“Oh, poor baby!” I gasp, and kneel, slowly holding a hand out so it can familiarize itself with my scent, letting it know I’m a friend of Arven’s.

  “This is Mabosstiff. My partner.”

  Koraidon tilts its head. “Ah gia?”

  Arven sighs, face wracked with misery. Mabosstiff doesn’t even react to its surroundings, and Arven grabs the st sandwich, tearing a small piece from it. “Here you go, bud. Eat up. This should make you feel better.”

  He holds the piece out. “Slowly, now. Take your time… small bites are fine. Just… chew nice and slow…”

  Gradually, the sandwich disappears into Mabosstiff’s jaws, bit by bit. I stare, my heart aching for the poor pupper. Arven stands, ying a hand gently on Mabosstiff’s head.

  “My buddy here was… hurt pretty bad a while ago. Real bad, in fact… he… never really recovered.”

  I sniffle a bit. “Potions and things don’t work? And the Pokémon Centre?”

  He shakes his head. “Nothing seems to help. Not Potions, not Pokémon Centres… Nothing…”

  He looks down at his partner. “Mabosstiff here is the only thing in the world I care about. The only thing… so, I promised I’d make him better-whatever it takes.”

  He clenches one hand into a fist. “I searched online, I read books, and I looked all over and tried every cure and remedy I could find. But nothing really worked. I’d almost given up hope… that’s when I found out about-”

  “The Herba Mystica!” I gasp, a tear rolling down my cheek as I dab it away.

  He nods, holding up the book. “Yeah.”

  I sniffle again. “That book… what is it?”

  He shrugs. “I found it in my mom’s b.” He shows me one of the pages.

  “Herba Mystica.

  Area Zero was home to wondrous herbs that instantly impart vigour when eaten. We dubbed them Herba Mystica and attempted to grow some in areas around Paldea. However, before we could harvest, the herbs were eaten by Pokémon- which in turn grew rge and strong. We call these Titan Pokémon.”

  He closes the slim volume. “It’s this book full of crazy stories and legends and things- stuff nobody’d usually believe. But I believe it! I think what it says is true! And, according to THIS. BOOK.” He shakes it gently. “Eating all five Herba Mystica can cure anything that ails you!”

  He reaches down, softly touching Mabosstiff’s paws. “Case in point, Mabosstiff’s paws were as cold as ice before he ate that st herb. But they’ve warmed up a little now- I’m sure they have!”

  Mabosstiff stirs, almost imperceptibly. Arven smiles, but I can see how much he’s suffering.

  “Oh, you done eating, bud?”

  As I watch, hands to my mouth, Mabosstiff starts… trying to stand! A tiny glimmer of light returns to his gaze, and I let out a strangled squeak. Arven almost falls back on his haunches.

  “H-hey! Mabosstiff?! Can… Can you see? Are your eyes open?!”

  Arven begins jumping up and down, cheering in delight. “Yes! I did it!”

  I move closer, pcing a hand on Arven’s shoulder. He stops bouncing around and rubs his eyes. “It…It’s been so long since he was able to open his eyes! I was so worried…”

  I pat his back, feeling myself starting to well up a little more. “I’m so happy for you, Arven! I’m 1,000,000% on board with this! Let me keep helping! I wanna see Mabosstiff back to full strength, too!”

  A whine comes from Mabosstiff, and he tries to inch closer. Arven kneels, resting a hand on his partner’s cheek, sniffling. “Heh… Ehehehehe… aw, look at him. Those fiery little orange eyes… hard to tell if they’re open or not, but I know the difference! The power of these herbs is amazing! I KNEW the book wasn’t lying!”

  I spontaneously hug Arven, causing him to splutter. “I believe in you! We’re gonna bring Mabosstiff back to full health, I swear it!”

  Arven clears his throat as I release him.

  “So, uh… yeah. That’s my story.”

  I pause. Should… I share my story? Arven’s told me so much about his reasoning for this Wild-Farfetch’d-chase, but… he doesn’t know much about me…

  “Arven… I… You told me about you, so…”

  I steel myself. “It’s my turn to share, okay?”

  Arven sits beside his Pokémon, gently petting it. “Uh, okay. If you wanna, I don’t mind.”

  I sit back down on my rock, nerves fluttering as I interlock my fingers.

  “Arven… do you know what LGBTQ+ means?”

  He pauses, frowning. “Not really. I’ve seen the term around, but I never really looked into it. Had too much on my mind.” He looks down at Mabosstiff.

  “Well, it stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and also encompasses the whole spectrum, from non-binary to aromantic to asexual. And I… I’m part of that group. I’m transgender.”

  Arven blinks. “What… what is that?”

  I gulp. “I’m a girl, but… my physical sex didn’t always align with my gender identity. I was… to put it bluntly, I was born male, but I got really sick and depressed because of it. It’s called dysphoria. Not every trans person feels it, but I was one of the ones who suffered severely from it. It got so bad I couldn’t go to school at times. And, when I finally came out of the closet and told people, the only person who accepted me was my mom. I was… I was bullied, relentlessly, for months. It was only after I lost my head and almost put the worst offender in hospital that the teachers stepped in. I got expelled, but… my mom helped me out.”

  I sigh. “She quit her job and took a new career here in Paldea. We’re far enough away from Gar that no-one who knows me will come looking. She helped me with my transition, too. My body is fully female now, and I take these pills to make sure everything works the way it’s supposed to. I’ll be taking them for the rest of my life, but it’s a small price to pay to be myself…”

  I sneak a peek at Arven. The look on his face is… sympathetic.

  “So? Do you feel better?” Arven’s question takes me by surprise.

  I nod. “I’ve been happier and more ME than I ever was before.”

  “Well, that’s what matters. You are you, Carmina. Who cares who you WERE, you’re YOU.”

  Koraidon rests its head on my p. “Gia!”

  I rub Koraidon’s head gratefully, and smile at Arven. “Thanks, Arven… I’d appreciate it if you kept this between us, if that’s okay…”

  He nods. “Sure. I can keep a secret.”

  I smile. “A-anyway, I’ll go and start looking for the next Titan. I might have to take on a Gym, too, in order to keep Nemona happy.”

  “Heh, sounds like a pn! I’ve got the clearing up; you get on with your pn. And… thanks again, Carmina.”

  With a weight off my mind, I head back to Cascarrafa to challenge Gym Leader Kofu. However, as I approach the Gym, I see him… running away?? What?

  “Vaultin’ Veluza! I’m te! I’m te!”

  A woman in a suit rushes out after him. “Kofu! Wait!”

  I look over at her. She sighs, “Ahhh, he got away, How am I supposed to return this to him now…?” she looks down at the wallet in her hands.

  “Can I help? I came to challenge the Gym, but I guess the Gym Leader’s out, for now, so… can I help?”

  The woman gasps in relief. “Oh, thank you! Could you go to Porto Marinada after Kofu and return his wallet to him? If you do that, I’ll count it as your Gym test!”

  I smile. “Deal!” taking the wallet, I slip it into my bag and make my way to Porto Marinada, Koraidon’s speed allowing me to pass through the Asado Desert in record time. At the marketpce, I spot the Gym Leader, and he’s in a panic, a younger man trying to console him.

  “Vaultin’ Veluza! Where?! Where in the world…? Where in the world is my wallet?! Without my wallet, I won't be able to get today’s hot item! It’ll… it’ll get bought by someone else!” He starts sniffling. I feel bad for the big guy, and hurry towards him, reaching into my bag to give him his wallet back.

  Kofu’s companion announces, “Don’t worry, ol’ man Kofu! I’ll run and look for it right now!” he turns and starts heading my way, then stops, scowling at me.

  “Whaddya want? Ol’ man Kofu’s in the middle of some super-duper important ingredient buyin’! If yer thinkin’ about interrupting him, then I-his best apprentice- will have to stop you!”

  He grabs his Pokéball and releases his partner, a Floatzel.

  “Argh, I’m trying to help, dammit! Would you just listen?!” I snap, sending out a Magneton I’ve been raising. While the Floatzel gets a couple of hits in, the Electric-type Pokémon puts the Floatzel down easily. Gritting his teeth, Kofu’s apprentice sends out a Cuncher.

  However, it’s also a Water-type, and Magneton comes in clutch, dropping the oversized lobster in two more hits.

  The apprentice slumps, head down. I put my hands on my hips. “Listen, you idiot! I was TRYING to give this to Kofu! He left it behind at the Gym and the League staffer asked me to return it to him!”

  I hold up the wallet. Kofu rushes at me, gratefully snatching it out of my hand.

  “Vaultin’ Veluza! M-my wallet! Ohhhh, thank you for comin’ all this way! And I should apologize for my apprentice, too. Hope he didn’t bother ya too much!”

  I smile. “No, it’s no trouble. So, what’s the big rush here?”

  Kofu chuckles. “There’s something here at the auction we’re eager to get our hands on. So, as you kin imagine, we were both a bit worked up to find I’d forgotten my wallet!”

  The auctioneer rings a bell as we turn. “Ladies and gents! You won’t wanna miss this! Here comes today’s st item! Feast your eyes on the main event! I have ‘ere the legendary wakame seaweed of the Hoenn region!”

  I can feel the excitement rolling off Kofu. This is the item he’s been after. He starts forward, and then pauses. “Listen, young dy. If you wanna challenge my Gym, you’re gonna need smarts. And this is the perfect pce to test ya! Get the winning bid on that seaweed for this ol’ man!”

  I nod. “I’ll do my best!”

  Kofu ughs, then reaches into his wallet and hands me several bills. I take the money and join the auction against two others. The bidding opens at ten-thousand.

  “15,000!” I start strong.

  The bidding rolls up to 30,000 in a few moments, before I raise it to 35,000. The others back out, and I cim the prize. Kofu looks overjoyed as he collects his seaweed, and I make to hand the remaining 15,000 back, but he shakes his head. “Keep it as thanks! I’d never have gotten my hands on this if you hadn’t showed up when you did!”

  He sighs happily. “I’ll be making my way back to the Cascarrafa Gym. I’ll be waitin’ for your challenge! It’ll be a REEL good battle! See ya there!”

  I wave him and his apprentice off, and then have an evening meal, before making my way back to Cascarrafa, preparing to challenge Kofu. Pushing through the doors, I get a call from Nemona.

  “Hey, Carmina! It’s meee! How’s the Gym journey? Which one are you going for now?”

  I smile. “Cascarrafa!”

  “Wait, seriously? I’m close by! Hang on, I’ll come say hi.”

  About ten minutes ter, Nemona barrels into the Gym. I smile as she hugs me.

  “Hey hey! There you are, Carminaaa! Look at you with two Gym Badges already! Awesome! And this is the Gym you chose to be number three, huh? Well, you’re up to the challenge, for sure! Buuut, remember what I promised? I’d challenge you the next time we met!”

  I shrug. “Alright, let’s make this a warmup!”

  Heading outside, we make our way to the battle court, and Nemona lets out a giddy, almost breathy ugh of anticipation. “Finally, I get to battle you again! I think it’s time I start introducing you to some of my harder hitters! Readyyy? GO! Let’s have us a fruitful battle!”

  I ready myself as Nemona selects her first Pokémon, sending out a Rockruff. I wince, and fumble for my Gabite, preparing for battle. A Bulldoze sends the Rockruff flying, and Nemona’s Pawmi makes an appearance, the same move putting it down. I’m beginning to think she’s just messing around. Her Sprigatito has evolved into Floragato, at least, but I send out Crocalor to counter it.

  She Terastallizes her Floragato, but Crocalor’s Incinerate, followed by an Ember, brings the battle to a close, even with her Tera Pokémon. I frown at her.

  “Are you taking me seriously, Nemona? I feel like you’re just screwing with me. ”

  She smiles. “Not at all! I’m just enjoying this. I don’t care about winning and losing, I just love battling! I haven’t been thrashed like that in a while. And, Carmina? I hope you get even stronger. Like, way… way… WAY stronger! And, once you do, you and I can just battle our hearts out!”

  I huff. “One day, I’ll give you a full-power beatdown, that’s a promise. I’ll MAKE you go all-out against me!” I turn and stalk away, feeling irritated. I can hear her gasp as I leave, making my return to the Cascarrafa Gym in order to fight Kofu, the Surging Chef.

  Out on the battle court, I find Kofu surrounded by people. Kids wanting to py with the Gym Leader, people inviting him to sample new menu items. I wave, and he grins.

  “Sorry, everybody! I’ve got some business to take care of as Gym Leader real quick-like! I’m keepin’ someone waitin’, ya see. Please forgive me. I need to do this first!”

  “OK!”

  The court clears, and I smile. “Good evening, Kofu.”

  “Heya, step right up! I’ve been waiting for ya! Thanks again for the help over in Porto Marinada! You did a really fine job! But don’t expect me to go easy on ya in our battle here!”

  I grin. “I wouldn’t dream of it!”

  “I’mma serve you a full course o’ Water-type Pokémon! Don’t try to eat ‘em though!”

  I send out my Magneton, having purchased a Thunder Stone at the Auction house and used it to evolve it into a Magnezone. Kofu reveals his first Pokémon, a Veluza. The battle begins, and some serious damage gets thrown around. Electric moves prove extremely effective against the Veluza.

  Next up, a Wugtrio. The thunderous power of Magnezone’s attacks puts the Wugtrio down, and I find myself needing to heal my Pokémon as Kofu unleashes his Terastallized Crabominable. Despite my best efforts, Magnezone goes down. Ah, crap on a cracker.

  “Primeape! Rage Fist!” the attack nds, but Tera Crabominable puts my second Pokémon down. “Dammit!”

  I end up having to Revive Magnezone in order to gain an advantage. I might even have to Terastallize…

  “Okay, Magnezone! Get back in there, buddy! Now! Terastallize and use Spark!”

  The power and tempo of the battle changes, growing even more intense as Kofu and I match each other, blow for blow. Finally, Kofu’s Crabominable colpses, unable to muster up any more strength. Victory. The hardest battle I’ve ever fought… but victory nonetheless.

  Kofu bursts out ughing. “Vaultin’ Veluza! Yer a lively one, aren’t ya! A little TOO lively, if I do say so myself! A loss as refreshin’ as the air as the morning market! I’m just like a helpless little Magikarp to you, huh? Floppin’ around all willy-nilly! You got me good, I tell ya! Just like a master fisher, ya held on tight till the st second and reeled in victory!”

  Kofu takes my hand and shakes, handing over a gleaming new Gym Badge. Pinning it to my blouse, I thank him. “I’ve learned so much from this battle, Kofu. You’ve taught me where I need to focus, I appreciate it! I’m definitely going to need to train up more before I go after any more Gyms!”

  Outside of the Gym, I run into the woman with the ostentatious hair.

  “Pardon me. You just defeated the Gym Leader, yes? And your name is Carmina, if I recall correctly… Tell me, do you seek to become a Champion?”

  I pause. Honestly, I really don’t want all the fame and trappings that come with the title. Too much attention... I shake my head. “Not particurly.”

  “Oh my, are you certain? You have a rare talent, young dy. It’d be a shame for that talent to go to waste. Oh, but I’ve gotten ahead of myself. I am Geeta, chairwoman of the Pokémon League, the organization that runs these Gyms. As you seem to be collecting Gym Badges, I suspect we’ll meet again down the line. Until then, good day to you.”

  She walks away, and I roll my eyes. Ugh, I hate people like her… I don’t WANT to be famous! Stop trying to push me into things I don’t consent to!

  With the stink of superiority lingering in my nose, I decide to leave and get to training. It’s te, though, but, after encountering Ms. Geeta, I’m too wound to even think about sleep. I spend the night making my way back towards Artazón, picking fights with every Trainer I can find along the way, and doing my utmost to get stronger. There’s one of those Team Star bases down that way, too. The Fire Crew’s, if my map isn’t lying. By the time the questing fingers of dawn broach the horizon, I’m within walking distance, thanks to Koraidon’s speed. I’d ridden the majority of the way, and, now that I’m so close, I’m letting it rest. Artazón’s bakeries are open early, for the artists and sculptors who require nourishment.

  Grabbing a sandwich on the way through, I take my pills and eat on the move, approaching the gates of the Schedar Squad’s base. Clive is there, scoping the base out, giving me the chance to ask a question that’s been bothering me.

  “Hello, Clive.”

  He nods. “Yup, that’s me! Clive, the normal academy student. Anyway, Carmina, I owe you one. Thanks to you, I’ve been accepted into Operation Starfall.”

  I shrug. “What’s your endgame, Clive? You know how dicey this is, so you must have something you’d consider worth the risk.”

  “I need answers, that’s all. How do I resolve this situation with Team Star… and what’s causing its members’ odd behaviour?”

  I frown. “What situation?”

  Clive shrugs. “Team Star is the subject of more than a few nasty rumours swirling around the academy, you know. Some say their bullying has caused a worrying number of students to drop out of school… others say they’re holed-up in their bases, plotting to cause trouble for the academy. But these are rumours. The matter I am directly confronted with is something else… I’m talking about Team Star’s persistent truancy. They’ve all been skipping css for a while… five of them in particur-the so-called ‘bosses’-haven’t set foot inside a cssroom for over a year. And it seems the team’s rank-and-file have recently started stirring up mischief as well. That’s why I took it upon myself to issue a direct order for Team Star to disband.”

  Oh, this guy must be on the student council. Maybe the vice-president?

  “I informed them that, should they refuse, I would have no choice but to expel all students affiliated with their team… but I’m afraid there’s been no response. And the deadline I set for them to make their choice between dissolution or expulsion is nigh upon us. So, you see, when I overheard you talking to the phone to Cassiopeia, it couldn’t have come at a more crucial time…”

  Ro-to-to-to-to!

  “It’s Cassiopeia. Can you hear me?”

  Clive coughs, then whispers, “Urk! Another time, then…”

  He slips off to get into position for our assault.

  “I see you’re coming up on one of Team Star’s bases. Was… someone with you just now?”

  “No, just me. I dropped something, that’s all.” I feel like it’s better not to let Cassiopeia know EVERYTHING.

  “Well… be warned that Team Star will have its guard up after losing one boss to you already. This base won’t go down as easily as the st one. Proceed with extreme caution. I’ll be in touch.”

  I flex my fingers and rearrange my team. The Fire Crew will likely be using Fire-type Pokémon, so I make sure the first three of my team are my now fully-evolved starter, Skeledirge, a massive red crocodile with bony ptes that look like its skeleton is poking out of its hide. Second is my Gabite, and finally, Floatzel, its Water-typing crucial to our success.

  I approach the gates, acting nonchant in order to get under the guard’s skin. If I can get them mad, they’ll make mistakes, and that will give me the advantage. As I get closer, the lone grunt at the gate shakes his head.

  “Whoa, whoa, you can’t be here. This base belongs to Team Star. If you don’t clear out real quick-like, I’ll haveta come at you in self-defence. You get me?”

  I shake my head. “Out of my way, stubby, I have business with your boss.”

  “Alright, you asked for it! Time for me to self-defence the snot outta ya!”

  The ‘battle’, such as it is, sts only a few moments, and his Houndour goes down like a complete chump.

  “Now, are you going to get out of my way, or am I going to have to get violent?” I bluff, before the grunt’s face pales beneath his scooter helmet.

  “Wait… are you the girl who decred war on Team Star?!”

  I nod, smirking. “The one and only!”

  As I watch him run to sound the arm, I stretch. Clive rejoins me, having scouted the perimeter.

  “I thought I’d give you some backup, but it looks like you’ve already secured entrance-”

  “Fwoo! Fwoom!”

  We both turn, as a small Pokémon who looks like a humanoid doll made of still-burning charcoal runs up to us. It gestures with its arms.

  “Foo! Fwoo!!!”

  Clive looks down at it. “Is that… you, Charlos?”

  “Fwooo!”

  Clive starts. “I thought so! What are you doing here?”

  I tilt my head. “Do you know this little guy?”

  Clive nods. “This is Charlos, the Charcadet.”

  Charlos hops around. “Fwoom!”

  Clive eborates. “He’s one of the Pokémon the academy takes care of within its grounds.”

  “Fwoooooo!!!”

  The Charcadet sprints off towards the base, its stubby legs working. Clive gasps. “Ah! Charlos, wait! He ran off… It looks like he may have some connection to Team Star’s Fire Crew… I’d better chase after him. Don’t worry- I’ll regroup with you soon enough! You press ahead into the base, Carmina!”

  I nod as Clive dashes off. Heading over to the gates, I ring the bell, before shoving my way in, sending my first three Pokémon to demolish the encroaching enemy. If I can rile up the boss, I’ll be able to take this pce over, just like I did with Giacomo’s base!

  In ten minutes, I must’ve taken down thirty Pokémon, and heal my team up as the boss of Team Star makes her first appearance. Riding on a red Starmobile, a girl with hair like fme, wearing a leotard and overcloak with the most enormous boots that look like tongues of fire all the way up to her thighs.

  “So you’re the dope that picked a fight with Team Star… I dunno why you’d do something so stupid, and I don’t care. You challenged us, so we’ll beat you down. That’s all there is to it. Prepare… to get messed up.”

  The boss howls like a wild beast as she throws her arms wide, before gring at me, snarling as she unleashes her first Pokémon, every fibre of her body focussed on tearing me apart for my insolence.