Niyah leaned lazily walked to the counter of the Turrfield Pokémon Center, her Rotom Dex hovering nearby, beeping happily. Nurse Joy looked up as the young girl approached, an expectant smile already forming on her face.
"Well now," Joy said, clasping her hands together, "I heard quite the commotion from the stadium earlier. Don't tell me you were part of that battle against Milo?"
Niyah grinned, unable to hide her pride. "Yup. That was me. Won, too."
The nurse blinked, visibly impressed. "Already? You only registered a few days ago!" She chuckled softly as she accepted the Poké Balls. "You're moving fast, dear. That's… unusual for a beginner."
"Guess I don't like sitting still," Niyah said lightly.
As the healing machine hummed to life, Nurse Joy's terminal flashed updating Niyah's profile to include her first Gym Badge. Joy's eyes flicked to the side of the screen, where a faint notes from the previous Nurse Jous and Professor Magnolia lingered: 'Keep an eye on her. Mysterious origins. Unusual power signatures.'
She didn't comment. Instead, she smiled and handed back the Poké Balls. "All healed and ready to go. Just try not to burn down another stadium, alright?"
Niyah laughed. "No promises."
—
Niyah was halfway out the Center's glass doors when a familiar chime rang through her mind. The holographic blue text flickered in front of her eyes.
[System Notification: Quest Activated]
Objective: Catch your third team member.
Reward: Unlimited Rare Candies (Simply think about wanting some, and they will appear in your bag!)
Penalty: Get lost in the Wild Area for an extra week
Time Limit: 5 Days
Accept / Decline
She didn't even hesitate. "Accept."
Roty's screen glowed excitedly. "Btzz, btzz, Oh-ho! A new friend, huh? Any idea what we're looking for?"
Niyah smiled knowingly. "Yeah. I want a Togepi. Now that I have a gym badge I can get into the Wild Area, no problamo"
—
The Wild Area stretched out before her, rolling green hills, glittering lakes, and trees swaying under drifting clouds. Pokémon of all shapes and sizes roamed freely, some battling, some napping, and others running from the chaos Mimikyu and Litwick were gleefully creating.
Litwick floated behind a startled Pancham, his small blue flame dimming to near invisibility before flaring up again just to spook it. Mimikyu, not to be outdone, used Double Team to surround a curious Wooloo, each clone pretending to play peekaboo before all vanishing at once.
"Guys!" Niyah called between laughs, "You're going to get us kicked out of the Wild Area!"
Roty spun in place. "Correction! There is nothing that stops us from pranking them."
"Exactly!" Niyah said, hands on her hips. "Loop-hole approved."
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, they'd left a trail of chaos: confused Machop, dizzy Rookidee, and one very angry Snorlax whose nap had been interrupted by Mimikyu's Astonish.
They made camp under a crooked tree, firelight flickering across their faces. Niyah looked up at the glowing stars. "Tomorrow," she murmured, "we start the real search."
—
The second day dawned clear and calm, and Niyah felt the determination set in. Roty floated ahead, its scanners pulsing faint light across the grass. "Togepi species… rare… low spawn rate in this region," it announced.
"Low doesn't mean impossible," Niyah replied, though by noon, even her endless enthusiasm had dimmed.
They trekked through grassy fields, peered behind stones, even checked near Berry trees, but still nothing. Only the same Pokémon as before, the same rustling leaves, the same taunting quiet.
Mimikyu climbed up onto Niyah's shoulders, her cloth body drooping. Litwick hovered closer to Niyah's hair, tiny flame flickering faintly in irritation.
As the sun sank, they stopped at a calm patch near a lakeside. "Still no sign, huh?" Niyah sighed, unrolling her bedroll.
"Negative," Roty said. "Though… I did detect residual fairy-type energy near the western ridge earlier. Maybe a nest?"
Niyah's eyes sparkled. "Then that's tomorrow's plan."
They settled around a gentle fire, Mimikyu curled beside her trainer, Litwick perched on a rock to keep watch. Niyah looked out across the lake, her reflection smiling back at her.
"Tomorrow," she said softly. "We'll find you."
—
The morning began with a sound soft, high-pitched crying. Niyah's head snapped up immediately. "Hear that?"
Roty's sensors flared. "Yes. Sound type: distress call. Direction: northeast."
The group crept through the tall grass, following the noise until they stumbled upon a scene both adorable and absurd.
A small Togepi sat in front of a Skwovet'sberry pile, eyes huge and watery. The Skwovet turned, cheeks stuffed full, confusion spreading across its furry face.
Then, before it could even react BAM! A psychic burst of pale blue light blasted from Togepi's stubby hands, sending the poor Skwovet tumbling backward into the dirt, eyes swirling.
The crying stopped instantly. The Togepi snickered, grabbed a pawful of berries, and started munching noisily.
"…She's perfect," Niyah whispered in awe.
Litwick tilted slightly, 'Really'
Mimikyu's eyes glowed with shared mischief, 'More tricks to pull of course.'
Niyah crouched low, grin widening. "Alright team. Let's use her own trick against her."
They gathered a few berries, the sweetest and most colorful ones, and placed them neatly on a flat rock near their hiding spot. Then Litwick dimmed his light, casting a faint shadow illusion to make the berries seem like they shimmered invitingly.
The Togepi perked up, eyes sparkling with interest. She toddled closer, sniffing. When she reached out, Mimikyu's shadow flicked behind her, blocking the escape route.
"Now!" Niyah whispered.
Litwick sent a gentle wisp of fire not to attack, but to startle. The Togepi yelped and tripped forward, right into the berries… and into the faint glow of a Luxury Ball Niyah tossed with perfect aim.
The ball wriggled once… twice…
Niyah laughed triumphantly. "Gotcha!"
But the celebration didn't last long. The ball popped open again in a flash, and the Togepi emerged, puffing out her tiny cheeks and sniffling dramatically.
"Oh, here we go again," Niyah said, crossing her arms.
The Togepi's eyes shimmered with fake tears. "Toge… piiiii…" she whimpered, trying to look pitiful.
Niyah raised a brow. "You're not even crying real tears."
The act stopped cold. The Togepi froze, blinked, and rubbed at her perfectly dry eyes.
Niyah smirked, crouching to meet her gaze. "Nice try, though. You've got talent, just need some refinement. Stick with me, and I'll teach you how to fool everyone."
The Togepi tilted her head, clearly weighing her options. Mimikyu leaned closer, whispering something mischievously that made the Togepi's eyes widen. Then, with a tiny grin, the fairy-type tapped the Luxury Ball gently.
Click.
[System Notification: Quest Completed]
Objective: Catch your third team member.
Reward: Unlimited Rare Candies Unlocked
"Btzz, btzz, Niyah congratulations! Would you like to give the newly caught Togepi (Female) a nickname?" Roty chirped, levitating around Niyah with Mimikyu and Litwick.
"I already have a name picked out, this little gal will be Iris? Cute but sassy! I already have the PokéPuffs for high friendship, now I just need to find a shiny stone. Maybe I could trade one of the dusk stones when I reach the next city, I only need one after all." Niyah chirped in excitement.
"Btzz, btzz, nickname selected, welcome to the team Iris! Would Niyah like to look at Iris' summary?" Roty buzzed.
"Yes, give it to me!" Niyah looked excitedly at Roty's screen.
[Pokémon Summary]
Name: Iris
Gender: Female
Personality: Trickster
Species: Togepi
Category: Spike Ball Pokémon
Type: Fairy
Height: 0'08" (Average 1'00")
Weight: 3.0lbs (Average 3.3lbs)
Potential: Champion-Tier
Ability: Serene Grace (Doubles the chance of moves' secondary effects occurring - specifically stat changes, status ailments, or flinching. It also increases the chance of flinching due to the held items)
Hidden Ability: Super Luck (Raises the ability-bearer's critical-hit ratio, theorized to boost trainer's luck)
Moves: Metronome (Mastered | Can fully control outcome), Fairy Wind (Mastered), Aerial Ace (Egg Move), Extrasensory (Egg Move - Mastered), Morning Sun (Egg Move), Ancient Power, Magical Leaf,
Level: 24
Training Plan:
Focus on training Serene Grace ability to always cause secondary effects.
Use PokéPuffs to raised friendship, Super Lucks effects are boosted the higher it is.
Increase health gained from use of Morning Sun.
"Wow, another Champion-tier, I guess Super-Luck actually does work!" Niyah gasped in excitement, "Perfect control of metronome, that's going to be so useful for the next gym. I can get a grass or electric move without having catch someone new!"
'Look at all those egg moves, Iris' parents must've been really strong!' Niyah hummed in completion.
Niyah exhaled, smiling down at the Luxury Ball in her hand. "Welcome to the team, little con artist."
—
The fire crackled gently in the dark of the Wild Area, throwing soft orange light over the little camp Niyah had set up. A batch of PokéPuffs sat on a flat stone, giving off a sweet, fruity scent that had both Mimikyu and Litwick staring in anticipation.
Togepi, freshly released from her Pokéball, blinked curiously at the treats before puffing up proudly as though already certain they were for her.
Niyah chuckled. "They're for everyone, don't worry. But you did join the team today, so I guess you get first pick."
At that, the tiny egg Pokémon let out a pleased trill, hopping forward and taking one with both stubby arms. She nibbled cautiously at first, then brightened, a spark of joy practically glowing around her.
Roty hummed from beside Niyah. "Btzz… friendship levels increasing rapidly. PokéPuffs contain emotional resonance linked to positive reinforcement. Result: Super Luck ability efficiency rising by approximately 17%."
"Seventeen percent?" Niyah smirked, handing another PokéPuff to Mimikyu. "Guess we'll have to keep feeding her, huh?"
Litwick flickered cheerfully, his blue flame pulsing with warmth as he floated closer to share in the feast. Mimikyu, meanwhile, was already on her third PokéPuff, giggling telepathically through the link Niyah had established.
"She's got a big appetite for such a tiny thing."
Togepi finished her second treat and wiped a crumb from her mouth with a dignified little humph. Niyah watched, amused. "You're not just mischievous, you're dramatic too, huh?"
In response, Togepi clapped her hands, and the air around her shimmered faintly. A second later, the familiar swirl of Metronome energy appeared. But instead of random chaos, the light stilled. Her eyes narrowed with concentration, and then she released a Fairy Wind, perfectly controlled and aimed skyward.
Niyah's jaw dropped slightly. "Wait… you can choose the move?"
Roty beeped excitedly. "Confirmed! Subject Togepi demonstrates full mastery over Metronome selection. Estimated control rate: 100%. This is unprecedented for a wild-born specimen."
The little Togepi twirled proudly, clearly enjoying the stunned reactions of her new companions. Mimikyu clapped her cloth hands, giggling. Litwick chimed in with a cheerful flick of his flame, while Niyah couldn't help but laugh.
"Well then," Niyah said, leaning back on her elbows and smiling at the trio. "Looks like our little prank squad just got even stronger."
Togepi puffed her chest, eyes glinting mischievously. A faint sparkle shimmered around her, the visible trace of her Super Luck activating, now pulsing brighter thanks to the deepening bond between her and her trainer.
The moment settled into easy laughter and warmth as the three Pokémon eventually nestled close to Niyah. Mimikyu curling into her shadow, Litwick hovering at her side, and Togepi resting on her lap.
Roty dimmed its display light, humming softly. "Btzz… emotional harmony achieved. Friendship synchronization stable. Recommend rest mode for optimal growth."
Niyah smiled sleepily, running her hand over Togepi's smooth shell-like head. "Yeah, yeah… we'll rest. Big day tomorrow."
The stars overhead shimmered against the Wild Area's open sky as the campfire dwindled to embers. The laughter and mischief of the day faded into quiet contentment.