Pokemon Trainer Vicky

The next morning despite wanting to just stay inside where it was nice and warm, I ran around gathered up a specific set of pokemon, and then hit the stable, to collect the others and then flew all the way back across Kanto and a mountain range to once again get to experience the tight mountain banks, and awesome paths leading to Blackthorn City.

Dragonite without a second passenger, and knowing where we were going? Might have gone a bit fast.

Other Dragonite yelped and stumbled off the ledges around the city as we sped past and max speed. My whoops of joy echoed off the mountain range as we just blew through the sometimes sharp turns.

A few times I noticed trainers on Dragonite back start chasing after me but…

Well they were slow!

I cackled as we left them so far in our dust that we burst up above Blackthorn City completely alone and Dragonite did a few spins in the air as we ended our super sonic flight.

Luckily Dragonite could control the weather, so the sonic boom was light and just a small rumble behind us as we slowed down enough for it to catch up.

Of course our presence earned us the attention of nearly every Dragon in the city. I could see them, some resting on the mountains around the city, or down below looking up at us.

I grinned behind my goggles and just threw up a fist.

Dragonite roared at a few of them that looked ready to start a fight, and to my amusement most of them settled down, even if a few rose up to accept that challenge.

But once again a rumbling roar echoed out and everyone settled down.

The Elders Dragon told everyone to stop causing issues and they did.

I grinned as I urged Dragonite on and we hurried over. Towards the Blackthorn Gym, which I noticed was already finished reconstruction…

I wonder if I should challenge Clair again and blow it up? You know. As a joke.

No, I was here to ask for information, and to show off my buddies. I’ll try to avoid picking any fights… Any more fights.

We didn’t head directly for the arena, instead as we flew over it, we saw a rather large fancy home. There I could see Ald, the elder resting out on a terrace. Clair was there as well, her stance already up and glaring, but…

I flew over and Dragonite landed next to the Elder’s Dragonite, both of them looked at each other and my girl gave a nod of respect to the much older Dragonite.

My eyes though were locked on another guest.

"Lance!" I called out finger pointing and he took a second to sip his nasty leaf water and then greeted me.

"Vicky."

"What are you doing here?" I asked and he waited a second sipping his tea.

"I live here."

"That’s… Fair." I agreed and instead of arguing further I turned to the Elder, and offered a respectful bow… Probably. I didn’t know how deep to go and whatever. "Elder."

"Victoria. You’re doing well?"

"Yes!" I agreed happily as he seemed okay with a more casual atmosphere. "I came here to speak to you, if you have the time?"

"I do. Join us?"

"Sure! I don’t need any tea though. I don’t like leaf water." I informed him as I sat, and that stopped Clair as she was about to fill out a cup for me.

"It’s rude not to accept." She growled at me, and I just scoffed.

"It’s more rude to offer your guest something they don’t like… Isn’t it?" I said all teeth, a smile that she returned.

"If you are here for another match Victoria. Then-" Clair started, and since I wasn’t exactly packing a team ready for a rematch I did the secret move that defeats any and all Dragon trainers!

"SURPRISE GOOMY!" I called out and released Brave onto the table in front of everyone.

"What?"

"Ah, I expected this." Lance said the only one not surprised, but the Elder’s face lit up behind his massive beard and eyebrows that blocked his eyes from being seen. He reached out and Brave looked at his hand that didn’t invade her space and woogled over to jump onto his offered palm.

"What?" Clair repeated breathlessly, her eyes locked on Brave.

Even Lance was looking jealous as the Elder looked over Brave as she sort of examined him in turn. Both of them sort of looked the other over, Brave even spinning around as the Elder shifted her to look all around helping him see all of her.

"How… Wonderful."

"Squeeze her." I whispered out desperately hiding my excitement.

"Hmm?" He asked, and I made a motion with my hands to show him. Lance of course nodded sagely as he already knew what was about to happen.

The Elder looked down, as Brave now looked excited and woogled up and down as if bouncing on her toes waiting for something fun.

He squeezed.

"Aaaah!" Clair squealed, hands on her cheeks and the Elder of course reached enlightenment.

—--

It took a while to get the Dragon trainers to relax as Brave was passed around and delighted everyone.

The elders wife even came out, a woman just as shrunken as him who delighted just as much. Then one of Clair’s Cousins, just a boy, popped up wondering what was going on, and he delighted in Brave as well.

I had a feeling as the crowd around the tea table grew that if I didn’t do something Brave would soon take over the entire Blackthorn city. Becoming Queen of all she surveys and all would beg for time to squish her!

The power of Goomy was not to be underestimated, I realized.

"Thank you Victoria. I’d heard from Lance about the new Dragon type, but to hold her in my hands? A delightful experience." The elder spoke to me, as Lance once more was acting as King of the Goomy, Brave giggling up a storm as he showed his mastery of dragon types by stretching her out nearly to the floor as everyone watched on.

Truly Lance was a strong rival.

"Mhmm! If Lance manages to beat me, then I’ll let him try to make friends with a Goomy." I explained in a whisper. "But if you want to stop by and see if one wants to go with you I’ll allow it."

The old man snickered in delight, and I had a feeling he might just take me up on that, but in the end he shook his head. "Let the boy earn it. I’m too old to train new pokemon." He offered with a happy smile as…

I looked over and realized this old man was watching his family basically make fools of themselves to play with a new Dragon Type pokemon.

Ah. What would that feel like? To see children, and grandchildren, and generations of your family all happy and content.

I eased back into my chair and just luxuriated in the feeling of happiness.

It made me want to go hug Gram Gram. Maybe even consider picking up a cat or something to make her happy.

I shrugged off the feeling and looked to the Elder who was watching me now.

"You came to ask something?" He offered no doubt sensing that it was time.

"Yeah… I’m trying to prove something, and I was hoping that you might know of some proof I can use… Friendship Evolution." I explained and he hummed at my request.

"It is said some pokemon require a strong bond to evolve, but I have nothing besides old tales."

"Well those are better than nothing. Chansey evolved into Blissey, and that was a friendship Evolution. I know it. There are others. Most baby Pokemon need a friendship to evolve, but I think it isn’t noticed much because they’re babies and taken care of. But… I know it’s a real thing. I’ve experienced it."

"Hmm. A difficult task. Modern science scorns such things. Bonds and friendship." He said sadly and I nodded.

"Yeah I’ve run into that… But Cerise, that’s the professor I started helping out. He gets it. He loves this world, and the pokemon in it. I just need enough evidence. People need to know!"

"I see. I will write down an account of what I know. If that will help, I’ll look through our old library. There might be something in there." I almost gasped at the old man’s offer. That was huge! Enough to make a huge difference, but also…

"Thank you." I said. Unable to hold back the emotions in my chest.

"It is the work of the Elder to help the young. I don’t offer an apprenticeship to just anyone." He reminds me with a look, of course his look was strongly diminished with the fact I couldn’t see his eyes behind his massive eyebrows.

But I still appreciated the sentiment and sent him a thankful smile.

"Thank you Elder."

"Hmph! It is my duty. Now… There is another thing!" He said loud enough that everyone’s attention was grabbed. "Teaching a Gyarados to fly! You do this and don’t even show it off while battling the Blackthorn!" He said for once sounding actually upset!

"That’s right!" Clair called out slamming a hand on the table. "You fought my Gyarados, but didn’t even show that yours could fly!? Do you think that we’re so we-"

"And to not offer this Elder a ride atop a flying Gyarados! An experience foreign to this ancient one!" The elder continued cutting off Clair who went a bit pouty and her angry challenge was interrupted by something completely the opposite.

"Hehe! If you want flying Gyarados rides, I’m sure we can come to an agreement! Blue Heart loves flying after all." I offered and the old man’s smile lit up, and even Lance perked up at the idea.

"Oh oh! Me!" One of the Blackthorn kids called out and I just laughed at how quickly these dragon obsessed trainers could switch from cold arrogance to begging to let them play with the cute Pokemon.

This… This is how humans should be.

"Alright, but I brought my other pokemon too, and Lance. I was hoping we could have a family reunion. I’m sure both of our friends are feeling homesick at times.

"Oh? Of course." He grinned along with me, as I released my team.

"Tini!" Dratini instantly wrapped around my neck, and then the happy barks of Jangmo-o echoed out.

"Jang! Jang!" He spun around and seeing all the people started his tippy tap dance to sort of challenge them all, but not sure which one to challenge first.

Gible I released right next to me, and I reached down and gently picked her up, making sure she was focused on me, and not on all the people.

I didn’t want a Gible tantrum right now.

"Oh! Very cute!" The Dragon family all cooed, and soon Lance actually went inside and came out with his own Pokemon.

Jangmo-o instantly confronted Jangmo-o, and there was no challenge, instead the two slammed into each other hugging and nuzzled until they were basically a spinning ball of happy dragon pup.

Lances Gible…

Stepped out, it was bigger, and its eyes were clear. Looking up at Lance his Gible stood at his side like a loyal soldier.

But one thing I noticed was that while the rest of the Pokemon all got attention, while Gible was looked at, no one actually touched Lance’s Gible.

"Ah, Rough Skin?" I asked, and Lance blinked before smiling pleased.

"Indeed. I noticed the difference right away." He said a bit… Painfully. Yeah I bet he noticed right away the moment he tried to pet his Gible.

"Yeah, Gible sometimes have rough skin, and sometimes they have Sand Veil. My girl will probably disappear into a sandstorm." I cooed.

"Oh that’s a useful skill… But I think Rough Skin is the superior ability." Lance said arrogantly.

"If you’re happy that’s fine." I said pointedly, sounding like I thought he was wrong.

But that wasn’t all that was happening. Gible eyes met Gible.

This was… Something I’d been looking forward to. How would my girl react? I kneeled down still holding her in my arms, and the two Gible stared at each other.

Then what I didn’t want to have happen, did.

Lances Gible opened its mouth and growled and even seemed like it was about to be aggressive to my girl.

I could feel her tense, even if her face never shifted. She looked. Like she was used to it.

Which was when suddenly the entire area vibrated with a growl. I blinked in surprise and looked up.

Dratini was… Angry. Like really angry.

His fins were widened and spread out to make him look bigger, and his mouth was practically leaking Dragon power, as he prepared an attack.

HIs eyes… Were not the kind shining look of a happy Dratini, but the sharp glare of a Dragon about to make his wrath known.

Neither Lance or I moved. A sense went through me, that… This was fine. It was normal

Gible turned to Dratini and the two glared at each other. Gible’s open mouth started gathering power! I didn’t flinch. It wouldn’t hurt too bad, but just as it was building up into a Dragon Rage, or maybe a Dragon Breath? No it was Dragon Breath.

But just as it was close to full power, Dratini gave a whistle. The feeling of air and power washed over my cheek and a Dragon Pulse was fired directly into that powering dragon fireball in Gibles mouth.

There was a widening of Gibles eyes as the power was disrupted and suddenly the Dragon Breath went out of control and the Gible just puffed.

Smoke suddenly trailed out of his mouth as his big eyes rolled back and he fell backwards rolling onto his back.

"Huh. Nice control Tini." I told him, and his angry look disappeared as he turned back into my giggle boy as he nuzzled his head into my neck happy at my congratulations.

"Impressive!"

"Very nice! Such a well controlled Dragon Pulse!"

"Did you see the ring markings! It looked like a Water pulse!"

"Yes yes! I’ve seen Dratini born from Kingdra have similar markings!" The dragon clan all around me, seemed completely unbothered by the battle that just happened and even Lance looked pleased, although he did kneel down, and even with rough skin, he checked on his Gible.

"My Gible was the runt of the pack." I said explaining it to Lance, but letting everyone hear. "She’s still growing, still not really battle ready, so I’m not surprised one of her siblings would react like that. They tended to react badly around her. Sorry about that."

"No problem at all." The Elder called out. "Dragons fight for position, and your Dratini just made his claim rather strongly I’d say! I think your Gible might have a rival now, young boy."

"I think so as well." Lance agreed, looking pleased. "He’ll be eager to strengthen himself now." He said looking at me.

"Yeah. I’m sure Dratini wouldn’t mind an actual battle with him sometime. Isn’t that right?" I asked, and Dratini puffed up, and whistled his agreement.

"He’s cute." A voice I didn’t expect said from beside me. I looked up and Clair was there, and her eyes…

Ah.

I grinned as I adjusted myself so Dratini was facing Clair, and he whistled a greeting at her.

"Ah! How cute!" She cooed and reached out, and soon she was scritching him behind his fins, seemingly knowing exactly the best spots. "It’s so rare to see a Dratini that isn’t one of ours, your’s looks a little different, his color is a bit brighter, look at those cute little scaley waleys!"

Clair breaking into baby talk while soon nuzzling into Dratini was…

Heh. They’re all dragon nerds. I couldn’t help but laugh along with Dratini and the normally serious woman cooing at Dratini.

Yeah. These people weren’t that bad.

With all my baby pokemon getting attention I was soon relaxing with the Elder who seemed quite interested in Gible, which to my surprise she seemed quite interested in him. Her eyes locked onto him once I settled her into my lap sitting beside him, and both of them stared.

Heh. This old man is just as interesting to Dragons, as Papa was to Dogs.

"Gib?"

"Oh. I think so." He offered back and I blinked because… I have no idea what that was in response to.

"Gib gib." She said and he nodded, holding out a hand and to my surprise she didn’t bite, instead reaching out and grabbing at his hand squeezing the old man’s fingers.

Very soon afterwards, Gible was sitting in his lap, as she explored his fingers, while he explored her. His hands gently exploring her scales around her fin, seemingly delighting in every scale and groove.

"I couldn’t exactly do an examination on Lance’s new Gible." He finally explained to me after a while and I couldn’t help but snicker at that. Sand Veil is obviously the superior Gible ability. Cause you can hug them!

"Hmm. She needs a bit more in her diet for her scales. Looks like she’s been refreshing them." He muttered, and I nodded. I hadn’t noticed, but I also wasn’t around Gible as much as I wanted. I pulled out my notebook and made a note to adjust her diet a bit with Blissey. "Otherwise her diet is impeccable, even for the runt you’ve mitigated much of her issues."

"Of course! I have Blissey help with diet stuff, and… I want them to be happy and healthy."

"Indeed." He replied back, but soon Gible leaned back and was napping still with her eyes open, but the snores were rather telling.

—--

"This is quite the ride!" The Elder called out quite pleased from where he sat on Blue Hearts crest horn opposite me as we flew around the skies above Blackthorn.

I was still fighting back cackles from every member of the Dragon Clan around making whining noises when I set off with the Elder first.

"He’s actually pretty comfortable. Although the rolling motion takes a while to get used to!"

"Indeed! Like riding waves! But it’s a delight!" He offered back, and I knew he was being honest, because the old man had a massive smile on his face.

We circled a few times before we lowered back to the ground, and with a bit of help from the Dragonite, the Elder was lowered to the ground without roughing him up. Blue Heart even being such a good boy to hold still while the Dragonite walked around him.

"He really is quite peaceful isn’t he?" Lance asked, as he stood beside me, as I rubbed Blue Hearts cheeks as he rumbled at me.

"Of course! He’s the goodest boy!" I told him, and then just like Clair before me I fell into baby talk as I squeezed and mushed up his face.

"I’ve picked up a Magikarp, an egg from my own Gyarados. I’d.. Appreciate some tips on how to train them."

"Oh sure!" I agreed happily as I turned to the older man. "Of course it’s going to cost you Bird boy."

He sighed, and to my amusement reached out and dropped a hand onto the top of my head and mushed my hat into my head.

"That joke again?" He grumbled, and I just cackled at his reaction.

"Until we get you a full Dragon Team without Flying Type!"

"Fine. I accept these terms." He said and then grumbled a bit. "But the tips for my Magikarp?"

"So you can have a Flying Gyarados… A Flying type." I repeated just to hammer it home.

"Gyarados are Dragons. Their typing doesn’t matter." He said firmly, and I met his glare with a smile.

"That’s true." That earned me a pleased smile in turn.

Lance got it.

Once I’d flown quite a few people around, Blue Heart was just happy that he got to fly with me longer than normal. I finally returned him, and gathered my kids. Jangmo-o had finally gotten sick of being cuddly with his sibling, or cousin and the two were now bashing their heads together.

Brave had been passed around to be worshipped like the Queen she was, and Gible was quite happy to just sit on the chair the Elder had left and be doted over by his wife.

In the end, I gathered up my team and followed Lance out of the growing party.

We weren’t just taken to a pool or something, no. Lance took me down into a carved cave and then down.

"Welcome to the Dragons Den. This is the most Sacred and protected place to the Blackthorn Clan… So no Draco Meteors. Please."

I had to bite back the laugh to give Lance a serious nod.

"I won’t."

"Good."

Down and down we went until we hit water, and to my delight there was an underground waterfall deep into this massive cave. Atop the very peak was a Torii gate of all things, and there was a crack above the Torii Gate, letting light fall directly down onto the entire waterfall…

"Did the Blackthorn already know about this?" I asked, with suspicion, because everything about this place… It was perfect for training a Magikarp into evolving.

"It is suspicious is it not? When you spoke of leaping over the Dragons Gate…" He looked up, and… Yeah this was definitely set up for one thing and one thing only. "And yet, we checked through our records. Not one mention of why this room is so important to be set up like this, or anything about a Flying Gyarados, besides some old rumors."

So they forgot? Or maybe, one Blackthorn knew and kept it secret?

"Huh. I’m kinda jealous, this is way cooler than the waterfall I used… But I wouldn’t trade my training location for anything, cause that’s where I met Blue Heart." I said reaching down and running a hand through the honestly freezing water.

Mountain run off. Brrr!

"Well let’s show you what I’ve gotten to already. Go Magikarp!" Lance called out and… Aw! What a cutie!

"Karp karp!" It greeted Lance splashing around happily.

"Well I’ll offer what I know, but the big thing is just support. Cause they are going to fail a lot."