-----------------------------------

The road north from Lavaridge was interesting given everything I’ve learned since my arrival in this world. Each of these longer drives have doubled as a chance to find out more about the place I now live. Here I see a mirror to the haunted Rusturf Tunnel.

Where that tunnel held a long history of tragedy, this road is practically brand new. Of course the biggest difference is that most of the highway is raised several hundred feet off the ground. It snakes around mountains, spires, rivers, and over bottomless canyons covered in jungle greenery. A rail line runs between the two sides.

It seems the best way to avoid disturbing the land was to leave it far below. Which is why Jane’s knuckles are white, her grip firmly locked at 10 and 2 on the wheel. I try not to smirk each time I catch her nervously glancing at the rails that stand between us and a very long drop. She’s doing perfectly fine.

While redhead has been thrown in the Un-deep end, I’m reviewing legal documents with the corporate princess. Turns out, discovering an ancient evolutionary branch is a big deal.

Naomi turns her tablet to show me an updated Pokedex page, “It’s official, you are credited with the discovery of Ogrbat, and the previously undocumented abilities, Demonize and Vampire.”

Shak’s monstrous form is pictured along with a breakdown of theoretical information. A fancy graph visualizes his bulky, physical attributes. His ‘Hidden’ ability, Demonize, applies Dark Type energy to Normal Type moves. Which tracks as the machines at the Lavaridge Pokemon Center declared him Dark/Flying dual typed. His poison, while still present, is only a fraction of what it could have been as a Crobat.

Vampire is considerably more obvious, he heals a portion of the damage using bite moves, and burns in harsh sunlight. Any name I submitted alluding to blood got denied. Something about keeping it all ages appropriate and adhering to league standards. When Jane brought up the potential interaction with Spit Up, the League rep said I’d be fined immediately.

As for the name Ogrbat, I thought he was just growling like normal. He was never much of a talker compared to pokemon like my Murkrow, who use their name in chatty conversations. The nail in the Crobat coffin was when he grunted out ‘Ogr’ like some kind of winged gorilla.

Professor Birch joked that I’m practically a walking Dusk Stone. It's a miracle Bonnie and Clyde haven’t evolved. Currently the divergent evolution is attributed to that, and my bat’s relatively extreme volume of blood consumption.

Naomi was thrilled, we just needed to nail down merchandise rights before she would feature him in any content. The first video we have planned is a ride through one of these canyons this evening.

Citro points off to the side, “Hey look!”

Dashing between rocky spires is a flock of Swablu fighting back against a pair of Skarmory. The battle turns our way and Jane actually lets out a nervous squeak as the Tailwind of the flock rocks the car.

Plenty of other Pokémon appear along the ride, Mankey troops, Masquerain swarms, pools with playing Marill, and a grazing Tropius that makes Citro sigh.

I’m sure plenty of trainers feel the strain of supporting a full team in their rookie year. From time management to food costs, the stress adds up.

“Are you excited to check out a mostly Grass Type gym bud?”

Not looking away from the window, “Sort of? I don’t know… it would be nice if Ourboro wasn’t clearly unpopular for being a jerk. That kind of ruins the hype.”

Naomi nods, “Oh for sure, I’d rather face Master Erica of Kanto. I’m sure she’d have all kinds of advice for my goals… Did you think about my offer?”

The boy turns with a sheepish grin, “You know I’d be an idiot not to accept. There’s no way I could afford stabling otherwise.”

“Yes!” Naomi practically hops in her seat, “Then the Mauville Botanical Garden has its first sponsored trainer!”

Not to be a killjoy but, “Does it count if the garden hasn't been built yet?”

Watts sticks her tongue out, “First in seniority or whatever then!” she catches Citro’s smirk and grins even wider. I guess the princess is already learning to look out for her employees better. “Anyway, it’s been too quiet of a drive. Let’s turn on the Hoenn Battlecast station… Jane… Hello Jane?”

“What?!” She’s still practically hunched over the steering wheel.

Glados cheers from the humvee’s navigation screen, “I got it!”

The voice of Lisia comes on, “Remember to check out her book ‘The Great Ghastly’ today on Mallville.pok!”

Her uncle Wallace replies, “The ending might Haunter you!”

The hostess sighs, “Let’s switch over to the next topic before Uncle gets in a Punny mood!”

“No fun, but you’re right. Next this morning we’ll be discussing a different aspect of this year’s competition. While it’s been exciting as always following our favorite rookies,”

Lisia cuts in, “Can you even call them stand outs when the bar has been raised so high this year?”

The Contest Commissioner chuckles, “Indeed, but now we’re going to bring up our Ace League!”

“Oh!” either she’s a good actress or genuinely excited, “Do you think someone will challenge the champ already this year? I don’t think Wally has even decorated his office!”

“Perhaps,” he’s hinting like he knows something, “But I’d like to talk about some of our returning Aces. There's been a lot of buzz about the Region Invitational this year.”

Lisia gasps, “That’s right! My interview with Carmine is getting more views than an Eevee sale! Look out Dawn, he wants a rematch to settle all the scores!”

Wallace practically sings, “He’s not the only one getting a rematch!”

“Oh, come on. Just tell the people!”

“Ho, I really should, shouldn’t I?”

“Uncle!”

He laughs, “How about we let our caller tell everyone?”

“Caller?”

“What is goin on Hoenn?! Hope your day is absolutely electric!”

Naomi and Lisia gasp, “Shawn!”

“Welcome to the show Gym Leader Wattson.” Wallace finishes the introduction.

Naomi’s cousin continues, “Happy to get the news out! Well Hoenn, don’t miss this week’s Mosh. You wouldn’t want to be the one Slowbro that didn’t see May and Drew throw down for the first time in years! It’s an Aces Only match that you’ll wish you were there for!”

Wallace hums, “Of course they still have time to get tickets… oh, wow, not anymore. I can’t remember the last time I saw a show sell out in less than a minute.”

“See you at the Mosh, Hoenn!”

“Thank you Gym leader… Lisia, what’s wrong?”

As the call ends I can practically hear the little popstar pouting, “He pretended I wasn’t here again.”

“I’m sure that’s not the case dear.” ya right, “Now, you’ve faced Drew in Contests before, any thoughts on him doing an Ace Circuit?”

“Well, It’s amazing!” That was a quick mood shift, “Drew was always great at battles! Oh, but I don’t know his team! A lot of the Aces are following May’s lead and starting with fresh rosters this year.”

“Not all, and I’m sure the gloves will come off during the Invitational.”

“Okay Uncle, spill, what have you heard? Drew was always one of your favorites.”

“Weeeeell…” Dude knows how to tease an audience, “I did hear a little Chatot mention he just returned from Paldea.”

Lisia gasps, “You don’t think he’ll bring out,”

Wallace cuts her off, “I’m sure a veteran like Drew will save his best surprises for the big show… and League approval.”

“I knew it! You totally know something!”

“I know a lot of things dear,” he laughs again, “But now it’s time for a break. Listeners can hear from our sponsors, and,”

“And my new single,” Lisia jumps in, “I’m Not Gonna Raichu a Love Song!”

Naomi dives for the off button.

Jane startles as we make a tiny swerve, “Hey, seat belt! oh Arceus!”

The way the wheel corrected on its own as Jane scrambled let me know Glados is on the ball after our little talk. I wasn’t going to let the newbie driver hit freeway speeds without a little insurance.

Eventually the road forks, East to Fortree, West to Fallarbor.

“Is there a particular reason you chose Fallarbor over the flying gym?”

Jane speaks up, “It’s too easy.”

Naomi grimaces, “That’s harsh, and lacks context.” She brings up her dex app, “I’m not sure if you noticed Kurt, but Hoenn is a bit lacking in Flying Types.”

Citro points out his window at a massive flock of Taillow swooping around a particular spire that’s covered in nests, “Not sure I buy that, we’ve seen several birds in just the last couple hours.”

The red head snorts, “You've seen all of them in the last couple hours.”

“Exactly,” she turns a list with Swellow, Pellipper, Skarmory, Altaria, and Tropius, “This is it, in 25 years, Winona has very rarely deviated from these five pokemon. It’s always a 2 or 4 pokemon singles battle in the air.”

“That doesn’t sound great for your whole content, idol, whatever goals.”

“No…,” she shrugs, “Winona is one of the kindest gym leaders you’ll ever meet, and a fun challenge if you face her early. That’s just not what I needed.”

“I guess Fortree just doesn’t make the cut when the rest of the gyms have different challenges, battles, and larger rosters.”

The road starts to slowly descend into the valley as the ground level rises to meet it. Clouds of mist still drift amongst the spires.

Naomi waves her hand, “Half the East Hoenn gyms are overflowing with Water Types, so it’s only worth picking the biggest for us. Mossdeep… I think the gym is going to lose its license honestly.”

That sounds rough, “You know some,”

“Look!”

Jane slams the breaks and is pointing just ahead. A body is free falling from the sky!

Before we even finish skidding to a stop, Citro releases his Noibat out the window, “Catch her with Whirlwind!”

The purple flying fox channels the wind into a cyclone that rises up to slow whoever it is.

Tossing out my Palossand, “Catch them with Sand Tomb!”

A blanket of black sand joins the whirlwind in the middle of the road, blocking sight of the body. Citro and I dash over.

When the dust settles, a tan skinned woman with long black hair is lying unconscious on the ground. Blood, slowly pooling beneath her.

Jane runs up ahead of Naomi who’s dialing up the rangers, “Fuck, that’s Zinnia!”

A roar from the sky makes us jump, and the woman wakes up. Her eyes, eye, darts around, the other was covered by a patch that was behind her hair.

She points at Naomi, “Stop!” blood coughs from her mouth, “No calls!”

Naomi obediently stops, glances at the gash in the woman’s side, “Why this again?”

Wind nearly pushes us over as a behemoth of blue scales descends protectively over its trainer. The Salamance snarling with purple flames burning in its mouth.

“We’re fine boy, it’s the Wattson girl.” Zinnia returns the dragon to a pokeball. “Get me to Fallarbor, no rangers, no centers, tell no one…” Then she’s out again.

“Well fuck,” gears turning fast, “Naomi, use Florges again. Let’s get her in the car.”

Gently lifting her into the back, I peel back her red undershirt to look at the wound. It’s a slow seep, hopefully that means nothing important was cut.

“Glados, Call Lacy.”

My fiance’s voice comes over the car speakers, “Why do I feel like this isn’t a happy call?”

“It’s not, I have a woman bleeding from a long cut in her side. It’s slow, she’s unconscious.”

Naomi comes around the side, “I’ve got the first aid bag!”

“Cover most of it now, keep pressure. Wipe a small spot clear of blood, pull the skin and tell me how deep it is. Is the cut Vertical or horizontal?”

Citro is quick to hand over a cloth, then holds the gauze and bandage roll. Jane straddles the woman’s legs and presses the cloth down.

The blood is too thick to clear so I just stick my finger in, “Horizontal just below the ribs, just a little over a handspan in length… doesn’t seem to go deeper than my fingernail… I think it just sliced her muscles, why is the blood so thick?”

Jane speaks two words, “Dragon Trainer.”

We hear Lacy exhale a sigh of relief and maybe a quick huff of annoyance, “How lucky. Wipe the blood, spray a Super Potion on it, then keep pressure. How clean is the cut?”

Looking at the thin, straight line, “Knife.”

“May have been a Skarmory feather… Claws tear wide gashes. Dragon trainer’s have tough skin and heal quickly, just keep it clean and elevated. When she wakes up, feed her an Oran Berry or better. Call me when you get to town.”

-----------------------------------