Morning light spilled across the Wild Area, painting the tall grass in gold and green. The air smelled fresh, alive with the distant cries of Wingull and the fluttering of Butterfree wings. Niyah stretched, feeling the soft weight of her backpack tug on her shoulders, the faint hum of the Rusted Sword tucked deep inside.
"Alright," she said, her grin wide. "Next stop, Hulbury! And maybe…" Her eyes sparkled. "A little fun along the way."
Litwick bobbed up and down, his flame flickering mischievously. Mimikyu tilted her head, a low giggle bubbling beneath her cloth mask. Togepi clapped her little hands together, pretending innocence though Niyah already knew better.
—
The first victim of the day was a nervous rookie trainer near the bridge out of Turffield, his hands full of Poké Balls as he muttered to himself. "Okay, Rookidee first, then wait, was this one my Nickit or…"
Niyah smirked, crouching behind a boulder. "Mimi, think you can help him 'organize'?"
Mimikyu's shadow melted forward, slipping silently behind the boy. One by one, she swapped the Poké Balls' positions and, just for flair, whispered through her cloth in a ghostly 'Hellooooo…'
The boy jumped so high he nearly dropped them all. "W-who said that?!"
Litwick floated forward, his blue flame glowing from the grass. Niyah had to slap a hand over her mouth to keep from laughing as the poor trainer's face turned pale.
Then, as he finally gathered the courage to throw one Poké Ball-
Pop!
Instead of a proud Rookidee, a Bidoof appeared and immediately tried to gnaw on his shoe.
The trainer shrieked, spinning around. "W-what is..HOW?!"
Niyah whistled innocently as she walked past, her trio following. "Tough luck, rookie! Maybe label your Poké Balls next time!" she called over her shoulder, laughing as Togepi, Mimikyu, and Litwick giggled with her.
Behind them, the trainer was desperately trying to recall his confused Bidoof while his Rookidee flew in frantic circles overhead.
—
By noon, the group found a family of campers by a shimmering pond, enjoying a picnic. The smell of fresh sandwiches and sweet poffins drifted temptingly through the air.
Niyah crouched in the grass, whispering to her Pokémon. "Operation Snack Swap is a go. Mimi, illusions. Lumos, light show. Iris, distraction tears. Got it?"
They all nodded eagerly.
As Mimikyu's disguise shadow stretched, the illusion began, a faint shimmer of air that made their table look perfectly normal… except now all the food was invisible.
At the same moment, Iris toddled into the clearing, letting out the world's most pitiful wail. The campers turned instantly, cooing in concern. "Oh no, sweetie! Are you lost?!"
While their attention was stolen, Litwick floated above the table, using his small flicker of flame to toast the invisible poffins just enough to release their smell. The family gasped, spinning back and noticed the food was gone!
"Huh-?! Where did our lunch go?!"
Iris sniffled dramatically, and Niyah barely managed to keep quiet as Mimikyu's shadow wrapped around the floating snacks behind the bush.
When the campers started frantically searching under the table, Niyah waved to her team and slipped away, carrying a few of the stolen poffins. She gave one to everyone as a reward.
"Bttz, bzzt, I give up," Roty said in pure mechanical exasperation.
"Don't be like that Roty! Good job, team," she said, grinning. "See? We eat, they diet. Win-win."
—
By late afternoon, the team reached a wide field where several Wooloo grazed peacefully near the trail. A herder stood nearby, leaning lazily on a fence. Niyah's grin widened.
"Oh, this one's tooeasy," she whispered.
She crouched, motioning to Mimikyu. "Let's roll, literally."
Mimikyu nodded and disappeared into the tall grass. A moment later, a glowing shadow rolled through the Wooloo herd, startling them. Then Litwick's flame flickered, and one by one, the Wooloo began to glow faintly as if possessed.
The herder blinked. "W-what the-"
The Wooloo suddenly started rolling in sync, perfectly choreographed, forming a big circle like a spinning wheel of fluff.
Iris, inspired, clapped her little hands and released a sudden Metronome, which, amusingly, triggered Fairy Wind, something Iris already knew. Glittering sparkles erupted around the spinning Wooloo like a magical carousel.
The herder dropped his hat. "They're… they're dancing?!"
Niyah bit her lip, shoulders shaking with laughter. "Okay, okay, we should probably-"
Then the Wooloo rolled straight down the hill, forming a big woolly avalanche toward a group of passing trainers.
"Oh no, run!" Niyah cried, tearing off laughing as the startled trainers dove out of the way of the rolling, glowing Wooloo-ball.
By the time the chaos settled, Niyah and her team were halfway down the next trail, still giggling uncontrollably.
—
The laughter still hadn't died down by the time Niyah and her team reached the base of the hill. The late afternoon sun glittered on the horizon, painting the road to Hulbury in orange light. Mimikyu hopped gleefully beside her, waving her ragged arms like a champion conductor; Litwick floated in lazy circles, his flame flickering a smug blue; Togepi waddled between them, humming a tuneless song as she juggled a stolen berry.
"Did you see their faces?" Niyah gasped between laughs, wiping tears from her eyes. "They thought the Wooloo were haunted!"
'Knew we could do it', Mimikyu chirped proudly, puffing up her disguise's chest.
'Hilarious', Lumos crooned, his flame flaring with satisfaction.
Togepi squealed with delight, holding up her berry like a trophy.
They were still basking in victory when the ground beneath them trembled faintly. The laughter faded.
"…Did you guys feel that?" Niyah asked, frowning. She looked up. The air was unusually damp, the smell of salt riding the wind but they were still miles from Hulbury's coast.
Then, from over the hill, came a powerful roar of rushing water.
"Bzz..bzz.. Uh oh," Roty beeped nervously. "That's… not weather."
Before Niyah could respond, a massive stream of water surged down the slope, cutting across the path in a perfectly aimed arc. It slammed into the dirt just ahead of her, spraying a wall of mist. The team jumped back in alarm, shielding themselves as droplets glittered in the sunlight.
From within the mist came a commanding voice.
"Having fun, are we?"
The mist parted, and there stood Nessa, Hulbury's Gym Leader, tall, composed, her long black and teal hair slick with sea spray. The sunlight glinted off her earrings, and her expression was calm… but unmistakably sharp. Behind her loomed her Pokémon, a towering Drednaw, its shell gleaming like armor, eyes glowing with controlled power.
"Whoa," Niyah breathed, both awed and wary. "That's… a Drednaw."
"Correct." Nessa crossed her arms, gazing down at the young trainer. "And you must be Niyah, the girl who thinks the world's her personal playground."
Niyah blinked, startled. "You… know me?"
Nessa tilted her head. "Word travels fast. A young trainer with ghost-types who's been pranking every living thing between Wedgehurst and Turffield? Let's just say your reputation precedes you."
Mimikyu hid slightly behind Niyah, whispering a nervous 'Uh-oh…'
Litwick's flame dimmed a little, uncertain.
Iris peeked out from her shell in her trainer's arms, eyes wide.
Niyah forced a grin. "Heh… well, I guess that means I'm kinda famous?"
"Famous," Nessa said smoothly, "isn't the word I'd use."
She snapped her fingers. The Drednaw growled lowly, stepping forward. The ground shuddered again beneath its heavy feet.
Niyah instinctively reached for her backpack, but before she could act, the ground split as a jet of water burst upward in a narrow ring trapping her and her team in a circular pool of swirling current.
"What the?!" she yelped, stumbling back as the water rotated around her like a mini whirlpool. It didn't rise high enough to hurt them but it was enough to make escape impossible without getting soaked or dragged under.
"Meet Drednaw's Liquid Trap technique," Nessa said, stepping closer. "You like mischief, right? Consider this payback courtesy of the Hulbury Gym."
Niyah's eyes narrowed, impressed despite herself. "That's… actually kinda cool."
Nessa smiled faintly. "Glad you think so. Because you're about to learn what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a prank."
Niyah thought quickly, eyes darting to her team. "Alright, you three we're not losing this easily."
"Kyu!"
"Lit!"
"Pi!"
"Double Team, Will-o-Wisp, and uh, fairy wind like you've never fairy winded before!"
Her Pokémon burst into action. Mimikyu's illusions split into a half dozen mirror images, Litwick surrounded them in eerie flames, and Togepi instantly began swirling around sparking, pink dust.
For a moment, the air shimmered with confusion even Drednaw hesitated. But Nessa didn't falter.
"Nice try," she said. "But you forget water reflects everything."
The pool beneath them rippled, and suddenly Niyah saw their reflections moving independently. Every illusion was clear as day in the mirrored water exposing the real Mimikyu instantly.
"Drednaw," Nessa commanded calmly, "use Rock Tomb, then Surf."
The giant turtle slammed its feet into the earth, summoning jagged stones that surrounded the water ring sealing Niyah's team in a perfect circular arena. Then it roared, summoning a surge of water that crashed over them.
Niyah shielded her face as the wave drenched them, sputtering but laughing through it. "Okay, okay! You got me! That was… that was awesome!"
Nessa's lips curved slightly. "I'm not done yet."
Niyah blinked. "What?"
Drednaw's eyes gleamed. It opened its mouth and unleashed a low, rumbling growl. The water currents shifted and the swirling pool rose, forming a twisting vortex that gently lifted Niyah and her Pokémon off the ground. They were floating, caught in the center of a spinning column of controlled water.
"Whoa… this is, this is actually pretty cool," Niyah admitted, spinning slowly midair.
Nessa raised an eyebrow. "You seem awfully calm for someone who's been caught making a lot of trouble."
"Eh." Niyah smirked, water dripping from her hair. "I've been through worse. Besides, if this is my punishment, I'll take it."
Not the worst she's been through? Nessa thought before shaking her head with a soft laugh. "You're something else."
Once the water subsided and Drednaw lowered them gently to the ground, Niyah stood there, soaked but grinning. Mimikyu's disguise drooped like wet cloth, Litwick's flame sputtered with steam, and Iris sneezed adorably sending out a small puff of sparkles.
Nessa crossed her arms again, looking amused but firm. "Now. You and your little team owe someone an apology."
Niyah blinked. "What?"
"The herder," Nessa said simply. "The one whose Wooloo you turned into a rolling parade."
Niyah froze, then groaned dramatically. "Awww, come on!"
Nessa arched an eyebrow, tone patient but unyielding. "You think a Gym Leader doesn't keep tabs on her region? Turffield may not be my city, but I look out for the people on the road to mine."
There was no real anger in her voice, just authority. And, strangely, care.
Niyah sighed. "Fine. You win."
Nessa's expression softened slightly. "Good. Then let's go make things right."
—
The herder nearly dropped his crook when he saw them walking up the road again. Nessa calm as the tide, Niyah dragging her feet behind with three soggy Pokémon in tow.
"I, uh…" Niyah began awkwardly, rubbing the back of her neck. "About earlier… I might've caused a teensy bit of chaos with your Wooloo."
The man blinked. "A teensy bit?"
Mimikyu raised one little cloth arm like a guilty child.
Litwick's flame flickered apologetically.
Togepi waved and chirped, "Pi pi!"
Niyah sighed. "Okay, maybe a lot of chaos. But! We're sorry. For real."
The herder's expression softened. "Well… alright. I suppose no harm done. The Wooloo are fine though I'll be brushing dirt out of their wool for a week."
Niyah grimaced. "Heh. Sorry 'bout that. I'll… try not to do it again."
Behind her, Nessa nodded approvingly. "Good enough. You handled that maturely."
Niyah glanced up at her, surprised. "You think so?"
"I do." Nessa smiled slightly. "It takes guts to admit when you're wrong, especially for someone who clearly enjoys chaos."
Niyah laughed. "Guess that's true."
—
As they started walking back toward the Hulbury path, Nessa slowed, glancing at the horizon. "You're heading to Hulbury next, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Niyah said, instantly perking up. "For your Gym."
"Good," Nessa replied, her tone turning competitive. "Then bring your best. If you think earlier was cool just wait until you see what I can do on the battlefield."
Niyah's grin widened, excitement sparking in her violet eyes. "Oh, it's on."
"I'll be waiting." Nessa turned, her Drednaw following close behind as water rippled faintly beneath her feet. Before she disappeared down the road, she looked back once more. "And Niyah?"
"Yeah?"
"Next time you try to outsmart me…" Nessa smirked, her eyes glinting. "Make sure you're not standing on damp soil."
With that, she and Drednaw vanished over the rise, the scent of sea air lingering in their wake.
For a long moment, Niyah stood there, the wind rustling through her damp hair. Then she burst into laughter.
"She actually got me," she said incredulously. "No one here has ever caught me before!"
Mimikyu tilted her head, mumbling curiously.
Litwick flickered in question.
Togepi giggled, bouncing in her arms.
Niyah smiled, her eyes glinting with something new, not just mischief this time, but admiration. "We're definitely challenging her next. But first…" She patted her backpack, the faint hum of the Rusted Sword resonating briefly beneath her hand. "Let's rest. Tomorrow, we take over Hulbury."
With that, she and her Pokémon set off down the road, the sunset blazing behind them and somewhere in the distance, the faint crash of ocean waves echoed like a promise.
—
Hours later…
Hulbury's port was quiet at night. The fishing boats had long since docked, and the steady hum of waves against wood filled the air like a lullaby. The moonlight shimmered across the harbor, and the Hulbury Gym stood tall at the city's edge. Its dome glowing softly with ocean-blue light, the reflection rippling across the surface of the water.
Inside her office overlooking the sea, Nessa sat at her desk, towel draped over her shoulders, her long hair still damp from a late-evening training session. The faint hum of her Rotom terminal illuminated the room with a pale glow.
Drednaw snoozed peacefully near the corner, its heavy breaths in rhythm with the tides.
Nessa leaned forward, fingers hovering over the holographic interface as she navigated through the Trainer Registry. The words Trainer Information Update — System Link: Wedgehurst → Hulbury Branch blinked across the top of the screen.
"Let's see what our little ghost girl's been up to," she murmured softly.
The screen displayed NIYAH [No Last Name Recorded], Age: 12 (Approx.), Trainer ID: Unregistered Prototype Rotom Dex Verified, Status: Special Endorsement - Professor Magnolia.
The corner of Nessa's mouth lifted. "So Magnolia wasn't exaggerating…"
Her fingers danced across the virtual keyboard as she opened a new report file:
Subject: Niyah, Post-Turffield Incident Summary
Reporter: Nessa, Hulbury Gym Leader
Date: [System Sync +1 Day]
Summary: Encountered the young trainer "Niyah" en route to Hulbury. Confirmed species on-hand: Mimikyu, Litwick, Togepi (new addition).
Initial impression: mischievous and unapologetically clever — likely uses unconventional battle and environmental strategies to win. Exhibits high intelligence and quick reflexes.
Notable event: successfully cornered and captured Niyah mid-prank using Drednaw's Liquid Trap strategy. Trainer demonstrated self-awareness and genuine remorse following confrontation. Apology to affected civilian witnessed and verified.
Recommendation: monitor progression through gym circuit. Potential for exceptional growth if properly mentored.
Personal note: reminds me of myself, once upon a time.
Nessa paused after typing that last line, her fingers hesitating just above the keys. The quiet sound of Drednaw's slow breathing filled the room.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Yeah… a little too much like me."
Her Rotom terminal pinged, Incoming Call: Champion Leon flashing across the top of the display in bright purple text.
"Speak of the dragon," she muttered, tapping accept.
Leon's grinning face appeared in the holographic window, his signature cape barely fitting in frame. "Nessa! How's Hulbury's shining star doing?"
"Tired," Nessa replied with a soft smirk. "And possibly a little damp."
"Let me guess, training?" Leon asked, already chuckling.
"Partly," she said, leaning back in her chair. "But I also had a run-in with that little girl Magnolia mentioned, the one with the ghost-types."
Leon's smile faltered slightly. "Niyah, right? Magnolia sent me her trainer file. Said she's… unique."
"That's one way to put it," Nessa said dryly. "She's clever. A troublemaker, sure, but not cruel. It's all in good fun, mostly."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Mostly?"
"She pulled a prank on a herder outside Turffield. Sent his Wooloo rolling halfway down the hill." Nessa's tone held both amusement and exasperation. "By the time I found her, she was celebrating like she'd just beaten the Elite Four."
Leon groaned, rubbing his temple. "And let me guess you handled it?"
"Handled it," Nessa confirmed. "Drednaw's Liquid Trap took care of that. I made her apologize to the man afterward."
Leon whistled. "You caught her? I've been hearing reports all over the system, she's like a ghost herself. No one can pin her down."
Nessa's smirk widened. "She's quick. Sharp. But still young. Overconfident."
Leon laughed. "Like someone else I know."
Nessa rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
"No, really." Leon leaned closer to the screen, grin wide. "You sound… impressed."
"I am," Nessa admitted, surprising even herself with how easily the words came. "She's got potential. Her team listens to her like they've known her for years. And her new Togepi?" She tapped a few keys and pulled up a data window. "This one's dangerous."
Leon blinked. "A Togepi? Dangerous?"
"She's got a wicked streak. Fakes being harmless then knocks out whoever underestimates her with Extrasensory." Nessa chuckled softly. "Niyah's training her well. But there's something else about that Togepi… a control over Metronome I've never seen before. She's selective with it."
Leon's expression turned thoughtful. "Selective Metronome…? That's not supposed to be possible."
"I know," Nessa said. "But I saw it firsthand."
She sent the report data over, the screen briefly flickering as it synced with Leon's end. He scrolled through it quickly, his expression growing more serious as he read. "Magnolia wasn't wrong about this one. She's a wild card."
"That's putting it lightly," Nessa said, her voice low. "But she's not completely malicious. Just… unrestrained. Like a current that hasn't found its course yet."
Leon nodded slowly, eyes softening. "You see yourself in her."
The silence stretched for a beat before Nessa exhaled and gave a small nod. "Maybe. When I started, I was all pride and adrenaline too. Thought I could outswim the whole world." She smiled faintly. "She's got that same spark. And maybe a bit more."
Leon leaned back, grinning. "Then she's lucky it's you she ran into."
Nessa huffed a laugh. "We'll see if she still thinks that when we battle. She's heading here next."
"Then I'll make sure her registration updates are cleared before she arrives," Leon said. "Magnolia's been keeping her off most public systems for the most part, but I'll flag her as a 'special observation case.' Just in case someone else crosses paths with her."
"Good idea." Nessa's eyes lingered on the terminal, the glowing text of Niyah's updated file still blinking on-screen.
Trainer Updates:
– New team member: Togepi (female) — high intelligence, elevated control over Metronome.
– Demonstrates improved cooperation post-incident.
– Displays ability to express remorse and adapt behavior.
– Likely to pursue Gym Challenge in full.
– Observation recommended.
Leon's voice softened. "You think she'll make it all the way?"
Nessa looked out the window, the moonlight sparkling on the water. "If she learns when to stop fighting the tide," she said quietly. "Then yes. She might go farther than anyone expects."
Leon smiled faintly. "And if not?"
"Then I'll make sure she doesn't drown trying."
When the call ended, Nessa sat there for a while longer, fingers drumming lightly on the edge of her desk. The faint hum of the sea was her only company.
Her eyes drifted to the small terminal icon still displaying Niyah's trainer profile. The girl's picture, a quick scan Magnolia had likely taken at Wedgehurst, showed a mischievous grin, eyes bright with challenge.
"She reminds me too much of you, Leon," Nessa said softly, leaning back in her chair. "Brave, reckless, stubborn… and maybe a little lonely."
Drednaw stirred in the corner, lifting its heavy head to look at her.
"Yeah," she said with a faint smile, glancing over at her partner. "She's going to make waves."
Outside, the tide rolled in slow, inevitable, and powerful. As the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and the promise of what was coming.