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Chapter Text

I yawn and stretch out my legs, feeling thirsty from all the sleep. I had a dream that I was a Pokémon. As I open my eyes and look up at the trees far above me, I notice that I'm closer to the ground than usual. When I try to reach up to fix my hair, I realize that instead of a hand, I have a paw. Oh no… It wasn't just a dream. Panic sets in as I start hyperventilating and running in circles. What am I?

Suddenly, I spotted a pond nearby and had the idea to look at my reflection. Leaning down into the water, I discovered that I had transformed into an Eevee. I tried to calm myself and began searching for any clues about this strange situation. As I investigated, a group of Pokémon with flickering lights approached me. I attempted to speak, but they interrupted and started pushing me around. Confused, I ran away and accidentally bumped into a traveling Nuzleaf. “What's wrong?” Did he just talk to me?! Oh my god, this can't be happening. I didn't have time to explain the situation. He introduced himself as Mr. Leaf, trying to calm me down. He noticed the Pokémon following me, and just then, they attacked both of us. We quickly ran away together.

After putting some distance between us and the others, we paused for a moment to catch our breath. Mr. Leaf pointed out a mysterious dungeon up ahead, and I gave him a puzzled look. I had never heard of such a place before. As he explained its dangers, I couldn’t help but wonder what made it so perilous. With no other path available, we had to take the risk if we wanted to maintain our distance.
So, we charged in.

He explained that mystery dungeons change every time you enter them. The layout of the floors shifts, making it easy to get lost. Wild Pokémon roam these areas and are ready to attack anyone they encounter. However, the dungeons are also filled with various helpful items. For now, Mr. Leaf took care of the fighting while he assigned me the task of gathering useful items. I took mental notes while watching him battle; observing him was fascinating. I had never watched a Pokémon so closely before, especially not from this perspective.

This dungeon was shorter than usual, according to Mr. Leaf. He claimed we were lucky because we managed to stay ahead of the threats inside. After we exited the dungeon, we were panting heavily and decided to take a break. Mr. Leaf mentioned that the Pokémon that attacked us were called Beheeyem. “Did you cause trouble?” He wondered why they were chasing me and suggested that I must have done something to anger them, pointing a finger in my direction. I caught my breath and shrugged, truly unsure why they had attacked. “I tried to talk to them, but they came after me before I could say anything,” I explained.

Mr. Leaf crossed his arms, giving me a disapproving look while raising an eyebrow. I figured it wouldn't hurt to share everything I remembered. “All I know is that I used to be human. My name is Emaline... I think.” Of course, he didn’t believe me. This wasn’t the right time to discuss it, though. We could hear the cries of the Beheeyem getting closer. Mr. Leaf grabbed my fur, and we ran into the next dungeon that lay ahead of us.

I was starting to get the hang of things here. I could now compare the two dungeons and their items more effectively. I had learned to identify two items and understand their functions. One of them was the Blast Seed, which, when eaten, makes you burp fire and can burn your enemies. I found this out the hard way. Hungry, I took a bite and nearly barbecued Mr. Leaf! He wasn't pleased, especially since he’s a Grass-type Pokémon. As a result, we had to take a break so he could quickly heal up with an Oran Berry. That was the other item I learned about.

This dungeon was a bit longer than the last one. After we finally got out and knew we were safe, we took a break to chat some more. Mr. Leaf was upset that I had dragged him into this situation. “Where are your parents, Ema?” he asked. I had only just met this guy, and he was already giving me a nickname. I told him I couldn't remember. He was asking because he thought I was a child who needed my parents' guidance. He planned on going home, but was afraid to leave me alone. Regardless of his doubts, he felt it wouldn’t be right to leave a lost child by herself, so he invited me to accompany him to his village to sort everything out. He said he couldn't resist my innocent eyes, as he put it. We walked for a long time, and my feet started to hurt.

We traveled through deep valleys and climbed over rugged hills, camping under the stars as night fell. At last, we arrived at our destination. Standing atop a hill, we looked down at his village. Emaline, once a human, had been transformed into a Pokémon and had no memory of her past life. She had arrived at Serene Village, beginning a new journey in this world.

Chapter Text

\We arrived at Mr. Leaf's house, where he showed me to his spare room. “Well, this is your room for now.” There wasn't much to see inside, and I hoped he would allow me to decorate it. My bed was made of feathers and hay, and there were two windows with a few plants growing underneath, benefiting from the sunlight. While it wasn't the best room, it was mine now. Mr. Leaf told me I could stay here until I could remember who I was. He advised me to keep a low profile and avoid drawing attention to myself, as we wanted to ensure that the Beheeyem would hopefully forget about me.

“By the way, I suggest we keep the Beheeyem a secret. We don’t want to cause a panic.” He asked me what I planned to do in the meantime and recommended that I go to school. “You look to be about school age, and people might get suspicious. I think we should enroll you in the village school.” I didn’t realize Pokémon had to go to school! At least I would learn something about this place. “You don’t talk much, do you?” I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders.

Mr. Leaf said he didn’t want to waste time and should enroll me immediately. “Stay here and don’t go outside. They might still be lurking. Wait until I get back, okay?” He leaves me, and I walk around my room, bored, wiping the dust off everything. Even though my room didn't have much in it, I decided to rearrange some things.

Mr. Leaf had been gone for a while, and I decided to nap since all that walking had tired me. I woke up to the sound of rustling leaves. Looking out my window, I saw a shadow towering over me, blocking the sun. Could it be the Beheeyem? Had they found me? Although Mr. Leaf had told me to stay put, my curiosity got the better, so I decided to head out the door and investigate.

I looked around but didn’t see anyone. “I knew it!” I jumped in surprise and turned to the Pokémon beside me. It was Quilava, and he had just scared the Arceus out of me. He had been watching me and saw me come out of Mr. Leaf’s house. Were we neighbors? Then he started asking questions like where I was from and what my name was.

“I’m Ash! I live nearby,” I replied. He gestured toward his house. “You’re not Mr. Leaf’s kid or anything, are you? Like that could ever happen!” He laughed. “So, you’re new here? Great! I’ll show you around.” He started pushing me forward, kicking up dirt under my feet as he dragged me along a path to the center of the village. I had no choice but to follow. He kept asking me a series of questions so rapidly that I couldn’t respond; he just had more questions to ask. Somehow, I managed to tell him my name.

Once we arrived at our destination, just as he was about to show me around, an angry mob chased him away. I wondered what he had done wrong. Since I was there, I thought I might as well explore on my own. I walked around, checking out every little booth and the large café. I would have liked to get a coffee, but I didn’t have any money. I wasn’t sure where to find some, as I wasn’t familiar with this environment. I felt like an alien on another planet.

After exploring every corner of the plaza, I decided to take a walk and enjoy the pleasant weather. As I strolled, I noticed two suspicious Pokémon chatting near the entrance to the village. Are they kids, too? I noticed they're unevolved. I overheard their conversation. “What?! Mochi did?!” Daisy (Deerling) exclaimed, becoming loud and excited. Her friend Sheldon (Shelmet) tried to hush her. She eventually calmed down and began whispering. “Yeah, well, he insisted on going…”

Daisy grew fired up again and yelled at him to stop making excuses. She didn’t care about being loud anymore. “You and Zen pushed him into this, didn't you?!” she shouted angrily. Sheldon defended himself, insisting it wasn't fair and that Mochi made his own choice. However, Daisy insisted that he go into the mystery dungeon and find Mochi since he had contributed to his disappearance. They left the village, and I followed out of curiosity. The two met up with Zen (Pancham) in a cave. I headed to the side and waited till the time was right to reveal myself.

For the past five minutes, they have been arguing about how to handle the situation. It turns out that two bullies made a bet, and their friend, wanting to prove them wrong, ventured into the mystery dungeon and got lost. The bullies waited for him to return, but he never came out. Frustrated by this, they decided to inform Daisy, who was very upset with them for creating the bet in the first place. Now, they need to figure out who will go in after him. The police were too scared to help, so Daisy decided to step up. However, the two opposed her going because she is their idol.

This is where I stepped in. I stopped arguing and said, “I’ll go!” Everyone turned to me in shock. They hadn't noticed me before, and the strange part was that I wasn’t even hiding. It seemed odd to them that someone they didn’t even know wanted to help. I had no idea what Pokémon Mochi was.

“Who are you?” one of them asked. I replied that it didn't matter. “You need someone to go and bring your friend back, right? I’ll go.” They exchanged strange looks and then glanced at each other for approval. “I suppose if you really want to go, you can,” one of them finally said. I nodded and entered the mystery dungeon. I figured that with all the experience I had gathered, I wouldn't face too many problems. However, this would be my first time fighting alone. I do enjoy a challenge.

The cave was wet and humid. I'm glad I remembered to take Mr. Leaf's extra item bag before I left the house. When I wasn't picking up items, I was fighting freestyle. I discovered my normal typing moves. My favorite one is Refresh. With Refresh, I can shake off any status problems without using an item. I also learned to use Bite and Quick Attack. The Pokémon here were stronger than the others Mr. Leaf faced. I'm glad I've leveled up since then.

The journey took longer than I anticipated, but I finally reached the end. I was confused because I had gone through the dungeon and didn’t find him. As I looked around one last time, I spotted Mochi (Goomy) huddled in a corner, surrounded by wild Pokémon. He was shaking in fear, with a piece of paper lying in front of him. I rushed to his rescue, knocking out the enemies with a powerful headbutt. When I approached him, he hid his face.

“It’s okay; your friends sent me to get you,” I said. He stopped crying out of fear and began to cry with relief. I helped him up the stairs and noticed that he was still holding the paper. We were teleported back to the entrance of the dungeon and made our way out to his worried friends. He presented his messy handwriting to the bullies, which I assumed was part of the bet. They started to make fun of his writing. Daisy scolded them, wondering where their manners were. She thanked me for going in when they wouldn’t.

I noticed that it was getting late outside. Mr. Leaf wouldn't be happy that I had left. He was probably at home waiting for me right now. I said goodbye to my friends and hurried home, feeling like I was going to be grounded. I opened the door to the house slowly, hoping Mr. Leaf wouldn't see me sneak into my room. I quietly closed the door behind me, but as soon as I turned around, his face was right in front of mine. He had specifically told me not to leave the house, and that’s exactly what I did.

He softened a bit, saying he understood how young people want to explore. He told me that I was free to explore the village as long as I was careful. “I signed you up for school. You start tomorrow, so you better get some sleep,” he added. I went into my room and collapsed into my nest. I was exhausted from my adventures.

Chapter Text

Mr. Leaf wakes me up early for school. As I head to the kitchen, he greets me with pancakes and berries, which have now become my new favorite food. After I finished eating, he reminded me not to forget my supplies. He has packed my bag with Blast Seeds in case I get attacked by the Beheeyem again.

We make our way outside. Yesterday, Mr. Leaf enrolled me in school, but he hasn’t had the chance to speak with the principal or vice principal about my situation yet. So, he’ll be accompanying me to meet my teachers before class. He wants to explain my circumstances and introduce me properly. I don’t know the way to school; I only know how to get to the plaza, so Mr. Leaf takes the lead. I'm a bit embarrassed that he has to accompany me, but at the same time, I'm relieved I won't have to explain myself. They wouldn’t believe me anyway, as they see me as just a child. Mr. Leaf is a well-known and respected member of the village, and they trust his judgment more than that of some unfamiliar kids.

We arrived at the school and went directly to the principal's office, where all the teachers had gathered to meet us. Mr. Leaf introduced me to Principal Splash(Simipour) and Vice Principal Honey(Watchog). Both of them had taught Mr. Leaf during his time in school. Principal Splash was optimistic about my joining the staff, while Vice Principal Honey commented, hoping I wouldn't turn out to be another troublemaker. He looked at me suspiciously, circling around me like a Fearow.

Mr. Leaf explains my situation without mentioning that I am human. He tells them that he found me wandering around with no memory due to an accident. He warns them about the Beheeyem that is following me for an unknown reason. Mr. Leaf wanted to ensure that I would be protected while I’m in school. Principal Splash reassures him that I will be well taken care of during my time here. They all agree to keep my backstory a secret. However, Vice Principal Honey looks nervous, as if he might accidentally reveal something. I hope he doesn’t spill the beans about me.

Once all the questions had been answered, Mr. Leaf decided it was time for him to leave. “Let’s introduce you to your classmates, shall we?” I was escorted by the staff to the open classroom. The room was filled with various Pokémon, all eager to learn about exploration, teamwork, and the mysteries of dungeons. The walls were adorned with posters of different Pokémon species, maps of dungeons, and inspirational quotes. I stepped up to the front of the class so everyone could get a better look at me. I recognized three familiar faces: Daisy, Sheldon, and Zen, along with Mochi. They were surprised to see me again. I just realized I never got to tell them my name, so I announced it before the class. Whispers crowded the room. Was my name not normal? Principal Splash announced that I am currently living with Mr. Leaf. I felt that they didn't need to know that.

As class was about to begin, I approached one of the two empty desks when someone unexpectedly bumped into me. I felt our heads collide, and everything went black. I remember experiencing a burning sensation before I passed out. When I woke up, I found myself in the nurse's office. Nurse Moon, who is an Audino, treated my headache and told me I could rest there for as long as I needed. I lay in bed for a few minutes, trying to remember what had happened. All I could recall was an intense heat surrounding me.

After some time, I returned to class. My new friends, including an eager Quilava who wouldn't stop talking, came over to check on me and see if I was okay. Unfortunately, I ended up getting in trouble for disrupting the class simply by being there. Mr. Leak (Farfetch'd) wasn't happy with me. I quickly took my seat and kept my head down, not wanting to attract any unwanted attention. I really didn't want to be labeled as a troublemaker on my first day.

I never expected to be so popular. When recess arrived, I found myself surrounded by my new friends, who were thanking me for my help yesterday. When Ash discovered that I had ventured into a mystery dungeon alone, he completely freaked out. He was incredibly impressed and bombarded me with questions all over again. I could feel my headache returning. I could feel angry eyes staring at the back of my head. I'm guessing the bullies are jealous I'm getting the attention of their idol.

Chapter Text

After two hours of studying, the bell rang, signaling the end of school. As I walked along my usual path, Ash caught up to me, and we decided to walk together since we live in the same direction. There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask him, but I’m uncertain about how he will react. I wonder why he has evolved while the others have not. Did he enter puberty earlier than them? Perhaps that’s why the bullies make fun of him. To be honest, I think it would be pretty cool to evolve. I wonder if I'll ever evolve and what type I will be. Ash must be rubbing off on me because I'm asking myself too many questions.

"I'm sorry I didn’t get to finish showing you around the plaza yesterday. If you’re not busy now, I can take you on a tour," I said. I explained that after he was chased away, I had done some exploring on my own. He seemed a bit sad, but then brightened up with an idea. "I know a great place! I have to show you. Follow me!" He happily skipped ahead.

As we walked, we passed Sheldon and Zen, who were trying to get my attention, but we ignored them. “Hey! We’re trying to talk to you!” We slowed down, and they caught up with us. They mentioned they were impressed by my skills in the mystery dungeon, but they believed it must have been an easy dungeon. They bet I couldn't do it again. "What do you have in mind?" Ash asked, clearly interested in an adventure. The bullies, however, didn't want him involved; they only wanted to talk to me. Suddenly, they exchanged glances and realized they could take advantage of the situation. I guessed they figured that if Ash joined me in the dungeon, he wouldn't be around to annoy them.

“So, how about it? Are you up for the challenge?” The two of them led us to the Drilbur Coal Mine, which was guarded by active Drilburs. Zen explained that once I cleared the first level, the path would split. One side would be clear, while the other would be marked with warning red tape. They believe that the treasures are hidden in the area marked with the tape. They dared us to enter the forbidden zone and bring back a red stone as proof that we completed the dungeon.

Before we can focus on that, we need to figure out how to get past them to enter the dungeon. Ash seemed completely unfazed, which made me suspect he had a plan. Given what I know about him so far, I doubt it's a good one. He emerged from hiding, pretending to admire a juicy apple that was just within reach. It was so obvious that he was trying to distract them that, surprisingly, it actually worked. Their gaze fell upon the apple while we had snuck in.

This is my first adventure with Ash, and we need to discuss our roles. I wanted to fight, but he was just so full of energy. If I don't let him burn it off, he’ll annoy me like crazy. I went ahead and collected the items and decided I would only step in when necessary. He’s much stronger than the other students, probably because he evolved early. I wonder why everyone else thinks that’s a bad thing.

Jewels were embedded in the dungeon walls, but they were too deeply set for us to dig out. If we wanted to find the red stones, we would have to press on to the end. Ash's eyes sparkled with greed as he attempted to take some of the gems, but they were lodged in place far too firmly. I persuaded him to move forward; he was spending too much time trying to collect treasures. Besides, our bag would become too heavy with all those gems.

We arrived at the two split paths. The bullies had been correct about one side being taped off—this must be the place. A Drilbur was guarding the entrance. Ash turned on his charm and tried to sweet-talk his way into getting permission to pass. Drilbur said no, but Ash wasn’t willing to accept that answer. He confused the Drilbur, and while it was dizzy from overthinking everything, we sneaked past it. He has an odd way of getting what he wants.

The cave grew darker as we ventured deeper inside. I began to hear a low sound that gradually transformed into a loud growl the more we walked. Ash jokingly thought it was my stomach growling. To our surprise, a voice from the pitch black responded to him. Ash seemed to think my stomach could talk. I rolled my eyes, though he couldn’t see me do it. I insisted that the sound wasn’t coming from me.

Suddenly, the lights flickered on, revealing an angry dragon-like creature. Gabite furiously declared that we were trespassing in his territory and expressed surprise at seeing two kids. He was likely wondering how we had managed to get past the Drilbur. Gabite warned us that he wouldn’t go easy on us and assumed we were thieves there to steal from him. He called upon his friends to fight us, but Drilbur emerged from the ground, stating that they didn't fight and then dug back down. This meant Gabite would have to deal with us himself. He didn’t give us a chance to explain.

We engaged in battle, but Ash's moves weren't very effective, so it was up to me. I had been saving my energy for a moment like this. Whenever I started losing HP, Ash would toss me some berries from our item bag. Thanks to his support, I healed quickly and jumped back into the fight. I managed to deal enough damage to him. Just when he seemed defeated, he stood his ground and declared that he wouldn't hand over his treasure.

Ash intervened, saying that no one said he had to. “Like we were trying to explain, we're not here to steal anything!” The treasure guardian didn’t believe us. “No, really! We would never try to take them now that we know how important they are to you,” I added. Gabite looked confused for a moment. “You’re not here to steal from me?” he asked. Ash and I shook our heads in unison. “We were only planning to take them as proof that we made it this far, but if you’re so attached to them, we understand.”

The Drilbur resurfaced and confirmed that we were speaking the truth. His expression softened, and he offered to show us his collection since we couldn't take anything back with us. It turned out to be an amazing experience. Even though we didn't obtain any proof, we had the chance to witness some beautiful treasures. Gabite apologized for accusing us, explaining that other Pokémon had attempted to steal from him before, which is why his friends had put up tape to block off the area. Unfortunately, the Drilbur weren’t strong enough to prevent the thieves from reaching Gabite’s stash.

Ash suddenly remembered something special he wanted to show me. So, we said our goodbyes and were teleported back to the entrance. He led the way, and we even passed Zen and Sheldon, who had been waiting in that spot for a long time. We were too distracted to notice them. They tried to stop us and ask where our proof was, but we didn't care about that anymore. We were just happy that we had a good time and got to see Gabite's beautiful gems. We rushed past them, and when we got close enough, Ash made me close my eyes as he guided me blindly.

I opened my eyes to find myself beneath a giant oak tree on a hill. From here, you could see the entire village, and it was an incredible sight. Everything was visible. Ash plopped down on the ground beside me. “Well, is it great or what?” he asked. I laughed and replied, “It's great.” I sat down next to him, feeling exhausted but happy. Strangely, our moods matched perfectly. I never expected to feel this way after all the hard work we put in today.

We enjoyed the cool breeze as we watched the clouds drift by. Ash admired them, saying they could travel all over the world. “I want to be like the clouds,” he declared. “I want to race away from this village and explore all kinds of places, just like they do. I want to meet different Pokémon and have adventures.” He shared his dream of going to Lively Town to join the Expedition Society. After we stood up, he continued talking about his desire to create a map of the world.

Suddenly, his expression changed, and he hung his head. “But I can’t do it,” he said quietly. “They don’t allow kids to join, and everyone keeps saying it’s too dangerous to leave the village.” Then he changed his tune and perked up, declaring that he wouldn't give up. I could barely hear him as I was falling asleep. I don’t remember what he said, but I know I support him in his determination.

After an hour of napping, I woke up to find it was almost dark, so I decided to head home. Ash escorted me, and I went straight to my room and collapsed onto my bed. I thought to myself, it felt so good up on the top of the hill that I just dozed off. The world of Pokémon has so much natural beauty. As I looked out the window, I wondered why I was in this world. Why did I turn into a Pokémon? Those Beheeyem worry me, too. Am I really okay to stay here? I don’t want to bring danger to anyone.

Chapter Text

I woke up wondering why Mr. Leaf let me sleep in. He usually wakes me up before school, but maybe he overslept this time. When I went into the kitchen, I found a note left for me by the coffee station. Mr. Leaf had written to explain that something had come up and he had to leave the village for a while. I can’t help but wonder if it has anything to do with the Beheeyem. It looks like I’ll have the place to myself for a while. He also mentioned that I shouldn’t skip school. In the corner of the kitchen, I noticed piles of berries and drinks—he really took care of me.

I grabbed my item bag, and just as I was about to leave the house, I overheard Ash's familiar morning voice coming from right outside. I stepped out and greeted him. Ash suggested that since we're neighbors, we could walk to school together from now on. As we walked, he started talking, just as I had expected. He mentioned that he felt lonely before I came along, as nobody seemed interested in spending time with him. Today, however, he was in an excellent mood.

When we arrived at school, Ash cheerfully greeted Vice Principal Honey at the gate, surprising her. She had always labeled Ash as a troublemaker and was suspicious of his unusually upbeat behavior, especially since he was usually late for school. However, this time, we made it before the bell rang. As we entered the classroom, Ash greeted everyone, even the bullies. Zen and Sheldon called him annoying, but it didn’t seem to bother him at all. His positive energy lifted my spirits as well, and I couldn’t help but wonder why he was so excited today.

As the start of the school year approached, we settled into our seats in the classroom. Mr. Leak began the morning announcements and then gathered us for a special event. Today, we were going on a field trip. “Could this day get any better?!” Ash exclaimed excitedly. Mr. Leak told Ash to calm down. Then Ash looked at me and explained that their field trips often included visits to dungeons.

“Today, however, we will be visiting the School Forest,” Mr. Leak said. He explained that we would be divided into teams and tasked with capturing the flag before anyone else and bringing it back. This activity was designed to be a team-building exercise that would benefit us later on. If we brought back the flag, we would pass today's lesson.

Each team consisted of three Pokémon, which meant one of us would be left out. Mr. Leak had already picked the teams: team one consisted of Daisy, Sheldon, and Zen, while I, Ash, and Mochi made up team two. This left Trix (the Espurr) without a team. Mr. Leak assigned her a different task; she was to establish a mental link to help guide the teams to their flags.

Daisy expressed her frustration about being on the same team as her stalkers. The boys were infatuated with her and believed they were extremely lucky to be on her team. Meanwhile, Mochi was feeling overly nervous around us. He was uncomfortable being away from Daisy, as she typically babied and sheltered him. Mr. Leak distributed borrowed item bags for us to use in the dungeon. Since I let Ash take on the fighting last time, I decided to have him carry the bag this time. I’m unsure what to do with Mochi; I suppose he could assist Ash with the items since he lacks confidence in his fighting abilities.

Team One ran ahead of us, feeling energetic, and we followed after them. Once we entered the forest, we decided to take separate paths to avoid interfering with each other. Mochi had trouble keeping up, so we had to pause frequently for him to catch his breath. Ash was getting annoyed with him; I could tell because his head flames flared up with frustration every time Mochi complained.

After a while, we heard a telepathic voice calling to us; it was Trix. She was checking in to see where we were. Ash asked if Team One was ahead of us. “Yeah, I reached them a little while ago. From what they said, it sounds like they’re quite far ahead of you,” Trix replied. Ash blamed Mochi but tried to stay positive. He suggested that we pick up the pace. Poor Mochi was hyperventilating, but Ash urged us to push on.

“Look! It seems like the trees clear out up ahead!” Ash gestures eagerly. We reach the spot and take a look around. It appears different from the clearings we've been passing through. “Maybe, just maybe, we're getting close to our goal?!” Ash exclaims excitedly, giggling.

I glance behind us and realize that Mochi is missing. I try to tell Ash, but he insists we shouldn’t waste time going back to find him. He seems more focused on winning than on his teammates. I want to go back for Mochi, but Ash is already walking away, and I don’t want to be alone or risk getting lost myself, so I decide to follow him.

Trix uses her telepathy to communicate with us again. Ash mentions that he thinks we’re close to the goal. Trix congratulates us and warns that we might want to hurry because Team One is on its way. “The last time I contacted them, they didn’t seem to be that far along. I guess you must have passed them at some point,” she says. I’m surprised we didn’t see each other. Will Mochi really be okay on his own? I remember when we first met; he was so scared.. Yet, I feel I don’t have much of a choice. I don’t want to end up being left behind like he is, so I stay close to Ash.

Shortly after we spotted the flag up ahead, we could hear Team One catching up. Ash quickly ran over, grabbed our flag, and we hurried back before the other team arrived. Trix teleported us back to school, but we were missing Mochi. Mr. Leak congratulated us but also expressed concern because we didn't have everyone with us. Team One’s bullies laughed at us for messing up. Since we were short on teammates, we failed to complete our exercise. Mr. Leak then ordered us to go back and find him.

School had ended, and I walked home with Ash. He was relieved that we found Mochi before anything could happen to him, but he felt guilty for leaving him behind. I felt the same way. I just wish Ash had listened to me at that moment. He hung his head and asked if I thought he was irritating. I wasn't sure how to reply; no matter what I said, he would likely take it the wrong way. I decided to stay quiet, trying not to hurt his feelings. He can be annoying at times, but that doesn't mean he's bad just because he’s different. Zen and Sheldon just don’t see that.

Tears gathered in Ash's eyes, but they evaporated as his flames burned them away. He apologized, saying he would be more careful in the future, and then walked off. I didn’t think my silence would mean so much to him. It's hard to express your feelings to others sometimes.

Chapter Text

I woke up to another day without Mr. Leaf. For breakfast, I ate some berries and grabbed my item bag. Just as I was about to head out to school, Ash's voice stopped me in my tracks. “Hey, Ema, I'm going to go on ahead to school today.” I guess he didn't want us to walk together; he probably needed some time to cool off after our upsetting conversation yesterday. I'll give him space and let him come to me when he's ready.

I made it to school on my own, but I might have been a little late. When I arrived in the classroom, I saw Ash getting frustrated with some cheerful bullies. They were mocking him for his dream of joining the Expedition Society, claiming that kids were not allowed to become members. Did everyone know about this society? The bullies laughed and whispered among themselves, insisting that it was impossible for a child to join. “Even if you weren't a kid, there's no way they'd let you in! You aren't even good at exploring dungeons, are you? I mean, maybe someone like Trix would have a chance. At least she has some real skills.” Their laughter echoed in the classroom.

I was fed up with their taunts, so I bumped into them, pretending it was an accident, in an effort to make them stop. Mr. Leak intervened, breaking the tense atmosphere, and instructed everyone to take their seats so we could start class. Everyone complied except Ash. He sat frozen with his eyes closed, talking to himself, as if trying to block out their insults. He shouts out loud that he won't give up. Mr. Leak interrupted his cheerful burst, and Ash finally took his seat.

By the time third period rolled around, we gathered for another field trip. Vice Principal Honey was in charge and handed out our directions. He singled out Ash as a troublemaker, warning him not to mess up this time. Then, he assigned the teams. I was paired with Trix and Daisy, which unfortunately meant that Ash was stuck with his bullies. I have a feeling this situation won't end well. However, Vice Principal Honey announced that Sheldon would be sitting out, which gives Ash a glimmer of hope—it’s better than having both bullies on his team.

Since Trix is participating, our team could use her telepathy to find out how the other team is doing. Daisy went up to grab our borrowed item bag, while Ash and Zen argued over who would go up to collect their bag. Vice Principal Honey had to step in and break them up, which clearly tired him out; his eyes even started twitching from the stress.
He then announced the main focus of the trip and educated us about looplets and emeras, terms none of us had heard before. He instructed us to open our bags, each containing three looplets—one for each member of the team. The looplets resembled large metal bracelets with spaces between them for adding stones. I noticed that one could probably fit around my leg. I assumed the emeras were the stones meant to go inside the looplet, but I was still curious about their function. I waited for Vice Principal Honey to explain.

As I suspected, the spaces were designed for the stones. Vice Principal Honey mentioned that we could find the stones in the dungeon. Everyone was very impressed and eager to see the emeras for themselves. However, Vice Principal Honey had to temper their excitement. He explained that the stones would disappear if anyone tried to carry them outside the dungeon, so he couldn’t show them to us unless we were there.

He claimed that he would show us an image of the emeras using his special psychic powers. Instead, he simply displayed a poster depicting what they looked like together. Everyone went along with it, not wanting to hurt his feelings. I found it strange, but no one called him out on it. Just as I was about to speak up, Trix hushed me. She used her telepathy to tell me not to say anything. Just after she warned me to be quiet, Ash spoke out, saying it wasn't a special ability or anything. Trix covered her face with her hand in embarrassment.

Vice Principal Honey insisted that it was real, and the other classmates agreed with their teacher, even though they knew the truth. As usual, everyone was against Ash. Vice Principal Honey silenced him, saying he didn’t want to hear another word from him until they were in the dungeon. “Just make your way to Glittering Mountain and bring back those flags! Now get out of here and conquer that dungeon!”

I scratched my head, puzzled about what the two items could do together. He hadn’t explained it to us, so maybe the dungeon would provide the answer. Daisy, Trix, and I headed off together and noticed that different kinds of stones were embedded in the walls, but they were too difficult to remove. Instead, we focused on picking up the stones scattered on the floor. Each stone was a different color, and I wondered what each one meant or if it had a different function.

This time, I was the one holding the bag while Daisy took on the fighting. Trix led the way, relying on her special senses. We had climbed a long way, but the glow-in-the-dark shimmer from the stones in the walls started to fade as we got closer to the clearing where the flags were located. Trix’s mental map had been correct; both flags were there, meaning the other team hadn't gotten this far yet. I wasn't surprised that we arrived first—poor Ash was stuck with Zen, and I could picture them arguing over which direction was the right one.

I was relieved that we passed today’s lesson. Last time, we had left a teammate behind, which forced us to go back and caused us to fail the mission. Our team was much more functional now. Trix teleported us back, and we reported to Vice Principal Honey. He was surprised that we returned so quickly and congratulated us when the troublemakers' team came back.

When I saw them arrive, I realized that Mochi had taken Sheldon’s place. Mochi is so quiet that I didn’t even notice he was on the same team. He stayed silent while watching the tension rise between Ash and Zen as they argued. Their teamwork was terrible. I bet that Daisy, Ash, and I would make a much better team. I couldn’t help but think Ash would do better on any team except with his bullies.

Vice Principal Honey looked over to our team and warned us not to end up like them. He announced that he would be handing out extra assignments to the troublemakers later. As for everyone else, we were dismissed.

Daisy and Mochi walked home with me after school. They noticed I left school alone and wanted to keep me company. Curious about Ash's absence, I shared our conversation from yesterday on the way home. I was uncertain about how to respond to him, which is why he's been avoiding me. They offered their support, saying they understood his behavior. They mentioned that before I came along, Ash was all alone, and it meant a lot to him to have me as a friend.

Mochi admitted that he found Ash annoying at times, especially since Ash's adventurous spirit often led them into dangerous situations. While they didn't hate him, they weren't particularly fond of him either; there’s a limit to how much they can tolerate. Daisy observed that Ash is quick to bounce back from disappointment, and they believe it won't be long before he and I are friends again. He's not really close with any of the other kids in class. I hope things return to normal soon, as I have so much to share with Mr. Leaf when he gets home.

Chapter Text

I woke up to the sounds coming from the kitchen. Mr. Leaf must have returned, and judging by the smell, he was preparing breakfast as well. I rubbed my weary eyes and greeted him as he presented me with pancakes mixed with berries. He responded to my greeting and expressed his apologies for having to leave me so suddenly. He asked if I had been able to recall anything yet. He seemed disheartened to learn that I still had no memories, but he was relieved that there had been no sign of the Beheeyem.

Next, he asked me about school. Mr. Leaf was concerned that I might be getting bullied. I assured him that I was fitting in well. I told him about my classmates and my new best friend, though I wasn’t sure if he was happy with me right now. I wondered what mood he’d be in at school today. Speaking of which, I needed to get ready. I grabbed my item bag and headed outside. I looked around but noticed that my usually energetic friend wasn’t around. I guess I would be walking to school on my own today.

On my way to school, I noticed a large crowd gathering at the entrance of the village, so I decided to eavesdrop. I could hear bits of their conversation but couldn't piece it all together. They were discussing how overworked they felt, and then I heard the word "honey." Little Rose (Budew) was particularly interested in their stories about delicious honey. They confirmed that the honey was being made in Nectar Meadow.

Mr. Wave (Carracosta) mentioned that it was honey season and explained that many Pokémon, like Beedrill and Combee, come together to produce lots of honey during this time. They only work together during this season. The crowd talked about how good the honey is and its health benefits. Mr. Wave warned the little ones to stay safe and clear of the paths they were on while the Pokémon were busy making honey.

I lost interest when they kept talking about how good the honey tasted. Everyone was repeating it over and over again, and their constant mention of honey became dull. However, it did make me hungry, which didn’t seem fair to my stomach. So, I decided to move along and head to school. Principal Splash was on gate duty that morning. We all sang our greetings and took our seats. Zen threw a paper ball at me to get my attention and wanted to know where I came from.

Suddenly, I had everyone's attention. Rumors were going around that I might be from Lively Town. This piqued Ash's interest. If I told the truth, they probably wouldn't believe me and would likely make fun of me. If I lied, I would walk around with serious guilt. I've always had a guilty conscience and can't keep secrets for long. I finally made up my mind to tell them the truth just to get it over with. I just hoped they wouldn’t have too many questions.

I spilled the beans and told them I was from the human world, but they obviously didn't believe me. Some of them even laughed, thinking it was a joke. The bullies threw nasty questions my way, calling me a liar and suggesting I had just said that for attention. They insisted that humans exist only in fairy tales. I explained that this was the only thing I remembered about myself when Mr. Leaf found me.

Trix was the only one who believed me; I guessed it was because of her psychic abilities. She seemed to see the world differently than the others. “Why would she lie? What would she gain from it?” Trix defended me when Zen started mouthing off.

Just then, Mr. Leaf interrupted our discussion, making it clear that class had started. He asked what was happening, and the bullies announced that I was lying. “Sometimes, the most unbelievable things are the ones you should believe in the most,” Principal Splash said, and his words resonated with us. We hadn’t even noticed he was standing there the whole time, taking Mr. Leaf’s place. “Perhaps her story isn't true. But who are we to say? What if it's not a lie? Unbelievable things do happen,” he continued. His little speech silenced the bullies. He made the point that we should examine things from multiple perspectives. Cheerfully, he sang, “Change your point of view, even a little, and you might see an entirely new picture.”

Principal Splash stepped down to let Mr. Leak take over with his lessons. He began reading us a story, but Trix interrupted him. She reminded him that we were on a different story that we hadn’t finished yet. “Oh yes, of course. Thank you, child,” he replied. Sheldon rolled his eyes at her helpfulness, and his careless attitude seemed to spread throughout the class. The story we were reading was incredibly boring, and many of us were nodding off. Mochi was even drooling! If Zen weren't fighting sleep himself, he would probably be making fun of Mochi for it.

The hour passed quickly, and before we knew it, the bell rang for third period. Vice Principal Honey woke us up with some announcements and introduced special guests. The local sheriff's department was there to assist with today’s lesson. Everyone cheered, thinking it was cool to have them visit. They explained that they were there to demonstrate how to use an Alliance correctly.

Vice Principal Honey volunteered to be our practice subject. Based on their technique, it didn’t seem too difficult to learn. We all worked together to take him down. "Alliance" is just a fancy term for teamwork and strategy combined. To me, it felt too easy. Everyone else was amazed, but all we did was attack at the same time. It wasn’t anything new, so why was everyone so excited? I pretended to be happy just to fit in; I didn’t want to ruin their excitement.

Vice Principal Honey had us practice our moves in the same groups against him. He urged us not to hold back, saying he could take a hit. Once everyone had a turn, Vice Principal Honey collapsed. He claimed he was fine but admitted he underestimated the impact of our moves. Slowly, he picked himself up. Today's lesson was short, so we got out of school early. I walked home alone.

The next morning, we were being taught by Nurse Moon, who wanted to hold a health class for us. The day's topic was evolution, which had Ash overly excited; he couldn't physically stay in his seat. Everyone was eager to finally understand their next stages. Ash was particularly curious about his own upcoming evolution. Nurse Moon explained for the third time that, since he had already evolved once, it would take longer for him to evolve again compared to a Pokémon that had not yet evolved for the first time.

I wonder if I will ever evolve. As an Eevee, I have more options than others. I could evolve with a special item, or I could just wait and see what fate decides. I have so many possibilities, but which one truly represents me?

Our class was interrupted by a frantic Pokémon in need. She wasn’t a worried mother searching for her lost child, but I recalled seeing her little Rose listening to stories about honey making season. Could she have gone to Nectar Meadow? The mother collapsed, and Nurse Moon helped her up and calmed her down. She took her into the nurse's office for a cup of tea and a warm blanket.

Little Rose might be in danger! I looked around the room to see if anyone was brave enough to join me. “Come on, guys! We have to help!” There was an awkward silence, followed by skeptical murmurs. Mochi warned me that if I didn't return before the teacher arrived, I would probably get detention and be scolded.

“Fine, I’ll rescue her myself!” I stormed out of the classroom after being called a liar once again. There was no way I was letting this go! I headed straight for the village border when I was stopped by Ash. While he was catching his breath, I dug into my bag and handed him a berry. He ate it and began to calm down. “Thanks! I can’t let you go alone. I’m not sure I believe you, but if Rose is in trouble, I want to do something about it.” I nodded in agreement, and we set off towards Nectar Meadow.

The dungeon was filled with beautiful flowers blooming all around. Ash mentioned that no matter the season, it always felt like springtime there. The area was teeming with bugs and grass-type Pokémon, although only a few flying types swooped down. It seemed that the bugs ruled the dungeon. Ash's powerful fire moves burned through obstacles, creating a clear path for us. He likely wouldn’t have had this much power over them if he hadn’t evolved. I let him take the lead while I collected items along the way. Unfortunately, some of the items got accidentally burned because they were in his path. We practiced what we had learned in school together, using the Alliance technique; however, we discovered that it worked better with three Pokémon instead of just two.

Eventually, we caught up with little Rose. She was surrounded by bee Pokémon that were ready to attack. It must have been a misunderstanding, but they didn’t seem inclined to listen. They accused us of being honey thieves. I remembered the same thing happening in Drilbur's cave with the stones; it was the treasure hunt problem all over again. There was no point in trying to reason with them—they had made up their minds already. They attacked without warning. We stood in front of her protectively, ready to jump in if necessary. Beedrill and Combee surrounded us, and we kept Rose in the middle to ensure she would be most protected.

All it took was the move Flamethrower to make them drop from the sky. They admitted that we were strong. They picked themselves up and tried to ambush us using the Alliance technique, but before they could pounce, an angelic voice stopped them. It was the voice of their queen, Mistress Buzz (Vespiquen), who called them back, demanding answers. She instructed her followers to calm down, explaining that their opponents were just children, not thieves. She then turned to us, calling us rude for showing up uninvited, especially during such a busy season. She explained that her followers were very busy and their emotions were running high.

Little Rose stepped out from behind us. She faced the queen and said that she was there to get honey. She referred to her as "Your Majesty" and begged for her help. Rose mentioned that she had brought all her allowance with her, explaining that her mom had been looking pale and tired lately. She hoped that if she gave her mom some honey, it would help her feel better. This kind gesture softened the queen's heart. Mistress Buzz called Rose a very sweet and considerate child and graciously gave her a bit of honey. Although the queen's followers were hesitant to comment, they remained silent; no one goes against the queen. When Rose tried to pay her, Mistress Buzz turned away the coins, saying that the honey was a gift and didn't need to be paid for.

As darkness fell, we knew we had to leave soon. After we exited the dungeon, we met up with Rose’s mom on the hill with the giant tree. She scolded her child for scaring her so badly. Rose explained that she had taken some honey and presented it to her mom, saying, “I just wanted to help you feel better.” They hugged, and after that, Rose’s mom rewarded us for taking the time to find her daughter.

I hope we can find a way to avoid extra homework for leaving class early. Tomorrow will probably be tough. I wonder if we’ll get detention. What will Mr. Leaf’s punishment be? Not only did I skip school, but I also went into a dungeon without his permission and I'm coming home past sunset. Ash didn’t seem bothered by any of this. He sat down and looked up at the stars, and he even admitted that he felt proud of what we did today. He looked so relaxed.

Just as I was about to leave him, he asked me about my story of being human. He believes it. Suddenly, he bluntly demanded that I be his friend. I thought that was odd because I assumed we were already friends. I guess he was determined to make it official. It felt almost like he was ordering me around. He said he understands how I feel about not being believed. He claims that if you have just one friend who believes in you, then you’ll be really happy. We both looked up at the stars. He mentioned that one day he wants to have as many friends as there are stars in the sky.

“So... please be my friend,” he said, promising to stand by me. He then reached into his bag and pulled out two matching scarves, one for each of us. They reminded me of the friendship bracelets that kids make at summer camp so they won't forget their friends after they leave. I guessed this was something similar. I put the scarf over my head, and he tied his into a little bow tie. He liked the way it looked on me and said that they were proof of our friendship. He glanced up at the sky and then back at me, realizing how late it was. He suggested that we both go home now. Just as we were about to go our separate ways, he made sure I knew he would be waiting for me in the morning so we could walk to school together.

Chapter Text

It was merely another day; I awoke feeling refreshed and proceeded to the kitchen to greet Mr. Leaf. He mentioned that he was curious about the events of the previous night. He observed my scarf and remarked that it suited me well. He expressed his intention to acquire one for himself. After having breakfast, I stepped outside to meet Ash, who had just dashed over to me.

As we made our way to school together, we reached the plaza and noticed an unusual Pokemon bumping into various objects. We approached him to check if he was okay. He appeared quite bewildered, with his head bobbing. He stated that this occurrence was frequent for him and that it was entirely normal. He confessed to possessing the worst sense of direction in the world. "Do you children reside in this village?"

Ash introduced us almost simultaneously with his own introduction. Our words overlapped, yet we managed to comprehend him. His name was Flash, but he was widely recognized as The Dashing Wanderer! He even made a post about it. We were left in a state of confusion and disbelief. Having never heard of him before, it seemed he was not particularly well-known. We feigned cheerfulness to avoid hurting his feelings. He mentioned having some tasks to attend to and wandered off, continuing to bump into things along his path.

We noticed that he had dropped a peculiar mystical orb that appeared to be filled with stars. We looked around, but he had already vanished. He must not have realized it was missing; otherwise, he would have retraced his steps to retrieve it. Although we wanted to return it to him, we had school to attend. We decided to wait until class was over for the day before searching for him. For now, Ash held onto the orb and asked a local Pokémon to inform Flash that we would meet him after school if he returned.

Afterwards, we headed to school. Ash stopped me for a moment before we arrived and reminded me that we had ditched class yesterday and left without a word. He was worried that we would be punished for skipping and wanted to avoid a lecture. He really didn’t want to go to school because he was afraid of getting into trouble and being humiliated. I convinced him that we should just get it over with. Finally, he agreed and stopped making excuses. Things could be worse. “I guess I'll go, but I really don't want to…” he said.

As we made our way to school, Vice Principal Honey was greeting most of the students at the entrance. We took cover behind a large rock, waiting for the perfect moment to sneak in. Our hope was that if we weren't seen entering, we wouldn't be considered late. Just as we were about to step out into the light and face the consequences, we received a telepathic message from inside the classroom. Trix was checking in on us. She knew we were hiding and had a plan to help. Using her telepathy, she got into Vice Principal Honey's mind, showering him with compliments to distract him. Meanwhile, we successfully snuck into the school and settled into our seats, hoping that the other students wouldn’t snitch on us.

When Vice Principal Honey returned to the classroom, he was surprised to find us there. It seemed he had completely forgotten about our entrance, but his anger quickly resurfaced. He started yelling at us until Principal Splash intervened. He announced that Ms. Roselia had visited earlier that morning and informed him of what had happened.

“It is true that you two left school without permission, and that was wrong,” he said. “However, I understand that you did so because you felt something more important was at stake. I believe you made the right decision yesterday. There will be no punishment."

Ash cheered, and those who had doubted us began to reconsider their opinions. Even the bullies apologized, saying I’m not a total liar. I think it was the nicest thing they have ever said to me. Their apology surprised everyone and made Ash light up like a Christmas tree.

After school that day, when the bell rang, we quickly returned to the plaza. Once we arrived, Ash remembered seeing a similar item for sale at Kecleon’s shop, so we decided to investigate. I suspected that Flash might have bought it from the shop, so the Pokémon at the store might know where he was headed. We went over to the shop and questioned Kecleon.

We showed him the glass ball, and he recognized it as a Connection Orb. We had never heard of such a thing before, so we asked him to explain its function. He said, “All Pokémon have bonds that link them to others, whether through friendship or even just acquaintance. These bonds can be visualized as actual minds connecting Pokémon in a Connection Orb like this one.”

Kecleon suspected that the visitor from that morning had dropped the item. We explained that we wanted to return it to him but were unsure of where he had gone. Kecleon informed us that only members of the Lively Towns Expedition Society carry Connection Orbs. At least we now had a better idea of who we were dealing with, though I wished we had known that earlier. Ash had a million questions for Flash, but unfortunately, he was nowhere to be found.

A local Pokémon overheard our conversation and mentioned that they had seen him leave through the village gate. Wherever he went, it was clearly away from here. As we approached the entrance, we encountered Mr. Wave, who asked what we were doing. “Have you seen a tall yellow Pokémon bumping into things around here?” he inquired. He claimed he saw him on his way back from the Oran Orchard and was pretty sure he was headed toward Poliwrath River.

Once he realized where we wanted to go, he immediately forbade it, stating that it was no place for children. We assured him that we understood, and then he walked away. As soon as Mr. Wave was a good distance from us, Ash looked me in the eyes and said we were going to Poliwrath River. I was shocked that he would so quickly disobey him behind his back.

All we wanted was to return Flash’s item, and Poliwrath River was the fastest way to do that. The area was teeming with water Pokémon, and most of the dungeon was covered in puddles. I started to wonder whether or not this place actually had a river. I guessed we would find out eventually.

After descending nine floors, I received my answer: there was no river, just a series of ponds. We had explored the entire dungeon and still hadn’t found any sign of Flash, which meant he was still farther ahead of us. I knew we had to keep going if we wanted to find him. Just as we were about to continue, we were ambushed by three Poliwrath brothers. We watched as they argued with each other over who was in charge and their frustration began to grow.

Eventually, they focused their attention on us, eager to fight for reasons that were unclear. Ash confidently assured me that we could easily take them down, but I was beginning to doubt him. As a Fire-type, I questioned whether he should be so eager for victory, especially when the odds seemed stacked against him.

The Poliwrath brothers, known for their strength and resilience in battle, were determined to defend their territory against newcomers like us. With my agility and quick thinking, I was a formidable opponent, while Ash's fiery attacks presented an additional challenge. The clash of elemental powers was exhilarating, as both sides desperately tried to gain the upper hand. The Poliwrath brothers fought with fierce determination, their deep, rumbling growls echoing across the land. They called for backup, but the little Poliwag was too scared to move, freezing like a statue as we ignored him.

We continued to be swift and graceful, almost dancing across the watery field. The battle raged on for what felt like an eternity, with both sides refusing to back down. It was a showdown unlike any other, with everyone giving it their all. In the end, we believed we were the victors—or so we thought…

Just as we were about to continue on our way, one of the Poliwraths suddenly recovered and tried to attack us. Before we could even blink, Flash came to our rescue, knocking it back out. “The Dashing Wanderer has appeared!” he announced, feeling the need to introduce himself. He then asked us where we were headed. Ash was bubbling with excitement and had a ton of questions.

We made our way back to the village together and stopped under the giant tree on the ledge, where we could see the entire village spread out below us. I remind Ash that we are on a mission. “We've been looking for you and think you may have lost something.” We reveal the orb to him and tell him he must have dropped it when he was bumping into things in the village.

Ash asked if he was part of the Expedition Society, but he claimed that he wasn't, which disappointed Ash. Flash then asked if he would like to join, and Ash's mood changed completely—he was absolutely excited about the idea. He began to dream aloud, expressing his desire to help complete the World Map in the Expedition Society's Pokémon Nexus. However, he soon became discouraged, feeling that it was impossible for him to join because he was too young.

Flash suggested, "As junior members of the Expedition Society, you can still contribute to their mission!" He struck a pose, leaving us a bit confused. Then, he handed each of us Junior Expedition Badges. Ash couldn't believe he was about to be part of something bigger, and we all received larger item bags. We were now officially members of the Expedition Society!

“One of the most important tasks the Expedition Society undertakes is investigating the problems that Pokémon bring to our attention and helping to find solutions,” Flash explained. “You two can wear those Junior Expedition Badges and assist with expeditions for the benefit of other Pokémon. You may discover Pokémon out in the world who are dealing with various worries.”

Our main responsibility is to solve problems and build connections with the Pokémon we assist, which is where our badges come into play. Flash decides to trust us with his Connection Orb. He reminds us that we also received a gadget, explaining that the orb connects to it, revealing a detailed map of the world. Flash emphasizes that it's more than just a map; it's linked to our Expedition list.

Speaking of which, he asks us to pick a name for ourselves. After brainstorming ideas, we finally agree on "Team Starlight." Once the team name is registered, Flash wishes us good luck and advises us to use the gadget wisely.

Ash then questions Flash, wondering why he possesses all this important equipment if he isn't involved with the Expedition Society. However, Flash quickly dismisses that concern and instead expresses his excitement about being a member. “As soon as school is out tomorrow, let's embark on our first expedition!”

Noticing how dark it's getting, Flash tells us that we should head home soon to avoid worrying our guardians. I couldn't wait to tell Mr. Leaf about our adventure and the fact that we are now members of the Expedition Society.

Chapter Text

After school, Ash suggested we head to the plaza to get started as Junior Members. Once we arrived, we noticed Flash looking dizzy and bumping into everything. It made everyone very nervous, and we kept a close eye on our booths to make sure they didn’t get knocked over. After his storm had finally calmed down, we approached him to check if he was okay. He claimed that he would survive.

Ash was excited to announce that we were ready for our first mission as Junior Members. Flash regained his balance and suddenly remembered that he had never explained how to use the Connection Orb. He asked us to take out our gadgets, which were connected to it.

We saw a network of stars linked to various Pokémon, each accompanied by a request for help. Flash explained that once we aided one Pokémon, we would gain support from its friends, which would lead to even more requests connected to the Pokémon we helped. It reminded me of a large spider web, where each point represents a Pokémon's request.

“This is how you can receive requests for expeditions that need to be undertaken! Could I ask you to open your device once more?” We opened our gadget and discovered the Expedition list, which allowed us to keep track of all the requests we had recently accepted. Flash explained that now that we had the special badges, we could access different mystery dungeons simply by going right outside the village gates. We could teleport to our desired dungeon entrance.

The first request we saw was from a Sylveon named Princess who was lost on the sixth floor of Foreboding Forest. Flash chose her request to be our first mission. Wishing us luck, we got moving. Ash and I moved cautiously among the twisted trees and thick underbrush. The sunlight filtered weakly through the dense canopy, casting eerie shadows around us.

My keen senses picked up faint cries for help from deeper within the woods. I nodded to Ash, who clenched his paw determinedly. “She's nearby” Ash said softly, flames flickering along his back. Using his fiery tail to cut through some of the web, Ash led the way while I scouted ahead.

Suddenly, a swarm of Beedrill appeared, buzzing aggressively. Ash stepped forward, unleashing a wave of Ember attacks that scattered the bugs momentarily, giving me enough time to reach Princess, who was trembling but unharmed.

“Hold on, we’ll get you out of here,” I reassured her gently. Together, we worked quickly—Ash kept the Beedrill at bay while I used my agility to cut through the web. Once Princess was free, we made a swift retreat, our bond strengthened by the daring rescue. As we finally emerged from Foreboding Forest into the open daylight, Princess looked at us with gratitude. Ash and I exchanged satisfied glances; we had faced the darkness and come out victorious. Our first mission was a success. Not only did we rescue her, but we also connected with her friends and received more requests on our Connection Orb.
She linked us to Vulpix and Axew.

We headed straight to the plaza to update Flash on how everything went. He asked if there was anything about the orb that we didn’t understand. Taking the orb from us, Flash replayed the moment when we saved the Princess. He revealed that we had formed a connection with her, allowing her to accompany us on missions. Additionally, some of the Pokémon we rescue can join our team when needed. I couldn't wait to go on missions with her; she’s the closest thing I have to family here, genetically. Flash explained that the more Pokémon we rescue, the stronger our connections become. “I believe you two can take it from here,” he said. We thanked him once more and turned to each other. “I think we’ve learned all the tricks for going on expeditions now. Let’s do our best as junior members!”

The next morning, we went to school together as usual. After school let out, we checked the orb for new requests and made our way to the plaza. We stopped by a little café to have coffee and chat about which quest we should embark on next. While we were talking, we made friends with a friendly Azumarill named Bubbles.

I could feel the orb radiating energy, so I decided to check it. “Whoa! I didn't know I could make connections just by talking to someone. Cool!” Bubbles then asked us if we were part of a rescue team, as she recognized the special item we had—one that almost all rescue teams possess. After chatting for a bit, she mentioned that she had some things to do but shared information about her friends who might want to join us. She connected us to five other Pokémon.

We came across a Vulpix named Scarlett, who had lost an item. “I didn't realize we were doing more than just rescuing,” I remarked. Ash shrugged his shoulders and sipped his coffee. “Hey! We should invite Princess to come with us on our next mission! I know you have a lot of questions for her.” He raised his eyebrows playfully. I smiled and jokingly smacked him. We decided to accept Scarlett's request.

As we exited the café, we heard a voice calling out to us, referring to us as "little Hawlucha maniacs." A Pokémon was sitting at a booth some distance away, trying to get our attention. He wanted to inform us that his slam school was open and encouraged us to come by if we ever wanted to learn new moves. With that in mind, we continued on our mission.

Upon reaching the village entrance, I used the orb to call upon Princess, requesting her assistance. After a few minutes, she made her way over, and we left together. We then entered the Cave of Training dungeon, where Scarlett's precious belonging was located on the fourth floor. Together, we scurry through hidden passages and lurk behind lurking shadows, each of us closer to the treasure.

In the dimly lit clearing of the forest, Princess faced off against Mienfoo with a determined gleam in her eyes. The air crackled with tension as they circled each other cautiously. Princess’s ribbons fluttered softly as she prepared to strike, unleashing a gentle yet focused Fairy Wind to test her opponent’s defenses. Mienfoo responded swiftly, balancing effortlessly on one foot before darting forward with a rapid High Jump Kick, aiming to catch her off guard.

With agility and grace, Princess sidestepped, twirling to avoid the attack as her ribbons created shimmering arcs in the sunlight. She retaliated with a soothing Psychic Pulse, attempting to disorient Mienfoo. However, the Fighting-type watched carefully, dodging and closing the distance rapidly.

Mienfoo countered with a flurry of fast punches using Mach Punch, each strike aimed at breaking through Princess’s defenses. While some of the hits were absorbed by her ribbons, others pushed her back slightly. Summoning her resolve, Princess unleashed a powerful Dazzling Gleam, blinding Mienfoo momentarily.

Seizing the opportunity, Mienfoo launched a final, decisive High Jump Kick, which Princess narrowly avoided with a graceful sidestep. The energy from her Fairy Wind, combined with her quick reflexes, allowed her to land a gentle but firm Fairy-type attack, persuading Mienfoo to retreat and acknowledge her strength.

Exhausted but victorious, Princess bowed respectfully to her opponent, the mutual respect between them evident. Despite the fierce battle, both Pokémon shared an understanding—a testament to their skill and determination in this spirited contest. After witnessing such a powerful battle, we all agreed that it was best for her to take charge in future fights. Clearly, she had more experience than we did. We checked the orb and saw more connections.

The next morning, I woke up to Mr. Leaf's voice. He was checking to see if I was awake because he wanted to talk to me about something. When he entered my room, he informed me that he would have to leave me on my own for a while. Something important had come up that he couldn’t ignore. I wondered if it was the same issue he had to address the last time he left. He sounded relieved after telling me, as if he wasn't sure how I would react to the news. He already had his backpack by his side. After saying goodbye, he went on his way. Just before walking out the door, he mentioned that if I needed help, Mr. Wave would be next door.

Once he was gone, I finished getting ready for school and headed outside to find Ash waiting to walk with me. He had overheard that I would be on my own today. Earlier, he had seen his dad and Mr. Leaf talking. Ash invited me to have a sleepover at his place, mentioning how good his dad is at cooking. Since I didn’t have much food at home right now, I accepted the invitation.

After school that day, Ash suggested we go on an expedition before dinner. We began by visiting the café to talk to everyone we could and try to make connections. While we were there, we encountered a Pokémon I had never seen before. He introduced himself as Victini called Ricky, but he seemed nervous speaking to us, which made me think he wasn't used to being social. I suspected he might be a legendary Pokémon, but that was just based on rumors. He appeared to be starting to feel faint, so we decided to leave him alone after getting to know him a bit. Victini then connected us to two Eevee evolutions: one Ice-type and one Electric-type.

As we exited the café, we checked our party and noticed that Princess was taking the day off to recover from our last mission. This meant we would have to travel with a different companion. Ash recommended our new friend, but I wasn't sure that was a good idea. He convinced me that it would help Ricky learn how to be around others. I eventually agreed, and we went back into the café to let him know he had been called to active duty. He was hesitant but ultimately accepted, and he met us at the village entrance once he was ready.

Once we were all together, we looked at the orb and found a request for help. Axew needed assistance in defeating a powerful Pokémon. The request didn't provide much detail beyond that, and while I wished we knew the reason behind it, it wasn't our place to question why the request was made. Regardless, we accepted it and set off to Lush Forest. The dappled sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting shifting shadows as we strategized carefully. Ricky and I decided to do the fighting while Ash picked up items and carried the item bag.

Ricky, with his fiery determination and boundless energy, prepared to unleash a powerful Flame Burst to keep Salamence at bay. Meanwhile, I, quick and agile, darted around, my keen senses allowing me to predict Salamence's movements and react swiftly.

Salamence roared fiercely, spreading its wings wide and unleashing a destructive Dragon Pulse aimed directly at Ricky. Demonstrating their teamwork and resilience, Ricky dodged just in time and countered with a Quick Attack to disrupt Salamence’s focus. I seized the opportunity, using my agility for a swift Tackle to keep Salamence on its toes.

The battle was intense but fair, with each Pokémon respecting the other's strength. Through perseverance and clever tactics, Ricky and I managed to gradually wear down the formidable Salamence, ultimately leading to its fainting. The orb started glowing as we made another connection. With both our temporary enemy and a client. They had some friends too. We teleported out of the dungeon.

Chapter Text

“Man, Pops, your food is the best!” Ash cheered with a mouth full of apples. I laughed at his goofy smile and stuffed my face with berries. Mr. Wave scolded him for talking with his mouth full. We both ate until we were full, and I enjoyed the meal and the company. I ended up staying the night.

The next morning, we went to school. After the bell rang, the students began talking about how hot it had been lately. Ash mentioned that when it's this hot, he feels feverish and his brain becomes "flanky." “Flanky? More like flaky, Ash!” the bullies laughed. Trix thought he had used the word incorrectly. The bullies told us to stay away and then left the classroom. Daisy spoke up, “Let’s all do our best to survive the heat anyway. Summer vacation is coming soon!” We all cheered in agreement.

After school, we headed to the plaza, where we checked our requests on the orb. We accepted several missions, and for today, we chose a rescue mission in the Uprise Rang dungeon. We called upon the Salamence we battled before to help us out. After completing the mission, Ash and I parted ways. When I got home, I noticed that Mr. Leaf was back, and he had brought food from his trip. He suggested we share the rest of it for dinner. "Speaking of dinner, I ate at the neighbor's place last night," Mr. Leaf mentioned. He proposed we invite them over for dinner tonight to thank them for watching over me.

The next morning, we went to school as usual. Mr. Leak announced that the school would be closed for summer vacation starting today. Class was dismissed, and everyone cheered, excitedly chatting about their plans for the summer. Ash and I walked together, discussing how we could now focus on our expeditions since school was out. He wanted to know if he could count on me for our adventures. “Of course! I can't believe you even have to ask,” I replied.

As we arrived at the plaza, we spotted Flash just as he was about to leave the village. Curious, he asked how our expeditions were going. “We’re making new connections little by little,” I replied. Flash mentioned that he was heading out to maintain his image as the Dashing Wanderer. “Wander I must,” he said, which made me giggle at his cheesy remark. He continued, “It may be tough at times, since you're still just children. But if you keep working at it, I believe you’ll discover something wonderful.” After saying goodbye, Flash wandered off in the wrong direction, so we guided him to the entrance.

The next morning, Ash met me outside as usual, and we headed to the plaza together. Sheldon and Zen were already there, so we greeted them, but as expected, received rude responses. It was clear they were having a good time. One thing we all agreed on was our excitement for summer vacation. They shared the latest rumors circulating at school that night, but we hadn’t heard anything.

When ghosts were mentioned, Ash completely lost his mind. Just the thought of them made him shiver and stutter. Suddenly, someone in the classroom wailed, “It’s so hot…” and in that moment, Ash fainted. We surrounded him and poked him with a stick until he finally moved. When he picked himself up, he looked bewildered and unsure of where he was.

Zen decided to scream as a joke to scare Ash, causing him to back up and scream in sync. I found it hilarious. “Emmalinne, that’s not funny!” Ash called out. I shook my head, insisting it was. “Sorry, Ash, but your reaction was priceless.” For once, the bullies agreed with me, but that didn’t last long. I stood up to them again, siding with Ash despite my earlier betrayal. He admitted that he was bad with scary stories. The bullies were just messing with him because he would believe anything; he was too gullible. “Try not to get attacked by ghosts!” Zen and Sheldon said as they walked away, leaving Ash looking stressed and sad. He wanted to forget we ever heard about the rumors. He wasn't really motivated to go on any expeditions today.

The next morning at the plaza, some locals were asking us if we had heard what happened to Vice Principal Honey. He was found unconscious at the school that morning. “He says he was doing rounds at the school last night, but doesn’t remember a thing. He claims he saw something so frightful that he fainted.” Ash started freaking out all over again. “Maybe he was too embarrassed to admit he dozed off on the job?” My comment earned me some strange looks, so I quickly decided to keep quiet. Then, I grabbed Ash and said we needed to excuse ourselves because we had work to do. After the mission, we made our connections.

Chapter Text

Ash and I were on our way to school when we were stopped by Daisy's voice. She and Mochi approached us, saying there was an incident happening at the school. They were heading to investigate and invited us to join them. We paused at the entrance to see a group of school staff members gathered, attentively listening to an officer.

Curious about the situation, we approached them and learned that Mr. Leak had gone missing. At first, we were all shocked and found it hard to believe. Nurse Moon was there and confirmed the information. Officer Zap (Magnezone), asked if we had any details and advised us to come forward if we remembered anything later.

Another electric type officer arrived and reported that during an interview, someone claimed to have seen Mr. Leak the previous night. This individual said they had seen him outside the village, near the fork in the road. They reported that Mr. Leak appeared to be being moved along the road while unconscious, as if drawn by an unseen force. The witness mentioned that blue flames were visible around him.

We all speculated that it might be a ghost. However, the officer warned us not to let our imaginations run wild, emphasizing that we wouldn't want to spread false rumors. Officer Zap recommends that we return to our homes to stay safe. After the crowd split the officers continued their investigation. We left the school and headed home as instructed.

Two days later, when I stepped outside my house, Ash, Daisy, and Mochi gathered in front of me, excitedly telling me they had found Mr. Leak! Apparently, he had been discovered unconscious near the shore of the lake. Ash was on his way to inform me when he ran into them, and they decided to come together. They led me to the plaza, where we found Mr. Leak by the water.

We joined Zen, Sheldon, and Trix in the crowd that had gathered. Trix updated us on the situation. Fortunately, Mr. Leak was not injured; he was up and moving, talking just like normal. However, he claimed to have no memory of what happened to him. All he knew was that he had been taken somewhere dark and held there for some time. He mentioned blue flames, and he screamed out in fear as he remembered that moment, but he could recall nothing else. Everyone felt sympathy for him.

Could it really have been a ghost? Or was it just a ghost Pokémon playing a prank? Mr. Wave claims he is not afraid of such fairy tales, while Principal Splash tries to calm everyone’s suspicions. “I understand why all these mysterious happenings may make you feel uneasy. But look—he is back among us and unharmed. The vice principal is also doing just fine. No real harm has been done to justify such an overreaction.” While that may be true, it doesn’t guarantee that something terrible won’t happen next time. He advises everyone to be careful and suggests that no one visit the school at night for the time being. Then he tells everyone to go home.

The crowd disperses, and Trix looks at us, wondering what we really think happened to him. Zen starts talking about ghosts again, causing Ash to almost burst into tears as he expresses that he doesn’t want to discuss it. Mochi admits that he is scared and Zen makes fun of him as usual. The bullies walked off. Daisy tries to cheer us up by reminding us that it's our long-awaited summer vacation and that we should have fun. Ash couldn't think of anything more fun than going on a rescue mission. He truly loves to explore and help others.