Welcome to Gaia! ::

As Blizzard said the word 'Glitterati' the two perked up and began to smile, their grins widening as she showed interest in the word and whatever it was. After giving each other a look they then turned back to Blizzard, their smiles never fading.

"We are the Glitterati! World renowned real estate power couple! I'm the dazzling dude, Billy Glitterati!" The began declared.

"And I'm his golden gal, O'nare!" The woman chimed in after her husband.

"Together we own and operate the biggest real estate company in Paldea and one of the top companies in all the world, Paldea Realty! Simple name but it's as good as gold!" Billy said, chest puffed up as he swelled with pride.

"Oh settle down my love, did you forget I'm actually the president? You're my handsome little VP though!" O'nare said as she leaned in and swooned over her husband. "But yes, Paldea Realty serves clients all over the world, moving multi-million dollar properties! We've recently been making inroads in Kitakami but returned home to Paldea for a little rest."

"Are you sure we can't help you, Duke Blizzard? Wouldn't you like to own a summer home off the coast of southern Paldea? If you prefer something more cozy we have a cute little villa in Cabo Poco coming up for sale soon." Billy offered the Cold One. "I'm sure money isn't an issue for the Noble Hybrid though."

The two frowned at Blizzard's denial, the two 'superstar' realtors disappointed they wouldn't get the chance to claim the 'Noble Hybrid' as one of their customers. Shaking it off for now O'nare took out her gold cased Rotom phone and noticed the time, perking up and looking to her husband Billy. "Oh dear! We're going to be late for our meeting in Levincia! We've got to get moving!" She said, stuffing the gaudy device back in her pocket.

"Right, almost forgot, I was so star struck by the Duke here." Billy laughed, giving Blizzard a sheepish look. "My apologies, Duke Blizzard, but we have to get going. If you're traveling the region I take it you're on your way to Levincia as well? Why else would you be traveling in this direction." He chuckled. "Maybe we'll see you in town!"

"Yes! If we do let's have dinner, our treat!" O'nare spoke up.

With a few more goodbyes as well as a few cheek kisses that didn't actually connect with the cheek, the kind that screamed fake, the two 'Glitterati' moved on, heading for the same destination as Blizzard but apparently in much more of a hurry.

Crystal looked at Iono, looking mildly confused at the bombastic introductions before turning her attention to Aden when he piped up. “Uh… You’ve heard that before? I’ve traveled many different realities and haven’t heard anything like this…” And Aria dragged herself into this whole debacle as well? Light shine on them… The galactic hybrid was not ready for the bombastic performances they were putting on. She then turned to look at their third companion that was now leaving with the papers. "Reno? Anything interesting in those papers?”

Aria would stare unblinking towards the psychic braincell, eyes darting around as calculations started running through her head. Eventually seeing that no one was moving to grab her in response to her appearance, Aria would visibly relax before grabbing the papers out of Reno's hands and giving them a wave to present them to the two hybrids and the camera. "This right here is your image release form. Because as much as we know people would love to be part of our show, we still make sure that you get your choice in the matter on if your devilish performance gets to shown to everyone." Aria told the trio, making sure to attach her own little red and black pen to the papers before depositing them into Crystal's waiting hands.

"I thought this was the Iono Zone with our special guest from across the sea for this collab? Not Aria's punk rock bar with me out there with you?" Iono said, venom only just barely managing to stay out of her voice.

"Aww, sorry Iono. But I got so excited since its my friends from Team Snagem here that I just had to take the lead." Aria said openly, tucking close to Iono. "I mean, we can't have too much of a culture shock scare off such important guests. Why, Reno made quite the splash in the Galar tournament that I ended up presenting for!"

Jolting back to reality as his name was said, Reno would finally speak. "Right, right. Being on camera and knowing it so directly again. Right. Good."

Taking in Reno's Deerling in headlights expression and continued muttering, Iono would turn towards the other two in the group. "Once you've got your friend calmed down and the form signed, I can explain the wonderful time you'll be having as our special guests on this episode of the Iono Zone!" She exclaimed, doing her best to keep herself in character after the interesting response from Reno.

From the Pokémon Center, I started my way off across the rolling hills on the way off towards the coast, hoping that this detour to Lavencia was going to pay off considering the lack of Pokémon or trainers that I came across this morning. Hopefully in the process of all of this, I could give Vulpix a little bit more confidence about herself and maybe start getting Zigzagoon to transition to evolving as well. Problem is, I’m about to go to my third gym at this point on the path that was recommended to me before I left Mezagoza, which is starting to tell me that this was going to start getting relatively hard if I wasn’t ready. Brassius already made that statement in his own roundabout way and whoever is gym leader number three is going to show that in spades.

I stopped for a moment, taking a look out in the distance, on a grassy field a good ways away from me. “…oh, that’s problematic…” I said to myself. It was a herd of those black Tauros like I saw back at the port before its and its trainer’s loss to that Ceruledge. This…wasn’t good. I was having my doubts that either Zigzagoon or Vulpix was going to be able to take on any one of those and if they were anything like wild Tauros back at home, then these guys are severely territorial and all manner of ‘don’t screw with this thing’. Let alone a whole group of them. If that is a testament as to what is out here then I have the feeling that I might have just screwed up. Or, for that matter, if I shouldn’t have gotten off the trail to take this detour because the recommendations that was given to me was probably under the assumption I would have stayed on that path. I don’t know…for now, it’d probably be best if I just steer clear of the angry steers. The SNAG doesn’t have really any other dex data about what is potentially out here as of yet so I was running blind right now. If I am being honest, I am half tempted to backtrack to the Pokémon center and get back on the main trainer path. Eh…screw it, lets just see what else is out here. I would continue forward, but now I was a lot more on guard as to what may be out here.

I had to admit there wasn’t much to see out here in these rolling hills on the way to the apparent beach a good ways away. I was lost in my thoughts and I had to admit it was a little maddening. Though, those back at home didn’t really have things like the support of a prestigious academy to get them through the region. They were literally on their own. Leaving New Bark Town to get to their first gym, usually cutting through Cherrygrove City and make their way into Violet City, which could take days on foot. In a way, I felt that those taking this gym tour in Paldea had it relatively easy. There are so many concessions here that it takes half the challenge out of the tour. It was that proverbial challenge that allowed trainers to stand a chance against the gym leaders. At least more of one, anyways. Fighting random wild Pokémon was only going to do so much. Or maybe that was just it here in Paldea? I was told that you were encouraged to explore the region as opposed to just go from point A, to B, to C and so on. To find that ‘treasure’ as it were. I was effectively going against that, rather if I had intended on it or not. Me just merely taking this detour is the first time I found myself doing so in this gym leader run and while my Pokémon are generally fine for the time being, they may end up trailing behind more than I need to. Brassius in his own way made that point profoundly clear. But it isn’t as if I got all year to actually do this sort of thing. I got to get back home. But…at the same time I didn’t want to leave without trying to find that answer I had been looking for this entire time. Can I actually stop and go home? Take over the gym like I have been wanting to? Or…was that even the question this entire time? Did I actually want to? I kept telling myself I stayed around just so I could work towards having the peace of mind to go back to Mahogany Town. But it has been one threat after the next, and the next one is always worse than the last. It was like the world breeds that challenge in the world for some reason. But on the flip side, have I just gotten…hooked to this sort of thing? That massive dopamine hit that I did good in the world and I just haven’t really realized it? I wouldn’t have thought so. It honestly wasn’t great when I thought Freth and Tristen were sent to oblivion by Ein. It didn’t feel worth it, that was for certain. Maybe I’m being selfish? Bah…why can’t these answers just come to me for God’s sake? Something give me a bloody freakin’ sign?

As I continued on, I then perked up and came to a stop. I wasn’t necessarily sensing something, but something was off. I wasn’t sure as to what it was. I looked behind me, all about the tall grass that was around. But it was all I saw. “…” I turned back around and once again continued on. That feeling of unease wasn’t really ceasing however. Like I was being stalked, but I wasn’t sensing anything, though. It was dead silent out here; the wind barely made a sound. Then a harsh shifting of the grass, once again I snapped back and looked, seeing something blaze a trail through the grass at a rapid pace. “Freakin’ knew it…” I said, standing my ground. I charged an ice beam, waiting on the thing to get closer so I could get a clear enough shot. Whatever it was, it was staying low to the ground, in hot pursuit but then it picked up speed and it started to show what it was. It was some sort of lizard, rather tall. Green. Something black on its chest. Or was that his chest. Didn’t know. Wait, that was those Pokémon that I saw trainers in Mezagoza get on and ride off on. Cyclizar, I think Sol called them? Whatever the case, this thing was about to take an Ice Beam like it or not. I was no prey.

I fired off a shot and the Pokémon darted off to the side, running around, making a straifing run. A random shot wasn’t enough to deter this Pokémon. “Alright, you want a fight, let’s go.” I said, taking out a Pokeball. “Vulpix!” I then called out. I tossed out the Pokeball, figuring no better time to get to work with Vulpix, especially after an uneventful morning. As the ball landed, out came the snowy white fox.

“Keeoo!” Vulpix howled out, announcing her arrival. She then noticed the Cyclizar running around, rather fast at that, trying to find a means to attack.

“We got company Vulpix. Get ready.” I told her.

The Cyclizar continued to run circles around us, almost as if it was trying to make sure we weren’t going to run away easily. Never mind the fact that I could possibly fly out of here, but why would I do that? The Cyclizar then started to rush in, ready to lunge out at either one of us at this point. But this thing went after its intended target: me. Its tail started to light up with draconic power and with a mighty swing quickly spun around. I ducked off to the side, staring in confusion. I didn’t quite recognize that attack. A new one on me. Was that a Dragon Tail? Didn’t seem like it. It felt too quick, giving it a whip like motion instead of a heavy hit. Vulpix tried to rush in, only for the Cyclizar see the assailing icy fox and swiped its tail around, smacking the fox back as well. If that was a Dragon Tail attack, that would have for certain made Vulpix retreat. It only stung, apparently, and nothing more. Vulpix started wincing a bit from the attack.

“I don’t know what that was, but I don’t think we really need to see anything like that again. Vulpix! Use Aurora Beam!” I shouted. Vulpix quickly charged and fired the rainbow like beam towards the lizard. Quickly, the lizard hopped off to the side and quickly made the run towards Vulpix. Once again, Vulpix tried to fire her icy shot and the Cyclizar continued to avoid the shots as he quickly ran about the field trying to close in. “Lead your shot, Vulpix! Get ahead of it with your Aurora Beam, not to it!” I shouted. “He’s going too fast for you to do otherwise!” Once again Vulpix continued to fire the beam, trying to follow the command while the Cyclizar was circling, but closing in quickly. That said, the pressure was on the Cyclizar now, each shot was getting closer to getting the lizard, then finally, the Aurora Beam finally hit its mark.

The Cyclizar winced hard from the stinging icy attack but then brought itself back to its feet then quickly darted from where it was. It was much faster now. Quickly juking left and right in rapid succession. Vulpix was having trouble keeping up with the assailing Pokémon. “It’s a Quick Attack! Vulpix! Watch it!” Vulpix wasn’t able to keep up and the Cyclizar rammed into the snow fox, knocking it away harshly, having the snow fox tumble on the ground. As she tried to get back up the Cyclizar continued to press the advantage, pouncing down on Vulpix and went to clamp down with its Bite attack to bring the fox into submission. “Vulpix! No! Use Icy Wind!” I shouted. Vulpix quickly unleashed a harsh gust of the Icy wind attack towards the predator; the stinging ice making the Cyclizar yelp out and back off. “Vulpix, you alright!?”

“Keoo!” she called back, but she was wincing a bit herself. Vulpix wasn’t performing too hot, still practically inexperienced in the grand scheme of things. I had to keep her going. “Vulpix! Confuse Ray!” I then shouted. Vulpix howled out, tails fanned out, and let loose a harsh flash of disorienting light. The Cyclizar went cross-eyed, shaking his head furiously, trying to get out of its compromised state. The Cyclizar quickly in a desperation play started to start doing that tail strike from earlier. Swiping trying to see about hitting its mark. It apparently still had some sense of some idea where Vulpix was at, even though he was probably seeing a dozen of her right now, but it made him a bit more dangerous. Vulpix started to dart off and the Cyclizar was in pursuit, at least at one of the images that he was apparently seeing. He pounced at whatever he was seeing, but only hit the ground, hurting himself in the process.

The Cyclizar was frantic, however. Undeterred. He once again tried to swipe his tail around with its draconic energy as fast as he could. “Vulpix! He’s desperate! Just stay back! Let him tire himself out!” Vulpix continued to try to keep her distance, but the Cyclizar was working through its confusion fairly handedly. This wasn’t good. In the Cyclizar’s flailing about with trying to swipe away at its tail, it finally found the real Vulpix, striking the fox harshly with the attack. “Keo!” Vulpix yelped out.

“Blast it, that was still too close for that thing! Vulpix! Try another Aurora Beam!” I then shouted. Vulpix once again fired off its rainbow-like beam, managing to actually hit her target dead on since her target was still trying to get its senses back from the Confuse Ray. The blast knocked the Cyclizar away, but it apparently was enough to get the lizard back to its senses. It managed to stand back up, but nearly collapsed from trying to go for another attack. The constant ice attacks was taking their toll on the lizard, never mind the accidental slip up while in the midst of its confusion. And with it out of confusion, it finally took the lucid thought to actually give up stalking this pray. The lizard turned around and tried to run off. Tried, as it only could hobble. Vulpix was attempting to go after it before the lizard got away.

“Let it go, Vulpix.” I said to her. “You won this fight.”

“Keo? Keo…”

I walked over towards her, kneeling down. “You did alright, Vulpix. Still got a lot of work to do, but you did alright. We’ll work more on it, okay? You’ll get there.” I told her, giving her the affectionate head rub around the ears and on the side of her head. She leaned into it, trying to take in that comfort. She wasn’t feeling too good about her performance at that battle, all the same. “Vulpix? Vulpix, look at me.”

“Keo?” the fox said, looking up.

“You’ll get there. I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it. And I’m going to help you get there. Alright? You’re still letting the others evolving get the better of you, aren’t you?” I then asked. “You feel like they’re getting stronger and you’re not, right?” Vulpix couldn’t reply. “You’re getting stronger too, Vulpix. But you can’t give up on it. And every Pokémon, like you, got their own ways of getting there. We’ll get you there, okay? But you have to be patient and not rush into it. Evolution is not a joke. It’s a wonderful thing, but such a thing could be taken for granted oh so easily and not realize the grand scheme of things. Its why I had taken the time to help out Combusken a bit soon after he evolved. He didn’t even realize what he could do and was taken aback by what he knew he could already do. Its got to be taken easily. One step at a time. Because sometimes, freshly evolved Pokémon don’t really have it all that easily. They need time to adjust. Like Combusken, or Marshtomp, or Beartic. And they need skills from what they were to help adjust to that state, just like you will whenever I feel you’re ready for the stone, okay?” There wasn’t still a reply. “Okay?” I said again in a tone wanting an answer from the fox.

“Keo.” Vulpix finally replied.

“I have the feeling Vulpix that you’ll be able to be capable of a lot of things. And you’ll have different abilities like your fire type cousins. I pretty much expect for example…” I went and charged an Ice Beam in the palm of my hand to show her. “You’ll be able to fire off Ice Beams at some point like the fire types use Flamethrowers at some point. But we need to get you to the point where you can actually charge and fire the shot before you are able to use it.”

“Keo? Keo!”

“…you want to try it? Yea, go ahead if you think you can.” I said, standing up and back. “Hit me with your best shot. Just like in the training room. If you got it, fire it. Let me see.” Vulpix got into position just as if she was firing an Aurora Beam, and opened her mouth as if to get ready to fire it. But instead of the rainbow-like beam, she actually started to collect power for an Ice Beam, which was honestly surprising to me. But that surprise turned into a bit of dejection in the sense that it was about what I expected when the shot got fired prematurely. The ice beam effectively had no range and no force behind it. “…want to try again?” I asked. Vulpix leaped back then once again attempted to fire the Ice Beam attack. As the icy power was starting to collect at her mouth, I noticed something. She was straining to get the attack up and ready.

“Okay, Vulpix, that’s enough. You’re trying too hard. You’re straining. Might give yourself an aneurism at this point.” Vulpix stopped the charge and started to look dejected again. “Don’t be hard on yourself. The fact that you’re actually trying that gives me a bit of hope. You’re making your next steps and that much closer to getting towards your own evolution. In fact, I was hoping you’d be learning something like that sometime soon. But it seems like you’re ready for it now, which is actually remarkable.” I said to her. “We’ll see about making you fire a proper Ice Beam attack. Probably later today when I find a spot to train at, alright?”

“Keo.” With that, I’d recall Vulpix back to her ball. With that now in mind, I might have a minor change in plans today. I was still going to try to find a place to train at, probably when I find myself towards the beach that’s supposed to be off to the east, but when I get there, I might need to focus Vulpix a little more than I originally intended to. Or maybe, I can try to take out two proverbial Pidgeys with one stone and get Zigzagoon evolved in the process? I don’t know…I need to think on that. In the meantime, I’d continue on my detoured path to the east.

Suddenly I had to admit that the coastline couldn’t come soon enough. When I started this trek around Paldea, I never really imagined myself getting impatient to get from one destination to the next. Though I probably was still wondering why I haven’t really gotten over this whole thing. The whole what is my whole answer to my future with Snagem as a whole. I find myself…angry, perhaps. The fact that I ended up on this whole thing to begin with and had really in essence no agency over it, the fact that I haven’t really figured out what on earth to do, maybe in some regards upset at myself that just a little at a time I am possibly behind the curve when it comes to these battles that I am on. I never imagined myself struggling against the gym leaders here in Paldea. Granted, I’m using Pokémon that I haven’t put through the paces like I have with the rest. In fact, God help my current lineup should they ever have to deal with something like an Elemental, let alone a lot of the threats that Snagem has dealt with. Apart from Zigzagoon, all of them right now has some idea, seeing me come back to the headquarters, sometimes in extremely rough shape.

I’d stop walking for a moment. I started to actually think something that worried me. I actually…can’t enjoy myself. Blast it all…Freth might actually have me pegged and I couldn’t convince myself of it. For the past several years, going into one fight into the next, when I am not doing that, I’m usually training myself or my Pokémon for the next battle. I call myself enjoying those times with my Pokémon in particular. It constantly reminds me of back at home and what I look forward to. But when I look at the possibility of actually going back, every time as of late in fact, I…can’t honestly imagine myself stopping. I’m just that worried, and worse when I take into consideration just who I end up affecting if I just say ‘peace out’ and go back to the gym. My Pokémon notwithstanding. But let’s be honest with ourselves; is quitting the outright answer? Just up and leave and live the life I want to do? Would my Pokémon be cool with that? Freth? Tristen? Their Pokémon? What about the others in Snagem? Miles up and left to live his life like it was easy for him somehow. While a few of us joined out of circumstance or finding opportunity, most of us joined out of a blatant plot to end Ein to Sub’s admission and now that Ein is gone, there’s really no reason for any of us to hang around anymore. We’ve effectively been reduced to the region chain’s attack dogs or a clean up crew for Shadow Pokémon. Its not what we’ve ended up getting signed up for. But what was it that kept us around all this time now? What is it that is getting people to find us and join up with us now that Ein is gone?

Coming to thinking about it, though, a lot of what we have dealt with over the years wasn’t even directly tied to Ein. At least that we were aware of. Taking out the rangers seemed to have a power vacuum effect on a lot of things, and they for all intents kept most later nemesis in check. Once we upended them, it effectively gave the proverbial green light to every piece of low-life scum that we’ve ever dealt with to make their move because who otherwise was going to stop them? That was including, sad to say, Ein himself. Because we ended up taking out the rangers, it effectively upped Sub’s time table to dealing with Ein, for all intents, and brought Sub out of the shadows. And in spite of taking out all of those guys, including Ein, it just has me…so unnerved that it is not over. People out there with such ill intent are thinking they could do whatever despite the likes of Team Snagem being out there somewhere. For some reason, people are more willing to hedge their bets against us more than they were against the rangers. Was it the sheer numbers that the Rangers had? Their resources? For that matter, what is keeping Sub around to keep having at it against…whatever? A sense of responsibility? Expectation?

My contemplation was suddenly derailed as I started to hear the grass shift. I looked back I started to notice movement within the taller grasses. “Blast it, that Cyclizar up for round two?” I asked. But then I started to notice more stirring within the grass. I stared in confusion for a second. Part of me doubted it was a bunch of Cyclizar now…they were too low to the ground. They were smaller, and much more numerous than the one Cyclizar. “…yea, we’re not going to go through this again…” I made a quick leap and I started to notice as I did so, the movement went rapid, they all converged towards where I kicked off at. I took a flap of the wings to take flight and made more height and as soon as I did, I notice a bunch of Pokémon tried to spring up at me and much to my surprise and confusion, they were Yungoos. “Wait, you’re native here too!?” I asked as they were futilely leaping up and snapping at me. “Bah, I really didn’t want to be reminded of Alola…”

I was not going to give them the time of day really. I quickly started to fly off, not too thrilled that I had to resort to doing this. But I was not going to spend all day trying to swat off a bunch of Yungoos just to make it to a beach to train. I went off for a few minutes through the air, looking back down and by the way it looked, they seemed to have given up for the time being. Giving it another minute, I finally landed back on the ground. “Ugh…staying out of tall grass is starting to make a little bit more sense now…” I said to myself as I looked back where I came from. All seemed calm right at the moment. But then I perked up, my senses tripping. I looked back seeing something leap out of the grass behind me and I quickly ducked out of the way. As it whizzed on by and landed on the ground close by. I took a look at it and couldn’t help but to stare at it a bit infuriated. “…the pack leader, I assume.” I said, taking out a Pokeball. With a loud growl, the Pokémon got on its hind legs, trying to intimidate. Brown fur just like its pre-evolved bretheren and a thick tuft of fur on its head. A Gumshoos. “Buddy I am really not up for this.” It once again got down on all four ready to attack again. “Fine, Vulpix, get to it!” I called out.

I tossed out the Pokeball and out came the icy Vulpix out for another round. “Alright, Vulpix, let’s try to get to work here, okay? Let’s see if we can’t push our limits a little.” I told her.

“Keo!” The Vulpix replied.

The Vulpix got ready, squaring down the larger Gumshoos. The Gumshoos tensed up immediately, growling out, psyching itself up, pumping itself up. “Is that a Work Up out of this guy?” I mused. “Vulpix! Use Confuse Ray!” The icy fox would quickly fan her tails out and give out a dazzling ethereal flash of light, having it come down on the Gumshoos. The Gumshoos backed away, trying to make sense of its surroundings now. “Quick, Vulpix, now Icy wind!” I then commanded to the fox. Vulpix gave chase and breathed out a harsh biting wind, bombarding the Gumshoos with the icy attack and causing some damage, though by what I could see, not as much as what I would care for. This Gumshoos is probably tougher than he looked.

The Gumshoos blindly lashed out, its jaws wide open and attempted to lash out at Vulpix. “Vulpix! Look out!” I shouted. Vulpix moved aside as the Gumshoos tried to pounce on Vulpix, instead getting a mouthful of grass and dirt, hurting itself in its confusion and recklessness. “Blast it, that didn’t look too much like a Bite attack. A Super Fang?” I asked, staring in confusion. That was a little concerning, now that I thought about it. That could easily turn the tide of any Pokémon I got, let alone Vulpix. I had to see about shutting this thing down sooner than later. “Vulpix! Aurora Beam!” I then called out. Vulpix quickly took aim and fired its rainbow-like beam towards the Gumshoos, blasting it back for the second.

The Gumshoos shook its head finally getting the stars out of its eyes, seeing the Vulpix, looking infuriated at the fox. “Vulpix! Back it up! Don’t let this guy close!” I shouted to the fox. The Vulpix, on her guard, started to step back a few seconds. The Gumshoos went on pursuit, starting to move about then in one harsh swipe, kicked all manner of dirt right towards Vulpix. Vulpix yelped out, quickly panicking and trying to get the dirt out of her eyes. “Sand attack. Figures! Vulpix! Watch out! He’s coming in!” I tried to warn. Vulpix tried to see what was coming her way, and much to both of our disdain, the Gumshoos rushed in with a full-bodied reckless Take Down. Vulpix squealed out in pain as it got smashed, sending it tumbling backwards.

“Vulpix! Are you alright!?” I shouted to Vulpix. Vulpix managed to get back on her feet, but she was hurting, the damage still there from where she ended up trying to fight Cyclizar earlier. “Ugh, not good…Vulpix! Try Disable!” I shouted. The Vulpix tried to shake her head to clear the debris then tried in desperation to cripple the Gumshoos with the Disable attack. Vulpix breathed out a numbing breeze but her aim was too far off, allowing the Gumshoos to avoid it relatively easily. Gumshoos took its opportunity to move in, snatching up Vulpix in its jaws and managing to drive its fangs down deep with Super Fang. Vulpix howled out in pain, nearly panicking as it got flailed about.

“Vulpix! Icy Wind!” I shouted. Vulpix breathed out another Icy Wind, managing to pelt the Gumshoos and forcing the assailing normal type to drop it. Vulpix fell to the ground and winced hard from the assault. “Vulpix! Try to keep it up! Keep that thing back!” I shouted. Vulpix managed to get a eye on the Gumshoos and once again breathed out a rather harsh, desperation Icy Wind towards the Gumshoos. Gumshoos however started to rush in, forcing itself through the attack, still taking damage as the ice scours the Pokémon, but it would make it to Vulpix and with a large mound of dirt, smacks Vulpix hard and putting her down with a Mud Slap attack. She was unable to do anymore this battle.

“Ugh, you tried Vulpix, return now! Hurry!” I said, recalling the Vulpix back. As the Gumshoos became primed to make another run at me, I took out another Pokeball. “Zigzagoon! You’re up!” I then shouted, tossing the Pokeball out onto the field. In a flash, the black and white Galarian Zigzagoon appeared, ready to go. “Alright, Zigzagoon, get ready!”

“Bah!” The Zigzagoon barked, ready to go. The Gumshoos wasn’t waiting around, it started to make a beeline now for the Zigzagoon, jaws wide. Probably another Super Fang if I had to take a guess. “Zigzagoon! Watch it! That’s what got the better of Vulpix! Move!” The Zigzagoon quickly started to scamper off, avoiding the snapping jaws of the larger Gumshoos as it was in hot pursuit. “Knock Off!” I shouted. As the Gumshoos lunged out once more, Zigzagoon pivoted and came down with dark-powered front paws, slamming them down on the Gumshoos, causing some damage to the assailing normal type. As the Zigzagoon sprung off the back of the Gumshoos, it quickly turned around, trying to keep an eye on the Gumshoos. Much to Zigzagoon’s surprise, it was already up, still refusing to stay down. The Gumshoos rushed in, another full-bodied reckless tackle in that of its Take Down and ramming into the Zigzagoon.

“Zigzagoon! Augh! Are you okay!?”

“Bah…” Zigzagoon moaned out. I couldn’t help but to grimace a little; starting to hate myself a little bit, wondering if I decide to pull the proverbial trigger on trying to intensify what they’re going through this soon, especially them being in the condition that they were. I had to admit, it was a gamble taking either one of those two against this thing. I was trying to see about pushing their limits a little more because it was going to get to a point where just fighting smaller creatures was not really going to get them anywhere. I needed to push them a little farther somehow.

“Just hang in there, Zigzagoon! Don’t take it laying down! Assurance!” Zigzagoon scrambled off towards the Gumshoos and Gumshoos started to shirk back. I started to realize the damage that he had taken so far in this battle was starting to add up. It was still feeling the effects of Vulpix’s Icy Wind earlier, making it not exactly springy in its step from being numbed from the cold, making him rather slow to react. That’s not to mention the various ways it hurt itself in the process, namely in its own Take Down attacks. There was opportunity here. Zigzagoon rushed in and smashed into the Gumshoos, causing a harsh blow to the Gumshoos. The Gumshoos managed to get back to its feet and started to retaliate, finding itself on the defensive. It scooped up more dirt and started to strike at the Zigzagoon with its Mud Slap attack. Zigzagoon yelped out, shirking back from the attack, trying to quickly see once again.

The Gumshoos then with a growl started to come back in and started to go in ramming speed once more, another Take Down which was for sure going to bring down Zigzagoon. “Zigzagoon! Incoming!” It shook the mud off, seeing the Gumshoos making a beeline for it. “Assurance again!” Zigzagoon managed to leap off to the side to avoid the Gumshoos. As Gumshoos skidded to a stop and turned around to get its target back in his its sights, Zigzagoon went on its attack, once again moving in and leaping up, driving a fierce blow down towards the Gumshoos, dealing another harsh blow to the Gumshoos.

The Gumshoos tried once more to get back on his feet but the attacks finally caught up to the larger normal type Pokémon, collapsing back down to the ground. “There we go…I think he’s spent. Finally. Good job, Zigzagoon.” I said, making my way over towards Zigzagoon. As soon as I did so, however, Zigzagoon started to glow. I couldn’t help but to stop in my tracks, watching a transformation take hold. Zigzagoon started to grow longer, its fur started to flatten and straighten out, he started to get on his hind legs, almost seemingly instinctively. Finally, the powerful glow subsided and revealed the Pokémon’s new form. “…I guess even with as much steam as Gumshoos had, it pushed you over the limit, huh? Congrats, pal.” I said, kneeling over. As I started to get a good look at the newly evolved Pokémon, I started to notice a few other things…it was a Linoone, for sure, but the differences between Galar and Hoenn was all the more apparent. Claws looked considerably longer and sharper than the Hoenn fare, teeth looked considerably serrated, almost to comical levels, though at least…he outgrew the tongue thing? “Feeling okay?”

“Bahhhh.” It said, now tongue out the side with a rather devilish smile. Okay…that looks worse. Never mind.

All the same, I couldn’t help but to give the guy a few pets around the head. “Nice job, Linoone. Let’s talk later, okay? I’m betting those Yungoos I saw earlier was with this guy and I am not going to imagine things going too hot if they come here to find him like this. Let’s clear out of here, okay? Return.” I said, recalling the newly evolved Pokémon back to his ball. I then sighed, staring at Linoone’s Pokeball for a second. “…ugh, and as if Vulpix wasn’t already having self-loathing with a tinge of jealousy issues…man, stopping for the night is going to get a little awkward.” I said to myself. I then looked back for a second then started to continue on towards the beach.

After tending to the injured, I finally got dinner served, then allowed them to play a bit before it got well too dark. Accommodations for bed was weird, however. A couple of Pokémon went in the tent with me, namely Marshtomp, Combusken, and Linoone. Vulpix stayed outside however with Beartic. Beartic obviously wasn’t able to fit and Vulpix…well, I got the feeling that she was still sore over Linoone not only having to do clean up after she failed to beat the Gumshoos, but he even evolved for his efforts, becoming bigger, stronger, and overall, showing signs that he wasn’t necessarily that far behind the others. Not sure honestly if she’s more mad at me, Linoone, or perhaps herself. All the same, she seemed insistent with staying outside with Beartic. I guess I can understand the frustration. I wonder if I should have tried getting training for her sooner. Get her better ready for stuff like this. Then again, I had no idea that I was going to find myself out in the middle of nowhere like this.

Regardless of which, I’d be the last one to actually fall asleep. I couldn’t help it, honestly. I got caught up in thinking my next move, as to how to go about doing things. I have no idea as to what the next gym is going to be and what to expect. And considering that I managed to get two badges under me thanks to these guys, no doubt that it was going to be harder if it was anything like back at home. I need to get some headway somewhere. I might have an idea, though, as I think about it. And maybe it will get these guys acclimated to having more of a say like my more experienced bunch. This was a trip to get them more acclimated to what goes on as far as how I raise Pokémon and train them, after all. We were supposed to be a team.

The next morning we would wake up to the noise of my SNAG’s chime going off to wake me up the next morning. I felt stiff. A sleeping bag with a built-in ‘pillow’ wasn’t really providing a whole heck of a lot of comfort, to say the least. If I could be honest, if there was any reason why I beelined from one town to the next, it was probably because of that. Call me spoiled, if you want. I’d get up and start to get ready for the day. I looked up towards the skies, then took out my SNAG trying to get some sort of weather report from the local stations because it was probably going to determine what I was going to bring up this afternoon. Breakfast was then served soon enough to myself and the team around the table that I had the feeling was going to get a lot of mileage now considering how the past couple of days has been. In the span of all of this, I was trying to work in my mind as to how to address the Pokémon here. Though I think I might have some sort of an idea…

Once breakfast was finished, I had them gather around the table. “Alright guys…I have been doing a bit of thinking over last night while you guys were resting for the night. So, in light of recent events, I’ve been noticing that I may have underestimated things quite a bit. The competition, the wild Pokémon, our capabilities. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but swallow I did. Right now, we’re in a spot where there are wild Pokémon that do provide a challenge and if not, we got wide open spaces to try to get some training in. If we follow the beach up north, we’d be at the next city probably by nightfall, barring any interruptions in the process. If you guys want to go now, try your hand at it, then I’ll pack up and we all can go. However, considering how everything has been, I figure to try to take the opportunity that I kind of made for us and get some training out here. We got enough supplies I estimate to get us through the next day…two if we stretch it, but no longer than that, because its still a bit of a walk before the next city and will need at least a little something to make it there according to my map, and of course that’s barring Beartic’s newfound appetite.

“BRAWR!” Beartic protested.

“Hey! In case you haven’t realized yet, you’re now a seven-foot tall, five-hundred-pound bear. You haven’t been getting by on half a Paldean sandwich lately like you used to! Though if you want, you can go over there into the ocean and try your luck out there! Though I suspect the most you find is Gyarados, Tentacool, and some flavor of sea-dwelling dragon. Worst case scenario, probably Dragalge. It’s not fresh water out there!”

“Brrrrr….” Beartic growled in irritation, flopping into a sitting position and crossing his arms in front of him.

“Don’t start with me this morning; it’s too early for that.” I said, crossing my arms. “So…at any rate, with all of that in mind, what I am going to do is let you guys decide.” This got the attention of the Pokémon, they couldn’t help but to stare at each other, confused. “You guys might not know it really, maybe gotten some sort of hint about it, but I do a similar thing with the older, more experienced Pokémon within the team. Because you all are also part of the team. You’re a team here, together. You all have a say just as much as I do.” I said. “If you guys feel confident enough, in spite of not knowing what comes in the next gym battle, then we’ll go on ahead, pack up and go. If you guys think we need to hang back a bit, maybe recover, train, whatever, we’ll stay here as long as we can. Bear in mind, this is important. We need to have an agreement about this. Whatever decision we all make, we make together. Understand?”

There was a long silence, somewhat broken by the waves of the nearby sea. The Pokémon only looked at each other; they didn’t really know what to do. Caught a little off guard. They been in conversations like these before, but these few Pokémon in particular never really had any freedom to actually choose much of anything. Or rather, the opportunity of such. It was a whole other world for them. They honestly didn’t know what to say. I would only watch them as they tried to sort their confusion amongst themselves which put me in a situation to where I see how these Pokémon tend to think; which might help me understand where I can try to help them out. Help them be better. Maybe bring into focus more of their more positive qualities, whatever they are.

Beartic, ever since evolving, had been a bit simpler minded in a lot of things as of late. Everything was rather straightforward. I overheard him mentioning going on ahead to go do battle and keep trying until they get it right, not to give up and so on, trying to be the team rallier, as it were. A lot of confidence in that bear. I’m not sure if that was that good thing though. I remember before, as a Cubchoo, he was a lot timider. I guess now being taller than your trainer and got a lot of weight to throw around tends to change an attitude. Marshtomp was a little indecisive, but eventually wanted to play it safe as the Pokémon all talked, which just the Pokémon trying to voice an opinion at all was a thing. I could distinctly remember Marshtomp as a Mudkip usually kept to itself. Part of that I felt was on fault on me being spread thin as I have been in Snagem. Though I would have imagined that he’d actually tried to converse with other Pokémon, let alone his ‘brother’ in that of Combusken when he was a Torchic. Maybe evolution made him a bit more confident too in speaking up? I don’t know. Marshtomp talked about how it might be better to stay around, get stronger, that they all had nothing to lose to do so other than a couple of days. Speaking of Combusken, I started to realize as he spoke up to the others that he was trying to take a little initiative in trying to get the Pokémon party together. Where as a Torchic, the tiny bird wanted to play and burn and relish in a lot of things warm, Combusken now was…delegating? Trying to take some sort of leadership role. Which was actually kind of interesting. Then again, as a Torchic, he was the one that I tried to focus on first all the way back during the Galar tournament, even though that trip got cut short for me. At some point in the conversation, Linoone and Vulpix started to get abrasive with each other and Combusken actually got them to cut it out before I stepped in on it, which I was a little surprised over. Maybe I could give Combusken a role later like I do with Weavile on a normal basis? It’s a possibility. Vulpix in the light of things let her depression out, which is why she ended up snapping at Linoone. Making it clear that she didn’t feel good about this trip at all, let alone continuing forward. Most of it I felt was fueled from jealousy of seeing the others. Her young age became all the more apparent to everyone. She was being a bit of a brat. Though at the same time, she did raise a point. She wasn’t getting anywhere. The victories she’d managed to get on this trip so far were minor in the overall scheme of things. The last gym battle, she effectively got trampled on, which I couldn’t necessarily deny. She didn’t want to go anywhere right now. Linoone, being the relative rookie member of the team here, and my whole entourage at large, didn’t really care any which way as to what to do. Everything was fun, despite having a moody icy Vulpix around. That said, the fact of staying around here sounded boring. He wanted something to happen. He joined in on Beartic’s bandwagon of going ahead because at least there is action that way. It was a little comical, honestly.

The Pokémon would discuss for a while, as I put in my two cents every here and there to them to give them a little more to proverbially chew on and when all was over they all looked back at me. “Com-ba-skeen.”

“We’re staying?” I asked. “I got no problem with doing that. And I can help try to get you guys set up as best as I can for the next gym battle. I got some ideas as to what to do here. Like Vulpix, perhaps maybe finally coax that Ice Beam out of you right and maybe get you started on other skills so maybe you won’t find yourself at a disadvantage so easily again, and Linoone, since I haven’t gotten the opportunity really as of yet, get you acclimated to your evolved state. Maybe I’ll have you spar with Marshtomp since I haven’t done too much since he evolved with him either. Combusken, I want to try to see if I can’t get you started on more of a physical regimen when it comes to your abilities. Get you fully settled into it. You got some of it down, like getting a decent Brick Break in, but we’re going to need to expand on that. Beartic, you and I are probably going to need to have at it a bit too. While you did well in the gym battle, effectively working under fire fresh off of evolution mid battle, the thing that probably costed you a bit was you got a lot of wind up on your attacks, especially that Icicle Crash. We’re going to need to see if we can’t cut that down a little. Just because you’re big doesn’t need to mean you also got to be slow.” I said. “I will admit that I am not confident we’re going to be able to cram all of that in two days. Its effectively a crash course session and at some point, we’re going to need to take breaks in all of that. Its not going to do us any good to train until we burn and then we gained nothing from it. Sound like a plan to you all?” The Pokémon would chime in with a unison agreement. “Alright…let’s get to work.”

The next morning finally came around and truthfully, I wish I could have slept in longer. It was a rather long couple of days, and it was probably a sentiment that my Pokémon with me would share. As I sat there to fix our last breakfast there at our campsite, I looked at the others and wondered how they felt right about now as far as what they thought the results of their training over the past couple of days. I hope that they are in fact ready. Once we were done, I recalled the team, packed up the stuff I had about like the tent and our table, and then made my way off for the next town.

I followed the beach, knowing that this next place was there on the coast. I would for certain find it, though finding it wasn’t really the issue for me. As I walked on, I couldn’t help but to think back to the past couple of days wondering if there was anything else I could have done. But really? Let’s be honest with ourselves, I couldn’t have done any more than I did. Each Pokémon ultimately pushed themselves to the very limit, trying in every which way to accomplish what I asked of them to do. I should have probably taken extra time here and there on the way to these places and trained them a bit more. Should have, would have, could have.

Just as expected, as the sun started to set, I finally made it down to the next destination, Levincia City. A rather big city, no less. It reminded me a little of Castelia City in Unova, in a way. The buildings were tightly packed, traffic of both the automotive and foot kind, almost as much so. All in all, it was civilization again. With all said, I was probably going to be spending a good chunk of the evening just trying to figure out what was where. The map on the SNAG only gave a top down view of what was what here right at the moment, presumably because no one had been here as of yet. GRAY wouldn’t know what was here anymore than we would. It was just a bird’s eye view. Might as well explore a little bit.

I made my way around the city to take in the sights as night started to set in and the glow of the street lights, buildings, and many advertisements on LED and holographic billboards lit up the city. Stores were consistently busy with many patrons browsing their wares of various bric-a-brac souvenirs, clothing, furniture, and so on. Restaurants, both of the fast food and fine dining found their home here as well. It was also to my astonishment that the Pokémon gym also was on this main drag, which I didn’t really understand. I was left to wonder a little bit as to where this place would hold its Pokémon battle. Was it actually in the gym proper this time? It wasn’t like this city had room for a pavilion like the past two cities did. Also, for whatever reason, there was still those kiosks like Pokémon Centers for whatever reason. I was for sure certain that a city like this would definitely have one, but apparently not. It felt like Pokémon came second in this region. Either way, after two days and beating ourselves senseless just to get to the next level, it was probably needed. The back streets had a more down to earth feel, in a matter of speaking. A grocery store, Delibird Presents store, a few restaurants as well that overlooked the coast.

The centerpiece in this whole entire city apparently was a large platform that overlooked the sea. It was a leisure area, apparently. Various tables lined around the center as various advertisements shined above them. In the center of the platform…a large battlefield for Pokémon. Currently there seemed to be a battle going on; a Pokémon vaguely reminiscent of a Primeape, but…even angrier? And grayish, black? Overgrown fur. A Variant? And it was going against…a gigantic rock Pokémon of some kind. It was something straight out of a computer game, I’d think. Block like and all. All in all, possibly stuff in my future as I try to train here.

Eventually, I found my way to a hotel; a rather nice one fact. And one large enough to allow Beartic into the room. I wasn’t going to allow him on the bed however. After dinner was had and I managed to get my Pokémon good to go for bed, I decided to give a call to Freth to check up on her through the Snag. I figure it was high time now.

“Hello? Blizzard?” she’d speak up over the line.

“Yea, its me. Decided to check in with you. What’s going on?”

“Not much. Tired as hell, honestly. Between trying to train my psychic power and dealing with Raifort, its all starting to catch up now. Never mind what I have been reading up on when it comes to Area Zero. I’m starting to be more increasingly convinced that something is wrong here.” She said. “Well, that and Eris’s nagging over every thing that keeps getting cropped up over it.”

Having Freth’s mental resident complain about it started to get me a bit on the defensive. “Something you want me to look into?”

“No, no…I’ll take care of it. I think I am in the best spot to do it anyways.” Freth said.

“…how so? I’m just out training my Pokémon and I’m currently some place where I can up and bail out right now.”

“But should you?” Freth asked.

“…should I?”

“Blizzard, while I think something is up, I don’t think its anything that would need to involve the whole team, let alone one of their heaviest hitters. I can take care of it. Have a little faith, will you?” she asked.

“The thing that is worrying me is your uninvited guest is saying to look into it.” I said to Freth. “I’d rather not have her pull something. She might be biding her time for as all I know and she’s trying to find excuses to get her way.”

“Well, even if she was, Raifort isn’t making things any less convincing.”

“You talked to Sub about it?”

“No, not yet. He’s still caught up in that Team Star stuff. I haven’t seen him in days now.” She said.

“That’s…concerning. Just what kind of grief are they giving him? I mean, honestly? Whatever…What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m working on it. Just give me time.”

“Alright…” I said, a bit hesitant.

“What about you? Where are you at right now?” Freth then asked.

“Levincia. Made it just tonight. After hanging out near a beach for a couple of days to train the team. Kind of a ‘coming to Arceus’ meeting we had a couple of days ago.”

“That bad?” Freth asked.

“Sort of. Just my thinking and a couple of my Pokémon getting frustrated over what we’ve been through so far.” I said. “Not sure if we’re good to go still, but we’re going to find out tomorrow. If its anything like the past couple of gyms, I’m probably going to have some sort of test then fight the gym leader tomorrow. The past couple of gyms were tougher than I given them credit just on first looks and I have no doubt this one will be the same.” I said.

“And how’s your Pokémon feeling about it?”

“Unsure. That training regimen the past couple of days opened their eyes, and mine, to a few things and…well, its been tough for them. I’m trying to be there every step of the way for them, though, as I do. We’ll just have to see.” I said to her.

“If I didn’t know better, I’m starting to think your confidence as a trainer started to waiver.” Freth said.

“A little bit.” I said. “I had that realization a couple of days ago…I’m starting to think Snagem changed a lot of my mindset as of late, so much so that I kind of been missing out on roots. I’ve been so used to high intensity fate of the world stuff, training in state-of-the-art training rooms, and so on, that now that I don’t have that and now that I am not using the bigger members of my Pokémon team, its…weird. I didn’t think anything of it at first; nor did I try to raise several at once like this in a long time. I usually ended up focusing one at a time. Which probably explains how Decidueye ended up how he has so quickly, and I ended up getting him after all of the Pokémon I have with me now.” I said.

“You’ll be fine, Blizzard. You haven’t really done anything like this for a while. Enjoy it.” Freth said.

“I guess.”

“I’m sure those Pokémon you got with you are probably appreciating it as well. You brought along…what, Torchic? Mudkip? Cubchoo? Vulpix?” Freth asked.

“Yea. Zigzagoon too. And all evolved once right now, except for Vulpix for obvious reasons.”

“See, you’re still doing good. If its any comfort, training like crazy to get my Psychic powers to work is tough too. We’re in the thick of it.” She said.

I couldn’t help but to laugh a little. “I don’t think that’s quite the same thing, but I get your point…” I said.

“You just keep going; I’m fine, Tristen’s fine last I checked. Just…keep at it.” Freth said.

“Alright…well, I think I’m ready for bed now…its going to be a bit of a day tomorrow for sure.”

“Take care.”

“Love you.” I then said to her, finally ending the transmission on the SNAG then finally turning in for the night.