Morning came early in Wellspring.
Too early.
Grant groaned when Nyra kicked the side of his bed.
"Up. Training."
He rolled over. "The sun isn't even—"
"—fully awake? Exactly. Best time to build discipline."
He stared at the ceiling. "I liked you better when you were almost kidnapped."
Nyra smirked. "Good. You'll miss me when I beat you at the League."
Despite himself, Grant smiled.
They met outside the Pokémon Center just as the first rays of sunlight slipped between the buildings. Oshawatt bounced around Grant's feet, fully energized. Sewaddle peeked out from Grant's hoodie, still wrapped in its leaf like a safety blanket.
Tepig trotted beside Nyra.
Grant knelt. "Alright, little one. Today's about confidence."
Sewaddle tilted its head.
"Sew…?"
Nyra crossed her arms. "It hides when it's scared. That'll get it hurt in real battles."
Grant nodded. "That's why we start slow."
They headed toward the fields beyond town where tall grass rolled like green waves.
Grant set his pack down and released Sewaddle.
It shuffled out, glancing around nervously.
"Osha-watt!" Oshawatt chirped encouragingly.
Sewaddle squeaked and hid behind Grant's boot.
Grant crouched. "Hey. It's okay. You're safe."
Sewaddle peeked out.
Nyra released Tepig. "We'll use Tepig for light pressure. No attacks. Just presence."
Tepig snorted and stood tall.
Sewaddle froze.
Grant placed himself between them. "Remember yesterday? You stood up to Venipede."
Sewaddle blinked.
"You protected me."
The tiny Bug-type straightened slightly.
Grant held out his hand. "You're braver than you think."
Sewaddle hesitated.
Then climbed into his palm.
Nyra nodded. "Good. Now let's teach it how to defend itself."
They started with basic movement.
Grant guided Sewaddle through simple steps: turning, dodging, holding its leaf shield forward.
Sewaddle stumbled.
Fell.
Got back up.
Over and over.
Nyra timed it. "Again."
Grant encouraged. "You're doing great. Keep going."
Sewaddle's breathing grew steadier.
It began to anticipate commands.
Left.
Right.
Block.
Turn.
After half an hour, Sewaddle stood panting but proud.
It wrapped its leaf tighter around itself and chirped.
Grant grinned. "That was awesome."
Sewaddle puffed up.
Grant scooped it up. "Little cutie."
Sewaddle hugged his finger.
They moved deeper into the fields.
Tall grass brushed their knees.
Nyra suddenly stopped.
"Hold up."
The grass rustled.
A long red body slithered between the stalks.
Yellow spikes.
Angry eyes.
Venipede.
Nyra's gaze sharpened.
"Tepig, stay ready."
Venipede hissed and coiled.
Grant stepped back. "Nyra?"
She smirked. "My turn."
Venipede lunged.
"Dodge!" Nyra commanded.
Tepig leaped aside.
"Flame Charge!"
Tepig ignited and slammed into Venipede, sending it skidding.
Venipede hissed and fired Poison Sting.
"Tepig, weave!"
The needles missed by inches.
Nyra's eyes gleamed. "You're fast. I like that."
"Tackle!"
Tepig collided again.
Venipede staggered.
Nyra reached for a Poké Ball.
"Venipede, you fight with fire in your veins. I respect that. Join me."
She threw.
The ball struck Venipede.
One shake.
Two.
Three.
Click.
Nyra exhaled. "Got you."
Grant blinked. "That was smooth."
She grinned. "Told you I'm going Elite."
She released Venipede.
It stared at her.
She knelt. "We'll be strong together."
Venipede hissed softly.
Grant smiled. "Congrats."
Nyra stood taller. "Thanks."
Sewaddle watched from Grant's shoulder.
It tilted its head.
They returned toward town when voices echoed from the road.
Loud.
Sharp.
"Out of my way."
Grant turned.
A girl stood in the middle of the path, arms crossed.
Long silver hair.
Cold eyes.
A pink Munna floated beside her.
She looked at them like they were dirt on her boots.
"Ugh. Route trash."
Nyra raised an eyebrow. "Excuse you?"
The girl smirked. "You heard me."
Grant stepped forward. "We're trainers."
She scoffed. "Barely."
Munna drifted closer, eyes glowing faintly.
Sewaddle hid behind Grant's collar.
The girl noticed.
She laughed. "Is that thing scared of everything?"
Grant's jaw tightened. "Watch it."
She circled them slowly. "You look weak. The kind Team Plasma loves to steal from."
Nyra bristled. "Say that again."
The girl stopped in front of Nyra.
Her smile was sharp.
"Angelica Vale."
Nyra crossed her arms. "Nyra. This is Grant."
Angelica glanced at Oshawatt and Sewaddle.
"Pathetic lineup."
Grant's fists clenched. "Battle us."
She waved a hand. "Why waste time?"
Nyra stepped forward. "Afraid?"
Angelica laughed. "Of you?"
Munna floated higher, psychic energy shimmering.
Angelica leaned closer. "I don't battle nobodies."
Grant felt heat rise in his chest.
"We stood against Team Plasma."
Her eyes flickered with interest.
"Did you win?"
Grant hesitated.
She smiled wider. "Thought so."
Nyra snapped, "You're arrogant."
Angelica shrugged. "I'm honest."
She turned away.
"Try not to get your Pokémon stolen."
Munna followed.
Grant called after her. "We'll meet again."
She glanced back.
"I hope so. I enjoy watching weaklings try."
Then she was gone.
Nyra stood shaking.
"Who does she think she is?"
Grant exhaled. "An enemy."
Sewaddle peeked out.
"Sew…?"
Grant knelt. "You see that girl? She thinks fear makes you weak."
Sewaddle tilted its head.
Grant smiled softly. "But fear means you care. And caring makes you strong."
Sewaddle slowly stepped forward.
Grant held out his hand.
It took it.
Nyra watched.
"Looks like you're building something special."
Grant nodded. "We all are."
Oshawatt pumped its fists.
"Osha!"
Venipede hissed beside Nyra.
Tepig snorted.
The team stood together.
Ahead lay Gyms.
Plasma.
Angelica.
And a world that would test them.
Grant looked at Sewaddle.
"Ready to be brave again?"
Sewaddle nodded.
And this time, it didn't hide.