Delcatty's idea of stress free fun seems to be slumber party games.
It's a cute idea to help us unwind and bond with the rest of the team—namely Cradily and Ampharos—but it's almost like she hasn't met my team. I'll be amazed if there isn't a casualty before the night is over.
First we try a game you basically have to be a contortionist to play. "Let's see…left foot on red," Delcatty says, consulting the dial. "I don't have a foot to put on red," Rotom complains. "Well…uh…I guess that can be another pass. Next is—" "I still don't get why I can't play," Seviper complains from the sidelines again. "Do you really not understand why? Is it truly that mysterious?" Stephanie says, trembling to avoid collapsing on Dragalge's head. "Ok, I maybe I get why, but it's still not fair. Serperior gets to play!" "Well that's because I have hands. What are you gonna do? Tail on yellow and then call it a day?" he replies while Seviper pouts. "Precisely! Also, it's your turn now! So…right hand on green," Delcatty says after spinning the dial again. He carefully lifts his hand, reaches for the nearest green spot, then sighs. "Oh, come on Delcatty, I can't," he says when it's clear it's way out of his reach. "Not with that attitude! So if you don't wanna lose, your stubby little hand is going on green!" "Wait, isn't that red?" Noivern interrupts, his tail swinging dangerously close to my face. "No, your hand is on red. That row is green," I reply, barely managing to keep myself up—somehow I've ended up with my back facing the floor, which, as a quadruped, is proving quite the challenge. If I lose my balance now I'll fall on two of Cradily's fronds. I hope she'd have the presence of mind to catch me.
"Ok, fine," Serperior sighs, trying again. As he reaches for the nearest spot again, his tail catches Ampharos by the leg, bringing him, and soon enough the rest of us, down. "Great game guys! Anyone up for round two?" Delcatty beams. "No way, I never want to be that close to any of you ever again," Ampharos says, rubbing his back. "Well I had fun! Gotta say I'm something of a natural," Hoopa grins. "Yeah, because you just opened a portal to get your hands wherever they needed to go!" Rotom says, crossing her arms. "It was a good challenge, but maybe we should try something less…physical," Dragalge suggests.
Cradily and Delcatty put the game away, then return a moment later as we all settle on the cushions in the living room.
"Ok, ok, um…next game…uhhh…hmm…oh! Here's a fun one! If you could be any other type, what would it be? Gwen go!" Delcatty says, putting me on the spot. "Huh? Oh uh, any other type? huh…" I mull it over for a second, "to be honest, I'd probably stay a ghost type…they have some pretty good moves, and the immunity to normal types doesn't hurt either." "Heck yeah! Ghost buddies!" Rotom says, coming over a high-five. "True, although normal types are immune to your moves too, so it's definitely a trade off," Delcatty replies. "Well you can't all be as boring as Gwen—who would change their type if they could?"
"I wouldn't change as much as add one," Rotom starts. "Oh, come on, you've already got two!" Seviper says. "And? I think I deserve a third," she grins while Seviper rolls her eyes. "Anyway, my third typing would have to be dragon, to match my fierceness of spirit." "Pfft, if you say so. Besides, the dragon typing isn't all its cracked up to be," Noivern says, "that 4x weakness to ice? Ouch", "but there's so many cool moves! And with ghost/electric to go with it, I think I'd manage well enough," Rotom beams.
"Sorry buddy, but our quota for dragon types is filled—two in a team is enough," I laugh. "Huh? We only have one! Unless…hey, you never told me you're part dragon type! When did that happen?" Rotom says, flying over to Serperior. "Not me, them," he says, pointing to Dragalge. "Whaaat? No way, you're water and poison! Right?" "Afraid not, I haven't been a water type since I evolved. And I'm certain we've had this conversation at least ten times since then," Dragalge sighs. "Wow, you think you know someone…in that case maybe I'd be a fairy type, need something to set me apart from the rest of you," she grins. "You mean, more than having three types?" Serperior offers, "honestly, some of us have to make do with one." "Ok then, now's your chance, pick a second!" Delcatty cuts in. "Huh? Oh…um…" he looks off into space for a moment, "maybe fire? It'd certainly help with the ice and bug vulnerabilities." "That's a good one…although the flying type weakness would be pretty tough to counter," I reply. "Besides, I thought you already were part fire type!" Rotom grins. "A minute ago you thought I was part dragon, which is it?" "I know I know, but thinking about it, fire type makes more sense. Sometimes your face goes so red you look like one!" On queue, his cheeks start going pink, "it doesn't! Does it?" He says, turning to me while I stifle a laugh, "weeell…" "it totally does! You look like you're charging up a Flamethrower right now!" Rotom laughs as Serperior covers his reddening face.
"Well, I think being a fire type is fantastic," Stephanie says, stealing the floor. "I never knew using a move could be so invigorating!" "It was quite remarkable…and you say you never even battled with a pokemon in your world?" Ampharos asks, "never! Seviper and I were never in the battling scene," she says brightly. "If you can believe it," Noivern mutters judgmentally. "What's that supposed to mean?" Seviper says, eyes narrowing. "Well, the fight you put up while I was trying to get you off Zangoose was impressive, even for a battling pro, is all," "you know I can't help it! You think I like going nuts whenever there's one nearby?!" She says frantically. "Hey, hey, easy, you're alright," Stephanie says, petting her side.
"Ough, well that went sour a little fast," Delcatty says over the sound of Noivern's apologies. "Don't worry, she'll be ok. With so many pokemon living in one house, they get on each other's nerves all the time," I say, looking on fondly. "I bet! We have our fair share of squabbles in the Center" Delcatty smiles. "Oh, that reminds me, may I speak to you? I had a most marvelous idea, and I want your input!" "Oh…really? I mean, I'd be happy to, of course!" I say, taken by surprise.
She guides me away from the others and continues, "I read and reread your letters, and I was quite intrigued by the journey you went on when you returned to your world. This…'pokemon league' you participated in…what's it like?" I'm caught a little off guard, but hearing how she pored over my letters warms my heart.
I describe the process of going to different gyms, battling to win badges, then challenging the Elite Four and the region's champion. She's enthralled, eyes sparkling throughout my story. "Wow, and you managed to do all that with those four?" She says, looking back at the group. "Well, most of it. It's typically recommended you challenge the champion with a team of six, but I barely have enough time to care for the four of them," I laugh, "so we didn't beat the champion, but we came pretty close," I smile at the memory. I was never so interested in becoming the actual champion or anything, it was more about taking the time to go on a journey, seeing more of the world, and getting my thoughts in order after everything.
"Incredible! I wish I could've been there to see it!" "Rotom got a few pics and videos with her Pokédex, I can definitely show you later." "Oh, for sure!" She smiles.
"In all honesty I imagined something a little…different, which is what my idea is based on," she continues. I raise an eyebrow, "what idea?" "Well, what do you think about the Center holding its very own pokemon tournament?" She beams. "A tournament? Here?" "Yeah! I was talking with Ampharos and Cradily…we were thinking we could have random matchups! So, for example, each team gets divided into parties of two, each party then battling against another party, either from the same team or a different one, until a few duos emerge, then they battle each other, 1-on-1! What do you think?" "It certainly sounds like you've given it a lot of thought…it sounds like a lot of fun! You think the other teams be for it?" "Oh, for sure! These explorers can't help but show off every now and then," she winks.
I think about her idea…a real life pokemon tournament, here! I remember participating in one on my journey—it was going great until the final matchup in one of our battles, where Serperior and I got stuck going up against some kid's insane Charizard. They got lucky with the type matchup, and we got a nasty beating. But, other than that, the whole experience was pretty cool.
"Well, that settles it! I'll make an announcement tomorrow, and then we can start planning! And you'll be participating, riiight?" She says, leaning into me. I'm assuming she means participating as in…actually battling. "You really think I could? I know I'm not the strongest, but…" "I KNOW you could! Attack power isn't the only measure of strength, as I'm sure you know. And with more training, you'll be able to find and hone your skills in no time," she smiles. "Then, I'd love to! Wow, an actual tournament!" I say, still not quite believing it. I just hope I wouldn't hold anyone back.
"Hey! Get off! I said I was sorry!" Noivern's strained cries catch our attention. Looking over, I see that Seviper is wrapped around his neck, pointing her tail to his face, while the others try to pry them apart.
"Hey, stop that! This is supposed to be a fun time! What happened?" Delcatty says desperately as I join the effort to separate them, Noivern still struggling to break free. "All I said…was that…if she tried…she wouldn't be…so dangerous…ah!" He cries out as she squeezes tighter. "You don't understand! You could never understand!" Seviper cries. "Seviper, stop that, get off of him!" Stephanie says urgently. She looks at Stephanie, then around at the group, before slowly letting go, Noivern quickly crawling away.
"I'm sorry…" she sniffles, "I…I just can't stand it when people assume it's a problem I'm just choosing not to deal with…" "I know, and I'm sure Noivern's very sorry," Stephanie says, pointedly. "I am, I am! Really!" Based on how he's cowering, I'm sure he's at least sorry to have been ensnared.
"Well, we can't do with a team that fights all the time! But this tournament will be a perfect chance for you guys to practice working together!" Delcatty blurts excitedly. They all look at her, quizzically. "…tournament?" Dragalge asks, head tilted. "Oh! Silly me! You guys don't know my most excellent plan yet!" She beams, then proceeds to tell them all about it.
"But why work in teams? Wouldn't 1-on-1 the whole time be better?" Noivern asks. "I thought about that, but the issue is twofold. 1. There are so many explorers 'round here, if we had 1-on-1 matches for everyone, we'd be there forever. And 2. It shows who can work well in a team—we don't tend to have solo acts here, after all," Delcatty replies.
Everyone's chatting among themselves excitedly. I'll be honest…I don't think I'd be getting very far, but even participating would be a pleasure. Certainly different than acting as a trainer.
"What would the winner of this thing get, anyway?" Serperior asks over the chatter. "Why do you care? You can't even win a battle between the two of us!" Rotom laughs. "In that case Mrs. Big Shot, you should want to know yourself." "Well, other than earning the great honor of being declared the champion," Delcatty says, interrupting their bickering, "the top three winners will have the opportunity to join me on an exclusive expedition. "Woah, where to?" Seviper asks, eyes sparkling. "That, my friend, is something I cannot disclose at this time. But believe me, it will be an expedition the likes of which the Center has never embarked on before!" She says grandly. Wow…whatever she has planned sounds quite incredible. But I'm sure I can get it out of her later, I think with a small smirk.
"Well, wherever it may be, you can pencil in my name as the soon-to-be first place winner," Hoopa beams. "Don't get carried away, you're gonna have to work in a team—being number one by yourself isn't enough," Delcatty says. "Psh, I'll cover a teammate and make it to first place anyway—I'm just that powerful," they say nonchalantly.
"Well, I think that's enough excitement for one evening, don't you? Let's hit the hay!" Delcatty says, ignoring their bravado and motioning us to the bedroom. "I just wish it wasn't actually made of hay," Stephanie whispers in my ear. "What's the matter, not cut out for an explorer's life?" I grin. "Hah! In your dreams! I could explore circles around you!" She says, leaning into me. I give her a peck on the cheek, making her laugh, so I guess I win.
They've laid out several beds for us, filling most of the room. I wonder how many members are on the average team? At eleven, we must at the very least be on the higher end of the norm.
I settle into the bed beside Stephanie and close my eyes. So this is what being an explorer is like when you're not running from the law or being psychologically tormented. I may not be very good at it yet, but…I think I like it. A scientist is a type of explorer, when I think about it, so I guess, in a sense, I've always liked exploring.
It's interesting, being here, in this world, for once just being able to relax. I know Elliot's safe, I know we're safe, and we're all together. Feeling at peace, I gently drift off to sleep.