I'll escape I'll survive I'll thrive

by EclipsedCat

Team Rocket a vile group known for their thievery of pokemon. Sadly the true depth of their deceit is unknown at all. One born among their ranks knows it well. After escaping she must learn to survive, laws keep her from turning to the league for help, if caught she'll lose her family, spending her life in a cell and if the Rockets catch onto her ruse she'll be dead within the day.

6. Recovery, growth and pain

X - new day or 24 hour or more time jump

— - 2 to 12 hour time jump

'Internal speaking'

"External speaking"

**** Start/End Pokespeek

Joltik (Female)

Flare/Litwick (Female)

Shay/Dratini (Female)

Pierce/Starly (Male)

She wasn't really sleeping nor she wasn't really awake when a screech sounded that brought her to. She turned her head to the left to stare at a Starly. "Hi Pierce, is there a golden gleaming city showing up in the distance?" she got another squawk as a reply before he darted back out the door.

Shay let out a coo of relief since the icy temp of the car had been tough on her body. They still planned to use the next winter as a chance to unlock that egg move. Though rivers could be cold on her scales, the bite from the air felt colder and Flare agreed. The candle had gotten plenty of practice last winter in keeping the air warm enough so her wax didn't stiffen but it was still a natural weakness to her.

"Okay I get it the cold is horrible," Aella said slinging her bag on, "Will be out of the car soon." Her candle slid easily into her palm and stuck fast to her bag with a bit of melted wax. Shay gave a sweet note, having buried herself in her spare clothes and Joltik already hung fast to her shoulder.

The sway of the car and rattle of the door placed her feet half on air and gloved hands on the metal. She blinked away bristled air that brought liquid to her eyes. Even so it didn't take away from the breathtaking sight in front of them. Buildings of steel that scraped the sky gleamed golden in the midday light.

Another train whistle sounded, "More trains okay okay," she looked down at the ground and greenery rushing past, "Ahh this is gonna hurt a bit, okay. LEAP!"

Her entire body became rigid during those few seconds in the air before the hard packed soil was upon them. The slam of her feet hitting ground traveled up the length of her body, rattling her as she tumbled to the floor.

Aella wasted no time in standing up against the hard wind of the train. The brush scraped her pant legs and she could feel branches take bits of her hair in retaliation for their stomped roots. It was faint and she almost didn't notice it but some of the leaves twitched away from her. Her eyes flicked and took notice of some of the shadows on the branches that grew.

"Thanks Flare good thinking," she could sense the Ghosts glee. The clicks of Joltik's thank you sounded like a Zubat's echolocation cries and Aella wondered if it would be useful for camouflage at night. Pierce's calls could be heard responding from far above the treeline.

'I should get him to practice flying below the treeline. It'll be good reaction and flexibility practice… and maybe close quarter and blindside strikes training as well…' her mind started to turn until her running became sloppy and her breath became rough. The rumble of the train had disappeared for some time and the gleaming city still glowed to their left.

She changed to a slow jog and Joltik's fast clicks came from high in the trees to alert Pierce of the group's speed and direction. A massive sycamore tree what's the spider's choice about a mile or two out from the city.

For the first time in months they had oran berries available to make potions and it was good timing too since their last healing potion and three poison heal ones had gone bad in the border town. She realized she never got the name of that town but highly doubted she would ever go back there.

Pecha trees didn't seem to be around but the area wasn't known for their Poison types. On the other hand they found plenty of Cheri berry… Tree? Bush? They were very short and very bushy trees with rudy and pastel flowers of reds and pinks that hid the tiny berries among their foliage.

There was a short moment after she ate her first one that she thought she had somehow managed to burn her tongue before the sensation dissipated, "They got um, spice to them."

Her poor spider nearly had gone into a panic at her yelp and scolded her at just popping the thing into her mouth before checking if it was safe.

"Alright I'll double check before eating if it's the berry or not in the notes next time," she swiftly said to placate her angry guardian.

—

Paralyzing curing liquid ran down her fingers numbing them as she sealed the last vile with a click. Nine new potions were made with two being completely new in creating. They had a powerful spice bite to them but they did the trick. She stretched as she had been squatting down for the last sun position.

"It'll be useful when we start fine-tuning Joltik and Shay's paralyzation control," right now there Thunder Wave was fine if they wanted to fully paralyze an opponent for a few seconds including temporarily halting the heart but Aella had watched the benefits from partial paralyzation from Surge's battles.

Numbing just a limb gave a false sense of security to the unaware and gave them the option to paralyze for far longer without the danger of death. Aella felt herself mentally deflate a little bit at her past reasoning when she knew nothing. Death was normal even when she did gain an outside understanding it still felt somewhat normal.

She didn't care if a wild animal or pokemon died from their attacks, her only exception were pets. But with what happened to Pierce's flock, that was unnecessary. Unnecessary deaths of crude and wrong. She hated the Rockets that raised her and wished to be nothing like them. If they choose to bring the unnecessary death then she will choose to avoid it.

A sigh broke free when she came back to reality with her back against the tree and a woven bed of spider silk under her legs. The city was in front of them with large leaves hiding the glow till it mimicked fireflies in the night and her left and right the edges of the sunset that burned warm behind her.

"Before we go into town I wanna spend tomorrow assessing everyone's progress," she said with a bit of unease and her pack couldn't help but empathize. They had slacked on training after the mutilation of Pierce's flock and the loss of Second and Sixth. Joltik had conducted training while Aella grieved but the gloomy mood hindered progress.

The weeks of lying low at the border town didn't help matters, at least the stop in Gardenia Town gave them Flying and Dark type practice. A yawn interrupted her thoughts as the sky grew dim. "–figure out the rest tomorrow," it distorted the first part of her sentence and allowed herself to flop onto her back. Conversation turned to rustling, till the stillness of breath and lone deep blue light burned the dark and cold back.

—

A Lodgepole Pine stood straight and tall although the brown in its needles signaled a tree that had seen better days. Old and strong but sadly its bark splintered under the heavy fire of Thunderbolts.

"Ahh well either the Mountain Pine Beetles have gotten to it or you're getting stronger," Joltik chattered in pride reminiscent of a certain Dragon at the multi strike she pulled off. Electric burn marks covered the X's Pierce had dug into the tree as targets.

Two of the three made for Shay taunted the Dragon with their untouched state and Aella offered some encouragement but Flare's alertion told her that it wasn't working. Joltik didn't appreciate the sass and gave her budding horn a small tap and returned the Dragon's ire into aiming practice with small bursts of Thunderbolt at stones.

Joltik passed the time with rolling electricity. It was the first stage in the formation of Electro Ball that she has finally started to show some progress on. It was nice to finally see some benefits from all her practice and made her proud to see just how far her spider had come.

Aella's mind gradually dipped back down to things they missed, time lost from grief, lopsided focus on one typing, a lost chance to learn to feel the change from the storm… she found herself desperately pushing those thoughts away with plans of future training.

Pin Missile or even better Light Screen would be good for her to learn since no matter how nimble her spider was she couldn't dodge everything. With her dark type understanding there was a potential for Sucker Punch on their path.

A heavy nudge from the bond with Flare told her back to what they were originally doing, 'Right were assessing right now not planning,' giving mental thanks before evaluating the candles skills.

Small flex of fire swirled around her as the beginnings of Fire Spin. The lack of progress shown wasn't great considering it was a fairly easy move to learn. On the other hand Aella shivered and felt the bare edges of a headache coming on at the Dark energy building in and seeping out of the candle.

Aella was surprised at the speed Flare was picking it up, 'Although she is a mind arts pokemon so it probably makes it easier now that she was taught how it works.' And Confuse Ray had been shunted to the side in favor of Dark type energy practice.

Her nightly meditation in her ever-going quest for the Psychic move Imprison has led to the tiniest advancement, she could move a leaf with Psychic energy. A truly impressive feat considering it had been written dozens of times, that it was impossible for a mind art pokemon to learn a different mind art without proper help.

They all minus Pierce, stared as drops of wax acting as arms raised high had the very faintest blue hue of Psychic that was mirrored on a leaf suspended in the air. The event didn't last long and her waxy arms dropped like stones and melded back into her side.

Aella needed a moment to collect her thoughts so Joltik and Shay took the time to praise and talk with the candle, "Okay I was going to suggest Taunt or Payback as your next move to learn but if you manage to advance your Psychic abilities more we could start off with Calm Mind."

Flare's eyes moved along her waxy shaft with irritation being felt over not mentioning a certain Psychic name, "Calm Mind is an easy way to start, will work up to the advanced move Imprison.

"For now though I need you to practice on your Fire type moves and Smog. Yes your mind arts are impressive but focusing on them too much will stagnate growth in other areas. Try going for eight Will-O-Wisps today okay?"

Her wax shimmered as it burned and a simple mental agreement passed through. She turned, well more like her eyes revolved around her shaft, and slid to a brushless center of a clearing nearby. Aella found herself having to pause a slithering Dragon from returning to target practice.

Her complaints were clear, "I know but I need to see the state of your other moves to know how to make you stronger, you can go back to target practice afterwards." An understandable reason the Dragon regarded her words.

Her progress though minimal was impressive in the fact that she was able to wield steel and dragon type energy for Cleave. Unfortunately both energies had to be weakened greatly, for too much one or the other disrupted the balance between the two energies. When separated they were both powerful improved moves.

Twister hadn't advanced much past what was learned in Gardenia Town's storm but was more than enough to be considered an improved version. Their months traveling in rough terrain, having to run from danger and hunting prey, lead to exemplary control over Wrap and Agility, easily marking them as mastered.

'With those out of the way and Flamethrower and Thunderbolt both progressing smoothly, it would probably be good for her to take on a new move, let's see…' Aella let Shay go back to aiming practice while she rifled through papers on Dratini.

She nibbled on an oran berry while mumbling her way down the list, "Slam and Aqua Tail will wait on age for, same with Ice moves. Shock Wave will be easier when Joltik knows it, same with Fire Blast and Double Team… Facade might be nice though Shed Skin would remove it's biggest advantage. No to Endure far too painful to learn right now. Dragon Rush again too young. Ahh there's Swagger, would she be willing to learn that from Pierce with her pride…

"Maybe we will just go simple with Dragon Dance… Or have Flare work with her on Dark type energy for Brutal Swing," She looked up and called to the Dragon.

"Shay! Would you be up for learning Swagger from Pierce?"

The Dragon turned and gave a look that screamed, seriously you want me to learn that move!?

"That's why I'm asking, do you want to? If not there's Dragon Dance or I can have you pair up with Flare to work on your Dark type energy for Brutal Swing."

She tapped her tail as she pondered over her options, "Take some time to think it over, I'm gonna look over Pierce's progress," she hummed and went back to hitting targets before Joltik stopped her, having her change to electrical control since she was too mentally distracted to aim properly.

Pierce's training schedule was at most a month from being open enough to add agility. He'd been working hard on Air Cutter and was able to successfully perform the move every time though his aim was terrible. Revenge had also been practiced heavily but with little progress and Double Team was a bore to learn so no progress there.

As nice as it would be to get him started on Agility, the fact that he only had his moves down and couldn't properly control or aim them only led to crossfire and self injuries during fights. She was riding on Flare's budding Psychic abilities to connect the mental communication gap but if it wasn't possible, she hoped cross training team building exercises and time would help.

It wasn't bad progress considering the last few months but compared to a trainer's pokemon, it was horribly slow. "Well, factor in our lifestyle, lack of money, TMs along with the biggest hindrance of no proper teacher, we're not gonna get all that far, all that fast."

Pierce fluttered down after performing all his moves, "You're doing well," he preened at the compliment, "Will focus on improving the power, control and accuracy of Tackle, Gust and Quick Attack then when Gust is more refined your aim on Air Cutter should advance easier. Extra time will be used for Double Team and Revenge."

He paused, clicked his beak and tapped the box carrying informational papers. Aella didn't immediately understand so he extended his wing and pointed at Flare practicing Fire Spin. "Oh no you're not learning a new move yet. You already have five things to work on."

He shrieked, perturbed over the words he would not be learning something new. "Learning new moves isn't everything, having a good control over it and mastering it is," Aella shot back over his squabble.

"There's a saying called, 'Jack of all trades, master of none.' It means you know everything but are good at nothing thus everyone else who also knows those skills are better at it than you. You really want that?"

Pierce stopped, his puffed up state receded and his beak clicked as he let out a few pitiful calls. "Right so you're going to improve what you have then move on to something new, besides it'll make it so you can learn combo moves later." She added that last part knowing he had been eyeing Shay practicing Cleave.

His crest rose high and hard chirps were released before launching himself into the air and releasing a strong Gust into the trees. Aella I had a feeling she would need to look into combo moves for him earlier than intended.

—

The sun was gone from the land and the sky glowed a deep purple. Reds, Pinks and Yellows spand the horizon facing her back but the light was not enough to read from. Flare erased such a problem by burning bright. She felt a touch guilty in having her candle expend extra energy in order for her to read considering they had been unable to find anything to hunt the past few days.

Her Ghost brushed off her concern saying she had more than enough souls to last for a lot longer as she emphasized in the extreme amount of days she transmitted through the flow. Flare was perfectly content with being used as a tool and Aella wasn't sure if that was her Ghost type talking or her past experiences.

"I'll make up for it. Saffron is a big city there's got to be graveyards for you to feed from and Saffron isn't just the center hub of trains it's the center of Psychics too. If we can find a friendly Psychic that knows" –she was cut off by Flares overstimulating flow. The abundance of emotions and they're sheer variety gave the girl a headache.

Joy, fear, excitement, anticipation, distress at unknown another. "Okay okay the idea is exciting but having another mind pokemon in here with us is unnerving. I know I've thought about this.

"Plus a new kin so soon after Pierce," she glanced at the sleeping bird, "is gonna be a lot. Fall's coming soon and winter after that and we have no idea what the food situation is going to be. Yea I know it's a lot but it's an if. We could but we may not end up with someone new. We don't know."

Aella sighed to cease her rambling, "One thing at a time, Will start with the train hub then check out the library, she yawned again, "But first sleep."

Shay grumbled as the shoulders she was sleeping on moved and Joltik nestled onto her arm. Flare lifted a bit of wax to wave them good night before dimming her light.

X

The plan to visit the train hub for scouting was rebuffed as soon as they arrived. There were far too many Psychics and they got immediately shooed off as 'children should not play near train tracks,' they were told. Pierce suggested he do a flyover spying in but Aella determined it was too dangerous without some sort of mental protection. The tour added so many minds that the Psychics wouldn't bother picking his tiny signature out.

The only real saver was the fact that most Psychics didn't tend to enjoy staying in another's mind that was not their trainer. Although she had a feeling that Flare making their stay less than welcome was also a factor. Plus her typing made her annoying to them just by existing.

Two of her plans have been thrown asunder within a month and it was not a good feeling. She kicked a few loose bits of concrete sending a Rattata scrambling by trash cans. The city of Saffron felt like a mirror of Celadon with way more rude people and slightly cleaner streets. Bags of unwanted stuff that sat next to dumpsters in Celadon were vacant in Saffron.

The amount of Psychics was not a surprise but the amount of Growlithe in police vests was. She could almost feel the difference in criminal level when comparing the two cities. Some of them glanced at her when she walked by and she did her best 'I'm following my parents' ruse, on those around her.

Pierce flew from street lamp to sign at times stopping to socialize with their Growlithes drawing their attention away. Without any answers to where the library was and more than a few citizens asking where her parents were when she did, Aella wandered the streets watching her bird flutter along. At least the massive center building kept her from getting lost.

He could fly but had no idea what a Library looked like and Joltik had put on enough weight that he couldn't quite carry her. For her small body the spider was now noticeably more heavy than her candle. Yes she had been eating more but it didn't seem like it was to the point of engorging herself.

'I need to find the Library. I can't ask civilians and I definitely can't ask police people… would the local street pokemon know anything about a library?' her mind wandered as she watched Pierce chat with a Pidgey as an officer walked by.

! 'I can't ask an officer but Pierce can ask their Growlithe!'

At the next pass he made she signaled him back, "Do me a favor, she murmured, "chat it up with the next police vested Growlithe and see if you can get directions to a library. Say it's a place for a meetup or something."

He agreed, having grown tired of the constant wandering of the city. It was an interesting place just a bit too loud of a place.

—

Saffron was themed around the color gold and its library was no exception. Yellows and Golds complemented by hues of rich Purple. It was not fancy like Celadon's but had its own expensive taste to it. Lavish seating and over 15 floors of books with one practically dedicated to just computers, broken into many rooms. There was a few other rooms that her mind supplied the name to as meeting rooms and one desk right at the entrance labeled 'Info desk'.

Though there were a few pokemon like a Meowth and Clefairy snuggling with guests on the couches, a Machop pushing a trolley of books and a Natu placing said books away and a Drowzee… standing in the corner. Pierce was made to sit on her shoulder the whole time since he was pretty sure the librarians would not be happy about a bird flying around and potentially making a mess of the library.

"Okay I guess since you're out, will start with you," the clack of the keyboard was deafening in a room of only one human and two small pokemon. "I want to start by analyzing some professional battles of avian pokemon."

Pierce leaned forward as the screen loaded, "Walker is the current Gym Leader of Violet City in Johto… well officially. He's known as the vagabond Gym Leader for his tendency to leave unannounced for months at a time. His son Falkner and Gym trainees fill in most of the time.

"Honestly no one would be surprised if he gives the position to his son as soon as he turns 18," Joltik clicked out a why? "Because he's good at what he does. Battling of course and shows up just often enough that he keeps his position," and she roughly clicked the play button.

The conversation left a scummy taste in her mouth. People from the League were supposed to be these grand leaders that protected their cities, their zone, and worked alongside the mayors. But Walker he made them look incompetent and cheep, it made her wonder if people like this in the past were the reason Team Rocket got so strong.

Did Redmond know about this? He had to. Why he didn't do anything was probably related to the rules. Aella made note that she needed to spend more time looking into and keeping up with League affairs.

She tuned back into the battle playing on the screen. Walker's Skarmory was trouncing the young fresh official League member. Agility and Autotomize were turning the Armor bird into a shiny blur that the Barbaracle couldn't touch. His Magcargo would've had an easier time but was taken out on the first match.

"Agility is one I want you to learn next after you show advanced level of control of Tackle and Quick Attack," she said when the video ended. "Speed is going to be one of your biggest tools. Back in Gardenia I told you your line specializes in fighting close and speed is what's going to make that happen."

He chirped and raised a wing to which Joltik hopefully rewound video, "Yea you'll learn that eventually," Skarmory finished Barbaracle with a devastating combo of Wing Attack and Steel Wing.

"I've got a few more ideas for you and everyone else," she scratched the side of his neck with a finger that he leaned into, "but first I need to look into the League's current state."

Pierce knew the basics of the League but his focus was on Team Rocket. He asked question after question about everything they knew on the horrid organization. Her fuzzy spider had been the one to debrief him although he never really had the same reason to go so in-depth on the League.

Joltik had the bird waddle off the table and into Aella's bag to muffle their discussion on the League. Flare was released onto the table instead and promptly put her flame out at Aella's urging.

"Were looking at League stuff," she muttered, tightening the bond and giving her Ghost insight into whatever she read.

Throughout March and April we had 14 challengers who took on the Elite Four in one year shattering the previous record of a measly six. As of May we now have our second place Elite Four member. Master of the ring. Fighting type specialist, Bruno! With his Machamp at his side he entered the tournament with a desire to battle the strongest of trainers and that he did. His final match with Blaine was a hot and hard-hitting rumble his Onix held out against Blaine's Magmar volcanic temperatures.

"Bruno huh…" she gazed through his list of known pokemon. It was surprisingly small, apparently the guy didn't make too many public appearances. He preferred solitary training high on Mount Silver.

'At least I'll know to be wary if I ever step foot up there.' She absentmindedly continued scrolling leading her to Ayumi's pokemon known list. Her face dropped.

"Ayumi? Where's Blaine…" Aella doubled back. Blaine wasn't on the Elite Four list anymore, "Okay?"

She scanned the newsfeed a second time and found she had completely bypassed one of the most recent big topics in her search for the newest Elite Four news.

Sources are vague as to why but it seems a disagreement between President of the League Competition Committee Charles Goodshow and current reigning champion Redmond, had led Blaine, Third member of the Elite Four to resign. As of this moment there has been no announcement of another competition to fill the empty last Elite Four slot.

'If he resigned did he retire like Blue? Doesn't seem like it– ah.'

New information released this week has stated that Blaine will open a Fire type gym for next season on Cinnabar Island. As such Sumire Lady of Ice, Gym Leader of the first gym on Sevii Islands will be removed from the prestigious eight gyms list.

—

Aella rubbed her head and her stomach growled. She needed to leave. Pierce had polished off a third of their Cheri berries and had been recalled before nature called. Joltik agreed and Flare had little input from digesting new information as the bond loosened. Their deep connection state was easier than ever to maintain with her Ghost gaining a 50% coverage of Aella's mind.

She let the red light of the Ghost's pokeball envelop her before shrinking and stowing her pokeball with the other three in her bag. A glance out the window showed it was still early in the late sun. She took two steps towards the door before she stopped. A Drowzee, the same one on the first floor, stood just to the side of the entrance.

It stood silently with its hands folded in front mimicking many of the pictures of a Nurse Joy she'd seen. Though their lower half is usually a deep brown, like one who waded through mud, this one was a light tan instead and its head came level with hers.

"Hi…I'm leaving…" Aella said gradually as she shuffled towards the other side of the doorway.

"Drowzee," it spoke slowly drawing out its name and Aella felt a mind run along the side of hers. Fast flickers of memories from her time in hell till now sped by. She froze.

It knew everything. She knew everything. "Drowzee," she drew out her name again with strange eyes before turning and plotting down the hallway. The Drowzee stopped after a few steps and looked back as if expecting Aella to follow.

Aella of course didn't. She bolted. Down the hallway, down multiple flights of stairs and out the door. Only slowing for police, only stopping for red crossing hands. She left that city without bothering to memorize where that library was.

Ragged breaths broke her sentence, "Okay… okay… that… that is why… I wanted to avoid this city… too many damn Psychics!"

Joltik was mad, pissed even and a certain mental bond raged with anger over the unwanted intrusion. Everyone was released and gaps were quickly filled in.

"Okay we are not staying here for winter. We're going to gather berries and we're going to head south where I'm pretty sure there's train tracks. And we're taking the first freaking train out of here."

'Map, ?, time, ?, direction, where, place,?'

"No I don't have a map or time of the trains so will walk till then and I don't care where anywhere but here," a still frazzled Aella said. Her candle swayed in response.

A yawn broke any more sentences off. The sun felt nice and a late day nap sounded good, "Maybe a nap first, Joltik?"

The arachnid didn't respond, only climbed a nearby tree to build a hammock. She didn't bother but build it only a few feet off the ground since it would only be a nap. A warm cross wind created a gentle sway leading everyone to doze off relatively quickly. Even a certain ghost.

—

'You poor child… a past so painful that some must be blocked away… you and yours have done so much… to try to blend in but have only accomplished becoming invisible.'

Aella's breath was rough as words from the mind not of her own kin flowed through. A hot breath and tickling sensation itched her nose. She wanted to scratch it away but she was so tired.

An alert from Flare came down the flow but she ignored it.

A second alert came from Flare.

Aella jolted as a third alert slammed into her mind heavy enough to bring out a momentary headache. Something moist brushed her face when she had righted herself. Disorientated and lost, everyone was asleep except her and Flare.

The candle that normally kept her wick lit was blackened with failed attempts of lighting. As the sense of dreariness wore off she glanced to her right. The Drowzee from the library was back. She had just about longed for the knife on her thigh before a calming sensation ran over her.

'At ease young ones… I will not take you in… that will only accomplish fear and mistrust.'

Aella didn't know why but she instantly knew her words were true like the Psychic's mind was open for interpretation. She would not take them anywhere they did not wish to go nor bring anything they feared to them.

It took a minute for her fear to settle and during that time she finally took a proper look over the Drowzee. It was old. Taller too, her mind estimated just under 4 feet. The tan was from age not some genetic factor. The pendant hanging around its neck (missed because of fear) was actually a Hypno pendulum.

Why she never chose to evolve even though she already had her evolutions tool of trade was… odd.

'Evolution exists to allow us to advance our strength beyond our current bodies but I've been blessed to never have need of it.'

"Oh.." She could see her trunk bob in laughter.

'It is all right. No one knows everything dear, even the smartest of people and pokemon don't know everything.' Her hands moved in relation with her words. 'Now if I could speak what sound would I need to make to get your attention.'

"My name, it's Aella," she said with a giggle which was a surprise to both her team and Aella herself. It took a lot to make the broken girl smile and even more to laugh.

"I picked it myself in Matcha," pride ebbed into her voice, "that's where all of us –well almost all of us got our name."

Joltik awoke not long after holding a Fury Cutter on the tips of her claws. Reassurances were made before conversation continued. Simple questions with answers the girl was unafraid to give and complex questions were passed back to the Drowzee who in turn answered all.

—

Her Starly and Dratini rose from a Litwick prodding them and we're quickly caught up to the present happenings. They now had a new…ally.

The Drowzee now named Winnie was once a therapist pokemon that worked with children and young adults alongside her owner. Her owner that she sweetly referred to as Angela passed away many years back and now Winnie stays at the library helping those struggling with stress.

Joltik had spent hours questioning the Drowzee before finally coming to the conclusion that she would be worth bringing along. She gave the okay along side Aella leading to a variety of responses.

Shay was wary and wasn't sure this was a good idea but her leading spider confirmed it would be safe. 'Bugs do have an advantage over Psychics,' as the Ghost helpfully reminded the slithering dragon.

Pierce on the other hand both hated and loved her. Hated her because she was a Psychic and it was thanks to a broken Psychic that his entire family was either dead or held hostage. But loved her because she was a Psychic and he could practice Swagger and Captivate.

And Flare, she was ecstatic. Winnie was a Psychic and Winnie could teach it in depth. She could learn Psychic energy! She could learn Imprison! The candle's flame wouldn't stop dancing at the proclamation given by her Miss and her Liege.

Since Winnie already had a pokeball she couldn't be caught but could follow. 'I'm glad you'll allow me to travel with you.' Her tone of speaking changed to a more grave setting, 'I know you are not fond of it but I would like to help you look into your past and move beyond it.'

'Your nightmares. Your fear. Your moments of sheer uncontrolled panic known as a panic attack will take years if ever to subside. I can teach you how to deal with the trauma of your past. Teach you how to move past it and how to interact with the world, not hide from it.'

Aella didn't respond. She didn't know how to. She tried her best to hold her self study as emotions overwhelmed. She knew yet ignored the ever present pain from her past that was always there.

'Deep breath's my dear. You don't need to answer now but when you're calmed and have time to think. The first step of accepting that you need help, that something is wrong is the hardest part.'

X

It took time for that first step (although she was told later by Winnie that it was far shorter than expected) a week of time to be exact. Learning to open and actually talk about what happened in that facility, learning that what happened to her, what happened to those children, her classmates in that place and what happened to Pierce's flock wasn't her fault. That it was okay to be sad and that the guilt that hung deep in her soul over those events shouldn't be there. She did everything she could with what she had, what she knew.

Recovery was hard with many days of tears and panic. Winnie showed her how to deal with them, Panic, anxiety, stress, her nightmares and flashbacks. To look at them in a new way, to examine them and to let them become harmless background noise. And when far future seasons came round Aella found herself laughing and smiling like the days when she first left that underground compound.

X

October rolled around with bare fruit trees. Aella kept her monotone face on, she had recently learned from Winnie that her and her own had never really blended in with society, only hid from it. She totted behind Winnie not yet willing to open and merge with society. Her smiles and laughter still subdued from her past.

Winnie led them down unfamiliar roads as she knew of shelters and places known as food canteens for those with less than what was necessary to feed themselves.

She had suggested going to the canteen after a poor hunt with not enough to fill the stomachs of all of them. Her reasoning was simple, Aella needed to eat, she was already small and thin for her age, sunken cheeks with a bony frame would draw attention on the street.

'If you don't eat more you'll grow thin enough that your ribs and bones will begin to show."

"It's all right, they showed in the past and I was fine."

The old Drowzee walked a step ahead of her through the busy streets with no answer to such a disclosure, Joltik's weight was a soothing assurance to such an uneasy silence. That consistent increase in weight led to another visit to the Library.

A sudden usually large increase in weight can sometimes signify an approaching evolution. Although this is not always the case, signs of evolution varies from pokemon to pokemon. Growth, weight and minute changes are the most common showings of change.

Of all the sites she visited, many boiled down to those same lines. Her mouth twitched, 'At least idioms had been fun to learn like rocking someone's boat.' Her mind supplemented the thought with an old man bellyaching as his boat rocked back-and-forth on the waves.

'Dear having one's ribs show below one's skin is never normal… were… the other children down there the same?'

"Yea I think I came to terms with the fact that that place wasn't normal."

She shivered and sighed as the nippy air turned to warm when walking through the doors of the canteen. Smells of food were strong to one who spent so much time out in the elements. The overwhelming scent permeated the air, her stomach growled in desire and she could feel her mouth salivate.

She found it difficult to stand in line with Winnie with people of unknowns pressing in front and behind her, many of them didn't smell too pleasant either. Her once salivating mouth dried and she found herself breathing through her mouth as a particularly pleasant smelling male wobbled by.

Questioning Winnie on how long and why the wobbly man's breath smelled as bad as it did. 'We're close to the front of the line dear, that is alcohol you smell. Alcohol is a drink that makes one feel good– washes away the worry as some say –but also slows one's reaction times and thinking, causing one to act and say strange things in silly ways.'

"Positives and negatives then." She nodded her head and wondered if it would be worth having.

'It is not good for young to have,' Winnie said, picking up her line of thought, 'and I have witnessed the headaches it gives. Very unpleasant to sense.'

'Okay less worth having then,' her mind was cut off from its current train of thought by the plating of food. Green beans, mashed potatoes, cantaloupe, a bread roll, and meatloaf was piled onto one plate with pokechow pellets on the other. All food known names that came from the unknown recesses of her mind.

As they ate Aella felt the hair on her neck rise. There were stares. Lots of stares she noted at quick glances. After an inordinate amount of time she caved and told Winnie.

'Yes I've noticed it too. It's mostly worried females. A child as seemingly young as you on their own is worrying to them.'

"Why," she whispered, "shouldn't they worry about themselves and their children, not some unknown child from who knows where."

'Humans are social creatures. I find many do not like to be on their own' –Aella flinched– 'naturally they are drawn to each other and watch over each other even if it is not their own young.'

'In a sense you are similar. You always have one of your family out. Never seen without one by your side.'

Aella, having no rebel said nothing and just ate, passing a green bean to the fuzz under her shirt. Winnie was right on both accounts, recollecting times when adults would come up to her asking about parents or if she was fine and even protecting her at times from irritating boat passenger thieves. And she would never be without one out at her side. The fear of aloneness brought an endless pit within and the beat of her heart grew in her ears.

She paused eating to perform Winnie's triple three. Three seconds of breath in, three seconds to hold, three seconds of breath out. The pounding faded in the pit subsided. An irrational fear, a phobia as Winnie called it. The Drowzee said many people had them and it was possible to get over them. But her fear ran deep and she felt like it would be no surprise if it took decades.

When their plates were empty and tossed in a nearby bin it was time to leave. Unfortunately that came with some complications. Two of the workers (based on their shirts symbol similarity to what she saw in the building) both female crouched down, saying words that her mind was not registering.

A sudden faint blue glow circled the edge of their eyes and they jumped startled by the sudden Psychic intrusion. Winnie halted all their words with whatever wording she had chosen. Aella was unable to get any insight on their discussion but whatever script she strung together caused them to, with unwillful looks, to back down.

The door cracked shut behind then and Aella most definitely did not jump from such a sound. Instead she could almost hear the mental hum Winnie made as she turned thoughts over in her head. 'This will turn into a problem,' the old Drowzee echoed her own thoughts.

Winnie chose to end any conversation there, mulling over her thoughts as she led Aella through the crowded streets. With Winnie quiet and Flare in stasis, Aella found her ears taking in everything around them. From the cars engines wheels and horns to people's feet and mouths, her mind did little to filter anything out. In the wild every sound was important, every bit of information vital for survival. But here in the city it was overkill.

She couldn't stop the breath of relief when they left the din of streets behind and entered the soothing amber overhead of the forest. The heavy rush of wind and roars and cries of great flyers with the size and strength to carry their human took off and landed from a nearby set of towers known as the Towers of Flight.

Large flying pokemon that could carry their trainer were rarely allowed to take off from within the city limits. Apparently down gusts strong enough to knock people over and cause injury were the main reason for the ban.

Today's modern cities kept the environment in mind and allowed trees to grow right up against the outer edges. This caused many to scale and take off from the tops of buildings to simply avoid getting whacked by branches when they ascended. This common city and trainer conflict was fixed when the Towers of Flight were added around the edges of most cities.

Three bodies rejoined them in a clearing scorned with marks and the seeing of a white oak with a hammock eased her tense nerves. All received a greeting from their fuzzy yellow leader and young human sibling. Their guide and teacher was still lost in thought.

"Okay I don't know if I will ever do that again but it's been a while since we reflected on our training progress. So show me what you got," her once impassive face turned into a grinning one at each passing word.

A music player that released a jolly tune joined their noise and moments. Though they normally go all at once because of the size of the clearing and the power their moves had gained over the months of focused training, it was better to go one at a time.

[A/N: Good Kid - No Time To Explain, if you're curious on what Aella and I listened to]

Starting with their newest fighter, Pierce. Almost all of his moves had advanced forward a stage closer to mastery. With Tackle, Gust and Quick Attack at a level where Agility was added to his training regimen and with the combined help of Shay, Joltik, and Winnie he learned the move at an astounding rate.

Agility had been learned, not improved yet but he was well on his way there. Of course not every plus came without problems. The local inhabitants of the forest had become quite irate at the bird from his practice of Swagger and Captivate. With Swagger he'd figured out how to dance just the right way to cause them to pause and stare, then without warning slam them with the full strength of the irritating move.

Pierce, the crafty bird he was, ended up turning that anger and constant onslaught of attacks into an opportunity to practice honing Revenge. Air Cutter still proved to be a challenge but with an open slot in his training she added Wing Attack. It was a fairly simple move, though like all moves, still took time to learn.

She hopped to mix it with Tackle as the move itself offered a thin veil of protection over one's body. Her thoughts wandered to the idea of potentially using Double Team (when it was improved) to mask his advancement upon his opponent.

'As nice as that would be with every additional move added the difficulty increases far greater than the last addition. Not to mention the chances of backfiring increases as well,' her pondering was broken as Pierce attempted his newest addition to his arsenal.

The muffled roar of Twister spilled from his beak and whipped around his small frame. It reminded Aella of Shay's very first attempts at the move, unsteady and overcompensated.

Apparently her dragon decided it was worth teaching him Twister when he was already working on six other moves. It wasn't exactly bad, it just meant Steel Wing would have to wait, likely till next fall.

He had come a long way trauma wise as well. The brutal mauling of his flock scarred his mind and brought horrid nightmares that Winnie quickly put an end to. As with Aella and the rest of her kin, he had sessions with Winnie to work through his past.

Shay was up next. The Dratini slithered into the center of the clearing and Joltik stepped forward to take any of her status effects strikes. Leer, Wrap, Thunder Wave and Agility were done in quick succession with all being mastered.

With Leer taking mere moments to effect the target Aella wanted to attempt if it could be used in tandem with Agility at a later date. 'The same could be said with Thunder Wave… although that's three so maybe we should start with combining that with Twister.' Flare brought her back on track.

She watched the dragonic winds dance around the dragon with precision matching the Dragonair and Kingdra in the many tutorials of the move. Aella wouldn't call it mastered but it was far closer to it then when she was brutally thrown up in the air by her own winds.

Dragon Tail and Iron Tail along with their combo move Cleave only withheld by the same point that held her back from Slam, Wrap and if learned, Brutal Swing. Her weight and size. At only four and a half feet and only a measly three pounds, Shay's scales may have toughened when she reached the yearly mark but her age still held her back.

Shay brushed off the annoyance, often with a quick wiggle of her snout yet the irritation was still there. It bothered her the fact that her own body held her back. As any Dragon type she wanted power she wanted to be strong. It angered her to no end that it wasn't happening fast enough. Aella made a note to converse with Winnie later for advice on how to handle this properly.

At least Shay had a reason to celebrate as well. With team teaching from Aella's first two the pale blue serpents elemental attacks had advanced greatly throughout the fall. Thunderbolt and Flamethrower were spears and cones of distraction. It was beautiful to watch them splinter bark and blaze 30 feet high. The girl smiled, excited for the day when they shined gold and blue, the mark of mastery.

Although Swagger, Dragon Dance and Brutal Swing were the original three planned options for Shay, like with almost everything that has happened this year, those plans were thrown out the window.

Instead there was Safeguard, Reflect and surprisingly Light Screen all taught by Winnie who ironically didn't know Light Screen but knew how the move worked so she could teach it. She wasn't gonna question it since all were very unsteady but all we're getting there.

Flare scooched into the clearing and though she did a little with her fire type training… her mind art training on the other hand, oh boy. What do you get when you have a Ghost type that needs very little sleep (that is also desperate to learn a Psychic move) and a Drowzee that's ability is Insomnia. A Headache. From the sheer volume of mental communication.

Even so Aella had her Litwick start with her Fire type moves first. Best to get the least progress and most destructive out of the way first.

Ember's blue core though hadn't darkened, had expanded. Flamethrower shone a mesmerizing gold with links of sunset colored fire circling its vortex. Fire Spin looked more like spinning flames instead of fire flexes swirling in a circle.

"Wisp Field,' Aella called and Flare spread a total of 16 Will-O-Wisps throughout the field, held completely stagnant with the use of Psychic energy. The candle gave a snap of her flame mimicking a video (apparently known as an advertisement) of a man cracking his neck. The bottom of her flame gained a pale blue hue and the same appeared as rings on the edges of her yellow eyes. It was Flare's showing of Calm Mind.

Raising two nubs of arms and all 16 Wisps began to move. Some shot off leaving trails of heat wavering air, others moved in perfectly choreographed circles and the rest zigzagged, all moving in a seemingly chaotic fashion. All of this was done to the faint wailing tune that to those that were unaccustomed to would send goosebumps down their spine.

Though she could move her Will-O-Wisps around with her ghostly powers because of the wisps core makeup, it was incredibly tiring and they burst a bit too easily. Making full use of her budding Psychic powers and using them at her current limit allow them to create this masterpiece. She sorely wished she had some epic music to play with this.

This was the result of them spending every night talking and practicing Psychic energy. What had taken nearly a year to just move a leaf on her own had snowballed to crazy proportions with the help of a teacher in mere months.

"Ahh why the hell not, get greedy with it!" the candle practically vibrated with excitement and with one breath for nonexistent lungs the Ghost released a burst of Smog. Blue and purple stars danced in a spreading purple haze.

Shay gave a tug on Aella's leg encouraging her to step back. It was one too many types for the candle to control at once but she at most could spew the poisonous cloud.

They had learned just how versatile the underutilized move was when mixed with the mind arts. The Weezing line were known to make the most of this move as it was their kind's signature move. Being able to move the noxious fumes of the move around and not just spew and control it from entering an ally's mouth or nose, that was something even Gengar struggled with.

With Psychic they would be able to mimic it but Aella wanted to achieve something far more difficult. She wanted Flare to move it not with Psychic but with Ghost. Shadows weren't really made to grab and move things.

Ghosts were made to create distortion and confusion, Psychics were made to create order and presence and Darks were made to create nothingness and void.

There were some exceptions to this…sort of. The move Poltergeist involves essentially animating an attacker's items into attacking it's beholder. The logic behind it was not fully understood considering it was a very recently discovered move in a distant region. Kantoian researchers had plenty of theories but not much truth. And as interesting as it was, not even Agatha could teach her that move.

Both Hex and Astonish were bumped up to improved and mastered while Smog, though her control was amazing, Winnie spoke up (the first time in a while) stating they should hold off on using it as a hiding spot for at least another year or two as the danger of death was very real.

Everyone found themselves having to look away or cover their eyes as Flare performed her final and recently learned move, Flash! Flare scooched off the field growing and shrinking, lighting and unlighting her flame in the use of Minimize.

Aella fixated on her movement, "Hear me out would you like to learn Telekinesis next instead of Psychic" –A sharp mental no came down the flow– "Hear me out! Would you like to keep scooting across the ground or float above it to mimic your evolution's moment."

That got the candles attention, "Telekinesis makes creatures and objects of your choice float. You could ride on a stone around. Granted it's not the most agile of moments but it'll have its uses in terrorizing opponents."

Joltik called from the center of the clearing and they turned to look at her as she spoke to the ghost swinging one of her front claws around. Whatever she said made Flare quite giddy. Flare agreed.

"Right so you'll be working on your mind arts with Winnie, Telekinesis and Fire moves,' Flares flame nodded and Aella hollered to Joltik to show us what she's learned.

Joltik started off as Flare ended with a Flash before jumping right into a Thunderbolt without any strain. Agility came next turning the spider into a blur of yellow with Thunder Wave zigzagging around her like a dangerous shield. Blur Bolt was the name they coined.

Layering the ground with string shot as an echo of the move Sticky Web. As she watched Aella began to realize just how similar it was to her evolution move. That was an even greater signal than her recent weight gain on how close her evolution truly was.

Electroweb was mixed on top, "Make it 3D!" Thin webbing was added to the trees and leaves allowing the speeding ball of fuzz to vacate the ground. Stopping and stealing herself the spider built and rolled a ball of pure electricity above her head, growing it to half her size. Granted it was still tiny, it would easily fit in one's palm but it held when thrown. Splinters of wood flung out from the point of impact.

Slash went next followed by Fury Cutter followed by Slash. Rotating back-and-forth between the two moves and every once in a while mixing them together creating a fantastical display of green and white.

Switching it up with a Bug Bite before throwing herself forward in another attempt to perform her egg move. As of two weeks ago they figured out what her egg move was unfortunately she had yet to perform said move. Joltik clicked in annoyance redoing all her moves before trying again. Another Fail.

She was about to do a third round but Aella called her off, "That's enough I get how bad you want to learn it but there's no point in breaking yourself over it besides it'll probably be easier when you evolve and you're really not too far off from that."

She stayed quiet before slowly clicking out her answer. Since Winnie was in thinking mode, Flare translated.

'Wait, winter, soon, food, rare, small, less, wait, spring,'

"You're going to wait till spring to evolve?"

"Tic click," she nodded.

"I won't stop you if that's what you want but that's a long time you know."

"Tick," another nod.

"Okay," Aella could only give her own nod in acceptance of her sister's decision. It was one of the three major pieces of evolution, the desire to evolve. Without it Joltik wouldn't evolve although by forgoing it the arachnid would be nagged from time to time of the possibility. Joltik must have received the last piece she needed which was likely strength since the other final piece was maturity and Joltik had plenty of that.

'I both agree and disagree. Yes a smaller size will help with food during the winter but holding off on evolution for too long can have consequences. Granted, those consequences can take years to show up, sometimes decades.' Winnie spoke, seeming to have finally come to her thoughts conclusion.

Aella wanted to ask if that was from personal experience but her social schooling that she was teaching told her not to, such a ask was inappropriate.

Winnie smiled, 'Very good normally that's something you never really should need to ask someone unless it is required for medical help. But yes I am quite old and because I've waited so long to evolve, choosing to stay in my lowest evolution, I no longer will have children.'

"That's the only consequence?" She asked since Winnie had broached the topic.

'That along with the chance evolution can be too much for one's elder body to handle, I myself is close to that stage. I'll also admit to swaying the conversation in this direction.'

That caught the girl off guard. Winnie had spoken purposely to move the topic down a path based on her answers to her questions, it wasn't the first time she did it either. Aella would admit it was a good trick, she'd have to have her teach that.

'I believe you've all been told earlier what happened at the canteen and I've taken some time to reflect on that.'

Joltik had been informing the group as they rotated through practice of the unnerving event that happened during the leaving of the canteen. There were clicks, screeches, coos and calls sent directly to the mind. Winnie answered each one mentally or in poke speak with Aella waiting for the questioning to die down.

'As such I've spent the time pondering a solution… The main reason for stopping us was that they did not see you with an 'adult' yes? So all the options travel to the same spot, you need to be seen with one that looks like an adult.'

Her head turned just slightly as the humans mind was piecing together the old Drowzee's puzzle, "So someone needs to be taller, but I can't grow that fast… are you…" she trailed off as she breathed in.

Winnie smiled 'Yes I stand at 4 feet now with evolution I will stand at 6. And with the help of a little bit of a trick to anyone's perception, we will be unbothered.'

Aella shook as a sense of giddyness washed over her, "You're going to evolve–" she didn't get to finish her sentence as a bright light took over the clearing, or to be more precise over took Winnie.

Light flowed and whirled around Winnies form that was almost too bright to look at. Her yellow and tan fur was invisible in the white of the light. From what she could see her body shape didn't change much, only slowly rose taller and taller. Matching her in height before going above. The gap in height grew as the seconds extended and sluggishly ticked by.

When the light faded with a burst of energy and the eyes opened to reveal a familiar sight in an unfamiliar yet reminiscent body. The tan was gone, replaced with a thick mane of white that waved in a nonexistent breeze.

There was silence as observation took place and was only broken by a one word sentence from Aella.

"Wow."

Winnie's eyes crinkled and head twitched in a silent laugh of joy that moved her shoulders causing her mane to shake. Joltik chittered next to her.

'It's not a bad sensation although a bit painful with the sudden reformation of one's body. At least it's over in a matter of a minute or two. Now I do believe we have some training to do,' Winnie placed her hands together.

Aella smiled and the rest of her kin excitedly nodded.

X

A lot changed, happened, developed whatever you wanna call it over the seasons of fall and winter. Winnie added schooling onto Aella's schedule when the nightmares started to recess. She knew the bare basics but Team Rocket really didn't teach them much, only what was absolutely necessary to make them useful tools.

During the last week of October the benefits of Halloween were learned spurring Ayla into making a costume with the help of Joltik. Her berry bag was temporarily turned into a candy bag.

A Winter Arts and crafts festival with Winnie leads to Aella making a pendant on a keychain. Aella made one representation of the sky, a sunset on one side and a risen moon on the other. It was her moment of freedom, her moment of discovering happiness. Winnie made one too; it was purple, her favorite color surrounding a yellow eye. Aella's eye color.

The next evolution of Aella came as a Christmas present, well almost. Winnie helped her discover the use of CDs and the library's computer to add new music onto her player. Music turned from just something that swung her emotions and gave her a distraction to a form of self expression and even a coping mechanism.

Oh and there also was the Discovery of what Christmas and New Year's was and learning its function made the winter a little more bearable. But everyone was still calling every tree a pine tree except actual pine trees.

X

Crunching on a piece of toast at the canteen she looked over the English textbook Winnie had gotten her, passing pieces of meat to Shay hiding in her bag. The feeling of ethiopia and fearlessness as of late was addicting, causing her to pull braver stunts.

There was a lack of people eating at the canteen right now and Aella sorely appreciated the lull compared to the streets between this canteen and library.

"So I was thinking," she mumbled to the Dragon, "You and Joltik are starting to get a good grasp of Shock Wave. I would like you two to start working on Dragon Breath and Charge Beam respectively when the berries are back in full."

Shay gave a humm barely audible to human ears and Aella glanced over to where Winnie was conversing with a staff member, well mentally. She yawned though was unable to doze in their current setting.

'Time to head home?' Winnie asked.

"Yea if you're done we can go."

She slung her backpack over her shoulder before setting it back down as she had forgotten to zip it. Now zipped Aella threw the bag back on a second time and meandered towards the door.

The feeling of indestructible safeness rushed out of her all at once and the hairs on the back of her neck spiked up. Someone very dangerous was watching. Doing a slow spin of looking back towards Winnie she scanned the room.

Eyes. A pair of eyes, two of them were watching, locked on to her small frame. Goosebumps ran over her limbs and she suppressed a shiver. Aella knew those eyes. They were hungry eyes and not in the way of food. No, those were the kind of eyes that saw something worth having.

Her thoughts jumped to her bag to the moment of forgetfulness. Did they see? Were they Team Rocket? She hadn't run into any in Saffron. Unless they had gotten better at hiding. It was either that or she had gotten rusty at spotting them. Neither was a good option.

'Maybe just a regular criminal. Maybe they saw an easy target. I don't know. I really don't know. We need to leave,' Winnie was now by her side yet she still felt sick.

She could still feel the eyes as they walked out the door.

—

–"have only budded and were still weeks off from flowering and berries growing but if it's really one of them they'll tell and they come after us in a big group and will be overwhelmed and"–

'Alright that's enough dear, deep breaths,' Winnie cut her off of her descending spiral when she wasn't showing any signs of recovering.

'I know your past was rough but you need to learn not to jump to the first conclusion your mind comes to. Yes his gaze was intense but for all you know he could have been very lost in thought.'

Aella felt all her pent up energy rush out leaving with nothing but tiredness. 'Winnie is likely right I'm probably overthinking I overthink a lot don't I?' Her mind rambled on yet the fear never fully left.

X

'Oh fuck…'

Aella dug her feet into the ground. Four stood before her and Winnie with the bloody emblems flickered in the Tail Glow given off by their Volbeat. It wavered in the air under the constant pressure of releasing a Struggle Bug into the surrounding area, cutting off any chance of Winnie teleporting them out. The vice around his neck sat dull and chipped with age under his red hood float. The love of dance and pattern the firefly was known for had vacated its soul after years of abuse.

Dusk had just settled when Winnie had picked up their dangerous presence. Only given a moment to warn Aella before a Rapidash Flame Charged her attempting to Stomp Winnie with its hooves. An imperceptibly fast Reflect followed by a fist covered in Pound. Safeguard forced any embers back although Aella's quick witted mind perceived few. Its flaming mane was similar yet inexplicably different. Run Away, a useful ability for a Team Rocket pokemon.

Aella barely whipped out of the way of a salivating Houndoom attempting to Crunch her arm. Winnie didn't take too kindly to that and sent a Grass Knot leading a yep out of the dog as it tripped and crashed into a tree. Their sleeping tree. It scrambled to its feet with only the thoughts of killing in its broken mind.

A whistle drew both back to their master's side. She tried to focus on the man's face and on his words but her eyes kept being drawn back to the necks and legs of the two Fire types. K-rings and shock bands burned black in places were a gruesome sight to see.

As he blabbered, his Dark dog paced in place twitching and whining. The Rapidash was no better snorting with thick mucus running down its scabbed nose. The man had to stop preaching to Aella, telling them to cut it out.

Winnie tried to mediate the situation but it was really only buying time. 30 long seconds of peace went to hell.

Houndoom spasmed and dropped like a stone; it didn't even hit the ground before the wailing started. Blood looking like ink dampened the ground. Its cries cut off as it spasmed again, flailing against the dirt.

More of its fluids seeped out of a slice on the neck and organs were visible in the first cut on the dog's side.

Aella hadn't been standing there gaping, Joltik had been released during the Houndooms assault and latched on. Like a frog in boiling water she had slowly been increasing the potency of electricity. The man's vainess caused his own to pay the price.

Flare after being dropped on the Houndooms try, had been moving to the brush, psychically transferring Smog up the orifices of the horse choking the poor things airways. Aella would have liked her Ghost to poison the bug but his buzzing type hindered her attempts and fire would draw too much attention.

Better to eliminate or at minimum heavily hinder two instead of one. She pulled a ball fresher than the rest from her belt.

"Deal with the bug," she released an irate bird who had been hastily recalled. It would have been better if he'd stayed out but Aella knew Pierce. He was too forward and too brazen. He wouldn't have waited, only striked before they were ready.

Their lead upper grunt swore, "Damit go go!" he sucked in a breath, –cken go!"

Aella's keen hearing picked up the sound of at least 5 no 6 releases. They were hesitating to release everyone; only the rookies and overconfident fools did that kind of thing. There should have been 14 but there were only 9.

"Wisp Field!" Aella hollered over the cries. They needed crowd control and a Burning Hex was their best option. Flare's flow responded, sending firefly wisps off into the night before turning them into torches. Even with stone float Telekinesis her movement was still so limited and her body frail.

The Weezing was the first thing she found. Poison was a bitch to deal with, learning well from Fuchsia. It flinched from the heat of the wisps as they burned up its gasses but that wouldn't work forever. Self-Destruct and Destiny Bond were two horribly dangerous moves. Thank Arceus Winnie knew Confusion and Hypnosis.

The gas bag was kicked by its owner for sleeping on the job. There Arbok slithered towards her and even though it was smaller than the other massive poison snake that was stuck dealing with Winnie, it was way more intimidating.

'Ability…' she gave a click and Shay shot out of her sweater to go tail to tail with the snake. Her tough scales would offer something against its fangs.

Across the clearing a Heracross with a rotting silver collar buzzed as they battled four Double Team versions of Pierce over possession of the Volbeat. Apparently the illuminating bug was deemed too useless as a fighter so Team Rocket turned it into a tool. Other than the haunting wisps it was now the only source of light in the darkened forest.

A tussling ball of blue and pink were the last two getting screamed at by their foul mouthed owner to stop fighting each other and to go get the dragon or no food. It was a Nidorina with a nasty rivalry and a Snubbull that sent an uneasy shiver down her spine.

A near miss Wisp caused the Snubbull to lurch back. Not so fearless apparently. Aella stepped back and made a four second headcount. Houndoom was nowhere to be seen and that both eleated and terrified her. Rapidash was flinching with shocks of electricity, (courtesy of Joltik who had disappeared although the suspicious flashes of light and static shocks running down most, eased her worry) having a double battle alongside one of the two Arbok against Winnie. From the looks to her back she was okay, blood ran freely down her right arm but her Reflect and Light Screen were holding out.

'Thank Arceus no Megahorn, she's still holding strong.'

Pierce was at a stalemate with the dizzy angry Heracross, one that should've annihilated him based on stats alone. The only reason she didn't pull him back is because he wouldn't pull back and the fact that he was the only one who could do a massive amount of damage to the damn bug. Considering the bug wasn't falling head over heels for the bird it was probably male.

Flare was causing havoc and burning everything but Heracross and the missing Houndoom out of fear of their potential abilities. Volbeat was still being a light source and teleportation hindrance while Nidorina and Snubbull were still taking a crack at each other while trying to intervene in the fight between a snake and a dragon.

The first to be seen recalled was the Nidorina by the grunt that had finally wised up drawing her balde and learched towards Aella. A blade to the wrist gained a necessary flinch to obtain space and dissuaded the older female from a second try.

Eventually the unit's oh so great leader, through his third ball and a Banette took to the field. She wasn't given a second to plan before the chaos when it suddenly let out a horrid Ghostly wail of agony. Flare had pulled a fast Night Shade on the unprepared puppeteer but it shouldn't have caused that level of whaling pain.

'Calm Mind, guess she decided it was necessary to boost the unsteady move.'

A Knock Off from a now pissed Banette cut off her candle's assault. A Spite of anger tired her Ghost and they tried a Shadow Sneak to remove the half of Flare from the living but the onslaught of Psychic controlled Will-O-Wisps creating light chasing shadows made such a deadly tactic so much more difficult.

An explosion rocked Aella on her feet along with everyone else, sending those too close or too slow to the blackened dirt. One grunt landing on his elbow and the crunch of broken bones was hidden by hie yell. The Weezing who had been put temporarily out was now back in decided it would be permanently out with Self-Destruct as its answer. Every fight came to a freeze as the explosion had gone off in the middle of the clearing. Flashes of red took one Arbok, Snubbull and Rapidash away and Nidorina was either out cold or stunned. The dust cleared to reveal a freshly released pair of a Scizor and a Sneasel that glanced hungrily towards the bush where Flare hid.

Aella made the split second decision to run towards her candle and away from the female grunt. She could feel her bag shift on her back in time with her steps. Sneasel clicked its claws and made a leap at Flare prompting Aella to return her before releasing her into her hands. The flames of Fire Spin swirled around the two of them earning a spinning hiss from the Sneasel at a lost meal.

Eight out, two fresh, one out, three recalled, two unknown against her stretched thin and exhausted team. She took a step back and nearly tripped. There was a paw with iron braces and shock bands attached to it. The missing Houndoom with glazed eyes in a pool of shiny blood. Seven out. This was not going to go well, Aella thought, tightening her grip on her blade.

A cross between a painful ticking hiss and an angry buzz made Aella wince and duck as Heracross dropped low as Pierce had dive bombed the distracted bugs head. Blood oozed out of the gouge made by a Pluck glowing beak.

Either he's had enough of this or has gotten a Psychic signal from Flare to hurry it up. Arm Thrusts were slammed into his wing coated with the energy from Wing Attack. When that failed loose stones were lifted from the ground but Heracross couldn't raise them high enough to do anything. It's lack of control screamed TM without training.

A movement of blue fur of the Sneasel that had eyes only for Winnie. It along with the Scizor were completely absorbed in their own world as any broken pokemon would be. It darted past Aella or would have. She punished its one track mind with a kick to the belly. Now grabbing back it's attention it would be her and Litwick versus a very out of control Sneasel. It wasn't the greatest match up, both had typing benefits and downsides but Winnies was far worse.

Will-O-Wisps floated among the Fire Spin acting as another layer of deterrent. Flare stood tall in the hand of her miss and the only way this pokemon of void was going to touch them was by accepting painful burns and sweating fur. It was a stalemate.

Aella took a risk and glance to where the Scizor had raced off to. It was battling Winnie. Her eyes darted back to the view of two pokemon. The Banette had made a reappearance. She blinked and just how light its form was in the fire. It was almost white. Its cloth form sagged badly as if it wasn't meant for this form yet. Shuppets were often interpreted as a weak ghost and thanks to her terrible parent she knew of the experiments on the recently (well not so recently) created device known as the evolutioniser. A forced Evolution, explained its move set or lack thereof.

It performed a Scary Face that earned a shadow tentacle Hex. A Metal Claw dipped in Dark Pulse severed Flare's strike. The Banette flinched as bits of the void energy struck its cloth. Banette backed up at the sound of Flares war cry wails.

"Right I forget you're technically a carnivorous ghost," Aella mumbled to flare. A bright flash and a resounding crack made three heads turn and a set of candle eyes slid round their wick.

Scizor had broken Winnie's Barrier bringing her mandible up to snap her neck. Instead it snaps down on her defending hand. The cracking sound made of so many bones shattering, tunneled the girl's attention. Winnie's fur turned red and what fingers were exposed weren't bent right.

Nidorina with its false metal front paws, apparently no longer stunned, lunged at Winnie's open side with darkness in its maw from bite and its fangs grew with the light of Poison Fang. Aella had no time to intervene.

Pin Missiles with eerie accuracy gouged its eye and neck. Her high cry singing of unimagined pain was ended when a yellow blur went headfirst into her side. A yellow blur that was far too big to be Joltik.

Two things we're duly noted, One that was an amped up version of Joltiks egg move Lunge and two a much more prominent thing, that was a Galvantula. That was her Galvantula.

The moment was broken by Shay's agonizing cry of pain. There was so much happening at once it was a true challenge to keep track of it all. The Snubbull had also been released again. Her paws glowed pink and a Fairy based attack was the only thing she could think of that would draw Shay to make such a horrid sound.

A prompt from Flare had her recalling the dragon. 'Nope not having her fight like that,' she felt the ball shrink into stasis. Flare had informed her of the dangerous level of poison running through her veins thanks to the Arbock.

An ear splitting shriek from Pierce had her recalling him too. With his wing in one set of claws and a Brick Brack in the other she didn't care how many Sword Dances the fighting bug had, one was more than enough with the additional Swagger in play.

Aella found herself gritting her teeth and not just from the situation they were in. A Hyper Voice slammed everyone's ears from the newly released Furret as it boldly charged towards them with no sense of caution whatsoever. That left one unknown left.

"Telekinesis!"

Her candle turned the railgun rodent into a flailing floating one. The Furret looked completely insane as it frothed at the mouth. Aella was pretty sure it had some form of mange as it was covered in scarred skin instead of fur.

Buzzing clicking snaps caused her to look back at Winnie's fight. Galvantula had taken a battle of speed and strike with Scizor and if Aella hadn't gotten used to the extreme speed her and Shay raced at, she never would've been able to make out traded swings of Slash and Fury Cutter.

Her arachnids movements were wonky as unused to a new form. Skill and strength gave Scizor the advantage but speed and reflexes gave Galvantula hers. Even so it wasn't a stalemate. Exhaustion from earlier battles overuse of her powers and evolution would pay a price when her evolution high ran out.

Yellow, White and Red became her vision and she felt warm arms wrap around her. Flare disappeared from her hands and Galvantula's hissing clicks disappeared.

"Winnie?"

The ground disappeared but her feet didn't dip down. Her entire body felt suspended with only Winnie's hug as a grounder. The feeling of being twisted and squeezed made her stomach roll. 'If this was teleportation people have lied about its ease and enjoyment!'

Aella's feet slammed into solid ground jarring her. "Ow, I take it the Volbeat ran out of Struggle Bug?"

'Yes, Pierce hit it with an Air Cutter. Apologies for the hard landing dear, the distance made it longer and more turbulent.'

"That's all right"– the slam of her backpack on the soil broke her sentence in half. Her hand reached down, pulling a bottle from one of her inner pockets. Her other sheathed her blade in a smooth practiceed motion. Neither knowing where or how but Winnie had disappeared for a short time in January and brought a bottle of de-poison pills with her return.

Considering they lasted years to the months a poison heal potion did, it was unbelievably valuable especially if they ever needed to travel through Fuchsia again.

Galvantula was released first followed by Pierce with the words, "Check over his wing, Heracross played crude."

Though she wasn't exactly sure Aella didn't want to break the bird's confidence considering how well he did up against something that was way out of his league. Aella got a good glimpse of that horned pokemon, the only big hit it took even at a huge typing disadvantage was that Pluck to the carapace.

Shay was released after Flare was at her feet. Her no nonsense commands had a pill down her throat. The quick acting medicine defused her worry leaving Aella to question the past.

"What… exactly happened all in that fight…" she stood for a moment reviewing the battle trying to make some semblance or an in order list of everything, "Arceus how many hours was that blood bath," her head shook as her brain was fried.

'Ten to fifteen minutes dear,' Winnie replied, her voice echoed sounding strained.

Any response was cut even before it began when she turned to look back at her teacher as her voice was off.

"…shit." Aella's entire demeanor changed with the viewing of her guide. Regret, distraught and fleeing hope bubbled in her gut.

'I know I'm usually against such strong language but this is one of the few cases… where it's understood.' Winnie said, trying to add a light touch of humor as she swayed.

That Rapidash knew Megahorn after all. Copious amounts of blood trailed down a spot below Winnie's mane. It was off center but very close to where a Hypno's heart sat.

'I'm sorry my dear I should have listened. You have far more knowledge in this stuff than I ever did. You were very smart to listen to your inner instincts. I was foolish to ignore.'

"Shut up and let me fix this! If we can get to Saffron"–

'Dear I teleported us more than a day's reach from the city. We are closer to Lavender then'– she stopped as her breath entering her nose was rough and grated.

Aella grabbed her when she swayed dangerously to one side and with the help of Galvantula, lowered her to the ground. Winnie breathed out deeply when she was fully horizontal. Aella's entire will sank.

'I'm still here… just for a little longer,' her words were quieter and carried a faint background echo.

Her tongue stuck as Aella swallowed, "Okay were here were all here," she replaced her hand with Winnie's fallen one over her wound, stemming the blood flow.

Words poured from Aella's mouth and many jumbled together, "I'm sorry I should've been more careful and I should have watched what I was doing and if I've been more attentive I would've zipped my bag and Shay would've never been seen and they never would've shown up or found out and we wouldn't be here and everyone got hurt because of me and you're lying on the ground"– she was cut off by being unable to say the word.

'It's all right. It's not your fault. I overestimated the Saffron police force and underestimated Team Rocket. Even in my mid-70s I still don't know everything.

'You're a very brave girl and after everything you still smile, still laugh. You'll smile and laugh someday again I promise.'

Her eyes wandered and stopped over each of them, 'I am glad at the amazing amount of progress each of you have made. I am sad that I will no longer get to continue seeing your progress and just how far you go. I know in my soul you'll go far. So very far.'

With each of the passing seconds her breath became more unsteady entering and exiting her nose. 'I ask you, of a few simple things,' Winnie's good hand holding her pendulum reached out for Aella, 'Take it. It is something that has been passed down in my family for many generations and now I pass it to you.'

Mucus and saliva clogged Aella's airways so she just nodded. Her freehand ever so delicately, grasped around the silver ringlet.

'Do not stay stagnant. Keep growing, learning, training, healing. Keep moving forward.'

Galvantula clicked and tapped her new longer leg on Winnie's arm. She understood, evolution was not the end, it was barely the beginning.

'Time is both slow and fast but as long as you know what you're looking for you'll get there.'

Shay cooed, sadness went down her scales. She knew what she wanted, she would have to train while waiting for time to catch up.

'Communication and manners are always important and sometimes remembering your roots is a good thing.'

Pierce released quiet short whistles along with beak taps. He put so much effort in looking forward he forgot to look behind.

'And please… take a tuft of my mane… tie it and bring it to… Lavender Tower. You… will find the… place to hang it.'

Flare gave a hauntingly beautiful call as she knew well of the importance of a passing of the dead ritual.

'Thank you… my Angela… is waiting…'

She nodded at her final request. Hiccuping as wet trails were created. The eyes of her guide that had led her so far closed. A sigh was the last thing of hers she heard.

An agonizing wail sent all the wild birds flying.

End of Chapter 6

Again as a reminder I'm aware of some contradictions and errors in the first few chapters. So starting in December I will be taking the next 3 to 4 months off to take a break from writing nearly every day and spend some of that time re-going through the first few chapters and fixing them.

Thank You for reading

Chapter 7 will be released on either March or April 1 2023 (I will update this to an exact date at the start of February)