I stood at the edge of a secluded clearing on the ranch. It was a beautiful summer day with clear skies and sparse clouds. Large trees rustled and swayed on either side of the clearing, their leaves whispering with the wind carried in from the south Kanto sea. I crossed my arms and looked ahead.
Orin and Titania were huddled over their bowls, eating their morning meal. Titania had come a long way in the last week. I had managed to establish a stable, albeit weak, bond with her through my aura. Though still dangerous, she would snap and growl at anything other than Orin, Caesar, or me she was no longer considered feral.
The researchers attached to this project were astonished by her change in behavior and how quickly I had achieved it. Even Oak seemed surprised, though he hid it better than the others, simply giving me an unreadable look and a nod.
She looked better now. Her rocky armor was still broken in places, but that would heal with time. Despite her progress, she was still dangerous; I knew that any sign of weakness would be met with aggression. She also had a unique relationship with my other Pokémon. She had something of a friendly relationship with Orin, despite their initial meeting. With Livia, there was a constant state of tension, but she had utterly submitted to Caesar's presence. It was amusing at first when she tried to posture against my large dragon when they first met; Caesar, unamused, simply growled her into submission.
Still, I smiled in pride at what I had accomplished.
I had gained a Pseudo-Legendary.
She immediately looked up from her food, gazing towards the lab. I followed her gaze, turning to see Professor Oak and an aide I didn't recognize walking towards us. I smiled, turned, and met them halfway.
"Professor," I nodded in greeting, acknowledging the aide as well, "and Harroway, I presume."
"Arata, good morning." He glanced past me to see Titania watching them warily. "I've said it before, but well done with Titania. Look at her, already socializing!" He beamed at the little Pokémon, seemingly oblivious to her tense posture and her restrained hostility.
My smile turned a little awkward as I saw Harroway take a step back. I kept an eye on Titania as I nodded at the professor.
Just as she tensed her legs, and I felt her aggression flare through our fledgling bond...
"TITANIA," I stated in a low tone. She stilled, looked at me for a moment, and then returned to her food.
The professor nodded. "As I said, excellent work," as if confirming something he had already decided.
He reached into the pocket of his lab coat and produced a shrunken Poké Ball with black accents, handing it to me without fanfare. I took it, a sense of accomplishment washing over me.
I did it...
"The Poké Ball has been registered to you. I know you are leaving today, and our disscussion stands: you will continue to be a Lab Trainer—more of a field trainer now—and will assist the lab if any issues arise during your journey." He looked at me intently.
I nodded. "Of course, Professor. And thank you for everything you've done this past year... it was an experience."
As they prepared to leave, he added, "I wish you luck on your journey, and look forward to seeing you at the conference this season."
"You think I'll make it to the conference in my first year...?" I asked, smirking.
"You tell me... oh, and my granddaughter has already started her journey a few days back. She mentioned her hated rival shouldn't fall behind."
"She said that...?" I looked at him dubiously.
I think we have different views on the girl... I thought a little defensively.
He chuckled sheepishly. "Well... something like that..."
He waved and left with his aide. I shook my head in amusement and looked back at my Pokémon, who had finished eating.
"You guys ready to go?" I asked them.
Orin huffed in agreement, while Titania, still licking her bowl, didn't seem to care. I smiled wryly at that.
It took some time to clean up the place and return my Pokémon. I took my time bidding goodbye to some of the people I had grown closer to in the lab over the past year, who wished me well on my journey.
Once done, I made my way home.
Home, huh... I shook my head at what I referred to Deliah's place in my head. Then again, I did live there for more than a year...
I packed my belongings into my new Sliph-manufactured duffel bag: all my clothing, electronics, and travel essentials, including my really expensive tent and camping equipment.
I grimaced at the cost.
Good thing I saved all my paychecks...I thought humorously.
Then I dressed in black cargo pants, a matching black t-shirt, and my renewed red ranger jacket. I attached the knife Hailey had given me long ago to my belt, carefully secured my team to the magnetic strips on the back of my belt, picked up my bag, and left the room after one last look.
I made my way downstairs slowly.
I smiled unconsciously as I thought back to my birthday. Deliah the following week, Deliah gave me a few more presents. We had kept it casual, her making sure I knew she wasnt expecting anything from our new arrangement.
It was an incredible experience though...
I was slightly disheartened to leave, having grown used to waking up with a woman in my arms almost every day. I shook my head, banishing the useless thoughts, and made my way downstairs.
Deliah stood near the entrance of the inn, carrying a cloth-covered box, a smile on her face. She was beautiful, dressed comfortably in a blouse and skirt.
I tried to say something as I reached her, but before I could, she stepped forward and took me in her arms. Slightly surprised, I hugged her back immediately, feeling the soft, warm body I had grown intimate with over the week. I caressed her lower back, and after a moment, we separated.
"Good luck on your journey, Arata. I will be rooting for you," she said with a smile, handing me the package. "I made you some food for the day."
I took it gladly, a lump in my throat as I received her well-wishes.
She stepped back and smiled mischievously. "No need to look so glum. You can always visit; there will always be room for you here," she said, pointing back at the inn and then at herself.
I laughed and said, "I will miss your humor, woman. And I will visit. Give my regards to Ash."
She nodded with a heartfelt smile, and with that, I left the place I called home and made my way out.
I felt oddly sentimental about finally leaving for my journey. With a thought, I took out my RangerNav and texted Hailey:
-Im starting from pallet.
Almost immediately, I received a text back. Surprised, I looked at it:
-Go get them !
I smiled and looked up at the beautiful sky.
Let's do this...