A/N: Please enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Pokémon or their characters. I just own this story.

Many people would say that Caitlin and Shauntal were the closest in Unova's Elite 4. Though, it wasn't always the case.

In fact, Caitlin would even say that Shauntal wasn't even her first friend made in the league.

Surprising to some, she became close to Marshal first.

Even though he had a big, tough appearance, Marshal was a real sweetheart. He was always very kind and helped Cailtin during her transition to her position. He even gave her a tour of the League's home city, Olympus.

She became friends with Grimsley next.

The two of them already had a history being frenemies or rivals (though Grimsley didn't consider her one).

They both met when Cailtin was a freshman and Grimsley was a senior at the Battle Institute, one of the top trainer schools and universities in the region. At the time, Grimsley was being ostracized due to the shady dealings of his father. Caitlin decided to try and befriend him, knowing that not everyone was like their parents. Grimsley wasn't receptive to her at all, and from there, their rivalry began.

When both found themselves having a coveted seat in Unova's Elite, Grimsley was still a bit guarded, but as they battled each other more, Grimsley got to see more of Caitlin's heart. Their friendship grew little by little and now Grimsley teases her all the time.

Caitlin became friends with Shauntal last.

Most people would be surprised by that fact and would think that they would obviously become close due to them both being the only female members of the Elite.

Though it was much easier said than done.

It took Caitlin months, if not an entire year, to grow closer to Shauntal.

Caitlin has three possible reasons why.

Reason 1. Shauntal was very shy, and it took her a while to get comfortable with others. It took her a similar amount of time (though not quite as long) to become friends with Grimsley and Marshal. Though Caitlin was reserved and a bit quiet, she still knew how to socialize. She had to due to her status of being the daughter to the patriarch of the Blakemoore family.

Reason 2. Not only was Shauntal a member of Unova's Elite, being a prolific battler, she was also a highly acclaimed published author. Most of Shauntal's free time was spent writing after she completed all of her duties. It left her little time to socialize.

Reason 3. Shauntal was a medium. She could see ghosts, but she couldn't interact with them. She often wrote most of her novels about the ghosts, their previous lives, and how they were adapting to their new life, wanting to imagine what their lives were like since they couldn't tell her directly.

In Unova, people that were known to have powers (psychics, mediums, aura users, etc.) were known as "griffins." Being a griffin was a dangerous thing. Most Unovans disliked griffins and even feared them. There were many superstitions about griffins being evil and causing bad things to happen to others. Unless you were from one of Unova's indigenous groups or were a follower of Arceism (where these powers were seen as gifts from the pantheon's deities), most griffins weren't welcome.

Shauntal and Caitlin were both griffins. While Shauntal was a medium, Caitlin was a psychic with the gift of telekinesis. With the stigma surrounding griffins, many who got into high positions of power were often hostile towards one another due to the fact that they believed that only one of them could exist in that space.

Shauntal was never hostile towards Caitlin; though she did wonder if her status as a griffin caused Shauntal to be more reserved around her.

Though in time, the two became the best of friends. Caitlin would even say that she was closer to Shauntal than the others (but only by a margin). The two often trained together; and due to their quiet natures, they would often sit and do their own thing in each other's presence.

Currently, the two were hanging out in Shauntal's suite in the League building.

The Elite and Champion of Unova had three homes that were provided to them. They had their suite in the league building, a manor with staff in the city that housed the league, and an apartment in the capital of Olympus.

Caitlin and Shauntal usually spent their time in their manors wanting to leave the building when work was done, but when there was any significant business or meetings that would take place at the league, they would stay in their suites.

Caitlin was currently lying down on Shauntal's bed flipping through a magazine while Shauntal was at her desk writing the draft of her latest novel.

While Shauntal was writing, Caitlin couldn't help but notice all the heavy signs and lack of writing Shauntal was doing.

"Shauntal, darling," said Caitlin, "What's gotten you in such a mood."

"It's nothing really…"

"It is if it's gotten you like this. Come now, you can tell me anything."

Shauntal sighed, "I guess I was just thinking about my life and my family you know. I was just thinking about how little of my life goals I've actually accomplished. I had my whole life planned out, you know. I wanted to have a coven, be married, and plan to conceive by the time I turned 28. I'm 27, and I've barely cracked any of my goals."

Caitlin pushed away her magazine and went over to stand next to Shauntal.

"Please don't think like that, Shauntal. You've accomplished quite a lot. You're a member of the Elite and an accomplished author. Please don't put down your talents."

"I know, and I am so thankful for everything, but it just feels like my life is off course somehow…"

Caitlin put her hand on Shauntal's shoulder.

"While I can't marry you or help you conceive, I can lend assistance to your last goal. Why don't we form a coven together?"

Covens in Unova were a lot more numerous than in other regions, but not for the best reasons.

Most covens in other regions consisted of griffins who would have the same powers; there was no mixing. Psychics would be in covens with other psychics. Mediums would be in covens with other mediums. Though there would sometimes be members of covens who weren't griffins. They would mostly be spouses, children, or friends who would act as assistants. Most covens in Unova were mixed; psychics and mediums happily intermingled.

In other regions, most covens needed to consist of three or more griffins in order to be considered a coven. In Unova, a coven only needed to have two griffins.

Most covens in other regions were formed around a common goal. A coven would usually have a job that they would do together. For example, some medium covens would provide exorcisms for ghosts that needed to move on from an area. The coven would then be paid as a group and the money would be shared among them. In Unova, most covens were primarily created out of necessity and protection.

Due to the stigma of griffins, covens especially obtained a bad reputation. Shauntal was born into a large coven and was the most controversial member of the Elite because of it. Every coven in Unova had to be registered with the government and would be added to a public database. Anyone could look up this database and see how many covens were in a city, who the members of those covens were, and the mailing address of each coven. Anyone that was found to be in an unregistered coven would be subjected to hefty fines and lengthy jail time. This caused many griffins to be paranoid, especially when they lived in close proximity to each other. In order to avoid those punishments, many griffins would form covens.

Shauntal looked up at Caitlin with stars in her eyes, "You really mean that?"

"Sure," shrugged Caitlin, "If I was going to be in a coven, I would prefer for you to be in it."

Shauntal quickly rose from her seat and hugged Caitlin.

"Oh, thank you thank you thank you!"

The two hugged, jumping up and down until Shauntal was out of breath.

"Would it be all right if we invited Grimsley and Marshal to be a part of it too?" Shauntal asked with her best puppy eyes.

Even though Shauntal grew up in a coven, and could easily continue to be in it, she always saw herself as starting her own coven just like her mother had. Unlike most griffins in Unova, Shauntal grew up seeing covens as a family. A family that would provide safety for the griffins that it consisted of. She wanted that family more than anything and especially yearned for a large coven (despite her lack of socialization). She saw inviting Grimsley and Marshal as the most likely candidates to be non-griffin members of their coven due to how close they all were.

Caitlin chuckled, "They can if they want to be in it."

At their next free weekend, Caitlin, Shauntal, Grimsley, and Marshal met up at Caitlin's manor. Caitlin had excused her staff for the weekend, wanting to have the utmost privacy when discussing these matters.

They were all sitting in Caitlin's living room, with food and drinks surrounding them.

Since Shauntal was too nervous to bring up the topic, Caitlin would do so. Though, she waited after a while for everyone to get comfortable.

Once she brought it up, it was quiet for a while before Marshal spoke up.

"It would be highly controversial," said Marshal with a serious look set to his brows.

Grimsley smirked, "I'm in. The more controversial the better."

"I'm not saying it's a bad thing," countered Marshal, "All of us forming a coven would be a major topic. I would like to join as well, but we need to think of the reality of what would happen if we make a decision like this."

"I think we can do it," said Caitlin, "I think we're strong enough to get through the fire. And besides all the chatter, what could they do to us? It's not like we could be fired. Nothing in our contracts says we can't do this."

"Ever the planner, Caitlin," Grimsley smiled, "Was it you who came up with this nifty idea?"

Caitlin shook her head, "Shauntal did. It was one of her life goals to form a coven, and I wanted to help."

Shauntal gulped, "It's no pressure really. I just… I grew up with a coven and know how magical it can be. I would love to create one together and experience that magic with you guys."

Marshal looked towards Shauntal with a soft gaze, "My grandmother was in a coven. It didn't extend to her progeny, but they took good care of each other. They've helped me numerous times, and even came to watch my inauguration. I would be honored to be a member of your coven."

Shauntal smiled.

Even though there were so many things to talk about, they all knew that they would take the next step and join their coven.

Together

Word Count: 1,861

Published: Monday, April 15, 2024

A/N: Thank you for reading to the end! I hope you all had fun. I really have been inspired lately by Caitlin and hope to write more about her still. Now that I've written this oneshot, I wonder if I should write more about their coven activities. Please let me know what you think below :)