-Terry POV, FP-

"Come out, Angel, you can't hide in that pack all day!" I sigh.

Alex chuckles. "Let her stay in there, Terry. Stop being mean."

We are on the edge of Striaton City, where we are resting. I'm in the process of trying to get Angel to come out of the modified traveling backpack I made for her. I know she is afraid of crowds, but there aren't many people about and it would be good practice. She unzips the pack a little, and I can see her light blue hair, along with an orange eye and pale white skin of her face. She seems panic stricken.

Before she can protest, I speak up. "You did great this morning in the Pokemon center in Accumula! It was packed, and you held your head high. The streets offer much more room and there aren't even half the amount of people around…" I sigh as she closes the bag again. Through our bond, I probe her mind.

I never invade her thoughts like this, but I needed to know the full story. Her thoughts flowed over me like waves, and I could pluck each one down as I needed. I saw the earlier morning through Angels eyes, sense her terror as she finds no love from anyone except the officers, Katie Winters, and her friends. She almost shut down our bond so I wouldn't know how scared she was… I feel her become aware of my mental presence, before a wave of energy lashes out from the pack, pushing me to the ground. I'm stunned.

I watch as Angel opens the bag, tears rolling down her face. She runs off, stopping behind a boulder about 50 feet away. I get to my feet. Alex is watching me, shocked. I don't meet his eyes. I mentally scan around for any presence near us, and find none.

"Tell the officers that Angel is distressed and I am dealing with it. There is no one near us. Afterwards, head to the Pokemon center and get us a room. I'll meet you there." My voice comes out strained.

Without waiting for a reply, I slowly grab the bag and walk to the rocks. "Can I talk to you? I ask quietly, not looking over out of respect. She hesitates for a moment, then agrees.

She's leaning against the rock, tears falling freely down her face. I settle down next to her, waiting for her to climb into my arms. We both know that Physical Reassurance would help with this, and sure enough, moments later she lays against my chest. I don't know how long we stay like that, but it's dusk when she finally speaks.

"I wanted to be strong, but I couldn't do it. So I hid…" I tighten my hold on her slightly, my other hand brushes a tear from her cheek.

"I know. Don't worry, we will work on it." I bring the bag over and without another word she climbs in, zipping it up around herself.

I walk back to the city, spotting the Pokemon center right away. As I come in, Nurse Joy looks up and nods to me. "Your friend, Alex, told me what happened. I planned to call the police if you didn't appear by midnight, although he told me not to worry. He's in room 12, on the upper floor near the back." I wave a hand in understanding and climb the stairs without a word.

Alex is standing outside the door when I get there. I start to talk, but he interrupts. "Don't explain. Just sleep. You look dead on your feet." I nod and walk in, he closes and locks the door after me. Angel is still awake, so I unzip the bag, then take off my shoes and shirt. I don't bother with my sweat pants, as I pull Angel gently out of the bag, along with a blanket. We lay on the unoccupied bed in the same position. Our bond cycles as she closes her eyes.

I absentmindedly stroke her hair while I think about our day. It's the first time she ever, in full awareness, struck me. The other time, I scared the shit out of her as a prank, she just didn't look before blasting. Her breath becomes deeper and rhythmic as she goes into sleep. After what feels like a long time, I do as well.

I wake up to Alex shaking my shoulder. He has an apologetic look on his face as he speaks. "Sorry about waking you, but the Striaton City Gym Leaders are here, if you want to challenge them now would be a great time, and they can deal with anyone that tries to make trouble." I nod slowly, then silently get up. Angel still on my chest, asleep.

"We'll be down in a few minutes. I need to talk to her…" Alex puts a hand on my shoulder, then heads down to the lobby, Nicky at his heels. Sitting back on the bed, I stroke Angel's hair, and after a few minutes she wakes up.

I speak first. "I take full blame for what happened last night. You had each and every right to do what you did, I was invading your privacy and while I had good reason, doing that without your permission was a sign of deepest disrespect. I'm sorry."

She nods, then gets out of my arms and starts stretching on the bed. She doesn't respond until she finishes, which takes several minutes. "I forgive you. Although, I should have wised up and told you what really went on there. I am sorry." I nod, letting the matter drop.

"Alex and Nicky are downstairs already. Apparently the gym leaders, leaders with an "s," are there, too. I think we should challenge them today. What about you? Wanna put that training to the test?"

Her determination flows through our bond like a tidal wave. "I know this sounds silly, but I don't want to go down in the backpack." I understand that she wants to look strong, but give her another offer.

"I could carry you. If you want. People will get a clear message that you can't be touched, and you could stand on my arms if you like." She nods at this, grateful that she doesn't have to be as high as last time, where everyone could see her.

We walk down, and in the shadow of the hallway exit, I hook my arms in a sort of monk fashion, gripping my elbows. Angel sits on my arms, with her legs dangling below her. We take a deep breath together, then walk in.

The center is surprisingly quiet, although there are many people around. I spot Alex talking to three people in waiters cloths, each with a prime color for their hair, and start heading over. Eyes begin turning our way, and I feel Angel stiffen. "Calm down, you're ruining your content look… See, they aren't coming closer." I whisper down at her. She relaxes, but closes her eyes. I don't stop her. If that's what it takes, that's fine. Alex sees me behind the waitresses.

"Hey, Terry, morning Angel. Meet the gym leaders, Chili, Cress, and their leader, Cilan. They specialize in Fire, Water, and Grass types, respectively." I'm a bit stunned as they turn around, eyes widening a bit at the sight of Angel.

"It's nice to meet you," I say hesitantly. "I would shake your hands but I'm a bit preoccupied. This is Angel, my partner."

Cilan shoots his brothers a quick look before replying. "It's nice to meet you. Let's sit down, shall we? The attention isn't doing her much good. Yeah, I can tell she's shy, I've spent enough time around pokemon to know that much," he adds at my surprised look. We sit at a nearby table.

"How does the gym work?" I ask. "Best two out of three?"

Cress responds."Usually, yes. Some choose to only take the badge if they beat all of us, it's their choice."

I nod firmly. "All three sounds great to me, when do we start?"

Chili speaks up. "We could head to the gym, or do it outside. We tend to stick to one challenge a day, give the pokemon a chance to rest. Shall we?"

We all stand and head out. Once outside, Cilan cups his hands together and yells, "Clear the square! We're starting a battle!" The effect is immediate, all the people move to the edge of the wide town center, leaving a large, square shaped area of play. A tree stands in the center, but other than that, the whole area is flat with paved cobbles.

Bullshit, not flat. I think. It's not flat but almost, the cobbles forming the slightest uneven floor. Cilan stands on the opposite side of the makeshift arena, with Chili and Cress on either side.

"Who first, then?" Chili shouts at me. I mentally ask Angel her opinion.

"How about all three at once?" She asks, determination easily visible in her eyes.

She's cocky, I'll give her that. I think. "I dunno. Would they even allow that? If they would, than what the hell, why not. We can show them how strong you are." I turn my gaze back to the trio. "How about we make this interesting? A three on one sounds great to us." The crowd looks shocked by our boldness, but to his credit, Cilan smiles.

"I thought you were ballsy, and I'm glad to say I was right. Cress? Chili? Let's show them what they're up against. Come on out!" They each throw a pokeball, and suddenly a Panpour, Pansage, and Pansear join us on the battlefield. I get a pokedex reading on each.

I speak up. "We're ready when you are!" A ref appears from the crowd, a red and green flag in each hand.

"The battle between Striaton City Gym Leaders Cress, Chili, and Cilan vs. Terry Collins, the challenger, is about to begin! This will be a three on one battle as requested by the challengers. There will be no substitutions, and the fight is over when one side is unable to battle. Battle, begin!"

"Use ember!" Chili shouts. Pansear lets loose a barrage of flaming embers, speeding at Angel.

"Use confusion to send the ember at Pansage!" I yell. Angels orange eyes glow blue and suddenly the embers are redirected at the grass type.

"No you don't! Pansage, dodge!" Cilan shouts.

At the same time, Cress says "Panpour, use water gun!" The stream of water flies at Angel, while Pansage is jumping through the trees.

"Angel, use protect! Split the embers into three streams and blast the tree!" I counter.

Angel concentrates harder and a greenish shield forms, deflecting the water gun. At the same time, Pansage falls to the ground, badly burned but still standing.

Cilan looks both mad and impressed. "No more games! Pansage! SolarBeam!"

"Tackle!"

"Water gun!"

Shit… Unless… "Angel, trip Pansear! Redirect the water gun to him!" I watch a tiny pebble move and Pansear steps on it, smashing hard into the ground. The water gun gets a mind of it's own and smashes down into him, knocking him out. Than Pansage fires his solar beam.

Oh I hope this works… "Angel, use protect and knock the beam into Panpour!" I watch, a big smile on my face, as the beam is reflected, with perfect aim I might add, into Panpour. The explosion is huge, dust filling the entire area. I cough, and when the smoke clears, Panpour is in a sizable crater, unconscious. Cress and Chili return their pokemon, than make their way into the Pokemon Center. Cilan whistles.

"Wow, Terry. That was petty impressive. Sh-" he stops speaking as I stumble, almost falling to the ground. I regain my footing and shake my head a couple times to clear the sudden, severely tired feeling that rolled over me. My eyes lock onto Angel, who is on one knee, breathing heavily. The amount of energy she used drained her so much that I doubt she could lift another pebble. I speak, trying to keep my voice as steady as I can. "Angel, can you stand? You did great, we can call it off if you want. I know how tired you are, but I'm leaving it up to you."

She stays still for a moment longer before, with what looks like a huge effort, stands up. "I… Can keep…"

What she could keep, I don't know, because at that moment she falls hard, face first, onto the cement, unconscious. Shit! It's the only thing I can think of as I rush to her side and kneel next to her. "Angel the Kirlia is unable to battle! The winners are Pansage and Cilan!" I hear the ref say.

I pick her up and cradle her in my arms. Her cheek is scratched a bit by the fall, and I'm in the process of spraying a potion on it when Cilan speaks up, now a few feet away, respectively giving us space.

"That was incredible. Redirecting moves like that, and the counters you came up with so quickly. Pansage fainted seconds after she did, but the ref already called it. I consider it a draw." He holds out his hand. Resting in it is the Striaton City Trio Badge. "You may not have defeated all of us, but you did incredible nonetheless. You two earned it."

I take the badge and smile at him. "I enjoyed that battle, and Angel did too. Thanks! Let's head back to the center, I think some PR would work great right now."

As we enter the center, Cilan asks, "PR? What's that?" I consider the answer.

"A way to refresh and relax that works great for psychic types and their bonded trainers. It stands for Physical Reassurance. Have Alex explain it to you, this is important." I say, pointing out Alex, who grins. I walk to the couch by the window, grabbing the weighted blanket that Alex hands to me. I lay back with Angel on my chest, positioning her like usual, with her head on my heart. She snores softly while we lay there under the cover. Alex sits down nearby a few minutes later, after putting one of the PR description signs in front of us. I nod in greeting, with one hand stroking Angel from atop the cover. After about 20 minutes, give or take, she wakes.

"Hey there. Good timing for a nap, although you face planted pretty hard." I try to keep the mood light, she looks depressed about losing. "Don't look sad yet, I didn't finish. Pansage fainted moments after you did, the ref had made a quick call. Cilan considered it a draw and gave us the badge. You did absolutely amazing. I'm proud of you."

She looks at me, and I sense a combination of tiredness and pride. "Go back to sleep, I'll wake you up in an hour or two." She nods and lays down, going out faster than I could blink. I turn my gaze on Alex.

"You up for spending the rest of the day here? I hear Striaton has an amazing restaurant, run by the Trio themselves. We could have dinner there, and set out in the morning." He nods, and the plans are made. I pull out a book, and, with Angel sound asleep on my chest, relax and enjoy the peace.