“So, did we have an enlightening conversation?” asked Terez while dragging Blitzer down the steps, the Charmeleon grumbling with every step. Had this been a less civilised place, he’d have blown fire in her face. His throat certainly jittered while waiting for an opening.

“Yeah. Can you let go of me now?”

“Was I speaking to you?”

“Artanouk was!”

“That’s Prince Artanouk to you, mister.”

“Ngh!”

Terez gave Blitzer’s arm a yank as they reached the bottom of the stairs, making him trip forwards past George and onto the trolley tracks. Not to be outdone, a trolley was sliding his way. Blitzer rolled right off, sounding like he was choking on sand the whole time, much to George’s revulsion and Skal’s amusement.

“Well now, talk ‘bout some bad luck, eh?” the Aggron laughed. Blitzer pouted.

“It’s not funny!”

George pulled a sour face. ‘Sad’s more accurate. Blitzer never asked for any of this! Yet they won’t even show him that much respect. Ugh, how can I stop this from happening in the first place?’

“That, mister, is what we call moral consequences,” Terez said, waving her hand around in a condescending manner. “Now is the time to learn some manners. Consider yourself lucky Artanouk is as patient and merciful as he is. Patrina would’ve ripped your head right off.” She cleared her throat, then directed George’s attention to her with the wag of a finger. “Anyway, Othersider. How was it?”

George folded his arms under the flaps of his scarf. ‘Don’t ask me for my approval, sure.’ “Well, I’ve heard a lot. Still trying to figure out what he means, though. I’m not special, aside from personality, I guess.” ‘Being human isn’t special, apparently.’ “That doesn’t make much sense.”

“In what way?” Terez asked, tilting her head out of what seemed like genuine curiosity. George tapped his foot in response.

“There’s how many Pokemon in this world? Millions, right? Why would I be sent here just for being myself? Wouldn’t you want the uh, the saviour to be exceptionally strong? Legendary?” ‘Or did I get lost reading all those stupid stories about chosen people… god, how can anyone take those seriously?’

Terez bowed. “Most certainly, Othersider. But do not mistake Artanouk. He was telling you the truth, just in a very unpolished manner. It’s true that you are rather weak right now. But you can become much more, just like the Othersiders of the past, who also started from nothing. As a matter of fact, you are well on your way already!”

George shrugged. “I don’t feel any different from the day I woke up,” he said. Another trolley flew past; it was filled to the brim with fruits and vegetables.

“Oh, but you used Ice Beam in the fight against that mongrel, didn’t you? Patrina’s devil didn’t know what hit her.” Terez smiled. “From what I know, most Samurott struggle to master ice attacks. Yet here you are, just a little Oshawott that struggled with his aquatic energies weeks earlier, taking down a bloodthirsty Garchomp on his own. And besides that, I sense something strong brewing within you. Something I recognise all too well.”

She nudged George over the railway, then kneeled onto the dirt before him. “You will be powerful, George. Believe in yourself.”

“S-sure…” George blushed. Compliments were one thing, praise was another. The former was basic, everyday courtesy: The latter was reserved for genuine accomplishment. Did he really deserve praise? That Garchomp was a team effort, and besides, that was a cheap shot, not a decisive blow by any means. If he were alone, she’d have turned him into mincemeat afterwards.

Despite this, George felt prickles all over. Praise and him were like the sun and nighttime. They just didn’t go together. The headmistress sure never gave him any. No teacher cared even when he got perfect scores. No peers gave him anything except shoves and laughs.

Over here, everyone had a compliment to spare. Even the strict like Terez. Skal too. Blitzer sure loved his praises.

Still, the rosiness wasn’t so rosy. Not when it came to Blitzer and Terez. George rubbed himself behind the ear as he and Terez got moving.

‘She gives me all this praise, yet she won’t give Blitzer the benefit of the doubt. Why though? Is it really just because I’m human?... agh, don’t be stupid, George. Of course it is. Still though, what’s her problem? Blitzer saved my life multiple times already, why not give him credit?’

The high and low tapered off with a grumble.

“Damnit, Skal, I don’t want to go stay somewhere without George!”

“C’mon kiddo, ‘tis only for the night and ya will see him again tomorrow, ‘s buncha training waiting for the two of ye, y’know, but yer tired. Early birdie gets the worm ‘n all, eh?”

“No I’m not. I’m telling you, I’m not!” Blitzer stomped his feet, while baring his teeth. “You got injured, I didn’t. Why don’t you go to a herbalist or doctor and leave me alone?”

“What’s this all about now?” Terez wandered up to the two with her hands on her sides.

Blitzer glared daggers at the Aggron. “He wants to drag me off to bed. Won’t even let me see George!”

“Nah, that’s a lie and ye know it,” Skal said with a dumb grin plastered over his face. “Never said ye can’t leave. Did say ye can’t go out when it’s night. And yer tired.”

George got beside Terez and glanced up at her, dragging his tail over the floor. Terez was eyeing Skal and Blitzer like a grumpy babysitter. In a way, she was.

“Honestly, I’m not sure which of you to blame. You both give me a headache. First off Blitzer, clearly he’s joking. Of course that big lug wants to drop you off. He’s not even trying to come off seriously. Second, Skal, this isn’t the time to play pranks, you fat metal bastard. Especially not with that jumped up scamp. Time and a place, not now.”

Blitzer’s tail fell onto the ground as he looked off towards a berry stand. George saw him start to shiver the moment ‘that day’ was referred to. In shame, the Oshawott looked away too, towards a stand selling soaps.

‘Was that really necessary? Why bring it back up at all, that day was horrible enough the first time…’

Meanwhile, the two black scarves continued speaking as if nothing was wrong.

“Yeah, yeah. Big deal, ‘s just a joke.”

“To you. Not to him.”

“Pfft. Complainer. Some more fightin’ and he’s gonna be tough as a rock. Like me! No joke’ll get his best then.”

Terez groaned. “Let’s just go to the habitats, yes?”

They made their way in the direction of the entrance, where the caves of the fire habitat were. They stuck to the right side of the planks this time. George found it curious. Just like back home, all the Pokemon here walked on the right side as well. No one disobeyed, unless their destination was on their left, whether that be a shop, habitat, or something else. It was a minor thing, but one George cherished. Pokemon weren’t entirely alien after all.

A minute later, and they were back in front of the black cavern and braziers. A sign with ‘Fire Habitat’ burned into it hung from chains above. Inside was a long path that forked off numerous times, each fork marked with its own braziers. The walls were scorched black, and a smoky smell poured out, as if someone was barbecuing in there. Natural wasn’t a good descriptor. Either someone had burned the walls for decoration, or the mother of all rage outbursts had occurred here.

“Well, here you go, Blitzer. This is your home until your private quarters are ready.”

“Private quarters?” Blitzer and George asked simultaneously, Blitzer’s deeper voice overpowering George’s easily. His tail flame flickered, and a happy growl-like chirp came out his throat. George blinked slowly, then folded his arms.

‘Huh. Guess they’re giving us our own because of me being, well, me.’

“Y-you’re saying I get to stay with George?”

Skal bellowed out a laugh accompanied by a thump of his tail. “Heheh. ‘Course ya will, kiddo. We ain’t dumb! Ain’t no way we’re splittin’ the two of ya up, yer like Grumpig meat and butter! Mmmm! Crime to separate ya, that’s what the Crest does!”

“My apologies for being led to believe the contrary earlier, but yes,” said Terez while scowling at the Aggron next to her. “You have formed a strong bond with the Othersider. Many of the previous Othersiders have formed similar bonds with native Pokemon in their times. Clearly, there is something he sees in you. So it would be most unwise to break you up.”

“Oh, thank you…” Blitzer fell to his knees.

“Don’t think much of it. George, the-” Terez caught herself mid sentence. “Or your friend, rather, wants it this way. Everyone keeping an eye on you two has seen this.”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I? He’s been there for me since the beginning,” George said as he waddled to Blitzer’s side. The Charmeleon shot a hopeful glance his way, and George returned the favour. Others may be bitter about it and hate their guts, but that wasn’t their problem.

Blitzer stood up and dusted his knees, nervously baring his fangs at the Pokemon pouring in and out the caverns. “But, how long do you want me to sleep here? It looks crowded.”

“Oh, everyone gets their own rooms, don’t ya worry. Some share, even! Lovers, friends like the two of ye…” a grin crept onto Skal’s snout. “Or is there somethin’ you ain’t tellin us?”

Blitzer gasped. “No! Nonono! I… I don’t-”

Skal threw his head back and cackled. “Hahaha! Works like a charm every time!”

As if the joke wasn’t bad enough, Terez chuckled at it too. Blitzer’s scales clattered, while George blushed under his fur, struggling to swallow on top of that.

‘Why did he say that…’

“Not going to lie, that was pretty good,” Terez said, her own cheeks flushed pink as she hid her chuckles behind a hand. “But ah, we’ve gotten off track once again. As Skal has said, you’ll have your own accommodation all to yourself, as will the Othersider before your own private quarters are ready. It shouldn’t take long for those quarters to be ready, but you will have to mingle with your kin until then. I’m sure this will be a healthy development for the both of you, since your combat prowess, how shall I put it…” She tapped her chin. “Could use some work. But that is nothing new, I imagine.”

“Well, yeah, I’ve more than figured that out on my own.” Blitzer wiped his brow down. “But I, err… I’m not used to sleeping in lava caves. Those are supposed to be dark, right? And have never, ever lived in one before. I-”

“Kiddo, no better time to try it out than now!” Skal waved his arm before his chest. Blitzer backed away, eyes panning back and forth between Skal and the Darmanitan leaving the cavern. Suddenly his head flicked back to Skal.

“B-b-but-”

“Most are Ruby folk, kid! Ruby folk like just about everyone, ‘tis in their blood!”

As if the Aggron’s jolly yet adamant insistence wasn’t giving Blitzer the shivers enough as was, he was about to have a whole different problem on his hand. A bigger one, from a Darmanitan.

“Eh, Blitzer me boy! Nice meetin’ ye, laddie! I’m Porov!”

In a grip whose strength was clear even from a distance, the Darmanitan shook Blitzer’s claw. Blitzer stood and watched, his tail flame dim, meek, and shaking..

“Uh, h-hi. I’m Blitzer. I’m from Greenfield.”

“Haha! Not from the ol’ Ruby, in other words! No fears me boy, I don’t bite! I’ll just be yer combat instructor and mentor! Whaddye say we get to showin’ ye ‘round the habitat, eh?”

Without waiting for a response, Porov pulled Blitzer towards the caves. “Well I, hey! Heeeey! Wait!” Blitzer growled, but his struggles didn’t matter. The Darmanitan dragged him off without much effort. Blitzer shot a glance back at George, who gave a short wave in return.

‘There he goes. And I thought Skal was too boisterous, darn. Guess I’ll have to meet up with Blitzer again later. If there’s time.’

Terez chuckled as Porov dragged Blitzer away into the cavern. “Well now. Porov’s bound to give that boy some confidence, right?”

“Put the fire right in ‘im, heheh!” Skal laughed. “He’s kinda timid for a Char, y’know?”

“He did grow up in the Agate,” Terez replied. “And that’s his personality. Who are we to look down on him for it? As long as he has the courage to do what needs to be done, difficult as it might be for him to see that.”

“‘Course. I ain’t judgin’ nobody,” Skal said with a shrug. “Now we just gotta get lil’ George here to his home, right?” He haphazardly laid his tail in the Oshawott’s direction, whose ears went flat against his head in response.

“Of course, eh, where else would I have to sleep? Outside?” George kept his eyes shut as he tried waving the dust from Skal’ tail away. ‘Why not just put me in a room with Blitzer right away, I can take a little heat. And overcrowding.’

“We should get moving already. This joking won’t get us anywhere,” Terez said without a trace of emotion in her voice, like she was getting ready to head for bed. “The water habitat is this way. Follow me.”

The three of them continued past the entrance. Some of the stands here sold odd looking corals that had been sculpted out of rock, others sold a variety of fish laying in trays of ice: Magikarp, Finneon, Wishiwashi… At a passing glance, this wasn’t any different than the fish shops and stands George had seen in malls and on the street before. But these were Pokemon. Pokemon like him. Pokemon who may very well have been intelligent beings with their own thoughts and emotions. Sure, there was a notice on the cart stating that these were all ferals, but were they really? How could one be so sure?

George bit his tongue and moved on. They were ferals. Civilised Pokemon had an essence, these fish didn’t. Did they? Essences were a silly concept. An excuse that made reality easier to swallow so he wouldn’t have to lay awake at night.

‘Urg, I shouldn’t be thinking about this. Neither this metal oaf nor this humourless control freak are bothered. Or anyone else besides me.’

After pinching his cheeks a few times, the three arrived at the entrance of the water habitat. Squeaky clean, it wasn’t: Moss grew from a rocky cove leading into a world of ponds and grass. A wide open space with various Pokemon splashing around the many bodies of water, separated by thin, grassy walkways in between. It wasn’t so much a place to sleep, rather a giant open air pool.

George pulled a sour face. “Is this it?”

“Sure is. Water plenty, whaddya think?” Skal asked.

“Looks awful. Where am I supposed to sleep in there? Just in the open?” George frowned. ‘Oh god almighty… goodbye cooking pan, hello furnace.’

Terez got on her knees in front of George, her hair dangling in front of her mouth. “Oh, I can assure you that there is private space. Pokemon of Water prefer their element. Believe me, Othersider, your kin prefer it this way. Even your species would.”

“Right.” George pouted.

“Eh? Eeeey, there she is!”

Skal stomped his feet as a Carracosta came waddling out the cave, her smile piercing the stoic exterior of her armoured head like sun poking through the clouds.

“Ah, George! Aren’t you a small fry?”

The Carracosta came his way, looking like she was about to fall flat on her face with every step she took. George grimaced as she approached, flippers spread wide.

‘What is she-’ “Aah!”

“Come here, you!”

Before George knew it, he was face to face with the Carracosta’s neck, her chin resting on one of his shoulders. His arms? Spread wide against her chest. His feet? Not on the ground anymore. She? Kneeling. And all that in the span of three eyeblinks. For a turtle, she was fast. Very fast.

“h-Hey, can you put me down?” George asked, his ears flat against his head as Skal and Terez chuckled nearby.

“Give me a moment! It’s not every day you get to meet an Othersider!” The Carracosta said in a cheery yet brutish voice. “I’ve so been looking forward to seeing you! Really, I’ve been jittery even in my sleep these past few days, my husband was thinking I needed to go to the doctor! But I don’t! And now you’re here! We’re going to have so much fun learning together! Hahahaha!”

George stared pensively over the Carracosta’s shoulder as he was being snuggled.

‘I’m not a toddler! Put me down! I know I’m not that big, but I can handle myself!

Several passersby had taken notice of the scene and had gathered to watch. George’s mood sank further. And in case it hadn’t sunk down enough, Skal began clapping. “Well, well, Georgie! Seems like ya’ll have a grand ol’ time with Allora! Have fun, eh? We’ll see each other again soon!”

“By soon, he means in a few days. You and your mentor should get ample time to know each other, just like Blitzer and Porov.” Terez said. She directed George’s eyes her way with a psychic trick, then made a deep, long bow before walking away. ”Goodbye for now.”

She and Skal picked up their usual rambling as they were leaving, Terez dragging her dress over the floor and fixing her hair up, while Skal threw his arms behind his head.

“Heh, time for the money! Can’t believe we’re gettin’ this much!”

“Is helping the Othersider not a reward in and of itself?”

“Of course!...”

Gone were they, as was the crowd. The Carracosta finally set him down on the ground, all neat and gentle like she was carrying an antique.

“OH! That’s right, I have yet to introduce myself!” She nudged George in the chest with a flipper. Her pale eyes were shining bright in the candlelight coming from all directions. “Well, they partially did it for me, hah! The name’s Allora! I’ve been asked to be your mentor, and I said yes for a reason! Helping the Othersider? Why wouldn’t I?” she chuckled.

The Oshawott thumbed his nose; there was an itch there. “Err, yeah? I’m George. And well, people call me special, but I’m not.”

“But that is just what you think! You know who you remind me of? My own son! He also didn’t think he was special! But you’re wrong on that, and I’ll show you!” Allora said with a wink. “Before that though, why don’t I show you where you’ll be sleeping for the next few days?”

“Sure,” George said. ‘Some peace and quiet would be perfect now.’

Allora took George into the Water habitat. She took charge, her huge frame intimidating many of the other water Pokemon nearby, while George waddled behind. Inside, the habitat was taller than it seemed on the outside: It wasn’t a cave, but a large dome-like complex. A central area of streams and ponds to swim in, decorated with lilies, lily pads and other water plants, and on the walls were a variety of tunnels where the private quarters were.

With the others getting out of Allora’s way no questions asked, it wasn’t long before George stood face to face with his quarters: A hole in the wall with nothing but a straw bed and some dusty planks to store things on. Capsule would be more accurate.

“This is it?” George asked.

Allora chuckled. “For small fry like you, oh yes! But bigger is available if you prove yourself… or well, in a few days! Hahahah!”

George wasn’t having it. “Come on, even the small village I came from had-”

“Oh yes, but they had space!” Allora cut off. “We aren’t so fortunate down here! There’s only so much room to work with. Believe me, I’m a tall gal, I’ve complained about it many times myself, but alas! You shouldn’t worry though, George. You’ll get more space soon enough.”

‘I wasn’t talking about the size…’ George thought to himself, slouched over. “Alright, well I’ve seen the room, can I-”

“Oh heavens, look at the time! We’re about to miss dinner!” Allora suddenly grabbed George and stomped her way down the hall. Any shock soon faded into mere annoyance.

‘I’ll meet up with Blitzer right afterwards, then…’

Alas for George, that fabled meeting wasn’t going to happen today. After eating the berry salad served to him, Allora talked his ear off about all the things he needed training in. Swimming, water spitting, a myriad of other topics he was too tired to listen to, and so on. When she let him go at last, he tried to get into contact with Blitzer straight away, despite his weary bones and tired eyelids begging otherwise. Alas, Porov wasn’t done nagging Blitzer yet for the day.

And so George returned back to the water habitat, dragging his feet the whole way back. The fire breathers had offered him to stay for tea, but he couldn’t bring himself to say yes.

Ears flat against his head, he headed back to his little hole to crash onto his bed. At least Allora had told him she’d give him free reign the whole morning. If only Porov was as generous.

George stirred around for a while before sleep came over him at last. All the while he thought of the days ahead. So far, everything had been okay. To an extent. At least he didn’t have to watch his back down here. At least he had a safe bed. Food. Comfort. Something resembling normal life.

The training had yet to start, after all.