The early morning light glowed faintly through Nessa's apartment, pale streaks sliding across the floorboards. The gentle hum of the refrigerator was the only sound until a faint creak came from the bedroom window.
Niyah's messy silver braids peeked out first, followed by the rest of her as she carefully slipped one leg, then the other, over the sill. She landed soundlessly on the fire escape, grinning.
"Operation Avoid Breakfast: success," she whispered triumphantly.
Roty buzzed out of her hoodie pocket. "Bzzt, warning: domestic authority detected nearby."
"I know, I know," Niyah muttered, sliding down the railing. "We'll be back later."
—
Behind her, in the hallway, Nessa stood with a coffee mug in hand. staring at the now empty room. She sighed, sipping quietly.
"Of course."
Before she could move to chase after the runaway trainer, her Rotom-phone lit up on the counter. The ID read: LEON – CHAMPION CALL.
Nessa exhaled through her nose and answered. "Morning, Leon."
"Morning, Nessa! You sound, uh, tired?" came Leon's booming, chipper voice.
"Let's just say my city's been louder since your little prodigy started training here," she replied dryly.
Leon laughed. "Ah, so she's still with you then! Good. That's actually what I wanted to talk about."
Nessa leaned against the counter, frowning slightly. "Something happened?"
There was a pause, then Leon's voice softened. "Hop told me he… saw her. In a dream."
Nessa blinked. "A dream?"
"Yeah. Said they were both in some kind of foggy place. That they met each other, saw two strange wolf Pokémon, likely Zacian and Zamazenta."
Nessa's grip on the mug tightened slightly. "You're serious?"
"Dead serious. And knowing those two legends, it's not coincidence."
For a moment, the only sound was the faint ticking of the wall clock.
Leon continued, quieter now. "Hop said it didn't feel like a dream. Said it felt real. The kind of thing that… changes you."
Nessa rubbed her temple. "And you're telling me this now because…?"
"Because she's still with you," Leon replied simply. "And because I know you've noticed she's not a normal twelve-year-old. The powers, the way she commands Pokémon, that strange aura around her."
Nessa cut him off with a wry sigh. "Believe me, I've noticed. She sneaks out like a phantom, breaks physics for fun, and somehow manages to make half the city adore her anyway."
Leon chuckled. "Sounds like someone I know."
"Don't even start," Nessa warned, though her tone softened.
There was a pause before Leon said, "Look, if that dream was real, and I think it was, then something bigger's connecting those two. The wolves didn't pick them by accident."
Nessa's eyes flicked toward the empty window. "You think it's starting again? Whatever happened centuries ago?"
Leon sighed. "Could be. Or it could just be the beginning of something else entirely. Either way, keep an eye on her. Don't push it yet."
Nessa nodded slowly. "I wasn't planning to. She's skittish enough already. The second she thinks someone's prying, she shuts down."
"She trusts you, though," Leon said. "Even if she won't admit it."
Nessa smirked faintly. "Maybe. She did let me carry her last week."
"That's basically a trust exercise," Leon teased.
"Uh-huh."
He hesitated before adding, "Be careful too, Nessa. Whatever's happening, if Zacian really did choose her, she might end up standing at the center of something neither of us can predict."
"I figured," she murmured, glancing toward the sea through the window. "I'll keep her safe until she's ready to stand on her own."
"Good. That's all I ask."
Nessa ended the call with a thoughtful expression, setting her mug down. The wind outside carried the scent of salt and something faintly metallic, faintly ancient.
"Zacian and Zamazenta…" she whispered. "So that's the game we're playing."
—
Down at the western pier, Niyah stood ankle deep in the surf, arms crossed as she studied her target zone.
"Iris!" she called.
From above, her Togetic fluttered down gracefully, tiny wings shimmering with morning light. She twirled once midair, singing softly, her serene aura blending with the sea breeze.
"Alright, partner," Niyah said with a grin. "Time to show the water types that fairies can be fierce too."
Roty hovered nearby, projecting a holographic display. "Training objectives: enhance Magical Leaf precision and velocity. Increase Serene Grace activation to one hundred percent. Optimize Metronome output, priority: Thunderbolt and SolarBeam."
"Exactly," Niyah said. "Let's make it shine."
—
Their first sparring partners were a group of Ducklett, gliding lazily across the harbor.
Niyah pointed. "Let's start with speed drills. Magical Leaf, keep it tight, fast, and looping!"
Togetic chirped and spun midair, releasing a flurry of glowing leaves. They arced gracefully at first then, under her direction, began to spiral tighter, slicing through the air like green lightning.
Each leaf hit its mark, perfect accuracy, no misses.
But Niyah shook her head. "Faster. You need to be unseeable before they can dodge."
Togetic narrowed her eyes, wings shimmering brighter. She inhaled softly then released a burst so fast that only the glowing trails were visible.
Whsssh!
The Ducklett squawked and fled, water splashing in every direction.
Roty chimed, "Speed: twenty-five percent increase. Accuracy: perfect."
Niyah grinned. "Perfect isn't enough. We're aiming for terrifyingly perfect. Again!"
—
Next came the Serene Grace tests. Niyah had Togetic target a Seadra drawn by the commotion.
"Use Ancient Power and push that boost rate up!"
Togetic gathered white stones of psychic energy, spinning them faster and faster before sending them flying. The first volley struck true and her aura flared gold.
Roty's sensors buzzed. "Secondary effect triggered: stat increase, frequency… seventy percent!"
"Not enough!" Niyah shouted over the crash of waves. "You can do better!"
Togetic hovered higher, wings blazing with fairy light. She drew in energy from the air, her feathers trembling with effort.
When she released Ancient Power again, the stones glowed pink and gold, every impact causing an boosting resonance. The power burst outwards, rippling across the surf.
This time, every effect triggered: her strength, speed, and special defense all flared at once.
Roty beeped in awe. "Bzzt, Serene Grace activation: one hundred percent achieved."
Niyah raised a fist in triumph. "Yes! That's my girl!"
—
By midday, storm clouds had gathered above Hulbury, natural or otherwise, Niyah couldn't tell.
"Iris," she said quietly, "Metronome, Thunderbolt."
The Togetic twirled once, wings glowing as her tiny fingers began their rhythmic sway. The air around her pulsed then crackled with blue lightning.
She released a bolt that split the water like a blade, the resulting thunder shaking the pier.
Niyah shielded her face, laughing. "You're basically a storm in feathers!"
Togetic beamed, twirling proudly.
"Alright," Niyah continued. "Now do it again but keep it controlled. Less blast, more precision."
The next few hours were spent refining the strike: bolts so tight they curved midair like serpents, guided by psychic precision. Each one hit its mark, no waste, no backlash.
As the final challenge, Niyah ordered a Metronome, SolarBeam.
Normally, it would take time to charge but Iris drew sunlight so swiftly that it condensed in an instant.
The beam burst from her like a golden lance, scattering the clouds and flooding the harbor with light.
When the glare faded, even Niyah was speechless.
Roty buzzed, "Charge time reduced to zero-point-one seconds. Efficiency: over ninety-nine percent."
Togetic fluttered down, landing softly on Niyah's shoulder, humming with pride.
Niyah smiled, brushing a hand over her tiny crest. "You're beyond ready."
Just then, Roty flickered. "Incoming system message detected, bzzt."
A familiar digital tone echoed:
[System Notification: Quest Activated]
Objective: Defeat Nessa and gain your second gym badge.
Reward: 1 Fakemon Evolution Ticket.
Penalty: Write Lines with Nessa for an entire day.
Time Limit: None.
'Fakemon? I could have a Pokemon no one's ever seen before!', Niyah snorted. "Wait lines, really? Does the universe want me to suffer or win."
Roty buzzed cheerfully. "Acceptance registered."
"Yeah, yeah," she said, standing up. "Let's go home before she sends a search party."
—
When Niyah reached the apartment, the lights were dim, the windows glowing orange with sunset.
She paused on the threshold, staring for a moment. Despite herself, it felt… comforting. Familiar.
Home, she thought but she'd never admit it.
As she stepped in, a chill ran down her spine. Nessa was sitting at the table, arms crossed.
"Well," she said coolly, "look who finally decided to show up."
Niyah froze mid-step. "Uh. Hi?"
Nessa gestured to the empty seat. "Sit."
The younger girl slumped down, fidgeting. "You're mad, huh?"
"Not mad, just not thrilled about window escapes before breakfast," Nessa replied, though there was a trace of humor in her tone.
"I was training!"
"Without telling anyone, again."
"…Yes?"
Nessa sighed, pinching her nose. "You're going to give me wrinkles before I reach thirty."
Dinner passed more peacefully after that, fish stew and rice, quiet conversation between bites.
Midway through, Niyah glanced up. "Hey, um… do you think I could trade a Dusk Stone for a Shiny Stone?"
Nessa blinked. "For Iris?"
"Yeah. She deserves to evolve properly."
"Well," Nessa said slowly, "normally League policy makes you go through approval, but" she smirked faintly "I am a Gym Leader here. Hand me the Dusk Stone, and I'll make it happen in a few days."
Niyah's eyes lit up. "Really?"
"Really. But only if you don't sneak out again before breakfast."
"No promises," Niyah said, grinning.
Nessa chuckled. "Figures."
As they finished dinner, the tension between them softened into something warmer, mentor and student, maybe something like family.
Outside, the sea breeze carried the scent of salt and storm. Faintly, the Rusted Sword pulsed in Niyah's bag.