Hello guys and bienvenidos to the next update! I had a little bit of changed plans, but was able to find time to finally get this shorter bit of a chapter done and dusted! We're moving along, I promise!

I'm fairly glad the big thing last chapter got the reaction I was expecting. So far, everything is going to plan!

Not as much here as some of the previous chapters, but still important as we'll be introducing the big game gimmick! I hope everyone enjoys the chapter.

The sound of fletchling chirping from outside the window of the hostel roused Rian from his sleep.

He had been lucky enough to have the entire student dorm room for boys to himself, so he hadn't had to keep to himself with other student guests around. Sunlight filtered through the blinds and he knew that if he wasn't up in the next half hour, the position would move it so that it shined right on top of the pillow he was using. And thus into his eyes.

Might as well get up. After all, our first day of school is today. He eased his feet over the edge of the bed and ambled into the dorm's bathroom to refresh himself.

It was a routine he always had done while at home and something his mother had instilled in him with the military diligence she had been trained with. Rian figured sticking to the regimen meant that he and his sister's morning ritual was clockwork compared to someone less organized.

A quick wash of his face and brush of his teeth, he examined his reflection in the mirror. No sign of facial hair, neither a mustache or a beard. His chocolate brown hair had grown a bit longer than his parents had liked, but the bangs had covered most of his forehead. What was most bothersome was the little tuft wing that stuck up almost at the top of his head. It would refuse to be matted down regardless of how much water or gel he'd apply.

Good thing I have a hat. Rian thought to himself, finishing up in the hostel's bathroom and going back out to slip the accessory in question on top of his head. I hate going somewhere like school looking unkempt.

It took him just a couple more minutes to get the rest of his uniform on and slip on his belt with the lone poke ball that belonged to Baron.

He sighed with bitter disappointment at the conversation he had with Nemona last night where she declined his trade offer. She said that she understood his stance and that he wasn't overly satisfied with his starter pokémon in the same way as Jules. But she herself had thought that Rian had made the right choice, regardless if he felt on the contrary.

"Sometimes a proper bond and getting along take time. Don't compare yourself to your sister so much as making the best for both you and your partner pokemon."

It was sound advice and he did have to remind himself that he had only been a trainer for less than a full day. There was a lot he still had yet to learn.

"A trade?" Nemona's face paused in curiosity. "But why?"

"I…I don't know fully." Rian sighed. "It's just that I'm not sure if I'm cut out to be Baron's trainer."

"What makes you think it'd be better if you had Saeta?"

Rian felt the question drive home and shrugged more out of frustration than anything. "Anything! He runs off on his own, goes and does what he wants…I guess I'm okay with that…but this wasn't anything I thought was going to happen."

The older student studied her new friend's agitation. Sure enough, they had gotten to a rocky start when Baron had gotten some inner resolve to train as hard as he could. Since they had lost their battle against a pokemon he had a blatant type advantage against, the rambunctious quaxly had went to train on its own terms.

"I look at my sister…Jules is so happy with her pokemon and they're working so well together that she caught another that already adores her. I see that and I feel like…I'm falling behind when I should be getting the hang of things."

"Hey," Nemona walked over to stand beside him. "Rian, there's no solid concrete way when you start out as a trainer. You're not the first novice rank to have some difficulty bonding with your starter pokemon."

"I know."

"And you won't be the last one either. Give it some time, you've only been a trainer for less than a day. That's like your parents saying your sister being a fussy baby and unsure they could've handle her."

He had to laugh at the analogy, though she was wrong about one thing. "Actually I was the one that had been agitado if you ask mi madre."

Nemona smirked at him before she turned serious back to the matter. "I believe it. So here's what I'll say…back at my house when you picked your very first pokemon, I still believe you made the right choice, but you have yet to see it for yourself. Give yourself some time to adjust to how handling pokemon with different personalities can be and let Baron…just be Baron. He's trying to find his footing as your first pokemon. Try to do the same as his trainer."

Rian wasn't sure what to make of it, but found himself nodding. Nemona made it sound fairly simple and uncomplicated.

"All right."

"That's the spirit! You're in this together!"

In this together.

It hadn't again been what he had wanted as a trainer and Rian had to definitely think on the positive especially with the first part of his dream of becoming one already achieved. School was starting up, another reminder of how much he had worked his butt off in order to be satisfactory for admission. It wasn't the everyday average student that could get into Uva after all.

He couldn't remain grouchy because things didn't work out the way he wanted, but he did feel as if he was able to voice his own displeasure.

One last check of the room and he was out the door, walking down the hall into the main lounge where Jules and Nemona were already up in their uniforms along with a handful of other guests helping themselves to breakfast. None of the others were students.

"Oh you're up!" Jules smiled at her brother and held out a plate for him. "I wasn't sure when you'd be around and miss breakfast!"

The smell of freshly cooked food made Rian's stomach rumble and he thanked her, quickly grabbing a bottle of jugo before joining them at the table.

Breakfast was eaten in relative silence before they quickly gathered their things to check out of the hostel. The first day of school awaited.

Thankfully, the weather had predicted a slightly cooler temperature and the trio were grateful to not have the heat of the open sun on their skin. Gray clouds wafted overhead, moving lazily in the northeastern direction. A breeze had picked up, further making the day's journey a bit more pleasant.

Though Los Platos had a station of the Lombriz metro connecting to greater Mesagoza that ran through the entirety of the larger city, they opted to take a more casual stroll up the hillside that hugged the outskirts of the city. Within a couple hours of walking, they began to see some of the taller buildings peeking over the horizon. An even better view was made when they crested the first set of hills and took a break under some trees to drink some water and catch their breath.

There it is! Situated in the middle of the Rio Narixa which wound around the southern area, the greater part of Mesagoza could be seen on the distant horizon. The buildings were shorter in height until the city's center where some of the taller more iconic towers could barely be made visible. Most of the finer details couldn't be made out from the heat waves shimmering, but the destination was indeed within sight.

"So how long has it been since you've gone to Mesagoza?" Nemona asked while they sat at the base of a large tree in the shade. They were making good walking time; their RotoPhones indicating that on foot, they would reach the south gates of the greater city area roughly around noon. All three trainers had let out their pokemon to play. Saeta slept soundly next to Nemona while Baron, Basil, Dani and Palmer were busily engaged in their game of tag in the grass next to a large pond that was close by.

"It's been what, four or five years?" Jules asked the open question to him. "Rian and I were born there, but we only lived in the area for maybe a year, so we don't remember that much."

"What I do remember is how to ride the Lombriz and some parts of getting around." Rian also added onto his sister's remarks. "It's going to take a little bit to get used to a busy city compared to quiet Cabo Poco. As long as we've got a friendly face and Pokeuros, we'll make do."

"You guys will be fine! There's so much to do and see! Mesagoza gets tons of tourists from all over the world every year. I may love battling, but the history of Paldea is just as interesting to me. If that's your thing, you'll love Miss Raifort's class."

"Miss Raifort?" Rian asked.

"Yeah. She's the main history teacher," Nemona was launching into a whole spiel about the Raifort individual and Rian was listening intently. Jules rolled her eyes, not sure whether it was the history part her brother was interested in…or the girl herself telling it.

Her 'Dex app detected a new pokemon and she glanced over at the nearby ponds to see a small quadruped insect creature that skated along its smooth surface with long thin legs. Three more followed close behind.

Scanning…match found. Surskit. Pond skater pokemon. Bug and water type. They usually live on ponds, but after an evening shower they may appear in puddles around towns to feed on microscopic organisms.

She was amazed at how they could just stay still and tune in to the natural habitat of the pokemon and see so much more than they could have before. Another small rodent pokemon scurried at the other edge of the pond, easily recognizable as a pichu from its black tipped ears and pink colored electric sacs on either side of its cheeks. Her 'Dex app managed to snag it in time.

Scanning…match found. Pichu. Mouse pokemon. Electric type. It is unskilled at storing electricity. Any kind of shock causes it to discharge energy spontaneously. Despite this pokemon's cute appearance, it is capable of shocking adult humans.

Jules found it interesting. She may not have known many pokemon, but one of the world's most popular was that of pichu and its evolutionary relatives of pikachu and raichu. It was easily recognizable from shows, advertisements and other motifs seen. While they were found in Paldea, they were not fully native as compared to some speculated relatives such as Nemona's pawmi.

She wasn't sure how much time had passed, but both Rian and Nemona finally stood up and stretched their arms and legs. The pokemon had spotted them all starting to get ready to go and sprinted back, jumping at their trainers' feet. Basil and Dani were looking a bit tired from playing together, the latter having grass clippings in her short cream colored fur.

Jules laughed as Dani refused to sit still while she tried to brush them off. Next to her, Rian saw that Baron was quacking softly and jumping up and down to get his attention while side eyeing more wild pokemon nearby. His eagerness was no doubt having the itch go and battle them.

Just let Baron be Baron. Give it a chance.

"You want to battle some more, don't ya?" He asked his pokemon softly enough that their older classmate couldn't overhear them. Baron flapped his wings and twirled around in place multiple times. Rian definitely could tell his rather animated pokemon definitely enjoyed dancing.

He was most certainly an enigma and though it wasn't the exact thing he had in mind, Nemona's words continued to echo in his head about being patient and maybe he could come around to help see eye to eye with his pokemon.

"Okay, let's go and see what we can knock out." The boy led the way with the girls and his quaxly following closely behind.

"Oyee!" Nemona was right behind them, sprinting the last of the way before stopping right in front of the twins. She stopped with her hands on her knees, trying to catch her breath. "Did ya both battle some trainers along the way? Maybe it's time I see how much you're growing by a battle of my own!"

Rian and Jules exchanged a glance. About halfway to the front gates, Nemona got an urgent call from the school. She answered and talked to someone for a while, but motioned for the twins to keep on going. The rest of the journey was made in relative silence save for the couple of trainers each twin battled and won along the way.

"But I already battled you yesterday,"

"Oh come on, just one?" The older girl had clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture while flashing them a toothy grin.

With a smile like that it's gonna be hard to say no. Rian bristled and his hand brushed Baron's ball. Okay, time to see if maybe she was onto something. We've been training a bit. Why not put it to practice?

"You're on." He finally said.

"Yes! Toma ya! Nothin' like having a friend around!" Nemona pumped a victory fist and was practically ready to bounce off the Mesagoza gate walls. "You seem like you're starting to get better at this, so I'm coming at you with two pokemon this time!"

Two?!

"Actually Rian," Jules had spoken up. "I…I kind of want to battle her."

"Huh?" Both other teens stopped and stared at her. "What do you mean?"

His sister gave a shrug. "I want to battle Nemona. It'll be a more fair fight since you only have one pokemon."

Rian stopped to think about it. "Yeah you do have a point sis. Okay, I'll uh officiate?"

Nemona nodded. "You can do it or you can also set your RotoPhone to record and officiate pokemon battles. Muy fácil to set up!"

"I'll try my hand at it this time. After all how hard can it be?"" Decision made, he found a good area that had looked a little worn from previous battles as the girls took up their spots equidistant from him. Baron waddled after him and pointed towards the middle. He wasn't participating, but Rian had to guess that he wanted to watch. They both did.

And more time for us to see how Nemona battles. She's tough, but nobody is unbeatable forever.

He raised his arms up towards each trainer. Funnily enough, Baron had stood by his trainer's side, imitating his gestures. "This is a two on two battle between Jules Almeida-Araújo and Nemona Ozuna-Gurrerro! The battle will conclude when all pokemon of one trainer's side are unable to continue further! Ready?"

"Ready!" Nemona grinned and hunched down, putting her hands on her knees as she leaned forward. Rian had to guess that it was sort of a stance where she could acutely observe the action from multiple different angles.

"Ready!" Jules didn't have the same confident affirm as the older girl, but her face was a mask of determination and she bent her elbow in a fist held slightly out.

Sort of her own battle stance. I'm sure I'll develop one of my own as time goes on and I battle people more.

Rian nodded and spoke again. "Okay, send out your pokemon and let the battle begin!"

"Come on, Jules! Let's have us a fruitful battle!" Nemona's voice got more excited as she tossed a poke ball out onto the ground. Her posture was still awkward and Rian almost laughed at how silly it looked from another perspective.

Still this good and she can't throw a poke ball properly. Yeah…not to be underestimated.

Saeta growled softly and prepared to face whatever Jules was going to send out.

The female twin stopped short of using Basil. Saeta has the type advantage. Maybe I should save him for whoever is next. Perfect time to really try things with Dani.

"Okay Dani!" Jules called out, throwing her own pokemon as Saeta's opponent. "Let's go and do this!"

Upon being released from her ball, Dani sniffed the ground and sensed this had been a battle. She crouched low, analyzing her opponent carefully.

"Uh," I hope I'm doing this right. Rian thought to himself. "Begin?!"

"Don't mind if I do!" Nemona's excitement was building by the second. "Saeta, use ember!"

Jules sucked in a breath as Saeta suddenly spat out a small ball of flames that struck and splashed over Dani. The small dog cried out in pain and fell back, but held her ground.

Oh no, I forgot to see the moves Dani used! She quickly brought out her phone just as Saeta was getting ready to fire another ember at Nemona's command.

"Dani, look out!" Now she was starting to tune in to how the battle was being paced. When Saeta launched his second attack, Dani quickly jumped to the side as it flew harmlessly by and vanished in a puff of smoke. Jules only had a couple of seconds to make a counterattack. Her eyes read the moves available on Dani's summary as quick as she could.

"Tackle, Dani!" She shouted the first one that her eyes managed to pick up. Dani shook off the hit from the first ember and rushed forward, her speed being a bit quicker than either battler expected. Saeta heard Nemona call for it to dodge, but reacted too late as Dani threw her weight and knocked them both over.

"Get her off you! Use leer and round!" Saeta growled softly and squirmed as he managed to shake Dani off him. His eyes flashed, causing her to stop short of moving while an aura flared around Dani cascading downwards.

A stat drop. Jules thought to herself. Leer lowers physical defense and it caused Dani to stop for a moment, I think.

While Dani was still, Saeta took a deep breath and shouted loudly, causing everyone except Nemona to jump. A cone of energy erupted from the fuecoco's mouth that caught her in the middle and flung her back. Jules flinched, knowing that Dani was in trouble if she didn't do something.

"Uh," Look at the damn phone! What moves does she know?! Jules eyes darted, seeing a list finally scroll past the summary screen. "Got it Dani! Ready? Use covet!"

Saeta was readying another round when Dani dashed forward with a fervent gleam in her eyes. She threw her full body into another tackle that knocked the fire croc over. He was slower to get up as Dani crouched low to the ground, ready to move on her trainer's orders.

"Ember!"

"Oh no! Dodge it Dani!" She was too close to effectively do so, but Jules had to try. Dani moved, a little too early as Saeta turned his head to launch another projectile of fire.

Before it sailed through the air and was promptly intercepted by a blast of water that canceled out both it and Saeta's attack.

Both Jules and Nemona stopped short, the former in surprise since she hadn't expected something to come to her pokemon's rescue. Nemona had been even more perplexed, well aware that a fidough wasn't able to learn any water attacks as far as she knew.

Rian had to shake his head out of being taken aback when Baron's own excitement had gotten the better of him and he had raced onto the battle area between the two girls to jump in the action.

What?! No! "Baron! Come back!"

Jules and Nemona were confused on how to continue the battle with the unexpected interruption, but Saeta was the first to act in shooting another ember that hit Dani square in the chest. She yelped and tumbled backwards end over end to lay still.

"Baron stop!" Rian yelled, his officiant duties forgotten as he ran in the middle to try and get his pokemon under control. Saeta cocked his head in confusion as the quaxly jumped up and down, still proud over his actions. Nemona put a hand to her own mouth in surprise.

Rian caught up just as Baron took his own battling stance and moved to attack Saeta. The fuecoco's expression remained unchanged in its nonchalant laziness, but Nemona had quickly gotten over her surprise to prepare to continue battling the new entrant.

"Return!" Baron was in the middle of lunging with his glossy white wings spread apart when the targeting beam had captured his signature to draw him back into his ball. The boy sighed with relief and clipped the ball to his belt. His RotoPhone beeped with an indication that Baron had now learned the move wing attack. He paid little attention to something that would've excited him normally. But this had gone too far. Baron was out of control.

"I'm sorry sis. Nemona." He softly said. "I…I didn't mean to."

The bitterness of failing to keep his own pokemon in line kept eating away at him, rising like hot bile in his throat. Right as he was beginning to have a new and improved outlook on how to be a better trainer, he felt like he was more disconcerted than before. As if the longer of a time he spent with Baron, the less he knew him.

"It's okay." Knowing how much she got into battles, Rian was completely taken aback when Nemona appeared to shrug the intervention off without so much of a pause. "Don't worry about it."

"But I should." He turned around to look at his sister, who had finished returning a defeated Dani back to her ball. If there was anyone he failed and let down; it was her. "I'm so sorry sis. I cost you and it's my own damn fault."

"Rian,"

"I…I'll let you guys finish the battle." They watched as he took his spot over at the midpoint and gestured to Nemona. "Dani is unable to battle, Saeta is the winner. Two on one, Nemona has potential to win with her next knockout."

Jules frowned at her brother's sullen attitude beginning to surface. No kidding how hard he's having it with his pokemon. "Rian, it's okay. We're battling just for fun and Baron wanted to jump into the action."

"It's not that!" He snapped irritably, "I should have better control over how my pokemon acts! It's a reflection of me…but I just don't know what to do."

Nemona felt him glancing at her and she inhaled sharply, concerned that her declining of his trade proposal earlier was ending up becoming a catalyst to the entire situation.

"I had a plan, a plan I was so excited to finally become a trainer and this…having a starter like Baron. This was nothing of anything I dreamt of. Why is it that Jules has it so much easier?"

Nemona opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't find the words. She didn't have an answer.

Training pokemon always came easy to me. Rian's difficulties were something I never had to deal with. I honestly thought that maybe if him and Baron had a chance to bond, maybe something will come out of it.

Nemona didn't have time to say anything else before Rian gave another heavy sigh and gestured to both girls. Though there was a lot on his mind, he was determined to see his own job of properly officiating through. The battle was to continue.

Jules stomach knotted as she picked up Basil's ball and threw him out on the field. Rian tried his best not to have any reaction upon seeing him.

No. I'm not going to ruin Jules' enjoyment of being a trainer just because I can't cope. I'll find a way…I have to.

Receiving a nod from both sides ready to continue the battle, he waved to commence the match.

"Dani did her best, so let's finish what she started!" Jules formed a fist. "Scratch!"

Basil squeaked and dashed forward. Unlike Dani, he was far quicker and Saeta barely had time to even register in his mind that his opponent was attacking. He opened his mouth for an ember, but Basil's claws slashed at his face and he stumbled down.

"Get it off you! Round!" Nemona cried. Saeta shook his head and let out a loud shout that caught Basil as he jumped past and sent him hurdling. The sprigatito was quick to land on his feet, hissing in protest.

"It only gets more powerful the more you use it in a row!" Nemona's excitement quickly reached her normal level. "Round again!"

"Basil, dodge and use leafage!"

The first round had knocked Basil back enough to where he was able to quickly dart low to avoid Saeta's second round scream. He spun around and launched another cluster of leaves that hit the fire croc right while his mouth was still open. Saeta had coughed and sputtered, giving Jules a chance she was waiting for.

However she saw that Saeta began to glow a bright orange in a thin, but undeniable aura that surrounded his entire body. His scales flickered with a fiery energy that burned hotter than it had before.

"That's blaze." Rian whispered to himself. "Fuecoco's ability to make fire attacks stronger when its health is low." Over on her side, Jules tried to not give away her sense of nervousness and knowing that Saeta's fire attacks would do even more super effective damage against Basil.

At least I still have a speed advantage. One good hit and Saeta is gone.

"You better watch out! Blaze is up!" Nemona flashed a wolfish grin and refocused. Jules said nothing, waiting to see what her opponent was going to do.

"Basil, get in close and use bite!" At his place, Rian sharply inhaled. What is she doing?

Her pokemon seemed a little confused, but he sprinted forward. Nemona called for an ember that would hit him dead center.

However as the fuecoco moved to spit it out, instead of an ember fireball, it coughed out several puffs of black smoke.

"Oh no Saeta!" It was too late for him to get his bearings as Basil lunged and sank his fangs into his opponent's tail. Though it had last ditch attempt to dislodge him, Basil held on with a surprising amount of tenacity until Saeta's movements slowed and finally ceased upon fainting.

"Saeta is unable to battle!" Rian felt a sense of happiness that his sister was able to fight and eke out a win with what she did using a type disadvantage. Jules was just as quick on instinct as she was in learning the ropes of pokemon battling.

I'll have to start planning myself. Once I get my pokemon under control.

"Saeta is unable to battle!" Rian said. "Basil is the winner. Next knockout wins the match!"

"Haha!" Nemona let out a light laugh as she returned her pokemon. Though her current pokemon had been defeated, she didn't let it dampen her spirits. "Thank you Saeta. You fought well. And great going Jules! That's some sound strategy! You and Rian are legit for sure!"

She slipped his ball back on her belt. "Battling you is a blast! I guess I better pull out my ace in the hole!"

"Uh Thank you?"

"Oh stop being modest!" Nemona smiled again. "Just because we're battling doesn't mean we still can't be friendly!"

"Unless you're trying to get my guard down!" Jules retorted. She returned the smile and gave Basil a nod of praise. The grass cat squeaked in happiness, but had understood that there was more to battle than just Nemona's fuecoco.

"Nope! But if the advantage presents itself, I'd be an idiota to say no!"

Rian spoke up. "Hey Nemona, what's your ace in the hole?"

He saw her turn to him and flash a knowing smile. "You'll find out soon enough in just uno momento. Okay Palmer you're up!"

The little pawmi was released from his ball and he landed on all fours, immediately tensing at Basil. Likewise, Jules got herself mentally ready. She and Basil had to work together, first succeeding in winning against a pokemon with a type advantage and now it was whatever trump card Nemona was about to use.

"This is gonna knock your socks off!" Nemona told them, while reaching to another object on her belt. She held it out and tossed it up and down in her hand. The twins could see that it had a shiny obsidian surface that had a thin silver band around the centerline and a prism of multicolored lights glittering in the center. "Palmer! Terastalize!"

Her thumb hit the small button in the center and they all heard audible pops and a sparkling sound as large tendrils of brilliant white dazzling light began to coalesce in a vortex that was almost hypnotic. The energy swirling around within looked as if it were difficult to control as Nemona tightened her grip and through the harsh glow and a fierce wind kicking up, the champion class trainer still managed to flash a wolfish grin at her opponent.

"What is-"

With a grunt, Nemona's awkward throw with the sphere now pulsating bright arced directly over Palmer, showering him with enough glowing sparks that the twins couldn't even see him underneath and had to look away to shield their eyes from the sheer brightness. Crackling noises could be heard and they jumped as a large growth of gigantic crystalline rocks suddenly sprouted from the ground with the same radiant light as before.

No sooner had they appeared when cracks spread on the surface and Palmer was broken free of his encasement.

Jules swallowed nervously and Rian's mouth dropped open in utter shock at what they had all just witnessed.

Palmer was now shrouded in a layer of crystalline glass across his entire body. And on top of his head was a glittering crown of a gigantic lightbulb that was rather comically disproportionate to the rest of the tiny pokemon's body. Though he stood a fair distance away, both Rian and Jules felt the tiniest hint of some static current that ran through the air. It had to be the awesome power that Palmer had been strengthened from the crystals.

"You can do this Jules!" Rian got his bearings after shaking off his barely concealed surprise at what Nemona had just done. "I believe in you!"

"A fancy lightbulb hat isn't gonna stop us!" For someone who had blanched a little at seeing the phenomenon in action, Jules was quick to snap out and regain her composure. Basil hissed in agreement, readying himself for battle again.

"Hit it with leafage!"

"Palmer, quick attack!"

To his credit, Basil was quick on the draw to summon another bunch of leaves to fling at his foe, but Palmer lunged and was even quicker. The small pokemon acted faster than the blink of an eye as he slammed his tiny body into Basil.

How?! How is it able to move that fast? It's like the crown on its head weighs nothing!

Palmer stopped on the ground and easily spun around to launch another quick attack. This time, Basil was prepared at Jules' insistence. When he struck again, it was met with a vicious bite that caught the small mouse in his jaws. Though he was able to get loose, the damage had been done.

"Let's show them your true power Palmer! Use thundershock!"

The pawmi squeaked loudly as more light and energy quickly pulsed out of the lightbulb's crown. He raised his hands to discharge two thin blasts of electricity. Basil yelped, fighting it off but despite the ineffectiveness of the attack, it seemed to have done far more damage than a normal thundershock. An acrid smell of burnt leaves filled the air as he brushed smoke off some singed fur.

Electric doesn't do much damage against grass and that nearly put Basil out! Jules tried her best not to panic. What kind of power is this?!

"Terastalizing is always a great option!" Nemona seemed to enjoy the variety of emotions playing across the twins' faces, chief of them being astounded. "It gives moves that match the pokemon's tera type even more power! Even if it's not very effective, see how hard it can hit?"

If it hits hard, I'm going to have to beat it fast!

"Thundershock again!"

Jules was fast to go back on the attack herself, undeterred by her opponent's sudden advantage. "Quick Basil, I know you're in trouble, but dodge and close in with another bite!"

Though the pawmi was fast in a quick attack from before, the thundershock's own increased power was much more easily avoided. Palmer's lightbulb crown pulsed with more energy as it gathered its attack and launched the jolt of electricity. Basil jumped to the side and used his hind legs to propel himself forward with his mouth wide open. Rian and Jules cringed as his fangs made contact, making an indescribable scraping noise. The pawmi's fur could still be felt with the same texture as before, but it had taken on the glistening properties and appearance as the rest of the massive crown atop its head.

Basil's second bite was enough to cause Palmer to faint. As he released him, the lightbulb suddenly shattered into thousands of tiny fragments that quickly dissolved. The tingly sensation in the air from the electric type crown faded as Palmer collapsed on the ground.

"Palmer is unable to battle! Basil is the winner and the match win goes to Jules!" Rian declared. "Awesome job sis!"

"Woohoo we won!" Basil had turned to bound up to his trainer. She scooped him up and hugged him tightly. "Incrível! Basil, you really are the best!"

Rian saw Basil mewl happily while nuzzling his sister's chin in affection, causing her to laugh. While happy for her, he still couldn't help that little pang of envy from welling up. It could've been him too.

"Man, I can't believe how fast you two are improving!" Nemona was still in high spirits after returning Palmer to his ball and walking over to meet them. "That was amazing, Jules. You took on a terastalized opponent and won with no problem!"

"Eh," Jules smiled sheepishly. "Well it wasn't easy."

"Nonsense. Terastalization can really throw a wrench into some battle plans!" Nemona stopped for a second in thought and gasped in surprise. "Come to think of it, you can't terastalize your pokemon yet huh? Neither of you can!"

Rian almost laughed out loud. "Probably not if this is the first time either of us are hearing that something like this exists. Which by the way…was amazing! How do you even do that?!"

"It's called terastalizing! A weird phenomenon where pokemon can crystalize and take on properties of a completely different type! And it's only found here in Paldea!" Nemona explained to them. She held out the small black sphere she had used to start the transformation process. Compared to earlier when it had been active, it was now remaining dormant and lifeless. "This is a tera orb, which is what we can use to initiate the terastalize process. All you do is activate it and toss it over the pokemon and voila!"

"It's not really doing anything." Jules took the sphere from Nemona's grip and held it in her hands. She passed it to Rian, who turned it over and stared at the dimly flickering light from the center. He noted that it had roughly the same size and shape of a regular pokeball, but it felt a bit heavier...denser.

"Yeah, I depleted the charge, but it's easy to get jugo for it again! I'll explain more of that later and don't you worry about not being able to terastalize. I'll get you taken care of in no time!"

She laughed lightly. "You're both so good at pokemon battles, I forget how new you are to this stuff sometimes!"

"Buttering us up huh?"

"Rian, I mean it." Nemona laughed again. "You guys have only been trainers for a day and you're doing better than me when I was starting out!"

I guess that is a plus.

"Here, have some revives as thanks. If you are far from a centro pokemon, these come in real handy!"

Rian and Jules accepted a handful of small yellow squarelike objects, putting them into a compartment in their backpacks where the other potions and medicine were stored. While they were relatively empty and had enough space for quite a few things, Nemona had warned them that carrying around too much meant the backpacks would get exponentially heavy.

And probably restrict movement.

They heard Nemona sigh and glance over at the wooden gate they were standing in front. "Now, the inner part of Mesagoza's waiting past this gate! At least, the city where our school is!"

"Right!" Jules was still full of energy from winning her last battle. Basil and Dani shared the excitement as she returned them to their balls and stored them on her belt. "Let's get going!"

Rian followed her and was about to enter through the gate when he noticed Nemona was still standing behind them, a hand cupped to her chin deep in thought.

"Oye Nemona!" He waved to help get her attention. Her head snapped around at the direction of his voice and she smiled while waving back. "Are you coming with us?"

"Yeah! There's a ton of hills and stairs and stuff in the city. It's kinda big! So I'm gonna take a quick breather, heal up my pokemon and then catch up with you both soon! You sure you and your sister know your way around?"

Know our way around? Rian laughed and jerked a thumb behind him at the gate. "You already forgot? We were born here!"

And now we've finally reached the main city of Mesagoza! Slowly but surely we're gonna make our way to the Academy and really kick this story off into gear!

Logged 'Dex Entries: Surskit, Pichu

Spanish Translations

Agitado - Temperamental/Fussy

Jugo - Juice

Muy Fácil - Easy

Uno Momento - One moment

Portuguese Translations

Incrível - Incredible/Amazing

Stay tuned for the next update coming soon! As always, thank you for reading and reviewing. You give my writing purpose!

Brav