Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece; that belongs to Eiichiro Oda. I did not make Pokémon, that was done by Game Freak.

A/N: Here's chapter 2, technically the second part of chapter 1. They were both originally the same chapter but when I edit, I just always seem to add things. Whelp, it's an extra chapter! (Which means I edited a chapter from over 5000 words to over 10000 words, how?!)

Also, Legends Arceus is giving me ideas. It's all going to happen later, and I don't think I can intuit Strong Style and Agile Style stuff, but there are still ideas. Kinda aside from that, I think that's the first time I ever used the word intuit in my life. Weird.

Thanks for the favourites, follows and reviews! Also, thanks for reading. I hope you enjoy it.

There are no warnings for this chapter.

Fight of Passage

Throughout our journey whose aim is to look for land, I talked to my team a bit more, refraining from any mention of my abandonment. Unfortunately, nothing came into sight within the hour and Nico had to hand over the reins to Zhaleh again as she got tired.

Tiny Starly wings. They're not as strong as the ones she had as a majestic Staraptor.

Just before Zhaleh needed a break again - in other words in a little over fifty minutes but under sixty according to Niran and his judgement using the sun - we caught sight of the hull of a ship and none of us could be bothered to check if it was a Pirate, Marine or Civilian vessel before leaping aboard. IT'S BEEN THREE FLIPPING HOURS! We land in a peacefully sleeping person's lap.

I do not even care about waking them. If it were my body present, I'd probably be kissing the deck. In gratitude. Not because I'm weak and just had my ass kicked. Which, likely. Never fought before and my upbringing would destroy my mental health if I actually tried to fight someone.

Morals and religion. Sometimes they're a bother.

The person we landed on eyes' shoot open and we are tossed off his lap. He raises his sheathed sword and holds it threateningly at us. "What the hell? What's this weird legged, fish thing?"

It isn't nice being tossed off, Zhaleh ends up receiving a little bit of damage from the throw. Most of us are tired, we don't want to fight at the moment. But this green-haired man with a white sword is challenging Zhaleh and I do not appreciate that insult. Besides, one is never allowed to run from a trainer battle. While not a trainer, this is a person. So, it's the same thing really.

My brain kicks into high gear. Fight, fight, fight. He's already dished out an attack, so it's our turn. Don't know the threat level or even his typing, but I don't call Zhaleh my strongest for no reason.

Water is objectively the best type of the three starting Types. Water has two weaknesses and resists four types: Fire, Water, Ice and Steel. It has the least weaknesses while Grass has the most: five. While Fire has three weaknesses, it does have six resistances. Which is the most of all the starter types.

The problem with Fire? Water is the most common type of all types. One of Fire's weaknesses. You can cover the weaknesses of Fire with a Grass move like Solar Beam, but most don't get the possibility or even the opportunity to learn such a move to fight back. Water on the other hand? Ice-type moves go hand in hand with them. Bonus if you get a Water/Ground Pokémon with an Ice Move. Its only weakness is Grass and you've covered it.

The problem with that is just finding a Pokémon who's fast enough that the four times weakness can't be exploited.

So yeah, water is the best of the three in my opinion. Fight me on it if you want. Tirade out of the way. The fight begins in earnest.

Accuracy is important. I prefer more accurate moves than powerful risky ones.

Sand Attack! (14/15) Zhaleh kicks up some sand from somewhere into the man's eyes and waits for his reaction, we also check out the dimensions of our battleground. Zhaleh's says it's smaller than usual but, if necessary, we can go into the water, unlike our opponent.

With some time bought, now we need to find out typing. A sword suggests Steel, but one must be sure.

He blindly swings his sword and Zhaleh easily dodges, taking the opportunity to use Tackle! (34/35) which turns out to be Not Very Effective. So, Rock- or Steel-. I also forgot Zhaleh has a bad Attack Stat but that doesn't matter. If this man is Steel-type, water resists him. If he's rock, Zhaleh's super effective against him. Win-win really.

The man swings again, and, in my distraction, I don't get a chance to help Zhaleh avoid the attack in time. Pokémon are more likely to avoid hits if you call out, Gen 6 and beyond mechanic. A fifth of Zhaleh's health disappeared with a Not Very Effective.

Almost certainly Steel-type then, not that Rock-types can't learn Steel Moves but it's more practical to go for an attack that's the same type as you. Judging by the damage caused by the attack regardless of it not being very effective, the man must either be at a much higher level than Zhaleh, or he has a high Attack stat.

Normally one can see the Level and Health in the game. Honestly, it would be so useful right now. Reality warps.

Roronoa Zoro Lv 17 it says. More health than there should be is missing. Zhaleh definitely can't have caused that much damage with a tackle. Still, I got my confirmation about being in the world of One Piece. But where are we?

The sea was awfully normal and relatively calm. East Blue, Mihawk, reopened wound against Fishman Pirates. Guess he mightn't have started at full health. I survey our surroundings a bit more closely. It is the Going Merry. Definitely past the Arlong Arc then.

Having a Grass Pokémon could've been good for likely water-type Fishmen, but that's one Pokémon against a crew likely to be a higher level. At least Zhaleh would have been immune to any water attacks they might have dished out. I love his ability.

But we're still in a fight so I can't worry about things that won't be. Whether his sword is unsheathed or not, Zoro is deadly. Something within me screamed against running. Trainer instincts? Doesn't matter now. I really shouldn't have used Surf twice earlier, it's Zhaleh's only Special Attacking move at the moment.

Typically, HM moves' PP doesn't get used up outside a fight. I guess it does here where reality is just a bit different.

Zoro swings his sheathed sword again and I manage to get Zhaleh out in time. I keep getting distracted. I can't let this fight carry on. We need to pull out the big gun now. AKA, a Pokémon that's super effective against him.

Before I can even try to call out either Darcy or Niran however, Zhaleh and I are blindsided by a strike that knocks us clean off the deck of the Going Merry and into the ocean once again.

"Oh, heck no!" Zhaleh hisses under the surface, swimming back up. "I'm not losing, and I'm getting my break to sunbathe in peace damn it!"

Surf! (8/10) The wall of water larger than the Going Merry gets the reactions I've only seen in anime. It's strange to see it in real life but I guess those can and will happen again. The wave reaches an even higher height than before when we were alone in the ocean. Still, I can't help but smirk though. One Piece and Water Pokémon. That's going to be entertaining.

Zhaleh swims up and onto the wave's crest and we ride it as it reaches over and collapses with a crash! Soaking the entire deck of the Merry. There's a stampede of footsteps as the fight has finally gained the attention of the rest of the crew below deck. More importantly, right now, the move takes out a large chunk of his health, but not nearly enough for this to be easy.

I really hoped that a ninety powerbase move with a Same-Type-Attack-Bonus, or STAB for short, would do more than that, but it makes sense that a level difference of seven and Zoro's innate toughness would be hard to overcome.

Zhaleh gets hit with an unsheathed sword this time and we lose a quarter of our health. There's only one way left to fight. Smash our opponent with our strongest attack until he's unconscious. We call up another of a soon-to-be steady stream of Surfs! (7/10). We slam into Zoro again, taking out another chunk of health. Less than before somehow, although the wave was smaller again too.

Another four at that power will do it. We just have to survive but it's going to be close. Please let there be a crit in there. This would have been so much easier if we still had Brine. Or at least, it would be one turn less.

I hear cheering and angry shouts in the background, off the battlefield now that Surf isn't hitting the entire deck, and we get hit. I push on with Zhaleh, but the Surf! (6/10) misses. Cracking crabs, I thought that the move had a hundred per cent accuracy! Sure, it's not a never-missing move like Aerial Ace or Aura Sphere, but it shouldn't have missed.

Zhaleh's accuracy hadn't dropped, right? I doubt Zoro of all people would have done something to boost his evasion.

I see a determined glint enter Zoro's eyes and Zhaleh has enough time to Surf! (5/10) into him again, dropping his health into the yellow. My mind sharpens in response to the increased threat, even as Zhaleh's speed suddenly flags with a bit of hesitation. Flip, Zoro can pull off a Scary Face. That should not be a surprise.

He puts both hands on the hilt of his blade, the Wado Ichimonji. Instincts honed from years of playing Pokémon tell me that if I let Zhaleh get hit with that sword, he will faint. Luck, I'm going to need you to go all out here! Especially with at least another three Surfs required to take him out.

No problem with helping it though. Sometimes, all you can do is stack the deck in your favour. Especially since I can't see how to switch my Pokémon yet.

I'm trapped in a battle with Zoro. And while Zhaleh fainting would give me the chance to switch into either Darcy or Niran, I would rather keep Zhaleh conscious. Especially if Luffy becomes a potential opponent.

Zhaleh uses Sand Attack! (13/15) again and easily dances away from the next attack. A critical Surf! (4/10) and Zoro's health finally reaches red. I would have cried in relief and hope if I had the eyes to do so. The stakes are at their highest.

Whoever lands an attack next will win. Both sides know it.

We stared at each other. Mine and Zhaleh's intent against Roronoa Zoro's. We jump back into the drink, Vaporeons have a molecular structure similar to water that lets them become invisible when submerged in the liquid. Zoro's faster, but he can't really hit what he can't see. Not yet anyway.

Might as well play a little dirty, it's a pirates' world after all.

The ocean seethes and the ship rocks as Zhaleh and I swim below the ship itself. Zoro doesn't see us as the wave rises behind him, but we still barely evade the incoming blade. Zhaleh latest use of Surf! (3/10) lands. Slamming Zoro into the mast of the ship and rendering him unconscious.

It's silent. My mind tries to go blank with shock. 'I just beat Roronoa Zoro. He's still in the East Blue and is injured but… it's flipping Roronoa Zoro!'

I don't get the chance to properly register this when a message pops across my vision.

Zhaleh grew to Lv 11!

The Straw Hat Pirates are going to send out Sanji. Do you want to Switch Pokémon or Keep Battling?

Sanji, Fire after Enies Lobby, Fighting always. Can't hurt women. The answer is too obvious.

I mean, Zoro's attacks would have been weakened. Water resists Steel and he's a swordsman. The one-day Greatest Swordsman in the whole World. Of course, he'd be Steel. I don't know with his remaining health if Zhaleh can tank a hit from Luffy if he decides to fight us too. But what would rubber be weak against?

It's immune to electricity and likely weak to Ice, so that puts to mind Ground but those are just similarities and not an actual conclusion.

But this is all if I survive that long and if he even wants to fight. Honestly surprised that it's Sanji fighting us now. Although the deck is still very soaked. Maybe Luffy can't.

I ask Nico to come out and I feel the shift as Nico's body switches for Zhaleh's. Exclamations arise, some specifically about a Devils Fruit. 'Strong reasons for, but the against should have removed the possibility Nami. We came from the ocean after all. Heck, we swam in it twice during the fight.'

We turned to face a new threat and I spot the Sanji Lv 16. Note to self, never mention the level difference between the two. Unfortunately, Starly is a stage one evolution and its line aren't exactly the most defensive Pokémon out there. I can only hope that Sanji's psychological point of not hurting women will somehow apply against Pokémon and also regardless of a lack of knowledge. Fly is already missing a Power Point, which leaves fourteen uses.

Nico's among my fastest. But she is a Glass Cannons. I don't think this world will support that style well. Sinking sand. Oh well, I played dirty going into Zhaleh's element against Zoro. Sanji can't run on air yet himself.

We use Fly! (13/15) and rejoice as we move first. Sanji Leers up at us. As Nico's Defence drops, I grow more defensive of my fluffy ball of feathers. Nico dives down and we slam into Sanji, taking out roughly a third of his health. The message Super effective! Proves my theory of Sanji being a Fighting-type.

We try to pull back up out of reach. A Jump Kick lands into Nico and takes out nearly half her health.

Damnit. Her lower defences as a Starly are going to cost us. I debate switching, but we're in the air and Air Drop is a move. If there's one thing to be aware of in Pokémon unlike other games, it's friendly fire.

Still, we have more moves to test out. I know not all the animations will match up to life. Flying moves were always a bit ambiguous.

Nico unleashes a Wing Attack! (34/35) and it takes out a third of his remaining health. But it brought us back to close and personal. However, when Sanji tries to attack this time, I manage to get Nico out of the way. Already expecting the hit and knowing he'll only use his legs to strike.

I just need one more hit. Although I am worried, the high 'ground' really does give an advantage.

If your opponent can't get to you while you have ranged attacks and they don't. You win. It's pretty simple. Not that Nico really has any ranged attacks. I'll have to see what I can do about that, but ranged attacks make me think of Special Moves.

Nico does not have a good Special Attack Stat.

A Fly! (12/15) takes Nico up and away. Sanji Leers again. Not much of a use but now it's a certainty that the next hit will likely knock Nico unconscious. But we're already in another move and Nico swoops with the rage of a pissed off Magpie in the Spring. As any Australian knows, you run when faced with one.

That's why I bribe the ones that live on the tree in our yard from childhood with cheese. The latest generation is now eating out of my hands. Food can fix a lot of things and make a lot of friends. Not that I want to be food as Sanji's mutterings are suggesting I become.

I inwardly cackle. As we deal a large chunk of damage. But I'm cut off and my heart stops as the first of a Double Kick hits and a chunk of Nico's remaining health disappears, bringing her into the yellow. The second missed by a fraction but Nico's health… It's just above the red zone. We're still close so a Wing Attack! (33/35) later and Sanji is in the red himself.

The first of a Triple Kick lands and Nico is suddenly in the red. There's no actual music but I could hear the red-health warning screaming in my ears as Nico holds on with a single Hit Point.

I don't think. We are so close. Speed is of the absolute essence to success. There is one move that could work. Thankfully, it's still getting the Same Type Attack Bonus though not a super effective bonus.

Quick Attack! (29/30).

Sanji falls back with a thump on the deck.

Hysteria rises. Nico forces us to breathe normally. An overpowering force bears down on me, somehow dragging me away from insanity and back to tranquillity.

At least temporarily.

Nico grew to Lv 11!

The Straw Hat Pirates lost. You get 1,600 Beri for your victory.

I stare. My brain sludges forwards towards understanding. Then it screams.

'What the hell just happened? That was Sanji and Zoro. We beat them. That's not- How the holy cow is this happening?! This isn't- This isn't-.' Gira overpowers my thoughts.

You just won our first battle in this world. Those are the names of the people you fought. You did defeat them. That has just happened. This is reality. It is indeed possible. A smug edge entered their tone. After all, while the Straw Hats may be Protagonists and possess the luck and fate blessed armour of them. They are Anime heroes. They always seem to lose the first time but come back stronger after a defeat. It is unlike our world in that regard. Although, as you are a Game Protagonist yourself, you will always get where you are needed to progress the story.

'But- but it shouldn't be real now. NONE of you are supposed to be real either. I always wished you were, but you weren't!' I feel Nico puff up, some hackles rise, and stares turn to glares. 'Unless multiverse? Infinite realities with infinite paths. But how am I here now? How are you all in my head?'

Because it is. Giratina states.

'THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER!' I scream.

Before anyone can respond to that, two hands grab Nico's body, and we are pulled into a boy with a straw hat's chest. I'd give you three guesses as to who this is, but you shouldn't really need two of them. Thankfully, it doesn't knock Nico out.

"So cool! You were some sort of fish thing and you could make waves and you took down Zoro! Then you turned into a bird and took down Sanji! Join my crew!" Monkey D. Luffy cheers. There are actual stars in his eyes.

My brain shuts down. I've gone so far down the path of panic that I've circled around and begun wandering down Calm Avenue instead again, but without the dash of Denial I had before. Not that I can reply to him anyway. Way too out of sorts myself.

It is Nico who replied to Luffy's question.

"That fish thing is Zhaleh, a Vaporeon. And I'm a Starly, call me Nico. It's a pleasure to meet you, Monkey D Luffy."

"IT CAN TALK!" "You know my name!" The unified shout and grin pulled me back into focus.

"I do and yes, we all can. Aliahra is a human though, so if it won't explode your brains you can talk with her instead. She has all the answers." Nico throws me under the bus and hums as she sits back to watch.

As a human with a body, I was met with wide eyes and sparkles that floated in mid-air. I can't just be silent. I have to say something. Unfortunately, my sanity is really gone right now.

"Umm, hey?" is my dignified response. Nico laughs. I'm not even mad.

Groaning alerts me to Zoro's and Sanji's revival and I can see Zoro looking around and Sanji's eye on me. 'Well, ship. Wait, not that kind of ship! Just… shiv? Sheev. Sheev Palpatine. Palps. Pals. Oh my god, it's coming back around. Speak men, before I go on a tangent!' They unknowingly come to my rescue.

"Where's that fish thing gone?! And who are you?" It seems Zoro has caught sight of me. Sanji tries to kick Zoro and shouts at him for his behaviour, but he dodges and glares at Sanji. I probably should answer anyways. Even if it looks like they're about to fight.

Aww, but I want to see them fight! Niran actually sounds disappointed.

'So, my Ponyta is a bloodthirsty pyromaniac. Alright, good to know.' Niran laughs at me. I focus on reality and resist the next wave of panic.

"Hello there. I'm Aliahra, and that fish thing is my Vaporeon, Zhaleh." I interject. "He's technically in my head. I think? He appeared there three hours ago now. I lost all of my sanity a minute ago too, so I'm not a reliable answerer. Regardless of what Nico says."

Sanji turns to face me, polite but guarded. I mean, I did just confess to being crazy. "So, after he knocked me out, I'm guessing this Zhaleh flew off? Also, how did you get here?"

I smile at him. "No, it was Nico who knocked you out. Zhaleh, Nico and I can transform into each other. Along with the others of course." My grin turns evil, on the inside. "I got here because Zhaleh swam and Nico flew. You're both really impressive, I've never had to fear for my brother's and sister's health before. My brother's Zhaleh and Nico is my sister, just to be clear here." My claim of my Pokémon being my family doesn't even feel like a lie.

Sanji's eyes grow wide. Nico starts giggling and it nearly erupts from me too. But I hold on. Oh, this is going to be so good.

Umm, what's going on? Terra asks.

'You'll see Terra in three, two, one.' And directly on time, Sanji reacts. It is beautiful.

"I kicked a woman! I'm very sorry my lady, I did not mean to attack you or your sister!" He bows his head and then he shoots up again. "What do I need to do to repay you?"

'There we go.' I told Terra as Nico lost her freaking mind.

Himimimim. He didn't seem to react well to finding out he hit me. Ooh, what to do with this. Nico chimes in.

'Yeah, no. We are not taking advantage of a person. Especially Sanji!' I reprimand.

Hey, that Zoro fellow still hasn't reacted. I want to know how he feels getting beaten by someone weaker. Zhaleh asks. Scientific inquiry. No other reason.

'Yeah, I don't trust that.' I tell him while waving off Sanji.

"It's all right! Thanks to our fight, Nico has gotten stronger. I would have liked to fight again after everyone's healed, but I get the feeling you won't since you know I'm their Trainer now. The others could certainly use a workout too, ya know." I ready myself for the incoming questions.

"Wait, so you're a Trainer? What's that? And what Devil Fruit did you eat?" Luffy drew my attention back to him and pouted up at me. With me still being in his arms I was hit full force since he is so close. I wonder why he hasn't let go yet. Eh, I honestly don't care. I like hugs.

While I know I can't give the proper definition of a Pokémon Trainer, I adjust it to fit my situation. I mean, dimensional world travel is not something that just occurs, even in the Grand Line.

"I'm a Pokémon Trainer. It's an occupation held by almost everyone from my homeland. We're a lot weaker than normal humans, but we make up for it by befriending up to six Pokémon and they protect us. Honestly, you could hug me too tightly and easily permanently damage my spine. I know someone who dislocated their jaw with a sneeze." Luffy's grip immediately weakens. My ribs give out a sigh of relief. The tight grip was actually starting to hurt.

I carry on, it's an actual honest truth. I have Ehler Danlos Syndrome-Type 3. My back still hurts from doing push-ups wrong and aggravating a disk in my spine. People from my world also aren't as durable as Luffy, Zoro and Sanji. Even Nami and Usopp are probably more durable than people from Earth.

As for the Devil Fruit comment, I know I need to set that straight. "I haven't eaten a Devil Fruit. I don't know how my Pokémon became stuck in my head and I don't know how I can transform into them. But I can now. Although my current theory is that it's a side effect of leaving home, no one has ever done that before either."

Ha, and not a single lie. Although it is open to assumptions. Although I guess the "held by almost everyone from my homeland" is a bit of a one. Oh well, you've gotta do what you gotta do.

Panic tries to well up. I hate talking so much but I hate that sickening panic more. It'd be nice if it could just disappear already. "You guys seem nice. Say, since I've been exiled from my home, never to return, can I stay with you? Temporarily at least, I wouldn't impose myself on you unexpectedly for too long."

Backtracking proves useless as Luffy brightens and grins wider than I've ever seen before. I better get used to that quickly. My feet are pulled off the ground and I am twirled around. Oh, that's fast! 'Hi blurs! Hi, high. Hahaha.'

My form changes and we slip out of the nice, but dizzying embrace. Oh my god, we are small!

"Ah'm barely over two feet ya freaking giant." Darcy hisses at me. "Disregard what Aliahra said, we ain't staying with a bunch of weaklings." Darcy glares up at a blinking Luffy before turning on his heel and walking over to the edge of the ship.

Luffy tilted his head. "So, if I beat you, will you all stay?"

Darcy turns and glares at Luffy again. "Ya couldn't beat all six of us yourself. Even with da others," he gestures to the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates, "ya wouldn't win. Ah don't need to fight ya to know it."

There is a stalemate. Darcy and Luffy, conveying their conviction through stares alone. But a Riolu couldn't hold up against a D. Especially regarding something that has peaked said D's interest. Darcy lets out a huff of annoyance, but he concedes the duel of wills for now.

"Zhaleh could kick your Devil Fruit ass. Niran and Ah could destroy your swordsman, and your cook wouldn't dare ta hurt Nico again. Terra wouldn't lose ta those two. Even without, Giratina would destroy all of ya." Darcy warns before I wrench back control and return to human form.

Five people, two scared, one cautious but excited and two that are clearly excited stare at me. I dig my nails into my palms and force myself to breathe normally.

"Giratina is the Devil to my people's mythology. They're renowned for being banished to the Distortion World, another dimension, because of their violence. I also know they tried to kill their sibling, the god of time. I can't remember what for." I doubt having a literal devil as one of my 'siblings' would be enough to dissuade Luffy but I'm not so sure about the others.

Dialga's and Palkia's fighting almost destroyed my home. While we befriended, for a lack of a better term, each other later. I did not forget. I do not hate them; I just do not trust either of them with what I consider mine. Dialga least of all. Gira tells me.

"Okay, apparently Dialga, the god of time, was fighting Palkia, the god of space, and their fighting almost destroyed Gira's home. Hence revenge. Makes sense." I tell the Straw Hats, shrugging. I mean, might as well get all the 'Pokémon' issues out of the way.

If they don't let me stay, maybe I could join Bartolomeo? I'm enough of a One Piece and Straw Hat fan to get on his good side. I mean, the cannibal moniker may be a bit of an issue. Along with the Gangster thing.

Cannibal? Gangster?! Aliahra, what are you suggesting? Terra squeaks.

I don't get to answer.

"YOU HAVE THE DEVIL INSIDE OF YOU?!" These words are the only similarity. Luffy's eyes are shining, Zoro looks bloodthirsty and eager for a fight, Sanji is considering and cautious, while Nami and Usopp are freaking out.

"Cool! What's he like? How strong is he? Does he poop?" Luffy, the man who asks the most important questions, so you don't have to.

I laugh. I mean, he asked Gira if they poop. I stop and ponder curiously. 'Do Pokémon poop?'

The others do. I do not. They also need to eat and get fluids. Gira informs me.

Especially Terra. Make sure to water and sun him every day~. Nico hums. Niran tries to muffle his laughter at the tone that Nico used.

Keeping us hydrated is my job. Don't make jokes about it. Zhaleh interjects.

I smile and turn to face Luffy. When did I turn away? "First, Gira's Non-binary. They're not a he or a she. They're like a typically calm and knowledgeable older sibling but has specific buttons you do not want to push. Possessive too it seems. All my Pokémon were weakened when they entered my head though Gira managed to retain a lot more power than the rest." My smile stretches into a grin. "They also don't poop. Nor do they need to eat. The others all do though, sorry about that."

"You actually answered him on that?" Usopp asks, bewildered.

I shrug. "Well, Gira divulged the information first. They wouldn't have just told me if they weren't fine with me telling you."

Nami facepalms. "The Devil actually responded to Luffy asking if they pooped. You have to be kidding me." She sounds desperate but resigned. I just smile innocently. It's good, the Grand Line will require a similar attitude.

It is Sanji who asks the difficult question. "I can get that you were likely exiled for befriending your culture's devil. I can get that you befriended them and your other Pokémon as you called them. But I don't see why they followed you in the first place."

I know this world. I know the pasts of the people here. Telling them that I essential beat them to near unconsciousness, captured them against their will and force them to fight my battles for me sounds a lot closer to slavery than friendship. I mean, trading is done against the will of a Pokémon. And traded Pokémon are unlikely to listen to you without badges. Trauma or betrayal, I don't think Pokémon like it.

So yeah. I cannot tell the truth here. But I don't get to tell a lie.

Terra looks up at Sanji in my place, having switched without my say-so. My quiet Pokémon, the one with the 'weakest' typing, facing someone who most definitely could kick his ass. Literally.

"Aliahra chose me. Over the better and more popular Piplup and Chimchar, she chose me to be her first companion. I'm a Grass-type, I'm weak. A Budew would have been more useful than me to Aliahra. But she chose me." Terra smiles and braces himself. "She went through the effort of finding and training Darcy, even when he was being difficult. She still kept Nico, even though there were better options. She searched tirelessly for Niran, even though she could have found another like him later easier. When she was given Zhaleh, she was so happy. We fought hard to gain Gira's respect and friendship. They didn't have to join us."

Leaves slice through the air and hover over Terra, pointing directly at Sanji. "While Aliahra may be physically weak, she's the one who directs us in battle. She's our strategist who knows more about battling than us. She loves us, she chose us, she raised us. While we Pokémon may be considered friends to humans, we are still Monsters. I'm weak now, but I can cause Earthquakes when I get powerful enough again." He spun to Nami and Usopp. "That's right, again. Devolved and stripped of power, I can grow stronger again. Not to mention, now I can talk in your language and understand you too. Darcy was the only one who could understand humans before. I don't mind the loss of power if it means I can be closer to my best friend and Trainer."

The leaves return to the trees, seamlessly reattaching themselves exactly where they came from. "I follow her because she chose me. Pokémon are battle oriented, to have a trainer who will take care of you and keep you safe in the ways they can is a privilege. One I didn't think I was ever going to get."

He transitions back to my mind so quickly I almost faceplant into the deck. The stressed and tired cries let me know it wasn't intentional. My starter put up such a brave face, pushing past his quiet nature like that. 'I wish I could hug you, Terra.' The cries grow louder. 'I do love you. I really, really do.'

Huh, ya not lying. Darcy says as I get to my feet.

'I am trying to get better from being a chronic liar. But I would never lie about how I feel about someone. I do love you all. Even when you weren't real, I loved you.' I beat off some sand out of my socks before putting them on. I guess I know where the sand for Zhaleh's Sand Attack came from now.

'Do you need the elements to be around when you use your moves?' This may be a serious issue.

Not really. It can make our attacks more powerful if we're in an area with an abundance. Then the environment just bolsters our attacks. Zhaleh tells me.

Or weaken them. While I can, I'm not super useful in underwater fights. Says Niran with a wince.

Arms gently wrap around me. A unique laugh now filling my ears. "Your siblings are so cool! Hey, hey, what's Niran look like?"

Luffy is suddenly holding a flaming foal. Usopp and Nami jump back, Sanji and Zoro lean forwards, Luffy holds tighter. Darcy makes a 'huh' in surprise. "Hey, your fire doesn't hurt at all! Shishishi, it tickles." He's almost gentle as he pats the Ponyta's fire mane. "Hi, Niran."

Niran snorts hot air into Luffy's face. "Hello to you too! Say, can we fight? Zhaleh and Nico got to, but I really really want to too." He's wriggling in excitement. "I promise I won't burn the ship down. I don't like getting wet after all. Water's icky."

Luffy brightens up, clearly about to go through with the request, but he and Niran get smacked across the head with a fierce resounding "NO!" from Nami. Unfortunately for Nami? That attack both made Luffy let go of Niran to nurse his head and it hurt Niran. So, therefore, Niran is unrestricted from accepting the initiation into a battle. Poor Nami, she shouldn't have attacked a Pokémon.

They don't like backing down from a fight. And neither do I from a Pokémon Battle.

Coming up Next: Montages and Bribes

This next chapter I had no idea how to title. Well, I actually came up with plenty, but I wasn't very happy with any of them. Shame I can't call it Whatever.

Oh yeah, I should mention this. I got an Ao3 account near the end of January. The three stories I'm able to actively update, INADF, Another Story, and The Monster in Human Skin are all being updated over there at the same time as over here.