Shades of Gray

[Kaine]

[The previous day]

Kaine sighed as he entered his small luxury apartment in Phenac City. It appeared his transport to Blackthorn City in Johto would be delayed at least several days. He slumped down into a chair and started perusing his notebook.

“You could just let me teleport you there, Kaine,” spoke a low, deep voice. “You know I am fully capable.”

Kaine stopped reading and looked across the room to see Khan floating above the coffee table, deep in a trance. The tawny Pokémon was also levitating its two spoons above its head, and they floated in a circle. Kaine chuckled and responded, “I suppose you are correct, Khan, though I had hoped to view the scenery between Phenac City and Blackthorn. I’m told it’s rather impressive.”

Khan chuckled. “I understand your desire. But if you took a tram, you would not get the enjoyable, stomach-churning experience of being teleported.” Kaine swore he saw Khan wink at him and laughed loudly.

“I suppose you can teleport me there. I can’t take you with me though. Not until I’ve caught some other wild Pokémon.”

Khan sighed. “Yes, I know. But understand that you will not escape our conversation, nor my advice.”

Kaine smiled. “I hoped you’d say that. Who knows when I’ll need your great advice and witty conversation?”

“That was precisely my thinking, my friend.”



Kaine and Khan walked around the bustling metropolis of Phenac City late that night. The splashing from the massive fountains filled the air with their music, and many people gazed on, watching the water. Kaine smiled but passed them by; he had no such time to gaze upon the magnificent waterfalls. Khan nudged him along.

“Not here. There are too many witnesses,” Kaine heard in his mind.

“Why does that matter?” Kaine replied. “Everyone here knows I’m a trainer, and a good one at that.”

Kaine heard a chuckle. “Regardless, we do not need prying eyes seeing what they should not. I have heard dire news from Johto, where you are going, and I do not believe that a trainer of your stature would go unnoticed.”

Kaine sighed and nodded. “How do you know all these things? I mean, I know you and I share a mental link, but the Pokémon in Johto? They’re easily hundreds of miles away!”

Khan shrugged. “I myself am not completely sure of my abilities. Either way, we must get on the outskirts of Phenac. We are not far.” They walked a couple more blocks, turned a corner to the left, and exited the city’s main gates.

Kaine pulled his cloak tight around his muscular frame and braced himself. Khan held out a spoon, and Kaine grasped the bowl. The spoon began to quiver violently, but Kaine did not let up on his grip. Suddenly, the ground began to swirl underneath Kaine’s feet. He shut his eyes and heard in his mind, “We are gone.”



The next few seconds felt like several years to Kaine. The ground was never solid, air rushed past his face at frantic speeds, and he swore he could hear some sort of cryptic, rhythmic chanting in the distance. As soon as the sensation had come upon him, however, his feet were back on solid ground, and the spoon in his hand was being pulled away.

“I will never understand why the teleportation affects you so,” Khan spoke softly. “The trainer who gave me to you was never affected in the slightest.”

Kaine sniffed and shrugged. “I think we both know I’m a bit different than most trainers in the world,” he replied. Kaine looked around at his surroundings, at Blackthorn City. It was not as large as Phenac City, though it gave off an aura that was at least as memorable. Surprisingly, many trainers were still out and about in the cool evening, and many were looking right at him. He scanned the city once more and then headed straight for the Pokémon Center. Once he started heading in that direction, many heads turned away.

“Kaine,” Khan spoke mentally. “There are two trainers who have not looked elsewhere. They are both following us.”

“Do they look threatening?”

“One does. The other, I cannot say. It seems they wish to talk to you. Do not stop to talk until you are inside the Pokémon Center!”

Kaine chuckled quietly. “I hadn’t planned on it.”

Kaine and Khan entered the Pokémon Center and both took a chair to the right of the entrance. They watched the door for mere seconds before one man entered, and another just after. Both stood near the entrance for about a minute before the shadier of the two walked over and took a seat directly across from Kaine.

“Greetings,” the man said in a cold, slithering voice.

“Can I help you?” Kaine replied. He stared intently at the man with his crimson eyes and chuckled inwardly as the man quivered slightly.

“My sources tell me that you are a trainer from Orre; a trainer who is very skilled in the art of the Pokémon battle.”

“Maybe I am, maybe I’m not. What’s it to you? You don’t look like the battling sort to me.”

The man sniffed and wiped his nose on his leather jacket sleeve. Kaine’s brow furrowed slightly. “It is not I specifically who would have interest in you. My employers, however, may have need of your…talents.” The man looked over at Khan. “I see you have a fine Alakazam. I suspect he is very powerful.”

“Powerful enough to send you through the wall if you treat me like an object again,” Khan spoke in response.

The man jumped at hearing Khan’s voice and stood quickly, reaching into his coat pocket. “Listen,” he spoke quickly. “There’s no need for trouble—just take this.” He handed Kaine a small card. On one side there were golden letters, “RC”, on the other, in small letters were scribbled in red, “Kali.”

Kaine narrowed his eyes and was about the question the shady man, but when he looked up, the man was gone. He had been replaced by a man who looked like he had spent his life in a laboratory.

“Sir,” he spoke quickly, “please forgive my rudeness. I do not intend to intrude.”

Kaine was a little surprised by the man’s demeanor. “You think he’s going to have something similar to the other guy?” he asked Khan mentally.

“Most assuredly, though this man looks to be opposing the other. I would hear this man out longer than the previous. I cannot say for certain, but his side might be more worth taking.”

Kaine waved the man’s apology off. “Sit down, friend. Have a seat. Relax. There’s no need to rush.”

The man sat and tried to calm himself. Kaine could see it was not working. “You see, sir, that man… I sincerely hope you do not take him up on his offer.”

Kaine decided to push the man just a little. “Why shouldn’t I?”

The man’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head. “Because, sir! Those people, those—those criminals, are repeating the Pokémon tragedy seen in Orre!”

Kaine’s eyes narrowed and he drilled the man with an intense stare. “You mean to tell me those men are creating more Shadow Pokémon?”

The man gulped, obviously unnerved by Kaine’s stare. “Y-yes, essentially, only they aren’t called Shadow Pokémon anymore. The term my employer uses is Shroud Pokémon.”

“Shroud Pokémon?” inquired Khan. “I have never heard of such a thing.”

The man jumped again, but responded, “They are basically Shadow Pokémon, like the ones you have no doubt seen, coming from Orre yourself. This is why I have been sent to you. We need your help!”

Kaine shut his eyes and rubbed his temples slowly. “What do you think, Khan? Does this man sound genuine?”

“He does. I would suggest you help him. If there is indeed another Shadow Pokémon crisis, we cannot stand by. Johto is too important to let it slip into evil hands.”

Kaine nodded and spoke softly. “I’ll help.”

The man sighed in huge relief and stood, shaking Kaine’s hand quickly. “Thank you sir! Thank you so much! Now, you’ll need to come to New Bark Town to speak with Professor Elm. He can give you much more information on what’s transpiring.”

Kaine nodded again. “All right. Is there anything else I can get from you?”

“Yes, there is!” The man reached into his lab coat and pulled out a small glove apparatus. “This,” he said, pointing to the glove, “is the activation glove. It, combined with a pokéball, is the only way to purify a Shroud Pokémon. I give this to you as a gift of good faith from Prof. Elm.”

Kaine took the activation glove and slipped it onto his right hand. Little gears made a whirring noise as it adjusted to fit his hand perfectly, and then it snapped into place. Kaine almost forgot it was there.

“I hope you find it satisfactory!” the man said. He looked at his watch and cried out. “Please excuse me sir, I must be off!” And with no further warning, the lab man ran out of the Pokémon Center.

Kaine and Khan stood to exit as well. Kaine flexed his hand more, still surprised at how perfectly the glove fit his hand. “It feels like it was made for me,” he spoke, more to himself than to anyone else. Khan chuckled and pushed the doors open with his mind. Outside stood several men similar in appearance to the man who had given Kaine the card. Both Kaine and Khan were instantly on alert.

“I am disappointed in you,” spoke a large, burly man in the center of the group. He stepped forward and Kaine assumed he must have been the leader. “We were sure,” he continued, “that you would choose the appropriate side. I suppose we thought wrong.” The doors to the Pokémon Center closed rapidly, and the group of men closed on Kaine.

Kaine looked around quickly, trying to think up a solution. “Khan,” he thought quickly, “use Trick!” Khan’s mustache flared out to the sides, and he raised his spoons in front of him. Just as the men were about to make contact, Khan’s attack hit. The men suddenly saw their comrades as their targets, and chaos quickly consumed them. Kaine dashed out of Blackthorn as quickly as he could, heading south to New Bark Town. “A fine hit, my friend,” he spoke to Khan. “Get back to Phenac. Those men will be sobered up pretty quickly.”

“It is done. Be safe, Kaine.”

“I will be. You as well.”



Kaine ran throughout the long night, ducking south through Dark Cave and along Mountain Road. He dodged patches of tall grass and trainers whenever he saw them. He wanted to see Elm right away. Maybe he could shed some light on the men who tried to abduct him. As Mountain Road turned westward, he entered Dark Cave again and managed to come out the southern entrance, to Route 46. From there, it was an easy jaunt to New Bark Town.

He stumbled wearily into New Bark just as the sun peeked over the eastern horizon. He hoped Professor Elm was awake at this early hour. He stumbled through the town until coming across a large building. It looked nothing like the other houses he had passed, so he assumed it was the lab. Upon closer inspection, there was a plague near the door, proclaiming the building to be Professor Elm’s laboratory.

He walked through the door to see an older gentleman in a lab coat urgently poring over some research. A half-eaten breakfast sat across the table. No one else was present in the room, and Kaine quietly cleared his throat. The man jumped and looked over at Kaine. His eyes twitched a little bit and he asked hesitantly, “Who are you? And why are you in my laboratory?”

Kaine nodded slightly. “I am Kaine Dul’Goldon, a trainer from Orre. I was given this,” he waved his activation-glove-laden right hand in the air, “and was told to come see you.”

The man rushed up to Kaine. “My assistant was able to help you?”

“Yes he was.”

The man jumped in the air and hollered. He quickly attempted to compose himself after, and Kaine chuckled. “Forgive me,” the man spoke and stuck out his hand. “I am Professor Elm, the Pokémon professor of the Johto region.” Kaine grasped the man’s hand and shook it. When Kaine did not speak further, Elm resumed. “Did my assistant tell you why you are here?”

“He told me that there is some syndicate trying to repeat the Orre Shadow Pokémon catastrophe.”

Elm nodded. “Essentially, yes. Only these Pokémon have been dubbed Shroud Pokémon in Johto.”

“I won’t allow them to get away with it.”

Elm smiled. “I had hoped to hear you say that. Come with me.” Elm abruptly turned and motioned for Kaine to follow him. They stopped in front of what looked like an incubation chamber. Inside were twelve pokéballs. “I have here twelve extremely rare Pokémon,” Elm said softly. “They’re so rare, none of us researchers have found exactly where they are from. We do know, however, that they evolve into powerful companions. Take whichever one you desire; a gift from myself.”

“A gift?”

“Yes. I realize that giving Pokémon to trainers such as yourself tends to help my cause.” Elm winked and Kaine smiled. Kaine deliberated before deciding. He pointed to the pokéball in the far left corner. “That one.”

Elm looked at his chart. “You would like to choose the Squirtle?”

Kaine nodded and smiled again. “Yes I would.”

Elm carefully extracted the pokéball from the chamber and handed it to Kaine. It popped open with a flash of light and a little Squirtle stood in front of Kaine. It tilted its head and looked questioningly up at Kaine.

“I am Kaine,” he spoke softly to the Squirtle. “I am your trainer now. I promise we will become good friends. I shall call you…Gryphonn.”

Gryphonn smiled and jumped around a little bit. Kaine smiled in return and called Gryphonn to him. Gryphonn complied and Kaine petted his smooth head.

Elm was beaming. “Great! You seem to have a very close bond with him already! But, I can see the exhaustion in your eyes. Would you like to sleep?”

Kaine laughed. “You have no idea, Professor.” Elm nodded and motioned for Kaine to follow again. Kaine bid Gryphonn return to his pokéball, and he slid the pokéball into a pocket inside his coat. Elm led him to a bed and said, “Here you are. I wish I could offer you more.”

Kaine waved that off. “There is no need. I thank you for your hospitality.” Elm nodded and left, closing the door. Kaine cast himself upon the bed and almost instantly fell asleep. In the back of his mind, before sleep completely claimed him, Kaine wondered just where this new adventure would take him.

[Moonlight]

The young woman nodded as Amethyst spoke, her soft amber gaze observing the umber tressed woman in front of her. It was clear that she was tired, and probably from a long night. But, even so, it was clear in her dark blue eyes that she was at least fairly friendly at first glance. Perhaps it'd be safe to talk a little more. The letter and package she'd gotten hadn't given a whole lot of information, but enough to make it clear help was needed. Selina waited a moment when Amethyst addressed Eva, though a small smile touched her lips when Leta translated.

"Eva is curious, but she also wants to help. Even at that first encounter, she could tell his behavior was unnatural. I am fairly certain that she'd like to meet with him once he has calmed down," Leta murmured, though standing up now. The white psychic type's gaze was clearly fastened on the storage sphere, despite being hidden by her crimson spiked helm. Koun's bristling growl at the pokeball only confirmed Leta's translation for them, though. Koun's ire was still painfully clear.

"Well ... I suppose that answers the main question, then," Selina murmured, as her psychic companion was speaking to both of them. "However ... I do have another question of my own," the young woman added quietly, dropping her backpack onto one arm as she started going through a sidepocket. It wasn't long before she pulled out a small burlap package, which unfolded easily to reveal a small assortment of items.

Among the most obvious being stark contrast from what one would expect, a piece of neatly folded parchment - slightly wrinkled from being in her backpack while flying on Aero - with a broken wax seal. The stamped ferry ticket was also tucked back into the package, though the fact that it was second-class and free was odd on it's own. Lastly, there was a carefully crafted steel feather that had flame designs on it and was attached to a slender chain. According to the letter, proof of alliance with the Phoenix.

"... Have you or the Professor heard of someone going by the alias of The Phoenix? The true extremity of Johto's condition came to me in the mail, rather than from a more common source that would likely attempt to smooth things over. As you can plainly see, this person is intent on halting the Shroud as well. But is afraid to show his or her face to do it with. I know the cause is worth it, but ... I am merely curious about my anonymous 'host'," the young woman said softly, her tone withholding level but quieted intrigue. It was obvious that the Phoenix had many resources, but there had to be a reason for hiding behind an alias. That elusive reason causing much unrest for her, though she could live without an answer for now if it came to that.

A masculine voice suddenly rang out in the lab, causing Selina to jump slightly. "Amethyst, did you catch it?" a middle-aged man called out as he rounded the corner, stuffing something in the pocket of his lab coat as he did so. His brow arched in surprise when he saw Selina and her pokemon companions, pausing. "I wasn't expecting anyone else. May I ask your name?" the sandy haired man inquired as he dropped an empty bag of chips into the trash bin, brushing his hands on his tan slacks.

"Oh, yes ... I'm Selina Anima. I've heard of Johto's condition, and was wondering if I could do anything to help. The Resistance is still recruiting?" Selina added questioningly, only to quirk a brow in return at his bemused expression.

"You're the second to show up today, as it happens. We must be in luck, then," he informed her, though the young woman was still at loss as to whom he was. Johto's Professor had never made a point to show up anywhere in public that she knew of, so Elm could've been any of the men walking around the lab. "Another lad showed up early yesterday morning, though it seems he's sleeping off his exhaustion. If you're willing to stick around, Miss Anima, maybe we'll see if we can come to an arrangement? I'm sure that both you and Amethyst here could benefit from an experienced trainer's guidance, after all," he continued, turning as he motioned them towards the back of the lab. "Oh yeah ... Where did the Activation Gloves go, Amethyst?"

[Diamond]

"Yes, I caught it, thanks to Selina's Poochyenna here," Amethyst said. "And I believe they're in the main room with the Pokemon, for easy access when recruits without Pokemon show up?" she said, trying to jog the rather absentminded professor's memory of things he had said.

"Ah! That's right! I remember now!" Elm said, heading off.

"Remember to eventually finish your lunch, Professor!" Amethyst called after him. "And to answer your question, yes, we do know of the Pheonix. Who or what it is, we still don't know. I do hope he eventually approaches us," she added.

Amethyst stared at the Poochyenna again. "He's not going to get out of there very easily, so you don't need to worry about him," she said, smirking a bit.

[Moonlight]

Selena paused when Amethyst proceeded to remind the professor about more than just the mentioned gloves, quirking a brow once more. It was clear that Koun appreciated his efforts being acknowledged, though, proceeding to bark once in thanks. Leta audibly chuckled in their heads at the last reminder, realizing the smudge on his lab coat was food. "Definitely an interesting one, to say the least. Do you always work with him, Lady Amethyst? the psychic type wondered, musing. She nodded after a moment to Koun when the wolf pup stood, clearly impatient for her to fully translate. "Koun is adamant about this. He says if the demon eevee attacks Eva, he will hurt it. And hurt it badly enough that it can't attack her again," Leta added for him, as Eva still wanted to try to help the eevee apparently.

"Koun ... Try to bear in mind that it is a Shroud Pokemon. If the Shroud is a more advanced version of the Shadows, then you cannot pin the blame on it. It deserves sympathy rather than anger," Selina reminded her long time companion, quietly making a point as his ears drooped slightly. "You do have a point, though ... It looks as if no one knows who exactly the Phoenix is. I have to wonder why he or she insists on hiding, though," the amber eyed young woman murmured, combing her fingers through her electrum tresses as she spoke. "But, perhaps we should join the Professor," the young woman added, grateful that someone had pointed out who was who.

[Diamond]

Amethyst nodded. "Yes, I do work with him. You might call me an aide, if I got their salary. I'm his apprentice," she said, leading the way to the main room where new trainers were given Pokemon with which to start their journeys.

"Also, I'd like to point out the Eevee has an aloof nature, so it's probably slightly aggressive anyway. But, with your permission, I'd like to try something which I'll need your Pokemon's assistance. Here we are," she said, gesturing to the large, open room with a counter at one edge, lined with pokeballs and the gloves.

Prof. Elm was bussling about, looking for the gloves, as was proven when they heard him muttering about them not being where he thought they were.

"Counter," Amethyst sighed.

"What?" Elm asked, startled.

"The counter. Over there. The gloves are on it," she said, rubbing the bridge of her nose as Elm rushed over there, looking slightly embarrassed.

[Kaine]

Kaine awoke to the sound of bustling activity and murmuring voices. His mind was still foggy, and it took him several minutes to reorient himself.

“Kaine!” shouted a deep voice in his mind. Kaine winced and shuddered at its intensity.

“Yes, Khan?”

“So you will answer me! I’ve been trying to contact you since dawn. Yesterday.”

Kaine stretched lazily as he swung his feet over the side of the bed. “I’ve been asleep that long?”

“Apparently. At least tell me you are going to collapse from exhaustion next time so I do not spend all my time worried about you.”

Kaine chuckled. “You sound like a mother.”

Khan sounded indignant. “Well, if you insist on acting like a child, someone must wear the pants.”

Kaine laughed loudly and stood up, starting to dress himself. He heard a clattering sound outside the room and wondered just what Elm was up to.

“I am glad to know you are safe, Kaine.”

Kaine smiled. “I’m glad I’m safe too. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you updated with how things go here.”

“I appreciate it. Now go, talk to Elm. See if you can get any more information from him.”

“I will.” Kaine finished dressing and donned his trench coat.
“Gryphonn, come out.” Gryphonn happily popped out of his pokéball and chirped. Kaine chuckled and said, “Come on, bud. Let’s see what’s happening out with Professor Elm.”

[Inng]

Inng looked down at the ground below him, his eyes widening with fear as he did. He was extremely high off the ground and he had just come to a point where the rock was so smooth he could not get footing. He cursed his bad luck, and tried to scoot across the small ledge he was standing on. Hopefully if he maneuvered around the small mountain he could find a spot with jagged places to step down on.

“I hate the outdoors,” he whined while sidling along the ‘minor rock formation’. The mere thought of what his pokemon companion had called the small mountain made his blood boil. Noir was always getting him into trouble with her suggestions. His mind recalled the incident that happened not too long ago, when the phantasmal pokemon told him to take a bike lying on a trail. It didn’t take long for the bicycle gang to track him and take back their property.

While the absent minded young man recalled his past misadventures in his head, he was unknowingly making progress down the mountain. He was about fifteen feet away from solid ground before he had noticed, “Wow,” he exclaimed in amazement. “I guess I should keep my mind off of things more often.” Happy, for the first time since this whole mess, Inng eagerly went to climb down. “Boo,” yelled Noir to him telepathically while appearing next to his face. Inng let go of the rock he had gripped and fell backwards, surprise covered his face as he plummeted.

Noir made a giggling expression before floating down to check on her trainer. The young man had only fallen, what could have happened? She moved to where the grey coated man was lying, his eyes open, staring up at the sky. Noir looked down at him, only a few inches from his face. “Gotcha.”

Inng groaned, obviously in pain, but he made no effort to move. “I hate you…” he said through his grunts, his face contorting in odd ways as he slowly moved his limbs. “I’ll just…lay here for a while.” Inng’s glare focused on his pokemon, who danced happily in the air above him, obviously proud of herself.

[Kaine]

The door opened and Kaine stepped through into the laboratory proper to see Elm bustling around actively, forgetting his half-eaten sandwich on the counter. Kaine chuckled and looked near the door to see two young girls conversing about something he could not overhear. He scanned the rest of the room, looking for a chair. He could not spot one and sighed. I guess I just have to stand.

“Ha! Sometimes Kaine, you can be a little too lazy for your own good!”

Kaine rolled his eyes and responded, “You’re one to talk, Khan. You spend all day floating around.”

He heard Khan give a mental snort and go silent. He chuckled and cleared his throat. He saw the girls jump, but Elm did not even react. “Excuse me, Professor Elm?” he spoke softly.

Elm whirled around. “Kaine! I didn’t know you were up!”

Kaine shrugged and waved him off. “It’s fine. Do you happen to have chairs out here?”

Elm turned again and disappeared around a corner. He returned seconds later carrying a small, folding chair. Kaine dropped into it and mumbled, “Thanks.”

“It’s not a problem, I assure you! Now, is there anything else I can get you?”

Kaine shook his head, “No, I’m fine.” He looked over at the door again to see the girls staring at him. He smiled a little and nodded to them. “Kaine Dul’Goldon.”

[Moonlight]

Selina chuckled slightly under her breath at Leta's following commentary, though shushing the psychic type so she'd be polite. "I don't see why not. What did you have in mind, Amethyst?" the young woman inquired as the Professor bustled around, collecting a handful of items here and there throughout the room. Leta clapped her small palm to her helm when Elm accidentally knocked his lunch into the trash bin, shaking her head.

"Aye, aye ... Is he really an esteemed professor?" Leta mumbled privately, wondering at his forgetfulness and apparent clumsiness.

Not everyone is as they seem, after all, the electrum tressed young woman returned calmly, though watching the duo in front of her. Selina paused upon hearing someone clear their throat, immediately glancing over. A long haired and auburn tressed man now sat across the room from them, his deep crimson gaze casually settling on them. Kaine, he said his name was. She nodded, before turning to face him briefly as Elm continued on his search for whatever he was looking for. "Selina Anima. Pleased to meet you," the young woman said quietly, bowing her head briefly in greeting. She habitually brushed a pale strand of loose hair out of her eyes as it slid over her shoulder, preferring to have full view of her surroundings despite it lacking threat.

Glancing down at Eva and Koun, and with a nudge from Leta, she shrugged one shoulder. The fennec pokemon was still focused on the storage sphere holding what Leta had dubbed as the 'demon eevee', although her gaze was partially focused on the arrival and her ears were tilted towards him. Koun, however, was at rapt attention towards the crimson laden man. The wolf pup was standing once more, but advanced little. "Well, these are my companions. Eva is the youngest of our group, but she means well," Selina commented as the feminine eevee tried to balance on her hind legs to reach the pokeball. "This is Koun, by the way," she added as the dark wolf pup took another step forward, sniffing the air. His claws clicked on the tiled floor as he moved, but still managed to keep his traction at least. He flicked his tail after a moment, before sitting at attention.

Leta, on the other hand, simply chose to introduce herself. The small psychic type stood on Selina's shoulder, offering a calm nod of her head. "Leta is my name," the dainty female said, tone level but not unwelcoming.

"All right, Miss Anima, we should have everything ready now. I hope I'm not interrupting, but here you are," Professor Elm said as he appeared at her side, smiling when Eva decided to pad over to say hello to him. He handed the young woman a glove and a packet of pokeballs, the former appearing to be strong yet soft black leather. A small, battery sized mechanism was visible at the tips, though it was also covered with the rise of the leather.

As Selina slide it onto her right hand, a notable whirring was audible as it adjusted to fit the contours of it. A perfect fit. Selina nodded in thanks, offering a slight smile. "Thanks, Professor. As I'm new to the region, though, do you have any suggestions for the near future?" she queried, shifting her weight as she spoke.

"Well, there is something I'd like to have done if it can be agreed on. Kaine, would you be willing to teach Selina and Amethyst the ropes of being a true trainer?" Elm added, his dark green gaze locking on the crimson donned trainer. From his tone, it was highly apparent that Kaine had long experience in his art.

[Diamond]

Amethyst sighed. "I am Amethyst Gemstone, the professor's apprentice. My pokemon are currently resting." She turned to look at her teacher. "Are you sure this is wise? I mean, I'm not made for long travels." She looked a bit frantic.

Elm, however, didn't seem to notice. "You'll be fine. I'm sure you'll all get along fine!" He then wandered off to somewhere else, ending the discussion.

Amethyst muttered something too softly to be heard, but it could be assumed it wasn't a nice word.

"Anyway, as he seems to completely hate me, perhaps he would bond quicker to a pokemon, rather than trying to force a human on him so early," Amethyst said. "Your Eevee seems to be interested enough in him."