thing, other than their return nod, so I guess it was some sort of respect ritual or something?

  Looker blew out a huge breath, glaring at the Pokeball.

  "If you do that on the plane everyone will die, Tyrant, so don't. You should be there in around two hours, Erin. You're either going to love the experience and want to go again as soon as possible, or refuse to step on that tiny plane ever again even to save your life. There is no in between, but it is fast and discreet." His lips quirked into a smug grin as he stared at me in anticipation.

  I bared my teeth at him.

  "Apparently I'm a dragon, Looker. I'll be fine."

  —

  I was not fine.

  It was the worst experience I had ever had. Not scariest, I trusted the Dragonite's, and they had given me confused nods of respect earlier. No, it was just horrible, my chest slightly compressed from the intense speed. Even with the nonstop Protection that covered us all, the g-forces that still managed to get through were unrelenting, and it felt like two hours of pure torture.

  We didn't even land! Instead we slowed to a stop in the middle of the ocean, and after a few minutes a person popped into existence, rapidly falling ahead of us for a few seconds before there was suddenly a man in the seat next to me. He grabbed my arm and I was instantly in a forest.

  Still sitting, in mid-air.

  I fell with a curse, and after a moment picked myself up. I looked up at the man, but his face was blank as he handed me a Pokenav. It was… mine? I looked back at him in confusion.

  "The trackers and bugs, software and hardware alike, were all removed before you entered the plane. Keep this safe, and Oak can help you with a Trainer card. You're off Route One. If you go that way, you'll be there in minutes." He pointed for a second before bowing briefly.

  "Have a good time in Kanto, Miss Erin."

  With a snap of displaced air he was gone, still bowing, and I realized he must have been a psychic. I hadn't seen any Pokemon. An actual psychic human!

  I don't suppose I could learn that? Probably not…

  I took a deep breath before starting to walk. As I did I talked to my team softly, admiring the sights as I looked around. It reminded me of forests back home, beams of light striking my face through the canopy, but cleaner somehow, almost manicured. Probably because it was so close to town. I didn't see any Pokemon though, for some reason.

  "Here we are, gang. You'll need to stay in your Pokeballs for a little while longer, but we're almost there. Professor Oak should have plenty of room to let you out in his pastures, and I could use a day of actual relaxation, not forced relaxation in a room while we wait." The Pokeballs rattled slightly as I continued my trek. The woods soon ended, and I found a path leading into town directly in front of me.

  Pallet Town was quaint. That was the perfect word for it, it was a quaint little seaside town, and the only building of any true size was obviously the Oak Ranch, on the outskirts of town near the ocean. I smiled as I picked up my pace, starting to pass small houses as I did so. It was such a calm atmosphere, and I was just too damn happy. I was in Pallet Town!

  A stray Rattata took one glance at me and screamed, dropped the sandwich crust it had been eating, and using what looked like Quick Attack, darted away in a purple blur. I kept smiling, but it was a little brittle now. I loved cute Pokemon, and Rattata, despite being a rat, were adorable. I wouldn't catch one, but I'd have loved to pet one.

  Now I'd probably give one a heart attack.

  I got a lot of looks as I walked through town, and I bet I cut quite the figure. Sweatpants, hoodie with my hood pulled up, a bandoleer full of Luxury Balls, and cheap sneakers.

  A bundle of cured skins wrapped in a stolen bedsheet on my back.

  I picked up my pace until I was almost jogging, desperate to get to a safe area, an anonymous area. The whole world had probably at least heard of the 'Savage Trainer', but hopefully not many would recognise me. Although, green hair seemed to be in short supply, and I had only seen one other person with green hair by the time I reached the lab.

  Joy. I should have expected something like that. I loved the color, but dammit…

  I was met at the Lab's front door by a middle aged brunette woman with a large, warm, calm smile, and before she even spoke I knew who she was. Delia Ketchum, the mother of Ash Ketchum, apparently worked as a lab assistant for Professor Oak in this world. Wasn't she supposed to run a restaurant?

  "The Professor is waiting for you, dear. If you would please follow me?" I gave her the kindest, warmest smile I was capable of, but I swore she flinched a little. She was a gentle person, after all.

  I wasn't, unfortunately. Not anymore.

  "Thank you! Lead the way, please." I winced at her reaction and she seemed to notice, looking guilty for a moment before she turned around and beckoned me forward.

  I found myself relaxing in her calming presence either way as we walked through the lab. I saw many hallways and rooms off to the sides that looked fascinating, but we continued to walk straight down a long, central hallway. After emerging through a large pair of double doors into bright sunshine again, I found a slightly flustered childhood icon of mine standing in the large, empty field we found ourselves in, various paths leading off from it.

  The feeling of butterflies in my stomach couldn't be denied when I first saw him. This was Professor Oak! The Pokemon Professor! Inventor of the PokeDex! You spent so little time actually talking to him, sure, but he was the one that sent me off on my first adventure ever!

  He was bent over some sort of control panel along the wall, muttering to himself as he frantically shuffled icons on the screen.

  "No no no, if I move his Tauros they'll throw a fit for a month straight… don't know how wide the fear range is… no, she has the same aura! How can I stop…"

  I crept closer and peered over his shoulder. It looked like a map of his Ranch, with groups of Pokemon icons spread out. Delia cleared her throat politely, and I leaned back before he spun around.

  His face was frazzled, but his steely black eyes lit up in excitement the moment he laid eyes on me. He had brown hair, a lab coat, and a piercing stare that seemed to stab at me. It felt like staring at my mom.

  I grinned at him, at the pressure. He shoved his hand out and I gave him a firm handshake.

  Totally firm, no I didn't just limp-wrist Professor Oak, nope!

  Damnit, me.

  "Erin, good to meet you! Quite the flight, I imagine?" He asked, giving Delia a look. She said her goodbyes and walked back inside with an easy smile, leaving us standing there alone. He turned to me with a wide, eager grin and pulled a card from his lab coat.

  As he handed it to me I examined my new Trainers Card. According to this, I was officially fourteen, which I would have loved to read eighteen at least. My hometown was listed as Pallet Town, and that made me smile, but as I continued to read I frowned.

  I had no restrictions on how dangerous a Pokemon I could capture with a Level 9 clearance, and I was authorized to do emergency mass captures of endangered species, should I run into a 'significant incident'. I was also allowed to break my carry limit, but only for baby Pokemon hatched from Eggs.

  I felt like that last one was a fairly common allowance.

  Species restrictions had been a fascinating part of trivia about this new world I found myself in, and it made sense that the ability to handle a Rattata didn't really correlate to the ability to handle a Gyarados, which were apparently only Class 8's. Everstones were mandatory for a childs Pokemon as well, and the punishments were harsh if an accidental Evolution was deliberately hidden. A Rattata might hurt a child in a playful accident, but a Raticate might kill the child.

  I had more or less expected all that, but the royal purple Dragon Master mark was slightly unexpected. I looked up at Oak and pointed to the mark with a raised eyebrow as he chuckled.

  "That's from me and Raihan. If what he's seen and told me is true, you have every right to it. Nurse Joy's may ask for your help when you check into Pokemon Centers during your journey. You may also be called in to help subdue any out of control dragons, or consulted as a Dragon Master in general for your advice. If it's genuinely something you can't help with, that's fine, but I get the feeling you won't have any issues."

  I looked at him curiously and he looked deep into my eyes before he spoke next. I couldn't help the chill that went down my spine as his eyes met mine again, the pressure so vast this time.

  This man had been a Champion once. He had stepped down voluntarily. He could be Champion again if he had the desire. I remained steady, but I knew if he kept this up I would whine.

  Then it stopped in an instant. He grinned at me.

  "You feel like my Charizard. Looker debriefed me, but I wouldn't have put that on there if I didn't trust in your abilities. You passed my test without even knowing you were taking it, so you got the card with the mark. Plus, if both you and your Pokemon can't resolve it, that's a good indication to bring in Claire or Lance. Or both."

  I looked down at the card as I pondered that. I thought Raihan had been joking earlier! I couldn't help the swelling of pride, but did I really deserve to feel that way? I hadn't done anything to get my aura, just died. I had even been too enraged to feel fear when I told a T-Rex to fuck off. I hadn't… worked for it.

  It was making me more aggressive, and worse, I liked the feeling of power it gave me. I didn't want to enjoy some poor Pokemons fear. I felt like a fraud. Still, my eyes finally picked out the last thing on the card.

  My new name.

  Erin Phoebus.

  I couldn't wait for tonight. There would be a good moment. No more 'the Tyrantrum' nonsense in my head. Time for names.

  As I put the card away I sighed, exhausted from my intense morning already. His eyes got serious as he looked at me, a concerned tone in his voice.

  "Are you alright? We have a room for you here at the lab if you need to lay down." He looked worried but I waved him off.

  "No, I'm fine, really. I'm sorry this was all so sudden, but-" He cut me off with a barked laugh and a calm expression.

  "From what I've heard, you know I'm no stranger to strange things happening suddenly. Go ahead and release your team if you want to, by the way. I've cleared this area."

  He said it so calmly I couldn't help but be impressed. He was the first person not to question my new mothers restraint, and I was grateful for that as I turned and began to release them.

  My young Pokemon bounced out in a wave, but the massive red light show that took place overshadowed them. She didn't roar when she came out, thankfully, but she certainly made some noise when she shook herself out like a dog. That had been her longest time in a Pokeball so far, and it appeared that even a Luxury Ball was too tight for her over extended periods. I had hoped that Luxury involved head room.

  I laughed at the sight, turning to see Professor Oak calmly staring at her, already beginning to excitedly write down notes.

  "She's extraordinary! I've never had the chance to study an Alpha Tyrantrum before, nobody has, and even comparing her to the regular members of her species would be doing her a great disservice." She practically purred at the praise, giving him a wide, toothy grin.

  "Her increased musculature looks to have actually made her more agile in close combat as well, judging from the sheer speed of that shake. However, her top overland speed probably-"

  "No! Nope! Stop!" I jumped onto her head, grabbing her crown to hold on just as she began to rise. "We can do that later! Show him how wrong he is later, we're just talking right now!" I hopped back down, watching in amusement as Professor Oak coughed, turning away from me in slight embarrassment.

  "She's almost too fast to see when she wants to be, Professor. If it's something a land-based predator does, she does it insanely well. Just start from that assumption and you'll be just fine." He looked mildly concerned so I grinned.

  "She won't eat you. She'll just prove you wrong, and you probably don't want her to sprint across your entire Ranch in twenty seconds to prove a point." He laughed as I turned to the rest of my team.

  "We're here gang! Don't run off just yet, the nice Professor was just figuring out where you can hang out tonight." Almost in unison their heads tilted before they mobbed me.

  You know what, I should have seen that coming.

  "I don't suppose you have a room big enough for all of us?" The Tyrantrum nodded along with the rest of them, and he sighed.

  "No, but it's only one night, correct? I had the impression you were going to head out tomorrow and train until the conference, from what Looker told me." I nodded as I played with Deino, tossing a slobbery chew toy for him that had been laying on the ground. It was kind of hard for him to, you know, see it, but he heard it hit the ground.

  "Yeah, that was the plan, but if I can't sleep with her that's going to have to change. She apparently won't let me sleep alone, Professor. It's one less night in a bedroom. I'll live." I shrugged. Camping was much different than being naked in the wilderness. I liked camping.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  "I've got two weeks, so I can pack a ton, then head somewhere after I check with the local Rangers. Find someplace where she can hunt and not decimate a population, and where we won't set off a group of Gyarados or Golem or something."

  Interpol had kept me busy during the flight, reciting a long list of rules and regulations I had to follow for the rest of my life, basically. For instance, if I ever released her in a city in a non life-threatening situation, I would be heavily fined simply for the disruption she would cause.

  They even had the audacity to quiz me on it while my chest compressed itself! Repeatedly! Those people were insane!

  And kinda cool, honestly…

  The Professor cleared his throat, sounding almost embarrassed.

  "Well, I actually have a suggestion for you, and a request." He looked at me seriously, so I stopped playing with my Pokemon and met his eyes.

  "You don't know much about this world, or this region and its culture, despite what you may think you know." True, I hadn't expected Delia to be here, for instance. Plus, they were games and cartoons, not the actual reality I lived in now. Things were harsher.

  Unfortunately.

  "I also have a trainer I'm sponsoring this year with a… problem case, who could use a traveling partner… if she can travel." He hesitated and I gestured for him to continue.

  "She won a random egg in an Egg Draw a year ago, and when an Axew hatched… well, she got attached and managed to keep it, illegally I might add." I winced. I had spent a long time talking with Raihan about dragons, when he had the time, and everything I just heard was bad.

  "She spoiled it, and while it obeyed her as an Axew, it Evolved. For the past two months she's had to either keep it in its Pokeball, or have stronger Pokemon control it physically when she interacted with it. When it wasn't being fed, at least." I narrowed my eyes at him.

  "And you want me to…?" He smiled and pulled out an Ultra Ball.

  "Mind if I release him? I think you'll figure out what to do the second he comes out." I nodded slowly as I glared at him suspiciously. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were weighing me intently as he released it.

  In a flash the little Pokemon stood before me, and the instant he saw me he charged.

  After the revelations about my dragon dyed aura, I had thought long and hard about what it was I did to dragons. I think it was partly primal shock, that seeing a human try to intimidate them threw them for a loop. The greater part, however, was my aura. My anger brought out the draconic energy, somehow, and they would freeze in fear. They thought I was a pissed off Alpha Tyrantrum, but they saw a human.

  I was still wary of leaning into my anger, but when I saw an angry dragon charging me, none of that mattered as my pride roared. I barely had conscious thought as I began to move.

  He would respect me.

  When I snarled and stomped forward to meet him, I wasn't surprised when his eyes widened and he tried to backpedal, but I was already moving. I walked right up to him before shoving him back by the snout, watching as he stared up at me in fear and shock.

  "Don't come out of your Pokeball like that! Come out calmly! And you buck up to me like that again I'll slap you silly! Show some respect! Understood!?"

  I couldn't deny the little (maybe more than little) rush I felt as I cowed a literal dragon with my aura and voice, and in that moment I decided that it was okay that I didn't have super strength. This was much cooler, worries about my psyche somewhat aside.

  Also why I hadn't decided to do that, just… done it!

  He nodded, bowing down until its head was on the ground. I gestured for him to stand, and though he did, he tried to slink away immediately. I snapped my fingers, pointing at the ground in front of me with a frown.

  He reluctantly strode forward while my team watched on in amusement. The look on the Fraxure's face when he finally saw the Tyrantrum was glorious, and he glanced between us in confusion before shivering.

  I looked back at Professor Oak, only to see him smiling while recording the scene. I couldn't help the vicious grin I had when I spoke into the recording.

  "He's not that bad, though?" He laughed and stopped the recording, before pointing to the sullen Pokemon with a serious expression on his face.

  "That's the most subdued he's been in almost two months, Erin. There's a reason this is a request, because if she can't control him, he will have to be rehabilitated or released. Her first circuit starts in two weeks and he is her only Pokemon. She's a bright young girl, and gifted with Pokemon, but you understand why this happened." I nodded.

  "Yeah, she should never have been given an Axew egg. A happy species that you can baby, absolutely, but not a dragon. Unless he's tamed, all he'll be is blind anger now that he's grown more powerful. Well, powerful in his mind. He could even kill her." Oaks' eyes grew concerned as he nodded. I sighed.

  "I'd have to meet her, let her meet my team first. See if she passes out, at the very least. If not-"

  The Lab door opened and out burst a young girl, maybe thirteen or so, with a red skirt, blue sleeveless shirt, and white hat covering an absolute mess of brown hair. The shock on her face as she stared at the scene would have been comical, except… Well, I knew who that was. The hat was iconic.

  It was still amusing though, watching her face rise and rise to meet the Tyrantrum's stare as she grew paler by the second. She stood stiff as a statue, and she didn't appear to be breathing, either.

  "Ah, Leaf! We were just talking about you! Join us! Erin here was introducing me to her team, and I just had to show her your Fraxure!"

  The Professor was a brilliant man, but a horrible liar. Leaf jumped a bit at the sound of his voice and her eyes met mine with panic dancing within, but with a growl the Fraxure had charged. Once again, I didn't think as I lunged, snagging him firmly by the top of his head as he tried to charge past me.

  I crouched and shifted, redirecting his inertia as I tossed him onto his back. He looked up in sudden terror as I growled directly in his face, the words just coming to me. I didn't yell or raise my voice as I spoke through gritted teeth.

  I didn't need to.

  "Did I say you could move? I don't think I did, you spoiled little brat. You've never fought a serious battle in your life, you have won no glory, yet you act like you are powerful." He squirmed under my glare.

  "You are nothing, and if I see you try and attack your own trainer one more time I swear to Arceus I will unleash a beatdown on you that you will never live down. Dragons everywhere will point to you as an example of weakness and cowardice. Do you understand me?" He rapidly nodded, so I sighed and patted his head. He looked up at me in shock.

  "Don't worry, we'll turn you into a real dragon, not the imitation you are now." He growled, hesitant and low, but his eyes burned as he glared at me.

  Good.

  I rose from my crouch, only to see a beaming Oak recording again. I scowled at him in mock irritation, then turned to Leaf. The female protagonist of the FireRed and LeafGreen games. I was suddenly very worried about my journey. Wasn't Team Rocket already beaten by this point?

  Wasn't the horror supposed to already be over?

  "What the- How- He- What did you just do? How did you just do that?" Her voice was high with shock, and I grinned at her. She had better get used to this, if he kept being a brat.

  "I just re-established my dominance. He's a little shit, but from what I understand, he has been spoiled his entire life." Her face lit up with shame, and I hurried to continue.

  "So I think the Professors' right. I can help you with this. I guarantee he'll be a real dragon by the time the Conference rolls around." The Fraxure looked up at me from the ground, a squint in his eyes as he contemplated my words, looking behind me to find my entire team staring him down. Glaring at the fool who attacked me, defied me. Twice!

  I swear he almost passed out.

  "Wait, really?" Her face lit up, and I nodded, already planning. This was Leaf, fuck! Game, not cartoon, but still! Fuck! What does it mean for the evil teams? About the safety of the world?

  What does it mean for the victims?

  First things first, though. I walked up to the Tyrantrum, hopping up to drag her face down to my level. I heard Leaf let out an eep, but I pretended I hadn't heard. I looked directly into one of my new mothers eyes, watching that beautiful bright iris contract as her pupil expanded to a warm void.

  "You heard the Professor. Can she come with us? You'd have to treat her like me." I was prepared for the thunderous snarl, but poor Leaf fell over as her legs gave out. Even Professor Oak looked mildly put out, but he continued to record gleefully. I glared at his camera briefly before I focused on her again.

  "Not like your daughter, treat her like a member of the pack, you silly lady!" The growl stopped immediately, and she gave me an easy nod with a raised eyebrow.

  I snorted at that, giving her face a light slap of affection as I turned around. It hurt my hand, and she hadn't even felt it. Damn Rock typing… She turned to stare at Leaf, and I rushed to pull the girl to her feet.

  Leaf looked like she was about to melt, but I could use some directions.

  "Let's go shopping now, and we can leave this afternoon. I need everything, and I mean that. This will be a while. Can I leave them here, Professor?" He nodded at me, but my little Skrelp and Hatenna came scurrying up to me as I turned to leave.

  I watched as Oak recalled the rebellious dragon, grunting as my Skrelp latched on. I bent down to pick up my little Calm Pokemon, luxuriating in the feel of cuddling her. She was my most adorable Pokemon, tied with the Tyrunt, and it made me so content just to hug her and hear her cute little sounds of happiness.

  She seemed calm enough now. Maybe the time in the Luxury Ball had been a nice break? She had gotten quite used to me and my team, at the very least. Or was desensitized the correct term?

  Leaf stood there, still a bit stunned as I walked off, and after glancing back at the Tyrantrum staring her down, ran after me with a yelp.

  —

  At least two hours. Plenty of time.

  Former Champion Samuel Oak looked up at the only Alpha Tyrantrum in the known world and smiled. It was the smile of a man who knew, and had once held, great power. It was a smile that promised destruction, and in vast quantities.

  "Oh, you're going to love some of these tests, I'll bet! One test is how many five-foot thick sheets of stone you can blast through with a single Hyper Beam. I've read up on some of your reports, and I'm well aware you can use it."

  The following smile chilled even Oak's blood, but in that moment, he made a friend.

  —

  There was only a single clothing shop in this sleepy little town, and it was a barren wasteland when it came to actual fashion. However, a couple of nice pairs of dark purple jeans and a variety of short sleeves later I was ready. I would get some actual nice clothes in Viridian, and I could run there during training if I really wanted to. These would work for camping off-route. Leaf grabbed… another set of her iconic outfit, minus the shoes and hat… What the hell, Leaf? Diversify!

  When the cashier checked us out I paid for both of us, but as I was turning to leave the cashier called out. I cursed as I heard his words.

  "Wait! Are you the Savage Trainer?" I started power-walking out of the shop, ignoring his apologies as I darted out of the store. Leaf caught up to me halfway down the street, and seeing a PokeMart in the distance I kept going. She was looking at me curiously, but I didn't slow.

  "Wait, so you're famous? Because of your Pokemon?" I couldn't help but whine a little as she pulled her phone out. A few moments later she was looking at me in shock, and happened to notice my wrapped stump at the same time. Her mouth dropped open, but before she could speak I cut her off.

  "It's fine, it's okay to talk about it, but can we wait till I'm not in town? I just want to buy supplies and get going, not get harassed by people. We need two weeks of food and camping gear. I need a lot of stuff. Okay?" She nodded at me, then went back to scrolling on her PokeNav. Though, I did see her take occasional peeks at my stump.

  "If you want to be anonymous, I'd take those Sneasel feathers out." She made a good point. They were quite distinctive.

  I refused, though. I'd grown quite attached to my trophies, and I adored the way the color contrasted with my new hair and eyes.

  Two hours later I sighed in satisfaction as we finished dragging all of our purchases back. While I had bought everything necessary for camping, and some general utilities, I had also bought a few fantastical things. Their selection was quite bad, considering there were less than five hundred people in the entire town, but there was a Ride Basket that I could ride around in instead of a Weavile skin, along with the Pokeball-like contraption that it shrank into.

  I had bought and used camping showers in the past. They usually involve using the sun to warm the water before it trickles out in what might be called a stream, if you're being generous. They had been highly inefficient. Therefore, finding one with a free-standing stall that had an attachment for water Pokemon to fill and fire Pokemon to heat and pressurize, I nearly wept. It was all mine! Even if it took up three large Storage Balls!

  I also grabbed more than a few refrigerated Storage Balls, giving me the equivalent of a mini freezer in the small, expensive Storage Ball Backpack I had purchased. They were already full of vegetables and drinks, along with a small selection of Berries.

  Meat would be easy enough to find. I had resigned myself to eating Pokemon, as the rest of the world seemed to think nothing of it. Fried Pidove sandwiches had been my favorite food to get delivered in Galar, for instance. It had been like Earth's best fried chicken sandwich, but so much more it was impossible to accurately begin to describe… Although the bread and breading could have used more seasoning, the meat was just so good I hadn't cared in the slightest.

  I had eaten a lot of them. So had my team.

  I wasn't afraid of living rough, and the huge tarp I bought would be all I needed for shelter from the elements, but for ground comfort I had grabbed a number of tarps, cushions, blankets, and a cheap futon that all went into another series of Storage Balls.

  Leaf wanted a tent, but when I told her she would be sleeping alone if she did she rethought that quickly enough. By the time we got back to the Lab, she was jittery, obviously nervous about the expedition we were about to take. I wasn't willing to wait another day, though, and Leaf had her parents' permission already.

  Apparently.

  Almost like that sneaky Professor knew I wouldn't be able to abandon her after I met her, before he even met me, and that's why she came bursting through the doors in a rush…

  She would get used to the outdoors, however. It wouldn't give her the option.

  After packing my Ride Basket I turned to address my Pokemon. My Tyrantrum was oddly happy and tired looking, and scuffed, but I chose to ignore the wide smile on Professor Oak's face. Considering I hadn't heard my adopted mother, he must have teleported her far away to do some tests. I was kind of jealous, in all honesty, but I would do the same tomorrow.

  "Okay gang, it's time! Back to the Pokeballs for now, and then we'll be camping and training!" They all chorused cheerfully before returning themselves, all except for my biggest Pokemon. I climbed into the basket and looked at Leaf. Her face was pale, and her hand shook as she inched towards the basket. The basket, and the lower jaw of the Tyrantrum looming overhead. I gave her a soft look and tried to whisper only to her.

  "Don't show fear. Demand respect, instead. Get mad that you're angry, it might help."

  Her hand still trembled, but she eventually pulled herself inside. In an instant the basket was lifted into the air, Leaf yelping in surprise as she flew in head first. I knew she'd do that shit. She did it every time everyone was just barely inside whatever contraption she was carrying, or just her mouth. I stuck my head out and looked at my Pokenav for a moment before I pointed at a distant mountain in unrestrained glee.

  Sometimes, this new life was just fun!

  "We march to war, Tyrant Queen! Let us make haste! The thunder of combat echoes from the future! To glory! To battle! Forwards!"

  The basket vibrated with the force of her huff at my theatrics, but she started slowly trotting around the edge of the town from the back of Oak's ranch, gradually increasing her speed. As soon as we were a decent distance from the town she suddenly dug her heels in like I knew she would, and I gripped the convenient handholds tightly, grinning.

  Leaf screamed most of the run, but in a proper Ride Basket I was actually enjoying myself. I couldn't enjoy the speed of the Dragonite plane, but the loping gait of my mother was actually calming after I braced myself against the swinging interia.

  Especially compared to that nightmare charge up the mountain, limbs growing colder despite the Pokemon huddled around me as we bounced.

  It took us a while, but we eventually reached the wooded entrance of a deep valley filled with vegetation, and as Leaf crawled from the opening and began to dry heave I slowly stretched in satisfaction.

  "Oh wow, that was so much nicer than the last time! Thanks for the lift!"

  My huge Pokemon mom just nodded at me, taking deep breaths but otherwise unwinded after running for an hour straight after her fun with Professor Oak. I reached out and pulled Leafs hair back as she started vomiting, rubbing her back in sympathy.

  "The first times' the worst, sorry. You'll get used to it." She hurled again, and I sighed as I helped her stand up afterwards.

  I looked around in admiration. Huge valley walls rose up before us, the gap large enough to fit five of my mother (I totally didn't giggle in my head when I thought that. Nope), while behind us a forest teemed with Pokemon.

  Well, kind of teemed. Most Pokemon had very reasonably tried to get as far away as possible from the giant Tyrantrum stomping through their forest. She had knocked down surprisingly few trees, but then again, she hadn't only hunted in the grasslands back in the Preserve. She had dominated everything that wasn't iced over, including the forests, and had still hunted the snow as well!

  I spotted a good spot to set up camp and began to walk over as Leaf continued to dry heave behind me. A flash of red light and I was being mobbed by the rest of my team momentarily, before Deino and Tyrunt made a mad dash for the woods.

  I let out a sharp whistle as they neared the treeline and watched in satisfaction as the two most energetic members of my team skidded to a halt. I had a very unamused look on my face as I crossed my arms, and I knew my new mother was glaring from above my head as well. Only Tyrunt saw it, but still.

  "Where do you think you're going? And all by yourselves?" They slunk back and I crouched down, rubbing their heads. "You're both smarter than that. We haven't secured the area yet, you were going to leave us behind, and most importantly? I hadn't given you permission to run amok." I smiled as I patted their heads, standing up.

  "Don't act so sad, tomorrow the training starts. You won't have time to be sad, you'll be too busy being exhausted." They didn't seem as excited as they had last night, that's for sure.

  In short order, and with the help of the Tyrantrum and my Salandit up in the trees, I had gotten a huge tarp stretched out over a raised mound, high enough for water to run away from it rained, and large enough to cover the huge Alpha from any rain, and I quickly set up a basic bit of bedding with the tarps and cheap futon. The lack of walls was slightly irritating, but there was no tent big enough for sale in Pallet Town to contain her bulk, and if I tried to sleep without her she would probably destroy the tent in frustration.

  My first big order would be a huge tent.

  Poor Leaf was going to have to adjust very quickly, because even after I had explained all of this, she didn't want to sleep in a tent by herself off-route. It was still less scary to sleep with a Tyrant than that.

  I could understand that. Well, not me, I was going to scare the shit out of most things, but I understood her fear.

  As I finished setting up my bedding I pulled the bundle of skins out to place as accents, and I had to smile as I looked at the Sneasel skins. Cured and clean there was no smell, just the sinfully-soft feeling of fur like velvet, and the memories put a vicious grin on my face. The Weavile skin was cured as well, but I knew better than to try and use it for anything without permission. Maybe I could get it turned into some sort of hat, or cape for her? She already had a 'cape' of feathers, though…

  My thoughts were interrupted by a presence over my shoulder, and I saw Leaf staring at the skins with wide brown eyes. I leaned back onto my bedding as I looked at her lazily. I almost wanted to take a nap after that hellish flight, but no, not yet… I heard a slight gasp from her.

  "I-Is that the… thing you rode in?" The expression of horror on her face was too much, and I couldn't help but laugh. The rest of my team let out some noises too, my little Salandit looking murderously at the skin. She had not enjoyed the ride, less so than even me, if that was possible.

  "That it is, yes. Stupid bitch almost killed me twice over, so I didn't feel bad about using her inverted skin like a huge handbag." Her eyes were wide as I stood up, looking around. I frowned for a second before I turned to her, pointedly looking at the Pokeball on her belt.

  "Go ahead and let him out. Let's see if he's learned anything so far." She looked uncertain and scared as she reached for the ball, so before she could touch it I grabbed her arm, stopping her. She looked at me in confusion as I released my grip.

  "You're scared." The blunt statement made her cheeks color, and I continued. "That's okay, you can't stop the fear response. It's how you react to it that makes the difference. Him being spoiled aside, your Pokemon has no respect for you. Like an untrained, aggressive do- er, Pokemon, you can't barter with him. You can't plead with him. You have to establish dominance, and he has to respect you. If you don't, eventually he'll either run off, or kill you and then run off." Her eyes were wide as I finished, and I gestured to the Pokeball.

  My voice was gentler as I spoke next. I didn't want her to give up, but she had to know the dangers. Raihan had been very insistent that I learn how other trainers tamed dragons, and I wouldn't let the few lessons he had managed to give me go to waste. Not everyone could scare Pokemon shitless, after all.

  "Only let him out if you're willing to act like a dragon tamer. I'm not expecting instant success, and me and my team will stop him from attacking you, but if you're flinching away from him, refusing to meet his eyes with the same fierceness he displays, it will never work." She looked pale, but with a deep breath nodded and released him.

  Before the light had even faded he was once again charging Leaf, but considering the Alpha was behind her, glaring at him? He came up quite short, but even as he skidded to a halt I was there, knocking him to the ground. He glared up at me, but only for a second before he realized who I was. I gave him an evil smile. My voice was sweet, but my words were anything but.

  "Hey there buuddy! You broke the rules again! What did I say about charging as soon as you're released?" He squirmed uncomfortably as I continued.

  "How about attacking your trainer? You do remember what I said I would do, right?" His eyes grew fearful, and I snatched his tail as he began to run, struggling as I lifted him into the air. He was a heavy little shit, that was for sure. I was also… kind of… not strong… Weak? Me? Nooo…

  That didn't stop me from whipping him over my shoulder into the ground with a small thud, but as he lay there stunned by my sheer audacity I grinned behind me at the rest of my team.

  Deino and Tyrunt were both glaring at the Fraxure, or at least Tyrunt was, her jaws snapping in anger. Deino had his head cocked this way with a snarl, however. Skrelp looked mightily irritated from my arm, and little Salandit looked at the Fraxure with obvious disgust, recognising a bully on sight.

  My delicate little Hatenna, however, was already bouncing up to the Alpha's head. She had to run up her entire body length to do it, but my heart melted a little bit as I saw her settle onto my new mothers snout, the Tyrantrum actually smiling briefly.

  I eyed my pissed off Pokemon, and my grin grew a bit sharper.

  "Who wants to show him how a real dragon acts?"