At first glance, George didn’t think Porov was particularly athletic, or that he got around much. He was somewhat chubby, and looked clumsy whenever he moved faster than a brisk pace. Not that George had a wide frame of reference. The closest he ever got to seeing a Darmanitan was a class trip to the zoo. Even there, the animals didn’t move much, least of all the gorillas. They sat in their cages looking miserable while visitors gawked at them. Not the best representation of the wild, of course, but it had to have been somewhat accurate, at least.

In reality, George got to scrape bits of egg out his fur every morning. Turns out that Darmanitan did get around. Porov didn’t let him or Blitzer sit still for four days after arriving in the Source Hills: Less talking, more raiding. And fighting, of course. So rapid was the tempo that George and Blitzer both fell into bed every night. Blitzer passed out within a minute, and the only reason George took longer was because his limbs were aching. Itching and a day’s hard work were no joke.

Day five arrived. Just sixteen days until the Festival. George tussled around on his bed, Blitzer had rolled onto his back like he was asking for a belly rub. They looked so peaceful.

Not that it was to last.

“Riiiiiight! Up and at ‘em me boys! UP AND AT ‘EM! UP AND AT ‘EM!”

George buried his head under the pillow as Porov entered the room, groaning as he bit the case. It didn’t do much to stop a Darmanitan’s loud clapping.

‘Uuuughh… just when I think I’m sleeping, here he comes! Didn’t even hear any voices! Damn it!’

Fresh and fit, George stood up with a face and energy one could only get from a half hour of sleep. All the while, Blitzer moaned as he got up, head spinning in circles faster than his feet were.

“Aah, what’s the rush?”

“Same deal as usual, me boys!” Porov said, patting a shelf with his hands while grinning like a fool. “Well, actually, that ain’t right. Scratch that, it ain’t right at all. We ain’t just gonna go raidin’ a bit, we’re gonna go talk to folks ‘round town! ‘S right! They ain’t keepin’ an eye on what we’re doin’ out there, so we gotta go explain what’s been happenin’ out there. Bet they’d love hearin’ some Othersider tales, y’know!”

His stomach growling, George tossed his scalchop skywards to rub his belly, then tucked it back on with telekinesis. “How’s about we eat some breakfast first. I’m not doing anything while hungry… and I thought you were going around telling people. Right?”

“Sure have been,” Porov responded. “Ain’t no one better to hear it from but ye boys, though. Besides, I ain’t the best speaker, y’know?”

George stared at the Darmanitan as if he’d fallen into a vat of face paint ‘Colour me surprised.’

“Aaah…” Blitzer leaned against the wall with his claws, then went on to stretch his body. Something about the way he moved his limbs around caught George’s attention away from sleep. Least of all because a lizard was performing gymnastics. No, just the way he moved was alien, yet oddly fascinating. His movements were fast as lightning, yet each was followed with pauses that left him in odd positions. One leg in the air, then another, then his back went straight.

“Hahah, ye still wakin’ up?”

“Yes…hold on just a moment,” Blitzer chirped.

George’s curiosity wouldn’t go away. Blitzer’s upper body was well developed. Why was he thinking about that? He’d grow wings eventually, that was just a fact of life. Yet he kept looking. The way his limbs were in sync with one another, how his tail moved with the rest of his body… it was soothing, of all things.

Blitzer let go of the wall. “Right! Right, I’m coming.”

Porov laughed. “Hah, right! Got a breakfast to make, boys. Gotta know how to do it for when yer older!”

Another belly growl snapped George out of his bizarre thoughts, fortunately for him. As they went on to prepare berries and grains, and George was sent to fetch a jar of milk from a shed, he reflected.

‘Why did I…? It’s just stretches. To wake up. George, you do this all the time. Why do you have to stare? Just because he’s a Pokemon? It’s not even the first time he’s done it…’”

He gulped as he picked up the milk. Something funny was tickling up his spine.

He did not like it.

* * *

Breakfast washed the morning’s oddities out of the way, for the most part. George swallowed his grains and his pride, before heading out of the door. Porov had the day planned out for them, of course. He took pride in calling the shots, despite admitting to not being the best planner. Most of the last few days consisted of meandering around and following leads wherever they went. Like following a Soldier to a base camp, then breaking that base camp up and taking off with the goods. Or chasing away ferals. Or walking in circles.

Today, however, the Darmanitan had errands in mind. He went to the shed and came back with two black sacks, which were double the size of George’s scalchop. Impressive for George, not so much for Blitzer. Even less impressive when they were actually holding them.

“Here ya go, me boys.”

‘This is pretty light.’ George looked inside the sack; there were a few copper coins in there. “What’s this, medieval money?”

“Medieval? ‘Tis that?” Porov leaned over with one fist, the other clutched tight around the black pendant he wore. George rolled his eyes.

“An older time. We don’t use weird metals for money back home.”

“Pfft!” Porov's teeth went bare in as dumb of a grin as a Darmanitan was capable of. “Ain’t nothin’ old about these coins, kiddo. ‘S Pokécoins right here! Or Eracoins if ye’d prefer. Money! Ye know the stuff alright!”

“Money makes the world go round! I think!” Blitzer said, the tip of his tail twitching back and forth. “Well, my parents always said that, but it sounds pretty simple to me. Someone sells something you want, you trade it for money.”

Porov nodded. “‘Xactly! And ye know what? It ain’t just ‘bout stealin’ from the Soldiers or any of that other silly crap. ‘Tis ‘bout givin’ back to the community, ‘cause we’d be hopeless without ‘em on our side! So that’s what we’re gonna do today! We need some wood here in the safehouse, plus some extra food. Gotta keep the diet steady and all!”

“Gotcha,” Blitzer said. “But who’s getting what? Do me and-”

“I’m getting the food, alright,” said George while leaning uneasily on one foot. A soreness had struck during breakfast, and it had struck hard. “Do I look like I can carry lots of wood?”

With a laugh straight from the belly, Porov’s eyebrows sparked right up. “Great idea, leavin’ the fire types in charge of all the wood, eh?” He added a wink alongside his grin. “But ye, that’s right. Yer best off handlin’ the food, while we do the wood, ‘right?”

“But wait!” Blitzer pouted. “Don’t I get a say too?” he asked, to which Porov shrugged.

“Eh. Dunno, me boy, maybe I can handle most of the wood, ain’t no biggie. If that’s what ye mean.”

“No, I meant that I get to decide what I want to do. And George as well. I thought we’d get to choose for ourselves now, training gloves off. Instead we’re right back on the road, and-”

“Eh, don’t worry ‘bout it. ‘Tis a casual day, no worries…” The Darmanitan cleared his throat; all the while Blitzer kept a deep frown trained on him. George bit his lip.

“Porov. We’re supposed to make a name for ourselves, not do chores.” ‘I’ve done enough chores in my life.’

“True. True. ‘Aight, we have a deal, yeh. The two of ye help me out with this, then I let ya loose for the day. That cool with ye?”

“It’s all good,” Blitzer said with a growl stirring in his throat.

True to his word, Porov did let them loose after they were done fetching things. They were together for most of it, and a lone odd look aside, most were glad to see the two there. A few stray compliments even came their way for being polite. In any case, they bought the goods, and left Porov to take care of it and the remaining money.

They went off on their own throughout town and surroundings for a while, Blitzer trying out his fire on rocks, while George tested both water and telekinesis on those same rocks: George picked one up, Blitzer torched it, then George doused it. Blitzer was getting clever with his fire, aiming just right for it to have maximum effect, while George’s speed with his moves was improving, too.

It was all casual, good fun, until a yell filled the air: Someone came running at them from the other side of the hill.

“Please!! Someone help!”

A Meowscarada with a handkerchief around her neck came sprinting, limbs flailing wildly as her natural mask failed to hide the panic in her face. She was panting, her tail fluffed up as if a predator had boxed her in a corner. Her eyes scanned over the town, missing the boys on the hill with her entirely.

“Help!!”

“Hey! Stop, stop!!” Blitzer shouted, waving his arms while running in front of her, tail blazing and swaying around. “What’s going on?!”

“P-please I-uaah!”

The Meowscarada’s renewed plea for help was cut short, as one of her feet stumbled over a rock that blended into the terrain. She had tried to swerve out of Blitzer’s way, only to fall face forward into the dirt, right in front of George’s nose. The Oshawott grimaced, then offered a hand as she tried to climb back to her feet.

Are you alright? One bad trip here and you’ll snap half your bones.”

“Yes, I know,” the Meowscarada muttered. “Look, this is an emergency and I really need help, and fast.” She got back on her feet. Without skipping a beat, she patted herself down.

“We can help you out,” Blitzer said, clacking his claws for emphasis. The Meowscarada shook her head.

“You two? Not a chance, you’re only kids…”

“H-hey! I’m not that young! And it’s not like I’m the kind of Charmeleon that sits in his cave all day, I’ll bet my life on being able to help you out, I swear!”

The Meowscarada shook her head. “See? Just like every other kid. And a Charmeleon, at that. You hotheads always overestimate yourselves.” She took a few steps back on track to get down hill, ready to take off once George was out of the way. Blitzer was left pouting.

“Hold on.” George raised his hand. ‘It’s a longshot, but…’

“You’re even smaller.”

“Yes, but we’re not who you think we are. We’re with the Alliance, or in close cooperation with them at least. This will be worth your while, and I can prove it to you.”

Meowscarada raised one of her eyes. “Really now? Make it quick! This can’t wait, I swear!”

‘It won’t have to.’

George breathed in deep, then cupped his hands and held them out in front of him. The psychic energy stored deep inside of him welled up, until his eyes mirrored it with a blue glow. He reached out to the surroundings. Several rocks behind and beside him left the ground and lined up in a half circle. A crown for his pale head.

Meowscarada was stunned. “Wh- what? That’s not what Oshawotts can… wait, you’re- You’re George, aren’t you? The Othersider?”

George dropped his hands, and the rocks fell alongside. “The one and only. But enough about that, what’s the trouble?”

A flash of optimism passed through Meowscarada’s face, before the panic returned. “Right, right! Look, I live on a farm near here. Mom and dad, we’re, we’re poor, okay? And we’re struggling as is. We’ve been working hard to deliver in time for the Festival, but there’s Crest Soldiers knocking on our door! They’re demanding we hand over part of our harvest!”

“Soldiers?” Blitzer’s feet shifted on the ground. “Should’ve said that right away, I’ll turn them into mincemeat!” he growled.

“N-not so fast!” Meowscarada pleaded; she had her claws out. “Look, I’ve heard of the Othersider before, the story’s not new to me in the slightest. But you can’t just charge headfirst into three Soldiers! We need-”

Blitzer’s tail flared. Meowscarada gasped. “We’re trained! You say it’s just three of them? We’re also with three! And here’s the thing about thieves, they’re all cowards! You’ll only see them be brave when you look soft enough. That’s why I’m so gung ho about this in the first place! The second we attack, they’re goners!”

“I wish I could be as excited as you, kid…” Meowscarada licked her lips. She gave George a pensive look. “Hey, is he normally that…?”

“Energetic?” George bit his lip. The heat coming off Blitzer struck him square in the face. “Pretty much, but don’t worry about it. He’s got his reasons, and they’re the right reasons. Do you know how to fight?”

Meowscarada nodded. “For the sake of myself? Yes. My parents? Absolutely.”

“Then we should get going,” George said, retracing the first step Meowscarada had taken. “We’ll get all the details sorted out when we’re on the move, alright?”

“Got it.”

Someone needed help, and that’s why he was sent to this world, wasn’t he? To help. Sure, he hadn’t come to that conclusion himself, but what other explanation was there? He had none, and wouldn’t know how to think of one, either.

Still, an aspect of this whole ‘Othersider’ story wasn’t comforting. But now wasn’t the time to worry about that, nor would he be able to point it out.

The sun was up high when they set out across the Source Hills, scrambling their way across the rugged terrain and jumping across streams and bushes. Thanks to Porov, George had a better idea of how to navigate through thick vegetation, and Blitzer wasn’t as afraid of running water anymore.

Of course, compared to the Meowscarada who’d lived here for years, they looked like complete fools. She took the lead, and was fast on her feet. George scrambled to keep up; his stubby, sore legs were fighting back at every step.

‘Rgh, getting worse and worse, damnit… don’t let it stop you now of all times, George. You made a promise… and never give up, ever! No matter who’s beating you down.’ “Agh!”

“You holding up alright?” Blitzer asked, right as Meowscarada flicked her head back.

“What’s going on?” Her voice was full of concern.

The Oshawott bit his lip to fight the pain gnawing at his legs. “Nothing, I’m fine… you know, we’ve never heard your name.”

“Minos,” Meowscarada said. “But really. You can’t just say I’m fine. What if we get back home and you’re not fine? I’m counting on you here!”

“Relax, relax!” George raised his hand. “Again, I’ll be fine. When I said I could help you, I meant it. Do I look like a liar to you?” he said with a deep frown on his face. Both Minos and Blitzer backed a step away.

“Hey… I’m just saying… ”

“Yes. I get that.”

Blitzer then sucked in a breath through his teeth, the sound of rushing wind icy and sharp. “Hey, guys? Leave your fighting for the Soldiers, please? They’re not waiting on us.”

Minos licked the corners of her mouth. “Yes. Come this way.”

* * *

They made their way to a worn out farmstead somewhere near Verdant Valley. The entrance to the farm was adjacent to a crossroad, the corners of which had been decorated with boulders. The signs at the crossroads even referred to a ‘Boulder Crossroad’, in case the rocks hadn’t made them stand out enough.

Minos dove behind the rock, then pressed her ears flat against her head before peaking just over the top. George and Blitzer joined her on separate sides, Blitzer keeping his tail in place with a claw, while George rested against the rock. His legs still weren’t cooperating, and the promise of Soldiers had been kept, right down to the number.

There were three in total. One a Naclstack, another a Camerupt, and finally a Shiftry, who appeared to be doing the speaking for the other two. Facing them was a much older looking Meowscarada, who was supporting himself on a cane.

“So, old man. When are you going to show us where you’re keeping the harvest? You’ve been keeping us busy for hours. You better not have told your daughter to hide it, or else!”

“I swear it on my life,” the old Meowscarada said, “I didn’t tell her to do anything. She has a mind of her own, even when she was a wee Sprigatito she wouldn’t listen very well to me, let alone now. I didn’t tell her to do anything.”

“Well, ain’t that just great, lads?” The Shiftry turned towards his companions. George imagined them looking back with dead, empty eyes, given how neither so much as acknowledged their boss speaking to them. “I’m sure the children of Rustborough are going to love getting table scraps during the festival, ‘cause your sweet daughter kept their food hidden! Real stellar of you!”

George squeezed his hand into a fist. ‘Because you’re taking it all for yourselves.’ “How are we doing this?” he whispered. “You want to sneak up on them?”

Minos shook her head. “No, I want to talk with them. Tell them off.”

For a brief moment, No one spoke over the Shiftry’s annoyed voice. Then, Blitzer grabbed Minos by the forearm and gave her a tug. “...Say that again? Talk with them? Are you out of your mind? There’s no talking your way out of Soldiers!”

“Not like that,” she said. “They take a hike. I want them to know just what they’re doing. Even with all that training and service, they’re Pokemon at the end of the day, aren’t they? Deep down, they know what they’re doing is wrong. And that they should drop it.”

Blitzer shook his head at her suggestion. “...You’re out of your mind. Do you know what happened to everyone who tried that where I came from? Taken away. You know what they did to my parents?”

“You’re lying,” she hissed back. “There’s got to be more to it than that, it’s never that simple!”

“It’s not a lie!” Blitzer growled.

“Hey-” George tried to intervene. At the rate Blitzer and Minos were escalating things, it was a matter of time before unwanted attention would come their way.

But alas, it was too late.

“Who’s there?! Show yourselves!”

Minos and Blitzer fell silent in an instant. The former sank down against the rock, her muscles tensed up, while the latter clutched onto his tail and pressed it against his body. Flamelight wasn’t suppressed easily, however. The grass beside the rock still had an orange hue, with all the subtlety of a campfire burning in an open plain come nightfall.

“Right.... No answers? Jeol, do the honours.”

The Camerupt reared back on his hindlegs, then slammed his hooves into the dirt. A thunderous crack destroyed the dirt on impact, and spread with blazing speed towards the rock. The moment it was hit, the rock was torn to pieces. George was forced forwards and his face planted into the dirt with a pained cry; a sharp pain seized his chest and pinned him against the ground. Minos scrambled out of a crack and onto the road, while Blitzer jumped away with a surprised chirp.

“Alright you jokesters!” Shiftry began with a tug on his green scarf. “You think it’s normal to eavesdrop, huh?”

The elderly Meowscarada’s cane fell onto the ground. “m-Minos!! No!!”

“What’s that?” Shiftry planted his legs into the dirt. “So you DID know where she was! You told her to go look for help, didn’t you? Lying bastard, you!”

“STOP!”

Minos got back up, then climbed onto the broken boulder. Her fur wavered in the wind sweeping through from the east.

“Yes, I did look for help. But my father had nothing to do with it. That’s all me! And I want you to get off our farm!”

The Shiftry laughed back at her. “And pray, why should we? You’ve just exposed yourselves as criminals. We’re not leaving without your share of the harvest, nor are we leaving without you coming with us.” He smacked his fan-like hands at Minos, causing her to teeter on the rock. She barely kept herself standing. “Don’t make this difficult.”

Camerupt and Naclstack were coming their way, each taking a side around the rock. They were coming for George and Blitzer, respectively. Minos didn’t intervene; the realisation of what she’d gotten herself into was sinking in. Her father stared at her, terrified and shaking. It didn’t take long before she was shaking too.

“L-listen, I-”

“Shut up.”

“No, I swear, I’ll make it up-”

“In a prison cell.”

“...Don’t you dare!!” Minos reflexively hissed. Before Shiftry or anyone else had the chance to react, she whipped out a bouquet of flowers and flung it at the Shiftry. The attack punched square into his chest, sucking the air out his lungs and out of his mouth. He coughed and sputtered, scowling at Minos.

“...You little TYKE! JEOL!!”

Minos looked the Camerupt’s way just in time to see a sea of fire charge at her. She dove back behind the rock with a hiss, the tips of her green fur singed black. “Do something already!!” she said, in the vain hope the two small fry she’s gotten to help her would listen.

But both George and Blitzer had different ideas in their mind. They sat with their hands behind their back, Blitzer weakly chirping while George stared the Camerupt down. He looked sleep deprived, too fragile to move from the pain welling up inside his chest.

“Egh…”

Camerupt stared him down. “Come on. Don’t be stupid now, it’s not worth throwing everything away.”

“I feel sick,” George replied, water welling up in the back of his throat. It wasn’t a ruse. The chest pain had spread to his head, into his legs, into his arms. A fever had seized him by the throat and wasn’t letting go, no matter how hard he fought back against it. The mere thought of standing up was painful.

Fate’s hands alone had control now. And fate had a vulgar wish for him.

His throat and stomach clamped down on the water stuck inside. In the blink of an eye, George was spewing water right at Camerupt’s head, just as the Soldier moved in to make an arrest. The Soldier bleated out an agonised cry, as they slid backwards into the dirt, only stopping when they were tipped over on their sides, crippled and well.

Suddenly, the pain in George’s body receded. His muscles shook it off, no, converted it into an adrenaline rush of strength. For a brief moment, everything he imagined was possible. The door to a bright, new future was unlocked, and George gritted his teeth as he headed straight for it. He took his scalchop in hand, and began to tear it in half.

“Son of a- GET HIM! DON’T-”

Limbs searing hot, George screamed out a battle cry, as he ripped the scalchop in identical halves. Right at the breaking point, his entire body shone out a pale light. The energy coursing through him seeped deep into his muscles, his fur, his organs. He felt his body grow. First came his hands, then his shoulders. His chest and hips were next, the Oshawott chub melting into a sturdier form. No longer were his feet small, or his teeth tiny. Whiskers had grown out of his cheek freckles.

When the light faded, there now stood a tall and proud Dewott.