Disclaimer: Pokemon is owned by the Nintendo, Hakunon/Fate is owned by the all-powerful Mushroom(Nasu), and all that stuff.
Day 2
Nomia slathered more of the strange goop she had onto her hammer. It reminded her of the 'Metal Coat' that Boss showed her back in Azalea Town. But this one had some chunks of metal that she couldn't identify; she only really knew iron. She will have to have Parcae teach her more about metallurgy once the language barrier is fully fixed. She can understand them mostly fine, but they annoyingly have trouble understanding her.
Parcae said that it was an amalagam or something, but she didn't know what that was. But it was shiny and felt better than the stuff back in Azalea so she was fine with it coating her hammer, more so as it was free.
She was surprised someone had just left it on a blanket beside a sign. She couldn't read the human tongue, but Parcae later translated it as 'Out to Lunch'. She knew what each word meant individually and could grasp what it meant together, but it didn't make sense because who was out to lunch?
The item was right there.
"Aight, kid, the Great Me will show ya how it's done." The lumbering sack of grass and plants spoke, "I noticed your movements clunky as shit, more so in this nice fertile ground we got here."
"You can't comment on how I move you waddle!" Nomia pointed her hammer at the thing… it would've been more threatening if some of the goop didn't slip off as it seemed to still be hardening but…
"I prance you little shit!" The Shroomish loomed over her, "And can kick your ass a thousand different ways! I held back when we first fought because of Sensei but if you really want to go at then-"
"Weaver!" Nomia's eyes flickered towards the not-boss girl. She was putting some more of that strange metal on her Boss. "I know that tone. Be nice!" The metal smelled nice, but she could already taste it from here, and it was horrid, so she wouldn't even deem it worth it.
Maybe if her backup hammer broke but even then… it probably wouldn't be wise. Probably.
Maybe she should swipe a few pieces when she is distracted…
"Tch." The loser mushroom clicked its tongue. "Sensei wants me to train you. So you will. Be trained."
Hakuno was lying on the ground, she was glad that the sun had come out earlier in the day, and for the most part, baked the ground causing it to be solid. The first day had passed mainly without incident, and Hakuno was exhausted from her efforts. While they worked out, she learned a fair bit about Ren.
Ren was only a year younger than the age Hakuno believed herself to be, apparently, her Mother's side of the family all looked younger than they were. She also found out that the girl did a lot of training over the years to become the next Cianwood Gym Leader, which was why she couldn't go on a journey as she had to learn a lot.
That and Gym Leader Chuck was still dealing with the remnants of Team Rocket, Hakuno felt it was more of that than anything else. From what Ren has mentioned, the Gym Leader was constantly worried over his sole child, even to the point of having Tops, his personal Hitmontop guard her.
"Alright, time for the most important thing! Sit up and get warm for a bit. Just a chat, and we can get dinner started." Hakuno groaned at Ren's words. Thankfully, Nomia was there and pushed Hakuno into a sitting position.
She finally took in the sight of how roughed up the little fairy was. The little Fae had small scuffs and was absolutely coated in mud and dirt, her hammer looked like it was being held together by some sort of silver glue, which was new but Nomia did strange stuff so she wasn't too worried... Honestly, Hakuno was going to have to take some time and get her cleaned up.
But Hakuno couldn't help but notice the little twinkle in Nomia's eyes, the small similarity that she shared with Hakuno's beloved Nero, was shining so bright it was almost blinding. She picked up and placed the little fairy on her lap and patted her on the head causing Nomia to coo.
"Ok, so, having not gone on a journey I can only teach you what I learned in school and from other Gym Trainers. Battling is something I'm decent at, Weaver's rated at being around 3rd Gym Badge level in strength, at least he will be when he evolves. Tops is one of Dad's Seventh Badge Pokemon, although he might have gotten a bit rusty being stuck pr-"
Said Handstand Pokemon flung mud at Ren who expertly dodged.
"So given any Movement Move thoughts yet?"
Hakuno had Parcae bring up a list of potential moves that normal Tinkatink learn, and discarding a majority of them due to required levels of mastery that Nomia sadly didn't have at the current moment, did settle on a move. There was a few different ones, but…
"Pounce, with her current way of movement would suit her best." Hakuno worked a clump of mud from Nomia's ponytail. The little knot was growing a tad longer and getting even more mud in the metal-like fibers but it wasn't that hard to clean it, "From what I read the only other viable move would be Skitter Smack and I'm not sure Nomia has the speed to perform it just yet."
Not only would seeing Nomia pounce be cute, but it should also help prepare her legs for the eventuality of her jumping and heaving around with a hammer that should weigh around ten times her weight when she evolves to her final stage. Astonish was similar to a Movement move but it only somewhat helped Nomia slip out of sight, it wasn't a true movement like Pounce could become as it wasn't usable if she couldn't slip out of sight or scare the opponent.
"Tink." Nomia brushed off Hakuno's hand, "Tin."
"Just yet." Hakuno chided the small Pokemon might not speak Nomia's language, but she could understand when the gremlin was talking back to her. "Eventually you might."
"Good! Tomorrow Weaver will start her training on it," The mushroom groaned, "Yes you will." Ren rolled her eyes as she placed another log onto their dwindling fire, "Alright, some camping tips! Best to look for dried wood or have a Pokemon that could flash dry them, lots of Pokemon can have different ways of doing it."
Hakuno was pretty sure that was on the test for her provisional but she didn't say anything, having things confirmed and gaining experience was part of the whole training trip after all.
That and get some more … practical experience learning how to be a Pokemon Trainer, at least more than what Maizie and Kurt had explained to her. Serena Joy only knew the basics as she had never gone on a journey, but Maizie had been planning it for years and Kurt went on one decades ago.
"Alright, now this is probably the worst time," Ren said as her eyes flicked up toward the setting sun, "That means it's the best time to learn quick and dirty on how foraging and chopping wood goes at night!"
Turns out that the combination of Steel and Grass Pokemon makes quick work of gathering firewood, and Nomia's Ability to Pickpocket makes her more dexterous in getting the edible parts of plants away from their protection.
She was mildly amazed that the edge of the forest potatoes had growing potatoes, Nero had seen them in the cafeteria and insisted on trying the 'ethnic' food and fell in love with French Fries, saying it was nostalgic for some reason Nero couldn't explain.
Sadly, they didn't have a pot or oil, but Ren did show her how to properly prepare the Sweet Potatoes. Something about instead of searching online and doing it in person felt.
Satisfying? That might be the right word but it didn't fit exactly… But it was close enough.
She was looking forward to their little training session tomorrow, Hakuno idly wondered how long it would take for Nomia to grasp Pounce compared to their attempts at changing Fairy Wind.
Although she did feel more eyes on their little group, seeing Ren, Nomia, Weaver, and Tops not worried about it, then it was probably just a few Pokemon just being wary.
Day 3
"Alright, make sure you file the hoof down just right, not too far as it'll irritate them," Hakuno wasn't expecting to be taking care of the hooves of a Farigiraf but here she was a hoof in one hand, and a file in the other, "Go easy and make it as uniform as possible."
They had found this particular Farigiraf near the small lake and she wasn't sure how Ren noticed the Pokemon in mild discomfort but she did and figured it would be a good lesson.
"Hm…" Ren leaned over to see her work, "That should do, Thank you, big guy!" The Pokemon gave an appreciative nod as it went back to its nice calm grazing herd…
At least they were calm.
With a loud crash and a small tree falling onto the ground, Hakuno just knew what caused it. One especially irritated Girafarig bounded away from the crash before their herd bolted.
"I guess I can show you how to bandage wounds in case you run out of potions now…" Ren muttered as Hakuno sighed seeing Ren's Shroomish frowning as Tops, the Hitmontop, easily lifted the tree and Nomia plopped onto the ground from being indented into the now fallen tree.
Who knew hopping from tree to tree would lead to being smacked into a tree?
Day 4
"Hop and Metal Claw." Nomia could hop a tiny bit better now that she had switched focus to the Bug Type move, having a teacher helped a lot. She hadn't fully grasped the different type of energy just yet but learning the base movement was important.
"Zag!" The Zigzagoon quickly scuttled to the side dodging the Steel Type move while barking and headbutting Nomia. The attack did minimal damage but she used the force to let her gain some distance.
"Kick up some dust." Hakuno was trying to lower the words she used for her orders, Nomia did pause at the slightly strange request before understanding her meaning, and with a twist of her hammer hand, a burst of glittery wind scuffed the ground in front of the Zigzagoon hitting both it and the ground causing some dirt to fly into its face.
The Pokemon let out a whine before shaking its fur and diving into the ground.
Huh, the Pokemon could dig, and with how she saw a twinge of light brown covering its paws as it dived, Hakuno was sure it was either a Ground, Rock, or Fighting-type move. Hakuno doubted it was a Fighting Type move, leaving her hoping for Rock as Nomia was weak to Ground.
Her eyes scanned the ground, if she was a Pokemon underground then the easiest way to hit Nomia would be…
"Right below! Block!" Nomia was startled but at least managed to put her hammer on the ground as the Zigzagoon erupted from the ground and headbutted Nomia in the gut.
Nomia flew an exaggerated amount back, Hakuno could barely notice the very very tiny hint of green glisten around her legs, not enough to be a full move, but a start.
Combat really did help Pokemon grow…
The Zigzagoon barked as it dashed towards Nomia, "Quash then Metal Claw."
Quash was such a strange attack, to Hakuno's eyes it seemed to almost slow down an attack seemingly putting them through a sort of quagmire. It didn't really give Nomia an opening for an attack but it did help her in evading physical attacks as long as they aren't too fast. The headbutt slowed down, and the Zigzagoon looked up at Nomia with confusion before being whacked on the head with Nomia's hammer several times causing the little dog to appear dazed.
"Zag! Zag! Linoooooone!" Two more Zigzagoons and a Liloone were rushing and surrounded Nomia causing Hakuno to frown.
"We asked permission before fighting," Hakuno stated and the Liloone looked back at the Zigzagoon on the ground before growing again.
Hakuno blinked as the battlefield became bathed in yellow.
"That's enough you guys, Weaver drop off a few berries and Hakuno let's run!" Hakuno barely stumbled as Ren's hand gripped her wrist and tugged, the Shroomish dove into the yellow spores and rolled Nomia away from the group.
"Alright, a bit better but still room to work on! That Dig that Zigzagoon knew? You reacted before it showed signs of popping out, much much better than only doing it in response. Let's find a few more!"
Honestly, for four days of the week already being over, Hakuno had a feeling that something would have happened. Only a handful of Pokemon had even bothered them while they camped, but because of that she did manage to get some practical experience and the training regime Ren set her up for was pretty nice.
If only she wasn't exhausted afterward, but the additional stretching at least made her able to walk afterward.
Hakuno shook her head as she refocused on her Fishing Rod. They had found a stream leading into the hills a bit deeper into the woods than their camp a few days ago, and honestly, she was missing the taste of fish. Nomia was acting guard and Ren was… somewhere.
Hakuno doubted the martial artist would go too far away from where Hakuno resided, Ren was technically in charge of Hakuno's well-being after all, but Hakuno couldn't spot the younger girl.
She felt her line tug, and with a yank, she saw the small Ayu dangling from her hook. It was slightly strange that this world had similar marine life to her own, even down to the naming convention for some, but she supposed that it would be impossible for even the smallest of Pokemon to fill every ecological niche.
Hakuno hummed as she let the small fish into the pot she had brought with her, a few more would be nice for dinner…
Splash.
"Tink!"
Hakuno sighed as she just knew all the non-Pokemon would have fled from Nomia's graceless fall.
Well, the few she caught will have to be good enough.
Hakuno had no idea why Nomia was pointing at the mountain, her eyes couldn't see anything and Parcae was silent, but perhaps it was due to the sun setting she might have seen nestled in a tiny crack going into the mountain a small tuft of… pink?
It was getting harder to sneak out, she had a feeling that they knew that she was catching glimpses of their opposite.
But how could she not?
Her family never awoke this early, but she just loved seeing the fading grace of Solgaleo as Lunala's aura began to bless the world.
She knew her kin or the Great Mother wouldn't completely reject her, although her siblings and clan mates did mock her behind her back for her interest in the Sun.
She knew that they did, she couldn't help her curiosity and awe.
She was just lucky that she inherited her Mother's ability of teleportation, although it was nowhere near her level the ability to lightlessly float was something she was still blessed with compared to the other of her clutch allowing her to make some… daring escapes to witness Solgaleo's fleeting majesty.
A few moments to gaze upon and witness their slight fall and usher the night sky was all she hoped for, perhaps a chance to finally figure out the human language and read the lone book her Mother held.
However.
She did not expect to be spotted by a Pokemon she had never witnessed before, and the human that was alongside them managed to possibly see her from this distance should have been impossible!
She at first heard them meandering around one of the crops that they helped cultivate, checking on them the next day they only took a few that could have been lost to other Pokemon.
But this time.
This time, she witnessed them near their river.
Although her eyes could barely see them, her ears could hear them easily, and the joy they had was something she was expecting from the cruel stories told by her older siblings.
Maybe this is the child the Great Mother has spoken of?
Even if she were to get in trouble… she has to report this to her clan! If they are the first to find her then maybe the one that travels with her is in their small group!
Hopefully, it's her brother, he's been getting annoying with his traps. He claimed he had spotted a strange Pokemon nearby but they doubted that it was actually true. Most other Pokemon knew that their small tribe didn't have much to offer and were under the protection of the Great Mother like all of her descendants.
Maybe.
This human could happen to have a book or three she could have in exchange for her brother, that would be swell maybe she can finally learn the human tongue. But, witnessing the final flash of light as the night ushered on she decided to at least take the long way home, she was well too tired to try and teleport back after her sibling's stupid trap caused her to teleport twice, and three times was her limit for now. So she slowly jumped from rock to rock back home.
It took them six weeks of hunting.
Six bloody weeks of impersonating that Ranger, and hiding from that blasted Gym Leader. Thank Arceus that the bastard only did a single sweep before running back to his gym.
But finally, finally, they caught sight of their targets.
Catching sight of one of them at night is almost impossible, luckily, they didn't have to wait until dark to spot that pink money bag.
His Probopass has already got a lock on it.
Not as fully accurate as one of those stuck-up Psychics but, it'll get them the direction they need to go, and it's still locked on that behemoth of one over in area twelve, as long as they don't line up they should be in the clear.
His group already had to abort a previous raid, it was too close to that monster. His trio of Rattata were already scurrying about looking to find their entrance, and it shouldn't be too long before their little coven was found. Then all that would be needed was for his Sandslash to dig.
This will finally be his chance to move up and join the big leagues. He'll take the money from this sale and get over to that darn Alola. Lots of easier pickings in that paradise. All they had to do was not mess up this damned raid.
Author's Notes: Hey y'all! Back from break! Happy New Year and all that fun jazz! Not much to say about this chapter, other than a total of 3 days passing in their 7-day excursion, two more days, and one day of packing up and heading to Cianwood, and then boom civilization.
BTW Nomia doesn't know Pounce yet, still getting the hang of hopping and bug-type energy. Ya ever whistled in a really cool manner and then couldn't do it again other than sheer luck? That's her current status with bug-type energy except she got the note good for a single flicker of a moment before she basically started spitting.
Wonder who's watching Hakuno…
Anyways~
Cya all next time!