The referee's hand dropped.
"Simisage, Vine Whip!" Cilan commanded, his tone sharp.
The green monkey lashed its vines forward, snapping through the air.
I didn't move, didn't speak. Zoey's thought brushed against mine
On it.
She caught the vines mid-strike, twisted, and yanked Simisage off balance. Her claws lit up with a sinister purple as she slashed him across the chest with brutal precision.
The Night Slash sent him sprawling.
"Grass Knot, now!" Cilan barked.
The floor rippled as thick vines burst upward, curling around Zoey's feet. Still, I said nothing. I only watched her. She glanced at me, lips quirking into a smirk.
A sudden hiss filled the gym as she exhaled a rolling wave of black smoke. The cloud swallowed the arena, obscuring everything in seconds. Cilan coughed, waving a hand in front of his face. "Simisage, stay alert!"
By the time the haze began to thin, the battlefield was empty. Only a fresh hole gaped in the floor where Zoey had been.
Cilan's eyes widened. "Simisage, behind you-!"
The ground exploded. Zoey erupted upward, claws catching Simisage's chin in a vicious uppercut that launched him skyward. Her eyes gleamed as a pulsing orb of dark energy formed in her palm. She hurled it point-blank into his chest.
The Shadow Ball detonated midair. Simisage slammed into the dirt, unconscious before the dust even settled.
The referee lifted his flag. "Winner: Atrea Morgan and Zoroark."
Zoey landed beside me, rolling her shoulders as if she'd just woken from a nap. Easy.
Cilan returned his partner slowly, still staring at me. "You... didn't say a word. Not once. And yet she knew exactly what to do."
I just folded my arms and shrugged. "We understand each other."
The Portland air smelled of wet concrete and cedar as I left the gym, Zoey padding smugly at my side. The whole battle had taken less than five minutes, and she hadn't so much as broken a sweat. Told you he wasn't ready for me, she teased in my head.
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered, hands stuffed in my jacket pockets. "Try to act humble when we get home, alright?"
She smirked. Not a chance.
The familiar creak of our front gate greeted me as I pushed it open. Before I could even get my key in the lock, the door swung wide, and a bolt of blue-and-gold fur came barreling out.
"Benny!" I laughed as Dad's Manectric nearly bowled me over. He barked, tail wagging furiously, sparks dancing off his back as he nudged my hand. His fur smelled faintly of ozone, like a storm trapped in his coat.
"Careful, boy," I said, scratching behind his ear. "You'll fry the doormat again."
He huffed proudly. Better the mat than some burglar.
Zoey crossed her arms, giving him a sidelong look. Or maybe you just like shocking people who step in puddles.
Benny growled low, but his eyes were playful. Don't tempt me, trickster.
I shook my head, grinning. "Good to see nothing's changed."
Dad was still at work, so the house was quiet. I set my bag down in the kitchen and poured Zoey some kibble while Benny hovered expectantly until I filled his bowl too. The peace didn't last long.
A sudden snarl ripped from Benny's throat. He spun toward the back door, fur bristling, sparks crawling along his spine. I froze, listening. The air outside crackled with faint hissing, sharp and chittering.
Benny pawed at the sliding glass door, teeth bared. I slid it open, and the source revealed itself. Dozens of fiery shapes skitter through the grass. A swarm of Sizzlipedes poured across the yard, their mandibles glowing red as they clambered toward us.
Benny lunged forward, electricity flaring. Zoey cracked her knuckles, eyes glinting. Guess I get a rematch after all.
"Fine," I muttered, stepping outside. "But no wrecking the fence this time."
Benny struck first. A thunderclap ripped across the yard as he loosed a Thunderbolt, frying a cluster of Sizzlipedes mid-crawl. The rest hissed and scattered, only to run headlong into Zoey's barrage of Shadow Balls. Each one burst like a firecracker, scattering legs and smoke across the grass.
Within seconds, the swarm broke. Half of them skittered back through the fence while the rest burrowed frantically into the dirt. Benny barked once, triumphant, his fur still sparking. Zoey cracked her knuckles with a smug grin. That was almost disappointing.
"Don't jinx it," I warned.
That's when Benny froze, hackles raised, nose pointed past the fence line. His growl was lower now, uncertain.
I followed his gaze. Through the gaps in the posts, I could make out a faint glow pulsing weakly like a dying ember in the tall grass. My stomach sank.
"Zoey... boost me over."
She cupped her hands, and with one push, I vaulted the fence. My boots landed in damp soil. The glow flickered again, and I saw her.
A Gardevoir, collapsed in the grass. Burn scars marred her arms, a deep gash cutting across her white dress-like form. Her breaths were shallow, trembling.
"Hang on, sweetie," I whispered, kneeling at her side. "You're not alone anymore."
Her breaths came shallow, pained, her body twitching with every inhale.
"Zoey, call it in," I said quickly.
She already had my phone out, scrolling with expert speed. PokéBot app, support request... done.
A flat synthetic voice came from the speaker:
"Support request received. Nearest deployment satellite initiating medical drone drop. Estimated arrival: ninety seconds."
The PokéBot units were creations of the People and Pokémon Council, or PAP for short. The council had been formed years ago to keep humans and Pokémon from tearing each other apart after the countless clashes between Legendary and Mythical-class Pokémon. Their chairwoman, Lucy Maxwell, built the whole initiative around coexistence. She believed that progress meant safety, not separation.
The PokéBots were their masterpiece, AI-driven drones that could patch battlefields, heal wounded Pokémon, or deploy Enforcement Pokémon to pacify criminals when human police weren't nearby. Their best function, in my non-biased opinion, is their ability to project a shield dome around battlefields. Not only do they protect the audience from the fallout of Pokémon moves, but they also generate an aura that combines the effects of the moves Light Screen and Reflect to reduce the power of offensive moves to non-lethal levels. This ensures that any Pokémon inside the shield would be knocked out instead of killed during battles. The drones were launched from orbiting satellites and could drop into any location within minutes.
Everyone talked about PAP like they were the guardians of this new world. They were proof that progress didn't have to mean control; it could mean care. Seeing that silver shape descend through the clouds that night, I understood why so many believed in them. For a moment, I did too.
The Gardevoir's eyes cracked open, wide with fear. Her voice scraped into my mind like a whisper. No... not them. Please...
Her trembling hand clutched my sleeve with surprising strength. They'll take me home. I can't go back to him!
I froze. "Hey, hey, look at me. You're safe."
Please... just tell them I'm yours. Say it. Tell them I belong to you.
Her desperation hit like a knife to the chest. I hesitated only long enough to see the faint blue thruster glow streaking down from the night sky.
The drone descended in a controlled spiral, metal panels unfolding like wings before it landed beside us. Its lens flickered to life.
"Trainer verification required. Subject identified as Gardevoir. Please confirm ownership."
I didn't even blink. "She's mine."
The drone paused, scanning both of us with a line of red light. My pulse hammered in my ears.
"Identity confirmed. Medical assistance commencing."
A metal tray extended from the drone, containing a Heal Ball. With that signature red flash, a Beheeyem deployed, its eyes shining like cold lanterns. It raised its arms, releasing a wash of golden light that wrapped around the Gardevoir's body. The burns smoothed away, the deep gash sealed, and her breathing eased.
She sagged against the grass, eyes fluttering. Relief radiated from her fragile thoughts. You... kept me safe.
I exhaled, tension easing. Then the drone's lens swiveled back toward me, its voice lowering into something warped and guttural:
"Pokémon theft is a felony in Oregon, little lamb."
The words punched straight through me. My chest locked up, throat tight. That name, little lamb, Mom used to whisper it when she tucked me in at night.
My vision blurred, and the imagery of an empty swing set flashed over my sight like a projector. Then I blinked and the drone was already ascending, folding into a glint of metal that vanished into the clouds.
"Zoey," I rasped, my pulse still hammering. "Did you... Did you hear that? The drone, did it call me little lamb?"
She gave me a confused look, her mane shifting in the wind. No. It said the usual junk about identity confirmed, then it left. That's it.
I swallowed hard, forcing air into my lungs. "Right. Must've been nothing."
Zoey narrowed her eyes but didn't press. The tremor in my hands told me it hadn't been nothing.
I turned back to the Gardevoir. She sat up slowly, her arms trembling, eyes glassy but aware. Her voice brushed against my mind again, soft and hesitant. You lied for me.
I nodded. "Didn't have much of a choice."
Still... thank you. I don't ever want to go back home.
She hesitated, then met my gaze directly. If you'll have me... I'd rather stay with you. Fight with you. Please.
I dug into my bag, pulling out one of the Poké Balls I'd stocked up on.
"Do you have a trainer? If so, you won't be able to join me since you'd be locked to his Poké Ball."
The red-and-white surface gleamed faintly in the grasslight.
My ball was destroyed.
I held mine out, my voice steady. "That settles it then. If you want to join us, then push the button. From now on, you'll be safe with me."
Her hands shook as she reached forward. For a moment, I thought she might pull away. Then she pressed the button, and in a flash of red light, vanished into the capsule. The ball clicked shut in my palm.
Zoey leaned against the fence, arms folded, smirking. Guess we've got ourselves a new roommate.
I let out a slow breath, clipping the Pokéball to my belt. "Yeah. Looks like it."
But even as I said it, the echo of that warped voice clung to me, chilling the back of my mind.
Little lamb.
The next morning, sunlight spilled through the kitchen window, warm and golden against the old tile floor. I'd given Benny his kibble, which he was more than happy to chow down on. His crunching was loud, fur sparking with each overexcited bite. Zoey leaned against the counter in her usual 'too cool for breakfast' pose until I slid a plate of scrambled eggs in front of her. She smirked but dug in anyway.
Across the table, our newest guest sat stiffly in a chair, as though she wasn't sure she was allowed to be there. Her white dress-like form had regained its sheen after Beheeyem's healing, but her eyes still carried shadows.
"Eat," I said gently, setting a plate down for her.
She looked at it for a long moment, then at me, then finally picked up the fork. The first bite was tentative, almost suspicious, then she closed her eyes and let out the faintest sigh.
I haven't had a real meal in weeks.
Zoey rolled her eyes. So she talks with her mouth full, too, huh?
The Gardevoir gave her a shy smile, cheeks coloring faintly. Sorry. I should introduce myself properly. My name is Trilla.
I returned the smile. "Nice to meet you, Trilla. I'm Atrea. That's Zoey, the smug one, and the electro mutt over there is Benny."
Benny lifted his head from the bowl just long enough to bark proudly, sparks crackling.
Trilla laughed softly, a sound that felt out of place in her fragile voice but warmed the room anyway. She set the fork down, hands folded in her lap. Thank you... for everything. I don't know what I would've done if you hadn't found me.
I reached across the table and rested a hand over hers. "You don't have to thank me. You're safe now."
Zoey smirked from behind her eggs. Safe and officially stuck with us.
Trilla smiled again, a little steadier this time. That doesn't sound so bad.
The front door creaked open just as Zoey was licking her plate clean.
"Smells like someone finally learned how to use the stove without burning it down," Dad teased, stepping into the kitchen.
I turned in my chair, smiling. "Hey, Pops. You're home early."
"Busy night at the station. We've had half a dozen break-ins across town the past week. I had to work late last night and wound up falling asleep at my desk. I need Benny's help in the field tomorrow. That Thunder Wave of his works wonders on catching perps."
I glanced at Benny, who adorably tilted his head in curiosity.
You hear that? Dad needs your help with a case tomorrow.
He barked in response.
"Is that a yes, buddy?"
Dad asked, still at the doorway.
I confirmed as he hung his jacket by the door. After turning toward the kitchen, he froze when he spotted the unfamiliar figure at our table. Benny barked a cheerful greeting, sparks dancing along his back, but Dad's gaze stayed fixed on the Gardevoir.
"Uh... we have company?"
Trilla shifted in her seat, folding her hands in front of her. It's... nice to meet you.
Dad blinked, then looked at me.
"Translation, please."
"Oh, right," I said while downing the rest of my eggs.
"I found her last night after Zoey and Benny drove off a swarm of Sizzlipedes. She was in bad shape. A PokéBot drone patched her up."
His brow furrowed. "And now she's yours?"
I nodded. "She wanted to stay. Said she didn't have anywhere else to go."
He hesitated for a long moment before nodding. Then, finally softened.
"Well then, welcome. If Atrea trusts you, that's good enough for me."
Relief flickered across her face as she eased back into her chair.
I turned back to him. "Also, I should tell you that I had my first gym battle yesterday. Cilan didn't stand a chance."
Dad chuckled, pride lighting his eyes. "Didn't doubt you for a second, kiddo."
"Thing is, I've already got my next match against Lenora lined up. Bus to Seattle leaves in a few hours."
The smile slipped from his face. He crossed to the counter, picked up the remote, and switched on the TV.
"Breaking overnight: the Noctis Biotechnica clinic in downtown Portland has burned to the ground. Investigators report the building was not occupied at the time."
The words hit like ice water. I knew that place, I'd sat in their chair, let them draw my blood.
Dad muted the screen, his expression heavy. "Atrea, I don't think that was an accident. I've been a Detective long enough to know when something stinks. That clinic didn't just 'burn down.' Someone wanted it gone. Quickly."
I felt a chill crawl up my spine. "You think it's connected to me."
"I don't know." He rubbed his temples. "But it worries me that you're heading off on your own right as this happens."
I reached across the table and squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine, Pops. Zoey and Trilla will be with me. And I'll call you, I promise. Every city, every badge."
He sighed, reluctant but yielding. "The Department's working on it, but please keep your head down out there."
"Deal."