Alex

  —

  Why had Erin grinned at me in the Noivern's cave?

  Because I had a task to undertake.

  I did not enjoy my task. Well, mostly. Because that's what I was given. A task by the Noivern. Weren't they going to move? Would they even need me to perform a task? Absolutely! They were, and they did! They had already agreed to it, but they just… kept arguing, because they were dragons, and they wanted to! Because Noivern like noise! They all like noise, it was how they saw in the dark, attacked, defended, and communicated, obviously! Noivern could communicate up to fifty miles away when the air was still!

  They still didn't want to take their terribly, terribly loud daughter with them.

  She was my task.

  She was actually very affectionate. Very happy to see me, meet me. Why had I not seen her before? Because when she got happy, she screeched. Not the Move, thankfully, but she was annoying even to them.

  To me?

  She hurt just to be around, because she was so affectionate when she had finally been released from her corner! They had literally hid her behind some boulders to get some amount of peace and quiet! Noivern!

  I felt so horrible for her, but at the same time, the instant I had pet her head she had screeched right in my face. It had taken me a minute to hear again. Luckily, Indeedee said I was perfectly fine with getting hit by them and healed… So yay! I could almost understand the Noivern's actions, now… Still heavily disagreed with them, but wow, yeah, she was loud…

  Still, I wasn't about to leave the little Noibat behind. My own desire for a Noivern aside, she was the sweetest thing, and she just wanted to cuddle and hug all the time! If she was quiet she would be the absolute ideal Pokemon. One thousand percent.

  She was not quiet, unfortunately.

  I was going to need to train her to not burst my eardrum. Again. Because when we were leaving the cave, a bag full of Noivern and Noibat Pokeballs in Erins hand, she had screeched in happiness. Right in my ear as she rode on my shoulder. Indeedee had given her a stern talking to after that one. Probably so she had to heal me as little as possible, honestly.

  So why had Erin grinned?

  Because Erin was the kind of insane person to put herself through pain for her own amusement, because it's not like her screeches were contained just to my ears! Everyone was in pain as we left, including the calmer, quieter Noivern that had chosen Leaf, but I had felt too bad to put her back in her new Pokeball until we reached the checkpoint.

  I was still very grateful when she went in, however.

  We would be buying some ear plugs for sure.

  —

  I had always enjoyed shopping for clothes. I had gotten to do it twice a year, so each time was a big deal to me. I mean, sure, there were tiny shops at the Clan compound, and you could order stuff off the PokeNet, but going into a store and actually seeing what you might look like in a huge variety of clothes? That was a privilege.

  Usually.

  "Alex, try this shirt on next! Ooohh, hold on, I saw some shorts you'd probably like! You're always complaining about those pants!" Yes, because they were pants, Leaf! And if you say I would like them, I highly doubt it!

  "Leaf, let him breathe a little. I mean, it-" Erin cut off, because Leaf was already gone. Gone to pick out more horrible colors…

  I sighed as I stood in front of the changing rooms, the store thankfully dead other than us. It had been a long morning already, and the burst eardrum had been very annoying. I enjoyed shopping for clothes, I didn't enjoy… this. Leaf was just too enthusiastic… And I couldn't just look…

  When I looked up Erin was holding a blue skirt and giving me an odd, gentle look. Her voice was soft but casual as she spoke, somehow.

  "Hey Alex, want to try this on? I think it would go nicely with your hair."

  I froze, eyes widening, and her smile grew even more gentle as she held a hand up.

  "You don't have to answer that, Alex. In fact, if you'd like, I can act like I never asked at all, and you'll never hear that question again. It's your choice, but… I know what it's like. Not now, but… yeah." Excuse me, what?! You know what it's like, but not now? You don't lie, Erin, so what the fuck does that mean?

  Also, really?!

  I mean…

  "I-I…" I trailed off, looking at the ground, and she pulled me into a hug. A real hug, not the vile punishment she had given me yesterday. She held me there, not firmly, and I could have pulled away, but I didn't. Her voice was gentle and understanding as she spoke.

  "You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. I know for a fact that me and Leaf would never care, so if you want to… try something different out, especially while you're a pack member away from your Clan? Go for it, we'd all love to support you. If you change your mind later? Go for it, no big deal. Nothing is… binary. Nothing is set. Either way, you'll never receive judgement from us for something like that… Well, maybe some judgement for your poor taste in clothes, because I have this feeling it doesn't matter what you pick out, your colors are going to clash. I saw those other skirts you were looking at." I let out a tight laugh. I wasn't crying, not quite, but I was close. Of course she saw me looking at those, she's always scanning! Always hunting!

  "Now, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to get you back into this changing room to calm down, and I'm going to go find an outfit you might like. You don't need to try it on if you don't want to, but the option will be there. I need to balance Leaf's selections out anyways, she wears one outfit… I mean, iconic outfits are a thing, yes, but hers is basically her hat! She could do other stuff! I mean, I have multiple colors of skirts and shirts! My iconic outfit is my jacket and feathers!" She pulled back a little and looked at me from the hug. I wasn't crying, but… I kind of wanted to. In a good way.

  "Is that okay with you, Alex? I'll try not to cross any boundaries. I can still act like this never happened, too, and you know I'm serious when I say that. It's all up to you, but either way, we'll support you as your friends. We care about you, Alex." It was hard, but I made my voice work. Barely.

  "Y-Yeah… I'll t-try your choice… a-and… use she…" My throat tightened up before I could say more, and she tightened the hug for a moment before she released me. I quickly spun around and rushed into the changing room, grateful to finally be alone. So I could think!

  I wasn't sure what to think, honestly. Most of society just didn't give a shit, because why the hell would you? Mind your own fucking business! Well, society these days. Before the Great War, not so great, but still not bad… Growing up in a Clan of Dragon Masters, you quickly learn that you never know who has a Hyper Beam hanging from their belt.

  Most people didn't care, or didn't start anything, or even glare, because once again, Hyper Beam. Well, for us, random Pokemon Moves for other people.

  The vast majority of the Clan were old fashioned, though, and being transgender just wasn't okay. That included my parents, grandparents, and most of my extended family. Surprisingly enough Lance and Claire didn't care at all, and they were the only ones who knew, other than my immediate family. To be fair, it wasn't surprising Claire didn't care, it was just Lance… or was it? He was a great guy under that fucking mountain, I admit that, and my being transgender didn't affect his ego, pride, horde, or position, so… huh. Never thought about it that way. Not that he cared about his position as the First Heir…

  My 'family' had almost seemed truly apologetic as they told me no, give it up when I finally worked up the courage to tell them after years of fear, years of knowing I was trans and knowing the reaction they would have. Almost. Because I was the fourth in line to inherit the position of Clan Leader, I couldn't do that! Not like I wanted to be the Leader, not at all, but ambition in Clans extends to your entire family! They needed a male heir, so that was what I would be! End of discussion.

  Once again, I didn't have a choice!

  Yet now I do? Somehow? Did… Arceus above! No way! Did Lance do this on purpose?! He probably knew Erin would sniff it out! She dissects you with her damn spooky eyes! He knew I hated those clothes when he made me wear them, that we would go clothes shopping!

  Shit, do I owe Lance, now?

  Because I already know what my decision is going to be, it's just making myself do it that's the hard part. Like the first time I ever flew as a child. I knew it would be safe and fun, knew it for a fact, but my brain was still paralyzed by fear as I peered over the edge of the cliff, strapped to the back of a Dragonite.

  "Hey Alex, here's Leaf's choices. So, you know, another failed attempt." I heard a laugh from the other side of the door that cracked open, a pair of shorts and shirt held inside.

  I pulled them from her hand, noticing that yes, Erin was right. Trans or not, male, female, other, nothing, inorganic, extraterrestrial, disembodied spirit, hive-mind of insects, these were horrible colors. Orange shorts, and a pink shirt? Bright orange! Neon pink? Was this actually a joke, now that I think about it?

  It… It might be, actually. It was the worst so far, but Leaf had to be messing with me with her choices already, hopefully. If not, she should stick to just one outfit. For life.

  "Here's my choices. I got you a few different hats to try with them."

  I slowly, hesitantly took the pile of clothes from her hand and looked at them as the door shut. They were simple, really. The bright yellow t-shirt looked similar to the others I had already tried, but the cut was a lot tighter. The wide sun hats in different colors were pretty different, although they looked suspiciously like Leafs… The knee-length baby blue skirt was certainly different than I was usually allowed to wear, but it was the bra and socks that really stood out.

  Arceus above, I actually have to make the choice now.

  I want to, but…

  I mean…

  Screw it.

  What's the worst that can happen, laughter? Well, no... Erin didn't lie…

  I was very silent when I walked out of the changing room. Very silent, still, and looking at the floor.

  "Erin, you say you're better at matching colors than me, but she's wearing yellow and blue with a white hat… Actually, that does look good on her with the hair, but why is her hat basically mine? I thought you hated my hat?" Leaf smiled at me happily, then turned back to her sister to keep arguing.

  She just… didn't care?

  "Leaf, I gave her a selection, and no, I don't hate your hat. It's a nice hat, actually. I just wish you would get a different one, or something. Or anything different, if not that, I know your hat is basically your iconic outfit! Live a little, try new things!" Erin gave me a warm smile, but went right back to arguing.

  They're just going to… not?

  I mean, not that I want them to… I looked down as I struggled with my thoughts.

  "Hey." Erin's hand came down on my shoulder, and her voice was light as she spoke.

  "Want to stick with Alex for now, or do you have another name in mind? I've known plenty of girls named Alex, but it's your choice." She looked proud of me for some reason, but other than that she was so casual…

  "Alex for now, yeah." I hated how my voice broke, but neither of them even blinked, they just pulled me after them as they walked further into the store.

  "We're not done yet, Alex! Let's finish shopping and go beat up Misty!"

  —

  I kept expecting to get stared at, but no, nobody really paid me any attention on our walk to the Gym. They hadn't as we shopped for an hour, either… To be fair, if they were going to pay attention to anyone out of this group, it would probably be Erin. Lance had been right, she kind of stood out with that jacket and those Sneasel feathers. Especially the feathers.

  "Think Dratini is going to do fine, Alex?" Leaf was once again carrying Hope… I think I was almost used to the sight now. Almost. Most of the people on the street weren't, though, and were moving away from her as we walked. Away from us. Maybe Erin isn't the most eye-catching one here right now…

  "I-I think she will, yeah. If she actually obeys me, that is." She had been better lately, a bit, so hopefully…

  "How about you, Erin? It's going to be Hecate's time to fight, right?" I would hope she doesn't use Kallen at the second badge level! Erin smiled.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  "Oh yeah, for sure! I get the feeling she's going to destroy Misty's team… I actually feel kind of bad about it, but only Artemis is weaker than her currently, and she's not fighting Water types in a pool. Vermilion, though? She's going to have fun shorting out Surge. She might get an actual challenge." Always with that grin. So vicious, at all times! Well.. not all the time, I guess…

  What had she meant, she knew what it was like? But not now? How?!

  "Well, Hazard is going to sweep Misty! I mean, he obeys most of my commands, so I don't see why he wouldn't! If he gets a big head again, though, Indeedee can handle it." Yes, yes she could.

  Indeedee was terrifying to watch spar. She never stopped her warm smile even as she dominated most of her sparring partners. Unless she saw me, of course, then she frowned and slapped me. Only Kallen and Cerberus could give her a real workout, and only Kallen could reliably win.

  Both Kallen and Indeedee were tricky to fight. Indeedee seemed more trained, as in, actual fighting techniques she learned at the Nurse College in Galar. She was hard to get a solid hit on, since she just… flowed around most of them! Kallen, on the other hand, was pure wild fury. Well, I mean, Erin and Leaf had trained him extremely well, and he was a very technical fighter with his positioning and evasiveness…

  Kallen just hit hard. For the fun of it. He was terrifyingly vicious. It wasn't a spar with Indeedee to him unless he landed a good hit on her, ideally making her bleed, badly. He was extremely easy going for the most part, but in battle? He was such a bloodthirsty little poison dragon, even if he wasn't a dragon type yet, and he growled! I honestly didn't know he was capable of making such a menacing sound… He usually kind of squelched, which is a horrible looking and sounding word, but it was adorable from him.

  My little Noibat would hopefully not make an appearance. I had already talked to her through her Pokeball, and she was aware she might have to fight, but I doubted it. Dratini could handle it.

  Hopefully.

  —

  "Welcome to the Cerulean Gym! Think you have what it takes to win my Badge from me?" Misty was always one of my favorite Gym Leaders just because of how cool she was, so my smile was large as I responded, voice light.

  "I'm sure of it, actually!" She smirked at me before nodding up at the referee.

  "This will be a two versus two First Badge Gym Battle! As the Gym Leader, Misty will release her Pokemon first, and be unable to switch! Challenger, you will release your Pokemon second, and will have one switch available to you! The matches will continue until surrender or knockout! Are there any questions?" I shook my head, and across the large pool Misty shook hers.

  There was a decent crowd in here today, around a hundred people scattered around the seating. Erin and Leaf were near the Challengers corner, directly next to the stairs. We had all gotten back to back slots, so this was going to be quick… In more ways than one, probably. Hazard and Hecate…

  "Gym Leader, release your first Pokemon!"

  The arena was a large pool with three different floating platforms lined up in the middle, two smaller on either side with a large central battleground. If your Pokemon couldn't swim and they fell in you pretty much had to withdraw them. It was deep.

  "Go, Wooper!"

  The red light from Misty solidified into a tiny blue salamander with no arms and external gills. A Water/Ground Pokemon, and so cute I felt bad for what I was about to do. Really bad.

  Still going to do it, though.

  "Challenger, release your first Pokemon!"

  I grinned just a little viciously as I pulled Dratini's Pokeball from my belt. I know Erin did that far too much, but it felt very appropriate for this moment.

  "Let's do this, Dratini!" I truly enjoyed the murmurs from the audience, not to mention the look on Misty's face when Dratini came out with an idle roar. She looked back at me and did a double take, because she hadn't been paying attention today, and hadn't seen me before. Then she perked up and shimmied in place! She was happy and enthusiastic!

  She was eager to fight, now!

  What?!

  I mean, I would take it! I could already hear Erin's explanation. Well, some of it, she was insane. Something about me not lying to myself, blah blah… That, or Dratini was just a bit of a man hater… Honestly? It could be either one. Either way, it worked out for me, fuck it!

  "The match will begin in three, two, one… begin!"

  "Wooper, into the water, then Water Gun!"

  "Dratini, Dragon Tail into Wrap!"

  That poor Wooper.

  I think we trained way too much for a first Badge level fight.

  Because before it could even hop over to the edge to jump into the pool, Dratini sprung like a coil twice, landed on the Wooper's platform, and with one final spring, her tail glowing purple, knocked that poor Pokemon into the barrier so hard it flared before it fell to the ground, unconscious. The audience murmured, Misty glared at me as she recalled it, and I knew I looked surprised, too. What the fuck! I mean, yes, Dratini had gotten stronger, but she… had put actual effort into the fight, well, the charge and strike. She never did that…

  Arceus, I should have put a skirt on earlier just to deal with her!

  Dratini returned to our platform as Misty continued to glare at me. Well, damn. She's kind of known for holding grudges, and that usually starts with her going silent. She is not normally a silent person. She's also looking at me very closely… Oh shit!

  I knew my eyes widened, because hers did momentarily as well, and her glare relaxed a little. She actually smiled at me for a second… through the glare. It was not as comforting as she probably intended it, but I breathed a sigh of relief.

  She knew me. Well, she had seen me a few times when she would come to beg- I mean negotiate, for a Dratini. She wasn't going to say anything, though.

  "It's up to you, Krabby!" The small crab that formed on Misty's platform was not what I was expecting. For one, it wasn't red, it was yellow! She had a shiny Pokemon! Our eyes met and she smirked at me. Fair enough, Misty, fair enough. There are far fewer shiny Krabby than there are Dratini… maybe? Krabby are prolific…

  "Second Round, begin!"

  "Krabby, Water Gun!"

  "Dratini, Dragon Tail!" If it wasn't broken…

  It wasn't…

  I really should have put on a skirt earlier, because she looked back at me with pride in her eyes before she sprang across the arena, Dragon Tail already charged. That poor Krabby actually panicked and disobeyed Misty, using Protect. It was the right call, and Dratini's Dragon Tail did nothing to it as it broke the Protect. The Thunder Wave that we had barely trained that erupted from her next was… well, it was bad because she unleashed it so fast, but it worked, and so did the next sideways Dragon Tail that sent the poor Krabby into the once-again flaring barrier.

  I was starting to come around to Erin's way of battling, honestly. Pokemon move and think far faster than humans can speak during battle, and even Champions couldn't bridge that gap. The stronger, faster a Pokemon was, the less you use Move orders as your standard. You used strategies, you gave them a second point of view. You acted more like a spotter than anything else, because your Pokemon was fighting, not you.

  Lance, for- wait, he's not a great example… Claire likes to play up her whole 'I am a mean bitchy Dragon Master' reputation, so she swings between sharp, short orders, or raging orders… Okay, maybe she's not the best example either… My Clan is weird…

  Erin? She had a general strategy in mind, and she would call out warnings or specific Moves occasionally, but she mostly just… enjoyed the spectacle… Or maybe that was her sensing it with aura somehow? I don't know! I still hadn't gotten answers to my question, not that I was pressing. We had agreed by Vermilion City, if not sooner…

  "How long have you trained that Dratini?" I snapped out of my thoughts to realize I was still standing on the challengers podium! Lost in thought! FUCK! Misty was standing right there behind me, waiting to give me my Badge! And I was just standing here still as I panicked!

  I turned around and walked down to meet her, face hot with embarrassment.

  "Two weeks, why?" Her mouth dropped, and I heard the crowd talking louder. Was that fast? She visibly reigned herself in before giving me a wide smile. It was nice to see someone who just smiled. Not grinned, or smiled with a fae in her head. Just a nice, normal smile.

  "Well, your training is something else, kid. You earned this Cascade Badge." She handed me the water drop shaped Badge, and I felt a warm sense of accomplishment spread for the first time in a while. I had done that. She leaned in closer and spoke, her voice light enough nobody would hear.

  "The clothes look good on you, too." She gave my stunned face one more smile before she was walking off.

  —

  Erin's match with Misty was… amazing, in many ways.

  Hecate was deceptive, I had found. She was adorable, yes. She had very low mobility, yes. She couldn't take many hits… Well, after Indeedee had joined them, with a second healer, Hecate had trained to take hits. Not well, no, but… Hecate was so physically unimposing, cute, and sweet, it was easy to forget that she was a Psychic Pokemon, and a future Psychic/Fairy.

  A powerful one, for Erin's 'second weakest Pokemon.'

  The poor Staryu that appeared was blasted back so hard by a Psybeam it wasn't funny. Literally. The match was paused to check and make sure its gem wasn't cracked, actually. It wasn't, so when a Starmie came out and the second round started, it immediately shot into the water. I thought Hecate would have to pick it off when it came out, but no.

  No, apparently Hecate didn't want to wait.

  So she hopped over to the edge of the platform, stared directly at it by feeling its emotions, and blasted out a barrage of narrow Psybeams that pierced deep into the water. Unleashing multiple Moves in a row like that was supposed to be a roughly fourth badge level skill, but some of Erin's Pokemon picked it up easily for some reason. Leaf's did too, but not as easily. Well, just Indeedee, Hope was more than strong enough… Hopefully something rubbed off on mine, as well.

  Leaf's match was more entertaining, if for a different reason.

  Hazard had apparently decided that today was the day.

  For what?

  To be too hazardous, apparently.

  He followed Leafs orders perfectly, but that's because she barely had to give him any orders. No, what she did was tell him what not to do. Like 'STOP! Don't jump in the water!', because Hazard was a hazard to himself as well as others, his environment, and the surrounding environments.

  It still worked out well, because their Pokemon had been trained, and when Hazard saw the Goldeen staring at him from across the arena, he hadn't rushed in like he apparently used to. He hadn't done anything but growl, Leer (I think it was instinctive, just him being him and leering at an opponent, but it was a Move considering Hazards face), and fired off a huge Dragon Pulse the instant the match started. I was noticing a pattern, and judging from her face, so was Misty. The Poliwhirl Misty sent out had given Hazard a minute of frustration, which was easy to do, to be fair, and he almost drowned himself, but it once again ended with a single hit…

  Weren't Gym Battles supposed to be fun? It was funner to watch Hope play the villain…

  —

  Erin's voice was downcast as she spoke.

  "I feel bad. Like, really bad for Misty… I feel bad for me too, kind of. I wanted a fun fight, I got a stomp down… Those are fun too, though! Honestly, I'm used to them, you know that, Leaf!" Erin perked right back up. We were back off Route after our victory, having a little celebration.

  Why off Route? No clue, but I hadn't asked, either. I kind of figured out what was happening when we got a huge amount of food for us and the Pokemon to enjoy. Also when they had called their mom briefly to tell them they wouldn't check in tonight and not to worry.

  Mostly when they had me turn my PokeNav off and leave it at the Pokemon Center in a lockbox with theirs, as well. Only Rotom came with us.

  My little Noibat was out and about and quiet, for now, chatting with her brother and Hazard for some reason… actually, Hazard was pointing up with a smile… oh yeah, he does like to fly… kind of, with Indeedee's 'help'… huh. Guess they do have something in common…

  "I mean, we are way too strong for the lower badges, but that will change if we move faster, which we will be. We're not going to sit in one place for a week and train, we're just going to Vermilion. They all did great, though! Even Dratini surprised us all!" My scaly noodle perked up in pride from her new favorite spot.

  My lap.

  I smiled at them as I stroked her head.

  "I guess she just… didn't like men?" Dratini shook her head, and Erin laughed. She was smiling at me as she responded, the same warm, kind smile she had in the store.

  "It's because you're not lying to yourself, and letting yourself be happy. It's not an easy thing, trust me, I know, and it takes a lot of strength and courage. She respects that… Plus, I get the feeling she doesn't hate men, but she does prefer women. She won't mind whatever your choice ends up being, she likes you and chose you, but everyone has a preference." My noodle dragon nodded again and I laughed.

  "I mean.. I wont be changing for the Circuit, at least… Well, clothes, yes, I'll change clothes daily... Not… me…" My throat tightened up, but I couldn't make myself gulp. Dratini trilled up at me and I felt tears gather in my eyes. I didn't really… care about crying in front of them, but I also wasn't ready to…

  "Alex, believe me when I say it's easier to live the way you want, but that I truly understand having circumstances out of your control…" Erin sighed heavily and rolled her head around.

  "In fact, I guess it's time for that talk, if you're ready? I won't be giving most of it, but I am going to answer a question for you before I leave for a while." I sat up a little straighter and nodded as the atmosphere around the campfire got heavy.

  Her face was dark and harsh in the firelight, and pained.

  "Leaf can tell you everything else… She could tell you this, but this is… mine. So, remember your question about my aura? How I can read aura, wield it, when I'm only fourteen?" She laughed.

  "Well, Leaf can get to the rest, but for my special part… I didn't do anything to get control, Alex. I had aura before then, yes, but no control. It was a side effect of something that… happened to me. Leaf will tell you, but…" She looked pale and turned around, her team already huddling around her. Her voice was quiet as she spoke.

  "To use a metaphor, your mind is a castle. It has walls, it has facilities, it has a central keep, there's an armory, a war room, a library, there's a lot of different things in there that all serve a function, and there's even the equivalent of an escape tunnel. Except you can't escape from your own mind, so it's more like a little safe room. To preserve you. To keep yourself safe…" She was barely talking now, practically breathing out the words. I did not like the sound of this…

  "Those walls… What happens when they are cracked? Your mind repairs itself, so like a scab, you develop a defense over those cracks… What happens when the entire wall is destroyed, though? When they are pulverized to gravel, when the foundations are shattered, when the keep is razed to the ground, when the entire ruined heap is ground down to dust. When there's nothing left but shattered, crumbling bedrock, dust, and that single safe room, still safe…" She was crying, now, not sobbing, they were just flowing.

  Holy shit, what the fuck?

  She's talking about herself!

  "Well, nature abhors a vacuum. My aura flooded into my mind, into my psyche. My mind fully rebuilt itself, eventually. Slowly, agonizingly, and as it did it used my aura to rebuild itself. It had flooded in, stained my psyche, stained my soul, there was no other option. When I finally woke up? Nothing had changed. It's still my mind, exactly the same as before, just… tinted with my aura. I still had to… trigger it. Leaf infuriated me one day and I wielded my aura for the first time. Dragonite was actually the first Pokemon whose aura I read, the instant I touched her and she introduced herself. Which made it so much more hilarious to talk shit about Lance to her in her Pokeball while he followed us around, fuming at us and her almost complete silence." She giggled a little, then stood up. I was staring at her in horror as I tried to think.

  "I've figured out everything I can do, too. I guess it's like, a natural predilection thing? No super strength for me, unfortunately, but if it has to do with the mind, it's easy. A few little tricks and side benefits, too…" She cleared her throat. Her voice was relatively steady now, even as she continued to cry lightly.

  "Fae can't take from me anymore, because my mind is formed of aura on some level, and they can't take aura, because aura isn't mine, not in the way my self is mine. Aura is of the world, it's only on loan to us. Fae don't hurt at all anymore when they swing by to check my mind out, and I honestly don't mind when they do. Most of them are pretty cool, not going to lie, at least the Clefable I've met. Stabby was awesome! They still break in, technically, since no fae is ever allowed to enter our minds, but my mental defenses are strong now… Now… If I want them out, I can make them, and they can't stop me in the least. Not even Hope can begin to force her way in, we thoroughly tested it after she Evolved…"

  Her face wasn't mean as she looked at me, but it was so harsh. So pained as she softly cried.

  Her voice was worse.

  "That's why the information does you no good and possibly ill, Alex. Because people do not survive that experience. Period… unless you're being played with by a Clefable bigger than Leto who can't let you die due to a bargain, and doesn't. I'm out." She started calmly walking away. Too calmly. Because… What?

  EXCUSE ME?!

  WHAT?!

  BIGGER?!

  I looked at Leaf in disbelief, but she was crying too, and her eyes were also pained as she looked at me.

  "This isn't going to be a fun story, Alex… So let's start with Erin's favorite game growing up… It was called Pokemon Red…

  What the fuck did I get myself into?! I mean, I got myself into it as a girl, and that's really cool, absolutely, and I'm extremely grateful to both of them…

  But, and I get the horrible feeling I will be saying this a lot in the future, whaaat the fuuuuuuck?!

  more in the future as more people read. There's a trans character in a Gender Bender fiction, oh no!