Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

You didn’t tell us!

The words echoed against her mind as she gave a slight shiver, watching over the railing as the ocean waves glistened before her.

Hau… I’m sorry… but I’ve decided I have to go to Kanto.  To help my mother get better… but more than that… to help myself get stronger.

She closed her eyes as she took in the scent of the salty air.

Of course I’m sad to leave Alola… but… the thought of going to Kanto also fills my heart with excitement!

A gust of wind blew through her as she turned her face to the breeze.

I’m going to become a real trainer and meet all kinds of wonderful Pokémon… I’m going to travel all around Kanto, just like we did here on Alola for your island challenges!

Her eyes opened as she looked at the full moon’s reflection on the ocean, remembering her friend’s dark eyes misting over with tears as she tried to fight the knot that was forming in her throat.

And no matter what happens on my journey… I’m going to be OK.  Because of the smiles that you shared with me.  You and Moon and everyone here… thank you all so much!

Moon had to wipe their eyes at that point.  They were so different from the person that they had first met standing at the Ruins of Conflict.  They chopped their hair, replaced their short shorts with cargo pants and told the world that they would not be referred to with female pronouns.  It was like Moon had… evolved.

Lillie hoped that she could grow just as strong as Moon had.

And that’s why someday… someday I’ll come back to Alola again!

But… but… I haven’t gotten to say any of the things that I wanted to say to you!  So… so… Arghhh!!   I’m gonna send you a letter!  A really, really long one!  You’d better wait!

A soft chuckle escaped her as she shook her head at her friend’s frustrated promise.

I will, Hau.  And please… take this.

She handed him a big Malasada.  She had actually planned on keeping the treat to herself, helping tie her over on the long trip to Kanto with a little taste of home, but she couldn’t just let Hau go with nothing after that.  After all, it was pretty unfair of her to keep them in the dark about her leaving.  She had meant to tell Moon but…

Well, she told them before she left.

Moon… It may look a little worn, but…that is because this was my most treasured belonging once.

It was better that the Poké Doll was left in Moon’s care.  Even if they never would use it, Lillie now couldn’t either.

She was done with running away.

Do you really have to go?

She shuddered.  The memory of those tear-stained cheeks as the Alolan champion clutched the beaten down Clefairy wrenched at her heart.  Tears threatened to come back as she wiped them away.

I’m sorry Moon.  I have to do this.

But… Why can’t you have your journey here!  Why can’t you take the Island Challenge!  Why can’t you-

Moon…

Why can't you stay!

She stifled the sniffle that was coming, turning her gaze to the full moon.

You left your home too.

Moon wouldn’t meet her gaze.  Kanto wasn’t something that Moon discussed with anyone much, but that didn’t keep Lillie from being any less curious about it.  Any questions about it were immediately deflected with defensiveness, and later sarcasm, which let Lillie know better than to push any further with it.

You came to a completely new region and rose to become Alola’s Pokémon Champion.  So maybe, if I follow in those footsteps, I can become as strong as you are.

Moon held her gaze for a moment before biting their lip and turning away.  Lillie guessed it was because she brought up the unspoken forbidden subject, but she couldn't think of any other way to phrase it.  Any other way to explain her motives.

She released a sigh.

Then I suppose… this is good-bye.

She stared over the railway, imagining that she could still see Professor Kukui waving back at her, her heart sinking as her two dearest friends remained further in on the pier.  She was worried about what they’d think about her.  Those faces of betrayal that she feared would be with her as she traveled to a distant and unfamiliar land.  She began to falter, worrying that maybe this was going to be a mistake.

You better train super hard while you’re out there Lillie!  I wanna be the first person you battle as soon as you get back!

She remembered looking back over the pier, the teary-eyed champion waving the PokéDoll in the air as she wiped her tears and waved back.

It’s a promise!

She stared over the railing at the infinite ocean.  It had been four days since she had left the Alolan shore, waving to the people who had cared for her since she had fled her mother and now was fleeing again to try to save her.

She gave a yawn.  She really needed to get her rest.  They were supposed to make landfall in the morning and she didn’t want to sleep in and miss the beginning of her very own Pokémon journey.  She entered the cabin, moved to her room and collapsed on the bed.  Anxiety buzzed about her as she tried to sleep, but she couldn't get herself to calm down enough for sleep to take her.  She just couldn’t help it.

Tomorrow, she would start her journey as a Pokémon trainer.

And she was absolutely exhilarated to see what her journey would have in store.

Chapter Text

It was so difficult for her to sleep.

She couldn’t help it!  They were so close to where she would begin her adventure, so how could she sleep?  She was just too excited, but also somewhat curious.  Was Hau this nervous when he began his Island Challenge, knowing that the ordeal would force him to face his grandfather?  And what about Moon?  Were they able to sleep on the boat, awaiting their inevitable arrival to Alola where they would be thrust into their journey?  Where Lillie herself would throw them to the Spearow to save Nebby.  But Moon didn’t hesitate.  Moon didn’t complain.  They ran straight ahead on that rickety bridge, never stopping despite the falling planks.  They never turned around, never ran away.

She wasn’t running away.

Perhaps that’s what made falling asleep so hard.  What made awaiting her arrival on Kanto so hard.

The last time she was on a boat she was with Professor Burnett, travelling to Kukui’s lab as she tried to deflect Burnett’s questions of how she washed up on shore, where she was from, how she found the mysterious Pokémon that she kept hidden in her bag.  She was hiding from her, hiding from her mother, hiding from the world.

She was running away.

But that wasn’t the case any longer.

She couldn’t help but feel like what she imagined Moon felt when crossing that bridge.  That there was this exhilarating unknown waiting for them to journey forward.  To run towards the dreams that they held without hesitation.  A soft smile crossed her lips as she felt her eyes finally close.

She was on her way to her dream.

“LAND AHOY!!!”

“WHAT!?!?”

The blonde bolted upright as she shrieked, looking for her watch on her nightstand before panic began to settle in.  “Oh no.  Oh nonononono!”

She rushed out of her cabin, running quickly towards the deck as the Aether Foundation agent greeted her with a soft smile.  “Good morning Miss Lillie.  Did you sleep well?”

“Oh, um… well... not really…” she answered before returning his smile with a sheepish one of her own.  “But that doesn’t matter.  Mother will finally get help.”

“Perhaps,” the man stated kindly with his eyes straight ahead.  “However, I’m sure Lady Lusamine wouldn’t like to hear that your losing sleep fretting over her.  Especially when you came all this way to start a Pokémon journey of your own.”

“I know…” the blonde groaned lowly as she leaned against the railing.  “I just don’t know what to expect.  I’ve never been to Kanto before.”

“Well, if you’d like an idea, you can look right ahead of you.”

Green eyes turned perplexedly at the man before looking over the mast to see the looming trees and lined houses in the distance.  She practically gawked at the sight.  The shores were rocky and not at all ideal for mooring a boat, especially not one with her mother in her weakened state.

“Is that where we’re landing?”

“Not quite,” the man stated with an indifferent shrug.  “Those are just the mountains that surround the cape.  Bill said he will help us dock the ship once we arrive.”

Lillie gave a slight nod as she turned back to the horizon.  “I can’t believe we’re finally here.”

“It does feel like a long time when your stuck on a small boat for so long,” the man responded with a chuckle.  “But we all have our missions to fulfill, speaking of which are you planning on beginning your Pokémon adventure in your pajamas?”

The blonde quickly looked over her white nightgown decorated in Lilies before a deep blush rose to her cheeks.  “I-I’ll be right back!”

She rushed back, to her room, berating herself for forgetting to dress before leaving her cabin as she tore through her dresser to pull out her familiar white top and skirt.  She tied her hair back into a ponytail with braids wrapped around it as she looked at herself in the mirror.  At her Z-formed creation for herself.  She remembered when she slept in her mother’s bed the night before deciding that she couldn’t keep running, but she didn’t think she could be strong enough to save her mother.  Her mother had vanished into the Ultra Wormhole and she was going to try to get her back… somehow.

But Moon never hesitated.  They didn’t hesitate to help Nebby on the bridge.  They didn’t hesitate to battle the Team Skull Grunts who were trying to steal her duffel bag where she tried to hide the errant Pokémon she was desperately trying to save.  They didn’t hesitate when a small child’s Yungoose was stolen, breaking into Team Skull’s hideout single handedly to save the Pokémon.  They didn’t hesitate to infiltrate Aether Paradise when Nebby was finally kidnapped to open the Ultra Wormhole her mother disappeared through nor to find the other flute that would allow them to chase after her mother.

They never hesitated.  And Lillie couldn’t if she wanted to save her mother, but she didn’t know how.  How was she supposed to be as strong as Moon was?

The image of the Normalium-Z pose struck her mind.

She didn’t have a Z-ring, she wasn’t a trainer, but she saw Moon use it.  Placing their arms in an X before circling them outward.  They punched both arms forward, with their right wrist above the left before lowering them to the right, rising with the left moving above their shoulder.  The right forcefully moved horizontal across their stomach and the left moved just as swiftly in front of their forehead right after, creating the shape of a ‘Z’ as energy flowed between them and their Pokémon.

Lillie mimicked the dance, moving her arms to the familiar steps she had watched dozens of times before ending in the ‘Z’ pose.  She giggled lightly.  She always felt so foolish doing it, but she also couldn’t help but feel a little braver each time she did it.  As if there was someone who was giving their energy to her every time she danced those steps.

“We’ve reached the cape!”

Lillie jumped up as she quickly grabbed her pink bag to rush back up to the deck.  The mountains were towering them on either side while in the distance a small house was seen close to the edge of the shore.

“Is that… Bill’s house?”

“Must be given the map we have here.”

“How does he not get claustrophobic with all these mountains surrounding him?”

“It opens up further in,” the same man from earlier explained as he held his map out.  “See here?  This is Cerulean City.  Once we get past this cliff we should be able to see it.”

Lillie hummed neutrally before her eyes locked back on the house.  “I really hope he knows how to help mother.”

“I’m sure he does, and if not we’ll come up with something else.  Remember it was your brilliant research that led to this moment.  If things don’t work out here I’m sure you’ll come up with another solution.”

“Hm…” she paused for a moment.  Her first reaction was to voice that she wasn't sure what else she could do, but that just didn’t seem to fit anymore.  No matter what happened, Hau and Moon never gave up and things worked out.  If she wanted to be more like them then she needed to start believing in the future like they did.

“You’re right!  I’m sorry for doubting myself I just… this is a very new situation to me.”

“You do what needs to be done when you need to.” The man responded with a full grin.  “You saved Cosmog as well as our foundation's founder.  I know it must not have been easy for you, but I do admire the dedication you have in helping others.”

Lillie suppressed a giggle.  She didn’t think much of what she did was admirable, but the sentiment was nice to hear.  “Thank you so much.”

“Of course.”

They turned back to the cape.  Cerulean City opened up to their left as straight ahead they saw a brunette man waving at them from behind a fence.  He opened the gate as they moved closer to the shore, stopping a few meters away to allow room for the gangway before the Aether employees moved the woman in the wheelchair down towards the man.

“Bring her right in!  We can check her condition immediately!”

The Aether members disappeared into the house with the man as Lillie slowly made her way onto the shore and looked around.

She felt truly alone.

She gave a sigh as she kicked off her shoes and waded her feet in the nearest pool by Bill’s house.  He really did have a fantastic view of Cerulean City.  Eventually, she would visit that city.  She would stop by for supplies before continuing on her journey.  Of course, she had also heard that Cerulean had a Pokémon gym.  What was that like?  Had Moon ever battled the gym leaders here?  Did they know the gym leader?

The muffled sound of voices within the house disrupted Lillie from her thoughts.  She really should be in there too, but…

She shook her head.  She wasn’t ready for that yet.  She knew that her mother needed help urgently in getting Nihilego’s poison removed from her bloodstream.  That made leaving Alola and saying goodbye to Hau and Moon feel necessary.  But the next time she’d say goodbye.

She shuddered.  She would be all alone.  As in all alone.  There was no Moon to lean on, no Hau, and with her mother needing to focus on treatment-

“Hey!”

She jumped at the voice, immediately recognizing the brown-haired man as she quickly dusted herself off before offering a bow.  “Hello.  Oh! Um, I apologize for my rudeness.  Thank you so much for helping my mother.”

“Hey, don’t sweat it,” the world-renowned Pokémaniac brushed off as he took a seat beside where Lillie sat.  “I’m sure I’ll get more than I could’ve hoped for in my research by helping out.  Besides, if someone didn’t help me reconstruct my human form when I had turned into a Pokemon then who knows where I’d be right now.”

Lillie giggled lightly as she returned her feet to the water.  “What was it like?  Being a Pokémon?”

“Well, I could still speak human languages and with my Nidorino hooves I couldn’t even open my front door, so it was really dull from my experience.  I’m sure any other Pokémon would have a vastly different experience from my own considering the confines I was trapped in.”

“Did you try using any Pokémon moves while you were one?”

“I did, but nothing seemed to really work.  Even my tackle was pretty unimpressive,” Bill answered as he turned his head to the sky.  “I speculate that, because I’m naturally a human, I don’t have the inborn ability to use Pokémon moves even if I take on a Pokémon’s form.  I was actually hoping to share notes with Professor Kukui.  He’s the best expert on Pokémon moves there is.”

“That’s only because he wrestles his Pokémon constantly.  I’m surprised he doesn’t end up at the hospital more often.”

Bill loosed a laugh that shook his shoulders.  “Yeah, I have heard that his methods are a bit unorthodox, but we all have our own ways of learning.”

“I suppose…” Lillie answered quietly, staring at her reflection in the water.  “By the way, what brought you out here?”

“Well, we finished running our tests on your mother, all that’s left is to wait for the results.  I noticed that you weren’t in the house with the others so I figured I would check to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m fine…” Lillie stated a little too quickly causing Bill to sigh.

“If you say so.”  The man stated casually as he pulled out a rolled newspaper from his back pocket.  He handed it to Lillie causing the girl to eye him suspiciously.

“What’s this for?”

“I just figured you might be interested in the first page.  Keep up on Alola and all that.”

She unfolded the page before a light chuckle escaped her.  On the front page was none other than Moon, arm raised in the air with their Pokémon jumping jubilantly in the background with the headline ‘Kantonian Takes over Alolan Pokémon League.’  She skimmed over the page, the inevitable question as to why Moon wouldn’t use female pronouns with the answer that became known around the world.

Do you think of yourself as legendary?

“Most legendary Pokémon don’t have a gender so why do I need one?”

My hope is that I will be.

“Yeah, that comment turned the region inside out.”

Lillie turned quickly to the analytical blue gaze.  “How so?”

“Well, Kanto hasn’t exactly been known for it’s progression on social issues unfortunately," Bill answered with a sigh.  “Honestly, I’m glad Moon’s able to be as much of themself as their able to in Alola.”

“Did you know Moon?”

He shook his head.  “I did meet them a few times when I’d visit the trainer’s school, but they were shy and didn’t like talking to people.  It wasn’t until I saw that that I got an idea as to why.”

Green eyes turned back to the newspaper as Lillie felt slightly ashamed for nosing into her friend’s past life.  She began to realize that Kanto probably didn’t treat them as kindly as it has others.

“Well, I’m going back inside to check on the tests.  Feel free to keep that if you’d like.”

“Okay… thank you.”

Lillie gave a beautiful smile as Bill waved and turned back towards the house.  She looked back over to Cerulean City on the other side of the river before raising the paper in front of the city and lowering it again.

If Moon could go to a new region and completely change the world than so could she.  She could do it!  She could travel around Kanto, meet all kinds of Pokémon and finally show herself and the world who she really is!

SKRAAAW

Lillie jumped as she heard the cry imediately rushing forward as the paper flew behind her and her wet feet pounded against the dirt road.  She knew she’d heard it to the West, but what was-?

SKRAAAAWSKRAAWSKRAAW

She skidded to a halt at the sight.  Three Spearow were attacking a lone Clefairy that looked like it had fallen during a pursuit.  Lillie paused, why were Spearow always being mean to other Pokémon?  What was she supposed to do?

She shook her head before running forward with eyes closed.  She couldn’t think about it.  Moon didn’t think about it so she wouldn’t either.  She would just dive in and save the Clefairy and-

The Spearow began to peck at her arms as she screamed.  What was she thinking?!  This was absolutely ridiculous!  What did she think she could do?!  She wasn’t a real trainer!

“Clefai-ree…”

She opened her eyes towards the weak cries of the Pokémon.  The battered Clefairy tried to get up but fell back down as the weight of their wounds were too much for them to bear.  Lillie waved her arms to scatter the Spearow as she moved forward, hugging the Pokémon to her chest.

“I’m so sorry Clefairy.  I promise I’ll get you out of this somehow.”

“Cle… fair…y?”

“Kyah!”

The Spearow continued to assault her back.  One of them dug their claws into her shoulder and grabbed her backpack strap when- wait, her backpack!

She threw an elbow back to the Spearow to drive it away, causing the strap to fall over her shoulder as she hurriedly dug through her bag for something to help them.  She may not have her Pokédoll anymore, but she had something just as good.

“LEAVE US ALONE!!!”

She sprayed the Repel as the Spearow continued to caw before they flew away from the stench.  She held the Clefairy close to her in one arm while continuing to drive the Pokémon away.  They slowly floated higher, Lillie watching their ascent as they continued to eye them predatorily.  This was it.  She hugged the Clefairy tighter as she ran as fast as she could to Bill’s house with the Spearow following high overhead until the blonde was out of the Repel’s radius.  They dove down quickly, Lillie barely able to stay in front as the house came into sight.

“BIIIIIILLLL!!!!!”

The Spearow continued to claw and peck at her, barely out of reach, but very close to being overwhelmed.

“BIIIIIILLLL!!!!”

“What?!  What’s going on?!”

The brunette stepped out hurriedly as his eyes widened at the sight of the beaten blonde carrying a beaten Clefairy and three Spearow clawing at their heels.

“Go Jolteon!”

He flung a Pokéball past Lillie, the electric mammalian creature materializing between the Spearow and their prey.

“Jolteon, use Discharge!!!”

“JOOOOLLLTEON!!!!”

An eruption of lighting cascaded around the Pokémon as Lillie watched in awe.  The Spearow were taken down with a single hit as they struggled to remain airborne to escape.

“Wow…”

“Lillie, what have you got there?”

“Huh? Oh!”  She turned to the shivering fairy Pokémon in her arms.  “They were attacking this Clefairy.  I tried to stop them, but they just wouldn’t-”

“Is that Clefairy holding a Moon Stone?”

Lillie hummed questioningly before turning to see the Clefairy clutching something close to their body.  “Oh, I didn’t notice-”

“Fair-…fair-y…”

“Um…”

The Clefairy tossed in her arms, seeming to try to hide the stone from their prying eyes as Lillie froze in place.

“It looks like that Clefairy is trying to protect the stone there.”

“Do you think it’s holding onto it to evolve?”

“I doubt it,” Bill stated as his hand moved to cup his chin.  “They would’ve evolved by now if they were using it for themself.”

“Maybe they’re waiting till their stronger.”

“That’s a possibility.  Guess we won’t know till they get better.”

“I guess not,” Lillie stated softly as she watched the poor Pokémon shudder again.  “Is there a way to help them?”

“Bring them in, I’ve got a healing machine in the back.”

“Right!”

“Come on back Jolteon, you did fantastic!”

The lightning Pokémon gave a cheery cry before returning to their Pokeball as the Pokemaniac led them into the house.  Lillie wandered in with Clefairy tightly in her arms as she began taking in the sight of his haphazardly organized work space that was half residence, half laboratory.

“Over this way.”

“Okay.”

She moved slowly behind the man as he led her past piles of research notes and walls of monitors towards a far corner where the healing machine was located.  Lillie gently placed the Clefairy on the healing pad before Bill raised the glass over it and turned on the machine.

“Will Clefairy be okay?”

“They should be fine,” Bill stated as he inspected the Pokemon closely.  “It’s a good thing you helped them when you did.  Those Spearow looked like they weren’t letting up.”

“I just… did what I thought Moon would do.”

“And it shows,” Bill stated with a grin.  “Your looking like a real Pokémon trainer already.”

Lillie giggled lightly before looking herself over.  “I don’t remember Hau or Moon ever looking as mucked up as I do right now.”

“Everyone’s journey starts differently.  Which, I guess, means yours can’t really start till you get your first Pokémon.”

“I was planning on going straight to Pallet Town after dropping my mom off here.  Professor Oak said he could help me out with getting started.”

“Well, there’s only one way to get to Pallet Town from here and that’s through the Diglett cave in Vermillion.”

“What!”  Lillie cried as her arms flailed.  “You mean there’s no way I can get there from here?!”

“Nope.  Anyone from Pallet Town could go through Pewter, but once you get past Mt. Moon there’s no way back.”

She gave a light groan.  “And how do I get to Vermillion?”

“It’s actually not so bad.  You just need to go due south through Saffron.  Unlike most routes in Kanto, the way from here to Vermillion has a clear path so you won’t have to worry about running into wild Pokémon on your way there.”

Lillie gave a soft sigh.  If that were the case than Diglett Cave was all that she would have to worry about as far as avoiding Pokémon encounters.  “Alright.  I’ll head to Vermillion, get through Diglett Cave and start my Pokémon journey!”

“Sounds good!  Oh, and if your heading to Vermillion you may as well have this.”

Lillie took the offered gift before reading the print on it.  “A ticket to the S. S. Anne?”

“Yeah, it’s a super fancy cruise ship!  You should totally go, all sorts of awesome trainers from around the world are going to be there!”

“Really?!”  Lillie asked excitedly.  Maybe Moon would be there?  They were the Alolan champion after all.  “Wait, why are you giving this to me anyway?  Don’t you want to go?”

“Nah, fancy get togethers aren’t really my thing,” Bill dismissed with a wave of his hand.  “Besides, after the way you helped this Clefairy and with everything going on with your mom you should take this chance to relax.”

She eyed the tickets with a gleam in her eyes.  “Thank you so much Bill.  For everything.”

The man rose and gave her a hearty grin.  “It’s what I’m here for.”

She gave another smile.  Something about him reminded her of Professor Kukui which helped her feel a little more at ease.  She tucked the ticket into her bag as she returned to the shore to grab her shoes and heading to the boat to grab spare clothing to change out of her muddied up ones.  She didn’t have a Pokémon yet, but she couldn’t stop the stupid smile from forming on her face.  She was actually doing it.

She was actually on her way to her Pokémon adventure.

Chapter Text

She had always wondered what Vermilion City would look like.  Ever since she was a little girl she had heard of the S.S. Anne that traveled the world, making stops to different locations only once a year where the most powerful trainers would be invited to show their strength to the far reaches of the world.  She was so excited when an invitation came for her mother with tickets for her mother, Gladion and herself.

They never went.

Her mother always claimed that they had too many Pokémon that needed help in the Paradise to spend a whole year on the cruise ship and since it never stopped in Alola it just never seemed feasible to fly to another region simply to stop inside a ship for the few hours it’d be docked.  She understood.  Sitting idly by as her mind imagined the glorious wonders that would reside on the ship while her voice refused to give existence to those imaginings.  She'd simply accept the sad truth that it was never meant to be.

At least, until now it wasn’t.

Now she was standing in front of the bustling port with her ticket in hand as she stared at the massive ship that loomed before her.  She had never seen a ship that was so big.  It was almost scary looking at it, it could have been as large as Aether Paradise.

She gulped.  What if she got lost in there?  What if she ran into a trainer?  What if they wanted to battle?

What if it was Moon?

She shook her head fervently as she ran ahead.  She couldn’t help but feel so weak but she would’ve given anything for a familiar face right now and the idea that Moon might be there was just too tempting to deny.  She rushed across the planks, trying to squeeze her way past the passengers who had stepped out to stretch their legs until she finally made it towards the gangway.

“Excuse me, I would like to board please.”

“Of course, do you have your ticket ma’am?”

“Right here!”  She announced with a large smile as it seemed to sparkle in her hand.  The man briskly took it before loosing a chuckle and writing something on it.  “Bill avoiding the festivities again this year?”

“I take it that’s a common theme for him?”

“Only every year,” the man replied gruffly as he returned the ticket.  “They were thinking of not inviting him anymore, but the people he ends up giving these to end up showing quite promise.  You must be quite the trainer.”

“Oh, I-I’m not a trainer.  I mean, I’m hoping to be one, but I haven’t even gotten my first Pokémon yet…”

“Really now?  Well, I’m not sure what you’re hoping to find inside then.  Just about everyone else here is a trainer.”

“I know, but I think it’ll still be quite inspiring just to see the different Pokémon everyone has.  There are very few places where one can find Pokémon from all the known world in one space.”

“I suppose that is true,” the man stated while scratching the back of his head.  “Just mind yourself.  You wouldn’t want to walk right in front of a Charizard’s flamethrower.”

She beamed a brilliant smile at the man.  “Don’t worry, I will.  Thanks again so much!”

“Of course, you enjoy yourself now!”

She gave a friendly wave before walking further up the gangway, making her way up to the entrance of the boat where she was greeted by another staff member.

“Welcome to the S.S. Anne.  How may I be of assistance?”

Lillie looked down each side of the hallway, both looking endless before she looked back towards the woman who offered a kind smile.  “Actually, if you don’t mind, could you give me a quick layout of the ship?”

“Most certainly.  This ship has three levels with boarding rooms on all floors.  Many like to explore the rooms in search of strong challengers though I will ask that you please knock before entering if you are looking for a private battle.”

“Oh, um, of course!”  Lillie answered a bit flustered.  Did the woman really think she would simply barge into someone’s room so rudely and then challenge them to a Pokémon battle?  Well, perhaps it was more that it was a problem for others.  She could understand the excitement of getting to find another trainer with potentially new Pokémon that they had never seen before.  She released a slight giggle as she could only imagine Hau behaving in such a way.  “I will be sure to not intrude on anybody.  What can I find on each level?”

“Well, other than the boarding rooms, this floor here happens to be where the kitchen is at.  I would recommend you stay out of the chefs way since they are preparing a grand buffet for all passengers here while we are docked in Kanto.  Other than that you can reach the ship’s deck from the second floor as well as the Captain’s Quarters.  I would also ask that you not bother the captain however, as he is entertaining an old friend who is also supposed to be a surprise guest for the banquet this evening.”

“Really?  Who is this surprise guest?”

“Well,” the woman responded with a cheeky grin.  “It would reflect quite poorly on my work etiquette if I were to spoil such a surprise, wouldn’t it?”

Lillie released a sigh as she slumped slightly.  “I suppose it would.”

“Cheer up dear,” the woman said sweetly as green eyes turned to her equally sweet smile.  “The banquet is to be held in about two hours and this ship won’t leave until after it’s done.  After all, the surprise guest can’t be stuck on this ship since he’s got business to attend to here in Kanto.”

“He?”

“I suppose I’ve said too much,” the woman said sighing before the same smile returned.  “Just try to keep my slip-up between us okay?  It’ll be our little secret.”

“Of course,” Lillie answered with a light giggle.  “Thank you so much for all your help.”

“You are most welcome.  If you should find yourself needing more assistance, please feel free to seek me out here.”

“I’ll be sure to remember that,” Lillie answered with a smile before running down the hall to hop up the stairs.  She followed the directions towards the next staircase that would take her up to the deck.

She was immediately hit with the smell of salt water.

It seemed ridiculous that she didn’t even spend a full twenty-four hours on land before hopping back on a ship to look over the ocean again.  It just felt so natural to her.  She did spend most of her life on an artificial island.  How is that any different than a ship?

“Jigglypuff, use disable!”

“Jiggleeeeepuff!!!”

“Ghastly, dissipate!”

Sparks flew where the Ghastly was as it disappeared in thin air.  A smirk crossed the trainer’s face as the Jigglypuff’s trainer took a deep breath that synced with his Pokémon's.  “Stay sharp Jigglypuff.”

“Jiggly!”

They stood perfectly still for a moment, poised for an attack that Lillie wasn’t even sure was going to happen.  She watched on in curiosity, pondering the events that may transpire next before the gaseous form reappeared behind the fairy Pokémon causing Lillie to shriek.

“Ghastly, poison gas!“

“Feint attack now Jigglypuff!”

The gas form moved to suffocate the fairy Pokémon as Jigglypuff twirled around and threw a right hook that grew darker with it’s momentum.  It slammed into the ghost Pokémon causing them rolled across the deck.

“Ghastly!  No!”

The man ran towards the Ghastly, holding them in his arms.  “Ghastly!  Are you alright?!”

“Ghaaaassss….”

“Ghastly is unable to fight!  Pokémon breeder Joel is the winner!”

“Did you hear that Jigglypuff!  You did it!”

“Puff Puff!”

Lillie giggled lightly as she rushed forward to congratulate the winner only to be beaten to it by his opponent.  “That was a splendid battle Joel!  You’ve raised this Pokémon quite well, I’m sure my granddaughter will be pleased.”

“I certainly hope so,” Joel stated as he ruffled the top of his Pokémon’s head.  “This Jigglypuff has been eager to meet their new trainer.”

“And my granddaughter has been eager to meet Jigglypuff,” the man answered with a chuckle.  “But I must say, I was not expecting a Feint Attack from a Jigglypuff.  What a stroke of genius!  I didn’t even know such a thing was possible.”

“Well I don’t cut corners with my Pokémon breeding.  Breed them from the egg till their ready for a trainer to show them the real world.”

“But you also breed Pokémon for Professor Oak, don’t you?  I’m surprised you don’t go out and become a full-time trainer yourself.”

“Aw, but then I wouldn’t be able to spend as much time raising as many Pokémon as I can.”

“I suppose that’s fair.”

They ended their conversation with hearty chuckles as they clasped shoulders with Lillie’s drooping in response.  The fact that the Jigglypuff was simply raised to go do battle for someone that they had never even met before was a little... disheartening.  But, the way everyone seemed to crowd around the Pokémon Breeder as they asked for advice on raising their own or if he could raise their Pokémon for them she thought that she perhaps didn’t have the right to judge.  Moon looked like they would have a breakdown anytime their Pokémon were away from them for more than five minutes so it just seemed like a a person should stick by their Pokemon's side no matter what.

…

But, then again, she left Nebby with Moon.

So… maybe it was for the best.

She wasn’t ready for Pokémon training like Moon was and Nebby was so anxious to get out and see the world.

She released a sigh as she moved towards the side railing as the sounds of another battle ensued in the background.  Maybe she should’ve paid attention.  Took notes on what moves each Pokémon knows, how they battled, how the bonds between trainers and Pokémon created a strength that was impossible for any person alone to do, but she just couldn’t focus on those things right now.

All she could think about was where was Moon at?

This was where all the greatest trainers and Pokémon experts in the world were supposed to gather, right?  So why wasn’t Moon in sight?

CRASH

CLATTERCLATTER

“Watch it you klutz!”

“Hey, you’re the one that said we should sneak on from the bow!”

“I said the bowls!!!  As in we sneak into one of the windows below and work our way up!”

“Well how was I supposed to know that?!”

“Um… excuse me…”

“WHAT!?!?!”

The gentleman straightened his tie and cleared his throat as he turned his gaze back to the strange duo.  “I was simply going to ask who the two of you were.”

A soft chuckle escaped the duo before they pushed past the man and posed dramatically on the rail centered to the deck.

“Prepare for trouble!”

“And make it double.”

Silence fell over the deck as all heads turned to the two newcomers who somehow managed to harness the power of the sun to spotlight their exact location.

“To infect the world with devastations!”

“To ignite all peoples within our nation.”

“To reflect the virtues of truth and love.”

“To return our gaze to the stars above.”

“Allison.”

“Clay.”

“Team Rocket is here to steal the world’s light.”

“Surrender now or there will certainly be a fight!”

The silence returned, with the sound of what Lillie thought might have been a Kricketot chirping in the background, though she knew that Pokémon wasn’t native to Kanto.  Of course, it wasn’t unlikely that someone from another region might have one on the ship somewhere.

“That’s not even the Team Rocket motto!”

“How dare you mock-!”

“MAR!!!”

“GYAHHH!!!”

The man who announced himself as Clay began rolling across the deck with his pants on fire while the Magmar’s tail flicked sporadically at the joy of stuffing their face with the all-you-can-eat buffet.  Allison held her head by two fingers as her face turned red and steam erupted from her ears.

“Clay!  What are you doing?!  Get your Magmar to do something!!!”

“But Allison, my pants!!!”

“Oh for the love of-!”

She moved to the banquet table, ripped off the tablecloth and tied the edges around her neck so that it fluttered in the breeze so the makeshift cape flowed behind her dramatically.  She then pulled out an incredibly extravagant looking net gun and fired it at Joel, capturing him and cranking a lever on the side to reel him in.

“Wah!  What are you doing?!”

“Yeah Allison, what are you doing?  I thought we were here to steal Pokémon!”

“We were, but this guy can make a whole army of them.  What’s the point of stealing a bunch of wimpy Pokémon when we can get this guy to make us a bunch of super strong ones?”

“Oh, that’s pretty smart!”

“I know right?!”

“Hey!”

Lillie ran to the center of the deck, challenging the duo for their attention.  “What do you think you’re doing?!  You can’t just abduct people like that!”

“Oh?”  The teal-haired woman asked with a flourish.  “What do you plan to do about it?”

“I…”  She flinched.  Curse her impulsiveness, what could she do?  She wasn’t a trainer!  She turned towards the crowd who had simply circled around to gawk at the child who was attempting to stop a kidnapping.  Weren’t they all trainers?  Why weren’t they doing anything?!

She shook herself out of her thoughts as she gulped deeply.  She couldn’t hesitate.  Hesitation was the enemy.  She had to act.

“I’ll take you on!”

“Oh really?”  The man with reddish-brown hair answered as he rose as menacingly as he could after the comedic event that had befallen him.  “Then we accept your challenge.  Go Magmar!  Use Flamethrower!”

“MAAAGMAAAAR!!!”

Lillie screamed as she dove to the side while the flames tore at the spot by where she was as the crowd that would’ve been hit by the blast simply parted before clapping their hands at the display.

“What are you all clapping for?!”

“Hey, where’s your Pokémon?”

“I don’t have one!”

“Then what are you doing challenging us?”  The man known as Clay asked.  “Well, I suppose it makes little difference.  You have to go through with a challenge no matter the conditions when you issue it.”

Lillie planted her hand on the deck before immediately retreating it at the feeling of something... mushy?  She looked to where the object was before getting an idea.

“Magmar use Flamethrower again!”

“MAAAG-“

“Eat this!”

“MAAAaaar-?”

The Pokémon paused as it chewed on the chocolatey confection that Lillie had found on the floor and threw into the Magmar’s mouth.  The Magmar scrunched their face up, as if determining the quality of the confection before they squealed in delight.

“Mar!”

“You liked that didn’t you?  Well there’s still more food over here if you’re hungry.”

“Magmar!”

The flame Pokémon rushed towards the table as Lillie stepped to the side, leaving a very flustered Clay in their wake.  “Wait, Magmar, don’t listen to her!  We still have a fight to finish!”

“Magmar!”

The duo groaned as Magmar stuffed their face with whatever confections they could grab hold of as Joel was getting irritated with his situation as a hostage.  “So, can you guys let me go now?”

“Quiet!  Can’t you see we’re busy?!”  Allison shouted before she turned back towards Lillie as fire blazed in her eyes.  “You may have been able to manipulate Clay’s little minion, but you won’t get past me.  Go Electabuzz!”

She threw a Pokéball as the thunder Pokémon appeared with a yawn before scratching one of their armpits.  “Electabuzz, use Thunderpunch!”

“Buuuuuuuzzzz”

The Pokémon rubbed their eyes before stretching their arms as Allison gave another groan.  “Electabuzz, do as I say or you won’t be able to get back to your nap.”

“ELECTABUZZ!!!”

Suddenly invigorated by the words the electric Pokémon rushed towards Lillie and swung a punch, but she jumped to her right and dodged it.  This was bad, she was completely defenseless against the Pokémon and nobody around was doing a single thing!

“Try it again Electabuzz, Thunderpunch!”

“BUUUZZZZ!!!”

She slipped as she tried to get up, losing the much needed time she needed in order to dodge the attack.

This was it.

CRACKLEBOOM!!!

Lillie slowly opened her eyes.  She didn’t feel any pain.  Did the Electabuzz miss?  She turned towards the Pokémon before recognizing a small figure in front of her.

“Clefairy?”

“Fairy, fair!”

She looked at the Pokémon whose coat seemed to gleam like steel as she realized that the Clefairy must have blocked the attack for her.  They breathed heavily as they eyed down the Electabuzz before running off towards it.

“Clefairy, wait!”

They jumped on top of the Electabuzz’s head as they began hitting the Pokémon sporadically while Electabuzz flailed wildly.

“Electabuzz, what are you doing?!  Just grab the cretin and get rid of it!!!”

The Pokémon did just that as they stopped to use one of their huge hands to grab the Clefairy before chucking them against one of the railings.

“Now, use Thunderpunch!”

“ELECTABUZZ!!!”

“NO!!!”

WHAM

Lillie screamed as electricity coursed through her momentarily before she dropped to her knees to be met with the concerned gaze of the fairy Pokémon.  Her fingers twitched slightly, gaining feeling again as her lips shifted into a soft smile.

“A-Are you… okay?”

“Clefairy…”

She gave two more heavy breaths before she allowed a light chuckle to escape.  “Good.”

Allison groaned in frustration, losing her patience as she gave a final order.  “Electabuzz!  Finish them off for good!”

“ELECTA!!!”

“Don’t worry Clefairy.  I’ll keep you safe.”

The sound of crackling electricity erupted behind her as she closed her eyes and turned to shield the Clefairy.

“Clefairy!”

“BUUU-!!!”

CRASH

Lillie struggled to open her eyes again.  She heard the impact, but it didn’t hit her, so who-?

“Oh my gosh!!!  It’s Red!!!!!”

“Red’s here?!”

“I need to get a picture on my Pokégear!”

She opened her eyes, sighting a boy who looked to be only a few years older than herself.  He stared down the duo over the Pikachu who was standing poised to attack the Electabuzz that was sitting in the mass of tables and had landed right on top of the Magmar that was eating earlier.

“Hey!  What do you think you’re doing?!”

The man simply raised his eyes as he tilted his hat upward to gaze at the woman.  She flinched as he let his arm fall before raising it back by his shoulder in a fist and then flinging it forward as the Pikachu began to crackle with lightning before Allison stuttered at the sight of it.

“PIIIIKAAAACHUUUUU!!!!”

The duo was blown off the ship with their Pokémon as the screamed through the air.

“TEAM ROCKET’S BAFFLED OFF AGAIN!!!”

The crowd erupted in cheers as the Pikachu hopped onto the boy’s shoulder while he offered them a smile and a pat on the head.  It wasn’t long before the boy was swarmed by the crowd as they all cheered and shouted at how incredible a trainer he was and how honored they were to be in his presence and other platitudes as Lillie tried to wrap her head around everything that happened before remembering about Joel was still caught in the net.  She rushed over to find the struggling Pokémon Breeder before she finally managed to help him out.

“Oh my gosh!  I’m so sorry about all this!  Are you okay?!”

He rose out of the net chuckling as he stretched his sore body out.  “I’m fine, no thanks to anyone but you, so you’re the last person that needs to apologize.”

“Oh… okay…” she answered back softly with her gaze turning to her lap.  She couldn’t stay somber for long as a familiar fairy Pokémon hopped onto her head.  She turned her gaze upward before it rolled down and landed on her lap.

“Clefairy!”

“Is that your Clefairy?”

“Huh?  Oh, well… no, not really… Actually, I don’t know what they're doing here,” she admitted before petting the Clefairy gently on the head.  “Weren’t you supposed to be resting up at Bill’s place?”

“Fairy?”

“Maybe Clefairy wanted to look out for you.  You did attract quite the trouble after all.  And you really don’t have any Pokémon?”

“Oh, no actually.  I came here from Alola to start a Pokémon journey, but I’ve been getting a bit sidetracked on my way to Pallet Town I guess,” she explained with a nervous chuckle before turning towards the crowd.  “But I don’t get how no one else could be bothered to help you.  How rude are they here?!”

“Meh, I wouldn’t take it too seriously.”  He answered with a shrug.  “Given the ‘mystery guest’ that people had been whispering about they probably just thought the Team Rocket gag was a ruse to give them a dramatic entrance.  Everyone knows that Team Rocket’s been disbanded for years now.”

“Who’s Team Rocket?”

“Huh?  Oh, I guess you wouldn’t have heard much about them outside of Kanto.  Basically, they were just a bunch of thugs who used Pokémon to get what they wanted.  Trying to gain world power or fame or something... something like that.  Anyways, there have been rumors of Team Rocket sightings, but they’ve probably just been ruses.  I mean, those two were obviously a joke, I can’t believe I got roped into it.”

“You really don’t think that this was something more serious?”

“Well,” Joel scratched that back of his head in thought.  “I guess at first I thought it might have been real.  I mean, I never agreed to play a hostage role, but when I saw Red I realized they probably wanted an unsuspecting victim to really let his heroism shine.”

Who’s Red.

You don’t know who Red is?!

“I… I’ve heard of that name before…”

“Well that’s not surprising,” Joel stated with a chuckle.  “He’s only the League Champion here in Kanto.  Some even believe that he’s the most skilled trainer in the entire world.”

“Wait a minute!”

He’s this super strong trainer with a Pikachu!  He single handedly took down a major crime organization in Kanto and rose to become the League Champion.  He’s also super cool!  I mean, you get all those trainers who brag about how good they are, but not him!  As a matter of fact… I’m not sure if I’ve ever heard him speak.   When they broadcasted his League Challenge he never talked to his Pokémon, but he would… gesture or something.  As if his movements could be felt by his Pokémon so that they would know what to do.

“That was Red!?!?”

“No doubt about it.  His outfit and mannerisms are just too on point to think it was anyone else.  No wonder the staff wanted to keep his presence a surprise.  This ship is going crazy.”

“Yeah…” Lillie answered softly as she looked towards the crowd.  The boy was scratching the back of his head while he mingled with the fans before their eyes met.  His eyes suddenly turned serious as he raised a flat hand to his chin, lowered it towards Lillie and made quick gestures with his hands before he ran off the deck, releasing a Charizard from a Pokeball and flying off.

I wanna be a fantastic trainer just like Red.   He's a legend.

“Fairy!”

“Whuh?”

“Fairy, fair!”

The Clefairy knocked it’s Moon stone against Lillie’s head as she rubbed the spot gingerly.  “Ow, what was tha- Hey wait!!!”

The shout came too late as the Clefairy ran off with Lillie chasing after them.  Past the doors that led to the lower level.  Past the woman who shouted at them that they needed to come back because they were about to leave soon.  Right past the exit as they ran off the gangway before the Clefairy suddenly stopped with the blonde screeching to a halt.

“Wah!  Clefairy, what are you doing?!”

“Clefairy!  Clefairy fairy fair fair fairy!”

She watched as the Pokémon pointed at the Moon stone before pointing at the peak of a mountain that was close to the direction that they had come from before-

Once you get past Mt. Moon there’s no way back.

“Oh…” she softly spoke before kneeling down to be eye level with the fairy.  “Are you trying to take that Moon Stone to Mt. Moon?”

“Clefairy!”

Lillie smiled at the reaction, guessing she must have been right based on the response.  “Well, it sounds like it’s on my way to becoming a Pokémon trainer.  Do you want to join me?”

“Fairy!”

The Clefairy jumped up to hug Lillie as she squeezed them lightly.  “Alright then.  We’ll start our journey here together.”

“Clefairy!”

The Clefairy crawled over Lillie’s shoulder to fall into her backpack as they rummaged through it before popping out wearing a familiar pink beanie.

You changed your clothes.

I… well…

It looks really good on you.

Really?  Thanks!  I was worried what you’d think since you said that… well… you liked my original look.

I did, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like this.

I’m glad.  Actually, I… I wanted you to have this…

She ran her fingers over the beanie before the blaring sound of a ship’s horn cut through the quiet evening and the boat departed from the dock.  She watched on as the boat began to head West into the glorious sunset, creating a scene that was absolutely picturesque.

“Hey, who put the ship in my sunset?”

Lillie turned towards the voice before turning back to watch the ship.

And then she screamed.

“MINA!!!”

“Huh?”  The paint-smeared artist turned towards Lillie as she rubbed her forehead, inevitably smearing more paint across her face as she did so.  “Wait, I know you.  Didn’t I give you a Fairium Z crystal?”

“What are you… wait, what?!”

“Yeah, and then you went on and became the Alolan champion right?”

Lillie let her head drop as she groaned.  “That was Moon.”

“Oh, then are you here for my captain’s challenge?  I don’t actually have one yet so here’s a crystal for you too.”

“I don’t have a Z-Ring!”

“Really?  Well, it wouldn’t hurt to hang onto it.  It might come in handy later.”

“Yes, I’m certain it will,” Lillie answered with absolute venom as she took the crystal with Clefairy climbing onto her shoulder to examine it.  She released a sigh.  “All in all, it is rather nice to see a familiar face again.  I have been feeling a bit lonely here.”

“Yeah, it is hard being away from home for so long,” Mina answered as she took another stroke of her brush to her canvas.  “But at least the S.S. Anne stops at places like this that offers great inspiration for art.”

“Yeah…” Lillie answered dreamily before turning in shock.  “Wait!  You were on the S.S. Anne?!”

“Yeah, why?”

Lillie pointed towards the end of the dock where Mina cast her gaze before following it to the ship that was now sailing off into the horizon.

“Oh… so that’s who put a boat in my sunset.  Well, I guess that means I’m staying here for a while.”

“How can you be so calm about this?!”

“Well, there’s not much I can do about it now.  Besides, it’s not like this is anything new, no one will miss me too much.”

“Huh?”  Lillie paused as she hugged one of her elbows.  “But… what about your parents?  And your duties as a captain?”

“Again, my parents are used to me going missing for weeks at a time.  I can just call them and let them know what’s up.  Besides, Nanu always carries a bunch of extra Fairium Z crystals just in case.  Again, these things happen pretty often.”

“Hm…” Lillie paused for a moment, rocking from heel to toe as she searched for the best words to use in order to convey her next thought.  “Well… would you want to come with me?  I’m starting a Pokémon journey and was just about to head to Pallet Town.”

“Huh?  Hm…” the Alolan captain raised her brush in thought, causing paint to splatter across her chin before she shrugged her shoulders.  “Why not?  I might find more things to paint if I join you.  Sounds like a good idea.”

Lillie cheered as she hopped in place.  “Awesome!  Okay, so we need to get through Diglett Cave to get to Pallet Town so I can talk to Professor Oak.  Then we can head to Mt. Moon for Clefairy.”

“Hm?  Are you planning on releasing that Clefairy?”

“Wha- No!  I mean… not technically.  This Clefairy isn’t actually mine," Lillie answered as she grabbed the Clefairy off her shoulder to hold them.  “Why did you think I was releasing them?”

“Mt. Moon is said to be the place where all Clefairy come from so a lot of people release them there.”

“Oh,” Lillie stated softly as she turned her gaze to the fairy Pokémon.  “So, you’re trying to get home then?”

“Fairy?”

Lillie gave a soft smile as she ruffled the Clefairy’s head before taking the pink beanie back.  The Clefairy looked around before seeing the hat in Lillie's hand and reaching for it causing the girl to giggle.  “You really like this hat, don’t you Clefairy?”

“Fairy!”

She chuckled again before handing it back as the Clefairy hurriedly put it back on its head.  “Alright, I’ll let you hold onto it for now.”

“Clefairy!”

“And done!”

They turned to the fairy captain who blew over her painting to help it dry faster before putting away her collapsible easel and turning back to the duo.  “Well, we better get a hotel.  No sense camping if we’re in a town.”

“Only sensible thing you’ve said all night.”

“Jeez you sound like my parents.”

Lillie giggled before walking back towards the city with the largest smile that could grace her face.

“Well, we'd better get going then," she answered with a smile.

"After all, tomorrow's bound to be a crazy day."

Chapter Text

She couldn’t believe this was happening.  Right before she was going to start her own Pokémon journey and everything!

Well, okay, she’d been saying that a lot lately.  And yes!  She did know she couldn’t officially start her journey until she checked in with Professor Oak.  She knew that already!

But, she also knew that Diglett Cave was the only way to Pallet Town and that, unfortunately, was no longer an option with the yellow CAUTION tape that was sprawled across the cave entrance and a DO NOT ENTER sign greeting them in front.

Lillie gave a sigh.  “What should we do now Mina?”

“Wow, these are some really cool stalagmites in here.”

“Yes, this is a- wait a minute,” Green eyes turned to Mina who was standing right beyond the tape before Lillie screamed.  “MINA!!!  What are you doing?!?!”

She tilted her head as the infinitely indifferent gaze of the fairy captain bore into her.  “What are you doing?  You’re not going to get anywhere if you’re standing out there.”

“But you can’t just trespass!”  Lillie shouted as she looked around her desperately.  “You could get in trouble!”

“Why would it get me in trouble?  I’m a Pokémon Captain on the most dangerous island in Alola, and this tape just tells me that I should keep my Pokémon ready.”

“Actually, it says ‘Do Not Enter,’” Lillie seethed as her shoulders tensed.  “In case you weren’t sure how to read.”

“If it were really serious then they would have someone warding us away as opposed to leaving some tape around,” MIna announced as she continued to explore the cave mouth.  “Besides, you’re never going to become a trainer if you’re too scared to enter the places that Pokémon live in.”

“I’m not scared!”  Lillie shouted before she crossed her arms.  “I’m just being considerate of authority.”

“Well, whatever you say.  Let me know if Machop guy ever gets that land stomped down for his new building.”

“Hey, wait-!”

But the fairy captain simply disappeared in the cave as Lillie gave a huff.  “Oh well, we can just wait here until whatever is going on finishes, right Clefairy?”

“Fairy!”

The Clefairy struggled out of her arms as she tried to stop them but, just like Mina they decided to blatantly ignore the signs and warnings and rushed straight into the cave as Lillie stomped her foot.  “Fine!  You can just get to Mt. Moon on your own, see if I care!”

She muttered irritably to herself as she turned away from the cave entrance.  “Stupid, hyperactive fairy people.”

She kept her arms crossed as she heard the sound of a door swinging open before a familiar old man with a Machop walked out.  “Oh, hello there deary!  Did I tell you that I’m going to build my own building here one day?  I’ve been working diligently for almost two years now to get the ground stomped flat for building.”

Lillie groaned before rushing towards the cave.  “Mina!  Clefairy!  Wait for me!”

She rushed towards the yellow tape as she crawled between the spaces to find herself in a large cavern as Mina stood in the center with the Clefairy before turning and sending the Pokémon a smile.  “See, I told you she would show up.”

“Clefairy!”

The Clefairy rushed towards Lillie with arms outstretched and pleading eyes as they stretched further on tiptoes.  “Fairy?”

Lillie sighed before picking up the Pokémon and ruffling their head that still held her friend’s old hat.  “What would you do without me?”

The response was muffled as the fairy Pokémon nuzzled deeper into her arms and she gave a light chuckle before Mina’s voice cut through.  “So, are you ready to do what it takes to be a real Pokémon trainer?”

“You mean trespassing?”

Mina offered a shrug before revealing the ladder she was standing in front of.  “It means doing whatever it takes to move forward.  To not let any obstacle stop you, but also to know that you will have to learn to be stronger than those obstacles in order to move forward.  It’s an unwritten rule, but the world doesn’t belong to anyone, which means that trainers cannot be barred from any area.  But that also means that any dangers that a trainer walks into are solely their responsibility.”

For the first time in her life, Lillie swore that the captain’s eyes turned serious as she turned her gaze towards Lillie.  “Are you ready to accept that responsibility?”

“I…” she paused, turning back to the Clefairy who looked just as curious about her answer as the captain was, but that was all it took.  Just knowing that Clefairy was there.  She cleared her throat and shook her head.  “I’m ready, let’s do this.”

Mina nodded solemnly as she stepped to the side.   “After you.”

Lillie sighed, letting the Clefairy down as she moved towards the ladder before dropping down to the lower level where her jaw dropped.  The Clefairy hopped on her head before Mina showed up behind her.  “Whoa, this is a mess.”

Lillie shook her head before turning on Mina.  “Of course it looks like a mess!  This is exactly why we should’ve just stayed in Vermillion City.  There’s no way we can get through this!”

Lillie pointed down the tunnel where, just ten feet ahead of them, was the sight of a massive rockfall that obviously no one had taken the time to clear out yet.  Of course, Lillie was certain that if this was the only route to Pallet Town from any city east of Mt. Moon then someone should’ve cared enough to clear it out.

“We’ll be fine.”

“How can we possibly be fine!  And how could I buy into your ridiculous ‘trainers can go anywhere’ talk.  Isn’t that precisely what the trial guides were for?!”

“What are you talking about?  Why would there be trial guides on Poni Island?”

Lillie immediately moved to retort before she paused to think on that statement.  Mina must have spent most of her time as a trainer on Poni Island, which was already home to the most fearsome Pokémon in Alola.  If you were on that island, then it was probably assumed that you were either strong enough to get wherever you wanted to on that island or smart enough to not leave Seafolk Village.  Lillie released a sigh as she hugged Clefairy slightly tighter.  “Okay, ignore that comment.  How are you planning on getting past this?”

Mina stretched her arms and cracked her knuckles and neck as she turned back to the landfall.  “I’m gonna show these rocks I’m stronger.”

“Wha- but how?!”

“You might wanna step back.”

“Ah-…” Lillie paused, watching as Mina shuffled through her bag before deciding to take her advice.  She took a step back and watched anxiously as Mina dug through her belongings.  It was amazing just how much could fit in one of those bags, though Lillie wasn’t expecting what the fairy captain eventually pulled out.

“Mina… please don’t tell me-”

“Alright, time to put this thing to work.”

Lillie began to panic as she watched Mina step towards the landfall with a giant mallet.  She couldn’t stop the screaming plea that escaped her as Mina readied a swing.

“Mina, don’t!  Don’t you know what will-!”

“ROOOOCK SMASH!”

BOOOOOM

The cave reverberated as Lillie fell to the ground to cover her head.  “This is it Clefairy!  I’m sorry I couldn’t get you home!”

“Fair…”

She kept the Clefairy close to her as she awaited the end that Mina had assuredly brought upon them.

…

“Hm, well that didn’t do anything.”

“Huh?”  Lillie rose to her feet as she looked around.  The shakes had subsided and it appeared that there were no cave-ins created by the captain’s rash behavior.  She released a sigh as she held Clefairy close.  “Thank goodness.”

“Maybe I just didn’t hit it rig-“

“NOOOO!!!”

The sound of rumbling spread through the cave as Lillie flinched in response before a few measly pebbles skipped down the rockfall to land before Mina.  They both looked at the pebbles momentarily before Lillie began to seethe.  “Are you insane?!”

Mina shrugged.  “I guess it depends on who you’re using as your standard of sanity.”

“Well, I would know better than to maul a fresh rockfall!  You could’ve started a cave-in!”

“I suppose that’s true, but if it were up to you we’d wait outside this cave for who knows how long for someone else to take care of this mess.”

“Which is precisely what we should’ve done!”

“If you say so,” Mina responded indifferently.  “Of course, by my standard of sanity, you’re a bit too uptight.”

“Excuse me!”

“Anyways, if we’re not going through the rockfall, then we may as well look for a way around it.”

Lillie heaved a sigh as she shook her head.  “Well, good luck with that.  If you need me, I’ll be back at-”

“Found it.”

“Ah, what?”

“Up there,” Mina answered in her usual mellow tone as she pointed to the top of a craggy cliff.  There was a gap between the rockfall and cave wall that looked like it could lead further into the cave.   Lillie wasn’t impressed.

“Right, of course.  Just at the top of a cliff that we have no way of getting-”

“Rock climb!”

CLANK

Lillie watched as Mina tugged on the end of the rope to make sure that it was secure.  “Time to go up.”

“Mina, honestly, why do you have a grappling hook?”

“Don’t you know that some of the best views are at high vantage points?  I’ve gotta be prepared for wherever inspiration takes me.”

“Oookaaayy,” Lillie relented, admitting to herself that the explanation was actually sensible.  At least, as sensible as Mina could be.  “But what’s with the giant hammer then?”

“It’s for sculpting.”

Lillie smacked her face as she began to wonder if she’d given Mina too much credit.

“Any other questions?”

“Not that I’d bother to ask, why?”

“Because I was going to ask you when you were finally planning on coming up here.”

Lillie turned her gaze towards where Mina was before following the rope up to where she had arrived at.  “Uh… um…”

“Come on Lillie.  I’ll wait right here for you.”

“I… ah… uh…” Lillie couldn’t find the words.  She’d never actually had to scale a cliff before, nor did she remember Moon or Hau doing so either.  Of course, she wasn’t counting their trek up Mt. Lanakila since elevators were provided there, so why didn’t Kanto have them?

“Hey, Lillie, are you okay?”

“Clefairy?”

Lillie paused as she looked at the small Pokémon that was snuggled in her arms wearing Moon’s old beanie.

She couldn’t hesitate.

“Hey, you’re not afraid of heights are you?  I can try rock smash agai-”

“Nope!  Nope!  I’m coming!  No need to go hammer crazy in here haha,” Lillie tried to joke awkwardly, but it fell flat.  At least when she looked up from the bottom of the rope the cliff looked a little slanted and there were plenty of footholds so it wouldn’t be as difficult as climbing a sheer cliff.  She gulped deeply before the Clefairy bounced out of her arms and she called after them.

“Wha- Clefairy?!”

The Pokémon hopped up the rocks before pointing back at the rope.  “Clefairy!  Fairy fair!”

She watched as the Clefairy frantically pointed and gestured towards the rope and Mina as Lillie tensed slightly.  “If you say so…”

She gingerly reached for the rope, letting her fingers glide across its weaving before finally taking hold of it.  She tightened her grip, letting her fingers dig into the strands before she gave a sigh.  She could do this!  She just needed to-

“Fairy?”

She looked towards the voice as she saw she had climbed up the first set of rocks.  A nervous chuckle escaped her.  She was doing it!  Just one step at a time!  She could do it!  She was just a few steps away and-

The rocks crumbled as she lost her footing.  A light scream escaped her as she braced herself for a fall.

“Don’t worry, I got you.”

She opened her eyes as she saw Mina who had a tight grip on her wrist and was helping her up.

“Um… thanks…”

“Anytime.”

Mina turned to head forward as Lillie hugged one of her elbows before turning back.  “W-Wait, Mina?”

“Hm… What’s up?”

The grip tightened around her elbow as she turned back towards the cliff.  “I… I’m sorry.  I’m probably such a burden to you.  I mean, I belittle your ideas and then you-”

“Lillie, there’s no need for that,” MIna responded as she offered a soft smile.  “Besides, I know I’m not everyone’s typical company.  I do things differently, but I like the way I do things.”

Green eyes turned towards Mina, feeling relieved at her unrelenting support before she shook her head.  “I just… I’m not sure if I’m cut out for this kinda thing.”

“But you were at Vast Poni Canyon, right?”

Lillie hummed as she gave a shrug.  “I suppose, but I was really just following Moon.  I’ve never done a journey on my own.”

“Well, neither did Moon if you were with them, right?”

Lillie turned to gaze at the captain as she pondered the thought.  “You know, I guess I never thought of that.”

“That’s what’s nice about being a Pokémon trainer,” Mina answered nonchalantly.  “As long as your Pokémon are with you, you’re never really alone.”

Lillie let her green gaze fall as she felt a small tug on her skirt.

“Clefairy?”

A soft smile spread across her lips as she moved a fallen strand of hair behind her ear.  “I’m sorry. I’m stalling and being melodramatic.”

“Clefairy.”

She laughed at the small Pokémon’s admonishing tone before she offered a hand.  “Well, I won’t keep you waiting much longer.  Let’s get going.”

“Clefairy!”

The Pokémon cheered as they rushed up Lillie’s arm to balance on her shoulder.  “Fairy!”

“Yes!  Forward and onward!”  Lillie agreed as she walked through the small crevice that led past the rockfall.  The other side didn’t look much clearer, but there was at least a way to walk around the fallen boulders.  She also noticed that there were bridges they could cross so that they wouldn’t have to worry about climbing back to ground level.  Of course, she wasn’t sure where the exit to the place was, but it shouldn’t be too hard to find it if they just followed the path.

“So, which way do we go Lillie?”

“Huh?  Wait, why are you asking me?!”

“It’s your journey, right?”

Lillie locked gazes with Mina for a moment before she gave a stern nod.  “Let’s take the bridge.  If someone took the time to build it then it must lead somewhere.”

“Sounds good,” Mina responded simply as Lillie led the way.  She couldn’t help but be curious as she drew up comparisons from what she had known of Diglett Tunnel in Alola.  She knew the path there was completely created by the Diglett who resided there, which she had heard was also true of Diglett Cave in Kanto.  So what kind of Diglett knew how to build a bridge?

They began to cross the bridge, noticing slight movements in the rocks beneath them that Lillie found increasingly concerning.  “Mina, have you been hearing anything below us?”

“I wouldn’t worry too much about it.  This is Diglett Cave right?  We’re bound to find some Diglett then.”

Lillie gave an affirming hum as she kept her eyes straight ahead.  No looking down and starting to panic about the drop, oh no!  She was going to face her challenges head on like a true Pokémon trainer!

And then the shaking began.

She held fast to the rope railing before she turned back to the captain.  “Mina?”

“Run!”

They both rushed forward, picking up speed as the bridge rustled beneath them before they saw a Diglett on the other side that buried itself back underground.  A dirt trail led from where they were to one of the stakes that was holding the bridge in place.  The stake plopped out, causing the bridge to shift as Lillie screamed.

“We can still make it!  We just gotta climb across!”

The Diglett popped out to glare at the two of them before Lillie got an idea.

“Clefairy!  Go distract the Diglett!”

The Clefairy cried out as they climbed to the top rope and ran across before landing a hit against the Diglett.

“Keep it up Clefairy!  Use Doubleslap!”

The Clefairy rushed towards the Diglett, slapping past and around the Diglett, but the accuracy wasn’t as important as keeping the Diglett away from the bridge.  “You’re doing great Clefairy!  Keep it up!”

Lillie groaned as she climbed across the ropes, managing to use them like monkey bars as she and Mina made their way across.  “Just a little longer.”

The Diglett seemed to hear as they turned towards them.  Their eyes were ablaze before they moved to knock the final stake off as Lillie screamed.

“Clefairy use Sing!”

A wondrous melody erupted from the Pokémon as the Diglett’s movements slowed.  They began to grow drowsy from the melody before their movements were completely halted, giving the two the time they needed to get to the other cliff.  Lillie immediately rushed towards the Clefairy and gave them a giant hug.

“Thank you so much Clefairy!  You were great!”

“Fairy!”

Mina arrived as she knelt next to her.  “You were pretty great too Lillie.  That was some quick thinking.”

“Thanks Mina!”

Mina hummed in response as they reveled in their victory before the sound of rustling returned their attention to the wild Pokémon.  Lillie hurried up to her feet and rushed towards the Diglett.  “Are you okay?!”

The Diglett shook their head vigorously before turning back to Lillie and shouting vehemently.  “Diglett!  Dig dig Diglett!!!”

“Clefairy, fair!”

The Diglette turned towards the Clefairy before starting the shouting match over again.  “Diglett!  Diglett let Dig!”

“Fairy fairy, Cefairy!”

“Mina, what’s going on?”

“They’re discussing something.”

“I know that much,” Lillie huffed.  “But what are they talking about?”

MIna simply shrugged her shoulders and hummed in uncertainty while the two Pokémon continued their talk.  Eventually, the Diglett disappeared underground with the Clefairy shouting after them as the two ran towards the Pokémon.

“Clefairy, what happened?!”

“Fairy!  Clefairy fairy fair Clef Clefairy!!!”

“Um…” Lillie tilted her head as she completely blanked.  “Can you maybe repeat that please?”

The Clefairy sighed before grabbing the hat off their head.  “Fairy.”

“Hat?”

The Clefairy smacked their head before putting the hat back on.  “Clefairy!  Fairy, fair fair fairy, Clefa fa fairy!”

Lillie tilted her head as she watched the Pokémon gesture to the hat and the rocks and themselves before Lillie thought she got the idea.  “That Diglett… lost their friend in a rockfall… and then we showed up?”

“Fairy!”

“Hm… that gives me an idea.”

Lillie looked up before Mina pulled out a Pokéball.  “Let’s go Clefable.”

“Clefable!”

Lillie silently oohed at the Pokémon as Mina wore the same indifferent look she always wore.  “Clefable, do you think you can help us sleuth a missing Diglett?”

“Fable!”

The Pokémon’s ears twitched before it rushed forward and dug its hands into the ground causing a Diglett to pop out.  Lillie knelt to talk to them.  “Um… are you looking for a friend you might’ve been separated from?”

“Diglett!”

The Pokémon immediately ducked back into the ground as Lillie released a sigh.

“Well, that was a dud.  Let’s keep looking.”

“Wait, what?”

“Clefable, you getting any-”

“No, Mina wait!  Are you seriously going to try to talk to every Diglett in this cave?”

“Why not?  How hard could it be to find a Diglett in DIglett Cave?”

Lillie groaned.  “It wouldn’t be hard if we were looking for any Diglett.  But finding a specific Diglett in a cave full of Diglett…”

Mina hummed as she grabbed her Pokéball.  “I get you.  Anyway, you can come back Clefable.  Thanks so much for your help.”

The Clefable cheered before returning to their Pokéball.  “Alright Lillie, what’s the plan?”

Lillie hummed in thought.  Clefairy said that the rockfall was important to the Diglett, and then they arrived.  There had to be a connection…

She looked down into the canyon, the rocks that were on the ground didn’t look like they were part of a major rockslide.  They were isolated with varying sizes and- was one of them moving?

She rushed towards the edge before sliding down to the lower level and hurrying to the rock as Mina followed quickly.

“Lillie!  What are you doing?!”

“I think the Diglett might be under this rock!”

“What?!”

Lillie groaned as she tried to push the rock.  “The Diglett’s here!  We gotta get the rock off!”

“Oh, right!”  Mina moved to help push the boulder as the two of them managed to get it out of the way before.

“Dig…”

“Dang, they’re in rough shape.”

“That’s why I always keep these handy!”

The ever-prepared Lillie raised a handful of potions up to the air before taking one and applying it to the Diglett.  “Come on Diglett, please be okay.”

She applied the spray to the Pokémon but it seemed like it wasn’t going to do any good.  She sighed as Mina wrapped an arm around her shoulder.  “Lillie…”

Lillie gave a soft hum as she refused to meet the captain’s gaze.

“You can look Lillie, it’ll be alright.”

“But…”

“Dig…lett…?”

She looked up to watch as the small Pokémon slowly rose up to full height and began looking around.  “Dig… Lett… Dig?”

Lillie restrained her cracking laugh as she watched the Diglett slowly move quicker.  “Diglett… Dig… Lett?”

“Diglett!!!”

The previous Diglett popped out of the ground with a cheer as they began to rush around the newfound one.  “Diglett, Diglett, Diglett!”

“DIglett!”

“Clefairy!”

The Clefairy jumped off of Lillie’s shoulder as it rushed to get in the conversation.  “Fairy, fairy, Clefairy!”

“Dig?”

“Diglett!”

The first Diglett turned towards the duo as they gave a slight bow.  “Diglett, dig!”

“Huh?”  Lillie turned towards the Clefairy who seemed to motion for her to say something as she began to stutter.  “Oh, um… it’s no worries!  I’m glad you have your friend back.”

“Dig!”

“Diglett!”

They both popped back underground while Lillie gave a sigh and Mina gave her a soft smile.  “Lillie, you’re doing great.”

“You think so?”  She gave her friend a hopeful smile before the Clefairy jumped on her head.

“Fairy!”

She laughed as she grabbed the Clefairy from off her head.  “Well, if the both of you say so,” she turned her head towards the end of the tunnel.  “Guess I’m not doing too bad for not being an official trainer yet.”

“Well, we’re pretty close to that moment now, aren’t we?”

Lillie gave a laugh, but it was more out of nervous excitement than anything else.  They were at the exit to Diglett Cave.

Pallet Town, here she comes.

Chapter Text

They had finally made it!

Well, they had just gotten out of Diglett Cave, but Lillie figured that was reason enough to celebrate as she stretched out in the sunlight.

“Whoa, check out this tree.”

Lillie gave a sigh.  Mina had been helpful, but she could still be a handful at times.

“Yes Mina?  What about the tree-?”

“Cut!”

There was the sound of shattering bark as Lillie covered her ears.  “Mina!  What was that for?!”

“What?  Now we can go through.”

“Clefairy!”

Lillie sighed.  How did she get mixed up in this crowd again?  “That’s nice Mina, but we don’t need to explore further in the woods.  We just need to head straight to Pallet Town from here.”

“Excuse me.  Who might you two be?”

They turned to find a man with messy black hair and a lab coat who was looking at them curiously.

“Oh, I’m Mina, and this is my friend Lillie.”

“Wait!  Mina, we’re not supposed to talk to strangers!”

“Well he’d already know my name after you shouted it like that.”

“But-!”

“Wait, is your name Lillie?  As in, Lillie from the Alola Region?”

The girl in question took a shaky step back, trying hard to find her voice.  “Y-Yes…”

“Oh good, you were able to make it!  Professor Oak has been worried about you.”

“Wait,” Lillie paused as she gave a skeptical look.  “You know Professor Oak?”

“Of course!  I’m one of his lab assistants after all!”

“Well, isn’t that convenient.”

Lillie couldn't help but scoff at Mina’s comment.  “Well, I suppose it is.”  She turned her gaze back towards the man.  "But, why are you all the way out here?  Is this Pallet Town?”

“Huh?  Oh no, you just found our outpost outside of Diglette Cave.  Pallet Town is still a ways south, but this route is convenient for getting between Pewter and Viridian without going through the forest.”

“That is convenient.”

“It would be more so if the lab was closer," Lillie muttered as she crossed her arms.

“Well... I could take you there in my car.”

“You can?!”

“Of course!”

Lillie cheered before rushing over to the assistant.  “Oh, thank you!  That’s fantastic, right Mina!”

“I’ll pass.”

“What?!?!”

Mina gave a shrug as she tightened her shoulder strap.  “You can go ride in the car if you want, but I’d rather walk.  There’re lots of adventures you can miss if you’re in a vehicle.”

Lillie paused to look at the captain for a moment before turning back to the man.  “I suppose I have to agree with Mina.  Thank you for the offer though.”

“You’re changing your mind?”

“I hope you’ll forgive me for my indecisiveness, but I came here to get stronger and have an adventure,” she gave a soft smile before turning back to her friend.  “If I were to miss out on even a single adventure during my time here then I know I’d never forgive myself.  I may be tired from our adventures in Diglett Cave, but I can’t make excuses for myself.  I’m here to become a real Pokémon trainer, and I can’t miss the opportunity of meeting new Pokémon.”

“Clefairy!”

Lillie chuckled as she rubbed the Clefairy’s head.  “Yeah, just like how I met you.”

“So, it’s settled then?”

“Yep,” Lillie announced as she grabbed the straps of her backpack.  “I’m joining you on foot.”

“Sounds good.”

“Say, if you’re heading to Pallet Town would you mind if I ask a favor?”

Lillie hummed to affirm the question before the man continued.  “Even though you’re using this route as a shortcut to Pallet Town it’ll only get you as far as Viridian City.   When you get there would you mind stopping by the PokéMart?  I got word that the professor had a package arrive there.”

“Weren’t you just going to drive us to Pallet town?”

The man blanched at Mina’s question as he rubbed the back of his head.  “I mean, well, I was, but you declined and-”

“We’ll pick it up for you.  It’s on the way, right?”

“Really?  Thank you!  I don’t have much but, here you should have this.”

The man handed Lillie an item that she looked it over thoroughly, finding absolutely no significance in the item.  “A flashlight?”

“Yeah.  If you’re going on a journey then you’re bound to come across Dark Cave.  Its name is rather literal with it being pitch-black inside, so you’ll want to have that handy.”

“Hey, check it out, mine looks exactly like it.”

Mina pulled out her own flashlight as she began to randomly flash the trees near them causing Lillie give a sigh.  “Well, thank you for all your help.”

“It’s no problem.  And if you need any more assistance you can talk to me or Oak’s other assistants.  We tend to be around.”

“Thank you.  You take care now.”

“Later assistant man.”

“Take care, and stay safe!”

Lillie gave a polite wave as Mina simply walked straight on ahead.  The path wasn’t too long, though Lillie remained alert in case there was a run-in with a wild Pokémon on their way south, but they never seemed to leave the forest.  Eventually they came across another skinny tree that Mina hacked to pieces as they walked into town.

“What are you rapscallions doing around here?!”

“Huh?  What?”

“We’re walking down this road sir,” Mina explained causally.   “What are you doing here old man?”

“What am I doing?  Well, I’ll tell you what I’m doing!  I’m just trying to have a peaceful walk around the forest entrance without random whippersnappers bullying an elder like me!”

“What?  But, we would never-!”

“Oh, it’s just been awful!  First my coffee machine breaks down, then some hooligans claiming to be Team Rocket minions demanded I reopen the gym and now you two are harassing me!  What else does the world want from me?!”

“Wait a minute," realization dawned on Lillie as she redirected her attention towards the man.  "What do you mean by Team Rocket?!”

“I already told you, they’re at the gym!  What more do you want from me?!”

“Lillie?  What’s going on?”

“We have to go to the gym!”  Lillie announced as she ran in the direction towards town before turning back quickly to give a bow.  “Thank you so much for your help, I apologize for the bother we caused you.”

She didn’t wait for a response before running off again, searching the town frantically though with little effort since it was rather small.  The Team Rocket uniforms did stand out, as did the familiar duo that sat on the edge of a ledge with an Electabuzz laying flat on the ground asleep and the Magmar stuffing their face full of food.

“What do we do now Allison?  This gym was our only lead.”

“I know that Clay!  I’m trying to think!”

“Hey!”

They both turned quickly towards the voice before immediately getting into a defensive stance.

“What are you doing here?!”

“That’s exactly what I was going to ask you!”  Lillie retorted to Clay as she set her hands on her hips.  “And why are you harassing people around here?!”

“That’s none of your business!”  Allison shouted back.  “And if you’ve got a problem with us then you’d better prepare for trouble!”

“And make it double!”

“You’re not going to say the same catchphrase you did on the boat, are you?”

They ignored her question as they both began to pose dramatically in front of the ledge.  “To infest the world with devastations!”

“To incite all peoples within our nation!”

“Wait a minute, that’s not your line!”

“Well you don’t know your lines either!”

The two began to bicker amongst each other as Lillie simply watched on dumbstruck.

“Clefairy?”

She numbly pet the top of her Pokemon's head as her green eyes remained transfixed on the scene ahead.  “I don’t know Clefairy.  I really don’t know.”

There was the sound of footsteps approaching her, but she didn’t bother turning to see who it was.  There was a pause beside her as she knew the newcomer must have been just as confused by the sight of the too possible criminal syndicate members having a fit while an Electabuzz snored contentedly to the side and a Magmar continued licking crumbs off their plate.  Eventually, the newcomer decided to make their presence known.

“What’s going on Lillie?”

“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Clefairy," she answered without moving her gaze.  "I really don’t know.”

Mina hummed before turning back to the duo.  “Hey!  Weird people!”

“WHO ARE YOU CALLING WEIRD!!!”

“What are you two doing here?  You’re blocking the entrance to the gym.”

“Psh, as if it makes any difference!  The gym’s closed.”

“What!”

Lillie couldn’t stay silent after that last comment.  “But, if this gym is closed, then how am I supposed to battle the leader to continue my journey.”

“Well, I don’t know anything about the gym leader, but I can tell you your journey ends here.”

“Yeah, we won’t let you get away after humiliating us on the S.S. Anne.  Go Electabuzz!”

“Let’s do this Magmar!”

They both posed with their arms outstretched, sending their Pokémon off to battle as the two Pokémon blatantly ignored the orders.  Sweat began to bead across their foreheads before they rushed to their respective Pokémon.  Clay grabbed the plate from Magmar and chucked it to the side as he pleaded with the Pokémon to attack while Allison frantically shouted at Electabuzz while spraying them with an awakening to get them into the fight.  The Pokémon suddenly perked up before assuming fighting positions with their trainers resuming their dramatic poses.

“Alright let’s do this!  Magmar use Flamethrower!”

“Electabuzz, use Thundershock!”

Magmar took a deep inhale while Electabuzz began charging electricity in their fur before they both let loose their attacks.  Lillie began to panic, pulling Clefairy closer to her and turning around to shield them from the blast as she struggled to get out of the fight.

“Clefable, use Light Screen.”

“Fable!”

There was the deafening sound of roaring flames and crackling lightning as Lillie turned around to see the fairy captain standing amidst the flashing lights that the Clefable managed to suppress before they disappeared altogether.  She rose to her feet before softly murmuring her admiration of Mina when the captain called her out.

“Hey, you can’t be a trainer if you don’t let your Pokémon battle you know.”

“Huh?”

The Clefairy struggled within her arms before managing to pop themself out and rushing towards the Clefable as Mina addressed her.

“It’s noble of you to want to protect Clefairy, but you have to let them battle so that they can grow.”

“But… but Clefairy’s not really my Pokémon.  I’m just trying to help them get to Mt. Moon.”

A soft chuckle escaped Mina before she turned back to the fairy Pokémon.  “It may just be me, but I think Clefairy is just as determined to help you grow as a trainer as you are to help them get home.”

Lillie paused, she had never thought that the Clefairy would actually be concerned about her journey.  She turned towards the small fairy Pokémon as they caught each other’s eyes and Clefairy gave a bright smile.  A soft giggle escaped Lillie before the captain turned back to the scene ahead.  “So, you mind helping me out?  These two look like they’re waiting to be taught some proper Pokémon etiquette.”

“Ready whenever you are!”

The smoke cleared as the sight of the two Rocket members returned.  “What?  That didn’t do anything!”

“Well then try it again!  Electabuzz use Thunder Punch!”

“Magmar, use Fire Punch!”

The two ran alongside each other, powering up opposite hands before leaping in the air to bring their fists down on their opponents.

“Clefairy, use defense curl!”

“Fairy!”

WHOOOOOSH

Both the Pokémons' fists came down as the Clefairy took the attacks head on, holding their ground before grabbing both of the fists and turning to look at them.

“Now Clefairy, use sing!”

The Clefairy sang, sending both of them into a deep sleep before they both crashed to the ground as Clay tore at his hair.

“How dare you!  You can’t just put our Pokémon to sleep like that!  Do you have any idea how hard it was to get them to battle in the first place?!”

“Forget about that Clay, I still have some awakenings left.  We can keep this-!”

“Clefable, use Moonblast.”

“CLEEEFABLE!!!”

BOOOOOOM

“TEAM ROCKET’S CRASHING OFF AGAIN!!!”

TING

Clefairy and Clefable cheered as Lillie ran off to congratulate them.  “Fantastic job you two!  You were both incredible!”

“You know, I’m pretty sure that wasn’t the Team Rocket exit line.”

“Huh?  What does that matter Mina?”

Mina offered a shrug before turning back towards her Clefable.  “Awesome job out there, partner.  You should get some rest.”

The Clefable cheered before dispersing in a red light and returning to their Pokéball as Lillie turned to her own Pokémon.  “What about you Clefairy?  Are you hurt?”

“Clefairy!”

She released a sigh before turning her smile back towards her partner.  “Good to hear.”

Mina offered the two a soft smile before turning to look off the ledge.  “Man, the view is really great here.  You can even see Pallet Town from here.”

“Yeah… wait, what?”

Mina pointed straight south as Lillie rose to her feet.  “See those houses just past the blue roof?  That’s the only town south of here before the ocean.  It looks like it’s straight downhill from here.”

“We’re almost there…” Lillie stated with a sigh as a lazy smile crossed her face.  “Wait, did you mention a blue roof?”

“Hm?  Yeah, you mean the one right there?”

She moved her finger to the small building in front of them before Lillie cheered.  “Alright!  We just need to pick up the package and then we can head to Pallet Town!”

She jumped off the ledge with Clefairy close in tow.  It was nice that the ledge was small enough to jump down although it was too tall to climb back up again.  That didn’t matter though, she could worry about the abandoned gym later.  She walked straight into the door, breathing heavily as the sales clerk looked at her warily.

“Um… can I help you?”

“I’m here for a package for Professor Oak.  His aide on Route 2 asked me to pick it up and deliver it to him.”

The clerk laughed before shuffling through the miscellaneous items beneath the counter.  “Aw, Larry’s too lazy to deliver it himself eh?  I guess I don’t see any of Oak's other assistants coming up from Pallet Town either.  You’d think he'd make them be useful once in a while.”

A light giggle escaped Lillie.  “Well, I’m sure they’re busy with something if they can’t make it here.”

“You see, you’re too understanding,” the man said with a huff as he brought a parcel to the counter.  “Making kids run around and do their errands.  If this parcel was so important then someone should’ve come for it.”

“Well, I can take care of it now so it’s not on your shoulders anymore.”

“Clefairy!”

The man chuckled as he shook his head.  “Well, if you say so.  At the very least getting to Pallet Town should be easy.  It’s all downhill from here and if you take the ledges then you can get there without walking through any tall grass.  So you won’t have to worry about running into any Pokémon on your way down.”

“Hey, that is rather convenient.  Thank you so much!”

“Hey, thanks for delivering the package.  You stay safe now.”

“Of course!”

She moved to head out before Mina walked in the door right in front of her.  “Where are you going?  I thought you needed to pick something up.”

“Already got it!  Now we can head to Pallet Town!”

“Alright, just let me restock my paints real fast-”

“Sorry, this is a Pokémon store.  We don’t sell paints here.”

“That’s a bummer, anyways, guess we’re off to Pallet town.”

Lillie rolled her eyes as she followed Mina out the door.  Mina might have been a space case, but her presence was definitely growing on her.

“Fairy!”

She turned to the Clefairy who climbed up to her shoulder before standing dramatically to point towards Route 1.  “Clefairy, fair!”

A soft giggle escaped Lillie.  “That’s right Clefairy, we’re heading to Pallet Town.”

She reached a hand up to pet the Pokémon before she voiced a final thought.

“And I promise Clefairy, I’ll become a great trainer that you will be proud to fight alongside before returning home.”

Chapter Text

“We finally made it!”

Lillie stretched her free arm as Clefairy struggled to stay balanced on her head.

“Well, we’re not totally there yet.  Don’t we still need to get to Oak's lab?”

“Don’t be such a downer Mina,” Lillie responded as she hugged the package closer to her.  “It’s such a small town, that we might as well already be at his lab.”

Mina looked around, her indifferent gaze taking in the whole three building town before she offered a shrug.  “Guess I can’t argue that one.”

“Anyways, no point in staying here,” Lillie answered with a bright smile as she walked past the two small houses.  “I’d guess this building is Oak’s Lab.  It matches his description perfectly.”

“Hmmm, you sure this is it?”

“Well, there is this sign right here that says ‘Oak Pokemon Research Lab’ so I would say I’m fairly confident.”

Mina hummed as she studied the sign that Lillie pointed to.  “I guess I was expecting something that would stand out more.”

“Like what?”

“Like a green roof or something.  I mean, if Pokémon Centers have red roofs and PokéMarts have blue roofs then I feel like Pokémon labs need a color theme.”

“Well, they do have a green door here if that makes you feel any better.”

Mina looked at Lillie’s playful smirk as she inspected the door and gave a shrug.  “I guess it’ll do.”

Lillie offered a laugh as she threw open the door.  “Well, let’s get this journey started!”

The door flew open as the eyes of three lab assistants snapped onto her, causing her to immediately regret her raucous entrance.

“Um… sorry for the interruption.”

“Is there something we can help you with?”

“Oh, um,” Lillie squirmed under their gazes.  She didn’t mean to get so carried away.

“We’re trainers here to visit with Professor Oak.”

The lab assistant readjusted her glasses, looking curiously over the two new arrivals before realization dawned on her.  “Oh, is one of you Lillie from Alola?”

“That’s me,” the girl announced as she stepped forward.  “And I do apologize for our rude entrance, I got a little carried away.”

“You’re perfectly fine, we were just getting concerned since we expected you to be here earlier.  We hope you made it here okay.”

Lillie offered a shrug as she looked at Mina.  “I had help.”

“Clefairy!”

She giggled as she scratched Clefairy’s neck.  “And of course I had help from you too Clefairy.”

The lab assistant offered a smile.  “Well, Professor Oak should be in the back.  I think he has company right now, but I know he’ll be glad to see you made it here safely.”

“Thank you,” Lillie answered with a bow before she walked past the assistant and beyond the bookshelves.

“Blue, are you sure it’s okay for you to just leave like this?  You’ll be ignoring your duties as a gym leader.”

“Someone’s gotta do something Gramps, and something super fishy’s going on.  Besides, if there was someone worth opening the gym for, I’d know.”

“Well you might want to prepare yourself,” Professor Oak answered back as he looked past the gym leader.  “Because that trainer might be walking through the door as we speak.”

Blue turned around to look at the two blondes before he scoffed.  “Oh please, they still got a ways to go before they're ready for the big leagues.  Anyways I’ll head out now that you’ve got company.  Smell you later gramps.”

With a brisk stride and an air of arrogance the young man walked out as the two blondes parted to grant him a convenient exit.

“Well that was rude,” Mina commented as she looked out the door.

“Oh pay him now mind,” the professor answered as he turned towards Lillie.  “I’m glad to see you made it here safely.”

“Yeah.  Oh!  I got this package for you!”

“Oh!  Thank you!”  Oak exclaimed as he retrieved the parcel.  “I’m so glad someone finally managed to get this to me.  I’ve been stalled in my experiments without it.”

“You see,” Mina stated as she pointed at the package.  “What could Oak’s lab assistants have been doing that was so important if this stalled his experiments?”

“Well, they’ve been busy as well, it’s really not too big a deal.”  Oak answered with a laugh as he set the box aside.  “So, how has your stay in Kanto been thus far?”

“It’s been interesting,” Lillie answered with a sigh.  “I didn’t realize I couldn’t get to Pallet Town from Cerulean.”

“Oh, I must’ve forgotten to mention that,” Oak responded as he scratched the back of his head.  “Well, it looks like you figured it out at the very least.  And it looks like you even made a friend.”

“Clefairy!”

“Actually, she made two friends,” Mina stated as she slung an arm around Lillie’s shoulder.  “In case you forgot to count me.”

“Of course I included you,” the professor answered with a laugh.  “However, you’re a friend that I don’t think would fit in a Pokéball.  Does Clefairy not like them?”

“Actually, Clefairy doesn’t have a Pokéball,” Lillie explained as she pet the Pokémon’s head.  “I’m trying to return them home to Mt. Moon.”

“Oh,” Professor Oak answered in surprise.  “Then, you don’t have a Pokémon then?”

“N-No, I thought you would provide me with one.”

“Weeell,” the professor drawled as he rubbed the back of his neck.  “You see, I actually don’t have any.”

“Man,” Mina answered.  “Everyone here is about as organized as I am.”

“Well, it’s not like it was intentional,” the professor responded quickly.  “A new class from the trainer school just enrolled and, as per custom, they are each offered a Pokémon from the lab if they don’t have their own means of acquiring one.  I’m afraid I’m all out.”

“Well, that’s okay,” Lillie answered as she tried to look at the Clefairy on her head.  “If Clefairy’s with me until I get to Mt. Moon, then I still have a partner to help me on my journey until then.”

The professor released a sigh as he gave a slight bow.  “Thank you so much for your understanding.  There is something I can give you to help you on your journey though.”  He moved further into the lab as Lillie tilted her head at his antics while Mina simply stared blankly.

“Here, I was asked to deliver this to you.”

Lillie hummed in confusion as she took the object with Clefairy staring in awe of it.  “You… were asked to give me an egg?”

“Yes, I heard that you ran into a breeder named Joel, is that not correct?”

“Oh, from the S.S. Anne!”

“Precisely!  He asked me to give you that egg when you arrived as thanks for helping him.”

Lillie oohed over the egg as Mina inspected it carefully.  “What’s in it?”

“I’m honestly not certain,” the professor answered with a shrug.  “Joel was adamant that it be a surprise for you.  I suppose he has trust in your love of all Pokémon.  Some people can be squeamish around a Grimer.”

“That would be a surprise now wouldn’t it,” Lillie answered with a giggle as she grabbed her backpack to put the egg away.  “I’m sure whatever’s inside will be a valuable friend.  Please send Joel my gratitude the next time you see him.”

“Of course, but he wasn’t the only person with something he wanted you to have.”

Green eyes turned in bewilderment as the professor moved the box he’d just received to pull out another box.  “Here.  One of my aides actually managed to get this package to me in a timely manner.”

Lillie looked to the professor’s smirk before turning back to the box.  It was so much smaller than the parcel that she had delivered to him that she wondered what it could be.

“Well, aren’t you going to open it.”

“I’m getting to that,” Lillie answered with a glare to the fairy captain.  She turned back to the professor as she grabbed the package and opened it before tears rolled down her face.

Inside was an envelope with the words “From Hau” scrawled across the front and a malasada wrapped in aluminum foil.  She knelt down with the box before she opened the letter:

Lillie,

I know I said I was going to write you a really really REALLY long letter, but as soon as I got home I didn’t know what to say anymore!  Gyah, do you understand how frustrating that was!  All I could think of was make sure to feed your Pokémon plenty of Malasadas, but then Moon told me that they didn’t have malasadas in Kanto, so I got even more frustrated!  We were able to find a malasada for you though, a mythic one even!  So, I hope you think of us when you or one of your Pokémon eats it.  We really miss you here, but Gladion’s been doing a good job at Aether Paradise and I’ve even been helping some of the former Team Skull Grunts with helping out in the community.  One of them even got a job at Mallow’s restaurant!  And Faba’s been demoted within Aether but promised to work hard to become a better person (still, I’m keeping my eye on him). Oh and my grandpa said he’d try to help Guzma become a better trainer too, maybe even help him become a captain.  I’ll admit, I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea, but he’s changed a lot, you’d be surprised!  And Moon said they regularly see Plumeria since she’s always trying to take Moon’s position as champion.  Moon hasn’t lost yet but… well… they’ve also been called into some weird missions and have been doing other things to pass the time.  I think they’re just trying to distract themself from you being gone, but Moon’ll never admit it.  They’ve been bumming around Poni Island a lot. I think their waiting for the Battle Tree to open up to give them another distraction.  Well, I guess a distraction outside of traveling the Ultra Wormhole constantly.  I worry about them sometimes, but I know Nebby will keep them safe, just like I know Nebby misses you too.  Anyways, I guess I did manage to write something decently long in the end.  Please write back and enjoy the malasada!  We eagerly await hearing from you here in Alola.

Your friend,

Hau

She wiped the tears that fell as she removed the malasada from the bottom of the of the box before she noticed a video tape lying on the bottom.

“Professor Oak,” her voice wavered as she pulled it out of the box.  “Do you have a video player I can borrow?”

“There’s one built into the computer monitor there.  Go ahead and use that.”

“Okay.”

She wiped her tears before storing the letter and malasada in her backpack and rising to her feet.  She moved slowly to the monitor, fumbling with the video for a moment as she stared at the blank screen.  Why would Hau send her a video as well as a letter?

“Lillie!”

The tears came all over again as the familiar face popped up on screen.

“I-I mean, um… hey Lillie… How’s it going.”

Moon scoffed before trying to cover it with a cough as they turned to chuckle.  “Right, you can’t answer back.  Sorry... that was stupid… um…”

The Alolan Champion shook their head, causing tears to form in Lillie’s eyes as she’d never seen the champion look so defeated.

“Look, I know you said you needed to do this journey alone, but, honestly, I don’t know how I would’ve made it through Alola without you and Hau.”

“Mraaaoooo”

Moon giggled as they rubbed the top of the Alolan Meowth’s head.  “Or without my partner here of course.”

They sighed as the gaze they gave the Meowth turned melancholy.  “I want to tell you I miss you and wish you’d come back home, but I know that would only burden you with guilt.  So I’m going to do everything I can to help you with your journey by telling you everything you need to know.  Like how I know that you’re going to start your journey at Pallet Town so you’ll get your first Pokémon from Professor Oak.  He’s a good person to talk to if you have any questions about which Pokémon to choose first, but honestly...” Moon paused as they noogied the top of Meowth’s head who gave an exaggerated squeal.  “Sometimes your partner isn’t the Pokémon that the professor lets you choose from, but is instead the Pokémon that chooses you.”

A soft smile spread across Lillie’s face as she felt Clefairy hug her tighter.

“Anyways, since we’re still talking about Pallet Town, I’d also suggest you talk to Daisy.  She’s the professor’s granddaughter and is super nice.  Also, stop by Red’s house!  He’s super cool and Pallet Town is where he’s from so make sure you don’t miss out on that!”

Lillie giggled as she wondered what Moon would say if she told them she ran into Red on the S. S. Anne.  She put aside the thought as she listened to the rest of Moon’s message, memorizing every word of it before the screen blipped out and she wiped the last of her tears.

“You’ve got a good friend there.”

Lillie turned her gaze to Mina who looked at her with sincerity.  “Yeah... I really do.”

She got up with a grunt as she pulled on her backpack straps so it rested heavily against her.  “Well, shall we head off?  Moon basically outlined the entire journey we need to take.”

“Sounds good,” Mina responded neutrally as she turned to leave.

“Wait!  Before you go, there is one last thing that I’d like you to take.”

Lillie tilted her head as Oak handed her a familiar red device.

“You want me to take a Pokédex?”

“Yes,” the professor answered with a nod.  “As someone who’s spent your whole life on an island designed to help Pokémon, I’d like you to take this with you.  It will give you information on any Pokémon you see, but it also only notes the behaviors of those from the Kanto region.”

“Oh, so, you want me to compare notes from what I’ve seen in Alola?”

“Precisely,” Oak answered with a smile.  “Given that there are regional variants between Kanto and Alola, it leads to the belief that Pokémon may also behave differently within different regions.  I know not all Pokémon native on Kanto can be found on Alola, but it would be most beneficial to our research here if we could examine those differences.”

“Right,” Lillie answered as she put the Pokédex away.  “I’ll do my best!”

“I’m sure you will.  In any case, enjoy your journey.  I’m certain you’ll grow from this experience.”

“I’m sure I will.  Thanks so much Professor Oak!”

“Later professor dude.”

The two walked out with a wave as Lillie immediately sent a glare Mina’s way.  “You know, you didn’t have to be rude.”

“I wasn’t rude.  Besides, he let that other guy call him Gramps.  In comparison, I should be considered incredibly respectful.”

“Yeah…” Lillie answered back though her voice was far away.   She was curious about who he was, but wasn’t quite sure if she really wanted to find out.  He seemed rather conceited from what little she’d seen of him, but she also knew that if she wanted to complete her journey she’d have to battle him eventually.

Those thoughts could wait till later.

“Anyways, let’s head to the professor’s home.  Moon said that someone named Daisy should help us out there.”

“Sure thing.”

They made the short trip to the house just north of the Pokémon Lab before Lillie knocked on the door.

“Hello?  Can I help you?”

“Oh!”  Lillie immediately stepped back from the brunette woman who had cracked open the door.  “I am so sorry for the intrusion, it’s just that I’m just starting a Pokémon journey and-”

“Oh my!  Is that a Clefairy?”

“Fairy?”

“Um…”

The brunette laughed before she opened the door wider.  “Come on in, I’ll make you some tea and give your Clefairy a massage.  They look like they would really like it.”

“Fairy!”

Lillie tried to call out to the Clefairy who rushed straight into the house as Mina walked right past her.  “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“It’s no problem,” the woman answered as she turned back towards Lillie.  “Aren’t you going to join us?”

“Uh… r-right!”

Lillie rushed into the house where Mina and Clefairy had already made themselves comfortable sitting at the table in the kitchen which caused Lillie to be overly flustered.  “You could at least show a little more respect to our host.”

“I already said thank you.”

The brunette laughed before passing by Lillie.  “You’re totally fine.  I’m actually not used to people knocking.  Most others just barge in when they want something.”

“You see Lillie, you’re being uptight again.”

“But… what?”  Lillie looked on flabbergasted as the woman began to put on the tea.  “You don’t mind people just wandering into your house?”

“Not really,” the brunette answered with a shrug.  “If anyone causes any problems I got my Pokémon ready.  Besides, everyone in Kanto leaves their doors unlocked in case people need something.  If they weren’t willing to accept people they’d just lock their door.”

“O-okay,” Lillie answered as she slowly walked towards the table to take a seat.  “Thank you.”

“It’s no problem!”  Their host answered enthusiastically as she started delivering the tea to all the guests.  “So, what can I do for you?”

Lillie squirmed slightly in her seat before holding her tea in her hands.  “Well, I’m just starting a Pokémon journey and I was told that there was someone here named Daisy who could set me on the right track.”

“Well, looks like you found me,” the woman answered with a smile as she began to pet Clefairy who had crawled into her lap.  “Here, this should help you out.”

Mina leaned over to look at the rolled up paper that Lillie had just been given.  “What is it?”

Lillie opened it up before using her fingers to trace over it.  The entire region of Kanto was now at her fingertips to explore.

“Well, that’s not that impressive.  Every Pokémon Center in the word has a region map.”

“Mina!”

Daisy’s heartfelt laugh interrupted the conversation as Clefairy melded into her methodical touch.  “I understand it’s not much, but I hope that it will help you in your journey.”

“I’m certain it will!”  Lillie exclaimed before sending Mina a glare.  “It’s not like Pokémon Centers are always accessible.”

“Just stating the facts,” Mina answered nonchalantly as she leaned back in her chair.  “Thanks though.”

“Sure!”  Daisy answered brightly over the Clefairy’s mewl.  “So, did my grandpa send you here?  I swear, I wonder why he has so many assistants if he’s just going to send kids on journeys to do his research for him.”

Mina gave Lillie a knowing smirk that she simply glared at.  “Professor Oak did ask me to do some research for him, but that was rather minor.  A friend of mine actually directed me to you.”

“Really?  What friend?”

“Why, Moon of course!  The current Alolan Champion.”

A pause settled over them as Daisy rested a hand on Clefairy’s head.  “Ah, then I suppose this hat Clefairy has came from them as well.”

“Wait,” Lillie paused as she failed to hide the surprise in her voice.  “You mean you knew Moon?!”

“Of course I knew Moon,” Daisy answered with a bittersweet smile crossing her face.  “Viridian City is only a stone’s throw away from here after all.”

“Moon was raised in Viridian City?!”

“They never told you any of this?”

Lillie sat back down in her seat as the somber expression in her tea stared back at her.  “No… whenever me or Hau would ask they’d simply refuse to answer.”

“This place wasn’t too kind to them,” Daisy answered mournfully as she pet the Clefairy’s head.  "Moon was part of the trainer school up there and they would often have field trips down here to visit the lab.  Grandpa told me there was one trip that ended rather badly.”

“What happened?”

Daisy gave a sigh.  “Grandpa was demonstrating how the Pokédex not only functioned as a Pokémon encyclopedia, but also how it was utilized within the Kanto region to function as an ID device.  Anyways, Grandpa was explaining how you could input your gender as either a boy or a girl when Moon asked ‘Why did people have to be either?’”

Daisy removed her hand from petting Clefairy as the memories caused a slight tremble in her hand.  “The class laughed at them.  Moon got flustered, trying to explain that there were plenty of Pokémon that were neither male or female and asking why they needed to be, but that was just responded with more taunts.  People even began saying that Moon must have been a Ditto disguised as a human, while others started throwing Pokéballs at them.  Moon withdrew from the trainer school after that.  I tried to visit, but their mom said that they just wanted to be left alone.  It wasn’t too long after that that they moved away.”

“I…” Lillie swallowed hard as she stared at her tea, feeling guilty at prying into her friend’s personal life.  She should’ve known this was the case with the way Moon avoided the topic.  She cupped her hands around the tea as she let the heat seep into her palms.  “I see…”

Daisy took a sip of her tea before offering a soft smile.  “At the very least, I’m glad that Moon managed to do well in Alola.  They even became League Champion there.”

Lillie offered a giggle before returning the smile.  “Yeah, Moon really is something else.”

“Well, if we’re all done with tea, then I guess there’s something else you ought to see.”

Daisy got up as Lillie hurried out of her seat.  “W-Wait, are you sure?  You’ve already done so much.”

“I’m positive.  It’s the least I can do for a friend of Moon’s.”

“Alright, field trip.”  Mina exclaimed in her nonchalant voice as she jumped out of her seat.  “Where we going?”

“To where Moon would claim is the most important landmark in Kanto.”

Mina turned to look at Lillie who simply offered a shrug as Clefairy climbed back up onto her shoulder.  They exited the house to follow Daisy only to stop one house down.

“Well, here we are.”

“This doesn’t look too impressive.”

Lillie rolled her eyes as a smirk crossed her face.  “This must be Red’s house.”

“Yep, you guessed it!”  Daisy announced cheerily with her hands on her hips.  “Well, don’t be shy, go on inside!”

“Wait, but-!”

Lillie’s pleas were ignored as Daisy pushed her through the door while she tried to collect her bearings.

“Oh, hello there.  Can I help you?”

“Oh, uh-”

“Hey Ms. Maple!”  Daisy shouted as she walked in after.  “Hope you don’t mind I brought some guests.”

“Hm, spacious house here,” Mina remarked as the woman gave a giggle.

“You’re perfectly fine Daisy.  Who do we have here today?”

“Well you remember Moon right?”  Daisy asked as she rested a hand on Lillie’s shoulder.  “Well, Lillie here is their friend.  She just got here from Alola.”

“Oh, that’s so wonderful!”  Ms. Maple announced as she clapped her hands.  “How is the dear child?  I heard they became quite successful as a Pokémon trainer in Alola.”

“They’re only the best!”  Lillie answered proudly as a large smile stretched across her face.  “They’re the one who inspired me to become a Pokémon trainer.”

“Oh, that’s so wonderful dear,” Ms. Maple answered as she hung her apron.  “You know, Moon would come here quite often asking after Red.  They would always tell me how they hoped to become a trainer just as good, I’m glad that wish came true.”

“Same here.  Moon would always mention Red, even after they moved to Alola.”

“Well I’m glad my son’s been a good influence on them, though I hope Moon keeps in contact with their mother better than Red.  I almost never hear from him.  I know they say that no news is good news but still, a mother can’t help but worry.”

Lillie gave a soft giggle.  “Well, if you’re wondering about Red I saw him on the S.S. Anne.  He was the guest of honor there.”

“Was he now?”  Ms. Maple answered with a soft scoff.  “You’d think that if he’s so close to home he’d at least drop by and pay a visit.”  A light chuckle escaped her as she shook her head.  “Well, it’s good to hear he’s doing well.  I know he strives to challenge himself as a trainer.  Perhaps he’ll even battle you if you become strong enough.”

“I should be so lucky,” Lillie answered with a light giggle.  “I’m not sure how far I’ll actually be able to make it, but I’ll do my best.”

“I'm sure you'll be fine,” Ms. Maple answered with a laugh.  “Here.  It isn’t much, but it’s all I can really give you.”

“What?”  Lillie questioned as she eyed the potion.  “But, Ms. Maple, I couldn’t!  You’ve already been such a gracious hostess.”

“And as such a hostess you should accept my gift.  And if that doesn’t please you, then take it as a token of my appreciation for letting me know that Red’s okay.”

“Uh… alright.  Thank you.”

“It’s no trouble.  And don’t be so shy about accepting gifts from strangers.  A Pokémon journey is long and hard, so take the help where you can find it.”

“O-Of course!  Thank you so much.”

The woman offered a smile at Lillie’s bow.  “Anytime.  Now you should get heading out.  There aren't many places to stay in Pallet Town, and you wouldn’t want to get caught on Route 1 after dark.”

“Right!  Thanks again!”

Lillie turned to the two others as she tightened her backpack straps.  “We ready?”

“Are you ready?  I think you need to thank Ms. Maple one more time.”

“Don’t be so rude Mina,” Lillie admonished before turning back towards the kitchen.  “Do you really think I should thank her again.”

Mina smirked as Daisy gave a laugh and opened the door.  “You’re totally fine, but you should definitely start heading out if you wanna get to Viridian before dark.”

“Right! Thanks again for all your help Daisy!”

The girl gave a shrug as she offered a smile.  “It’s what I’m here for.  Tell Moon to get in contact with me the next time you talk to them.  They need to know that they’re missed.”

“Will do!”  Lillie exclaimed as she turned towards Mina.  “You ready?”

“Almost,” the fairy captain answered as she scribbled a pastel quickly over a sketchpad.  “There, what do you think?”

Lillie looked it over.  Apparently Mina spent the entire visit at Red’s house drawing the house's kitchen.  “Why did you make this.”

“I got bored,” Mina answered with a shrug.  “That and if Red’s that famous then someone’ll appreciate it.”

“I suppose that’s a fair point,” Lillie answered as she turned towards Route 1.  “You ready to get this adventure started?”

“Sure.”

“How about you Clefairy?”

“Fairy!”

Lillie offered a giggle before taking her first step forward.

“Then let’s get going!”

Chapter Text

Besides the Pokemon Lab and Red’s house there’s not much else in Pallet Town.  From that point you may as well just head straight to Viridian City.  It’s not too far and the Pokémon on Route 1 are just a bunch of Rattatas and Pidgeys, so it should be a quick, easy walk.

“Why are we still out here again?”

Lillie tapped the pen against her chin as she studied the Rattata intensively.  “I promised Professor Oak that I would study the differences between Alolan and Kantonian Pokémon.  I never would’ve imagined that a Rattata could be purple!”

“Well, you could’ve, if you battled any of the tourists that bum around Alola.”

“Don’t ruin this moment of discovery for me Mina.”

“All I’m saying is that we’ve been out here for two hours,” Mina answered before flipping her sketchpad to show the drawing she made of a Rattata eating out of Lillie's bag while she dutifully took notes with a sleeping Clefairy beside her.  "I figured you'd wanna know about this at least.”

"Wah-!"  Lillie panicked as she threw off her bag and dug through her supplies before releasing a relieved sigh when she saw that the malasada and Pokemon egg were both in tact.  She sent Mina a glare who simply responded with the smallest traces of a smirk.

"That's not funny Mina."

The fairy captain shrugged her shoulders as she sharpened one of her pencils.  "Well, it could still happen if you plan on staying here much longer."

“That’s hardly fair!”  Lillie pouted before looking over her notes.  “Besides, the Kanto Pokédex doesn’t give much more information than the common knowledge of them being high in numbers in different areas and liking to chew on things.  It doesn’t mention how if a Rattata doesn’t file their teeth to an appropriate size they could potentially be unable to eat and die of starvation.”

“I’m sure someone knows that in some Pokédex somewhere.”

“And I don’t know anything about Pidgey!"  Lillie exclaimed as she looked over her handwritten notes.  "Who would’ve thought a Pokémon so common in one region would be completely non-existent in another?”

“Maybe the same reason you find rock Pokémon in a mountain and fire Pokémon in a volcano.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Lillie answered back as she packed her notebook away.  “Nobody looks for Pokémon in a volcano, they wouldn’t survive.”

“Fire Pokémon gotta come from somewhere,” Mina answered indifferently.  “So, are we finally going to head to that trainer school you were talking about?”

Lillie looked at her wristwatch before slinging her backpack over her shoulder.  “Yeah, it should be opening soon.  Let’s go Clefairy!”

“Fair…?”

The Pokémon in question rocked slightly, trying to wake themself up as Lillie lifted the Clefairy in her arms before following Mina out of the grassy patch.  They had made it to Viridian the night before and were able to stay in a hotel, but with as little Pokémon encounters as they’d had the day before Lillie was adamant that they wake up early to inspect the wildlife of Route One, much to Mina’s indifference.  It amazed and concerned Lillie just how unconcerned Mina was about everything, but she supposed that must've simply been the way Mina was.

She shook her head back into focus as they entered the familiar town with Lillie’s eyes falling to the large building in front of the Pokémon Gym.

Once you get to Viridian, well, I’d say just keep walking, but I guess there’re some things there that can be worthwhile.  Don’t forget to heal your Pokémon at the Pokémon Center and restock on supplies.  Don’t bother with the gym there.  It’s almost always closed, and even when it isn’t the leader there is a jerk.  The only other thing that could be considered worthwhile is the Pokémon school.  If you need a refresher on Pokémon training or status conditions then you can go there.  Otherwise just be ready for a long journey through the Viridian Forest.

Lillie shuddered slightly.  That school had driven Moon away from their home and sent them adrift to the same island that Lillie had ended up on.  She hated the idea that if it weren’t for those bullies she never would've met Moon.  That felt too much like justifying the bullies’ behavior because it worked out in her benefit.  It felt wrong.

But… she couldn’t help but be curious.  Lillie was certain that she already knew whatever the school had to teach her.  And whatever she didn’t know she would take the leap of faith that Mina did, so she didn’t think it was necessary to go to the school.

Her hand trembled slightly before grabbing hold of the door handle.

She was just too curious.

She opened the door, peeking slightly into the classroom as her eyes were immediately drawn to the crowd of students that were chatting in the middle of the classroom.  There stood a girl in the center of the crowd with navy blue hair that was curled into ringlets and cut short at her chin, complimenting her golden eyes that seemed to illuminate above her cat-like smile.

“Um… Hello there.”

All eyes turned towards Lillie who fought off a blush as the center girl rose from the desk she was leaning on.  “What do you want?”

“Oh, um, nothing really…” Lillie awkwardly mumbled out as she twirled a strand of her hair around her finger.  “I just wanted to check out the school.”

“Psh, this isn’t a place for just anyone to wander into,” the girl answered as she shook her ringlets.  “This is a place for real trainers who actually have a chance at getting at the champion.”

“Oh, you mean beating the eight gym leaders and the elite four?”  Lillie asked, barely hiding the sarcasm in her voice.  “I understand how that works here.”

“Hmph, you clearly don’t understand as much as you think if you can’t even get your Clefairy in a Pokéball.”

“Excuse me,” Lillie stated, trying desperately to fight off the irritation that she knew was clawing into her tone.  “If Clefairy wants to travel outside of a Pokéball they have every right to.”

“Psh, you sound just like those radicals in the Unova region.”

“What’d you say?”

“And look at this ridiculous hat-”

“Fairy!”

Clefairy swatted away the girl’s hand as she grimaced at the Pokémon.  “Ugh, what a mongrel.  I don’t know why it’d wear such a raggedy disgrace.”

“Hey!  This hat happened to be given to me by a friend!”

The girl looked the hat over before her gaze darkened.  “Did this hat come from Moon?”

“That’s right!” Lillie answered dramatically.  “Moon gave this to me before I left to become a Pokémon trainer.  And I’m going to become an incredible trainer just like them!”

“Oh please, Moon just went to Alola to gain easy access to fame.  The sticks out there didn’t even have a proper Pokémon League!  Besides, it’s easier to claim you have talent when you’re surrounded by a bunch of losers.”

“You don’t know anything about Moon!”

“I know more than you think,” the girl answered in a low voice.  “If you don’t like it then you can always leave.”

The class resounded in a chorus of ‘ooohs’ at the escalating situation as Lillie turned towards Clefairy in her arms before they both nodded.  “You’re a trainer, right?  I suggest we settle this the proper way.”

“Cute.  You actually think of yourself as a trainer,” the girl pushed herself off the desk before sending a wicked smirk to Lillie.  “If that’s how you want it though, then meet me outside.”

Excited chatter buzzed around the classroom as Lillie scowled.

“This is why I hated school.  Too much drama.”

“If you thought that was dramatic just wait till after the battle.”

Lillie stormed out of the school and towards the school’s courtyard, ready to wipe the smug smirk off of… whoever that girl was.  Seriously, who was that girl?  She groaned deciding that the girl’s name wasn’t important.  She was going to annihilate her.

“So, you ready to do this?”

“Of course,” Lillie turned her gaze down to the Clefairy in her arms.  “You’ve got this Clefairy.”

The Clefairy nodded, jumping out of her arms as they took a fighting stance, causing the other girl to chuckle.

“Of course you’d use that Clefairy,” the girl responded casually as she pulled out a Pokéball.  “Go Jigglypuff.”

She tossed the ball as a red light gave form to the Jigglypuff who watched readily, waiting for further commands.

Lillie paused for a moment, both Clefairy and Jigglypuff were normal/fairy type Pokémon with very similar movesets so there was no real advantage on either side.

She would have to rely on her knowledge and instincts.

“Clefairy, use Sing!”

The Clefairy took in a deep inhale before releasing a beautiful melody, making the Jigglypuff drowsy as they fell asleep.

“Nice Clefairy!  Now use Double Slap!”

“Fairy!”

“Jigglypuff, Sleep Talk!”

“Jig…ly…”

The Pokémon in question wobbled slightly as their fur coat started to shimmer.

“Is that-?”

“Fairy!”

SLAP

The sound rang throughout the courtyard, but the Jigglypuff seemed unfazed as Lillie immediately began to panic.

“Clefairy!  Get out of there quick!”

“Sleep Talk.”

The Jigglypuff responded, tilting their head slightly before sending a barrage of slaps towards the Clefairy who tried to counter the attacks.

“Clefairy, use Defense Curl!”

The Clefairy found their footing before a metallic sheen took over their fur, softening the blow of the attack.  The girl scowled in response.

“Again Jigglypuff, Sleep Talk!’

The Jigglypuff continued the barrage of slaps as Lillie noticed the Pokémon’s eyes twitching slightly.

“Clefairy, use Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk, running beneath the Jigglypuff as the Pokémon continued to slap the air in front of them.

“Jigglypuff!  What are you doing?!”

The Jigglypuff’s eyes blinked rapidly before looking around as if they wanted to ask the same question.

“Clefairy, use Double Slap!”

The Clefairy returned to their regular size before sending a barrage of slaps back towards the Jigglypuff as her opponent scowled.

“Jigglypuff, Double Slap!”

“Clefairy use Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk again as the Jigglypuff swiped at the air, causing the girl to get largely frustrated.

“Jigglypuff, use Feint Attack!”

Lillie’s eyes widened, she thought that Jigglypuff looked familiar, but…

“Clefairy, Defense Curl!”

The Clefairy turned back to their regular size as the metallic sheen returned, absorbing the entire impact of the blow.

“Clefairy, finish this with Double Slap!”

The Clefairy took a deep breath before unleashing their final barrage of slaps, forcing the Jigglypuff back.  They rolled across the ground with the girl returning the Jigglypuff to their Pokéball.

“What a waste.  I can’t believe my Jigglypuff would end up being so weak!”

“Excuse me!”  Lillie put her hands on her hips as she glared at the girl before her.  “Your grandfather hired a top breeder to raise the perfect Pokémon for you and that’s how you treat them?!”

“How I treat my Pokémon is my business!”  The girl shouted back.  “Besides, how do you know so much about this?  What, did you stalk my grandpa and kidnap the Jigglypuff that was supposed to be mine?!”

“Ugh, as if I’d even waste my time.  You’re spoiled rotten and an absolute nuisance!”

“Excuse me?!  You’re talking to the future Kanto Champion!”

“There’s no way you’ll become champion!  I’ll become the champion so that you can’t!”

“Oh yeah?  Then let’s shake on it!”  The girl extended her hand as the small frown remained on her face.  “I, Luna Nightshade, will become the Kanto Pokémon League Champion.”

“I’m Lillie,” the blonde answered as she firmly took the given hand.  “And you’re going to have to beat me to get that title.”

Luna scoffed.  “Piece of cake.”

“Um, excuse me,” they all turned their attention to the woman who had just arrived at the courtyard.  “I know that was a very engaging battle, but class started about ten minutes ago.”

The students collectively groaned as Luna gave Lillie a sly smirk before meeting the woman and entering the school with the others.  Lillie puffed up her cheeks in frustration as the woman turned towards her.  “Are you new?  You’re welcome to join our class for today if you’d like.”

Lillie shook the grimace off her face before giving a soft smile and a slight bow.  “No thank you, I think I’ve had enough excitement here.”

“As you wish,” the woman answered.  “Oh, and great battle there.  I see you going far.”

The smile widened across Lillie’s face as the woman disappeared behind the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay for class?”

Lillie turned towards Mina before giving a shrug.  “No, it’s okay.  Like you said earlier, school’s just drama.”

“Drama that you invited to sporadically follow us wherever we go.”

"Oh please, she's gotta finish school here first.  I'm never gunna run into her again," Lillie turned back towards the school before tightening her backpack straps and addressing Mina.  “Well, I guess that finishes up what we had here.”

“So, Viridian Forest then.”

"Yep," Lillie gave a giggle as she hugged Clefairy tighter.  “The journey just keeps going.”

“That’s what a journey is,” Mina stated as she readjusted her bag.  “A trip to a destination.”

“A destination huh?”

Lillie’s eyes turned far away as she looked at the hat Clefairy wore.  The Clefairy turned to look at the girl before waving their arms and causing Lillie to shake her head and snap back to reality.

“You alright Lillie?”

“Huh? Oh yeah,” she offered a light laugh as she scratched the back of her head.  It felt a little ridiculous to her, that she went all the way to a different region just to have going back home being her destination, but she wanted to have a trip that would be worthy of telling Moon about.

She wanted to make them proud.

“Well, what are we waiting for?”  Lillie asked as she turned towards the road that’d take them to the Viridian Forest with a smile that refused to leave her face.

She would make Moon proud, no matter what it would took.

Chapter Text

Once you leave Viridian City you technically have two choices, but you’re not going to get too far on Route 22 without all eight gym badges.  At this point your best bet is to just go through Viridian Forest.  If you had a gym badge and a Pokémon that knows Cut you could’ve used the detour down Route 2, but that’s probably not available to you yet.  Anyways, be careful in the Viridian Forest.  Not only is it a ginormous maze, but there’s a bunch of poison-type Pokémon in there, so make sure you have a bunch of antidotes on you!  You don’t want any of your Pokémon fainting due to poison damage!

“And you’re sure you don’t want to take the shortcut back to Pewter City?”

“Come on Mina!  You told me yourself that I’d miss out on all kinds of adventures if I took a car!  Besides, we already went down Route 2 so we may as well go through the Viridian Forest.”

“You do realize that fairy-type Pokémon are weak to poison, right?”

Lillie gave a humph as she hugged Clefairy tighter.  “Of course I know that!  But I also know how to be careful.”

“If you say so,” Mina answered as she turned towards the entry port.  “By the way, does Moon really believe that Pokémon faint if you don’t cure them of poison?  The poison usually fades right before they faint if they’re in a Pokéball.”

“I know it’s that way in Alola, but I heard in Kanto Pokémon haven’t developed the immunity to survive poisoning without fainting.”

“I guess it doesn’t make a difference,” Mina answered casually.  “As long as you use a medical salve to refresh your Pokémon of their status condition, they’ll be fine.”

“Kanto doesn’t seem to carry any materials for Pokémon refreshment either,” Lillie answered with a sigh.  “Trust me, I looked.”

“Man, we must really be in the sticks if nobody offers Pokémon Refreshment materials.  What Is this place?”

“Kanto.”

Mina gave a quirked eyebrow as Lillie allowed herself a soft smirk.  She’d consider that a win.

“Anyways, we’re not getting any further hanging out here, let’s get going!”

They quickly entered through the entrance gate, noting the people lazing around the lounge but giving them no mind.  They weren’t there for hanging around after all, they were on a mission.

“Hey, you two planning on heading through the forest?”

Both heads turned to find a girl sitting on one of the couches before Lillie gave an answer.  “Yeah, we’re trying to get to Pewter City.”

“In that case be careful.  There have been some pretty powerful trainers hanging around the forest.”

Lillie gave her award-winning smile before offering a bow.  “Of course, and thank you for the advice.”

Mina gave a light hum before moving past with Lillie following behind as she hurried to catch up.

“You could at least be polite and say hi to people.”

“I say hi to you often enough, don’t I?”

Lillie rolled her eyes as they continued through the gate.  “Regardless, if what she said is true then we’d better be on our guard.”

“Whether what she said is true or not doesn’t matter,” Mina deadpanned with a shrug.  “We were bound to get that information on our own if it were real.”

Lillie gave a sigh as she shook her head and placed a hand on the far door.  “Well, I guess we’re about to find out.”

She cracked open the door, looking in all directions as Mina walked out without a care.

“Mina!  What are you doing?!”

“More like what’s that guy in a samurai suit doing?”

“Mina!  This isn’t the time for-!... Wait, what?!”

“Check it out,” Mina answered.  She pulled Lillie by the sleeve out the door as Lillie muttered irritably with an overly excited Clefairy cheering behind her.  She pulled her arm out of the captain’s grip and brushed herself off before she looked ahead to find a boy in a samurai suit who had his back turned to them.

“That’s what I was talking about,” Mina explained as she pointed at the strange figure.  “Any idea who that is?”

“How should I know?”  Lillie remarked in a tone that edged on irritation.

Mina gave a shrug, "I thought maybe you had asked someone.”

“Hey!  There is nothing wrong with being poli-!”

“SHHHHHHH!!!”

Both the blondes paused at the harsh sound, as they looked at the stoic samurai figure.

“Sorry, was that for us?”

“Of course it was for you!”  The samurai exclaimed as he turned around.  “Who else would I be talking to?!”

“Well, that’s rude,” Mina commented as she folded her arms.  “We were just wondering who you were.”

“I'm so sorry for the bother!  Please, forgive us-!”

“Wait!”

He paused, ears twitching before he turned around immediately.

“Go Pinsir!”

Two lights flashed as a Pinsir was suddenly face to face with a Venonat.

“Pinsir, use Vice Grip!”

The Pinsir roared as they rushed towards the Venonat to trap them in their horns, but the Venonat managed to escape.  The bug Pokemon quickly turned around and shook their antennae that caused the Pinsir to pause for a moment.

“Pinsir!  Are you alright?”

The Pinsir wandered around looking very lost as the samurai groaned.

“Dangit!  Of course they'd use Supersonic!”

The Venonat then paused, concentrating hard as a blue light sparked from their head causing the samurai to blanch.  “Pinsir!  Snap out of it, you’ve gotta fight!”

The Pinsir shook their head before turning back to the Venonat who was charging up an attack.  They immediately went wide eyed as the samurai gave another shout.  “Pinsir, use Seismic Toss!”

The Pinsir rolled back before slamming their fist into the ground, forcing the ground beneath the Venonat to launch the bug Pokémon into the air causing the Venonat to drop heavily back to the forest floor.  The small bug Pokemon rolled up into a sitting position and shook their head before launching back into action.  They turned back to the Pinsir and started to run straight ahead.

“Pinsir, use Bind!”

The Pinsir ran forward, lunging at the Venonat again before they stepped to the side as yellowish waves were emitted from the Pokémon’s antennae.

“Urgh, she would use disable!”

The Pinsir shook their head violently before the Venonat rammed into them from behind causing the Pinsir to stumble forward.

“Pinsir!  Are you okay?!”

“Pinsir!”

The samurai gave a sigh of relief.  “Glad to hear it.  We gotta beat Venonant fast!  They know too many status moves that’ll stall us.”

The Venonat crunched small as a blue light shown from its head.

“Veno-”

“You ready for this Pinsir?”

“Pin!”

“Alright then, let’s do it.  Focus Energy!”

“Nat!”

The blue aura shot out as Pinsir held firm in their position, maintaining focus as they wobbled from the might of the Venonat’s attack until the blue aura finally subsided.

“Now Pinsir, use Vice Grip!”

The Pinsir rushed forward and snatched the Venonat in their horns, squeezing tightly as the Venonat squirmed before Pinsir swung the Pokémon into a tree.  All eyes remained fixed on the Venonat who tried to stand back up before collapsing back down to the forest floor.

“Awesome job Pinsir!  We won again!”

“No way!”

A shadow suddenly jumped out of the tree to land next to Venonat as they hurriedly applied a potion to the Pokemon.  “Come on, you gotta be okay.”

Red eyes glowed and dimmed until eventually they were back to being full of life as the Venonat turned towards the newcomer.  “Veno?”

“Aw, I’m sorry Venonat!  I was certain we’d get him this time!”

“Come on Janine, face facts.  You’ll never beat me so long as I’m in this forest.  This is my home turf.”

The ninja got up with a groan as she crossed her arms.  “Well sorry you’re too big of a coward to come and challenge me in the Safari Zone.”

“Well I never bragged that I could beat anyone under any circumstance.  That sound familiar?”

The ninja simply gave a groan before noticing the two blondes behind the samurai.  “Hey, you two!  Are you both trainers?”

“Looks like you’re up Lillie.”

The girl gave a soft squeal as Mina pushed her forward.  She turned to give Mina a scowl before addressing the ninja.  “Actually, we are.  We were just passing through to get to Pewter City.”

“Aw, some more gym challenge hopefuls here?”

“Nah,” Mina answered as she rested the back of her head in her palms.  “I’m pretty content with my trainer accomplishments.  Not sure about Lillie here though.”

“I don’t have any trainer accomplishments Mina, I just started!”

“Then going to the Pewter City Gym would be the perfect stop!”  The ninja announced as she hopped in place.  “By the way, my name’s Janine.  I’m training to inherit my father’s gym.”

“My name’s Lillie,” the blonde answered with a handshake.  “I’m hoping to become a great Pokémon trainer.”  Lillie turned behind her to motion to her comrade.  “And this is Mina.  She’s a captain on Alola’s Poni Island.”

“’Sup?”

"Hey there!"  Janine responded cheerily before turning back to the samurai.  “This here’s my cousin.  Most know him as ‘the Samurai of Viridian Forest,’ but I just like to call him Sam.”

“I told you Janine, that’s not my name!”

“It’s good to meet you Sammy,” Mina answered in a casual tone.

“That’s not my name either!”

“Please forgive my friend Sir Samurai,” Lillie answered with a bow.  “I believe her laid back nature has caused her a deficit in proper manners.”

“I heard that.”

“Hmm… well, since you've been so respectful, I suppose I’ll forgive you.”

Janine rolled her eyes before turning back to the duo.  “So, since you’re both trainers, I suppose you’d want a battle!”

“What?!”

“Here we go again.”

“You see, as a gym leader in training, I need to practice having challengers, so I’ve created a puzzle!  There are two other ‘me’s’ in this forest.  Defeat each one and get a map piece and once you’ve gotten both map pieces you can challenge me!”

“Oh!  Well, thank you for the offer but-”

“Alright!  I’ll see you on the other side of the forest!”

“But-!”  It was too late.  Janine had disappeared in a puff of smoke as Lillie whined lightly.

“Well, better get going,” Mina said as she started dragging Lillie along a path.  “There’s no turning down a challenge from another trainer.”

“Hey, wait-!”

“Looks like you get dragged into a lot of nonsensical situations too, huh?”

Lillie huffed as she took her arm back from Mina.  “You have no idea.”

“Well, in case you forgot, that was my cousin who just disappeared in a puff of smoke so I think I have some idea.”  The samurai smirked as Lillie simply sighed.

“I don’t suppose you know any way out of the forest, do you?”

“You can’t back out of a trainer challenge Lillie,” Mina answered as she folded her arms.  “That’d be against the code.”

“I guarantee you that I have never heard of any kind of trainer code before.”

“Your friend is right!”  The samurai announced as he clenched his fist in passion.  “One cannot turn down a challenge once issued, however, Janine will be waiting for you at the end of the forest so once you get to the end you’ll have to battle her anyways.”

Lillie gave a moan as Mina lightly slapped her shoulder.  “Don’t worry Lillie.  If you weren’t going to battle ever then you wouldn’t be considered a trainer.”

Lillie exhaled loudly before she lifted herself up.  “Alright.  Where do we need to go?”

“Sorry, that’s for you to find out.  See you on the other side!”

“Hey, wait!”

But he was gone just as quickly as Janine was, running deep into the forest as Lillie quickly gave chase.  She hurdled over roots and ran past branches as she tried to catch up with Clefairy desperately clinging to her free shoulder.

“Fairy!”

“Don’t worry Clefairy, he can’t avoid us forever!”

She watched the light ahead glow brighter as she rushed closer.

“We’re gunna get him now!”

They broke free!  Lillie breathing heavily from exertion as she looked around, taking in every detail of the forest as her eyes scanned the area critically.

He was nowhere to be found.

Even in the open clearing he had simply disappeared!

Lillie whined loudly as she fell to her knees.  Now she was absolutely lost.  She should’ve known no ninja would be without their traps!

“Hey, look, a clearing.”

Lillie gave an exaggerated groan as she pulled herself up.  “Yes Mina.  We’ve found a clearing.”

Mina immediately set out her easel as she extended her thumb to scan the area.  “This place is perfect.  There’s tons of light lines from the trees, lots of colors, and even a shadowy figure lounging eerily in the corner.”

“Yeah, it’s perfect,” Lillie answered in an annoyed tone before realization dawned on her.  “Wait, what was the last thing you said?”

“Check it out,” Mina answered as she pointed to a mysterious figure leaning causally against a tree.  Lillie squinted her eyes to get a better look before she perked up and ran towards the figure.

“I’ve got you now Janine!”

She reached for the girl’s shoulder before the figure’s head rolled off causing Lillie to scream.

“Hey look,” Mina responded casually as she picked up the figure’s head.  “Someone left a note in here.”

Lillie took the head before giving a huff of annoyance.  “Of course, Janine made a replica of herself out of twigs and leaves.  I can’t believe I fell for all this.”

“Hey, I’d say she did a good job considering.”

Lillie rolled her eyes as she tossed the head behind her.  “Regardless, we have bigger things to attend to.  Now, let’s see where this note says to go.”

She scoured the page, noting that it must’ve been the map piece that would lead to the next figure they needed to find.  As long as they cut through the east passage and head south before finding a fork that'd take them back east they should-

BBBBBZZZZZZZZZ

“Lillie, we should go.”

“Not now, Mina, I’m trying to figure out where the exit is.”

“But-”

“Mina, plea-!”

Mina pulled Lillie forward as a Beedrill zipped right past where she just was.  Lillie caught her balance as she prepared to yell at Mina before noticing the Pokémon that Mina had just saved her from.   Her jaw dropped as she tried to regain her thoughts before Mina tugged her arm again.

“Run!”

“R-Right behind you!”

“Fairy!”

They all bolted off as the Beedrill continued to give chase, following them through the forest as Lillie grabbed one of the tree branches to swing it back against the Beedrill.

“Haha!  Score!”

“Nice job.”

The Beedrill rose back up, wobbling from the impact before their blood red eyes fell to Lillie and their buzzing got incessantly louder.

“Um… Mina… what’s happening?”

“I think the Beedrill’s calling for help.”

Lillie scoffed at the notion as she shook her head.  “Mina, please.  I know that Alola is the only region with wild Pokémon that call for help.”

Mina gave a hum as she turned back to the forest behind them.  “Well someone failed to tell them that.”

“What are you talking-?” Lillie began before she turned towards the scene Mina was watching.  She blanched before she turned the other way.  “I’m never trusting books again, run!”

They both began dashing off again as a large swarm of Beedrill were suddenly on their tails, chasing after them relentlessly as they struggled to keep moving forward.

“Look!  That’s the fork to the left that we need to turn down!”

“If you say so.”

Lillie gave an incredulous gaze to Mina’s indifferent tone but chose to ignore it.  They took the left turn as they rushed forward, noticing that the Beedrill didn't follow them.

“Hah!  I think we’ve lost them!”

“If you think so.”

Lillie gave a groan.  Somehow, Mina was never as reassuring as Lillie would’ve liked her to be.

“Hey, I see something ahead.”

Lillie forced her eyes forward as she noticed what Mina was referring to.  “It’s another Janine figure!”

She picked up her pace as Clefairy desperately tried to keep up before she was finally in front of the Janine figure.  She roughly grabbed the figure as she pulled the note from the leaves and twigs.

“Yes!  We did it Clefairy!  Look at this!”

“Fair…”

Green eyes widened with concern as Lillie turned to where her Pokémon’s frightened gaze was.  Dozens of red eyes now bore on her as the horde of Beedrill came out of the thickets to attack Lillie.

“Go Clefable!”

Clefable burst out of the Pokéball in a glorious red light as Mina moved to stand between Lillie and the Beedrill.

“Clefable use Sing!”

Clefable inhaled deeply before a glorious melody erupted from them that caused all the Beedrill to pause.  They stopped, listening to the glorious melody until one by one they started falling to the ground as light snores were heard from them.

“Sorry for the hassle Clefable.  Thanks a bundle for the help.”

“Fable!”

The Pokémon dispersed back into the ball as Lillie gave a deep sigh.  “Thanks Mina."

Mina simply gave a shrug before turning back to the Aether heiress.  “What’d ya find there?”

“Well, it looks like we’ve got to go through this path that winds here, but there’s a small clearing towards the end here.”

“Then let’s get going.”

“Huh? Uh, right!”

Lillie rushed up to her feet before she noticed that Clefairy wasn’t following her.  “Clefairy?  Are you okay?”

The Clefairy turned away from the sleeping Beedrill before turning back to Lillie and giving a nod.

“Fairy.”

They ran towards Lillie who picked the small Pokémon up before heading off again.  Outside of the rummaging Weedle and the curious Caterpie, their journey was rather calm.  It was almost peaceful.

Then Lillie remembered the spot on her map.

“This should be the place,” she announced as she looked up, noticing a shadowy figure that was standing in the middle of the clearing.

“So, you finally made it.”

Lillie gave a glare to the girl as she pressed her hands against her hips.  “If you wanted me to be here in a more timely manner you wouldn’t have sent me on that ridiculous run-around!”

“I guess you have a point there,” Janine answered with a laugh.  “But the point of this exercise wasn’t to see how quickly you could get through the forest.”  The ninja paused as she pulled out a Pokéball and tossed it to the ground revealing the Venonat from earlier.

“I wanted to see if you had the drive to fight your way through the forest.”

Lillie gritted her teeth as Clefairy tugged at her skirt before she nodded.  “Go Clefairy!”

Janine gave a smile before she shouted her command.  “Venonat, use Confusion!”

“Clefairy Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk as the Venonat sent blue waves that were easily evaded by the minuscule Clefairy.  The shrunken Pokemon continued to run past the waves until they arrived right next to the Venonat.

“Now Clefairy, use Double Slap!”

“Venonat dodge and use Disable!”

The Clefairy raised their hands to attack but the Venonat sidestepped as they sent yellow waves that reverberated across Clefairy.

“Clefairy!  Can you Double Slap?!”

The Clefairy looked around curiously as they turned back towards Lillie.

“Venonat use Supersonic!”

“Clefairy use Sing!”

The Clefairy immediately burst into song as supersonic waves shot through the Venonat’s antennae, creating an ear piercing shriek that forced everyone to cover their ears.  The ringing sound echoed through the forest before eventually fading as the scene returned to normal with the two Pokemon standing unmoving across from each other.  Lillie looked closely, wondering what had happened as both Pokemon simply stood and stared at each other.

“Clefairy?”

The Clefairy suddenly turned, walking in the opposite direction of the Venonat as Lillie grasped her head.

“Clefairy, no!  Snap out of it!”

“Haha, your mine now!  Now Venonat use Tackle!”

The Venonat stayed standing still, staring into the forest ahead until they fell over as light snoring could be heard from them.

“Gyah!  Venonat, get up!”

But the Venonat didn’t budge, continuing to snore as the Clefairy wandered further away from the battlefield.  Lillie continued to panic as she called out to her partner.

“Clefairy!  Come on!”

"Fairy.  Fairy."

"Clefairy, come back!"

WHAM!!!

“Clefairy!”

“Nice one Venonat!  Now, use Tackle again!”

“No!  Clefairy, get out of there!”

The Clefairy looked around aimlessly as the Venonat landed another tackle which caused Lillie shriek.

“STOP!”

Both Janine and the Venonant paused as Lillie kept her gaze downcast.

“I surrender.  You win.  Just please…” She turned her gaze towards her opponent as tears threatened to escape her.  “Please stop hurting Clefairy.”

“Whoa!"  Janine took a step back as she tried to placate her opponent.  "Lillie, what’s going on?!”

“I just don’t want Clefairy to get hurt anymore,” Lillie answered softly with the shake of her head.  “It’s not worth it.”

“Clefairy’s just fine Lillie,” Mina answered as she tilted her head to the still confused Pokémon that was now staring curiously at a tree.  “There’s something else bothering you.”

“Or was it me?”  Janine asked.  “I’m sorry, I should’ve asked your permission first before throwing you into this challenge of mine.”

“No, it’s not that.  It’s just…” Lillie released a soft sigh as she turned towards her Pokémon who was now using defense curl against the tree.  “Is this really all trainers do?  They just go around fighting every person they see?”

“No way!”  Janine shouted, “What would make you think that?!”

“That’s just how it feels,” Lillie answered quietly as she turned back towards the leader-to-be.  “This is only my second battle after all and the only reason I wanted to battle you was to get back at you for all the headache you’ve given me in this forest.”

“Okay, I can understand that,” Janine answered as she scratched the back of her head.  “But what about your first battle?”

Lillie shook her head as she avoided Janine’s eyes.  “That trainer got me really mad and I wanted to get back at her too.  I wanted to make her apologize but…” her eyes clenched as she shook with rage.  “I was really just using Clefairy for some petty game!”

Janine went quiet, watching as Lillie stood stock still, hands still clenched as she fought off the tears.

“Deep down, you know that’s not true, right Lillie?”

“How could it not be true Mina?!”

“Because you told me the whole reason you wanted to become a trainer was to meet someone.”

Lillie paused as she turned to Mina, seeking the familiar captain's gaze as Mina returned the gesture with a shrug.  “Battling Pokémon isn’t about fighting.  It’s about… well… really it’s about whatever you want it to be about.”

“Yeah!”  Janine shouted as she gave a short hop in place.  “It’s whatever’s most important to you!  The reason I became a Pokémon trainer is because I want to follow my dad’s footsteps.  And the more I battle, the more I feel like I understand him!”

“The whole reason I became a trainer is because I wanted to see the places no one would go to,” Mina answered.  “I wanted to see the world beyond my village, but it was considered unsafe for anyone who wasn’t a trainer, so I became one.  Battling is my way of breaking down the boundaries that kept me from seeing the world.”

“So, what about you Lillie?”  Janine asked with the tilt of her head.  “Why did you become a trainer?”

Lillie turned towards the now singing Clefairy, taking particular notice of the hat her Pokémon wore as a smile crossed her face.  “I became a trainer because I wanted to become a better person.  I want to prove to myself that I really have grown.  That I can keep growing!  And I want to become a better version of myself to show Moon when I see them again.  I…”

She clenched her fists as determination shown in her eyes.  “I want to meet Moon as an equal.  I want to show them the best version of myself.  And I don’t think I can ever become that version of myself without becoming a trainer.”  She paused as her gaze dropped.  “I don’t think I could ever become a better person until I understand what Moon’s journey was like.  And that means getting strong enough to meet them in battle.  Even if it is just once.”

A smirk crossed Janine’s face as she met Lillie’s gaze.  “Well, if you want to get strong enough to battle someone who inspires you in that way, then you have to battle others to grow stronger.”  She turned back to her Venonat who was waiting at the ready.  “What do you say?  Continue this match?”

Lillie turned back to her Clefairy who was now spiraling in small circles deep in the forest.  They had been confused for a while, but it couldn’t last much longer.  A part of her wanted to try to drag out the conversation longer, but she knew stalling wouldn't be fair.  Besides Clefairy would be alright.

She’d make sure of it.

“Give it your best!”

Janine gave out a light chuckle before posing dramatically.  “Hope you don’t regret this later.  Venonat, use Tackle!”

The Venonat leapt forward as they gave a cry while Lillie watched closely.

“You’re done for!”

“Now, Clefairy!  Use Minimize!”

The Clefairy turned confusedly towards Lillie, tripping in the process as the Venonat leapt over the Clefairy to smack into the tree trunk behind them.

“Venonat!  No!”

“Clefairy!  Are you alright?!”

The Venonat shook their head as the Clefairy rolled up from the ground to take in their surroundings while Janine gave a snarl.  “Venonat!  Use Tackle!”

“Clefairy, look out!”

The Venonat immediately launched itself at the Clefairy as the fairy turned around slowly.

“Clefairy, Harden!”

CLANG

The Venonat struggled to get away as steel hard arms held them in place.

“Nice one Clefairy!”

“Grr, Venonat!  Get out of there!”

“Not so fast!  Clefairy use Double Slap!”

The Clefairy held tight to the Venonat before sending a heavy slap against the bug Pokémon who recoiled as a second slap was delivered as the barrage cotninued.

“Venonat, use disable!”

“Clefairy, Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk as yellow waves escaped the Venonat’s antennae, narrowly hitting the Clefiary’s tail as the Pokémon reverted back to their regular size.

“Clefairy, no!”

“Now Venonat!  Use Confusion!”

The Venonat began to glow blue as it sent the blue waves towards the Clefairy that launched the Pokémon against a far tree.

“No!”

Lillie rushed over to the dizzy form of her Pokémon as Mina followed suit.

“Looks like Clefairy’s unable to battle.”

Lillie gave a sigh as she picked the Pokémon up in her arms.  “I’m sorry Clefairy.  I should’ve tried harder.”

“Fair…y…” The Pokémon mumbled lightly as they snuggled into Lillie’s arms.

“Clefairy really fought hard out there,” both heads turned to find Janine who stood with her Venonat.  “It looks like they really had fun, regardless of the outcome.”

Lillie gave a quizzical hum before turning back to the Clefairy.  They had a soft smile that graced them as they slept peacefully in her arms, causing Lillie to smile in response.  “Yeah… I guess they did.”

Suddenly, rustling came from out of the bushes as the familiar samurai entered the clearing.  “Whoo, I finally made it back to all of you!”  He announced before taking in the scene that was before him and scratching the back of his head.  “Um… did I miss something?”

“Nothing really,” Lillie answered as she rose to her feet to meet Janine’s gaze.  “But I just decided that I’m going to get stronger.  So that some day I can battle you again and give Clefairy another moment of joy.  Of course, next time, I won’t be losing.”

Janine gave a laugh as she put her hands on her hips.  “Those be fighting words there Lillie, but I can’t really argue.  If you’re taking the gym challenge, then I’ll be even more motivated to train so that I can take over my father’s gym before you get there.”

“It’s a deal then,” Lillie answered with a light giggle.  “We’ll both get stronger!  You to become a gym leader, and me to get a gym badge from you!”

“That’s the spirit!”  Janine announced as she hopped in place.  “I am sooo stoked for our next match!”

“So am I.”

The samurai shook his head as he gave a light chuckle.  “There’s no shortage of over-eager trainers to feed to the wolves are there?  But, if you’re serious, then you’re at the right spot.”

“Pewter City Gym, right?”

“Yep!  It’s right past this gate,” Janine answered as she pointed to the entry gate behind her.  “Once you get your first badge you’ll be officially recognized as a gym challenger.  But, be warned, Brock’s no pushover.”

Lillie looked down to the Clefairy who was now contently sleeping in her arms as she smiled.  “We can handle it!”

Mina gave a soft smile as Janine gave a large grin.  “Well then what are you waiting for?”

“Your future awaits you Lillie.”

She gave a bow to the samurai and the ninja.  “Thank you both for all your help.  I’m going to make it worth your while, I promise!”

“You better!”  Janine shouted as Lillie and Mina began to head out.

“I promise!  You just focus on becoming a gym leader!”

“I will!”

“And I’ll help her!”

Janine gave her cousin a light glare as Lillie left with a giggle.

“Well those were some interesting people we met.”

Lillie gave a soft smile as she looked towards Mina.  “And I get the feeling there’ll be many more like them .”

Mina hummed softly before turning towards their bag.  “I almost forgot, I got this for you.”

Lillie tilted her head before opening up the paper to find a portrait of her and Clefairy battling Janine and Venonat as she gave a soft smirk.  “This’ll be a nice keepsake.”

“I figured you’d like it.”

Lillie shook her head as she tossed it into her backpack.  “Well, enough about this, we’ve got places to be!”  She ran ahead as she gave a joyful laugh.

“Pewter City, here we come!”

Chapter Text

After you're through the Viridian Forest you’re just a stone’s throw away from Pewter City which, speaking of stones, is also home to Brock's gym!  He' uses rock-type Pokemon, so I’d recommend using either grass or water type Pokemon since normal moves aren’t very effective against rock-type Pokemon.  Of course, neither are a lot of other types.  Also, if you have some down time, you should check out the museum there!  It’s really cool and they even have Pokemon fossils!

“I should’ve thought this through more.”

The two girls were seated at a diner, Lillie sitting pensively with her spoon twirling in her yogurt as Mina stabbed her fork into her breakfast.

“I told you you'd regret not getting the Berry Cake Supreme.”

“That’s not what I’m talking about,” Lillie responded with a sigh.  She leaned back in her seat as she looked at her Clefairy who was napping next to their bowl of Pokemon food.  “I mean, I don’t know how I’m supposed to beat Brock.”

“You don’t think Clefairy can hack it?”

“Well you don’t have to put it like that,” Lillie answered in a slightly accused tone.  “It’s just that Brock has a lot of rock-type Pokemon and Clefairy doesn’t have any moves that would be even remotely effective.”

“Yeah, not to mention that your Clefairy seems to have a lax nature, which means they probably don’t worry about special attacks as much.”

“Again Mina,” Lillie answered with a sigh.  “Sometimes I feel like you just make this stuff up as you go.”

“What can I say?  Being a trainer is complicated.”

“So what can I do about this?”  Lillie asked as she pouted at her food.  “I know Clefairy loves battling, but it feels irresponsible to send them in alone with such a disadvantage.”

“Why don’t you just catch another Pokemon?”

“But what Pokemon should I catch?  And what if I catch them and they don’t like me?  Or what if they don’t get along with Clefairy?”

“Or what if you're overthinking things to avoid getting another Pokemon?”

“Exact-!  Wait, Mina!”

Mina shook her head as she ate a piece of her Berry Supreme pancakes.  “I’m surprised you aren’t worried about when your egg hatches at this rate.”

“Hey, my egg will- that’s it!”

She pulled the egg out of her bag as she watched it carefully.

“Now all we have to do is wait for this egg to hatch!”

Mina continued to chew on her pancakes as Lillie’s eyes narrowed at the egg.  “Lillie-”

“Wait!  I think I saw it move!”

“That’s impossible,” Mina answered as she grabbed another forkful of whipped cream and pancake.  “Eggs only hatch if you’re moving with it.”

“You’re lying,” Lillie muttered as she continued to stare at the egg.  “This egg will hatch any second now, I know it.”

“Wrong.  Eggs hatch based on the amount of steps you take.”

“That makes absolutely no sense!”

“So does the fact that you’re waiting for an egg to hatch when there’re plenty of places to catch Pokemon around here.”

“Fine!”  Lillie rushed out her chair and grabbed the egg.  “I’ll show you!”

She began to jog in place as she held the egg firmly in her arms.  “This egg will hatch and then I’ll prove myself against the gym leader!”

“Sure, but eggs only hatch if they’re also with active Pokemon.”

“What are you talking about?!  Clefairy’s right there!”

She tilted her head towards the Clefairy who apparently rolled in their sleep as they were now face first in their food.

“I wouldn’t qualify that as active.”

“Dangit Mina!  What is it you want from me?!”

“Nothing really,” Mina answered before taking a drink of her milk.  “I’m just trying to teach you how to not make a fool of yourself.”

“Ugh!  You’re so mean!”  She slumped back into her seat as she set the egg back on the table.  “But, if this egg won’t hatch then…”

“You’ll just have to catch another Pokemon.  I’ll even give you some Pokeballs to get started.”

Lillie’s head dropped as she shook it, “I guess I don’t have much of a choice anymore, do I?”

“I mean, you could always choose to just stay here forever.”

“You know I can’t do that,” Lillie answered in a somber tone.  “I promised Clefairy that I'd help them get back home.”

“You know, we aren’t too far from Mt. Moon.”

“I know…”

The phrase slid off her tongue as she turned her head towards the Clefairy.  They were still sleeping contently in their bowl without a care in the world.  Did Clefairy realize just how close to Mt. Moon they had gotten?  Probably.  But with being this close…

“Maybe it’s time I return Clefairy to Mt. Moon.”

Mina hummed as she turned towards the Pokemon in question.  “I guess so, but then you’ll be Pokemonless and unable to battle the gym here.”

“Maybe I’ll find a Pokemon on the way there,” Lillie answered in a soft tone.  “It just doesn’t feel right.  Keeping Clefairy longer than I need to.”

“…Fair…?”

The Clefairy’s head rose slowly as they looked around the room before finding Lillie’s soft smile.  They waddled over to her seat before lumbering up into her lap and curling into the girl’s arms.

“Clefairy doesn’t seem to mind the stay.”

“I know,” Lillie answered softly.  “But I think it’s time they finally got home.”

Mina gave a slight nod before returning to her breakfast.

“Excuse me ladies,” their waitress interjected as she turned to the two.  “But I have your check here.”

“I got this,” Mina announced before she reached into her arts supply bag.  She rummaged through her bag, forcing the waitress to wait there awkwardly as Lillie held her face in her palm.  Eventually she finally found what she wanted and placed the item in their waitress’ hand.

“Keep the change.”

“Um…” the waitress held up the item as it reflected in the light.  “This is a bottle cap.”

“Yep,” Mina answered as she leaned back in her seat.  “Some people are really happy to receive one.”

“Right…” the waitress drawled as she set the bottle cap on the table.  “Unfortunately, this establishment doesn’t recognize bottle caps as legal tender.”

“What about Battle Points?”

“What now?”

“Well, guess I’m no good.  Looks like you’re paying for breakfast again Lillie.”

Lillie gave a snort as she reached into her bag.  “How typical.”  She pulled out her wallet and handed the waitress her card.

“Thank you so much, I’ll be right back with your receipt.”

“Thank you,” Lillie answered with a smile as the waitress left.  She waited until the waitress was completely out of sight before she sent Mina a glare.  “You are absolutely no help.”

Mina shrugged as she finished off her pancakes.  “You ready for the next step?”

Lillie looked down at the Clefairy in her arms, still snoozing soundly as a bittersweet smile crossed her face.

“I think I have to be.”

“You sure you really wanna be letting Clefairy go?”

“As I’ve mentioned multiple times already, Clefairy was never my Pokemon.  We were simply helping each other when it was convenient for both of us.”

“So Clefairy’s inconvenient to you now?”

“I never said that,” Lillie growled with a glare.  “There’s just no point keeping Clefairy with me when I promised to get them home and we’re right here.”

“Fair…”

The Clefairy squeezed Lillie’s shoulder as they continued to walk towards Route 3 until-

“HALT!”

Lillie walked right into the outstretched hand that pushed her back as she fell to the ground.

“Ow, what was the meaning of that?!”

“Badge please.”

“Excuse me I asked you a question!”  Lillie announced as she rose back to her feet.  “What right did you have to push me like that?!”

“If I didn’t stop you you would’ve walked right past.”

“So?”

“So?  You can’t go through unless you have the Boulder badge.”

“What?!  Why not?!”

“There's been some trouble happening around Mt. Moon,” the youngster stated matter-of-factly.  “Get the badge and you’ll have proof you’re strong enough to go through.”

"What kinda trouble?"  Mina asked in her usual tone.

"Troublesome trouble."

Lillie groaned, "I swear you're making this up.  Besides, I need to go through to catch a Pokemon that can help me beat Brock!"

“Tough luck.”

“URGH!!!”

“You alright there Lillie?  You look a little frustrated.”

“I am frustrated Mina!”

“Well, maybe you should take some time to draw a picture,” Mina advised as she flipped over the canvas she was working on.  “It's a fantastic way to help cope with stress.”

Lillie glared at the canvas with a picture of her screaming in the midst of bright flames that matched the one's burning in her eyes.

“It’s very fortunate of you that I’m not a violent person otherwise I’d-!”

“Let me guess, you can’t get through either, huh?”

Both blondes turned towards the new voice as Lillie gave a groan.  “Why won’t he let anyone through?  Doesn’t he care that people might have places to be?”

“Things have been dangerous around Mt. Moon these days so Brock asked one of his gym members to watch the path,” the boy answered as the Eevee in his arms gave a light mewl.

“You mentioned you couldn’t get through?”

“Yeah.  I’m working to become an Eevee master trainer, but I can’t beat Brock.”

“Sounds like you need to do more training.”

“Mina!”

“Well, that’s the problem,” the boy answered with a sigh.  “There’s no way I could beat Brock with just my Eevee unless I taught them a move that would work against his Pokemon.  Of course, the only place to get TM’s is at Celadon’s Department store.”

“That’s a bummer.”

“So what do we do?!”  Lillie asked as her arms flailed at her sides.  “We’re all stuck here until we all get the Boulder Badge!”

“Actually, only one of us needs a Boulder Badge,” the boy explained as he gave a sheepish smile.  “And… then I could travel with you all?”

“What?”

“Only till we get to Celadon!”  He quickly clarified as he waved his hands in front of him.  “I don’t wanna get in your way, but I can’t just be stuck here forever.”

“Hm… I guess you have a point,” Lillie answered as she pointed her finger to her chin.  “Alright, you can join us, and Mina can get the Boulder Badge for us!”

“Wow, really?!”

“Pass.”

“Wha-” Lillie pirouetted in place to show Mina her shocked expression.  “But Mina!”

“I’ve got nothing I need to prove,” Mina answered casually.  “Besides, you two are the ones on journeys.  And you won't gain anything from it if you rely on me to fix every roadblock for you.”

“Ugh!  Come on Mina!”

“Nope.”

Lillie gave a groan as the boy hugged his Eevee awkwardly.  “Well, what’s keeping you from battling Brock?”

“Clefairy’s my only Pokemon,” Lillie explained.  “Well, technically I don’t have a Pokemon since Clefairy… well… it’s complicated.”

“Oh,” the boy answered quietly as he shrunk back slightly.  “Well, if it helps, I had heard rumor a that there’s a Bellsprout wandering the outskirts of Pewter City.  They’ve been causing some problems for folks in town so people have been wanting someone to do something about it.”

“Maybe you can catch it.”

“Huh?”  Lillie looked towards Mina who gave her the same look she always gave.  “Wait, why should I catch them?”

“Bellsprout’s a grass-type which is good against rock.”

“Yeah, but-!”

“You can either do that or wait here forever.”

“Whuh, buh, ugh!  Fine!”  Lillie stomped away, walking towards the opposite exit of town.  “Just tell me where the Bellsprout is!”

“Uh, yes ma’am!”

“By the way, I’m Mina.  What’s your name?”

“Oh, I’m Mikey.”

“Cool.  That’s Lillie.”

“Yeah, yeah, this is all nice and all, but where’s that danged Bellsprout?”

They waited back at the edge of the Viridian Forest.  Mikey was playing with his Eevee, Mina was painting on her canvas with Clefairy sleeping in her lap while Lillie-

“Urgh, where is this Pokemon anyway?!”

“I swear this is where I’d last heard of them being,” Mikey answered in a somber tone.  “I’m sorry.”

Lillie gave a sigh.  “There’s no reason for you to apologize.  I’m just stressed right now and I'm the one who needs to apologize.  I’ve been taking it out on you.”

“It’s alright.”

“Well, if it makes you both feel any better, it’s not like we were going to get anywhere even if you didn’t tell us about the Bellsprout.”

“Mina!”

“What?”  Mina asked, shrugging her shoulders at Lillie’s glare.  “The youngster made it clear we weren’t getting anywhere until we get that Boulder Badge.”

Lille let loose a groan as she folded her arms.  “You don’t need to be so rude about it.”

“Just being honest,” Mina answered as she continued to work on her painting.  “Hm…”

“What’s wro-? Nevermind.  I know I don-”

“I thought I captured your hopeless irritation well enough in this portrait, but something feels like it’s missing.”

Lillie gave a sigh as Mikey looked between the two girls.  “Is this what your journey’s like all the time.”

“Pretty much.”

“I… see…” he answered hesitantly that Lillie could only think was out of decency.

“Well, it looks like this-”

“WAHHH!!”

“FAIRY!”

“Bell! bellbellbellbellbell, bell!”

“Wait... Hold still now...”

“Mina!”  Lillie grimaced with her hands clenching at her sides as paint dripped down her dress.

“Bellbellbellbell.”

“Hey!  That’s the Bellsprout!”

“I figured as much,” Lillie growled in a low tone.  “Clefairy!”

“Fairy!”

“Use Double Slap!”

The Clefairy rushed at the Bellsprout who stopped their laughing to give the fairy Pokemon notice.  They stumbled up and away from the Clefairy before turning around and spitting acid at the attacker.

“Clefairy!  Minimize!”

“Fair!”

The Clefairy shrunk as the acid spray splattered to the ground.  The Bellsprout paused for a moment, looking around for the Clefairy as Lillie gave a smirk.

“Now Clefairy!  Double Slap!”

“Clefair…y!”

The Clefairy sent a barrage of attacks against the Bellsprout until the grass-Pokemon was sent tumbling away.  They got up, stumbling slightly as Clefairy held their ground.

“Nice, you weakened it!  Now just throw a Pokeball and Bellsprout should be all yours!”

“Wait, what?”

“What do you mean what?”  Mikey asked as his Eevee tilted their head. “Wasn’t the whole reason we came here was to catch the Bellsprout?”

“Wha-? Oh!  Right!  Well, I was going to, but… it just so happens that I don’t have any Pokeballs!”

“I’ve got some right here,” Mina answered as she handed Lillie twenty of them.  “Knock yourself out.”

“Huh?!  Wait!  I-”

“Oh, right.  You haven’t caught a Pokemon yet,” Mina answered.  “Well, it’s pretty straightforward, you just reel back your arm and-”

“NO!!!”

Lillie had stood in the way of Mina, reaching for the ball in her hand as the captain looked at her with a single raised eyebrow.

“I mean, no… need for the lesson!”  Lillie answered as she snagged the Pokeball and gave an awkward laugh.  “I definitely know how to catch a Pokemon.”

“If you say so,” Mina answered with a shrug.

“Well then, what are you waiting for?  Catch that Bellsprout!”

Mikey and his Eevee gave a cheer as Lillie silently groaned to herself.  She could do this.  Catching Pokemon was what all Pokemon trainers do.  No big deal.

She released the breath she held as she readied her throw.

Here goes nothing.

The Bellsprout turned to look at her.  They stared at her with deep, blank eyes as Lillie held firm in her resolve.  She clutched the Pokeball tighter, swinging her arm forward as she gave a yell.

“I can’t!”

The Pokeball bounced off the ground and rolled towards the Bellsprout as they looked at the Pokeball curiously.

“Whoa, Lillie, calm down.”

“Lillie, what’s wrong?”

“I…” She paused as tears began to fill her eyes.  “I just can’t do it!”

“Lillie!”

“Hey, Wait!”

But Lillie chose to run instead, leaving everyone behind as she made her way back to the city.

“Lillie?’

The name pushed through the closed door and echoed in the silent room.  Lillie didn’t respond, knowing the silence would tell Mina more than she’d be able to say.

“Is she gonna be okay?”

“Only one way to find out.”

Lillie rose slowly as she heard the doorknob jiggle.  “Don’t bother Mina.  The door’s locked.”

“Is that so?”

Lillie gave a humph as she flopped her face back into her pillow.

“Uh, Lillie, you should probably open the door.”

“Look, Mikey, I know you’re just trying to help-”

“No!  Lillie!  You need to open the door!”

“But-!”

“ROCK-!!!”

“WHA- WAIT!!!  I’m opening the door, I’M OPENING THE DOOR!!!”

She rushed off the bed and threw the door open, revealing the scene of a desperate Mikey pleading with a hammer happy Mina who was midswing of slamming her mallet down on Lillie.

“Mina!  What are you doing?!  The door was locked for a reason!”

“But you didn’t tell me the reason, you just said it was locked.”

Lillie groaned as she flopped back on the bed.  “This is hopeless.”

“It could be worse.  We could be badgeless and have no recognition as a trainer.”

Lillie groaned again as Mikey tip-toed into the room.  “Mina, maybe we should give her some space.”

“Fairy?”

The small Pokemon tugged at Lillie’s skirt, prompting her to turn towards her partner.  She picked them up and hugged them tightly.  “I don’t know what to do.”

“I told you I’d show you how to throw a Pokeball.”

“That’s not it!”  Lillie snapped.  She dropped her head and gave a sigh at Mina’s indifferent expression before she turned back to her Clefairy.

“You don’t want to catch another Pokemon, do you?”

“I mean- I don’t know…” She shook her head as Clefairy sunk deeper into her arms.  “I would like to have more Pokemon friends, but…”

She loosened her grip around the Clefairy who looked at her curiously.  “But what about the lives they have in the wild?  Is it really alright for me to take a Pokemon away from their home just for my own benefit?”

“Hey, it’s not like that,” Mikey answered as he took a seat next to Lillie.  His Eevee mewled as they weaseled in Mikey’s arms to give Clefairy a curious look causing Lillie to take notice.  “How did you meet Eevee?”

“Oh, well, they were given to me by my brothers.  Who got their Pokemon from my mom.  Who…”

He trailed off as he scratched his head.  “Actually, to be honest, I’ve never actually caught a wild Pokemon either.”

Lillie groaned as she flopped back onto her bed.  “This is pointless.”

“No, it’s not.”

“Right.  Mina, how could this possibly not be pointless?”

“Because that Bellsprout’s right outside.”

“What?!”

“SPROUT!!!”

The Bellsprout’s cry echoed through the crack of the window as the Bellsprout flailed against the glass.

“What’re they doing here?!”

“Don’t know.  Let’s open the window and see.”

“NO!!!”

Mina threw open the window as the Bellsprout dove into the room, causing Mikey and Lillie to jump off the bed with Clefairy left stunned at the sudden turn of events.  The Bellsprout ran towards the door as they shot a vine whip at Clefairy.  The Clefairy ducked, causing the vine to snag onto the hat they wore as the Bellsprout gave a quick tug to force the object towards them.

“Fairy!!!”

“Hey!”

The Bellsprout ran off with Clefairy chasing closely behind as Lillie hurried to follow.

“Give me back my hat!!!”

They streamed out of the hotel, the innkeeper watching them leave in confusion as the Bellsprout continued to rush towards the forest.

“Fairy, Fair!”

“What they said!”

“Bell!”

The Bellsprout sent sharp leaves towards the duo as Lillie hurried forward.

“Clefairy!  Look out!”

“Fair?”

She picked up the Clefairy before diving to the side as the leaves narrowly missed them.

“Fairy! Fair!”

The Clefairy flailed in Lillie’s arms.  She tried to hold them tighter, but that only made Clefairy struggle harder.  They popped out, rushing back to their feet as they looked around the forest but there was no sign of where the Pokemon went.

The Bellsprout was gone.

“Clefairy…”

“Oh, Clefairy,” Lillie sighed as she took a seat next to her partner Pokemon.  “It’ll be alright… somehow.”

“Hey!”

Lillie whipped her head behind her as Mikey and Mina rushed forward.

“We managed to find you!”

“Good thing you didn’t get too far.”

“We weren’t about to get lost Mina,” Lillie stated somberly.  “But… we did lose the Bellsprout.

“Don’t worry Lillie,” Mikey reassured as he let Eevee down.  “Eevee, do an odor sleuth.”

“Eevee!”

The Eevee immediately started sniffing the ground, pacing slowly in the direction Lillie had last seen the Bellsprout.

“Eevee should be able to find the Bellsprout for us.  They couldn’t have gone too far.”

“Mikey that’s incredible!”

“Fairy!”

“Of course, none of this would’ve been an issue if you’d just caught the Bellsprout in the first place.”

Lillie gave a groan as her head sunk.  “Mina, why do you always have to pick on me.”

“Criticism’s never easy to take, but sometimes, you just need someone to tell you that mixing all the paint colors together doesn’t give you a rainbow.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“Hey!  Eevee found a trail!”

“Nice work!”  Lillie shouted as she ran ahead towards where Mikey was leading them.  She rushed over to the parted bushes where she saw the Bellsprout, staring at the hat with a melancholy look on their face.

“What’s going on?”

“Clefairy!!!”

Both trainers blanched as the Bellsprout noticed their presence.  Lillie quickly grabbed hold of Clefairy who was trying desperately to get out of her grip as Mikey turned to Eevee.

“Hey, can you see what’s going on for us?”

“Eevee!”

The Eevee jumped into the clearing, but approached slowly.  They greeted the Bellsprout with soft mewls and the Bellsprout began to respond in kind.

“That’s it Eevee.”

“No Clefairy!  You’re going to scare them away again!”

“Bellsprout.”

Lillie and Clefairy froze as they looked down at the small Pokemon who was presenting the hat back to them.

“Fairy!”

Clefairy leapt out of Lillie’s arms, snagged the hat and wormed it back onto their head before jumping around in joy as Lillie turned back to the Bellsprout.

“Thank you so much Bellsprout.  That hat means a lot to me, and I appreciate you returning it.”

“Bell…”

The Bellsprout shrunk into themself as concern etched itself across Lillie’s face.  “Bellsprout, what’s the matter?”

“Lillie.”

“Hm?”

Mikey paused as his Eevee continued to whisper in his ear.  “You should catch Bellsprout.”

“What?!  But why?!”

“Well, Eevee told me that they actually used to have a trainer.”

“What?!”

“Well, more specifically, this Bellsprout used to belong to someone and was more of a family pet.  They wanted to battle, but no one in the family was really interested in being a trainer so they released them into the wild.  They probably hoped that Bellsprout would be happier being wild where they could either battle or be captured by someone who was a trainer.”

“Oh,” Lillie sighed as she turned back to the Bellsprout.  “Is that why you were such a nuisance to so many?  You were just trying to get their attention?”

“Sprout…”

Lillie gave a soft giggle before she rose to her feet.  “Well, I accept your offer.”  She pulled out a Pokeball as she extended it towards Bellsprout.  “Would you like to join Clefairy and me on our journeys?”

“Bellsprout, Bell!”

“Alright,” She answered as she wound up her pitch.  “Then here we go!”

She tossed the Pokeball as the red light absorbed the Bellsprout before she watched the ball anxiously.  It gave one shake.  It gave two shakes.  There was a long pause as she stared at the Pokeball before-

CLICK

She picked up the Pokeball before giving it a smile.  “Looks like your one of us now Bellsprout.”

The Pokeball wiggled as if to show its enthusiasm as Lillie smiled in return.

“I told you you just needed to catch that Bellsprout.”

Lillie gave a sigh before turning and giving Mina a smile.  “You were right Mina.  I should’ve listened to you.”

“I hope you remember that next time,” Mina answered as she finished painting in her sketchbook.  “Maybe this’ll help with that.”

Lillie looked at the painting of her and Mikey with Clefairy, Eevee and Bellsprout all in the open clearing as they were celebrating the returned hat and their newfound friendship.

“I almost guarantee you it won’t help me remember,” Lillie answered honestly with a giggle.  “But I do appreciate the sentiment.”

“I figured as much,” Mina answered as she put her supplies away.

“So, now that you’ve caught Bellsprout, what are you gonna do next?”

She turned to smile at her Clefairy, “Well, isn’t it obvious?”

Clefairy gave a nod as she tightened the straps of her backpack.

“It’s time for me to get my first gym badge!”

Chapter Text

She could do this!

She was certain she could do this!  After all, with her partners Clefairy and Bellsprout in tow, there was no challenge that would get in their way!

She could do this!

…

“BUT I CAN’T!!!”

She rushed backwards as Mina and Mikey blocked off her escape.

“Come on Lillie, why are you so antsy?”

“I never realized that someone who would trek Vast Poni Canyon would be such a cry baby.”

“That’s hardly fair Mina!”  Lillie complained as she pouted at the fairy captain.  “I had Moon with me there, after all!”

“Who’s Moon?”

“Beats me.  I think they took over Aether Paradise.”

“That was Gladion!”

“Right… and what’s Aether Paradise?”

“I think that was the Pokemon nursery or something.”

Lillie released a sigh as she stepped back from the human barricade.  “Look, I know I said I wanted to be a trainer and all, but…”

She turned back towards the gym as she hugged one of her elbows.  “I just can’t help but still feel conflicted about it.”

“Fairy!”

Lillie knelt down towards her Clefairy.  “Yes, I know that you’re fine battling, but…”

“Lillie,” she turned up to find Mina’s hand on her shoulder.  “Remember, this is something you’re not just doing for you, but you’re doing this for Clefairy and Bellsprout.  They’re relying on you, but they also trust you.  As long as you keep communicating with them you’ll be able to know if or when to pull out, but you need to put your trust in them to.”

Lillie closed her eyes and gave a sigh.  When she opened them next newfound determination sparked to life as she raised a clenched fist to her chest.

“Right!”

"So, what are you gonna do then?"

Lillie turned back towards the gym doors, determination filling her gaze.

"I'm going to go in there and face Brock."

"What was that?"

"I'M GOING TO FACE BROCK!!!"

She roared her response, chest out and arms spread high to show the height of her enthusiasm.

"Alright, let's do this!"

She lowered her arms, marched straight to the double and threw them open.

“BROCK I’M HERE TO CHALLENGE YOU!!!”

Silence ensued over the gym as all eyes fixed themself on the brazen new challenger. There were a number of trainers and Pokemon who stared at her as she immediately began to blush.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be,” one of the trainers stated as they walked up to her.  “That was the boldest entrance I’d ever seen!”

“Oh!  Uh, well,” Lillie scratched her cheek as she shrunk her posture.  “I guess I got a little carried away.”

“Hey, don’t be a rockslide.  Stand like a boulder!  Unwavering!  Sturdy!  And completely unbreakable against any force!”

“Of course!”

Mina turned to Mikey.  “Are all gyms filled with weirdos like that?”

“We prefer the term ‘passionate employees,’” Mikey stated before sighing.  “But, yes, all gyms tend to have people just like that.”

“My name’s Stone, by the way,” the shaggy haired boy stated.  “How about I battle you to see if you’re rock-steady ready for the big boulder.”

“I-” she paused before turning towards Clefairy who gave a nod.  She returned back with a smile.  “Yeah.  That’d be wonderful.”

“Awesome!  Let’s go!”

He turned back to the field before giving a shout.  “Hey!  Clear the court!  We got a challenger coming!”

The other trainers obliged, filling the benches to the sides as they started to engage in idle chatter on their predictions for the battle.

“Alright, you ready to rock?!”

Lillie nodded determinedly.  “I’m ready!”

“Alright!  Go Geodude!”

He tossed out a Geodude who flexed impressively in the middle of the court.

Lillie knew what she had to do.

“Fascinating!”  She announced as she appeared right next to the Geodude.  “I had no idea that Geodudes in the Kanto region were bald.”

“Uuhhhhhh…” Stone voiced awkwardly as he watched Lillie scribble furiously into her notepad while the Geodude watched in confusion.  Lillie remained completely ablivious to their reactions as she continued to prod the Geodude and inspect every inch of the Pokemon

“Hey!  Miss!  Aren’t you forgetting something?!”

She looked up and hummed in thought before realization dawned on her.

“Of course, my Pokedex!’

She fished it out of her bag as she registered Geodude’s data.

“Found in fields and mountains.  Mistaking them for boulders, people often step or trip on them.”

“Interesting.  I wonder if that’s why Alolan Geodudes have hair?”

“Hey, Lillie.”

“Yeah?”

Mina shook her head as Mikey gave an uneasy smile.  “Aren’t you here to, you know, battle the gym leader or something?”

Lillie hummed questioningly before seeing Stone on the other side, still with his jaw dropped as she blanched.

“Wah!  Sorry!  I promised I’d get Pokemon data and I’d never seen a Kantonian Geodude before.”

“Kantonian Geodude huh?  Well, not only are Pokemon appearances different between regions, but so are their typings.  I hope you’re ready, I’m about to win in a rockslide!”

Lillie gave a determined smile.  “Not so fast, after all-”

She threw a Pokeball as Bellsprout vaporized with a cheer.

“I prepared for type matchups.”

“A Bellsprout eh?  You definitely did your research, but this rock won’t be cracked that easily!”

He threw his arm outwards as a fierce smile overtook his face.  “Geodude!  Use Magnitude!’

The ground began to shake as Lillie had a difficult time keeping her balance.

“Wah?!  A Ground-type move?!”

“Yep!  Geodude out here is Ground and Rock, which with your Bellsprout being both Grass and Poison type, this move will do a solid amount of damage.”

Lillie gritted her teeth as she turned back to the battlefield.

“Bellsprout, use Ingrain!”

Bellsprout’s roots dug into the ground, keeping Bellsprout from swaying too much on the field.

“Nice one Bellsprout!”

“We’re not dusted yet!”  Stone shouted with another enthusiastic cry.  “Geodude, use Barrage!”

The Geodude began to throw numerous boulders at the Bellsprout as Lillie watched intently.

“Bellsprout!  Dodge them!”

The Bellsprout followed the order, swaying from side to side as the boulders passed.

“Awesome job Bellsprout!”

“That was just a warm-up, it’s time to bring out the boulder.  Geodude, use Rock Throw!”

“GEO!!!”

The Geodude cried as they held their hands out in front of them.  Forming in the center of their hands was a giant boulder that kept getting bigger and bigger.  Lillie’s eyes went wide at the size of it.

“Now Geodude!”

“GEO-!!!”

“Bellsprout, use Vine Whip!”

“Bell!”

“-dude?”

Lillie opened her eyes as she saw her plan worked.  Bellsprout had grabbed both of Geodude’s arms, preventing them from tossing the massive boulder as it lost balance in their arms.

“Geo-!”

BOOOOOOOM

The boulder crashed to the field, creating a cloud of dust that Lillie had to shield her eyes from as it blew past her.  The wind stopped, prompting Lillie to open her eyes as she slowly lowered her arm.

“GEODUDE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BATTLE!  LILLIE IS THE WINNER!”

“I… I did it?”

She looked back on the field as Stone patted his Geodude’s head before returning his Pokemon in their Pokeball.

“I really did it!  I won!”

“That was an impressive match for both of you.”

Lillie immediately stopped her cheers as she turned towards the unfamiliar voice.

“Of course, I would say it’s a little early to be celebrating.”

Lillie stepped to the side as the man walked past to kneel next to Stone.

“That was a good effort out there, but remember, if you’re too rash you’ll leave yourself open.”

“R-Right!  Thanks Leader Brock!”

“Brock!”

The man gave a smirk before turning to find Lillie again.  “I didn’t mean for that to be a surprise.  Most people in Kanto know all the gym leaders.  You must be our foreign challenger.”

Lillie gave a curt nod.  “I came here from Alola.  And my goal is to become the next Kantonian Champion.”

“Alola huh?”  Brock asked as he rubbed his chin.  “You know, I heard that the champion over there originally came from Kanto.”

“They’re the reason I’m here,” Lillie stated as she clenched a fist in front of her.  “I want to be able to meet them on the battlefield, but the only way I could do that as an equal is if I were a champion.”

“Looks like you got your gaze set on a pretty impressive rival,” Brock stated with a light chuckle.  “But make sure you’re not getting too far ahead of yourself.  After all…”

He paused as he gave a wicked grin.

“You’re gonna have to beat me.”

Lillie felt her hand shaking as she grabbed it with the other.

This wasn’t the time for doubt.  Through sheer adrenaline she was able to push her anxiety aside.  She was able to command Bellsprout effectively so that they could achieve victory.  They had won their way to facing Brock!

She couldn’t let her worries get the better of her now.

“Alright!  I’m ready for it!”

“Excellent!”  He casually flicked a Pokeball in his hand before chucking it out onto the field.

“Go Geodude!”

The Pokeball opened to reveal a Geodude identical to the one that Lillie had battled earlier.

She hummed in response.  If she and Bellsprout were able to take one Geodude down, they could take down another.

“Bellsprout!  You alright to continue?”

“Bell!”

Brock gave a grin as the bell rang.

“START!”

“Geodude, use rock polish!”

“Bellsprout, Razor Leaf!”

Leaves floated around the Bellsprout before they shot like daggers towards the Geodude who began to glow.

“Geodude, Tackle!”

“Geo!”

The Geodude rushed off in a flash as the flying leaves shot right past.

“Where’d they-?!”

“Dude!”

The Geodude arrived right next to Bellsprout as Lillie gave a squeal.

“Bellsprout!  Look out!”

The Bellsprout turned as they barely managed to avoid the attack, the Geodude grazing Bellsprout as they rushed through.

“Bellsprout!  You okay?!”

“Bell!”

“Tackle!”

The Geodude suddenly moved again as they hit Bellsprout in the back causing them to stumble over.

“Bellsprout!”

“Tackle!”

The Geodude hit Bellsprout again.

“No!”

“Give up?”

Lillie clenched her fists.  She had underestimated battling another Geodude.  This one was focusing more on close range attacks as Stone had focused on ranged.  She was going to have to figure out how to get some distance back.

“Well, you had your chance.”

Lillie clenched her fist as she watched the Geodude carefully.

“Geodude!  Tackle!”

“Geo!”

“Bellsprout use Bind!”

The Geodude hit Bellsprout square in the front as Bellsprout wrapped a multitude of vines around the Geodude.

“Geodude!  Tackle!”

“Don't let go Bellsprout!”

The Geodude struggled against the vines as the Bellsprout squeezed tighter, restraining the flailing rock until they began to slow their movements.

“Geodude!”

“Awesome job Bellsprout!  Now use Vine Whip!”

“Geodude, get out of there!”

Muffled cries came out of the Geodude as Bellsprout flung the Geodude against the field, slamming them against the hard ground and flinging them from side to side.

“Geodude!”

The dust settled as Geodude wobbled to stand back up.

“Geodude!  You okay?!”

The Geodude continued to wobble until they fell over.  Stars circled over their head as they laid dazedly on the field.

“GEODUDE IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!!!”

“Yes!  Way to go Bellsprout!”

“Bellsprout!”

“Hmph,” Brock voiced as he returned Geodude to their Pokeball.  “Not bad, but I wouldn’t get too excited yet.  After all, I still have one more Pokemon.”

Lillie’s cheers immediately died as she turned to look back at the gym leader.  “Wha- what?”

“Hope you’re ready for the next round,” Brock answered with a wide grin.  “Go Onix!”

He threw another Pokeball as the behemoth of a Pokemon erupted out in a red light.  The Onix roared as it towered over the Bellsprout who shivered at the sight.

“Th-that’s-”

Brock gave a smirk.  “Welcome to the Pewter City Gym.”

Lillie took a step back.  She didn’t think she would have to confront a Pokemon that big this soon!  Of course, the new Pokemon was likely a Rock type which gives Bellsprout the type advantage, but Bellsprout had already fought two other Pokemon.  How much longer could they hold out?

“You know, you still have the chance to back down.”

Lillie gulped.  What should she do?  Bellsprout had to have been getting tired by now.  If Bellsprout couldn’t win, would she have a chance left?

“Don’t give up Lillie!”

She turned back towards the bleachers as Mikey stood up.

“You’ve can do it Lillie!  You’ve already taken down two Pokemon!  You can keep going!”

“Mikey…”

“Yeah, just listen to Mikey.”

“Mina!”

The blonde rolled her eyes as she leaned forward.

“I've already told you Lillie, you just gotta believe in yourself and your Pokemon.  As long as you do that things will work out.”

Lillie gave a smile before turning back to the field.  “What do you say Bellsprout?!  You able to keep going?!”

“BEEEEEELLLL!!!”

“You hear that gym leader!”  Lillie called across the field.  “We’re not leaving here without that badge!”

“Guess you’ll be here a while then,” Brock responded with a smirk.  “Onix use Dig!”

The Onix roared before burrowing underground as the entire court shifted.  The dust rose as Lillie turned her eyes back to the battlefield, but the Onix was gone.

“Be on your guard Bellsprout!”

“Bellsprout!”

They waited patiently, watching for any sign of the Onix’s approach as they stared at the ground.  Suddenly, Lillie spotted a pebble trembling.

“Dodge now!”

The Bellsprout leapt in the air as Onix barreled out of the ground.

“Onix, Iron Tail!”

With a loud bellow the Onix whipped their tail and sent the airborne Bellsprout flying.

“Now Onix!  Slam!”

“Bellsprout!  Use Vine Whip on the fixtures above you!”

The Onix came barreling towards the Bellsprout who launched a vine that pulled them out of the attack as the Onix slammed to the ground.

“Nice Bellsprout!  Now drop down and attack with Vine Whip!”

Bellsprout released themself from the ceiling as they launched vines that lashed at Onix.

“Onix!  Use Dig!”

“Bellsprout stay off the ground!”

The Onix burrowed into the ground as Bellsprout latched another vine to a light fixture.

“You really think your Bellsprout can hide from me forever?”

Lillie grimaced as she noticed the rumbling sounds of the Onix arriving before they burst forth from the ground.

“Onix use Rock Throw!”

The debris from Onix’s ascent began to float before the Onix gave a bellow.  The rocks flew towards Bellsprout as they knocked the Pokemon from their spot and sent them crashing to the ground.

“Bellsprout!”

The Bellsprout tried to pull themself up, but ended up crashing back to the ground.

“BELLSPROUT IS UNABLE TO BATTLE!”

“Beelll…”

Lillie gave a sigh as she returned her Pokemon to their pokeball.  “You did good Bellsprout.  I hope you’re proud.”

“So Lillie!  Ready to give up yet?”

Lillie gave a sigh.  Bellsprout was her ace Pokemon in this match-up.  Sure, Bellsprout managed to get some hits in, but using Clefairy was still a gamble.

Was it worth continuing the battle?

“Fairy!”

She turned to her side as her Clefairy rested on her shoulder and gave her a bright smile.

“Clefairy!”

Lillie shook her head as she gave a light chuckle.  “How do you make not giving up seem so easy?”

“Cleffa, fa fairy!”

She gave a nod and turned to Brock.  “We’re going to see this battle through!”

“Suit yourself.”

With a final glance at her partner she extended her arm as Clefairy ran across it.

“Go Clefairy!”

“Clefairy!”

“Let’s get this over with.  Onix use dig!”

“Onix!”

The Onix burrowed into the ground before the familiar rumbling returned.

“Clefairy, use Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk as Onix erupted from the ground, looking around for their now difficult to find opponent.

“Onix use Slam!”

The Onix crashed their body against the field as Clefairy barely managed to avoid it.

“Clefairy!  Careful!”

“Again Onix, Slam!”

The Onix roared as they crashed to the ground again, this time sending Clefairy flying.

“Keep it up Onix!”

“Clefairy use Sing!”

The Onix moved to crash against the Celfairy again as the fairy erupted into song.  They all watched closely as the Onix remained still on the ground.  Then a snore came.

“Onix!”

“Awesome Clefairy!  Now, let’s hope this works.”

She took a deep gulp of air before releasing her breath and shouting, “Clefairy use Metronome!”

The Clefairy raised their finger up in the air before their eyes went wide.

“Yes, Clefairy!  You got this!”

Suddenly the Clefairy was dancing around the Onix as Lillie’s face fell.

“Uh… Clefairy.”

“You really planned this out poorly.”

She gave a squeak before turning back to Brock who was grinning widely.  “Did you really think that you could beat me using Metronome?  That move is completely unreliable.”

“Rrrr, you’ll see!”  Lillie growled.  “It may not be predictable, but I trust Clefairy!  Besides, as long as Onix is asleep, you can’t do anything while Clefairy’s working up towards an attack!”

“And how much time do you have left?”

She turned immediately towards the Onix who began to stir.  She blanched at the movement before turning back towards her Pokemon.  “Clefairy!  Use Metronome!”

Clefiary raised their finger in the air again before they turned towards Lillie and clapped their hands.  Lillie released a sigh.

“Clefairy, Helping Hand doesn’t help in a single battle.”

“Alright!  Onix, use Iron Tail!”

The Onix roared to life as Lillie gave a squeak.

“Quick, Clefairy, use minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk as the Onix began to flail, crashing their body against the ground.

“Onix-!  Wait, Onix!”

Brock called out again, but the Onix continued to flail as Lillie watched on in uncertainty.

“What’s going on?”

“Well, Onix is confused since Clefairy used Teeter Dance two moves ago,” Mina stated casually as her eyes remained glued to her canvas.  "Remember?"

“What?!”

“Oh!  That’s what Clefairy was dancing around about!”  Mikey announced with the sudden realization.

“That was very lucky of you,” Brock grimaced.  “But luck will only get you so far!”

“Maybe,” Lillie responded as she turned back towards Brock.  “But I don’t need luck, I have faith that Clefairy can win this!”

“That won’t help!”  Brock shouted as Onix began shaking their head.  “It’s all gonna end here!  Onix use Iron Tail!”

“Clefairy, Metronome!”

The Onix lunged towards Clefairy as Celfairy leapt into the air.

“OOOOONNIIII-”

“CLEEEEEFAAAAAAIII-”

Lillie closed her eyes.  Whatever happened next would bring the end.

BOOOOOOM

The Onix collapsed to the ground as Clefairy stood tall on the other side with Brock staring on in shock.

“Wha… what?”

Lillie opened a single eye, before widening both in shock.

What had happened?

“Woooooooo!”

Mikey immediately erupted into cheers as Mina stood up and raised an elaborate ‘Go Lillie’ sign that she had likely spent the entire battle painting.

“What-?”

“That was incredible!”

“Eh?!”

She turned back to find Brock walking towards her as he had a large smile painting his face.

“I can’t believe that Clefairy was able to use Guillotine on my Onix.  What a stroke of luck!”

“EEEHHHH?!”

“Yeah, Guillotine guarantees a knock out!”  Mikey explained as he walked up towards Lillie.  “Onix had no chance after that.”

“Um.”

“You see Lillie.  You just gotta have a little faith in Clefiary.  They’ll get you through.”

Lillie turned to look at Mina.  Somehow her ever-blank expression was becoming familiarly comfortable.  She gave a smile before nodding.

“Right!”

“And that faith got you the prize.”

Clefairy climbed up Lillie’s arm as her ears perked at the announcement.

“You mean?”

“Fairy!”

Brock gave a chuckle as he extended his hand.

“Here is your Boulder Badge.  You earned it.”

Lillie looked around at the crowd.  All smiles and cheers shone down on her as she gingerly picked up the relic from Brock’s hand.

“We did it Clefairy.”

“Clefairy!”

She gave a laugh before she raised the badge up in the air.

“WE DID IT!!!!”

The crowd erupted as she pulled the badge closer to her, letting a bittersweet smile cross her lips.

Watch out Moon, she thought to herself as she clutched the badge to her chest.

I’ll be coming for you sooner than you think.

Chapter Text

“Wow! This Kabutops replica is absolutely stunning!”

Her exclamation rang throughout the exhibit as Lillie twisted and turned to inspect every inch of the statue.

“I wonder if Kabutops was an ancient form of Scyther given that they both have blades attached to their forearm appendages.”

“I doubt it,” Mina answered nonchalantly resting the back of her head in her palms. “Kabutops is a water/rock type. Not bug/flying.”

“Kabutops could have evolved to take to the sky if there was a shortage of food!” Lillie reasoned loudly, slapping the bottom of her fist into her palm in revelation. “That could be why Scythers would continue to exist while Kabutops went extinct.”

“If you wanna believe that then sure.”

“CLEFAIRY!!!”

“Not now Clefairy!” Lillie reprimanded lightly as she turned back to the statue. “I know you're eager to get going, but Moon told me I needed to see this museum so-”

“Hey, Lillie! You should check out these fossils from-”

“Right! The second floor! Let's go to the second floor!”

“Clefaair-”

“I know, I know Clefairy! But I promised Professor Oak I would help with his pokemon research so-”

“Clefaaaaaaiiiiirrrr-”

Lillie pulled the Clefairy along, desperately ignoring their desperate pleas as they dragged the Clefairy up the stairs before immediately focusing their attention on the rocket  that was being displayed.

“Wow! Who would have thought that something this large would be capable of escaping earth's atmosphere?”

“Clefairy!”

Lillie shrieked as Clefairy jumped on her head, covering Lillie's eyes while she whipped wildly in response.

“Clefairy, what are you-?!”

“Fairy!”

Clefairy leapt off, running towards the other side of the exhibit as Lillie gave chase.

“Clefairy! Stop! What are… you…”

She stopped, staring at the large black stone encased in glass that Clefairy watched, holding their own stone in front of the display.

This object fell on Mt. Moon. It is believed to be a moon stone. Some researchers hypothesize that Clefairy are originally from space and arrived here from a fallen moon stone, however such claims have not been substantiated.

Lillie read the words somberly, a sad smile crossing her face as her hand landed atop Clefairy's head. The Clefairy whipped their gaze, startled by the sudden contact as Lillie fought to keep the emotion out of her voice.

“I'm sorry Clefairy.”

“Fairy?”

A resounding boom echoed in front of them, causing Lillie to scream as she grabbed Clefairy and dove to the floor. Rubble and debris fell around them as the sound of coughing could be heard over the destruction.

“Cough. Cough. Ugh, by Arceus there should have been an easier way to do that.”

Lillie cleared her own throat before her eyes slowly opened, a red ‘R’ blazing against her retinas as the man stood on what appeared to be a giant grappling hook that latched itself onto the giant moon stone.

“Wait a minute, you're-”

“Aw, so you know us?” The gruff voice responded through a sinister grin. He had dark green hair that poked out from under his hat and a light stubble that made him look more wizened than he acted.

“Then you know to be afraid.”

He pulled out a grappling gun and fired towards Lillie who rolled back on top of Clefairy to guard them as the moon stone slipped from Clefairy's grip.

“CLEFAIRY!!!”

CLINK

The hook grabbed the stone, lassoing it towards the grunt as Clefairy flailed wildly in Lillie's arms before slipping out.

“Clefairy! DON'T-!”

But the Clefairy rushed forward, lunging themself at the laughing rocket member who turned their sadistic gaze towards the Clefairy.

“Well what have we here?”

He shifted out of the Clefairy's reach before grabbing them by their wings causing the Clefairy to yelp.

“You were the little welp that tried stopping us earlier, weren't you?”

The Clefairy continued to struggle as Lillie rushed to her feet.

“Quick, Clefairy, use Sing!”

A resounding melody echoed throughout the chamber as the Rocket member grimaced.

“Dangit, pull me up. Did you hear me?! Pull me up!”

With a loud screech the hook pulled the moon stone display case out of the hole as the man flew away.

“So!... Long…! Welps…”

“CLEFAIRY!!!”

Lillie screamed out as the man slowly faded from view. She stared through the open plains beyond the shattered wall, disbelief painting her face as the sound of footsteps filled her ears.

“Whoa, what a mess.”

“Lillie! Are you okay?! What happened?!”

Lillie clenched her fist as she fought the tears. How could she have let this happen?

How could she have hesitated again?!

“We're going to Mt. Moon!”

“Lillie…”

“Where's Clefairy?”

“I don't know!” Lillie shouted in frustration as she picked herself up and stormed out of the museum.

“But I'm gonna find them.”

“After Pewter City you'll be on Route 3. It's pretty short, but you'll want to watch your step since there's a lot of ledges there. So long as you do that though, you'll be at the Route 4 Pokemon Center that sits at the base of Mt. Moon.”

“Lillie! You should slow down!”

“I can't slow down!”

Lillie scrubbed furiously at the scrape on her knee, ignoring how the antiseptic caused it to sting as she pulled a bandage from out of her bag.

“Clefairy's missing and it's all my fault!”

“That's hardly fair to yourself Lillie!”

“Well what about being fair to Clefairy?!” Lillie retorted loudly as she slapped the band-aid over her knee. “None of this would've happened if I had brought Clefairy straight back here like I promised them!”

“You don't know that!”

“The only reason Clefairy was abducted was because we were at the museum!”

“Say, what's that over there?”

Lillie gave a heavy sigh. “Mina, I am not in the mood for-?”

“Wait, I think I see what you're talking about. Is that a helicopter?”

“What?!”

Lillie burst from her seat as she looked in the direction Mina pointed in. It certainly looked like a large vehicle was parked by the peak of the mountain. It was difficult to tell what it was for certain, but with where it was parked and the red paint that peaked out the side Lillie couldn't help but believe it had to mean what she hoped.

“They’re here.”

Mikey swallowed lightly, “Do you think Clefairy's here with them?”

“If they aren't, then I'm going to make whoever I find tell me where they are.”

“Lillie,” Mikey responded solemnly. “Listen, I know what it’s like to have a Pokemon taken from you. Eevee was also taken by Team Rocket and we got them back so I'm sure we'll get Clefairy back okay.”

Lillie clutched the straps of her bag tighter. This was the third time she let a pokemon be taken from her. She was supposed to be better as a trainer! She should've prevented this from happening.

“Lillie…”

She gave a heavy sigh before turning her gaze towards the cavern entrance.

“Come on. We won't get anywhere standing here.”

Her companions silently followed, trudging closely behind as Lillie exited the light to enter the cavern. Stalactites hung low from the cavern ceiling, giving the feeling of walking into the maw of a dangerous creature. Lillie couldn't help but wonder how so much light could illuminate the cave whose ceiling looked completely impenetrable. Maybe there was a pokemon that kept the cavern lit.

Maybe it was Clefairy.

Lillie dropped her head at the thought when a rough hand placed itself on her shoulder.

“This place reminds me of Vast Poni Canyon.”

Mina hummed in response, “that so.”

“It is…” Lillie responded as she lifted her gaze again.

“Mt. Moon is considered one of the most mysterious places in Kanto with its illuminated caverns. Some people say that it's lit up purely by starlight, though that's likely just a superstition because of the frequent meteor showers that appear there. Which is strange because it's also a great place to find fossils so it's kinda like where the sky and earth meet. Just don't ask if that's where my name came from. Because it isn't.”

“There's something about this place that really feels mystical,” Lillie muttered as she stared up at the sharp rocky teeth that threatened to bare down on her overhead. “Do you know how to move forward from here Mikey?”

“Well, from what I've heard there are a lot of tunnels from folks excavating for fossils, but the end one is the one that'll get us to Cerulean.”

Lillie gripped the straps of her backpack tighter.

“I just hope we can find Clefiary.”

“If this is Clefairy's home then they should be fine.”

“And I've got an idea.”

Mikey set his Eevee down and gave their head a kind pat.

“Can you use odor sleuth to help us find some Clefairy?”

“Eevee!”

Eevee sniffed across the ground as Lillie gave a sigh.

“Are you sure this will help?”

“Definitely! After all, Celfairy are pretty rare so there's only so many places they would gather. And, based on your Clefairy's reaction to the moonstone, my guess is that the Clefairy here are trying to protect any moonstones that remain here-”

“Which also seem to be what Team Rocket's after.”

Realization dawned on Lillie as Eevee mewled towards Mikey.

“Looks like Eevee's found a trail.”

“Fantastic!’ Lillie responded frantically before stopping to look at Eevee and Mikey. She gave a sigh and a soft smile as she turned her gaze back towards the boy.

“Thanks Mikey.”

She then knelt down to pet the Eevee, keeping her smile in tact. “Thank you too, Eeevee. I know things will be alright with the both of you here.”

“Eevee!”

“Hey! What're friends for!”

“We’re all behind you here Lillie,” Mina answered nonchalantly. “So go ahead and lead the way.”

“Right!”

Lillie gave a sharp nod as she moved forward, checking in frequently with Eevee to make sure they were staying on the right track. They found themselves moving deeper into the cavern, the entrance no longer visible from their point of view as they followed the twisting labyrinth paths. After about thirty minutes of wandering, Eevee finally gave a cry.

“Eevee!”

Eevee pawed the ground, circling where they kept their nose pointed before giving the ground another scratch.

“There's something down there.”

Lillie's heart pounded as she watched the Eevee continue to pad the ground.

“Is it Clefairy?!”

“Clefairy!”

They turned to the voice, an unfamiliar Clefairy was rushing towards them, lunging into an attack that seemed aimed at Lillie.

“Wait! We don't want to-!”

“Go Clefable.”

Mina tossed her pokeball between Lillie and the Clefairy as the Clefable erected a barrier between them.

“Clefable!”

The Clefairy slowed, stumbling forward towards the Clefable with a revenant expression on their face.

“Clefable. Fable.”

“Fairy! Fai-Clefairy, fairy!”

“Um…” Lillie drawled as she leaned over to Mina. “What's happening?”

“It looks like Clefable and Clefairy are talking.”

“I can see that!” Lillie snapped in response. “But what are they saying?! Does this Clefairy know where Clefairy might be?!”

“Based on the way this Clefairy attacked us, they're probably protecting this area from something.”

Lillie's hands clenched at her sides in response to Mikey's ponderings.

“Or someone.”

Clefable turned towards Mina to give a satisfied cry as Mina leaned her head back in her palms.

“Sweet.”

“What? What's going on?”

“Clefairy's gonna help us out.”

“Great!” Lillie answered desperately. “Please, any help you can provide us would be most appreciated.”

“Fairy!”

The Clefairy responded with a curt reply before gesturing for the trainers to follow them. It didn't take them long to find a ladder that would take them to where Lillie was certain the Eevee was trying to get to. The cave remained just as illuminated in spite of how much deeper they had gone, though this area was easier to navigate. They followed the one path available forward bypassing the Geodudes implanted into the rock walls and the Parases that would scatter about. Once they got to the end of the tunnel they found another ladder that seemed to carry them close to the surface.

Lillie’s frustration grew the longer they spent travelling. “How much further do we have to go?”

“Clefairy! Fair, fairy!”

Lillie sighed in response as she grabbed onto the ladder. Perhaps it was naive of her to have hoped she would find Clefairy so soon, she just couldn't stand not knowing exactly where they were going or where Clefairy was.

It didn't matter where in this region she was, she felt so lost.

And that feeling was exacerbated without Clefairy there.

“Fairy!”

They arrived at another cavern opening, crags rose like platforms with small paths up them, but for the most part the area looked empty.

“Is this really where we needed to go?”

“Clefairy, fairy.”

The Clefairy ran across the cavern, running towards the craggy steps that led to the platform like stone. Suddenly, the Clefairy jumped, leaping up high and landing on a tall ledge before disappearing from view.

“How are we supposed to get up there?!”

“You forgot already?”

Mina gave Lillie a sideways glance that Lillie pouted at.

“Please no.”

“Rock climb.”

Mina pulled out her grappling hook and tossed it up where it latched onto the ledge with an effortless click.

“Wow, you can rock climb on your own?!” Mikey asked with wide eyes. “Most people have to teach their pokemon in order to do that.”

“Pokemon can't use moves outside of battle in Alola,” Mina responded as she gave the hook a tug. “Most folks have taxi pokemon for that.”

“Reasonable folks you mean.”

“Whoa, that's so wild!”

“You get used to it,” Mina answered as she scaled the rock wall with minimal effort. “You two coming up?”

Lillie gave half a sigh-half a hiss when she answered Mina.

“Yesss, I'm coming.”

She grabbed the rope, familiar in her hands after the last cave they had spelunked in as Lillie pulled herself rapidly up the wall. Sheer frustration and determination fuelled her movements as she scaled the craggy cliff. It didn't take her long to make it to the top of the cliff, though what she saw there took her breath away. There was a whole crowd of Clefairies, circling the area or chatting amongst themselves while in the center was a moon stone that towered over the Clefairies and rose up towards a crevice in the ceiling that revealed a clear blue sky.

“That must be the moon stone.”

Lillie's awestricken murmur went largely unnoticed as Mikey grumbled while hefting himself over the cliff edge. He gave a relieved sigh as he slowly rose his gaze before gawking at the sight before him.

“Whoa! Who woulda thought that moon stones could be that big?!”

“And now it belongs to Team Rocket!”

The shout echoed throughout the cavern as a shadow flew over them.

“I knew following you twerps was the right move.”

“You…” Lillie paused, staring at the man who bore a familiar sadistic smirk. “You're the one from the museum!”

“Miss me?”

Lillie glared at the man who simply laughed.

“Oh man, I'm sorry, am I supposed to be scared?”

“Where's Clefairy?!”

“That is the question, isn't it?” he asked with the smirk never leaving his face. “Thing is, that rascal wouldn't help us find this place, so I tossed it. Besides, you all made this a lot easier to find.”

“You monster!”

Lillie grabbed the pokeball at her side before flinging it before her.

“Go Bellsprout!”

Bellsprout materialized between Lillie and the villain as the man chuckled.

“You really think you can battle me?”

“You wouldn't hesitate if you weren't scared.”

“Lillie…”

“Quiet Mikey!”

“Oh, you are just too precious,” the man answered snarkily. “You're really looking to be a hero, aren't you?”

“What are you-?!

“Go Clefable-”

Suddenly Mina's Clefable appeared, rushing past the man towards the moonstone where the Clefairy they had seen earlier were now all knocked out, with a crowd of Rocket minions surrounding the moon stone, wrapping it in rope and wire that led up to a helicopter above.

“Clefable, use Moonblast.”

“Clefaaaaaa-ble!”

The cavern suddenly went dark with nothing but moonlight illuminating the Clefable before they launched that light towards the moonstone which reflected their attack. Light shot randomly from the stone, forcing the minions to scatter and tearing the ropes from the stone. The man gave a scoff at the scene.

“You might actually be a threat.”

Mina shrugged her shoulders in response, leaning her head into her palms and showing her same indifferent expression. “You don't look that impressive either.”

The man guffawed in response, sounding almost in disbelief of Mina's comment.

“I do wish you would stop with the tomfoolery, Bo.”

A new man approached, this one dressed in a white uniform with short teal hair.

“My bad boss.”

“Boss…” The word fell out of Lillie's lips as her fists clenched at her side. “So you're the one in charge here!”

“Only in the interim,” the man responded cooly. “Our true boss will be returning though.”

Lillie quirked a brow at that comment.

“But… Giovanni should be gone! Red defeated him!”

The man chuckled, shaking his head at Mikey's comment. “Do you really think a child like him could drive Giovanni away forever? No, he's simply biding his time.”

“And, honestly, I don't care about any of that right now,” Lillie responded lowly. “Where's Clefairy?!”

“Bell bell!”

The boss lowered his gaze at the Bellsprout as his lips curled into a scoff.

“So, you think you can stand in our way, do you?”

He lowered his head as if to recollect himself before he pulled out a pokeball.

“Very well, I shall show you what happens when you get in Team Rocket's way.”

“You're gonna regret this one,” Bo responded as he pulled a pokeball of his own.

“Hey, we’re not going down that easily!” Mikey retorted as he stepped beside Lillie. “If you want a two-on-two battle, you've got it.”

“Children,” the Rocket boss scoffed. “You never learn your lessons.”

He tossed his pokeball into the open plane showing no emotion to his face.

“Go Koffing.”

“Let's go Raticate!”

Bo chucked his own pokeball into the mix as the two creatures materialized in flashes of red.

“Let's go Eevee!”

“Eevee!”

Eevee rushed out with a flourish as they charged towards their opponents.

“Eevee, use Baby Doll Eyes!”

“Koffing, Smokescreen”

Light sparkled around Eevee's eyes which reflected in both the Koffing’s and Raticate's eyes before Koffing shrunk in size to fill the area with smoke.

“Dangit! I can't see!”

“Bellsprout, use Razor Leaf!”

“Bell!”

Leaves floated around the Bellsprout before tearing through the smoke and disappearing into the smog.

“Raticate, use quick attack!”

“Ticate!”

“Look out Lillie!”

The Raticate emerged out of the smoke and rammed into Bellsprout.

“Bellsprout! Are you okay?!”

“Assurance.”

Suddenly the Koffing burst out of the smoke to barrel into the Bellsprout.

“Bellsprout!”

“Bell… Bell…”

“Eevee, use Take Down on the Koffing!”

“Eevee!”

Eevee rushed forward and slammed into the Koffing, who rolled further down the field.

“Lillie! Is your Bellsprout alright?!”

The Bellsprout shook their head before hopping in place.

“Bellsprout, bell!”

“Yes, Bellsprout's just fine.”

“Good,” Mikey shouted as determination filled his gaze. “I'll handle the Koffing so you take care of the Raticate.”

“Got it!”

“That's a cute strategy, but I doubt your Bellsprout will last!” Bo responded wildly. “Go Raticate! Use another Quick Attack!”

The Raticate rushed once more heading towards Bellsprout as Lillie steeled her will.

“Bellsprout, use Vine Whip to evade!”

Bellsprout used their vines to launch them upwards over the Raticate as the Raticate launched forward.

“Now Bellsprout, use Acid!”

“Bellsprout!”

The Bellsprout launched their poisonous liquid at the Raticate who became drenched in the fluid.

“Raticate!”

The Raticate shuddered as their movements slowed.

“Hah! Looks like your Raticate's poisoned,” Lillie announced triumphantly. “You should withdraw while you have the chance.”

“Don't think this is over yet!” Bo shouted harshly. “You're Bellsprout won't be able to take much more either so how about we finish this once and for all?! Raticate! Use Swords Dance then Quick Attack!”

“Bellsprout, Vine Whip!”

The Raticate roared loudly as their muscles seemed to pulse in response, readying a lunge when Bellsprout's vines wrapped around them.

“Don't let go Bellsprout!”

“Raticate, use Bite on the vines!”

“Oh no!”

“Lillie!”

Lillie turned her gaze, seeing that the Koffing was between the Bellsprout and Mikey's Eevee. Lillie caught Mikey's gaze. They nodded to each other and gave their simultaneous commands.

“Eevee! Use Take Down!”

“Bellsprout, Vine Whip behind you!”

Eevee rammed into the Koffing, sending them flying towards the Bellsprout as Bellsprout lifted the Raticate to launch them towards the Koffing. The two Pokemon collided as Bellsprout released the Raticate from their hold.

“Koffing, get up!”

“Raticate, come on! You can do it!”

But both pokemon wouldn't move, stuck in a daze as they wobbled on the ground.

“Hmm,” the Rocket elite hummed as he returned the Koffing to his pokeball. “Perhaps you are more skillful than I assumed.”

“That's a kind sentiment,” Lillie responded sourly. “Now tell me where Clefairy is!”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because you lost!”

“Oh have I?”

The boss teased a smirk as he pulled another pokeball out.

“It seems I still have one Pokemon left,” he responded as he turned towards Lillie. “If you think you and your Bellsprout can last another opponent.”

“We'll take you down easily!” Lillie responded eagerly. “Eevee and Bellsprout will show you just how capable we are!”

“Actually Lillie, Bellsprout's on their own.”

“What?”

She turned to Mikey who lifted Eevee into his arms.

“That last Take Down was too much for Eevee. They aren't able to continue battling.”

“Oh…”

“What's this little girl? All out of bravado?” the man mused. “Well, let's see if your Bellsprout can handle this!”

He tossed the pokeball as a red light materialized before the Bellsprout.

“Go Golbat!”

“Golbat!”

Lillie swallowed lightly. The type matchup was really bad for her. Acid would do little damage with Golbat being a poison/flying type and her grass type moves would be even less effective. Not to mention, Bellsprout being weak to flying meant she was in for an uphill battle.

“Golbat, use Screech!”

The Golbat shrieked out a horrifying sound as Lillie covered her ears. What could she do? There were no moves Bellsprout knew that would be effective enough to even slow Golbat down, let alone defeat them!

“Golbat, use Astonish.”

“Bellsprout use Bind!”

The Bellsprout reached out with vines to grapple the Golbat, but the Golbat deftly evaded as they blindsided the Bellsprout.

“Bellsprout!”

“Is that really the best you can do?” the man asked smugly. “Golbat, use Poison Fang.”

The Golbat launched towards Bellsprout, opening their maw wide with their fangs holding the promise of venom as Lillie rushed to her next command.

“Bellsprout, use Razor Leaf!”

The Bellsprout launched a barrage of leaves at the Golbat who recoiled at the assault.

“Yes! A critical hit!”

“Hrm, you mean a lucky shot,” the man growled. “Golbat use Poison Fang!”

“Bellsprout, Bind!”

Bellsprout’s vines lunged forward, encasing the Golbat in a cacoon of green.

"Yes!"

"Bell!"

The Bellsprout cried out as Golbat's poisonous fangs dug into their neck, causing their vines to weaken.

“Bellsprout!”

The vines slowly loosened from the Golbat who shook the Bellsprout still held between their fangs before tossing the Bellsprout aside.

“Bellsprout!”

“Bell… sprout…”

Lillie rushed over to her Bellsprout whose head was spinning in a daze.

“Looks like your Bellsprout can't continue the battle.”

“No…”

Lillie dropped her head, hugging her Bellsprout tightly before thanking them quietly and returning them to their pokeball.

“It was a valiant effort, however children like you should mind your place.”

“Yeah! Don't take it personally, but no one gets the better of Team Rocket.”

Mikey groaned, holding his Eevee tightly as Lillie clenched her hands. If she had just had one more pokemon…

“Now, if there are no more interruptions-”

“CLEFAIRY!!!”

“What?!?!?!”

A Clefairy wearing a pink beanie launched themself at the Rocket boss grabbing hold of their head as he flailed in response.

“Argh, get this cretin off me!”

He snarled as he gripped the Clefairy's head roughly before tossing them towards Lillie who rushed forward to catch them in her arms.

“Clefairy?!”

The Clefairy groaned slightly, looking like they had already gone through a few battles with no rest as they slowly turned their gaze towards Lillie with a soft smile.

“Clefairy.”

Tears welled in Lillie's eyes as she hugged the Clefairy tightly.

“I'm so glad you're okay…”

“Fairy.”

“Boss!”

The two Rocket admins turned towards the grunt who ran up to them.

“Idiot! What are you doing?! How could you have let that Clefairy escape!”

“I'm sorry sir,” The grunt timidly responded to Bo's snarls. “But a woman with a powerful Clefable just waltzed in and knocked us all out! I'd never seen someone wield a pokemon with such raw power!”

“Wait, you mean Mina!” Mikey cried in disbelief. “You mean she took out all of Team Rockets squad by herself?!”

“You know, I do forget that she's the sole captain on the most dangerous island in Alola.”

“She is?!?!?” Mikey shouted in betrayal. “How could you have not mentioned that earlier?!?!?!?!”

“What a nuisance,” the Rocket elite responded with a sigh. “It seems our best course of action would be to retreat.”

“Wait, are you sure?! I'm certain we could still-”

“We are pulling out. For now…” the man responded with a light smile. “Though we should give our new friends a farewell gift, don't you agree?”

Bo's face morphed from an expression of shock, to one of sadistic mischief as a sinister grin crossed his face.

“If you say so boss.”

“Wait, what are you doing?! What's going on?!”

“You,” the man directed his gaze at Lillie, ignoring her pleas. “What's your name?”

Lillie paused, her first instinct was to tell him it was none of his business, but she couldn't quite find the resolve to deny him.

It'd feel too much like running away.

“It's Lillie.”

“Lillie,” the man repeated to himself with a light chuckle. “My name is Archer. And I swear to you I will not forget this indiscretion caused by you and your friends, nor will I underestimate you the next time we meet. Should our paths cross again you will face the full wrath of Team Rocket.”

“Yeah, the boss wants us to pull out, but let's leave a nice surprise for our new friends here shall we.”

Archer smirked over Bo's radio call as the cave began to shake.

“Emphasis on the should.”

“Wha-?! What's happening?!”

“What d'you think Mikey?!” Lillie cried back in desperation. “They're setting off a cave-in!”

“Farewell then children. We shall see if we shall meet again.”

Bo threw a smoke bomb that suffocated Mikey and Lillie as they tried futilely to wave the smoke away from their eyes and lungs.

“Yo.”

Lillie peaked her eyes open. The smoke had dissipated but the rumbling continued with Archer and Bo no longer in sight. Instead Lillie was now facing Mina and… someone else she hadn't met before.

“Who's this?”

Mina shrugged her shoulders in response. “Some nerd.”

“Excuse me?! I am a researcher at the Pewter City Museum!” The man angrily corrected. “I was simply here looking for more fossils when Team Rocket abducted me and absconded with my-”

“Okay, we don't have time for this right now?!” Lillie exclaimed as she had to catch her balance from the rumbling. “The caves coming down, we need to get out!”

“We're too far from the entrance though to make it that way!”

“And that hole in the ceilings too high to reach.”

Lillie groaned as she noticed the stone in the center of the cavern. It had now become surrounded by Clefairy who stood in a circle around it.

“Why aren't they fleeing.”

The Clefairy in her arms jumped out, rushing towards the scene as Lillie cried out.

“Wait! Clefairy! It's too dangerous!”

“They don't look like they're going to leave.”

“Of course they're not!” The researcher responded in exasperation. “The moon stone is their most precious item, they are going to protect it with their life if need be!”

“The moon stone…”

Memories floated before Lillie, finding Clefairy beaten and bruised with a moon stone in hand, the Clefairy telling Lillie they needed to take the moon stone to Mt. Moon, Clefairy standing in awe before the giant moon stone in the museum.

This was why Clefairy brought her here.

She took a deep breath as she rushed towards the Clefairy.

“Lillie! What are you-?!”

“We need to protect the moon stone!” Lillie shouted back at Mikey. “Mina, can your Clefable help out?!”

“On it.”

“Wait! What are you-?!”

“Just come on! Unless you think you can make it in time to the exit!”

Mikey and the researcher blanched at that response as they followed hurriedly towards the Clefairy. Once they arrived there, they saw that the Clefairies had begun erecting a barrier.

“They're using Reflect to protect the area!”

“No way, that's incredible!”

“It doesn't look like it'll be enough though…”

The researcher’s words weighed on their minds as they watched the barrier shimmer and crack under the weight of the falling rocks.

“This isn't good…”

“Go Clefable.”

Mina tossed a pokeball into the field as her Clefable materialized in the center.

“Use Reflect.”

Clefable lit up, moonlight powering through their wings as they erected a barrier that shimmered like transparent gold over the Clefairy's and easily deflected the rocks.”

“Fantastic!” Lillie shouted. “With the barrier up, we'll be able to-!”

Suddenly the ceiling fully caved in, slowly darkening the full area as Lillie's eyes widened with fear.

They were going to be trapped under the rocks.

“Go Wigglytuff.”

Mina released another pokeball, revealing a Wigglytuff who burst out eagerly from their pokeball.

“Wigglytuff, Dazzling Gleam, go!”

The Wigglytuff nodded in affirmation before jumping towards the rockslide. They clenched their eyes tightly, white light leaking out from their eyelids before snapping their eyes open as a barrage of white light cut through the darkness, blinding the entire scene.

There was nothing but white.

White and silence.

As Lillie held her breath, wondering, waiting, hoping for a sign that they'd be okay.

“Holy Arceus, that was incredible!”

Lillie peaked her eyes open, looking around at the shattered debris that surrounded them like a funnel leading to the moon stone.

“Clefairy!!!”

The Clefairies cheered and danced around the moon stone as the full moon creeped over the ledge, causing the dark shards to sparkle with white light. Lillie's Celfairy was in the center, placing the small moon stone they had protected at the base of the giant rock as another Clefairy stopped them, shaking their head as the other Clefairies cheered and danced once more.

“What's happening?”

“Aw, it appears that the Clefairy wish for your Clefairy to keep that moon stone,” the researcher explained as he raised his glasses. “See, among Clefairy, they worship the moon stone and pieces of it are given to Clefairy who show great courage. It truly is an honor.”

“I see…”

Lillie let the phrase drop. So Clefairy was trying to protect the moon stone when they were chased off of Mt. Moon. They then spent weeks with Lillie trying to return to the moon stone they were determined to protect and now they had succeeded in their journey.

Clefairy had finally made it home.

The Clefairy turned towards Lillie before turning back to the other Clefairy and rambling about something Lillie was too distracted to understand.

This was it.

“Clefairy?”

Lillie lifted her gaze. Clefairy stood before her, wearing the same hat they had ‘borrowed’ from Lillie that now looked battered from excessive wear. Lillie gave a sigh as she knelt down to be eye level to the Clefairy.

“You're going to take care of that hat for me, right Clefairy?”

“Fairy!”

Lillie giggled at the enthusiastic response. “Wonderful. I knew you would.”

Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she tried to shake them away.

“I'm sorry I was so selfish earlier. You needed to get back home and I… I was stalling.”

“Fairy?”

“I wasn't ready to say goodbye,” Lillie explained as she gave Clefairy another sad smile. “Having you join me on my adventures… it was so much fun. I just didn't want it to end.”

“Fair!”

The Celfairy rushed past Lillie to her backpack. They rummaged messily through her knapsack before crawling out with a satisfied cheer as they handed Lillie the contents of what they'd found.

“Is this… a pokeball?”

“Fairy! Ceffa, fair, fairy!”

Her hands shook with the pokeball weakly gripped in her hand.

“Do you really mean that?”

“Fairy fair!”

Lillie giggled as she rose from her spot. “Well, okay, if you're sure this is what you want.”

“Fairy!”

Lillie tossed the pokeball at Clefairy who leaped to be accepted by it, disappearing in a light of red as the ball fell gracelessly to the ground with a single click.

“Looks like you and Celfairy are official now.”

Lillie smiled as she picked up the pokeball.

“Yeah,” Lillie answered in response to Mina's comment. “I'm glad to have them with me.”

Suddenly, the pokeball shook in Lillie's hand as Celfairy burst forth.

“Clefairy!”

They climbed up Lillie's shoulder and onto her head as Clefairy gave Lillie a smile.

“Looks like Clefairy still isn't a fan of pokeballs though.”

Lillie giggled as Clefairy struggled to steady themself on Lillie's head.

“Well, that's fine then. It would feel weird to have Clefairy in a pokeball now.”

Clefairy cheered as Lillie could feel a pokeball at her belt rumbling before Bellsprout popped out.

“Bellsprout!”

The Bellsprout danced around Lillie before hopping up and down to greet the Clefairy.

Lillie chuckled at Bellsprout's antics as she tried to turn her gaze to the Clefairy on her head.

“See? Bellsprout would've missed you too.”

“Fairy!”

Clefairy jumped off Lillie’s head to chat with the Bellsprout as the smile refused to leave Lillie's face.

“Isn't this a sight to behold,” the researcher commented. “You must be quite the trainer to have this kind of effect on pokemon.”

Lillie let a light chuckle escape her as she watched her pokemon.

“I hope to be.”

The phrase left Lillie as she watched her Clefairy regale the crowd of Clefairies with what she believed was the tales of their exploits. Lillie smiled. They had already come so far, with so much further to go.

Yet, with Clefairy and Bellsprout at her side, she was certain there was nothing they couldn't handle.

Chapter Text

“Aaahhh it feels so good to be out in the open air again!”

Lillie's loud sigh of relief echoed through the canyon. After they were able to protect the moonstone they had to claw their way out of the rockslide that had surrounded them or be stuck in the central crater that had been left until who knows how long. Thankfully, between Mina's rock climbing gear and the researcher's own provisions, they were able to climb out to a scenic landscape. The mountain was flat here, with grass dressing the otherwise barren landscape and ledges small enough to jump down from.

“Dang. Who woulda thought something like this was here?”

“It's so pretty!”

“Yes, it does appear this may become a great place for a park once Mt. Moon is cleared out,” the researcher responded before dropping his gaze. “Though it would probably take a few years to both dig out Mt. Moon as well as carve a path to this place.”

“That still sounds like a wonderful thing to aspire to,” Lillie responded warmly as she continued to look around. “Though, I do have a question.”

She turned towards Mina, letting a large breath leave her before the full weight of her wonderment bore fruit.

“Since when did you have a Wigglytuff?!?!”

“What are you talking about? I've had Wigglytuff since forever.”

“But, I mean, you were always using Clefable!”

“That's because Clefable's in training,” Mina responded as she turned towards her two pokemon. The Wigglytuff was raving about some one thing or other as the Clefable looked deeply apologetic.

“Wigglytuff runs a strict training regimen.”

“Uh….” Lillie watched on in disbelief as the Wigglytuff seemed to be showing Clefable proper combat form. “How is your Wigglytuff more disciplined than you are?”

“They've got a competitive ability.”

“You mean nature, right?”

“'Course not. Competitive is an ability, not a nature.”

“Right…” Lillie responded with a sigh as Mikey slowly and periodically popped his head in during the conversation.

“Wow Mina! You really know everything! How do I get to be an amazing trainer like you?!”

“Dive headfirst into the most dangerous area you have access to and see if you survive.”

“You know, suddenly Wigglytuff's attitude makes sense,” Lillie answered with a sigh.

“Um, pardon me.”

They all turned their attention to the researcher who was kind enough to have waited for them.

“Are the three of you trainers doing your gym challenge?”

“Uh…” Lillie turned to both Mina and Mikey. Mina turned her gaze away, looking towards nothing in particular as Mikey gave her an encouraging smile.

“I am.”

“Wonderful!” The researcher announced with the clap of his hands. “I have a favor to ask.”

“Didn't we just save you?”

“Which is precisely why I am enthused to be asking your friend and not you,” the researcher muttered in response to Mina's comment. “In any case, what I ask wouldn't take you away from your journey at all since you'll eventually have to go to Cinnabar Island for your gym challenge.”

“Well, I'm always happy to help,” Lillie responded with a light smile. “What can I do for you?”

“You see there is a facility on Cinnabar Island that is rumored to be able to restore fossilized pokemon. I wanted to request that you take this there with you.”

The man handed Lillie an ovular stone that was smooth to the touch.

“I believe that there is pokemon DNA trapped within this amber fossil, yet none of my colleagues at the museum believe me!”

Lillie hummed in thought. “Well, I would be happy to take it there for you. Though, I am going to have to get my badge from the Cerulean Gym first.”

“I understand, and I thank you for your assistance,” the researcher responded with a slight bow. “If you're heading for Cerulean then you'll be heading due east which is this direction. Though, I can't quite tell you what the path will look like.”

“I'm sure we'll figure it out,” Lillie answered with a reassuring smile that slowly faded as another thought weighed on her.

“Or Mina will make one for us…”

“Hey, whatever it takes, right?”

“Woooooow…”

Lillie could practically see the sparkles shimmering in Mikey's eyes as he looked up to the fairy captain.

“So cool.”

Lillie sighed heavily before turning back to the researcher. “Thank you again for healing our pokemon. I'll be sure to get the amber safely to Cinnabar Island.”

“It was my pleasure to be of assistance. Please do take care on the remainder of your journey, and best of luck to you on your gym challenge.”

“Thank you! And we'll be careful!”

Lillie said her final farewell with Mikey and Mina waving their goodbyes. They moved towards the general direction that Cerulean City was supposed to be in. They weren't surprised to find there was no actual path down, though they all knew what was coming next.

“Rock Climb.”

Mina latched the hook to a nearby rock as they climbed down the cliffside. Lillie landed gently on the ground, dusting off her skirt as she started to lament her love of white clothing.

“So, Mina, did you do this a lot when you were on Alola?”

“Oh sure, when I was just starting. My parents were quick to get me Pokemon Taxi privileges as soon as I was eligible. After that, this wasn't as necessary, but it's always good to have on hand.”

“Wow, Mina, you're always so prepared!”

Lillie gave an exaggerated sigh. It's not that she didn't recognize how incredible a trainer Mina was, though Mikey's hero worship was beginning to wear on her.

“Well, at least it seems like the worst is behind us,” Lillie responded as she looked ahead. “We've got to be on the other side of Route 4.”

Once you're through Mt. Moon you'll be on Route 4... again... Which, I know can be confusing since Route 4 extends on both sides of Mt. Moon, but it's a really short route on the East side too. Just hop a couple ledges and you'll be in Cerulean before you know it!

“At least, I think this would be Route 4,” Lillie responded as she looked at the grassy landscape with the small ledges that could be easily jumped. It looked exactly like Moon described but, “The top of Mt. Moon looked just like this, so I can't really say for sure.”

“Hey, check this out!” Mikey called. “This looks like the other entrance to Mt. Moon!”

Lillie rushed towards Mikey, climbing a path that lifted her up one of the ledges before noticing a cavern entrance with a sign in front of it.

“Oh my gosh, you're right!” Lillie exclaimed happily at the revelation. “We made it to the other side of Route 4!”

“Clefairy!”

“That's right Clefairy!” Lillie responded cheerily. “That means it should be smooth sailing to Cerulean City from here!”

“I told you Mega Kick's better!”

“And I told you Mega Punch is the best!”

Lillie paused to turn in the direction of the voices. Two men in matching white gi uniforms with dark hair and red headbands were standing on a nearby peak, heads butted against each other as they each glared into each other's determined eyes.

“Man, you two are loud.”

“Huh?” Lillie looked to her side before noticing that Mina, who should've been where Lillie was looking, had somehow transported herself to the low peak that the two black belts were arguing with each other on.

“Do you two have nothing better to do than yell at each other?”

The two glared at the interloper who stood unfazed by their unbridled fury.

“And who are you to interfere!”

“I'm Mina,” the fairy captain responded nonchalantly. “Nice to meet you.”

“Mina, you shouldn't go antagonizing strangers like that!”

“Wow, that's a pokemon master for you!" Mikey floated in with a dreamy expression. "Complete unfazed in the face of an imminent threat!”

Lillie groaned at Mikey's comment as the two fighters turned towards Mina.

“You are a pokemon master?”

Mina shrugged as she continued fishing her bag for her art supplies.

“Something like that I guess.”

Immediately the two black belts rushed towards Mina before bowing deeply.

“Please, teach us your ways master!”

“M'kay.”

“WHAT?!?!”

Lillie scrambled in front of the fairy captain, demanding her attention as she she met her gaze with a flushed face.

“You can't be taking up time teaching these two! You don't anything about them!”

“Good point,” Mina agreed in her monotone voice. “What pokemon do you use?”

“Machoke!” They both announced over Lillie's sigh. The two black belts glared at each other in their response.

“But my Machoke is better because they know Mega Kick.”

“No way! My Machoke would leave you dizzy in a second with their Mega Punch!”

“Well, have you both ever battled each other?”

“Huh?!”

Mina had now taken a seat on a nearby tree stump as she casually pulled the easel from her bag.

“I mean, that seems to be the easiest way to figure out who's right, right?”

The two black belts looked at each other, determination burning in their gazes as Lillie snuck her ways towards the newfound teacher.

“Okay, Mina, are you ABSOLUTELY sure this is a good idea?! I mean, they were at each other's throats already, but getting their pokemon involved?!”

“Why not?” Mina answered with a shrug. “That's how all other trainers settle their disputes.”

“The master is right.”

Both black belts nodded towards each other in response.

“Yes, the master is correct.”

They both rose from their bowed positions before taking opposite sides of the peak and readying their pokeballs.

“Are you ready, opponent Bruce?”

“Of course, opponent Jackie,” Bruce responded in turn. “Let's settle this once and for all.”

Lillie gave a heavy sigh as Mina began to absentmindedly slather colors across her canvas.

“I have a very bad feeling about this.”

“Hey, it's Mina,” Mikey responded with a broad smile. “I'm sure she knows what she's doing.”

Mina hummed deeply, scratching her head with the colorful brush that decorated her hair as Lillie gave another heavy sigh.

She could only hope so.

“PREPARE TO BE DEFEATED!!!”

The cries came out in unison as both men tossed their pokeballs into the field.

“Go Machoke!!!”

The pokeballs hit the ground as red lights burst forth, spilling out the dual Machokes who both cried out in unison.

Lillie gave a sigh.

“This is going to be a long battle.”

“Machoke, use Bullet Punch!”

“Machoke, use Bulk Up!”

The first Machoke rushed forward quickly, launching a heavy fist at the second Machoke who stood still as their muscles seemed to bulge out from within their skin. The Machoke's fist landed in the chest of the other, but the other wasn't even fazed.

“Machoke, use Low Sweep.”

The Machoke kicked under their opponent, causing them to fall over.

“Now, use Mega Kick!”

They leapt into the air, leg out and poised to attack their opponent straight on.

“Machoke! Use Seismic Toss!”

The fallen Machoke flipped up from the ground right as their assailant implanted their leg right where the Machoke was fallen. They dug their hands into the ground, tearing the turf from the earth that held it and flipping the ground like a blanket to toss the Machoke away.

“Wow, they're pretty evenly matched.”

“Of course they are,” Lillie responded with a slight exasperation. “Which is why this is going to be a long battle.”

“I mean, yeah," Mikey answered with the scratch of his head. "But doesn't that make it more fun?”

Lillie paused as the sound of her Clefairy's cheers rang in her ears. She knew Clefairy enjoyed Pokemon battles, but where did that leave her?

“Machoke, use Leer!”

An eery glare overtook Machoke's visage directed towards their opponent who shuddered under their gaze.

“Now, Bullet Punch!”

“Machoke!”

The Machoke sped across the field, knocking the foe who was struggling to their feet off balance.

“Machoke!”

“Again, Bullet Punch!”

The Machoke launched another fist against their rival, forcing them to stumble forward.

“Machoke! Again!”

“Machoke, Focus Energy!”

The opponent slowly rose, taking a deep inhale as a third Bullet Punch threatened to hit their mark.

“Now use Low Kick!”

The Machoke ducked under the punch, dropping into a spinning kick that buckled the legs of their rival as the assaulting Machoke flew forward from the momentum of their attack. They rolled forward, body dragging against the ground as their assailant picked themself up from the ground.

“Machoke, Focus Energy.”

“Machoke, use Leer!”

The kicking Machoke took another deep breath as the punching Machoke's glare forced another shudder through them.

“We've dragged this out long enough,” Jackie responded in a solemn tone.

“I agree,” Bruce stated seriously. “Let us finish this.”

Both Machokes stared at each other, both bracing themselves for the oncoming conclusion.

“Machoke, use Mega Punch!”

“Machoke, use Mega Kick!”

The two Machokes rushed forward, one reeling back their arm as the other leapt back up with their leg outstretched as their roars echoed in the mountain air.

WOOOMFFF

The two collided, one Machoke's fist ramming into the jaw of the other as their gut was bashed by the powerful kick of their opponent. They both collided, falling to the ground in a heap as both trainers watched on eagerly.

“Machoke! Get up!”

“Come on Machoke, you can't quit now!”

“Looks like both pokemon can no longer battle.”

They both grimaced in response to Mina's observation as Jackie clenched his fists. “But then how are we supposed to know which is better!”

“What do you mean ‘how?!’” Bruce asked in response. “Clearly punching is better! I landed more hits on your Machoke than you did on mine!”

“But my Machoke's hits knocked out your Machoke with fewer attacks!” Jackie argued in response. “Therefore, kicking must be better!”

“Honestly, who cares.”

“WHAT?!?!”

They both turned to Mina who continued to look at them both with her perpetually indifferent expression.

“Who cares which is better. You both had fun, right?”

“Huh?”

They both turned to each other, perplexed expressions riddling their faces as they considered Mina's point.

“It's true,” Mikey responded from the side. “Jackie likes a very aggressive approach that may leave him open, but focuses on maximizing the damage dealt in each hit!”

“And Bruce seems to prefer being more accurate in his strikes to build damage over time,” Lillie commented as she pet her Clefairy.

“Balancing accuracy and power is something each trainer has to decide for themselves,” Mina responded evenly. “Neither one is better or worse, what matters is you battle in the way both you and your pokemon most enjoy.”

Both trainers looked towards Mina, before shifting their gaze to each other.

Finally, a sigh was shared between the two.

“Master Mina is right.”

“Yes, she is.”

“I would be too concerned for my pokemon to take many risks with high power moves.”

“And I wouldn't have the patience to draw out a battle like your strategy does.”

Suddenly both Jackie and Bruce grasped each other by the elbows, a fierce smile being shared between the two of them.

“Thank you for the great match! I won't be losing next time!”

“What do you mean? Victory will be mine for sure!”

They both shared a hearty laugh as Mina put away her easel and moved back towards Lillie and Mikey.

“Welp, looks like my work here is done.”

“Wait! Master Mina!”

The two trainers rushed over, bowing deeply towards her.

“Thank you so much for your invaluable lesson.”

“Yes, we are truly in your debt.”

“Don't worry about it,” Mina answered easily. “Life's too hectic to sweat the small stuff.”

“Yes master!”

Lillie paused, watching on as Mina said her farewell to the pupils of her short-lived teaching tenure before the fairy captain turned towards her.

"What's up?"

Lillie quickly blinked out of her reverie and shook her head to get any remaining dazedness out of her mind.

"Don't worry about it."

"Wow, Mina, that was so cool!" Mikey exclaimed, popping in to make himself known. "Those two were doing nothing but butting heads and you were able to get them to see eye-to-eye!"

He started stroking his Eevee's head who mewled under the ministrations.

"I wonder if I can be a trainer like that."

"Why not?" Mina deadpanned with a shrug. "You can be whatever trainer you want to be."

"Really?!"

Lillie watched on the interaction, a soft smile gracing her face as she saw the sheer enthusiasm on Mikey's face.

"Of course," Lillie answered kindly. "I wouldn't be where I am if it weren't for Mina's guidance."

Mina turned towards Lillie with a quirked brow and puzzled expression that Mikey completely missed.

"That's incredible! I'm super lucky to be travelling with you two!"

"Same," Lillie answered with a smile towards them both. "I don't know where I'd be without you two."

"Well don't hold us up forever," Mina responded, ruffling Lillie's hair as she walked by. "We're heading to Cerulean right?"

"Urgghh, Mina!" Lillie cried as she fixed her ponytail that got mussed up under Mina's gesture. "Why are you always like this?!"

But Mina didn't answer, instead she chuckled to herself as Lillie chased after her and Mikey followed behind. Lillie nudged Mina who nudged her back as Mikey continued his rambly questions on how Mina got to be where she was. It was a motley crew of friends that Lillie had stumbled into.

And she couldn't wanted it any other way.

Chapter Text

“Dear, sweet Arceus, we’re finally here!”

Lillie cheered in excitement as she walked the cobblestone streets, the central fountain trumpeting in the center of the metropolitan scene as people walked all around her. Her enthusiasm was contagious as Mikey gave her a large smile.

“Wow Lillie, you sure seem excited to be in Cerulean City!”

“Of course I am!” Lillie turned back with a cheer. “After all, this is where I’ll get to see-”

WHUMP

Lillie backed straight into a random bypasser who screamed in response.

“KYAAA, watch where you're going you brainless imbecile!”

“Ah, I do so apologize! I didn't mean to-!”

Lillie stopped herself as her eyes widened in unison with the navy-haired girl she had run into. They both screamed at the sight of each other.

“IT'S YOU!!!”

“Ugh, the depravity of peasants,” the golden-eyed girl sneered. “First you run into me and now you're copying me?!”

“I can’t help that the displeasure of seeing you again is mutual, Luna,” Lillie responded in a bristled tone. “After all, I am always sorry anytime I run into you.”

“Then you should take better care to watch your step, plebe,” Luna responded in a haughty tone as she tossed her hair back. “Honestly, I'm surprised to see that someone as inept as you managed to make it to Cerulean. Though I suppose even beginners can get lucky.”

“Excuse me! I won my challenge in Pewter City fair and square!” Lillie argued with tensed shoulders. “And if you don't believe me, I will battle you right now to prove it!”

“Psh, please, I have better things to do than battle a one badge loser,” Luna responded with a malicious smirk. “Now that I've gotten my second badge, I need to head to Vermillion City’s gym. A place I know you'll never see since your paltry team would never be able to beat Misty.”

“Cleffa, Clefairy!”

“Should we stop them?”

Mikey hid behind his Eevee, trying to discreetly pass his message to MIna from behind his pokemon's confused face as Mina gave an indifferent shrug.

“Meh, this seems pretty typical.”

“Is it?” Mikey asked again looking over his Eevee. “Do you know that girl?”

“Lillie ran into her once,” Mina stated as she placed the back of her head in her palms. “Guess that makes them friends.”

“WE ARE NOT FRIENDS!!!”

“STOP COPYING ME!!!”

“Wait, if you're not friends then…” the machinations of Mikey's mind creaked and turned before realization lit his face into a bright grin. “ARE YOU LILLIE'S RIVAL?!”

“Ugh, you are such an ingrate!” Luna responded to Lillie, completely ignoring Mikey's query. “Here you are wasting my precious time when I need to be getting to Vermillion City!”

“Me wasting your time?!” Lillie shrieked in response. “I'll have you know, I have important business with Bill here that you have been keeping me from with your inane antics!”

“You know Bill?!”

“Oh please, like Bill would care about a little nobody like you.”

“EXCUSE ME?!?!”

“Besides, you can't even get to Bill's house without crossing Nugget Bridge,” Luna responded with a devious sneer on her face. “A no-good trainer like you will be pulverized before you even take a single step towards Bill's house.”

“Well, I'll show you!” Lillie remarked as she clenched her fists. “I'm going to annihilate everyone on that bridge, see Bill again, and beat Misty so that I can battle your sorry little ego when I see you in Vermillion!”

“Tch, fine!”

“Fine!”

They both slapped their hands together in a fierce handshake, fire burning in their eyes as they gripped each other's hands tightly.

“It’ll be an honor to pulverize you. If you can actually make it to Vermillion that is.”

“I beat you once!” Lillie retorted with gritted teeth and a stronger grip. “I'll beat you again.”

“In your dreams.”

“Then I guess we'll have to find out in Vermillion!”

“I guess we shall!”

They both grunted, turning in opposite directions before storming off towards their respective destinations.

“Well, that was dramatic.”

“Hey, Lillie, wait up!”

“I can't wait now, Mikey!” Lillie snapped with her fists still clenched to her sides. “I have to show that pompous Luna Nightshade just who she's truly dealing with!”

“I-I get that!” Mikey stammered as Eevee whimpered in his arms, struggling to stay in his grip as he stumbled following Lillie. “But, do you really know Bill?! He's like, super famous!”

“Yeah, I know Bill,” Lillie huffed as Clefairy hung tightly to her shoulders, grunting softly as they tried to maintain their hold. “He was literally the first person I met when I first arrived in Kanto.”

“Wait, really?!” Mikey shouted as he ran to keep up with Lillie. “Wow, that's incredible! You must be someone amazing if you got an audience with Bill like that!”

Mikey quickly outpaced Lillie as her steps slowed to a stop. Her gaze drifted downwards, fixating on the cobblestones beneath her as Mikey suddenly noticed Lillie's absence.

“Um… Lillie?”

“Clefair…?”

Lillie gave a sound, uncertain whether is was a stifled sob or a bitter chuckle as a sad smile stretched across her face.

“He's helping my mother…”

“Oh…”

“Eevee…”

The somber responses echoed off the cobblestones as Lillie gave a light chuckle.

“It's… it's fine,” Lillie shakily reassured. “After all, my mother's in the best hands in the world with Bill looking after her.”

“I… still… I'm sorry,” Mikey answered remorsefully. “I let my fanaticism get ahead of me.”

Lillie giggled softly as the bitterness in her face seemed to fade. “It's quite alright. You seem to be a big fan of Bill.”

“You know I am!” Mikey shouted as Eevee cheered. “He's only the greatest Pokemon collector out there! Not only that, but he has every eeveelution known across the Kanto and Johto regions, but still speaks ardently about being an Eevee fan! Like, do you know how huge that is that someone who has such an extensive knowledge of Eevee and all their potential evolutions, still sees the greatest potential in Eevee themself?! I'm telling you, Eevee's the absolute best!”

Lillie's mirth started to return to her, the somber memories and escalated frustration fading away from Lillie's mind.

“Well, since you're such a big fan of his, perhaps I should arrange a meeting.”

“YOU MEAN IT?!?!”

Lillie's laugh overtook her mood, suddenly finding a lightheartedness in her demeanor.

“Of course! I'm sure Bill would be excited to meet another Eevee enthusiast like yourself.”

“Y-you sure?!” Mikey stammered. “I mean, you sure I shouldn’t maybe fix my hair? Agh! Am I even presentable looking like this?!”

“Trust me, you look fine,” Lillie responded with a smile. “Bill will be happy to meet you.”

Mikey stared at Lillie in short-lived disbelief that morphed itself into a giddy smile.

“Wow… I'm going to meet Bill… hehe.”

“I think you broke the kid, Lillie.”

“Oh he'll be fine,” Lillie responded nonchalantly.

“It reminds me of Moon…”

A nostalgic smile crossed her face as they approached a bridge leading north out of Cerulean.

After you get past Route 4 you're in Cerulean City. It's a really pretty town with a gorgeous water fountain in the center, as well as a bike shop which, honestly, is absurdly overpriced. There is a gym in Cerulean, though I would recommend heading north to Route 24, otherwise known as Nugget Bridge. Which I guess is pretty infamous since there were Nugget Bridge impersonators in Malie Garden. That was… really  weird. Like, it's just a place where random trainers gather. Still, it's a good place to train before you take on Cerulean City Gym. 

“Hey, you there!”

Lillie turned to the voice, a boy in a straw hat and white tank pointed their bug catching net at her in a challenging gesture.

“You here for the Nugget Bridge challenge?”

Lillie beamed a bright smile as Clefairy cheered from atop her head.

“Hello Cale! Yes, I'm ready for the Nugget Bridge Challenge!”

“Wow, that's super impressive!” Mikey exclaimed in response. “You've been preparing so much for this battle that you've memorized the names of everyone on Nugget Bridge?!”

“Uh… not quite.”

Lillie blushed slightly as Cale rubbed the back of his head.

“I met all the Nugget Bridge trainers when I was trying to get to Vermillion.”

“I mean, can you blame us?!” Cale whined in defense. “After all, if you were coming from the cape, it would've been way quicker to take the ledges instead of coming down the bridge.”

“I can't help it if Route 25 was an absolute maze!!”

Cale laughed in response to Lillie's pout.

“Ah, clearly it was just a case of bad directions,” Cale answered with a wide smile. “Though you definitely look different from when we first met. Must be because of the Clefairy.”

“Clefairy!!!”

The Clefairy hopped off Lillie's head and readied themself in a battle stance as Lillie smiled at the gesture.

“That's right Cale. Clefairy and I are partners here, and we’re going to take down everyone on Nugget Bridge!”

Cale chuckled in response, “then allow me to formally greet you. People call this the ‘Nugget Bridge.’ Beat us five trainers and win a fabulous prize.”

He pulled out a pokeball, holding it in front of him in a challenging posture as he grinned from ear to ear.

“Think you got what it takes?” 

Lillie gave a stern look as she braced herself, the smile never leaving Cale's face.

“Go Venonat!”

“Hmph, go Clefairy!”

The Clefairy leapt off her shoulder as a Venonat materialized before her. Thoughts wandered back to the Viridian Forest where she had faced a similar foe.

“Clefairy, use Minimize!”

“Venonat, use Supersonic!”

The Clefairy shrunk as the screeching soundwaves made their way over to the Clefairy who had minimized beneath the audible assault.

“No way!”

“Awesome job Clefairy! Now, use Double Slap!”

“Clefaiiiir!!!!”

The Clefairy morphed back to their full height as they slammed their palm against the Venonat's face. The Venonat recoiled, clearly unprepared for such an assault as a second slap rang across the Veononat's cheek.

“Veno….”

“No freaking way….”

“Wow, is Venonat already unable to battle?"

“Well, it's not like Nugget Bridge is run by professional trainers,” Mikey responded defensively. “Most people here are just hobbyists trying to encourage more people to visit the bridge. Though you still get a cool prize at the end!”

“Mmmm, not interesting.”

“Yeah, I guess this doesn't seem like your kinda thing,” Mikey responded with a laugh.

“I gotta say though, Lillie, you're super impressive!” Cale announced as he ran up to talk to Lillie. “I can't believe you got that strong in such a short amount of time!”

Lillie turned towards her Clefairy as they nodded in unison and she smiled. “I have Clefairy to thank for that. After all, they've been fighting alongside me all this time.”

“Yeah, but I'm sure you did a lot to help them out too!” Cale responded cheerily. “It's kinda a bummer I lost, but I did my best. I have no regrets.”

“I'm sure you and Venonat would grow even more if you decided to go on your own adventure,” Lillie responded with a smile. “I know I never would've gotten stronger if I hadn't taken that first step.”

“You may be right,” Cale responded a little sheepshly. “Anyways, you've got Ali up next. You should be careful though, she's no pushover.”

“Understood!”

Lillie nodded as she pressed onward through her trials. Although Ali wasn't a pushover, Lillie was able to knock out her Psyduck rather seamlessly with her Bellsprout, and was equally impressive against Timmy's Sandshrew. Reli's Meowth started giving her some issues, though where she truly began struggling was against Kevin.

“Growlithe, use Ember!”

“Grrroowllll!”

FWOOOOOOOOOSH

“Clefairy, Minimize!”

The Clefairy leapt out of the way, shrinking after jumping so that the force of their leap could launch them further out of the way.

“Aw come on, Lillie!” Kevin responded with a rude laugh. “You can't be quitting already!”

Lillie groaned in response as she looked towards the Growlithe. His moves were rather predictable, so he shouldn't have been a challenging opponent; however, this being their fifth battle in a row it was obvious that Lillie's pokemon were getting worn down.

“Come on! I know you've got more fight in you! Growlithe, Ember!”

“Clefairy, Metronome!”

White hot flames shot out of the Growlithe's maw as they barreled towards the small Clefairy.

FWOOOOOOOSH

“CLEFAAAAAIR-!”

“Clefairy!”

The Clefairy stumbled, knees failing them as the weight of the pain from the last attack threatened to overwhelm them.

“Clefairy! Are you okay?”

“Growlithe, use Tackle!”

“Clefairy, Sing!”

The Growlithe launched itself at the fairy pokemon, their speed almost impossible to see until they were right in front of Clefairy.

But then Clefairy vanished.

The Growlithe stopped, looking around as suddenly the prey that was such easy pickings was nowhere to be found.

“Look out, Growlithe!”

The Clefairy shot behind the Growlithe who tried to redirect their attack, but it was too late. Clefairy's melody was already slowing their movements as they began wobbling from the drowsiness.

“Growlith, no!”

“Awesome job Clefairy! Now, finish this off with a Double Slap!”

“CLEFFAAAIIIRRR—-!!!”

“GROWLITHE, WAKE UP!!! COME ON BUDDY, THEY'LL BEAT US IF YOU DON'T—!!!”

“---YYYYY!!!”

The first slap landed, striking Growlithe right in the jaw who seemed to recoil with their eyes firmly shut. The Growlithe rolled across the field, the slap battering them senseless as they tried to get back to their feet only to fall forward.

“Growlithe is unable to battle!”

The Clefairy wobbled, the weight of their own small form seeming to be too much for them as Lillie ran forward to catch the fairy pokemon.

“You did it Clefairy!”

The Clefairy fell heavily into her embrace as the pokemon’s small arms struggled to hug the arms holding them back.

“Faiiiiirrrr….”

Lillie giggled lightly in response. “You did great Clefairy. I'm proud of you.”

“Fair…”

She lifted the Clefairy up in her arms, cradling her precious partner as Kevin ran up from across the field.

“Whoa, that was incredible!” He shouted as he approached the trio. “But how did you beat me?!”

Lillie gave a light shrug before smiling his way. “Sheer luck.”

“Huh?”

“Yeah, that was really incredible that you were able to get a Dragon's Dance from Clefairy's Metronome!” Mikey explained excitedly in answer. “It gave you the chance to outspeed Growlithe while giving you the power to knock Growlithe out.”

“Metronome, huh?” Kevin responded with a light chuckle. “That doesn't seem like a sound strategy.”

“Honestly, I agree,” Lillie relented with a sigh. “But with only two Pokemon, I have to accept some risk, or risk being overwhelmed.”

“Well, I guess I can’t argue with you seeing as I lost,” Kevin responded with a light smile. “Go on ahead. You earned your prize!”

Lillie beamed, the sense of accomplishment washing over her in a torrent. Her pokemon had worked incredibly hard, battling five trainers in a row, and now, not only was she getting a prize, but she would be able to rub it in that nasty Luna Nightshade's face that she beat the Nugget Bridge trainers!.. Not that that was important. As stated, Lillie's pokemon had worked incredibly hard and they deserved the reward they had so desperately earned.

Though, rubbing it in Luna's face would be a nice bonus.

“Congratulations, challenger!”

A man with messy black hair approached Lillie with a broad smile on his face.

“You beat our five trainers and have just earned a fabulous prize!”

The man handed Lillie over a large golden sphere as Lillie took it in both hands. She had to strain a bit to lift it once it was handed to her as she inspected it thoroughly.

“Hm… You really just hand out Nugget's like this?”

“Well, it is Nugget Bridge,” the man responded casually. “It's a pretty nice prize, isn't it?”

Lillie hummed in thought as she put the item in her bag. “That just seems a bit excessive,” Lillie responded halfheartedly. “Though I do think this will help cover some of my travel expenses.”

She gave a sigh. She wasn't poorly off, per se, though the fact that Mina tried to pay for everything with bottle caps meant she was often paying for two. At least Mikey was there to help with the bills and he never seemed to complain. Really just an angel!

“By the way,” the man interjected, his smile turning sharp. “Would you like to join Team Rocket?”

Suddenly all time seemed to stop, a heavy silence weighed down everything as Lillie turned slowly to the man.

“Excuse me?”

“That's right!” The man shouted, throwing off his civilian clothes to reveal the all-too familiar Team Rocket uniform. “We’re a group dedicated to doing evil using pokemon! And, seeing how you like that Nugget, I'm sure a talented trainer like you could gain even more.”

Lillie's whole body clenched at the sight of him and her hands shook as if eager to fight.

“Want to Join?”

Lillie paused only long enough to swallow before she gave her answer.

“No.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“Come on, join us!”

“No!”

“I'm telling you to join!”

“And I'm telling you no!”

“Okay, you need convincing!”

“Oh, sweet Arceus,” Lillie whined loudly as she huffed in indignation. “There is nothing you can do or say to ‘convince’ me to join a degenerate band of crooks like you!”

“You say that now,” the man responded snidely as he pulled out a pokeball. “But I'll make you an offer you can't refuse!”

The man tossed a Zubat out who screeched as they vaporized into existence. Lillie clenched her fist, fighting back the instinct to hesitate as she turned to her Clefairy.

Clefairy was… not in the best of shape.

Clefairy certainly had stubbornness to make up for their obvious fatigue, but the scorch marks around Clefairy's fur were still very fresh. And, with Zubat being flying and poison-type, she was going to be at a disadvantage regardless of who she sent out.

She would have to try to stall.

“Clefairy, get some rest, okay? Bellsprout's gonna help us out.”

“Clef!”

The Clefairy nodded, glare still fixed on the Rocket Grunt as if to let the man know that they were still fighting even if they weren't in the battle yet. Lillie mirrored the nod as she pulled out a pokeball of her own.

“Go Bellsprout!”

She chucked her pokeball into the informal arena as her Bellsprout roared while materializing into action.

“Heh, you think you can beat me with such a pathetic pokemon?” The grunt chuckled. “Zubat! Use Wing Attack!”

“Bellsprout! Vine Whip on the wings!”

“Bell!”

The Zubat rushed forward, threatening to slash at the Bellsprout with their sharp wings as Bellsprout launched their vines around the Zubat's appendages.

“Awesome job, Bellsprout! Now launch them into the bridge post!”

“I'm not falling for such an obvious trick!” The grunt shouted with a sinister excitement. “Zubat! Fly upwards!”

“Zu!”

“Bellsprout! Ingrain!”

The Zubat flew quickly upwards as Bellsprout dug their roots as deeply and quickly as possible. Bellsprout was barely hanging on as the Zubat flapped furiously to get the Bellsprout airborne.

“Come on Zubat, fly higher!”

“Hang on Bellsprout! I know you can do it!”

“Bell…”

The Bellsprout responded weakly as they held on as tightly as possible. Their roots started loosening from the ground beneath them as the strain seemed to threaten to rip Bellsprout from the ground.

“Now! Let them go!”

The Bellsprout released the vines as the Zubat shot upwards, launching into the sky as they became nothing but a small dot in the atmosphere.

“No! Zubat! What are you doing you idiot?! Get back here!!!”

But the Zubat continued flying forward, launching themself into space before they were out of sight.

“Looks like your Zubat didn't feel like battling.”

The grunt groaned as he forced his gaze back on the girl.

“This isn't over, yet!” The man growled as he pulled out another pokeball. “Go Koffing!”

He tossed another pokeball as the gaseous Koffing gave their battle cry.

“Yeah, go Lillie! You can do it!”

Lillie gave a self-satisfied giggle. “As if I'm going to lose to some gag trainer like this.”

“Pfft, hah, what?!” The man nearly shrieked. “You think I'm just a gag!”

“Well, aren't you?” Mikey asked innocently. “Like, everyone knows that the last trainer on Nugget Bridge is someone who pretends to recruit you to Team Rocket.”

“Honestly, it's the same way on Alola,” Lillie responded with a sigh. “The measures people will take to create a tourist trap.”

“Oh-ho well then aren't you in for a surprise,” the man growled with a sinister sneer. “Because Archer is giving a pretty prize to whoever teaches you a lesson, little Clefairy girl!”

Lillie felt her body instinctively tense at the name. “You really are-!”

“Yep! Which means your time is up! Koffing, use Smog!”

The Koffing spit out a poisonous blob that stung the Bellsprouts' eyes who ran in a panic in response.

“Bellsprout! Are you okay?!”

“Now, Zubat, Wing Attack!”

“NO!”

The Zubat returned, quick as lightning as they slashed their wings across Bellsprout's form who roiled at the impact.

“Bellsprout! Are you alright?!”

“Bell-Bell…”

The Bellsprout muttered weakly as they lay dazedly on the ground.

“Heh, looks like your Bellsprout is unable to battle.”

Lillie ‘tsked’ in response. This was bad. Clefairy was in rough shape and now Bellsprout was out for the count. Plus, now she had Zubat and Koffing to contend with.

“Playing two Pokemon at once isn't fair!”

“Hah! You think I care about that?!” The man guffawed in response. “We're Team Rocket for crying out loud! Why should I care about what's fair?!”

Lillie groaned in response. The jerk! How could she have allowed herself to be blindsighted like that?!

No, she couldn't think things like that right now. She had to keep it together.

That's what Moon would do.

She grabbed the pokeball at her side as she spoke to Bellsprout in a kind tone.

“You did good, Bellsprout. Thanks for your hard work.”

“Bell…”

They disappeared in a flash of red light as Lillie gently tucked the ball away.

“You ready to do this, Clefairy?”

“Clefair!”

Lillie nodded steadily before shouting the command.

“I choose you! Go Clefairy!”

“Clefairy!”

“You've got spunk, kid, I'll give you that,” the man responded with a harsh chuckle. “But you're clearly outmatched! Zubat use Wing Attack!”

“Clefairy, watch out!”

The Clefairy leapt out of the way, causing the Zubat to whiz past.

“Urgh, come on you worthless cretin!” The man shouted in frustration. “Use Wing Attack!”

“Clefairy, get in position.”

“Clefairy!”

“Koffing, they're right by you! Use Tackle!”

“Koffing!”

The Koffing roared as Zubat zipped even closer toward the Clefairy.

“Now, Clefairy, use Minimize!”

The Clefairy shrunk, looking nearly out of sight as the Zubat and Koffing both lunged towards where the Clefairy used to be.

“No! You idiots! Stop! STOP!!!”

But the two collided, slamming against each other with full force as the Zubat violently recoiled.

“Zubat, you idiot, what are you doing?!”

The Zubat didn't respond, clearly dazed from crashing head-first into the tanky Koffing.

“It looks like Zubat's unable to battle,” LIllie responded with a confident smirk. “Maybe I'm not as outmatched as you think.”

“Urgh, useless,” the man grumbled as a rumbling sound came from the Koffing still on the field. They rose slowly, shaking off their dizziness as the man gave a smile. “But it doesn't look like I'm down and out yet.”

Lillie's face turned stern as the Koffing returned to the sky and roared.

“I'll show you for messing with Team Rocket! Koffing, use Smog!”

The Koffing launched a poisonous goop at the Clefairy as they quickly side-stepped the attack.

“Clefairy, use Double Slap!”

“Clefairy!”

“Again Koffing, Smog!”

“Clefairy, look out!”

The Clefairy launched themself at the Koffing as the venomous glob was hurled right towards them, causing them to roil back from their assailant.

“Clefairy!”

“I warned you not to underestimate me!”

“Cleffa…”

The Clefairy shakily tried to rise to their feet as a sickening shudder ran through their body.

“Hah! Your Clefairy's now both weakened and poisoned! You're not gonna last!”

Lillie grunted in frustration. “Clefairy! Are you okay?!”

“Clef… Clefairy.”

The Clefairy shakily rose to their feet, looking incredibly pained, but adamantly determined to see this battle through.

“Clefairy…”

“Clefa… fa fair…”

Their ragged breathing was heavy and stubborn as Lillie steeled her resolve.

“We aren't going to let things end this way!”

“Clefa, fa fairy!”

The man scoffed at the display, his snide smirk overtaking his face.

“You aren't going to have much of a choice. Koffing, use Tackle!”

“Clefairy, Minimize!”

The Koffing lunged towards the fairy pokemon who shrunk underneath the attack, running beneath the Koffing as the man in the back groaned.

“Koffing, Smog!”

“Clefairy, use Sing!”

The Clefairy released a soothing ballad, the Koffing showing signs of fatigue. Their eyes drooped heavily.

“Urgh, snap out of it Koffing! Don't let that Clefairy get the better of you!”

The Koffing slowly lowered only to reawaken. Lillie's stall strategy didn't work!

She panicked, watching as the Koffing once more took to the air as she was helpless to do anything but watch.

“Now Koffing, use Tackle!”

The Koffing lunged towards the Clefairy who dropped to one knee as they shuddered. Lillie didn't have any time.

“Clefairy, use Metronome!”

The Clefairy dug their hands into the earth as they mustered the strength to raise a single finger in the air. The Koffing rushed forward, as Clefairy slowly rose to their feet.

“Clefa…”

The Clefairy turned towards the Koffing, face filled with determination as the Koffing launched imminently closer.

“Now!”

“Clefa!!!’

The Clefairy’s head took a solid metalic sheen as they  launched forward, headbutting the Koffing head on as the they recoiled from the assault. Their body rolled across the field, breathing heavy and limp.

“No!”

“Yes! You did it Clefairy!”

“Clefair…”

The Clefairy wobbled, standing unsteadily before collapsing to the ground as Lillie rushed to catch them.

“Clefairy!”

“Fair…”

The Clefairy snuggled deeply into Lillie's arms as she hugged the pokemon tightly.

“It's okay Clefairy… It's over.”

“No it isn't!”

The man stormed forward, now in front of Lillie as he grabbed her by the collar.

“Hey! What gives! Let me go!”

“Oh no. I already told you the boss wants you, pipsqueak. And now that you're out of pokemon, you're completely helpless.”

Lillie's eyes went wide before she glared at the man.

“What a callous and pathetic thing to do. Even Archer took a loss better than you.”

“Oh shut your trap!” The man commanded. Lillie remained unamused as she kicked him in the gut. He roiled on the ground, holding his stomach tightly. “You impetulant little snot!”

“I'm not the one abducting people because I can't take a loss.”

“Hey! What are you doing?!”

Lillie turned towards the voice. There was Cale. Well, Cale with Mina, Mikey and the other Nugget Bridge trainers.

“It's about time you all showed up!” Lillie responded in a haughty tone. “Seriously, where were all of you?!”

“Sorry about that Lillie,” Mikey responded with a scratch of his head. “But we worried that if there was one rocket grunt there might've been more, so we went to find backup.”

“And we had to heal our Pokemon at the Pokemon Center since you destroyed all of us, remember?” Cale asked with a wide grin. “It looks like you got this handled though.”

“That isn't funny!”

“No, this isn't!” The man growled as he rose to his feet. “You're all going to pay for this!”

“Say, aren't you out of pokemon?”

The man gulped at Mina's words as the Nugget Bridge trainers looked at each other with wide smiles on their faces.

“Go Venonat!”

“Go Psyduck!”

“Go Sandshrew!”

“Go Meowth!”

“Go Growlithe!”

In a barrage of red lights the army of pokemon assembled, varied roars and cries rose from the small battalion as the man visibly panicked.

“N-Now, let's not do anything hasty…”

“Growlithe, use Ember!”

“Grrrowl!”

“Gyah! Please! Mercy!”

The Pokemon continued to chase the criminal away as the trainers laughed at the antics.

“Well, I suppose as long as that's resolved,” Lillie responded before she glared at the Nugget Bridge trainers. “What are you all thinking?! Having a rocket goon join your ranks like that!”

“Hey, I promise it's an accident!”

“An accident we keep repeating,” Reli responded with a sigh to Cale's defense.

“But, hey! It certainly draws attention to the bridge, doesn't it?!”

“I'm not sure that's the kind of attention we want to bring, Timmy.”

“Yeah Reli,” Kevin responded in agreement. “I mean, we love this town, and we love this bridge! We thought having someone pose as a rocket grunt who gave out a prize would make it more memorable, but we keep screwing that up.”

They gave a collective sigh as Lillie giggled in response.

“I apologize, but, although the Nugget is nice, I find that you five are the most memorable part of this bridge.”

“Realy?!”

“Of course!” Lillie responded to their unisoned reply. “You each have so much heart and love, both for this bridge, and the pokemon you defend it with. And that's more memorable than any gag or twist you could craft.”

The five hummed in response before Cale stepped forward.

“You know what. Maybe you’re right!”

“We're what makes this bridge special!”

“We can still hand out nuggets though, right?! I mean, we got this called Nugget Bridge!”

Lillie laughed once more as they continued to ramble on their thoughts.

“I'm sure you can do whatever you wish to bring more fame to this bridge. You've already made it so memorable that you have fans in Alola! So I'm sure whatever you do others will appreciate it too.”

The five smiled as Kevin took a step forward. “We really ought to thank you. Battling you was a blast! And you've given us some things to think about.”

“And, hey, maybe we'll hear more about your adventure as you move forward!” Cale responded excitedly. “With how good you are, I'm sure you could become champion!”

Lillie’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of that. Her? Champion?

I'm going to become someone legendary.

The words echoed in her mind and heart as she released a sigh to return her to the present. She fixed the kindest smile she could muster on her face.

“I'll do my best.”

“You'll do great!” Cale responded excitedly. “Oh, and maybe you can come back after you're champion! That'll give this bridge tons of attention!”

“Waaaah, a chance to battle the champion! That's so cool!”

“I doubt that's what will happen Timmy,” Ali responded with an eyeroll. “But best of luck on your journey.”

“Yeah, and if anyone gives you problems, let us know!” Kevin responded with a thumbs up. “We've got your back!”

Lillie smiled widely, heart filled with gratitude towards her newfound friends.

“Thank you. I will!”

Lillie gave a hearty wave as she and her travel companions said their farewells to their latest allies, pushing forward towards the next adventure that awaited them.

“Wow, it seems like you really impressed the trainers on Nugget Bridge with your battling! And the way you took down that Rocket Grunt all by yourself was so cool!”

Lillie looked down at the Clefairy in her arms, still beaten and battered but looking content in Lillie's embrace. She hugged them tighter as the Clefairy gave a light mewl in response.

“I couldn't have done it without Clefairy and Bellsprout.”

She skipped a little ahead, turning back with a light smile as she tilted her head at her friends.

“Well, we should get going! Bill's up ahead!”

She hugged the Clefairy tighter as her wish mumbled in their soft fur.

"And I hope she's happy to see me again."