The next morning Ulysses got up he took one of his kunai and left the other on the table next to his bed. His eyes were finally looking normal after what happened last night. He quietly opened his room door and closed it, tip toed over to the door leading outside and saw his pokémon in the living room. Dante was sleeping on the couch, Amber and Ally were sleeping next to each other in front of the fire place. Ulysses quietly left and began his walk.
He started thinking to himself, [I hated feeling what I felt the last couple of weeks. It was so pathetic of me to be so caught up in that mess, I should've let bygones be bygones. Instead I just let it get to me like an idiot. My future won't happen on it's own, I have to lead myself in the right direction. Love interests is just a path I won't reach anytime soon, either that or I could choose to be single my whole life. I won't feel any pain like that anymore, but I think I'll leave that to fate. Aside from that what do I want to do with my life? I guess I could take on the league, battling each gym and finally taking on the league, after all I sort of have a team with me. Or do I just want to keep living here? I could choose to go to school but I'm not really sure if I want to do that either. Becoming a professor is another option, I do like helping and studying pokémon. It's so much to think about, I don't know what to do.]
After walking for a bit, he saw Elina sitting in front of a tree holding an oran berry and staring at it.
"Hey Elina. Good morning!" He waved.
She turned to see him, (Oh hey Ulysses, and good morning to you to! I see you're feeling better than last night.)
"Yeah well, it was thanks to you. You helped me realize how dumb I was being. Thank you for that."
(It was nothing, I'm glad I could be of help.) She smiled.
(So what are you doing up so early?)
"I was just going for a morning walk, I woke up before anyone else and quietly left. The morning breeze feels really nice, it helps me think. There isn't as much noise either so that helps to."
(I agree, I love mornings.)
"You wanna come with me for a walk?"
(Yeah sure.) She got up and walked beside Ulysses.
The two of them just walked and talked for a bit.
"I'm not sure if you want to talk about it but do you think I can learn a little bit more about you? Whether it'd be about yourself or your past? I just want to get to know you better."
She just looked at him funny, (I'm not sure what else is there to say besides being looked down upon by my family and my own kind. I did learn at a very young age how cruel the world can be though.)
"Yeah I did to..." He said under his breath.
(What was that?)
"Oh nothing, please continue."
(Uhh ok. Let me think, oh! My favorite tactic to avoid being caught was to use my double team, then launch moonblast from my clones and running away.) She said sounding very proud.
"That's not what I meant." He laughed a little.
(Hmm.. Did you know I was abandoned by my parents when I was still a young ralts?) Elina said not sounding sad about it.
"You don't feel depressed about that?" He said concerned.
(No not really, I am what I am right now because of that.)
"If it means anything, I'm sorry I couldn't meet you sooner. I was a trainer at one point but I gave that up."
(Don't worry about it, what's important is that I know you now.) She smiled.
"You're not gonna ask me about me being a trainer and giving it up?"
(Well when you said that earlier you had it on your mind so I took a look. I'm sorry it went so bad for you.)
"Thanks for th- wait you can see into my mind!?"
(Only the parts you let me see, I don't bother to see the stuff you don't want me to see. I'll only see it when you give me permission.)
"Wow you psychic types really are amazing." He laughed nervously.
"One thing about me is that I use to be a huge pokémon nerd but not so much anymore."
(How so?)
"I could tell you the pokémon, their types, and some facts about them."
(What do you mean by use to?)
"I use to get bullied for it believe it or not, sure some people liked it but it was very few people. The majority of the people thought it was weird. I just wanted to understand pokémon more."
(I think it's cool.)
"You do?"
(Yeah you could probably know more about any species or mine than me.)
Just as they were talking they could hear a little cry off in the distance.
"Wait, what's that? It sounds like.. Someone needs our help, let's go!"
(Right!)
They both ran towards the voice and came upon a dedenne who was weak and laying down.
"What's wrong?"
(It look's like he's been poisoned, Ulysses can you go out and find a pecha berry? I'll stay here and comfort the little guy. My healing can't take the poison away but it'll soothe him. Please hurry!)
"Alright you got it!"
Ulysses ran towards nearby bushes looking for pecha berries, from bush to bush he kept on looking.
[Come on! It has to be here somewhere!] He thought to himself.
Finally he came at a bush full of pecha berries and picked one, he also grabbed an oran berry from another bush and ran back.
"Hey I'm back, I have the berry." He handed the pecha berry to Elina.
(Here you go just take a bite and you'll feel better.) She tried giving it to the little pokémon but it wouldn't eat it.
(Why won't he eat it?) She said worringly.
"Here let me try." Elina handed the berry to Ulysses.
He picked up the dedenne and lightly pet his head and tickled his chin. Ulysses brought the pecha berry near it's mouth and it took a bite.
(Woah how did you do that?!) Elina looked amazed.
"For some reason some pokémon like me, they sometimes just trust me. I don't know why that is."
The dedenne opened its eyes, (Wow thanks you two! I'm really grateful!) It climbed onto Ulysses's head.
"No problem little guy, we're just happy to help."
(Yeah you really had us worried.) Elina said.
"So how did you get poisoned anyways?"
The dedenne looked sad all of a sudden, (I was trying to find my way back home and I bumped into a spewpa. It poisoned me and took off.)
"That sucks. Here eat this, it'll help you regain your strength." He handed the oran berry to dedenne.
(Thanks mister!) The dedenne ate the berry making it cheer up.
"You say your lost? Do you want us to help you find your way back?"
(Would you really?!)
(Of course!) Elina said.
"So where do you live?"
(I live with my family, I think I should live nearby here, I'm small so I couldn't have gone too far don't you think?)
(That's true, I think we should walk around a bit until we find something familiar to you.) Elina agreed.
"Wait can't you dedenne send a little electrical charge to see if you can find any other electric types nearby? Just use that and we might be able to find your family."
(Yes we can, you're smart mister!)
(You really were a pokémon nerd.) Elina laughed a bit.
"Hey I thought you said it was cool!"
(Don't worry I'm only teasing.)
"In any case, lets get going."
They started walking and for awhile, they couldn't find anything familar to dedenne.
"Nothing huh?"
(Sorry mist-) Dedenne suddenly felt a jolt of electricity.
"What's wrong?"
(My family! They're nearby! Over there!) He pointed to their right.
They ran until some dedenne came into view and Ulysses put the little pokémon down.
(Thanks for your help mister and blue gardevoir!)
The dedenne ran back to his family and they all waved at them.
"No problem!"
(We're just happy to help!)
At that moment Elina began to trust him more and thought to herself, [Wow he really is a nice guy. He helped the little dedenne get better and took him home. He's different from everyone.]
Ulysses turned to Elina noticing she was looking at him, "Something on your mind?"
(Huh? Oh, no nothing really. Let's continue our walk.) She said going on ahead.
Ulysses caught up with her, "By the way, when we met, you used a thunder punch. I thought gardevoir's mainly used special attacks, not physical ones. How come you know a physical move?"
(Oh that? Well sometimes I just like to punch enemies personally, I let off more steam that way. Wanna see me use one on that boulder?) She pointed to a nearby boulder that was large in size.
"Yeah sure."
Elina walked over to the boulder, closed her eyes and let electricity run through her arms. Her hands being covered in electricity, she punched the boulder at minimal force, but still breaking it into little pieces.
Ulysses stared and was a little scared, "Wow uh, I'm lucky you didn't use your full power on me huh?"
(Don't worry, I would never punch you that hard mast- I mean Ulysses.) She floated back to his side.
(Sorry about that, I guess your name slipped my mind and I almost called you master.) She apologized.
"You can call me master if you want, when Amber and Ally first called me master, I thought it was weird at first but it grew on me. Dante prefers to call me by my name though." He thought about them.
(You're really not bothered by it if I call you master?)
"No not really, the only thing about it that bothers me is the thought about master and servant. Sometimes I forget that you guys are pokémon, I think of Dante as my very best friend who I can really trust. Amber and Ally on the other hand, I think of them as reckless little sisters but I still trust them. I'm not sure about our relationship yet. We haven't been together very long after all."
(Oh ok, master..) Elina got slightly embarassed.
He put his hand on her head and smiled.
Ulysses suddenly remembered the kunai he took while thinking of his pokémon back home, "Ah damn it."
(Is something the matter?)
"I just remembered that the last my friends saw me, I was really depressed and I left very early in the morning taking this kunai. I'm worried that they'll think of the worst when they see I'm not in my room with one of my kunai missing." He brought out his kunai showing it to Elina.
(Oh so that's how you blocked my psyshock? You might wanna get back home soon then so they can see that you're ok.)
"Yeah you're right, wait psyshock?" At that moment another voice could be heard calling out to them.
"Anyone there! I heard a rock smashing and came by to check!" It was a boy and he came into view.
"Yeah sorry that was us." Ulysses said to the boy.
The boy noticed Elina and was staring at her. Elina got behind Ulysses grabbing onto his arm, "Uh sorry to ask but can you stop staring at my gardevoir?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. Anyways I was wondering if you wanted to have a battle?"
"A battle?"
"Yeah a pokémon battle, a one on one battle to be exact. My name is Zack, I'm 12 years old taking on the Kalos league! I'm from Ula'Ula island in the Alola region!"
"The Alola region huh? That's pretty cool. My name is Ulysses, I'm 16 and I'm from Lumiose city."
[You sure about this? We haven't battled together yet and I'm pretty sure you haven't had a proper battle in a long time.] Elina used telepathy to talk to Ulysses.
[I know but I think this'll be a good experience for us.] Ulysses replied.
[If you say so.] Elina wasn't feeling as confident as he was.
"I'm ready whenever you are Zack."
They walked into a clearing in the forest and separated from each other to have room for the battle.
"I take it you're gonna use your gardevoir? So I'll use this pokémon. Come on out Salazzle!" Zack threw his pokéball forward and it released a bipedal purple like lizard.
(I'm ready for this battle master!) The salazzle said as she got ready.
"A salazzle? Ok from what I remember it's a poison and fire type. You ready Elina?"
(Yeah I am.) Elina got ready to battle to.
"You can have the first move Zack."
"Really? Thanks, salazzle let's start off with a fire lash!"
The salazzle ran forward on all four's, jumping and flipping with fire covering it's tail.
"Dodge it Elina!"
She nodded and quickly moved making it hit the floor.
"Elina, use double team and follow it up with a thunder punch!"
Multiple clones started to appear from the blue gardevoir and jumped towards salazzle trying to punch her.
"A physical move? Gardevoir aren't very good at th- what!?" Zack exclaimed.
One of Elina's punches landed on the salazzle making her jump back and taking some damage.
"I didn't expect this gardevoir to be good at physical moves." Zack was starting to be cautious.
"Salazzle, use venoshock and follow gardevoir, then use fire lash!"
Salazzle launched a venoshock towards Elina making her jump, salazzle followed her and since she was in the air, couldn't move out of the way and got hit.
"Impressive thinking Zack, I gotta say." Ulysses coplimented.
"Thanks, the kahuna of my island helped me train. Salazzle use flamethrower!"
"Elina jump and use moonblast!"
The lizard pokémon used it's flamethrower towards Elina while she used a moonblast causing an explosion covering the area in smoke. When Elina reached the ground Zack without thinking commanded his pokémon.
"Salazzle use dragon pulse!" Salazzle launched a dragon like beam towards the blue gardevoir.
"Elina run towards salazzle!"
The beam was about hit Elina, "Don't stop! Keep on running and use thunder punch!"
The beam hit her but was having no affect on her. Electricity formed on Elina's hands and she was getting closer to salazzle.
"Oh no, I forgot gardevoir is also a fairy type! Salazzle move!" It was too late, Elina hit salazzle launching her backwards. She fainted making Ulysses and Elina the victors of this battle.
(Wow we actually won!) Elina was genuinely surprised.
"You doubted me?" He teased her. Ulysses walked with Elina to Zack who was sitting down while holding his salazzle.
"Your gardevoir is strong Ulysses, I've never seen anything like it."
"Thanks. That was a great battle Zack, to be honest it's been a really long time since I last battled anyone."
"Really? But you two seemed really in sync, like you've battled plenty of times before." Elina and Ulysses looked at each other before looking back at Zack.
The salazzle woke up, (I'm sorry master, I couldn't win this one.)
"It's ok, don't worry. Save your strength, we'll win next time for sure." Zack petted his pokémon making her smile.
"You can understand your pokémon?" Ulysses asked.
"Well not exactly but I have a pretty good idea of what she's saying. Salazzle here has been my partner for as long as I can remember, I met her when she was a lost little salandit. I got caught up in that battle being so fun, I completely forgot gardevoir are also fairy types."
"It's ok we all make mistakes sometimes." Ulysses said helping Zack get up with his salazzle.
"True that." He put salazzle back into her pokéball.
"By the way, I was only staring at your gardevoir because I thought it looked pretty cool." Elina hid behind Ulysses again.
"I take it she's not used to other people?" Zack asked.
"You may be right about that." Ulysses looked back at Elina.
"Well anyways I'm gonna head out, you should think about joining the league. I haven't seen your other pokémon but it looks like you could have a pretty good chance at winning." He shook hands with Ulysses and walked away.
He thought to himself for a moment, [Join the league huh? That would mean going back to being a trainer and obtaining every gym badge in the Kalos region, I'll think about it.]
(Master? We should get going.) Elina waved her hand infront of Ulysses.
"Oh, right. Let's go."
(Sometimes you worry me you know that?)
They started to walk back the way they came.
[Honestly, I had my doubts about battling with Elina but something was telling me it was gonna be alright. It was like we had a certain connection, different from the connection I have with the others. I think I'll ask her about it.] He turned to look towards her.
"Hey Elina?"
(Hm?)
"In that battle, did you feel-?"
(A connection? You felt it to huh? I thought it was just me. If you ask me, I have no idea what that meant but it might help us get stronger. It's like I knew what you were planning before it happened. It could be like how Ally feels when she's with you, you know with her aura and all, try battling with her next time and ask her if she felt anything.)
"I'll be sure to do that."
After another couple minutes of walking and talking, Ulysses suddenly became quiet and stopped walking. Elina stopped and looked at him, he was staring ahead with angry cold dead eyes. Elina never thought she would see him with those eyes, she looked up ahead and saw a guy walking towards them.
(Who is that guy master?)
"The reason for me being depressed." He said in a tone that didn't have emotion to it.
She turned back to the guy and gave an angry look. (You bastard!)
"Oh hey I remember you, you're that punk who gave my girl that sob story and humiliated me infront of her. I'm gonna kick your ass this time, I won't spare your life if you're wondering."
The guy took out two knives this time and charged at ulysses. He quickly took out his kunai, acted like he was gonna stab the guy's arm but instead just kicked his knee making him drop his knives and him holding his knee. Ulysses grabbed the guy and held his kunai next to his throat.
"Oh I don't think you'll be able to beat me kid, you see I saw you before hand and plotted something. You wanna take a look at your blue gardevoir?" The guy pointed to Elina.
Ulysses looked over and saw a zoroark holding her in a choke hold from behind and Elina trying to get out of it. Ulysses was getting angry.
"Maybe I'll tell my zoroark to kill her, you're precious gardevoir." He laughed and the zoroark was holding Elina tighter.
"You bitch!" Ulysses snapped and threw his kunai to the zoroark making him let go of Elina. The kunai stuck into the tree behind them. The guy hit Ulysses with his elbow and he let go of him.
Elina being free used double team, out sped the zoroark and used moonblast, hitting him and fainted. The guy picked up his knives.
"You're at a disadvantage now, you don't have anything to defend yourself now."
Ulysses not saying anything and let him charge toward him again. He moved away, grabbed his right arm and twisted his wrist. Ulysses grabbed the knife and pushed the guy away. He looked at the knife he grabbed and threw it away. This time the guy got really angry and swung repeatedly at Ulysses while running at him. Ulysses was just moving backwards and the guy managed to cut his face twice.
"I think it's time to stop playing around now." Ulysses got into a fighting stance.
The guy just ran toward him getting ready to swing another time, but Ulysses grabbed his arm, put it behind the guys back making him drop his knife, and tripped him with Ulysses on top of him.
"Don't ever come back." He said but the guy wouldn't respond.
Ulysses moved his arm upwards making him scream in pain.
"Alright fine!" He got off the guy and he put his fainted zoroark back in his pokéball and left.
Ulysses went and grabbed both of the guys knives, "What should we do with these?"
(I could break them into pieces with my psychic power.)
"Ok yeah."
Elina closed her eyes picking up the knives with a purple aura and smashed them into bits. Ulysses walked over to get his kunai out of the tree it stuck to earlier. Elina noticed it went in pretty deep.
(Master?)
"Yeah?"
(Why would you go as far as to basically throw away the only weapon to defend yourself with to save me?) She asked.
Ulysses looked at Elina, "My friends are very dear to me so I tend to think about their safety before my own."
(Am I really that important to you?)
"Yeah you are."
Elina turned her head away from him slightly blushing, (You're an idiot.)
He just laughed, "Yeah I know."
She put her hand on his cheek, "Uh what are you doing?"
(Shut up and let me do this.)
"Ok then." He felt a soothing sensation from her hand, she removed her hand from his cheek and the cuts were gone.
"Wow thanks!"
(No problem.) She opened her eyes and smiled.
They walked back and were near the cabin when they could hear Amber's voice, it sounded like she was crying.
(Master please don't do it! We care for you! We want to help you!)
Ally was also crying but Dante was trying to comfort her.
Ulysses walked behind them, "What are you guys talking about?"
Amber and Ally turned towards him and ran to Ulysses tackling and hugging him.
(Oh thank arceus! Don't ever scare us like that again!) Ally was sobbing into his shirt.
(When we knocked your door and you weren't answering, we walked into your room and didn't see you. Dante said you bought 2 kunai and one was missing. We were thinking you were gonna do something horrible to yourself! But that wasn't the case and we're happy you came back unharmed!) Amber also was sobbing into his shirt.
Dante walked over to them, (I knew you weren't going to do something so horrible, I still sensed your presence in the forest but these two kept on saying that you were gonna try something.)
"Thanks for having faith in me Dante. As for these two, thanks for worrying about me." He pet their heads.
"I'm sorry for being such a dumb inconsiderate piece of garbage. Can you guys forgive me?"
Amber and Ally were still crying and grabbing his shirt.
(I think that means yes.) Dante laughed a bit.
"Alright lets go back inside you two." Ulysses held onto the two of them and walked to the door.
"Thanks for everything Elina! I'll see you later!"
(I'm just happy they didn't give up on you, I'll see you later to!) Elina floated away and left.
"Ok you guys I'm really flattered you care about me so much but can you let go of me now?"
(Promise us that you won't ever try to off yourself. You really scared us you know.) Amber wasn't crying anymore but was still holding onto his shirt.
"I just went out for a nice morning walk, but yeah I promise I won't ever do that, besides I have you guys to help me if I'm ever in trouble. Ally I don't understand why you're like this, can't you still sense my aura even if I'm away?"
(Yeah but there were times where your aura changed emotions, worry, fear, and just utter anger, like you were really angry. Thats when I was really worried.)
"Oh uh, I can explain, first I ran into a poisoned dedenne but me and Elina helped it get better. Second, Elina punched a rock and it broke into pieces, needless to say I got scared of that. As for the anger, I uh, had a run in with that guy who was with Nicole. I beat the crap out of him so I don't think he'll be coming back here."
(We're just happy you're ok.) Amber then let go of his shirt.
"Ally, you want to let go to?"
(No.)
"Don't make me do this please."
(Do what?)
Ulysses grabbed Ally and carried her, "Up we go!"
Ally got really embarrassed and kicked his face, launching him back, hitting the wall behind him.
(Ah! I'm so sorry!) She ran to help him get up.
"No that was my fault sorry." He had his hand on his head while getting up.
Amber and Dante just stood there and laughed.
"Oh that reminds me, Amber? Ally? Do you two want to learn a new move?"
(It's been awhile since I last learned a move, I would love to!) Ally was filled with determination.
(Heck yea!) Amber was excited.
"Let's go back outside, I totally forgot, I wanted Elina to be here to train with Amber."
(Why? She can teach me something?) Amber questioned.
"Yeah she knows psyshock, and if I remember correctly, braixen can also learn that move."
(Psyshock? It sounds like it might be useful.)
(What about me master?)
"Ally, I have two moves in mind that you can learn, but I'll let you choose which you want to learn first, extreme speed or force palm?"
(Why those two specifically?)
"Extreme speed to me is basically an over-powered version of quick attack and you already know that right? As for force palm, it's ideal for lucario to learn, so is aura sphere but I think you should take your time in learning these things. Which would you like to learn first?"
(Can we try it in the order you said it?)
"Sure." Ulysses agreed.
(Wait so should I call Elina or?) Amber asked.
"I'm not sure if we would be bothering her though. Dante can you help her out a bit? I know you don't know psyshock but you're still a psychic type right?"
(I don't mind. Come on Amber, let's get to learning.) Dante motioned to Amber to follow him.
(Coming!) Amber followed Dante to their usual training place.
"Ok Ally, let's go to."
Ally and Ulysses also went to their usual training place.
(What do we do first?)
"I was thinking you can try and use quick attack but try and go faster. Each time you go faster just keep going until I can barely see you."
(Alright I'll try, but what do I aim for?)
"I was thinking you can go in circles, or maybe bounce off of things around us."
(Ok, here I go.)
Ally used a quick attack at normal speed. She started to bounce off of trees and rocks.
"Alright now try to go faster!"
(I don't know if I can!)
"Just imagine your legs are springs while bouncing off of objects!"
(Oh well thats an easy representation!) She sarcastically said.
Ally then imagined her legs being springs and jumping off objects and she was actually going faster as time went on.
(Hey this is actually working!)
"See I told you! Now keep it up!"
She nodded in confirmation and was beginning to go really fast now.
"I knew this would be easy for you!"
(Uh, how do I stop? I don't want to hit a rock or something!)
"Aw man I forgot you guys actually need targets to hit. You're a steel type right? Just hit the rock!"
(I may be a steel type but I can still feel pain!)
Ulysses knew what he had to do and wasn't looking forward to it.
"I think I know what you could do but I'm not gonna like it!"
(What?)
"You did it earlier!"
(Tackle you!? Are you crazy!?)
"Well yeah but not really! Just jump into the air and I'll catch you!"
(Ok, it's worth a try!)
After Ally bounced off a tree, she headed towards the sky and let gravity push her down. Ulysses was trying to get into position to catch her. She started falling and he kept her in view.
"Don't worry I got you! I got you!" He caught her but he felt as if his arms and legs went numb so he dropped sitting down.
"That actually hurt." He said with a painful face.
(Sorry about that.)
"It's ok. It's ok. Now try to start off with a faster quick attack toward that tree, it shouldn't hurt that much right?"
(Yeah it shouldn't.) She got into position and sprang toward the tree.
"Nice! You looked like you were even faster. Can you go for another one?"
(I sure can.)
Ally continued to do the same thing and occasionally switching targets. The sun was starting to set and Ulysses thought they should stop for the day.
"Hey Ally? I think we should call it a day."
(I think you're right.) She said out of breath.
"Even though it didn't look like much, you still went faster than before."
(I felt faster too.)
They walked back and saw Amber and Dante waiting in front of the house, Amber was looking a bit sad.
"What's wrong?"
(Amber is just having a hard time trying to get the move down.) Dante was trying to console her by rubbing her back.
(I don't understand, I can use psychic like abilities, but I can't learn psychic type moves?)
"You can learn it, trust me. It's just that since you're not part psychic, it'll be a bit more difficult for you. Give it time and you'll be able to learn it."
(I don't know.) Amber took out the everstone she has been holding in her tail and was looking at it.
"What are you doing with that?"
(I want to stay a braixen but if I throw this away and evolve into a delphox, I'll be able to learn psychic type moves more faster.)
Ulysses went and sat next to her, (Listen, I like you as a braixen, but if you want to evolve, then I have no say in it. I'll still support you. I just think you should atleast put in a bit more effort before you make that decision.)
She thought for a bit and stood up, (Ok, I'll try and work harder!)
"That's the spirit! Let's head inside and I'll cook us all a meal!"
When the pokémon walked inside Ulysses heard a voice in his head before he got inside.
[Nice job on helping her reach a decision.] Elina complimented.
[Elina? Is that you?]
[Yeah it's me, I got here around the same time that Dante and Amber did.]
[Since your here wanna head inside with us and eat? I'm cooking.] Ulysses said.
[Thanks for the offer but I'll have to decline, I'm sorry.] She apologized.
[No worries, I know you're busy so just keep doing what you're doing.]
[Maybe next time.] Elina suggested.
[Definitely.]
Ulysses walked inside and cooked a meal for them that was the best in a long time. Everyone there had a great time and slept early after that. The next morning, Ulysses got up early to go to the professor's lab. He went to wake up Amber to tell her where he was going.
"Amber, wake up." He shook her to wake her up.
Rubbing one of her eyes and yawning, she said, (Yeah? Whats going on?)
"I'm going to the professor's lab in a bit, so when the others wake up, tell them where I went ok?"
(Ok sure.) She nodded off and went back to sleep.
"Of course." He laughed a bit.
He left and walked to Lumiose, on the way Elina happened to contact him, [Good morning, where are you headed off to so early in the morning?]
[Good morning to you to, I was just headed to the professor's lab. I wanted to ask him a question I had.]
[Ok, be safe.] She was just trying to look out for him now.
[Thanks you to.] He continued to walk until a thought came to him.
"Aw man, what if I see 'them' again? I'll just ignore them I guess." The thought about seeing that guy or Nicole sort of scared and embarrassed him now, rather than getting angry at them. He really did get over that whole event.
Luckily he didn't see them on the way there. Ulysses walked into the lab only seeing some lab assistants working but it looked like they were researching something at a fast pace, like they were trying to find information for something.
"I guess thats to be expected, it is morning and not many people are here." He walked to the professor's room and entered.
"Yo, professor I had a quick question if you can answer it."
"Oh Ulysses, hang on I'm just trying to find a few things." The professor was going around the room trying to look for something also.
"Yeah I noticed everyone was in such a rush to find something, what's going on?"
"Well, we received a mysterious package from an anonymous person with a letter in it. When I opened it I couldn't believe what I saw, I've only ever heard stories and rumors but this can't be possible."
"Can I see this letter?" Ulysses asked.
"It's on the table." He pointed towards it.
Ulysses read it, "It says, hello there, in this package is a certain item said to be able to capture ANY pokémon without fail, even legendary pokémon. I sent it to you because I know you've done atleast some research on this sort of thing. I don't want it in my possession simply because I think it could corrupt me. After you're able to do your research, please keep it safe and don't let it fall to the wrong hands. I believe a certain group of people have been watching me, following me, tracking my every move. This thing has brought me nothing but trouble. If you choose to get rid of it, I won't blame you but please give it to someone you really trust. I can not imagine what would happen if it were in the possession of some really bad people."
He kept on reading the letter over and over again thinking it might be some kind of prank.
"An item said to be able to capture any pokémon without fail? I don't believe it."
"It's true. At first I thought it was a prank to but I looked at it and analyzed it a bit. It's the real thing, everyone here is trying to find research we did a few years back on the item. You had a question you wanted to ask?" The professor was still trying to look for the info.
"Oh yeah, so I know that gardevoir can mega evolve but what if it's a different color?" Ulysses asked.
"Different color? I think I know what you mean. We haven't done much research on it but there were tales of different colored pokémon mega evolving. Apparently they have a whole different color scheme, truly a sight to behold. Why do you ask?"
"The other day when I was here I caught a gardevoir when I came back home, and it's also a different color. Green replaced with blue and her chest spike is orange instead of red."
"That's fantastic! May I meet her some day?" The professor sounded amazed.
"Yeah I think I could get her to come out here."
"Splendid!"
"Thanks professor, thats all I wanted to know." He was about to leave when the professor asked him a question.
"May I ask a favor from you? It's a massive request and you're the only one I can trust with this."
"Sure I'll hear you out." Ulysses turned back around to him.
"As you can see we are all very busy at the moment and probably will be for a long time. You also read in the letter that a certain group of people are looking for this item, they're bad news. I want you to deliver this item to a friend of mine in Snowbelle city, he specializes in this research more than I. I just want you to deliver it and bring it back. With the importance of this item, I can't trust simple mail or random couriers. It might get intercepted along the way."
Ulysses thought for a moment and gave a quick answer, "Sure ok."
"Please your the only one I can tru- wait did you say you would?! But I said you would have to travel to Snowbelle city, not to mention that there are bad people looking for this." The professor couldn't believe what he heard.
"I may not look it but I can defend myself pretty well on my own, and there were some events that happened to me recently and I think this trip will help me take my mind off it. I also think it'll help me decide what I want to do for my future."
The professor went to grab a backpack to give to Ulysses, "Here take this, and here's the item, keep it safe."
He handed a strange pokéball that was purple instead of red and had two pink bumps on it with an M on the middle. Ulysses pressed the button on the middle and it shrunk. He thought it looked wierd and put it into a pocket in the bag.
"Ulysses, do you still have the pokedex I sent you with the pokéballs?"
"This one right?" He took out a pokedex from his back pocket and handed it to the professor.
He grabbed a smartphone looking pokédex and transfered the info from the original pokédex to the new one.
"Hmm. So you've registered some pokémon? Lets see, braixen, lucario, eevee, gallade, oh so that's the different colored gardevoir? The rest I assume is wild pokémon you've seen. Here you go, you can make calls on this one and I've already put my contact info in it. You might want to visit your parents and get their contact info also. Just remember, if at any point you don't feel safe on this trip, call me, then make your way back and I will completely understand, I won't think any less of you." He handed the new pokédex to Ulysses.
"Thank you, I'll be sure to get my parents contact info. I'll leave in about two days, I have a feeling my friends won't want me to go by myself, let alone let me go." Ulysses knew it might be difficult for his friends to agree.
"Have a safe trip Ulysses!" The professor said his goodbye.
"I'll be sure to report to you when I reach Snowbelle city." Ulysses left and headed to his parents place.
He was going to enter the building when his mom saw him about to go inside.
"Ulysses is that you?"
He turned around, "Mom? I was just going to go inside and greet you guys. What are you doing?"
"Oh me and Sylphy here were out shopping for groceries, she's such a delight to have around! Thanks for letting her stay here Ulysses!"
"Sylphy?"
(Yes master my name is now Sylphy! Your mom renamed me I hope that's ok, I love the name!)
"Of course it's ok! I just regret not thinking of a name for you before, sorry about that."
(It's ok, really!)
His mom was looking at him weird, "Uh Ulysses? Why are you acting like you're having a conversation with a pokémon?"
"Oh, sorry mom I guess I never told you. I actually can understand pokémon."
"Can you now? Alright then ask her what we had for dinner yesterday." His mom was a bit skeptical but for good reason.
"Sylphy?"
(We had Lumiose galletes because your mom forgot to go get groceries.)
He laughed a bit, "You had lumiose galletes because you forgot to get groceries? Huh, I think I get my forgetfulness from you."
"Wow that's really cool Ulysses! I guess you can understand pokémon."
"By the way I came by because I wanted to get your home phone number, the professor gave me a new pokédex that can make calls." He handed his pokédex to his mom.
"Really? That's so nice of him! You know your father use to be good friends with him. It's not that they don't spend time with each other anymore because they don't want to. It's because of the differences in their careers, they rarely have any time off at the same time. There you go! Now you can call us anytime you want or we can call you." She handed it back to him.
"Sylphy, it might be awhile before I can visit again. I have to go on a trip and it might take a while for me to come back."
(That's ok. You have a nice and safe trip!) Sylphy smiled at him.
"You're going on a trip?" His mom sounded worried.
"Yeah but I promise I won't do anything rash. I'll come home in one piece."
"Ok, please be safe." She hugged him and went into her building with Sylphy.
[Alright and now comes the hard part, convincing my pokémon.] He already knew it might be difficult.
He walked into the forest where he lives and heard Elina contact him.
[Master, it's about time.]
[What's wrong Elina?]
[Someone has been poking around the area where you live, The others don't know yet, I thought you should be the first to know.]
[Do you know who it is?] He started to walk faster.
[No I wanted to stay concealed, it didn't look like they wanted to do any harm.]
[Ok, thanks for the heads up.] His walking turned to running.
[Wait, now I feel two presences, they just split up. I think they're looking for something.. No, someone. It's strange, I don't feel any hostility from them.]
[Thanks, do you mind telling me if any get close?]
[Sure, no problem.] Elina was still keeping track of the two.
When he got near his home, he felt as if someone was watching him. Elina contacted him again.
[Master, stand still and do what I'm about to say.]
[Ok, Elina I'm trusting you.] He followed what she said.
[Turn towards the tree with the broken branch. Now look up, one of them is up there. It doesn't feel hostile but still be careful.]
[Thanks, I can handle it from here.]
Ulysses walked around a tree so that the thing watching him would lose sight of him. He climbed it and quietly moved from tree to tree. Seeing a figure he quickly tackled it making them both fall from the tree.
"Who are you and wha- a salazzle? Wait aren't you Zack's pokémon?" He got up and helped the salazzle get up.
(Yes I am, sorry for scaring you but my master wanted to find you. He found a cabin and assumed you lived there.) She explained.
"It's ok and yes I do live in that cabin, what does Zack want from me?"
(You can understand me?)
"Yeah I can understand pokémon, now about Zack?"
(Right, he wanted to know if he can get some fighting tips, the battle we had really inspired him. Since then he has been thinking non stop. Would mind helping him?)
"Sure why not?"
[Elina it's ok, it's just Zack and his salazzle. Do you know where Zack is?]
[He's near your home.]
[Thanks again.]
"Let's head to my cabin, Zack is around there."
(Alright.)
They got near the cabin and salazzle heard Zack walking nearby.
"Oh salazzle! You found him!"
"Uh it was more like I found her." Ulysses said.
"Thanks for your help salazzle. You did great." Zack returned his pokémon to her pokéball.
"You needed me Zack?"
"Yeah, ever since our battle, you've inspired me to keep on working harder. I wanted to ask you for any training tips if you don't mind?"
They walked to the cabin porch and sat down.
Ulysses thought for a moment, "Hmm, the most important thing to remember is that pokémon aren't just objects. They have feelings to, if you feel anything, they're more than likely able to pick up on that and they'll start to worry. Let's say if you're backed into a corner in battling and you're getting scared. Your pokémon can sense that and they'll start to lose focus. Always keep a cool head and you should be fine. As for battling, sure type advantages may matter but strategy and quick thinking should get you a win despite type advantages. In some cases you'll need to think outside the box, this falls into the category of strategy. Let's say hmm... I think it'll be better to show you."
"Show me?"
"Yeah, let me go get my two other pokémon, I'll be right back." Ulysses went inside to get Amber and Ally. They walked outside and greeted each other.
"Amber, Ally, this is Zack. I've battled him before and I'm helping him by giving him some tips."
(Hi zack!) Amber waved at him.
(Hey zack!) Ally nodded to him.
"Woah you have a lucario and a braixen to?" Zack looked surprised.
"I also have a gallade but he's inside meditating."
"Are you serious?! I'm sorta jealous."
"Amber, can you stand infront of the house, Ally can you go to opposite side of her?" They both nodded and went to their places.
"Zack, as you can see, Ally is at a type disadvantage but that doesn't mean she'll always lose, watch." Ulysses walked over to Ally and stood behind her.
Zack was watching them carefully.
"Amber can you use a fire blast?" Amber got ready and launched a fire blast towards Ally.
"Ally use bone rush and hit the ground as hard you can!" She hit the ground making a whole bunch of dirt jump up and taking in the fire blast making it diminish.
"Something like that, you can use your environment to your advantage."
"Woah, I never would've thought to do something like that. I have alot to learn that's for sure." Zack was looking really focused on the battling.
Ulysses, Ally and Amber walked back to Zack.
"Just trust in your pokémon and they'll trust you. You guys can go back inside, thanks for helping me." He petted the two and they went back inside.
"Do you understand what I'm saying?"
"Yeah, thanks for the tips. Can I come back sometime to battle again?"
"I'm not sure about anytime soon, I'll be going on a trip and won't be back for awhile. When I'm back, you can come by anytime!"
"Thanks! I'll be using this time to train and next time, I'll win for sure!" Zack looked really excited and left.
[And now, time to tell them.] Ulysses opened the door and called everyone to talk.