TEAM: Twigs (Rillaboom) & Zap (Toxtricity), Spike (Drednaw) & Tilda (Vileplume), Hook (Galarian Slowpoke) & Cress (Vikavolt)

Flare's POV

It was peak relaxation hours at the hotel room now. I flopped over onto my bed, but I wasn't tired, surprisingly. Maybe I was "chuffed", as one would put it. I was more ready to toss and turn on my fabrics rather than sleep it off. I was quite pleased with what I accomplished today, but I think I had enough in me for one last hurrah for the night. But what to do…?

I hung my head over the side of my bed, hearing the indistinguishable noise of the TV from the other side of the room. Before the blood rushed to my brain, I started to wonder what my Pokémon were up to. And then the blood did rush to my head and I dizzily stumbled off my bed.

Oomph. At least the carpet was soft too. I propped myself back to my feet and staggered in my socks to the other side of the room. Judging from the sounds of the remote, the couch in front of the TV was in use, so I was surprised to see most of my team lounging around another carpet on the floor.

I think I remember hearing them talk about a reading circle or something. "Hey guys." I knelt up to them just to make sure.

"'Ello!" Tilda looked up to wave at me. "I think I recognize that look of yours. Chuffed, are you?"

I giggled. Guess there really was no hiding my smile. "You could say that. Can't really sleep, so I've just been wondering what you guys were up to. Maybe I could help you guys out with something."

"Oh." Tilda hesitated, leaning the side of her face against her hand. "We're actually in the middle of summat we just got goin', actually."

Twigs nodded from nearby. "Tilda here actually offered to help me and Zap learn how to write. Think I'm getting the hang of it!" She proudly showed me the stick she twirled in her fingers, which looked to have some ink on its tip. Zap looked to be holding the other one, focused on his scrawl.

Huh. I could understand Twigs and Zap being here, but I noticed Spike was relaxing nearby too. "I-"

"Oh, him." Tilda spoke up before I could finish, which really caught me off guard. "He actually insisted on hanging around despite his proficient literacy. Though if you ask me, I think he's just been quite chuffed himself ever since he got to see Heart again." She giggled after that.

Explains why he looks so pleased with himself. Even if all he could do was make large inky footprints on his paper.

I decided to leave them to it. I was still curious about the sounds of clicking coming from the TV remote. So if you four are here, then who's…

"Bzzzt. Flare, over here." I heard a little voice from behind the couch.

I ducked over there to see my Vikavolt peering up at me. "Cress?" I noticed she was still crawling. "What's up?"

She looked around cautiously before speaking. "There's… actually a favor I'd like to ask you."

I wondered why she felt the need to keep a low profile, but I played along. "Is something the matter? Is it with your wings?"

"Hm? Oh, I'm fine, actually," Cress whispered, hovering for a second to show it. Though she hastily closed her wings before I could hear any buzzing. "It's actually with Hook. He seems… upset about something. Have you noticed?"

Er… I carefully peered from behind to see that Hook was the one seated on the couch, the remote floating near him as he flipped through channels. It is pretty odd that he's watching cable, yeah. Especially in this day and age.

I got a glimpse of what he was watching, and I only saw a second of that Accelgor superhero cartoon before he changed the channel. Then I recognized what had to be a rerun of that classic Unovan action series, where the hero sends out their Lucario and- Hook flipped the channel. Now there was a showing of a detective movie with a Pikachu in it- and click goes the remote. Okay then.

I lowered myself back to Cress to see if I was understanding this right. "He's… indecisive?"

She raised an eyebrow at me before shaking her head. "Anything you noticed about what was on the telly?"

"Uh…" I put two and two together. "He's insecure about Pokémon who look more attractive than him, is that it?"

"What?" Cress hissed, somehow offended by that. "Even if that were true, his looks would be the least of our problems right now. It's something else."

Uh… I peered over the back of the couch once more, just in time to see a Joltik documentary which Hook groaned at before shutting the TV off. Right at the part where one becomes a Galvantula. Oh.

I peered back down to Cress. "He's scared of bugs."

Cress raised an eyebrow. My Vikavolt just glanced at herself before looking back at me, clearly unimpressed.

I broke into a sheepish grin when I realized what she was getting at. "Kidding, kidding! I think I know what you mean now, though."

"That's right." Cress nodded. What I could make out from her expression started to look worried. "He's clearly still upset about you-know-what. I've just been wondering if there was any way to make it up to him, you know?"

"It is strange…" I thought about it for a second. "It's not like he's underleveled or anything. He could just be one of those Pokémon who takes forever to evolve, but I don't remember reading about Slowpoke in that category." I paused as I realized something. "I don't remember hearing or seeing anything about Slowpoke, actually. At least, not in mainland Galar." Other than the Poison and Psychic Gym Leaders, actually…

"Tilda doesn't know much either, so I just want to find a way to cheer him up for the time being. That's where I need your help with something."

"I'm following." I started to wonder if my restlessness was meant to be, just for a moment like this. "What do you need me to do?"

"Well…"

Author's POV

The city of Circhester was as dark as ever on a night like such, though at an hour like so there were no crowds to be seen. Even the friendly Snom that usually hang around the streets have all retreated to their nooks and crannies to rest the night away. The frigid air was still, except for the three individuals trudging through the roads on this silent night.

Cress had filled Flare in on everything and was hovering behind her, often making glances to make sure Hook was still following. Flare told him she needed his help picking flowers like last time and was hoping he bought the excuse.

As for the Slowpoke, his heavy eyes didn't care much for the hauntingly silent streets. Another insignificant errand he'd have to, he surmised. If he was lucky, he supposed he'd have something to yawn at on the way there. But as far as he was concerned, he didn't get his hopes up for anything more.

"Bloody 'worthy of the destroyer of worlds' nonsense, what was that old codger blathering on about…" he kept muttering to himself. He was too focused on muddling to see where he was going, only going off of what he could see of Flare's shoes and hear of Cress' buzzing. He then found himself surprised when he realized the two ended up leading him up several flights of steps and to the designated Flying Taxi parking spots near Circhester Stadium.

He looked up at Flare with a befuddled brow. "I thought we were heading to a flower shop." He grimaced, realizing he never took a second to consider if any shops would be open at this time.

"Hmmm?" Flare so shocked by the disdain in his tone that she almost dropped her phone as she slid it out of her pocket. "Well, that's because the flower shop is in Turffield, remember? We have to fly there! And stuff." She went back to trying to focus on dialing. "I really hope Mr. Pilot doesn't mind being called this late…"

There was an awkward silence that transpired in the wait that followed. A silence that was only occupied by the three of them. A cough or a shiver every now and then, that was it. Eventually, to everyone's relief, came the flapping of wings. Skyward above were the dark twilight wings of the Corviknight carrying a cab.

Mr. Pilot greeted them with his usual grin of gusto from his saddle. "Oi oi, what's the moi- er, matter?"

Flare didn't think much of the stutter and leaned up to whisper her request, hoping it didn't sound too outlandish.

"But of course!" Mr. Pilot nodded, adjusting the goggles that always covered his eyes. "Anything for you, kiddo! Er, I mean, jus' happy to do me job is all. Awright awright, hop in."

The door to the metal cab swung open, letting Flare, Cress, and Hook step inside. Before long, the silent city of Circhester disappeared behind them as Cinders sped through the air. Eventually, Flare realized the breaths she took were no longer misty, and she relished in the moment of warmth she had as she leaned back in her seat. So far so good, she supposed.

She looked towards Cress and Hook to see that they've fallen asleep beside her. As Flare gazed out the window, staring at the looming shapes of Galar far below, she remembered a trip like this would take a while, because they definitely weren't going to Turffield. But at the same time, she wasn't exactly in the mood to nap, either.

All she had left was the phone she still held in her hand. Its glowing blue screen beckoned to her, which still displayed a list of her contacts from when she dialed for Mr. Pilot. And not too far from that name was the one listed as Mom.

Flare hesitated, wondering if she was ready. Wondering if her mom would still be awake at this hour. Wondering what exactly she had to say about everything.

She glanced outside the window again, looking at the still night, devoid of stars and devoid of activity. "I might as well."

Hook's POV

Even in my slumber, I continued to feel sour about my situation. I wasn't falling behind, was I? It was a gratifying feeling being truly accepted into the family of Flare's team, it really was. I was proud of my skill set, yet, there was so much more I felt like I could be doing.

That dusty desert town kept resurfacing in my subconscious. That dreaded Fringe. That wretched… hat thing. Even if I wasn't there to see the scrap, I could sense the cursed realization. She had managed to evolve, possibly eons before I ever could. At this rate, it seems like it'd at least take an eon to get me to evolve.

Don't even get me started on that Copperajah. Expending all of my power for what was essentially one move, and all I did was tip it over. That couldn't be the extent of my powers, could it? There just had to be some untapped potential I had yet to reach, surely.

Perhaps it was fortunate I never encountered Fringe that day, because I knew she wouldn't let me live it down…

"Hey, bud. We're here."

Cress' voice reached my ears and signaled my awakening. That took… longer than expected. I must've gotten a brief nap out of it, because as I stepped out onto the grass, my senses seemed to have rejuvenated over the flight. I took a good whiff, taking in the non-wintry air that greeted me, as well as the nostalgic whiff of seawater.

Wait.

Perish the thought. My eyes jolted open. There was no mistaking it, it was clear as day, er, night. It was no cause for distress, of course, but I still rubbed my eyes to make sure. The absence of those golden fields were a dead giveaway.

I narrowed my eyes at Cress and Flare. "This isn't Turffield."

"'Course it ain't," Cress said with a buzzing nod, sounding matter-of-fact about it. "We're at the Isle of Armor, of course."

I was perplexed, but I was willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. "I'm quite certain there aren't any flower shops here."

Cress excitedly hovered my direction. "That's because we're here for a different kind of plant. We're going skele-peleking! Plunking! Something."

"Spelunking…" Flare spoke up meekly. "Cress told me about everything. I think we're looking for a cave of sorts?"

My furrowed brow wasn't satisfied with their explanation. "So are we looking for a plant or a cave?"

Cress started hovering around me. "Well, buddy ol' pal ol' chum. I couldn't help but notice that you seem down on your luck, you know." Her tone picked up in energy, as if she was giddy. "I just thought it'd be nice to change that with a surprise trip! Featuring a quest for your favorite Galarica Twigs, of course."

Hmm, she actually got the name right this time. I was flattered by her thoughtfulness, if my urge to smile was any indication. Still, all the way out to this place for something like that? And at this hour, no less? "I've already gotten quite used to spending my days without the snack. Asking Twigs for Aguav Berries every now and then has been doing it for me."

"You don't need to act so modest." Cress perched atop my head as she always did. "I planned this super nice gesture for you, and because it's you, I say we go big or go home! I know both are technically true for you, but anyways!" Her large mandibles cast a shadow over the ground, which she pointed seawards. "My sights are set on getting you the Galarica branches from that fabled hidden cave!"

She remembered that too? Still skeptical, I glanced up at her. "You don't mean-"

"Yes, I mean," Cress continued. "It's like you told me, you know. That mythical scent of Galarica meant to lead you to an overseas cave where it's grown in the finest conditions! And we're going to get you it!"

I was still hesitant. Following her shadow, I found myself stepping on familiar shores south of the iconic Dojo facility. "Even if we follow the distant scent, we're at a standstill. I can't swim."

"And I can fly." Cress buzzed off and fluttered in front of me. "Let's go, hop on, you two."

I beg your pardon? Flare and I happened to share similar glances of disbelief as Cress presented her back to us. If I recall correctly, she's supposed to be runt sized for her species, too.

Flare was the one to speak up about it. "Should I go back and get Spike for this, or…"

"Come on, have a little faith!" And yet Cress kept insisting. "I didn't practice carrying heavy stuff on myself for nothing."

And I was just starting to wonder what she was so busy doing in Circhester. Flare obliged after that, always the optimist. I was hesitant to follow, but I wasn't about to doubt Cress at a time like this, so I proceeded. There was just barely enough room for her to carry both of us, but as she closed up her wings, a problem presented itself.

"Well that's a pickle." Cress' seemed to falter beneath us as she struggled to hover. "Gotta keep my wings closed. There's not enough room for you to be on my back and for my wings to be open at the same time."

"That… is a conundrum." I muttered, right before I noticed how Cress is still somehow levitating. "Yet you're still hovering."

She cackled to herself before zipping in a circle with us still on. "It helps to prepare! I learned how to make use of this electro maggots thing Tilda told me about."

Electromagnetism. I supposed it made enough sense. Just as I was able to use my psychic abilities to lift myself into the air for a brief burst, Cress could use her electricity for something similar. Before I could fully process what was going on, Cress hovered forward.

She glanced up at me. "Now where's that Galarica tree?"

I took a moment to gaze across the vast seascape we would have to traverse. I tried to concentrate as I sniffed, trying to distinguish the scent of bitter Galarica from salty seawater. And I pointed a paw where my instincts said so. "That way."

And we were off. Floating steadily over the sea at a snail's, or rather, beetle's pace. At first I was silently shaken, mainly at the sensation of being confined rather uncomfortably over an endless blue abyss infested with Sharpedo. But as more silent moments passed, I started to direct my gaze away from the sea below and towards the horizon ahead. Not that I needed my vision for this, of course. I just had to have faith in Cress' flight and my ability to smell.

"It's that way now."

Our trek over the waters had us taking several turns, as it was difficult to ascertain faint smells over the sea breeze. We passed a couple of insignificant landmarks along the way, like some Staryu floating mindlessly here and there. Eventually, the scent got clearer to the point where Cress could call the shots for directions without needing my input. In fact, sometimes she would catch it faster than I would. I was honestly impressed at how familiar she had gotten to the very snack I grew up on.

The scent is growing much stronger now.

Our supposed scent quest led us ashore once more, except this territory seemed barren. Untouched, perhaps. The waters seemed so still on the way here I wasn't sure if there were any Sharpedo around.

Yet, as I dismounted Cress and landed on the sand, the land was real, sure enough. An archway of moss-ridden stone stood ahead of us, forming a gaping entry to a damp seaside cave of sorts. A cave I could barely see through.

I was cautious as I peered ahead. "Couldn't we have postponed this to a brighter hour?"

"We'll be fine." Cress buzzed ahead, opening her wings up and crackling with electricity. Her electrical buzzing gave her a glow. "If anything gets in our path we can just blast it away."

"And I'm here too!" Flare spoke up as well, though she lingered behind the entrance as I did. "Just in case anything happens." Sensible.

No turning back now, it seemed. Perhaps a more eager attitude suited an expedition of this grandeur, for the cave's darkness was starting to call on my drowsiness. Still, I followed the scent into the cave's maw, letting the smell guide my certainty.

The air remained surprisingly still. Our hesitant footsteps and Cress' buzzing was all that could be heard. At least, up until we took a turn, which allowed me a glimpse at what was up ahead. In the distance, there was an opening in the ceiling, placed in such a location that allowed the moonlight to shine down on what we were looking for.

There it was. The tree.

"Hmm." I raised an eyebrow as I made a remark about the silence. "Seems we truly were the only ones here."

"Spooky," Cress responded with a glowing nod.

"I'm just as surprised as you are to be in a cave this quiet." Flare was tracing her hand along the walls. "... huh?"

I sensed it as fast as I heard it. Something stirred in the damp sandy darkness just ahead of us. No- many things!

The hallway-like passage started stirring to life with the sounds of clacking approaching us. Several clackings, all coming from a variety of sources headed our way. As we braced ourselves, a purple shell entered our line of light. Then came another. And another. It all happened in a split second; we were surrounded by Shellder.

I heard Cress' crackling electricity intensify. "Just say the word, Flare!"

"Wait!" Flare called out from behind. "I… don't think they seem hostile."

I was just about ready to proceed with a wave of Surf or Acid, but I yielded to the observation. It looked like the crowd of shells had no violent intention, what with the way they just stared at us. Curious little creatures. They didn't seem territorial, either.

Flare spoke again. "I think they like you, Hook."

I looked around myself, only to see a circle of Shellder clamoring around me. And only me. Flare and Cress were a tad behind, but I was the only one under the receiving end of all these eyes.

Hmm… I looked back down at the shells. "They seem… friendly enough. Should we catch one?"

At the mention of it, the crowd around me all started hopping with delight. Are they that interested in me?

Yet Flare seemed to grasp at something that wasn't there. "I… left my satchel at the hotel."

And there came the collective disappointment. Pity. I had to admit I felt a bit of remorse for the innocent creatures. "Perhaps… it's safer here." I attempted to reassure them. "We're just visiting. Do you mind if you let us pass?"

They seemed content enough and started to make way for us. Though as we advanced, they still seemed insistent on following me, but they didn't seem like much of a bother so I didn't mind. It was like they were intent on escorting the three of us to the tree.

And the tree, yes, there was truly no mistaking it. The fine scent. The orange buds faintly visible on its branches. I never thought I would see the day. And I wouldn't have gotten here if it weren't for…

In a moment of fondness, I looked behind myself. My gaze was directed past the crowd of Shellder, where Flare and Cress were watching me with waiting smiles.

"Don't worry about us!" Cress spurred me on. "This is your moment! Go shake that tree!"

It appeared the Shellder didn't take my hesitation lightly, because they were now real close and pushing me towards the tree. Very well, it wasn't as if I had any plans to turn back now. I was inched closer, and closer, and closer, until I stood beneath the formidable presence of the tree's trunk.

Here goes nothing.

I placed my paw upon the wood, harnessing a smidgen of psychic energy to help shake the tree. And I had to exert more than I expected, for this tree was massive. I pondered for a moment why it was taking quite a bit for a branch to fall down, until-

What landed by my feet greeted me with the savory aroma I could only fathom in my dreams. It was not a single wooden branch, but rather, a series of twigs woven together into the shape of an accessory of sorts. A cuff, it looked like. And lined all across it were a chosen few of those delectable buds.

I popped one into my mouth. "... Utterly exquisite." The soothed mutter escaped my mouth as I felt the bud melt. To think something this fantastical could only be grown in absolute solitude. As I ate more and more bitter buds, I thought to myself that such taste was a crime to keep a secret.

Unfortunately, before I could think of sharing, the buds were all gone. The last one dissolved in my mouth in a wonderful rush of flavour, but that was it. They were few, but they were the most memorable treats I've eaten my whole life. Which just left me holding a budless cuff of sticks. It was then I noticed the Shellder were still giving me expectant looks.

"Er… my apologies, I've finished them all."

Yet, they didn't respond. They seemed more focused on staring at the cuff, then back at me. Do they… want me to put it on? It just so happened it was the correct size for my paw, and so I put it on my left. The Shellder started hopping in delight once more, which had to mean I did something right.

Their looks of anticipation seemed to grow as I looked over them. Like they were really eager for my attention now that I was wearing this cuff thing, for some reason.

Am I supposed to judge them? It definitely seemed like it, what with the way their stares grew the more I looked at them. They were lining up, as if waiting for me to choose one of them. Like I was the decider of which one of them is worthy.

Worthy of the destroyer of worlds… The words echoed in my head as I started at my cuffed paw. How the tables have turned, indeed. It seemed like instinct, the way I had to pick one to come along with me. But as for what Shellder to pick, I had to take my time.

My eyes landed on a smaller Shellder. It was silent like the rest, but for some reason, I could feel its stare match my own. Determined. Stacked against the odds. Brimming with untapped potential. And I knew just what to do.

I pointed at it with my cuffed paw. "I choose you." My answer evoked a reaction of delight from it, which was when it lunged forward and clamped itself over my wrist.

And there it was. Before I could process what just happened, my vision grew bright. A burst of energy rushed through my very being as I was engulfed in light. It was like the Galarica I've just eaten, as well as the rest I've eaten my whole life, flared to life within me. The sheer sting in their flavour manifested into a bitter, poisonous element I felt I mastered on the spot. My mental and physical abilities were immediately heightened by the rush, so much so for the latter that I felt myself able to stand on two legs.

As the light faded away, the adrenaline still lingered. I've never felt more alive. I looked down at my paw to see the Shellder from earlier completely attached to it under a different form. A nearby puddle's reflection confirmed to me that I had undergone some significant changes as well. My Shellder looked different, and so did I. So this was evolution.

I looked down at my new Shellder friend. "You appear to be stuck with me now." He looked back at me with grateful eyes. We truly were one with each other now.

There was a collective clacking from the rest of the Shellder, like they were giving a round of applause. Like they were proud of their friend, and for me too. I wouldn't blame them.

Of course, I was most looking forward to seeing Cress and Flare's shocked reactions. Now that I was taller, I could better see my trainer eye to eye.

"Hook, you've evolved!" Flare made her way past the crowd of Shellder and towards me. Then came the hug.

I could only stay stunned in a moment of silence. I knew it was coming, but at the same time, I didn't. I tried my best to return the gesture as Flare harnessed all her kindness into hers, though it was a tad awkward on my part with one paw permanently delegated to a Shellder.

"Proud of you, big guy." Cress perched herself on my head as well, intending to join in on the group hug.

I never thought I'd hear the words of Flare celebrating my evolution. I always wondered if evolving to prove my strength was what I really wanted. Yet, at this moment, being embraced by the people I cared about, I knew what it was I was truly meant for.

I was grateful, and I was happy. Perhaps a bit emotional from how wet my eyes were getting. But just as Flare had hope in me, I started to have hope for myself as well.

Flare's POV

"Hook, buddy, pal, just to clarify, we never actually guessed this whole process would evolve you, we just thought getting you some good food would cheer you up."

"I appreciate it either way."

"The purple's cool, anyways. Does this mean I have to start calling you bro now?"

"I am not your brother."

There is no denying that we're one big happy family at this point, though.

The three of us were in high spirits after our little cave trip. "Chuffed", I think we were. With my Vikavolt and now Slowbro in tow, the trip back over the sea and back to the Isle of Armor mainland took quicker than I expected, so all I had to do was head back to Mr. Pilot and-

He's gone.

There was just a patch of grass where I remembered seeing him last. I tried looking around some more, but Cinders and the cab were nowhere to be seen. I'd have thought he would've stayed to wait for me to come back, but that clearly wasn't the case.

No biggie, I'll just ring him up and ask him to bring me back to Circhester.

And that's exactly what I did. However, that meant waiting in silence in the dead of night while my chuffed-ness started to fade for sleepiness. I returned Hook and Cress into their Pokéballs to spare them the wait and let them rest. But as for me, it seemed the wait would take a while. I tried to keep my thoughts active with things that came to mind as I waited for Mr. Pilot to come back. And that just so happened to let me remember what my mom told me when I called her on the way here.

Business? What business?

During the flight here, I finally decided to get in touch with my mom again to finally figure out what happened to dad. Apparently he got caught up in some business she couldn't tell me about. Some super secret thing that I'm not supposed to learn about until "the time is right", whatever that means. She was being deliberately vague about it, and apparently that was to protect me, or something.

"Don't worry, darling. It'll all be clear in due time, focus on your Gym Challenge for now. Just know that he's always watching over you."

Was that supposed to be comforting or threatening? And did she mean that literally, or in the sense that he was dead? If it's the latter, then I'm kind of offended she didn't think I could handle those kinds of things.

I crossed my arms and sighed in silence, feeling quite un-chuffed. I don't exactly feel very watched right now.

"It's nice to see you again, Flare."

That got a jump out of me. My sleepy eyes became alert when I jerked around and saw Mustard. Of course. I should really get used to this by now.

Somehow, in the dead of night, he came out here to see me in his usual green jacket, grins and all. "You know, if you keep coming to the Isle of Armor with these recurring visits, you might as well enroll in my Master Dojo, you hear?"

I was pleasantly surprised to hear him speaking normally for once. No weird prophecies or anything. I figured it'd be best to stay away from said prophecy topics if I wanted to keep it that way. "It's nice training here, but I'm kind of busy with my Gym Challenge now."

"I hear you, I hear you." He was still hunched over, carefree as always, but even my decline didn't seem to deter him. "But please do consider visiting the Dojo when you have the time. There's a secret technique passed down to me meant to unlock special capabilities in Pokémon trainers. I have a feeling you'd be interested. Tell me, do you wholeheartedly trust your Pokémon? Would you say you're… in sync with them?"

He raised his eyebrow after the question. Mustard's grin was the same, but the way his stare shifted as he paced around me was as if he was challenging me. I tried to meet his defiant stare with one of my own. "Of course. We've been through a lot, good or bad. And just like any good trainer, I can get them to act out my commands in battle without saying a word." And I was confident about that fact.

But Mustard didn't waver. "Good, good. A trust that goes both ways is essential to going far with your Pokémon. Would you say your Pokémon trust your commands, even if they couldn't see what they were up against but you could?"

That's… oddly specific. If this was his attempt to confuse me again, then it was working. "I… hope they do."

"Hee hee. Splendid." Mustard paced a few inches away. I thought that meant he was heading back, but he quickly turned to face me with an outstretched palm. "I've mastered some other skills you might be interested in. Have you ever heard of the move Aura Sphere?"

It was then that I noticed the orb that manifested over his hand. The glowing blue energy of an Aura Sphere, but it was Mustard harnessing it instead of a Pokémon. I had to admit it was a bizarre sight, watching Mustard hover the sphere with his two hands like he was really controlling it. "I'm listening." I stepped closer, making sure it was the real deal and not some magic trick.

"It's not just any smoke and mirrors, no." Mustard sounded proud as he made the orb grow bigger. "Do you have any Pokémon who could resist an Aura Sphere?"

Is this a trivia question, or… "Yeah." Hook is Psychic and Poison now, so Fighting type attacks should do nothing to him.

His delighted grin returned. Or was that a smirk? "Then by all means, think fast!"

Wha?! Mustard lurched his hands forward, sending orb hurtling towards me. The attack was flying towards me so quickly I didn't have time to think of anything. All I could do was shield my face from the incoming glow and brace for impact.

There was a collision as soon as I shut my eyes. At least, the sounds of collision. I could feel the rush of dust from the result of the attack, but I didn't seem hurt. I opened my eyes to see that the glow was gone and my right hand was still intact, somehow. That was when I saw the large pink figure standing in front of me.

"Hook?" I stuttered for a second in amazement.

My Slowbro blew out a sigh, before turning back to face me. "Talk about a rude awakening…" Though he looked confused too. "I was sensing the sounds of trouble, but I didn't expect to jump into action this quickly." He stared down at his two hands. "No clue why I was blocking with my unprotected arm, though. Must've been a sleep walking thing."

I blew out a sigh of relief before thanking Hook and letting him rest in his Pokéball some more. I must've really lucked out against that attack. And speaking of…!

I was just about ready to give Mustard a piece of my mind with that thing he just pulled. Or at least, I would've, if he didn't just magically disappear out of sight somehow. Must have been after he launched that attack. Why am I not surprised…? Was… was that a prank, because it really felt like I was close to getting attacked there.

Fortunately, Mr. Pilot descended from the skies not too long after that. I was just about winded enough to properly collapse in bed, and I really wanted to get back to that hotel.

At least I'm finally spent… even if I spent that time getting shot at.

I considered joining that Master Dojo if only for the chance to learn how to shoot an Aura Sphere at Mustard for payback. I was lucky enough to have Hook randomly pop out in time, so if I was given the choice to be able to defend myself better just in case, I'd take it.

Was… that just a ploy to further convince me to join?

That was when I realized I didn't want to think too much about it. I just sank even further along the cushioned seats of the cab. Couldn't think about my posture with how tired I was.

Aura Sphere, Aura Sphere, Aura Sphere…

The thought of the Fighting type move entertained my thought process at least, even if the idea wandered aimlessly. However, as I thought about my return to Circhester, thinking about Fighting moves gave me a good reminder of what I'd need for the seventh Gym.