12/12/2021: Brand new chapter! Go me.

This chapter is so very long. I was going to split it into two, but I decided to go with it. I hope that you enjoy. A very familiar face appears in Chapter 24: Professor Oak

Chapter Twenty-Three: Blackthorn Clan

Fostering at Blackthorn Gym was quite different to Fostering at Charicific Valley for several reasons. The first was what it was I was learning about and the responsibilities I was given.

The majority of my learning time was spent shadowing Gym Trainer Gavin or Gym Leader Clair. During the cause of my fostering I was to learn the role of a Gym within a city in Johto, what a Gym Leader dose, the role of a gym trainer, and the various rules and regulations that the League had in regards to sanctioned gyms.

The more that I learnt, the more surprised I was at just how intricate and integral the whole system was, and the more I grew to understand why my father was so busy all the time and rarely made it back to the Blackthorn Clan. Lance was in charge of monitoring all eight of the main league gyms in both Kanto and Johto, as well as the minor twelve gyms in Kanto and the minor ten in Johto. The minor gyms had a few less responsibilities, but they still needed monitoring. There was also the fact that keeping an eye on the Gyms was only a small part of Lance's responsibility.

Every sanctioned gym had a Gym Leader, at least one gym trainer and a receptionist. The Gym Leader was tasked with accepting all challenges issued to the gym within the conference season (Aril till June); assessing the condition of the Pokemon they face in order to monitor for abuse or drug enhancement (a responsibility they shared with the Pokemon Centre); if rangers need assistance within their area, then the Gym Leader might be called upon to help contain a dangerous wild Pokemon and they are also considered the first point of call when an issue arises with a Pokemon of their type and supply an activity for the community; Clair used the typical topography of her local area and held rock-climbing lessons, and open one of her training halls once a week for gymnastic lessons. Then there was the things Gym Leaders are expected to do behind the scenes: the maintaining and training of the three Gym Teams at the level outlined and dictated by the league, plus the training of their own personal teams and maintaining the accounts and various other paperwork for the gym.

As a dragon-type master, with the clan at her back, Clair was also charged with assessing every trainer who managed to gain a dragon type Pokemon on their team to determine if they are able to look after the Pokemon in question. She could pass this assessment onto other members of the clan, but the majority of the dragon masters beside her and Lance had retired, which meant she was sometimes called upon by other gym leaders to visit and assess a trainer who'd arrived. This assessment wasn't necessary for every dragon, but if anyone had a Bagon, Gible, Axew, Druddigon, Tyrunt, Kommo-o or Dreepy or their evolved forms they had to be cleared to look after them. She'd also got called upon with some Charizards which were particularly vicious if a trainer wasn't able to control them. Onto the list of assessed dragon-type Pokemon, Deion and it's evolved forms were added after a member of the clan managed to bring a whole nest home when he found that their habitat had been destroyed and only one Hydreigon remained to look after the eggs. The Hydreigon hadn't settled into the area that had been set up for her until after she met my own Hydreigon who'd been more than happy to make her feel comfortable and volunteered to help look after the Deino's once they hatched. Of course, by volunteering herself, Hydreigon had also volunteered me.

Beyond supporting the Gym Leader with some of their own responsibilities, a Gym Trainer had several responsibilities of their own. They were charged with refereeing all official matches and ensuring that the recording equipment was in working order and going back and taking summarising notes of those official battles so that the League didn't have to watch all videos. They also helped take care of the gym Pokemon, and were encouraged to become master of the gym's nature.

The other mandatory position within the Gym was the Receptionist who scheduled gym battles and kept an eye on the changing schedule of the Gym Leader. The receptionist was the first person to greet gym trainers when they entered the gym, and also the one to schedule lessons and other extra curriculum sessions that was done at the gym. Four times a year, Clair tried to offer lessons about the care and training of dragon type Pokemon, and it was the receptionist's job to clear her schedule in advance of the lessons because people came from far and wide to attend those lessons so they needed plenty of advanced warning.

As such a big Gym, the Blackthorn gym had four Gym Trainers and two receptionists. The receptionist took on the extra responsibility of helping Clair with her paperwork, the stuff that wasn't classified, which was why Clair had two. The four Gym Trainers worked with the members of the Blackthorn Clan to help look after the may wild dragons that called the caves and ground around the Clan home, and to keep count of their population numbers. With a few extra Gym Trainers, they were sent out in the first instances of dragons being unruly in Johto – Clair only going with the most dangerous of dragons or Pokemon.

My role, other than shadowing Clair or Gavin, was to help tend to the gym Pokemon and the wild Pokemon. They gave me such trust because I had dragon type Pokemon on my team so I'd shown I was capable of looking after them. I was also given the responsibility of teaching a couple of small Pokemon care and raising lessons, since I had gained a lot of knowledge from experience and from living with Nurse Joy. The first to lessons I ran was watched over by Trainer Lucy who was going to take over the lessons once my fostering was complete – I even 'wrote' her lessons plans which I sent to Nurse Joy, Clair and Lance to be verified.

My family had also benefited greatly from being with the Blackthorn Clan, with the dragons and with family. Lance's Charizard had decided to stay for a month after Lance had to go back to the League Headquarters so that he could help train my family to be even greater than they already were. And it wasn't just Lance and his dragon who took an interest, but the elders as well.

Following my battle against Lance, the elders had come together to gift me with a reward for the training and the care I had given to my family. The gift, a firestone so that Vulpix could finally evolve and reach his true potential. I'd been hesitant to accept such an expensive gift, but all the elders had covered the cost of buying it so it hadn't come out as expensive for them individually as it could have been. With Vulpix's well-being in mind, I'd finally accepted the gift.

So, January 28th, I presented Vulpix with the firestone. With his evolution, I began helping him to learn more Fire type moves to add to his repertoire: Mysterical Fire, Flamethrower, Overheat, Inferno, Sunny Day and Solar Beam. We didn't just focus on his ability with fire, mastering each of the fire type moves to be able use them like he did the blue-fire of Will-O-Wisp, but on other moves as well. Ninetales wasn't limited as some believed him to be, with his strength not just relying on his flames but his physical strength as well as his versatility: Confuse Ray, Agility, Shadow Ball, Extreme Speed, Hypnosis all added to his range of move with more yet to be researched and tried in the future.

Although Ninetales had the greatest change to adjust to and moves to learn and master to a degree greater than what most would even contemplate, the rest of the family also increased the versatility of their move pools. Noivern managed to add Super Fang and Brick Break to his 19moves, which was something we hadn't thought possible for him. Altaria also kept doing the impossible and learnt Extreme Speed, Outrage, Disarming Voice and Swift.

Empoleon learnt Brick Break alongside Noivern, as well as Drain Punch, Poison Jab, Life Dew and Surf. She had great fun learning the close attack moves of Drain Punch and Poison Jab, and even worked on her hitting strength by hitting rocks so that her moves would deliver an even greater punch. Greninja was also enjoying his ability to fight close to opponents and relished in learning counter, mega punch, mega kick, brick break, drain punch, cross chop, poison jab, shadow sneak, detect and quick guard. Just as I expected, he also learnt to fight like Lucario and I without the use of moves.

Hydreigon accidently learnt fire fang while playing catch with Ninetales, but intentionally learnt protect, wicked blow, topsy-turvy, pursuit, helping hand, shadow claw and shadow ball. The dark type moves were learnt with surprising strength compared to what the rest of the family could manage, but then I shouldn't have been surprised as I was since Hydreigon did lean towards his dark-typing more than the rest. Perhaps because dragon typing was so very close to dark type.

I stopped limiting Lucario and the type of moves that he could learn and the speed that he was learning them as long as he still continued combat and aura training with me. Without the limitation on him, he learnt more moves than anyone else including mega kick to match his mega punch, drain punch, agility, dragon pulse, revenge, brick break, retaliate, close combat, circle throw, shadow sneak, foresight and shadow force. As well as his moves, he learnt Aura Beam to go with the Aura Shield and Aura Sphere he already knew.

As well as my team growing ever stronger with tutoring, so did I. My Aura Shield got stronger until Lucario confirmed it was strong enough to take hits from the team, which they started practising so that I could make it even stronger. I also began forming my own Aura Sphere, but I couldn't make a stable sphere which was bigger than a small Wisp. I'd also managed to master the enhancing strength ability of Aura which allow my muscles to pack and take a punch like a Pokemon. I couldn't hold it for longer than a minute in a fight, but it was useful for my fight training with Lucario and Greninja since they didn't have to hold back as much.

Finally, after six months in Blackthorn City, my birthday and last day arrived. Since my status as Lance's daughter hadn't been revealed to the clan, my birthday was a small celebration with only those I interacted with on a regular basis. They weren't just celebrating my twelve birthday, but also the fact that this would be the start of my official Pokemon journey. From here, I would travel to Kanto and spend eleven months under Professor Oak and within the school system to meet the pre-requisites to go out and be a trainer. By the time my thirteen birthday came around, I'd be on the road and making a second team to ad to my family.

Lance had managed to get the day off and arrived in the early hours of the morning. He'd been planning to wake me up as a surprise, but I greeted him in the garden that Dragonite typically landed in. Lucario was at my side, but the rest of the family was either sleeping or spending some time with the wild dragons since this was the last day in a long time they'd be able to do so.

"Will I ever be able to surprise you?" Lance questioned as I was picked up and hugged by Dragonite. I laughed in delight, returning Dragonite's affection. We'd grown close in the month he spent helping the family.

"I doubt it," I responded to Lance once I was put down.

"Happy Birthday, sweetheart." Lance picked me up and span me around. I held on tightly, automatically using my Aura Sensing at the unexpected motion.

"Thanks for coming," I gave him a brief squeeze before stepping back.

"This is your first birthday with family, the first birthday I've known about you; of course, I came." Lance said seriously.

"This is also the first birthday I'm celebrating." I admitted. "I didn't celebrate with Nurse Joy, instead I camped out with the family on my birthday."

"Then we will make this an amazing birthday," Lance wrapped his arm around my shoulder and led me into the house. Lucario walked behind me, talking with Dragonite who also lumbered behind us.

"We're the only two up." I informed Lance as we got to the kitchen. "People will start rising in about an hour."

"Why are you up so early?" Lance let me go as he went about making himself some coffee. I wondered to the fridge and poured myself a cup of milk since I didn't have a hot drink until I was eating food at the same time. Since I'd started living here, Clair had to stock the fridge in exactly the same way each time so I could find things inside it. She'd forgotten one day and I'd grabbed the wine instead of the milk, I'd poured a glass of wine just to make a point but actually poured myself a cup of milk.

"I'm always up this early. I like feeling the sun rise," I explained, getting a cup of water for Lucario. Some days he liked milk, but most days he preferred water. The rest of the family all preferred water, Lucario was the only one who liked the occasional glass of milk.

"It's hard to understand how much you've lost," I hard Lance settle heavily into the seat next to me. I reached out and, after a little searching, found his hand which was resting on the table. "If there was anything I could give you, any gift in the world, it would be your sight."

"I've come to terms with my loss," I squeezed his hand. "I need no gifts, or pity. In a way, I've been blessed in my darkness. I no longer have eyes to see, and yet my world is clear."

"Well, I may not be able to give you your sight, but I will be giving you a gift today." Lance transitioned the subject away from such dark topics.

"I can't run from that can I?" I sighed. "As long as my Pokemon family are included as well."

"Of course, everyone knows you consider them to be something like family or children, depending on the day or perspective." Lance chuckled. "We couldn't leave them out if we tried."

"Lucario," Lucario hmphed aloud in confirmation so that Lance knew that he agreed with that statement, but I heard his words as he made sure to use telepathy as he always did, "We'd simple stick our paws in."

"Urg…" Chloe stumbled into the room. "Morning people." she grumbled all the way to the coffee machine, where she glared at it until her coffee had been made and she could sit at the table sipping at it. "Happy Birthday, Jenny."

"Thank you, and good morning." Jenny returned, very aware that Chloe was even less of a morning person compared to even Liza. All of the Blackthorn clan were typically night owls, since they took after the dragons who preferred the night hours compared to the morning sun. Lance was the only morning person in the clan besides myself, at least, the only one that I had met.

"Lance, when did you get here?" Chloe looked up once her coffee was half drunk, only to start in surprise so much that I heard two of her chair legs lift off the floor and clatter back down.

"Eighty minutes ago," Lance answered, amused.

"Have you had breakfast yet?" Chloe questioned.

"No, we've just been sat having a drink and talking." Lance's voice had a distinct shrug to it.

"Good; I had things prepared for this morning. It's all in the fridge." Chloe's scar scrapped across the floor as she stood and headed to the fridge. Five minutes later, they all had plates in front of them and fresh drinks, and the serving dishes were in the middle of the table so they could pick out the food they wanted.

There was bowls of kefir yogurt with mixed fruits and granola on top, chia pudding (which was a healthy breakfast with figs, chia seeds vanilla extract and almond milk); apple cinnamon oats; bagels with wasabi cream cheese, smoked salmon, avocado and pickled ginger and apple slice cookies. All cold breakfasts foods which could be made the night before, or up to three days before. If we didn't have toast in the morning, it was normally porridge or a yogurt option, the other breakfasts were very rare since Chloe didn't normally have the ingredients in.

"How many were you planning on feeding?" I questioned, using my hands to judge the size of each of the bowls and the plates.

"The left overs will be going with us to the hall, make up part of the buffet table." Chloe explained. "Just, take what you want, the rest will be eaten later."

"The second bowl on the left as the figs in, the last on the right has the apple cookies." Lance directed, knowing which ones were my favourite and therefore which ones I'd be going for first.

"Thank you," I put two spoons full of the chia pudding into my bowl, making sure that the weight of the figs was on the spoon. I then placed an apple cookie on my plate not taking to much so that I would have space to try some of the apple cinnamon oats as well.

"The figs were picked from our grove; they've just gone into season so they should be at their best." Chloe informed brightly.

"But I thought you sold those to help with the Clan maintenance," I tilted my head, confused. I'd had figs only twice since coming to Johto, but I used to have them quite often when I was on Shamouti, since the Blackthorn Grove was the only place in Kanto or Johto that grew them other than the Orange Islands. With their rarity, they weren't exactly the cheapest of fruits and the clan did need to sell as many as possible.

"These ones were oddly shaped so wouldn't have sold as well, besides what's the point in owning a Grove if we don't get to eat some of the fruit?" Chloe asked rhetorically.

"At the end of harvest season, the family always gets five figs per person." Lance sighed in a long-suffering manner at his cousin.

"So we get fifteen figs, five for me, you and Lance." Chloe elaborated. "I used three of them in the breakfast foods, so you're free to eat as many as you like Jenny."

"Would you not be eating them as well?" I questioned, confused.

"I do not like them as much as you." Chloe dismissed.

"And I won't be here to eat them. I could only get today and tomorrow away from the office." Lance pointed out.

"There is so much you can do with figs, if you don't mind me cooking with them?" I offered, not wanting to just eat the figs when they were for everyone even though I really liked them.

"That sounds like a good idea," Chloe agreed. "But keep some for you to eat yourself without cooking them."

"What time are they expecting us at the hall?" Lance changed the subject away from the fruit.

"Twelve," Chloe answered. "Presents, then the buffet will be open and music playing."

"Dancing?" Lance groaned while I shuddered.

"It's not a party without dancing," Chloe pointed out. "Besides, nobody will force you onto the floor. You can hide in your corner."

"I'll join you there." I vowed. "I'm not the sort of person who dances."

"Oh good, it's genetic." Chloe grumbled.

"What social awkwardness and a propensity to avoid being the centre of attention and large crowds?" Lance de-panned.

"You're the Champion, didn't you get over that?" Chloe sighed.

"I got better at hiding it," Lance corrected.

"And I'm better at not being placed in such situations. This is the first one you've caught me in," I pointed out.

"Hmmm… camping with my Pokemon, I might get away with that a couple of times." Lance said thoughtfully. "Bonding with my Pokemon is important, have to be ready for anything."

"You could just retire, then you can go camping whenever you like." I pointed out, amused.

"I'll look forward to that when I find a replacement." Lance reached over the table and took my hand from where it was resting next to my empty plate.

"Are you any closer to finding someone?" I asked curiously.

"No," Lance sighed. "I'm hopeful that someone promising shows themselves in the coming tournament, in April."

"Maybe there will be an up-and-coming training when I take to the circuit," I pointed out.

"A hopeful proposition, but it will still take at least five years before there is a chance of them challenging for champion." Lance pointed out. "I'll be thirty-seven, more likely thirty-nine by the time I get a replacement."

"You'll be one of the longest standing Champions," I hummed. "Standing for ten years."

"The only Indigo Champion to last more than five years." Lance agreed. "I can see why most retired after two years."

"Stress? Overworked? Missing the family? Not having the chance to have a family of their own…" Chloe rattled off a few of problems she had with Lance's occupation, not including the fact that it left her running the gym and cutting her travel shorter than she had wanted.

"He has a family of his own," I gentle rebooked her, not wanting an argument to start up. Not today of all days.

"Come on, I wanted to show you something before we have to meet up for a party." Lance took my hands and helped me to my feet. Lucario was quick to hop up and take to my side, as Lance led me out of the main house and into the Dragon Caves. Once we were outside, Dragonite also joined us except he was leading us instead of following or walking beside us as he normally would.

I'd been taken into the caves before, but Lance led me further than I'd gone before. The distance one was allowed into the dragon caves was dependant on the level a trainer was considered to be at. Considering my team strength, and our friendship with Hydreigon, we had been given permission to go to the Level 5 ring in the caves which meant there was only two levels we weren't allowed in: Level 6 which only Chloe and three of the elders (including the previous Gym Leader) was allowed into, and Level 7 which only Lance had been granted access to in the previous eighty years. unlike the other Levels, level 7 was determined not by skill level or power, but by the dragon which guards the only tunnel that enters this ring of caves.

As we passed through level 6, I titled my head curiously at the sound of various Pokemon moving respectfully to the side. Considering how powerful, vicious and dangerous these Pokemon were, I wasn't expecting them to respectfully move to the side as we passed through, whether they knew Lance or not. Especially since Lucario and I were unknown to these Pokemon.

Finally, we reached the entrance to Level 7 where a very old and very powerful Garchomp which was guarding. He lived in the entrance tunnel, so no matter what, someone would always have to pass by him to get into this final level.

"Garchomp, it's good to see you again." Lance greeted the Pokemon that moved to block their passage. "I'd like to introduce you to my daughter,"

"Hello Garchomp," I greeted, sending out a mental prob to let him know I could communicate in this way if he'd like. He accepted the mental prob, allowing me to establish the connection and speak with him directly. I felt Lucario establish the connection with me so he was in on the conversation since when talking mentally, Pokemon didn't also talk aloud.

"Hello child of dragons," Garchomp greeted, moving forward and gentle touching my cheek with his clawed hands that were at the tip of his spiked wing feature. Stepping back, he also greeted Lucario. "Aura Companion."

"Alpha Dragonite has spoken to me off you," Garchomp said solemnly. "I am glad you have finally been brought here."

"I'm not sure why I've been brought here," I took Garchomp's hand, being careful of the sharp bone he called claw and hand. "But it's good to meet you."

"Follow me, Guardian; your companion may come with you." Garchomp carefully pulled himself away and then turned and began walking down the tunnel. As I walked forward, I grabbed Lance's hand on the way-by so he knew to follow.

"I thought that would be harder," Lance muttered, walking at my side as Lance jumped around to my other side. Dragonite remained silent and observant. "Took me forty minutes to get past him when I was brought here at the age of fourteen."

"I thought you were the first to go into Level 7," I hummed questioningly.

"I was, but all children of the clan are brought here when they are deemed strong enough." Lance explained. "You've been ready since before you came to the Blackthorn Clan – younger than anyone else. I've delayed it because I wanted to make sure you were emotionally and mentally as strong as you and your team are physically. And I wanted to be with you for this."

"What is this?" I questioned, "Why are we here?"

"It will be become clear," Lance reassured.

"What are you seeing?" I questioned, noting that the sound of our footsteps was spreading further as the tunnel opened up into a widened cavern.

"The rock around us is made of black granite," Lance said softly. "There are open wholes in the ceiling, allowing light to come in and reflect off the white marble and create beautiful reflections of light around the room. Blues, purples, whites and greens all bouncing from the walls and coming from everywhere."

"And the Pokemon? I can hear their breathing." I questioned. They were still enough I couldn't hear their movements, but their breathing and their heartbeat they couldn't stop or hide.

"There aren't many in this cavern, they knew we were coming. There is a Dragonite pair, a Dratini, a Kingdra, a Salamence, and a Haxorus. All of them old, strong and wise. The oldest dragons known to the clan are waiting in the shadows" Lance finished as Garchomp came to a stop.

"This is where I leave you, good luck" Garchomp touched my face once more before heading back the way that we'd come.

Lance gave my hand a squeeze before he took two steps back. Lucario let my hand go, but he remained by my side. Despite the unease, I didn't try and use my aura to see what was happening, because this didn't feel like the sort of situation where I should be anything other than myself. And myself, at the very core, didn't use my aura sight just because I was uneasy or to help myself. It was a tool, and I would use it to fight and protect myself and others and to perceive my surroundings, but I couldn't rely on it. I trusted that Lucario would give me a signal if I needed to use my Aura to protect myself or perceive something – he had my back.

From the edges of the room, the shadows where I could hear them waiting, the dragons move out and formed a semi-circle in front of me. They moved with more sound than dragons as strong and trained as these typically would, but that extra sound meant I knew not only how many dragons were moving but also where exactly they were coming to stand and how tall they were and physically strong.

The Dragonite which was at the centre of the horse-shoe which let out a fierce growl and rumble which I recognised as his species form of communication. Just as I had with Garchomp, I sent out an invitation for communication since I couldn't try and interrupt body movements which was how they mostly communicate – 75% of all Pokemon communication with each other was subvocal. Dragonite didn't hesitate to accept and repeat what he had just said.

"What is your name, Child of Dragons and Guardian?" Dragonite questioned.

"I'm Jennifer, how would you like me to refer to you?" I questioned aloud while also sending a mental invitation to the other dragons so I didn't have to speak aloud at all.

"I am Firewing, I was the Alpha before Firefang took over." Dragonite's voice was strong and firm, and I could feel the acceptance of the other dragons. "We are the council of knowledge and the keepers."

"Keepers?" I questioned, silently since they could now all hear me telepathically. I would probably have to explain my ability to Lance after this since he would be suspicious of what happened here. Confide, for the first time in a human that I was an Aura user with the great potential of being an Aura Guardian.

"Keepers of Knowledge and Keepers of the Young." Firewing answered. "Not all dragons keep their young with them, they do not have the temperament to be mother and guardian. So, when a dragon does not wish to look after their children, they come to us and we look after the young."

"I see," I hummed, "What do you need?"

"We need nothing from you, young one." Firewing chuckled. "Except, that you keep growing and getting stronger, and that you look after one of our young ones."

"You want me to raise one of your chargers?" I questioned, surprised. Traditionally, the Blackthorn children were given the eggs from the clutches of their close family members Pokemon.

"Yes." Firewing confirmed. "We normally raise and train the young ones until they are strong enough to live in the outer three levels by themselves, and then they either remain in those rings or find a trainer to call their own. But we have seen the results of your training in the strength of your family. We believe that Dratini could benefit from a trainer like you."

"You wish me to take on a dratini egg?" I was unable to hide the visible surprise on my face at this. The Dragonite line were fiercely protective of their young, they didn't give their children away or allow children under their care to be given away to anyone but their family or those of their line. "I'm about to head on a journey, I won't close." I warned.

"We are aware." Dragonite chuckled. "And we know you will care for them."

"How old is the egg?" Dragonite's had a long incubation time, the longest of all dragon species. The long incubation rate was one of the reasons why Dragonite's were so protective, along with the fact that clutches were rare and small.

"Two months; it's mother died bringing them into the world. We have watched over this young, hopping and praying they would be strong enough to survive. They have managed to hold on to life, but now they need something more. They need a dedicated trainer, to help bring them into the world and raise them." Dragonite explained. "You are that trainer."

"It would be my honour," I placed my fisted hand over my heart, slid my right foot back so the tips of my toes were resting behind my left foot and my heal was raised off the ground. Bowing low with my other arm coming behind me and my palm facing up at him. "To raise and train Dratini alongside my family, to protect and love them as my own."

"We know you will, child." The single Dratini moved forward and I heard her tail shift around her body. Straightening up, I stepped forward and took the egg from within the curls of Dratini's tail and hugged it close.

"Visit us when the child is grown, and strong." Dragonite requested as he and the others started walking away.

"You have my word," I spoke aloud.

With the dragons leaving, I turned and stepped to my father. Once I was close, I rested my head on his chest and allowed him to drawn me into a hug, the egg safely sandwiched between us.

"They've given the care of dratini to me." I told my dad. "Another member of my family. The seventh baby I'll be raising from an egg."

"It never gets any less scary," dad chuckled, the sound rumbling through me. "Whether you're raising an egg or a baby Pokemon, it is always going to be scary because they are your responsibility."

"Did you know they were going to do that?" I stepped back.

"No, they just made it known they wanted to speak with you after Dragonite disappeared into the caves. I assume he was telling tales." Lance admitted. "Come on, we've got to get this egg in an incubator before the party."

"No, not an incubator. My body heat will be enough; I'll make a sling and hold the egg as I held the others. They needed the incubators only when I was asleep and at the start for healing, this egg doesn't need that." I stepped closer to Lucario and started walking back out of the home of the dragons. It wouldn't be hard to make a secure sling for this egg, I'd had enough practise.

"I'll get a proper sling and egg carrier for you," Lance promised.

"So… the plan is hide in the corner as much as possible right? And when spotted, we hide behind Dragonite." I questioned as I started unconsciously making circular motions on the egg.

"That sounds like a very complete and reasonable plan," Lance chuckled. "I was just planning on hiding in the corner and hoping to look sullen enough no one would approach."

"Your dragonite is very strong and intimidating, and a lot better to hide behind then in a shadow." I pointed out. "I'd hide behind one of my family, but Dragonite is less likely to um… forceable redirect or accidently set them on fire. And Lucario isn't able to hide the both of us."

"My great coat is good for hiding in," Lance pointed out.

"It also makes you stand out in a crowd. I can tell where you're walking through a room by the sound of your coat moving around you – it makes a swishing sound as it cuts through the air." I informed him.

"Is that how you always knew it was me?" Lance questioned as we stepped out into the sunlight. "No wait, you know it's me when I'm just sat in a chair."

"I… I'll explain that tomorrow when we're not expected somewhere else." I decided. "It's a long conversation."

"You have me for the whole day," Lance promised. "We can talk for as long as you like, about whatever you like."

Once we'd gotten the sling and secured the egg, with Lance watching amazed at the speed I'd managed to turn a large square scarf into a secure sling. I promised to teach him how to do it as well, since his teams typically only grew when one of his team ended up producing young.

With the both of us ready, we headed to the Clan Hall where everyone was waiting for us. Since I'd made the decision that I wanted my family to be with me, Chloe had designed the party to cater to humans and Pokemon so that everyone coming could also bring as many Pokemon with them as they wanted. My family had gone ahead, all but Lucario, so they were waiting for us when we stepped through the door.

I'd been expecting my family to move forward and greet me, but instead of just my family it was all the Pokemon in the hall who moved forward as one to great us. I heard all the humans take in surprised breaths and felt Lance tense beside me as over forty Pokemon – the majority of which were dragons – all moved forward to great me. Lucario moved to the side of the door, where I sensed my family watching but not interfering. I assume that the Pokemon had gotten permission from my family before they approached. With so many Pokemon approaching, and needing to know what was happening, I used my Aura to see and feel the approaching Pokemon and opening my mind in an incorrect for of telepathy which would allow me to understand the vast number of Pokemon without overwhelming myself with that many direct connections.

"Twelve is young for a human," a powerful Goodra spoke first.

"And yet, you are ready to take the world by storm and be the Guardian we know you are." It was Kommo-o who picked up the line from here.

"You won't take up the name, but we know you are an Aura Guardian," Flygon buzzed.

"And we are proud to call you one of us," Alpha Dragonite, Firefang, finished.

"And being one of you is my greatest honour," I approached the far left of the line of dragons. Placing a first hand over my chest, I rested my head briefly against the Bagon before stepping back and removing my hand. I then moved to the next dragon in line and repeated the motion. As I showed this sign of respect to each dragon, they moved back and went to mingle among the confused humans once more.

It took over thirty minutes to see all of the Pokemon before moving to my family. I greeted them as I had greeted the others, but added a hug alongside it as well because I was more personal with them.

"Well, after that I think it's time to mingle with the family and open the buffet." Lance announced. "Someone play the music."

"Are we not going to get an explanation for the oddness of the Pokemon's actions?" Chloe asked baffled.

"They're Pokemon, haven't you realised they have their own subculture. Especially the dragons." I tilted my head at Chloe and very visible raised an eyebrow at her.

"But you understood them and knew what to do." Chloe tone was baffled.

"Dragons, I understand dragons." I raised one hand out to Hydreigon who rested her middle head on my hand and automatically stepped back to stabilise myself from the way that Noivern hunched down and cuddled into me. "Dragons are my family, and so is Ninetales and Lucario. I will always understand them."

With that announcement, the music started.

I managed to hide among my family and the Pokemon for the three hours I was forced to attend the party, before Alpha Dragonite simple picked me up and flew me out of the party with my family following behind – Noivern and Altaria in the air and the rest on the ground. Hydreigon grabbed Lance on her way past since she knew that I wanted to talk with him.

"I feel like I've just been kidnapped," Lance said once he was allowed to stand on his own two feet in the kitchen. "Do you want a cup of tea?"

"I would love one," I patted Hydreigon's head thankfully as I settled on the floor – my back resting against Altaria as the rest of my family settled around me. The egg was the only member of my family who was now small enough to settle in my lap and I missed that comfort. I could still have hugged a neck or head which was resting on my lap, but it wasn't the same.

"Do you want to have that talk now?" Lance past me a cup of tea before settling opposite me on the floor with Dragonite next to him.

"Might as well," I sighed, hesitating before just deciding to blurt it out. "I'm an Aura Adapt, with a high potential being an Aura Guardian. The Pokemon, they all consider me to be a Guardian already – a Guardian at heart and very nearly in strength."

"Aura… that is incredibly rare. There isn't a single known aura user outside of Rota, and all of them are Aura Adapts without the potential of being or becoming more." Lance said shocked. "What does being an Aura Guardian mean? To you? What does it mean for you?"

"I… it means I've got a responsibility to see to the care and wellbeing of Pokemon – wild or otherwise. I'm considered as a protector." I explained as best I could. "I don't know much yet but I've learnt how to telepathically communicate, to create a shield and I'm working on an aura sphere. I can also… I can perceive the world through the life force that surrounds me. The images are not as detailed or clear as true sight, and everything is blue, grey and white but… but it's better than eternal darkness."

"So… you can see?" Lance moved and crouched in front of me.

"Before you let me see you, I didn't know the size of your nose, I couldn't tell the distance between your eyes and I couldn't tell what your hair looked like. I just see a general outline of your body – your hight and the fact that your body is around 16 inches at the shoulders." I explained reaching out an taking the hand that he was moving to place on my shoulder.

"I can tell when you move your hands, because your blue form is no longer a cohesive unit." I smiled. "I've never told anyone else that, and I don't want people to know. Not… not yet."

"I'll keep your secret," Lance promised. "And when you're ready, you have my support in whatever you decide. The tales of Aura Guardians say that their instincts are to be trusted because they can see what everyone else cannot."

"It's not that we can see," I disagreed. "It's that we can hear what the world wants us to know."