After getting something to eat then some soft serves from Bangers, oh how I loved that name. It gets a little mental giggle out of me and an amused little smile when I think of the name and see it. Moving from that, me and my little entourage made our way to the park. I had the forethought to set an alarm since I’ve been getting up later and staying up later, indulging in the much needed eight hour sleep cycle I’d normally get to the start of my weekends when I was still in school. The earliest I’ve been getting up as of late was roughly eleven. I’ve made a partial rule to myself to not stay up till four in the morning reading then getting up at noon, thought might as well keep a marginally respectable sleep schedule.

When we made it to the premises, the cheerful and energetic sounds of Big Universe by DJ Walkzz permeated my immediate area, granted, I had it quieter today, but still loud enough for me and my girls to still enjoy while the sound barrier is set to about five feet. The four of us nodded side to side to the sound, furthermore, Elora was trotting beside me giving a little hop here and there with a big ol’ smile. Greatly enjoying her morning so far. Then, she got a thought she just had to tell her trainer! “Hey! Master Will!” She asked with a mirthful tone. I looked to her with a relaxed but enjoying smile.

“Whats up?”

“I was just thinking, you should make a happy music playlist!” Elora said happily. Music like this just made her feel cheery and she really liked the feeling. And she liked seeing her trainer smile.

“Oh yeah?” I reply in a sort of carefree tone. It actually didn’t sound like a bad idea, granted I’m building a playlist for getting energy up more, but I’m liking the idea.

“Yeah!” Elora said with another cheerful hop.

I gave a little chuckle to the little vixen’s jovial mood. “Alright then.” I add as I whip out my glorified mp3 and go to the media player to do just as suggested. The current song playing being the first of the list. I decided to walk along a shaded path, while doing so, a paranoid thought of there might being ticks in the area, then another thought crashed into that one seeing how that couldn’t be, since, you know. World of pokémon and all, I’d have to worry about onry Joltiks and other pokémon instead. It actually didn’t help much and kind of exasperated into a host of other things however, and how diseases play and what kind with what sort of severaties. ...Oh the joys of paranoia, just thrilling-hours of ‘fun’...

While thinking of such things, they were ground to a halt when I started to hear light but adorable snoring from my Snivy companion. I took a long calming deep breath, and focused on the music and welcoming atmosphere of my pokémon along this forrest like path. Soon my mind became more peaceful as I held Keldra a little closer as she too rested. These three have been doing a marvelous job of keeping me at ease, since I was still not entirely used to my current happenstances. Yes, I’ve been adapting more or less well, but one would still expect difficulties. Well, not as many as I do of course.

Soon, we found ourselves at the...battle area, I honestly don’t know the actual term of the area, till otherwise it’s dubbed such. Gazing over the field, I noticed and almost suspiciously, the area looked almost the same before the battle yesterday, and that pool of blood is gone, including the smell of iron from it. Cleanup and maintenance crews actually got to it, impressive work, give ‘em that. I thought as my eyes twitched this way and that, patching together similarities like a glorified object finder, some spots I noticed they kind of half assed though. Guess you can’t fill every hole in the first go. I thought for a moment, a few seconds later I began chuckling to myself from the thought with an enthused grin.

Three seconds later, I saw movement to my ten and saw that girl’s pink tipped hair. She wore a light blue tank top with gray text saying ‘Bite me’ across the front, accompanying it was a rust red large pocket cargo kilt, rather interestingly enough, now with the final adornment to her attire, she wore grey hiking shoes. I had to remember her name for a moment as I squinted at her. Callia...Catie… I thought through before my eyes widened. Cailie! That’s what it was. Since I didn’t feel like walking over to her since she was on the other side of the field and didn’t feel like yelling, I opted to use my self taught reverse whistle. Not the kind that people do in the back of the throat that’s just shy of ear rape. No, like a normal whistle but just sucking in air instead of blowing out.

With that I did the latter half of a Boatswain whistle in a short lower tone, once she looked up to my direction with a sort of confused look, I give her a casual smile and a greeting wave. My pokémon however, weren't very appreciative of the sound so much, Nesia and Keldra in specific. They both gave an annoyed grunt as Elora gave a sort of ‘Really?’ face. I looked at Keldra and Nesia with an albeit still casual though now apologetic smile to the resting pokémon. “Sorry.” I say as I rub their heads, Keldra tried to stay pouting at me, but she couldn’t stay mad at me. Nesia, couldn’t say no to getting affection from me as her annoyed look turned back to a smile. Elora then took up pouting at me getting a little jealous. I just look at her.

“Really?” She continued to pout at me, I rolled my eyes and knelt down, giving her the same treatment. Quietly chuckling while shaking my head. Moments later Cailie came to our shaded spot as I was standing back up, unknowingly standing just shy of where the audio boundary was. She looked me over with an interested gaze with a smile, generating thoughts I had no ability to read at this time. Though, considering her interest of yesterday, I’m sure it pertained to my casual treatment of my pokémon.

“I don’t see trainers that act with their pokémon like you do very often...well, you're the first I’ve seen...since my journey is still kinda new.” Cailie said, I was having a hard time reading her tone and expression. Though she seems a little tentative then seemingly sheepish at the mention of her journey, the journey part prompted my next question.

“How long you’ve been going?” I ask curiously with a slight head tilt, I probably seem a lot different since she first saw me yesterday. Wouldn’t be surprised if she makes mention of it or not.

“About...five...no six months?” She says thinking back, sounding almost unsure, she then asked curiously. “What about you?”

My eyes lazily narrow as my brows furrow for a few seconds as I thought, my expression turning contemplative as I seemingly calculated the time while at the same time conversing with myself nonverbally. The impression was exasperated as my head minorly tilted left and right with some nodding as my right hand moved around before me as I supposedly visualized numbers my index finger moving this way and that as I checked my watch looking at what day of the week it was, it was wednesday on that note. This all proceeded for a total of about twenty seconds before I finally remembered.

“...Three days shy of three weeks?” I say then looked down as Keldra, who in turn looked at me.

“Sounds about right.” The Ralts confirmed then resumed looking at the girl. Keldra like the two other first evo’s, watched the human girl with a level of suspicion.

Cailie looked at me with shock. “Seriously?” I really saw no reason to lie, though, a lie would be moot from me confirming with my pokémon. “Dude, you're something else.” I just gave her a lazy smile. Taking what scraps of a comparison from yesterday and the training dummies at Snowbell, I was inclined to agree, and hearing that fed the good mood I was in. And added a drop to my saucepan’s worth of pride, there wasn’t a lot of things I took pride in, either way I took hold of the comment as a compliment.

“Man she has nice-” Psycho began to say as the song Save Today by Seether began.

Shut it. I thought knowing exactly what he was going to mention. Yes their nice, not important at the moment. I noted curtly before Cailie began talking again after reeling from her shock. Psycho thusly took to being silent and used my peripheral vision to stare.

This guy already out classed her and Iggy in ⅛ the time they’ve been journeying. She was utterly baffled, if he kept going, he might easily make champion. Though the way he chose to battle is troubling and unorthodox. Yet, she couldn’t argue with just how...effective his pokémon were. Even as new as she was, Cailie could see the wealth of potential this trainer and his pokémon had. And honestly, she was caught between being awestruck, afraid and excited.

Now, she presented the next question on her list. “So...what’s up with the music?” In which I reply with a confused raised brow, a moment later an answer came out.

“What about it?” Kind of thought she’d ask how the hell my p.g. did the speaker thing honestly.

“Why did you use it in that battle with Iggy?”

Now it clicked, either way that question was going to be shot at me at some point. And I’m sure I’ll get asked this in the future, so, practice. “Well...for multiple reasons.” I said with a pause to collect my thoughts. “Major part is to provide a focus and rhythm as well to add a certain energy to it. It’s also in part for myself for anxiety. And I’d hazard to say to hype myself for the battle. Or depending, the moment really.” I explained in more or less brutal honesty.

“Huh...I...alright then. Guess more power to you in that case.” Cailie said then giving me an understanding smile. “Not sure if the gym leaders and the league will allow it, but who knows, stranger things got through.” She added with a light laugh at the end.

“Who knows, right?” I too added with a laugh. We talked for a few more minutes before she had an idea, it came about from yesterday at Bangers. On him saying something about more or less listening to pokémon better. But before that, another pressing question surfaced she completely forgot about.

“Ugh, I hate myself for forgetting to ask this. But what was your name?” She asked with an apologetic look.

“William.” I reply while I felt Elora’s head lay on my right foot, “plus, I caught your name yesterday.” I then continued.

“Ah...yeah. Heheh...sorry about Iggy, he’s not usually like that.” Cailie apologized at the mention of yesterday. “Mind if I call you Will? Just...kind of sounds better to me.”

“It’s fine.” I said nonchalantly with a shrug for shorthanding of my name. “Though, he wasn’t as bad as this one dickhead in Snowbell.” I mentioned while reminiscing, adding an open dark chuckle with just a touch of the mirthful madness that held that time’s enjoyment in regards. “Oooh, fun day.” I add with an enthused smile, looking off into the distance behind Cailie.

“So uh...moving from that. You're good with interpreting pokémon right?” Cailie asks, seemingly out of the blue for me, then I had a sudden realization. Oh dear fuck I’m gonna be the Doctor Dolittle of pokémon. Fuck...me...running. Waaaaaiiit, I could start getting paid for this...I mean, granted I have seemingly money to last, on that though. That bud could be nipped at any time, so in the meantime, I could start making a cushion to fall on in a sense if such happens. However this would be in a small portion of douchiness in the prospect of profiting off unsuspecting children and other teens. Actually, on that thought I could make the dickheads pay extra. Sweet mother of fuck all mighty that is tempting.

“I kind of see you being the Caesar Malon of pokémon with an inbuilt translator.” Psycho added. Huh, I can kinda see that actually.

“Well, you do like you're money.”

Ooohohohohoho yes. Money makes my life easier. And helps with many an acquisition of things of want. While these thoughts went through, Cailie looked at me with a raised brow. “Will?”

“Hm?-What?-oh. Spaced for a sec there. So uh, guess you could say that.”

“Could you talk to my pokémon?” It was at this time I had a serious questioning brow raised. And a split off thought regarding my previous one. Who the fuck am I kidding, that already happens in this universe for all I know.

“Whhhyyyyy…?” I reply with suspicion and uncertainty as my mind momentarily regressed to a previous thought process, before the thoughts of profit.

“I...feel like I’m not doing the best job when it comes to caring for my pokémon. ...And I want to hear their thoughts, granted, through you.” Cailie admitted, she wasn’t entirely sure if this was really gonna work and if this guy was talking out of his ass on essentially ‘listen to you're pokémon better’. If anything, she’d like a rough Idea at the very least.

“Okay…?” I say in a sort of flat tone, not entirely sure what to reply back. I then took a quick thought about this, it summed up to ‘Do I want to do this?’. This, is going to be a shits and giggles moment.

“So, will you do it?”

I paused for a moment with a face suggesting that I was thinking about it. I was in actuality debating on going through with this, against my indecisiveness. In the end I decided to indulge in the idea. “Why the hell not.” I reply casually, Nesia and Keldra looking at me with strange looks, granted I didn’t see Keldra’s but I saw Nesia’s in my outlying sight. Her face screamed ‘What, why?’, I shot her an open ‘why not?’ look in turn. Elora would be joining in if she wasn’t already in her impromptu nap on my right foot. On that note, I glanced down giving a warm little smile to the adorable sight. Awww. I quickly took a picture on the sight.

“Do you want to do this one at a time or do you-”

“Just get them out.” I interrupted calmly yet with an edge of frustration, a side of me wanted to get this over with and get the battle out of the way. I then pulled out my p.g. making it look like I was checking something, I was however scaling back the audio barrier to about a foot and a half to reduce a possible questioning. I was thankful that the feature showed up on the lock screen for ease of access, and further glad that the barrier didn’t have any visual indicators other than what’s on the screen.

“Okay…!” Cailie said, one after another her pokémon materialized from the capture devices. I wonder if they actually do that partial suspended animation that’s hinted at… I wondered as I watch them gain their bearings.

“Bui buizel buiz bui? Buizel bui, bui bui buizel bui buiz…” [Are we eating or kicking ass? Serious question though, could really go for something to eat…] Questioned the aquatic weasel, I noticed faded black tips to his paws, feet, ears and tail, as well his tuft of fur on the back of his head. The themes of realism is still going, making the Buizel actually seem cute. Interesting, seems to be some evolutionary deviation going on. Wonder if he’s uncreatively called a ‘black tipped Buizel’. Granted, it’d actually be kind of a cool thing, making note the world follows the concept of everything is always evolving one way or another. I noted. Then a realization just backhanded me as Cailie was in the process of getting her pokémon out, the only thing showing on my face signifying that thought, was my eyes widening slightly. With a somewhat different look to my gaze. I’ve more or less evolved, that’d explain why my body and rapidly improved physical abilities came about...in a way the fuck out of left field kind of way. I thought, it...was troubling in actuality, why was a below average being such as I picked to be improved in my transition?

Even though the below average part is a contradiction to multiple points in my regard when I was in my reality, by any part I’ve seen myself as a ball of contradiction anyhow. I can be an intelligent sort, yet have the personally seen mental defects that hold me down with a rather non-existent ambition, I’ll always resent my school for the ambition bit. A searing manhattan sized fire held for the amarican school system in general really.

Getting back on track, with that, Ain’t No Rest For The Wicked by Cage the Elephant came on to help on that. I took stock to what pokémon she brought out before she started to list off names. First of them, a Buizel, then a Dewott wearing a blue bandanna, a Roselia and a Blitzle. God Blitzle are a lot derpier than I remembered... I mentally sighed. The other three gave a cursory look to their surroundings, the Roselia upon seeing me gave me a smile then a wave with her red petals, in a reply to the friendliness I in turn smile back. Oh my god she’s tiny! I gushed amusedly seeing the one foot nothing plant creature who could be at home with fae of DnD smiling right back, I could feel the irritated flicks of Nesia’s tail across my back, which I subtly tell her to cool it with a knock it off pat, with a small grunt she stops. It’s amusing and endearing at how territorial she is of me.

Feeling nicer than usual, I was tempted to give the Buizel a hoagie sandwich I had brought. “So, that’s Basil, this is Rosey, Blue and Blitz.” Bit generic with the last one. Cailie gestured to the Buizel, Roselia, Dewott and Blitzle in succession. A little fluffier than I expected. I commented on Blue who had a neutral expression and crossed arms. As I looked her pokémon over, I almost absentmindedly fish out my sandwich from my left thigh pocket, I noticed Basil look my way seeing the hoagie with widened eyes. Fuck it. I knelt down while gesturing with the sandwich with a ‘come here’ gesture with accompineed head motion. Cailie just sort of fell silent seeing the out of nowhere interaction.

While Keldra was confused why I was offering him my food, Nesia knew why. All the while I batted away a malicious imagining courtesy of the voice of madness, feeling that disturbed grin internally splayed out seeing a ‘torqed nape’ with mortified screams. This was very hastily removed like a golf ball from it’s tee. Such vicious thoughts were unneeded for such interactions with these creatures, unless for survival of course. But, there was nary a massively agitated bordering berserk pokémon nor was I in the wild.

I took the hoagie out of it’s wrapping and held it out for the hungry Buizle. “Bui bui! Bui, buiz!” [Oh dude! Sweet, thanks man!] Basil gratefully took the sandwich, taking several bites.

“No prob.”

“Bui buiz.” [I like you.] Basil stated, I smiled back with a bit more gratified smile. He then walked back to his group enjoying his hoagie.

“You know, you seem like a much nicer guy then you led on.” Cailie noted, kind of surprised considering the display of yesterday.

“I can be.” I simply reply unperturbed while standing back up, my eyes jumping to the fives expressions, the one named Blue didn’t show much emotion besides a watchful gaze, Basil I’m sure needn’t explanation, the Roselia just seems to be happy out in the sun. Blitz, just stood there unsurely. Not really knowing what’s going on, Cailie, seemed curious, granted, I’ve never been great at reading people. So, I can’t glean much. I have been getting better though.

“Okay, this here is Will, he’s going to help me understand you guys better today.” Cailie announced to her pokémon, who showed varied looks, though mostly of a curious notation. I began to gently tap my right foot to wake Elora up, as much as it pains me. She somewhat groggily sat up, giving out a yawn. “Are we done...?” She asks sleepily.

“We will be soon.” I warmly assured the little fox.

[Is she serious?] Rosey said confusedly with a head tilt.

[I don’t know…] Blitz said.

I silently placed Keldra and Neisa down after a quick discussion while the other pokémon talked, after that, like a wraith in the halls of a desolate castle abandoned in ages past from an acrimonious siege, I approached with nary a sound.

(straight translations for now, will most likely alternate)

[I don’t see what the problem is.] Blue noted.

[Don’t see one of those trans...-translators yeah, those. On the guy.] Blitz noted while squinting.

[Wait really?] Basil said while still stuffing his face.

[Then how is he supposed to help Cailie understand us?]

“Easily.” I say with an amused grin while knelt down. I received varied startled noises from the four, all while I let out a delighted cackle, very much pleased with myself with not having to try upon scaring them. All the while I heard chuckling behind me.

“Ooooh fuck, I’ll never get tired of that…!” I breathed a delighted remark laughing some more. Scaring people, and now to be pokémon fuels me.

[Damn dude...almost choked on my sandwich.] Basil added with a not so amused look, going back to eating with a little more annoyed look. Cailie saw what I was doing only seconds before, and she was struggling not to laugh out loud.

[Wait, what’d he say?] Blitz asked.

“I said easily.” I said with a touch of smugness.

[Oh really?] Basil said next.

“Yes, really.”

[You sure? You could be using you're Ralts over there.]

“If I was I wouldn’t be able to give immediate answers now can I?” I retort.

Basil opened his mouth and held up a finger to say something. He tried to form an answer for about ten seconds before giving up. [Yeah, I got nothin’.]

“How’s the sandwich?”

[Pretty good actually.] Basil said pleased with his meal.

“So…” I begin then look at Cailie. “Want to bring up those issues you mentioned?”

She looked at me confused for a moment before it clicked while her pokémon looked at her. “Alright...um...I want to know what issues you guys have. And, what I can do to fix it, if not improve it.” Cailie said gaining confidence as she talked, this has been a subject she’s been mulling over for the past two months. She didn’t have any major ideas what to do, so, today. This guy today she met a day prior is gonna have to be her go to for now.

Now, Basil seeing an opportunity, took initiative by looking back at me then taking a few steps towards me. “Bui bui, buizle bui buiz buizle buiz.” [Yeah hey, I have an issue I want you to translate for me.] Basil voiced, I look at him with a raised brow, waiting for his answer.

“[She needs to wash her lady parts man, I mean, I like the smell of fish man. But whew, she don’t smell right!]” Basil added with a scrunched nose and a waving paw in front of it remembering the stank. Cailie only watched with a confused look, wondering what her Buizel has told me. She caught that it involves something stinking.

“Wott…” [Word…]

I had to keep myself from laughing a bit as I looked at him with raised brows and a tight lip. I looked from him and Cailie back and forth twice before I more or less abbreviated. “Wash ya cooch.” I tell her bluntly, straight faced. She gazed at me with a wide eyed look starting to blush. Her Roselia just begins chuckling with a ‘hand’ over her mouth..

“M-my what…?”

“You know? Your vag-” I began before my voice taking a mocking frill to it. “You're flower, you're special place.” I ended my voice going a higher octave while going a little gay guy at the end, while doing a mock small smile and a little head tilting, my hands following suit in the bit. It took a moment before she had an almost mortified look, I couldn’t snicker at her reaction before I busted out laughing as Rosey and my pokémon joined with me.

“Oh holy shit, I never thought I’d see that look in real life!” I said laughing to myself, oh this greatly delighted me. I had to struggle to stop laughing for a moment. “No really though, that’s practically what he said!” I added with an unabashed humorous tone, another fit of laughing coming about. Basil to his credit affirmed with some nodding.

Cailie looked down seeing her hands that reflexively went to her crotch. “But I do wash…” She said meekly.

“Bui buiz.” [Do it better.]

“Ooh...okay. He added, ‘do it better’. From what it sounds to me though, you might just have a ph imbalance, that or you aren't washing thoroughly, might even be both.” I said then added honestly while getting a hold of myself, a smile plastered on my face.

“I’m sorry...a ph imbalance?” Cailie then asks me, puzzled by the term.

I stared at her blinking a few times, somewhat dumbfounded. “Did you not have a health class…?” I ask, the beginnings to my incredulous tone, my expression already following that route.

“No?”

“Your mom mention this at any point?” Incredulous tone at twenty five percent.

“No…”

“Nothing...!?” Incredulous tone at seventy five percent.

“Nothing…”

Taking my glasses off, I facepalm rather audibly, making Cailie and some of her pokémon flinch. “Oh by the god of fuckery…” I quietly groaned incredulously with a slight growl reaching a hundred percent. God for-fucking-bid you learned something about the human body, your sexual organs at least and the intricacies of your snatch in general. I ranted as I saw I was going to have to educate her. Thank fuck I had the knowledge to practically teach my health class. I thought irritatedly, I knew a great deal when it came to sex and the organs responsible among other things.

Thus I began a roughly ten minute crash course. By the end of it, all of them just stared at me with wide eyes. Just surprised with how much I knew. “Any more questions will be directed to your search engine of choice.” I add with a somewhat deadpan look and tone. Everyone else just stared at me in surprise.

“...What kind of school did you go to...?” Cailie asked shockedly, both concerned and curious.

I gave her a annoyed deadpan look. “Not a fun one.” I replied with an irritated yet even tone. There was many a day I imagined setting off a five hundred pound block of C4 at what I ‘lovingly’ called the hell hole of jackassery, course, I would of had what people I liked evacuated. Otherwise, I would of had a nice spot to watch from. And enjoyed the show, with the ever most delighted of psychotic grins, mirthfully cackling at it’s glorious destruction of rubble and flames. I’m still surprised I didn’t snap from the people that irritated the ever loving fuck out of me. I’m baffled of myself in my unconscious self control now that I look back on it. ...So many days that were juuuust close. So much that could of been more on fire. I thought with an internal grin of madness, imagining far off screams and charred dilapidation, the buildings coming down like a house of cards. Moving on from that, we talked some more, it transitioned into a more pleasant chat. Amongst the conversations, a random thought jolted by.

A Ralts can sense emotions, yet, Keldra hadn’t shown an ounce of fear or caution when around me, no matter what sort of underlying emotions I had. Either she senses them and never mentions them or very much deal with them. Or she doesn’t somehow, even though how unlikely that is, or an even more far out thought that someway...somehow, maybe my voices have actual substance to their manifestation that they provide a barrier of sorts that otherwise providing a proverbial filter. Then another proposition, she senses them but is somehow unconcerned in knowing I wouldn’t enact on most of those feelings, and that I emanate a certain kindness that puts her at ease.

One of these might be true or none of them at all and I’m putting too much thought into this again. With some of my input and a fair bit of laughter, a good portion of me being amused by some of the dialog and Cailie’s dismay, managed to work out a fair amount of problems...some of them that should of been agonizingly obvious. I made note of those ones quite clearly. And with varied notes of irritation at that. Furthermore, as I talked to these pokémon, having roughly six months to interact with the longest staying in the party, I found it befuddling and almost vexing how she’s had such difficulty given the amount of time spent together and the rough estimation to durations out of their containment. Another thought screeched by, courtesy of yesterday. Though...really...odd and kind of confusing me in any normal standard in the ethics of socialization, even though, rich coming from someone antisocial. She might not, even though such a concept shouldn’t matter. May not be as ‘intuned’ with her pokémon...somehow. Contradicting as it is, oddities, no matter the circumstance, happen one way or another. I’ve found a fair many such oddities in the internet.

Expanding on that, that might actually apply to pokémon as well. I’ll have to look up on such things later. Oh shit, just remembered I still needed to do some tests. I thought almost nonchalantly.

“Like what?” Psycho inquired as Polyamorous by Breaking Benjamin began playing.

I still need to see if I gained actual pain tolerance with my new body, and see if my coat is impact, puncture and fire resistant. Considering the bullshit of pokémon in general, I need to see how what handles what. I mentioned in a more scrutiny like tone. Considering some red flags that have been raised, I need to know these things with what I’ve been more or less been blessed with.

“Yes, those would be very good to know by conjecture of our, though right now, lax situation.” Vlad gave note.

“Oh hey dude, remember the stick fight videos?” Psycho commented out of the blue with a note of excitement.

Yeeees…? I questioned for a moment, but in that moment I had an epiphany. In which I inwardly gasped excitedly with widened eyes. Thankfully Cailie had her attention to her pokémon at the moment. Oh my fucking god!

“Yeah!”

I could actually do at least half of the combat now! Hell, If I can get myself to, maybe I can maybe, granted far off, to the level of Bruce Lee! Still odd such a magnificent man died from something so preventable as heatstroke and by proxy brain edema. I thought, thrilled at my improved combat potential, yet somewhat saddened to one of my inspirations. Even though, I’m not a physically combative person normally...but by the gods ever have I been tempted before, granted I did let loose a bit at the mall, and alley on the way to the Pokécenter. Still pretty thrilled with that, I TKO’d a Lucario for gods sake and broke a Blaziken of all things. Just remembered I should check youtube-excuse me, ‘Pokétube’ for that little...shall we call it incident?

“Hey Will.” I perked up upon hearing my name looking over to Cailie. I reply to her call with an inquisitive brow raise. Wondering what she’s going to say next.

“Want to get to that battle we talked about yesterday?” She asked with a smile.

“I’m good whenever at this point.” I reply while shrugging, I look over to my little trio who were milling about talking to the other pokémon. “You girls still up for that battle?” I inquire, wondering if their still up for it.

Nesi turned to me with a raised fist and a ready smile. “Snivy!” [Hell yeah!]

“Ral!” [Yep!]

[Yeah!] Elora called out with a raised paw and a happy smirk.

“Alrighty then, you're guys up to it though?” I ask looking back at Cailie. She looked at me kind of confusedly for a moment before it sunk in what I asked. Putting to practice my suggestions she looked over her group asking them essentially what I asked mine.

“You guys up for this?” She asked with a note of excitement. Her pokémon looked at her then to each other conversing for a moment remarking this being the first time she’s asked, her smile was beginning to falter before Blue looked at her and patted a fist to his chest twice before raising it up high with a confident smile. Cailie’s smile brightened on seeing her Dewott’s display. “Awesome, let’s do this!” Cailie said with a fun loving grin and a fist pump. My expression warmed a bit seeing this. It’s not often I help people I don’t know very well. But, she seems nice enough to hang around with.

We walked to opposite ends of the battle area, once I got to my position, I looked at Keldra. She turned to look up at me, her little face showing a level of expectancy, I nodded my head towards the battle area with small smirk. I said she’d be runner up yesterday, and I’m gonna follow through with it. She looked at me with a smile and walked out to the field, after getting far enough I brought out my non sentient transformer like speakers, both landing with a thud either side of me. I grinned a little from transformation to landing, it was going to be a while if I ever get used to that, it was just so god damn cool for me and my techy side. Cailie jumped a bit hearing the sound, her and her pokémon looked at the now existing speakers that weren't there a second ago, and the other trainer who grinned amusedly back at them.

“You seriously gotta tell me where to get those!” Cailia said with a large note of excitement, she really wanted a pair. In the meantime, Basil was hurrying over to the towering devices.

“Oh I’d would If I knew.” I said my tone reflecting my facial expression. I noticed Basil was looking over the speakers with curiosity and amazement, I was immensely tempted to blast a song for a second just to watch him practically shit himself, I was internally giggling evilly to the delightful idea. Oh so much temptation. Cailie looked at me with a note of confusion.

“Why don’t you?”

Sometimes bullshitting is a valid skill. ”My mom gave it to me before I set out.”

“Ask her for me next you get a chance!”

“I’ll try to remember to.” I said with a note of humor, as I replied I heard Basil gushing over my speakers.

[Holy crap these are awwwesome! Don’t know the designs but I like ‘em, especially this here. Don’t know what he is or he’s holding but it looks awesome.] Said an astonished Basil, I knelt down so I could better talk to the water weasel.

“That my friend, is called a Spartan. Wondrous and powerful warriors made to help the survival of humanity from the zealous and unforgiving Covenant, multiple races banded to worship and find the technology of a race called the Forerunners. A mighty race of glorious technology! Who soon fell millennia ago from a galactic infestation called the Flood, parasitic beings that use flesh of any creature as a weapon to spread their infection to other worlds.” I told like a lore master telling a whimsical child tales of old, as I told him some of the lore of the Halo series with some sweeping gestures thrown in. I could see the wonder in his open-mouthed expression with clasped paws. Awestruck by the scifi mythos, my trio couldn’t help but listen in on the conversation, enticed by the mythos too. They were going to ask their trainer about the Spartans, Covenant and Flood later. Cailie could only watch bemused, yet in a pleasant note of it.

“Buuuuuuiiiizzaalllllll…” [Aaaawwwwsooomeee…] Basil said in a small voice with wide twinkling eyes.

“If you like reading, there’s some books I can point you to. Or some games of the same tale.” I enticingly suggest with a smile. Even though the average trainer’s pokémon doesn’t know to read to my current knowledge, it didn’t hurt pointing out a suggestion or two.

[...I don’t know how to read human words,] Kind of expected much. I thought matter-of-factly. [buuut, I think I’ll make an effort.] Basil said, with a surety to his tone.

“Look up Halo Fall Of Reach if you want to try getting into the books.” I then added. Basil gave me a thumbs up. Didn’t think Buizels had thumbs, must of missed seeming them somehow.

[Gotcha.] Basil said with a smile.

“Alright, hurry on back.” I say to the Buizel, who in turn does just that with an excited step. Once he returned, Cailie spoke for a moment to her crew, seeing who’s going first and talk up a little strategy. However, that last part is going to be...very difficult.

All the while, a curious Joltik, both of color and interest of today’s battle. Watched perched on a small branch a distance away from the open flat area. Said Joltik was impressed of the human with the odd clothing from yesterday, that human seemed surprisingly strong. Though, it was odd he spoke not an instruction a singular time, however, that may be in part of the loud sounds from those big black rectangle things the human seemed to use. The electric spider was surprised when the trainer from before came back, and more so seeing him seemingly talk to the other trainer’s pokémon, this Joltik decided to settle itself on it’s branch and watch the readying battle. Wondering how this bout will play out.

After a few moments of the huddle Cailie decided on Blitz, however, Blitz was confused by this decision and disconcerted. He already had a bad feeling about this, not like the other times where he’s really worrying over nothing. He could still feel a phantom pain of this one Pikachu’s iron tail along the left side of his face, he was sure he was in a small coma after that. But he’d have to worry a whole lot more than what he did that time. This time though, he had to worry about mind stuff. But this is a Ralts, so he was sort of safe, right? Right?

“You got this Blitz.” Cailie said encouragingly with a thumbs up. “Oh, he's going to get reamed…” Cailie thought however, she knew what she said yesterday, but she just can’t help but feel bad for him, well, all her pokémon really. Blitz walked onto the field and stood there somewhat shaking.

I put on Synapse by Electro - Auvic since Keldra felt like starting out with bass today, when the music started Blitz jumped with fright as the beats began beating the air. Basil and Rosey however were liking the sound of the music. Blue, he wasn’t a fan.

“Blitz! Charge!” Cailie yelled, trying to get the Blitzle to focus. Keldra in the meantime, was already preparing a double team and I watched amusedly. God damn does kettle corn sound nice right now. I was already enjoying myself and the fight hasn’t even began.

[Wait-where-what?]

“Chaaarrge!” She called again. Blitz then had an ‘Oh, right’ moment that immediately went to an ‘Oh, no’. His eyes darted to each of the eight copies now partially surrounding him, they even did a cheeky giggle with a wave, taunting him in stereo. That in conjecture manage to annoy him enough to actually do his move. I watched as this electro micro pony tried attacking the...were they after images? I couldn't remember at the moment. But it was further amusing, because there was a big flaw to the move that seems no one takes into consideration. The real one had an actual shadow than the lightly shaded spots of the other...images. God I need to brush up on the movesets of my pokémon. My eyes showed an intrigued glint to them as I saw the spectacle, the after images, which I’ll be referring them as till confirmed, were reforming. On one hand I was sinnisteringly delighted, the other, oooh, I can see how infuriating that can be mere seconds of seeing this.

“This version of double team is appalling.” Vlad said almost shocked.

“And we’re going to abuse the shit out of it, aren’t we?” Psycho noted delightfully.

OOOOooooh, maliciously!!! I thought with a disturbed voice in demented delight. I didn’t care on hiding my maddened mirth of this discovery as I openly grinned with widened eyes. Enjoyed giggles of a deranged variety were spilling out, knowing my dickishness will know no bounds in the world of battling.

“Bitchin’.” Vlad and Psycho remarked with grins of their own.

[How long you bet he’s going to last?] Nesia asked with an amused tone while sat next to the shiny fox.

“Hmmmm...not long.” Elora replied watching the show. Even she could see Cailie isn’t being the best trainer at the moment.

A moment later, Cailie got tired of this charging tactic, opting in for a more AOE kind of effect. “Blitz! Shockwave!” She called out, Blitz skidded to a stop then reared up charging up the attack, next he slammed his hooves into the ground creating a wave of electricity. It then reminded me of an EMP, don’t know why I never made the connection before. Though it’s doubtful if it has the magnetic properties of the event, probably look it up later. It was then my enjoyment died with a realization. I didn’t know if my speakers, in proxy my p.g., were insulated, in which I watched in gaping wide eyed terror in those few seconds as that sparking wave closed in, while Keldra teleported out of the way and behind Blitz.

Just a foot before hitting my speakers, the wave impacted an invisible wall, immediately triggering a memory of Keldra blocking that falling mound of snow on the way to Ianatan. “Oh sweet jesus…” I sighed with relief with a hand over my heart and my head leaning back. God damn, might of had a panic attack if these got shorted.

Blitz just stared at what happened on the other trainer’s side, it wasn’t like protect, it might of been barrier, but it lacked the shine that came with it. Cailie was kind of dumbfounded by this too, coming along the same thoughts. As Blitz was contemplating, three wispy pale blue orbs began circling his head, he was sweating with a face smeared in dread when one hovered across his vision, then two and then three. [Meep...] Was all Blitz let out before the three orbs of will o’ wisp did a three point bashing of his head.

“Ahhh...crap.” Cailie said with somewhat slumped shoulders seeing Blitz now wobbling.

[Heeeey, Caiiliee…? Caaaan I sleep now...?] Blitz disorientedly said, the world kind of spun for him at the moment. Keldra gave a half pout before deciding to just end this, by that, she gave the poor thing a psyshock to knock him out. So then, the electro micro pony unceremoniously flopped onto his side, Cailie just looked on with a sort of slack jawed like look. She was hoping that’d last a little longer, even some hopes can’t follow through it seems. I noticeably lowered my music several notches in response to this, I actually felt kind of bad for that one. Even Keldra felt that way, she gently picked up the partially conscious Blitzle and lowered him a small ways behind Cailie so he was safe, and out of the way.

[Come ooon-I...I got this…! I...shill got this…] Blitz slurred in misplaced confidence, lifting his head up to the sky. [Yaaaw…] He almost mumbled as a small bolt of lightning shot out, his head promptly met back with the ground to pass out, this was honestly sad to watch, and I’ve seen my fair share of pitiful moments. It was kind of like watching a drunk guy after a fight try to get back in it before, like Blitz, promptly passing out. Meanwhile Cailie was seeing if he was okay.

“You know, I think he was new at this.” Psycho chimed.

“You might be right, the lack of adaptation given the, what was it five to six months at this? Cailie should of been able to handle that at least a little better, though even if the Blitzle was a recent acquisition, they should of handled this longer than what we saw.” Vlad critiqued, granted it was a bit of an unfair critique.

Well, you have to cut her some slack at the least. She’s never fought someone like how I let my girls go about it. Their practically starters but on some gene enhanced steroids with pretty good battle intelligence. I mentally laughed. Just look at yesterday’s fight, Iggy’s crew got the shit kicked out of them before they could think up anything. For now, let’s hold on the review till all four are down. Then you can knit pick the fuck out of her. I tried to mollify the somewhat disappointed voice.

“Hopefully the next one does better.”

After checking over Blitz to she he’s mostly fine, she returns him to his ball. I seriously need to look into the science of the damn things. I thought randomly, I could see so many applications it could be used for, fright being a large one. They can hold a ton in a roughly three inch ball for gods sake, it’d cut wait, add storage for more and save money on things like fuel just to transport them. But what if this world actually uses the technology for things like it? The storage for my quad seems like a linkable example with accordance with my backpack, however that may be a different thing entirely with the pack. And don’t get me started with the transference tech they have for these damn balls. It’s surprising I never really put much thought into this till today.

“Everything good?” Cailie asked, my gaze twitched to her with a face of curiosity for a second before I realized what she was asking.

“Just thinking.” I reply, this time it’s Blue whose stepped up to the metaphorical plate. And he already has his scalchops at the ready at his sides. Okay, this ought to be interesting. I didn’t really need to ask Keldra if she wanted to go another round, seeing she’s already getting in a stance, sort of.

[I’m going to be a lot harder than Blitz.] Blue said with a prideful edge to his tone, holding his scalchops under hand like a pair of daggers, even though impractical as it looked. I set about setting up a more epic note to this battle as I got out Kraddy - Heart Anthem (Cryptex Remix), as the song began, a grin slowly formed as the beat grew, my nodding turning into a light headbang. Keldra was forming Will o’ wisps en mass, causing the opposing team's eyes to bulge more and more as the amount grew. Going upwards to thirty six, at the same time engaging a double team. When the beat really starts going, Keldra starts letting rip small volleys of Hellfire Hail.

“Snivy! Sni snivy!” [Keldra! Kick his ass!] Nesia cheered with a big ol’ smile, her tail excitedly flicking back and forth.

[You got dis!] Elora joined in.

“Razor shell!” Blue to his credit began cutting through the balls of spectral fire, dodging without his trainer’s command, he had trouble when the tempo changed to rapid intervals, some of the orbs doing literal curve balls to throw him off. A few managing a hit, Blue ducking under one and dodge rolling to the side from another to then uppercut another orb. Keldra threw in a psyshock here and there to try throwing him off, yet Blue was proving to be exceptionally nimble.

Cailie didn’t know what to do but watch as these two were making a fight for the ages in front of her. Just then Keldra made a subtle teleport behind Blue, throwing a magical leaf his way. However, Keldra’s timing seemed poor as Blue was just in the right spot to react, blowing out an icy wind, freezing the leaves that then buried themselves into the ground. After Keldra teleported back to her after images, she had an idea, a sneaky one at that. Yet she wasn’t sure if she could get the precise control down for it. In the meantime she kept up the will o’ wisps. Blue’s team were starting to throw in some cheers at this point to help motivate the rogue like otter.

As Blue slashed this way and that, he found this to be a much more difficult battle than he anticipated, he didn’t think a Ralts could chain attacks so much. And what was with the mass of will o’ wisp? He’s never heard of even a Gardevoir letting out this much, and he’s heard they can make something called a black hole! Suddenly, one of his scalchops felt off, like it was off balance. Next he lost grip of the scalchop in his right hand as he did another uppercut, it was hurdled in the air from the follow through. He noticed a sort of gray outlining on it as it floated above him, as he was distracted, Keldra let loose a magical leaf in an arc, quickly hurtaling to Blue’s side as he has to double his efforts in dispatching the pale blue wispy balls.

Blue was knocked onto his side from the magical leaf, being more or less kicked while he was down as he was trying to get up, another psyshock bashed into his gut. Causing a bout of nausea to crash into him, a moment later, his scalchop was tossed to his feet, he picked it up, stumbling, he looked at the group of Ralts, without thinking he lunged into a run. Practically flying over to the third on the right with an x-scissor, he hoped this was the right one. Sadly, he judged poorly as he flew through the after image. Next he knew he felt he got hit with a combination of psyshock and a will o’ wisp orb, making him tumble some more. Oh but he was determined, he grit his teeth and got back up, albeit with a struggle.

But as fate would see it, today was not going to his as he felt lighter than he should be with the lack of ground beneath his feet. With wide eyes he beheld his defeat as a sphere of will ‘o wisp surrounded him seconds later, they all converged on him in a dazzling explosive plume, that last combo I think I’ll either call Wisp Coffin or Wisp Grave. When the ‘smoke’ dissipated, Blue was still held aloft in the air, unconscious, yet as he was, he still had a grip of his scalchops.

I stared at the scene with a half gaped mouth of awe and a face of glee as Nesia and Elora cheered. This. Was Fucking. Awesome. A demented cackling giggle of enjoyment bubbled up as I beheld the aftermath, this was like watching some epicly animated battle with beings of power duking it out. “Fuuuhuhuhuhuhuuuck yeeeees!” I laughed delightedly. This might tilt me a little more to the side of battling more just to see this badassery again. Thank fuck I was recording this!!

Cailie stared slack jawed however, she thought that Ralts was overpowered, absurd even. This is a dream, she thought. There’s no way a Ralts can make like thirty balls of will o’ wisp at once. It was unnatural, she was starting to feel Iggy’s despair quite honestly. And that Ralts trainer, he was unnerving her with that laugh, the look of enjoyment was off from what she normally sees. There was a darker level to his look then she saw yesterday. Multiple things were going through her mind as Blue was gently placed beside her, Cailie almost didn’t notice until she heard a small groan come from the Dewott.

As the opposing trainer looked over her next downed pokémon, I looked at Keldra with the same look with a grin, she turned around shooting up an arm victoriously with a smile. Oh I was very happy with her performance, she just earned herself a big cone with something else I had to think up later. She began walking back over to me, wobbling here and there, I moved up to pick her up, my grin taking an edge of concern to it.

“Holy shit that awesome!” I praised as I walked back while holding the progressively wosey Keldra. She just gave me a big ol’ smile. “God you're a badass in your own right, I will never understand what went through that little dickhead’s mind when he decided he didn’t want you, you're fucking awesooome!” I said praising her some more, pulling her in an embrace at the last part while gently shaking side to side. Keldra was just soaking it up returning the little embrace.

“Can I take a break?” Keldra asked in a tired but happy tone.

“You good?” I enquire my voice taking a softer shift.

“Yeah...juuust tired.” Keldra replied looking up at me with a smile.

“Want to sit and watch?” I suggested with a warm smile.

“Can I watch from here?”

“Ah, why not.” I replied, letting her adjust in my arms to get a proper view, just because I couldn’t help it I ruffled her hair, while gushing a little bit. “Oh you're so damn awesome.” Eliciting a giggle from the small pokémon.