Outside, Nemona escorts me over the bridge out of Levincia, her arms still around me as she helps me walk. “It’s okay, I’ve got you. Lean on me if you need to, I’m here…”

  We make our way onto the grass, a good distance from Levincia, and Nemona settles me onto the thick, soft grass, sitting beside me. “So… tell me, what’s wrong? You’re clearly having a rough time, and I… I wanna help you if I can.”

  I sniff, wiping my eyes, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Nemona… I’m trans. I wasn’t… born like this. I was born a boy, trapped in the wrong body, and I couldn’t get out…. I got found out at school back in Gar, and I was bullied ruthlessly, every day… I couldn’t go to school; I barely had the energy to get out of bed most days… I hated myself for being wrong, and I hated myself for not being able to be ‘fixed’. I was… on the edge, in all honesty… and then, mom helped me out of that dark pce. She got me medicines that help my body adjust to what the doctors did to it, so I could have the body I should have been born with…”

  Nemona stares. “You… you’re a girl, though. It doesn’t matter if you weren’t physically, you were where it counts. In here, and in here.”

  She reaches out and touches my forehead, and then pokes me in the chest, right over my heart.

  “So, as far as I’m concerned, you’re the pretty girl who makes me y awake, thinking about the best ways to bring out my own strength, and hers. The kind girl who helped out that Koraidon, and takes care of her Pokémon. The brave girl who struggled through something so demanding, and still has the courage to admit something so personal… that’s the girl I see right here, in front of me.”

  She takes my hands. “So dry those tears, chica, and show me that smile, ay?”

  I sniffle, and then smile for her. She beams back at me. “That’s the ticket. Now, how about you get up, give me another smile, and go on ahead? I still have to take the Gym challenge in Levincia…”

  I stand, brushing my skirt down, and give Nemona another smile, feeling a lot better. “Good luck. I’d better get moving towards Zapapico. I need to pass through on the way to Medali.”

  Nemona gets up. “Good idea, I’ll go and give Iono a thrashing, and I’ll see you soon, okay?”

  After bidding goodbye to the second person I’ve ever trusted with the truth about me, I head through Levincia and up into the rocky area beyond. It’s an area known for being rich in natural resources, with mines and dig-sites, before stopping. The map shows a potential sighting of the Lurking Steel Titan. Koraidon is clearly interested in something in the immediate area, and I follow its exploration, grinning as I spot a rge, bulbous red head sticking out of the dirt. “Well done, Rairai. I think we just hit the jackpot. Ready?”

  “Gia!”

  I urge Koraidon on, and we approach the creature. It burrows into the ground, and re-emerges some distance away.

  “Alright, let’s get faster, buddy!” A short chase ensues, with Rairai speeding me on. Eventually, the massive worm Pokémon emerges and I can get the chance to battle it.

  “Annihipe, go! Close Combat!” however, instead of retaliating, the Pokémon burrows through the wall, and I give chase again, catching it just as it bashes a huge hole in the cliff and begins feeding on a familiar glowing pnt. Arven sprints up, eyes wide.

  “Carmina! You managed to pin down the Titan?!”

  He turns, inspecting the sight before us. “THAT’s the Lurking Steel Titan? It’s, uh… well, it sure is long! I think our not-so-little friend might be even feistier now, after eating those herbs!”

  I nod. “Let’s do this together, Arven!”

  The Titan Pokémon whirls on us, and Arven’s Toedscool joins my Annihipe in battle. Arven makes a fist. Doesn’t matter how big an opponent is! Victory’s gonna taste so good, seasoned by my Toedscool!”

  The battle is short, and vicious, but the Titan Orthworm goes down like a colpsing building. Ii hold up my hand for a high-five, and Arven sps his palm against mine.

  “We did it! Way to go, Carmina! Did you get a good look at its face, though? I didn’t expect a Titan to be such a li’l cutie!” he ughs.

  He turns to the hole the Orthworm made. “I bet if we go in here, we’ll find more of that Herba Mystica it ate before. Let’s go, before that thing can recover!”

  Deep in the cave, the pair of us find another cluster of that brightly-glowing herb.

  “Arven, what does the book say? What does this herb do?”

  Arven pulls out his book, and flips the pages, searching for the required information.

  “Well… apparently, Salty Herba Mystica helps with aching hands and feet. Good for neuropathy and numbness. When you’ve got muscle weakness, it supposedly builds up strength again!”

  I smile. “This should definitely help Mabosstiff feel better again!”

  “Right! Let’s get some food going!”

  Arven commences his culinary chaos once again, his hands blurring as he whips up a quartet of butties.

  “Sorry to keep ya waiting! Here you go: another of your favourite ol’ Arven sandwiches! And it comes with a special Titan Badge! The Pokémon League might not recognize it, but I hope you appreciate it all the same!”

  I pin the badge to my uniform alongside the others, before settling down the dig in, as Koraidon pops out of its Pokéball, already drooling.

  “Gias?”

  I smile. “Hey, buddy! Arven made extra, just for you! Say thank you to him, okay?”

  “Agia!”

  I take the sandwich and hold it out. “Good fel. Here you go, Rairai!”

  “Come on out, Mabosstiff. Got some for you, too, bud.”

  Arven lets his Mabosstiff out of his ball, feeding the st of the hoagies to the poor doggo.

  “That’s it. Small bites, small bites…”

  As Mabosstiff eats slowly, Koraidon opens its jaws, closing them gently around the bread. “*chomp-chomp snarf chomp*”

  Light erupts from its form as the Herba Mystica works its magic, Koraidon’s power growing as it licks its lips. Arven groans, “C’mon… at least bother to TASTE it before you swallow it right down, would you?”

  I take a bite of my own. The saltiness of the Herba Mystica contrasts with the wild sharpness of the cheese, the soft bread seasoned with a mix of olive oil and vinaigrette.

  So… freakin’… TASTY!

  Arven sighs. “Oh, before I forget, Carmina… take another look at this. There’s always a Titan Pokémon near the Herba Mystica when we find ‘em, right?”

  I nod. Arven flips the page. “Like the book says, it’s not like big ol’ Pokémon just happen to like these herbs. It’s actually something IN the herbs that’s making the Titans so big and strong.”

  He closes the book and puts it away. “So, does that mean a Titan’s ‘ir’ isn’t really some kind of treasure hoard or whatever? It’s just a pantry where the Titan keeps its food?”

  Mabosstiff shifts slowly. Arven turns back to his partner.

  “Oh. You done with your sandwich, Mabosstiff?”

  Mabosstiff tries to stand again. “Ruf…”

  Arven almost falls over. “R-ruf?! You… you heard that, right, Carmina? Mabosstiff just woofed! Right?!”

  I nod, smiling. “I heard it! I heard it too!”

  Arven’s eyes light up. “I KNEW I wasn’t imagining it!”

  “…Ruff!”

  Mabosstiff barks again, seemingly a little stronger! Arven’s face is alight with joy as he begins cooing over his Pokémon.

  “Oh, Mabosstiff! Who’s my best bud, huh? Who’s the best of boys? You are, yes, you are!” He sniffles. “It’s… it’s been so long since I heard that woof!”

  He regains his composure, turning to me with a smile on his face.

  “Mabosstiff is definitely getting better! Ever since I teamed up with you, good things keep happening! But we’ve still got two more herbs to go. Hope you’ll stick it out until we’re done!”

  Koraidon approaches, leaning down and sniffing Mabosstiff’s face. “Agia!”

  “Ruf…”

  As Arven shoos me away to clean up, I head outside and fill Professor Sada in.

  “I see. I detect that Koraidon has indeed regained more of its original power. While you’re riding it, it seems like it will now be able to leap higher than before. Please, continue to take good care of Koraidon… and of my son.”

  She hangs up, and I smile. Now, I could go for Medali and the Gym there, but I think it would be a good idea to train a bit more. Despite my easy-yet-traumatic victory against Iono and the crushing defeat of the Titan Orthworm, I still feel that training up would be a good decision. I look down at my collections of badges.

  Katy, Brassius, Kofu and Iono, the Gym Leaders.

  Giacomo and Me of Team Star.

  The Titans Kwf, Bombirdier, and Orthworm.

  That leaves four Gyms, three Star bases, and two Herba Mystica.

  I think this could be really rough if I don’t take the time to get as tough as I can. I still have plenty of time before the Treasure Hunt ends. I can take some extra time to really get strong. I head back to Levincia and stay at a hotel for the night. Tomorrow… we train!

  The next day, instead of moving on to the next Gym, I draw up a preparation schedule. For a week, we’re going to work our butts off and train up as much as we can. Every Trainer and wild Pokémon should watch out! XD

  Seven days of rigorous training and drills. Seven full days. By the end of that week, I can almost feel the power roiling off my team as we eat a te breakfast on the outskirts of Medali. The sun is approaching its zenith, and it’d taken most of the previous night to get here, travelling from Cascarrafa.

  Finally, I push my way into the Medali Gym. The moment I enter, I hear the sound of drumming feet and a voice.

  “Heeey, Carmina!”

  Nemona barrels in, hugging me for behind, then releasing me. “I saw you going into the Gym and came running! Listen, I’m really sorry I couldn’t battle you st time we ran into each other. On the plus side, I gave Iono a SERIOUS beatdown and a chewing-out for her stupid camera nonsense. And, before you get it wrong, I didn’t chase you down just to battle you! Then again… I guess I wouldn’t MIND a battle, or anything, if you wanted…”

  She looks shy, blushing and looking… well, like a girl talking to her crush.

  I smile. “Nemona?”

  “Y-yes?”

  I smile wider. “I challenge you to a battle!”

  Her eyes widen, and I hear her murmur “Yesss….. Battle time. You and me, Carmina… Oh! Wait. I wanna be sure to pick the right Pokémon for where you’re at in your journey. Sorry, gimme a sec to fine-tune my team! Then we can battle!”

  Nemona hops around. “In fact, while you’re waiting, go ahead and take on the Gym!”

  She sprints off, and I approach the League staffer.

  “Welcome to the Medali Gym! Let me pull up your file. Carmina… fifth Gym… Alright, we have everything in order. Now, in order to face Gym Leader Larry, you’ll first need to pass the Gym test. Here at the Medali Gym, that means ordering a special secret menu item! Specifically, a menu item at the Treasure Eatery, a much-loved restaurant here in Medali. Order correctly, and you pass! Right now, there are… three other challengers around town attempting this Gym test. Each challenger has been given a different clue that’ll help them discover the secret dish. Your clue is to find out how the regurs season their dishes.”

  I nod, turning and heading outside. ‘The regurs’? That sounds like I should go and ask at the Treasure Eatery, then. Making my way there, I enter, and look around. Asking the chef might be the best option. At the counter, I ask, “so, how do the regurs season their dishes?”

  A voice to my left answers, “A nice squeeze of lemon gives any dish a refreshing kick.”

  I take a look, and see a man in a well-cut bck suit, a briefcase at his side. Huh. Looks like the chef WASN’T the right answer, but I still got the information I needed.

  “Thanks you very much, sir. Enjoy your meal!”

  I skip outside. One clue down. Lemon juice!

  The next clue comes from a Taxi operator, whose blue-feathered Squawkabilly gives me the next clue. ‘Medium’. Excellent!

  Just down the street, I get accosted by an adult in Naranja Academy uniform.

  “You’re taking the Gym test, aren’t you? I can tell! Get ready to spill the beans about your clue!”

  I smile. “ONLY if you beat me, that’s the rule! And if I win, then I get YOUR clue!”

  He sends out a Dunsparce, and my Annihipe goes in for the beatdown with Fury Swipes. However, the Dunsparce manages to hang on and fire off a Drill Run.

  With another series of Fury Swipes, Annihipe has the Dunsparce on the ropes, and it uses Yawn, trying to put my Pokémon to sleep. But it has no chance of success. Annihipe’s Ability, Vital Spirit, prevents all forms of sleeping toxin or influence. A st Fury Swipe, and the Dunsparce curls up in defeat.

  The student sighs. “Fine, I lost. Here’s my clue. Listen real close to the blue bird Pokémon.”

  I smile. I already know the answer to that!

  Moving on, I hunt down another student, finding her near an old amphitheatre, the kind used for old-fashioned stage pys.

  “Hey, wanna give me your clue if I beat you in a battle?”

  She smiles. “Not if I beat you first!”

  She sends out an Ursaring! Okay, the messing round’s officially stopped!

  I have my Annihipe use Close Combat, and the massive bear Pokémon tips over backwards, already unconscious from the barrage of high-speed, full-power punches.

  “Aww, damn… I can’t believe this Gym test makes us steal each other’s clues… that’s fighting dirty!” she compins. “Anyway, the clue I was given was… to look for a dark spot surrounded by stairs.”

  I thank her, before slipping away and down to the amphitheatre, making sure she doesn’t see me. A little poking around, and I find something scratched in the stone, very faint. ‘Fire Bst’. That’s three.

  About twenty minutes ter, I find the third challenger. A small child in my school’s uniform.

  “’Scuse me, Miss Lady! You’re doing the Gym test, yeah? Tell me your clue about the secret dish!”

  I feel a little bad, but I have no choice. If I wanna pass, I have to battle a little girl.

  She sends out a Gumshoos, an angry weasel-looking Pokémon that kinda looks like a Unovan politician known for his warmongering and rather odd social-media messages. ‘Covfefe’ still lives in infamy…

  Close Combat proves as effective as before, and she huffs, sending out a Greedent. The same result happens, and I net myself the st clue. “Find the odd one out at an ice-cream stand.”

  The answer… is grilled rice balls. So, putting the clues together…

  Medium grilled rice balls, extra crispy Fire Bst style, with lemon.

  Returning to the Treasure Eatery, I give my order to the cashier at the front. He turns his head and shouts.

  “Medium-serving grilled rice balls, Fire Bst style, with fresh lemon on the side!”

  The chef shouts back, “Gotcha! Medium rice balls, extra crispy, with lemon!”

  The restaurant patrons get up from their chairs and start moving the furniture out of the way to clear the battle court, which is… INSIDE the restaurant?!

  With the Gym test passed, I take a few moments to catch my breath, before speaking to the cashier again. “So… could I please make my challenge?”

  “You’re ready to face the Exceptional Everyman himself, Gym Leader Larry?”

  I nod.

  “In that case, please head onto the battle court.” Turning his head again, the cashier bellows, “Laaarrryyy! You’re up!”

  From over at the counter, the business-suited saryman gets to his feet. He approaches, his tired-looking face lined, with deep bags under his eyes.

  “Hello. I’m Larry. I’m assigned to work as the Gym Leader of the Medali Gym.”

  Even his voice is calm and unassuming!

  “Good job on making your way through the Gym test. And, well… maybe try the other dishes on the menu too sometime. Everything’s good here. Anyway, my boss will dock my pay if I spend too much time chitchatting. Let’s get this battle over with.”

  He heads onto the battle court, and I join him. Dude’s got it rough…

  He adjusts his tie as he faces me down across the court.

  “Thank you for doing business with us today. I, Larry, will be at your service.”

  He sets his briefcase down and produces a Pokéball, setting a Koma on me, the sleeping Pokémon still able to subconsciously battle. I start out with Close Combat from Annihipe, before switching to my Lucario to match Larry’s Dudunsparce.

  “Aura Sphere!” Lucario channels its energy, unching a ball of pure ki-power, sending that Dudunsparce skidding across the arena. This time, I stick it out, keeping Lucario on the field as Larry sends out his ace, a Staraptor.

  The huge bird fps, hovering in the air as it prepares to attack. He Terastallizes, Staraptor’s Flying type switching to Normal. Lucario’s Vacuum Wave attack crashes into the Tera Pokémon, and it counters with Aerial Ace, before a second Aura Sphere cuts its flight short, bringing it down and my victory is assured.

  “Huh. You certainly threw me for a loop. I lost, so I have to give you a badge, but… that battle made me a bit hungry. Care to join me for a meal?”

  I smile. “Sure, I could eat. Besides, I should try out the menu’s other items, right?”

  Between us, the Gym Leader and I end the lives of many rice balls. He does most of the work, though. He pays for the meal, and I thank him. “Goodbye, Mr. Larry. Thank you for a good battle, a good meal, and I hope you can take a break soon!”

  I leave, and start hunting for Nemona. It shouldn’t take long-

  “Another Gym Leader defeated. Well done.”

  I turn to see Ms. Geeta. Dammit, Octillery-hair! What do you want NOW?!

  “Rika informed me there was an unusual Trainer worth keeping an eye on. It seems she meant you. I’d guessed as much. I had the pleasure of observing your st match. I was impressed by the fantastic skill you showed! If you manage to keep your momentum and reach Champion Rank… I would be very interested in inviting you to the Pokémon League and-”

  Nemona’s voice breaks through Ms. Geeta’s recruitment spiel.

  “Hey hey, Carmina! I’ve got my team all picked out!”

  She sprints in, babbling delightedly. “And I saw your battle with the Gym Leader! You just keep getting better!”

  Ms. Geeta turns. “How good to see you again, Champion Nemona. It has certainly been a while.”

  Nemona raises a hand to her mouth in shock. “Whoa! Wait! La Primera? With my Carmina? I thought you were too busy to spend your time checking in on Gyms!”

  “I’m not here to inspect the Gym. I’ve come to scout some rather promising talent.” The Top Champion expins.

  Nemona’s eyes narrow at her boss, before looking at me.

  “Whooaaa. I look away for one second and you’re famous, Carmina.”

  Then, Nemona raises her hand, pointing firmly at Ms. Geeta. “But hey! I found Carmina first! You may be La Primera, but you can’t go stealing her from me!”

  Ms. Geeta raises an eyebrow. “Haha. I suppose I’ll have to get in line.”

  Nemona grabs my hand. “That’s right! C’mon, Carmina. Time for our battle!”

  Ms. Geeta follows as Nemona drags me outside.

  “I would very much like to observe this match, if that is alright.”

  Nemona looks at me, and I nod. “Well, Carmina’s okay with it, so I suppose you can watch.”

  Outside, I turn to the older girl, her fingers still interced with mine, and squeeze her hand gently.

  “Nemona?”

  “Ay?”

  “Let’s have us a fruitful battle.”

  She squeals, and we separate, giving us space to battle as freely as we want. Ms. Geeta gets clear, and Nemona sends out Lycanroc, my Annihipe opening with Close Combat.

  The Lycanroc goes down in a single attack, and I switch out Garchomp to counter Nemona’s Goomy.

  Her second Pokémon puts up a better fight, nding three clean hits and managing to avoid the first two Dragon Cws, but the third nds, netting the second round to me. Garchomp takes another hit to get off a Bulldoze.

  The final battle comes down to Nemona’s Meowscarada against my Skeledirge, a real csh of the titans. She Terastallizes, and I just go for broke with Skeledirge’s Torch Song. The Meowscarada has the advantage in speed, busting out its Flower Trick move, but Skeledirge’s Torch Song takes it down in two hits, despite the double-hit it’d taken. Nemona sighs blissfully, her eyes almost closed. Ms. Geeta appuds. I’d forgotten about her and her ridiculous hair.

  “An amazing dispy of talent, even against one as skilled as Champion Nemona. That was a splendid match. I enjoyed watching very much.”

  Nemona glomps me, hugging me against her. “The way you’re going, I’d better watch my back, yeah? You’re truly something special, Carmina…” she kisses me on the cheek, and I can’t help but let out a squeak of shock. She skips away, giggling. “Y’know, since the first time we met, I’ve been weirdly sure of one thing… You’re going to be my biggest rival, and my best friend!”

  Mms. Geeta stares, and then turns to me. “Well, I’ve said everything I came to say. Take care of yourself, young Carmina.”

  She leaves, and I slump back against the nearest wall. Nemona… kissed me?! She kissed me! Or was I imagining it? No, my cheek is damp. SHE DEFINITELY KISSED ME! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA-

  While I process that, I find myself heading back to Cascarrafa in order to find the Quaking Earth Titan. Out in the Asado Desert, I feel the very ground tremble beneath me. On foot, I slowly track, following the vibrations, changing direction when they grow weaker. Eventually, they’re so strong I can barely keep my feet. I can feel my cheeks, still flushed after Nemona’s surprise kiss, before all thoughts of the beautiful girl temporarily fly out of my head.

  “What… the ACTUAL Fire-Bst-grilled fuck?”

  I stare in awestruck horror. The Titan is… utterly terrifying. It’s gigantic, and looks like the worst nightmare of a Donphan. Its tusks curl round into a spiral, spiked bony ridges running over its enormous body. The gleam in its yellow eyes promises menace, and I already feel like approaching it is a VERY stupid idea. Before it can notice me, I mount up on Koraidon and charge, vaulting off its back and releasing my Gyarados. Counting on its Water typing, I prepare for battle.

  Ro-to-to-to-to!

  “Hello, Carmina. This is Professor Sada. Great Tusk is a Pokémon that came from the Great Crater of Paldea. I ask that you do whatever is needed to subdue it- with all due caution, of course.”

  She hangs up.

  I sweat a little. THIS is a Pokémon?! Are you 100% SURE about that?!

  Gyarados starts out with Chilling Water, before suffering a retaliatory Stomp that looks like it should’ve punted my poor partner halfway across the desert. Pulling out all the stops, I point and command, “Gyarados! HYDRO PUMP!”

  A condensed beam of highly-pressurized water spears forth, and the Great Tusk retreats, heading for its den. By the time I catch up, it’s already eating the Herba Mystica it guards so zealously. Arven pounds up, picking sprays of sand everywhere.

  “Carmina! Looks like you’ve found yourself a Titan! But seriously, LOOK at it! No wonder they call it the QUAKING EARTH Titan! Is that thing even a Pokémon?!

  I shrug. “That’s what I thought! But it certainly fights like one. And we don’t have much of a choice! If we want that Herba Mystica, we have to go through that thing!”