I couldn't even get through a peaceful dinner without someone deciding to make it my problem.

  The three trainers from the lobby, two girls and a boy, had apparently followed us around to the back of the Pokémon Center. Great. Just what I needed when I was trying to keep Umbreon calm and get some food into both my Pokémon.

  Mightyena's growl rumbled low and dangerous as they approached. Her hackles were rising, and I could see her muscles tensing. Dinner time was not the time to mess with her, she was extremely food-focused, and interruptions during meals were not taken well. A Zigzagoon had learned that lesson the hard way back in Petalburg Woods when it had tried to dash through our camp right as I'd set her bowl down. I'd barely stopped her from launching the poor thing into the next time zone.

  "Stay back," I called out, my voice carrying clear warning. "Mightyena is eating, and approaching right now is not a good idea."

  The three trainers had enough sense to keep their distance, settling onto the grass a few yards away to wait. At least they weren't completely stupid. The girl who'd looked concerned in the lobby still looked like she'd rather be anywhere else, while the other two watched us with obvious curiosity.

  Mightyena finished her meal quickly but remained alert, positioning herself close to me with her eyes fixed on our uninvited audience. She looked them over and huffed laying down next to me. Umbreon had buried her face against my stomach the moment she'd spotted them, clearly trying to make herself invisible. I kept stroking her grey fur, hoping to keep her as calm as possible.

  Once it was clear we were done eating, the boy, who looked nervous despite being the one to approach, cleared his throat and moved closer. A narrowed look from Mightyena made himself stop about a yard away. He sat down again, his two companions had followed his lead.

  "Um, excuse me," he said, fidgeting with something in his pocket. "I was wondering... do you have any advice about raising a Dark-type Pokémon?"

  I blinked. That was not what I'd been expecting. "Do you have a Dark-type?"

  He nodded, pulling out a Pokéball. "Just caught a Poochyena yesterday, but... everyone keeps telling me I should release it or trade it away. My parents, other trainers, and some of my friends too."

  Right. Because god forbid someone actually try to understand a Pokémon instead of judging it by its typing.

  "Look," I said, adjusting my hold on Umbreon, "I'm not some Pokémon professor or professional trainer. I just have some theories based on my own experiences. With Pokémon, and with people. So what I will tell you, is just my opinion and every opinion is biased."

  The boy leaned forward. "Anything would help. Nobody else will even talk to me about it. Well, other than who's here with me.

  I thought about how to explain this without sounding completely insane. "There's this theory I have about aura, do you know what that is?" The three of them shook their heads almost in unison. "It is the energy that all living things have. I think, different types of Pokémon are drawn to different kinds of people based on their natural aura."

  The three trainers exchanged glances, but they were listening.

  "Fighting-types gravitate toward people who are physically strong and stubborn. Psychic-types are drawn to those who are mentally sharp and wise. Dark-types..." I looked down at Umbreon, then over at Mightyena, "they're attracted to people who understand emotion and struggle. They can sense when someone has been through hardship. At least, that's what I've come to believe."

  The boy was nodding like this actually made sense to him, which was encouraging.

  "Dragons seek humans they can respect and who will respect them in return. Loyalty is important to them. Water-types look for calm hearts with underlying passion that matches the ocean's depth. Fire represents bravery and chivalry. Grass is drawn to serenity and love of nature. Electric wants high energy and eccentric personalities."

  I pause taking a drink from my water bottle.

  "Poison-types are complex, they're usually drawn to people who are patient and strategic, waiting for the right moment to act. Ghost-types connect with those who understand the deeper aspects of life and death but can still find joy despite that knowledge. Ground and Rock want sturdy, reliable people they can count on."

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  The concerned girl had actually started paying attention now, though she still looked uncomfortable.

  "Ice-types typically bond with people who seem cold on the surface but are kind underneath. Steel represents resilience, they're drawn to the toughest people around, those who can stand up for justice. Bug-types love creativity and chaos, gravitating toward those with unique ways of thinking and expressing themselves. Flying wants freedom and adventure to go where the wind takes them. Normal-types are drawn to honest, hardworking people who might seem basic but have strong morality."

  I paused, thinking about the last one.

  "And Fairy-types... they're all about rules and promises. Never break your word to a Fairy-type, and always be honest with them."

  The boy was practically vibrating with excitement. "Is that why Poochyena approached me during lunch instead of anyone else?" I frowned looking to Mightyena thinking about what he said. The odds of that seemed plausible.

  "Perhaps, or perhaps not... A wild Pokémon has different priorities from one who has a trainer. They were likely hungry and took a chance to see if a human would be kind. Clearly you were or they wouldn't have went inside the ball in your pocket. You helped them and they will help you. You be their best friend and they will be the best friend you could ever ask for. You defend and protect them and they will become your fiercest protector. All Pokémon follow this like a code held deep inside."

  My voice hardened as I continued. "People are the problem. They always have been. Pokémon exist because they have a role to play in the natural balance of the world. If any were truly as evil as people claim, why would they exist at all?"

  Umbreon shifted in my arms, and I could feel her listening to every word.

  "Any Pokémon is capable of both harm and good, but Pokémon aren't the ones giving the orders. We humans are. There's no such thing as a bad Pokémon, only terrible people.

  The boy was nodding enthusiastically, but one of the girls. The one who'd been whispering with the boy, looked skeptical. The concerned on seemed to be taking in what I was saying more readily now.

  "But everyone says Dark-types are more aggressive," she said. "That they're harder to control."

  "Everyone says a lot of stupid things, they are no different than any others." I replied bluntly. "Mightyena here was found caught in an illegal trap, injured and scared. She's never once been aggressive toward me or anyone who wasn't actively being ignorant. Umbreon here is skittish and timid. She is more scared of you than you are of her."

  I gestured to Mightyena, who was still alert but not showing any signs of aggression.

  "The 'difficulty' in training Dark-types comes from the fact that they need emotional connection and trust. You can't just bark orders at them and expect obedience. You have to earn their respect and show them that you understand them. They will put in as much as you do. But isn't that the same for everyone else?

  The concerned girl finally spoke up. "What about the poisonous sweat thing? With Umbreon?"

  "What about it?" I asked. "It's a defense mechanism. She only produces toxins when she's scared or stressed, and even then, the levels are minimal unless you're handling her constantly for days. Which, granted, I have been, but that's because she needed the comfort more than I needed to avoid a little poisoning. Plus it isn't like she means to cause any harm. It's just how she happens to be. I will never blame her for that. If anything I'd want to keep exposing myself to it. We as humans are adaptable. One day I may have an immunity."

  The boy was writing things down in a small notebook now, which was oddly touching. I had better get back on topic.

  "The most important thing," I said, looking directly at him, "is to ignore what other people say. Your Poochyena chose you for a reason. Trust them, nurture them, and don't let anyone else's ignorance make you doubt yourself or your partner."

  "What if my parents try to make me release it?" he asked quietly.

  "Are you a registered trainer?" The boy nodded. "Then you have nothing to worry about. Your parents can't do anything. If they try, go to Nurse Joy. If she helped me, she will definitely help you. If you can't reach the Pokémon Center call Officer Jenny. They take their jobs seriously, at least in my experience. If not them then..." I look off into the distance, "Go to the Gym. Gym Leaders are representatives of the Pokémon League. They should be able to help."

  The three trainers sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. Finally, the concerned girl, who I was starting to think might not be as invested in bothering us as the other two, spoke up.

  "Thank you," she said quietly. "That... actually makes a lot of sense."

  As they got up to leave, the boy turned back. "What's your name? In case I have more questions?"

  "Lazarus," I said. "And yours?"

  "Carl. This is Nicole and Bree." He gestured to his companions. The whisper girl is Nicole and the anxious one is Bree. "Maybe we'll see you around?"

  "Maybe," I agreed, though I hoped not. It wasn't like enlightening kids was a bad thing but, I could already see how it could blow up in my face. The 'Evil' type trainer is brainwashing our children! Oooo~ what a bunch of bullshit.

  After they left, I looked down at Umbreon, who was finally starting to relax again. She was looking up at me with those wide eyes.

  "Well," I said, carefully putting my hand on her belly and rubbing it, "at least those ones were actually trying to learn something instead of just causing trouble."

  Mightyena huffed in agreement, settling down and getting comfortable on the grass. Hopefully we could spend some time relaxing a bit more.

  Maybe tomorrow we could have a peaceful day. Though given my track record since arriving in this world, I wasn't holding my breat-

  "Hey!"

  Arceus damnit... It seems it wasn't meant to be in a day like today.