"Zelooos!" I cheered as the large executive style car parked in front of the school, and the door was opened.
I could see Zelos look up from her lap to see not the airport but almost her entire former class.
Then she turned, giving a betrayed look to her father beside her who just waved her to get out.
She looked mad at being tricked, but I thought the little banner with ’Goodbye Zelos!’ That Ivy had drawn was a good job!
"What... I already told all of you, I didn’t need to say goodbye." She called out, but her feet weren’t stopping and I noticed she seemed more emotional than she wanted to portray.
"It won’t take long!" I called out, and Kiba of all people spoke as well.
"Just giving a former classmate a Kanto goodbye. It’s too bad though. If you had more time... I’d challenge you for the last time and see where our record ends." He called out a pokeball in his hand.
Kiba said they didn’t have time, but he was raring to go anyways.
"Pfft. You never won a match against me, and that won’t change now." Zelos called out confidently and Kiba to my surprise instead of blowing up just smirked at her.
"Then I guess we’ll have to see eachother again and see how far we’ve come." He decided unilaterally, and Zelos rolled her eyes.
Both of them knew they weren’t likely to see each other again.
"Zelos!" Ivy charged in a bag in her hands as she charged right up to the taller blonde... Stupid Unovan genes. Why was she so tall? "Here! I made these, they’re for your Serperior. It’s Grass type treats."
The bag was thrust into Zelos hands and then Ivy looked up into her eyes. "No matter what, you were our friend and we’ll miss you... And remember you." Ivy said and before anything else her eyes teared up a bit and she ran off.
Oh. Now Zelos was tearing up.
"I-idiots! I didn’t want to! I’m about to go on a flight! I don’t want to be covered in-in!" Zelos fought it, but I realized it was coming. I walked up and before anything else I wrapped my arms around her waist.
She fought me for a moment, but I was stronk, and I didn’t let go.
"Zelos... You’re a good Rival. Thank you, for teaching me and making me a stronger trainer." I told her, and my own eyes were wet as she finally hugged me back.
Soon Zelos was leaving tissues given to her by her father as the door closed and she drove away to the airport.
I wiped my face with my sleeve for a bit and then stood up straight. "I’ll see you again! One day I’m sure we’ll have another battle!" I roared out as loud as I could and everyone behind me cheered at the proclamation, as always everyone loved a good battle challenge.
It was... Sad though. Good luck Zelos. No matter what you say about not needing it, I’ll give it to you anyways.
—--
"And this is where we input data for migration patterns!" The older researcher explained as he showed me his desk.
"Ren! Did you get that data in yet?" Chrysa called out as she hurried past, arms full of papers.
"Not yet! I was showing Vicky around. I’ll do it next!" He called back and the two researchers went back to their task. "Ah, sorry about that."
"No problem. Want to enter the data while I watch?" I asked looking at the computer setup and piles of paper.
"Heh, never seen a young trainer that interested in data input before. It’s boring stuff."
"I’ve worked with computers before." I explained with a shrug. "I actually like them, even if I don’t have one myself."
"Well, I’ll start working, and you can tell me if you get bored." He assured me. I looked at the blonde haired man as he settled in, his Magnemite shirt told me a lot about where his interests lay.
Just like the fact the other researchers’ desk Chrysa, was covered in Psyduck stuff.
Heh. I had pokemon stuff all over my work computer before too.
I shook that off, hadn’t thought of that in a long time, and focused on Ren. He was Cerise’s other research assistant, and today he was basically showing me their work, so when I was called in to help I’d know what was going on.
I settled into a spare chair and watched as Ren started entering the data into the system from the pile of papers.
It was basically a form of excel. Pokemon Excel? I held back my own snickers at the thought.
But he was right, it was boring. Entering dates, pokemon group, and current location, basically creating data points. Huh, Cerise really was making basically a history map of where pokemon were discovered all across Kanto.
"Everyone! We have a guest!" Cerise’s voice called out and I looked up from the boring work that was getting more boring the more I watched to see Cerise enter in with another woman behind him.
The fact she wore a lab coat like all the researchers told me what she was here for.
"Oh! Pinery! Hello!" Ren called as he waved a hand over his head, he looked like he was about to get to work when he looked at me. "You should go say hi." He whispered to me, and so I nodded and headed over. Cerise was talking to Pinery the new woman, and as I approached I had to slow down and take in the sight.
"Your hair, it’s meant to look like a Glaceon right?" She seriously had the same markings and stuff in her hair!
I mean, it was a bit strange right? Who’d just alter their hair style to-
"Do you think your hairdresser can do Mimikyu? Or Milotic? Or maybe Dragonite? No, wait, Arcanine? No I don’t look good with red hair-"
"You know about Glaceon!" She suddenly interrupted my rambling, looking very pleased. "We do have confirmation they exist! They aren’t just a myth! Actual pictures!" She started rambling excitedly.
"Ah, Vicky, this is Researcher Pinery at the Eevee Evolution Lab. They’re studying Eevee and their multiple different evolutions. Including researching how to consistently get those evolutions." Cerise said as he grinned at Pinery.
"We’re close to a breakthrough! I can feel it! Someday I’ll have every little girl in Kanto carrying around a Glaceon, and I’ll get to see them all!" She laughed almost evilly, and it was only when Cerise coughed that she stopped herself. "Sorry."
"I always liked Glaceon, but Leafeon is probably the cutest one. I always wanted to pet their little leaf hair." I explained and Pinery was practically vibrating!
"Me too! The few pictures we have of them are so amazing!"
I blinked as I remembered that most Eeveelutions were random accidents... I opened my mouth, before closing it.
"Hmm? Vicky?" Cerise asked, having noticed and I just shook it off.
"Nothing professor. But, I’d love to help your research as well Miss Pinery."
"Oh! What a nice girl! I’m afraid we aren’t really looking for-"
"Pinery." Cerise coughed to get her attention. "Victoria Ferrous is the girl that won this year’s Indigo Conference. The one with the Flying Gyarados, and the Dragonite?" Cerise whispered to her, and I could see the woman’s brain practically reset.
"Normal trainers! But we’d love it if you would help us! Field work is difficult enough, but such a strong trainer would really save us a lot of time!"
I couldn’t help but laugh at the abrupt change, and Cerise did the same.
"Well there was that expedition you wanted to go on, that we’ve been talking about." Cerise offered, and Pinery turned to him with practical stars in her eyes.
"You think we can set a date on it?"
Of course I did.
But... The Clan still gave me complicated feelings. I looked up at her, and she sort of looked at me.
"We’d have to talk about it... But... Do you think it’s safe? Kids talk. One might give it away."
"We’re clan kids, we know to keep our mouths shut." She assured me, but... I looked at her, a while longer and she cracked. "But that is always a concern. It’s why only the head family know about the Milotic now. Why we haven’t shared it around or anything. It’s a risk."
"Yeah."
"I wanted to ask as well. Since I do already know... If you’d mind if I caught a Feebas or-"
"I don’t mind." I decided simply. "I can’t stop you, and as long as you do it right I don’t mind."
"Sorry. I didn’t really mean to bring this up on your birthday. I was gonna talk to you another time."
"It’s okay. It’s better. I’d rather talk about Pokemon on my birthday then about when I’m going to go after the Elite Four." I admitted with a sigh, and she laughed.
"It’s not that bad. You’re still the winner of the conference. It’s... A big deal." She said, and I detected a hint of bitterness.
"You-"
"Vicky. I’m not upset about my loss. You were better than me. I’ll get stronger, and win next year. Maybe. But that’s not... Just don’t try to comfort me about it... Okay?"
"Sure."
"Anyway... Dad, and Grandpa Leo will probably try to talk to you about it soon. So... Surprise."
"Heh, what a birthday surprise!" I gasped in faux delight.
"I said we weren’t going to bring it up now..." She pouted at me.
I stood up and despite being in my birthday clothes which was a more fancy Yukata than I’d ever normally be caught in, I walked over to my Pokemon, "You got frosting on your face." I told Arcanine, who opened one eye and licked her jowls but made no motion to actually get up.
"If that sets in your fur, you’re going in a bath."
"Arc."
"Okay, but I warned you." I told her, reaching out and stroking along her fuzzy ear. The cold air nothing against fire warmed fur.
I stood up and headed back to Elizabeth who was still waiting. I would have stopped by to see Milotic, but it was his evolution day too, and well... Dragonite was currently giving him his own birthday present.
I shook that off and focused back on Elizabeth.
"Like I said. I don’t really mind. Either we’re family... Or we aren’t." I added as I passed to head back inside. Presents would probably be soon.
—--
"Goomy!" Brave chattered as we took a break to eat.
"Yeah! I thought that was great too! I mean look!" I pointed out and laughed at the damage she’d done.
Goomy with Draco Meteor!
Right now she was still a special attacker, considering she wasn’t physically very strong, so it was the perfect time to develop that energy.
I’d train the boys on it as well. Dratini, and Jangmo-o would probably pick it up pretty quickly, but Brave was on another level. She learned moves much faster than the boys...
Which was exactly why I taught it to her first. I wanted her to be a good goal for the boys without them directly comparing the length of time it takes them to how long it took her.
I looked at the craters that surrounded us and took a bite of my sandwich, Goomy snacked on her berries alongside me.
Goomy on a plate! So cute!
"We can still work on it though. You’re burning a lot of energy. When you shoot the ball up it’s getting smaller."
"Goom. Goomy." She said, sounding serious as she nodded. Brave was always big on getting stronger. Our relationship was still growing, and she trusted me at least now, but there was still a distance between us.
But that was okay! The best way to reduce the distance was to get to know each other! Our friendship would grow with time!
"Want to give it another try after lunch?" I asked her, and Brave nodded eagerly.
"Goom! Goomy!" She chirped, turning to her meal and starting to scarf it down quickly.
I did the same so I’d be ready, and when our meals were gone she hopped a few times until she was in position. "Goomy!"
"Alright! Goomy, remember to compress the power! You gotta keep it stable, now! Draco Meteor!" I roared out pointing to the sky and Goomy glowed, I could see it through her skin, the orange glow of her power building up and compressing. Still a little slow, but practice would fix that.
And then. It clumped together in her center,
"Goom!" She roared cutely and launched the small ball of orange energy into the sky. I stared at it closely. It still dripped off a few bits of the energy like the compression was failing, but it looked better and a moment later it burst into a few orbs the whistling noise of Draco Meteor filled my ears and then they slammed into the earth.
"Yeah! You did it!" I cheered and Goomy woogled up and down as she cheered for her success.
I quickly scooped her up, and held her up to the sky.
"Goomy! Goomy!" She let out her laugh as I spun around.
"Sounds like a good thing?" I looked up to see Elizabeth. She was wearing her beach gear, but she looked... Hesitant.
"Yeah, we’re still working on it, but making progress."
"I’d say." She muttered looking over the crater.
"What’s up?" I asked her, and she hesitated for a moment.
"I was hoping for some advice." She finally said never quite meeting my eyes but I felt myself get interested.
"With what?"
"I know you gave permission... There’s a creek me and my friends go to when we’re done with swimming in the ocean. You know, fresh water... I’ve made friends with her, I mean. I know what she evolves into so I was always nice to her, and... You gave your permission."
Her pokeball was opened.
"Fee-Feebas! Fee!" A Feebas called out as it flopped around for a bit as Elizabeth reached down and picked up the fish who relaxed in her grip.
"I CAN TOTALLY HELP WITH THIS!"