We were quiet for a while.

Finally, Janelle broke the silence, "The only thing I don't get is where Katie fits in. I mean, from Gab's comments about her, and then that fan's account, it's not like Katie's likely a part of this group. So why is the League sticking their nose in?"

I'd been too absorbed by the global threat I hadn't realized existed to think about that. Now that Janelle had brought it up, though, it was even more terrifyingly close. Why had they sent Mac? He wasn't a Coach himself, so he couldn't really know how I'd do in the role. And he was so strong already, it wasn't like I had much to teach him. Oh.

"Are you my bodyguard?"

That actually broke through the somber moment, and Mac laughed. "Not exactly," he said. "I'm sure it wasn't a point against me, but I really am just here to make sure you'll be a competent Coach. Though if you want a bodyguard, I have very reasonable rates."

I glared at him, and he laughed again. "Seriously, though, I doubt you have anything to worry about. If you don't feel safe after finding out about this, though, I can check in with Master Bruno when we get to Viridian."

Had I seriously messed up? Was I in the crosshairs of some seriously dangerous people?

"I'd appreciate that."

We were subdued as we made our way through Viridian City. Mac wasn't exactly talkative, but even Janelle kept to herself as we passed by the center of town. As for me, I saw the ground blasting apart under streets, buildings toppling, the mountainside crumbling into a rockslide that buried the city. Vola sensed my distress, hopping up from her basket to ride on my shoulder. She nuzzled into my neck. My nerves must have heated my face more than usual, because her cool fur was welcome against my skin.

"I wish I had a Pokemon like that," Janelle said, breaking the spell.

"Huh?" I asked.

"Your Vulpix. Vola, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'd love to have a Pokemon small enough to cuddle with while I ride. Diggle doesn't like leaving the ground and Clip-clop nearly knocks me over if she tries. Snippy is small enough, but she isn't exactly 'cuddly' with her shell."

"Oh. Yeah, I get that. I've got a pretty fluffy team, don't I?"

"Do you think any Pokemon like that live around here," Janelle asked. It was more thinking out loud, but Mac answered anyway.

"There are some Mankey west of here on the way to Victory Road. They've got a bad reputation, but can be really sweet with a good trainer. Master Bruno's Primeape gives amazing hugs."

Janelle looked at him skeptically, "Huh. Thanks, but no thanks. I'd prefer something sweet by nature."

"I don't know if you remember, but Vola was definitely not this nice when we were younger. It took a long time to get past some of the more problematic pranks."

"Oh, I remember. That's why I'm not interested in a Mankey."

I snorted, "I guess that's fair." Vola slapped her tails at the back of my head, and I smirked down at her. "Gonna prove our point for us, huh?"

She sniffed and turned up her nose at us.

"Do you have a moment? Master Bruno would like to speak to you." Mac said. I'd joined Janelle waiting for him in the Pokemon Center lobby after I finished my own call home.

"Sure, I guess," I said, "Vola, keep an eye on Lucky. Janelle, would you mind keeping an eye on Vola?"

Janelle snorted with restrained laughter, which I think was the only reason she agreed.

I followed Mac back to his vid-phone, where Bruno's face greeted me. Mac handed me a headset, and I put it on. "Hello again, Miss Castle," he said.

"Hi, uh, Master Bruno," I said, hoping it was an appropriate way to address a member of the Elite Four.

"I understand you have some concerns regarding your safety, all things considered. While I can't say I'm pleased to hear that sensitive information like this has been shared," he gave me a stony look. I flinched and smiled awkwardly, though the small window displaying what Bruno was seeing showed more of a grimace. He continued with only a pause for emphasis, "I understand your feelings, and can't exactly fault you for your actions. Regardless, I truly feel you don't have anything to worry about."

"So why is Mac here?" I asked. "He dodged the question earlier. He's not here for my safety, and I doubt the Elite Four send their protégés to monitor everyone who comes on their radar. Why does-" I looked around, "Why does that connection require so much special attention if not security?"

Bruno let out a heavy sigh, "It's not your security that we suspect is at risk. Having major attention brought to an unlicensed Coach is exactly the kind of thing certain people would love to use for their own ends. No connections have been made, but if they are, we can show the situation is under control.

"I'm not a fan of the dehumanizing views and underhanded dealings a number of my colleagues gravitate towards, which is why I took care of this. We should be dealing fairly with our future leaders, and that means letting them know where they stand."

Realization dawned, and my mouth nearly dropped open. I needed to confirm it though. "Mac isn't your top apprentice, is he? He's just the one who's best with people. The best at controlling a conversation."

"It would be more accurate to say that he's not just my top apprentice," Bruno said, one side of his mouth curling up slightly, "Which means?"

"Which means you're much better at this 'being sneaky' thing than you may want to be."

That got a full laugh, which got me smiling, too.

"So what now?" I asked.

"Nothing. Everything we've told you is still true. Mac needs to oversee your progress until you earn a third Badge, and you can't train anyone until you've passed the certification exam, which you may only take after earning 8 Badges or taking a course. That being said…

"How would you feel about undergoing an apprenticeship?"
"A… what?"

"It's one of the only ways around the certification process. You train under an expert with the explicit goal of learning their craft. It's why so many trainers train under a Gym Leader; many don't require Badges to apply, and a Gym Leader's recommendation can bypass some of the other requirements for becoming a Leader yourself. It's not common, but it does happen. The way I see it, there's no reason it can't work that way for Coaches, too. We talked about it, and Jasmine thinks so, too. If you'd like, she's agreed to mentor you, provided you can earn her Badge. After that, she doesn't think it will take the full 18 months to get you up-to-speed for the exam; however many Badges you have after earning hers will shorten how long she'll require you to work with her. I've instructed Mac to check in with Jasmine regarding your friend Lila in Saffron after he's made his judgement about your competency. I've also spoken to her, and while she is more than happy to work with Lila, she is very interested in meeting you."

I thought I understood. "I could earn my Earth Badge, then stick with Mac when he goes to Saffron. Then I'll be working with Jasmine, who I'm guessing is even more formidable than Mac? By the time I'm on my own, I'll be more than strong enough to deal with any members of Te-" Bruno's look gave me just enough warning to catch myself, "To defend myself from fallout."

He nodded, and I continued, "I have to say, though, I still don't quite understand why you're doing all this. I get you don't think me being written off as a weakness or statistic is fair, but why go this far to help me?"

Bruno smiled, and it was like finding a hidden meadow in a mountain range; reassuring and comforting and welcome after an ordeal. "I checked in with some relevant parties before sending Mac. Imagine my surprise to hear some of the things Erika had to say about you."

I could have sworn the blood drained from my face, and I wasn't sure why. Bruno wasn't acting like he knew about my tantrum, and I couldn't see how it figured into his decision. So my jaw just about dropped when he said, "You should have seen how frustrated she was when the concept of you being a Coach came up. She was practically kicking herself for not thinking of it. It sounded like you two have more history than just a Challenge match?"
I blinked for a second, trying to catch up to the conversation, "Yeah, she ran the club at my school. I've known her for years."
"I thought so. She practically gave you a recommendation already, though she doesn't have the qualifications to. Still, when I told Jasmine about the situation, she said the Coaching program needed 'promising talent' like yours."

"I… I see."

"Now, obviously none of us are telling you to do anything. Your actions are up to you, and where you go is your own concern. The Pokemon League doesn't play favorites. Just keep our chat in mind, okay?"
And he signed off.