"Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap, oh crap!" Felix said, kicking open the car door and running into Pallet Town. Cascade followed after him, less distressed. He skidded to a stop and turned back to thank his chauffer for reminding him of the backpack he had left in the car, then immediately turned around and sprinted again into the small town.

"You don't have to go so fast," Cascade laughed, keeping pace with his human.

"I've kept Raphael and his friends waiting long enough," Felix said between breaths. "I'm already a whole day late!"

"The delayed flight wasn't your fault," Cascade insisted. "Neither was our trouble with your luggage or the traffic or the car blowing a tire on the way here…"

Felix groaned.

"Or the tree blocking the road, or the construction work, or that one Mankey, or—"

"I thought we agreed to never speak of the Mankey again," Felix interrupted, his voice low. Cascade gulped.

"My point is, you didn't do anything wrong," the Buizel finished.

"I think that not doing everything in my power to keep my appointments is wrong. I can run all the way here, so I should," Felix grunted, pushing himself to run faster.

One five minute dash later, Felix was outside the door to Professor Oak's lab, gasping for breath. He pushed open the door with a shaking hand, entering a lobby with a wide entrance into the lab proper. The room was illuminated by tall, wide windows and overhead fluorescent lamps. Polished white tile covered the floor both in and out of the lobby.

"...And speak of the devil!" Professor Oak exclaimed. The aging man had grey hair and thick eyebrows and he wore a lab coat over a polo shirt and brown pants. Behind him were three others about his age. The boy with icy-blue eyes, ginger hair, and a red-trimmed white jacket he recognized immediately as Raphael d'Alcott, but the other two were unfamiliar to him: the other boy had crimson hair, green eyes and a burgundy jacket over a russet turtleneck while the blond girl with violet eyes wore a white shirt and skirt, pink scarf, and a tan overcoat. Raphael seemed pleased to see him, the other boy looked curious, and the girl seemed downright hostile with her cold glare.

Professor Oak gave the Felix a warm smile. "Welcome, Felix! I was just explaining to the others that you'd be here soon…" He adopted a surprised look. "You didn't run all the way here, did you?"

"I am…" Felix glanced at his watch, "eighteen hours and forty-two minutes late. Why should I be any later?"

"Why indeed, my young friend!" Oak laughed. "Although I did accommodate for your late arrival; we were prepared to wait tomorrow if we had to."

"Oh… that's nice," Felix muttered, slumping into a chair. Without warning the vase on the table beside him fell over, spilling water between his legs to make him appear as though he had wet himself.

"What was that for?!" Felix growled, jumping up and turning to see a cackling black-furred Zorua leap off the table from where she had hidden. She said something Felix couldn't understand, as he'd never spoken to a Zorua before, but based on the tone it was something rude. Felix caught Raphael suppressing a laugh as the fox ran up to the girl's shoulder.

"That was not polite, Zorua," the girl chided. The fox only snickered mischievously.

"It seems you've already met Sonia's Zorua," Oak chuckled good-naturedly, "so why don't I introduce you to everyone else?" He gestured to Raphael. "As I'm sure you know, this young man is Raphael d'Alcott. He's been looking forward to your arrival ever since he heard about you. To the left is Malcolm Thrones, Raphael's childhood friend. He's a very talented and intelligent young man like yourself. To the right there is Sonia Darkin, a gifted psychic and trainer both. And to the rest of you, this is Felix! He's a young Pokémon breeder and caretaker, here to help keep everyone in good working order. Additionally, he can understand Pokémon and speak to them in their own language! Aren't you all a talented bunch?"

Everybody regarded Felix with some surprise, making him grin awkwardly.

A psychic human? Felix thought. He had known about them, of course, but he had never met any personally. Furthermore, at the mere mention of the word "psychic" dozens of facts and procedures flooded his mind on the proper care for a Psychic-type Pokémon… hopefully he wouldn't embarrass himself by treating her like a Pokémon by accident.

Felix stepped forward, feeling very self-conscious about his wet jeans and sudden, tardy appearance. He extended a hand towards Raphael, who had stepped forward. "Pleased to finally meet you, Felix," he said as the two shook hands.

He then greeted Mal with another handshake. "Call me Mal," the teen said quietly. Now that he was up close it was clear both of them towered over him by nearly half a foot each.

Sonia, who was much shorter than any of them, refused his handshake. "Is something the matter?" Felix asked, frowning. Instinctively he attempted to quiet his mind, something a telepathic Pokémon would appreciate. Shoot, am I treating her like a Pokémon? Is she reading my thoughts? Is she offended? Is she hearing this?! Oh no, oh crap... Ironically, Felix's mind started to race as he met her gaze.

"I don't shake hands," she said, avoiding eye contact.

"Why's that?"

"If you'll remember what Oak said, I'm a psychic," she replied.

"I know; that's really cool!" Felix replied as politely as he could. "But why can't we shake hands?"

"Do you want me to have complete access to your thoughts? Learn all your darkest secrets and fears? Physical contact will give me a direct link to your mind. But if you insist…" she raised her hand to meet his.

Felix got the hint and quickly lowered his hand. After a moment or two he added, "Um… would you mind if your Zorua and I spoke every now and then?"

"Why?" She asked. "Can't you understand her already?"

"Um, no; there aren't many Zorua or Zoroark in Sinnoh, so I've never had a chance to learn their language."

Sonia seemed surprised and almost disappointed. Zorua looked at her and smirked, but said nothing.

"Zorua says she is willing to teach you tonight, once all this is over."

Felix was confused for a second, but then exclaimed, "Oh! You two spoke with telepathy!"

"Yeah. Your point?" A defensive edge entered her voice.

"Nothing, nothing," Felix said quickly. "It's just neat, that's all."

She's not the only one with telepathy, Zoru, a female voice in Felix's head called. I can use it too, Zoru. While it was accented and broken, the language was clearly English.

"Wow, that's amazing!" Felix brightened immediately "Maybe while you teach me your language, I can teach some of the finer points of ours."

Eh, that's what Sonia's for, Zorua. I just feel nice today, Zoru, so I'll help you.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I must go and finish some preparations," Oak spoke up. "Why don't you all get to know Felix a little better?" And with that, he left.

The aspiring trainers stood around awkwardly for a few moments. Felix eventually broke the silence by speaking to Raphael. "So, have you picked a starter yet?"

"No, but I don't plan to," he replied, reaching into his pocket. "I brought my own starters." Raphael procured two Pokéballs from which a pair of Eevee were released. "This is Sola," he gestured to the one wearing a white bow. She was more slender than the other, indicating a female, "and that's Lune." Slightly taller and stockier-a male. Otherwise, they were nearly identical. Were they twins?

"Hello, new friend!" Sola said brightly in the Eevee language.

"Greetings, stranger," Lune added coolly.

"It's nice to meet you two!" Felix replied in their language as he bent down to their level.

Sola squeaked and jumped in surprise. Lune narrowed his eyes. "Where did you learn to speak our language?"

"It's just something I was born with, as far as I can tell. I can learn any Pokémon language in just a few weeks if I really try! Being a breeder, I have lots of experience with your species, so I've already learned your language."

"You sound just like an Eevee," Raphael said quietly, looking rather stunned. Mal and Zorua both looked surprised, and Sonia gave him a curious look.

"As I was saying to them," Felix switched to English, looking up to the star trainer, "this is why I'm such a good Pokémon breeder and caretaker. Pokémon can simply tell me what they want to communicate rather than have to rely on gestures and the like. Speaking of, I'd like to get a rough idea of your Eevee's health, if I may."

"Sure, go ahead," Raphael nodded, moving to sit in a nearby plastic chair.

Felix frowned. "Aren't you going to come with me? I can't exactly do it inside, now can I?"

"Really? Okay, then." Raphael stood again. "What do you plan to do, then?"

"Let me show you," Felix replied. "Follow me, please," he added in the Eevee language. He led the three back to the front door, with Cascade joining in behind Felix.

"I'm Cascade," the eponymous Buizel said as Felix pushed the front door open.

"Cascade, huh?" Sola replied. "That's a nice name. I'm Sola, and this is my brother Lune!"

"You two smell almost identical; twins?" Cascade ventured.

"That's right!" Sola confirmed while Felix turned and sat beside her and Lune on the grassy hill outside the lab. The boy noticed that Mal had tagged along and was watching quietly.

"Now first, how are you two feeling?" Felix asked in their language. "Any aches or pains?"

The twin Eevee looked at one another before shaking their heads simultaneously. "We feel just fine," Sola said. Suddenly she chuckled. "This is fun, talking to a human! Raphy's always a little tricky to talk to, even if he tries his best."

"Well, I'd be glad to deliver any messages!" Felix offered while he felt over Lune's pelt to check for problems.

"Actually, could you tell him not to scratch me beneath my chin?" Sola asked. "I'm really sensitive there, but he won't stop!"

Felix smiled and delivered the message. A bemused Raphael smiled and nodded and Sola.

The Pokémon breeder proceeded to check Lune's teeth and claws and, finding them to be straight well cared for, patted the Eevee's head. "Looks like you're in good condition, Lune. One last thing, though; could you run to that tree and back a couple times?" Lune nodded and sped off while Felix checked over Sola.

Lune returned the second time and sat before Felix quietly. Felix swiftly turned to the male Eevee and felt his chest lightly with two fingers, counting his heartbeats as fifteen seconds passed on his Pokétch. He frowned, muttering the number to himself in English. "Isn't that a little high?" he said to no one in particular.

"Actually, it's pretty standard for Eevee," Mal replied. "They have an unusually quick metabolism, likely due to breeding for high energy or in preparation for evolution."

"Vee, evui! I mean, yes, that's right!" Felix cleared his throat, somewhat embarrassed. "So, um, where'd you learn that?"

"I'm trained to be a field nurse," Mal replied. "You pick up on things."

Felix grinned. "Still, always nice to meet someone so intelligent."

Mal smiled.

Sola, too, was in fine condition. "Raphael, your Eevee are quite healthy," Felix said cheerfully. "You've done a fine job raising them!"

"Thank you, Felix." Raphael smiled. "You can call me Raph, by the way."

"Raph it is, then," Felix nodded. "What will you evolve them into?"

Raph frowned, pensive. "You know, I've been thinking about that for a while, now. My mother says that an Umbreon will never let me down while I've always just liked Jolteon and Electric-types in general. And then Mal's always said that a Sylveon would help me care for the rest of my team, so I'm really not sure."

Felix nodded, attentive. "If I can give my two cents, I think that Glaceon and Leafeon make a great combination. And yes, they are the two most popular Eeveelutions in Sinnoh, but I think there's a good reason for that! They just play off one another so well: Glaceon's cold, Leafeon's warm. Glaceon is serious, Leafeon is relaxed. You know? Anyway, just with what I know about them Lune seems like he'd enjoy being a Glaceon and Sola would like Leafeon."

Raphael shrugged. "Maybe. I guess we'll just have to see, right?"

Sola had pawed one of Cascade's tails, calling him 'it'. Cascade ran after her, but the nimble Eevee managed to avoid his tagging. "I guess," Felix said absent-mindedly, distracted by the Pokémon's game. "But make sure you get their opinions before you go and evolve them, okay?"

"Of course, of course. So was there anything else you needed to do for my Pokémon?" Raph smiled as Lune was dragged into the game.

"You know, I hate to cut their fun short, but… how about a battle?" asked Felix.

Something seemed to spark to life in Raph's eyes. "Right now?" he asked.

"Well, maybe. They do look like they're having fun…"

Raph shook his head. "No, no; they'll be fine, trust me." He turned to the Pokémon. "Sola, Lune, we're gonna battle now!" The Eevee's ears perked at their trainer's call, then the two quickly ran towards him. "We're going to show Felix here everything we've got, okay?" he said, kneeling down to their level.

"Please, hold nothing back," Felix requested. "I need to know just how strong your team is so I know where to start in our training."

"And if some of us get hurt?" Cascade asked.

"I'd rather you get hurt in walking distance of Professor Oak than somewhere down the road," Felix replied quietly in Buizel. Cascade nodded in understanding.

"Ready to go, Felix?" Raphael called, already on the other end of the field. The transformation was stunning. No longer was the trainer the quiet, polite Raphael Felix had just met. There was excitement and anticipation in his every word and action. Felix contemplated if this was why Raphael was chosen to become the Elite Four's rising champion.

"You bet I am!" Felix replied as Cascade took his position before Felix.

"I can be the referee," Mal offered, standing on the side of the field between the two trainers.

"Alright! Sola, you're up first!" Raph commanded. Sola immediately sprang from Raphael's side out in front of him, facing Cascade with a determined glare. Cascade waved pleasantly.

Yeeahh! Come on, fox sister! Knock that stupid otter on his tails, Zoru! said the all too familiar mind-voice of Zorua. She and Sonia had stepped outside as well. Cascade shook his head, bemused at the little fox's jeering while Sola thanked her for the support.

"Okay Cascade, let's show 'em what we've learned!" Felix exclaimed in the Buizel tongue. Just as Felix had hoped, Raphael furrowed his brow, concerned at the unfamiliar language. "Quick Attack!" he commanded.

The Buizel vanished and reappeared with his right paw slamming into Sola's hide. A flustered Raphael called for her to dodge a moment too late. "Shake it off, Sola," he instructed. "Use Baby-Doll Eyes!"

Sola stared at Cascade with hurt, endearing look. The Buizel became less tense. "Tackle!" Sola's innocent look vanished as she charged Cascade.

"Get out of the way!" Felix called. never once using English. Cascade heeded the command, springing to the side.

Raphael grinned. "Sand Attack!" Sola stopped on a dime and kicked dirt backward towards her foe halfway through his jump. Unable to dodge, Cascade got a faceful of soil. "Tackle again!"

"Dodge it!" Felix cried, but the blinded Buizel hesitated and Sola crashed into him, knocking him to the ground. With a bit of thrashing Cascade threw the Eevee off and the two separated.

"Sonic Boom!" Felix called once Cascade has wiped the dirt from his eyes. Cascade whipped his tails around, sending a pulse of energy hurtling towards Sola.

"Counter it with Swift!" Raph commanded, but it was already too late; the attack had connected, sending Sola tumbling backwards. The young trainer was looking very anxious, his fists clenching and his stance weakening. After all, it wasn't every day you fought a trainer who spoke a different language-could Raphael adapt to the lack of warning in Felix's commands? That's what Felix wanted to know.

"Quick Attack; aim from behind!" Felix said. Sola was knocked off her paws just as she had gotten up, flung into the air to land near the center of the field. She collapsed as she landed, eyes shut. For a moment it seemed she wouldn't get up, but rise she did. She winced as she put weight on her left front paw, but she gave Cascade a determined glare.

"That's my girl!" Raph cheered. "Don't give up just yet; use Swift!" Felix noticed the pain in Sola's movements, but with a swish of her tail she sent a flurry of stars after Cascade.

Thinking quickly, Felix shouted, "Cascade, Sonic Boom; counter her attack!" His Buizel immediately whipped his own tails around, destroying Sola's projectiles with her own.

"Tackle!" Raph commanded. Startled, Felix didn't have time to issue a command before Sola crashed into the distracted Cascade yet again.

"Throw her off, Quick Attack her in the chest, then Sonic Boom!" Felix instructed. Cascade complied immediately, kicking the Eevee off before speeding beneath her and using an uppercut all before Raph could react. By the time Raph noticed the Sonic Boom attack, it was too late.

Sola fell to the ground and did not stir. After a few moments, Mal declared, "Sola is no longer able to battle. The winner is Cascade!"

Felix let out a cheer while Raph collected Sola in his arms, stroking her fur comfortingly. Once the Eevee was returned to her Pokéball, Raph turned to Felix. "Very clever, speaking the Buizel language so I couldn't understand you. But I'm not your average trainer; Lune, show him what I mean!"

Lune entered the field. "You may have defeated my sister, but you won't bring me down!" he challenged.

Cascade shrugged. "Be my guest… but I'm not making it easy!"

"Lune, use Swift!" Raphael commanded. In the space of a single moment Lune's muscles tensed, his expression darkened, and he whipped his tail around to spray stars at Cascade.

"Quick Attack to get behind Lune, use him as a shield!" Felix countered. His Buizel complied, vanishing in a blur before reappearing behind his foe. Cascade ducked as the star projectiles reversed direction to hurtle towards him through Lune.

"Jump and Swift again!" Raph reacted.

"Quick Attack, knock him into the stars!" said Felix.

The two Pokémon immediately obeyed their trainers' commands. Lune jumped out of the way of his own attack and added a second round of stars to chase Cascade. Cascade in turn maneuvered behind Lune with incredible speed, kicking the Eevee into the incoming stars. A shower of light exploded from the stars Lune collided with while the rest finally found their mark in Cascade.

The Buizel dropped to the grass panting; all the battling was starting to get to him. Lune got to his feet, looking slightly fatigued but definitely in better condition. Felix had to wrap this up, quickly. "Sonic Boom!" he commanded.

"Sand Attack!" Raphael replied. Cascade's exhaustion meant he could barely raise his tails before mud and dirt was tossed in his face. "Sand Attack once more; keep him disoriented!" Lune continued to kick dirt into Cascade's eyes. Felix hesitated; a Sonic Boom or Quick Attack would just miss, and he can't get the dirt off before Lune kicks up more.

"Now Tackle!" Raph instructed. Lune charged the Buizel.

"Quick Attack; get out of the way!" Cascade darted off across the field away from Lune.

"Use Swift; follow the stars and use another Sand Attack!" Raph continued. Lune heeded the command, unleashing another flurry of stars that collided with Cascade and exploded against his back, tearing open his pelt. As rivulets of blood streamed out of the wound, Felix's heart began to pound, his head becoming fuzzy. Cascade turned to face Lune and immediately got a faceful of dirt.

"Will you stop that?!" Cascade growled.

"Only if you hold still," Lune countered.

"Tackle!" Raph commanded. Felix couldn't react in time, paralyzed by the sight of blood.

Cascade whipped around of his own initiative and used Sonic Boom, but the Eevee easily dodged his blind attack before crashing right into his belly. The otter gagged as the wind was knocked out of him.

"Finish it with Swift!" Raphael said. Obediently Lune unleashed another round of star projectiles. Cascade staggered under the blow, then collapsed, unconscious.

"Cascade is unable to battle!" Mal declared. "Raphael and his team are victorious!"

Raphael cheered and picked up Lune in delight as Felix quickly ran out to his hurt Buizel, examining the lacerations on his back. He tried to convince himself that it looked much worse than it was, but he could not seem to calm his frayed nerves.

"You're not hurt too badly, right, dear?" Felix worried, speaking in Floatzel.

"No, of course not," Cascade whispered and weakly shook his head. "I'm just more tired than anything. Also… 'dear'?"

Felix blushed and laughed lightly. "Oh, sorry; I guess I was just worried and all," he said using the Buizel language.

"If you say so… And sorry about the end, there. I got really flustered when he kept tossing dirt in my face." Cascade said.

Felix chuckled despite himself. "Why are you blaming yourself? I'm the one who should have told you how to win. Besides, you nearly held your own against both of Raph's Eevee! That's a victory if I've ever heard one." Felix reached in his backpack for Cascade's Pokéball, expanding it as he pulled it out. "Let's get you safe," he said, returning Cascade to his Pokéball before he could react.

"That was quite the challenge!" Raphael said loudly. "It's not everyday I fight a trainer like you; you even knocked out Sola!"

Felix smiled, slowly calming down. "It really was, yeah."

"Indeed, what a fine battle that was!" Professor Oak declared. "Raphael, Felix, I see great potential in both of you! And good news, Felix; you've been registered! Tomorrow you should all be ready to set out on your adventure, but for now let's have your Pokémon healed and your bodies rested. Come along, now; I have a healing machine in my lab."

The aged professor turned and entered his lab and Mal followed suit.

Zorua stuck her tongue out at Felix. Heh! Just wait 'til you fight Sonia, Zoru! Your stupid otter will lose before you can say "Bui bui bui", Zorua! Sonia gave the impudent fox a flick on the ear, but followed Mal inside without a word.

"We'll have to battle again sometime," Raphael said, walking beside Felix. He grinned. "Maybe next time you'll play fair and speak English."

Felix shook his head. "Floatzel zel flo-tze," he said somberly.

"Come on. really? You're not a Floatzel and neither am I!"

"I said you're going to have to get used to it," Felix lied. "We're travelling together, aren't we?"

"Whatever," Raphael replied. "See you inside!" The boy ran ahead, leaving Felix alone outside.

Floatzel zel flo-tze, Felix heard in his mind, memories from his childhood flooding back.

Make him strong, but keep him safe, Felix repeated. I promise.