Ch.68: The Former Warrior and Hero! An Espeon's Request!

Ella was laying on her stomach and moving her eyes around in boredom as she watched her friends do their usual training. Magical attacks flying left and right and exploding into flashy sparkles. Sure, it looked pretty awesome for the first five minutes, but then everything just became monotonous to the Espeon. She was essentially desensitized from watching the trading of magical attacks.

Wes lunged at Griffin with his Septem Gladii Virtutis, clashing the seven sword constructs against Griffin's signature blade. The impact pushed Griffin back a bit, but he dug his feet in and found his stance. With a powerful swing, added with the force of Exosus Release, he threw the Umbreon off in a bright red blaze. Wes landed on his feet and shook his body, smoking from the heat. His swords spun around him, signifying his readiness to continue.

Tony, Gwyn, and Flint were having a three-way sparring match. The Dewott flipped around as he dodged punches from Flint's Celestial Guardian and fired Lightning Shots at Gwyn. The Mew avoided his attacks, then slammed her hands down. Using Accelerated Growth, the grass grew exponentially and stuck for Flint and Tony.

"EEP!" Flint jumped out of the way, but some blades of grass snaked after him and caught him by his extended ankle. "Wha-AAAHHH!" The grass threw him up and spun him around. "I'm! Gonna! Be! SIIIIIIIIICK!"

Gwyn shrieked and mentally ordered the grass to drop him gently. She ran over to him. "Flint! Sorry! I didn't mean to do-EEK!" Tony slid on the slick grass and kicked her legs off the ground. The Mew faceplanted into the grass and slid into the Flareon.

Tony flipped up and dusted his hands clean. "And I take the win! Listen to the crowd go wild!" He looked down at his pants, then groaned at the grass stains smeared over them. "Ugh…grass stains on white pants?"

He had his guard down for too long, allowing Flint to order his Guardian to grab him from behind and deliver a swift punch to the stomach. Tony wheezed for air, pounding on his chest. He inhaled deeply, then gasped as Gwyn tackled him from behind and pinned his arms down.

She grinned cheerily. "Woo! I win! I win!"

Tony groaned, then smirked in defeat. "You two tag teamed me."

Flint picked himself up. "You let your guard down, not our fault."

Gwyn sprung up, then helped Tony back onto his feet. "Have you gotten faster?"

Tony stretched his arms. "Have to train these legs if I want to be the fastest." He bent down and stretched out his legs. "I need to make up for my poor performance against my father. You all would've definitely beaten if he didn't give me the key."

Flint smiled. "You clearly made a difference in the fight."

Ella narrowed her eyes at them, then sighed before blowing her bangs out of her eyes. They left the Tempest Valley a few days ago and were well on their way to the Snow Zone, either to find the Key of Power or the Key of Metal. They still haven't decided yet. Not that it mattered to her since she couldn't do anything to help.

She may have stated she didn't care that she was being left out of the action…but now she was losing her patience. It has been over a month since she went through psychic burnout and she still hasn't fully reacquired her psychic abilities. She believed they actually worsened since last time. She couldn't even nudge a marble anymore.

She groaned and covered her head under her forelegs. She missed having her psychic abilities. She missed joining in on the action. She had her wit and all, but she felt…almost useless. Nothing to do but lend moral support. She wanted her friends to succeed, but she wanted herself to be alongside them.

Keeping up with magically talented wizards was hard enough on her. Her psychic abilities should give her the necessary edge to match them, but she didn't have them. What if they really were burned out for a whole year? Or worse, forever? She dreaded the thought down to her very core.

She huffed quietly and closed her eyes. She felt some rustling of grass in front of her, prompting her to gaze up from under her forelegs. It was Flint, who gazed at her with concern.

"…you've been pouting quite a lot lately."

Ella stared back at him for a second, then turned away, displaying her cynical grin. "Just coming to terms with my unfortunate fate. I expected to lose my psychic abilities due to old age, but we all know I would still be as sharp as ever." She sighed and rested her head in her forelegs. "Time to accept fact. I can't fight anymore."

Flint sat down and patted her head. "Ella, don't say that. You're still a decent fighter."

"Just decent?" She smirked dryly. "What a compliment. Sure, I can throw quite the kick, but I would love to see that work against the black fogs of mean."

Flint shook his head. "Just because the shadows don't see you as a threat doesn't mean you're useless. Besides, I'm sure there are way to alleviate this…affliction, I guess you could say. Psychic burnout is completely normal for Psychic-Types. Yours is just taking a bit longer to work out."

Ella closed her eyes. "So, I just keep waiting?"

He looked up, trying to find the words. "Well…I'm sure there might be a way to speed up the healing, but I've certainly never heard of it." He smiled and nudged her, attempting to cheer her up. "Don't get like this. Ella Cipher is not a moody, hopeless Espeon. She's sassy, bold, and full of heart and charm."

The Espeon sighed, then looked away to try and hide her amused grin. "Not how you described me when Wes introduced us to each other."

Flint showed his deadpan glare. "You knocked me into a mud puddle and stole my lunch once."

"Your mom makes one hell of a PB and J," she joked, her face brightening up a bit.

Flint rolled his eyes, then laughed. "Yeah, she does…" He rubbed Ella's head. "Just stay positive. It might be over sooner than you think. You're the most levelheaded out of us. We can't have you falling into the same crazy as the rest of us."

Ella sat up and smirked. "You all wouldn't make it without me."

"Exactly." Flint stepped away and smiled. "Try and cheer up. Opportunity might just be around the corner."

Ella sighed and sat up. "I'll try…" She smiled warmly. "Thanks, Flint."

"Anytime." He groaned and trudged back to the others. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get my rear handed to me again…"

Ella snickered behind her paw, then cozied herself back onto the grass and rolled onto her back. Maybe Flint was right. Maybe if she stopped worrying about it, something good will come her way. When and how? That was the mystery she'll have to wait for who knows how long.

Though, as the Flareon said, it might be sooner than she thinks.

"Alright!" Wes exclaimed, taking lead of the group. It was morning and the group were on their way to the Snow Zone, but with a slight detour in mind. "We should use this time to catch a break. There's a village up ahead we can grab some stuff from. Since we'll be nearing the Snow Zone's boundaries soon, we'll need snow gear and clothes."

Ella smirked and held her paw to her chest. "Leave the clothes shopping to me, Wester. I want to pick out some cute winter jackets for Gwyn and me."

"Aww!" Gwyn expressed happily. "Thanks, Ella!"

Griffin grunted. "I'm perfectly fine with what I have."

Ella smirked his way. "That red jacket of yours what cut it in the cold."

"I've been through the Snow Zone dozens of times. I'll live." He closed his eyes. "To brave the elements means to sharpen one's mind for danger."

Tony slid his hands into his pockets and smirked coolly. "Would one of those dangers be hypothermia or frostbite?"

"I'm ignoring you."

Flint rolled his eyes away from them, then focused back on Ella. "Sounds good to me. The rest of us will get snow gear, then."

"Actually, I'll tag along with the girls," Tony brought up, stepping up next to the two females with his cool grin.

Ella showed a sly grin. "And why is that, Romeo?"

He chuckled. "Oh, not to flirt with you two. Though, one can't deny your natural beauty, my dear."

Ella chuckled and waved it. "Shut up, you ol' charmer."

Tony looked ahead. "Nah, I just like getting nice clothes." He pulled on his vest, which was stitched back up after suffering heavy damage from his fight with Leroy. "I'm hoping they have this same style for sale."

Gwyn grinned. "Fine with me!"

Flint sighed. "Fine…just don't do anything…you know, that you would do."

"Flirt with beautiful ladies and rob the unsuspecting?" Tony filled out. He laughed. "I think we both know the answer to that." Flint facepalmed and groaned in defeat. There was just no reasoning with the conniving Dewott.

Wes smiled. "Fine by me! It'll cut down on time, too."

"What village are we heading to, again?" Gwyn asked.

"Gale Wind Village," Griffin spoke up. "Also known as 'The Settlement of Noble Warriors.' This area has a history for its royal connections back in the day. It's like any other village, populated to the brim with people. However, it's one of the few villages that were once connected to previous kingdoms that eventually collapsed over the centuries."

Flint went on with a wide smile, "Gale Wind Village's architecture has hardly changed since those times. It remains traditional in its appearance. Almost like walking into a Zen garden."

"Ooh!" Gwyn cheered.

Wes nodded. "We could use this time to rest up there, anyway. The Snow Zone won't be a straight path like the last few months. With the blizzards and snow, even going in a straight line could get us completely lost if we're not careful. I need to be extra sure we know where we're going, especially since we still need to figure out which key to go for next."

Flint nodded. "And with the Key of Power jumping around so much, we can't risk error."

Ella held her chin, grinning her usual sly smile. "So, what I'm hearing is that we should stay in this fancy village for the next few days?"

"Well, I didn't say days, but-" was all Wes could get out before Ella snatched up the map and led the way.

"Yeah, yeah, time is of the essence! Just let me get my shopping done!"

Wes pouted. "Hey! I'm supposed to be leading the group!" He chased after her. The others shook their heads and followed behind as the Umbreon tried to take the map back from Ella.

Twenty minutes of walking later, Team Ravenfield found themselves in the promised village. As Flint described, it was reminiscent of a typical Zen garden. Beautiful stone pathways running through the village, plants grown out in front of the homes and buildings, and even a running stream going through the village, with red bridges hanging over them.

The buildings looked as if they were made of bamboo, though closer inspection showed it was mainly for style. One half of the village was a public area for the Pokémon to wander about, eat out, and/or shop while the other half was the residential area.

The team stepped through the village gates. Gwyn squealed and raced over to a nearby stream. She lay down and stared into the water. "Wow! It looks so clean! I've never seen running water this clear before!"

Tony smirked. "You're easily impressed." He looked around. "Yeah, I'd say this is a pretty nice place. I'm almost feel ashamed I'm probable going to steal something."

Flint pinched down on his arm with a warning glare. "Don't. You. Dare. Get us in trouble with the authorities!"

Tony swatted his paw off and raised his hands innocently. "Alright, alright, chill. You have my word. I won't steal from anyone…who isn't a jerk to me."

Flint facepalmed and groaned. "Close enough…"

Ella winked. "Right then! We'll be heading off! Ciao!" She waved the others off as Gwyn and Tony followed her to the store.

Wes shook his head, grinning lightly, then headed off a different way with Griffin and Flint. Wes slowed down a bit so he was walking alongside Flint. He tilted her head towards him and said, "So, I saw you and Ella talking the other night. She seemed pretty gloomy before."

Flint nodded. "Still bummed about her psychic burnout. I cheered her up the best I could."

Wes kept his eyes ahead as he then said, "I can't imagine going through that. At least in my case, my magic's always been sealed away since birth. And at least I can still use mine with the Star Amulet."

Griffin closed his eyes. "She needs time."

"That's what I told her," Flint stated. "I'm not the biggest expert on psychics, though. I'm not sure what the recommended remedies are, or if there are any."

Wes waved it off. "Ella's tough on her own. She doesn't need her psychic abilities to kick some butt."

"Wes, the shadows…" Flint reminded.

The Umbreon looked away sheepishly. "Mostly, anyway..." He shrugged his shoulders. "We could always take her to the spa if that'll cheer her up. Or maybe a weapons store. She loves perusing deadly arsenals."

Griffin looked around. "There should be a few weapon shops around here. Wouldn't be surprised if she found one."

"Well, we can worry about that later. We've got gear to buy!" Wes raced off. "Hurry, slowpokes!" Flint and Griffin rolled their eyes, then chased after the Umbreon before he got too far.

Ella, Gwyn, and Tony reached the first cloth shop in sight and perused the racks for winter clothes. Tony was off on his own, checking out some vests that matched his own.

Ella picked out two winter jackets and held them up for Gwyn. "Hmm…the green goes with your fur…but this purple would look so cute on you!"

Gwyn dug around through the rack, then grinned. "Ooh, ooh! Can I get this?" She pulled out a puffy orange jacket. "It looks so warm and cozy!" She opened it up. "And look! It's fluffy on the inside!"

Ella blinked, then smirked knowingly. "An orange, fluffy coat, huh? That's quite the particular choice, don't you think?"

Gwyn blinked cluelessly. "What do you mean?"

"Reminds you of a certain bookworm you love to talk to?"

She didn't pick up on the hidden implication, but Gwyn got who she meant, which made her smile. "Oh yeah, you're right! Heehee! Guess it reminds me of Flint too much!" She hugged the jacket. "Not as fluffy as him, though!"

Ella snickered behind her paw. "You seriously didn't notice when you picked it out?"

"I wasn't thinking about it. I just thought it looked nice." Gwyn frowned. "Should I put it back?"

"No, no! Definitely buy it!" Ella hid her growing grin behind her paw. "I think it'll look simply divine on you." Gwyn smiled brightly and placed it in their shopping cart. Ella picked around some more and pulled out a few more jackets. "We'll need scarves and hats, too. I don't care what that weapon toting grump said, but if he's going to insist on wearing his usual clothes, he at least needs to cover his face."

"Yoohoo!" The girls turned around and saw Tony step into view, carrying a new vest by the hanger. "Check it out! Looks nice, right?"

Gwyn tilted her head. "It…looks the same?"

"My dear, this color is just a shade darker to my usual vest. And much nicer compared to mine." He held it up and grunted. "I'm not a fan of the silver buttons, though. I'll just replace them later." He threw the vest into the cart, then snatched out a purple coat from the rack. "And one winter coat to go."

"Great! Can you go find some scarves and hats for the others?" Ella requested. "I want everyone to be bundled up before we head out into the Snow Zone."

With a quick salute, Tony dashed off in search of the items. Ella pushed the cart with her head and walked towards the register with Gwyn tailing behind. The Mew skipped by her side, running her hand against the rack of clothes. "This village is beautiful. I hope we can return some time."

Ella glanced at her with a smile. "Hey, once we secure the world from danger, you'll deserve one hell of a vacation." Ella placed her paw against her chest. "Me, personally? I just want to finish up college and take myself out on to the road. I belong in the life of luxury."

"Oh, you said you were majoring in Ancient Text Reading?" Ella nodded. "That sounds so cool! You must really love it!"

Ella's eyes widened, then she looked down with a nervous grin. "Heh…yeah…that's why I…took it…" She groaned and rubbed her face.

"Eek! Ella!" The Espeon felt the Mew stop the cart suddenly, causing her to push into it and fall on her rear. Gwyn quickly got her up. "Sorry! Almost ran into someone!"

Ella shook her head. "Ugh…" She stepped around the cart to greet the person she nearly ran into. "Sorry about that, mister. Mind was a little preoccupied."

The Pokémon was a Hakamo-o. He wore a checkered blue and black fleeced jacket and gray snow pants. He wore a silver chain around his neck. His facial features made him look gruff and tough like any dragon, but he had a lightness and friendly nature to his stature.

The girls took note of the sheathed sword he carried in his hand, resting it on his shoulder. The scabbard was black and wrapped in thick blue string that crisscrossed up the base. The guard was oblong-shaped and golden, while the hilt was black with golden stripes.

He carried bags on his free arm. He lifted his hand and rubbed the back of his head with a chill chuckle. "All cool. Probably shouldn't be standing in the middle of the aisle anyway." He took a step out of their way, then took a quick glance at their items. He smirked. "Ski trip in the Snow Zone? Must be a big party."

Ella smirked back. "We're definitely heading up there, but not for skiing."

The Hakamo-o shrugged. "My mistake. You don't see a lot of people willingly putting themselves through harsh weather." He glanced off to the side with a short glare. "Myself included."

"Oh, are you heading into the Snow Zone, too?" Gwyn asked.

He nodded. "Yeah. A friend and I are heading there to meet up with some friends soon. We're taking part in a tournament and we want to be prepared."

Gwyn grinned. "Ooh! A tournament?! That sounds like fun!"

He grinned. "Oh yeah, it's a blast. We've participated in some minor ones before, but this one's going to be big. Our team leader gets us motivated in her own special, overenthusiastic way." He grunted and rubbed his back. "I think I can still feel the bruise from all those encouraging pats…"

Ella chuckled and crossed her forelegs. "Always wanted to take part in some kind of tournament, but never found the time." She glared to the side. "Or experience."

The Hakamo-o laughed. "They can get pretty brutal for newcomers. Prize money turns off a lot of ethics." He shrugged. "But, if you do want to take part in one, maybe you should work on that whole 'no experience' thing." He pointed his sheathed weapon at her. "A strong mind and body are practically unstoppable."

"That's a matter of perspective." The Hakamo-o nearly drew his sword as Tony snuck up from behind him, quiet as a Liepard. He smirked. "Sorry for the scare. Wanted to make sure my lady friends here weren't being harassed…for your safety, that is."

The scaly dragon released his grip on the hilt and rested the weapon back over his shoulder. "Friend of yours?"

Ella waved it off. "Sorry about his rudeness. He's a little skeptical with people he doesn't know." She looked at the Dewott. "Found the stuff?"

Tony chunked a stack of hats and scarves into the cart. "All set." He stepped next to his friends and crossed his arms. "Made a new friend while I was gone?"

Ella shrugged. "I guess so."

Tony eyed the sheathed blade and grinned. "That's an interesting piece you got there."

The dragon smiled. "Yeah, it is. It belonged to my great-grandfather before being passed down to me, dubbed the mighty Salamander."

Ella held her chin and admired the weapon. "It looks beautiful. The work on the hilt and guard have been kept in fine condition. Minor damage to the guard. Marks made from blocking blades that have clashed in the past. It has a long history, yet it appears timeless."

The Hakamo-o grinned wider. "That's right. This has been in my family through generations. Wielded in battle by an ancestor of mine who took part in the Grand Imperium Age. He was a great swordsman on the battlefield." He held the weapon up and rested the end of the scabbard against the ground. "We try to keep it in good condition through the years. That's why I prefer to carry it by hand."

"Smart move," Tony commented with a devious smirk. Gwyn caught that greedy look and jabbed his side. "Ow…wasn't going to steal it."

"What?"

"Nothing!"

The dragon looked back at Ella. "You seem like someone who knows her stuff about weaponry."

She waved it off. "My…dad works in weapon dealing, nothing big. I've picked up on a thing or two from him."

"Do you use any?"

She scratched her head. "I don't actually own any sort of weapon of my own. I…once used a cutlass and some other weapons, but never really practiced with them."

"Well, maybe you should consider finding your own weapon. The perfect weapon with the perfect partner make for a dangerous, yet spectacular combo." He presented Salamander to her. "Salamander compliments my magic well. I'm sure someone like you who probably utilizes her psychic abilities could find a weapon that compliments your skills."

Ella grinned awkwardly. "Yeeeeah…probably could…"

The Hakamo-o pointed out the store. "Seriously, there's actually a great weapon shop up on a secluded path that overlooks the village. A great weapon master runs it. I'm sure she could find the perfect weapon for you."

Ella held her chin and hummed with intrigue. "You know, I'm tempted to take you up on that idea. Are the weapons good?"

"No, they're fantastic!" he exclaimed. "Finely crafted from the best materials! Artistically designed for style and beauty! Magical or traditional in usage! A wonderland of all the best kinds!"

Ella's eyes were practically bursting with stars. "I must find this holy shop immediately!"

"Like I said, it's a shop overlooking the village. You can't miss it." He held his hand out. "I'm Saffiro, by the way. A pleasure to meet you all."

Ella shook his hand. "Pleasure's all mine! I'm Ella! This here is Gwyn and Tony!"

"Sup/Hello!" Tony and Gwyn greeted together in their own cool or joyous ways.

Saffiro nodded to them and stepped back. "I'll be heading out tomorrow, but maybe we'll meet again in the Snow Zone." He chuckled. "Unlikely, but you never-"

"Saffiro!" The dragon turned around and saw a Breloom walking up towards him. He wore a teal tank top with dark teal edges around the edges and blue shorts. He crossed his arms. "I got all the equipment and brought it back to our room. Ready for lunch?"

He nodded. "Oh, sure thing, Oz." He looked at the others. "This is that other friend I was talking about."

The Breloom pulled on his cap. "New friends of yours?"

"Sort of. That's Ella, Gwyn, and Tony.

He shrugged and held his hand out. "Oswald Meadowfist. Pleasure to meet you."

Ella shook his hand. "Likewise."

Oswald turned towards Saffiro and punched his fists together with an intense glare and crazed smirk. "After lunch, let's do some training! I've been perfecting my form and technique! I want to show off what I can do in that tournament!"

Saffiro grinned lightly. "As long as we do it in an empty field. You nearly obliterated the woods in our last training session."

"…what?" the three members of Team Ravenfield muttered.

The dragon waved it off. "L-Long story…" Saffiro smirked back, only much calmer. "Fine, we'll go after lunch. We can stop at that nice buffet we passed by."

That seemed to calm the Breloom's nerves as he licked his lips. "Ooh, I hope they've got a great spread! Race you there! One, two, three, GO!" Kicking up a cloud of smoke, Oswald seemingly vanished in a burst of speed, with only the smoke trail as the remainders of his presence.

Saffiro rubbed the back of his head and smiled at the others. "Yeah, Oz is a pretty chill guy, but only two things set him off: fighting and eating. He…really likes to eat and cook."

Gwyn chuckled nervously, having hidden herself behind Tony out of brief shock. "He's quite energetic…"

"My entire team is full of oddballs, including my leader." He shrugged. "I'd say I'm the normal one, but I do have my moments when I feel like it." He waved to them as he backed away. "Anyway, just got to pay for these and make sure Oz doesn't eat out the whole restaurant before I get there. You three take care. And Ella? Definitely check out the weapon shop. You won't be disappointed."

Ella saluted. "Can do!" Maybe he was right. Maybe finding a weapon that complimented her will do her some good. Might bring her some luck. She was positively jittering with anticipation.

Once they got their snow clothes paid for, Ella started her search for the weapons shop Saffiro recommended. Gwyn walked alongside her while Tony was stuck carrying the bags, appearing quite disgruntled. "I didn't tag along to be the bag carrier."

Ella smirked over her shoulder. "But you're such a gentleman for carrying a young lady's bags."

He rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah…don't expect me to carry any weapons you might buy."

"That's assuming we find the shop." Ella held her paw over her eyes and peered around the corners. "He said it was overlooking the village. Anyone else see it?"

"Ooh! Is that it?" Gwyn exclaimed, pointing upward.

The Espeon followed her finger, then grinned upon spotting the shop. It sat a hill, elevated over the village for a perfect view of everything. Grassy plains surrounding the building with a stone stairway running down the hill. It took on the similar design of the other buildings, with a red metal roof, amber colored walls, and, from what they could see, a stone pathway into the shop.

"That must be it!" She wasted no time racing to the stairway. Gwyn and Tony ran after her up the stairs.

Ella made it to the top in less than ten seconds and skidded to a stop in front of the glass doors. She was given a wonderful view of the racks of different weapons on display. Neatly displayed for a customer's viewing pleasure. It was simply breathtaking for a weapon lover like her.

"Wow…" she gasped in awe.

Gwyn and Tony finally caught up to her, with the latter smirking. "You can go in, you know. Or you can stand there and fog up the glass."

Ella held her breath, shot a playful glare his way, then pushed the doors open. A bell rang above her head, signaling her entrance into the shop. Something she didn't notice from the beginning was the lack of employees or customers. Must be a slow day.

However, the Espeon didn't care as she let herself in and make her way through the aisles. Gwyn was curious as well and decided to explore around the shop herself. Seeing as how no one was around, Tony set their bags against a rack of chest plates and traipsed through aimlessly.

Ella's interest guided her first to the swords. In a world like theirs, swords were made depending on the wielder intended for them. Some made for small Pokémon, large ones, maybe ones for all species, and, in her case, quadrupeds. Swords with blades that extended out to seven feet, which was a bit ludicrous for her. A cutlass was more her style, or maybe a short dagger.

She focused on one of the swords to pick it up, but sighed sadly that her telekinesis has yet to return to her. She picked it up with her paw and gently held it, like holding a baby. She ran her paw down the scabbard, admiring the smooth and decorative wood used to make it.

She took a moment to get a grip on the hilt, then unsheathed it a bit to examine the blade. Through her trained eyes, she could tell the sharpening process was executed with meticulous care. A single stroke of this blade could very well split a raindrop in half with perfect precision.

She sheathed the weapon and set it back in place before continuing her browsing. She walked around an aisle, then grinned as she spotted Gwyn messing with some throwing knives.

The Mew was making the motions of throwing them at a target, though was mindful of how she did so not to accidentally throw them. "Hehe! Look at me! I'm a…I'm throwing knives!" She blinked. "…oh, that sounds horrible." She packed them back into their box and set them on the shelf.

Ella giggled and walked up to her side. "Stick to your plants, Gwyn. They suit you much better." Gwyn beamed with appreciation.

"Yo, girls!" They saw Tony walking around the corner, carrying a pair of nunchaku. He spun them around carefully, then smirked. "Check me out! I'm a nunchaku master!" He proceeded to spin them around much quicker and performed some potentially harmful tricks.

Ella held her foreleg up for safety. "Uh, Tony? Be careful with those things. They're practically clubs on a chain."

Tony laughed it off. "Oh relax, I've done much worse than this."

"Please don't play with the merchandise, mister," a young voice demanded from behind.

"Huh?" Tony turned around to greet them, but taking his attention off the spinning weapons caused him to whack himself in the noggin. He dropped the nunchaku and held his stinging forehead. "Agh! That smarts!"

Ella sighed. "I tried to warn you."

The three directed themselves to the newcomer, though were a bit surprised to see it was a small, female Absol. She looked to be about five years old, by their best guess. She wore a dark gray shirt, which was a bit large on her, and blue pants. She looked up at the three customers innocently, wagging her tail.

"You're allowed to pick them up, but my momma doesn't like people playing with the weapons inside the store," she explained.

Tony groaned, feeling minor swelling on his head. "Noted…" He slipped his hands into his pockets, then raised his brow at the kid. "You said something about your mother. I'm assuming she runs this place?"

The Absol nodded. "Uh huh. She's in the back right now."

Ella grinned and walked up to the child. "Well, in that case, may I speak with her? Maybe she could give her opinion on what kind of weapon I could use. I'm sort of looking for something for myself."

The tiny Disaster Pokémon tilted her head, then nodded. "Okay." She ran off to the back. "Momma! We have customers!"

Once she was gone, Gwyn squealed excitedly. "Oh my gosh, she is so CUTE! Like a little cinnamon roll wrapped in sugar and happiness!"

Tony patted her head. "Easy there, Green."

Ella chuckled, then let her eyes wander around the store. "So many options. I wonder which one I should choose. I should get myself a sword. That'll do some serious damage! Ooh! Maybe I should get it enchanted, too!"

Tony shrugged. "It's a nice setup, I guess. A lot of these don't even have enchantments from what I can see. The Hakamo-o wasn't kidding about some of these being traditional weaponry."

Gwyn nodded. "Yeah! Look at that one over there! It's not magical, but it's on display!"

Ella looked for the weapon in question, then her eyes widened in disbelief. "No way…" She walked over to the display in awe, confusing her friends.

On the wall was an old katana, sitting upon two hooks. This, however, was different from the rest of the displays. Rather than just show off the sword, this display told her there was a history behind this weapon. And not just the weapon.

For context, two purple banners were nailed side by side to the display, with the symbol of a sword wrapped in what appeared to be light and darkness. Next to the display as well was a quadruped mannequin, wearing pieces of withered armor. The symbol was worn on the left shoulder and the underside of the chest plate. The helmet had a visor for the eyes. An odd design choice was the large hole on the right side of the helmet, possibly for a single large horn to slip through.

The katana itself was breathtaking. Unlike the rest of the weapons, this one displayed a clear sign of age in combat. Scratch marks against the blade from repeated clashes. A fine, silver coat blade that had lost some of its luster in the years of usage. A decorative, mint green hilt designed to be held comfortably with one's teeth. A weapon definitely meant for a quadruped.

Ella was too awestruck to lay a digit on it, afraid she might desecrate its imposing status. She didn't realize how long she was holding her breath for until she felt herself become lightheaded.

Gwyn stepped up and looked at the display. "This is pretty stylish for an old sword. Is it special?"

"Consider it a final memento to the old days."

A new voice came into the picture. The group turned and saw the young Absol had returned with an older Absol by her side. She herself gave off an imposing aura, despite appearing not to have a magic aura from what Gwyn and Tony could see. She wore a blue shirt with a stylish purple coat over it and jeans. Around her neck was a thin metal chain, with a golden Arceus cross wheel dangling from it.

An immediate notice to her appearance was her horn. Scars across the surface, likely from hard fought battle. A horn strengthened to match with the sharpest of blades. Otherwise, she looked fairly normal. She had a weariness to her face, but she presented herself as welcoming to the group.

"Welcome to The Arsenal Gallery. I wasn't expecting to have customers today," the Absol stated.

Tony held his hand up. "Not us. Just this one," he said, pointing out Ella.

Ella raised her paw and waved with a nervous grin. "H-Hello." Huh, that was a new one for her. She actually felt a bit nervous. This may be the first time she was speaking to a retired warrior.

The Absol rubbed her daughter's head. "My young Courtney told me you were looking for a weapon to compliment you. Is that right?"

She nodded hesitantly. "Um…yes. I'm hoping to broaden my expertise in a fight. I figured I could use a little extra something on the road." She chuckled. "You never know when you need a sword or something in case of an emergency."

The Absol smiled back. "Yes, I suppose so. Do you have any expertise with a sword?"

Ella bit her lip. "Um…sort of?" The Disaster Pokémon raised her brow. "I mean, I've never had formal training or anything. Somewhat self-taught. I've never taken up a legitimate class for it."

The shop owner stared at her for a bit longer, then nodded. "Alright then. I suppose I can find something that'll suit your needs. Follow me." She waved the Espeon to follow her, leading her to a rack of swords.

Tony picked up the nunchaku, then looked over at Courtney. "So…I take it you work here?"

She nodded enthusiastically. "Uh huh. My momma and I run the shop together. We get lots of customers. Some cool, some weird."

"D'aww! How cute!" Gwyn squealed. "Oh, kind of reminds me of how I helped out with my mother's shop!" She bent down and asked, "Would you mind giving us a tour? Pretty please?"

"Welllll…" Courtney looked around the Mew, seeing her mother was busy with Ella, before nodding. "Okay! Follow me!" She scampered off, with Gwyn tagging behind. Tony shrugged and followed the two, not before grabbing their winter clothes first.

Back over with the Absol and Ella, the former was showing off some blades suitable for the Espeon. She picked one up in her claws and unsheathed it for her to see. "Now, this model is made of lightweight material. It could cut the wind if you swung hard enough. Strong blade, but it isn't much of a dueling sword."

Ella scratched her cheek. "Yeah, I might need something a bit more combat oriented." The shop owner nodded, then looked back at the rack for a different sword. Ella's gaze landed back on the display in the back. She tapped her digits against the floor, then asked, "So…I take it you used to be a warrior?"

"Great deduction, kid," the shop owner complimented as she retrieved another blade. "Emphasis on 'used to.'"

"You're retired, huh? I figured many warriors retire when they reach their sixties or seventies. You still look pretty young, though."

The Absol sighed. "Things change…they were good times, but I had to quit. Too many responsibilities to worry about." She smiled lightly. "She's a bright kid, but I wouldn't dare think of leaving my little Courtney all alone. Besides…I had enough with fighting. Became too much for me."

Ella blinked slowly. "Did…something happen?"

The Absol gritted her teeth, trying to hide it from her. She still noticed. "…a lot, actually. Just…everything was fine…the next, I just decided to retire. Simple as that."

Ella sat down. "It can't be that simple. I mean…you must have had so much respect in your time. Warriors were looked up to for their bravery and heroism. I bet you were amazing." She looked back at the display. "You certainly want to preserve what's left of your past."

The shop owner ceased digging through the racks, then placed a sword she grabbed back onto it. She sighed and rubbed between her eyes. "Kid…we all have our reasons to just stop. I'm a single mother trying to raise her child to be the best she can be. I just don't have the blood of a warrior anymore."

"Oh…" Ella looked down, pawing at the ground. "…do you miss those times, though?"

Silence came first, for about a few seconds, then the Disaster Pokémon laughed under her breath. "Do I miss them?" She looked around and saw that they were the only ones in the shop. She looked down on Ella and grinned boldly. "Hell yeah I did."

Ella smiled. "Really?"

"They were some great times. I remember traveling with some buddies of mine and we raised hell against the scum of Mysto. Bandits, pirates, raiders, all kinds of malicious bastards!" She placed her paw against her chest and sighed. "It gave this beating heart of mine a fire that just wouldn't go out. I was a firecracker raging to fight on!"

Ella smirked. "I bet you still have some moves in you."

She shook her head and laughed. "No, no…it's been five years." She walked around the Espeon. "I'm out of practice."

"Better to be out of practice than completely useless," Ella blurted out. She blinked, then groaned. "Ugh…didn't mean to say that."

The Absol looked at her curiously. "Something wrong?"

"It's nothing. I…" She sighed and gestured around the shop. "I love weapons, but…really, I just came here because I've been in a bit of a slump."

"A slump, you say?" The Absol crossed her legs and leaned against the rack. "Something on your mind?"

Ella rubbed the back of her head. "I wouldn't want to bring up my issues with a complete stranger."

The shop owner smirked. "Honey, I've dealt with some drunk idiots who needed a shoulder to cry on. I'm used to listening to other people's problems."

Ella showed a brief smirk, admiring the bold personality of the woman. She breathed in, then sighed. "Okay…lately, I've been feeling a little…useless lately."

"Do tell."

Ella waved her paws around. "I have my own group of idiots and weirdos to deal with. We've been traveling for a long while and coming across the occasional bad guy. Very, very strong bad guys, I should add. I can manage just fine with my psychic abilities, but I…always feel outclassed by my friends.

"Personally, I didn't care at the time. The five of them can use magic while I don't have any. I accepted that as it was. I don't believe I can stack up to the likes of a guy whose magic is tied to the element of anger or a literal half-deity with control over nature. It wasn't a big deal to me. But then, I ran into some trouble and may have pushed myself a bit farther than I should have."

The Absol narrowed her eyes quizzically and scratched her chin. "Pushed yourself, huh?" She smirked. "Oh, I see. You went through a psychic burnout, didn't you?"

Ella blushed in mild embarrassment. "Heh…great deduction, lady." She sighed. "Yeah, I did. I haven't been able to use my psychic abilities for a little over a month now. Frankly, it's…kind of miserable. I've been looking back on the times I have used them and discovered…I haven't been using my abilities to their full potential. Now that I don't have them, I'm starting to feel the pressure of not contributing as much to a fight.

"I don't want to say I feel completely useless. I help out where I can and keep everyone on track." She narrowed her eyes. "I just…want to show I can fight alongside them. I use my psychic abilities for general tasks. Now that they're gone, I never realized how much I took them for granted. Feels like a part of myself was taken away."

The Absol hummed quietly, then nodded. "I see. Well…what you're feeling is completely normal. This isn't the first time I've met someone who went through psychic burnout. Had a friend who went a whole three weeks after going overboard with her own."

Ella grunted. "Must have been rough."

"Oh, it was. She used her abilities reflexively. Anything she needed to get done in a snap, she'd just use her psychokinetic abilities." The Absol waved her paw around and added, "Granted, she wasn't that miserable since she could also perform magic, but I'd bet she felt the same way you are right now."

Ella looked over at the weapons. "I just…want to show my worth, that's all. Learn more." She looked down. "I've had some great opportunities handed to me all my life, yet none ever suited my desires. I want…" She sighed. "I honestly don't know what I want…"

The Absol raised her brow. "Trouble deciding a future?"

"Something like that, I guess." She shrugged. "So much is going on and…I just feel lost half the time. I go with whatever I decide and wonder if it was the right decision."

The Absol turned away. "Take my advice. Don't plan for a future. It might come up as a disappointment in the end." She started walking away, saying, "If you want to help your friends, maybe you should make some changes."

Ella narrowed her eyes and followed her. "What do you mean?"

"I can see it in the way you carry yourself. You've been pampered and cared for in luxurious lifestyle, yet you retain a sense of dignity. If I can wager a guess, you've never put your heart in making lifechanging decisions. You seem like someone who just follows without putting much question into it."

Ella glared. "Now hang on a minute-!"

"-without blindly following orders, of course." Ella shut her mouth. "You've got a good head on you. You don't consider yourself the leader type, yet you have your independence to make your own choices." The Absol narrowed her eyes. "You seem like someone who doesn't know what she wants. You just take the…monotonous choice to not have any expectations."

Ella looked away. "Well…"

"What do you and your team do?" she asked.

"…we're treasure hunters."

"Why do you go treasure hunting?"

"…felt like something I wanted to do."

"Is it?"

Ella sighed and held her head. "I don't know! Life's…just confusing! I've had to deal with overbearing parents all my life who pressured me to make smart decisions and BLAH! I'm just some college student who took up a major she isn't completely invested in! I want to succeed, but not with so much pressure on my shoulders!" She breathed out and slumped forward. "If I make a big choice…I often wonder if it'll make me unhappy.

"I just don't have any personal goals that I've ever strived for. Everything…felt planned out for me."

The Absol stared at her with thoughtful eyes, silent in the moment. She closed her eyes and sighed. "Difficult choices and uncertainty. You wish to stand out on your own." She gazed upon the display of her sword and armor. "I loved what I did. Fighting for truth and justice felt like my true calling. I never imagined then that I would throw it all away.

"It's that conviction that gets you, though." She walked up to the armor and gently touched it, grazing the surface against her claws. "The worse can happen and you suddenly lose the confidence to continue. Courtney became my priority five years ago." She placed a paw against her chest and breathed out sadly. "Loss of confidence, the loss of a loved one, and the loss of a close friend can do that to you.

"The point to my garrulous chatter…is that I see where you are coming from." Another sad breath was exhaled. "So much can be lost if we stick to our risky choices. Even if it's for something we love, are we willing to go through the risk of heartache in the end?"

Ella looked down with disappointed eyes. "I see…"

The Absol shook her head, then walked past her. "I'm…sorry for my behavior. I should really get something to eat. Feel free to stick around if you need help with anything. I'm sure we can find the right weapon for you."

"…okay."

Ella sat outside the shop, on the stone stairway, and looked upon the dark storm clouds roaming overhead. Though, by her best guess, it was just going to rain later. She sighed and slumped her head down.

"What are you doing moping out here?" Ella looked over her shoulder and saw Tony and Gwyn leaving the shop. Tony narrowed one brow and asked, "Didn't find anything that caught your eye?"

The Espeon looked away and heaved a deep breath. "No…I'm fine. Just a little glum, that's all."

"Aww," Gwyn uttered sadly before plopping herself down next to the Espeon and hugging her. "What's wrong?"

"Just got a lot on my mind, that's all." She took some glances at them, then asked, "Where have you two been?"

Tony sat down on her right and set the bags to the side. "That Courtney kid gave us a pretty detailed tour around the shop. She…also has a scarily vast library of knowledge on all things sharp and pointy."

That coughed up a weak chuckle from Ella. "Heh…sounds like me…"

Gwyn rubbed her back. "Are you sad?"

"No, just…gloomy." She took a deep breath, then limped her head down. "…you guys don't think I'm useless, right?"

"What?! NO!" Gwyn shouted. "That's crazy talk!"

Tony smirked. "Please, you've been a big help. What's bringing this on?"

"I don't mean when we're traveling. I mean…" She tapped on her gemstone. "…I don't feel like I put much effort into our battles."

"What do you mean? You helped us loads of times when we fought the shadows and Calder," Gwyn reminded.

"When my psychic powers were still up and running." Ella narrowed her eyes. "Basic brawling and weapon expertise is all I have. Pretty much low class compared to the rest of you."

Tony raised his brow. "If that's the problem, why not just have the hothead or one of us spar with you? It's not that complex."

"It's not just that." Ella closed her eyes. "I've been thinking a lot about my future and…lately, I'm beginning to think I don't have a legitimate plan for myself. I've just been roaming around in circles and being my carefree self. It's…partly the reason I had to stop going on adventures with Wes before all this came up. My parents got…really angry at him for something stupid and…I was already having these stupid thoughts before. And they just kept pressuring me to take up the family business practice."

She sighed and rubbed her eyes. "It's not that I want to be some magical, nigh unstoppable, butt-kicking super Pokémon like the rest of you. But…it'd be nice to pull my own weight from time to time." She looked down. "If there's one thing I want now more than ever…it's to improve my psionic abilities. Now, more than ever, I can't bear to lose them again because I hit my limit.

"I've proven I can do much more than I was capable of. Clairvoyance, telepathy, flight…I can do so much more. Read minds, teleport, precognition…even augmenting my physical abilities entirely!" She leaned back, supporting herself on her paws. "…if there's one thing I loved, it was going on those adventures with Wes and Flint. We never went too far from home, but…it felt like I was going places on my own. I loved that thrill for adventure when we were teenagers. Maybe I'm still craving that fun…"

Gwyn pulled away from the Espeon and set her arms in her lap. "Maybe you're overthinking this. No one said you have to have a plan for the future. Look at me." She pointed to herself. "I didn't have any plans other than running my mother's shop forever. But now a new door has been opened up to me. So many possibilities I didn't know existed."

Tony patted Ella on the back. "Ella, if you feel pressured about the future, that's normal. Though, if you want to discover more about what you want to do, maybe you should take up the next opportunity that comes your way."

Ella looked down. "Even then, would I be doing what's best for me?"

"Let's put it like this. You won't have a future if the shadows win. The way I see, as of now, it shouldn't be your problem now. The shadows are." Tony smirked. "Besides, if you want my personal opinion, you are pretty good at using your psionic abilities. I'd say you could potentially be stronger. You don't need magic when you've got a pretty handy set of abilities locked up inside you."

Ella smiled lightly. "Yeah…"

Gwyn poked her nose. "As much as I enjoy spa time and shopping, maybe it's time for you to think of some new hobbies or goals. You're pretty good for a self-taught fighter, and pretty handy with a sword. I bet you would be awesome."

"You really think so?" Ella asked.

"She's not the only one." The three blinked, then looked down the stairway. Walking up to greet them were Wes, Flint, and Griffin, with the Grovyle carrying their bags. Wes grinned. "Do you have any idea how long we've been looking for you? We were lucky one of the cashiers at the store new where you three were heading off to. Though, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to see you sitting outside a weapon shop."

Ella narrowed her eyes and smirked. "Wes…how long have you been eavesdropping?"

"Right around the part where you started talking nonsense," Flint interjected.

Ella crossed her forelegs. "Hey, I'm not beating myself up or anything."

Wes walked up to her. "But Gwyn's right. You can be amazing. You just…never really applied yourself outside of the usual girly antics you get yourself into. Seriously, it's like every time I see you, the spa is brought up at least once…or, you know, deadbeat customers at the bar."

Ella chuckled dryly. "I never had a lot of opportunities to do the things I wanted…guess I just never had the guts to do them on my own." She sighed and bowed her head. "I owe you and Flint a huge explanation about my woes…"

Wes smiled sadly. "I…always figured you and your parents had a rough relationship. You never talk a lot about things at home." He looked away with a bright blush. "They…certainly didn't like me."

Ella grinned. "I was going through a rebellious phase. Why else would I have dated you other than to make them angry?"

Wes pouted. "Heeey…that's cold."

Ella chuckled. "You weren't the worst boyfriend I've ever had, I'll give you that." She sighed and scratched at the ground. "…they really wanted me to have a good, well-paying future. Outside everything with our family line of work, I never really did anything that suited my personal interests." She smiled. "Well…other than having two awesome friends."

"Aww!" Wes threw his forelegs around her. "Get in here, Flint! Eeveelution group hug!"

Flint held his paw up and laughed. "I'm good. I need to take a rest-"

"Oh, just hug them!" Gwyn and Tony shouted, pushing the Flareon into the two.

He crashed against them, then sighed before throwing his forelegs around them with a warm smile. "Fine. Happy?"

Wes grinned. "Much so!"

Ella laughed and pushed them off. She took a deep breath, then stood up. "I want to get stronger so I can be a better ally. For all of you. I may not stack up to the rest of you in power…" She clenched her paw and held it up to them boldly. "But I can provide support when I need to! I…I want to improve my abilities and fight by your side! No more psychic burnouts for this Espeon! You hear me?!"

"YEAH!" the team shouted.

"…yeah," Griffin mumbled awkwardly in a halfhearted cheer. He waved his fist. "Hoorah…"

Wes laughed and threw one foreleg around her neck. "That's more I like it! The glum face doesn't suit you, anyway!" Ella laughed and shoved him.

Flint scratched his head. "Not to put a downer on things, but you're still suffering from the burnout. We're not sure how long it'll last."

Ella crossed her forelegs, then looked back at the shop. She narrowed her eyes. "Well…she did say I should stick around if I need help with anything." She smiled. "Maybe I can knock out two birds with one stone."

The Absol stood in front of the display of her past. She rested her paw against the armor, caressing the metal with a nostalgic gleam in her eyes. She sighed and stepped away from it.

"That's one thing that never changes. The scars of battle." She held her chest again and grimaced. "And loss…" She sighed and made her way over to the front counter.

The shop door's front bell rung. She glanced over and saw Ella reentering the store, with a few more companions than previously. She smiled and raised her head. "Hello, young one. Come back to pick something out?"

Ella walked up to her, head low while still keeping eye contact. "Sort of. I've been doing a lot of thinking, about what we discussed." She sighed. "I never had the motivation to stick with something I wanted to do, because I never had that motivation to begin with. I was so…desensitized with life that I never gave a crap about anything. I just went along with what I thought was neat, never really putting my heart into it.

"But with now, my friends and I need to put our best into action, and I can't afford to fall behind anymore. I want to be better than I already am." She raised her head. "If there is something I want now, it's to help my friends and fight by their side."

The Absol raised her brow curiously. "And how is that?"

Ella breathed in, closed her eyes, then surprised the shop keeper by making a formal bow at her feet. "Take me in as your student! I want to learn to fight from a true warrior!"

The shop keeper stepped back in bewilderment. "I…I…wow, um…" She breathed in and eased her nerves before resuming her compose posture. "Young lady, this isn't a dojo. And I'm not a fighter anymore."

"I understand that, but I need this. Even if it's for a week, I want to learn all I can from you." She looked up. "I want to better my psychic abilities. I want to refine my skills. I want to help my friends. Not just moral support, but actually fight by their side. I've never done anything like this before, but…" She shrugged. "Maybe it's something I can get behind. After all, if there's one thing that did bring legitimate joy in my life, it was the call for adventure."

The Absol narrowed her eyes, then sighed. "I see you look serious, but I just don't have the ambition to continue fighting. It was a long time ago." She shook her head and turned away. "I just don't have it in me anymore."

Ella glared. "I gave up adventuring, too, because I felt I needed to focus on my studies over fun." She sighed. "The difference between us, though, is vastly different. At least you're happy with what you have. A nice shop, a cute kid…all I have is a great GPA and parents who basically have my life set up. Sounds amazing and it should be, but the journey wasn't all that exciting, especially when you're not invested into it.

"You said you miss the old days. It's not like I'm asking you to run into battle against an army of the undead or Hell itself. Maybe it'd be the best for both of us. You get to relive your glory days…and I get a master to teach me her ways."

The Absol looked over her shoulder. The seriousness in her eyes was incredible. Much different from how she was acting earlier. She seemed certain of her decision. The Absol turned around and fully faced the Espeon with an equally serious glare.

"Annnd," Wes cut in, diverting their attention, "if it helps, we can watch over the shop while you two are training." He rubbed the back of his head. "Can't be that hard, right?" He laughed aloud.

Griffin sighed. "This should be an utter waste of my time…but perhaps I could lend my expertise on weaponry for potential customers."

Gwyn grinned. "I wouldn't mind watching over Courtney while you two are busy! She's so CUTE!"

Tony closed his eyes and smirked. "Count me in, too."

The Absol blinked in surprised, then narrowed her eyes, focusing solely on Wes and Flint. "You two." They froze up as she got their attention. "…what are your names?"

Flint shied away in suspicion. "Um…I'm Flint. And this is my younger brother, Wes."

Wes nodded enthusiastically. "Yep! I assume you've already met Tony and Gwyn! The scary guy is Griffin!" The Grovyle took no offense to that remark. "And together, we are Team Ravenfield!"

"Wes…Flint…Team Ravenfield…" she mumbled under her breath. She looked down at the Espeon, who stared back with her unchanging expression. The Absol's stare deepened in intensity, then she asked, "Young lady…tell me your name."

"Ella Cipher."

The Absol closed her eyes and thought for a moment, then opened them with newfound vigor in her stoicism. "If I were to take you in as my pupil, you will have to undergo serious training. The way of battle is an artform that must be executed precisely. There will be no shortcuts."

Ella nodded. "I understand."

"In regards to your psychic abilities…" She smirked. "I may have a way to reinvigorate them. I can't teach you psychic techniques, but I can certainly make it so you won't experience this problem again…provided you don't do something as insane as sink the region."

The Espeon smiled brightly. "Really?! You can help me get them back sooner?!"

"I'll certainly try, though that'll be your own path to train on."

"Does this mean…?"

The Absol closed her eyes. "I'll take you up on your request. I shall teach you all I know in the ways of combat. Perhaps I would be nice to get back into the swing of things." She looked around at the group. "You are all welcomed to stay here as I train Ms. Cipher, provided you keep to your end of the bargain."

Wes grinned. "No sweat!"

Ella clapped her paws together and bowed once more. "Thank you…thank you so much…Master," she added with a wink.

The Absol smiled sarcastically. "I'm gonna have to get used to being called that." She turned away. "Training starts at the crack of dawn."

Ella froze. "That early…?" Goodbye beauty sleep.

"Get the most out of a day, I always say." She smirked. "Don't make me regret taking you in like this."

Ella chuckled nervously. "Of course…" She blinked as the Absol headed to the back. "Oh, one more question!" The Absol stopped. "I…never got your name. It'd be respectful to at least address my master properly, right?"

The Absol smiled. "I suppose that's true. Only fair." She turned around and bowed to the group. "Once a skilled warrior that crossed all of the Mysto region, trained under respectable masters of the blade and art of combat.

"I am Willow. Willow Shadestar."