"As expected, getting Dark-type Pokémon accepted by the public is a long road."
Karen stamped that thought into her heart, then glanced at the Houndoom who was reluctant to leave Grey's side. The corner of her mouth couldn't help lifting a little.
As long as Houndoom's happy…
"Wurf-woof~"
Catching Karen's gaze, Houndoom sprang up, swagger back on its face and a bead of drool glittering at the corner of its mouth.
But after what they'd just seen, the stream only chuckled at the contrast and moved on.
"Gym Leader Grey, I was wondering—"
"You're wondering why Houndoom listens to me so well, right?"
Seeing she wanted to ask, Grey waved it off and, out of habit, crouched to scratch Houndoom under the chin. "I just put out a little friendly Aura. My guess is that aside from you, it hasn't gotten much kindness from others."
"Mhm."
Karen bent her knees and squatted, quietly watching the Houndoom rumble contentedly.
"Miss Karen, I get your worry."
Grey paused his hand and met her eyes. "In the public mind, Fighting types get tagged as 'meatheads, all muscle, nothing but melee.'"
"And it's not just Fighting. Every type gets pasted with something: Poison is 'sinister,' Grass 'puts you to sleep,' Dragon is 'overpowered,' Fire is 'hot-headed'…"
"And Dark is 'disobedient, vicious—even master-killing.'"
"…"
Karen's expression shifted; helplessness flickered in her eyes.
Exactly as Grey said—people rush to label types. What she wanted was to peel those labels off and win recognition for Dark-type Pokémon. The path would be a storm, but no matter the price, she would make Dark types great again.
"Miss Karen, you should keep an even keel. If someone uses any means to reach their goal, even 'success' backfires."
"Pokémon are creatures of endless possibility. Time will do the telling. What we should do is treat them well and help them show the parts they're proudest of."
The blue glow at Grey's fingertips faded. He spoke softly. "I think you understand me, don't you?"
Karen's micro-expressions were good.
But to Grey—who could feel fine emotional shifts through Aura—that control was useless. It might fool the stream, but not him.
"Is that why you stream, Gym Leader Grey?" Karen glanced at the chat rolling by. It felt like she was brushing up against something—just a little more and she'd have a way to change minds about Dark types.
"That? Honestly, to make extra cash. When you have more Pokémon, expenses go up."
Grey's tone was earnest. "Gotta eat. Beats making money in underground fights."
Karen: "…"
Will: "?"
Both League inspectors were floored.
Too honest?!
[HAHAHA 'gotta eat'—facts!]
[Oh you're evil, streamer! Is this code for 'send gifts'?]
[Send! Send hard! Grey just showed a side of Dark types we never see—fill his gift bar!]
Gifts flooded the screen.
In no time, he'd earned several days of dojo meals.
Grey sent his thanks, then scanned for familiar names.
Red, Blue, Mustard—those three…
None online.
Caitlin?
Also no.
The Battle Castle's official account did toss some gifts, though.
Seemed like the "four bosses" had been busy lately.
Just as Grey reached down to pet the dog again, the screen flashed!
A brilliant white light swallowed the whole feed.
An ancient white tree surged from the ground, branches fanning like clouds; motes of light drifted like fireflies through its crown.
Then, in the next second—shadow swallowed the glow.
A skyscraper shouldered skyward, crushing the great tree to glittering dust. Light scattered and faded.
The gift effect dissolved.
If nothing else—the production value slapped.
"Thanks to 'Nature's Black' for the 'Reality & Ideal'! If I'm not mistaken, that's a Unova-exclusive gift?"
Grey swallowed. Not cheap. Whoever was behind that had a heavy hand.
[First time on stream; your words struck a chord, so I sent a small token—no need to thank me.]
[Do you think what you said just now is 'ideal' or 'reality'?]
"?"
A handsome green-haired youth flashed through Grey's mind.
N—Natural Harmonia Gropius.
Team Plasma's king—the man recognized by the dragon of Truth, Reshiram, and the dragon of Ideals, Zekrom.
A "trainer," but not like the usual kind. He hates Poké Balls—thinks they shackle Pokémon's freedom. In the games, he refuses to use them except to heal.
"As for truth and ideals, I think extremes don't work."
Grey scratched his cheek. Two extremists in one day—great.
Compared to N, Karen was gentler: she only wanted Dark types to flourish and be accepted.
N, poor kid, had been brainwashed by Ghetsis in every version—so far he'd go as to separate humans and Pokémon.
Luckily, Grey's words had found his soft spot, and the chat hadn't gone nuclear.
[So, in your view?]
Grey glanced at chat and answered:
"Short version: 'Have substance in words, have measure in deeds.'"
"In detail: 'Practice reality within your ideals; carry your ideals within reality.'"
[He's deep today…]
[Translation, anyone?]
[He writes pretty but I have no idea what it means~]
[King of empty talk!]
[So that's it… thank you.]
"No problem. Boss, tap my avatar and DM me; I'll add your line after I end stream."
Business done, Grey noticed Karen lost in thought again.
He looked her way; she gave a tiny start, steadied herself, then raised a ball. "Gym Leader Grey—please battle me!"
//Check out my P@tre0n for 20 extra chapters on all my fanfics //[email protected]/Razeil0810.