A/N: Hello dear readers. I hope that you're all well. I have to admit, that I generally haven't enjoyed the isekai genre too much in the past. But reading through stories like Borne of Caution has inspired me I suppose. This is planned out as a relatively light-hearted story, but it doesn't shy away from some heavier topics. I'll let you read for yourself from here on.
Trigger warnings: Near death experience, broken bones, dissociative attack.
– Prologue –
Welcome to the World of Pokemon!
I feel frozen with terror as I watch the bridge get further and further away. My white hair partially fills my vision as it whips through the biting air. I suppose my only comfort is that I can see the small girl that I'd caught, being pulled to safety. At least I had managed to save her.
There's a calmness that comes over me as the weight of my situation settles in. I am going to die here. I take a deep breath of the salty air, my last breath. I let my eyes drift shut and try to enjoy the rush of cold air over her skin, hoping to face down my final seconds in something more than terror. I suppose that if the greatest accomplishment in my life was saving that girl... I can't regret it.
In the peace of the moment, this impossibly long moment, I can almost believe that it will all b-
Pain.
Silence.
Nothingness.
…
…
…
Warmth.
Discomfort.
Pain.
Consciousness comes to me slowly.
"-in!" A voice fills my ears and something is pushing against the side of her face. "Shay!"
I reach up and blearily brush white curls from my face. I try to open my eyes and hiss as they adjust to the painfully bright daylight. The thing pushing at my cheek finally stops and a voice echoes in my head.
"It's about time you woke up!" A shiver of discomfort runs down my spine at the strange quality of the voice. It's almost like it's speaking directly into my brain. "You've been out since you fell from that rift!" The voice is high pitched and girlish behind my ears.
"Wh- Argh!" As I start to move, an explosive pain in my arm leaves me seeing stars. I dread what I'm about to see but grit my teeth and look down at my arm. The urge to vomit is almost irresistible at the sight of my left forearm bent in a very unnatural way.
As I looks away, my eyes fall on a little green hedgehog. It's watching me with concern visibly etched on its face. It has little green eyes with a white under belly and two red flowers bloomed on either side of its head. I would recognize that little bundle anywhere... but... what?
"A Sh... Shaymin?" I finally gasp out, my eyes wide with disbelief. "Are... is... Am I dead?"
"I don't think so..." The telepathic voice suddenly made much more sense, knowing that it was a Shaymin. "Are you okay? That looks like it hurts. Can you get up?"
"I... Phew... I can try," I breathe out. Gently, very gently, I try to shove myself to a sitting position. The pain is enough to take my breath away; I manage to get upright though, even if I have to prop up on my good arm.
Once the pain fades enough for me to think somewhat clearly, I take in my surroundings. Shaymin and I are at the top of a large hill covered with flowers of all kinds of colors and shapes. The hill itself slopes down until the ground disappears under the ocean waves. Turning my head, I see that the hill is, in fact, the only land on an almost minuscule island. Oh, boy... is this Flower Paradise from the games?
"Oh... That's not good..."
"What? Don't you like my island?"
"No, its not that. Your island is beautiful Shaymin. It's just... I think I need medical help. And food. And water..."
"Oh yeah... oh that's not very good for you. I don't think you're making the swim to shore. It takes almost an hour for me to fly there."
"I see. I think... I don't feel too good." I murmur out, feeling hollow and distant. It seems like only moments ago that I'd accepted her own death. Now I'm actually alive? Also an actual Pokemon shows up, my arm is broken, and I'm likely to starve to death if the broken arm doesn't take me out first.
"I... might be able to help with your situation, but it'll likely hurt... a lot."
"Oh?" How could she help? Maybe like she helped Giratina? I voice my thoughts as I watch the gratitude pokemon hop into my lap. "Do you know some healing moves, like Aromatherapy?"
"Precisely! Wow, you know a lot about me huh?" Shaymin pushes her front paws against my stomach. "I want to know about you too! But... let me heal you first."
"Yeah, that... that seems fair..."
"Shaymin!" The pokemon cries out as it starts channeling the healing energy. A wave of piercing cold washes over me, from head to toe. It's immediately followed by a sharp snapping sound. My vision fades to black and I'm faintly aware of my own voice screaming out in pain.
/-/
When consciousness returns once more, it does so slowly. My senses come back one by one. The first thing I can feel is a warm weight draped over her body, almost like a blanket. Then the smell of something warm and delicious, and the sound of metal scrapping against metal. My eyes flutter open to reveal the island in a sunset lighting. I must've been out for a while...
I turn my gaze to the side, towards the sounds. Sitting by a small camp stove is Shaymin, and another woman. She's unmistakable. That black jacket, the black fur trim, the teardrop hairpieces. Is that... Cynthia?! I start to sit up, but freeze as the noise draws the eyes of both Cynthia and Shaymin. The little pokemon bounces over quickly.
"Hey, you're finally awake! You had me really worried you know?"
"Sorry... Shaymin," I reach out with my good arm to gently pat the pokemon's head. "I'll be alright. Thank you... for helping me."
"I'm just glad we were able to fix you up a little bit. Look what miss Cynthia did!" The little one began pushing back the blanket to reveal that my broken arm is now wrapped in a decent splint with a homemade sling holding it to my chest. Anxiety bubbles in my chest as I look up to meet her savior's warm gray eyes.
"Hello there," A small smile pulls at Cynthia's lips as she continues. "I'm glad to see you awake as well. Shaymin has been beside itself with worry."
"Umm... Hi... Thank you for helping fix-up my arm." I sit up, grateful that the action doesn't bring any more pain. I can only hope that the fading light is enough to hide my blush as a bright smile lights up Cynthia's face. I have to look away and find myself watching a grassy furred pokemon making itself comfy in my lap.
"No thanks required. Little Shaymin there did most of the work." The smile on the Champions face fades slightly. "Though we really should get you to a doctor soon. Luckily we have one on call at the League HQ."
"The League?" My confusion lasts only a moment. "Like... the actual Pokemon League?!"
"Yes, that's right. You seem to be familiar with it then?"
"Well..." How much should I tell her? She might think I'm crazy. I think I'm crazy... "I would say... that I know of it."
Movement draws my eye as Cynthia approaches from the camp stove. The other woman kneels beside me and I immediately stiffen as a warm hand presses to my cheek. I stare with wide eyes as focused gray orbs search my face.
"Are you feeling well? You're flushed and warm."
The heat in my face only intensifies as she shifts her hand to my forehead. It's unnerving have her so close. I feel like a deer in headlights. She's staring at me with such concern and I'm struggling to even respond coherently. My eyes fall to her lips and I notice how pretty her lip gloss is as it catches the evening light.
It strikes me then, hard, that this can't be in my head, like some last second hallucination. I'd have thought that the rather intense pain would've been proof, but... that's kind of what I expected from hitting the water.
But its this that makes it all real, the warm hands cupping my face, the concerned gray eyes, the golden hair shimmering in the cool ocean breeze. Curious I reach up and gingerly catch a thick lock of her hair between my thumb and finger. It's incredibly soft.
"How are you even real?" The words come out of my mouth, but they feel and sound so distant. Vaguely I'm aware of her talking, I can even see her lips moving; but her words sound garbled through the static noise in my feels like a strangely out of body experience. I'd always had ideas of what it'd be like, but the real thing is a completely different beast.
Everything feels muted, my senses, my emotions. It's like my body is on auto pilot as I watch everything happen. She gets this look on her face that I can't describe. Then I watch as she goes back to the camp stove and fill up a metal mug with the liquid. I take the proffered cup and look in it. Some kind of soup or stew it looks like.
I take a tentative sip and hiss as the liquid scalds my tongue. Strangely though, the pain doesn't really register. Cynthia reaches out placing a hand on my wrist.
"Sorry... I forgot it would be hot." The words sound foreign from my lips.
I watch as Cynthia and Shaymin share a look. I wonder again if I should tell her what happened. I am aware that I probably need some form of professional assistance right now. Even as I think on what I should say, my lips are already moving.
"I died. I fell off massive bridge and died." Cynthia's face goes ghostly white, it's honestly concerning. "Or should've died. I don't know how I'm here... I don't think I'm okay right now."
What happens next is a blur, and the only solid thoughts I can grasp are few and far between.
Oh that's Garchomp, her scales are even more beautiful in person.
Hey... the League HQ is the castle, but also the Conference coliseums are just over there.
Wow that doctor sure is pretty. She gives the Joy family a run for their money.
/-/
"-n you hear me?"
"Wha-" I wince at the bright light shining in my eyes. With a click the light turns off, and I blink away the spots dancing in my eyes. As my vision stops blurring I can see that I'm in a sterile looking room, likely a hospital room. I'm wearing a green hospital gown and laid back on a bed. There are a few gadgets attached to my right arm and a vital monitor beside my bed.
On my other side is a tall older woman, with black hair pulled in a ponytail with her bangs framing her face. Her green eyes watch me closely from behind her glasses. She's dressed in a white coat and green scrubs.
"Hello Doctor... I... How did I get here?" My question has her brows furrowed.
"You don't recall being admitted?" I shake my head in response. "I see. Then, can you tell me your full name?"
"Sasha Weiss. I don't have a middle name."
"It's a pleasure to meet you Sasha. I'm Doctor White, I've been taking care of you since your arrival. Do you remember me?"
"No... I don't..."
She nods and scribbles on her clip board. "How are you feeling right now Sasha? Any pain, fuzziness, or other strange sensations?"
I take a moment to consider myself, still thoroughly confused. Nothing feels off. I look at the arm that I remember being broken and it looks to be just fine.
"I feel fine. Confused and anxious. Maybe a little stressed."
"That's to be expected. Tell me, what's the last thing you remember?"
"Well... I was on my way to my first day of work... then... I..."
Falling.
Pain.
Darkness.
A cool touch on my wrist pulls me out of the memories. The doctor is looking at me with soft eyes. "Sorry... I just... spaced out."
"It's okay. You've been through something extremely traumatic. You probably don't remember but you told us what happened. How you saved that girl? It was quite brave, and incredibly selfless."
I shift uncomfortably on the bed and can't bring myself to meet the doctor's eyes. After everything, I don't know if I could do something like that again. It makes me feel like an awful person.
"So, where's my brave rescuer anyway?" I question, trying to change the subject.
"Cynthia has been lurking in my corner of the castle for the past couple of days." The doctor sighs and I can practically feel the exasperation rolling off of her. "She and that Shaymin of yours have been menacing me, constantly trying to get in here with you. But, given the state you were in, it didn't seem proper. You weren't much like yourself, I think."
"Yeah... that sounds about right. Though I didn't think Shaymin would stick around..." I let out a sigh and rub my eyes. Good heavens... I'm in the world of Pokemon. What am I going to do?
"Well, you can talk to her yourself after we do another quick physical. Now that you're out of your dissociative state, I want to make sure that you're still functioning well. It's a pretty rare occurrence so not everything is well understood."
As the doctor helped me through the physical, we talked some more about my condition. Apparently the nasty break in my bone was mostly healed up by Shaymin. Luckily, the legendary pokemon's natural talent was able to set it properly. Once I got to the hospital, a dose of Sitrus berry extract was enough to finish healing the injury completely.
As far as my mental break, she called it. I was mostly functional, if seeming a distant. Sometimes questions would have to be asked multiple times to get an answer. I responded to well to directions and was altogether a model patient.
I suppose I should just be grateful that I didn't have some kind of psychotic snap or start acting embarrassingly. I told the doctor as much and she informed me that I had been quite flirtatious towards Cynthia before the doctor gave her the boot. Apparently, I was distracted and unhelpful with her around. Then she informed that I started flirting with herself.
"I'm so sorry for acting so rudely." The doctor caught me eyeing the window as I debated on trying to escape. Her playful laughter at my embarrassed flush helped ease the tension in my gut.
"Don't worry about it, these things happen." The Doctor finished writing at her desk and turned in her seat. "Alright, I think you've got a clean bill of health. Earlier, I sent Cynthia out to do something useful instead pester me. So she should be returning with some fresh clothes for you anytime now."
"Speaking of clothes, where are my old ones... and did I have anything else on me?" I felt a spike of nervous anxiety. I should've had my phone and wallet on me. I wished that I had a purse, but the scholarships that I had didn't exactly cover the costs for anything more than necessities. It was actually supposed to be my first purchase with the money from my new job.
"Cynthia has your old clothes in a guest room that you'll be staying in here at the League. As far as your personal belongings, you had a wallet and a strange little device that was pretty beat up. Since you couldn't remember your name, the Id helped us get some identifying information." An alert sounded on the Poketech on the Doctor's wrist and she checked the screen. "Oh, look at that. Seems like your clothes are here. I'll be back in just a moment."
I watch the doctor leave before falling backwards on the bed. I kick my legs idly as they dangle over the edge of the white covered mattress. I suppose I should start trying to figure out what I should do. So the whole idea of world hopping, as outlandish as it is, isn't completely new to me. I didn't live under a rock. That being said though I don't have any real idea for where in the timeline I am. Has everything happened from the games timeline yet? Or is it all under the shows 'canon'... or do those timelines even apply to my current situation. What if...
Okay Sasha, slow down. Maybe I should just take it all one step at a time. No sense in getting ahead of myself and stressing out. That's probably the big difference from a lot of things I'd read and seen. Everyone assumes that they'd face the circumstances with a stoic calmness and level head. Right now I wish I could do that.
Something about the eldritch knowledge that I have indeed swapped universes makes my head swim and I almost feel like I'm drowning. Good lord... what am I going to do...
A knock at the door, thankfully, pulls me out of my head. I sit up as the doctor enters. She offers a warm smile as I gingerly take the clothes she offers. "You can go get changed in the bathroom. Once you're done, we'll go great Cynthia and your little Shaymin. That little cutie is just beside herself with excitement. She seems to be pretty attached to you already."
I smile at the thought of Shaymin and move into the bathroom. It'd be a lie to say that I'm anything but vibrating with excitement as I start dressing. If she wants to stick around, I'd have my very own Pokemon partner. That still feels so wild to think about. I could be a Pokemon trainer... or maybe a Ranger or something... the possibilities really are endless.
The sight of my reflection shocks me out of my head space. I have yet to see myself since I appeared in this world. Thankfully, I look mostly like myself. I have the same roundish face with light freckles sprinkled across my slightly upturned nose and upper cheeks. My long white hair falls in slow thick curls toward the middle of my back. Even my body seems to be the same. Roughly five foot three, slightly thicker than average, and still pale... everything is as it should be.
Except for the unfamiliar golden eyes that stare back at me. That's... something, I suppose. I lean over the sink and examine the almost glowing irises. How interesting, I wonder why they're that color now. I suppose I should be more shocked, but... I had a devastatingly broken arm heal in two days. Because of a Pokemon... which are real now... Also Cynthia. Honestly, cool yellow eyes are small potatoes at this point.
Thinking about Cynthia reminds me that there are in fact people waiting for me. Getting back to the task at hand, I finish getting dressed. Taking another look in the mirror I examine the clothing. I'm wearing a black tank top with blue jean shorts, a pair of thigh high black stockings. She even went as far as to get me a new pair of black and white sneakers that are an almost exact replica of my old beat up Converse from home.
What an absolute gem of a woman.
Feeling satisfied, I step out of the bathroom to see the room empty and the door open. I poke my head out the door to see a much more... modern design than I expected. This area at least looks like a hospital back home. It leaves me wondering if this was built into the castle or if the castle was designed with it in mind. I guess I really don't have any idea what the recent history of the world or even region is. Beyond Arceus, Dialga and the other Legendary Pokemon that is.
With a dramatic sigh, I stop procrastinating and step out into the long white hallway. I look either way past the rows of doors and see Doctor White talking to Cynthia at the end of the hallway. Shaymin is the first to notice me from her perch in the Champion's arms. She lets out a high pitched exclamation and I nearly wilt as Cynthia's gray eyes land on me. I offer up a shy wave and feel a bit better at the sight of her smile. At least my antics haven't made her hate me.
The trio start approaching, so I steel myself and go to meet them halfway. As I get close, Shaymin starts squirming in Cynthia's arms before launching herself into the air. With a gasp I reach forward and catch the grassy pokemon. "I'm so glad to see you! I can tell that you're doing much better now."
I lift the hedgehog and nuzzle against the top of her head. She smells like roses and sunshine. "I'm happy to see you too Shaymin. I'm so grateful that you've stuck around to keep an eye on me."
If I could see beneath her fur, I'm sure that she'd be blushing as she just mumbles out her name before scrabbling onto the top of my head and making herself comfortable. As I brush the stray hair out of my face with a small giggle, my eyes fall on the brightly dressed Champion. I'm momentarily stunned at the view.
A pair of flared gray slacks cover her seemingly endless legs, which disappear beneath a slightly loose fitting blue sleeveless button up shirt. As I tilt my head, eyes flickering up her figure to finally meet her amused gaze, I become very aware just how tall she really is. The blonde woman towers almost a foot over me. "Hi!" I squeak out in a pathetic display. "Wow, you're taller than I thought you'd be." Kill me.
The doctor bursts into chuckles and a light blush dusts over Cynthia's cheeks. She averts her gaze towards the floor and says, "Hah, I get that a lot. People say that I can be kind of imposing."
"Oh, I don't mean it like that. It's just... I haven't see many other women as tall as you, ya know?" I blurt out in a panic, hoping to ease any discomfort I'd put her in. "It's impressive and imposing, for sure, but like, in a good way. Like a really good way. Oh no, I'm rambling. It's just- I'm sorry if I came off as rude, you're just- wow, ya know."
I clasp my hands over my mouth to force the panicked word vomit to end. My face is on fire and mortification is nowhere near a strong enough word for what I'm feeling. The doctor sounds like she's almost in tears from laughing so hard. Cynthia is just staring down at me with lips parted in surprise and her eyes wide. I can physically see the blush climb her neck until her whole face is bright red.
Panic wins out over my mortification as I spot the exit signs pointing down the hallway. I step sideways slowly, hoping to avoid triggering Cynthia from her stunned silence before I can escape. Once I have a clear path to down the hall. I squeak out a quick, "I'm sorry!"
Then I break into a dash down the hall, Shaymin clinging tightly to my hair as we go. "Wow, you're running really fast!" Shaymin's voice sounds behind my ears.
I'm such an idiot.
/-/
Shaymin guides me to refuge in a giant garden situated in the center of the castle. The midday sun shines down on the well kept area as many different Pokemon carry on their lives in the secluded haven. The garden itself resembles a wild glade, with a myriad of flora and trees dotting the area haphazardly. A large stream winds slowly through the garden, with a well maintained dirt path following beside it. A handful of benches are stationed along the path.
One such bench is where I find myself reclining. The sound of the streams gentle bubbling carries from behind me with the occasional Pokemon splashing in the water. I found a good seat mostly shaded by a large oak tree, to help protect my fair skin from the sun. Since I burn, very easily. It also gives me a good view of Shaymin as she explores a sunny patch of grass where a small gathering of Petilil are tending to their stretch of land.
Shaymin waddles up to one of the little grass pokemon and the two start talking back and forth. I can't help but grin at the sight. Already making friends I see.
I jolt in surprise as the bench shifts. I look over to see Cynthia taking a seat at the other end of the bench. Her eyes are on Shaymin, but I see her glance my way for only a moment. It's enough for me to remember that it's rude to stare and turn my attention back to my little partner.
Shaymin and the Petilil are chasing each other around the small field. The other Petilil continue working around them, as if this is a normal occurrence.
I struggle with the anxiety building in my stomach as the silence between me and Cynthia stretches on. Finally my awful habit of running my mouth kicks in and I break the silence.
"This is like a scene out of a fairytale... for me that is..." I start in a soft voice, I glance over to see her looking at me with curiosity written on her features. It's too much for me to meet her eyes so I watch Shaymin bounce around the field as I continue, "In my world... Pokemon don't exist. We just have animals. They're kind of like Pokemon, but far more mundane and much less intelligent. To us, Pokemon are magical, impossible creatures. A lot about this world is, for example, my arm would've taken months to heal and it probably would have never been the same again."
I look down at where my hands are clasped in my lap. "Pokemon just exist in anime shows and video games... Everything I've seen and read about these types of situations could never prepare me for the real thing... It's not like I left anyone behind you know? No family or any real friends to speak of... but, it still feels like I lost so much."
I summon up my courage and look up to meet her unreadable expression. "I guess what I'm trying to figure out how to say is," I pause and let out a shaky breath. "Thank you... for saving me on that island... and I'm sorry for earlier. It was very rude, and definitely uncalled for. It wasn't kind to just blurt those things out like that. I just have some trouble controlling my words when I'm anxious. It's just a habit. I'm s-"
"Hey, take a breath." Cynthia interrupts me with a gentle touch of her fingers on my shoulder. "It's okay. All is forgiven... I know you're struggling and that's okay. How about we start over?"
I nod my affirmation, with a nervous smile.
"Okay then, I'll start. Hello, my name is Cynthia Shirona. It's a pleasure to meet you." She offers her hand with a beaming grin.
I shake her hand firmly and reply, "It's wonderful to meet you Cynthia. I'm Sasha Weiss. I hope we can be good friends."
Her playful gray eyes sparkle at me. "Charmed, Miss Weiss."
"Please, just call me Sasha," I reply in my best southern accent. "Miss Weiss makes me sound old."
A snort of laughter escapes my companion and I can't help but join in with a sharp laugh of my own. After a moment of calming down, she asks, "What kind of accent was that anyway?"
"Well, back home it was known as a southern accent." After everything I've said already, it doesn't seem like it'd hurt to tell her more. "I'm from a place called the United States of America. A union of fifty states under one overarching government and spanning about half a continent. I'm from a state called California which sat on the far western edge of the country."
"That sounds like a logistical nightmare," She hums out as we both watch Shaymin causing more flowers to bloom, as if by magic. Petilil dances around in delight.
"It is- or was? I dunno. Either way, yes. Not just logistical either, I suppose." I admit in a soft voice. "If the way things work here is even a little bit like the way I expect, then you've been living in a relative utopia compared to my old world. That is by no means an exaggeration."
"That is... concerning..."
I only offer a noncommittal noise in response. I hadn't really put much thought into it... but getting back, even if I wanted to, would be next to impossible. That's probably for the best. If the trip could be made again, I would worry that some of the worse aspects of my world could slip into this one. I don't believe that the world of Pokemon would be better off for that worlds influence.
Cynthia offers a gentle squeeze to my hand. I hadn't even realized that my hand was still sitting in hers. "Hey... be honest with me, how are you holding up Sasha?"
I let out a long breath. "Phew... Honestly?" I glance over as she meets my eye with a nod. "This is a dream come true. I literally could not be happier. Like, it's not exactly all sunshine and rainbows. I'm confused and scared, but my biggest fear is that one day, I go to bed and wake up only for this to be some kind of weird, hyper realistic dream."
The conflicted expression on her face makes me feel exposed somehow. I guess I really am just baring my soul here. I suppose its my turn to ask some questions, maybe get a gauge for what the situation is. Where I am in the timeline, if it's even recognizable.
"You're turn to answer some things," I state as I turn towards her, sitting cross-legged on the wodden bench. Cynthia's face takes on a serious expression and she nods. "Let's start with the basics. Have you heard of Ash Ketchum?"
She tilts her head looking thoughtful, her slender finger tapping away at her bottom lip. "Hmm... that name does sound familiar... Oh!" She snaps her fingers with a pleased grin. "That's the young trainer who just recently won out in the Kanto Battle Frontier. It was certainly an impressive accomplishment for a young trainer."
"Okay... then how about the Berlitz family? Ring any bells?"
Cynthia shook her head firmly. "No, that name doesn't sound familiar at all..."
Okay, so it looks like the manga isn't going to be of any real consequence here, hopefully... I never read it. I should talk to Professor Rowan soon and find out if the game's canon is present in any way. Goodness this is going to be a wild ride. I can't stand by and let Team Galactic run unchecked. Once I start interacting with the wider world though, all of my knowledge becomes shaky at best and absolutely disastrous at worst.
"Next question, are you familiar with Team Galactic? Have they started popping up yet?"
At this question Cynthia's eyes narrow and disdain is clearly written on her features. "A small time criminal organization, yes. They've been credited with a number of thefts and other small crimes. Not being the first Team to appear since the explosive rise of Team Rocket, we've kept an eye on them, but they are just one of a few such criminal organizations in the region."
Interesting, since there's no real mention of any other such criminal Team's by the time of the anime, or game canons; it's a safe bet that Team Galactic will start eliminating the competition. Likely to insure their dominance and prevent any other criminal interference with their own plans.
"I take it that these criminals are of some greater importance than we realize?"
I fidget for a moment, chewing at my finger nails and forming a reply. "Well... I can't say that what I know is going to be exactly how things play out right? But to my knowledge, during the next League season, Team Galactic is going to start making major moves. The goal is the summoning and capture of Palkia and Dialga, in order to form a new universe of their leaders design."
As I finish Cynthia begins looking more and more sickly. I reach out a hand and lightly touch her shoulder. "Hey, listen, it's going to be okay! First, we don't know for a fact that they'll even last long enough to reach the actual operational stage of their goals. But even if they do, knowing what we're up against means that we have the edge up. Think about it like this, in the worst case scenario, we can just call all of the gym leaders and Elite Four to the top of Mt. Coronet and stop things there."
She lets out a trembling breath and nods, though she still looks uncomfortable. "You're right, its just... only months ago that Team Aqua and Magma almost managed to wreak complete havoc on the ecosystem and none of us knew until after the fact. It was just a very uncomfortable realization."
"I think, that I can relate." I chuckle nervously to alleviate some of the tension.
"Thank you, Sasha." Cynthia says suddenly as the serious air intensifies. "You didn't have to tell me any of this. It was definitely a big risk and I will respect that trust. We'll work together to solve the coming crisis."
I nod resolutely and start to speak when Shaymin leaps into my lap with a high pitched cry. Petilil isn't far behind, the Bulb Pokemon looks absolutely livid. The little leaves on top of her head are practically vibrating as she verbally assaults Shaymin.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to, I just caught some errant pollution from that Gloom!"
"Hey, it's okay." I murmur to both of the Pokemon, my words silence the agitated Petilil. "I'm sure whatever happened was an accident."
She gives me a curious once over as Shaymin starts talking back to her.
"Shay. Shaymi. Min."
The little things brown eyes regard me with a new light and she starts chattering excitedly. "Peti. Lil. Petilil."
"She says she's happy to meet you! I've told her a lot about my mysterious friend who fell from the sky."
"It's wonderful to meet you too Petilil." I reach down and the little Pokemon waddles forward to let me gently pet her just below the three little leaves on her head. I glance at Cynthia and catch her watching me with a small smile.
"Shaymin and I spent quite some time out here in the past couple of days. Don't let their arguing fool you, these two have grown quite close."
I acknowledge her with a small hum. "I see... I'm glad you're making friends Shaymin. Though, are you planning to stick around for a while or we're you wanting to return to your Flower Paradise?"
"Oh, you didn't tell her Miss Cynthia?"
"I thought Sasha would like to hear it from you personally. It is between the two of you after all."
Shaymin seems to consider Cynthia's words before turning around and pushing herself up on my stomach until we're making eye contact.
"I would like to stay with you, as your partner. At first I wanted to stay at my island but after being out here with everyone, I realized that I don't really know anything about the world. I want to explore and learn about all kinds of different people and Pokemon. Miss Cynthia said that you and I are in similar situations so traveling together only makes sense."
A toothy grin pulls at my lips as I gently brush my fingers over her green fur. "I guess we are pretty alike, huh? The whole world out there is a complete mystery to both of us. I would be honored to experience the world with you at my side."
"Then it's decided! From now on we'll be Sasha and Shaymin. The dangerous duo!"
I burst into laughter and then squeak in surprise as Petilil jumps onto the bench and stares at me with determined eyes.
"Petilil." Her voice is very serious, despite being so adorable.
Shaymin turns around and there's a quiet moment before the hedgehog glances back at me. "She says that she wants to come too."
"Peti. Petilil." She nods in a solemn agreement.
"Is that so? Is because you're worried about Shaymin?"
Another affirmative.
I look up at Cynthia and ask, "Is that okay? Am I allowed to have multiple Pokemon? I mean... I assume Shaymin is fine since it seems like you planted the idea in the first place. But I just want to be sure. Because I don't know a whole lot about caring for them and I don't want to be a bad trainer or anything. I just-"
"Sasha," Cynthia's voice is calm but firm. "Take a breath, its okay. Since you'll be here at the League for the foreseeable future, and the new season doesn't start for a few months, we'll have plenty of time to test what you already know and prepare you for a Trainer License."
I couldn't help but hyper fixate on one word in particular. "We?"
The amused glint in Cynthia's eyes mix with another emotion that I can't place. "I don't have many duties during the off season, and like I told you," My heart skips a beat as she reaches out and laid her hand over the one I'm petting Shaymin with. "We're in this together now."
I could practically melt under that intense gaze. Oh I'm so screwed.