Erin

  —

  So… maybe I had been acting like a moody, broody, edgelord teenager who thinks she's always right? Maybe?

  Just a little?

  I mean, everything still tastes bland unless I cook it, or they use my recipes, and the music is shit, but… Maybe Rotom is right? About… all of it? Maybe I was wrong about… reality? Maybe I am just a big fucking idiot?

  Maybe it will just take time, even if I don't truly think about doing good?

  It's not like I ever thought about doing evil in my old world, but I still did. Just because I can have good thoughts doesn't mean I am a good person…

  I was a hero exactly once, and I don't regret it. I don't regret the agony, I don't regret that itch I don't even feel anymore when I think about doing something good and right…

  I still didn't think I belonged here, or ever would, but… I wanted to, sure… I've seen what I do, though… It's not like I don't still crave alcohol sometimes, either, even if I know what will happen, because addictions apparently don't just stop even after you kick the habit once, even across death…

  Honestly, I should probably just disappear somewhere before I finally snap and ruin this family too, just like my poor grandma, just like my poor aun-

  ""Stop being mean to yourself! No! We love you!""

  And of course, I can't just be miserable, I have a family that cares about me, but I'm just going to break this one too, just lik-

  I was really getting tired of people hitting me! Let me brood, damnit!

  Hecate didn't care, and just did it again. Not hard, because she could tear my head off with her ponytails, but it still hurt!

  "Dear, I'm certain you have a good reason to hit her, but I don't know if it's helping." It wasn't! It was just pissing me off! Well… It was, but not at Hecate…

  "Stab pain dead!"

  Okay, I love you Stabby, but that wasn't very helpful right now! Funny, yes, helpful, no!

  Cerberus was still very upset with me talking shit about myself, and had curled both his necks around my shoulders, holding me in place between them as Seraphina sat by my side, so proud of herself and her Evolution and new size. Kallen was back on my arm, of course, and that left Artemis very firmly in my lap and ribcage…

  Hecate was standing in front of me, looking at me with her new, sad eyes, stroking my head after she punched me… and Leto was just staring at me, not really with any real overwhelming emotion, just her normal stare, if a bit sad… She had known all of this, of course, even if not the exact details… It's partially why she had wanted Patricia in my life so badly…

  Same as Raihan and Looker and Joyce and even poor Bird… I wonder how he's doing…

  They had known how shitty a person I had been, they had felt my regrets scream through my dying mind, my desire to be better, even if I was literally dying… Even if I was starting so low… They knew exactly how I had felt about myself and my new life… My second chance in the place I had always dreamed of…

  "She's not arguing or lashing out anymore, just brooding like a moody teenager, but then again, that's what she is, so maybe the worst is finally over?" I knew why Lance was trying to piss me off… I just didn't care, just like I didn't care about mysel-

  ""Stop! You tell me to accept! You accept!""

  Arceus, fuck! Even with my mental defenses, that was painful! I mean, I let her inside, but… I wouldn't be able to make myself keep her out, either…

  Leaf spoke up, pain in her voice.

  "Hecate, I know you're trying to get through to her, but could you talk to just her for now? We'll work on adjusting to the mental pressure, but that hurts so much right now! It's not communion, so I feel everything!" Leaf was clutching her head even as she glared at me. Glared sadly… I knew why she was glaring, too…

  Because I wouldn't let myself be happy…

  Could I, though? If I was right about reality? If I never adjusted, if I never advanced, all I have waiting for me is that world again, and… I'd rather not. I'd rather just… cease, than go back there. I would feel horrible for my family, but… Isn't being selfish natural? Even if you only wanted to help others, you can't do that if you're falling apart, giving of yourself for others…

  Didn't I deserve to be a little selfish? Even if it was just for oblivion, before I screw up all over agai-

  "Oh Arceus, she's worse than I ever was! I brooded a lot, honestly. I mean, try growing up in a Clan! It would make anyone broody, but Erin here can't ever do anything by half measures, huh?" I looked up and glared at Lance.

  I almost slapped the fuck out of him with my aura, or even yelled into his mind… Almost… I was so tempted… I honestly don't want to know what his surface feelings are right now, though…

  I don't think I could take pity from Lance…

  "Maybe just… let her be a moody, broody kid? If she's going to act our age, let her." Alex received my glare next, but she just smirked at me. Sadly, of course, because I'm a monster, and just by existing I hurt peo-

  ""I said STOP!""

  Arceus! I know you're doing that on purpose, Hecate! It hurts, stop!

  ""I hear your mind! You hurt me! STOP!""

  Fuck, of course I was hurting her, she could feel my emotions! I was right! I just hurt everyone I cared about! Again! Nobody deserves to deal with a monster like m-

  Hecate didn't slap me this time, which was pretty nice.

  Patricia did, though, and it hurt. Hecate held way back, because she didn't want to break my neck… Patricia knew she wouldn't… Maybe my jaw, though, or at least that's what it felt like!

  I looked up through tear-filled eyes, only to find her face tight with pain. Not emotional pain, well, not just that… No! She glared at me with a huge frown as she shook out her hand. Also worry and love in her eyes, yes, sure, but that frown!

  "Yes, she's looped me in, Erin. Stop! You never lie, right? You promised me you would obey my punishments, correct? I know for a fact you haven't had dessert or sweets in a long time, because Rotom was making sure… but they didn't need to, did they? You followed your punishment, even if it was dumb and childish. Because you choose not to lie. You choose to keep your word here, even if you didn't back there." The pain, mental pain, faded from her face.

  "Here's your punishment for making us all feel this way, Erin. I know you can't just stop those thoughts, but you do have a helper here. When they happen, and she berates you, you do your best to accept her words as truth. She loves you, just like your team loves you, just like we love you."

  "Erin strong! Stab thoughts! Make DEAD!"

  Stabby, we have got to get you a different hobby… Although, it was kind of funny, imagining my bad thoughts as Team Rocket and just going to town…

  "I haven't heard anything from you, Erin." I glared up at mom… it just wasn't a fierce glare. I'd burned through all my rage for today…

  "Mom, I think she's just being stubborn, now. Again. You know she hates being told what to do, even if it's obvious and right. She would probably hate it if you told her to be happy when she is! In fact, I'm sure she has done that in the past!" I shifted my glare to Leaf, but she was unfazed.

  Alex spoke up, voice uncertain and sad.

  "I mean… Erin, everything else aside, I probably wouldn't be this happy if you hadn't… been here…" I didn't glare at her, but I kind of… Okay, I didn't glare at her… I just didn't look… I was so happy for her, I just couldn't take the…

  The pity…

  "Well, I don't love you, you insane menace of a… child? Yeah… Yeah I don't care if you were almost my age, this is a moody child who doesn't want to admit she might have been wrong and overreacted. Or hell, you might be completely right, even if nobody else thinks so! You're still being an immature brat right now! Woe is Erin, boo hoo! Deal with it! You don't have a choice! Yeah, you hate not having choices, but that doesn't stop reality!" This time I did read his aura. I might even scream into his mind…

  I really wish I hadn't, though.

  When I touched my aura to someone else's and read them, I wasn't doing what psychics did. They could actually access the mental space itself. To continue to butcher my horrible metaphor, if my mind is a castle, and communion is an invasion, Psychics peer over the walls when they just look, as they do naturally. They can only see the surface-level thoughts, the castle servants and guards going about their daily lives, and they could listen to the idle conversations that played out, but to get into the Keep itself was an invasion without an invitation. Actually thinking words made it very clear to them, though.

  What I did, and I assume Lucario did too, was more like touching the walls and feeling the vibrations. I could tell when a servant walked by, and loud noises could be heard, but it was so… muted, yet at the same time, it was everything. I could read all of them, whoever I was reading, it would just take me years to interpret. Pokemon were much easier, probably because they communicated in a similar way among themselves.

  I couldn't read minds, never would be able to unless they were screaming the words in their head, but I could get a general sense of a person's mental state, and their emotions if they were loud.

  This fucking guy!

  I didn't get words, not from humans for the most part, but I didn't need words!

  He felt so much pity for me it made my blood boil, but at the same time, he found me to be the most annoying person he had ever had to deal with, which was extremely gratifying. He wanted to help me, but was unsure of how… and he was taking every chance he could to poke at me while he did it. Because it was funny, and also revenge.

  Two can play at that game. Want me to talk?

  I love talking sometimes!

  I cleared my throat and smiled at him, enjoying the way he got so nervous.

  "Did you know you weren't even the Champion in the original game? You were the top Elite Four, sure, probably the former Champion, actually. One who had just gotten his ass kicked by a ten year old. You then proceeded to get your ass kicked by another ten year old the same day! You even had Dragons, well, the only Dragons in the first games were the Dratini line, but in the first game? They had no weaknesses, and you still got your ass thrashed."

  "You were in the top eight in the world at some point, but I didn't really watch the anime past Kanto… You really surprised me when you actually looked badass in Generations, even with your stupid cape, but that's because the animators made you look slightly older and a little dangerous. Right now? You look like a goofy young boy who put on a cape one day, had his elderly relatives tell him he was 'so cool', as you do with children, and then you never took it off! Even though you're over thirty!"

  His face got so red, even as everyone else started chuckling. They were weak chuckles, but Lance's face was always worth a chuckle. Leaf's voice was amused as she spoke up.

  "Erin, don't be so mean to him! I mean, you don't lie, but still! That was a game! And a show! This is real life! Lance is a… He's a really good… umm… Hold on, I've been thinking about this… I have something, I swear, just give me one second…" Holy shit Leaf, let him die, stop kicking him!

  "You're both so mean to him! He might be a huge prick, have an ego the size of a mountain range, and think he owns Indigo and everyone in it since he's the Champion, but at the end of the day, Lance is a really good guy! He's also a… He's… He's really good at… Umm…" Alex, nooo, stop! He looks like he's going to have an actual aneurysm!

  "Girls, it is rude to treat people like that. Lance may be… Lance, but he is a person, and a good one… supposedly, but I'll trust Alex on that." Mom, no! He actually has a pulsing vein on his forehead! Like someone working out too hard! He looks like- Oh! YES!!!

  "Arceus, he looks like Wukong! Like a raging Primeape!" He really did with that vein! He looked like one of those roided up power lifters!

  Everyone burst into laughter, everyone… except Lance, of course. Dragonite was sending me very amused feelings even as she bent in half, gasping for air.

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  "Indeedee, is he actually okay? I don't want him to burst something in his brain…" Leaf, you were too precious even for this world… Although, yeah, I'd rather he not die…

  "Indeed!" Holy shit! I forgot she liked to do that! Indeedee looks so proud of herself!

  Lance looked at me with pain in his eyes. Pain, and suffering!

  "Why is it that every single time I help you in some way, I get mocked and laughed at?" Aww, he almost made me feel bad for a second there, with that face! Well, maybe he did make me feel a little bad…

  It didn't stop my mouth from running itself, of course.

  "I think you might just have one of those faces… Personalities… Egos… One of those, or probably all of the above, honestly!"

  "Dear, that was too far… It's just the ego, I'm sure of it!" Mom! Noooo! I'm already laughing too hard! It's bouncing me on my bullet wound!

  "Lance, I'm sorry for my family, they… well… I think Erin corrupted mom, honestly…" I began laughing harder, because yes, I did!

  Although, that's probably not a great thing… Maybe I'm just darkening the inner light of everyone I come into conta-

  ""No! Stop!"" I winced in pain at the volume of Hecate.

  Fuck! I can't even have privacy in my own mind! Not that I minded Hecate, and she knew that, but… Fuck!

  Mom was lightly glaring at me when my eyes opened.

  "Stop it, Erin. You didn't 'corrupt' me… Lance is just too fun and easy to pick on, in all honesty." He was trying to glare at her, but she dealt with my glares… He stopped real fast when Dragonite frowned at him, though. She liked mom, even if this was their first time meeting in person. I honestly didn't know why, exactly. I mean, she's a great person, absolutely, but… She's already invited mom to the Aerie!

  "Indeed!" Holy shit, now Indeedee was messing with Lance!

  The laughter re-doubled, and I soon found myself clutching my stomach in pain.

  "Oh! Oh I am so glad some Pokemon can say their names clearly if they try, that was gold!" I got some strange looks for that statement and I grinned.

  "So in the games, the Pokemon didn't say their name, they just sort of… had weird sounds they would cry out when released from a Pokeball. Really, I think it was a limitation with the game engine, and they did get better later on… But the anime? Every single Pokemon said their species name! Just, just casually! They would occasionally growl and stuff, but I was so glad when I got here and found out that was an anime only thing! I could not have taken mom seriously if she had crouched in front of me, glared at me while I stood there naked, bleeding from my stump, and went 'Tyra-Trum-Ty-Tryantrum!' Not at all! I'd have laughed even through the agony instead of raging, and she'd have eaten me!"

  Leto smirked at me and nodded her head. Yeah, one of my new moms almost ate me… Honestly not bothered by it…

  "That would be… So weird…" Lance looked disturbed and I laughed again.

  "It was, actually. Magikarp flopping on the ground going 'Karp Karp Karp' is not just dumb, it was strange! Like us walking around communicating by going 'Hum- ma- hu- human!' It was so duuumb… Of course, they probably did that so the young children who watched Pokemon every Saturday morning would know what Pokemon was on screen… I remember a lot of them, and a lot of Pokemon trivia and stuff, but when I was six? I mean… I was obsessed, so mostly, yeah, but it made it easier for kids to identify the Pokemon… Wow, Ash never named any of his Pokemon, did he? I mean, it might have been production keeping them unnamed for the same reason… Still, what a bad trainer, they deserved names if they wanted them…" Wait… isn't… Oh shit!

  I looked at Lance and found his face apoplectic! He looked like he was about to murder me! It was great! Especially when Dragonite gave him a sharp look, and I could feel the rest of his team get restless, too.

  "Is there a reason you haven't, Lance? I mean, sure, maybe don't name them immediately, learn who they are first-" Mom winced and I chuckled internally. She was fine. None of her names were… great. "-but I have to assume that even you have picked up on some of their personality traits… Maybe? I'm honestly not sure…" I kind of wasn't. Good guy, sure, prick, sure… Dumb? I honestly didn't know yet…

  He groaned and closed his eyes tightly. They looked pained when he opened them next.

  "As fun as this has been, I really need to get back to Saffron, Erin needs a bullet removed from her backside, and you have some new rescues to… contract." I winced as mom asked a very important question.

  "How many rescues are we talking about, here?" Lance paused before replying.

  "Well, they put down over a hundred Rockets in there… Most of which had at least two Pokemon…"

  Moms face went pale.

  "T-Thats… How is this going to work? It'll take over half a year to bind them!"

  I cleared my throat to get them to look at me.

  "No, it wont… When a fae creates a true contract, what they do is more or less tear a part of their mind out and twist it into the binding. It's not a pleasant experience, but it's completely harmless. You can't overdo it, either, it just wouldn't tear out. Our minds repair themselves over time, that's why Hope can do more the next day. I can't form a contract, but it's very easy to let her use my mind as the fuel for the bindings, and since it's aura, it should fuel a lot of them."

  I talked over the reasonable objections I heard.

  "My mind is more or less formed of aura, I'll not only be fine, it won't even hurt… I'll probably get knocked out for a day, but that's it. Hell, we can do them before I head to the Center and get this uncomfortably placed bullet out." It really was uncomfortable… I mean, it hurt so badly, too, but it wasn't a bad pain I couldn't ignore… It still hurts so much to sit… But I was so exhausted…

  "Erin, are you telling me you intend to knock yourself out?" I grinned at mom, just the biggest grin I could manage.

  "Mom, that's called going to sleep, so yeah?" Her glare was very unamused.

  "Stab mind bind! Contract size!"

  "Different types of contract, different price, different size! Stab contracts!"

  Okay, I got even less than normal this time, even with him sending the meanings as well…

  "Stabby says that different… sizes of contracts? They require less to form. The contracts that Erin and the rescues have are… everything. They can bind everything, and require far more sacrifice. Hope should be able to limit the contracts to do more… Hold on…" Aaaand there my sister goes, off to speak with the demon that lives in her mind more or less permanently.

  Still kind of in awe that I managed that, and deeply disturbed by the fact that it worked, or even happened at all… Was this just fate? I didn't want to be a pawn to fate, to some grand design, some plan where I was a piece to be moved… Was Hope always going to be like that? I mean, maybe? Probably, if I'm being honest and not just paranoid… I can't imagine 'Fate' intended for me to unchain a fae from all rules they follow to interact with this reality… If it was a different reality, I guess…

  In fact, if 'Fate' was a thing, that was almost certainly a huge 'fuck you' to it.

  Although, really, fae, or demons, aren't that bad. If my little 'morality scales' were even somewhat accurate, then fae's are just huge. They are capable of so much… They just can't do it all at once, like we can. Once a certain… point on that scale was chosen, that was it. Forever. They could wiggle around, sure, but Hope could never do what that thing did to me. Not only would she not want to, even if she did, she couldn't. Not after she chose in that cavern…

  So, the demon that lived in my sister's head? Fine by me, that was a good demon. Shit, she was almost an angel… She just loved to prank people, and still kind of enjoyed causing pain? Just during spars and fights, though…

  The tiny demon that floated around and stabbed people? With something I haven't even asked about, mainly because I wanted to keep the surprise for later? Oddly enough, good demon… Just much worse than Hope, but Hope was fucking good. She was high on that scale… Honestly? Me and Stabby were more or less the same as far as morality goes. He doesn't kill random people, neither do I. I mean, he likes to kill Cleffa and Clefairy poachers in very painful, yet slow ways, so good for him. I like to kill Team Rocket, usually in very painful, yet quick ways… I get a kick out of it…

  That one guy really got a kick out of it…

  Not that he would ever kick anyone again.

  Or move again.

  Still breathing, though…

  Alex smirked at me and I glared at her… Well, I tried, I was so tired…

  "Now she's not brooding, she's just getting lost in thought. Probably about how amazing she is, while at the same time, how horrible she is. Horribly amazing?" She was far too pleased with herself over that… Good for her, though…

  I glared at Rotom as it flew in front of my face… but well out of arm range. Smart little sparky ghost…

  "She's done brooding, and she's talking again, so I think next is walking off in a huff and telling everyone to leave her alone, right? Wait! She already did that! What's next? She already raged, already cried, so is it acceptance next, or denial? No, I think she already did the denial…"

  Mom whirled on them with a finger already raised.

  "Rotom, that was too far, even for you! You can't prank Erin for a week for that!" Excuse me?

  What?!

  Rotom sparked as they turned to her. Sparked and shook.

  "I don't remember agreeing to follow your punishments, Ms. Greenwood! In fact, I never agreed to anything! Even if I did, you have no proof!" Her glare intensified, and so did its shaking.

  "You're not my trainer! Technically, I don't have one! I am a free Rotom!" She somehow cranked the glare up another notch. I hadn't even seen that myself!

  Rotom stopped sparking, but continued to shake.

  "Fine! One week! Stop glaring at me! What the hell did you do to your face, lady? It's like being glared at by Maddy and Wukong! Except the Wukong part is just in your eyes!" It wasn't wrong, honestly… Glad that wasn't directed at me…

  Leaf spoke up distractedly, eyes still closed.

  "So, Stabby has seen it done before, and can show Hope how to do it, but he's going to have to be there for the first one. She could probably do around thirty a day? And your idea wouldn't work, Erin. They can't take aura, remember? They would have to take it from you first to use it, you can't rip pieces of your own mind out and give it to them." Fuck, she was right! Still… Thirty a day is much better…

  "That should work… Stabby, you good to hang around for a day? I mean… I really want this bullet out. And sleep… I am so exhausted…" I really was, mentally, physically, emotionally…

  "Stab Erin! Erin stab!"

  "Stabby, you didn't send me meanings with that one. 'Stab Erin! Erin stab!' means nothing to me, even with your usual… speech patterns." Mom looked horrified and I chuckled a little. Stabby was fine. Stabby was fucking great, actually!

  "Uhh, Erin… He just asked to be your Pokemon!" Leaf's face was stunned, because so was mine!

  Stabby had never been someone's Pokemon! How did he get a name, then? Because Stabby had tortured a poacher once, who had called him Stabby, for… obvious reasons. Well, FAR more than once, but once he got a name out of his fun… Stabby didn't want to be someone's Pokemon, because people were shit! He knew it, I knew it…

  But…

  I guess he changed his mind?

  "Stab Erin enemies! Enemies BLEED!" Never change, Stabby…

  "I mean, I'm not opposed to it, you know I fuc- really love you, Stabby, but… Well crap, I forgot about that…" He slumped momentarily before I turned to Rotom.

  "Rotom, think you can get Looker to increase my carry limit? Or really, to increase it for battlers?" I had the maximum limit, but they could only be rescues or hatched from Eggs.

  Lance looked over at me with an odd expression.

  "You do realize I am the Champion, right? You could just ask me. I can't get you thirty battlers with two Badges, obviously, but I could easily get you nine with your Dragon Master certification." FUCK!

  I need to thank him… Well, accept and thank him… But he just set himself up so perfectly! Oh no! This is my temptation! I must get my limit increased, but… urge to… insult… growing!!!

  No! Stabby!

  "That would be… very helpful, Lance… thank you." There, I didn't do anyth-

  "Are you the Champion, or is it Dragonite?" Leaf, nooo!

  I need that limit increase! Stabby!!! He's not only badass, he's like a Super Super Rare Clefable! He's almost as small as a Clefairy! He's perfect to come on jobs with me! Not to mention the stabbing! We could stab Team Rocket and poachers together!

  Bonding time through STABBING!

  "That was far too mean, dear." That was all mom said, but we all still eyed her, waiting for the second boot to fall. Especially Lance… The devastating insult… The devastating insult that never came! She did that on purpose, I know it!

  Lance looked relieved as he spoke up.

  "Well… It will probably take a day, I can't just call that in, but Pokemon Centers don't exactly check your person every time you enter… If they have issues with it, I guess… direct them to me…" Fuck, Lance was being a good guy… FUCK!

  "Thanks again, Lance." I didn't stutter or slow down, because I made myself roll that out like a song lyric.

  Patricia looked over at me and smiled. It was a warm, kind smile full of love.

  It was also terrifying.

  "I never got an answer, Erin. Will you follow that punishment? I mean, technically you don't have to answer, because you already promised to follow my punishments… I wouldn't mind hearing it, though." I tried to avoid the eyes staring at me.

  Even Lance! I mean… Fuck, I knew he cared… Which sucked, kind of? It's hard to pick on someone that actually cares about your well-being… Even if it was more pity than anything… I can't exactly say I've never felt that way before, though…

  "Yes, I will do my best to listen to Hecate when I start… hating myself…" Best you'll get…

  ""We love you! You are good!"" 'Hecate, you know exactly what you do to me when you call me good!'

  ""Truth is truth!""

  Arceus, she just won't stop!

  ""You not stop for us!"" 'Listen, I said I would try! I will!'

  Lance spoke up with humor in his voice. Also a grin…

  "You're going to have to get better at hiding your communication if you want to use Hecate to your advantage in any way, Erin. It's very easy to tell when you're talking to her. Your eyes unfocus a little and you get this dumb little smile, even if you're visibly irritated." Thanks, Lance!

  Cerberus took that moment to remind everyone that he existed with a huge growl of his stomach. Seraphina hissed in agreement, even as I felt Hecate crave some fruit. Huh, yeah, they did sort of just Evolve! Fuck, we didn't even get to celebrate that before they had to try and soothe me! Damnit, why do I have to be like th-

  ""No!"" 'Hecate, you are adorable. Thank you… Still fucking annoying, but I know its for my own good, so thank you!'

  "Well… I guess it's time to go to the Center. They might not have roasted meat for you all, but… I really want this bullet out of my ass!" I was not prepared for the flick. I had been cursing a lot today, to be fair…

  "Oh, Erin! You missed it! Mom flicked Lance!" Leaf, no fucking way! I missed that?!

  "I missed that?!" It felt like someone just ripped up a winning lottery ticket in my face!

  Rotom was a bro, though! Wait, genderless. Or a… pho? Phone... Rotom… Ghost… Gho?

  "Don't worry, Erin! I have it recorded! I wont even charge you to view it! In fact, I'm almost willing to pay people to watch it!" Their grin was huge, and so was mine as the video began to play.

  Oh wow, she went with the full flick on his ear! No wonder he reacted like that earlier, damn, mom!

  Lance stood up with a huff, brushing his pants off. Also his stupid cape.

  "I have said this many times, but I am leaving now! Erin, I'm glad you're…" He looked like he was in physical pain as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

  "Erin, thank you for… being here, I guess? You gave Alex some hope where I couldn't… And you are doing good when you put Team Rocket down… I guess what I mean is… Take care of yourself, I guess?" Wow, that looked like it hurt him. Kind of hurt me too… that was Lance!

  "I mean… I didn't do it for you, Lance… I'll accept your thanks, though, if you promise to never make it that awkward again." I stood up, reached my hand out and took his hand in a firm grip.

  I grinned, flipped his hand around and bent it, leaving my wrist pointed upwards.

  Then I triggered my Hidden Blade.

  I really should think of a new name, not that I have to worry about copyright… To be fair, they were not the ones from the games, any of them. Inspired by them, sure. I kept them simple, just the blade itself and a magnetic bolt thrower, basically a teeny tiny railgun. I mean, there were a few attachments inside them, but that required a minute or so to access…

  Luckily I had been able to install some aura triggers from Looker in them in Pewter. Apparently those are a thing for Lucario here, which makes sense… I hadn't accidentally triggered them before then, but I had come close… I would prefer to keep the rest of my fingers… Now it was impossible, thankfully, because try and get me to take them off! By choice!

  I couldn't wait to try the hookblades out, though. Not just for a bit of fun and exciting pest control, no, I was looking forward to parkouring with them! The regular blades were more or less the same dimensions as from the game, if longer, but the blades? Bisharp blades. My kukris were Kingambit blades…

  Well, had been. Now my singular kukri was a Kingambit blade… That I don't have spares of, and will have to order! Fuck, I was dumb, but it had been so fun… Kingambit were not common and easy to find or hunt, either, even if they had four of the 'waist blades' each. Hunting one was a chore, considering they had personal armies…

  Lance was not expecting the blade to shoot out from my wrist at all! He was in absolutely no danger, but I still laughed as he threw himself backwards, tripping over a log.

  Laughed? I was having trouble breathing!

  "Erin! That was not right!!! Apologize to Lance right now!!!" Mom was smiling in amusement, but she was actually mad at the same time… Shit…

  "I took those from you! How the hell?!" I grinned at Lance and thought briefly. I was still laughing too hard to respond.

  He understood how when a stick slowly hovered off the ground, then flung itself at him, courtesy of my not-so-little woods witch.

  might be wrong, but that's nothing new. She's even more stubborn than me!