6:56 A.M. July 1, Wednesday, 106 PH (Post Hoopa Event)

Events: The Joint Kanto and Johto Indigo Summer League is at its climax; the grand final for each bracket of the Summer Round Robin Cup is here, where Trainers from each Tier will be named Seasonal Best, and at 6:30 P.M. the momentous event to determine the fate of Vermilion Gym—Saria Surge vs. Visquez—will begin.

Our girl started her journey on the 9th of June—she’s been a Trainer for 22 Days (21 Officially; 22 since getting Maya and Nova).

A warm pressure eased against Rhea’s back as her mind roused from its deep slumber, causing a low groan to rumble in her throat while rolling to her opposite side to blurrily open her eyes.

The first thing that met her vision was the creased, bundled blonde locks she’d pulled together before bed tickling her nose, cheek, and neck before Mya’s big, yawning mouth closed; a small smile lifted Rhea’s lips as the Deceiver Pokemon followed her roll, her face burying into her abdomen.

Nova was pawing up her left leg to rest her head against her thigh under the half-fallen off blanket that covered her, and by the slight tickle of a rough tongue, the Eevee had just finished yawning herself.

Lifting her head a tad to reposition her hair, Rhea puffed out a soft sigh and carefully shifted to her back for the Mawile to use her belly as a pillow. Blindly reaching over to the dresser beside her bed, she was a little surprised to hear soft jazz playing in the bathroom.

Amira appeared to have gotten up a tad earlier than usual, but she had gone to bed at 9:30 P.M., and, by the gentle light underneath the door of the bathroom, she figured the redhead was relaxing in a bath. It was the first time she’d seen her relaxing in the morning, but considering the pressure she was probably still feeling, Rhea didn’t want to disturb her.

Turning on her phone, the dim light setting automatically activated in the dark room, yet the holographic display still made her wince and blink to adjust to the brightness. It did give her a better view of Mallory’s bare back, and she followed the straps of her bikini before settling on the slightly discolored section across much of her visible skin.

Zoning out a little while pondering if it was caused by a fire or was just a birthmark, Rhea found herself staring too long and averted her gaze to look at her phone.

Her mother had left her a text:

5:33 A.M. Mom: Hey, my little Swablu! I hope you’re having a good morning. I got your message about the Master Ball thing. Hmm, how should I put this? I’ve been giving my little plan a lot of thought and would like to revisit that discussion if you have some time today. I should be able to pause what I’m doing today whenever you have time to talk. I love you and can’t wait to get your call!

“Hmm…” Rhea dropped her phone onto her chest, causing the light to vanish as she stared up at the ceiling and let her connection to her Pokemon come to the forethought of her mind. Alice was just as dead to the world as her other two Pokemon, cuddled up to her spirit as if she were cold.

Today was pretty much a relaxing and fun day with Bianca and Jason before meeting with her team for the big match that everyone in Kanto was anticipating. That her mother mentioned not just her Master Ball question but revisiting the plan she’d had of giving her Pokemon was a bit curious.

Still, she was happy her mother wasn’t totally absorbed in the work she’d been called to Sinnoh to participate in; she was still thinking about her, which was nice. There had been times in her life when she wondered if she’d been in her mother’s thoughts that day.

Taking a deep breath, she let it go in a steady stream, doing her best to not wake her Pokemon while trying to stretch out her spine.

Amira’s slow rhythmic piano, saxophone, and bass sounds in the bathroom helped to mellow out her mind. Rhea hadn’t been a jazz fan or listener, but it seemed so proper when around the redhead. Lori had wild tastes that basically swapped by the hour, but Amira was far more straightforward in her music choices, elegant and refined, a high-class sound that easily painted a picture of the Rockets in Rhea’s mind—well, maybe not Lyra.

It was interesting to get an inside look at the infamous mobster family. The prejudices she’d grown up around didn’t really stick with her, yet that didn’t mean she didn’t have many misconceptions about the Rockets and had judged Amira to an extent by that reputation.

Amira was a sweetheart, intelligent, and fiercely independent. Her suspicious mind had been spot-on a few times since they’d started their journey, and now, Rhea had seen the vulnerable side of her new friend.

Of course, she’d been a hot mess herself, and Lori was dealing with her own struggles that she still wasn’t comfortable expressing, which was fine. Rhea hoped over time they could get close enough to be open to one another, and she could help her friends.

Her focus moved to the bathroom as the sound of shifting water mixed with the jazz sound, signaling Amira getting ready to dry off and relinquish the room for them. There wasn’t any real rush, which meant Lori got to sleep in, and she had nearly two hours to meet her cousin and best friend at the café.

Deciding it was time to get up anyway, Rhea eased herself out of bed and started her light 15-minute morning stretches and exercises. Nova got up to join her, arching her back under the blankets before nuzzling her way out and hopping to the wooden floor.

Amira exited ten minutes into her routine, a towel bundled Amber and shimmering Serenity by her side, and chuckled a little upon seeing her. “I should do mine, as well. Hmm, want to take bets on how long Lori will sleep?”

Rhea smirked while glancing over at their purple-haired member, lower-half covered by her sheet; Gables and Miky were out tonight, which meant the Frog was draped over her rising and falling side, and the imp was sitting against her belly. “Mmh … I’d guess 8 A.M. She got to bed at 10, like me, so ten hours seems good for her.”

“Heh, I had the same number; with that in mind, you’ve been sleeping in lately,” Amira commented, brushing out her hair as Amber lightly blew on it. “Are you feeling well?”

“Yeah, I think so. Hmm … I do usually get up at 6 A.M., but haven’t you been sleeping in, as well? Heh, think we’re growing lazy? I bet Bi has been up since 5; she used to be an early riser like you.”

“Pfft, 5—that’s early for me,” Amira giggled. “I used to do martial art training with my mom in the mornings—ugh, she’d always use it as an excuse to kiss and hug me.”

“Sounds nice,” Rhea whispered, imagining the redhead and her mother laughing and wrestling in the mornings. “I’d usually go on hikes or other outdoor activities with my dad or brother. Jason, Kate, and their parents would sometimes join, which was fun.”

Amira rolled her eyes. “You should see my dad when he gets around my grandpa—they’re super competitive, and my grandma eggs them on.”

“Hehe, your grandpa, too?”

“Oh, you have no idea—well, yeah, you’ve seen him—he’s about as competitive as a man can get. He works over ninety hours a week, so when he does relax, he has to bring that edge, too.”

“Wait, didn’t you say when he relaxes? How does that make sense?”

“You tell me. Heh, I suppose it’s a Master thing, but it’s like they have—heh-he, it’s like watching Alice—they can go forever at max speed.”

Rhea giggled while spiritually nuzzling her little sleeping Buneary. “She is pretty hyper; oh, you should have seen her with Sunny yesterday, haha—it’s like a match made in heaven, and he’s totally into her.”

“I suppose Pokemon do mature quickly,” Amira mused. “How long until she starts to look at that—eh-ugh, I should know that since my other grandparents are breeders, too, but that never really interested me.”

“You too, huh?” Rhea grinned, finishing her exercises. “I heard so much about breeding growing up that it came to a point where I’d just nod and say uh-huh to whatever my mom said, but uh … I think it’s about a month before baby Pokemon start understanding relationships.”

“Ooh,” Amira’s smiling crimson irises drifted to the slightly confused Eevee and still sleeping Mawile. “Nova and Mya are just over three weeks old now. Right?”

Rhea snickered, reaching down to pick up her happy Eevee and stroke her soft fur as she chirped at the attention. “Yup, in a few weeks, I don’t know how much of a heartbreaker these girls will be.”

Amira finished drying out her hair and began brushing it and applying some protective products to her locks, eyeing her proud shiny Fennekin. “Tell me about it, Amber got so much attention at the Gym entrance yesterday, and she loved every minute of it.”

They grinned at the fire fox’s smug smirk as if saying, ‘I know I’m hot stuff.’

Waving the redhead off, Rhea took her items into the bathroom and had a quick shower before coming out to get Amira’s help on applying a bit of makeup. She taught her a few tricks, and Rhea’s confidence was boosted every time the girl dismissed various products saying she looked better without caking her face.

In the end, the redhead showed her how to use even less makeup than she usually went with while using the products to highlight, as she put it, her natural glow, which brought a smile to her lips.

Bianca had taught her a few things when they lived together but nothing compared to the meticulous and methodical approach Amira just showed her since they had the time.

It was 8 A.M. by the time they finished, and just as Rhea predicted, Lori moaned, stretching out across her bed and smacking her lips while forcing herself up. “Mmgm … Eh? Woah, Rhea got a date—what’s got you lookin’ so pretty?”

A slight blush touched Rhea’s cheeks. “No—I just thought, well, since we had the time, Amira could explain makeup a bit better to me. Heh, Master Trainers aren’t the best teachers, ironically, so all my guides have come from PikaTube tutorials.”

“Muk, uh … Yo, Amira, mind doing a makeover on me next, huh?” Mallory laughed, scooting off her bed and coming over to study her. “How’d you get that really lifted look on your cheeks?”

“Airbrush bronzer,” the redhead promptly replied, pointing at the product. “Rhea had the right things—many things I wouldn’t suggest since it only distracts from her already stunning looks if the proper areas are highlighted, like her pretty pearly blue eyes.”

“Aww, thanks, Amira! Umm, I was going to grab breakfast at a café with Bi and Jason, but I can go grab you two something while you help Lori.”

Mallory jumped in to hug her, drawing Rhea into her bosom. “For real, you’re too sweet?! You cool with teaching a Gloom like me, Amira?”

“Lori, you’re not a Gloom,” Rhea muttered, returning the hug before pulling away to glare up at her. “And even if you were—which you’re not—Erika thinks they’re the cutest things since Cleffa!”

“I’m joking, Girl, c’mon!” Lori snickered, winking at her. “I know I’m a total babe—a Gardevoir with the curves to boast—am I right?” she asked, presenting herself for them to smile. “But if I’m that, you’re totally a Lopunny with those toned thighs, Rhea—you can’t tell me you don’t got leg, Girl! You even got a Buneary to match!”

“I do have nice legs,” Rhea admitted, “and who would Amira be?”

Amira lifted an eyebrow, arms folded under her bust as she waited. “Hmm … Good question. What would I be, Lori? A Roserade?”

“Naa!” Mallory waved her hand dismissively. “You’re way too elegant to be a showboat like that—mmh, for you, I’d go Meloetta, all the way; Aria and Pirouette! You got the voice to match, too!”

Rhea cheered with the Unova girl as they got a blush from the redhead.

“I … Aren’t you more of the dancer?”

“Just because you don’t dance a lot doesn’t mean you can’t; I saw you the other night with your dad, and as I said, your middle name might as well be elegant because you got it down! Way to make a girl jealous; heh, in a good way, of course!”

Rhea nodded. “You really are beautiful, Amira, and super helpful—thanks for the tutorial. Umm, what do you two want?”

Mallory hummed, looking at the nearby café menu Rhea pulled up. “Eh, Mt. Moon Mago freeze-dried decaf looks good—a breakfast wrap looks tasty, too.”

Amira took the offered phone to scan through it herself. “Cerulean Aguav and Kelpsy smoothie with no sugar looks tempting.”

“Eh, for real—the bitter taste with a tiny bit of natural sweetener from the Kelpsy, huh?” Lori forced a laugh while looking at it. “Whatever suits you, I suppose.”

“Right, we’ll be back in a minute,” Rhea said, waving them off after getting her phone back and leaving with Nova; she suspected Alice and Mya would be up when she returned.

It didn’t take her long to go to the nearby shop, and it wasn’t as busy as she thought it would be; after four minutes, her online order was ready, and she walked back to deliver the items.

Lori’s jokes had vanished when she returned, eyes alight like a student studying at the feet of a revered master. Dropping off their breakfast, Rhea had Mya swap places with Alice since the Mawile seemed to have not gotten that much sleep, being excited to see the upcoming High Master battle later that day.

Allowing her to rest in her pokeball, Rhea set out through the town, following her previous route from the small shop the day before.

The area Amira had found them a hotel at was in the Arts’ District of Cerulean, and she smiled while casually moving between street vendors and shops, displaying their paintings, instruments, or other products for tourists.

Still having thirty minutes before the time they decided to meet, Rhea scheduled a small Iapapa and Razz smoothie for her breakfast to be ready when she arrived. Also, figuring Bianca and Jason would get on her about showing a bit more of an appetite, she added a half breakfast wrap to satisfy them; she’d just save it for when they made it to the lighthouse.

She noticed quite a few looks from people, mostly young men, to her slight embarrassment and delight, but happy they kept their distance and went about their own business. Finally, Rhea decided it was time to call her mom.

Activating her phone, she frowned upon seeing a message from Amira saying they would stop by the Center to pick up a package her father and mother sent containing a replacement Trainer outfit.

Happy to have her resilient and fashionable yellow dress again, Rhea called her mother, focusing on her rather than the sights as her mother’s smiling face popped up.

“Morning, Mom!”

“Morning! Oh, my! Arceus, you look stunning! Did you finally have a good night’s sleep?”

“Hmm … you certainly look a lot healthier than I expected; usually, you’d have bags under your eyes, considering how fast you took off up to Sinnoh. Umm, yeah, Amira helped me with my makeup, too. So, uh, how’s the research—pretty interesting stuff?”

“You have no idea! You know how I used to read those books to you about old Pokemon variants and the like?”

“Mhm, like the—oh, heh, what was it called—the Hisuian Typhlosion that looked like it smoked a bit too much Chesto leaves?”

“Why do you always remember that one?”

“It’s funny! He-he, the way he just kind of smiles in the old ink drawings—I like the cool ghostly fire, though. I always thought Ethan would be a lot more chill if his Typhlosion was the old Hisuian kind, haha.”

“Heh-he, okay, that does make me laugh,” her mother grinned, looking back at an empty breakroom. “You actually caught me at a wonderful time; ugh, your aunt is hovering around me like a Beautifly, ready to suck the life out of me if I spend more than eight hours without a break.”

“Good for her! I’ll have to thank Aunt Cynthia—let me text that real quick, actually—hehehe … Thank you, Auntie, for babysitting my self-destructive mother. I know it must be rough. My sympathies … And send!”

“Hey, that’s mean—I am basically a Master Trainer—eight hours of work is nothing.”

“Uh-huh, and if you didn’t have Auntie breathing down your neck, you’d be up for four days straight; I’m glad she’s close enough to give you the stink eye.”

“Mmh, she does have one of those, eh-heh; anyway, I wanted to get to the bottom of this M-Ball business,” she chimed, using the acronym Rhea figured since she was currently in public.

“Yeah, and what about the whole plan you had in mind?”

“Let’s see,” her mother muttered, leaning against the desk and resting her head against the back of her hand while using her other to flick through some data on her own projected screen. “I was talking with the family—yikes, your grandparents were up in arms after learning what happened—they feel left out and let me know it.

“Umm, I … do realize it is a bit restrictive telling you not to bond to any wild Pokemon, which wasn’t my intention. I want to send you the strongest Pokemon I can, for the primary reason of making you strong so bad things don’t happen, but also for my own selfish purposes, I won’t deny that.”

“I figured,” Rhea forced a chuckle. “I do love the babies you’ve sent me. Nova’s doing well—oh, show her your transformation!”

Nova chirped beside her and shimmered with light as she pulled from Rhea’s fortitude to change into her Glaceon form; naturally, she instantly drew eyes and short claps from most of the people present, congratulating her before mutters started to spread that there wasn’t an Ice Rock nearby. Her little Pokemon held her head high, practically prancing next to her while soaking in the attention.

“Right, she certainly is beautiful, and it looks like she’s becoming more accustomed to stabilizing her energy over a more extended period … I want to keep sending you Pokemon for battling, honey, but don’t hesitate to pick up Pokemon that need your help or are struggling.

“You know Katelin has an army of cuddle-buddies and finds new homes for many Pokemon that don’t fit in the areas they were born in…”

Her mother’s attitude became somber, causing Rhea’s brow to furrow as she continued. “To be frank, it is a little unfair to expect your friends to keep up with your Pokemon as they grow, even if they can push their limits—statistically—they will go through quite a few Pokemon that are unable to cope with the scale, potentially souring their team unity.”

“Isn’t that normal, though?” Rhea asked, thinking back to the lectures she had in school. “Not every Pokemon you travel with will be able to reach the heights of their Trainer, and not every Trainer will be able to reach the heights of their Pokemon … It’s the imbalance of it that makes some people angry.”

“You're right, but it is a bit more complicated than even that, Honey… Resentment or feelings of Frustration, which is a Move learned through such emotions that is typically harmful…

“Mmh, for example, if Alice does not evolve, normally by the end of Bronze-tier—or generally by the time a Buneary reaches the end of a Trainer’s first season with them—Alice will become very agitated, self-conscious, and anxious—it is genetic, which is why they learn the Frustration Move if they have not evolved.”

Rhea’s lips pulled in, slowing to bend down and pick up her adorable Buneary as she looked up at her with big eyes. “I … I didn’t know that. Is it worse for Alice because she’s already so strong?”

“Eh, yes—and no,” her mother mumbled, playing with her bangs while looking to the left. “All of the Pokemon I’ve bred for you tend to be very competitive because it is easier to project their desires to align with one another to create a unity over time. Naturally, you will see hiccups—I’m sure you’ve already seen some personality clashes—it’s natural—healthy, even.

“What I’m concerned about is that Trainers more or less slow down progression because either they or some of their Pokemon are struggling to match with its peers. A Trainer must understand their Pokemon’s limits and know when—even if it hurts—to sit down and have a serious conversation about the future.

“Remember, you cannot hide your emotions from one another, and that was the initial reason why I wanted to solely provide you your ‘primary’ team because Alice, Nova, and Mya are special—they’re built differently—and there’s no getting around it. Yes, almost every Pokemon ‘can’ reach the Master-tier, yet genetics is a barrier by nature. IVs cannot be changed and make more of a difference than you know when every single level increase becomes taxing on not only your Pokemon but you, as well.”

Rhea slowed, thinking back to the battles they’d had; they’d faced strong Bronze-tier competitors, and they had excellent Pokemon, yet without a doubt, the Pokemon her mother had given Amira, Lori, and her were on an entirely different tier.

“Will … Could that be different if their other Pokemon were in M-Balls?”

“Mmh—yes, that is a conclusion I have come to, and as I said before, only terrorist organizations have attempted to do such a thing, but you have proven it is possible … Only if the Pokemon you are bonded to respect and care for you, which brings me back to my previous point.”

Rhea’s eyes fell to the street. “Resentment that can build between a Pokemon and its team … You’re saying the open nature of the M-Ball can affect everyone?”

“Yes, which is why I want to stress that while I agree with the family that you should be able to go out and bond with many Pokemon—mmgm, there is a reason M-Balls are meant for war and not something given to the general public. It was new technology when all the Champions received theirs, which was perfectly fine for Champion-tier Trainers, but as we learned in the Ultra War, it has its flaws.”

“So … Are you saying you want to talk to Amira and Lori about receiving more eggs, too?”

Her mother paused, sucking in her bottom lip and scratching her head. “To be honest, I do want to see if they’ll agree to it because I want these girls to stay with you as you level, and clearly, they don’t want to hold you back after the declaration and pact you all made in Rifure.

“As I said, I encourage you to keep an Ultra, Great, or Normal pokeball with you to build friendships with wild Pokemon—heh, it’s a key part of a Trainer's journey, and you could catch a dozen right now! I dare say you could have four weak Pokemon out at once at this point, you little monster of a Trainer!”

Rhea forced a laugh. “Yeah … that’s only because of Nova, Alice, and Mya’s influence on ‘me,’ though the M-Ball. Am I right?”

“Not all of it is because of that … but, yes, a great deal. My issue is that if Lori and Amira’s two other Pokemon are going to keep up, they need that bond as soon as possible. Serenity is outpacing Amber and Holly, but luckily, their Pokemon are a bit older, and the influence can even out with work.

“I am sorry, my Little Swablu … Much of this is still experimental, although my data is solid. I can completely understand if you want to take the risks; I’m sure your father wouldn’t want to be anchored down to the machinations of his mother.”

Rhea had no clue about her father’s side of the family; it was kind of a taboo topic that Sabin and her learned from a young age. She figured they were probably criminals or something, but it didn’t matter too much to her since she had her mother’s side.

“I couldn’t say what Dad would do, but to me, I don’t want to hurt my Pokemon—I don’t want to take the chance, and I love these adorable little girls you’ve given me,” she giggled, bringing Alice up to nuzzle against her ears.

“You’re the expert, Mom, and I trust you. I’ll let Amira and Lori know tonight, but you can send the M-Balls to the Center for us to pick up if they accept them. Umm … I suppose that answers my question about the M-Balls, and I was thinking about maybe having a leading Battle Team and a Contest Team!

“Hehe, maybe I can do the whole Master Challenge stuff later where you go back to the Gym Leaders with Bronze-tier Pokemon and try to build up a new upstart team of fresh, bright-eyed Pokemon to realize their dreams of getting stronger.”

“Haha, that would be sweet, Dear … There are so many Pokemon that desire to reach a certain potential, and Gyms do their best to help accommodate those Pokemon but being able to travel around and experience multiple places is a gift many dream of.”

“Isn’t that Kate’s whole thing?”

“She does love to do that sort of thing,” her mother chuckled, “and she’s been able to make it to the upper ranks of Platinum-tier so far, even with a rotating team. My concern is…”

“I know, Mom. I know … It’s not the same because she doesn’t have genetically adorable super Pokemon like Serenity, Roxie, Alice, Mya, and Nova. Thanks for thinking about me, and let the family know I’m happy they’re thinking about me. I’m just about to meet with Bi and Jason.”

“He-he, right,” her mother swallowed, running her fingers through her hair and giving her a soft smile. “I feel like such a screw-up parent sometimes, and I know you’ll tell me I’m not…”

“Oh?” Rhea lifted an inquisitive eyebrow while smirking. “You should stop putting words in my mouth, Mom. You’re totally a screw-up, and you don’t take care of yourself, and you work too much, and you’re away so often, but … I still love you for all your flaws.”

“Oof—hehe, thanks, my silver-tongued little girl … You always know exactly what to say to me. Hmm, just like your father. You know, with the little time we had together…”

“TMI, Mom! Gotta go!” Rhea blushed and cut the call, figuring her mother was about to say something she thought was romantic but knowing it would probably get to some things she didn’t want to hear about her parents’ relationship.

Taking a deep breath, she eased it out while allowing Alice to prop herself up on the arm Rhea held her with to jump down. Pocketing her phone, Rhea reached up to check her bun that led into a braid Amira had crafted as she made it to the street the café was on.

Nova eased out of her Glaceon form, many pictures from tourists being taken from a ways back, but Rhea was getting used to ignoring the crowd thanks to Amira’s example.

Her gaze drifted to Alice and Nova as they ran ahead to look up at her. Hmm? Oh, the things my mom said … Yeah, I know you don’t want to get frustrated, Alice, which means we gotta get to know each other more. Right?

Her Buneary’s mood lightened at her cheer. Yup, you don’t evolve by level, but how close our bond gets … Good question; I have no clue how that’s supposed to work with the Master Ball, and I doubt my mom does since she didn’t bring it up.

She slowed to reach down and rub Nova’s head, the Eevee’s ears pulling back as she asked her questions; it took a second for Rhea to decipher it.

Hmm … No, I’m not sad, and I’m not ‘stuck’ with you. Hehe, no … I love having you guys. My mom just called to let us know that we get to have more friends join the team for other reasons. You guys want to be the strongest there is and beat up all the bad guys like that Plasma dude who tried to attack us. Right?

Her two Pokemon nodded fervently, and Rhea took the spiritual grumble from a sleepy Mya to be her own response. Mhm! Do you like battling or Contests more? Battling … Thought so! Hmm, but Nova, you still want to do Contests like Serenity? How about … You focus on Single Contests and let the others do more team stuff … Maybe you can even coach them? That way, you’ll give other Pokemon the chance to shine in the spotlight for the Contests, too? Hehe, but you like the fights, Alice?

Both gave her a big grin, and Rhea giggled. You’re such good girls! Okay, ready for some fun?

Walking into the café, Rhea looked at the big rustic clock above the bar to see it was 8:57 A.M. She was a bit early, and it seemed she was the first one there.

Hailey smiled and waved at her from behind the bar; she didn’t seem to be alone today. Behind the bar was a brown-haired teenage boy, probably fifteen or sixteen, that appeared to be working on the holiday since it was the Summer League Finals.

The café had a few people with laptops, phones, and even two elderly gentlemen with newspapers on the upper balcony that looked down on the main floor. It really was a lovely little two-story establishment for the woman to own at such a young age.

Returning the gesture, her two salt and pepper Pokemon drew eyes as she went to the side counter where Hailey set her ordered items. “I hope you have a wonderful day—oh, by the way, who do you think will win the Title Match for Vermilion Gym?”

Rhea breathed in deeply at the question and let it out. “I’ve never met Visquez, but Saria came by my house a few times while growing up with her dad, mainly during the war. I know they’re both strong, so I couldn’t tell you; I kind of hope a Fairy Gym comes to Kanto, though—heh, because it’s my favorite Type. Hmm?”

“Oh,” Hailey chuckled sheepishly, smiling for a moment at the two impressed men that had been listening before returning to her. “No, I just wasn’t expecting such a serious answer. Umm, yeah, I know Vermilion overwhelmingly supports Visquez since she’s been such a support for the city while Saria has been traveling around the world, but I’m with you—Fairy Pokemon are just so adorable.

“By the way, you have amazing taste,” she added, leaning over the counter to wave at Alice and Nova. “I hope I don’t sound like a stalker, but I read an article that claimed your Eevee could transform into a Glaceon and back into an Eevee. Is that right?”

Nova looked up at her, big pink eyes sparkling as more people flooded into the shop that had followed them, finding seats to more or less enjoy looking at her unique Pokemon. Hmm … You did just transform, but it’s not like we’re going to really battle today, so … Yeah, it’s okay.

Hailey blinked as Nova jumped up onto the stool and then to the counter. “Oh, does she want to show us?”

“Mhm. She needs to practice maintaining the evolution for a while anyway,” Rhea returned, bending down to pick up Alice so she could see.

“Rhea! Oh, what’s Nova doing on the counter?” Bianca asked while walking through the door; the crowd was captivated by Nova’s sudden transformation, but Rhea’s attention was taken by her cousin.

“Bi?”

“Hey! So, how do I look—I saw this in the window of a dress store and doubled back after you went to your hotel!”

Her cousin did a little twirl for a draped aqua-colored Chiffon summer dress to flutter around her legs; her shoulder-cut thick blonde hair bouncing with the movement, and her glasses were replaced by contacts, showing her thick eyelashes and light makeup that was more than Rhea had seen on her for a while.

“Wow—Bi, you look amazing.”

“Aww, thanks! I’m hoping to—woah, I love seeing Nova evolve,” she swiftly pivoted, sweeping forward to lean against the counter and smile at the posing Eevee. “He-he, I bet Elesa would love to do a photoshoot with her; Nova has the personality.”

“Eh-heh, she does love the attention,” Rhea chuckled.

Hailey had her own phone out, taking pictures. “She’s gorgeous! How big will she grow?”

Rhea turned to her cousin for an answer, causing the Master Trainer and researcher to hum. “Let’s see … I bet she could probably get as big as my mother’s Glaceon, so … two and a half meters, maybe?”

A few people choked at the response.

“T-Two and a half meters?” Hailey mumbled in shock, watching Nova turn and take various poses Mallory had likely been teaching her when Rhea wasn’t looking. “That’s—wow.”

Bianca shrugged. “Well, that’s if she doesn’t inherit her mother’s tiny genes, which could be the case—who can say, but I’d say it’s certainly possible.”

Rhea sighed. “I don’t know which I’d prefer … She’s adorable like this, but a two and a half meter tall Umbreon would be really cool—she’d probably have glowing pink rings and white fur, too.

“S-She can turn into an Umbreon, too?” Hailey gasped.

“Not yet, but we’re working on it,” Rhea chuckled, setting Alice down and taking her items to the corner table. “When you’re done showing off, Nova, come join us.”

Nova chirped, causing another flurry of pictures for people to post.

Alice hopped up to the neighboring chair as Bianca took the opposite side, smoothing her dress out. Hmm … Oh, yup, Sunny should be here soon to play with you again.

A cute smile brightened the Buneary’s folded-down ears; she had a blast playing with the rabbit the other day, and at 9:07 A.M., Jason came rushing through the door. “S-Sorry I’m late!”

“Hey, catch your breath, Man,” Bianca snickered. “What’s the rush; it’s our day off?”

“Yeah—woah, nice dress, by the way,” he swallowed, noticing their half-finished smoothies and Rhea’s half-breakfast wrap. “If we plan to make it to the lighthouse, we should leave soon—the bus is going to leave.”

“Oh, there’s a bus, huh?” Bianca asked, getting up with a smile. “Well, lead the way!”

Rhea chuckled, jabbing him in the arm before gathering her items for the trip. “Leave it to you to be the one that’s late.”

“I know! I went down the wrong street thinking about stuff—my bad!”

“It’s cool. C’mon, where’s that bus.”

Nova jumped down from the counter, transforming back to her Eevee state and breaking her previous record time as a Glaceon by over five minutes to her delight; Rhea figured it had something to do with the attention and not exerting herself with Moves since that was the only difference.

Waving Hilary goodbye, Rhea left the store for her next adventure.