The talks continued to progress.
Both in that they occurred, and that agreements took place on how to move forward with the Crusher Tribe. The Diplomats seemed giddy at this, if one listened to the, simply sitting down and meeting was a good day, forget getting anything signed and actually done.
That had been one of the rare instances Lance and I had shared a look that spoke of making sure we continued to move things along.
Still, progress.
Rangers and diplomats arrived and began linking up with the people. Elders who'd been resistant slowly came around to our proposal. We were drawing them into the fold, but allowing them to keep much of their autonomy.
Having my family come had helped to calm the tribe down somewhat that we weren't going to strip them of any benefits they might garner Indigo, much like my decision to sit with the Elders during meetings and listen to their concerns.
Towns, or rather small outposts that would slowly morph into villages were going to have to go up with small pokecentres and health clinics at the heart, bur first communicaiotn towers were to be set up.
Which led to many debates about how the towers would be built and maintained.
In a pokemon world, you couldn't just put up a metal communications tower and leave it. More often than not, a steel-type Pokémon would quickly eat the tower if left unguarded.
Sometimes, even if it was guarded, they'd take a bite or two.
Wooden and stone towers were just as problematic, as flying types would often roost within the upper portions creating dead zones in communication.
This wouldn't be too much of an issue, as most would be maintained by the local nurse and the few rangers assigned to the area. From talks I had with Jade and some of the other Elders, the crusher tribe would also be laying down roots, with some men and women staying behind at certain points along the established roadmap.
Things developed as well as I could expect them, but it took over a week for talks to settle down and agreements to be made. By that point, I was anxious to return to the Gym despite there being numerous people who wanted me to remain.
The Elders had all gotten used to me, and were more than happy to have me block proposals for mineral rights and other claims that would have gone right over their head, only for me to argue more and more benefits to them while shaming the representatives of various groups.
After the third such discussion, I verbally dismissed the representative of a mining cohort.
"I need to talk to someone, don't let those people talk you into any deals," I commented vaguely to the Elders before storming into a demountable office that had appeared a few days into Lance's stay.
"Lance, we need to talk," I announced, marching in only to find Lorelei sitting behind a desk working on a computer.
She gave me a look and jerked a thumb over her shoulder to a door. "He's in there, talking with some Fiorians."
That got a scowl. Fiore… had been rather prickly over the discovery and integration of the Crusher Tribe. Thankfully, Noland had been able to step in. It probably helped that he hadn't pried too hard and we weren't gifting the Fiorians any information about Team Rocket having access to things worse than Master Balls.
No one wanted to start another crusade.
We'd kept him and the other representatives in the dark on the only sticking point they might have.
"Anything on what we got from Granite about those capture balls?" I asked, knowing that Agatha had relayed the intel to Lorelei. I already knew the answer, but it was best I be seen asking. Otherwise, it might be a bit suspicious.
"We've got people staking out the dead drop site, but with all the noise that we made coming and going from the Crusher tribe, I think it's going to be far too hot for Team Rocket and they're going to shift focus to someone else," she muttered.
"That does seem to be their modus operandi right now," I replied.
She nodded as she gave her keyboard a harsh stab. With her frustration taken out, she turned fully to me. "Been meaning to talk to you—"
"Hey, I apologised already for the prank!" I waved my hands back and forth in surrender, and she snorted.
"Not about that. I got my revenge on Sabrina by spreading that rumour about you and her having an open relationship to some Crusher women."
I stared at her. "Wait, it was you who caused her to face all those challenges?"
"Yeah," Lorelei smirked. "Blew out a bit with Tribe pride coming into play, but I think it served us pretty well with her flexing while also handling any uppity tribesmen." She winked. "Two Farfetch'd one Ice Beam as it were, no?"
My jaw worked back and forth as I mulled that idea over. "It did…" I conceded. Considering the initial prank we played on her, that was actually a good counter. "Well I can't complain that you know how to play the game."
Lorelei nodded. "Yeah, now I just need to get Lance to stop making Dewgong eyes at me when he thinks I'm not looking."
"Eh?" I asked, caught off guard by this news.
Lorelei rolled her eyes. "Ever since the prank, he's realised I'm a woman." She gave me a flat look as I chuckled.
"I think he's been rather caught up with the ice typing for so long, having it thrust into his face—"
"Phrasing. I did no such thrusting," she growled, only to smirk. "I did take the chance to slap the shit out of him though," she declared with a relish that let me know she was going to cherish the memory for the rest of her life.
"Sooooo, are you thanking me for that, or still annoyed?"
"I can be both," she said as she leaned back in her chair before waving a hand. "But that's not what I wanted to talk to you about. The megastone your Tyranitar claimed from its fight. I think you should keep it."
That got a blink from me. "Keep it? Lorelei, I don't know if you heard, but that's kind of one of their cultural centrepieces. Keeping it would kind of piss a lot of people off."
Lorelei sat up. "Brock, you can't make everyone love you. These people were bandits two weeks ago causing all sorts of issues for almost everyone they encountered. Now they're getting everything gifted to them. I think you, more than anyone else, need to give them a proper punishment to send a message."
"Hmmm, a member of the government telling me to send a message…" As I drummed my fingers on the desk between us, I gave her a pointed look, all but telling her I wasn't impressed with the idea.
She rolled her eyes. "Tell me I'm wrong and they're not winning these negotiations."
Waving a hand back and forth, I was quick to shut that line of thought down. "Lorelei, there's no winning or losing. The goal is joining hands, which we're achieving."
"For now," she stabbed a finger towards my chest. "But if they're not given a stick to remind them what they did was wrong, who is to say we won't have a splinter group that is stronger than they should be?"
"I think you're letting your fears rule you. If that happens, we show that we can crush them." After a moment's pause, I coughed. "No pun intended."
She shook her head. "Come on Brock, you can't say that you're not interested in holding onto Tyranitarite, are you?" she asked.
That drew a grimace from me. "Appealing to my greed? Not sure this is such a noble sentiment anymore."
The door leading to Lance's office opened, and Lance leaned through with what might have been a charming smile. "Lorelei, can you…" He blinked as he registered me sitting across from Lorelei. "Oh, hey Brock," he said as he straightened up.
Lorelei shot me a look that screamed. 'See?' I nodded and coughed as I turned to Lance. "Hey, Lance. I need to talk to you about all these corporate types that are sniffing around."
"Ah, yes, they've got some great chances to—"
"They're trying to exploit the Crusher Tribe Lance, and possibly even the League. We need to talk about them, and some other issues that have come up. Now," I stated, my tone brooking no argument, causing Lance's eyes to narrow.
He inhaled once and then nodded tightly before jerking his head into the office. "Let's talk then."
I rose and gave Lorelei a nod, only to pause. "Hey, if you wanted to show off some stick, maybe organise the Rangers to challenge some of the locals. The best thing the tribe had going for them was that no one knew where or how they were getting around. That's not possible anymore."
Lorelei hummed in thought and gave me a slow nod. Lance glanced between us in confusion, but I just shook my head as I stepped into the office, shutting the door behind me.
Lance took a seat and gestured to the other chair across from his desk. "So, you have some issues? Are you coming to me as Overlord, or Gym Leader?"
"That and more. But for what you're talking about, I'm both Gym Leader and Overlord, cause at the end of the day, isn't that the point of what we're doing?" I replied with a quick chop of the hand.
"If you want the Crusher tribe to be part of Indigo, maybe you need to also be looking out for them rather than setting them up to be screwed over with companies coming in and negotiating with concepts that none of them will understand for years!" I declared, flicking my hands in dismissal.
With a stony expression, Lance nodded slowly. "The Crusher Tribe…" He inhaled quickly and then glared at me, only for me to meet his look head-on.
I all but dared him to tell me I was wrong.
Lance worked his jaw.
Then he considered it for a while, rubbing his chin.
Then he finally exhaled loudly. "You… might be right on that. I do want to absorb the Crusher tribe into Indigo, meaning they will be my people, and in that situation, I will need to look out for them rather than leaving them in the wind."
"Good, I think you need to create some laws protecting their rights so they can't mistakenly sign them away. This might be the first case of a small nation of people joining Inidigo, but perhaps you can create the framework for others. The tribe has after all encountered others in the wilds which has led to them being sooo feral with most they encounter. If we're going to be sending people out there, we might be repeating this process more often than not."
As Lance considered this, I decided to help tip the scales. "You're known as a strong battler and a Vanquisher from your time in the Rangers, but now is the time to be seen building and growing."
He gave me a flat look. "You're laying it on a bit thick there, but… I understand your point."
"Good, cause the next point I need to address doesn't have as many upsides for you," I growled as I locked eyes. "You're going to stop using information from the League and Mega Rock to empower the Blackthorns."
"Brock—" he started to deny it only for my hand to shoot up.
"I spoke with Brandon. He was able to see through the Tauros shit of using his Gym with his Legendaries as a point of Mega stone creation instantly. He wasn't impressed that you sent up your cousins straight after that little breach of information."
"We need to test it!"
"In controlled settings, not as a tool for the Blackthorns," I growled. "You complain about the Blackthorn corruption Lance, but sometimes you're marching lockstep with them."
Lance inhaled, and his eyes flashed.
Rather than being intimidated. I stared back at him placidly. "Am I wrong?"
"You…. are not," he replied tersely.
"Good, Mega Rock inc will be revising its contract with the League as you're in breach. Until this issue is sorted Mega Rock will not be 'sharing' any stones that it discovers."
"Brock," Lance said, his tone slowing as his fingers started to curl into fists. "You don't want ot try and challenge the League on—"
"It wasn't the League that was at fault. It was you, but you're Champion. You are supposed to be of the people, for the people. A paragon. If you want to escalate this I will see it in court, and I will mount a proper challenge of your Title," I declared sternly, my aura starting to flex.
Lance's aura rose in response and suddenly the room felt all too small for both of us.
I allowed the moment to stretch to let him know precisely how serious I was about this latest fuck up of his before exhaling and recalling my aura. "But it won't get to that, will it?" I asked.
"No," he admitted, slumping slightly. "No that… you're right, I let my greed rule me. I was too eager. We should set something up for you and the other trainers that have Legendary pokemon on their rosters… but I went around you and the others. I'll pay the fine," he replied.
"I didn't say fine Lance," I growled, my eyes narrowing. "And if I also asked you to return the Charizardite that was loaned to you?" I asked.
That had him tensing up, but then he nodded slowly. "Well, I don't particularly need it, but… We don't have another capable of using it just yet."
"Perhaps we should open it up to the next Gym Leader of Cinnabar Gym? I imagine there would be quite a few Charizard trainers willing to fill the role,with such a perk on offer, no?"
Lance nodded. "Yes, there would."
"That might be something to investigate." I drummed my fingers.
For a few moments, we both sat in silence, allowing what had just been discussed to rest. I was half tempted to get up and leave, but despite the occasional issues, Lance was a friend, and I had other topics to talk with him about.
"I might also toy with the idea of giving Flint my Aerodactylite for the Ancient Gym Challenge that I'm setting up," I admitted.
Lance blinked. "Hmmm, yes I suppose we wouldn't have to permanently surrender Mega Stones to Gym Leaders or others… in the event of a major match we could bolster our strongest quite easily with sharing," he muttered.
"Speaking of mega stones," I said carefully, rubbing my jaw thoughtfully, "Lorelei also pitched an idea to me of keeping hold of the Tyranitarite as a punishment. Can't say it sits too well with me."
Lance worked his jaw. "Part of me would prefer you to give it up, but… that's both me as a politician and as a Champion. I prefer having it as a bargaining chip, and also prefer that a pokemon we both know can fight Legendary pokemon on even footing, doesn't grow even stronger in case I end up across from it."
He exhaled slowly. "That being said. She has a point, but we can't be seen to be too heavy-handed with something of such cultural significance." He drummed his fingers and inclined his head. "Also, you do deserve it. It's yours as Overlord, and with your starter… it is a great ace to have," he stated.
"How about I hold onto it… for a few months at least, and then I hand it over, but before they raise another… Leader of the tribe, anyone who wants to assume the role needs to challenge me at the eighth Gym badge level?"
Lance pursed his lips. "That… could work."
He considered it for a few more moments, slowly nodding his head. "Yeeeeeees. That has a lot of potential," he murmured. "I think we can also expand on it and have some of their children integrating with ours through home schooling packages that can be rolled out with the healthcare initiatives, along with allowing them to take part in the Journey."
"Stable rentals and other considerations such as licenses, pokeballs and stipends could also be something handled by those looking to negotiate for access to the mineral rights that the Tribe know of," I pointed out.
Lance snapped his fingers. "That! Yes! We could make that a non-negotiable straight off the bat with other requirements!"
I nodded along, happy that Lance hadn't tried to argue that my family should try to foot the bill for our… distant cousins.
Lance began to scrawl out a notepad. "I'll need to get someone to talk with the education department. Teachers need to be hired who will roam around, although this could be quite a popular profession with it being like an extended Journey for some. We'll need a specialised packet made up for the kids to get them up to literacy standards and also have some lawyers prepared for them that aren't going to fleece them but rather look out for their interests."
Lance sat back and smirked. "Huh, Lorelei does have some great idea," he said, and I got a look at the slightly sappy look Lorelei had described as he looked past me and at the door.
"Uhmmm, Lance, I don't think you've got much chance there," I admitted carefully.
"Eh? Is she seeing someone?" he asked.
I coughed. "No, but remember how you were…. You a few months ago with everything she was doing?"
He blinked and coughed. "I'm sure she is over that!"
"Lance, buddy? You were getting ready to show her the door or have her quit. Everyone could see the writing on the wall. I don't think she's forgotten, or forgiven it.. .You literally used her as a secretary buddy."
"Oh," he grimaced. "I apologised though?"
I gave him a wince. "Yeeaaaaah, might be a case of once bitten, twice shy? But I think you're going to have to let that idea slide." I coughed. "Also, might not be such a good idea to date in the office, if you catch my drift. If you break up…." I left the phrase hanging, and he nodded.
"Ah, I see your point. Burned bridges don't need the grounds to be salted afterwards," Lance mused aloud.
"Hey, don't sweat it too much. You're better than you were with her, and it's not like there aren't some other fish out in the sea?" I suggested.
That got him smiling and he nodded in thanks. "Right, well I have much to see to. There's not more that you need to talk with me about, is there?"
I shook my head and made my way out with Lance following me. "Lorelei, I need you to talk to the Education Department's head. We need to create—"
I left them to it, but shot Lorelei a small thumbs up and a smile on the way out of the building.
She squinted at me dubiously as the door shut.
When the next meeting with Elders, diplomats, and League officials took place a change asserted itself straight away.
Instead of being a long table with both sides sitting on either side, a round table with a small flame decoration and a spinning feature had appeared.
Lance stood and gestured to the table. "Welcome! I realise I've been at odds with you all and ignoring some of your customs. I thought I might change things up and attempt my own take with this table no longer being a point of division but something that we can gather around, as you all do."
The Elders shared a glance and smiled. "That is greatly appreciated," admitted Jade neutrally, even as her eyes darted to the fire and her lips twitched upwards slightly.
I had to give it to Lance, he could be a prick sometimes, but he learned his lessons and adapted quickly. It also made the announcements of attaching tutors and teachers to the tribe more tolerable with Lance asking the elders for their own input. When the point of mineral rights and being allowed to undergo a Journey within Indigo was raised, the Elders were much more receptive.
The additions to the plan, rather than slow us down actually made more people eager to link the Crusher Tribe together.
By the end of the day's work, I had to say that it had been the most productive session yet.
While we'd been talking, two more helicopters, along with several Pidgeot and Fearow, were escorted in with premade buildings which had been dropped down near Lance's. I didn't question their use as I had my own meeting to coordinate with the Elders.
I led the group back to the fire in front of my tent where I had them sit down. This time I made sure to offer them all food, either fruit or fine steaks that they wouldn't usually get.
The Elders were highly appreciative of this and the way the day took shape, with Lance supporting and adjusting more and more for the Crusher Tribe's way of doing things.
"Well done showing that young Dragon the error of his ways!" Edge barked happily as he chewed on a steak.
"Lance isn't so bad once you get to know him," I joked back. "Just gotta win his respect, and point a few things out, but he also has ways of surprising you," I admitted only to sigh as I realised that I needed to address the Tyranitar in the room.
"I also wished to let you know in advance that there is going to be a shift in some of your rites, or rather, an additional rite to sort the rotten berries from the good ones," I said.
This had the Elders straightening up.
An explosion sounding out from the training field went ignored. There had been more than enough of those over the last few days for me to be concerned. It was probably someone challenging Sabrina, or perhaps Lance had set the Rangers loose to prove their mettle.
I had bigger magikarp to fry.
"Eventually, whether in the next day, week, or month, I will be stepping down as Overlord," I began firmly.
This came as a surprise to none of the elders as having Glimmer tell the tale of the last Overlord that relinquished his title had rather given the game away.
"What will be changing is how you can be eligible for Overlord." I gave the group a firm look and spiked my aura to let them know I wasn't joking around.
"The next Overlord Nominees will need to be literate with a reading and writing test, as well as numeracy. There also needs to be a leadership challenge where they will present themselves to a month-long course in Pewter city to let them gather experience with how the League will operate and how they can protect the Tribe's interests."
I tapped my chest. "Right now, my people and I are interceding on the Tribe's behalf, but another must step up; for that to be possible, they need to have some training. The League and others are highly interested in the tribe; make no mistake about that. The Tribe, therefore, needs someone who won't be flailing around in the dark."
"And I suppose until such a time… you will remain as Overlord for us?" asked one of the Elders.
"Yes," I stated.
That got a look from the Elders, and I caught the sly smile they shared. Oh, you thought there were only upsides to this arrangement, did you? I found myself thinking.
"Which also means that the Tribe's Tyranitarite will remain in my possession until someone steps up."
"What?" "That megastone must stay with the tribe!" That got a round of squawks, but I held firm in the face of their accusations.
"It isn't written down, and as I've seen and done over the last week, traditions can adapt," I said, sweeping my gaze over them and letting them feel the weight of my judgment upon them.
"Also, I don't think any of the current Tyranitar within the tribe, barring Titan and Empress, are capable right now," I pointed out. "That being said, if other stones become available, I will be opening up the options for the Crusher Tribe to draw from."
That caused the Elders to pause in confusion.
I raised an eyebrow. "There are other megastones, like Houndoomite, Aggronite, and Absolite, that would fit well within the tribe."
"Absols…" Edge shook his head. "They are not well regarded. Too often, they came to us on the eve of some great destruction that led to us fleeing."
"They were a warning sign, not the destruction themselves," I replied easily. "If someone befriends one, and becomes companions, then there is nothing stopping them from advancing."
The Elders shifted and shared looks with each other and I hummed. "I will have to share some tales with the lorekeepers then, of how Absol have saved many people who were wise enough to listen to their warnings," I commented.
That drew some more mumbles but no one raised any true complaints, so I deemed that progress. With that seen to I probably only had another… hundred or so other issues that needed to be seen to, but so far nothing was going horribly off the rails.
"While there is no Overlord, I will be having the High Lorekeeper, and the Elders acting as a council for keeping the Crusher Tribe together," I announced. "There will be advisors from me also coming to talk to you through any of the issues that are being presented to the Crusher tribe, which will be many."
I gave the group another slow look. Judging by their expressions, they didn't mind the idea that they'd be ruling the tribe until someone completed the conditions that I'd laid down and reclaimed the Tyranitarite from me.
I had no doubt that once they learned that I was only going to be fighting them at an Eighth-level badge fight, they were going to be rather upset and demand a fight against Titan or another.
Which… I didn't give them good odds for.
Still, being able to accept losses would be good for a Leader. If I didn't like the candidate, I'd just not hold back when they fought me.
It was rather amusing that I'd set myself up as yet another barrier for a group of people.
Hopefully, much like my role for most on their Journey, good would come of it as they learned from any losses.
Time would tell in the end if I was right or wrong.
With that done, I dismissed the elders and made a slow circuit through the camp, checking how the average person's day was and what the mood was.
Overall, I found it to be rather upbeat with the Lorekeepers being much more out and about with singing and dancing.
Which I suspected was Glimmer's way, as she stood on top of the cliffs endorsing me and smoothing things over.
I'd have to find her a gift as thanks. Right now, the only thing that could work would be a transceiver.
Which… didn't strike me as wise.
If giving my pokemon access to the pokenet had been a bag with mixed results, I didn't want to think how things would go for a highly curious woman from a tribal society.
It would be kind of hilarious though…
I tamped down that idea and instead continued checking in on people, earning smiles from the various tribesmen while their pokemon observed me. More than once, I stopped to check on the pokemon in question. With so many rock pokemon around, or pokemon that I had experience with I was easily able to make observations about the pokemon's health or their needs.
In some cases that was things like stimulation in the form of digging, or even allowing a group of Ursaring and what were Ursaluna to rip apart some trees for their claws to stop overgrowing.
The trainer of the one Ursaluna shifted anxiously. 'You're sure you won't mind? It's just that the last few ordered me to stop as it gave our location away to scouts."
As I watched the man's Ursaluna do just that with a few swipes of its claws on the tree, I nodded. "Yeah, I can see how that would be an issue for you, but there is a need for your pokemon to dull their claws. In the city we have industrial clippers for this or mechanical files. Sometimes I have to do that for my pokemon but not too often," I said.
"Hmmm there's a full moon on tonight, isn't there?" I asked rhetorically, only for several people to nod.
With that answered I sought out Sabrina. "Think you can get me to the nearest pokemon centre for a trade out? I think the Trio and Ursaring would enjoy a trip around the camp," I said.
Sabrina tilted her head. "Oh, you hadn't heard? Lance also set up a pokemon transfer system with the latest building that came with a Nurse Joy." Sabrina's lips twitched. "She's drawing a lot of attention as it's the Nurse Joy from Pewter," she said.
I blinked. "Is she… showing off?" I asked.
Sbarina nodded and pointed towards the training field, where sure enough large blasts of dust and wind were being thrown about. I'd assumed it was a powerful pokemon, but the truth as I watched closer was that a lightning-fast Pokémon was blitzing the field, shooting back and forth.
It was her Latias.
I whistled. "Hmmm, impressive. Anyone getting close?" I asked only for Sabrina to shake her head.
"No, which is all the more reason we need to investigate Alto Mare properly," she said with a firm look.
"It's locked in. We've given ourselves a month-long honeymoon, remember?" I pointed out.
Altomare was in truth only one of the areas we planned to spend time in, but it was one that Sabrina was highly looking forward to.
"I'm going to evolve Ursaring tonight, think the kids' will be interested?" I asked with a carrying whisper as I spied two familiar heads.
"You're evolving Ursaring/Teddy?" gasped Salvadore and Suzie.
I pointed at Suzie. "He's not called Teddy, we're not up to that yet," I said only for Suzie to shake her head like I was being obtuse.
"I have other names lined up!" she muttered as I shook my head and set about returning some pokemon like Don, Shrek, Zephyr, and Selene, to bring back the trio and their adopted brother, Ursaring.
The trio drew interested looks from everyone and whispers must have spread as before long the Elders were investigating especially as they were being carried around by an Ursaring with Empress walking behind them.
Jade stared long and hard at the trio riding atop Ursaring. Then she turned and glared at me. "Not just two Tyranitars answering to you, but also three Larvitar? Ohhhh! You're a frustrating boy!" she growled with a stomp of her foot.
I just smirked as Glimmers approached the trio atop their mount curiously. "Ho, you're pretty things aren't you? I've never seen Larvitar with stripes like this!"
She leaned in and sniffed, only to tilt her head. "You all smell the same as well… how odd, triplets I suppose, but hmmmm odd, decidedly odd!" she pronounced, only to skip away with a song on her lips.
Ursaring perked up, his curiosity making him want to follow the singer who clacked and danced her way through the paths between the tents.
Before long, I had my family arranged around Ursring with the trio sitting near Empress, who had growled low and quiet once to make them behave. I had Ursaring sitting with a peat block in his lap.
Salvadore had inspected the area and had his pokedex out, muttering observations on wind speed, temperature, and other indicators that the pokedex tracked manually.
Then, from over the ridgeline, a moon rose into the air, bright and potent it cast its light down upon us.
Link stood on his tiptoes with his chest puffed out, and arms spread wide like he was praising the moon.
Ursaring on the other hand locked eyes on the moon and loosened a low keening noise as his eyes began to widen.
Then the light of Evolution swept over his form.
The first thing I noticed was how he grew thicker of limb, and the bond that we shared shifted with a ground element shifting into it. Parts of his fur darkened while other parts grew thicker causing him to gain a shaggy coat about his shoulders and chest that hung slightly.
Along his back several longer spikes of hair stiffened up while the circle on his stomach vanished in favour of the cloudy orb on his head growing… and then glowing in the light of the moon.
Huh, I hadn't known Ursaluna did that… the glow faded with his evolution, or perhaps it was just an odd reflection.
Still, Ursaring had gone from a solid pokemon to a proper heavyweight.
He dropped down to all fours and I felt a shudder run through the earth as he shook his head and chuffed.
His claws flexed and worked at the earth beneath him, only for his head to rise and a roar to boom out of him at the moon.
Titan and the others joined in a moment later ,causing him to jolt in surprise, revealing he'd forgotten about them.
He blinked slowly, taking in the crowd that had gathered to observe his evolution.
Then he huffed amd rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
I laughed as the trio shot forward and barked at him, demanding rides, their earlier trepidation vanishing as his true character of being a kindly pokemon shon through.
One of the trio hopped up onto his back only to squawk in surprise when they sank into the thicker fur. Instead of sitting flat, they now sank until nothing from below their shoulders was visible.
Stepping forward, I rubbed his head gently. He leaned into the touch, nuzzling me happily.
If my smile grew a little more at catching sight of Lance, well, that was just a trick of the light.
"Welcome, Orion," I greeted the newest Elite pokemon on my roster.
It was a big name, for a big bear.
I knew he could live up to it though.
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A.N. Thanks go to my patreons for your continued support!
It also goes to Twmmy for proofreading this chapter!