Twin Colors

by tremor3258

Generally getting cheat memories is supposed to be a *bonus*. OCs, Paldea, post-game.

8. First Gauntlet: Dawn side

Twin Colors

By tremor3258

Chapter 8

First Gauntlet: Dawn side

---

"Rose," Mei croaked, banging on the door to her sister's room. "Wake up. I'm going to cook breakfast." Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were barely open after staying up too late studying and practicing, but she was up.

Technically. Her partners had dragged her out of bed after five minutes of the alarm had done nothing. She didn't remember waking up in the night, but this morning she felt like she'd had an Abomasnow roll over her. Pome yawned next to her side. They'd done a lot yesterday evening.

It was after 9 now. Rose was headed out of the city to do some catching, so she should be up. Or her potential groupies would be sad. Mei giggled, mind floating a bit at the idea of Rose with groupies, but her stomach growled again.

"Rose!" Mei croaked out, "Let me make breakfast." She started banging on the door again but found her fist caught in midair. Pome made a yelping sound and scurried behind Mei. The young grass trainer turned and through blurry eyes, saw what looked like a living flame. She blinked a few times and realized it was an older girl with a hairbrush in her other hand, with red hair partially lifted into an elaborate style

"It is way too early to deal with this. What the hell are you doing?" the older girl demanded, waving the hairbrush for emphasis. A Houndoom at her side yawned for emphasis, showing too many teeth.

"Waking Rose up," Mei said simply. Pushing through her fatigue dimly was a sense of the flame this woman could bring to bear. Mei rubbed her eyes with her free hand, trying to clear them.

"Do you not have phones in Galar?" the girl asked scornfully. "She was up hours ago. I saw her on my run."

"What?" Mei said, jolting more awake, and trying to pull away. Her arm didn't even move in the grip, and the Houndoom gave a mocking bark at her efforts. Pome started to waddle forward but froze when the woman turned her gaze on the little Croc.

Mei was certainly outclassed. She stopped struggling and realized why her mind had gone right to 'flame' before her other senses had given clues. The girl was wearing a bodysuit stylized like black flames crawling up her body and arms.

"Mela?" Mei guessed, and relaxed. Mela nodded and let her go after another few heartbeats. The floor warden scoffed and brought her hairbrush back up to work on styling her hair more.

"It's Saturday. Try and remember ya got twenty-three other people in this unit, and they're not related and tolerate you," Mela said.

"She's really not in there?" Mei said.

"She's not supposed to be, but it's a school. Do your own work, but quietly," Mela said, loading with menace. Mei took a step back. Mela was no Kieran, but Mei was a sprout in a forest fire before her. Pome was her partner but even he acknowledged the floor warden's mastery of the element. Mei fought an urge to run back to her room before the warden's irritation. She didn't want to see anger.

Mela peered and Mei was awake enough she could feel it pass through her. "Your sister wasn't kidding that it was both of you. Is it itchy?"

Regardless of Rose somehow impossibly being up for hours, it was too early for this conversation. "What is?" she said.

Mela nodded down at Mei's cowering Fuecoco. "You're mixing in fire pretty early there. Or are you not deep enough yet for it to curl the edges? I had the same thing – got sick of everyone announcing where I was going and partners a Wingull early. Did a nice job with her, but I had to trade her. I was flaring out over everything people did.

Mei didn't meet Mela's gaze, but she waited. Her Houndoom, however, started growling, and Mei jumped at the sound.

Still not looking into the eyes of the firestorm, Mei admitted, "I needed help to stay away from ice. Pome keeps me warm." Mela's eyes softened a bit at that.

"Be careful. It sucks when you get set what you are, but it takes time to pick other strands out properly," Mela warned. "This isn't just because I'm push it until it breaks. I'm Team Star's top trainer, and that means I've spread my heat to a lot of other types, it wasn't fast to learn."

"I did fine with Pome in our first match, fuel-wise," Mei reflected, "And he's pretty easy-going, no wildfire yet."

"How about you?" Mela asked, "You were completely wiped two days ago, the way your sister tells it."

"My sister was right," Mei admitted.

"You get more a feel for yourself it's easier to switch it up – moves off the Pokemon's type get easier to train too. You know how you draw, how it goes out, and how they take it in. I could fly a brace of Pelippers now if I wanted," Mela bragged.

"I'd rather skip to there, please," Mei said.

"Looking back, so would I," Mela laughed.

The Houndoom relaxed and Pome sighed in relief. Mela stepped back out of Mei's personal space.

"Next time call or text before you rattle the whole hallway? You're lucky I was here instead of the Schedar STC," Mela warned.

She spat to the side. "Ortega's little stunt got us chewed out. But one of Ryme's gym trainers is taking a six-week course here, and she takes her weekends off seriously. She was going to handle it if I wasn't here, and Ghost trainers don't handle it so pretty," Mela said.

Mei nodded.

"I get wanting to take on everything. Just got Pokemon and the world opens up and you want to take it all on. Still do, really. Ryme's trainers are too hip to care. Next time, head to your room and handle it quietly," Mela recommended.

"Sure, can I ask one thing?" Mei asked.

Mela shrugged. "You can ask," she allowed.

"Does all your STC have the cool fire outfits?" Mei asked

Mela looked down, "Oh, the bitching suit? One of the other admins made it for me special. Everyone can see me coming! Nice, eh? Just because I'm establishment now doesn't mean I have to look it. And a lot better than Ortega's fancy duds," she said, pleased, and spun around.

"You look all branded up to head to Galar or something," Mei praised.

"Nah, the Cup's too much stress. I'd rather raise Pokemon," Mela said.

---

Mei headed back to her room, and first thing looked up if there were any good bakeries in town she could bring apology cookies back from. It sounded like people weren't getting the best first impression. It'd cut into her funds but she knew apartment living, and she'd rather not have the floor spend the start of the year mad at her.

And anyways Rose's forfeit covered a lot of it.

The second was to send a text to her sister: Where are you?

Shoe shopping still in Mezagoza came the reply a minute later.

Mei looked at her phone and tapped it a little to make sure she'd texted the right person. The Rotom phone buzzed in irritation at Mei's doubting its capacities.

"It's going to be hilarious to see how she justifies this as training, on top of slumming with pet owners," Mei decided.

Pome gave a chiding whistle.

"I know, I shouldn't heap on her after a first loss. If she's taking it hard enough to curl up, I should do something. Not sure what, I seem to be hitting her nerves when we talk," Mei commented.

Terpsi made a hopeful burble.

"No, we're not going to try to get hit by the hose again!"

---

The Academy grounds were starting to fill up with classes starting Monday. People and Pokemon were visible whichever way you turned on the front lawn. Mei had been hoping to get out in the sun for practice, but every area was reserved or had the risk of collateral damage.

Mei had been warned about weather near mountains, fortunately. She had reserved one of the small practice rooms buried in Naranja in case a thunderstorm rolled down the Crater. Mei sent a prayer of thanks to last night Mei for her foresight.

The practice room itself was the sort Mei had seen a few times with her mother, and many times in the Knight's memory. This one was a bit over a meter wide and three meters long, on the small side. You had to climb a few stairs into the room thanks to a generous layer of dirt on the floor. The hardened metal walls gleamed through the scratches and burns from previous trainers. Mei held her hand to one and wondered how many decades of trainers had started out here.

She didn't have much time to be philosophical, as past Mei had reserved it for a few hours. The room was free to students, the targets weren't, and a small vending machine set along the set of rooms had sets for sale. Cheap ones in foam, or wood, stored in item balls.

Mei had been hoping for open-air practice to avoid the extra cost, but whatever happened to food prices hadn't worked down the economy to here yet.

She bought out a couple buttons on the machine just in case though. The storage containers were the cheap one-shot digitized spaces. The other end of the scale from her and Rose's suitcases in terms of reliability. They didn't provide stasis for anything perishable, but were cheap enough if one rolled away it usually wasn't worth trying to find

She found the brackets in the training room floor easily enough. Tapping one of the item capsules on its release, a foam dummy only a little shorter than Mei popped out. It couldn't weigh more than 3 kilos.

Terpsi and Pome watched in quiet interest as Mei got it strapped in. She poked it with a finger, leaving a slowly refilling divot in the soft foam. "Nice and plush, huh? Pome, you probably saw a few of these growing up," Mei commented. Pome nodded.

"Okay – Terpsi, the next one will be for physical attacks. This one's for ranged attacks, and if the foam's standard on these, it should take a few fire attacks. I don't recognize this particular brand, it's not the one Leon endorses in Galar," Mei said. Terpsi nodded understanding.

"We're going to follow-up yesterday's study session with some basic practice. All we're looking for is to get the energy shape right, even if it's slow," Mei said as she walked back over by the door and her partners.

She patted both. "When we have TMs later, or even bounty materials, it'll be much easier to get the move basics locked in fast. Give me whatever you got, and we'll just work from there for the next couple of hours. This weekend brawl doesn't sound like we'll need them, but we can get some trainer battles in!" Mei cheered, and her Pokemon gave enthusiastic support.

"Okay Pome, you're up first," Mei said tightening her link to start feeding a trickle of power. Pome flexed, and his 'hair' flared brighter, as he dug his claws in the floor and flung several clods of dirt downrange. A few dry bits of dirt bounced off the dummy. Pome's jaw dropped open.

Terpsi started laughing so hard she fell over and started rolling around. Pome, irritated, breathed a harmless light show of sparks over her head. Instead of heeding the warning, Terpsi laughed louder.

Grimacing, Mei recalled Terpsi for the moment. Pome whistled thanks. "Don't worry, you get to see her attempt," Mei promised.

"Okay, so you go the basic dynamics of Mud Slap down, but I didn't really feel any take from you to push power into the move. I'm more worried about that than accuracy. It's possible you may be able to 'breathe' mud too like fire if you get the energy control down well." Mei said. Pome nodded.

"So we're going to spend a few minutes on it, then you can ember down whatever's left of the dummy, okay?" Mei consoled. Determined, the little crocodile faced back down range and dug into the ground.

---

Pome tried a few more minutes, which did help his accuracy with getting more clumps of dirt to hit their target, but actually channeling the actual move effect into the mud was going slower, with just traces lingering as the mud left Pome's claws.

Mei clapped as he burned the dummy down in catharsis. "Your range is already improving there on ember," she noted. Pome shrugged at that, irritated at himself.

"That you got the physical movement from what we could do last night is something. I'll keep an eye out if we can get some Diglett or Wooper bits in town. Once we have some ground type energy to reference that should be a big help."

Pome waddled over and hugged her leg.

"I know, buddy, you're doing great. I'm happy to be partnered with you," Mei assured. She sighed and rubbed her face.

"Just busy busy. The Knight started when she was five. You're not behind at all and working hard. I am," Mei complained. Pome just squeezed harder.

"Sorry, I'll stop," Mei said, "I'm not much better than Rose at stopping to whine, am I?" Pome avoided meeting her eyes.

"… right, well, go stand back and we'll let Terpsi have a try," Mei said.

---

Terpsi had a try all right. Pome was laughing so hard flames were shooting out of his ears.

Mei had to take some deep breaths to make sure she wouldn't laugh. "Well, you got the energy production part down on Grass Knot," Mei said encouragingly. It was the same typing which helped.

Terpsi shrieked, though highly muffled by the multiple loops of 'grass' that had sprouted up and completely ensnared the poor Bounsweet, who was left suspended off the ground and mummified. Pome laughed harder, falling backwards off his tiny legs to kick his feet.

"Well, so accuracy appears to be a problem at the moment, so we'll keep working on it," Mei said. She knelt and began pulling on the grass to try and snap it, but found it stronger than she expected.

"Are you giving me a physical boost at the moment?" Mei asked. The vocal component of the Bounsweet's reply was unintelligible, but Mei got most of it anyway.

"I think it's going into the ground by your Knot here. I'm not pushing to you and normally this move withers after a few moments," Mei said. Mei turned around and Terpsi screamed in fright at being left.

"I'm just getting scissors!" Mei said gruffly, turning back around and presenting her bag. Everyone's nerves were on edge this morning. So much had happened it was easy to forget they were on day three of partnering.

"I would never abandon a Pokemon. The Knight me didn't even and she did like hers at all. And I like both of you. I might have to leave to get help with this, but I think we've got it," Mei said. Terpsi spat grass out of her mouth and trilled an extended note. Pome's laughter started to still in response, and he managed to sit up, though steamy tears were rolling out of his eyes still.

"What? You two aren't slow at all!" Mei said, surprised. "This is really a budget move teaching, and you two are doing great."

Pome whistled skeptically.

"If there's anger coming off me it's because I know where I could be with unlimited support. You two have had partners for, what, a day and a half? We've gotten in maybe twelve hours with everything going on," Mei protested.

Terpsi spoke angrily again, and Mei drew her hands back as the little Bounsweet Rapid Spun her way free, the grass finally dissipating. "Oh, it's about Victor yesterday?" Pome rolled back to his feet and actually growled instead of whistled, Terpsi nodding agreement.

"No, I'm not sure what he did. There definitely weren't TMs. I know what that feels like. Kieran could probably do four moves in an hour but he's several levels above us. I don't think less of you for having teething issues with the new moves. Even then, you saw his Quaxly was getting confused," Mei said.

Terpsi urgently cheeped.

"No, there's always some sort of tradeoff. Even if you could actually completely internalize a move energy construct and, somehow, flawlessly give it to a partner so they know the energy and the mechanical portions, you'd still have to practice with power coming from a trainer. One reason we're doing Grass Knot, Terpsi, is because it's an 'attack' that relies on the opponent, there's less we have to do while we're still figuring each other out. Once we get some resources, we'll do Bullet Seed. I do want to focus on your strength for drills," Mei explained.

Terpsi nodded. She was looking forward to arms.

"Oh, you two come here," Mei said, and hugged both until they leaned into it. "You two aren't doing anything wrong at all. Making you two nervous just gives more reason to smack around Victor, though. But these moves are for later matches, not today, okay?" The two nodded.

"Okay, Terpsi, back to it!" Mei commanded.

Enthused, the little Bounsweet concentrated and glowed green. The soil around crackled with energy, before a singular and massive stalk of grass launched Terpsi into the air so hard she bounced off the ceiling. Mei fortunately was able to get there in time to catch the Pokemon from hitting the floor.

"Well at least you didn't get tangled this time!" Mei shouted over Pome's helpless hoots of laughter. Terpsi just gave a tired sigh.

---

Terpsi's mood didn't recover until she got to destroy one of the wooden physical dummies with Rapid Spin as a treat. She didn't link up for any trainer boost, so she could take reducing it to splinters slowly. It took five minutes all told.

Mei and Pome spent the extra time working on Mud Slap – mainly incremental accuracy improvements. Neither trainer nor Pokemon were ground-type, so the power part was going to take a lot of repetition.

For cleanup, both got drinks from Mei's bag as she smoothed out the dirt floor and gathered the splinters up with tools provided. She talked as she worked and ran through another energy drink.

"We should hopefully see some ground moves in action today, Pome, and that'll give some pointers. And Terpsi, you're making some progress on the physical front. That should get Rapid Spin in range sooner, but until then Grass Knot will give ranged attackers a surprise," Mei plotted.

She soon had the dummy remnants all gathered, and she gestured at Pome, who cheerfully set it on fire. With the smaller splinters carbonized, the torched charcoal remnants were easy to dispose of.

"Good practice session. But this was the warm-up. Let's scope out the competition," Mei said with a grin. The two Pokemon grinned and drank faster.

---

The time it would take to get a Flying Taxi wasn't worth the speed for crossing the city. In Mei's opinion, the Paldean ones relying on Squawkabilly meant she'd avoid it wherever she could. She did spend some time scrubbing her partners down and checking her look. This would be, hopefully, several matches in a public space. Looking good in the heat would be good for her image, if she ever wanted sponsorship for the Galar Circuit.

Looking good would benefit the Academy too. The term was on so that meant the uniform was a requirement while living on campus. It sounded like during the Treasure Hunt there was more leeway but for official matches (like Gyms, or tournaments, though she hadn't found any scheduled yet) it was strongly encouraged.

Her hair was still not playing ball. Mei doubted it was the extra humidity compared to Hammerlocke. Rose wasn't having any issues, and Mei's tangles started above where Rose had lopped her hair too. She ended up stuffing it and pinning it under a hat. Long term she was going to need new conditioner or something.

"Are you spiritual enough yet to tell me if this room's haunted?" Mei asked Pome as she was toweling him dry. The croc gave a hapless shrug.

"You wouldn't mind then if I researched a Paldean exorcism? Just in case," Mei said. Pome shrugged again. He wasn't developed far enough to worry about that affecting him.

"Okay, something else for the to-do list then. Pome, you're going to be out today. It's Academy first week and you're the study Pokemon. Everyone will expect it," Mei said. Pome nodded eagerly and Terpsi sighed. Their training session had been kept light energy wise so some food and rest earlier and everyone was recharged.

---

It was hitting after noon by the time they were out the door, but they had time to get across the city before the 'official' meet up time. They had to take the stairs down as the elevators were hitting every floor as people moved in.

The 'astronomy table' Mei and Rose had seen their first day was there. With Mei not nearly asleep and extra context, it was obvious it was a Team Star recruiting table for their Hunt training program. Team Star had several people in their modified uniforms trying to work the crowd. Most were ignoring them, but a few were clustered at the table.

After a minute lingering in the door's archway, Mei realized she could divy people's reactions to three groups. Most students with a few years age compared to her were ignoring it, though a couple were stopping to give the odd Team Star salute. Starting students seemed to be tolerating the pitch or picking up pamphlets.

The last group were the older adults – short-term students, and they were quickly grabbing pamphlets so the Team Star grunts (Mei couldn't find herself categorizing them any other way) would move on.

For a new training program, there was some history there. Mei wove through the crowd to pick up a pamphlet. A Paniward stood on one side of the table at attention while a Gulpin snoozed away as a paperweight at the other end. A male and female in the Team Star 'uniform' of a deliberately sloppy Naranja uniform with helmets and star-shaped goggles were manning the table directly.

"Interested in doing training, or joining? It's a new dawn for Team Star?" the female grunt said cheerfully.

"We do have a quota with rewards for joining early," the male chimed in. The girl jabbed an elbow at him for a hard selling, leaving him gasping.

"You're all over," Mei commented, having flipped open the pamphlet. After skimming it she gave it to Pome to hold and read. The croc looked at it, but literacy being a human concept, thoughtfully chewed on it instead. The grunts ignored this completely; apparently, they'd seen their literature get far worse treatment.

The boy recovered his breath and continued, "Five bases this year, staffed by Mesagozan students to aid in the study of Pokemon. Our five squads are organized under our leader's specialties, but you can bring others to train. If you've got the right type, though, you can participate in our ultimate training exercise: the Star Barrage!"

"That was some kind of melee scrum, wasn't it?" Mei asked.

"It's designed after how wild Pokemon duel. Synching just enough to avoid permanent injury with quick dominance displays. The Pokemon won't be using moves – real primal fury stuff. Challenger brings three and must clear Team Star challengers within a time window," the girl explained.

"And if you win, you battle the squad boss partnered with one of Team Star's superweapons, the Starmboiles!" the boy enthused, waving his arms so wildly he nearly took out the Pawniard near him.

"There was a picture on page 2," the girl grunt noted, and folded one open. It looked like a garishly decorated truck with several Pokemon mounted on it. Even with stolen experience, she wasn't sure how that worked as a single partner, but the admins were no joke to pull it off.

"This is Mela's weekend job then?" Mei asked.

"Oh, you know the Schedar Squad boss?" the boy grunt asked.

"She's our floor warden. I caught her heading out or I wouldn't recognize her from around campus," Mei said.

"Yeah, she's different here than when she's fired up. Great coach but a real hard-" the boy grunt coughed suddenly, cutting off his sentence. Mei smiled, amused.

"I don't think I'll sign up today. There's a lot I need to work out still, but I want to see the Ten Sights on the Hunt, so I'm certain I'll be near the bases," Mei said. The grunts nodded.

"This is really something you all put together, though. I've never heard this kind of training method," Mei enthused.

"If you had ten weak trainers versus one strong trainer, in ten one-on-ones the stronger trainer will be tired, but probably not damaged. Most of us aren't very talented but this way a pack can guard each other," the girl grunt said seriously.

"Yeah, the dramatic battle down to the wire is usually a lie," Mei said absently, "But to grab the subject: do either of you know anything about the weekend matches in Mesagoza West?"

"There's usually a bunch over there for the cityfolk," the girl grunt answered, "But it's total luck of the draw who's there to challenge. I've seen huge crowds with baby Yungoo and Skowvets, and a few times there's been just a couple Ace Dragon Clan members."

"You show up with a starter, there'll probably be a few willing to challenge you to knock you down a notch," the boy grunt warned.

"Thanks for the advice. That sounds great for a warmup," Mei said. She bowed and headed towards the steps. Pome waved as he followed behind.

"Warmup?" the girl grunt asked.

"New trainer ego. That takes me back," the boy grunt said, wiping a tear from his eye.

"Didn't you hide your first week?" the girl grunt asked.

"I'm trying to move on from that reality," he answered.

---

Mei was still good on time, which meant she could keep not having a headache today and avoid the Taxi. She did send a message she was on her way to the boys. She noticed the court as she was headed down the stairs. There was still a visible hole – repairs hadn't started yet.

Checking her phone, Rose had sent some pictures. They turned out to be the girls posing with a pair of Igglybuffs mugging for the camera. Mei frowned at that. In Galar, seeing a pair would be rare – they were only present off the east coast. That was a spectacular catch.

The last message was just text and more chilling. Victor was here doing Pokemon transfer. I offered to battle but he figured I would tell you his strategy. He looked worn out – so he's probably done some other battles this morning. I've seen nine species so far so he could have anything. Good luck. I know you can do it. 3

Mei found herself bristling again reading his name. There was just something about his attitude that got under her skin.

Also she was being looked down upon. Wild Pokemon just couldn't manage the complicated move variations partners did, on top of not having a trainer's strength for the Pokemon to draw on. To be worn down from battling wild Pokemon, and letting it show, meant he didn't consider Mei worth being prepared for.

It could be Victor had run up against something unusually strong for a beginning trainer, but she wasn't worried if he'd made the catch. Anything that'd trained to a level of strength on its own had plenty of pride. Victor didn't radiate power, the thin trickle wouldn't mean much for that sort of Pokemon.

Pome picked up her sudden hostility and whistled a question as they headed down quieter side streets. "Something about him is setting me off. Though I figured you'd be happy I'm not picking fights with Kieran or Nemona? Victor's certainly had more actual battles than me me has, but he's not ahead on strength."

Pome nodded and mumbled a follow-up. Mei caught it though.

"We've been working on that. I'm not going to flame out!" Mei asserted. The thought of the two of them going out like a pilot's light, and they'd come close, was the stuff of nightmares.

Pome whistled, still a bit dubious. "What, were you asleep last night? Were Terpsi and I the only two meditating?" Mei asked. Pome looked away, abashed.

"We'll keep close track of our pacing, I promise – I want to get a lot of matches in this weekend before classes start," Mei promised. Pome raised his arms in a cheer.

"Excuse me?" Both jumped at a scratchy voice cutting across their conversation.

"I'm sorry to startle you, but are you a new student?" An elderly woman in a smock had been walking the other way down the street with a Hoppip. Reflexively, Mei waved. The Hoppip jumped waggling back its leaves cheerfully.

"Yes, sorry, hello?" Mei stammered.

"Oh good! I challenge you to a Pokemon battle!" the woman said.

"All right," Mei said reflexively, the Knight coming out in her confusion.

"Wait, right here on the street? Is that allowed?" Mei asked as her brain caught up.

"Oh no, dearie, there's a little plaza down the street here. I'm not much of a trainer but I like to catch fresh students. I'm too old to travel but I like the idea of getting into the memories of starting their adventure," the lady answered.

"All right, I have two so we can do one on one or two on two?" Mei said.

"Oh, use as many as you like, I'll bring Hoppip here," the lady answered. Pome and Mei shared a look. The croc shrugged and whistled mindfully at Mei. Mei dutifully opened herself up to really study the woman. There wasn't much there – not old light died down, just never much. And no battle trainer. If this was a bizarre con job, Mei wasn't seein git.

"Well, I guess we're starting working on our pacing early today," Mei replied enthusiastically, punching the air.

"I accept your challenge!"

---

"So, you took out the Hoppip, then what?" Teff asked, interested. Mei had finally staggered to the West Pokemon Center forty-five minutes later. She was munching a power bar as she caught her breath. Their table was off to the side as the Pokemon Center had a line shopping, or picking up and dropping off from the battles that surrounded them.

"Well as far as I can tell all he had was Splash, so it wasn't much of a match. I was trying to give back part of her forfeit and that's when I got swarmed," Mei answered.

"I can't believe you spent a half-hour beating up kindly old ladies and their pets," Trigo said, snickering.

"Every time I turned around there was another one wanting to avenge the last one's honor!" Mei protested, though weakly given the power bar had been a tiny fraction of her winnings. Six match forfeits would but a solid number of Poke balls. Pome and Terpsi did need a Center touch-up from their own fatigue as well. She was tired, but she didn't feel like her legs were jelly or how exhausted she was two days ago. Good sign.

Though Rose had pushed her a lot harder than beating up some neighborhood association.

"I thought the Naranja Gauntlet was a myth," Trigo mused.

The two Galarians turned as one. Trigo noticed their stares and explained.

"So, I remember hearing about this in the first round of primary. About ten years ago, the city had a tradition of challenging new students to make sure they had the skills to handle the wilds. But the last administration was a real mess and burned bridges. The new board has been a lot more willing to work with the city. I guess old folks are bringing it back," Trigo explained.

"They were happy to have a match – they need to exercise their Pokemon more. They were pretty fond of their Pokemon but they weren't battlers. The toughest fight was when they sent two Pokemon against Terpsi at once and the Pokedex backed them up it counted as one," Mei said.

"Tandemaus? I have a great-aunt who keeps them," Trigo answered.

"That's it. Cute little things," Mei said, "I don't know why a retirement home jumped me, but they were really excited to battle a student. Even if they weren't very good."

"I blame the Battle Brawl. All the plazas have been busier since it started. Real burst of energy this summer," Trigo mused. He gestured around. On the fields outside the Center's tramac, a dozen pick-up matches were playing out. Mainly low-intensity and simple moves, tackles and tail whips. Several dozen people with partners out were circulating between the courts as well. Cheering people on and planning more matches.

Teff and Trigo's study Pokemon were out as well, but had been ignoring the conversation. They were avidly watching the battles.

"The big west court's still empty over there, it looks like," Mei noted, "Is there some sort of bracket? Like a king of the hill to challenge at it?"

Trigo shifted uncomfortably. "What?" Teff asked.

"Reserving space on the courts is free to students," Trigo said.

"Oh, dear," Teff said.

"Maybe I should have taken the old ladies to a court then," Mei mused.

"The dirt basic courts aren't much, but the fancy big courts are too expensive when your Pokemon can just summon up a few sparks," Trigo said.

"Oh, I hadn't thought about that. Big, experienced Pokemon eat a lot too," Mei said.

"I think there's an annual pass, but I haven't had to look into it much," Trigo said.

"I'd rather not lord it over people, especially since I'm a hobbyist at best right now," Teff said.

"You two can go and pick someone out. The grannies were a workout but not nearly what Kieran did yesterday. A few more calories and I'll be fine," Mei stated.

"I'd rather wait until you got your Pokemon back. There's a lot of people going back and forth through the Center," Trigo said. Mei looked at the lines and decided to nod thanks. The tables weren't very busy, and most people were watching the action instead of staying sensibly in the shade.

"I don't want to miss this big match you and Victor hyped yourselves up for. You said you're a new trainer, but you just took down five people!" Teff observed.

"I didn't think it would be that easy. Paldean grannies don't train their Pokemon as much as Galar's old biddies."

"It's that much of a difference?" Trigo asked. Mei nodded.

"I've seen people in the neighborhood battle in Hammerlocke. Their Pokemon were in better shape than the ones I saw here, even if they were usually professionals or pet owners," Mei said.

"I wouldn't expect an old lady's pet to be a honed elite-grade Pokemon," Teff said, amused, "Maybe your reflexes are still adjusting to battle-sync? Trigo, you've had your Lechonk for a bit, right? How did you train it?"

"I, uh, didn't, really. We just hung out. I didn't think about it. It was taking all my concentration to get through the Naranja assessments," Trigo said.

"Is he okay going with you out of the city? Did he sign up for the full urban life?" Mei said, focusing in. Trigo's Fuecoco turned around to observe the conversation.

"No, he was excited when I explained the Treasure Hunt. I just hadn't gotten to trying to prep him before Kieran yesterday," Trigo said.

"Well, he and your Fuecoco can prep together!" Mei said brightly. This felt odd, though. She and Teff shared a glance. Trigo shifted uncomfortably.

"I knew it was coming but I didn't feel a need to push the little guy yet," Trigo said slowly. He took the Poke ball off his belt and looked at it strangely and then shook his head.

"Okay, yeah – definitely need to follow up on yesterday, get some matches in. You think there's a sign-up? I… need to make up time," Trigo said, a little disturbed.

"Bonding is important too. Every region's a bit different," Mei assured, though still a bit weirded out. Teff's expression matched her thoughts.

"I should do something nice for Kieran Monday," Trigo decided.

"He did say he'd be free Sunday, too," Teff reminded Trigo.

"I'd rather do it before the class," Trigo said, "Though glad he's not here – I don't think there'd be anyone left for us."

"Terpsi and Pome should be done soon," Mei said, "If Victor's not here maybe I can fit in a one-on-one."

"Should I nickname my Pokemon?" Trigo muttered, half to himself. Mei heard.

"If you want – it wasn't in style a couple decades ago, so a lot of senior trainers never got the habit," Mei answered.

Trigo gave a 'hmm' as he looked between his Lechonk's Poke ball and Fuecoco. Teff shrugged. "My cat knows when I'm calling him," he said.

Mei idly tapped a note on her phone, just to ask the other Paldeans in class when they started training. You'd figure the walking tradition they'd start early. Probably worthwhile to ask Miriam or Dendra too.

Her name finally got called at the counter, and she picked up Terpsi and Pome. They were a little winded but game for another match. She put Pome back out since the theme of the day seemed to be 'show the school colors'.

She put her hat back on and joined Teff and Trigo headed into the sun. Not sure where to start, they headed for the biggest concentration of people around a court.

It was mainly kids or teens standing cheering. An older gentleman, gray in his hair, was serving as an impromptu line referee with a Cyclizar rolled up on her back sunbathing behind him. He knew what he was about from a quick glance, but Mei did a double take when she realized he had a purple sash thrown like a scarf down his back.

That has Dragon Clan embroidery, and he's no pet trainer! What's someone like that doing here? She thought to herself. Pome whistled urgently and pointed at the field at her unspoken question.

She nodded. Two boys, younger than her, were having a match. A Clauncher was gamely spraying an Applin down with a water gun. The little Apple Core Pokemon was tucked in tight, holding out and waiting for a chance. Neither trainer was battle-synched, but the Applin trainer's coat was lined with a dashed purple pattern. Mei wasn't supposed to recognize it, but Team Flare had decoded Dragon Clan symbology. The white streaks meant prospective member.

"No one here willing," Teff said.

"Go on, I'm going to watch this play out," Mei said. She was intrigued by what looked like an audition. Regions may be different, but it was always bad form to give advice to a match. The Applin seemed stuck purely on defense, and that hard apple shell only went so far with type resistances to stop the water gun rattling the Applin.

Both trainers were shouting encouragement, the Clauncher's eyes were narrowed as the Water Gun Pokemon lived up to her nickname. She finally had to stop to recharge, lifting the claw up.

Mei gave a whistle and winced as a few people turned to look at her with dirty looks. The referee even turned, eyes widening briefly in surprise. She held up her hands apologetically. She did not want a powerful Dragon trainer smashing her flat. The referee gave her another look and focused back on the match.

Now that the Applin was visible under the water stream, she could see the little Pokemon's tail was curled up and braced. Galar was absolutely lousy with little dragon-apples, and that looked like Defense Curl – that took trainer breeding or extra-special training.

It's effectiveness generally matched Withdrawal – which Applin came out of the tree with and didn't really enhance defenses against Water Gun. Unless of course, someone also had prepped the Applin with Rollout, which took further special effort.

"She's caught off guard! Rollout, Seedy!" the Dipplin trainer called. Pome and Mei shared a look. This kid's Applin had the deck stacked in his favor.

The Applin started to roll forward, with the boost provided by Curling, he was able to charge forward with extra speed.

"Vice Grip, Clauncher!" the water Pokemon's trainer yelled but it was too late. Clauncher couldn't maneuver her heavy claw in place before being smacked in the chin by a rolling ball of apple-worm.

"Keep going, Seedy!" the dragon trainer made with the right call. Rollout was a move that channeled power from previous uses into greater and greater heights. The nearly sessile Applin was now zipping around the court.

Clauncher still tried to follow her trainer's instructions and get Seedy into a Vice Grip. But trying to catch the Rock move just held the Applin in place briefly with a shower of sparks before the force flipped Clauncher on her back. That defense prep from the trainer had paid off, Clauncher could barely leave scatches in melee.

"I give up!" her trainer shouted frantically, seeing where this was headed, and recalled his Pokemon. The Applin skidded to a stop in a cloud of dust. When it cleared, his eyes were poking out of the apple triumphantly. He slowly hopped to his waiting trainer's arms.

The referee clapped a few times. "Seedy and Belindo win the match!" There were general shouts, and the crowd broke into two groups to support the contenders.

The ref, however, broke through the crowd to head directly to Mei. She swallowed against a dry throat. "Are you sure where you are?" he asked, not unkindly.

"I didn't mean to distract," Mei said, nervous.

To her surprise, the referee made a waving gesture, moving past that. "You're the only one who spotted what the meant for Seedy's education but adds to my point. I don't think this scene is enough challenge for you," he explained.

"I just started training," Mei said. Pome nodded in agreement. Mei gave her crocodile a look and he mimed digging mud. She shrugged.

"Anyway, my classmates said there were always battles here on the weekends," Mei said.

"There are battles indeed. Technically," the man added with a wince, and extended a hand as he introduced himself. "Carlos – you ever consider Applin training yourself? I can practically hear the wind in your trees, and the Dragon Clan's able to train powerful potential. And if you're here for the other reason battle trainers come here, the legal forfeits from these kiddos wouldn't buy lunch."

Mei winced but took the hand and shook it. "My name is Mei. Thank you, the offer is kind, but I'm a Naranja student," she explained, gesturing to the uniform. Carlos nodded, understanding.

"Worth asking, the Dragon Clan gets a lot of applicants, but people with strong natural potential can skip a lot of steps," he said.

"Is that why you're here? For Seedy's trainer?" she asked. "I didn't get the impression Belindo had broken through."

"That's true – it's a bit harder to spot before battle-sync, but if you look closely, you should see it," Carlos said.

Apparently, this a was a learning opportunity. Mei frowned and concentrated at the young boy at the center of admiring peers, as he held his Applin triumphantly over his head.

There was a flash there, something deep and sleeping in a cave. Regal purple, not the darker tones of the spirits. A sign of the lord of the elements. "Oh, so that's how it worked with Rose and I," Mei remarked aloud.

"If you spent a minute in close contact, you couldn't avoid picking it up. It'd be more muted if he'd never partnered, but you'd still see enough to know," Carlos said, then laughed.

"You of all people don't need me to explain alignments," he continued.

"Mei, there you are!" Trigo called. Teff and him – and their Pokemon – were strutting as they came over.

"Won already?" she hazarded. The two nodded.

"Kieran's tips yesterday were a big help. Oh, Carlos, good morning," Trigo said.

"Ah this is your classmate. How is your father doing?" Carlos asked.

"Good, he's still regretting your retirement," Trigo answered, and turned to the other two. "Carlos ran a Cyclizar business, but he's retired out of commercial delivery. My Dad's still mad about that."

"The finest compliment," Carlos assured, and handed out business cards to Teff and Mei. "I still do some personal rentals and equipment; Cyclizar racing and that sort of thing. I couldn't give it up entirely but it's much less stressful. And gives time for other duties," he explained.

"Volunteering as ref? That's kind," Teff said.

"It doesn't hurt to give kids a few nudges. Most of the better ones end up at Naranja in the next few years. Trigo, this won't be your scene either going forward, with that fancy education," Carlos said.

"I've been coming here every month for a while," Trigo protested.

"Did you have any trouble with your opponent today?" Carlos countered. Trigo fell silent at that, a bit troubled.

"Does the Dragon Clan train at Naranja, then?" Mei asked.

Carlos shifted awkwardly. "The Clan doesn't like giving techniques to people who aren't adopted in. It doesn't match the philosophy of Naranja. I think it's a problem for Belindo there. I know he's said no once already, he wants to go to Naranja next year with his friends. I don't think he'll do badly there but I'd love having Clan training at his age," Carlos admitted.

"I'm going to ask something and don't intend to upset you," Teff cautioned. Carlos nodded.

"Does the Dragon Clan control the specialty apples Applin need to evolve in Paldea?" Teff said and let out a deep breath.

"Oh, dragons no. Seedy's going to have a good future either way," Carlos said hastily, "But all the benefits from Clan will be enhanced if Belindo's a battler. Naranja doesn't care either way." Pome nodded thoughtfully and whistled agreement.

"Well speaking as someone who's been flagged for grass Pokemon since she was three, I think Naranja will be great," Mei said.

Trigo scoffed, "So you're saying if Brassius had offered an apprenticeship three days ago you wouldn't have jumped on it?"

Mei sputtered, and as she was incoherent, Trigo turned to Carlos.

"Sorry, she has this habit of jumping to a position. She jumped down the throat of the only trainer of her level in class yesterday. Well, the only trainer she wasn't related to."

"Some trainers are like that. You need to make and commit snap decisions at that level," Carlos said.

"Hey, it's not just me. My mom said a lot on those battle circuit trainers – they get sloppy on raising Pokemon strength up and start passing up bonding," Mei said defensively.

"Is that why you did yesterday?" Trigo pressed.

"Dragons above and below something in him ticks me off," Mei said with a scowl.

Carlos looked at Pome and back at Mei. "Did he comment on you branching out early?" he asked.

"I've got it handled," Mei said confidently.

"Sleeping hard?" Carlos said. Mei looked away. Pome whistled angrily.

"It's not your fault, little guy – she's got a natural inclination how to power and grass is kindling to you. My ace is tricky in the same way," Carlos said, "I'm sure you'll get it, but you set yourself up for some early strain."

"Your ace?" Teff asked.

"Ah, sure," Carlos said, pleased to have an attentive audience. "I had him balled while refereeing but here we are!"

Carlos dropped a Great Ball to the ground and a grey theropod with golden fore scales and a reinforced jaw appeared, a powerful icy fin on its back. The Arctibax roared in delight at getting to stretch again, before his head swiveled to point directly at Mei.

Mei jumped back defensively as Pome waddled forward, hissing threateningly.

"None of that now," Carlos said mildly. Slowly and reluctantly, the Arctibax looked away, though it kept throwing suspicious glances. Pome kept his tiny hands up, ready to intercede to protect his partner. Teff and Trigo looked back and forth, alarmed.

"He was ready for a full challenge," Carlos observed, "That type of antipathy is rarer than your talents."

"I know. It's been looked at," Mei deadpanned.

"The Applin didn't draw any reaction from you and there's all sorts of little birds and bugs around – is it Ice then?" Carlos asked. Mei nodded.

"Usually, they just lunge for me if they're untrained," she said.

"Right, you're new – you have Pokemon now, so you being a trainer comes into play. Before, you were prey like any other human dumb enough to go into their territory without partners. And for some reason, being near you counts as their territory. There was a junior trainer when I trained, briefly, in Johto who got the same reaction," Carlos explained.

"If the Dragon Clan can cure that, I'll raise as many Applin as you want," Mei said. It had felt different with Pome – there was a spark of entering battle instead of just needing to flee.

Carlos laughed. "No, unfortunately there isn't a magic wand or shamanic seal for this. The best advice is the usual advice to a trainer with a problem – get stronger. If you're powerful enough the Pokemon won't seek a confrontation, but you're still raw."

Trigo said, "You said it happens, but that was weird to see. Every time they just attack you if they can?"

Mei said, "Only occasionally since I've never lived anywhere Ice-types are comfortable natively. But yes. Rose as well." The Arctibax hissed and Pome clicked his jaws back at him. The bigger Ice Fin Pokemon made a condescending noise deep in his throat.

"You still wanted to go on journey facing that?" Teff said.

Mei made a fist and punched the air. "Just because weak trainers usually see weak Pokemon means nothing. Wild Pokemon can leap out at any time, and sometimes they're desperate instead of wanting a match. It's a risk everyone takes and you have to be ready for."

"I see why you went fire so early in your career though, then," Trigo said, looking with some new respect. The news had a couple stories a year of a hurt or frenzied Pokemon driven to attack humans unprovoked, but it was rare. Typical wild Pokemon would let a trainer run if they lost completely, in respect of the match.

Mei was readying herself to face Pokemon that would destroy her if they could.

"He's so cute and musical too! Personality was a factor, not just as a counter," Mei said encouragingly. Pome nodded but kept his eyes on the dragon

"I'd still suggest evening out. Adding a couple Axew really helped my stamina," Carlos suggested.

"Even with the strain of more Pokemon?" Mei asked.

"If you feel you're pushing right now, then wait, but having a bigger bed for the bonfire won't hurt," Carlos said.

"Your sister's grass on both hers," Teff chimed in.

Carlos smirked at that. "A rival?" he asked.

"Pome has deep depths! My partner isn't about some easy wins!" Mei insisted.

Pome nodded and whistled a long story, with a few hoots in the way. Mei's eyes were watering at the end, and she clasped her hands in affection.

"I think I actually got some of that," Trigo said, looking at his own Fuecoco, who looked up and nodded.

"I'm completely lost," Teff said.

"Well, it's really poetic, but something about unearthing new fields? Or tilling them? Something with ashes as seeds?" Trigo said.

"Human it would take a couple minutes at cover," Mei replied. She bent down to rub Pome's head. He still kept an eye on Carlos's ace. "You have put a lot of thought on how you work on a grass team, little guy! You're giving me so much consideration and I'm grateful!" Pome nodded, proud.

"They only look kind of inept," Trigo said to Teff. Teff nodded.

"Sounds like you two are starting work on his spiritual side," Carlos said.

"That's a while off before he can manipulate it at all. Every guide says all he can learn is Curse, and it's the 'internal' version to strengthen while locking up the limbs. I'm interested in it. There are some nifty double typed grass ghosts that could help support him, but Pome won't get even a Night Shade until he finishes growing up," Mei said, still rubbing Pome's head. Pome and Trigo's Fuecoco both sighed sadly.

"It's an odd quirk of the line, especially in a learning Pokemon that becomes dual typed," Victor's voice cut across. The group turned. He was by his Quaxly and was visibly sweating in the sun despite the hat. Te Taxis weren't always the most comfortable if they'd been on the ground for any length of time in this weather. Mei noted he was carrying a full set of Poke balls on his belt, but Mei suspected some were empty.

"Was wondering if you would show," Mei said, standing. Pome finally swiveled away from the Arctibax to face him.

"I was looking at the courts for a bit before I realized the quickest way to find you is look for someone schmoozing to the most powerful thing in the area," Victor said, folding his arms. His Quaxly imitated the gesture after a moment's glance.

Victor looked at Carlos's Arctibax, which even relaxes was keeping eyes on Mei. His expression softened a bit. "You weren't exaggerating yesterday – I apologize for the threats," Victor said with a small bow.

"Did the anger not drop any clues?" Mei said, hot again under the collar.

Carlos nudged his dragon back a bit, and said, imitating an announcer, "Another rising star shows up at the sandlot today." Victor gave another small bow and Carlos took a quick headcount. Galar, Kalos, Paldea, and wherever Mei's accent was from.

"You may have to move fast, kid, if you want to keep up the region's pride," Carlos said to Trigo.

He bristled slightly under the implication. "Maybe the region should give a bit more in trainer school instead of hoping we end up in Naranja – or have more apply. I think Paldeans are a quarter of this entering class," Trigo shot back.

"You don't have to go to Naranja to be a trainer at the earliest age of majority in Paldea, do you?" Mei asked to divert the conversation.

"It's a lot easier to progress if you do. I've got my full course set behind me," Carlos said.

"The whole Gym pattern is set with Mesagoza as its start and the League schedules extra protection and bonus reward challenges during Hunt periods," Trigo said.

"So even if you just want to travel, the Hunt is the time to do it if you're a Paldean citizen, so there's plenty of encounters for students," Teff said, processing.

"I'm starting to feel like a snob," Mei said, glancing at Victor, who just shrugged.

"It's got its advantages, all the people Naranja bring in means a lot of money. It helps tourism too. We don't have to put pressure on wild Pokemon for space to mine or place extra power collectors for industry," Carlos said.

"That's true. Sometimes it feels like Paldea is just a schoolyard for Naranja, though," Trigo complained.

"You go to Naranja," Victor reminded him. Trigo shrugged.

"That doesn't change the League is in deeper with the Academy than the cities. My mom says it's a big part of why Mesagoza doesn't have a gym tradition. Plenty of powerful trainers without having to gather them," Trigo continued.

"The Paldean Empire's collapse meant none of their subjects wanted power to concentrate back in Mesagoza, either. Even pre-Apricorn there's a real gap in information on Mesagoza having a gym, or even a garrison," Mei said cheerfully.

"That's odd, isn't it? Gyms are the main defense cities have if Pokemon run rampant," Teff said.

"A city this big and old would have one just to make sure everything's running fine between partners. There's actual hundreds of thousands of people in the city, it's huge! But there's gaps where you'd think there would be scanned-in records on Pokemon training, and history. It's like Kalos kept records on the old northeastern settlements before the last Great Cycle turned, and then mentioned Anistar a century later without why," Mei said.

"Galar at least went to the trouble of a fake history," Victor mused.

Mei laughed. "If you're hoping for a rise, Rose's big effort to kill the region won't do it. You're completely right. Almost no one knew anything when the Power Spots ignited. When the news got out about Rose, most of the citizens realized how incredibly lucky we got with the old and new Champions present. Galar's old royals nearly killed everyone by damaging history. They're still trying to find the truth, and ravaging the old money too," Mei said.

"It wasn't as bad at Wyndon besides getting very confused with Rose's announcement," Teff said. "Then the footage with Leon failing got out and there were riots for a little while."

"Mesagoza not having the right notes – or notes why the right notes aren't there, must be making you nervous," Trigo said. Mei nodded.

She was lying. She'd been nervous last week. The Knight's personal knowledge of Flare's media campaign to distract made this feel worse. But as a weak new trainer, she didn't want to look to contextualize those dark shadows quite yet.

"The Dragon Clan keeps all sorts of records, but they're almost never digitized. If you know what to look for, they generally accept formal requests for research," Carlos mused.

"I need to do some firsthand research and see if it just hasn't been scanned. This could be a massive coincidence, and seeing the primary sources would give more framework to what I'd need to ask the Dragon Clan. Thank you," Mei said.

Victor stretched. "This sounds a bit daunting but also that we have time. I didn't come out here to talk about history unless we want to make some – are we still doing this?" he asked. His Quaxly chambered a kick for emphasis.

"Sure," Mei said, "Let us see if you can back up all that talk. You can't have been given the question long ago if you're still in my ballpark."

"I'd worry more about yourself, little sprout. You're just a seed people hype up," Victor said in warning. Carlos looked back and forth with interest.

"Want a referee? Or at least let me go get Belindo and clear the field – he might benefit from seeing what a pitched battle on the other side of the question looks like," Carlos said. The two nodded and recalled their Pokemon to prep.

"We're mainly here to watch, but the match was fun. The victory bounty didn't hurt either," Teff commented.

"Yeah, we may as well get in a few more while we're here," Trigo said.

Carlos started walking away but called over his shoulder, "Enjoy it while you can. Once you start getting competent hardly anyone will want to battle you here."

---

With Carlos officiating again after the last battle, the small crowd reaggregated. Seedy and Belindo stood next to the referee, somewhat overwhelmed.

Teff and Trigo were standing on the opposite side of the scratched out field as Victor and Mei got instructions. "So they both finished their pre-game," Teff said to Trigo, "Who do you think will win?"

"If confidence was gym badges, they'd both be at the Elite Four. Victor talks like he knows more about battling with partners, but Mei seems closer to her Pokemon. She knows a lot about journeys too. I'm going to say Victor, but close," Trigo predicted.

Carlos was covering the field's limitations to the two. "Basically, no barrier at all. Maybe a little on the trainer boxes but this field is cheap. I'll try and keep the kids from the downrange ends, but don't fire off ranged attacks all over the place. I'm calling the match if anything comes close to a spectator, got it?" He waited until both nodded.

"Also, any court damage it's your responsibility to repair. The Pokemon Center keeps a Phanpy that works for, heh, peanuts that specializes in this kind of earth moving if you don't have anything. There shouldn't be any divots left," Carlos instructed.

"If they don't mind the court drying out a bit, it shouldn't be a problem for me," Mei said confidently.

"Like you'll get the chance," Victor scoffed.

"Please, you can talk up a big arsenal but all I've seen is a spazzing Aqua Jet. Let's see what you can do on the field instead of citing a move list," Mei said.

"It's called hard work," Victor suddenly exploded. The crowd noise receded as they picked up the argument going on.

"Some of us don't have people letting us jump into every insanity and overlooking little mistakes because 'look at their potential'," Victor bit out. Mei winced but was ready to go.

"Some of us aren't so shortsighted they'll lock their Pokemons into an unworkable mess to try and score some acclaim," Mei yelled back.

"Hey now you two," Carlos began.

"Stay out of this – is that what set you off? That someone's better at teaching moves than you?" Victor said and started to laugh.

"Shut it," Mei directed, and the two faced each other in a hard stare. "We both know what you're teaching can't be nearly enough to draw any power. And you've had no time to practice building up more than a trickle. I mean, you could." Mei stopped, face paling.

"You didn't," Mei started again, after swallowing.

Victor blinked a few times at that. "I'm not sure what you're saying," he answered.

"This is, technically, a Pokemon battle court. You taught Whirlpool right? You can go and demo your great move teachings," Mei said.

"Gladly," Victor said and started marching over. Despite the risk of the splash zone, Mei followed incredulously.

The two reached the center and Victor closed his eyes and grabbed a Poke ball.

Mei touched Terpsi and her grip was like iron as her hand shot out to hold Victor's in place. "Oh no, not from you. Let's see what Quaxly can do on his own. I mean, without a trainer I wouldn't expect more than a wave machine feeling, but it'll still be a whirlpool."

Victor stared at Mei for several seconds, and finally relaxes his grip on the Poke ball. Mei released his arm and folded hers over her chest.

"I thought so. I can't believe it, and I should have figured it out sooner. But I thought so," Mei said. She gave a Kalosian police salute, mockingly.

"How did you know?" Victor said, now quiet again. The crowd was silent, hoping the drama would continue.

"You were there yesterday. I know what a TM feels like and you weren't using those. Setting out aligned trophies takes some time and you can't just throw Seel fur at Quaxly until Whirlpool comes out. If it was just a 'shadow' of a move for a boosted course, that might work. Except you did the Aqua Jet there. You put a you-shaped hole in the move instead so you could force it through instead of the two of you drawing it, didn't you?" Mei concluded.

Victor said nothing and Mei continued, "Of course I didn't think of it because it's crazy. Are you nuts? If the Pokemon can't channel energy it has to come from you, not through you. Miriam didn't even think of it. Rose did send a text you were tired and I should have connected the dots. Quaxly's young enough you can probably get away, for now. This'll cripple you."

Victor stared and was still silent.

"Was this your parent's idea?" Mei said, a wild flight concocting in her head. "Your duck won't even be able to draw from boosted courts if that's what you're teaching."

Victor finally opened his mouth to speak. "Did they take them away?" he asked.

"What?" Mei asked.

"You got it. It's the battle court style but with me as the court, quick and dirty. But it's outlandish to notice, and looks enough like normal trainer power people don't notice. Why did you get it? Galar's battle tower is too exclusive to have beginners. You'd brag if you had access. You talk a lot," Victor noted. Mei huffed.

"I don't see where this is going," she lied.

"Normal raw trainers, even battle ones, would assume I'd brought TMs from Kalos with me. They don't know what a TM imprint feels like, they're too expensive or blocked from absolute beginners. And you knew the mechanics of a boosted court right with Miriam. You're a new trainer, all puffed up and mad for fights. I've seen that. But none of the rest fits. You know too much, and you move to always keep situational awareness. I've seen that in aces at Kiloude, but not people starting out with six Poke balls and a dream," Victor stated.

"Either you have had Pokemon and are older than you look. Or your mother dropped you in breeding territory and waited to see if you survived," Victor concluded triumphantly.

"You're right – it's the battle court style at the base but with me to pour power into the partner instead. But why are you right? Galar's battle tower is too exclusive for beginners. You'd have bragged if you had access. You talk quite a bit," Victor noted. Mei huffed.

"I'm Galarian and I'm ten. I obeyed the law there and so did my mother," Mei said uncomfortably.

"Did you start with the birthday on your trainer's license, though? You're short, but that doesn't mean young. And there's traces of a Kalos trainer school in how you were doing ranged attacks yesterday. Were you Battle Chateau?" Victor asked. Mei locked up, not saying anything.

Victor looked for a few moments. He started laughing loudly enough the crowd relaxed that they were back to yelling.

"No, no Kalosian would be set off to defend Applin, even as cover. And the Kalosian program isn't so buggy for Paldean. You've made some odd learning choices for the start of a journey, but I guess you wanted to talk big if an Elite Four showed up," Victor said once his laughter died down.

"One did," she pointed out, and Victor sobered.

"Just go back and train those moves normally, please? Even if it takes a while? Your partners are going to hollow you out," Mei said, her voice nearly hissing. 'She' had seen it before. Team Flare using up people as fodder when they needed a strong Pokemon move now and didn't especially see the trainers as profitable.

"Well, maybe you are Kalosian, going on as if it's a sense of justice, but it's really for yourself,' Victor accused. Mei fumed.

Victor continued, "It's under control. You don't like me, fine. I don't have to be friends with everyone. Frankly, you're not likable. Let's get this match started. Humiliating you will give a proper reason to hate me, and you can finally see a match where it isn't a twin you've beaten down."

Mei gaped. "I'm no bully," she spat.

"Sure, sure. That's why your sister is here cheering you on, instead of kilometers away with near strangers. Oh wait, sorry, my bad!" Victor taunted. He finally turned towards his side of the field, giving a jaunty wave.

"Are you two finally getting started?" Trigo called. Parts of the crowd echoed the sentiment. The two had been talking quietly in the center for a while.

"Yes, but don't blink," Victor suggested in a shout as he went into position. Mei huffed and held her head high as she strolled over to her box.

She looked up at the sky for a moment and held her arms out, feeling the sun, though it didn't warm her as much as she'd hoped. She tapped her Poke balls and they rattled firmly back in response.

She could feel her ire with Victor recede as Terpsi and Pome reached up and the branches wove between them.

Victor's big mistake was showing off with moves he couldn't use safely. There was a second one in there – she wasn't Mela, some natural fire trainer that would flare up in battle. Pome might be boosting her heat a bit, but here she was with the two, the warm fields and deep branches of a forest that withstood a thousand years of fire.

The Knight was probably affecting her mentally, how the branches moved so slowly. Ice trying to creep in to her mentality. These dark boughs were a warm, stable spot for her. They didn't quite move as she wanted yet, but that was fine – in here, she wasn't so easy to push either.

She prepared to begin, as a flare came from across the field.

She wasn't going to get heated, but she could get worried. And she could see the smug grin on his face from here as he stopped holding back. She gulped, but tightened her grip on a Poke ball. It was far too late to back down.

---

Victor confidently tossed a Poke ball up and down in his hand and looked down the field at his opponent. Mei had a hand tight to her belt, and he grinned at that. Tauntingly, he pulled another Poke ball off and began to toss it instead

"This will be a two-on-two singles match with unlimited switches," Carlos announced, looking pointedly in Victor's direction. Still grinning, he clipped the second back to his belt, and pulled a third. Carlos raised his arm and brought it down hard.

Victor and Mei got their Poke balls off in seconds of each other, revealing Terpsi and a small Fletchling. The little Tiny Robin Pokemon flapped his wings and tweeted defiance and dove immediately into a Quick Attack. Terpsi winced and had her eyes shine bright as she took the hit. Mei's help gave her the speed and extra power to help absorb the blow, and keep her eyes open.

At such close range, the Fletching had no counter as the Play Nice took effect. Forced friendship drained strength of the flyer's claws and wings. Victor winced. He'd been expecting some grass disabling trick.

"Keep going," he directed aloud, as the little Fletchling's beak started to glow. Terpsi gasped aloud as the little bird delivered attacks from above, where her fat leaves blocked attempts to defend. The Flying nature of the move didn't help Terpsi's defense either, and so she started to spin. While she couldn't see the Fletchling well, the Peck's impacts helped Terpsi know when to jump and knock the Fletchling back with rapid spin, even though they hurt.

Mei chewed her lip briefly in stress. The Fletchling, that state bird of Kalos, wasn't hurting enough for what Victor was outputting. The Fletchling must be local and new, and still training up to process Victor's level. She and Terpsi had a bond advantage here, and the last couple days were already starting to show the effects for both ofthem.

That didn't make this a good match-up, still. Even in the confines of the court the little Fletchling had room enough to flap around to strike from any angle he wanted. It was Rose all over again, except with Flying moves giving a big advantage Rose's cat missed out on.

Razor Leaf or Bullet Seed would help pin down the bird, but neither was available yet. Even something that would move Terpsi's leaves would help – she could barely see above her and her guarding would be far more effective if both could anticipate.

Well, there was one idea to deal with the altitude disadvantage. After another painful peck, Terpsi sent resigned acceptance back. For the first time, Mei and Terpsi reached out together to channel power toward's Mei's birthright.

"She's easy pickings, isn't she?" Teff asked. Mei's little Bounsweet was plucky, but kept getting hit by surprise, even as she pluckily kept trying to swat back at the speedy little bird.

"It's mainly a blur of spinning plant vs red streak," Trigo admitted.

"Don't you know your type matchups? Grass is lousy against Flying," an eight-year-old near them with a Starly had the gall to say.

"Fletching is a Flying type – those Pecks are more powerful and faster than other Pokemon can manage. Even worse for the fruit," an apparently even younger girl with a Sunkern on a leash lectured them.

Teff and Trigo shared a look, but before they could comment, the field suddenly rustled and drew their attention. One moment, Victor's Fletchling had dived for another round. Then, in an eyeblink, a column of vines shot from the ground where Mei's Bounsweet had been.

Squawking in disbelief, the Fletchling couldn't stop in time and impaled his beak into the mass of vegetation. The Bounsweet had disappeared from sight.

"Ninja? Substitution?" Trigo asked. Teff shrugged.

A ringing sound out of the ear gave a clue to Terpsi's location. Onlookers' necks craned upward towards the sky. As Terpsi had reached the apex of her rapid ascent, she recovered enough from the shock to start screaming.

Mei broke from the trainer box and extended her arms as she cut across the field and through the onlookers. The crowd smoothly moved out of her way. She made a perfect catch of the little grass Pokemon, who burbled in gratitude. There was a light round of applause. Mei turned and the two bowed with a sense of showmanship

She froze mid-bow as Carlos's voice cut across. "Pokemon out of bounds – Bounsweet is disqualified from continuing!" She straightened rapidly as Victor bent over, laughing.

Terpsi squawked and started shrilly calling out to Carlos to protest the call. But he was used to high-spirited Pokemon and speared Mei with a glance.

"Thirty seconds to release next Pokemon or trainer forfeits," he stated. Terpsi gave a tsk and did her best to hold her nose up in Mei's arms.

Her trainer sighed and carried Terpsi with her back to the trainer box. "We hadn't really synched that before and look how much you got out! Great effort!" Mei consoled the little Pokemon as she returned Terpsi.

With a squawk, Fletchling pulled himself free and hopped onto the (rapidly withering) column of vines. Victor folded his arms, waiting.

"Ten seconds," Carlos noted.

As Mei relaxed her connection back to their normal level to switch over to Pome, she did send one final thought. You even didn't get tangled up, I'm proud of you.

Terpsi sent a general note of apathy towards heights but didn't press the point as Pome flared with excitement.

The little Fuecoco danced back and forth to warm up as he popped on the field. Mei took a deep breath as she adjusted to another active partner. Pome's hair-fire flickered, understanding what was coming from their link.

Mei was pulling the trick she'd done with Terpsi before. Pulling in as much as she could until the connection strained. With Pome's natural abilities being higher than Terpsi's, he could take it in easier and his jaws licked with flame.

Carlos waved a hand to restart the match. Victor's Fletchling tensed his legs and prepared to go into flight, but Mei had timed it well. She didn't start the move until the flag dropped, but all the power they'd gathered up was ready to go.

There was still an argument to be made it was a false start in a rigid reading of the rules. But this as a scratched out field with two young Pokemon, not Wyndon Stadium with two titans. Sparks filled Mei's half of the field. The column of Grass Knot caught into flames. Nothing was supporting its extranatural existence and the vines had already dried out.

With Fletchling on the column, he was caught both in the power of Pome's breath and the 'normal' heat rising as the vines quickly flashed to ash. Talonflame was the great fiery predator of the skies, but Fletchling wasn't there yet. Most importantly, he didn't have his evolution's fireproof feathers.

Pome breathed heavily from the extertion to turn that energy into something offensive, but he still stomped heavily over to the little bird and scooped dirt over him, just in case he was on actual fire. The bond had done its usual miracle, and protected Fletching from the physical effects.

Victor gaped in shock as the sudden assault left him reeling from the knockout reverbation's. He'd been thinking something like Sunny Day to alter the field, not all that power going into a direct attack.

"He's not for eating," Victor called when his vision cleared, and he saw the Fuecoco next to his bird. Pome looked up and gave the best imitation of a thumbs up his paws could maange, assuring the trainer his Pokemon would be fine.

"Ah, good sportsmanship," Victor said, the words sounding like they were torn from him. He recalled his first Pokemon for a rest and then looked up.

"What was that?" he called over. Mei licked her lips. That sort of pull took plenty of exertion on her part; it wasn't very efficient, but effective. She was going to sleep hard again.

"Pome and I doing our best," Mei said once she was reasonably certain her voice wouldn't crack.

Victor's hands closed into fists. "I see," he said, then relaxed enough to throw a Poke ball. His Quaxly emerged, showboating with a few spin kicks before slicking back his hair. Pome took a step back, nervous, before raising his paws and shadowboxing.

"I thought you agreed not to use-" Mei began to shout.

"No, you just said it and assumed I agreed. As I said, I'm not your sister and not that pliant. Quaxly, Liquidation," Victor said smoothly. He dropped in the trainer box to his hands and knees a moment later, but the move managed to take.

Quaxly glowed blue and water appeared to condense out of the air to surround him in an 'overcoat' as the little duck called the element to it. With the roar of a fire hose, Quaxly launched forward, propelled by his own force. Mei and Pome winced and tried to brace, breathing some flame forward to at least mitigate the effects. The little croc's guard was broken through easily, and Pome was sent flying.

Quaxly landed, the water dissipating around him as his part in the move was done. The wave continued, and Pome washed up next to Mei's trainer box, unconscious. Mei gasped as the shock hit her, leaning down for a second before she recovered with Terpsi's encouragement. Victor couldn't stand, but he did manage a triumphant grin.

Mei recalled poor Pome and stood, legs trembling, as she fought through it. "Your Pokemon," she wheezed, "has a lot of strength."

"Victory goes to the idiot in the north box, Victor!" Carlos snarled. The crowd broke into a scattered noise of confusion at the ref's words and applause at the showy finish. He stomped from the sideline towards Victor's box.

Teff and Trigo gave Mei a glance and Mei waved her hand, telling them to check her opponent as she took a few careful steps to make sure she wouldn't fall. Once she was sure she had her balance, she picked up the grateful exhausted Quaxly in her arms to head over.

---

"You think this is the era of wielders and wizardry, young man? Burn yourself out in glorious single combat for your lord?" Carlos started yelling as he approached. Victor panted, not looking up. A small crowd had trailed behind Carlos, curious.

Teff produced a sports drink from somewhere in his pack, which Victor started gulping after a grateful look. As Mei arrived holding an exhausted Quaxly, he had already finished it off.

"How is he?" Victor managed. Carlos huffed and turned to examine the Quaxly, holding his eyelid briefly open to check pupil reaction, and then grabbed a wing and closed his eyes briefly.

"Doesn't seem any internal damage but needs a proper exam, and rest. And rest," Carlos repeated himself. Victor managed to get enough strength to prop himself on one arm to recall the little duck.

"[Is this really what Kalos teaches its new trainers in an age of peace?]" Mei asked in halting Kalosian. Victor shot up a glare at that.

"Definitely not Kalosian," he noted under his breath. "You don't know how easy you have it. Two months," Victor said, and coughed. Teff handed over another energy drink that was drained almost as quickly.

"What?" Trigo asked for everyone as Victor rehydrated.

"I said I'd trained for a while. But that's how long since I gave my answer," Victor said, and dropped his head in shame.

What strength Mei had in her legs left and she found herself sitting back in the dirt. Carlos's stopped waving his arms and they dropped limply to his side.

"Okay I can tell you two are shocked, but I have no idea why," Teff said, looking back and forth. "This is clearly important."

Carlos took a deep breath, and started shooing away everyone not in a Naranja uniform before Victor could continue. "Come on, give him air," he urged.

When they had some privacy, Victor looked up and locked eyes with Mei – both were too tired for any pressure to fight between them. "Tell them," he directed.

Mei thought how best to phrase this as she was rapidly having to redefine Victor.

"I may not get this quite right or polite," she warned. Victor gave a weary chuckle and motioned silently for her to continue.

"This shouldn't have been a match at all. He was masking at school, but he let it loose during the fight. Even if Victor used the world's worst training program, we should have been crushed with raw strength from the word go," Mei finally decided.

"Why I've been masking," Victor said.

"You were hoping Paldean Pokemon would go better?" Carlos asked. Victor nodded.

"The land of untapped potential," he rasped wryly.

"No wonder you figured you could fill in for Quaxly. I hope the school can help," Mei said genuinely.

"I'm still not sure I follow," Trigo admitted.

"Trainers get strength through their bond with Pokemon. Battle's the easiest way to improve it just from the stress, like how exercise tears your muscles so they can rebuild," Carlos said. The boys nodded.

"Pokemon need practice to use the power coming from a trainer, and as that limit gets higher, usually the Pokemon's rate of improvement skyrockets. If I picked up a wild Applin and Mei picked up a wild Applin, within a week, when synched, there'd be no comparison," Carlos said.

"Maybe sooner," Victor said appraisingly. Mei shrugged. It was hard to argue.

"Like how our classmate's cat already evolved," Trigo said. Carlos whistled.

"What kind of band of geniuses did Naranja get this year?" he asked rhetorically.

"Putting that to the side," Carlos said, "Victor's stronger than Mei once he went all out, but the Pokemon aren't picking up that power like normally happens."

"That's weird, but it doesn't excuse using yourself as a battery," Mei said.

"Do you honestly care? You had a problem with me from word one, and I didn't want to deal with it all year. I'm always going to have beaten you at the start," Victor said, and finally settled back and folded his knees.

"Yes," Mei said, slightly surprising herself. "Even if you have an ego-" Mei ignored Trigo's sudden coughing fit- "I'm a trainer. I don't want someone to try and die during a match, and I don't want to see potential competition wreck himself."

Victor nodded. "Fair," he said grudgingly.

"Please stop using Quaxly like that," she urged.

"You're really the only one I needed to beat with that. I set it up yesterday, I'm done. I have time now to fix Quaxly and see if Naranja can help my problem," Victor said. Mei had no idea how honest that was.

"I can't fix your personality with a match, but I've set the limits. Good match," Victor said smoothly, "Shall we trawl the chum here after the Pokemon center?"

"That's it?" Trigo asked.

Victor, Carlos, and Mei looked at Trigo like he'd grown a second head. "The match is over." he said again flatly.

"We're not really going to push each other for a bit," Mei said, slowly, if kindly. "Your school really did you a disservice."

"Trainer thing. Even if you had six and it was a one-on-one, you don't want a rematch right away. Sparring's okay, but not a full match," Carlos said.

Teff said, "Right. You can be mad on the pitch but it's coworkers after. Though Victor has a point, Mei. Everyone saw a quick back and forth match – well it was mainly a blur except for Terpsi falling from the sky. They know you're battle sync but you probably still look like prime contenders for the Naranja Gauntlet."

"I wouldn't mind Belindo seeing a bit more. He was trying to hide it but he was excited. You two are right above that wall and he knows it," Carlos admitted. Mei and Victor shared a look.

"Weren't you saying this wasn't good enough for us?" Mei asked. Carlos shifted awkwardly.

"Or maybe we shouldn't lower ourselves. Head back to the Academy and practice," Victor suggested casually.

"Oh look, rental discount coupons," Carlos said, pulling some out of his pocket.

Mei took one and read it aloud, "Thirty percent. Maybe really see what the locals have to offer."

"Selling out?" Teff asked, amused, but he took a coupon as Carlos handed them around.

"To get another battle trainer?" Mei said.

Victor looked at the coupon and smiled. "And as long as we don't force a challenge and only ask, it's moral, just not ethical."

"Battle trainers are rare around here," Carlos said awkwardly, aware he was supposed to be the good example here.

"You all have one brain cell when it comes to matches don't you?" Trigo asked. None of the three battle trainers met his eye.

---

Not wanting to answer that, they decamped to the Pokemon center to finish rehydrating as their Pokemon were healed up. Teff and Trigo had also gone for it, figuring they might get lucky.

"The pocket money won't be much, and it'll be educational to see battle trainers. Maybe you'll set some others on the path," Carlos continued to rationalize. He stopped and smiled as Belindo and Seedy came over.

"These guys are going to stick around, maybe have some more fights," he said, too casually. Belindo didn't pick up on it and nodded.

"Did you want to have a match when our Pokemon are better?" Mei asked. Belindo looked interested, then hesitated.

"Speedy and I aren't fast enough – I couldn't catch everything you were doing," the young trainer admitted.

"You've had some training if you followed it at all," Trigo said. Belindo rubbed the back of his head as Seedy hopped on the table.

"This is an excellent Applin," Victor said after a minute's study. "And it looks like you're taking good care of him. Where do the two of you want to go?"

"Championship," Belindo responded immediately with a youngster's fervor.

"We can see if anyone else wants to fight us. You're free to watch," Mei said.

Victor thought for a moment. "He isn't the best for even matches – especially against Once In a Generation Topiary over there," he said, with a nod to Mei, who hmphed but didn't bristle. Victor was the winner and that had some weight.

"Who is?" Belindo asked.

Victor brought a Great Ball out and tapped it on the table. "Little Nacli. Pure Rock. Had for a couple weeks and haven't done much work with him. No good against Miss Grass but for holding back against pet owners, even Rock isn't a problem."

"Rock is a problem?" Trigo asked.

"Steel's a lot tougher, and everything good against it is good against Rock. Not very popular on the battle circuit. Everyone there probably has something super-effective. Couple scratches won't get anywhere," Victor said.

"Oh. If you don't think it'll be a good partner, why are you raising it?" Belindo asked.

"Oh, he's got a good attitude. And what doesn't work at all in proper trainer battle can be good for wild Pokemon," Victor said.

He smiled wickedly, "Also my dad freaked out when I said I was raising a pure Rock-type. They're sending a big care package next week with more Great Balls to make sure I can build a proper team."

He considered the Great Ball again. "I've a couple weeks to trawl Pokemon in Paldea finding ones wanting a trainer. Training may be hard but capturing is easy. Nacli's been trained straight, no battle circuit moves or anything. No temptation," he assured Mei and Carlos.

Mei's phone dinged. "Ok, that's me. Let's see if anyone wants a fight."

---

A few hours later Trigo, Mei, and Terpsi and Trigo's Lechonk were eating kebabs from some of the day's winnings. Thanks to Mei's loss, plenty of trainers had thought she was a target, but after going through the crowd like a Staraptor in a Magikarp pond, she was now being kept at a respectful distance by the pet trainers. This did give them a great view at the sidelines of what, implicitly, seemed to be treated as the last match for the day. In a nod to public health, Terpsi was covered with a napkin as she messily worked on hers.

Belindo was facing Victor, who was by general acclaim the strongest trainer there that day who wasn't Carlos. Teff had somehow been roped into being referee as Carlos was cheering on Belindo from behind. Apparently, Belindo had been working up to this for the last few hours, but Mei had been too busy to pay attention.

"Should be interesting thanks to Rollout," Mei acknowledged.

"Is Victor holding back?" Trigo asked.

"Plenty, more than he usually masks. He's going to have better reaction speed, of course, but he's operating about as low as a trainer can go. Seedy should have the power edge," Mei said.

"Okay, Seedy!" Belindo said, the little Applin hopped forward.

"Go, Flamigo!" Victor said, causing gasps of surprise as the Synchronize Pokemon emerged. She ducked her head under her neck, looking around curiously.

"That isn't Nacli!" Belindo observed. Mei's eyes narrowed. Carlos was giving Victor a thumbs up.

"It got suggested to me that I switch it up a little, in case you were too comfortable. You've got the power edge, so let's see you strut your stuff," Victor said flatly.

"Is he reciting a script?" Trigo whispered.

"Match won or not, we're going to go shake down Carlos for extra discounts after this," Mei vowed.

Seedy stared up bravely at the powerful Pokemon, and hopped a little to show ready. Belindo apparently took it as a sign. "I challenged you to the match, so I can't back down now! We'll do it, Seedy – prep with Defense Curl!"

Flamigo started running forward, her beak glowing. Seedy ducked into his apple as a powerful Peck rattled the little apple-dragon.

"This is a lot easier to follow than when you two had a match. Is everyone in Galar synched to follow the Circuit?" Trigo said.

"Galar particle screens also slow the match down for the audience," Mei said absently, gnawing on her kebab.

"Rollout, Seedy!" Belindo called.

The tiny Applin bravely hoped and rolled into a spin, but Flamigo's eye glowed and she gracefully spun on one foot, seemingly moving before the Appin had begun. Seedy skidded to a stop, eyes coming out, and tail lashing in frustration.

"Okay, there should be a Peck there by now – that was a move. Detect most likely. Man, these are addicting," Mei commented, focusing on the kebab.

The Flamigo chattered and glowed, apparently imitating Seedy's cry, before ducking her head and spinning into a ball, gleams of brown energy surrounding her. Seedy's eyes popped further out in surprise before ducking back into the apple for another Rollout.

The two balls collided with a powerful crunch, before both spun away from each other to carry more momentum.

"I didn't know Flamigo could Rollout," Trigo said.

"She can't, but she can as long as Seedy keeps doing it," Mei said, licking her fingers before reaching into her waxed bag for another kebab. "A lot of birds are good imitators."

"You should get some from my Dad's restaurant, they're much better marinated than these," Trigo said. Mei nodded.

The bird and dragon collided again with a louder crunch before bouncing off each other again. "You've got her on the run, Seedy!" Belindo shouted. Victor merely nodded.

"How long are you two going to be good with each other?" Trigo asked.

"Probably at least a week. Since I think he's stuck-up and a danger to himself with how he uses those moves, we'll burn through it quicker," Mei said, at last pulling a kebab free.

"And since he thinks you think you're a chosen one and know-it-all, how much time does that take away?" Trigo asked, all innocence. Terpsi paused under her napkin to listen.

"Still about a week. Victor won and doesn't want a match. I need to train before I go again, so neither of us are trying to actively fight. We've got Pokemon in here, remember?" Mei said, tapping her heart and hand.

"Something with how Pokemon crave fights sets a minimum period afterward. We could have a match, but it isn't interesting at all yet, and it isn't important, so we won't," Mei said. Relieved, her Bounsweet went back to messy devouring.

"You know how weird some of this stuff sounds on trainers when you say it out loud?" Trigo asked. Mei shrugged and nodded

"Even back home in Galar the League doesn't administer the region, and it's probably the most powerful politically anywhere in the hemisphere. Trainer kings can protect you, but historically there's been a lot more prosperity since they got cast down," Mei said. She tore into her next kebab.

On the field, Flamigo and Seedy had been ramming into each other repeatedly, before Flamigo would spin away with a Detect to reset the speed. It was hard to spot with the rolling, but Seedy's apple was starting to have visible hairline fractures. Flamigo was leaving a trail of feathers behind but kept squawking Copycats to keep the Rollout going.

"Victor's pacing the match, but it won't be much longer. If Victor put a stupid move on, he'll use it soon," Mei predicted.

"He said he was going to stop risking himself like that," Trigo said.

"I texted Kieran earlier, and I'd have texted Miriam and Dendra if I had their numbers. Match or no," Mei said, closing her eyes briefly as the Rollout hits were shooting sparks

"Kieran said he had a long period where he struggled to adjust, so he may know some training trick from Unova or Kitakami that will help Victor out," Mei said.

Trigo handed his Lechonk another kebab, who was living up to his ability's name at the rate he was putting it away.

"He's not hurting his Pokemon with this, right?" Trigo asked, petting his first partner.

"No, wherever we usually pull energy from or Inf- the life energy he's doing," Mei corrected hastily, "it's the same to the Pokemon. His trainer license is safe."

"I wish he didn't feel it was that important. Have you heard this problem before?" Trigo asked.

"No, but people don't like to talk about talents having an inverse," Mei said. "Rose and I can't connect to Ice as all, but people would rather talk about how we are with grass."

"Poor Poppy too," Trigo said. Mei nodded.

There was a definitive bang from the court and the two looked – the fields of rock surrounding Seedy and Flamigo had nearly turned into solid spheres.

Mei flinched suddenly, dropping her kebab, and Carlos let out a cheer. Belindo looked to the sky, and suddenly screamed out Seedy's name. With a snap, Seedy suddenly broke away from Flamigo and zipped around the field at much higher speed. Victor nodded, and Flamigo blurred as her eyes glowed, the next hit missing cleanly. The two paused briefly, before diving into it with Rollouts starting again from a dead stop, but much faster.

"That's that, then," Mei said sadly, looking at her fallen kebab. The napkin at her feet shifted and engulfed the token.

"I thought there'd be some battle aura or something dramatic," Trigo said.

Mei closed her eyes and concentrated, and the napkin's snuffling ceased. She held a hand out and on her palm a green leaf briefly wavered in a glow before popping. Mei opened her eyes and exhaled heavily.

"That's the best I've got yet," she said, "The external stuff is much harder and you need to be really in sync with your partner. Belindo just had a lot happen in his head," Mei said, with mixed emotions.

Mei suddenly held a hand out to caution, as Flamigo suddenly spun out of her Rollout, wings glowing as the Synchronize Pokemon unfolded, and boxed the little Apple Core Pokemon from both sides. Seedy stopped dead in his roll to be easily visible again, momentum spun down by Flamigo. When the bird gracefully folded her wings back, Seedy's body was spilling slackly out of the apple, knocked out. Teff called the match as Belindo rushed onto the field.

There was a mix of applause and boos, but Victor bowed to both sides before heading over to shake hands.

"Great day for Carlos," Trigo said. The man was, indeed, beaming.

"I don't know if Belindo's going to go for it though. Shame he lost after that big dramatic finish," Trigo continued. The boy was rubbing his eyes but one hand but held a hand for Victor to shake after recalling Seedy.

"The kid did good. He kept up the pressure as best he could even though he wasn't expecting the flier. You're from Mesagoza, which would you pick?" Mei said.

"Well, most of my friends weren't as interested in Naranja. I wanted to travel, so I'd pick that instead of going to live in a cave," Trigo said.

"He'll get good training either way," Mei said, "I wonder which apple he'll pick for Seedy? You think that kebab seller's still open?"

"How well did you do out of today?" Trigo asked. On the field, the two were chatting briefly, Belindo pumping his arms in enthusiasm.

"I think I can go back to the budget I was hoping for the Treasure Hunt, but it'll be tight," Mei said. She bent down and patted Terpsi, who cooed under the napkin.

"You and Victor are really dedicated, planning this all out. You both seem to know what do no matter what," Trigo said, a bit enviously.

Mei tapped her head. "All Grass Pokemon up here as long as I can remember. I knew I was headed to all the dears."

Trigo patted his Lechonk again, who snuffled happily, pulling vegetables off the kebab expertly with his tongue. "Well, as loud as you can get, I think you're more 'right' than Victor for training, outside the move issue. So, I've decided." Mei cocked her head, interested.

"Oh, did you offer to him? I missed it," Mei directed to the little Lechonk, who shook his head.

"Oh, nothing that big. I like the idea you girls have for getting closer. So this is Coche now," Trigo announced, patting his Lechonk – Coche.

"Automobile, right? Somehow it sounds different as a proper name," Mei said, then held a hand out to shake. Coche delicately extended a hoof.

"Pleased to meet you Coche," Mei said grandly. The little pig Pokemon snorted and went back to his meal as Mei giggled.

"I don't know if I'm going for a big team, that's a lot to take care of. But I want to be good for my buddies," Trigo said.

"That's the real core of it. Battle or no, trainers are those who live with Pokemon," Mei said approvingly.

There was another round of applause and the two joined in after looking back, the two were walking away from each other. Carlos was talking excitedly to Belindo, who was shaking his head. Teff and Victor waved as they came over.

"Victor seems to have a lot already. That's a fortune in stabling. Even in electronic space, they still need to be fed," Mei said.

"Maybe a professor sponsored him," Trigo said, and the two burst out laughing after a beat.

"Hey!" Teff called, walking over. "What's so funny?" Victor was patting his Flamigo's head slightly behind, looking satisfied.

"I got a new car here," Trigo said, pointing to his Lechonk.

"Coche now? I may not remember it," Teff warned. Trigo shrugged.

"You're good at pulling your punches as you are at overextending," Mei backhanded nearly a compliment at Victor, before waving her (sadly empty) wax bag around. "Also, you should get some of these kebabs. They're amazing."

"I've been in Paldea for a bit," Victor reminded her, "So yes, you're right. Excuse me," he said, going to get food.

Carlos suddenly started jogging over, looking more glum than he had with Belindo. "Oh good, he didn't forget," Teff commented.

"No luck?" Trigo asked.

"Not yet, but he's considering still. Big day for him," Carlos said.

He held a Rotom phone up with a QR code displayed. "Here, you two scan this too. It's a big group discount coupon you can use with your friends. This one I have electronic for the bookkeeping." Trigo and Mei's phones flew out and took a shot.

"Thank you," Mei said, ducking her head at the table. Trigo nodded.

"You kids are all right. And you're going to want Cyclizars for the Hunt. Rental prices are high like everything else for the moment," Carlos said, "And I think you need to keep up with Victor if he's doing something crazy."

Mei sighed. "It's going to be a little bit before I'm clearly ahead of him," she said without rancor.

"If he does figure out his problem, it could still be risky if you're close if he thinks he's got a win until you're able to train those sorts of moves easily. Teff said you had a big group chat, so use it with all your friends. You've got big things in front of you," Carlos predicted.

"This will be great. Rose and I will probably be able to handle a third in a few weeks, so we're going to want to start looking," Mei said.

"Is the weight exponential?" Trigo asked.

"It's more than one plus one, but not that bad. And if you have partners in reserve, there's a thin thread for them, too. You can juggle who's at full power if you have more to try and save some burden, but that isn't fast enough to do on the fly. And I need to be able to feed everyone," Mei said.

Carlos patted where he had Arctibax stored. "And as you evolve them, they'll need more food and other items to stay healthy, but they're much stronger," he said.

Mei reached down to pat Terpsi's shrouded form again. "She and I are going to Wyndon someday," Mei said fondly and yawned. She was doing better than her first battle, but the day was catching up with her. And her trick against Victor didn't help.

Teff and Victor returned with food, and Carlos waved and headed off back to Belindo, digestion too elderly to easily handle Mesagozan street food. Mei considered a second round, but she'd want to clean Terpsi first. She did want to make her goodbyes soon. Victor and Rose had both shown where she had faults, and she wanted to work on that.

And at the moment, she had enough spare cash she might be able to hurry some of the process. Sooner rather than later, she and Victor's eyes would meet, and it would mean another match.

She did hope Victor would get through the problem. He was clever, even if he thought he was smarter than that, and had good match sense. Rose was game for Mei's sake to be a rival, but it was mainly a sense of obligation. Someone she didn't have to push in the right direction would be fun to measure herself against.

She wouldn't be found wanting. She could be the Champion here she should be, and always hoped she would be, not some frozen puppet.

Her phone beeped – Rose had finally sent another text.

I'm back for the evening. We should talk properly.

---

The next part's underway and ah, will probably be two parts. Ended up longer than I thought it would be with splitting up the protagonists. Rose doesn't like groups, but she's chatty on her own.

Victory Road's never as easy to climb as people hope it is. The protagonist gets all the praise, natural with all Pokemon, natural trainer, future Champion. Plenty of people try where it takes more effort or decide the end result isn't what they wanted and some smaller dream is a perfect sized piece of happiness.

Mela's made her call there, interestingly. Team Star's in an interesting 'middle' spot when you consider trainers, above a vast rabble of grunts.

Paldeans seem to have a weird problem getting started on their dreams, or following up. Someone should look into that.

Feel free to comment if you have any suggestions or even better if you like the story!