Roty's little chirp echoed faintly as Niyah packed maps and the team readied themselves: "Btzz, training modules ready: docks, tidepools, Route 5 outlets. Agenda suggested: balance work, water-resistance drills, Shadow Sneak timing, and controlled Morning Sun sessions."
With that practical nudge, the group stepped out into Hulbury's busy morning, the docks ahead, tidepools along the rocky shore, and Route 5's open stretches calling their names.
—
Hulbury's morning was alive with motion ships rocking in gentle rhythm, Wingull coasting above like white ribbons, and the scent of salt clinging to everything. Niyah stood at the edge of the wooden pier, her boots leaving faint imprints on the damp boards. The sea stretched out before her, shimmering silver-blue, and for the first time since arriving in this world, she felt… peaceful.
"Btzz, humidity level seventy-three percent," Roty chirped, hovering beside her shoulder. "Optimal for water-type activity, suboptimal for fire-type activity." It paused, lens flicking toward Litwick, who floated with exaggerated poise over the pier's planks. "Advisory: avoid open flame within five meters of standing water."
"Yeah, yeah, we'll be careful," Niyah said, rolling her eyes but smiling. "Lumos isn't that clumsy, right?"
Litwick's flame flared indignantly, 'Of course not.' Mimikyu giggled behind its disguise, while Togepi bounced at Niyah's feet, chirping excitedly as the waves lapped against the pier.
Today was about practice, not pranks. Niyah's team had gotten her through Turffield and now it was time to prepare for Hulbury's Water Gym. And though she hadn't said it aloud, part of her was also trying to understand Nessa. There was something magnetic about the poised woman who'd caught her mid-trick, something that made Niyah want to prove herself.
"All right," she said, pulling out her notebook. "Mimi, you're first."
Mimikyu materialized in front of her, disguise tilting forward slightly. Niyah crouched low. "We're working on stealth movement. When a water-type uses Surf or Whirlpool, there's a half-second lag between the attack and full release. That's your window. Use Shadow Sneak and Double Team to weave between their blind spots."
Roty projected a holographic diagram of Drednaw's typical waterline attack pattern, complete with slow-motion playback. "Btzz, timing synchronization set. Begin."
Mimikyu darted forward, form flickering in and out of sight as the spectral shadows she created mimicked her movements. The pier seemed to ripple with motion; reflections multiplied in the water below. She dashed, vanished, reappeared behind a floating crate, then sank back into the shadows before the echo of her movement had even faded.
"Nice!" Niyah called. "But faster. You need to fade before the splash hits."
Mimikyu let out a determined squeak and repeated the maneuver. This time, she flowed like liquid shadow. One moment she was there, the next she was gone, her reflection ghosting across the water in perfect time. The images that remained was so convincing Niyah's eyes couldn't track the real one.
"Btzz, success rate: 92%. Efficiency: excellent," Roty reported.
Niyah grinned. "Good girl, Mimi. You're getting terrifying."
Mimikyu puffed her disguise proudly, a pleased shimmer of shadow surrounding her.
—
By midmorning, the group had moved to the tidepools along the rocky coast. The air here was cooler, the scent of brine stronger. Litwick hovered cautiously above a puddle where small Chinchou flickered their bioluminescent feelers.
"Okay, Lumos, your turn," Niyah said. "You need to build resistance. Your fire burns bright, but one splash and it's gone."
Litwick's flame dimmed slightly, nervous. The reflections of the ocean danced across his waxy body, and Niyah could almost feel his discomfort.
She knelt beside him. "Hey… you're the only one who can keep the team warm when things get cold. We can't have that flame going out, right? So we'll toughen it."
"Btzz, proposal: controlled exposure," Roty offered. "Gradually adjust flame temperature while maintaining stability under misty conditions."
Niyah nodded. "Right. Lumos, start with Acid Armor."
Litwick's flame pulsed, his wax softening and reshaping. His body shimmered translucent for a moment as he created a protective sheen a barrier that let small droplets roll off without extinguishing his fire. A fine mist drifted in from the sea, dampening the rocks and his flame, but he kept glowing steadily.
"Good! Now Will-O-Wisp, aim for the waterline!"
Ghostly blue fireballs spiraled outward, hovering above the tidepools like eerie lanterns. The Chinchou below blinked curiously, drawn toward the flickering light before darting away. When a stray splash hit one of the orbs, it sputtered but didn't go out.
"Btzz, stability rate increased by twenty percent," Roty observed.
Litwick's flame burned higher, proud again. The little candle Pokémon turned to Niyah, puffing his fire as if daring the ocean to challenge him again.
"See?" she laughed. "Who needs a sun when you've got a stubborn candle?"
He twirled midair, sending sparks scattering across the water his version of a grin.
—
As the day wore on, they found a clearing beyond the harbor where the tall grass met the cliffs. The tide reflected brilliant orange light up from below, and the warmth of the sun painted everything gold. Perfect for Togepi's turn.
"Okay, Iris," Niyah said, kneeling in front of the little Togepi, who rocked from foot to foot expectantly. "We're focusing on Morning Sun and Serene Grace. You know what that means, right?"
Togepi blinked, then chirped, hands clasped in excitement.
"It means making every move a lucky one," Niyah explained. "Your ability boosts secondary effects so every kiss should heal more, every flash of light should do something."
"Btzz, Sun intensity: optimal. Proceed with restorative control drill," Roty instructed.
Iris closed her eyes, a gentle glow spreading around her as she focused. The light pooled in her tiny hands, then radiated outward soft, warm, and alive. It wrapped Niyah in comfort, brushing away fatigue she hadn't noticed until it lifted. Iris beamed, spinning once, the glow following her like a halo.
"Perfect," Niyah murmured. "Now keep that feeling. You're not just healing yourself, you're keeping the team strong."
Roty added, "Bttz, Bttz, Serene Grace activation rate stable at eighty-five percent. Recommend integrating emotion-based triggers to ensure reliability under stress."
Niyah smiled softly. "She's already full of emotions, Roty."
Togepi chirped louder, and when a stray Shellos waddled too close, Iris puffed her cheeks and used Extrasensory, sending the startled Pokémon tumbling gently into a puddle. Niyah blinked, then laughed. "Okay, maybe too full."
Mimikyu giggled from behind, and even Litwick's flame flickered with amusement.
—
By the time the sun dipped below the horizon, the team was sprawled on the grassy overlook, exhausted and satisfied. Niyah sat cross-legged among them, the salty breeze brushing her hair. Roty hovered quietly, recording data.
"That was good," Niyah said softly. "You guys… we're getting strong. Hulbury won't know what hit it."
Mimikyu curled at her side, disguise fluttering gently. Litwick floated nearby, casting a tiny orange glow that lit the pages of her notebook. Togepi was already asleep, a little smile on her face, her shell gleaming faintly in the moonlight, she seemed to be getting closer to evolving.
Roty buzzed softly. "Btzz, team synergy rating: elevated. Recommendation: continue dual-ability drills tomorrow. Also… potential energy fluctuation detected in your backpack again."
Niyah's hand unconsciously went to where the Rusted Sword was hidden deep inside. The faint hum she'd felt since the night of Zacian's visit returned for just a heartbeat subtle but unmistakable.
"I know," she whispered. "I can feel it too."
She looked out at the water, at the reflection of the moon rippling across the waves, and smiled faintly. "But not yet. Right now, we have a gym to win."
Roty's lens dimmed, almost approvingly. "Btzz, logging rest cycle."
The night fell soft and quiet over Hulbury. And though the sea murmured secrets to the wind, Niyah's thoughts were clear: Tomorrow, training continues. Then, eventually Nessa.
—
The sun had long set, and Hulbury's harbor glowed with the soft luminescence of lanterns reflecting off the water. Nessa stood at the balcony of her apartment above the gym, her long blue hair swaying gently in the sea breeze. Below, the city still hummed faintly laughter from the docks, the rhythmic creak of boats rocking against their moorings, the occasional cry of a Wingull cutting through the night.
She was reviewing her holo-pad, stylus tapping against her chin. The day had been long: interviews, sponsor check-ins, and her usual early morning dive routine. Yet even through her exhaustion, she found herself revisiting the same file again and again: Niyah of Unknown Origins, recent Gym Challenger, currently in Hulbury.
"Young girl. Around twelve. Travels with ghost-types. Has a habit of… pranks."
That was what the League database said, in the dry, factual tone of bureaucracy. But Nessa knew better she'd met the girl, seen that spark behind her mischievous grin. There was control in her chaos, purpose in the way she tested boundaries.
A ping broke her concentration.
"Miss Nessa," came the voice of Dock Officer Clive over the holo-call. "You wanted updates on that young ghost-type trainer's activity?"
Nessa's brow lifted. "Yes. What's she been up to?"
Clive chuckled. "Nothing too alarming just… unconventional. Locals say she's been out since dawn. Took her team around the tidepools and even the old shipping pier. The fishermen saw her training her Mimikyu against the waves, and the candle Pokémon, Litwick I think, trying not to sputter out near the water. Quite a sight."
Nessa smiled faintly. "Training against their weaknesses. That's smart."
"Exactly what I thought. Though there was also… a bit of chaos. Someone reported seeing a Togepi scaring off Wingull with Extrasensory, and a few Buizel ran off startled. But no real harm done."
"Hmm." Nessa's gaze softened as she leaned on the railing. "She's testing herself. And her Pokémon."
"Still, she's a curious one," Clive went on. "Didn't challenge the gym immediately. Nurse Joy mentioned she refused registration for now said she wanted to 'get stronger first.' Surprised all of us."
That gave Nessa pause. "She refused?"
"Yes, ma'am. Said she'd stay in town a while. Seems serious."
For a long moment, Nessa said nothing. The sound of the waves filled the silence, washing over the edges of her thoughts. When she finally spoke, her tone had softened.
"…Then maybe she took our last meeting to heart," she murmured.
"Beg your pardon?"
Nessa smiled faintly, almost to herself. "Nothing. Thank you for the update, Officer."
The holo-feed flickered out, leaving her alone again with her thoughts and the sea.
She remembered the way Niyah had looked at her during their first encounter, indignant yet awed, as though caught between admiration and defiance. That same look had haunted Nessa once, when she was the one being lectured by her mentors years ago. It was the look of someone desperate to prove themselves, even when they didn't know what they were reaching for yet.
"Ghost-types, huh?" she said under her breath. "Tricky, unpredictable… like their trainer."
She turned toward her desk, pulling up the Challenger data screen again. The small holographic image of Niyah's profile spun lazily in the air her name, team roster, and newly updated field notes. Nessa added a few lines to the report herself:
Subject demonstrates rapid adaptation to water environments.
Team exhibits high synchronization and morale.
Potential for unconventional battle patterns.
Behavioral note: genuine remorse following reprimand, signs of emotional maturity emerging.
She paused, then added one last line, almost smiling as she typed:
Keep an eye on this one.
Outside, a distant flash of lightning illuminated the far edge of the horizon, a storm forming somewhere deep over the sea. Nessa watched the light dance over the water and whispered, "When you're ready, Niyah… come find me. Let's see what you've learned."
With that, she turned off the lights and let the sound of the waves carry her to sleep.