Alex

  —

  "Erin, if you keep pouting this much your face will get stuck." She angrily pouted at me even as I laughed.

  We were waiting for our matches in the Celadon Gym, and it was gorgeous! Most of it was simply a series of giant greenhouses full of different species of plants from all over the world, most with specific species from those regions to maintain them. The other part, also a greenhouse, was the arena itself, but 'arena' wasn't that accurate. It was more of a wide, beautiful meadow ringed by flowers and decorative shrubs, with two trees in the field, one on each side, off to the left of each podium.

  "Sis, she might not have a point, but I am getting way too used to seeing that pout! I might even miss it when these two weeks are over!" Leaf grinned at me over Erins head. Over, because she was the Tiny Tyrant! Hah!

  "I'm pouting because apparently that's what I naturally do when I'm irritated and I can't act like myself!" Dexter giggled a little at that as he floated right next to her head.

  Down in the arena a boy was losing, badly. I felt really bad for him, actually, because it looked like this wasn't his first attempt, not by a long shot. It was a second badge match, too, and this late after the start of the Circuit? Well, the three of us had our reasons for starting this late. Most people? They didn't, they just weren't… good.

  Only a small percentage of trainers ever got past their sixth badge, and many failed on their third badge, the training required a bit more than they could manage without help… or first, really. Roughly half of fresh, thirteen year old trainers gave up and returned home in the first week, usually after a few nights camping directly next to a Route and spending the nights terrified of wild Pokemon, or even just humans. Not that I blamed most of them, especially the ones who had to start with something like a Rattata. Cute Pokemon, and they could be highly powerful… but they were food for most things…

  This trainer looked like he would be finding a job in a sector that didn't involve strength, honestly… I stood up as his poor Growlithe got withdrawn, too tired to burn the clouds of Sleep Powder off. I received some smiles from the other two girls, even Erin! Well, she was always supportive, but it was a normal smile, so it was still startling.

  I was going to miss these two weeks when they were finally over… No grins, no sneers even if they weren't usually directed at us, no snarls, no viciousness… Or at least not for long until Dexter poked her…

  I tuned everything out as I waited for my name to be called in the small waiting room. Everything but my Pokemon.

  "This is going to be up to you, sweetie. Remember, stay mobile, stay away from any spores, and don't get close unless it's to end it. If you get knocked out it's fine, trust me. We haven't had that long to train, okay?" Noibat's ball rattled a bit, and I could tell I had irritated her a little with that. Good!

  She didn't need more enthusiasm, but it couldn't hurt!

  "Dratini, you're our backup, Jangmo-o is watching with the others. Not going to have him fight the second day he's a teammate, and we haven't gotten to train yet." He was on Erin's lap, actually. He liked Leaf, very much so. Leaf was great! He was not a fan of Hazard, though.

  I didn't blame him. I wasn't a huge fan of Hazard either, but he had stopped looking at me like a chunk of meat that hadn't sliced itself yet, so that was progress. I almost liked him! I mean… He was hilarious actually, I loved the stupid shit he did, like getting blasted into the air by Indeedee! He was just also a terrifyingly murderous idiot! He behaved like an 'honorable dragon', very technically by definition, even if it was more of a fae's definition. He seemed to truly want to be one, as well, under all that bloodlust… It didn't stop his basic disposition from being 'dishonorable' and 'murderous', though, and to Jangmo-o he was a horrible dragon.

  I smiled as my name was finally called and walked out with my head held high. I was looking forward to this, a lot actually. We hadn't stopped training, of course, but we had been moving, so Erika might actually be a challenge! Hopefully!

  "Welcome to my garden, challenger! Will you show me something more than brute force in this fight?" Erika was giving me a warm, gentle smile that reminded me far too much of Indeedee, beautiful kimono making me slightly envious. I wanted one like that, now… I shook my head a little and smiled.

  "I might, if it's required!" She smiled for a split second and I grew slightly worried, internally. Outwardly I was doing my best to remain calm. She may look delicate and weak, but she was anything but. Once again, like Indeedee.

  I tuned the announcer out as they droned on with their rules, and I smiled widely as Erika released her first Pokemon. A Paras, and the poor mushroom-bug was a Bug/Grass type, and thus double weak to Flying attacks.

  "Quiet time, Noibat!" I really wanted to hear myself at the end of this.

  She came out quietly… for her. She unleashed a small, non-Move screech before she turned and smiled at me, already flapping into the air. I heard the crowd murmur a little at the draconic species and grinned. It felt so good to grin like that when I knew Erin couldn't.

  "Match start!"

  "Paras, Spore!" Yeah, that was expected…

  "Noibat, Gust and Cutter!"

  She screeched out a confirmation, which I did not appreciate even through the barrier, and launched herself into the air, unleashing a Gust directly towards the Paras as she did. It was a weak, widespread Gust, and I don't think it even did damage, but it wasn't supposed to. The spores released by the poor parasitized Pokemon were blown backwards and into the ground. There were still some in the air, of course, but not a cloud of them anymore.

  The Air Cutter that flew at the slow-moving Paras wasn't great, but it really didn't need to be with it doing four times the amount of damage to the Paras' internal stores of energy… Not to mention the large cut that removed a mushroom even as it dug into its back a bit. Not that I was worried, they would grow it back… even if it eventually killed the Pokemon and became the Pokemon… I hated Parasect…

  The next Pokemon to come out was more than expected. Oddish were common, and easy to Evolve, so the Gloom wasn't a surprise to either of us. Or a fast species. It barely got off a useless Poison Powder before taking two Air Cutters, in fact…

  Erika didn't really glare at her opponents, but she was giving me a very direct stare as she released her last Pokemon, and I knew this had to be a fourth badge Pokemon.

  Snover were kind of hard to find, too…

  I wasn't… worried about the little Grass/Ice mound-like Pokemon, but Ice…

  "Snover, Icy Wind!" Yup, that was what I expected…

  "Noibat, Double Team, then get loud!" I didn't wait to see her use the Double Team. I was already putting in my ear plugs. I had just left multiple pairs of disposable ones in every pocket I could find. Mine and the other girls.

  Erika looked mildly confused by my actions, but she wasn't aware of my little screecher's sheer volume. Yes, even regular Noibat were loud… Barriers didn't stop much of the sound, though… I felt so bad for the audience…

  As I should have, because when I finally looked up I saw two Noibat take a huge breath, close their mouths, and point their ears at that poor Snover even as one got smacked by the Icy Wind. They began to fall from the sky, well, that one did. Because of course it had hit her with a coin flips chance.

  She still managed to exhale even as she fell… Supersonic wasn't a damaging move, technically, but it didn't need to do damage. That poor Pokemon grabbed its head and began to wobble side to side, even as my little bat caught the air and flew straight for it. She knew what to do after she had Confused the opponent. An Air Cutter flew at the Confused, disorientated Pokemon, even as my tiny dragon launched herself into a Wing Attack that smashed it in the face.

  I felt kind of bad when it collapsed into unconsciousness, but not that bad. Noibat looked rough from that Icy Wind, anyways…

  I managed to not get distracted this time and met Erika in the middle of the field. She had a wide smile on her face, and I matched it as she reached out to shake my hand.

  "Your Noibat is very well trained! Also very loud!" She was talking slightly loudly, and I couldn't help the giggle that erupted from my mouth.

  "Sorry, she is! She was the loudest from a colony of them, actually…" She began to giggle too, even as my little bat threw me a smirking glare from my shoulder, opened her mouth wide, and returned herself even as my eyes widened.

  "Well, congratulations on your Rainbow Badge, and good luck at the Conference! I get the feeling I'll see you there." I laughed a little as I took the Badge from her.

  "You will, and you'll certainly see your next two challengers there, too!" She got a knowing look in her eyes even as I turned and walked off.

  Three badges down, five to go!

  —

  —

  Leaf's match with Erika was… Well, apparently her Noibat didn't feel like fighting today, and Hope was right out, so obviously it was Hazard that came out onto the field. Indeedee had offered to fight, but even Leaf had given in to Hazard's pleading face. Not that it had been a pleasant face, at all, more of a nightmare-inducer in fact, but it had worked on Leaf!

  Hazard also decided that he was going to be a close range fighter exclusively this time… The Exeggcute that started Erika off was, once again, blasted into the barrier with crushing force, even at half power. Erika's next Pokemon, a Weepinbell, lasted a whole two Slashes…

  The Jumpluff that came out next gave him more than a few minutes of frustration as it floated high above him, but Leaf just called out encouragement to him. I guess it was like a handicap for Hazard? There was plenty of time left, so I guess it hadn't been too mean a thing to do to Erika…

  Hazard still managed to get to it, though. How did Hazard reach the Jumpluff as it unleashed Bullet Seed after Bullet Seed at him, with the occasional uselessly slow Sleep Powder thrown in? Well, Hazard may not be using any long-range Moves, but he could still cut a large branch off of one of the trees and throw it at the Jumpluff. Unfortunately for that Evolutionary line, Jumpluff were not fast Pokemon… Or particularly maneuverable…

  I still clapped with the rest of the audience, Jangmo-o clanging his scales a little in my lap, more for Leaf than Hazard of course, but… I felt bad for Erika…

  I still laughed with Leaf as Erin trudged out to the Challengers podium in the outfit I picked out for her.

  I laughed harder when Erika's voice rang out.

  "Well, I thought I was getting the Tiny Tyrant today, but it seems as though I'm getting the Pretty Princess, instead! You even have a sort of 'crown' with your feathers!" The entire crowd at least chuckled at that. Most laughed, though. Erin did not like to look herself up online, refused to, but I had no problems doing it.

  Erin was famous. Or infamous…

  Opinion online was relatively divided. There were those who thought she was an awesome badass hero who destroyed terrorists for fun… so close enough… Some seemed to think she was a violent, unpredictable killer who only walked free because of her 'connection' to Lance, which, yeah, almost accurate… The vast majority of everyone didn't have a problem with her going after Team Rocket, of course, it was more her methods that were divisive… Mainly how dividing her methods were of peoples parts… There had been pictures of the surviving Rockets who hadn't surrendered being pulled from the tunnels… None of whom could walk anymore…

  They all agreed that she was viciously adorable, though, especially because she was the Tiny Tyrant… Right now, however?

  There was no viciousness on display right now despite her morbid red trophies. I knew she could scowl down there with no Dexter, he was still here recording, but she wasn't… she wasn't pouting at the laughter, but… she came very close!

  "Very funny, Miss Gym Leader… Since I'm being a nice girl today, could I request a stronger badge battle? Please? I'm really getting tired of stomping Gym Leaders, and I had to provoke Surge…" She was pouting now, and Erika laughed at her. Erika!

  "Sorry, I have no idea what you're talking about! This will be the same as my other matches today: Fair and… balanced." She grinned, even as Erin returned it and I saw Rotom's screen display a small 1 in the corner…

  The following match was one I don't think I will ever forget… for many reasons.

  The first? Well, Kallen got his ass kicked by the Bellosom that Erika sent out. Almost instantly, in fact, by a huge Petal Blizzard that smashed him into the barrier! He got his ass kicked so fast it looked like one of Erin's matches! Or Leaf's, too…

  Erin actually laughed as she returned Kallen. She laughed hard, but not in a mocking way. She was actually amused!

  "Erika, you're the first person to knock out one of my Pokemon! Congratulations!" Erika returned the wide smile, and I joined Leaf in laughing as Seraphina came out. The rest of the crowd? They gasped, because Seraphina wasn't just an obvious Alpha, she was a shiny Alpha, a beautiful one!

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  That match was an entirely different reversal, as the Bellosom was returned after a single overpowered Incinerate that curled around the poor Grass Pokemon as it tried to leap away. Seraphina's fine control over her fire was insane!

  The Ludicolo that came out next sure seemed confident as it unleashed a Bubble Beam at Seraphina, but that disappeared entirely as she easily leapt out of the way and unleashed a huge Venoshock at it. It didn't go down to that, but it did go down to the fast followup Flame Lash…

  Erika was frowning as she reached towards the back of her belt, and Erin's smile grew wide.

  The Tangrowth that came out next was far too strong for a fourth or fifth Badge battle, and even the referee did a double take as she sent it out. Erin, though? She giggled! Giggled!

  Then she returned Seraphina! Still giggling!

  "Thanks, Erika! I was worried I wouldn't be able to let him fight any time soon, but this should make him so happy!" No way! Me and Leaf both gasped as Cerberus came onto the field roaring.

  The crowd?

  They panicked for a brief moment, because… yeah… Cerberus was an Alpha of possibly the most dangerous species to raise in the world. There were plenty of other Pokemon who could kill you just as easily or easier, of course, but the insanity of two heads, plus being blind? Liking to take chunks out of everything? Zweilous were dangerous!

  I did not blame the crowd for reacting that way.

  Erika actually went a little pale as she saw Cerberus, but then she smiled again. Not widely this time, but satisfied.

  "Tangrowth, draining area denial!"

  "Cerberus, don't kill it, and have fun!" The crowd murmured at that, but really… it was as much as she could do with words. I knew she would be ready to lash out with aura if need be…

  She almost needed to, as with dual Roars Cerberus charged straight through the sea of vines that erupted from the ground, huge legs snapping the grasping vines with ease, heads Biting as he honed in on the lumbering Tangrowth.

  The massive Power Whip he received actually stopped him dead in his tracks, knocking one head back so hard it slammed into his back, blood spraying from his mouth in an arc. Even as I winced and the crowd gasped, though, he charged again, the other head leading with a nauseating Crunch that tore one of the Tangrowth's huge arms off! It was fine, of course, it would grow back by tomorrow, but it was down an arm… and Cerberus' other head was back in the fight now with a second Crunch that tore the other arm off!

  "Cerberus, hold!" Erin locked eyes with Erika as Cerberus snarled, and Erika withdrew her Pokemon, forfeiting the match.

  They met each other in the middle of the arena. Well, Cerberus met Erin on her side of the arena, lifting her into the air as she laughed and the crowd gasped in fear. She did return him after a moment hugging his heads, though, and then she met Erika down there. We couldn't hear this conversation, but we did see Erin's face go red in embarrassment, even as Erika began to giggle!

  —

  Patricia Greenwood

  —

  I was getting very used to receiving Lance's calls, and I smiled as I answered the call in my room, away from the gossips my Ranch was apparently full of! It was nice to just chat with him, when he actually got the chance to step away from his work.

  This was not one of those chances, it looked like.

  His face wasn't red, or even angry. It was mildly stressed, however, and I frowned at the sight. I doubted it was Erin, this time at least. If it was, he would be either enraged or exhausted.

  "Good evening, Lance. I get the feeling this isn't just to chat?" I felt myself blush a little as he looked me up and down, even through the camera, before he frowned and shook his head.

  "No, sorry, Patricia… Well, maybe? It's different, though, that's for sure. For one, it is Erin, because of course it is, but I'm not mad?" He looked disbelieving, and so was I. How? Erin generated chaos, and Lance's job was basically to stop chaos!

  "How did my insane daughter manage to put that look on your face, then?" He actually laughed at that, and his eyes were warm as they came back down. Warm, and still slightly stressed.

  "Your daughter did a good deed, not that that's a huge surprise." I smirked at his words. He cared for her, too. In a very different way than us, of course, but he was getting there. She may have liked to call Leaf a fungus, but so was Erin… even if she was a vicious fungus…

  "She did a good deed, a worthwhile deed… Also one that pis- infuriated a very rich family." I smiled at his correction, because I would simply have Dragonite flick him! He didn't know about, and would never learn of her PokeNav, of course, but I could just yell it through the phone if I needed to. As I had done.

  "Technically I don't have to do anything about the situation. She did everything by the book, even if she was a bit aggressive with the family. Even during her punishment." I frowned at that, but he smiled at me.

  "Patricia, your punishment is hilarious. So very appropriate, too, and I will never let her forget it. Ever! I have a deal with Dexter, in fact! This, though? I would have reacted far worse, actually. They were lucky it was Erin and not me somehow, and she knew it. I mean, it was a personal request, not an incident, so that probably wouldn't have happened, but still…" He shook himself a bit.

  "Long story short, your daughter humiliated the heir to the Freemont Company, you know, the one who handles most of the food transportation in Kanto?" I frowned at his words, because he knew that none of us cared. Erin despised the ultra rich who hoarded wealth, and the Freemont's were well known to be scum. Very rich scum.

  "He was… debasing a dragon in order to 'train' it, and your daughter caught him in the middle of the act." I sighed in sudden relief. Erin hadn't killed him, at least. Lance would have led with that if she had.

  He nodded at me with a wry, understanding smile.

  "Exactly, I would have reacted far worse than slamming him around with aura. Well, she did give him a little show with Hazard, showed him what kind of dragon he apparently wanted. I mean, Hazard didn't do anything, just existed, but that was enough…" I laughed, because oh yes! It was far more than enough. Hazard was a hazard to sanity as well.

  "Well, I mean, he was hyper aggressive just to scare him worse, even for Hazard, but Erin just patted him on the head!" I kept laughing, because of course she used Hazard as a warning and lesson!

  "She then ripped that poor Jangmo-o's Pokeball off of his belt, and slammed him with her aura when he resisted! He pis- wet himself when she did, but she just ignored him after she basically said 'too bad, cry to the Nurses if you want'! Went and talked to that poor Pokemon, broke the Pokeball, and now? Alex has a third Pokemon, one who is very happy with his new, honorable trainer." He was so happy as he said that, voice warm and light as he talked about his… cousin? Niece was more like it with their ages, and I couldn't help the feeling I had then.

  He would be a good father… Despite his… him-ness…

  He smiled at me through the camera, a small vicious edge to it that I found highly amusing.

  "In fact, I know you can just ask Dexter, but would you like the videos? The whole thing was actually hilarious, especially the look on her face when they left and she realized she had to do paperwork!"

  I burst into laughter even as I nodded.

  —

  —

  I was really starting to enjoy the Barn in our Ranch, especially after it had been half-filled with various cushions, blankets, chairs, and even a few sturdy couches. Maddy rarely went into the house to watch PokeDramas these days, since she would have to do it without Honey, because as much as we all loved her, one Koffing was the limit of my house, even with the windows open. Considering Honey had led her fellows into the dark depths of PokeDramas?

  Well, they stayed on opposite sides of the Barn from the Hypno line, who had bad taste in PokeDramas… to other Pokemon! Me? I actually found myself enjoying the subtitled shows with the Hypno and Drowzee! I was still slightly uncomfortable around them, unfortunately, but they knew I didn't think that way maliciously, and I was gradually relaxing around them. Well, the older, experienced leader knew that, and he had told them all… So now, of course, they had decided that they would make the Matriarch like them…

  I truly didn't dislike them simply because of their species, it was more an instinctive wariness. I loved it when Charizard visited, and I was in no way scared of her, but I still watched out for her tail! Flames don't care who you are, even if she kept them low around people!

  This evening, however, there were no PokeDramas being played. Instead, Dexter had sent me two sets of videos to watch. The first was two battles against some very unfortunate trainers. Dexter hadn't been able to get a good shot of both fights, but those girls weren't exactly used to having long fights…

  Still, almost the entire Ranch was in here to watch them on the main, huge TV I had ordered with some of Erin's excessive money Looker had sent me, including the Meowstic, Gyarados, Kingdra, and Midir and his family. Everyone but the poor Grimer and Muk, really, but I had installed a small TV in there when it was built for them that they were watching the fights on… A cheap one I could dispose of when they were finally released from smell quarantine… For all of them, though?

  It was the best entertainment they could imagine, considering one of the battlers…

  Leaf and Alex's battle was over quicker than Erin's, actually, and I did not blame those poor Pokemon for surrendering. Noibat were loud! Alex's Noibat was insanely loud! There were winces of sympathy all around when we saw those poor Pokemon collapse in pain, even those who hadn't met a Noibat before… Their expressions alone were enough to make you wince, even if Dexter had been quite far away from the sound…

  Erin's battle was more entertaining, but still fast, even with Artemis playing around at half power. Still, I had not liked to see her stomach cut that badly, healers or no healers, and I was so glad my daughter could control her aura. If not, that poor Sandslash may have died…

  Dexter of course added the end of the match, their terrified realization of just who the adorable, sweet, young looking trainer in front of them was. Not to mention Cerberus!

  The Hypno line were particularly entertained by the outcome, in fact. They were giggling! Hypno! Drowzee! Giggling! Of course, I had to ask why…

  It was simple. Those poor kids looked a lot like their own 'trainers' had when Erin found them. Well, a few of them. Most of their trainers had been the… outer ring, and the Hypno line was supposed to be warning them of all approaching minds… Hecate was very convincing, though, especially towards other Psychics she could just show the truth of her words to. Those trainers hadn't even known what was happening before they were… assassinated. The few who had been towards the back, in their main 'facility'? The ones who got to watch her burst through doors with Cerberus, Hecate, and Seraphina as Kallen just stared from over her shoulder? The kids' expressions of terror weren't nearly as bad, of course, but they were bad enough to make them giggle.

  Alex's battle against Erika was about what I had come to expect from the group of them, really. Even with a 'weaker' Pokemon than her Dratini, her Noibat was well trained… and so loud! I actually muted the TV when she used Supersonic, after a second of pain of course. It wasn't bad coming from speakers, but it wasn't comfortable in this enclosed space, either.

  Leaf's match was… well, Hazard was trying to branch out in his tactics, I guess? I just hadn't thought he would take it so literally! I felt bad for that poor Jumpluff…

  Then Erin trudged into view on the screen, and the entire Ranch burst into laughter. I couldn't hear them in the distance over the sounds in the Barn, but I knew the Grimer and Muk were laughing as well!

  She looked so miserable as she forced herself to not be her usual, vicious self… She looked much more miserable after Erika had poked fun at her outfit! Erika! She was known to be a kind and gentle Gym Leader, but then again… It was hilarious…

  Especially when my daughter pouted! She pouted as she asked for a higher badge battle! Nicely asked! Dexter had sent me a still frame of the moment, and I had already ordered a nice print and frame for it.

  Erin's battles went far differently than they usually did… at first, of course. I almost felt bad for Kallen, but I knew he was a vicious little kelp dragon, and judging from the way Erin had laughed when he got instantly knocked out? How she had congratulated Erika? He wouldn't mind that much.

  Petals had been ecstatic to see another of her species fighting, but while it was a beautiful Pokemon, that Bellosom had nothing on Petals beauty or strength, not to mention her size! Which was still small, of course, but she was an Alpha.

  Of course, Erin had laughed and sent out Seraphina, to the gasps of the crowd. I hadn't been surprised when that Incinerate had almost grabbed that poor Grass Pokemon, not in the least! Seraphina loved to work on her fine control, and did it just for the fun of it after her first week of training.

  I felt bad for the Ludicolo, too… It may have a partial Water typing, but that had not saved it from Seraphina's Venoshock… Or her rapid Flame Lash… I would have felt worse, but considering the look on Seraphina's face, so joyously happy? I still did, but not horribly…

  Then Erika had 'broken' the rules… Which Gym Leaders were allowed to do at their discretion, yes. That Tangrowth was far too strong for a fourth badge like the first two had obviously been, or even a fifth badge! Still, I was grateful it was a Tangrowth.

  So was Cerberus, making his first Gym Battle debut with dual roars that nearly made the crowd panic. Not that I blamed them in the least! When Cerberus was a Hydreigon I would gladly give him as much affection as possible. As a Zweilous? He scared me. Well, half of him didn't in the least, but the other half was far more than enough all on its own.

  I winced slightly at her order to him, but I knew she was closely watching him with her aura. She didn't have to use it, thankfully, but that poor Tangrowth… Actually, it was barely hurt, considering they could regrow their arms easily enough, but if Erika hadn't forfeited? Well, somewhere under all those vines was a main body that did not want chunks removed…

  I couldn't help the feeling of pride I felt in her as I watched over two hundred Rescues cheer for her. I would never feel fine with what she did, and the danger it put her in… But this? The huge laughs at her appearance? The happiness on faces?

  I felt very good about that.

  —

  —

  "Hello my dear, sweet, adorable Pretty Princess!" I greatly enjoyed the furious blush that Erin failed to stop. Also the pout!

  "Mom, that is not fair! You know it, too!" Leaf and Alex were bent over laughing behind her, and my smile was wide as I replied.

  "But dear, you were a Pretty Princess! You even asked so nicely for a stronger fight this time! You may have pouted while doing so, but you were more of a Princess than a Tyrant. As you should be!" I loved getting one over on her like this! It was great!

  Erin turned away as she began to scowl, a scowl that almost turned into a pout before her face went blank! I laughed and focused on the rest of the screen. Alex's newest Pokemon gave me an inquisitive look and I waved at him. He lifted a paw to wave back, then froze as someone moved behind me. Honestly I didn't know or care, there were a lot of Pokemon in the Barn that would give him pause. Koffing, Weezing, Wukong, Maddy, Gyarados, Kingdra, Midir, his mate, take your pick.

  The other girls were still laughing, so I let my eyes unfocus slightly.

  "Dexter, dear, you didn't happen to catch what Erika told Erin, did you?" He laughed and slid into the feed, a huge smile on his face.

  "I actually did! Not all of it, because she started giggling halfway through and I was running her face through a lip reading program, but enough!" Erin's hand shot towards him, but he zapped her with something that looked a lot like a weak Spark, and she pulled her hand back with a hiss.

  "The first part was 'That was something else for a fourth badge battle, Tyrant Princess!'" I burst into laughter as the two girls' laughter redoubled. "'You should watch out for Sabrina, though, because she-' And then Erika started her giggle fit, so who knows? Erin won't tell us! It's too 'mean' an order for Leaf to give, too!"

  "I have the feeling I know what Erika said…" Erin's face rose with an expression of horror and I smiled at her.

  "Sabrina has a reputation. If you're strong enough, and she can sense it, she will torment you in her Gym Challenge, because remember, fifth badge and onwards you don't just fight the Gym Leader, you fight their trainers and their courses before you're allowed to book a slot. My guess as to her exact words?" I gave Erin the wickedest smile I could manage.

  "'You should watch out for Sabrina, because she will dress you up like a doll!'" I loved the way my daughter's face went red, even as Dexter and the other girls burst into laughter. Them, and most of the Barn that had heard me.

  Sabrina would and had, in fact. She wasn't rude about it, of course. You kept your old clothes… After you left. She used Psychics to literally swap them off of your body if you either irritated her or her trainers badly enough or intrigued her with your strength as a way to motivate you. The truly strong, though?

  That worried me, because Erin was, and Sabrina would know it… Sabrina also had a reputation for snooping in strong people's minds right to the edge of legality. She would find it very hard to peer into Erin's mind, though, and if she ever managed it? Hecate would be furious, and Stabby? Stabby would need to be… well, he had a Luxury Ball, of course, so maybe physically restrained?

  I really enjoyed my goodbyes to them later, after we all talked for a while.

  "Goodnight girls, good job at the Gym today, and sleep well! Cerberus, good job, dear, and keep the girls, and the Tyrant Princess safe for us!" His two happy snarls had been hilarious, because even blind, insane Cerberus knew she looked ridiculous with that pout!